Island Challenge WIKTT by katievolodina
I took pity and gave this challenge a go. Hoggy Hoggy Hogwarts and all are under the ownership of JK Rowling and company. I just kidnapped them all for this story.
Edalocca Island
Chapter One
Sunrise on a Beach
Hermione groaned as she opened her eyes. It was still dark and the stars were twinkling overhead. For a heartbeat, she nearly thought that she was waking after the battle. That she was still at school. But, then she heard the sounds of crashing waves and smelt salt on the air. Where was she and what happened to Professor Snape?
The last thing that Hermione remembered was the battle. Voldemort had attacked Hogwarts the day before her, Harry, and Ron's graduation. Due to shields that no one knew existed the Death Eaters were finding it impossible to get into the school and all of Voldemort's supporters were transported out among his other followers – student or otherwise.
Hermione could help the grin she felt grow on her face as she remembered that Professor Snape had not been taken by the magic. She could still remember his proud voice bellowing at the one he once feigned to be a servant to.
"You think that I would serve a half-blood who spouts only pure-bloods have the right to rule? A paranoid, revolting beast who tortures even those who profess that they would die for him. You are not worthy of any such honor, Riddle!"
Did Voldemort ever give the Potions Master a death glare for that, but Professor Snape's words made an even bigger impact on the side he now fought for despite his charade of being a double spy. Dumbledore had such a look of pride in his old, blue eyes. Harry and Ron (along with most of those fighting for the Light) were stunned. Hermione just beamed. She had known all along that that man's loyalty lain with the Order. His proving her right only gave her more power in the form of admiration.
Voldemort sent out a blast that gave some of his warriors time to slip into the school grounds, which gave the rest a way in. The final battle was on and it would be for keeps. Order members, teachers, staff, and students were all fighting for the school. Hermione was surprised to find many of Slytherin house were fighting against the Death Eaters. Looked like the words from their Head of House had some influence on them, if not then the man himself most assuredly did.
The battle was heinous and bloody. Students and Order members quickly began to fall all around her. Ron fell from his own brother's hand. But, Hermione dispatched Percy 'Whetherby,' as he had his surname legally changed to, without a moment's doubt or concern for another's life.
In the end, many died on both sides. There was no time to mourn as of yet. There were still enemy all around, and Voldemort was coming onto the school grounds! Hermione and Professor Snape guarded and helped Harry get to Voldemort as fast as they could. Only he could end the threat of this maniac forever.
Hermione could see in Harry's eyes that the mounting deaths and fear for Ron was getting to Harry. He was losing his fervor to finish it all. Hermione couldn't think of anything that would give Harry the extra drive to finish off Tom Riddle.
When Harry looked at her, she nodded with a strong look. "Keep going Harry! I've got your back!"
She noticed Harry glance at their Potions Professor and heard the man's word. "Hurry Potter! Focus only on freeing the world from that monster! It is no different than in your second year! You faced down Riddle and won then – you most certainly are capable of such now!"
Seeing that their friendship and aid were strengths to Harry, the beast moved first to remove Professor Snape. "First to punish the traitor who thinks that he is on the winning side. Fuori alla vostra ricompensa giusta!"
In a blinding dual flash of light, the man was gone! NO! Hermione's heart stopped for a moment. He had been so wonderful, and did not deserve whatever the scum Riddle had handed him.
And then she heard that familiar hiss of a voice chant out her own removal. So, soon she would join her favorite professor in oblivion. She hoped that he would be there in heaven with her. Hermione was certain all that he did cleared his past mistakes.
Before she went wherever she was going, Hermione shouted at her dearest friend in the world. "End it Harry! Stop him from hurting the rest of our friends! Please, Harry!"
Fuori alla vostra ricompensa giusta!
Then the dual flash of light enveloped her as well. Hermione blacked out the second the spell hit her.
After checking herself mentally, Hermione slowly sat up and found that she was lying on an unfamiliar beach. The temperature was cool, but the sky hinted at the dawning day that was sneaking up on the dying night. Birds were waking and filling the near morning sky with gentle songs. She drew her knees up to her chest and wondered to herself.
Given her body ached from the fight and her heart from all of the losses, it was certain that Hermione was not in heaven. But, this place did not seem like hell. What did that leave? The only option she could piece together was one of Voldemort removing her out of the war by means of exile to uncharted island. How like Hitler the scum was.
Did Harry destroy Voldemort by now? Did their side win that final battle? What had happened in the end of the battle? What was to become of her now? Whatever happened to Professor Snape? Where was she?
For a moment the lapping surf held all of Hermione's attentions as she slowly began to grieve and pray for those she had lost. Now that she didn't have to fight she could look back and remember those who were gone. She hated being alone. Maybe she was in limbo or even Purgatory that her aunt had condemned the girl to after the truth accidentally slipped out with the woman discovering Hermione's school things during that last visit.
Then, Hermione was drawn out of her memories and confusion. She just barely heard that voice … could it really be him? "Ms. Granger? Do you hear me?"
Hermione turned with a start to find her Potion Master towering over her. Wearing his stern sneer as always, she thought he was the most handsome sight in the world right then. "Professor! You're safe! I thought that He had killed you!"
Without knowing why she leapt up and wrapped her arms around his chest while breathing in his scent. Cool and spicy with a smell that could only be his mixed in with the sea salt that hung in the air around them. She wasn't alone, and he was safe. Now, all she could wish for was for the two of them to go home.
Professor Snape on the other hand was stunned that this girl was clinging to him. No, not this Gryffindor Know-It-All. It was bad enough that he woke up on this damned island alone, but to be stuck here with her? Oh, the Dark Lord had given the one time spy quite the punishment indeed. "Calm yourself you silly girl."
With those words, Hermione knew without a doubt that this was her Potions Professor. Yet, she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. "Sorry sir. I was starting to think I was alone here. Given I see no one else here, may I infer that we are the only people here?"
"You may, Ms. Granger. What do you remember?"
Hermione took a breath a settled her jumbled emotions to recall the details. The sun finally rose part way up its morning entrance. "The Dark Lord hissed an incantation and then there was a blinding light. I just woke as the sun hinted at its rising."
Professor Snape considered her words a moment. "Had Potter killed Riddle?"
"No, I told him to do it for all of us. And then, I was in the blast of light."
Professor Snape began to pace a bit. He seemed worried.
Hermione had a question bubbling in her brain. "Sir? Why would the Dark Lord send us … wherever we are? Why not a dungeon or something of the like?"
"Even in this situation you have to be an insufferable Know-It-All? Fine. I have seen where others were sent by the spell cast on myself, and I suspect you. This is not that place." Professor Snape growled.
Hermione was hurt. She was stuck with the snarkiest teacher in her school, and had no idea where she was. The joy she once felt at the sight of him towering over her – safe and sound – began to fade to the reality that she was obviously alone on some island with a man who hated her three fold.
First, he hated her because she was a Muggle-born witch. Despite his proud words and prior acts, she suddenly wondered if blood did mean something to this man. Secondly, she was a Gryffindor. That was still a deep sin in her Professor's eyes it seemed. And finally, moreover than the rest, Harry Potter was her best friend.
Forget that his mind and bravery had her heart, forget all the fantasies that were somewhat similar to this moment but the emotions were completely different. She swallowed her tears, later she would dream of what she would have liked to have had happen. "Have you tried to apparate back to the school or somewhere, sir?"
"Of course, Ms. Granger. However, I believe that it is apparent that I have been unsuccessful in those attempts. At best I can move from one place to another on this island only." Professor Snape sneered.
Hermione could feel her tears fighting for release. She had to get away from him. He was the one man who she refused to give witness to her tears. Turning away so her tears remain hid, Hermione stormed away from the sea and started towards the inland of their private island.
Professor Snape was stunned. What had gotten into the silly little girl? "Where do you think you are going?"
"Food, drinking water, and shelter; those are the first three items my parents taught me to focus on in emergencies of this nature, Professor." Hermione snapped back at him over her shoulder. She was still having a time forcing her tears to not fall.
That truly stunned her Potions Master. Her mind was indeed a wonder to have the basic needs on it instead of weeping like an infant. Perhaps he had misjudged the girl, many a time it would seem. "What would you have if we were at school?"
"That is easy. Toast, pumpkin juice, two eggs over easy, some bacon, and a little fruit like I always do. Why?" She growled.
With a flick of his wand, Professor Snape created a table for two and breakfast. "We can perform magic here. We simply are unable to leave by way of magic it would seem."
Hermione was shocked at the change in the man's demeanor and voice. She quietly thanked him and they ate their meals in silence. Each was desperately assessing the other. Both knew that their worlds and views were to change because of this 'punishment,' and that was a frightening concept.
Once they were both finished, Professor Snape magically banished the mess and table set away. Hermione sighed softly. "Well food and drinks are taken care of. What to do for shelter remains."
"That seems to have been provided as well. Come along, Ms. Granger."
As usual, his pace was swift and Hermione was jogging to keep up with the man. But soon they came upon a villa like cottage. It was so lovely! Hermione instantly was in love with the place. The garden and its fence, the two story house, and then she eyed the stables that housed two horses. One a black color, while the other was a light honey beige. She then formed a new thought. "This means that there has to be someone here."
"Yesterday, this place was cooler in appearance and only the black horse lived in that stable." Professor Snape said pointedly.
This was confusing. Hermione glanced over and was stunned that he too was perplexed. She spoke out the only logical conclusion, "the entire island is of magic then. But who created this place?"
/We did, young lady./ Came an airy woman's voice.
Hermione edged closer to her teacher, frightened at what this could mean. Professor Snape reached for and pulled the girl closer, both of their wands were out and at the ready. She was his responsibility now. He had to keep her safe. "Who are you?"
The pair saw movement to their right and looked to see the ghostly figure of a plump woman beaming at them. Dear Merlin, it just could not be! Hermione gasped out in fright, "Helga Hufflepuff?"
/Yes, dear. My, but I was stunned you were not settled in dear Rowena's house. Now I completely understand why. You are so very brave to have done so much for your friends. And you, Severus, have made your house's name honored once again./
"All I have done is protect those I could from repeating my mistakes." Professor Snape growled. Hermione clutched him closer in response.
Helga felt differently. In her eyes, he was the singularly best that had come from Slytherin house in many years. It was an opinion that Hermione shared with the long dead founder of her school.
Then came another voice, one that was male and like smoke. /Don't be a fool, boy. You learned from your mistakes far sooner than I did my own. Look at the young woman you have saved many times over, even at times when it was merely in the act of saving another's life. One life you save does give birth to many others saved by your singular act./
Into the clearing near the house stepped the ghost of Salazar Slytherin himself! Hermione was stunned, but not nearly so as Professor Snape was. That shock deepened when Godric Gryffindor's ghost appeared next. /And now he slowly realizes why the Sorting Hat tried to dissuade him to sit in my house. He has the nerve, but his cunning told him he had more to do for your house than my own, old friend./
Then appeared the ghost of Rowena Ravenclaw, the four founders of Hogwarts all had come forward. The final member of the four looked very much displeased. /She should have been in my own house. After all, look at her wits/
/Peace, Rowena. You want so desperately to ignore the girl's heart and nerve. Besides, think of how things might have gone without her./ Godric spoke firmly, as if he did not want an argument to flare up.
Salazar smirked. /The two little brats she tutors forever would have flunked long before their O.W.L.s without doubt./
Helga cleared her throat. /I think that Godric meant along the lines of this monster who thinks he knows you so well winning over the Light, Salazar./
/A little tease. I can't help that it happens to likely be true./ The man smirked so eerily like Professor Snape.
Hermione and Professor Snape had remained silent through this all, yet had not released one another. To the four, this held a hint of promise.
Rowena smirked slightly at the pair. /It would seem that we have stunned the couple silent. No endless questions or accusations that they both would have if we had taught them./
That hit Hermione between the eyes hard. "You were a Know-It-All too, Professor?"
Professor Snape let go of her and walked off. Hermione was even more confused and heart broken. Looked like her mouth had gotten her into trouble; maybe Ron had rubbed off a bit too much on her. Then she began to think about Ron and the others friends who had died. It only tore her tender heart further. She ran off the opposite way to find privacy and silence, determined to never return to the beautiful cottage with the horses and her one time dreams.
Salazar shook his head. /These too are going to make this gift impossible to give./
/They have both been hurt so many times before by many. It is little wonder they are not able to open up and trust one another./ Helga sighed sadly.
Godric looked from one path to the other. /How long do you think it will take him to realize that she will not return of her own free will, you think?/
Rowena shut her eyes in grief. /Not until the storm comes. We cannot hold it back for much longer. There is only one way to banish it for good./
/And only they can do such./ Salazar sighed./I will watch over mine and you watch over yours, old friend./
Godric nodded. /Mayhap they will learn sooner rather than in the last moments of life here./
The four vanished in grief. They had created the Isle to reward the couple for their bravery and cunning all of these years. The founders were in hope that one shared dream might come true. Yet, that now appeared to be in jeopardy.