CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Summary: Hermione's secret is discovered by The Order of the Phoenix. Before Harry is rescued, she needs to be first. But from who? With the help of Sirius she learns to put the past behind her, and with the help of two Weasleys, they show her a happy future. But Hermione isn't who she thinks she is, what she discovers will change her life for good. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: All original characters and canon events belong to J.K. Rowling. Non-canon events are my own ideas. I am not making any profit from posting this fanfic.
Page count: 14
The Cottage – Saturday 14th March 1998
"Are we all clear on the plan?" Hermione asked from her place standing on top of the kitchen table, looking around at The Order members that were currently stuffed into her cottage. There had to be at least fifty present and some of them she had never even met before, and yet she knew that there were already Order members posted nearby Hogwarts, waiting for the signal.
Everyone nodded in response and she noticed they all stood taller and had their wands at the ready.
"This is our chance to end this war and destroy Him for good. It's not going to be easy, some of us will be injured, some of us will die and we will witness horrific things tonight. But it's important that we remember why we are fighting and who we are fighting for." She knelt down and took her dozing son from Fred and she stood up, everyone but family looking confused. "I, Hermione Weasley-Black, am fighting for a better world, I am fighting for all of you, for my family, for my mates and husbands, and for my son." The room filled with gasps, looking at her in complete surprise since it had been a well kept secret that she was pregnant, to be honest she was surprised Ginny hadn't blabbed about it, but everything had gone perfectly.
"I, Fred Weasley," he spoke, climbing up onto the table to stand beside her. "I am fighting for our future where our children will be safe. I am fighting for my family, for my wife and my son."
"And I, George Weasley," he climbed up onto the table also standing on the other side of her. "I'm fighting to keep laughter and joy alive. I'm fighting for my family, for my wife and for my son," he spoke proudly, the twins putting their arms around her.
"I'm fighting to end this war," the crowd parted and Harry stepped forward. "I'm fighting so that we can live without darkness, so we are free to live and do as we please. So that no one has to suffer, or be tortured or murdered. I'm fighting for my family," he eyes flickering between Sirius and The Weasleys, "I'm fighting for my sister and my nephew," he spoke, his eyes looking at Hermione and Alex and she nodded at him, tears threatening to spill.
"If anyone harms my children, the apron's coming off and the spoon's coming out," they all turned towards the voice and were surprised to see it was Mrs Weasley that had spoken.
Fred and George looked at each other and then started laughing and clapping.
"Mum made a joke! It's a sign," Fred said.
"Yeah, it's a miracle, which must mean we're going to win this," George spoke, causing everyone to erupt into laughter, whilst Mrs Weasley scowled.
For the next ten minutes, one by one, someone stepped forward explaining why they were fighting and the longer it went on, the more light hearted the atmosphere became and the sillier the reasons were. One person said they were fighting for a future where a better brand of fire whiskey could exist, whilst another said they were fighting for better tasting food, since everyone was on rations as Voldemort controlled what came in and out of the country.
Once everyone had calmed down Hermione looked at the clock seeing that it was time.
"Alright everyone, get to your places, we're about to force the final battle, I have two spies that are in the ranks of Death Eaters," they looked surprised at the news. "They have been spies for The Order far longer than Snape has been and I trust them both with my life. They will be at the final battle and they have been given a very important mission to complete, which will be pivotal in the downfall of Him. I have marked them, should any of you come into contact with them, you will know that they are on our side. When duelling with them, don't try to kill them, but you must make it look real for their safety, they will not be ousted until after the final battle and they are safe." After her words, one by one everyone left the cottage, heading to their agreed places, until that left only Harry, Ron, Fred and George, Hermione and Sirius.
They climbed off the table and Hermione handed Alex to George, before moving over to Harry and Ron, hugging them both tightly.
"You know the plan?" she asked them both.
"Yes, Hermione," Ron rolled his eyes. "You've drilled it into us, I don't think I'm ever going to forget it, even if I wanted too," she scowled at him.
They shared a look, this is what they had been fighting towards for the past six years, and it was finally upon them. This would be the last obstacle until they could all start over again. Until they could all be happy and safe. Until they could be free and make their own decisions, without any pressure, any death or danger.
With one last hug, Harry and Ron left also and then she went over to Fred and George. She took Alex from them and looked down at him, peaceful in his sleep and completely oblivious to the on goings in the outside world, or that this may be last time he ever saw his parents again.
She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"I love you so much, and whether I am here in life, or dead and in the afterlife, you will never be alone and I will always love you. I will always make sure you are protected and loved and cared for. You will not know pain and suffering, or cold and hunger. You will be loved and you will be safe," she placed a kiss to his forehead, sniffling and she handed him to Fred, allowing him to say his goodbyes to his son, just in case they didn't make it.
She walked over to Sirius and hugged him tightly.
"I love you and I can't be any more grateful for what you have done for me, and what you have given me," she whispered.
"You've done for me for me than I have for you," he replied quietly. "And adopting you is the best decision I have ever made, you are one of the best things to ever happen in my life, and you will always be my daughter," he confessed.
She pulled back from him tears falling freely and seeing that he wore the same sad expression on his face.
"I need you to stay here."
"What? There is not a chance in hell I am staying here whilst my daughter and godson are out fighting a war." He looked angry that she had even suggested it.
She shook her head and wiped away her tears. "Please, I need you to stay here, I need someone I can trust, I need someone that I know is capable of loving and caring for Alex," his eyes widened. "If anything happens to me and the twins, we have all agreed that it will be you that will get full custody of Alex. Not Mr and Mrs Weasley, but you. I need you to stay here and protect my son and your grandson. I can't win this war if I am distracted and worried for his safety, but I know that you care for him and I know you love him. It's bad enough that I'll be worrying about the twins but they refuse to stay behind, I don't want to be worrying about you or Alex too. I'll be in a better frame of mind and better focused if I know that both you and Alex are safe. I know that you want to finish what you started and I know that you want revenge for James and Lily, but it's our time now, and I will make sure that everyone responsible is taken of. I need you to protect Alex."
The anger inside of him dissipated and filled with sadness and fear.
"Just come back to us safely," he said quietly. She hugged tightly and then stepped back, watching as George placed their sleeping son into Sirius' arms and they stood beside her, taking her hands in theirs.
"Be careful, look after each other and come back to us," Sirius said. The twins and Sirius shared a look, before looking down to Hermione, she could see the determination, worry and fear on their faces and she squeezed their hands.
She felt her galleon heat up in her pocket and pulled it out.
Now! It read.
"It's time," she spoke and with one last look to Sirius and Alex, she disappeared in her tornado.
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Hogwarts
They landed in the room of requirements which was filled with Order members and students rushing about, some she recognised like Neville and Seamus, Lavender and Pavarti, others she didn't. Hermione kissed the twins on their cheeks and then transported herself just outside the great hall doors, where she knew most of the school was convened, because Harry had intentionally set off the wards in Hogsmeade, with the help of Dumbledore's brother, he had been snuck into the castle through a secret passage way.
"Where is Potter?" she heard Snape demand, his voice echoing through the hall and there were sudden gasps.
Hermione waited for Harry to give the signal and he did. The doors slammed open, banging against the stone walls and everyone turned to sound.
Hermione stood there, a bored look on her face and she walked into the hall, the crowd of students parting for her. Some looked hopeful, someone fearful and others surprised when they saw her.
She stopped next to Harry and stared Snape down, noticing that several of the Death Eater professors shifted nervously on their feet and they had pulled their wands after her arrival.
"It's time for you to leave," her voice rang clear.
Just as they raised their wands McGonagall stepped in front Harry protectively and Hermione felt pride and awe fill her when two of the Death Eaters had been knocked out by a single spell. She forced Snape into a duel and Hermione allowed her magic to take care of the others, stood against the walls of the hall and surrounding the students.
Harry grinned at her when he saw that she had barely blinked and they were out cold.
Snape's eyes darted between her and Harry, before he deflected McGonagall's curse and apparated, leaving Hogwarts once again, free from the control of Voldemort.
The students erupted into cheers and applause.
"Well, I'm glad to see that part of the plan went well," Hermione said lightly. Harry snorted, as if Hermione's meticulous plans would fail. "Time for part two. We are now in control of Hogwarts and He will know, he will know that we are both here and it's too much of a temptation for him to resist. My guess, we an hour at most, we need to secure the castle, strengthen the protective magic surrounding it and get anyone below the age of seventeen out of the castle for safety, if not the dungeons are our best option of keeping them safe, we can defend it much easier and no one tends to go down there anyway."
"It's good to have you back, Mrs Weasley-Black," McGonagall commented, a rare smile stretching her face, even as her hat was almost falling off due to her duelling with Snape. "You seem far more protective over the younger students," she observed.
"Haven't you heard, Professor, I'm a mother now?" Harry sniggered as McGonagall's eyes widened and her mouth opened, showing more emotion than he had ever seen from her.
"You're pregnant, you can't be here, if anything..."
Hermione cut her off with a wave of her hand. "No, professor, I was pregnant, but no more. I gave birth three months ago to a healthy baby boy, which we have named Alexander, so we need to win this war in order for you to be able to teach me son, just as you did me, and his fathers, and his grandfather. Oh, and he's a spitting double of the twins, just warning now."
"But how?"
"It's a long story, of which I will explain later with a nice cup of tea, oh, and some shortbread, I've grown quite partial to shortbread after my pregnancy cravings." Hermione leaned up and straightened her hat for her. "Come on, Professor, time to put your game face on," McGonagall cleared her throat before nodding to them both and turning on her heel, beginning to shout off orders to staff members and older students.
"Hermione!" she turned to see Neville rushing towards her and she smiled at him.
"Hey Neville, I hear you've done wonderfully keeping the other students safe over the past year," he blushed under her praise.
"It was nothing," he mumbled shyly. "Fred said that you have a mission for me."
"I do and it's going to require Seamus and his amazing ability to blow everything he touches up," she grinned.
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Voldemort had arrived exactly an hour after Hermione had predicted and when it was made clear to him that neither she nor Harry would be given up for the safety of the others, the start of the final battle began.
Hermione was stood in the astronomy tower, on the small balcony where she had a good advantage point and she could see the battle field below. She knew there wasn't much she could do with her elemental magic to reinforce the protective shields, so she waited until they were broken.
When she heard and saw the explosion over at the bridge, she knew the time had finally come. She took a deep breath, and absentmindedly rested her hand against her now flat stomach and she frowned to herself when she caught herself doing so.
She shook her head and her eyes narrowed, as hundreds of Death Eaters ran onto Hogwarts grounds, heading straight towards the others who were stood on the front line waiting.
Her eyes flickered to The Black Lake and she waited, waited for them to get closer. Just as they were about to collide with everyone fighting for the light, Hermione lifted her hand and summoned the element of water, watching as the water of The Black Lake began to ripple and splash about. Suddenly it flew up and like a tsunami it travelled across the grounds and stopped the Death Eaters from getting any closer to the castle, as there was a very effective water barrier between them.
She knew that some of them had likely died from drowning as several of them had been caught in the waves. She held it up as long as could but the strain on her magic was painful and her muscles were weakening from trying to contain the large body of water, but she couldn't hold it and the barrier suddenly dropped, before moving back over to The Black Lake and returning to its calm form once again, as if nothing had happened.
She had given her side the upper hand as they were able to take the Death Eaters by surprise, though she did note that there were fewer than before, some had died, some had stayed and others had likely left to find another way around the barrier.
The sound of spells being cast, of screams, of bangs and things shattering carried through the winds and over to her ears, letting her know that the battle was well underway.
From the corner of her eyes she caught the sight of dozens of Death Eaters approaching on brooms, shooting curses and Unforgivables in an aerial attack. It was a rather stupid thing to do, when you knew that your biggest threat was practically Mother Nature in human form.
She called up on the element of air and she simply stood and watched as the wind picked up so it was no longer a gentle breeze. She watched as the Death Eaters had to grip onto their brooms as the wind shook them off course, some landing in the lake, some falling off their brooms to the ground and some being pushed away from the castle and back in the opposite direction. She had taken care of the aerial attack and hopefully they wouldn't try again.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock and fear when she saw several giants coming into view, how the hell had he managed to get giants on his side? She could see others already trying to defeat them but she knew it wasn't going to be that easy.
Checking to see that everything was being handled, she disappeared from the astronomy tower and landed herself in the Forbidden Forrest. She stepped aside as several centaurs rushed past her, their bows already aimed and firing off arrows, hitting their targets with perfect precision. She caught the eye of the last one to pass and he nodded at her, bowing his head slightly in respect and she nodded to him in thanks.
She rushed through the forest finding a selection of particularly large and strong looking trees and she walked over to them. She placed her hand against the rough bark, closing her eyes she summoned the element of earth and asked for its help. The ground beneath her shook in response and when she stepped back, a loud rumble was heard and she gasped in wonder when she saw the tree suddenly uproot and stand, shaking it's branches out, like a wet dog does its fur. It was s strange sight to witness; it was a cross between the Whomping Willow and something she had once seen in The Wizard of Oz.
The tree took off, heading straight towards the castle and she slowly repeated the process, animating close to thirty of the largest and strongest trees that she could find. Sensing that her elemental magic was beginning to weaken, she decided to cease using it until it was absolutely necessary. She transported herself away from the forest and landed in a corridor of the castle.
She pulled her wand and her protective instincts flared up when she noticed that three young children were being cornered by two large Death Eaters, whilst another two older students did their best to protect them, but she could see they didn't have the experience.
Hermione ran forward and sensing her presence, the Death Eaters turned to look at her and since their masks had long since fallen off, she was able to see them pale and fear flashed across their faces.
Hermione used their distraction and had them both unconscious and bound, and she locked them in the broom cupboard. Hermione gave the older students instructions to escort the younger students to the dungeons and she praised them on protecting them, before turning and running down the corridors, helping wherever she could.
She didn't know how long the battle had been going, she only knew that she was sweaty, dirty and tired, but she couldn't give up, as far as she could tell, they were evenly matched and they were the best odds they had ever had before. They had a real chance of winning the war.
She rounded a corner, skidding on some blood that had pooled around the dead body of a Death Eater when her ears picked up on Fred's voice. She turned her head to see Fred and Percy duelling against two Death Eaters she couldn't see the faces of.
"Do my ears deceive me? Did Percy just make a joke?" he laughed loudly in surprise and glee. "I don't think I've heard you joke since we were..."
And then there was an explosion, a loud bang and she watched as everything happened in slow motion. The wall behind Fred was blown into rubble and a large part of the wall was falling towards him.
"NO!" she let out an ear piercing scream, the windows in the corridor shattering into millions of pieces, the flames in the torches flaring up dangerously and she vaguely heard the agonizing screams of several people behind her as they were set on fire.
The two Death Eaters they had been duelling were picked up and flown away from Percy and Fred, flying out of the window, and there was no way they'd survive the fall; they were on the fourth floor.
Hermione's magic acted out without thought, golden and fiery red dust particles, flying through the air until they surrounded Fred, just as the wall fell on him, trapping him underneath.
She sobbed and ran to him, pulling parts of the wall out of the way and when she couldn't get through to him, she screamed once more and the stone wall crumbled into small pieces which she had cleared away.
She turned Fred so that he lay on his back and she could look down at him. His eyes were closed and there was still a smile on his face, but the energy of her magic was still surrounding him, the red and gold shimmering like diamonds in the sun.
Her hands wandered over his face, feeling his warm skin and catching some blood on her fingers from previous injuries, she could barely focus, but when her hands found his neck and she felt a small 'thump' against her fingers, she sobbed in relief. Pressing her ear against his chest, she drowned out the noise of shouts and screams, of someone saying her name and of Voldemort's voice carrying over the grounds. She felt happiness rage through her body when she clearly heard the sound of Fred's heart beating, and it was beating strong.
He wasn't dead, he was alive, and when he came around, she was going kill him for not paying attention.
She jumped and had her wand pressed up against someone's neck when she felt them touch her shoulder.
She had to blink several times in order to see through her bleary eyes, but she noticed it was Percy and she lowered her wand, forcing herself to listen to what he was saying. She could see his lips moving but she couldn't hear anything, the sound of the explosion still ringing in ears.
"Is he alive?" she heard, but it was as if she were underwater.
"He's alive," she responded, wiping her tears away from her face.
"You-Know-Who's called off his army, he's given us an hour to heal our injured and bury the dead. The injured will be in the great hall," he informed her. She looked around, noticing that although bodies littered the floor, the corridor was empty apart from the three of them.
She nodded and wiped at her eyes, before gently holding onto Fred's hand and she grabbed Percy's arm, transporting them to the great hall.
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Several people stepped out of the way as the tornado suddenly appeared, and they relaxed when they saw that it was only Hermione.
"FRED!" Hermione heard the pain in his voice, and George dropped down beside her, his eyes beginning to water.
"He's alive, George," she said softly, her own tears falling. He looked up and seeing her looking distraught but also relieved, he leaned over and pulled her into him, not caring for his own injuries.
"What happened?"
"There was an explosion and the wall collapsed on him. He should've died instantly but my magic protected him, I don't know how, but it kept him safe. He'll need to be checked over, but his pulse seems to be fine and his heart beat is strong. I think he may just be unconscious at the moment and he'll come around eventually."
He rested his forehead against her, feeling relief fill him.
"I saw what you did with The Black Lake, it was incredible, I have never seen anything like it, but I don't think The Giant Squid's impressed with you messing with its territory, it went mental, grabbing Death Eaters in its tentacles and drowning them in the lake. And those trees, I knew the minute I saw them that you had something to do with it."
She sighed. "You're hurt," she whispered, wiping away the blood on his cheek with her thumb and she watched as the skin knitted back together underneath her touch. She pulled away from him and did the same for Fred, his cuts and burns healing instantly, making it look as though he were just sleeping.
"Hermione," George said softly, and when she looked up at him, she immediately recognised the look on his face.
"Who is it?" she whispered.
"Remus," he replied and her tears began to fall once more.
Her eyes searched the hall and she landed on Tonks, though she didn't have the usual bubble gum pink hair, no, it was jet black, show casing her sadness. She was kneeled on the ground next to a body that was covered with a grey blanket and she held their hand.
"He doesn't have long left," he said sadly. Hermione placed a kiss to George's cheek and then stood and walked over to them, dropping to her knees.
Remus turned his head and gave her a tired, weak smile. His skin was so pale she would think he'd seen a ghost and when she took his hand, she noted that it was cold. Her eyes caught the area on the blanket were blood had seeped through.
"Hey," he said weakly and she looked back to his face. "Don't you worry about me; you've got more important things to be dealing with."
"You're important to me," she stated with sincerity. "And I'm not going to lose you, I'm not going to let you die. Think about Alex, with both Fred and George and Sirius, he needs the both of us. Did we forget to ask you? We want you to be his Godfather," she saw the emotions cross his face; happiness that she had even considered him to be a part of Alex's life, and sadness that he wasn't going to be there to see him grow.
Tonks looked at her, her eyes red and puffy and with tears flowing down her face. "There's nothing that can be done for him. The cursed he was hit with is designed to reject all forms of magical healing. The wound will only grow bigger when trying to heal it. From what we can tell, it missed his organs, but he's going to die of blood loss, the Blood Replenishers can't keep up with his blood loss and we're almost out any way," she spoke through her tears.
Hermione's eyes darted around the hall and they landed on the torches, her eyes fell down to Remus, seeing that his eyes were slowly beginning to close.
"So what if we don't use magic?"
"There is no other way," Tonks spoke, her anger starting to come through.
"There just might be, I need you to get me some Blood Replenishers, I'll deal with the rest," Tonks didn't move. "I might be able to save him but I need your help." Tonks reluctantly let go of Remus' hand and rushed to find what Hermione had asked for.
Hermione shifted to Remus' other side and she pulled away the blanket from him, seeing the large wound on his side that was pouring blood and didn't look as though it were going to stop, he was becoming colder and paler by the minute.
"What are you going to do?" Tonks reappeared beside her. "I'm going to use a Muggle method and cauterise the wound. It will be exceptionally painful, but it's the only thing that has a chance of saving him." Without waiting for a response, Hermione held out her hand and the flame from the torch floated over to her, landing in her palm.
Hermione took a deep breath and before she could talk herself out of it, with the flame in her hand, she pushed her hand against Remus' side.
Remus gave an agonised scream, turning all attention to them and Tonks' tears increased tenfold at seeing his pain. Remus passed out from the pain within in a minute of Hermione touching him. She pulled back her hand to see that the wound had healed, but it still didn't look good.
"His wound's healed, he needs the Blood Replenisher and he'll need to be treated for burns, I don't know if it'll work or if it's only delaying the inevitable but I think it will give him a chance of survival. He just has to hold on now."
Tonks dragged Hermione into a hug, sobbing against her shoulder.
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Hermione had just transported Ron and Snape to the great hall, since Snape was currently dying from Nagini's venom after Voldemort had turned on him. Harry had gone to Dumbledore's office to use the pensive to view the memories Snape had given him, and they must've been important since they were given on his death bed.
"It's no use," his voice was weak as Hermione pressed her hands against his neck to stem the bleeding, whilst she waited for Madam Pomphrey to finish tending to her patient, before Snape could be seen. "I'll be dead in a matter of minutes."
"No, you won't, you're not allowed to die, I haven't had the chance to set you on fire for what you did," she replied.
He chuckled humourlessly. "Yes, I see that my efforts to protect you were wasted, since you are still here in battle. Was the baby healthy?" his eyes were dropping and she replied to keep to him awake, so he had her voice to focus on.
"Yes, but I had some complications during my pregnancy. The baby developed at a rate far faster than ever before seen in a human pregnancy. Conception happened in April, yet the baby was born in December, and he was fully developed, even going so far as to be a week later than my expected due date. I had some complications and suffered some haemorrhaging, but Regulus was able to heal me. I'm now the mother to a three month old little boy named Alexander, and I am currently here fighting a war, when I should be at home with my husbands, watching over our son as he sleeps. I'm not letting Him win, not when I have something so special waiting for me when I get back."
"I see the mutt isn't here," he mumbled and she pressed down harder on his neck, making him hiss.
"He's at home with Alex, he's the only person I trust to keep my son safe and to love and protect him if I don't survive. And now you need to fight to stay alive, so that when my son comes to Hogwarts, you can sneer at him and insult his potion making ability simply because he's the son of the Fred and George, and we both know that between myself and the twins, he'll be a brilliant potioneer."
"Thank you, Dear, I'll take over from here," Madam Pomphrey interrupted and Hermione moved aside. "How's your child?"
"A healthy, three month old little boy, named Alexander and he's a spitting double of his fathers."
She chuckled. "Another Weasley then?"
"Sirius is a little put out that he looks more like a Weasley than a Black," Hermione responded, before standing up and walking over to George, who sat beside Fred waiting for him to wake.
Hermione needed to speak to George but she didn't know how to broach the subject. Her elemental magic was low and she felt drained, there was a way for her magic to recharge or so to speak, temporarily, as they had witnessed when she had magical power surges when she was intimate with the twins.
George sensing that she was approaching stood up and met her half way.
"What is it?" he asked seeing the look on her face.
She looked around before taking his hand and transporting them into an empty corridor. She pushed him into an alcove behind a tapestry, hiding them from view of anyone that may pass and she used her wand to cast her blue-bell flames, giving them some light in the darkness.
"You look exhausted," he commented, his hand tilting her chin up so he could look down at her.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." He raised an eyebrow. "I've used far more of my elemental magic than I ever intended to and it's very low. The battle isn't over yet and I'm still going to need to be able to access my power when the respite is over. My elemental power is tapping into my magical core and is draining me. I won't be able to use my elemental magic to my full potential because I don't have time to rest and allow it recharge naturally. But there is a way to give me a temporary source of power, to be able to tap into and channel into my elemental magical."
His eyes held confusion until something inside clicked and his eyes lit up in understanding.
"You mean when you have a surge of magical power after being with Fred and I," he nodded and she forced herself not to blush.
"It's the only way I will be able to use my elemental magic and we both know we need it on our side. I just feel so guilty for bringing it up, especially with the circumstances surrounding us."
"It's not your fault," he took her face in his hands. "And we both know that unlike Freddie, you don't need to ask me twice," he smirked down at her. "Who would've thought? The only chance we have of winning this war and saving the world is dependent on me ravishing my beautiful wife."
"Stop that," she scolded, "we're in the middle of a battle field."
"That doesn't mean that you're not beautiful, or that I don't want to ravish you, because I do." He cut off her reply by pressing his lips to hers, hiking her up his body and pressing her into the wall. "Now, it's time for us to save the world," he muttered against her lips.
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If you asked Hermione what had happened after she and George left the alcove she wasn't she could tell you, since her mind had gone blank. After their quick romp in the alcove and continuously declaring their love for each other, Hermione felt a sudden power boost to her magic and when she stepped out of the alcove, the flames in the torches burned brighter, hotter and they flared up, reaching out to touch her as she walked past them.
She and George had been making their way back to the great hall when Voldemort had gloated about killing Harry, about winning the war.
She had ran to the entrance hall where everyone was already convened, staring in horror as Harry's lifeless body was in Hagrid's arms, and seeing that the bloody snake was still alive.
Everything inside Hermione went numb and she stumbled back, George caught her and wrapped his arms around her stomach, keeping her pressed against his chest as he murmured in her ear, trying to get through to her.
She was vaguely aware of Voldemort giving them the opportunity to switch sides, and of Neville stepping forwards.
But she was too busy feeling. Anger was swirling inside of her. It was because of Him that so many had suffered and died. It was because of Him that Harry was an orphan and was forced to live with The Dursleys. It was because of him that Remus may still be dying. It was because of Him that Fred had been hurt and if she hadn't have been there, her mate would've died. It was because of him that her little brother and best friend was dead.
He needed to be punished for his crimes. She wanted him to be punished. No, she wanted him dead, more than she had ever wanted anyone to be dead.
She could feel it, building and building and building, yet it was still wound tightly inside of her. She didn't understand, why hadn't her magic acted out? She knew it wanted to, that it needed to. What was it waiting for?
She got her answer when cheers and gasps hit her ringing ears and she cried in relief seeing Harry stood in front of Neville, his wand pointed at Voldemort.
She could see them taking, but she couldn't hear them. Her blood was pounding in her ears, her magic swarming around her body, making her feel dizzy and as if she was about to explode. She slammed her eyes shut and clamped her hands over her ears, trying to control her breathing.
She saw a blinding flash of light through her closed eyelids and when she opened them, it was too see that Nagini was dead, duels had once again broke out and Harry's and Voldemort's spells had collided. Red against green, with sparks of magical energy spitting dangerously.
She pulled out of George's hold and ran forward, ignoring his shouts.
She now knew what she had to do. Harry couldn't beat him on his own, he needed her help. He needed The Blue Mage.
She stopped beside him, and she stopped trying to control her magic, she let it flow freely.
Her eyes opened and they were no longer chocolate brown.
"I told you the day that you attacked my mates, that you had lost the war," her voice wasn't her own; it was more musical, one that several people had come to recognise to be her Blue Mage side. All duels stopped as Hermione was lifted off the ground, her hair floating behind her and she began to glow a blinding white colour.
There was a sudden clash of rumbling thunder, making the entire ground shake and a bolt of lightning shot from the sky, hitting Voldemort in the back. He crumbled under her attack, meaning Harry got the upper hand and Voldemort was no more, just a pile of ash.
Everything fell quiet, until cheers and applause rang out and Death Eaters turned and fled, but they didn't get away.
Bolts of lightning shot from the sky like a meteor shower, slamming into those that tried to escape. Some survived, some didn't. But The Blue Mage had done her job.
She had righted the wrongs of others. She had protected the innocent and punished the criminals.
Hermione fell from the sky, heading towards the ground at the speed of a bullet train.
"Arresto Momentum!" George called, slowing down her descent and Fred arrived just in that moment and he caught her.
Hermione's eyes remained open, but they weren't her eyes.
Fred and George knelt down beside her.
"My mates," her musical voice whispered. "My mates are safe and they are happy," she smiled, her eyes closing.
"Hermione?" Fred shook her slightly in his hold and her eyes fluttered open, now chocolate brown.
She smiled when she saw Fred and George, both looking well, but a little worried.
"Did we win?"
"Of course we won, exactly how you planned it," they confirmed, smiling softly.
She sighed. "Let's go home; I want to sleep, cuddled with my husbands and our perfect little boy."