A/N: Honestly, this used to be about the same length as the previous chapter. And now it's 5k lol Enjoy!

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Hermione got to her feet and stretched. There was a soreness to her back that was almost like a toothache. She wanted to press against it, where it ached. She tried to recall what she was doing, but there was nothing but white in her head as she blinked and looked around. She was in a battle for something.

Something important.

Minerva whimpered behind her and she spun with wide eyes. Without hesitation, she pulled her into her arms and held her close. In a rush of sounds and smells and feelings, everything came back to her in an instant.

The pain she had expected from such an onslaught was curiously absent and for that, at least, she was thankful. She pressed Minerva's face to her shoulder as she checked their surroundings. The Death Eaters that had been thrown to the floor, scrambled over everyone to try to stand again. The whole room had stopped to stare at her but she didn't care. She turned back to Minerva and cupped her cheek.

"Are you okay?" she whispered as she dropped to her knees before her woman. "Are you hurt?" She reached for her and started running her hands over her body. "Are you -"

"What -" Minerva asked as she stared. She shook herself and looked down at herself for a moment before meeting Hermione's eyes again. In the scant moments that Hermione knew they had, she turned Minerva this way and that to inspect her for damage. Minerva's hands shot out to hang onto her shoulders and Hermione realised that her body was perhaps doing more than she meant. She softened her hands as she continued her check. Minerva's safety was her number one priority. "Hermione," Minerva whispered as she ran her hand over her hair. "Leannan, I'm fine. You -" She shook her head. "They are beautiful."

Hermione blinked and looked up at her.

"Huh?"

"Darling," she chuckled. The battle had faded behind them as Minerva picked her up off the floor and held her face in her hands. "Look!"

Hermione glanced over her shoulder. She jumped and turned in a circle, making Minerva shimmer out of the way. She did not like that at all and pulled her back into her arms and instead craned her head around. Whatever it was; silver light, or, liquid, or - whatever, was stuck to her back. But when Minerva reached out and held her still, she reached out and touched it and Hermione giggled.

"That tickles," she chuckled.

"It does?"

Hermione realised what she'd said and frowned as she turned her head again to look.

"That?" Minerva ran her fingers down the soft material and Hermione shuddered.

"You have got to be joking," Hermione laughed when she realised. "I have -"

She flared them out with barely a thought, just like any other part of her. The relief she felt as they stretched to the full extent made her sigh. Just as she was about to ask Minerva, the same handful of Death Eaters, who had been doggedly trying to murder them, gathered their wits and got to their feet.

Something in Hermione had changed and she squared up to them with a growl. Their movements stirred her common sense and she pushed Minerva behind her as the rest seemed to realise what had happened. Though the space was small and there were so many people packed into it, the rest of them abandoned their opponents and rushed towards her, instead.

The Professors did what they could, as they realised, but Hermione felt like she had woken up from the best nap she'd ever had. She batted them aside with ease, barely even raising her wand as she did her best to protect as many people as she could. She dropped the pretence of fighting them as they expected her to, and started using her wings in conjunction with her magic to disarm them.

Or worse.

Hermione sneered at them as more came forward, despite their comrades falling at her feet. She didn't even look as she sliced through the air to disrupt a spell hurtling towards them. Though Minerva was more capable than most, she would never allow anything to touch her. In payment for his stupidity, Hermione dispatched that caster with barely a look using a sharp claw to eviscerate him.

He went down with a gurgle.

Hermione smirked.

"You cannot touch us," she hissed to the rest.

She felt a power building in her fingers and she roared once more as it burst from her hands. Like a wave of light, it washed over all of them in the room and her professors suddenly looked a lot better. They galvanised themselves and started fighting again. As she watched, Hermione realised that this time, something was different.

As they fought their way between the press of Death Eaters and Hermione's position against the wall, the enemy could not seem to touch them. In fact, they could not seem to do anything except defend themselves. Minerva made a noise of astonishment as Hermione finally allowed her to step forward and she too, found this to be the case.

"Did you -"

"No clue," Hermione muttered. She was quite sure she'd just broken someone's jaw with one of her wings and as she came back to her own, her stomach was not overly okay with all that.

She pushed on though. She let her mind find Tonks knowing that, if she was with Kingsley, they would have the rest of the Order here by now. She was not disappointed. Tonks was directing the rest of them up to the Tower from the Front Hall and Hermione could see what to do.

"Push them!" She yelled over the noise. "Down the stairs."

The Professors heard her and did as they were told. New magic was cast, great streams of it filling the spaces between her skin, even. She felt like she could touch it as everyone's emotions overwhelmed her. They were buffeted, pushed and sometimes thrown backwards. All of them towards the stairs and down to the corridors below.

She watched as Filius charmed the floor to act like a wave and carry any fallen enemies to steps. She grinned when he didn't bother stopping them from simply tumbling down them. As they started to turn the tide Hermione, and Minerva, in the furthest corner, finally got a chance to regroup.

Minerva, now, was the one to inspect her as she pulled her close.

"You have -" Minerva was speechless as she traced the strong bones of one in awe. "Hermione -"

"HERMIONE!"

Harry's voice pierced her brain and they both winced. Hermione didn't have the time to wonder about Minerva feeling it as well, so she created another barrier, just to be safe, and wrapped her lover up in her wings. They spun into the corner while she dealt with the interruption.

"Darling let me go," Minerva protested. "I can help! Filius needs my -"

Hermione kissed her and nuzzled her cheek as she pulled away.

"Stay with me."

Albus and Harry had returned. They had landed in the Tower and had ended up surrounded by Death Eaters, led by -

"Snape."

"No," Minerva protested as she stared. "That is not possible. He would never hurt -"

"Stupid man," Hermione waved her protests away. She rolled her shoulders and let everything go quiet as her wings settled behind her. She glanced around to check their immediate vicinity once more, but she did not spend too long. The Professors were definitely winning. Already, they'd managed to reduce the number by half and seemed to be managing better now. "Stay here."

"Stay -" Minerva spluttered. "Ah'm no' a damn dog, Hermione. Ah'll come wi' yeh or you'll no' be goin'."

Hermione grinned at her and kissed her again.

"I do love you," she chuckled. "I," she sighed. "If I go up there and Snape is -" She winced. "I don't want you to have to -" She traced Minerva's face. "I know it's been difficult for you. I know that you love him like I love Harry. And though I don't know him as the man you do, if he is party to this, he must be dealt with. You know that as well as I do."

"I's too late for tha'."

"Minerva, I don't know what I'm walking into. You should stay, help them here. Let me -"

"Absolutely not," Minerva growled. "I'm not leaving you."

"Min -"

"You told me not to leave your side and for once, I intend to do as I am told."

Hermione blinked as the vision before Albus swam and it flickered to Harry, who was somewhere close by, watching it all happen. She pressed a kiss to Minerva's neck as she leaned against her, suddenly quite tired. Minerva's hands were not still either. She traced the tops of Hermione's wings, making them twitch as they tickled.

"Are you safe?" she asked him through their bond. He winced at the intrusion and Hermione stopped Minerva's fingers so she could concentrate.

"He made me invisible," he whispered. "And he stuck me here, I can't move." He was crying and Hermione's heart broke for him. "He's so sick. Hermione, save him, please!"

"I'm trying," she muttered aloud. She concentrated on Albus and tried to speak to him while they watched Snape arguing with a sour-looking woman. Behind him. through Albus' eyes, was something else. Hermione growled when she realised that Draco Malfoy was there too.

It came to her like a bolt of lightning.

"This was your plan, wasn't it, old man," she scoffed, ignoring Minerva's gasp. "All that conniving, all that lying, for what? So you could sacrifice yourself for what, Albus?" she sneered. "For us?" She growled. "For them."

"I -"

"I will not allow that."

"Please;" he groaned. "Draco, Severus!"

Hermione refocussed and saw the plight in Snape's eyes and the abject terror in Draco's.

"I will not allow this," she ordered gently. "I will not. I don't care what is going on, whatever scheme the three of you have going on. I will not allow this to continue."

"You must," Albus gasped. "Must -"

"No Albus," she said gently, so Minerva could hear her. "I will not let you martyr yourself for our cause. You are part of this family. And you will remain so. We will all survive this or no one will."

"He will die -" Albus' voice rang into her head and judging by Minerva's sudden jerk, it rang into hers too.

"Then he will," Hermione said gently as she pulled Minerva into her arms to help ease her worry. She remembered something she'd heard Poppy and Min say before. "War is hell."

"No," Albus muttered. "Not the enemy. Not the -"

"Albus," Minerva whispered aloud. Hermione heard it echo in her head as well and knew Albus could hear it even though she wasn't sure how Minerva was doing it. "We will not allow this. You are ours."

"Severus!"

Hermione blinked as the vision faded and looked down at Minerva. She slid her fingers into Hermione's hand like they did when they were learning to dance and pressed against her.

"Take me with you," Minerva asked.

"Min -" Hermione sighed as she took in the determination on Minerva's face. "There's never going to be any arguing with you, is there?"

"No, leannan. There is not. Which is why you will succeed where others have not."

Hermione snorted and kissed her softly.

"Bully for me," she whispered.

With an ease that had only developed since Draco had conjured the terrible symbol above their home, Hermione stepped forward with Minerva pressed against her body. She had no idea whether it would work or not but when she arrived, Minerva did as well. They re-emerged between Snape's outstretched wand and Albus' slowly crumpling figure with barely a ripple. In the protracted moment of shock, she released Harry from the sticking charm and set him free. As Harry stood up, he disarmed Snape and then Draco as well. She grinned with pride, feeling the same from Minerva, before turning to dispatch the rest of them. Hermione stunned the sour-looking woman who was winding up to cast at Minerva, while Minerva herself took on the remaining three. She managed to hang two of them over the bannister by their cloaks before Hermione took down the remaining one before he could recover from her stunning spell.

They breathed a sigh of relief until a shout rang out across the quiet. Hermione just managed to stretch out her wings to protect them all when a final Death Eater jumped out of the shadows and managed to release a spell.

"You will not harm my family," she hissed and retaliated without thinking.

The man fell, with an emptiness in his eyes as he took his last breath. She turned to Snape and Draco and pierced them with a look. She felt her stomach roll as her actions began to process through her head. There was a moment when she doubled over and heaved but she rallied while she glared at them.

"If you move, you will join him, do I make myself clear?"

Draco dropped to the floor crying but Snape stared at her defiantly.

"Severus," Minerva said dangerously as she stepped in front and pointed her wand at his chest. "You know I care for you greatly, but don't think I won't do it, lad." They stared at each other before Minerva stood taller and strengthened her arm. "I'm prepared' t' mourn yeh, son, 'is up to you as to whether ah will."

He stared at the two of them and shook his head like he couldn't quite trust what he was seeing. He knelt beside Draco in surrender. Despite Albus' raspy breaths, Hermione knew she must deal with them first, so she could make sure they had the room to themselves.

"You will forgive me," Hermione said, more gently as she approached. She touched Minerva's shoulder for a moment, running her thumb over her neck and feeling the corresponding shiver. "I must do this; it is necessary," she explained, looking mostly at Snape. "But no harm will come to you. In time, I speak with you both about what comes next. Alright?"

"Miss Granger -"

She stared at him but it did not fill her with any sort of glee to see him recoil slightly.

"Unless you give me cause," she said softly. "You are safe from me, Professor. I will have the answers to my questions, but your loyalty and your respect for others I care for," she glanced at Minerva. "Has afforded you the time to do that, do you understand?"

He nodded once and looked at Draco.

"It is not his fault."

"I'm sure I will figure that out in time," she nodded. "But I have things to attend to that are time-sensitive. Harry will keep both of your wands and you will remain somewhere where we can keep an eye on you until I find the time to discuss this, alright?"

He nodded once and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. It was the softest thing she'd ever seen him do and she hesitated for a moment before reaching forward and offering her hand. He did not immediately take it. In fact, he glanced at Minerva but when she nodded for him to take it and he did, he relaxed immediately but continued to look puzzled.

"It's okay. I don't feel any of it. Just a happy side-effect," she chuckled. She turned to Draco and did the same, his sobs falling silent as soon as their fingers touched. "Now. Are you ready?"

He nodded.

"Stupify," she and Minerva said together.

"Severus -"

"Albus," she said softly, turning to him. "This would never have worked. You are one of us."

"He made an unbreakable vow," he whispered. "To the Malfoys."

Hermione turned and looked at Snape on the floor.

"Tell me," Hermione whispered. "Just me, if you must, but tell me now."

He was ill beyond measure but he managed to choke out most of the story while Hermione cradled him in her arms. Minerva, who had not moved from her side since they'd cleared the room, held his hand as they listened. Hermione understood so much more of what had gone on once she had all of the facts and she sighed as he fell silent. She could feel Minerva's heart breaking but Hermione only had eyes for him.

"I will save him if that is your wish," she whispered, brushing his white hair from his face. "I will save both of them, if that is what you want, but first we must save you."

"You should not," he coughed. "I am not -"

"Oh," she soothed. "Despite how annoyed I am at you, Albus Dumbledore, you have always been worthy," Hermione smiled as Minerva made a noise and kissed his fist over and over. "My love is a very good judge of character and despite all the turmoil you've put us through, she never waivered once. But beyond that, Albus Dumbledore -" She took his hand from Minerva for a moment and pulled up his sleeve. She breathed out over his wrist and his symbol glowed.

"Oh!" Minerva blinked. "That's -"

"You are one of us, Albus," Hermione said softly, rubbing that symbol with her thumb before letting Minerva take his hand again. "And that means you're mine."

Harry finally joined them and crashed into Minerva with a sob. Minerva kissed his hair and pulled him in front of her. She wrapped her arms around him as he, too, held Albus' hand. As Albus choked and struggled to draw breath, Hermione knew she was out of time.

"I need the others," Hermione muttered, not really understanding why. "I think I need them here."

"The Castle will still be locked down," Minerva said softly.

"I'll be back," she muttered. "I need -"

Hermione stood and stepped forward, straight into the Common Room. She grabbed Ginny and Ron by the collar and stepped back again. Had it not been for her hands on them, they both would have collapsed onto the floor as they landed.

"Hermione! What the fu -"

"Ahem."

Hermione snorted as Minerva couldn't help herself.

"What the -" Ron swallowed. "Whoa."

"Gin. Ron, I need you both. We have to save him."

"Hermione, do you have -"

"RONALD!"

He dropped down beside her and Hermione breathed for a while, trying to decide how to help him.

"I have no idea what I'm doing," she finally said. She looked up at Minerva with her brain racing, until it came to her. She reached forward and took Minerva's hand. There was nary a scar on her palm where she'd been cut and Hermione kissed the pristine skin. "We'll start there."

She remembered that feeling and channelled it as she held her palms above Albus' chest and waited.

And waited.

She cracked an eye open and frowned when he did not look any better.

"Breathe," a voice came in her ear. She recognised it immediately; even though she could not see Amalle, she knew it was them. "You must prepare yourself. He is ill beyond repair."

"No," she hissed. "He will be well."

"You can ease his passing, but you cannot prevent Death, little one. Mors comes for all."

"No," she growled again, rolling her shoulder as if pushing away Amalle's negativity. A burst of feelings from everyone around them crowded in. The fear was nauseating but the hope was there. Burning. She grabbed it with both hands. "He is mine! I will not let anyone take him from me!"

She drew her knife and sliced her palm open, oblivious to the pain. She laid the blade on his chest and caressed it lovingly. It was so black it seemed to suck in all the light, even as it shone with her blood.

"Hermione?" She tried to reply, but she was having trouble concentrating on anything else. "Trouble?" Minerva asked quietly. "Tell us what to do."

She couldn't. But somehow, the metallic tang of blood sharpened her focus and it came to her like a bolt of lightning. She slid her bloodied hand around Minerva's side and drew that knife as well. She placed it beside her own on Albus' chest and glanced at the others. Without instruction, they crisscrossed the blades over his chest until they lay over him like a shield. As the final blade settled, Albus arched with a cry that echoed through her bones.

"Albus," Hermione whispered, her hand pressing their knives into his chest. "I have no idea what I'm doing, but you must stay with me. Fight for us, Albus."

"Oh, please don't leave me, Al," Minerva whispered, tears rolling down her face as she sat rocking Harry in her arms while they held onto Albus' hand. "Please! Stay with us." Her voice cracked and Hermione's heart broke. "Stay with me."

He cried out again as Hermione watched a burst of light ripple out from their blades.

"I do not know what is happening, but it's working," she muttered.

A tear rolled from his eyes that Minerva caught gently in her hand as she kissed Harry's hair and shifted to hold Albus' head in her lap.

"Stay with me, old man. Please," she begged against his forehead. "I need you."

Hermione got up. She let Minerva stay where she was and squeezed Harry's shoulder as she stood.

"Ron," Hermione said, nodding to Albus' feet. He knelt beside them and she placed his hands on Albus' feet. "Don't let go." He nodded. "Gin -"

She didn't need instruction and dropped down on the opposite side and squeezed her Headmaster's hand.

"You can't leave us," she said gently. "We have so much life left to live. We need you!"

Albus coughed a little blood and more tears rolled down his face. More than Minerva could catch as she tried to wipe his now-stained beard.

Hermione stood over him. She stretched and flexed her wings while she rolled her neck. Now that they were out, she felt like she had always had them and they sat calmly behind her until she needed them. She ignored everything else around them and took a deep breath. One foot was on either side of his hips and she knelt over his chest. Again and again, a wave of light emanated from the centre of their knives.

"Hermione," Filius' voice called from the steps. She paused and looked over. His eyes widened as he took in what was happening. "Is he -"

"He will be fine," she muttered. "Do not let anyone up here. Find Tonks if you need."

"On my honour," he said with a bow. He disappeared back down the step as Albus choked again and Hermione took a moment to look into her lover's eyes. The panic in them galvanised her resolve.

"Breathe, mo ghaol," she whispered. "Be strong for me."

Minerva swallowed and nodded as Hermione cupped Albus' face.

"Al?" She said softly, using her love's nickname for him. He managed to open his eyes and all she saw was pain in them. "We love you. Stay with us; hang onto us."

He tried to keep his eyes open but she could feel the pain rolling off him in waves. She placed her hand over their blades and felt it cut into her as she pressed down. Guided by hands that were not her own, she placed her palm over his forehead, rubbing her thumb against his cheek. She breathed as Lucia's voice joined in to guide her.

"We could not do this," her soft voice whispered in her ear like the wind. "So you will forgive Amalle for their doubt. But you can do this. Take his pain so that his magic will heal him. Do not let your enemy take your family, little one. Fight him in all things. Fight him in this. Your love is enough. Use it."

"He will not take you," she echoed, as her wings extended like a yawn. "You are mine and he cannot have you."

As soon as it started, she felt a roar erupt from her chest. It was not conscious; not meant for anyone, but she felt her purpose when it hit. It echoed around the grounds and out from the Tower as she took his pain from him. Her arms caught fire and she felt it pulling in her chest. She cried out in anguish that her family was hurting but Minerva, heeding words she could not speak, kept her still. She held Albus' head as he cried out in pain, but she leaned over him also, resting her head against Hermione's as they simply existed beyond time itself. The flames licked them both, but they paid it no mind. They had no need to worry anymore.

She did not speak words, Hermione could not do anything except cry in pain and in anger and in hurt. There was so much of it. So much horror and sadness. So much terror and guilt and pain and she sobbed until there were no more tears.

And on it went, endlessly spiralling deeper.

"Hermione," Albus whispered, his voice catching but clear. "No." She refused to listen. She wanted him well. She wanted him happy. "Stop now," he muttered, sounding like the memories that Hermione had of him. "Stop. That is -"

Hermione blinked and realised what he was trying to say. Some of this pain was old. It felt old. Older than her eve, and she felt her eyes roll back in her head.

"So much hurt," she whispered as she pulled away from Minerva. "So much pain."

"Min," Albus pleaded as he squirmed, trying to move her hands off his face. "Stop her."

"Hermione?" Minerva's voice was like warm honey on a cold day and Hermione rolled her neck, luxuriating in it. "Trouble?"

Hermione blinked at the nickname and met Minerva's eyes as the woman took her hand from Albus' face and pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. The flames spluttered as Minerva ran her hands up to Hermione's shoulders, putting them out.

"It's enough, mo Leannan. He is well."

Hermione blinked again and waited for the words to sink in. She took a deep breath and realised that she was suddenly so very tired.

"Oh." She swayed as she let go. "Min -"

"Let go," Minerva whispered, pushing her gently away. "Let go of him now, my love."

"Come on," Ginny said. She kept one hand on Albus' wrist and pushed gently on Hermione. "For once in your life, do as you're told."

Hermione pulled her hand from his chest and looked down at it. Before their eyes, the cut flesh on both hands burst into flame and knit itself back together. As soon as it went out again, Hermione swayed sideways. She heard Minerva summon Ron to take her place and race around to catch her as her energy finally gave out.

"It's alright, my love," she whispered with a grunt as Hermione fell into her. "It's alright."

Minerva brushed her hair from her face and ran her fingers over her cheek.

"Is he -"

"I'm fine," Albus said, sitting up with Ron's help. "I'm perfectly fine."

"You are not to ever do that again," she muttered. She felt like there was a deep fog all around them and she was clawing her way out of it. "Don't ever do that again. We all make it or none of us do."

"That will not always be feasible, my dear," he smiled sadly. "But I thank you for bringing me back from that. If nothing else, it was horrendously painful. In body and mind."

Minerva cradled her against her chest and rocked them as she whispered into her ear.

"Oh mo ghaol," she breathed. "Thank you for saving him." She pressed a round of kisses against Hermione's closed eyes. "You are magnificent and make me so happy, mo ghaol. I fought against your love for so long and I was an idiot to do so. You fill me with so much love, Hermione, I do not know where to put it."

On and on she whispered while she rocked them. Hermione pressed her face into Minerva's chest and breathed her in while she listened to her lilting declarations.

As Minerva's voice ebbed, she shifted Hermione and lay her down on the floor. She Transfigured a cushion from a nearby telescope and lifted her head into it. Her hands were so gentle that Hermione would have cried, had she had the energy. Hermione groaned as she lay back. When Minerva leaned over her, with tears staining her face, Hermione couldn't help but smile. With what was left of her energy, she pulled her down and breathed out as Minerva came to rest on her. Despite all of the sadness still permeating the air, there was a light in Minerva's eyes that Hermione had been scared she might never see again.

They lay there, together, without a care in the world. If she strained, Hermione could believe she was in their bed, tucked up and away from the rest of the world with only Minerva to keep her company. Before long, however, they heard the last strains of battle still echoing below them.

"I suppose I will go and help them deal with that lot," Minerva muttered. "Stay," she breathed in Hermione's ear. "Keep an eye on them." Hermione nodded and Minerva cupped her cheek and stared into her eyes. Their heads leaned against one another and Minerva sucked in a ragged breath. "I love you, mo leannan."

Hermione beamed as she dropped her head back to the floor. Minerva kissed her softly and traced her face while Harry, Ron and Ginny checked the prisoners.

"I'll be back."

"Stick with Filius," Hermione muttered.

She suddenly realised that Minerva was leaving her and she groaned as she rolled over to get to her knees.

"No, no leannan," Minerva soothed. "It's alright. It will be fine."

"Min -"

"Trouble?" Minerva smiled, manoeuvring her back down. "Stay here. Rest. I'll come back and we'll go back to bed, okay?"

"Just us?" Hermione blinked as she gave up.

"Just us, love."

"Fine," she muttered as she dropped down to the floor with a groan.

"Tha gaol agam ort," Minerva whispered again, moving her hair and kissing her neck before she got up. Her boots made time with Hermione's heart as she walked away.

The others came over to her immediately, once Minerva stepped away and had she had more wits about her, Hermione would have thanked them for letting Minerva and her have that moment.

"This is Snape's wand," Harry muttered with no preamble as he passed it to Albus. "And Draco's. Hermione rolled onto her back and watched as he held up another. "Dunno who the woman is, but -"

"Amycus Carrow," Albus nodded. "And her twin Alecto."

Ginny handed him that wand as well before Harry gave Albus the one he'd been relieved of. She tuned them back out again as she fought for the strength to sit up. Albus' face swam above her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she chuckled as he offered her his hand. "You?"

"I am fine enough, thanks to you."

She reached up, past his hand, and rubbed the bloody handprint on his forehead.

"I made a mess," she chuckled sadly. "I'm sorry. I didn't really know what I was doing beyond saving you."

"A price worth paying," he winked.

She held his gaze for a moment before she sighed.

"You are so much pain, Albus. I do not even know how you get up in the morning."

"Family helps," he chuckled, sitting her up gently. "The promise of a good breakfast. A charming conversation. A best friend like the one I have?"

"It is not that simple," she muttered.

"It is not," he acknowledged. "But it is as well. Pain can be coped with after a time. It becomes less. You, in your infant form, will learn as you live."

Hermione smiled up at him and held out her hand. He bypassed it and kissed her hair instead.

"Rest. We have put things in motion today that I have no contingency for. We will need you." She looked up at him critically. "I will need you."

She nodded and Ginny stepped forward to help her sit up and lean against the wall. She felt like she'd wrestled with a Mountain Troll and all she wanted to do was wrap Minerva up in her arms and disappear for the rest of time. She watched her little family take care of each other and though she could not see Minerva, she could feel her and knew she was safe. With that final thought, she passed into darkness.