Sunday August 25th 1996
His new formal dress robe was very stiff and uncomfortable. The morning fog had burned off and the dew had dried. He was standing on a wooden platform near the southern end of the meadow. If he looked over his left shoulder he would see the Quidditch hoops. He heard Ron squirming in his brand new formal dress robe beside him and grinned to himself. Dumbledore's calming presence was off to Harry's right.
The time had come, everyone was waiting. Harry looked over those assembled toward the front door of the house in which he had nearly died. From somewhere the music began to build. Everyone twisted in their seats to look at the house. A moment later and it swung open. Ginny, looking very nervous stepped out and held the door open. Dan and then Hermione came out and paused at the top of the stairs. Ginny let the door close and carefully arranged Hermione's train then stood waiting behind them. Hermione's dress nearly entirely hid her from head to toe. Dan patted her hand where it lay upon his arm and then started walking down the stairs.
Harry was grinning from ear to ear while he watched her approach the platform. She smiled and nodded to all those assembled as she passed by.
Stand up straight, quit grinning so much.
You look beautiful!
You can't see me, silly.
Yes, I can, and you're beautiful!
Thank you, now stand up straight.
He tried to control the grin upon his face and pay more attention to how he was standing. They reached the platform and came up to Harry. Dan very deliberately took Hermione's hand from his own arm and placed it on Harry's. Firmly squeezing her hand in place he stepped back then turned and joined Emma in the front row of guests.
The music faded and Dumbledore began to speak.
Today is a day of hope, renewal, and joy. We are here to witness the formal joining of two souls whom none may sunder. These two, who come before us, we have watched grow and become fast friends. We have helped to fill their minds with fluff and spur their imagination to new heights. Yet our teachings have been footnotes compared to what they have taught us. For nowhere else have I witnessed such cool intellect and strength of character. I am glad to say that the union of these two brings joy to my heart and hope to my soul that darkness will never triumph over light.
The rest of the ceremony became a blur. I know we both spoke the two words that were required of us, "I do!" But the conversation we really shared was too complex for words. The next thing I really remembered was taking the portkey from Dumbledore; I think it was after the celebration. Hermione and I were whisked to a room somewhere high in the mountains. We could have been in Alaska for all we knew. The room turned out to be in a large cabin perched on the side of a sheer cliff. There was no road, nor visible methods of reaching this place through any but magical means. The natural beauty of the snow capped mountains was beyond words.
"Harry, look!" He turned and walked over to where she was standing by the fireplace. Above the fire was a familiar plaque, "Potters Place."
He reached out and brushed his finger across it to confirm that it was really there, "That looks like the one from over the door of my parents' house."
"I think it's the same plaque actually. Someone brought it here. Hey, was it over the door when I came out?"
He thought for a moment before answering, "Sorry, I didn't notice. I guess I was a bit distracted."
She turned and looked deeply into his eyes, her nose touched his and she brought her hands up to gently hold his head in place. Her voice was husky when she finally spoke, "you lovely, lovely, man." Then she closed her eyes and turning her head slightly brought her lips to delicately caress his. Feather light at first she increased the pressure every time she kissed him. His arms went around her waist and started unfastening her dress.
*** *** *** ***
August 28th had arrived much sooner than Harry had expected. The honeymoon had been a blissful break from their constant schedule of preparation.
He woke to Hermione's voice in his head, not the voice that had long ago become his conscience but her purr that sent shivers of delight up his spine, Good morning love!
He stretched and answered her with a soft, morning. He sat up and reached for his glasses, she placed them in his open hand. The mental banter they had shared since the drinking of the potion was muted today. Both were deep in thought. Today was the day they had been working towards for almost two months. Just yesterday they had learned that the N.E.W.T. exam was to be given by Professor Tofty at the Ministry. He felt confident in his abilities to prove his skills to Tofty, it was still the practical exam which weighed upon them heavily. What would Minister Fudge throw at him? Since Percy's rescue Minister Fudge had become more and more erratic.
Let's get ready and eat, we only have an hour before Dumbledore said he would be here.
Instead of answering her he threw the covers off of them and leapt over her onto the ground. Without pausing he slipped his arms under her legs and back then picked her up, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to settle against his chest. As soon as she cleared the bed, however, he dropped his left arm causing her legs to slip to the floor. She kissed his cheek quickly and stood up and shot him a quick thought, tease! Then released his neck and ran to the armoire quickly shedding her nightgown.
They dressed as they had been for their practice sessions for the last month. Harry had Godric's sword upon his hip under his robe, one spare miniature wand concealed in pockets of his tall dragon hide boots. The special robe Madame Malkin had made for him seemed to flow around him. Never bunching or hindering him in any way.
Hermione was dressed very similarly to him except she bore no sword. The new robe she wore held every object that she thought she might need yet never bulged nor weighed more than it did when its pockets were empty. She also wore high dragon hide boots, warded against every jinx that the twins could think of.
When they finished getting dressed they ran downstairs to breakfast.
Dan and Emma were sitting at the kitchen table watching the doorway as they stormed into the kitchen. The teens were both out of breath as they leapt into their usual seats. Hermione exclaimed, "I won!"
Harry shook his head, "No no, you pushed me."
"So, I still made it into my seat first didn't I?"
"Ok, ok, you won."
Hermione looked at her parents beaming, she answered their questioning looks by saying simply, "I won."
Winky appeared at the edge of the table at that moment with their usual breakfast. Harry said a quick thanks to her and started rapidly consuming his food. Hermione, her point proven, took her time and ate slower.
Dan took a sip from his coffee, "Glad to see you two are in good spirits this morning."
Harry nodded while Hermione smiled and answered, "Well it's not like we have any more time to practice. If we're not ready now it's too late."
Emma smiled encouragingly and added, "Well good luck to you both then."
Harry looked up from his plate and nodded his mouth full. Hermione said, "Thanks mum."
Her parents smiled encouragingly and went back to their own breakfasts.
A few minutes later Harry put down his fork and leaned back, his plate clean. He patted his bulging stomach, "I won!"
Hermione shook her head slowly, "Silly boy." A small smile appeared on her face but she continued to eat her food at a moderate pace.
When she finished the four of them stood up, Dan and Emma both hugged Harry, Hermione joined in. "Good luck, and we'll see you when you get back."
Harry quickly wiped the sudden tears from his cheeks as he hurried up the stairs towards the parlor. Hermione spent another moment with her parents before hurrying to catch up with him.
Hermione had just joined Harry on one of the couches in the parlor when the clock started striking eight o'clock and Professor Dumbledore apparated into the entry hall. They stood from the couch as he turned and addressed them, "Ah, excellent. Are we ready then?" They walked to him and saw Dan and Emma give them a smile of encouragement from the entrance hall behind him. He pulled a long feather from within his robes, "Shall we?" He held the feather out towards them. They grasped it together and instantly the familiar wrenching occurred and they were spinning. Though they could not pull their hands from the portkey if they had tried they did pull closer together as they had practiced.
They landed in a small office, stuffed full of books and scrolls. They released the tail feather and looked around. A quavery old voice greeted them, "Welcome, welcome, so good of you to be on time. So many young have such disregard for other people." They spun around to find Professor Tofty sitting behind a large pile of books and scrolls. He straightened his pince-nez and stood up, "Albus would you-" He gestured vaguely, "well you know."
Professor Dumbledore tucked the rumpled feather into his robe and pulled out his wand, "Of course." He gestured and two empty desks and chairs appeared in the only free space in the cramped office. The chairs were back to back, desks facing away from one another.
Good luck
You to love, He replied as he felt her close her mind off to him. Just in case she decided to check on him he did the same.
Harry and Hermione took their seats. Professor Tofty stood beside them and cleared his throat, "You know the rules, no cheating of any kind will be permitted for this exam. You have one hour to complete the questions, be as descriptive and thorough as you can in that time." He met their eyes briefly then flicked his wand at their desks. A long scroll appeared along with a bottle of ink and a quill.
He heard Hermione pick up her quill and almost immediately start writing. He read through the first question carefully then re-read it to see if it was a trick question before he inked his quill and began writing his answer. Professor Tofty and Dumbledore walked behind Tofty's desk and waited; as only two men very accustomed to waiting could. Harry found that the exam was not nearly as hard as Hermione had made it out to be. That was likely a study technique she had used to make him learn more. It had worked. He found he knew the answers to all of the questions. In fact he found himself reading into the questions a bit too much to see if they were twisted in some way to make the answer he thought was right wrong. Hermione's quill had stopped a full thirty minutes into the allotted time while he continued to scribble additional thoughts up until Tofty signaled the end of the time.
Harry leaned back closing his eyes, he dropped his mental blockade and her thoughts came rushing in. Was it that hard Harry? I thought it was very easy really, good thing we studied so hard though.
He laughed quietly as Tofty summoned their essays to him, No love, I kept thinking the questions had to be twisted somehow though so I kept checking my answers over and over.
Well I always look for trick questions, you have to expect them. I think we got the standardized test after all, not some special version that Fudge cooked up to thwart Dumbledore's plan of making you an instructor.
That would be a first. You mean I actually got lucky this time?
Don't count it yet, you still have the practical to do and Fudge has cooked that up.
Yes, yes. You think this was meant to put me off my guard?
Could be, I'll watch for trouble though.
I know, thanks love.
This conversation had taken place in the time it took their essays to fly to Tofty and him seal them. They both stood and waited patiently, unsure of what was to come next. "Mrs. Potter, my, my, it has been years since I said that, congratulations on your recent nuptials. The exam is not complete without a practical exam as well. It is my understanding that you wish to be completely certified at N.E.W.T. level in Defense."
~~~
Hermione looked at the ancient wizard, "Yes, that's right."
Professor Dumbledore gestured and the desks, chairs, ink and quills vanished. Tofty continued, "Then, I will need to see you perform a set of specified spells. Are you prepared to do so at this time?"
Hermione sucked in a quick breath. This had never been mentioned in their preparations. She nodded, "Yes Professor, I am."
Tofty smiled, Harry looked concerned. "Excellent, since Defense must often be done rapidly and under poor conditions I will warn that I need to see these spells cast as rapidly as possible. Points will be deducted for hesitation or failing to successfully cast a spell. Do you understand?"
She nodded again, "Yes Professor."
"Please stand there, Harry stand with Albus please." Harry squeezed Hermione's hand before walking behind Tofty's desk. She pulled out her wand and walked to the bookshelf opposite the door. Tofty went to stand in front of the door, Hermione waited expectantly.
~~~
Harry watched her carefully; she had assumed her dueling stance, wand at the ready. He dared not distract her in the slightest and instead turned his attention to making sure nothing threatened her. He pulled his own wand free but kept it concealed up the sleeve of his robe.
Tofty began, "Shield Ward."
As though she had expected that to be the first spell her wand flashed down sharply, "Skield Wardus!" There was a loud noise like two huge blocks of granite had been slammed together and a very solid looking gray wall appeared before her.
Immediately after the wall had appeared Tofty continued, "Banish it."
He heard her say, "Finite Incantatum!" and the wall vanished.
They continued like this for quite some time. As the test progressed Professor Tofty began to smile broadly and even cheered on several occasions at Hermione's responses. "Done, quite excellent, Mrs. Potter, now I have heard that you also have a rather spectacularly corporeal patronus?"
Before Tofty could explain further Hermione summoned her patronus, "Expecto Patronum!" Silver mist shot from her wand and rapidly formed into a huge otter. The otter stood on its hind legs and sniffed around.
Tofty clapped his hands appreciatively, "Excellent, well done." Suddenly the otter dashed at Tofty, through him and through the door behind him. Tofty collapsed onto the ground at the shock of the patronus passing through him. When they reached him he was sitting on the ground looking around dazed with a smile plastered across his face.
Professor Dumbledore looked into his eyes, "He should be fine in a few minutes, let's see if we can find what that patronus finds so interesting, shall we?" They left Tofty sitting on his floor and edged past him and into the hallway beyond. Several witches and wizards lay upon the floor in the hall before them, all of them grinning broadly. The three of them started running after the patronus. They caught several glimpses of it ahead in the corridor but could not catch up with it. It went up several flights of stairs before stopping in front of a door.
It only hesitated a moment before passing through the door. Just as Harry reached the door he heard a man scream from inside the office. He tried to open the door but it was locked. Hermione cast a quick, "Alohomora!" and the door flew open in his hand. He and Hermione were knocked back a little by the door and Dumbledore rushed into the room ahead of them, wand held aloft, suddenly Fawkes was hovering over his left shoulder. Harry recognized the room. They were in the Auror Headquarters! A short bald man lay on the floor in front of a small office, the plaque on the door read Chief. Three others, two young men and a tall woman were already in the room, all had their wands drawn and pointed at Dumbledore.
A moment later the three lowered their wands and the woman asked, "What the hell just happened, sir?"
"A moment Miss Argest," Professor Dumbledore walked over to the prone figure and bent to look at him. Harry noticed a faint wisp of smoke seemed to be rising from the body. Dumbledore stood and sighed, "As I thought, Chief Auror Klak is dead. Please tell me what you saw when the patronus entered the room."
The three Aurors had taken a step back at Dumbledore's announcement. Miss Argest gulped and answered, "A patronus? Um, we were all in our cubes, mine is just there. I felt something pass, like a rushing wind. Then Klak came staggering out of his office with a silver cloud covering him. He started towards to the door then collapsed and lay as you see him. We had just gotten to him when you came into the room."
Professor Dumbledore looked at her seriously, "Klak had been replaced by a simulacrum, a very good one mind you but one none-the-less." As Dumbledore explained the body turned into a white cloud and sank into the floor. "Harry, Hermione, two more patroni please, let us see if there are more about."
Harry stepped into the hallway and cast, "Expecto Patronum!" Hermione's voice echoed his. Two very solid looking patroni appeared and sniffed around. Everyone who had gathered in the hallway outside of the Auror headquarters pressed themselves against the wall while Harry's great stag pawed the floor and sniffed about. Hermione's otter came out of the Auror headquarters and stood on its hind legs beside the stag. She followed it to stand beside Harry.
Dumbledore also came into the hall and watched the patroni expectantly, Fawkes resting on his left shoulder. Just then Minister Fudge came out of the lift followed by two young, but very serious looking, Auror's, "What the hell is going on here? Unauthorized patroni in the Ministry? I will have you for this Potter!"
The stag's nostrils flared and the otter bared its teeth.
Professor Dumbledore stepped between Harry and Minister Fudge, "Cornelius, Your Chief Auror had been replaced by a simulacrum. I wished to know if there were others about within the Ministry." He paused, the Minister seemed stunned. The two Auror's with him brought out their own wands and looked around warily. "Now I assume you are prepared for Harry's practical exam? Tofty has overseen the written exam."
Fudge stood there a moment and stuttered, "Klakk, Klakks gone you say? How can that be? I thought we were protected from things such as that? I don't see how that could happen here."
With a flicker the patroni faded away and this seemed to bring Minister Fudge back to reality. He suddenly looked around with a gleam in his eye. He rubbed his hands together briskly and said, "Practical? Yes. Yes. All is ready of course. Though I'm sure he isn't, no child could possibly know enough to qualify as an instructor. My exam will prove it."
What does he mean?
I'm not sure, I think it must have something to do with his prejudice against you.
Professor Dumbledore was not pleased with Fudge's sudden attitude. "As I reminded you, it is up to the Board of Governors to make those decisions. They have already decided that Harry Potter would indeed qualify for the post once he had passed his defense N.E.W.T. This unique practical is totally uncalled for but we shall proceed. Lead the way Cornelius, let us get this well and done."
Fudge seemed to think for a moment then turned angrily and headed back to the lift. The Auror's spun and hastened to follow him, pocketing their wands as they did so.
Professor Dumbledore gestured for Harry and Hermione to precede him towards the lift. They followed the Auror's into the lift and stood together along the left wall. Dumbledore was the last to enter and stood directly in the center of the lift. With a soft bump the lift started descending.
Ready Harry?
I think so. I'm very nervous about this. Fudge is too smug for this to be anything normal.
Yeah I know, remember what Dumbledore said, he and I will be watching the test. Dumbledore certainly seems unconcerned about that is about to happen. Remember no matter what happens during this don't cut our connection.
I won't, I don't trust Fudge at all. My scar is burning, damn!
It shouldn't be burning, Voldemort shouldn't be able to get through your barriers to make it hurt.
He must be particularly enraged.
Or awfully close?
Or that…
Oh, and you shouldn't use Godric's sword unless it gets too rough. Remember what we have learned from Alisa, I know that's not how you're intending to fight but if this gets dirty you must be ready.
I know, I think I am.
The lift had stopped. The door opened to reveal a damp deserted corridor leading off to either side. The walls were covered in the cracked and peeling remains of once elegant frescos. Fudge hurried along the passage to the right. They could make out what appeared to be gladiatorial scenes in the remains of the frescos. Harry rubbed his scar briefly as he left the lift and the burning faded away. They passed a series of old doors, each painted a different color, before they stopped at one of them, painted a faded purple. A clean swath in front of the door attested to its recent use. Fudge placed a key he had been nervously fiddling with into the lock and with a small effort managed to unlock the door. He pulled the door outwards, it bumped along the stone floor as it opened.
The smell of slightly damp sand pervaded the area. Fudge walked inside and the young female Auror followed at his heels. Harry, Hermione, and Dumbledore followed him inside. The young male Auror waited outside the door. A balcony was at the far side of the room and they could see an entire row of other balconies stretching around a large open space. The original seats were shoved against the back wall and two long wooden benches were in their place near the balcony.
Fudge walked over to the balcony and ran his hand along the rough stone of its top. He spoke, looking out into the darkened room, "This area, for lack of a better term is called the arena. In the ancient past wizards who were accused of a crime were allowed to face their accusers in combat. Combat that too often ended in death for one or both participants. The entire area is shielded against interference from the spectators, theoretically making the fight just between those with the arena itself." He turned back to look at Harry, "Your test will be to remain standing in that room for ten minutes. Should you be rendered incapable of continuing to defend yourself you will have failed." He paused for only a moment then gestured to the young Auror who had remained outside, "Evan there will show you the entrance. Your first opponents are waiting for you below."
Everyone looked at Evan for a moment, he was waiting patiently outside and a cold smile briefly touched his lips. Harry looked over the balcony and in the dim light saw two men talking to one another below. He let out the breath he had been holding. He squeezed Hermione's hand tightly then headed out the door. As soon as Evan saw Harry start towards the hall he turned and walked away.
Harry followed Evan down the corridor passing several more doors. They stopped in front of a wall. The passage turned to the right and continued on, around the side of the arena Harry supposed. Evan reached up and tapped his wand to a barely visible staircase in the fresco of the wall. The wall before them shifted into an archway with a staircase descending. Evan walked down, his wand bursting into light. Harry drew his own wand but did not produce light yet.
Out the door, right straight to where the passage turns right again. Tap the staircase in the fresco and the wall opens like Diagon Alley. Stairs go down.
Got it.
At the bottom of the stairs was another hallway. This hall was a good three meters wide. The walls were iron bars, a series of cages or prison cells were built along the passage. The doors to the cells stood open. Though Harry half expected to see moldering bones in the cells; they were completely empty. Ahead of them he could see the end of the hall and it appeared to turn to the right again. Just then Evan stopped and turned to face him. When Harry looked at him blankly Evan gestured impatiently to his left, Harry looked and saw a wide staircase descending to a sand covered floor.
Bottom of the stairs, go right, another stair on the right heading down into the arena itself.
Got it.
Harry walked down the stairs careful to place his feet as they were damp. The air was musty and he felt like sneezing. Before him he could see a clear corridor to the opposite end where another set of stairs went into the wall. There were two white circles traced into the sand, about fifty meters apart. There was a wizard standing in the opposing ring. He was dark haired and wiry looking. Beside him, just outside of the ring, was an older man who none the less looked very competent. Both of them were turned towards him. He stepped onto the damp sand. His dragon hide boots left shallow prints as he walked towards the ring on his end.
He looked up to the viewing boxes and spotted Hermione and Dumbledore immediately. Here we go, I hope this stays fair - We will be watching. Do your best Harry - I know, I just can't help but expect the worst. He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. The focusing technique that Alisa had taught them seemed to begin on its own. He pulled out his wand, smiled briefly as he remembered it was originally Hermione's. Then he stepped into the circle on his end of the arena.
~~~
Hermione bit her lip as Harry stepped into the ring. The room brightened noticeably, though she still could not pinpoint the source of the illumination. Doors appeared on either end, covering the stairs leading out. A gong sounded from somewhere, followed shortly by a louder one and then a third that made her teeth rattle.
Apparently that signaled the beginning of the contest because Professor Dumbledore pointed his wand above them and a clock appeared; it began counting down from ten minutes. She saw Harry dash into the jumble of stones to his left. The Auror in the opposing circle cast a quick spell after him. She saw a silver streak of light and the pillar it hit cracked in two. That was a killing blow - Noticed, cheating already, map? - Yes, here the younger Auror is about thirty meters ahead of you, hiding behind a fallen pillar. The older one hasn't moved. In fact he isn't moving at all. I think he is petrified - How? Nevermind, later… I'm going after this one while the odds are even.
Fudge shouted, "Move your lazy arse Jacob. Do something!"
Professor Dumbledore chuckled and stepped back from the banister to look at Fudge, "Really Cornelius. Do you not understand the rules of the arena which you yourself chose? Only two may duel at once, and only the two who are standing in the rings when the third gong sounds. Your second Auror will be unable to move until his companion or Harry is unconscious or dead."
Fudge began to turn an unhealthy shade of purple as he stared at Dumbledore. He could only sputter angrily, "no! No! NO!" while he pounded on the railing. Then he spotted Hermione who had a small smile on her face as she watched the antics of the Minister of Magic. "YOU! You knew this didn't you?"
Hermione took a step back, "Me? No sir, I had completely forgotten that this room existed."
Professor Dumbledore stepped between Hermione and Minister Fudge, "Really Cornelius, did you believe that you could make your own rules here?"
Fudge was near to exploding when he pointed at the remaining Auror guard, "You! Go help Nathan kill Potter!"
The Asian woman blinked a few times. A slow smile spread across her small mouth. Her cruel eyes seemed to shine brighter as she turned and ran towards the door. She fell face first onto the floor before the door and didn't move. Hermione slipped her wand back into its sheath as she glared angrily at Minister Fudge.
Fudge looked wild, he roughly tore out his wand, tearing loose the pocket of his robe as well. Before he could do anything he recoiled as though bitten by a snake, Professor Dumbledore had his long wand pressed into the Minister's throat. "Now would not be the time to do anything rash Cornelius." The Minister of Magic calmed himself with great effort, threw his wand on the floor and staggered back against the wall. He took one angry look at Hermione but then went back to looking into the arena.
She turned her back on the Auror she had petrified and went back to watching as well. She heard Fudge muttering something about someone swearing they could break the rules of the room. She glanced up at the clock, 8:35 left to go. Then she looked down to find Harry and saw him just standing up from crouching behind a pillar. The wiry Auror lay sprawled in the sand a few meters away. She saw him summon the Auror's wand and heard it snap in two.
Well done! - Thanks, what's been going on up there? - Fudge is upset that the other Auror was frozen. Nothing we can't handle, watch out, the other one is moving - Where? - Here - Got him - She looked back at the clock again, eight minutes to go - ok
Professor Dumbledore watched placidly as ever as Harry moved to attack the senior Auror.
~~~
Harry moved very cautiously, suddenly his opponent apparated behind him. DOWN! Harry instantly dove onto his stomach rolling to see behind himself. The green streak passed well above him. Jacob snarled and lowering his wand cast again, "Avada Kevavra!"
Harry had nowhere to move to so he charged. The spell passed right through his chest but he didn't notice. Godric's sword appeared in his hand and as it grew to it's full length it passed smoothly through Jacobs chest.
The astonished Auror collapsed, blood gushing from his mouth as he tried to cast again. Harry stepped back, it took no effort to free Godric's sword. The pain from his scar was immense; he touched it with his left hand and found it bleeding. Jacob fell face first into the sand and lay still. A single gong sounded and the doors vanished from either end of the arena.
Hermione's panic stricken voice spoke in his head, Harry! What's happening?
Voldemort is here!
I'm coming!
From the far end of the arena he saw three people enter. The first was a mage, sword and wand in hand. The second was Peter, and the third was Voldemort himself.
~~~
She turned and dashed from the room. She went left and ran as fast as she could. She passed the lift and continued to where the passage turned left again. There she scanned the fresco for any sign of a staircase to tap. There was none to be found as the entire fresco had given way and fallen to the floor. She followed the wall left and started running again.
I'm fighting the mage now, not much time to talk.
I'm trying to go down the side they are on, is Dumbledore down there?
No but there are a lot of flashing lights above us.
He must be trying to break through then.
I hope he does it fast.
When she came to the next turn she was grateful to see most of this fresco intact. The staircase was clearly visible. She first tapped herself on top of the head. Her form shimmered and she blended into the hallway. Then she stepped to the side and touched the stairway in the fresco. Instantly the doorway opened, a large dark form surged out through the opening and landed well down the corridor. She saw a tail like a scorpion fly past and instantly the possibilities of what this was narrowed to one; Manticore. Trusting to her disillusion charm she dashed down the stairs. She looked for some way to close the door but didn't find any. She ran past empty cages and found the stairs leading into the arena proper.
She didn't hear any pursuit from above but was focused on the two backs she could see at the bottom of the stairs. Peter was crouched over, looking very nervous and twitchy. She noted he had the silver hand that Harry had described. Voldemort seemed to be appreciating the spectacle before him.
How are you doing?
Not bad, I'm alive. This guy is good but not quite as good as Alisa.
Ok, I'm behind them up the stairs now.
There was a thunderous sound, everything shook violently. Hermione was knocked from her feet and slammed into the bars of one of the cages. The bars gave way and she fell to the ground atop them. She saw the passage she had just come down collapse. A large block crashed to the floor in front of her. She scrabbled down the stairs and out into the arena along the left wall, leaping over several large chunks of stone. There were still many smaller, but dangerous pieces falling. She glanced around to get her bearings, her side ached where she had landed on the bars but nothing felt broken. Dumbledore and Fawkes had arrived; they were directly between Voldemort and Harry. She was near them off on the left side. Though she could not see him the ringing of swordplay attested that Harry was dueling with the mage at the far end of the arena.
She heard Professor Dumbledore speaking sadly, "Tom, you will have to go through me to get Harry."
Voldemort laughed coldly, "Sentimentality will kill you in the end old man." He gestured sideways with his wand and a large section of the roof over Dumbledore's head gave way. Without even glancing up Dumbledore apparated twenty meters backwards, still facing Tom as the granite landed in the soft sand between them. She saw Peter slinking along the back wall heading towards the far side of the arena. I need to take him out before he causes mischief. Who? Peter, don't you worry about us, you take out that mage. Working on it, his swordplay is bloody brilliant!
Ignoring the pair of duels going on in the arena she dashed across the open stretch in the center and entered the maze on the far side. Now she was on the same side as Peter. She headed back towards the wall she had seen him along a moment ago. When she got there he was already transforming into a rat. She quickly petrified him. He ended up halfway between a rat and a man, face down in the sand. She was relieved that she had eliminated him from whatever mischief Voldemort had planned.
She looked back to where Voldemort and Dumbledore were dueling. Saw Voldemort blur into shadow and vanish. Remembering what Harry had said about the duel at the Department of Mysteries she though hard about her love for Harry, Think about love, Voldemort has gone missing. Ok ok. She hurried along towards Harry, following the ringing sword blades. Suddenly the ringing stopped, You ok? Yes, I got him finally, man he was good. Totally off his rocker but damn good with his blade.
She walked out into the central aisle of the arena, she was at the circle Harry had started his duel in. Looking around she saw Dumbledore back at the other end, looking around with Fawkes slowly circling over him. She looked up for the clock Dumbledore had summoned to time the duel, three minutes to go. Harry came out into the center near the stairs. Godric's sword dripped fresh blood, his robe was cut in a few places and he looked tired, but whole. I'm right in front of you, disillusioned. Oh good, what's going on down there? Don't know, Voldemort is still missing I guess, I petrified Peter though. We need to try and put Voldemort's soul back together. Yeah, excellent idea.
Dumbledore turned and looked at Harry and smiled grimly. Just then silver light slashed through his chest from behind. He fell to his knees instantly and slowly toppled forward. Voldemort stood triumphantly just behind him. Fawkes shrieked and plummeted down, instead of crashing into Dumbledore they both vanished when Fawkes reached his prone master. Voldemort shrugged and started walking towards Harry.
"Now that I have defeated your pathetic guardian it is your turn to die Potter." He looked directly at Hermione, "You too girl. In fact maybe I should kill you first." Without another word he cast, "Avada Kedavra!" The green light flashed towards Hermione.
She raised her own wand and replied with, "Petrificus Totalus!" The spells met and suddenly her wand was vibrating. A narrow beam of golden light connected the tips of both wands. She felt as though an electrical current were running through her body, she quickly threw a thought at Harry, Now Harry! Put him back together! The golden thread splintered, a thousand more beams of golden light formed a domed cage around Hermione and Voldemort. The sound of Phoenix song filled the air. Hermione swelled with conviction and hope as the world was reduced to her, Voldemort, and a cage of golden lights.
~~~
Harry panicked for a moment when the cage formed around Hermione and Voldemort. Then he realized she was doing what they had planned on for the last month, distracting Voldemort so he could do what needed doing. He knelt, planting the bloody tip of Godric's sword in the sand. Then he started clearing his mind, no small task under present circumstances. He closed his eyes just as a ball of light appeared in the middle of the beam connecting both of Fawkes wands. Sword, I'm not sure if you can help me in what I am about to attempt but anything you can do to assist please do. There was no answer but he hadn't really expected one.
He visualized Godric's sword slicing the dark chunk of Voldemort's soul free from his, where it resided, in Hermione. Then the severed piece was picked up by tongs and moved to Voldemort. There it was placed into him and the raged edges aligned. He then visualized a needle sewing the two pieces together with a silver thread and tying a knot at the end. At last Godric's sword severed the silver threads completing the operation. He ran the thought through his mind a few times, looking for flaws.
He didn't see anything obvious so he gathered his will and reached forth his mind. He felt the sword augment his will and joined its power to his will. A moment later Hermione faltered and fell to her knees but the sword had done its job and severed the souls she bore into three parts instead of two. He didn't pause but picked up the soul and dragged it to Voldemort where his cold lips were pulled back in a grin of victory. A silver thread kept the soul bound to Hermione. The golden ball was nearly to Hermione's wand.
Harry placed the soul inside of Voldemort's body and willed them to align. Then came the silver needle which appeared as a miniature version of Godric's sword. He was shaking from the effort now but the sword pierced the soul and began stitching it back together. With the first stitch Voldemort fell to his knees, the smile wiped from his face. The ball of light stopped moving towards Hermione.
Relentlessly Harry sewed Voldemort's soul back together. It wasn't pretty, he had never sewn before. He knew the concept though and kept going. The ball of light seemed frozen. Inches from Hermione's wand, there it stayed. When Harry finished sewing the souls together he willed Godric's sword to sever the silver thread connecting Hermione and Voldemort. Instantly it did so and the golden cage collapsed. He heard Hermione cry out in pain and opened his eyes to see Voldemort vanish, a look of utter astonishment on his face.
He stood and ran to where Hermione lay crying in the wet sand. Her disillusion spell had vanished at some point in her struggle with Voldemort.
"POTTER!" Harry spun to face the stairs he had entered from. There stood Fudge, wand in hand, looking totally insane. "You'll never leave this room alive!"
Harry stepped between Hermione and Fudge, lifted his wand and sword and advanced on Fudge. He heard Hermione stop crying but didn't dare look away from Fudge. The Minister snarled and started casting curse after curse at Harry. Harry didn't want them to hit Hermione accidentally so he blocked them all. When Fudge seemed unable to touch Harry he collapsed to his knees, gibbering like a baby. Harry disarmed him then froze him with the spell from Godric's sword. Only then did he turn and hurry back to Hermione.
She was sitting up, her hands and face were bright red. Her eyes bore into his, relief flooded into him through their connection. High above them the clock counted to zero and a loud gong sounded. Hermione smiled, I guess you passed. He looked around, still the only one standing, Yep, I guess I did.