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Chapter not corrected (sorry).
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Chapter 34: Comfort
The end of the year was finally here. Hermione was more than happy to leave the castle. For once it was not just the desire to find her biological family that prevailed. She especially felt the urge to flee the place where a friend of hers had been killed. Admittedly, she did not necessarily know Cedric as well as those of his house, yet she had taken the time to discuss with him, taking advantage of helping the two participants of her school. He was a young man with a bright future, a life that had been cut far too fast when no one saw it coming. The Gryffindor just wanted to forget all this, she knew it was not possible but change of environment was more than necessary for her.
Once in town, she quickly joined her mother's house where she put down her suitcase and rested for a few minutes. She needed time to take stock of what she had gone through. Once her moment of fatigue was over, she walked to Granny's where everyone was already waiting for her. She rushed into her mother's arms quickly enough without bothering to take a look at everyone around her.
- It's Okay, Regina whispered to her daughter, you're safe now, you're home.
- I know, I know, I just ... I just wanted to find you. Hermione sighed.
The young witch finally raised her head and took a normal breath. It was so good for her to be surrounded by her family that for a few seconds she almost forgot how her end of the year had gone.
- By the way, Mione, you were right for the potion, she really had a great goal! Henry exclaimed in the hope of making the brunette smile.
- So you announced the news? Hermione asked, looking at her mother. Congratulations, I'm really glad it worked!
- Thanks to you, it's thanks to you all this, Robin continued.
A huge hug was organized around Hermione, which had the desired effect because the witch displayed a huge smile. Yet her face could only darken when she was questioned about what really happened at the end of the Triwizard Cup. Hermione suspected that she was going to be asked to talk about all this, yet it still hurt to admit that one of her comrades had died in the face of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.
- He's back ... Vol ... Voldemort is back. Harry told us that the cup he had to catch for the third round was a Portkey, in other words, the object teleported it to a graveyard. From there, a ceremony began with Harry's blood as the primary ingredient.
- That's what brought this wizard back to life? Asked Belle.
- Yes. He still has many supporters, a great majority of Pureblood who would follow him to death. Each wizard will have to choose a side.
- You talk of fighting, if I understand correctly, exclaimed Emma.
- More than just fighting ... I'm talking about a war between wizards that will somehow involve muggles. For the moment, only England is in its line of sight. But if he wins, he might want more and more power.
Regina looked at her daughter with a look more than worried. The mere mention of war knotted her stomach. She had already fought a lot when she was hunting Snow at the time, but she was the only one to use magic. This war was looming, would be more destructive than ever for both sides. The ex-queen then asked her daughter what she planned to do in all this. She obviously knew the answer but needed to ask.
- I will defend my world, my convictions, my friends...
- Strangely, I think we all knew you were going to say that! Robin laughs slightly.
Hermione smiled, if there was a moment when she had to show her Gryffindor courage, it was now. Regina caressed her daughter's cheek, explaining that they were going to train for the holidays. Any magic she learns to control will be a plus against an enemy accustomed to wand. All could but acquiesce in this remark. Surprising the enemy with a way of fighting that he doesn't know was, indeed, a good strategy.
The rest of the day was quiet, however, and Hermione and her mother had decided to wait until the next day to begin training. The brunette spent the afternoon with Henry, he had the gift to relax just by his mere presence. Despite everything, she kept a dark face, it was stronger than she knew everything that awaited her. She asked herself a thousand questions: When would the fighting begin? Would there be Slytherins on their side? How many deaths would be counted?
- Are you sure you're ok? Henry asked softly.
- It'll get better little by little, don't worry.
Her face was now determined, she would do everything in her power to help those she loved. Henry had only one desire, to take her in his arms to reassure her, to make her understand that she was not alone and that he was there for her. But the young man saw in the one who walked with him a strength of life that made him understand that she did not seem to need this kind of attention. Once at the seaside, they sat next to each other talking about the rain and good weather, like local gossip.
Spontaneously, Hermione placed her head on Henry's shoulder. She had not thought about her gesture, she just wanted to. They stayed that way until Hermione got a text message from Harry, his best friend just wanted to check in to make sure she was fine. The only answer Hermione managed to write was that she felt much better and safer at Storybrooke than at Hogwarts.