It was the night of the invasion, and many were gathered in the hospital wing, hovering about Bill as Madame Pomfrey aided to his wounds. The lot of them were waiting, discussing the occurrences of the night. Hermione Granger was among them; still feeling the effects of the Felix Felicus Harry had given to her prior.

The group of people became silent as Ginny led Harry into the crowded wing. She spoke, her voice faltering," He's… he's dead."

Hermione hesitated, "Who?"

Ginny looked cautiously from Harry to Bill, " Dum—Dumbledore."

Suddenly there were collected gasps and a couple screams. Ron silent mouthed the word, "no", as Lupin fell into the chair beside Bill, placing his hands across his face and willing gentle tears to fall from their place.

Hermione also felt tears descend slowly from her face. She did not care to wipe them. The man who had been a pillar to the order for so long, the only man he ever feared. He was dead.

She heard a voice from her right, "How?"

Harry swallowed, "Snape killed him. He said the curse, the Avada Kedavra."

Hermione muttered to herself, " But… Dumbledore trusted Snape."

Hermione suddenly felt the awkward inclination to leave the hospital wing. She

quickly excused herself from her place, gave Ron a peck on the check, and walked out into the deserted halls.

"To the Room of Requirement," a sudden thought spoke to her mind. Hermione did as the potion compelled her. She ambled casually through the castle, her ears beginning to hear the cry of the phoenix. The sixth year walked past the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy thrice. She was barely able to see through the thick fog that surrounded the passageway, the remnants of the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder Draco and his crones had used.

"I need someplace where I can think," she thought, " Somewhere where I can do something beneficial to aid in this war, so all these deaths are not in vain."

She spoke, " I need… something."

Hermione gently pressed her weight against the door. She was stunned when she found the room devoid of everything except one object. In the right corner of the room she found a small chain attached to a medallion, light shone upon it as a beacon. She placed it into the palm of her hand and read the word around the rim, vicis est membrana. Hermione hesitated for a moment, but placed the chain of silver around her neck.

With that she felt an uncomfortable lurch from her stomach as her world turned black. She was blind, and in ever so much pain. Her insides were twisting in the most uncomfortable manner, and her wand arm are felt a shocking jab, as if fire was burning inside her very bone. Her screams were left unanswered, as no soul could hear her in the hidden room. Hermione was on the ground, shivering as her cold limbs felt the tile beneath her. Her pain gradually subsided as her consciousness faded.

Tom Riddle was patrolling the castle's halls as was expected, he was a prefect after all. He had recently frightened a couple of second years Gryffindors as he caught them planning to cast several jinxes upon a Slytherin third year. Their attempt was rather crude, in his opinion.

"Petrificus totalus?" He thought, and then laughed. A banishing charm would have been much more entertaining.

Tom continued on his way up the staircase to the seventh floor.

"Just three more days," he thought to himself, " Three more days an I'll be rid of my bloody muggle father."

He had been planning this murder for months. He was to visit his father's town of birth, in Little Hangleton. There he would find the Riddle Mansion, or so it was called. This would be far too easy, as having turned seventeen in late December the ministry no longer tracked his use of spells. Tom felt a slight smirk come to his lips.

Tom turned as the hall directed him, passing a delicate and detailed man-sized vase.

His eyes slightly widened as he saw a crumpled body in black robes across of the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy. His walk quickly became a run as he sprinted down the hallway.

Tom kneeled down to see the slumped figure in greater detail. She was rather pretty in a way. Her face was small and narrow, her eyes closed peacefully in a deep slumber. Her only detriment was the mass of uncontrollable hair, which lay unkempt about her head. Tom moved his fingers around the girl's neck, feeling her weak pulse as it moved slowly from beat to beat. His hands got slightly tangled with the chain around her neck.

"You'll be okay," Tom muttered, as he lifted the light body into his arms. He walked towards the nearest flights of stairs, lengthening his pace as he continued. Her body was so cold…

Tom eventually reached the hospital wing, where he placed the girl atop one of the beds. He quickly raced to the headmaster's office, where he gave the password and spoke, " Headmaster Dippet, I need you assistance."