Chapter Text
Harry was sat opposite Hermione in their spot in the library, Hermione had a banana on the table next to her, and Harry was trying hard not to smirk about it.
“Do you think Narcissa will help us get the diary if we show her the potions information we have?”
“I think you should talk that over with Andromeda, she is more likely to be able to answer it than I can.”
“Good point, I wondered if you had any thoughts, on it.”
“Didn’t she lie to Voldypants telling him you were dead when you were faking it?”
“She did, but he cut my head off to take with him, so it didn’t work out as I had hoped. She did help me, but that was in return for me telling her Draco was still alive, he is dead, with a little help from his friends,” he grinned at Hermione.
“I am sure I do not know what you mean, he fell. Everyone saw it. It was an accident. If he had lived, he would be in Azkaban for life, next to his Aunt Bella. It was probably for the best.” She made a note on her parchment with a flourish of her quill. “Why do we use quills, we need to talk to Minnie about using mundane stationary supplies,” She dug a notebook out of her bag and clicked the action on a biro.
“Rebel.”
“Prat.”
“You love me anyway?”
“Do I?”
“You know you do.”
“Really, you sound very confident Mr Potter.”
“I believe you love me Mrs Potter, almost as much as I love you.”
“Prat.”
“How does this sound for a plan, We send Narcissa the list, and mention we got samples, and enquire if she want’s us to ask Andromeda to do certified tests on them?”
“Talk to Andromeda.”
“Are you angry with me for something?”
“No.”
“What have I done?”
“Nothing.”
“hmmf. Doesn’t sound like it.” Hermione glared at Harry, he was tempted to conjure her a marmalade sandwich, but food in the library is a rule Hermione never normally broke, except for the banana. “it’s the banana thing isn’t it?”
“Maybe.”
“If I explain, can I have a kiss,”
“If you don’t you can have a slap.” She said with a fake smile.
Harry laughed quietly. “Susan comes from a place called Discworld, a lot more magical than here, it is apparently a flat planet, balanced on four elephants, riding the back of a giant spacefaring turtle. She told me the turtle’s name, but I forgot. In the capital city of the country she came from, there is a place that wizards are educated. Apparently witches learn on the job, she does not have a high opinion of these wizards. This unseen university as she called it has a magical library, that exists in several dimensions, and is subject to bouts of what she called wild magic. The librarian was transfigured into an orangutan in some sort of accident, no one can really remember when, but he, or she, decided to stay in that form. If you wish for help from the librarian, it likes bananas. What book would you like from the librarian?”
Hermione sat with her head cocked regarding harry through half closed eyes, “If you made that up, you will be sleeping with Sirius for the next ten years.”
“You sound like mum when dad’s in the dog house.”
“Exactly, where does Sirius live?”
“OK, point made, that is what Susan told me, if it’s nonsense, it’s her nonsense. What book do you want, what subject?”
“Soul Magic.”
“OK, pass me the banana.” Harry took it and placed it on the shelf behind him, he closed his eyes briefly and let go of the banana.
He returned to the list he was making, He listed out the potions they had identified, who they were being given to, and mentioned that they had managed to get samples. He was wondering how to broach the subject with Andromeda, about how best to approach Narcissa, when he heard a soft, ‘Oook.’
He lifted a book from the shelf, and after a glance, passed it to Hermione. She took the book and opening it, her eyebrows, almost met in the middle. “It’s written in runes.”
“Maybe Susan can help? Probably a job for the cottage, rather than Hogwarts.”
“Mm’mm.” Hermione slipped the book into her bag. “Oook?”
“All it ever says, according to Susan.” A pause, “I have an idea,”
“careful.”
“cheeky, lets apparate home, have dinner with our folks, have a quick chat with Andi and Sirius about Narcissa, and then pop over to Susan’s for some help with that book.
“OK, maybe I do love you, a little bit.” She said, Harry laughed.
They arrived at their home and let themselves into the back door from the garden, Emma and Dan where not home just yet, “Should I sort some food out, or will they bring something home?”
“They usually order after they get home, what can you chef up, hubby dearest?”
“I see, dearest now it’s cooking you want.”
“Call me fickle.”
Harry had a rummage through the fridge, “Chinese or Indian?”
“Sorry?”
“The fridge has two eggs and some jam in it. I don’t think even Kieth Floyd can do anything with that. Cuppa?”
“Why not.”
Later they nipped around to See Andi, and found Sirius talking to a lady in the kitchen, “Hey Kids, this is my friend Samantha. Samantha, this is Harry and Hermione, who are basically playing truant from Hogwarts. But since he got the Headmaster sacked today, I think we can forgive them.”
“Hello,” they said in unison, Harry continued, “is Andi in?”
“Not tonight Pup, she’s meeting Ted in town, it’s date night for the Tonks. Anything we can help with?”
“I was wondering how to ask Narcissa for some help. We have some information she would be interested in, about Draco and Ron, and we wondered if we could get the diary as a return favour?”
“Ooh, interesting idea, sit down for a minute, Sam here is Katie’s aunt, so she has heard about the baby seeker from Katie.”
“They call him Bambi.” Hermione chipped in.
“Given my animagious form is a black panther, Bagheera would be better.” Harry complained.
“Your dad was supposed to be Prongs, so little deer, Bambi. Blame the marauders for lame nicknames.”
“Kitten, I am hurt,”
“Sorry Scooby.” Answered Hermione, Samantha snickered.
Sirius shook his head, “Cissy contacted me about dissolving her marriage, without Draco, she has no interest in being with Malfoy. Divorce is near impossible for purebloods, magic can take a heavy toll. There was a betrothal contract between our Houses, originally for Andi, who very wisely legged it out of there and married Ted.” He took a swig of his beer.
“The contract stated at least two children, within five years, so it is broken. This allows me as House head to nullify the marriage, I think if I ask she will bring the diary when she leaves, it isn’t like she is going to ask Lucius.”
“Ask her to bring Dobby as well if she can.”
“The crazy elf you told us about?”
“Saved our lives last time around, and died doing it. We buried him by hand, and cried over his grave. He is as much part of our family as you are Scoob.” Hermione chipped in.
Samantha picked up a pistachio and cracked it open, passing the bowl she asked Sirius, “Whooby Snak?”
“Who in Merlin’s name is Scooby, or Whooby?”
“Sam, you need to find some TV time to educate our poor pure blood.” Hermione and Sam did a fist bump over the table. Harry grinned as Sirius looked absolutely baffled.
Harry said, “How is Remus, is he clear of potions or whatever was done to him?”
“They are keeping him in overnight, he had to go through a purging regime, no fun for anyone, and they checked him for compulsions, but his Werewolf side helps in that respect. I had to put him in a private ward, that pink Toad of Fudges has removed Werewolves rights to medical treatment at St. Mungo’s.”
“They just make it so easy for people like Riddle to recruit don’t they. She isn’t even a pure blood, her dad is muggle born, used to be the janitor for the fourth floor of the Ministry.” Hermione commented.
Sam looked across, “how do you two kids know all this stuff?”
“We aren’t kids, we’ve lived multiple lives, think Groundhog Decade, with additional death, torture and some more death. This is our best go around so far.” Harry grumped.
“We really are on first name terms with Death.” Hermione added.
“Yeah, come on, kids.” Sam scoffed.
“Susan Sto-Helit.” Harry finished, “Granddaughter of DEATH.” He shrugged.
“What do you need munchkins?” Susan asked form the corner.
“Some help with a book from the monkey library, we can pop over to the cottage if that’s easier?”
Susan looked at them for a moment, “Easier, or older?”
“Both.” Hermione said, “I am a little out of sorts.”
Susan smiled at them, “My treat.” She waved her hand and the adult versions sat at the table in their stead.
“Woah.” Samantha looked at the pair and to Susan, “You are Death?”
“His Granddaughter actually. It’s a very long story, centuries long in fact. But the HIgher Powers have tasked me to help our heroes here to complete their destiny. It’s been fun so far.” She cocked a head to one side and her hair changed to a chignon, “Samantha Bell, you need to change jobs, unless you want to meet me professionally before you are due.” She faded out of the room.
“Sirius, don’t you need a personal assistant, for all your important House business?” Hermione smirked as she looked at Sirius. “Or at least someone to walk you in a morning.”
“Kitten, you are slaying me. I am not sure about the assistant, but the school needs professors, how about Defence Professorship, Samantha?”
“We hoped Remus might be interested in that?”
“He wants to do History, he was a bit of a nerd at school, but we still like him. I was considering the DADA role myself, but I am better at Transfiguration, so I can help Minnie out now she is Head.”
Hermione perked up, “Is it official?”
“Announcement will go up tomorrow, but yes. Three months trail period, then it’s hers. She has so many ideas she wants to push through, it is going to be a fun ride. We spent most of what was supposed to be her interview discussing new staff requirements. Muggle studies is in for a complete overhaul.”
Hermione leaned back in her chair, “We should do day trips for the magicals into muggle England, it would be hilarious.”
Samantha snorted, “It would be a complete nightmare?”
Harry grinned, “In small groups it would work, how many purebloods have been to the cinema?”
“You just want to get into the back row with Daphne Greengrass.” Hermione grinned,
“We are eleven Hermione, Daphne grows up almost as beautiful as you, but right now, not interested at all.” He laughed, “If I am taking someone else, I want to take Luna, she will flip out.”
“I hate it when you do that.”
“What.”
“Be all bloody adorable. Luna would be in heaven at a cinema. Whacky little pixie that she is. I want to go find her this summer. She needs to be with us when she starts school. No way we let her suffer like last time.”
“Agreed, Ravenclaw treated her like dung didn’t they. Let’s get her safe in the Lions den.”
“Might not be an issue kids. Minerva is considering scrapping the House Dorms, and doing it in year blocks.”
“Interesting? We still go over and kidnap her for the day at least. She has no friends.”
Harry looked puzzled, “She lives next door to the Weasleys?”
“Ron called her Looney until we told him to pack it in, not an issue now, but Ginny and Luna aren’t friends, and Ginny might be a fangirl still.”
“OK, lets send her an owl and start writing to her. My mum was a friend of hers at school, we could take her to see her mum Pandora, we know her mum’s death really affected her.”
“Pandora Lovegood?” Sirius asked.
“Yes. Did you know her?”
“Yes, she was one of Lily’s study group, Pandora Rowle back then, married Xeno. Hippies you would call them, a really lovely pair, very weird, no inhibitions, none at all. If her daughter is one of your friends then do whatever is necessary, if she is lonely, she can stay with us over summer, we can sort something. Pandora died whilst I was on erm, holiday.”
“Luna saw it happen, her mother died in her arms whilst Luna was calling for help. No one came. She is very weird, very lovely. Was nearly Harry’s first, if only Harry wasn’t so dim about girls.”
“I am not that dim.” Harry said falteringly.
“Really, how many times did you step aside for Ron, when I loved you. I settled for the demonic ginger garbage disposal unit, because the boy I loved didn’t see me. You told me you loved me like a sister, so you wouldn’t upset Ron. Dim, Dim, Dim.” she was poking Harry’s chest with her finger at each of the last three words.
She snorted. “At Slughorn’s party, Luna was head over heels because you were nice to her. No one had ever been nice to her at school, she wanted to go to bed with you, she wanted to be in your arms all night, she asked me after the Ministry debacle, did I love you, did I think she had a chance. She adored you Harry, she offered to share if I wanted to. Teenage fantasy time, and you had no idea.”
“No I didn’t, but I really do think of Luna like a little sister. It feels wrong to even consider doing anything like that with her. I love her. But I am in love with you. It’s different. Yes, it has taken me a lot of lifetimes to learn how to say that, but this life has been so different to what I used to suffer. I understand what it is like to be loved, I never had that as a child before.” Harry took her hands, “For what it’s worth, I am truly sorry, but I did not understand what I was feeling. I had two friends, one of them hugged me and made me feel warm inside. I had nothing to compare it to. I am sorry for all those wasted lives.”
“Prat, you always do this. I get annoyed and there is that scruffy little lost boy that saved my life from a Troll, and flinched when I hugged him. Luna isn’t the only one that adored you. I owe you an apology, I knew you had no idea, but I chose to wait, rather than do anything. I should have acted. Sorry Harry, you had enough to deal with back then. Come on, I want to pop back to see mum and dad as adults, then lets go to the cottage and spend the night, I think tomorrow we might be amending the castle wards for Minnie. We are nearly through this, maybe we can stay adults afterwards or something.”
They stood and with a nod made their exit. “Sirius, let us know what Narcissa says, thanks” Harry called as they headed back to their parents’ place. As they walked back, they passed what would be Sirius’s house, they could feel the new wards in place, “I wonder if we could get one of the others?” Harry mused as they passed.
“Not if we are still twelve.”
“I guess we can sort something.”
They arrived back at their house, already mentally, their parents’ place, and let themselves back in, Hermione called out, “Mum, dad. Little surprise for you. Where are you?”
“Kitchen.” Came the reply from Emma.
They walked in, “Hi mum, dad, meet adult us.” She grabbed her father and gave him a huge squeeze. “We have some runic homework to sort with Susan, and she let us have our of age bodies for the evening. We thought you might like to meet the people inside the munchkins.”
“Hi” Harry spoke from the door, “I feel nervous. Why am I nervous?”
“I don’t know Harry, come here and give your mum a hug you handsome devil.” Her eyes were sparkling, “wow, we have talked about, and believed you were old people in little bodies, but this is something else, actually seeing you.” She brushed his hair back over his head, “You are so tall. All grown up,” Tears ran down her face.
“Not for a few years yet, mum, and we will be with you for a very long time, and you will have grandchildren to spoil, eventually. After university, after Hermione becomes Hermione Potter PhD. Sorry, maybe this was a bad idea, I didn’t want to upset you.”
“You haven’t, you are a fine-looking young man, and my daughter is a beautiful young woman, these are happy tears, don’t feel bad. We have a very weird family, that is for sure.
Hermione broke away from the hug with her father, and wrapped her mother in a hug, they were the same height, Harry stepped back and looked at Dan, his eyes were sparkling,
Dan’s voice was a little hoarse as he spoke, “Hermione looks a lot like Emma did when I met her, look after her Harry, be safe, don’t go breaking any hearts now we are nearly there.”
Harry smiled softly. He wrapped Dan in a bear hug, he was nearly as tall, but not as broad, “I will come and talk to you about the last bit, we have some trash disposal to do, and we need to do it fast and hard. We will be needing your expertise, I think. It’s nearly over. We have a lead on the diary, we might get it without a fight.
“That would be good, that finishes Riddle then?” Harry nodded.
“It’s a done deal. He has nowhere to go, we just need to clean up his idiots, we can talk about that later.” Harry and Dan separated, Emma was holding Hermione’s hands and they were both crying, “Hermione love, shall we get back, we’ll pop back as our young selves before we apparate into the school, so you know your kids are still here, if that’s OK?
Emma nodded, “please, it is lovely to see you two like this, but I will miss my little ones, you have grown up so fast already.”
Hermione took hold of Harry’s arm and with a smile on her face the pair popped out of the room, and then reappeared as their eleven-year-old selves. “Hi mum, missing us yet,” she smiled a cheeky grin, as her dad swept her up into a hug.
“Yes, Princess, it was fantastic to meet older you, but scary.” He lowered her to the floor, “How long did you spend up there?”
Hermione blushed, “about six months, we had to learn a new language, and a new type of magic, and we had a holiday.”
“Anywhere nice?”
“A lovely Island, on a disc, on four elephants, on a massive turtle called the Great A'Tuin. It was very nice, but now I have to wear proper clothes again, and be twelve. We did keep the trunks though, they will be a laugh come summer.” She reached up and kissed her mother, “Come on Harrikins, Hogwarts, Ho!” she giggled. Harry looked at her parents and made the ‘tipsy’ hand movement before wrapping her in his arms and apparating them back into the school. They appeared in the common room, to the surprise of Katie and Alicia.
“Did you two just aparate into here?”
“No. That would be impossible. We were here all along.”
“Where have you been really.”
“Home, we needed to see our folks.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“Met your Aunt Samantha, seems nice.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I think she is my Godfather’s girlfriend? Not positive, but it looks that way.”
“Ok, does that make us relatives?”
“Not as far as I know. Does that matter?”
“Only if I am looking at you naked in the showers after a game, I wouldn’t want to think my brother was cute, would I?” She giggled as Harry blushed. “Is Hermione asleep on your shoulder?” Harry nodded. “OK, let us take her from here, we can get her safely into her bed. It’s pretty much curfew. See you in the morning Bambi.”
“Night Foxes.”
------oooOOOooo------
The following Monday morning Harry was up early, reading the notice pinned in the common room.
To all Pupils and Staff of Hogwart’s School of Wizarding and Witchcraft
With immediate effect Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore has been removed as Headmaster of the School. Pupils are advised not to interact with Mr Dumbledore if they encounter him outside of the school grounds. Pupils are reminded that Mr Dumbledore faces numerous criminal charges.
Professor McGonagall has been appointed interim Head Mistress until the Easter Break, after which the New Head will be confirmed.
The following New Professors Shall be teaching courses as soon as they become Available:
Prof. R. Lupin History, Magical and Mundane
Prof. S. Black Transfiguration to OWL level.
Prof. A Tonks Potions to OWLS level.
Prof. H. Slughorn Potions to NEWT level. (Elective).
Prof. S. Bell Practical Magic (formerly DADA)
Prof. N. Black Magical Protocols and etiquette (compulsory for muggle raised students).
Existing Professors shall continue to teach as follows:
Prof. M. McGonagall Transfiguration to NEWT level. (Elective).
Prof. F. Flitwick Charms & Spellcraft.
Prof. B. Babbling Ancient Runes. (Elective).
Prof. S. Vector Arithmancy. (Elective).
Prof. A. Sinistra Astronomy. (Elective).
Prof. C. Burbage Mundane (Muggle) Studies. (Compulsory for all magical raised students).
Prof. S. Trelawney Divination. (Elective).
New Heads of House are as follows;
Gryffindor Prof. R. Lupin
Slytherin Prof. N. Black
Hufflepuff Prof. S. Bell
Prof. P. Sprout moves to Deputy Head Mistress.
Prof. S. Snape has resigned from the school
Prof. H. Binns has moved on to the afterlife.
Prof. C. Burbage is bringing Mundane Studies and current affairs (formerly Muggle Studies) up to date and in line with the ICW standards. (Compulsory for all magical raised students)
In the interim as the new staff become available existing staff will cover the lessons as available. We ask for your cooperation and patience as these changes are introduced.
Signed.
- McGonagall Head Mistress (acting)
------oooOOOooo------
As he was reading Hermione joined him, and swiftly made a copy of the notice before heading for the door, Harry followed as they headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She read the note as they walked, Harry steering her away from suits of armour as they walked.
“He is finally gone then?”
“Yes, I will be happier when it’s permanent.”
She looked up at him and smiled, “Same here.”
They walked into the great hall together and looked over to the high table as they sat. The Gold chair was gone, and Minerva sat on a more standard chair, Harry spotted Sirius and Remus at the Gryffindor end of the table, and Narcissa and Samantha at the other end of the table. Sirius nodded and caught his eye, they walked up to the table. “Good morning Professor Black,” Harry said with a grin. “How are you today?”
“Very well thank you Mister Potter. I hope you like your new and improved line up of staff. Narcissa has left the Malfoy family and manor now, and brought you a present as a thank you to the House of Black for her restoration. She also has a personal elf that is very eager to meet with you both?” Sirius grinned, “It’s back at my place, we can sort it out after Dinner if that is acceptable?”
“That sounds very good.” Harry replied.
Hermione looked over to Remus, “Are you feeling better now Professor Lupin?” she smiled at Remus
“I am thank you Miss Granger, or should I say Mrs Potter?” he smiled and the yellow in his eyes flared. “As head of Gryffindor house, I can offer our Lord Potter private quarters, and as his betrothed you would be allowed to join him there. Should I go ahead?”
Hermione grinned across the width of her face, “Thank you Remus, that would be fantastic.”
They trooped back to their table and set about breakfast.
The day went well, they had their first History lesson with Remus, who led a discussion of the impact of the Nazi party on pre-war Germany, and the events leading up to the Holocaust in comparison to the pureblood agenda and some of the ideas for dealing with so called lesser creatures. Harry and Hermione took careful note of the reactions of some of the pupils. With Malfoy no longer in attendance only a few die-hard purebloods supported the rhetoric.
Charms was the same as usual, although Harry felt that the attitude in the castle was more positive. After lunch they had Potions. Without Snape in the building they wondered who would be taking the lesson, Narcissa opened the door and called the class inside. She spent the double period going over what they had been taught, and spent some time teaching safety protocols. She gave them an assignment to write up the safe methods for beginning a brew, and advised them, Professor Tonks would be in charge of their next lesson. They finished with a free period, so they headed back to the common room, not being sure when Sirius would be free. As they entered the room they saw Remus working in a corner of the room. Hermione spoke, “Good Afternoon. Professor.”
“Aah, the Potters, welcome, allow me to show you to your new accommodations.” He bundled the marking into a bag and shrank it into a pocket. He walked towards the exit, “come with me,” he led than along the corridor a few yards to a recess guarded by a suit of armour. “Toujours Pur” he said to the suit of armour, it stepped aside revealing a door. Remus opened the door and motioned them inside.
“These are assigned if the Head Pupils are Gryffindors in any particular year, but they can be allocated if a Head of House is at the school, not usually first years.” He grinned at them both. “Let us go into the common room for the apartment. The room had a window, presumably magical Harry thought. But the room had its own fire, a sofa and two armchairs around a table in front of the fire. At one end were bookshelves, with a desk in front of them. It was all in red and golds, Hermione smiled, she was sure she could tone down the colour scheme. A large portrait of a Godric Gryffindor stood over the fireplace. Harry looked up at the picture, “Are you awake Godric?”
“I am Lord Potter, good evening Lady Potter, I trust you are both well?”
“We are thank you, and you.”
“Better for having family in the room. We shall discuss security once we are alone, Lord and Lady Potter. Welcome to the Den.”
Hermione opened the doors off the corridor, each led to a spacious room, she noted both trunks were in the same room, entering she found an ensuite bathroom, this would do very nicely, she thought.
Remus made his farewells and left the room. Harry was looking around and a thought struck him. “Dobby.”
The hyperactive elf appeared in the room, “The Great Wizard Harry Potter calls for Dobby. Dobby is not worthy.” He started tugging his ears.
“Dobby, my friend, calm down.” Harry stepped forward and wrapped Dobby in a hug. He was joined by Hermione, their magics fed Dobby and when the pair released him, he was looking healthier, and happier than at any time in their lives.
“The Great Harry Potter calls Dobby friend, and shares his magic with Dobby?”
Hermione spoke up, “Dobby, you are more than our friend. You are family. You saved our lives and gave yours to do it in a previous timeline.”
“Dobby looked from one to the other, “Lady Potter, calls me family? Great Harry Potter, is this true, am I family?”
Harry replied. “Dobby you are family to us.”
“The Great Harry Potter is also the heir to the House of Black, Dobby is an elf in that House. Dobby can feel your magics. Dobby feels strong. Dobby is proud to serve Lord and Lady Potter. What can Dobby do for you.”
Harry laughed, “I would like a pot of tea, cups and a plate of biscuits please.”
Dobby snapped his fingers and the tea appeared on the table. “Thank you Dobby, will you answer if we call?”
“Dobby will always answer if the Great Harry Potter calls .” He popped away.
Harry walked to the sofa, “Cuppa Hermione?” She sat,
“If the Great Harry Potter Sir is offering, then I shall be delighted.” She snarked. “I had forgotten just how devoted Dobby is to you.”
They sat and had their tea and started on their potion’s assignment to get that cleared out of the way, eventually Sirius’s patronus appeared in the room and asked if they were free, Harry sent his back in reply, and they apparated over to Sirius’s new House.
They were let in to the rear of the property, and Sirius had a box sat on the dining room table, Sirius picked it up, and Harry took hold of him by the wrist and the three of them portkeyed to Susan’s cottage. As they walked towards the rear of the building, DEATH and Susan walked out of the door, “IS THIS THE LAST PIECE OF THE DARK WIZARD?” DEATH spoke from the corner of the terrace.
“I believe so,” Harry replied. Sirius laid the Box on the table, Susan opened the lid and DEATH touched it with his scythe. “IT IS COMPLETE. THAT IS THE COMPLETE SOUL OF TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE. WELL DONE, HAVE A HOB-NOB.” DEATH faded from view.
Sirius looked around, “That is Voldyfarts done and dead then?”
“It is Padfoot.” James walked out of the cottage, followed by Lily. ”I think we might just have cause for celebration.”
“Do you want me to go fetch Mooney?” Harry asked.
“If you don’t mind, if he isn’t busy.” Lily asked.
Harry popped away, and laughed as he appeared, not in his private common room, but in the middle of the Gryffindor common room, in his adult form. The conversation in the room stopped dead. The foxes were staring.
“Harry, is that you?” Remus asked.
“Ahem, er yeah, this is adult me. Guess how I claimed my seat isn’t such a secret. I have all three of the Deathly Hallows, and I am the last of the Peverells so,”
“The Master of Death.” Fred finished. “Wicked Harrikins.”
“It means I am his agent, not his master. Remus, sorry, Professor Lupin. We are having a party at DEATH’s place, we got the last remnant of Voldypants, he is permanently and totally dead, and in whatever passes for hell. James and Lily are there, are you free?”
Harry appeared back in the garden with a puzzled looking Remus, all three chasers, the Twins and Lee Jordan. Katie slipped over to Hermione, “Sweetie, your boy is smokin’, if you ever want a night off, give a girl a call.” She giggled and took the proffered bottle that was handed to her.
Hermione smiled, “I am sure we are breaking the rules of creation, but Harry and I have died multiple times trying to finish Riddle, I think we deserve a party. I might nip and fetch a few others.”
Soon Dan, Emma, Andi, Ted and Dora were in the garden, as the drinks were passed around Sam and Narcissa appeared. Harry spotted Hermione talking to Susan, and smiled, Fred and George were staring awestruck at the planet and moons hanging over them.
“Where are we Harry.”
“No where, No when, we are outside of time and space. We call this place neverwhen. I suspect you will struggle to remember this place tomorrow morning. This is where Hermione and I return everytime we are killed.”
“Everytime you are killed? How many times has that happened?”
“Eight they tell me, maybe more. I had a lot of really shitty lives in the past.”
“is Ron here somewhere then?”
Harry’s head dropped. “He might be, but he murdered Hermione in our previous life, he will be paying for that. He was part of Dumbledore’s schemes potioning Hermione and me, he was interfering in destiny, and he will be suffering for his greed and temper. I know he is your brother, but he lied to me, was a false friend and killed my soulmate out of jealousy. I can’t feel any sadness that he is suffering.”
George looked askance, “He murdered Hermione?”
“Yeah, we three were all close friends, we thought, in the last three or four runs, but he was betraying us, he stabbed Hermione in the chest with a basilisk fang and called her a mudblood whore, last time around, because he was jealous that we had found each other. Sorry.”
Fred shook his head, “He always was a lazy little scrote, always wanted nice stuff, never wanted to do anything to get it.”
George nodded, “Sorry Harry. We can sort of feel that you and Hermione have a bond, how bad were the previous trips?”
“Last time around pretty much everyone in this room died, maybe Katie survived. I think Andi and Cissy were alive, but Voldy had won, so they wouldn’t have had much of a life.”
“Does this mean you are free then?”
“From your Destiny?”
“Not quite. We have to wipe out the Death Eaters, so this shite doesn’t happen again in ten years, and we have to break down the barriers, get rid of the stupid house rivalries, that carry on into life after school. Somehow get rid of pureblood superiority.”
“Finished by lunchtime tomorrow then, Harrikins.”
“I wish.”
“Bambi, over here a minute.” Tonks called across the group.
Harry shook his head, “Later lads,” he walked over to Tonks.
“Hermione told me I was allowed this, for all the trouble you cause me.” She pulled Harry into a full on lip crushing snog, and held it for at least a minute. Hermione was giggling, as Harry regained his breath, “Not bad Bambi, I can see why she puts up with you.” The chasers laughed, Harry turned rather red. Tonks then grabbed Hermione and repeated the snog to much muffled squealing and giggling, from Hermione. “Have we got music available, we girls need to dance, she declared.”
Lily picked her way across the throng, and wrapped Harry and then Hermione in hugs, “Brilliant kids, brilliant. You have saved so many lives this time around. I am so proud. So proud.” She sniffed a little, James appeared and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Hi kids, you two are older than us now, aren’t you? That is so weird.” He shook his head. “You have won a huge victory, and no one will know about it.” He wiped his eyes. “I think I might be a little bit emotional.” Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry’s waist and resting her head on his shoulder replied. “We have a lot to do, but this is a huge milestone. We have got rid of Dumbledore, but we owe him a few deaths, of his own.”
Some music started, seventies era disco and the girls were all dancing in a group. Harry walked over to where Remus was standing with Sirius, Andi and Cissy, Samantha was in the gaggle of ladies boogying on down, or up, perhaps left. Who can tell. “Well Pup. This is a big day. I hope you understand how big this is.”
“Trust me dogfather, I do. How many times I died to get here. This is a good day.”
“It took me a few moments to realise who you are Harry, seeing you as an adult, when we are used to the child, it is a shock, but a nice shock. It makes much more sense thinking of Hermione as your wife seeing you both like this.” Andi wrapped her arms around him, and Harry returned the hug.
“Thank you Andi, for everything you have done for all of us, and for all that you will do.” Harry stood and saw Narcissa staring, “Narcissa, the last time we spoke, I offered to help you prove how Draco came to fight Ron Weasley, I can tell you here. Dumbledore was potioning students, they got the wrong ones and Pansy and Ron were potioned into snogging each other, Draco was being potioned to Pansy already, their tempers sparked off the rest. Because Hermione and I are who we are, we are immune to potions, and on that day, we were sat with Nymphadora, so our potions probably wound up in Ron.
“It is done now Harry, it is a surprise to see you here as an adult, and I thank you for including me, knowing the Dark Lord as Lucius called him is being roasted over a hot fire, will allow me to sleep more easily.”
“You are more than welcome, the diary you gave Sirius contained the last piece. Thousands of lives will be spared because of today.”
“What of his followers?”
“They must die, if they survive then this all starts again. We have plans, and we have the big guns. Lucius will die, will you inherit?”
“No, I am Narcissa Black, I am your family now Harry. I can feel both you and your ladies magic, you are both very powerful.” She shook her head a little and sipped her drink, looking back to Harry, “I was young and foolish, I thought Lucius was handsome and clever, he was not, he was vain and foolish. He took the mark, and his knee to a disgusting shell of a man. I will not mourn him.”
“Bellatrix will have to go as well, are you both prepared for her loss?”
“She was lost to us all years ago, she was always cruel, but Riddle, as you call him, brought out a side of her that was inhuman, I mourned her loss many years ago.”
Harry was standing trying to put an understanding face on, but failing, as a hand took his elbow, “Sorry oldies, my husband owes me a dance, and then a long romantic break somewhere with palm trees and no fighting.” Hermione was pulling him away as Lily asked, “Did you ever have a wedding?”
Hermione stopped. “No. we just, are.”
“Then I think we have an excuse for a huge party, and I will pester Susan to allow everyone from all your lives that cares to come along.” Harry groaned, “Sometimes, I don’t miss my mum.”
“Harry James,” she mock scolded him, “come dance with me, we are free, it’s over.” She crossed her arms around his neck and they kissed. “We need a long break.” Harry nodded and held her in his arms.
They looked at the group of people. Susan dancing along with the Foxes, her hair in a wild monochrome afro, Hermione pulled Harry into the mix and the party carried on until, well that would be telling.