Title/Link: the Way of the Fallen Lion

School and Theme: Ilvermorny and The Coffin Shop

Main Prompt: (AU) Dark!Hermione

Additional Prompts: (character type) A Turncoat, and (event) wedding

Year: 2

Word Count: 1,683

Warning for Game of Thrones!AU, Dark!Hermione!AU, and character death. I would like to thank everyone who beta read this story for me.

The weather outside the bustling castle was as bleak as Hermione felt in her soul. The gentle rain that had started to fall the day they arrived, was now a torrential downpour that didn't bode well for the happy couple. Rain from the heavens on a wedding day was like the wailing of a widow over a grave or so they said.

"We must discuss the movement of troops for our next battle," Hermione was saying to her leader, the one they'd all proclaimed the King of Gryffindor, Harry Potter, as they sat at the table set impeccably for them.

"This is a wedding, Hermione," Harry reminded her gently. "We get to relax and forget about planning battles for a few minutes." He picked up his goblet, filled with some of the finest red wine in the kingdom of Lord Frank Longbottom, motioning for Hermione to do the same. "Let's toast to the success of our union with Lord Longbottom, shall we?"

Hermione felt a certain dread about this action. If she didn't share the toast to the union of Lord Longbottom's son with Luna, then Harry would know something was wrong; she was certain of it. Lord Longbottom had told her to make sure that Harry suspected nothing when the time came for the trap to be sprung.

She picked up the cup—making sure it had only water inside— and she raised her glass alongside Harry's as he spoke of the union of the two kingdoms. He had no clue what this union was really about. He hadn't realised that Lord Longbottom had taken it as a sign of disrespect that Harry had gone ahead and married Ginny, instead of the Longbottom daughter he was supposed to.

She could still hear Lord Longbottom's voice in her head as Harry's speech went on and on. "Do you really think that if he turned his back on our arrangement that he is going to keep his word to you, Lady Granger?" She watched Harry as he continued his speech, unaware of her internal thoughts; unaware that he might not be as safe as he thought he was.

"To the friendship, this arrangement has brought between the Gryffindors and the Longbottoms," Harry called out, raising his glass.

Hermione watched as several of those at neighboring tables raised their glasses as well. She could tell that most of them, men from Harry's camp, were half-drunk already. This would be like leading lambs to the slaughter. She rose her own drink as well, making sure that no one could see she was not drinking from the red wine the rest of them were. She was the only one with her wits still about her.

Ginny smiled as she too raised her glass and then gently sipped at it. She was talking animatedly with one of the Longbottom bannermen. The man was regaling Harry's queen with the tale of some battle he'd help win or other. Not that Longbottoms were known for their prowess in battle. Their lord was known to many as the Late Lord Longbottom because he preferred to stay out of battles until they were won. Then claim he'd been on the side of the victor the whole time.

"Shall we all be seated for the feast?" Lord Longbottom called out, motioning for more pitchers of wine and ale to be brought around to the many tables. "I would like you all to consider yourself as a part of my family." He slowly lowered himself into the seat at the high table that was set aside for the lord and lady of the castle and the happy couple of the evening.

Hermione had been seated next to Ron, which under normal circumstances wouldn't have been a problem at all. She would have been happy to sit next to Ron under any other circumstances but now she could tell he felt something off.

"Hermione," Ron whispered, looking at the goblet of red wine a steward had just poured for her, "aren't you going to drink that?"

"I'm not thirsty at the moment," she answered. She couldn't very well tell him she was about to do something very wrong. She couldn't very well tell Ron she was going to turncoat on Harry and the rest of them. He'd try and stop her. Ron nodded, taking her word for it. The pie that had just been set down in front of him was shoveled into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days.

Watching in disgust as he shoveled the food into his face faster by each bite, Hermione couldn't help but think that she'd dodged an arrow when she chose not to marry him. She looked up towards the high table where Lord Frank Longbottom was talking to Luna and Neville. Receiving an imperceptible nod, she readied herself for what was to come. She wouldn't allow herself to feel guilty about what she was doing. She was doing what would be best for her and her people. Plus, the promise of advancement to a government position would help her advance the plans she had in mind.

A group of young men and women gathered around Luna and Neville as the plates of food were cleared away from the tables. The goblets kept being filled and the musicians were just finishing up a jaunty dancing tune.

Then the music turned somber, like a funeral dirge. Hermione looked towards the doors that the young couple had just been ushered through on their way to their wedding night; the doors banging shut behind them. She watched a few Longbottom men move the locking mechanism into place. Feeling eyes upon she looked to her right to find Ron looking at her hand. It was then that she noticed her battle armor was on display to him.

"Harry," Ron called out a warning to the smiling man who was talking to his wife as the music died down. But Harry didn't hear him.

"I would like to make a speech," Lord Longbottom said, standing up. "It's on days like this that I am willing to bet that most of you are glad to be my friends."

A loud murmur and the sound of clinking glasses were heard from the tables of drunk men and women surrounding them. There was one man brave enough to whoop at this pronouncement which received a lot of strange looks.

"But are any of you my true friends?" the lord continued, unimpeded by the cheers and happiness of the occasion. "I show you my hand in friendship and you take it only to betray me in the end." Here he was looking straight at Harry. "But I've decided to look past that and realised I have yet to give my queen her wedding gift."

"A gift?" Ron asked bewildered that gifts were being given now.

Lord Longbottom nodded again, this time less imperceptible and Hermione got up from her seat, moving away from the tables. She could tell that a lot of people were confused by what was going on here.

Harry and Ginny shared a look before someone walked up behind Ginny and stabbed her in the stomach. The next few minutes after that turned into a blur. The musicians up in the balcony put away their instruments and pulled out crossbows and bows and arrows. The arrows flew freely.

Ron went down with an arrow piercing his ankle. Harry was shot several times with them, the shaft sticking out of his shoulder and leg. Ginny, who hadn't even had time to defend herself, was already gone, a pool of blood cooling around her on the stone floor, hazel eyes wide open in shock.

"Harry, run!" Ron called as he watched in horror as the rest of their army was killed. "Hermione, help me defend the…"

Hermione watched as Harry cradled Ginny against him. If she hadn't accepted the promises of both Lord Longbottom and Lord Malfoy, she would have willingly helped Ron defend Harry.

Ron looked pleadingly between Harry holding Ginny's prone form, and Hermione who stood rooted to the spot. "Harry," he called out frantically, "she wouldn't want you to die here. Get up and run!"

The archer had arrows all trained on the King of the Gryffindors. Each one with a perfect aim on something that would be vital to the king's life. No one seemed to want to move or even breathe as they each waited for someone to make the next move.

Ron's eyes became frantically wide as he rushed over and pulled Lady Alice Longbottom out of her seat. He held a knife to the lady's throat. "Lord Longbottom," he shouted, "if you don't allow us to leave I will cut your wife's throat."

Lord Longbottom chuckled as Ron once more looked to Hermione for help. Hermione didn't look at Ron. She knew she'd see the hurt and betrayal clear on his face. She knew by now he'd realised she wasn't going to help him, help them. She could even see that Harry knew by now that she wasn't there to help at all.

It is not personal, she thought as she walked over to Harry looking like she might be finally coming to his aid, I'm only doing what's best for me and mine.

"Hermione," Ron said, voice betraying his thoughts as she reached Harry's side.

Hermione pulled Harry into a hug, burying the hidden dagger up her sleeves up to the hilt in Harry's chest. "The Slytherins send their regards," she said calmly before walking up to the high table. She'd made her choice the minute they threatened her parents. She did what she had to do.

The sounds of her heartbeat mixed with the music that had once again resumed playing from the balcony. Maybe she'd be forgiven once this was all over? Maybe she could make people see that she had to do this? But the old saying of the Gryffindor rang hauntingly in her head like a taunting warning. The Gryffindors remember and she knew then and there that she would never be forgiven. Ever.

Also for a few assignments on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition, and Monthly Challenges for All.

Flying Lessons: Quidditch Spheres: Task 3 - Write about something hidden in plain sight.

Tarot Cards: Eight of Swords (theme) helplessness

Bunny Racing: 50. (genre) tragedy

Flower Arranging Station: Bluebell (character) Hermione Granger

FarmVille: The Produce Orchard (theme) murder

Planting Flowers: Watering prompt 2 (weather) rain

April Fools!: Muggle prank (emotion) fear

Say it With Flowers: Tulip: a declaration of love: (food) wine

All is Ours Day: Slytherins Love...(genre) angst

Herbology Club: Plot 3 3. Attending a wedding

Assorted Appreciation: 7. (plot point) making a deal

Link Maker: Harry Potter characters used, 1,683 words.

Reserve League 2.0: Season 1 Round 5 Weasleys Keeper position write a fic about Ron Weasley

I hope you all enjoyed The Way of the Fallen Lion as much as I enjoyed writing it.