The Phoenix and the Flame

by RowenaHermioneRavenclaw

It's the final battle, and Hermione wonders if it will ever end. Just when she's given up hope, she is given a chance to be reborn, to change everything, and she grasps it with both hands and pulls. Then she is Lyra Black, twin of Sirius Black. Her plan was to kill Voldemort and nothing else, but suddenly, James Potter is factored into the equation.

1. Prologue

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Britain
The Grounds
2th May, 1998

"Stupefy!" Hermione shouted. The Death Eater didn't have time to throw up a shield, and the red spell hit him. Hermione sighed in relief as he toppled over, unconscious.

She narrowly dodged a spell shot by Rodolphus Lestrange, and shot a few stunners in his direction. They, surprisingly, missed, and Hermione scowled. She dodged a Killing Curse shot by Lestrange and sent off the Dueller's Hello - a collection of curses and hexes thrown in quick succession which were commonly used in formal duels. Her Binding Curse caught him, and Hermione darted away.

In the distance, she saw Bellatrix Lestrange torturing Kingsley; she rushed forwards, and Ginny and Luna did too. Luna levitated Kingsley's body out of the way, and the trio began to fight Bellatrix.

At first, it was a flurry of spells, everyone simply trying to dodge while sending more spells into the mix. Then a green jet shot out of Bellatrix's wand, heading towards Ginny...the redhead was warding off other spells...

Hermione threw herself in front of the Killing Curse, and she knew no more.

---

Death, Limbo
2th May, 1998

When Hermione woke, she could see nothing but darkness.

She reached for her wand - and found that it wasn't there. Panicked, she scrabbled around, trying to find it. The darkness wasn't doing her any favors.

"Hello, Hermione Granger."

Hermione spun around immidiately, a curse on her lips. A cloaked person was standing there, a little light emitting from his silhouette. "Who are you?" she panted.

The person chuckled. "I am Death."

Hermione's eyes widened, and everything came rushing back to her. The final battle, Lestrange, the Killing Curse headed towards Ginny...but she was supposed to be dead, wasn't she?

She voiced these thoughts out loud. "I'm supposed to be dead."

Death chuckled again. "You are in Limbo." he said. "In between the Living and the Afterlife."

"Does everyone go through this?" Hermione asked.

Death shook his head. "No."

"Then...why am I here."

"I wish to offer you a chance."

That made Hermione stop in her tracks, she stared back at Death, wide-eyed. "A chance? Of what?"

"Of rebirth." Death's voice was like silk, washing over her. "It was not their time for many who came to me. Tom Riddle thwarted me, escaped me. But there is only one person who has seen enough suffering, pain and death to change anything.

"You."

"Me?" Hermione asked, her voice coming out in a stutter.

Death nodded. "You."

"What do I have to do?" Hermione asked quickly.

Death chuckled. "Embrace me, Hermione Granger."

Slowly, hesitantly, Hermione Granger walked into Death's embrace. He folded her arms over her, and chuckled.

---

On that day, in the early hours of 2 May, 1998, Hermione Jean Granger ceased to exist, and Fate ripped itself out and started over again.