In Malfoy Manor...

Narcissa's life had been in distressed after the events that happened yesterday. At first, she was truly surprised to see Ms. Granger was in the manor, in her true appearance this time. It was not much of a shock to have known that her sister was the one that captured the girl. However, she was intrigued when Bella spoke about a prophecy that may have a relationship between her sister and the girl, but it horrifically shook her when Ms. Granger spoke of being soulmates with her sister.

Her sister, Bellatrix, but not her, Narcissa! She recalled the memory of her initial meeting with Ms. Granger.

Narcissa was separated from her son and husband as they went their own ways to shop in the Diagon Alley before meeting for lunch. It was early August and Draco was buying the necessities before the start of his second year at Hogwarts.

She went into the bookstore and made her way towards the back to look for any book that would interest her. As she was looking at different book titles, an accidental brush of her skin with someone had a current shock ran through her body and she gasped. She turned to look towards the person and saw a girl who seemed to be looking intently at various books by the end of the shelf.

Narcissa realized that the girl did not notice what had happened, maybe she was the only one feeling that way until she saw the stealing glances coming from the girl and the cute blush that was forming on the girl's cheeks. Her heart stopped beating when she caught the embarrass smile played on the girl's lips. She felt her own heat rose but immediately shook herself out of it and left the establishment altogether.

It confused her for the strange feelings the girl managed to evoke within her.

When Draco had started to join quidditch, Narcissa had never missed coming to each of his tournaments. While she went with the excuses of cheering and supporting for her darling son, she could not deny herself from wanting to get to know more about the mysterious girl.

After subtly asking from her son, she finally managed to know the girl's identity — the one and only, Hermione Granger, whom almost every Pure-blood child, including Draco, had mentioned about — the Mudblood in Slytherin.

It surprised her to see the girl had no friends and none of the Slytherins ever cared about her, even though they proudly held their motto of 'we take care of our own'. No one even paid her any mind as the girl did not join other students who stood and cheered at the side of the quidditch field, but she was sitting in one of the spectators' seats instead.

In fact, the girl was always sitting on the front row where Narcissa sat on two rows behind her.

Ms. Granger would always have a book in her lap on every game, and she never really paid attention to the game at all. Narcissa too spent her time watching the girl's back and the movement of her soft fingers as she flipped the pages. She watched the girl's eyes lit up and teeth biting soft lips as she read something that caught her interest, or the frown on her fac as something bothered her mind. Sometimes the wind blew the girl's hair back and Narcissa saw the expose of skin on her neck.

She found it extremely alluring — no, disturbing.

On one occasion, their eyes met and Narcissa held her gaze but inside, her heart was beating rapidly. The girl blushed and bit her lip, and Narcissa's eyes transfixed onto the cute pink lips.

She wanted to be the one to bite it instead. She wanted to sink her teeth into the fair skin, taste as sweat ran down the skin. She craved for the current shock and sparks again. She wanted to know the girl's smell and how she will respond to her ministrations.

'Will her blush deepened, or will she moan my name deliciously?'

Her eyes widened at realizing where her thoughts had run to — an extremely dangerous territory.\

'What in Morgan's name did I imagine those things?'

However, she was never successful in returning home without wet knickers. It was the first of many days where she could never stop thinking about the girl, the first of many nights where she could not stop herself from having dreams with the girl I them.

She tried to stop thinking about Ms. Granger and always reminded herself of her blood status, as what she had always been told to throughout her childhood even though she had never wanted to believe and follow in the Pure-blood supremacy ideology.

"A Black who associates with those filthy Magic Thieves is a disgrace to our family!"

Narcissa remembered her father's hateful words, how his face contorted in disgust and how spiteful his words were whenever Sirius or Andromeda was mentioned.

As always, she cowered behind the titles as 'Daughter of Black' and 'Lady Malfoy', and she kept on her Ice Queen persona.

'Conceal, don't feel.'

So Narcissa kept her feelings to herself and continued watching Ms. Granger for years, as much and as long as she secretly could. As the girl turned older and looked more matured, Narcissa could not deny that her beauty was palpable, and her desire towards the girl became stronger than ever.

When Ms. Granger came during the Christmas Eve party with Severus, Narcissa was surprised to know that the girl managed t break through the anti-Muggle and anti-Muggle-born wards placed on the manor.

She wanted to sing praises and to make the girl hers as she was blessed upon with magnificent view. The girl was already an eye-catching in her usual style, but the disguise only made her even more breathtaking. Narcissa watched as Draco looked smitten with the girl in disguise — he would probably gag if he knew who she was.

When Ms. Granger was openly flirting with her and bravely displaying so much skin towards her, Narcissa's desire intensified and she felt a strong pull towards the girl. She wanted to feel the skin and its warmth, and feel the current shock again. However, she wanted the real Ms. Granger and not a girl in disguise. Thus, she made a decision to announce the girl's true name and watched as honest brown eyes contained the change of emotions.

When the girl turned scared but then became hysteric and looked lost, Narcissa was caught in surprise and confusion. She did not know what had triggered such reactions in the young witch. She saw the girl had a tight grip on a blade but it was not pointed at her. She watched as Severus approached the girl and calmed her down before he took her away and left the manor altogether. She had never seen Severus acted that way towards anyone.

She had no idea of what had transpired that night.

When Narcissa bumped with Ms. Granger two days later in Diagon Alley, she was met with messy brunette hair and a pretty face wet with tears. It pained her heart to see the girl looked so brokenhearted — she had no idea what had just caused the girl to be in that state but she wanted to console her, to ease her pain.

But then the girl had whispered her name, with her voice so soft but croaky, she had called her 'Narcissa' and not 'Lady Malfoy'. Narcissa's heart leapt in joy at hearing her name uttered from the cute pink lips but then she became confused as to why she would feel that way, not even realizing that she had put her facade, her Icy Queen persona back on.

She could do nothing but silently watched as the girl ran away from her. Later that night, she woke up from sleep and noticed how wet she was just from dreaming Ms. Granger's soft voice calling 'Narcissa' plenty of times.

She was honestly aghast to hear that Bella was prophesied as the girl's soulmate. She thought she had a special connection with the girl or at least, she thought she was finally someone's special. Maybe this was a punishment to her for being such a coward and not wanting to admit her feelings.

Truthfully, she felt hurt and disappointed but she masked her emotions well and watched as Bella proceeded to torture the girl although it tugged her heart to watch as Ms. Granger writhed in pain and eventually passed out. Bella had then put the girl in the cellar, and Narcissa only told Lucius about it when he came home because he was the head of the house.

When she had used Legilimens on the girl, she was extremely horrified at what she had seen. The girl was much younger than her but had received a fate worse than anyone she had ever known — including her own. Narcissa felt sick with herself.

She did not know she would cause the girl to be in pain again.

Narcissa had reflected on her actions and wanted to check on Ms. Granger to heal her wounds and fed her. However, she crumbled upon seeing the girl's state in the cellar. Her thoughts jumbled and her words muffled as she tried to tell her sister about it.

The knowledge that Ms. Granger's lifeless body had priorly been through pain from her husband's violence and her insensitive action, put Narcissa in so much misery and regret.

She had called upon the only person who she knew the girl would trust wholeheartedly to save her. She did not even care a bit about Lucius Malfoy's dead body. He could rot to hell, for all she cared.

Instead, she had felt a little grateful at seeing his dead body and wanted to just burn him but knew she should not. Thankfully she still had her sister who, like always, had become her pillar of life.

They had cleaned his body and removed any proof of what had happened in the cellar. They swore to keep it a secret and designed a lie to tell the others, especially to the Dark Lord. He will be greatly disappointed at his loss and would want to find the cause of Lucius' death, he will probably torture and then kill the person if he knew.

She did not want to think what Draco would think or say if he knew the truth.

Narcissa was currently in the Headmaster's room at Hogwarts, waiting for her son to arrive. She only told Dumbledore that there was a personal family matter and would require Draco's presence at home. She was grateful when he did not ask why she was the one to be there instead of Lucius.

A knock sounded on the door and Draco came into the room. Narcissa immediately rushed towards her son only to kiss his forehead and hugged him tightly.

"Mother, you're choking me," Draco said, his breath constricted.

Narcissa pulled away but did not let him go. "Forgive me, Draco."

Draco took in the look of grief on her mother's face. He had never seen her mother looked like this before, and he wondered what had happened. "Did something happen, mother?" He said as he took her mother's hand and squeezed it firmly.

"It has come to my attention that there is an urgent family matter and your presence had been required immediately, Mr. Malfoy. Your mother is here to take you home." Albus Dumbledore said as a matter of fact.

Draco saw her mother nodded at his words. "What's the matter? Did the man do something to you again?"

Narcissa was astounded at hearing the question asked by her son that she became at a loss for words. 'Who did Draco mean? Did he know anything about his father and me?' She shook her head and cleared her thoughts. Now was not the time. "Come now. I will explain to you later."

She turned to look at Dumbledore, "may we use your floo?" She asks the Headmaster.

He nodded and smiled at her warmly. She ushered her son to go first and followed after him, but before she threw the flew powder and called for Malfoy Manor, she muttered a soft "thank you" to the man.

Narcissa appeared inside the Malfoy Manor's library and found her sister and son — and much to her surprise, Severus — were all sitting on the sofa. Bella and Severus were both in their usual black attires, but Narcissa was still in her favourite blue dress. She went to her son and asked him to change into a black suit.

"Will someone please tell me what happened already?" Draco's outburst had the three adults looked between each other warily.

"Your father…" Narcissa hesitated.

"What? What happened with that man?" Draco asked again, and Narcissa made a mental note to ask him about why he was calling his father that way.

"Your father is dead, Draco. Last night. He was killed," Bellatrix said straightforward.

"Bella!" Narcissa hissed at her.

"What?" Bellatrix asks when she look at her sister and Narcissa glared at her.

"Draco need not know the last part!" Narcissa gritted her teeth angrily and Bellatrix rolled her eyes.

"What? How?" Draco's eyes went comically wide and he shook his head. "I mean, who killed him?" He asks and thought 'Serve him right for what he had done to mother', then he look at his aunt and mother.

"A… Muggle," Narcissa said, dejected. She saw from the corner of her eyes that Severus was clutching the armchair so hard that his knuckles turned white, although his face was contorted in a grimace.

Draco wanted to ask more questions but was ushered by his aunt who mentioned that the Dark Lord will be arriving soon. Narcissa went upstairs to change too and left both Bella and Severus in the room.

She went downstairs with her son in tow and were met with Bella and Severus in the foyer. Soon enough the Dark Lord appeared and they told him the fake version of the story how Lucius had met with his death.

Lucius had brought back a Muggle woman and bedded her. Upon seeing his magic, the woman became terrified and knocked him, at the same time accidentally killed him. Bellatrix had dealt with the woman, sending endless 'Crucio' until she lost her mind and then she was killed and burned.

As predicted, the Dark Lord was furious upon losing one of his henchmen but was satisfied with the ending. He praised on Bellatrix way of handling the situation, while the other three adults so subtly cringed in disgust.

They went to the Malfoy's mausoleum at the furthest back of the massive garden behind the manor and looked at the dead body of Lucius Malfoy in a coffin. Draco stared at him with no expression, as he was neither sad nor in grief at the loss of his father. They proceeded with some basic small funeral before ordering the house-elves to bury him in the ground.

The Dark Lord was immediately gone afterwards with not one wish of condolences towards the two Malfoys left. The others went to the study except for Draco, who excused himself to go back to his room saying that he was tired.

"Do you think he bought it?" Narcissa asked as they sat down, each in separate chairs.

"Who?" Severus asked.

"Our Lord," Narcissa said. Severus shrugged and Bellatrix frowned.

"Maybe. Who cares? We should be lucky he didn't probe into our heads." Bellatrix said and they all agreed.

"How is she?" Narcissa questioned Severus, but everyone knew who she meant.

"She's still in a coma but stable, I guess... I hope," Severus said with tight lips.

"What actually happened?" He looked at them skeptically.

Narcissa and Bellatrix glanced at each other. "I… We-we… I—" Narcissa stuttered.

"Let me rephrase that. Last, I know, Hermione went to follow Potter to the ministry. How did she get here?" Severus' voice was low and held a threat as he looked specifically at Bellatrix. His eyes were dark and menacing

Bellatrix heaved a sigh and slumped her shoulders, "I brought her."

"Why?" Severus asks even he knows a bit of it.

Another sigh. "I wanted to know about the prophecy."

"Prophecy? What prophecy? Potter's?" Severus feigned confusion in his voice.

"What's with you asking so many questions?" Bellatrix was irritated at his constant questioning, it made her felt like she was i the trial for Azkaban years ago again.

"Just answer the damn questions, Bella!" He raised his voice and fear inflicted in Bellatrix's eyes.

"Who is she to you anyway? Your lover?" Bellatrix scoffed while Narcissa looked terrified at the thought.

Narcissa remembered the dance Ms. Granger had with Severus during the Christmas Eve party. They both looked really closely and were dancing rather sensually. 'Could it be?' She thought to herself.

"No, but she is someone I hold very, very dearly." Both Black sisters silently let out breaths of relief. Severus wanted to laugh at their twin reactions but the situation did not permit him to.

"So, what about the prophecy?" Bellatrix asks him again.

"Just something that concerns me and her. Not Potter," Bellatrix said solemnly.

Severus wore a mask of indifference. "I see. So, you brought her back to ask her about the prophecy that concerns between you and her." He said in a monotone voice. "Did she tell you?"

"Well, umm…" Bellatrix's eyes went everywhere before something clicked in her mind and she glared at Severus, feeling her anger slowly increasing. "Wait! You knew about it, don't you? You knew about the prophecy!"

Severus faux shocked at the sudden accusation. "How the hell am I supposed to know? I wasn't there, was I?"

Bellatrix blinked her anger away. "Then why are you being so calm about it? You don't seem surprised."

"Why wouldn't I be? Anyway, did you ask her or did you force the information out of her?"

Bellatrix sighed again, there was no point in arguing. "I asked her but then she ran away. We had a duel before she was caught. She said something I couldn't believe, so I Crucio-ed her."

"You Crucio-ed her? Bella, what the hell?! I thought you hated that spell!" Severus stood up from the chair as he looked at Bellatrix with vile in his eyes.

"I did! I do! I have always hated it, and now I hate it even more." Bellatrix pulled up her knees and hugged them, sinking further into the seat. Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered the endless Crucio she sent to the girl. Her heart constricted in pain at the memory.

"How many times did you use the curse on her?" Severus felt rage pulsed through his veins and some of them were visible on his forehead.

Bellatrix shook her head and muttered a low, "I don't remember…" and his eyes widened even more than they already were.

"Cissy? Do you know?" He turned towards the youngest sister who was shaking in fear.

"Ma-maybe five? Oh-or six?" Her eyes turned downcast as she stuttered. Severus let out a loud beast-like growl and he punched on the nearest wall; the two witches visibly jumped in their seats.

"What happened afterwards? Did you leave her in the cellar?"

Both the Black sisters nodded their heads, one was feeling ashamed while the other was feeling guilty. Severus hit the wall again and he did not pay attention to the throbbing pain in his hand. He growled again.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?!" He shouts on them and they jump slightly.

His shriek made the two witches jumped and cowered in fear. They had never seen their best friend lost his temper before — no matter in any situation, he would always keep his composure calm.

"Have you any idea what you've put her through, huh, Bella? Cissy? Hermione's entire life—" He paused and took a deep breath, "—she has been through different kinds of hell and what you had done, what Lucius had done… I don't... I can't..." He sighed heavily. "I'm truly at a loss for words."

Severus slumped in a chair and registered the pain in his arm, but it was nothing compared to the pain he felt in his heart. He tried to lessen the anger that was still consuming him. "Why can't you just believe what she said? Hermione never tells lies. She either tell people the truth or she says nothing at all!" He pulled on his hair while groaning.

Fury tore through Bellatrix's heart after being at the end of the anger stick. "How would I know that? I have never met her before!" Bellatrix had jumped up from her chair as she let out her outrage.

"Also, she's a Muggle-born, while I'm a Black and a Death Eater. I have reputations to uphold! How can I simply show her my true self? How can I simply trust her?" She pulled on her wild hair and let out a frustrated sigh. "You know what Our Lord would do if he knows how I truly am!"

Her body was shaking as she clutched her arm across her middle. "Plus, she evokes feelings inside of me, Sev, feelings I've never felt before. I have never felt a pull so strong with anyone but her and it confuses me. I didn't know how to react around her, and I ended up resorting to using crucio."

Bellatrix's voice was deep with honesty and remorse and her tears dam broke as she silently shook in grief. "Please, I'm sorry, Sev. I truly regret it."

Narcissa was shocked at the confession that came from her sister. Was it true, then? Was Hermione really Bella's soulmate? But what about her? Hermione also evoked feelings she had never felt before. Could her feelings be the same as what Bella felt? If they were, what did this mean? Did they share the same soulmate? Narcissa felt dizzy at all the questions played in the head.

Severus had a grim look on his face. He was still unable to digest the thought of Hermione being tortured and rape as he remembered seeing the state of Lucius' dead body in the cellar. Severus remembered that bastard looked just like Hermione's adopted father, who was blasted with her magic just after he raped Hermione.

How many times had it been already, and how many more did Hermione have to endure? He hoped 'nil' would be the answer, and he was going to make sure of that from now on.

I don't know if she's going to have the will to live anymore after this." He sighed as he remembered seeing Hermione's lifeless state.

"You can't put all the blame on me, Sev!" Bellatrix snapped at him.

"Don't you understand, Bella? You cursed her — not once, not twice, but many times! If I guess correctly, you didn't even hear her afterwards and left her in her weakened state in the cellar, all alone! I couldn't even imagine her mental, physical and emotional state from all the curses she took." He sent a death glare at the petite woman.

"Then that bastard, Merlin knows what he had done to her other than raped her! You know what's the cherry on top was? You cursed dagger! No wonder there was so many dark magic absorbed into her body." He stood and crossed his arms over his chest as he looked menacingly at the dark witch, daring her to counter him.

Bellatrix growled in fury and knocked Severus down to the floor. She grabbed him by the collar on pulled their faces close. Her breathing shallow as she tried to rein in her anger and stop herself from punching her best friend.

"I know what I did was wrong. I hurt her; I caused her pain. I treated her poorly because she's a Muggle-born. I couldn't easily trust people to let them know that I don't actually hate them, that I think all blood is the same. If the knowledge reached to the Dark Lord, you know what he'll do to Cissy, Draco, or to Andy and her family. I can't risk that, can I?"

Bellatrix's voice turned soft and sad as she let her feelings and worries out, and she let go of her hold on the man. "How could I know that that bastard was going to do anything to her, let alone raped her? He's a strong follower of the bullshit idealism, for fuck sake! Also, he must have cursed me to sleep or something because I didn't realize my dagger was stolen. I was really surprised to see it was lying on the floor of the cellar.

Please, Sev, I'm truly sorry and I regret everything I did. I really want to apologize to her for everything I've put her through. promise I'll do everything to earn her apology and I won't disturb her life after that anymore. Please make sure she survived. And don't be mad at Cissy, because she did nothing wrong." Bellatrix stood up and pulled her sister who was silently sobbing into her arms.

Severus pushed himself up and embraced the two women. "Don't make any promise. I will try my best to heal her but I can't guarantee anything. I'm just glad that you're back to your senses because I really hate it if both of you got lost in the darkness too. And no, I'm not angry at any of you anymore, I'm too old and tired to lose my temper."

Despite their clashes, Bellatrix and Narcissa were really good friends of his. He had always trusted them since he knew their true self. Well, he knew them more than they even knew themselves, but he was not about to share the secrets yet.

"Who is she, Sev?" Bellatrix's voice muffled on his broad chest.

"As I said, she is someone I hold very dearly." He winced in slight pain as he received two punches from both sisters.

Narcissa who was currently healing Severus' hand, decided to no longer keep her voice to herself as she chimed in, "you know what Bella meant, Sev. Who is she, really? Who is this Hermione Granger?"

"Yeah, yeah. Before you left the cellar, you said something like "grateful and honour to serve her again". What do you mean by that?" Bellatrix pulled away but did not let him go, her eyes piercing into his.

He looked hesitated as though he was contemplating to answer the question but silently cursed himself for letting out his other persona. Slowly, he let them go while muttering a grateful "thanks" to Narcissa before he ran his fingers through his hair and let out a deep sigh.

He shook his head and merely said, "I'll see myself out."

He was instantly gone.

"Do you understand, Hermione?" Anastasia said with worry in her eyes as she looked at the mortal human before her.

"What?" Hermione blinked. "Understand that the deities had chosen me as a guinea pig for their little experiment?"

Anastasia was taken aback by the slight harsh tone in Hermione's voice. The girl was not to be blamed though, because what she said was true. "Well, when you put it that way…"

"I understand what you were saying, Ana. The deities wanted me to lead the humans to be more in control, to be what they were supposed to be, their true purpose of creation — as the leader of this world. At the same time, leading others in a very wise way, not with cruelty a.k.a don't repeat Morgan's mistakes.

However, I am merely nobody, I'm not a queen or a powerful witch like Morgan. If you didn't know already, I barely make it to 18 years old. It's not fair to suddenly spring this matter to me, and it's not different from what Professor Dumbledore does to Harry — asking a kid to go against evil power, not to mention someone who is much, much older than he is. But this is worse and a heavier task to do."

Hermione felt pressured about this matter as it was something that held a great responsibility, and she was not sure if she was able to do what was required of her. "I'm sorry, but can I be blatantly honest with you?" Anastasia nodded her head and allowed the girl to continue.

"I don't know how to feel about this, I feel like my life has been like a play toy to the deities if everything that has happened to me were leading to this very moment. I can't say that I'm not angry, I'm more than upset! Also, this is much of a burden to me and I'm not sure I have enough power — physically, mentally or emotionally — to do what was asked. I need… I need time to think about it."

Anastasia took Hermione's hand and squeezed it, giving her the needed comfort. "I understand, my dear Hermione. Take as much time as needed, you have the right to your feelings on this matter.

"I'll get this clear; Morgan's soul will be merged with mine and I will obtain the power she held—"

"Mine too." The demigod interjected.

"Oh right. So, your soul and Morgan's will be merged into mine and I will hold the power that you both have. What will become of me then?" Hermione asks on what will happen after they merge.

"First of all, our souls have already merged with yours, Hermione, but we were only waiting for the right time to be fully awaken. Once you accepted us and our powers are combined, you will feel different at first due to the magic, power and memories we have.

Secondly, Morgan has already greeted Death, so she won't become you if that's what you're afraid of. Neither can you become me, so you will still be you, my dear Hermione. However, I will remain inside you, just like the past 18 years of your life, constantly watching over you."

Hermione breathed out a relieved sigh. "That's reassuring, at least, but I still don't know how to feel about this. Is this what reincarnation supposed to be like? Or am I a special case?"

"Err… I don't think I am allowed to answer you that, the deities don't really like it when mortals know what they actually do." Anastasia glanced sideways and had a look of fear on her face, which Hermione noted with understanding.

"But I can tell you this. Since you are only the second guinea pig — as you so kindly put it — we are still in the trial and error phase. Therefore, I dare say that you are a special case."

"What will happen if I fail to do as what was asked of me?"

"I am not quite sure, to be honest. I guess the deities may have another council meeting to decide how they want to proceed with this project. I believe by the end of time; you will greet Death just like Morgan did and I may be gone too if I am no longer able to serve the purpose I was born to."

Hermione shuddered at the thought, feeling afraid at how much the deities held control over everything if they could simply end the life of their own family members. She tried not to think about it, for now.

"Am I right in assuming that no other human knows about this?" Hermione's hand flailed wildly around them.

"Yes."

"What about Arthur, then? Morgan's brother? Is Severus really him?"

Anastasia hesitated before answering, "Arthur is collateral damage on our side. Morgan put a curse on him as she died because she wanted to bring someone, she knew with her to the future she was prophesied of.

However, it wasn't supposed to be her decision to make so now he has become a lost soul. He can't truly greet Death until he has served his purpose, that is to be with and serve Morgan until his time comes again. So yes, technically he is now Severus and his life from now on will be to only serve you. He still has the memory of the past and the thought of you as his sister, Morgan."

"What!?" Hermione's body posture became rigid as anger consumed her. "Isn't that outright selfish and cruel for her to do that? No person should be taken away from their freedom to choose! Whether to live or die or to do whatever the hell they want to do."

Hermione felt her respect towards Morgan was slowly slipping away the more she got to know about her. Anastasia had a small upturn on the corner of her lips at seeing Hermione's outburst. The girl really has the kindest of heart and she was sure the deities had chosen the right mortal this time.

"What about Merlin? Does he get to be reborn too? He was a powerful wizard, if not as powerful as Morgan."

"He does, though he is in a different project the deities have their eyes set on too. In fact, I'm sure you'll recognize him the instant you meet him next time. That is to say, if you choose to continue living."

Hermione's mouth shut at that. She had totally forgotten all about the choice which she had yet to make. She considered between living in the very cruel world that had caused her to be in the situation she was currently in, or she could totally forgo the life altogether and finally greet Death, just like she had wanted to all her life.

'I have nothing to lose, have I?'