Abyss

Abyss

Hours quickly swept pass them, and before Hermione knew it the time to reclaim their lost school had finally come. She stood beside Malfoy as they listened to Bill, who was relaying to them the general tactics they would be employing once they get inside Hogwarts.

"I assume that every one of you knows how to Apparate," he was saying, as he looked at each of his charges in the eye. All twenty of them nodded solemnly. Bill acknowledged that with a nod as well. "Wonderful. Now, as Dumbledore mentioned yesterday we will be using the element of surprise as our primary tactic. We are assigned to raid the third floor of Hogwarts, left wing. Below us would be Charlie's group, and above us would be Klein's. Directly opposite us would be Leon's group. When the mission proves to be a success, all groups will be meeting in the Great Hall." He looked at their reactions, and then continued, tapping his wand against his open palm as he did. "Since the Death Eaters won't be anticipating any kind of attack, we're assuming that there would only be a relatively small number of them inside the school. The order still remains though: kill every enemy in sight." Bill paused, and then made eye contact with Hermione. "No mercy shall be given to anyone."

She swallowed, and forced herself to retain his eyes. Be strong. You're not alone.

"I'm sure some of you are wondering what kinds of spells we could use in this attack," Bill said, finally looking away from her and focusing instead on a blonde, chubby wizard. "I've spoken with Dumbledore regarding this matter, and we agreed it is ridiculous to impose rules on what could or couldn't be used. You have your own choice of spells; use whatever you can to achieve our purpose. Any means to our desired end is encouraged."

Hermione stepped closer to Malfoy, seeking comfort in his closeness. He took her hand and held it firmly in his, squeezing it a few times to reassure her.

"Once the whole school is purged of Death Eaters, it is inevitable that a counterattack from their side will be made. Dumbledore told me that he and the others would be taking extreme precautions so that we will never lose Hogwarts again, and these precautions I will tell you in a different time. What we need is for all of us to focus on the task that needed to be done today. Focus, everyone. Focus." Bill was quiet for a few moments, and his thoughts were revealed when he said, "Remember that we're doing this for the sake of all the people we loved and lost."

Then he regained his usual strength and said loudly, "I will look out for each and everyone of you as best as I could, but see to it that you will not rely on me entirely for your safety. Learn to protect yourselves and at the same time always, always listen to me for orders. I will not tolerate anyone who would disobey me, do you understand?"

A chorus of 'yes' and 'I do' resonated from the group. Hermione muttered a small 'yes' and noticed that Malfoy didn't say anything. A small part of her expected it from him.

"Good. Those who have questions may ask them now."

A couple of hands shot to the air, and Malfoy took this opportunity to leave the group.

Hermione felt torn. A part of her wanted to remain and listen to Bill, but a larger one screamed at her to follow Malfoy. A battle of the heart and the head, of emotions and rationale, waged within her. In the end, though, she decided to follow her heart.

She followed Malfoy.

"Wait up," she said, scrambling after him.

He turned to look at her, and paused.

"Where are you going?"

Malfoy looked away. "I needed some time to think," he answered. "Is that all right with you?"

Hermione nodded. "You're sure you don't need company?"

He smiled. "I'll be fine." Malfoy lifted his hand and brushed his knuckles over her jaw. "Don't worry. I'll be back." And he walked away.

She watched him thoughtfully as he left. Her instincts told her that this was his way of preparing himself for the task that needed to be done. In all honesty, she was afraid for him. She knew the risks he was taking; he was doing the boldest step he could to defy his family, to fight his faith, and ultimately to free himself. She knew the risks though she doubted if she understood them, for how could she understand something she hadn't experienced? But no matter, his fears were her fears now. She only wished she knew what to do in order to comfort him during this time...

"Hermione."

Harry stood beside her, wearing a small smile on his face. "Hey," she said, smiling in return. Hermione looked behind him and saw that Snape was returning to the hall and his other charges were scattered as well. "You're briefing with Snape is over, I assume?"

He nodded. "I think he likes my being a part of his group as much as I do," he muttered, his smile quickly retreating into a frown as he glanced at the leader in question. "But I guess we haven't a choice."

"Where are you going to Apparate?"

"Near the Headmaster's Office. Snape said our group would take on the 'heart of Hogwarts'."

"Our group would be taking the left wing," Hermione said. "I got Bill, by the way."

"How are you handling everything?" he asked, his expression somber.

"I'm barely holding up," she answered honestly, her voice fainting to a whisper. She tried to summon every fiber of courage she had, but her fear was too strong. Hermione defiantly raised her chin up. "But I'm trying."

Harry took her hands in between his own and squeezed them. "I'm here for you if you need me," he told her quietly.

She nodded, taking a deep, shaky breath. "I know," she murmured. "And for that I'm thankful." Hermione stepped closer and hugged him with all her might. "I'm very grateful I have you, Harry."

He snuggled into her embrace, and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm grateful I met you," he said. Then he stepped away from her and laughed. "Look at us, acting like we're never going to meet ever again!"

"I better see you after this," she said, smiling bravely. "Only Merlin knows what I'm to do to you once I don't."

"Same goes double for me," he retorted. Harry grimaced, as if he didn't want to say what was on his mind but prodded on with it anyway. "I still have to talk to you about Malfoy, you know."

Hermione felt the faintest heat on her cheeks, and she averted her gaze. "Well... about that, Harry..."

"You didn't... you know... did you?"

She glanced at him to find that his eyes were wide beneath his glasses. Hermione caught his train of thought quickly and shook her head. "We didn't!" she appeased him. The faint heat on her cheeks intensified under his scrutiny, feeling as though he was probing her for more information. She might as well be honest, for she knew she shouldn't keep secrets from him. Not from Harry. "But he confessed, and so... so did I."

"Confessed," he repeated. A long pause followed. He pursed his lips. "I honestly can't say I'm happy about this--"

"Harry--"

"Let me finish." He placed his hands on both her cheeks. "I'm not happy about this. I know you understand why I'm not, but... if it's for your happiness, then I won't stand in your way." He dropped his hands and looked at her in the eye. "I only wish you know what you're doing, Hermione."

She nodded slowly, tears searing her eyes as she understood what he was saying. "I do know what I'm doing."

"Good. Because one thing I know is that if he doesn't take care of you... I'm going to do worse than kick his arse."

Despite the feelings clotted inside her, Hermione found the energy to chuckle. "I've no doubt that you would." She embraced him again. "Thank you, Harry. Thank you for not making this difficult."

He wound his arms around her waist. "I won't ever dream of it."

*

It had finally begun.

Gathering all the warriors to their sides, the leaders chose the appropriate time to attack. At exactly eleven that night, Languid Valley was emptied of all capable and willing wizards and witches, leaving behind the children and those who would care for them snuggling in their rooms and praying for victory.

The small popping sounds they made alerted no one, Draco realized, as he pulled Granger in a crouching position behind a tall marble rendition of a knight. He peered out and saw the flaming red hair of one of the Weasleys hidden also behind the statue opposite theirs. The hallway of Hogwarts was silent, creepily so. Draco looked at the other direction and saw nothing but the charred, blackened walls and empty, torn portraits that reminded him of the vision of a burning Hogwarts as he took Granger out of it.

Weasley lifted a hand and pointed forwards. People hidden in different places emerged to take small steps forward, advancing to who knew where. Draco gritted his teeth, and pulled Granger down as she moved to follow Weasley's orders. "Stay with me," he whispered to her.

"But--"

"Shh!" he hissed. "He said so himself he couldn't protect all of us. We protect each other instead."

She was silent behind him, and he could only guess what her opinion was. But as long as she was quiet, then all was well.

Suddenly, movement of feet and scurrying of robes caught his ears. Draco knew that Weasley heard it for his eyes were also trained on the direction it came from. They hid themselves again.

"An attack," a brisk voice muttered, his feet making small steps as he walked. "They said that we're under--"

"Ridiculous!" a woman shushed. "There's no possible way--"

"But--"

"Avada Kedavra!"

The same spell rang twice, and then the sound of two bodies falling to the floor filled the hallway.

Draco stood and found Mr. and Mrs. Bulstrode dead, their expressions the very symptom of those struck with the killing curse. He glanced at Weasley, and knew at once that one of the spells came from him. The other came from a chubby wizard he'd never seen before.

"Let's move," Weasley said, motioning with his hand. "This way."

Reluctantly, Draco followed the red-haired sod as they moved farther from their starting position. He took Granger's hand and pulled her in front of him, then pushed her ahead so that he could see all her movements and watch her back as well. She glanced at him, nodded, and strode forward.

The hallway wasn't lit with anything at all, but they had charmed their eyes so that they could move without needing lights from their wands. This was one of the brilliant suggestions Granger had come up with earlier. The other was that they should also charm their feet to not make a sound as they moved.

Weasley held up a hand again, and everybody paused. He then made gestures to both his sides, and his followers knew what that meant - there were people heading their way. Immediately, they flattened themselves to the walls, impeccably blending with the shadows of the darkened hallway.

"They're here," whispered a voice unfamiliar to Draco.

"I was wondering what they've been doing. Now we know. Plotting an--"

"Students," their companion said, taking a big whiff. "Mere beginners. How pathetic of Dumbledore--"

Draco heard a hitch in Granger's breathing, and hoped she wouldn't do anything rash...

... like walking forward and shouting, "Petrificus Totalus!"

All hell broke loose. Of course the stupid spell didn't work; it wasn't strong enough, and the three Death Eaters merely blocked it easily. Draco dove for Granger as one of them saw and immediately cursed at her. They both fell to the side, him lying on top of her, and he heard several shouts of "Crucio!" and "Avada Kedavra!" aimed at the enemies.

He pinned her with a glare. "What the hell did you do that for?" he demanded, pushing himself up. "You know better than use a simple spell, Hermione!"

She stood and glared back. "That was the only spell I could think of," she whispered, and then looked away. "I'm bloody sorry it didn't work."

Weasley jogged to them, his face twisted in concern. "Are you alright?" he asked her.

Granger nodded. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Weasley said gruffly. "But you, of all people, should know better than rely on simple spells. I told you to go for the kill! What good is your brain to you if you don't use it--"

"She said she was sorry," Draco cut in brusquely. "Back off."

Weasley looked at him. "You," he said. "You're a Malfoy."

"I am. Is that a problem, Weasley?"

"It won't be if you stay out of my way." He then moved ahead. The others followed suit.

Draco watched as Granger walked behind the others, and echoed her movements. He was surprised at her foolishness, for he knew her to act so rationally despite how heavy and severe the circumstances were. He never thought of her as a liability, but her action might just prove she was one. He pursed his lips, and then cleared his thoughts. He shouldn't demean her abilities just because she committed something infernally dim-witted. Perhaps she was just nervous, and for a moment her nerves clouded her judgment.

Or, perhaps, she never wanted to use any of the Unforgivable Curses, so she would instead rely on simpler, safer spells.

Stupid, stubborn Gryffindor. He grimaced. Such principles would surely get her killed--

"Avada Kedavra!"

A body dropped to the floor, and Draco saw that it was from their side. Several Death Eaters, ten of them at least, emerged from the front with their wands raised and curses streaming from their lips. He knew none of the faces, but didn't dwell on knowing them - he became too busy with muttering spell after spell. But these Death Eaters were quick; every spell uttered to them was met with a counter curse, rendering it useless. Granger swerved to the side as a thin green rivulet narrowly missed her by inches, and she answered with a spell of her own. Draco ducked as a shot of blue flame sauntered towards him, and then let out a blue flame of his own. It hit one of the unguarded Death Eaters, and his robe caught on fire. Draco let out another flame and this one caught his enemy's hair. It was the distraction they needed; the horrible screams from these two more than confused the others, letting Weasley, a red-haired witch, and a black-haired wizard overrun them with several! spells Draco hadn't heard of before.

Soon the enemies were subdued and those left behind tried to catch their breaths.

"He's dead," a brunette called out sadly, as she felt for the pulse of the chubby wizard lying on the floor.

Weasley barely registered surprise. "Leave him," he said. "We need to move out."

*

Hermione felt drained and weak. A minute ago, the chubby wizard was standing in front of her, and then... he was dead. He was dead. She was nearly killed herself; only she swerved in time to avoid an Unforgivable Curse hurled at her face. She barely came back with a spell... but she knew her spells weren't potent enough to get the job done. If she wanted to come out of this alive, then she better use the most powerful spells there were. She needed to use the Unforgivable Curses if she wanted to contribute something to the cause. The problem was, she'd never used one, or even intended on ever using one.

"Forget your damned principles," Malfoy whispered to her sharply as they were on the move again. "Kill or be killed, Granger. This is how a war works."

She looked at him, first in surprise, then in anger. "You think I don't know that? You think I don't want to--"

"It's not a matter of want. It's a matter of need. Do you think that these people wanted to come out and kill others just for kicks? Damn it, Hermione - Weasley was right. Use your brains!"

At her offended expression, something on his face yielded. "You know there's no other way. A moment's hesitation can cost you your life or someone else's, Hermione."

She knew he was right - after all, he was just voicing out what her brain was telling her all along. Hermione steeled herself, and nodded.

"Here's your chance," he said, his eyes trained in front of them. Malfoy released a smirk. "Look who we have here."

She followed his gaze and swallowed - there were five Death Eaters blocking their path.

And Mrs. Parkinson was one of them.

*

Harry followed Snape as they moved towards Dumbledore's office. He wasn't proud of what he did - he'd already killed three Death Eaters - but something in Snape's expression told him he did the right thing. After all, this was war, and it was kill or be killed.

He thought of Hermione, and hoped she was still alive.

"This way," Snape muttered, rushing towards the hall leading to the door of the office. Then he paused - there were many Death Eaters guarding it, as though expecting their enemies to show up.

A collective intake of breaths reached Harry's ears, and he drew some himself. He started when he heard Snape's voice beside him, loud and clear: "We need to get inside. Follow me at any cost, do you understand?"

He nodded.

The Death Eaters were at first surprised to see Snape heading the attack, then the surprise turned to spite and pressure as a full-blown fight began. Harry cursed, as did Snape, as they slowly infiltrated the tight barricade of Death Eaters in front of the phoenix. Harry's knuckles were white from gripping his wand too tight, his knees almost buckling beneath him from sheer exhaustion, but he was able to catch up with Snape. Soon, they were inside the office...

...and found Lucius Malfoy inside, casually perusing through books as though he owned them.

"Lucius," Snape said, lifting his wand.

The older Malfoy raised his brows as he looked at Snape, then at Harry, and back. "Well," he muttered silkily. "This is a surprise, Severus."