Severus rolled his eyes and let Andromeda play. The witch had elevated the power of suggestion to an art form. Even Lily's incessant screeching about right and wrong didn't detract from Andromeda's brilliance.

She took those bloody fools apart with mere suggestion. A few questions, a pointed observation and they were begging for their lives when she hadn't yet let a single curse fly.

"Send a patronus, Mr. Sniggledown." Severus smirked at the younger wizard. The boy had been a disaster in potions his first year. It was remarkable that he'd managed to become an auror. "I imagine Kingsley will be about somewhere. I think I might enjoy a tête-à-tête with the wizard."

Ignoring their spectral company was a bit like having a migraine and being forced to teach a class of Longbottoms to brew something complicated. Severus considered the group as they argued and Lily yelled at Andromeda as if the living witch could hear her. He didn't care for the idea of them following him about for the rest of his life. Sirius Black was arguing with his brother in hushed tones, but their wild arm motions were distracting. The Prewett twins were settled against a wall with Fred Weasley. The three of them were watching Andromeda with keen appreciation.

"It's good to see her be herself." Edward Tonks sat beside him. "She was so lost after they tossed her out of that insane family."

Severus nodded. He didn't want to discuss the Blacks. It never boded well for those that did.

"We missed you after that witch pulled you up through the water." The spirit shifted as if he was relieving the pressure on a sore joint. "I guess the Fates aren't done with you, yet."

Harry watched as Ginny ranted and raved, and he felt guilty for hurting her. Waiting for Arthur to get Bill left her time to vent, and she didn't seem to be open to any ideas outside of her own. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Wading into a fight with a Weasley was no simple thing. Engaging an angry Ginny was like playing with an angry dragon, but he had no choice.

"Gin, Ron isn't being hurt. They've been fairly decent about it." Harry met her angry gaze. "But, Hermione is in bad shape. Whatever he gave her might kill her. He admitted to doing it."

"He should be in a Ministry cell." Ginny grabbed his hands. "They aren't going to let him walk free. This was an accident. He shouldn't be punished for a mistake."

"We've been letting him get away with things for far too long." Harry squeezed her fingers gently. "He lets his temper rule him most of the time, he's biased against anyone he considers dark, and he thinks Hermione is his. It isn't healthy. If we hadn't indulged him and protected him, he might not be here now."

"He was trying to save her from the Malfoys." Ginny broke away from him and took two steps back. "Maybe he went about it the wrong way, but how could that be a bad thing? Malfoy nearly killed me."

"He has no idea what it was. I've watched the memory of his questioning under veritaserum multiple times." Harry took a step closer to her. "I'm not saying he's a good man, but his daughter is in a coma because of Ron's actions. You don't have to like him, but try to see what's actually happening here."

"You sound like Kingsley and Dad." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and planted her hands firmly on her hips. "No one wants to help Ron."

"I'm not sure they can." Harry frowned. "This isn't like the war. They aren't using spells. This isn't the magic we've been trained to use."

"And you want to take another one of my brothers into that mess." Ginny gestured toward the odd dome. "What if I lose all of you? What if that monster ruins all our lives?"

Draco was losing what little patience he had left when the older wizard settled beside him. He ignored the other man while he examined the chaos around him. The room was growing larger with each pulse of his father's magic. Chairs and couches grew up from the dark marble. Plants grew up the walls and a large pond was covered with glowing blue flowers. It was amazing, but it wasn't saving Hermione.

"Your sister is strong." The old man sat back on the couch. "If there is a way back, she will make it."

"How long does she have?" Draco looked at the man from the side of his eyes. "I need to know because none of this makes sense. This doesn't feel normal, and I can feel it all pulling at me. I just want my sister back. I want my family safe."

"Your feelings are natural. They're normal, even. It is hard to deal with illness at any time, and this is not expected. The pull you feel is normal for you. You've been touched by deep magic. The light and the dark are not opposite at their base. They are magic. We call them names and give labels to them, but those names and labels are ours. Magic does not need them." Hernán flicked his fingers and butterflies made of light appeared and flew in lazy circles through the air. "Your sister has done things others cannot imagine. She has surrendered herself to magic. Her faith is that strong. Ours must be equally strong now."

"Think about the great legends. Those witches and wizards suffered and fought. They made their way into history triumphantly. My daughter will do the same." His mother stroked Hermione's brow with a damp cloth and looked over at him. "She joined our family and reignited our joy. She found a way to free you and your father from chains. She brought back Severus. She will not fall to that piddling wizard's stupid potion."

"I know she's amazing and strong and a million other wonderful things, but how is any of this helping her?" Draco looked between his mother and the old wizard. "Why aren't we calling in every healer in the country? Why isn't there something to do?"

"The waiting is the hardest part, Draco." Astoria leaned against him. "Remember that cave. She took you there because she had faith that it would help you. We have to believe that this will help her."

Draco watched a fluorescent butterfly land in his fiancée's hair and nodded his head. Magic protected it's own. He looked over at Hermione's still body and remembered the joy of cuddling with her against her hippogriff. He couldn't imagine his life without her now. Some magic was simple and some was grand. He closed his eyes and prayed.

Kingsley Shacklebolt watched as his honor guard rushed forward without listening. The two junior aurors sobbing on the ground had roused their ire, and they were caught in the grips of it.

Severus Snape stood perfectly still as the aurors rushed toward him, and Kingsley sighed.

"This isn't going to be pretty." Kingsley rolled his eyes as the fools went about protecting him. They were well and truly caught. Severus looked bored and waved his hand. The space between them filled with ghosts. Very recognizable ghosts. Kingsley blinked as Tonks waved at him before firing off a pastel colored hex at one of his team.

All the ghosts were firing off curses. They didn't have the same bright flare of light to which he was accustomed, but they were effective. He watched as his guards' curses were absorbed by the spirits. They didn't falter. If anything, they seemed to grow stronger.

Then he saw her. Her hair was braided into a coronet and her robes were traditional. She'd sworn that presenting a proper image to the students was necessary as she did not have the age or gravitas of the other professors.

"Septima." Kingsley scrambled towards her. Stepping over his own men to gain her side, he ignored the fact that the brief skirmish was over. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Kings." She brushed her fingers along his cheek, and he felt the chill of it shudder through him. "I've missed you."

"You were supposed to be safe in your tower, studying your numbers and teaching your students." Kings slid to his knees before her. "I wasn't meant to bury you."

"They were my students. I saved as many as I could." Septima swirled down to sit beside him. "I wished I'd said yes the last time you asked right before the curse hit. I was so sad to leave you behind."

"I looked for you with the ghosts." Kingsley frowned when his hand sunk through hers to occupy the same space on the ground. "Why didn't you show yourself?"

"I'm not a ghost. I'm a spirit that's been called back. I'm here because Severus called. The same as the others." She looked around them. "The deep magics are rising, Kings. You shouldn't stand in their way."

"I'm not, but this is getting hard to conceal. The muggle government isn't all that pleased with us to begin with. I'm trying to find a way to help." Kingsley looked around at his men. They were all stupefied. "My guard was a bit overzealous."

"If this is your guard, ya need to do better." Moody growled at him. "This lot is pathetic."

"We are short on manpower." Kingsley looked over at his mentor. "I've been attempting to train them up in my spare time."

"Well, you've failed." Moody snarled and glared at an insensate guard. "Rushing in, no thought, no care."

"Constant Vigilance." Tonks and Remus chimed in and broke into laughter.

"The reunions need to wait." Ted Tonks shook his head. "The living have matters to discuss."

"Ted." Andromeda reached out to him.

"I'm not going anywhere, but time may not be our friend."

"I did ask for the meeting." Severus stepped forward with his robes billowing out behind him. "Can we dispense with the social niceties?"

Bill Weasley followed Harry through the unbearable darkness. He knew his sister was beside herself, but he understood the necessity of his presence. It didn't make walking through the black marble halls comforting.

"I don't remember this place being quite so dark." Bill flinched as his own voice bounced back at him from the highly polished stone.

"Lucius did it. I don't think he meant to change anything, but he's glowing now." Harry slowed down and fell in step beside Bill. "Things are weird in the room. Don't be surprised, or, at least, don't show it. The elves are terrifying all by themselves, but Lucius is beyond that. They all are."

"Why are you helping them?" Bill glanced over at Harry. "It would make more sense for you to be with Kingsley."

"Hermione isn't doing well. I don't know what Ron fed her. I don't know what's going on, but I won't fail her again." Harry took a deep breath. "I've been a bad friend to both of them. I ignored Hermione while I indulged and protected Ron."

"We all make mistakes, Harry." Bill frowned. "I haven't been the greatest friend either. She started traveling and I didn't communicate with her much. I let her go."

"I think we all did." Harry rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. "Hermione always had a plan. I have to believe this is all part of that. She put her faith in her new family, so I'm trying to do the same. Just remember they're not keen on anything Weasley on a good day."

Bill blinked as Harry opened the door and led him into the heart of chaos.

Author's Note

This story is about healing. As a person with a chronic health issue, I have become very aware of the ebb and flow of my own faith. There are times when the fear of leaving my loved ones behind beats me down. I worry about their suffering and what I will leave them with. My faith gets me through the tough times.

I hope that you all are well and enjoying the story. I don't imagine that we all believe exactly the same things, but if you could find it within yourself to put your faith out into the world in whatever way suits you, I would be thankful.

I have to thank my beloved sister, Trinkisme. She helps keep me steady on my course with her boundless love and generous spirit. I also need to Daswhoiam for filling my days with humor and Well fit Wednesday pictures. I owe a special thanks to Bpicard9. Severus, Kingsley, and Bill were being uncooperative until we bounced around our ideas. This chapter and the next are both better for our exchanges.

Let me know what you think. Does everyone like fluorescent butterflies?

-Anna