As I paced the room, rage fueled my tired limbs. Somewhere between grief and anger, Draco and Narcissa had entered the room. Narcissa bore a shamefully red scar on the left side of her face, with her usual elegance. No explanation was needed; we all knew the source of our wounds and pain.
Silence held a taut leash over their still bodies, defied only by my wrathful steps.
My feverish thoughts had forged a plan. I had reached the point of no return. The clarity of my thoughts finally stopped my feet.
"Professor Snape, I need a vial of the Nubis Carnem potion," I said, rubbing my hands together to ease some of the chilly sense of foreboding which was spreading through my body.
"Narcissa, while Draco and Professor Snape help me with this, I need you to acquire a Dragon's tear by tonight." As I spoke I noticed a slight tremor in the hand with which I gestured.
Trying to hide my growing unease, I crossed my arms and turned to address Draco. "Please get your broom."
Draco's eyes went from my eyes to my hands. He knew I was scared. He moved as if to close the space between us. I backed away. He nodded and left the room, Narcissa following close behind.
As soon as we were alone, Professor Snape spoke. "You are aware, Miss Granger, that the Nubis Carnempotionis lethal. Once ingested a normal wizard would have a day to take the antidote, but a pregnant witch fueling a magic shield would have around ten hours to take the antidote."
"Six hours, for I plan on using a magic shield covered with tissue. The baby won't come into contact with a single drop of that potion," I said, protectiveness woven in every word. "I hope you also have the antidote ready, for we can't spare ten years to brew it."
At my words he stormed out of the room.
Finally by myself I sat on the floor, bringing my legs close to my chest and focused my thoughts on taking deep calming breaths to stop the tremors coursing through my body.
Hours later shrouded by nightfall, I clung tightly to Draco's torso as he expertly dived through clouds. Silence engulfed us. I could feel my limbs trembling not out of cold, for I had cast warming charms on the both of us, but rather because I would see himshortly.
I grabbed Draco with more force, his body taut. Our closeness brought me no comfort. Even if all I could see was his platinum hair dance in the moonlight, I knew he was furious.
He was right, this plan was suicidal. Even with all the help Narcissa and Snape had given us, all of it could be undone if one thing did not go as planned.
We landed a few kilometers outside of Hogsmade. Draco carefully helped me get off the broom. His thin lips kissed my brow. I looked into his eyes and felt my own anger evaporate. Here stood a man who would do anything for me; the flames in his eyes told me so.
As I passed him, he crossed his arms and his features darkened.
"Hermione if anything happens to my baby, we are through. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly," I said and kept walking.
A strong current of air let me know he had left. I was by myself.
I walked at a brisk pace. All the stores in Hogsmade were like decaying corpses, left out in the open to state the horror they had witnessed. Shattered windows, burnt walls, and the stench of death were my only companions as I crossed what had once been a beautiful wizarding town.
The closer I got to the castle, the more Death Eaters I saw along the road. Their masks mocked me. Seeing Hogsmade had kindled an inferno in my soul. How could I ever love such a wretched being?
As I approached the gates of Hogwarts, the intricate iron design unfurled to allow me passage. A thestral was waiting for me. I smirked, how fitting for this peaceful being with a nightmarish aspect to guide to a beautiful man with a deranged soul. I mounted and once we were airborne I drank the potion I'd requested from Snape.
I felt the potion begin its painful work, transforming solid tissue and bone to a cloudy phase. The change was completed before the thestral landed. There at the gates stood Professor Snape, his face impassive at my arrival.
My respect for the man only grew as he guided me into the castle. This man stood strong and faithful to himself at all times. If only I had granted myself the same mercy and remained unmoving in my hate for Tom, I might've killed him when I had the chance.
As we entered what once had been the Headmaster's Office I allowed myself to believe just for a second Professor Dumbledore would be on the other end. I stopped. He wouldn't be there.
Professor Snape led me inside and left. The room had changed greatly since the last time I had entered. Now every surface was of the deepest black, and the floor was carpeted in a blood red carpet. Dark artifacts and thick volumes sat organized to perfection.
A man with perfectly combed hair stood in the shadows, his back to me. I knew he wasn't Tom, for even though the posture was right the height was not. I was certain I had seen the back of this person before, but where? As he started to turn the green eyes told me, it was Harry Potter. I leaped across the room, and tried to hug him. But his body passed through my cloudy limbs. Now more than ever I wished I could touch him.
"Harry, I thought you were dead," I said my words overlapping one another in their joy.
Harry's face which had gained a luster of hope upon seeing me, lost it at my words. His face became overwrought with anguish.
"I only wish I were," he whispered.
"Now, now Harry there is no need for you to be so depressed. You should be thanking your stars I'm keeping you alive," Tom's velvety voice engulfed the grand office. "Hermione, the Nubis Carnem potion is for suicidal fools. I thought you had more sense in that pretty head of yours. I know I've pushed you a little too far, but to put your life on the line only to make sure I'll let you leave is a bit extreme, isn't it? I would never harm you while pregnant, dear."
At his last words Harry's eyes filled with joy.
"Don't look so happy Harry, aren't you aware it could very well be my child?" Tom said snidely.
This froze Harry's smile. I couldn't help but see there was something terribly wrong with my friend, his expressions were not his own. But I had someone to deal with before I could focus on Harry.
"Worry not Harry, the baby is Draco's," I said turning my back to my friend and facing Tom. "Now Tom, what's going on here?"
Tom extended his elegant limbs, in one fluent motion and stood from his throne-like chair. He looked into his thirties. A playful smirk adorned his pale skin. My throat became dry and my heart missed a beat, his beauty as captivating as always.
"Whatever do you mean, my dear? Harry and I are just spending some quality time together, or haven't you heard we've become the best of friends," his voice was alluring in its innocence. I had never encountered a better liar.
I approached him, drunk on the knowledge that this night, I was invulnerable. I came to stand right next to him, and standing on my tiptoes I whispered in the shell of his ear.
"We both know you're friends with no one except for yourself."
At this, a broad smile graced his angelic face.
"Is that so, my dear? You wound me; I am perfectly capable of having a friend. Please tell her Harry."
At his words I felt Harry come to stand right behind me, his arms falling on the only solid part of my body, my abdomen. Instinctively I froze, his presence felt threatening. I knew the magic tissue shield would protect the baby from any harm, and yet my uneasiness at Harry's closeness only heightened.
"Tom is right Hermione. We've become the best of friends. I'd even dare to say we are one soul in two bodies," he said smoothly, wicked joy noticeable in his tone.
I lowered my heard, closing my eyes to keep the tears inside. When I looked up at Tom, I could feel the frantic beat of my heart in my eardrums.
"You bastard!" I yelled.
Tom's eyes continued to dance with demented glee, he made to grab my chin, stopping at the last minute.
"It hurts, being powerless before a situation, doesn't it?" Harry whispered in my ear. "You could say we are even. You'll have Draco's baby and I'll have Harry's body. Please do tell me what will the Magic Community do when they see Harry Potter bowing before Voldemort? I bet the whole world will surrender in what, a week?"
I walked away from Harry and looked from one to the other. Harry's face changed from immense joy to that of a crushed man. I returned to his side.
"It's ok Harry. You came here trying to save the Wizarding World all by yourself, didn't you?" I whispered with tenderness. The look on his eyes was answer enough.
I bit my lips in frustration, and started clapping to mock Tom.
"Bravo Tom. After decades you've managed to bring Harry Potter down. You'll finally have the Wizarding World at your feet…"
Tom's face radiated mirth; with a movement of his hand he silenced me.
"Before you continue in your little monologue, why don't you drink this, my dear?" He uncorked a vial filled with a black substance.
I blanched; there went all my planning.
He withdrew his wand and pointed it at Harry.
"I insist," he deadpanned, his wand moving with precise grace.
Behind me Harry fell to the floor screaming; I stood my ground, my heart ripping at Harry's yells.
"You know I can't, this is the only way you'll let me leave," I said between gritted teeth and proceeded to kneel next to my suffering friend.
Tom released Harry from the spell.
Harry's eyes were dim with despair.
"You can't let him win," he murmured, looking straight into my soul.
I felt myself crumbling. Tears started flowing from my eyes, with practiced ease I built a barrier between Tom and us. Then I pointed my trembling wand at Harry's mind trying to find a way to kill the Horocrux without harming Harry. I knew it was a fruitless mission even before I started; they were joined at the core. I started casting, Harry deserved a few moments of true freedom, before…
I completed the spell. I could feel Tom trying to bring down the wall. I knew that with each spell I casted while under the influence of this potion, my time decreased. But I couldn't bring myself to care.
Once the Horocrux inside of Harry had been locked up, I summoned the vial, brought it through the barrier and drank it. Harry deserved to feel someone's hand on his one last time.
I drank it, the change was immediate. I felt a wave of dizziness go through me. I steadied myself and put Harry's head on my lap.
"We had quite the ride, didn't we?" I said, forcing a smile on my face.
"We had the best ride. Who else can boast of all of our adventures? Which is your favorite memory?" his words irradiated peace, he knew what was coming and he was okay with it.
I choked with my own tears at his question.
"The night after you saved me from that troll, I can still recall the Great Hall with all of its dishes, Ron speaking with his mouth full and you laughing at something I had said. That was the first night I felt I truly belonged in the Wizarding World. You two were the best of friends."
Harry managed to summon the strength to hug me, the effects of the Crucciowere fading.
"Hermione, it's time. Set me free, I'll be seeing Ginny and Ron again. Forgive me for leaving you alone."
I felt the barrier in Harry's mind begin to crumble. I had truly seen my friend for the last time, many months ago. Here stood a broken hero, brave to the end, but he was not the joyful man I had fought alongside for such a long time.
I stood and cast Avada Kedavra.
Killing my best friend and the Horocrux he carried.
I felt a part of me die as I apparated far from there.