Can it be done?
One month prior…
"We need to talk." Minerva said as she led Hermione into their bedroom. Minerva sat on the bed and sighed.
"This can't be good." Hermione said, kneeling before Minerva.
"That's just it. I'm not sure." Minerva replied.
"Alright…" Hermione said tentatively, as she sat next to her wife on the bed.
"I have been thinking. And I am not sure that this will be enough. I'm not sure that this training will be enough to fight off not only the Dark Lord, but his death eaters as well." Minerva sighed.
"I don't know what else we can do." Replied Hermione. "It's not exactly like we have people signing up to join us. Everyone is terrified. You can see it in their eyes, and hear it in their voices. Even the hardiest auror's are doubting themselves."
"That is exactly what I mean." Minerva said, turning to face Hermione. "The things that have been done in the past have only kept the darkness at bay. It inevitably comes back. People are weary, and beginning to realize how predictable our actions have been to the Dark Lord. He and his death eaters know what is going to happen before we even strike."
"Then what are you suggesting?" Hermione asked curiously.
Minerva sighed. "We need to try something new. Your magic has been new, uncharted territory. Not even the Dark Lord knows the extent of your powers – just like us." Minerva stood and looked out the window, resting her hand upon the stone. "I think it is time to test this power."
Hermione, panicked, stood and said. "No. Minerva know." Minerva turned to face her. "I am still learning how to control myself. If we begin to experiment, I could easily go off the deep end again. I still feel like I have no idea what I am doing."
Minerva crossed the room. "That is exactly the point. We don't know. We don't know what you can do. We may be able to tap into powers separate from the ones we have been currently dealing with. Wand to wand combat is not the only form of magic."
"I don't understand." Hermione replied.
Once again, Minerva sat on the bed and said. "I have been speaking with Albus and Severus. We have been researching every bit of knowledge that we can get our hands on, when the realization finally hit us."
Hermione looked at Minerva expectantly.
Minerva continued on, becoming excited. "We have been going about this the wrong way. It isn't just all about you. We have been given visions and dreams – by our children. They have been guiding us every step of the way – even reaching so far as to protect you from the womb. That has to mean something."
Hermione suddenly became suspicious. "You want me to use my children?!"
"Of course not! No." Minerva exclaimed, "They want us to use them."
Hermione's eyes narrowed as Minerva explained her theory. "We believe that everything happens for a reason, right?" Hermione nodded. "Your mother said that you were given Morgaine and Igraine at the moments when they would both be needed the most. Think about it. Think about how our girls have been guiding us. They have a part to play in this as well – they have already been playing a part." Minerva tried to read Hermione's face, looking for some type of reaction the never came. She continued, "Our girls have been showing us the signs that they are in this with us, we have just failed to read them."
Hermione turned away, overwhelmed by the conversation that they were having. How could Minerva even think of putting their girls into danger…well, more danger than they have already been in.
"I'm not asking you for anything right now. I just wanted to give you something to think about." Minerva said.
Hermione nodded, and silently got herself ready for bed. They both laid side by side, with Minerva running her hand over Hermione's belly – as she has done every night since they learned of her pregnancy. A faint glow appeared and Hermione sighed. This was Igraine's way of telling her to relax. Something happened this night though, that had not happened before. When Minerva pulled her hand away, it glowed even brighter than Hermione's belly. The light traveled down Minerva's arm and all over her body, until she was glowing. Minerva felt an overwhelming sense of calm, and a sudden feeling that everything was going to turn out all right. The two women looked at each other in amazement. Hermione whispered, "What can this mean?"
"I don't know." Minerva whispered back. Suddenly they were both overcome by drowsiness and could keep their eyes open no longer. They both began to dream. What was different this time, is that they sharing the same dream. They were sitting across from one another in the sitting room – aware they were dreaming, aware that they were there together. Confusion crossed their faces before they heard footsteps approaching. It was the Morgaine they had seen in their other visions, along with Igraine. All four women in the family grinned at one another.
"Hello my darlings." Hermione began. "It is wonderful to see you, but why are we here?"
Igraine sat next to Hermione and explained. "Mother is right. Something needs to be done, and we are to be a part of it. Why else have we led you all this way?"
"I couldn't bear to see you hurt." Hermione replied.
Igraine grinned. "In case you haven't noticed, we are sort of indestructible at the moment. But the months are flying by, and when I am born, everything will change. We need to send a message."
"What type of message?" Minerva asked.
"One that lets everyone in the dark world of magic know that the tides have turned. We will no longer wait on the defensive. We will seek them out and show them what we can do." Morgaine replied.
"Sometimes you have to stop running, turn around, and face whoever it is that wants you dead."
"We don't have that kind of force." Hermione said.
"Power doesn't rely on numbers." Igraine replied. "Sometimes all it takes is a little strategy to tip the scales."
"So what do we do?" Asked Hermione.
"We can't outright tell you." Morgaine said, "That is something you have to work out for yourselves." Hermione's face dropped. "However." Morgaine continued, "Igraine must be utilized. And what I can tell you is that you need to look back. Remember the past. Remember the sacrifices that have been made. Remember how sacrifice has been a key element in your relationship since day one. Think hard. It is time to send them a message." The girls rose, kissed their mothers, and in a blink of an eye, the two women awakened.
They both remained motionless. Each of them racking their brains. And suddenly it hit Minerva like a ton of bricks. She recalled them in the infirmary. They were holding each other's hands, gazing into each other's eyes. She recalled Poppy's explanation for Minerva's ability to heal Hermione. She said a sacrifice had to be made. Each woman had to be entirely willing to give and receive each other's magic. It appeared as though Hermione came to the same realization as Minerva. Her breath hitched as she recalled the flow of light that traveled up Minerva's arm the night before. Was Igraine giving them a message? So many thoughts were running through their minds, they didn't even know where to begin with processing it all. The only words that were able to come out of Hermione's mouth were, "Can it be done?"