The dark side has just prevailed and the defenders of Hogwarts are faced with a choice: Convert, Fight, or Flee. Hermione Granger, knowing that she must avenge Harry's death, decides to flee. Along her escape route she runs into Draco Malfoy who will prove to be her most unlikely ally.

Silence had fallen over the grounds of Hogwarts.

Ever since Voldemort had called back his Death Eaters, the patrons of the school had been busy collecting the bodies of the fallen and transporting them to the Great Hall. Uncertain of what should be done with the bodies of dead Death Eaters, considering that no one had come to claim them and it did not look as though anyone ever would, Headmistress McGonagall decided it was tacky to simply leave them lying where they fell. It was also tasteless to have them laying next to the fallen defenders of Hogwarts. It was for these reasons that she assigned Professor Flitwick and Professor Wood to levitating the bodies to a nice space of grass near the lake until something else could be done with them.

The castle had sustained substantial damage; Walls and staircases had been blasted to bits and large chunks of rubble littered the corridors. The foyer itself was almost unrecognizable: the glass chandelier had shattered into thousands of glittering shards, and a broken column blocked half of the room from use. The stone giants that Headmistress McGonagall had brought to life knelt motionlessly in front of the entrance like silent protectors, but could be brought back to life at any moment should the need arise.

Hermione made her way through the Great Hall glancing over the lifeless bodies that lined the floor. She was hugging herself, half hoping that she would keep herself from falling apart then and there, and half hoping she would feel some kind of comfort. However, there was no comfort to be found anywhere in the castle at that moment. Voldemort's followers had blasted through Hogwarts' defenses easily, and lining either side of the Great Hall was the proof. So many, Hermione thought.

She paused for a moment at the feet of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. She felt a tug at her heart as she gazed over their lifeless faces. They could have been sleeping... but Hermione knew it was a sick and cruel joke to imagine them sleeping. They were gone, just like all the other fallen soldiers, never to speak or laugh or do anything ever again.

The finality of death overcame Hermione. How was it that one minute someone could be... and then another they could cease to be? Shaking her head and the deep, sorrowful thoughts from her mind, Hermione continued down the hall where she found the weeping Weasley family.

She stifled a gasp as she recognized Fred Weasley lying in the midst of red haired figures. Molly Weasley was on her knees cradling his head in her lap. Ginny's face was buried in her father's chest as she sobbed uncontrollably. Hermione approached cautiously, not wanting to invade their space, but not knowing where else she could go at the moment. She just knew she did not want to be alone, and Harry was no where to be found. She wanted Ron.. she wanted Ginny.. she wanted anybody who could comfort her and give her a sense of normalcy.

Ron sensed Hermione's presence without looking over at her, and draped an arm around her shoulders. His face was tear streaked, eyes swollen and red. Hermione leaned into his chest, grateful for the closeness, but not eager to say anything. She didn't want to upset him any more than he already was. Besides, she didn't mind the silence. A hug was more comforting than words any day.

And where was Harry? Surely he would have found them by now.

Hermione stood there with the Weasley family for a long while, watching as everyone took their turn to say goodbye to their fallen warrior. Hermione couldn't help but wipe her eyes as Charlie doubled over his brother, holding onto the body for dear life. It was difficult to watch a big, strong man such as Charlie break down and cry without any restraints. He sobbed into Fred's unmoving chest for several minutes until all of his energy had dissipated. He then sat back on his heels and stared at his brother's body in silence.

Finally, Hermione could not stand it any longer. She squeezed Ron's hand once before sliding out from under his arm and slipping away from the Weasley scene. She had no idea where she was headed, but she had to leave. Air. She needed air.

Unable to look at any more of the dead, Hermione walked with her gaze fixed on the entrance to the Great Hall. She passed through the foyer and stepped out into the courtyard, squeezing her way between two of the stone giants. The cool air was relieving as it swept over her; She inhaled deeply and took a seat on a large chunk of stone that she imagined had been blasted off one of the towers.

Hermione pulled her beaded bag off from around her neck and flipped it over in her hand. She silently considered everything that was still concealed within it; she had extra clothes for herself, as well as for Harry and Ron, several books, some food she had nicked from Aberforth's house, and some basic potions. She frowned. There was nothing in her bag that could take her mind off the terrible scene that had unfolded moments before. Instead of placing it on her neck again, she clutched it in her fist.

She was not alone. It seemed that a few others shared her desire to get away from the depressing atmosphere back in the Great Hall. A couple sat, heads leaning together, on the opposite side of the courtyard and a young man (Hermione wasn't sure who) was slowly making his way around the perimeter of the area, kicking small bits of rubble out of his way as he went.

And then, out of no where, Hermione heard a voice. She looked up quickly just in time to see Professor Wood sprinting toward the castle. He was calling over and over again as he ran, but Hermione could not make out what he was saying.

"They're coming!" she heard when he was finally within earshot. "The Death Eaters are coming!"

Hermione's heart fell and she slowly got to her feet. Professor Wood streaked passed her toward the Great Hall to alert the Headmistress, and she shakily drew her wand. She strained her gaze on the horizon, searching for any sign of the Death Eaters. It had been a foolish notion to believe the fighting was over when Voldemort called back his followers... Foolish indeed. Once they realized Harry would never turn himself over, surely they would return for more slaughter.

It was several moments before she saw them. At first they merely formed a black line that dissolved into view on the horizon, but with every passing minute they grew closer and more visible. They marched along slowly, lead by a pale, bald leader and a large half giant that Hermione knew to be Hagrid.

Professor Wood returned to the courtyard, accompanied by Headmistress McGonagall and several others. Hermione heard the footsteps creeping up behind her, but could not make herself turn around; Her eyes were fixed straight ahead on the approaching crowd. Her gaze landed on Hagrid and she realized that he was carrying something in his arms... No. It was someone.

"Who is that Hagrid's carrying?" Hermione heard Neville's voice behind her.

Hermione squinted her eyes; It was difficult for her to see in the blinding light of the day.

"I can't tell yet," Hermione whispered absentmindedly.

The crowd was less than one hundred meters away. Hermione could make out Nagini's form slithering around Voldemort's feet and her heart jumped suddenly. Nagini was the last Horcrux. If only she could get close enough... but even then, she had nothing to kill it with. She returned her gaze to the figure in Hagrid's arms.

It was clearly a male, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He had short, dark hair that blended in with Hagrid's coat and a pair of glasses that were sliding off his face. Hermione realized only a split second before Voldemort spoke who it was in Hagrid's arms, and her mouth fell open in a silent scream.

"HARRY POTTER... IS DEAD!" Voldemort announced proudly, a twisted smile making its way across his face.

"NO!" Ginny's scream echoed over the crowd as she darted forward. Arthur sprang after her, grabbing her by the shoulders and restraining her. He would not let her be killed as well.

"Let.. me.. go!" she cried between sobs.

Arthur wrestled with his daughter and whispered sharply in her ear, "There's nothing you can do!"

"Foolish girl!" Voldemort cried with a wide sweep of his hand. "Harry Potter is dead."

Ginny glanced back at Hagrid's form and the lifeless corpse he carried in his arms. She blinked hard, forcing the tears in her eyes to fall down her face, and was able to make out the glasses perched on the figure's face. There was no doubt about it; It was Harry Potter in Hagrid's arms.

"Your hero, your Chosen One fell at the hand of Lord Voldemort whilst trying to save himself," Voldemort continued, stepping even farther into the courtyard. "What a pity... so many of you gave your lives for him, when all he wanted was to save himself."

The courtyard erupted immediately; cries of despair rang out from the defenders of Hogwarts, while the death eaters laughed and celebrated in their victory.

"NO! HARRY! NOT HARRY!" cried a chorus of voices.

"SILENCE!" Voldemort cried and silence quickly fell over the crowd. "Your Chosen One was nothing more than a delusional boy whose reputation far exceeded him. Harry Potter did not care about any of you!

But I, Lord Voldemort, do care! The time has come for you to join me... JOIN ME!"

No one spoke. No one moved... except for Hermione. She slowly took a step backwards, away from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. And then she took another. As Voldemort continued to beckon at the crowd, Hermione slowly made her way toward the castle entrance, never once lowering her wand. From the moment she had seen Harry's lifeless body, she had known what was coming. Voldemort would expect everyone to convert.

Everyone, that is, of pureblood status. The half bloods might get away with being slaves, or something of an equally degrading nature, but the muggleborns would surely be killed. She could not stay, even though she would have been happy to remain and fight. She had a plan, and most of that plan involved not dying. The other part of her plan involved ensuring that the final horcrux and Voldemort were both destroyed. There were only three people who knew about the horcruxes, and now one of them was dead. If Hermione and Ron died, however valiantly, it was possible that no one would be able to defeat Voldemort.

"We will never join you!" a voice cried.

"And who do we have here?" Voldemort questioned curiously.

Hermione watched in horror as Neville Longbottom stepped forward. "Neville," he answered. "Neville Longbottom."

"And what would your blood status be?"

Neville stuttered. "P-pureblood."

Voldemort smiled and extended his arms widely. "You have no reason to worry then, boy. You will make an excellent Death Eater."

"Like hell I will!" Neville yelled and raised his wand. "I'd rather die."

Voldemort sighed. "Such a waste. Let it be known to all that Lord Voldemort is a merciful ruler and he does grant last wishes. AVADA KEDAVRA!"

There were several horrified screams as a jet of green light shot out of the end of Voldemort's wand and hit Neville square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground and did not move again.

Hermione felt like she was going to be sick. She quickened her pace, not caring now if she drew attention to herself, and slipped into the castle. She turned on her heel just as an explosion of magic and angry voices erupted outside. As she sprinted down the corridor, she was not surprised to find that many people had the same idea. After all, it wasn't like they had much of a choice: Convert, die, or flee.

For Hermione, there wasn't an option. She had to survive, and she would. She had to avenge Harry and destroy Voldemort, and she would.

At least, that was the plan she was formulating as she ran.

Hermione stifled a scream as a jet of red magic shot passed her head and collided against the stone wall. She turned on her heal, wand raised as a black-cloaked Death Eater made their way down the corridor towards her.

"Petrificus totalus!" Hermione screamed. Her spell hit the Death Eater square in the chest and he fell over with a sickening 'thud' onto the marble floor.

Without hesitation, Hermione turned away and broke into a sprint once more.

The escape route she had planned was simple: Make it to the west exit of the castle, follow the trail passed Hagrid's hut into the Forbidden Forest, and make it outside Hogwarts' wards so that she could disapparate. In her head it sounded so simple and so flawless... she should have known something was bound to go wrong.

She rounded a corner, sliding on the marble floor, and slammed into someone. She lost her footing, and was exceedingly grateful when the person steadied her. Grateful, that is, until she realized who stood before her.

The man before her was tall and lean, dressed in a black dress shirt and slacks. His unmistakeable blonde hair was hanging messily over his eyes and his mouth was hanging open unattractively. There was a look on his face that Hermione had only seen twice... the first time was when she punched him in face third year and the second was when Harry had rescued him from the Fiendfyre earlier that day. He looked terrified.

Hermione scowled. "Out of my way Malfoy."

"You can't run," he said coolly. "They will find you. And when they do, they will kill you."

Hermione was furious. "Thanks, Malfoy. As if I didn't know that. Now if you're done wasting my time, get the hell out of my way."

She made to pass him, but he moved to block her path.

"Why even bother running when you know there's no chance of you making it out of here?" he asked in the same, cool voice as before.

Hermione furrowed her brow and raised her wand to point it at his chest. "Get out of my way, Malfoy, or I'll remove you from it."

He cocked an eyebrow. "You didn't answer my question."

Hermione huffed, bringing a hand up to massage her temples. She was losing her patience, and didn't have time to waste arguing with Draco Malfoy of all people.

"Because, I know I will make it out of here... if you would be so kind as to get the bloody hell out of my way," Hermione growled through her teeth. "If I had no chance of making it out, I would have stayed to fight."

Draco considered this. "And how do you plan on getting out?"

Hermione's face was flustered. "Why do you want to know? Interested in getting yourself out, Malfoy?"

When he did not respond immediately, Hermione guessed that her presumption was correct.

"You've got to be kidding me," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Is it that hard to believe, mudblood?" Malfoy spat.

"Yes, actually. What happened? Do you feel bad that the man who saved your life... more than once, I might add... died at the hands of your precious Dark Lord? Or did you finally realize that Voldemort's idea of a perfect wizarding world isn't everything you expected it would be?" Hermione yelled, all of her anger and frustration pouring out of her.

Draco did not answer. He seemed unable to. It might have been that Hermione surprised him with her sudden outburst of anger. Or it might have been that even he did not know his reasoning for wishing to leave.

When he did not answer, Hermione pressed on. "If you would please make up your mind or let me by before we both die, it would be greatly appreciated."

Reluctantly, Malfoy stepped aside to let her pass. "Lead the way, mudblood."

She watched curiously for a moment, unsure of whether she should pass. He could easily hex her... or kill her... from behind and she would have no way to defend herself. She had to admit, his behavior was strange, but she did not have time to analyze the bizarre antics of Draco Malfoy. She had to get out of the castle, and fast. With complete disregard of her uneasy feelings, Hermione marched passed Malfoy and made her way down the corridor.

To her utter amazement, he followed.