Crimson Heaven

Hermione pushed again and this time was thrown back, landing on solid, sharp, rocks with an “oof!” Other soon landed beside her – though more gracefully.

“Bloody hell!” Ron’s voice was above her as she rolled on to her elbows.

“Are you two alright?!” Harry and Ron hauled the two women to their feet. Hermione stumbled into Ron, who caught her and kept her gaze.

“ I wish to spend the rest of my life with you if I am who you choose.” Genesis’s words echoed through her head, the look of devotion in his eyes… Ron’s eyes were gentle, full of concern. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that the smoky Dementors had also followed them back through.

Hermione turned to Other. “What are you not telling me?”
Other looked at the floor but otherwise remained silent. Hermione dug dry clothes out of her little beaded bag for the boys to change into.
“Look at me,” Hermione pulled Other’s face up to hers, “can you tell me?” Her answer came with a shake of Other’s head. Hermione nodded. “Okay, then. Just make sure you tell me as soon as you are able to, please.” She begged, turning to find the boys waiting for her.
“Where to, Harry?”

Harry didn’t seem surprised by her question, “Hogwarts. There’s one in the castle, he knows we’re searching for them. We need to get there before he moves it.”
Nodding, Hermione waited for everyone to take hold before apparating into Hogsmeade.

No sooner had she landed, an almighty screech – like a frightened cat – echoed throughout the dark and snow landscape of Hogsmeade.
The group all darted for two separate hiding places, Other and Hermione hunkered down behind a crate full of old cauldrons left out in the snow, rust told her that they had not been maintained as they should have been.

A light from the Three Broomsticks revealed a patrol lying in wait; they had been expected.
“Shit.” Hermione breathed.
Seeing Harry and Ron change hiding place, Hermione waited with baited breath, feeling the two of them come up behind her.

And not a moment too soon, as six Death Eaters approached their hiding spot. “Move,” she heard Harry breath, pushing Hermione and Other in the direction of a nearby side street.

Waiting for their pursuers to pass them, Hermione felt Other lean back, grabbing Hermione to steady herself as she fell into an open doorway. “Inside, all of you, now!” someone growled, “get upstairs, stay under the cloak and keep quiet!” moving past them, the stranger slammed the door shut behind him.
No one said a word as they did as instructed.

Hermione looked over at Other, she seemed to be having a conversation, even though only her half could be heard. As what was going on down in Hogsmeade was predictable, she decided to listen.
“I don’t know, do I? Look, you were the one who said that- Oh no, no, don’t you dare. This is the penultimate battle, you will make sure that you are both here, Brother of Mine!” with a frustrated wave of her hand, Other ended the conversation.

*************************************************************************

Brother turned to Genesis, shocked, “she hung up on me!”
Genesis stifled a laugh. “So, what now?”

He watched Brother’s reaction, an airstrike had been ordered and the SOLDIER that had been sent with the Turk in Sephiroth’s place had gone to check for civilians, he didn’t know where Angeal had gone.
“Hmm, I fancy testing this puppy of Angeal’s.” Genesis purred, then groaned, “urgh, my shoulder! I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep it under the skin anymore.” He whined, noting Brother’s nod in agreement.
“I just hope I don’t lose her to the sight.”

Brother clapped a hand on his good shoulder, “don’t worry, Genesis, she’s not that cruel. Come, let’s go and have some fun with the puppy.”

*************************************************************************

Hermione sat at the fireside of the Hog’s Head, Aberforth Dumbledore, their rescuer, was trying so hard to convince Harry to give up, that You-Know-Who had won this war.
Just behind Aberforth, Hermione could make out another one of those smoky Dementors.
“What is it, girl?”

Hermione blinked and looked at Aberforth, “first off, it’s Hermione, second, Dumbledore cared for Harry.” She didn’t mention the creature behind him, for fear that he’d think she’d gone mad, especially as Harry and Ron had not mentioned it. Was she the only one who could see them?

“Did he?” Aberforth’s tone was one of sneering disbelief. “Funny thing, that. My brother cared for a lot of people and they always ended up in a worse state than they would have done had he kept his nose out of their lives and them out of his.”

“That sounds like an accusation,” Hermione stated, “why would you say that?”

Aberforth’s eyes bored into Hermione’s, Hermione did not drop her own gaze, the Shadow Dementor behind him now had a friend. “You sound like you have a brain beneath that bushy hair of yours,” he gruffed, “you also have the eyes of someone who knows cruelty, so hear me on this, Miss Granger.”
Aberforth took a deep breath before he continued, “when my sister, Ariana, was six years old, she was attacked by muggles. At the age of six, no witch or wizard-to-be can hold their magic in. When she couldn’t show them how the trick she had performed was done, they hurt her. So severely that she would never use her magic again. And at her age, she became a liability. A risk to the Statue of Secrecy Act. She couldn’t control it, she was frightened. Under normal conditions she was calm, shy and the sweetest thing.”

“She became an Obscurus” Hermione whispered, not daring to speak any louder.

“Yes. I see you’ve read Scamander’s book on it,” Aberforth sounded slightly impressed. “I was her favourite, of course, Albus never wanted to be bothered by her, he was always upstairs in his room, reading his books, counting his prizes and keeping up with correspondence from the ‘most notable witches and wizards of the time’.
But when Ariana turned fourteen, I wasn’t there, if I had of been, I could have calmed her down, my mother – not being as young as she used to be – was killed. It was an accident; Ariana couldn’t help it.”

“Bloody hell,” Ron breathed, Hermione felt his fingers coil through hers.

“I told Albus I’d take care of her, that I didn’t care about my schooling, I’d come home and look after her, but no, he insisted I stayed at school and that he’d take over from mother as the head of the family, HA!” Aberforth snorted, “no prizes for looking after your half-mad little sister and stopping her from blowing up the house every other day.
He was doing alright for a few weeks, until >em>he came along…”

“Who?” Harry asked, Hermione sent him an unseen scowl, she didn’t want to know.

“Gellert Grindelwald.” Aberforth snarled, “And at last, my brother had an equal to talk to, someone just as bright and talented as he was.
Looking after Ariana took a backseat, while they were hatching all their plans for a new Wizarding order, and looking for Hallows, and whatever else it was they were so interested in.
If one young girl got neglected, what did that matter, when Albus was working for the greater good?” Aberforth took a swig of mead, Hermione did so too, draining hers in one gulp, it refilled, to Other’s fascination.
“But after a few weeks of it, I’d had enough, I had. It was nearly time for me to go back to Hogwarts, so I told them, both of them, face-to-face, like I am to you, now,” Hermione could imagine what the confrontation was like.
“You can’t move her, she’s in no fit state, you can’t take her with you, wherever it is you’re planning to go, when you’re making your clever speeches, trying to whip yourselves up a following. He didn’t like that,” Aberforth glared at the dying fire, as if to blame it for his words.
“Grindelwald didn’t like that at all. He got angry. He told me I was stupid from trying to stand in their way, that I didn’t understand, if they were in charge, then Ariana would never have to hide! Heh!
There was an argument, I pulled out my wand, he pulled out his, and I had the Cruciatus Curse used on me by my brother’s best friend.”

“Oh my god!” Hermione exclaimed.

Aberforth smiled, “Albus was trying to stop him, and then all three of us were duelling, there was a lot of noise, lots of bangs and lights, and it all just made Ariana lose control. I think she was trying to help, but she didn’t know what she was doing with the power she had. I don’t know which one of us did it, but then next thing we knew, Ariana was dead on the floor.” Ron squeezed Hermione’s hand as she sniffled.
“And of course, Grindelwald ran away like the coward he was, he already had a track record following him around. And Albus was free of Ariana, free of the burden placed upon him when our mother died. Finally free to become the greatest wizard ever known!”

“That’s not true,” Harry spoke up, “he was never free from the guilt of that day.”

“How would you know that, eh?” Aberforth asked, a silver eyebrow raised in question.

“The night he died, he drank a potion that drove him mad, he was moaning pleading with someone “don’t hurt them, please hurt me instead…” Harry’s face was sullen and his eyes were not in the present, but rather in the past.
“He had thought he was back there, in that house, he thought he was watching that night all over again, it was torture for him, you wouldn’t say he was a free man if you had been there that night.”

Hermione hummed in thought, catching the attention of the three wizards, “it seems to me that Dumbledore was a man of many faces,” she began, Harry spoke her name in warning, “no Harry, listen to me.”
She stood up and waved her hand behind Aberforth, sending the Shadow Dementors away, “maybe, just maybe both of you are correct. Afterall, Dumbledore was only human, humans make mistakes, Gaia knows I’ve made my fair share in the past!” She made her way to the centre of the room.
“The fact remains, Aberforth – being his sibling – would know more about Albus Dumbledore than we would. I actually believe his story, and yet, I understand why you,” she pointed at Harry, “want to keep on going, but maybe Aberforth is right, maybe Albus Dumbledore did think more about the greater good than he did of you.
Maybe that’s why you believe in the greater good over everyone else. Maybe that’s the point.” She smiled, “there was a muggle named Winston Churchill who stated that ‘never have so many owed so much to so few’.
I think, Mr. Dumbledore, that should be how you should choose to view this. Not just give up because it feels like too much hassle.” He was about to speak, but she cut him off, “I get it. You’re scared. It’s war, why wouldn’t you be? But how do you think our fellow students are feeling right at the very moment? There are going to be First year students absolutely terrified of a school that should be a sanctuary for them from this war, they shouldn’t be worrying about whether or not they’ll see their parents again.”
She sat back in her seat, drained her second glass of mead – much to the astonishment of the boys - and held up her recently obtain Leviathan materia, “I think that, although severely flawed and a manipulator at heart, Albus Dumbledore had the right idea.”

There was silence for a moment before Harry spoke, “the way I see it, you have two choices, Aberforth. You can either help us get into the castle to put a stop to this war, or you can refuse. If you refuse, we’ll take your advice and wait until dawn when the Caterwaul Charm has been disabled and make our way in that way, either way we’re helping.”

Aberforth didn’t seem to hear Harry, his eyes were fixed on Hermione, who looked over the Leviathan materia at him, “you know what to do.” He said, finally looking over at the portrait of Ariana Dumbledore.

She disappeared down a corridor in the distance of the portrait. It was odd as portraited people usually left via the frames.
Hermione shut her eyes and listened to the hum of Leviathan, Mistress, we seek to aid you.

The rough voice of Bahamut joined to orchestra, one of us is not natural, but rather synthesised, it cannot be used here. But here in this world, there lies the natural version of it. A Phoenix is nearby.

Opening her eyes, Hermione focused on finding the feeling she’d had when Leviathan and Bahamut had called out to her, searching the bar, she was disheartened to find no such connection.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy,” she sighed, turning to Other, who was now dozing in the chair. “Wakey, wakey, my friend.” She shook the deity gently, “I’m sorry to wake you.”

Other seemed drained, “no it’s okay. I don’t know why I’m so tired, all of a sudden.”

Hermione placed a hand on her friend’s head, sending a soothing wave of magic through to her mind, finding the problem to be a case of information overload. “Wha-?” Turning to see Harry and Ron staring at the portrait, Hermione noted that Ariana was no longer alone.

“Neville?!” All three of them exclaimed, for it was indeed Neville Longbottom.

“Hey guys!” Neville hopped out of the portrait, looking very dishevelled and bruised.

“Neville… what happened?” Harry asked.

“What?” Hermione rubbed her thumb gently over the ugly purple bruise on his eye, “oh! This? Thank the Carrows. They’re the Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers, I got this when I refused to use the Cruciatus Curse on a First year. They are big on physical punishment. Thanks, Aberforth!” Neville waved at Aberforth as he led the group through the only way in or out without being seen up to the castle that Hermione, Harry and Ron once called home.
“Let’s have some fun, eh?” Neville invited, a cheeky grin that was so alien to him, that Hermione was going to suggest that he was enchanted.
“Heads up, everyone, I’ve got a surprise for you.” He called out before she could say anything.

“Not more of Aberforth’s cookin’?” The voice of Seamus Finnigan met her ears.

“Nope! Better than that.” Neville hopped down to reveal the two wizards and the witch, the deity had gone invisible when Neville had arrived.

“Blimey!” Hermione looked around her as Seamus led the applause.

She returned two tight hugs from Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, two of her dorm mates. Looking around her, Hermione saw many of her fellows, Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, all bunking together. “Are you all okay?” Hermione asked, noting bruises on the faces of some of the girls.

“Apart from what you see, yeah, we’re okay.” Lavender answered.

“So, what’s the plan, Harry?” Neville asked, bringing everyone to order.

“There isn’t one,” Harry argued, “look, I’m sorry, everyone, but we need to do something that shouldn’t involve anyone else… What?” Harry turned to Hermione, who had groaned. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Hermione was about to speak her mind, when, “Does anyone hear that?” Lavender broke the solemn silence, “that melody?”

Everyone seemed to stop breathing, their ears all listening for a song. “Oh, so that’s what I’ve been hearing for a couple of days!” Parvati exclaimed.
Hermione watched as she seemed to follow an invisible string, “aha! Here it is!” Parvati put her hand into one of the many piles of pillows that littered the room.

Removing her hand, Hermione gasped, “Parvati, can I see that for a moment?” Hermione held out her hand and held her breath.
“It is!” she knew she’s recognised that glow. “It’s another Summon Materia!” she closed her eyes and felt the materia around her neck grow cold. “Phoenix.” She breathed. “Thank you, Parvati. I’ve been looking for this.”
Removing her necklace, she undid the metal circlet and replaced the synthetic materia with its natural counterpart. Holding up the synthetic materia, she smiled. “I’ll return you to Genesis, my friend, fear not.”

Harry continued to get more and more agitated from the pain in his scar – indicative of Voldemort’s imminent arrival and the arrival of Fred, George, Lee Jordan, Cho Chang, Luna and Ginny didn’t help either.
“Now, Harry,” Ron, who had caught on to what Hermione was going to say, “why can’t they all be of help? It’s not like they’re going to turn on us. If they’re in here then they want to help. Besides,” he waved his hands in a very Genesis-like manner in her direction, “we don’t know where to find it, or even what it is. I say let them help.”

This was met by various cries of agreement. Fred and George – who were telling jokes with Lee Jordan – turned to face the trio, their expressions serious as Harry explained what they were looking for, appealing to the Ravenclaws for any clues, something with the effigy of their house on it.
Luna mentioned the Diadem of Ravenclaw, “yeah, but it’s lost, Luna, that’s why it’s called the lost diadem of Ravenclaw.” Michael Corner, one of Ginny’s ex-boyfriends, rolled his eyes at the young witch.

“What’s a diadem?” Ron asked.

“A kind of tiara,” Other answered, startling everyone who didn’t know about her, “like a smaller version of a crown.”

“It was said,” Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw in their year, “that Ravenclaw’s diadem was supposed to have magical properties, to enhance the wearers wisdom, there’s a carving of it in the Ravenclaw Common Room, if that helps?”

“Yeah, it does,” Harry replied with a weak smile. “Luna can come with me, to see if it leads anywhere.” He dropped his voice and spoke only to Hermione, Ron and Other, “you three stay here and keep the others safe.”
Hermione didn’t like the idea of him going alone, Other appeared to understand her unease and muttered to her that she would follow him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Genesis was smirking, the Puppy was an easy target; strong, yes, but clueless as to the bigger picture.
Angeal was stood looking over at him, his eyes hollow and disappointed, with him, not Zack. “Do you have something you wish to say, old friend?” Genesis purred, turning to face him.

“I just want to know when this will end, Genesis,” Angeal held his arms out, “the woman who birthed you is dead, all those who lied to you, here, are dead. Add that to the fact that the woman you claim to love and adore has given you another option!”

Genesis felt his temper rise, “Hermione is to be left out of these conversations, Angeal.”

“Why?” Angeal’s voice rose, “why should she be left out, Genesis? Are you afraid that her memory might make you wake up and see the dishonour in your actions? Actions that, if continued, will undoubtedly leave her all alone in a world that she has no place in?!” Genesis didn’t say anything, “are you really going to carry on, knowing that you are abandoning the woman who would give up her own world for you?!”

Genesis was about to throw a fireball when he heard the distinct sound of his summon being defeated. “Summons aren’t meant to be used like this!” Zack cried, throwing his materia back at him. “What happened to honour?!”

“Angeal has you well trained.” Genesis mocked, he turned his back to Zack, his breath caught at the sight of Brother speaking to an unknown figure.
“We are monsters.” He said, looking over his shoulder at Zack, his left arm stretching out to reveal his mutation. “We have neither dreams nor honour.”

He rose into the air, the wind rushed over his face drying tears that had formed, the daylight sky a bittersweet reminder of peace as Angeal’s words reverberated through his mind.
He blinked and the sky went from blue to grey. Bringing himself to a halt, Genesis looked around, the temperature had changed, as had the scenery.
“Sweet Goddess!”

A colossal castle loomed under him. It stood an easy seven stories, with towers topped with spires dotted at the four corners, cloisters, viaducts and even an aqueduct gave off different shapes for different sections of the castle.
Greenhouses, and vegetable patches gave way to a vast layout of grounds, a solitary hut lay at the edge of a seemingly never-ending forest.
Breezeways and open pathways connected every ground level section; the stonework of this place was incredible!
Genesis’s eyes followed one of these open pathways down a set of steps that led to a boathouse. A lake that could have held Midgar’s Upper Plate lay directly beneath him, his Mako enhanced eyes allowed him to see creatures beneath the water’s surface; they seemed to be agitated.
“Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.” Brother’s voice sounded behind him. “My Uncle brought us here.”

Genesis nodded, “we need to find Hermione and your sister.” He led the way down to the grounds, a wooden covered bridge led to an entrance. “Down there,” he pointed. “You’ll have to tell me if there’s any chance of us getting shot at.”

“Well going in that way is a sure-fire way to get us shot.” Brother pulled him upwards, “this way, the Fourth Floor. I believe my sister has just exited the Ravenclaw Common Room.”

Genesis followed him, pulled his wing in and the two leapt up into the rafters. They saw a stern looking woman pass under them as a pace, three silver cats went in three different directions in the castle, Genesis recognised them as Patronuses.
He tried to think of who this witch could be, she seemed to be going somewhere in a hurry. Looking over at Brother to ask his opinion, he was startled to see Brother moving to catch up with this witch.
“I take it this one is important?” he hissed as he caught up to him.

“Professor Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor, Transfiguration teacher and the Deputy Headmistress.” Brother replied. Genesis’s eyes widened in admiration of those titles. “But that’s not why I’m following her. My sister is down there, I think Harry is under his invisibility cloak.”

The two of them stopped directly above McGonagall, her wand was raised. “Who goes there?” she said.

“I do, Minerva.” A sneering drawl that reminded Genesis of Heidegger replied. “Where are the Carrows? I heard that they have apprehended an intruder.”

“Wherever you sent them I assume. As for an intruder, I have no idea, Severus.” So that is Severus Snape, thought Genesis, recognising the first name from Hermione’s story.

Genesis listened to the hostile conversation beneath him for a while more, noting that Snape’s eyes kept wandering to a point just past McGonagall’s shoulder, his wand hand gripped and the two began to duel in lightning-fast movements.

Genesis watched the two dance, each fast with offensive and defensive spells, two black-cloaked wizards approach and Genesis watched in fascination as Snape appeared to glance backwards, sending McGonagall’s next two spells towards the two behind him, knocking them out.
Four more appeared, cornering McGonagall. Genesis moved.
Casting Barrier, Genesis covered McGonagall and drew his Firaga Materia. “Start running!” he snarled at the two that had appeared behind the witch.
They didn’t listen, instead ended up piles of ash on the floor.

A tiny man, a plump witch and a larger, out of breath, man approached the still duelling duo. “You will not kill in Hogwarts!” the little man cried, as the three newcomers started fighting Snape.

He ran for the window. “COWARD!” McGonagall screamed; a black bat-like shape could be seen flying away.

“That was interesting.” Genesis stated, holding his hands up in peace. “He purposely knocked out the two that first came to his aid. I wonder…”

“Who are you?!” McGonagall snarled, her wand tip under his nose, the plump witch held her wand under Brother’s nose. “Friend or foe?”

“He’s a friend, Professor.” Harry appeared beside Genesis; Luna next to him.

“Sweet Gaia!” Brother cursed, Genesis jumped and let out a nervous chuckle. Recovering, Brother asked “Where is my sister?”

“I am here.” Other phased into view, her own form of invisibility dissipating. “Relax Professors, Harry and Luna know us.”

McGonagall lowered her wand, “you didn’t answer my question,” she said.

Genesis smirked, he liked this witch, “I am SOLDIER First Class Genesis Rhapsodos. Former third in Command of the ShinRa army. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
The other professors were wary, but they greeted him nonetheless. Genesis turned to Harry. “Where’s Hermione?”

“I left her with Ron. They’re safe, but you’d do better staying with me than going to find them, which reminds me,” Harry turned to Other, “what are you doing here?”

“Keeping an eye on you. Hermione was worried about the two of you leaving. So, I offered to go with you.”
Other turned to face himself and Brother, “as for the two of you,” she pointed her finger, “I hope you are aware of what this fight will bring about.”

Genesis frowned, “the end of a war that is being fought primarily by children?”

Other heaved a sigh, “besides that.” She looked at Harry and the teachers, all of whom were frowning, “Hermione’s decision. It’s already been made, though I’m not sure she is aware of it yet.”

Genesis froze, “are you sure?”

“I’ve been living with her for better part of a year, Genesis, I know what I’m talking about.” She snapped, running her fingers through her hair, Genesis caught sight of the word Mudblood on her arm.

Looking down at his hands, Genesis closed his eyes and took a steadying breath, are you afraid that her memory might make you wake up and see the dishonour in your actions? Actions that, if continued, will undoubtedly leave her all alone in a world that she has no place in?! Are you really going to carry on, knowing that you are abandoning the woman who would give up her own world for you?!
Angeal’s words, coupled with the scar of Other’s arm made Genesis question his own choice.
Something flickered out of the corner of his eye, it was one of those Shades again, he had seen them in Banora…

“You can’t turn back now, Genesis, not even if you wanted to.” Brother’s voice was hushed, but everyone was still staring at them.
“Hermione will manage, she always does.”

The teachers all split off to fetch the students of their houses. Genesis stayed behind Harry and Luna, keeping his head on the swivel in the event of a back attack.
“Students out of bed! Students in the corridors!”

“They’re supposed to be out of bed you blithering idiot!” McGonagall snapped, “now do something productive Mr. Filch and go and get Peeves!”

“Peeves?” Genesis asked as the elderly man – the Caretaker – shuffled off, grumbling.

“He’s the resident Poltergeist,” Harry explained, “he loves to cause havoc, this sort of chaos will be a dream come true for him.”

“Piertotum Locomotor!” McGonagall cried, bringing them all back to the present.

“Holy Goddess!” He exclaimed, he and the two deities stood looking in awe as, one by one, the statues came to life, some pulling from their places in the walls on ground level, above them and even the ceiling!

“Hogwarts is threatened! Man the boundaries! Protect us, do you duty to our school!” the stern witch ordered, then she smirked, “I’ve always wanted to use that spell!” she sounded so giddy that all present giggled.
She turned to the others, that smirk still firmly in place, “now then. Potter, Lovegood, take your group and round up the rest of your friends, bring them to the Great Hall, I shall go and rouse the Gryffindors.”
Genesis was stunned with how organised this place was. It was a school that was braced to fight to defend her students if needed.

Harry stopped, facing a bare wall. Genesis was about to ask why he had stopped when – to his astonishment – a door appeared in the middle of said wall. “I can’t stress my love for this school enough! Whoa, I’ve got you!” he dove for Harry, catching his arm as he slid down a small set of stairs.

“This place has more people than when I left.” Other stated.

Genesis didn’t know who most of them were, but he could guess most were old students from the way they all looked at Harry.
He scanned the room, looking for the two he wanted to see, but instead, met a few more familiar faces. “Genesis!” Bill called, waving at him, Remus Lupin waved at him too, as did Molly and Arthur, Fred and George, Ginny too.
“How’s the shoulder?” Bill asked as he met the man and his wife, the ever-stunning Fleur.

“That’s a touchy subject at the moment,” Genesis said, “you’ll most likely see what I mean later on.” The room emptied at Harry’s declaration of war, leaving just a few. Ginny had been forbidden from fighting, she was on her way out when someone came through the portrait, Genesis grabbed Ginny round the middle and pulled her into Bill, going on the defensive. “Who are you?!” he snarled.

A very flustered red-haired man with horn-rimmed glasses got unsteadily to his feet. “Hang on, Genesis,” called George, “that’s Percy.” Genesis turned to see Fred walk up to him, the resemblance was there; he was family.

Standing down, Genesis looked over at the conversation that Fleur was having with Remus, who was showing a moving photo of a chubby baby with bright blue hair waving his fists at the camera. “Aww, who is this?” Genesis cooed.

“This is Teddy, he’s mine and Dora’s son.” Remus exclaimed, puffing his chest out proudly. “Oh, excuse me, Genesis, you’d know Dora better as Tonks, even though we are married.”

Genesis clapped Remus on the shoulder in congratulations as Percy cried out, “I was a fool!” He looked over at his family, “I was a – a –”

“Ministry-loving, family-disowning prat?” Fred offered.

Genesis stifled a chuckle as Percy nodded, “yes.” He admitted.

“Can’t say fairer than that. At least you admit it, now.” Fred shook his hand, George too, then Molly came rushing forward, followed by Arthur and Bill.
Moments later even the Weasleys – with the exception of Ginny who had been forced to stay put – left to join the fight.

Genesis finally realised that there were two people missing. “Where are Ron and Hermione?”
Harry fell to his knees, clutching his head, “Harry!”

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Whilst all of this had been going on, Hermione and Ron had headed down to the Second Floor to Moaning Myrtle’s Bathroom.
“Remind me why we’re going in here, Ron?” Hermione glanced around; it was eerily quiet.

“You were Petrified when Harry and I found this out, but we couldn’t have done it without you.” Ron left that as his explanation.

The sound of the sobbing ghost could be heard from one of the stalls, Hermione as about to speak when Ron hissed. “Wha-?!” the sinks opened up, revealing a large hole, it was then Hermione understood, “this is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.”

Ron held out his hand, “come on then.”

Hermione took his hand and they jumped.
What followed was the mother of all thrill slides, Hermione began travelling backwards, her shrieking laughter only just outweighing the terror of what could be at the bottom of this place.
She landed backwards, rolling over, her hair hanging like a busy mop as she righted herself. Ron landed feet first next to her. The two looked at each other before bursting out laughing.
Waving her wand, Hermione tied her hair up off her face and the two continued on.

“You’ll be okay,” Ron spoke, seeming to understand why she was clutching his arm, “Harry destroyed the Basilisk.”

“Oh, right, of course.” Hermione still didn’t let go. “Ron-”

“Later.” Ron said, holding up the golden cup, “we need to get rid of this thing first.”
Hermione was startled by how in control of the situation Ron was. She listened to him hiss again, “you ever notice that Harry talks in his sleep?” he asked, casually.

“Er… no, I can’t say I have.” Hermione answered.

The Chamber was huge! The oversized head of Salazar Slytherin had been carved out of the stone at the other end of a large walkway. At the edge of the pool lay what remained of the Basilisk.
Ron handed Hermione the golden cup of Hufflepuff and went to fetch a fang out of the dead snake. Hermione wasn’t sure what had eaten away at it’s flesh, but she assumed it had something to do with the magic of the Chamber.
“You do it.” Ron said, softly, handing her the fang and taking the cup.

Hermione felt the colour run out of her face. “I can’t!” she protested.

“Yes, you can.” Ron soothed, caressing her cheek with a finger, “I’m right here, you’re not alone in this.”

He put the cup down on the floor and held it steady. Hermione steeled herself, looking Ron directly in the eyes, she took a deep breath and plunged the fang into the cup. The force of the magic that was released from the cup was strong enough to knock Hermione and Ron backwards.
Hermione got to her feet and met Ron in the middle as they back away from the now rapidly gushing water that surrounded them, the face of Voldemort, himself, screaming at them as the wall of water crashed down over them, soaking them through to the skin.
Hermione looked over at Ron, as their eyes met, Ron pulled Hermione in and kissed her hard.
Genesis’s kiss was full of passion and fire, she savoured every moment of it, breathed it in like oxygen. Ron’s kiss, though equally passionate, was gentle, pure love emitted from it, as with Genesis, but Hermione realised from the few moments this kiss lasted, that Ron was saying goodbye.
She pulled back and the two shared a laugh, before Ron took her hand and they walked out of the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione drying them both off as she went.

“I love you.” Ron said, “I will always love you, even when I’m dead and gone,” Hermione was going to protest, but Ron cut her off, “let me finish. My love for you will never go away, it may hurt to see you go off with another man, but I know he will love and cherish you, just like I do.” He stopped and looked at her, “that’s all I need to say about this, Hermione. That and he’s better look after you.”

Hermione huddled up close to him, she hadn’t had time to tell the boys about what had happened, maybe she shouldn’t. “You can look after me until then, right? I’m not quite ready to let you go yet.”

They laughed their way back up the slide and out onto the staircase where they were surprised to find the students all heading down.
“Looks like everyone is heading down to the Great Hall.” Ron observed, “come on.”

On the way there, they met Harry, “where the hell did you two disappear to?!” he greeted, hugging them both in relief.

“Ron had the idea to go down to the Chamber of Secrets and get a Basilisk fang,” catching Harry’s look she elaborated, “no point in finding these damned things if we can’t destroy them. You destroyed the diary with a Basilisk fang, well I’ve just destroyed the cup with one.”

“Ah, that’s what I felt.” Harry realised. Hermione frowned. She was beginning to think that Harry’s connection with Voldemort wasn’t just because he’d tried to kill…

“Oh my God.” She breathed, looked at Harry.

Harry was about to say something when Other appeared, “Champ!”

“Hey, you!” she greeted.

“Would you look at what Fluffy dragged in.” Ron saw someone down on the ground level, looking down, Hermione saw Percy Weasley. “Bloody hell, come on, we’ll go down and say hello.”

As Ron called out to Percy, Hermione hung back with Harry, “hello, my Golden Flower,” a voice purred behind her.

Giving a shriek of surprise, Hermione spun round to see Genesis stood behind her. “Genesis!” she flung herself into his waiting arms, “wait, no! I’m still mad at you!” she pushed his grinning face away from her.

“What for?” Harry asked.

Hermione grimaced, “something that’s between us. Come on, we’d better get to the Great Hall, AH!” Hermione was pulled backwards and her vision was barred by pitch black feathers.

The sound of something metallic striking the floor rang through the staircase. But her horror of where these feathers originated blocked out the realisation of who it was. “I didn’t want you to find out this way,” Genesis pleaded. “I am a monster.”

The great black wing protruded from his left shoulder. Her initial horror was pushed aside to make room for the awe and the beauty of the silky feathers. She reached out and ran her hand over the main bone. “Don’t say that, mon Coeur, it was a shock, that’s all.”
She returned her attention to the suit of armour that had been displaced by one of the students. “Good thing you did reveal it, otherwise that would have hurt.”
The group moved with the students to the Great Hall, McGonagall was giving instructions. They sat down and listened.
As Hermione listened, she watched the colour drain from the old witch’s face as a voice rang through the walls cutting her off.

I know you are preparing to fight. The voice rang out, several students screamed, Hermione clutched Genesis and Ron, she and Genesis turned to the sound of Other and Brother vomiting.
This is futile. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave this castle in peace. Give me Harry Potter and you will be spared. Give me Harry Potter and you shall be rewarded. You have until midnight.

“What are you all waiting for?” the voice of Pansy Parkinson cried, “he’s there! Someone grab him!” Hermione and Ron were the first to move.

They stood on the table, wands drawn, “you are welcome to try!” Hermione snarled, the rest of the Gryffindors all stood, followed by the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws. Hermione was even surprised to see some of the Slytherins had stood too.

“Thank you, Miss Parkinson, you and your house can be the first to leave.” McGonagall announced. “All those who are of age and wish to fight may do so, everyone else must leave, Ravenclaws will follow behind the Slytherins, Hufflepuffs behind them and Gryffindors behind them.” She ordered.
She then turned to Harry, “don’t you three have something to find?”

Harry pulled Ron and Hermione down and led them out of the corridor, relaying the information he had about the next Horcrux.
As she listened, Hermione thought about the diadem of Ravenclaw.
“Hang on, isn’t the Grey Lady Ravenclaw’s house ghost?”

“Yeah,” replied Harry, not understanding her thoughts.

“Well, Flitwick said no one in living memory, correct? So why not ask her?” Harry’s eyes lit up, “I’m pretty sure her actual name is Helena Ravenclaw, too.” She mused.

“What?!” Harry and Ron exclaimed.

“Yeah, I heard the Baron call her Helena and I think I remember one of the older Ravenclaws calling her Lady Ravenclaw.” Hermione stated.

“Okay great, whilst Harry goes on a search for the Grey Lady, Hermione and I will head down to the kitchens.” Ron informed, he and Genesis grasped each other’s forearms.

“I’m going to head into the sky, reenforce the barriers with one of my own, it might not do much, but it’ll buy you a bit more time.” Genesis informed. Hermione looked over at him in horror, “fear not, my Golden Flower, I’ll come and find you as soon as I’m done, just make sure Other is with you, come Brother.”

“I don’t think so,” Other grabbed her sibling by his collar, “this one stays with me. We have our own things to do.”
Turning she gave Hermione a hug, “We’ll be back.”

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Other didn’t give anyone a chance to argue as she hauled her brother away from the group. “What in the name of our Mother are you doing?” he snapped, pulling himself free.

Other turned to him, the anger in her eyes holding him still. “What am I doing? What are you doing?!” she spoke, her voice never once rising.
“I am attempting to change the life that is about to hit both Hermione and Genesis and here you are playing along!” she couldn’t hold the shriek of her last two words.

Brother looked taken aback. After a moment of silence whilst he thought about his answer, Brother spoke. “Sister, I have come to realise that there is nothing we can do to change what must happen to him.” Other’s eyes bugged, “I know this is not what we initially set out to do, but…”
A shadow wafted through the bubble Other had created, causing Brother to push her back behind his own black wing. “Stay back, Spectre! You will not have my sister too!”

Other was more interested in the wing that her brother’s words. “Bro-Brother, you-”

“This is how I know that what we are doing is futile, Sister.” He looked back at her, his eyes pleading. “We must stay with our Champions, that is what we agreed when we abandoned our parents. We must stay with them, no matter the cost. This is my punishment, Sister. Yours is that scar,” he nodded to her arm, “we must suffer as our Champions do.” He turned back to the shadow and drew his sword. It was wreathed in flames; it’s power the same as Other’s bow and arrow.
He swung down at the shadow, it vanished for a moment, before reappearing in front of Other. She let out a cry of surprise and fell out of their bubble.

She rolled to her feet. The shadow swooped down after her. Her eyes widened, taking in a breath to scream. The dusty air of the shadow passed through her veins like thick smoke.
She tried to cough, but on its way to her soul, the shadow blocked her airwaves.
She saw through a light mist as barren wastelands and towering metropolises, oceans and forests full of life, a dusty old mansion, fire and death flickered like a rapid slideshow through her mind’s eye.
The mist cleared long enough for her to see a figure was suspended in a specimen container, it’s deadpanned eyes seemed to stare right through her, the word JENOVA etched in the metal…

“GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER!”
Gasping for the air she so desperately craved, Other fell into her brother’s waiting arms.
Hearing an almost feral growl, Other straightened, looking her brother dead in the eyes. “You see, Sister? This is why we will lose.”

Other looked around, the groups had all gone in their directions. “We are too involved to back away now!”

Brother hauled her to her feet, he gave her a hug. “May Mother protect you, Sister.” He said.

She returned the hug, “and you, Brother.” They ran in opposite directions each searching for their champion. Other found Hermione on the balustrades, her wand pointing up towards the barrier.

“Protego Maxima!” she was strengthening the barrier!

“Watch out!” one of the older wizards called.

Other saw a boulder fly from across the grounds, heading in their direction. “Champ!” she cried

Hermione had seen it, “Come to me, BAHAMUT!” She cried, extending her non-wand arm.
A summon circle appeared in front of her, the great dragon shooting forth from its centre, giving out a mighty roar as it caught the offending lump of rock and sent it sailing back towards the giant that had hurled it.
Several cries of excitement sounded as Hermione continued to shoot spells into the dark.
Another spell hit the balustrade that Hermione was stood on, it crumbled away and she fell with a scream. Bahamut dove after her, catching her and returning to its defensive position.
It gave another mighty roar as its main attack – meteor strike, parted the darkness and landed in the middle of a large-scale army of death eaters and followers.

There was a thunderous sound of lightning as it crashed through the air, hitting the lake and making it bubble, steam rose and the merpeople leapt from its boiling waters, “Come to me LEVIATHAN!” Hermione called again, summoning a second creature to her.

Other was at a loss for words at the strength of her champion. “That girl has an immense amount of power, if she can hold two summons at once!” the voice of her uncle had her catching herself before she fell.

“What are you doing here?!” she snapped.

“I am here for you and your brother, on your mother’s wishes.”
Other was not convinced by this.

She looked back over the battle, flashes of greens reds, yellows and blues danced below her, screams and war cries echoed though the grounds, people fell left right and centre. “so, this is what war looks like,” she said, “what a waste of life!” she spat.

“Hello there!” a voice purred behind her.

Spinning to face her company, she snarled, it was Lucius Malfoy. “you were with that Mudblood a moment ago, where is she?”
Other launched herself at him, giving off a feral snarl of her own.

“Niece!” her uncle called after her.

“I am going to enjoy this far more than I should,” she snarled. “You are nothing but an evil, little, cockroach!” she began throwing balls of electricity at the now fleeing, cowardly wizard, “yeah that’s right, you’d better run!”

“Enough, Niece! You have scared him off, I said enough!” her uncle grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the wall. “The anger of mortal men is not for the likes of us!” He pleaded. “We must remain indifferent in these matters!”

“That’s your policy! Not mine!” pushing him off, she drew her bow and fired off an arrow in the direction of a Death Eater about to attack Ron from behind, he fell to his death with a scream.
Ron looked over at Other and nodded in gratitude.
“You will do well to remember, Uncle, I do not yet see you as an ally.”
She drew another arrow to her bow, looking for another target. This will be easy, she thought cockily.

“Other!” Hermione landed next to her, Bahamut and Leviathan had gone. “Let’s go, Ron, come on! We need to find Harry!”
The three of them took off at a sprint. A rush of wind told Other that Genesis and her brother had joined the fight.

“What kept you, sister?” he greeted her with a smile.

She shot off a ball of blue fire, nodding in satisfaction as the Death Eater shrieked. “Nothing you need be concerned about. Oh no you don’t Malfoy!” she fired off another arrow in the direction of Lucius, who was fighting a former Gryffindor named Angelina Johnson. “Get lost!”

“Wow, remind me never to get you angry!” Hermione joked. Separating from Genesis and Brother once more, the group took off, Hermione knowing where Harry was.
He was already inside when they got there.

“Come on,” Ron called, leading the way.

Harry was stood facing off against Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy looked like he was going to be sick.
“Do it Draco, don’t be a coward,” Goyle growled.

Malfoy looked at Hermione, who held up her hands, “the choice has always been yours, Draco.” She soothed.
“Just make the right one.”

“I don’t want to kill; I just want this to be over!” He turned his wand on Crabbe and Goyle, taking them all by surprise.

“Way to go Malfoy!” Hermione cheered.

Goyle shot a spell in Hermione’s direction, Ron growled in anger, “you numpty!” he ran after them.

“Malfoy…” Harry held out his hand.

“Potter. What do you need?”

“Keep an eye on things down here, Hermione and I need to get up,” Harry looked at Other, “stay with him.”

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Clambering up a rickety pile of junk, Hermione searched for the diadem that Harry had found. “I’ve got it, Hermione!” he called.

She shrieked, a Smoky Dementor shot out of the pile. She fell. “arresto momentum!” opening her eyes, Hermione found herself floating into the arms of Draco Malfoy. “Steady on Granger.”

The three turned to hear Ron screaming, running back towards them like the devil was after him, “GOYLE’S SET THE BLOODY PLACE ON FIRE! RUN!” He grabbed Hermione and they ran.

“Granger! Wait, Weasley, Potter!” Malfoy called at them, throwing three brooms at them.
Hermione hated flying, but hopped up in front of Malfoy. “Go, Granger, Go!”
They took off through the burning room, Hermione led the way, casting spell after spell into walls of fire that barred their escape.

Finally, they got out of the room, Ron threw a basilisk fang at Harry who drove it through the gem of the diadem, Malfoy kicked it into the fire and the doors closed.

Hermione noticed that Harry looked to be in pain, she had begun to realise what this meant. “Champ!” Other crawled over to her, hugging her tight. “That was terrifying!” she shuddered.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here. Malfoy!” Harry held Draco’s arm, “find your mother and get out of here.”

Malfoy nodded and left.