No One Left Behind -2 Months Later:
The atmosphere was suffocating, the tension in the air palpable as Hermione and Harry stood at the entrance to Blaise Zabini's estate. The dark, towering manor loomed over them like a specter of the past—a reminder of everything they were up against. The night was still, the moon a mere sliver in the sky, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch out and reach for them.
"Are you sure about this?" Hermione whispered, her voice barely audible.
Harry nodded, his expression resolute. "We have to know what he was hiding. It could be the key to all of this."
Swallowing her fear, Hermione followed Harry through the gates. They moved silently, their wands at the ready, as they navigated the maze-like grounds. The manor was eerily quiet, no sign of life inside or out. But that only made her more nervous. Blaise had been hiding something—something that had cost him everything. And now, they were walking straight into it.
The grand entrance hall was filled with marble statues, their eyes staring blankly down at them as they slipped inside. Hermione's heart raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she and Harry crept up the winding staircase and into what appeared to be a library. The room was vast, shelves lined with ancient tomes and forbidden texts. But it wasn't the books that caught her eye.
A single desk stood in the corner, covered in scattered papers, broken quills, and—a map.
"Harry," she whispered, grabbing his arm. "Look."
They hurried over, their eyes widening as they took in the intricately detailed map. It was a map of Britain, marked with various red and black dots—locations, dates, and—
"Malfoy Manor," Harry breathed, his voice tight. "There's something happening there."
Hermione scanned the annotations, her heart pounding. "There's a meeting. Tonight."
But as she read further, her blood ran cold.
Public Execution: Blood Traitor & Muggle Husband. Witness: Death Eaters.
Her stomach twisted painfully. "Harry—"
"I see it," he said, his voice hard. "It's Andromeda and Ted. They're going to kill them in front of everyone."
Hermione's hands trembled as she clutched the map. "We can't just let them—"
"We won't," Harry interrupted, his eyes blazing. "We're going there. Now."
"Without backup?" she asked, panic rising in her chest. "Harry, we'll be outnumbered—we don't even know what kind of security they'll have—"
"Then we'll improvise," he said fiercely. "I'm not going to let Voldemort make an example out of them. Not after everything…"
Hermione took a deep breath, fighting to steady herself. She knew Harry was right—if they didn't act now, it would be too late. But going into the belly of the beast alone… it was suicide. And yet, as she looked into Harry's eyes, she knew there was no changing his mind. And, truthfully, there was no changing hers.
"All right," she whispered. "Let's go."
Before she could second-guess herself, Harry reached out, gripping her hand tightly. With a single twist, the world blurred around them, and the manor disappeared in a whirl of colors.
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The moment they landed, Hermione felt it—a suffocating, oppressive darkness that wrapped around them like a vice. The grounds of Malfoy Manor were buzzing with activity, dark-robed figures moving in and out of the grand building, their faces hidden by masks and hoods. Her heart thundered in her chest as she and Harry crouched behind a low hedge, taking in the scene.
"We're going to get killed," she whispered.
"Not if we're quick," Harry murmured, his eyes fixed on the entrance. "They're in the drawing room. We get in, get Andromeda and Ted, and get out."
But as they crept closer, a murmur of voices carried through the air, growing louder as they neared the main doors. Her heart sank as she realized that it wasn't just any meeting. It wasVoldemort.
"He's here," she whispered, gripping Harry's arm. "Voldemort's here."
"Then we'll make it quick," Harry said grimly. "Stay close."
They slipped inside, moving through the familiar corridors until they reached the heavy wooden doors of the drawing room. The voices were clear now—deep, mocking laughter, followed by a high, chilling voice that sent shivers down her spine.
"You have betrayed us,Andromeda," Voldemort was saying softly, his tone dripping with malice. "And for that, you will pay the ultimate price."
Hermione's breath caught as she peeked through the crack in the door. Andromeda and Ted stood in the center of the room, their hands bound, faces bloodied and bruised. Around them, a ring of Death Eaters watched with twisted glee—Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Dolohov… and Draco.
Draco stood near the back, his face pale, eyes wide with horror as he looked at his aunt and uncle. His parents flanked him—Lucius and Narcissa, their expressions unreadable as Voldemort raised his wand.
"No," Harry whispered, his voice tight with desperation. "No, no, no—"
But it was too late. Voldemort's wand slashed through the air, and a blinding jet of green light shot toward Ted.
"No!" Harry roared, bursting through the door.
Everything exploded into chaos. Shouts rang out, spells flying as Harry hurled himself toward Voldemort. The Death Eaters scrambled, some raising their wands, others drawing back in shock. Hermione followed, her wand already moving as she cast a powerful Shield Charm between Ted and the spell.
"Expulso!" Harry bellowed, blasting several Death Eaters off their feet.
But Voldemort barely reacted, his gaze locking onto Harry with a chilling smile. "So… you've come to die."
"Harry,move!" Hermione screamed, her voice lost in the roar of spells.
But Voldemort was faster. With a flick of his wand, a jet of green light shot straight for Harry's chest.
"No!" Hermione shrieked, hurling herself forward. But Harry was already moving, twisting desperately to the side as the curse grazed his arm, searing through his robes.
"Get out!" Harry shouted, his face contorted in pain. "Go, Hermione!"
But she didn't move. She couldn't. Every muscle in her body was frozen, terror flooding her veins as Voldemort turned his gaze on her.
"Foolish girl," he hissed. "You think you can save them?"
Before she could react, a bolt of white-hot pain exploded through her body. She screamed, collapsing to the floor as her vision blurred, agony ripping through every nerve.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted, his voice desperate. "Hermione!"
But she couldn't respond. The pain was too much, tearing her apart from the inside out. Dimly, she heard someone shouting—Draco's voice, frantic and pleading. But the darkness was closing in, pulling her under.
And then, everything went black.