Power. A single, two syllables, five letter word that has caused so much damage than one could count. Throughout the centuries, ever since the human evolved, 'power' played a dominant role in different forms and ways. Every epic battle ever fought on Earth centred on the very word.
Even her father, Niklaus Mikaelson fought for the very word that he was preparing to fight against. Her father was a great man, who has seen both good and bad side of men. He had seen the good and bad days of his life. Though the centuries of existence taught him the real meaning of power, he killed fiercely to acquire it in his earlier years.
He was the world's deadliest Immortal. Many tried to kill him, many serve him and many ignore him. He was defined in many ways, but none were true. People believe that Niklaus Mikaelson was a heartless monster, who killed mercilessly. But that was not true. He was a wise man, shaped by the years he passed, atrocities he saw. He killed only when his family was threatened.
Hermione has known from the beginning that she was adopted. Her parents, the Grangers, told the truth to her the day before Professor McGonagall visited her, to give her the letter of Hogwarts and explain about her magic. But what the old professor did not count on was the acceptance of the Grangers.
The week after that, she met her birth parents, Niklaus Mikaelson and Hayley Marshall, in New Orleans, where her father ruled the French Quarter, the Supernatural Hub, alongside her Step-Mother. They were very happy to see her, but took her back to London before his siblings could see her. When she asked why he gave her to adoption, he said that she was not safe with them. He said that he gave her to the Grangers, the family that has been loyal to him for centuries, in order to hide her existence until the time was right. He then compelled her to forget everything at left her at her home.
From then on, Niklaus, Caroline, Hayley, Arabelle and Damon would visit her every summer. They would spend about a month in the Mikaelson Castle. Her aunt would teach her magic of the nature, her Father would give her Art and fencing lessons, her Momma would teach her about werewolves, her Mom would take her to shopping, her Uncle would teach her about vampires, her Cousin would give her lessons about 'How to run your Supernatural Kingdom', which in her opinion was very interesting.
Then at the end of the month, they would simply compel her to forget them and leave her at her home. That was the reason why could never share her summer adventures with her friends.
Unlike her Father, Hope was a born Hybrid. Vampire/Werewolf/Witch Hybrid. When she was born and they had to hide her, they were afraid that her vampire and werewolf side might give her out. So her supernatural sides were suppressed by a very powerful spell that her Aunt Arabelle wrote. But unlike her parents, Hope was not bound by blood. Unlike them she didn't have to kill to trigger her werewolf curse. She was simply born with it. That was why the spell was placed on her. So she wouldn't turn whenever she felt like it.
Lucius Malfoy was right. She must have been in Slytherin. Of course, the sorting hat gave her three choices. Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin. She naturally chose Gryffindor. Now she knew why, the fierce loyalty among her father and his siblings was the reason why she has the same bond with Harry and Ronald. And that was the reason she has more Gryffindor in her than Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
Someone cleared their throat from her right. Only then did she realise that her best friends were sitting on her either side, looking at her warily. Hermione grimaced. It was going to be one hell of a story to explain. But they have no time. They have a Dark Lord to kill.
"Hermione..." Harry started carefully but hesitantly.
Hermione raised her right eyebrow, just like she remembered Uncle Damon did once. "Yes?"
"You know" Ron said, "It is really very weird"
Harry continued, "And you have a lot of explaining to do"
"But we are not going to press it" Ron continued.
"Wait" Hermione said with a chuckle, "From when did you become Fred-George v2.0?"
"Huh?" Ron said, obviously confused.
"Well" Harry said, "We are not v2.0 of Fred and George per se."
"But you just happen to continue each other's lines?" Hermione asked, amused with their unease predicament. "Listen boys, I am the same Hermione you both knew for seven years. But simply improvised"
Harry and Ron gave her a hesitant smile.
"You are both right. I have a lot of explaining to do. But this is not the time. We have a war to win, after all" Hermione said.
"Right you are, Hope" someone said from behind. Hermione turned to see her Uncle Stefan standing there with a smile. His hands were stuffed in his pockets. "Damon just went to bring the Order here. We have lot to discuss. In the mean time, your Mothers and Aunt Bekah wants to do whatever they want to do"
"What exactly is that?" Hermione asked.
"Well, if you are asking about the former, the answer is strategy. But if you are asking about the latter, the answer is I don't know" Stefan said. He walked little closer and said in a low voice, "But be warned, my niece, Care and Bekah are fashion maniacs"
"I heard that" a voice sing songed.
Stefan grimaced and said, "Just warning our niece, my love. I meant it as a compliment"
Hermione's blonde aunt walked toward her husband. She put a hand around his shoulder and chucked her tongue as she shook her head, "You call me a maniac, husband, and you say that you meant it as a compliment"
Hermione giggled at the expression on her Uncle's face and said, "Come on Aunt Bekah. It was not like you were the only one that he called a maniac. He called Mom, too"
"Ahh yes" Aunt Bekah's face lit up as if she was just given a plate full of candies, "I really must find the Barbie now"
Stefan groaned and said, "Nice one, li'l one. You just unknowingly signed my death warrant"
But before they could continue their banter, the portrait of the fat lady opened, and in walked the Order. While Dumbledore and Snape walked to stand beside her Father, the Weasleys and the Lupins stood near the entrance. Sirius stood with Remus and Tonks. Unexpectedly a very alive Moody stood beside Shacklebolt who was standing just a few steps ahead of the Weasleys.
Hermione could feel someone tucking on her hand. She turned to see Ron. She raised her eyebrow in question.
"Hermione" Ron said in a very low voice, "You have two Mothers. How?"
Hermione rolled her eyes but answered in a low tone. "Is this the time, Ronald? Huh... See that woman there" she pointed to Hayley, "is my birth Mother. She had a one night stand with my Dad and I am the result. And I call her Momma. Then that woman, right beside my Dad", she pointed to Caroline, "is my Step-Mother. And I call her Mum." She then turned toward Ron, "Any more questions, Ronald?"
Ron gulped and shook his head.
Hermione nodded and turned toward the assembled members. Dumbledore and her Dad were discussing something in a low voice that not even her Hybrid ears could pick.
"I have something to tell you all" Dumbledore started in a gentle voice. He looked to every Order member in the common room and continued, "We all know that the prophecy said that 'the boy born at the end of July' was the who would defeat the Dark Lord"
Everyone nodded, but it was Moody who said, "We all know that Albus. Get on with it"
"Patience, my friend" Dumbledore said. "But it was only a part of the prophecy. The prophecy also said that 'a girl born at the end of December to the reigning power of the West shall stand beside the chosen one'"
Every Order member there in that Common room was blinking with their wide eyes, including Hermione herself.
Remus was the first to recover. He cleared his throat and said, "And why are we hearing of this only now?"
"The parents of the girl child requested to keep that a secret until the time was right" Dumbledore smiled at the not so pleased crowd.
Hermione's mind started to work. Her eyes widened even further when she realised the truth. "Mr. Dumbledore—" she started.
The headmaster smiled at her, "Yes, Miss Mikaelson. You are that child"
"But—" Harry started to speak, but stopped.
"Alright" Snape said, "in order for you to defeat the Dark Lord Potter, you need not only mental strength but also physical strength"
Harry looked frightened, "Am I to spar with him?" he asked.
Snape sneered at him and said, "The strength of the dark magic is far greater than you could handle, Potter. You will need all the strength you can get, if you want to stay alive of course"
"What do I do then, work out?" Harry asked warily.
"That is where Miss Mikaelson comes, Potter" Snape said none too gently, "Her blood shall give you the strength to sustain the dark magic released by the Dark Lord"
"So when the prophecy said that I shall stand beside him, it was actually my blood?" Hermione asked.
"Yes" came the same answer from different sources.
Hermione sighed. Someone tapped on her shoulder. She turned around to see Rebekah, Caroline and Hayley. She looked around her only to see the others deep in discussion. "What?" She asked them.
"Come" Aunt Bekah all but ordered.
She followed them to girls' dormitory. "Momma, where are we going?"
"Girl, you are going to war. You must look presentable" Hayley said as if it was a rule.
"Honestly?!" Hermione all but screamed.
"Hush, love" Caroline admonished, "You still have time. Our baby girl must look gorgeous when she goes to war"
Hermione looked at the three determined woman and rolled her eyes. She knew there was nothing that could stop them. Not even the Big Bad Hybrid. After all, Uncle Stefan warned her. But despite that she tried, "Mum, we might miss something"
"We won't dear" Aunt Bekah said, "vampire ears"
Hermione sighed.
Her Momma started to work on her brownish blonde hair. "Hope, when was the last time you took time for your hair?"
Hermione looked at her and said, "A year?"
Hayley looked bewildered. She started to work calmly and concentrated fully on the knots in her hair. Rebekah was working on her face. Caroline was looking up and down at her clothes.
Hermione stood there, gritting her teeth for like twenty minutes. The minute they said all finished, she used her Hybrid speed and rushed to the common room. She only stopped when she was right between her Dad and Uncle Elijah.
Seconds later, three distinct zooms sounded. Hermione looked at her Mothers and Aunt, who were standing there with an eyebrow up.
She just cleared her throat and looked at the others, who were all looking at her with her mouths open. Especially the Order members.
"Alright" Uncle Elijah said, "When we entered we only saw about fifty on their side. But we must assume that they have numbers than that. So we go in groups."
"Each group will have two wizards or witches and a vampire with them. That way each group will have advantage both magically and physically. We are going to close them on all sides, clearing path for Mr Potter to complete his task" her Dad said. "Can anyone get the rest of the order here?"
The twins volunteered to do it. Within minutes the rest of the Order members were in the Gryffindor Common room. The new comers were looking at the Malfoy family in various degrees of wariness. The only response they got was complete indifference.
Uncle Elijah started to announce the groups. "Niklaus, you are with Mr and Mrs. Malfoy. Mr Fred and Mr George will accompany me. Kol, Miss Weasley and Mr Black. Finn, Mr Finnegan and Mr Thomas. Rebekah, Mr and Mrs Lupin. Arabelle, Mr Bill and Mrs Fleur. Damon, Professors Snape and McGonagall. Stefan, Mr Dumbledore and Mr Tonks. Sage, Mr Charlie and Mr Ronald. Bonnie, Mr and Mrs Weasley. Katerina, Mr Shacklebolt and Mr Moody. Nadia, Mr Longbottom and Miss Lovegood. Marcellus, Mr Aberforth and Mr Hagrid. Matt, Miss Brown and Mr MacMillan. Hayley, Misses Patil. Hope, Mr Draco and Mr Potter. Any questions?"
"Elijah" Caroline started, "Why am I left out?"
"You are staying in here, Caroline" Niklaus replied.
"And why is that?" Caroline all but growled.
"Caroline, you can't join us in your current condition" Katerina said softly.
"Goodness, I am pregnant. Not invalid" Caroline snapped.
"Caroline, try to understand." Kol tried. "This war is not fought physically. If it includes heart removing or snapping bones, I am pretty sure that you will win. But this is fought with magic. If you are attacked by any dangerous spell, it could not only harm you, but also the little one in you"
"Kol is right, Care" Bonnie said, "It is not only of yours but also the baby's life on line. We can't risk it"
Caroline stood there, obviously speechless that her entire family was on the other side. She bit her lower lip and then nodded at last. "Okay. I will stay in here. In this Common room."
The Mikaelson family heaved a sigh simultaneously. Uncle Elijah continued, "We all must take on the others while clearing path for Mr Potter to carry out his destiny. I think it might be best if you all take some rest"
They all nodded. They all settled in different chairs and sofas that are transfigured by the professors and the Order members. Hermione sat in between Harry and Ron. And straight opposite them were the Malfoys. Mrs Malfoy was fussing over Draco, which brought giggles by everyone around them.
"Oh, come on, Cissy" Niklaus said with a chuckle, "Let the boy breathe."
"Hush, you" Mrs Malfoy mock glared at her father.
"Cissy, he is sixteen" Niklaus tried to explain.
"Exactly, he is sixteen" Cissy said to him, "While you treat a two and a half centuries old the same way, why can't I treat my sixteen year old son?"
Caroline snickered and hi-fived with Marcellus. "She's right, you know"
Niklaus just glared at Narcissa, Caroline and Marcellus and closed his eyes. He laid back on the arm chair in a comfortable way and said, "My own family is against me. Huh"
"Oh, don't be a drama queen, Nik" Katerina smirked.
This earned another round of snickers.
"Dobby" Lucius Malfoy called.
Out of nowhere the little elf with pointy ears appeared. "Master Lucius"
"What the hell?" Ron shouted. Hermione and Harry were still shocked to say anything.
The house elf then turned to them, realising for the first time that the others were in the room. His eyes grown round ad looked back at Lucius.
The blonde man just smiled at the house elf and said, "It's alright, Dobby. Its time"
The house elf let out a sigh and said, "Thank you, sir. Dobby was afraid that he has to remain without his Master for long. Dobby was afraid that he has to keep acting like he hated his Master."
"You are dead" Harry said, just recovered from the shock.
"No, Mr Harry Potter. Mrs Arabelle performed a spell on Dobby to protect him from death, sir. Master Lucius felt that since Dobby was close to Harry Potter, Dobby would be in danger. So Master Lucius asked Mrs Arabelle when she prepared to perform the spell on Master and his family, to do the same for Dobby. And Mrs Arabelle was kind enough to do the spell on Dobby." The little house elf said.
"But—" Harry started.
"It is not the time, Mr Potter" Lucius Malfoy said. "We shall have all the time we need once the Dark Lord was defeated. For now, rest"
Harry glared at the blonde man but remained silent.
When Lucius Malfoy turned toward Dobby, his face was calm and kind, like she had never seen that in the man. "Dobby, Could you please get something to eat for us all?"
"Of course, Master" Dobby said and disappeared.
Minutes later the house elf appeared with food for everyone in the common room. Lucius Malfoy smiled at the house elf and said, "Thank you Dobby. Would you do the same to the others in the Great Hall? After that remain safe in the kitchen"
The house elf smiled at his master and said, "Yes Master" and disappeared.
"God, I would love to have some AB +ve now" Kol whined from his position between Elijah and Marcellus.
Everyone looked at them bewildered.
Bonnie smiled at her family and said, "Good for you, I brought some bags with me"
Kol winked at her said, "That's why I love you so much, little witch"
Bonnie rolled her eyes and said, "I would love you even more if you are so kind to get the mini fridge from the SUV"
Kol's face turned to disbelief and said, "Fine" and left the Common Room.
Minutes later Kol returned with the mini fridge filled with blood bags. The Mikaelson family took one blood bag each, and ripped it open. They drained the blood bag in minutes.
"Klaus" Damon called, "You owe me a full bottle of bourbon"
"I remember, mate" Niklaus said and closed his eyes again.
They stayed in the Common room for an hour and Aunt Belle said that it was time for fight. Hermione took a glass that Dobby brought earlier. She bit into her wrist and let the blood fill half way to the glass and handed it to Harry.
He looked at the blood warily and gulped it in one breath. Once he drank the blood he coughed, not used to the coppery taste of blood. He could already feel the strength the blood brought to him.
Stefan handed Hermione a blood bag, "It's A +ve. I think you could use it for now."
In seconds Hermione sucked the blood from the blood bag and tossed the empty blood bag on the sofa. She closed her eyes and took some breath.
They all made their way to the Great Hall. Once they stepped out of the Great Hall, Hermione could see the principle Death Eaters remained in the magical circle. She couldn't see anyone else. They separated in groups and stood around the Death Eaters. Unfortunately for her, Bellatrix was right in front of her.
After few minutes, the magical border was removed around the Death Eaters. Bellatrix looked at her and despite, all the prayers, Bellatrix opened her mouth.
"Ah, Mudblood" Bellatrix cackled, "Forgot what I did to you just a week ago?"
Hermione swore internally. She could see her friends and family tense. From her peripheral view, Hermione could see her Father who was standing just couple of feet to her right scowl.
But Bellatrix continued, "Perhaps you should see your left forearm. You know, I really enjoyed using Crucio on you"
Her fellow Death Eaters laughed.
"And I really enjoyed craving 'Mudblood' in your arm with my knife" she cackled, digging her grave further. "And the way you—"
She was cut off when Niklaus growled and flashed to her. A second later, Bellatrix fell to the ground with a hole in her chest. Niklaus walked back to stand beside Lucius and Narcissa, as he tossed Bellatrix's heart to his left, wiping his hand that was covered in blood with a handkerchief.
The people who were not associated to the Mikaelsons on the either side were gaping at the sight. Including Hermione. She never saw her Father kill someone.
With a furious yell, the Death Eaters started to attack the Order. While the witches and wizards in each group distracted and protected their group with spells and charms, the vampires and hybrids in each group killed the Death Eaters. Some with hole in their chest, others had their heads ripped from their necks.
While the others took on the Death Eaters, Hermione, Harry and Draco went straight to the Dark Lord.
Voldemort smirked and aimed his wand at Harry, while Harry did the same. Draco silently sent some powerful hexes and curses at the Dark Lord who waved them off casually. Hermione looked at her right at the bloody snake, Nagini that was ready to attack her.
Hermione swore and squeezed the snake's throat and yanked it in two, killing it. When Voldemort noticed that his beloved pet and Hocroxe die, he yelled in an inhuman noise that was very much unpleasant for her Hybrid ears.
Voldemort in a fit of rage aimed his wand at Hermione, but was distracted by Draco who sent another hex his way.
Hermione took her wand from her pocket and joined the boys in cursing the Dark Wizard. But every time they sent a curse, he easily waved it off.
At last the time came.
Harry yelled an 'Expleriamus' at the same time as the Dark Lord yelled an 'Avada Kedavra'.
The red bolt from Harry's wand and green bolt from Voldemort's wand met. Draco pulled Hermione behind, who stood fascinated at the sight before her.
Harry and Voldemort pushed every ounce of their magic to the curse. But unfortunately for Voldemort, Harry had Hermione's blood in his system that made him stranger. So the disarming spell that Harry said took over and Voldemort was disarmed.
But the killing curse rebounded and went straight to Voldemort's chest, killing him instantly.
At last, after so many deaths and sacrifices, the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort, Tom Riddle died in the grounds of the place he considered his home.
Hi friends,
I know the Malfoys are very OOC in this chapter. Well, they are. I hope you all liked it.
Please leave your comments...
Until next time...