Against all odds
Summary: How could so much change in one night? When Hermione was 11, against all odds, she was swept up into a world she had never known. How could she have known that at 27 her world would transform once again. She just hopes that someone will catch her on the way down.
Chapter 1
Minerva walked into her rooms and shed her cloak immediately, banishing it to her wardrobes. With heavy footsteps she reached her desk and gripped the edge of it, her willowy framed hunched over; so unlike the usual straight-backed, taller and fiercer than life esteemed headmistress stance she showed to the world.
Shadows from the firelight licked across her clothes as she tried to put back into place order and stability. Something that, in her mind, was being disrupted with a ferocity she could hardly fathom.
The sound of her staircase grinding and moving made her shoulders sag as she looked up, trying to find a deity up in the sky that would give her strength, because she didn't have to have her Animagus senses to know who it was that was disturbing her at this hour…
10 months prior
"Is it much further?"
"Oh do stop your whining, Ronald. This is supposed to be a special occasion according to Charlie and I will not have your perpetual whining ruin it."
Hermione vaguely heard his groaning behind her and rolled her eyes. "But we just got back from our honeymoon. So aren't we supposed to be cuddled up in bed somewhere?"
"As delightful as that sounds, I promised your brother I would be here and with all my work pertaining to S.P.E.W. I really would like to see this."
Ron huffed, "Alright. But what exactly is 'this'?"
As the woodland levelled off dozens of wizards, along with a few dragons, came into view and Hermione gave a sigh of relief. "I can honestly say, I have no earthly clue. But I'm excited and intrigued."
"'Course you are," Ron muttered.
"You don't have to say it like I dragged you here."
"But you did drag me here," Ron said, clueless.
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. There were times she wondered how the man could be so dense. He was kind and loving but totally dense at times.
"Never mind," she muttered as she walked on towards another ginger-haired man who looked far happier to see her than her own spouse did right now.
Ignoring Ron, she made the few feet across the forest to Charlie who looked happy to see her despite the cold. It was winter in Russia after all.
"Hermione!" Charlie cheered and suddenly she was swept up in a hug, her toes nearly lifting off of the floor as he took her in.
"Charlie," Hermione greeted back warmly. "It's good to see you." Her voice soft and warm.
"And you. How's married life treating you?" He asked as he pulled back to look at the beautiful woman. He still could not fathom how his brother had snagged Hermione. Not that Ron wasn't great, but, well, he had always felt that Hermione was on a whole other level. But if his brother made her happy then who was he to judge.
Hermione smiled back, "It's only been two weeks. I'll let you know in another two." She winked as Ron finally came up beside her.
"Charlie," Ron smiled.
"Ron," Charlie responded as he embraced his younger brother. "I hope you are treating this lovely lady well."
Ron scoffed, as he pulled back, "I'm the one you should be concerned about, mate. Not even a day off our honeymoon and here I am, in the middle of… where are we?"
"Russia," Hermione supplied with an eye roll.
"…Yeah, Russia, in the bleeding cold, in the middle of the night, and I don't even know what for."
Charlie raised his eyebrow and looked at Hermione almost sympathetically. "Well, my dear brother, there is something I wanted to show your wife. As I'm sure her skills and knowledge would do well with this particular piece of information."
Hermione smiled and felt her skin prickle with goosebumps and excitement.
"Come on. Let me show you," Charlie nodded towards a fire pit farther off in the distance, with Hermione immediately following in quick pursuit.
As they neared another clearing, a witch stepped in front of them.
"What are they doing here?" the witch said abruptly, and if Hermione had to hazard a guess, not too kindly either.
"This is my brother and hi…"
"I know too well who they are, Charlie, why are they here? This is a closed ceremony."
"I thought…"
"Get them out of here," The witch snapped and suddenly two men were closing in on them. Suddenly Hermione's defences were up, her hand immediately reaching for her wand.
"She could be an asset!" Charlie rushed quickly, "she's working with the ministry to enforce fair laws for all magical creatures. You're making a mistake by having her leave as I know this would do well for your community," Charlie looked at the witch, pleading as the two wizards tried to push them backwards.
"Hey, back off, mate!" Ron spat as one of the wizards encroached on his space.
"You need allies, Niska," Charlie pleaded and watched as the cogs started to turn in eyes he could only describe as violet.
"I said back off, bone head!" Ron seethed.
"Niska…"
"Alright," The witch Hermione now knew as Niska said, looking over to her warily and immediately the two wizards stopped. "But only she is allowed entry."
"Woah, woah, no she aint goin' anywhere without me, mate." Ron stepped forward and Hermione put her hand on his arm to calm and stop him.
"I'll be fine, Ron."
"No!" Ron's voice went up, "why can't I go with you? You don't know these people…"
"No, but I do, Ron. I can assure you she is quite safe," Charlie interrupted.
"No. She goes, I go."
"Then she does not go." Niska said firmly and went to turn away.
"Niska, wait!" Charlie called and Niska paused and turned to look at her friend.
"I have stated the terms," Niska supplied without waver.
Hermione didn't know what Charlie had gotten her into but somehow she knew it was important and so with determination she turned to Ron. "Please, Ron, this is important."
"Hermione…"
"Please… I'll be home before you know it."
Ron sighed but knew she wasn't going to budge. He had known her for too long. "Alright, but I'm waiting right here."
"You can't," Niska supplied.
"I can do whatever I damn well please…" he started but stopped when he saw the two men making their way back towards him. "Oh, come on," He whined.
"Go home, Ron, I'll be back soon," Hermione promised.
She could see the want to stay in his eyes and pleaded with him through hers, begging him. With one last look he conceded and with a quick goodbye she could hear his retreating feet, escorted by one of the wizards who he had only moments ago been cursing. He was a good man.
"Shall we?" Charlie's voice came up beside her, softly.
"Lead the way," Hermione gestured with her hand as Niska waited for them, and soon they were approaching a beautiful light grey dragon. She was magnificent.
There were torches and fire pits in the surrounding area, affording them some light in the late hour. However, the soft lighting didn't diminish the beauty and sheer size of the creature that lay on the floor. Calm and what Hermione could only describe as fatigue adorned the dragon's features.
"Beautiful," Hermione commented.
"Yes, she is," Niska agreed as they moved gently closer. There were a few other witches and wizards nearby, obviously preparing something, what though, Hermione had no clue. Her gaze was drawn back to the large dragon lying on the ground. Even through the dim light her eyes shone a bright blue.
The creature looked at her curiously before letting out a quiet whimper. A sign of distress.
"What's wrong with her?"
"…She's dying." Niska said, sadness lacing her voice.
"Is she ill?"
"No, not in the sense that you know anyway… perhaps if we start at the beginning you shall understand," Niska offered almost mysteriously before continuing.
"I shall not mince my words, nor offer you the full history, but suffice to say that you understand the meaning of preservation of life, to provide an heir, a lineage. Nearly every creature known to man has this one thing in common. Dragons do not have that pleasure necessarily, they are a hunted species...A long time ago dragon and witch made a pact, preservation of life. When the dragons gained knowledge that their species had become limited and extinction was a threat, they began the process of blending. Female dragons are also the stronger of their species and therefore more likely to survive. But this also means less male population and therefore…?"
"No heir."
"Correct. While a dragon cannot perform magic as we do, they do possess magic and their intelligence rivals ours. The females could not produce the heirs so upon death they began the blending, they would blend their soul with that of a witch or wizard…" Hermione began questioning, but Niska held up her hand.
"Let me finish and I will answer your questions afterwards. The soul does not take over the body, it merely inhabits the body it has blended with. The humans agreed because along with the blending came further enhanced life, magic, amongst other benefits, and in return the dragons had the ability to produce heirs with the help of the magic they could not perform in their original form; transfiguration, or if a male host is taken, well you understand the logistics. The intent was that upon the death of the human's life they could be reborn again. Suffice to say it worked."
Hermione was almost speechless, almost being the operative word. "I can't imagine that the body is able to cope with the two souls…" her words drifting off.
"The human body is quite adaptive. While it is slightly confusing and uncomfortable to begin with, it doesn't take long for it to be as normal as breathing," Niska elaborated.
She moved closer to the large creature and blue eyes picked up her movement, following her intently, "I do not understand how, if blending helps them to procreate, how is it possible? Surely they would be born human?"
Niska nodded, "You are correct, however, when the child is conceived, the dragon soul is born alongside the human soul and inhabits the body in the same way blending would. When our bodies die, they transform much like it does with an Animagus. This is why the dragon species is not extensive. It takes years to create new life. If you imagine how long a witch or wizard's normal life span is and then add the extended life expectancy. It could be three to four hundred years before death and transformation."
Hermione looked at her a little surprised. How had she not known all of this? How had this been kept secret for so long? "Has interbreeding our species been successful?"
"No. It seems that the dragon souls react and connect much like a chemical. So far as we know, no human has been able to connect as such."
"So I am assuming to conceive that you have to have two people, both with dragon souls?"
"Correct. There have been a great many cases where dragon and human souls have lived harmoniously and they have not continued with conception. Not all cases are for that sole purpose. Often if they cannot find a mate they merely reside in human hosts until that day comes," Niska gestured with a gentle motion of her wrist but paused and looked at the woman whose curiosity rivalled her own and yet she could see the fear in her eyes as the cogs turned, "Miss Granger, Hermione… One does not lose themselves during this process, quite the opposite. You gain something, knowledge, time… and a friend."
"And how are the hosts found?"
"They volunteer. But we also have months of trials and meetings until the correct host is found. It's a mutual and harmonious ritual and very respected amongst our people."
Hermione turned back to Niska, eyes wide as realisation hit, "Our people? As in… you…"
Niska smiled and looked at Hermione with amusement, "I am a host, yes."
Hermione was nearly speechless, "And you are okay with… this?"
"Of course. It's a very symbiotic relationship."
"And why is this not public knowledge?" Hermione tried to query.
Niska sighed and looked at Charlie before looking back at Hermione. "We, they, are a hunted and feared species as it is. To have it become public knowledge that we are gaining ground slowly, is too much too soon. We do not know how the Wizarding community would react; The Ministry… and the likes of Grindelwald and Voldemort, that knowledge could be dangerous. The Wizarding community is not even on its tenth anniversary since the war."
"However," Charlie interjected again, always the mediator.
"However…" Niska conceded, "we do need to start making ground and finding alliances. Ones with connections in The Ministry. Someone who will fight for us."
"Hence why you asked me here tonight," Hermione looked at Charlie.
Charlie nodded, "Precisely."
"And how…"
I'm sorry to interrupt, Niska. But it's time," another witch stated softly from just across the way.
Niska nodded and then turned back to Hermione and Charlie. "Forgive me for the interruption. I'm sure you have many more questions and I'll be happy to answer them afterwards, but it seems as though Arnaga is ready."
"Arnaga?" Hermione said in confusion.
"Yes, that is her name," Niska gestured to the dragon who was slowly standing up with what seemed great effort.
Hermione watched as something inside her tugged and blue eyes connected with hers as though the dragon could see into the very depth of her mind. It unnerved her and yet she found comfort within the electric blue orbs.
"If you'd like you can stay here and watch the ceremony. And do not be alarmed if Arnaga takes the host in her mouth. Sometimes it's simply a part of the process as some minds, while completely consented, have a hard time letting down their subconscious walls and the shock of a bite can often get rid of those. It has almost become tradition now as we all bare our own unique marks."
And with that she was wandering towards the centre of the clearing towards Arnaga and a blonde-haired woman whom Hermione assumed was to be Arnaga's host.
Hermione turned to Charlie, "Her mouth? She can't be serious."
Charlie grimaced and understood Hermione's concern. "She will not die. I have seen the process before. We have many healers here to help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. They've been doing this for generations. It will be alright."
"Charlie…"
"You trust me, don't you?"
Hermione faltered and as she looked into eyes that so reminded her of Ron's she felt herself conceding, even relaxing somewhat, "Of course."
Charlie's hand came up to squeeze her arm as they turned back to the ceremony.
"So, how exactly does this work?" Hermione asked as the rest of the witches and wizard's spoke quietly.
"The soul is in essence magic and memory, so for the soul to reside within us they use legilimency. Think of it like us being a lantern, our soul is the candle and for them to reside within us we need to open the door so we can hold two candles, not just one."
"And what happens to the human soul when our human lives end? They transform and we leave and pass on?"
"Exactly. No living thing should last forever. Which is why this information needs to be carefully kept either secret or shared amongst people who respect this power."
Hermione knew the gravity of what he was saying and nodded as the young woman she knew would be Arnaga's new host stepped towards the dragon.
Arnaga circled the young witch who seemed to be calm, welcoming even. Hermione watched in fascination, wondering how the young witch was able to stay so calm. Because while she had agreed to have something so powerful so close, even from the distance Hermione felt overwhelmed.
The blonde witch reached out to touch the dragon, familiarising herself Hermione assumed.
Hermione knew little of dragons but what she did know was that dragons were not creatures that could be domesticated. Nor were they often kind, and those who were more domesticated had become so because of years of torture. Something she abhorred. So to see this type of interaction was truly breath-taking.
The wind went calm and Hermione could almost smell the magic in the cold night air when suddenly something dark and rank came over her and before she could make heads or tails of it`, a jet of green light came sailing across her vision as the curse everyone knew and feared went flying into the woman whose hand was still touching Arnaga's nose.
Her body started to fall, death taking her almost silently. Suddenly there was chaos and a cacophony of sound broke around her as all of their vision went towards the wizard who had cast the killing curse.
"Apprehend him!" Niska screamed and suddenly two more wizards brandished their wands against Niska and her people.
"What are they doing?" Hermione called as she took out her wand, ready to defend and fight.
"Civil war," Charlie grumbled as Arnaga suddenly roared, causing all of them to grab their ears, the sound deafening.
"Protect her!" Niska called as witches and wizards started to guard the dying dragon whilst defending themselves and her.
Hermione immediately moved as she deflected spell after spell making her way towards the dragon and the dead body in front of her.
Arnaga nudged the body of her now deceased host as Hermione lunged forward to intercede a jinx with a Protego charm. Twisting her wrist, she transfigured the blades of grass beneath the wizard's feet into vine which quickly slid up his legs to keep him there before quickly sending a containment charm his way.
She breathed a brief sigh of relief but it was short lived and with another breath she was twisting her body to avoid a jinx.
Arnaga roared again and Hermione felt like her ears were going to explode as she could do nothing but let the sound wash over her as she cast one Protego charm after another.
She vaguely noticed Charlie helping another witch to apprehend another rogue wizard but what she failed to see was the danger from her other side.
She saw his head turn towards her as she twisted away another spell from in front and quickly she transfigured the ground to engulf the last witch.
She felt her breath leave her lungs…
"Hermione!"
But it was too late.
Turning, she saw nothing but green flying towards her. She knew at the other end of the curse was a wizard she hadn't noticed and she wanted nothing more than to wish her skills had been better, quicker, so she could have saved herself from this. But as it flew towards her she knew this was it.
She tried to summon a shield, anything, but her movements were too slow.
Ron was right. They should have just stayed in bed.
And with a suddenness she couldn't fathom, she felt pain across her shoulder as scales came into her peripheral vision and then suddenly the green was gone, as wings encompassed her and the world started to go black.
"I'm here, you're safe."
Her body felt limp and her shoulder almost numb.
"I…"
"Shhh, just let me in… I'll protect you."
Her breaths came harshly…
"…'mio..ne.."
Nothing.
Authors note: As always, I hope you enjoyed. Trying something a little different, so thoughts would be appreciated. And to the person who checks my work, you know who you are, thank you.