Nine Part 5.

Diclaimer: It belongs to J.K Rowling, not me.

Authors note: Ok people, here it where my story differs just a little from cannon. I know members of the DA were out spying on people that night but for the purposes on my story, only Ginny and Ron and Neville were spying on Malfoy. To everyone else it was just an ordinary night when all hell broke loose. I'd also like to credit Erin with a wonderful idea she gave me for this part that is found in the exchanges between Luna and Hermione.

Thank you so much to all those who reviewed the last chapter, including those who didn't leave thier email, I couldn't get back and say thanx. So Huggs and cookies to -Lady Rhian, Lulo, Little Beloved, robinsena, sptentrion, BeckiSoup, Joani, michelline, Edania, Moony's-wolf, magicmistress, excessivlyperky, Bjornsdotter, msenterprise, Fan Fiction Fan, tubbles, Dizzy, DracosRusty, Lilpeng1, shwcat, hyugadaisuk, and Brandy and Erin

"Hermione! Come quick, there are Death Eaters in the Castle."

Hermione dropped her quill, leaving her diary open on the desk as she jumped to her feet and retrieved her wand.

Ginny was out of breath waiting at the bottom of the dormitory steps.

"Dennis, Colin, stay here, organise the others in case the Death Eaters get in." She told the stunned common room. "Ginny, what happened, how did they get in?" She asked as they made their way out of the common room, Seamus, Dean and Lavender following close behind.

"We were watching Malfoy, he was in the room of requirement, when he came out he cast Peruvian darkness powder, none of us could see a thing, that's when we realized what had happened. He must have found some way of getting them in through the room; we were delayed because we couldn't see where we were going. Neville and Ron went to see what they could do to help the teachers, McGonagall and Vector are trying to hold them back from the common room corridors, she's ordered every one back to their rooms, Tonks, Lupin and Bill are here, we've flooed the ministry and the rest of the Order are on their way."

Hermione's mind whirled trying to sort all the information, firmly pushing down her emotions she tried to formulate some sort of plan.

"Ok, Ginny activate the coins, I want all the DA to be informed, two members from each house have to stay in their common rooms and organise their houses, I want them to protect the younger one in case they get through the protections."

Just then Neville came sprinting down the corridor.

"Hermione, Ginny, all the fighting's going on at the door to the top of the astronomy tower, it's bad, we're going to need all the help we can get." He said panting a little.

"Ok, Neville, go back to the dorm, get that bottle of Felix Felicis from Harry's trunk, bring it the astronomy tower, Ginny tell the rest of the DA to get there, I'll head up and see what I can do to help.

Without seeing if they could follow her instructions she ran for the tower, Dean, Lavender and Seamus struggling to keep up with her.

Draco stood at the top of the stairs his wand shaking in his hand. This was it, the time had come, kill the Headmaster and save his family or … there wasn't really any or, was there? He had to do this, had no choice. He could do this, he was a Malfoy, and a Malfoy always protected their family at any cost, even if it went against their own conscience. He heard movement on the tower, his face set in a grim line he burst through the door.

"Expelliarmus!"

Minerva cast hex after hex, dodging and dipping better then any witch her age should be able to. Beside her Filius blocked and wove charms to disrupt their opponents. From the corner of her eyes she saw an opening and managed to stun two of the Death Eaters.

"Filius, get Severus, tell him what has happened and bring him here. We can hold them for now.

Professor Flitwick ran off down the steps. He passed Hermione, Dean, Lavender and Seamus on the way.

Hermione ran to McGonagall and stood besides her shooting of spells, giving the older woman a chance to recover, as her friends entered the fray.

"Miss Granger, I've just sent Professor Flitwick to get Professor Snape, take one of your friends and ensure that he's alright on his way back." Reluctantly Hermione nodded and turned to go back, Luna appeared beside her and she motioned the other girl to follow her.

Severus sat grading papers for his fifth year class, completely unaware of the events taking place five floors above him.

The door to his office flew open; Filius barreled into the room, his hair a wild mess and his eyes blazing with urgency.

"Severus, we're under attack… Astronomy tower, you must go…"

He knew then, that tonight would be the time he must carry out his orders. Coldly he assumed his traitors identity, sweeping it like a cloak around his very being. There was no place for emotion here.

"Stupefy" he cast silently, his colleague falling into a sleep on the dungeon floor. There was no time to waste, striding from his office he started determinedly for the astronomy tower. Too late he realized that Flitwick had not been alone. Hermione and a sixth year Ravenclaw, Luna something, were running towards him.

"Flitwick has fainted, he's in my office", he told them. Luna darted around him, intent on getting to her head of house when she was hit by another silent spell. Hermione stared at him in sock and disbelief. He looked into her eyes and with a brief apologetic look he stunned her too.

He felt a little relieved to know that she was out of the fighting for the moment; perhaps having her stunned in the dungeons would stop someone from killing her.

They would of course have cast the Dark Mark he surmised, probably on the tower and were waiting for Dumbledore to appear there. This meant he had to get there before Draco could do the deed. He quickened his pace; the great bat of the dungeons practically flying up the long steps to the tower where he would no doubt do the unforgivable.

The fight was fast and furious; spells were ricocheting off walls and armor, causing the dim light in the corridor to take on a hazy red glare. All the members of the DA and most of the order along with the teachers were trying to defend themselves from attack. Neville had appeared moments before and given everyone a small sip of the precious potion that helped to give them luck, and not a moment too soon.

Ginny was sending hex after hex, trying to duck and dodge the spells a female Death Eater was shooting at her, she heard her opponent cast the killing curse and suddenly found herself flat on the ground. Lavender Brown gave her a quick, tight smile and jumped back on her feet casting a quick protego as they came under attack again.

"Thanks Lavender! I didn't know you had it in you."

"No problem Ginny. If we survive this you can get your brothers to buy me a drink." She said firing another volley of curses.

Ginny was kept on her toes but was surprised at Lavender's skills in defending them.

"Lavender, I just want you to know that I think Ron's a complete arse for not noticing who you really are."

"Don't worry about it, he is an arse, but I love him anyway." She flicked her wand casting another shield charm as a nasty slicing hex nearly hit them. They were fighting back-to-back now and managing quite well.

"I'll tell you this Lav, when he finally comes round I'll be glad to have you as a sister." Ginny pulled Lavender out of the way this time while sending a tickling hex at the Death Eater who had tried to stun them.

Both girls got behind the wall to catch their breath, then gave each other a hug. In the madness going on around them, each had found an unlikely friend and ally.

Draco was faltering; here he was pointing his wand at a sick and defenceless old man. What kind of monster was he? Dumbledore was offering him a way out and he was going to take it. Lowering his wand he looked right into the old Headmaster's eyes.

"Draco, listen carefully. There is nothing you can do to change the outcome of tonight. Don't blame yourself my boy. I know there is so much more to you than what you show. Do not be afraid to show your true self, have faith. Stall when the time comes. Someone other than you has this job tonight, and do not despair, your mother is safe, do exactly as Professor Snape tells you!"

Draco's face filled with shock for a split second, and then he nodded his head imperceptibly as more Death Eaters burst out onto the tower.

"Hermione, are you all right?" Luna asked helping the older girl up.

"I'm fine Luna, just a little dazed, have you checked Flitwick?" Hermione asked as she brushed off her skirt. Her emotions were roiling, what the hell had just happened? Why had Severus stunned them?

"I levitated him onto the couch in Snape's office. He's ok, but I think he might have hit his head when he... I really rather imagine Snape stunned him like he did us." She said matter of factually.

Hermione held her breath, waiting to see if Luna would say anything more. Managing to keep her face a carefully blank mask she looked at the possibilities in front of her. As far as she could tell, this was exactly what he and Dumbledore had been waiting for, Snape had finally had to take up the role of traitor, but he had done it badly, made just one little slip, if he was going to cast any spell at all on either of them as a death eater he should just have killed them, and Luna was smart enough to figure that out.

"Luna, I don't..." Luna cut her off with a surprising sharp look.

"Hermione, do you really think I'm that stupid? I saw his face when he saw you; it's the first time he's ever shown a shred of emotion. You can explain it to me later. I won't mention that he stunned us."

Hermione was almost speechless, a girl that most had discounted as too airy fairy to be observant enough to catch on had just succinctly summed up the situations and reassured her of her discretion.

"Come on them. We better get back upstairs and see if we can help."

Albus stood shakily, talking to his former pupils, stalling for time. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold onto his mind, the potion was shutting down his body system by system. He must stay alive until Severus could get there. His plans were so well laid out, but if Severus didn't get here soon, his body would give out before their little production could be put into action. He knew Draco was more than people gave him credit for; even now with the others pressuring him to kill him, he held back, stalling just as he had asked him. The sound of the tower door swinging open again drew his attention and he sent a last message of thanks to the blond young man before him. Snape was here.
Severus didn't have time to pay any attention to the people around him, thankful that both sides believed he was on their side. Striding through the barrier, he went up the tower steps and stepped out into his doom.

He swept the parapet with a cold eye, taking in every last detail. A shadow that was not a shadow fell out of the corner of his eye. Well, he thought sourly, that just about clinches it; perfect Potter, here to witness my betrayal. How poetic. There would be no chance now of any sort of reprieve. The boy would relate the tale to the rest of the Order and the whole of Britain would be out for his blood by morning. Damn it! The old fool had yet to tell him who his contact would be. How could he possibly hope to pass information on if they tried to kill him? Overwhelming feelings of rage and despair engulfed him, how in Satan's nine hells had all this ever come to pass? What was the use of prophecy when it held no power? It would be better to die himself than live through this.

"Severus..." The old man pleaded, seeing his friend waver.

He glared at his mentor, raging at what the old man wanted him to do. How dare he put him in this position after all these years? After all these years when happiness, the one thing which had driven him this far had been in his grasp? The injustice of the situation drove his emotions, he always knew he would be punished for his wrong doings, but this, this was truly inspirational, Karma definitely had to be commended.

He swept forward, pushing Draco roughly out of his way. They all fell back without a word. He stood before Albus, fear, rage and hate pulsing through him.

"How can you make me do this?" He sent angrily.

"Severus, you must. Sometime we must do what is right even when it is hard and some times we must do what is wrong which is harder still. Please forgive me Severus, but you must carry this out, I am dying anyway. Help make my death mean something."

Severus was shaken to the core, still he resisted, his own death would be better, but looking into the old mans eyes once more he realised he could not disobey him. Trust in me, he had asked him once and trusted he had.

"Severus…please…" his master asked again.

Albus watched as Severus finally gave in and pointed his wand directly at him; self-loathing and repulsion evident in his face. With one last thought of thanks to the man he had come to think of as a son, he let the potion finally complete its purpose. His heart stopped and Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of his time died a split second before the killing curse hit him.

His mind registered the looks on their faces and the one tear that Severus covertly wiped from his eye as his body sailed over the tower and plummeted to the ground below. His last thought before he closed his eyes was 'Oh bugger, I didn't see that coming!'

The sky turned red like blood and the stars disappeared. An ill wind swept over the elemental plain chilling beings that had never known cold to the very depth of their souls. The maid and the mother watched as the crone held a single silver thread and tugged it from the tapestry which was trying to weave itself to completion. From the pocket of her black robe she took a pair of shears and held it by the thread. With a sharp and decisive motion she brought the blades closed on the thread. With a screech of steel against steel the shears broke.

Shocked silence fell as the broken blades clattered to the floor and the silver thread wove itself back into the weave. For a moment the maid stopped spinning and the mother stopped weaving, time stopped. The universe seemed to hold its breath and then sneeze. The maid looked at the mother who shrugged, and then the mother looked at the crone. The crone smiled in surprise then shrugged as well. Time began again, but the tapestry had changed dramatically, new threads of gold and silver shot through, dispelling the grey and black.

Across the universe the beings looked up as a silver wave of light rippled out, touching everything in its path; sending a message and a warning with its power. Beings, who had shunned their mortal brothers, suddenly took an interest in the mortal plain once more. Things were beginning to get interesting.

Draco and Snape ran through the halls, making for the front door. Draco felt his lungs on fire from the pace, but he ran on, pushed by his Professor to keep going. His mind was desperately trying to make sense of all that had transpired, but was fast caving in under the stress of the events. Had that been what Dumbledore had meant, had he perhaps got it wrong? Should he really trust Snape? Could he trust Snape? He had just watched the man, that the headmaster claimed was loyal to him kill him in cold blood. He had just been a weak defenceless old man. What sort of glory could anyone, even Snape, gain from killing him then? He heard Potters bellow of rage and stopped mid flight across the lawn. Snape had turned to confront Potter.

Draco watched with fascination as Snape effortlessly deflected unforgivables hurled at him from Potter. How on earth was he doing it? No one could deflect them. With an insight many would deny he possessed he observed the duel before him. Snape was trying to teach Potter, even now! Realization dawned like the sun; Snape was still protecting the prat, trying to encourage him to do better. He had the chance to kill Potter right in front of him, or at the very least stun him and taking him to Voldemort, but he was doing neither. Relief washed through him, Dumbledore had been right. Snape was still on his side. He thought back to what the old Headmaster had asked him to do, and what he had said.

"…there is nothing you can do to change the outcome of tonight,"

He had known he would die, had told Draco that it had been inevitable.

"…someone other than you has this job tonight."

Dumbledore had known that Snape would come to kill him. His next thought made him blanch in denial. Had the Headmaster ordered Snape to do it? He must have, that could be the only reason he had ordered him to do as Snape told him.

"Run Draco!" Snape called to him, tossing him a small package unseen. Without further ado, Draco took off again, still shocked and bewildered at what had happened.

Hermione and Luna had made it to the astronomy tower and were desperately trying to stanch the bleeding Bill Weasely. His face was a mass of shredded and serrated skin, hanging from his muscles and bones in strips.

Ginny clutched at Lavender as the other girl tried to comfort her. Remus and Tonks were helping an injured Neville to his feet.

Minerva looked around, horror and despair showing plainly on her face. Trying to calm herself and determinedly pushing away thoughts about her husband, she took control of the situation.

"Mr. Weasely, go to the hospital wing and inform Madam Pomfrey that we are bringing injured to her." Ron stared at her in shock, unable to comprehend what was going on, he kept looking fearfully at his brother and wondering what exactly it was he was meant to do in this situation.

"Mr. Weasley! Pay attention, now go and tell Poppy we are on our way." Minerva snapped. The look on his face at her harsh words brought a small pang on guilt to her heart. Softening her tone she apologized and then urged him to do as she had asked.

"… and Mr. Weasely, when you get there, tell Poppy I asked you to fire-call your parents."

Nodding gratefully he took off along the corridor, thankful for something to do and grateful to be away from the horror and carnage he had witnessed. He'd always thought that when the time came he could go into battle, ready and prepared for what he would see, but the reality of blood and death was something, which he could never have imagined. He felt bile rise in his throat again at the memory of his brother's savaged face.

When the people you loved were the ones lying injured or dying, war suddenly became less like the great adventure he had always believed it to be and more like the greatest nightmare he never wanted to endure. No one ever thinks it can happen to them. It had always been other people he had no connection to that had died or been attacked. He'd always felt sorry for them though and knew on some basic level the wrongness of what Voldemort and his Death Eaters were doing. But like many, Ron Weasely had never really known or tried to imagine what it would really be like. Never known just what seeing and experiencing such violence and revilement in pain could really do to him. His eyes were finally open now, and he didn't like what he saw. There was no way they could win this. The other side was too depraved, was willing to risk everything for their cause. Ron didn't want to risk his family, didn't want to see what had happened to Bill happen to others. He should never have gotten drawn into this; he was just an innocent bystander, if he hadn't become friends with Harry, would his family really have backed Dumbledore as hard as they had? Would Bill be sitting at home right now with mum and dad, happy and still living in blissful ignorance of this horror? As he saw the hospital door in sight he wondered if there was any other way he could protect his family from all this.

Lucius Malfoy hung in chains; his usually impeccable appearance, a hazy memory, his long blond hair hung in a tangled mess of knots, limp with sweat and stained brown with dried blood. How long he had been here he was uncertain. He was only thankful that so far he was alive and had not been used as a renewable food source. Vampires, he hated vampires, or at least he thought he had, but these were different, more dangerous. This was a vampire house, a line of living, childbearing creatures that could pass for human, who walked in the sun and lived forever. Unlike their more common counter parts they were completely sane. They were organized, lived by blood and honour, demanded and commanded respect. More than a thousand years ago they had retreated from sight, disgusted by the new breed which had destroyed their reputation and disgusted by the people they had called friends and allies, brothers and sisters. Accused of siring abominations and being hunted down by wizards they had left, warning them of assuming they had been responsible for these new vampires. They told the wizarding world that great evil would rise again and again without their kind to help keep the darkness at bay. Before leaving for good the body of a wizard who had been experimenting on muggle subjects with vampire blood had been found ritually murdered in the way vampires traditionally demanded for vengeance and retribution. Every wizard had known the shame. They had called their friend's monsters and murderers, but the truth was that one of their own had been so greedy that he had wanted immortality for himself and had experimented with the blood of a vampire he had captured and starved. Shame and fear heavy on their hearts they had deleted as many accounts of the real vampires as was possible from records and books. If their world suffered and was plunged into darkness it would be their own fault. The immortals that had lived among them who had cared and comforted and protected had left them and it was on their heads. For millennia they had been the shadows, protectors who fought for the light in the darkest places. Their instincts allowed them to kill without remorse, and faster than light they could move in and out of places without being seen, and could, he thought with a rye chuckle; hold a grudge for a very long time.

When Lucius finally found his way here after being denied entrance by the fae, they had captured him, locked him up and left him here in chains.

He thought it had perhaps been a few days since he had been put here. The man who questioned him, Falcaron, had been dispassionate, as he had tortured him for information on his real reason for seeking them. He told them over again and again of his mission for Dumbledore. They either didn't believe him or didn't want to believe them. Idly he wondered if his life would end here in this dark place or if he might make it through. He believed the former was much more likely and then retreated into a fitful sleep.

Karithal sat at the table in the meeting room. Here he led the council of elders in debate. At this moment in time the other elders were absent. He sat alone in the dark regarding the misty orb before him. The prisoner seemed to believe what he had told them, but it sat uneasy on his mind. The wizard came here claiming to work against Voldemort, yet bore the evil of that ones mark on his arm. Although they no longer entered the mortal realm or had any contact with the wizards and witches they had not been blind to the happenings there.

Sixteen years ago, many in council had argued to set aside differences with the mortals and offer their help, by the time the council had reached a decision it was too late. Voldemort had disappeared, apparently at the hands of a baby. Now they must choose once more, but this time decisions must be made quickly. Or at least that was what was meant to happen, what was planned. But now, well things changed dramatically when all their kind felt the elemental shift rushing out across the ether, something had upset the balance, tilted it on the side of good. Now they must convene a high meeting of the old races to decide this one mortal's fate and that of his kind. He waited to see what response the fae would send. They were as different from his race as his kind was from Wizards; there was no way of predicting their response to the call heard by all. His blood, cold in his veins, chilled even more as he remembered the true speaking that had flooded his consciousness.

The fall of the light

The rise of the dark

The end of night

The bonded mark

Rise up take sides,

For all will abide

To beat the tide

You must not hide

Battle will decide

In who to confide

Beings of eternity

Take up the call

Lest everything fall

And blood divide.

Shivering the immortal looked up as the one person he did not want to see ever again entered the chamber.

Narcissa sat in the kitchen at Grimmauld place, nervously awaiting her son. Earlier that night Dumbledore had shown up to spirit her away from the manor. It had been around seven o'clock that he had appeared. He had helped her pack her things and then went to the dinning room. When she had finished packing she had come down stairs to find a gapping door in the middle of the dinning room, steps led down under the house.

Albus had stood looking around Lucius private sanctuary. Gathering some items and books he shrunk them before making his back up to her.

"What were you taking?" Narcissa asked him with annoyance.

"Some certain things I think he will want when he returns. As soon as we leave this place the ministry and Death Eaters will come, they will find this hidden room eventually. The things I took were the most important in the room, I shall leave them in your safe keeping, not to worry." She nodded understanding and then they had port keyed here.

When they had arrived Dumbledore had sat her down, explaining he didn't have much time.

"Tonight, I shall leave the school to accomplish something of vital importance. Draco will no doubt use this time to create a distraction in order to catch me when I return. I will make sure he comes to no harm. Now, this is the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, Harry told me that it was the property of the Order, therefore I feel he will eventually understand why I am doing this. Narcissa, I want you to be the secret keeper for the house. When I die, it will be visible once more, I cannot risk that, so here and now, you will perform the Fidelius charm."

Narcissa had shaken her head in denial.

"I couldn't possibly Uncle, your Order members will not believe me when I tell them that you made me secret keeper, if they come here and find me I'm as good as dead."

"Narcissa, trust me on this. I have left information in the hands of a trusted confidant. She will vouch for you when the time comes. I will also leave you with a letter for Minerva to take with you when you go to tell her what I have done. Write to her and request a meeting in ten days, she will accept. When the time is right all the information I have bound you to hold will come out, you will know of whom you may tell when you meet them, the compulsion to keep what you know to yourself will disappear."

"Do you really think you might survive all this uncle? You're taking a rather long shot on this, there's no guarantee that they will be able to revive you. What if something goes wrong and you are injured beyond the killing curse? It would take more than the counter potion to save you then."

"Yes, it would" he said nodding gravely, "but it is a chance I have to take."

Narcissa sighed to herself once more. They had preformed the charm and now only she could tell of where the place was. By tomorrow all protection her uncle could afford her would be gone, only the memory of him might stop those who despised her and her son from killing them out right. Draco, Draco, where are you? She thought and prayed he would be ok and then her mind turned to her husband, wherever he was she was certain his charm and cunning would be standing him in good stead, after all he always managed to land on his feet, didn't he?

"Ron… Dumbledore's dead." Said Ginny.

Hermione's eyes snapped wide at the news, news she had never expected in a million years. Dumbledore dead? How could he be dead? It didn't make sense.

Harry's words penetrated her emotional fog.

"Snape killed him." Harry said viciously.

Hermione clapped her hand over her mouth in shock, biting the palm of her hand hard trying not to make a sound as the tears welled in her eyes. She dimly felt Luna's soothing touch on her back. No! No, no, no, this wasn't happening, he hadn't. It couldn't be true; Severus would never have done this! Unwillingly she listened to the tiny voice of doubt in her mind.

He's been fooling you all along, even managed to pull the wool over Dumbledore's eyes, what makes you so special, are you not allowed to be wrong about someone?

Shut up, I'm not listening to this. I won't believe it.

Suddenly the song of the Phoenix reached her ears, soothing her heart and mind. As they all listened something inside Hermione fell into place. Logic had managed to regain control. What could she do? What should she do? She had to act on what she knew. Dumbledore had warned her, she'd just never imagined that this was their plan. Then she thought back to the curse on his arm, he had been dying anyway, what better way to end it than let Severus kill him and gain his acceptance by all in Voldemort's circle who doubted him. They would trust him implicitly now. It also meant that Severus was alone, vulnerable and the whole world would be out for his blood.

What would Dumbledore have done? Records, proof, there would be proof somewhere of all that had happened, a Pensieve somewhere explaining it all. The Pensieve! All thought seemed to grind to a halt, she had to get to Severus' office and take his pensive, there were important memories in there, one's which definitively proved his innocence, but first she had to get to them. She had to plan now and decide what to do, to be ready to act in a way that would not be suspicious.

She must go along with Harry and Ron. There was nothing else she could do right now. Surely if this had been planned the Headmaster would have left some sort of instruction. Looking up as the song ended she saw McGonagall entering the infirmary.

Journal of Minerva McGonagall

I think I knew, even before I reached the hospital wing, why else would Fawkes have been singing? When Potter announced his death so bluntly I felt as though I had been slammed into a wall by a bludger. I couldn't stand; my legs gave out under me.

I saw Hermione's look of sympathy and understanding, but was unable to take comfort in it. Severus killed Albus? I had always wondered what had made Albus take Severus' word on his loyalty, but because he trusted him I had to trust Snape. He had always hinted that Severus had an ironclad reason for joining the order, that he would never betray us, but he had and in the vilest way possible.

My husband, lover and friend is gone. How can I continue when, my life is no more than a mere shadow waiting for the sunlight to dispel it? The reason Potter gave for Albus trusting Severus didn't ring true somehow, but it doesn't matter. The deed is done and my heart is dead. I must go on until the end. It is what he would have wanted. I have to see this through and one day I want to have Severus at my mercy and see how he takes it. The pain will never leave me. I can only hope that when this damn war is over I can rest and find him once more.

Draco had opened the package once he had reached the end of the wards; picking up the used battery from the box he felt the familiar tug of a portkey at his navel as the world swirled around him.

When he landed he was swept up into his mother's waiting arms.

"Draco, my baby, oh thank Athena you're safe. I wondered if he would manage to keep you safe." Narcissa said holding her son close.

"I'm fine mother, are you alright? Where are we?" He asked looking around with distrust.

"I'm fine now that you are here my son, as for where we are, we are at the Black House in Grimmauld place, Dumbledore brought me here this evening. We have to stay here and be safe for a time. I have a story to tell you, I need you to listen and not interrupt, do you understand?" She asked him seriously.

"Yes, alright, I promise." Smiling sadly she ushered him into the sitting room and Draco Malfoy sat down to hear the story of his life.

Luna stroked Hermione's hair soothingly, humming a little tune under her breath. Wearily Hermione sighed. They had decided to come to the room of requirement to get some privacy away from the people milling about, gossiping about what had occurred. When Luna had seen Hermione almost slam a fifth year boy into the wall by his neck after he had remarked how he'd like to torture and humiliate the slimy scum fuck, she had calmly put a restraining arm on her friend's shoulder and directed her from the common room.

Luna waited. She knew that eventually Hermione would share it all with her. It was only a matter of time; however, a little encouragement might be in order.

"So why do you think Dumbledore let Snape kill him?" Luna finally asked.

"To get Severus higher in the ranks, help more people with the information he would be able to get. Dumbledore was dying already though."

"Yes, I knew that, it was obvious what kind of curse it was, it kills you slowly, when it finally takes your body the heart is the last to go." Hermione nodded affirmatively.

"Yes…but it doesn't make it any easier, he's dead and now Severus is in even more danger than before. How am I supposed to help him when he believes I think him a murderer? He won't come near me. There are all these emotions running through me; grief, pain, loss and… Luna I just want to hex them all for being so vile about Severus. He doesn't deserve it, and Harry is the worst but I can't tell him a thing!" She sat up and cradled her head in her hands, her eyes streaming with silent tears of frustration. It was absolutely official; Hermione Granger didn't know what to do, didn't know what to feel and foremost didn't know how to cope.

"Look Hermione, there isn't anything that can be done right now, but you must get your emotions under control. We just need to talk this out. Tell me everything and I'll help you, surely you need one person to lean on. You can't possibly do this all yourself."

Hermione smiled at Luna gratefully and nodded.

"Severus had worked as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix for twenty years. I'm almost certain what happened tonight was planned by Dumbledore. It's pretty obvious now that the Unbreakable vow Severus had to make was to carry out Draco's mission if he failed. Dumbledore must have forced him to do it. The curse was killing him and something happened in that cave tonight, something else that sped up the process. He had to drink that potion and it hurt him."

"But I overheard Harry telling you it was all for nothing, that what they found was a fake."

"It was. It is strange isn't it, that Dumbledore didn't know that. He always seemed to be aware of everything. I think we should try and find out more about that. Harry has already asked me to find R.A.B, the initials left in the note."

"There's nothing we have to do now that exams have been cancelled. We could go down tomorrow." Luna offered.

"Yes, I think that's a good idea. Getting back to the story though, if I'm right about Professor Snape there has to be information about it somewhere and we have to find it before his cover is blown. There's a Pensieve in his office and I think there will be some sort of note after Dumbledore's funeral for me, something, to help me help him. The Headmaster told me that Severus and I were connected by a prophecy."

Luna's grey eyes widened and she smiled. "So you two are in love. I thought so, but it's difficult to tell with you, you always seem so reserved."

Hermione's face went slightly pink at Luna's quick guess and looked back at the fire.

"I don't know… that's all I can say. I know how I feel about him and it's so complicated at the same time as being simple… I don't know how he really feels, but I think he cares for me."

"Of course he does. I saw his face tonight remember, his eyes were so full of pain and despair for a moment when he saw you and there was a kind of longing I recognized, a longing to have something he desperately wanted but didn't think he really deserved. He loves you Hermione, whether he knows or not, he does. I think you and he must play a pretty big part in all this. Prophecies aren't just made for nothing you know, especially in times of war, that's when all the proper ones are made. You've got to find out what the prophecy said in its entirety. There might be clues in it that be can use."

Hermione looked at the girl and shook her head.

"Luna, how can you be so cleaver and yet come across like you're a bit… well you know."

Luna looked off into space for a few more moments before responding.

"It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions. I see a lot of things; sometimes I see things others can't. I just sort of know things without really thinking about it, I trust it, this intuition or whatever it is. But when I tried to explain it to people, they just laughed and called me loony, so I suppose I sort of retreated inside myself and only spoke when it suited me. I am a bit spacey sometimes though but it's because I'm listening to something else or feeling something else. Being able to pick up other people's feelings or just knowing what's about to happen to me or those near me, is distracting. I try and block it out but it's difficult."

Luna's face had taken on the blank mask Hermione had seen on many occasions as she told Hermione her story.

"Oh Luna, that must have been horrible for you to have been teased like that. I'm sorry you had to go through it."

Luna's eyes glowed with happiness and she smiled at Hermione.

"Don't worry, Karma's a bitch and, she'll bite them all up the bum!"

Hermione giggled and nodded in understanding. This Luna was as far from the loony many people called her, as a hippogriff was from a flobberworm. She'd surprise them all one day and show them just how sane she was.

The funeral was beautiful. The sun shone and the lake looked like a tranquil paradise. For this one hour only Hermione let herself breakdown completely. Ron hugged her to him and tried his best to comfort her. This just made her cry harder, the arms she really wanted were far away and seeing Dumbledore's funeral had brought home to her once again just how fragile was a human life, all too easily the soul could escape and depart, never to return.

"How could you do this to him you selfish old man?" She whispered under her breath.

"What's that Mione?" Ron asked passing her a tissue.

"Nothing, I just said he was a defenceless old man." Ron smiled sympathetically and looped his strong arms around her. Hermione tried not to shrug him off, he needed the comfort too.

She watched with awe and delight as the Phoenix erupted from the flames and flew away. Fawkes had always been so fond of his friend, but the symbolism of this was screaming at her mind battering down a thousand doors. A new phoenix always rose from the ashes. The ashes, the marble tomb, the professor's body was still there, not burnt at all. The phoenix had been another message, now all that was left was absolute confirmation.

Dear Diary,

Sixth year is over. A new chapter of my life is beginning. It is time to put childhood behind us; some will find this easier than others. Luna and I are trying to find out what we can about R.A.B but so far nothing has come up. We did discover the the Half Blood Prince was Severus, but it seemed Harry already knew. I suppose it makes sense in a way, I should have recognised his hand writing, I've seen it oftern enough in our notes. We have been unable to get into Severus' chambers though, it seemed they have locked everyone out and for some odd reason. Professor McGonnagal has been unable to gain control of the portraits or the school. This is yet another indication that Dumbledore is not really dead. When we researched a little further Luna found that only when a Headmaster dies and his soul moves on does the school allow the new Head to take control. The worst part is that we have decided that we must keep what we know about this to ourselves for the time being. If Harry is still linked through his mind, Voldemort could find out and then we would loose every advantage we might have. I feel as though I'm stuck in the middle of a very nasty pool of quicksand, why does it feel as though everything rests on me to sort it? Why would Dumbledore leave me with all these hints and riddles but never tell me what was actually going on? I know it was probably better that way, after all my reactions to the news I have heard were completely genuine. Over the last six years I have had many questions, about who I am, who my parents were, why I seemed so important in the bigger picture. I received the answers to most of my questions, but some still remain. I am closer to solving these riddles than ever before. I received a package a moment ago and it sits here beckoning me to open it. I feel afraid to do so lest all my hopes and logic are dashed. What if I am wrong? What if my heart belongs to a traitor? I must somehow find this Gryffindor courage so many crow about and open this package that holds the last of the answers I have searched for, for the past six years.

Wish me luck dear diary. It's now or never.

Hermione opened the brown paper and revealed a locked wooden box. Holding the letter in her hands she smiled at the familiar writing. This was what she had waited these last weeks for, some form of the truth from the wizard himself. The portrait in the heads office had not woken up yet. She broke the seal and opened the parchment. Her eyes widened as she read and then she let out a small sigh of helplessness. How the hell did the old snake think she could possibly pull all this off by herself? Sorry his arse! Irritably she pinched the bridge of her nose.

Crookshanks meandered over to the fallen letter and scanned the last lines.

P.P.P.S if things went according to plan I should still be alive, albeit trapped inside my tomb. Severus may know the counter potion to the one I drank with Harry; I trust you will do what you can about the situation.

Crooks hissed at the parchment in annoyance. The Long Beard had laid the problems at his mistress's door and her Dark One had gone while the Red two legs had stayed. All this made no sense to Crookshanks. Life was about good kills and fresh meat, warm fires and strong mates. Why did the humans have to be so difficult?

Purring in her arms Crooks tried sending soothing thoughts of her Dark One to her.

When the thoughts and images penetrated her mind the half kneazel found himself unceremoniously dumped back on the floor. A blur of honey curls streamed like a banner behind her as she ran for the dungeons.

TBC…

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