Just a Stranger
Summary: A SS/ HG Fic. What if Hermione makes a deadly choice? The consequences ripple thoughout the magical world. Can anyone save her or their world?
An: This story has obvious Catholic or religious overtones. While I understand that not everyone is catholic, it's also at the same time not preachy. I hope. In addition I have no beta reader. So I am apologizing now for all my errors.
The air crackles. Sudden furious lightening hits the ground, as the day sky magically becomes dark. Soon the only light comes from smoldering flames or bursts from tired wands. A lonely girl with long bushy brown hair stands apart. The air around her becomes almost tangible as the ground around her catches fire forming a circle. Death Eaters in long black robes come to stand around the circle. Mutters of horror and fascination linger in the air.
Harry stares on in wide-eye horror as his former best friend Hermione Granger stands in the center of a circle as Joseph Flint forces him to his knees. Looking over, Harry spots Ron lying in a heap next to several fallen teachers.
"Come," hisses Voldemort instructing his followers. "Bring the traitors, Snape and Malfoy!"
Hysterical laughter of Belltrix is heard before Harry sees the bloody broken man that was Severus Snape. His right hand was cut off at the wrist. Rudolph Lestrange was dragging Snape by his long black hair. The man barely looked alive. Joseph Flint was dragging Lucius by one of his feet.
"Here they are master," laughs Rudolph. Hoisting Severus up by his neck. Strangling sounds emanate from his throat letting everyone know that he was still alive.
"So they live," snickers Voldemort. "Good, he can witness the new beginning!" raves Voldemort. "Where I will rule! Nothing and no one can stop me now!"
Swallowing hard, Harry glances over to where Hermione was so calmly standing. A soft smile is playing on her face. Rage boils in Harry's veins as sharp pain explodes in his head.
"Be still," hisses Flint. "You're death is coming soon."
"Master," drawls Hermione obviously bored. "If you want the re-birthing ceremony to take place, I need to start it now." Harry watches in amazement as Voldemort stops his torment of Severus and does exactly as Hermione instructs. "When the light appears that's when you need to step into it. Forming a circle. Now, this is important. Only the most loyal may enter, any one who is not loyal will suffer in the extreme."
Voldemort nods his head, signaling that he understands. "Bella, Rudolph. You will stand beside me as my most loyal."
As everyone moves into their proper places according to Voldemort, Hermione opens her school bag. Pulling out several small circular balls and what looked like a Celtic cross with holes in the sides."Was war, einmal wird wieder sein. Ich biete als ein geführter an, um das Tor zu öffnen. Diejenigen, die in Angebot selbst zur Wiedergeburt eingehen. Für den gewählten Anfang wieder, neugeboren." The grounds shake as bright white light erupts from under Hermione's feet spreading outwards in a perfect circle. "Diese sind diejenigen, wer sich ihres freien Willens bieten."
Voldermort steps into the light followed by his followers. Smiling cruelly as each one felt the strange power radiating within the circle. Shock waves of power crackle in the dead air reaching outwards until it sharply rushes backwards. Only Hermione was standing within the circle holding up the cross, everyone else was forcibly onto their knees.
"Harry!" bellows Ron from where he was laying on the ground. "What's happening?"
"I don't know!" Harry shouts then grunts as all of his wounds are sharply felt. Looking down, Harry blinks his eyes making sure that they weren't playing tricks on him. The scrapes on his knuckles were slowly healing over.
"Potter!" shouts Severus as he crawls over to him. As Severus reaches Harry, Severus hands Harry his wand. "Untie yourself. Then get out of here!"
"I can't just leave!" contradicts Harry. "Look, Professor, my wounds! They're healing themselves!" Shoving his hand under Severus's nose. "We can't just leave without her!"
"Potter!" snarls Severus then gasps in pain as his wrist forms skin over the open wound. Looking down at the stump, he swears softly. Gently getting to his feet, Severus sways. Reaching down he grabs Harry by the scuffing of his robes. "We don't have time to argue on this. Whatever Hermione is doing, it's not magic!"
Dragging the boy away from the glowing circle, Severus glances over his shoulders. His heart breaks at the site of Hermione falling to her knees. Resisting the urge to drop Potter and run to her aid, he breaks eye contact. Taking a sharp breath, Severus watches as the severely wounded and also dead victims start to stir.
"Bloody hell," whispers Harry. Glancing down, Severus notes that Potter has finally taken his eyes off of Hermione. "What is she doing? Is she crazy?" With ragging breath Harry shouts, "Ron! Look around you! Everyone seems to have survived!"
"But at what cost?" mutters Severus as he hears the crackling of the light coming from the circle. Feeling eyes staring intently at him, Severus looks up into Dumbledore's somber gaze. Approaching the man, Severus states, "I had no idea that she was this far gone."
Loud piercing cries refract off the air. Anyone who was near the circle desperately makes a mad rush to get away. Small bolts of lightening erupt near Hermione hitting the circular balls that were now swirling about. Voices of those who have died float along the air, causing Goosebumps. The warm air becomes abnormally chilly.
Everyone backs up in horror as they watch the Death Eaters in the circle devolve into nothing. The only persons left are Hermione and Voldemort. Suddenly the magic in Voldemort erodes away leaving a young boy kneeling on the cold ground.
"Headmaster!" shouts Severus in near panic. "We need to get the students back inside Hogwarts." When Dumbledore doesn't react fast enough, Severus bellows, "Everyone! Get back inside! Move it!" The ground quakes as a stampede of students rush back inside Hogwarts. Turning his gaze back to the circle, Severus observes with morbid fascination.
A sharp gust of wind nearly knocks everyone left to the ground. One ball hits the side of the circle, lightening from the ground hits the ball. Seconds later, it explodes into a full grown adult. The adult lands with a heavy thud on the ground.
"Merlin!" shouts Ron rushing forward. "GINNY!" The young woman in question weakly turns towards her brother.
Merlin's balls! She's going against the laws of nature! The died should not return to the living. Raking his oxy eyes over the ever-brightening circle, Severus could barely see the limp form of Hermione Granger. Bright flashes of color hit the wall, as more balls starts to swirl. More balls hit the circular wall, leaving a trail of bodies.
Covering his eyes, with his one hand, Severus rushes towards the circle. This can't be magic! A foreign emotion hits him square in the chest. Swallowing hard, Severus barely makes it to the circle with his good hand outstretched when gushing winds force him back.
"God! Forgive me for I have sinned," shouts Hermione with her head tilted upwards. Tears streaking her face, she raises her hands up when suddenly the circular light floods inwards leaving nothing in its wake.
Blinking rapidly, Severus hastily glances around. People who were died were now among the living. Ginny and Molly Weasley who died when there was an attack on the Burrow last fall, were surrounded by their sobbing family. Draco Malfoy and Sirius Black were being held tightly in the clutches of Hagrid. Dumbledore was franticly kissing Professor McGonagall.
Loud shrieking pulls Severus's attention to behind him. Gasping, Severus sways as he realizes that he's looking at a Potter family reunion. A shaking Harry was holding Lily and James Potter; he hugged them as if his very life depended on it.
A flash of blue caught his eye. There standing to the side clutching each other were none other then Hermione own parents who were killed right before the start of her sixth year. The lengths she went to… Closing his eyes, Severus silently cursed. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he moves towards the couple.
"Hermione…" gasps her mother fruitlessly gesturing towards the ground. "She… she… went under the ground! You have to help her. Please!"
German Translation:Was war, einmal wird wieder sein.
What was once shall be again.
Ich biete als ein geführter an, um das Tor zu öffnen.
I offer myself as a conducted to open the Gate.
Diejenigen, die in Angebot selbst zur Wiedergeburt eingehen.
Those who enter offer themselves to the rebirth
Für den gewählten Anfang wieder, neugeboren.
For the chosen start again, reborn.
Diese sind diejenigen, wer sich ihres freien
Willens bieten.
These are the ones who offer themselves of their
freewill.