Homecoming
Disclaimer: This story is a total work of fiction, any characters, events, or organizations are not meant as parodies of anybody or thing else. Also, any views represented by any character are not always the expressed view of the author. Also, Harry Potter is owned by those including but not limited to: J. K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, and Scholastic Incorporated. I am not making any money off of this material and do not try to make any monetary or other, excluding intellectual, gains. (Meaning that I am only furthering a story line I have imagined, not that I am gaining any smarts over this)
Harry Ron and Hermione were walking to certain death. It wasn't exactly a new idea but it was definitely what they were doing.
It was October 31st, 2001 a day that Voldemort was known to spend in meditation in the Chamber of Secrets. After Harry's sixth year he, Ron, and Hermione had gone on many an adventure trying to find the remaining Horcrux's.
First was Slytherin's Locket. It was an easy find. After going through Number Twelve Grimmauld Place with a fine toothed comb it took the trio several days to figure out that Mundungus Fletcher had taken the locket.
Flashback, June 18th, 1996.
Mundungus Fletcher had had a rather successful day selling the wares he had, borrowed, from Harry. The only item he hadn't sold yet was the strange locket.
Mundungus had thought it funny when he couldn't touch the locket. Every time that he had tried a ripping pain had blazed across his heart and left scarring. He had tried many ways of grabbing the frustrating locket but had decided on the easiest: grabbing in while it was wrapped up in one of Black's tablecloths.
He had sold the rest of the wares off easily enough, he made a grand total of thirteen thousand five hundred and three Galleons off of the sale and that didn't include the locket.
Mundungus had a feeling that Harry would've wanted him to sell off the goods in the most ancient and noble house of Black, but what he didn't know was that there were three very interested customers coming his way.
They arrived like a shadow, noted but dismissed. They walked like the belonged and nobody disagreed with them. It was thought that they were the Dark Lords servants as they were all dressed in black hooded cloaks. But once people noticed the absence of the facial mask and the fact that they couldn't see a face they started to worry.
They went in a straight line to the peddler. He was boisterously showing off his ware remaining, a locket with a snake engraved in it. It wasn't a fancy locket; in fact many people dismissed the idea that the locket might've belonged to Salazaar Slytherien like the Peddler claimed it might have. Looking at it one might assume that it was owned by a half-blood trying to be intimidating, they would never know how close they were to the truth.
"Miister Flettcher." A soft smooth voice said from beneath a cloaked being. "Hoow much would youu wish for the Lockit?"
The Peddler paused for a moment and then replied. "Why! That would be twelve thousand-
The cloaked one who had spoken raised his wand in a threatening manner.
-But for you kind sirs it would be, about two. That's me final answer there's no hagglin'" The Peddler said lighting up one of his trademark cigars.
Talking between themselves in an odd tongue the first who had spoken took out a moneybag and counted out three galleons. He raised a hand that looked like it had seen better days and dropped the coins in The Peddler's outstretched hands.
"But remember Miister Flettcher, noo speaking." With that the cloaked one grasped the locket and the three walked away.
Two days later Mundungus Fletcher was found dead in an alley near his favorite pub.
End Flashback.
Harry smiled at the memory. He had Hermione to thank for the spell really, it was her who had been inspired by the Nazgul in The Lord of the Rings enough to create a spell that allowed them to speak and look like one to all else.
Then after the Locket came Hufflepuff's Cup.
Flashback, November 12th, 1997.
Inside the Malfoy Manor there was an intense discussion going on.
"No! Snape I have sheltered you here long enough, but this is the final straw! You will go back to Spinner's End and try to act normally! And if that isn't enough my Wife and Son will accompany you there and stay there. If you and her are so fond of each other then fine! You and her can start a family she is no wife of mine!" With that outburst Lucius Malfoy walked out of the main room of his house. Above the door there resided a cup that the Dark Lord had given him. He was to give it to the 'Faithful'.
Lucius had thrown out his wife and son because his guest seemed to be more of a father to his son then him. And more of a husband to his wife than he would or had ever been.
Lucius Malfoy was many things but let it be known that Cruel was not one he considered himself to be. So being the caring man he was he just let his wife and son go. Meanwhile he had to guard the cup diligently as his lord had ordered him to a year ago.
November 13th, 1997.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Lucius heard the knocking at his door. Nervously adjusting his collar and repeating his lines he opened to door.
In front of him stood three Dementors.
Lucius was so nervous that he didn't notice the cold around him it wasn't until he looked at his hand that he noticed that he was slowly freezing solid. Then the memories kicked in. Lucius Malfoy, angry old man, caring old husband, caring father, Death Eater lord, Pureblood lord, and Faithful Servant screamed his dying scream.
The three Dementors huddled around Lucius Malfoy. They were all enjoying the power their being gave them. Too soon it had to end and they moved away from the corpse.
They fanned throughout the room in search of something. It was only after almost tripping over a cup filled with mead that they knew where the item they were searching for was.
The Dementor is lead floated up to the ceiling of the manor and grasped the Cup. After waiting a second for his 'blood' to be recognized did he move from the ledge, Cup in hand.
The Three Dementors left the manor not bothering to avoid the corpse in the entryway. They left no trace of their being there except for the sheets of ice that followed them and the corpse in the entryway of Malfoy Manor.
End Flashback.
Harry had worried about their Animagus Form being a Dementor until he found that they could all turn into that which they killed. But during that escapade they utilized their Animagus Forms and raided the Manor for the Cup. It had taken him too long to realize that which was right before him. Then when he realized it the unthinkable happened. It happened when they retrieved Ravenclaw's Staff.
Flashback,December 31st, 1998.
Harry Hermione and Ron were all seated in the small home they had bought in Muggle London. Harry and Hermione had claimed the couch and Ron had the recliner. All of them were looking at the fireplace, absently trying to figure out what the next horcrux was.
"So." Ron said trying to start a conversation. "What happened to you and my sister?"
"Well," Harry started. "I broke it off at the end of Sixth year. Why?"
"Oh, no reason. Just trying to figure out why she didn't talk to you at all when we were over for Christmas last year. And no I don't think slow, it was just cause we're all back like we were last year that made me ask. Hermione, any ideas on the last Horcrux?"
"No Ron I don't. Though…" Hermione looked back at her trusty copy of Hogwarts: A History. "Wait! I got it!"
"What?" Ron and Harry asked instantly attentive.
"Ravenclaw had a staff she never let out of her sight except when she was sleeping! Sounds like a Horcrux!"
"This better be way better then Gryffindor's Chamber Pot!" Grumbled Ron.
"Oh it will be!" Hermione assured him.
January 2nd, 1999.
"We walked twelve kilometers for this!" Exclaimed Ron.
In front of them lay a great field. It was devoid of everything but snow.
"Yes Ron, this is the Ravenclaws' traditional Graveyard." Hermione said. "Rowena was buried with the staff. So," Hermione rubbed her hands conspiratorially, "want to do some grave robbing?"
After an hour of digging Harry finally hit hard wood.
"Guys! I think I found something!" Harry called.
The rest of the trio ran over to the pile Harry had dug out and helped with the final touches of digging out a casket.
After lifting the casket they found an entrance to a tomb uncovered. Harry grabbed a rope ladder he'd grabbed for this occasion and flung it down the hole he'd dug out. After decanding the ladder the trio found themselves entering the tomb.
On the door read: Enter thee who art pure at heart, enter thee who means no harm.
Shrugging Harry opened the door and walked into the crypt.
The crypt was a huge library, inside they found spirits doing to work, from spirit librarians to spirit book readers. After traversing a few meters they found themselves facing a giant silver tomb. Inside there was Rowena Ravenclaw and her staff.
Harry looked down and touched the glass, which promptly disappeared. Harry then reached into the tomb and grabbed Rowena's staff. He then felt the top end where a diamond resided.
Harry flinched back from the staff and grasped his hand like he'd been burned. He then nodded to Ron and Hermione, "Yeah." He muttered.
The rest of the trio nodded, the staff was a Horcrux. Though nobody had seen any signs of it being defended. Looking around Ron screamed in a most un-male like manner.
"He's here!" Ron yelled out.
Hermione whirled around drawing her wand and firing off a stunning curse before a green shaft extended from Voldemort's wand and connected with Hermione's wand destroying it.
"Hermione move!" Harry called to her. But to no avail she just stood there too shocked to move.
Grumbling about the idiocracy of woman in general Harry ran over to the motionless woman and grabbed her. He yanked her and dragged her before just giving up and lifted her in a fireman's carry.
The two men ran out of the Crypt, the red haired one carrying a staff, the raven haired one carrying a woman.
End Flashback.
Harry had to smile at that memory. He looked over to his right and saw Hermione standing next to him. On his other side Harry knew his best friend stood.
"Harry, I." Hermione started but Harry cut her off.
"No, I know. Just let's get out of this alive and talk later." Harry said then he hugged her and kissed her on her forehead. "Stay safe." He told her.
He then turned to his best friend. "Ron, keep 'Mione safe. God only knows what's after this, just, keep her safe." He smiled at him and walked into the school, Hermione on his right, Ron on his left. "Let's do this." Harry muttered.
They strode through the school brusquely. They acted indifferent and in fact, they were wearing the robes for the Nazgul deception they had pulled earlier. They walked into the Girls' Bathroom where Moaning Myrtle haunted the toilets.
Harry found the sink and muttered /Open/ In Parsletounge, the language of snake-kind. Said sink opened up and revealed a long tube that showed naught but darkness inside.
"I'm going." Harry said. He turned to Ron and gave him a friendly hug. He then turned to Hermione and then hugged her and kissed her forehead again. "I guess this is goodbye for now." He said wistfully.
"Oh don't say that!" Hermione said firmly. "You never know, halfway through Riddle may have a heart attack. After all he is quite old."
"Remember what I told you Ron, and I guess I'll see you in Heaven or Hell." Harry said quietly as he descended down the stairs that he conjured in the pipe.
Step
Step
Step
It was a slow walk, 'like walking to one's funeral' Harry thought. He reflected on everything as he walked down the steps to face Voldemort.
There was a grim silence hanging over the tube, not even his footfalls made a noise as they hit the conjured stairs.
Dumb, so dumb. Harry thought, Just now I find I love her. How did I let this happen, I just had to be SO cliché, like the rest of my life isn't already! I do hope she is fine, after all the school is so safe anymore.
The School, also known as Hogwarts, had been overrun in the waxing years of the war. Ginny Weasley had lead the defense but her fiery temper couldn't stand before the numbers of Voldemort's invasion force. For every Death Eater the defense killed three of their number fell to killing and other death curses.
In the end they fell back to Unforgivables and still didn't defend the castle. Then after everybody inside was slaughtered Voldemort walked into the Headmasters' office and took everything of value he saw.
After Voldemort left the castle was infested with the darkest of creatures, like minor demons, then the worst arrived. Dread wolves built their nest in the castle, in the Gryffindor Common room in fact.
It was only by the arrival of Fawkes at their home that the trio knew of the fall of Hogwarts.
Step
Step
Step
Harry marched on towards certain doom.
"Tom!" Harry called.
"Yes?" Said a malicious voice from under the statue of Salazaar Slytherin. "I take it you are here to kill me?" Said voice continued.
"Yes Tom it is finally time for you to die." Harry said finality in his voice.
"Oh? Dark Lords don't have times for them to die!" The voice declared.
"Oh? I, Harry James Potter, challenge you to a Wizard's Duel." Harry said, his voice showing malice towards the man in front of him.
"I, Lord Voldemort- No? Tom Marvolo Riddle, accept your challenge. The conditions are that there are going to be no Unforgivables. Everything else is legal." Something akin to triumph showed in Voldemort's voice.
"I accept."
Now it was not commonly known but Harry was a dabbler in the Dark Arts. He didn't broadcast this fact and nobody seemed to bother him about it. So when Voldemort declared everything but Unforgivables legal Harry was thrilled. He had a huge arsenal to choose from.
Voldemort bowed and Harry took his chance, "Avada Kedavra!" Harry yelled and a lightening bolt of green energy erupted from Harry's wand and hit Voldemort.
"Harry!" A voice yelled and the pattering of feet announced that Hermione Granger had just gotten to the scene where her best friend, possibly more, had used a Dark Curse. Instead of fear she felt protected, safe.
Voldemort gave a weak smile from his position on the ground. "You may have beaten me Potter, but with my last breath I curse you. Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort barked. Flashes from his wand showed the progress in slow motion of a shaft of Green Energy move and connect with one of them.
Seven Years Later
The doorbell rang and two dogs ran up to the door their tails wagging furiously. One of the dogs was a black mutt of questionable background that looked more like a grim then anything. It was appropriately named Padfoot.
The other dog was a Golden Retriever with extra bushy fur. It was appropriately named Granger.
"Stop it!" A man cried as he walked to the door. "Stop it you two! Don't forget we know the guy on the other side!" The man said exasperatedly to the two companions that he'd had for seven years.
After a moment of peace he opened the door. "Hello Ron, come by for the ritual?" He asked.
"Yep, you know I do this every year Harry." Ron told Harry.
"Yeah, but hey I started doing that, not you!" Harry said solemnly. "Anyway how's Linda?" He asked curiously.
"Linda's fine, but what amazes her is that you're single. Even though she knows what happened she didn't see why you're still single. Come to think of it, nor do I." Ron added as a side note.
"Don't even try Ron." His friend cautioned him. "Anyway, let's get to it."
The two friends walked into the dining room of Harry's home. Harry had moved to the United States of America after the war and Ron followed him. After a day the Granger's had followed and laid Hermione to rest in the local graveyard. They did get along will with Harry and Ron and were practically family to the Raven-haired wizard. After a month over Harry had gotten two dogs and named them after the two most important people in his life that had died.
Ron sat down at the small island present in Harry's kitchen. Harry walked over to his refrigerator and pulled out a bottle.
It was a different bottle each year, a different brand. This year it was a Scottish Whiskey that was reputedly very good. As both had gone to school in Scotland Harry thought it was appropriate for the ritual. After ten minutes the Grangers had stopped by and also ended up participating in the Ritual.
The Ritual consisted of toasting Hermione's memory, drinking copious amounts of liqueur, and just becoming in any other words drunk. Then the dogs would run over and end up licking the faces of everybody involved for a long period of time until the involved person got the hint and started giving them a belly rub which after it was completed the dog would move on. Then they'd fall asleep around the house in odd places and be woken by Ron's wife the next day.
"To Hermione." Harry said sadly as he raised his glass of Whiskey. It was met with three others and they connected with a metallic ting that was a yearly occurance.
He drank his whiskey and poured himself another glass. He nursed his glass for an hour while he refilled everybody else's glass. After fifteen minutes he just drank the entire glass followed by another. Harry knew it wasn't exactly healthy but he only did it once a year.
Harry walked around his house finding the Grangers sleeping in his bed. Then he found Ron sleeping in the Guest Room, well more like Ron's room really. Harry eventually found himself sleeping on the couch in the living room, his two dogs sleeping next to him, Padfoot on the floor, Granger on top of him.
Harry awoke to the sound of the doorbell ringing.
Who could that be? He thought, after all Linda has a key. I don't have any real friends here just the publishing agency's agent.
Groggily Harry forced himself off the couch and walked to the door to find his two dogs barking softly at the door with their tails wagging furiously.
Harry unlocked the door and opened it tiredly. What he saw outside was what he least expected to see in his entire life.
"Hermione?"
A/N: I just had this idea pop in my head one day. Yesterday, 7.23.06 to be exact, then I ended up typing it out over last night and finishing it up today. Do you think I should continue it? If so please tell me, if not don't. I hope you guys (And Girls) will press the button about 2 inches, 5.08 centimeters, .00508 meters, down to the left diagonal. Department Seven chapter 14 is being typed and the third chapter of TCWM is lost so I'll probably retype it and post by the end of the year, most likely sooner though.
Thanks for reading this,
Eldar