Ch 35

A/N: I know you're all anxious to read so I'd just like to say a quick thank you to slenderpanda597 for being my beta, at least on the one part of this I let her read :). Now on with the story!

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The corridors were silent as a grave as Victoria made her way through them that night. It was the first time in all her years working in the castle that she'd ever been afraid, not only for herself, but for the students. Tonks, Proudfoot, and Savage came up to Hogwarts, giving them a slight advantage if anyone should enter the castle. Bill Weasley and Remus had also joined them that night in protecting the school, as Albus knew that all would not remain quiet while he was gone. He had left with Harry only an hour ago, but it felt like an eternity

Making her way to the Astronomy tower, Victoria couldn't help the shiver that ran along her spine, feeling that something was about to happen. Just as she stepped up to the small window her fear was realised. A brilliant, glittering skull suddenly erupted into the sky, illuminating the entire grounds below as if dawn had approached early in the sickening color. Her heart began to pound against her chest and her breathing came out in shallow gasps as she heard the sound of dueling behind her and the glow of spells started to light the staircase around her. She knew that this moment had been coming, but she wished that someone could have been there with her.

Then, just as she heard someone running up the stairs, everything went black. She couldn't see her hand in front of her face, and could only fumble around in the dark trying to understand what had happened. She could hear someone run past her, but she had no way of stopping them in the blackness.

As the darkness started to dissipate, a few minutes later, she found herself face to face with five Death Eaters. She didn't even have time to send out a spell before she found herself knocked off her feet.

"Go," she heard a familiar voice say, "I've got her."

Shaking her head she looked up in time to see four of the Death Eaters disappear behind the door. Getting unsteadily to her feet she looked at the man standing in front of her. His square jaw was set in an angry look, and his broad shoulders made him look even bigger on the small staircase.

"Caden?" she questioned, not believing her eyes.

"Good to see you too Victoria," he smirked ominously. "Our last meeting was rather… short."

"Have you gone insane?! What are you doing here with them?" she asked clutching her wand even tighter, knowing his prowess for the Unforgivable Curses.

"I finally found power," he growled. Shooting a spell at her he glared as she blocked it easily.

Sending one back she caught him in the chest and he staggered momentarily.

"Not as sharp as you used to be," she taunted.

He shot another which she blocked again, "I've been stuck behind a desk while you've been out in the field."

He shot two more at her in quick succession only to have them rebounded, "It's not my fault you chose to act impulsively. You could have passed too if you would have followed the rules."

He shot another at her, missing her by mere centimetres, she could feel the heat of it as it flew past her cheek. "I was trying to save an innocent person!" he spat.

"You were putting yourself and your team in danger," she countered rebounding yet another spell from him. "Caden, come back to our side. It isn't too late."

"It is for me," he snarled, pulling back the sleeve of his robe to reveal a fresh looking dark mark.

"Then that's your choice," she said firing a quick stunning spell at him. He wasn't fast enough and fell back on the stairs, momentarily stunned.

Just then she saw another figure running up the stairs. His billowing cloak slid over Caden's prone body as he made a hasty ascent. Her eyes connected with his dark ones. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him senseless, fearing she would never have the chance again. Instead she sent him all that he needed to hear with her mind. Entering his mind for a split second she simply said, 'Please Severus, be careful.'

He nodded in return his eyes never leaving her's, not saying anything and turned to open the door behind her. Seeing him enter the room her heart contracted. Now was the moment of truth. Either he would die or Albus would. She had no idea how this would turn out, but she couldn't help saying a silent prayer for both of them.

…

The fighting seemed to end nearly as soon as it had begun. With Severus leading the Death Eaters out of the castle most left quickly, leaving only destruction in their wake.

Neville and Filius had been hurt, but neither as badly as Bill Weasley. Victoria had been the one to find him, lying in a pool of blood with his face gashed and mangled so badly that at first she didn't believe that he was alive. Once she had checked him out and found that he was indeed alive she tried to use all of the spells she could to fix him up, but nothing worked. She immediately conjured a stretcher and took him to Poppy. She'd done all that she could, but now all that could be done was to wait.

When Molly and Arthur entered the room with Fleur, Victoria made her way towards the doors. Just as she was about to leave a strained voice caught her attention. Turning around she saw Tonks glaring at Remus, "You see," she said, "She still wants to marry him, even though he's been bitten! She doesn't care!"

Remus tensed suddenly, saying quietly, "It's different. Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely-"

Victoria looked on in shock as Tonks clutched at Remus's robes, shaking them, "But I don't care! I've told you a million times…"

"And I've told you a million times that I am too old for you, too poor… too dangerous…" he answered staring at the floor.

Molly piped up from the other side of the bed, "I've said all along, you're taking a ridiculous line on this, Remus."

"I'm not being ridiculous," Remus answered. "Tonks deserves somebody young and whole."

Molly gave a slight smile, "But she wants you. And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so."

"This is… not the moment to discuss it," he answered not able to look at anyone. "Dumbledore's dead…" he said solemnly.

"Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world," Minerva said curtly, just as the doors opened again giving Hagrid entrance to the room while Victoria slipped out unnoticed.

She thought about the little scene she'd just witnessed as she roamed the corridors aimlessly. With all the destruction around her, the ceiling nearly falling down, the blood smeared and spattered on the walls and floor, and the thought that someone had just died there, it was amazing to think that someone would intentionally distance themself from a little happiness.

Turning to look back at the doors to the hospital wing she saw, to her surprise, Tonks and Remus standing in the middle of the corridor. Even in the quiet corridor Victoria couldn't hear them, but could only watch the wild gestures. Then, Tonks suddenly threw her arms around Remus's neck, crashing her lips into his. He looked like he was going to pull away for a moment, but the grip she had on him was too strong. When she pulled away, a great smile was on her face, as well as a smirk on his. Seeing this she instantly leant into him again. Seeing this Victoria turned away, giving them their privacy as a pang of jealousy hit her unexpectedly.

…

Victoria found herself in front of the stone gargoyle once again, only a few minutes after Dumbledore's funeral had finished. Giving it the password, it quickly jumped out of her way and she proceeded up the stairs. Pausing to knock, she entered the room.

The sight in front of her as she walked in should have shocked her to no end, but a smile crept onto her face. Behind the desk sat Albus, his blue eyes glinting behind his half-moon glasses. In front of the desk stood Minerva, pouring herself a cup of tea, and Severus was leaning up against the wall next to the fireplace.

"Ah, Victoria, please come in," Albus said with a smile, getting up from his place.

She did as she was told, and came to him, giving him a tight hug, more to convince herself of his existence than as a greeting. "So I see the plan worked," she said with her arms still wrapped around him.

"Indeed," he smiled pulling back from her, "Severus did an excellent job."

"I was not the only party involved," Severus said quietly.

"I know you told me you had a plan worked out, but how exactly did it work?" Victoria asked settling into a chair in front of the desk.

"There were many parts involved, and much of it can be attributed to timing," Albus answered sitting back down.

"So…" Victoria prodded.

"Firstly, there was a potion that Severus made," Albus explained.

Severus nodded, "Unicorn blood can be used as long as you were not the one to slay it. I acquired some a few weeks ago, learning that if used prior to an injury it can work as effectively as used after."

"I was able to drink it just as Harry turned to leave the room." Albus smiled.

"Talk about timing. How did you know you'd have a chance?" Victoria asked looking between the two men.

"I was not sure, that is where the second part came in." Albus answered gesturing back to Severus.

Severus nodded, "As you well know, when using one of the Unforgivable Curses, you must mean it. What is not well known however is that the spell will look the same if the incantation is spoken, but the intention is not behind it."

"It will cause a person to be knocked to the ground, or in my case through a window," Albus smiled.

"How did you survive the fall?" she asked.

"Cushioning charms had already been in place for some time before, as well as the unicorn blood would have kept me safe," Albus answered easily.

Victoria shook her head, still not able to believe that they'd been able to pull it off. "What about the body that was just buried?"

"Victoria," Albus said gently, "do you still doubt the proficiency of our charms professor? I daresay Filius could charm up just about anything."

Victoria smiled, "No, I have to agree. He probably could." She paused, looking between the three, "So what happens now?"

Minerva set down her cup, "Well until next term I will be acting headmistress."

"I will be going into hiding, somewhere that no one will find me," Albus said sadly.

"You mean not even the rest of the Order knows?" Victoria asked surprised.

"No," Albus sighed, "it is better for them not to know. They are safer this way."

Victoria nodded, but still didn't know how Hogwarts or the Order was going to fare without him.

"Next year I will be named as Headmaster," Severus said quietly.

Victoria's head whipped around, "You? But the Order will never stand for it. They all think you're a Death Eater."

"That is why," Severus answered not able to look into her eyes. "The Dark Lord has already instructed me that I will become Headmaster and employ two other Death Eaters."

"You're just going to listen to him?" Victoria asked incredulously.

"No, I am doing it to protect the students," Severus said quietly. "If I do not they will be in more danger than this."

"So this is it. We're not going to see each other again until this is over?" Victoria asked sadly.

"I am afraid so," Albus answered taking her hands in his. "We will all be together again when the war is over."

"Let's hope for a quick end then," she gave him a slight smile.

He nodded, "I believe that is what we are all hoping for."