the_debt_of_time

She let out a quiet sob at the sight and felt as though time itself had stopped. For
the smallest of moments, her fear was overpowered by stalwart determination, and she
stretched her arms out to the side, pressing her back against Sirius and Remus as though
she could shield them.
Be like Lily, she thought. Be brave like Harry's mum.
Hermione closed her eyes for a second, remembering the love she had for those
she would protect: for Harry, whose body lay to the side; for Remus, who had always been
good and kind to her, who had taught her so much and had always trusted her; for Ron,
Ginny, Neville, Luna, and everyone from Hogwarts who would soon be on their way.
For Sirius.
For Sirius.
Her eyes opened once more and she looked daringly ahead. Yes, she could do this.
Hermione would let history repeat itself. Let herself be taken, let herself be sacrificed, and
her love would protect them all. Voldemort would never see it coming. He was too prideful
to think that such a thing could happen to him twice. She would die, but if he tried to harm
either of the men behind her once she was gone, the curse would bounce back and hit
him—again. Then all they needed to do was kill the snake.
She glanced to the creature that was looking at her as though she were dinner. Her
focus shifted to the side where she saw the most wonderful sight in the world: Neville
Longbottom, Sword of Gryffindor in his hand, and a look of determination on his face.
Hermione raised her wand and aimed it at Voldemort.
He paused, looked at her, and let out a loud, high, cold laugh.
She dropped her hand several inches while he was distracted and shouted, "Alarte
Ascendare!" with her wand trained on the snake that immediately flew twenty feet into the
air and away from Voldemort.
She watched in anticipation as Neville tightened his grip on the sword. As Nagini's
large body landed with a thud on the forest ground, he used the dust that raised up as a
shield and lifted the sword. The young Gryffindor, Scion of the Ancient and Noble House
of Longbottom, beheaded the last Horcrux.
Voldemort let out a violent scream. His wand still aimed at Hermione.
She closed her eyes.
She could do this.