Chapter Text
Goyle carried Ginny back to the castle, he was surprisingly gentle, given how much pain he was in.
Up close, Ginny could see he was riddled with bruises. He hissed with every step, gritting his teeth as blood steadily dripped from his nose onto her chest.
Not that Ginny was complaining. She had bled all over him too.
“Thank Merlin!” Cho exclaimed as they entered the classroom. “We got the horn but we can’t crush it, none of our fingers work!”
Justin launched into healer mode, summoning a bed for Cho and Parvati to lie on. Luna levitated the crumpled witches before taking the horn and prepping it for the potion.
“Did you see Hermione out there? Dennis asked over the commotion.
Goyle shook his head.
Ginny was placed down on a conjured bed of her own, the movement sending her roaring in agony.
“Which one is which!” Padma asked frantically, gesturing between the two simmering potions.
“Yours is on the right, Cho and Parvati’s on the left!” Dennis rushed. “Hey, where’s Seamus?”
Cho hiccuped a sob. “We left him” she heaved. “He couldn’t walk and we couldn’t levitate him so we had to leave him!”
“Fuck” Justin cursed. “Where?”
“By the Unicorn” Parvati choked.
Luna added the powdered horn into the brew, relaxing slightly as the steam turned from white to silver.
One down. One to go.
“Has anyone seen Hermione?” Dennis asked again.
“Padma, get over here!” Justin snapped. “I need you to dice the Chinese Chomping Cabbage while I measure out this blood.”
Ginny groaned as another wave of agony hit her. “Can someone get me a bloody pain potion!” she screeched.
Goyle jumped to attention. “On it!”
“Done!” Luna yelled, pouring a silver liquid into three glass vials.
“Thank Godric” Parvati sobbed. “I can't feel my legs.”
In the corner of her eye, Ginny saw Susan get up and shuffle towards the entrance.
“Where the fuck is everyone?” Justin snarled.
Dennis stood on trembling legs. “They’re out looking for Phoenix tears. George, Neville and Ron are all cured so they went searching with Theo.”
Ginny sagged with relief, her body finally relaxing at the news. They were safe. They were all safe.
“Her first!” Parvati snapped, turning away from the antidote Luna had offered. Luna huffed, pressing the liquid to Cho’s lips. the witch’s colour began to return immediately. Luna moved on to Parvati.
“This brew is bloody excellent” Justin exclaimed, staring into the final cauldron. “Did you do this?”
“No” Dennis hissed. “It was Hermione. Have you-”
“I’m going back to find Seamus!” Luna shouted, gathering the last vial.
“I’ll come” Parvati insisted.
“No wait for the antidote to run its course” Luna explained as she gestured towards Justin. “Then go help him. I will be back soon.”
Ginny watched Luna leave, wondering why the witch bothered.
If Seamus was weak enough to be left behind then he was already dead.
Astoria rejoined the others, sitting down beside Draco.
“If you have a plan, now is the time to tell me” she hissed, nervously glancing at the image of Granger entering the Forest.
Draco remained still, eyes glued to Champion as she marched to her death.
“There is no plan.”
The canopy of the trees did little to dull the vulnerability Hermione felt. The endless expanse of night sky and open space penetrated by dense trees elevated her already racing heartbeat.
She was a creature of walls and small spaces. To cross distances unrestricted felt wrong somehow. A hermit crab without its shell.
The darkness at least provided her with some sense of familiarity. Her eyes easily adjusted, reverting back to the lens from which she had watched the last five years of her life. The warm summer breeze did little to thaw the surface of her skin and for that she was grateful. Her body was built for the cold.
She let her senses guide her to where she needed to go. Faint whispers beckoned her as she walked deeper into the forest. There was an urgency in their calls, a low hum that grew louder, rising to a feverish pitch.
Hermione stepped into an empty clearing, but she swore she felt the earth pulsing beneath her feet.
“Down. Down. Down” it hissed.
Hermione looked down, finding a small black stone.
She picked it up, angling her body to block the mirror's view. As soon as the stone touched her flesh the whispers vanished.
Hermione pretended to pull thorns out of her feet, hoping the darkness would help obscure what she had found. Whilst she didn't know its significance, she was hesitant to let the spectators see.
A glimpse of white materialised in front of her and Hermione stumbled back in surprise.
“Lucy?” Hermione whispered incredulously.
The woman tilted her head, examining her. Hermione was sure it was the same Lucy from her memories just….older.
Lucy frowned “You’re not him.”
“I- not who?” Hermione croaked. “Where’s your brother? Where’s Ciaran?”
“Someplace else” Lucy replied softly.
“What are you-“
Lucy held out a finger. “The nest is that way” she stated simply, pointing north.
Hermione swallowed, anxiety clawing its way up her throat. “How did you know what I was looking for?”
Lucy smiled coldly. “I know everything about you.”
Hermione inhaled sharply. The sensation of being watched prickling her skin. That same, ominous feeling trailed up her spine.
“You look like her” Lucy hummed, eyes trailing from her skirts to her face. “I can see why he likes you.”
“Who?” Hermione choked.
But the witch vanished.
Hermione was once again left in an empty clearing, her heavy breathing the only sound. With a clenched fist, Hermione pocketed the stone.
Nothing in. Nothing out.
She went north.
Astoria knew she wasn’t supposed to be rooting for other Champions, but she couldn’t help but inwardly cheer as Justin finally finished his antidote. Blood-red tears seeped down his cheeks as he began measuring the doses.
His triumphant smile was infectious. So much so, that she had to bite down on her lips to prevent her grin from showing.
He held out the vial, its blood-red contents glistening in the light. Pressing it to his lips, he-
The mirror cut to the slain unicorn. A celebration forcibly overshadowed by death.
A reminder of the monstrosities the Champions had committed.
Seamus seemed to glow as he lay beside the creature, its silver blood shimmering on his skin. He lay on his stomach, limbs sprawled out in a position that conveyed his desperation at the time his muscles failed him.
Splashes and streaks within the pool of blood told a story of his struggle. On initial view, Astoria thought the wizard was dead. Bellatrix had jeered at the mirror as if he could hear, screeching for her Champion to get up.
The slight rise and fall of his chest was the only indication that he was alive. The short, sharp pants conveyed that breathing had now become a battle. Soon his chest would fail to expand even a fraction.
Seamus would suffocate.
The wizard seemed to know it too, his red-rimmed eyes staring blankly into space.
The mirror had begun to pan away, there was no entertainment to be found here. As he partially disappeared from view, his head twitched.
Astoria bit down a gasp.
His reflection panned back sharply, the mirror closing in on the wizard's body.
His head twitched again. And again.
The dead stare Seamus held had been replaced with flames, eyes alight with determination. Veins protruded from his neck as his head began to turn, his face purple from the effort.
He rolled his cheek, pressing his lips and chin into the silver pool.
Astoria gripped her sister's hand tightly as the wizard panted into the blood.
“Holy shit” Blaise breathed, “Surely he’s not going to do it.”
Staring directly into the mirror now, Seamus Finnigan’s eyes promised retribution.
He parted his lips, gaze penetrating through the mirror and burrowing into Astoria's soul.
With one final sigh, he turned just that fraction more.
And then he began to drink.
The Acromantula nest was nothing like Harry and Ron had once described. Hermione had risen over the mud-covered hill and down into the drop below, seeing a large hollow tree smothered by threads of white.
They seemed to glow under the moonlight, millions of strands woven together into a tunnel-like structure at the base of the oak.
Harry had told her the Arogog's children and dropped silently from the trees, an ambush they had unknowingly walked into.
Hermione knew exactly what awaited her.
So too, did the Ancromantula it seemed, for they were all waiting for her. A thousand eyes traced her descent into the pit, large bodies still and poised as she made her way to the ground below. Grey and black bodies varied between small cars and large dogs, all backing away slowly as she approached, parting for their expected guest.
Hermione thought she heard a nearby stream but as she got closer she realised it was a chorus of hisses from behind the creature's fangs. The mirrors following her were pushed back to the top of the hill by a sea of legs, sealed into place by sticky threads.
Close enough to still see but far away enough not to hear. Hermione took this as a good sign.
Slowly, carefully, she reached into her pocket. Using the fabric of her dress as a makeshift glove, she pulled her wand free and dropped it to the earth below.
A surrender.
A low rumbling began to sound from beneath the tree, soil vibrating as their leader emerged from its slumber. A black leg the size of a tree trunk entered the clearing, three more following close behind. Midnight eyes reflected Hermione's red gown, tinting its stare blood red.
Despite knowing what was to come, Hermione still trembled as its large abdomen came into view. Harry had said Aragog was the size of an elephant but this-
This was a monster.
Its fully extended legs easily stretched from one side of the clearing to the other. Its body rivalling that of a blue whale. Fangs twice the size of herself gleamed down at her and Hermione pictured how easily it would be for it to cleave her in two.
“Hello little one” The beast purred, the sound strangely melodic. A feminine lilt softened its echoing voice. “We thought you might come.”
Hermione swallowed.
“I am here to ask a favour” she began, attempting to keep the trembling out of her voice.
The beast bent down, pressing its body to the ground as it leaned closer.
“You smell like Him.”
Hermione didn’t dare move.
The beast, what looked to be a female, tilted her head in an uncanny human-like gesture as she examined her.
“Strange little witch” she hissed curiously, “striking deals for which you know not.”
“I need six drops. That’s all I ask” Hermione exclaimed in a rush, desperate to keep her breath even.
“You need nothing. You want what is not yours.”
Hermione could see her own wide stare in the creature's eyes.
Nothing in. Nothing out.
“Alright,” she replied, tilting her chin to meet the creature’s inquisitive stare. “I want six drops. Name your price.”
The monstered purred, wriggling side to side and Hermione held her breath. “Six drops of ours. For seven drops of yours,” it stated.
Hermione frowned. “What do you want with my blood?”
“The same as you” the creature replied simply. “We have been waiting for a very long time.”
“H-How did you know I was coming?” Hermione stammered, wondering how the Death Eaters had informed the nest.
“The web whispers secrets. Ancient lines conversing with their descendants across land and sea. I hear rumours from our Mother, warnings I must heed.” The creature cocked her head. “She speaks to me now.”
Hermione looked around the clearing, seeing what only looked like offspring. “Where is your mother?” She asked tentatively, wondering if another great beast was lying in wait.
“She is all around.”
“And your father?” Hermione asked, already knowing the answer.
The female grew hostile, hairs raising on her endless legs. “Paternal lines have no relevance in a Matriarchy” she spat.
“But your father, he was Aragog wasn’t he?” Hermione pressed, inwardly cursing herself for her inability to not ask questions.
“You still speak to us in human terms” she hissed coldly. “We are not human. There are only mothers and their kin.”
Hermione bowed her head. “I sincerely apologise, I was told that Aragog used to rule this forest.”
The creature scoffed, an oddly sounding grunt behind her large fangs. “Arrogant male. Only darkness rules here.”
Biting her tongue, Hermione resisted the urge to ask about the Aragog’s wife, wondering if this beast was that very same creature or one of his daughters.
The monster seemed to soften at the silence, settling its body back to the ground.
“How similar you are” she mused. “Old and new. The second first. I see why he favours you. Oh, but you are not her. No, you are much too sharp. Tricking the trickster, how clever you are.”
Hermione had no idea what the beast was talking about, nor did she have the time to decipher her riddles. Outburst aside, Hermione was confident she could secure the cure.
“I’m running out of time” Hermione began carefully. “I accept the trade. Six drops of your venom for seven drops of my blood.”
The creature laughed, a deep rumbling rising from her belly. “A deal then” she purred.
Hermione slowly reached back into her pocket, drawing out three glass vials she had swiped when Susan wasn’t looking.
The beast did not move, its eyes beckoning her expectantly.
Hermione stepped forward.
Nothing in. Nothing out.
The closer she got, the calmer she felt. With the end near, a sense of peace began to settle over her. By the time Hermione had gotten enough to touch its razor-sharp fangs, she could no longer hear her raging heartbeat.
She held the first vial beneath the right fang, the tip of which was fine enough to fit within the glass. A dark green liquid began to blossom from the fine point, two droplets falling into the tube.
Hermione quickly corked the first and held out the second. Again she collected the life-saving dose. By the third vial, the beast shuddered. Its legs clawing mountains of dirt, as if in pain.
As Hermione sealed the final vial the creature hissed. “We need not bargain with humans.”
Hermione exhaled. “No, but I appreciate it.”
A loud screech sounded from behind. Hermione turned to see several offspring turning on one of their siblings, its legs torn off with a nauseating crack. Others scrambled over the writhing body and up and over the hill.
“What are they doing?” Hermione grimaced, simultaneously disgusted and intrigued.
“My children are hungry” the beast rasped, her voice weakened. “They long for blood.”
“I assume I will become their next meal” Hermione stated distantly, resigned to her fate.
The monster laughed. “Oh no little one. They wouldn’t dare.
Hermione snapped her head up in surprise. “What?” Why not?”
“Because they are afraid,” the beast replied simply.
Before Hermione could reply, the creature lunged, trapping her neck between its fangs.
Instinctively Hermione stiffened, waiting for her head to drop from her shoulders.
“Your turn” the beast hissed, voice vibrating into Hermione’s spine. The sharp edges around her neck began to tighten, burning the skin around her Python.
“Wait” Hermione choked, panic flipping her gut. “I have a question.”
The beast eased her hold and sighed. “Of course you do.”
Forced to think quickly, Hermione asked the first question that came to her mind, unsure why she was prolonging the inevitable.
Unsure why the monster even allowed it.
“Do you know why your venom is the only cure?” She asked
The creature fell silent. Hermione wasn’t sure it was even breathing.
“It is our penance.” The beast murmured.
The creature dragged its left fang up and across to her right cheek. Its tip pressing into soft flesh, impossibly hot. Whilst it had yet to break the skin, Hermione knew that even a pinch would ruin everything.
Whether it killed her or cured her, she would lose.
“We live in agony, the venom that brings you life is the very same that curses us. We feel it burning our blood, corroding our fangs.”
“S- so why don’t you just expel it?” Hermione stuttered, the heat around her neck and cheek becoming unbearable.
The beast drew its left fang towards Hermione’s eye, green glistening on its tip. “Because our bodies would make more, and that process is far more excruciating” she explained. “So you see why we guard our nectar closely.”
As the creature dragged its fang down to join the other around Hermione’s throat, she thrust out her hand.
“I- I need to return these!” She rushed, thrusting the vials in the air.
The female's eyes seemed to narrow. “You are not leaving.”
“No, I know” Hermione choked.
Silently apologising to the elf, Hermione took a deep breath. “Winky!” she screamed.
The elf appeared in front of Hermione, her large ears flattening as it took in the monster above its head.
“Take these back to the others!” Hermione hissed, thrusting the vials into the elf’s hand before it had the chance to disappear. “Quickly!” Do not come back here-“
The elf vanished in a blink.
Hermione sagged in relief, her limbs heavy. She had done it. She had saved them.
She felt a sting pierce the left side of her neck.
Freedom.
Hermione waited for the end.
Free. I am free.
Hermione felt a droplet of liquid run down her throat.
“Would you like to hear a story?” The beast purred, its rancid breath fluttering her eyelashes.
Hermione closed her eyes.
“Once upon a time, there was a witch. A master in the art of alchemy. An academic. Revered amongst her kind. Oh, but she was not satisfied. Never satisfied. She was barren you see, she longed for a child born of her blood. Not because she wanted to be a mother, but because she wanted a legacy. A selfish extension of herself. She could not bore from flesh so she tried to bore from her cauldron. Years she spent slaving to become her own maker until finally she succeeded.”
The creature paused. “Well?” It hissed. “Are you not going to ask how?”
Hermione swallowed, surprised her tongue still worked. “How?” She croaked.
“Blood” the monster breathed. “Child’s blood. Thousands upon thousands of failed experiments for one perfect brew. She buried it beneath the dirt and waited for her child to grow. Oh, but she was not satisfied. Never, never satisfied. An extension of herself was not enough, she wished to become herself. To transfer her life force into the babe through blood magic and live again within a new body. Mastering mortality.”
The beast's voice turned feverish. “But the babe was born wrong. Deformed. Eight eyes and eight legs, hot to the touch and screaming in agony. The child died within minutes and the dirt from which her child was born began to sprout. Blood red fungus spreading like cancer across the lands. Some say they are the souls of the children she killed, a poisonous reminder for the people who had sold their offspring to the witch for petty coin.”
The creature paused, looking down at Hermione expectantly. “And the witch?” Hermione rasped. “What happened to her?”
“Oh, she went on to have many, many children of her own. Ones made exactly in her image, carrying the same bloodlust and selfish greed. She watches over all her children, and her children’s children, and all the generations that followed. An unbreakable link to each and every one. Seeing what they see. Feeling what they feel. Never escaping her final creation.”
The beast ended its story with a hiss, releasing her grip. Hermione collapsed to her knees, drawing in lungfuls of air.
“It is done” the female announced.
Hermione clutched her neck, finding that the blood on her neck at already begun to clot. She stared up at the great beast, confused as to what had happened. Knowing it was significant but unable to articulate why. “The venom-“ Hermione gasped. “Did you-“
“The deal was six drops, little one” she hissed. “No more. No less. You took from the right so I cut with the right. There is no venom in your blood.”
Hermione blinked up at the creature, seeing that it had already begun weaving a blanket of thread. Unbelievably gently, the female brought its front legs to its fang, delicate wiping the small glistening stain of blood and wrapping it tightly.
With its fang now free of red, the Ancromantula began to dig a hole, delicately placing the bundle within before covering it with dirt.
Hermione watched, disbelieving as the beast lowered its body protectively over the disturbed earth.
“Thank you” it sighed.
Hermione frowned. “Is that it?”
“Yes, that’s it. You can go now.”
Hermione did not move. She had not planned anything beyond this encounter. This was supposed to be it.
She was supposed to be free.
The creature glanced at her, annoyed that she was overstaying her welcome. “Thank you for this gift” it repeated slowly.
The beast paused. “And for the treat.”
“Treat?”
“The little snack you’ve brought us” the creature lilted.
An avalanche of dread crashed into Hermione.
“W-what snack?” she breathed, blood thundering in her ears.
The monster flexed her fangs, eyes glistening in what seemed to be a grin. “The one in the green dress”
Hermione stood quickly, head wiping behind her. There was not a spider in sight. The clearing was empty.
The clearing was empty.
The beast tilted its head towards the top of the hill, gesturing beyond what Hermione could see. “The one who followed you here.”
Hermione felt the air leave her lungs.
Susan.
The monster began to laugh.
“SUSAN!” Hermione roared, exploding into a run.
The viewing room was silent, all eyes on the Champions in the mirror.
“Where’s Hermione?” Ron Weasley demanded as soon as he burst through the doors, his eyes frantically scanning the room.
In his hand was a small golden vial.
Phoenix tears.
Astoria couldn’t believe he had found it.
“I thought she was with you?” Cho asked.
“No” he choked, face paling. “No, she was here!”
Dennis surveyed the room. “Has anyone seen Susan?”
The Champions exchanged a look. Neither witch was here.
Wooden chairs hit the floor as they exploded into action.
“Search the Forrest!” Ron snapped.
“Do you think they-“
“No. No, they-“
“Fuck!” Dennis roared.
Ron punched a mirror in a blind fit of rage shattering the view. The only scene shifted to a perspective behind George and Neville as they barreled towards the commotion.
“Where the fuck is Luna!” Ron shouted.
“She went to get Seamus” Pavarti replied
Ron groaned. “Fuck. Fuck! How long do we have?”
Padma waved her wand and summoned the time.
Thirty-four minutes.
Ron heaved a sob “Everyone go! We have to-“
“No!” Ginny snapped, sweat plastering her brow as she sat up. “It’s too dangerous!”
“They will die out there-“
“THEY ARE ALREADY DEAD”! Justin screamed.
All eyes snapped to the Healer.
Dennis shook his head. “The Phoenix tears-“
“Won't bloody work” Justin breathed, voice hoarse. “She lied ok? Hermione fucking lied. There is no other cure.”
Dennis collapsed to his knees sobbing.
Ron’s eyes turned cold. “You’ve killed them. You stupid fucking prick you’ve killed them all!”
Justin nodded, residual blood staining his tears pink. “Maybe” he hiccuped. “But I’ve saved everyone else.”
Luna Lovegood retraced her steps, dashing through the dark forest.
She was halfway there when she saw something shimmering ahead.
At first, she thought she’d found the slain Unicorn, but none of her surroundings matched that of where she knew its body lay.
The shimmering moved, twigs snapping underfoot.
There was a darkness that seemed to radiate from the being as it approached, its black aura a stark contrast to its silver form.
Luna recognised the shape of it.
She stumbled to a halt, unwilling to confirm what she already knew.
He limped slowly, but there was a sense of pride in his gait as if he had achieved something remarkable.
As if he hadn’t just cursed his soul.
“Oh, Seamus” Luna whispered. “What have you done?”
Seamus Finnegan stared back at her, one half of his face stained with silver. The side untouched by blood sagged horrifically, an embodiment of nightmares.
He took several more steps towards her, left leg dragging uselessly behind him. Up close, Luna could see that one eye was stained completely silver, as if the blood had borrowed into his iris.
The wizard grinned back at her coldly, silver teeth gleaming in the night.
“I survived.”
Susan. Susan. Susan.
She flew out of the clearing and up the hill, clawing through mud and she desperately scrambled to the top.
“Susan!”
Catching sight of a writhing pile of legs ahead, Hermione sprinted towards the swarm of Ancromantula.
“SUSAN!”
Hermione reached into her pocket for her wand only to find it empty. She pulled out the useless stone instead, roaring in frustration.
Seeing a glimpse of green fabric, Hermione sprayed out her hand and screamed in desperation.
“Bombarda!”
Magic shot out of her fingers, exploding the earth beneath the creature's feet. She ran through the gap, sprinting towards the spot where she had last seen Susan’s dress.
A cry sounded to her left.
“Hermione!”
Hermione turned, chasing the sound. The Ancromantula shrunk away from her as she cut her way through with nothing but her hands.
Her wordless and wandless Incisusdimidium carving a path of bodies and blood.
“Hermione!” Susan screamed.
Hermione roared, a wave of frost exploding from her hands, freezing the creatures surrounding her. With another Incisusdimidium she shattered them, sprinting over ice shards.
She rounded a corner and nearly collapsed to her knees.
Susan ran towards her, green gown billowing as she reached out her hand.
“Hermione-“
“SUSAN!” Hermione roared, sending another burst of frost behind her at the spiders chasing them. She grasped her hand, pushing the witch forward.
Magic sang in her veins, her blood. The rush of power driving Hermione to run faster.
With her hand clasped firmly with Susan’s, Hermione sprinted towards the castle.
“Run, run, run, run, RUN!”
They barreled through bushes and thorns, pelting across mud and dirt.
“Hermione wait-“
“Keep going!” Hermione heaved, ignoring the sting as branches tore at her gown and shredded her skin.
“Hermione-“
“We can make it!” She snarled, pushing her legs to go faster.
Hermione couldn’t see the Ancromantula, but she knew they wouldn’t be far behind.
“Hermione!”
“We can lose them!” She promised. “Just a bit further.”
“HERMIONE THEY ARE NOT COMING!”
Hermione looked behind them, finding the Forrest empty. Her feet slipped, sending her tumbling into the ground.
Susan fell with her, hand still gripped tightly in hers.
Hermione landed with a thud, the black stone flying out of her palm.
Susan vanished.