AN: There is nothing I can say that will make you waiting so long for the final chapter of this story be ok. Thank you to all of you who left some very kind notes and PM's This may not be up to the standard that you are used to from me as I have lost my muse, but I hope this is ok. For those of you following my other 2 stories, please bear with me while I try to find myself again.

Chapter 35 Worth Fighting For

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, realising she was in bed in her room at Grimauld place she slowly released the breath she was holding, willing herself to stay calm. Gently rolling over, she slowly swung her legs over the edge of the bed and forced herself to get up, pushing through the ache that resided in every bone of her body as she stood upright.

Hermione glanced over at Fleur's still sleeping body, surprised that her lover had not stirred at her movements as she made her way to the bathroom. Reaching into the shower she turned on the faucet, letting the water heat while she delicately peeled off clothes she could not remember putting on.

Bracing herself with her hands against the back wall she noticed that her arms were shaking, she lowered her gaze to the water gathering around the plug, letting the hot spray wash over the back of her head and neck. As the water washed away the dried blood and memories of wounds deeper than her skin, Hermione imagined that her fears were also being washed away.

Closing her eyes, fighting back tears, Hermione focused her resolve and began to mentally make a task list of things that needed to be done to end this hell she seemed to have been thrust into unbidden. On the peripheral of her consciousness she noticed that the water was no longer searing her skin, it was beginning to run cold. With a sigh she grabbed the shampoo and began to lather it into her hair, really all she had to do was get Harry back into the right body, destroy Voldemort and then try to find some way to tell her parents that she was in love and beginning to bond to a Veela, she didn't relish the latter task at all. Of course that wasn't everything there would be to deal with there would also be the Weasley's, but Hermione thought that she would worry about that later.

Hermione shut of the water and took a deep shuddering breath, she smiled as she exhaled and her body calmed itself, she felt that she was back in control of her body for the first time in who knew when. Opening the door and stepping out she wrapped a towel around her hair and a second one around her body, deliberately averting her gaze from the mirror; another problem that she would deal with later.

Hermione towel dried her hair then deposited the towel in the laundry basket before stepping into the bedroom. Her breath hitched as she saw that Fleur was sitting on the edge of the bed watching for her to come out of the bathroom, she smiled softly in the blonde's direction, making the action as genuine as she could and then went in search of some clothes.

"I wish you would rest 'Ermione," Fleur stated quietly.

Hermione carried on looking for something to wear, "I will, I just have a couple of things I need to do first."

Fleur sighed and Hermione registered the fact that her lover had left the bed and was coming up behind her, despite knowing this she still stiffened when Fleur gently placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders, after a moment Hermione complied with Fleur's guidance and turned around, unable to lift her gaze because she knew that the deep blue pools of Fleur's eyes might waiver her resolve and she could not have that; she just had a couple of things to do and then she could rest for a long time.

Fleur was worried to say the least at how distant Hermione was this morning, she could see those frown lines deepening and knew that Hermione had a plan and she had put it in motion. She leaned forward and gently kissed the brunette on the forehead, "J'adore 'Ermione."

Hermione closed her eyes as Fleur's lips caressed her forehead, it was tempting to melt into that touch and rest but she feared that she might not ever find the energy to face the tasks ahead if she did not face them now.

"I love you too Fleur," Hermione replied, then moved away from the Veela, whose scent was intoxicating, and began to get dressed. Fleur took the hint and went to take a shower herself, sighing and wondering what was going on in her bondmate's head.

Hermione stood fully dressed in front of the nightstand and stared at her wand. She forced herself to swallow past the lump that was in her throat as her heart slammed against her rib cage, was she really afraid of magic? She thought to herself then she rationalised her fear, no she wasn't afraid of magic, she was afraid of her wand, any wand in fact. In her mind Hermione knew that wand had saved her life more times than she could count throughout this war, she knew that the pain she had suffered had been at Bellatrix's wand but still she could not bring herself to wrap her fingers around this wand that had been hers for years .

"'Ermione?" Fleur questioned, she could see the fear drifting from her lover in waves.

Hermione swallowed again and lifted her eyes to meet Fleur's gaze and rather than feeling strengthen by her lovers presence she felt tears instantly spill from her eyes. "I...I am afraid Fleur," Hermione confessed as she pulled her hand quickly away from her wand.

Fleur stepped over to Hermione, one hand holding the towel that was wrapped around her body as the other reached out and picked up Hermione's wand and placed it in her hand, "I cannot imagine ze pain zat was caused you by Bellatrix's wand but zis is your wand, an extension of yourself, you need et as much as you need both hands and given time you will be better able to see these zings wizout me, 'owever I am 'ere as much as you need 'Ermione, watching over you, keeping you well, 'elping you 'eal and chasing your fears away." Fleur smiled as she said it and then slowly pulled her hand away from Hermione's so that her lover was holding her wand by herself.

"My guardian." Hermione said though she did not take her eyes from the wand in her hand.

"Oui," Fleur stated simply.

Hermione slipped the wand up her sleeve into it's holder and then smiled back at Fleur gratefully before sitting on the bed waiting for the Veela to get dressed.

A few minutes later Hermione descended into the basement, Fleur in tow but staying back, Hermione had not communicated her need, Fleur simply read what she needed and complied willingly.

"Filthy Mudblood BITCH, this is all your fault!" Voldemort spat at her. He was clearly exhausted and not used to having to hold his tongue, especially as he saw her as the source of where everything had started to go wrong.

Hermione froze for a moment, the words had fallen from Harry's lips and came in Harry's voice, they pierced her like bullets and stung bitterly. She had been headed for Harry – her Harry, he was in the wrong body but that was the only thing that felt wrong about him. When the words hit her Hermione spun viciously and strode towards Voldemort with a rage burning so white hot within her that Fleur even flinched. She rose her wand as though she was brandishing a semi automatic weapon instead of a ten and three quarter inch piece of vine wood. None the less the dragon heartstring within felt her need and responded by thrumming with power as a deep violet spell shot from the end of it and sped towards her brothers body with such force that when it met it's target Voldemort in Harry's body sprang two feet into the air before meeting the wall with a resonating thud.

For Hermione it was as though time stood still. She knew the spell that she had cast, mutare anima, had seemed too good to be true when she had come across it in the library but it seemed to be having some effect on Harry and Voldemort. Hermione looked around the room, Fleur wore a shocked look on her face, she looked as though she was about to turn and head in Hermione's direction. Harry, not knowing what was going on had a look of utter panic on his face, which Hermione found quite amusing given that he was still in Voldemort's body. The Dark Lord himself still had the same look of fury that he wore when Hermione entered the room, which Hermione found a little disconcerting on Harry's face.

As per the instructions in the annuls that she had Read Hermione performed the sequence of complex wand movements required to change the souls back to their correct bodies, long gone were the days when a simple swish and flick got you a mountain trolls club suspended in mid air. To Hermione it felt as though it took a full hour to complete the wand movements, which while somewhat complex required a fair bit of repetition as well, she was glad that she had distracted herself during her capture by repeating the motions in her head to escape the torture she was enduring.

Fleur was absolutely stunned at what she saw, Hermione appeared to be moving faster than was humanly possible, even for a witch. The room held a strange violet blue haze about it and she was absolutely unsure as to what would happen next. Fleur reached for her wand and made to stand ready by Hermione's side.

Harry felt weird. He tried to put descriptors on the sensations he was aware of but all he could come up with was, weird. He giggled a little, he knew Hermione would ask him about this later and she would be scowling when he told her it felt weird.

Voldemort knew what was happening, he figured his best chance would be right after the swap was completed – the only one in the room who would have the slightest idea of what was happening was the mudblood and surely he could outwit one stupid mudblood. He steeled himself for when he would be back in his own familiar body and tried to come up with a plan of attack.

Minerva felt the tingle of strong magic dance across her skin, impatient girl, she thought to herself as she set her tea on the table and made her way to the basement door. Luna looked at her curiously, but Ginny sensed her Headmistress's urgency and her wand was in her hand as she was hot on Minerva's heels.

As she completed the wand movements Hermione felt a wave of exhaustion hit her, she pushed through it and spun towards Voldemort and held her wand prone, just one more spell, she told herself that she just needed to do one more spell and then she could move on to the next task on her list, maybe she would have a cup of coffee between tasks. Hermione felt her focus waiver and she forced herself to refocus.

Just like that the problem was solved, the balance was restored and everybody's souls were all in the right body. Hermione fired a body bind curse at Voldemort, she was surprised to also note that The Dark Lord was not where she anticipated he would be. Fleur had caught on to what was happening and had been prepared for Voldemort attempt to fight back, where Hermione's curse had missed, Fleur's hit home, as did Minerva's who had fired from just inside the door.

Letting the exhaustion take her, Hermione sank to the floor, perhaps a nap then a cup of coffee? Fleur grabbed Hermione as she sank to the ground, wanting badly to scold her bond mate for such reckless behaviour, but biting her lip as she suspected that Hermione would not have been persuaded otherwise anyway.

Minerva worked to ensure Voldemort was secure while Fleur held Hermione in her arms, her body now shaking and covered in a sheen of sweat from the exhaustion of casting such and ancient and taxingly complex spell. Ginny apprehensively stepped towards the cell which held Harry's body and tried not to get her hopes up as she searched his face. Harry saw Ginny looking at him and a smile broke out on his face, he pressed himself up against the bars and reached out to Ginny, grabbing her shirt and pulling her against the bars. Ginny did not fight Harry as he kissed her passionately pouring how much he had missed his body touching her into the heat of the kiss.

Somewhat amusedly, Minerva strode over to the cell and unlocked the door, letting Harry go free, when he did not break off his kiss with Ginny Minerva cleared her throat pointedly. Blushing Ginny pulled away from him, though it was apparent that she wanted to continue kissing her boyfriend now that she finally had him back. Harry quickly made his way out of the cell and squeezed her hand tightly before rushing over to where Fleur held Hermione and sliding to them on his knees.

"Hermione!" He yelled helpfully.

Hermione smiled hearing the concern in his tone but happy all the same that the right voice was saying the right things, finally. She drifted off to sleep safe in her guardian's arms feeling quite satisfied and safe.

Hermione slept soundly for 20 hours, Fleur held her and slept as well and at times she just lay beside her and whispered reassurances to her. When she woke, Hermione still was exhausted and it was evident in the bags under her eyes, but she smiled and stared at the face of her lover.

"'Ermione you are still tired, close your eyes and rest," Fleur asked gently. Fleur was unsure which one of them was more surprised when Hermione complied but Fleur was grateful that she did.

The next time she woke up, keeping her eyes open was not so much of a chore. Hermione lay still letting her eyes adjust to the darkness of the room. She could tell by the soft haze emanating from behind the curtains it was either sunrise or sunset. A protective arm was draped over her and Hermione lifted her hand and let it come to rest over Fleur's, sliding her fingers between her lovers. Fleur returned the gesture with a reassuring squeeze, letting Hermione know that she was awake and that her lover was safe and protected.

After a few moments and a lot of effort Hermione turned to face Fleur who, though awake, was laying still with her eyes closed. Hermione lifted her hand and gently caressed Fleur's face, she loved this woman with every fibre of her being. A tear filled her eye and Hermione let it fall, she knew she was safe here in the arms of her lover.

Fleur opened her eyes and was a little confused to see the look of pure adoration on Hermione's face but yet tears were also flowing. She went to sweep the tears away but Hermione took a hold of Fleur's arm and wrapped it back around her waist.

"To me, this is the safest place in the world." Hermione whispered.

Fleur smiled and softly squeezed her hold around Hermione, "Zo Mademoiselle Granger does zis mean zat zere are no more wheels turning in that head of your hm? No more zings zat need to be done? No more plans to be hatched?" Fleur asked with a hint of playful ness in her voice.

"Everything else can wait," Hermione answered and leaned forward, "the only thing I need to do right now is rest, heal and be with you." As she finished Hermione gently placed a kiss on Fleur's lips.

Some months later

Hermione awoke with a start, she was sitting bolt upright her body covered in sweat and her chest heaving from the thrum of her rapidly beating heart and the burn of her lungs that she could not seem to fill with oxygen. The room was pitch black as her eyes frantically searched for a sign that she was not in the cellar where she had been tortured. Her eyes came to rest on a soft glow to her right and she focused on that for a moment.

Hermione swallowed down the lump in her throat as she came to realise that the soft glow was coming from the tip of Fleur's wand and the blonde witch was patiently waiting for her to recognise where she was. As Hermione exhaled her body began to relax, this was the wordless invitation that Fleur had been waiting for and she set her wand aside as Hermione lay back on the bed and snuggled as close to Fleur as she could possibly get. In turn Fleur wrapped a protective arm around Hermione's waist and threw her leg over the top of the brunettes. Within moments, both witches were back asleep.

Hermione awoke to a most delicious smell coming through the open bedroom doorway and smiled to herself at the thought of Fleur preparing breakfast for her. She sat up on the bed and stretched before getting up and making her way to the bathroom, registering that there were a few voices in the kitchen. It was not unusual for Fleur and Hermione to have guests, in fact it was more unusual for them to have the cottage in Godric's hollow to themselves. She had worried when they bought the house that Fleur might be too far from her own family and just a bit too close to harry and Ginny, but time had proven her wrong and Fleur had taken to small village life with family close by like a Hippogriff to the skies.

Hermione dressed herself quickly and made her way into the kitchen, as she had suspected Fleur had a few different food cooking on the stove and there was a fresh pot of coffee as well. Hermione forced herself to wait before going over and grabbing coffee, she wanted to take this scene in because it was so ridiculously normal that she almost count believe it. Harry was holding a piece of toast as Ginny, who was sitting on his lap, took a bite from it. Fred and George were fussing over a pregnant Luna who was enjoying a glass of pumpkin juice and reading a book. Fleur was chattering away to Professor McGonagall as she cooked, the Professor seemingly relaxed for the first time that Hermione could remember.

Hermione smiled to herself as she entered the room and made a beeline for the coffee pot, "Morning love," she said as she planted a kiss on Fleur's neck and reached for a coffee cup. Once her coffee was poured she smiled at Minerva and leaned in to kiss her check, "Morning Minerva, no classes this morning?" She asked as she smiled and took the seat next to Harry.

"Good morning Hermione, Filius is covering my classes this morning. I said I would be here for you today and I meant it. Minerva responded not unkindly.

Just like that Hermione's good mood was gone and she scowled at her cup of coffee. She had forgotten that Narcissa Malfoy was paying her a visit this morning, and she had also forgotten about the fact that her parents and Fleur's parents were coming to dinner. Why oh why would she plan a day like this for herself, she thought as she took her first delightful sip of her coffee. She was pulled from her thoughts by the fact that the room had gone completely silent and everyone seemed to be looking at her expectantly.

"Thank you Minverva but it is really not necessary," she replied, but could not quite bring herself to look at her former professor.

"Yes well that may well be, however, I want to be here." Minerva stubbornly replied.

Hermione knew she would not win this battle and waived a hand dismissively in Minerva's direction resigning herself to the fact she would get no alone time today. But at least there was no war on. At least she was surrounded by family and friends that she loved.

At that moment Fleur floated a plate of bacon rolls over onto the table but not before handing Minerva one, with a look that told the Professor she needed to back off just a little. Silence fell upon the kitchen once more as their friends and family ate well. Fleur leaned against the stove and examined her lovers face while she drank her own coffee. Despite the recurrence of the nightmares last night Hermione looked well and refreshed and as beautiful as ever. Just as she was looking at her bondmate their eyes met and Fleur caught a flash of gratitude in Hermione's eyes and she knew she was being thanked for protecting her from some lecture about how much people cared about her.

Hermione sipped her coffee and thought about her life, she was starting a new job at Hogwarts, she was bonded to the most beautiful creature on the planet and she was truly blessed with the best friends a witch could ask for. Sure life wasn't perfect, she was still having nightmares, her parents weren't particularly thrilled with the fact that she got bonded without telling her, and there were the Malfoy's who never meant harm but always seemed to throw her back into her darkest moments without even trying, but she had her guardian to protect her from that.

Hermione took another sip of coffee and silently thanked whichever benevolent God saw fit to bless her this way because Hermione knew that her life might not be perfect, but it was her life and she had fought damn hard to get where she was and she was glad that she had.