Hermione sways on her feet, her head spinning. Harry's eyes stare up at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, empty and sightless. They hadn't been able to kill Nagini. The last Horcrux. The key to killing Voldemort. Voldemort stares at Harry with narrowed eyes, suspicious. Hermione can't blame him. They had thought Harry dead just a few minutes ago. Hermione hopes and prays it's just another trick. But Harry's eyes are dull, his body limp, his chest still.

Any second the Death Eaters will begin to celebrate. She can't be here for that. She can't...

Bellatrix Lestrange steps closer, eyes alight, a cruel triumphant expression slowly crossing her features as it sinks in that, this time, Harry is really -

Hermione chokes back a sob, pressing her hand to her mouth to muffle it. Ron sinks to his knees beside her. Neville squeezes Ron's shoulder, the sword of Gryffindor hanging loosely in his other hand.

"Narcissa," Voldemort says in a high cold voice that sends shivers up and down Hermione's spine.

Narcissa Malfoy huddles off to the side with her husband and son. Her hands clutch Draco's shoulders. Bellatrix whips around to face them, her expression turning suddenly nauseous.

"My Lord," Bellatrix begins, sounding desperate, and Hermione doesn't understand, doesn't care to understand, she's tired, she wants this nightmare to end -

"Silence, Bellatrix," Voldemort snaps. He pins Narcissa with cold eyes. Nagini slithers around his feet, forked tongue flicking, eyeing Harry's body. Bile burns the back of Hermione's throat. The Sword of Gryffindor gleams. Could she kill the snake? Seize the sword and forfeit her own life so Voldemort can be killed?

"In the forest, you assured me Harry Potter was dead." Voldemort pauses. Hermione's heart sinks, understanding, even before he continues. "And yet he lived."

Narcissa had protected Harry, but why? Her stomach churns as she watches Narcissa squeeze Draco's shoulder and step forward. Lucius tugs Draco away from her, eyes wide, face pale.

"I did," Narcissa says.

"My Lord," Bellatrix tries again, eyes wild, "please, surely there must be a mistake, the boy must have tricked her somehow - " She casts a desperate glance at Narcissa. "Cissy, tell him. The boy had to have - "

"Potter did not trick me," Narcissa says softly.

Hermione's temple throbs. Harry is dead, and Narcissa Malfoy betrayed Voldemort. Harry is dead...

Voldemort's expression twists in fury. He raises his wand and points it at Draco. Narcissa's eyes widen. Bellatrix leaps in front of Draco, her hands raised placatingly.

"My Lord, Draco has done nothing but serve you faithfully, please - "

For a moment, Hermione thinks Voldemort is going kill Bellatrix too. But then his expression turns considering. "Very well. You make a fair point, Bellatrix." Then, partly to the crowd, he continues in a louder voice, "Let me demonstrate the mercy of Lord Voldemort. I will grant your request and spare the boy. Any who join me now will be forgiven for their previous...digressions."

Theatrics, another attempt to subdue the crowd once more. Hermione wants to throw up.

Voldemort turns his wand on Narcissa. "My mercy extends only so far. To aid you in your decisions, allow me to demonstrate what happens to those who stand against me."

Draco's eyes are wide and watery. His mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. Lucius watches, appearing hollow and distant, though his fingers dig into Draco's shoulders. Bellatrix grits her teeth and clenches her fists, but makes no move to interrupt.

Narcissa meets Voldemort's gaze with calm resignation. "I love you, Draco. Don't look."

Something inside of Hermione snaps. Enough. Enough. "Neville," she hisses under her breath, "get Harry."

Neville nods. Harry deserves better than whatever Voldemort will deem fit for his body. He deserved better than all of this.

Ron's dulled eyes brightened slightly. "Hold on to the sword."

Neville's grip on it tightens. Hermione doesn't have to tell Ron to be ready. He's already rising to his feet, determined.

Hermione doesn't have a plan, exactly, but she knows she can't stand by while someone who helped Harry gets murdered in front of her. If Narcissa's own family won't help her, Hermione will. Harry wouldn't have let this happen. Hermione won't either.

Voldemort opens his mouth, and she makes her move. She sprints toward Narcissa with Ron on her heels. Caught off guard, the Death Eaters do not have time to react. Voldemort hisses, swing his wand toward her and Ron, and Hermione ducks. A green flash of light in the corner of her eye, and she feels the curse hit the ends of her hair as it streaks past. Before Voldemort can try again, Hermione grabs Ron's hand, seizes Narcissa's wrist and Apparates through the damaged wards of Hogwarts.