Chapter 1
The salt circle was perfect. The pentagram was painted in the center, with candles placed at each point. The cold night air surrounded her, causing a chill to race through her. She shivered, before she began to chant, wand pointed at the center of the circle as she knelt before it.
”I call upon Lady Magic and Death. I call to you for a request. Please, for I know I ask the impossible, but it is for the man I love more than anything in this world. Hear me, and come to me.”
”Hermione Granger. You are long way from home.” A soft voice echoed around her. Opening her eyes, she gasped as she realized that it worked. A woman dressed in white, and a skeletal figure in black sobs stood within the circle.
”Please.” She whispered.
”What is it you want, child?” Death asked.
”The restoration of life and magic to Fred Weasley, James and Lilly Potter, Remus and Nymphadora Tonks, and Sirius Black.”
The two ethereal beings watched her closely. “It is rare for a mortal of your kind to call upon us.” Death spoke. “It is even more rare when those of your kind are granted their request, Pure of Heart.”
”I do not understand.” Hermione whispered.
“You, my dear, are what is known as a Pure of Heart.” Lady Magic explained. “You bleed and fight for others, while suffering in silence. You take on everything around you, but do not tend to what you need. The last one of you was born three hundred years ago.”
”She also was able to perform this ritual, but her request was denied because of her selfish reasons. What is your selfish reason?” Death asked with a raspy rattle.
She thought about it for a moment. “Selfishly, I wish I was enough. I wish I was enough for George and Harry. I selfishly wish I could be enough, but I’m not. In reality, I’m not.”
Death and Lady Magic watched each other closely for a moment. “There is a price to be paid, for what you ask.”
”I’ll give anything. My humanity, my empathy, my soul, my life. I’ll give it all. Please.”
”We will grant your request, Hermione Granger. They will awaken in their families homes, aged as if they had never died in the first place.”
”The price will be your life, by the end of the year. Your magic will slowly leave your core the more magic you perform. Until you are a regular human, then you will die.” Death spoke.
”Do you accept?”
”I accept.”
”One more thing, you can not interfere. They need to work out being alive again on their own.” Lady Magic explained.
”So I have to stay away.” Hermione whispered in acceptance. Her heart ached at the fact she wouldn’t be able to see her family happy once more; but she would do anything for them, including staying away.
”We shall be reunited in a year, Hermione Granger.” They spoke, before a golden light surrounded them.
Hermione awoke in her hotel bed. She squinted and rubbed at her eyes. Realizing it was just a dream. Only, as she pulled her hands away and opened her eyes, she saw a black band with golden designs tattooed around her wrist.
“Not a dream.” She breathed.
she hurried to her ink and parchment and began to write.
Dear Harry,
By the time you get this, you will know what I have done. Unfortunately I won’t be able to be with you in your celebration. I’m writing to you a single piece of advice, be patient, and remember our conversation on boundaries. Please don’t come looking for me. Just be happy.
Love,
Hermione
She sent her letter on a borrowed owl. She apparated to the store and began to stock up, including buying hair dye and fake piercings. When she appeared back in her hotel room, she felt the pull on her magical core. So, using magic sparingly.