A green snake approached the witch who sat on the floor. It had brilliant silver eyes that reflected ambition and a strange protectiveness. The girl blinked as a flash of light illuminated other animals in the blackness of the room. The first figure was a magnificent lion with a large golden mane and ruby eyes that twinkled with an inner light. The next animal was an eagle, silvery wings spread out as it flew to the ground, blue eyes calmly assessing the emotions of the human before it. Finally, a black badger sauntered forward and closed the gap. Its yellow eyes glanced at the others quickly, before turning to look at the reason they had been called.
"Stay strong, Chosen One. The darkness shall not hurt you. No one is more worthy of our power than you, because you exemplify everything we stand for. You use your knowledge to help others, and are extremely humble. You would do anything for your friends and classmates, and your ambition focuses on making life better for others, even if it does make you less than popular." The foursome said in perfect harmony.
The lion broke the half-circle and spoke once more. "Things will unfold the way fate meant them to. Never stop believing in yourself Hermione. Your heart will shine a light to lead your people out of the darkness that covers them. We trust you to do the right thing. Face this evil with your head high. Go, now. Know that the rulers of the past stand with you…."
Hermione woke up with a start. She could still hear the ancient voice in her head. 'The rulers of the past stand with you. Stay strong…..' Hermione glanced around to get her bearings. She was in a room, lying on an emerald green bed. The room had no windows no doors, just a fireplace and a bookshelf in the corner. A couch was placed before the fire. Hermione could feel the magic around her, so she quickly realized this was not a place meant to be escapable. She slowly got out of bed, her wrists sore from being grabbed.
At that moment, the bookshelf slid aside and a familiar figure walked in. Draco Malfoy, came over to his shocked school mate. "Come", he said. "The Dark Lord awaits your presence." His voice shook ever so slightly, but he stood firm and lightly pushed Hermione towards the door.
"What does he want from me?" Hermione asked, curious as to why she had been kidnapped from her school.
"Just to talk, your highness." Draco paused where he stood. "Please follow me, Hermione. I don't want to be punished again for not following orders." Hermione reluctantly followed, not wanting to cause the Slytherin any more pain. All too soon they had reached a grand set of doors. As Draco went to open them, he whispered, "Don't give in to him. I will try to slip away to get Dumbledore or someone else." Then, the oak panels opened to reveal a throne room. Draco immediately hardened up and walked forward.
Hermione began to walk down the aisle of people who were glaring at her from all sides. Hatred permeated the thick air. When she neared the front, she saw Voldemort on an obsidian throne. Hermione kept her back straight and head high like the lion had told her to in her dream. She also put up shields in her mind, to prevent anything from being seen that would damage the Order too much.
"Bow to me" the man in front of Hermione said, his high voice echoing in the silent hall.
"No, my lord. I think it should be you rather who bows to me." Hermione said, not showing any of the fear that raced in her heart. Voldemort stood suddenly and began to laugh. Hermione only kept her position, her hand reaching inside her boot for her wand, which was surprisingly, still there. She withdrew it and pointed it at the dark wizard. "I would like to ask why you have brought me here. I assume this isn't a tea party for discussing the weather or the latest fashions or spells. "
Voldemort stopped his laugh, instead staring incredulously at the teen. "I have brought you here to kill you, you silly girl. The prophecy which Lucius had hidden in his robes, after duplicating it, changed suddenly a few days ago when we were listening to it at a Death Eater meeting. This prophecy is the only one linked to me, so it changed the minute another was made, canceling the original one. "
Hermione could not believe this. "You mean, I am your biggest threat now. What about Harry? You killed his parents and tried to kill him."
"How thick are you, princess? I did what I did to ensure my survival. Anyway, Harry will still die soon, just after you and the meddling old fool who calls himself Headmaster of Hogwarts." Voldemort finished, raising his voice at the end. "Now, I think I will have some fun before killing you." He raised his wand slowly, and was about to cast a curse when Hermione interrupted.
"May I hear the prophecy please? I ought to know what is expected of me, before I defeat you and destroy you forever." Hermione was thinking quickly, begging for time so Draco could get help. She thought false bravado would work, but really she had no chance. 1 against over 400 were not good odds. If it were only Voldemort, she could take him. But with others, she would never get close enough.
"Very well. Nott, Lucius, fetch the prophecy so our guest can hear the full extent of what her failure will mean." Voldemort was smiling. The witch would be so distraught, victory would be ensured. "You do know, I cannot be defeated. I am immortal. Soon we will see if you are too. I look forward to seeing your lifeblood across the ground."
It was time to pull a trump card, Hermione thought. Revealing her work with Harry and Ron over the summer and most of the 6th year would work well against Voldemort. "Well, Tom," she paused. Voldemort was outraged that the filthy mudblood would dare speak his muggle name. The name that he lived with for years, before rising up as Voldemort. That name was pain and death to him.
Hermione could see he was reacting like she wanted. Hopefully this next bit of news would completely distract him. "You see, ever since my 2nd year and Hogwarts when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, and your diary found, Dumbledore realized what you had done. After that, it was simple to track down old Slughorn and get a certain memory in exchange for a box of veritasurem laced crystalized pineapple." Hermione smiled, building up to the grand reveal. "Seven horcruxes, all destroyed. The murder of Nagini was no accident or misplaced spell. Starting last summer, Harry, myself, and Dumbledore tracked down each one, destroying them forever. Gaunt's ring, Nagini, the diary, the diadem, the locket, and the cup. You have nothing left to fall back on. Maybe now we can face each other as equals."
Voldemort was clearly very angry at Hermione, and was about to curse her when Lucius came in with one end of a black box. Nott gently set his end down and opened it up to reveal a crystal ball. Smoke filled the center, and with a quick summoning, it was in Hermione's hands. When she touched it, the ball began to glow and a voice bellowed out of the mist.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord has come
Phoenix fire wreathes her wrist as ancient crown rests upon her head
The power of the founders four, shall be seen in light again
Secrets dark, shall be revealed
As many are killed on an ancient seal
When long lost power re-awakes
In a brown haired lion with brains and guts
To do the unthinkable; To protect us all
Wizards, Muggles, Creatures, Ghosts
Owe our fates to the princesses might
Blood will fall from wand of bone
Tears will fall from heart of stone
The crown that dies for people's sake
Shall re-awaken to find their fate
The one with the power to destroy the Dark Lord has come
Lion, badger, snake, and raven
To live in the one who is chosen
Hermione replayed every word of the new prophecy in her head. She feared that she knew exactly how the prophecy would be fulfilled. Hermione closed he eyes and steeled her heart for what would come. Then, she raised her wand and bowed to Voldemort. Then, Hermione took a stance that signaled an intention to fight. She knew not if Voldemort would allow it, but she breathed a sigh of relief when he returned the bow.
Soon, it would be over. But for, now, every drop of power the princess had had to be focused on the duel. As the fight began, Draco Malfoy slipped out of the room and appartated to Hogwarts. Hang on Hermione. Help will be there soon. I only hope it won't be too late.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed/ followed/ faved. I made this extra-long for you. Please continue to give me your thoughts on this story, and send it to other people. Another update will be up next week. Sorry for the cliff-hanger by the way. If you can guess who the animals represented, then you will be mentioned on the next post. PM me if you think you know. Thanks for all of your support!