Chapter 2
Okay, nearly blown off the wall.
It was only because of one of the soldiers- who had blocked her near descent off the edge- that she didn’t drop 50 meters to her death. Her mind was still out of it by the time she got up- however, not enough to make her forget her manners. So as she passed, she gave the kind soldier a simple nod in thanks.
Turning to keep an eye out for the apeman, she watched as leftover debris from the defensive spell fell from the sky onto the rundown town- and we’re those giants next to him?No time for rhetorical questions, she needed to fight.
Head clearing from the aftermath, Hermione could faintly hear the same blond man “guarding” her on the roof shouting from a distance.
Body still flushed with adrenaline, she rushed to him while casting a translating spell to understand.
“-Humanity or Titans!-“ Were those things “Titans” then? Were they their enemy?
Looks could always be deceiving… But then again, Voldemort was one ugly bastard, and he was evil to the core.
“-Which side will live?! Which side will perish?!”
Well certainly not me, not if I can help it.
A little winded but positively vibrating with energy she stopped at his side, ignoring the glare of Mr. Shortstop Uppity behind him, “Uh s-sir, ehem- I mean Sir.” She straightened her back and looked him in the eye. Why do I always have to be so goddamn eager-to-please with authority figures?
“I have two more of those left in me. After that, I’ll be limited to menial spells, better for close contact, healing, or show.” Her eyes darted to the ape-like Titan that was about to pick up another rock, “Should I...” she began to face the Titan, wand raised in preparation when he stopped her. “No. Let it fall. He wasn’t aiming for us, he was aiming to block the hole below us.”
Damn, then some of the horses would be stuck and they’d never have a fast enough exit for all of them. Apparating horses two by two seemed draining and meaningless if the Titan was still able to throw projectiles to kill said horses... Maybe a bombarada to the blockade... but that would serve futile as well, as the wall and the rock blocking their exit could react unpredictably. Think, Hermione, think...
That spell!
The spell that Professor Flitwick had used at the final battle! A powerful protection spell... and one that could hold its own, even after being cast… but could she manage it on her own? If she could just remember the exact order of the spell... then it’d be an option, but a weak one-
The wall shook as the Titan succeeded in what it had planned to do. But for any plan of theirs to succeed, they needed that Titan gone.
“If you’re worried about the horses Sir, creating a semi-permanent protective barrier is possible... With that in mind, the horses don’t have to be your first priority- I can handle the horses. Taking down that Titan over there, that’s where you should focus your man power.”
Mr. Uppity walked up to the Commander, “Erwin, he’s starting to climb up.” Who’s starting to climb up? With just a few steps and a craned neck, she noticed another Titan on the other side of the wall. Oh- so we’re surrounded.
What could I even do against that monstrosity- with both of those things . Would a Sectumsempra do the job or could she aid in trying to contain them instead?
And why were they all so damn calm right now?!
...
Oh right.They’ve probably trained for this.
She had to remind herself that this was not your regular muggle military. With that in mind, her nerves started to settle. They must have a plan for those things... right?
But as the wall shook from the Titan’s running and Commander Erwin’s shouting began, “All troops! Avoid clashing with the Armored Titan! Stay away from him!” her nerves started to act up again.
Should I-
Hermione hesitated before disapparating to another group of cloaked soldiers. Who’d just happened to be led by the goggled soldier.
Great.
But before they could ask any question she apparated further- and from her vantage point, she could see the “Armored Titan” steadily advancing up the wall.
Damn, should she come back and try to help or should she stay and follow orders from someone who was still at the same spot on the bloody wall!
Everyone else dispersed as commanded- albeit, not as far as she thought they would- except for Mr. Uppity, the young blond, and the Commander. No, they hadn’t moved an inch. She decided if they felt like they could evade last minute- then so could she.
She apparated back with a pop, just a few meters beside them. That caught the attention of the younger blond and the look on their face- in their eyes said it all. They were planning something...
Their blue eyes occasionally darted towards her, but they kept on with the conversation. As long as they let me in on the plan beforehand, then we’re good.
They were discussing possible spies in and out of their ranks. However, they were cut off when the ape Titan let out a furious roar. Thinking it was getting ready for another aerial assault she tensed, but then realized it was sending off a line smaller Titans- fuck, towards their other horses.
Now when did I start thinking of myself to be included with those “theirs”? She shook her head, she needed to focus.
The spell; the spell used by Flitwick, was it Protego Maxima Repello Inimicum Fianto Duri ... or Protego Maxima Fianto Duri Repello Inimicum ...? At least her choices were narrowed down to two, but there could still be room for error.
“If you’re worried about the horses, don’t be. I got it.”
The Commander looked to Mr. Uppity for their approval. Oh bollocks , that guy must be important important to garner that much respect.
Why’s it always the mean ones?
Mr. Uppity nodded once and the Commander then nodded to her.
She sighed to herself. They were putting their trust in her blindly. They were putting their lives in her hands. She’d have to honor that. And she would, she’d have to.
The blond then called to the Commander, “Commander! The Armored Titan is close! And we still don’t know where Berthold is!” Berthold? Another question that she needed answers to.
“Yeah, I know.” Huh?!
With no other explanation she was left wondering, what the hell were we supposed to do now?
“Are you finally ready to say something? I could’ve had breakfast during the wait.”
Exactly!
Huh, well maybe he isn’t too bad...
“Dirk squad! Aid the Klaus squad and protect any horses nearing the edge of town. Marlene squad! Protect the horses near the gate. Any Titan within 10 meters of her-” he gestured to Hermione, “-is to be prioritized. After every 3 meter is gone, any squad members left are to regroup and aid in defeating the Beast Titan! Got it!”
With only a moment's hesitancy, the soldiers shouted affirmatively, “Roger!”
He went on to direct the other squads to defeat the “Armored Titan”.
“-achieve your objectives, whatever it takes! This moment! This battle! The survival of humanity depends on it! One more for humanity, dedicate your hearts!”
With a “Yes Sir!” All the soldiers, except for “Levi” and “Armin”- though she didn’t know which was which- were told to wait.
He began telling Mr. Uppity- who now had to be renamed Levi in her mind- to stay to kill the Beast Titan.
Getting the gist of the conversation, she began to apparate when the young blonde- Armin - stopped her.
“W-wait! There’s something else you could help out with, if you’re up for it?”
Hermione nodded, prompting them to continue, “You’re able to travel instantaneously, would you be able to pop up behind the Beast Titan unnoticed... while carrying another person?”
Could she?
Yes. She’d apparated further than that before, but never in midair. She knew her cushioning spells, and disapparating midair was not off the table either. If her rushed calculations were correct, it’d be fine.
She nodded, “I can do it, no problem. It’s just-” she turned to Levi, “I’d be dropping you midair and-”
“No need to worry about me.” Okay... cocky son of a-
“Then once I finish the barrier, I’ll apparate you behind-“
“-Behind his nape.”
“Wait what?” He raised a brow at her like she had just proved him right.
Huh?
“It has to be behind his nape. That’s the only way to incapacitate or kill a Titan.” He looked at her curiously, as if her ignorance was a mild surprise. How was I supposed to know! That’s not common knowled- but was it common knowledge here?
Wherever here was...
“Alright then- I’ll apparate you to his nape. I’ll disapparate a safe distance away before taking you back here once you... finish the job. It will take some time for me to create an opening in the barrier that won’t take down the whole thing, but I can- if need be. After that, you can go back inside... and if you need to leave, you can do so no problem.”
He nodded and without a word, swung down to the horses to help. Well, that’s that I guess.
After realizing that Armin had already gone and that only the Commander was left standing on the wall- he must have a reason for doing so, I won’t interfere - she apparated in front of the blocked entrance.
“Gather your horses and comrades at the edge of town, bring them back here! We don’t want any stragglers!”
As a few soldiers nearby heeded her instructions she began the spell. She closed her eyes, think of the Latin Hermione, it should form a coherent thought.
It wouldn’t be Protego Maxima Repello Inimicum Fianto Duri...
No- It’d be, “Protego Maxima Fianto Duri Repello Inimicum.”
She chanted the words over and over again, wand pointed to the sky. She was only one person, but her intent was strong enough to substitute for the lack of casters.
Pulses of cool white light shot from her wand, the barrier stretching further and farther overhead.
She intended for it not to be a full dome either. Instead, she went for a more time and energy efficient form. Meaning that the barrier would be a small, half dome adjacent to the wall.
Though the structure was small and compact, she sweated bullets. I really should’ve taken off my trench coat. But there was no stopping now. Getting the job done was imperative. They entrusted their lives to her: an outsider, a stranger. They placed their lives in her hands.
And I won’t let them down.
The reminder of her promise gave her a newfound strength. With just a little more left to go, the roars, the ground rumbling beneath her feet, and the screams from rocks being thrown in their direction vanished from her mind, leaving only a single thought: Protego Maxima Fianto Duri Repello Inimicum, Protego Maxima Fianto Duri Repello Inimicum, Protego Maxima Fianto Duri Repello Inimicum.
At last, Hermione was done. She collapsed to her knees, ready to pass out when Levi “magically” appeared by her side, “Oi. We’re not done. Get up.”
Unfortunately, she knew he was right and stood up to finish what she’d promised. “Just let me take off my coat- then we can go.”
He nodded, “I’ll need to be in front of you if you land facing his nape.”
Afterwards, she stood behind him and awkwardly attempted at placing her hands around him.
“Just wrap them around my waist and jump already.”
She huffed, “Fine, but be warned, the first jump is always the hardest.”
“Tch, just jump. We don’t have any time to waste.” True .
So without further notice, she apparated to the edge of the barrier, “I need you to be familiar with how it feels, can’t have you dying on me because you threw up midair.”
“It was fine. I’m fine. Let’s go,” though he couldn’t see it, she raised her brow at him in incredulity.
“Okay,” she breathed. Here goes nothing .
With her target clear in front of them she apparated behind the still Titan’s nape. Releasing Levi midair, she fell a bit before disapparating some distance behind.
This should be far enough.
Feeling a safe distance behind, she watched as Levi sliced at the Titan’s body. Though gruesome, the way he butchered that ape Titan was strangely fascinating, but no less horrifying… and yet, it was almost distracting in a way...
Almost distracting enough that she almost didn’t notice the quadrupled Titan running towards them at full speed. Shit, he needs to get out of there now.
And before she could really think about it, she apparated beside him, took one look at the half naked, dismembered man he was holding his sword in their mouth to and apparated them both to the wall.
A little peace offering , she thought- he gets to finish him off without getting himself killed in the process.
She felt a hot, burning sensation on her back, like being too close to a fire and with the threat from one side of the wall practically defeated, she turned her sights to the other where- holy shit.
That- that thing was like 50 meters tall! No- taller!
It was currently emitting a massive wave of heat and smoke from its body. What was it trying to do? From what she could see, there was no one in front of it that needed confronting.
After hearing a couple explosions- very different from the ones she’d heard before- she turned her sights to the Armored Titan kneeling with a person in its mouth. Oh no . She took a step towards them to apparate but stopped as another explosion exploded from its mouth, incapacitating the damn thing. Ah, I see.
She turned back to the giant one and noticed it had stopped emitting heat. What then? Should I-
She spotted a body falling to the ground. They seemed unresponsive, unable or unwilling to use their wires to break their fall.
Leaving Levi with the Commander, she estimated where they would land and apparated somewhere below them. She whispered, “Arresto Momentum,” to slow down their fall. Once she could accurately pinpoint their landing zone, she cast a cushioning charm to soften their fall.
But as the body got closer she realized she was too late; their body had been burnt to a blackened crisp. All that for just one person? But why?
She was stopped from her questioning by the quaking ground. It’s falling! And luckily, not near them either.
She returned her attentions back to the body in front of her. She placed one hand at their mouth to check for breathing and the other on their heart. They’re alive! ... They’re alive and in extreme pain...
Her eyes became blurry with unshed tears. All this pain, always pain. Merlin, what should she do?
At that point, she didn’t know if it’d be more merciful to euthanize them or resuscitate them. Before making a decision that, frankly, didn’t concern her- she, at least, tried to make them more comfortable. “Hey, um hello. I’m going to try and help you, okay? To ease your pain, I’m- I’m Hermione by the way.”
With shaky hands, she first placed another cushioning charm underneath them- the shingles on this roof must’ve been digging into their skin. Can’t have that.
Then she placed a cooling charm on their entire body and she heard a small sigh of relief. “Good, good,” her heart warmed, it was working. “Lenio ,” she whispered to relieve them of at least some of their pain. She rubbed at her eyes. Maybe it was the exhaustion or a trick of the mind, but she could’ve sworn she’d seen a bit of tension leave their shoulders.
If they did die, at least it wouldn’t be in excruciating pain, just the regular kind. Now was not a good time for “wit”, Hermione.
She heard the zip of wires before setting her eyes on a dark haired boy around her age carrying a dismembered body. What was with these men and dismembered bodies-
Were Titans just humans- No time for questions, there’s a person right in front of you.
He looked defeated despite presumably defeating the most menacing thing here. Oh- he was looking at the burned body. They must’ve been close.
She cast a translation spell before whispering, “They’re still alive,” she looked up from the body to look them in the eye, “It’s your call what you think we should do, you obviously know them.”
They began to tear up as they let out a strangled gasp, “Th-they’re alive?”
She nodded, eyes beginning to water again.
He rushed up to her, pleadingly, dismembered man in tow, “You must get to Captain Levi, tell him Eren needs him to bring the serum. He’ll know what to do.”
She nodded, afraid that anything she might say would come out as choked sobs.
She disapparated to the top of the wall when she found only the Commander and a few others guarding the man that Levi had dismembered, but no Levi. The man looked very much alive despite being dismembered… Why are they keeping him alive? She took a deep breath before hardening her face, “Sir, Sir!” she called out to the Commander, “Where’s Levi? I need him.”
“He’s back on the side you came from, you can probably spot him from up here.”
“Thank you,” she bobbed her head to him in gratitude and began her search for him down below. She could see him swinging towards where other soldiers and the Armored Titan layed. She could also see the four-legged Titan close by. Shit. She apparated near where she thought he’d land next. “Levi!”
He stopped, “What?”
“The four-legged one is close, be careful,” he shot Hermione an annoyed glare as if she was the condescending one. She sighed, “Someone named Eren also said that they needed you, they needed you to bring the serum.”
“Shit,” he looked conflicted, “Where are they?”
“Next to the remains of the giant Titan, over there,” she pointed back towards the wall.
“I’m more needed here. Here,” he handed her a metal box, eyeing her speculatively, “They’ll know what to do with it.”
She received the box with care and nodded. “Now go!” Merlin. She popped back next to the burned body and their friend.
“Here-“ she handed him the box, “He said he can’t be here right now, but this is the serum.”
He bowed his head and thanked her profusely before opening up the box to reveal a medical syringe. What’s this supposed to help with?
He checked his friend's pulse before taking the syringe and injecting them with all of the serum.
“You might want to step away for this, and maybe not look while you're at it,” he said despondently. What?
Then, before her eyes, that once burned-beyond-repair body turned into a 5 meter giant. Eren took a few steps back before preparing to swing away, “We need to go.” Sensing the worry in his voice, she followed him, then noticed he had left behind the dismembered man on the roof, “W-wait, you forgot about the-“ he shot her a look as he swung that said: don’t ask about it .
So she didn’t, and apparated next to him on a nearby rooftop.
Something was severely off about that Titan, but they were all odd looking- hell, there was even one that looked like an ape. So why did it irk her so much? She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. But no amount of shaking could clear the confusion she felt in that moment.
Why would turning them into a Titan be preferable to death?
She heard wires zipping as the Titan began to move, more people were here- acknowledge them.
But even the thumps of multiple people landing on the roof couldn’t pry her eyes away from the lumbering giant that was crawling towards the dismembered man. W-wait. What is it- why is it-?
Though, when the screaming began as the blond giant went to grab for the man, she found it hard to look. Just the screams alone: haunting. They reminded her of her own that night, that night at Malfoy Manor. Is this why they were keeping the man on the wall alive? Were they going to keep repeating this process?
“Everyone! Help me!” But when she felt no one move from their spots she took a step towards the gruesome scene. However, an arm blocked her way. She sent an incredulous look to the one stopping her, the dark haired friend- Eren. Though he showed remorse, his face was filled with determination, “This needs to happen.” Does it?
She looked at the eerily familiar Titan then to the soldiers behind her. The look on everyone's faces made her hesitate, but she shoved his arm away anyways, “Why-“ the sound of bones crunching and squelching flesh stopped her mid-sentence.
She looked back to where the man was currently being consumed. It was too late. I was too late... if only I hadn’t hesitated I could’ve- why did I hesitate?
She couldn’t move, even as the soldiers behind her began to swing towards the now immobilized Titan.
She was usually so good at this: always moving, always thinking, always pushing through... but this was different.
She fell to her knees as she watched them pull someone out of the Titan’s nape.
She gave a short gasp.
It was them. Armin. The boy with the ocean blue eyes. The ones that she had longed to see again...
And they just ate another person alive…