23. THE LIONESS
"What is SOS?" Albus asked, puzzled.
"It's a muggle form of communication; it's a distress signal..."
"How would Severus know a muggle distress signal?"
"I'm not sure. But having seen his personal library, I wouldn't be surprised if he did."
She allowed herself a moment of doubt. Would he know it? What if the message wasn't from him?
Dumbledore took a brief moment to digest her words before he snapped to action.
"Right, we have to risk it. Fawkes" he said, turning to the magnificent bird who sat atop his perch.
The bird looked at his master and nodded.
"Send for Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Arthur Weasley and Bill Weasley- bring them here, immediately, do you understand?"
The bird nodded, stretched his magnificent wings, and took flight. Just as quickly he was disappeared. Within seconds, the door to Dumbledore's office swung open and Minerva McGonagall's cat Patronus burst into the room. It opened its mouth and Minerva's voice spoke in rushed, frantic whispers.
"Death Eaters", the Patronus said, "at the edge of the grounds! We're surrounded. We're beginning our protective enchantments. We all know our role. It is time, Albus!"
The cat closed its mouth, stretched its hind leg upwards and began to lick itself.
Dumbledore grabbed his wand and fired off Patronus after Patronus.
"It has started. They are at the gates. Battle has begun. Join us. We beg you. You know where to go" he said and the phoenixes stretched their wings, and just like Fawkes before them, they took flight and disappeared into the ether.
Then he spoke again and fired off more Patronuses.
"It has begun. Death Eaters are at the gates. Get the children to safety. You know your role! Best of luck."
He turned to Hermione.
"I have to send out the message to the other Order Members. I should tell you that I plan to lift the apparition ban on the Come and Go Room. I have made it a Secret Kept place and I am the Secret Keeper, Hermione. Those of us who know about it, will be able to find it. And only I can tell of its location."
"But Voldemort knows about The Come and Go Room, doesn't he?"
"Yes", Albus said with a firm nod, "it is my hope that he apparates into it, because we have many people there ready and willing to kill him."
Hermione felt her heart jump to her throat.
"But he can't die!"
"Not yet, no. Which is why I will not lift the ban until he is close to death. I will lift it once Harry had made his sacrifice. Then the only horcrux left to be destroyed is the snake. I am already working on it. Order members are flooing in all over the school right now. Only those who have been approved will be allowed in- which works for us right now, but once I lift the apparition ban anyone who knows of it will be able to move into it. We just have to hope that very few know about it, because there are truly only a handful of us who know it exists. It is secretive, you see. We will fight Lord Voldemort to the death, Hermione, all of us! We are not outnumbered this time. We have re-enforcements."
"Now", he said, looking at her intently, "who do you wish to take with you on what I imagine will be a rescue mission? I cannot spare many. Perhaps six at most, including you. Remus, Tonks and Bill are yours. I suppose Arthur will want to fight with his family, and so I will spare you two more- I will need every other able body with me here at the school, but if you take a few, that would be okay. I need you to be protected too."
"Wait- I have to go?" she asked.
"Do you wish to stay, knowing that Severus may be in danger?"
Hermione hung her head and shook it. The door again slammed open and the sound, along with the rush of people flooing in from the fireplace put Hermione on her guard. She felt every hair on her body stand to attention.
"Exactly, so take your people and go."
"I can't... I don't know what..."
"I cannot be in two places at once, Miss Granger. And truthfully, I am overwhelmed. I must go and support Minerva. That is what I can do. I have to protect the school. I have complete faith in you. Everyone..." he said turning to Bill, Arthur, Remus and Tonks, who stepped into the room from the fireplace. "Hermione will fill you in; you are to follow her orders- agreed?"
They each nodded.
Oh God, she thought, oh god, oh god, oh god. I am in over my head. I can't do this. I can't. I don't know what to do. I need... I need...
"Oh thank God! Ron!"
She threw her arms around the figure that entered the doorway.
"I'm so glad you're here. Where's Harry?"
"He's with McGonagall, they're warding the school. Juliette is with Ginny and Fleur at Grimmauld Place already- it's all bloody kicking off now, isn't it, 'Mione?"
Hermione laughed and felt at peace for just a moment in the embrace of her friend.
"Guys, I'm genuinely sorry to interrupt this little reunion", Bill said, tapping his foot, but there was a casual tone to his voice that comforted her. "Time is of the essence. So, Hermione, what's going on and what do you need us to do?"
"Right, yes, okay. We believe that the Malfoys, Moody and Severus are in trouble. I need two of you to go to Malfoy Manor and have a quick look around. I want to know who is there and what is happening."
"And if we're seen?" Bill asked.
"Wear Harry's invisibility cloak! I think it's around here somewhere."
Ron located the cloak atop Albus' chest, and Lupin stepped forward.
"Come on, Dora. We'll go, shall we?"
"It'll give us an excuse to stay close", Tonks said with a guilty little laugh.
Tonks took the cloak from Hermione's arms and nodded. She gripped her husband tightly and threw the cloak over their heads.
"Can you see us?"
"Perfectly hidden", Hermione said, "now go, and please be careful!"
Hermione turned to Arthur.
"Would you like to stay here to fight?"
He nodded solemnly.
"If that's okay, Hermione? I would like to be with Molly."
"Of course", she said, and dismissed him.
In another life Hermione might have enjoyed the power trip. She did so enjoy bossing people around in her younger years after all. But this was different. There was little pleasure to be taken from her new role of responsibility.
Hermione turned to Ron.
"Do you still have Harry's map?"
"Of course I do", Ron said with a sly smile, "gotta keep an eye on you, haven't I?"
She glared at him.
"Right... not the time for jokes. Gotcha... What do you want me to do?"
"Albus said he can spare five of you so Bill, I would like you to go to Severus' house - 16 Spinner's End, Cokeworth. Report back to me as soon as possible, would you?"
Bill nodded and headed for the fireplace.
"What do you expect me to find?" he asked.
"I have no idea. That's what terrifies me. I can't think about that right now, so Ronald, I would like you to check the map for Neville and go fetch him. I think we should take him with us, if you agree? I considered Luna, but I thought she might be of more use here at the castle?"
"Neville would be my choice too. I'll go now. Meet you back here?"
"Yes", Hermione said, "be sensible, Ron."
He grinned and moved swiftly out of the room.
Hermione sat in the empty headmaster's office, at his desk, dropped her head to her hands and sobbed. It was all far too much. She needed to use her magic. Severus, Moody and the Malfoys were counting on her to pull herself together, fuse the cracks of her broken soul and be Hermione Granger.
She pulled her wand from her pocket and stared at it. She needed to fight, but first she needed to train. There was no time; she should have been doing this months ago. How had everyone allowed her to let her magic go stale? Once she had thought of her magic like sunshine. It was a beautiful, blinding powet that she had all for herself. Sunshine never leaves us, Hermione told herself. It's constant even when you can't see it. Magic is sunshine, she told herself, as she took the wand in her hand. There was only one spell she had struggled with at school, and it was the one she wanted to do more than anything.
She wanted to send a Patronus. To attempt the spell, knowing how much trouble it had given her before, as a test of her own ability after all these years was smart and cunning even. She had the determination of a Slytherin and the wisdom of a Ravenclaw. She knew that this was the opportune moment, if she was ever going to regain her ability, it had to be now. Her need to comfort her friend was more important than her desire to stay safely out of the way. Her desperation to reach Severus would trump her fear of her magic; her Hufflepuff loyalty. The only thing that deserted her was her Gryffindor courage. Be brave, she told herself, be brave, be brave. All you have to do is be brave. She clutched tightly at her wand and allowed the lion in her chest to break free of its cage. It stood proudly, shook its magnificent head and it roared.
Hermione focused on the memories that brought her the most joy. Not just one - but many - love and laughter with Lavender, Susan and Katie. Falling in love and being loved in return by Severus. Reuniting with Ron and Harry and Ginny - holding baby James in her arms. All of the madness and drama and love and happiness that had acted as the thread she used to hold herself together, surged inside her and a burst of silver light erupted from her wand. The silver light began to take its shape, except it didn't form itself into the otter of her childhood- the Patronus stood taller, prouder. It was strong and able and agile; a gorgeous, hungry, powerful lioness stood before her. Hermione grinned. She'd never much liked her otter - this was better - this was who she was now.
She turned to the lion. It was time to put things in order.
"Look, I'm using my magic", she said, allowing herself to laugh but she returned to the Patronus with a serious face. "I know you are all afraid; I am too. I love you. Be brave. Stay safe. Take care of each other..."
"Lavender Brown, Susan Bones, Katie Bell", she informed it. "In the hospital wing."
Hermione watched as the lioness prowled through the office and then when she nodded to it, it took to a run and chased out of the room. She made another.
"Slughorn, all of our potions are in the store cupboard in the lockbox. Please have someone send it all down to the hospital wing. They will need it. Good luck..."
Her fingers trembled but her voice remained still.
"... and thank you, for everything."
It felt like saying goodbye. But she couldn't think like that- she needed to keep moving. She made a final Patronus. The person she wanted to send one to more than anything was Severus, but she couldn't be sure that he would be alone. She had to just hope that he knew what she wanted to say. I love you. I am coming for you. Hang on.
With a rush of sound, Remus and Tonks appeared in the fireplace, and threw the cloak to the ground. Tonks' face was deathly white and Remus shook his head.
"Empty", he said, "the whole place has been ransacked and... Mad-Eye... he's dead. We found him in the dining room. I flooed him to the castle so hopefully someone will find him and put him to rest..." Remus' voice cracked and his great head sagged. "I couldn't leave him there".
"There was blood everywhere, Hermione and I don't think all of it was Moody's" Tonks said, cautiously. "We don't know what it means, but I thought I should warn you."
Hermione felt an emptiness in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't begin to panic now. Not now she was doing so well. She was taking charge. She was in control.
She patted the last Patronus on its head and spoke to it.
"I don't know how much you know but I am taking Remus, Tonks, Ronald, Neville and Bill to search for Severus and The Malfoys. They are in grave danger. Moody's dead. I'm so sorry. We will return to you, Harry, I promise. We will not desert you. I know what you must do this night. You are so brave. Take good care of yourself. I wish you all the luck in the world."
"What does he have to do tonight?" Lupin asked, and his usually calm face was wracked with fear. "Is it to do with him being... what he is... you know...?"
Remus moved in towards Hermione and said in a low voice, "... a horcrux?"
"Yes", Hermione said gently, "you should know that Dumbledore has a plan and everything will turn out fine, but... he must die, Remus."
"Die!?" Tonks shrieked.
"No", said Remus, shaking his head with fervour. "No, no, NO! Hermione, tell me it isn't true. Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard in the world for sure, but his plans do not always work. Look at James and Lily - they were under his protection. No!" he began to yell now too. "THIS ISN'T RIGHT! HERMIONE, HOW DO WE STOP HIM?"
Lupin did not look or sound like himself in this moment. She did not know who she was talking to, but she needed Remus Lupin - her old Defence teacher - who was cool and collected in a crisis.
"We don't stop him, Remus. I'm sorry. He has to die."
"It's not fair", he said under his breath. "It's not right."
"I know", Hermione said, putting her hand on his shoulder, circling the tweed fabric beneath her fingers. "But I need you to focus, okay? We need to go find Severus and the Malfoys."
There was a crash of chatter and panicked sound as Ron, Bill and Neville all appeared in the doorway.
"The Dark Army approaches", Bill said, in a panicked rush. "They will attack soon. We have to go now! I would prefer to get back to Mum and Dad sooner rather than later."
"Hermione", Neville said in interruption, between flustered breaths, "we ran into Dumbledore on our way up here, he told me to tell you that The Dark Lord heads up his forces, but that some of his Death Eaters are not by his side, as they usually are. He said you would understand the relevance of it. Crab and Goyle aren't with him", Neville said, "and... oh, The Lestranges. He said to make sure you knew that Bellatrix was missing. Does that mean-"
"Fuck!" Hermione cried and grabbed her beaded bag from Albus' desk. "Come on. We have to go!"
"Where? Where are we going?" Ron asked
"The Lestranges Manor."
Hermione clung to Remus as he apparated them both to the forest around the grounds of the Lestrange Manor- she was still not comfortable with apparition, even if her Patronuses had been such a success. They hid under the cover of the trees and with multiple crashing sounds like cracked whips, Bill, Neville and Tonks appeared behind them and joined them under cover. Then finally, Ron appeared clutching Harry's invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. He shoved the map into his back pocket and nodded at Hermione. Tonks slipped her nimble fingers into Remus' outstretched hand and put her other arm onto Hermione's shoulder.
"What now?" Tonks asked.
"We go inside."
"You want to storm the place?" Ron asked, and Hermione couldn't mistake the glint of excitement in his fearful eyes.
"Yes, I suppose so, but first..." Hermione said, and pulled out a handful of silvery vials from her bag. "... We should drink these."
"Woah... Invisibility potions?" Ron said with childlike excitement.
Hermione handed a vial each to Ron, Tonks and Lupin. I only have four so two of you should keep watch under the cloak... Bill, will you and Neville keep watch?"
"You want us to keep watch?" Bill asked, with a note of incredulity in his voice. "I've come all this way and you want us to stand outside."
"If you want to leave, Bill, we can find a way to manage without you", Ron said with a sour tone.
"I'm not leaving!" Bill snapped. "All I am saying is that surely only one of us needs to keep watch? You'll need all the help you can get in there."
"Fine" Hermione said, admitting defeat.
He was right, after all.
"Someone will have to stay out here without the cloak then, because we can't share the potion- we'll only have limited invisibility anyway..."
Tonks let go of Lupin's hand and stepped forward.
"I'll stand watch then... I'll disguise myself. I'm sure I could make myself look like one of these ugly bastards" she said, pointing at the imposing, demonic statues that stood guard around the walls of the Manor grounds. "Go!" she urged. "I'll make a load of noise out here and when someone opens the door, you go in. Okay?"
Hermione nodded.
"I'll be fine, honestly", Tonks said gently, directing her words to her husband.
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and handed Neville her potion.
"Ron", Hermione said, "you use the cloak, you have the most experience with it."
He nodded.
As Hermione, Neville, Bill and Remus drank down their potions, they faded into clear outlines that were almost entirely invisible. Ron was the only one who truly disappeared.
"Stay close, Ron" Hermione said with a stern voice that reminded her of Mrs Weasley. "We can all just about see each other, but we will lose you entirely if you wander off."
There followed silence.
"Yes", he said, "I understand... sorry, I was bloody nodding. It's weird not having you and Harry in here with me."
"Let's go", Hermione said and for the first time that evening, her voice shook.