Harry Potter. Hermione X Male Reader Story

A Final Declaration and A Hero Exceeding Expectation

(Y/N)'s POV

A chill settled over us where we stood, I heard the rasping breath of the dementors that patrolled the outskirts of the castle, waiting to swoop down upon it like a plague, but with my friend dead before my eyes, I doubted I would ever conjure a patronus again. No happy thought came to me.

As the flame spewed out of my wand, it was the only heat that I felt, I took one step forward before I found Hermione and Ron in my path, both of them pushing me back, I looked at them angrily, wanting to kill the snake while I had the chance, for Harry.

But deep down, I knew they were right, I only had one clean shot at this, if my emotions got to me and I wasted it then Harry's sacrifice was pointless. My eyes drifted to Hagrid and what laid in his arms. "No... NO!" Ginny's primal cry echoed over the grounds as she rushed towards Voldemort.

Mr. Weasley stopped her and wrapped his daughter in his arms, letting her struggle briefly before pulling her tighter, closer, safer. "SILENCE!" Voldemort pointed his wand to the sky with a 'CRACK'. "Stupid girl." Voldemort spat mockingly, enraging me even further.

Voldemort addressed us all, "Tell me. These last few hours, as you collected the dead and tended your wounded, was he by your side?" Voldemort surveyed the crowd, our silence seemed was answer enough.

"While you battled courageously, until you could no longer will yourself to stand, he had long since fallen to his knees. While you cursed me until your voices grew ragged, he begged me for mercy in a voice as meek as a child's."

I tried to push past the others, but I was not the first to do so, "He's not worthy of your tears. And do not despair of his betrayal. You were never in his heart. Not for one single solitary beat." Ron sprinted to the front of the crowd.

"Liar!" He said in a rage, Voldemort flicked his wand and Ron dropped to his knees, grimacing in pain. Voldemort gestured to him. "Harry Potter is dead! From this day forward, you put your faith in me."

He spoke in a gentle voice to us, it was strange to hear, but he showed his true colours, when he turned to his remaining followers, raising his arms like a conductor "HARRY POTTER IS DEAD!" His followers all cheered and laughed as they had before, even Nagini let out a hiss of triumph.

Turning back, he spoke softly again, but his voice boomed towards us somehow. "Now is the time to declare yourself." There was a nervous murmur among the crowd. Then, breaking the silence, a voice cut through both crowds.

Lucius Malfoy, looking dishevelled and beaten from his time in Azkaban, strode to the front of the crowd of Death Eaters, "Draco..." he cried almost meekly, beckoning his son to him, from beside me Draco looked up, towards him, but made no motion to move

He hesitated for second, as all eyes were on him, but his father urged him, smiling thinly. "Draco, don't be stupid" he insisted, we all looked to him, waiting for him to pick his side of the hill to die on, but it was his mothers voice that finally caused him to stir.

Her voice was softer than her husbands, gentler. She gestured to him as her husband had, arms extended, and simply said "Come, Draco." Her tone is quiet, but absolute.

Draco looked into her eyes, then ducked his head and stepped forward, avoiding the baleful glances directed his way as he crosses the gulf between factions. I almost stopped him myself, but he wanted to be with his family, and I could understand that.

As he crossed the threshold, Voldemort embraced him, another part of his act, I held my breath waiting for something to happen, but nothing did.

As Draco joined his mother, she handed him a wand, the wand that was formerly Harry's wand. He stared at it bleakly. "Well done, Draco. Who will be next? Hm? Come now, don't be shy." Not a single soul stepped forwards.