A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
… All I know is yesterday is gone
And right now I belong.
To this moment, to my dreams
… So I won't give up, no, I won't break down
Sooner than it seems, life turns around.
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong.
When I'm standing in the dark, I'll still believe.
Someone's watching over me
~ Someone's Watching Over Me by Hilary Duff
~*~ 15th September 2001 ~*~
The bass of the club thumped through Hermione's whole body as the coloured light flashed across the packed club. Her dress was already sticking to her skin from the humidity in the club. It was hot and loud. Looking out at the dance floor, it was exactly as Susan had promised when she said it was foam night. White suds covered the dance floor and were being pumped out over the dancers, clinging to their clothes and hair as people laughed, danced, and slipped through the bubbles.
As soon as she reached her friends, a glittery Happy Birthday sash was draped across her body, and a birthday crown of flowers, courtesy of Luna, sat on her head. As they headed toward the floor, someone pressed a closed drink into her hand. Opening it, she tossed it back, letting the bitter liquid wash over her tongue. When they made it to the dance floor, she slipped, catching herself on Ginny, laughing harder than any of them.
"This is brilliant!" Hermione shouted over the music as bubbles floated around her head.
After an hour of dancing and frequent drinks being brought to her for her birthday, Hermione's head was buzzing. Hermione threw her head back as a large clump of bubbles floated by her head and locked eyes with someone across the dance floor.
He was a tall man with dark hair plastered to his head from the bubbles. He wore glasses that seemed fogged by the heat and foam. Something about him tugged at her chest, and the alcohol allowed her to blur the similarities between him and Harry. Excusing herself from the girls, she pushed herself through the crowd until she was standing in front of him. The alcohol in her made her voice much bolder than she usually felt. "Want to dance?"
His lips curved into a smile. "Thought you'd never ask."
The music shifted to something more pulsing and more intoxicating. Hermione wasn't sure how long they danced. Minutes? Hours? It didn't matter because Hermione let her brain pretend that he was Harry, and the world around her was only bubbles, music, and the man in front of her as his hands guided her waist. When he leaned closer to say something to her, she would catch the scent of cologne mixed with beer. She heard only half of what he was saying, but she would laugh.
At some point, he had taken her hand and led her to the back of the club, where it was quieter. The hallway to the bathrooms was crowded, and people were pressed together shoulder to shoulder. Hermione gasped as he pushed her into the wall, dipping his head and brushing his lips against her neck, making a shiver run down her spine. "Harry," she groaned.
Before she could further it, something ran into him, making the man stagger back, confused.
"Back off, dude. She is mine for the night," He stated, looking at the person who ran into him.
Hermione blinked as she tried to focus on who had slammed into her dance partner. "Ron?" she gasped, "What the hell?!"
Ron's ears were bright red, and he was breathing heavily as he grabbed her arm roughly. "You are drunk. We are going home."
Hermione yanked her arm back, fury racing through her. "You have no say in what I do!"
The stranger held up his hands, shaking his head. "Look, if you're in a relationship, I don't help people cheat." Hermione watched him turn, melting into the crowd as Hermione burned with humiliation.
Turning on her toes, she faced Ron. "I hate you, Ron!" she spat as foam melted down her face into the tears coming from her eyes, making them burn, "I hate you!"
Shoving Ron aside, fury boiling in her chest. The foam on the floor made her slip, and the lights blinded her as she stormed through the cloud, people shouting at her as she elbowed past, but she was so angry that she didn't care.
Behind her, Ron's voice rose above the music. "Hermione, wait!"
But she refused. Her sash slid down her shoulder, her hair dripped with sweat, water, and bubbles as she pushed forward until she slammed into the door. Pushing it open with her hands, the cool night air hit her like a wall compared to the suffocating heat inside. She shivered, but didn't stop, stomping down the ramp to the pavement below. Her ears were buzzing with rage, alcohol, and the effects of the music inside.
Behind her, she heard the door slam open as Ron barreled out after her. "Where are you going?"
"Away from you!" she shouted over her shoulder. "Leave me alone!"
"Hermione, you sound like Rosella!" he yelled, jogging to catch up with her. "You're drunk, and I was protecting you."
It was as if fury exploded from her chest. She pivoted on her toe as he came up behind her and swung. Her fist connected with his nose, making Ron stagger back, clutching his face with a groan.
"I am a grown woman, and you have no control over me, Ronald Weasley!"
They stood glaring at each other in the dim streetlight. Hermione's chest heaving, and Ron's nose bleeding down his face.
"I wouldn't have to if you took care of yourself when you drink!" Ron snapped.
"I don't need you hovering over me like you are my parent!" Hermione shot back.
Ron scoffed. "Oh, so you don't like someone controlling you? Maybe that's why Harry left-"
Hermione's chest twisted with rage as she pushed her finger into his chest. "Don't you dare bring Harry into this!"
"You think he wanted to stay and listen to you whinging every time someone didn't do what you wanted?" Ron snarled.
"At least he didn't abandon us when things got hard!" Hermione shouted, her voice breaking.
Ron laughed ironically, "That's exactly what he did!"
Hermione growled and was about to swing her fist at him again when Luna appeared beside Ron. "Excuse me."
They both looked at her to see Ginny and Hannah standing just behind her, along with a crowd of curious Muggles watching them.
"You're drawing attention," Luna said firmly in a voice that was steady and almost noble. Completely unlike her own. "It's time to go home." Hermione deflated a bit with the look she gave them. "Ginny, take Hermione. I'll see Ron home. We'll all be calmer tomorrow for lunch at the Burrow."
Hermione's jaw was clenched so tightly that it ached. She let Ginny slip an arm around her and steer her away from Ron. They ducked between two buildings, where Ginny apparated them with a crack. Suddenly, Hermione found herself standing in her bedroom, where Ginny let her go with a sigh.
"What the hell was that, Hermione?"
Hermione kicked off her soaked trainers with a growl. "That was me being tired of Ron's shite. That is what. I'm a grown adult."
Ginny crossed her arms as Hermione started taking her dress off. "Then act like it. Because when you're drinking, you don't act like an adult. You're all over these men. You're not you, Hermione. You're someone else, just a woman throwing herself at anyone with a nice smile and dark hair."
Ginny trailed off, her eyes going wide as Hermione pulled her dress over her head. "They all look like Harry."
Hermione's throat went tight as her anger dissolved into something more raw, "I'm going to take a shower. You can see yourself out. I'll be there for lunch tomorrow to get Rosella."
Walking into her ensuite bathroom, she shut the door behind her, then slid to the floor, burying her face between her body and her knees as she sobbed.
~*~ 16th September 2001 ~*~
Hermione stood in front of her fireplace, pacing, trying to prepare herself for a Weasley family lunch, albeit her birthday lunch, while she was hungover and had a pounding headache. She could just see how well that would go. "Hey Molly, I have a hangover headache. Do you have any headache potion?" Hermione mumbled, rolling her eyes. She could feel the judgment already, and it wasn't worth it.
Instead, she was armed with her Dad's University of Bristol jumper, which hung from her body like a warm hug, nearly as baggy as the bags under her eyes that Molly would clearly notice. Taking a breath, Hermione grabbed the floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. "The Burrow!"
The smells of herbs and bread greeted Hermione as she stepped through the floo. Tugging the sleeves of her dad's old jumper over her hands, she braced herself for glares and questions after last night's fight with Ron. Instead, as she stepped into the kitchen, she was met with Molly's concerned frown.
"Oh, Hermione dear. Are you feeling well?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Ron and Ginny didn't tell you about last night?"
Molly paused, wooden spoon in one hand, her wand in the other, eyes narrowing. "You went out for your birthday, didn't you? Why? Did something happen?"
Hermione shook her head, making her headache flare. "Just a headache. Nothing to worry about." Her voice cracked slightly, making her clear her throat. "Where's Rose?"
Molly studied her for a moment, "Upstairs in the playroom." Then turned back to the stove, stirring the simmering soup.
Hermione let out a breath as she turned and climbed the stairs. The muffled sounds of Rosella's laughter met her halfway up. Stopping at Percy's old room, now a playroom, Hermione leaned against the doorframe, as she saw toys littered the floor, Rosella's dollhouse was against the back wall, and the bunkbeds that Rosella and Victoire used for their sleepovers sat against the outside wall.
Inside, Rosella was holding a tea party. Hermione tried not to laugh as she saw Fred wearing Molly's flowered hat and too many bead necklaces, and Ron sat cross-legged on the floor, holding a chipped teacup.
"Mrs. Tilly, would you like a spot of tea?" Rosella asked.
"Oh yes, my dear, I'd love some tea," Fred replied in a hilariously high voice.
Rosella rolled her eyes. "Uncle Fred, you aren'ts Tilly! Uncle Ron is!"
Fred gasped, hand on his chest. "Oh, I do apologize! That's right, I'm Miss Muffett!"
Ron lifted his pinky, presenting his cup. "Of course, I'll take a spot of tea." He said in his own high voice.
Hermione caught her laugh as Molly climbed the stairs behind her.
"Hermione, dear. Could you mind the soup for me?" Molly asked.
Hermione turned, "Of course." Walking down the stairs, Molly headed toward the bathroom. Once in the kitchen, she lifted the lid of the soup pot and stirred it slowly. Replacing the lid, she checked the oven timer as she inhaled the scent of fresh bread.
A knock on the back door startled her. George sat up on the couch, frowning, "Who knocks?"
Wiping her palms on her jumper, she crossed over to the door as George followed behind her. Opening it just a crack, she peeked out.
Kingsley Shacklebolt stood there, frowning as he saw her.
"George, it's just Kingsley," Hermione called to him. "Hey Kingsley, long time no-"
"Hermione?!"
Hermione's heart jumped into her throat at the voice behind Kingsley. She saw her mother first. Her own eyes reflected at her, wide with tears. Then her father stepped around Kingsley, his face in disbelief at seeing her.
Hermione's knees buckled, and George grabbed her before she could crumble to the ground. "Mum? Dad?" her voice cracked.
Eglantine Granger rushed forward, dropping to her knees as she pulled Hermione into her arms. Hermione clung to her, shaking as her mother's warmth and scent enveloped her. Folding into her arms, she felt another pair wrap around her as her father's aftershave added to the comfort surrounding her.
"Mum? Dad?" she repeated in disbelief as she wiped her tears and looked up at them. "Mum? Dad? I… I don't understand."
"I will leave you be, I have this note," Kingsley said, holding it out for her.
Hermione took it and stood shakily beside her parents.
George cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I am George Weasley. Please come in," George said, holding his hand out for Mr. Granger.
Her father shook George's hand, "Camillo, but you can call me Cam."
Hermione glanced outside as Kingsley disapparated away, shutting the door behind them as she stared at her parents in disbelief.
"Come on in and have a seat," George urged as he pulled out a chair for her mother.
Hermione couldn't take her eyes off them, staring at them as if they would vanish.
"Would you like something to drink?" George asked.
"Yes, thank you. Water is fine," Eglantine answered politely as she gently touched Hermione's face, "I like your hair, darling."
She sat down and sighed. "The flight was long," she said, wiping away her tears.
"Here you go, Mrs. Granger," George said, handing her the glass.
"Oh, dear boy, that was my mother-in-law. Call me Briar Rose," she told him, sipping her water.
George looked at Hermione, "Briar Rose?"
"Mum's name is Eglantine. It's French for Briar Rose," Hermione whispered.
Her mum smiled at her, "Darling, we are real."
Hermione melted into the chair next to her mother, shaking her head as she clutched the parchment in her hand. "I don't understand."
Camillo leaned forward, "We don't properly either, love. We remember some things. Broken pieces of both lives. He said that we would for a while before we knit them back together again. He let us recover and said we'd be fine enough to get home, where we belonged. Said you'd fill in the rest."
"Answers might be in the note," Briar Rose stated.
Hermione opened the parchment with shaking hands, expecting Kingsley's handwriting. Instead, it was Harry's.
Hermione,
Happy Birthday.
I was in Australia, and every place I visited, I searched. It wasn't until I was in Sydney that I found them. They remember who they are, who you are, and were given the choice to return or stay. They wanted to be with you. I will handle their home and the dental office's sales. They had some anger, but it quickly wore off.
Harry
Tears blurred the page as they filled her eyes. "Harry found you?"
"He is a remarkable man," Briar Rose stated, smiling, "We were in this centre for two weeks, healing as our memories returned. He visited every day, telling us stories about the side of you that we never knew. He shared your letters with us. It's obvious that you both care for one another a lot."
Camillo looked at her, "Honey, did you really send us away?"
Hermione swallowed hard. "I had to. It was the only way I thought of to keep you safe. If Voldemort had found you…"
"Sir," George said as he sat down across from them, "We were in the middle of a war. A war so evil that one of the professors at our school did this." George pulled back to show the healed hole in his head where his ear used to be, permanently disfigured. "Hermione did what she could to protect you. I lost not only my ear, but my brother in the war. None of us knew who we could trust. It was an awful time."
Camillo nodded as he reached for her hand. "Then you did what you thought was right. We're here now. That's what matters."
Hermione buried her face into her mum's shoulder, "Oh, I missed you both so much."
Camillo wrapped his arms around them both. "We're home, honey. We're home."
Molly walked into the kitchen. "How is the… soup?" She froze, her eyes widening, and then she gasped. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger! But how?"
Hermione wiped her tears. "Harry tracked them down and healed their memories."
Molly turned the stove off. "Merlin and Morgana… that boy…" Her eyes were glassy. "Well, we are glad to have you home."
Before Hermione could say more, a thunder of feet on the stairs made her heart race. She turned just as Ron ducked into the kitchen, Rosella perched on his shoulders, wearing both hats and all the bead necklaces.
"Is lunch ready..." He stopped, his eyes locking on Hermione, then to her parents. He blinked, "Hello."
Hermione swallowed as Ron stared at them. "Wait… are those your parents?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded, "Mum, Dad… meet Ron."
Briar Rose came to her feet slowly. "I must say, you are much taller than you used to be."
Ron grinned as he lifted Rosella off his shoulders and set her on the floor. Rosella immediately darted behind his leg, peeking shyly at her mum. Hermione's heart clenched as her mother came up beside her.
"Hermione? Darling… is that…" as her voice cracked.
Hermione nodded and walked over to Ron and Rosella. "Rosella honey, there are some people I want you to meet."
Her daughter poked her head between Ron's legs, nearly tripping him, making the whole room burst into laughter. "Hello."
Hermione reached a hand out to her, and Rosella stepped forward, taking her mother's hand. Hermione knelt beside her, "Rosella, my little flower, I would like you to meet my mummy and daddy."
Rosella's green eyes grew impossibly wide. "My Grandma and Grandpa?"
Hermione nodded, and Briar Rose came to her knees beside them, tears falling from her eyes.
"Hello, my sweet angel," Briar Rose whispered, her voice breaking. "I am Grandma Granger."
Rosella tilted her head, looking at Molly, then at her. "Is it true you have the same name as Sleeping Beauty?"
Briar Rose let out a laugh, "Yes, sweetheart. My mummy named me after seeing her movie in the theatre."
Rosella nodded, then turned to Camillo, who had stood and walked over toward them. "Grandma Molly is Nana Molly." She explained, "Can you be Grammy?"
Briar Rose smiled, "Whatever you want to call me, sweetheart."
Rosella walked over and wrapped her tiny arms around Briar Rose's neck. "Ok, Grammy. I'm glad you are here." She leaned back to look at Camillo, "You too, Grampy."
Camillo knelt beside them, brushing Rosella's curls back from her face. "We're glad we're here, too."
Landing in her back garden, Hermione let go of her parents' hands as Ron appeared next to her, carrying Rosella.
"Ron-" Hermione starts to say.
"Don't mention it. We'll talk later," Ron told her.
Hermione nodded as she walked over to him and hugged him. "Thank you."
Patting her back with his free hand, he set Rosella down. They smiled as Rosella ran over to Briar Rose and Camillo, taking their hands.
"Good luck," Ron said as Rosella pulled them toward the house.
Hermione let out a breath as Ron winked at her and apparated away.
"Mumma! I can't open it!" Rosella yelled.
Hermione laughed, "I'm coming." Walking through the yard, she walked up to the back door. Camillo smiled as Hermione took out her key and unlocked the door. "Sure brings back memories."
"I really hope I wasn't this impatient as a child," Hermione said as she opened the door, and Rosella was already off, pulling Briar Rose toward her bedroom.
Kicking off her shoes by the door, she watched her father out of the corner of her eye as he looked around, "It's not much, but after the war, I came into some money after the things that happened. So, I put it to use by buying this house and my store."
Camillo looked at her, "Harry told us about the store… the Lily Pad, right?"
Hermione nodded, "It's actually two stores. One magical, one Muggle."
"Muggle… non-magical, like us, right?" Camillo asked.
Hermione nodded.
Camillo let out a breath, running his hand down his face. "This is a lot."
Hermione sighed as she sat down at the kitchen table. "I'm sorry, Daddy."
Camillo walked over to a picture on the wall and stared at it. It was a picture of Hermione holding a newborn Rosella in St. Mungo's. "He told us that you were a Mum, but I nearly didn't believe it. You are only 22, and she is what?"
"My birthday is on Wednesday, she is three," Hermione told him.
Camillo looked at her, shocked, "Wait, she came when you were 18?"
Hermione nodded.
Camillo ran his hand over his balding head, "Harry… I don't understand. He said she came early, and he thought it was around Christmas."
Hermione shook her head. "She did come early, but in August."
Camillo blew out a breath, "So…"
Hermione swallowed hard. "I got pregnant during the war."
He groaned, disappointed, "Hermione…"
"We thought we were going to die, Dad. I didn't even realize I was pregnant until May," Hermione told him. "I was skin and bones. We stayed with Ron's brother and sister-in-law for nearly a month while I recovered, so I gained some weight back. After the battle… when the war was over, after Harry left, I collapsed. That's how we found out I was pregnant. I was only 43kg at the time."
Camillo looked at her, "You had to recover?"
Hermione licked her lip, then bit it. "The people we were fighting believed that people who came from non-magical parents stole their magic from other wizards. Voldemort was their leader, and he took over the Ministry of Magic. They started a registry and would bring Muggle-borns like me into the Ministry to question them, to find out who they supposedly stole their magic from. Of course, we didn't steal magic, we were born with it." Hermione sighed, "Of those who were brought in, no one was believed, and they were sent to prison."
"Holy shit," Camillo said as he sat down and stared at her.
"So, Harry and Ron, and I… ran. They kept me safe while we tried to find a way to stop Voldemort." Hermione told him.
"Why did it have to be you?" Camillo asked.
"Because it had to be Harry," Hermione told him honestly, "And I wasn't going to let him do it alone. The wizarding press had already falsely put me with him as far back as our fourth year. My name was well known, even without being a muggle-born," Hermione shrugged. "No matter what I did, I was going to be hunted. I didn't want that for you and Mum."
Briar Rose came back into the kitchen smiling. "I'm sorry, darling, but Rose tried her hardest. She went into the bathroom, showed me her routine, showed me her pyjamas, and had me sit next to her on her bed. We didn't make it far from that."
Hermione chuckled as she went over to the stove to make some tea. "I'm not surprised. She didn't have her nap today." As she filled the kettle, she glanced over at her Mum as she looked at the picture of her in St. Mungo's on the wall.
"Briar, didn't Harry say that Rose was born close to Christmas?" Camillo asked.
Briar Rose sat down next to Camillo, "Yes, I believe so. Why?"
Hermione shook her head as she put the kettle on the stove. "You must be mistaken. She was born in August."
Briar Rose looked at her, confused. "He said she came early, around December."
"She did come early, but in August. I was due at the end of the month, and she came on the 1st of August," Hermione told her.
"Wait, if she came in August, that means…" Briar Rose trailed off.
"Hermione was only 18 when she was born," Camillo stated, "We just went over this. She didn't even know she was pregnant until May. It was after Harry left, so maybe he was confused about it."
The kettle whistled, and Hermione took it off the stove. Bringing it over, she poured water into three mugs. "I have some chamomile tea and this blend that Harry sent, called Sleepy Time. I find it helps."
After they made their tea, Briar Rose sipped on it. "Delicious."
Hermione smiled as she sat next to them, "I'm lucky. Harry sent me a few varieties to try. Now I have his contacts, from where I purchased it."
Briar Rose looked at her over her steaming mug. "Harry is still a big part of your life, even with him being all over the world."
Hermione bit her lip. "He… went through a lot. As much as I want him home, he deserves the chance to… explore it. To find himself."
Camillo shook his head as he sat back. "To me, it seemed like he was running from something. Yes, he was excited to tell us all about his travels, but it was like he was running."
Hermione shrugged, "Some people say that too. Ron says that."
A loud snore echoed through the house, and they all laughed. "Well, she's asleep," Hermione chuckled.
Briar Rose shook her head, "All I know is that little girl is so excited that we are here."
Hermione smiled. "Of course she is. I mean, she has had Molly, but nothing is like having your real Grandmum. Harry's parents died when he was only one, so Ron's mum and dad took me in when I first found out I was pregnant. They've been there for us since day one. I'm okay with her calling them grandparents."
Camillo spat out his tea, coughing.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, patting his back, "Is it too hot?"
"What do you mean, Molly and Arthur aren't her grandparents?!" Camillo asked.
Hermione looked at him, confused, "Because they aren't. Wait, who do you think her father is?" Hermione asked, looking at them.
"Ron, of course," Briar Rose stated as she gasped, "Oh no… Hermione, you weren't…"
"OH, no! God, no… Harry is her father," Hermione told them, "Wait, he told you that Ron was her father?"
Camillo looked at Briar Rose, confused, "I guess we were more mixed up in the hospital than we thought."
"Harry is her father? Why is he traveling then?" Briar Rose asked.
Hermione shook her head. "He left after the war… before I knew. I wrote to him. Telling him to come home, that I had big news. I didn't want him to find out through a letter that he was going to be a father. Then we were in the paper, and he knew about her, so I told him everything. Officially, her hidden birth certificate has her name as Rosella Lily Granger-Potter, but I only use Granger in public." Hermione sipped her tea. "What did Harry tell you?"
Camillo rubbed his forehead, "Some parts are still fuzzy. But he told us that Ron was there for you, while he traveled, that eventually he'd return." He looked over at Briar Rose, "Maybe in our state, we filled in the rest."
"I wish you didn't have to go through it alone," Briar Rose said sadly.
"I planned to bring you both back after the war was over. Then I couldn't travel while pregnant. Then I couldn't travel with Rosella easily. Then I tried to find you both, and I had no clue where to look. When I started getting the store ready for opening, I got a computer and searched. Had no luck," Hermione told them, "Harry knew the names I gave you, though."
"Is he part of her life at all?" Briar Rose asked.
Hermione hesitated. "He writes letters and sends gifts when he can. I thought he'd be back by now. I rarely knew where he was until he had already left. Did he say how long he would be in Australia?"
Camillo shook his head, "He was talking to a doctor and told them that he was moving to the next area soon after we left."
Hermione sighed as she closed her eyes. "He is learning to be a healer. He is becoming a better healer to help people. I don't know if he is running from us, but … I just wish he'd come home."
After her parents had gone upstairs to her room, Hermione sat in the living room staring at the blank television. Standing up, she walked over to the kitchen table and grabbed a piece of parchment.
Harry,
I still cannot believe it.
When the door to the Burrow opened, I saw my Mum and Dad standing there with Kingsley. My legs gave out on me. I thought I was dreaming. I must have said their names a hundred times just to be sure that they were real. But they were there, smiling, crying, alive. Home.
You found them. You went to Australia, found them, restored their memories, and returned them to me. You gave Rose her grandparents. You gave me my family back. I don't know how to begin to thank you for that.
After everything, after all the silence, the distance, the heartbreak. You still see me, really see me. And you did the impossible again.
I can never repay you for this. Please know that I will never forget this, and neither will they. Neither will Rose.Without your parents, you have given her a chance for real grandparents. They are still a little confused about details, of course. For example, they thought you had told them she was born around December and that Ron was her father. Is this normal? Please tell me if my spell affected their memories forever.
Sending you all my love,
Hermione
Sealing it inside an envelope, she put it on the counter to send it off with her owl in the morning.
/\/ <3 /\/ 15th December 2001 /\/ <3 /\/
In his Perth apartment, Harry was on the floor doing his workout routine when a house elf suddenly appeared, startling him mid sit-up.
The elf bowed, its long nose touching the carpet, and Harry looked at it, "I'm sorry, Lord Potter, if I startled you. I have a letter for you from the Minister."
Coming to his feet, Harry walked over to the elf and took the letter. "Thank you. Would you like anything to eat, to drink?"
The elf gazed up at him and smiled. "You really are a rare wizard," and he popped away.
Harry shook his head as he wiped his forehead with his sleeve. Opening the envelope, he was surprised to see it was not from Kingsley, but from Hermione.
Harry,
I still cannot believe it.
When the door to the Burrow opened, I saw my Mum and Dad standing there with Kingsley. My legs gave out on me. I thought I was dreaming. I must have said their names a hundred times just to be sure that they were real. But they were there, smiling, crying, alive. Home.
You found them. You went to Australia, found them, restored their memories, and returned them to me. You gave Rose her grandparents. You gave me my family back. I don't know how to begin to thank you for that.
After everything, after all the silence, the distance, the heartbreak. You still see me, really see me. And you did the impossible again.
I can never repay you for this. Please know that I will never forget this, and neither will they.
Sending you all my love,
Hermione
Harry smiled as he set the letter down. Grabbing his jumper off the back of the couch, he threw it over his head as he decided he needed to go shopping. He had some Christmas presents to buy.
/\/ <3 /\/
The summer sun was already high in the sky as Harry stepped into the open market. The smell of roasting nuts and sweet dough filled the air. Stalls stretched out in rows as the merchants pedaled their wares, including handmade goods, old records, curious antiques, and other rare finds.
Hands in his pockets, Harry wandered through various tables and different booths. At one table, boxes were piled high with worn, cracked video cases from an old video store. A set of videotapes on top made him pause. Little House on the Prairie. He remembered how Hermione had told him that she and her mother had enjoyed the series together. It would be a perfect thing for them to share. Picking up the top box, Harry saw it held the second season. Rummaging through the boxes, he found seasons one through eight.
"Are you looking for the Little House series?"
Harry looked up to see a woman looking at him from the next table over. "Yes, are there more there?"
She held out the box, "This is the ninth and final season."
"Thank you!" Harry said as he took the stack of tapes to the merchant to pay. After he paid, he took the bag and ventured on.
Finding a collectible booth, he looked over the different collectibles before his eyes stopped on a Star Trek Enterprise replica. He could already imagine Camillo's face lighting up. So, he purchased it and a few figures to go with it. He gently picked up the box, making the merchant laugh. "I think you might need a wagon."
Harry smiled, "I hope not to be much longer. Thank you, ma'am."
Further down the stalls, he found delicate butterfly shaped hair clips, whose wings moved when she moved, perfect for Rose. At a jewelry table, he picked a tiny silver necklace with a rose on it, perfect for a little girl.
But when it came to Hermione, nothing seemed right. Drifting from stall to stall, he scanned every trinket, scarf, and piece of jewelry. Nothing seemed right. Books were the obvious choice, but they were already her life. He never remembered her wearing jewelry. He wanted something that spoke to her.
As he lingered at a table of handcrafted items, a vendor woman smiled at him. "You look lost," she said, "Shopping for someone special?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, my best friend. She is also the woman I love more than anything. The trouble is, everyone always gives her books. But she runs a bookstore, so she can get any book she wants. I don't want to give her something she already has, either."
Her smile grew. "Then you want something that tells her who she is to you. Not who everyone else thinks she is."
Harry blinked, surprised. "Yeah"
"I think I have just the thing," she said as she went behind the table and took out a box. Lifting the lid, she took out a small wooden box. It was hand-carved, and its wood is polished to a high shine. On it were delicate vines etched on the lid that reminded Harry of Hermione's wand. The merchant opened it, and within was a blue velvet lining, sapphire-colored, like her birthstone. "I made it for keepsakes. If you wind this on the back, it also plays music."
"It's perfect," Harry said, "I'll take it."
~*~ 25th December 2001 ~*~
"Everything alright?"
Hermione looked at her mum, "Yes, why?"
"Your water has been filled for over a minute," Briar Rose told her.
Hermione looked at the glass as it poured over and shut off the faucet.
"What is wrong, darling?" Briar Rose asked.
Hermione stared out the frosted window of the kitchen that overlooked the back garden. Laughter echoed through the house behind her as Victoire played with one of her new toys. Sighing, she shook her head, "I don't know what has been bothering me lately." She went to move away from the sink when she noticed something growing larger in the distance. Staring at it, a brown tawny owl was growing larger as it flew closer. Hermione quickly opened the window, and it flew inside, shaking itself over the sink to remove some of the snow.
Hermione frowned as it hopped over to her, a card on top of the box tied to its leg. Untying it, she relieved the owl of its package, and it took off into the night. Opening the card first, Hermione started laughing, making everyone look at her.
"What is that?" Ron asked as he walked over.
Hermione handed him the card with a grin, "He was in Australia still." On the card, Santa was depicted in a red swimsuit and sunglasses, holding a drink.
Enlarging the box, she opened it to reveal more smaller boxes within the large one, labeled and tucked away inside. A small one for Rosella laid on top. Beneath it was a flat one for her dad. Upon lifting it out, she discovered one for her Mum that was much larger. It was obvious he had used an undetectable extension charm when she pulled out the box for her mum and found one for her as well.
Hermione handed them out to everyone, smiling as Briar Rose gasped as she pulled out the first tape and looked at Hermione. "How did he know that I love Little House on the Prairie?"
Hermione looked at her sadly, "We talked about you guys in the tent."
Camillo opened up his box, "The Enterprise! Oh, and Scotty, Kirk, and Spock figures."
"Mumma!" Rosella yelled as she ran over with silver butterflies in her hand, "Mumma! Put them in my hair, please!"
"Come here, Rose," Ginny said, calling her over as Hermione gently opened her own box.
Inside was the most beautiful wooden box that she had ever seen. Vines, much like those on her wand, were engraved and painted in shades of deep green and gold, entwined on the lid in intricate detail. Gently opening it, she found it lined in plush, blue sapphire velvet. It seemed empty, except for a folded piece of parchment tucked beneath the lining. Lifting it, Hermione gasped when she saw the workings of a music box. Setting the note aside, she looked at the bottom to see a small knob. Winding it, she let it go, and a melody started playing. Hermione closed her eyes, listening to the song.
"That is Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers."
Opening her eyes, she looked at her Mum, "I recognized it, but I wasn't sure what song it was."
"It was from the movie Ghost, probably where you've heard it. We watched it once with you," Briar Rose said as she looked at the box. "It's a beautiful box."
"I think he picked it because it reminds me of my wand," Hermione told her as she picked up the note and unfolded it. Harry's handwriting seemed different, clearer almost. Less messy than usual by far, but still Harry.
Hermione,
By the time you have read this, I hope that things are settled with your parents. They didn't seem too upset when I left them at the airport in Sydney. I honestly cannot believe that I found them. I started in Canberra first. It is where their magical capital is, as well as their largest medical hospital. A healer there gave me a map of magical districts down the east coast, and I followed it for the next two months, stopping at every magical community I could find, asking, searching, and refusing to give up, until I found them accidentally in Sydney. They had a practice there, and I stumbled upon it on my way to the beach to surf. (Yes, I can do it, but it doesn't mean that I should. I'm ruddy awful at it.)
"You're smiling."
Hermione looked up at Ron, "Harry has learned to surf."
Ron barked out a laugh, "Bloody hell, what else has he said?"
Hermione re-read the part of the letter that she had already read as the Weasley family and her own gathered around, then continued where she had left off.
"They didn't know me, of course. Well, your mother had an idea of me. You know, when Dumbledore told me about the protection I had on me from my Mum. I never believed him. He always said that the power of a mother's love is strong. You are the strongest witch that I know. Even in Hogwarts, you knew spells that some of the most highly educated people that I've run across haven't known. You knew spells that some of these wizards could only dream of. Despite that, your spell failed. Not because of the spell, but because your mum loved you so much, she dreamed of you. The spell could not hold her love for you. A love so strong, I could never even imagine it. I hope to experience it soon."
"Maybe he is coming home soon?" Ron asked.
Sighing, Hermione carried on. "I worked with the healers, stayed with your parents, and waited while your parents came back to themselves. They will be fine. The memory lapses and confusion will last a few more months. They have dual memories to sort through.
While I was there, the healers recommended that I head to Alice Springs. A healing centre was there, and after I knew they were safe on their way to you, I went there. I learned about Bush medicine, using plants and roots in ways I never dreamed of. When I get back, I'll have to discuss it with Neville. He'd be fascinated.
Happy Christmas to you and Rose,
Harry
Hermione's hands were shaking as she set the parchment back into the box, blinking back the tears in her eyes.
"Mumma! Look! Do I look pretty? Daddy got me these!"
Hermione smiled as she bent down and kissed her forehead, touching the silky curls that held the butterflies within them. "You look perfect, my little flower."
Preview of Chapter 27 – Message in a Bottle
Hermione bit her lip, watching as Fred sat her on the sled and handed her the strap to hold onto. Then gasped as Fred pushed her down the hill. "By herself?!" Hermione yelled in horror, Rosella's screams drowning her out.
"I'm flying!" Rosella yelled as she hit the bump at the bottom of the hill and, in fact, got air, then came crashing down onto the snow, falling off and barrel rolling to a stop.
Hermione ran as fast as her legs would toward her with Ron and Luna close behind to where Rosella had come to a rest lying on her back, "Rosella! Are you okay?"
Rosella frowned as she spat out snow. "Why is snow so cold?"
Hermione dropped to her knees next to her, "Shite."
"Mumma, that's a bad word," Rosella said as she sat up and felt her helmet, then looked up the hill. "I lost my tiara!"
Fred slid down the hill laughing. "Don't worry, Rosie-posie. I have it!" He stated, presenting it to her with a bow. "I recovered it in a daring snow quest."
Rosella grinned as she threw the helmet off her head and placed her tiara back on her head. "Uncle Fred, you're the bravest knight ever!"