To a Better End

Chapter 63

May 2nd 1998

They had to be careful about every step they took. They decided the best route to go was getting to the place first and then jumping to the time. Before they even moved, Draco gave a run down on his sand and what it does. Once they all had it down, they began their journey. Reggie changed into Crooks and they all apparated to Hogsmeade. They couldn't be seen and they couldn't be heard. Hermione was sure that everyone could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

Once they got to the castle grounds, they found a spot that would be secluded enough for them to time travel. The chain of the Time-Turner magically expanded to fit around all four of them. They all held onto each other as they watched the days go by until they were finally in the time they needed to be.

"I know it's going to be tempting, but none of us can attack Tom. He is for Harry and Harry alone. I'm handing you all a bag of sand. Do not separate from each other. You stay together. Do you understand me?"

"Loud and clear," Theo stated.

"Crystal," Reggie said, bouncing with excitement.

Draco looked over at Hermione expectantly. "Of course," she said.

The look of hesitancy on his face was alarming. Did he not trust her to do what needed to be done? Did he expect her to run off without him? Or abandon him?

"Draco, it's you and me forever. To the end."

"Okay, love birds. Let's go save some people." Theo placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and gave him a squeeze. "We can go get Fred and fight off enough people to help clear the way for you to get the rest."

Everyone looked at Regulus, waiting for him. He cracked his neck and stretched out his arms. With a dramatic wave of his wand, he cast his own disillusionment charm over all four of them. It was so well done, that Hermione would have had no idea that Draco was next to her if it weren't for his hand holding hers. Her right hand was in his left. She could feel his wedding ring and the pressure that his grip put on her golden band. She stopped playing with the ring some time ago. Possibly after getting married. The new ring gave her something else to focus on. But the presence was a constant reminder of her mistakes.

Mistakes she would never make again.

They had their plan. Hermione would say it was flawless, but she's learned by now that flaws are everywhere, even in perfection. They said their goodbyes and they were gone. The fight had already started. It was full force. The bridge already exploded, spells flying everywhere, and the protection barrier had been infiltrated. They tried to time it perfectly. Too soon and they would be found. Too late and they would have missed it. They moved with haste. Hermione heard the footsteps of Theo and Reggie getting further away as they departed to enter the castle from a different door.

They were running faster than Hermione remembered her feet ever carrying her. The destruction was endless. The lives sacrificed were too many to save. Too many to mourn. But she did mourn them. She mourned them for years. This was just reliving.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the scene that she only ever heard vague stories of. Lavender was hardly conscious enough to retell it. Everything was hazy for her. But Hermione could see it now. She was on the floor, her arms limp on either side of her. And Fenrir Greyback was on top of her. No one was told what happened to Fenrir. Lavender had always said it was like he vanished. But he wasn't stopping. He was going to sink his teeth in every inch and devour the girl until she was dead.

But she wasn't supposed to die. She was supposed to be mates with Ron. They were going to live a lovely life together. And now that Draco invented that potion, they could have a family and function as close to normal as possible.