Concurrent Existences
Chapter 26: Hogwarts, No More
I will remember the days spent within these walls.
I will remember the moments walking through these halls.
I will remember the laughs shared with friends.
I will remember the time when it all ends.
The Head Auror extended an arm to grab a drink of water, but the glass slipped and shattered on the floor.
"So, there is a limit after all."
The two witches left their room after eleven making it already too late to have breakfast at the Great Hall. The reinforcement crew had instructed all the students and professors to head to Hogsmeade for the time being. Hermione was part of the reconstruction of Hogwarts after the Wizarding War and knew that this was all proper precautions to avoid any possible injuries or casualties, but something was nagging at her.
Since breakfast had already passed, the two witches began making their way to the exit of Hogwarts. The brunette wanted to find a good place to eat before the groggy dark witch fully woke up and decided to get cranky about food. Honestly, Bellatrix was acting like a kindergartener. She'd have to find a way to restore Bellatrix's age, at least a little, maybe then the dark witch wouldn't be so childish.
Hermione had Friday, Saturday and Sunday to think of a plan. All the problems they have encountered so far have been from the Head Auror as well as Dumbledore still being alive. She wanted to confront at least one of them very soon, but she couldn't do it rashly. An impulsive raid on the Ministry might do more harm than good. Infiltrating the Ministry to place a bit of evidence and go back to her position when time froze was one thing, but going towards the Auror Department was another thing all together.
Nearing the exit of Hogwarts, Hermione could see a professor she didn't really want to see slowly walking towards her destination as well. The bright witch just decided to walk faster and completely ignore the professor. Bellatrix was dragged to move faster as well, the smaller girl released a bit of protest, but Hermione continued walking briskly until a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
"Timeless witches heed-"
"Muffliato!" No fucking way. This is why Hermione didn't want to get close to that crackpot. Sybill Trelawney, the Divination professor, Hermione's most disliked subject aside from Muggle Studies just grabbed her hand and began babbling. Hermione wasn't going to have any of that shite. The quick Muffliato and shove left the professor on the floor of Hogwarts, unable to continue the prophecy since no one could hear her.
Bellatrix laughed as she saw Hermione Granger, model student, just push down a professor and cast a spell that literally told you to 'shut the fuck up.' It was a great thing to wake up to, but Bella still wanted to know about the details.
"What did I miss?" Bellatrix looked over her shoulder to see the professor still talking to herself on the floor.
Bloody crackpot.
"Trelawney." Hermione hissed. "She grabbed my arm and began a prophecy."
"I guess that Muffliato means you didn't like it?" Both witches began slowing down their pace since it didn't look like Trelawney was getting up anytime soon.
"I didn't let her finish the first line of it. I'd rather not hear another bloody prophecy. I have enough on my mind." Listening to a prophecy would only let Hermione's mind work in overtime to try and decipher it. She had enough on her mind right now and going crazy over a stupid prophecy wasn't going to be part of her weekend.
"Bloody right! Stupid prophecies! Oh! I haven't told you the prophecy I have! They told me-"
A tiny house-elf apparated right in front of them just before they were able to exit Hogwarts. Bellatrix was just about to kick the elf for interrupting what she had been saying, but the elf beat her to it.
"Miss Granger. Professor Grindhook has called you to his office for some immediate concerns. He said it was in regards to Gringotts' subpoena issued against you." The house-elf immediately disapparated without waiting for a reply. It really was stupid how a house-elf could bypass apparating wards. Hermione would have to look into that.
"Are we seriously going to that green monstrosities office? I'd rather have a Hogsmeade date and get some breakfast." The dark witch was feeling a bit peckish and didn't want to deal with bullshite this early.
"I have to." Hermione sighed. She remembered the files within the Ministry that Gringotts, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and a few other entities had decided to charge her with outrageous claims. Most were true, however they were done to end the war. Avoiding the issue would only make it grow. If she could nip it right now at the bud then that would be one less annoyance trying to wring her neck. "I can catch up with you in Hogsmeade." Hermione smiled trying to urge her girlfriend to go get a bite. She really wasn't sure how long she would take.
"Oh no no no! I won't leave you to deal with that goblin's grubby hands! I am still the Scion of the Black and Crescent houses, that should have some pull right? I'll give them a vault or two if it'll clear your debt with them." Bellatrix knew that the Black family had at least several vaults filled with gold in Gringotts and the same could be said for the Crescent house, to a lesser extent. Bellatrix truly did not care for her money and inheritance really. Money had done absolutely nothing for her except send more useless suitors to her and made her the target of the Dark Lord's clutches. If she could use the gold to free Hermione of some stupid inconveniences, then she would.
Hermione just smiled and tightened their hand holding as they made an about-face to head towards the professors quarters. Hermione just ignored Trelawney as she was still on the floor.
"Bugger, she's still talking, that must be one long fucking prophecy." That goblin better make this conversation quick, or Bella was going to have cooked goblin for a snack.
"Preparations are nearly complete. The wing we are operating in is void of students and professors, the rest of the castle is being evacuated as we speak. Estimated time would be ten minutes to full evacuation."
"Very good. The Great Hall? The magical seals? Ghosts?" Several months of effort will finally pay off.
"The Great Hall is currently being re-purposed after students had their breakfast. The magical seals are currently being double checked by our Seal Masters. The portraits have been sealed and stored and the ghosts have been ushered out as well. You have been given express command to lead this operation."
"I accept the role of commander. Send the elf. This farce will be over soon." No more hiding. The wizards and witches have taken enough. Their debt was already too large.
"Yes, Commander Grindhook. For the Rebellion!"
Hermione opened the door to Professor Grindhook's office all the while going over of possible solutions to whatever it is that Grindhook might throw at her. Money wasn't really an issue anymore, she knew how to make a lot of money in a small amount of time and Bella had vaults overflowing with galleons. If money was their concern, then it would be dealt with swiftly.
A few knocks and Hermione entered along with a Bellatrix tag-along. The office was sparse aside from a few papers and writing implements as if the goblin still hadn't placed his things inside his own office even after over two weeks.
"Ah, Miss Granger. Just the witch I needed to talk to." Grindhook seemed a bit too friendly in comparison to the daily terror Hermione had been seeing during his class. "Miss Crescent-Black." Grindhook bowed towards Bellatrix, as much as a goblin can bow anyway.
"Professor Grindhook." Hermione nodded. "I was told that you wanted to talk to me on behalf of Gringotts and their charges against me?"
"Ah yes, straight to the point as always. Recent developments have changed a lot of things and Gringotts has but one stipulation in order to erase any debt that you have incurred from Gringotts." Sharp teeth shone as the goblin smiled. Bellatrix began to make soft gagging sounds behind Hermione. Goblins could be such kiss-asses when they wanted something.
"And that is?"
"Why, what belonged to us in the first place, Miss Granger. Return to us the Sword of Gryffindor and all debts will be cleared." The Sword of Gryffindor? Hadn't the Sword of Gryffindor been placed in Dumbledore's grave?
"The Sword of Gryffindor? I believe it was placed in Dumbledore's grave." Hermione's eyebrow arched. She thought the goblins would try to charge her several hundred thousand galleons or even ask for indentured servitude, but everything cleared for one sword?
"Now, now, Miss Granger. We already know this is false. We have information that the true wielder and secret keeper of the Sword of Gryffindor has been you all along." The goblin's smile began to disappear into a scowl. It seemed as if someone was trying to manipulate the goblins as well.
"I'm sorry, professor, but I have no knowledge of the swords whereabouts. Have you tried with the Headmistr-"
"Enough! Miss Granger." Grindhook began to look like his normal hostile goblin self now. The goblin was barely able to keep his demeanor respectful. "Do you think that we goblins are a stupid race? We have checked the grave and your magical signature was there while the grave was empty!" Hermione was sure that the goblin was going to be frothing at the mouth soon, but she really didn't know what in Merlin's name happened to the bloody sword.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, professor. If you'll excuse me, students are not supposed to be in Hogwarts anymore." The goblin was getting too frazzled. Hermione would deal with Gringotts another day and hopefully just pay them out. Hermione began to turn away when the unthinkable happened.
Professor Grindhook just whipped out a wand hidden from under his table and aimed at Hermione.
The goblin didn't even get to utter a word before his wand was ripped out of his hand by Bellatrix's Expelliarmus spell that shot out from her finger without any words.
As soon as it happened, Hermione dashed out dragging Bellatrix. Warning bells began sounding within Hermione's own mind ignoring Bella's protests.
Past conversations Hermione had with a few people began filtering through her mind.
Gringotts has decided to fund Hogwarts repair!
Most statues were replaced and reinforced with metal to be able to defend Hogwarts better, but it's not like there will be another Wizarding War anytime soon.
Apparently, there is still a part of Hogwarts that needs to be reinforced. It's only for a day though.
Suddenly, it all made sense. Why the goblins would even bother giving out their money to help Hogwarts repair. Hermione quickly stopped her run when she realized what else the goblins could be planning.
Grindhook has a wand.
She had read the whole Magical History book, she knew what the goblin rebellions were and what were the main fearsome weapons the goblins had used in the war that made all the races fear them. It was starting to piss her off that she started to understand all these plans after they start getting executed.
The brunette began to make a mad dash for Grindhook's office, speeding up herself with her magic while leaving Bella a few meters behind in confusion, unable to explain the situation in time. The witch was just about to burst into the room, but knew she was too late.
"Piertotum Locomotor Perpetuus!" The goblin just cast the spell. The door slammed opened and Hermione just slammed a force of magical energy against Grindhook hoping that the spell could be shut down from the source.
The goblin was struck, but Hermione could feel the spell already solidify. "Too late, Miss Granger. You remember this spell? Yes, the very same one that Minerva McGonagall cast to protect Hogwarts from the invading army." The goblin coughed from being flung harshly, but was still able to chuckle.
"This is the true version of the spell. We already have multiple goblins channeling the spell. You didn't really think Gringotts would freely let Hogwarts be repaired without payment right?" The goblin rose up using the wall as support as confidence surged through him.
"The payment for repairing Hogwarts, is Hogwarts itself. Please relay to me the location of the sword and then I'll have to have you vacate the premises or you will be forcefully removed after a thorough interrogation." The goblin sneered. Finally it could rid itself of this farce.
Heavy thuds could be heard outside. Sounds of moving metal began clanging as the statues began to move.
Bella!
"Here's my payment!" Hermione threw another concentrated bolt of magic against the goblin to knock it out. The witch quickly blasted the goblins wand into dust and ran outside to help Bellatrix. This whole situation just happened under her nose, how embarrassing.
Just as Hermione got to the hallway, she could see Bellatrix walking through rubble and what looked like three magical metal armors scattered onto the floor in pieces. The small girl was cursing while kicking aside the armor pieces.
Hermione heard another suit incoming from behind her, the statue began charging towards her with a shield and a raised sword.
"Glacius!" Freezing cold air spouted from Hermione's palm trying to root the animated statue, but to her surprise, it continued charging without effect. She immediately diverted more magic to her passive Protego shields and braced for impact.
Instead of Hermione being rammed by the statue, the statue was hit by debris from the statues Bella had just destroyed.
"The moving pieces of junk are all made of magic immune metals." The dark witch raised her hand, moving the metal debris again and smashed it over and over just to make sure that the statues were destroyed, or at least dented.
"I noticed." Hermione closed her eyes and began concentrating, trying to get a feel for the magic fields surrounding Hogwarts to see what other enchantments the goblins had already placed.
"Bugger this! Can we just get the hell out and get some food?! Leave this to the Aurors! Call Potter!" Bellatrix wouldn't have minded staying and destroying more statues and maybe kill off a few goblins if she wasn't so damn hungry. Spell immune constructs were also boring as hell to fight.
"Not good."
Bella threw up her arms in frustration. "When is it ever good! I had to pry a chunk out of Hogwarts just to play bowling ball with these things!" Bellatrix pointed towards the wall where a chunk was missing after a quick Bombarda. Propelling the wall fragment as well as the metal armor was easy enough, magic immune or not.
"The goblins have enchanted Hogwarts from both the inside and the outside. I can sense more apparition holes aside from my room and the others Minerva had, they might be apparating reinforcements inside." No one would even notice anything was happening within Hogwarts if the goblins had also set up an illusory spell from outside.
"Morgana! Ugh!" The dark witch began levitating more metal and stone and smashed them into each other as she noticed them begin to move. "Magic immune metal golems that reform themselves! We need to fry the fucking casters!" This is what the goblins had used during the goblin rebellions, magic immune metal crafted constructs that were control remotely from afar by multiple goblins. Goblins had special traits when using channeling magic, if two were channeling magic into one golem, both of them would need to be dispatched.
More heavy thuds began to close into their location. Hermione and Bellatrix quickly decided to get Grindhook, possibly as a hostage or leverage, but the goblin wasn't in his office even if there wasn't any way out of it without them seeing him pass through the door. Hermione cursed as the goblin most likely used a portkey.
There wasn't much choice, both witches stayed inside the office and Hermione used an earth spell to collapse the ceiling to try and buy some time.
"We can both use haste spells and run towards Ravenclaw Tower, that's where I can feel a dense concentration of magic. The apparating holes are all within the Great Hall, they're probably using that area to transport more goblins from wherever they're base is." Both witches needed to get out of Hogwarts to contact reinforcements. There could be well over several hundred goblins in Hogwarts already, she didn't even know how many she had to incapacitate or kill stop the magic immune constructs.
The magic immune constructs were going to be deadly if they were to start mobilizing outside of Hogwarts. Hermione remembered when Minerva used the regular Piertotum Locomotor spell on the original statues, that spell was the greatest defensive spell they were able to use to halt more than half of Voldemort's army. These current armors couldn't even be compared to the original. Magic-immune, self-replicating and goblin controlled, not good.
"No. 'The goblins have enchanted Hogwarts from both the inside and the outside'" Bellatrix parroted what Hermione just said. "I will show them REAL BLOODY MAGIC!"
Oh dear.
Grindhook was thankful he carried a portkey that led to the Great Hall where more of his goblin brethren were apparating in from. More of their frontline goblin warriors poured in carrying their melee magic-immune weaponry, no bows because goblins didn't use that crap. Most of the goblins specializing in magic and channeling already had their weapons all here, the armors.
It was just so amusing how the goblins were able to persuade Hogwarts to let Gringotts foot the bill and the workers for Hogwarts reparations. Of course, they some human students volunteer to help, but those were easily placed into non-vital areas that didn't require reinforcement.
The Headmistress had also praised them after seeing the upgraded metal statues. The gall of that old human hag using a goblin created spell! The humans would now see how to truly use this spell, but by then they would be fully mobilized.
Grindhook knew that he still needed to capture Hermione Granger. The little girl was just a nuisance, but she had vital information regarding the Sword of Gryffindor, a goblin owned sword. He had hoped that the Scion of the Black and Crescent family would not be there, but it was always within their calculations.
"Lieutenant, begin adding the expansion charms to the Great Hall. We will need more space for more of our legions. Also, relay to the guards and casters that Hermione Granger and Isabella Crescent need to be captured alive with as little damaged as possible." Grindhook needed that sword. The humans had no idea what that sword could do, the goblins needed it to permanently staple their presence. Killing humans wasn't the aim of this rebellion anyway, enslaving them and putting them to work would yield a better investment in the long run. Some goblins also had a love for young male and female humans, who was he to deny them.
Everything was going splendid. This insurrection against the wizard and witches had been planned for over a century now. Finally, the opportunity presented itself after the most powerful of the human wizards and witches killed each other. Having a good, well enchanted base of fortifications was pretty good too.
Nothing can go wrong. None of the humans even know of this yet.
Grindhook began to laugh as more and more goblins and created constructs were apparating within the Great Hall. The full might of the goblin rebellion would be within Hogwarts before the hour ended. Their first order of business would be to conquer and capture this whole area. The dungeon would probably need expansion charms as well. More squadrons of goblins began to move to other areas of Hogwarts to recheck fortifications and to make space for new arrivals.
"My fellow brethren! Today is the day we begin to reclaim everything back! We are fully prepared with all the magical-immune contracts that will wreak havoc amongst the witches and wizards! The humans have grown weak! No longer do most of the humans even know how to fight without magic! Even their magic has staled! From here, we will push out and take back what is ours!" That speech actually sounded pretty good.
The goblins continued to work while cheering. It had been over a century since the last revolt, they were prepared...
... but not prepared for the resounding explosion that shook Hogwarts itself.
"Bloody Gringotts! What the galleon was that?! Find out the cause!" Had the Aurors found out already? It was impossible to break through their enchantments!
It didn't matter, it was already too late.
Bellatrix was impatient. Bellatrix really wanted to get out. Above all, Bellatrix was hungry!
Concentrate. The dark witch hated concentrating, but this spell wasn't as easy as most of the others. At least two of the artifacts were needed to control the power and direction of the spell. Dark magic was just so useful, her dark magic always sapped magic from whatever it was that she was targeting, animate or not, it didn't matter.
Bellatrix extended her hand and pressed against the wall of Grindhook's office as multiple tendrils of dark energy began to swirl around it. The dark witch could feel her dark magic seep through several walls in front of her, weakening all the piece of shite wards and enchantments that the green monstrosities had placed.
They think this type of magic can stop ME?!
"Tenebrae Bombarda Maxima!" The dark energy shot forth and extended as quick as a bullet and exploded. Everything in front of the wall was destroyed. The dark magic was able to weaken all the enchantments within the walls of Hogwarts letting the explosion just rip through all the walls.
Hermione was actually amazed. Even using three of her artifacts together wouldn't have produced the results Bellatrix just made. Perhaps she needed to delve more into dark magics.
Multiple walls were breached forward from Grindhook's office, both witches could see the light coming from the end of the pseudo-tunnel created.
"Well, that works too." Hermione gave Bella a quick kiss and both began to run outside. Thankfully they didn't need to fight all the immortal magic immune golems and hundreds of goblins just to weaken the enchantments.
The problem still wasn't gone though. The goblin rebellion was already in progress. The Ministry still had a good amount of Aurors that could combat the goblin threat, but there was no way to match the goblin numbers. The only way to match the goblins was if all the wizards tried to band together, but even that was a stretch.
The Wizarding world had already gotten too complacent. Barely any new spells were being created, new wizards and witches were barely anything, if the teaching at Hogwarts was to be an example. The only reason they won the war against Voldemort was a whole lot of luck and Voldemort's one track mind.
The casualties that from this would be too high even if they did win, but the immortal anti-magic armors would present the greatest threat. This is what the human race gets for acting so high and mighty, though, Hermione still needed to protect everyone. There wouldn't be much sense to the world if she let goblins takeover, nor would there be any sense if most of the wizards and witches die from fighting.
Hermione sighed. She would have to take care of this again.
Both witches jumped from the hole in Hogwarts and began levitating slowly down to the ground. There were already a few people in the distance looking at the smoking hole that was very easy to spot out of Hogwarts walls.
The dark witch huffed slightly, she knew that her specialized dark spells were taxing even if they did absorb some magic in return, but it felt like she was already tired from just firing off one spell! She was hungrier than she thought!
Several seconds later, the hole was sealed and the enchantments were back up to full power.
Hermione calculated the possibilities again. Britain would not be able to really fight against the goblin rebellion without the aid of other countries, even then it would take weeks if not months for reinforcements to arrive. The Order was already half decimated, the Death Eaters nearly non-existent and the Ministry were already short on Aurors.
There would be only one way to protect her fellow students.
"Bella. I'm using it." The spell she was planning to use was an ancient spell that she had gotten from the pits of the Department of Mysteries. The spells that were included in that tome were spells that witches and wizards could only dream of nowadays. Spells that weren't watered down versions, spells that could change whole battlefields in an instant. Fiendfyre was actually a mid-level spell in the ancient tome.
"You have enough control for the output?" Bellatrix raised an eyebrow. Thankfully, no student was trying to apparate, the anti-apparating jinx was probably already detected. Not even two weeks and everything was going to be out of the bag.
So much for trying to fit in and living out our seventh year in this school of wankers.
"Trust me. Although, I'll need your help."
"I trust you with my life, luv. Just try not to kill us. You sure we can't just ditch this place? I'm sure other countries won't have as much shite as this place does." Bellatrix sighed as Hermione just giggled at her comment. She was actually half serious.
Why does all the stupid shite happen in Britain!
"Commander, both witches have broke out through a wall in your old office. Further orders?"
Grindhook didn't know how the two witches were able to blow a hole through goblin-enchanted walls! Currently, Hogwarts walls had a three-layer enchantment that was being maintained through three teams of goblins, two teams that were spread out within Hogwarts and one team at Gringotts. It seemed as if some witches still had knowledge of ancient spells. He knew how weak the current humans were, how lackluster their magic had become in comparison to the older days.
"Re-fortify the enchantments. I want another two-layers on the outside to prevent any kind of magical and physical damage that could be used as re-entry. Put out a contract on Hermione Granger, fifty thousand galleons to be captured alive only." The sword could be taken another day.
The goblin would also be willing to negotiate with the humans for the sword or Hermione Granger, but a show of force and securing the whole area would have to be implemented first.
"Send out some golems to block off any entrances to Hogwarts to discourage any humans from attempting to enter."
"I can't believe you're going to use the spell without me even taunting you to do it!" Bellatrix couldn't help but be giddy. When was the last time someone actually used really powerful spells aside from the idiots who cast the Fiendfyre that they couldn't control? Most spells were just shadows of their former glory, it did made sense since these spells were created during old wars since everyone was vying for peace. But now? Her own muggleborn wants to use the spell, and for peace.
So bloody ironic.
"This is the best way to not let this escalate into another war." Hermione would be exhausted after casting this one spell. The amount of energy required just to power it as well as the concentration needed to contain it is massive. The ancient wizards and witches actually used a minimum of five people to create and control it, but Hermione had made a few modifications of her own. She may not be adept at creating her own original spells, but creating other spells or variants from old spells was one of her specialties.
The fallout would most likely be bad, but she had to put the safety of everyone above what they would think of her. Only two of them actually knew what the goblins were doing right now, and she had a limited time window before the goblins began mobilizing into Hogsmeade to control the whole area.
"I'll need you to augment the spell with your vector spells. Launching it from here isn't prudent."
"You owe me a full course meal after this shite!" Bellatrix knew the magical strain she would have to endure to augment Hermione's spell and it would probably leave her drained right after. The old Hermione would've probably tried to negotiate with the little green monstrosities, but it looks like having so much power held within her fingertips opened up... new possibilities in negotiation.
Very aggressive negotiation. Actually, more like a one sided negotiation.
Even with all the knowledge Hermione had gained and the current artifacts she could use, it still wouldn't be enough to power the spell that usually required five people at minimum, but she still had a few tricks up her sleeve.
A small swirl of her finger and her magically enchanted bag appeared before her containing all her belongings. She had cast the magic on each of her belongings in case she needed a quick getaway just like during the war. Hermione would never be caught unprepared again, she just really didn't want to sleep in a dingy tent without a proper sleeping bag... and some books... and maybe some snacks.
Another flick of the finger and the item she needed fell in her hand.
Fragments of the Elder Wand.
This wasn't how she envisioned using the fragments of the last Deathly Hallow that she currently had. There was so much she still could have used it for, but the situation just left her with little choice. Maybe she could swipe Harry's cloak? Now, she really wished there were more than just three Deathly Hallows.
The spell could be cast without the empowered fragments, but it would take nearly half an hour at the minimum to deal the power and precision needed. The two witches only had a minute or two before innocents got too close to Hogwarts.
"The vector setup is ready. You do know you're going to owe me so much right?" Bellatrix knew this would not be pleasant. Hopefully, the girl had an escape plan ready because the dark witch knew she wouldn't even be able to apparate after this.
Hermione clutched Bellatrix's hand as a response as she closed her eyes and began to concentrate. The brunette began to envision the spell weave and began to direct the fragments of the Elder Wand that she had in her other hand to supplement the power requirement of the spell. Hermione could feel her three artifacts working in overtime to distribute the strain, she could also feel Bellatrix's three artifacts working in tandem with her own to direct the output into the dark witch's vector spells.
The power in the air was dense, students that were getting close back to Hogwarts had to pause as they could all feel the gooseflesh going up their skin. The professors knew that there was something happening and all began to make haste towards Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall was already near the site after spotting the smoking hole from a distance.
Hogwarts was a place of learning, friendship, love, camaraderie and so much more. This is where Hermione, Bellatrix and most everyone they knew grew up. This is where they first learned how to truly utilize spells. Hermione could still remember the first time she learned Wingardium Leviosa, the first time she had brewed her Polyjuice Potion and even all the misadventures she had with Harry and Ron.
But, Hogwarts was also a place of death, manipulation, backstabbing and more. This is where the Death Eaters were created. This is where Dumbledore began his delusional plan that backfired upon himself, creating the very war he wanted to prevent. This is where Voldemort was created from Tom Riddle due to Dumbledore's misguided attempts to control him. This is where the war consumed so many lives...
...but, this will not be where the goblin rebellion will start another misguided crusade for equality.
Hermione would make sure they would not try another rebellion in another century or two when this one would be squashed within moments of it's true start.
The consequences I'll receive from protecting others be damned.
She would nip this from the bud. She would stamp out this fire before it spread. She would euthanize it even if others would scorn her for it.
Hermione Granger will not watch passively.
Harry had just arrived along with two Auror teams amounting to ten of them in total just by Hogsmeade. He would have to split the group in half for the other team to have lunch first while the other would begin a routine patrol around Hogsmeade, and maybe one or two around Hogwarts. Hogwarts should be empty right now aside from the contractors and the builders, but a bit of security wouldn't hurt.
A feeling of powerful magics suddenly slammed into Harry, he could see that his companions could feel it too, but he could feel what it was.
It couldn't be.
"It's coming from Hogwarts! Apparate!" A bad feeling came over him and he quickly cancelled his apparate just in time to see one of his teammates get splinched.
"They have anti-apparition jinxes in the area! One of you stay with him and keep him stabilized! The rest make haste to Hogwarts!" Harry and the other seven Aurors began to rush to Hogwarts, but he knew he wouldn't be in time to stop whatever it is.
It was going to be bad though, Harry could feel the familiarity of the power being used even though it was supposed to be lost after he had broke it and tossed it into the deep ravine.
I broke the Elder Wand over a year ago! It can't be repaired!
Harry could see a few students and teachers get closer, he quickly ordered other Aurors to secure the perimeter. Whatever spell was going to be cast wasn't going to be pretty. If Hermione was here, she'd probably have an idea what kind of spell was being cast. Harry had brought the Marauder's Map, but there was no time to use it and search for Hermione in Hogsmeade.
As Harry and the five other Aurors got closer, he spotted two figures in the distance. His wand was already out and he used it to tap his other hand to have a makeshift spyglass using his hand.
Hermione!
Just the person he was looking for! The brightest witch of his age was just several meters away possibly trying to stop whatever spell that was being cast or trying to stall it. Harry heard voices from behind him, but ignored it and continue to move, there wasn't much time!
The magic was so thick in the air right now, he swore he could start seeing spell threads, but it couldn't be right...
Just before he could get any closer, a person tackled him down to the ground. Harry was about to shoot a Stupefy when he realized it was his fellow Auror.
"What the hell! We need to help her stop the spell!" Harry continued to struggle to get the other Auror off.
"She's the one casting the spell! It's too late! Set up a Protego Barrier now!" The other five Aurors concentrated on creating and fortifying the small barrier around them, trying to be prepared for whatever spell that was going to hit.
Harry took another second to look at the near invisible spell threads that were all originating from Hermione while connecting to Isabella. He could sense the impossible amount of power generating from Hermione as well as from the fifteen year old. He could also sense the Elder Wand being used, but he couldn't even see the Elder Wand, it seemed as if it was everywhere around the two witches.
What the bloody hell are they doing?!
"Delerent!"
Minerva knew something was wrong as she hastily sped towards Hogwarts. A student in Hogsmeade just tried apparating to another Hogsmeade shop just to get splinched in the process. The Headmistress quickly used a Sonorus spell to enhance her voice and prohibit anyone from apparating. She could sense that the anti-apparating jinx was coming from Hogwarts, so she began to make her way there. The smoking hole she could now see wasn't a good sign at all.
Minerva could feel the dense magics in the air and knew something really bad was going to happen.
Two Aurors tried to block her, but she disregarded them and charged onward towards her school. The two Aurors were too busy handling the growing amount of incoming students to try and chase her.
Her school was in trouble, she'd be damned if she didn't get there to save it.
Minerva could sense familiarity with the magic, how could she not when she personally dealt with the girl's studies every time the younger girl had problems or questions with her magic.
The spell was about to be cast, she was too late. She spotted Harry Potter several meters away with other people inside a protective barrier. Much to her dread, she could see a small figure in the distance, obviously Hermione from the spell signature.
Minerva took a few more steps before stopping. She couldn't hear the first word of the spell that the girl had cast, but she heard the second.
"Prorsus!"
Minerva quickly cast a protective barrier around herself.
Merlin, save us.
"Commander Grindhook, the spell casting unit has informed us of a massive surge of magical energy outside of the enchanted walls. We don't feel the magics because one of the layers of our protective measures is to keep magic inside undetectable from the outside, but it is also undetectable from outside to inside. Only the channelers of the barrier could actually detect it."
"No matter, the barrier has been enhanced several fold. Ignore it and begin sending out the first golems to begin subjugating this whole area." Grindhook could care less if Hermione Granger had already gotten her little army of Hogwarts students together to band together and try to siege their forward base.
Nothing would get passed their wards and enchantments. Nothing could beat their golems.
There was nothing to do right now other than wait though, so the goblin decided to activate one of the surveillance orbs outside of the castle. Only the commander had the privilege to use the surveillance orbs.
A glance showed him Harry Potter with a bunch of Aurors on the ground and Hermione Granger along with the Black and Crescent Scion several meters away. The scout had informed him of the massive magical surge, but the goblin didn't really see where it could come from. The anti-magic detection layer was too strong, there was no way to detect it from within Hogwarts.
Hermione Granger seemed to be casting a spell though, he was curious what the human witch was even trying. A quick modification to allow the surveillance to magnify closer to the girl as well as allow audio was done.
"Omnia!"
"Delerent!" Hermione could feel the Elder Wand fragments being used up. The artifacts she was using to channel the spell felt like they were on fire, she was sure that Bellatrix was feeling the exact same thing or possibly even more since the full spell had to travel through her body.
She could feel some people getting close, but it was too late.
"Prorsus!" Hermione could feel Bellatrix's vector spells above Hogwarts. The dark witch had out done herself in making such a large vector within a few seconds, she knew that her lover was being burned out, but it would soon be over. The whole spell Hermione was casting would fire out from the vector spell high up in the sky above Hogwarts. The dark witch would be drained, but Hermione would still have enough magic to apparate out. After the anti-apparating jinx that she could sense was removed, it would be easy to get out.
"Omnia!" Hermione could feel the massive amount of magical energy expel from her all at once. The amount of energy that no one could ever generate alone. No one in centuries had cast this type of spell, a spell on this scale! This spell would be felt all around the world, everyone would know that someone was able to cast a spell to this degree! Nothing would save anyone being hit by this spell, not even anti-magic wards or anti-magic armor would survive.
The large vector above Hogwarts expelled all the energy that had been multiplied several hundred times through a complex spell weave. The result was a beam of pure magical energy that encompassed the whole area of Hogwarts.
This was why all the ancient tomes were being hidden or destroyed.
Most ancient spells were now just the watered down anti-personnel spells, but this spell?
This spell was not just an anti-fortress spell, if she had the resources and the time, this spell could have possibly destroyed whole countries! An anti-world spell if done right.
Hermione could feel it during her casting of the spell, the omnipotence, the power, the taste of being something that was so close to being...
a god...
...but, she knew it was only a temporary high from infusing her spell with the Elder Wand fragments. She would have to experiment and try to get the same results using other methods in the future. The prospects of wielding that much power was just too good to pass up. The Elder Wand fragments were no more.
If Hermione could wield that much power...
The brunette knew that no one would ever mess with her or Bellatrix ever again. No one would dare play around with them like pawns! No one would vandalize their names anywhere! No one would attempt to even think of touching them!
Hermione opened her eyes...
...and Hogwarts was no more.
The school of Hogwarts had just been obliterated.
Delerent Prorsus Omnia - Obliterate Everything. An Energy Cannon type spell that disintegrates nearly everything. This spell combined with vector spells turn into something like an Ion cannon strike. This spell requires several casters or a replacement catalyst. Ancient spell.
Expelliarmus - Harry Potter's signature spell. Disarming spell.
Glacius - Freezing charm
Piertotum Locomotor - Incantation of a transfiguration charm to bring inanimate objects to pseudo-life. This was the spell Minerva used during the Battle at Hogwarts.
Piertotum Locomotor Perpetuus - This is the true incantation for mobilizing inanimate objects. The spell will be uninterruptable as long as there is still a caster channeling the spell.
Sonorus - Amplifying charm regularly used to amplify voices.
Tenebrae Bombarda Maxima - Dark Bombardment spell, the dark magics first sap and weaken the whole area before causing it to explode. This spell is best used against enchanted fortifications.
AN: Please tell me if there are any inconsistencies!
Delerent Prorsus Omnia is pretty much like Excalibur from Fate Zero or an Ion Cannon strike. The vector spells were needed in order to shoot it downwards so it would be able to engulf everything. A horizontal shot would have propelled too far and destroy much more.
Would you massacre several hundred goblins to stop a war that could claim several thousand lives or more? This was the only time that the goblin rebellion would be located in one spot, aside from the leftovers from where they were apparating from.
The Elder Wand fragments are gone. Hogwarts is gone. Consequences of Hermione's actions will be dealt with next.