The sun was rising now and Hogsmeade was all orange and pink. It was a beautiful morning that promised to turn into a beautiful day.
But Hermione couldn't see the beautiful sunrise. She couldn't see much of anything from her position. She had never felt more helpless in all her life as the Death Eater picked her up and carried her out of Honeydukes. The early morning had been full of terrors, but this was the ultimate.
"Tom, stop," a voice commanded as they entered the morning air. Hermione's heart soared and she began to feel the first glimmers of hope. It was Dumbledore. "Tell them to put her down, Tom."
Hermione could feel herself slowly being lowered.
"Keep hold of her, Stebbins," commanded Voldemort. Hermione was immediately held tighter.
"You are outnumbered, Tom. It's over," said Dumbledore. "Now release my student." Hermione couldn't see much from her position, but she could hear and it did indeed sound as if there were many people around.
"But she's not a student, is she, Dumbledore," goaded Voldemort.
"Despite what you've heard, Hermione is only a seventeen year old girl. She transferred from Beaubaxton and is completely innocent. Don't make your situation worse than it is by harming her."
"I think you're lying," snarled Voldemort and the next thing Hermione knew she was falling to the ground. She hit hard, but still couldn't move. She could hear the sounds of people yelling curses and there was so much commotion. Then she felt herself being pulled. She tried to scream, but couldn't.
Someone had their arms around her and was dragging her away from the fight. She found herself pulled all the way back into Honeydukes. "Enervate," said a weak voice.
Hermione immediately felt her body relax and was relieved to find she could move again. She sat up to see it was James who had pulled her back into Honeydukes. He looked so pale and tired.
"Are you okay," he asked softly.
She nodded. "What about you?"
"Fine," he said, with that same confident attitude he always had, but Hermione could see that there was fear in his eyes and pain.
Hermione brought her hand up to his face. "James, did they hurt you?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head. "You know they couldn't hurt me," he replied with a small smile.
"What about everybody else?" she asked.
"Come on, see for yourself." James helped Hermione up and the two of them leaned on each other as they made their way to the back of the store.
Hermione glanced back at the front door. She could still hear the noise from outside, but she knew now that Dumbledore had arrived that the battle would be short lived. For the first time since she woke up early that morning, she felt almost safe.
She saw Sirius, Remus, and Lily across the room and went to them quickly. Sirius and Lily were lying on the floor, while Remus tended them. When Hermione and James reached them, they dropped to their knees.
James took Lily's head and laid it in his lap, stroking her hair and cheek. She smiled up at him, though it was obvious she was in pain. Remus and Hermione hugged each other tightly.
"I was so afraid," she confessed in his ear.
"I know. Me too," he replied fervently.
She released him and looked down at Sirius. He was smiling up at her. "Hey you," she said softly.
"Hey you back," he replied weakly.
"That last stunner really took it out of you," commented Hermione. He raised his eyebrows at her, but didn't respond. She ran a hand over his forehead. "Are you okay?"
"I hurt all over," he groaned.
"I'll bet," she laughed sympathetically. She was about to continue, but was interrupted by a strangled groan. Hermione turned to see Lily's face contorted with pain. Tears were running down her cheeks and she had a grip on James's hand.
"What happened to her," asked Hermione, moving closer. Remus was helping Sirius sit up.
"Voldemort used the Cruciatus curse against her," said James, choking back tears.
"Oh God," breathed Hermione. "Lily, where does it hurt?"
"Oh just everywhere," she said pitifully.
Hermione could see James shaking with pent up rage. She looked at him questioningly.
"He was trying to get her to tell him where you were," said James quietly, avoiding Hermione's eyes. "She wouldn't tell him anything," he said proudly.
"Hermione, why does he want you?" asked Lily weakly. "Who are you, really? What are you doing here?"
"Shh," soothed James. "Don't try to talk, love. I'm here. You're fine now."
Lily's eyes fluttered close, but she maintained a firm grasp on James's hand. Hermione watched her guiltily for a few seconds before standing up. Remus joined her as she went to check on the rest of the students. For the most part, they were all okay, just scared and tired. A few of them were sporting cuts and bruises, but nothing more serious.
As Remus and Hermione were checking the students the door to Honeydukes opened. They whirled around, clutching their wands tightly, but it was only Professor McGonagall and some of the other teachers. They quickly dispersed amongst the students to check on them. Hermione and Remus approached Professor McGonagall.
"It's all over," she told them grimly.
"Voldemort?" asked Hermione without hope.
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "He got away. Professor Dumbledore wants you to return to the castle immediately."
"We should help the rest of the students," said Hermione.
"We'll take care of them, Miss Granger," said the Professor.
Hermione turned back to where she had left James, Lily, and Sirius. Both Lily and Sirius were being magically transported out of Honeydukes on stretchers. James was still holding Lily's hand as he followed the floating stretcher out and Sirius was complaining that he could walk.
Seeing that her friends were being cared for, Hermione didn't offer any more objections to returning to the castle.
"Professor Dumbledore wants you to go to his office and wait for him," said Professor McGonagall as Hermione and Remus left. "The password is Lemon Drops."
They nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded to the castle.
Once upstairs, Remus forced Hermione to sit on one of the empty chairs in Dumbledore's office. He pulled out his wand and conjured a wet cloth that he immediately pressed to the side of her forehead. She winced when he made contact.
"Sorry," he murmured. "But that cut is ugly. It's going to leave a nasty bruise."
"I didn't realize," she said as he wiped the cloth over her forehead and down her cheek, cleaning the blood from her face. When he was done, he kissed the tip of her nose, sweetly. "I love you."
"I love you too," she returned earnestly.
"I've never felt as helpless in all my life as I felt today. When they took you..." he trailed off.
"Don't think about it," said Hermione, putting her arms around him. They held each other tightly, trying to push the fear that still lingered on them away.
"I didn't know what it would be like," whispered Hermione. "He never told me what it really felt like."
"What?" asked Remus softly.
"Harry never told me what it felt like to face Voldemort, to know you were that close to dying." Remus held her tighter as he felt her begin to shake. "All the times he must have felt that way and he never told us." Tears formed in her eyes and fell down her cheeks. "I wanted to kill him, Remus," she continued, her tone changing suddenly.
"I know," he replied. "We all did."
"He deserves to die," said Hermione fiercely. "And I'm going to make sure he does, no matter how long it takes me."
"Hermione," began Remus, suddenly nervous. "I don't want you getting any bright ideas. We had a rough morning, and we're all angry and scared. Promise me you'll never do anything without telling me first."
She didn't respond right away.
"Promise me," he demanded, gripping her arms a little tighter.
"All right," she returned weakly. "I promise." They sat in silence for several more minutes before Dumbledore arrived.
"Are you two okay?" he asked immediately.
"Yes sir," they replied in unison. Dumbledore approached Hermione and examined her forehead. Then he waved his wand over the wound, healing it.
"Thank you," said Hermione, touching her head gingerly.
"Voldemort is gone," said Dumbledore, standing over them. "And I don't imagine he'll be back any time soon."
"He'll be back," said Hermione. "Trust me. He won't stop until he's destroyed us all."
Dumbledore sighed. "I've just sent word to several witches and wizards I know, people who can be trusted. We'll be convening in a few days here at Hogwarts for the first meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. I trust I can count on you and Remus to attend."
Hermione glanced from Remus back to Dumbledore, her heart soaring. "Yes," she breathed happily. "Of course, and James and Sirius and Lily too, right?"
"Yes," confirmed Dumbledore. "You've proven today that you're ready. I think you've been ready for a while now. I just hoped that you'd all have more time to be children, before..."
"I don't think any of us will ever be children again," said Hermione softly.
Nobody spoke for a little while.
"Sir," began Remus after a few minutes. "Were many people hurt?"
"A few," he replied.
"Was anyone killed," asked Hermione.
"No," said Dumbledore. "We were fortunate today. Next time I don't think we'll be so lucky."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Professor, may we go and see our friends now?"
"I'm afraid not," returned Dumbledore. "There's something we need to discuss."
"What?" asked Hermione curiously.
"There are things you need to know about the gateway. Things you didn't want to hear when we last spoke."
"No," said Hermione loudly. "I don't want to know anything else about that damn gateway. I'm doing everything I can to help, isn't that enough for you."
"Of course it is," said Dumbledore sympathetically. "But you deserve to know everything, even if you're afraid to hear it."
Hermione looked to Remus for help, but he was staring at Dumbledore curiously. Hermione returned her gaze to Dumbledore and nodded, almost imperceptibly.
"The gateway," Dumbledore continued, "is a more sophisticated way of time travel. It was constructed by the founders of Hogwarts long before the invention of time turners. Time turners can be used to jump short distances. The Gateway was designed to be used over greater time distances."
"Yes, I know that," said Hermione impatiently.
Dumbledore smiled tolerantly. "Forgive me, Miss Granger. You will see that as you get older you tend to repeat things."
Hermione bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry," she said contritely. "Please continue."
"The gateway," said Dumbledore, hurrying on. "As we told you, will reappear only when you've completed your intended task and then you will have a choice."
"A choice? What kind of choice?" asked Hermione, suddenly very curious.
"You will have to decide whether or not to go through the gateway."
"You mean I'll be able to choose whether I can go home or not?"
"Yes, you will," returned Dumbledore. "It could be years before the gateway appears or mere days. We just don't know. You can't be expected to put your life on hold, waiting for it. There may be a time when you will want to remain here more than you want to go home."
Hermione nodded absently, taking all the information in. "What will happen if I choose to go back? I've put a lot of thought into this and my world will be very different if I ever do get back. I sometimes wonder if I'll be able to recognize anything."
"That's the catch, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore. "If you go back through the gateway you will reintegrate into your time. We will all remember you being here, but you won't. You'll continue your life as if your jump back in time had never happened."
Hermione gasped. "You can't be serious. You mean I won't remember..." she trailed off and looked at Remus and saw the same look of horror she felt reflected in his eyes.
"It's powerful magic, designed to protect you," explained Dumbledore.
"I just always assumed that if I ever did go back I'd at least be able to pick things up where I had left them." She blushed as she said this. It was that thought that had allowed her to leave Remus that morning. As selfish as it was, she was only able to leave because she knew her Remus would be there on the other side, waiting for her. "How can I be expected to make a choice like this?"
"You were chosen because you can make that choice," said Dumbledore firmly.
"It isn't fair," she said bitterly. "I don't know if I can take any more," she said weakly.
Dumbledore smiled kindly. "I know you're tired."
"Sir," interrupted Remus. "Don't you think we could continue this later?" He had been watching Hermione carefully and could see how tired she was.
"Yes," said Dumbledore. "You're right, Remus. You know," he said thoughtfully. "There aren't many who could have defied Voldemort the way you five did today. I'm very proud of all of you and you've earned a rest."
An odd shiver went through Hermione at Dumbledore's words, but her mind was almost entirely on her friends in the hospital wing and she didn't pay any attention to the peculiar feeling.
"Why don't the three of us head down to the hospital wing to check on the others? And Madame Pomphrey can check on you two as well," said Dumbledore.
Hermione smiled gratefully and stood. She and Remus followed Dumbledore out of his office all the way to the hospital wing. It was full and Madame Pomphrey was bustling around from bed to bed. Dumbledore went to speak with her, leaving Remus and Hermione to their friends.
Lily was asleep, but James and Sirius were both awake and talking quietly to each other.
"Hey you two," said Hermione as they approached.
"Hey," they returned. "Where've you been?"
"Dumbledore's office," said Remus. "He wanted to talk to Hermione."
"Everything okay?" asked Sirius.
She nodded. "How about you two?"
"We're fine," said Sirius easily.
"Yeah," agreed James. "It'll take a whole lot more than that to take us down."
"How's Lily?" asked Remus softly.
"She's going to be okay," said James. "Madame Pomphrey gave her something to sleep and a whole bunch of other potions. Sirius filled me in on what happened to you guys and I was just about to let him know what happened on our end."
Remus pulled over two chairs for Hermione and himself and they settled themselves for the story.
"I managed to get all the way to Dumbledore's office without getting caught," began James. "But then I had to take off the cloak to talk to the portraits. I let them know what was going on and they went straight to their portraits at the Ministry and St. Mungo's. Then I was about to join Lily in Hogsmeade like we said when I heard voices. Well, I threw the cloak back on as quickly as I could and waited. I figured if it was Dumbledore, I would just show myself and if it was anyone else I'd hide."
"Who was it?" asked Remus eagerly.
"It was Voldemort," said James grimly and Hermione smiled. "I was shocked and then I saw that he had the map. They were using it to track everyone's movements."
"Is that when you destroyed it?" asked Sirius, clearly impressed that his best friend had faced Voldemort alone.
James nodded. "It was a wrench doing it too."
"What happened next?" asked Hermione breathlessly.
"They grabbed me," continued James. "I tried to fight them off, but there were too many of them. I don't know why Voldemort didn't just kill me then and there. I half expected him to. They were talking but I couldn't hear what they were saying. Then they brought me to Honeydukes." James stopped talking and looked pained.
"What happened in Honeydukes?" asked Hermione quietly.
"I tried to stop them, but I couldn't," said James and tears began to form at the corner of his eyes.
Hermione got up and sat on the edge of his bed. She gazed into the face she loved so dearly. 'Dark eyes, not green,' she reminded herself. "It's not your fault, James," said Hermione firmly.
"They wanted her to tell them where you were," he choked out. "They used the Cruciatus curse against her. She was screaming, but she wouldn't tell."
Hermione started crying as James began to relate what happened.
"I was begging them to stop. I tried to get to her, but I couldn't. They wouldn't stop."
"It's okay," said Hermione, cutting him off with a tight hug. "You don't have to talk about it anymore." She glanced at Sirius and Remus. They both looked close to tears.
"I wanted to kill him," said James savagely, echoing Hermione's earlier words, but nobody responded. They didn't need to. They were all feeling the same way.
Madame Pomphrey bustled over to them a few minutes later. "All right," she said briskly. "You two need your rest," she said to James and Sirius. She pushed two cupfuls of potion toward them. James and Sirius looked at her warily. "Drink," she ordered. Reluctantly, Sirius and James drank down the potion and settled themselves in the beds.
"We'll come by later," promised Hermione as she and Remus got up.
Madame Pomphrey looked them over. "You two need to rest as well," she said. "Unfortunately, I can't spare any beds in here, so I want you both to go back to Gryffindor Tower and try and get some sleep. The Headmaster doesn't want anyone wandering the castle right now, so go straight there. And don't worry, there are Aurors patrolling the grounds."
Hermione and Remus were both surprised to discover that they really didn't want to argue with Madame Pomphrey. They nodded in agreement and went back to Gryffindor Tower.
Though he didn't offer and she didn't ask, Hermione followed Remus up the boy's staircase to his room. Neither one of them wanted to be alone for a second. There was no need to change, they were both still in their night clothes. The bed wasn't made either, but that didn't matter. They climbed in and settled comfortably against each other.
Remus kissed her forehead lightly and wrapped his arms around her, practically pulling her onto his chest and Hermione crowded as close to him as she could get. They didn't talk. They didn't even have that normal feeling of yearning that they always felt when they were this close. All they wanted was to rest in each other's arms and that's just what they did.
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A/N: Okay, I've tortured you all with a million cliffies, so I decided to give you a break. This actually very nicely finishes part one of my story. That's right people, we're only halfway through, although I doubt the second half will be as long as the first. I ended up throwing a lot of extra plots into this story because I couldn't get them out of my head. I did cut one major plot line out because I couldn't make it work. It might still appear in part two, so I can't reveal what got cut or it might end up in another story, we'll see.
The rest of this story takes place after they leave Hogwarts. Well actually, in the next chapter they will still be at Hogwarts, but they will be getting ready to leave and begin their adult lives. What follows is the story I hope JKR will write someday. I think we're all curious about what those first years under Voldemort's terror were like and the great thing about fanfic is that we don't have to wait to find out, we can just make it up.
Oh, and one last thing. There is a little clue buried in this chapter that should indicate to some of you where I might be heading with this story. I wonder who's clever enough to figure it out. Of course, if you do guess, I doubt I'll tell you if you're right. It would ruin the end.
