The first thing Hermione noticed when she woke up were the arms encircling her waist from behind her. Begrudgingly, she opened her eyes and glanced at the clock on the wall. She was surprised to see to see that it was past noon already. She was quite bemused, not understanding right away why she had spent so long sleeping. Then, the feeling of arms around her came back.
She panicked slightly. She didn't understand why someone was in her bed as she remembered falling asleep alone the previous evening. She slowly turned around to not awake whoever was in her. When she saw the face of the person, her heart skipped a beat.
It was Harry. And then everything came flooding back.
She remembered her father asking her why she had turned on Harry. She remembered telling him her reasons, telling him her fears about Harry. She remembered crying, wishing her father would take her in his arms. And she remembered Harry, who revealed himself, proved he was alive thanks to a few simple words. She remembered crying in his shoulders. Then, nothing.
Hermione realised she must have fallen asleep while being held by Harry. She could imagine how she ended up here. Harry probably brought her back here. The fact that Harry was in her bed told her that she must have been gripping on him pretty hard in her sleep as she knew Harry was too honourable to sleep in a girl's bed otherwise. The fact that he was comfortable enough to fall asleep with her reassured her. She didn't believe he had done so on purpose and could already imagine his reaction when he would realise what he had done. The thought made her giggle, something she hadn't done in quite some time.
The giggle awakened Harry and Hermione saw him open his eyes sharply with a small snort, the same way Harry would awake in History of Magic when he would pretend he hadn't been sleeping. This made her giggle even harder.
Harry's green eyes focused on Hermione. With a small smile, he said "Hey, Hermione."
Hearing Harry greet her again brought tears in her eyes and she flung her arms around him, bringing herself as close to him as she could, and cried. Harry couldn't help but smile. He didn't understand why but he quite liked holding Hermione in his arms. He let her cry, knowing she probably needed it after all this time.
Eventually, Harry asked "Are you alright?" This was a question that had plagued his mind ever since he had seen Hermione again. It was crazy how much one could change in less than two weeks. It had been obvious that Hermione hadn't taken care of herself. She had lost weight and had dark bags under her eyes. He was worried for her and was feeling shameful for being the reason she had been this way.
Hermione chuckled darkly. "You're asking if I'm alright? Me?" she said with a hint of disbelief. "I'm not the one who came back from the dead..." Hermione felt Harry tense under her arms. He didn't say anything so Hermione continued. "Why, Harry? Why the fake suicide? Why did you leave and made everyone believe you were dead?" Then, she added as a whisper "Why didn't you tell me?"
Harry sighed, knowing that the conversation wouldn't be easy for either of them. He began talking. "The reason is simple, really. For quite some time... ever since the end of our second year really, I've been warried of the magical world. I hated how the magical world reacted to the Heir of Slytherin, including the way the students treated me, acting like I was a Dark Lord without any proof and abusing me along the way. It was very similar to this year, actually. Then, the following year, I learn that I have a godfather who was wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban, Hell on Earth, simply because the government wasn't bothered to investigate any further.
"When you and I told the Minister about the real culprit, he refused to listen to us and was ready to have Sirius kissed, to have his soul destroyed! I was disgusted and the idea had already began crossing my mind to leave the magical world. I hated how the everything was. My parents had lost their lives while saving them and then they proceeded to act like Voldemort had won. Oh, I know my Mum and Dad didn't sacrifice themselves for the magical community, they did it for me, to give me a chance to live, but it's their sacrifice for me that defeated Voldemort.
"That summer, Sirius came to Privet Drive and told me about the Assassins. Sirius, my father and paternal grandparents were part of the Brotherhood. My grandfather Fleamont was even the Mentor of the British-Magical Brotherhood during the war. I liked the idea of the Assassins and part of me wanted to join right away but both Sirius and I agreed it would be better to wait.
"I was already thinking about leaving the wizarding world at that point but, as much as I thought about it, it was never a serious thought. You see, I knew I would never be able to leave my best friends behind, just like my best friends wouldn't let me leave the magical world alone, if they had a say in it. So, I decided to keep the Assassin Brotherhood at the back of my mind in case I changed my mind and returned to Hogwarts.
"Then, my name came out of the Goblet of Fire and everything fell apart. Once again, the school had turned against me but this time, not even my best friend and the Weasleys – the people I called and called me brother(s) – believed me. I was completely alone, with only Sirius, Remus and Dumbledore fully supporting me. I went on as normal and began practicing for the Tournament, hoping everything would resolve itself. I tried speaking to my friends, make them understand that I had never entered my name into consideration but they didn't let me defend myself.
"After a week of that, I was close to the edge, close from snapping and leaving the magical world right then and there. And then, it happened. I was cursed in the back by someone I considered a friend while my other friend was laughing at me. It was too much. I went to Sirius and asked for him to take me away, bring me to the Assassins. He relented but, the problem was that we couldn't just leave. The whole magical world would try to find us. There was only one way to drop them off our trail and that was for me to pretend I was dead. We developed the idea together and came up with something. We shared this idea with both Dumbledore and Remus. Neither liked it but both understood why I wanted an out.
"When I came back to my dorm that night, I seriously wondered whether or not to tell you and Ron but... like you said yesterday, I believed you disliked me, maybe even outright hated me. It certainly felt like hatred the way Ron was treating me. So, I decided not to tell anything. I couldn't guarantee that one of you wouldn't spill the beans to the first person you met and it's not something I wanted. I didn't say anything and left."
Harry then looked straight in Hermione's wet eyes. He whispered "That's why I left. That's why I didn't say anything, Hermione."
Hermione closed her eyes as she tried not to start crying again. She had gotten the message behind Harry's words. She and Ron had been his anchors to the magical world. Without them, he had no reason to stay, so he left. He hadn't said anything to her because he didn't trust her. This hurt more than anything.
"I'm sorry, Harry..." she whispered. "I'm so, so, so sorry..."
Harry's arms tightened around her. "I know."
The two friends didn't say anything as they continued to hold each other. For a time, Harry had believed Hermione had fallen back to sleep but after nearly ten minutes, she asked a question.
"Harry? Why did you distance yourself from us? Why did you become more closed off...?" she asked quietly.
Harry gave a small sigh. "Earlier, you said you didn't know when my change in mood began, right?" Hermione nodded in his chest. "Well, I know exactly where it began and what caused it. Do you remember the attacks at the World Cup?"
"Of course." she whispered. "It's not something that's easy to forget."
"I know." said Harry. "But that's where it began. Do you know what happened to the Death Eaters who attacked that night?"
"Not really." said Hermione. "They escaped; I think. I know you said Lucius Malfoy was one of them but, obviously, nothing happened to him. I think the Daily Prophet also said that four Death Eaters were killed while fighting Aurors."
This was the moment of truth thought Harry. "The Aurors didn't kill any Death Eaters. The group they fought didn't get any casualties. It's the other group, the one with the hostages, that lost Death Eaters. They weren't killed by Aurors. I killed them, Hermione."
Hermione's eyes snapped open. "What?" she whispered.
"You heard me right. I killed them. When I was taking a walk around the camp, I heard a commotion and ran toward it. I found twelve Death Eaters holding the muggle family hostage. I had to act. Sirius had given me my father's robes and Hidden Blade so I put them on and followed them, killing one from time to time. That's what caused me to change, to distance myself, to be quieter. I was trying to deal with the fact that I had killed four human beings, taken four lives. I knew I had done it for a good cause but it was still hard to deal with."
Hermione let out a few sobs, realising just how selfish she had been. She had seen Harry change, yet; she had only been worried about how that could affect her. She hadn't thought about what could have caused that shift in Harry, what could have been bothering him. She had just seen how this changed her – which was him spending more time alone – and had linked his change to herself, believing her friendship with Harry was the reason why he was distancing himself. She had acted as if everything revolved around her, as if Harry had no life, no thoughts, no problems of his own outside of her. Had she thought differently, as she just asked him what was wrong, she would have realised it wasn't about her or their friendship. But she hadn't said anything, convinced she was right, as always.
"I know I have no right to ask but... will you ever forgive me?"
Harry did not answer immediately. As the seconds rolled away, Hermione's hope to be best friend with Harry again began to die. Thankfully, his answer gave her some relief.
"Eventually, probably, in the future." he said. "I will never forget, however. If something like this happen again..." Here, she shook his head and didn't continue.
Hermione then said something. "I pledge myself to you, Harry. I meant what I said yesterday. I'll do anything for you to forgive me... anything ."
Harry smiled. "Well, Hermione, both of us have always jumped into action together, side by side, like with the Philosopher's Stone or with Sirius' escape last summer. I know if you hadn't been petrified, you would have been in the Chamber of Secrets fighting the Basilisk alongside me. I'm an Assassin now, and will do Assassin missions, fighting against Voldemort and the Templars but it doesn't mean I won't need my best friend at my side. I know you already shared that wish with your father but having you as my Assassin partner would go a great way to earn my forgiveness."
Hermione jumped out of bed. Harry wondered for a few moments if he had asked too much until he saw the expression on Hermione's face. It was excitement. "What are we waiting for, then?" she grinned. Taking Harry's hand, she pulled him out of bed and walked out of the room, dragging him to the other side of the Mansion.
Hermione dragged an amused Harry back toward her father's office. Ignoring the other Assassins – some of which looked rather amused – the duo of friends arrived back where they had been that morning. Hermione knocked.
The Mentor opened the door. He looked amused. "The initiation, I presume?" he asked to his daughter, who nodded. "We were expecting you so we are ready. Come with me... you too, Novice Potter."
Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. Daniel Granger calling Harry "Novice Potter" told them everything they needed to know. It wasn't a father speaking to the friend of his daughter, it was the Mentor of the British Brotherhood of the Assassins speaking to one of its members.
"Yes, sir." answered Harry in a firm voice, recognising the authority of the Mentor.
Dr. Granger gave a nod and walked further down the corridor. The place where Harry had been initiated was only a few rooms away. They reached the room rather quickly. Harry made to wait inside but the Mentor told him to get inside with a movement of the head.
Hermione was rather startled to enter a completely dark room. "Dad?" she asked. Her father did not answer. Harry closed the door and the only light source went out.
Harry wasn't sure what to do at that point and almost jumped when he felt someone grab his arm. "Follow me." whispered Dr. Granger in his ear. Harry was about to ask him how when the Mentor answered the question for him. "Listen for the sound of my footsteps." he said.
Harry closed his eyes and stopped breathing for a few seconds. Faintly, he could hear footsteps to his front left and followed him. He quickly collided with something and upon passing his hand on the thing, realised was the railing of a stair. So, he carefully climbed the stairs, using the railing to guide himself.
Once he was up the stairs, he took a few steps forward and collided with something soft. Touching the object, he realised it was a chair so he sat on it. He waited.
Meanwhile, Hermione was quickly getting restless. She had no idea what was going on, having never read about the Assassin initiation. She wished someone would talk to her and reassure her but she knew she couldn't. A voice in her head told her that it was probably a test of patience too so she kept quiet.
Eventually, Hermione saw a flame appear. The flame lit her father, who was wearing his black Assassin robes, his hood up and covering his face. Then, other flames lit, revealing other Assassins. Hermione knew all of them, having met each and every one of them at some point in her life. Hermione saw Heywood Kenway, Olivia Green, Henry Morrigan, her own mother Emma and Emily Grant. The last flame revealed Harry, who gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"Hermione Granger... my daughter." called her father. "You have been raised to learn the principles and philosophy of our Brotherhood yet... you had a choice, whether to join or not. You chose to join... Why?"
Hermione couldn't help but raise an eyebrow to her father considering how much she had told him that morning. She sought Harry and saw him give her a small nod. He didn't look surprised at her father's question. This reassured Hermione, telling her it was normal and expected. So, she talked.
"I... I grew tired of the magical world." said Hermione, unknowingly beginning her speech the same way Harry had. "I mean, I still am fascinated with magic and love it, don't get me wrong, but the wizarding society is so... wrong. I had dreams when I joined Hogwarts. I wished I would be able to change the world, get equal rights for all people and sentient species of the magical world. I dreamed of a better world where we would all live in harmony... I didn't realise my dream would be impossible because there would be many who would fight to keep the status-quo, to keep control to themselves. My dream was shattered rather quickly. I quickly realised that the magical world would need to be dragged to the twentieth century kicking and screaming. In a way, what the Templar Order are trying to do in the non-magical world is already partially true in the magical world.
"After what happened with Harry not long ago – when I made the worst mistake in my life – I realised it was time for me to join the Brotherhood, like my parents trained me to do. While the reason I joined might be personal and selfish – trying to redeem myself in Harry's eyes – it doesn't mean I do not believe in what I said. I want to join the fight and if I can earn Harry's forgiveness along the way, then all the better." she said firmly.
The members of the Council all looked at each other. The Mentor sought the others' opinions, knowing his' would be biased.
"She does believe for what she's fighting for but... Daniel, you once said she didn't look interested in joining the Brotherhood. The road of an Assassin is full of hardships. Is redemption enough to motivate a young woman into taking this path in life?" asked Olivia.
"I do believe it's enough." said Harry, speaking up. He figured he must have been there to give his opinion knowing he, a Novice, wouldn't have been invited to an initiation otherwise. "When Hermione set her mind on an objective, she will try to achieve this objective as best she can. I believe it is better if she joins the Brotherhood than not. Not only do I think she has the potential of becoming a great Assassin but I believe Hermione would still become an Assassin no matter what. Refusing her into the Brotherhood would just leave her rogue and without supervision and training, which would be dangerous both for her and the Brotherhood."
"Novice Potter does speak the truth." said Heywood. "She has the conviction; she believes in our philosophy. Really, the only problem I could foresee is whether or not she is capable of taking a life. If she can then it's better it happens while as an Assassin than as a rogue, as she would have more support and a clearer conscience."
Daniel looked at the other members. All nodded at him, including his wife Emma, Hermione's mother. Daniel turned back toward his daughter and said "Are you ready to travel the eagle's path?"
Hermione looked straight in her father's eyes and said "Yes."
"Then, drink." he said, pointing at a small goblet a few feet in front of her. Hermione stepped forward and picked the goblet. With a last glance to the Council, she took the goblet and drank its content in one gulp. Her eyes stayed firmly on the Council before she suddenly collapsed.
"Now we wait." whispered Emma.
Harry was curious to see what happened from the other side of the potion. Harry could see Hermione move. As he watched his friend roll on the ground, Harry asked a question he had in mind since his own initiation.
"Mentor... what is that potion?"
Daniel smirked. "That, Novice Potter, is a potion that was invented a few centuries ago by an Assassin Potions Master. We use the potion in the initiation as it allow someone to confront their dark side, which is usually fuelled by guilt. It was first used as a hope that the Assassin would move on from whatever bothered them, gaining a clearer mind along the way."
Harry gave a small nod and turned back toward Hermione. As she watching her, he suddenly heard her yell, something that chilled him to the bones.
"HARRY!" she yelled before she let out a sob. Harry turned toward the others, horrified.
"Did I scream like that too?" he whispered but everyone heard him. The others nodded at him. A white-faced Harry turned back once again toward Hermione. He remembered his own vision and could easily imagine what Hermione was seeing. She had probably seen her dark-self murder him while she stood helplessly. It was obvious Hermione felt greatly troubled and a lot more guilty than Harry had thought.
Harry looked at Hermione, more precisely her face. He could see that the sadness had all but evaporated, leaving cold anger on her face. He guessed this was the part where she assassinated her other self.
"She's about to wake up." said Henry. The Assassins all moved away from their post and climbed down the stairs. Harry followed them. The group stopped a few feet away from Hermione. Harry placed himself on her left.
Slowly, Hermione began to rise. As she was sitting on the ground, she opened her eyes. Her chocolate eyes sought Harry and the teenager could see relief sweep across her face once she found him. Hermione then took a deep breath and looked calmly at her father.
"There are the words spoken by our ancestors. The words that lay at the heart of our creed:" said Daniel.
"Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent." said Olivia.
"Hide in plain sight." said Henry.
"Never compromise the Brotherhood." said Emily.
"Let these tenets be branded upon your mind. Follow them, and be uplifted. Break them at your own peril." said the Mentor. Lifting his left arm, he said "Rise, Assassin."
Hermione raised on her feet and stood confidently. Heywood approached Hermione, a Hidden Blade in hand. Harry hadn't known where his cousin had taken it and didn't ask. Heywood strapped the blade on Hermione's left forearm.
"Hermione Granger is dead. She has been removed from this world, her sins and failures turned to dust with her. Today, she is reborn, a Novice of the Assassin Brotherhood."
Harry took her left hand. Looking at her, he squeezed it. Hermione smiled at him and squeezed back. Neither noticed the other's blush.
"Welcome, Assassin Novice Granger." said Hermione's father.
Just like Harry days before, Hermione joined the Brotherhood. She was now an Assassin.