Chapter 74: Grief

The lioness stared at Ruby's body for a few minutes, not knowing what to do, not knowing what she was supposed to feel. Gently, she placed herself beside the wolf's inert body.

- I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I got you into this.

- You don't have to apologise, sweetheart, Regina almost whispered, running her hand over her daughter's face. She came to fight knowing what she was getting into.

Hermione stayed in her mother's arms for a few minutes. Looking around her, it was obvious that it would take time to rebuild the walls of the school and that her help would be welcome. However, Ruby's body had to be returned to her family, and Emma and Regina were also eager to get back into the arms of their respective soul mates .

It took Hermione a little while to get her thoughts together and stabilise her magic enough to teleport. She took a deep breath and explained that she would have to go slowly and transport one person at a time. Having unloaded a good dose of magic on Nagini had eased some of the darkness gnawing at the witch, but she preferred to be cautious.

- Will you be all right, Miss Granger? asked Minerva, also exhausted but still attentive to the well-being of her pupils.

- Yes, Professor, I... It's just hard to realise that it's really over. We're all going to need a break.

The witch gave her a small smile before taking Emma's hand and dropping her off in town. Returning as quickly as she had left, Hermione then dropped Regina off. She approached Sirius.

- Not yet, I want to stay with him a bit longer, Sirius breathed without taking his eyes off Remus. Will you apologise to Belle? I'll come back later, I promise.

The witch nodded wordlessly. She held out her hand to Henry and approached Ruby's body. They knew that once they were back in town with a body, the mood in town would change dramatically. Taking a deep breath, she teleported them back to Storybrooke. Regina and Emma were already in Robin and Hook's arms. Tears immediately appeared on Snow's face at the sight of Ruby. Granny had to be restrained and almost collapsed with emotion.

- Sirius ... He's ... asked Belle, her voice trembling.

- He's fine, but Remus fell shortly after Ruby. He didn't want to leave him, he couldn't, Hermione explained softly.

- Remus too? Granny exclaimed, sobbing in David's arms.

The grandmother had already become attached to her granddaughter's companion and imagined the two of them starting a large family. She let the tears flow freely, Snow having joined her husband in embracing the grieving woman. A few minutes later, Sirius appeared with Remus' body, which he laid beside Ruby's. Belle immediately took him in her arms, noticing that he was still apathetic.

- My darling, I'm so sorry. whispered the librarian to her wizard.

- He went off to save some pupils, a real hero's death! Sirius sighed, rubbing his eyes. I brought him back here, I thought he would have liked to stay with Ruby.

Granny stood up and nodded. The wizard's initiative sincerely warmed her heart, and without another word she drew Sirius close and took him in her arms. They will rest as they would have liked to live: silence prevailed for a few minutes, allowing only the sounds of crying to pass.

Hermione then tried to tell the story of the fight as best she could while letting Regina and Emma give their point of view. The young woman kept her hand firmly anchored in Henry's, who had become her pillar.

- There were deaths on both sides. Ron lost one of his brothers, one of the twins: Fred. I... I didn't take the time to look at all the bodies.

- When we saw Ruby and then Remus fall, Regina continued after her daughter, we concentrated on healing spells, with Emma. We owe our lives to Severus Snape.

- The potion teacher? Robin asked. Wasn't he on the other side?

- It's more complicated than that, said Henry. Out of love for Harry's mother Lily, he did everything to protect him all those years. I wonder if it wouldn't have been easier if Harry had ended up in Slytherin.

- That's something we'll probably never know, smiled Hermione.

Throwing everyone back to their senses, the witch walked away from the crowd for a few moments. Henry didn't know whether to give her some time alone or not. He decided to go beside her, knowing that she would have all the time she needed later. He stood behind her and hugged her gently.

- How are you feeling?

- I should have saved them Henry, I've got so much power! What's the point if you can't save the people around you?

- Mione, look at me, he said as he stood in front of her, his hand on her cheek, you can't save everyone. Even in fairy tales it's like that, believe me I've read loads of them.

- My magic, it, it ...

- Stop, I forbid you to blame yourself for deaths that have nothing to do with you. You should be proud of what you've achieved. You're the Dark One and against all the odds you've saved lives. That alone is an achievement.

Hermione looked at Henry and tried to read his eyes. There wasn't a hint of anger, just the love he felt for her. The witch kissed him, letting some tears fall in her turn, brushing some dust off her cheek.

After all they had been through, the future ahead could only be one of peace and happiness, the lioness promised herself she would make sure this was a fact.