Folding the map up and returning it safely to his pocket, Harry communicated his plan by mounting the ancient broomstick. He was still grinning when Neville and Hermione's mouths dropped open. Neville edged over to the balustrade, gulping as he saw how far the drop was and how high they had yet to ascend.

"Harry, I haven't been on a broom in years."

"Take it slow and stay over the stairs then," Harry assured him. "It'll still be faster than going on foot."

"I… well…" Neville turned, looking over to Hermione for her to refuse the plan, but she only inched towards Harry, nervously moving to get on the back of the broom behind him.

"Go on… just grip the handle tightly and don't go too far above the stairs," Harry told him, "it's a lot easier than riding a thestral and you rode one of those all the way to London!"

He felt Hermione move up close behind him, pressing against his back. He was very aware of her presence, especially when her arm snaked around his waist, pulling them flush together. Harry brought the broom, shuffling forward, out of position, so she could perch on the cushioning charm. He could support himself on the foot stands alone. Hermione adjusted her balance. Neville groaned and went to mount his broom. He floated unsteadily and drifted up the steps, his face now pinched with concentration as well as determination.

"What are you doing? Flying on the stairs? " A shocked voice demanded from one of the paintings they passed on the way up.

"Do you want to break your necks?"

"Wait… Harry Potter?"

"Um… no?" Harry replied over his shoulder, then looked around, seeing movement from the many paintings that lined the staircase, the wizards and witches immortalised in paint and magic clambering to watch the strange scene.

"It is! I can see his scar. "

"Harry Potter! "

"Shut it, will you?" Harry hissed at them, then heard a loud crash coming from the bottom of the Staircase.

"Did you hear that? "

"How rude?! "

"Potter! We know you're here!" A bellow ripped from down below, amplified by a sonorous charm.

"Yes, he's here, on the stairs!"

"Are you kidding me?" Harry snapped at the crowd that was now following them up the stairs, moving through the different portraits and landscapes. He drifted out from above the stairs, causing Hermione to squeal as they flew above the drop that went all the way to the ground floor. Harry searched for who had shouted, seeing a man in dark grey robes ascending the stairs, in full flight. His head flashed up and he spotted Harry floating in the middle of the stairway.

"Potter!" He yelled. " Reducto! "

"Oh shit!" Harry shouted as a brilliant bolt of magic rocketed up towards them.

"Protego! "

Hermione's shield deflected the reductor curse, sending it spiralling into the flight of stairs opposite them. There was a loud crash as it impacted, smashing into the marble and sent debris blasting outwards into the void.

"ALECTO!" Amycus roared, "they're here!"

"Neville! Move it!" Harry shouted, pulling the broom back over to Neville, "lean forwards to go faster." With that advice, Neville did exactly that. Only instead of going up the stairs, he just rocketed straight upwards.

"Ahhh!" Neville yelled, losing control completely. Harry and Hermione both cried out as their friend zoomed into danger.

"Neville!"

More reductor curses were firing up in quick succession, cracking into the marble stairs, showering chunks of stone down the staircase. Miraculously, none of them hit Neville as he shot up like a cork.

"Hermione, hold on!" Harry called out and pulled the broom up sharply, going after Neville.

"It's Potter! He's getting away!" The Death Eater was shouting. " Incarcerous!"

"Incendio!" Hermione shrieked, throwing her arm behind them, firing out a gust of fire to burn through the ropes that were sent out to snare them.

"Are they mad?" Harry shouted. "A fall from this height!"

"I don't think they care, Harry!"

He reached Neville, levelling off, and took a hand off the broom, reaching over to his friend. He grabbed a fistful of his robes and pulled him upright, slowing his ascent.

"They're trying to fly out of the schoo!"

Harry and Hermione both stared down in horror, seeing their pursuers in flight up the stairs. The Carrow siblings.

"Reducto! "

"Crucio! "

The curse narrowly missed Harry and Hermione. Spurred on with desperation, Harry pulled Neville along with him to the stairs. Neville was shaking with terror as he brought them back to solid ground.

"I'm sorry, I lost control-."

"It's okay, dismount here and go the rest of the way on foot. Hermione, you get off as well. I can't manoeuvre properly like this."

Neville was eagerly clambering off the broom, tossing it aside as he pulled out his wand. He stepped out to the railing, aiming down.

"Reducto!"

"Longbottom!"

While Neville threw curses down at their Death Eater pursuers, Harry settled the broom down on the steps. Hermione let go of his waist, but instead grabbed his shoulder, pulling him around to look at her.

"What do you mean?" She demanded. "Manoeuvre? What are you planning?"

"I'm going to give those bastards something to aim at and slow them down."

"If they hit you…"

Harry ignored that and instead kissed her.

"Go… fire down some hexes too. Keep them off me and I'll do my best to keep them off you."

Hermione held his gaze, terrified. Then a curse ripped their way. Hermione threw up her wand, shielding just in time. Harry met her gaze and she let out a breath, resignation muting the fear in her eyes. She clambered off the broom, taking care to not lose her step on the stairs. Harry settled back, adjusting his grip, and took out his own wand, getting ready to fly one-handed.

"See you in a bit," he said to them, then threw himself backwards, demonstrating a perfect loop. He was upside down for a second, his glasses slipping down his nose as gravity tried to snatch them, then he was pointing downwards like an arrow heading down to earth.

He dived. Exhilaration soared through him as he was back where he belonged, on a broom, back to employing well-practiced diversionary tactics. The flights of stairs were pale blurs as he shot down. He saw the flashes of the curses now firing in all directions. Some aiming for him, some aiming below. He dodged and weaved, his cloak fluttering like a silver flag behind him as he pulled up out of the dive. He came level to the Carrows. He flicked his wand at them.

"Luxus!"

He flicked his head to one side to shield himself from his own blinding hex. He caught the edge of the dazzling bright white light that burst from his wand tip like a camera flash. He rolled away before they could retaliate. He heard their shrieks as they staggered on the steps, blinded temporarily by his curse. He dipped down to the lower levels, out of sight, while he could take his bearings. Neville and Hermione were still climbing up the steps.

"Incarcerous!" Alecto shrieked. Harry darted out of the way as ropes lashed out to snare him. He narrowed his eyes up at his attackers. The blonde woman was as stocky and broad-shouldered as her brother. Her wand was outstretched as she peered with difficultly, trying to see him. Her brother joined in and soon they were both blinding firing ropes.

Harry did his best to weave and dodge, but he had to use his wand eventually.

"Incendio!" His jet of flame caught the ropes that were heading for him. He dived downwards as reductor curses then came his way. Grimly, he realised that the orders were to take him alive. It didn't matter if he was injured or missing a limb.

"Potter!"

Harry's head snapped around, seeing a third opponent bursting onto the landing from the second floor.

The last time Harry had laid eyes on Snape, it had been when the wizard stood over him, snarling as he bested him in a duel, revealing that he was the Half-Blood Prince as Harry lay in the grass. He had then fled with Malfoy and the other Death Eaters, their mission a success, Dumbledore was dead and Harry had been left alone with the bitterness of his defeat and loss.

"Go after the others," Snape snapped, his voice amplified as he gave orders to the other death eaters. "I will deal with Potter."

"Like hell you will!" Harry shouted back. He turned to see vapourous tendrils shooting upwards. He made to dodge, but one wrapped tightly around his ankle. He twisted, moving to sever the snare. It tightened and with a yell, he was yanked off course.

"Relashio!" Harry cried out, causing the snare to release him. Snape was shooting up more tendrils. Fuelled with panic, Harry shot upwards, moving left and right to weave and dodge. He could see flashes up ahead where Hermione and Neville were battling their pursuers, occupied with their own battle, unable to assist Harry with his.

Gritting his teeth together, Harry swept backwards into a reverse loop, moving to change course and throw Snape off. He rocketed downwards towards Snape, his wand flicking outwards. Intense hatred flared through him as he met his dark-eyed stare.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry spat out. Snape's very own curse lashed out of his wand, razor-thin distortions of light flickered out, lightning-fast. The attack forced Snape to defend, giving Harry the reprieve he needed. Snape blocked the curse with ease and he twisted, looking back at Malfoy who had joined him.

"Draco, leave."

"Potter took my wand."

"LEAVE!" Snape roared and with that, he sent a curse up to Harry non-verbally.

"Protego!" Harry gasped out as black fire surged up to singe the bristles of his broom. His shield caught the curse, but Harry was shaken at Snape using what looked like very Dark magic. The curse left a vile, bleakness in its wake, reminding Harry strongly of dementors.

He saw then, in horror, Snape rising up from the landing, his robes fluttering and turning to smoke, taking on the same form that Voldemort had taken when he pursued Harry in flight. It appeared that Voldemort had taught Snape the mastery of flight.

Harry tore his gaze away and leaned flat against the broom handle. Now it was his turn to shoot up like a cork, wind whistling in his ears as he pushed the poor old broom to its top speed.

He saw more of Snape's smokey tendrils snapping at him. He dodged, sweat pouring down his temples with the effort. He tried to think of them as bludgers, not curses meant to trap him.

"Potter!" Harry's head snapped to the left as he caught up to the Carrows.

"No - he is-."

Whatever Snape was going to say to stop the Carrows from turning their attention from Hermione and Neville was lost as Amycus Carrow snarled at Harry, his wand whipping out.

"Incarcerous!"

Harry moved to block, but he was too slow and the ropes collided into him.

"Harry!" Hermione's scream reached him as he was forced off the broom, arms snapping to his sides as the ropes wrapped around him. His back crashed hard against the wall. Unable to control his fall, now bound, he struck the hard corner of the stairs. He yelled at the pain as his rib snapped at the impact. He tumbled down the steps, each impact sending terrible cracks of pain through his body, until he came to a rest at the landing of the fifth floor. Back where he had started.

"You fool!" Snape roared. "The Dark Lord wants Potter alive! Not a bag of broken bones."

"We can fix him up, Snape."

Concussed and injured, Harry stirred on his side. He could hear voices, but they were inaudible over the ringing in his ears. He blinked, trying to clear the haze from where he had hit his head on the fall down the stairs. His wand was pinned against his body where the ropes had wrapped around him in tight coils. He struggled, his breathing ragged. The adrenaline was pushing back the pain of his injuries, lending him focus.

"Re- relashio," he panted out. The ropes dropped from him and he rolled onto his knees. His left hand fell on his glasses. He picked them up, returning them to his face, seeing the left lens was cracked.

"Stay on your knees, Potter," Snape's voice lashed him from behind. Harry glanced in the direction, seeing the Slytherin Headmaster gliding towards him like an oversized bat. He alighted on the landing, wand pointing between Harry's eyes. His advantage was too great for Harry to try to attack, not while he was on his knees with Snape holding him at wand point.

But rather than be terrified, Harry felt an altogether different emotion. As he could make out the distant sounds of another battle, one that raged ferociously stories above, so close to the top floor, he glared up at his captor. Hatred beyond reason burned, tasting rancid and bitter as it clawed up his throat. His breaths were like fire as they puffed out of him, each one causing him pain, his ribs broken in the fall.

Blood curled down his cheek from a cut that he hadn't felt. Tears of rage smarted in his eyes as Snape stepped up to him, pressing his wand tip against Harry's forehead.

"If you expect me to beg like he did," Harry growled, his hands tensing into fists, "you're going to be disappointed."

The last thing Harry expected was to see his words have an effect. Snape's eyes widened a little with shock. But then they narrowed and he dug his wand in harder.

"Drop your wand and raise your hands so I can see them. Do not give me a reason to hurt you, Potter."

"Do you need a reason?" Harry asked him, a tear falling loose from his left eye as his hatred morphed into something a lot more painful. Hurt. Betrayal. Defeat. "You… didn't care when you… when you made him come for me…" Harry's words were faltering as the combined pains of his grief and his broken ribs made it hard to speak. "When you set him on the path that ended up with him ki- killing my mum and dad-."

"Crucio!"

If he had been in pain before, it was a mild discomfort to what he felt under Snape's curse. Agony surged through his body for the second time that night. But this was no curse at the hand of a novice, it was at the hand of a master.

He fell forwards, pushed down by the curse, then every fibre of him was searing, burning. He was thrashing, writhing, unable to control his body as he convulsed violently. His head was exploding with the deafening sounds of his own screams, pain so intense he just wanted it to end… to stop… to die…

It lifted and he lay limp, coughing. He found himself face down on the stone landing. Through blurred eyes, he could see the flecks of blood that he had coughed up. Rough fingers wrenched his wand out from his hand. He groaned, coming to his senses, his body trembling as spasms rippled through him.

"Harry!" An awful scream rent the silence, piercing through the pained fog of his throughs. Harry turned his head, seeing Snape standing over him, holding his wand. There was no triumph on his face, only worry, unease. Not the look Harry expected.

Snape opened his mouth, going to speak. He didn't manage to get a word out. There was a sudden blast, so loud and powerful, the paintings on the wall shook. One even fell.

Brilliant jets of light shot up from the floor below, fireworks exploding, showering vibrant sparks into the air. Snape staggered back from Harry, distracted. Harry recognised them immediately. He was the investor in the company who had made them, after all.

"There! It's Snape!"

The voice was so achingly familiar, Harry gasped and coughed as he hurt his ribs. Seamus. He would know that Irish lilt anywhere.

"WOO! HARRY!"

"Keep fighting, Potter!"

Unable to believe his ears, Harry crawled to the edge, seeing for himself that there was a thickening crowd of students filling in from the Entrance Hall. More fireworks were igniting. A display.

For him.

He forced himself up, looking upwards to where the fireworks exploded at the ceiling. He could see the continued duel, Neville and Hermione both giving the Carrows a hard time. He pushed himself up onto his arms and as he did, he felt something hard poke at his leg. Something that felt like a wand.

He blinked, looking up at Snape's turned back, his right hand snapping under his coat to his belt.

Malfoy's wand.

Savage grin in place, eyes ignited with malice, Harry snatched the second wand from his belt and, with a curl of his wrist, performed his signature spell.

"Expelliarmus!" He roared.

His own wand jerked out of Snape's hand, flying and spinning out of his reach. He turned, shocked, his eyes widening as he saw Malfoy's wand in Harry's hand. His hand plunged in his robes to retrieve his own wand.

"Fight the greasy bastard!"

Hatred fizzled through him, ignited by the shout below. He didn't know who had shouted it, but it did the trick. His mind was clearing as his thoughts became focused, tunnelled in thanks to the high doses of adrenaline keeping him alert. The fight or flight instinct taking over all else. Before Snape could draw out his wand, Harry charged at him, mind bleaching as all thoughts were focused on 'fight'.

He curled his fingers into a fist and swung. Pain lanced down his hand and arm at the impact, not used to muggle duelling. Snape's head flicked to the side, his greasy bangs flicking around him.

"Potter… stop" Snape growled at him. "You imbecile…!"

"Neville no!"

At Hermione's panicked scream, Harry's head snapped up. Hermione and Neville had reached the top, but they were still in trouble.

They need help.

He looked back at Snape, seeing the blood seeping out his hooked nose where Harry had just punched him. Snape drew out his wand.

"Stupefy!" The stunning charm flashed up from the crowd below. Snape snarled and shielded, his eyes blazing.

They need me. Hermione needs me… run…

I need to run. The instinct shifted. Blessed with the distraction caused by his supporters below, Harry fled. Ignoring the spasms of pain, the burning in his chest, he leapt up onto the steps.

"Accio wand!" He yelled, flicking Malfoy's wand outwards as he focused on his own, summoning it towards him. As he made his flight, he looked back over his shoulder, expecting Snape to curse him or chase him, but instead, he remained where he was, shielding the spells and curses that were now coming from the students below.

"How dare you attack me! You will all face the consequences!" He bellowed. He then glanced over shoulder, his dark eyes finding Harry's. Their eyes met and, for a second, Harry saw a glint of satisfaction on the Slytherin Headmaster's face.

He had no time to dwell on the battle behind him. The battle above him was the priority now. Ascending the next flight of stairs, Harry spotted the broom that Neville had left behind. Spurred on, he thrust Malfoy's wand back through his belt and snatched the broom. He mounted it and threw himself back into the open space, causing cheers and whoops below as he flew into the sparks of the fireworks, rocketing up to the domed ceiling.

He pulled out of the ascent, rolling and tumbling in midair, just because he could. Broom in one hand, wand in the other, Harry went to combine the powerful instincts battling for dominance. Fight and flight.

Thoughts faster now they were spiced with adrenaline, Harry took in the battle scene as quickly as he could. Neville was slumped against the wall, holding his left arm to his chest. His face was ashen, bleached of colour. Hermione was standing in front of him, wand raised, protective, defensive. Amycus and Alecto moved out to flank them on both sides, blocking their exits.

"Nowhere to run, you mudblood bitch!" Alecto screamed at Hermione. There was a gash on the Death Eater's forehead, likely the cause of her vitriol against Hermione. "I'm going to make you scream in front of your blood traitor friend."

Harry saw the intent boil and burn in the Death Eater's muddy brown eyes. The intent to inflict pain. Harm. And her target would have no defence, for there was no blocking the Cruciatus Curse. Like its other Unforgivable siblings, it had to be dodged or endured.

"Crucio!"

Harry was mindless with rage as he roared, throwing himself off the broom. He was airborne, a fifty foot fall beneath him with nothing to support him. His momentum carried him over the balustrade where he tucked himself into a roll, landing hard on his shoulder. It hurt, a lot, but was scrambling up to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth.

Hermione's screams dug and twisted in his ears as he leapt into action, his magic surging in response to the pain of his Hermione. The life that mattered above all others.

"Potter…" Amycus gasped his name as Harry advanced.

Harry lashed his wand at the witch, ignoring the brother, his green eyes blazing with his power.

"Crucio! He roared at the top of his voice. Red light blazed from his wand, striking the witch, who was blasted back from Hermione.

Neville sprung into action, moving to intercept the other Carrow.

"Expelliarmus!"

Meanwhile, Alecto was pinned against the wall by Harry's curse, convulsing as he pushed his intent to harm, really meaning it as he filled his mind with the sound of Hermione's pain. He made her pay for it.

"Harry… stop…"

A hand touched his and pushed his wand down from Alecto. Harry's head jerked up, finding Hermione's wide eyes.

"We have to get out of here… there's no time…" Her eyes hardened and she glared down at the witch who was now twitching on the ground, her muddy brown eyes burning with outrage.

"Collisio," Hermione's wand flicked up and there was a loud crack. Alecto's head jerked back from the impact, the back of her head striking the wall with sickening force. Amycus roared in fury, but was met only by Neville's stunning charm.

Alecto slumped down to the floor, knocked unconscious.

"Stunning is too good for her," Hermione remarked coldly. Harry couldn't help but give a dark laugh. It triggered a coughing fit. He coughed into his hand, wincing at each one as it felt as if his ribs were on fire. The coughs sounded wet, his lungs aching as he pulled in breaths. Lowering his hand, he saw the blood. Hermione's eyes caught it and looked at him properly, pulling him around, looking over him.

"You're hurt!" She exclaimed.

"I'm… okay. We'll deal with it- ahh!" He gasped out harshly as his scar suddenly erupted, burning red hot. He planted his palm over it. He felt the tug as cold outrage swirled in his gut.

Severus… this better be an urgent matter… The thought pulsed through the pain. Harry could hear wind rushing around him as he travelled at a great speed, the stars shimmering overhead as he travelled north, close enough to apparate to Hogwarts.

"NO!" Harry staggered back. "Snape called him. We have to leave… now…" He stooped down with difficulty, snatching the broom up and lurched back into a spirint, tearing through the doorway.

"Colloportus," Hermione sealed the door behind them. Harry looked down at the broom in his hand, then up to the wooden walkway that lead to the Astronomy Tower. The spiral staircase up to the top would be a challenge in his current condition. His lungs were starting to struggle to draw in breath properly.

Neville noticed the dilemma and he came up to Harry, searching him over. He, himself, was injured. He was cradling his left arm to himself.

"Use the broom," he said to him, "go with Hermione to the tower."

"W-what? What about you?" Harry asked, breathlessly.

"This is where we part," he said, gesturing to the door that lead out from the walkway to the corridor that led to the Charms corridor and Flitwick's office. "I'll take the long way and make my way back to the Room." Hermione shared a frightened look with Harry. She stepped up to Neville, gripping his robes.

"Neville, you helped us. They caught you in the act! They won't put you in a detention. You'll be arrested!" Hermione fearfully pulled at him, her gaze insistent.

"I can hide in the Room," Neville assured her, "and you said Dobby is around. Maybe he could bring some food up from the kitchens so I don't starve."

At the thought of Dobby, Harry's mind went to Aberforth. As it did, he pictured the sitting room where they had breakfast together, something so normal and ordinary felt so out of place. Especially now as he struggled to breathe. He suspected he had punctured a lung. But then his thoughts sharpened around Aberforth, in particular, the shard of mirror that he possessed that linked him to the mirror the Dumbledore brother had taken from Mundungus.

He dropped the broom as he reached up for his mokeskin pouch, fumbling.

"Dobby's working for Aberforth, Dumbledore's brother, and I have… have a way to contact him," Harry explained, pulling forth the shard of mirror. He handed it out to Neville. "If you say his name, you'll appear in his mirror and you'll be able to communicate with him."

Neville's eyes were wide. "But Harry… you need his help more."

"No… no this is for the school, for everyone down there that helped… me…" He coughed. "Take it, please. It's the least I can do for your help."

The two of them held eye contact for a moment, then Neville nodded, and took the mirror.

"Thank you, Harry," he said, the sincerity in his voice warming Harry. "Now go! Before he gets here!"


Nothing could have prepared Hermione for the total agony of the Cruciatus Curse, the annihilation as every nerve was under assault, flayed with torturous magic. She didn't know where she was only that her existence was pure pain, her bones burning, red hot knives stabbing at every soft, vulnerable part of her. But the worst thing about the curse was how it lingered, how every other step she took had her near gasping at the spasms that lashed down her back. They were becoming fewer and fewer, but they were still awful and made her feel violated.

She had no idea how Harry could run, let alone stand. He just seemed to tuck the pain away in some other part of his mind, shelving it. It awed her. His presence of mind, his indomitable focus, the way he was pure instinct… every part the fighter and survivor he was. His breathing was laboured. It sounded like he had blood in his lungs. He was badly injured, but he couldn't stop. Hermione could tell his scar was hurting him. She had begun to notice that it grew inflamed when it was triggered, the scar tissue turning red rather than the usual darkish pink.

"He's… nearly close enough to apparate," Harry told her, confirming her suspicions that he was seeing into his mind. Thoughts of helping him learn occlumency popped into existence, but they had bigger issues. Harry turned. "I… don't think I can go much further on foot." He grimaced, putting a hand on his chest. "I did fall kinda hard."

"Alright," Hermione responded at once. Harry put away his wand and mounted the broom. Knowing what position to be in for him to operate it properly, Hermione slipped on the back more quickly and confidently than earlier. She couldn't help but draw comparisons to riding pullion on a motorbike.

As she brought her arms around him, he let out a cry of pain.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she gasped out.

"It… it's fine. It's my ribs. Hold my waist." He said, his voice tight, hiding his pain. "I'm going to go fast so…hold tight."

She adjusted her grip so she was hugging him around the middle. She could feel his stomach muscles tensing as he moved into position. He kicked them off and they shot off down towards the Astronomy Tower entrance.

"Blast the door off the hinges!" Harry called out to her as they soared towards the door. "Now Hermione. I'm not stopping."

She immediately leaned forwards, pointing her wand out from under Harry's arm.

"Confringo!"

She didn't hold back. The blasting hex didn't just blow the door off, it ripped into the stone and exploded the wall outwards with an almighty explosion.

"Brilliant, Hermione!" Harry yelled out, then coughed. To her horror, she felt him sag a little against her.

"Harry!"

"I'm… alright…" He didn't sound it. She could see the slick sweat on the back of his neck. "Here we go. Hold on."

They shot through the dust-cloud left by her explosion and Harry dug his feet downward, forcing them up into a sharp climb. Hermion burrowed her face into Harry's Invisibility Cloak, clinging on for dear life as they were completely vertical.

"You know what to do!" Harry yelled, "blow it up!"

Hermione leaned out from behind his shoulder, seeing exactly what he wanted. She pointed her wand at the rapidly approaching ceiling.

"BOMBARDA!" She roared the bombardment hex. It zigzagged out from her wand and collided with the rock. Brilliant light flashed up ahead and a split second later, their eardrums were battered by a temendous roaring explosion. Debris rained down on them.

"Reducto!" Hermione cleared the way of any chunks, blasting them out into the night. " Repulso !" The dust bloomed outwards, revealing ahead a cutout from the rock, showing brilliant stars sparkling overhead.

Harry leaned forwards at the sight of freedom. Hermione screamed as they rocketed upwards, even faster, her hair rustling.

When they passed through the breach, the fresh, cool air greeted them. It tasted incredible, sweet… hopeful. Hermione drank in the sight of the sky, gasping in breaths of relief as they made it to freedom. Harry let out a whoop that made her grin broadly.

Her grin faded when Harry turned the broom, angling for a dive. Quickly, she hugged him tightly and he dropped. Her stomach felt like they left in at the breach at the top of the Astronomy Tower. She screamed they shot down, eyes streaming as the cold wind battered her face. She could feel Harry laughing, his glee infectious, reminding her so strongly of a flight they they had taken together, those years ago.

"This reminds me of when we saved Sirius!" She shouted at him. His laughter shaked him.

"Me too!" Harry shouted back, then coughed. The broom edged a little to the left as he lost his grip.

"Harry, land now, in the forest… if you fall…"

Harry didn't respond. He turned them towards the mountains, leaning forwards. She could feel the rattle of his breathing now over the wind. He was more injured than he was letting on.

If he has internal injuries, I can't heal them.

Hermione gasped as Harry took them down sharply, heading for the edge of the forest, not far from the road to Hogsmeade. They breached through the canopy of pines and firs, the earthen smell of the forest striking them. Harry pulled them into a sudden brake, causing Hermione to jostle forward into him. Harry had to grip hard to keep them both from slipping off. He groaned in pain, the pressure hurting him. Hermione's heart was starting to race once again, but this time it was a new fear. A horrible fear that made her want to scream. Fear for Harry's life.

They landed on the bed of pine needles, the ground surprisingly squishy. Harry stepped off the footrests and Hermione immediately let go, dismounting. Harry went to do the same but lost balance, dropping to his knee. He used the broom to keep himself upright.

He was sweating, his face ashen. The cut on his brow still bleeding. Hermione supported him, taking the cloak off his shoulders and threw it over them.

"Come on, we don't have far to go," she told him, snaking her arm under his arm. "Then I'm taking you somewhere to get some help."

"I… I'm fine…"

"You have Tom hunting you and you're bleeding internally. You are far from fine, Harry Potter."

He swooned and staggered. Alarmed, Hermione held him.

"Okay, maybe I'm not fine," he said thickly. Hermione sighed and took his weight as he stubbornly continued to walk at a rapid pace. He was still holding the broomstick. Then he suddenly cried out and his legs collapsed. He was clutching at his forehead.

"Oh, Harry… stay with me..." She crouched down with him. She put her hands to his face. "I'm right here… focus on me." His scar was bright red. His eyes were starting to roll back, body shuddering as he started to have an episode.

"Stay with me, sweetheart, please," she pleaded, "just a little further…"

"He… he's here," a hint of green flashing out from his eyes as they rolled back, his consciousness returning. "He… knows I'm hurt. He doesn't think I can get far."

Now panicking in earnest, Hermione lurched into a sprint, not caring that her flight would attract whatever creatures were stalking in the forest. Her boots crunched loudly, her senses heightened as she searched the dark forest, carrying Harry with her to the edges of the charms so she could take him…

Where do I take him? I don't know where Remus lives. I don't know where Ron is staying with Bill and Fleur!

Harry was coughing violently suddenly. He hacked out a large amount of blood, dropping to his knees.

"Her...mione," his voice was so faint, his eyes found hers, "I… I think my lung's punctured…" He reached up and touched her face. "I'm slowing you down."

"Don't you even dare suggest that I leave you here," Hermione snapped angrily at him. "We are together, always, Harry. I am getting you out of this forest even if I have to levitate you and drag you with me."

His eyes lost the pained haze for a moment, focusing on her. His fingers brushed over her face, over her cheekbones. Then he moved forwards and his lips met hers. Something thrummed from him, powerful, intoxicating. Hermione caught the metallic scent of his magic and felt the skin of his lips pulse with heat.

He drew in a full breath and his eyelashes fluttered, his green eyes somehow noticeably green in the dark, as if giving off light of their own. There was a soft gold glow around him as his aura triggered. Harry took Hermione's hand in his and gripped it, his hold strong.

"I think… my magic is sustaining me," Harry breathed out, "I don't know how I'm doing this but… help me up, please. I think I can run."

Throwing the broom aside, knowing that it would only slow them down, Hermione helped him up, draping his arm over her shoulders so she could take his weight. Harry did seem stronger as he kept up with her pace, still leaning on her. But they were taking it at a jog, Harry's warm magic seeping out of him, lending them both the strength to put one foot in front of the other. It was the power of belief, of something to push towards. Hope.

Love.

They continued at their lumbering pace, likely attracting all manner of attention from the creatures in the forest. But acromantulas and centaurs were far from one of their concerns, not while Voldemort was so close, too close.

"There… up ahead… I can… feel it," Harry panted out, his face slick with sweat and blood as he pushed himself to the very limit. Hermione glanced up at his forehead, his scar dark red. His right eye was spasming, a sign of the immense pain he was suffering. She then looked at what Harry at spotted and, sure enough, she could see a faint shimmering in the distance, the boundary of protective charms that hung around the school, preventing discovery from muggles while also keeping the students inside captive in their academic prison.

"I need to take you to a healer, Harry," Hermione said as they neared the boundary, "Remus… or maybe Bill."

Harry looked up at her, his lip shining with sweat. "Bathilda…" He breathed. Hermione smiled, nodding.

"Of course… who better to look after you than your gran," she said, hoisting him up with difficulty so they could walk the rest of the distance.

"I… don't have a gran…"

"I think she absolutely qualifies, Harry," Hermione said, "and she most certainly can help or at least know someone who can."

They at last reached the edge of the school. Passing through the enchantments, still concealed under the cloak, they took the step into freedom.

"No… time to waste," Harry puffed out, looking weakly up at Hermione. "Apparate… us now. He… will know that we've passed through. Snape… will know."

"Alright," Hermione nodded. She held onto him tightly, fixing firmly in her mind the front of Bathilda's house. The cheery blue door, the bronze number 10, the slightly overground garden… the small, hunched old lady with the most outrageous cackle and extraordinary sense of humour.

"Let's go home, Harry. Back to Godric's Hollow."

She twisted, knowing at once that the apparition was successful as they split the reality, pushing through the constricting darkness, leaving Hogwarts and Voldemort behind them.