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Neville heard the "Hem, hem," at the same moment as he felt something boring into his throat. Shit.

Harry spun around, his eyes widening at the sight of something behind Neville. Snape's eyes had also widened, darting around as if searching for his wand, which he must have dropped when Harry's spell had hit him.

"The wands, Mr. Longbottom," ordered Prof. Umbridge.

Neville, being the only one currently armed and having a wand pointed at him, could do nothing but comply. He raised his hand, and Umbridge snatched the two wands from him with an unsettling smile.

Umbridge took a step back from Neville, who now scooted towards Harry.

Dolores Umbridge was standing in front of them, wrapped in a green tweed cloak that greatly enhanced her resemblance to a giant toad, and smiling in the horribly sickly, ominous way that Neville had come to associate with imminent misery.

"Now what do we have here? The ministry's Undesirable Number One and Hogwarts' biggest troublemaker? And you have taken out our headmaster?" She wrinkled her nose as she glanced at Snape. "I expected better. Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you!"

"Dolores," Snape replied, his voice steady despite the situation, "how fortunate you are here. I was patrolling the castle, looking for the missing students, when I was ambushed."

"By two teenagers."

Snape's lip curled. "Two teenagers who managed to evade capture by the Ministry for almost a year," he growled in reply. "Let us bring them to the Dark Lord."

"I am a fully qualified Ministry official, headmaster, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?" asked Umbridge sharply. "In any case, I believe our Lord will find your failure… most interesting."

Snape huffed impatiently. "Dolores, I'm sure we can talk about this."

"No, I do-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Snape's hand had shot forward, and he yelled, "Stupefy!"

Umbridge collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

"Shit," Neville gasped, as some of the tension in the hall finally released. He did not usually swear but…

"Language," admonished Snape dryly. Then he spotted his wand on the ground. "Accio wand."

"Can anyone learn to do wandless magic like that?" Neville asked, while Harry kneeled down next to Umbridge and retrieved his and Neville's wands manually. After a second's hesitation, he grabbed Umbridge's wand, snapped it in two, and pocketed the pieces.

Snape shrugged, eyes on Umbridge. "Wands are a European invention. There are many places around the world where wands are not used at all. However, the older you are when you try to learn it, the harder it becomes." Snape waved his wand, and thin cords shot from it, leaving Umbridge bound and gagged.

Neville nodded. It wasn't that he was particularly interested in the theory and history of wandless magic, even though learning it was undoubtedly useful. But it was comforting, to focus on something other than war, time travel, or the prophecy for a moment.

Harry stared at Umbridge for a long time, then at Snape. Finally, he said, "Who is this? And what should we do with her?"

"That's Umbridge," replied Neville. "She's teaching Charms and… she's the new head of Ravenclaw. Other than that, she's nasty like the rest of our new Death Eater teachers."

"She is not a Death Eater exactly," Snape corrected. His voice was lacking the usual sneer Neville had come to associate with Snape. Instead, his voice was quiet and factual. "Just a Ministry official who loves rules regardless of what they are or who creates them. She also believes that wizards and witches are superior, so the change in regime did not particularly bother her."

Harry's jaw tightened. He stared at Umbridge again, and for a second, Neville could see the struggle in his eyes - conflicted, dark thoughts passing through his mind.

The silence stretched on. Neville glanced at Snape, who seemed more in control than he had earlier, but at the same time also more lost than he had ever seen him.

"What do we do now?" he asked. "We can't just leave her here."

Harry turned away from her to look at Neville. "We could lock her into an empty classroom?"

"The castle is being searched," replied Snape, shaking his head. "They would find her. So far no one knows you have returned, and it should stay that way. I could," he hesitated for a second, "obliviate her. But there is a chance the Dark Lord would notice that. And even if not, we would be releasing an enemy who could attack us later."

Neville sighed. "We're hiding in the Room of Requirement." He could see Harry glaring at him, and he understood that he was still angry. But taking Snape to their hiding place had been their original plan anyway, and there did not seem to be a feasible alternative. Not if they wanted to talk. "And as long as someone stays in there, no one wishing us harm can find the room. We could take her there."

Harry closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "Yeah, I guess that's the most logical thing to do." He sighed and when he opened his eyes again, they were set on Snape. "But before we lead you there… I have to know. You said you did not care about my dad, Neville or me dying. You said you wanted to see the world burn… What about now?" When Snape did not immediately reply, he added, "Is everything you do just out of revenge for my mum?"

Snape did not say anything for a while. Neville wondered if Snape, even if he had come to care for them, would be able to recognize and admit it. To himself, perhaps, but to Harry and Neville? He doubted the teacher's antipathy towards them had been an act.

But then Snape said, "I have realized that I was wrong in many ways and for many reasons."

That was more than Neville had expected, but still far from answering all the questions Harry had. Far from answering any of Neville's own questions.

They would not be able to solve their conflict with Snape now. Perhaps not ever. But whatever had happened in the past, they knew that he was on their side now. And they needed him.

Neville was certain that Harry recognized this as well.

Snape had saved their lives several times. He had healed Neville's parents. He had worked on a potion to restore Draco's memories with Astoria and Neville. And he had fought Dumbledore to protect Draco and Harry. If he did not care about anything but avenging Lily Potter, if he still cared about nothing but that and no one but himself, then many of his actions would be illogical.

"Harry knows," Neville finally said, once he had realized that Snape would say no more. "About Draco. As do Daphne, Theo, Ron and Hermione."

Snape only nodded. Then he asked, "What about the potion? Did it work?"

Neville sighed. "He agreed to take it. But then Pansy showed up and… the potion was destroyed. You don't happen to have another vial lying around, do you?"

Snape shook his head.

"Yeah, I thought so." And now was probably not the right time to ask him to brew another, if that even was an option. "But he is on our side again... He chose us." Neville smiled. Draco had always carried a lot of shame and guilt because he had supported the Death Eaters the first time around. But this time, he had made the right decision, and going forward, if they all survived the next days, he would know that he was a brave and good person.

They made their way towards the Room of Requirement. Snape was following them, levitating the bound and gagged Umbridge.

When they opened the door, they realized that they had forgotten a little detail.

The room erupted in a clamour of overlapping voices as students scrambled back, some aiming trembling wands at Snape, others recoiling at the sight of Umbridge floating unconscious and bound in mid-air.

"Snape, oh my God it's Snape!" someone shrieked.

"Death Eaters! Death Eaters!"

"Umbridge!"

"Wait!" Harry shouted over the noise, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Snape's… he's… on our side!"

Seamus' jaw dropped, staring in disbelief. "Are you bloody mental?" His disbelief and shock were mirrored on many of the others' faces.

"It's true," Neville replied firmly. His voice didn't waver, and his eyes held Seamus'.

Lavender glared at Neville, then at Draco. "You constantly bring Death Eaters in here and expect us to just trust them."

"Draco's not a Death Eater," hissed Astoria.

"Snape's a spy for Dumbledore," Neville insisted.

"A spy? He fought Dumbledore!" shouted Terry, wand still pointed at Snape. "He trusted you, Snape, and you attacked him and usurped him! And you brought these monsters into our school!"

"Dumbledore attacked Harry," Phillip interjected heatedly, rekindling an argument that had often fractured their group. "Snape clearly only fought Dumbledore to protect Harry and Draco."

Harry took a deep breath, raising his voice for everyone to hear. "It's true. Dumbledore… he was possessed by a dark artifact. Snape fought him to save us."

"Called it!" Fred's voice cut in, and Neville cracked a faint smile in his direction.

The tension only half-eased, wands beginning to lower though doubt lingered in many faces.

"Look," Harry said, addressing everyone with a steady voice, "we don't have much time. The Death Eaters are looking for us. They could be here any minute. We need all the help we can get - and that includes Snape."

Dean frowned, lowering his wand just a fraction. "How do we know this isn't a trap?"

Snape raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "A trap? I know your hiding place now. The school is filled with Death Eaters. If I were truly working against you, I would hardly need to lull you into a false sense of security. And I'd hardly bother to bring her along." He inclined his head toward Umbridge. "I know it is hard to believe for some of you, but I prefer to see you all survive."

Ginny, who still had a tight grip on her wand, said, "If he's willing to fight, I don't see why we should turn him away. He may not be the most pleasant teacher," she paused, a wry smile on her lips. "But I much prefer him to her." She tilted her head toward Umbridge, her voice dripping with disdain.

Snape inclined his head slightly.

Slowly, everyone began to lower their wands, the uncertainty in the room finally giving way to a wary acceptance. Neville felt a small rush of relief - though he knew their fight was only just beginning.

Harry exhaled. "Right, then. Let's start strategizing." He glanced at Snape, but then his expression changed. "Wait a second, where are Ron and Hermione?"

Astoria shifted uneasily. "They wanted to use the time wisely. They and Theo took the sword to the bathroom down the corridor to destroy the thing that possessed Dumbledore."

"No one but Snape and Trelawney were close when you left, so they should be fine and back any minute," added Daphne.

But Harry had already pulled the Marauder's Map from his pocket and scanned the network of ink lines and moving names. A horrified look crept over his face. "Oh no…"

Neville craned his neck, glancing at the map, and immediately spotted their friends' names - but not in the bathroom. Theodore Nott, Ronald Bilius Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger were moving away from the seventh floor, flanked by two other names.

"They've been captured," Harry whispered.

"Captured? But how—" Daphne started.

Neville cut her off, a look of realization dawning. "Mulciber and Avery must have heard us… we had a bit of an altercation when we were out there. By the time they came to investigate, we were already back here… and they must have run into Hermione, Ron, and Theo instead."

Snape's black eyes swept over the map. "They're heading toward Mulciber's office. Perhaps to question them before alerting the Dark Lord."

A flicker of hope sparked in Neville's chest. That meant there was still time. If they were being taken to Mulciber's office rather than directly to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, a rescue might still be possible. If they'd been moving toward Him, any intervention would be nothing more than a suicide mission.

Harry turned to Snape, a spark of desperation in his voice. "Can you get them out? Convince them to hand them over to you?"

"If I am to risk exposing my position, it better be for more than a reckless rescue mission."

"A reckless rescue?" Harry snapped. "They are my friends! Voldemort is going to kill them if we don't do any-"

"We still need a plan," interjected Snape. "We cannot waltz in there blindly and hope for the best. Avery and Mulciber are two of the Dark Lord's most formidable duelists."

"We have to hurry, though," Neville added urgently. "If they recognize Ron and Hermione, they'll know that Harry is in the castle as well. And if they tell their master…"

Harry nodded, shoulders slumping, his face growing grim. "Not to mention they have the Sword of Gryffindor - and the ring that possessed Dumbledore. It's Voldemort's. He can't know we have it, or everything any of us have worked for would fall apart."

Snape considered this. "All the more reason for a solid plan. Even if I could convince them to leave the interrogation to me and they leave the room, their knowledge alone can put us all at risk. I can fight them. But I am one and they are two. If I fail, my cover is blown and we lose any advantage we ever had."

The room went silent as everyone exchanged tense glances, minds racing. The stakes had just climbed higher than they'd ever imagined. This was not just about saving their friends. This was about safeguarding their final chance at winning this war.

George broke the silence first. "What if we start a fire in the east wing? Or set off fireworks? Something big enough to make them think the castle's under attack. We could slip into their office while they're all distracted."

Lavender shook her head, frowning. "It's a good idea, but the risk of getting caught ourselves is huge. Besides, I think they'd recognize that as a diversion too quickly."

"And it would alarm everyone else as well," added Snape. "We'd end up facing all of them, not just Avery and Mulciber."

"Well, what about just blasting our way through and taking them out?" Seamus suggested with grim determination, clutching his wand tightly. "We know where they are, and I bet we could surprise them. If we all go together, we'd outnumber them."

Neville considered this. "Maybe not all of us together. We would not make it to them without alerting the whole castle. But maybe a handful of us could move inconspicuously and take them out in their office."

"What about Polyjuice Potion?" asked Astoria. "We could impersonate Death Eaters. That way, we could walk through the castle without rousing suspicion. Walking into the office would not be as risky and we could evaluate the situation before acting. Snape wouldn't have to go alone, adding credibility and authority to whatever he tells them."

Snape snorted softly. "And how long, pray tell, would it take you to prepare such a potion? I doubt we have a month to spare."

Neville grinned. "Don't worry about that, Professor. We are well stocked up on everything we thought might be useful, including healing potions and Polyjuice."

For the first time since arriving in the Room of Requirement, Snape looked genuinely surprised, though he masked it quickly. He gave Neville a brief, approving nod. "A disguised infiltration, then. That might work."

A ripple of anxious excitement passed through the room. A few minutes later, a plan had been agreed on and the first steps were taken.

"You… have an unhealthy obsession with Polyjuice potion, don't you?" asked Draco, staring at his girlfriend currently imitating Professor Umbridge.

"I don't know what you are talking about," said Astoria, through laughter. "And as far as I can recall, you quite liked me when I was Pansy."

"Because she had your personality," Draco shot back, "not because you looked like her."

"Oh, Draco," she cooed, leaning toward him.

"Oh hell no!" Draco practically leapt back, hands up. "No way! I am not kissing this vile woman."

"What? My personality suddenly no longer enough for you?"

Laughter rippled through the group, the tension easing for a moment. It felt good, Astoria thought, to forget about everything, even if only briefly.

Then Harry cleared his throat, pulling them back to the present. He handed the Marauder's Map to Neville. "Keep an eye on it. If something happens, you'll be able to act on it." With a swift, decisive movement, he pulled the Invisibility Cloak over himself. "Let's go!"

Draco squeezed Astoria's hand, a flicker of worry in his eyes. "Be careful." Daphne pulled her into a quick hug, not caring about her current appearance. Astoria gave them both a reassuring smile, then hurried after Snape and presumably Harry, who she could no longer see.

As they left the Room of Requirement behind, Astoria cast a quick Muffliato. They should not run into anyone, but they had thought the same when Hermione, Ron and Theo had been captured. "I don't know how much Harry and Neville have told you," she said in a low voice, "but we've led students too young or unwilling to fight out of the castle."

Harry was, she assumed, walking next to them. But he had been awfully quiet since Neville and he had returned with Snape and Umbridge in tow; and Neville had also seemed somewhat off. She was sure something had happened – Neville had said that there had been an altercation - but there had been no time to discuss it.

Snape nodded, but his expression remained unreadable. "What of the other students who have disappeared?"

"We told them that Voldemort was marking students tonight. The Slytherins are locked into the Great Hall, prevented from leaving by a permanent sticking charm on the door and a swamp in the corridor. The Ravenclaws are locked into an empty classroom, filled with… well, things with teeth. The Hufflepuffs were simply disarmed, and the Gryffindors are… caged ferrets."

"Snape raised an eyebrow. "The twins' doing, I assume?"

Astoria nodded, remembering well how Snape had noticed that the twins had behaved oddly. He had thus not eaten any of his own food that day, but also not stopped the Carrows from eating theirs.

Her voice took on a more serious tone. "Why is Voldemort here? And… is Dumbledore coming?"

"The ambush failed. No one on our side was killed, but several Order members were arrested - Dodge and Podmore among them. The Dark Lord needed a new base, and as the castle already belongs to him…" Snape's voice trailed off. "As for Dumbledore, I assume he's on his way, but we haven't been in contact."

That would greatly improve their odds. Right now, the school was filled with high-ranking Death Eaters, and only a room full of students was left to defend the castle. They had prepared, but she knew that realistically, they stood no chance against adults who had actual war experience if it came to actual duelling.

Then Snape's voice cut through her thoughts. "Mr. Potter," he said, his eyes flicking toward the seemingly empty space beside her, "I'm assuming this ring you're so concerned about is a Horcrux?"

Harry stayed silent for a while and Astoria really wished she could see his face. She had never heard the term before, but she assumed that it meant Dark Magic that made someone immortal. "Yeah," he said finally. "You know what they are?"

"I have done my own research," Snape admitted.

Harry sighed. "Voldemort cannot know that we know. But yeah, the ring is one. His snake is another. They are by far the most terrible of all Dark Magic… They defend themselves, too," Harry hesitated. "Astoria, you've seen it with Crabbe. They can possess people. They can speak to you. Don't, under any circumstances, put the ring on. And don't listen to it. It can imitate dead people and… just don't believe anything you see or hear. Dumbledore knew all of this, and still…" He sighed. We need to destroy them." Harry paused again. Then he said, "If I die, you have to make sure that they are destroyed."

"How?" asked Astoria.

"The Sword. Fiendfyre. Basilisk venom."

A laugh escaped her, "Oh, just that?" She had no basilisk venom at hand, did not know how to conjure Fiendfyre,… The Sword of Gryffindor was in the hands of Death Eaters. And none of this even mattered because she would never get close enough – alive - to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the first place to even try.

Snape did not say anything. He could probably conjure Fiendfyre, and he could get close to the snake. Which reminded her… "Sir? Has Harry told you that… that the first time all of this happened to Draco, it was the snake that… killed you?"

Snape stopped mid-step, his face still as stone. "Ah." Then, without further reaction, he continued walking.

"Ah? That's all you're going to say?" Astoria pressed.

"I have seen Draco's memories. I knew I died in the other timeline. Just not how."

"Well…" He sounded as if he had come to terms with it. Perhaps he had always expected to die in the war. It was not totally unreasonable. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named clearly did not care about his followers' lives. If his loyalties were revealed, he would most certainly be killed. The Death Eaters did not seem to like each other. And right now the Order did not trust him, so even if they won, people might not believe he had been on their side. But she was here to save as many people as she could, whether they wanted to be saved or not. "You have to stay away from the snake," Astoria continued. "You have to stay away from You-Know-Who."

Snape shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous. No one is in a better position to kill the snake than I am."

Astoria ground her teeth. Stubborn man. If he wouldn't keep himself safe, she'd have to do it for him.

They continued in silence. They were halfway there. So far, they had not run into anyone.

"I… how…" Harry hesitated. "How was my mum? I… I don't… everyone always talks about my dad, but I don't really know anyone who was friends with my mum…"

Astoria instinctively turned towards Harry, but under his cloak she could not see him and thus only guess at what emotions were crossing his face.

Snape had been friends with Harry's mother? She had, of course, known that they had all gone to school together. Harry's parents, Neville's parents, Sirius, Prof. Lupin,… But she had always been under the impression that Snape had hated all of them. And Harry as well. Would he answer his question? But they had both been acting off, so perhaps…

Astoria's gaze shifted to Snape, who hesitated before answering. "We grew up in the same neighbourhood. The one in which you fought Dumbledore. I met her at a park, and I knew she was a witch right away. Even before we started Hogwarts, she was able to control her magic… She was a very intelligent and talented witch. But she was also… kind. Compassionate." His voice softened, and for a moment, Astoria thought she saw a hint of a smile. "She saw the best in everyone, even those who didn't deserve it. She was loyal. And brave.".

"She sounds like a wonderful person," Astoria said, when Harry remained silent. Loyal, kind, brave. She sounded a lot like Harry, but she was not going to tell Snape that.

Snape chuckled softly. "She was not perfect. She could be incredibly stubborn and impulsive. But her heart was always in the right place."

That, too, sounded like Harry. Did Snape not see that?

A high-pitched scream interrupted their conversation. Snape briefly looked at her, then picked up the speed. The door to Mulciber's office came into view.

Astoria's hands trembled as she adjusted the tweed cloak she was wearing. She swallowed her distaste and fear - this was about getting their friends out safely, not her own discomfort.

"Ready?" Snape's voice cut through her thoughts, his expression hard. "Don't forget, before we act, we need to know if they have reported anything to the Dark Lord."

Astoria gave a tight nod. She didn't know what they would find behind the door, but every fibre of her being tensed at the thought of Ron, Hermione, and Theo in Avery's and Mulciber's hands. She clutched her wand and forced her expression into Umbridge's typical sickly-sweet smile, every muscle tense as she prepared to walk in.

Through the door, she could hear Avery and Mulciber's voices, cruel and taunting, mocking her friends as they demanded to know where Harry was.

Snape threw open the door, and she stepped in first, her heels clicking against the cold stone floor.

The office was only dimly lit, but she immediately spotted Ron, Hermione, and Theo. They were slumped on the floor, bound but not gagged, their faces pale and streaked with tears, bruised and battered.

Mulciber stopped mid-sentence. His expression flickered from surprise to suspicion as he registered her arrival. They hadn't expected to see "Umbridge" here - and she knew that her performance would either make or break this rescue.

"Dolores?" Mulciber sneered, attempting to mask his surprise.

Astoria gave a sickly-sweet smile, the one Umbridge so often wore. "May I ask what's going on here?"

"What's it look like? We're trying to find the bloody missing students!" growled Mulciber.

Snape stepped in beside her. "It seems to me you have found them already. And you did not think to inform me or the Dark Lord?"

His gaze settled on Mulciber, who seemed to bristle under the accusation. "Why'd we inform you? So you can steal our triumph?"

"Triumph?" sneered Astoria, doing her best to channel Umbridge's poisonous condescension. "You've tortured three children with nothing to show for it."

Avery's face hardened, but he recovered quickly. "We're close. Couple more Crucios and they'll spill. They're not students. They don't belong here. They are Potter's friends. And if they are here, so is the boy. We just need to know where he's hiding - and why they've got the Sword of Gryffindor and… this ring."

Astoria forced herself to keep her expression impassive. The sword and the ring lay on Avery's desk. Her stomach clenched as Avery picked up the ring, inspecting it with narrowed eyes.

"Why, indeed, are they risking so much for an old relic?" he mused aloud. "The sword, now, that makes sense. But this ring?" He raised it higher, the gemstone glinting in the dim light. "There must be a reason, or they wouldn't have been so desperate to hide it."

Astoria's mind raced as Avery held the ring, eyeing it with greedy curiosity. She glanced at Snape, who shot her a warning look—a silent command to stay still. But then, to her horror, Avery began to slip the ring onto his finger.

"Avery, don't!" Snape barked.

"What's it to you?" asked Mulciber.

Astoria stepped in front of Theo, Ron and Hermione, wand raised to shield them from Avery and Mulciber.

"Have you considered that this ring might be cursed?"

"Cursed?" laughed Avery. "As if these whelps were capable of cursing anything. And why would they fight so hard to protect a cursed ring?"

Snape's wand shot forward, but whatever spell he had thrown at Avery bounced off a shield Mulciber had thrown up.

Mulciber scowled. "What's gotten into you, Snape?"

Before Snape could answer, Harry appeared between him and Astoria. "Drop the ring," yelled Harry, sending several hexes towards Avery, but Mulciber was faster, casting Protego around them both.

"What the hell-"

Mulciber was interrupted by the scream that tore from Avery's throat. He had put the ring on. His hand began to smolder and crack, tiny plumes of dark smoke rising as if his flesh were burning from the inside out, emitting a nauseating, acrid scent. He writhed in agony, clawing at his own skin as if trying to scrape away the curse.

"Sectumsempra!" Snape shouted, and with a flash of light, Avery's arm was severed just above the wrist. The cursed ring clattered to the floor along with the lifeless hand, and Avery slumped back, his breathing ragged, blood pooling around him.

Mulciber's face twisted in rage. "What have you done?" His eyes darted to Harry, then back to Snape. "Traitorous bastard!" He hurled curses at Snape, forcing him and Harry to duck.

"I saved his life, you simpleton!" hissed Snape, wasting no time sending his own flurry of hexes towards him.

Astoria turned to Hermione, Ron, and Theo, muttering a quick series of spells to release their bonds. They scrambled to their feet, bruised but alive.

Theo studied her for a second, then whispered, "Astoria?"

She smiled at him crookedly. "The one and only."

Out of seemingly nowhere, a ghostly figure shimmered into view - a vision of red hair and green eyes, her form as delicate and translucent as smoke.

The figure stood between them, her gaze first falling on Snape. "Sev," the ghost whispered, smiling at him.

"L-Lily?" Snape had stopped fighting and turned fully towards her, dropping his guard entirely.

Astoria, seeing Mulciber's curses still flying, cast Protego to shield Snape. Her arm shook under the onslaught, but she held her ground.

Harry, transfixed, took a step forward as well, his gaze locked on his mother. Snape, seemingly in a trance, reached toward the ring, his hand stretching out as if drawn by invisible strings.

"Professor, don't!" Hermione cried, grabbing Avery's wand from the ground. She sent a stunning spell toward Snape, knocking him backward before he could reach the ring. He landed with a thud, unconscious but safe.

"Ron! The sword!" Hermione urged, pushing Ron toward the desk.

But as Ron lunged for it, Mulciber sent a curse toward him.

Theo reacted instantly, diving for Snape's wand. "Protego!" he shouted, deflecting Mulciber's curse.

Astoria sent a stunning hex of her own, but Mulciber blocked it. She sent another, at the same time as Theo yelled, "Expelliarmus!" Astoria's spell was blocked again, but Theo's spell hit Mulciber in the side, sending his wand spinning across the room.

Meanwhile, Harry, transfixed by his mother's ghostly presence, took a step forward. "Mum?"

"Oh Harry," Lily said, a wide smile on her face. "You are so brave. I am so proud of you."

A loud clunk could be heard, and Astoria tore her gaze away from the mother-son duo. Ron had, with a single, powerful swing, brought the sword down on the ring, shattering it into pieces. A burst of dark energy erupted from it, sending a chilling wave through the room.

Lily's apparition flickered but remained.

"You're... real?" Harry whispered.

"I was never part of this dark magic," she said softly. "I am with you - a part of you. Always. Even when you can't see me."

And with those parting words, she slowly faded.

The silence that followed was brief. Mulciber, now unarmed, pressed his forefinger to the skull and snake branded on his forearm. A second later, Harry fell to his knees, clutching his head and writhing in pain.

"Stupefy," yelled Astoria, and Mulciber collapsed where he stood.

But it was too late, she thought. Mulciber had called for his master.

TBC

Oh no! I've written myself into a corner a bit. But on purpose. I had half of this chapter written with the ring already destroyed and everything going relatively smoothly. But, as you know, I love to throw drama at my characters, and I love cliffhangers. And this story needs to end at some point, which means there'll have to be some final confrontation/battle. This way, I can't really weasel my way out. Voldy is on his way, Mulciber and Snape are unconscious, the ring is destroyed, and Avery is… well, he is not having a good day. Once I have posted this, it is set in stone and I will have to find a way to deal with it. (Not to worry, I have plenty of ideas. The finish line is near.)

I only have a couple of scenes I really want to include left and a vague idea of how Voldemort will be defeated, which frankly, I usually find the least interesting part in time travel stories. I'm having a "the treasure is the friends we made along the way" kind of moment.

I feel like this was the least Draco-centric of all the chapters so far. I hope you still enjoyed it. And I hope the whole chapter was not too chaotic. There were so many characters to juggle and so much action…