When Voldemort finalized his plans he felt pretty proud. It would work. He was certain. He went to Hermione's rooms to see her finishing an essay. "My plan is going to happen tonight."

Hermione looked up at him, "What? What's going to happen?"
"It's called eliminating plausible deniability," he smirked, walking over to her, "I think you'll like it. No one has to die." Hermione sighed in relief. She walked up to him and he kissed her, "Now I have to go but soon I'll be back. I just have to make one last stop," he caressed her cheek, "this will work well." He disappeared and Hermione sighed. She just wanted this to be over. If her biggest problem was just that Voldemort was her lover she could deal with that. But with his Death Eaters and whatnot…she wanted it over with.

Meanwhile, Voldemort was talking to his followers, his face changed back to the snakelike features they all knew. They were to storm Hogwarts. Yet unknown to his followers, the 'special' wands they all had were fake wands created by the Weasley twins and supplied by Dumbledore. He made sure they all had their special new wands before giving the command. They were to use the killing curse on every child they saw.

Hermione watched from her window as Dumbledore walked down towards Hogsmeade with the teachers and the house elves. Was this Voldemort's plan? She and Blaise went to the Room of Requirement and watched through a looking glass as the Death Eaters attacked the house elves and the Hogwarts teachers. She couldn't see Voldemort though. Suddenly they heard a sound and turned to see Voldemort, who immediately shifted back to the face only Hermione and Blaise knew. "How goes the attack?"

"They….their wands don't work?"

"Of course not. But I'd love to see Malfoy get out of this, casting the killing curse at children with a super-charged wand."

They watched as all the Death Eaters were arrested and unmasked. Voldemort laughed, "Oh the looks on their faces…priceless, as they say."

Hermione couldn't believe that this was his plot. It was so complex, yet so simple. She was very impressed with his cunning at the moment. He moved close to her, his arms wrapping around her, "Do you like your reward?"

"Very much," she nodded. "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome," he kissed her cheek, "Mine."

She smiled and leaned against him, surprised but glad at his sudden showcase of affection in front of Blaise. They watched as they all were carted off. Hermione looked up at him, "Is it over now?"

"I must go speak with Dumbledore, but beyond that….it is over."

Hermione grinned and kissed him on the lips, "Promise you'll come to me afterwards?"

"I promise," he ran his hands over her body, "my Hermione."

She nodded and hugged him before letting him go. Voldemort disappeared again. She looked at Blaise, "Lucky me right?"

"I think you're good for each other," he shrugged, walking back to their rooms with her.

Dumbledore smirked at Voldemort. "I had my doubts, but you certainly ended the madness."

"Will you have me arrested?"

"You'll break out of Azkaban. The only suitable punishment is death and you're immortal."

"So the question remains- will you have me arrested?" Dumbledore looked at Voldemort, clearly contemplating it. Voldemort ended the silence, "I will take her with me Albus."

"I won't. But others will call for it. Your relationship with her will never be a simple one."

"Simple is boring." Voldemort was about to leave when he turned back, "The Weasley girl…she was welcomed back. With open arms, she was welcomed back into the Order. Because she's a pureblood, or Potter's lover?"

"I can't speak to that."

"You just did," Voldemort shook his head, "if you'd given Hermione half the attention you gave Potter I might have had more of a fight on my hands." He disappeared. Dumbledore sat down at his desk. He should feel relieved it was over. Instead, he felt horrible.

Hermione was glad to feel Voldemort climb into bed with her that night, "What happens now?"

"I will probably have to leave England for a time. But then I rather like Italy anyway."

"Me too," she whispered. "What am I supposed to do?"

"You can stay and finish your schooling, if you wish. I don't think I will return, though."

"And if I choose to go with you?"

"Italy would no doubt be glad to have you," he answered, caressing her cheek. "I know the witch who runs the school. She'd be delighted to have you in her school. You could sit for your exams there, I'm certain."

Hermione looked up at him. He wanted her to go with him. It was incredibly difficult, she thought. She didn't want to ever disappoint him. She'd not expected to feel for him what she did, and she felt he didn't expect the emotions either; yet there they were. But leaving Hogwarts…she expected to leave with a degree, not in the middle of the night with her lover. Of course she'd also expected to always have Harry and Ron by her side; no matter the future. Hermione stayed quiet, thinking about it. "I won't try to sway you," he whispered.

"What?"

He shook his head, "Just thinking aloud. I will not try to sway you. That would be wrong. This is your decision. It won't be the end of our relationship."

She smiled up at him before snuggling him, "Thanks for being understanding." Hermione thought about it a bit longer before finally speaking, "If I stay, I'll be questioned about you. If I leave…my reputation will be questioned."

"So you're staying?" Hermione could hear the sadness in his voice as he said it and frowned. She never wanted him to feel that way as it pertained to her.

"No," she shook her head and leaned up to kiss him, "I'll go with you."

"You can still have a career," he whispered.

"But I'll have to leave my parents behind," she said, "Can they come too?"

"To Italy?"

"How about France? Are you welcome there?"

He tilted his head in thought, "Yes."

"My grandmother lives in France. They've debated moving back for many years."

He looked at her. She was going with him. He smiled and kissed her again, "You chose me."

"It was never an option," she responded before pulling him on top of her. They made out before he pulled away, "What?"

"I have to leave soon. If you're coming too then you need to get packed." She nodded and got up with him. He helped her pack her things and then she moved into his embrace, hugging him. They Disapparated.