FOUGHT IN A WAR
by Sa1boy

Chapter 13: Where is Hermione's body?

"Molly take these two and go and fetch Ron to us, here, we will have to try and sort his memory out, before he forces one of us to kill him." Ordered Harry, Molly feeling very proud of how grown up he was, shimmered out of the room with the two soldier elves in tow.

"How are you going to sort his mind out Mr Potter?"
Answering Severus in a matter of fact way simply said one word
"Hermione,"
"But, Miss. Granger hasn't been seen since she died, some say she is stuck in between the here and there,"
Harry nodded his agreement to the Potions Master, but with a slight smirk replied.

"Didn't I just develop the power over the dead, or was I dreaming when Winkey was talking before?"
Severus gave a frown and said," No need to be facetious Mr. Potter, how will you play this, what is your plan?"
"I don't plan on doing anything, as soon as Hermione gets here, I'm going with you to Snape manor, we can get an update if one is required from Mum, I mean Mrs Weasley," looking slightly sceptical at Severus before he continued to call for the soul of Hermione, Harry added.

"He will discover what you are hiding from him, you do know that don't you?" Severus knew exactly what Harry was talking about and nodded in agreement, that was something he didn't want to worry about, not just yet.
"Wouldn't it be better if you told him first?" Severus nodded again. He didn't really want to talk about the secret he had kept for so long from Draco, but knew that Harry was right; he would have to confess his secret. That he was his father Lucius' lover.

"We will have to get Mr. Weasley to safety once his accurate memory comes back to him; he won an award after the war you know? Killed an assassin that had managed to get into a safe house where we were keeping a group of prisoners, the assassin managed to kill 29 men, women and children before Mr. Weasley tackled him and killed him, it was lucky for the order that he went there at that time otherwise we would never have found the assassin." Severus looked as if the weight of the day was getting to him when a question from Harry got him thinking again.
"What was Ron doing there in the first place?"
"I don't know actually, there were no witnesses, just the testimony," pausing as the words were coming Severus finished "just the testimony of Dumbledore." Harry's look matched that of his teacher, something about that just wasn't right, Harry thought that it would have had to have taken more than the death of his mother and lover to make him go mad. Ron was the most logical solid minded person he knew, for his mind to go, he would have to have lost himself totally.
Turning away from Severus he started to call Winkey, who popped into the room before he had even finished the name.
"Where is Dobby? I can't feel him, I always know if he is near by?" A sudden high pitched scream filled the air Harry looking at Winkey, who was pointing towards Snape who looked like he had seen a ghost. He in turn was pointing at the side of Harry and the headless form of Dobby the house elf
"Harry Potter sir, Dobby has been preying that you would call him, I being very sorry sir, I couldn't stop Dumby. Cold steeled me, as soon as he called me, I couldn't escape." Winkey started to cry as she saw her old adversary, the house elves had a unique culture where not all got on, but all mourned the loss, now that it was confirmed that Dobby was in fact dead, the whole elf population of the school would mourn his passing.
"Dobby, I forgive you, and release you from the bond you have sworn to me, I want you to go and find Draco and make sure he is ok"
"Right away sir." and he was gone
"Nice scream Sev," Harry smirked at Severus as he called for Hermione, he seriously considered his mother and father, but thought that that luxury could wait 'til this was all over

"Hermione, please come and help me." Another scream only not so loud came from Severus as a mystical light came into view with a voice attached; it appeared that Hermione was indeed caught in the in-between.

"Harry I'm scared, I can't get out, I'm trapped. Harry please, help me." It was the very distressed voice of Harry's best female friend, she was stuck, unable to let go of life, and she was clinging to it like it was all she had left.
""Mione, just let go of the past, you are needed here now," turning to Winkey he face pleading for more answers
"Master, she is not yet dead, her life force is trapped, she cannot come out unless a life force swaps with her, and the balance has to stay as it is."
Harry's eyes grew wider, he looked at Severus for answers and when none came looked back at the elf
"Master, it has been an honour to serve you, Winkey will take her place if master give Winkey permission."
Severus looked down on the house elf that had been like a surrogate mother and pet all rolled into one for so many years, a single tear rolled down his cheek acknowledging her sacrifice, then walking over to him, jumped up and gave him a big hug, then turning to Harry.
"Tell miss that she need to walk to the light and that she needs to take my hand, and we will swaps, you will need to put missy back in her body before the sun rises or she will be lost for eternity and I will have given my life in vain."
"Thank you Winkey, it's ironic to think that she would never allow another creature to sacrifice herself so that she may survive, your sacrifice will be known always." turning back to the light he called out to Hermione.

"Walk to the light Hermione and take the hand that is held out for you, come on you can do it." Turning to Severus he enquired

"Where is Hermione's body?"