A/N: My sincerest and deepest apologies to all of you that have returned to this wonderful story after so long and terrible of a wait. Finally, I feel like I am at a place where I actually have the time to devote to finishing this story and beginning a new one that has been brewing for years now. This chapter borrows from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince for the tower scene quite closely because I wanted to stay as true to the dialogue of that powerful scene as much as I could. This chapter struggled in my brain for quite a long while but I am really happy with how it turned out.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or "No Light, No Light" by Florence + The Machine, rights belong to their respective owners. I'm just combining the two.

Chapter 7: No Light, No Light

You are the hole in my head
You are the space in my bed
You are the silence in between what I thought
And what I said

Draco's POV

The full, glowing moon loomed over the Black Lake. I watched as the Merpeople pierced through the Lake's surface before returning to their home in the murky depths. A lone werewolf howled off in the distance within the confines of the Forbidden Forest. You could just barely make out the hoofbeats of the centaurs chasing after an encroacher.

I grabbed ahold of the long chain slung around my neck. Rooting for the pendant buried deep beneath the black fabric of my button-down shirt, I let out a ragged sigh when my fingers latched onto it. A gleaming dragon with its tail intertwined was enclosed within a perfect orb of silver. I flipped it over to find its back unblemished with any writing. Reaching into my pocket, I withdrew my wand and cast the Protean charm. My desired words danced across the metal face and glowed a warm amber before the darkened silver returned. The mate to my dragon would be receiving the message in moments. I stared at it recalling when I had given it to her.

The fire burned low in the hearth. An inviting warmth had spread throughout the room and fought off the chill of the castle. May had brought with it a change in weather but still had not quite shaken the lingering cold of winter. Her russet curls were spread across my bare chest as she lay beside me and slowly traced her fingers over the still fresh scars. Her face divulged the anger and irritation she still held towards Potter.

"You're still furious with him?" I questioned, resting my chin gently atop her head.

She didn't move to look at me. Instead, she continued to focus on the puckered flesh beneath her fingertips. "Yes," she answered quietly.

"Beating him in a duel is not punishment enough," she continued. "There is no excuse for what he did."

An edge of cynicism glimpsed through in her voice. A resentment and hatred I didn't want for her to have because of me. I rubbed her shoulders reassuringly.

"I hate Potter and Weasel more than anything, but they are your friends. Forgive them. They will have no chance of stopping the Dark Lord without you. That is reason alone for you to allow them back into your presence," I smoothly suggested.

She turned in my embrace to meet my eyes. "Are you of all people really suggesting I end this quarrel and start speaking to them again?" Her eyebrows narrowed and boldly challenged me to defy her.

I smirked. I had already become so accustomed to her minor temper tantrums. Half of the attraction was the power struggle that existed between us.

"Yes, I am, and you know I am always right, love," I teased.

She swatted lightly at my shoulder, not finding the full humor in my jest. "That's what I let you believe. It's good for your damaged ego. Pansy may have vilified Harry to the females of Slytherin, but all the boys of Hogwarts are more tempted to consider you quite…inadequate," she intimated.

"Yeah, I'm inadequate," I huffed. "All of the females of Hogwarts might beg to differ,"

She moved to get out of the bed and put on a show of annoyance at my retort.

"Where are you going?" I asked, annoyed by her absence in our bed.

Glancing back over her shoulder at me, she affected an air of disgust. "Away from the Slytherin tart. I wouldn't want to catch anything from you." Her eyes danced in the low light of the room and dared me to respond. She would never understand how bloody gorgeous she was.

I withdrew my legs from the sheets and climbed slowly out of bed. My dragon medallion fell against my naked chest and glinted in the low light. Stalking leisurely towards her, I appreciated the nervous tension that rolled out from her under my unabated gaze. Those Gryffindor twits never did value her the way she should be. As I neared her, I reached into the pocket of my trousers to retrieve the black velvet box within. Her breathing hitched as I stopped right in front of her.

"Slytherin tart, that's certainly a first," I regarded, looking upward and contemplating her choice in words.

"The truth always hurts," she answered confidently. Drawing on that damn Gryffindor courage she was so proud of, her breathing resumed.

My eyes met her rich chocolate orbs once more. Mischief played in the slight upturn of her mouth. "And to think I was going to give you a gift tonight, but if I'm a tart, I would reckon that I am a rather demanding tart. Perhaps, you should be giving me something instead for services rendered of course."

She chuckled lightly at my preposterous comment. "Says the boy who has everything." Her eyes darted to the box enclosed in my hand.

"What do you have for me?" she questioned, her eyebrows quirking up slightly. Her curiosity always got the better of her.

"Something to keep you safe," I replied. I held out my open palm to reveal the small velvet box within.

Hermione took it timidly unsure what she would find inside. The box squeaked open slowly. The fire caught the metal's polished surface and glistened before her eyes. Her thumb caressed the pendant and traced the dragon from its head to its twisted tail before following the circle around. Recognition shone on her face as she reached forward for its twin hanging from my neck. Her fingers skimmed my exposed chest and sent an uncontrollable wave of shivers stampeding down my spine.

"It's charmed like those DA coins of yours so that we can exchange messages between us. Even if I'm not there to protect you, I can still ensure you stay out of harm's way," I explained, taking the medal from between her fingers.

I moved around behind her and lifted the necklace over her head. She reached up to lift her mane of hair out of the way so I could fasten it about her neck. When the clasp was seated closed, I trailed my finger the top of her spine, returning the same punishing shivers. Hermione turned back to me, her body closer to mine than before.

"Thank you, Draco," she spoke softly, staring down once again at her pendant as it hovered mere inches away from its twin. She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine timidly.

The memory cleared before my eyes, leaving behind a smile in its place. I carefully tucked the amulet back under my shirt and looked out over the tranquil surroundings of Hogwarts. Hell would be unleashed soon and destroy this sanctuary with cruel ferocity. I leaned on my elbows, looking out over the nocturnal spring landscape.

You are the night time fear
You are the morning when it's clear
When it's over you'll start
You're my head
You're my heart

Draco's POV

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

I turned around to see my godfather, looking as somber as usual before rotating back to the window. "Yes."

"I have faith that you will play your role well tonight," he attempted to persuade me.

"Someone has to believe that," I chuckled darkly.

He rested his hand reassuringly on his shoulders. "You're doing this for the right reasons."

"And she knows the reasons behind your actions. I presume that is the root of your concern," Snape added quickly.

It was the truth. I was consumed with guilt about all of this. Letting the Death Eaters into Hogwarts put her life in grave danger. She would no doubt fight against them, no matter what I had her promise. That girl was about as obedient as her vile beast she had the nerve to call a cat. She'd claw my eyes out just for assuming her complicity. Even knowing that she had already forgiven me for the Death Eater business, I could not help from wondering how would the Wizarding World react to us. While she certainly wasn't a Pureblood, a Malfoy gets what he wants, and I was no exception. My possessiveness was not a quality I had any intention in curbing.

Turning back to my godfather, I replied, "Yes, she is a primary concern."

"You know the rest of the world would never accept us," I theorized.

Snape laughed at my comment, a disturbing sound that I rarely ever heard. "Since when have you ever cared. Draco, you have always been an insubordinate, compulsive sod that does what he wants. I do not expect you shall change because of a war."

Snape patted me on the shoulder and turned back towards the empty corridor. "It is time, Draco. Dumbledore should be returning shortly. You remember the plan?"

"Set off the Dark Mark from the Astronomy Tower. Return to the Room of the Requirement to let the Death Eaters in. Then meet Dumbledore in the Astronomy Tower," I repeated the strategy faithfully.

"Be sure your act with Dumbledore is convincing. Potter needs to believe that you want to change sides. It will give you leverage when this whole disaster is over," he instructed, his eyes reminding me of the seriousness of our situation.

I nodded my head, accepting his opinion, but still I was reluctant to fully accept this scheme. Relying on Potter for proof of my innocence was a desperate gamble at best, and the hidden message in Snape's plan was despairingly clear. My godfather did not see himself coming out of this war alive.

I took one last deep breath and savored the purity of the fresh forest air. Tonight, my actions would set off a chain of events that would leave this place forever scarred and tainted. My only comfort was in the knowledge that I was in a powerful position to ensure that Potter's destiny was fulfilled in her favor.

"Shall we begin?" I asked pointedly.

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day
You can't choose what stays and what fades away

Hermione's POV

The smooth metal of the pendant burned white hot against my skin for the briefest moment before fading away. I didn't have to look at the message to know what it meant. The battle was soon beginning, and the war we had been hoping would never come was now on our doorsteps.

"Harry should be back already," Ron commented gravely as he paced back and forth in front of the floo.

Trying to feign sincerity, I answered his concern, "Perhaps the Horcrux is more challenging to find than Dumbledore anticipated."

Ron didn't buy the optimism. "Come off it, 'Mione. This is Dumbledore we're talking about. He never underestimates anything."

"Oi, everyone come look at this," shouted Seamus from the window.

An emerald green light cascaded harshly against the castle's stone walls and the wild landscape before it. Only one thing created such a hideous and beautiul color. The Dark Mark.

"That's it. We've got to stop him," Ron demanded violently, watching as fellow housemate and DA members rallied with him.

Basking in his newly claimed leadership, Ron began doling out roles to his army. I only half listened too focused and fearful of what events this night still held in store. My fingers grasped ahold of the dragon Draco had given me and flipped it over slowly.

It's time. Please stay safe, love.

A tear threatened to break loose. I clenched my eyes tightly forcing it back. Breathing in deeply, I reclaimed the fearless Gryffindor again. Childish anger began to bubble up inside me, but I could not bite back this emotion like my tears.

How dare he think that I should hide from a fight while he risked his life for a monster. No, I would make sure we both stayed alive whether he liked it or not.

"I'll take care of Malfoy," I interrupted, rising from my seat by the fire.

"No," Ron retorted, his eyes narrowing. His stare told me everything. He didn't fully trust what side I was on, but I was determined. The Death Eaters were bad enough, the last thing Draco needed was an ireful Ron.

"Yes," I demanded back. "I'm the strongest witch here. It makes logical sense to send me after Malfoy if he is going to do any Death Eater sort of business. I'm the most capable of handling it."

"And the answer is still no," he responded forcefully.

His stare hardened in his attempt to make it crystal clear that no matter how much I argued, begged, pleaded, or screamed I was not going to get my way.

"You'll go with Luna and watch after Snape. The slimy git is more dangerous than the ferret ever will be," he ordered.

My heart sunk in resignation. There was no way to sneak away from Luna without her realizing the true reason. Luna was way too perceptive for that.

I watched as Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out the Felix that Harry had entrusted him with just before leaving with Dumbledore. He popped the vial lid open unceremoniously before taking a swig.

"Everyone drink up," he announced, holding the vial out towards the crowd.

And I'd do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say

Hermione's POV

"Come on, Hermione, we should look after Snape. Wouldn't want him surprising Harry," Luna offered sincerely.

I nodded my head in acquiescence and moved towards the portrait hole, leaving the Ravenclaw to trail behind me. Stepping out into Hogwarts's familiar halls didn't feel the same. It was as if I could sense the change in atmosphere from the storm looming ahead of us. I groaned in frustration. I needed to be with the others instead I was enlisted with Snape babysitting duty.

"Something troubling you, Hermione?" Luna asked softly.

I sighed again before answering dejectedly. "No."

She cocked her head to the side slightly reminding me of my aunt's cocker spaniel.

"Your sighs tell a different story. Is it because Ron made you come with me?"

I stopped short realizing too late how my behavior must be making her feel. I responded quickly, attempting to make up for my egregious behaviour.

"Of course not, Luna. I enjoy your company quite—"

She interrupted me before I could finish my apology, "Is it because Ron is trying to get into a fight with Malfoy?"

The words of apology I had been speaking fell from my tongue. I stumbled to find an answer that wouldn't betray the both of us. Had Luna figured us out or were we so transparent that everyone knew? Oh Merlin, if anybody else knew, there were infinite ways the information could be used to hurt us.

"No one else suspects if that's what your brain is puzzling," she remarked, calming some of the agonizing pinpricks of fear in my stomach. "Ron told me he caught Malfoy snogging you in the Astronomy Tower one night. He didn't want to tell Harry, but he needed to tell someone. He was a most frightening shade of purple. Afterwards, I started observing and noticed that neither Draco nor you could stop watching the other. It's rather romantic," she mused, staring off into the distance before returning her gaze to me.

"Luna, you know no one can know about us," I urged as we passed the Room of Requirement.

Luna patted me gently on the shoulder. "I know, Hermione. It's a bit like Romeo and Juliet really."

I turned to argue the point that Romeo and Juliet both died when movement further down the hallway caught my attention. His pale hair shone in the dim green light streaming through the windows. My heart only beat faster as I realized he was safe but more importantly alone.

"Draco," I called softly, hoping Ron wasn't anywhere near.

His voice responded hopefully, "Hermione?"

I didn't care that my fellow housemates might be lurking about. If this was the last time I saw him, I wanted to make sure I remembered it. I ran down the hallway closing the distance between us as quickly as I could. I barreled into open arms that willingly wrapped around me, but his arms were not nearly enough contact for my already aching heart. My hands captured his face pulling him down to my level, capturing his lips with mine. I poured every ounce of my soul into that kiss, every last feeling and emotion so that he remembered at least one reason not to be a martyr.

He broke away first. His silver blue eyes were filled with longing and yet they seemed devoid of one precious emotion. Hope. That optimistic phantom of light that used to ghost his eyes was gone. He knew this might be the last time we would ever see each other.

"I love you," he whispered so quietly I barely heard him.

"I love you." This time he spoke louder leaving no doubt in his words. My heart nearly burst out of my chest.

Before I could stop myself, I was returning the sentiment, "I love you, Draco."

This time he was the one to pull me into the kiss. His hands cradled my face like it was made of the most fragile glass. Someone loudly clear their throat and reminded me that we were not alone.

"Go," he whispered, pulling away from me.

I nodded my head and backed away slowly, saddened by the moment's end. Luna's hand found mine as my mind and body reconnected. Urging gently, Luna began leading me back to our original course. Draco avoided my gaze, his eyes turned towards the Room of Requirement.

"Lovegood," he called out. "Make sure she stays out of trouble tonight."

"I will," Luna replied, a small smile on her face.

Through the crowd, I was crying out
And in your place there were a thousand other faces
I was disappearing in plain sight
Heaven help me, I need to make it right

Draco's POV

I needed to focus. The faster my task was completed, the sooner I could get the Death Eaters and their threat as far away as possible. I straightened my shoulders to regain my composure. Next, my tie was fixed, and my hair was arranged back to its usual form. I fought back a smirk at the beautiful cause of my chaos.

I set my sights on the next phase of the plan. The Dark Mark had been set off now it was time to release the Death Eater horde. I stood before the Room of Requirement, concentrating on that room which contained the desired Vanishing Cabinet. When I opened my eyes again, the familiar door appeared before me. Hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway as I stepped through the door.

"Right on time, Weasley," I muttered acerbically.

I moved through the clutter of long lost objects to the menacing ebony cabinet. It loomed over everything as if the sinister ruler of an abandoned kingdom. I stopped before the doors and reached within my pockets for my wand. With arm outstretched and wand trained on the cabinet. I noticed how much my arm was shaking. I paused and tried to slow my rapidly beating heart. Breathing out a concentrated sigh, I cast the spell, "Harmonia nectere passus."

Almost instantly, the chilling laugh of my deranged aunt filled the room. The despicable Bellatrix Lestrange stepped out of quickly joined by that beast Greyback. A few more Death Eaters emerged behind her.

"My dear, dear Draco, you have succeeded—," she complimented, but a compliment from her should never be taken seriously unless you're the Dark Lord.

"—so far."

Her menacing cackle permeated the room once more and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Bella stepped forward to sling an arm around my shoulders.

"Come now, Draco, you have a wizard to kill," she whispered, her eyes dancing with glee.

You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it's a conversation,
I just can't have tonight
You want a revelation
Some kind of resolution
You want a revelation

Draco's POV

"STUPEFY!"

"REDUCTO!"

"CRUCIO!"

I dodged another spell aimed at me. The hallway had erupted in chaos. Students, professors and Order members alike were battling side by side against the throng of Death Eaters I had allowed in. Anger was boiling up in my veins. I did not have time to battle them. I had more urgent matters to attend to, but Weaselbee's motley band of Gryffindorks had me pinned in more successfully than I would have anticipated.

The Weasel sent another Blasting Curse aimed for my head. A quick Protego on my part deflected it at the wall and sent another eruption of rubble flying toward us. Quickly observing the rest of the scene, I realized that putting him out of contention would free up the path I needed. I was certainly the more logical at fighting, but he seemed beyond confident. As much as I would love to simply annihilate him, I didn't have time to deal with this distraction. I needed to get to the Tower to end this as quickly as possible or else risk her getting hurt.

"LEVICORPUS!" I fired the spell at him, but he managed to dodge out of the way. Just barely though.

"REDUCTO!" He shouted back in return, his face beginning to turn that ugly shade of purple.

Did the bloody git only know one spell? A quick Protego held against his typical shoddy wand work. His failed attempt at besting me only made him angrier and a darker shade of purple.

"What would Hermione think of you now…Death Eater?" He sneered, doing his best to rub salt into my fresh wound.

It had its intended effect, fury fueled my magic. I fired off spells in quick succession aimed directly at that ridiculous R on his jumper. He darted back and forth to avoid mine and the myriad of stray spells flying around him. He seemed to have stupidly forgotten how to use the Protego charm.

"Draco, what are you doing? You have a job to do!"

I heard Snape shout over the continued din of the battle raging on.

Thank you for the reminder. It was not as if I was unaware of the urgency required.

Not to be rendered completely useless, my godfather sent an impressive barrage of spells in the Weasel's general direction which lent me the distraction I needed.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

It hit him squarely in the chest and sent his wand soaring into my outstretched hand. I pitched it in the opposite direction of where I needed and began to sprint towards him. Hurtling into him with as much strength as I could muster, the collision sent him falling to the floor. I stumbled from the impact but quickly recovered.

Time was running out, and the bloody Order had already savaged too much of that precious, fickle thing. I picked up my pace and silently cursed myself for being a little too out of form for this level of exertion.

The noise from the fight rang loudly through the halls as I approached the stairs to the top of the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore and Potter should be arriving any moment. Taking them two at a time, I rushed up the stairs. Reaching the top, I paused just outside the door.

Merlin, help me finish this.

It was now or never, and she was counting on me to see this through.

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day,
You can't choose what stays and what fades away

Draco's POV

"Expelliarmus!"

The wand was sent flying over the edge of the battlement the aged wizard was leaning against. The green of the Mark's light glowed ghoulishly on the wizened professor. His haggard and shaky frame only emphasized the effects of his quest on this evening, and for once, his appearance more closely matched his actual years.

"Good evening, Draco." His calm and steady tone marked a man who was prepared to be at peace finally.

Falling into character, I began my part in this charade. "Who else is here?"

"A question I might ask you. Or are you acting alone?"

I bit back the slight turn of a smile at the edge of my mouth over the irony of his word choice. I shifted my mask of nervousness back into place.

"I've got backup. There are Death Eaters here in your school tonight."

"I succeeded in bringing them in. Right under your very nose and you never even realized!" I continued, feigning my own sense of pride. "They were met by some of your pathetic guards, but they won't be long…I went on ahead because you see, I…I have a job to do."

The wondrous old wizard answered calmly, no doubt subtly encouraging my performance. "You must get on with it, my dear boy, but I fear there might be one small flaw in your plan."

"And what might that be?" I spat back.

"You are no killer, Draco," he answered back matter-of-factly.

"How do you know?" The confidence in my voice faltered. Internally, I was questioning whether his last line was a part of the act or his own commentary on my person.

I tried to recover quickly, remembering the need to protect the rouse for Potter's benefit. "You don't know what I'm capable of—what I've done! I've been working on this all year and tonight…"

A sudden crescendo in the noise below had distracted my attention from the conversation at hand. Based on the increasing volume from the hallways below, the Dark Lord's barbarian horde was growing closer, and my soliloquy was almost at its end.

"I don't think you will kill me, Draco. You see killing is not nearly as easy as the innocent would believe it to be," he reassured me. "So tell me, dear boy, how did you smuggle them in here?"

Its purpose may not have made me proud, but I was proud of the countless hours Hermione and I had spent working on that blasted cabinet. It was truly splendid work of magic we had crafted in fixing it. The dark spot in that creation was its intended purpose to let that lot of murderers into Hogwarts, a place even Death Eater children considered to be a haven.

"I had to mend that broken Vanishing Cabinet that no one's used for years. The one Montague go lost in last year," I explained, maintaining an air of pride.

The noise for the battle below was growing louder than ever. They were almost upon us. Never had my life depended on my acting skills so much as it did this very moment.

"My dear boy, let us have no more pretenses. If you were going to kill me, you would have done so already. Countless minutes have passed and yet here I still stand. Let us discuss your options, Draco," spoke Dumbledore very calmly. It was funny of him to mention options when in truth he knew that this scene we were enacting was my only option.

"I haven't any options! Don't you see?! He is going to kill me and my whole family! I have no other choice! I have to do this!"

My hand began to tremble, and I wished that the words that I had spoken were false and just a part of the show. The very truth in them frightened me to the core. Despite all this planning, I still could not guarantee that the vile Dark Lord would not end up killing me anyway.

"Come over to the right side. I can help you…protect you and your family," he offered.

I paused, the shaking in my hand had increased. I knew what was about to happen. He knew it as well. I could hear the hurried footsteps coming up the stairs as I took a hesitant breath. I stared into the professor's watery blue eyes, and I saw that he was ready. My hand faltered and dropped closer to my body just as the tower door was slammed open.

And I'd do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say

Draco's POV

The pudgy, misshapen face of Amycus Carrow was the first to emerge. He was closely followed by his horrifyingly vile sister, Alecto. They eyed me suspiciously, noticing my wand had fallen and yet my intended target still stood.

"Looky here, Alecto, he has the old man cornered AND wandless. Well done, Draco." Amycus giggled with excitement.

"Ah, good evening, Amycus," greeted Dumbledore, a slight drop in his sincerity. "I see that Alecto has come as well…Wonderful."

Alecto huffed at his pointed comment at her. "Making jokes, are we, old man? Joking isn't going to stop you from dying tonight."

"Come on, Draco. What are you waiting for? Kill the old man," Amycus taunted, growing impatient.

Another figure had emerged from the stairs. From the matted hair and beastly appearance, there was no doubt in mind that it was Fenrir Grayback.

"Do it, boy. Or do you need me to do it for you?" threatened Fenrir, the Dark Mark's light glinting off his fangs. "There are delicious throats waiting for me to rip out."

Dumbledore looked visibly repulsed at the thought. "You still have a taste for human flesh even without a full moon."

"Shocked? Frightened even?" Fenrir leered.

"I must admit it disgusts me a bit."

You and me both. Fenrir was a disgusting beast that even I wondered how the Dark Lord could even stand to tolerate.

"Enough talk! We are running out of time. You have a job to do, Draco," commanded Amycus.

Bloody Hell! Where was Snape? I was never supposed to perform this. I couldn't. My hand was shaking even worse than it had been moment's ago. I couldn't let Dumbledore die at the hands of any of these evil monsters, but I didn't have the strength to do it. This whole plan had been to protect me from committing this very act. Merlin, where was he?

Fenrir chuckled at my faltering. "I'll do it. Can't you see the boy doesn't have the killing instinct in him."

"I said NO!" Amycus shouted angrily at him.

The door to the tower swung open once more, finally revealing someone I desperately wanted to see. Snape. His menacing stare surveyed the scene before his eyes connected with mine. It was the silent assurance I needed that I was saved.

Amycus approached him. "We have a problem. The boy is unable to complete his task." His eyes trailed over to me.

"Severus, please…" begged Dumbledore softly.

I saw the brief flash of pain on Snape's face before he completed my task.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Would you leave me,
If I told you what I've done?
And would you need me,
If I told you what I've become?

Draco's POV

That fateful second ticked by in slow motion. The green burst of light hit the wizard squarely in the chest. The impact of it sent his instantly lifeless body into the air before it fell over the edge. The once great wizard disappeared into the dark night's abyss before my eyes. My breathing became shallow as the weight of what had just happened began to hit me. I stood there motionless, my brain failing to make me act.

"Come on, Draco." Snape grabbed me by the back of my shirt and yanked me forward. "We still have to get to the boundary to Disapparate. You can dwell on this later."

He pulled me towards the stairs, and we began descending through the hell he had just fought through. The volume of Death Eaters present was far more than I had expected. Reinforcements must have been sent after I had headed to the Astronomy Tower. Yaxley was in fine form and causing absolute chaos for the Order and students with them.

I couldn't let this happen. Following the plan be damned. My place was here fighting against these arseholes. The shock was beginning to fade into anger. Forget the bastard and his plans for me. I needed to help save this place from all his hatred and evilness. I couldn't let anyone get hurt because of me. I had let them in, and I needed to make sure they were taken out. I didn't want to risk her life for mine.

Snape felt me pull against his grasp and fight his onward motion. To this point, everyone had been so engaged with defending themselves against Yaxley's mayhem that we had been able to slip straight through most of it without any undue delay. That is until my newly developed conscious that she had created struck with full force.

"Draco, we have to go. Now!" Snape warned.

"I can't just leave. This is all my fault." I argued back.

"You will leave. If you don't, he will think you have traded sides, and your mother will be as good as dead. How many times must I remind you? I made a Vow to protect you, and I intend to see it through whether you like it or not," he demanded.

Just as I was about to argue back, I saw Potter catch sight of us as he descended the stairs. Fenrir was upon him quickly, but he defended himself before the werewolf could attack. Always the savior, he was distracted with helping his friends. I looked back at Snape, knowing he was right. He started moving at brisk pace desperate to be gone before the Order could catch up with him. The Carrows, who had been caught in a duel with McGonagall and the Weaselette, raced to follow after us.

I had at least one thing to be thankful for. Hermione was not amid the fighting.

'cause it's so easy,
To say it to a crowd
But it's so hard, my love,
To say it to you out loud

Draco's POV

As we descended into the Great Hall, we were greeted by the sight of more chaos and disaster. Bellatrix and Rowle were fighting off a handful of students and Order members, and that's when I saw her. Boldly fighting against my crazed aunt.

She was glorious. Absolutely bloody glorious.

And going to be the death of me.

I had told her to stay away from the battle, and instead, I find her engaged in battle with my extremely talented and cruel aunt. Snape understood the sight in front of us and undoubtedly guessed what was running through my head.

"She will be fine."

"How can you say that? Bellatrix will murder her without a second thought," I argued defiantly.

He refused to meet my eyes or let me stop moving. "She will also kill you the instant you try to stop her."

"Which one?" I scoffed.

"My point exactly," threatened Snape. "You must stop with all this delay. The sooner we get out of this place. The far safer everyone will be. Need I remind you that the Order will have sent for backup as well."

Merlin, this was one bloody mess. His explanation was enough to keep me moving. As much as it pained me to admit, my godfather was right. My aunt would kill us both, and there was no telling what would happen to my mother if I was murdered. Snape's Vow would have been broken, and she would neither have Snape nor me to protect her.

I was fighting every fiber in my being that was screaming for me to be by Hermione's side. I had such an innate need to protect her and right now I was failing in that duty, but after all, she was a remarkably talented witch. She provided a challenging fight for Bellatrix. Hermione's spells were swift and accurate, and if it weren't for Bellatrix's superb skills and far too prolific experience, Hermione would have had her disarmed some time before.

"It is done! Time to go!" Snape shouted clearly.

A look of disappointment flashed on Bellatrix's face, but for once in her bloody life, she obeyed. I supposed in her twisted, cracked-up mind, it was better to retreat and able to kill another day than be stuck in a cell waiting.

Snape's call to attention had not only drawn the remaining Death Eaters engaged in the fight, but it caught her attention. I could see her face seeking me out while trying to fight off what Rowle and Bellatrix were still unleashing at her and her allies.

I needed to make eye contact with her for her to see how truly sorry I was. No matter how many times I had apologized to her. It could never be enough. There they were. Those honey brown orbs that even in this hell could still melt away my fears. She could convey everything in her eyes. She knew the plan, and she knew what had to have happened. Her eyes weren't fearful or sad. They were strong. She understood.

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day,
You can't choose what stays and what fades away

Hermione's POV

"Are you sure Professor Flitwick will be okay?" Luna asked anxiously.

We had succeeded in finding Snape and a stunned Flitwick. Snape had instructed us to look after him while he went to help fight. I knew this was a poorly disguised ruse. Snape wanted to keep me out of the fight for Draco's sake. I would be damned if I complied. I couldn't just sit there tucked in a corner of the dungeons while my friends were in danger. Snape and Draco, for that matter, would just have to understand.

I had tried to comply and follow orders, but the noise from what was going on was deafening. Adrenaline was coursing through me in such heady doses that I could not just sit there babysitting a half goblin. I had grabbed Luna and threw every locking and protection spell I knew at the Snape's office door.

"He will be fine. Are you going to be okay to fight?" I asked, giving her the opportunity to back out now.

Luna had one of her dreamy confident smiles. "Yes."

We both nodded our heads in agreement with the other. We had survived the Department of Mysteries. We would survive this as well. We raced up the stairs from the Dungeons as the noise grew louder.

An unknown spell slammed into the wall next to me. I had just enough time to recover before another curse went sailing right towards my head. I caught sight of the curse's owner and had to cling to my courage. I hadn't walked into a battle with just any Death Eater. I had walked into a battle with the Queen of the Death Eaters.

Bellatrix Lestrange.

"REDUCTO!" I screamed at the evil witch. She cackled as she defended against the spell.

"Levicorpus!" Luna shouted back.

The spell rebounded off her protective charm. I cast my own, shielding Luna and me. I caught sight of Remus and Mr. Weasley a few meters away. Bellatrix traded off firing curses at them and us. My shield held as we rushed to their side, gaining the added protection of their defense.

"Looky, the Mudblood has come out to die," she taunted.

"Shut it, you bitch." I fired back with a Stupefy, but it was deflected with more ease than the Blasting curse.

"IMPEDIMENTA!"

Unfortunately, she dodged out of the way once more, but this time I had nearly hit my target. Remus shot me a reassuring look. He shot another wordless spell at her sending her closer to my direction. I returned another Impediment spell that she barely deflected. A coordinated effort was sure to defeat her. I was so enraptured in this fight that I barely made out Snape's voice over the explosions of spells smashing all about us.

"It is done. Time to go!"

I looked in the direction of the voice, just able to make him out through the falling dust. Then, I saw that familiar black suit and pale blonde hair. Snape was all but dragging him towards the door. Thank Merlin, Snape's order had sent Bellatrix retreating.

I should have stayed in the hall and left well enough alone. Merely thankful that I had escaped with my life, but I wanted every last second that I could before he was gone before my eyes. Leaving Remus staring after me confused, I started running after the retreating group, but my short legs left me at a disadvantage.

From far off, I could see that I wasn't the only one pursuing them as Harry fired off a string of spells at Snape's back. Harry was foolishly taunting the professor and earning his wrath. As I neared closer, I darted into the tree line and moved as quietly as I could towards Hagrid's hut. I looked out hoping to catch a final glimpse of Draco, but he was nowhere to be seen. Disheartened, I turned my attention back to what was going on with Harry and Snape.

"SECTUM—"

I watched as Harry was swiftly hit in the chest with a spell and sent flying backward. Snape stalked closer to him and angrily explained that he was in fact the Half Blood Prince. He kicked Harry's wand to the side and left him lying helpless on the ground as he walked away.

And I'd do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say

Hermione's POV

Just as I was about to go to Harry's collapsed body, two arms wrapped around me. With my wand still in my hand, I was prepared to Stun the offender, unwilling to take any chances. That familiar sight of pale blonde hair stopped me in my tracks. I wrapped my arms so tightly around him that I was afraid I might crush him.

"I thought you had already left," I cried, tears were quickly beginning to form in the corners of my eyes.

"I don't have much time. They think I already Disapparated, but I knew this was my last chance." He explained, his voice was shaking.

He cleared his throat and tried to find the words. "Whatever you must do, please stay safe. Don't let this all be in vain. I don't—can't imagine what I'd do if I lost you."

I didn't have time to waste with words and arguing. Firmly planting my hands on either side of his face, I pulled him down to me and poured every ounce of what I felt for him into that kiss. All the previous hatred. All our stupid fights. Every drop of protectiveness and passion. Every tear I ever cried. Every shred of hope I had that we would be together when this was all over. Lastly, all the love I had in my heart.

I was not left wanting. He returned it in equal measure, pulling me as tight to him that for a second I wondered how either of us could breathe. Words just couldn't measure up to what we had to say in such a short amount of time, but I could try.

"I love you." I whispered against his lips.

"I love you, Hermione Granger," he responded.

He rested his forehead against mine, looking me seriously in the eyes. "No matter what happens. I will do whatever is in my power to keep you safe."

I nodded in understanding, but I knew our time was up. "Go."

He kissed me one last time on my forehead before letting me go. He turned and began racing towards the Apparition Point. As soon as he was a distance off, the tears began their descent. The breath in my lungs stopped dead, leaving me gasping for air. I didn't want to admit to myself, but I had to.

He was gone.

You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it's a conversation,
I just can't have tonight
You want a revelation
Some kind of resolution
You want a revelation

You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it's a conversation,
I just can't have tonight
You want a revelation, some kind of resolution
Tell me what you want me to say.

A/N: I really hoped you loved that as much as I enjoyed finally finishing it for you. Please, please be so kind as to grace me with your thoughts and comments.