27 June 1999
"I think we're going to have to force his hand or trick him," Hermione said. "This can't go on, Severus."
She was laying in Severus' bed after staying the night with him, enjoying a quiet Sunday morning. Now that Minerva knew about them and wasn't upset, Hermione had come down to his rooms on Friday night and wasn't planning on leaving until she had to be at breakfast the next morning. The Litha ritual had been powerful and she and Severus were both feeling the need to be physically closer to each other than normal.
Spending time with Lucius and Narcissa had rejuvenated her soul. And not just the time they spend naked and intertwined. Being able to sit and talk about things and not having to worry if she was saying something that was beyond them had been a nice change for her. It wasn't that her friends weren't smart, they just had different interests than her. She could tell you the fifteen ways to use dragon scales, but if Ron asked her about the six main fouls for Beaters in Quidditch she would be at a loss.
Plus, it helped that she didn't have to hide anything from the Malfoys. If she wanted to kiss Severus or crawl into his lap she could. Harry, Ginny, Draco, and now Minerva, might know about them, but no one else did and they had to make sure they always acted professionally around each other unless they were alone.
She noticed her friends had been acting differently since Litha as well. It wasn't something that she thought anyone else would pick up on, but she could see it. They were all more confident. Their spells during their final exams had been faster and more accurate than she had ever seen. Draco had confessed his time with Luna had been mind-blowing and after the war, he wanted to see if they could make a go of it. Neville, who Hermione found out had joined Harry and Ginny for the ritual, seemed to have come into his own. He seemed to have shed the shy, timid mask he wore and was now the strong, brave, powerful man she had always seen in him.
And she couldn't wait to ask Ginny how she had enjoyed being with Harry and Neville.
But, in the week since she and Severus had been back, Hermione realised that they needed to do something about Dumbledore. He was no longer leaving his rooms at all, even for meals. Severus had gone to see him the night before and had returned with a moulting Fawkes on his shoulder. The poor bird looked like he was on his last regeneration. Hermione had transfigured a teaspoon into a perch for him and he had trilled softly before perching on it and going to sleep.
If nothing else, the fact that his Phoenix had left his side was a sign that there was no hope for the Headmaster.
"I think you're right," Severus answered her. "He's too far gone. What if we have Potter convince him he knows where the last Horcrux is? Then they can leave to 'get it' and we put the plan into action."
"Without Harry in the castle? You know Harry will never agree to it."
"I'll speak to him. Albus won't follow anyone else. And if Potter is not in the castle, there is no chance of him getting hurt. We need him at full strength because as soon as the Dark Lord sees him, they will fight."
"When?" she asked him.
He was quiet for a moment and she knew what he was thinking. It was Sunday and the train to take everyone home left on the first of July, just four days away. And they needed to have Death Eaters in the castle while it was still feasible that Dumbledore and Severus would be there. And it was common knowledge that Severus always left when the students did.
"Tomorrow," he told her.
Then his lips were on hers and he was kissing her with a passion and a need that took her breath away. If the fighting was going to be the next day, there was the chance that one or both of them wouldn't live to see the end of term. If they only had two one night left with each other, they were going to spend as much of that time in bed as they could.
When they left the comfort of his rooms later in the day, it was to find a pile of ashes on the perch and a little baby Fawkes poking his head out. He allowed both of them to rub his bald head before he closed his eyes to sleep again.
28 June 1999
Most of the members of Phoenix Reborn were gathered in the Headmaster's office as twilight began to fall in Scotland. Luckily the sun set late in the evening during the summers so far north so curfew had already passed and they wouldn't have to worry about students. The office was loud and crowded, but still, Dumbledore didn't come out of his rooms as they had hoped. Hermione watched as Severus snuck behind the tapestry she guessed led to the private chambers above the office.
She knew he was going to try to talk to Dumbledore and make sure everything was in order for his death.
It had been a chore getting them into the castle since they had needed to be extra careful that no Death Eaters had seen them. Lucius had told them that the Transportation Department at the Ministry had been compromised — thanks to an Imperio placed on the department head the week prior — which meant no Floo travel. At first, they had thought about using Portkeys, but the more illegal Portkeys they created, the larger the chance that they were discovered. Brooms were out since anyone in Hogsmeade might see them and Apparation was just as risky.
Luckily they had been discussing the problem in Minerva's office and Dobby had been delivering food for them. He had tugged on Hermione's sleeve and when she looked at him he whispered in her ear that the house-elves could transport people from their homes directly into the castle. And so, the Hogwarts elves had delivered everyone they needed safely. If tonight went as Hermione thought it would and Phoenix Reborn was triumphant, the house-elves would be directly responsible for their victory. She hoped that would allow her to lobby for more rights for them once the war was over. They'd even gone to Romania to get Charlie Weasley and some of his friends.
Hermione looked around the office and wished for the calming presence of Narcissa or Lucius but they were in place at the Manor. They would only be in the castle tonight if the Dark Lord sent them, which was unlikely. She felt out of place even though she was surrounded by her friends. It might be silly to others, but she had needed to feel like she was going into battle — like she was the best version of herself. With that in mind, she had dressed in her standard Death Eater outfit of black leather trousers, red-bottomed heels, and a tight black lace bodysuit.
She'd kept her Dark Mark covered, for now, but she still felt like everyone was looking at her. Molly's eyes had gone wide. And so had the eyes of Bill, Charlie, and the twins, but she suspected it was for a different reason than their mother. Fleur had gushed over how sexy she looked and asked for the name of the shop she bought them in. Harry, Ron, and Neville kept looking at her like they didn't know who she was, but Seamus had come over to tell her he liked the new look — and he would like it more on his dorm room floor.
He was still rubbing the back of his head from where she'd slapped him.
"How are you holding up?" Draco asked, coming up behind her and taking her hand.
Hermione shrugged. "I've been better. I feel like everyone is looking at me. You?"
"It's because you're showing a different side of yourself. I'm a little nervous about going through the cabinet and summoning the Dark Lord. What if he sees through me?"
"I believe in you, Draco. Do you want me to come with you? The Dark Lord knows I've been helping you. It wouldn't be a stretch that I'm there."
"Would you?" he asked, his voice hopeful.
"Of course I will. I'll need you to summon Willow to do my hair," she realised out loud. "I've never been able to get it that straight on my own."
"Dobby can do it. He used to do my father's."
Hermione grinned at the knowledge that Lucius had his hair done by his elves. She knew Narcissa did, but the image of Lucius directing his elves on how to get his hair perfect was hilarious. "Really? I can't wait to tease him about it."
They walked from the main part of the room into the small alcove hidden behind Dumbledore's desk and summoned Dobby.
"You's be calling Dobby, Miss Hermione?" the elf squeaked out.
"Are you able to straighten my hair like you did for Mr Malfoy?" she asked.
"I can be doing it, but your curls is being pretty the way theys meant to be."
"Thank you, Dobby. I agree with you, but I have to have it straight for tonight."
He snapped his fingers and all of her curls straightened out. Knowing she would be moving a lot, she had him braid the top part back away from her face. "I's be understanding. Is there anything else yous be needing now?"
"No, thank you. You're ready for tonight?"
"The elves is being ready to be called," he answered her, nodding before he snapped his fingers and was gone.
Draco ran his fingers through her hair and smiled at her. He asked her if she had her mask on her and she shook her head but promised to get it before they went into the Room of Requirement. She would also need to grab her Death Eater robes. It wouldn't do to appear before the Dark Lord looking less than her best, even if she hoped he was dead by the end of the night.
A few people gave her a second look when they saw her hair but before anyone could say anything, Severus walked out from behind the tapestry with Dumbledore holding onto his arm. The room went deathly quiet and they all waited to hear what the Headmaster would say. Severus helped him sit in his chair before coming to stand in the back of the office by her and Draco. She felt his fingers ghost over her lower back and wished she could lean back into him.
"Thank you for gathering," Dumbledore said, addressing them. "I… I have known this day was coming for a while. Severus tells me that you all know my plan so I won't sugar coat it. I will die tonight and Severus will be the one to do it. You are all witnesses that he is not murdering me, he is doing me a favour." He cut off to cough into a handkerchief and Hermione saw the blood on it when he tucked it back in his robes. "I wish I could be there tonight, but my time is over. I wish you luck."
A few people were crying and Hermione felt pity for the once-powerful man. She was glad he would no longer be suffering, but she felt sad that he had to die this way.
"He looks better than I thought he would," Draco was whispering to Severus.
"I gave him a powerful restorative draught," he explained. "He'll take another in an hour or so. It will give him the strength to complete… his task tonight."
"What's that?"
"He and Mr Potter will walk to Hogsmeade. They'll go to the Hog's Head and wait until the Dark Mark appears over the castle before returning. Potter will be under his cloak so no one will know he's there."
"Won't people wonder why Dumbledore is in a pub like that?" she asked.
"No. His brother owns the pub."
They returned to the conversation that was going on in the room as Albus spoke to a few people individually. Flitwick was openly crying and Molly was rubbing his back. Hagrid — who they had just informed of the plan that afternoon — was sobbing in the corner but brushed off all attempts at comfort.
"It's time," Minerva said, her voice thicker than normal. "Mr Malfoy, please start heading to the Room of Requirement. As soon as you see Professor Dumbledore and Potter get to the gates, go through the cabinet and inform Voldemort that it is safe to enter the castle."
"Granger is coming with me," Draco announced to the silent room.
She felt Severus stiffen behind her but he didn't say anything. "We thought it would be better if we both went since the Dark Lord knows I have been assisting him. He wouldn't expect me to just sit out when there is… well when they're going to be expecting at least some resistance."
"Miss Granger is one of his best duelists," Severus explained. "He will not question why she is there and I believe he would have summoned her, regardless. I will escort them to the seventh floor and then meet up with the rest of you."
Her friends gave her a hug goodbye, and Harry and Ron even shook Draco's hand before they left the room. They hurried up to the top of the castle then Hermione Disillusioned herself so she wouldn't be seen getting her Death Eater robes from Gryffindor Tower. When she returned to the corridor, Draco was looking out the window and she saw Dumbledore, an invisible Harry at his side, making his way towards the gate.
"Draco, keep an eye out?" Severus asked then pulled her into the Room of Hidden Things.
As soon as the door was shut his lips were on hers. She kissed him back, pouring all her love and passion for him into it. They broke apart and were breathing heavily when he pressed his forehead against hers.
"Put your Occlumency shields up before you go. Stick to Draco's side but be the confident witch you are. Do what you have to do to return to this castle alive."
She squeezed his hands. "I promise I'll return to you." Draco opened the door and nodded to her. It was time. "I'll see you on the Astronomy Tower, Severus. I love you."
"I love you too, little witch." He turned and looked at Draco. "I love you as well, Draco. Be safe. Both of you."
"Love you too, Uncle."
Draco gave Severus a hug before he looked at the cabinet. Hermione slipped her robes on and positioned her mask on her face. Draco followed her lead and they grasped hands as they made their way further into the room. With each step, Hermione let all the fear, anxiety, and stress bleed from her mind. She thought about Dumbeldore's death and let it fill her with false excitement. She thought about the Dark Lord and how she was looking forward to pleasing him. She thought about Bellatrix and forced her mind to believe that she had missed her Mistress.
Draco opened the door and motioned for her to step inside. The door was almost closed when he took her hand again. "You better make it out of this alive, Granger."
"The same goes for you, Malfoy," she responded, keeping her tone light, but squeezed his hand in solidarity.
The door clicked shut, Draco spoke the spell he had been working on for months and Hermione felt her stomach drop like she was on a rollercoaster. When they opened the door she stepped out into the back room of Borgin and Burkes. Draco pulled up the sleeve of his robes and pressed his wand to his Dark Mark. They looked at each other, wondering what to do next. They didn't have to wait long because, within seconds, blinding pain shot through her arm.
They were all being summoned.
They turned on the spot and when she opened her eyes she was standing in front of the gates of Malfoy Manor. Small pops sounded around them as Death Eaters began to assemble. They allowed the others to enter first. When they were the last ones, they walked through the gates but before they got very far, Lucius was walking out to meet them. He didn't say anything to them but continued towards the gates.
She saw as he greeted a man with long black hair. His mask was in place but she knew it was Severus. Lucius spoke to him briefly and with another pop, he was gone. She didn't know what was happening, so she slowed slightly, letting Lucius catch up to her.
"The Dark Lord has requested that Severus stay at the castle but be in attire," he told her quietly enough that no one would hear.
They increased their pace and were soon back at Draco's side. She could see panic beginning to cloud his eyes and she took his hand in hers and held it tight. He seemed to calm at her touch and his steps became more confident.
There were already Death Eaters assembled in the ballroom when they entered and kneeled. She tried to quickly count how many there were and was pleased to see that they only outnumbered Phoenix Reborn by double. They had been planning on being outnumbered three to one. The closer numbers and surprise on their side were exactly what she had hoped for.
Mentally shaking her head, she cleared it of all thoughts of what was to come later in the night. She let all images of her friends and loved ones bleed from her mind and only kept the hope. The hope that their side would win. If the Dark Lord looked into her mind, he would see she was committing to winning the war. He just wouldn't be able to tell which side she was actually on.
Voldemort stood from his throne, the Death Eaters rising as one with him, and he spread his hands wide. "Welcome, my family. I've gathered you here because tonight, Dumbledore dies!"
Hermione cheered with the rest of the Death Eaters but didn't join in as they began to congratulate themselves and slap each other on the back. She still held Draco's hand and tried to send him strength. It didn't matter that in the end, he wouldn't be the one to kill the Headmaster. His nerves weren't for that, she knew he was struggling, hoping he'd be convincing enough.
The Dark Lord raised his hands and the room fell silent. He moved towards where she and Draco were standing and smiled. Her stomach lurched at his attempt at being friendly. Now that she was no longer under Bellatrix's control, she could see how weak and scared he really was. If he wasn't so hellbent on killing everyone she might feel pity for him. Instead, it filled her with the desire to cut him down, strike him dead.
"Hermione, I wasn't expecting you to be able to make the summons tonight," Voldemort said, taking her hand. "I am glad to see you."
She bowed her head in false submission. "Harry told me that he was leaving the castle with Dumbledore. I informed Draco and travelled with him. On the night the Headmaster dies, I wanted to be with my family."
"My spies in Hogsmeade didn't mention Potter was no longer in the castle. I will have to speak with them."
"He was wearing his Invisibility Cloak, sir," she told him.
"Do you know where they were going?"
"Harry mentioned something about the graveyard in Little Hangleton, my Lord. I believe Dumbledore wanted to examine the place of your return. I believe the Headmaster has Order members patrolling the castle in his absence."
"Silly old fool! He will find nothing there. As for Order members, they will not be fighting to kill but you will be. If you see them, take them out." The Dark Lord turned from her to Draco. "Are you ready to carry out your orders?"
"Yes, my Lord. I am honoured to do so." Draco's voice was calm and cold.
Voldemort sneered. "And yet I am concerned that you will not be able to complete the task."
"My Lord?"
"I asked you to do this almost a year ago. It took you an entire school year to mend one cabinet. Do you really think you'll be able to kill Dumbledore if you can hardly manage furniture? You needed Hermione to help you finish it and I wonder if you could have done it on your own. Will you be able to kill Dumbeldore tonight?"
Draco's reply was cut off by his screams as the Dark Lord cast the Cruciatus Curse on him. He fell to the ground and it took all of Hermione's strength not to go to her friend and hold him in her arms. She felt the rush of the Dark Magic over her skin but she used her rage as seeing Draco screaming and thrashing on the ground to block it out. Lucius was next to her and she gripped his hand, keeping him in place when he moved towards his son.
It was rare for her to see the Dark Lord cast the curse on anyone. As much as she used to believe that he kept his followers in line with punishment, she knew first hand that he preferred to reward them and only punished them when it was necessary. This was the first time she'd watched someone she loved being tortured and it broke her heart and strengthened her resolve. Bile was rising in her throat, but like the lust from the Dark Magic, she pushed it down. She had to be seen as unchanged from before.
A Death Eater trained by Bellatrix never cared when one of their own was punished.
"I will ask you again, Draco. Can you kill Dumbledore?"
Draco coughed a few times and shifted so he was on his hands and knees. "Yes, my Lord."
"Good. You will take some of your brothers and sisters with you. If you are not able to kill him, I expect Hermione will have to take over for you. But know that if you are not successfully able to do it yourself, the Malfoy family will die tonight."
"Yes, my Lord," Draco choked out.
As soon as Voldemort turned to address the rest of the room, Hermione helped Draco to his feet. Lucius helped brace his son and he whispered words of encouragement in his ear. Hermione tuned them out — supporting Draco but letting them have their private time — and listened as the Dark Lord called people forward who would join them.
Rabastan Lestrange, Corban Yaxley, the Carrow twins Alecto and Amycus, Fenrir Greyback — who was looking at her and licking his lips — Thorfinn Rowle, and Gregory Gibbon were all selected and eager to enter Hogwarts. Lucius volunteered to go but Voldemort told him he didn't trust a man who had failed at the Ministry to go on such an important mission. Bellatrix laughed at Lucius' embarrassment and Hermione fought back the urge to slap the bitch as the rest of the Death Eaters joined in with his sister-in-law's mirth.
Lucius ignored them and turned back to Draco. Hermione scanned the room, looking for Nagini but the snake was nowhere to be found. She felt a shiver of fear. Part of their plan hinged on taking out the snake before they killed the Dark Lord. If she was not with him, she could be anywhere in the manor and they would have to find her before they begin to fight. They couldn't risk killing Voldemort when part of him was still anchored to this world.
Narcissa wasn't in the room and Hermione hoped that she was where they had planned for her to be. Lucius didn't look distressed but with his mask on she could only see his eyes. She wished it was safe to ask him if everything in the manor was set up but it was too risky, even in a room as noisy as this one.
The room went silent again and he looked up to see Voldemort standing in front of his throne. "My Death Eaters, tonight the leader of the Order of the Phoenix — the only group fool enough to oppose me — will be dead. When Draco has completed his task, Rabastan will contact me and we will celebrate. Lucius, have your elves prepare food and drinks."
"Yes, my Lord." Lucius nodded and he clapped both Hermione and Draco on the shoulder, squeezing lightly before leaving the room.
"It is time," the Dark Lord said as Lucius shut the door behind him. "I await your return with the news."
Bellatrix rushed forward and kissed the Dark Lord's robes, begging him to let her go but he refused her. As she pouted and stepped aside, all of them assigned to go to Hogwarts moved to kiss his robes. Hermione held back her shiver of disgust as his fingers lightly roamed her body before he bid her goodbye, promising her his cock in reward when she returned. She winked at him through her mask even though it made her stomach churn then turned and headed to where Draco was waiting for her by the door.
She was stopped by Bellatrix who promised her that if she was too horny to wait, Rabastan would be more than happy to take care of her needs. Hermione looked over her shoulder to see Bella's brother-in-law palming his dick as he looked at her. She smiled instead of grimacing inside her mask, hoping she looked eager for him.
Lucius was walking towards them in the hallway outside the ballroom as they were leaving, his elves already serving the Death Eaters drinks behind them. She wished she could go into the kitchen and just poison them all but knew all Malfoy dishes were imbued with charms to detect harmful potions. Stupid, paranoid purebloods. She might not be able to poison them, but she hoped they all started drinking. A drunk Death Eater would be easier to take out than a sober one.
The other Death Eaters that were going with them hadn't waited and were almost to the front door already. Lucius took his chance and whispered quickly to both of them as he handed Draco a phial.
"Take this for the pain. Everything is ready with your mother." Lucius looked between them. "Be safe. Both of you."
"We'll see you after, Father," Draco told him, his voice tense and Hermione didn't know if it was from pain or nerves.
"We'll celebrate with you when we return," Hermione added.
If anyone had been listening to their conversation, they'd assume they were talking about the plan to kill Dumbledore. No one else in the manor except Narcissa knew what they actually had planned for the night. Lucius nodded and without a backwards glance moved into the ballroom.
Hermione took a deep breath and reached for Draco's hand. They had a job to do and it was best they get to it.
They followed their companions towards the gates of Malfoy Manor. Alecto Carrow was talking nonstop about how excited she was for Dumbledore to die. It made Hermione's stomach roll to see how little the older witch cared about human life. She knew she'd be taking lives tonight but she didn't relish the idea.
It was like Severus had said, sometimes soldiers had to kill the opposition to win the war. But that didn't mean that she had to be joyful about it. But she also wouldn't be sad to see people like Bellatrix, Greyback, and Gibbon take their last breath.
They walked out of the gates and turned, Disapparating and appearing in the back room of Borgin and Burkes again. The cabinet was ready for them and she stepped in, travelling back to the Room of Requirement between Yaxley and Greyback. The wolf tried to touch her when they stepped out of the way for the next group to enter. Pulling out her wand, she sent a powerful stinging hex at his balls before grabbing him by the scruff of his neck like the dog he was.
"Touch me without my permission again, mutt, and I'll cut your dick off and shove it down your throat. Got it?" she snapped at him, causing Yaxley to shake with laughter.
"Fucking cunt," he growled.
"Yes, I am. And it would be best for you if you don't forget it."
The rest of their party walked out of the cabinet and Draco looked from her to Greyback — still holding his balls and glaring at her.
He nodded toward the wolf. "Everything okay?"
"Hermione was just teaching the wolf a lesson about keeping his paws to himself around her," Yaxley answered for her, laughing. "I don't think he'll forget it anytime soon." His face sobered and he gripped his wand tighter. "Now that we're all here, lead the way, Draco."