Hermione and Bellatrix stood in front of each other, both dressed in their battle armor. Excitement swirled around them, tangible if anyone else were in the room. Hermione ran her thumbs over the planes of Bellatrix's mask in her hands, looking up at the dark witch. Bellatrix smiled at her gently, winding an arm around Hermione's waist and pulling her closer. Hermione wrapped one arm around Bellatrix's shoulders, letting her mask dangle loosely from her fingers.
"Are you nervous, love?" Bellatrix husked.
"A little," Hermione admitted, shivering as Bellatrix's breaths mingled with her own.
"We'll be great."
"People I know could die tonight. One of us could die tonight."
"It's war, love. People on both sides are going to die tonight."
"I know. I just wish there was another way." Hermione leaned her head on Bellatrix's shoulder, placing small kisses on the dark witch's Azkaban tattoo.
Bellatrix hummed contentedly. "Me too. After tonight everything is going to be better."
"How do you do it, Bella?" Hermione whispered.
"Do what?"
"Stay so calm. Everything is going to change tonight."
"I've had a lot of time to get used to this. Don't worry, I'll be with you the whole time." Bellatrix pressed a light kiss on Hermione's hair, squeezing her waist comfortingly. Hermione closed her eyes, absorbing the nearness of her soulmate. After tonight they could have their wedding. She would see her friends again. She could go places again.
"I think I'm ready, Bella."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Hermione pulled away slightly, looking into Bellatrix's dark eyes. The dark witch looked back at her, gaze intense. Hermione leaned forward, gently capturing the dark witch's lips. Bellatrix returned the kiss, nibbling on Hermione's bottom lip teasingly.
"We should get going," Bellatrix whispered as she pulled away.
"I know."
"I love you, Hermione." Bellatrix rested her forehead against Hermione's, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I love you, too, Bellatrix."
Hermione placed a final kiss on Bellatrix's lips before grabbing her hand and walking to the dining room. It was nearing midnight and soon they would be launching their attacks. Most of the Dark Lord's followers were already assembled and gathered around the table. Hermione took their seats on either of the Dark Lord's sides, patiently awaiting everyone's arrival. As the last person sat in their seat, the Dark Lord rose, clasping his hands behind his back.
"My loyal followers, tonight is the night everything changes. No longer will a person's value be based on the so-called purity of their blood! Tonight, we break the chains of the blood caste! Tonight, we strive for victory! Not only for ourselves but for those blinded by the Light! You do not need your masks tonight, my friends!" the Dark Lord allowed his words to settle over the room. Cheers erupted from his followers and some of them raised their fists as a prelude to victory. Hermione could feel their collective excitement in the room, accompanied by the bright swirls of magic she had begun to grow used to. Around the table, Death Eaters placed their masks face-up on the table. They would give tonight everything they had.
"Let us begin!" the Dark Lord roared. Hermione and Bellatrix led their squad of Death Eaters and Narcissa to the drawing room, the rest gathering around the Dark Lord. They were the smaller of the two groups. Only Death Eaters were going in through the cabinet, the others were already Apparating to Hogsmeade in intervals. If they managed to time everything correctly, they would all be getting to the castle at the same time. They were also hoping that since it was midnight they would catch the occupants unaware. Only time would tell.
Hermione stepped into the cabinet, turning to face the assembled Death Eaters. She nodded to Narcissa and the door was closed. Only a thin beam of light from the room filtered through the gap and Hermione felt her heart racing. The small box suddenly felt like a coffin. Hermione told herself not to think like that, not to think that some of the people she had come to love would die tonight. She felt the twist in her gut as the sliver of light changed and she knew she had made it to Hogwarts. She banged on the inside of the door, not as frantic as the first time and stepped out when Draco opened the door.
"Welcome back," Draco said.
"It's so nice to be here again," Hermione said. She caught sight of Luna, Neville, and Ginny behind Draco and greeted them all with a hug.
"Death Eater incoming," Draco said, closing the cabinet door. Hermione stood beside it, catching Dolohov as he tumbled out. Greyback followed him, then Aurion, and then Bellatrix.
"Greyback, get to the rendezvous with the others, try to be as quiet as you can. Once they're all inside, split up and keep a guard on the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff commons. The Slytherins won't rally against them but send one person to keep them from entering the battle too early. If anybody sees us before it's time it could ruin the plan. Dolohov, Luna, Ginny, and Neville, patrol the halls in pairs and quietly subdue anyone you find. Draco and Aurion, you're with me and Bella. No kills and stay as quiet as possible. Everybody ready?" Hermione relayed once they were all grouped. Everyone nodded, drawing their wands.
"Let's go, then," Bellatrix said.
The Ministry was eerily quiet as the Dark Lord's followers made their way through the halls. They needed to be in place before they triggered the alarm. Once the flood of Aurors and workers started pouring in, they had to incapacitate them quickly. They crept through the offices, silently subduing anyone still in the offices. The Dark Lord went to the Minister's office with the Carrows. It was empty, but wouldn't be for too long. Lucius would be the one to trigger the alarm once everyone was ready. If they worked fast enough, the building would be under their control before the wards to Hogwarts fell.
The wail of a magical alarm rang through the building, echoing off the smooth walls. The Dark Lord's followers slipped further into the shadows, trying to ignore the annoying sound. It was seconds before the first Aurors arrived, quickly taken by surprise and outnumbered. The stream of Aurors was steady and the Death Eaters worked to keep up with the influx. The Dark Lord's other followers began to assist, provide support for the Death Eaters. They were not yet weary, but every new Auror that arrived took longer to incapacitate. The Dark Lord waited, ignoring the piercing wail of the alarm and the distant sounds of battle. The Carrows stood by his side, eager to help their fellow Death Eaters but refraining. They would wait until the signal to aid their friends.
Ministry workers began arriving, assisting the Aurors however they could. The Death Eaters held out, their numbers bolstered by the Dark Lord's followers continually aiding them. It was an uphill battle, even if they did have the small advantage of a surprise attack. Regardless, they were fueled by their motivation to build a better world. Equality. Fairness. Justice. Everything they had come to believe in despite the benefits of their blood. Lucius fought for his son, for Hermione, his wife, and Bellatrix. They were the reasons he sought a change.
The Minister finally arrived, flooing directly to his office. He froze upon seeing the Dark Lord and the Carrows. The Dark Lord flicked his wand, nodding to the twins once. They exited the room, running to join the fight. Without their masks, the Death Eaters fought as they never had before. This was it, if they lost now, they would spend the rest of their lives in Azkaban. There would be no chance of getting away with this. An attack of this scale would see them all killed or imprisoned, they knew this. So did the Dark Lord. This was his reason for not making them wear masks tonight. This is who they were, and they would not go down without a fight.