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┄┄ .•* 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟒 *•. ┄┄

𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍

────── *•. ⚡︎ .•*──────

Hermione's heart was ramming into her ribcage as she ran, the feeling of the Felix Felicis inside her telling her where she needed to be. Luna and Ginny had gone to get Snape, as Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus had stayed as a lookout in the Room of Requirement, all of them having split the remaining of Harry's liquid luck in addition to her own between them, only leaving a bit as per Hermione's request.

Though she stopped running once she looked out of a window, the skull prominent on the sky, the Dark Mark had been cast. They were here already. Hermione was about to continue on her way when she turned around, seeing Blaise and Theo running towards her, panic striking their faces, they too had seen the mark outside.

"We need your help," Hermione said immediately, causing the boys to immediately nod.

"What do you need, Mia?" Theo asked and frowned when Hermione passed him the little glass vial.

"That's liquid luck, split it between you," Hermione instructed. "Then go to your common room and the Hufflepuff's and make sure you tell everyone to stay inside their dorms. Be careful."

Both boys nodded as they hugged her, each pressing a kiss to her forehead and saying, "Be safe," before running off in the direction of the dungeons, allowing Hermione to continue making her way to the Ravenclaw Tower.

She was hoping everyone would be fine, she had even sent a Patronus to the Order, alerting them they needed help. But she knew that some things were inevitable like Dumbledore had said. And, she couldn't save the old man, like he had told her on many occasions.

As she reached the door with the Eagle knocker, guarding the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, she immediately requested the riddle.

"Where do vanished objects go?" the eagle asked and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Somewhere other than the place they were Vanished from," she answered promptly and the door promptly opened, the eagle huffing in the process.

Hermione entered the common room and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Ravenclaws weren't as meticulous with cleaning as they claimed they were, but then again it was almost exam period. The main color around was the Ravenclaw blue, and that could even be seen in some students, in the bags under their eyes as they sat on the couches, sprawled lazily around and reading or drawing. But Hermione also noted that few were doing things related to school. She could've sworn she saw one-seventh year reading a book about marine biology. And another cramming up a graphic novel. Music was playing in the background, and she was fairly sure it was muggle, too. But the main thing she noticed was that they didn't even notice she was there, or if they did they just continued as they were. Hemione was seriously regretting her being in Gryffindor. 

"Oi! Ravens!" she called out and most of them turned to her with frowns.

"Hermione? How'd you get in?" asked Padma Patil.

"I answered the riddle," Hermione shrugged. "I just need to warn you. Stay in. Don't go out tonight."

"What's happening?" a seventh year asked and Hermione grimaced.

"Death Eaters," she said and there was a general gasp around. "But don't panic. Stay inside and you'll be safe. Everything will be alright."

"What about you?" Terry Boot asked.

"I'm going back to my common room," Hermione lied. "I just needed to warm you."

"Thank you," one of them muttered and Hermione nodded before leaving their common room behind and starting to walk through the corridors again, clutching her wand in her hand, she could hear blasts coming from afar.

"Well, well, well," a voice drawled behind her, and Hermione froze, slowly turning around to see her deranged cousin, Bellatrix, Fenrir Greyback, and a couple of other Death Eaters, along with a pale-looking Draco. "Draco, move along. Complete your task," Bellatrix ushered but he didn't move. "Go," she hissed. "We'll have time for a family reunion later," she said and he finally started walking, sending a desperate look Hermione's way as he passed her.

"What's up, Bella?" Hermione asked, trying to strain her hearing to see if anyone was coming.

"Little Miss Black," Bellatrix said as she tilted her head to the side, and brandishing her wand around, as the other Death Eaters sneered at her. "What are you doing here so late at night?"

"What are you doing here so late at life?" Hermione countered. "Aren't you a little old for school?"

"I would watch my tone," Bellatrix snarled and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You're not doing a really good job, then," she sassed, making Bellatrix cackle maniacally.

"Sharp tongue," she sneered, sharing laughs with the other Voldy cronies. "The Dark Lord could use someone like you by his side," she said as she approached Hermione, and started to circle her with a deranged grin. "A Black, powerful, knowledgeable. . . ."

"I wouldn't call me knowledgable," Hermione said with her jaw clenched. "I hardly know anything. If I did, I would've prevented you from being here."

"What would you do, Miss Black?" Bellatrix said with a hysterical laugh as she took one of Hermione's curls in her fingers. "Kill me?" she whispered and Hermione jerked away from her grasp, glaring at her.

"Now, that's tempting," she said with hatred.

"Ooh, she's got a killer in her," Bellatrix laughed again, running her tongue over her teeth as she looked over at her 'colleagues'. "The question is if you've got the nerve."

"Do you?" Hermione countered and Bellatrix cocked an amused eyebrow up. "Seeing as I'm still alive, I wouldn't know."

"Believe me, I would much rather you were dead," Bellatrix said slyly, "but the Dark Lord wants you. So you'll be coming with us," she said as she took a grasp of Hermione's arm, roughly pushing her forward, making the witch's wand to fall from her hand.

"I'd rather die," Hermione spat.

"So much like your parents," Bellatrix sneered, "Pity."

With that, she threw Hermione away from her, making her bump into someone behind her, that quickly took a hold of her a chuckle leaving him. "I can't wait for when I can kill you," he whispered to her making Hermione swallow. Fenrir Greyback. He swept her hair to the side and lowering his face to her neck, said, "Maybe I could just have a taste now—"

"She's for the Dark Lord, mutt," Bellatrix interrupted him, causing the werewolf to growl at her. "Let's go."

Hermione was fiercely trying to ignore the werewolf behind her, his harsh grasp on her wrists, and the way he was basically digging his fingers in her hip, sure to cause a bruise. Her jaw clenched, she walked through the halls with the Death Eaters, knowing that without her wand it was impossible to get out of there alive before Dumbledore died.

The way up the Astronomy tower was even worse than walking through the—where they passed some Order Members fighting, causing them to pass undisturbed; especially when Bellatrix split from the group and started cackling as she hit someone. By the middle of the staircase, her breathing was getting more ragged, as she was starting to tire herself, after having to run around in the halls. This caused the Death Eaters to laugh and Greyback finally pierced his claw-like yellowish nails into the skin of her hips in order to shut her up.

"Get your hands off me, you mutt," Hermione hissed through the pain, and that caused him to chuckle darkly, and drag his claws upwards, slashing her skin, making blood pour out.

"You may be the Dark Lord's, but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you by. . . .accident," he snarled and pierced his other hand's claws on the skin of her left forearm, causing Hermione to grit her teeth together, containing herself to scream out in pain. 

That was the moment they finally got to the top of the tower, the four Death Eaters burst through the door, dragging Hermione with them. 

The lumpy-looking Death Eater with an odd lopsided leer—a man who Hermione assumed was Amycus Carrow—gave a wheezy giggle.

"Dumbledore cornered!" he said, and he turned to a stocky little woman who looked as though she could be his sister—Alecto Carrow, Hermione guessed—and who was grinning eagerly. "Dumbledore wandless, Dumbledore alone! Well done, Draco, well done!" 

"Good evening, Amycus," said Dumbledore calmly, as though welcoming the man to a tea party, though he cast a worried glance as Hermione, whose clothes were partially soaked in blood."And you've brought Alecto too. . . .charming. . . ."

The woman gave an angry little titter. 

"Think your little jokes'll help you on your death bed, then?" she jeered. 

"Jokes? No, no, these are manners," replied Dumbledore.

"Do it," said Fenrir Greyback, all big, and rangy with matted grey hair and whiskers, whose black Death Eater's robes looked uncomfortably tight as he gripped onto Hermione's hips and forearm, claws still digging through her skin. He was so close to her that Hermione could smell a powerful mixture of dirt, sweat, and, unmistakeably, of blood coming from him—but then again, that must've come from her. 

"Is that you, Fenrir?" asked Dumbledore. "Let go of Miss Black, if you will."

 "That's right," rasped  Greyback. "Pleased to see me, Dumbledore?" 

"No, I cannot say that I am. . . . Will you let go of Miss Black, now?" 

Fenrir Greyback only grinned, showing pointed teeth. Blood trickled down his chin and he licked his lips slowly, obscenely. 

"But you know how much I like kids, Dumbledore." 

"Am I to take it that you are attacking even without the full moon now? This is most unusual. . . . you have developed a taste for human flesh that cannot be satisfied once a month?"

"That's right," said Greyback. "Shocks you, that, does it, Dumbledore? Frightens you?" 

"Well, I cannot pretend it does not disgust me a little," said Dumbledore. "And, yes, I am a little shocked that Draco here invited you, of all people, into the school where his friends live. . . ." 

"I didn't," breathed Malfoy. He was not looking at Greyback; he did not seem to want to even glance at him, in fact, his eyes were slightly widened in panic at the sight of Hermione. "I didn't know he was going to come—" 

"I wouldn't want to miss a trip to Hogwarts, Dumbledore," rasped Greyback. "Not when there are throats to be ripped out. . . . delicious, delicious. . . ." he said as he let go of Hermione's hip, running his fingers along her throat, making her flinch away.

"I could do you for afters, Dumbledore. . . ." 

"No," said the fourth Death Eater sharply. He had a heavy, brutal-looking face. "We've got orders. Draco's got to do it. Now, Draco, and quickly." 

Malfoy was showing less resolution than ever. He looked terrified as he stared into Dumbledore's face, which was even paler, and rather lower than usual, as he had slid so far down the rampart wall. 

"He's not long for this world anyway, if you ask me!" said the lopsided man, to the accompaniment of his sister's wheezing giggles. "Look at him—what's happened to you, then, Dumby?" 

"Oh, weaker resistance, slower reflexes, Amycus," said Dumbledore. "Old age, in short...one day, perhaps, it will happen to you. . . .if you are lucky. . . ." 

"What's that mean, then, what's that mean?" yelled the Death Eater, suddenly violent."Always the same, weren't yeh, Dumby, talking and doing nothing, nothing, I don't even know why the Dark Lord's bothering to kill yeh! Come on, Draco, do it!" 

But at that moment, there were renewed sounds of scuffling from below and a voice shouted, "They've blocked the stairs - Reducto! REDUCTO!" 

Hermione's heart leaped, hoping that they were coming for them.

"Now, Draco, quickly!" said the brutal-faced man angrily. 

But Malfoy's hand was shaking so badly that he could barely aim. 

"I'll do it," snarled Greyback, throwing Hermione to the side, making her hit the floor hard, falling on her bruised and slashed hip, as Greyback moved towards Dumbledore with his hands outstretched, his teeth bared.

"I said no!" shouted the brutal-faced man; there was a flash of light and the werewolf was blasted out of the way; he hit the ramparts and staggered, looking furious. 

"Draco, do it, or stand aside so one of us—" screeched the woman, but at that precise moment the door to the ramparts burst open once more and there stood Snape, his wand clutched in his hand as his black eyes swept the scene, from Dumbledore slumped against the wall, to Hermione panting on the floor, clasping her hip as she leaned on a wall, to the four Death Eaters, including the enraged werewolf, and Draco.  

"We've got a problem, Snape," said the lumpy Amycus, whose eyes and wand were fixed alike upon Dumbledore, "the boy doesn't seem able—" 

But somebody else had spoken Snape's name, quite softly. 

"Severus. . . ." 

For the first time, Dumbledore was pleading. 

Snape said nothing, but walked forwards and pushed Malfoy roughly out of the way. The three death Eaters fell back without a word. Even the werewolf seemed cowed. 

Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face."Severus...please..." 

Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore. 

"Avada Kedavra!"

Hermione swallowed a sob, her eyes brimming with tears as the jet of green light shot from Snape's wand and hit Dumbledore squarely in the chest. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the way Dumbledore was blasted into the air: for a split second he seemed to hang suspended beneath the shining skull, and then he fell slowly backward, like a great rag doll, over the battlements, and out of sight.

Hermione felt her heart clenching. Dumbledore was dead and she had done nothing about it. Her mind was getting drowsy from the loss of blood, and she was trying her best to apply pressure to the wound on her hip.

"Out of here, quickly," said Snape.

He seized Malfoy by the scruff of the neck and forced him through the door ahead of the rest; Greyback and the squat brother and sister followed, the latter both panting excitedly. As they vanished through the door, the brutal-faced Death Eater reached Hermione and took a hold of her wounded forearm, yanking her up—

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The Death Eater buckled as though hit in the back with something solid and fell to the ground, rigid as a waxwork, but he had barely hit the floor when Harry was clambering over to Hermione and kneeling beside her.

"Mia?" he asked, looking at her red-stained jeans and t-shirt in panic.

"I'm fine, Prongslet," Hermione said with a small forced smile, "Just help me up."

Harry nodded, throwing her noninjured arm around his shoulders and pulling her up, as he headed to the staircase, trying to walk quickly without hurting Hermione.

They hurried through the last ten steps of the spiral staircase and stopped where they landed, Harry raising his wand. The dimly lit corridor was full of dust; half the ceiling seemed to have fallen in, and a battle was raging before them, but even as they attempted to make out who was fighting whom, they heard the hated voice shout, "It's over, time to go!" and saw Snape disappearing around the corner at the far end of the corridor; he and Malfoy seemed to have forced their way through the fight unscathed.

Harry cast a nervous glance towards Hermione and she just rolled her eyes, getting out of his grasp and leaning against a wall, telling him he could go and she would be fine. But the moment Harry took a place forward, Fenrir Greyback unlatched himself from the person he was fighting and lunged himself at Hermione—

"Petrificus Totalus!" Harry said hurriedly and the werewolf fell on the floor a couple of feet away from Hermione whose eyes were wide.

"Thanks, Prongsie," Hermione said meekly throwing him a smile, Harry nodded, ducking in time for a jet green light to pass through him before taking off.

As soon as she saw him disappear through the battle Hermione reached down for Greyback's wand, gingerly wrapping her fingers around it before moving away from him, stepping away from the wall, and ignoring the pain on her hip and left arm.

Ducking as a spell was thrown her way, Hermione cast a stunner to a short Death Eater a few feet away who was cornering Luna. The latter send her a smile before her eyes widened as she saw Hermione's figure.

"Hermione, you must go to the hospital wing!" Luna said urgently, running over to Hermione and taking the scarf from around her neck, immediately wrapping it around Hermione's arm, putting pressure on it.

"That can wait, Luna," Hermione huffed gesturing to their surroundings.

"Alright, then," Luna nodded.

The two of them set off together, though soon enough they had split up and Hermione was now in a face-off with someone she didn't recognize. Luckily for her, the man or woman, or whoever it was under the dar robes and mask didn't seem so skilled in dueling and even injured and with someone else's wand, Hermione had the upper hand. And suddenly a jinx hints at her opponent, causing him to be blasted against the wall and Hermione turned to see George making her way to her.

"Blimey, Mia," he said as he took in her bloodied appearance.

"Hi, Georgie," Hermione smiled genuinely, which was a bit creepy contrasting her morbid appearance.

"Hi, Georgie?" he echoed in amusement. "Come on, we have to get you to the hospital wing."

"What? No," Hermione frowned. "George, we have to stay here and fight."

"Sirius and Fred would be cross if they found out I found you and didn't do anything," George said looking nervously around, prepared for any incoming attack. "Besides, I think they're leaving. Whatever it was they were doing here is accomplished."

"I will be cross if you make me leave," Hermione snapped back. "I'm not dying, Georgie."

"Tell that to your appearance," George muttered. "You can tear out my spine if you want to, but you're not getting back out there in that state, Mia."

Hermione stared him down, but George didn't waver, and at last, she sighed, "Fine. But I can walk on my own."

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