Summary: It wasn't fair. One of her best friends had given up everything to protect the wizarding world. Even the most hated Professor in the school was a spy. All in the hopes of riding them of a madman. Forbidden to interfere. She could do nothing but watch as the rest of their world simply waited for a young teenager to take care of everyone's problems.

Disclaimer: Not mine unfortunately…I just enjoy playing with them and making my own little world away from real life.

Warnings: WIP, basically whatever my poor brain comes up with at the time. Does not follow the books.
Notes: Beta is no other than (gryfferin666). Thanks for all your help.

Chapter Seven

Dumbledore had called her to his office. He was pacing in front of his desk when she arrived. "Have a seat Miss Granger." He said gravely as he sat and offered her some tea.

Turning down the tea she nervously looked up. The fact that he had been pacing didn't bode well. This was not good. "Headmaster what's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news. It's Professor Snape." he said carefully. Quietly waiting for her reaction as she took in the news. Knowing how much they cared for each other in spite of their own denials. He tried to soften the blow as best he could.

"Oh no. Please tell me he's alright." she said pleadingly.

"We've just gotten word. Severus has indeed been discovered. It seems he was seen trying to help someone escape during one of the latest raids." said Dumbledore. "The last we heard, he was being tortured for information. Whether or not he is still alive, we simply do not know."

Suddenly Remus came rushing into Dumbledore's office. Pausing as he tried to catch his breath. Taking a seat next to Hermione he took her hand and held it firmly. Glancing up he started to fill them both in. "It's alright we've found him. He was left for dead. Moody received word earlier today that the Death Eaters might have a meeting tonight. It took us a while to find out where. One of our spies sent for help as soon as they could. The aurors arrived to late but they found Severus in one of the lower dungeons. He's still alive. I've taken him to Poppy."

The all rushed to the hospital wing. Hermione broke down when she saw him. Remus carefully guided her to a chair by the bed. Sobbing she took his hand in hers. Holding it gently. He was battered and bruised beyond recognition, barely breathing. She looked up at Poppy with tears running down her face.

Poppy shook her head sadly. Speaking softly as she placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I'm sorry dear there's nothing more we can do. I've never seen him this bad. All we can do now is hope."

Moody arrived with Bill Weasley. Filling Albus in on what had happened after Remus left with Snape. News had reached the Order that Voldemort had just attacked Hogsmeade and was on his way to Hogwarts. They only had minutes to prepare.

Hermione looked at Dumbledore. An eerie calm seemed to have settled about her. Her lips were pressed into a grim line. There was a coldness to her gaze the made Poppy inhale sharply.

Remus and Dumbledore told her to stay with Severus. Immediately they rushed to join the Order and the rest of the Aurors already outside. She could hear the wards being breached as the attack began to reach the school grounds. The last of her control finally snapped. Hermione took one last look at Severus kissing his cheek softly before she stood. "Voldemort." She snarled as she ran out of the hospital wing. If it was the last thing she would do he would pay. It was time. Instinctively she knew. This was why her magic had been changing. Now it told her what she needed to do. Protect those that are unable to protect themselves.

She hurried knowing she didn't have much time. Finally reaching the doors of the castle she ran outside. Quickly she found Harry who was holding a badly injured and unconscious Ron. A group of death eaters littered the ground around them. Harry was bleeding badly from several cutting hexes. "Help me up, then take Ron inside. I need to get to Voldemort." He said desperately.

"No Harry, you can't even stand up on your own." she argued quickly.

"But I don't have a choice 'Mione, the prophecy." he said weakly. He could barely hold up Ron let alone defend anyone else. Everyday for years though he had been taught that he had no choice. There was a prophecy so that was it. Even now he was trying to get up. To keep on fighting.

Something broke inside her when he said this. First Severus and now Harry and Ron. It wasn't fair for everyone to put so much on so few. There was no reason as far as she could see that everyone couldn't have done just as much if not more while working together. No more would she stand by while the ones she loved protected her. No more would she hide while others put themselves in danger. Even as she and the rest of the wizarding world hid in safety. No more.

"Prophecy be damned Harry. It's time someone took care of you for once."

Ignoring his weak protest she shoved a lemon drop into his hand and watch as they vanished. Albus had given it to her as a Portkey. Insisting that she keep it with her at all times. Just in case.

She thought to herself. 'You have made a fatal mistake this day Voldemort, you have attempted to harm that which is mine and mine alone, and I do not take kindly to having things that are mine threatened or harmed. The innocent slaughter stops now.'

She knew what she had to do. She had no clue how, but she did. In that instant of clarity she knew. Magic had provided a way to even the scales. It was the only way to stop this madness. Even if it killed her it would be worth the price to bring peace to the lives of the ones she loved and had watched suffer for way too long. No more would they endure the endless suffering and pain that their lives had held.

Thinking of the love she held for her friends and the man on the bed inside, she rose to her feet. Finding her target she cast Sonorus and began to speak.

"By the rights of the tormented souls of the people you have killed and tortured in your madness for rule. I Hermione Jane Granger do invoke the Rite of Judgment. In the name of Merlin The Protector of Innocents do I judge thee." Chanting she walked toward Voldemort as her powers started to build.

With a flick of her wrist Death Eaters where moved out of her path. Her wand even then forgotten in her pocket. The ones who tried to cast a spell or hexes on her had no effect at all. Voldemort laughed, as she stood in front of him seemingly unafraid.

"You dare think you can touch me. Mudblood Fool!" Voldemort hissed. He pointed his wand at Hermione and cast the worst curse of all. "Avada Kedavra." A green light shot out from his wand straight at her chest.

As the sickening green haze enveloped Hermione her eyes became as white as snow and her hair changed. It turned into living flames as bright as the sun. Quickly covering the rest of her body and engulfing the green haze as if it were feeding on it. A look of pure black rage came over her face. Focusing her gaze on Voldemort she spoke. Her voice deadly quiet and smooth as silk.

"Judgement has come for you Tom Marvolo Riddle, and it has found you wanting. For the crimes committed against humanity and magic you have been found guilty."

Voldemort took a step back as he felt a gathering of power. His eyes grew wide as magic rippled about her feet and arched between her splayed fingers. Snapping and crackling as it grew. Waves of it lapped at her feet gathering to her like an endless ocean of power. Slowly she floated high enough to meet him eye to eye. Her eyes communicated to him her great fury and rage. As if he was being smashed over by a merciless wave, he fell to his knees before her.

She flung her head back stretching her arms wide as a great surge of magic shot forth from her body. Voldemort's body went flying high into the air. Hovering almost as though it was suspended in time. With a great burst of blinding light and flames it exploded and disappeared. Hermione looked up as she collapsed to the ground exhausted. Voldemort's soul was encased in a dome of white light and standing beside it was a wizard with an aura so bright it hurt to look at him. She gasped. "Merlin!" He smiled at her gently.

"But I don't understand, how did I know what to do?"

"Simple my child, never underestimate the power of love. Be it for the one that completes your soul or the ones that you see every day and would protect. It is a very powerful thing. One who would give their life for another willingly and without thought or reservation for themselves. A love so pure is rare indeed." Merlin and the dome disappeared softly as her vision started to blur.

Tears ran down her face as darkness finally descended upon her. "Sev." she whispered. As her eyes fell shut she dreamed of her life, her love.