Back at headquarters...

"Salina, slow down! I cannot understand a word you are saying" said a bewildered Remus. He had run in to Salina on the stairs and she instantly started talking as is she had been drinking far too much coffee. He was actually worried that she was about to bite off her tongue.

Salina looked at him in exasperation and shoved the note in to his hands, looking at him expectantly. She was beyond worried and had moved on to panicked and terrified it would be too late to save her youngest daughter. Salina watched as Remus read the note, his eyes widening and all the blood seeming to drain from his face with each second. When he looked at her, she knew he had figured it out.

"We need to get to her before it is too late" was all Remus said before running down the stairs and out the door. Salina was on his heels and Chrimson bringing up the rear. All three of them thinking the same thing 'please don't lets us be too late'.

At the vail ….

Hermione was already halfway through the ritual when she heard the scrap of shoes on stone, alerting her that she wasn't alone in the death chamber. She looked over her shoulder, whilst still chanting, and felt the blood freeze in her veins when she saw Voldemort and his Death Eaters making their way towards her.

Hermione knew she couldn't fight them all. Nor could she stop the ritual now that she was so far into it. The vail was already emitting a silver glow and whispering and cries of the lost souls within could be heard. All she had to do now was to complete the chant and give the offerings of the hair, blood and the soul in exchange for Sirius'. 'Damnit! Why couldn't they all go on holiday or something?!' was the odd thought that ran through mind just as she felt a hand grip her hair and yank her backwards.

Hermione couldn't help the yelp of pain that escaped her. Her skull felt it was on fire from the force used to drag her by her hair. She was thrown to the ground in front of Voldemort's feet, as the Death Eaters formed a circle around her.

"Hello Mudblood" he hissed at her. His red eyes glowing with malice as he looked her in the eyes, his hand twirling his wand as if warming up to throw the first curse. Hermione just glared up at him as she continued to chant under her breath.

Not receiving any response from her, Voldermorts face darkened. He did not like to be ignored and his already short temper had been pushed to its limits due to his target not being here as the imbecilic Malfoy swore she would be. Now he had this piece of scum ignoring him and that made him want to inflict as much pain as he could. But he needed answers and therefore he glared at her and said "now I have but one question… Where is the girl? I know you know where she is and you will tell me".

Hermione just stared at him and sneered as she continued to chant under her breath. She was about to look away when a slight movement to the right of Voldermorts shoulder, by the wall caught her attention. She recognised Remus and knew that the rest of her family would be about somewhere. She let a smirk slide on to her face as her chant came to the end and the wave of magic that swept outwards knocked all the Death Eaters off their feet. Hermione took her chance and raced back to the vail and threw the hair and blood into vail. 'Only one thing left ' she thought and took a deep breath ready to jump in and trade places with Sirius, when she felt someone grab her arm and pull her backwards..

"Not so fast Mudblood!"