Author's note

WARNING

Chapter contains elements of flashback which deal with children in warfare which some people may find disturbing. They are not overly graphic but if you do not wish to read them these parts are largely in italics so you can continue to read the rest and skip the italic parts. Alternately a summary of key points is at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 38- Lost Humanity

Hermione rung her hands but it seemed that it mattered not how many times she washed them they would never be clean, they were an outward sign of her wickedness. A scarlet brand to show the world that she was a sinner, that the blood of innocents stained her soul.

The children stood cowering before their burning school building; the teacher, who had futilely stepped in the path of Greyback, lay in a pool of her own blood her throat ripped out. They sobbed and called for their mothers or fathers. Hermione was paralyzed by shock, she knew she needed to show leadership, she needed to think of something to save them but for once her fabulous intellect failed her. She couldn't think, she couldn't move. Her eye was drawn to the little girl in the cerulean blue coat, her storm grey eyes drowning in tears, her blonde curls soot blackened. She felt herself drawn to the child as if she was her own. She could have been Draco's child, her daughter and she was helpless to save her.

There would be no solace in sleep this night. The scenes from earlier that day played out against Hermione's eyelids whenever she tried to sleep. The screams ricocheted inside her brain and mingled with the pleas of the children and the manic laughter of the Death Eaters as the tossed the innocents they had slaughtered aside. She had tried, tried so hard but she couldn't save them all.

Hermione's hands were shaking as she stepped forward into the melee. Tongues of smoke whipped around her as she took on the menacing persona of the Dark Lady but it was not to scare the muggles but rather to intimidate her fellow Death Eaters. She knew she didn't have long he would be here soon. Voldemort would wait until the assembled ranks of his forces had brought terror to the area then he would appear to feed off the fear and suffering as if it was some kind of exquisite delicacy.

"Out of my way," she ordered thankful that there was no tremor in her voice. She marched into the midst of the huddle of tiny children and grabbed them by the handful, as many as she could hold, grasping them roughly by their collars and the naps of their neck then she apparated them into an alley nearby.

"Mipsy," she called. The tiny elf, bound to serve the house of Malfoy appeared.

"Take them to Mistress Narcissa then come back." She shoved the bunch of children into the elf's hands. Not waiting for any response she dispparated.

How many had she saved? She had not counted but she knew it was not enough.

"Mipsy," the small elf appeared, "did you get the children to Lady Malfoy?"

"Yes, Mistress Hermione," the little elf told her. Hermione was startled by the elf's change of name and tone, "Mistress Hermione is a good witch, children are safe." Mipsy told her. Hermione did not feel good. She did not think she would ever feel good again. Somewhere along the way she had lost her humanity.

Neville returned sometime later a large basilisk fang in his hand.

"We need to destroy it." Harry said immediately turning to Draco, "you stab it I will hold it." Draco nodded his acquiescence.

"Ready?" Harry asked.

"Ready." Draco confirmed taking in a deep breath.

"Now!" Harry urged.

Draco raised the basilisk fang above his head and slammed it down into the cup. There was a hissing sound and then the cup began to foam and melt letting off a vapour which seemed to cloud Draco's vision.

"Draco?" Draco looked up confused to hear her voice, "I thought you were gone," she told him. Draco looked around to find himself back in her room at Grimmauld Place, "Harry and I we were just consoling each other." Suddenly Draco noticed Harry naked in her bed, "what is a widow to do after all?" she laughed with gay abandon. The sweet tinkling sound of her voice incensed him, he was barely 'cold in his grave' and she had turned to Potter. He raised his hands to her throat and squeezed.

"Malfoy!" the choked noise broke into his consciousness, "it isn't real, it plays on your fears."

Suddenly Draco felt the roughness beneath his fingertips; this was not her delicate skin but a rough masculine stubble.

"Potter?" Draco said stunned as he realised he had his hands around the other man's throat. "I thought…" he spluttered dropping his vice like grip.

Harry drew in a huge breath as he massaged his neck.

"I'm sorry Malfoy, I should have warned you it would fight back, it shows you what you most fear."

Draco looked stunned, he had always been jealous of the friendship Hermione had with her two best friends, did he really subconsciously fear that he meant so little to her that she would move on so readily?

Draco sat back on his haunches, closed his eyes and swallowed.

"Sorry Potter," he told him in all sincerity.

Although he couldn't see it Neville looked at Harry in shock his look saying; has Malfoy really just apologized? Harry lifted his eyebrows in response but said nothing. Harry would not goad the Slytherin who he was increasing coming to understand was a good man.

"So now just the sword and something of Ravenclaw's," Harry said trying for a business like tone.

"Yes but what?" Draco asked finally opening his eyes, "There must be a clue somewhere."

"Luna's a Ravenclaw," Neville offered, "perhaps she can help?"

"Good idea Neville can you find her?" Harry enquired. Neville simply nodded and turned to leave.

Hermione returned immediately determined to rescue the child with the curly platinum blonde hair. The child had shied away from her at her first rescue attempt but there was something about that child that pulled at her heart strings and she couldn't just leave her to her fate. As she re-appeared the chaos and clammer seemed to have increased tenfold, curses were being thrown almost indiscriminately, the assembled Death Eaters revelling in the carnage they were creating. Wandlessly she cast a 'protego' and made her way back to the children, she thought she was in luck the prevailing chaos would mask her real intent. She was just feet away from the huddle of children, some of whom clung to each other in desperate search for comfort, but she was too late. A sudden clap of apparation and a black swirl of dark magic signalled his arrival.

Voldemort took one look at the huddle of children and his thin lips curled in distaste.

"Deal with this Vermin," he instructed her. Hermione felt trapped she dare not openly defy him. She was surrounded by skilled duellists who, high on their blood lust, would not hesitate to turn on her even if Voldemort himself did nothing.

Hermione summoned her power to her and just as she had done before she poured fire towards her victims ringing them in flame.

Hermione could still hear their desperate screams as she walked towards the ring of fire.

Author's note:

Summary

Hermione is sent on a mission by Voldemort that involves an attack on a muggle junior school. She attempts to save some of the children, especially drawn to a girl who looks like she might be the daughter of Draco and Hermione. Meanwhile Harry and Draco destroy another Horcrux. As she returns to rescue more Voldemort appears and orders her to kill the remaining children. With no apparent way out Hermione raises a ring of fire around the children.

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