It is the coldest day of the year. Yet, ensconced in my blanket, with a cheery fire blazing in the hearth, I see a stray spot of sunshine dance across my window, as if in defiance to the white that surrounds it.
"Hermione!"
I groan, as mother's familiar voice echoes through the corridor.
"The carriage is ready, child, but you're not leaving this castle without a proper breakfast," she announces, flinging the door open and fixing me with a glare so menacing it pierces right through my warm cocoon.
"Good morning to you too ma," I say grimacing as a gust of cold air blasts through the door.
"You left last time without a bite in your belly," she says accusingly.
"And I daren't do it again after that setdown you gave me."
"Harriet is packing your lunch as well," she says slightly mollified.
"Ah, how would I ever survive without you, mother," I say, a smile playing across my lips.
She turns towards me, her hands fidgeting. "Is it necessary for you to travel today? The scouts tell me the roads are not at all conducive for travel, why Mundungus could barely get his horse to the crossroads, and you know…"
"Mother," I interrupt, "I'm leaving for a council meeting, I can hardly tell the lords I daren't make the journey for fear of my horse catching a cold!"
"Don't you get cheeky with me, young lady,you may be Regent for all the land, but I'm still your mother!" with that withering statement, she sweeps out of the room.
Shaking my head, I let Harriet draw up a bath, trying to ignore my growing unease at the journey ahead.
Am I walking into a trap?
My thoughts had vacillated wildly between two extremes - doing nothing, and waiting for the dominoes to fall, or taking action, and being the one to set the dominoes into motion.
But if it's a trap….
I shake my head of dark thoughts, willing myself to commit to the path I have chosen. As Harriet dresses me, I slip a small knife into the cuff of my sleeves, its steel tip providing me with a sliver of reassurance.
As a child, my impetuous nature had been the bane of mother's existence. It was not for nothing that I had earned the title of trouble-maker, a badge of honor I had worn with pride, till I met Draco. Draco had taken my pride and crushed it under his feet, till I was a shadow of myself; a sad, broken girl that jumped at every shadow, plagued by nightmares that felt more real than reality itself.
"My lady?"
I turn abruptly, as Harriet lays a cloak of decadent velvet across my shoulders. "Your carriage is waiting, my lady," she says softly. Nodding brightly, I examine my reflection -my unruly curls are pulled back into an elegant chignon, complemented by the dark rubies adorning my ears. It is a queen that peers back at me, not the frightened girl inside.
That thought alone carries me through breakfast, even as mother's apprehension grows with each passing second.
"Hermione," she starts, her eyes shifting towards the door as a cold gust of wind brings with it a visitor.
Harry walks in, a slight limp in his step - a reminder of the torture he had suffered at the hands of our former allies.
"If I may escort Hermi- my lady I mean," he says a tell-tale blush spreading across his cheeks, "to her carriage."
"Very well, far be it from me to keep both of you apart," says mother, wrapping me in a fierce hug.
"I'll be waiting for you," she says, tightening my cloak, as I give my hand to Harry.
"If it weren't for you, I'd have never escaped," I whisper, as a crooked grin breaks out across his face.
"I see being Queen has done little to diminish Lady Granger's authority."
"Oh quite the opposite, she's become even more of a tyrant. If i'd skipped breakfast today, she'd have come blazing on horseback and forced those bread rolls down my throat."
Chuckling, he leads me outside, to a handsome carriage adorned with our crest. It is smothered in snow, lending it the appearance of a glowing white orb.
"Hermione, let me come with you," he says softly, my hands still enveloped in his.
"Harry, I-" for a wild moment I consider accepting, knowing his presence will calm the storm raging inside me.
"I can't, it wouldn't look proper," I say reluctantly.
Disappointed, he turns away, and I feel the loss of his warmth like a physical blow, but I cannot take him with me. It is too dangerous, and I will not risk his life again.
"Promise me you'll leave at the first sign of danger," he says sharply.
"Harry - I'm taking the lion guard with me, only a fool would attempt to hurt us," I say with more courage than I feel.
"All the same, I don't trust Snape. I don't know what game he's playing, but if something happened to you -" his voice breaks, as he looks into the distance.
The war had broken many things, and one of them had been us.
I still loved him, but we could no longer find the rhythm of that adolescent love - it had been smothered to silence, amidst the raging cries of war, and however much we struggled to hear it's symphony, the spell had been broken.
"If I hadn't read the summons last night, I wouldn't have believed it. But he's right - the message was never meant to reach me in time."
"All the same, promise me you'll turn back if it doesn't seem right." His eyes blaze with emotion as he turns towards me.
"I promise," and without thinking, tip my head up to give him a soft kiss on his cheek.
Stunned, he stands rooted to the spot, as the sound of horses fills the courtyard, and I make my way into the carriage, reckless abandon spurring me to look at him one last time -to drink in the memory of his handsome face, his dark emerald eyes, and the hope in them when I turn and wave goodbye.
We ride at break-neck speed, despite the danger of the falling snow, which grows heavier with each passing second. Flakes, silver and dark, fall on my window as the land around us transforms from a winter wonderland to a bleak wasteland of mangled trees and deserted ruins.
As sunset approaches, the horses buck with lethargy, but I know we are close, as the guard signals our approach. Exhausted, I shut my eyes, unable to ignore the uneasiness that assails me.
You're a lion Hermione. You cannot be afraid of dragons anymore.
"My lady, we're here," a gruff voice outside the carriage announces.
Stretching my cramped legs, I take a deep breath and make my way outside.
The worn down facade of the Oaken Hall looms in front of me. Built in the midst of the towering oaks of Elderon - it is a handsome building, but one that has aged without the grace befitting it. Half shuttered windows stare back at me, as an ominous silence prevails within.
"Wait in the stalls outside," I command, making my way towards the archway. "If I do not appear within the hour, you have my leave to enter the building."
Nodding curtly, they take the horses away, leaving me alone with my thoughts, and my now dwindling courage. Caressing the sharp tip of steel hidden in my sleeve, I take a deep breath and make my way inside.
A knight clad in emerald robes lounges outside the Great Hall. His eyes narrow in confusion at my approach.
"My lady?"
"Open the door," I command.
Scrambling to his feet, he pushes forth the heavy doors, admitting me inside.
I pause at the scene before me.
King Lucius stands at the head of the room with an expression of absolute distaste, as Lord Finnegan sorts frantically through hundreds and hundreds of letters scattered across the floor. Lord Weasley looks up at me with polite interest, inclining his head in greeting. He is flanked on either side by Sir Amos Diggory and Sir Vincent.
"Well, I can't say we weren't expecting you my lady," Lucius drawls, his voice laced with venom.
Thrown off guard by the chaos before me, I quickly regain my composure.
"Greetings, your majesty, I received the summons late last night, so I must apologize for my tardiness."
"Yes, yes, take a seat."
If he's rattled by my appearance, he does not show it, for he gives me not a second glance.
"Well Lord Finnegan - have you found the letter?" he says, in an awful voice.
"Well n-n-no your majesty, b-b-but they're just so many of them, if I may call upon my page to assis-"
"No."
The chatter in the room hums to a close at this ominous announcement.
Confusion sweeps through me as I see Sir Diggory snigger.
Wasn't this a war council? Meant to incite the lords against me?
"If you're wondering, Lady Granger, why Sir Finnegan's rather expansive bottom is the first thing to have greeted you upon your arrival, it's because he's trying to find the cursed letter that led us all here."
"Your majesty I don't understand…"
"The royal summons that we received weren't sent on the directives of his majesty," Sir Diggory fills in, "seems like an irreverent prankster got hold of the royal seal!"
He laughs loudly at his joke, but the look on Lucius' face wipes away all his mirth.
"Why is Lord Finnegan on the floor?" I whisper.
"Uh, apparently it was his seal that was delivered to the King. His majesty thinks it was Finnegan that set up the meeting," he finishes uncomfortably.
I wrack my head for a reason Lord Severus would want all of us here. A deep foreboding settles in my bones as the clock ticks on, but the other occupants of the room seem unconcerned, bringing out a decanter of wine and chewing on the sparse spread before them.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
I pause at the sound of water slipping off the ceiling; dread welling in my stomach as I realize there is a storm approaching.
"Your Majesty - would it not be prudent for us to turn back before the storm hits?" the words spill out, and I marvel at the strength behind them.
His gaze fixes upon me, his eyes steel. "No one leaves till I find out why we're here."
At his words, the easy chatter falls to a still.
A hush descends upon the room, and I can feel the tension as if it were a palpable thing.
Fidgeting with the cuff of my sleeve, I consider making an excuse and escaping before the storm hits, but the look in Lucius' eye tells me that whoever leaves will not be forgiven.
As the sound of rustling paper fills the room, I gaze outside, my eyes alighting upon a single black horse tethered in the yard. The animal is huge, marked with a sigil I do not recognize. I puzzle at his presence - why leave the poor animal out in the cold?
"I believe you're looking for this," a curt voice announces.
I swivel my head to see Lord Severus standing in the doorway.
"Severus - did you also receive an invitation to this thrilling soiree?" Lucius drawls.
"I believe so, my lord."
I gaze steadily at him, but his eyes are fixed on the King.
"You will find out who arranged this - and bring him to me NOW!"
Lord Severus bows, and flicks his finger at the door.
A shadowy figure descends from behind, an ink-black hood concealing his face.
I still as he comes closer.
"And who is this?" Lucius asks, his voice unsteady.
"The one responsible for this meeting, your majesty."
The lords all turn to the masked stranger, a cloud of confusion descending upon the room.
I pull the knife out of my sleeve, pressing it closer to me. Behind Lord Severus, two more hooded figures appear from the darkness.
My blood runs cold as a glint of silver catches my eye.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sir Diggory bellows, as the black figure moves closer to the King.
"You dare betray ME?," Lucius snarls at his commander, a manic rage in his eyes.
"That's where you're wrong, it is I who betrayed you."
My heart stills.
"Hello father," Draco says conversationally, discarding his cloak onto the floor.
No. no. no. no.
The room erupts into chaos as silver steel slices through the darkness. I hear Lord Finnegan cry out as he chokes upon his words, but I barely register his screams, so great is my own terror.
He didn't see me. He didn't see me.
I say the words again and again as I crawl under the table, my heart wrenching as I hear Lord Finnegan beg for mercy, just before a sword cuts short his lament.
A year of torture had taught me how to survive, and pure adrenaline kept me moving forward even as metal broke metal, leaving a bloody trail of crimson in its wake.
Making my way towards the edge, I see a clear path to the door, as the fight shifts towards the front of the room.
Run.
Clutching the knife to my bosom, I sprint across the room, as a voice thunders behind me.
The knight guarding the door lies in a bloody mess, and my stomach lurches at the sight.
"Where do you think you're going, m'lady?"
I scream as a scarred stranger appears before me. He wears the same black cloak as the rest of the assassins, but it is the ugly smile on his face that tells me he is no friend.
"Such a pretty face - bet yer royalty or somethin."
He turns to grab my hand, just as I plunge the knife into his eye, and push him away. His shriek of fury fills the air as he stumbles towards me, but I am too quick, too well versed in this game of survival.
The screams stop abruptly as I reach the courtyard, searching desperately for my guards.
Where is everyone?
The rain falls with the ferocity of a thousand swords, masking everything in a haze of snow and ice. I feel it pounding upon me as I race to the stables, my heart beating so fast I fear it will explode within my chest.
Breathe Hermione. Breathe.
But the scene before me takes my breath away.
The Lion Guard lies slaughtered on the floor, side by side with their horses. Tears fill my eyes as I choke on my breath, the horror of the scene before me imprinted in my memory.
They died because of you.
A horrible guilt engulfs me as I flee the stables, running back into the storm.
The horse. There's a horse in the courtyard.
Drenched and shivering, I make my way towards the front of the Hall. Dragging my soaked gown, I freeze, as an indistinct figure materializes a few feet away from me.
Even in the darkness, I can feel his thunderous gaze.
For a moment, the world stops. The rain. The snow. The chaos. And it is only us.
The monster and his prey.
He knows. He's here for me.
I bring my knife closer to my heart.
He pauses, then takes a step in my direction.
Shaking, I press it deeper into my skin. Do it. It's better than what's going to happen if you don't.
He stares at me from a distance, but I feel the warning in his gaze.
Don't you dare.
My heart constricts as I think of mother, making custard treacle and minced pie - my favourites, for my return home. And father, ordering a flagon of butterbeer for the entire castle to celebrate his daughter's return.
My hands waver, as he lunges towards me. But this time, I'm ready for him.
He barely registers the tip of my slender knife as I bury it within his chest. As he falls to the ground, I sprint towards the lone black horse, his rage echoing through the courtyard.
His anger is an inhumane thing, and terror engulfs me as I struggle to mount the enormous horse. It stares at me, unmoving, even as ice and snow ravage the very ground upon which it stands.
"Help me," I whisper, mounting the beast, a silent prayer on my lips as a dark spectacle moves towards me, struggling, but very much alive.
The black beast shoots down the dirt road, and I struggle to hold on, relief flooding through me as I watch my nightmare turn into a distant speck on the horizon.
I'm free.
The elation soon dims as darkness descends like a cloak over the night. My feet ache from the cold, and my body - pelted by rain and snow, shivers uncontrollably. I find myself drifting, precariously close to slumber, a sort of delirium taking over my senses.
You cannot sleep. You cannot stop.
I repeat the words over and over to myself, even as the beast begins to slow, thwarted by the slippery roads and a darkness so menacing not a single star dares shine through it.
It seems I have run from the hands of one beast into the clutches of another, more formidable foe. A dark, foaming, ice-covered river flows before me, winding its way down a forest with no end. Clutching at the reins, I bring my silent companion to a stop.
Across the river, I see the outline of a small cave, chiseled into a towering gorge. With reluctance, I guide the beast to it, checking over my shoulder for any sign of movement. But the only thing that greets me is the sound of the wind, and the crunch of dead leaves below my feet.
"We made it," I whisper, to my new friend.
My hands trembling, I almost cry with relief upon entering the relative warmth of the cave. My stomach growls as I lie upon the stony surface, but I know there are worse evils than hunger.
He's back.
The thought makes me shiver uncontrollably, and my breath hitches as I remember the fury in his eyes before I stabbed him.
Why would Lord Snape help Draco?
A thousand questions buzz in my mind, but so great is my exhaustion that sleep comes swiftly, and for once, it is devoid of nightmares.
A loud crack catapults me out of sleep, and I jump wildly, scanning the recesses of the cave.
But there is nothing.
An ominous silence fills the air, as I squat towards the entrance, narrowing my eyes in search of the beast.
For a moment, my heart stops, as the sound increases in ferocity.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Peering out of the cave, relief sweeps over me as I find my unlikely ally standing in the midst of what seems to have been an avalanche.
"You scared me," I say accusingly, as it regards me with interest. Bathed in sunlight, the scene before me has lost its menacing edge, and I find myself hopeful that this journey may yet have a happy end.
Mounting the beast, I trudge onwards, trying to follow the river as it criss-crosses through the forest. Bathed in the morning light, it seems to glow from within, silver frost glimmering upon it like a blanket of stars.
I watch the flakes sleepily, as they cover naked trees in silver-grey trussing, making a soft pattering sound upon the rocks, the river gushing beneath them.
It seems almost out of a fairy tale - until an arrow rips through the quiet, piercing the tree behind me.
"We found her, my lord!"
Twisting behind, I see a swathe of green cloaks, and a cold terror grips my chest. Increasing my pace, I bolt through the forest, lone branches tearing at my cloak and ripping through my skin.
No. No. I'm so close.
Rip. Another arrow tears past me, this one closer than the last.
"Near the river!"
A deluge of voices break out behind me, as I flatten myself on the horse, spurring it faster through the forest.
Rip. Rip. Rip.
An arrow tears through the back of my cloak, as my grip slackens, my hands cold with sweat.
Faster Hermione. Faster.
"Don't hurt her you fools," a cold voice breaks through the chaos, as the riders descend upon me like a swarm of locusts.
A sob lodges itself in my throat as I realize they have me cornered. Before me lies a wide chasm, splitting the river in two, one side promising safety and the other a fate worse than death.
I fling the cloak off me, my eyes sweeping over the lithe form of the golden-haired rider with the silver-grey eyes. For a moment I meet his gaze, and the triumph in them is so intense, so terrifying that I stiffen unconsciously.
I turn around, spurring the beast forward, as a shriek of fury erupts from Draco's lips.
It is madness, but I barely register the distance, as I race my horse forward, leaping across the abyss into the folds of the dark foaming river.
We barely make it, the beast stumbling on the icy thin layer as it crashes below his feet. But pure adrenaline keeps us going, and soon we find ourselves on level ground, bruised and broken, but still in one piece.
I chance a look at Draco, who regards me with a hard, cruel smile - one that chills my blood. His eyes blaze with an emotion I cannot place, as he simply turns around, beckoning his riders to follow.
I stare dumbly at their retreating backs - unable to believe my luck.
Clutching my wrist, which appears broken, I maneuver the beast up the steep ridge, holding on with bated breath as it keeps slipping on the slush beneath. Eventually, we are on the other side, and I struggle to retrace my journey home.
As the day passes, the ache in my hand becomes almost unbearable; but I grit my teeth and continue westwards,following the sun as it dips into the mountains below.
As the soft morning light transforms into a purplish blue haze, I clutch at the rubies in my ears, despair tearing at my throat as I realize we are lost. With my pursuers still behind me, I cannot afford to stop, but my parched lips and aching limbs make it difficult to sit upright, and I begrudgingly draw my companion to a nearby brook, hidden from plain sight by two towering ridges.
By the time I've had a drink of water, the sky is pitch black once more. But this time I welcome the night, for it brings with it the cover of darkness, and the promise of freedom.
Exhausted, I mount the beast again, struggling to keep my eyes open.
It is then that I hear a soft rustling sound behind me.
Without a backward glance, I fling myself forward, spurring the horse onwards through the night.
Clip clop. Clip clop.
Blind terror rushes through me as I hear the sound of hooves clashing against ice.
Rip.
I scream as an arrow tears through my gown, grazing my upper arm.
Clip clop. Clip clop.
Struggling with the reins, I swear out loud as we swerve wildly on a patch of ice, but that is all the time it takes, for the dark horse and his rider to descend upon us.
A vice-like grip grabs my waist, flinging me off my horse, onto the ground. I scramble forward, but there is no escape. Molten grey eyes, tinged with fury, gaze down at me, raking over every inch of my body. I shudder at the cruelty simmering beneath them.
"Why, hello there wife."