A/N: Thank you to crankypants16, jacpin2002, takingflight4, ZoeyOlivia, 1991, decadenceofmysoul, Royan Granger-Nott, and the Guest who commented on the last chapter. Your comments make my say brighter.

And also thank you to emillieeelizabeth for pointing out that this chapter posted oddly. I wouldnt have caught it so thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope this coming year is amazing for all of you!

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 14

The brunette took her wand and cast a quick patronus, "Austria and Germany are with us now."

The silvery patronus swam off urgently, not bothering to wave at its caster.

Hermione scrambled to the door, almost tripping over her feet when she reached for the door knob and wrenched it open. Theo ran after her, grabbing her arm and forcing her to stop.

"Hermione, hold on a second!" Theo said, "What is going on?"

Hermione looked at Theo with wild eyes. "Theo, we have allies." She said, "Several countries have agreed to fight with me— with us— against Dumbledore. I asked Victor to go from country to country to gain support."

Theo stiffened, "What did you promise them?"

Hermione shook her head, "I didnt promise anything, Theo," she lied, glancing away for a moment.

Theo's brows drew together, "Thats not how that works," he said, "they wouldn't have partnered with you unless they had something to gain."

Hermione sighed, pulling her hand out of Theo's, "Then I ask you not to ask me what I promised," Hermione whispered, "because I don't think actually saying it out loud would make anything better."

Theo looked into Hermione's eyes, blue boring into brown, before Hermione broke contact, deciding that it would be better to stare at the cracks in the ground.

"If anything gets too hard, tell me— thats all I ask," Theo whispered. Hermione nodded and took in a shuttering breath, she hadn't even realized that there were tears pulling in her eyes. "Now, lets go do whatever you ran out of that room to do— calmly."

Hermione nodded again, walking on shaking legs, her mind telling her to run to her grandfather, to tell him of the good news.

The two brunets walked calmly down the stairs and Hermione noticed a slight limp in Theo's walk. She'll have to ask about that later.

Riddle and a few others, including Bellatrix and Snape, were taking tea in the parlor, the large windows granting a beautiful view of the garden at night. Hermione peaked into the room to find Lucius and Narcissa with their heads bowed. Narcissa's shoulders were shaking, and Lucius had a white-knuckled grip on his cane.

"Once he can walk he'll be traveling again, to Siberia this time around." Riddle said indifferently, taking a sip of his tea.

Hermione walked into the parlor her eyes immediately finding Riddle. "You're sending Draco on another mission?" She asked, "He just got back!"

Hermione felt a warm hand on her shoulder, she turned to see Theo standing behind her, his back straight. Hermione's breath caught in her throat. She had forgotten how intimidating Theo was when he wanted to be.

"What she means, sir," Theo began diplomatically, "is that Draco is still in terrible shape and it would be unwise to send someone who could comprise us."

Riddle stood and stalked towards Hermione, "I understand, Young ," he said, "but my decision has been made." Riddle turned to return to his seat.

Hermione gritted her teeth, "Its the wrong decision." she hissed causing Riddle to freeze.

Everything in the room stilled. Even the air grew stale in a moment.

Riddle turned.

"Excuse me?" Riddle demanded, a familiar fire lit in his eyes.

Hermione stuck her nose in the air, "You heard what I said, grandfather."

It only took two strides for Riddle to tower over Hermione. "You will remember who I am and you will not speak to me that way."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the man, "And you will do well to remember who I am, and you will listen to what I have to say!"

Riddle opened his mouth to say something when all the light was sucked out of the room. Through the large window on the other side of the room, Kingsley's patronus, a lynx, ran into the room.

"Dumbledore knows where you are. He's coming." Kingsley's voice rang urgently in Hermione's head, "Run, Hermione, run!"

The lynx disappeared.

"We need to go." Hermione said, "We ned to go now!"

Riddle shook his head, "What are you talking about—"

There was a loud crash, and suddenly, reds and greens began to fly through the air. Everyone ducked, Riddle grabbing Hermione to shield her from the assault of spells.

"Dumbledore is here!" Hermione screamed, "Everyone has to go now!"

Hermione pulled out her wand and pushed away from Riddle, blindly firing a spell at an unsuspecting cloaked man. Bellatrix and Snape followed, the mad witch firing Avada's while the Potion's Master cast stunners.

Riddle shouted a hex into the empty space between them and the intruders. Fog filled the room, only a foot any way around visible.

"Everyone, warn the others!" Riddle said.

From beyond the fog, Hermione could see the flashes of spells. She could hear people screaming for their friends and family, the cracks of apperation echoing throughout the Manor.

Nott Sr. grabbed Theo and though the younger man struggled, reaching for Hermione, calling out her name in desperation, the older wizard apperated away with his son.

The room started to go up in flames, fiend fire consuming everything it touched.

Hermione pocketed her wand and ran to the stairs. She needed to find Draco.

She held her stomach, crawling the small bump in one hand as she skipped steps on her way up the extravagant stairs. She could hear Riddle calling after her coughing as the smoke hit his lungs. When she turned, she could see Riddle frantically looking for her through the clearing fog. Hermione turned back to face the top of the stairs and trekked on, running though the halls to find the injured blond.

A slicing spell hit her from behind.

Hermione fell forward, gasping at the pain of her flesh ripping open.

She turned to face the caster, and a hooded figure— a woman— stood over her. Hermione closed her eyes when the woman raised her wand to Hermione, the tip of it glowing green.

"Well, well, well," the woman said. She grinned revealing her crooked and yellowing teeth, "Isnt it the traitor. It's an honor to take your life."

Hermione squeezed her eyes together tighter, waiting for the spell to hit.

Hermione heard a loud thud.

Long, cold, fingers wrapped around her upper arm.

Hermione's eyes snapped open.

"Miss. Granger," Snape said, hauling her up to her feet, "We have to go."

Hermione shook her head, "Draco."

Snape pulled Hermione to the stairs, pulling her to follow him, "His parents have him. Now let's go."

Hermione pulled herself free and ran back. She had to be sure. When she made it to the room, smoke had started to fill into the upper levels of the manor. Hermione pushed the door open only to find the bed empty.

Hermione sent a small thank you to Merlin.

"What is wrong with you, you insolent brat," Snape said, his forearm pressed against his mouth and nose, "we're leaving, now."

Hermione nodded, taking hold of the older wizard's hand, "I had to make sure."

Snape gave her a meaningful look before apperating them away. The moment that they landed, a rush of pain hit Hermione. She collapsed into the dewy grass at her feet, the cold soaking into her clothes.

" ," Snape hissed, "You're injured."

Hermione swore there was a hint of panic in his voice.

He helped her up, hooking her arm around his neck, leading and dragging her away. The grass became cobblestone and Hermione's bare feet scrapped against the rough stone.

"This is Spinner's End." Snape said, "My home. We can hide here for the time being— until you're in better condition."

Hermione nodded numbly, not entirely understanding what her old professor was saying.