AN: I LIVE!

Thank you all for your patience during the unintentional hiatus. I was swamped by life and could not get this chapter to come together, but finally I managed to get it completed.

Warning in the chapter title, but there are still sections filled with the usual humor.

These Dark Days

Seventh Year: Part 1

Hermione browsed the books on the shelves, soaking in the comforting atmosphere. Lily and Lucius were a few stores down at the apothecary picking up potion ingredients, the others at the Haven pruning the gardens, preparing them for fall. Hermione smiled to herself, in all honesty they were probably relaxing in the sun on such a warm day while taskmaster Lucius was running errands, hence why they sent Hermione and Lily with him to drag their heels and invent more ways to keep him occupied. Speaking of which, she had to find her brother to remind him to swing by the pet store for more owl treats- Gemini had specific tastes thanks to a certain co-owner who spoiled him rotten.

She paid for the books in her arm and headed out the door towards the apothecary. She was passing a turn-in for Knockturn when she noticed a broken wand on the ground; she looked down the inlet to see what appeared to be someone being dragged down the end of the narrow pathway. She checked around herself to make sure no one was paying her any mind before slipping down the turn-in. She moved silently but quickly down the narrow alley, pausing before the entrance to a small square in Knockturn. She peered around the corner to see a woman being cursed and beaten in the middle of a group of six or so death eaters, young looking so likely little to no experience in combat. She took a deep breath, sending off her patronus, before moving into the square at a run.

She charged forward, firing off a curse before she'd reached the circle of dark wizards. A mangled body crumbling- result of the bone crushing spell- was the only warning they received before she was amongst them. She ducked, bobbed, and weaved, flinging hexes and curses with precision at the unsuspecting wizards. Three more were down before she made it to stand over the woman huddled in the middle. She planted her feet, facing down the last two when more death eaters began popping in. She debated risking an opening in her defenses to grab the woman and disapparate, when the dark planes of her mindscape lit up with a green light of magic coming her way- soft, mint. She threw a shield up between her and the death eaters, reaching out her other hand to send an amber thread behind her, calling for aid. A ribbon of green rose to meet it, weaving in with the amber to flow back into Hermione. Hermione felt the charge of power through her magical core as a hand slipped into hers sealing the connection. Hermione raised her wand and fired through her shield, blades of wind bursting forth and ramming into the first group of dark wizards, cutting them down.

She felt the tug on her magic and let the green and amber magic flow out through the clasped hand into Lily. The red head took over the shield charm, re-powering. Hermione watched the shield thicken, humming in the air before them as it brimmed with magic. Hermione once again took up the offense- leaving Lily to defend- as she bore down on Voldemort's followers like a vengeful angel, passing their joint magic back and forth between their hands, neither loosening their grip on the other.

Lucius took only a moment to gape at the suddenly strengthened shield charm before turning with Lily to protect the rear. They formed a triangle, Lily defending the group while the Malfoys unleashed every dark spell from their arsenals. Hermione felt her concentration begin to waiver as she tried to keep up with attacking while still channeling the magical connection. She felt herself mentally sag with relief when her cutting hex severed the head of the last dark wizard. She reached down to grab the injured witch and finally disapparate when Riddle suddenly appeared before them.

"Ah! If it isn't the Malfoys. I was wondering when you would crawl out from under your rock. Tired of hiding like the cowards you are?"

"Oh Tom, it's you." Lucius replied steadily, his whitened knuckles the only sign of tension, "I've been so busy flattening your followers in the Wizengot I almost forgot you considered yourself important."

"My my Little Malfoy, so very like your father. The silver tongue that can sway the masses; be careful you don't bite off more than you can chew. Abraxus got too cocky and ended up choking." Riddle smirked, "Turned sentimental in his old age by the little bitch Ravenclaw he kept as a pet. He practically put the wand to his own head, inviting the enemy in with open arms- the fool."

Lucius laughed, "Sometimes you have to take risks upon yourself to advance and level the field. But what do you know of sacrifice plays, He Who Will Live Forever?"

Hermione looked sharply at her brother, on the surface he sounded merely taunting, but she heard the edge in his voice at the mock title. He knew something.

Riddle's voice went hard, "That they're for the weak. A weak mind and weak will, so easily swayed by a beautiful face. Your father was a nobody, and when I'm done with your line that's all anyone will remember the Malfoys as- If they even remember you at all!" He raised his wand firing an unforgivable at the new Lord Malfoy.

Hermione shouted, shoving her brother aside to jump in front of the green light, firing her infamous bone crusher. The spells connected in the air with a thunderous crack, arching outwards to link the wand cores, just as Harry had described. Hermione watched the line of magic turn gold, a bead being pushed towards her. Phantoms of dark wizards began to slowly erupt from her wand- all those she had killed. They circled about her jeering, distracting. Hermione gritted her teeth as Druella appeared, shrieking at the youngest Malfoy every foul name she knew.

With all of her will Hermione focused and began pushing the bead away from her wand tip, forcing it towards the bewildered Dark Lord. His face lit with panic when shadows of his victims began pouring out of his wand, moving towards the teenagers to keep Hermione's dark phantoms at bay.

Riddles' voice sounded hysterical, "What is- How?!"

Hermione began to feel the drain, she wouldn't be able to hold the link much longer. "Get out of here," she hissed to Lily and Lucius, denying Lily's attempt to reconnect their hands to strengthen Hermione's magic. She couldn't afford to let Riddle see even the hint of what they were learning, and with their wands linked she didn't know how much of her magical signature he could read.

Lucius grabbed her shoulder, "Mione-"

"Now! And take her with you, I'll break the connection and be right behind in the confusion."

Malfoy nodded before grabbing the unconscious witch and disapparating, Lily closely following.

Hermione turned her attention to the white faced Riddle, "Scared Tom?"

She ripped her wand away with all of her strength, shattering the connection. The shadows of Voldemort's victims rushed passed her toward Tom, with one final look she disapparated, just catching sight of a smiling Uncle Jasper and Grandmere before they turned as one and charged the Dark Lord.

Hermione landed in the parlour, right on top of an already thrice smashed cake.

"I told you it was too close to the apparition point!" Petunia huffed at Bella, as she bent over the injured woman, checking for a pulse.

Bones looked over her shoulder, peering down, "Is that Professor Havens' wife, Marie?"

Hermione moved over quickly, kneeling down beside Petunia. She brushed the long dark hair out of the woman's face and nodded, "Yes. Amei have your mum contact Hogwarts."

Amei raced for the kitchens.

That night- hours after a frantic Professor Havens and Madam Pomfrey had bustled a still feint Marie back to Hogwarts' infirmary- Hermione sought out her brother, finding him pouring over some notes in the study. She pulled up a seat beside him, plopping down and dropping a book over his notes to garner his attention.

"Alright, talk. What do you know of Riddle's plans to live for ever." She eyed him closely, "Don't give me that look; I've known you for 17 years. You know something important."

He kept his mouth shut, turning back to his notes having shoved her book off. Hermione studied him for a bit before it struck her, "You know about the Horcruxes."

His head jerked up and he turned to stare at her wild eyed. He pointed his wand at the door locking it and silencing it. He then dropped his wand on the desk and grabbed her by the shoulders, "How do you know about those?!" he hissed urgently.

"I asked first." She folded her arms not backing down. Silver and gold eyes met, glaring. Finally Lucius sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"Papa told me, him and Mama figured it out last year."

Hermione sat back in her seat stunned, "They knew?"

Lucius nodded, studying her, "Papa had been trying to figure out for ages what Tom had done to believe he'd harnessed immortality. He was always trying to subtly get it out of Orion or Cygnus. However, last fall Mama came across a book Riddle had given Papa back in school while she was in the family vaults. It felt off to her and she brought it home to show him; Papa realized it was a horcrux when he read the magical signature.

"With Riddle not upset about Papa having it, even though Papa hadn't sworn allegiance, they knew he had to have made more than one." Lucius shuddered to himself, "Papa then began some digging, spending more time with the other dark families, looking over his old journals from school. Long story short, Riddle's hunted down the Founders objects and turned them into horcruxes."

"Is that why Papa allowed the Blacks over for Christmas Eve, trying to figure out more information?"

Lucius shook his head with a sad frown, "Not really. I'm sure some of it was sentimental, them being his closest childhood friends and having spent every Christmas Eve together for his whole life, but the main reason," He looked Hermione in the eye, "Orion had a horcrux, he wore it on his person."

He fished through the desk drawer he kept locked at all times, pulling out a destroyed locket, "He started wearing this to the Wizengot in November. Papa saw it and recognized the signature, but couldn't come up with a way to get it from him. With him and Lord Bones about to push forth their litigation which would show our hand, he realized Christmas Eve would be his last chance to grab it. Mama thought it was too risky, she wanted to find another way to get it, but Papa was insistent and the Bones' agreed it was our best shot. Last chance to catch them on home turf and- so we thought- unprepared."

He dropped Slytherin's locket into Hermione's shocked hands. She held it, turning it in her grasp to check all sides of it- destroyed.

"Mama and Papa had it clasped in between their hands," Lucius voice turned horse, "When I found them in the dining room."

Hermione's mind went numb as she recalled the final moments in the dining room. The reason Orion was able to put up so much magical opposition against her parents. Papa lunging on to Orion seemingly to just knock away a wand. Mama's incredible magical force. It hadn't been all to destroy Orion, it had been to take out the horcrux he carried. The burst of air and earsplitting sound had been the destruction of the locket.

"Lord and Lady Bones were hunting for the the other founders artifacts. Lady Bones is still trying to find the diadem, and I have Gideon and Fabian helping with Hufflepuff's cup." He sat back in his chair sending her a calculating glance, "Now your turn Little Rose."

"I know where the diadem is." Hermioen whispered, her voice emotional from rehashing the past. "It's in Hogwarts. The Grey Lady is Rowena's daughter, Riddle had charmed the location of where it was hidden out of her. That's why he was in Albania when we were children, hunting for it. He then turned it into a horcrux and hid it at the school."

"How did he get it in there? I can't imagine Dumbledore letting him back on the grounds."

"When he applied for the teaching position when you were 10. He went to Hogwarts to interview, remember when he nearly tore apart Papa's study afterwards with his anger over being turned down?"

Lucius stared at her, "You are always full of wonders. Truely a gift."

She smiled mischieviously breaking the atmosphere, "I'm a Lovegood, we just know."

A smirk flitted across his face before vanishing, "Promise me you won't go looking for it yet- these things are evil. We're still researching how to destroy them and I don't want you doing what Mama did."

She looked down at the floor, "I know where it is already."

Lucius stiffened then sighed, "Leave it there, until we have a better method to destroy them. No sacrifice plays for this. I can't- I can't lose you too. Promise me Little Rose."

She was silent.

"Promise me."

"I Promise."

He pulled her into a hug, they leaned against each other in comfort for a few minutes.

"I saw Uncle Jasper and Grandma Lovegood today," she muttered softly into her brother's shoulder, "Their shadows came out of Riddle's wand."

Lucius hummed, trying to process the new information, "Are you alright?"

"They smiled at me- like they were proud of me. Like all of the phantoms of those I had killed did not make me a monster." She started crying, "Like I'm still worth their protection, their love."

Lucius hushed her, slowly rocking her back and forth, "Killing monsters does not make you a monster."

"But I've still killed people. My hands are starting to look just as red as theirs' are. Afraid if I stun them they'll only get back up later to hit me in the back. And I'm teaching others to be just as deadly as me. Our spells don't look any different than theirs."

"But the intent behind them isn't the same. You're fighting to protect, you don't enjoy the kill- They live for it. You're not a monster; I wouldn't love one." he kissed the top of her head, "And I love you very much." He frowned, "If I didn't I would have let that Gryffindor scoundrel abscond with you years ago."

Hermoine let out a watery laugh, Lucius watching her face a light smile tugging on the edge of his lips, "I don't have any hope of him not becoming my brother-in-law, do I?"

Hermione shook her head, a warm smile coming to her face as she recalled Fabian's vibrant blue eyes and wicked grin, "I'm in love with him."

"Damn," he sighed, holding her close.

-#-

-The Magic Time Forgot-

-#-

The defense professor moved down the aisles of his class, handing back their essays on advanced shielding with his usual style of commentary.

"Insightful theory on merging a shield with a notice-me-not charm Ms Evans. I have no doubt Professor Flitwick finds your charm work unparalleled."

"Ms Black, a strong offense is not the best defense. Make sure you either work on your theories or have a constant companion with a quick protego to cover your back. Otherwise I fear you won't survive."

"Good support for your shielding theories against dark creatures Mr Lupin. Make sure to stick close to your friends in a fight, especially Mr Black- he needs as much help as his cousin."

"Ms Malfoy, as usual brilliant and very thorough, but note I asked for an essay NOT a thesis. Keep in mind I have other students' work to grade and can glance through a thesauras if I ever desire to know every synonym for 'protect'. Next time keep it concise and appropriate length or I'll start docking points for being insufferable."

Hermione glanced down blushing as the professor dropped her 'O' essay on her desk with a loud thunk and crooked grin. The professor then turned sharply to the still guffawing Charles.

"Oh Mr. Mortius, if only that was your problem. Ignoring your questionable theories, one would think with all the drivling poetry you had to write for your 'Housewitch Anonymous' class you'd be able to at least compose a proper sentence." He sighed loudly, "How will you ever find a good wizard if you can't even spot a run-on?"

"Oi! My plum tart already caught a beautiful lass in Rave-"

"Mr Mortius, please trust me when I say, no matter how accomplished your culinary skills are, you won't hold the attention of a Ravenclaw lady if you can't spell 'Protego'." He paused to consider, "Unless she considers red marking your work as foreplay, in which case: spot on.

"Now, laughter and questionable Ravenclaws aside, it's time to start our class. Apparently the ministry has decided students need to learn about boggarts, and while I find it in poor taste to make upperclassmen who have more tangible fears face a boggart, I would rather your first time be in a controlled environment instead of in a battle or during your NEWTS. Keep in mind, while I enjoy embarrassing you about your abilities to write, I take no pleasure in seeing the true fears of young men and women. I will ask you all to be discrete with what you see."

After he demonstrated the wand movements and incantation, making everyone practice until he was satisfied, he summoned an old shaking cupboard.

"Alright Ravenclaw whisperer," He motioned Charles forward with a flourish, "You're up."

Charles' mundane mother and baby sister were lying dead on the floor, a death eater cackling above them.

Charles turned white and shaking as students gasped, stepping away. Professor Graftwood pressed forward, putting his hand on Charles' shoulder.

"Remember it is not real, Mr Mortius. You can do this- show us you're more than just an excellent chef."

Charles nodded, set his shoulders and stormed forward, wand waving, "RIDIKULUS!"

The image of his little sister suddenly lunged forward biting the death eater on the ankle, while his mother started kneeing the masked villain in the family jewels. The whole class exploded with laughter.

"Fantastic job Mr Mortius! Next."

A sulking Snape was next cursing Lily as a Mudblood. He quickly was dressed in Badger spirit gear with Hermione's badger hat roaring on his head.

"RIDIKULUS!"

A blood thirsty Druella was being chased by a giant howler.

"RIDIKULUS!"

The moon became a wheel of swiss cheese that a mouse ran off with.

"RIDIKULUS!"

The Bones' all slumped over dead began to do the can-can.

On and on it went, all fears horrifying and gritty- no spiders or mummies-, being chased away to the best of the students abilities while their friends and professor cheered them on.

Hermione nervously stepped forward, watching the boggart shuffle through her greatest fears, not seeming to settle on one in it's confusion. Mama and Papa blaming her for their deaths blinked away in an instant to all those she loved lying brutally murdered at her feet while calling her a monster, before suddenly it found it's mark. A young man with dark messy hair and green eyes was kneeling before her whom she had not seen in 11 years.

Hermione felt the sob wrench from her throat as she fell down in front of him pulling him to her chest, blocking him from curious eyes.

"You lie. You swore an oath to be my blood sister, but you left me- alone to die."

Hermione hushed him as she murmured gently into his hair, "Oh Harry- my Harry. It's not true; your soul and mine are bound. You are not far behind."

"You failed Mione. You failed us all. So many dead, and he still rises again. And me- I was never born. You destroyed my very existence. You made it worse!"

"No Harry! No, I am setting it right. And you will be born into a world where you are safe, a better world then we knew. I know you will exist, any other option is just... ridiculous."

Boggart Harry jerked in her arms, shrinking in size. Mione watched transfixed as slowly it turned into a toddler with bright green eyes. He reached up towards her.

"Auntie."

Hermione picked him up and spun him in the air as he giggled and she threw her head back and laughed- brightly, vibrantly. The tiny boggart trembled in her hands and flashed out of existence.

The room was silent as the students and professor just gaped at the laughing Malfoy heiress with tears streaming down her face, who had killed a boggart.

-#-

-The Magic Time Forgot-

-#-

The girls lied about in various positions in the Room of Requirements completely exhausted, having finished a rigorous session of magic manipulation. Hermione huffed as she tried for the third time to swat a wayward blonde curl out of her face. They were definitely getting better- she could move the magic between all four of them if they were touching or pass it back and forth between one other from cross the room. She was hopeful she would have the technique down by Halloween, then it was just a matter of practice, strategy, and mastering battle spells.

Lily let out a sigh from somewhere to Mione's right, " Have you guys thought about what to wear for the Halloween ball in a few weeks?"

Amei groaned, "Dumbledore just mentioned it this morning. I'll, probably just wear a mask and match to whatever Regs is doing."

Bella snickered, "You guys are so boring. I already have it all mapped out."

Hermione rolled over to face Bella, "When did you have time to do that?"

"History of Magic of course!"

"And here I thought you were taking notes for once!"

Bella snorted at the blonde witch, "You're the only one who takes notes in that class. Even Lily gave up on it by fifth year."

Lily giggled, "It's the most boring class ever. The only reason anyone takes the NEWT level is for the easy 'O'. Well, unless you're a swot like Mione."

Hermione glared and sent a silent pinching hex at the redhead, causing a quick yelp then peals of laughter.

Bella crawled over to Mione, stretching out to use her friend's stomach as a pillow. "Anyway, as I was saying. I have our costumes all mapped out; they're going to be absolutely brilliant."

Amei sat up, curiosity peaked, "What are they?"

Bella gave a mischievous grin, "It's a surprise Bones! I'll take care of getting them put together and ready on my own, but I know you'll love them. Are you girls in?"

Amei shrugged, "Even better than my original plan; I don't have to worry about anything."

"Sure. With all of the tension going on Sev and I decided not to be too obvious about dating, so while we're still going together we don't plan on matching."

"No."

Bella tensed, "What do you mean, no?"

Hermione eyed the messy head of dark curls on her stomach, "I mean no! I spent too many years playing dress-up with you as child to be fooled. I have no desire to be a goblin or a troll simply because you're bored Gideon isn't around."

"One time! I made you dress as a goblin one time!"

"And you still have the picture on your dresser!"

Lily laughed, "But you looked so cute with those huge ears on."

Amei leaned over to eye Bella, "I thought she was impersonating a house elf?"

Bella shushed her quickly, "Wrong photo."

Hermione sat up, sending her childhood friend tumbling to the floor, "I thought I'd burned the last one of those!"

"Mama sent me a copy of the one she had smuggled away for safe keeping with my Christmas present 4th year," Bella muttered, shrinking back from her upset friend, "You really did look adorable. All chubby cheeked and determined to save victimized house elves who spew."

"It's S.P.E.W. and I was 7!" Hermione hissed, ignoring a bewildered Lily who was mouthing the acronym to an equally confused Amei.

Bones gave a low whistled, "I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this. I think I can find my own cos-"

Bella turned on her with a glare, "You already gave your word and a Lady always keeps it. I promise it will be brilliant." She turned and gave a leveled look to Mione.

"Not a chance!"

"But Mione, it won't work without you."

Hermione stared down her nose at Bella, "I trust you with my life. I trust you to stand beside me to face down the most vile of evils and follow me to the gates of Hell itself if necessary. I, obviously, trust you with my very magic!" She leaned down so she was eye to eye with her best friend, "But do not think for an instant that I trust you to raise a finger to safeguard my dignity." She stood up and turned on her heel, gliding out of the Room of Requirements. Lily and Amei slumped against each other laughing hysterically while Bella huffed.

However, as the night of the masquerade ball arrived Hermione found her costume missing. She tore first her wardrobe apart, then everyone elses', and finally moved on to every inch of the room. All she found was a damp pile of ash in the corner of the bathroom- destruction so thorough it could not be fixed with a thousand repairos- a single faux ruby glinting in the pile causing Hermione's hackles to rise in suspicion. When she stepped back into the dormroom she saw a pile of gold and tawny fabric shining on her bed- practically mocking. She picked up the mask lying on top of the costume and hissed- "Bella."

She stalked forward through the crowd of dancers and spectators hunting down her prey. Her blonde curls spilling down her back with gems and fabric from her mask creating a breathtaking mane that caught the eye of everyone in her path. She strode past a red haired raven and a pretty little alder chatting with Sev and Regs as she honed in on the wild black mass of hair and badger mask.

"Angry lioness at 3 o'clock," Amos muttered as an aside to his roommate and Zabini.

"I spent weeks picking out that costume Bels," Hermione growled at her roommate.

"And I spent weeks MAKING these, and frankly you look magnificent!"

"That's not the point!" Hermione snarled as she tossed her head, hair and gems swinging about catching the light, "Besides completely ignoring my wishes what you did was underhanded and... And unbefitting a LADY," She plowed on right over Bella's indignant gasp, "You owe me 100 galleons in restitution for my incinerated costume you scheming little witch!" She paused in her rant, "Why do you get to be the badger anyway?"

"Because I most resemble what our house stands for being the most fervent of Puffs," Bella proclaimed ignoring the snickering from their gathered friends, "Besides Lily is a charming Ravenclaw and between you and me Regs is going to show Amei how much he appreciates her pulling for his colors tonight, if you know what I mean. They're a bit too reticent while in school to get the wind in their sails all on their own... And you always did strike me as a bit Gryffindor-ish. Your father and I lost 20 galleons apiece to Mama over where we ended up sorted. No matter how much I tried to outwardly deny it, I subconsciously thought I was doomed for the lion den."

"Come off it! You were more horrified when we landed in Hufflepuff than you ever would have been had we gone to Gryffindor."

"That's because I was taken completely unprepared, but it turned into one of the most beautiful of disasters! I couldn't imagine being anywhere else," her full toothed smile stretched out just below her badger mask as she gestured around to her fellow puffs spattered throughout their gathered friends, "Or with anyone else. That tattered old sorting cap turned out to be brilliant; we're as loyal as they come!"

Everyone raised their glasses in cheers and Hermione with a roll of her eyes and rye smile conceded, raising her pumpkin juice as well.

-#-

-The Magic Time Forgot-

-#-

"For the last time Charles, no other male is going to join you in 'Household Wizardry' or whatever that bloody class is called-"

"Language Mr. Zabini!" Scolded an irate Professor McGonagell from the bleachers.

"Sorry Professor," Zabini mumbled before turning back to his co-commentator, "So quit badgering us all!"

Charles huffed into the mic, "I'll have you know that we in Hufflepuff won't stand for such a derogatory use of the word 'badger!' " Boos and hissing from the yellow stands emphasizing his point, "It is a noble animal! Furthermore- Oi was that a point?"

Hermione giggled as Ravenclaws cheering turned to muttered exasperation. Those two never quit.

Zabini jerked his head around back towards the pitch, "Great job Charles! We missed it."

There was a soft groan and the mic made a high pitch whine.

Zabini chuckled, "Hufflepuff is still ahead by over 60 pts you prat, it's not that big of a deal."

Silence met his statement causing Hermione to pause in her cheering, where was Charles' witty quib?

Zabini seemed to notice the lack of reply as well, puzzled he turned back to face the seat beside him, "Come now, don't be such a git, you badgers aren't unfoulable despite- Charles? Charles!? CHARLES!"

Amei dropped the quaffle at the shout, Hermione raised her hands to her mouth stifling her shriek. Charles was slumped over his seat, unmoving, as a panicked Zabini tried to shake him awake. Professors McGonagall, Haven, and Dumbledore rushed towards the box.

"PROFESSOR, HE'S NOT BREATHING! PROFESSOR! PROFESSOR! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!"

"All students return to your dormitories." Professor Dumbledore boomed into Zabini's abandoned mic, "The game is over. Move, NOW!"

The students began scrambling out of the bleachers, people falling every which way in the stampede, fearful cries ringing out. Hermione stood firm as the students surged around her, clutching a tearful Lily to her side. Amei, Bella, and Amos landing beside them as they watched the chaos in the commentator box across the field from them unfold.

No one in Hufflepuff slept that night, waiting for news from the hospital wing. They all sat huddled together in the common room, mugs of hot chocolate clasped in trembling hands. Lily and Bones tried to keep the underclassmen calm, but Hermione could see the strain and worry in their eyes as well. Her head shot up as the common room entrance finally opened. Professor McGonangall bustled in, starting a bit as she saw the whole house waiting up. She moved towards the fire, a very grim expression on her face.

"Professor Havens is with Charles' family right now. I -" She cleared her throat and seemed to struggle over what she was trying to say.

"Charles, he..."

"Is he going to be ok?" Hermione pressed gently, unable to bear much more.

McGonagall composed herself, looking Mione in the eye before meeting the looks of the others, "Mr Mortius was hit by the killing curse." She stated softly, her eyes began to glisten as the shock and horror moved about the students, some of the underclassmen whimpering. "It is a great tragedy to not only your house, but this school. I, " She took a calming breath, "I will not rest until I find out who did this. Now, you all will be excused from classes in the morning, but I still expect you to get some rest." She began conjuring giant mattresses around the common room, "I believe you will all do best together for the night. I will be in Professor Havens' study until he returns if you need me."

Hermione moved to the nearest mattress and laid down, tears filling her eyes as the soft thumps of her friends and fellow housemates doing the same sounded about the room. She reached over the two quietly crying first years snuggled next to her to clasp Bella's hand. Gold eyes met black as they nodded in understanding, gently hushing the two young students between them. They'd find who did this, and nothing would save the scum from their vengeance.

The announcement came the next day at the breakfast in the Great Hall. The whole hall was somber, only a faction of the Slytherins seemed unaffected. Hermione glanced their way, lips curling in a snarl, 'Death Eaters.'

The morale in Hufflepuff was dismal and worst of all was Amos, sleeping in the common room, unable to face an empty dorm room. The pretty Ravenclaw Charles had wooed with his infamous plum tart was red eyed and barely attempted to do more than just move her food about her plate. Zabini moved like a shell of himself, not even Sev could shake him out of it. Hermione noticed the three Slytherin boys draw in on themselves; they were plotting something, and Hermione was hesitant to guess at what.

At dinner that night Hermione continued to eye the Syltherin table intermittently, not having to fain listening to a conversation given there were none going on at the moment at Hufflepuff table. Whatever the three boys were discussing caused Zabini to slam his drink down and storm away from the table, his face a stormcloud. Remus shot her a look- it seemed she wasn't the only one noticing their friends odd behavior- and motioned towards the exit. She shook her head, and stood up, a girls touch was probably best.

She hurried after Anthony, making her way towards the dungeon where he'd most likely fled. She was nearing the potions room when she was suddenly yanked into an alcove. She would have swung if she hadn't recognized the cologne.

"Worried for me Malfoy?"

Hermione huffed, turning to face him, "Is that so wrong?"

Zabini slumped against the wall, "Probably not." He sighed then smacked his fist against the wall, "I'm just so frustrated! I know it was one of my housemates! Hell, one of my dormmates. They just don't trust Sev and I to tell us their plans beforehand. I couldn't protect him! And then Sev and Reg come up with this ridiculous plan, and I can't fake kiss up to the guy who did that to one of my best friends! I just can't."

Hermione stared at him puzzled, the wheels in her head turning as she attempted to figure out the boys scheme, "What are Sev and Reg up to."

Zabini looked away quickly, "Never mind, " He muttered quietly, "It's nothing you need to worry about."

Hermione glared at him stubbornly, she couldn't have them running off half cocked. "If you guys-"

"Quiet!" Zabini hissed, pulling her close. Hermione looked up at him indignantly until she heard indistinct chatter getting closer.

"- the looks on their faces. All so sad that the halfblood died! Filth, to think such noble blood would mix with some bitch mundane."

"I should have put him down years ago. Oh well, better late then never. Do you think the Dark Lord will accept me higher into the ranks now?"

"Killing a half breed right under old Dumbledore's nose? Oh he'll give you charge of a whole team of Juniors once we graduate, no doubt!"

Hermione gripped on Zabini's arm tightly, he was starting to breath heavy, his face tight with rage, matching her own. She let Zabini go, heading over to break some necks as the blood pounded in her veins in time with her anger, but he caught her, holding her fast.

Finally the tension left him, and he leaned down to Hermione's level. "Do you trust me?" He whispered softly. Hermione nodded sharply, eyeing him curiously, "Then once I leave, count to 60 then head to the Potions Prep Room. Stay there until I join you." He squeezed her shoulder before moving silently out of the shadows, coming up behind the two Slytherins casting a quick confundus charm.

He smiled warmly, wrapping his arms about their shoulders conspiratorially, "You two are just the Slytherins I was looking for! I saw that bloodtraitor Malfoy heading into the Forbidden Forest, probably to gather some stupid ingredients for her NEWT potions assignment. I think it's time someone goes and roughs up Lucy's precious little angel, if you catch my meaning. We'll never get another opportunity like this one. Why, Voldemort himself would - " The rest cut out as the three Slytherins moved out of range.

Hermione swallowed down the bile and counted softly to herself, then she slowly made her way down the Potions corridor.

It was well past midnight, her dormmates probably frantic by now, when Zabini reappeared. The door to the prep room banged open, startling Mione out of her reverie. Her head snapped towards the entrance to see Anthony limp in, his leg bandaged with his tie, uniform and hair in complete disarray, blood splattered. Hermione hurried over to him, already chanting a healing charm for the busted knee.

"Where have you been; I was worried sick." She growled as she fussed over him, straightening his appearance.

"Why I've been with you all night, working on our potions homework. Haven't I?"

Hermione shot him a look, before her face crumbled and she nodded, "Yes of course. We've finished our essays and even had time to prep for tomorrow's class."

Zabini flashed her a roguish smile, "That's right; I never left your sight! Now, look at the time. You need to head to bed, no amount of studying is going to help you pass me in potions." With a wink he stood up and headed back for the door.

"Anthony," Hermione called gently as she followed him out, "Did you- Is everything-"

"I've taken care of it," Zabini replied firmly before turning away. "Goodnight Malfoy."

"Night Zabini."

-#-

-The Magic Time Forgot-

-#-

"That's it Albus!" Minerva bellowed as she paced Dumbledore's office, "We have to close the school."

"That is preposterous Minnie," Albus huffed, "This is the safest place in the wizarding world. I'm the only one Voldemort fears."

"He might," Minerva snapped, "But his followers sure don't! That's three students, in one month Albus."

"The other two were mauled in the Forbidden Forrest. It's forbidden for a reason Minnie."

"I've never seen such an animal who could flay a person quite like that!"

The Headmaster sighed as he slumped back into his desk chair, "I haven't seen a spell that could do that either. All students were accounted for that night besides. Unless you think Mr Zabini is covering for Ms Malfoy- Potions Prep indeed."

Minerva bristled, "She is an exemplary student and her brother one of Voldemort's greatest thorn in the side. I don't know what you have against her, but she is no Death Eater. If someone was going to cover for her it would have been her dormmates anyway, Hufflepuffs stick together."

"I didn't say she was; more that she is a Malfoy, and Malfoys tend towards revenge. If she thought those two were the ones who killed Mr Mortius, then well... She's never been a white witch."

"If you watched that nest of snakes half as hard as you did Ms Malfoy I'm sure you would have sniffed out all of the murdering afoot long before it happened!"

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to know what side the most powerful witch of this age is on."

"She's not on the dark side!"

"Yet it doesn't seem she's on mine either and vigilante justice is not how Hogwarts operates."

Professor Flitwick stepped up, "That's enough speculation. Regardless, student well-being is in jeopardy. We can't have Death Eaters here in our midst, even junior ones."

Dumbledore rubbed his temples, "Voldemort doesn't mark the ones still at school. And despite the recent casualties this school is still safer than the rest of England. What would you have me do?"

Minerva leaned against a wall, fight draining from her, "I don't know. But remember Albus, the enemy of our enemy tends to be a friend."

-#-

-The Magic Time Forgot-

-#-

The beating on the Hufflepuff common room entrance woke Amos from his sleep on the couch. He reached for his glasses, trying to right them on his face. Unsure of the commotion he sent a patronus to Professor Havens' quarters, with a quick prayer his pregnant wife wouldn't strangle him for disturbing her sleep. He eyed his four year mates still deeply slumbering on a conjured mattress near the fire, smiling fondly at their bullheadedness.

He sidled up to the entrance, bracing himself, wand at the ready before opening the passage. He was flummoxed to see Anthony stagger in blood flowing down the side of his face, trunk barely levitating behind him.

He slumped forward, Amos lunged to catch him. They both fell heavy to the floor, Amos not expecting the complete collapse of Zabini. The noise woke the four girls with a start, Lily, Bella, and Amei muttering mutinously, while Hermione scrambled upright wand at the ready. Her war senses having reawakened in the past few months.

Professor Havens bustled out from behind the portrait blocking the entrance to his quarters, gently moving his curious students aside. "What is going on here? Mr Zabini?"

"I'm no longer welcome within Slytherin," Anthony coughed out, blood at the corner of his mouth, "Can I crash here?"

Professor Havens regarded him sternly, trying to see if there was anything hidden going on. He finally nodded his consent, "Of course, there is plenty of space in Amos' dorm for company. I will talk with Professor Slughorn in the morning. Now let me take a look at you, make sure you don't need to head to the hospital wing." He turned to few the surrounding students, "The rest of you head to bed; there is nothing to see here." He gave them a fond smile, "Your real beds please."

Hermione nodded and trudged after her friends, Lily muttering in worry for her boyfriend, who should have appeared with Zabini. Mione put a comtforting arm around her as Bella herded them all upstairs, hoping all would be explained in the morning.

And in a way, it was.

"And I never want to see your face again you stupid mudblood!" Severus spat, shoving Lily away from him.

"As if the line of Prince would ever mix with blood such as yours," Regulus hissed knocking the books from her hands. The other Slytherins around them jeered, laughing at the fuming Hufflepuff. Reg turned, grabbing Severus to head down the corridor where they ran into Sirius and Potter. James having come to find Lily to run by the patrol rosters as Head Boy and Girl.

Regulus rammed his shoulder into his older brother's as he passed, "Out of my way blood traitor! Before you taste what Zabini did."

James took in the situation fast, eyeing Lily and the tears trekking down her face. He grabbed Severus by the collar and rammed him against the wall, "What did you do Snivellus?!"

"None of your business Potter," Severus snarled, "Just putting the bitch in her place."

Potter roared before bringing his fist violently into the side of the Slytherin's face. He followed Severus to the ground, sitting on his chest and pummeling his face. Regulus lunged to pull him off, but was caught up by Sirius who started grappling with him. The other three Slytherins in the corridor charged forward, tackling the Gryffindors.

This was the scene Hermione and Remus stumbled across, an all out free for all with a sobbing Lily crumpled by the wall. Remus looked torn on where to start, but Mione immediately began wading into the fray, throwing people left and right with her wand until she had everyone separated.

"What the hell is going on!" She yelled, temper at it's end.

"They were bullying Lily," Potter growled, blood trickling from him mouth as his eye already began swelling shut.

She was confused, why would Slytherins bullying Lily cause Sirius and James to turn on members of their own study group. Something was not right here, and she knew exactly who she needed to talk with.

"Remus," Mione barked, "Take Lily to her common room. Sirius and James, get back to Gryffindor now! You can go over patrol times with Lily later, I'll send her up there personally." She pointed to Pucy, MacNair, Parkinson, and Regulus, "Get out of my sight before I report you to McGonagall or castrate you myself. Bullying a girl, you should be ashamed." The four glowered darkly before fleeing, "And you." She grabbed Snape by his shoulder before he could slink away, "Are coming with me."

"Get your hand off me you blood traitor!" Snape hissed.

Stunned, Mione let go for an instant before reaching out again and snagging him by his hair. She waited for the hall to vacate before dragging him backwards into an empty classroom. She locked the door and warded it for privacy before turning to face her sullen friend.

"Talk, before I ensure your bloodline ends here." Hermione snapped, fingering her wand delicately.

Snape eyed her gruffly, "I have no idea what you're on about."

Mione advanced threateningly, "Bull. You know exactly what I'm talking about, Zabini- your best friend- now residing in Hufflepuff; your girlfriend needing to be defended from you by a Gryffindor." She watched him closely, his face was impassive, but his fists were clenched, knuckles whitening. "What you just called me. You're no more enamored with bloodlines than I am; so what's going on?"

He remained quiet while she circled him, "Is this part of what you, Anthony, and Reg had been scheming since Charles died."

He flinched and Hermione leaned in, "Now Severus!"

"Someone has to know what they're going to do before they do it!"

Hermione stared him down, waiting for the rest.

He slumped against a chair defeat in his voice, "Zabini couldn't stomach even faking it, but Reg and I, we can do it. We have to."

Hermione gaped a him, struggling for words, "A spy? You and Regulus are going to spy? On Voldemort?"

"Yes."

She reached forward and smacked him upside the head, "Are you crazy! You could die. If He finds out, you WILL die!" She tried to calm herself, "Zabini knows?"

Severus sighed, "Yes. It was his idea for Regulus and I to thrash him to get 'in' with the Death Eaters in the house. He's the only one who knows, and possibly Sirius. I don't know if Regs has decided to tell him or not." He looked her in the eyes, asking a vow, "You know what it means if this gets out."

Mione nodded, "On my life, not a word," She swallowed thickly, "Not even to Lily."

Severus nodded, undid her wards, and headed for the door.

"Do you have to do this?" She whispered.

Sev paused, his hand on the doorknob, "It's the only way I can save her. I have to save her. Lily has no protection, no name to hide behind. She's just a Mudblood to them, and they'll kill her with no warning unless I know and get to her first. Even if she hates me forever, it will be worth it if she lives."

Hermione watched him leave, tears in her eyes. The shadow of the old Professor Snape she'd known superimposing over this one, Sev, for just a moment. She was vaguely aware of the door swinging shut.

He was good, he had always been good. Everything made sense. It was all for her- every lifetime.

She slumped against the desk and just began to cry - for herself, her friends, her family, all torn to pieces and scattered at the whim of a mad man.

AN: I hope the wait was worth it and you all enjoyed the chapter. As always I love reading your reviews and greatly appreciate them.

If you didn't notice, I went back and rewrote the first chapter. I wasn't happy with it and after reading some of your reviews I found I wasn't the only thinking something was off about it. Still not fully satisfied with it, but I like it much better. Take a look at it if you're curious and let me know what you think.

Just three more chapters to go! Things are going to start moving even faster.