The Anniversary Song

June 15, 1999

My dearest Molly,

It is done. We gathered in the Great Hall at the exact moment of the Death Eaters’ attack. All present today took their places where they fought a year ago, with one exception; Severus would not leave Hermione to lie alone on the floor where our boy fell. Instead, he crouched behind her, holding her in the same position as when she was struck. Only Harry and Minerva stood with Dumbledore today.

You would have been so proud of Bill, my love. Of all of us, only he and Hermione showed no distress. He was as steady as a rock when he stood beyond Malfoy’s place, his wand pointing toward the kneeling pair. I feared that Severus’s jaw would shatter, it was clenched so tightly, yet the hands that held Hermione upright were as gentle as ever.

As the hour chimed, Albus sealed the doors. Only Order members were permitted in the Hall, along with battle survivors who had volunteered to assist with today’s uncasting. I was surprised to see Draco Malfoy standing beside the Slytherin table with several of his former housemates. Bill had not informed me that he was expected, but as matters progressed it became clear that he and Bill had been in close contact. Draco had an essential role to play today.

Albus and Harry jointly cast the Revelatio spell on the entire Hall. I have never seen it applied so broadly; it is customarily used on small objects or, in rare cases, children, and requires so much power that it can only be held for seconds. However, the entire Hall and its occupants shimmered with magic for the next twenty minutes. Bill later explained that it was essential that all magic be visible and all spells cast be targeted away from Hermione, lest the curse be nourished while it still resided within her body. I had wondered why she was cared for without magic … the symbiont was fed just enough to keep it from attacking her basic life force, but not enough to encourage its growth.

Finally, about twelve minutes after the battle would have begun, an eerie glow began to emanate from Hermione’s body. It took form as it moved toward Bill, stopping midway between our son and Hermione, where Lucius Malfoy now stood, exactly as he had one year before. The harsh clash of battle, so hard fought, sounded faintly in our ears. Severus flinched when we heard the echo of Hermione’s year-old scream, her plea that Ron not be dead. His arms tightened around her still figure. Bill stood straight, gazing at Lucius. The phantom’s wand took aim at Hermione, held motionless before it. I wanted to scream at Severus to pull her aside, but I could see that she was still linked to the projection; if she moved, the wand would follow. Malfoy’s lips moved, incanting the spell which has become engraved in our memories since it was uncovered six months ago.

Bill’s calm voice rose in response, saying the words which would draw the remainder of the curse from Hermione’s body and hold it in place, uncast, until it could be destroyed. I saw it leave her, the glow traveling across the floor, leaving cold gray stone stripped of magic in its wake. Hermione slumped, apparently lifeless, in Snape’s arms. This, now, was the most dangerous time.

Charlie, Fred, George, and I cast the block to protect Hermione. The Revelatio showed it, standing strong where Ron had lain. The Lucius shade appeared to be attempting to cast through molasses. Any portion of the curse which escaped Bill’s containment seemed to ooze toward our block and stop. Lucius spun and cast at Bill, a different curse, not one we had anticipated. It cut through the thick barrier and sped toward our son. I was sick with horror, fearing he would be cut down before my eyes, yet I did not dare release the spell protecting Hermione.

Suddenly another block went up, inches in front of Bill. Lucius’s spell struck it with a crash, and then dissipated. Phantom Lucius turned to curse the wizard who had saved our son, and froze in place. His own son was advancing across the stones toward him, wand still holding Bill’s block, completely vulnerable to attack should Lucius complete the curse.

“It is over, Father.” The young man’s voice trembled slightly, but his gaze was steady. “The Dark Lord lost the battle, you lost the battle. You can do no damage in this room today, unless you wish to destroy all that remains of the Malfoys.”

Lucius’s lips moved, but I could not hear what he said. I do not know if Draco did, but he spoke again, calmly.

“Every moment you exist here without recasting yourself, you lose power. You have no way of replacing what you expended attempting to curse Granger and Weasley. You cannot inhabit me; Granger is the only Muggle-born witch here. We can wait here for hours as you weaken and shrivel to nothingness. Or you can allow me to uncast you. It is your choice, Father.”

For long moments, living grey eyes met ghostly. Finally, the phantom wand lowered. Lucius stood tall before his son, his glow dimming perceptibly. He lowered his head in submission.

Draco’s wand moved toward him and his voice was strong as he began the second incantation. As Lucius’s light waned further, Bill’s voice joined the younger man’s. What had made no sense when I read the spell, transcribed in two colors on a piece of torn parchment, now became clear. The compound curse could not be uncast by one wizard alone. The uncasting incantation was a duet. The colors streaming from their wands brightened, swirling and dancing around the form of Lucius Malfoy as two voices rose and fell in song. Other voices joined, picking up strands of the incantation, until everyone in the Hall, all Houses, sang power into the spell.

At the same time, another, weak glow erupted, this time behind the block protecting Severus and Hermione. I could see the final vestiges of the curse leaving Hermione, drawn to our spell by its greater power. Severus pulled her away safely, placing his body between her and the still-shimmering block.

Finally, Lucius was gone. The last embers of his curse were captured by our block and dissolved; we allowed it to fall. Harry and Albus released the Revelatio, and the Great Hall was silent.

Everyone moved toward the pair now huddled against the Gryffindor table, only to be stopped by a single word.

“Severus?”

I was not the only one who wept where he stood.

Poppy has examined Hermione and declares that she is “as well as can be expected”. Her eyes are horribly sensitive to light and she is very weak, but she will recover. Those of us who insisted on hugging her had to embrace Severus as well; Hermione would not release her grasp on his robes. He has taken her back to their rooms so she can rest; Ginny and baby Ron await them there.

So, you can tell the Grangers that all is well. I am sure Harry will be happy to bring them here to Hogwarts on Saturday, according to the usual schedule. It doesn’t appear that Hermione will be permitted to travel for quite some time (although I did detect an odd look passing between Harry, the twins, and Minerva McGonagall, of all people, when Severus made that pronouncement).

Please give my best wishes to the Grangers. I will meet you at the Burrow at four o’clock so that we can prepare for the Ministry Ball. Although this day will always be tinged with sadness, we have many causes for celebration…your return to health, our beautiful grandson, our brave sons and daughter, and today, our almost-daughter has been restored to us. I know that, wherever he is, Ron rejoices as well.

Your devoted husband,

Arthur

*****

A/N: So that’s it for “I’ll Never Take Advantage”. I know there are many unanswered questions, such as what was Hermione’s choice, where did Lucius Malfoy come from, and many more! Never fear; they will be addressed in the sequel, Gifts.

Many thanks, as always, to Somigliana, who makes me look good (and who is directly responsible for the readability of what I post).