We Need To Talk

Hermione had been training for weeks. Her belly began to grow. Since the discovery of Igraine's protection, all of those connected to her felt as though they could finally breathe. For the moment anyway.

Her training with Narcissa was proving to be useful. Hermione had almost perfected control over her magic. Minerva went to sleep without her, and woke the next day alone as well, knowing that Hermione was working as hard as she could. Hermione and Minerva both knew what was at stake.

It was on the exact day of Hermione's fifth month of pregnancy in which Minerva sat by the fire in her sitting room. She had a glass of fire whiskey in her hand, but her eyes were focused on the flames before her – as though she were seeing right through them. Her focus shifted when she heard Hermione enter the room. When she looked at the clock, she saw that an entire hour had gone by, without her knowing it. With the unemptied glass of fire whiskey still in hand, she downed it in one gulp. Hermione gave her a curious look. Minerva stood from the sofa, took Hermione by the hand, and led her to the bedroom. The only thing she said was "We need to talk."

Hermione's heart jumped. Anytime anyone says "we need to talk", can never be could. She did, however, take Minerva's hand and follow her into the bedroom, shutting the door behind them….

"She's late." Narcissa grumbled. She had been waiting for Hermione for over an hour in order to train. As soon as the words left her lips, Hermione entered the room. Narcissa could not place it, but something had changed about Hermione's presence. Hermione seemed self-confident, yet at the same time afraid.

"What, pray tell, has kept you from your typical punctuality?" Narcissa asked.

Hermione, her eyes dark as stone, approached Narcissa and simply said, "We need to talk. It is time to send a message."

"When life leaves you high and dry, I'll be at your door tonight if you need help – if you need help. I'll shut down the city lights, I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe to make you well, to make you well. When enemies are at your door, I'll carry you away from war if you need help, if you need help. Your hope dangling by a string, I'll share in your suffering to make you well, to make you well. And I would do it for you, for you. I'm not moving on, I'll love you long after you're gone – for you. (Philip Philips)

They never thought it would come to this. No. They thought that they would be able to sit down and breathe for once. They thought that they would raise their children with delight, that they would never deny them of any type of pain, or sadness. No. They trusted their children. After seeing vision after vision, dream after dream, they knew what had to be done. They stood, fingers interlaced. Waiting. They knew it would not be long.

It was for the greater good. It was so they could finally finish this endless war against not only good magic, but humanity as well. Still as stone, they waited. Both of them resolved in their choices. Not only as individuals, but as a pair…lovers, wives, and mates. Their hands gripped each other's so tightly, it was as though they were one.

And then it happened.

Flashes of light. Popping sounds from left to right. They gripped each other's hands. Knowing how this would end.

Spells swirled around them both, yet they did not resist.

Hermione felt herself falling away, yet she closed her eyes and thought through the training that she went through the past few months. She remained grounded, with a flicker of a smile across her lips.

Suddenly she felt a hiss against her ear. "You foolish child." He whispered.

Hermione stood. She had no sense of time…Minerva. But that was not her current concern.

Suddenly, she felt many arms around her, yet she did not resist.

After some commotion – which Hermione had been trained to resist…she came face to face with the one person who could send Hermione to her knees.

Before her was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was not only her wife or lover…she was the mother of her children.

"I think it may be time for you two to say goodbye." Lucius hissed.

Hermione looked desperately into Minerva's eyes. They were saddened, yet an understanding occurred between the both of them.

They were face to face. Sweat poured from Hermione's brow as she locked eyes with the person being restrained in front of her. Hermione twisted and screamed, threatened and swore. It was only met with amused laughter.

Then there it was. It was one of those moments that everyone wishes to have at least once in their lives. When you focus in on another person's eyes, and the whole world falls away. Nothing exists but the 2 of you. There is no sound. No distraction. No earth tethering you to the ground. Except this time. For this was one of those moments that no one wants to have. A moment that no one should have. The moment where time is running short, and a decision needs to be made…fast. There is no time for thinking things through. There is no time for logic. The only thing that you can rely on is pure instinct, and the trust that you have for yourself…and possibly the person who is standing right across from you…You feel as though you are standing at the edge of a great precipice, and a choice must be made.

You lock eyes. There are no tears. No thoughts. Everything that needs to be said is through that one last look. Emerald to brown. There is a nod from one to the other. Eyes close, and there is a flash of light…

Slumped bodies and an understanding. This was all for the greater good…

Yet somehow she awakens.hH