A/N: Thank you all for the awesome reviews so far. It is amazing to see you all again at the start of this new story. As some of you pointed out, everything looks and feels very fractured – on both sides. Not even the strongest union can exist without feud and whilst in battle, people change. Throughout this story you will notice the appearance of more minor original Harry Potter characters as they move to the foreground. I like playing with the more unknown characters and develop them along the way.

Side note: Robur is Latin and translates roughly into the following: military strength/might/power; heart. You can see why I chose it as a name for the new stronghold in this story, Robur Castle. And, also along the side, the musical inspiration for this chapter was "Time," by Hans Zimmer.

~Cissy

Chapter 2

"Avenger"

The Eastern Quarter was perhaps the best off. Most of the houses were expensive and big enough to house several small families. Their streets were still tarmacked and bore little signs of battle. In other Quarters large pot holes had appeared where spells had crashed into the ground or makeshift explosive devices, invented by those born to Muggle parents, had been used to distract the Keepers and the Scouts. If anything, East looked almost normal. The small parks scattered around the Quarter were still green and the trees still had leaves. Unlike North and West, the two more deprived areas, South's houses were mostly intact, with only a handful boarded up. If it wasn't for the magical wards preventing anyone from coming or going, people would barely know that this part of the city was being closely watched.

Molly Weasley peered out of the window of the ground floor flat she shared with Arthur and Bill. Percy, Fred and George lived in a similar flat a few streets away. They only came out during the night, when their faces could be masked by shadows, or when they had enough Polyjuice Potion to risk going out into the daytime. By now the Scouts had gotten used to seeing an old, wrinkly Muggle woman walking with her old wooden walking stick, seemingly oblivious to the changes in the world around her as she chuntered to herself in a language that made no sense to anyone. Molly didn't like her disguise much but over the past few weeks it had been useful. The Scouts let her pass without suspicion and once out of their sight, she Apparated to the next available meeting point to see Ginny.

It was early morning and the streets were still abandoned. In a few hours' time, kids would be playing Gobstones on the pavement, watched by the Scouts. Their parents were aware of the dangerous world they lived in but no one could find it in their hearts to tell the children to stop playing. It was all the joy they had left.

With a sigh Molly turned away from the window and looked at the small phial standing on the wonky table beside her. It was the last bit of the Polyjuice Potion they had left. Ginny was supposed to deliver some more last night but she never showed. Molly tried not to worry but she couldn't help it. She was a mother. Ginny was her youngest child. She had already lost two sons to this dreadful war. She looked up when she heard the door to the small living room open. Arthur stood in the doorway, dressed in stripy pyjamas.

"What are you doing?" he asked and then he noticed the small glass phial on the table. He looked at his wife. "You think she's going to be there now?"

"What else can I do?" Molly asked. "She was supposed to be here. I can live without the Potion. Hell, I don't even like using it anyway. We can't use the old Muggle woman anymore after today. Soon the Scouts will find out that no more Muggles live in this Quarter. The old woman's son wheeled her off into a nursing home two days ago. I watched them leave myself. It's just a good thing the Scouts didn't."

Arthur heaved a sigh. "Ginny's OK, Molly. This isn't the first time she hasn't shown up when we were expecting her."

"All the other times she came first thing in the morning," Molly protested.

Arthur was about to counter his wife's statement by saying it was only just after six in the morning but he swallowed his words and chose to fill her in something he had promised Ginny he wasn't going to tell her. "There was another meeting last night. Ginny is most likely up in North."

"North?" Molly asked. "But she said they were going to camp out here in East for a while." Her eyes narrowed and she scrutinised her husband's face. "You know something, don't you? What happened?"

"They ran into a bit of trouble last night in North," Arthur said slowly. "When I was on my way back from the Jones' down the road, I ran into Seamus Finnegan. He had come to collect some maps from Tiberius Monk, the old Ministry concierge. He told me that a bunch of resistance members were surprised by Bellatrix and Yaxley."

"What?" Molly breathed. "How did they even know that the resistance was in North?"

"Merlin only knows," Arthur answered. "There was a fight and the resistance won but now they're thinking that somehow Bellatrix and Yaxley must have found out where they were. They decided to get back together late last night to talk. Seamus told me that they may plan to move further up north in the country as the Cores are rumoured to move in on Hogsmeade soon."

Molly smiled. "The only stronghold left in the whole of the United Kingdom."

Hogsmeade village, not far from Hogwarts, had fought valiantly and proudly against the forces of the Three Cores and so far had been successful in doing so. Madame Rosmerta, the witch who owned the Three Broomsticks, had suggested they stand their ground in honour of Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.

"They will never stand a chance if the three of them together ever set in foot in that village," Molly sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Makes me wonder why they haven't done it already."

"Probably didn't care enough," Arthur suggested. "The City of London has proven quite a challenge and the rise of the resistance will have come as a surprise." He weakly smiled. "Anyway, now you know where Ginny was last night. Seamus also told me that they are still looking for Ollivander."

"I don't understand what Andromeda wants with that old wand maker," Molly mumbled as she sank down in one of the faux leather arm chairs that stood by the small fireplaces. Overnight the flames had been reduced to glowing embers. "When we got to him the first time round he was hardly of any use. Why is she so desperate to find him now?"

"She won't tell anyone," Arthur said as he pulled up the other armchair. "Which makes it all the harder for me to have faith in her."

"We've got to have faith, love," Molly answered softly as she poked her wand into the ashes and the flames began to rise again. "It's all we have left."

~()~

The sun climbed over the London city skyline and reflected off the surface of the River Thames. The usual boats that made their way up and down the river had disappeared weeks ago and only very little traffic made its way across the different bridges. In the time scale of several weeks London had changed from a ruling capital of the world to a dark, dreary, shithole of a place. With most of the Muggles gone and businesses unable to trade as usual, many of the shops had closed down and those that hadn't weren't doing well at all. The streets remained quiet, even in the middle of the day. Tourists that had once descended upon this metropolitan city were nowhere to be seen. London was slowly dying only to be rebuilt in a shape and form that would leave it unrecognisable to the world.

Hermione had watched the sun rise, looking on as the skies changed from dark shades of grey to vibrant shades of gold and red. Now she turned away from the large window overlooking the city and with determined steps made her way across the large bedroom that was her own and started her descend down the stairs. Robur Castle was alive with whispers and when she reached the drawing room she found several dark clad figures standing around the table. They all looked up when she arrived and some bowed their heads as she walked past them to look at the maps they had been studying. Only then did she become aware of Bellatrix standing at the opposite side of the table.

"What's this?" she asked as she pointed at the simple looking maps. "I thought we were going to wait with Hogsmeade. We have bigger problems on our hands than one stupid village led by a bar maid!"

Bellatrix's eyes darkened. "That one village could very well be the one place where the resistance is regrouping and finding its strength." She pointed at an ugly looking warrior to Hermione's left. His face was covered in old blisters and scars and he had a short, dark brown goatee. "Tell her what you just told me."

"There is a problem in East," he growled. He wiped the rolls of parchment showing the schematics of Hogsmeade off the table and revealed a large map that depicted the City of London. He pointed at a small area that was on the outskirts of the Eastern Quarter. "The Scouts told me that a Muggle woman used to live here but she moved out a couple of days ago. Son moved her someplace else." His eyes found Hermione. "Then yesterday they saw the same woman again, passing through their security check point. They didn't think anything off it until one of the other Scouts mentioned it."

Hermione looked up, eyes blazing. "You think it's a trick?"

"Sounds like Polyjuice Potion to me. Best way in and out of the Quarters is by impersonating a Muggle," Bellatrix spat. "Disgusting if you ask me but efficient nevertheless. Any guesses on the perpetrator?"

"Must be a Weasley," Hermione acknowledged Bellatrix's suspicions. The raven haired woman nodded. "So they are hiding out in East. I wondered where those irritating buggers had gone."

"What do you want us to do?" the wizard with the goatee asked and he looked from Bellatrix to Hermione. The warriors at his side eyed up the two witches.

"Round them all up."

Everyone looked up when another voice came from the open doorway and Hermione found Narcissa leaning against the doorframe. Dressed in simple black robes and with her blonde hair pinned up, she looked strong and majestic.

"Excuse me?" the wizard asked, as if he had not heard her correctly.

"Round them all up. Kick down every door until you find those treacherous little bleeders. Wait till nightfall and start then," Narcissa said as she slowly walked across the room until she reached the table. "Check every house and every building. Torch the ones where nobody answers the door. The flames will drive them out."

Bellatrix's eyes lit up. "Start with East. If we don't find them there, spread word that the next Quarter to burn will be North unless the Weasleys and the resistance hand themselves over." She grinned. "Use any form of persuasion you deem fit."

The wizard with the goatee and his companions shared a look before turning away from the table and leaving the drawing room. The sound of their boots on the marble floor echoed on long after they had left.

Hermione turned to look at Narcissa. "Who are you to make such a decision without discussing it first?"

"We need to do something," Narcissa said sharply. "The leak clearly lies in East. If someone is using Polyjuice Potion as a way to get in and out of the Quarters…." She paused. "We have to put a stop to this while we still can. Might as well round up a couple of Weasleys in the process."

"But burning down the city Quarter by Quarter..." Hermione began but Narcissa's blue eyes darkened.

"It's what's going to happen," she sneered. "We have waited long enough. By tomorrow morning East will have no other choice than to surrender and the remaining Quarters will be sent a message that it would be in their best interest to stop fighting." She straightened her spine. "With a little luck, we might even find that stupid sister of ours tonight too."

A shiver crept down Hermione's spine at the mention of Andromeda and her gaze dropped to the floor. She could barely deny the desire to see the brunette witch again but so far she had resisted. She didn't even know where Andromeda was. She could be anywhere in four Quarters, though she was guessing it was probably East or North. The thought of flames ripping through East as people slept unnerved her and she clenched and relaxed her fists.

Without speaking she walked away from the table, leaving behind the map of London, Bellatrix and Narcissa. She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps of someone following her and she was half way up the stairs when two strong arms closed around her waist and pressed her face first into the wall. She felt the swell of the other woman's breasts press into her back as the warm air tickled her neck. Strong fingers closed around both her wrists, pinning her against the wall. She tried to move but she was held firmly in place.

"This has got to end somewhere," whispered a husky voice into her ear. The whisper was so soft she could barely identify whether it was Narcissa or Bellatrix behind her and her breath hitched in the back of her throat when she felt the other woman's free hand journey across her chest. She tried to turn her head but was pressed harder into the wall, unable to turn around or look over her shoulder. The hand that had caressed her breasts and caused her nipples to harden now threaded her curls before sinking down to the base of her neck. Her face was pressed even harder against the cold stone walls.

"You are going to listen to me," said the other woman. Again the voice was so soft that she could not tell to whom it belonged. Her heart pounded in her chest so loudly that she believed it was going to burst out. The back of her throat had become dry and lust and desire laced with a mild panic as she remembered the night another set of hands had closed around her wrists this way. The fear swept through her like wildfire and hazel brown eyes darted around in an attempt to identify the woman holding her.

The hand slowly slid from the back of her neck down her spine in an almost soothing, comforting touch. It erased some of the fear that dwelled inside of her and she released her breath. The warm hand reached her hips and slipped around to the front, slowly finding its way back up to the swell of her breasts underneath her simple black, long sleeved shirt. When she felt the soft, warm fingertips against the glowing flesh of her stomach, she gasped quietly. The woman behind her continued to lift up her shirt until she revealed the black laced bra she wore underneath. Long nails grazed over her swollen nipples.

"Promise me you won't turn around," whispered the deep, low voice into her ear and Hermione nodded slowly. The hand that pinned her wrists against the wall joined the one that cupped her breasts and a low, lust filled groan escaped her. "Don't you dare look at me."

Her bra was unhooked and slid down, revealing her breasts. Her teeth sank into her lip, tasting the sweet poison of her own blood, when she felt the warm hands caress them, flicking over her hardened nipples. The coolness of the wall merged with the heat radiating from her skin and she pressed herself against the stones in an attempt to control herself. Between her legs her arousal grew and she whimpered in appreciation when slender fingers dipped behind the waistband of her black jeans, unzipping them slowly before encountering the black lace underwear underneath.

She slightly turned her head in a response to warm lips kissing the side of her neck but a hand forced its way up into the bade of her neck and forced her face back against the wall. She felt her lover's pelvis grind against her back as their hand slid slowly behind her underwear, searching for the dampness that lay hidden there. Two fingers reached her entrance and slowly slid inside of her.

"Oh God," she whispered as the thrusts quickened. The other woman's thumb flicked over her most sensitive spot and her hands searched for support against the cool walls as her legs were forced further apart by her lover's knee. Their hand slowly slid down back to her breasts, pinching her nipples roughly as they continued to thrust deeply in and out of her. Their face was pressed against her own, glowing skin against glowing skin. She felt their warm lips dance across her cheek, their hot breath against her flesh.

She mouthed silent words of pleasure as the ministrations continued and Hermione felt the orgasm build up inside of her. All the muscles in her body began to tense up and she jerked unexpectedly when she hit that immense wave as it crashed into her. The sheer intensity almost made her knees buckle and she desperately grabbed for the cool bricks to support herself as her lover's hand still pressed against her core. Hermione shuddered as beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. Slowly her heart settled again in her chest and she reached down for the woman's hand to stay where it was but she pulled away, leaving her with a sense of longing.

By the time she had found her strength she realised she could no longer feel another body against her own and slowly Hermione turned around. The stairs were empty apart from herself and she reached down to zip up her jeans before fixing her bra and pulling down her shirt. She could still smell the arousal in the air and rushed to the banister to look down. She was about to turn away when she noticed Narcissa and Bellatrix emerging from the drawing room together and her eyes were then drawn to the front door. It was left wide open, inviting in the golden rays of morning sunshine.

~()~

"Ginny!"

Andromeda took very little care to make sure she wasn't seen by any of the Scouts. She stepped into the small living room of the old Butcher's shop and looked around. A pillow and a couple of blankets lay in a messy pile on one of the floral patterned sofas, a clear sign that someone had spent the night here. She waited for a couple of seconds, listening for any sign within the house that someone was here. She recognised the sound of soft voices coming from the other room and approached the door. It was slightly ajar and with her hand on her wand, she slowly opened it further. Ginny stood by the table, with Dean and Seamus beside her. The three of them looked up.

"Andy?" Ginny asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"They're coming," Andromeda whispered. "Get your parents out of East before nightfall!"

"What do you mean, they're coming?" Ginny asked, looking confused.

Andromeda's hand slipped into the pocket of her rope and she showed Ginny the glass phial. "Remember how we said we would only ever use this if we felt we were really desperate?"

Ginny frowned. "That's the Polyjuice Potion I gave you a month ago."

Andromeda nodded, "You remember what you said the night you gave it to me?"

"I said that we had no other way to find out what was happening unless we found a way to infiltrate the Scouts or Keepers," Ginny said slowly and her eyes lit up. "Andy, what have you done?"

"A couple of warriors did an inspection in North this morning. I suppose it was time for the usual check of supplies and guards," Andromeda said. "One of them wandered off a little too far. I don't even think his mate noticed was gone a little longer than usual but as soon as he came back he informed them they had to report to Robur Castle. Apparently Bellatrix has called a meeting."

Ginny whistled through her teeth. "You didn't…"

Andromeda smiled deviously. "I did. I managed to get a hair from this warrior and added it to the Potion. Tasted like Bubotuber pus mixed with old Hagrid's home made Firewhisky." She pulled a face. "When we got to Robur Castle, Bellatrix had all these plans of the different Quarters lying around on the table. Hermione didn't seem too impressed." She left out the part where her heart had almost exploded in her chest when she laid eyed on the young brunette. "But it wasn't until Narcissa walked in that things got really interesting."

"What happened?" Ginny asked.

"She suggested a raid in East to try and drive out your parents and any resistance members living there or hiding out. They're on to us, far more than we thought. They'll stop at nothing to get to you or your family. Hermione's vengeance must run deep." Andromeda swallowed hard. "They'll come in by nightfall and will burn every house that doesn't answer the door." Before Ginny could speak she shook her head. "They know about the old Muggle lady and the Polyjuice Potion. You have to get your parents out before it gets dark!"

Ginny covered her face in her hand. "When I came up with the idea for Polyjuice Potion in an attempt to infiltrate the Cores, I wasn't expecting either of them three to be alive when we left." She slowly looked up. "Did you even consider it?"

Andromeda frowned. "Consider what?"

"Killing her."

She closed her eyes. "You know just as well as I do that the Potion only lasts an hour, and even less if the hair is added at a later stage. The Potion you gave me was weeks old. I was lucky not to change back into myself until minutes after we left the Castle! I wouldn't have stood a chance against them."

"Did you see her?" Ginny asked and watched how the look in Andromeda's eyes changed. "You did, didn't you?"

She had done more than just see her. She had touched her, smelt her, loved her. She had been overwhelmed by the emotions inside of her. After weeks of not seeing Hermione, she had not thought her body could display such a reaction. She averted her gaze to hide the tears that had welled up in her eyes. "I did."

Ginny studied the dark haired witch for a couple of minutes before turning to Dean and Thomas. "Get word out to the others. All resistance members will be moving to Hogsmeade." Her gaze fixed on Dean. "Did we confirm that the other portrait was moved to the pub?" When he nodded she smiled. "Good. Let Rosmerta know we're coming. She can inform the others."

Dean and Seamus left the room, sharing a look as they did so, and disappeared. Ginny turned back to look at Andromeda. The scar across her cheek had healed and though still unsightly, it no longer looked as painful and raw. Her brown eyes searched and found Andromeda's. "We only had one chance at this. I'm not sure if I would have used the Potion the way you did, but you offered to be the one risking your life to try it."

Andromeda set her jaw. "I would do it again if I had to." Her eyes pierced into Ginny's. "I know it may not have been what you would have done, but it will save your parents. That must be worth something."

Ginny nodded. "Speaking of things that are worth something, there is something else we've found."

Andromeda furrowed her brow. "And what exactly is that?"

"We found Ollivander."