I didn’t know if I was alive or dead, but I knew I couldn’t keep my eyes closed forever. Gently, I opened them and the piercing sunlight was painful on my weary eyes. The light was suddenly blocked out and I tried to focus on the figure that was standing above me now.
“Hello beautiful . . .” he said and straight away I knew it was Draco. Was I really this lucky? Was I really alive?
“Draco – what’s going on? Where am I?” I asked, not daring to believe that everyone was still okay.
“You’re in St Mungo’s. Hermione . . . we won. It’s over. You really did it!” he said in a whisper. I didn’t believe it at first, but as my eyes came to focus on his face, I saw the broad smile he held for me. It really was true. “But the kids – are they-“
“They’re all fine, actually, they should be here any min-”
“MUM!” a chorus erupted and thunderous footsteps announced that my tribe had arrived. I turned to look towards the room door and running towards my bed was Harrison, Charlie, Dominic, Ryan and Reese. All of them looked fine. They were healthy and alive. That was all that mattered.
“Mum we were so worried – we thought you were-” Charlie started.
“But you’re not!” Harrison finished.
“Oh mum! I was so scared!” Reese cried as she hugged me. I tried to hug her back but I felt too weak to do it. Something in my body wasn’t right.
“Draco, what’s wrong with me? I don’t feel . . . right . . .” I asked croakily. A concerned look came over his face.
“Kids, why don’t you go outside for a while . . . I want to talk to your mother alone.” he said in his best fatherly tone, so they didn’t question him at all. They trailed out of the room one by one and finally we were left alone. I was slightly worried about what he was going to say. He took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze which worried me even more.
“Draco . . . what’s going on, you’re scaring me!”
“I’m sorry . . . I don’t mean to – it’s just that . . . that . . . oh, this is so hard to say . . .”
“What? What’s wrong with me? Just say it!” I pleaded, tears glistening in my eyes. I was scared. Was I injured? Was I dying? That would be the worst - to have survived the battle and then to die later on.
“Well, there are two things really. The first is that . . . you really did die back there. So there have been a few problems with your breathing and heart. They say that you’ve weakened your heart. It’s not major and they think they can fix it over time – but for now, you’re just going to have to take it easy . . .” he said with tears in his eyes. He wouldn’t admit it, but I knew he felt partly responsible for all this – which was ridiculous. He couldn’t have helped it.
“W-what’s the other thing?” I asked nervously. The first thing wasn’t so bad – as long as it was handled carefully, he said I’d be alright. He squeezed my hand as he braced himself to tell the second part.
“Well . . . Hermione, I’m so sorry – but they say . . . they say . . .”
“Draco just say it!” I barked.
“You have no magic.” he croaked. I was stunned. I thought I hadn’t heard correctly. How could I have no magic? It wasn’t possible for a witch or wizard to suddenly lose their magic.
“Don’t be silly – of course I do!” I said stupidly, but he just shook his head.
“No, they’ve confirmed it. The rest of us all got our magic back-”
“Wait? You lost yours too? Hang on, how long have I been in here?” I panicked.
“A month or so. It’s been so long. We all woke up after a few days – but you’ve been out of it ever since then. I’ve taken the rest of the year off work and they’ve found you a replacement. Hermione . . . I’ve been thinking and . . . I think I know why you’ve got no powers.” I nodded at him to continue and he did. “Well, I know that you used a hell of a lot of your power to defeat Madley – you even started to draw on ours, but you didn’t draw too much from us. I think you actually used up all of yours. We eventually got ours back – but you’ve used all of yours so none can return.”
It was a good point – but I was still coming to terms with having no power. I could feel it now. I could feel that something was missing. There was no spark at my fingertips and when I tried to lower the blind on the hospital window to block out the light – I did nothing. How was I going to get around? How would I defend myself? I’d have to rely on Draco for everything – or the kids. I didn’t want that. Draco seemed to read my mind.
“I know it’s going to be hard Hermione – but you have to believe me when I say it’s all going to be okay. We will manage. We managed as a family in the battle – and this is just another battle. We will be okay!” he reassured me, and for some reason, I believed him.
*^*^*
“And I give you – our graduating class!” said McGonagall happily. It was the last day of school, and Harrison and Charlie’s graduating day. Everyone cheered as the graduates stood and bowed then threw their hats into the air happily. It was nice to finally be free of the hospital and be out in the fresh air. I felt much better and not so wheezy, but still there was no sign of my magic. I watched as Harrison turned and planted a kiss on Liz’s lips. They were moving in together during the holidays when Harrison and Charlie began their training as Auror’s in the ministry.
I was so proud of my boys. They’d been through so much this year, but still they came out on top of their class. The rest of the parents went forward to greet their children but I stood back and watched as Draco and the rest of the mob went over to meet the boys. Harry and Ginny were there to congratulate Liz and I watched on amusedly as Harry and Draco tried to ignore each other whilst talking happily with each of their children. Ron and Claire on the other hand were quite happy to talk to Draco and my boys. It was quite a sight. I knew Harry and Draco would never get along. It was just the way things were.
I jumped when McGonagall appeared by my side and tapped me on the arm.
“Oh, Professor – you scared me!”
“I’m sorry Hermione – I didn’t mean to . . .” she apologised. We stood watching the group for a few moments when she abruptly turned to me and stated a rather stupid question (in my opinion). “So, I expect to see you back again next year – Draco had already accepted his position.” I stumbled with my reply. Did she not know? I thought everyone knew by now! I’d heard the rumours of me being a Muggle/squib.
“Uh . . . Professor McGonagall – I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but I’m a Muggle again! I have no powers!” I stumbled. She waved my statement away as if I were talking nonsense.
“Of course I’ve heard! I don’t care about any of that – I want you to come back and teach!”
“But how can I? I don’t have any powers to teach with!” McGonagall shook her head and a smile graced her face. I’d never really seen her smile – but it was a strange sort of smile.
“Hermione, you must know that you don’t need your powers to teach!” she said funnily. I stared at her like she was possibly mad, but she continued on anyway. “My girl! With all the books you’ve read you don’t need your magic to teach a class. You know everything there is to teach. I’d actually bet that you could teach better without your magic!” I didn’t believe what she was saying. How could I teach better if I couldn’t demonstrate?
“I don’t know . . . I mean, I don’t think I can-”
“Nonsense. You’re the smartest witch of the age and to tell you a secret-” she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, “Don’t be surprised if your husband is appointed headmaster in a few years . . .”
“What? Draco?!”
“Shhh! You didn’t hear it from me!” she shushed and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “Anyway, I expect you to agree when I send out your notice in a few weeks! No questions asked!” she ordered. Seeing the apprehensive look on my face she softened her tone. “Hermione, you can do it. You’re a smart woman; it’s just another lesson to be learnt . . .” I let out a big sigh. I couldn’t help but feel better with her encouragement. She always had been my favourite teacher. With a curt nod, she turned and went off to congratulate certain graduates. Harry and Ron wandered over to me and both gave me a hug.
“What was that for?” I laughed.
“Just because we wanted to – come and join the celebrations!”
“Yeah, Harry’s about to deck Draco!” Ron said cheekily. I stared at Harry and he just shrugged his shoulders sullenly. I laughed, and together we went back over to the celebratory party. I sidled up beside Draco and he placed his arm around my shoulders.
“What did McGonagall want?” he whispered.
“You don’t miss a thing, do you?” I snickered. He just shrugged his shoulders and I explained to him about her proposal.
“You can do it – you can do anything!” he said positively. I stared at him amazed.
“You really think so?” He gave me a shocked look.
“Hermione! You’re the most amazing witch-”
“-turned Muggle . . .” I cut in, but he just glared at me.
“. . . that I’ve ever known. You can do anything you put your mind to – that’s why I love you so much! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how much you can do when you try!” he finished. I kissed him gently in thanks.
“You’re amazing. I love you.” I stated simply. He planted a small kiss on my forehead, and I knew immediately how right he was. I could do anything I wanted – because I had him and my family around me. With them – I was invincible.
THE END
Author’s Note: Well, what do you think? I think I might get a few unsatisfied reviews from this, but truthfully, it was how I wanted it to end. She lost her powers, but some how, they still managed to live happily ever after. The end. Ok, here it comes. Thankyou so much to everyone who has followed this story! You’re amazing reviews and constant support have been a god send and it’s you I write for! I love you all so much! Thankyou. Thankyou. Thankyou! I hope to hear from you all again in my latest story and I’m actually going to re-write the ‘Yesterday Was’ story – and finish it! So, for now, this is the end! Until next time . . .
Hermione_88
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