The Prime Princess

Supremeverse Marshal Saga was standing before Hermione. She was talking about something serious and dangerous but Hermione was not listening to her. She just wondered how in one Universe she was a young witch and in the other she was nearing to middle-aged shrew. Yeah, Saga was her clone but she’d been living fighting a lot more than she.

“Reaper, are you even listening to me?” asked Saga sharply.

“Yes, I put everyone’s lives at danger and caused thousands deaths,” said Hermione with a huff. The other Supremeverse Marshal Branwen was leaning against the chair Hermione was sitting on and grinned with all her sharp teeth for everyone to see.

“Oh, she knows,” purred the Wraith Walker and licked her teeth, “But she had the chance to kill all of them.”

Saga turned to stare Branwen and her all seeing mind went to explore the blond’s vision. Branwen had found out the dark secret Hermione had tried to hide from them but the more she hide it, the more clearly Branwen saw it.

“All of them?” asked Saga with a quiet voice.
***
Hogwarts castle was decorated from top to bottom for Christmas. Hagrid, who still mourned the loss of Fang, had put four Christmas trees up to the Great Hall and students with the help of Professor Flitwick had decorated them one by one with the colors of the Houses. Head Girl was so proud as she rushed around the castle to see if everything was just the way she had planned.

“With whom do you go to the Ball?” asked Ron as he and Harry sneaked around the corner for not to be caught by Carmen who was still looking for someone to sing Christmas songs.

“I… um, actually I haven’t asked but I guess with Ginny,” figured Harry.

“Yes, well, good luck with that. I’ve seen Dean Thomas around her quite a lot,” told Ron with a grunt and looked over his shoulder to see if Carmen was somewhere to be seen.

“And you?”

“Well, you know, um, that… I really can’t go near Camme right now,” said Ron and turned red.

“Afraid she’d make you sing?”

“Uh-uh.”

At least that time Ron had taken care of his Dress robes. No more ugly robes from last century. He’d spent all his free time on summer to earn some money to make the last year in school perfect so no blasted Malfoy could tell he really looked bloody poor.

“Weasley,” said someone acknowledging him and when Ron looked around, he almost choked as Lucius Malfoy nodded to him and then looked at Harry.

“Mister Potter. Merry Christmas,” said Lucius and strode off.

“Was that…”

“Yup,” told Harry and told to get the hell away from there.
***
Elohim rarely granted audience for anyone but Reaper was not anyone. The glowing figures of light glided in the mid air before Hermione and discussed the matter. Their ethereal bodies changed color as the discussion turned up volume but Hermione never heard what Elohim was talking. It was a silent argument among beings that once were named as God.

Suddenly Elohim turned to Hermione again and seemed to wait for something.

“I need at least 30 million human lives to destroy all Ancients in all existing Universes,” said Hermione simply when she was sure Elohim was finally convinced she really was the Reaper.

“That is a lot to ask,” they said as one, “to save human race with their own death.”

“But their death would have a meaning.”

“Perhaps clones?” offered Elohim and the sound of all of their voices made her ears ring.

“No, clones are no good. They have no souls. I need the energy of life and the power of souls,” explained Hermione the importance of real human sacrifice.

Elohim started to discuss in silence and Hermione closed her eyes for the time of waiting. Had she done the right decision? To ask Elohim give her 30 million lives?

Saga had been furious when she’d found out. Branwen had only encouraged her to go on with the plan. Well, Wraith Walker had always desired blood and Hermione hoped that Hel could help her when it came to that – killing innocent people. Hel was the one to bring people back from the dead but even Hermione doubted if she could do all 30 million.
***
Pansy Parkinson was again in Draco’s personal space and chatted about her Ball gown and how beautiful she was going to look and that Draco was going to take her to the Ball.

“I am?” asked Draco with a little shock. He had planned to find Hermione before everyone else but Pansy had other plans.

“Yes, you are!”

“But what about Dorian Montgomery?” he asked.

“Oh, Dorian is history, yesterday’s news! I’m going with you,” said Pansy and smiled.
***
Lucius walked with Snape onto the bridge between the castle and a knoll top leading down to dark forest. It was snowing but the roofing of the long bridge kept the lazy blizzard tamed.

“I’m so excited, Severus,” said Lucius and rubbed his hands together to keep them warm.

“I can see that,” told Snape and cast a warming spell around them. “What next?”

“I have to plan this whole thing. I sent her the invitation, roses and presents…” Lucius went on but Snape knew Hermione hadn’t received any of those gifts on one simple reason – she was not there, not in Scotland, not even on planet Earth!

“That is very nice,” said Snape and leaned against the railing and looked at the white landscape before him, wondering if Lucius should know who or what Hermione was. But it was not his to tell.

“But how should I propose?” Lucius suddenly asked. Snape was a bit struck by his question but didn’t show it. He had no idea how to go all romantic, mushy and all that. Somewhere from the castle he heard someone singing some Christmas song and for a second he was about to suggest singing a love ballad for Hermione but then again Lucius bloody might do that.

“Sappily?” guessed Snape. Lucius just snorted and started to laugh. “You have a lot time to figure it out. The day is still young, Lucius.”

“Like I’m not sappy right now? No, I mean…”

“I know. Just propose on the moment that suits best and be done with it,” told Snape.

“But what if…”

“She loves you, doesn’t she? So what are you afraid of?”

“To loose her.”
***
Hermione thought she’d been waiting for an answer like a millennium already when Elohim finally ended their unspoken conversation and turned their attention back to her. Aerial glowing figures became more solid but still they seemed to be made of light.

“You shall have 30 million lives when the time comes. The word will be spread in every space station. Volunteers will come onto board of Titan, the greatest Hiveship ever built.”

“At least in hibernation they wont feel much pain,” muttered Hermione.

“But until then, you are free,” said Elohim. A sound like someone snapping fingers came and Hermione felt the Void opening just under her feet and dropping her into nothingness.
***
Only few hours were short from the Ball and the whole school was rushing around to get the final things done before the great start. Carmen was stomping around and yelled out orders and deducted points from anyone who didn’t obey. Ron was still struggling with courage to show up and face his demons and ask Carmen to be his date. Draco was about to lock himself into his bedroom as Pansy went on with her constant chatting about things he never wanted to know. He was even ready to burst into Griffindor Common room to get away from her and welcome the hexes those griffindorks would throw on him.

Down in the Slytherin Dorm hell had broken out when two sixth year bitches were fighting over some gowns and boyfriends. Everyone’s eyes were on them and no one noticed a flash of light coming from the VIP Suit.

Hermione lay on the Common room of her VIP chambers she shared with Pansy and Millicent. But both girls weren’t there. Opening her eyes, she looked up and the first thing she sensed was the scent of roses. Picking herself up from the floor, she saw roses all over the place. Red and white. Dozens and dozens of roses. And then gift rapped presents with big bows littering the ground. Hermione took the first one and checked the label and found it was for her. And so were the next one and the next…

“What the fu… Oh yeah, Christmas,” she finally figured and went to her room to get a shower. Twenty minutes later she was drying her hair and curling them into perfect locks. On her bed was a big box with a note on it that read:

‘I took the opportunity to order you a wonderful gown from Madam Malkin’s. I hope it fits perfectly for the Ball. Have fun and merry Christmas.

Love, Mom ’

Hermione was surprised that her mother had sent her a gown but then again she was glad because she really hadn’t had the time to pick one for herself. Opening the lid and pushing aside the tissue paper, she saw a stunning electric blue gown with so pure color it was almost impossible to look at. Taking it out of the box, she noticed it had no back and the cleavage was impossibly low.

What was my mother thinking of, wondered Hermione as she held the gown in front of her and figured she needed some glamour charms to hide a couple of bruises and cuts.

Hermione looked at the clock and figured she still had time to get ready for the Ball.
***
Blaise came back from the final round of patrolling he had with Ernie MacMillan. The fight in the Common room had ended and replaced with frantic rushing. The first thing he did, was to check on the VIP Suit. He knocked and really didn’t expect an answer.

“It’s open!” he heard from inside and at first he figured it was Millicent. Stepping into a quite smaller Common room between three bedrooms connected with bathrooms he had a heart attack. Hermione was standing in a striking electric blue gown and arranged the present boxes around.

“Mione,” gasped Blaise and realized his mouth was hanging open. Closing it, he blinked few times and when the image didn’t go away, he pulled himself together and walked to her.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he said, grabbing at her and kissing her fiercely.

“It shows,” she said and gasped for air.

“Mione, will you be my date on the Ball?” asked Blaise with a rush and looked with sad puppy eyes at Hermione who smiled softly.

“Of course I’ll be.”
***
Draco escorted Pansy to the Ball but the whole time his eyes skimmed the crowd to find one particular witch. He spotted the Head Girl in the arms of some redhead. Weasley?! No way, where did he get the money for those robes? And Granger, well the little mudblood had nicely slicked up her rats nest pretty good but still she looked like a second hand two Knut slut. And then there was Potter with his little Weaselette.

Professors were mingling with students and the band on the stage was just taking some mellow tones. The real Ball hadn’t started yet. Head Master stepped to the stage and quieted the band for a second. Clearing his voice and casting a Sonorus spell as he spoke up.

“It is tradition that the Yule Ball is opened by the first dance of Head Boy and Head Girl!”

Pansy’s eyes shot up to Draco in disgust. Draco gritted his teeth and patted her arm before stepping into middle of parted crowd. On the other side of the hall Carmen Granger was having difficulties. She really didn’t want to go near Draco or even dance with him. Draco stared at her as he crossed the dance floor and stood in front of her, bowing his head a little.

“Come on, Granger. Are you scared?” hissed Draco and reached out his hand. Carmen stared at him and huffed.

“You wish,” she hissed back and took his hand.
***
Hermione entered into the Ball Room with Blaise and marveled the decorations and suddenly she felt all giddy. Just like a little girl under a Christmas tree looking for her present. Students, who saw them fist, stared in awe at the picture perfect couple.

“Can I have this dance?” asked Blaise and guided her to the dance floor.

Draco noticed something heavenly from the corner of his eye and turned to look over Pansy’s shoulder. His eyes fixed themselves on a witch in sexy blue gown, dancing with Blaise. He twirled the witch around and as Draco maneuvered Pansy out of the view, he gasped as he saw Hermione in all her glory smiling broadly at Blaise.

“No,” whispered Draco.

“What was that?” asked Pansy as she heard him say something.

“I’m gonna kill him,” hissed Draco.
***
Lucius was sitting in a secluded corner with Professor Snape and observed the crowd moving along the music and when the band went real energetic, youngsters gathered in front of the stage and sang along.

Very entertaining, mused Lucius but searched only one witch with his eyes. Snape swallowed his jealousy and figured if Lucius got her, then in the end he’d get her too. After all, he and Lucius shared things.

“Lucius, she’s over there,” told Snape and pointed discreetly at the direction where Hermione was dancing with Blaise Zabini.

“She’s breathtaking,” sighed Lucius and Snape rolled his eyes.

Of course she’s breathtaking when she’s made to be perfect, thought Snape and looked at the couple twirling around and getting attention from everyone they past. And then Snape noticed Draco striding across the floor, pushing people from his way.

“Oh no,” said Snape with disappointment and got up.

“What is it?”

“Your son is about to commit a murder.”