::31::

The tunnel was cold, dark and smelled strongly of dirt as Harry crawled along, followed by Hermione and Naruto. Harry didn't dare illuminate his wand in fear that it would alert Voldermort to his presence. He kept waiting for his scar to burst open in pain, to see a green flash of light…but so far, nothing.

The tunnel came to an abrupt end and Harry reached forward, feeling splintering wood underneath his fingertips. Wan patches of moonlight filtered into the room beyond the tunnel, showing Harry that someone had placed an old crate in front of the tunnel exit. The perfect hiding spot. Harry could just make out the edge of Voldermort's robes. He was sitting at the table, one hand resting on the tabletop as he idly fiddled with the wand in his grasp. Harry clenched his fingers into a fist.

"I have a problem." Said Voldermort softly, his voice nearly a whisper.

"A problem, My Lord?"

Beside Harry, Hermione gave a small jump at the sound of Snape's voice. Harry's heart lurched into his throat as Nagini suddenly slithered into view. He watched the snake carefully, his heart pounding away in anticipation. The snake was within his grasp; he could do it only if he planned his shot carefully. Missing or revealing his position away too early would alert Voldermort…

As Nagini slithered closer, Harry noticed something he hadn't before…a sort of milky substance that coated the snake's scales, making her look like a ghostly apparition in the moonlight. Harry didn't know what the milky substance was, but he felt like a ball of ice had just dropped into the pit of his stomach. He turned to look at Hermione who was watching the snake. She met his gaze and gave a half shake of her head. Harry got the message.

The snake was untouchable.

Voldermort's robes shifted as he stood up. He held the wand up between his fingers. "Why doesn't it work for me, Severus?"

There was a pregnant pause on Snape's end. "I…I'm afraid I don't understand, My Lord. You have performed great feats of magic with that wand."

"No." Said Voldermort dismissively. "I have performed my usual magic. I am extraordinary, yes. But this wand…not so much."

Naruto gave a small snort at Voldermort's lack of modesty but Harry ignored him, instead concentrating on the pain that had begun building behind his scar. Voldermort's calm and dismissive tone was hiding the rage that was slowly building. Harry realized suddenly that one wrong move or word from Snape and Voldermort could…

Snape was silent and really, what could he say? Voldermort began pacing the room.

As Voldermort shifted away from the table, Harry saw it. The diadem! Sitting right there in plain sight! Didn't Snape see it there? Would he even know what it was? Harry nudged Hermione before pointing toward the diadem. Hermione's lips parted wordlessly as Naruto followed Harry's finger and widened his eyes at the sight.

"I have thought long and hard about this, Severus." Said Voldermort in the same measured tone of voice. From the sound of his voice, they could tell Voldermort was moving about, but the floorboards didn't so much as creak under his footsteps. "Do you know why I have called you here?"

How would they be able to get to the diadem without Voldermort noticing? The slightest noise…any hint of an unknown presence could set Voldermort on edge and he could just as easily snatch the diadem off the table. But if they did nothing, the Voldermort would leave and he would take the diadem with him.

"No, My Lord." Said Snape quietly. He shifted then, his profile becoming visible through the crate. Harry could see he was looking down at the snake.

"Because I have questions. One question, really." Said Voldermort. He stopped moving and now stood directly in front of Snape. They had a clear view of the diadem.

"Why have both of my wands failed when directed at Harry Potter?"

Harry froze at the words and Naruto took a glance at him. Only Hermione seemed to not be paying attention, lost in thought as she stared hard at the diadem.

"I…I cannot answer that question, My Lord." Said Snape.

"Can't you?" Voldermort asked. His voice hadn't changed in tone, but Harry felt the spike of rage through his scar and he dug his fingernails into his palm in an effort to not cry out.

"My wand of yew had done everything I asked of it, Severus, except kill Harry Potter. And when I explained my situation to Ollivander, he told me to simply take another's wand. You were there when I took Lucius's, yet still that wand shattered too when meeting with Potters."

"I have no explanation for that, My Lord." Snape's voice was not as Harry was used to hearing it. The words came out a bit rushed and in that moment, Harry had to wonder. Did Snape think he was going to die?

"And now," Said Voldermort, "I hold the Elder Wand, taken from the grave of Albus Dumbledore." He held the wand up for Snape to see. "Yet still, it refuses to be what I know it can be and all night I have pondered the reason why. And now, finally, I think I have an answer."

Hermione turned to Harry and clutched at his sleeve, her eyes shining. Harry brought himself away from Snape and Voldermort and looked at her, trying to interpret the look in her eyes. Could she have done it? Did she have a way to procure the diadem without Voldermort…or Snape noticing? Hermione gave a sharp nod of her head and a brief but hopeful smile before she turned to the crate.

"Perhaps you already know the answer. You have always been a clever man, Severus."

Hermione slowly edged forward and pointed her wand at the diadem. Her lips moved soundlessly and slowly, the diadem lifted off the table.

"You have been valuable to me. A good and faithful servant. I truly regret what must happen."

Carefully, Hermione pulled the diadem from the table and drifted it down toward the floor where it could blend in the shadows.

"My Lord…" Said Snape carefully. "Whatever it is that I have done…let me make it up to you. Let me bring you Potter."

Voldermort ignored Snape's plea. "The Elder Wand cannot truly be mine because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the one who killed its true master. You. You are the one who killed Albus Dumbledore."

"Please, my Lord!" Said Snape in protest and Harry could now hear the fear in his voice. "Let me just bring you Potter…" The diadem was still drifting slowly toward them, Hermione's steady hand guiding it. It wouldn't be long now before it reached the crate…

"I'm sorry, Severus. I must master Harry Potter and for that, I must master this wand."

There was a sudden movement from Snape and Harry pictured him drawing his wand, but it was too late. The word was rasped out of Voldermort's mouth, unknowable to everyone but him and Harry.

"Kill."

Nagini leapt from her coiled position on the floor, flying out at Snape. There was a scream from Snape as the snake's fangs pierced his neck and he fell backward, flying into crate.

Hermione let out a sharp gasp and recoiled from the crate as Nagini lunged again. With her concentration broken, the diadem fell to the ground with a clatter that was somehow heard above the sound of Snape's body convulsing with Nagini's attacks.

"Who…?!" Voldermort cried shrilly.

Nagini returned to Voldermort as Snape's body and the crate suddenly disappeared, having been thrown aside with a rash flick of the Elder Wand.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, staring at the diadem that was still lying on the ground, still so close to them.

In a split second, Harry and Hermione shared a glance and Hermione knew what needed to be done. She lunged forward, the basilisk fang from her pocket somehow making its way into her hand as Voldermort shot a Killing Curse straight at Harry.

Naruto grabbed Harry, pulling him out of the tunnel and away from the spell just as Hermione plunged the fang into the diadem.

Several inked beasts were running around the Great Hall as Sai jumped on the back of an Oto ninja, twisting and breaking his neck with a twist of his knees before landing once more on his feet. Not too far away, Ron was pulled into a sudden choke hold by another Oto ninja, but it was short lived as Ron reached back, stabbing his wand through the ninja's eye before spinning out of his grasp and then stunning him.

Sai and Ron slammed into each other, back to back as more enemies began to surround them.

"Do you think Harry is alright?" Ron shouted, trying to be heard over the sounds of battle. "You think they've got the snake yet?" He flicked his wand, to avoid an oncoming shuriken.

Sai didn't answer as a giant inked beast jumped in front of him, exploding in ink when it intercepting a spell meant for him. Sai used the Death Eater's momentary distraction at the explosion to his advantage as he drove a kunai into his gut before following up with several more stabs to the wizards torso. The Death Eater fell to the ground dead as Sai rejoined Sai.

"Haven't you noticed anything strange?" Sai asked.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, sending a stunning spell straight toward a Snatcher who was chasing Neville Longbottom. Neville looked around incredulously before spotting Ron. He gave him a wide grin before flinging a Venomous Tentacula at an Oto ninja that was fighting with Michael Corner.

"Snatchers, Oto ninja and a few Deaths Eaters…they make up the main force of Orochimaru and Voldermort's army." Said Sai as he caught a kunai that was headed for him. He ducked around an oncoming spell before sending the kunai back. "But have you seen Orochimaru? Or any of Voldermort's main Death Eaters?"

Ron considered the question. "A good general wouldn't send his top forces out against the pawns." He said finally. "Blimey, when he does send them out, we're as good as dead, aren't we?"

"Iya Takanari no Jutsu!"

Sai was spared from answering as he and Ron clapped their hands over the ears as an ear splitting cry rang out through the Great Hall. Sai thought his brain was going to explode from the intensity of it and he saw a few Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students who had been dueling alongside them drop down to their knees.

Sai wanted nothing more than to bury his head under the ground and be gifted with silence. Kami, he wanted the silence so bad that it was driving him mad! Beside him, Ron must have been feeling the same thing because he began pounding his fists against the ground.

Just when Sai felt the first trickle of blood leak from his ears, the screaming suddenly stopped and the silence they had all longed for suddenly came. Ron blinked, looking up to see his father standing over the ninja, squinting down at him.

"Dad?" Said Ron, jumping to his feet. "How did you…?"

"Just bashed him over the head." Said Mr. Weasley holding up his wand. "Living with your mother all these years has given me a bit of immunity to screaming, I'd like to think."

Harry, Hermione and Naruto tumbled onto the ground in a tangle of limbs, panting with both terror and adrenaline.

Naruto had a hand to his heart as he stared up at the night sky. "I don't think I've ever moved so fast in my life. You did get it, didn't you, Hermione?"

Naruto glanced over at Hermione whose hair was in tangled mess around her face. Her hands were shaking, but she looked to Naruto and nodded her head yes.

"She got it." Said Harry, sitting up before doubling over with his head grasped between his hands.

"You got it!" Naruto shouted in joy before rolling over and crushing Hermione into his arms. She gave a yelp of surprise, but encircled him with her arms all the same.

"Utterly brilliant!" Said Naruto, pulling himself off Hermione before jumping to his feet. "I sound like Ron now, but that's what it was."

"We only just escaped by the hairs on our neck." Said Hermione, getting to her feet when Naruto offered his hand to her, "But it did feel pretty brilliant." She said, gifting Naruto with a small smile.

Naruto clapped Hermione on the back with a grin. "Now we just have to get the snake! I bet he won't be expecting us to ambush him twice in a row! Where is he now, Harry?" Naruto asked, spinning toward the dark haired boy.

Harry shook his head, still holding a hand to his scar as he stood up. "I don't know. I don't know where he is, but he's angry."

"I'll bet." Naruto scoffed. "All that talk about how 'extraordinary' he is and we've got him five to one with the Horcruxes! Bet he isn't feeling so great now."

Harry looked toward the Shrieking Shack and despite the pain in his scar, he couldn't help but picture Snape still inside, bleeding out. The man had betrayed them, betrayed Dumbledore and yet…

"Harry, where are you going?" Hermione asked in alarm as Harry began walking back toward the Shrieking Shack.

"I have to see…" Harry didn't bother waiting for Hermione and Naruto.

Inside the Shrieking Shack, he found Snape on the floor, tossed aside like some old rag doll. He was lying on his side, eyes closed and his head resting against the dusty floor. One hand was against his neck, but his injuries were too great and his neck and fingers were now coated with dark red. Snape had always been pale, but now his face was as white as the death shroud. The only indication Harry had that he was alive were his small, but painful gasps of breath.

When Harry approached, Snape's eyes slowly fluttered open and he stared up at him. "P-Potter…" He gurgled, his voice nothing like what it had been only moments before.

"Professor." Harry acknowledged. Slowly, Harry knelt before Snape and was taken back when Snape reached for him, grabbing him by the front of his shirt with surprising strength.

"T-Take i-it." He rasped, his words choked with blood. "T-Ta-ake it…"

Something more was coming out of Snape now. Aside from the blood, something silvery blue was leaking out of Snape but Harry couldn't describe it as it was neither liquid nor gas. Harry shook his head, he didn't know what to do, didn't know how to take it…

"Harry." Said Hermione softly from behind him.

Harry turned and watched as Hermione waved her wand, conjuring a flask for Harry. It floated toward him and Harry grabbed it before Hermione turned toward Naruto, burying her head against his chest. He wrapped an arm around her, his expression grim as he stared down at Snape.

Harry moved his wand, watching as the silvery substance collected in the flask, filling it to the brim. When it was over, Snape released Harry, falling back against the ground, looking as if there were nothing left of him. But his dark eyes still stared at Harry although Harry couldn't meet his gaze.

"L-Look at m-me."

Harry couldn't refuse the request. Green eyes stared into black and then Snape was gone, his gaze distant and unmoving.

Kakashi stumbled out into the courtyard, his vision spinning. He had used far too much of his chakra reserves already and Kakashi knew without a doubt that this wasn't even the main assault. No, Orochimaru and Voldermort were far too smart to send their entire force out in the initial assault. What they were doing now was just to weaken them.

But Kakashi had no choice. The sheer amount of Oto ninja and Snatchers that had invaded the castle were too great to be taken lightly. And it hadn't helped that he had used his Raikiri twice already.

The battle in the courtyard seemed to be dwindling to and end as most of the forces had been pushed back inside the castle. Now, all that was left of the courtyard were a few wizards who were still dueling amid the bodies and rubble. He had come into the courtyard hoping to catch sight of either Fred or George, but it seemed the twins weren't out here either. He hoped that they were ok.

Kakashi stumbled over a body and managed to catch his footing just in time. He looked down out of reflex, but as soon as he did, he wished that he hadn't. Remus Lupin was lying face down on the courtyard ground, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

No! He couldn't be dead! He had just become a father, how could he…

Kakashi didn't finish his train of thought as he noticed another body further down from Lupin. One wearing colorful robes that he recognized. One with short spikey black hair. There was blood coating Tonks's lips, but her eyes were closed and there was no other indication of how she died. Her left hand was outstretched toward Lupin, as if she had tried to reach him but died before she could.

Kakashi sank to his knees before her and ignored the battle around him. He took her hand into his lap before finally letting go and entering the darkness.

"Conjunctivitis!"

Naruto jumped, tackling Hermione out of the way as the blue colored curse headed straight for them. Harry paused, still hidden underneath the Invisibility Cloak as they ran back toward Hogwarts. Hermione picked her head up, brushing grass and dirt from her face as Naruto leapt to his feet and crossed his fingers in a familiar hand seal.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Five more Narutos appeared, charging toward the Death Eater who attacked them.

"You two go ahead!" Naruto shouted as one of his clones disappeared. "I'll deal with this bastard!"

Harry gritted his teeth. He didn't want to leave Naruto behind, but as he stared at the flask in his hand, he knew he still had business to take care of back at the castle.

The Death Eater whipped his wand around him, creating a whirlwind that quickly took out two more clones.

"GO!" Naruto shouted, crossing his fingers again.

"We'll meet you in Dumbledore's office!" Hermione shouted before she and Harry took off across the grounds.

"Crucio!" The Death Eater shouted, taking aim at Naruto.

Naruto flipped out of the way, watching until Hermione safely disappeared inside the castle before he began his assault. He immediately created a fresh round of clones who ran to surround the Death Eater. The clones on both sides of the Death Eater jumped backwards on to the shoulders of the clone behind them. "Uzumaki Naruto Soshoryu Atacku!"

Each made a series of hand signs before they were tossed in the air. "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Thousands of shuriken rained down on the Death Eater. Two managed to cut through his arm, one knocking the mask off his face before he created a shield. The two clones crossed paths midair as they continued to rain down shuriken before disappearing as they hit the ground. The Death Eater let out a hiss of annoyance at his injured arm and Naruto recognized him as the Death Eater who attacked them at the Ministry – Yaxley.

Yaxley sent two curses out toward Naruto, one of which he dodged and the other which hit him in the arm. Naruto sucked in a breath as he pulled up the sleeve of his jacket to find his skin burning in nasty boils. His skin started to sizzle as slowly before finally, like a drug, he felt the calming effects of the Kyuubi's chakra running through his veins to sooth his skin. Naruto armed himself with a couple of shuriken before he started the familiar process of scraping chakra.

He dodged another of Yaxley's spells and noted that Yaxley was excessively bleeding from his left arm. Naruto figured that if he could at least nail him with one shuriken, then maybe he could immobilize the Death Eater. Naruto whipped the shuriken out as they headed towards Yaxley.

"Fuuton: Shuriken!"

Yaxley managed to effectively block them when one caught him off guard. He screamed in pain as it started to rip through his wrist. He sent a spell out, cutting off the shuriken as he stumbled backwards, clutching his bleeding wrist.

Naruto knew that this was the last opening he had. He dashed towards Yaxley and held his hand out. But instead of using his infamous jutsu, Naruto started gathering wind to his hand. He felt the jutsu was complete once he had hit the surprised Yaxley.

"Kaze no Yaiba!"

Naruto felt Yaxley's blood spray across his face.

Sakura was running. Her robes were torn, her face scratched and her hair tousled. She glanced behind her to make sure no one was following before turning back.

Hogwarts loomed into sight.

Jutsu:
Iya Takanari no Jutsu – Ear Ringing Jutsu
Uzumaki Naruto Soshoryu Atacku – Uzumaki Naruto Twin Rising Dragons Assault
Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu – Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu
Fuuton: Shuriken – Wind Release: Shuriken
Kaze no Yaiba – Blade of Wind

Bingo Book

Undesirable #22

Sai

Status: Ninja, ANBU (Konohagakure)

Family: Unknown

Security Status: MISSING – Isn't present in residence and has not reported for missions.

CONFIRMED IN LEAGUE WITH UNDESIRABLES #1, #15, #21 and #22 AFTER ESCAPING MALFOY MANOR

Note: Likely in contact with Undesirable #14