I don't own HP, and you all know that! Hopefully you all enjoy!

Chapter 10

Hermione and Charlie laid entwined in each other's arms on the beach. She was watching the waves move back and forth. "This is nice."

Charlie hummed in agreement. He kissed her curls, smelling deeply. "I'm so glad you found me."

Hermione smiled. "Well, it's all thanks to Hemera. She was the one to show me the way."

Charlie turned around. "Thanks Hemera!" He shouted to the dragon, who was curled up in the warm sand. She growled in response.

"I wish we could stay here..." she muttered to herself.

"Hermione," he caressed her cheek. "You know we can't do that. I mean, you made a promise, an oath to Hemera that you would protect this world. Don't go back on that."

Hermione shook her head. "I would never turn my back on those that I love. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. The guilt... it would eat away at me, torturing me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself Charlie."

He kissed her gently. "I'm proud of you."

She blushed. "Thanks Char."

The two of them sat in silence for a little bit longer, just enjoying the peace. However, that didn't last very long as Hemera growled.

"We need to get moving little one. I think it's time we join the other two younglings. I can sense they'll need our help in the soon future."

Hermione stood, brushing the sand off her clothes. "Come on Charlie, Hemera says it's time to go."

Charlie nodded, "Let's go say goodbye to Bill and Fleur."

Hermione began to follow Charlie indoors, but Hemera stopped her. Turning to face her dragon, she looked confused as she pushed forward a small bag. She bent over, picking it up, and saw it was clothes. She looked at Hemera confused.

"While you were sleeping, I went to where you once lived, many many moons ago. Those are the clothing that you once wore when you were my rider. I thought you'd like to wear them once more."

"Hemera, why didn't you take me? I would have loved to seen my home."

"No, it wasn't time. I gathered a few other things for you as well. But change first, and grab your mate, then we'll leave."

"He's not my mate..." She muttered, her face as red as a tomato.

Hemera chuckled, her deep rumble filling the sky.

Hermione rushed into the house to change. Charlie looked at her, and she simply shrugged. She went into the bathroom, and took in her appearance. She looked terrible. Shaking it off, she quickly climbed out of her tattered muggle clothing.

The material Hemera gave her was soft, yet firm. Leather I think. She quickly shrugged the outfit on. Looking in the mirror, her jaw dropped once more. Gone was the muggleborn witch, who was unsure of herself and this world. Standing before her was a warrior, one that had seen pain and happiness, life and death, defeats and victories. She looked like the rider that Hemera claimed she be.

The green material was short, revealing a lot of leg, but it showed off the tattoo around her upper thigh. Wait, I never got a tattoo there?! Maybe it's ancient magic... The bodice was detailed, looking like vines were growing there, encasing her skin. One shoulder had only a strap of the green material, while the other was a long sleeve, but both fell off the shoulder, leaving her bare and exposed. Around her wrists, she fixed the dark cloth, making it seem like she was wearing cuffs. She stood, placing her feet into the boots that Hemera had grabbed. She looked like a goddess. Like she had just stepped out of a fairytale.

She felt like herself. Astraea, princess of the elves and the riders. She wanted to claim her mantle, and rule once more. She could feel the power flowing through her veins. Who thought a change of clothes could do so much?

She padded out into the living room, blushing furiously. Charlie's jaw dropped. "Wow, Hermione, you look different."

"I feel different," she said with a small smile. "Come on, we need to get moving." She turned to Bill, "Thank you."

With that, she left, leaving Charlie feeling confused. "I wonder why she changed."

Bill shrugged, "I think it was for image, or maybe for her to reconnect with her past. I mean look at her, now she's the warrior she is. I have a feeling her two lives are about to clash, so be there for her okay?"

"Yes Bill, I will." Charlie promised.

"I mean it Charlie. You messed up once, and almost lost her. Don't be so stupid this time." He scolded his little brother.

Charlie blushed. "Yes Bill. I promise."

Bill hugged his brother tightly. "Good. Please be safe. Hopefully I'll see you soon."

Charlie nodded. "Yes." He hoped that someday he would see Bill and Fleur once more, without the threat of war looming over their shoulder.

Hermione turned and saw Charlie running towards her. She flashed him a smile, then turned back to Hemera. "Do you know where Harry and Ron are?"

Hemera shook her head. "No, but I know the general area, we just have to head there, and hopefully we'll catch up with them before it's too late."

"Are they hurt?" Charlie asked, his voice laced with fear.

Hermione shook her head. "No. At least they aren't yet. Let's go." She climbed up onto Hemera's back, then held her hand out for Charlie. He climbed up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

We're ready Hemera.

She began to beat her wings, and then finally propelled them up. Hermione looked down and waved to Bill and Fleur, who were both waiting outside staring up at them in awe.

The three of them landed hours later. The sun was setting, and they needed to set up camp before it got too late.

Charlie set off to find some wood for a fire and Hermione began to pitch up the camp.

"Hermione, I'm going to hunt. I'll be back soon though. Don't go anywhere." She growled.

"Be safe," she said as she watched Hemera fly off once more. She began placing wards around their camp, so no one would stumble across them. She didn't know if anyone was looking for them, and honestly, she didn't want to find out.

She waited inside the tent for Charlie to come back. She smiled at him warmly as he set the logs in a neat pile. He went to pull out his wand, but Hermione stopped him.

"I want to try something," she whispered. She closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. She placed her palm near the wood, so her mark was close to it. "Brisingr," she whispered.

A fire erupted, instantly warming the both of them.

Charlie grinned. "Wow, wandless magic?"

Hermione nodded. "Not just wandless. This is ancient magic, much different than the one you and I both use with our wands. This is magic that hadn't been seen for ages."

Charlie moved closer, pulling her into an embrace. "I'm so proud of you."

She kissed him gently. "Thanks." The two of them stayed in front of the fire until Hemera came back.

"Hemera, where did this mark come from?" She asked, pointing to the band around her thigh.

Hemera sat down near the two of them. "It is the sign of a woodland elf, your clan."

"Oh," was all she said as she traced the pattern with her fingertips. "Charlie, will you spar with me?"

"Will I what?" He asked, his eyes wide.

"Spar? You know, practice sword fighting?" She chuckled. "Charlie, you make the cutest faces when your so confused." She bent down and kiss him. She quickly grabbed two sticks and transfigured them into swords. "Don't worry, I've dulled the blades. You won't get hurt." She flashed him a smile.

"So she of yourself? Hmmm, very well." He teased, picking up his sword, holding it tightly.

Hermione did the same, taking in a deep breath. She could feel like this was familiar. Taking another deep breath, she took a step forward, swinging the sword at Charlie. He clumsily blocked her.

The two of the stopped, breathing hard. With a shared look and a smile, they continued, swords flying.

With a yell, Hermione slashed her sword crosswise at Charlie's head. He quickly stepped backwards, bringing his sword upwards to block the attack.

Hermione gasped as her memories came flooding back. She knew this, she could remember this. All the nights of training with her father and other riders and elves. All the hard work she put in. It all came flooding back.

The two of them continued on, swords flashing, Charlie blocking her every move. But he was growing tired.

Hermione quickly kicked his stomach, causing him to fly backwards. Pointing her sword at his neck, she began to pant.

"Wow, Mione, that was, wow." Was all he could get out. She dropped her sword and fell onto the ground next to him, her chest heaving.

She smirked. "It all came back the moment we started fighting. That was great."

Charlie only huffed in response.

Smirking, she turned on her side so she was now facing him. "Charlie," he looked at her. "Thank you." She pressed her lips to his, losing herself in the kiss.

His tongue was so soft and gentle, working its way inside her mouth. She moaned in content, wrapping her fingers in his hair.

All to soon, he pulled away. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in for a hug. "Mione, you mean the world to me."

"And you to me." She replied, enjoying his embrace.

Charlie stood, and offered a hand to Hermione. "Come on, it's time to eat." Hermione retook her seat near the fire, watching Charlie heat up some soup.

Hemera pushed something forward. Hermione looked down, gasping when she saw it was a sword. "This was yours. Use it again. I know you're ready."

Hemera, I love you! Hermione cried out in her mind.

"And I love you little one."

Hermione observed the sword in her hand. It was light, surprisingly. There were green vines on the handle and running down the blade. The silver of the sword shined in the moonlight. "Vrael gave me this, didn't he?"

Hemera nodded.

Hermione closed her eyes, trying to remember more of her past, but couldn't.

Charlie sat down and handed her a bowl. "Here, eat up my little warrior."

She smiled and begin to eat. After they finished, the two of them just laid near the flame. "So you saw Harry and Ron yesterday?" She asked, her voice mixed with emotions.

"Yeah. They're planning to break into Gringott's. I think that's what they did yesterday. Hopefully things went okay."

She could hear the worry in his voice. "I'm sure they're fine Charlie."

"I just. I was so mad at them when I just saw them. And I regret it, I mean, what if something happens to them? What if they died? I would have to live with it, for the rest of my life. I just couldn't bare the thought." Charlie said, her voice finally breaking.

Hermione moved closer to him. "Charlie, they'll be fine. We'll see them again. Please, don't worry."

"But what if we don't? What then?"

"Oh Charlie," she kissed him. "This is a war, and people die everyday. It wouldn't mean they were gone. They'll always be with us, in here," she said, placing her hand over his heart. "Please, don't worry. Hemera thinks they're still alive, and I trust her."

"Hermione," he breathed. He gently cupped her face and began kissing her.

Hermione couldn't describe the feeling of Charlie's lips on her own, every part of her body that was touching him hummed. She could practically feel the fireworks between the two of them.

Charlie growled, tangling his fingers in her dark curls. There was a hunger in their kiss, one that Charlie had never felt before in his life. It spread through him like a wildfire as their kiss deepened. They broke apart, each to catch their breath.

They sat there, their lips millimeters apart, each breathing heavily.

"I love you," Charlie said, his voice hoarse with passion as he stared intently into Hermione's brown eyes.

Their lips met again, and again and again, pausing only when it was necessary. Hermione didn't say those three words back, but he knew she felt it. She knew she felt it too.

The two of them fall asleep by the fire, entwined in each other's embrace.