One Life for Another

Hermione found herself face to face with Rita Skeeter, in the Burrow's kitchen, very nearly growling at the beetle. Oh, secrets always had to come out sometime, but she had hoped that this at least would come out when she was good and ready.

"Ms. Skeeter," she said, not at all politely. "Get out."

The woman glared at her menacingly for a moment, but thought better of her temper when she saw Hermione gripping her wand. Skeeter left abruptly, but Hermione was sure that she hadn't heard the last from her.

A couple minutes later people in the Burrow's kitchen still hadn't found their tongues, and the loud pop of apparition breaking through the silence caught them all off guard.

Draco and Harry had apparated in at the same time, both grinning from ear to ear. Draco's smile didn't seem quite so heartfelt, but that didn't stop Hermione from throwing her arms around him. Harry laughed good naturedly, but the others looked on as if it were the most unnatural thing in the world.

"It's all done, then?" asked Hermione. "You're cleared of the charges?"

Draco grimaced. "Well, yes and no. I will serve no time, and on paper I've been found completely innocent. But... they are confiscating the Malfoy property. They claim it's been the site of Death Eater activity and holds so many dark objects that they 'cannot in good conscience leave it in the possession of a Malfoy.' Whatever that's supposed to mean. Really, though, I got off lucky."

"Lucky?" asked Hermione, eyes flashing with anger. "They are taking your home though they found you innocent? That's not right!"

Before anyone could really say or do anything to stop her, Hermione practically marched over to the floo and took a handful of powder, nearly screaming "Ministry of Magic!"

Harry and Draco exchanged looks and went quickly to go after her, with half of the Weasleys following closely behind. When they arrived, Hermione was at an information desk demanding to see whoever was in charge. "It's Shacklebolt in charge," said Harry. "As much as anyone is, really."

Hermione looked over at him and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is it? And they still were going to try to take it? We'll just see about that..."

The past few days had taught everyone not to underestimate the power of an angry woman who was protecting those she cared about, and those following Hermione decided to do so at a distance. Close enough to see what she was up to, but far enough away to not be involved if she lost her temper and started doing magic unintentionally. It didn't take her long to find Shacklebolt, and she interrupted a closed meeting to do so.

"You owe me an explanation, Shacklebolt," she said, frightening everyone with how quietly and evenly she was speaking now. "What is the meaning of your confiscating the Malfoy lands?"

Shacklebolt studied her carefully for a moment. He'd known there was something between her and Draco Malfoy when he'd read the boy's statement, but he'd never expected to have her barge in demanding reasons for it. To him, she should be happy the boy got off as easily as he did. Even if he had helped the Order, he was still a Malfoy. "I'm sure Mr. Malfoy has already told you of our judgment, Hermione," he said calmly. "It would not go over well to have known Death Eater's still in possession of their property, even if they fought for the right side in the end."

"As previously stated, he only took the mark under duress," she replied, just as calmly, though it was a calm she didn't truly feel. "However, if that is how the Ministry feels, then there is a more important matter that you may deal with now. The battle was won because I went back in time and studied under Nimue, the Lady of the Lake from fifteen centuries ago. Even Merlin feared her control of magic, and the Lake now recognizes me as its new Lady. It was I, as Lady of the Lake, that blocked the flow of dark magic, preventing Voldemort from using it to gain a victory. That Lake is on Malfoy lands. So, as Lady of the Lake, a title and claim that goes back before the Malfoy line and before the Ministry of Magic, I claim the Malfoy lands as rightfully mine."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Shacklebolt had not taken it very well that he'd been kept in the dark about the Lake, or that Hermione had informed him so publically. Once he knew the truth, though, there was little he felt himself able to do but comply. The land which he'd already confiscated recognized her magic, she'd fought solidly for the light, and she was one third of the bloody Golden Trio. How was he supposed to refuse her?

In the first few days after Voldemort's defeat, numerous notices and articles were published in the Daily Prophet, informing the populace of all the changes being made within the Ministry. Most went practically unnoticed by those people who were eager to get back to their normal lives. A few, however, were printed in large letters on the front page. One such article was published the day after Hermione's visit to the Ministry.

MODERN LADY OF THE LAKE AIDS VICTORY
It has been revealed by the Ministry of Magic
that Hermione Granger, commonly known as
friend of The Boy Who Lived and one third of
the Golden Trio, is also a modern Lady of the
Lake. Our informants reveal that Miss Granger,
in a dangerous plan to aid Harry Potter, went
back in time to study under Nimue, the once
thought mythical Lady of the Lake.

Miss Granger used her knowledge to block usage
of dark magic during the Battle of Hogwarts,
contributing to Harry Potter's victory. The
Ministry of Magic has restored the land
surrounding the legendary lake, formerly
belonging to the Malfoy family, to Miss Granger,
the current Lady.

Hermione wasn't thrilled that the whole world knew of her role, or with the resulting publicity, but she was too busy to spend too much time dwelling on it. Rita Skeeter printed her own thoughts and theories about Hermione a couple days later, though she was quick to offer retractions when a Ministry official showed up at her door to investigate claims of her being an unregistered animagus.

-x-x-x-x-x-

A week after news of the new Lady of the Lake emerged, Hermione made her way to the Stone Henge and the remains of Avalon. She remembered well what Nimue had told her of their connection, and could feel the magic flowing from the moment she drew close to them. She used her power as Lady to strengthen the ancient connection between them all, and remove the lingering dark magic that plagued the wizarding world.

In the time that followed, St. Mungo's reported a number of their inhabitants had mysteriously improved from their previous states. Frank and Alice Longbottom, long considered permanently insane from their torture under the Cruciatus, slowly but surely regained health and were soon released to live with their son, Neville.

-x-x-x-x-x-

A month after the battle, as things began quieting down, Hermione and Draco had a private marriage ceremony at Malfoy Manor. Few were invited, only the closest of friends, and the knowledge of their marriage managed to go under the radar for the most part. Draco surprised Hermione by wearing the clothes he had favored as Galahad for the wedding, with only his blonde hair reminding them of how much they had gone through and just who they now were.

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy visited Lucius and Narcissa in Azkaban not long afterwards, revealing to them the true identity of their son. Lucius, who was set to be Kissed, showed little remorse for his actions and even less joy in the news of his grandchild on the way. Narcissa, on the other hand, was delighted with the news. She, being subject to her husband's orders and having helped protect Harry by lying to Voldemort, was only in Azkaban until her case could be finalized. She was to be released with only a one year probationary period, and was anxious to begin her role as grandmother.

Just short of eight months after the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione gave birth to a daughter. Elaine Malfoy was the eldest of three children, and from an early age was trained to follow her mother's footsteps as Lady of the Lake. Two boys followed, Scorpius and Lancelot. Elaine was doted upon by all, and looked closely after her younger brothers. Scorpius, heir to the Malfoy family, could very nearly always be found by his father's side. Lance, as he was called by the family, was another matter altogether. Wherever Hermione went, her youngest son with his dark brown curls was sure to follow.

Galahad du Lac sacrificed everything he had out of his love for Hermione, trading one life for another, and in return Draco Malfoy gained everything.

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A/N: This story is at an end, and I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride. I had originally intended to keep things going for a couple more chapters, but in the end decided it was best this way. I have a two more stories in the works, including one that is nearly completed and I will begin posting the first couple chapters soon. Apparently my writers block has only been targeting stories that everyone was waiting for the conclusion of. lol.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to review this story throughout the two and a half months I've been working on it. Your encouragement is the reason I was able to finish it. :)