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Chapter 11

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Hermione watched Severus step through the veil, wondering at how the passage between life and death could look exactly the same and completely different from this side. As soon as her former Potions Master crossed the boundary, Hermione turned to face Death, who was back in his teenage form.

"Thank you," she said honestly.

"For what?"

Hermione nibbled her lip. For getting them back before the veil disappeared... For keeping his end of the bargain... She held the Invisibility Cloak out to him.

"For everything."

Death shrugged, his curls bouncing energetically with the action. He smirked as Hermione clung to the cloak for one half-second extra but neither of them mentioned it.

"Which team do you root for?" Hermione asked, gesturing to the quidditch jersey.

"The winning one," Death smirked. "You?"

"None of them," she sighed.

With nothing left to say, Hermione turned toward the veil. In some ways she wasn't ready to leave. Her entire life after the war had been dedicated to passing through the veil and making a deal with Death. Now that she'd done that, what was left? Despite her hesitation she also couldn't wait to go back home. She had told Harry and Kingsley she intended to return. It would be very un-Hermione-like if she didn't prove that this, too, could be done. Taking a step toward the veil, she the fabric ripple against her skin and prepared to step through.

The scythe on her throat was expected–he had told her it wasn't up to him to let her go. The dark murmur in her ear was definitely unexpected, though.

"I have one more deal for you, Hermione Jean Granger."

Stepping away from the veil, her heart sinking, Hermione turned around to face Death. The scythe rested on her shoulder, cradling the back of her neck like an old friend. Or a lover. Hermione shuddered at both images as she looked up at the now hooded figure. Well, it would be enough that she'd sent Sirius back. Harry could live without her if he had his Godfather.

Death chuckled dryly and she imagined him rolling his eyes at her. "Do not fear, we dealt for your body, soul and life and I will not renege on that promise to you. I believe you have something else of mine."

Hermione nodded and reached into her pocket to withdraw the Resurrection Stone. "I was going to leave it for you."

"I know," Death said, tilting his head as though he couldn't quite understand her. "But that wouldn't be fair."

"What will I claim, then?" she asked, mimicking his earlier words to her. Only she maintained a much lighter tone.

Hesitation flickered across Death's face before he closed his eyes. "There has been another soul taken before its time. You should have him."

"Oh," Hermione blinked, wondering just who Death could be speaking about. Understanding her question before she could voice it, he snapped his fingers and the Shade of Kingsley Shacklebolt appeared beside him.

Before she could contemplate just how the Minister managed to die in the day since she'd left him, Death pressed the deal. "Do you accept?"

"Unreservedly." Hermione flipped the Resurrection stone to him and pushed the very confused Shade forward through the veil. As Kingsley disappeared from view, Hermione extended her empty hand to Death.

"I'll see you soon."

He laughed, morphing into the teenager in ratty jeans and a bright orange jersey as he shook her hand. Hermione wondered if she ought to bet on the Cannons when she got back to life and Death winked at her.

"Just don't get addicted," he said. "And don't try to get back too soon."

She nodded. Of course she wouldn't. She wiped her hands hands on her jeans. "I'd have brought the wand but Harry sort of… snapped it and tossed it away. I couldn't even find the pieces."

Withdrawing a shapely wand from his pocket, Death twirled it expertly. "It already made its way back."

"Well," Hermione said, unsure of just how one said goodbye to Death. "I guess I'll be going then."

Death nodded and released her hand. "You want to know how Harry survived?"

"Love?" Hermione guessed. Hadn't that been what Dumbledore had always said?

Death nodded. "It's your love that brought those Shades back to life. Not your wheeling and dealing."

Stepping back into the veil, Hermione grinned. "But the bartering didn't hurt, did it?"

As Death disappeared from view, she heard him laugh again. Fabric whispered around her but all Hermione heard was the promise of her return, when she would greet Death like an old friend after a long, loving life. She fell backwards, surprised at how heavy her suddenly corporeal form was, and landed straight into the arms of one of her favorite wizards.

"Welcome home, Hermione," Harry said, the smile splitting face as large as she'd ever seen it.

She answered with one of her own, cupping his cheek in her hand as he set her down on her feet. "It's great to be home. What did I miss?"

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The End

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Well, that's it folks. Thank you for reading, following, favoriting and reviewing this story. I hesitate to promise a sequel since I have other plot bunnies to chase but you should know that there is an idea for a sequel that's haunting me. Death has grown on me and I'm hesitant to let him go. Plus there's a whole slew of wizards who need to relearn how to live... something tells me Hermione might help them out with that.

Thank you again for reading. I hope you enjoyed.

Blessings.