Chapter Twenty-Five: Same Book, but Never the Same Page

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Final Fantasy VIII no matter how much I wish they were my works. Any additional characters added are mine.

A/N: Here's the next chapter guys, I hope you all enjoy. Please let me know in a comment/review!

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Xu came back out of Cid's office after a short while and smiled at Squall and Quistis. 'He's waiting for you,' she told them before heading towards the lift. 'I'll go tell everyone to evacuate,' she added, receiving an appreciative nod from the two.

Xu watched as Squall and Quistis vanished into Cid's office before pressing the button on the lift which took her down to the first floor. As she exited the lift, she almost ran straight into Hermione and Zell. 'Oh! Sorry-' Xu cut herself off as she took in the condition Hermione was in. 'Are you okay?' Xu questioned, although Hermione had the feeling she wasn't all that concerned from her tone.

'I'm fine, but we need to see the Headmaster,' Hermione said, proceeding towards the lift.

Xu nodded. 'It's locked…' she said, walking back towards the lift. 'Here,' she scanned her card and the light turned green. 'That will give you clearance to head up. Squall and Quistis are meeting with the Headmaster now,' Xu told them, stepping out of the way to let them get in the lift.

'Where are you going?' Zell asked her, crossing his arms.

'To tell the students to evacuate,' Xu replied, turning and walking down the stairs.

Hermione and Zell watched her go before pressing the button in the lift and they were taken up to Cid's office. When the lift halted, Hermione knew if she had been in a healthier state she would have marched into his office. However, her present condition didn't allow for such dramatics. Instead, Zell walked to the door and opened it, interrupting Cid, Squall and Quistis who glanced around at them in disbelief.

'Hermione!' Squall and Cid yelled, both scurrying over to the girl.

Cid glared at Squall incredulously. 'I'll explain,' Squall grumbled, looking away from the peeved Headmaster. Squall turned his gaze to Hermione, studying her disapprovingly. 'Why are you here?' he demanded her, not meaning to sound as aggressive as he did.

Hermione felt stung for a moment but shook it away. 'We wanted to help,' she said in a small voice, looking away from him.

Squall's eyes softened. 'You're in no condition to help at the moment,' he said tenderly, observing her expression shift from hurt to enraged as she scowled at him. She opened her mouth to argue, but he interrupted her. 'But I know you're not going to listen, so before we agree to anything, let's speak to the Headmaster,' Squall rationalised, and after a moment, Hermione's face eased and she nodded.

The four companions turned to Cid to find him observing the exchange in amusement, but his expression sobered as he was brought back to the reason why they wanted to see him. 'Xu has told me about the missiles,' he explained, shaking his head. 'The intercom is down so we can't announce the order to evacuate,' Cid said worriedly, crossing his arms.

'Not a great time for the intercom to go down,' Zell murmured with a frown.

Squall nodded sluggishly, placing a hand on his hip. 'Yeah, but our luck is not the best these days,' he said with a sigh before looking back at the Headmaster. 'We ran into Raijin and Fujin when we arrived. Xu has gone to help them with issuing the order to evacuate,' Squall told him.

Cid nodded distractedly. 'I want you to assist them and then evacuate,' he ordered, a note of finality in his tone. It seemed Cid forgot who he was dealing with.

Squall crossed his arms, staring at the distracted Headmaster. What's on your mind? He thought to himself, tilting his head. 'But I have a lot to report,' Squall countered, not backing down.

'You can tell me later,' Cid replied assertively, not missing a beat.

Squall eyed the Headmaster with a frown. So, missiles are on the way and you're not evacuating with the rest of us? If those missiles hit, you might be dead later… You know, explosions and such? Squall thought sarcastically, fighting back an eye roll towards the elder man.

Cid smiled at Squall and raised his eyebrows. 'You have a problem with that?' he asked, eyeing him like he just read his thoughts.

Yeah, Squall almost retorted, but held his tongue upon seeing the resolve in the Headmaster's eyes and wondered what he was plotting. 'Sir, what are you going to do?' he asked.

Cid smiled and clasped his hands behind his back. 'I'm going to stay here and see this to the end,' he answered, watching their eyes widen in disbelief. 'After all, this place is my home,' Cid added, peering around the office.

'You're planning on dying here!?' Zell yelled, gaping at the Headmaster in disbelief.

'Sir!' Quistis barked, glaring at Cid.

Hermione took a step towards Cid, stopping next to Squall. 'I know a spell that can create a barrier to cover the Garden. I've seen my own Headmaster use it and spells just bounce off it harmlessly,' she told him, wanting to help.

Cid frowned pensively. 'Does it deflect solid projectiles?' he asked, crossing his arms as he speculated if it would work.

Hermione nodded. 'Yes. I remember Dumbledore used it when he came to save us and the debris collapsing from inside the building didn't touch him,' she answered hesitantly, grasping the implications of using that spell. Dumbledore was a formidable wizard and it sapped his magic to an extensive degree. If Hermione used it, it would almost certainly kill her.

NO! Came an outraged voice in Hermione's head, and she recoiled making Squall eye her with interest.

I have to, it's the only way, Hermione contended firmly. I know you need me to destroy your ring, but-

No, Hermione. It will kill you. You are not strong enough for this spell. If you were at full strength then it would likely only cause you some magic deficiency for a few days, but you are going to sacrifice yourself, Griever told her, his voice softening, but still uncompromising.

What's my life compared to hundreds? Hermione stated rather than asked.

It is not worth it. If you die, the cycle will begin again. Then, another you will be standing here making this very same choice, Griever told her, and she could almost see him shaking his head. Bear in mind, I have been here through thousands of cycles. None of them have been broken, but every time a new one comes around you have made different choices. I have seen you use the barrier… I have seen you survive it because you were at full strength, but you lost your ability to use magic. I have seen you use it and watched you die… Griever trailed off and Hermione could hear the grief in his voice.

Griever… even if I die… does it make a difference? Hermione asked him miserably.

I do not know. The cycle always resets, and we find ourselves back where we first met in my chamber in Hogwarts, Griever clarified irritably, but Hermione knew his annoyance was not aimed at her this time.

So… we've had this discussion before? Hermione queried, crossing her arms as she struggled to come to terms with this new information. She knew the cycle kept reoccurring, Griever had said as much, but now that he had told her that there were thousands of different universes where the same things occurred unsettled her.

Not exactly, Griever said slowly and sighed before continuing, Every conversation we have is unique because you ask different questions in various ways. In some cycles… I was not here to prevent you from using the spell because I was… detained. My Mistress would cut my ties to you and force me to watch you suffer… Griever trailed off, his voice cracking at the end.

Hermione couldn't stop her eyes from filling with tears and Squall frowned at the array of emotions going across her face. He placed his hand on her shoulder. 'Are you okay?' he asked softly, but he was somewhat dubious as well. Hermione appeared as though she was having an internal debate and Squall had been deliberating if a greater power was influencing her decisions.

Hermione shook her head, not knowing what to tell them. Tell them about me, Griever whispered, and she gasped, making everyone look at her uneasily.

But-

Tell them, Hermione. It is time, Griever said, and Hermione felt a soothing weight on her shoulder.

Hermione glanced at Cid who was observing her patiently. 'Ah, I see,' Cid said, making everyone turn to him. Hermione frowned in bewilderment. 'So, it is time, then,' he added, peering at Hermione pointedly and her eyes widened.

'You knew…' Hermione whispered, gaping at Cid in scepticism.

'Of course,' Cid countered with a supportive smile. 'Part of my job is to make sure you have someone to confide in,' he revealed, glancing around at everyone's mystified expressions.

'Does someone want to explain what the hell is going on?' Squall gritted out and Hermione flinched at his tone.

Cid nodded. 'My apologies for not clarifying sooner, Squall,' he said with a smile, receiving a glare from Squall.

Do not fret, Hermione, Cid knows what he is doing, Griever said and Hermione frowned in uncertainty.

What do you mean? Hermione questioned, looking between Cid and Squall nervously as she wondered what the old Headmaster was going to say.

Just watch and listen, Griever instructed in amusement.

'Hermione and I are… disciples of a being known as Griever. I believe you have heard of him, Squall?' Cid said, tilting his head.

Squall blinked and he cast a sidelong glance at Hermione. 'I am… familiar with the mythical creature known as Griever, yes,' he answered slowly, eyeing Cid with a scowl.

Cid smiled. 'Good, then this should be quick. As disciples of Griever, we do not believe he is merely a myth-'

'Right, I get it. You revere him as a God and the greatest of the Guardian Forces. You believe he protects you and provides you missions through dreams…' Squall listed off, tapping his foot impatiently. 'I know about the disciples of Griever, sir. I used to be one of them,' he divulged, shaking his head.

Hermione stared at Squall in astonishment. 'What?' she asked in disbelief. In all honesty, she thought Cid was making this up hoping they would believe it and move on, but she was stunned to hear it was a fact.

It is true. I do have a great many admirers who deem I am their… salvation, Griever told her, and Hermione could almost feel him shuddering at the thought.

But why? Hermione asked him, not sure what to make of this.

It is always the same. People unearth some inscriptions or artifact's about me and try to find me. Due to their fascination, they have dreams about me and imagine they are missionaries of some cult. It is… disconcerting at times, Griever described.

Oh Merlin… Hermione muttered before tuning back into the conversation going on around her.

'I wouldn't go as far as saying he's a God, but I do consider him to be the greatest of the Guardian Forces in our world. He has only become a fable because no one has been able to locate him for centuries,' Cid said, shaking his head.

'So, explain how Hermione would even know about him when she's here from another world?' Quistis said, raising her eyebrows.

Cid faltered then and Hermione could tell that Squall picked up on it. 'Dreams,' Hermione answered with a shrug.

Squall stared at her and nodded slowly. 'Okay, whatever,' he countered with a face-palm. 'I want to know more…' he trailed off, eyeing Hermione askance for a moment before continuing, '…but we do have more pressing matters to deal with.' Squall shook his head, resolving to speak to them both about it later. 'What's your intentions, sir? We've wasted enough time,' he said, crossing his arms.

'Hermione, the barrier you mentioned before, is there any risk to you casting it?' Cid asked her in concern. Hermione had a feeling Cid already know there would be.

Hermione sighed and nodded. 'Yes, it will probably kill me. My magic levels are extremely low at the moment,' she replied softly.

'Then that's not an option,' Squall answered stubbornly, making Hermione look at him with a frown.

'Why?' Hermione asked, already knowing she no longer had the intention of using it, but she was curious about the tone in Squall's voice.

Squall stared at her as if the answer should be palpable. 'If it's going to kill you then it's not worth the risk,' he countered with a shrug. 'We should leave something like that as a last resort if there's nothing else that can be done. No one should have to sacrifice themselves,' Squall said, crossing his arms.

Hermione sighed inwardly. What Squall had said was entirely true, but she felt somewhat disheartened by his reaction. Part of her wished he felt he had some personal stake in it… like he would be distraught at the thought of losing her. Hermione shook her thoughts away, wondering when she started feeling this way. Initially, what she felt towards Squall was mere attraction, but when did it become something more? When did the knowledge that he probably didn't feel the same start to hurt?

Hermione took a deep breath and put her feelings to the back of her mind. She tuned into the discussion, grasping she had missed some of what was being said.

'You can rest assured, I am just going to try something,' Cid was saying to an exasperated Squall and Hermione wondered what was going on. 'There still may be a way to save the Garden,' he told them, walking towards the doors.

Hermione flinched as the old man stumbled, falling to his knees. She ran over to him, followed by Quistis and helped him to his feet. 'Are you okay?' Hermione asked Cid, glancing over at Squall who looked pensive as he watched them.

Cid nodded and chuckled. 'I'm too old for this,' he muttered, shaking his head.

Squall moved over to them and stared at Cid. 'Sir, I'd like to handle whatever it is that you're planning,' he proposed, saluting the Headmaster.

Cid raised his eyebrows. 'And why is that?' he requested, clasping his hands behind his back.

Squall crossed his arms. I don't know… because you might screw up. Because I want to do more than announce the evacuation. Because this place is important to me, too. Because I want to find out your plan. Because this is my home… Squall's thoughts trailed off as he listed off his justifications and then he shrugged inwardly. I have too many reasons. I don't know why… who cares? 'My feelings have nothing to do with it, sir,' he finally countered, looking away out the window.

'There will be a motivation… you just don't want to share,' Hermione muttered gloomily, sitting down and crossing her arms. She refused to meet Squall's eyes when he glanced at her curiously.

Cid chuckled. 'Quistis was right. You do have a hard time expressing your feelings,' he said, shaking his head in amusement.

Squall frowned. Why bother? And what is this? Why am I being judged? He asked himself, before glowering at Quistis who was striving to look innocent. He shook his head. 'Sir! Please tell us your plan!' he barked in irritation.

Cid sighed and looked around his office. 'This building used to be a shelter, long before it was remodelled into the Garden as we know it,' he disclosed, reaching into his back pocket and tossing a key towards Squall who caught it effortlessly and stared down at it. The ease with which he caught it made Hermione think of Harry and his Seeker skills, which, in turn, made her look at the floor with downcast eyes as she wondered if her friends were okay.

'Use that key to open the lock on the elevator,' Cid continued, making Hermione tune back in to what he was telling them. 'Opening the lock will give you access to the MD Level,' he explained, clasping his hands behind his back. 'Rumour has it that further below the MD level, there is some kind of control system,' Cid told them, looking out the window with a frown.

'What does it do?' Hermione asked softly, crossing her arms.

Cid turned to her and shrugged. 'It was used when this place was still a shelter, so I've never seen it. And I have no idea what it does,' he revealed anxiously, before looking back at Squall. 'All I know is that it was used for the shelter, so it might prove effective against the missiles. That's what I'm betting on,' Cid finished, shaking his head.

Squall raised an eyebrow. Sounds pretty far-fetched, but I guess it's better than doing nothing, he thought, crossing his arms contemplatively before looking at the Headmaster. 'I understand,' he replied finally, before saluting Cid. 'We'll find the control system and check it out,' he added, easing his stance.

Hermione sighed, wondering if it would be best if she stayed behind with Cid. She wasn't sure if she was in any fit state to help them, but she also didn't want to hang around waiting for them. What if something happened to them? Swallowing, Hermione looked at Squall. 'I'm coming, too,' she said purposefully.

Squall opened his mouth to argue but shut it when he saw the determination on her face. He really didn't want to get into a debate with her now. Chances were he would lose, and she would be pissed at him for the entire time which would just distract him. Squall sighed. 'Alright, stay close and don't overdo it,' he said, and she stared at him in amazement for a moment before nodding.

'Who knows what you may run into down there. Make sure you are prepared before you go down,' Cid advised, nodding at them. 'Good luck to all of you,' he added, watching them leave his office.

Unknown to any of them, the missiles soared through the many clouds lining the sky on their way to Balamb Garden.

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A/N: So, we have a little more insight into Griever and Hermione's cycle. I hope you all enjoyed, and please let me know what you thought in a review/comment! Much loves!