AN: Trigger warnings to many things are present in this story. Don't like, don't read.

I don't own Harry Potter.

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Hermione sat catching her breath in Moaning Myrtles lavatory. Her head was in her hands as her body shook slightly, having just emptied her entire breakfast in one go. Myrtle frowned at her from her perch on the sinks nearby, "You've been coming in here every day for the last two months Hermione."

Hermione took a slow deep breath before pulling her head up to look at the ghost, "Don't remind me."

Myrtle laid on her stomach in midair, slowly floating towards her, "Have you seen Madame Pomfrey for this? I'm sure she could tell you what's wrong."

She shook her head, the idea of going to the hospital wing didn't set right with her. She didn't think anything was wrong, but she couldn't be sure. Besides she was bound to finish the tournament and couldn't risk being sidelined and being hurt because of it. She sighed heavily as she let her head fall back to the cool stone wall.

Every day for the last two months she had closed herself off from her mates when the nausea hit. It lasted no more than an hour, but it didn't make her mates happy that she refused to tell them why. She could easily distract them from the topic, but they always brought it up multiple times a day. If she wanted to stop closing herself off from them then she was going to have to find out why she was sick.

She pushed herself to her feet shakily and waved a goodbye to Myrtle, heading straight to the hospital wing. When she entered, she found Madame Pomfrey alone. She caught the woman's eye as she walked straight to the woman's office, not speaking a word until the woman had warded and silenced the room.

"Is everything alright Miss Granger?"

Hermione eased herself into the chair in front of Pomfrey's desk, "I've been sick, every day for the past two months and I don't know why. When it first happened, I thought it was food poisoning and with the second task coming up I assumed the nerves made it worse."

Pomfrey frowned before pulling her wand from her robes, "Relax and let me take a look."

Hermione watched the woman slowly drew her wand down in front of her, a piece of parchment slowly appearing. Pomfrey took it, her eyes widening comically before they rolled back in her head, and she hit the floor. Hermione jumped to her feet and quickly cast her Patronus, the dragon appearing smaller than usual in the small room, "Find McGonagall. Tell she's needed in the hospital wing for an emergency." The dragon roared before flying off to its objective.

Hermione knelt beside the unconscious woman, carefully picking up the parchment that had made the woman faint. Her eyes widened as she stared at it, her body growing cold. She lost track of everything, of time, space, her own mind trapping itself in an endless loop.

Someone shaking her shoulders violently brought her out of her own mind, blinking up at McGonagall, "Miss Granger, are you alright?" Madame Pomfrey was wringing her hands on the other side of her office.

Hermione looked back down at the parchment in her hands, not able to speak as the words stared back at her. She handed it to McGonagall feeling her chest tighten and nausea swirl into her stomach. McGonagall's eyes widened, "Is this true Poppy?"

Madame Pomfrey nodded, "I checked three times once I came to."

Without warning McGonagall smiled widely, tears filling her eyes, "We can suppress it until after the third task, but I can assure you, your mates will not sit idly by."

Hermione shook her head, panic flaring in her chest, "I'm not telling them, until after the third task."

She felt her panic rise, thanking Merlin and anyone else that she had all her walls firmly in place. There was no way she could tell her mates about any of this. Bellatrix had already threatened to burn the school to the ground, and she really didn't want her dark witch to return to Azkaban. Narcissa at least would be calm and levelheaded, but she was positive that wouldn't last the moment they did find a way to infiltrate the school.

Minerva nodded, "Dumbledore cannot find out about this."

Pomfrey nodded, "I've already destroyed everything, except what you are holding. We're going to need potions to keep it suppressed until after the third task."

Minerva nodded, "I'll send for Severus."

While McGonagall sent her Patronus, Madame Pomfrey frowned at Hermione, "These potions will make you really sick for a few days until your body gets used to it. Once they take effect it takes a week of not taking it for the process to resume. Until you know what you want to do, you need to keep taking them."

Hermione nodded. Her mind oddly empty. It was a rare moment, but one she was cherishing for many different reasons. If her mate's got wind of this she would never be allowed to do anything. They wouldn't let her out of their sight until she was healed and with the third task looming there was no way she could return to Malfoy Manor.

The door to Pomfrey's office burst open and Snape's wide eyes landed on Hermione, "I didn't know. I thought it was the bond."

Hermione threw herself into his arms, "Me too. I need them as soon as possible. It's already been almost four months."

Snape nodded, quickly guiding her to a chair, "Don't worry. I'll start on it now and you can take it in the morning."

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded, her heart racing uncontrollably. She knew she had no way to keep this from her mates, except to keep herself blocked. She hated the idea, needing them now more than ever but there was no way they wouldn't notice her being sick. She quickly decided she would open herself to say goodnight every night and that would be it until the third task. She didn't want them risking their lives trying to get to her, but she also didn't want them to worry.

She heaved a sigh as she headed back to the common room, McGonagall giving her the day off to relax. She quickly opened herself to her mate's and felt their instant panic. Narcissa's voice reached her first, You're closing yourself off longer and longer each time little one. What's going on?

Bellatrix's ire was both in her words and the feelings that she was projecting, We will burn that school to the ground to get to you little witch.

She shook her head and sent out her love, I must keep closed for a while. I'll open myself every night. I can't explain right now. I love you both more than my own life. Never forget that.

She closed herself off right as they began to protest. She knew it was going to be hard, but she had no choice. She fell onto her bed and fell asleep quickly, the overwhelming morning taking its toll on her, and it wasn't even lunch yet.

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Hermione grimaced as she pulled on her outfit for the final task. The last two months had been harder than she ever thought it would be. The potions were worse than the horrifying prospect that Severus had described. The first three days of taking it she had been practically living in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Snape and McGonagall with her every step of the way. The worst part was trying to hide it from her mates every night. She would open herself to a rush of panic and concern. Questions would be thrown at her for a good five minutes before she would wish them good night and close herself off again, too exhausted to answer the barrage of questions.

Dumbledore was the next problem, having come looking for and finding her, Severus, and McGonagall in Myrtles lavatory. He was suspicious and for the last week she hadn't been able to take the potion. She was feeling better than when she was taking them, but she was more worried about the ramifications of not taking them affecting her during the last task.

Draco, Harry, and Ron knew she was hiding something, but they weren't pushing, which she was grateful for. She had been sticking close to Draco and Harry for the last few months, not spending as much time in the library which was worrying them even more. Fred, George, and Ginny had become a main part of their group which was also drawing Dumbledore's eye.

She met Harry in the common room and with a nod to him they began the journey out of Gryffindor tower. Meeting Ron and Draco in the entrance hall, the four of them smiled at each other, knowing this was their final time of being together before Hermione and Harry would leave them behind once again. They moved as one towards the castle doors, all too nervous to really say anything, afraid it would be the last thing they ever said.

As they neared the starting point of the last task Hermione caught Draco's arm, "Tell Narcissa and Bellatrix that I love them."

Draco frowned, his heart clenching in pain, "Hermione …"

She shook her head, "Tell them they deserved a better mate than me. Tell them…" She hesitated for a moment, knowing that words were never going to be enough, "Tell them they made me a better person and that my heart is in their hands."

Draco nodded, his eyes watering as he threw his arms around her neck, "You come back to us." He pulled back, "Both of you. Whether we like it or not we are all family. You be safe and stick together for whatever is coming. We'll be waiting for you both."

Ron hugged Harry, grinning widely at him, even as he tried to hold back his own tears, "Yeah we have to torment Snape, you know, make up for lost years and all that."

The four laughed until Dumbledore approached, "It's starting." He continued passed them, his nose in the air.

Hermione hugged Draco again, placing a kiss to his cheek, "You are my brother, always."

She took Harry's hand, and they quickly made their way towards Dumbledore. They stepped into small cleared circled, small stands set up behind a podium where people sat watching them. Hermione glanced at Harry, feeling her nerves and slight fear begin to spike. She could feel Narcissa's magick calling out to her, alerting her that her mate was nearby.

Dumbledore stood behind Harry, one hand on his shoulder and Hermione had to suppress her smirk when Harry grimaced and tried to get out from under the older man's hand. McGonagall stood slightly behind her, a hand resting on her shoulder calmly as Barty Crouch began to speak. Hermione couldn't focus on the words that were being said, the only thing catching her attention was the fact that this was a maze with creatures, and they had to find their way to the center.

McGonagall moved closer, her breath brushing across her ear as the older witch whispered to her, "The portkey in the center will bring you straight back here. When was the last time you had a potion?"

Hermione leaned back into the woman, keeping her voice low, "Week."

McGonagall grumbled angrily under her breath before squeezing her shoulder, "I'm sorry. We can get you more when this is over. Hermione you must remain alert. Dumbledore placed a few creatures in this maze himself and I'm worried they will seek you and Potter out right away."

Hermione nodded, "If I don't come back, tell them. Tell them I'm sorry I kept it from them. Tell them…" She shook her head, tears burning her eyes. She wasn't sure the right words or if her mates would ever believe them when coming from someone else.

McGonagall shook her head, "You will come back Hermione. You are the brightest witch of your age. Just like your dark mate. You should be the one to tell them." Her voice shook with uncontrollable emotion.

Hermione glanced up at McGonagall, seeing the tears in her eyes and frowned. The hedge in front of her split open and she glanced at Harry, nodding once before taking a step towards it. She paused and turned to look into the crowd, her eyes finding Narcissa instantly. She dropped all her walls and watched Narcissa's eyes widen as she shoved all her love to the woman, before she took the last step into the maze. The rumbling ground shook beneath her feet as the maze closed behind her, blocking out all sight and sounds from the people behind her.

She was completely alone.

She couldn't feel her mate anymore, and knew it was the enchantments on the maze. She moved deeper into the maze, gripping her wand tightly as she came to a fork in the path. She had three choices ahead of her, but she could feel some type of pulsing magic. It was dark but she assumed it was the creatures that were mixed into the maze. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she turned left, the eerie silence broken only by a slow breeze.

She lost count of how many turns she made as she followed the pulsing magic, not finding much in the way of creatures. Until she rounded a corner and found a large spider, bigger than Aragog. The brown fur shifted slightly in the breeze, it's eight eyes slowly coming to rest on her. A loud hiss ripped from the creature's mouth as the large fangs were exposed, venom dripping from the tips. The creature raised from its belly, standing up to tower over her.

She grimaced, "This is why Ron is afraid of spiders." She raised her wand, trying to think of a spell that would work. Her best one was Bombarda, but she wasn't sure it would even work on this giant creature.

The spider lunged at her, and she dodged quickly underneath it's large harry belly, sprinting towards the end of the path and turning right. She could feel the ground shake as the spider chased and knew it wouldn't be long until it caught up to her. She shot a spell off over her shoulder and heard it connect to the spider, not that she was going to stick around to find out what happened to it.

A strong wind began to surge around her, and the hedges began to close in. She groaned and sprinted down the path, her face being scratched as the branches scraped against her skin. She dove, throwing her entire body as far as she could, towards the opening into another path and slammed into a firm body, sending both to the ground. She rolled to her back, leaning up on her elbows and found Viktor Krum turning towards her. Her eyes widened as she took in his glazed look, his eyes sparkling white with whatever curse he was under.

He raised his wand at her, "Avada Kedavra!"

She rolled to the right, shoving herself up to her feet, "Expelliarmus!"

Krum dodged and spun back around another killing curse aimed at her. She ducted the curse, feeling her rage rising. She could feel an influx of other emotions, sending her magick into a wild tailspin, "Bombarda!"

Krum flew backwards, landing hard on the ground and Hermione frowned as she glanced down at her stomach. She felt her jaw drop before she heard Krum moving. She shook her head and sighed watching as Krum stood facing her, "Well I guess it's you and me now."

She sprinted in the opposite direction from Krum, hearing him give chase. She continued following the pulsing magic and hoped that she could escape Krum. She could feel the magic getting closer when she rounded a corner and ran into Harry, "Harry?"

He spun to her, his face scratched and sweaty, "Hermione! I was running from Krum. He attacked me."

Hermione frowned, "I was running from him too. He's under a curse."

Harry frowned, "How is that possible?"

"Fleur is the same," Cedric's voice came from behind them. They spun to him with their wands raised. He raised his hands in surrender, "Something's going on. They shouldn't be cursed but Fleur attacked me too."

Hermione frowned as she lowered her wand, "Why are the three Hogwarts students left?"

Cedric frowned, "I'd like to think we're the best but after what I've seen in this maze, I think someone is targeting you two specifically. Fleur was trying to use the imperious curse on me."

Harry opened his mouth to respond but the ground began to shake under their feet. Hermione frowned before her head snapped to the left looking down the pathway, the far end hedges were shifting against something large. The three students raised their wands, turning to stand side by side with Hermione in the middle.

Hermione's eyes widened as the large stone creature turned towards them, its gigantic hands clenched into fists, its blazing red eyes narrowing on them. Harry's voice was strained, "Is that what I think it is?"

Cedric grimaced and nodded, "Golem. Stone."

Hermione felt her heart pounding against her ribcage, "You don't think it's been enchanted for protection, do you?"

Harry snorted, "Let's find out Hermione, you've got the best Bombarda here."

She glanced at him, raising an eyebrow, "You can't be serious." He nodded as did Cedric. She sighed, tightening her grip on her wand, "Bombarda Maxima!'

The spell flew at the large grey stone creature before bouncing off its wards. All three were launched backwards as the spell rebounded back at them, sending them into the hedge behind them, before landing painfully on the dirt pathway. Hermione shook her head, feeling the blood running down her face. Harry rubbed his shoulder, knowing it was going to need Madame Pomfrey soon. Cedric popped his back, already feeling the pulled muscles trying to keep him down.

"Well, this is bloody perfect," Cedric deadpanned.

They stood quickly as the creature began to move towards them, it's large hoof like feet lifting quickly, making the ground shake with every step. Harry frowned, "Well we've got two choices."

Hermione nodded, "Run."

Cedric's eyes widened as the creature began to trot, "Or run."

The golem pushed itself into a sprint, the sound of thundering footsteps moving towards them as Hermione shouted, "Run!" Cedric sprinted to their right, followed by Harry and Hermione. "Right," Hermione shouted as she focused on the pulsing magic, "Left!" She followed Harry and Cedric, calling out directions, until they couldn't hear the golem.

They entered an open area with a fork in the path and bent over, hands on knees as they gasped for breath. Harry frowned as he sucked air into his lungs, "You can feel the portkey?"

She nodded, "It's somewhere to our left."

Cedric frowned as he wiped sweat from his brow, "What do we do when we get there?"

Harry smirked, "Take it. Same time."

Cedric smiled at him, "You'd do that?"

Hermione chuckled and Harry nodded, "We're all from Hogwarts. Why not go out with a bang?"

Cedric laughed but it was cut short as the ground shook, wind wiping wildly around them. Hermione frowned, "The maze is shifting again. That way," she pointed to the left and the group sprinted in that direction.

They found the center of the maze as the wind rushed towards them, "It's going to move again if we don't go now!" Hermione shouted over the sounds.

Harry nodded at each of them, "Together. Now."

Three hands gripped onto the portkey, and they felt the pull behind their navels. Silence filled the air as they landed on a hard grassy slope. Hermione slid down the slope, her right side hitting something very hard, knocking the air from her lungs. She gasped in pain as Harry frowned, lifting his head to look around.

Cedric rushed to his feet, "Where are we?"

Harry frowned, "Graveyard?"

Hermione eased herself to her feet, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in her side, "I've seen this place before." She frowned as she moved towards the large headstone nearby, her fear turning into terror as she took in the large stone. She knew she wasn't dreaming because Harry and Cedric were there.

"It's the same as in my dream Harry." She frowned as she took in the name on the white marble, "Tom Riddle."

Cedric frowned, "Why did it bring us here?"

"What are you doing here?" A familiar squeaky voice came from behind them.

Hermione felt her rage as she turned to face the man, "I've been looking for you Peter."

Pettigrew glared at her, his buckteeth visible since his lips were pulled back in a grimace. His hair stuck out in every direction, his face filthy and slightly scared, "You shouldn't be here. How did you get here?"

Harry smirked, wand raised, "Portkey. Looks like someone wanted us to find you."

Hermione grinned, "Moody placed the portkey in the maze. I knew I smelled Polyjuice potion." She glared at him, "Where is he?"

Cedric frowned, "What's going on?"

Pettigrew raised his wand, the killing curse on his lips but Hermione beat him to it, "Expelliarmus."

Pettigrew's wand flew out of his hands, landing somewhere behind him and he snarled at her, "You meddling shit. You couldn't leave well enough alone."

She felt her blood run cold, "Someone else said that to me before. You're working for Dumbledore, aren't you?"

Pettigrew smirked at her, "Have been for a long time. Why else would I have betrayed the Potter's the way I did. Led Dumbledore right to them I did."

Harry's anger began to fill the air, "Who killed them? Was it Dumbledore?"

Pettigrew laughed, "So much like your father Potter. Snape never gave up the search for Lilly's killer." His toothy grin was more disturbing than anything else.

Hermione spotted the large Cauldron behind Pettigrew, her mind racing, searching through what Burke had deciphered for her. She knew Pettigrew was trying to kill her father, but she could turn it to her advantage if she and Harry could get to the cauldron first. Without warning she shot a Stupefy at the rat, causing him to run.

"Harry our blood in the cauldron now." She sprinted forward, dodging a sudden spell that flew at her from nearby.

She slid to a stop in the dirt, glancing over at a familiar face, "Not happening pet."

Her eyes widened, "Moody?"

The man smirked at her, his dark eyes narrowing on her, his face beginning to shift, "You think you can take my wife from me."

She felt her heart drop into her stomach, "What are you talking about?"

Pale skin shifted as Moody's hair shortened slightly, grey patches appearing. The fake eye dropped to the ground as the man's eyes darkened, dark circles appearing underneath. His weathered skin tightening slightly as he grew taller, the fake leg falling useless to the floor.

She gasped slightly, "Rodolphus Lestrange?" She shook her head, "But I thought Barty Junior…?"

Rodolphus laughed, "Had you going, didn't I? That stupid tongue gives him away every time. That little brat wanted to help you bring the Dark Lord back. I had a little different agenda. He's with Moody right now, catching up with his old Auror friend. I'll kill you and bring the Dark Lord back with Potter's blood. He'll praise me when I do."

She felt her heartbeat frantically, her chest tightening, "Bellatrix will kill you if you hurt me."

Rodolphus chuckled darkly, his wide grin showing his yellow and chipped teeth, "I'll force her back into my bed before she can raise her wand. She knows her place."

Hermione felt the anger flare, the magick surging through her body as her stomach tightened. A dark smirk pulled at her lips, feeling the same she had in the Lake task, "You are playing with fire Lestrange, especially since I'm carrying her child."

His eyes widened as she let the burst of magick explode from her, holding her arms out from her body. Lestrange's body slammed back into a mausoleum and Hermione spun to the cauldron, sliding her wand across her palm, her adrenaline pumping through her body with every beat of her heart. "Harry."

Harry smirked at her, fascinated by the swirling green and red in Hermione's eyes, "Ready."

They held their hands over the cauldron, letting their blood drip into the smoky mist. The ground began to shake as they backed away, knowing it wouldn't be long. She spun as Pettigrew's movement caught her attention, "I'm not done with you Rat."

She sprinted after him, her rage becoming uncontrollable, as the pathetic man hurried away. Whisps of black smoke began to circle the graveyard as Death Eaters appeared, surrounding the cauldron, being summoned by Voldemort himself. She focused on Pettigrew, "Stupefy!"

The man's body hit the ground and he turned to her, staring up at her in fear, "Dumbledore doesn't know that your mother is still alive."

She faltered, her body shaking, "You're lying." He had to be lying. Alecto was dead, they had found her body in her bedroom, at least that's what Snape had said, although they weren't sure if Alecto was her mother or not.

Pettigrew shook his head, "Alecto was babysitting you that night. She wasn't your mother. Your mother was at work."

She felt the need to know coursing through her body. She had spent hours wondering who her mother was after learning she was adopted. Was she kind? Would she have treated her the way the Granger's had? Would they have been close? She had imagined a different childhood for so long that now, having the prospect of finding her birth mother, it was too good to be true. She tightened her grip on her wand, struggling with her inner war.

"Stupefy!"

Hermione felt the blast to her chest before flying backwards, feeling dread scorching her body as she landed hard on her back. She coughed, the dream surging through her mind. She heard Bellatrix's voice call out, "Cruico!" Rodolphus's scream split the air as his body hit the ground.

Hermione shook her head, feeling Bellatrix's magick circling her as Narcissa apparated into the graveyard. She could feel the pain in her chest as she watched Bellatrix release Rodolphus, the dark witch's anger not even contained. Her wild black eyes were focused on Rodolphus as she raised her wand the beginning of the killing curse slipping easily from her lips, but Pettigrew send a silent spell towards the woman.

Hermione felt her body tighten with fear as Bellatrix disappeared behind some headstones. Her heart stopped as time seemed to freeze. Everything began to happen in slow motion. Narcissa leaned over Bellatrix, her eyes frightened. Hermione couldn't believe her dream was happening. Rodolphus moved towards Narcissa and Bellatrix, forcing Hermione to push herself to her feet and raise her wand. She knew this was the moment her mates left her. This was the moment where they chose each other over her.

And she was okay with that.

The entire time she had struggled with the fact that they chose each other but now she understood. Her mates would live, they would survive, and she smiled at them as they turned their heads towards her. She was ready for the rest, ready for the dream to be complete. Her mates would live and that was all she wanted for them, to live and be happy.

Rodolphus raised his wand at her. Hermione's mind knew the words, Avada Kedavra, the killing curse that she had never used before. Rodolphus tried to kill Bellatrix, her mate, and she wasn't going to let that happen. She would end him, kill him for daring to hurt her mate, to help her mates get away, and she would do it with a smile on her face.

Their words were drowned out by the loud explosion behind her, the bright green flash of light bursting from her wand. She knew what was coming, knew that his spell would connect with her. As long as her mates survived, she would at least die knowing she had protected them.

A bright white light lit up the graveyard and Hermione felt like she was flying. Her body weightless, feeling no pain. She had never wondered what death would be like, if it would hurt. She never thought about the possibility that she would die before she was even out of Hogwarts. Now she began to wonder if this is what Death felt like. Was it a never-ending weightlessness, with no pain, no expectations?

Her mates were safe, she knew that. She could feel that. Her loved ones were safe, and that was all that mattered anymore. She didn't matter anymore, everything she had been through in her young life didn't matter. Nothing mattered but her mates and their happiness. Their lives meant everything to her, and she had spent so much time trying fix what she thought was wrong with herself.

So much time wasted.

Time she would never get back.

Regrets were something she never thought she would have. She made sure to study hard, spend time with her friends, the people she cared about, but she never took time for herself. She never thought about what she wanted out of life, in her future.

But she regretted this.

She regretted not thinking about herself for one moment, for not taking Narcissa the moment she realized she was falling in love with the woman. She regretted every time she closed herself off from Bellatrix. She regretted not spending more time with Bellatrix and if she had the chance, she would change it going forwards.

But she couldn't.

She couldn't change anything and right at this moment, she didn't want to change what she had done. She would never change saving her mates. She would always save them and to hell with everyone else. She only wished she could tell them one last time how much she loves them, how much she'll miss them. How much they meant to her. How much she wished she had more time.

At least now she knew why the dream had plagued her thoughts for so long. A warning of what was to come. To prepare her for the ultimate sacrifice.

Ultimate love.

She was completely in love with her mates, and she had done exactly what Lilly had done. She had sacrificed herself to save her mates because she loves them, with all her heart.

Apparently, death had a funny way of making one see clearly. It showed the past, present, and future. It showed all the things she had lost, had gained, could have.

And she wanted it.

She wanted it all.

She wanted a family with Bellatrix. She wanted a family with Narcissa. She wanted to get to know her father. She wanted to know who her mother was. She wanted answers and she wanted the truth.

If she was going to go down, she was going to go down in a blaze of glory.

She refused to give up. She refused to let go of all the things she wanted most in the world. Her family. Her friends. Her mates. She refused to let this be the end, to let this be her dying breath. She forced her way through the haze she found herself floating in, the confusion she could feel trying to drown her.

She gasped as her eyes flew open. She was staring at the stary sky, the graveyard around her eerily silent except for a few sobs. Her head was pounding painfully, her body ached but her mind was fully focused on her mates. She blinked a few times, trying to understand what was happening. Her mind struggling to reclaim the last thing she could remember, the floating abyss aside.

She remembered Rodolphus raising his wand, his shouted words that were covered by an explosion and then the bright green light. She shoved herself to her feet and stared at Rodolphus's corpse, his eyes wide and staring blankly into the night sky.

"Hermione!" Harry's strained voice called behind her.

She spun to face him, her eyes scanning the graveyard, her body tensed and fighting the panic she could feel. Bellatrix was motionless, sitting next to where she had been laying, dark eyes empty. Narcissa turned from the mausoleum she had been crying against. Her eye's widened at her, tear streaks down her face slightly dirty.

Hermione could feel their pain, more than she ever could before. She knelt in front of Bellatrix, cupping her face gently, "Come back to me Hellcat."

Bellatrix blinked up at her before launching her body into her mates. She crushed her lips to Hermione's, needing to feel that this was real. Hermione kissed the woman back with fervor, knowing that Bellatrix was desperate for this to not be a dream. She wrapped her arms around the sobbing woman, running her fingers through thick dark curls, whispering soothing words. Her body hurt but she wouldn't tell her mate to stop touching her for anything. Narcissa rushed to them, wrapping her arms around them both before kissing Hermione just as hard as Bellatrix had.

Hermione could feel their relief clearly through the bond, but she could also feel the lingering desolation that each woman had experienced moments ago. They believed she had been killed; they had seen the killing curse strike her chest dead center. They knew what that had meant, they knew as they watched the light leave her eyes that they would never hold her again.

Hermione could see the scene in their minds, her cold blank stare into the darkness. Her pale, motionless body stiff, not responding to their touch, their pleas. Bellatrix had broken first, her already fragile sanity had exploded into a million pieces that would never be whole again without her mate.

Narcissa's heart was destroyed, blackened with hatred and a need for revenge. She wanted to kill them all. Everyone that came into her path would pay for her mate's death. She would leave no stone unturned, searching every inch of the planet until everyone was dead and then she too would be over. She would not live a single day without her mate when she was through avenging her young witch.

Hermione felt her chest tighten at the thought of almost losing her mates.

Bellatrix pulled back and cupped her face gently, "I don't know how or why but…" She kissed her young mate before wrapping her hands around the girl's neck, her anger flaring, "DON'T YOU EVER FUCKING DO THAT AGAIN!"

Hermione tried to nod but her dark witch's hands were too tight. She surged forward, shocking the dark witch with a passionate kiss. She could taste Bellatrix's salty tears on her lips, hoping to at least help soothe the older witch's sorrow.

When she pulled back, she frowned, "Bellatrix I'm pregnant."

Bellatrix didn't move, frozen in place as her pupils blew wide.

Narcissa gripped Hermione's arm painfully, "You knew and didn't tell us?! Hermione you shouldn't even be in this mess. How could you not tell us? All the times you were sick…" Her shrieks echoed through the silent graveyard.

Hermione frowned at her as she nodded, "This is a binding contract Cissy." She hoped the nickname would calm the woman slightly, "I had too regardless. I was taking a suppressant for the last two months, but Dumbledore began to grow suspicious and wouldn't let me near Severus. I haven't had it in a week."

Narcissa opened her mouth to speak but couldn't. There was so much emotion passing through the link between the three of them. They had just watched their mate die. They had just had to suffer the last five minutes thinking their mate was gone forever. Now she knew that it wasn't just her mate but her pregnant mate. Her still pregnant mate.

Bellatrix's head snapped up, "You are never leaving my side again." Her voice rose into the familiar childlike shriek. "You are never stepping foot anywhere near Dumbledork again. I won't allow it!"

Hermione winced as her dark witch's voice rose to an unbearable level, "Bella please…" She tried but the woman was off on a tirade.

A deep chuckled sounded behind them and she stood quickly, her wand raised. Her eyes widened at the man that stood with his arm around Harry's shoulders, "You have grown to be so strong. I am so proud of you Hermione."

Tears pooled in her eyes as she stared at her father. The brown hair that matched her own was longer than when he had been a teenager. His crimson-coloured eyes staring at her with adoration. His long grey robes were slightly too big for his thinner frame. His wide smile gave life to his face as he watched her.

His voice was deeper than she thought it would be as he suddenly glared at her, "But Bellatrix is right. If you ever do something like that again we will chain to your room for the rest of your life. I just got you back."

She smiled widely before throwing herself into her father's arms. His hold was strong as he held her, kissing the top of her head gently. She felt her tears spill from her eyes as she tightened her hold, basking in her father's warmth and love. She could feel it coming from him in waves.

She frowned up at him, not wanting to let go, "We have to get back."

Voldemort nodded, "You do but I will be waiting for you at the Malfoy Manor. Narcissa will be picking you up from the train."

"Did nobody listen to what I said. She is not leaving my sight." Bellatrix snapped angrily. "We almost lost her tonight and she's carrying my child. I will not have her in danger again."

Hermione grinned as she felt the possessiveness and protectiveness flaring through the bond. She couldn't help but pull away from her father and move swiftly towards her anxious mate. Bellatrix's arms wrapped around her tightly, pulling as close as they could get.

Hermione smiled up at her, "Bella, I have to go back, or they will know something happened. It's only a few more weeks and then I will be home."

Bellatrix shook her head, "And have you close yourself off again? Never."

Hermione kissed her softly, "That won't be a problem anymore. My walls are up right now."

Bellatrix's eyes widened at her young mate. She could feel everything, see everything that her mate could. There were no blocks, no walls, no hiding anything anymore. The wall that had always been in place in the back of Hermione's mind was gone, the self-loathing laid bare for her and Narcissa to see, to analyze.

"How?" Bellatrix asked softly.

Hermione grinned at her, "Let's just say it was a life before my eyes moment."

Narcissa's body pressed against her back, her lips brushing over her ear, "Promise?"

Hermione nodded, "Promise. Forever."

Bellatrix shook her head, "I don't like this. You cast the killing curse Hermione. They'll know something happened."

Hermione grimaced, "Yeah so not sorry I killed your husband."

Bellatrix's cackling laughter filled the silent graveyard, "Ex for one and only because you beat me to it."

Harry grinned, "Alright we have to go. Cedric?"

Cedric shrugged, his eyes darting around to the Death Eaters that Hermione just noticed watching them, "Yeah I'm totally ready to go."

The group laughed and Voldemort eyed him, "Can he be trusted?"

Hermione smirked at Cedric, his dirty face curving into a smile as his shaggy brown hair fell in his eyes. She chuckled as he gave her a toothy grin, "Yeah dad. He can be trusted."

Voldemort nodded, "Then by all means. The portkey is over there. Harry," he smiled down at his young mate, cupping his face gently, "I will explain everything to you both over the summer. Until then please stick together and do not tell anyone about," he smirked at Hermione, "My grandchild."

Bellatrix slid her hand over Hermione's stomach and Hermione gasped slightly, the motion sending a sharp pulse of arousal to her core. She gripped Bellatrix's hand, moving it away quickly as she stared wide eyed at her mate. Bellatrix's laugh echoed through the graveyard as Narcissa snorted.

Hermione rolled her eyes with a soft groan and followed Harry and Cedric towards the portkey, "You'll pay for that Bella."

Bellatrix smirked at her, "Looking forward to it my love." She sent her own arousal through the mate bond watching as Hermione's eyes glazed over slightly, "Still want to go back Vixen?"

Hermione shook her head clear and narrowed her eyes at the woman, "Two can play at that game." She sent the most provocative image she could think of to Bellatrix's mind and the woman sucked in a breath then coughed, choking as she saw it. Hermione laughed as she reached for the portkey.

"Oh, and Hermione," Voldemort chuckled at the fuming Bellatrix, "Tell your mother I said hello."

Hermione frowned, "My mother?"

Voldemort grinned at her, "Be safe and I'll see you when you get home."

Hermione opened her mouth just as her fingers touched the portkey, feeling the familiar jerk behind her navel. The three students slammed into the ground painfully as music filled the air. Their bodies were bleeding and exhausted, but they were alive and that was all that mattered. The helped each other up, three hands interlocked. They had been a part of something that no one else was.

Hermione smirked at Cedric, "Welcome to the club."

Harry nodded, a wide smile on his face, "We have jackets." Their laughter filled the air as people rushed towards them, congratulating them on their victory.