"Hermoine… Hermoine…"
She opened her eyes slowly. Oliver's concerned face swam into view. It broke into a smile of relief as her eyes focused on his.
"Oh, thank god… I was worried you'd never come to…"
She narrowed her eyes at him. "How do I know you're you?" she asked, struggling to sit up. Across the room, she saw Malfoy lying face down, his wand snapped in two.
He hurried to help her. "I…I don't know… you're just going to have to trust me…"
A great white shape landed on a nearby nest as Hedwig hooted her approval of him.
"Thank you, Hedwig," Oliver replied. Turning to Hermoine, he asked, "Good enough?"
She nodded, wincing at the pain in her head.
He flashed a smile. "Good." Helping her to her feet, he steadied her. "Can you walk?"
She let go of his arm, took a few steps, and would have fallen if not for Oliver catching her around the waist.
"Alright… wait a moment." He scooped her up and placed her in an unused nest then went over to one of the owls.
At first she thought it was dead but he waved his hand over it and it morphed into a rucksack. He pulled out his wand and put the pack on his back then came back to Hermoine. "Our ride will be here soon. I'll have to carry you out then." He turned to Malfoy and held out his wand. Ropes snaked around the prone body and tied him securely. Coming back to Hermoine, he scooped her up and levitated Malfoy ahead of them as they left the owlery.
From his arms, she saw blast marks left, most probably, by the resistance members, dementors lying scattered around. Two men in dark clothing came towards them and took Malfoy, disappearing into the haze. Oliver continued walking until they were out the south door.
There was a helicopter in the field, its rotors whistling. He started towards it. As they got closer, a man jumped out and came to greet them.
"Sir, the servants have been transported along with Malfoy. You're the last… do you want me to take the girl?" he asked, reaching for Hermoine.
"No, that's alright…" He ducked as he climbed in, settling her in his lap after seating himself.
The last few resistance fighters got in and it lifted off.
She watched the ground fall away as they rose. "Won't they spot us and shoot us down?" she asked.
He bent his head towards her. "Pardon?" She repeated and he shook his head. "No, it's been modified to be protected from all magic… in a few moments we'll go silent."
"Oh."
"Sleep now, you're safe. We'll arrive at the safe home at sunrise…"
As the sun rose, its beams danced off the lake and the upper towers of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Hermoine gasped.
She followed her fellow students into the Great Hall, clutching Ron's hand tightly. "What's going on?" she asked him.
He shook his head. "I dunno…something to do with Voldemort, most likely. There's been rumours he's coming to Hogwarts to finish off all those who oppose him…"
"Attention everyone! Will everyone please listen!" Magonagall called out.
"Silence!" Dumbledor bellowed. "Everyone be quiet! This is a grave issue! The North Tower has fallen! Please stay in your house groups. Prefects take your groups out the designated safe exits. Quickly but orderly please. Head boy and girl follow the rest of the teachers please…"
Ron turned to Hermoine and kissed her quickly. "Be careful. I love you." He then turned to the frightened Gryffendors looking up at him expectantly. "Alright you lot, follow me!" Casting her a final look of farewell, he left.
"I love you too! Be safe yourself!" she called after him.
"Hermoine, we have to go," Harry said, pulling her after the teachers and Dumbledor. "He'll be alright."
She could see the ruins of the North Tower in the field as another ball of energy hit the roof of the great hall. It shattered and she closed her eyes, praying for Ron's safety. Harry clutched her hand tightly and she looked up. Voldemort and his followers were descending from the sky.
"Voldemort, you shall not pass!" Dumbledor exclaimed, raising his wand.
"Quiet, you old fool." Voldemort raised his own and Dumbledor was thrown to the side. He hit the wall and crumpled to the ground, motionless.
One by one, the teachers stood their ground, throwing their charms at him, and one by one they were destroyed.
Finally, it was only Harry and Hermoine standing before him.
"Hello Harry…"
"You won't get the students of our school, Voldemort!" Harry cried defiantly, standing out in front of Hermoine.
Voldemort laughed. "You? I think not, Harry Potter… I'm not afraid of you anymore…" He raised his wand. "Out of my way, boy."
He was about to curse Harry when a white light hit him in the shoulder and he was knocked to the ground.
Harry and Hermoine looked over. Dumbledor was leaning against the wall, his robes tattered and smoking. "Go, children. Get yourselves out!"
Hermoine looked at him with tears in her eyes. "But professor…"
"GO!" he bellowed.
"Come on Hermoine," Harry said with tears in his eyes. "Let's go…" They started off.
"Potter!"
Looking back, they spotted Malfoy step out and face them.
"Potter, come back and fight, you coward!" he bellowed.
"Ignore him, Harry. Let's go…" She tugged his sleeve.
"Potter!"
They started running.
She entered the school in Oliver's arms. It had been restored to its originality but revamped to accommodate the resistance members and freed slaves. "I want to see everything," she said.
"You need rest. I don't know what Malfoy did to you but you need rest." He went up through the castle to Dumbledor's office. It had been converted to his office/room. The desk was covered in parchments; she spotted a few from herself.