Title: An Inevitable Fate
Chapter Four: The Fate of the Order of the Phoenix
Author: KissThis
--
Rating: R - if not now, then later. Just shut up and read it.
Pairing: By your opinions you want it to either be H/Hr or D/Hr
Setting: 6th year in Hogwarts.
Summary: Hermione. Is. Dying. She doesn't know when, but it's a depressing inevitability. Can she summon the strength to tell her friends? And what of all the things she's never going to get to do? Can she get her life in order before it's over? You'll have to read, now won't you?
--
Disclaimer: My house burned down and I lost the documents proving that I owned Harry Potter. *shrugs* Oh well...
The kickass plot IS mine.
--
Hermione took her usual place in between Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. Nervously she patted down her pleated skirt and brushed the hair from her face. "Dumbledore has called a meeting of the Phoenix. We're to go to his office after dinner." She told them in a hushed whisper.
"What's going on?" Harry asked seriously.
Hermione took a deep breath, "Something's...happened."
Reluctant to pursue the argument where they might be overheard, Harry dropped it. Ron looked between his two friends for a moment longer and then he turned to face the teacher's table where the first years were all ready being sorted.
Hermione didn't even hear the hat sing the sorting song it had spent all last year composing. She didn't clap when more first years were sorted into Gryffindor. Her amber eyes were fixed on the tablecloth traversing its faint patterns with her gaze.
How can I be the "Sovereign of Light"? She thought as the welcoming feast appeared before her. We'd always pegged Harry for being the Golden Boy. He's the one who has had all the training! Hell, even Ron had more battle training than I did.
She viscously attacked a pork chop with her fork.
No one thought that I could be of any help in the battle against Voldemort. Will any of them ever know that the brilliant war tactics Harry devised were really my creations? I always worked behind the scenes -- the real genius behind Harry and Ron.
She paused and set down the piece of bread that had been traveling to her mouth.
Would anyone even believe it?
She was suddenly very aware of the eyes watching her. Harry kept shooting furtive and worried glances at her since she hadn't eaten at all throughout dinner. She felt Hannah behind her trying not to stare at her from the Hufflepuff table. Padme was deep in thought, but every once in a while she would look up at Hermione. Over her was Draco. He was blatantly staring at her all through the meal. She even knew that her teachers were watching her from the head table.
Her heart started to pound in her chest.
Baduum...Baduum...Baduum...
What if it is true? Could I handle that? They expect me to be this perfect being that will save them from the dark forces. What if I can't do it? All those people's lives would rest on my shoulders. If I do something wrong, hundreds of people could die. Oh my God...
She looked up and her frightened eyes locked with blue-gray. Her wide amber eyes were dilated and her complexion was ashen. Draco was worried. He started to stand, but Hermione shook her head quickly.
Baduum...Baduum...Baduum...
"I can't do this..." She mumbled making Ron and Harry look at her in surprised confusion.
Dumbledore had just stood up to make a few more announcements regarding the beginning school year, when Hermione leapt out of her chair. The sudden movement made her dinnerware rattle and her goblet of pumpkin juice tipped over.
"Hermione?!" Harry exclaimed as he and Ron immediately tried to stop the juice spill from spreading.
She tripped over the bench in her haste to get up and almost fell flat on her face. Stumbling a few steps she regained her balance and tore out of the Great Hall. There was a clattering from the Slytherin table as Draco dropped his silverware and stood up. Aware that the entire dining room was staring at him in curiosity he had to resist the urge to sprint after the Gryffindor. With quick and long strides he exited the Great Hall as well, moments later.
----
He found her at the end of the hallway. She leaned with her back to the wall, breathing heavily. The hanging lanterns about her head created an orange halo around her curls. The light lasted a little while longer and then the black of her robes made the rest of her body invisible in the shadow.
She didn't say anything when he stopped in front of her and pulled her into his arms -- she just started to cry. He held her body tight to his and stroked her back soothingly. The tears running down her face dripped off her checks and soaked into the coarse material of his Hogwarts robe.
"I-I can't do this..." She hiccuped, burying her face in his chest. "They think I'm something I'm not..."
Her hands clutched the back of his robe and she held onto him for dear life. Draco rested his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes. They were holding each other so tightly, he thought they would melt in to one person any minute. He could feel her shoulders trembling and her legs shaking and her back quivering.
"I can't lead these people. If I make a mistake hundreds of people are going to die!"
"Listen to me, Hermione."
She released a handful of his robes so she could wipe away the tears that were falling down her cheeks. She took a step back so that her eyes, red from crying could look into his, and she didn't seem to mind that his hands remained around her waist.
"You are the best person I have ever met. You're pretty, you're smart, you're funny, you're kind, sweet, innocent, stubborn, determined, clever, quick-witted, loyal, trustworthy, honest -- all these things and many more are what make you the person you are. Postvorta was right -- you are the only person strong enough to bring us through this battle. You are too stubborn and too intelligent to let yourself make a mistake. I know that you will stop at nothing until to you find a plan with the least amount of casualties. You have a beautiful soul and pure heart and there is nothing in this world that can stop you -- because you won't let anything stand in the way of saving the people you love. In fact.......I can't think of anyone I'd rather have lead me into battle.....then you."
Not really the reaction he had been expecting she started to cry again. "That had to be the nicest, sweetest, most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to me." She said through her tears. Standing on her tiptoes she kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
Draco released her waist and sought out her hand, "Dumbledore and the others are waiting for us."
Hermione nodded and he waited for her to cast a quick glamour over her face to remove the tearstains and puffy eyes, before they started off together towards the Headmaster's office.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry demanded.
Dumbledore peered at the impetuous young man over his favorite pair of half-moon spectacles; "Mr. Malfoy is bringing her. And until they arrive I suggest that the rest of you sit tight."
"Albus!" Sirius Black exclaimed, "You called this emergency meeting saying nothing more than 'Help has been found', and you want us to sit tight?"
It was definite that others of the room's occupants felt the same, but they were not as brazen as Sirius. Dumbledore made a 'tsk'ing sound in the back of his throat.
"I realize your impatience Sirius, but it is necessary that Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger are here before we start the meeting."
Sirius was about to say more, but the grating of stone against stone cut him off as the Gryphon-guarded staircase leading to Dumbledore's office sprang into life. The already assembled members of the Order of the Phoenix watched the doorway anxiously; Draco entered first pulling Hermione in after him.
"Finally," Sirius muttered. "Now Dumbledore what is this help you have found?"
"A prophecy has been foretold that the Sovereign of Light -- a being with a pure heart -- will arise and defeat the Dark Lord." The room turned and looked at Harry. Draco however snorted in contempt.
"I don't know why you're all looking at Harry. He's certainly no champion."
Hermione shot him a scared look before the room whirled around to face the two of them. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and took a deep breath.
"Mind your attitude, Malfoy." Percy warned through clenched teeth.
"Hush, Percy." Molly Weasley reprimanded. She gave Draco an encouraging smile, "Go ahead dear."
"Yes Malfoy, enlighten us. Who do you and Miss Granger believe is this so called 'Sovereign of Light'?"
"Professor..." Hermione began weakly. Dumbledore nodded. "Perhaps Postvorta will be able to explain better than I."
"Very well, Miss Granger. Proceed."
Draco's hand squeezed hers one last time before he relinquished his grasp and let her stand. Silently praying that this would work, Hermione's hands went to the chain around her neck. She cupped the crystal decanter in her hands and whispered to it. "Postvorta, my friend. I request your presence."
They didn't have very long to wait before the devoted nymph barreled out of the necklace. Floating in front of Hermione, Postvorta bowed her head in reverence, "I am here milady."
"Albus?" Remus questioned quietly.
"I would appreciate it if you would direct your inquiries to me, Remus." Hermione interrupted smoothly, "It was I who summoned her here."
Remus smiled -- accepting her statement as what it was, "I apologize, Hermione."
Postvorta circled around Hermione dragging a watery arm across the brunette's shoulders. "It's already surfacing within you." She rested her head next to Hermione's. "Are you afraid?"
Hermione felt the tingling that came with the nymph's touch flowing through her, but already she sensed something stirring inside her and rising to meet the nymph's power. She stared down the people around her with a solemn and deadpan expression. Destiny and Fate had begun to weave a throbbing web of light around her and she could feel the power it created taking shape inside of her. She felt sure, "No." She answered with calm certainty.
Postvorta's voice was singsong. "Then tell them."
Hermione swallowed. All her doubt and all her fear had been swept away the moment she had stood up before the Order. The practical world she had built up around herself was being quickly and methodically torn down. And when no walls were left...the light would consume her.
Their expectant faces were fixed on her awaiting the time when she would speak. The people she was destined to lead...
"I am the Sovereign of Light."
Silence...and then,
"Surely you jest."
Postvorta let out a banshee like shriek and launched herself over Hermione's shoulder and straight at Sirius. With fangs bared and long icy claws reaching to tear him apart it had to be one of the most frightening things Sirius had ever seen.
"Stop!"
The nymph froze in her sudden attack only inches from Sirius' terrified face. He held his breath.
"You are lucky to be alive, human." She hissed, "If you ever insult to Sovereign in my presence again, not even Her word will stop me from...slitting your throat." A watery hand snaked out and grabbed his neck to emphasis the threat.
"Do not provoke the nymph, Black. Her loyalties run deeper than you can even imagine." Snape spoke from his place beside the entrance. When Sirius turned to face him he saw something he couldn't place glittering in the man's obsidian eyes. "Do you know how long they've known each other?" He went on.
A shake of his head and a dumb expression.
"It can't be more than a few hours..."
Murmurs spread through the summoned Order.
"Do not harm him." Hermione ordered -- and Postvorta retreated back to her side. "He speaks out of love for his godson...and mistrust."
"He doesn't believe that a girl would be strong enough to be the Champion." Postvorta murmured to her.
Hermione fixed penetrating amber eyes on Harry's godfather not knowing that her gaze was even making others recoil in awe. "No?" She said slowly. She turned her eyes away and Sirius collapsed into a chair - not knowing how he had managed to stay standing. "Perhaps not."
"Let no more ill words be spoken," Dumbledore insisted quietly. "Postvorta is a prophetic nymph of the Camenae clan. The Fates channel their power through her and grant her sight into the future. The prophecy, Postvorta?"
Postvorta nodded and recited the words she had divulged to Lord Voldemort only a few hours prior...
"The sands of time have begun to pour
And the final battle is drawing near
The ancient battle will be waged
Good and Dark; hope and fear
The Black will kill them all
So many minds It steals
Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies
'Till they no longer know what's real
But a tiny hope still burns
From love and strength and purity
The heart within the woman
Who leads them with true certainty
She loves them all with all her heart
She guides them to the light
She calms them and She soothes them
With words they know are right
He goads his fighters into rage
He drives them into pain
He mocks them and He does not care
That bodies fall like rain
He works them when they're weary
And He rebukes them when they fail
Cuts them to ribbons with his tongue
As they stand meek and pale
Kindness and compassion
Suffering and hate
Opposites like these--
Enemies by Fate.
The White will find them all
It will bring them to their knees
The light, the hope, the heart
It swallows all it sees
Amber eyes will burn him
They burn His evil core
The flames devour sins
The pain He can't ignore
The goddess and the devil
His body falls to red
The angel and the wizard
And the evil Lord is dead."
"This is She." Draco said boldly into the silence that followed.
"Now will you believe, humans? Will you follow?" Postvorta hissed at witches and wizards that stood before them.
Harry stood slowly. With all eyes of the room locked on him he crossed over to where Hermione stood. He planted a kiss on her cheek and let his hand rest on her shoulder.
"I will follow her." He said. "I must tell you -- all of the battle plans and strategies Ron and I have presented to the Order were, truthfully, designed by Hermione. The credit is due to her and not I...I have not the head for war." He confessed.
Sirius was taken aback by his godson's admittance of deception, but remained silent. Remus studied his friend out of the corner of his eye. Ron moved to stand beside Harry -- Hermione felt a surge of warmth pulse through her as her best friends stood before the Order in defense and support of her. Draco's comforting and steadying presence remained strong on her other side.
"A band of children is going to lead us into the mouth of hell..." A man whispered from the back -- it was Amos Diggory.
"Not only will I lead you into it, Amos -- but when it freezes over...I will lead you all back out." Her amber eyes glowed.
"Will the Order join together with Her?" Draco asked.
As Dumbledore scanned the weary-lined faces of the witches and wizards that had desperately banned together to save the world, he saw something shining in their eyes that he'd thought died long ago. He turned his wizened eyes to his students. Hermione's eyes seemed to bore into each and every one of them. It was She that had stirred It into life -- igniting it with her flaming amber gaze.
A swell of pride filled him as he watched his students take a stand against the older generation. He had taught them to fight back -- to stand for their convictions and beliefs. He had taught them to fight together.
But soon their love for each other wouldn't be enough -- the prophecy had decreed it. Hermione must do it alone...
He looked at her now, surrounded by friends; humans and creatures alike. This was the woman who had sparked to life the hope inside the Order of the Phoenix.
"It is decided then." He said quietly into the omniscient quiet. "We will follow."
Read and Review! I'm so excited about this story -- I just can't stop writing!
I have all these ideas just poring in so I can't wait to type them up.
I hope you like this story as much as I do!
XOXO
KissThis