a/n-hey everyone sorry for the long update time. I am trying to learn how to make sure I schedule time to the things I love instead of all work all the time. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter, big things are coming soon. Thank you for taking the time to read, I'll really appreciate it.
I dont own any rights to Harry Potter
Hermione remained silent as she made her way down the hall, following behind the others. As they came to a stop in front of the headmaster's door, she turned to look at Professor McGonagall.
"You have missed a lot this year." McGonagall half smiled to her. She turned back to the door, allowing access for the others. Hermione just smiled. She knew that the professor would make a great headmistress. Hogwarts had been left in good hands. The older ones of the group quickly found seats, while Harry and Hermione stood next to each other.
"So, Hermione." McGonagall took a deep breath in. "You are able to use magic without your wand? Very strong magic at that?" Hermione just nodded her head in agreement.
"Bellaxtrix is after her for this magic, I am sure." Kingsley spoke. "I think she needs to be taken somewhere hidden where she can't be detected. Keep her safe from others."
"Whoa, I think you might be overreacting." Harry stepped towards them. "We just got her back, and you want to lock her backup?" Harry stepped even closer to Kingsley, his eyes blazing. "There is no way I'm letting her go again." The two men stood toe to toe.
"Ok, Ok fellows. Let's just cool off for a moment." Mr. Weasley put his hands on both their shoulders, trying to calm them down.
"Miss. Granger, I think your thoughts are what is needed here. Not those of others." McGonagall said.
Hermione looked quietly around the room, remembering the last time she had been in this room. Dumbledore's face smiled to her from a portrait. She found herself entranced with his eyes. Trying to understand the events unfolding around her. Then he winked and she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
"You all are worried about my magic and yet you haven't asked me about Bellatrix. You haven't asked me about the woman I saw outside, at the very spot where I disappeared." Hermione took a deep breath and looked around the room.
"What woman?" Harry interrupted.
"I saw this woman. I was standing right in the spot I had pushed Fred away from and there she was." She replied
"Miss. Granger, what did this woman look like?" McGonagall asked.
"Maybe 18 years old, fair skin and large, dark brown curls." Hermione answered. "Oh and her hair had white streaks flowing throughout the curls."
"Did she say what she want?" Kingsley asked.
Hermione stopped talking and looked at those staring at her. Suddenly she felt as though she should have kept this information to herself.
"Hermione, this is important." Harry said, taking a step towards her.
"She said." Hermione paused momentarily. "She told me to hold onto the light, that this magic was a gift if I hold onto the light."
"The light?" Kingsley questioned.
"I wonder." Arthur and Harry said at the same time, then looking at each other.
"She said something else." Hermione whispered. "She said soon they will all know who I am and where I come from. Then she, I think she meant Bellatrix, would come for me. And when that happens that I must not allow the darkness in." The room was eerily silent as Hermione finished her last statement.
"So who is going to explain that to me? Who am I? Where I come from? I know all those things. What is going on?" Hermione practically screamed at the group. She could fill her eyes filling with water.
"I am so sorry, Miss. Granger, but we are still trying to figure that out." McGonagall moved from behind her desk to be closer to Hermione.
"What?" Hermione questioned.
"We found out your Mother's mom is not her biological mom." Harry answered.
"What?" Hermione replied.
"I know this is a lot to take in right now, but we need to decide where is the best place for you to stay until all this is figured out." Kingsley's massive voice rose above the moment.
"She will stay with us." Arthur answered just as loudly.
"Arthur, is that really." Kingsley tried to protest but was interrupted.
"When she got free, she ran for us. We will keep her safe that is final." He nodded his head as to finish the conversation.
"Miss. Granger, I promise we will figure out who this woman is and what is hiding in your family's past." McGonagall smiled as best she could, but her eyes showed fear of the unknown.
"Thank you." Was all Hermione could think to say and turned to head out the room with Arthur and Harry following behind.
"Look what has slithered in." The twins said in unison.
"Hilarious." Malfoy replied, walking closer to the trio of Weasleys. "So, Potter's in trouble again?" He asked taking a seat on the closest empty bed.
"Not Harry THIS time." George laughed. "Nope, it's Miss. Brightest Witch of her time."
"Hermione? Hermione Granger is here? She's alive?" Malfoy stood up quickly.
"Whoa, snakes really do move fast." George said, sitting up in his bed.
"What's the problem Malfoy?" Fred asked, staring at their former school rival.
"The last time I saw her was in Malfoy manor, before the battle of Hogwarts. Before everything changed, before everything could be forgiven." His voice quieted at the last words.
Immediately Fred knew what he meant. Malfoy hadn't been able to show Hermione how sorry he was for what happened at his home. She had the scars and memories full front in her mind.
"Malfoy." Fred began, but was interrupted by Malfoy being thrown across the room. The Weasleys all jumped to their feet, looking from one end of the room to the next. Standing at the entrance of the room was an irate Hermione.
"Hermione?" Harry's voice behind her seemed so distant.
"Draco." Hermione spat out, moving slowly across the room. "How dare you step into this castle?" She turned her hand slightly and Malfoy cried out in pain. "How dare you speak to this family?" She screamed, pushing both her hands forward, causing him to be pinned to the wall.
"Hermione!" The Weasleys and Harry were screaming for her to stop, all except Fred. He watched as she moved, her every step coordinated, every twitch of her hand done on purpose.
"Please, Hermione." Malfoy cried out to her.
"I screamed, don't you remember!" She was now right in front of him. The crowd behind her. "Remember when you locked me up?" She moved forward as if she were stalking a prey. "When your aunt craved this into my skin!" She pulled up her shirt to reveal her shame. All eyes went to her side, the word Mudblood craved into her. "I mean if that's not enough, she craved more all over my body while I was her prisoner for the last six months."
"Please." He begged her, before she twisted her hand again and he cried out. Hermione could feel the power flowing through her, she felt stronger than ever before.
"Stop this." She heard in her ear. "You have to stop this, now." Fred put his hand on her shoulder. She closed her eyes at his touch, a feel of coolness swept over her body.
"I." Hermione looked back to Malfoy, his face covered in tears.
"It's ok, you just have to stop." Fred moved his hands from her shoulders and came to rest on her hands. "Let me help you." He turned to stand between her and Malfoy. Taking her hands down to her sides. She let her breathing slow, her eyes never leaving his. "Better." He smiled at her.
She barely heard the rustle of the others run past her to Malfoy. Only Harry didn't move from close to Hermione.
"What have I become?" she whispered, looking past Fred to Malfoy.
"Look at me, this isn't you. You have been free for a very short time. You don't know everything that has happened." Fred rested his hands on her face, trying to get her to look at him. "Hermione?"
But she didn't hear him. She couldn't look at him. Malfoy was being picked up by Arthur and George, carried to a close bed. Ginny was running out the room to get Madame Pomfrey. All Hermione could do was stand there. She felt her feet begin to move backwards, Fred's hands slowly moving from her face to her try and grasp her hands. She felt as though breathing had become the hardest thing to do. Not thinking she backed right into Harry.
"Not yet." She heard Harry whisper, his hand resting on her back.
Fred felt his lungs tighten, as he realized she was trying to run. His hands fell to his side. His eyes tearing up, imagining living his life without her again. It was in that moment, she looked at him. Hermione looked at Fred's defeated stance, his light was dimmer. They locked eyes and immediately she rushed into his arms.
"Please don't leave." Fred whispered in her hair, pulling her in.
"Never." She promised, letting her tears stain his shirt. The two stood wrapped in each other's arms, until they felt well enough to break apart. Directly behind them Harry stood smiling. "What?" Hermione questioned.
"I have an idea about what might be helping you to hold onto the light." He smirked.
"The light?" Fred asked.
"No time now for questioning kids. We need to be heading home." Arthur had rounded up the group and they were making their way out.
"But what about Malfoy?" Fred asked quickly following the others.
"Malfoy is fine. We need to get Hermione out of here before everyone comes asking questions." Arthur replied. "Hurry now." The made their ways quickly down the halls of Hogwarts stopping in an all too familiar place. "Hermione, do you think you can apparate us out of here."
Fred and her stood close together back once again to their spot. "I've only ever moved one other person." She replied.
"I think with the magic between you and this group, you can do it. Everyone hold hands and think of the Burrow." Arthur forced a smile.
"Don't worry love." Fred squeezed her hand, then closed his eyes. Hermione felt the tug at her belly button and imagined the burrow. Within seconds they were all landing in the marsh.
"Everyone ok?" Arthur shouted, all replies of yes and one, if covered in brown water and mud is ok, from George. "Good then, your mom's got supper." Everyone shook off the mud and made their way home.