Chapter 60: Almost Invincible

Life seemed to be getting more and more hectic in Storybrooke with the arrival of all the people. Everyone was on the warpath. They had to find somewhere to stay and Granny's Inn would not be enough for everyone. It was agreed that those with children or people who were ill would be accommodated in the buildings like Granny's or in the homes of the inhabitants. The others would be offered tents. Regina worked out the logistics of the meals with Robin while Snow and David worked out the next school days. Life had to go on after all.

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Hermione too had organized her little routine at Hogwarts. The training sessions were going extremely well. She sometimes stood in the place of the training dummies, facing her friends, so she could judge the power of their spells. At last, she felt useful. Another had decided that she could be useful in her own way: Dumbledore. He had managed to find a way to contact the witch without arousing any suspicion.

- As of today, Miss Granger, you are a full member of the Order. I know you're young, but I have to do everything I can to prepare for the conflict.

- Tell me what I can do, Professor. I will do everything I can.

The witch was ecstatic. As well as being able to help her friends from the inside, she was going to be able to help them by making things happen herself. However, she had no idea what Dumbledore had planned. The headmaster, far from being a senile old man, was intent on taking advantage of the power of his student.

- I think the Death Eaters are planning another attack on the Ministry. They want something and will try many things to find it and get it.

- What is it, Professor?

- I can't tell you that at the moment, Miss Granger. And I must remind you that your missions, this one and the next, must be kept secret. Even Harry mustn't know.

As much as the witch trusted her best friend, she couldn't say that she felt completely safe knowing the connection between him and the Dark Lord. So, she could only agree with Dumbledore.

- What do you want from me?

Glad to know that he could count on Hermione's power, Dumbledore began to explain to the witch what he had in mind. The headmaster was planning to ambush the Death Eaters without notifying the Ministry, of course. She would not be alone but with Kingsley who would open the doors as quietly as possible.

- So, you want to lure them into a trap, but to what end? I mean, what do you want me to do? Take them to Azkaban myself?

The Griffindor bit her lip. She didn't know how far she was willing to go to help her Headmaster. Sure, killing Death Eaters was for the right cause, they were enemies, her enemies. But murder was still murder and Hermione knew that once she crossed that line, there would be no turning back.

- If it's necessary, you can end their lives. You know very well, Miss Granger, that in wartime you have to get your hands dirty. However, I have a few cells ready for them unofficially through my contacts.

Hermione sighed slightly. She had a choice. The witch was aware that in combat, things could go very fast. If she didn't control her power... She preferred not to think about it for the moment and continued to follow Dumbledore's directions.

A few days later, she went to the place of her mission. Having taken a Polyjuice Potion before joining Kingsley, her entry into the Ministry of Magic went relatively unnoticed. Hermione then resumed her appearance once she and Kingsley were alone.

- It'll be fine, Hermione. Dumbledore is a thorough person. Knowing him he must have planned everything. Take a deep breath. Now that everything is in place, all we have to do is wait.

The witch gave him a small smile. She had to relax, but part of her kept doubting the validity of her headmaster. Her little inner voice kept telling her over and over that he was using her, that she was nothing more than a disposable tool for him. Her thoughts were interrupted by shadowy movements in the corridor of the Department of Mysteries they were watching.

It wasn't long before the Death Eaters realized that they had been played and Hermione was back on stage. Kingsley stood back. He had been told that given Hermione's power and instability, it was best not to stand too close to her, just in case.

Wearing their masks, neither member of the Order could make out who was behind the dark shapes. Hermione tried to gauge the magic she was using. She didn't want to kill, if she didn't have to. In between casting spells, Hermione saw a dark green bolt of lightning shoot at her partner. Out of reflex, and knowing full well that she had a better chance of survival than he did, Hermione placed herself between the Avada Kedavra and Kingsley.

- We touched her, we touched her! shouted one of the Death Eaters whose voice sounded like Bellatrix Lestrange.

Hermione's eyes glazed over and for a brief moment. The first Death Eater in her sight was blown to ashes with a wave of her hand without her even thinking about holding back her strength. Before she knew she had just killed her attacker's husband, Hermione regained control of her body, feeling a great weakness come over her.

The Death Eaters left as quickly as possible before they suffered the same fate as their colleague without even noticing Hermione's condition. Looking around for Kingsley, he was on the ground having taken some nasty hits. The witch approached him and took them to St. Mongoose, she knew that her headmaster still had allies there. Placing her partner on a bed, she explained between two breaths that they had been attacked without giving any more details.

Out of reflex, the Gryffindor teleported Remus to her. She barely had time to tell him about her mission and the spell she had to endure before the young witch collapsed into the arms of her former teacher.

Note: I'm really glad to see that you are still reading this story! Finally some action.