A/N All right, here we go! We're getting there. We are definitely getting there.
Thank you all for reading this story and I look forward to posting again tomorrow.
Enjoy!
The Dark Lord walked with Hermione along the beach. They were both barefoot and the sand squished between their toes. The clouds were cotton balls, partially blocking the sun for long moments at a time. The waves lapped at the shore gently and the wind danced through the leaves languidly. It was a nice afternoon, not too hot or cold.
"The cabinet is finished," Hermione said after a long silence.
"Wonderful. It is nearly time." The Dark Lord twirled his wand through his fingers.
"My Lord, how do we know Yaxley didn't give away the location of the house? It isn't protected by a Fidelus Charm. If he told the Order of the attack on the bridge wouldn't he have told them where the house is?" Hermione asked as she nervously spun her ring on her finger, looking up at the Dark Lord.
"Hmm. I suppose he might have, but it's too late to know now."
"Dumbledore has been planning something. What if he's been preparing a strategy to attack the house?"
"There's no way of knowing what he's planning. To be on the safe side we should attack as soon as we can. I will summon everyone and we will discuss the fine details of the plan. Shall we?" The Dark Lord gestured to the path leading back to the house, allowing Hermione to go first.
"Should I get everyone at the castle?" she asked once they had entered the house. The Dark Lord nodded and Hermione turned on her heel, disappearing from the room.
The twins were in the foyer and they jumped at Hermione's sudden arrival. "Hermione! What's going on?"
"I need Andromeda and Tonks, too. I'll explain then."
"They're both in the library."
"Come on, then." Hermione gestured for the twins to follow her as she navigated the halls of her castle. She threw open the library door, startling the three occupants of the room.
"Hermione?" Andromeda asked.
"Yes. We have to go. The Dark Lord has called a meeting. It's almost time," she explained quickly.
"We have to grab something, we'll be right back," Fred and George said, rushing to their lab. They shrunk all the parachutes they had made, one for every Death Eater, and put them in the pockets of their robes. They rushed back to the library, nearly running into Hermione in the entryway.
"Andromeda took Tonks and Aurion already. Do you have everything?"
"Yes," they panted, grabbing Hermione's proffered arm. They were gone with a crack, appearing at the front doors. Hermione pushed them open, revealing a bustle of Death Eaters and those loyal to the Dark Lord. People scrambled to the dining room and others were bringing people to the house. Hermione was sure her house had never seen so many people at one time, maybe ever. She entered the house with Fred and George behind her and led them to the dining room. Bellatrix immediately caught her attention and Hermione made her way over to the dark witch.
"It's almost time?" she asked, excitement lacing her words.
"Yes. We have to move before Dumbledore does. The island might be attacked," Hermione whispered. The Dark Lord approached them and they straightened, meeting his gaze.
"Everyone is here," he said. He gestured for them to follow. Instead of taking their usual seats alongside the Death Eaters, they took a seat on either side of him at the head of the table. The Death Eaters were nearest the Dark Lord and his unmarked followers, save for a few exceptions, were toward the end of the table. Hermione waved discreetly at Snape, earning a small wave in return.
"Thank you all for gathering at such short notice. I have called you all here today so that we may discuss the plan. It is nearly time to begin," the Dark Lord said, addressing all of his followers before turning to Severus, "But first, Severus, do you know anything about Dumbledore's plans?"
"I'm afraid not, my Lord. Sirius and Mad-Eye have been putting pressure on him not to share plans with me. He complied to keep them in the Order," he said, bowing his head.
"I understand. For those of you that are unaware, Yaxley was a traitor to our cause. We don't know how much information he relayed to the Order, but he may have given the location of the house. We know Dumbledore is planning something, it may be an attack on the house. Until the plan is executed, I'd like everyone staying here to be extra aware of everything."
"Yes, my Lord," they said.
"With that in mind, it is time to discuss the plan. Lucius will be leading half of you in the attack on the Ministry. All of you that work in the Ministry will be part of that half. Bellatrix and Hermione will lead the attack on the castle. Those of you not taking part in the attack on the Ministry will join them. Only the Death Eaters will travel into the castle through the cabinet. The rest of you will Apparate to Hogsmeade and go to the castle on foot through the passage under Honeyduke's. One person is to be killed and it is to be done only by Bellatrix. The students and other staff are to be neutralized except for those bearing Hermione's symbols." The Dark Lord gestured to Hermione, indicating for her to speak.
"There are three students aside from Draco bearing my sigil. If they come to harm by your hand I will personally see to your punishment. One person in the castle bears my old wand. It is vinewood, nine and three-quarter inches, dragon heartstring. If this person is harmed you will meet the same punishment," Hermione said evenly. She met the eyes of everyone in the room, sealing her promise. A few people swallowed audibly, others grinned at the fierceness Hermione showed.
"I will be joining the attack on the Ministry until I receive the signal that the wards protecting Hogwarts have fallen. Once the Ministry is secure, all Death Eaters will move to Hogwarts. The rest of you will maintain our hold on the Ministry. Andromeda and Narcissa will be ready at Malfoy Manor to heal anyone that is injured. Everyone has a week to prepare for the attack. We will strike at midnight." The Dark Lord watched his followers nod their understanding. They were already going through mental lists of what they had to do before the attack.
"My Lord, we have something else for the Death Eaters. It's a modified parachute that will automatically deploy if they are stunned midair and nearing the ground," Fred and George said, alternating sentences. The Dark Lord looked at them curiously as they began unloading their pockets and removing the shrinking charm. A heap of backpack-like contraptions lie on the table haphazardly. The Dark Lord's followers looked at the pile with confusion on their faces, except for Hermione, Andromeda, and Aurion.
"What are they?" he asked, unsure of what they were talking about.
"Parachutes. It's a Muggle thing but we figured we could apply it to our world. Would you like us to demonstrate?"
"Yes."
"It's your turn this time, Fred," George said, quickly thrusting a pack into his brother's arms.
"Which way to the roof?" Fred asked, pulling the pack on and adjusting the straps to fit him.
"If you would all gather outside, please," Hermione said, "The roof is this way."
They all stood from the table, the large group shuffling outside. Fred and George followed Hermione to the roof. Fred checked the straps one more time as he stood on the edge. He felt tendrils of nervousness even though he knew it worked. Hermione watched as George checked over the straps after Fred did, ensuring his brother was safe. Hermione stood opposite them, wand held lazily in her fingers.
"I'll do it, George," she said.
"Thanks," he sighed, stepping behind Hermione.
She raised her wand, pointing it at Fred's chest and channeled her magic so it would be on the weaker side, "Stupefy!"
Fred grunted as the spell hit him, knocking him off the roof. His head spun and his chest felt sore. He knew Hermione had kept it weak but even her weak spells were stronger than some people's regular spells. Fred saw the ground approaching in increments and he struggled to right himself. He managed it, head still spinning. He was dizzy and disoriented and all he could see was the ground looming in his vision. The parachute opened, jerking him upward before he floated to the ground. His feet hit the grass and he collapsed to his knees from the firm impact. Hermione stood in front of him, holding out a hand to help him up. He took it gratefully, pulling out his wand and waving it to repackage the parachute. Murmurs of awe rose from the crowd and Fred and George smiled at their success.
"Wonderful!" the Dark Lord exclaimed, coming to the front of the crowd.
"Thank you, my Lord," the twins said, bowing slightly.
"Are there any questions?" he asked, addressing the crowd of his followers.
"My Lord, who will be Minister?" called a voice Hermione didn't recognize. It had to be from someone that worked at the Ministry
"The Minister will be announced when we have won."
"I ask to accompany Hermione on her mission," Aurion spoke. He stepped forward, letting the hood fall back from his face.
"Aurion you should stay at the Manor," Hermione protested.
"It is my duty to protect the heir" He jutted his chin out stubbornly.
"You may join her," the Dark Lord granted.
"Thank you," Aurion said, bowing to him. Hermione frowned slightly but did not protest further.
After several minutes of silence, the Dark Lord said, "You are dismissed. Prepare however you must. We will convene at Malfoy Manor at midnight one week from now."
The Dark Lord's followers dispersed, the majority of them leaving the island. Some of the Death Eaters milled around outside and others went back inside. There weren't many places they could go since they had been named, so they kept to the properties of the Dark Lord's allies. They enjoyed the island the most out of all of them. The house was always a comfortable temperature and they were so close to the sea. The Dark Lord remained outside, Hermione next to him. Bellatrix joined them, snaking her arm around Hermione's waist. They stood in silence, each staring out at the sapphire waters.
"Some of us are going to die," Hermione whispered. She pressed tightly into Bellatrix's side, leaning her head on her shoulder.
"Probably." Bellatrix squeezed Hermione's waist, feeling the young witch nod.
"They will all be remembered," The Dark Lord said. They let the quiet overtake them again, heavy with a loss they had yet to experience.