Chapter 40
.
.
.
(Malfoy Manor)
Bill relinquished the notebook to Hermione.
Both of them were here for one thing only.
She had arrived with Snape just in case something came up. Bill had tagged along with Nymphadora to check the Manor's wards and had sent the young Aurora to the other side of the wing they were on to hand over the notebook to Hermione.
Bill observed Hermione, still not accepting what was in front of him. But his family came first. The Order was wrong. Or at the very least Dumbledore was.
She didn't even open the notebook and instead handed it to her shadow as the others liked to call him. He took it and disapparated without a sound. If that wasn't an indicator as to how powerful he was…
Or her ability to keep him at her side.
Hermione glanced around. "What did the Order decide to do?"
Bill pulled off his leather gloves and stuffed them into his pocket before answering.
"They aren't pleased. They want to believe that Dumbledore is innocent. But the evidence says otherwise. Some of them don't know what to do. The others don't want the Order to be brushed aside just because they don't align with your plans. But they haven't said anything to Dumbledore or Moody. That also won't last."
"That's a surprise. I understand their reasoning. But right now, I have to be careful. I can't exactly tell them myself since too many people know who I am. For now, they can listen to Remus or Sirius. On the other hand, Percy will receive a copy of the notebook and will begin to block the financial aid Riddle is getting. You work your way into the vaults that belong to them using Sirius. They like him for some reason. I promised them something but they can only get it once their end of the bargain is sealed."
"What did you promise?"
"Something nobody else can offer them."
o0o
(Three days later)
Remus stood in front of her in the nude.
Something that forced Severus to walk away since he couldn't seem to control his possessive anger.
Hermione was pleasantly surprised but it. He usually was laid back about such emotions. But she knew she would react the same way if there was a nude woman in front of him.
The flash of irritation was her own this time. She would react the same or worse.
She rolled her eyes and shifted to look at Remus. He was sweating but there was something else there.
She had a feeling she wasn't staring just at Remus.
The being sharing her soul awoke. The area around them stilled and Remus was gone. Hermione stared into the eyes of a werewolf.
One that challenged her simply by staring her down. The powerful voice filled her mind as she met those eyes calmly.
The wolf surged forward and was in front of her in a flash. But she wasn't stupid. He didn't strike her since she was holding him at knifepoint.
To the balls.
"Move an inch, wolf, and I'll make you fucking regret it."
He snarled through human vocal cords. But his body wasn't transforming. Yet...she knew Remus was gone. Fido was upfront and centre, taking the lead. Hermione tilted her head and used her other hand to slap his chest.
"Back the fuck off, Fido. There are several wands pointed at you so don't even think about attacking," she quietly said, catching the tensing of muscles in his body. She noted the changes the longer he stayed in control.
He growled once more but slowly took a step back. She waved the knife around.
"Yes, I know you understand me. So stay back while I check you out."
Two hours later, Severus and Xeno we're done writing down their analysis. The testing would continue after it was all over. Mashh and Cane might even have a chance now. To be normal and to regain what they had lost.
Hermione felt a little wild herself so she excused herself. Being around the werewolf stirred up whatever wild shite was inside of her. She had a feeling that not all of it was from the soul attached to hers.
Ignoring the others in the house, she went straight to their private bathroom and undressed. It wasn't until she was standing straight under the water that he came in.
She watched him, feeling out of control. He shrugged out of his clothes and stepped in. He sat down on the marble seat and gazed at her. She pushed her hair back and went down to her knees.
His eyes narrowed but he didn't budge. She grazed his thighs with her fingertips and he involuntarily quivered.
o0o
Severus stared down at Hermione, aware that she was using him to get rid of the primal call that the otherness had brought out.
He felt some of it through her and he was willing to satisfy it. He fisted his hands as she licked his inner thigh.
Muscles bunching, he swallowed hard as she moved closer to his cock. Her fingers didn't touch it and instead stroked his balls. He flinched when she dug her fingers in. He should have gone soft but for some unknown reason, he felt his tip drip.
Bloody...Fuck.
He hadn't realized that he had closed his eyes until she licked the drops of cum from his tip. He felt her nipples graze his legs as she lowered her head and he moaned as she pulled one of his balls deep into her mouth.
"Hermione…"
o0o
His taste was everywhere.
But she needed more. He kept making sounds that made her clench and drip.
She let go of the soft flesh and kissed her way up his cock. His thighs trembled. Her nails bit into his flesh as she drew closer to him.
Using only her mouth, she swallowed him. The taste filled her mouth once again. She licked around the head and sucked.
Hard.
He cursed and finally put his hands on her. He buried his fingers in her hair, tugging her hair harshly. The bite of pain brought forth pleasure-pain. She pulled back, dragging her tongue up as she went. She looked up, noticing the corded muscles twitching as he tried to control himself. But it was the smouldering look in his dark eyes that made up her mind.
She wanted that control blown to smithereens.
Her own control was tempered by the things she wanted to do to him. She balanced herself on her knees and used one hand to play with his balls. They hung heavy, tight, and wet from her mouth.
He closed his eyes, probably thinking that was all she was going to do. But she brushed past them and slid a finger further down.
When his eyes opened in shock, she brushed his puckered hole. She went back to his cock and leaned down, not stopping until he hit the back of her throat. She swallowed and sucked just as her finger breached the tight ring of muscle.
He made a vicious sound that vibrated down his lean body. That was the only warning she got before hot cum filled her mouth. She swallowed, making sure to suck harder.
The last of it she smeared on her lips as she pulled back, brushing the sensitive tip with her tongue. A harsh gasp left his lips. She licked her lips and stood up. She was nowhere done with him. She wanted more of him.
He stayed seated while she got out and dried herself. Severus groaned as she sent him images of the things she wanted to do still.
She smirked darkly.
o0o
It was two hours later that they emerged from their room.
Severus walked carefully ahead of her. She chuckled and followed him down the hall. Hermione brushed her hair as she passed Xeno and stared outside. It was late in the afternoon and the others were working on the two extra rooms.
They had run out of rooms and bathrooms so with a bit of magic, they had added new ones and now they worked on the wards around them.
She noticed Marcus and Adrian arguing and lifted her eyebrows when Marcus leaned down and whispered something to Adrian's ear. She wanted to know what he said to cause the tips of Adrian's ears to turn red.
Severus came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"We have to go soon."
Hermione finished braiding her hair and turned in his arms.
"Once he gets here, we'll leave. Everybody else is prepared?"
"Yes."
"We might become really busy from here on out. The twins will stay with their parents for the night. Xeno will stay to oversee the potions we have going. Narcissa already left with your parents. They have been taken to a safe house that technically belongs to you through your connections to Adrian. As his cousin that is."
The fireplace opened, interrupting their conversation.
It was Amelia and Percy. They were both dressed for their part as well. Hermione nodded at Percy and turned to face Amelia.
"Make sure you give Dumbledore no breathing room. Nothing. Xeno, Luna, and the others will help with the Quibbler since they need it. They'll be doing some of the work here and the others will be helped by McGonagall. It will be ready soon so watch for that. Are you ready for it? For the people to know on whose side you are on?"
"I mentally prepared myself from the moment I realized what your plan was. Adrian will be there too?"
"Of course. I'll be sending somebody else in as Adrian's cousin while I deal with this first. As soon as it's done, I'll slip right in." Hermione stated as she took the case file that would be used to pull Dumbledore back completely.
She didn't want to destroy the old man but she couldn't have him raising questions that would make the others question Amelia.
At least not until they were ready.
She gave it to Amelia. "Make sure Moody is cut off as well. I know he's back on your case but he won't have a reason to hunt you anymore after this. He will be held back by those in the Order."
"I'm not worried about him anymore. What about Kingsley?"
"He...is agreeable to a certain point. But he doesn't have the power to decide for the Order so he'll probably sit back and watch until the end. Unless he decides to help."
Amelia tucked the case file under her cloak and stepped back into the fireplace. The burst of green flames cast light upon Percy, who had been standing by silently.
"Take Mashh and Cane. They know what they have to do."
Percy flexed his fingers. "This is happening rather quickly. I feel like just yesterday..."
"I know. But that's good. All we're waiting for is Charlie. Once he gets the damn snake, we'll be able to take Riddle down."
"I know. But I was never one to wait."
He left with the wolves and Hermione turned back to Severus. "I did the right thing by sending them there, right?"
"They have nothing holding them here except for you. Having a job and a place to call their own is already too much for them."
"But to help guard such a place?"
"You gave them options. They chose this. Neither one of them wanted to leave home soil even if it meant they were free to do as they pleased. They aren't bad men. Life just handed them the wrong set of cards."
That was true. Hermione would have continued on but a large and silvery Patronus raced across the room. Harry's voice filled the air just as the others came inside.
"They're here! He wants to attack the castle!"
What!
Hermione immediately searched the bodies in front of her for Dimitry but Adrian cut her off, shaking his head.
"He left an hour ago. But he hasn't sent word back."
Shite. So much for planning ahead. But that was okay. The okay. The only thing standing in their way was Nagini.
Plan b was up next.
She turned to the others. "The safety of the children is the first priority. No matter what. We can't let him into Hogwarts. Adrian, inform Amelia and the others. Riddle shouldn't have supporters but-"
She was cut off when Dimitry's Patronus came next. The animal came to a halt in front of her. Dimitry's voice filled the cold room.
"He has support. But not from here. It's not a lot but they aren't unskilful. I barely saw them. Be careful but don't stray from any of the plans. We just have to hold off until Charlie comes back."
Hermione stiffened, that wasn't good but it was completely bad. It was to be expected. Being cut off had made the monster impatient. Reckless.
Her magic reacted violently at her thoughts.
Whatever was left in her system from earlier didn't help.
She turned sharply to face the others. Severus left her side and slipped out of the room, cloak already falling onto his shoulders. He was heading there first.
Good.
"Marcus, follow him. Fred, tell your parents to be on stand by and head to Hogwarts right after. The others, head to Hogwarts grounds and search the grounds for students and take them to safety."
One by one they left, leaving her with Xeno. He had left the room before but now came back with crates of potions.
It was better to be prepared.
o0o
She landed on top of a hilltop, several feet away from the school wards, noticing the opposing side right away.
There weren't many of them but the wards were the only thing keeping them out.
She quickly turned to see Harry and the others standing in line, facing the Forest.
She felt Severus arrive at her side as he brushed her mind. His scent teased her. But she had to focus.
Yet, she had to admit he was bloody distracting. His amusement filled her mind yet he spoke quietly, no emotions seeping through.
"He left. But Macnair and Rookwood are leading them."
"The kids?"
"Remus found a couple of third years but everybody else was already heading to bed or at least their common rooms. Potter had already set up some of the students to defend the castle by the time I had arrived."
"As long as they're prepared," she replied, watching both sides carefully.
The snow was coming down heavier than before. It would make the fight hard for everybody. But she had a feeling it wouldn't come down to it.
She moved forward but Severus's hiss stopped her. She glanced back and noticed his attention centre further to the left. She followed his gaze and saw a lone figure in a long black dress.
It was Bellatrix Lestrange.
Lestrange noticed the attention coming from the others and slowly began making her way forward. She was smirking and pushing those in front of her aside. Her long black hair tumbled forward with every step. But it was the woman's gaze that drew Hermione's attention.
It was focused around Neville and Harry, both of who were standing next to each other at the front.
Hermione slyly smirked.
Severus spoke up, his voice was softly brutal as he moved forward with her. "She shouldn't be here. Dimitry said she was supposed to be at Riddle's side at all times. But she is the one person who he has never been able to fully control."
"That's because he won't kill her for disobeying him, right?" she inquired, pushing her hood back as she entered the wards fully, revealing a masquerade mask that Luna had sent her hours ago.
Hermione had been perplexed but had left it on her desk. She had used a thin layer of magic to make sure nothing could break it. Thankfully it wasn't colourful but plain black with just one teardrop diamond. Something that had been hard to believe. Severus had tested it against his own dagger.
It now carried a scratch.
She touched the mask that covered half of her face. Luna was incredible. And firmly attached to Theo. They both stood slightly apart from the others and it was actually Luna who noticed her first.
The others turned to look at them one by one. Hermione saw Bellatrix pause as she too saw Hermione and Severus.
Hermione flicked her a bored glance and continued forward. Harry and McGonagall met her halfway. Heidi put a hand on Ron, who had been ready to move forward too. Hermione found it odd to see herself there and know it wasn't actually her.
Heidi shot her a grin as she pulled Ron back. Just because plan b was active didn't mean the others could be familiar with her. Just like earlier, anything could happen. It also wasn't good for the enemy to know who was already acquainted with her by showing familiarity.
Except of course for Luna who began to dance towards Hermione. Seamus and the others stared, mouth open, as Luna beamed brightly at Hermione. McGonagall stared down at the young girl while Harry raised an eyebrow.
Luna opened her palm and caught a random snowflake. Almost uncaring of the danger around them.
But Hermione knew her.
The girl was cementing her persona, making sure to showcase it in front of the others.
"They said they wouldn't take sides. But that also meant they wouldn't take it kindly to those that invade their personal space." Luna said, voice soft and airy as she turned on her heel to stare into the white forest in front of them.
Just as her words began to register, the sound of outraged pain-filled cries filled the air. Hermione turned her head and smiled darkly.
The fools in the back were the first ones to get arrowed. Centaurs were emerging from the woods, bows were drawn and firing arrow after arrow. Other shapes moved in the darkness, waiting.
Hermione turned back to Harry. "Have you spoken to them?" she asked, fingers playing with her wand. She referred to Harry's army of students.
He nodded. "They know that the castle is a priority. They won't get involved. But they are itching to fight."
"Keep them in check. Behind the wards, everybody is safe." No sooner had she said those words when Greengrass came out of nowhere short out of breath and face sweaty.
She quickly pulled up her facade and stared coldly at them. "The Slytherins are trying to attack from the inside. At least those that belong to said families."
McGonagall drew herself up. "I'll deal with them and the other professors. Herm-," she caught herself and met Hermione's eyes. "This feels off. Something else is brewing. Be careful."
Hermione inclined her head but didn't deny the woman's words. "Hurry, we don't want any of the younger students to get hurt. We got this here."
McGonagall gathered her robes and made her way up to the castle.
Hermione met Remus's eyes. "Go with her. Make note of those that are acting up. Come back as soon as it's over."
He doesn't question her.
Hermione turned to Harry, ignoring the roaring in the background and Bellatrix's scream of anger. Severus passed her and met up with the others that were standing in front of the students.
Marcus was facing Macnair and Sirius was facing Rookwood. Hermione returned her eyes to Harry's. He wasn't looking at her. He was staring at Bellatrix.
The new followers were fighting off the centaurs while the real Death Eaters were protected.
"We need to get her away from the other two. Neville." She didn't need to raise her voice. The boy heard her. He was strung tight like a bowstring. He was pissed. That much was obvious. Hermione knew why.
Everybody that knew about his parents knew why. The woman was there and he wanted revenge. Hermione could help him. Two birds. One stone.
He walked up to them, face lined with tension as he stared hard at the crazy witch.
"Neville. Draw her away from the others. Do what you have to do."
Neville swallowed hard. "I don't think I can hold her off. No matter how strong I've gotten. I know myself and I'm not ready but by Merlin do I want to."
"You won't have to. That is why I'm here. Harry." Saying his name was all it took.
He nodded. He knew what she wanted. Even though the others had been training with him, none were ready to kill. Even if it was the enemy.
He turned just as a loud crack filled the air.
Hermione turned her attention back to the enemy. Macnair and Rookwood had joined wands and were aiming to bring down the wards. But it was the sight of another set of wards going up that drew Hermione's attention.
Another man stood in the circle of people. Riddle had decided to come back.
She pulled her cloak off, letting it fall to the snow-covered floor. She pointed her wand at the wards and wordlessly added her brand of wards.
"Protection spells!" Harry yelled at the others. They didn't question him. Spell after spell reinforced the boundaries and
Riddle snarled.
Hermione witnessed Neville move back, body twitching with rage and fear. Bellatrix had turned her attention back to Neville and Harry but Hermione saw the way she kept going back to Neville. The crazy hag actually licked her lips in anticipation.
"Stay with them. I'll go. He won't care if I go." Severus said. She knew he was right.
"Go."
Severus grabbed hold of Neville, black smoke swallowing their bodies and was in the air within seconds. Bellatrix took the bait. Within seconds two black streaks were racing across the sky. Riddle didn't even look.
He was staring at her.
He walked forward and placed his hand inches from the ward wall. His red eyes were locked on hers.
Harry was completely forgotten.
She stepped closer and clapped slowly.
"I see you enticed a couple of fools. Not that it makes a difference. But alas, I find myself quite bored with this. No matter who else you acquire, you won't win."
He hissed. "I don't know who you are but nobody speaks to me like this."
She was surprised at the lack of anger on her part. Or fear. Harry actually chuckled. He knew her well enough to know she was actually amused. That alone was enough to trigger the bloody fool in front of them.
He raised his wand and blasted the wall with power.
Hermione ignored his show of power, finally noticing the lack of cries in the background. The creatures of the forest had retreated, leaving behind bodies.
The only ones standing on either side of Riddle were Rookwood and Macnair. Riddle halted his attack on the wards and with a final snarl, disapparated.
But she knew this wasn't the end. McGonagall had been right. This didn't feel right.
"Harry, handle this. I'll send others to help with the bodies later."
"Alright. But where are you going?"
"This is a distraction. The real fight is elsewhere. Take care of everybody here. Even if he doesn't come back…"
"I know. Be careful."
o0o
Hogwarts really hadn't been the target.
Hermione focused on Dumbledore as the older man stared down Riddle.
Both of them were standing in the middle of the Atrium, wands at ready.
She briefly glanced at the individuals standing behind Riddle. It was easy to recognize those that he had taken from Azkaban. They were dirty. Unlike the rest of the wizards in attendance, these people smelled ripe.
Even from a distance, Hermione wrinkled her nose under the face mask.
She walked slowly but purposely around the cluster of Ministry workers. Nobody looked at her.
She stopped once she reached Percy and Adrian. They were standing in front of the fountain, backs tense and wands ready. She brushed Adrian's back with her shoulder and danced her way past him towards Amelia.
As the Minister of Magic, she was of course surrounded by Aurors and flanked by Mad-Eye. Hermione didn't pay them mind and instead linked with Amelia.
"The students are safe."
"Good. Plan b? Now?"
"Do it."
Amelia stepped forward, pushing two young Auror's aside. She drew the attention of Riddle. Amelia didn't raise her voice. She didn't have to.
"Hogwarts is secure, Riddle. Attacking the school and with only a handful of teachers to protect it? Coward."
Riddle opened his mouth in a half-snarl. "That is why I'm here and not there. It wasn't worth the effort. They will soon heed my command. The children and teachers there are not a great concern."
"No concern? Then why attack? What is it you hope to gain from it? Especially since those that protected them are here already. You know you have lost."
Dumbledore spoke up, voice filled with surprise. "Them?"
"Yes, them. You see, there was this woman who thought I should know certain things. Things that should have been told by you. About him and others. I know, Albus, what you have been hiding since the night of Potter's prophecy. There is no need to hide anymore."
Hermione took a step forward, blocking Amelia from the front. Hermione winked at her and finally turned around. Without a cloak to hide her body, she made sure to display it just right. The skintight black outfit drew the eye and light around her. She looked like the rebel that they had labelled her as.
She stared at Dumbledore, letting some of her magic free to run down her body, leaving tendrils of magic to fall to the floor. It was all for show. Or so she wanted them to think.
"Hmm, yes that woman would be me. As for them...they are mine. They chose to be mine."
So many eyes touched her. Those around them drew back, creating a wide circle around the four of them.
But Hermione's magic began to come back to her, the tendrils of magic she had dropped replied back, giving her the locations of every single person in her circle of friends and allies.
They were here with her. They must have already been in the way long before she had called.
Hermione laughed softly.
The sound carried in the Atrium. The scents of fear and anger could be tasted. She made the decisions then and there.
No more hiding. No more plans. Because the biggest tendril of magic had reached her.
The last piece of the story was here. Hermione didn't look to the sound of something being dragged across the sleek floors.
Riddle's roar filled the air.
"Nagini!"
o0o
Neville's hands trembled. He fought the urge to throw up as Snape let go of him. But there was no time to think. To handle the odd vertigo feeling of flying without anything to hold onto because she had arrived.
Everything he had been holding in for years began to fill him with magical rage that had no outlet.
For the first time in a long time...he was able to feel like he could let go.
It made him forget the urge to vomit.
He forgot that Snape had carried him.
Lestrange must have seen the change because she smiled maliciously and lifted her wand at him.
"Severus, let me play with him. I promise to finish him off quickly...unlike when I played with his parents."
Neville snarled, the rabid sound almost dog-like. A sound that should have startled him.
But so deep in rage and grief, it felt right. But the hand on his shoulder stopped him from jumping like a mad dog.
"Calm. It's what she wants. She wouldn't want you dead over something like this."
She. Hermione. The one that…
Lestrange broke his train of thought with a foul giggle that didn't belong to such a creature. "Aww, does the little baby need a hand to help hold his little wand?"
Mad laughter followed.
So did Neville's spells.
o0o
Severus took a step back and tucked his hands inside of his robes. But only to hide his wand. He knew one of them would die.
But it wasn't his place to help. Not when it was this personal.
Severus fingered his wand as Bellatrix almost tripped on her ragged dress. The woman's jerky movements would be her downfall. But she was no novice. She was more powerful than Longbottom.
But one didn't just win against over a decade old rage that had time to fester. He watched them fight, legs dragging through the snow, wands flicking back and forth in a deadly dance. He looked away when a tendril of magic touched his cloak. The taste exploded inside of him.
She was calling for them.
For him.
o0o
Charlie lifted Nagini's head off the floor with magic but the rest was dragged, leaving streaks of black blood on the floor.
Hermione felt it then, the slow ebb of a memory that wasn't powerful enough to touch her but flickered in the back of her mind. If she had been weak of mind she would have been instantly dragged into it. It also meant that Nagini was still dying. Seconds actually of being fully dead.
Hermione reached up and ripped the mask of her face. Only a few people looked at her. One of them being the old man.
Dumbeldore staggered back in shock.
"Hermione...Granger?" Of course, he would know who she was. She tipped her head to the side and flicked her wand, deflecting the spell Riddle had tried to throw at Charlie. Riddle charged forward, trying to get closer to the carcass of his beloved snake.
"Nagini…"
Hermione pushed forward. "That was Nagini. A Horcrux, isn't that right, Tom?"
The word travelled from ear to ear, forcing many to gasp. People knew what it was. For those that didn't have only to ask. In the end, they all acted the same way.
Riddle froze, his monstrous facing filling with something sinister. Something that finally broke through to show the shattered piece he barely held on to. Magic filled the air thickly. Suffocating those around him.
Riddle dropped his wand and stared at her chillingly.
Hermione smiled. "What? You actually thought nobody would figure it out? Dear old Dumbledore knew. Once one person knows...well, you know how it goes. But he didn't know how many there were."
"Were?" Ice formed the words. Riddle took a careful step forward, the old fool forgotten on the sidelines.
"Who are you?"
Words serrated in knives. He must not have heard Dumbledore utter her name seconds ago. She didn't answer him. It wasn't she who was supposed to defeat him. No, all she did was prepare the stage. She tugged Harry's link, letting him know it was time.
"Riddle!"
Harry stepped out from behind Adrian and ran forward.
Hermione stepped aside.
He had to finish him off. Not her.
But she could still help.
Letting him deal with the monster, Hermione ran to Charlie. He was standing beside the snake's body and with a nod from her, joined the others. Hermione stood over the snake and stared out.
Amelia and Percy had taken care of those that weren't on either side. Adrian was fighting Travers. Hermione skipped over them to see the twins fighting the Lestrange brothers. Hermione winced when Fred was hit from the back. Mulciber had hit him.
But Bill quickly took Mulciber down. Hermione scanned the faces of those fighting but made no move to jump in.
Severus arrived the next second. He casually made his way to her.
Neville followed close behind him. Bloody streaks marked his arms and face. But the proud set of his shoulders assured her of who had won that battle.
Severus flicked his wrist at a body standing in his way, luckily it was a Death Eater and finally was close enough to touch her. He would have spoken but a shrill voice reached her first.
"Hermione!"
She turned to see Luna running towards her with a few of the others from school.
Luna slid to a stop and frantically grabbed Hermione's arm. No graceful twirls insight.
"You have it wrong! They told you! Change! You changed it all!"
Hermione stared deeply into her eyes. Change. The centaurs had seen her.
Yes, they had seen her destiny. But…
"What exactly changed, Luna?"
"He isn't supposed to defeat him. Not anymore. The only one that can and will defeat him is you."
Hermione looked back at Harry and Riddle. It couldn't be. Harry was The Chosen One. The one that was destined…
Destiny. Hermione would have stumbled back but Severus was there. He held her and whispered in her ear.
"You changed it all Hermione. But remember. There is a price to pay."
There was only one thing that would even out the odds. Hermione reached and pulled the chain that hung around her neck. One that had hung around her waist for years now. She hoped it was enough.
She threw it down on top of Nagini's body. Only one thing would erase them completely.
"Move back."
Everybody did. Except for Severus. He only slid his hands down to her waist and held on firmly.
She held her wand at an angle and whispered the cursed incantation.
Fiendfyre erupted from the tip of her wand.
Flames screeched. Burned. The heat singed her fingers. Her blood answered back with a purr. She threw her head back as her soul ripped itself apart.
And she knew.
That the price was enough. Because if somebody died tonight…
She wouldn't be able to save them.
The cursed flames flared brighter.
The price was paid.
…..o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o…...
Thank you for the comments and sorry for the long long wait. But we are so close to the end.
Vanee