Yes I am back with another update. As usual, I have changed certain things to fit my story and I'm so glad that many of you caught on to what happened last chapter. I don't like to make things too obvious, but I do like to make the hints noticeable so that you can easily figure it out for yourself. I won't outright say what happened for those of you who were confused and it is clearer in this chapter but I will say this (IMPORTANT): Harry did not use the Imperius Curse on Hermione. You can always go back and reread the last chapter and this one if you are still confused. I didn't get a chance to thoroughly proof read and edit this btw.

Italics = flashback

Regular print = current time

DISCLAIMER: I Own Nothing

"Good evening, Draco. What brings you here on this fine spring evening?"

Draco narrowed his eyes and glanced around the tower as he stepped forward. He was positive that he had heard someone else…

"Who else is here? I heard you talking," Draco demanded.

"I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extraordinarily useful. That which sounds sane at a whisper can seem utterly mad when said for all the world to hear. Haven't been whispering to yourself, have you, Draco?"

Draco looked at his Headmaster with unease. He's bonkers, Draco thought.

"You are no assassin, Draco," Dumbledore softly stated.

Pride and smugness coursed through Draco's veins as he sneered at the old man. The corner of his lip curved upwards.

"How do you know what I am? I've done things that would shock you," he mocked with pride.

"Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping she would, in turn, bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one laced with poison. Forgive me, Draco, but these are attempts so feeble I cannot help but question if your heart has been really in them. I'm curious. When Voldemort gave you this task, when he asked you to kill me, was it in a whisper?"

Draco's lips thinned into a straight line as Dumbledore recounted all of his failed attempts at killing him. Draco's anger simmered beneath the surface as he thought back to what Theo had said at the very beginning of the year. You don't want to finish this as soon as possible? You're just giving people more reasons to doubt you…

"He trusts me. I was chosen," he hissed as he thrust out his arm.

He reached down and yanked the dark sleeve up to reveal the thing plastered onto his skin that had put his fierce lioness in such a tizzy. He almost grinned as he thought back to the horrified look upon her face as her eyes had opened to a comical size. She had looked so faint.

"Then I shall make it easy for you," Dumbledore said as he drew his wand.

"Expelliarumus!"

"Well done, Draco. But I warn you. Killing is not nearly as easy."

"We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one, Headmaster. I find it quite easy. Especially when you have a certain goal in mind," Draco replied as he took another step forward.

"Ah, yes. If it is Ms. Granger you want, by all means. She is a bright and beautiful witch-"

"I know that," Draco interrupted.

He didn't need Dumbledore to tell him that. Malfoy's always got the best.

"Wouldn't you rather do this the right way? Surely, she must not be pleased with you right now. We can help you, I'm sure she has told you that…"

Draco eyebrows furrowed as he mulled over his words. Yes, she had told him that, but he wasn't stupid. He knew exactly how it would go if they had their way. This was the only way… Malfoy looked into his Headmaster's eyes and then to the darkening sky as the clouds gathered, twisting darkly. He glanced at the stairwell.

"You're not alone, are you? There are others. How?"

Draco rolled his shoulders.

"The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement," Draco answered.

"That cabinet has been broken for years."

"I've been mending it."

"Ingenious. Let me guess. It has a sister; a twin," Dumbledore stated, fascinated.

"In Borgin & Burkes. They form-"

"A passage, yes. Very good…" his eyes suddenly shifted "…I once knew a boy years ago who made all the wrong choices. Let me help you, Draco."

His eyes narrowed once more as her voice resonated within his head.

"We can help you," she whispered.

"Help me," he chuckled.

"Yes! Whatever it is that they threatened you with…"

He shook his head.

"I don't want your help, old man! Don't you see," Draco snapped as he stepped forward.

His fingers tightened around his wand as determination swam in his eyes.

"I chose this," he snarled.

Draco suddenly glanced over his shoulder as footsteps grew louder, revealing his aunt, Greyback, and some of the others. He turned back around to face his Headmaster.

"Well…look what we have here," her sickening voice rang throughout the tower.

Draco's jaw clenched as she came up to stand behind him, her robes hissing like a snake as they moved along with her.

"Well done, Draco," she whispered before pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder.

"Good evening, Bellatrix. I think introductions are in order," Dumbledore greeted.

"Love to, Albus, but I'm afraid we're on a bit of a tight schedule," she spat the last word out.

She turned to Draco.

"Do it," she hissed.

He cut his eyes towards her, sending her a glare that could kill.

"He doesn't have the stomach. Like his father. Let me finish him. In my own way."

Draco turned towards the mutt, ready to gut him with the knife inside of his jacket when his aunt placed her hand on his shoulder as she turned towards Greyback.

"No! The Dark Lord was clear. The boy's to do it. Go on, Draco. Now!"

The curse was on his lips when…

"No."

Draco turned to his Head of House with blazing eyes. What on earth did he think he was doing?

"Severus…"

"Well, look who's here. Hogwarts own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Come to see the slaughter," Bellatrix laughed.

"Severus…please…"

Draco's eyes darted between the two, narrowing, before he shoved Snape aside.

"No. I was chosen for this…," he hissed as he walked forward.

He raised his wand yet again and smirked.

"I made all the right choices. Avada Kedavra!"

Hermione sprinted through the trees, her hair flying behind her as she forced her legs to push on. She could hear several pairs of footsteps crunching against the forest floor as they picked up the pace. However, Hermione wasn't concerned with the other snatchers pursuing her; only one. The long haired one who'd had her scarf around his neck, caressing it as if it were a precious kitten. Yes, he frightened her very much. She heard a grunt some ways behind her and the sound of chains followed by a thud. She didn't need to look back to know that Ron was down…

...

Hermione stared at the ceiling of the tent feeling…empty. She felt so empty and just plain wrong. Harry's warm body was lying next to hers, his arm thrown over her waist. It was so odd. As soon as Harry had passed out everything had gone away and the disgust and regret came pouring in. She sat up, pulling the thin cover with her, causing Harry to stir. She stared into the darkness with so much confusion. She didn't understand…

She looked over at Harry as he groaned, shifting, before beginning to sit up. She recoiled, staring at him with wary eyes, waiting and hoping that he would be able to explain. She watched as he reached up to rub his eye before running his hand through his hair.

"Hermione…?"

She swallowed before quietly answering, heart pounding beneath her chest.

"Yes."

"What…? I-"

He cut himself off.

"Hermione I-"

"What happened, Harry?"

"I…I don't know," he lamely responded.

She tightened the sheet around her before standing up., ignoring the ache in her legs. She felt as if she were going to pass out.

"You don't know," she angrily questioned.

"I mean I do know. We both know, but you have to know that I wouldn't…I didn't-"

"You did," she snapped.

He stood, frantic.

"I didn't, Hermione, I didn't! I mean I did, but…I didn't," he whispered.

She turned away from him as she stared at the floor, tears spilling from her eyes.

"Hermione, I would never-"

He cut himself off with a sob. Her shoulders trembled as she collapsed, landing onto her but with a soft thud. She buried her face into the palm of her hand.

"Hermione, you have to believe me. You know me!"

"Do I," she mumbled into her hand.

She jerked away and glared up at him as he laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me," she hissed.

She ignored the way his eyebrows furrowed and his bottom lip trembled. She turned away.

"Hermione…please…"

"I want to be alone," she whispered.

"Hermione-"

"Harry!"

She glared up at him as he quickly yanked on his pants and pulled his sweater over his head before exiting the tent. Hermione stared at the floor, her body swirling with every emotion known to man. She was angry, so angry, but Harry was right. She did know him and he had been a complete jerk lately, but he would never… She closed her eyes. She couldn't even bring herself to think it. Harry would never do such a thing, but he did. None of this made any sense. She let out a harsh sob as she shook her head. She didn't understand…

Draco walked along the corridors at a brisk pace. He needed to get back to the manor and quickly. Not only was Dumbledore's death on his hands, Hermione was a slippery one and he didn't doubt for a minute that she could slip past Blaise and Theo. Well, maybe not Blaise, but he didn't trust Theodore at all. That dark haired insect had had his eye on the curly haired Gryffindor for years. He heard footsteps not far away, but they seemed to be going in the opposite direction. He began to turn the corner when he saw her.

A rage like no other began to build up in his chest. What the bloody hell was she still doing here? Where were Blaise and Theo? His lip curled over his teeth with a small snarl. He was just about to tackle her when his aunt's laugh rang throughout the corridor, coming from somewhere behind him. He quickly backed up as he saw her spin around, wild hair flying. He pressed his back firmly against the wall as her footsteps sped up towards his direction. At the last minute he stuck his long arm out, satisfied as she ran into it, his arm sinking into her gut.

He threw her back and stepped away from the wall as she flew back, her back connecting with the stones of the floor. His jaw clenched as he walked towards her. He was angry he could hardly see straight.

"You mind telling me…why the hell you are still here…?"

...

Draco walked through the manor with a purpose. According to Voldemort, everything had gone as it should have. He wasn't sure what he had done, but he had assured Draco that he had irrevocably severed whatever bond Potter and she had. He ignored the sneer Lestrange threw his way before turning the corner. He had waited too damn long for this. It wouldn't be much longer now…

Hermione emerged from the tent, blinking against the harsh bright light of the day. She spotted Harry and rubbed her arms furiously. Things between them had been so weird, she wasn't even sure what to call it. It was such a complicated situation. Hermione was constantly torn; she knew that Harry would never force her to have sex with him, but the fact of the matter is that he did. She shook her head. She didn't trust him, but she also didn't not trust him. She couldn't figure it out, but she couldn't leave him though. This world rested on his shoulders and she couldn't leave him now. The fate of the wizarding world was much more important.

"Everything all right," she quietly asked.

He had an odd look on his face.

"Fine. Actually…more than fine."

He stepped aside and she felt her arms fall as her heart thudded beneath her chest. She stared at the redhead with a mix of emotions that she didn't even want to begin to place. She swallowed, her throat thick, as he stared at her. No one said anything as she began to walk towards him. He raised his hand with a sheepish smile.

"Hey…"

And then…Hermione began to punch him.

"Wo-hey-ouch!"

"You complete arse Ronald Weasley! You crawl back here after all of these weeks and say, 'Hey'," she demanded as she reached down and threw a handful of dirt and leaves at him.

She punched him once more as she exhaled before glancing down.

"What is that?"

She stared at it more before looking up at him.

"You destroyed it?"

She glanced at Harry as he gestured to Ron. He nods and she opens her mouth to speak before closing it as her eyes shift once more.

"And exactly how is it you have the Sword of Gryffindor," she demanded.

"It's a long story," Harry mumbled.

Hermione stares at him for a minute before turning back to Ron.

"Don't think this changes anything."

"No, of course not. I only destroyed a bloody freaking Horcrux! Why would that change anything!"

Hermione pursed her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Look, I wanted to come back the minute I'd left. I just... didn't know how to find you," Ron said.

Hermione frowned, noting that he didn't find her scarf that she had left for him.

"Exactly how did you find us," Harry questioned.

"It's…a long story," he breathed as he glanced at her.

Hermione ground her teeth together before turning away, walking back towards the tent. As she passed by Harry they both shared a look with one another; Ron was not to know. She could hear them whispering to each other behind her, but she didn't care. She was just glad that Ron was back…

...

The forest began to grow more dense, shadows thickening. Spells splintered through the trees, pieces of wood flying everywhere. Hermione forced herself to push on as she tightened her hand around her wand. She could hear footsteps closing in and while barely looking over her shoulder, she threw a curse. She was satisfied as she heard the explosion behind her…

...

"I want to go and see Xenophilius Lovegood," she stated as she stood in the mouth of the tent.

"Sorry?"

She walked inside.

"See this? It's a letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald. Look at the signature. It's the mark again," she pointed out.

She turned it in Harry's direction so that he could have a better look.

"It keeps cropping up. Here. In Beedle the Bard. In the graveyard in Godric's Hollow-what?"

Harry had a blank look in his eyes as if he were in deep thought. He suddenly blinked.

"Jesus, it was there too," he said.

"Where," she asked.

"Outside Gregorovitch's wand shop. On the alley wall..."

"But what does it mean," Ron questioned.

"Harry, you don't have a clue where the next Horcrux is. And neither do I, but this, this means something. I'm sure of it," she firmly proposed.

They all stared at one another as they processed her words.

...

Hermione stumbled but regained her footing. She looked around and found herself in a clearing and noted the figures up ahead. She spun around to face Harry as he came running towards her. They both froze as she stared at him, the snatchers closing in. She reached out and snatched his glasses before lifting her wand towards his face…

...

"That treacherous old bleeder! Is there no one we can trust?"

"They've kidnapped Luna because he supported me. He was just desperate," Harry softly replied.

Ron didn't reply, instead he looked towards the river. He spat, clearing the grit from his teeth.

"I'll do the enchantments…"

Hermione brushed her coat off as she took a few steps forward before pausing as she looked up. There, leaning against the tree in front of her, was the snatcher she had seen all those nights ago. He tilted his head as he gazed at her like she was a under a microscope. Her eyes widened as her eyes zeroed in on the scarf around his neck; her scarf.

"'ello beautiful," he softly stated.

She stumbled back, almost losing her footing as she looked around to confirm what she already knew; he was not alone. Simultaneously, the three of them took off.

...

"They exist. The Hallows," he elaborated with a nod "…, but he only wants the one, the last one. That's what he's been looking for," he furiously whispered.

"What are you saying?"

"He knows where it is, You-Know-Who. He'll have it by the end of the night. He's found the Elder Wand."

Hermione's eyes widened as Ron was shoved down next to them as she was yanked up by her shoulder. She grunted in pain as she fought against her captor.

"Don't touch her!"

She gasped as a fist connected with Ron's gut, forcing him to keel over.

"Leave him," she snapped as she struggled.

"Your boyfriend will get worse than that if he doesn't learn to behave himself."

Hermione didn't bother to correct the long haired snatcher as she glared up at him. He walked towards them, pausing in front of Harry.

"What happened to you, ugly," he questioned.

Hermione watched as both Fenrir Greyback and Harry turned to look at him.

"No, not you," he told the wolf before looking at Harry once more.

"What's your name?"

"Dudley. Vernon Dudley," Harry told him.

"Check it!"

Hermione fought against the arms around her, but immediately began to still as he made his way over to her, a small smirk upon his lips.

"And you, my lovely, what do they call you," he questioned as he came to stand in front of her.

Hermione straightened up and leaned back, extremely uncomfortable. His clothing brushed against her own as he was practically on top of her.

"Penelope Clearwater. Half-blood," she shakily whispered as her heart pounded in her chest.

She shuddered as he stroked the nape of her neck, fingering a lock of her hair before burying his nose in it. He looked up and began to lean in, much to Hermione's horror.

"There's no Vernon Dudley on 'ere!"

The snatcher reluctantly turned away from her to face Harry.

"Hear that, ugly? The list says you're lying. How come you don't want us to know who you are? Hm," Greyback probed.

Hermione's eyes widened.

"The list is wrong. I told you who I am-"

The one wearing her scarf put a finger to his lips, silencing Harry. Hermione fought furiously as the snatcher probed Harry's face, taking a closer look. She bucked, her heart practically aching to jump out of her chest as tears began to form in her eyes. No, no, please no, she mentally pleaded. She kicked, her head shaking, on the verge of a panic attack.

"Change of plans. We're not taking this lot to the Ministry…"

No…

"Head for Malfoy Manor."

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