More Than Magic (Hermione x Male reader)

Year 7 - Can We Still Win

Hermione begins to shake her head, not wanting to believe it. Harry simply nods, and touches the centre of his chest. 

"I think I've known for a while. (studying her)I think you've known too," Harry said. 

Hermione stands still, miserable. 

"I'll go with you. I'll," Hermione said. 

She falters hopelessly as a single tear traces her cheek. Harry reaches out, and wipes it away. 

"Kill the snake. Kill the snake and then it's just him. Then it will be over," Harry said. 

"Harry do what you have to do but we got this so whatever happens don't go with regrets," I said as I gave his holder a squeeze.

He nodded turns then, leaves us. Ron and Hermione stand silently, watching every step he takes until he reaches the end... and is gone. We can't do much until Voldemort comes here after all he will have to bring the snake to us for us to have any chance. I hated just waiting around so I began to help with the wounded I had a good grasp of a few decent healing spells. After looking at a few kids from a few years below me I look to the door and went to help a few people that couldn't stand. 

"Hey you doing okay," Hermione said as I looked out at the sky as it darkened.

"Yeah just didn't realise just how far we could fall if I had done something different could I have helped," I said. 

"Look nothing you did was meaningless none of us could have seen this coming," Hermione said. 

"Still should have done more," I said.

"We all could have but now we have only one thing to worry about we take out that snake and we win then we can finally start the family we dreamed of," Hermione said as she hugged me from behind and I couldn't help but smile. 

I see Neville kicking through the rubble. One could reconstruct the history of Hogwarts from the detritus before him, spell books, trophies, and potion boxes. But Neville'sexpression remains stoic, unsentimental. He's seen too much in the last 12 hours. Neville crouches down and studies something. Reaching out, he wiggles it free and slaps it against his thigh to chase the dust. The Sorting Hat. He ponders it, regarding its ragged surface, singed and torn, then pops it on his head, a beaten jester. Again,his face remains blank. He squints, peering vaguely into the distance. As his gaze falls on the bridge, he stops. An odd procession approaches.

Hagrid lurches forward awkwardly, clutching a body in his arms, ropes extending in three directions from his neck as a trio of Death Eaters one in front, two behind jerk him along like a tethered beast. From Hagrid, Neville's gaze drifts to Bellatrix and Narcissa and then to Voldemort himself dark, fierce before settling on the most unnerving sight, a giant wending snake.

"Who's that?" Ginny asked.

Neville turns and sees that Ginny has come out onto the broken steps and is staring at the procession as I follow. 

"Who is Hagrid carrying?" Ginny said but I already knew. 

Neville just stares, mute. Her eyes shift then, to him, and he sees they are glistening faintly. Her voice, when she speaks, nearly gets lost in the morning breeze. 

"Neville, who is that?" Ginny said. 

Before he can answer, others begin to spill out of the castle. Luna and Seamus. Cho. Arthur Weasley. Ron and Hermione emerge and, seeing the procession. Hermione draws a sharp breath and something about it the unadulterated sense of loss contained within it causes those around her to look and know as well. 

"What's going on here, Neville?" Arthur said.

Neville starts to speak but falters and then, simply because he can't bear to look at Ginny's face and the faces of the others looking to him for something, anything, he turns his gaze to the Hat dangling in his hand. And as he does, something glints within. As he stares... Voldemort and the others, moving with them, as they draw near. Voldemort surveys the ruins of the castle and the beaten posture of the throng assembled upon its steps. He smiles faintly, with cruel satisfaction.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the others stand silently as the procession comes to a halt before them. All eyes drift to Hagrid and what lies in his arms. 

"Harry Potter is dead," Voldemort said.

"No... NO!" Ginny said.

Ginny's primal cry echoes over the grounds as she rushes towards Voldemort, but Arthur steps between and wraps his daughter in his arms, letting her struggle briefly before pulling her tighter, closer, safer.

"SILENCE! Stupid girl. You cry for that?" Voldemort said.

Voldemort gestures to the body lying still in Hagrid'sarms. 

"Tell me. These last few hours as you collected the dead and tended to your wounded was he by your side?" Voldemort said. 

Voldemort surveys the throng, we stand mute not like we can say anything that will change the outcome. He nods as if their silence were answer enough.

"While your hands ran dark with the blood of mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters, his were clasped in prayer but it was a prayer for one and one only. 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 voice grew ragged, he begged me for mercy in a voice as meek as a child's," Voldemort said.

Voldemort's eyes narrow. 

"So do not cry for that. 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," Voldemort said.

"Liar!" Ron said.

"He went willingly and you made it quick,"  I said.

Voldemort flicks his wand and Ron drops to his knees, grimacing in pain. Voldemort gestures to him. 

"Did you not hear me? Harry Potter is dead! From this day forward, you put your faith in me or suffer the consequences. HARRY POTTER IS DEAD!" Voldemort said.

Nagini hisses madly as Voldemort, looking a touch mad himself, rakes his eyes over the students and staff. 

"Now is the time to declare yourself," Voldemort said.

There is a nervous murmur among the crowd. 

"Draco..." Lucius said.

Draco looks up and sees his father summon him forth with a short nod. He hesitates. Lucius smiles thinly.

"Can we still win," Hermione whispered to me and I nodded.