The Locket

01. Desperate Measures

It was in the middle of war. Around the perimeter of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, dark-clothed figures continued to invade. Aurors, teachers, and students alike had also come out of the castle, increasingly multiplying from the Floo traffic. Spells and curses alike flew in different directions. An outsider from afar would have said it was beautiful, with a rainbow of colours dancing and billowing smoke of red rising to the heavens. What one didn't hear were the cries of the fallen and wounded.

The mass on the battlefield lessened by the minute, as did the structure of their beloved Alma Mater. Bellatrix Lestrange thought it would be smart to aim at the concrete structure above, causing large masses of debris to fall over its oblivious victims, those of which were from both sides of the battle. She was thrilled for the opportunity to cause havoc.

The Light and Dark were in continuous movement, not missing a beat. One misstep may result in death, but the DA was good training. Training that the Defence Against the Dark Arts didn't provide throughout the years of some incompetent professors. The pioneering members of Dumbledore's Army continued the classes even though the Trio wasn't around; making sure that each and every willing student had a good chance.

The remaining older students inside Hogwarts made it their job to bring in the wounded to be cared for, some of them not so lucky to return. The rumble of the earth was felt most by the younger students who were safely guarded in the dungeons. Students of different houses held on to each other for dear life. It was only at this drastic time when unity between the houses was finally fulfilled.

Hermione Jean Granger was in the Entrance Hall, defending herself from three Death Eaters. Her worry for Harry was eating her alive, because knowing him, he was already on his way to meet Voldemort himself. She pushed it to back of her mind for a moment. She would be of no help to her best friend if she were dead. When they arrived at the Viaduct Courtyard, she, Ron and Harry were back to back in a defensive position, but as the battle went on, they were pushed to opposites sides of the field.

A flurry of nasty hexes and fatal strikes came her way but she was able to dodge them at every turn. Shield charms was all she was able to cast for the past several minutes until she found a large piece of debris that probably fell from the ceiling. A series of stunning spells were casted from her wand hitting many opponents from afar, but none were able to hit the three before her. They ganged up around her, blocking her possible movements.

Their positions revolved as she kept a special shield charm up, one that could withstand for seven minutes as a bubble-like force field around her. For a brief moment, she risked a Reducto spell at the opponent on her left, a chunk of his flesh blasted off beyond him. That was when Hermione realized who the masked muncher was. The reflection of another's spell revealed a lifeless Marcus Flint, before he toppled over in his pool of deep red. She couldn't help but stare and lose her focus. It was the most gruesome she had ever inflicted.

The other two took advantage of her weakness, but just as a killing curse was casted towards her, a deep voice behind her shouted "Sectumsepra!" Her two remaining opponents dropped down, writhing in pain. Hermione whipped her head towards her saviour.

"Professor Snape," the confusion set on her face. Her former potions professor, now current Headmaster, stood on a limp, his robes dishevelled. His cool and emotionless expression hid the obvious pain he must of felt. The mentioned looked upon the young woman and knew it was time.

"Ms. Granger, there is no more time to lose. If you want to save Potter and what remains of this war, you must come with me." Hermione followed him despite the doubt that crept up in her gut. She wanted to believe that Professor Snape was trustworthy. He was a double agent for the Order, and was trusted by Professor Dumbledore himself but was also the sole reason for his passing. Yet, she would also do anything she can to help. Their options were running low and they were in need of desperate measures.