Draco paced the room of requirements breathing heavily. He glanced over to the bird sitting in a cage. It fluttered its wings as it stared at him. Draco looked away swallowing the lump in his throat. Turning to the bird he raised his wand. his hand was shaking he tried to steady it but it just continued wavering in his tight grip. He dropped his arm in frustration returning to pacing back and forth. he had to get it together. "remember Draco you must mean it, you want them dead you want them to suffer." His aunt's voice echoed in his head.
"don't be weak, the dark lord has no use for sniveling children." his aunts hissed in his head. Draco stopped again turning to the cage he threw out his arm snapping his wrist with great force AVADA KEDAVRA." He yelled out not giving himself time to think. A light green stream of magic shot out hitting the bird. He stood frozen in that stance as he stared at the bird. The bird cocked its head to the side staring at him for a moment before it gave an annoying screech flapping its wings at him. Draco threw his wand to the ground hearing it clatter to the ground. He let out a scream as relief and anger filled him the bird matching him.
Hermione was cleaning the old posters from the common room bulletin board and rearranging the ones that were still relevant. She removed one and shook her head it was a personal ad. a group of boys saying that they would be more than happy to offer boyfriend services, free if you were hot. yep she would be reporting this one she wondered how long it had been hanging up Ron was supposed to clear the board last month. If it had been posted back then and he had seen it she was sure he probably just had a laugh. Really boys could be such morons sometimes.
"Hermione!" she turned seeing Sean walking over to her. " hey can I please borrow your notes from Transgiurations?"
"Sure but first do you recognize any of these names?" she held out the poster to him. he scanned it then looked up at her then glance at the poster again. "Nope sorry." He answered casually but did look straight at her. " mmm well let me just finish up here then I'll grab them for you, are you going to be in the common room for a bit?"
"sounds good, yeah just shout if you can't find me." Hermione nodded as he walked off leaving her to her task. Once done she burn the ones that weren't needed anymore but kept the ones she found problematic. She was sure it was just a joke but it was best to make sure that these boys weren't being jerks or pervs and not purposely making girls unconformable. She headed to her room happy to find it empty again. She hurried over to grab her bag she was going to go to the library later before dinner so it would be easier to just grab it now instead of coming back for it.
"OH GREAT, the boyfriend stealer is here." She looked over seeing Lavendar walk into the room, great. "so are you going to go after Harry now that his dating Ginny?"
" I didn't steal Ron you guys broke up because of your own problems."
"We didn't have any problems until you kept trying to come between us. Always sulking around being jealous of us."
"Bloody Lavender It's not my fault you and Ron broke up. I didn't do anything I was busy living my own life, Rons my friend that's it." Hermione hurried out not wanting to get sucked up in her drama. She hurried down to the common room found Sean and gave him the notes. Telling him not to ruin them she wanted them back in the condition they were in now. After that, she decided going to the library now wouldn't be a bad idea. She ran into Harry and Ron as she left the portrait of the fat lady. " Monie where are you going?"
" library." was her simple reply
"Oh, we'll go with you," Ron said grinning
"Actually I was going to meet Ginny, we "Harry started.
" don't want to know." Ron stopped him. Ron wasn't against those two dating but he also didn't want any details. "well then just the two of us, let me get my stuff, be right back." Ron headed through the portrait leaving her and Harry. " well I have to get going." Harry looked down the hall as if expecting Ginny to appear.
" yeah don't keep your girl waiting." Hermione smiled waving Harry away. She only had to wait a moment more before Ron was back carrying his bag. " ready? Oh, I also got some sugar quills, want one?" Ron offered as he put one in his mouth. " sure, but you shouldn't eat that while walking you could hurt yourself." Hermione took the quill with a smile setting it in a side pocket of her bag. Ron rolled his eyes but took the quill out of his mouth.
They headed down talking about what work he needed to get done. They found an empty table setting out their things. Hermione helped Ron with his paper on the history and evolution of quidditch in the united kingdom, not very surprised by his choice of topic. She had to admit Ron's subjects were always simple but interesting. she always had a habit of picking ones that would require a huge amount of work and reference and sadly not everyone found every topic she picked interesting. But she always had fun working with Ron on his papers because his although not as advanced as hers was fun to learn about. even when she wasn't very interested in the topic itself.
When she felt confident that he had a good handle on it she excused herself to go and scan the shelves for a couple of books that she wanted. She climbed the ladder to get a better look at the higher-up books. If she knew what ones she needed she could have just used magic to bring them down. She scanned first-year Huffule puff school records 1938, Griffndor first year school records 1938 Slytherins first-year school records 1938. She grabbed it and then levitated it down setting it on the pile of books she had already collected. She hadn't had much luck finding things about Horcruxs even in the restricted section they must have removed them or maybe Voldemort took it so others couldn't know about them.
she had decided going through records of when he was at school would be a good idea. surely there would be something that could help them. after grabbing a few more books she then also grabbed a yearbook or two at random she was also still trying to track down who the Half-blood prince was. She just had to know who it was that edited that potion book. But then also created such horrible spells to hurt others and why didn't they show people their notes and make it so everyone knew the better way to brew potions? She was sure they must be a horrible and selfish person. The curses proved that they weren't learning new things to help others.
She carried her books to madame Pince checking them out. She also asked if there were old check-out cards. Maybe she could figure out more if she went through the books Voldemort had. But there was a chance the books that would be helpful he hadn't checked out and instead just took. Madame Pince told her that those were for library staff only. Then reminded her to treat the books gently and with respect. Like she had ever mistreated a book.
She rejoined Ron at the table, he had stopped working and instead was practicing spell casting trying to turn his oil bottle into a small squid so far it was still mostly just a bottle but she did notice a few tentacles poking out. He smiled stopping his task as she sat. " what are you doing Ronald?"
" I figured it would make a fun prank."
" you remember that you're perfect right?" Ron just shrugged. She set her books in her bag. Well, her bag inside her bag. She had placed the bag that she had been enchanting in her school bag. she felt very pleased that they all fit without any problem. Especially since she already had three changes of clothes, a first aid kit, a few confiscated WWW items, and a whole other hoard of books that the new ones were joining.
" ok let's take a look at your paper." Hermione reached over picking up his parchment to review it. Ron crossed his arms leaning on the table as she worked. " hey let's go to the three broomsticks this weekend." Hermione didn't look up from his paper as she answered. " we all went last weekend, beside Ginny and Harry have a date." Ginny had been talking nonstop about it. The redhead had planned the whole thing something that although would make Harry feel a little bad for not being the one to take the lead. He would also be very relieved because of how bad he tended to be at such things.
Hermione made a few marks on the parchment that needed fixing. " right," He coughed " I was kind of thinking just the two of us." She looked up from the paper at him. he wore a lope-sided smile waiting for her to answer. " oh well actually I already have plans." She said quietly. " is it perfect duties or something I can help then we can grab a drink after." Ron suggested not losing his smile. " no it's not that. I… I have a date as well." Hermione looked away from him going back to work on correcting his paper and making a few more marks.
" oh, right I forget that you are still dating him."
" you forgot?"
"Well, it's not like I ever see you with this bloke so it's pretty easy to do." Hermione slid the paper back over to him once she was done. " well I'm still seeing him believe it or not not everyone needs to podcast their relationship for all to see." Hermione rubbed her forehead in annoyance. " look I have a lot of work so I'm just going to move to another table. I made marks on the parts where you need to make adjustments, let me know if you want me to look over it again." Hermione started to gather her things but Ron stopped her.
" Monie. Don't, you don't have to move. Sorry if I was being a jerk. Promise I won't say anything else and just let you work." Ron said apologetically Hermione paused unsurely. She had been trying to put her foot down with Ron more so he would be more careful with his actions. Instead of just letting his mood swings run wild and using them as an excuse to lash out at others. " please we both know I won't get anything done if you're not with me." Ron pleaded Hermione let out a sigh sitting back down. She set her stuff back out getting ready to work she looked over at Ron. "get to work Ronald." Ron smiled picking up his parchment. The two worked till dinner in silence just as he promised.
At dinner, Hermine worked very hard to ignore the glares from Lavander. The blonde was digging her spoon into the table with a great deal of force. She peeked over at Ron who was sitting next to her. yep, he was completely oblivious to what was going on, taking large bites of a chicken wing. She returned to her own food glancing around the table for the honey. When it was suddenly pushed right up to her face. Ron held it out to her smiling " you know putting honey on your salad is really weird."
"It's delicious you should really try it sometime." She took the honey from him pouring it onto her chicken and walnut salad. " ok." Ron said before she knew what was happening Ron reached over her stabbing his fork into her salad and stealing a huge bite. "RONALD." she scolded
" huh. That is pretty good." Ron tried to reach for another bite but she moved her plate away he then tried again and she again moved the plate. They continued this little dance until they were both laughing. Finally, he gave up going back to his own food. She fixed her hair that had gotten in her face during their little game and caught a glance of Lavender. The girl was fuming Hermione watched as she snapped her spoon in two. Oh yeah, she wasn't going to be able to sleep in her room tonight. she glanced over to the Slytherin table surprised that she didn't see Draco. she pulled out her coin messaging him. asking him where he was and if it would be ok if she slept with him tonight. he responded a few minutes later saying he was serving detention and that he would meet her after. she repocketed her coin as Harry and Ginny joined them Ginny announcing that Harry apparently didn't know how to ice skate. "then you admit you won that race unfairly." Harry challenged wearing a big smile.
" oh no, that was a full-out win." Ginny kissed his cheek. ''Harry blushed while Ron set his chicken wing back on his plate.
Hermione waited in an empty classroom when she felt arms wrap around her. "so not angry at me anymore?" Hermine looked over her shoulder at Draco. " oh I'm still angry, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you." She told him. he just smiled " you just want to sleep with me." Hermine shrugged not confirming or denying his words. she walked to the classroom door and casting a disillusionment charm she held out her hand for Draco to take as she faded. The two of them walked to the Slythrim entrance and then to his room.
" so why did you want your room? I mean the room of requirements is a lot easier." Hermione asked as she lifted the charm. Draco's face didn't show any emotion as he walked over to his bed. " I just don't want to be there." Hermione reached into her bag grabbing her nightshirt and shorts. She started to undress so she could change when she caught Draco watching her. " I told you we're only sleeping I'm still angry at you."
"cruel and unfair, but fine I'll just take in the show instead." He laid back in the bed letting his eyes roam over her. she turned her back on him continuing to change. " I like this angle too." she heard him say she gave a huff as she finished changing. If she had been smart she would have changed in the bathroom. But she had gotten used to changing in front of him that she hadn't even thought of it. She put her clothes in the bag grabbing a few books that she had checked out earlier that day before joining him on the bed. She opened one of the recode books from 1960 scannings the pages. Draco leaned against her taking a look as well.
" Draco do you know a Prince?" Draco raised an eyebrow at her. " you looking for a prince?"
"no. well, I don't think. Do you know anyone who has the name Prince or maybe Half-Blood Prince? Like a nickname or whatever." Hermione asked turning the page. " no can't say I do, why?" Hermione bit her lip should she tell him. " they edited a book. And I wanted to learn more about them." coward she scolded herself. She heard Draco give a little laugh before snuggling into her a little closing his eyes.
" you should change first before you fall asleep." She told him Draco just yawned " I didn't care much for today. And right now I'm comfy so I don't want to move." Hermione set her book aside and moved so that they were both more conformable. " hey have you thought about next year?" Hermione asked brushing some of his hair away from his face. " what do you mean?" he didn't open his eyes but she felt his arm tighten around her a little.
" well like the training experience classes. You know for different career paths. They offer them to 7th years. have people from different professions visit the school three times a month to give lectures and assignments focusing on their jobs. Some even take you off school grounds for hands-on experience. Bill said he almost lost his eyesight when he got a little too confident in trying to break a cure himself on an item that he and some schoolmates found on one of the outings. Luckily the cures breaker they were with was able to intervene before anything bad really happened." she started talking excitedly. "Bill?" Draco opened his eyes just a bit. " mm oh Ron's oldest brother. He's a cures breaker he's actually going to be getting married to Fleur. I'm sure you remember her. the champion from back in fourth year."
"ah." Draco closed his eyes again. " so have you thought about it? In truth, I kind of want to do it but I don't really know what exactly I want to do for a career and not only that but I would have to drop a few classes to fit it in you only have the class a few times a month but I've been told it's a rather large workload. It's why they only advise it to those who are interested in learning a certain field of work." It was true she was very interested but although she knew she wanted to do work that would help magical beings and create equality. She wasn't really sure how to go about it.
" haven't thought of it," he told her.
" Really you haven't thought about what you want to do next year?"
" I'm tired of thinking about what's needed for the future. Right now I just want to believe everything is going to be ok. besides they might not even offer that next year." Hermione thought about that for a second. it was true that this year it had been canceled due to Death Eater safety protocol. it was too dangerous to allow witches and wizards to come and go from the school. would they still be hunting Voldemort next year? how long would this threat hover over them? it had been so quiet lately that she had been able to fantasize about next year. of it just being about academics and relationships, enjoying their last year of school before they entered the true wizarding world. but that wasn't true.
"Hermione." Draco's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. she looked over meeting his eyes. " if anything happens and you can't get ahold of me. go to Theo, I'll find a way to get to you." Draco's voice was serious. " what do you think is going to happen?"
" I don't know". Hermione knew he meant it he really didn't just like the rest of them. she sat up and kissed him on his brow." Don't worry if anything I'll find you, now let's get you changed, you'll just be pissy if you sleep with a belt on." Hermione moved out of the bed going to his trunk to grab his night clothes. Draco smiled at her. " knew you wanted to take my pants off." Hermione threw the clothes at him smiling.
"Hermione! Hermione!" Harry shouted as he ran down the hall to her. she stopped taking in his slightly panicked state. "Harry what's wrong."
" I.. I" he took a moment to catch his breath. "need the cloak."
" what why?"
"Dumbledore. He wants to take me with him tonight. He thinks he found one of those Horcrux things." Harry explained.
"and he wants to take you with him?" Hermione gave a worried look at Ron he too looked rather shocked. " yeah but I need the cloak, he wants to leave within the hour."
" what the hour!" Hermione couldn't believe this not only did Dumbordore want to take Harry out of Hogwarts to gods who know where but he wanted to do it basically right now. "Hermione the cloak, I need to hurry." Harry urged her. she looked at his green eyes before reluctantly pulling the cloak from her bag and handing it to him. he gave a smile rolling it up and tucking it under his arm.
" Harry are you sure this could be dangerous." Hermione couldn't help the tear at the corner of her eye, she wasn't even sure what it was for, fear or frustration.
" since when am I not in danger, besides I'll be with Dumborder." Harry gave a little smile Hermione hugged him when she pulled away he pulled out a bottle handing it to Ron. " just in case." Ron patted his arm. " you got this mate, don't worry we can hold down the fort till you get back." Harry just nodded he gave them both a smile before running away to wherever Dumbordore was she imagined. when he was gone from their sight Hermione turned to Ron.
"let's help patrol the school tonight they're going to need extra help since Dumbordore won't be here."
" yeah, let's do that." Ron held the bottle of Felix's potion a little tighter before putting it in his robe pocket. The two of them ran around the school till they found Tonks she already knew that Dumburerdore was leaving and told them if they really wanted they could help patrol but only within the school walls. They agreed Hermione dropped her bag off in a nearby empty classroom before she remembered Draco. She pulled out her coin telling him that she would be spending the night in the tower with Ginny. She put the coin in her pocket grabbed her wand and went to join Ron.
Draco sat in the common room thinking about what to do. Hermione had messaged him right after dinner saying that she was going to stay in the tower instead of joining him. maybe he could go and find Blaise and Theo to see if they wanted to hang out. He walked down the boys' dorm hall when he felt a vibration in his pocket. Oh did she change her mind? He pulled the coin from his pocket to realize it wasn't the one he used to communicate with Hermione but Rosmerta. He looked at the message reading it a few times before forming an idea. then before he was able to question himself, he turned to leave the Slytherin dorms.
Dumbledore left the school! Draco ran to the room of requirements pacing in front of the wall till the door appeared. He hurried inside writing a note and sending it through the cabinet. He told Borgin to floo call his aunt and tell her to get to the store and come through the cabinet as soon and fast as possible. He then ran to the astrometry tower. Making sure no one was following him. he was breathing hard when he got to the top. He took out his wand and took a deep breath raising his arm he cast a spell his aunt had happily taught him.
Draco watched as the skull formed in the sky over the school. he let his arm fall to his side as he saw the snake slithering out of its mouth. He then turned to run back down to wait for his aunt in the room of requirements.
He stared at the cabinet waiting for it to open. He had fixed it a while ago he knew it would work. That dame bird lived, went to and back from Borgin and Burkes so his aunt should come through just fine. He clutched and unclutched his hands. COME ON COME ON, he sucked in a breath when the cabinet door rattled opening to revile Bellatrix Lestrange. " Draco you did it!" his aunt stepped out walking to him taking in the room. She grabbed a random object examining it for only a moment before she threw it shooting a spell causing it to explode. Draco jumped a little as she let out a chuckle. They didn't have time for this his mind screamed he opened his mouth to tell her that they needed to go when another noise came from the cabinet. He turned feeling his stomach go into knots as Fenrir Greyback walked out of the cabinet followed by others. This wasn't his plan.
Hermione and Ron ran through the halls Bill had sent a Patronus telling them that Death Eaters were in the school. Ron was frantic to find his brother Ron had pulled out the Felix luck taking a swing before handing it to her. she didn't even sallow before he started running off. She sent her own Patronus to Ginny telling her what was going on and to stay in the tower and make sure everyone stayed in the tower and safe. she was sure that the Death Eaters couldn't get into the tower but she need to encourage her friend to stay in the tower, something told her Bill might have sent a Patronus to her as well. Hermione tried to remember what area he was supposed to be patrolling but couldn't quite remember. As they ran Hermione gave up thinking and instead allowed her legs to guide her. her heart was thundering so hard it seemed to make her whole body puls. she felt a gust of wind shoot past her and Ron. Looking over her shoulder she saw a man and woman that she didn't recognize. The woman and man again shot other curses at them but she cast a Protego stopping them. Ron went on the offensive firing his own cures at them. they battled the two death eaters Hermione focused all her efforts to make sure they wouldn't land a blow.
Hermione couldn't believe how much faster they were. She was only just casting new Protego charms in time to bloke their attacks. She heard the man cry out in pain thinking that Ron had landed a hit she looked over to give an encouraging smile but it hadn't been Ron. She saw Tonks running to them casting, even more, curses from behind them. the three of them were able to subdue the death eaters. but had no time to celebrate. Tonks told them to go and find Snape. Ron didn't want to instead wanting to go and find his brother.
Hermione had to drag him with her to the dungeon. They ran into Professor Flitwick on the way he joined them to get Snape not wanting to leave students alone during an attack. When they finally found Snape Hermnoie, Ron stood outside the door, making sure to guard the door against Death Eaters While Professor Flitwick went inside to inform him of what was happening. Snape burst outside the door telling them that Flitwick had collapsed and to help him then hurried away. She and Ron entered the classroom finding Flitwick unconscious. Ron wanted to hurry and carry him to the hospital wing but she didn't want to move him in case it did more harm than good.
Hermonie worked on trying to wake him as Ron anxiously waited behind her watching the door. She gave out a sigh of relief when their professor finally opened his eyes that relief was shattered though as he explained that Snape had been the one to attack him. she couldn't believe it. Dumbledore trusted Snape surely this must be some mistake. She heard Ron swear behind her. turning she was just able to see him as he left the room and started running, to where she wasn't sure. Hermione shot up to chase after him his legs were much longer than hers and he was already a good deal ahead of her. where was everyone? they ran through empty halls trying to find someone. She wasn't a hundred percent sure what they needed to do but finding Snape felt like the best idea. if it was true and he was a traitor they needed to stop him. capture him somehow then when Dumbordore and Harry got back they would get to the bottom of everything.
Hermione heard Harry's voice screaming stopping she looked around to try and find him but she couldn't see him. she saw Ron run toward a side exit of the school and followed him. she could still hear Harry he was screaming at Snape. He was screaming that he killed him who did he kill? She felt her eyes prickling with tears as fear filled her. she sled on some mud but was able to stop herself from falling completely. She couldn't afford to fall now Harry needed help and she was already too far behind. She righted herself and began running again, Ron was even further now. She heard the explosion before she saw it. Hagrid's hunt was on fire it was a blaze casting a light on the field and woods. Hermione saw Harry facing off with Snape she saw Harry go down and screamed. Ron was yelling causing snape to look up at them, he turned to hurry off to the wood.
Hermione wanted to go to Harry but Ron was a great deal ahead of her and already heading to him. so she focused on Snape instead she needed to at least try and stop him. he must be trying to leave school grounds so he could apparate. Hermione scanned the woods for him when she located him she froze. Draco? Why was Draco here? he shouldn't be here, why isn't he back in the school? Hermione was going to yell to him and tell him to stun Snape to help her. but she watched as Snape headed right to Draco and pushed him, Draco looked away from the hunt that he had been staring at now he looked at Snape as if being shaken awake. Draco followed Snape as he ran. She stood there watching as they disappeared into the darkness of the woods. Her voice burned with a scream that wouldn't come out.
the days blurred together Hermione wasn't even sure what day it was. she had been helping her friends and the order since Dumbordore had been murdered. that helped to keep her busy she didn't want time to think. she spent her free time researching choosing to read word after word till her eyes blurred and stung from strain. there she found that Snape's mother's madame's name had been Prince. the man had told Harry that he was the Half-Blood Prince mocking him for trying to use his spells against him. the bastard. some of the students had gone home many parents had pulled their children out of the school when they heard of Dumbordore death. some allowed them to stay to pay their respects.
Theo had tried to approach her a few times. but she had avoided him. the look on his face when she saw him the day after the attack told her that he had known. probably not everything but he had known about Draco and he hadn't told her. she informed Kingsley about Theo telling him that she thought he should interview Nott. see if he had any other information. she didn't really feel bad for putting him under the orders eye he had lied. he could have told her anytime but he hadn't. Hermione felt the plus from her wrist. part of her wanted to believe that Draco had been taken and that he didn't go with them that he wasn't one of them. but she knew that was a lie. Harry had told them that Draco had admitted to being a Death Eater all year and had been trying to kill their headmaster all year. that he was the one who let the Death Eaters into the school.
she couldn't believe it at first she had been with him so much throughout the year. she had seen his arms there was no mark. but as Harry had talked she pieced all the little things together. the room of requirements why he always seemed so tired and stressed. how he always seemed to know about the different attacks. he must have used the disillusionment charm on his mark as she had used it on herself so many times before. Hermione sat on her bed in a daze feeling the plus against her wrist. did he know what today was? she wondered if he had read it in the daily prophet or if someone had told him. what did he think what did he feel?
she heard a knock on her door Tonks came to tell her that they were all going to head down. and that Ron was waiting for her in the common room. she nodded telling her she would be down in just a bit. she stood and took off her bracelet dropping it to the floor. she pulled out her wand and shot a number of spells jinxes and cursed at it. when she was done she looked at it finding it perfectly fine it had only moved around the floor. she let out a humorless laugh. Goblin made she was sure, Malfoys only have the best. she left her room leaving the dam thing on the floor. she and Ron walked out of the school together. him keeping an arm around her. Hermione's eyes stung with the sunny day and blue sky. it was too bright of a day for a funeral.
ok well, that is it for part one! I don't know when I will start posting part two but I hope it won't be too long. thank you all for reading my story and a special thank you to all of you who took the time to also comment. those always made me happy.