A/N Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a present! Also, I got my first review! It made me so happy!
Warning: There is VIOLENCE in this chapter.
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If someone had walked into the Granger residence 15 minutes after 7, there would have been screaming. Hermione had deep scratches and cuts over her body. Blood dripped from her nose and ears. There had definitely been a struggle. Everything was overturned as if it'd been kicked over. The glass coffee table shattered, as well as the television in the kitchen. The door had been blown off its hinges and lay in the hallway. There was no sign of anyone else throughout the home. How exactly did she get here?
Hermione froze as she looked at the television, backing up until her back hit the island counter. She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes, dread thumping through her veins. No. No, this didn't make any sense. Brandon wasn't dead. Brandon was here. He was in her living room. He was alive, he was in her….but he wasn't. Hermione knew it was possible for people to look like other people. It took a second but she sprang into action.
Hermione turned to her daughter, pulling her off of the stool and onto the ground, kneeling beside her. She took her hands in her own. "Addie. Addie, love, I need you to listen to me." The little girl looked down at her mother and nodded, opening her mouth to speak. Hermione's hands held her cheeks. "No, don't say anything. I don't want you to say anything. I need you to be absolutely silent. Okay, love? We're gonna play a quiet game. And you need to be very, very quiet. Do you remember the place mummy told you to go to when you're alone?" Addie thought for a second and then nodded. "Okay, sweetheart, I need you to go. I need you to run. I need-" her voice broke, tears springing into her eyes. "Please, love. For mummy. I need you to hide." Adeline nodded, clearly frightened herself. She pulled her daughter into a tight hug and pressed her lips to her temple. "When I tell you to run, you run. Okay?"
"Okay." It was a whisper, the smallest one. Hermione smiled slightly and stood, wiping her eyes and turning to face the entrance to the living room. She took a deep breath and walked out of the kitchen.
He was nowhere in sight. Brandon or whoever the hell it was, he was nowhere in sight. "Bran?" Hermione wrapped her arms around herself, silently cursing. She'd been an idiot. How could she be so stupid as to leave her wand upstairs? Danger lurked in every corner, she should know that by now. No matter how trusting she got, no matter how comfortable she got. She swallowed the uncomfortable lump in her throat and tilted her head, looking down the hallway. "Hello? Brandon?"
The hair on her back stood straight and Hermione whipped around, towards the entrance of the home. "You call for your friend." His skin began to bubble and Hermione took a step back, watching the polyjuice potion wearing off, watching him return to his normal state. He wasn't someone she knew, but he knew her and that thought alone made her skin crawl. "But we both know he's dead, don't we?" The hair stood up on her arms and her blood ran cold. His voice, it was a deep, deep voice. It was inhuman.
"Who are you?" She managed to get out, standing protectively in the doorway, concealing her daughter from view. "What do you want?"
"I want the child. I want your girl." Hermione squared her shoulders, her chest heaving as she fought to control the fear creeping through her veins. "There's no use in fighting me, mudblood. I. will. win." The man, this monster, spat at her and she jumped, taking a step back. Her eyes scanned the room and she noted the knife sitting on the hall coffee table. If only she could get to it. He chuckled as he followed her line of sight. "You're going to make this fun for me, aren't you? I was hoping you would."
"Like hell I am." Hermione ran for the table, her hands outstretched in front of her, reaching for the knife. He ran, too, and with a bigger build and longer legs, he got there first. His hand shot out and took hold of her throat, lifting her in the air, the other had his wand in hand. "Addie!" Hermione croaked. "Run!" The five year old sprinted out of the kitchen. Hermione kicked out to distract him, her hands coming up to scratch at his face. He hissed as she cut his skin.
"No!" He cried out, his wand outstretched in his left hand. A jolt of yellow light flew past Adelinde as she ran from the room, shattering a vase close to her. The glass flew, tiny pieces hitting her, causing her to cry out. Dread filled Hermione's stomach. Her baby girl was hurt! Adeline disappeared from his sight and he growled, tightening his hold on Hermione's throat. His fingers dug in and he hoisted her into the air before throwing her onto the coffee table, shattering it to pieces. Pain shot through her head. "I told you, don't fight me." Hermione groaned, warm blood pooling underneath her head, her eyesight blurry. She felt a stinging on her abdomen and she blinked away the dark spot in her vision, watching as he came into focus. Her hand came to her side and she felt the piece of metal coming through her. With one hand, she grabbed onto it. She looked up at him and he had a sneer painting his horrible face. He was enjoying this, she knew.
She cried out as she tugged on the metal, pulling it out, feeling it go through her. She attempted to ignore the blood, but knew she wouldn't be able to for long. It wasn't a very thick wound, but it went through her and blood seeped out of her at a fast rate. She dropped the metal with a cling and her fingers felt the space around her. She curled her fingers around a piece of glass, slicing through the skin. He bent over her, lifting his wand. With as much force as she could muster, she lifted her arm and swung, stabbing the glass into his leg. He cried out in pain, falling to one knee and she took the metal leg that'd been in her body, sticking it through his own abdomen. He doubled over and she took the chance to try to stand, crying out in pain, moving as quickly as possible.
She ran for the kitchen, hand coming to the wound on her abdomen. Blood dropped onto her fingers. She felt the pain of glass shards around her back. With a loud grunt, she reached for the cell phone laying on the counter, her legs were pulled out from under her and she hit the ground. As she made contact, she felt the crunch of her ribs, crying out in pain. He lifted her from her hair, slamming her head into the tv, cracking it. Black filled her vision, body immediately feeling weak. He lifted her up against him, her back to his front, carrying her form into the living room again. "You've put up quite the fight."
He let her drop down onto the ground with a loud cry. Her fingers closed over the wound on her side and she winced, trying to lift her head to look up at the man. This evil, evil, man. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She tasted the iron in her mouth mixed with the saltiness of her tears. "Please. Please, don't do this. Stop. You can go. Just- please."
He let out a cold, dark chuckle and shook his head. "You're all the same in the end, begging for life. Begging for mercy." He picked his wand up from where he had dropped it. "You'd think the great Hermione Granger would have put up a bigger fight, but then again, you've been living magic-free for the past year." She inched further away from him, biting her inner cheek to keep from screaming at the pain in her chest. She was in so much pain. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to move and she knew the adrenaline pumping through her was lessening the pain. She knew when it was gone, if she wasn't dead, it would be tenfold.
Hermione blinked. He knew that she had quit magic. His smile widened. "Yeah, I've been watching you. You know, there was a rumor that you knew wandless magic, but I guess you've been out of practice." He pointed his wand at her, a cruel grin on his face. "Take pride, Ms. Granger. At least you had a few more years than your parents." She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She'd failed her daughter. She could feel her heart breaking. No. Not her daughter. Her beautiful baby girl, innocent and happy and loved. She placed a hand up, as if it was going to help, to shield her. He brought his hand back and then swung it forth, muttering a silent spell.
At the same time, Hermione closed her eyes, willing her magic to come through for her. Willing for it to save her. Begging for it to save them. She hadn't really expected it to work, but a blast of white light met green. The meeting of the two spells blew the door off its hinges and shattered the windows. She heard him curse and scream and when she lifted her head, eyes opening, she realized that his body was engulfed in flames. She watched in horror, unable to move as he burned, falling to his knees. With whatever strength he had, he looked at her, skin burning to a crisp, pieces of his skull appearing. "I won't be the last. They'll come, one by one. And then…all at once." His inhuman voice shook her to her core and again she sat, frozen, watching as he turned to ash.
She wasn't sure how long had passed between the time the body had fully turned to ash and when she snapped out of it. She blinked, her tears still flowing down her cheeks. She took a deep breath, crying out at the jolt of pain in her ribs. She struggled to get to her feet, her hand over the hole in her abdomen. Stumbling, she made her way into the hallway, her head pounding. She was feeling lightheaded now, only halfway to the hiding spot when her legs buckled beneath her. Hermione managed to lean against the wall, sliding down with a loud groan. She closed her eyes, her teeth grazing her lower lip. She tried. She tried so hard to stay awake- to make it to her baby girl, but the darkness engulfed her like an old friend.
XXXXXX
Just a little after 12:15 in the morning, Harry Potter shot up in bed, his hand over his heart, his eyes wide. "Gin- Ginny!" His hand shot out and he managed to take a hold of his wand. He slipped off of the bed, knees buckling from under him and falling onto the floor, his chest heaving. He tried to take a breath, pain jolting through him. A loud cry of pain.
"Harry?" His fiancée blinked awake, sitting up right when she caught sight of him. In an instant, she was on the other side of the room, kneeling beside him, her wand in hand. She flicked her wrist. "Lumos." Light illuminated the room and she shook her head, horrified at the sight of him. Tears welled into her eyes. "Harry, what's wrong? What's happening?" She took his hand in hers, squeezing it. Her other hand cupped his cheek.
"I don't know. I-" He let out a loud cry, leaning forward so his head nearly touched the floor. Another cry of pain. "I can't- I can't breathe. Ginny, I can't breathe. Something's wrong. Something's wrong. My chest- my heart…"
"What is it, Harry?! I- I don't understand, what is it?!" There were tears forming in her eyes as she tried to get him to explain. "Harry, can you stand? Harry, we have to go to the Burrow. Mum will know what to do." Harry nodded, standing on shaky legs with the help of his partner. He practically fell into the fireplace, letting Ginny grab the floo powder. She stepped in beside him, taking his hand and dropping the powder. "The Burrow!" The green flames engulfed them and they were gone.
Less than an hour later, all of yesterday's guests were in Molly and Arthur's living room, waiting on more news from Harry. Daphne was currently evaluating him in the other room. Ron paced back and forth, unable to stay calm, unable to understand. What had happened? Ginny could not provide them with any answer. They'd all had a patronus sent to them, informing them of the predicament. He'd been frolicking with Daphne, so close to the edge, when it burst into their room. Needless to say, the mood was killed and they dressed quickly, apparating in less than three minutes.
The door to the room opened and Daphne stepped out, a frown on her face. She didn't look like a healer, but that was to be expected in the middle of the night. She had on her pajamas, blonde hair up in a messy bun. "Well?" Ron looked at his girlfriend and she shook her head.
She looked between everyone, unsure of how to phrase it. This was something that was confusing even her. "I- well, he's perfectly healthy. I couldn't find anything wrong with him."
"That doesn't make any sense!" Molly cried, leaning against her husband. "He could barely stand, Daphne! He couldn't breathe. Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Mum!" Ron cried, shaking his head and giving her a look. Daphne waved him off.
"Molly, please. I was the best student in my class. I know what I'm doing. I promise. I understand that it doesn't make sense." Daphne frowned and moved to stand next to Ron, wrapping an arm around him to rub his back. "That is why I've requested for my boss to come evaluate him in the morning. Maybe he can find something I couldn't. I'll keep an eye on him until then, to make sure he's stable. If needed, we'll transfer him to St. Mungo's."
The door opened and Ginny walked out, her eyes bloodshot. She closed the door behind her. "He's resting. He-" Her lips formed a tight line as she struggled to speak. Ron moved forward and wrapped his youngest sister in a hug. "I just don't understand. He was fine when we went to bed. There weren't any signs." She felt her brother's arms wrap tighter around her form. "I can't lose him." She whispered and he nodded, caressing her hair.
"We won't, Gin. We won't."
XXXXXX
The home was quiet. It was too quiet. She didn't know how, but Addie knew that the big, scary man was gone. Elizabeth Adelinde Granger counted in ten many times before she decided it was time to step out. You couldn't have seen her if you tried. Before giving up her magic, Hermione Granger had made damn sure to have a safe spot for her little one. A wall under the stairs revealed a cupboard and sealed shut so it was undetectable. She'd placed a variety of spells and charms around it so not even a simple, "Homenum Revelio," would give Addie away.
The small child pushed the door open, peeking her head out. "Mama?" She stepped out, biting her lower lip and walking down the hall. Her steps were slow and quiet as she slipped past the door and caught sight of her mother by the wall. She gasped at the sight and ran to her mother, doing her best to ignore the glass she stepped on. "Mama!" She took her mother's hand in her own, shaking her shoulders gently. There was blood everywhere. "Mama, wake up. Wake up, mama!"
Addie leaned down, pressing her ear to her mother's chest. She got some blood on her fingers and cheek. Adeline began to get frightened and tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her mother fiercely. "Mama, wake up! Wake up! Please, mummy, don't sleep! Don't sleep anymore! I don't want you to sleep!"
She placed her hands on either side of her mother's face, laying her forehead on Hermione's. Her tears slipped off the bridge of her nose and onto her mother's skin. "Please, mama." It was a whisper and it was magic. As another tear drop touched Hermione's skin, she glowed. With her eyes closed, Addie couldn't see the light coming from her hands. The blood on Hermione's scalp seemed to disappear, along with the crack. She took a deep breath as her ribs cracked back into place, her eyes opening widely at the sudden burst of pain. She gasped, feeling the wound on her abdomen close.
She took in her daughter's hunched form, feeling her shake with sobs. Her voice was hoarse and she suspected that had something to do with how tight his hands had been around her neck. "Addie?"
"Mama?" The little girl looked up at her and jumped into her arms. Hermione groaned as pain shot through her. She could feel blood completely soaking her clothes. The wound on her abdomen was not entirely closed. "Mama, you're awake! You're awake!"
"Oh, Addie!" Hermione sat up and took her child in her arms, holding onto her tightly. A bloody hand cupped the back of her daughter's head, leaving her handprint in the golden hair. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you? Are you okay?" She surveyed her daughter for any signs of a bruise or a cut or anything, but the girl shook her head. The blood belonged to Hermione and while that wasn't a good thing, it was the better option. "He didn't find you?"
"No." Adeline hiccuped, frowning between sobs. "No, mama, I found you. I counted a lot and then it was quiet. I found you."
"Oh, love." Hermione pushed herself up to stand, slowly, very slowly, keeping a hold on her daughter's hand. She took a look around her, at the mess that had been left behind. She could feel herself shaking, whether it was from fear or anger, she couldn't tell. As she looked at the pile of ashes, she remembered his last words and a shiver ran up her spine. Determination crossed her features. "Addie, we have to go. We can't stay here anymore." She took her child and headed upstairs, grabbing the packed backpack in the closet. She took the photos and stuffed them in, grateful that the undetectable extension charm still worked. Her fingers closed around the small box and pulled it out. She opened the first aid kit and stuck a gauze on her abdomen, taping it down. Fuck. Her entire body hurt, sore in various spots.
She took her wand off her desk and gripped it tightly. She would never, ever let it off her body again. She flicked her wrist, her boots suddenly on her feet. She stuffed her wand in it and turned to Adelinde. "Let's go get your bag." Addie took her own little backpack from her closet. Not that she realized it had a charm similar to her mother's, but she stuffed a teddy in there before grabbing the frame with her father's photo, giving it a kiss and placing it in her bag.
Hermione walked downstairs, gripping her daughter's hand tightly, before grabbing her wallet and tossing it in her backpack. She took a look around the townhouse once more. Six years she'd spent in it, they'd spent in it. They had turned it into a proper home. A place of love and laughter and happiness. In the space of 30 minutes, everything she had ever worked for, the life that she had built- it was all just gone. She lifted her wand and flicked her wrist, watching everything float to its proper place and the items repair themselves. Addie looked around in wonder, her eyes wide.
Hermione made for the door, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She hadn't bothered to clean herself up. Her clothes were dirty, her hair matted with blood, her lip busted open. She laced her fingers with her daughter and headed out the door, standing on the stone steps. It was there that she took a breath, taking in what had just occurred. It had not escaped her that she had been close to death. Neither had the fact that although she'd been severely wounded, here she stood, with just the new determination as a reminder. She bent down to look at Adeline, smiling softly, a smile that didn't meet her eyes. "Love, I'm going to apparate now. That means you need to concentrate, okay? You hold on to me and don't let go." Addie nodded and Hermione hoisted her up in her arms, stifling a groan of pain. She turned on the spot. A soft 'pop!' indicated that they had left.
As they arrived, Hermione looked up at the grand building before her, Addie's arms around her neck. She shifted, adjusting the backpack on her. Apparating really didn't agree with her regularly and much less now. In fact, Hermione was having trouble remembering when she last had to use such magic. It seemed, suddenly, that she'd lost a lot of her strength. Either way, she wouldn't allow herself to put her daughter down. She walked up the stairs, ignoring the pounding beginning in her head. She had only been in here twice before. Once when she'd arrived from England and another when she'd registered Elizabeth Adeline, two months after she was born. It never ceased to amaze her. It was covered in gold, emerald, black, and maroon. At just after eight in the evening, there were less witches and wizards inside. Aurors bustled from place to place, ever busy.
Addie pointed in wonder at the gold leaf Phoenix sculptures on either side of the building. Hermione smiled at the brightness in her eyes, but the worry in her mind kept her going. She practically sprinted past the Salem memorial, looking for the correct department. It took her a few minutes, but eventually she found it and she moved up to the desk, only then placing Addie on the ground. "Don't stray." She turned to the stunned witch before her and moved a strand of bloody hair behind her ear. "I need access to the cross-country floo system."
The witch looked taken aback, taking in the messy woman and child. "Access? That's a mighty request. Normally these things take time." The witch pulled up a file, twisting her lips. "I'm afraid the Head of the department isn't here at the moment, she's the one who gives such orders. You could come back-"
"No, I need it now." Hermione shook her head, her hands on the desk in front of her, passports in one hand. She felt the tears burning her eyes. "You don't understand…do I look like someone who has the time to wait to be approved? I have to go. I need to go." She licked her dry lips, hissing slightly as her tongue made contact with the wound on the edge of her mouth. She handed the woman her passports. "Look, I have all of my paperwork, if you could just look through your files, maybe there's some way that I-"
"Hermione Granger. You're- you're the infamous Hermione Granger, you helped save all of the Wizarding World."
Hermione straightened at that, looking down to make sure Adeline hadn't noticed. "Rumor has it that Voldemort would have conquered the world had you not stopped him." The woman smiled and rolled her chair back, grabbing another folder with the tab, exceptions, scribbled on the top. She flipped it open and sifted through it. "Here it is." She turned the folder around so Hermione could see. It was a photo of herself with her birthdate and other relevant information. Under Status, it read: Authorized. "You should have started with your name, Ms. Granger. You've been given access to all of the cross-country transportations since you moved. Comes with being a hero, I guess."
Hermione's lips formed into a tight line and she nodded, tears threatening to spill. "Thank you. I- thank you." She could feel the pain returning to her body, to all of her muscles. She looked down at her hands, watching as the beginnings of a bruise appeared.
"All you need to do is sign here that you're leaving the country. You don't have to worry about specifying whether you'll be back or not, that will take place in your destination." Hermione picked up the quill and scribbled furiously, glancing down at Addie, who was tracing the intricate patterns on the desk. "Where is that, exactly?"
"I shouldn't say." Hermione spoke without looking up, signing her name. "I'm sorry, but I really can't. It's my daughter's safety first."
"Oh…well, we do need the address to make sure that the networks are attached." The witch nodded, giving her a small smile before looking over to catch Addie's gaze. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the blood.
"It's mine." Hermione motioned to herself and then leaned down to pick up Adeline.
"Well, Ms. Granger. Is there a specific home you'd like to floo into?"
"Yes." Hermione nodded, her hands steadying her where she stood. "It's- uh- it's the same place I floo'ed out of six years ago." Hermione proceeded to give her the address, her heart leaping when it was confirmed the networks were still connected to each other. She gripped the edge of the desk tightly, her vision blurring. Adeline held onto her, fear and worry in her eyes.
"Are you alright, miss?" The witch's voice was full of concern and Hermione nodded, although she really wasn't.
"Yes, I just- I have to go. Now. Is everything in order?"
"Yes, ma'am. We just have to lead you to the floo system." The witch stood, beckoning over a security wizard. "Please escort Ms. Granger and little Ms. Granger to fireplace 351." The wizard nodded, extending his hand to one side, seemingly offering her the chance to head first. Hermione took her backpack up again, swinging it onto her shoulders. She coughed, placing her hand over her mouth.
As she pulled it away, she noted the blood between her fingers and frowned, wiping her lips. She could deal with this later. Right now, she needs to get home. "Don't let go, little dragon." Hermione stepped into the fireplace, turning to the security wizard. "Thank you." She took a fistful of floo powder and dropped it, the green flames engulfing them.
Minerva McGonagall's head shot up as the fireplace roared to life. She stood, her night gown flowing to her feet, her silver hair in its long braid. She had been awoken not three minutes ago by a charm indicating someone was to floo in. Shock registered in her face as she took in the hunched form of Hermione Granger. Her eyes traveled to the child in her arms and she shook her head, her hand over her lips. "Ms. Granger!" The older witch ran to the sickly pale former student of hers, placing her hands on either side of her face. She looked again at the child and took a step back to help them out.
"Professor…" Hermione groaned out, bending to set Adeline down. She put her hand over her stomach, where blood was pouring from a recently reopened wound. Hermione slumped into the older witch's arms, her body going limp. Minerva gasped, taking note of her wounds, her eyes searching frantically for any sign of trouble following them.
She levitated her former student to the sofa, laying her down and turning to the young child. "Go stand by your...mother." The little girl did as she was told and McGonagall grabbed a handful of floo powder, tossing it into the fireplace. She stuck her head in, calling out the name of the home she meant to speak to.
She watched as the Burrow came to life before her eyes, all of the guests, currently worried over Harry, turned to her, surprised. Molly's brows furrowed and she opened her mouth to speak before McGonagall cut her off. "She's back. Hermione's back." Shock in everyone's features, Ron and Ginny taking a step forward. "And I think she's in trouble."