Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or it's characters. This is merely a work of fanfiction.

A/N:There is violence/injuries/death in this chapter. Our beloved's are hurt, but it is a bad guy who gets killed. I give the warning, because I know death can be incredibly triggering for some people. Please use caution. Love y'all.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Remus held out a journal to Holly.

"Your research on Dumbledore?" She asked.

Remus nodded as she looked around, making sure they were alone except for Greg and Vince.

"Is he as bad as you feared?" She asked, stowing the journal in her robes.

"You'll have to read it yourself to understand what we're dealing with. Truthfully, he's worse than I ever could have imagined. Just, be careful."

"Thank you, Remus. Have a good summer and take care of Teddy."

He nodded his head and left the corridor. Holly spent the entirety of her ride on the Hogwarts Express reading the journal in a corner with Draco.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Holly sank into her bed at Malfoy Manor. Though she loved Hogwarts, there was nothing like the luxury of the sheets of Malfoy Manor. Everything was just as she liked it here.

Draco entered Holly's room through the adjourning door and climbed up onto the bed next to Holly, pulling her into his arms.

"Why didn't the wards go off?" Holly asked absently.

"Father said they took them off. They trust us to be responsible."

Holy hummed appreciatively as she snuggled closer to Draco and threw an arm over him. He rubbed a hand over back in soothing circles.

"I could never do that to you, what Dumbledore did to Grindelwald."

"Nor I you," Draco replied. "Even if you tried to take over the world, I'd find a way to temper you. I'd rule at your side. I could never betray you."

Holly pressed a kiss to his throat and sighed sleepily.

"Rest now, love."

Holly acquiesced, slipping into a peaceful sleep.

<><><><><><><><><><>

When Holly woke the next morning, Draco had already gone back to his room. Holly indulged herself in a bath, and was pleased to find Cissa in her room when she emerged from her closet.

"You look lovely dear," Cissa praised.

She motioned for Holly to take a seat in front of her vanity. Cissa brushed her hair and braided it as she had done for years. Holly smiled at Cissa's reflection in the mirror.

"I think it's time to start preparing a wedding gown."

Cissa perked up, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Have you and Draco decided on a date?"

Holly shook her head, as she blushed against her will.

"I was thinking perhaps next summer."

"That sounds lovely. As it happens, your father placed an order of fairy spun silk last year. It's nearly done."

Holly looked away, slightly embarrassed by Lucius' insight. He had known a whole year ago, while she was just beginning to catch up.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Holly opened the adjoining door to Draco's room slowly, giving him plenty of time to make himself decent. He heard the creak of his door, but didn't bother to cover up.

He stood there in a pair of black silk boxers, the muscles of his back on display. His hair was wet, as if he had just left the shower. Drops worked their way down his back. Holly followed one as it dripped down, her eyes eventually landing on his soulmark, on the back of his knee.

She swallowed thickly, trying to remember why she had come in here in the first place. Draco smirked as he watched Holly stare at him in the reflection of his mirror.

"See something you like, love?"

Holly startled then, clearing her throat. She looked out the window, though a small smile lined her face, one that Draco didn't miss. He picked up a pair of trousers and pulled them on, fastening the button quickly.

"Um, I came in here for a reason," Holly said weakly, her eyes still averted. Draco came to stand beside her.

"What was that reason?"

His voice in her ear made her jolt and spin to face him. He placed soft kisses on her cheek, and then one on her mouth. Holly's small hand on his abs made him feel like a livewire ran through him.

"Huh?" Holly asked dazedly.

Draco leaned down for one more kiss, letting his lips move slowly, tasting her magic against his tongue. He lived for these stolen moments. He pulled back and shrugged into his shirt. They wouldn't get anything done like this. Holly's focus returned as Draco buttoned up his shirt.

"Blaise is coming over. He wants to have a final fitting for our dress robes for Luna and Cedric's reception."

"Are you going to tell him to start working on a wedding gown?" Draco asked, fire in his eyes.

He gripped Holly's small waist, and pulled her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the crown of her head.

"I will," she whispered, placing a barely there kiss on his throat.

"We better go," Draco forced out.

Holly could tell he was trying to control himself, trying to be respectful. She took his hand and led him out of his room.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Theo and Blasie arrived within the hour. Holly was standing in a gown of emerald green silk, on a pedestal when Ginny entered the room, an angry Neville in her wake. His countenance immediately had Theo and Draco on edge.

Something was very wrong.

Ginny went to Holly, and held out her journal. As Holly read it her hair began to spark in it's braids. Theo and Draco came to stand beside Blaise, who was slowly backing up from the podium.

"What is it?" Draco whispered.

"Dumbledore is back, along with Molly. The Twins say they're going to the Ministry. They've taken Ron with them. They think they're up to something with the Minister."

Holly looked up at Ginny. Her face was furious.

"I'm going to take care of this," Holly assured her. "I'm going to the Ministry. Tell Cissa and Lucius after I've left."

She stepped off the podium, and headed for the door. The boys and Ginny ran after her as she made a beeline for the Floo room.

"Holly you're still wearing your gown," Blaise protested.

"Just wait a minute," Theo pleaded.

"Holly please-" Draco began.

She spun on them, right in front of the floo, her wand in hand. Her hair sparked with power, and there were tears gathering in her eyes. She focused her attention on Draco.

"It has to be me that ends him. Luna told me. I'm the only one with the power to stop him. If you tell mum and dad now, they'll try to stop me. I have to do this. If he gets to see the Minister, he could Imperio him, and Merlin knows what he would do."

Draco's instincts railed against putting her in danger, but he knew Luna wouldn't have told Holly if it wasn't true. She didn't share her visions with everyone. He nodded as determination overtook him. He looked over at Theo.

"Tell them as soon as we leave. I'm going with her."

Theo nodded.

"Ginny and I will come right behind you," Neville asserted. "You'll need someone to deal with Molly and Ronald. I'll send for the other Heirs too."

Draco looked at Ginny, "Can you really duel them? Your own family?"

"You're my family," she replied with absolute certainty. "Holly is my family. Neville is my family. They are not my family."

Draco nodded, satisfied with her answer. Holly threw a fistful of floo powder into the fireplace, and took Draco's hand in hers. She gave her assembled friends a parting look.

"See you soon."

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Neville and Ginny exited a fireplace at the Ministry of Magic. Holly and Draco stood waiting for them. Mere seconds had passed before they followed them through the Floo.

They were already attracting looks. It was the first time Lady Slytherin and Lord Gryffindor had been seen in the Ministry together, and Holly was wearing a gown. It was more than a little interesting.

They moved to the center of the room so they would have a better view of the arrival fireplaces. Six massive fireplaces stood on either side of a long room. One flamed to life several fireplaces down. A gray haired man and two redheads stepped out.

Holly's wand was on them at once.

"Albus," she taunted down the room in a loud voice.

His attention was on her immediately.

"Now Holly, this has all been a misunderstanding!"

She kept her wand trained on him. Draco, Neville, and Ginny raised their wand at his red headed companions. Holly noticed Luna and Cedric had arrived.

Luna was shepherding anyone who had been using the fireplaces towards the Atrium, away from her and Dumbledore. Cedric doused the fire in all but the last two fireplaces, to allow the other Heirs to come through, in case they required more assistance.

"You're wanted by the Auror's Albus! Have you come to turn yourself in?"

She was trying to give Luna just a little more time to get the last civilians out of the way. She noticed Luna had raised a magical barrier between the Atrium and the Floo Room, and knew it was safe to duel now.

"Never," he proclaimed.

"Ah that's where you're wrong Albus."

He shot a hex first, a nasty thing that Holly dodged with agility. Ginny and Draco fought together against the surprisingly spry Molly, as Neville handled Ronald.

Holly was a vision. Her long black hair sparked with power, as she moved lithley in her green gown, matching Dumbledore hex for hex. She looked every bit the Slytherin matriarch.

A cry of anguish was heard from the eldest Weasley as she fell to the floor. At some point Cissa and Lucius must have arrived, because now they bound the fallen woman in magical bindings.

Ronald shot a spell in the direction of Cissa. Lucius stepped in front of her, taking the brunt of the spell. Draco and Holly watched him fall. Draco shot down Ronald, as rage overtook Holly. It washed over her like rain.

"Enough!" Holly screamed.

She felt like her mind was breaking. She couldn't lose Lucius. Her magic cascaded out from her in an emerald wave. It shattered Luna's shield and the windows further into the Atrium. The glass cascaded down in a fine dusting. Albus Dumbeldore lied in a heap on the floor.

She stalked towards him, and kicked his form once she got to it.

"Get up! Get up and fight me, you coward! You owe it to me!"

She kicked him again. He rolled over onto his back, but his eyes ticked over to where Draco was kneeling in front of his parents. He aimed his wand faster than she could blink, and shot a spell at him.

Holly scrambled to get in front of it, but she was too slow. Draco fell too, though she saw his body move with breath. He was still alive. Neville and Ginny tried to go to Holly, but Luna and Cedric held them back.

"She has to do this."

Neville and Ginny gave in reluctantly, and went to help the Malfoys. Dumbledore stood to his feet and began to duel Holly again. She had given up trying to spare him. She moved onto magic that was arcane, and Dark. Things Remus had taught her in his private lessons.

The Aurors had arrived and were watching with horror from the end of the hall closest to the Atrium. They were trying to shepherd people further into the Ministry as quickly as they could to avoid collateral damage.

"It's over Albus," Holly taunted. ". I don't know if you're insane or merely evil, but it's over. The Oligarchy has power now. We're in a new Golden Age. There is no greater good than the prosperity of our people."

His step stuttered at her use of the phrase "greater good". He let down his guard for a second, and Holly took advantage of it. She raised her wand and focused her hate. She had lost so much- James, Lily, Sirius. She had no idea if Lucius was alive. Merlin help this world if he wasn't.

"Avada Kedavra!"

A look of sheer surprise took over his face, as he fell backwards. He hit the ground with a thud. She stood there, her wand out-stretched, staring at where his body fell. She walked towards him slowly, and knelt beside his body.

Albus Dumbledore was dead.

She picked up his wand and slipped it into her dress pocket before standing to her feet. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to find Luna there. Zach and Neville were behind her. He must have shown up during the duel.

Luna held out her arms and Holly ran into them. Neville and Zach joined them in a group hug. There was a unique kind of comfort, feeling all their magic surrounding her. It was the same sense of safety she got whenever she walked past the wards of Hogwarts.

"They're alive," Luna whispered in her ear.

Lord Shacklebolt was approaching them, looking harried.

"Lady Slytherin, are you okay?"

Holly nodded distractedly. She just wanted to be with Draco.

"I arrived just as the duel began. He could have killed you, and bystanders, if you hadn't been so fast acting. We will be launching an investigation into his past. No stone will be left unturned. You won't be facing charges, of course, since you acted in self defense."

Holly nodded, as she looked around at the room. She had destroyed it. Bricks were smashed on the floor. Glass littered the Atrium. She felt panic begin to rise in her chest. She didn't see any of the Malfoy's. She looked at Luna.

"You said alive, not okay. Where are they?!"

"They took them to St. Mungo's. They're going to need some treatment."

Holly made her way to a still working fireplace at the end of the Floo Room. She could hear the sputtered of the Minister behind him. She spunt to face him. He was red-faced, and furious.

"Lady Slytherin, you can't come here, murder and maim, destory the Ministry, and leave like nothing happened."

"Put it on my tab," she snarled. "I could afford to rebuild this room many times over, if it's gold you're so worried about. I won't even complain about the cost."

Lord Shacklebolt and Mad Eye Moody appeared beside him.

"She acted in self defense," Moody grumbled. "Those Weasley's have been taken into custody. She can come give her memories tomorrow, after she's had time to rest. She must be exhausted."

Holly nodded gratefully, and made her way to the floo. She needed to get to St. Mungos.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Holly stood in the halls of St. Mungo's alone, speaking to a Healer. She had sent for Healer Ted Tonks, but it would take him some time to get here. In the meantime, she had to deal with Healer Smith.

"Lady Malfoy is fine. Her wound was easy to fix, but we'd like to keep her overnight for observation due to it being a head injury. Lord Malfoy sustained a series of deep cuts to his shoulder, but we were able to heal them. He too will need to stay overnight for monitoring. Heir Malfoy's injuries were worse. Dumbledore hit him with a nasty curse. It carved up his chest. He got here just in time for us to save his life. We think he'll pull through, but he will be unconscious for at least a day."

Holly stumbled back into the wall of St. Mungos as she tried not to cry. All the Malfoy's, every single one of them, had been hurt in her duel. They had all been put into a magical sleep by the Healer's, so they could heal faster.

She felt like she was broken into a million pieces.

"Visiting hours will be ending soon, Lady Slytherin. Can you tell us where to reach you, in case of an emergency?"

"I can't go home," she whispered. "If anyone asks, tell them I'm at Hogwarts."

The Healer watched her as she made her way to the Floo Room at a jog.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ginny and Neville called Holly's name as they walked the halls of Hogwarts. The Healer's at St. Mungo had told them that she was here. Their friends trailed behind them, calling out Holly's name. Word had spread quickly about the duel, and everyone was worried about Holly.

They heard the sound of shattering glass from up ahead, and rushed towards it. They turned a corner and found Holly screeching at a portrait. She kept conjuring little glasses, that she hurled at the portrait with impressive force.

Glass shards littered the floor. Her face was red and blotchy from crying. A painted version of Albus Dumbledore dodged her throws, mostly successful.

"You cost me everything!" She screamed. "I am alone! Is it never enough for you? How many people's lives did you ruin?! I know about your family! I know about Grindelwald! I know of your betrayal! You betrayed your soulmate. How could you?!"

She sank down to the floor in her emerald green gown, not caring that the glass pierced her feet and legs. She was far passed the point of being able to feel physical pain.

"I would follow Draco to the ends of the earth! I would burn this world down for him, and rebuild it a million times over, and you nearly killed him! My love! My soulmate! And now I'm alone again!"

The portrait Dumbledore huddled in the corner of his painting, looking terrified and ashamed. Their friends had all arrived now, staring at where Holly was kneeling.

Lord Black stepped forward from the back of the group. Glass crunched under his boots as he walked carefully towards Holly. He crouched down so he could look her in her eyes. She raised her bloodshot eyes to his.

"I have been where you are, Holly. I lost my soulmate, my brother, your parents. I stayed away for years out of grief. But you are not alone. Just look."

She turned her head. The Heirs and their soulmates were there. Someone had fetched Greg, Vince, and Marcus. She could see the concern in their eyes.

"You have people who love you. You love them. You have a little sister who needs you."

Holly's eyes traveled to Ginny's face, so much like hers, so much like Lily's. Her sister gave her a reassuring smile.

"Draco is still alive, if a little scarred."

His words began to make sense, and Holly began to calm down. He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You just fought, what will be known as, the most legendary duel of our time. You're exhausted, and you're scared. That's completely understandable, but you need to rest. You'll want to be at Draco's side when he wakes, and that means you have to rest now. We'll stay with you. We'll keep you safe."

Holly nodded her head, letting him pull her to her feet. Ginny held out her arms and she rushed into them. Ginny held her tight, and cried into her sister's hair.

"I was so scared I was going to lose you, and then you were just gone."

"I'm sorry," Holly sobbed.

Neville rubbed her back consolingly, "It's going to be okay Hols. We're all here."

Holly winced as feeling returned to her feet. She had kicked off her heels sometime during the duel, and now her feet were in shreds.

"Your feet?" Neville asked. Holly nodded.

"Do you want me to carry you?" He asked.

"Please."