The Dark Lady (Severus x OC)

Epilogue

The news came incessantly in the next days. Various stories about Vaitiare came to light, and her name was associated with cold cases of disappearances and murders from years and decades ago.

The Ministry was still investigating the story of that mysterious veela who had perfected a sacrificial branch of the dark arts to lengthen her life and maintain her beauty, with the help of supernatural creatures that assisted her, trapping her victims.

The full extent of her crimes was unknown, and it is possible that the names of all her victims were never completely known, but that strange case led to the creation of a specialized group within the Department of Mysteries to investigate the use of runes in more detail and prevent similar situations.

Fortunately, most of the girls had been recovered and returned to their families. The muggle girls had their memories erased so they would forget what they had experienced, before being sent to muggle hospitals.

But some girls never showed up, including two of the students from the Scottish school. They were thought to have been murdered by Vaitiare and her men, and efforts were focused on trying to find their bodies.

***

The Hogwarts students spent several days in the infirmary, where they were interrogated by Dumbledore and the other teachers to find out what had happened.

Ginny tried to explain Hermione's situation as best as she could, but fortunately, Dumbledore believed her when she said that Hermione's spirit had taken refuge within her body.

"It's a fascinating situation," Dumbledore commented. "Although no less serious for that reason," he hastened to add, noticing the angry looks of McGonagall and the other professors. "I've never seen anything like it. Don't you feel any pain?"

"No sir, but Hermione would like to return to normal. She misses being able to use her body."

"Does miss Granger have any ideas about how to do that?"

"She has no idea. She says she notices the presence of her body, but she can't get out of me, no matter how hard she tries."

"Headmaster, it is possible that physical contact will help with the transfer," Snape suggested. "If miss Weasley touches miss Granger 's head and leaves her mind blank, she may be able to perform the body swap."

"Is this the Lady's idea?"

"Indeed, that was one of her theories."

"We have nothing to lose by trying, Albus," Flitwick suggested. He nodded after thinking about it, and Ginny was encouraged to approach Hermione's stretcher.

"Don't worry, you just have to relax."

"I'm going to miss you."

"Don't worry, I'm not going far away."

Ginny smiled and rested her hands on Hermione's head. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, trying to relax and ignore the teachers' expectant gazes.

She suddenly felt dizzy, and a feeling of emptiness at the base of her stomach. For a moment it seemed to her that she was floating and sinking at the same time, and she felt something coming out of her.

When she opened her eyes, she knew something had changed. She felt suddenly alone, but relieved. And on the stretcher, Hermione was breathing deeply, coughing and moving her limbs for the first time in days. She had returned to her body.

***

The situation at Hogwarts had also changed. With the sudden disappearance of the death eaters, Dumbledore decided to carry out a plan that he had been planning for a long time, and with the help of Harry, he managed to recruit Professor Horace Slughorn to teach Potions at Hogwarts.