Their Fight for Normalcy
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Harry Potter series is just awesome and also this is fanfiction, but I still own nothing. Damn.
Also, I mean no copyright infringement intended. I also use full names for my characters every new chapter. I hope that doesn't bother anyone. Characters' Deaths, OC, OOC, Language, Gore, Some AU & Some Canon, Hopefully a Good Dumbledore, RW GW MW Bashing. Harry and Hermione are both born in 1980, cause the canon one seems to confuse me. And Hermione's middle name is Jean.
And feel free to tell me some things that need to be worked on. I'm my own worst critic anyways. Also, if you all think I need a beta, I am so open to the idea. I do tend to confuse my POVs.
~Italics without quotation marks are thoughts and flashbacks AND spells
~Italics with quotation marks are more 'expressed'
~Italics with bold are the telepathic connection
Enjoy!
Chapter One
It was later in the day of Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger's adventure to save Harry's wrongly framed godfather, Sirius Black. They had traveled back in time a few hours with a time turner Hermione had been using all year, to save Sirius and Buckbeak - a Hippogriff - after they had failed the first time.
Sirius was supposed to be a murderer, but he was framed by his old friend Peter Pettigrew, who had also betrayed Harry's parents, their own best friends, James and Lily Potter.
Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, and James Potter were best friends and Marauders – pranksters since they had first attended Hogwarts. Lily was added to the list since she married James - after trying to avoid him for years - and they had conceived their son, Harry. They later found out a prophecy was made about him and the parents went to extreme measures to hide with their child, but Peter betrayed their trust, resulting in James and Lily being killed by the dark Lord Voldemort on October 31, 1981, leaving Harry an orphan and framing Sirius, who was sent to Azkaban with no trial.
However, when Voldemort tried to kill one year old Harry, his killing curse rebounded from the protection of his mother's love and Voldemort had to flee as his corporal form was destroyed.
Years later – now – Harry had found out the truth about everything, and nearly went ballistic, but with Hermione's help, he had remained calm as they explored the truths he was told.
Hermione was thinking all this over and realized she was in love with her best friend, Harry. They had been very close this year and she loved it. Sure, they were always close since they first met, but this year seemed like they were even closer...and he was more attentive and caring. She would never tell him though, fearing she'd ruin their friendship, which she cherished more than anything and would never leave him for anything.
That's love, right? She thought and her heart jumped a beat, seeming to agree.
"Hi, 'Mione," Harry whispered, as he plopped down next to her.
Startled, Hermione looked up to see her best friend's concerned emerald eyes, ones she could always get so lost in. "Harry. Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Harry replied, smiling. "And I'm surprised you're not flipping out on me about the nickname,"
She smiled back. "Just thinking, plus I like the new nickname,"
Harry looked into the blazing fire wondering what could distract her so much that she didn't even mind the nickname.
Hermione looked at her best friend out of the corner of her eye, noticing his jet black hair - messy as usual - his wide glasses that seemed to be always falling off and his chiseled chest. She flushed. His chest is amazing, probably like the rest of him. She cleared her throat before speaking again. "Are you going back to the Dursley's?"
Harry's eyes darkened and he shrugged before answering. "Depends if they clear Sirius before school lets out,"
She nodded thoughtfully.
He then looked at her and studied her features. She had a lithe, skinny figure that seemed to blossom in the right areas and her brown bushy hair was now perfectly wavy instead. Her brown eyes reminded him of cinnamon every time and they seemed to sparkle with every emotion...and at this moment, he was pretty sure he saw love.
That's when Harry felt giddy and his heart soared. Sirius had thought they were dating, to which Harry denied. Sirius then told him that maybe they should be, which sparked Harry's curiosity and a feeling that he had felt deep down since he first met her.
"That would be pretty awesome for you, wouldn't it?" She asked happily.
He smiled. She always did care for me, more so then Ron, who was with us until he was bit by Professor Lupin. Still, his track record sucks compared to her. "Thanks for caring. At least someone does,"
Hermione cringed, hating that no one saw the Harry Potter that she does. "I'll always care, Harry. You're my best friend. I love you,"
He grinned. "Thanks 'Mione, I love you too,"
She didn't notice the double meaning until Harry moved closer, and then she clicked everything into place, too late though. Harry saying I love you, moving closer, always checking on her and always there for her. It's love, right?
She turned to him to say something, but his face was inches from hers, green eyes locking on her brown eyes. "Harry…"
"Hm?" He asked, moving even closer.
Hermione forgot all thoughts as his soft lips connected with hers. She thought she had died and went to Heaven! That's how happy she was right now. She pressed her lips harder against his and he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She was shocked, but then she realized she liked it and pulled him closer.
Harry then deepened the kiss even more as he moved one arm behind her to feel her curly hair and wrapped his other arm around her waist to pull her onto his lap, making him groan.
She moaned as she lifted her arms to reach around his neck, both fighting for dominance as their tongues clashed and she pressed herself into his lap.
After a few minutes, they both pulled back briefly to catch their breath, emerald eyes gazing into her cinnamon eyes.
Hermione leaned away from him to lay on the couch, pulling him with her and he managed to keep his weight off her. She realized then that she didn't want that though. She wanted him closer. But we're still young…
Harry seemed to be having the same conflict as he looked into her eyes.
She stroked his cheek softly. "I know, Harry…"
He was seriously thanking the stars for someone like her and leaned into her hand, before kissing it. He then nuzzled into her neck, kissing it, making her moan his name softly as he whispered hers.
His lips are magic! She thought as she pressed her body against his and her hands stayed firmly on his back.
Harry pulled back, making her frown in disappointment. He chuckled at this. "So, will you be my girlfriend?"
His husky voice from the passion made her shiver.
"Of course," She whispered as she raised her head to his and kissed him deeply, pouring all her love into it. "I love you,"
Harry was shocked to feel love from her - from anyone, really - and realized he couldn't live without her. "I love you more," He whispered. "Forever,"
Hermione felt her heart beat faster. "Forever," She agreed breathlessly. "Till the end,"
He smiled. He could spend the rest of his life with her, no problem. "Till the end,"
She kissed him.
OoOoOoOoOoO
Dobby, the freed house elf that was hired to the Hogwarts Castle, went to the Gryffindor common room to get it ready for the day when he saw Master Harry and his Missus Grangy asleep on the couch wrapped in each other's arms.
Dobby smiled and was going to leave them alone until Dobby noticed a little note on the floor. It asked Dobby to please put them in their beds before everyone woke up, and Dobby did so, smiling. "They finally see," Dobby said and clapped his hands as he cleaned the Gryffindor common room.
Upstairs, after a few hours, Hermione woke up blissfully. She stretched and smiled, remembering Harry's passion giddily and couldn't wait to see him.
As she showered and dressed, she wondered how they'd tell everyone that they were dating. Going to Hogsmeade together will be obvious enough.
In the boys' dormitory, Harry woke up, also blissfully. He smiled as he remembered last night and got up, excited to see Hermione again. He wanted them to go to Hogsmeade together, without Ron.
Harry frowned. He still had to tell Ron that they were dating. He shrugged. Only person I care about is Hermione.
He showered, got dressed and entered the common room in record time, excited for the day and that was when he noticed his beautiful girlfriend reading a plaque on the fireplace mantel. He admired her tanned legs in black shorts with green sandals and a green tee shirt that fitted perfectly.
Harry smirked. She's saying that she's mine by wearing green. Oh, how I love that girl. And she looks beautiful with her damp curls...curls I want to feel again.
Hermione eyed the plaque critically as she started to wonder if she had missed Harry.
Harry came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He felt her jump slightly, and then heard her chuckle a little bit.
"Morning, Harry," She greeted and turned in his arms to face him. "I thought I missed you for a second,"
He was grinning and his green eyes sparkled. He was wearing a white tee shirt with black shorts and black sandals. She liked how he looked very much.
"Morning, beautiful," He greeted and kissed her softly.
She sighed in his mouth before deepening it, holding him close. This is what I was waiting for.
They were so lost in each other that they didn't hear the rest of the Gryffindor's come in and stop in shock. Soon enough, wolf whistles and cat calls interrupted them, but no sound was heard from Ginevra and Ronald Weasley.
Harry gently pulled away from Hermione to look at the crowd that gathered as Hermione blushed and buried her head in his shoulder.
"Whoo Harry!" Dean Thomas called.
"Way to go, Hermy," Lavender Brown called.
"Kiss that-,"
"-Girl!"
Hermione took a deep calming breath and looked at everyone. "Don't you all have something to do?" She asked with her hand on Harry's waist.
Everyone laughed, cat called and wolf whistled as they left. They didn't even notice the youngest Weasley's.
"That was embarrassing," Hermione muttered.
"Better get used to it," Harry said as pulled her closer. "Will you accompany me to Hogsmeade?"
She smiled, forgetting all about the Gryffindors. "Was there any doubt?"
He laughed and twirled her as they left, making her laugh.
Ron felt hurt that they didn't tell him, but he was more furious and jealous than anything, since Harry got his girl.
Ginny was just furious. She loved Harry and would get him back.
OoOoOoOoOoO
Harry and Hermione were sitting in the field beside the Black Lake comfortably. The trip wasn't until after lunch, but the cat calls and wolf whistles became too much so they had escaped outside to relax and wait for after lunch.
Hermione was sitting between Harry's legs with his arms wrapped around her and his head resting on her shoulder. She leaned her head on his and closed her eyes, enjoying the day. She had written a note – only because she was excited or else it would have been a long letter – to her parents saying how she had a boyfriend and would like them to meet him. She had also told them this was the real thing and to be nice.
Harry was so relaxed and happy, he was beginning to wish his parents were around…or even Sirius.
"Hey, pup," a voice called.
Both Harry and Hermione turned.
Sirius was happy when he noticed Harry and Hermione sitting cozily, staring across the lake. The picture had made him smile and his heart soar. They looked so in love and happy. So much for not dating.
Speak of the devil. Harry thought as he grinned. I wish I had a ring so I can propose to Hermione. He waited as Sirius made his way to them, looking handsome instead of the escaped criminal he usually did. Guess that wish isn't coming true. Oh well, I'll get her one later. "Sirius, what are you doing here?" He asked his godfather.
"Telling you that I got cleared!" Sirius exclaimed joyfully, waving his hands in the air. He held a package in his hands.
"No way!" Harry exclaimed.
"That's awesome!" Hermione agreed, getting up to let Harry hug Sirius.
"Thank you," Sirius said as he squeezed his godson. "What about your hug, Hermione?"
Said girl blushed, but she did hug him since she was genuinely happy about his situation. "Why was it so soon?"
Harry and Sirius looked hurt.
"No!" Hermione cried out and hurriedly explained why she was asking.
Harry shook his head in amusement. Only she would wonder about the Ministry's ability to do trials.
"Well, Amelia was upset that I didn't even get one in the first place, so she had rushed it this time," Sirius answered, grinning.
"Sirius, that's great! Now I can live with you! Oh, and I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Hermione," Harry said with a grin, putting his arm around her and kissing her temple softly.
She blushed and looked at Harry lovingly. "Well that too, yes, but also fiancée,"
Harry grinned. "Yes, we agreed to stay with each other, till the end,"
Sirius was shocked, but happy. His godson had found his girlfriend and wife in the same girl, just as James and Lily did. "Congratulations,"
Harry and Hermione kissed softly.
"This is literally the best day of my life," Hermione said as she smiled widely at Sirius. "I have parents who love me, my best friend is my boyfriend and I have you too,"
Sirius teared up. "Thanks, Hermione,"
She blushed.
Harry kissed her temple.
"Oh, Hermione, this came for you. I brought it since I was already coming to see you guys," Sirius said and offered her the package, saving the blushing girl. "Ginny gave it to me to hand to you. She said it was on your bed,"
"Thanks," She said and went off a little way to open it and let them talk.
"Hermione and you, huh?" Sirius teased.
Harry nodded before answering. "Well, what you said had got me thinking and I acted upon it. Obviously, she agreed,"
"Obviously," Sirius agreed.
They both looked at the lake in contemplation.
Hermione then squealed in happiness.
Harry turned towards her.
"Look, Harry! Someone gave me a necklace!" Hermione exclaimed with a smile and showed him. It was a gold chain that had a blue crystal in the middle, with green stones on the outside.
"It's beautiful," Harry said as he walked towards her when the weather suddenly changed. "But who gave it to you?"
"Ginny, remember?" She teased.
Sirius looked up as the clouds darkened and lightening slashed across the sky in a matter of seconds. "What the fuck?"
Harry looked around him as the wind picked up, blowing the debris around and even strong enough to push him. He figured this out as he staggered against the wind.
Hermione watched in surprise, still holding the necklace.
CRACK. CREAK. GROOOOOAN.
Hermione watched as the sky literally cracked open, groaning as if in pain and you could hear the hollowed, haunted screams. "What's happening? Harry!"
Harry was starting to get scared and agitated. "Sirius, Hermione, come on!"
Sirius didn't need to be told twice and turned to run, just as Harry grabbed Hermione.
You could hear screams from the school and the sky as it opened even more.
Sirius rushed to the castle, Harry and Hermione running behind him.
BOOM.
Lightening then slashed right in front of Sirius, making him jump back and close his eyes from the brightness and the heat from the bolt. The ground began to shake before groaning as it cracked open noisily and you could hear more haunted screams in the crevice.
Sirius felt goosebumps and whipped his wand out, ready for enemies.
"HERMIONE! NO!"
Harry's scream made Sirius turn around quickly and notice Hermione being pulled by a glowing, wispy hand from an open rip in the air behind her. She tried to scream as she struggled, which proved to be futile since she was tightly bound.
"HERMIONE!" Harry screamed as he ran after her.
In the open rip behind Hermione, you could see unevenly shaped rocks with a dark red sky.
Sirius' eyes widened as he realized what the place meant. "NO, HARRY, STOP!"
Harry and Sirius seemed to forget about their wands as they ran after Hermione, who was pulled faster.
Finally, she was able to scream and it loudly echoed across the grounds as the sky and ground opened even more.
Harry knew he wouldn't let Hermione go by herself and the terror in her eyes sealed the decision for him. She was closer to the hole and there was only one thing he knew to do…
"NO, HARRY!" Sirius hollered, running as fast as he could.
No, Hermione and I till the end. Harry thought. He then ran more determined and jumped to reach Hermione. He used his last strength of power to shove Sirius back and himself forward to clasp her hands and pull her closer to him.
"Harry…" She whispered, clearly scared until Harry hugged her.
"Till the end," Harry reminded her before kissing her.
"NO!"
They heard Sirius' anguished scream as they went into the open hole.
With a loud crash, it closed. In fact, everything went quiet as the rips closed in the sky and on the ground. No more groaning and screaming.
"NOOOOO!" Sirius screamed as he collapsed on the ground onto his knees. "WHY? WHY?"
OoOoOoOoOoO
Albus Dumbledore woke up a very happy man. Another year was gone and everything was perfect; Sirius was cleared and Buckbeak was alive. He was even strolling happily to the Great Hall as he whistled a tune his little sister, Ariana, had taught him.
When he walked in behind the teacher's table and took his seat, he noticed a few students gathered around Harry and Hermione, making him frown. Why are they being picked on now? He wondered. That was until he noticed that Harry and Hermione were holding hands and sniggered. No wonder they're being bombarded. He also noticed the two youngest Weasley's growing ire and thought he should have a word with them.
Apparently the teasing had became too much, because the young couple left, rather quickly.
Albus chuckled before he started to eat his delicious breakfast.
"Did you notice Potter and Granger, Albus?" Professor Minerva McGonagall asked.
Albus nodded and swallowed the rest of his food. "I'm happy for them," He noticed the grin on the stern teacher's face. He knew she was proud and happy, too. He was enjoying the wonderful chattering of the students as the last day of school was coming to an end.
Of course all good things must come to an end as a dark shadow engulfed the Great Hall faster than anyone could realize.
Albus looked up in surprise and glanced out the windows and noticed the sky was darkened black as well.
"What's going on?" Minerva asked, confused.
CRACK. CREAK. GROOOOAN.
Albus and Minerva watched as the sky literally cracked open, releasing hollowed haunting screams and over in the distance was Sirius, Harry, and Hermione in the middle of it all.
Minerva let out a gasp.
CRASH.
Everyone looked up to see the ceiling collapse in concrete crumbles and let out screams as they ran towards the exit, except a large concrete fell, blocking the exit. Everyone then skittered back in horror and screamed as they noticed Lavender underneath the stone, blood seeping from her lips and her glassy gaze staring unseeingly.
Pomona Sprout let out a little scream as Severus Snape and Filius Filtwick seemed to be in shock, not moving.
SMASH.
Everyone screamed again and threw their arms up as the windows by the Slytherin table had smashed with extreme force.
Albus couldn't believe what was happening; there was chaos and he didn't know why, for once in his long life. Shaking his head of cobwebs, he waved his hand in the air to stop the concrete pieces from landing on his remaining students and blasted it away.
That's when he noticed the very dark black sky above them and the sky seemed to be splitting even more - if that was possible. Beyond the crack was some rather scary-looking creatures with their own dark red sky and jagged rocks that seemed to grow upwards.
It was a portal. It was a damn alternate dimension.
"Albus..." Minerva whispered in horror.
"WARDS ARE DOWN!" Albus yelled. "THOSE WHO CAN APPARATE, DO SO NOW! TEACHERS, HELP STUDENTS!"
Loud cracks as well as people yelling were echoing across the Great Hall while students and teachers were leaving swiftly. There was a loud rumble as the school shook, making everyone gasp and to try to steady themselves as the dishes and books were knocked off the tables.
That's when a loud long CRACK was heard and Albus looked outside to see the ground had cracked open, making a deep abyss and you could hear the haunted screaming down below - making him shiver. He noticed it had cracked open in front of Sirius, Harry, and Hermione and they instinctively backed up.
Albus was feeling despair when he had noticed the air splitting behind Ms. Granger and grabbing her. "NO!"
He then apparated out of the castle - not close enough though - so he ran towards the three as Harry ran after Hermione and Sirius was trying to reach Harry. Albus was so used to apparating far away from the castle, he didn't even think of doing it closer. He even forgot to use his wand, in the heat of everything.
Albus then seen Harry jump into Hermione's arms as Sirius' anguished screams echoed across the grounds. Harry then kissed Hermione and they promptly went inside the rip. "NO!"
There was a loud crash as everything stopped; the sky, the ground and the rip that took his two favorite pupils, closed.
Albus had kept running though, even when he was too far to do anything. He reached Sirius seconds later as said godfather fell to his knees and cried. Albus stopped beside the grief stricken man and realized the mystical air was gone. There was no portal to even try to open.
He, too, fell to his knees beside Sirius and comforted him as the 'Boy Who Lived' disappeared with the 'Brightest Witch of Her Age'.
Albus felt his eyes starting to hurt.
OoOoOoOoOoO
Molly Weasley was working in her garden this fine morning when a loud crack filled the air, making her shriek as her children appeared in front of her; Fred holding Ginny and George holding Ron.
Molly stared.
Ginny then started to cry hysterically and Ron fell to the ground, utterly shocked and exhausted. The twins just stood there, their palms swiping their faces over and over.
Molly pulled her children to her tightly, frightened. "What's wrong?"
Instead of answering, they all burst into tears. Like any mother, she soothed them all as they cried in anguish. After a few moments, they were sniffling instead.
"What's wrong?" She asked again, tears in her eyes. She knew the answer was bad. It was so obvious.
Ginny had just cried harder and the twins just stared ahead, not sure how to answer their mother.
Ron was in shock as he remembered Lavender's face and body as she died. He remembered the screams and chaos that happened. He never even knew where Harry and Hermione were! "The sky…the ground…the ceiling…Lavender…"
"What about it, Ronald? What about it?"
"The sky and ground opened, Mum," Fred replied, still staring into space.
"There was haunted screams…the ceiling collapsed…Lavender and a few more died…" George finished solemnly.
Molly gasped as she realized what happened and pulled all her kids in her embrace and hugged them as they cried again. She didn't know how long her and her kids sat there, crying. All she knew was she had to give her kids strength, but she did wonder one thing: What happened to Harry and Hermione?
OoOoOoOoOoO
All Ministry officials were on the grounds of the Hogwarts School, assessing the damage that had been done. They picked the debris up, fixed the castle, and found bodies. The elves were helping, also in deep sadness.
A goblin in Gringotts Bank couldn't believe the destruction that happened, all those innocent children dead. He was staring at his paperwork, nursing a whiskey when he was told the Ministry was finalizing everything. That's when he was afraid to see how many scions were lost to the living.
Amelia Bones heaved a deep sigh as she realized the extent of the damage and vowed to find the culprit.
"Madame Bones?" Kingsley Shacklebot asked, his voice low.
"Yes, Mr. Shacklebot?" Amelia asked her Auror.
Kingsley sighed before speaking. "Ma'am, we found more,"
Amelia took a deep breath. She wanted to cry. "Show me,"
They walked to where Albus, Arthur, Sirius and Cornelius were waiting, with bodies in a row. They were all somber as they finalized what had been done and who had been dead or gone.
"So, in total, it's not too bad," Cornelius Fudge said and sighed in relief.
Amelia looked at her boss in shock, before slapping him violently as tears slid down her cheeks. "They're just kids, Cornelius!"
Fudge glared at her, rubbing his cheek, ready to fire her.
"Losing any child is a loss, Cornelius," Albus told him softly before he looked at Amelia, noticing she was on the verge of losing it. She lost her whole family now.
"Did you check the names of those ones?" Fudge asked thickly as he pointed to other covered bodies.
"Not yet," Shacklebot answered softly. "Just these ones,"
They looked at the piece of paper in his hand.
Bones, Susan: Deceased
Brown, Lavender: Deceased
Finnigan, Seamus: Deceased
Granger, Hermione: Gone
Patil, Padma: Deceased
Potter, Harry: Gone
Snape, Severus: Deceased
Zabini, Blaise: Deceased
OoOoOoOoOoO
"Molly!"
Molly heard her husband's arrival before his voice, but she couldn't leave her children by themselves. "Outside, Arthur!"
Arthur ran towards his wife's voice, leading him outside and see all four of his children crying in their mother's embrace. His throat tightened as his stomach flopped.
"Arthur…" Molly whispered. "What happened?"
Arthur sighed before answering his wife. "A portal opened up above Hogwarts,"
Molly gasped.
"The Great Hall ceiling collapsed, killing a few students,"
Molly choked back a sob so he could finish.
"The ground and sky opened…but in all of it were Harry, Hermione, and Sirius,"
"Are they okay?" She asked quietly.
Arthur sighed and looked across the field behind his home, putting his hand through his hair.
Molly and the children waited for him to speak.
"Harry and Hermione were pulled into the portal…not Sirius though," He finally said as his eyes began to hurt. I loved them as my own.
"They what?" Molly shrieked. "They went into…where did they go?" She was in complete shock, but then she started to cry and her husband held her as well as his children.
OoOoOoOoOoO
Remus Lupin was at Sirius' home sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for him to return to talk to him about a temporary room and board.
Finally, he heard the telltale sound of an apparition and went into the living room, but stopped short at the sight; Sirius was hanging onto Albus looking dirty and hollow.
Albus eased the man onto the couch, where he sat down as well and heaved a deep sigh.
Remus whipped up some tea with his wand and came forwards. "What happened?"
Sirius looked up and noticed his old friend with a tray of tea. He then grabbed one cup and chugged it down, hoping it would burn his throat, but he felt nothing. He was still numb.
Albus sighed and wiped his hand across his face. "Sit down, Remus,"
Remus sat. This is bad. This is bad. Oh, this is bad.
"Remus…Hogwarts was attacked,"
Remus gasped before speaking. "What happened?"
"A portal opened," Sirius answered in a hollow tone. "The sky and the ground opened. You could hear the haunted screams,"
Remus sat back, horrified. "Was anyone hurt?"
Sirius and Albus slowly nodded their heads.
Remus swallowed thickly.
"A few students…died," Albus whispered.
Remus' hands shook as tears gathered in his eyes. All those families...worst pain imaginable. My God. Remus thought as his head went into his hands.
"It gets worse, Remus," Sirius whispered, feeling a pang in his chest as he thought of Harry and Hermione.
"How much? That's already bad,"
Albus looked at Sirius and saw he couldn't say it, so he did. "Harry and Hermione were pulled into the portal,"
Remus froze. Harry and Hermione were pulled into the portal. My God, that is worse.
"We tried to help them, but we were too far," Albus said.
Remus felt the tears and the pain before the numbness. Now he knew why Sirius looked so horrible.
"I'm so sorry, Remus and Sirius," Albus said as he got up, sniffling. "I'll keep trying, but now I have to go see the Granger's and tell them their daughter is...gone,"
Sirius felt his stomach flop. The Granger's. I have to tell them Harry and Hermione admitted their love to each other and let them know she died loved…by her family and boyfriend."Let me come. I want to show them my last memory of them happy before they…left,"
Albus nodded and looked at Remus. "Remus…we will be back,"
Remus didn't reply, but continued to stare into space.
OoOoOoOoOoO
With a loud crack, Albus and Sirius arrived at the Granger's home and walked up the path to ring the doorbell.
Emma Granger put her daughter's note on the coffee table beside her chips and went to answer the door. She was reading the note over and over again, happy for her daughter. Even her dad was happy and proud, which was a hard feat.
Daniel Granger heard the doorbell and walked to the door, only to see his wife beat him.
"Hello," Emma greeted with a smile.
They only looked at each other and their expressions made Daniel's heart clench.
Emma frowned before speaking. "What's wrong?"
Albus and Sirius sighed.
"Is she...alive?" Daniel asked, knowing already as his eyes teared.
Emma gripped her husband's arm. She knew the worst was possible, but never thought it would happen.
"There was a…problem at school," Albus tried to speak, but his throat fell swollen.
"Come in, sit down," Daniel suggested, finally noticing their state. "Explain inside before you both fall over,"
They both smiled in thanks and followed the parents into the living room to sit on a beautiful blue couch.
Emma and Daniel sat opposite of them and waited.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger…Hermione disappeared…with her boyfriend," Albus said with a sigh, looking at the rug.
Emma and Daniel looked at each other before looking at the two wizards.
"Disappeared?" Emma asked. "Where?"
Daniel waited, although his heart was racing.
"She was pulled, rather forcefully, into a portal," Albus answered and waited for Daniel to hit him.
Daniel had so wanted to hit the two men, but his grief and guilt stopped him. He then broke down and cried in his hands as his only daughter was gone, God knows where.
Emma finally realized the implications as she comforted her husband. "What? How did that happen? How did that happen?"
Sirius sighed at the couple's anguish before answering. "We don't know yet,"
"How could you not know?" Daniel demanded.
"Even alternate dimensions are beyond us, Mr. Granger," Albus tried to explain.
Daniel felt his hands shake in anger and frustration.
"What was Harry to you? I know not your son, because our daughter explained his past to us," Emma wondered, since Sirius did look like a parent in mourning.
"He's my godson…and your daughter…she was the best thing that ever happened to Harry and me. She helped us," Sirius explained.
Emma nodded and realized she will never see her daughter again and began to sob.
Daniel embraced his wife and cried with her.
Albus and Sirius felt their grief and let them cry.
After a few moments, Sirius remembered why he came.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger…I want to show you something," Sirius said. The parents looked at him and he nodded at Albus who apparated and came back in ten seconds. In his hands was a stone fountain that he placed in the middle of the living room.
"What's going on?" Emma asked in confusion with red eyes. "What is that?"
Sirius stood up and answered. "I am going to pull a memory from my mind…I want you to see it. This item is called a Pensieve. We just dunk our heads in when we say,"
They nodded and stood up slowly.
"Do your thing, Albus," Sirius said.
Emma winced when she noticed a blue wisp being pulled from the man's head. "Does that mean you won't remember that specific memory anymore?"
Sirius shook his head. "Just sharing,"
She nodded understandingly.
"Now, prepare for this," Sirius warned.
Albus dropped the memory in the bowl of water.
The couple looked at the wizards expectantly.
"You have to put your heads in," Sirius reminded them.
They hesitated at first, but listened. Sirius and Albus then dunked their heads.
After a long while looking at Sirius' memory, they were pulled back into their living room, speechless and horrified.
"That's everything," Sirius whispered.
"She loved him, Daniel. She loved him forever," Emma whispered, reeling from the revelation. "And they're fucking gone!"
Sirius and Albus winced.
Daniel held his wife as his thoughts scrambled at seeing his daughter's last hours.
"He loved her back," Albus' soft voice replied. "'Till the end'," He quoted the lovers.
Everyone was silent as they absorbed this.
"What did you mean when you said you were cleared?" Emma asked thickly.
Sirius gulped before answering. "Maybe we can talk about that another time,"
Emma frowned, but looked at her husband questioningly.
However, he was quiet with his thoughts. Daniel found he couldn't say anything. His daughter was gone. With her boyfriend he didn't get to meet. At least she left loved, and knew it.
Sirius looked beside him and noticed a letter. It was Hermione's writing and was sent today.
Hi Mum and Dad!
I thought I'd write to you and tell you something exciting that happened to me. Remember Harry Potter? One of my best friends? Well, ever since the first year, I have been gradually falling in love with him. It's hard not to fall in love with him. Anyways, last night he admitted his love for me! He promised me forever…till the end, and I said yes! Now we're together! And I do love him with my entire being and I do see him in my life forever. So, tell Dad to be nice when he meets Harry. We will see a lot of each other over this summer...and forever. I love that word!
Much love and thanks,
Your daughter
P.S. Soon to be Potter!