Chapter 9
Battle of Hogwarts
\
They didn't know what happened or how many things were occurring in the background, but as the days passed, the chances of winning the war were seeming higher with each passing moment.
The Order was able to gain intel on more and more Death Eaters' missions and was able to sabotage them.
During all this, the losses on both sides were severe. Ted Tonks breath his last for the Order in one such raid. Dean, Luna and Olivander got captured before Christmas. Soon gaining the chance with the help of Dobby and Draco, the Order smoothly rescued them.
Now that many Horcruxes were found the trio were in a great spirit. Hermione felt that the war was mostly in favour them and that she will be able to meet with her parents soon. And the chaos the wizarding world was in soon will be over.
2nd May 1998
Life in itself is a gift but sometimes for some people, it can also be a curse.
Severus Snape was dead. And his true allegiance is not known to all but three and an old elf.
Kreacher realised that he had not enjoyed the curse of life but also endured the curse of it.
Standing here after the 1 st round of battle, which history would remember as the Battle of Hogwarts, Kreacher would have never guessed that his life would take him on a new adventure. One that he himself willingly created a path to.
Kreacher's eyes were roaming here and there in search of the sole reason for his existence and his worry, his brave, smart, brash and beautiful mistress. No matter her blood, her status or her heritage he knew deep inside his heart that she was perfect in every possible way for the House of Black.
Just as his eyes landed on the bushy head of his mistress, helping the injured he felt the same sense of warmth while in presence of young master Regulus, and then suddenly he felt the familiar sensation of being summoned.
"Master has the worst timing" as Kreacher's feet landed on the dirt outside of the forbidden forest all the while looking downwards towards his feet and steadying himself.
As soon as he could, the old elf looked up, into the green forest ahead of them, and he felt a chilling sensation. As if to confirm his worst nightmare his master spoke.
"Believe me Kreacher I know" the green eyes reflected sadness, ache and sorrow. As begging Kreacher to take it all away, but the magical Kreacher did not know how to.
"Kreacher as the Lord of both The House of Potter and Black I command you to save her. Save her from pain, from the stigma of her blood. I want you to save her, to protect her cause as I will no longer be able to do that."
"Kreacher does not know what bespectacled master speak of"
"Kreacher, take her away somewhere, where she could be safe and people love her for who she is, I as her brother request you to do so. Hermione Granger is my sister in all but blood and as the Lord of the House of Potter and Black, I kneel in front of your elf Black to save, protect and ensure the happiness of the only person who loved me without asking anything in return." With these words, Harry Potter knelt in front of an aged-old creature. Who for the life of him understands what to do?
But after serving in an ancient family, Kreacher knew how to respond to such words.
"I elf Black do solemnly swear to save, protect and safeguard the happiness of the ward and sister of Lord Potter-Slytherin-Black. And I will try to provide her happiness and love to the best of my ability." Kreacher vowed solemnly.
With relief in those green eyes, the last Potter walked inside the forest, and he never looked back.
2 hours later
As Lord Voldemort walked toward Hogwarts, Bellatrix felt the same kind of hesitance when she married Rodolphus Lestrange. Now while she was a loyal follower of the Dark Lord, is what they are doing correct?
With each step it feels like Bella started to remember what was taught to them as a Black, magic is magic and magical blood is too precious to be spilt.
Suddenly they came to a halt, she looked up and heard, "Harry Potter is Dead"
A piercing cry came from the other side.
Bella looked to the other side where she saw her nephew standing on the other side with a bushy-haired girl. As she looked carefully, she saw her eyes sparkle, as it usually does when a Lord or Lady first met with their family.
Just as the Longbottom boy came forward there was a twinge of pain in her heart, she cost that boy his childhood for some silly notion about blood.
Suddenly Bellatrix's mind became foggy and she felt what a stupid idea is magic being magic, blood is the only thing that matters.
Blood, Pureblood like the one she has, not that mudblood who is standing with her precious pureblood Draco.
As Neville Longbottom slayed Nagini in the courtyard, everywhere became a battleground. Spells were flying here and there. Hermione and Draco were duelling against four Death Eaters.
After Draco's impediment, Hermione's wand cast the most powerful predictor.
While the battle carried on. They all got separated as Hermione turned around the corner. Her heart was beating for an unknown reason and with every step she took, Hermione felt anxiety, and fear but the most prominent emotion in her heart was anger. Anger at Harry for walking towards his death, anger at herself and Ron for not realising sooner that he was not with them.
Hermione refuses to believe that Harry was leaving the battlefield as a coward. Because everyone fighting for the light knew one thing: Harry Potter was not one with a weak heart. Hermione knew that Harry was of the opinion that he was responsible for every life that fought with them, but what he failed to get is that no matter whether he is alive or not Voldemort will take his life and kill hundreds of innocents no matter their blood. Voldemort is the reason for the collapse of the Black family.
Suddenly black mad curls came into her vision and Hermione's heart skipped a beat. She was here the fiercest warrior of the dark side. And as Hermione came into her vision a manic gleam came into the eyes of Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Look… Look… who's here little Potter's mudblood…." She cackled."Come….come.. play with me. Ha ha hah…. I have waited so long for this opportunity," with this statement Bellatrix lunged towards Hermione.
Hermione had her wand ready but with one swift maniacal swish, Bellatrix had her wand frowned(What do you mean by frowned?) a few feet away from her. A very panicked Hermione now faced Bellatrix.
"What to do,… what to do with this stupid…, weak…. unworthy mudblood," said Bellatrix with her insane cackle.
As Bellatrix moved Hermione noticed that the whole corridor was empty. Nobody was within her line of sight. At a distance, Hermione could still hear the sound of an ongoing battle. But right now she was all alone.
With this sudden realisation Hermione for the first time that day felt fear. Within seconds Bellatrix was upon her like a spider that had captured its prey and is now ready to play with it. She started poking Hermione with her wand and her insane cackle reverberated around the walls of the castle.
When Hermione's brown eyes met with steely grey ones she was scared yet with all her might she fought Bella and snatched her wand. They were wrestling for it, and Hermione got a hold of Bellatrix's wand. Pointing at her Hermione whispered "Avada Kedavra".
Now a slumped lump of mass lay on Hermione. As her eyes closed to the distinct sound of chaos.
"Granger"
"Granger"
"Oh my god! You brilliant brilliant witch, what have you done?"
Someone was saying something but the only word she registered was her name. She killed someone no matter how cruel she killed Bellatrix Lestrange and the weight of it was heavy on her soul.
"Granger, you need to get up my father is somewhere near and if he saw us, no matter his heir or not he'd kill both of us." Hermione slowly got up as the weight of her victim was lifted off her.
As she stood on her feet she saw the face of Lucius Malfoy facing both her and Draco and in one swift moment both the Malfoys started to due, "fire get out of here this my fight and mine alone"
"Draco ….tsk…..tsk… sullying yourself for a mudblood, I knew you were weak but I didn't know that my own blood will disappoint me tremendously.
"Father you have been disappointed in me for the past few minutes only, but you have failed me the day you let that madman in our home, disgracing the Malfoy name by bowing to a half-blood."
With a snarl, the Malfoy matriarch cured his own son, as soon as he realized what he had done he was on his knees, holding in his arms and regretting what he has done.
As soon as Lucius looked up and met her eyes, Hermione felt Kreacher's wrinkled hand in hers. She once again looked at Lucius as he was about to say something. She felt the telltale feeling of the apparition in her stomach.