Hermione woke up screaming. She had been dreaming about the torture she went through at the Malfoy Manor. She was sweaty. Next to her was Neville, looking terrified.
"I tried to wake you up. You wouldn't wake up." His voice shook.
She touched his face. "It was just a dream. Just a dream, just a dream."
She fell back on the pillow. Hermione pulled Neville in bed.
"I'm sorry; I can't be alone right now. I can't stop thinking about him." He knew she meant Ron. Neville rubbed small circles into her back until she fell asleep. However, he could not go back to sleep. He thought about Ron. He had been brutally murdered in front of Hermione. They had got taken by Greyback. It was McGonagall that found them. Hermione was rather bruised and battered, but Greyback had obviously started with Ron. He was missing several body parts and was bleeding so severely that Madam Pomfry could not stop it. He died within the hour.
Neville's thoughts led to Luna. His Luna. She had an easy death, so to speak. There was a second battle. It was fought with desperation. Harry had died the month before by Voldemort's hand and the resistance was losing hope. After they were defeated, he found Luna's body among the bodies. It was just a simple killing curse that brought her death. There was not even a scratch on her body. Neville casted a stasis charm on her body so it would not rot for a long time. He held a private funeral, just her father and him. They put flowers through her hair and closed her eyes. She looked like she was sleeping. She had a glass coffin. They said a few words over her, their last goodbyes, and covered her up.
Neville felt something wet slide down his cheek. He felt his eyes. He was crying and he didn't even know. Then he shook himself out of the past/future. I guess it's not a future anymore. He thought. Neville rolled over and let sleep claim him.
Hermione woke up very early in the morning. Four o'clock to be correct. She went down in search of some tea. Kent was downstairs, seeing some costumers off.
"How did you sleep? I heard screaming."
"It was fine, I just have nightmares sometimes."
"Oh" was his reply.
He place breakfast of sausage, potatoes and eggs in front of her. She found that she really was hungry. Hermione attacked her food happily. Neville walked down he stared slowly. He was still a bit groggy.
"So, are you to married?" Kent asked.
"Yes, recently. We just got back from our honeymoon when we heard our sister in law died in childbirth. She left a little boy. We are going to pick him up today."
He looked at them questionably. They looked to beat up and tired when they first arrived.
"How did you get so beat up?"
Hermione and Neville looked stunned for a moment.
"My husband here thought it would be fun to go full speed down a very bumpy road. We ended up crashing." Hermione lied easily. Neville had enough acting skills to look sheepish.
"So where is your nephew?"
"We heard he was in Wool's Orphanage, London."
"You said you were going to pick him up today, but that's at least a two day journey!"
"We'll manage." Neville broke in.
He too, wolfed down his breakfast. They both turned to leave.
"Waite, take this, it's still a bit chilly outside, and here is some money for your journey. " He handed a jacket to Hermione and Neville the bills.
She nodded in thanks. Neville guided her outside. They walked in silence. Once they got far enough away from the town, they apparated.
They landed right outside of London. Hermione made a graceless landing, crumpling over on herself. Neville helped her stand up. She clung onto him. He peeled Hermione off of his person.
"Hermione, it will be alright. Everything will be fine."
Hermione was shaking violently. He wrapped an arm around her waist and they started walking. London was a bit smaller. They both enjoyed walking down the streets without having to worry about being killed. They stopped a man on the street and asked him where they could find wool's orphanage. He gave them directions. They called a cab, walking would take too much time. They tipped the cabby generously. Neville and Hermione felt an immense sense of dread when they turned towards the orphanage. Hermione grabbed for Neville's hand and clenched it tightly. We can do this thought Neville. He started walking to the front door slowly. He knocked twice.
A rather plump woman answered the door. "Hello there!" she said happily.
"Hello. We are here to claim out nephew."
The woman smiled and ushered them inside. She poured both of them some whisky. Hermione downed hers immediately, to the surprise of Neville.
"Now who is you nephew."
"T-" Neville started, but Hermione stamped on his foot. Neville blushed, realizing he could have made a grave mistake. Merope died just after she named the baby. None of her family would know the baby's name.
"Did a girl by the name Merope come here?"
The plump woman looked at her blankly. "I don't know. What was her last name?"
"Riddle."
"Oh yes, he's here" The woman told her, happily, "I'll just go get him now."
The woman jumped from her seat and went in search of the child. Hermione was still clutching Hermione's hand. Neville patted her on the back, murmuring in her ear. The woman came back with a small bundle. She handed it to Hermione. She looked down at the baby's face. He was sleeping. She looked right into the face of Tom Marvalo Riddle and she did not see even a trace of Voldemort.
