Of lionesses and cubs

Hermione was floating. She felt pain. Oh yes, she felt pain – but she felt like she was flying. Her last memory was of throwing a ball of fire at Bellatrix Lestrange. She was hoping that Minerva got to her and they were apparating away. Suddenly there was ground beneath her – wet grass. Hermione's heart leapt – sweet, wet grass. 'We must be at the Burrow', she thought. Soon they would go through the floo to the infirmary where Poppy and Minerva would heal her. But she was not at the Burrow. Hermione painfully opened her eyes to see oaks, and elms, and willows towering over her. This was not right. Where was she?

"Yes." A velvety voice said. Hermione was unable to move, but she knew that the voice was not that of an ally. "Yes, he always did have an affinity for the beauty of trees – no matter where they were supposed to reside. He said that every tree he thought was beautiful would have the privilege of gracing his courtyard. Look – there, to your left."

Hermione was able to flop her head to the left. She felt the cool grass tickle her ear as she looked. There was a pond so large it might as well have been a lake, and surrounding it were a variety of trees – willows which were covered in Spanish moss, cherry trees, euclid trees, tulip trees, moringa, dragon, and even a Kalpatarutree! Hermione involuntarily sucked air into her lungs at the pure beauty that was before her.

"Did you think that a Death Eater could not appreciate and enjoy beauty?" the velvety voice asked. Hermione, while struck by the beauty that was before her – she finally realized…she was not at home – she was in the home of a Death Eater. "Welcome to the home of Lucious Malfoy." The owner of the voice walked around to Hermione's line of site. His skin was pale white, his face…almost looked snake-like. 'Oh God', Hermione thought. She knew that she had finally come face-to-face with the Dark Lord. Anxiety flowed through her veins like ice water, yet her heart sank at the same time – did this mean she was now doomed…and what was the fate of her child?

Hermione sucked in air, struggling to breathe, she turned her eyes towards the sky – watching as the stars came out of hiding to fill the night sky. Voldemort followed her gaze and smirked. "Do not think that just because you are outside an air-rescue will be possible…the wards cover the entire property. There is no escape. The only reason I have you out here is because I thought this atmosphere would be more suitable than the dungeons. You have not earned a comfortable bed, but the cold, stone floor of the dungeons may make you worse – and I need you alive, I need you strong." He bent down and cocked his head – looking Hermione dead in the eye. She did not avert her eyes as she showed him her determination. "Hmm." He said. He bent towards her ear and whispered, "You may not show it now, but you will be afraid before the end. I have great use of you, and I guarantee that you will break once I have taken what I need." He stood and looked down at her. Hermione's eyes followed his every moment. "Do not try to be strong, my dear, there is no point." He began to walk away and said, "Severus will be in momentarily to start patching you up…as for your daughter – know that she is being kept safe until we determine her potential…she may be of great use to us…given the strength of her parents."

Hermione heard a heavy door open and close. She thought it strange that it was only upon Voldemort's exit did her heart begin to race. After the initial shock of their meeting, she felt calm on the inside – she would not allow him to elicit the fear response he so desired from her. If she was unable to do anything else at the moment, she would at least remain in control of her emotions – she would not give up that control, she would not give him the satisfaction. She looked at the stars once more and imagined a great host of witches and wizards flying upon brooms – coming to rescue her. A tear slid down the side of her face and into her hairline as she thought about what Voldemort said regarding the wards. A thought came to Hermione's mind that made her heart skip a beat…"God. I may actually die here."

Back at Hogwarts, Albus, Minerva, Remus, Tonks and the Weasleys were being patched up by Poppy. Cedric was sitting on one of the infirmary beds looking down at the floor – feeling the multiple sets of eyes upon him.

"How." Remus whispered as Poppy waved her wand over his arm, healing a large wound. "How could you have arranged for such an abomination?" His eyes were burning holes into Cedric's.

"We do strange things for the people we love…" Cedric replied in a far-off, disjointed voice. "We lie to them, we lie for them – there are so many bumps along the way, but we never stop wanting what's best for them."

Everyone else in the room looked at Cedric in disbelief. His ramblings made them all wonder if he truly had gone mad. His eyes were glazed over and he looked as though he were in a trance. "I never wanted this to happen…" Cedric whispered, still looking away. "All I did was an express a wish…and the next thing I knew…Hermione was gone."

"What wish, Cedric? When did you make this wish?" Remus asked quickly.

Cedric finally looked up, but still had a faraway gaze in his eyes. "When we were looking for her. I made it on the very day that we were told she was found…when I went to get some water. I didn't think anyone was around when I wished it…but someone was."

The others adopted more curious and concerned expressions for their angry ones. "Who was there, Cedric…what did you do?" Tonks asked.

Cedric began again, shaking his head slowly as he spoke. "I was tired. So, so tired. I was tired of hunting, tired of coming up empty. I was thinking back to how strong you said she had become and I grew more scared by the minute that she would never be found." Everyone in the room was hanging onto his every word. "I was at the creek, and whispered that I wished everything would return back to the way it was...that none of this had ever happened. That was when I heard a voice behind me. I turned around and came face to face with Lucious Malfoy." Glances were being exchanged around the room…"He told me he had not come to hurt me – that no one would get hurt. He said I needed to know that he was just with Hermione – and she was going to become the most dangerous witch this world has ever seen – and that she would destroy the world. He said that for everyone's sake, her powers had to be extracted….or we would all die…."

"And you listened to him?" Tonks cried. "You sold out not just Hermione – but all of us!" Tonks strode up to Cedric and slapped him. She held her hands out for him to see – they were covered with dried blood. "Do you see this? I have had blood on my hands all day, Cedric – blood from the people that I love, and all because of you!" Remus put his hand on Tonk's shoulder, trying to calm her. "We searched for her with you for months – only for you to sell her out…you make me sick…how could you not have told us that you saw him?"

Cedric looked up in earnest into Tonk's eyes…"Because I didn't remember that I saw him until I saw you all on the ground…I don't even know how I got to Cornwall…" Looks of confusion were smeared across everyone's face. They all thought he had gone completely mad, until Albus approached him and waved his wand over Cedric. Smoke began to rise from him. The tendrils swirled around – forming letters. Eventually the letters formed a word – 'Imperio', with the smoky image of Lucious Malfoy hovering over it. The room was deadly silent. After a few moments, Albus cleared his throat and stated: "This was the last spell that was cast on Cedric. And that is who casted it."

"Oh, God." Whispered Minerva.

"Lucious must have placed the curse on you while you were away from the school – a curse which involved you finding a way to get Hermione and Morgaine out of Hogwarts." Cedric's eyes briefly met Albus's as he continued. "The reason for your lack of memory is because the spell has ended…now that they have what they wanted." Cedric looked down at the floor. "You will only be able to remember what happened from the exact moment before the spell was cast, and what happened after the spell had ended…everything else in between is gone." Albus walked over the rest of the group and whispered, "This is not Cedric's fault. It could just as easily happened to either of you." He said to Tonks and Remus.

"If it was the Imperius Curse, then why has he been acting like a raving loony? He's been saying the most bizarre things even after the curse apparently ended." Tonks asked.

Albus looked at Cedric thoughtfully, who was now swinging his feet back and forth and rolling his head around. He was definitely not acting like the Cedric that they knew. "Maybe," Albus began, "he was trying to fight off the curse. I have seen it before, during the last war – the more someone struggled against it, the more…well…shall I say 'unhinged' – they became. Though he doesn't remember, maybe he was really trying hard to fight against it." The group turned to look at Cedric, who seemed to be in a different world altogether – as he was now whistling a lighthearted tune. Anger gave way to concern. They have seen the Imperius Curse before…they knew the havoc that it could wreak. Cedric was just as much a victim as the rest of them. He had no control over handing the woman and child that he loves to the Death Eaters – and apparently, given his current mental state, he did try to fight back.

"So what happens now?" Remus asked. "Can he be helped?"

"I don't know." Albus shook his head slowly. "I really don't. But that will have to come later. He is uninjured and safe here at home where Poppy can watch over him until we can figure out what to do with him. Our main priority right now is Hermione and Morgaine.

Tears flowed freely from Minerva's eyes. The woman who finally made her be honest with herself was gone. The woman that she had not only grown to love – but has fallen in love with – the woman she swore she would protect…over and over again…could very well be dead. Molly Weasley, her face puffy from crying, interpreted Minerva's face and knew what she was thinking. "She's not dead, Minerva." Molly said softly. "If she was, I would have felt it…and you would have too…"

Hermione had no concept of time. All she knew was that it was night. She knew that she was drifting in and out of consciousness judging by the drastic position changes of the moon in the sky. She felt herself about to slip away once more when she heard the heavy door to the courtyard open. She didn't have the energy, or the strength – to turn her head, much less her body. She thought she knew what was to come…until she saw the sweeping form of Severus Snape – hovering over her. Her eyes were so swollen from the blast and the burns that she could only open them into little slits. She blinked up at him a few times before he knelt down in the grass beside her. She was surprised to hear the he traded in his usual sinister tone for a much more sympathetic and gentle one. "Miss Weasley." He whispered. "I am so sorry." He watched as Hermione slowly turned her head away from him, she didn't know how to respond – she was unable to form clear thoughts…all she had left were emotions and instinct. Snape watched as tears trickled down Hermione's burnt face and into her hairline. He sighed deeply as he opened the small black bag that he brought with him. He rummaged around and pulled out a variety of potions and salves. When he turned his attention back to Hermione, his breath hitched. The path that her tears had taken down her face was no longer charred. It was, in fact – pink, smooth, and healthy – as though those small areas were unaffected by the blast. Hermione heard his gasp and slowly turned her head back towards him. His eyes were wide and his mouth was hanging open. Snape had no idea what just happened, as he was unaware of Hermione's Phoenix animagus form. He shook his head and knew that he would have to file that one away for later because he was running out of time to do all that he wanted to do. He tried to sit Hermione up slightly and asked her to swallow the potions he brought. He had to use his fingers to open her mouth as he attempted to pour the potions in. Each potion trickled out the side of Hermione's mouth. She was unable to swallow. He laid her back down and applied several instant healing salves, followed by a few healing spells with his wand. They had no effect whatsoever. Snape was baffled, but knew what needed to be done. He leaned down to Hermione's ear and whispered. "Don't worry, Hermione. I am going to get you help…and get you out of here." Snape stood and swept out of the room.

Though the thought was in her head, she was unable to bring it to words: "Don't worry about me…just save my baby…"

"Ok." Arthur Weasley began – trying, unsuccessfully, to use his bravest voice possible. "Let's look at what we know. We know Malfoy took Morgaine. We know that Voldemort used Hermione's own magic against her – and by the looks of it…she is badly hurt." Molly and Minerva both lowered their heads, visualizing their loved one lying in a heap of ash and blood. "What we don't know," Arthur continued, "Is where she is…" The room was quiet as everyone was remembering what happened in Cornwall.

They were all startled out of their memories when they heard a deep voice say, "Perhaps I can be of some assistance in that regard." Everyone looked up to see Severus Snape standing before them.

"Severus…" Albus whispered. All eyes were laid expectantly on Snape.

"Miss Weasley…" Snape began. "…Is alive."

It sounded as though a hole had been poked into the room as everyone let out the breath that they were holding.

"Hold onto yourselves." Snape continued, sending waves of anxiety throughout the room. Snape turned his head to witness Cedric standing on an infirmary bed, looking up at the ceiling. "Lucious Malfoy used the Imperious Curse on Mister Diggory the day that she was confronted in the graveyard. Malfoy reported back to the Dark Lord of Hermione's growth in power, and instructed him to find a way to bring her to him. Lucious had to work twice as hard to keep hold of his curse, as Mister Diggory was apparently fighting against it quite valiantly." The others in the room looked at Cedric with sympathy and sadness – he did try to fight for Hermione...even if it meant sacrificing his own sanity. Snape went on, "The opportunity to lure Hermione only recently presented itself as Mister Diggory's mind began to deteriorate. While Hermione was searching for him and Morgaine, the Dark Lord sensed the intensity of her power – he knew that it had grown tenfold…to the point where she was able to travel in and out of wards as she pleased. He seeks to take that power from her. A task which will destroy her in the end."

"What have they done with her?" Albus asked.

"She has been taken to Malfoy Manor, and is lying in the center courtyard." Snape replied.

"Well that should be no problem then, if she is in the courtyard." Tonks said.

"It does pose a problem as the wards are not only up, but they have been strengthened." Snape answered back.

"What does she look like? And where is my grandchild?" Molly asked, wondering if she truly wanted to hear the answer.

"Morgaine is safe. She is under the constant watch of Narcissa Malfoy." Snape replied. "No one else is to come into contact with her, and she is not to be harmed in any way…until the Dark Lord can determine what powers she may possess. He intends to make some use of her."

"And Hermione?" Molly repeated.

Snape knew it would come to this as he replied, "She is gravely injured." Minerva and Molly held each other. "She is burned from head to toe to the point where she is unrecognizable." Tears began to flow. "I was ordered by the Dark Lord to begin healing Hermione so she will be strong enough for him to extract her powers…but…I have been unsuccessful in my attempts."

"What do you mean?" asked Albus.

"She is so swollen that she is unable to swallow – the potions came spilling out. The salves and the spells did not work…which is a first for me. However…something curious did happen." Snape said. "I don't even know how to properly explain it, but where Hermione's tears fell – it was as though they washed away the damage. They left her skin in those areas unblemished and well…normal."

"Phoenix tears have healing powers." Minerva whispered, still clutching onto Molly.

"I don't understand." Snape said.

Minerva's sad and tired face looked into Snape's as she informed him, "Hermione trained herself to be an animagus in only 2 weeks time." She paused and sighed. "Her animagus has taken the form of a Phoenix."

Snape was taken aback. He shook his head and whispered, "That…is not possible."

Minerva looked to Albus, who now took over. "It is completely unheard of, yes – and I would not have believed it to be possible had I not seen it for myself."

"It's true." Tonks chimed in, "she changed before our very eyes – all of ours."

"She has not been in control of her magic – highly unstable." Albus continued. "Her emotions have been fueling her power – and channeling volatile magic through her animagus traits…the use of fire and energy."

"Which is what the Dark Lord used against her…" Snape said. "Which is why I have been unable to heal her – it is unknown magic for a witch or wizard to possess. This is unknown territory." Snape thought for a moment before saying "If I can get a few of her tears into a vial, I may be able to work a potion which will heal her…but that will take time – and time is something she does not have. She needs help now." Snape looked intently at Minerva. "…she needs you."

Hermione felt light drops of rain tap her face…'as though the world itself is crying'. She opened her eyes and raised them to the sky as best she could. "I guess the wards don't protect against the elements." Hermione thought. Hermione drifted in and out, soothed by the sprinkle of cold rain upon her face. She cracked her eyes open once more and saw a peculiar sight. It was a vision of her mother – dressed all in white, yet transparent. She heard a voice whisper "Hermione." Her mind didn't even need to process it – she knew it was the voice of her mother. "Hermione. Look….see…" Hermione watched as her mother pointed to the sky. Her gaze followed the direction of her hand and she saw someone hovering above the trees on a broom. Hermione had trouble focusing her eyes, but she heard her mother's voice say "Stay strong, my poppet…she came for you."

Tears ran down Hermione's face. She knew she was hallucinating – her mother was dead and gone, and that could not be Minerva above her – there was no way past the wards. Hermione was sad and angry that her mind was betraying her with images of things she wanted the most.

What Hermione didn't know was that it really was Minerva hovering over the courtyard, and that a plan was hatched for her rescue. Minerva flew her broom over the courtyard at Malfoy Manor, hoping to get a look at Hermione before they put their plan into action. She flew over the wards and looked down through the trees until she saw Hermione – lying on her back with her knees bent and laying on their side. She was so burned that Minerva did not cry, but she mustered up the greatest amount of Gryffindor courage she had. She flew down to the front gates where she met up with Snape.

"Ready?" he asked.

Minerva sighed and said "As ready as I'll ever be…let's go." In a blink of an eye, Minerva was suddenly in her cat animagus form. Snape looked down at her and said, "You need to keep up." He then lifted his robes. The tabby cat nodded and crawled under the fabric, staying as close to his feet as possible – without him stepping on her. With a flick of his wand, the wards came down to allow him access. He strode up the walkway as the wards were resealed – the tiny cat keeping pace, hidden under his robes. It seemed as though they were walking for miles. Snape walked at a very fast past and Minerva could not see where they were going – she could only rely on the movements of Snape's feet and her own instinct. Soon they came to a halt, and Minerva heard an all too familiar velvety voice ask Snape if he was going to "attend to our guest". Snape replied that he was, and they became to move again. Minerva heard a heavy door creak open and soon she felt wet grass beneath her paws. Her heart leapt – they were in the courtyard and she was mere feet away from Hermione…from her love. The door closed behind them and Snape lifted his robes – indicating it safe for Minerva to go to Hermione. Minerva stepped out from under the fabric and gauged her surroundings. When she determined that it was safe, she sprinted towards Hermione. She slowed down when she was about 5 feet away, not wanting to startle her. Even at that distance, Minerva could hear her ragged breathing – a chilling sound that reminded her of when she was so close to death after being attacked in the dungeons. Minerva changed into her human form and looked back at Severus. He nodded and said, "I will keep watch, but if I signal you, you need to transform and hide in one of the trees."

Minerva cared not about the Death Eaters. "Let them come." She said. "If they want an apocalypse, then I'll give them one." Minerva of course, would never put Hermione in any more danger than she was already in – but if they failed and it did turn into a firefight, then she was going to go out in a blaze – bringing as many of them with her as possible.

Minerva approached Hermione got down on her hands and knees. Hermione sensed someone and opened her eyes into little slits. She didn't believe what was before her – she knew she was hallucinating – she had to be.

"You're everywhere to me, and when I catch my breath – it's you I breathe. You're everything that makes me believe I'm not alone."

"Hermione. My, God." Minerva whispered as she picked up one of Hermione's limp hands. Hermione's heart momentarily stopped – was this not a hallucination after all? Hermione slowly turned her head to face Minerva, as she asked "Hermione, can you hear me?" Starting with her pinky finger, Hermione closed her hand around Minerva's – one finger at a time, then squeezed lightly. Tears fell from Minerva's face and onto Hermione's. She kissed them away lightly – so as not to hurt her, but to let her know how glad she was that they were together again. "Hermione." Minerva whispered, "I said I will always find you. Listen to me, I am going to get you out of here – we are going to get you home." Tears streamed down Hermione's face, leaving trails of unblemished skin in their wake. Slowly her eyes began to roll back as unconsciousness took her once more. She could finally rest, for she was found. "Hermione?" Minerva whispered, but it was obvious that she had passed out. Minerva fumbled through her robes and withdrew a vial. She uncorked it and held it against Hermione's cheek – allowing as many tears as possible to fill it. When she got as many as she could, Minerva corked the vial and tossed it to Severus – who caught it and put it in the pockets of his robes.

Taking a deep breath, Minerva whispered "Dobby." He appeared no more than one second later. Minerva was relieved that it worked. They hatched the plan back at Hogwarts to use the Death Eaters own tactics against them. They got into Hogwarts through a house elf, maybe they were just as careless to not put the house elf ward against their own headquarters. Even if it had not worked, Minerva made the decision that she would not leave Hermione no matter what. Luckily, it did work. "Dobby, we need to get back to Hogwarts – to my private chambers – then you are to come back for Morgaine. Severus said she is in the south-west corner of the house, in the master bedroom."

"Yes, Dobby knows where it is. Dobby was enslaved here for many years." Dobby said. He took one of Minerva's hands, and one of Hermione's – and before they knew it, they were in Minerva's private chambers – in her bed. There were others in the room, the Weasleys, Albus, Tonks, Remus, Poppy, Harry and Ron. In a blink of an eye, Dobby was gone once more.

Severus was counting in his head – he had to time things perfectly to avoid implication. After the count of ten, he emerged from the courtyard and in a panic, asked "Why may I ask is Miss. Weasley no longer in the courtyard?" Voldemort snapped his head towards Snape as Narcissa came rushing into the room screaming "Dobby just apparated in and took the baby!" Voldemort pounded the table and screamed "NO!"

The second that Hermione and Minerva appeared upon the bed, Molly Weasley rushed forward and cried out. She wanted nothing more than to scoop up her daughter and hold her, but Hermione was so burned and bloodied that she didn't want to hurt her more. "Oh, my poor sweet girl!' She cried. Arthur came over and put his arm around his wife as they watched Minerva and Poppy start to arrange Hermione into a position for healing. Five seconds later, Dobby reappeared with a screaming Morgaine in his arms. "My grandbaby!" Molly cried. She knelt down and received the tiny bundle from Dobby. "Thank you Dobby, you are a true hero." Dobby blushed and said "Dobby has been called many things, but Dobby has never been called that!" Dobby bowed and said "If you require any further assistance from Dobby, please call."

"We will, Dobby – thank you." Albus replied before Dobby apparated away. "Alright, I think we should give Poppy some room to work, let us go into the sitting room." Albus said as he exited the room. Arthur, Harry, Ron, Tonks, and Remus kissed Hermione lightly on the forehead – each whispering their own words of encouragement to her before leaving the room. Molly, on the other hand, had no intention of leaving her child. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, lightly stroking Hermione's face with the back of her hand.

"Molly, we're running out of time, we need to get started." Poppy said.

Molly nodded and stepped back. She sat down in an armchair across the room – wrapping herself in a blanket. "Can we not call Rhea and Apollo in on this as well?" Molly asked.

Poppy shook her head. "Hermione doesn't have that kind of time. Her wounds are also rejecting potions and salves – this is our best bet." Poppy handed Minerva a sleeping draught. She downed it in one gulp. "Minerva, you know what to do." Poppy said. Minerva nodded and began to disrobe. She crawled under the flat sheet that Poppy was holding up and moved close to Hermione, waiting for Poppy to maneuver them into position. Hermione was burned so badly that Minerva could feel heat radiating from her body, it was frightening. "Ok, here we go." Said Poppy as she began to intertwine limbs – pressing their bodies against one another. There was no need to dress Hermione down as her clothes were burned away.

Minerva began to feel herself drift away, but not before she heard Molly ask, "Minerva?" She raised her head to look at Molly, who continued "Find her. Bring her home." Minerva nodded and laid her head back down against Hermione's throat. Seconds later, she was asleep. The next thing she knew, she was awake again. Eight hours had passed, yet it felt like two seconds. Minerva sat up and rubbed her face. "What happened?" She asked in a groggy voice.

"I don't know." Poppy replied, shaking her head. "She is still asleep." Minerva looked over at Hermione. The areas where they were touching had healed only faintly – very different from the last time she healed her. "Were you able to reach her?" Poppy asked.

"Apparently not." Minerva replied.

"Well, at least we know that you are able to heal her – albeit very little – it is still healing nonetheless." Poppy said. "Severus is working on a potion using her tears, and until it is ready – we just have to keep trying to get through.

Three more nights passed, and though Hermione was gradually healing at the contact points, Minerva was still unable to enter Hermione's mind to use the most powerful heal to bring her home. "It feels as though she is resisting me." Minerva said. "There was one moment where I thought I was about to enter, but there was some sort of barrier – preventing me entry."

"Well." Poppy began. "You yourself said that she is now aware of your connection. Maybe she is intentionally stopping you. Maybe she doesn't want to be healed. It wouldn't be the first time."

"How could she be so selfish?" Minerva whispered.

"Selfish?" Poppy asked, shaking her head. "We're the ones who can't let her go because we would miss her too much – and you call her selfish?" Poppy put her hand on Minerva's shoulder and looked over towards Molly. "I know you don't want to hear it, but we are in the same position we were in 10 months ago – maybe it is time to let go."

"How could you even suggest that to me?" Molly asked quietly.

Poppy crossed the room and knelt down in front of Molly. "Because part of my job is to say the things that other people can't. Hermione is very sick – a victim of magic that we have no experience with…her magic. Maybe there is a reason why we keep having to bring her back – maybe it isn't supposed to happen that way. After the events of this past year, I have to ask you – when is enough going to be enough, Molly?"

"When something like this happens, I pray very hard to make heads or tails of it. I think in her case she just wanted to take care of that baby, of you, or everyone she knew…and her poor body was just worn out. It wouldn't let her do everything she wanted to – so she went to a place where she could be a guardian angel. She will always be young. She will always be beautiful, and personally I feel much safer knowing she's up there on my side."

"No." Minerva said, still looking down at Hermione.

"No, what?" Poppy asked, confused.

"You said that in order for me to heal Hermione, she would have to be 100% willing to receive me. Whether it was on a conscious or subconscious/unconscious level." Minerva said. "If she didn't want to come back, then the contact heals wouldn't even be working – but look…they are."

"What are you saying?" Poppy asked.

"Well," Minerva continued. "You said that this is unknown magic – we are all walking blind right now. Maybe Hermione is so lost that she just needs a little extra help back." Minerva left the room and returned a few moments later with Morgaine. She sat on the bed and held Morgaine's hand up to Hermione's face as she whispered. "I know you can hear me, lamb. I promise that we won't quit until you give us a sign that you are ready to, but I don't think you are fully ready to give in just yet. Listen to me, your baby is here. Feel her. She wants you to come home. She wants you to open your eyes and look at her."

Molly looked on, tears forming in her eyes.

Minerva continued to stroke Hermione's face with Morgaine's hand. Morgaine began to fuss and make tiny baby noises. "Do you hear her? She is calling to you. Follow her voice, she wants to help you find your way out. She wants you to hold her. She needs you to take care of her." Minerva bent down and whispered close to Hermione's ear, "Remember that mother is God in the eyes of a child. We all need our mothers." Minerva handed Morgaine off to Molly and asked her to stay, that maybe having Morgaine near would help. She drank the sleeping draught and undressed once more. She crawled under the sheet and allowed Poppy to position her just as she had the past three nights. Soon Minerva felt the effects of the draught, and she fell asleep. This time was different. She felt that she was aware, but she was not awake in her bed. She was in the same dark room she was in many months ago. She could sense Hermione was close – just as she had been before. Minerva's heart skipped a beat and she smiled. She stepped forward, but found herself unable to move past a barrier. Though she was able to enter Hermione's mind now, she still found herself blocked by something. "Hermione?" Minerva asked of the darkness.

A few moments passed before she heard a small voice say, "I know you're here."

Minerva was just relieved to hear Hermione speak. She replied, "Why will you not let me come to you, lamb?" No reply. Minerva made several more attempts to get Hermione to let her pass through the barrier, to no avail.

"This is too much." Hermione whispered. "Just when you think you can go no further into the darkness, a new layer is revealed. I have been left in ruins time and time again…"

"Ruin is the road to transformation, my poppet." A soft voice replied.

Minerva's heart momentarily stopped. There was someone else in there with them. Suddenly there was a bright white light at the opposite end of the room. Minerva could vaguely make out the shape of a woman, but was unable to see her face. Hermione slowly turned her head in the direction of the light. "Are you an angel? Have you come to take me home?"

"No. Not an angel, poppet." The woman said as she stepped out of the blinding light. She was tall, had long, brown hair, and was in a floor length, shimmering white gown.

"No. Not an angel." Hermione whispered. "You are a goddess." Tears slipped from Hermione's eyes as she looked upon the heavenly image of her mother.

"Not a goddess, either – but a lioness. You may be my cub, but you are a lioness now, yourself – with a cub of your own who needs your protection. And I have not come to take you away." Her mother said, "I have come to help her bring you back home." She pointed into the shadows and Minerva suddenly felt that she was now able to move forward. Hermione turned her head in the direction her mother was pointing and she saw Minerva step out of the shadows. Minerva wasted no time, she dropped to her knees and began placing her hands on Hermione to begin healing.

"If you want to, I can save you - I can take you away from here. So lonely inside, so busy out there - and all you wanted was somebody who cares."

Hermione's mother continued. "You've wondered 'why', after all that has happened – why you are still here. It is simple, my poppet. Your time has not yet come – you have not yet fulfilled your purpose. Do not fear your powers. They do not come from a place of hate, fear, and despair as others may believe. People feel your anger, but that is not where your powers lie – they lie in love…given to you at a time when they would most be needed. They were given to you to protect and to lead…to do what you were put on this earth to do…"

"And what was I put here to do, mother?" Hermione asked.

"To stand up and face down the same evil that has plagued the world for years…to defeat it. You were put here to lead others into battle – others who will be completely lost without you. You were also put here to be a friend, a brother, a sister, a daughter, a lover (Hermione's mother's gaze shifted momentarily to Minerva)…and a mother. Morgaine was given to you at a time when we believed you were ready to quit. To save you. She was given to you so that you wouldn't give in…to give you strength – so you would come back and end this madness once and for all."

Hermione felt warmth all over her body – but it was not painful, she could feel the healing taking place. Her mother moved a little closer and said, "There is a higher purpose, my poppet. But it does not involve you moving on right now. It involves you making use of your gifts. The time to rally the troops is close at hand, and you will be needed. Do not waste what we have given you to help fight this war by giving in. You and your gifts will be needed by your family and friends – but if you choose to follow me now, then believe me when I say that the world will fall into darkness, taking your daughter along with it. She needs you now and no one but you can save her."

Hermione felt Minerva remove her hands and she sat up. She was healed. She stood and faced her mother. "I miss you so much. I love you so much – why were you taken away from me?" Hermione did not move closer to her mother, but she was shocked when her mother approached and enveloped her into a corporeal hug. Hermione could hardly stand – she never imagined that she would be able to touch her mother again. "This is a gift too…" Her mother whispered, squeezing her child. Hermione's breath was taken away as she sobbed into her mother's robes. 'God, it even smells like her!' Hermione thought as she inhaled the scent of lavender. "I was taken from you so that one day I would be able to save you…so that you would be able to save others…that day has come."

Hermione held her mother at arms length, trying to memorize everything about her.

"I have been behind you the entire way." Hermione's mother continued. "And I will be behind you all the way to the end – but today is not that day. We all have our parts to play, my poppet – and this is yours. I must play mine from a distance, but it has still been crucial nonetheless. Remember, the new powers we have given you are a gift, not a curse – that is why they have been unstable. Look at them as coming from a place of love, not rage – and you will gain control." She placed a gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead and hugged her tightly once more, whispering how much she loved her. She began to back away into the light as she said, "I am so proud of the woman you have become, and I will never leave your side."

In a flash, Hermione's mother was gone. Instead of feeling sad, Hermione felt more light-hearted than she had in years. She had a new-found sense of determination, a renewed strength, a new purpose, and a new life. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She turned into the tight embrace of her earthly lioness and squeezed hard. She pulled back and kissed her strongly on the lips. Minerva was taken aback at first – not expecting this reaction, but she welcomed it nonetheless. She raised her hands and held Hermione's face as they kissed – Hermione's hands roaming over Minerva's back. They pulled away and touched foreheads. "You came for me." Hermione whispered with a half smile.

Minerva chuckled and said "How I long for the day when you don't have to say that anymore."

Hermione smiled and ran her hand over Minerva's hair. "I think that day may be here…" she whispered. "Minerva?"

"Yes, lamb?" Minerva replied.

"Take me home."

TBC! PLEASE REVIEW!