Meeting with Death
It was a library! Not just any library but Hogwarts library, Hermione would know it anywhere. It looked like it smelled like it but she was completely alone. No other students. No Madam Pince, the librarian. Then as if awoken from a dream she remembered the battle, the glow of the killing curse, the Veil. In absolute shock she fell to her knees in tears. Dis her friends survive? Were they alright? Had the told her parents?
So many questions going through her head as she looked at the rows and rows full of books that she would normally have taken comfort in but not now. Now she looked on in shock and wondered. Where was she? Obviously not back at Hogwarts. Was this death? Limbo? An in-between?
Just as she was about to head into the shelves and try and research her situation she heard a deep chuckle come from behind her.
Hermione quickly turned to see who had appeared as she was one hundred percent positive she had been alone. What she saw was a young man appeared to be mid twenties crowded in dark flowing robes with a large hood on his head sitting on a crown of dark hair. Looking back at her through obsidian eyes he eyed her with interest.
“Can I help you?” She’s asks as she rises to her feet and crosses her arms and walks towards the figure.
“The famous Hermione Granger.” The cloaked figure states in an amused tone. “I was not expecting to see you for many more years to come.”
“Who are you? Where are we?” Hermione asks.
“My dear, “ the figures states with a dramatic flourish “ I am Death.”
“What do you mean you are Death? And you still have told me where we are.”
“ Miss Granger, I am Death although I am known by other names, The Grimm Reaper for example. And here is not quite the afterlife. You came through the Veil a passage way to my land mostly used by criminals after they were tried for their crimes, it has not been used in many years. So imagine my shock when I feel a person pass through and not only that but a pure soul who done so to save another.”
“So I am really dead. Can you tell me, my friends did they survive? Are they safe?”
“Yes my dear your friends are safe. The Order got them out safely and the imbecile Tom Riddle was exposed. Before you ask Mr Black is safe and has been freed and publicly been shown to be an innocent man”
Hermione sighs in relief glad that something good had came out of it.
“Sir if you don’t mind me asking, why am I here? Why did I not just pass on?” Hermione asked while she was relieved she was curious as to why she hadn’t just died and why she was meeting with Death himself. Surely this couldn’t be a normal occurrence. Although she supposed even if it was no on would know as the the only ones who would know about it were dead anyway.
“ I know much about you Miss Granger. Brightest witch of your age. Loyal companion, brave enough to sacrifice your own life to save another. You have the traits of all four houses but more importantly as to why you are here, you are also a time spinner. I know all about your work with the time turner in your third year and I believe that you understand the laws of time and how to make the most of it. I’m here to offer you a choice Miss Granger.”
Hermione paused a choice what sort of choice and why does her experience with the time turner make her appeal to him for this. “ What sort of choice?” She asked “Am I able to go back?”
“ A great wrong occurred a little over a century ago. I would like to offer you the choice to return to that time and help right it.”
“What type of wrong? What can I do?” She asked curiously, wondering how she could help and what caused Death to offer this to her.
“A curse was created and caused not only the death of a promising young witch but the search for a cure pushed her brother down a dark path ending with him killing his uncle and ending in Azkaban. This curse works against the natural order of things and I would like you to help find a cure and prevent a long man going down this dark path. On your search I would also ask that you find the truth about a witch from centuries past that from a gift I will give you, you will learn part of her story but not her account. I wish for her account to be heard not the biased of a group of wizards.” Death told her in such a solemn way Hermione already knew her choice.
“You said a choice what is my other option?” She asked just to be sure she was making the right choice as she knew that Death would be cunning.
“The other option is for you to simply pass on from this life. In completing my task I will help you return home if that is your wish. I will leave with you a token to call me on when you are ready or are in dire need. I must stress do not use it simply as it will only work three times after that you will be unable to contact me again.”
“So if I complete this task I could return home? See my family and return to Harry and Ron and help them against Voldemort?” Hermione asked in shock as she knew this was almost too good to be true but she had to take the chance.
“Indeed miss Granger that is the offer.”
“I’ll do it.” Hermione stated confidently. She had already decided to help but with the chance of being able to go home she definitely could not pass this offer.
Death smiled and said “I’m glad you are in agreement.” He took a chain from around his neck with a token featuring a Cerberus hanging from it and handed it to her. “Take this. Use it contact me when needed just hold the token and picture me in front of you and say ‘Death come before me’ and I will come.”
Hermione took the chain and fastened it round her neck. “thank you sir I promise I won’t let you down. I will make the most of this second chance.”
“Then my dear, all you have to do now is simply fall asleep and when you wake you will be in 1890.” Death said as she started to fall in into a deep sleep. The last thing she heard before she was asleep was death saying “i am sorry my dear I know you have a hard road ahead but there is no one I would trust this with more than yourself. I am positive we will meet again.”