Disclaimer – I always forget to put disclaimers at the start of chapters... So... Please don't make me say it... I don't own Harry Potter, and I never will... Original Characters of course are mine
A/N:
Hello everyone! Wow – the amount of response from the last chapter was great! I really didn't expect that! Thanks to everyone who reviewed/favourite/put me on alert!
Also, I have a couple of things to clear up about the last chapter...
Basically, Hermione was found by the Grangers instead of the Lupins' because the Lupins' had just moved out – I forgot to add that part in! Oops...
Also, I forgot to mention that yes, the appearance change on Hermione was permanent – let's just pretend that Voldie cast a non verbal permanent charm on her – I love magic!
Also, a reply to the Guest review – I am 13, not 12
This is a reeeeaaaaalllllyyyy short chapter – but I really wanted to get this up today... RIP LILY AND JAMES POTTER!
Hope that cleared some things up for you! Now, onto the chapter!
Chapter 2 – 1998; The Year It All Went Wrong
The Final Battle. It was here.
Enormous holes gaped in the stone walls from spells gone awry; the once magnificent roof of the Entrance Hall was on the verge of falling in, courtesy of the long, thin cracks stretching across it. Scorch marks marred the stone floor, were spells had narrowly missed their victims, or in worse cases, were the spells had hit their target, and the victim was lying a few feet away. Left and right spells flew, lighting up the dark sky and illuminating the deep red blood stains on the floor. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had never looked so broken.
In the midst of battle, a girl was running at full speed up an empty corridor. Her bushy brown hair tied in a hasty ponytail, Hermione Granger turned into an empty classroom, gasping for breath. Her eyes were laden down with heavy bags due to lack of sleep over the past couple of days. She put her hands on the table; supporting her weight with her arms, and caught her breath. Hardly anyone was left. Remus Lupin, her mentor, her friend, was lying in the Great Hall. He could have been sleeping, but Hermione had learned the difference between reality and hope a long time ago. Beside him lay Tonks, looking equally as peaceful. Her failed attempts at capturing the heart of Remus Lupin didn't matter anymore. The list of the dead went on. Molly. Kingsley. Neville.
Breathe Hermione, control yourself. She mentally scolded herself; cursing her inability to compose herself.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione left the classroom, wand drawn and a steel look of determination on her face. As soon as she exited the door, she was immediately engaged in battle by a burly Death Eater. A quick flick of her wrist and the man was down, but she had no time to feel guilty. A loud explosion and a chorus of screams sounded from the other side of the corridor. Kicking the fallen Death Eaters robes off of her feet, Hermione took off in a sprint; careful not to run in a straight line. Lights of all different colours passed her in her attempt to reach the crumbling remains of the Main Door, but due to recent months spent running, she picked up quite a speed. She reached the end of the corridor and immediately stopped in her tracks. The corridor was in ruins. The crumbling stone and crimson splattered debris was blurred by Hermione's tears. Cries could be heard from above and underneath the rubble. The muffled voices from underneath grew faint until they became inaudible. The anguished cries of the people trying to retrieve them from the rubble grew louder; more pained.
'No - no - no!' someone was shouting; they're voice ringing above all the others. 'No, Fred! No!'
Redheads immediately descended on the ruined corridor, desperately looking for the soul of their family. Rubble was hastily flung to the side in the rush to save Fred. Broken out of her trance, Hermione sprinted towards the group, desperate to help in any way. She saw the broken face of Percy; tear tracks creating clear lines down his blood stained face. He was frantically throwing debris aside. A flick of red hair flashed from underneath a particularly large piece of rubble. Percy's face instantly lit up and his speed increased. Fred's full face was visible.
'He's still breathing!' Percy's hoarse voice rang through the corridor, causing everyone to turn to him. He pressed his ear to Fred's chest; each faint beat of the heart sending a course of hope through his body. 'Somebody help me - P-please. My wand – it's not mine... I-I can't use it...It's not working... P-please...' He broke down in tears at his brothers' side. He had never looked so broken. He looked around frantically; looking for someone in the crowd. His eyes rested on Hermione, and immediately he stood up and shot a spell at her. Hermione jumped in fright and scrambled back. Another spell sent by Percy. She lifted her own wand and quickly produced a shield spell. Another spell shot from beside her; Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan had joined the fight. She now had three people duelling her, and yet she had no idea why.
'What are you doing?!' she cried in confusion. 'It's me – Hermione!'
Percy snarled. 'We may be young Bellatrix, but we aren't stupid.' The fatal green curse brushed against Hermione's ear as Percy's' words sunk in. Bellatrix...?
A shield charm in place, Hermione tried to run forward to Fred, but a quick bombarda from Dean and Seamus had her sprawled out on the floor. Her wand lying a few feet away, Hermione felt helpless. 'Dean...'she whimpered, 'Seamus... what are you doing?'
The duo said nothing but advanced on her slowly, wands drawn, and an angry glint in their eyes. 'How dare you,' Percy spat, pushing his way in between Dean and Seamus, 'How dare you kill my own mother, and have the nerve to pretend to be my friend?' Hermione stared at him in utter bewilderment. Wands were pointing directly at her nose. She was wandless; she was trapped.
She scurried backwards, only to find her back pressed against a wall. This was it. A jinx was thrown; Hermione ducked, and it hit something behind her. A loud crash sounded from above her; a mirror had smashed, and was lying in shards around her. She glanced into one of the pieces, and gasped. Her reflection showed not that of herself, but of a girl with striking silver eyes. Gone were her trademark brown curls and in their place sat perfectly straight black hair. Her mouth was open in shock, showing her straight teeth. In short, she could have passed as the twin of Bellatrix Lestrange; albeit with straight hair.
Another hex was thrown at her, this time a sickening green. Again, she rolled out the way, and cried in protest. 'Please!' she cried frantically, 'Believe me – it's me! Hermione! Let me save Fred!'
Percy wouldn't stand for it; more curses were thrown at Hermione. 'Prove it!' his shout echoed through the corridor, 'Prove to us that you're Hermione.'
His voice cracked; Hermione knew it was taking all his willpower to give her a chance to prove herself, when she looked exactly like the person who had killed his mother mere minutes ago. Having just been reunited with his family, Hermione hoped that Percy knew the importance of second chances.
'Penelope Clearwater!' Hermione shouted frantically, 'You have been dating her since your sixth year – I walked in on you snogging last year.'
Percy's' stand faltered, and his hand shook. 'H-Hermione?' he said weakly; questioningly. He immediately reached out to grab her hand to help her stand, but the hand slipped from his grasp, as if he had lifted a block of ice. He looked into her eyes. 'What...?' he trailed off, seeming to be at a loss for words. Hermione plowed on, and tried to run towards Fred. Her legs failed her; buckling as if made from water. 'I-I can't!' she cried.
She brought a shaking hand up in front of her face; watching as it became transparent. She reached forward to grab Percy's hand; it went right through it. The battle was still raging on around her; Percy was forced to engage in another duel. It seemed the Death Eater was gaining the upper hand. Suddenly, Percy was thrown back into the remaining pile of rubble. The Death Eaters' hood had fallen during the duel, and Hermione recognised him as soon as he turned around. Dolohov. His eyes grew wide as he saw Hermione. His shock was quickly diminished as a large grin took over his face. He looked at her urgently and seemed to be muttering under his breath. Hurry Up. In his moment of recognition, he failed to anticipate the violent shot of green that collided with his back. He lay sprawled at Hermione's feet; dead. Percy was hobbling over; wiping blood from his mouth and nose. He suddenly fell to the floor, shaking in sheer agony. Hermione could recognise the affects of the Cruciatus Curse anywhere. She looked up to see Bellatrix Lestrange cackling manically. Hermione had never felt so helpless. She could only lie on the ground and watch Percy suffer the life slowly bleed from Fred as darkness clouded her vision.
ooOOoo
So yeah... short chapter.
It just means my next chapter will be even better! Again, RIP Lily and James Potter... how you muggles celebrate Halloween in such a happy manner disgusts me... Even though I am sitting at the laptop in a cowgirl costume... (Hey – I couldn't find my Gryffindor scarf... DON'T JUDGE ME!)
Thanks for reading! Review? Please?
EleanorWeasley
