"You never told me you were an Anamagi,"
Hermione leaned in the office doorway of the Burrow, freshly washed hair knotted on top of her head as the young witch relished in her soft flannels. Before her, Aberforth was sitting before the fireplace, downing a bottle of Firewhisky,
"I ain't legal, ya' know. I don' want everyone knowin', now do I?"
The old man chuckled slightly as Hermione entered the office and fell down into a chair next to him, "what'er ya' still doin' up, 'ermione?"
"Can't sleep. Not with that Horcrux around, anyway," Hermione admitted, holding her bad arm, where her blood still flowed like tar under her skin, "now I understand why Harry never slept much,"
"Aye', I see."
Aberforth said nothing else as he poured Hermione a shot of whisky, before taking another swig directly from the bottle himself. Sighing deeply, Hermione twisted a dark auburn curl around one finger, stretching out her legs which had been healed a few hours before,
"Where did you go?" She finally croaked, head cocked slightly to one side as the fire crackled between her words, "I thought you were dead,"
'It must have been pretty important for him just to ditch out like that,' Hermione thought to herself, watching as Aberforth shifted awkwardly in his chair,
"Aye, I'm sorry. I didn' mean to leave, but I couldn't let ole Snake Face get ta my brothers tomb,"
"What?"
Hermione sat forward slightly and knitted her brows slightly, "why did you need to go there?"
"To fulfill ma brothers last wishes o' course. I got called in for his will readin' a few nights before I left, see? And old Albus," Aberforth chuckled deeply as he waved his hand, a long, dark box appearing in his lap, "he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Left this wit' his body, he did,"
"What's that?"
"This, 'ermione, is a very powerful artifact. The old fool left it for ye in his will. Thought you may need it when facin' ole Snake Nose,"
Aberforth held out the box as Hermione reached out confusedly. It was longer then the average wand box, and was well engraved with runes even the 'smartest witch of her age' couldn't read. Lifting the lid, Hermione's face paled. The wand nestled in velvet was very familiar to her, and oozed magical power that was practically touchable,
"This is the elder wand," she breathed, picking up the instrument like it would burn at her touch, "I-I don't understand-"
"Ole Albus was quite the troublemaker as a boy. Dueled this wand off his ex-companion, Grindlewald. Has had it since then,"
"But what's the use? I can't use this. I would have to disarm Dumbledore for it..."
"Naw. How much do you know about magical law, 'ermione?"
"Not much I'm afraid," Hermione admitted, holding the Elder Wand and observing it carefully,
"Well, when a wizard dies, he can leave jus' bout anything in his las' will an' testament. Albus left ye' the Elder Wand in his will, signed it, an' that made his ownership void,"
"You mean...this wand is mine?"
"Aye'. Spectacular ain't it? He also left the sword for ye. It's sittin' over there,"
Glancing in the direction where Aberforth motioned, Hermione saw the glint of a silver blade tucked in one corner,
"Tom no doubt knows what we're up too," Hermione mumbled slightly, "have you heard anything from the Death Eaters about their attack on the Ministry?"
"Naw, they've kept pretty secretive,"
"I think it would be better to destroy the Horcrux somewhere else. I want to keep the Burrow a safe place, and I'm pretty sure once we destroy the Cup, Death Eaters will be on our trail,"
"Aye', smart. Whereya thinkin?"
"I was thinking of summoning the Order and meeting at Hogwarts. We'd be able to defend it easily. Plus the anti-apparition wards,"
Aberforth nodded slightly and took another swig of Firewhisky,
"Hmm, are ye sure?"
"I know every inch of Hogwarts Castle, as do most of the Order. I should send an Owl to Headmistress McGonagall-"
"Best be on with it then? Oh, and I think there's a friend watin' up in yer room for ye,"
Nodding slightly and returning the Elder Wand to its box, Hermione tucked it up under her arm and left the office, clenching and unclencing her fingers to get the blood flowing. Returning to her small room at the Burrow, a brilliant creature was sitting at the open window, pecking at the wood mindlessly,
"Fawkes?" Hermione asked, setting the Elder Wand on her desk and moving to the window, "how did you get here?"
'Bloody hell if I know. Fawkes always managed to come back when Dumbledore was alive,'
"Oh never mind I suppose. Do you think you could deliver an urgent message to Minerva?"
There was a small trill from the bird as Hermione accioed some parchment and a quill, and flicked on the small lamp at the corner of her desk as she sat down to write,
'Dear Headmistress,
If you don't know already, the Maurauders and I spent most of last year, and much of this summer searching and destroying horcruxes, which are pieces of Voldemort's soul. Though we have been successful in remaining vigilant, I'm afraid that Tom is no doubt aware of our mission, and will do everything in his power to stop us from destroying his last two Horcruxes.
Currently in my possession is the Cup of Hufflpuff, which we want to destroy with the Sword of Gryffindor by the days end tomorrow. I'm afraid however that the minute we do so, Death Eaters will not be far behind. I ask that we destroy the cup at Hogwarts, to help delay the attack, and to have a home field advantage. I am not worried about loss of life, as students are not present on the grounds for another month.
Please, Headmistress, we are so close to ending this war, and this is just one more step towards our ultimate goal. Please, prepare Hogwart's for battle, I implore you.
Your student,
Hermione J. Black'
Inhaling slightly, Hermione cast a confundus spell on the parchment to confuse the text before rolling it up, and stamping the sheet expertly. Looking to Fawkes, the Bird of Paradise was missing. Instead, a familiar looking white snowy owl stood on the window sill, waiting patiently for the letter,
"Mm, I do miss Hedwig. Poor Harry was so distraught over her death," Hermione pondered aloud, tying her letter to the creatures leg, "fly safely, Fawkes,"
Screeching quietly in understanding, the bird took off into the late night, disappearing from view as Hermione watched silently.
Turning back to the bedroom after a long while, Hermione held her arm to her chest, and ran an unconscious finger across her 'traitor' scar. It seemed like such a long time since all the craziness began. Hermione could barely recall the time when the Marauders had been years older then her. Shaking her head and running a hand through her dark red curls, Hermione turned back to the long dark box sitting on her desk,
'Aberforth said the Elder Wand belonged to me,' she thought, holding the Elder wood in her palm, 'I should destroy it, but Aberforth said Dumbledore wanted me to have it...no, that I would need it,'
Hermione frowned and summoned up her usual Patronus, looking at the practically touchable white lioness which appeared laying at her feet. It was practically solid, unlike any Patronus Hermione had ever seen cast,
'The Elder Wand really does belong to me' Hermione thought, speaking a quick summons for the Order to meet at Hogwarts the next day. As the lioness disappeared to deliver the messages, Hermione collapsed to her bed and fell back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. The dread she was feeling was similar to that of her last moments on the bridge. Watching as Ron battled with Greyback, and feeling the killing curse rip through her as she tumbled down...
"Hermione?"
It was a soft, whispered voice. Rolling onto her stomach, Hermione smiled at her tired looking boyfriend, who had to practically hold himself up against the doorframe,
"Remus, you're back already?"
"I didn't want to be away for too long, love. I was just recovering anyway,"
Remus grunted as he hauled into the room, collapsing down onto the bed with a small grunt as Hermione made room for him beside her. As his arms wrapped around her waist, and his lips rested against her neck, Hermione sunk into the embrace fully. If she were to smell Amortentia right now, it would definitely be the scent of Remus. Burnt wood, forest and a slight hint of wet dog. Yep, that was definitely him.
"Sirius told me everything. How are you doing?"
"Honestly Remus? I'm terrified,"
Hermione sighed deeply and felt Remus kiss a spot directly behind her ear, "I really shouldn't be, as this isn't my first time in a war. But...it just doesn't get easier, knowing you'll probably lose someone, probably a friend, along the way,"
"I can't say I know what that feels like,"
"Mm no. You were a hero in 1998 you know. You were like a father to Harry. You fell in love with a beautiful young Metamorph named Nymphadora Tonks, who loved you just the way you were, and...you had the most beautiful son together,"
"A son? What was his name?"
"Edward, but we just called him Teddy. I only met him once, but he looked like the both of you,"
Hermione sighed slightly as she flipped over to stare Remus in the face, a deep frown on her lips. Silently, she traced Remus's scars and rested her forehead against his,
"It's not supposed to be this way,"
"Mm you're wrong about that, Mione," the werewolf croaked, stealing a slight kiss from his girlfriend as he gently wiped a tear from her eye, "you changed the world as we know it, remember? Nymphadora will find someone else, someone who's just as perfect for her as I was. Because I can't imagine how I lived without you in my life, and I certainly can't imagine marrying anyone else,"
"Is that a proposal?" Hermione asked, smiling slightly as Remus kissed her forehead,
"Maybe, but not now. When we make it through this war, I'll definitely propose to you the right way. No doubt,"
"Mm, I hope we get through this war then,"
Chuckling slightly, Hermione nuzzled closer to her significant other as he draped the blanket around the both of them, and held her tightly with both his arms,
"I love you, Remus,"
"I love you too, Hermione. Sleep well,"
Sighing deeply, and with the mumble of sweet nothings in her ears, Hermione closed her eyes and slept, forgetting her peril for just one more night.