One more chapter after this guys.
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Fighting Monsters
Chapter Fifteen: The Gatekeeper
"Fear is not real. It is the product of thoughts you create. Danger is very real, but fear is a choice."
—Will Smith
Hermione dropped her hand that had been blocking away the bright light once she became accustomed to it. Her light brown eyes looked around the familiar surroundings as she took a step further into The Point of No Return. The void was exactly the way she remembered it.
"You."
Hermione flinched at the chilling tone, turning around to see a man she had never met approaching her and Dumbledore. The man was almost a foot taller than her with messy brown hair alongside a scrappy beard. He wore a frown, wrinkle between his narrowed brow, as he observed them. A strange cloth was wrapped around the right side of his chest, leaving the left bare, and the rest was tucked into his baggy brown pants.
"Eli," Dumbledore spoke to him as if he were an old friend. "How nice of you to meet us at the gates,"
By the way Eli's body tensed, Hermione assumed he wasn't a huge fan of her old Headmaster. "…our lords have been awaiting your arrival, follow me." He spoke curtly before turning on his bare feet.
Dumbledore gestured for her to follow. "This way then,"
Hermione followed the two men, wary, as they stepped through a door she had never seen before. It was lined with bright gold over the frame. And when she stepped through, her whole body threatened to fall due to the powerful magic emanating from within.
"What…" Hermione trailed off, in awe as she walked through the crowd of people on her left and right.
They were all unfamiliar to her as they watched her from the golden pews. Their eyes full of judgement and curiosity as she proceeded down the aisle. The room she had entered seemed to be some type of courtroom and the powerful magic was coming from the front where she assumed the judge was.
Hermione looked forward, unable to see, as Dumbledore blocked her view of the front she desperately needed to see.
Just who was in charge here and why was their magic so ground shaking?
"Dumbledore," A powerful voice shook the room. "I have been expecting you."
Hermione tried to look past the wizard's shoulder as Eli spoke with much distaste. "He opened the gates even after you forbade anyone from doing so, even brought the girl here, and I suspect he was the one to send Salazar to her universe." He accused.
"But, Miss Granger sent him back." Dumbledore spoke with such confidence, and pride.
The powerful voice wasn't happy. "I know." They growled before there was a pause. "Step forward, let me see her."
Hermione swallowed, moving forward as Dumbledore did. Eli stood to her right with his arms behind his back, watching her with a guarded expression. It took her a moment to look away before she turned to look where the magic was calling.
"Bloody hell," Hermione gasped, stumbling back in shock. "Impossible…"
It couldn't be.
"I sent you back," Hermione made a move to reach for her wand.
Eli was quicker, as he lifted a hand to her. "Relax, Eli, it's fine." A powerful voice said with a sigh. "…she deserves to be confused. She did just send a version of me back,"
She felt her grip weaken, fearful, as Salazar Slytherin himself stood from his throne. "I've heard many things about you, Hermione." She lowered her wand completely as he spoke. "I know you are confused, and afraid, and it isn't your fault; you didn't ask for this."
Salazar gestured to the other three powerful beings sitting on their own thrones to his left. "I know you're familiar with—"
"Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw—yes, I am very familiar." Hermione said with a shaky voice, looking up at the trio as they stared down at her impassively.
Before her sat the four house rulers of Hogwarts. Alive and well. She must be dreaming.
"Be calm dear," Hermione jumped as Rowena spoke, leaning further into her thrown as if she were bored. "You are not the one who is on trial, so you shouldn't be afraid." She reassured, and immediately, Hermione felt herself calm down.
Helga nodded from beside the other powerful witch, glaring. "Dumbledore is."
"But, we will not be the ones to cast judgement." Godric explained as he turned to Salazar. "You chose him from one of your universes to join us, so this is your domain. We are only here to observe,"
Salazar nodded in agreement, before his fierce gaze turned to Dumbledore. "…you know how this works. You will plead your case, leave nothing out, and I will decide your fate."
Dumbledore, not afraid, smiled. "What would you like to know, my lord?"
"Everything." Salazar growled as he moved forward; his magic paralyzing them in a way. "But first, why did you equip Hermione with our abilities and why did you bring her here today?" He demanded.
Dumbledore crossed his arms behind his back, speaking. "When she defeated her uncle, she was brought to The Point of No Return, and it was my job to send her home safely. But, it was the perfect opportunity to move forward with my plans—"
"What plans explain." Salazar demanded.
"You selected me to join you here, to protect the world from afar, when I was only in my sixth year at Hogwarts…I wanted to train more witches and wizards to get on my level, so we could have more people with us up here." Dumbledore began. "I saw the perfect opportunity for Wendall Riddle."
Hermione shook her head at the mention of her father.
"He had great potential, and I knew in the end he would be the one to defeat his brother; and I was somewhat right." Dumbledore explained. "I approached him, right before he decided to leave the school for good."
Hogwarts, 1943
School Halls
"Mr. Riddle," A younger looking Dumbledore approached the sixteen-year-old who was walking quickly through the halls. "Could I have a word?"
Wendall resisted the urge to groan, as he turned on his heel to look at his Professor. "Actually, sir, I'm in somewhat of a rush." He glanced at the clock, sighing; he only had a few minutes before Tom returned from potions.
He wanted to be far away from the wizarding world before that happened; so, his brother couldn't talk him out of what he had planned.
"It will only take a moment." Dumbledore said with a smile. "You are an extraordinary student, brightest wizard of your age even, and I've been watching you." He continued even as the teenager looked away sheepishly. "I believe you could, can, be so much more. And there is an opportunity for you to further your knowledge in magic while also fighting for—"
Wendall held his hand up. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I'm not interested."
"Are you sure?" Dumbledore frowned.
Wendall nodded quickly. "Sounds like too much responsibility, but I wish you luck in your search for a much better candidate." He waved as he slowly back away. "If you excuse me, I'm late for class,"
"Of course," The professor said with a thin smile, watching the teen go.
Dumbledore didn't mention that there were no classes starting around this time to be late for.
"I planned on seeking him out again, but by that time Wendall had already dropped out and gone into hiding," Dumbledore explained. "…for a long time, I contemplated the right choice, someone pure but fierce." Hermione shook with anger as the wizard smiled at her. "Then the golden trio happened."
Hermione, despite her anger, speaks calmly. "Why me? Why not Harry or Ron?"
"Ronald didn't seem ready at the time, I only thought about him during his sixth year but by then I had already chosen you. I had my mind set on Harry for a long time but you…" Dumbledore shrugged. "You were, are, the brightest witch of you age; you beat Harry when it came to knowledge. I quickly realized, when you three defeated that siren, that you were the brains behind everything."
He laughed roughly at the memories. "And then, when you hit Bellatrix with that spell—I realized how much you were holding back…you are sympathetic to elves and as a muggle-born, which is what I thought you were at the time—you had compassion that every great ruler should need. So, I picked you."
"For what?" Hermione frowned.
Dumbledore gestured around them. "For this!" He exclaimed gleefully. "…in every universe, and there are a lot, one mortal is chosen above the rest to join us here when their death comes. This is why I wasn't afraid to die—I knew I would be able to do more up here, than I ever could down there."
He smiles, madly. "So, I devised a plan to prepare you for more."
"What do you mean more?" Salazar questioned after a long moment of being silent.
Dumbledore grinned. "Usually, we wait until death to remove our chosen mortals…but I wanted to bring her now." He continued despite the whispers in the crowd; Hermione frowned. "I thought, if I destroyed everything keeping her there that she would be more powerful and more willing to join us now."
"Her friendship with Harry and Ron was far too strong for me to break during the school years, and plus they were making her stronger as they prepared to defeat the dark lord; who I didn't know at the time was her uncle." Dumbledore confessed. "She was getting enough training on her own as they took on dementors, death eaters, and created an army of students; Harry and Ron were useful, so I didn't touch them at first."
"At first," Hermione mumbled to herself, outraged.
Dumbledore continued, ignorant to the anger emanating from the four house rulers. "Tearing apart her friendships would have to wait; I wanted her to get as close to them as possible before I took it all away, to make her stronger." He brightened. "…then I had an idea when Bellatrix came along."
Hermione felt herself freeze, all her boiling anger coming to a stop as it was replaced with fear.
"I used her infatuation with Hermione to my advantage, thought the most powerful thing to break someone was to take love away from them. I noticed Bellatrix's affections more during her third year, and after the hex Hermione hit her with I managed to place them in more classes together; despite how McGonagall demanded the opposite." Dumbledore said. "Not only would Hermione fall for her, but, Bellatrix brought out the fire I needed to see. So, it worked both ways."
Hermione clenched her fists. "That's why you gave Bella the compass and suggested you thought she was meant to be with us…it's because you were hoping it would happen." She realized.
That's why Dumbledore took such an interest in her relationship with the witch. It was all part of his plan to force them together before tearing them apart.
"I planned on doing more in my death." Dumbledore nodded, gaining Salazar's full attention now. "I gave Hermione some of our abilities through a memory I returned to her. I wanted her to learn how to use her powers, so I sent the Salazar from that universe to her as a test; to see if she was strong enough, and wise, to do the right thing." He confessed.
Eli glanced at the four house rulers pointedly.
"Hermione's parents helped me without knowing it when they guilt tripped her into staying quiet, eliminating her faith in her family. Then, I stole the letters she wrote to Harry and Ron," Hermione growled low in her throat as the lies piled up; she felt like she was about to snap. "And then, I took control of Bellatrix; making her unable to say what she wanted when Hermione gave her a confession."
Hermione stumbled backwards on shaky legs. "You what?" She whispered in confusion.
Did this mean Bellatrix intended to give her a different response? And did it even matter at this point? Their whole relationship appeared to be forced, all part of Dumbledore's crazy plan to create her into the monster she was always fighting to avoid.
"But now," Dumbledore had the nerve to face her with a smile, arms open wide. "You can join us in the great fight, forever."
Hermione jumped, wand forgotten as she intended to punch him in the face. "You're sick!" She was encumbered as Eli wrapping his arms around her waist as he pulled her back. "You're crazy if you think I'd ever join you!" She exclaimed.
Dumbledore frowned, genuinely confused as he turned to the house leaders. "The endgame; create a powerful gatekeeper who isn't tied down by the weight of the world. No ties, no emotions,"
"You, it appears, from the end of time have been manipulating this girls life." Helga spat, glaring furiously at the wizard. "You're a disappointment to what we are hoping to achieve for the world."
Godric shook his head. "We should have kept more of an eye on you, but, we like to give our chosen mortals a bit more freedom; we'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, have faith in them…you, you've destroyed that."
Dumbledore frowned. "But we can be better! Without mortal ties to the world—"
"You wouldn't be human," Salazar muttered. "Being human makes you a better candidate, which you will never see why." He stepped forward, so he was right in front of Dumbledore. "I, Salazar Slytherin with the power given to me from above, sentence you Albus Dumbledore to death. For your confession of moving a known threat to another universe purposely and acting against my will after I told you not to."
Salazar placed a hand to Dumbledore's face before he could speak. "I wish there was a punishment up here that would make you atone for manipulating this girls' life and uprooting it." His hand glows a bright white as a portal forms beneath Dumbledore's feet.
"Wait!" Dumbledore pleads. "My lords—"
"My decision is final." Salazar says.
The room turns cold as the wizard is plunged into the deep unknown that no one is willing to see.
There are no objections.
Hogwarts, 1993
Detention
"Can't believe I have detention," Hermione whispered, trying not to gain Dumbledore's attention from his desk. "…my record was flawless—"
Bellatrix growls, glaring at the thirteen-year-old beside her. "You're the reason we're both here! If you would have only left me alone, we wouldn't be in this mess."
Hermione gaped, face flushed, in outrage. "Are you mental? I was only trying to help!"
"Well I don't need your help!" Bellatrix barked, clawing at the wooden desk. "And look where your help has gotten us!"
Dumbledore leaned his face into his palm, amused. "…please keep it down or I will be forced to lengthen your sentence; or even worse, place you two in the same classes." He threatened.
"You can't do that, I know my rights," Bellatrix said, crossing her arms with an arched eyebrow.
Hermione shook her head, worried. "Please don't put me with her." She placed her crossed fingers in front of her.
Dumbledore quipped. "Be quiet and I won't."
He sat back for the remainder of their detention, contemplating what to do from here. On one hand, if he placed them in more classes then it would bring out the best in Hermione magically. But on the other hand, Bellatrix might just kill her before he saw any real improvement in Hermione.
"Everyone leave us," Salazar said as he approached Hermione.
Eli had released her the moment Dumbledore had been released into the void. Without him holding her up or Dumbledore in her presence to make her angry, she fell apart. Hermione rested on her knees on the ground, fists clenched. Her thick locks blocked her expression but the tears on the ground told the whole story.
"We leave this part to you, Salazar, because she is from your domain of universes." Godric said as he glanced at the mortal on the ground. "…tell us what you have decided once you're finished here." When the green wizard nodded, the other house leaders left through a side door.
Salazar then waited for the remainder of the audience to exit before he stood in front of the witch. "Rise," He said softly, voice void of any real command.
Hermione shook her head, drained, but still stood on weak legs. "…what—" She licked her dry lips, glaring at the ground beneath her feet. "—what are you going to do with me?"
"First, I want to apologize for Dumbledore's actions," He confessed. "This isn't how we usually recruit people for our cause and I am ashamed to have chosen him out of many other applicants who would have been more than worthy."
The bookworm shook her head, frowning. "What are you? What do you even do up here?" She gestured to the bright room she had grown accustomed to.
"I am one of the four house rulers and I am in charge of 360 known universes, there are far more than you can even imagine, but, that's how many I foresee," Salazar said, crossing his arms behind his back. "As a house ruler, I am not all powerful—"
Hermione snorted. "There is always someone who is more powerful working above us, yeah, I know."
Salazar smiled a soft smile. "Yes, and I can't tell you about them. But I can tell you about me and the other rulers. We watch over our universes to make sure that the darkest monsters, the ones even the strongest magical mortals can't defeat, are taken care of."
"If you ever questioned how your father moved you to The Point of No Return so easily, it's because I gave him part of my power temporarily," Salazar admitted. "I knew it would be him, in the end, to defeat one of the greatest evils in your universe."
Hermione frowned, recalling how fast her father had done so. "He never told me,"
"Memory spell," Salazar shrugged. "Didn't want to make things complicated or bring him into anything, I know he isn't fond of magic…but, you have a choice to make."
Hermione swallowed. "How so?"
Salazar met her gaze. "I can send you back and wipe your memory so none of this would have happened, or you can be one of us. But I won't drag you from your life, you can become a gatekeeper in your universe."
"Gatekeeper?" Hermione asked.
"The ones who control what comes in or out of the world, like what you did with the evil version of me." Salazar said. "You will have the power to open gates to remove threats from your world, protect them. You can even travel to other universes yourself if you wished,"
Hermione took a step back. "…why—why do you even want me to hold such a powerful position?"
"You are my descendant, so forgive me if I favor you in some way." His grin caused her lips to twitch slightly in a small smile. "And you are a pure hearted witch, everything Dumbledore said in that regard was correct, but he went about the wrong way of doing it. I was actually contemplating reaching out to you, but I wanted to wait until you graduated from Hogwarts,"
Salazar sighs, clasping his hands together hopefully. "So, will you join us? If you do then you can be a gatekeeper on earth, stay with your friends and family." His eyes were bright as he watched her closely.
"You mean the ones who were placed in my life because Dumbledore wanted them there?" Hermione scoffed, blinking back the fresh tears from falling. "Was any of it real?"
Did Bellatrix have feelings for her because it was her idea, or the idea Dumbledore sowed into her.
Salazar pursed his lips, contemplating, before he spoke hesitantly. "…if it helps your confidence, in every universe I have looked into; you and Bellatrix find a way to be together." He confessed softly.
Hermione glanced at the glowing wizard, gaping. "R-really?"
In every universe?
"Yes," He laughed to himself; it was deep and rich, giving her a warm feeling. "There is even one where she is a death eater and you are a muggle-born, but you still find a way. Another one where she's a muggle-born where you don't even have magic," Salazar smiled. "You find your way back to each other."
Hermione laughed weakly. "…we find our way…"
"Yes, so, don't question what you two have right now. It's real, I can promise you that," Salazar said, green eyes soft as he gazed at her.
If she and Bellatrix could find a way to be together in those worlds, then they could here. As a gatekeeper, the protector, she could keep threats like her uncle from reaching them. She could keep her family safe this way.
"Okay," Hermione stood straight with her shoulders back. "I'll be the gatekeeper, I'll protect them from harm, I promise."
Salazar smiled so bright she almost had to cover her eyes. "Wow, okay, this is great. Sorry, I'm just so excited to have someone from my bloodline here," He placed his warm hands on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Hermione, this job isn't an easy one. You will have to make hard decisions at times, sacrifice moments with your family to remove a threat; and we have meetings every Friday at the start of each month. So, I can know what you're up to and if there is a greater threat than you can handle—"
"You just don't want another Dumbledore on your hands," Hermione deadpanned.
"True," He shrugged sheepishly. "You can stay in your universe for as long as you desire, or until your death, then—only if you want, you can join us here."
Hermione folded her arms. "What are you? Are the four of you some type of Gods?"
His laugh startled her. "Heavens no, we're just following their rules." Salazar said quickly, not wanting to get into all the details.
"…can I tell people what I am?" Hermione asked softly.
She didn't want to keep anything from Bellatrix and her family.
Salazar shrugged. "It's your universe, you can do whatever you want as long as it is in the interest of bettering the world." He pauses after a brief silence. "Dumbledore…he was a pure soul when I chose him, but he lost his way and used his power for his own personal gain; it's my fault I didn't notice. But I won't make the same mistake again,"
"We all have the capability to become a monster." Hermione said, gaining the wizards attention. "I used to fear what I thought my uncle was trying to turn me into but, I realized I was doing it to myself. My fear could have been my downfall, but I thought about my anchors, and I was able to fight the monsters within."
Hermione licked her dry lips. "…I guess Dumbledore couldn't beat the monsters." She frowned as a thought came to her. "If his job was to leave me dull to the world, then why confess? If I hadn't heard his plans, then it could have worked; I was truly broken."
"Dumbledore couldn't lie even if he wanted to," Salazar said gently. "I am so powerful that no mortals or anyone ranked beneath me can lie in my presence, he was doomed the moment he walked in. Now, are you ready to go back? It's pretty boring up here to be honest," He joked.
Hermione laughed softly; stumbling on her words. "A-are you sure? Bellatrix wasn't under his control or anything when we were in school?"
His eyes were kind. "Hermione, every universe, the possibilities for you and Bellatrix are endless. You are bound to get together, Dumbledore had no hand in how you feel for her and vice versa…you create your own future, don't let him continue to control you even in his death."
"…okay," Hermione sighed heavily. "…so," She trails off. "Can I like travel to other dimensions just for fun or…?"
Salazar shakes his head, amused. "As long as you don't make any dramatic changes then sure. If you want, you can open a mirror to other universes, so you can see what it's like there without actually entering,"
"That'll make a great icebreaker," Hermione shook her arms, taking a breath. "Okay, I'm ready then."
Salazar opens his palm, smiling. "Because you are one of my descendants, I am inclined to give you a parting gift for all your troubles."
"Last time someone from up here gave me a gift, I ended up having these weird dreams," Hermione half joked, holding her hands up as she backed away slowly.
Salazar smiles, an amused glint in his soft green eyes. "Trust me, you'll like this one." He confessed. "…nice wand by the way,"
Hermione held up the wand she had gained from her battle, smirking. "Would you like it back?"
"No, I don't need it up here." Salazar shook his head. "Now, your gift."
Hermione forced her body to relax, closing her eyes, as the wizard placed a cool hand to her forehead. Behind her eyelids, a white light surrounds her as the wizard conjures up a portal back to her universe.
"I'll see you soon," Salazar's voice echoed through the void. "…but, until that moment comes,"
"Enjoy your life."
"Hermione?" A hand waving in front of her face causes the bookworm to jump. "Hey, where did you just go?"
Hermione gapes, eyebrows coming together to form a wrinkle. "Bella—what, I don't?" She looked around confused, observing the neighborhood she had grown up in.
Bellatrix shook her head, huffing. "We were talking about plans to defeat Salazar before you interrupted me to talk about me anchoring you or something?" She frowned as she tried to jog her memory.
The bookworm smiles, looking up at the sky to thank the wizard above. He can't go back to the beginning when they first met, but he could give her this. A second chance without anyone taking over Bellatrix's body or any interruptions.
"Bella," Hermione took her hands confidently.
Bellatrix blushed at her directness. "Hermione? Honestly, we don't have time for this we—"
"You make me brave." Hermione confessed, watching her girlfriend shut her mouth. "You make me fierce. I was a hesitant bookworm before I met you. You mad my life hell, but you turned me into the force that I am today. You challenged me in those halls our fourth year and because of it, I unleashed something I had been afraid to let out for years."
Hermione couldn't drop her dopey smile. "You taught me that I could determine my own future despite who I was related to. You make me laugh so hard my stomach cramps up, you make me so furious that sometimes I worry I might kill you, and you hex me so hard I feel like you might kill me," She takes in Bellatrix's warm laugh.
"Each year in Hogwarts you would manage to hurt me in some way even if you didn't mean to," Hermione lifted Bellatrix's chin with her finger, smiling softly. "Une ecchymose est une leçon...et chaque leçon nous rend meilleurs,"
Bellatrix laughed a gentle sound, black eyes bright. "Really, a Game of Thrones reference?" She wasn't surprised to hear her girlfriend speak a little French, they had been practicing on many late nights when they had nothing to do for class.
"That show is barbaric but if you love it, I can tolerate it," Hermione said. "…you make me a better person. And I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering. But I am sure, with every bone in my body, that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Bellatrix's eyes widened, her brow furrowed, stumbling. "Y-you mean—is this…?" She trailed off.
"I have fallen more in love with you each moment ever since you saved me from the dementor in my uncle's vault," Hermione confessed again with a soft laugh; a weight lifted. "…take all of this however you want to. If you don't share my feelings, then it's fine and we can pretend none of this ever—"
Bellatrix wrapped her arms around her neck to pull her in close, so they were flush against each other. "So daft," She said before brushing her lips against the bookworms.
Hermione hummed into the chaste kiss as it grew deeper. She moved her hands to Bellatrix's curvy hips, bringing them impossibly closer as the Slytherin brushed her tongue across Hermione's lower lip.
"I love you too, if shoving my tongue down your throat wasn't obvious enough," Bellatrix teased, playing with the thick hair between her fingers. "…and yes." She whispered.
Hermione swallowed, shivering when she felt wet kisses on her neck. "Yes?"
"Yes," Bellatrix said in between kisses.
Hermione bit her lip in an attempt to stifle her smile. "…so, this is forever then? I have to warn you, people say I'm a bit of a know it all,"
"Well I've been called worse," Bellatrix pulled away, serious. "What are we going to do about Salazar?"
Hermione scratched the back of her neck. "How do I explain—I defeated him and was taken back to The Point of No Return where Dumbledore was placed on trial; he was the villain behind it all. Then the real Salazar killed Dumbledore and made me a gatekeeper, sending me back here as if nothing had ever happened." She said, taking little breathes in between.
Bellatrix blinked. "Tell me again, slowly, at a bar, because I have a feeling I'm going to need a drink for this one."
"Don't worry," Hermione pulls the witch in closer, kissing her forehead. "We have time."
Her foot tapped nervously as she read over her speech for the millionth time. Lip caught between her teeth, Hermione frowned. She contemplated if she should change the opening or if her ending was too weak.
A vibration in her pants pocket snapped her away from the paper. Brown eyes looked up, making sure Hannah Abbott was still giving her prefect speech to the crowd. When the coast was clear, Hermione pulled out her phone to look at the text; using her paper to hide the view from the other students below.
Bella: Calm down, I can see how nervous you are from here. You've practiced for this all month, you're ready.
Hermione looked up and automatically found Bellatrix in the mist of students. She was dressed in her green robs, graduation cap covering her curls, but it didn't stop a few locks from breaking out. Her girlfriend sat beside two of her teammates from quidditch.
Hermione flushed when the witch gave her a wink. Mouthing what looked like an I love you.
"Miss Granger," McGonagall's voice broke her from the heated gaze Bellatrix was giving her; she blushed darkly. "Are you prepared to give your speech?" She raised a brow, as if she knew where her students mind had went.
Hermione stood up, shoving her phone into her pocket, and approached the stand. "Sorry," She muttered, blushing darker at the sound of laughs; she was chosen to give the final speech but no pressure, right?
When her face cooled down Hermione looked at the crowd with a practiced smile. "When I first came to Hogwarts, I didn't know what to expect honestly. I stumbled into the halls with my trademark bushy hair and bookworm qualities, which I'm sure you all loved." She joked, taking in the chuckles. "My goal was to excel in all my classes and keep a low profile…and then I met Harry and Ron." She smiled sheepishly, laughing along with her classmates. "And we all know how that story goes."
"I found myself in the Headmasters office far more than I can count, and I apologize on behalf of the golden trio Professor," Hermione said honestly, turning to her old Professor with a grin. "She wondered why trouble always seemed to follow the three of us and I asked myself the same question."
Hermione sighed. "I met some of my closest friends at this school and I wouldn't trade our bonds for anything. Even a few people who started out as an enemy, became an ally. My bullies made me stronger, my friends gave me courage, and my teachers guided me into the witch I am today. I am grateful for my mistakes and I am proud of my accomplishments."
"And for the class graduating after us, and even to the first years, I wish you the best; I hope you too make lifelong memories at Hogwarts just as I have." Hermione smiled sheepishly. "…and don't take on any trolls, werewolves, or sirens during your underclassmen years; good luck." She ended weakly, relaxing slightly when the crowd cheered loudly.
Hermione walked back to her seat on the stage, smiling as McGonagall patted her shoulder. "Well put Miss Granger," She said as she reached the stand.
McGonagall took a breath, nostalgic. "And with a heavy heart, I am proud to release you all into the world as you move forward with your journey…I leave you all with this." McGonagall spoke from a podium overlooking a vast crowd of students. "Ravenclaws be smart but open to unique possibilities, Hufflepuffs be loyal to those who deserve it, Slytherins be ambitious yet humble, and Gryffindors be brave but not stupid." She smiled as she gained laughs from the crowd at her last comment.
"…embrace your futures," McGonagall ended, eyes teary, as she lifted a glowing wand. "Happy Graduation!"
Hermione moved the string on her cap to the other side joyfully. She grinned as the crowd went wild as her fellow students celebrated wildly below. Hermione winced as she watched the majority throw their caps in the air only for them to fall all over the place.
"Hermione," The new graduate looked up as her old Professor approached her. "Congratulations, I'm elated, but I am going to miss my brightest student…and my favorite." She whispered the last part.
Hermione laughed richly. "I knew it. But thank you for everything,"
"I'm sure I'll see you again," McGonagall said as they walked down the stage, pushing through the crowd. "But in the meantime, you will be working in the ministry? As a researcher, what will you be focusing on?"
Hermione smiled sheepishly as she gave the women a half truth. "Just looking into the possibility of other dimensions obtained through magical creatures and time travel…but I'll make time to visit the school of course. Maybe take the time to teach the students a few things I've picked up,"
"Brilliant," Her old Professor said. "Now, I believe your friends are waiting for you," She gestured to the two boys running up to them.
"Hermione!" She laughed as Harry pulled her up into a big embrace. "Your speech was amazing…hello Professor," Harry waved at the witch when he placed his friend down.
McGonagall smirked. "Boys, it was quiet without you; very peaceful." She teased.
"Congrats, Mione," Ron hugged her, grinning. "We've got to celebrate, drinks on me! But before that, mum has prepared a big lunch which is fine; we should eat before we get wasted."
McGonagall rolled her eyes, backing away. "Ah, the future of our students looks so bright…" She turned around to speak to other students.
"Ginny is with mum somewhere," Ron said as he looked through the crowd. "I think I saw them talking to your parents, Mione."
Hermione went to speak but paused when she felt arms wrap around her from behind. "Nice speech," Bellatrix whispered in her ear huskily.
"Thanks," Hermione turned around to place a kiss on those red lips. "We're going to eat at The Burrow and then gets some drinks, sound good?"
Bellatrix nodded, pulling away to greet the boys. "How was the death eater search?" She asked, pulling them each into a quick hug.
Harry sighed. "Long but we captured a lot so we're sure we can end the search for a while, which means we're free for the month; we can all catch up."
Hermione leaned into Bellatrix's side. "Did your parents show up?"
Bellatrix shook her head, ignoring the way her girlfriend relaxed. "They didn't want to stir up the media, so they promised to take me to lunch tomorrow, Cissy and Andy left a while ago; we'll all get together. Mum wants you to be there, and I want you there; I can't get through lunch without you, I'd kill them."
"…fine," Hermione huffed.
Bellatrix grinned. "I love you—"
"Save it for the wedding," Ron snorted, lowering his voice as they walked towards the gates. "…have you chosen a date, or?"
Hermione shoved the witch away. "You told him?"
"No," Bellatrix growled, turning to the chosen one. "I told Harry, in confidence!"
Harry hissed. "Well I didn't know it was a bloody secret!" He licked his lips. "If it makes you feel any better, Ginny thought it was about time and wants to be a maid of honor—"
"It doesn't!" Hermione huffed. "…we want to keep it away from the media, and we don't have a date. Probably won't for a few years," She confessed.
Ron groaned. "More waiting?"
"Yes," Hermione smiled. "Bella starts her Auror training in a few months and I begin work at the ministry soon as well; we're in no rush." She reached out to place a kiss to her fiancés knuckle.
Harry muttered. "If you were in no rush then you shouldn't have proposed—ack!" He squealed when a tickling hex hit his side; Bellatrix snorted.
"Okay, let's get out of here before we kill each other," Ron joked, pulling out his wand. "…you could at least get her a ring—"
Hermione snapped. "Ronald!"
"Just saying," He laughed at her expense. "Come on, after party at my place; then drinks."
The golden trio and Bellatrix grouped closer together as Hermione apparated them away from the graduation site. Camera's flashing caught a quick glimpse of the group huddled close together. The morning after, when the gang would wake up late in the afternoon from partying too hard; they would find themselves on the front cover of the paper.
The headline reading: The Golden Quadruple Reunited?
A loud crackle sounded in the darkness as the witch released a heavy sigh. She reached up to scratch her head, thick locks tied into a lazy ponytail. The witch was dressed in black jeans, white sneakers, and a baggy gray sweatshirt. She shoved her phone, full of random messages, into her back pocket.
Soft footsteps echoed through the night as she climbed the steps leading to the locked door. Pulling out a key, she unlocked the door and smiled as voices from inside started at the sound. The sound of light voices on the other side created a warm feeling in her stomach.
"…hello?" She called out as she pushed the large door open.
"Mum!" Hermione grinned down at the girl hugging at her leg.
Hermione pushed the door shut with her foot as looked at her youngest daughter. "Rosie, what are you doing up so late?" She asked, teasing the seven-year-olds short brown locks; the hair reached her shoulders in a lengthy bob.
"We're all up," Hermione looked up at the voice from across the room. "And ma said we could," The boy added quickly.
He had almost pale skin with light freckles scattered across his face. His short black hair was curly at the top of his head; longer pieces falling just above his thin glasses. Dark black eyes observed her as he slowly approached.
"Edward," Hermione opened her arms for the nine-year-old who ran to her eagerly. "What book are you reading this time?" She asked when she felt the familiar sharpness jamming against her knee.
The way he brightened up reminded her of herself. "Magical creatures! Uncle Harry sent it to me yesterday,"
"No more book talk!" Rose groaned, pulling them each by the arm as she guided them into the family room.
Hermione winked at her son. "Later." She whispered, laughing as he nodded eagerly.
"You're here," A girl, the exact version of Hermione when she was eleven, said from the couch.
Emma, the oldest, was sitting beside an exhausted looking Bellatrix. The TV was playing some show she had never seen.
Hermione nodded and answered. "Why wouldn't I be? I promised I'd be home when you finished your first year at Hogwarts," She said calmly before sitting beside her wife. "Hello love,"
Bellatrix allowed the kiss to her cheek and chose to ignore the groans from the children. "Long day at work?" She asked, removing Hermione's hair from the ponytail to run her finger through it.
"Very," Hermione huffed, kicking her shoes off carelessly. "I can't wait to relax this weekend,"
Bellatrix decided to break her peace; it was better to get it out the way. "My parents want to visit this weekend by the way, they miss the kids."
"Can I ever get a break?" Hermione groaned. "Your mother is dreadful—"
Rose frowned, crawling onto the couch to sit beside her brother. "I like Grandma, she always give us stuff!" She said cheerfully.
"It's all part of her plan." Hermione whispered to herself, but still earned a jab from her amused wife.
"Where were you mum? Isn't the office closed—" Rose began.
"—Rosie," Emma hissed, giving her little sister a glare, resembling Bellatrix. "…she's here now." She said softly, smiling at her exhausted mother.
She knew how hard the gatekeeper worked to keep the world safe.
The youngest huffed. "Fine, then can we hear a cool story about when you were young? An adventure you went on as the golden trio?"
Emma shook her head. "I hear enough stories when I'm at school from Draco and Albus," Her best friends couldn't stop with the stories.
"But we haven't," Edward said softly; ever the peace maker.
Emma snorted. "Well, once you come to school with me in a few months, you'll hear all about them."
"Oh," Rose sat up straighter as an idea came to her. "How about you tell us how you two got together? We've heard ma tell it, but never you mum!"
Edward nodded with a soft smile. "I'm not much of a romantic but I admit, I'd like to hear your side of the story mum; golden trio adventures included." He added sheepishly despite Emma's threatening glare.
But the expression fell when he gave her a smile; she could never stay mad at him.
"…that'd be cool," Emma tried to play it off, but she too was excited.
Bellatrix sighed, leaning into the couch heavily. "For a story this long I'll need a few snacks," She hinted with a pout.
"On it," Hermione held out her hand, using the other to obtain a jar of pickles magically from the kitchen. "For those pregnancy cravings, do you want peanut butter?"
Bellatrix shook her head, sated, as she opened the jar happily. "No, I'm content for now, continue the story please."
Hermione smiled, taking in the lavender scent as Bellatrix rested her head on her shoulder. "Well," She began, looking at the three curious children.
"It all started when I was in the library at Hogwarts, contemplating what to do with a gift I had received."
The last chapter will be composed of family moments as Hermione juggles her family while also being away a lot for her job. Give me any scenarios you would like to see by Monday, so I can add them to the chapter.
If you couldn't tell, Bellatrix is pregnant once again with their fourth child; I already have the name.
The quote in French was: A bruise is a lesson…and each lesson makes us better.
See you next time for the final!