Devil Doesn't Bargain

The Unleashing

I'm here, I'm sorry, Greyback showed up and almost took out Remus. He's alright, but it took me longer than expected to eliminate Fenrir. It's crazy in there. Breathe with me, okay?

Hermione obeyed. There was an argument going on all around her, something was missing, or someone. She couldn't tell. She wasn't really hearing much of it anyway. All she could do was stare at the boy on the ground.

His eyes aren't green anymore. Isn't that strange?

Hermione, I need you to listen to me. I think you're going into shock, but I need you to stay with me.

She tugged absentmindedly at a curl that had come loose. Maybe I forgot. Maybe they were always black like that. Should I close his eyelids? He keeps staring at me.

A warm hand wrapped around her waist, and Hermione registered mild surprise. Not enough to spur her into action, but enough for her to look away from the boy for a second.

It's me. I'm here, under the invisibility cloak. Do you hear the conversation around you? They're fighting because the cloak is missing. We only have a short time before he tries to summon it. We need to move.

Hermione reached a hand up to her cheek. For some reason it was wet. I think I'm crying.

I know, love. I know. But there's still one more horcrux, left. I'm so sorry, I know you don't want to do this right now, but I need you.

Hermione inhaled sharply. Horcrux. One more horcrux. Her mind pulled itself out of slow motion and leapt back into the present. Draco?

Yes, he sounded relieved, yes, it's me. Do you know what you have to do?

Now she could feel him pressed against her back, his own heartbeat racing in panic. Yes. Sorry.

I thought I lost you for a second.

No, I'm here. I'm here. She forced herself to look away from Harry's body and tuned into the rising volume around her. The circle of Death Eaters was steadily backing away, and Voldemort was hissing something threatening to the Silver Mask she'd seen approach the throne earlier.

Let's make this quick. I'll take the snake, you take the dark lord. We'll strike together and immediately begin dealing with the aftermath. Do not forget the rules.

The reminder was grounding. This was just another mission, and they had never failed yet. Hermione chanted to herself.

Rule Number One: never assume you are safe.

Check. Nothing about this clearing was safe. They were about to assassinate the most powerful wizard in history in the middle of dozens of his most loyal followers. She was not in danger of downplaying the gravity of this situation. Underestimation led to mistakes. Tonight, there could be no mistakes.

Rule Number Two: always have a backup plan.

They'd planned this out a thousand different ways. The best option was a clean cut, simultaneously taking out the final horcrux and the dark lord. In the best-case scenario, the Death Eaters would be shocked enough for Hermione and Draco to have a head start in the attack. Ideally, they would take out over thirty Death Eaters in combat. They'd faced worse odds.

Plan B was something similar. It planned for Voldemort's quick reactions or an intervention via highly-trained Gold Masks. They were supposed to split up, isolate the snake, and then double up against the dark lord.

Plan C was set up as a call for reinforcements and banked on the detail that Harry would live through a killing curse.

There were plans involving a tactical retreat leading to an ambush, utilizing the trees, taking out the swarm of Death Eaters first, and responding to serious injuries. They'd planned for a direct attack from all forces including the dark lord and pet snake, and they'd planned for attacking under the effects of the cruciatus. Hell, they even had a plan for inclement weather or the appearance of acromantulas.