Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters nor do I own this computer.
A/N: Please bear with the story I know it's feminist, but love comes in the next chapter, promise! Also I will be trying to give a chapter a week, so keep the reviews coming, send ideas/compliments/ or flames (they make me laugh).
The Battles
"Hermione! Hurry over to the practice ring; we're going to have a couple of rounds."
"All right Ginny I'll be there in a few minutes!" shouted back Hermione who was finishing sharpening her blade outside of the armory; her extensive battling and practicing had called for it. Putting on her boots she walked over to the practice ring where they had their weekly sword tournaments. Leaning her blade against the fence, she followed suit of her friend Princess Ginerva or Ginny to her close friends. She watched the match between two men as she contemplated the time she had been there.
It's already been six months. I've learned so much… but I miss home. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to go back, or whether I'll even take the chance.
One of the men kneeled called out for mercy and the other, with his sword pointed at his throat, granted it. Shouts of laughter and congratulations were heard all around.
"Hermione, why don't you take this round?" asked her friend. "Give these boys a little lesson; I think Diggory still remembers his last bout with you."
Laughing at the memory of her last win, she put on the mandatory padding and jumped over the fence, waiting for an opponent. The men laughed and pushed a couple of their friends toward the ring but most backed off. Hermione had established herself as quite a natural swordsman and everybody was only too aware of it. Some said that she was born with a sword in her hand, though she assured them she never touched one until six months ago.
"I'll take her on; I haven't had a good bout in weeks." The voice came from Ron, the general of the Queen's rebel force and Prince Harry's best friend. He and Hermione had quickly become great friends, finding common ground in that they were such good swordsmen.
Hermione looked at him as he hopped the fence. "Are you sure about this Ron? You wouldn't want to lose again in front of all your men, now would you?"
"The sun was in my eyes last time, and I had eaten something rather foul for dinner. You won merely because I was not up to my best, but that's about to change," he replied with a cocky grin. With that they both took their stance, waiting for the other to move.
Seeing a stick lying on the ground Hermione kicked it up with her foot and aimed at Ron. He dodged this and made his first attack; parrying, Hermione came back with a couple of combination attacks. Both were moving swiftly, each dodging and parrying the other's blade while trying to make an attack hit home. It became that their blades were no more than silver shimmers and their feet never stopped moving. Cheers were starting up again as sweat could be seen on both of their brows; their attacks began to slow and become heavy. Finally, it was Ron who faltered for half a second and Hermione took full advantage of it: beating his blade out of his hand she brought him to his knees where she laid her sword point at his throat. After a couple of moments of heavy breathing from both of them a simple word was uttered from Ron:
"Mercy."
The crowd went into frenzy at the magnificent show they had just witnessed as Hermione helped Ron to his feet, shook his hand, and jumped the fence only to be congratulated by Ginny.
She hugged her friend. "Well done, Hermione; that was amazing!" They both went off to Hermione quarters to cool down and discuss the bout. Dusk was setting in and Ginny left towards the makeshift mess hall for dinner. Hermione decided to stay in, seeing as she didn't really feel like moving. Slowly, as her thoughts turned to her time at the camp, her eyelids couldn't stay up and she slipped off into a deep sleep.
She was standing in a lake, clear and cool with mists that hide the surrounding area. The lake didn't even have ripples coming from where she stood and the air seemed to have an unearthly sweetness to it, but she barely noticed any of this. Her eyes were locked on the shore where a man was standing just a few feet away from her, fully clothed, his black hair hanging over his emerald eyes. He walked slowly toward her, she could not retreat, feeling her breath begin to quicken and her heart pounding like mad.
He had always had this effect on her, and it never failed to quicken her pulse. They were now a breath apart and his strong arms encircled her shaking body. With his warmth surrounding her she felt safe, protected, and maybe even……....loved. He lifted a callused hand and caressed her cheek; she leaned in and raised her hand to do the same to him, feeling him relax at her touch. Slowly, gently they began to pull their faces toward each other.
"Hermione…I-" he started, his voice strong with emotion, but she didn't let him finish, putting a finger to his lips.
"Shhh" she whispered, and pulled his face closer, their lips almost touching………
"Hermione, wake up!" Ginny shook her friend. "Important news has come in and the Queen asks you to be present."
"I'm up, I'm up… I'll be right there Ginny, just wait outside for a moment, ok?" Ginny walked out and waited for Hermione while she pulled on her boots and tied up her hair.
What I wouldn't give to finish that dream! If only I knew who he was.
Shaking the dream from her mind for the moment she finished getting ready and before long she and Ginny were inside the Queen's tent with the rest of the royal counsel.
Queen Lily was standing over a map with Ron at her side pointing at certain positions. "So our fears are becoming a reality: Voldemort is gathering his troops to take us out. What are their numbers?"
"About 3000, my queen, and those ranks grow with every week that passes; he is calling all his men," Ron reported. "I'm afraid that if we don't move quickly we won't stand much of a chance."
The queen nodded at this and asked for suggestions from the assembled group. A couple of present master wizards made their proposals.
"We could envelop the land with a thick mist to give us some cover."
"That would be no use; his sorcerers are too powerful and will be able to disperse the mist. We could try to magically take out the soldiers from a distance."
"We aren't powerful enough for that; they would be too far out of range!"
Raised voices began to crop up as the ideas became more and more outlandish.
Ron slammed his hand down at this point. "Gentlemen, please! There must be something that we could do and agree on!" His voice carried over the others and a hushed silence ensued as they thought further.
During all this bickering Hermione sidled over toward the map to get a better look at the grounds. After looking over it for a few moments, she suddenly had an idea.
"Your majesty, where do their sentries keep watch and men lie while they wait?"
It was Ron that answered her, pointing towards the map. "The sentries lie around the edge of the valley and the waiting soldiers are a couple of miles west of the castle. I believe Voldemort does not wish them to close in case they decide to rebel."
Taking this into account she formulated a plan, "All right, how about this. We take down a few sentries at a time and carry those off so when the new ones come they'll just think the others have left early. Half of us will go through their blind spots while the other half creates a lot of smoke in a position similar to the camps'. They'll send men to check it out, thinking it might be us.
The half that stayed behind can take care of those scouts, and when they don't return they'll send more men. As this is going on, the half that is waiting by the castle can attack at dawn when the soldiers are drowsy and their ranks cut down. The others will come and help, and then they will have to face a two-sided battle while some of us go and try to retake the castle."
She waited to see what the reactions might be; most had been quiet throughout her proposition and still no one muttered a word. Her face was becoming a little red with embarrassment with each increasingly awkward second.
"It just might work."
Ron said, as his brow furrowed while putting this plan into action. "Yes, I don't see why not, the wizards here could create the smoke and help take out the incoming soldiers, while the rest of us wait and overtake the ones at the castle. It really could work your majesty."
Queen Lily looked around for any other suggestions but no one seemed to have anything as good as the plan laid before them. "Very well, it shall be carried out day after tomorrow; get the men prepared and ready."
With that the people inside the tent began to file out. As Hermione was about to leave she was called back. "Hermione, could I speak with you for a moment?"
Hermione turned to look at the queen. "Of course your majesty."
Queen Lily motioned for her to sit. "You came to us a few months ago saying you had never picked up a sword or done magic and yet you are one of most skilled swordsman and witches here. You didn't think you would be of any help, yet you come up with a plan like this." At this point the queen herself sat in a chair across from Hermione's. "I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you have done but I wish to try, will you be the lead commanders of our army? The position is usually given to the prince but seeing as how he is absent for the moment…" the queen grinned "it would be a great honor if you would accept it, in my son's absence.
Hermione looked blank for a second until finally responding, "I would be honored my queen. But wouldn't it be more appropriate to have someone like Ron take the position, After all he is your general?"
The queen smiled at this and said, "I do see your reasoning on this matter, but it seems to me that you could do the job just as well. Now if you'll accept we shall hear no more about it. I know you will do fine, I suggest you get some sleep, it will be a long day."
Bowing she replied "Pleasant dreams your majesty" and walked out heading towards her tent.
She met up with Ginny as she was going to bed and told her the news. "Oh that's wonderful Hermione, Congratulations!" she hugged her friend, "Harry would be proud to know that the position has gone to someone capable."
"Congratulations Hermione" Ron said coming over, "I couldn't help overhearing, well done, it shall be a pleasure to fight by your side" he added with a grin. A look on her face told him that she was going to protest but he stopped her, "No you would be far better suited for the position than me, it's far too much work and planning for me, after all you know how lazy I am. It will be an honor to take orders from you, especially because you now what you're doing."
She simply smiled and thanked both her friends, bid them goodnight, and entered her tent deep in thought. Lying on her bed she did not immediately go to sleep for she had much to think about.
Lead Commander? Oh that's too big of a responsibility. I would have been fine with a simple soldier rank but Lead Commander? I've never even been in a real battle unlike most of the people here. And it's the prince's postion, I'm sure he won't like finding out that it was given away. Turning over she decided, well when he comes back he can have, that will be fine with me.
And with that she went to sleep dreaming of a lake, a stranger, and battle cries flying through the air.
All of the next day the troops gathered themselves and weapons to prepare for the morning attack. Armor was shined and swords were sharpened, the mages prepared the magic for the smoke that they were to create. Horses were packed and loved ones were spending time together for a few precious hours.
Hermione herself was preparing her armor and sword under one of the many trees close to the camp. Pausing, she looked up and saw in the distance the castle that they would soon try to storm and take back. Its dark towers taunting her she returned to her work until she was satisfied. Deciding she deserved a small rest she lied out in the sun for a few minutes, enjoying the somewhat calm surroundings and peace, that is until her friends found her.
Ginny and Ron walked up the hill where she lay and came to sit on either side of her. None of them spoke; all of them contemplating that tomorrow's dawn may very well be the last one they see.
Ginny was the first to break the silence, "It'll work, your plan, we'll take back our land and then we can all go home" looking at each of them in turn she added, "All of us"
Ron nodded his head "It will be nice to return home after so long, it will be even nicer to have this war end, and then maybe we can get some rest."
At this Hermione looked at her friend, really looked at him, and saw a few grey hairs in his red mop and a few faint lines on his face that should not have been there. He's too young to look that old, but I suppose that's what constant battles do to you after a time.
The feeling of battle impressed upon them, they looked toward the horizon. Hermione saw something out of the corner of her eye, turned her head to get a better look and perked up a little. "Look over there" she pointed towards a flock of birds, "they're white doves, they mean peace and look at that, they're flying together. That's a good omen."
The others seemed to perk up at this thought and started to rise. Ginny helped Hermione and turned to leave saying, "My mother wants us to spend some time together before I go off tomorrow, I'll see you two in the morning."
"I have to go as well. I have to check to see if the men are all set for tomorrow. See you at dawn," with a smile he added, "Lead commander" and walked off.
Staying just a little longer to watch the sunset Hermione decided to turn in early as well. Walking back to her tent she nodded to few people who wished her luck and a good night's sleep. Lying on her bed she remained awake for a while, wondering about her first real battle and the obstacles they would have to come over. Falling into a fitful sleep she found the early hours of dawn came far too quickly.
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"Second group go!" Hermione gave the signal for the next group to through the now unobserved gap towards their designated meeting point. The sentries' disappearance continued through the night and from what they saw, the men at camp seemed rather unnerved from them not returning.
It was a couple of hours before dawn, Hermione turned to Ginny who was crouching down next to her, "Give the signal for the smoke."
Ginny nodded and walked over to the wizard that had been assigned to alert the other half of their army. A couple of complex words were spoken and in a few minutes some very thick grey smoke could be seen rising over what appeared to be a vast section of forest. Not surprisingly the men from the opposing army noticed this smoke and sent a squad of soldiers to check it out. Forty-five minutes passed and they had not returned nor sent word, so another squad was sent. This went on until dawn, by this time the men in the camp were either frightened or very drowsy.
The sun just showed its face over the mountains in the east when Hermione shouted the command, "Attack!"
Every single man and woman they had smuggled through the night charged forward; weapons raised and battle cries upon their lips. Before the opposing army even knew what had happened the Gryffindor wizards had thrown their first spells, incinerating quite a few tents with screams coming from within. Finally gathering their wits the enemy army gathered their forces to return their attack. In a single moment the two armies clashed, bodies and weapons flew into the air, anguish cries sounded, and the clangs of weapons pounding against one another. Some of the Gryffindor wizards had stayed back to give the second signal; this time alerting the other half of their forces to join the battle. They came in a rush and soon the enemy was fighting a two-sided battle.
This was all that Hermione had time to see for she led a regiment of warriors into the castle. Ginny had come with her and together they fought side by side until they had reached the throne room.
"Are you ready?" Ginny asked breathing rather heavily.
Hermione looked at the close doors once more, "No, but we can't turn back now. Forward!" The men around her open the doors and were met with a surprise of great magnitude. Sitting on throne that belonged to the noble house of Gryffindor was not Voldemort but a blonde haired man with an evil look in his eye.
Hermione and her men ran inside but stopped in the center of the room, looking around and waiting for a trap. The room itself must have been grand at one time, thought Hermione, but now was covered with shadows and an ugliness that only came from darkness residing for a long period of time. The blonde haired man that sat on one of the two high-backed thrones began to speak as he rose.
"Bravo, bravo." he said in a mocking tone. "You've surprised our troops and stormed the castle. I suppose you deserve around of applause." He clapped three times and out from the shadows emerged a large group of armor-clad warriors bearing swords, maces, and axes. With the hardened look of killing in their eyes they came out to surround the Gryffindor assembly; their eyes picking out their first victim.
Hermione and her troops prepared themselves for battle, the blonde man began again. "Since your about to die I'm going to give you the privilege of knowing who I am. My name is Lucius Malfoy, Lord Voldemort's right hand man, and the lord of this castle. My Lord does not have time to deal with such trifles as you rebels so he grants me the boon of this kingdom. Sadly there shall be no more rebels to play with and crush after today, but, ah, what is the old saying `all good things must come to an end.'"
"Burn in hell you disgusting lapdog!" shouted one of the soldiers next to Hermione.
"I'd recognize that delightful voice anywhere. Princess Ginerva, still trying to fit into a man's world I see. Seeing you again is such a lovely treat, so lovely in fact that I'm willing to show a bit of mercy. Join me and I promise your friends will have a quick death." The thought of either killing or the alternative put a disgusting smile on the man's fair face.
Revulsion covered Ginny's face at the very thought. Raising her voice so as to be heard by all, she shouted "I wouldn't join you if my life depended on it. But I'll show you mercy and make your death a quick one." With that Ginny jumped forward and cut down the surprised man in her path. It was the signal they all had been waiting for and the fighting erupted around the hall. Hermione fought from one weak attacker to the next until she was able to make her way to Malfoy himself.
Coming to stand in front of him he raised his sword and said, "So you're their supposed champion, what a joke, you aren't fit to be in my harem. "
A look of disgust cross her face as she jumped forward and their two blades locked, each trying to push the other down. Malfoy continued his little speech, "My and no patience either, I can not wait until I tell My Lord you were the first to die by my blade today, but don't worry, you certainly won't be the last."
Hermione shoved him and he stumbled back a few steps. Regaining her balance she replied, "I won't be the one to die today, but don't worry, Voldemort will be joining you."
Malfoy snarled at this and lunged at her, "You filth, how dare you speak his name in that manner, you will pay dearly." He jabbed his rapier at her midsection but she artfully dodged it riposting towards his head which he barely parried.
The pair were oblivious to their surrounding as each thrusted and jabbed, parried and riposted again and again. Soon sweat began to form on both of their foreheads but it was Malfoy he began to lose ground. Hermione began to take on the offense more and more while Malfoy stumbled and continued to retreat his taunting tactics long forgotten. Malfoy made one last lunge toward Hermione's side only to have his blade his knocked away and find her sword pointed at his throat.
"Surrender and your punishment may be lenient" she breathed heavily. Despite the fear within his eyes he threw his head back and laughed.
Looking her straight in the eye he laughed, "The pain he will cause me for losing this foothold will be nothing to what he will do to you and the rest of this kingdom. Perhaps I can save him the trouble!"
Pulling out a hidden dagger he lunged at Hermione with the last of his remaining strength and thrust the blade into her side. Hermione screamed out and thrusted through Malfoy; he was dead before he hit the ground.
Hermione dropped to her knees as the pain overtook her. She heard Ginny call out her name and call for the nearest wizards' help but didn't care as darkness clouded her vision.
****Author's Extra Note******
I'm going to try and post a chapter a week, the more reviews the faster I'll write, please tell me parts you like and don't.
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