"There is no such thing as accident; it is fate misnamed."
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Hermione's eyes fluttered open, greeted by a throbbing ache in her head. Blinking rapidly, she struggled to adapt to the blinding light that flooded the unfamiliar room. Confusion washed over her as she tried to recall her last memories, which consisted of being trapped in a dark, damp cave. She had unleashed the powerful spell, Fiendfyre, in her relentless pursuit to obliterate the horcruxes. But then, darkness consumed her.
Surveying her surroundings in search of answers, Hermione found herself lying on a sterile white bed, her body connected to various wires and tubes. Through a window adorned with drawn-back curtains, she caught sight of a crystal-clear blue sky. A faint humming noise emanated from a nearby machine, accompanied by a subtle blend of antiseptic and floral scents. It dawned on her that she was in a hospital.
Attempting to rise, a wave of nausea swept over the witch, causing her to groan and clutch her stomach. The sound of a door opening caught her attention, and she turned her head to see who had entered. Her eyes fell upon a woman with fiery red hair, holding hands with a young boy. The woman wore a gentle smile, while the boy bore the same distinctive bright green eyes as his mother's.
A surge of emotion surged through Hermione upon reuniting with her long-lost friends. Mustering a weak smile, she croaked, "Lily? Harry?"
The woman gasped and hurried towards her, releasing the boy's hand. She reached Hermione's side, embracing her with utmost care. "Hermione! You're awake! Oh, thank Merlin, you're awake!" she exclaimed.
The boy followed his mother, climbing onto the bed beside Hermione. He regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and fondness, proclaiming, "Aunt Mione! You're awake! I missed you!"
Returning the boy's embrace, the witch felt a solitary tear trickle down her cheek, overwhelmed by the moment. "Harry, my dear boy. I missed you too. You've grown so much," she whispered.
Turning her gaze to Lily, she inquired, "How long have I been here?"
Lily nervously bit her lip before responding, "It's been a long time... Nearly a year."
A gasp escaped Hermione's lips, disbelief coursing through her veins. A year? How was that even possible? "A year? But... how? What happened?" she stammered.
Before Lily could provide an answer, the door swung open once more, revealing another woman. Clad in pristine white robes adorned with a "Mediwitch" badge, she possessed striking black hair and vibrant blue eyes, exuding a friendly demeanor. Trailing behind her was a man with dark hair and pale skin, a face Hermione had grown to cherish. It was Regulus.
Approaching Hermione, the healer waved her wand over her, announcing, "Greetings, Miss Macmillan. I am Mediwitch McKinnon, your attending healer. I'm here to assess your condition. How are you feeling?"
Hermione gazed at the healer, her emotions mixed with confusion, fear, and exhaustion. "I feel all of those things," she admitted.
The healer nodded sympathetically. "It's completely understandable. You've been through an immense ordeal. You fell into a magical coma because of severe magical exhaustion. The spell you cast, Fiendfyre, was extremely powerful and dangerous. It drained not only your magic but also your life force. You were incredibly fortunate to survive."
A shiver ran down Hermione's spine as she recalled the engulfing flames in the cave. "I had no choice. It was the only way to destroy the Horcruxes," she explained.
The healer's brow furrowed in confusion. "Horcruxes? What do you mean?"
Realizing she had revealed too much, Hermione glanced at Lily, who offered her a reassuring look. "It's a long story," she replied cautiously. "Perhaps I can explain later."
The healer shrugged, respecting her decision. "As you wish. For now, know that you're progressing well. Your vital signs are stable, and your magic is gradually recovering. We'll need to conduct more tests and administer further treatments, but you should be able to leave the hospital soon."
A glimmer of hope flickered within Hermione. "Really? That's wonderful news."
A smile played on the healer's lips. "Indeed, it is. Miss Macmillan, you've shown incredible strength and courage. Your recovery has amazed us all. Still, it's crucial that you rest and take things easy. You've been through so much, and you need time to heal. I'll leave you for now, but I'll return in half an hour with another healer. If you require anything, simply press the button on your bedside table. Take care."
As the healer turned to leave, they exchanged a nod with Regulus, who had been standing by the door, observing Hermione with a mixture of relief and concern. He approached her, gently grasping her hands, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Hermione, I'm so happy that you're awake. I've been terrified of losing you."
Holding his hands tightly, the witch felt a surge of love for him. "Regulus, I'm sorry for causing you worry. I'm sorry for leaving you alone."
Black leaned in, tenderly kissing her, pouring his emotions into the gesture. "I love you, Hermione. More than anything."
Embracing each other, they basked in the warmth and rhythm of their hearts beating together. A sense of tranquility and happiness settled upon them, knowing they were reunited.
Hermione pulled back, her gaze fixed on the wizard with a curious expression. "Regulus, what happened after I cast the spell? How did I end up here? And what happened to the others?"
The pureblood heir let out a sigh and spoke to Hermione, his voice filled with weariness and emotion. "There's so much to tell you. This past year has been a rollercoaster of both good and bad experiences. I promise to share everything with you, but not right now. Right now, you need to rest and regain your strength. We have plenty of time to talk later."
Feeling overwhelmed, the witch nodded in agreement. She mustered up the courage to express her heartfelt request. "Alright, I trust you. But please promise me one thing. Promise me that you won't leave me. Stay by my side."
Regulus smiled warmly, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I promise. I will stay with you, always."
He tenderly kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her, providing a sense of security. Hermione nestled into his chest, her voice barely a whisper as she shared her deepest feelings. "I love you, Regulus."
As they closed their eyes, they embraced the feeling of being together again after a long and painful separation. They had endured the trials of the fire and managed to find each other once more. With the knowledge that they had each other's support, they felt a sense of contentment and happiness.
The door creaked open, and Severus entered the room, cradling a bundle of pink in his arms. Following close behind was Sirius, a wide grin on his face and a camera in hand. Making their way to the bed, where Hermione sat with Lily and Regulus, Severus's presence sparked Hermione's curiosity and affection. The baby in Severus and Lily's arms was their daughter, whom she had yet to meet, and her anticipation grew.
The baby girl seemed to sense Hermione's presence and reached out her tiny arms towards her, emitting a delightful cooing sound and a radiant smile. Lily mirrored the baby's joy, passing her into Hermione's waiting arms. She spoke with warmth and pride, "Here you go, Hermione. Meet your goddaughter."
Holding the precious bundle, the witch felt a surge of warmth and love enveloping her. She admired the baby's features, a perfect blend of Severus and Lily. The dark blue eyes, almost black, reminiscent of Severus, contrasted beautifully with the fair skin. Her fiery red curls framed her ears, a trait inherited from Lily. With a cute button nose and a dimple on her chin, the baby was undeniably adorable.
Hermione couldn't help but express her awe, "She's beautiful, Severus. She bears a striking resemblance to both you and Lily."
Severus's gaze shifted to Lily, who sat beside him, holding his hand. A tender smile graced his face as he responded, "Thank you, Hermione. She truly is our miracle."
In that moment, as they shared a tender look, Hermione felt a pang of nostalgia. Memories of their encounters in this alternate timeline flooded her mind. She recalled their shared battle against the Death Eaters and the triumph they had achieved, surviving the war together.
Hermione inquired, "What is her name?"
Lily replied, "Her name is Eilleen Hermione Prince."
The witch was taken aback and exclaimed, "Eilleen Hermione? You named her after me?"
Severus nodded and explained, "Yes, we did. You have been our closest friend. You have always been there for us, through thick and thin. You have been like a sister to me, and we wanted to honor you by naming our daughter after you."
Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes as she expressed, "Lily, Severus, I'm at a loss for words. I am deeply touched, honored, and grateful. Thank you so, so much."
She held the baby closer, kissing her forehead. The witch even introduced herself, saying, "Hello, Eilleen Hermione. I am your godmother, Hermione. And I love you very much."
Then, she turned to Severus and asked, "But why Prince? Why not Snape?"
The wizard sighed and replied, "Because I no longer wish to carry my father's name. He was a violent and abusive man who despised me and my mother. After the war, my grandmother Sophia chose me as her heir. Unfortunately, she passed away not long after."
Understanding his reasons, Hermione nodded and sympathized, "I understand, Severus. I'm sorry you had to endure so much because of him."
He smiled and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you. That means a lot to me, especially coming from you."
The baby giggled and playfully tugged at Hermione's hair. She uttered, "Mione."
The witch beamed and confirmed, "That's right, Eilleen. Mione. That's what Harry calls me too."
She glanced at Harry, who sat on the other side of the bed next to Regulus.
Harry greeted them, saying, "Hi, Aunt Mione. Hi, 'Leen. You're my sister. I love you."
Leaning over, he gently kissed the baby's cheek. Then, he turned to Regulus and complimented, "And you're really cool, Uncle Reg."
Black smiled and tousled Harry's hair. He looked at Hermione, squeezing her hand, and praised, "And you are incredibly beautiful, intelligent, and amazing."
He leaned in close, his voice a soft whisper in her ear, "And you belong to me."
A blush spread across Hermione's cheeks as she replied, "And you belong to me too, Regulus."
As she gazed into his eyes, she saw a glimmer of mischief and love. He spoke, his tone filled with anticipation, "So, Mia, when do you think we'll have our own child?"
Hermione gasped, taken aback by his question. "What are you suggesting?"
Regulus shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just asking, Hermione. Don't you want to have a child with me?"
Conflicting emotions washed over the witch. She loved Regulus more than anything. He was her soulmate, her partner, her lover. She had saved his life by traveling back in time, and he had aided her in destroying the Horcruxes. He had stood by her side when she decided to remain in this timeline instead of returning to her original one. He made her happier than she had ever been.
But did she truly want to have a child with him? Did she want to become a mother and start a family?
She didn't have an answer. The thought had never crossed her mind, never been part of her plans.
Looking down at Eilleen, sleeping peacefully in her arms, Hermione felt a surge of emotions. She glanced at Harry, who smiled innocently at her, and at Lily and Severus, who observed her with curiosity and concern. She met Regulus's gaze, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Confusion and desire battled within her. "Regulus, I don't know. I love you, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. I need some time to think."
The wizard nodded understandingly. "I get it, Hermione. I'm sorry if I pressured you. I love you too, and I respect your decision. Take all the time you need. I'll wait for you."
He pressed a gentle kiss against her lips, whispering, "I love you, Hermione."
In that embrace, they found solace and joy, knowing they were united.
Sirius interrupted, clearing his throat. "Well, this is all very touching, but let's not forget the reason we're here. We're celebrating Eilleen's first birthday and capturing some memories."
He raised his camera, urging them all to smile. "Come on, everyone! Say cheese!"
With smiles on their faces, they happily exclaimed, "Cheese!"
Sirius swiftly took a photo, skillfully capturing the precious moment. Examining the image, he declared, "Perfect. This is an absolute must for the family album."
Turning his gaze towards Hermione, he remarked, "You know, Mione, you appear incredibly at ease cradling a baby. Perhaps you should contemplate having one of your own. You would undoubtedly excel as a mother."
Hermione rolled her eyes, retorting, "Sirius, please refrain from starting that conversation. You're just as relentless as Regulus."
With a mischievous wink, Sirius countered, "I'm merely suggesting, Mione. The future remains uncertain. Who knows? You might have a change of heart. You might even surprise yourself."
A smile graced Hermione's lips as she replied, "Perhaps, Sirius. Perhaps."
Looking at Eilleen, a warm glow emanated from Hermione's chest. Gazing at Regulus, an overwhelming surge of love flooded her heart. Observing her friends, an immense wave of gratitude washed over her soul.
She came to a realization - she was already content. She understood that she had already discovered her happiness.