Summary: While listening to Potterwatch, lightening strikes, signifying the start of the Battle of Hogwarts.
Notes:
Sorry for not updating recently, I've had this chapter written for a while but real life got in the way and I forgot to post it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Eleven: A Call to Arms
The inhabitants of Shell Cottage were gathered in Bill and Fleur's living room, listening to the latest broadcast of Potterwatch.
"We can confirm the deaths of," one of the Weasley twins was saying only to be interrupted by his twin.
"Breaking news folks, we've just received news from the castle. Lightening has struck. Potter is at the castle, and they are gearing up for the final showdown. We ask that anyone who is able too, who can fight, who can support our cause, come and help the Chosen One," the twin spoke gravely.
"If you can help, please come to Hogwarts," the other twin spoke, and the broadcast went silent.
"It's the end," Hermione breathed from her spot next to him on the sofa.
"Right we need to get to Hogwarts, Ginny you need to stay here," Bill said glaring at his sister who had rose to her feet determinedly.
"Like hell I will," she scoffed.
"You aren't of age," he told her seriously.
"Who gives a fuck how old I am. They want me dead regardless of my age. Our entire family will be there, I'm coming, I can help," she said.
"Fine, but mum won't be happy," he replied, Draco watched him take both his wife's and his sisters' hands, with a harsh crack they were gone, leaving only his small family in the room.
"Draco take Lyra," Hermione whispered, she had tears in her eyes.
"You aren't going," he told her firmly.
"Please, they need me, take our daughter and protect her," she whispered.
"No, Hermione. She needs you more than she will ever need me. I was once a coward, but you've given me something to fight for. I love both of you so much love. I'm going to go to the school, I'll fight for us, for Lyra. I'll help make the world safe for the both of you," he told her quietly, he knelt in front of her, staring into her dazzling eyes, trying to convey how serious he was.
"Draco no," she protested, beginning to cry.
"Listen to me, I love you, both of you. I need to do this. When it's all over I want to marry you and be the best father to Lyra," he told her quietly. "Hermione if I don't come back just know I love you, let Lyra know I love her," he said. Hermione was crying fully now, he leant forward and kissed her, she whimpered clutching to his shirt, Draco carefully took her hand and pulled it away from the fabric before lowering his head to kiss the tuft of blonde curly hair on his daughter's head. "I love you both," he said one final time before standing and apparating to Hogwarts, the last thing he saw was Hermione crumpling brokenly as she held their daughter.
Hermione collected herself, wiped away her tears and flooed to the Tonks residence with Lyra.
"Hermione what are you doing here," Tonks asked, the older witch was strapping a wand harness to her arm and was wearing her Auror robes.
"The same as you, by the looks of it," she said.
"You want to go to Hogwarts," Tonks asked.
"I'm a Gryffindor, I have to fight for Lyra's future, I was hoping you'd watch her," she spoke quietly.
"Not a chance, mum can though," she said, gesturing to Andromeda who was holding Teddy in her arms.
"This is ridiculous, neither of you should be going into battle, you both have newborn babies," Andromeda spoke firmly.
"Exactly, I need to fight for her future," Hermione said, while looking down at her beautiful daughter, "besides Draco's gone to fight, I need to help him and Harry," she told the older witch who sighed, a look of resigned acceptance upon her aged face.
"Mum, Remus is fighting for a safer world where our family can live with society's acceptance, I need to help him achieve it for Teddy. I don't want him to grow up persecuted because of who Remus and I are," Tonks spoke passionately her eyes fixed on her mothers.
"Pass me Lyra then Hermione," Andromeda said after a tense silence where she looked at her daughter, "just please stick together, I implore you to look after one another and both of you must come home once this battle is over. Don't you dare leave either of these babies without a mother," she spoke firmly, casting her eyes between them beseechingly.
"We will do mum," Tonks spoke, Hermione silently nodding in agreement.
Passing Lyra over to the older witch was the hardest thing Hermione had ever done because though they promised to come back, this was war and there was a high probability that one or perhaps even both of them would perish in the coming hours while fighting to secure a safe future for their children. Hermione blinked back tears, tied her hair into a bun and took hold of Tonks' arm. The last thing she saw before they apparated away was the image of Andromeda crying as she held a baby in each arm, Hermione could only hope that both she and Tonks would live long enough to see them again.
Notes:
I hope you enjoyed this. The next chapter will be set during the Battle of Hogwarts. I will post the next chapter later this week. Please let me know what you think of the story so far.
