A/N- The final battle has arrived. This is split into two chapters and yes, this one ends in a cliffhanger. Please don't kill me. I will do my absolute best to get the next chapter out as soon as possible. For those that continue to read and review, thank you so much. The end is drawing near, only three more official chapters including this one and two epilogues. It saddens me that this labor of love is almost over but I'm trying to stay positive that the next story will be just as much fun to write. Thanks for keeping me motivated, y'all. Enough for now, I must start writing!

Side note: I've had a few problems replying to reviews so if you didn't get a reply, I apologize.

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Triads have been done before, the characters belong to J.K.R., Hermione being related to Snape and Voldy has been done before, as has badass Hermione. Only the personal twist on this story belongs to me.

Trigger Warning: Rape but nothing graphic. Major character death.

Chapter 45

April 21, 1996

Draco woke slowly, the warm weight of Hermione on his chest and Harry's hand on his belly. He wanted to savor this moment forever since he wasn't sure if he would ever get another one. It was Easter and their fight with Voldemort would become a reality today at lunch.

The three of them had made love for hours the night before; they had all agreed that none of them could afford to use their energy this morning for something other than their battle with Voldemort. The last thing they could afford was not having full power because they had spent the morning shagging. Instead, they had used their last evening together to their advantage, pleasuring each other for hours before dropping off to sleep after 2 a.m. Since it was almost nine now, they still managed to get a good night's sleep.

Hermione stirred on top of him, causing a chain reaction that woke Harry as well. Draco knew that they were awake, laying there silent next to him. Draco didn't mind. It was peaceful and calming, a balm to her nervous heart. He was scared to death that either he, Harry, or Hermione would be killed today. That wasn't something that he even wanted to contemplate but under the circumstances, he really didn't have a choice. Hermione finally broke the silence but didn't move a muscle.

"We're going to win this. I will do everything in my power to make sure that we can do this for the rest of our lives." Both boys nodded against her, so she continued.

"This being said, everything in my power also means my life. If I die today, I want you both to promise me that you'll both move on and do your best to be happy. I love you both more than life and I would never want you to be alone just because you would feel guilty about moving on. Promise me." Draco felt his blood freeze at her words. Harry was the first to respond though, always more adept at navigating emotional situation.

"You aren't going to die today, 'Mi. You're going to win us this war." Hermione clutched Draco tighter at Harry's words.

"We all know that my grandfather is more powerful than Dumbledore and even though I'm more powerful than he is, he has decades more experience. I don't have the best reflexes and all it takes is one mistake. I know I've been practicing with Dad but that doesn't automatically mean that I'm going to win. I'm going to do everything in my power to live and win this fight but I'm also a realistic person. Promise me." Draco could see that this was important to her and even though he was quite sure that he would never find another witch that could take her place, he wanted to make sure that he appeased her. The last thing he wanted to do was have her worrying about him while she was fighting for her life. Therefore, he bent and captured her lips in a short and sweet kiss.

"I promise, Princess." Harry eyed him over Hermione's shoulder and he knew that Harry could tell he was lying. It was also clear why he was doing so. Harry sighed heavily.

"I promise too, 'Mi. You aren't going to die today though. Between the two of us and your father, throw in a little Lucius Malfoy, you're going to live forever." She chuckled softly at his words.

Neither one of the boys asked her to move on from them if they died. They both knew that it would be pointless since she had made clear several times since the date had been set for the battle that she would never be able to move on. There was no sense in bringing it up again and causing an argument.

The trio laid there for another hour, silent and still as they enjoyed each other's company for what was possibly the last time. It was almost ten when Harry finally sighed and sat up. He looked at the two of them and Draco could tell that he was going to tell that it was time for them to up and start getting around. They had already missed breakfast but there were more important things than food.

"We need to get up and start getting ready for the day. Lunch is in two hours." Draco felt a thrill of anticipation roll through him. He was by no means excited to fight in the biggest battle their world had seen in decades but there was also a rush of excitement at finally ending the terror that Voldemort had brought upon them all.

Draco and Hermione both dragged themselves out of their bed, both heading off in the directions of their wardrobes. They had all bathed the night before, so they would have less of demand on their time. Draco decided to wear his usual trousers and dress shirt, it would seem odd to see him in school in something more casual and comfortable.

Harry could be seen throwing on jeans and tee-shirt, a pair of trainers completing his casual look. Since he was usually seen wearing this sort of attire on the weekends, it was no great surprise that he would wear it to Easter dinner. Hermione was the only one that was in a quandary of what to wear. The school would balk at seeing her in anything other than her muggle clothing, but the Dark Lord wouldn't be happy to see her dressed as anything less than a proper pureblood witch, even though she surely didn't meet the criteria of a pureblood. In the end, she had decided to dress in her usual muggle clothing so nobody on her grandfather's side could accuse her of letting the other side in on the fact that this was supposed to be an ambush.

Therefore, Hermione was dressed in her usual jeans, a little tighter than usual so the loose legs couldn't get caught on anything as she fought. She wore a lovely blue blouse that matched the color of her eyes perfectly. Trainers adorned her feet as well. Since she had been leaving her hair down since her glamour had been lifted, she made sure to leave it down today as well. Draco thought that as a whole, they were not about to give the game away when the Death Eaters arrived.

Before they left the safety of their room, the trio stopped and joined hands. Harry spoke first, his voice thick with emotion.

"I know that we can't go out there and show that we're scared, that we're worried about the outcome but before we left I wanted to tell both of you that the time I spent with you two has been the best time of my life. I love you both and look forward to spending the rest of my life with the pair of you." Draco watched as Hermione threw herself into his arms. She hugged him close and spoke into his neck.

"I love you both more than life. I plan on going out there and kicking my grandfather's arse, so we can get through school and I can pretend to be surprised when you both ask me to marry you. I want to have your children and be happy." Draco stepped forward and hugged Hermione from behind, meeting Harry's eyes over her head.

"I love you both as well. I never realized that I could be as happy as I am, I never thought that I would get the chance to be with either one of you. I, for one, will be doing everything in my power to make sure that the snake-faced bastard dies today." Hermione took the situation one step further.

"If one of us dies today, we all need to promise to be there for the other person. I don't want you two to be torn apart if I die. You don't have to be in another triad but don't stop being friends." Both Draco and Harry kissed her before they agreed.

The trio pulled away from each other and took a collective deep breath before stepping out of their person haven the Room of Requirement created for them on a nightly basis. Draco knew better than most how to put his mask on, so nobody could see how bloody terrified he was. Hermione and Harry did the best they could with it but weren't near as successful since they were Gryffindors at heart.

Most of the fifth, sixth, and seventh year Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw students had stayed behind. Not all of them were going to be in the Great Hall, however, when this whole charade began. She had told her grandfather that there wouldn't be too many students that stayed behind so they had to keep a low profile until the fighting broke out. Therefore, the trio headed to the end classroom on the right on the bottom floor, the room serving as command center for the light's troops.

Draco should probably have felt guilty that he, Harry, and Hermione had slept late and allowed everyone else to handle things until they got there but he didn't. He had taken the task of killing Nagini upon himself and the three of them were charged with taking down the Dark Lord. It was going to be no easy feat so if people wanted to get angry that they were there late, they could kiss his lily-white arse.

The room turned collectively to stare at them as they entered but none of them paid anyone any mind. Molly was the one who stood out the most with a disapproving look but remained silent. Draco had a feeling that it had to do with Arthur's restraining hand on her elbow. The twins, Neville, Ginny, and Luna all came forward, taking their turns wrapping all three of them in hugs. Draco, while he didn't mind hugs from Hermione at all, had even grown used to occasional hugs from Harry, was distinctly uncomfortable with his friends hugging him. His family had never been very demonstrative, so this was still an area that he needed work in. The twins were the first to speak.

"We were scared that the three of you had fallen into a shag coma and missed your alarm." Hermione turned a tomato red while Harry and Draco both chuckled.

"No, just taking a little extra time to get our heads straight. I must kill the snake and then we must take on Moldy. It's not something to be taken lightly." They both laughed but they could tell that it was stilted. Ginny spoke next.

"Mum and Dad won't let me fight even though I've been training the same as the twins and Ron. I'll be out there helping Madam Pomfrey, Luna too. We still want to do whatever we can to help even if we can't fight." Hermione stepped forward and pulled both girls into a hug.

"We love you for it. Besides, if things go south it will be nice knowing that the pair of you might escape punishment." Hermione stumbled under the onslaught of hugs the girls bestowed upon her.

"None of that talk, 'Mi, you're going to kick old Voldy's arse and then we're going to party for a full week." Hermione laughed at her only girlfriends.

"You have yourselves a deal." The twins and Neville were much more circumspect in their actions, none of them throwing themselves in anyone's arms just because the situation was rife with tension. Aside from that first hug, they were back to business as usual. It was Neville though, that broke the silence.

"You'll promise to be careful. I don't want to have to bury any of my friends because they were being foolish." Draco tried to lighten the mood.

"That won't ever happen, Longbottom. Consummate Slytherin right here. We do nothing without considering all the outcomes." Neville grinned, and it seemed to break the melancholy spell that had fallen over the eight of them. They broke apart and went their separate ways, the twins and Neville to go wait with those they were going to be stationed with and the trio to make contact with the adults that were there.

The same scenario played out with the adults, however. Remus and Sirius had both taken Hermione in their arms and held her close, telling her how much they loved her and hoped that they would survive to see her marry their godson. Harry and Draco had received heartfelt handshakes and had received promises to look out for her to the best of their abilities. Kingsley had been next, not hugging any of them, but making sure that they knew that he would be extremely displeased if they didn't survive to see the end of the Dark Lord.

Arthur and Tonks were next, both bestowing hugs upon all three of them, once again making Draco uncomfortable. The same could be said for Professor McGonagall, hugging all three of them together and making them promise to look out for each other and keep each other safe. She reminded Hermione that she had an apprenticeship to look forward to, so she needed to handle this business quickly, so she could get on with her life. Hermione had laughed at her favorite professor and quickly agreed to do her best.

Dumbledore stepped forward to meet the three of them and made sure to cast a silencing charm around them before he spoke. Draco wasn't surprised, he was still convinced that they needed to keep Hermione's true identity a secret.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter, I can only hope that this day finds you well. We're all nervous as to what could happen, but I have every hope that we will prevail here today." Draco knew that he wasn't going to be able to be civil if he spoke, so he left it to Harry and Hermione. They were more used to dealing with the old codger anyways. Hermione was the one to field this one.

"We're going to do our absolute best to rake in a win today. It's funny that you should be hoping for a win since the end of this war signifies your last year being Headmaster. I haven't been playing, Headmaster. Once this year is done, you're out or all your secrets are going to be broadcasted in the Daily Prophet." Draco wasn't sure that threatening someone before the biggest battle of their life was a good idea but who was he to criticize. The Headmaster just bowed his head humbly.

"As you wish, Miss Granger. I still wish you the best of luck. Contrary to what you think, I'm not a complete monster." Hermione simply raised a brow in his direction but said nothing. The Headmaster took his hint and moved on.

There was a small table with food set up along one wall and Draco took Hermione by the arm and led her that way. They hadn't eaten much the night before and their amorous activities had burned off the few calories that they had consumed. He could see that Harry agreed that it was a good idea, but Hermione balked.

"If I eat, I'm just going to throw it back up." Draco took her other elbow and started to pull her that way as well.

"If you can't eat, at least drink a nutrient potion and some fluids. You're going to need your strength today." Hermione accepted, not too graciously, but accepted nonetheless. One of the Hogwarts' elves popped in next to them at the table and handed her a vial that consisted of the potion she agreed to take. Both boys filled their plates to the brim with the snacks that the elves had provided, wasting no time in devouring them. It was less than an hour to lunch and they needed to be ready.

-O-

Severus spotted his daughter by the table full of food drinking down a potion of some sort. He was unsure as to why she would be taking a potion, but he intended to find out. He strode her way, well-aware that he was putting some of the students off their meals. When he reached the three of them, he realized that Hermione was now drinking pumpkin juice.

"Why were you taking a potion?" He knew that she could hear the concern in his voice, so he appreciated it when she didn't make him wait for an answer.

"Draco felt that I needed to eat before this fight, but I told him that if I ate I would just throw it back up. He insisted on a nutrient potion and fluids." Severus shot an approving look at his godson and realized that this could be the last time that he spoke to any of the three teens before him. He swung his gaze to Potter first.

"I know that this could be my last day on Earth and I want to leave knowing that you're aware that while I don't particularly like you, I don't hate you. I hated your father. If my daughter chooses you, I'll support her decision. Just know that you better do your absolute best to live today because if you die, she'll be heartbroken, and I'll never forgive you." Potter had the nerve to grin at him before clapping him on the shoulder.

"Same goes for you, sir. Don't die because she'll be heartbroken. I'll make sure I never leave your side when I die if you hurt like that." Severus could help but to groan at the younger man's words. He had walked into that. Without responding, he turned to Draco and offered his hand. His godson took it quickly and gripped him tightly.

"I'm proud of you, Draco, more than you know. Even before you knew the identity of my daughter you threw the chains of your upbringing off, so you could pursue her. I want you to promise me that you and Potter will do your best to keep her safe; she's the light of my life and I can't imagine living without her." Draco gave him a solemn nod.

"I swear to you, sir, I'll do my best to keep her safe, even sacrificing myself for her if I need to. Potter feels the same way." He could see that Hermione's tears watered at Draco's words, but he didn't care. Severus needed to hear confirmation that these two boys would do their best by his daughter. He was entrusting her life to them after all. His daughter was strong, however, and kept her tears at bay, keeping the strong front visible for all to see. Severus nodded at his godson before turning fully to his daughter. She threw herself in his arms and he didn't waste a single moment by hesitating. This could be the last time she was ever in his arms and he didn't want to waste it for a second.

"Are you sure that you've mastered the spell?" His daughter nodded against his chest, the room falling silent when they saw the scene before them. Severus saw Draco wave his wand around them, making sure that nobody else could hear their conversation.

"I know this is hard, sweet, but you are going to pull this off without a hitch. Despite the fact that you come from my loins, you'll be hailed as a hero." Hermione pulled away quickly and shot him a dirty look.

"I'm proud that I come from your loins. I would shout to the world that you are my father if not for this stupid war. I've never been ashamed of being your daughter. I love you, Daddy." Severus felt his heart burst as his arms tightened around her. He kissed the top of her head several times before he finally allowed her to pull back enough to look him in the face.

"I love you too, Hermione. You're my greatest pride and joy." He knew that he couldn't hang around any longer and have any hope of Hermione holding it together. Therefore, he bent one more time and pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaving just as abruptly as he arrived.

Severus slunk off to a dark corner in the room, watching Potter and Draco comfort his daughter after he left. He could only hope that they held true to their words and did everything they could to keep her safe. He wasn't sure that he could handle living with the knowledge that she was dead. After discovering that his daughter was still very much alive, Severus had no intentions of dying today unless he had no other option.

The Slytherin watched the tearful goodbyes going on around him. He was sure that if he ventured out in the open Minerva, Black and the wolf would pin him down, tell him he wasn't allowed to die, and then wish him luck. He wanted none of this, however. He simply wanted to play his part in this fucking disaster, bring down a dark lord, and watch his daughter grow up.

Albus stepped forward and called for their attention. Severus could tell that he wasn't happy although he wasn't quite sure as the reason why. It was hard telling. Everyone seemed to jump to attention when he called for them, obviously looking to him as their leader. Severus could only snort at their naivety. It was quite clear to the main players in this game that his daughter was in control and had been for months.

"It's time. Those that are slotted to be in the Great Hall when this begins, please head that way and make it as natural as possible. Do not act prematurely. There will be no curses thrown until the Dark Lord has called for the Ministry. No matter what you see out there, it's all a figment of your imagination."

Severus watched as twelve students headed for the door, his daughter and her two mates included. He could tell by the stiff set of her shoulders that she was nervous. He wanted to relieve her of this burden with all his might but there was just no way. Once the students were gone, Dumbledore followed suit, followed by Filius and Minerva. After several more minutes, Severus stepped forward to follow them.

He took his usual seat in the Great Hall, scanning the crowd to make sure that they weren't going to give them away. Though quiet, they were all focused on their food though none of them seemed to be eating. Dumbledore was conversing good-naturedly with Minerva and Pomona when his daughter rose to her feet. In this moment, the war was going to come to an end, whichever way the win went.

Severus watched her stride purposefully to the Head Table, her shoulders back and her chin held high. He could see the disbelieving looks on her school mate's faces, they had already been made aware that there would be someone faking an attempt on the Headmaster's life. The fact that they never suspected goody-goody Hermione Granger was beside the point. Once she got closer, he heard her sweet voice.

"Headmaster, may I approach? I need a word with you." The Headmaster nodded graciously.

"Of course, Miss Granger, anything you need." He stood and started for the end of the High Table. Severus was proud to see that Hermione waited for him to round the table before she struck. It was clear that she wanted all the Great Hall to witness her crime. The green curse left her wand before anyone could even look sideways at her. It struck the Headmaster in the chest and it was clear that she had cast it correctly. Albus fell to the ground, a lifeless look in his eyes, that made the whole of the Great Hall go mad.

Curses shot from everywhere; it was clear that the Headmaster's words weren't being remembered at this point in the game. They all believed that he was truly dead. Severus was quick to cast his shield around his daughter and protect her to the best of his abilities. Potter and Draco were quick to come to her rescue, casting the strongest shields they were capable of until she had turned back to the world and readied herself.

Severus knew that this was his time to act and he wasted no time. He pressed his wand to the Dark Mark on his left arm, willing his father and master to come to him. He had felt the wards lower just moments before the Headmaster had stood from his seat at the High Table, so he knew that his father and his followers would arrive with little to no problems. Draco rose to his feet and hurried to the door of the Great Hall, ready to fling it wide open when the Dark Lord arrived. After only a moment, he felt the all-too-familiar burn on his arm, signaling that they Dark Lord was calling all his followers to follow him to battle.

There were several minutes where the Hall was silent and at a stand-still. Minerva and Remus now had shields cast around Hermione, making it clear that no matter what had really happened, they were going to follow her to the end. The students appeared sickened and outraged, exactly what they needed to portray once the Dark Lord arrived. There were several shouts from Weasley and Brown diminishing his daughter's character but other than that the room was silent.

Suddenly, the door to the Great Hall flung open and the Dark Lord strode in, all his Death Eaters following him. Draco held the door, his face impassive as they all moved to line the walls of the Great Hall. Severus knew that this was the moment that was going to make or break them, and he could only hope that it made them.

-O-

Hermione was scared to death. She had just cast the curse on the Headmaster and she couldn't help but think that it had been a fake that her father had told her about. The Headmaster appeared as dead as they came.

The curses from her fellow classmates weren't really a surprise. The ones from Professor Vector and Professor Babbling hurt just a little but she supposed that she couldn't blame them. They had no idea that they were being thrust into a battle today, let alone that she was going to fake the death of their esteemed Headmaster. The room had fallen silent while her father had summoned the Dark Lord. When the door flung open to reveal her grandfather in all his glory, Hermione couldn't help but worry.

Justin-Finch-Fletchley stood and cast another curse at Hermione as the Dark Lord passed, clearly upset that she as at the heart of this conspiracy. Once her grandfather saw what he had done, he whipped his wand around and the green curse left his wand before anyone could even think of dodging out of the way. Justin fell the ground, dead, and those around him gasped in surprise. Hermione couldn't be surprised that Ron was the next to step forward.

"You snake bastard, how dare you kill Justin because Hermione was a traitor to our side. She deserves to die slowly and painfully." Hermione couldn't even grasp just why the redhead was as fucking stupid as he was. Lavender was pulling at his arm and trying to quiet him, but it was having no effect. Her grandfather turned his attention to the redhead and his blond girlfriend.

"It seemsss that none of my Slytherinsss were able to complete the hit I ordered on you after you attacked my granddaughter. From the way the blond ssslag is hanging off your arm, I think more than jussst death is warranted. A lesson, perhapsss?" He flicked his hand towards his ranks, the hundreds filing into the Great Hall behind him. It was Viktor that stepped forward and took Lavender by the wrist. He jerked her away from Ron while Rodolphus stepped forward and wrapped an arm around the redhead's throat.

Viktor threw the blond on the table next to Ron and vanished her clothes before ramming his cock home inside her. It was clear that he was enjoying himself which in turn made Hermione want to vomit. Ron was screaming at Viktor for hurting Lavender and the blond was thrashing on the table in front of all their peers, trying to throw the Bulgarian off her. Hermione couldn't believe that she had to witness this but there was literally nothing she could do until her grandfather had amused himself and made his way up to check on the Headmaster.

When it was clear that Viktor had finished with Lavender, he pulled his wand, pressed it to her chest, and cast the killing curse. Her eyes went lifeless in front of the whole of the Great Hall and Hermione was barely able to keep from bawling. No, she didn't like Lavender at all but that didn't mean that she wanted her to be raped and murdered on a table in the Great Hall in front of everyone. Ron was now screaming at Hermione that it was all her fault. Rodolphus leaned down and spoke in his ear but it was clear to those around him.

"This was your fault. We didn't want to harm any students in this take over, but your mouth and previous actions have slotted you for death. Your girlfriend paid the price for you. Now you'll just suffer life knowing that her death is on your hands." With that, his wand came down and Ron's entire right arm was severed, the loose limb laying there on the Gryffindor table of the Great Hall. Those around him screamed but remained in their seats, clearly terrified of whatever punishment they would receive.

While Hermione had dreamed of punishing Ron, she felt that this was too far. Death would have been kinder, especially when Lestrange lit the limb on fire, making sure that it could never be reattached. After taking Ron's head and slamming it into the table as hard as he could, he stepped away and let Ron fall to the ground. Her grandfather finally turned his attention to her, striding forward to kiss her forehead.

"Let me check your ssspell work, sssweetling." She nodded before she watched him go to Dumbledore's "body" and check for a pulse. When he found none, he turned to his followers with a triumphant yell.

"The old fool is dead. My granddaughter hasss fulfilled her word and killed Albusss Dumbledore." Cheers went up all around the room while her grandfather made it back to her side. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and gave her a snaky grin.

"You have done your bloodline proud, sssweetling. Now that Harry Potter is on the sssame ssside as I am, you have defeated my greatessst enemy. You are a tribute to Sssalazar Ssslytherin." As much as it sickened her, she had a part to play. She laid her hand over her grandfather's cupping her cheek and smiled at him.

"Anything to keep my mates safe and aid my father and grandfather." It was in this moment that Voldemort seemed to remember that they had a plan. He motioned for Severus to come forward. There was a slight bow before he stood there waiting for his orders.

"I am officially appointing you Headmassster of Hogwartsss. I trust that you'll have the proper ideasss for teaching the young mindsss of our world." Her father bowed slightly again.

"I'm most grateful for your appointment, my lord." Her grandfather bowed back to him before speaking.

"Are you going to call the aurorsss or will ssshe?" He gestured at McGonagall and Hermione wasn't sure what they were going to do. However, she witnessed her favorite professor fall to her knees before the Dark Lord, head bowed.

"Allow me, my lord. Albus Dumbledore did nothing but lie to us. My loyalty isn't to you or him but Hermione. She's like the daughter I never had. I hope that she one day follows in my footsteps." It was clear that this wasn't part of the plan, but it was working like a charm on her grandfather. He bought it hook, line, and sinker.

"Ssshe is quite extraordinary, isn't ssshe? I hear that her ssskill in your sssubject even sssurpasses your own." Professor McGonagall nodded.

"It will take her only a year to surpass me in skill. Please, allow me to summon the aurors." Her grandfather narrowed his eyes at her.

"Why would you turn on the man who hasss held your affection for yearsss?" There was a slight red tinge to her cheeks as she answered.

"I never expected him to be as deceitful as you. He lied to me about several things, hid several important things from me, and bound the magic of a child for his own good. I could no longer trust him. That child standing before you deserves more loyalty than he does." The Dark Lord appeared pleased at her words, so he motioned for her to continue.

"Sssend your messssage." Hermione didn't pay attention as Professor McGonagall cast her patronus and publicly sent a message to the Ministry, begging for help because the Dark Lord had come and was killing students. Since there were two dead students, that wasn't exactly a lie. Once the silvery cat vanished, her grandfather turned to speak to the room.

"You will all be ssshown leniency if you sssubmit now. Your Transfiguration professssor has already ssshown her intelligence and made sssure to align herself with the right side." It was clear that nobody was willing to be the next Ron of the bunch and they all kept their silence.

Within the next minute, there were pops all over the Great Hall and that was when all hell broke loose.

The attack on her grandfather's followers began, Order members and other students bursting through the doors of the Great Hall. Aurors were popping into existence all around and Hermione could tell that there were several that had popped right in front of a deadly curse. As much as it broke her heart, this wasn't what she was there to do.

Draco drew Gryffindor's sword from his belt and started for the front of the room where Nagini was waiting patiently, probably wanting someone to feed her one of the bodies. She instantly knew that Draco was after her. Even though Hermione was poised to jump in and distract the great snake, Harry took the burden from her. He rushed forward and hissed in parselmouth.

"You will not hurt him." Nagini hissed at him in return.

"He wantsss to hurt me. It is not my way to allow the pointlessss ssslaughter of my kind." Harry help his wand aloft at the snake, trying to not pay attention to those around him that were fighting Death Eaters.

"We have to kill you. Your master put a piece of his soul inside you, that's why he can control you as he can. We have to kill it which means we have to kill you." The snake fell silent before it turned to Hermione and hissed at her.

"Thisss isss true?" Hermione couldn't help the tears that formed in her eyes.

"Yes, it's true. If we defeat him here today, he will kill you to reach the piece of his soul that he stored in you. I'm so sorry." The snake stopped fighting at once before turning to Hermione.

"I will allow you to kill me and end thisss abomination if you promissse to adopt a sssnake sssuch as me. I want to die knowing that my mistressss will love another." Hermione couldn't keep her eyes from watering at the snake's word.

"You have my word." Nagini went motionless before turning to Draco. The Slytherin knew that this was his moment and brought the sword down with all his might. When Nagini's head lay severed from her body, her grandfather hollered loudly, falling to his knees. Hermione couldn't take her eyes off him, knowing that when he rose he was going to attack her. He was well and truly mortal now and that thought was going to terrify him.

This wasn't what happened, however. The Death Eaters around them were dueling violently with anyone around them. The swamp that the twins had set up in the middle of the Great Hall had a good dozen Death Eaters stuck in it and relieved of their wands. Those she considered to be her friends and family were fighting for lives right alongside her. This still couldn't prepare her for what happened next.

Voldemort, her grandfather, a man who called her his treasure, turned and saw the level of her betrayal and acted in the only way that she could expect him to. His wand came up and send a green curse her way, a killing curse. She was fully prepared to let it hit her, to know that she had died for the cause. This wasn't meant to be, however, since Harry stepped in front of her at the last moment. The green light of the curse hit her beloved right in the chest and he fell to the ground before her eyes.

An inhuman scream left her throat, turning the attention of the whole Hall her way. Draco was just as anguished as she was but managed to not scream. Hermione stepped forward and began flinging every curse she could think of at her grandfather, eager to make him pay for killing her beloved. Those around her just stopped to watch her, eager to see which way the duel went.

-O-

Albus saw his opening the second he saw Harry hit the ground. He really thought that Harry had been the key to everything, the key to winning the war. The fact that he had just forfeited his life to protect Miss Granger was his own stupidity. With a deep breath for confidence, he stood from the ground and stepped in front of the curses meant for Miss Granger.

"You are done attacking children. If you want a fair fight, fight me." Tom laughed audibly, the whole of the Great Hall listening. He could see Hermione and Draco now bending over Harry's still form but he knew there was no hope. The Savior of the wizarding world was dead because he had been trying to save his girlfriend. This meant that Albus was going to have to step up. The Dark Lord seemed thrilled that he was meeting his nemesis in a fight.

"I'm happy to sssee that my granddaughter had the audacity to betray me. Now I will have the bessst of times ssshowing everyone what happens when they make a fool of me." Even though Albus didn't care what he did to the Gryffindor prefect, he knew that this statement was going to get to his followers. He couldn't allow it without retribution.

-O-

The wand fight between the Dark Lord and Albus Dumbledore was unbelievable. He could still see Hermione and Draco bent over the body of Potter, their hands on his chest as they cried over his still form. He wasn't sure what this was accomplishing now but who was he to speak?

The crowds were already despairing, seeing that the man of their saving prophecy was laying dead on the ground from saving his girlfriend. He couldn't expect the world to keep his secret, so he was considering just how to extract himself from the situation when he saw Dumbledore step forward. The pair exchanged words, but they were too far away for Lucius to hear what was said.

The battle of the wands was fast and furious, those that were standing around to watch stepping back behind a ward cast by someone. Lucius was quite sure that while his cover was most certainly in the clear, that he would suffer no ill effects from his lord winning, his son would surely die, Yes, Miss Granger would do her best to keep that from happening but there was a chance that anything could happen. This made his breath quicken since he had promised his wife that he would do anything at all possible to keep his son alive. After the years of torment that he had put her through it was the only promise that he could make to make her feel better.

He watched for several minutes as the Headmaster fought against his lord, hoping against hope that the ancient wizard won. This wasn't meant to be, however. The wizened wizard had jigged left, hoping to dodge whatever curse his lord had sent his way, but tripped over his own bloody ostentatious robes. Lucius was sure that the almighty Dumbledore would suffer the embarrassment of losing to the Dark Lord over tripping when instead his master cast the Cruciatus curse.

The Headmaster's screams echoed through the Great Hall. The old man writhed on the floor before them all, losing any credibility he had due to the thrashing he was doing on the floor before their feet. Hermione and Draco were still focused on Harry on the floor, so he wasn't surprised when they didn't see what happened next.

The Dark Lord didn't wait to see what Dumbledore had to offer next. Once he released the torture curse before the rest of the Hall, he raised his wand at the fallen wizard, a familiar green curse leaving his wand and slamming into the great Albus Dumbledore. There were screams and shouts from all over the Great Hall but none of them could drown out the screams of anguish.

Lucius could only stand back and wonder just what the fuck was going to happen next. Potter, the one who was prophesied to kill the Dark Lord, and Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard in the world were dead. There were no hopes to win the war except for his son and Hermione. Neither one of them seemed to be in any position to commit homicide.

The war was lost, and he wasn't sure that he wanted to be anywhere near the end of it. All Lucius wanted was to get his son and daughter-in-law out of the line of fire and make their way in another world.

The Dark Lord need never know.

A/N- Another chapter down, baby. This chapter was pretty action filled so I hope that you find my portrayal fulfilling. As for the cliffhanger, sorry, not sorry. Lol. Thanks to everyone for reading. Leave me a message after the beep, reviews make me so happy.

Next up, the final battle comes to an end.

Love,

Alicia