It had taken a bit to get everyone situated into the family area inside the Burrow, where Bruce and Hermione were currently sitting on a small couch near the center of the room. Bruce had his arm around his fiancé, while her head was cradled into his shoulder, her demeanor oddly subdued as if she was in a trance of some kind. Bruce knew his Mia was processing something deeply, so he just held her and quietly soothed her with gentle touches and the occasional kiss on her temple...just so she knew he was there...supporting her.
Whatever realization she'd come to in the last 10 minutes had been life altering if her reaction had been anything to judge from. When she'd starting panicking, Bruce had been beside himself and he'd never been more grateful for Magic than he'd had in that moment. If they hadn't been here, with her friends and extended family, there's no telling what might've happened.
The reactions of Mia outing her talk with Harry had been telling. The astonished looks on everyone's face let Bruce know that it was likely that none of them knew about the Deathly Hallows, or at least the fact that none of them knew Mia was in possession of them. Not that it was surprising, Mia tended to keep things close to the vest...but it did explain a few things he'd never considered before.
First, that even though she'd been intimate with Malfoy, she obviously hadn't trusted him enough to share such information with him. That was telling. Most women equated sex with intimacy, but Mia seemed to be the opposite. While she had made him wait for a while to initiate sex in their relationship, she hadn't necessarily confided in him either. But once Mia's magical background had been outed and she'd eventually trusted him enough, the honesty had come. She hadn't held back any of what she was...except for her scars which she'd yet to show him in full detail.
Secondly, these people trusted her implicitly. They knew enough of her brilliance to know that whatever conclusion she'd likely come to was the correct one. Arthur Weasley had sent for someone named Kingsley Shacklebolt, and if memory served he was their current Minister. So they trusted in Mia's intellect enough to know that her theory, whatever it was, was likely right.
And finally, Bruce realized that despite her closeness with these people, there was something fundamentally missing for Mia if she had chosen to walk away from these people nearly seven years ago. Instead of allowing them to support and comfort her, she'd left and made a new life for herself. Bruce had only had Alfred, Rachel at times and now Lucius as his main supports. But here, Bruce was amazed at how much these people genuinely loved and cared for Mia...so why had she ultimately decided to walk away? Guilt could be a powerful motivator, fear as well...but Bruce had to wonder if it was something more that caused her to leave.
Suddenly the flames in the fireplace glowed green and a large black man with the most colorful outfit Bruce had ever seen, walked out of the hearth and into the room. Everyone went over and greeted him, and Bruce knew immediately just whom this man was.
As his dark eyes fixated on Bruce, a single eyebrow lifted in acknowledgment before his eyes were firmly locked onto the woman in his arms and a beaming smile took over the man's countenance.
"Hermione! It is so good to see you!"
Bruce stood up with Mia and watched as she walked over and allowed herself to be enveloped into the large man's arms, both of them held onto each other for a moment before each pulled back and smiled widely at each other.
"Hey Kings, you're looking well."
Kingsley's eyes fell down to Hermione's stomach, and they widened in shock. "And you're looking pregnant!"
Hermione giggled whilst everyone in the room chuckled.
"Nice greeting, but yes...I am pregnant."
Kingsley nodded and then his eyes fixated back on the man behind the little witch with curiosity. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
Turning around, Mia held her hand out for him and he walked over...taking it quickly as he considered the man staring at him with an unreadable look upon his face.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt, this is my fiancé...Bruce Wayne."
The surprised gasps of a few people were to be expected...but Bruce could've sworn he heard a low hiss somewhere from behind him...,probably Malfoy.
The man, Kingsley Shacklebolt held out his hand in greeting and Bruce took it, shaking it firmly.
"Welcome to England, Mr. Wayne."
"Thank you, Sir." Bruce responded politely.
The man's dark eyes were penetrating for a moment longer, before his gaze moved back to Mia's.
"Arthur mentioned that you were home and had something important to discuss."
Mia sighed but nodded. "I think I may have finally figured out why the curse happened now."
Kingsley swallowed and sat down, gesturing for the both of them to return to their seats...which they did immediately before all eyes were trained back on his Mia.
"As many of you know, when I was researching the origins of the curse, it took me to Egypt. This curse, which had been seen only once before, nearly 2000 years ago was beset by The Triad of Latopolis: Khnum, Menhet and Heka were each powerful beings with dominion over each of their spheres. Khnum was the God of Fertility, Family, Procreation...Life...Menhet was the Goddess of Pestilence, War...Death. Heka was a Deity that was born of Magic itself and from all accounts was the primordial source of all magic that has been gifted throughout the millennia. As I told you and the Wizengamot before I left Kingsley, the reason this plague happened was due to the inherent prejudices that have plagued the Wizarding world for hundreds of years. The Statue of Secrecy, while necessary in many regards, has set a chain reaction that has seen the rise of several Dark Lords since its implementation. Grindelwald and Voldemort of course, being the most recent within the past 100 years."
Kingsley nodded. "I remember Hermione, but what does it all mean, and how were you able to get pregnant?"
"I realized something today and as improbable as it sounds, I believe it to be the truth. In Egyptian religious doctrines they believed fundamentally in three afterlife ideologies: belief in an underworld, eternal life and rebirth of the soul. The soul is the fundamental essence of life...and as such Egyptians believed that the soul could return to mortality if its task had yet to be completed. Khnum and Menhet were viewed as the parents of Heka, but what I've come to believe in my research was the Heka was something bigger...more elemental if you will. Khnum and Menhet used the fundamental forces of light and darkness, death and life and created magic...their child...Heka."
Everyone sat around pondering these pieces of information until Arthur asked the question everyone was thinking, "But how does this apply to the curse?"
Hermione sighed and Bruce gripped her hand in reassurance before she spoke again. "I don't believe the curse occurs in a vacuum. Something triggers it. That being said, the curse is a physical representation of the Triad of Latopolis, so therefore the physical manifestations of each part of the Triad would have to be present in order for the curse to be activated. I believe that the Triad itself has been present throughout history, trying to influence the greater good for the sake of Magic and balance...but because of the inherent prejudices that have permeated for millennia, when the balance tips too far, too much towards Death...the curse is triggered and it forces Magic to reset what humanity refuses to do so on its own."
The room became deathly silent for a few moments before Bruce spoke up. "You said the Triad had to be physically present so if I'm understanding you correctly, you're saying they continue to be reincarnated into other forms until magic finds balance."
Hermione turned towards Bruce and nodded warily.
"If this is true Granger," Draco piped up, "then you've figured out just whom the Triad is."
All eyes fixated on Hermione as she paled and nodded once, earning a few astonished gasps from her friend's.
"Whom?" Kingsley asked shakily.
"Who was the most famous Trio in the Wizarding World?"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock and a few heads were shaking in disbelief.
"I know what this sounds like but think about it. Menhet was literally referred to as 'The One Who Sacrifices'...the Chosen One Who Sacrifices..."
At this post everyone's faces had paled in shocked horror, realizing that the little witch, who had been more brilliant than anyone they'd ever known...was likely right.
"Khnum was the God of Fertility, Family...Ron was born of the most prolific Wizarding Family the Magical World has ever known. It wasn't a coincidence that Harry was born at this time...nor the prophecy that was given about him. It also wasn't a coincidence that Harry was the first of the Triad to fall for the curse...as the reincarnation of Menhet, he would've had to been sacrificed for the curse to take its full effect. The deaths didn't start in earnest worldwide until Harry perished. And it wasn't until Ron passed that Wizarding births stopped completely. Fleur gave birth just a month before Ron passed, and then the curse took her a few months later. It's not a coincidence."
The room was bathed in silence for a few moments before Draco spoke up again.
"You're Heka, reincarnated? Your magic itself? Salazar! No wonder you've always been so good, a natural when it came to magic!"
Hermione nodded. "A Pureblood, a Half-Blood and a Muggle-born...a Triad of blood. That's not a coincidence either. The only reason I was spared the curse was two-fold. First, Harry and I formed a tentative soul bond when we were out on the run during that year. The bond was never consummated and I didn't realize what had happened until before I'd ended things with Ron. Harry had married Ginny and by that time it was too late. The marriage bond that forged between the two of them wasn't strong enough to usurp the soul bond, but it did cause Ginny to succumb to the curse due to her lesser bond with Harry." At this point tears were leaking from Hermione's eyes as she stared sadly at Arthur and Molly. "I'm so sorry Molly, Arthur...I wish I could bring both Ron and Ginny back to you."
Arthur shook his head but it was Molly who came over and enveloped the little witch into a fierce hug. "This is not your fault Hermione dear! You didn't ask for this to happen anymore than we asked for a war to take so many of our loved ones. You don't blame yourself, you hear me? You are our daughter in every way that matters and always will be."
Hermione pulled back and Molly wiped the tears from the little witch's face before kissing her on her forehead and settling back down next to her husband.
"And the second?" Bill Weasley asked curiously.
Hermione looked at Bruce and he nodded, knowing she needed to share this with everyone.
"I won't ask for an unbreakable vow from all those here, but I will stress that what I'm about to share with you be kept in the strictest confidence. If anyone can't agree, or if your Occlumency isn't sufficient please out of respect for me and the children I'm carrying...leave now."
Looks were traded around the room and surprisingly Greg Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and Cassius Warrington all moved to leave. When Draco gave them a questioning look, Pansy sighed.
"You know our Occlumency is not an issue Drake, but if something happens, I'd rather not be accused as the leak due to our unfortunate past. I think Greg and Cassius feel the same way. We trust you, and know that you'll have our backs."
Draco smirked and nodded. "I understand Pans."
Pansy gave George a quick nod before she left the room. Hermione then set out a series of spells and when she was satisfied the room was secure, opened her beaded bag and took out Harry's Invisibility Cloak, the snitch that held the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand.
"I'm sure you're all aware of the Tale of the Three Brother's?"
Everyone nodded.
"This is another reason that I firmly believe Harry was Menhet reincarnated. These items...the Cloak, the Elder Wand..."
The gasps in the room were loud as everyone stared at her in shocked awe and horror as she put the snitch to her lips and said the words...'I am ready to die' and watched as the stone floated into the air in front of her. "The Resurrection Stone."
Placing it into her hand, she turned it three times and closed her eyes...before the shocked shouts of those within the room quieted and when Hermione opened her eyes...both Harry and Ron were standing there, smiling widely down at her.
"So you figured it out?" Harry said in a voice that wasn't surprised in the least.
"You knew I would," Hermione snarked, "You could've told me last night?"
"I couldn't Hermione, you know that. This was something you needed to discover on your own. For as long as we've been entwined, eons really...You, Ron and I...at no time in our human forms did any of us ever suspect the truth until now. Only you, the Brightest Witch that Magic has ever known, could have figured this out and tried to bring balance to chaos. I may be the Master of Death...but you are Magic itself. You always have been."
"He's right Mione," Ron stated softly his blue eyes filled with tears, "you were always the best of us. The strongest, most capable...the children you're carrying, once born will bring balance again to Magic and the curse will be lifted in its entirety. Life will come once again. It's not a coincidence you're carrying twins. Life, Death and Magic will find balance through you."
The literal astonishment of all those present was palpable as they all stared at the two young men who along with the little witch in front of them, had sacrificed so much for the Wizarding World.
"Ronald." Molly whispered in reverence.
"Hi Mum. Please take care of Mione and love her children, give them a big family."
"Your Father and I will Ronald."
Ron nodded and it was Harry who spoke up next. "Kingsley, you need to protect Hermione and listen to her. Somehow get the magical communities to see that they can't keep living their lives in ignorance of their prejudice and hate. If they don't, the next time the curse hits...and it will if things don't change...there will be no survivors of Magic...except Heka herself and her offspring. And Magic will reset as it did from the beginning."
Kingsley bowed his head in understanding. "I vow to do all I can to make sure this travesty doesn't happen again Harry, you have my word."
"I'll hold you to that." Harry said firmly, his green eyes flashing with warning before they softened as he gazed down at his best friend, the love of his life and smiled. "Take care of yourself Hermione and try to stay out of trouble."
Hermione stuck her tongue out at Harry and everyone chuckled at the little witch. Ron's eyes were filled with sadness as he stared at his family before his gaze settled back on Hermione.
"Be happy Mione. You'll be the best mother."
"Thanks Ronald."
The red-head nodded before both of them expressed their love for everyone and then their best friend before they shimmered out of existence and back into eternal rest.
After Harry and Ron vanished, Bruce enveloped Mia into his embrace as everyone in the room stared at her with reverence and awe. Placing the stone back into the snitch, Mia took the Cloak and Elder Wand and put them back into her bag.
"So you're Master of Death, eh Granger?" Draco smirked and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Temporarily it would seem."
"Well, I don't know about anyone else...but there is no one else I'd trust with items that powerful but you. By rights they're yours anyway, since Potter left them to you."
Hermione smirked and felt Bruce tighten his arm around her a bit as her amber eyes caught hazel ones that were staring back at her knowingly.
"Something like that...if it's alright can we eat soon? I'm starving!"
Everyone nodded and Kingsley decided to stay for dinner as Molly bustled back through the Burrow with Andromeda, Luna and a few others at her heels...all helping get the food finished so they could enjoy their Christmas Dinner. As Bruce and Hermione made their way out to the back of the Burrow where the tents were set up, Draco stopped them.
"We still need to talk. We went to Gotham, like you asked."
"And?" Bruce asked quietly.
"There's a problem...and it's one I'm unsure how to fix."
Hermione's breath hitched. "Rachel?"
Draco shook his head.
"Harvey?" Bruce growled at lowly and Draco nodded.
"Later...we will discuss it later, alright?"
"Okay," Hermione said softly, "Thank you for everything Draco."
Draco shrugged but winked as he moved out towards the rest of the group while Hermione stared up into Bruce's eyes that were filled with worry.