Hermione watched Harry with a fond smile, appreciating his sense of humor even in the midst of the current situation. As she hit her twenties looking back at the crazy, dangerous, and absurd situations the two of them had been in over the years, she came to the conclusion one had to either cope with humor or end up heavily medicated and potentially committed. She preferred the humor.
Sobering, Hermione turned her attention to the rest of the group and cleared her throat. "Should we continue tonight?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "The Battle of Hogwarts memories are going to be rough. There is quite a bit of variation ahead. Unclear whether good or bad."
Ginny, never one to shy away from a challenge, spoke up confidently. "I think we should rip the band-aid off and finish off the year from hell," she declared.
Nods of agreement rippled through the group as they steeled themselves for the difficult memories that lay ahead. Hermione didn't need any further convincing. She set the next memory to play, and the room plunged once again into the past, ready to confront the harrowing events of the Battle of Hogwarts
###
May 1st - Shell Cottage - 9:50 PM
The group gathered around the table, clearing away the remnants of their meal, their faces etched with a mixture of relief and anticipation. Harry, Luna, Neville, Hermione, Bill, Fleur, and Hestia were in deep discussion about the plans for the future, now that the Horcruxes had been successfully dealt with.
As they talked, Hermione's notebook signaled a message, and she quickly retrieved it. Her brow furrowed as she read the message, and she interrupted the conversation to inform the group, "Minerva and Bella will try to meet up with us at Shell Cottage tomorrow. However, they need to be extremely cautious when leaving Hogwarts, as Hogsmeade is crawling with Death Eaters."
The tense atmosphere was shattered by a sudden knock at the door. Hestia, visibly on edge, her wand drawn, cautiously approached the door, the others backing her up with their wands at the ready.
Seeing the state Griphook was in, the group immediately ushered the injured goblin in. As Hestia began healing his wounds. Bill was the first to speak, his voice laced with worry. "Griphook, what happened? You look terrible."
"Warwick sent me," Griphook rasped, his voice filled with urgency. He went on to describe the chaos that had erupted at Gringotts. "There's been a battle at Gringotts. The Death Eaters discovered that Harry, Neville, and Hermione had been to the bank. They know something was removed from the Black vault."
Griphook's voice strained as he continued. "Voldemort personally led the attack. When he was informed about your visit and the cup he unleashed his fury, killing both Death Eaters and goblins indiscriminately before storming away."
Harry, his face pale, clutched his scar as a searing pain shot through him. When he finally regained his composure, he spoke with urgency in his voice. "Voldemort is checking the Horcruxes. We have to get to Hogwarts. He's going to check there last."
###
May 1st - Hog's Head and Room of Requirement 10:34 PM
In the dimly lit room, the trio stood before Ariana Dumbledore's portrait, in confusion as to how this would help. Two figures slowly became increasingly distinct as they approached. The trio watched in a mix of surprise and relief as the portrait swung open, revealing a roughed-up, limping, and injured Draco Malfoy. He stumbled forward, shouting, "I knew you three would come! I knew it!"
Without hesitation, Draco embraced Neville, Harry, and Hermione, his relief evident in the way he held onto them tightly. After a moment, he stepped back and led them toward the hidden tunnel.
Once the initial reunion had settled, Draco motioned towards the tunnel, waving off questions about the state he was in and began, explaining the situation. "Ginny, Daphne, Pansy, Blaise, and myself have been leading an underground rebellion against Death Eaters like the Carrows within the school," he revealed. "We've been fighting to protect the students," he said, determination in his voice.
Hermione couldn't help but ask, "Where are we heading, Draco? Where does this tunnel emerge? It definitely isn't a passageway to Hogwarts we are familiar with."
Draco grinned and replied, "The Room of Requirement. You won't believe what it can do to provide a safe haven for everyone. Well, everything except food."
Hermione smirked and simultaneously said, "Food."
Draco looked at Hermione and asked "How did you know that part but not where we are heading?"
Hermione simply turned to him and said. "Gamp's Law of Transfiguration. Come on, you all should know that, we covered it in Transfiguration last year."
Neville, Harry and Draco couldn't help but chuckle at the typical Hermione response, even in the current and upcoming situation.
As Draco continued explaining the situation at Hogwarts, the tunnel they had been traveling through came to an end, and they stepped into the Room of Requirement. The sight that greeted them was astonishing. It had transformed into a sanctuary for the students, providing them with a safe haven. What surprised them more was all four houses appeared to be represented, a fact that made all three smile.
Before they could fully process the situation, they were surrounded by familiar faces. Pansy, Daphne, Ginny, and Blaise swarmed around them, their relief evident as they hugged their friends.
With the attention of the room now focused on them, Harry spoke up loudly, his voice carrying through the chamber. "We need to get to McGonagall and prepare the school. He who must not be named is on his way."
Draco, standing beside him, seized the moment. "It's time to revolt and take back Hogwarts," he declared, rallying the students around them. A cheer erupted from those gathered in the room, and Ginny swiftly pulled out her DA coin to send out a call to arms.
In the corner of the room, a Wizarding radio was playing Potterwatch. Lee Jordan's voice filled the air, exclaiming, "Oh, shit, my coin." Faint mumbling and background conversations could be heard before his urgent message reached their ears. "ALL WHO RESIST HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED—LIGHTNING IS STRIKING! Head to the Hog's Head in Hogsmead to get to Hogwarts. This is not a drill. I repeat, 'Lightning is striking!' at Hogwarts."
###
May 1st - Hogwart's Great Hall - 10:46 PM
Voldemort's chilling voice reverberated through the Great Hall, sending shivers down the spines of those assembled. "Give me Harry Potter, and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
The words hung heavily in the air, casting a pall over the students and staff. Anxiety and uncertainty filled the room as everyone contemplated the grim ultimatum.
Suddenly, from the Slytherin table, Ron Weasley rose to his feet and pointed accusingly. "There he is right there! Grab him!"
Before any of the trio could react there was movement around him as all the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws surged to their feet, wands at the ready, their loyalty to Harry Potter unwavering.
But before any of them could react further, Pansy Parkinson, from the Slytherin table, stood up and shouted, "Stupefy! Incarcerous!"
A brilliant bolt of red light shot from her wand, striking Ron and binding him with magical ropes before he could utter another word. His accusation died on his lips as he fell to the ground, immobilized.
Daphne Greengrass, who had been sitting next to Pansy, reacted in admiration for her girlfriend's quick thinking. She flung her arms around Pansy's neck and passionately kissed her.
Amidst the applause and cheers from some of their fellow Slytherins, as well as the rest of the room, Professor Bellatrix Black sighed dramatically and reminded the young couple, "OI! There is a war going on here."
###
The room was filled with a heavy silence after the playback revealed that it was Ron who had wanted to turn Harry over to Voldemort in the original timeline. Despite knowing that Ron in the original timeline was most definitely not the Ron who had seemed to be their friend in this timeline, most of those present were in mild shock, their expressions a mix of disbelief and betrayal. However, two individuals had very different reactions.
Ginny, ever fiery, responded immediately to the memory they had just witnessed with a scoff. "Of course, the bastard!" she exclaimed, her anger evident.
Draco, on the other hand, looked pained and muttered, "Oh, fuck..."
Everyone in the room turned to Draco, confused by his reaction. Hermione was the first to inquire, "Draco, what's wrong?"
Draco took a deep breath before he began to explain. "Pansy and Daphne had been circling around each other for over a year by the time of the Battle of Hogwarts in the current timeline," he revealed. "Pansy was absolutely smitten with Daphne at that point. But when she was the one to point out Harry after Voldemort's message, Daphne wanted nothing to do with her. Pansy never understood why she pointed Harry out, and that confusion, combined with Daphne's reaction and everything else post-Battle of Hogwarts, caused Pansy to mentally spiral. She attempted to take her own life and almost succeeded."
Draco's eyes were filled with tears as he spoke. "I almost lost my best friend due to the actions of whatever bastard is changing the timeline." Draco continued, his voice filled with a mix of anger and sorrow. "Anyway, we should continue."
Narcissa, feeling the pain in her son's words, walked up to him and pulled him into a comforting hug, offering her silent support.
Not knowing what else to say or do, Hermione hit play on the next memory.
###
May 1st - Forbidden Forest - 11:54 PM
Voldemort stood at the head of his assembled Death Eaters, the cold moonlight casting eerie shadows on their dark cloaks. With a commanding presence, he addressed them, his snake-like voice carrying through the night.
"Prepare yourselves, my loyal Death Eaters," Voldemort intoned, his red eyes glinting with malevolence. "It seems they aren't turning Potter in so we shall attack. Potter is mine, so if you find him, capture and bring him here. Everyone else, kill or maim at your pleasure."
The Death Eaters erupted in cheers and raised their wands, their excitement palpable. Among them, Lucius Malfoy turned to his chained prisoner, Narcissa Black, a wicked smile on his face as he began attaching her chain to a nearby tree. He leaned in close, his voice dripping with malice.
"Do not worry, my dear Narcissa," Lucius hissed, his gray eyes gleaming with twisted delight. "You will witness the fate of your beloved lover and our bastard son tonight. I want you to understand that you have nothing left but to create a new heir once our victory is assured."
###
May 2nd - Hogwarts Courtyard - 12:35 AM
Amidst the chaos of battle, Minerva and Bellatrix carved a path through the lower-level Death Eaters, their wands blazing with fury. Spells and hexes collided in dazzling displays of magic as they pressed onward. The air crackled with the dueling energies, and the battle cries of the combatants echoed through the corridors of Hogwarts.
As they burst through the doors into the moonlit courtyard, the two witches were greeted by a harrowing sight. Tonks and Lupin were locked in a fierce struggle against Fenrir Greyback and his pack of three other werewolves. The young couple fought valiantly, but they were clearly overwhelmed, struggling to hold their ground against the relentless assault.
Minerva's eyes widened at the dire situation unfolding before them. Without hesitation, Bellatrix leaped into the fray, her voice echoing with a maniacal laugh as she unleashed a barrage of curses on the approaching werewolves. Minerva followed closely behind, her wand moving with precision and deadly intent.
The tide of battle quickly shifted in favor of the Hogwarts defenders. Bellatrix's curses struck true, incapacitating one of the werewolves, while Minerva used her formidable Transfiguration skills to turn the harmless debris into deadly weapons.
Bellatrix's eyes locked onto Fenrir Greyback, the vicious leader of the pack. With a furious determination, she chanted incantations that summoned dark and powerful magic, and then, with a flash of her wand, she struck a killing blow on Greyback. The remaining werewolves, now leaderless, hastily retreated into the shadows. As the dark creatures scattered in disarray, the courtyard fell silent once more, save for the labored breaths of Tonks and Lupin.
###
The group couldn't contain their relief, and they burst into cheers, clapping and shouting as they watched the rescue unfold.
Amidst the jubilation, Hermione's thoughts began to wonder about additional implications of what they just watched. She turned to the group, her voice hopeful, and asked, "Do you think, with Greyback dead at this point, that Lavender was saved? Or at least not mauled?"
Neville, always the optimist, responded with a glimmer of hope, "It's possible. We've seen some unexpected twists in these memories."
As the next memory began to play, revealing more details of the battle, Narcissa's emotions overwhelmed her. She burst into tears, her voice trembling as she mumbled, "Oh Merlin! She was her savior, not her killer."
###
May 2nd - Hogwart's 3rd Floor Corridor - 1:05 AM
Hermione, Harry, and Neville charged down the corridor, wands drawn, as they spotted Fred and Percy Weasley locked in a fierce battle with a group of Death Eaters, including the sinister Pius Thicknesse.
Percy, his face a mix of determination and anxiety, turned toward Thickneese and said with an odd mix of humor, "Did I mention I'm resigning?"
Fred, clearly shocked by Percy's jest in the midst of combat, retorted, "You actually are joking, Perce. . . . I don't think I've heard you joke since you were —" Before Fred could finish his sentence, the air around them exploded, a deafening roar echoing through the corridor.
Unbeknownst to the trio and the two Weasley brothers, just moments before the explosion, an unknown figure hidden behind the Death Eaters had yelled, "Flipendo!"
Sirius had heard the spell being cast at the Weasley brothers and swiftly raised his wand and cast Protego. However, the unexpected explosion that followed rocked the corridor, causing his magical shield to only partially protect Fred from the incoming flipendo, resulting in Fred being pushed away from the epicenter of the explosion.
As the dust and debris settled, it became painfully clear that Percy had not been as fortunate as Fred. Fred, Sirius and the trio rushed forward, frantically digging through the wreckage to uncover Percy. When they finally revealed him, his unseeing stare sent a chill down their spines.
###
The group watched in rapt attention as the events unfolded. However, when Fred's image appeared, alive, while Percy fell victim to the circumstances that killed Fred in the current timeline, the collective gaze of the group shifted towards Ginny.
With a determined gaze and a storm of unidentifiable emotions swirling in her eyes Ginny focused on Hermione and asked "Can we watch that memory again?"
Her request came as a surprise, and confusion rippled through the group. They hadn't expected this reaction from her.
Hermione nodded and rewound the memory playback. Once again, they witnessed Fred's survival and Percy's death.
After the memory ended, Ginny spoke up, her tone more determined. "I noticed something in the hallway during that memory. Something that might be important." She looked at the group with a sense of urgency. "I want to go back to that moment, to a specific place in the hallway. Can you do that with the Way Back Machine?"
Hermione considered Ginny's request, her brows furrowed. "It's possible," she said slowly. "We can send you back to a specific place as long as it's within line of sight of the memory's point of view. But, Ginny, you can't change anything at this point. We need to finish going through the end of this set of memories and make a decision as a group on our course of action."
Ginny nodded, her determination unwavering. She pointed to a recess in the wall in the memory. "I can hide there, closer to Thicknesse but out of the line of fire and the explosion," she insisted. "It's important to confirm some suspicions I have regarding a potential suspect."
The group exchanged worried glances but ultimately agreed. Hermione manipulated the console of the Way Back Machine, preparing to send Ginny back to that critical moment.
She gave one final warning, "Remember, Ginny, observe but don't interfere. We don't want to change anything." With that said Hermione activated the machine, and in an instant, Ginny was transported back to the Battle of Hogwarts
###
May 2nd - Hogwart's 3rd Floor Corridor - 1:05 AM
Ginny arrived in the past, her heart pounding as she observed the chaotic scene unfolding before her. Spellfire raged in every direction, creating a nightmarish landscape of flashing lights and deafening explosions.
Relieved to see that her Disillusionment Charm was holding, Ginny crouched behind a nearby recess in the wall, her heart racing as she surveyed the scene, pushing memories back her own memories of the battle, in order to stay in the present.
Looking up, Ginny's gaze locked onto Ron, who was standing just behind Pius Thicknesse. She had been pretty sure she detected the unmistakable Weasley red hair when she had watched the playback of this event earlier.
In the background, she heard Percy cracking a joke, his voice filled with a mixture of defiance and exhaustion. Fred began to respond when, to Ginny's horror, Ron sneered and cast a Flipendo spell at his own brothers.
The air around them seemed to explode, the deafening noise and blinding light causing Ginny to cover her eyes. As the dust and debris settled, she glanced back to see Ron, his expression one of shocked surprise, and without hesitation, he turned and fled the scene as quickly as possible.
Rage surged within Ginny, and she raised her wand, ready to cast a spell, but before she could do anything, she felt herself being forcibly pulled back into the present, leaving the past behind.
###
Fleur's Veela soulmate instincts kicked in, and she yelled, "Pull Ginny back! She's about to interfere!" She sensed that despite currently being in a different timeline than her soulmate, Ginny was on the verge of taking action.
On the screen, they observed Ginny beginning to raise her wand, her determination clear. Panic spread among the group as they realized the potential consequences of her actions.
Hermione didn't hesitate. She hit a button on the console, and in an instant, Ginny was pulled back to the current timeline.
As soon as Ginny materialized in the room, Fleur rushed to her side. She embraced a raging Ginny, who was seething with anger and grief.
"He's responsible for the death of Percy," Ginny seethed, her voice trembling with grief and fury. "In both timelines, I lose a brother. But that bastard, Ron, who is no longer a brother to me is literally responsible for this one."
Hermione, whose mind was whirling at seeing Ron's culpability began thinking of the scene as a whole and talking out loud "You know the loss of one of your brothers is also the fault of the time-traveler, without Sirius being alive it's Fred who dies."
With the exception of Ginny who was still lost in her rage, the rest of the group looked contemplative. In the silence that statement brought, Harry spoke up. "I think we should take a short break," he suggested gently. "Let's get some food, and give Ginny some time to recover from what she just discovered."
###
As the group reconvened from the short break, Harry walked up to Hermione, his voice low and conspiratorial. "You know, Hermione," he whispered, "it seems like simply having Sirius and Bella at the Battle of Hogwarts makes a significant impact on the results of some of the fights going on."
Hermione turned to Harry, her eyes meeting his, and she nodded in agreement. "Yes, it does make sense," she replied in a hushed tone. "Both Sirius and Bella are incredibly skilled fighters, and their presence alone can turn the tide of a battle. Also it was a double boon when you consider Bellatrix, not only did she fight for us, she wasn't a devastating force on the battlefield against us.
While Hermione loaded up the next memory, Harry simply nodded thoughtfully and gave her a grateful smile before heading back to sit next to Neville
###
May 2nd - Shrieking Shack - 2:37 AM
The trio huddled under the Invisibility Cloak, their hearts pounding as they watched from the tunnel entrance to the Shrieking Shack. The chilling conversation between Voldemort and Snape unfolded before them.
Voldemort's voice dripped with menace as he spoke to Snape about the need to master the Elder Wand. He raised his wand and cast Sectumsempra at Snape, his words laced with regret as he commented on the necessity of this action. With a chilling exit, Voldemort left the shack.
Hermione didn't waste a second. She rushed to Snape, crouching down beside him. She immediately began casting the Vulnera Sanentur to heal the deep wounds inflicted by the curse. "Stay with us, Professor," she urged, her voice filled with determination. "Neville, Retrieve the healing potion you developed."
Severus Snape winced in pain but managed a faint nod. "Potter… Ms Longbottom … Mr. Longbottom…" he murmured weakly. "You should not be here."
Harry dropped down by Snape's head, his face filled with concern as he tried to reassure the wounded man. "You're going to make it," he said firmly, his eyes locking onto Snape's.
But Snape was getting weaker, and he knew time was running out. He turned his gaze to Harry, his voice barely a whisper. "There isn't much time, Potter. To view the last memory, you need to think of Lily and cast Alohomora at the final vial's location."
Harry shook his head, refusing to accept Snape's dire prediction. He poured the healing potion from the vial Neville had handed him into Snape's mouth, hoping it would make a difference.
Neville, his face etched with worry, chimed in. "Professor, Just hang on a little longer. We're going to get you out of here."
Snape swallowed the potion with effort and managed a small, wry smile. "My life in the hands of Neville Longbottom's potion skills," he mused weakly. "I would never have believed it."
Neville couldn't help but smile in return, though it was tinged with sadness. "You'd be surprised, what one can learn isolated in a tent with just these two for a year."
Then, with a sigh, Snape lost consciousness. Harry turned to Neville, determination in his eyes. "Neville, get the memory cube and pensieve from the bag. I'll view the last memory. We will split up you two should try to make your way to the Great Hall with Snape. Get him to Madam Pomfrey."
###
May 2nd - Forbidden Forest - 3:15 AM
Harry entered the Great Hall, his heart heavy with the weight of what he had just witnessed in Snape's memory. The sight that met his eyes was equally heavy – the lifeless bodies of his friends and fellow fighters lined up on the house tables.
As he made his way through the somber scene, he saw a fellow student gently laying the body of Seamus Finnigan on the table next to Susan Bones. The air was filled with mourning, and Harry's heart ached at the sight of so many young lives lost.
But it was when he turned his gaze to the Gryffindor table that he was truly taken aback. There, covered by a large sheet, lay Hagrid, his massive form still and lifeless. Harry's eyes stung with tears as he struggled to process the loss of another beloved friend.
Turning away, he noticed the Weasley family gathered around Percy, Fred appearing particularly shaken by the death of his brother, knowing it could've easily have been him.
Spotting Hermione and Neville, Harry headed in their direction. Hermione immediately asked, her voice filled with concern, "Harry, what did you see in the last memory?"
Harry took a deep breath and replied, his voice steady, "Dumbledore and Snape were in the Headmaster's office talking about the horcruxes. I …." He paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm the last horcrux, Hermione. I need to die so that Voldemort can be destroyed forever."
Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes as she reached out and hugged Harry tightly. "I want to beg you not to go," she said, her voice trembling, "but I understand that you must. Harry, I love you, in a completely platonic way, of course."
Harry chuckled, his own eyes misty. "I love you too, Hermione," he replied. "Finish the fight, make sure my sacrifice isn't for naught."
Neville moved closer to Harry, and their lips met in a desperate kiss. It was a kiss that conveyed the depth of their love without the need for words. When they finally pulled away, Neville simply stared into his eyes and nodded once, unable to find the right words. Harry was equally as wordless, so after a moment he reluctantly turned and walked away.
###
May 2nd - Forbidden Forest - 3:50 AM
Voldemort slowly rose from the ground, his red eyes gleaming with anger and determination. He addressed Lucius Malfoy with a commanding tone, "Lucius, check the body."
Lucius obediently pushed Narcissa forward, to inspect the fallen figure of Harry Potter. She knelt beside him and carefully checked for signs of life, her fingers trembling slightly. She could feel a faint heartbeat, and a sense of relief washed over her.
With a soft voice filled with urgency, Narcissa inquired, "Thank god you are alright. I need to know Harry, are they all safe? Draco, Hermione, my sister... Are they all unharmed?"
Harry, lying still, confirmed, "Yes. They were all alive when I left." He then discreetly dropped a spare wand he had picked up on the ground, making sure it was out of the view of the Death Eaters who were waiting for a verdict.
He focused on Narcissa again and whispered, "I will be needing your help. When we return to the castle, you need to create a distraction to give me time to become 'undead'."
Narcissa nodded and with slow and concealed movements, she reached for the wand Harry had dropped. She expertly slipped it up her sleeve, concealing it from the prying eyes of the Death Eaters. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and announced, her voice tinged with sorrow, "Harry Potter is dead."
###
May 1st - Courtyard - 4:30 AM
The defenders of Hogwarts watched in horror as the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself approached the courtyard. Voldemort, his cold and twisted smile stretching across his pale face, levitated Harry Potter's lifeless body high above the ground, his crimson eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure.
"Behold, the great Harry Potter," Voldemort declared, his voice carrying through the eerie silence. "Your hero, your savior, now reduced to a lifeless puppet in my hands." Voldemort unceremoniously tossed Harry's body closer to the defender's so they could get a good look.
Minerva's voice cracked with anguish as she cried out, "No!" Tears filled her eyes as she witnessed the apparent demise of a young man she considered family.
Beside her, Neville's knees gave way, and he crumpled to the ground, unable to bear the sight of his soulmate. Hermione, standing among the defenders and scanning the line of Death Eaters, felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. Beside her, she could hear the sobs of her brother.
She couldn't bear to look at Harry's lifeless body any longer. Hermione turned her gaze to her soulmate, Narcissa. Their eyes met, and in that moment of connection, Narcissa's voice echoed in Hermione's mind. "He is not dead," Narcissa's voice echoed in Hermione's thoughts, and Hermione's eyes widened with a mixture of shock and relief.
Narcissa continued to communicate with Hermione telepathically, explaining her plan. She was about to create a distraction and would need Hermione's help. Hermione nodded again indicating her readiness.
As Narcissa allowed the wand that Harry had given her to fall into her hand, she turned toward Lucius, who was smirking in apparent victory. In a swift and unexpected move, she cast the bone-breaking curse at the arm holding the chain that bound her.
A blood-curdling scream tore from Lucius's lips as his upper arm shattered in pain, causing him to drop the chain. The unexpected attack and commotion distracted the Death Eaters, providing Harry an opportunity to disappear under his Invisibility Cloak.
Narcissa wasted no time. She ran toward the defenders, and Hermione erected protective shields around her to protect her from the curses being hurled in her direction.
The sudden chaos erupted into a fierce battle as the defenders of Hogwarts retaliated against the Death Eaters. The courtyard became a battleground once more.
###
May 2nd - Great Hall - 4:42 AM
Hermione and Ginny, their faces streaked with dirt and sweat, were locked in a fierce duel with an injured Lucius Malfoy. His usually immaculate robes were tattered, and his pale hair was matted with blood from a gash on his forehead.
Lucius sneered at them. "You foolish girls think you can stand against a Malfoy?" He cast a series of curses at them, but Hermione and Ginny expertly deflected each one.
Nearby, Narcissa was engaged in her own battle with Augustus Rookwood, who had a sinister grin on his face. Molly and Fred fought alongside her, their determination unwavering.
Narcissa, her eyes blazing with fury, turned to see Hermione narrowly miss being hit by Lucious's Killing Curse, and her anger flared. "I've had enough of you, you fucking bastard!" she shouted, her voice filled with venom.
The duel between Lucius and Narcissa intensified. Spells flew back and forth, the power behind each one palpable. They circled each other like predators, their wands weaving intricate patterns in the air.
Then, with a flick of her wand, Narcissa wordlessly unleashed an unknown spell that once it hit him looked like it was turning Lucius's body necrotic, starting with his wand arm. The flesh on his arm began to wither and rot, and he let out a guttural scream of pain.
Desperation filled Lucius's eyes as he realized the severity of the curse. In a moment of grim determination, he put his wand in his earlier injured arm and raised the wand, aiming it at his own cursed arm. With a swift, decisive motion, he severed his wand arm just below the elbow, cutting off the curse's progression.
Blood spurted from the stump of his arm, and Lucius let out a cry of agony. With the distraction caused by his gruesome act, Lucius disapparated away from the battlefield.
Narcissa stood there, her chest heaving with exertion, her eyes cold and unforgiving. She was victorious against her tormentor, but the battle was far from over. Observing the chaos around her Narcissa entered the fray once more.
###
May 2nd - Great Hall - 4:58 AM
The great hall fell into stunned silence as the realization swept through the gathered witches and wizards that Harry Potter had emerged victorious against Voldemort, the dark lord now defeated and dead.
Neville, his eyes filled with tears of relief and joy, couldn't contain his emotions any longer. He rushed toward Harry, who had a victorious yet exhausted expression on his face. Hermione followed closely behind her brother, and the three of them shared a heartfelt embrace.
As soon as Hermione, left the embrace, Neville and Harry, started passionately kissing each other, their love and elation pouring into the gesture
Hermione turned and quickly scanned the room, her eyes seeking out Narcissa. As soon as her gaze met her beloved witch's, they closed the distance between them in a rush of emotions and longing. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, and their embrace spoke volumes after nine long months of separation. The weight of uncertainty and fear had finally lifted, replaced by the warmth of love and reunion.
Meanwhile, Draco, observing the scene around him, couldn't help but groan at the public display of affection between his mother and Hermione. He grumbled aloud, "Why isn't Aunt Min putting a stop to this sort of behavior?"
His exasperation grew as he continued scanning the room, noticing additional couples celebrating in similar ways. Daphne and Pansy, Bill and Hestia, Ginny and Fleur, Tonks and Lupin—all were caught up in their own joyous reunions.
Beside him, Luna tapped his shoulder, drawing his attention. She pointed over to where Minerva was passionately locked in a celebratory snog with Bellatrix.
Draco rolled his eyes, realizing that he was surrounded by couples lost in the euphoria of the moment. Draco mumbled to himself "Well if you can't beat them join them." He turned to Luna with a suggestive smirk, but she simply shook her head 'No' and walked away.
###
Hermione paused the playback of the memories, and a moment of reflection hung in the air. It was Harry who couldn't suppress an amused snort, his emerald eyes twinkling mischievously beneath his unruly black hair. "Well, that was quite the spectacle, wasn't it?" he quipped, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips, "Almost like a scene out of one of those old spy movies, you know, like Spies Like Us. Except," he continued with a sly glance at Draco, "our dear Draco here, playing the role of Dan Aykroyd, failed at convincing the hot girl to go into the tent with him as the world was ending."
A smirk of appreciation curled at Hermione's lips, her brown eyes dancing with amusement as she caught the reference. She couldn't help but notice the bemused expression on Draco's usually composed face, a hint of color dusting his pale cheeks. However, she quickly turned serious as she continued, her voice laced with a touch of gravitas. "At least we know they killed off Voldemort in both timelines," she said, her gaze sweeping over the group, acknowledging their collective relief.
Neville, his usually affable demeanor tempered by the weight of their discoveries, nodded in agreement. "On the plus side," he said with a somber tone, "Fred, Tonks, Lupin, and even Snape were saved during the battle, in addition to the lives of good Bella, Sirius, and Dobby from different points in time in the original timeline." He paused, his expression growing even more serious. "However, Ginny still lost a brother, Percy, and in some ways, another brother in Ron. Additionally, Seamus, Hagrid, and Susan Bones were all seen to have lost their lives during the battle."
Draco chimed in, his voice thoughtful as he carefully considered their options. "I believe we should revert to the original timeline," he suggested, his gray eyes searching the faces of his friends. "The positives, in my mind, outweigh the negatives."
Hermione nodded in agreement but couldn't help but raise a crucial point, her words thoughtful and tinged with concern. "If we revert to the original timeline," she began, her voice carrying the weight of responsibility, "we may indeed make things better for us and some people. But who are we to play God? Determining who is more deserving to live? Wouldn't we be acting selfishly, saving those we love at the expense of those we are less close to?"
Narcissa, her presence a symbol of both grace and wisdom, gently took Hermione's hand and spoke with a calm authority. "That is true, my dear," she acknowledged, her silver-blonde hair framing her face elegantly, "but we must remember that we are currently in a timeline that shouldn't have existed. We would simply be setting right how events were supposed to happen. You were supposed to grow up with your brother and know your grandmother. You were supposed to find your soulmate earlier in life. The best friend, whom you think of as a brother, is supposed to become a member of your family. The same best friend who should've never grown up with the abuse he did. Speaking of abuse, the man who recently hurt you was never supposed to be in a position to do so. There are many things that have changed here that should never have occurred." Her gaze encompassed the entire group as she continued, "In fact, with only a few exceptions, it seems that only a handful of people have a better life in this timeline than the original."
Hermione lifted her head, her determination shining through her gaze as she looked at each member of the group in the eye. She took a deep breath and, her voice steady and resolute, asked the question that weighed on all their hearts, "So, do we revert the timeline?"