Chapter One: Aftermath
She watched her carefully from the other side of the room, or around her at the very least. Hermione did not think she had the strength to look at her directly yet, it was enough to know she was there, in the same room, around what remained of her friends and family. She had tried to fight the compulsion to glance her way, but eventually she had started to give herself a migraine, and she felt it best to lean back against the stoned wall of the Great Hall and train her eyes to the corner of the room where Bellatrix Lestrange now sat, cradling her sister in an embrace Hermione fought to accept as loving.
It had come as a shock to almost all of them. Emotions high and the world seemingly moving at top speed and slow motion all in one go. Harry had been lifeless, his body cradled in Hagrid's strong embrace. Yet Neville's daring strike seemed to draw everything out at one. The snake, dead. Harry, standing. Death Eater's scampering. The Malfoy's turning on their heal. Flashing and explosions told the remaining light that their fight had restarted, and was moving back into the castle.
Hermione had been ready, her emotions so heightened from the past months on the run that she barely registered the fresh wave of adrenaline coursing through her veins, her mind sharp as she threw hexes and spells at the onslaught of hooded figures. Then, two things happened in quick succession. There had been a scream from Molly Weasley, and a flash of green light, speeding over the terrified head of Ginny and bluntly hitting the chest of the former Dark Lord. The fall had been unexpected and fast. Silence was followed by confusion, then shouts. An uproar of celebration.
Hermione had not been sure at first what had happened. Was it a mistake? Had she simply missed her aim of the young redhead girl? But the one cold, cruel face of Bellatrix Lestrange showed only shock, then relief, then pure exhaustion. Wands had turned on her, and in an instance she was shielded on three sides by none other that Professor McGonagall, Kingsley and, most surprising of all, Harry. There has been screams and shouts, arguments and threats, Neville had to be forcibly removed from the room at one point by a number of the Weasley's whilst Bellatrix had been hit by a particularly well aimed jinx by Ginny. It surprised all of them that Bellatrix remained passive during all of this, not unaffected, but as if she was soaking every bad word, every slur, every threat into her soul. It took a silencing charm or two before the room began to calm and the new headteachers voice rang clear through the hall.
"Our war is over, we do not yet have all the answers, and not all information is privy to us all. Lestrange is not someone we need to fear, but that explanation must wait for the Wizengamot. It will come, quickly, yet there is much to be done to allow us all a well deserved rest. I suggest we work together now, and I promise answers will come." As she spoke, Bellatrix Lestrange leant heavily against the stone wall, eyes closed, breathing steadily. She was still surrounded by her protection. "Kingsley will need volunteers to gather the remaining of Voldemort's" McGonagall paused, "followers, and take them to a hold for when the ministry arrive." A number of nods and hand raises, and Kingsley gathered his group for instruction.
"I'll take a group to gather our fallen and injured" stated Neville as he re-entered the Great Hall slowly, and with a nod from the Head Mistress, he moved out again, Luna and Ginny is his wake.
Slowly the remaining dispersed under instruction, attending to the injured, gathering prisoners, sourcing food and clean water, stabilising the crumbling castle. Eventually it was just Harry and McGonagall, both who turned to speak quietly with Bellatrix. Hermione had not moved, body heavy with exhaustion she had been pushing away for weeks. She scowled, not understanding what she was seeing. It sickened her, and for a moment she wondered if the war was still raging. Perhaps this was some trick from Lestrange, gaining trust and control over the lights leadership, destroying them from the inside. She suddenly felt eyes on her and realised she had been staring intently into the dark hooded eyes of her tormentor. The gaze she received in return was nothing like the cruel punishing glint she remembered. These eyes looked broken.
"Miss Granger." McGonagall said, gently bringing Hermione out of her staring competition. The older witch made her way towards her, slowly, and Hermione realised her wand was raised, pointing towards the small group. "Hermione, it's okay."
This did it, breaking her out of her stupor. She scoffed. "You don't understand." It wasn't a question, but Hermione shook her head, her face betraying her hurt to her old Professor. "You deserve an explanation, but not right now. We need to get things sorted." Hermione opened her mouth to retort, "Hermione, you are not in danger. She is not a danger to us."
"Please" Hermione spat, lowering her wand but raising her voice. Those around them stopped. "Are you aware of what you are saying Minerva?" There was a strange power in saying her Professors first name, and she was sure if she didn't feel such burning rage she would have been embarrassed. If McGonagall was offended, she didn't show it.
"Check me, if you need. Please Hermione, assess me for dark magic if you cannot trust me." Her voice was level, and she took another step towards the young witch. "But if you feel you can trust me, know I know what I am saying, and I know who I am protecting."
Protecting. Hermione felt as if her heart had shattered, and she was suddenly aware of her magic. It was overwhelming, filling every atom of her body. McGonagall seemed to feel this too, and she took a step back. "Hermione." She said again. There was a warning to her voice.
"Mione." Said Harry, coming forward and standing in front of Minerva. Protecting. The word filled her ears. A bright spark snapped from the end of her wand, hitting the cold cobbled floor below her feet. "Come on." Said Harry, stepping forwards, taking her non-wand hand in his. "Let's go outside."
Hermione did not move, routed by her rage. She felt another hand on her forearm, and turning her head, saw Ron. He too stared at the dark witch, yet he pulled her gently away. That was it.
"Get off of me." She hissed, and turned on her heal, stalking past watchful eyes and tender words of her friends who she loved. Hermione's vision was clouding and she needed to get out. She went as fast as her feet would carry her, out the front doors of the castle, through the now almost empty court yard and to the grass bank. The bridge, now collapsed, was useless, and instead she chose to half walk, half slide her way down the steep grass bank. She didn't look behind her, hoping for the sake of her friends that no one had followed her.
It didn't take long for the ground to flatten somewhat, and she was running. All those days in a cold damp tent, gnawing hunger, filthy, hollowing fear, snatchers, Ron leaving, friends dying, muggles tortured, parents wiped clean of her, war, hexes, torture, slurs carved into the tender flesh of her arm, Snape dead, the snake, the voice of Voldemort ringing in her ears. Memories flashed before her, driving her forward. She ran until the dark canopy of the forbidden forest covered her, and the loss of lights seemed to zap her of all energy. She screamed, shooting spells and taking chunks out of the ancient trees. Sirius, Fred, Lavender, Collin, Tonks, Remus, Dobby, everything Hermione knew and loved about her world from the aged of 11 seemed to be shattering around her, the weight of the war finally hitting her. Even those she trusted most, loved most, taking the side of a women who drove evil into her world.
"Hermione stop" came Harry's soft voice from behind her. She turned, her jinx rebounding off of the shield he had pre-empted needing. Hex after hex she threw at him, walking him backwards towards the tree line, until one eventually shot through his shield, shattering it. She saw his face, fear in his eyes, and stopped. Hermione Granger fell to her knees and cried. She felt his arms wrap around her, taking her weight as she sobbed into his neck. They didn't speak. Harry offered no words of comfort, just held her. He knew. He understood far more than anyone else. For a moment, Hermione felt he was her only friend.
Eventually her breathing slowed, and she pulled back, looking at him through bleary eyes. "Why?"
"I can show you."
"How?"
"Dumbledore's pensive. The memories Snape gave me. It's all there Hermione. It all makes sense."
"But Kingsley, McGonagall?"
"They found out when I did."
Hermione sat quiet for a moment, and Harry continued to hold her, watching her warily.
"I'm sorry I tried to hex you. I could have really hurt you. That was really stupid, out of controlled" she murmured to herself.
"All forgiven." He chuckled softly, "I would have done the same."
Hermione sat back on her heels and Harry helped her up. She drew him into a tight hug.
"I'm really bloody tired Harry."
"You and me both." She looked at his face, inspecting the tired bags under his eyes, and the small cuts and grazes to his face. "I should see Madame Pomfrey, I know."
"I'm so sorry, Harry. I can't believe… Im so embarrassed."
"Stop. It's okay Hermione." He held her face. "You've been the strongest out of all of us, for months. Years if you think about it. You needed this. You might need it again. Next time I'm sending Ron after you though, you really tested my strength there." She laughed shakily and took a step back, moving her wand to the opposite hand and stretching out her fingers where she had been holding it so tightly.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not sure." He said, lightly. "It's over. I should feel relieved, but it's all a bit-"
"Intense" she finished for him.
"Exactly. Shall we head back?"
"Slowly. Let me regain composure. Although I'm sure everyone heard that if they couldn't see from up there. I'm surprised no one followed you to make sure I didn't kill you."
"Ah it's fine, Voldy's dead, what do they need me for." He laughed, and she shoved him playfully. Harry offered his arm which she took gladly, and they walked slowly back towards the castle. For a few minutes they wandered in silence, taking in the peace around them. It would take a while to get used to, she knew that.
"Ron kissed me." She said, no emotion to her voice.
"I know. I'm happy for you."
"You are? Don't you think…" she trailed off.
"What? Has that not been coming for some time?"
"I suppose."
"What's the matter."
"I think, and I know you love him Harry so I'm putting you in a strange position here, but I think it was a spur of the moment, adrenaline lead thing."
"Oh." Said Harry, and she could tell he felt awkward. "I just though, you know, with Lavender and then the bird thing, and then when he left that night."
"I know, I know. Well, no, actually, I don't know."
"Blimey," said Harry, "to think it would take a war to knock the knowledge out of Hermione Granger." She smirked, pushing him playfully again. "I think, if you talk to Ron, he might feel the same."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I, well I don't know for sure, but he mentioned it after you ran. I think he didn't want to come, wasn't sure if you would want to see him."
"I'm glad you came. Ronald's shield's are terrible and I don't fancy committing any further war crimes today." She laughed. They had made it back to the steep bank now. Preparing to pull herself up by her hands, she turned to Harry, but he had his back to her.
"Harry?"
"I need to destroy this." He said, quietly. She went to his side, seeing the Elder wand resting in his palm. "I can't be responsible for it. I don't want it."
"And that, Harry Potter, is why you are the best of us all." She placed her hands on his arm. "Do you want to do it now?"
"Yes. Before the ministry arrive." He held the wand in two hands, preparing the break it.
"Wait!"
"Mione-"
"No, Harry. Fix your wand." Harry stared at her blankly. Rolling her eyes, she took the small pouch from under his shirt, and reaching in, pulled out the two delicate ends of his wand.
"Do you think that will work?"
"Only one way to find out."
Harry raised the Elder wand to his own and whispered "Reparo". The tendrils of the phoenix feather reached for one another, like tiny vines, finding their way back. There was a flash, and the wand was whole again. He laughed, Hermione joining him, as he caused a few sparks to shoot from the end of the newly fixed want. "Nice to see you old friend"
"I have to say, I'm relieved that worked."
Harry held the Elder wand in his two hands again. Hermione raised her own wand, touching the end to the nobbled handle of the other, and shattered it into little pieces. The energy released flowed through them, causing them to take a few steps back. Finally Harry threw the little bits into the ravine below, gone. Hermione could see the weight lift from his shoulders. They had stood for a while longer, only brought out of their silence by a couple of loud pop's and cracks above them, and both saw a number of ministry officials and aurors appearing.
"The wards must be down if they are apparating directly into Hogwarts." Harry mused, and Hermione turned, eyebrows raised. "I listen to you. There was only so many times you could read 'Hogwarts: A History' aloud before I was forced to listen."
She chuckled. "Glad to be of service. We better get up there." Taking Harry's arm, she turned on the spot, bringing them straight into the middle of the Great Hall. A couple of people stepped back in shock of their sudden arrival, and Harry leant over, retching. "Oh sorry Harry, I couldn't cope going back up that hill."
Harry shook his head, letting her know it was okay, and regained control of his breath. A deep chuckle caused her to look up, and amber eyes met the eyes of the witch she loathed most. She chose not to hold the gaze, instead turning to find McGonagall.
"Professor," she said, apology on her lips.
"No need, Miss Granger. That was quite a display I must say." There was a twinkle in the older witches eyes, a smirk playing on her lips, as Hermione's face burnt. "Happy to see you have returned Mr Potter in one piece. Almost." He added, spotting Harry now leaning on Ginny, the smaller girl speaking quietly into his ear as they held each other close, Harry looking distinctly pale.
"Well, I- Thank you. It won't happen again."
"Please Miss Granger, we all need to let go once in a while, and that, I have no doubt, has been coming for a long time." She exchanged a kind smile with the young girl.
"The ministry is here." Hermione said, remembering suddenly.
"Very well. Kingsley." Said Minerva, giving the tall man a pointed look, just as the robed wizards ascended on the hall.
"Ah, aurors, thank you for joining us." The Head Mistress said, a hint of sarcasm in her otherwise professional tone.
This is where Hermione found herself now. She was being held in the hall. Whilst many of the death eaters, both those living and dead, had been removed from the area immediately, some of those from the war, light and dark alike, had been confined to areas of the hall awaiting interview. Harry, Ron and herself had resigned themselves to the fact they would be held. They had broken a number of wizarding and muggle laws in the last month alone.
"War crimes?" George spat at the aurors, outraged. "They saved your sorry arse."
"George." Spoke Mr Weasley firmly, pulling his son away before giving the ministry a piece of his own mind until Molly could get to him and drag him back to the group.
Not long after officials came to Hogwarts, the Malfoy family had been brought into the hall. Lucius had been taken to Azkaban with the other surviving death eaters, whilst Draco and Narcissa were placed into the corner where Bellatrix now sat on a cot Madame Pomfrey had magic'd around the room. None of them spoke, just shared glances and touches. Hermione could not understand why Bellatrix had not been taken away with the rest. Surely they would want to restrain her? After all, they all knew the reputation the crazy bitch had. They hadn't even removed her wand, or the wand she had borrowed. Bellatrix's own wand was stashed haphazardly in Hermione's beaded bag. This knowledge gave the young witch sick satisfaction.
Eyes, again, boring into Hermione's face. She could feel them but refused to meet them, focusing on a spot higher on the wall.
"Granger." A ministry official grunted. "You next."
With a huff she pushed herself up off the floor and away from the wall, following them to find out her fate.