Part 1
It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. –Albus Dumbledore
Ron Weasley glared at the largest stack of parchment on his desk. No matter how hard he worked the stack never seemed to grow any smaller. He half-wondered if someone had hexed it as some kind of prank. But this would be too subtle for Seamus, he decided. He took the topmost one, reviewed it, signed it, put it in another pile, and went on with the next sheet.
He had never imagined that being an Auror would require so much paperwork. Sure he still went on missions and captured dark wizards. He still loved that part of his work. Yet there was always a stack of forms waiting for him whenever he returned.
He didn't know how long he had been working when Seamus suddenly threw open his office door. He happily forgot his paperwork as he faced his second-in-command. Ron felt the first inklings of dread and, if he was honest, fear as the other man seemed to struggle for what to say. "Seamus?"
"Malfoy's escaped."
"What!"
"Draco Malfoy has escaped from Azkaban."
Several emotions washed through Ron as he tried to digest the news. "When?"
"We don't know. His mother was found in his cell. Apparently she had finally run out of polyjuice potion. He could have been gone for months."
"Just like Barty Crouch," Ron muttered.
Seamus nodded. "We've already sent Aurors to guard Malfoy's likely targets. Tonks is at the Burrow until Harry arrives."
Something in Seamus' eyes made Ron's stomach tightened in worry. "But?"
"No one can find Hermione Granger."
Ron rose to his feet, grabbing his cloak. Seamus followed him down the hall, running to keep up with Ron's longer stride. He quickly told the red-haired man that Hermione had already left her office for the day but she hadn't gone home. No one knew where she was.
The date suddenly hit Ron. "I have an idea of where she'll be, but keep men posted at her house. That bastard's not going to get her, understand?"
"Yes, sir."
As soon as he was outside of the wards, Ron disappeared with a resounding pop.
It was a shame that he wouldn't have time to fully execute his carefully drawn-out plan. Draco had been working on it for months, ever since his dear mother proposed taking his place in prison. He knew that revenge could advertise his escape but he couldn't let Potter and his friends escape without punishment.
But the news of the discovery of his mother had changed everything. Once again she failed. Like she had failed the Dark Lord. Like she had failed his father.
The Aurors would be searching for him in force. He would need to leave Britain quickly if he wished to continue to enjoy freedom. However, he couldn't leave without telling one person goodbye. He needed to leave his mark, so to speak, before his exile.
He waited behind the trees. He knew this spot well, almost as well as his intended prey. For some it was a place of grief and sadness. For Draco, it was the reminder of his greatest triumph.
A thrill ran through him as the person finally appeared.
Hermione placed the flowers on each of the graves. Her mother had always loved lilies and she had been fortunate to find some at a Muggle florist. She didn't think her father would mind what flowers she brought.
She hastily wiped her eyes. After all these years, all it took was this day and this place for her to breakdown. But she supposed one never did over the death of parents.
She didn't know how long she stood there staring at the cold, snow-covered stone. At times, it was still hard to believe. "I love you and miss you both so much," she said quietly.
"How touching," a voice sneered.
Hermione whirled around. She was reaching for her wand as she came face to face with one. It took her a moment to look to the person holding it.
Draco Malfoy.
"I've been waiting a long time for this, Mudblood."
A tear spilled down her cheek. She would never get to see Harry's and Ginny's baby. She would never spend another Christmas at the Burrow. She would never get to tell Ron all that she felt for him.
"No final words?" Draco asked.
"Would it make any difference?"
"No," he admitted, "but it would have been fun to have you beg."
She thought she heard a pop. She quickly dismissed it as false hope. She had escaped death too many times by now. Her time was up.
"Hermione!"
She turned in spite of herself. "Ron?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Draco's wand move as he made an incantation. Suddenly dark magic hit her. She screamed as it burned and spread from her chest to the rest of her body. Finally, the darkness took her.