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Chapter 25

Albus POV

The ensuing battle was fierce. Without my command, the wards protecting Hogwarts went down, letting in all manner of creatures. Our only saving grace; Whosoever apparated onto the grounds could not leave again unless bid so by the Order. We couldn't stop the advance, but we could keep the enemy from leaving to fight another day.

We were lucky we had the chance to move our youngest charges to safety. Before lifting completely, the grounds and castle gave a great shudder, giving us a one-hour window in which to move our students to the tunnels, under Mrs. Fleur Weasley and Nymphadora's watchful eyes.

"Albus." Turning, my gaze settled on my most trusted friend.

"Minerva, is everything in place?"

She came to stand at my side, surveying the battleground below. "Yes. All we can do now is wait for Hermione and her Guard. Albus," Minerva hesitated then continued, "Albus, what if it isn't enough? What if Severus, Remus, Charlie, Moody… Hermione. What if they aren't strong enough?"

"My dear, Minerva," I said softly, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. "Do you really think Layla would leave her daughter unprotected? No," I was quick to assure, "we will not be alone in this. Of that, I can promise."

We stood quietly for a moment, enjoying the last calm before chaos broke. A green flash filled the sky, signaling the arrival of Voldemort – or as I knew him – Tom Marvolo Riddle. I looked to Minerva, knowing in my heart it would be for the last time.

"Well, Minerva," I said, raising my wand, "It has truly been an honor. Watch over my children," I added in a whisper.

"I will, Albus. I will."

These were the last words we uttered to one another before the top of the Astronomy tower was blown off, rubble striking the soldiers below.

_+_+_+_+_+

Harry POV

My heart stopped when I saw Voldemort blow up the tower where Dumbledore and McGonagall had just been standing. I looked at Ron, shock on my face.

"Do you think -," face pale, he couldn't even finish the question.

"I don't know." I whispered. "Come on. We have to keep the way clear for Hermione." Ron nodded, ashen face going red with fury and determination.

"I'm right behind you."

Putting up a shield, we made our way down the hill, blocking, stunning and binding any Deatheaters in our way. We were steady; keeping our emotions in check so as not to provide our enemy a way through. Falling into a rhythm, we dropped rounded disks on the fallen and bound Death Eaters. The disks, when activated by the dark aura surrounding Voldemort's followers, acted as portkeys to an impenetrable cell for our enemies to await trial.

I don't know how long we fought; I barely noticed our shield flicker and die before we felt the full force of the Death Eater spells. I watched Ron take a burning hex to the back before I could re-summon our shield.

After what felt like days of fighting, using moves and spells Hermione spent weeks drilling into our heads, the world seemed to stop. Reaching for Ron, we watched the ground roll, breaking away in places, before it came to a stop at the base of the northern hill. All focus left our comrades and instead was placed on the hill.

Our Weapon had arrived.

_+_+_+_+_+

Severus POV

Moody, Charlie and I stood away from father and daughter, providing as much privacy as we could. As we checked our arm and leg guards, we couldn't help but overhear the solemn goodbye and instructions Remus had for his new found child.

"Promise me, if the battle goes sour, you and Charlie will get as far away from here as possible. Take Dora and find somewhere safe to hide." Remus held Hermione at arms length, shaking her slightly to make a point.

I shook my head and muttered, "He's known her for the last four years. One would think he had learned not to order her around. The insufferable brat does what she wants." Remus' growl told me he had heard every word I said.

"Boys, stop it," Hermione said, giving us both a warning glared. "Dad… Do you honestly think I'd be able to hide from Voldemort and His evil for long? No. Besides, how can I leave you all at the hands of His torment?"

Kissing his cheek, she let Remus hug her before she turned to survey the rest of us. She nodded at Moody and Charlie before resting her eyes on me. She whistled, damn the little chit.

"Looking good, Uncle Severus. You should wear faery garb more often."

I glared at her, but she was already pulling her husband away. They stood apart from us, totally aware but trying hard to ignore the men around her and Charlie. No more than a foot apart, Hermione and Charlie stood with hands clasped, quietly contemplating the other.

Moody, Remus and I moved to give them as much privacy as possible. Moody busied himself with cleaning his magic eye. Remus and I chose a less disgusting distraction.

"Severus," he whispered, "I'm asking you as a father. If the battle goes ill, please get her out of there. Tie her up if you have to, just get her out."

I gave him a wry smile. "You know she and Dora will both have fits if anything happens to you. And," I added, "As young as she is, her power is potent. I doubt any spell I use to subdue her would last more than a few minutes. After midnight… Well, she'll be unstoppable."

Remus winced. "Gods, Severus. Do you think she can handle it? That power, I mean."

Moody put his hand on Remus' shoulder. "She's your daughter, Lupin. If she can't handle it, then no one can."

"That isn't very reassuring, Alastor, but I thank you for the consideration."

The gruff Auror nodded. Walking to the edge of the forest, he waited.

The forest went quiet. A pack of Werewolves waited at the eastern edge, far away from the Centaurs who had agreed to aide us. Hagrid's Aragog was more than enthusiastic about helping. I shudder to think of the damage he and his young could produce.

Seconds before the midnight toll, the ground shook. Hearing a gasp, Remus and I turned, staring at the sight before us.

Illuminated from within, Hermione shone with a brilliant gold light, her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Five shadowy figures stood around her; two men at her back and two women at her sides. Another smaller figure walked forward, arms outstretched towards Remus.

"Remus," she breathed.

"Layla?" Remus choked on a breath.

She smiled, her features hazy. "All will be well, now. Come, we haven't much time."

Turning away, Layla laid a small hand on her daughter's cheek, singing softly beneath her breath. Walking away, she led a dazed Hermione away from the forest, followed closely by the Four Founders.

I looked at Remus and Charlie closely, hardly aware of Moody following silently behind the glowing woman. I put a hand on both men's shoulder, feeling the extent of their fear. Not for themselves, but for the young woman they both loved and would gladly protect with their last breath.

"Promise me, Severus. You'll get them both out of there."

Taking a deep breath of my own, I promised them both, knowing one of us probably wouldn't survive.

_+_+_+_+_+

Hermione POV

Midnight.

I can't remember much past a burning pain filling my body, light and power thrumming through my veins. And the voices… Hundreds of voices, all clamoring to be heard were instructing me on what to do, not caring how much it hurt.

My mother's hand on my cheek stemmed some of the overflow. I lifted a hand in wonder, staring intently at my new golden glow. I didn't hear the whispered, awed, conversation going on around me.

My eyes floating to the back of my head, I blindly followed my mother, trusting in her guidance to lead me safely to the battle ahead.

I smelled the battle before I heard it: A mixture of sweat, fear and evil permeating the air. I smelled the blood of my friends and enemies soaking the ground, although I knew deep in my heart that no one had yet died.

Blind, I couldn't see where we stopped, but I felt it. The Hill was where Charlie and I first kissed, watching the stars and making endless dreams. I smiled when I felt the power flowing from my body to the earth, making the ground tremble with every breath I took.

Opening my hands, I held them parallel to the ground, letting a stream of golden light flow. Screaming through my mind, the voices of the plants, animals, even the rocks and the soil begged me to set them loose. Feeling the dark aura around Hogwarts, the magical beings sought a way to help and protect their beloved home.

I don't remember anything after I opened my eyes, breaking the small tether of restraint my mother had on me. Giving over to the power in my body, I gave no thought to the hundreds who would probably fall at my hands this day. All I cared about was the thirst for power dictating my thoughts and actions.

I doubt I'll live to regret the lives I have taken.

_+_+_+_+_+

Charlie POV

Death. There was no other word for what I saw. Hermione's eyes were blood red, becoming darker as the air crackled around her. I reached for her, hoping she would recognize us and not let the power consume her.

I was tackled from behind for my stupidity.

"Idiot!" Severus berated. "If you touch her, she'll drain the life right out of you! Are you such a fool you'll give up your life in the time it takes for her to breathe?"

"What?" I gasped out. "What the hell do you mean? What's happening to her?"

Remus gave me a hand up. "Her body turns all life around her to raw power. She's unstoppable." Remus fell quiet, terrified no doubt by the thought that his daughter was so dangerous.

"What do we do?" I asked, aching to pull Hermione close, shielding her from danger.

"You keep anyone from touching her: Friend or foe," Salazar said, his dark eyes flashing. "We will keep her safe. Your only job is to protect your friends."

We nodded, scared of the grin spreading across Hermione's face. Seconds later, she started walking down the hill, a trail of dead earth left in her wake. The air around her crackled with pent up energy, daring any of us to get too close.

Surrounding her, Moody and Severus took the front with Remus and me in the rear. Immediately we noticed how her presence affected the witches and wizards on the battlefield.

None of our spells worked. We were powerless to do anything. Not even a simple stunning spell could be conjured.

Panicked, I looked at Remus. "What do we do now?" I yelled over the clamor of battling opponents. Upon seeing the glowing figure, Voldemort ordered his followers to destroy her. A tidal wave of Light and Dark soldiers came at us. I tossed away two Death Eaters, dropping charmed disks on their fallen bodies.

"That!" Remus called back, doing exactly as I had done; Severus and Moody followed suit. So we fought. For how long, I don't remember. I only remember following my wife into the fray, her aura attracting light and dark alike.

Some of the enemy made it through our collective protection. It seemed the Founders and Layla were there more for our protection instead of Hermione's. Any who got through our defense screamed in agony as first their power was leeched from their bodies then their lives. All that was left of their existence was the blood staining the ground.

It sickened my heart to hear my sweet tempered, gentle wife cackle in maniacal glee as she leeched the life from her enemy.

I felt the surge of power before I saw Him: Voldemort. He grinned, his forked tongue darting out from behind his teeth, catching Hermione's scent on the air. Enraged, I darted forward, trying to hide her from His sight.

Remus' horrified cry of, "Don't!" registered seconds before the feel of Hermione's hand on my back. I turned, amazed that I was still alive. She smiled at me.

"It's alright," her voice, no longer her own, was older and deeper than before. It was the voice of Gaea. I knew in that moment, she was gone from my grasp.

Moving aside, she made her way to stand before Voldemort. Taking his wand, he tried to fire off the killing curse. He was stunned when he realized it wouldn't work. His last sight on this earth was my wife's innocent smile before Harry plunged Godric Gryffindor's sword through His back.

None of us saw the blade He threw into the air, catching Hermione just below her left breast.

As His screams tore through the air, the ground shook, a whirlwind of immense power seeping from our greatest enemy's body. I grabbed Hermione, not caring that she could kill me, just wanting to protect her the only way I could: With my body. I pulled her to the ground and covered her, my hand cradling her head against my chest.

When the winds died down, I opened my eyes to see the ground littered with bodies; Soldiers of the Light and Dark alike. Behind me, Remus, Severus and Moody regained their footing, binding and sending off surrounding Death Eaters until there was none left. There was no struggle; The blast of Voldemort's death knocked his followers out.

During those hectic seconds, I looked down, wondering why my wife was not standing next to me. I almost died when I saw her; Blood matted her hair to her skin, the crimson lifeblood slowly draining from her body. Her skin, already pale, was downright porcelain. If it weren't for the blood staining the ground around her, I would think she was asleep.

Breaking from my stunned stupor, I fell to my knees, gently rolling Hermione onto her back. I didn't hear footsteps behind me, nor did I notice the tears running down my face. My only thought was on finding her wounds and staunching the flow as best as I could. My mind didn't register the serpent handled blade protruding from her chest.

Pulling back the leather top she wore, I found her wound. Voldemort's last act of terror was to create stab wound, nearly four inches deep, beneath her heart, angling towards her stomach. Lying beside her was the poisoned blade he had used, dislodged when I pulled off her top.

I hauled her close to my body, using the tight grasp as a way to stop her bleeding. Her body, cold as ice, shook with the force of my sobs. I wasn't aware of the screams coming my lips until I felt strong hands shake me roughly.

"Charlie! Dammit, Charlie, look at me!" Severus' voice punched through the fog. "She's alive. We have to get her to the castle."

"What? No!" I fought hard against the hands trying to take my dying wife away. Severus must have gotten sick of my struggling.

"I wish I didn't have to do this." A sigh and then, nothing; My world went dark. I never even felt Severus' spell hit me.

Yep, I think I killed her.