By the time the six of them gathered in front of the fireplace of Lucius’ study, Hermione felt ready for whatever would come next.

They’d agreed that it was likely Voldemort was now aware of what Harry was doing, even if he did not think Hermione was aware after their conversation about the hallows. Lucius and Narcissa would, at some point, have to split off to maintain their cover and perhaps hold Him off while they destroyed the diadem.

No one quite knew how they would be able to get close enough to the snake to kill it, but Draco had said in a quiet, subdued voice:

“An opportunity will present itself, we’ll just need to be patient.”

Finally, Lucius grabbed up a bit of floo powder and threw it into the fireplace. The green flames dancing around his ankles as he said clearly:

“Headmaster’s Office, Hogwarts.”

The rest of them followed suit, until she and Harry were left alone in the study.

“This is mental,” Harry sighed, rubbing a hand over his forehead. “Never in a million years did I think I’d be trying to kill You-Know-Who with the Malfoys. ”

Hermione couldn’t suppress her giggle.

“If you allow them to, people will often surprise you with who they truly are.”

Harry took a handful of powder and tossed it into the flame, his green eyes boring into hers before he stepped into the fireplace.

“Yeah, I think you’re right about that,” he said somberly, giving her one last disappointed look before announcing his destination and swirling away.

It took her a moment longer to control the pain she’d felt from that look. The betrayal he felt – and he didn’t even know the full story. She’d known she’d have to pay for it but knowing and experiencing were two very different things.

Finally, she stepped out of Severus’ hearth, assisted by Draco while Theo charmed away the soot from her clothes.

Severus and Harry were in a heated discussion.

“Really, Potter, I hardly think the diadem will help you,” he sneered, his arms crossed over his chest.

Harry groaned, his hands fisting in his hair.

“Severus,” Lucius cut across him. “It is vital that Harry find the diadem. I am sure he …” Lucius gestured to the sleeping portrait of Dumbledore. “Would agree if the coward was not pretending to be asleep.”

Severus looked at them all for a long moment before nodding.

“The diadem has been lost for centuries, though I heard it said that it had been brought back to Hogwarts while a young Tom Riddle was a student here.”

Harry stared at him; his eyes wide.

“Do you think he hid it here within the school?” Harry asked breathlessly. Hermione could see his mind working furiously when Severus nodded.

“What is it, Harry? Where do you think it could be?” Hermione asked.

Harry turned to her, his eyes moving between her, Draco, and Theo.

“I think it’s in the room of hidden things…” he said. “I think he hid it in the room of requirement.”

“ Fuck ,” Theo cursed. “I think you’re right, Potter. I think I saw a mangey old tiara in there when we were working on the cabinet – sitting on the bust of some woman. Didn’t realize what it was at the time.”

“Cabinet?” Harry asked confusedly.

“Don’t worry about it, Potter. Not important,” Theo said quickly, waving his hand. “Well, we don't have all day to stroke our wands now do we? Let’s go!”

“Before you go, you must know that there are students currently residing in the come and go room ,” Severus said slowly. “Hiding from the Carrows… and myself. If you wish to enter, ask the room to give you a place to hide – it should allow you entrance.”

…

By the time they had convinced the room to open to them, it was chaos. A mass of students rushed upon Harry and Hermione while giving Draco and Theo a wide berth. Seamus and Dean clapped Harry on the back while Neville and Ginny hugged Hermione tightly.

Someone was speaking into what looked like a microphone, their eyes wild with excitement.

“You’re here to help us fight the Carrows?!” Seamus cried in delight.

Harry grimaced, rubbing a hand on his neck.

“Sorry mate… we’ve… we’ve got a job to do…” he said, his voice tinged with regret.

“But if we complete it, I would bet it will get rid of your Carrow problem,” Theo grinned, winking at Ginny who stumbled at his voice, obviously not realizing Theo was there.

There was a beat of silence before Ginny threw herself into Theo’s arms, kissing him fiercely. Harry stared at them, his mouth slightly agape.

“Has anyone been honest with me?” Harry said softly.

Draco clapped him on the back, a slight twinkle in his eye.

“Sorry, Potter. But if we all make it out of this alive, I’m sure everyone will allow you to give them a thorough verbal lashing.”

Harry glared at him for a long moment before Hermione spoke up over the group.

“We need everyone to clear out – there’s something we need to find and we need the room to change for us.”

But then Harry staggered, his hand flying to his scar. His knees buckled and Draco grabbed him just before he hit the floor. A small groan of pain slid between Harry’s teeth before his eyes opened, panting slightly.

“He knows,” he said, pushing his way back to his feet and shrugging off Draco’s help. “He’s coming.”

“ Shit ,” Draco cursed, his eyes connecting with Hermione’s.

“That’ll be the Carrows,” Dean said. “They’ve got eyes everywhere. Probably spotted you the moment you walked through the hallways, mate.”

“Okay, everyone needs to move out – now !” Harry yelled.

The room created multiple exits and everyone streamed out, their hands clutching their wands tightly.

“Neville,” Hermione called, grabbing him by the arm. “Try to find McGonagall. If the Dark Lord is coming, we need to get the younger students out of the castle.”

He nodded, his eyes bright as he clutched his wand.

“Leave it to me, Hermione. I’ll make sure she alerts the rest of the Order too,” he said brightly, running off in the direction of McGonagall’s office.

Once everyone had finally left, Harry sighed with relief, beginning to pace along the tapestry of trolls learning ballet. Hermione could hear him whispering to himself, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

“You sure you remember where it was, Theo?” Draco murmured under his breath.

Theo nodded, rolling back his shoulders as the door appeared to the room of hidden things.

It was odd, Hermione thought, to be back in the room. They’d spent so much time in it last year it had become something like a second home to them. As they passed where the cabinet was, she couldn’t help but remember her seventeenth birthday and what a happy time it had been. Her heart twisted with the memory of Daphne, the way she shook out her blonde hair when she laughed, the warmth of her hug.

“Here it is!” Theo said, gesturing grandly to the tiara sparkling atop a marble bust of a beautiful woman. “Knew I’d seen it before.”

“Brilliant, mate,” Draco said, clapping him on the back. “Have you got the sword, love?” he asked, turning to Hermione.

She grabbed up her beaded bag and opened it.

“Hold it right there,” a raspy voice called. “Step away from the diadem unless you want to die.”