I don't own HP, but we all know that! This chapter was really hard for me to write, and I'm still not sure I'm satisfied, but oh well, I couldn't wait to give it to you any longer! Enjoy!

Chapter 22

Hermione let an arrow fly from her bow, landing straight into a Death Eater's shoulder. Ethriel did the same from behind her.

They were both atop of Hemera, fighting in the battle from above. Every once and awhile Hemera would shoot a fireball out. It was chaotic. The whole school had turned into a battle ground, fighting going on in every corridor. Hermione had lost track of everyone; she didn't know who was alive and who was dead.

But Voldemort was nowhere to be found. What a coward. He wasn't even fighting in this battle?

"Maybe he's waiting for the right moment," Hemera suggested.

I think you're right Hemera; he must be waiting for Harry…

"My lady, we should attempt to take down some of the creatures," Ethriel suggested from behind.

Turning, Hermione nodded. Looking down at the battlefield she saw that there were ogres, acromantula, and giants. The Order members and students were so busy fighting the dark creatures that they weren't able to fight the Death Eaters.

Hemera let out a roar, swerving downward. Hermione and Ethriel jumped off her. "Hemera, go take care of the acromantula!"

Hemera roared in response, going and setting the giant spiders on fire.

Turning towards the ogre in front of her, Hermione pulled out her sword. Pulling the handle up so it was touching her lips, she whispered "incendio." The sword blade glowed red for a moment, then turned to its usual silver. She smirked, knowing that it had worked. With a shout, she charged forward, slicing the ogre's leg with the sword. The beast let out a howl, as the skin around the wound began to burn.

Hermione continued to slash it at, while Ethriel shot his arrows.

Finally, the beast fell.

Hermione let out a shout of victory. "On to the next one!" she cried. She took off running, Ethriel following close behind.

"Harry, what now?" Ron asked, his hands on his knees with his breath coming in deep pants.

"Nagini," Harry answered, "We need to kill the snake."

"And then that's it?" Charlie asked, looking around the corridor. He heard screams in the distance.

Harry nodded. "I think so."

"Well, Nagini would definitely be with him, wherever he is. So we just need to figure out where he's hiding," Charlie said. He pulled his wand out, ready for a fight.

Ron gripped the sword tightly. "Use your connection with him Harry, we'll find him that way."

Harry nodded, closing his eyes.

"I wonder how the others are," Charlie mused, cringing as he heard an explosion.

"All right I hope, but we can't afford to distract ourselves Charlie… we need to stay focused." Ron took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.

Harry's eyes flew open. "He's at the shrieking shack!"

Ron nodded. "Ready?"

The other two nodded. "Ready."

The three of them started running through the halls, no expecting what they were about to see. Harry froze, his eyes open in horror.

There were spells flying everywhere. Bodies were lying on the ground, some still, some still twitching. There were screams and shouts, laughing and sobbing. He looked around, not believing what had happened to his beloved childhood home.

"Harry, we need to go," Ron said gently.

Harry nodded, and the three of them began to move through the grounds. A roar from the sky above caught their attention.

Hemera was attacking a giant, but she was alone.

"Where's Hermione?" Charlie asked, his worry increasing by the second.

They all scanned the courtyard looking for her. "There!" Harry shouted.

Hermione was stabbing an ogre, yelling fiercely, while Ethriel stayed close to her. Her wild hair was sticking out everywhere, and her clothes were covered in dirt and blood. She shouted in victory as the ogre fell.

Charlie stared at her, thanking Merlin she was all right. He felt Harry give him a tug. "We need to go!"

Charlie nodded, not wanting to take his eyes off Hermione. But he had too… he had a mission now, one that he had to fulfill.

Tearing his gaze away, the three of them ran off towards the Shrieking Shack.

Each huffing from running so fast, they approached the Whomping Willow, its branches slashing around in a chaotic manner. Harry didn't stop though, running there, dodging the branches, making it to the base of the tree. Reaching over, he pressed the knot that would cause the tree to stop moving.

Charlie and Ron caught up to him.

"All right Harry?" Charlie asked, giving him a concerned look. Harry had been caught with one of the branches without realizing it, and had blood pouring down his face.

"Yeah, fine," he said, staring into the distance. The tunnel was dark and looming, and he couldn't help but wonder if this was a trap. He couldn't bear to lead Ron and Charlie to their deaths.

"We're coming, so let's go," Ron said with a huff, giving Harry a small push.

The three of them made their way through the earthy passage, slowly but steadily. Each had their wand raised, poised for the fight. Soon enough, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

"The cloak," Ron whispered. "Put it on."

Harry nodded. He pulled the cloak on himself, creeping forward. Ron and Charlie hung back a bit, allowing Harry to edge forward. Looking forward, he saw there was a small crack in the wall. He'd be able to see.

Charlie's heart pounded as Harry moved forward. What if this was it? What if they were found and killed? He knew that it was a possibility.

Turning, he saw Ron's face full of worry. What was his brother thinking about? Hermione? Their parents? So many were out there fighting, and they didn't know what was going on.

Charlie closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He heard whispered voices, but couldn't distinguish what was being said. Hopefully, Harry could hear.

Charlie tensed when he heard a scream, quickly moving towards Ron.

Harry stumbled backwards, tearing the cloak off him. His eyes were wide and it looked like he was going to cry.

"What happened?" Ron asked, his face white with fear.

Harry didn't answer, only charged up into the room.

Ron grabbed, trying to pull him back, but failed.

Charlie and Ron followed Harry in, surprised to see Snape on the floor. "He's dying," Charlie whispered, a part of him saddened but the greasy git's death.

"Take… it…" Snape mumbled, a silvery liquid coming from his eyes.

Charlie conjured a flask, handing it to Harry. Harry quickly took the memories. Locking eyes with Snape, Harry was moved with pity. The hand Harry was holding fell to the floor with a thunk.

"He's dead," Harry whispered, not moving from Snape's side.

Hermione swung her sword above her head, cutting the unsuspecting Death Eater's head off. With a grunt, she moved forward, slicing down another.

The first kill she did was the hardest. But every time after that became easier. She just had to remind herself that she was doing the right thing.

There was a blast and two bodies fell from above, landing in the rubble. One of them started to stir, but Greyback had moved in.

"No!" Hermione cried, running towards them. Holding her hand out, she blasted the werewolf away. He turned, letting out a fierce howl. With a shout, he lept at Hermione, knocking her into the dirt. His claws tore at her clothes, but Hermione pushed at him.

Greyback smirked. "You're mine," he claimed, tightened his grip around her windpipe.

Hermione's hand was inches away from her sword. Almost there… she stretched her fingers, trying to grab her weapon.

Greyback tightened his grip and Hermione was starting to see stars. Before she blacked out, she felt her fingers close around the handle of her sword. With all her might, she brought the sword up, stabbing it into the were's side. With a grunt, he fell off her. Hermione stood, quickly decapitating the beast.

A mangled cry sounded out. Turning, Hermione saw Ethriel bent over the sobbing figure. Moving over, Hermione saw it was Lavender. "Ethriel, move," she commanded the elf.

He scooted away, allowing Hermione to reach down and cup Lavender's face. "Putta Gurtha," Hermione whispered in Elvish.

There was a bright light, and Lavender's breath became even. "You'll be all right Lavender. Just try and get out of here."

Lavender clutched Hermione's hand. "Thank you," the blonde whispered.

Hermione squeezed her hand tightly, before standing. "Hemera!" she shouted.

The dragon swooped in, allowing Hemera and Ethriel to climb on her back.