An; Hi readers and welcome to my new story. If you read Caring for Cho then you will recognise this story. This is a different story from my previous ones as instead of following along one storyline, I will be creating a multi-strand story. There are two pairings in this Hermione/OFC and something that may surprise you. Ron/Tonks. No real reason why I put them together, it just suits the story well.
Post Hogwarts but Remus, Tonks, and Snape are still alive.
Not sure how many chapters this will be but if you read my stories then you know to look out for lengthy chapters and lots and lots of them.
Enjoy.
Chapter 1: The Pulse
The solar system is home to a number of different planets, moons, meteors and asteroids. In history all sorts of collisions have happened. Planets clash with planets. Planets clash with moons. Moons clash with moons. Meteors hit moons, asteroids and planets almost constantly. And asteroids...you get the picture. But still every planet remains intact. The only one to be blessed with life is Earth. In our history we have been hit with our fair share of meteors and asteroids. One even ended all life on Earth, only for it to be rebuilt. The Earth hasn't seen a major collision with anything, other than the small meteorites in the night sky, for sixty five million years now.
But on the second of May nineteen ninety nine, that was about to change.
Between the planets known as Jupiter and Mars lies the asteroid belt. It contains from hundreds up to a thousand asteroids that vary in destruction. Some are half a mile long and would level the planet whilst some are sixty miles long that would permanently scar a planet and even force one out of orbit.
On this day though the Earth, just like many billions of days prior to this day, would have been safe from these destructive rocks. But on this day something very weird happened to a special rock in particular.
Out of the thousands of asteroids floating effortlessly through space, one asteroid is unique. It has a weird green smog leaking out small cracks in its surface. It isn't a particularly big asteroid; only a tenth of a mile wide. But this asteroid was different because it wouldn't do much physical damage to a planet. But to a planet that may have some kind of power entity. Some kind of inner energy. A planet with a power that even the inhabitants can't fully understand. To a planet with that, this rock was near fatal.
This rock had been following behind the commonly known Cerces when the asteroid stopped rotating. It started to vibrate. The vibrations grew stronger and stronger until it was shaking and jiving. Then there was an explosion out of the rear of the asteroid and a spurt of lime green flames thrusted the asteroid forwards and breaking its orbit. This rock had now become a small comet that travelled faster than any speed recordable by man. It flew past Jupiter, a planet bigger than all the other planets in the solar system combined, in just five minutes it almost collided with one of Jupiter's moons but the asteroid appeared to be aware of its surroundings. It swerved around the moon instead of embedding itself in the hard shell. This rock had a destination and nothing was going to stop it from getting there.
...
Hermione finally escaped the party on the grounds of Hogwarts and replaced them with the quiet and desolate corridors of Hogwarts. A year had passed but much like hurricane-battered countries, small indications of the corridors had not fully concealed the damage the battle had caused. Suits of armour had scrapes and blemishes on them. The floor had small traces of dust wedged to the side where it met the wall. And some corridors didn't seem to be as well lit as they used to be.
It wasn't the small hints that had Hermione scouting the halls, it was the scenes from a year ago today that she visualised. It is strange when you think about it. A year ago if you asked Hermione what happened in every corridor she was in and what she saw she would have looked at you as if you grew a third head and said 'I was too busy fighting to sight-see thank you very much'. But a year later, as she trekked every corridor and staircase, she could see everything. She saw the glass orbs smash upon the heads of Death Eaters that Trelawney threw unceremoniously. She saw the windows smashing, accompanied by black smog. Every detail she consciously missed at the time was somehow saved by her subconscious and revealed to her upon sight.
Hermione didn't like it. Not just the Death and the screaming and the explosions. She didn't like the reminders of that battle. She hated that she saw every horrible and haunting thing. She hated the fact that from last year and beyond she would never visit Hogwarts again without seeing the deaths of her friends, peers and idols. She would of course remember the fun times in the common room late at night. The excitement of the library. The peacefulness of the Black Lake. The comfort of her warm dormitory bed. The socialisation of the Great Hall. The achievements of her classes. The togetherness of the Quidditch stands.
She would have all them memories...as long as she never stepped foot in the castle again. A castle she could call home. Her hatred for Voldemort was as thick as it had ever been even til this day. He took away her friends and her freedom and her innocence (not in THAT way) and now he had taken her home.
Hermione eventually led herself to the library and she went to the shelves. She delicately ran the tips of her fingers over the spines as she passed by. But even this moment was ruined as she came across a section of books that were singed and scorched. She picked up a burnt book she had read many times in her years sitting in this library. She flicked it open and took note of every burnt page. It was saddening. Then she placed the book back.
Her next location was the second years toilets and upon entry she instantly summoned Myrtle out of her cubicle. "Who's that?"
"Hey Myrtle." Hermione greeted kindly.
"Oh...Hello, Hermione."
Hermione looked around and settled her eyes at the sinks. She remembered clambering down the drain beneath it a year ago to equip the Basilisk fangs. Not to mention her and Ron's first kiss. But the drain reminded her of their horcrux mission and those reminders were equally unwelcome.
Hermione blinked and turned back to Myrtle. "Do you mind if I powder my nose in here?"
"Oh, that's why you are here...not to visit old forgotten Myrtle" the Ghost replied bitterly.
Hermione felt a little normalcy in the reminder of Myrtles depressive thoughts. "Not at all Myrtle. Out of all the girls toilets in this castle I chose this one. The one possessed by an insecure and lonely ghost. I am here for company and to just escape from the hectic crowd downstairs"
"Oh...I see. Ok, But don't make a mess." Myrtle told her.
"I will be careful. Thanks Myrtle."
Hermione turned back to the sink, blocking out the visions she could still see, and started to powder her nose. She soon lost her motivation though and threw the rest away. She just leaned on the counter and hoped when she opened her eyes she would forget everything. But she knew she couldn't.
Everyone was a bit shaken up the month following the battle. The loss and grief was over-shadowing the victory. Harry didn't speak for days after the final battle. Ron needed to be hugging Hermione at all times to keep himself strong over Fred's death. Hermione herself was torn between being worried over her parents and restoring their memories, without chickening out because she feared their reaction and the consequences. She found her parents, of course she did, but they weren't her parents anymore. They had well paid jobs, a nice house, new family friends and there was an unmistakable bump to her mother's belly. They had a new life and soon to be new family in Australia. Hermione cried and cried and cried about leaving them where she would never return but leave them she did.
The year improved for everyone else. George and all the Weasley's including Ron, Harry, the Order, the DA, the Ministry. Everyone's life improved. Except for Hermione.
She recovered from the loss of her parents. She rehabilitated herself from the nightmares of Malfoy Manor. And she even finished her NEWT's with unsurprisingly good marks. But something wasn't right. Nothing felt the same as before the battle. Hermione didn't feel as intelligent as she had always been. She wasn't as motivated as she used to be. She hated her work despite it being all that she had ever wanted. She even fell out of love with Ron. They were still together and Hermione was still intimate but any eyes that looked any closer would easily see the slight hesitation of Hermione's kisses and the loose grip she had when Ron held her hand. She couldn't tell him. After everything they had been through he deserved this. He had a right to be happy and free. She needed to stay with him. Needed a family with him. It's what they promised each other.
But Hermione was an empty shell with a happy disguise. She feared she would never be normal again.
Hermione stood at the sink and cried for the millionth time in three hundred and sixty five days.
...
One hundred and sixty miles away
The leaves parted as she appeared from them, swung upside-down with her legs wrapped around the tree branch. You couldn't see her legs that were hidden from view, obscured by leaves. Her hair dangled down but she didn't care. She held the binoculars to her eyes.
After a few scans of the scene on the other side of the field she lowered...or rather raised...her binoculars, clipping them to her belt and grabbing her radio.
Pressing the button she said."This is Ash In The Sky, I'm in position and have sights on the target. How should I proceed, over?"
A crackly male voice replied. "This is Dog Tag, location acknowledged, what do you see, over?"
"Small cottage, crops on all sides, lights are on, noise is minimal, no sign of any tangoes, over"
"Copy that. Any possible hostility?"
"Crop fields intricately cut and recently harvested, possible mine-field. One road leads to the cottage, unguarded and no weaponry visible. Small satellite dish on the roof, possible radar tracker. No other signs of hostility, over."
"Copy that Ash In The Sky, hold your position. Cannon Mac and Live Wire will rendezvous with you E.T.A. six minutes. Me and Black Smith will get into position west of you in the barn. Once in position we will flank left whilst Live Wire crosses the road and flanks right. Cannon Mac will rig the road to cover the escape. You keep an eye on that cottage the instant you see movement. Once me and Black Smith flank round the back you set up and be ready for them to pour out the front. Watch your fire if they escape with the hostage. Over and out."
She put the radio back and then used her upper body strength to raise back up. Once she had a good grip on the branch she twisted her body on top of it. She took her pen knife and cut off the extra branches in her sight. This left her vision no longer obscured but the hanging leaves still kept her hidden. She handled her sniper rifle, lodging it in a V point branch. She then stayed still and darent remove her eyes from the cottage. She checked it several more times with the binoculars before Cannon Mac and Live Wire arrived.
"You know Ash, I never took you for a tree-hugger." Teased Cannon Mac.
"Hardy-haw-haw, at least I can climb a tree." She replied.
"Who says I can't climb trees?"
"Your arse does."
"I do NOT HAVE a fat arse" Mac hissed quietly, gritting her teeth. Live Wire and Ash just snickered at her.
"Lew, do you have a fag?" Ash asked.
"What am I? Your personal butler?" He replied.
"Just give me a fag Jeeves"
He groaned and said "it's your last one". He opened the cigarette box and pulled out a cigarette.
" Why don't you just give me the box?" Ash asked impatiently.
"I don't trust you. I have five left and the last time I had a box with five fags in you took five."
"But how you gonna pass it to me?"
"Learn to catch Milanski."
He then tossed the fag into the air and it flew up towards her. She reached right down without adjusting her position and snatched the fag from the air. "Gotcha."
"Lucky" he said.
Ash reached into her pocket and took out a lighter. She placed the butt into her mouth and in a few clicks the fag was alight.
"What is it with Richard and flanking? Flanking this and flanking that. It's a cottage with barely anyone in it, why does it require a flanking?" Mac asked.
"No one ever said the guy was creative, but flanking has worked for us so far." Lew replied.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he flanks his wife every time she has a row with him." Mac joked.
They chuckled a bit. Then Lew said "He always chooses Riddian over us. Riddian trips over his own shoelaces most the time."
"They're brothers, what do you expect?" Ash replied.
Mac shook her head. "He is a good leader and a great guy but he has been faction leader for two years and that's longer than any other faction leader. And yes our missions are successful but we have nearly failed the last two because of his flanking obsession. And we all know why we survived them both don't we Ash?"
"Mac, don't start." Ash replied in a bored tone.
"Ash, why do you fight me on this? You are the sole reason we even got this far. Out of twelve missions we have failed none, but seven times was because you did something so brilliant it saved our bacon. Remember the Caribbean Island invasion. That machine gunner had us pinned down and Richard tried to flank it and failed. You shot the barrel in that bunker from seventy yards away and it ended the machine gun fire. And what about the Swiss Alps and the grenade you deflected into the cable car. It was thrown at you and you kicked it back. If this training was real life you would be knighted by now."
"We've all done good things Mac, just coz my ones happened to be the ones that get us the points. There is no I in team."
"Ah" Lew replied. "But this isn't a team, it's a faction. And that has an I in it."
"Shut it Smart arse."
Mac would not give in. "Ash, you should be faction leader by now. Just coz Richard is a dick and doesn't credit you enough."
"Read my lips...I. Don't. Want. To. Be. Faction. Leader."
"Why?"
"Coz I'm not a leader. Richard is. Even if he is a dick."
Mac was going to continue but Lew stopped her and whispered "you know why she doesn't want to be team leader, Kenz. She still loves her."
She just sighed sadly "I know. I just want her to move on."
"I know hun. I know."
The radio crackled and Dog Tag, or Richard, gave the order to move out. Ash focused her sights whilst the two faction mates below her darted away again.
...
"Nice speech Harry" Remus told him taking a glass of elf wine from a tray a woman brought by.
"Are you serious? I stuttered like eight times. I may be the saviour of the Wizarding World but I'm no public speaker." He retorted.
"You're right, I'm not gonna lie. I've seen better."
"At least you tried Harry" Tonks consoled at Remus' side.
"Don't say that. You make me feel like I'm eleven again."
"I like what you said though...or what you were trying to say, about the sticking together to make sure this never happens again." Remus said.
"I meant every word of that. That was mainly aimed at the Ministry but it goes for everyone I guess." Harry admitted.
"Yeah. Now if you spoke like Hermione would've maybe you wouldn't have embarrassed yourself." Remus joked.
"Haw haw, in fact she did help me write it. But the words were mine."
"That was nice of her. She still needs to do her speech. Where is she anyway?" Tonks asked.
"She went to powder her nose...forty minutes ago." Remus said baffled at why it would take that long.
"I will find her" Harry answered. "She is probably rehearsing. Let Ron know I'm looking for her."
"Will do."
With that Harry went to search. He took out the Marauder's Map and searched for his friend's name. Finding her name in the second year toilets he made his way there.
Just outside the door, Harry was about to barge in and crack a joke when he heard a sob. He listened longer and finally deciphered that she was crying.
He lightly knocked. "Mione, can I come in?"
Hermione sucked back her tears and said "Harry, sure. Come in."
Upon entry he saw Hermione facing away, trying to hide her tear-streaked face. "Mione, why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying."
"You were."
"I don't know what you're on about."
"Mione, I heard you. You can't even pretend to lie."
"Well,you know, I'm back here and it's a tad emotional."
Harry knew this was more than that but he didn't pry. "Yeah. I guess it is."
"What you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"Looking for you. You have been gone most of the hour. You need to do your speech too remember." Harry reminded.
"I...I don't think I can...I don't feel very well."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Got a bit of a headache and stomach ache."
"Well a quick spell will clear that up, you know that."
"No Harry. I would rather stay here."
"Hermione, you have to do a speech, you are a hero of the war. And you worked so hard on it."
"I...I can't... I can't...can't go back out there...I can't go back out there...I don't want to go back out there, pleasedon'tletmegobackoutthere." Hermione babbled panickly.
Harry rushed to her and scooped her into his arms. She let him hold her. "Ok Mione, I understand."
"Really?"
"Yeah. This place is brilliant and always has been, but we will never undo what happened. I feel a bit choked about it too." Harry assured.
"I just want to go home." Hermione said in a small voice.
"Ok. I will get Ron and then when he comes back you can talk. If you're still unhappy you can both go home." Harry told her.
"Ok, thanks Harry" Hermione said pulling away from the hug.
Harry turned to go. He turned back to give her some reassurance and he was glad he did. If he hadn't he wouldn't have seen Hermione collapse. He leaped forward to stop her head planting the floor and held her unconscious body. "Come on Hermione. Hospital Wing."
He picked her up and carried her out and towards the Infirmary.
...
"Congratulations faction five, another flawless mission completed. To celebrate your commendable achievements we have a surprise for you all. You have all been promoted."
The five faction members squealed and yelled their happiness before quieting down for the trainer to continue.
"Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce Bill Barksley, the founder of MMDS training camp." He beckoned to a man getting out the small Jeep behind them. He had a bald head that got regularly sunburnt by the looks of it. He wore framed glasses and his suit and tie were expensive Gucci clothing.
"Congratulations you five, you are amongst some of the greatest trainees the programming has had since we first started. Here in this briefcase are your promotional certificates. When I read out your name you will step forward and shake my hand. Then take your certificate."
He opened the case and removed five laminated papers. He read the first name "Mr Riddian Tyler Smith, you have been promoted to Deputy Faction Leader. Congratulations."
The short brown skinned and dreadlocked haired boy walked shyly forward to claim his certificate and shook the chairman's hand.
Riddian walked back to his older brother's side, of whom thumped the boy in the back in congratulations.
The chairman read the next name. "Mr Lewis Steven Huff, you have been promoted to Sniper Tactician. Congratulations"
Ash elbowed him and said jokingly "Always taking what's mine huh?"
He smiled at that and stepped forward shaking the man's hand. He took his award and fell back in line.
"Miss Mackenzie Olivia Johnson, you have been promoted to Faction Leader. Well done."
"Oh my God" she replied with complete surprise.
"Nice one Kenz." Lewis congratulated.
Ash just threw her a glance that said ' Me Faction Leader. That backfired didn't it'.
Mackenzie ignored the look and took the award and the chairman's hand.
"Mr Richard Floyd Smith, you have completed your training with MMDS and are a full time officer. All the best for the future."
" But my brother?" He asked.
"I'm sure the new Deputy Faction Leader can cope fine without you having to hold his hand Mr Smith." The trainer said as he observed the awards being presented.
"Right...of course sir."
The others apart from his younger brother were seriously concentrating on holding in the chuckles and snickers that threatened to burst out as he collected his award.
"Last but not least Miss Ashley Skye Milanski, you have also completed the MMDS training programme and also have a spot as a First Tactician in the MMDS advanced operations program. Congratulations."
Ashley just gaped at him whilst the others gasped. Lewis broke the silence. "You are training for Special Ops."
Ashley tried to talk but did a better job impersonating a fish. She eventually pulled herself together "I don't know what to say"
"By my sources you have shown incredible promise to being a world class officer. Personally I think First Tactician is being modest. You would probably be a Sniper Tactician in the advanced operations but no one gets above First Tactician the first time they join the program. But at your level you will most likely be promoted in meer weeks." The chairman complimented.
"Wow. Special Ops." She then stepped forward, shook the man's hand and took the certificate. The chairman bid them farewell and left in a hurry.
As soon as she was gone, Ashley was smothered by hugs from her two friends.
"I told you that you were incredible." Mackenzie said happily.
"Special Ops. You actually got the Special Ops." Lewis told her excitedly.
"This is unreal." Ashley told them. "But will you guys be OK."
"Of course. Don't worry about us mere mortals. You worry about living to be a God of MMDS." Lewis told her.
Ash turned in their arms to face them both. "I will miss you two."
"Same. But you go be a hero." Mackenzie then leaned forward and whispered into her ear "Do it for Brianna."
Ashley's breath hitched and she looked into MacKenzie's eyes. She then nodded as her eyes grew slightly wet.
The mood was broken unexpectedly by Lewis' confused voice."What is that?"
Ashley looked up at what the guy saw in the sky and all she saw was a green line and then it disappeared. Thinking it was just her eyes tricking her Ashley was going to turn back around when she felt a small judder. All three of them looked in the direction of the green light they saw. In seconds the green light reappeared but this time it seemed to be emanating off the horizon. The smudge on the horizon grew bigger and it was about as high as a five o'clock winter sunset when they realised the green light was rushing towards them. It seemed to pulse with small green waves as it drew nearer. The three onlookers tried running away but they knew it was worthless. In no time at all the green light had lit up the sky and the loud, vibrating sound became deafening. Then the light was upon them and their bodies seized up as if they were in pain but in actual fact the waves had them feeling nothing than a dull ache tearing through their chests. Then they felt physically exhausted and dropped to the floor. The green waves continued even after all three victims blacked out.
...
Meanwhile
"She fainted...she got a bit upset and then fainted. Ok, she was hysterical then she fainted. That's all I know really." Harry told Ron as he paced in front of the bed.
"Why was she upset?"
"This place brought back bad memories for her. In the end they were too overwhelming" Harry answered.
"She should've stayed at the party. Never mind, she will be ok right?"
"As right as rain Mr Weasley. However I do ask something of you?" Madame Pomfrey asked as she passed with a few potions.
"What's that?"
"Would it be possible to drain her magical core whilst she sleeps and have it return upon her reawakening?"
"Drain her magic? Why?"
"Mrs Granger is too affected by the events that happened in this castle. There isn't a single room here that doesn't have a significance to the battle. Even here she will see the injured being treated and the bodies being covered when she wakes up. I intend for her to sleep peacefully and I could give her a Dreamless Sleep potion but the reaction when she wakes might affect her even more. If we drain her magic whilst she sleeps she will feel emptier and would sleep better. As soon as she reopens her eyes, her magic will return. I merely ask this as a precautionary measure."
Ron thought about it and eventually said "Yeah whatever. Just do it. Just make sure she will be OK again."
"Of course".
Madame Pomfrey then helped the unconscious Hermione to drink the potion. Ron stood away to the side having a hushed conversation with Harry. The room was guarded so that no panic could arise with the mention of Hermione's condition.
Everyone was busy and so never felt the small judder from the ground beneath them. They remained oblivious until a loud humming noise got too loud to ignore. Harry and Ron made for the window and only had enough time to take frightened gasps when the familiar green waves passed through the walls like a Hogwarts ghost and sent them squirming. Madame Pomfrey, Harry and Ron were unconscious in under ten seconds. The castle was eerily quiet, signalling that the rest of the party had also been affected.
And the green waves kept travelling. Kept going until it bathed the globe in green and now looked similar to another green planet in our solar system. Venus. The Earth kept it's green glow for a couple of hours before gradually receding. In another half hour it was back to its blue and green contrasting colour.
This meant only one thing. Our very special asteroid had reached its destination: Earth.
An; sorry if that was too scientically dorky for you. It seems dorkier when you combine the concept of space with fantasy and magic.
Yes. No signs of the pairings happening yet but that should give you a clue to how long this story will be.
Ashley, Lewis and Mackenzie are not Muggles. The whole scene with the training mission was a Muggle practice but wait til I tell you what MMDS stands for. Or you could guess.
It stands for Magical Muggle Defence Service. Basically magical folk learn to fight Muggle-style to share responsibilities for the Muggle and Wizarding World's protection. And just like any secret service, it's a secret.
Well, I hope you enjoyed that. Reviews if you would be so kind.