Chapter Text
2002
Hermione cast a wandless Tempus on her sleeve as she ran through the train station.
8:57 PM, Merlin's balls! Only three minutes left to find the blasted train!
She felt as though she'd run for decades already.Voldemort won the war in 1998 deep in the Forbidden Forest. Harry walked naively to his death one Horcrux short of a victory. If he'd shared his plans for self-sacrifice with her Hermione would have stopped him. She'd known before they headed off to find the remaining Horcrux's that Harry likely was one. She wept for months, hiding out in the cold, over the fact that she never mentioned it to him. Nor did she mention her theory that all the Horcrux's needed to be destroyed before he met Voldemort in the end.
Instead, Hermione watched Voldemort's army strut across the grounds of Hogwarts,
Voldemort's shrill voice magnified with a Sonorous "Harry Potter is Dead! I caught him fleeing the battle to save his skin. Lay down your wands and join me now or suffer his selfish fate."
She met Ron's eyes and barely registered the shock and fear in them before Bellatrix Lestrange cast the green light of an Avada Kedavra and Ron's expression blackened.
Even if he let her live, Hermione wouldn't join Voldemort's regime. So she thanked the gods that the anti-Apparition wards fell during the battle and Apparated on the spot. She landed, breath scratching in her throat from screaming, in an abandoned High School she remembered from growing up outside London. Since that moment Hermione never stayed more than two days in any one location.
Hermione continued the process of Apparating to random locations, setting up Wards, and hiding out waiting for news- the same process she, Harry, and Ron chose over the past year. Although, this time she was completely alone and without a tent, having dropped her beaded bag in the Forest of Dean when caught by the Snatchers.
While Hermione scrapped for discarded food in bins outside Muggle restaurants to stay alive, Voldemort celebrated his defeat of Harry Potter for six months before heading to France to continue his plans for global domination. The rumor was that high-ranking Death Eaters took over the management of his regime in Britain. During that time every single Order member, Muggle-born, or sympathizer promptly disappeared.
One week ago, Hermione sat at the base of a large viaduct in Sussex. As she turned the page in her book something in her pocket burned. Confused, she pulled out the hot object and noticed it was the galleon that she charmed for the DA to communicate with seven years ago. She read the message that floated around the edge of the coin, This Monday in Manchester....Train 785...platform 11...red bench...9:00 PM...the phoenix flies again. Hermione stared at the galleon in shock. She thought all of the remaining Order members were dead, but it took a DA member to change the message.
Holy shit!
She knew it could be a trick but if there was any chance that other Order members lived she had to find out.
Cursing herself for her potential foolishness Hermione found the worn, red bench near platform 11. She stared at it a moment wondering what she had to do to activate its magic. Do I walk through the bench? She tried but her knees bumped against the wood and nothing happened. She then tried sitting down and immediately she felt the tingle of magic before transporting to the secret platform. Excited, she dashed onto the train not stopping to think that it was headed for either her salvation or her death.
Her shoes hit the metal grate of the train steps just as the horn blared and she grabbed the rusty railing to pull herself up. The shabby train didn't hold a candle to the Hogwarts Express but then again, nothing in Hermione's new reality shined as bright as her days before the war. Panting, she ducked into the first empty compartment and flopped down on the cushioned seat. I made it, no turning back now.
Just as she began to second guess her decision a man joined her compartment and took the seat across from Hermione, his smile looked kind and there was something familiar in his eyes. This was a bad idea.
She stood to leave and the man whispered, "Headed to Manchester?"
Hermione stared noncommittally.
The man continued, "I hear the locals spotted a phoenix there this week. Rare birds, phoenixes, almost extinct, I'm hoping to find one myself."
Hermione checked her reflection in the window nervously. Straight blond hair, blue eyes, round nose - her disguised appearance looked okay.
She knew it was risky but hiding on her own for eight long months made Hermione lonely and willing to engage. "It's dark tonight but the moon is bright." she chanced the code phrase used by the Order years ago.
The man sighed in relief and responded "Too bad, I hoped for rain. I love a good storm, especially if there's thunder and lightning."
Hermione sat. She couldn't believe her luck, another Order member on the run, headed to Manchester. The rumor was true! She wasn't alone anymore.
In a hushed voice, she asked "How did you hear about the resistance cell in Manchester?"
The man looked over his shoulders nervously and leaned in to answer the question, "I heard back in Harry Potter's days at Hogwarts his friend Hermione Granger used a Protean Charm to communicate with Dumbledore's Army. An acquaintance of mine sent me this last week." He pulled a tarnished galleon out of his pocket and handed it to her.
Hermione stared in amazement at the familiar coin and read the scrolling words out loud "This Monday in Manchester....Train 785...platform 11...red bench...9:00 PM...the phoenix flies again."
The man stared at her with wide eyes before adding, "My friend mentioned that there was a secret group of resistance fighters hidden in Britain. I didn't believe him until the coin arrived," he admitted.
Hermione looked from the galleon to the man, his brown hair framed his face and he wore cheap robes that fit his form well, hugging his shoulders and arms. His eyes scanned her at the same time. Who did he look like? She couldn't place the memory.
"My friend sent me one too." She lied and pulled hers out of her pocket. She wanted to ask who the man's friend was but didn't dare give up her identity yet.
"My name's Darren." He said as he held out his hand.
"Kathy" Hermione lied shaking his hand and noticing it's warmth.
"I went to Beauxbaton." He continued "We look roughly the same age, did you attend Hogwarts?"
Hermione didn't miss a beat, accustomed to the lie, "No, I was homeschooled. My parents wanted to travel the world, Mom was a witch, Dad was a Muggle whose sister got her letter at eleven. They were both killed in the purge."
Darren's face fell "I'm sorry," he said.
Hermione turned to stare out the dirty windows This train is shit, I can't even see out the window. The lie stung. Her parents didn't die in the purge, but, they may as well be dead to her; their Memory Charms were no longer reversible.
Darren cleared his throat and Hermione turned her attention back to him. "I heard that Voldemort's British regime is now run by Draco Malfoy. Is that what you heard as well?" He asked.
Hermione scoffed, "Yeah, that's what I heard. Draco Malfoy is a twat."
Darren huffed a half-shocked, half-impressed laugh. "Twat? He killed Dumbledore and rose in ranks quickly." He said.
"Yeah, and he was a twat in school who would only pick fights when he was flanked by his cronies...or so I heard." Hermione caught herself.
Darren narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard Hermione Granger punched him in the face once."
It was Hermione's turn to laugh now, Happy memories.
The train ride took two hours and Hermione and Darren chatted pleasantly the entire time, fueled by the relief of finding another Order member and the thought of soon joining the resistance cell.
Darren asked a lot of questions and Hermione found herself describing her past four years on the run. Most of what she shared was a lie but Darren didn't need to know that. She wouldn't tell a stranger about how she'd survived, fallen in love, and watched the love of her life die at the hands of Death Eaters last winter. Those memories were too raw and too personal.
They neared Manchester and Hermione took a moment to stare out the dirty window again. Phin.
Theodore Phineas Nott Jr., Death Eater protégé, deserted during the final battle as well. Theodore Nott senior was a violent bastard in his son's opinion and Theo had no intention of following in his Father's footsteps. In fact, he exhaustively researched ways to avoid the Dark Mark from the moment Malfoy approached him with the prospect.
1998
Hermione bumped into Nott outside a magical village near Southpool one day when she was searching for news. It was five months after the fall and Hermione was desperately lonely and hungry. She blanched at first, assuming that Nott was a Death Eater sent to hunt her down. Theo grabbed her arm when he recognized her and Hermione Hexed him in the shins and kicked his wand out of his hand.
"Please, I'm not what you think I am!" He yelled.
Hermione stared down at him as he writhed on the ground in pain, green boils crawling across his leg.
"My ass you aren't! Obli.. " Hermione spat as she leaned down to Obliviate him.
"Stop! Please! I'm on the run as well! Don't erase my memories, I'll be a sitting duck. I swear I'm no harm to you!" He yelled. Hermione inched closer. "I swear it, I'll swear it! Fuck! I'll make an Unbreakable Vow!"
Hermione paused then said, "Convenient, we don't have a Bonder."
Theo's eyes widened in fear.
"However, lucky for you I nicked some Veritaserum a week ago." she sneered.
Theo downed the potion without complaint and spilled his life story to Hermione. How he grew up under an abusive father, how he was nearly forced to take the Mark, and how he Apparated away during the final battle.
From that day on Hermione and Theo were inseparable. They took to calling one another Mia and Phin so as not to draw attention to themselves if they were ever overheard. After three months on the run together Phin surprised Hermione with a magical tent and some food he Accio'd from a store late at night. She flew into his arms to celebrate but he froze, stared into her eyes, and slowly brought his lips to hers.
Hermione shut her eyes tight and brushed her hand to her lips. A tear ran down her cheek as she remembered their early days together. She and Phin spent nearly three years together, on the run, and madly in love before he died.
Darren stood up to stretch. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes, just thinking about my loved ones who won't make it to Manchester." She answered truthfully.
Darren nodded in understanding. "I'm going to see how far we have to go before we get there. We should be arriving soon." He said.
Hermione tried to smile at him as she turned back to the window.
After ten minutes the train slowed and stopped. Darren hadn't returned but Hermione hoped she would find him on the platform. It was comforting to feel connected to someone again, even if he was a stranger, he was an Order member and they were in this together.
Not having any bags, Hermione jumped up and walked towards the metal steps to depart from the train. She watched her feet as she walked and looked up just in time to see the familiar sloped roof of Hogsmeade station, Dervish and Banges Magical Equipment, and the silhouette of Hogwarts in the distance against the night sky. She stared, shocked, and then Death Eaters, got her attention by casting a spell that sliced her hand. Hermione's eyes shot up in anger as they shoved her off the train towards a group of screaming witches. A little ways away wizards huddled together being cursed one by one and dropping to the ground.
There is no resistance cell. It's a trap, we are going to die.
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Hermione immediately began her mental checks and calculations. I've got my wand. She felt its pressure against her arm in her holder. I still have the tent. She felt the lump of the Reducio'd tent in her pocket. If I can Apparate I'll be okay. She tried to turn on the spot but felt resistance, like running into a force field. Fuck, Anti-apparition wards. Well, that's not surprising. She scanned her surroundings trying to ignore the wails and sniffles of the witches around her.
They are killing the wizards but leaving the witches. Why? Hermione followed the crowd of witches as the Death Eaters corralled them into carriages. We are headed to Hogwarts. Once we arrive I can curse the Death Eaters and run to the Forbidden Forest. Maybe I can grab some witches to go with me. We can find Firenze; he'll help.
Hermione didn't dare talk during the carriage ride. There were three other witches that she didn't recognize and a Death Eater. Why haven't they taken our wands? She ducked her head and chanced a glance at the guard's face. He sneered at her. Hermione felt the trail of his eyes lick up and down her body and then she felt a shiver up her spine. She made a mental note to curse him first.
Where was Darren? Did he escape or was he killed? Dread crept over Hermione; she felt like she knew the answer. She didn't see anyone escaping at the platform. No, it was a perfectly orchestrated attack and she walked right into it. Damnit!
The carriages passed under the dilapidated gates of the castle grounds and Hermione readied herself for the attack.
Her carriage stopped, the Death Eater huffed, "Stay where you are until I tell you to move!" and jumped down to chat with the other Death Eater guards.
Hermione saw three carriages in addition to hers. Sixteen witches, Fuck! How can I get them all out? The guard came back and roughly pulled the witches from the carriage. When he clamped down on Hermione's arm she jumped into action kicking him in the nose and grabbing out her wand. "Furnunculus!" she shouted as the guard yelled in pain. Nothing happened. What!? Why isn't my magic working?
"Crazy Witch!" the guard growled, and the last thing Hermione saw before she blacked out was the back of his hand careening towards her face.
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She came to on the stone ground of the Great Hall, her head fuzzy and throbbing. The magical ceiling above reflected an ominous sky and someone was talking. "...Death Eater Training Grounds...You will be assigned to a guard...Wise to obey"
Hermione shook her head and stood up gingerly. The hall was empty except for guards milling around chatting with one another. She and the other witches stood in a roped-off fence. Hermione reached toward the fence but pulled her hand back before making contact. Not a good idea, Hermione. It's probably charmed to shock or worse.
A witch next to her whispered to her neighbor, "What do they mean assigned to a guard? For what?"
The neighbor didn't engage but stood stone-faced and terrified. The Death Eater addressing the witches stood on the large dais where Dumbledore and the other professors used to eat their meals. The long table was gone, an empty stage left in its place.
"Guards, the auction will proceed now. Make your way to the front" He said.
Assigned, Obey, Auction!?
Hermione felt her heart rate increase. She wildly glanced around for any means of escape.
A Death Eater walked to the roped-off area, the fence panel dissolving as he entered. He roughly grabbed a witch and the panel slowly emerged again as he dragged her past the enclosure. The Death Eater deposited the wailing witch on the dais as the speaker announced "We will start the bidding at seventy galleons."
The anxiety level in the enclosure increased as the Death Eaters bid for the witch on the dais. Hermione panicked as she watched witch after witch, sold, and then dragged away.
When only six witches remained, Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Justin Finch-Fletchly dressed in full Death Eater garb.
"Come on," He said, "You aren't supposed to be here." Then he whispered, "I'm here to get you out."
Hermione didn't know what to think. Had Justin joined the Death Eaters or was he a spy? Does he recognize me? Is he here to save me? The panel beside Hermione dissolved and Justin led her through.
They snuck out of the Great Hall and Justin brought her through the stone corridors of the old school.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked.
He didn't respond.
They ended up in front of the large gargoyle that used to lead to Dumbledore's office. This can't be good. Justin mumbled something that Hermione didn't catch and dragged Hermione up the winding steps as they emerged. Once inside he let go of her arm and headed back down the steps. Hermione ran towards the door before the steps disappeared but didn't make it in time.
She pulled out her wand "Alohamora!" she shouted. Nothing happened. "Justin, come back! Help me!" she cried, banging her fists on the door.
"He can't get back through the wards," said a deep voice behind her.
Hermione turned around and took in the kind form of Darren from the train, his eyes now hooded and dark. What the fuck!? You Bloody Bastard! Darren waved his wand in front of Hermione and she felt her transfigured disguise revert back to her original appearance.
"There you are." He whispered. "I've been searching for you for a very long time."
Hermione froze, confused and horrified.
"Sorry, let me explain." Darren said and waved his wand again, this time pointed at himself. The tall, cold, muscular form of Draco Malfoy stood in Darren's place.
"Welcome home, Hermione." He sneered.