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Thanks to Ferretina, my Beta !
Chapter 16: Modified Combat
It was with great astonishment that Hermione and Sirius learned of the separation of Ron and Olivia, but understood the reasons and remained happy, however, in preserving the friendship between the two. It was a shock when Olivia told them she had found someone, a Slytherin. She went on to explain that it was Malfoy, Sirius was really surprised, but Hermione immediately calmed things by assuring Olivia that she was happy for them and that she could only be a good influence on the young boy. The girl had embraced her mother with relief, taking care not to brush her scars. Hermione had explained to Sirius that she had observed a change in Draco's behaviour for some time now.
During this period of waiting Hermione and Sirius trained their children as well as those of the Weasleys to fight. Neville was encouraged by his parents, it was necessary that the small tribe was ready for the final confrontation. Thanks to Severus who had continued to be their spy, members of the Order learned that Voldemort had severely punished the Death Eaters present during Hermione's "transfer". He also told them that an attack was planned, so the professors and the headmaster agreed to take all of the first years to a safe place and to bring them to the castle only after the fight if they were victorious.
Students in years 2 to 7 were notified by letter that a possible battle could be held against Death Eaters in the year and those who did not wish to fight were allowed not to take the train for the school. The teachers were ready to fight to defend these places, Hermione having recovered well she would also be fighting. The students arrived at the end of the afternoon at Hogwarts.
"Minerva, tell me that my imagination plays tricks on me!" Hermione whispered in her colleague's ear.
"No Hermione, I think everyone wanted to defend their school, I do not teach you anything by saying it's a second home for a majority of students!"
Under their eyes came a crowd of students, mostly from the 5th to the 7th year with some 4th and 3rd here and there even some 2nd years had moved. They could not get over it, so many people, and so many young people for a war! Hermione's heart was tight and hoped with all her being that there would not be as many victims as the first time, of course Harry and Olivia were present and had to enter respectively in 6th and 5th year. Ron and Ginny were also there, followed by Neville, Luna and Draco who, even if he stayed away, did not leave Olivia for a moment.
A small note was passed between the students warning them of the imminent attack of the Death Eaters and that all should be ready to brandish their wands. They were taken to a few strategic points in the castle to defend it and a protective barrier surrounded it. A silence then overlooked the castle when a crowd of Death Eaters stepped onto the barrier, which reduced several to dust. They then bombarded them with various spells without impact, many wizards dared to tell their Master to abandon the fight for the moment but were killed by the anger him.
He shot a violent blow against the shield that held fast, in contrast to Hermione's world, Voldermort was not in possession of the Elder Wand. Severus had stayed with the professors and was among the survivors. It took him an hour to break through the defences and it had considerably weakened him. Fighting broke out all over the castle, pupils and professors fought side by side in a hope of survival and victory. Hogwarts also defended this assault with faithful stone warriors invoked by Minerva.
The fight stopped short and the Death Eaters were reminded of their leader. On the side of the pupils and professors: no deaths to the great joy of Hermione who took advantage to shake the members of her family against her. For the moment she had succeeded for what she had come back in the past, and she was proud, but everything was shaking in her head: what was now going happen to Lord Voldemort? He had not fought for years against the Golden Trio and so it would be amazing that he asked for Harry's head. Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Olivia throw herself into Draco's arms slightly wounded in the arm.
"He fought for Liv well! My wife and I owe him even life." Said Remus taking Tonks in his arms.
"Draco, I'm glad to have you in our camp for this fight but also to know you in my daughter's life. I had misjudged you with your origins, forgetting mine myself and that this implied that everyone could change."
Sirius finished his sentence by giving the young man a handshake for whom it seemed to be the most beautiful mark of respect that can be offered. A voice was heard in all the heads of the castle: Voldemort, he did not want Harry to surrender but Hermione to stop these fights without a goal. The wizards looked at each other, it was out of the question to deliver the young woman after all they were winning! Death Eaters were mortally or severely wounded or even dead in their camp, whereas here nobody was in a comparable state.
Hermione looked around for an answer from her entourage, she did not know what to do but all wanted to continue the fight at all costs. They went out in front of the castle, Voldemort was there and waiting for the witch to be handed to him, the witch was present in front of him but not as he wished, she was ready to fight him. How a Mudblood dared to stand up to him like that? It was unbelievable but this time it was too much he was going to kill her and all those who had helped her.
Even before one or the other spoke the fight between Hermione and Voldemort, of course despite the power of the witch she was no match for him. But she had one thing that had failed them during the first fight: Dumbledore was still alive. He approached Hermione, ignoring all the fights that had resumed in parallel and mingled with the fate of the young woman thus helping her power to increase. Hermione and Dumbledore took the lead and returned Voldemort's spell of death against him.
Then the Dark Lord broke up and drifted into the dust of the surrounding wind. The sorceress collapsed to the ground, exhausted by the latest events, she saw all the Death Eaters fleeing, being repulsed or dying, having lost their concentration with the loss of their Master. Sirius then rushed to his wife to hug her, kiss her and tell her a thousand times that he loved her. That inspired several, Harry with Ginny, Draco with Olivia and more amazing Ron with Neville!
"My dear pupils," said Dumbledore, "it is a day of glory for all! Everything is not finished, it will be necessary to rebuild even if a lot of damage has been avoided in the majority thanks to Professor Wilkins. We are fortunate enough not to deplore any deaths in our camp, and I hope that, despite the context, the class will soon begin."
The pupils gave a great sigh, of relief, but also of fatigue. They were going to have to face other enemies and those were less simple to overcome: the resumption of classes and therefore the exams!
