A/N I don't know how many of you are aware of this website's witch hunt on M rated stories but over the last few days many stories have been taken down and many more will surely follow. Apparently there is a group of users out there that are going through stories with an M rating and if it breaks any form of rule, it will be deleted without questions asked. Now personally I disagree with this. If any story is found to break the rules, the writer should be given a chance to edit their story instead of having it wiped from the website.
I know that M rated stories usually contain violence, sexual scenes and other subjects that may not be suitable for a younger audience. Now, I don't think it is this website's responsibility whether or not someone under the age of 16 or 18 reads said stories. If it was, they would have attached some form of age confirmation to accessing M rated stories. My stories occasionally contain sexual scenes but I try to keep the graphics down and enjoy a more poetic and less detailed description myself. Anyway fingers crossed this witch hunt comes to an early end and everybody's work will be spared.

Also, there is a petition online to stop this witch hunt. Please, if you have a minute and value the meaning of free speech and a creative mind, please sign. /petitions/fanfiction-net-stop-the-destruction-of-fanfiction-net

Chapter 26

"Dark Empire"

Hogwarts lay on top of the cliffs, darkness descending rapidly. Behind the hundreds of windows the golden flames of candles illuminated the darkened glass. Shadows moved between the walls as the students made their way to their dormitories. In the distance rang a bell, a haunting reminder that times had changed here. No longer did the sound of innocent laugher echo through the castle's corridors. Many seats remained empty in the Great Hall. After the first battle many students had not returned. Those of blood that was not pure or those who were simply too frightened to face what lay ahead had not returned.

The faces of teachers had once expressed joy as they taught their students about the mysteries of magic. Now they found themselves confronted by the darker sides, those sides they had always chosen to ignore, and watched with increasing horror as they saw both the fear and lust flickering in their students' eyes. Those who had parents who hid behind the silver Death Eater's masks showed eagerness and willingness to learn. Those who had suffered great losses in recent days fought back tears as both their wands and their hearts were put to the test.

Severus Snape looked out from one of the large windows in the Headmaster's office, overlooking the castle grounds. He had seen the changes in the weather throughout the day and had watched with growing concern as thick black clouds packed together in the Highland skies. By the end of the afternoon, nature released itself upon them and battered the grounds with heavy rain, roaring thunder and lightning. He knew what would come tonight and now that darkness had fallen, he recognised the shadows that began closing in. His Dark Mark burnt against his forearm and he pulled back his sleeve, revealing the black skull on his pale flesh.

"My Lord," he spoke to the emptiness of his office before turning around. His black robes billowed behind them as he stalked out of the office he had claimed through violence, leaving a silence in his wake. He started descending down the spiral staircase and when he reached the corridor Severus walked to the nearest window. A bright flash of lightning briefly lit up the grounds and he recognised the shapes of dark cloaks and masks. They were here. It had begun.

~()~

"Andy!"

She leapt to her feet when the front door to the Burrow opened and three figures staggered into the kitchen. The two people on the outside supported a third one in the middle. They appeared to be unable to stand and slumped down as the door closed behind them. She ran across the kitchen and dropped to her knees beside the fallen man and reached out to support his head. Ollivander's thin streaks of hair stuck to his forehead and tired grey eyes looked up to meet Andromeda's.

Harry brushed his wet hair out of his eyes. "All hell has broken lose out there."

Andromeda nodded. "It has begun."

"You think this is it?" Harry asked and the dark haired witch nodded.

"Where did you find him?" she asked as she helped Harry and Fred to bring Ollivander into what was left of the living room. The comforting warmth from the fire warmed Harry and Fred, who were soaked down to the core and Ginny, who had been sitting in an arm chair next to Tonks, flicked her wand to bring the sofa closer to the fire. They carefully sat Ollivander down and a soft groan escaped the aged wizard as he sank into the soft cushions.

"We went back to the Manor but it's completely destroyed. We decided to look in the area, just in case he managed to get away. Fred said he didn't remember seeing anything in the Prophet about Ollivander dying. Turned out he was right. He was wandering down the road about four miles from the Manor," Harry said and pointed at the old man's feet. "He had no shoes and his wounds were infected. If you ask me, he's gone delusional. He was mumbling non-stop. Something about having to stop the Great Evil."

Andromeda ran the tip of her wand along whatever clothing Ollivander was wearing, warming both the fabric and his skin. He relaxed and regained some of his colour. Then her brown eyes darted back to Harry. "I don't think he's delusional, Harry. I think he's frightened."

"You think the Great Evil means Hermione?" Fred whispered and Ginny gasped.

"I think it means what they are to become," Andromeda said and knelt down on the floor in front of the old wand maker. Gently she took his hand into her own and his eyes fluttered open. From the kitchen Molly appeared, clutching a mug of piping hot tea and a slice of fresh bread and some cheese. It wasn't much but it was all they had. Andromeda smiled as she took it and helped Ollivander as he attempted to hold the cup.

"T-thank you," he stammered after a few tiny sips. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Thank you."

"Thank us later," Andromeda said. "Mr Ollivander, do you know who we are?"

Ollivander's eyes wandered around the living room and came to a rest on Harry. "Mr Potter." Then he looked back at Andromeda and momentarily seemed frightened by her appearance before relaxing. Andromeda could not blame him for believing she was her sister. "Miss Black."

"We're the Order of the Phoenix, Mr Ollivander," Harry said as he knelt down next to Andromeda. The old wand maker nodded. He shared a look with Andromeda and she nodded encouragingly. "You're safe here." Ollivander shivered. The cold had gotten into his bones. Harry felt a sharp sense of pity for the old man. The war had been unkind to him. He took a deep breath and asked the one question they were desperate to see answered. "What can you tell us about the Three Cores?"

"Their cores are created from the same dragon heart," Ollivander said. His voice shook. "Many years ago they captured the largest Hungarian Horntail to have ever walked the surface of this Earth. From its heart three strings were taken and they were placed within individual wands." A lonely tear chased down his cheek. "No one dared to make the wands because the magic they possessed was brutal and unlike anything ever seen."

"You made the wands, didn't you, sir?" Harry asked quietly.

"Not even Gregorovitch himself dared to do it," Ollivander said and averted his eyes. "I was foolish enough to believe that I could not only produce the wands, I could also contain the magic they held within." He swallowed and his hands shook so badly that Andromeda carefully took the mug of tea from his fingers. "The night I created them, Gregorovitch made me vow I could never allow the wands to be reunited. Even back then I told him that the wand chooses the witch or wizard. I did not believe three single souls could be so powerful at any one time that the wands would connect with them."

Harry glanced at Andromeda and he saw the worry in her eyes. "You said soul, sir. What is the connection between a wand and a soul?"

Ollivander turned to look at Harry and his gaze lingered on the scar on the young man's forehead. "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr Potter. It recognises a part of itself inside the witch or wizard to whom it belongs. Like a missing shard of a mirror, or a piece of broken glass. Separate they are but useless but together they form a powerful instrument." He watched the frown spread across Harry's face. "Wand lore is full of mysteries, Mr Potter. That much is clear to those of us who have studied it. But a wand connects not only to magic. It connects to the soul."

"That's why a wand that has been borrowed but not claimed in fight or otherwise doesn't do its new owner's bidding in the same way a wand that was taken in battle or by force would," Tonks said suddenly and she looked at her mother. "It explains a lot."

"I understand," Andromeda said softly. "But you did find that two of the wands could not be separated, didn't you?"

Ollivander heaved a sigh. "Within a few years of each other, two of the three wands recognised its soul mate, if you so wish, in two of your sisters, Miss Black. I dare say I was not surprised when the first wand chose Bellatrix. Even as a young girl it was clear to see she possessed something that many others lacked."

"Darkness." Andromeda sounded bitter. "Bellatrix possessed darkness."

"The morning your younger sister walked into my shop, something happened. I remember it like it was yesterday. Golden blonde hair, the most angelic little girl you could ever imagine. So unlike her sisters in appearance," Ollivander said and his eyes found Andromeda. She looked sad. "Narcissa's eyes however betrayed what I had seen in Bellatrix and she found the box on the shelf, hidden quite a bit away, and asked to see it. The second her fingers touched the wood, my windows shattered. The second core had found its soul mate."

"But you said that the wands together are dangerous," Ginny said breathlessly. "Weren't you worried?"

"I saw little danger," Ollivander said. "There were only two cores, one third was still missing. But also, the wands are useless against each other. It would recognise its twin, its soul mate. If they were ever to duel, they could harm but not kill each other. When used separately, they work without problem. Even when in battle against a different opponent, the wands will not seek out its twin. They just cannot fight each other."

"But when the three cores are in the same room…" Andromeda did not dare finish her sentence.

"They are unbeatable."

"Why didn't you tell Hermione when she came to get her wand that day?" Harry asked. "Why didn't you tell her what it was, what was inside of it?" There was a hint of accusation in his voice. "She never knew!" He paused. "You told me that the phoenix who gave a feather for my wand had given only one other feather. Why didn't you tell her?"

"Because when you got your wand, Mr Potter, You-Know-Who was presumed dead. No one feared him. However, I knew that the two remaining cores were out there somewhere, even with Bellatrix imprisoned in Azkaban and Narcissa living far away. When I learnt Miss Granger was a Muggleborn I felt a sense of safety. What were the odds she were to ever run into the other two?" Ollivander said and shook his head. "I was wrong."

"Narcissa and Hermione crossed paths during the Quidditch World Cup in our fourth year," Harry remembered and he looked at Ginny. There had been a moment, then they had run into the Malfoy family, that Hermione had appeared dumb struck. Back then he had believed it was the loathing she felt towards the Malfoys. Now he realised it was Hermione's wand and Narcissa's finding and recognising each other. Soul mates that finally joined each against all odds only to be torn apart again. "And in our fifth year Bellatrix escaped Azkaban. It was when she and Hermione found each other."

"Miss Granger was your friend, Mr Potter. Everyone knew what you had faced together, I began to believe, or maybe I just hoped, that one third of the wand held a light where the others were dark." Ollivander took a deep breath. "I never dared to think that Miss Granger held the same darkness I saw within Narcissa and Bellatrix."

"Life changes people," Tonks said sharply. "Hermione never explored her darker side because she had no reason too. We all have traits we'd rather forget about. We all have thoughts and dreams about what we would like to do to those who hurt us. A desire for power isn't such a strange thing. When Hermione was hurt, she realised there was another side to her. Bellatrix just helped her explore it."

"Once their wands, and their souls, had sensed each other, there was no way they could ever be apart. Eventually they would have to join together, like three separate pieces of the same heart, which is what they are," Ollivander said. "They belong together."

"So you're saying they cannot be separated?" asked Andromeda, a hint of fear lacing her words.

Ollivander straightened his spine. "Only death can tear them apart."

"But when they are united their magic is unstoppable. They think and act like one," Harry said as he remembered the events at Malfoy Manor that had killed Ron and the explosive Killing Curse that had sprung from the three wands when they were together at Hogwarts. He flinched at the sudden pain he felt over the loss of his friends. "They are one."

"Are they strong enough to overpower Voldemort?" Andromeda asked and Ollivander looked up to meet the dark witch's eyes. Fear spread across his face. When he didn't answer Andromeda became desperate and she grasped his hand. "Are they?"

"I have no doubt that they can."

Tonks stood up. Determination flickered in her eyes. "And to stop them you have to kill one of them?"

"Yes." Ollivander's answer was but a whisper. "Take away part of the soul, destroy a shard of the heart."

"No," said Andromeda and she stood up. Tonks' eyes found hers. She shook her head. "We are not going to kill just the one."

"Mum?" Tonks whispered. "What are you saying?"

"To kill evil you don't just kill a small part of it, Nymphadora," Andromeda said and a bright flash of lightning illuminated the living room. Determination flickered in Andromeda's eyes. "To destroy evil you kill all of it."

~()~

Hermione watched her own reflection in the darkened glass of the bedroom window. She had bound her brown curls back in a loose ponytail and let her hands trail down her new dress. The black leather corset sat tightly around her chest and was decorated with silver metal flowers that were all entwined, creating the illusion of an armour. Underneath it she wore a black skirt that still sat tightly around ger legs but also allowed her plenty of room to move. Black leather boots completed her new outfit and she focused her attention onto the wrist bands she wore on either arm. They clasped into place, giving her an almost warrior like appearance. Her wand was kept in a narrow sheath on her right hip, allowing her to draw it almost like one would a sword. She studied her own expression as another flash of lightning illuminated the glass. She caught the second reflection appearing behind her and a smile spread across her face.

Bellatrix's dress was identical to hers and she watched as the raven haired witch strolled into the room. Her black curls caressed her shoulders and when she reached Hermione she snaked her arms around the brunette's waist and kissed the side of her neck. As her lips made contact with the soft skin, a third shadow appeared in the rain stained glass and Hermione chuckled softly when Narcissa, also wearing the same dress, crossed the room, and joined them.

"It is time," she spoke softly and her slender fingers brushed a raven curl out of her sister's face.

"Any news?" Hermione questioned as she turned to look at the blonde witch.

"The forces have gathered in the castle grounds," Narcissa said softly. Her breath was warm against Hermione's cheek and her hand caressed the brunette's arm. "No sign of the Order."

"They know the signs," Hermione said slowly as she watched how the rain violently lashed against the bedroom window. "They will come."

"How can you be so certain, my love?" Narcissa asked and Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"Even if Potter isn't ready to face the Dark Lord tonight, someone else will be ready to face their own destiny," she said and she fixed her eyes back on the blonde witch. "Your sister will be looking for me."

"She will seek to kill you," Bellatrix whispered in the base of Hermione's neck and teeth grazed across exposed skin.

"I know," Hermione answered and turned her head so her lips could meet Bellatrix's. "I shall be waiting." Bellatrix's arms slipped from her waist and she stepped away from the two older witches. In the middle of the room she turned around and studied their faces. "We are one. To kill one is to kill all. Tonight all that awaits us is destiny. It is as certain as life and death itself." Her lips curled up into a devious smile as she drew her wand and aimed it as the ceiling. "To victory!"

~()~

The rain hammered down on their hoods as they climbed the hill towards the castle. The trees masked their presence and the sound of their boots on the path was erased by the strong winds and unrelenting rain. Andromeda led the small group further up the hill. The castle was within their reach. All that separated them from their destination was the metal gate and she hoped and prayed that the wand Harry had taken from the Death Eater would allow them to pass through. She glanced over her shoulder and felt a sharp sense of guilt as she watched the others struggle up the hill. The storm only seemed to get worse the closer they came to the castle.

"Harry?" Her voice was barely able to rise over the strong wind but he looked up and left Ginny's side to walk up to her. He had to bend forward to climb higher and when he finally reached Andromeda he realised they had reached the gates. He reached into his pocket and drew out the confiscated wand. Harry took a deep breath, placed its tip against the metal and watched in surprise how the whole gate began to disintegrate. It crumbled before their eyes, shattering to pieces at their feet, and Harry looked stunned.

"Come on," Andromeda rushed them to move along whilst keeping her eyes peeled on the crumbled gate. "I doubt it's going to stay down forever!"

She was the last one to step onto the grounds and glanced back as they ran towards the castle to see the gate restore itself. She then looked back towards the rest of the group, with Tonks and Harry now leading them. She could barely see them, as it was too dark, but ran towards the moving shadows and caught up with them when they reached the oak front doors. She placed her hand on the heavy door handle but Harry turned to look at her.

"Are you mad? You can't just walk in through the front door!"

"Can't I?" Andromeda challenged him and yanked at the door handle. To her surprise it gave way and the door opened to reveal the Entrance Hall. Her eyes found Harry. "I think old Snape needs to brush up on his magical locks."

Harry didn't answer and stepped past Andromeda into the castle. The others quickly followed and Andromeda waited for them to have moved towards the Grand Staircase before closing the door. She turned, the handle still in her hand, and looked around. Her breath hitched and she couldn't deny Snape had done an amazing job at restoring the castle. Nothing about the Entrance Hall gave away that only a few days ago a battle had taken place here that had killed some of their friends. She still envisioned the bloody floors, the crumbled walls and the destroyed staircase. All had been rebuilt into their former glory. The only thing that was missing were the paintings and somewhere she felt grateful for that.

With the door securely closed Andromeda joined the others and they began making their way up the stairs. Soon they disappeared into the castle's many corridors and vanished into the night. Nobody knew they were here.

~()~

The sheer power of their combined magic was too much for the metal gate and it burst into the flames before burning to ashes at their feet. The grounds of Hogwarts now lay open before them and Hermione was the first one to walk, followed by Bellatrix and Narcissa. They moved through the night like silent shadows, their boots barely touching the grass. The rain still poured down on them and the loud thunder erased any other noise. The wind ruffled their hair and wet strands stuck to their foreheads.

They reached the front doors and Hermione didn't wait for Bellatrix or Narcissa to speak but just aimed her wand and the doors blasted it open. The rain poured into the Entrance Hall and as she stepped inside she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. When she turned towards the Grand Staircase she recognised the witch that had appeared on the first floor, looking down. She studied the three unexpected arrivals, fear written across her face. Hermione smiled as another flash of lightning lit up her face. Recognition dawned in the teacher's eyes.

"Good evening Professor Sprout."

"Miss Granger." She sounded reserved. Fear flickered in her eyes.

"Would you be so kind as to tell Professor Snape that the castle is under siege," Hermione said, smirking. When the older witch frowned, she chuckled. "Surely by now he must know that not only the Dark Lord has descended upon Hogwarts."

"You're not…" she began but the rest of her sentence got lost when a bright green jet soared past her head and crashed into the ground, maybe half a foot to Hermione's left. Her eyes darted up and she discovered the dark clad figure leaning over the banister on the fourth floor. She recognised the soft features of her attacker's face before they pulled down their hood and revealed their brown curls.

"Good evening Andy," Hermione smiled and flicked her wand when a second spell was sent her way. Narcissa and Bellatrix responded and the strength of their Shield Charm was so strong that it filled the Entrance Hall with a blinding white light. The Killing Curse was brought of course and crashed into one of the suits of armour. Pieces of metal rained down on them.

"It ends here, Hermione!" Andromeda called form the higher floor and disappeared into the darkness. Around the castle people started moving and the sounds of hundreds of footsteps echoed off the walls. Doors opened and the sounds of spells crashing into walls and breaking glass began to fill the air. Hermione spun around on her right foot, darted towards the stairs and began to race up. Narcissa and Bellatrix were right behind her and the raven haired witch knocked out the Herbology teacher, sending her limp body tumbling down the stairs.

"Where are we going? Narcissa called and Hermione froze in her step, panting. She turned to face the blonde.

"Find Potter. The Dark Lord wants him. He'll do anything to get to him." She smiled and her hazel eyes darkened. "If we get to Potter before he does, he'll do whatever we ask." She softly laughed. "The prophecy says that neither can live whilst the other survives. One has to die at the hand of the other."

"What about the snake?" Bellatrix asked. "It needs to be destroyed before…"

"You find Potter. I'll find the snake," Hermione decided.

"We ought to stay together," Narcissa suggested but Hermione shook her head.

"We can't be together, Cissy. Not right now. We need to find the boy and we need to get rid of that snake. Only then can the final victory be ours," Hermione said and Bellatrix nodded. The raven haired woman grasped her sister's arm and they shot off in the direction where they had last seen Andromeda. Hermione watched them disappear into the corridor and waited until the sound of their footsteps rang out. She took a deep breath and willed her rapidly beating heart to calm. She pushed her wand back in its sheath and began climbing the stairs.

She found her way blindly to the Gryffindor Tower and to her surprise she found that it had been restored. She briefly wondered how many Gryffindors had actually returned after the precious battle but she shrugged, pushing the thought out of her head, and aimed her wand at the statue of an odd looking witch that had replaced the painting of the Fat Lady. It was blasted to pieces and through the cloud of dust and debris, Hermione climbed through the hole and entered Gryffindor common room. Once inside she walked to the nearest window. It provided an extensive view over the grounds and she placed the tip of her wand against it. The glass vanished and she leant through the gap. The cold rain splashed in her face and the bitter wind took her breath away. She stared out into the darkness and chuckled when she recognised the large group of dark clad figures that had gathered near the Lake. Standing on a large rock formation was Lord Voldemort himself, with the snake curled up at his feet.

She pulled back inside and turned away from the window when she became aware of a presence behind her. She drew her wand from its sheath and turned around slowly. There, her face illuminated by the golden flames in the Gryffindor fire place, stood Andromeda. Grief, hatred and pain were written across her face and her wand was aimed at Hermione's chest.

"We meet again," she said bitterly and took a step closer. All the separated them now was a large arm chair.

Hermione straightened her spine and pointed her wand at Andromeda. "We meet again indeed." Hazel eyes found dark brown. "For the last time."