Chapter Twenty-One

The End of One Journey Is The Start of A New Journey

'Oh.'

Hermione relapsed into unconsciousness, and then into the dream which she had seen so many times before, yet instead of out of focus and obscured it was as clear as a bell.

'Watch it!' Yelled Kit as he tackled Ron to the ground. Picking himself off of Ron he quickly grabbed Ron's collar and drug him over into the closest bit of cover he could find.

Bits of stone and marble flew off of the column behind which Kit and Ron were taking cover, 'You know what?' asked Kit rhetorically to no one in particular. 'I'm fething tired of this "don't kill them" BS.'

Kit snapped his wand in half and then ducked out of cover threw his wand at the nearest Death Eater who paused in confusion as they were each pelted by a half of Kit's wand. Shaking their heads in confusion they each raised their wands. But before their parched lips even opened to take a breath before saying the incantation their heads exploded in a mass of blood and gore. This gave Kit a small feeling of relief and satisfaction. However, Ron was retching profusely.

'You okay Ron?' asked Kit.

Ron shook his head no.

'Good, let's get moving.'

The quiet battle of spells changed dramatically from the time that Kit took his first shots with his M16. Now the entire Department of Mysteries echoed with gunshots.

Looking out onto what she thought would have been a familiar sight Hermione realized that her entire idea of the dream was totally off. What she thought were kids playing turned out to be House-Elves, and standing on the tree stump was a gnarled looking old House-Elf who only stood because of two canes which he supported himself with. And he shouted to the other House-elves, '"House-Elves beware! Coming to the end of our glory, we are. Imprisoned as slaves we will be and it shall be so for many, many years. In fact such great a time shall it be that these words of which I speak shall disappear from the mind of all that live at that time."

"One is coming who shall lead the House-Elves to return, not to the days of that which we live in now, but a new day. What that day shall be like I do not know. The one who comes shall not be one of us, but another. Aided by an unseen element, this one shall be born four days past the middle of the ninth month to those who know nothing of magic. Rebellion shall follow, and many clashes shall be fought yet the one shall lead us to victory and return us to an equal setting with our fellows."

The world began to rush past Hermione she saw glimpses of distant cities in flames, dead bodies human and house-elf. Then she saw herself covered in dirt and mud. She was wearing her BDUs, and was out in a field somewhere, explosions erupted off in the distance sending dirt and flames into the air.

Again the world she was viewing changed from her in the middle of a battle to Diagon Alley. It was not its usual bright and cheerful self but instead it was dark, buildings were barely standing. The air was filled with smoke and dust. Figures could be seen running to and from these shadows of once great buildings. And at the top of the Leaky Cauldron there stood a flag pole and attached to the pole was a weary solemn flag bearing the Ministry of Magic's heraldry. The tranquil scene exploded into activity.

High pitched whistling told of an incoming doom for those dark figures scurrying about the ruins of Diagon Alley. High Explosive shells rained down upon the beleaguered defenders. Then she saw the scene fast forward through the battle to the end. She saw an older version of herself standing atop of The Leaky Cauldron in one hand she held the flag pole that bore the burning Ministry of Magic flag, which she cast down to the ground below. And with both hands she took a red flag that bore the letters H.E.L.F. and planted its flag pole firmly into the roof of The Leaky Cauldron. And a mighty cheer rose up from the ground below. Looking down she could see Kit, Mara, Dunningham, Dalane, Dekker, Leon, Joshua, Ron, and Dobby standing at the front of the crowd cheering. As she looked closer she could see familiar faces peppered throughout the crowd such as Harry, and Dumbledore, who had a small satisfied yet mischievous smile. And in the very middle of the crowd was Hagrid cheering wildly and upon his shoulders were several House-Elves.

A sudden gust of wind blew from the west causing the flag to unfurl and flap wildly in the wind. As if on cue HELF banners were unrolled from the second and third story windows of buildings all up and down Diagon Alley. It was in this moment that Hermione finally noticed what was in her older self's other hand it was not a wand but her M-16.

The cheering slowly died down and all eyes looked up to Hermione expectantly. The older Hermione gazed down at the crowd and then for a moment she could have sworn that the older Hermione looked directly at her. Smiling the older Hermione simply drew a breath as if to make a speech and then pointed directly at Hermione, or so she thought. Turning around she saw what she was pointing at.

Gringotts.

The snowy-white building was miraculously intact and undamaged. Flying high from the roofs were many Ministry of Magic banners. Another cheer rose from the crowd and quickly the world grew dim and distant. All except the older Hermione who was standing not two feet away from Hermione.

'This is as far as it is written, I can go no further. You must carry the banner of war and reconciliation past this point. The House-Elves need you, though you must learn the code for them to see their true selves. Kit will show you the code, and you will learn it.

'The road that lies at your feet is not an easy one it is filled with death, danger, and excitement. You will be loved and loathed and should you fail your name will be as black as Voldemort's. Should you succeed your name will be shouted from the rooftops for centuries, never to be forgotten. And I must now leave you. Good luck!'

Black.

Hermione gasped and opened her eyes. She had no idea where she was the world around her was blindingly bright. Looking around she saw that she was laying in a bed which slowly reminded her that she was in the Hospital Wing of the school. Detecting movement out of the corner of her eye she turned and saw Dumbledore standing there. He quietly took a seat at the foot of the bed and turned to look at her. Speaking quietly he said, "Good afternoon Miss Granger. It is a pleasant surprise to see you have recovered so quickly from the injury you sustained two days ago. I trust all is well?"

Despite some aches and pains throughout her body she nodded yes.

"Good then."

'Professor,' began Hermione but paused as Dumbledore leaned in closely, 'I… I saw a vision.'

"Oh, before you begin I have been instructed by Kit to deliver these few items to you," Dumbledore produced from the floor beside Hermione's bed a pair of black boots and a large book. The book bore the inscription:

House-Elf Combat-Code

Looking up at Dumbledore Hermione saw the same satisfied yet mischievous smile on Dumbledore's face. Rising from the bedside Dumbledore said, "Already the drums of The War of Reconciliation have begun to beat."

As he walked out of the Hospital Wing she heard drums faintly at first and as Dumbledore drew closer to the door they grew faster, more intense and above all louder.

To Be Continued…