Chapter Eighteen

                                    

                                          
The next step was going to be easy, they knew where the Horcrux was and could easily sneak in and get it. They knew Hogwarts, it had been their home. 
                          
As they got ready to leave, Harry couldn't help but think about Draco. Would he be there? Was he still going to his classes, or was he too busy serving the Dark Lord? He had heard tell from some members of the Order that Snape had taken the role as headmaster, which seemed fitting since The Death Eaters had taken over everything. 
                          
"Are you ready to go, Harry?" Hermione asked him. 
                          
He nodded but he felt unsure. They were so close it almost seemed beyond the bounds of possibility. He had been fighting this battle for so long it felt almost unattainable. What would it be like to not worry about dying every day?
                          
"Okay," She said, "I'll go grab Ron and we'll apparate to Hogsmeade." 
                          
She came back minutes later with Ron, he looked tired. He looked about ready to collapse. 
                          
"It's almost over," He said. 
                          
They all exchanged one more brief look before Apparating to Hogsmeade. It was desolate. Everyone seemed to have left, shops were closed, streets were empty, and even the shrieking shack had been abandon.
                          
"No use in waiting around now, let's go." Hermione took off toward the castle, they did not know how they would get in. They tried all of the secret entrances that Fred and George had shown them but they were blocked off. 
                          
"Main entrance it is," Hermione said. 
                          
"Do you really think that's a good idea," Ron asked.
                          
"We don't have another choice." She was right, it was a risk but it was their only option left. 
                          
"I have my cloak," Harry said, pulling from Hermione's bag. He let each of them crawl underneath until they were all out of sight. 
                          
They got into the school and decided to split up, Hermione and Ron would be checking up on the students, going to Professor McGonagall, while Harry would be going to the Room of Requirments for the Diadem. 
                          
Harry took the cloak after some argument about who needed to be safer and he was off to find the last Horcrux. 
                          
The room was full of objects, Unknown and unimportant to Harry at that very moment. He looked high and low until he got to the very back of the room. 
                          
Draco stood, Diadem in hand, smirking at him. 
                          
"Harry, good to see you here," He said. 
                          
"Draco, what are you doing? How did you know-"
                          
"How did I know? Well, you and your friends triggered the Caterwauling charm when you entered Hogsmeade. No one is supposed to be there anymore so when someone is, it alerts the Death Eaters to go check it out. Which is why I am here. Along with the others, who are looking for anything else out of ordinary. I suppose they'll find your friends."
                          
"Draco, what are you doing," Harry asked again. He was beginning to not be so glad to see him. 
                          
"To collect this," He said holding up the Diadem. "But also to give it to you. Although, I do have to alert The Dark Lord that you are here." 
                          
"You really don't have to," Harry began.
                          
"No, I must keep up my reputation. So he knows I'm trustworthy. Tell him you're here, and he can kill you," Draco said. 
                          
"Y-you don't want that...Do you?" Harry had never been more confused, he was helping Harry kill Voldemort while also helping Voldemort kill him. 
                          
"I don't want to be the one to kill you, but I sure as hell don't mind someone else doing it," Draco said, "You have to understand." He pulled up his sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark. "It's only my job, Harry."