Disclaimer: As we all know, I do not own Harry Potter and his world. However much I'd like to.

*-*-*-*

Chapter 2

Hermione sat in front of a holographic, 3D map of Hogwarts and its environs. In the image of the Forbidden Forest, many red dots flickered – representing the enemy's camps that Celia had managed to find.

Most were behind the wall delimiting the grounds – or rather what was left of it after years of neglect. Hermione narrowed her eyes at the two red dots that sat past it. Both were nowhere near the castle, and not even close enough to bother the Centaurs. But they would be able to warn the others if anyone approached. And so a direct assault was impracticable. For now...

A knock on her door shattered Hermione's concentration.

"What!"

Minerva opened the door with a small smile.

"Could you have been even harder on Harry and Ron?"

"Still cuddling them, are you?"

"They're your friends."

"Were. If you haven't seen fit to explain to everyone that the Hermione Granger they knew is dead, then..."

Minerva stopped her with a wave of her hand. "That story is yours to tell, or not."

"Well, you could have told them I had changed."

"I had, still have, hopes."

"What? Still think I will fall in their arms and change back to your favourite student next time I see them?"

Minerva's sad smile spoke volume for her. And Hermione sighed deeply.

"You know better. You saved my life when you fought to bring me back from the darkness I had fallen into. But you must understand: evil gets into someone and rarely lets go. Ask Snape. Both him and me, we wouldn't have made some choices of we had been sweet and pure of hearts... I can't go back to how things were. Not sure I would want to even if I could!"

Minerva sighed and waved the issue aside, then pointed at Hermione's map.

"Any good news?"

Hermione looked up at the Headmistress, one eyebrow raised, and Minerva couldn't help but chuckle.

"You look like Severus!"

The younger woman rolled her eyes.

"They've taken the Forest, more or less. We'll have to make sure the students stay away from it."

"Easier said than done!"

"They seem quite content there for the moment. By the look of things, they have been camping in the Forest for over a year."

"They?"

Hermione frowned as she looked at the map. "I don't know who yet. But I've already told you my guess as for why."

"The Hogwarts dragon."

Hermione nodded, her eyes shifting to the representation of Hogwarts on her map, a small smile tugging at her lips thinking of what might be hiding somewhere within the old walls. She brought her gaze back up to the Headmistress.

"Give it to me."

Minerva shook her head. "What makes you think I know what, or where, that 'dragon' is. You're the one who told me about it, remember? Anyway, I think that could be to much power for you."

"Too much to handle?"

"Too much to resist."

Hermione regarded the older woman carefully, then shrugged and focused once more on the map in front of her. Although the Forest was all but lost, there was still a chance of fighting back if she could get the Centaurs to help. For the woman in front of her, she might even call in a few favours if she had to. The nearby mountains seemed enemy-free, but this might only be because winter was coming...

Hermione shook her head, then sat back in her chair, arms and legs crossed casually, and watched as Minerva was studying the many weapons on her walls. Hermione took a long look herself. She had Transfigured her living quarters here to closely look like her own house. And this was evidence enough that Hermione Granger had changed a lot.

Sure, there was plenty of bookshelves, all filled with various titles, Muggle and magical, fiction and non-fiction. But many of the wall also bore swords, axes, wands, magical staffs, even a few guns, and most made by Hermione herself. The castle had even accommodated when she had asked for two further rooms: one to store raw materials and ingredients, the other to house her forge and workbench.

"I hope you realise I will carry on trading whilst stuck here."

Minerva rolled her eyes and nodded. "So long as teaching comes first."

"Speaking of, what do I teach?"

"Defence Against the Dark Arts," Minerva said with a small smile.

It was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes. "I meant, it's mid-August and I don't really have time to work on lesson plans if you still want me to secure this school as best as possible before the start of term."

"Severus has left his lesson plans in the office at my request. You can follow this, and ask him if you get stuck."

Hermione nodded. "Unless he's coded his notes, I can follow."

Minerva smiled, then pointed sternly at her.

"No dark magic in front of my students!"

"I know."

"And go talk to Harry at least. He will be your colleague for the next ten months or so."

Hermione groaned but nodded. She had known she would have to face the demons of her past when she agreed to come back to the Wizarding World.

*-*-*-*

Hermione stood on top of the Astronomy Tower, staring into space. It had taken her a whole day to gather her Gryffindor courage. Quite unusual at that. The new Hermione was afraid of very few things. But facing one of her oldest friends... And now she extended an arm as she felt Celia flying back to her. The black phoenix settled on her forearm and nipped playfully at her fingers. She looked enquiringly at her friend.

"But we don't run anymore, do we, my love? We stand and fight!"

The bird chirped softly in agreement then turned to the door. Hermione looked over just in time to see Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy stepping through. Hermione waved a hand and two comfortable chairs appeared out of thin air.

"Come. Sit. Shut up. I have a story I should tell you."

As the two men settled down, confused and thrown by her behaviour, Hermione looked down at Celia. The phoenix sang a few sad notes to her mistress, and the woman smiled.

"Hunt well, love."

And the magical bird departed in a burst of black fire. Hermione turned to her 'guests'.

"Since the Headmistress seems too cowardly to do so, let me tell you a story. I'll make it short and sweet, and spare you the more gory details. Ten years ago, the darkest of wizard was defeated but he left behind many wounded and many dead. One witch went to look for her parents alone, and found them to be two more of his casualties. She swore revenge on those who had done the deed, since the one who had ordered it was already dead. In order to be prepared, she finished her education, and when some didn't understand what drove her, she broke the ties of friendship and love that held her to them."

Harry visibly winced at this. So he did remember that he and Ron had both been too busy that summer to come with her looking for her parents. And that both had actually been angry when she seemed cold and aloof afterwards. Then again, she hadn't told them at the time, pretended she hadn't found her parents... They'd only realised when the Daily Prophet had published the facts a few months later. But by then, it was already too late.

"She passed her NEWTs and went abroad in search of knowledge. She learned many things, and in time became deeply involve in what you call the Dark Arts. By then her rage and hate had swelled to include many: the Ministry of Magic, those who had tortured her during the War, those who had simply stood by and watched..."

This time it was Malfoy's turn to wince.

"Finally, the witch became a danger to herself and to others. She killed many and fount that she enjoyed it very much. She gathered many more to do her bidding and formed many alliances. In the end, a group of people from across the world, realising that the witch would eventually destroy the world, came together to fight her. They succeeded and defeated her, but could not – or would not – kill her.

"Instead, they bound her powers as best they could, knowing it would not keep her from breaking if she really wanted to. They talk to her, and forced her to see sense. They managed to convince her to let go of her hate. But her rage stayed within.

"And the witch refused to lay down her weapons. Instead she started to fight for what she was good and right once more, but with far more savagery and cunning than she had before. And she still does to this day..."

Hermione looked at the men in front of her. Both wore shocked look on their faces. And she hadn't even told her the half of it.

"Harry, I think you tell the others this story. Mr Malfoy, please let Mr Lestrange know that he may be forgiven, but I have not forgotten. Staying away from me might be a good idea right now. Actually, this goes for quite a lot of your friends."

Without another word, Hermione walked away. On her way to her quarters, she thought about her past for a while. The Death Eaters were warned, the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army had been presented with the facts they needed to make a decision about a possible new friendship with her.

And Hermione had work to do...

*-*-*-*

A/N: Well, here it is. Hope you like it! Please let me know what you think.

And many thanks to those who have taken the time to review the previous chapter. Since a few of you wanted to know what happened to change Hermione, I thought I'd brought some of the information forward a bit. Hope you like it!