What Once Could Never Be...

What Once Could Never Be...

Chapter 17: The Battle Begins

The day dawned upon the magical world like any other day, but everyone knew that the air was full of possible outcomes. One lie in the way of victory while the other brought the devastation of defeat. This was felt by both sides that were fighting this war of overwhelming proportions. The magical world had stopped functioning properly to either participate in the battle or watch the result of it. Everything was hanging in the balance.

An hour earlier, Draco was roused from his slumber curled up to Hermione by Potter and Weasel bursting through the door. Needless to say, he wasn't happy about being disturbed during his time with Hermione since he didn't know when he might see her again. Voldemort expected him back at dawn and there was no guarantee that he would be able to sneak off once more. Especially if they had already discovered that he was missing.

Harry and Ron both ignored the scowl present on Malfoy's face. Harry turned to the boy who a few months ago had been his worst enemy and rival, but now he didn't even flinch when he saw him in bed with one of his best friends.

Harry face broke into a tired smile as he explained the sudden intrusion. "We have a plan."

Draco cocked an arrogant eyebrow out of habit, one that he was trying to break, and replied. "Oh?"

Harry cut his eyes away from him for a quick second, but Draco caught it. Whatever the plan was, Harry didn't want Hermione to hear it.

Harry and Ron exchanged undecipherable glances, and Ron gave a slight nod. Draco thought that they were acting oddly. He fixed his gaze back on Harry and, for the first time, noticed the resolve set in his expression. For some unknown reason, it unnerved him to see Harry that grim.

Harry resumed speaking. "We don't have much time since you have to leave in less than an hour. Get dressed and come with us. We'll wait outside."

With that, the two boys left the room as quickly and they had come.

Draco looked over to Hermione who hadn't spoken while Harry and Ron were in the room. She looked worried, not over just Harry and Ron, but Draco as well. Everything was just happening so fast and it was starting to make her feel dizzy. It was enough to cause even someone like Hermione who was strong-willed to lose her sense of self.

Draco leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against her brow. "Well, I guess I have to be leaving. I'm sorry that we didn't get to have more time together." His eyes held his sadness as he spoke. "Just remember that no matter what happens, I'll always love you." He reached out to catch an absent tear rolling down Hermione's cheek.

She couldn't hold it in any longer as the tears came pouring forth. She threw her eyes around him and pressed her mouth to his. The feel of his lips against hers reassured her that he would come back to her. The salt from her tears mixed into the kiss as they both took comfort in the fact that they were together now.

Draco pulled away, but not before giving Hermione an extra squeeze. He climbed out of the bed and proceeded to get dressed. Hermione just stay put and watched him move about the room in graceful strides. She had always been mesmerized by the way he moved even when they had been enemies.

Draco could feel Hermione's eyes on him, and after finished dressing, turned to her. "I guess I should go. Potter will be waiting." He took her hand and squeezed it before letting it drop. He looked at her one last time, branding her face on his mind, before he turned and left. Neither had wanted to say good-bye for fear of it truly being so.

Draco closed the door behind him before joining Harry and Ron in their common room. "All I have to say is this had better be a damn good plan for making me leave Hermione before I planned to."

Harry and Ron both smiled at Malfoy as they spoke as one. "It is."

They went to the door and Draco followed behind them as they made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts not knowing what the future held.

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Hermione rose from the bed once Draco had left her room. She would not sit around and brood wondering whether or not he was coming back. She simply would not tolerate it when there were much more important things to deal with at the moment. She dressed quickly and made her way down to the Great Hall.

The crowd of people that had arrived the following evening was still present, however, they were now organized into groups; each with their own plan and purpose. She crossed over to where Sirius and Remus were discussing attack tactics before they saw her approach.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Hermione. I'm glad you decided to join us," Sirius greeted with a beaming smile. "How does the weather find you this morning?"

Hermione could tell from his expression that he was obviously not worried about the upcoming battle that had others distraught. Remus and him both looked quite cheerful for having been up all night. Hermione returned Sirius' infectious smile with one of her own before taking a seat at their table.

"The weather finds me just fine, but I won't say that I'm not somewhat worried about all this. What exactly are Harry and Ron planning to do that involves Draco? Is it going to be dangerous?" Hermione's smile turned to a look of wariness.

Sirius and Remus looked at each other and a series of expression were exchanged between them. Hermione watched carefully, but was unable to discern what all of them meant. After reaching some sort of silent agreement, Remus turned his attention back to Hermione with his kind eyes fixed on hers.

"There's nothing for you to worry about. Harry and Ron have everything planned out carefully. They should be back any minute now."

Hermione was skeptical over how much of this explanation was the truth, but she was suddenly distracted from asking anything else when the two boys in question strode into the hall followed by Professor Snape. They had not been gone for more than twenty minutes. Draco was not with them.

Harry and Ron soon joined them where they were sitting, both looking exhausted and elated at the same time. Hermione spoke first, the words out of her mouth before they had finished sitting down.

"Where's Draco?"

Harry answered her. "He left to go back. We didn't want him to be late and for Voldemort to get suspicious."

Ron cut in. "Don't worry though. Everything is going to plan. Now, to get on to business. We're about to go into battle."

They raised their heads to gaze into the bewitched ceiling of the Great Hall. The sky was tinged with pink as the first lights of dawn broke through the vestiges of the night. The babbling of the crowd died down until everyone was quiet. Everyone was staring at their table waiting to be given orders now that it was time.

Ron raised his voice so that even the people in the far corners could hear. "Is everybody ready?"

A deafening shout of voices chorused the same response. "YES!"

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Coming back to an empty room was the last thing Draco had expected. Not that he wasn't glad for it. He climbed out of the fireplace and crossed over to the door of his room. Peeking out into the hall, he saw nobody.

Relieved, he quickly dressed into the black robes of a Death Eater he had left on his bed. He pocketed his wand and quietly made his way down the corridor to where he was told to meet with Voldemort. Light was just starting to break through the windows when he arrived upon the room and entered.

He was happy to find that he wasn't the first or the last to arrive. Voldemort extended his hand towards him and Draco realized that he was indicating where he wanted himself to stand. Cautiously, he made his way over and took his place on Voldemort's right side. Most everyone had arrived by now, but a few stragglers hurried in. The room was deathly still as they awaited Voldemort to speak.

"This is the day I have waited for. The day when my dream will come true. I will rule the wizarding world and only those who have been loyal to me shall share in the riches I will impart upon my conquest." He paused before turning to Draco. "My heir, of course, will benefit from being my second-in-command." He turned back to the hooded Death Eaters. "You shall fight and conquer without mercy. You already know what to do. If you do not succeed in your tasks, you will find that I am without mercy." A collective shudder ran through the masses. "Now, we shall depart."

Voldemort raised his hands and Draco felt his stomach somersault as the room they had been in was replaced with Diagon Alley; the Ministry of Magic building looming over them. The entire group of Death Eaters had been transported.

All of them took their positions as they stormed the building, setting off several of alarms and sirens; only to be met by a crowd of people in the lobby led by The Boy Who Lived.

A/N: How was that? I really AM trying to update sooner, but I've just had SO many other things going on. This story is almost finished though. There will be probably 2 more chapters and an epilogue. I hope that makes everyone happy and that everyone enjoyed this chapter. PLEASE R/R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!