The morning came quickly, its gentle rays washing about Draco and Hermione, who were still outside together. Harry had made an appearance when it was time for him to take watch, but Draco had just waved him off. He didn't want to wake Hermione and he didn't want to leave her either. Just sitting here thinking was fine by him, particularly as nothing particular was planned for the next few days. The rain had stopped and in the heat of the early morning sun was causing the ground to steam slightly. The dawn had done its best to creep up on Draco, but he'd seen it coming, sitting there, firstly in the pitch black and then latterly as the colours returned to his sight as the light grew. Then the dawn came. There was no thunderous drum roll or mighty horn playing, and it wouldn't have suited this sunrise had there been. There was no power left in it, low down in the sky on a late winter's morning. All around them the signs of encroaching spring were showing- buds were forming on the branches of trees, ready to spring into leaf when the weather grew more clement. Spring, like them, was biding its time, waiting for the moment to spring forth and beat its old foe winter once again. In his arms, Hermione began to stir.

'Morning sleepyhead.'

'Morning.' Hermione blinked sleepily and brushed the hair from her eyes.

'You're beautiful in the mornings.' Draco said.

'You really think so?'

'Absolutely.'

Hermione smiled back at Draco, before curling her arms around his neck and drawing him close for a kiss. They were still snuggling when Harry came out, bringing two glasses of water with him. Hermione noticed him, just about, and pulled out of the kiss to look at Harry, questioningly.

'Thirsty?'

'A bit.'

'Here you go then. I'll start breakfast as you're up. Today's special is potatoes and onions.'

'Now there's a surprise.'

'You picked them up.'

'And just as well too. I'll look forward to having an opportunity for foraging though, when everything starts growing again. '

'True. I think i must know every possible way of cooking potatoes and onions by now and I don't like any of them.'

'None?'

'Well, I suppose some are alright. That layers one you do's quite nice, but I'm still fed up with them.'

'Aren't we all?'

'Yeah. Anyone got any plans for the day?'

'Well, unless you happen to have a basilisk in your pocket then I'm going to have to do some work on fiendfyre to destroy the blasted cup.'

'It's not a basilisk in my pocket, I'm afraid.'

'Didn't think so. Well, I think we're going to need somewhere nice and deserted to practice this, just in case something does go wrong.'

'Well, how about that bit of scrubland just the other side of this clump of woods?'

'Not really fireproof enough, besides, there's loads of muggles who come past here fairly often, so it wouldn't be a good idea on that front, would it?'

'True. Couldn't we put up a load of muggle-repelling charms and that sort of thing?'

'I suppose. It'd be a lot of work, but I reckon it'd be worth it.'

'Yeah. If Hermione and I set those up after breakfast, will that give you enough time to do the extra reading?'

'Should do. I'm only after a refresher course, just so that I don't make any mistakes.'

'You don't usually. I'm sure you'll be fine.'

'I have every faith in you Draco.'

'Thanks Hermione.' Draco said, nuzzling his nose against hers. 'That means a lot.'

The reading was done and Draco was ready with the cup to start the process. The muggle-repelling charms were set up and the area was long cleared. Hermione and Harry stood back to watch and Draco began. One wave of his wand as he muttered the incantation under his breath and the whole colour of the landscape changed from brown to a fiery red. Slowly Draco directed the fire towards the cup. It began to glow hotter and hotter. A high pitched squeal came from somewhere as the grass began to smoulder. Still the cup stayed intact. Then, as if it had given up the fight, it began to melt, slowly. Then it exploded, sending bits of molten metal showering everywhere, including over to where Draco stood. Forgetting about the fiendfyre he cast a shield to defend himself. Where the molten gold hit the shield it flowed down to the ground. Yet still the fiendfyre raged and since Draco had let it out of his control it was now flaring up, and threatening to take everyone nearby with it. Now he was safe, Draco quickly extinguished it, using the counter-charm. Slowly the chimaeras of fire died down, shrinking every second and tame until it was no more.

'Draco. Are you alright?'

'Fine. Bit shaken up, but I don't think anything's missing. How are you?'

'Fine. Had to run away when the cup exploded, but now. Well, we're fine too.'

'Everyone is fine. That's fine, isn't it? Another fragment of soul gone and we're nearly done, aren't we?'

'Two-thirds of the way through. Not bad for a start.'

'Assuming he didn't make any more that we don't know about.' Hermione said darkly.

'Let's not worry about that yet. It's a lovely day, the sun is shining. I think it's time for a day off hunting for bits of a mangy old wizard's soul. Anyone fancy having a lay about sunbathing for a bit? We could even have a bit of a game of cricket if anyone wants to.'

'Maybe later, Draco. I'm all up for a bit of relaxation and fun, but isn't it a bit early in the year for cricket?'

'It might be. Well, maybe next time.'

'Yeah, maybe.'

They walked back to the tent and sat down, in Draco's case rather heavily. They sat there, basking in the sun, whose ever strengthening rays had already dried out the ground, for a long time, no-one wanting to disturb the perfect silence that was filled only with the sound of birds in the air, the wind rushing through the trees and the distant rumble of cars on the motorway. Before long, Draco had nodded off and was sleeping soundly.

He woke up inside in the kitchen, where Harry and Hermione were playing a game of scrabble on the table.

'I'm sure I was outside when I fell asleep.' Draco mumbled dozily.

'Well, the rain came, so I thought you'd rather be inside. It wasn't fun dragging you in, I can tell you. What do you weigh?'

'I don't know. Before we ran out of food, must have been about 14 stone. Maybe a bit more.'

'You still weigh a tonne, don't worry, I don't think you've lost anything. Took us ages to drag you in here. I'm surprised we didn't wake you.'

'I'm a heavy sleeper once I get to sleep.'

'In more ways than one.'

'Yeah. S'pose so? How's the game going?'

'Quite well. Not much in it really, we're nearly at the end. Fancy joining in?' Harry asked.

'No thanks. I didn't get much sleep last night. Didn't get any if truth be told, so I might try and catch a bit of extra shut-eye.'

'See you later then.'

'Yeah. Don't hesitate to yell if you need me for anything.' Draco said, padding off to his bed.

Despite the noise of the raindrops hammering on the roof of the tent, Draco was out like a light the moment he lay down in bed. The next thing he knew, he was being shaken awake by a panic-stricken Hermione.

'Wshsa. What is it?'

'Harry. He's collapsed. I think it's another one of his dreams. You know, the ones that let him see what the chief death Eater is doing.'

'Oh.' Draco got up and followed Hermione through to the kitchen. Harry was on the floor, sitting up, clutching his head.

'What happened? You alright?'

'It's the scar. It hurts when he's angry, or happy. This time though I think he's afraid. He's just gotten back from getting the wand. He said he'd broken into Dumbledore's tomb to Snape- they were in the headmaster's study at Hogwarts too, right in front of the portrait of Dumbledore too.'

'What delightful tact.'

'Yes. Anyway, he noticed the paper on Snape's desk. Its headline was all about the break in at Gringotts. He started to panic about his horcruxes. He's checking on them now. The one at Hogwarts he's checked and that was alright, but the rest he's not so sure about. He's going to the Gaunt shack next.'

'Didn't Dumbledore get that one?'

'Yeah, he did That was the ring. Now, I think we've got a bit of time, as You-know-who is going to have to walk out of the grounds- even he can't apparate there apparently, but I don't think it's going to be long until he's back, moving the Hogwarts one to a more secure location. You know what, I think it's time we went back to school.'

Draco looked meaningfully across at Hermione.

'Agreed.' She said. 'I think we should take everything we can with us. You never know when it might be useful.'

'But how do we get in. I don't think they'll just let us walk up the main drive, do you? You're a wanted man, remember, Harry.'

'Yeah. Tell you what. If we go to Hogsmeade, we can sneak in by the secret passageway under Honeyduke's.'

'I reckon there might be guards on it. Wouldn't it be better to go via the shrieking shack. Sure, it'll be further to go at the other end, but all things said and done it should be safer than Honeyduke's. Much safer.'

'But Snape definitely knows about that one.'

'Yeah, but there's a sodding great big whomping willow on top of it, do you really think they're going to bother giving it any more protection?'

'But how do we get past it?'

'Lupin said something about there being a knot at the base of the trunk. If you press it, the tree freezes dead still.'

'How do you remember these things, Draco?'

'I don't know. My memory just sort of files everything away. Anyway, if we go straight to the shack, it'll avoid any problems with meeting anyone in Hogsmeade who might report us.'

'Sounds like a plan to me. Everyone agreed? Good. Meet back here in five minutes and we'll go.'

'Don't forget the map, Harry.'

'Already on it, Hermione.'

'Good. It'll help us avoid everyone we don't want to see.'

'Yeah. And we avoid anyone we don't know and trust?'

'Sounds sensible. See you in a mo.'

'In a mo, then.'

They met up again armed with their wands, several bags full of spellbooks and other little things which they felt might be useful- the last of Harry's Peruvian instant darkness powder, Hermione's healing kits and Draco, well, Draco just took his wand and his books, anything else he had decided was just frippery. So it was that they apparated to the shrieking shack. Looking around, they heard and saw nothing, so they crept over the ground and entered the shack. In it the dust lay thick on the floor. The stairs and walls still creaked and swayed in every breeze and nothing wlooked as though it had been touched in years. Faintly visible, where the dust wasn't as deep, were several pairs of footprints.

'Who do you think these belong to?'

'Us, I think. And Lupin, and Snape, and Sirius.'

'They've survived for that long?'

'Seemingly. Well, nice as it is to reminisce, shouldn't we get going. I was rather under the impression that we don't have long to get to the castle and execute our coup de grace before you-know-who returns.'

'Yeah. Does anyone remember where the trapdoor was?'

'Not offhand, perhaps we should just follow the footprints?'

'Alright.'

Before long they had found the tunnel and followed it to the base of the whomping willow. The hole at its base looked distinctly like it had shrunk to Draco, but after pressing the knot on the tree and after some considerable acts of contortionism, they were through.

'So, you're through at last.'

'What do you mean at last? I'm a lot bigger than you, in case you hadn't noticed, and that hole was never big.'

'Yeah, yeah. Stop making excuses. You're the one who said we have to get to the castle as quickly as possible.'

'Fine. Map at the ready?'

'Yeah. McGonagall's in her office, Snape's up in Dumbledore's, everyone else seems to be in bed, or at least, no-one's in the corridors.'

'Great, to the school then.'

'Yeah.' They hurried through the grounds as quickly as they dared, moving from shadow to shadow to avoid being spotted and up to the great north doors of the castle. They were locked.

'Any ideas how we can get in?'

'Alohomora. No. As that didn't work, none.'

'What about Hagrid. Doesn't he have the keys for everything?'

'Pretty much. Even if not, he might be able to help us in some other way. It'll be worth a shot. Let's go.'

Draco followed the rushing figure of Harry all the way down to Hagrid's hut and banged loudly on the door.

'I'm comin'. I'm comin'.' Came the familiar voice from within.

'You Three! What're yeh doin' here?'

'We need to get into the castle, Hagrid.'

'Yeh need to get away from 'ere.'

'No we don't, we need to get in. We're on a job for Dumbledore. WE have to get in to defeat You-know-who and we have to do it tonight.'

'Alrigh' then. I can't get in you in the front but this'll get yeh in round by the back- over the windy bridge and through the door on the far side of tha'.'

'Thanks Hagrid. See you later.'

'Good luck to yeh.'

'Thanks.'

They ran out of Hagrid's and followed the edge of the deep chasm that ran around the castle to the bridge at the back. Then they slowed, to walk along it and catch their breath back.

'I've always hated the way the wind goes straight along this bridge. It's terrible.'

'Yeah, it is a bit chilly. Never mind though- I couldn't care if it was on fire, just so long as we can get to the door Hagrid's given us the key for once we're over it.'

'Yeah right. Well, let's see if it fits then.'

The key turned in the lock and the door swung open at the lightest touch from Hermione. Harry checked the map.

'No-one's about quickest way to McGonagall's left here and then past Flitwick's office to the next stairs. Right at the top, then we're there.'

'We know the way, Harry. Is anyone about, that's what matters.'

'No. No-one.'

'Come on then.'

They raced through the familiar passageways darkened by night and made cold by time. Passing door after door, suit of armour after suit of armour, they hurried up the stairs that led to McGonagall's office. Draco knocked o the door three times.

'Come in.'

They opened the door. A greyed and worried McGonagall was sitting at her desk, busy marking somebody's homework.

'What can I help you with?'

'We need to search the school, Professor.'

'Harry?' she asked in surprise, spinning round in her chair. 'What're you doing here?'

'I'm on a mission from Dumbledore. I need to find something to defeat you-know-who, buthe knows and he's coming here to stop us, or at least, he will know.'

'I can't hold him off, Potter.'

'I know Professor, but if you got Professor Flitwick to help you and so on, then there might be enough time to find the thing and get out.'

'What is it you're looking for?'

'Something of Ravenclaw's. I don't know exactly what, or where it is, but I thought that you would be able to help.'

'Alright Potter. But you really need to make this quick if we're to avoid trouble.'

'It's too late for that Professor. Besides, trouble follows me around.'

'Too bloody right.' Draco said under his breath.

'Very well. Head to Ravenclaw tower- you know where it is, I take it? You'll have to answer a question to get in, but with these two at your side Potter, you'll have no trouble whatsoever.'

'I beg to differ Minerva.' A harsh voice said from the doorway.

'Severus! What're you doing here.'

'Wandering the halls, looking for whoever had broken in downstairs. It seems I have found them. You do realise, I presume, that had Alecto or Amycus found you, then you would already be in deep trouble.'

'And we're not now?'

Snape said nothing to that.

'Well, Severus, are you going to show your hand?'

'Yeah. I know you work for the Dark Lord. You're just waiting until we're off are guard to capture us.'

'And why do you think that? Because of this?' Snape brandished his left forearm at them. The dark mark sat on it, twisting and curling in the candlelight as if it was alive.

'Yes.'

'It means nothing, nothing Potter. You can't spy on the Dark Lord without one of these.'

'I still don't trust you.' Harry said, advancing on Snape, who backed away until he walked into one of the vast stone torches that lit the castle's corridors at night.

Suddenly, Snape stuck his arm into the flames, which licked at the dark mark and the arm. The smell of charring flesh filled the air and Snape's arm blackened as Dumbledore's once had, only faster. The heat of the flame grew as the arm caught fire, burning away the evil of the mark. After what seemed like an age Snape pulled the ruined arm from the flames.

'Do you believe I have chosen now?' Snape asked angrily.

'Yes. Professor, we need to keep the Dark Lord out while we search for something.'

'The last of the horcruxes?'

'How did you know?'

'Albus shared many things with me that he did not share even with you, Potter. Now go and find it. Minerva, evacuate the castle. Anyone who wants to stay who's over seventeen can, but I want everyone else out. Then summon the Order. We'll need all the help we can get. I'm going to wake Filius and Horace and then take out the Carrows. And if any of you ever mention this to anyone, I'll...'

'Far be it from me to whiten any man's name against his wishes, Severus, but I rather think the cat is out of the bag on that front.'

'Very well. Well, get on with it then, you haven't got forever.'