Author's Note: I know that this latest plot twist came along somewhat suddenly. However, I did not like the way the story was going. There just was not enough conflict. I needed something. So I hope it stays as popular as it has been! If you really hate it…please let me know and I may still change it. I like it, but who knows right? Oh! And in Chapter 2, with the snuggling Draco and Hermione in the Prefect portrait door – that came from me. If someone else also used it, great minds think alike what can I say. As I state in my Disclaimer, I own my plot and I do not steal from anyone! Enough rambling, on with the show! WAIT! Remember all memories are in italics!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Mags and the plot; I take nothing from anyone else!
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Hermione looked at Ginny then at the contents of her trunk. In Ginny's hands were the ring and a robe. Pictures and letters were spread out on the floor. She absent-mindedly picked up a picture and looked at it with a sad smile. It was a picture of that last squad. The one that had died so needlessly. They were all together and smiling. They honestly had thought they were all invincible. How wrong they had been!
"Mione? What is going on? Who are those people? Why are you crying?" Ginny asked, while wiping a tear away with a Kleenex.
"These were some of my best friends. All of them are dead except for Mags and I. They all died so needlessly! Do you remember ever hearing of the Valkyrie's?" Hermione asked after taking a deep breath.
"Yes, they are a squad of Auror's. They are lead by the wearers of the rings. What does this have to do with anything?" Ginny asked quietly.
Hermione hopped up, got a book off her shelf, and opened to a well-worn page. She looked at Ginny as she read, "The two sacred rings will forever be in the same bloodline. They will be passed on to the next at the death of the wearers. For this bloodline is sacred, as it holds the blood of the Valkyrie goddesses. Only they may decide who lives and dies in battle. The ring of Knowledge is silver with emerald and ruby, but do not be deceived! With knowledge comes great power and might! The other is gold with sapphire and onyx. It is the ring of Wrath. With this ring, as well do not be deceived! For with this temper and might comes great compassion and love, along with amazing knowledge."
Ginny sat there in stunned silence and then raised her eyes to meet Hermione's, "So you are one of them."
"Yes, and Mags is the other. There was a horrible battle, and our squad was destroyed. We never have gone back and rebuilt it. We just want to be left in piece." Mione said with a wry smile.
Ginny looked at her, "Then you have been in battles since you were 10."
" We received the rings at age 9 and have been training ever since. You see, so DADA is rather pointless for me. But who am I to turn down an easy 'A' right?" Hermione said trying to lighten the mood.
Just then, they heard a bell ring in the castle, classes were over, and it was nearing dinnertime. Ginny looked at Hermione with awe, "You saved many people, how can you not go back to it?"
Hermione's eyes went hard and her voice cold, "You think this squad was the only we lost? Do you have any idea how hard it is to lose people you are so close too? Mags and I almost died that night as well. However, you will hear that story soon enough. For now please be happy with the fact that we are taking a much needed rest."
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Mags went to Dumbledore's office to tell him about her dream. It was so odd that she and Hermione's dreams had both started again on the same night. She wanted some clarity on the topic.
"Exploding Snape – I mean exploding snap." And the Gargoyle swung open. She quickly darted up the stairs and into his office.
"Hello again Miss Smythe. How may I help you?" Albus asked with a smile.
"Professor, Hermione and I have had nightmares over a certain night for years. They went away recently and now they are back. We both had the same nightmare last night." Mags said with fearful eyes.
"You say they had gone away until last night. How long had they stopped?"
"Fore me? About a year, and Hermione got rid of them about a year and a half ago."
"And with your special gifts is prophetical dreams on your list of wonderful qualities?"
"No, not to our knowledge sir."
"And you hold which ring dear?"
"I am the wearer of the ring of Wrath."
"Allow me to think on this for a bit my dear. Come and see me tomorrow at this same time."
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Harry, Ron, and Draco all ran up to Snape at the end of the lesson with worry on their faces.
"Do you know where Hermione might be?" they asked almost in unison.
Snape looked at all of them with disbelief on his face, "And you are asking me because…? I was unaware that I can magically locate any student on a whim."
Draco rolled his eyes, "Sorry to waste you r time Professor Snape. C'mon potter and Weasley. Let's go find that cousin of hers."
The three took off again, searching for Mags. They found her on a bench looking over the scenery of the courtyard. Her eyes had a lost look in them and she seemed to be lost in thought. They ran up to her with hopeful looks in their eyes.
"Miss Smythe! DO you know where Mione is?" Ron asked as they came to a screeching halt right in front of her.
She seemed to be yanked back into the here and now. She blinked several time as if waking from a dream, and then smiled softly, "No, I am sorry. My cousin does not tell me her every move. But knowing her you'll find her when she is ready to be found."
"But you sent her away in class today. What if she never made it to the dorm?" Harry asked impatiently.
"Mr. Potter. How well do you know my cousin?"
"Very well, we have been friends for six years."
"Can she take care of herself?"
"Yes."
"So do you really think you need to worry."
The three boys shook their heads and wandered back to the castle. They just wanted to make sure she was all right. Draco was worried since her dream or nightmare last night. Then he realized he had not told Ron or Harry about it yet.
"Harry, Ron did Mione tell you about her nightmare last night?" Draco asked in hushed tones as the walked to the Prefect Common room.
The two shook their heads negatively but now they had even more concern in their eyes.
"She woke up screaming this morning. She looked terrified, hell, she terrified me. I think because nothing really scares her."
Harry and Ron exchanged looks and sighed as they all flopped onto couches. This was going to be a long day.
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Time flew by and soon it was time for dinner.
Mummy? What do those two letters stand for?
'VQ'? 'V' for Valkyrie and the 'Q' for Queen love. They make you very special!
But why do I have to go? I don't want to fight Mummy! I just want to stay here and play with you and Daddy!
Honey, you have to go. It is your destiny to go! Daddy and I will be there with you every step of the way.
Promise?
Always baby, always.
Hermione shook her head as memories of her now dead biological parents went through her mind. They also had died in battle. Their miracle warrior of a daughter had not been able to save them. She quickly went and freshened up for dinner.
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She and her cousin were 10 years old playing. Soon the pretty rings on their finger started to tingle. They knew that soon they would have to go again. They would have to wear the white robes and fight a war they really did not understand. It was their destiny.
Soon they were right in the thick of it. They were so small and so very fast on their brooms that they made very hard targets to hit. Then she saw Mione's broom be hit by a shattering curse and she barely made it there in time to catch her.
Mags shook her head to get the memory out of her head. That was years ago. No need to beat a dead horse! She went and got ready for dinner.
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AN: I swear all these memories are leading up to something! I swear they are. Also the next task of the War of the Houses is coming up soon! Don't want to miss it!