Chapter 1
“We are clearly are out numbered!” Hermione said as she slumped down into a couch taking off her heavy black combat books. “It’s like they just knew we were coming.” She chunked one boot across the room. “Do you think we have a spy?” Ginny asked. “Who knows,” Hermione answered her, “all I know is we can’t keep going like this.”
The Order of the Phoenix was still trying to fight the good fight. It had been five years since the Battle of Hogwarts. Five years since Voldemort declared war on anyone and everyone who opposed him. His desire to take over the world still drove him to do the most vile things. The Order was doing everything they could to keep standing their ground by stopping attacks on muggles, reclaiming places for their own, setting up safe houses and whatever they could do to prevent him of his plans. So many were dead, others were captured and tortured for fun. The Order reigned hell on death eaters at every chance they got. This was war, real war and Hermione wondered if it would ever end.
After Harry died that night at Hogwarts, part of the Golden Girl died with her. She was fiercer than ever and she wanted Voldemort stopped at any means. She did not want to loose anymore of her people. After Harry she lost herself in any and all things that would make her unstoppable. She was probably the best solider the Order had. The best potion master, best healer, best curse caster and best fighter. She was an overall badass. She would do anything to keep her family safe.
“Auntie Mione! Auntie Mione!” A soft yet squeaky voice yelped as a young child with fiery red hair and emerald green eyes ran into the room wrapping her tiny arms around Hermione. “Hello Lily. What trouble have you been into since Auntie has been away?” Hermione asked. “Oh nothing” the child devilishly said. Ginny busted out with laughter, “okay we all know that is a lie. Alright Lily give Auntie another hug and off to bed you go.” Hermione wrapped her arms around this innocent, vulnerable soul and her heart ached. She locked eyes with her as Lily said, “I love you, Mione.” “I love you too.” Hermione choked out as a tear began to swell in her eye. This was Hermione's reason. Her drive. Her obsession to make sure Voldemort was killed. She wouldn’t stop until Harry Potter’s daughter could be safe. She failed her best friend, but she wouldn’t fail his daughter.
That right Harry and Ginny had a heated night before Harry’s death. They portrayed their teenage love for each other that night in the Room of Requirement. They spent the night lustily wrapped up into each other living as though it was their last night on earth. Well it was for Harry. Imagine the emotions felt months after Harry’s death when Hermione noticed the little signs of Ginny being pregnant. For weeks Hermione blamed it on grief. Her, Ginny, Ron, Luna & Neville were constantly on the run at first. Much like her, Harry & Ron were while they were searching for horcurxes. One night Ginny was looking more pale that usual, and after Ginny could not even stand the smell of her favorite meal being prepared by Hermione something clicked. “Ginerva Wealsey!” She demanded. It was just her and Ginny as Ginny was hugged the toilet siting on the bathroom floor. “Are you pregnant?” She asked. Ginny looked up confused at first, but then as if she was doing math in her head she blurted out, “Oh Gods! I can’t be!” Could I?” Ginny was on the verge of a breakdown when Hermione casted a quick diagnostic over Ginny. There it was. A small pink orb with a pulsing flicker appeared over Ginny’s womb. Ginny and Hermione stared at it, wide eyed.
That was the day the Golden Girl died and was replaced with this new fierce woman, who would fight anyone to the death to protect this child. It was her redemption. She also knew then they could not tell anyone about this. If Lord Voldemort found out every death eater would be after Ginny until she was dead. So they spilt up from the group, even Ron. Which Hermione was quickly realizing that whatever this situation that was going on with her and Ron would never work out. So she had an easy out for that without having to completely shatter Ron’s heart. Now that Hermione was becoming her own woman it was quite clear that Ron Weasley just simply wasn’t enough for her. He just wasn’t smart enough, strong enough, interesting enough and not even funny enough. Hermione didn’t even know she was saw in him all those months ago anymore, but still cared for him dearly as a friend and didn’t necessarily want to break his heart.
Hermione and Ginny roamed the country side for weeks and weeks together searching for the best safe house for them. After about two months they found an abandoned mansion. Probably once owned by a pure blood family by the looks of all the lavish things left behind. They either didn’t support Voldemort and were killed, or they fled the country. “Yea I think this will do.” Hermione said to Ginny as they explored the beautiful grounds. “It’s huge!” Ginny explained. A sharp *crack* broke their sense of safety. They both jumped, Hermione had her wand raised immediately and with her other arm shoved Ginny behind her in a protective stance. A small danty elf appeared. Floppy ears and big green eyes. It wore a purple dress that resembled a small pillow case and had an innocent smile across its face. “Are you Kricket’s new mistress?” She spoke to Hermione with the glimmer of hope in her eyes. Hermione and Ginny exchange looks of fear and confusion. “Well, um where is your old mistress at?” Hermione questioned the elf. The elf dropped her head and Hermione noticed tears beginning in those big green eyes. Through sobs the elf managed to choke out “th.. the darkkk.. lor… lord… had… had.. them.. em… KILLED!” The small elf was just sobbing into her hands now. Ginny walked in front of Hermione and placed her hand on the elf’s shoulder, “there, there, it’s okay.” Hermione took off her scarf and handed it to the elf. “Here take this.” The elf absent mindedly reached out and grabbed the scarf. The tears slowed and she looked up at Hermione. Eyes growing wider, as if that was even possible. Ginny grinning ear to ear said “there now you’re free to go.” Kricket held onto the scarf with two hands and brought it to her face feeling the softness of it. “Kricket has never been free. What will Kricket do?”
That’s how they found a safe place to live. Despite Hermione insisting to Kricket that she did not have to stay or serve them, Kricket remained. Especially after she found out Ginny was expecting. Hermione finally gave in, she would need the help anyways and there was no way she could trust any one else at this point. Thankfully, Kricket had been around way longer than they assumed and had attended a few births. Hermione still dove down into her research of midwifery, while Ginny and Kricket got the manor cleaned up.
Ginny would send owls to her family once a week assuring them that her and Hermione were safe. It was too risky for anyone to find out she was pregnant and there was no way to hid it. Hermione felt bad sometimes because she knew how badly Ginny missed and needed her mother during this time. Ginny knew Hermione was right, no one could know about this, so they got through it together.
Thankfully, when the day came it happened quickly and without trouble. Ginny’s labor lasted probably less than 4 hours, which Hermione was relieved. Hermione had read all about how all the wrongs things could happen during labor. Ginny woke her up at 2 am one morning telling her that her water just broke Hermione jolted right now into go mode. She had Kricket zipping through the manor fetching all the necessities like clean towels, warm water, warm blankets and coffee of course. It only took Ginny three big pushes and Hermione caught the little six pounds 8 ounces beautiful baby girl. She came out a spitfire, with so much red hair already. Ginny named her Lily Jean and Hermione felt as is she loved her just as much as her own mother. Maybe Hermione thought she could replace the love she would never get to have from Harry.
The next couple of years their manor turned into one of the Orders safe houses. Hermione figured out a way to completely conceal half of the manor, many still did not know of Lily. Of course Ginny’s parents knew, and a few higher ups of the Order caught word of baby Lily. Hermione was real selective on who would know and even meet Lily. Ginny didn’t mind she knew Hermione was keeping them safe.
That was five years ago. Now Hermione was more focused on ending this war so Lily could have a childhood she deserved. She felt like if they could just get their hands on the elder wand and kill Nagini, Voldemort could be defeated. The problem was Voldemort had been in hiding for 2 and a half years now. Hermione had killed and tortured dozens of death eaters but apparently only a handful knew of his where abouts. She felt like they were at a stand still.