The choice

She heard the scream.

Saw her best friend running towards the Veil of Death after Sirius had fallen through.

She didn't think, just latched on as Harry plunged into the whispering gateway.

The whispers were louder here, but still just as indistinct. Only two sounds really mattered to her in that instant… Harry's heartbeat and her own.

Suddenly the howling winds died out… and the whispering ceased… all was silent.

"You have brought one who has eluded and opposed us for far too long to face judgement," Hermione heard, peeking over Harry's shoulder to see a tall, rail like woman with pale skin and bright white hair speaking.

The old woman with a large hourglass in her lap next to her spoke next, "Eight pieces… one sent before… one brought with… leaving six."

A buxom blonde spoke next, "Rare is it when one gets the chance to meet one of us, rarer still more then one or boons granted."

The fourth, a fiery red head spoke next, "Choose six of those slain by that creature and his minions since he first defied us." She waved her hand and a host of shadowy, translucent people began to appear around them, "Choose wisely."

"You should know, those that reach this far into Death's realm almost never return," the blonde spoke with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"That means… you'll have tasks…"

"I'm sorry, who…?" Hermione was shocked to hear her own voice, faint as it was, and began to get frightened as she saw her hand fade to the insubstantial greyness of the others around them even as she continued to grasp Harry tightly.

A bubbly brown-haired girl with bright green eyes popped up in front of her, "Hi! I'm Elpis! And those are Morana, Aroa, Chance and Moira," she said pointing to each in turn before leaning towards Hermione and mock whispering, "Don't mind them, they're always rather stuffy."

Harry's voice finally broke the silence, evidently having noticed Hermione's predicament, "Hermione and Sirius," there was a slight pause as a large black dog bounded over to them and her own hand returned to full solidity, "My parents," James and Lily appeared before them, pulling both Harry and Hermione into a hug before Harry could continue.

"And the last two," the grumpy sounding, scythe wielding, Morana asked bluntly.

"Luna and her mother?" Hermione asked having noticed her blonde-haired friend among the surrounding throng.

"Sounds good," Harry said to her quietly before repeating Hermione's words to the immortals arrayed before them.

Luna skipped up to them with a jaunty wave, "I told you I'd see my mum soon, Hermione!"

Everything then faded to black.