Skuld looked at her father "Why are you doing this Father?"
"I am not doing it out of choice, the elf had a valid request and there is no way under heaven I could deny it" Kami-Sama said with tinge of dismay in his voice. "Like Albus I know what do but cannot bring myself to do it because in doing so I will lose you"
Skuld looked at her father "What do you mean Father?"
"If things go as they are you will become much like Belledandy" The almighty stopped and looked into his daughters eyes. "If I called on you to be as champion against the boy, would you take his life if he would not yield?" Skuld looked confused and seeing her confusion her father continued "The boy will not yield he will never admit defeat, and he will likely fight whoever comes between him and Hermione to the death."
Skuld thought for a moment trying to choose her words carefully "Father I love you, but I will not kill him even if I were champion. The answer to your next question is a NO I will not be champion or party to anything to make Harry's already tough life even harder. However, I would like to make a suggestion."
"What would your suggestion be Skuld?" he said, thinking it might be some hair brained idea
"Dobby suggested trial by combat. You get to choose the format of the combat and to what level the combat is at. I would suggest you use Hermione as the champion. Wands only no lethal spell to unconsciousness." She paused for a breath "Hermione is already given your favor. If she loses you can assign her to earth for a few decades. If she wins it is within your power to suspend Harry's oath. And you assign both of us to keep Harry Company and then Harry has one less person to worry about losing."
Kami-Sama Smiled "You have put some thought into this daughter. There is one small problem Daughter I cannot suspend his oath."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN CAN'T" The young Valkyrie yelled
"Let me rephrase I cannot set aside his oath without sacrificing something, you see magic compels even one such as I" the almighty said solemnly. "There are only two things I have left to sacrifice and Urd has found love already the boy she wants even now grows into a man. That leaves you my dear child and make no mistake about it you are as dear to me as either of your sisters. You are also the youngest the one with the most potential. I knew that the day would come when fate would demand the choice I did not think it would be so soon. In the end it will be your choice that makes or breaks the boy. I pass the choice to you.
Because if I were to make the choice I would let the world burn much like young Harry would for Hermione and the rest of his friends."
Harry sat on his bed looking over at Hermione trying to clarify his feelings for the girl 'she said that she loved me I always thought she fancied Ron, but she did sleep snuggled up next to me last night' that thought made Harry blush. 'But all we did was sleep. I do love her but am I in love with her….'
Hermione sat on her bed thinking about the dream she was having
She was sitting in the stands watching as both Harry and Cedric took the cup together and drew a quick breath in as they disappeared in a flash. She knew his leg was probably broken and he was poisoned by the acromantula. Now he was gone and there was nothing she could do to help her Harry 'My harry' she thought to herself 'where did that come from' 45 minutes passed and suddenly in another flash of light Harry and Cedric were back at entrance of the maze.
She could see Harry draped over Cedric but she could not tell if he was breathing fear the worst she broke down in tears and ran to her best friend she held him and told him she would love him forever….
Harry had enough of sitting in silence and started hobble over toward Hermione. A very miffed madam Pomfrey stopped him a few feet from her bed "Mr. Potter I really must insist you go back to your bed and rest."
Harry sighed "Or what you will give me a detention?" Everyone gasped at his impudence "Madam Pomfrey no offense but I dueled the most evil man to walk the earth in my estimation and I fought him to a draw. Now seeing as I am alive and have had almost a full day to recover from that only to see my best friend killed and then miraculously brought back to life. I don't care what you say I going over to her bed and I are going to sit with her because we don't know how much time we will have together so if you don't mind get out of my way!"
Albus looked amused. Minerva was shocked speechless, Molly looked as if she were about to take him to task while Arthur just kept watch over his children gathered around Ginny's bed. "Fine, Mr. Potter as you put it that way I cannot fault you for that. However if you need me call"
Hermione watched as Harry hobbled toward her and listened while he dressed the elderly matron down and while she could find no fault in his argument his delivery left something to be desired. When Harry got there she patted the spot next to her on the bed "we need to talk Harry about your oath and more."
Harry gulped "okay Hermione where do you want to start."
"How long have you been in love with me Harry?" She asked in a small almost whisper of a voice
Of the entire question she could ask she picked the hardest one first. He looked for a thoughtful for a moment and then the moment hit him "Second year when you were petrified, third year when we were rescuing Snuffles, and this year just before the first task." Hermione sat in silence for a moment and Harry rushed on "I know I should have said something, anything but I did not know if you felt the same and I did not want to make things awkward between you, Ron and myself in case you might fancy him instead."
"Then perhaps we should clear it up for the three of us. Ronald could you come over here?" Hermione asked.
Ronald looked at his father and mumbled something and his father put his hand on his shoulder and said something that made Ron smile and he silently made his way over to Hermione's bed
"Hermione, I am sorry" Ron started which caught Hermione off guard
"What are you sorry for Ronald" Hermione said her brow knit with confusion
"The Yule ball, I was right out of order there. It was your one perfect night and I destroyed it. Because I didn't have the courage to ask you out and Krum did. And during the ball I was jealous you were the most beautiful lady at the ball and I had lost you to Krum."
Harry began to fidget he had suspected Ron fancied her but here was the proof. Hermione's face softened "Ronald how long have you loved me?"
"Since the chess set" Ron said then he looked around "I knew Harry would get through no matter what but I did not want you to get hurt so I took the hit."
Hermione and Harry both looked at Ron with a new appreciation for his tactical thinking. It was Harry who broke the silence. "Ok Hermione you got us to tell you how long we loved you now it's your turn."
Hermione sighed "For you Harry it was the troll reinforced by the philosopher stone" She paused and Ron was about to ask she started again "For Ronald it was the day he used a broken wand to defend my honor against a certain ferret boy." She said with a smile "However Ron, you need to get over your jealousy of Harry everything you say he has he would trade to be just like you or me. We" pointing at herself Ron, snuffles and Remus "are the all the real family he has."
Ron held up his hands "Okay, Okay I will try. I Might not Succeed at first but I am willing to try to be better."
Harry looked between his two friends "So what now"
Hermione arched an eyebrow "What do you mean what now?"
"What I mean Hermione" Harry said with exaggerated patience "Which one of us do you want to be your boyfriend?"
"Well I am not sure I guess, I never thought I would be in a position to date either of you." Hermione said looking at her shoes "I guess I thought Harry would get someone beautiful like Cho and that Ron and I would always be arguing about something or other." She faltered a little when she saw the look on both of her friends faces.
Harry and Ron both had looks of severe anger but it was Ron who began "Hermione You say that as if you yourself are not beautiful" to which Harry could only nod in agreement with Ron.
"Well let's be honest Ron" Hermione began when she was pounced upon by her two best friends
"We know you're going to make a comment about your hair or your teeth or that you're just a book worm"
Harry said with some exasperation lacing his voice.
"But the fact is Hermione" Ron stated "None of that is true and if it were then you are our Beautiful, scary smart, Bookworm and the world can burn for all I care as long as you are in our life."
"It is good of you to say that Ronald" Kami-Sama said phasing into existence beside them "Because in accordance to the universal laws I accept your gage Harry James Potter but because I am a being of a higher order I must act through a champion."
"Who will your Champion be" Albus asked and the room was silent with anticipation.
He said the two words that made Harry's heart quail "Hermione Granger."
Harry said with low growl "No. You cannot ask me to raise my wand against her"
"I most certainly can. Either put up or shut up Harry. How much do you want her in your life?" Kami asked.
Ron was gaping like a fish when Hermione found her voice "Harry you have to otherwise your magic and life will be forfeit."
Harry looked at her. "Hermione I cannot and will not raise my wand against you the consequences are damned."
Hermione asked Kami "What are the terms Sir?"
Kami looked thoughtfully "Unconsciousness or surrender"
"I accept" was all she said
Minerva chose that moment to pull Hermione aside "Are you sure about this Miss Granger?"
"Yes ma'am I see what Kami-Sama is doing. Harry made an oath and the magic must be satisfied or Voldemort has won." She sighed "What am I to do Professor I love them both in different ways. It's not like I want to leave Ron or Harry or Hog warts."
At which Albus Spoke "You must choose to do what's right or what is easy."
Ron looked over at Harry and saw him go back to his bed and retrieve his wand "What are you doing Harry? You are in no shape to fight her"
"I know" was all he said then he looked down at padfoot "I am sorry Sirius, Ron, everyone and especially you Hermione I am so sorry" Everyone looked at him and he said "I cannot attack a member of my family, Therefore I am forced to concede. I surrender "with that he snapped his wand. A white light exploded out and seemed to coruscate around Harry causing him to writhe in pain worse than Voldemort's Cruciatus curse.
But he never uttered a sound
Kami thought to himself 'I should have seen that option, I guess not even I am perfect.' He looked at his daughter Skuld.
Skuld watched in awed silence as the boy so easily accepted his fate. She turned to look at her father and saw only sorrow in his eyes. It was then she understood she would not be going home. Not until Harry's life ran its course.
"Its ok father I understand, it's only a little while maybe 15 decades at the most". She whispered
"I know my child, be sure to bring young Harry with you when you come home." Was all he said to her? "Go to him now he needs you his pain is …intense"
Slowly she walked over to him passing the ring of light she began to feel the effects of the oath as she slowly pulled Harry into a warm hug Whispering "it will be ok, Just hold onto me" and hold onto her he did, like a frightened child and in that moment Skuld knew Harry, saw his life, his troubles and his friends. Unknowingly her angel awoke and began singing and Harry's pain began to ease as Skuld's essence mingled with his.
He walked over toward the group of flabbergasted wizards and witch's "Fear not his life and magic are fine though he will need a new focus"
Hermione was the first to break out of the shock "The rules of magic will not allow this"
Kami-sama took his measure of Hermione "My children there are many mysteries in the universe that you may never understand but I will tell you this. There exist in the universe many beings that have a greater control over magic where oaths such as Harry's do not even cause a ripple in the weave. As it is Harry is close to the next order of magnitude in power. However it is untapped and untrained so it is dangerous. Which is why he chose not to fight you, he could have destroyed you by accident" Kami paused and looked at his daughter "However there was a price to pay and pay it he has. Hermione I charge you to live, and live well for love is all around you when your time on the mortal coil is truly up we will be waiting." With that he shimmered out of sight.