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+[[!meta title="Chapter 1: Plans"]]
+[[!meta date="2012-03-20"]]
+
+Hermione was scared.
+
+Ron had abandoned them, they had *no idea* where the remaining horcruxes were or
+how to destroy them, snatchers and death eaters were just *everywhere*, and
+*everything just kept getting worse.*
+
+Frankly, it seemed like failure was the most likely outcome. Almost certain, in
+fact. But Voldemort couldn't be allowed to win! If they were going to die, she'd
+just have to do something about it.
+
+"Harry, there's something I need to do."
+
+"What is it, Hermione?"
+
+"I've been reading, and there's this ritual... I want to do it."
+
+"A ritual? What's it for?"
+
+"It's just in case everything goes wrong. I don't think it'll be needed, but I
+just want to be sure. I know how to do it, we just need—"
+
+"But what does it do?"
+
+"It's not dark or anything! Please, I just need to do this. Trust me?"
+
+Harry just looked at her for a moment. There was something she was hiding, that
+was certain, but he *did* trust her, more than anything.
+
+"OK, Hermione. What do we need to do?"
+
+"Just a quick trip to the Ring of Brodgar. It's the nearest of the old ritual
+sites to here that's still intact. This is the right time of year, and it's a
+full moon, so we can do the ritual tonight."
+
+"The Ring of Brodgar?"
+
+"It's like Stonehenge. The old ritual sites, they're like batteries collecting
+magic. We're going to borrow some of that magic."
+
+"And that'll make us stronger, so we can defeat Tom?"
+
+"Not exactly... stronger, no. Please, just don't ask me the details, OK? I
+promise it's safe, and after we do this you can just forget all about it. It's
+just something I need to do for us."
+
+"I trust you, Hermione. OK, let's get everything packed up and we can head out."
+
+<hr />
+
+"...seventh year, so we draw from the point seven degrees deiseil of Jupiter,
+and orient towards the moon. There, done!"
+
+"Done?"
+
+"I've finished drawing the ritual circle. Come here, I need to draw a rune on
+your sternum."
+
+Harry watched, bemused, as Hermione carefully inked a small shape on his chest
+with a metallic silver Sharpie. After finishing his, she pulled the neckline of
+her shirt down slightly and drew her own.
+
+"So, now what happens?"
+
+"Just sit there in the center, Harry. Let me sit next to you, here, and in just
+a few moments the Ring will activate and release its magic for the ritual."
+
+"And then what?"
+
+"Just sit, Harry. Where's the locket?"
+
+"I left it well outside the circle, like you said."
+
+"Good. It's important that it doesn't interfere."
+
+Hermione had pieced together this ritual from bits and pieces she'd found
+looking for ways to help in the fight against Voldemort. Nothing like it had
+ever been tried, as best as she could tell. That was one reason she'd
+constructed the ritual circle in the Ring of Brodgar; the ancient stones held
+protections that should safely ground any dangerous magics if her ritual failed.
+If the ritual succeeded... best not to think of it. Just a contingency plan.
+
+Harry took a few minutes to enjoy the stars. He trusted Hermione to know what
+she was doing; if she wasn't telling him what the ritual was for, there must be
+a good reason.
+
+Without warning, there was a thunderclap, and all the stones in the Ring of
+Brodgar began to glow an unearthly blue. Harry and Hermione stared, transfixed,
+as a ghostly image of the two of them appeared before them. Harry idly noticed
+that the image of himself lacked the lightning-bolt scar.
+
+And then, without any further sound, the image vanished. The Ring briefly
+flashed red, then darkened and returned to its mundane state.
+
+Harry looked over at Hermione. "Was that it? Did it work?"
+
+"Yes, Harry, it worked. Now forget about it. Help me erase these runes and clean
+up, will you?"
+
+"OK, Hermione. Hey, that thing you drew on my chest is gone!"
+
+"Don't worry about it. That's supposed to happen; it's all part of the plan."
+
+<hr />
+
+Plans. His whole life had just been other peoples' plans.
+
+Dumbledore's *stupid* plans to ruin his childhood and make him sacrifice himself
+to defeat Voldemort. The Ministry's plans to parade him around as a figurehead
+and political tool to keep the same old politicians in power. Molly Weasley's
+plans for One Big Weasley Family and her damnable willingness to help her
+children along with love potions.
+
+Those love potions had shattered what was left of Hermione's independence and
+motivation. Marrying Ron had destroyed all her plans for the future.
+
+All his life, Harry had let other people tell him what to do. People with more
+experience, more money, more political clout. Now here he was, one hundred and
+forty-four years later, miserable.
+
+The marriage with Ginny had been a sham. None of his children had been *his*
+children, and his wife hadn't even had the courage to tell him while she lived.
+Instead he was left to discover it for himself when he went to file his will
+with the Goblins, only to be told that he had no living blood relatives to
+inherit his title.
+
+His best friend, whom everyone had said would change the world, had instead
+accomplished nothing. Her dreams and ambitions were trampled under the
+insecurities and jealousy of her husband.
+
+Unhappy, depressed, angry, and alone, Harry went to sleep. Some time during the
+night, his heart stopped, and the 162-year-old boy-who-won died in his bed.
+
+His body flashed, once, a bright blood red.
+
+Miles away, Hermione Weasley smiled in her sleep as she felt her magic gather
+itself for something great. Seconds later, she too flashed red, and died.
+
+<hr />
+
+"Wake up, Hermione, you need to get ready for school! And happy birthday, dear!
+We'll have a cake and presents for you when you get home!"