Hermione sighed heavily shifting on the bed. They had all agreed to take a small nap before getting ready to leave. They were to meet Aberforth at the inn sometime between 8 and 9 before making their way to the school at 10. The potions she had taken were starting to lose their effect but she didn't want to take any more until just about the time they were to leave as she may not have the opportunity to take more once they were at Hogwarts.

Hermione rolled over with a heavy sigh trying to get comfortable. She just couldn't rest knowing what was to come. Her eyes rose up to the field kit and her mind wandered to its owner. She'd never believed she would have ever missed the sour man's presence. The mystery of the unknown was weighing heavily on her heart. Would she have to fight him? Would he survive? What if he called her to him some way with their current slave bond? Would she have to protect him? Would that even be possible?

All those questions and more swirled through her mind making it impossible to rest. She shifted onto her stomach with a small wince and pulled the bag from the night table. The leather was soft and worn down with time. Had he carried he always carried it with him? She pulled it to her chest, rolling onto her side to open it. She could smell him. It was odd, but it brought her comfort. She turned a few of the vials in their catch before she noticed a small pocket at the very end. She hadn't noticed it before but now she was curious. She pressed along the outside before flipping the small snap. Her eyes grew wider when she saw what was inside.

It was the stone they'd made. Or one of them. She hadn't known what had happened to it. Too delirious in her drugged state to have even noticed him giving it to her. She slipped the small stone from inside the pouch and ran her fingers over the meticulous engravings. Was it the real one? Did he have the other one? If so, was he wearing it or had he done something else with it?

Her hand closed over the stone and she pressed it against her lips, he'd made the switch; she could feel the power inside it. That meant that her work was not in vain. That Voldemort didn't have the real set. That if he were to put it on, or even have it on his person, he'd be protected for an hour—and she—had the other. The idea that she was somewhat invulnerable to death made her chest feel a bit lighter. She wasn't invincible no, but she could sustain quite a bit more damage than the average wizard. That in combination with the battlefield kit, she was almost certain she could survive anything but the killing curse.

She slowly pulled the flap on the bag closed and brought it under her chin, holding it like a child with a teddy bear. She held the stone tightly over her heart and pressed the side of her nose into the soft leather. Her eyes closed to the smell of him, and she felt the fear that had been growing inside her starting to come down. She could this, it was just one more day. She'd survived this long. She could enter the snake's den one last time.

oOOo

"Hermione?" Harry kept his voice soft and his stance low, he didn't want to startle her awake like Ron had last time. He shifted on the balls of his feet trying to see her face, but she had the bag tucked up too close for him to see clearly.

"Careful, Harry..." Ron knew he had no room to talk but he didn't want a repeat of last time either. He kept himself a few feet back, after all, she was armed now.

"Hermione?" Harry tried a little louder his index finger lightly tapping the hand in front of him. The light touch of his finger worked. She jumped awake with wide eyes and a sharp breath. He leaned back just a bit so she could see him better, "Hey... It's just Harry... it's alright..."

Hermione took deep breaths through her nose, blinking furiously to bring them both into focus. Her entire body screamed from her jerk and she made a small face reflecting such.

"You alright?" Harry came back to his feet but didn't offer out a hand to help her sit up, still wary that she may not take kindly to the assistance.

"Hurts..." She grimaced again pushing her hair from her face. Her back was starting to grow tight again and the energy she'd gotten from the potions had definitely worn off. She dragged her legs over the side of the bed before holding her head in her hands. "Just...need to take more potions..."

"Are you sure...? I mean...if you can't go...we both understand...Right, Ron?"

"Yes, of course. We can follow your plan...even if you aren't with us. I promise we'll follow it to the letter." Ron spoke quickly but wholeheartedly, he had had to take one of the pain potions in the kitchen when he'd woken from his nap and was able to empathize.

"I'm fine..." Hermione pursed her lips swallowing thickly. She pulled the bag closer and opened the flap. She pulled out three potions holding the slim tubes in her palm.

She took the muscle relaxer first, hoping it would steady her hand. She pressed the latch on the side and took a mouthful. She made a face at the taste before raising the pain reliever next. She ignored the worry on the boys' faces as she took a small drink of the last; meant to give her energy, she took only a small dose worried about the effects on her heart. She didn't know what the potion itself was called but rather trusted the label marked 'energy'.

She felt the swirl of magic flowing through her veins a few moments later. Her head felt light but also much clearer. She was now hyper-aware, a state she was only ever naturally in when they'd been sneaking out or doing every other manner of dangerous things. It was like an artificial adrenaline high without the side-effects of impaired judgment.

When she opened her eyes again she looked straight into Harry's own, the power that had always laid inside her shining in the deep chocolate of her eyes. "Let's end this..."

Harry nodded stiffly but came to his feet, he waited for her to sort out the bag and put it around her shoulder. He offered out a hand to help her to her feet but she ignored it coming up on her own power.

"What time is it?"

"A little after 8, the plan is to go to the Hogsmead and get to the Hog's Head using the invisibility cloak. "After that, we wait for them to contact us about the way in."

Hermione nodded her head, that was what the agreed over lunch. They each took the moment to silently reflect on what they were about to do; though only Hermione truly believed it was all going to come to a head when they stepped foot into the castle. Neither boy could even comprehend the sort of horrors they were about to witness.

oOo

"How many is that now, Severus?"

"Twenty." Snape was watching the looking glass overlooking the wall that showed the Room of Requirement. Ever since dinner had passed and the curfew had been set down; he'd been keeping watch. He too could feel as though something was coming to a head.

The simple fact that Voldemort hadn't summoned him to question him about the skirmish at the Manor did not bode well for any of them. He had seen through the Carrows eyes briefly when they'd passed the other in the hall that they had been contacted. Their purpose was to guard Ravenclaw tower though he had been briefly concerned about retribution from Alecto on the Lovegood girl he now believed it had a much bigger purpose.

"That's nearly everyone from Dumbledore's army." Another portrait spoke up this time causing Snape to glance to the side. Albus had been taking residence in any frame that would have him and was, presently inside the one who had spoken for him.

"They're preparing for war." Snape pursed his lips tightly. They were children. Hopeless dunderheads who couldn't find their arse with both hands. How did any of them stand a chance against an army of highly trained dark wizards and witches? He was sure that Bellatrix could wipe out the lot on her own.

He shifted the mirror to the hospital wing overlooking the girl he'd been keeping an eye on. She was still sleeping, a peaceful look on her features. His inner eye flashed overlaying a very different teen over her frame and he felt his heart tighten. He had done so much to assure she had lived that day, only to drag her through the deepest pits of hell. She had pushed through it all, despite everything she had been through. That moment just before the potion hit would always be in his mind.

The strength to continue fighting for what she believed was right. The bravery masking the terror inside...The complete trust she had looked into his soul with. She believed he would do what was right, despite everything that stood in his way. He didn't believe it was his own doing that had brought the look in her eyes. No, it was all her own. Only one other had ever looked at him that way and she had paid the ultimate price for it.

He sneered and closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He was too old to start having a lapse of conscience. He shook his head and opened his eyes to adjust the mirror back to the Room of Requirement. He had already decided that he was going to hide the Lovegood girl there but even still, he was sure that the idiots inside would cast first and ask questions later if he were to arrive with her now. He had to wait until the time was right.

oOo

The dizzying effect of apparation was much worse with only the meager bread and potions sitting in Hermione's stomach. She had to lean forward to hold herself together. The invisibility cloak slipped off her shoulders when she staggered back a few steps to expel what was left in her stomach. It wasn't much but it was enough to burn her throat.

Her retching was instantly drowned out by the loud screech of a caterwauling charm that echoed out over the deserted streets. Harry and Ron turned in opposite directions leaving the cloak only over Harry in their confusion.

"It came from over there!"

"This way!"

The sound of footsteps fast approaching kicked Harry into action and he quickly grabbed Ron by the arm pushing him between the two buildings they had appeared next to before turning to grab Hermione. They both stumbled into the alcove seconds before the first death eater came around the bend. In the mere moments that followed Harry had put the cloak back over the both of them.

Harry had Hermione pressed back into the wall to keep her on her feet and he was sure he could almost feel her heart beating from her chest into his as she struggled to keep her pants silent. The thundering footsteps passed them and they each took a deep breath.

"Call the dementors! That'll flush them out!"

"Come on, we've got to get to the Hog's head." Harry turned unaware of something crunching under his foot as he turned to take point. Ron however, glanced down and noticed a small glimmer of a broken chain. When Harry stepped off of it to peak out, his heart jumped into his throat.

It was the necklace Ginny had given Hermione for Christmas two years ago, he was sure of it. He'd never seen her wear it as she'd probably kept it tucked under her shirt. It had a small thin gold chain with a little 'H' charm. He had helped her pick it out. It was now a tangled mess ground into the dirt, tarnished with something brown. Was this where she'd been found? He wanted to reach down and take it, but a small hand in his pulled him forward. He tried not to think about the deep brown that had almost covered the entire space, diluted from the rain to mix into the muck.

Harry pulled them down to the next junction, he could already feel the Dementors closing in. The coldness froze his very soul and it became harder for him to move forward. Hermione too seemed caught in their pull. Stuck between them she grabbed hold of Harry's jacket to keep her balance. Ron did his best to keep the cloak over them all as he pushed the two of them forward. They were so close he could see the dim light of the lantern beside the door.

"Harry..."

Hermione's whispered voice in his ear made him turn. He looked back to find the Dementors closing in on their position. Despite how difficult it was for him, he pulled his wand from his pocket and cast, "Expecto Patronum!"

The silver stag shot forth breaking through the growing swarm; not a few seconds later he found himself grabbed firmly by the arm and pulled inside the front door to the Inn, with Hermione and Ron stumbling after him.

"Upstairs, last door on the right. Hurry!"

Harry barely had time for a double take as Ron hulled him and Hermione towards the stairs. The three of them fumbled their way up as quickly as they could. When they got to the top they sprinted down the hallway with Harry having silenced their steps before bursting into the room. As soon as the door opened they could hear raised voices outside of the window.

Hermione took a few deep breaths coming out from beneath the cloak to sit down on an old chair. Her stomach still hurt and the smell of her own breath beneath the cloak wasn't helping. She ran her hands through her hair before lowering her head down to rub at her eyes. Ron and Harry moved towards the window staying beneath the cloak to watch the exchange between who they assumed to be Aberforth and a small troupe of death eaters.

There were some heated words that wafted up to the window and the boys let out a collective sigh as the patrol started canceled the charm and started to move away. The man glanced up towards the window, his piercing blue eyes looking straight into their own as if he knew exactly where they were standing before turning back into the inn.

Ron turned away when he came inside and slipped off the cloak, it was only then that he noticed that Hermione had taken a seat in the far corner and was presently holding her head, "Hermione? You alright?"

"Yes, fine...just wished I would have eaten a little more..." She took a deep breath and pushed her hair back over her shoulders. She'd worn it half down so that she could partially hide the mark on her neck. She didn't want the boys to become distracted every time they looked at it. She gave him a weak smile and rubbed her stomach for a moment before the sound of heavy boots on stairs turned their heads. They each tracked the steps until finally, the door came open.

"Bloody fools, what were you thinking coming here? Have you any idea of how dangerous it is?" Aberforth grumbled coming into the room fully letting the door close heavily behind him.

"Ginny said you'd help us...that you knew were we coming..."

"I didn't get no message, and even if I had, I can't read." Aberforth had indeed been contacted, but it hadn't been by Ginny Weasely. An elf had appeared to him, one he'd never seen before. It had been holding a letter but upon looking at him it hadn't opened it, rather just asked him to be downstairs between 8 and 9 o'clock.

Harry hadn't told Ron or Hermione that they hadn't gotten confirmation from Ginny. He believed they could at the very least get to the Hog's Head safely. He lowered his eyes away from their accusing eyes before his own noticed a mirror with a piece missing.

"It was you..." Harry turned pulling the backpack from around his shoulder digging through the front pocket, "I've been seeing you in here, haven't I? You're the one who sent Dobby." He pulled the mirror piece free and turned it to show him.

"Where have you left him?" Aberforth came over to a chair, though his eyes had lingered on Hermione briefly. She didn't look good to him. Pale with dark circles outlining her eyes. He had also noticed the mark she was trying to hide behind her hair and her lowered head.

"He's...dead..." Harry hadn't been able to share much of anything about Ron and his time apart from Hermione. There had been too many other matters to attend to.

Hermione lowered her head further looking down at the dusty wooden floor. Guilt rose over her features for the loss of such an innocent creature. She forced herself to keep focused on the task at hand. She was sure his death was just one of many that were going to be lost. It wouldn't do her any favors to cerebrate on it now. She just hoped that Harry had given him a proper burial, though in her heart she knew that he had.

"Sorry to hear it. I liked that elf." Aberforth sighed, moving over to the chair Hermione had vacated upon his arrival and sat down heavily.

"Who gave that to you? The mirror?"

"Harry..." Hermione let her voice die out, she didn't really think it was the time for this but the look of pain in Harry's eyes stilled her tongue.

Nonpulsed by Hermione's small interjection Aberforth answered the question absently while he transfigured a table and a couple chairs. "Mundungus Fletcher."

"Dung had no right sending it to you. It belongs to..."

"Sirius. Albus told me. He also told me you'd likely be hacked off if you ever found out that I had it, but ask yourself: where would you be if I didn't?" Another wave of his wand brought warm food from the kitchen below. None of it looked all that great but it was better than the meager stew and bread they had managed for dinner.

"Do you hear from the others much? From the Order?" If Ginny hadn't sent the message she must have contacted someone who could contact the man.

"The Order's finished." He scoffed softly and motioned them to the table though he himself didn't sit, "You-Know-Who's won. Anyone who says otherwise is killing themselves."

"We need to get into Hogwarts, tonight. Dumbledore gave us a job to do." Harry's voice filled with loyalty to the man whom he'd witnessed being murdered. None of them moved to take a seat, each one standing just a bit straighter.

"Did he now? Nice job? Easy?" Aberforth's voice was flippant at best as he poured himself some mead.

"We've been hunting Horcruxes. We think the last one's inside the castle, but we'll need your help in getting in."

"It's not a job my brother's given you. It's a suicide mission. Do yourself a favor, boy, and go home. Live a little longer." His eyes turned to Hermione at the last line. He wasn't so sure she was long for the world either. The amount of dark energy flowing off of her, if left unchecked, would kill her regardless.

"Dumbledore trusted me to see this through." Harry came closer his body tight with his resolve.

"What makes you think you can trust him? What makes you think you can believe anything my brother told you? You can already see what happens to those who dare to stand against this evil." Aberforth threw out his hand in Hermione's direction.

Instinctively, her hand came up to cover the mark on her neck but it was too late. She shook her head slightly opening her mouth to try and refute his statement but he beat her to it.

"Tell me, girl, what will you do when your master calls you? Orders you to kill your friends?"

"He wouldn't...he wouldn't do that..." Her voice was weak but her face was strong. She shook her head holding onto her neck tighter, "He saved me..."

"To what end?" Aberforth shook his head turning his eyes back to Harry. "In all the time you knew Albus, did he ever mention my name? Did he ever mention hers?"

"Why should he-" His eyes turned to the large portrait of a young girl.

"Keep secrets, you tell me?

"I trusted him." Harry puffed out his chest just a bit, but his own mind was starting to turn.

"That's a boy's answer!" Aberforth came around the table standing at his full height. "A boy who goes chasing Horcruxes on the word of a man who wouldn't even tell you where to start. You're lying! Not just to me, it doesn't matter, but to yourself as well. That's what a fool does. You don't strike me as a fool, Harry Potter. So, I'll ask you again, there must be a reason."

"The same reason a good man goes to war." Hermione's words cut through the tension between the two wizards.