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Shattered	By : Adriana Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 11986 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
Shattered

By Adriana

trixielou60@hotmail.com

Author's Note: The F Bat Battle is upon us. It�s going to be the longest chapter, by far. Give yourself a little time; I hope it's worth it.

The usual disclaimers apply.

************************************

Dread nor hope attend

A dying animal;

A man awaits his end

Dreading and hoping all;

Many times he died,

Many times rose again.

A great man in his pride

Confronting murderous men

Casts derision upon

Supersession of breath;

He knows death to the bone

Man has created death.

~From the poem, "Death" by W.B. Yeats

*****************************

Chapter 23: Death

Albus Dumbledore regarded the Potions Master with a look of circumspection.

They were gathered around a table in the Headmaster's office, peering into a quartz crystal ball that held the image of Lord Voldemort, working away in a potions laboratory.

The Traceless Tracking Charm was working perfectly.

From what they could see, Voldemort was busy working on the last steps of making the potion, as outlined in the Sentient Healing Ritual. Severus had been watching the Dark Lord for several days, analyzing the potion ingredients and the steps taken to make it. He wanted to be absolutely sure that Voldemort was preparing it correctly. The last thing they needed was a surprise at this stage of the game.

"Severus, you look as if you haven't slept for a week."

Severus grunted. "I've always had trouble sleeping, Albus. You know that." He turned his attention back to the crystal ball.

It was important that they insure that The Dark Lord wasn't planning anything untoward with the potion, such as using it as a poison to kill Hermione. So far, it appeared that Volde was was following the recipe outline in "Arcanus Sentiens".

Albus peered at Severus from over his crescent-shaped glasses. "According to the book, the Sentient Healing Ritual must be held within a circle of magical henges. We had maps drawn up of all the known sites in Britain and sent Aurors out to scout the areas. Sirius Black says that there has been Death Eater activity around the Isle of Arran, off the West Coast of Scotland, near Machrie Moor. It's one of the most magical places on Earth. There has also been activity around Avebury, near Stonehenge, as well as Arbor Low in Derbyshire. There was some intelligence about activity near Glastonbury, but it wasn't completely reliable. I'd say that the ritual is going to be held in one of those places. I'd put my galleons on Machrie Moor."

Severus nodded. "I've been to Machrie Moor. It's surrounded by tall hills, which will be useful for our forces to hide behind until it's time to Apparate. It's got six stone circles, but the most distinguishable of them consists of three upright red sandstone pillars. Voldemort knows we're coming, so defending the sites is not important to him." He frowned. "I've never been to Avebury. It's actually a Muggle tourist site, from what I understand." The look on his face clearly indicated his feeling about Muggle tourists.

They were to be avoided at all cost.

Albus grinned at his expression. "I believe that Voldemort is going to start the ritual in Avebury. I'm sure he'll be casting a charm to keep the Muggles away. Once we Apparate there with our 'surprise' attack, he'll ambush us. I believe that he will then force us to Apparate to Machrie Moor. It's more secluded, away from prying Muggle eyes. All indications are that he plans on actually conducting the Sentient Healing Ritual there, but we won't be sure until we see the location to where Draco and Hermione Apparate."

Severus let out a harsh laugh. "It doesn't matter where Voldemort chooses to go. Our Aurors will follow him to the ends of the Earth, if need be . . . it's all going to be a game between both sides . . . that is, until the very end."

"Voldemort is in for one hell of a surprise," he added with unmistakable arrogance.

Albus' eyes gleamed. "We're going to send out some of the members of the Order of the Phoenix once Hermione and Draco arrive at the first henge site. Care to guess who is being sent?"

"I'm almost afraid to ask, but alright, I'll bite. Who are you sending?"

"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."

The Potions Master lifted his hands in despair. "You've got to be kidding. Do you think it wise to send those two emotional blighters out by themselves? I know that they have a lot of experience with the Dark Lord, but in my opinion it's only been a matter of luck that has saved them in the past. I don't intend to rely on luck where Hermione's life is concerned."

"Who said anything about them going by themselves?" Albus had an evil light in his eye.

"Oh bugger!"

*****************************

Everything seemed to be moving quickly and slowly at the same time. Hermione knew from her previous encounters with Voldemort that it was like facing an oncoming collision in an automobile. The autos traveled very fast, but the mind perceived everything in slow motion.

The giant stones surrounded them, and the magic coming from them was absolutely palpable. It appeared that the Headmaster had been correct and indeed, they found themselves in the circle at Avebury. While it was usually inundated with tourists, it seemed that Voldemort's servants had already cast an Unplottable Charm, as well as a Distracting Charm around the site, leaving it completely devoid of Muggles. The stillness of the air was spooky.

"Did you ever get the feeling you were being watched?" Draco gave a stage whisper as he regarded the henges surrounding them. A stone altar resided in the middle of the circle. He was about to make another joke when he caught the look on Hermione's face. He quickly closed the gap between them and held her close, whispering in her ear.

"You have to look more excited, Hermione. Voldemort will sense your fear." He made it look like they were groping each other in a passionate embrace.

Once again, they'd Apparated with two Death Eaters to the place where the ritual was to be held. Or at least, to where the beginning of the ritual was to be held. Voldemort had not arrived yet.

Hermione returned his embrace and whispered, "Actually, I'm doing pretty well, all things considered. My stomach is tied up in knots, though." She was dressed in the robes of The Order of Chiron and she had both her wands in her pockets. The wands were an important part of the ritual.

As they were standing closely together, they heard another "pop" and whirled in unison. Voldemort was standing next to the altar, two golden goblets in his hands.

He looked mor more terrible in the sunlight of the late afternoon. His skin was an ashy gray and he hunched weakly against the altar. As he set the goblets on the altar, three more Death Eaters appeared, one bearing a pouch. The other two immediately pointed their wands to the ground behind the altar, and with a surge of magic, a large bonfire appeared.

"Come closer," Voldemort murmured to Hermione and Draco. "I need your assistance in setting up the altar. I don't have to ask if you've completely memorized the Ritual, do I? I understand that Dr. Granger has what the Muggles term, a 'photographic memory'."

"That's correct," said Draco proudly. "My darling is the most brilliant witch of this generation, aren't you, my love?" Hermione grinned at him affectionately.

They all went about setting up the Altar.

The end was very near.

*****************************

"I can't believe this." Ron's voice was an exaggerated, harsh whisper.

"What? What can't you believe?"

"That it's happening . . . it's finally happening." Ron was hunched behind a tree, cautiously peering around it as he calculated his next darting movement. Harry was perched behind another tree, about five metres away.

"Do you think you two can keep your voices down before an army of Death Eaters descends upon us and curses us into oblivion?" Ron and Harry jumped, looking around frantically.

Somehow, Severus had managed to find his way to Ron's tree and was looking at him with undisguised disapproval. The sunlight was beginning fade and it cast shadows on the Potions Master's face, giving him a dark, menacing look. The scowl only enhanced the effect.

"How the fuck you've managed to stay alive all these years is beyond me." Severus' voice was heavy with weary resignation.

"Sorry." Harry didn't sound sorry at all.

They stood in silence, peering at the stone henges in the distance, until they heard a noise behind the tree to Ron's left. Another bright red head popped around the tree. It was Bill Weasley, right on time, a radiant smile on his face. Bill had been recruited as one of the Charm Breakers. He grinned at Ron, but didn't say a word.

All around them there were quiet, audible pops as Aurors and Charm Breakers hid in the forest around the Avebury henge site.

The Aurors who'd been recruited for this job were all Apparation specialists. Like Muggle missiles, they were able to hit their target with pinpoint accuracy. They'd spent months practicing precision group Apparations, which was critical to The Plan. Each Auror had Apparated to a place behind a tree or a large bush, hidden from sight.

In the distance, they could see Hermione and Draco standing within the circle of stones, as well as the two Death Eaters who'd Apparated with them. As they were watching, Voldemort suddenly appeared with three more Death Eaters in tow.

The Charm Breakers began advancing on the site, using the stealth of the trees to hide themselves as they moved ahead. Harry, Ron and Severus stayed put with the other Aurors, awaiting the signal that the wards had been cleared.

Ron regarded the Potions Master before commenting. "I thought you were supposed to stay out of sight, until the very end."

Severus snorted. "And leave you two to handle this by yourselves? I don't think so. I'm staying here until Voldemort takes the Order of the Phoenix to the final ritual site. Only then will I leave thlacelace and join you. I'm keeping an eye on you in the meantime," he whispered harshly.

"Whatever," muttered Ron. It galled him to think that Severus Snape didn't think they were capable of pulling this off without him hovering.

They stood in silence, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves from a slight breeze coming from the south.

After a couple of minutes, Severus heard a faint noise behind him and whirled, wand extended as he regarded the figure in front of him. Bill Weasley gave him a cheeky grin and put his finger to his lips.

"Shhhh . . . the bogeyman might hear you."

Severus rolled his eyes and put down his wand. "Weasleys," he said in disgust.

Bill moved nearer to the Potions Master, his face grave. "You're not going to believe this, Professor, but we've done a preliminary inspection of Voldemort's wards and it seems they can be broken with only a couple of moderately complex Charm Breaking spells. Oh, the wards are sophisticated enough, but still easily broken." His voice betrayed his surprise.

"I don't know why that fact should astonish you, Mr. Weasley. Voldemort is counting on us breaking his wards so that the Order of the Phoenix can make its appearance. The Dark Lord is very arrogant. He apparently doesn't think that this would raise our suspicions. He's depending on us to be so intent on attacking him that we don't notice how easy he's making it."

Bill shrugged. "I'm sure you know more about "The Psychology of Voldemort" than I do, Professor."

Severus glared at him. "I could write a book."

"You must be so proud," Bill thought. Memories of his years as Snape's student had taught him to wisely keep his musings to himself.

Instead, he said, "And now?"

"Now we wait, Mr. Weasley."

**********************************

Voldemort surveyed Hermione and Draco with an insincere look of affection. He took the golden goblets and set them on the table. Hermione could see that they were already filled with the potion needed for the Sentient Healing Ritual. She knew from what she'd read in "Arcanus Sentiens" that her goblet was the one adorned with rubies and diamonds, while Voldemort's goblet was adorned with emeralds and amethyst. The rningning Death Eater opened his pouch and produced several orange candles, a white hydrangea blossom and a vial of snow, taken from the Cairngorms in Scotland. These were laid out in a linear fashion on the altar. The candles were then lit.

Unsurprisingly, Voldemort turned his back on Hermione to talk to Draco while the other Death Eaters were busy setting up the wards. It was the perfect opportunity.

She reached into a pouch around her neck and taking out the Soul Shattering Potion, she poured it into the Dark Lord's goblet.

"This is a part of the game," she said to herself. "He knows I have the potion and he knows I'm pouring it into his goblet. In fact, he's counting on it. But it's not what he thinks," she thought smugly.

Once he was done speaking with Draco, Voldemort walked over to Hermione, and taking her hand, he kissed it reverently.

"You look lovely, my dear. Are you ready?"

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco nodded and took his place behind the altar, next to Voldemort.

Voldemort was clearly anxious to start and he was short with his instructions.

"Your wands, please, Dr. Granger."

Hermione suppressed an inward shudder and handed Voldemort both her wooden wand and her selenite wand. He placed them parallel on the altar, about ten centimetres apart, and then bisected them with his own. Taking the goblets, he placed them in the squares formed by the three wands.

The sun was just starting to set as the Dark Lord began the ritual.

"Night of lit candles, darkness turns to light," he intoned.

"Everything she touches, changes," murmured Draco.

"Feast of waxing flame, fire of heart and hearth, fire on the mind," Voldemort continued.

"Flickering of spark, quickening of air, warming into inspiration, thawing her innocence," said Draco.

Hermione took up the intonation:

"I am the darkness at the source of the well.

I am the place where the waiting seeds swell

I am the cave of the earth's serpent's sleeping.

All things wait in my cairn's keeping."

"I am bereft and lonely," said the Dark Lord. "I am cold. I cry out for the comfort of the dark cairn, for the shielding peace of the dark veil."

Draco addressed Hermione. "Sacred physician and spiritual healer, wise woman and herbalist."

Voldemort pleaded in his prayer: "Wrap me in the cloak you laid on Miach's grave. Soothe my hurts and be a balm to my soul. Guide me when choosing remedies. Be with me in this time of pain and uncertainty."

"So mote it be," said Hermione.

"So mote it be," answered Draco and Voldemort in unison.

Voldemort picked up the two goblets and handed the ruby encrusted one to Hermione. They both put the rim to their lips and began to drink.

Suddenly, in a breadth of powerful magic, the Order of the Phoenix instantly stood before the Dark Lord.

*****************************

Draco couldn't help but hold his breath.

Albus Dumbledore appeared even larger than life and Draco could have sworn that a white light was radiating from his body, giving him the appearance of an avenging Archangel.

Apparently the Headmaster had quite the floor show in store. Draco stuffed the urge to snicker.

Even Harry Potter seemed otherworldly. Draco squinted at him, noticing that his hair seemed to be blowing from the force of an invisible wind. His scar was clearly visible on his forehead and it stood out in sharp splendour.

"Damned show-off," Draco muttered.

Both wizards had their wands extended and they were surrounded by Flitwick, McGonagall, Vector, Lupin, Tonks, Shackleford and Ron Weasley.

Voldemort looked at them with unconcealed glee. The second after Albus and his "army" had descended upon the henge circle there were echoing "pops" of Apparition. Death Eaters appeared behind all of them, dressed in Dementor black. Their gray masks served their purposes by giving them all a dull, lifeless look. As if they were one, they all shouted, "Expelliarmus", and confiscated the wands of all the members of The Order of the Phoenix. The Death Eaters then stood behind them and pointed their wands at each member's head.

They were all disarmed and trapped.

The Dark Lord looked at them scornfully. "If you're waiting for me to shatter, I'm afraid you'll have a very long wait."

"W-w-what happened? Why isn't the potion working? Why are these Death Eaters here?" asked Hermione.

"I didn't drink the potion, you dense woman!" Voldemort spat. He looked at her in loathing and disgust.

"I'm afraid, my dear, that you've all been victim to a horrible treachery, isn't that right, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco smirked. "That's right, Hermione. I'm afraid there has been a change in plans. You see, I really don't love you -- in fact, I hate you." He looked over at the Order of the Phoenix. "I hate all of you," he said arrogantly. He paused to sneer at Hermione. "I can't believe you fell for it. I would never betray my Lord."

Hermione looked as if she'd been punched in the stomach.

"Tut, tut, my darling," said Draco. "You'll probably get over it, if you live long enough."

"You bastard!" she screamed in anguish.

"Shut up, you stupid girl!" Voldemort shouted. "I've got work yet to do!" He pointed his wand at Draco and said quietly, "Finite Incantatum." The Tracking Charm was instantly dispelled. He then dispelled the Tracking Charm on Hermione. The rest of the Death Eaters did the same to each member of the Order of the Phoenix.

As they were murmuring the spell, there was another surprising sound of Apparition and appearing in front of the Order of the Phoenix was Lucius Malfoy. He had a woman with him, her hands bound, and her face covered by a blindfold. Draco felt his heart drop to his feet at the sight. There was no mistaking the bright red hair.

Lucius was holding Ginny Weasley hostage.

Voldemort let out a delighted laugh as he grabbed the wands off the altar. One of his Death Eaters walked forward and seized Hermione by one arm and the Dark Lord clutched Draco by his shoulders.

They all disappeared as if they'd never been there.

******************************

Machrie Moor was an enchanted place, the stones laid out on a flat plane surrounded by rocky hills. Once again, Albus had been correct in his assessment that this was the actual site where the ritual was going to take place. Draco took small comfort from this.

He had to protect Ginny. She couldn't get caught in the crossfire. By the look on Potter's face, The-Boy-Who-Lived felt the same way. As if reading Draco's soul, the Headmaster gave him a warning look.

Draco surveyed his surroundings quickly, noting that everyone had appeared almost simultaneously, arranged in exactly the same place and order which they'd been at Avebury. The new altar held all the ritual objects, including a new set of goblets.

Voldemort broke the silence as he picked up a goblet and walked towards Hermione.

"We are all gathered together," he began pompously, " To unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony." He raised the goblet to her and laughed at the stunned looks on everyone's faces. "Only temporarily, you understand, just until I'm healed." He walked over to Ginny and took off her blindfold. He ran a scaly hand down her face, as she shuddered. "When the time comes, my dear, I'll reveal myself to you in my former splendour and claim you."

He whirled suddenly to gaze at Draco, as if gauging his reaction. Draco stayed perfectly impassive, but he felt uneasy. What was that all about?

With ail gil grin, the Dark Lord went back to the altar and laid out the wands in their proper positions. It was apparent that Voldemort planned on undergoing the ritual once again, only this time, he intended to complete it.

If that happened, they were all dead.

In that instant, Severus Snape appeared suddenly, all dark threat and steely intimidation. His face was set in a severe sneer, but he couldn't help giving Voldemort a sarcastic, triumphant smile. He had his wand squarely pointed at the Dark Lord.

"Move away from Dr. Granger, Tom," he thundered.

Voldemort just chuckled. "Well, I can't say this is a surprise." He turned to Draco and added, "Although I had to hear about it from someone else. Did you know about this, my boy?"

Draco shrugged helplessly. "I'm sorry, my Lord. It seems that the Order of the Phoenix didn't trust me as much as I'd thought."

"It doesn't matter," said Voldemort. He pointed his wand at Hermione. "Come any closer, Severus, and she dies, Sentient Healing Ritual, or no Sentient Healing Ritual. And then I'll unleash my Death Eaters." He added in a dark whisper, "I know what she means to you."

Severus stood very still.

Voldemort pointed to a group of Death Eaters who'd Apparated behind the main group, and nodding his head towards Severus, he dispatched one of them to the Potions Master. The Death Eater confiscated his wand and then the Dark Lord commanded him to cast a Binding Charm on the former spy.

Voldemort looked infinitely pleased with himself as he contemplated Snape.

"You'll recall that I know all about your capacity for wandless magic. If you make any untoward move, I'll order my Death Eaters to kill you all on the spot. They have orders to kill in the event any of you try to escape."

He pointed at Severus.

"Behold, Traitor," he shouted dramatically. "You are to bear witness to my glorious victory!"

Hermione chose that moment to snort. "You're crazy if you think I'm going to undergo the ritual with you now."

Voldemort snarled. "Obviously, you need a little motivation, Dr. Granger. I had so hoped that Severus could observe me in my former glory, but it looks like that is not meant to be."

Before anybody could move . . . before they could even utter a sound, Voldemort cast The Killing Curse on Severus Snape. They could all see the green light as it surrounded the Potions Master like a bolt of lightening. He fell to the ground in a crumpled mass.

Hermione let out a piercing scream that seemed to penetrate everyone's soul. It was one of the most horrible sounds Draco had ever heard, as if she were in her own death spasm. He felt a grief so heavy, he thought he was going to pass out. But it wasn't enough to break his concentration as he'd put a new plan into action. As everyone's attention had been on Severus, he'd used the distraction to make a furtive movement at the altar.

Nobody noticed.

Draco inwardly cursed his uncle. It had long since been decided that Severus was going to appear as a "distraction" to Voldemort. They hadn't counted on the Dark Lord turning on him in such a vicious manner.

It was stupid not to have anticipated it, in retrospect.

Draco thought about what he'd just done. "This has to work," he thought to himself. "I think I have Voldemort's number on this one."

Albus looked over at Severus frantically and noticed that he was breathing shallowly. "He's still alive!" he shouted in triumph. Before he could make further comment, Voldemort let out a cruel laugh.

"Of course he's still alive. In my weakened state, I cannot cast a fully potent Killing Curse. But he's only got about ten minutes to live, by my calculations. That's just enough time for Dr. Granger to undergo the Sentient Healing Ritual with me. With my powers amplified, I can save him."

"Why would you do that, if everybody is just going to die anyway?" Hermione's voice was a whisper.

"You're just going to have to take my word on it," said Voldemort, snickering. "Personally, I want Severus to live so that he can see my triumph. Victory is sweet, after all. Come now, Dr. Granger, we're wasting time. If you don't do it, I'm ordering my Death Eaters to kill everyone now, ritual or no ritual."

Hermione looked at Draco and there was something in his face . . . something which gave her hope as he nodded imperceptibly at her. She could almost hear his voice in her head telling her that it was their only chance.

Draco had successfully carried out the plan. She could sense it.

Everything seemed to be happening as if in a dream. Draco and Hermione quickly murmured the words of the Sentient Healing Ritual, as Voldemort responded in kind. The ritual itself only took about three minutes and Hermione could feel Severus' life ebbing away with each passing moment.

Voldemort picked up the goblets from the altar and whirling on Draco, he let out another horrible laugh.

"You think you're so clever, don't you, my boy?" He sneered. "I know all about your complicity with the Order of the Phoenix. I know that your plan all along was to betray me and that in fact, you want Ginny Weasley for yourself."

"How . . ." began Draco in horror.

"Your father told me. He's been following Ginny Weasley around for the past two weeks. Did you know that your father is an Animagus? A Black Falcon, if I recall. This morning he told me of a touching scene between you and Miss Weasley in the rain, outside Hogwarts. He overheard everything, including the fact that Severus Snape is still alive. You were very careless, you stupid boy."

Draco visibly cringed. Oh gods! This could be trouble! But then again, it might work to theivantvantage. Draco barely had time to think before the Dark Lord waved his hand dramatically.

"Enough of this," shouted Voldemort. "I have one other little trick up my sleeve." He paused in delight.

Hermione felt a roil of nausea. For the first time since this all began, she felt a wave of despair. "We're all going to die," she thought sadly.

Voldemort gave Draco a calculating look. "If you'd been paying attention, Mr. Malfoy, you'd know that it doesn't matter which goblet I drink from. The goblets are purely symbolic, but it's not critical to the healing that I drink from my own cup. If you've betrayed me, I'll know soon enough."

With that, he switched goblets and handed Hermione the one that was meant for him.

Hermione felt a surge of terror and Voldemort took note of the look on her face.

"I take it you don't trust me," said Draco softly. His voice was dull and flat.

"You sound surprised, Mr. Malfoy," answered Voldemort smoothly. "I'll deal with you later . . . I don't think you're going to be with us much longer. Ginny Weasley belongs to me. You were very stupid to think otherwise." He smiled cruelly before turning to Hermione.

"Drink up, my love," he said with a smirk in his voice.

Harry looked on in horror. "No!" he shouted as he surged forward. The Death Eater who was guarding him grabbed him by his robes and pulling him back, punched him hard in the face. Harry staggered, but didn't fall.

"I think I have my answer," said Voldemort harshly. "If you don't drink it, you die here and now. If you do drink it and it has the Soul Shattering Potion in it . . . you die as well. Your only hope lies with Mr. Malfoy. You'd better hope that he didn't carry out your plan."

Hermione looked pleadingly at Draco.

"I didn't do it, Granger," said Draco softly. "I couldn't go through with it. I want to live, and I'm not apologizing for that. I'm taking my chances with the Dark Lord. Please, my Lord," he murmured to Voldemort. "I didn't go through with the plan. That must count for something."

"Out for number one, as always, eh Malfoy?" Hermione spat scornfully.

Draco drew himself up proudly. "It's to be expected, you stupid bitch."

Hermione looked at Draco with a palpable fear, but he only looked back at her with a stony look on his face.

Did he betray them? Would he really do that?

"No," she thought resolutely. "He would not."

As she reached for the goblet, she noticed something that made her heart sing.

Draco winked at her.

It was imperceptible, and only somebody who knew him well would notice it, but the twinkle in his eye was unmistakable.

"The little wanker," she thought with sudden affection. "The beautiful little wanker." She was careful to keep the look of apprehension on her face.

Looking Voldemort in the eye, she raised her goblet to him. He returned the gesture and waited for Hermione to drink first. She emptied the goblet and looked at him.

Nothing happened.

Chuckling, Voldemort said to Draco, "You chose wisely, my boy." Then he drank his potion.

The effect was almost immediate.

A metallic green light, very similar to the Killing Curse, began to swirl around the Dark Lord as he fell to his knees.

"You son of a bitch!" he shouted at Draco, as the light became stronger and began to change shades.

When Voldemort had cast the Killing Curse on Uncle Severus, Draco had poured a vial of the Soul Shattering Potion into Hermione's goblet. Future historians would say that it was all part of Lord Malfoy's legendary ability to think on his feet.

In the end, Draco had read the Dark Lord like an open book. The slimy bastard had been ultimately incapable of trusting anyone. Draco had known, deep in his gut, that Voldemort would never drink the potion that was meant for him.

And now thacisicision was going to cost the Dark Lord his life.

Suddenly, everything moved very, very quickly. Sirius Black, who had been watching the events through the Traceless Tracking Charm that had been cast on Voldemort, dispatched a new set of Aurors. With one loud, unified pop, Machrie Moor was surrounded by Ministry Aurors who cast simultaneous Stupefying hexes on all the Death Eaters.

Voldemort writhed on the ground as the energy swirled in an angry force around his body.

With the Order of the Phoenix completely freed from the Death Eaters, they ped ted their wands at Voldemort and began the incantation they'd been practicing for weeks. Draco and Hermione joined in the spell, amplifying its effects. At the first words of the Soul Shattering Spell, Voldemort cursed loudly.

And then his image began to change as a vortex of green light swirled harder and wider.

The scales began to fade from his body and his features took on a more human form. His hair thickened and darkened, curling around at the ends. Everyone looked on in horrified fascination, but they did not break the incantation of the spell.

"Ginny," he moaned, looking at her with pitiful eyes. "I love you. Please . . . "

As Ginny looked upon the very image of a teenaged Tom Riddle, the spell reached its maximum en as as his soul began to shatter.

It should have been a moment of great joy and triumph.

Instead, as if seeking his last bit of revenge, Voldemort reached out to Ginny as if to draw her into the vortex and take her with him. There was a surge of energy towards her that was sudden and unexpected. Hermione could only make out a blurred figure pushing Ginny out of the way. Instead, Voldemort's shattering energy touched the figure, making it crumple to the ground. It took a horrifying moment for her to realize what had happened.

Ron Weasley had pushed himself in front of his sister, saving her life.

A loud, shrill scream was heard from Voldemort as Albus yelled, "Everybody down!"

In a huge, amplified explosion, Voldemort's soul completely shattered and the only thing left to show that he'd ever existed was a deep, scorched hole in the earth.

Hermione barely looked at it and immediately stumbled tr fer feet towards the downed figure of Severus Snape.

She was vaguely aware that Harry and Ginny were gathered around Ron and she could hear Ginny's sobs. "He's not breathing," yelled Harry.

Hermione turned towards them, instinctively beginning to make her way to the injured Ron Weasley. She stopped short.

Severus.

Severus needed her. He was seconds away from death.

She could hear Harry yelling at Ron to wake up.

Ron needed her.

She fought a wave of nausea and looked up into the face of Albus Dumbledore.

For as long as she lived, Hermione would never forget the look on his face. His eyes were like thunder and his voice was loud and terrible.

"They're both dying, Hermione," he roared. "You must choose!"

Hermione hesitated, which caused the Headmaster to point at her in a gesture of commandment.

"YOU MUST CHOOSE!"

His voice held the force of a thousand armies.

In that moment, Hermione chose.

She crawled towards Severus and rolled him over, breaking the Binding Spell. She brushed the hair out of his face. "I love you," she murmured, as she bent to kiss him with all the love . . . all of the healing in her soul.

Under ordinary circumstances, the Sentient Kiss was a beautiful thing to watch. However, in the midst of war and chaos, it was just another unexpected and amazing occurrence . . . one in a long list of incredible things to have happened that night.

Ginny comprehended that Hermione had chosen to bestow her Sentient Kiss on Severus Snape.

"No," she whimpered. "You can't . . . "

She began running towards Hermione, but Draco intercepted her.

He held on to her tightly. "I'm sorry, Ginny. Hermione has only one Kiss and Severus is her soul mate. She has had to make a terrible choice. Please try to understand. If Severus dies, I don't think she'll have the will to go on. I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry," he whispered as he tightened his arms around her. She sagged against him in her grief.

As Hermione kissed Severus, the colour began to return to his face and a gold light enveloped his body. A sudden image of a phoenix appeared above them and then, as if pulling Death from Severus' body, the phoenix let out a beautiful song and rose to the sky before disappearing.

Draco could see his uncle give a shuddering breath and saw his hand clench in a fist. Hermione looked at him tenderly is eis eyes fluttered open.

"Is it over?" Severus whispered.

"It's over," she whispered back. Tears welled up in her eyes and she looked away from him. "Oh Severus, I'm so sorry. I c-c-can't . . . I j-just can't . . . "

He looked bewildered and started to sit up.

She pushed herself away from him and stood, searching for Harry.

Their eyes met, as Harry rose above the prone figure of Ron Weasley.

"He's dead, Hermione. Ron's dead," he said dully.

Hermione looked as if she were going to vomit.

Oh Ron! What have I done?

"I've killed my best friend," she thought irrationally. She looked into the anguished, grief-stricken eyes of Harry Potter, as their gazes locked. He looked like he wished he were dead, too, and Hermione reeled at the sight of it. For the first time since everything started, he began to sway as if he were losing his strength.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "Oh God . . . what have I done? I'm so sorry, Harry."

Before anybody could comprehend . . . before anybody could say anything, she Disapparated.

Hermione Granger suddenly vanished from Machrie Moor without a trace.

To be continued . . .

**********************************

*Sigh*

I'm sorry about Ron and I'm sorry to leave it here. This was an extremely difficult chapter to write, I actually cried. As we know from these uncertain times, war is hell . . . don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I try to do my best for you. My usual thanks goes out to Elizabeth who helped me figure out some of the "plot snarls". She's invaluable!
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