Hermione

Hermione had arrived at the Hogsmeade station as the sun was reaching the horizon. She admired the rainbow of colors the sun always left when it dipped below the sky. She climbed into a carriage, Draco and his gang following him. Hermione was a bundle of nerves. How was it possible that a mere girl of sixteen was tasked with murdering someone?

"Hermione?" She looked up to see Draco staring at her. "Are you alright? You are looking quite pale."

She managed to smile at him, "I'm fine, thanks. Just a little nervous."

"Nothing to be worried about." Crabbe piped up, "You are the smartest witch of our age, maybe the smartest witch ever."

Pansy rolled her eyes, "This is ridiculous, why are you fretting over her? Did you forget she's a Potter?"

"A Potter that is in Slytherin house." Goyle pointed out.

"So? The hat obviously made a mistake." Pansy sneered, "She's such an attention seeker that belongs in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw."

"Why are you friends with her?" Hermione asked Draco. "She's a complete bi- "

Draco clamped his hand over her mouth, "It's complicated." He whispered in her ear, "She's just nasty to you because she doesn't like you."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Whatever, I don't have to put up with her attitude." Hermione stood up and jumped out of the carriage, making everyone scream her name in panic. The carriage didn't stop or slow down, just kept going as if nothing had happened. Eventually, Hermione was alone. "Finally, some peace and quiet."

"I always find a walk in the silence of dusk to be quite comforting."

Hermione jumped and squeaked at the voice, turning around she spotted Dumbledore striding up to her. "Professor, you scared me."

He dipped his head in apology, his eyes twinkling. "That was not my intention, my dear. I saw you jump out of the carriage, I must say, I am quite impressed."

Hermione shrugged, "Not a big deal, I was just getting tired of the crowd."

Dumbledore sighed wistfully, "You remind me so much of your mother."

Hermione stared at him in surprise, no one ever mentions her parents unless she specifically asked about them. "Were you close to my mum?"

"Not in particular, but she is a hard one to forget, she was intelligent, brave, and courageous."

"I am not any of those."

"No?" Dumbledore asked, "You survived your life with the Dursley's, you stand up for what's right, and you care about everyone, even if they are not in your house."

"That is nothing special, Professor. That is how people are supposed to be."

Dumbledore chuckled, then he offered her his arm, "I believe we should get up to the school now, don't you?" Hermione nodded, taking his arm. "People are not perfect, my dear, as I am sure you have noticed. We tend to be more selfish than selfless. We are always more focused on what is best for ourselves; than for others."

"Are you like that professor? Harry goes on and on about how generous and selfless you are."

"I am probably the worst there is." He smiled at her softly. "When I was younger, I fell in love, so in love, I thought I would be happy forever. But nothing ever lasts forever, does it?" Hermione shook her head, noticing the castle gates were up ahead. "In the end, my greed for power was a lot stronger than the love I had, and because of that, people I cared about lost their life."

"I don't mean to be rude, but you carry the Elder Wand, do you not?"

Dumbledore abruptly stopped, causing Hermione to lose her balance and almost fall. "How do you know about that?"

Hermione shrugged, "I like to read."

He continued walking, "Snape has told me of your task the Dark Lord has set for you. A most impossible and heartless thing to ask of a child."

"Why would he tell you?"

Dumbledore smiled, "Don't you worry, child. When the day comes for you to succeed in your task, I will go willingly. I am far too old to keep living, I think, I am ready to die now."

"Sir, how can you just throw your life away like that?"

"I have already lived a very long and fulfilling life, Hermione. There is not much else I can accomplish in this world. Harry must be the one to defeat Tom, just as you are destined to bring in a new era."

"I don't understand, sir." Hermione gritted her teeth angrily, "How you can condemn children to fight in a war that you started and have no intention of finishing."

Dumbledore patted her hand, "You will understand in due time, Hermione. Now, shall we get going? I have a speech to make." Hermione sighed but followed him into the castle.

DUMBLEDORE IS DEAD!

Albus Dumbledore was discovered in his office late last night, dead. Aurors first on the scene refused to comment on the investigation, but this reporter has got the details. From what they have gathered so far is that Dumbledore was poisoned, believed to be the work of Death Eaters. How they got into the castle is still a mystery, Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall has taken the mantle as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. It appears Harry Potter and the new Headmistress stumbled upon Dumbledore's body late in the evening, why Potter was going to see him remains the question. Did Potter kill Albus Dumbledore? Is he truly working for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? I, Rita Skeeter, vow to get to the bottom of this tragedy and to keep my loyal readers updated.

Hermione threw the Daily Prophet down, disgusted; how could that foul woman spout that bull and get away with it? Why didn't someone just get rid of her already, she is nothing but trouble. Hermione shook her head, hard. She was not a killer, so why did these fantasies of killing the god-awful reporter make her so… giddy?

"Hermione?" She looked up to see Harry, his eyes were red and puffy from crying. She had tried to explain to him why Dumbledore died, what she did for that man was a mercy killing. That Horcrux was killing him slowly, painfully. "Have you talked to Snape since we got back from school?"

"No, I haven't. I have sent him numerous letters, all of which, have been unanswered so I am assuming he doesn't wish to see me."

Harry cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "I think you should go see him."

"Why? What would that accomplish exactly?" She asked irritated.

"I know you want to see him." Harry shrugged, "I think it might be a good idea to go check on him. I mean you haven't seen him since…. Well since you accomplished your task and even that was brief. You didn't exactly talk to him at all, did you?"

She sighed, she knew Harry was right, but she couldn't bring herself to go see him. It felt… wrong. "I don't think I will like what I will find Harry."

He shrugged again, looking a little sadder. "I am not going to force you to do something you don't want to do. I think you should do it sooner rather than later though. I have a bad feeling in my gut."

Hermione pierced him with a glare, "I thank you for your concern Harry, but I am perfectly fine with him not wanting to see him."

Harry stared at her helplessly and without saying a word went back upstairs. After he was gone, Hermione let out a loud sigh. There was just too much going on right now. Without Dumbledore around, how were they supposed to stop Voldemort? He was really the only one who knew where most of the Horcruxes were and she doubted Dumbledore told Harry where the rest of them were. Hermione closed her eyes, relaxing back on the couch and letting her mind wander to that night…

Dumbledore looked up from his desk at the sound of his door opening. He looked surprised to see her but quickly schooled his features back to his twinkling eyes and grandpa smile. "Miss. Potter, what do I owe this surprise?"

Hermione sat down without being offered, she was a complete and utter wreck. This task the Dark Lord had placed upon her was eating her up inside. She couldn't even concentrate on school. "You need to tell Harry about the Horcruxes before you die."

"Straight to the point, I see." Dumbledore smiled at her when she just scowled at him, he cleared his throat. "I agree, Harry must know about the Horcruxes, but there isn't enough time to teach him everything I know."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "You have one of those memory things, don't you? Can't you just leave memories and that bowl for Harry in your will? Explain what you can to him before you go, maybe even tell him about the curse the Horcrux has laid upon you so he… so he won't hate me when he finds out I killed you."

"Harry is not going to hate you, my dear. He is your brother." Dumbledore smiled again, making her more agitated. How could he be smiling when he is gonna die? "As for the pensieve, that is a brilliant idea."

"Well, I figured you haven't told him anything about Voldemort or Horcruxes. I know why you didn't tell him."

"Please do enlighten me."

"It's all about control." Dumbledore looked surprised again, but she ignored it and kept talking. "You wanted to control Harry, like your little chess pawn. But you see, I have a problem with that. My brother is not a pawn, if you had explained about the Horcruxes as soon as you figured it out, he would have realized he was one too and then you wouldn't have been able to control him the way you wanted. The ending to this story wouldn't have been what you wanted."

"I believe you are mistaken," Dumbledore argued. "I wanted Harry to have a normal life."

"He is Harry Effing Potter, there was no way in hell he was ever going to have a normal life, and you know that."

Dumbledore sighed, "Perhaps you are right, Miss. Potter. I have always been selfish and in control. I have come to care for the boy-"

Hermione's sharp, sarcastic laugh cut him off. "Care? You care about him? Like you cared about Grindelwald?"

Dumbledore's mask fell, and he was truly shocked, "You know about him?"

Hermione nodded, "Of course I do. I don't trust you, never have and one must always know one's enemies."

"I am not your enemy, Hermione."

Hermione stood abruptly, "I have come to say what I wanted." She placed a bottle of wine on his desk. "For when you are ready. Good night, sir."

Hermione opened her eyes and sighed again. It wasn't long after that conversation that she was awoken by the hysteria of students claiming Dumbledore had died. It was hard to act like she cared he was dead. She felt guilt and remorse for taking someone's life, even though she wasn't technically responsible. Snape was the one who brewed the poison, said it was untraceable and laced the wine. She was just the messenger.

The meeting with Voldemort was just as painful, of course, she couldn't go straight there after Dumbledore's death. That would have caused suspicion, and she couldn't have that. So she went to go see him as soon as she arrived at King's Cross Station. Just the memory of seeing how proud and happy he was made her cringe in revulsion.

It has been a week since Dumbledore died; three days since she stood before Voldemort as he congratulated her on a job well done. Three days since she saw Snape. He had looked quite awful. She stared at the fireplace in front of her, contemplating if it was worth the lecture she was positive she was going to receive from him. Making up her mind she walked over to the fireplace, stepped inside, grabbed the floo powder and screamed "Spinner's End", disappearing in a puff of green flames.

Hermione stepped out of the fireplace at Spinner's End and almost fell on her face. She stared at the mess on the floor, after all, that time it took to make the house presentable, he ruined in a few days. Shaking her head in annoyance, Hermione made her way, carefully, through the trash littered sitting room and into the lab. He must have moved from the basement lab, must have been too crowded.

She stepped into the lab and almost passed out from the fumes permeating the air. Hermione searched around for Snape, who was nowhere to be seen. She was just about to leave when a folded up paper on the table caught her attention. Hermione walked over to the table and noticed Snape's almost perfect cursive on the front, the note was addressed to her. With a shaky hand, Hermione grabbed the note and unfolded it.

My Dearest Hermione,

I think I finally did it. I believe I have created a potion to transport me back in time. I wanted to tell you in person, but I had a feeling if I told you, you would have tried to stop me. Please do not tell the Ministry what I have attempted to do here. If this potion actually worked, you will have your parents back, you can grow up as a normal witch. I admit I did do this for purely selfish reasons. I loved Lily since I was just a young boy, and as I grew older, that love grew stronger. Even if I can not change the events of the past, at least I see her one more time.

I hope you can forgive my selfish actions.

Severus Snape

Hermione looked up from the note, tears blurring her vision as she crumpled to the ground. Why didn't she come sooner? If she hadn't been so stubborn she could have stopped him. Screaming out in agony, she let the tears flow freely down her face.

"Hermione?" The muffled voice reached her ears but she couldn't make herself move. She had no idea how long she had been laying on the cold lab floor, unmoving. "Hermione, where are you?" The voice sounded closer, she opened her mouth to answer but no sound came out. Suddenly there was a body beside her. "Oh my God Hermione! What happened? Are you okay?"

She finally willed herself to move, looking up into the green orbs of her brother. "Harry.." She croaked and then the world turned black.

Harry

Harry felt horrible about how he treated Hermione a few hours ago. Once the haze of grief and anger finally abated somewhat, he had decided to apologize to Hermione. After all, it wasn't her fault that she was tasked to kill an already dying Dumbledore. She had to or Voldemort was going to kill her. It was an obvious choice, even he would have picked Hermione over Dumbledore.

Sighing, he made his way downstairs to find Hermione nowhere to be found. "Does anyone know where Hermione went?" Harry screamed at the empty house, not really expecting an answer. When none came he sat on the couch, how long had she been gone. Had she been summoned by him or was she out for a walk? Inspiration hit Harry then, of course, she must of went to Snape's place. Harry mentally berated himself for not thinking about it sooner.

He jumped into the fireplace, yelling out "Spinner's End" and erupted in green flames. Harry was shot of the fireplace at Spinner's End, sliding threw piles of garbage along the way. Harry gagged as he stood up and wiped his clothes absently. "Hermione?" He called, all he received as an answer was the echo of his own voice. Following the little path cleared of garbage, he made his way towards the back of the house where the new potions lab resided. "Hermione, where are you?"

Harry walked further down the hallway, stopping in front of the open door of the lab. By chance he noticed Hermione laying on the floor, unmoving. He quickly made his way over to her, kneeling down, he lightly shook her. "Oh my God Hermione! Are you okay?"

She turned towards him slightly, her eyes looking up into his with such despair, he wanted to cry. "Harry.." She croaked, her voice sounded rough and raw and then she fainted.

He gathered Hermione into his arms and made his way back to the fireplace, all the while whispering soothing words into her ear.

A/N: Alright, here is chapter nineteen. Snape is gone, did his potion work or did he just disappear? Now for all the haters, I was not going to put Snape and Hermione together, although I do love me some Snape/Hermione pairings, that just doesn't work for my story. Anyway, read and review, please. I do love to hear from you. I haven't completely decided if I am going to follow my other stories and only have 20 chapters, but if I do, I will let you know. Until next time…