Chapter Twelve

Thank you, peskipiksi, this one's for you!

Bodmin Moor, desolate and windswept; its rocky heart was once the site of a fiercely fought battle. In the shadow of a beautiful castle, a great evil was put to the sword and defeated. In the shadow of that same castle, an era came to an end and a new one emerged. Time passed, peace reigned, wars were fought, and now that evil was once again converging upon the moor. Once again, this time in the shadow of a beautiful castle's ruins, the sword would fall. Once again, a magic would fill the air and the land. Once again, the mists would thin. The beautiful castle awaited.

*****

Thick grey clouds churned in from a storm brewing on the Atlantic Ocean, battering the land with chilling temperatures and the promise of precipitation. Damp fog shrouded the landscape as dark figures gathered near the smallest of the three stone circles known as The Hurlers. Normally, there were Muggles milling about, locals and visitors alike. Now, in the fading light of day, the land was quiet, deserted, and silently writhing under the dark magic that washed over the area. It was of course, the ideal setting for the end of Albus Dumbledore and his followers of the Light. Tom Riddle, the dread Dark Lord Voldemort, fairly trembled in anticipation of the coming fight and his ascension to power. He was drawn to this place, though he didn't understand or question why. He could feel the magic that pulsed around him even if he couldn't quite figure out how to harness it. The power caused his senses and synapses to fire off, and he scented the air as if searching for prey. From his vantage point on a small hill, Voldemort watched the chaos below him. He pushed the magic pulses to the back of his mind, sure that it was a result of the full gathering of his followers that had finally reached Cornwall. Sneering at the massing of his minions, he looked forward to ending his enemies once and for all, and becoming that which he had always dreamed of, a king, bathing in the blood of his defeated foes.

"Severus Snape, come forward and make your obeisance to your Lord and Master. What news of my enemies have you brought? Are they anticipating a confrontation this soon in the year?" the serpentine man hissed at his trusted lieutenant as Severus made his way to where Voldemort had enthroned himself.

The Potions master, warmly garbed in his heavy Death Eater robes, and masked, knelt on the damp ground and answered, "No, My Lord, they have grown quite complacent in their holiday celebrations, and the students are preparing to return to Hogwarts, therefore minds are on education rather than war. The rumour is that you won't strike before summer, much as you did last year."

The Dark Lord grinned malevolently. "Good, my servant, very good. That is indeed welcome news. It is time to finish this fight once and for all. Tonight will see the end of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore, and the beginning of my reign over the world, both Wizard and Muggle alike!"

Voldemort's declaration was met with wild cheers from his followers. "Let us take back the Wizarding World from the filthy Muggles and their spawn! Kill them all! Make us kings and make them slaves!"

Throughout the cheering, pontificating, and preparations for battle, Lucius Malfoy stood smirking at the commotion brewing around him, and Severus Snape stood quietly, ignoring it. The Dark Lord had fallen for the bait completely. Severus nodded surreptitiously to his partner-in-crime and made his way over to lean against a circle stone. He could feel the magic seeping from the earth through the stone and into his body. If it were not for his skill in keeping a blank expression, he would have drawn attention to himself and what was happening as the feeling startled him. All Severus could think was how lucky they all were that the Dark Lord had never cared to tap into the ancient magic that flowed around them, that he was only interested in the potions he dosed himself with daily. Close by, Lucius fingered the coin that flared hot in his pocket and prepared to wait. The Order was coming, and his revenge was in the offing.

*****

Another coin, this time one in Hermione's pocket, burned hot. She looked at her fellow priestesses, her friends, and at the Order gathered at the Shrieking Shack. Others were gathered elsewhere, waiting for the signal to converge on different areas of Bodmin Moor. Within moments of the flare of her coin and Severus' alert, Hermione spoke one sentence, "For Carnwennan and Nimue!" She also sent out the same message to others holding the charmed coins. That was the call to battle, and the sound of multiple Apparitions and activating Portkeys resounded through the building and in other hiding places. Within moments, it was sheer bedlam on the moor, and the Death Eaters were trying to recover from the surprise attack. The bulk of the fighting occurred near the three rings of standing stones, with bands of Death Eaters and Order members, along with those Aurors that supported Dumbledore, fighting in ever widening swathes across the moor.

The Weasleys and the Vale Ladies formed a vanguard around Harry Potter and protected him as him made their way around the moor looking for Voldemort. They knew he would have his most elite fighters, his Inner Circle, around him. The rest of the Order was given the task of subduing the remaining groups of Death Eaters in whatever way they had to. "Don't forget, Severus and Lucius Malfoy will be near Tom Riddle," Hermione reminded the group. "Please don't mistake one of them for the enemy."

Several members of the group looked mutinous at this reminder, but refrained from saying anything. Andromeda took this moment to say, "Severus is the Vale Knight; I wouldn't think Nimue would appreciate anyone trying to kill someone loyal to her. I think his wife would be even less amused." Sufficiently reminded and a tad reprimanded, they waded into the fighting and began to work their way towards their ultimate goal.

It seemed to take forever, and already several Order members were wounded and had to be Portkeyed back to Poppy for treatment. They had had to spread out more than they wanted because of the terrain and the fighting. Only the Vale Ladies managed to still stay close by Harry. As soon as they got within sight of Voldemort, Hermione took Carnwennan from its hiding place in her robes and handed it to Harry. The blade glowed silver in the half light of flying hexes and curses, and a jolt of power surged through the Boy Who Lived when he grasped the hilt. He looked at Hermione and said, "It's time to end this once and for all."

As soon as Hermione surrendered possession of the Carn, she and the other Ladies formed a circle and began chanting – pushing and pulling the power that suffused the moor. The winds picked up, and a mist crawled across the field. The Dark Lord, watching the proceedings from his vantage point above the battleground, immediately ordered the four women to be stopped. He didn't know what they were doing, but he could feel a familiar ancient magic creeping up and around the stones scattered across Bodmin Moor. He watched as a handful of his most trusted followers, led by Greyback, set off to put a stop to the circle.

"The Mudblood is mine, once and for all," growled the werewolf as he began to morph into his feral alter-ego. The moon was full, but the heavy cloud cover didn't allow for a complete transformation. The gruesome figure stalked quickly towards Hermione and the others, howling his hatred to the night.

Harry felt as though he were encased in armour. Through the haze of battle, he thought he heard horses and the clash of steel ringing across the land. Shaking his head to clear his vision and mind, Harry looked across the field to his nemesis. He saw Dumbledore gliding through the mist like Merlin returned, and he suddenly knew what he had to do to end the battle. Raising Carnwennan above his head in a two-fisted grip, he charged at Voldemort, who stood staring in surprise at the sudden attack out of nowhere by Albus Dumbledore. The Headmaster sent several spells towards the Dark Lord, drawing his attention away from Harry, who scrambled up the incline towards the two. Voldemort managed to cast one spell at the old man that actually connected, a rather nasty Cutting Curse, but that was all the advantage Harry needed. Before Voldemort could bring his wand to bear on his adversary and cast a curse, Harry stabbed Carnwennan through Voldemort's chest. An explosive shockwave of Dark Magic knocked anyone within fifty feet to their knees. Then, as suddenly as it had come, the dark force collapsed in on itself and disappeared. The dagger lay on the ground, once again a defeater of evil. As Harry reached down to pick up the Carn, it shimmered bright silver and gold, the black of the blade and hilt sloughing off like old skin. With a crack, it vanished. The unexpected action caused Harry to stumble back in shock and hit his head as he fell. Across the field, a sudden surge of magic jolted through another wizard, who began to gain consciousness.

*****

Silence reigned once again on Bodmin Moor as the Order gathered up the remaining Death Eaters. Many were dead, and some had fled early on, but the Aurors collected the ones that remained, taking the wounded and dead to St. Mungo's, and the rest to Azkaban to await the Ministry's pleasure. The Order wounded and dead were gathered together and Portkeyed back to Hogwarts. The survivors couldn't get to the main battleground, as a magical barrier encircled the area. Inside the barrier, those that were affected by the magical backlash that occurred when Voldemort was destroyed began to stir and take inventory of the wounded and dead.

Severus roused and pushed himself up off the ground. He felt somewhat punch-drunk, but managed to find his feet and start looking for any survivors. He found Lucius right away. He was wounded, but not too terribly. Nearby was what was left of Bellatrix Lestrange's corpse. Lucius had finally enacted his revenge for the death of his beloved Cissy, and Bella had not gone gently at all. When Lucius was sufficiently recovered, thanks to Severus and his dab hand at healing charms, the two men began to make the rounds of the battleground looking for other survivors. Harry was close by, unconscious, but not hurt. Severus cast "Ennervate" and set him to checking bodies as well, telling both Harry and Lucius that he had to find Hermione. They watched the suddenly frantic man rush off and, without comment, continued their search.

He didn't know how far he had walked, but after not finding anyone at all in the area he had last seen the Weasleys, Severus called out into the eerie silence. "Hermione, Hermione, where are you?"

Almost immediately he heard a reply. "We're here, close to the pool."

He turned in that direction and quickly made his way to a terrible scene. There was the cadre of Voldemort's finest Death Eaters, all dead, lying close to the circle that the Vale Ladies had cast. The circle itself still glowed softly, not having been taken up, but now ebbing from a lack of magical strength. As Severus made his way to where he knew Hermione was, he stumbled over Remus Lupin's body, the man's eyes staring sightlessly at the sky. Nearby were the remains of Fenrir Greyback. Severus took a moment to gather himself, thankful Greyback had been stopped, but then he made his way over to Hermione. She was kneeling on the ground, working feverishly over Luna. He moved quickly to join her when he felt her magical energy beginning to ebb.

"Stop, my love; let me help. If you continue to expend magic you will hurt yourself."

"I don't care!" Hermione shouted. "I have to help her."

"I will help her. Please, Hermione; let me help."

He looked over at Andromeda who was kneeling beside Alice Longbottom. She shook her head sadly at Severus and rose to check on the others that remained nearby.

"Greyback led an attack directly on us," Andromeda told Severus after she had sent the wounded to Hogwarts. "We had no choice but to hold the circle. We knew we had to keep Voldemort isolated as much as we could, and also to direct power to the Carn."

"Are you all right? That explains Hermione's energy depletion. Yours is similar?"

Andromeda nodded yes to both questions. "Greyback got Luna. He was aiming for Hermione, screaming that he would get her. Remus caught him as he came at her with a knife... the impact sent Remus and Greyback reeling; they passed Hermione, and when Greyback lashed out the knife hit Luna instead. It had some kind of poison on it; we could see it taking effect as soon as she was cut." Andromeda shuddered at the memory. "The two of them fought, and Remus killed Greyback, but was fatally wounded himself. He bled out before anyone could get to him."

She took a deep breath. "Severus, we couldn't leave the circle; there was nothing we could do. And then Luna collapsed, and the circle began to weaken. Alice tried to get to her, but she was hit with a curse I have never seen before. She seems to be drowning in her own fluids, and none of the spells we have used are helping. She's getting weaker, and all we can do is clear her lungs. We need to get them back to Hogwarts as soon as we can."

As Andromeda talked, Severus caught Hermione up in an embrace. She hugged him back and whispered, "Harry?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "He is fine. I left him sorting out the wounded with Lucius. As soon as they get down here, we will take a Portkey back to the school. I am afraid Apparition would be too dangerous for Luna and Alice."

Hermione nodded and buried herself back into her husband's arms. It wasn't long before the handful of Order members that hadn't already been Portkeyed made their way to where the Ladies had made their stand.

As they stood there, recouping their strength and getting ready to transport Luna and Alice to Poppy, a mist blew in across Dozmary Pool, obscuring the water. It swirled and shifted lazily, dancing with the silver light of the moon that had risen. The sound of rhythmic splashing met the ears of the survivors, and the mist parted around a barge.

In awe, Hermione and the others watched as a beautiful lady and several attendants disembarked from the barge and made their way ashore. Hermione was the first to move forward in sudden recognition, and she and Andromeda quickly bowed their heads. "Nimue, my lady, you have returned from Avalon at long last."

"Hermione, Andromeda, you have made it possible through your loyalty and strength, as have Luna and Alice with their sacrifice. And I have a duty to my Ladies, to see that they are brought home now that they have fulfilled their tasks."

This announcement was met with silent tears. "No, do not grieve. Luna is not long for this world; she is of the Fey now. Alice, too, has fulfilled her destiny – one that was interrupted many years ago. Now she belongs to Avalon. But, for that disruption of her life, I will grant her the one thing she has dearly wanted."

When this was said, suddenly Neville was there and kneeling by his mother. "Mum? What's this? How... "

Nimue looked at him and smiled. "So long as Alice lived, her position as my priestess was hers alone. The price of her life was her mind. I could not do much more, trapped as I was behind the mist. When the Ladies began to gather, the mist thinned enough, and I was able to awaken Alice to fulfill the destiny of which she had been cheated. You may have a short time with her, but we must sail by the time the moon is fully overhead. And, Neville Longbottom, your daughter will take her place in my circle in the Vale. See that she is trained well."

Neville knelt down beside the mum he had ever only seen staring blankly at nothing and folding Drooble's wrappers. The clarity of her eyes broke his heart, and he cried to see her smile.

"Oh, Neville," she whispered. "My son, you are a man – a good man. I am so very proud of you and everything you have done. I spoke to your grandmother and she has some things for you. She told me everything of your childhood, and I want you to know that you are the most wonderful thing I have ever done." Alice smiled up at her son. "I will always be with you and your father. Never doubt, we will be together again."

"Oh, Mum," Neville choked out. "Mum, I love you, and I don't want you to leave me..."

"Never... leave you... Son... " Alice released a deep sigh and was gone. Neville buried his face against his mum's throat and cried for her loss, but also for the chance he had been given to hear her speak to him. After a while, Nimue's attendants carefully took Alice from her son and laid her next to Luna beneath a gossamer canopy in the centre of the barge. Neville watched silently as his mother was borne away and then collapsed with a cry. Hermione and Andromeda immediately went to him and offered what comfort they could. Nothing helped until Severus came to him and whispered the same spell for sleep that he had used on Hermione ages before. With a sigh, Hermione activated her Portkey and sent him to the Hospital Wing and Poppy's comfort.

*****

"Hermione." Nimue stood in front of her Lady. "Priestess mine, Daughter of the Elements, Keeper of the Carn, you who summoned the Northern Watchtower and its Guardians, I give unto to you the keeping of the Vale of the Carn. For too long it has stood alone, quiet, unprotected. The blood requirement is lifted. Those you consider family may enter, blood kin or no. Guard the sacred place well; guard the dagger. Pass on your heritage; let it not fall by the wayside again. And fear not, you will see your sisters again. Once the magic has been fully returned and the mists have cleared, all shall be as it once was and how it was always meant to be."

Nimue finished her speech to Hermione with a press of gentle lips to her forehead. When she pulled back, the mark of the crescent moon was visible on Hermione's skin.

Nimue then turned to Andromeda. "My follower, you have long held back the side of you that was searching for the Vale. Do not fear it any longer; embrace it and live the life from which you have always hidden. You and yours will find a place in the Vale. Go and search it out, but know that the Vale needs you also. Only by gathering regularly will the power be restored." Nimue smiled at Andromeda and pressed the same crescent into her skin. "You must pass on your gifts; you have much more than a daughter who needs you now."

*****

When the moon was directly overhead, Nimue called to her attendants and returned to the barge gracing the still waters of Dozmary Pool. "Look what magic you have wrought, my Ladies. This evil has once again been banished from this plane. Look at what you have done!"

Nimue raised her hands and gestured broadly. Hermione turned around and gasped at what she saw. The rest of the group turned and looked in awe at the sight laid out before them. In the distance, the standing stones known as The Hurlers were no longer visible. In their place stood a magnificent castle, banners blowing on the highest parapets and gleaming silver in the moonlight. Hermione thought she could just make out someone standing at the top of the highest tower, but decided it was a trick of the light until they saluted.

She turned to Nimue and opened her mouth to ask, when the Lady laughed delightedly. "Yes, Hermione, your actions, and those of your sisters and friends have restored Camelot to its glory. You are seeing it as it was before I had to remove it from history. I cannot replace it on those pages, but you can come here and visit and learn at any time. The return of my powers has released the enchantment from wizarding eyes. There is much you can learn here in the libraries."

As Hermione's eyes lit up, a smothered groan was heard behind her. "Libraries? As if the Vale library wasn't big enough, you have to give her more?" Severus looked rather pained at the thought.

As the others laughed, Nimue smiled at her Knight. "You will not be left out. You are a part of the Vale bloodlines, too. All of this is as much your right as it is my Ladies'. Keep them and the Vale safe, Severus." With that last request, Nimue bade her followers a good even, and, as the moon started to sink, the barge sailed away, disappearing before it got to the centre of the pool. Andromeda, Hermione, Severus, Lucius, and Harry stood and looked over the water and then at Camelot. It was a lot to take in, and the group was suddenly bone-weary. Severus took his Portkey from his pocket and held it out to Hermione.

"Let's go home," he said.