AN: A kind reader has corrected me on the army ranks. I've gone through the past chapters and fixed the mistakes. Here are the corrections as I understand them:
Ron: General, not a Commander.
Hermione: Major General, though I think it should still be okay to call her Major but I'm not sure.
Here's the notes I have - Army officers in order: 2nd lt., 1st lt., capt, maj, lt. col, col, brigadier gen., major gen., lt. gen, and
Chapter 4 - Ghosts of the Future
Nate watched the swirling blue liquid inside the bracelet. It was definitely unique or so he had been told. Forged from some famous sword that his grandfather had once used, but as far as he could tell it always seemed plain. A simple bracelet except for the deep indent in the centre of the bracelet, covered with glass and underneath was the strange blue liquid.
Nate lifted the bracelet and examined the swirling liquid inside. At least he had always thought it was liquid but at times it was so translucent that it almost looked like fog – and that he did not like. He watched the substance, whatever it was swirl around the bracelet before dropping his hand back to his lap.
It had been a long time since he last wore it – and he didn't look forward to wearing it again. It held a thousand memories and in more ways than one.
"Here you go kiddo," his father said to him playfully messing up Nate's hair.
Nate looked down at the silver bracelet in his hands.
"What is it?" he asked innocently looking up at his father's smiling face.
"It'll keep you safe."
Nate frowned.
"I can take care of myself," he said puffing out his chest.
He heard his father chuckle and pat him on the head once more.
"Just wear it mate, it'll make your mother happy at least."
Nate looked up in curiosity.
"It took her a long time to make that you know, and it'll make us all feel better knowing that you're looking after the most precious thing we have left."
Nate looked down at the bracelet then back up at his father.
"Okay dad, for mum."
"That's my boy."
Nate felt the metal dig into his hand, he slowly relaxed his hand.
"Mum…" he whispered looking at the swirling liquid as though expecting his mothers face to appear beneath the glass.
A soft knock on the door quickly brought him out of his inner reverie and from thoughts he would rather not remember.
The door slowly opened, though he already knew who it was he looked up when she walked into the small room that he was sharing with the other boys.
"The thingy will be ready soon," she said calmly closing the door behind her and walking over towards him.
"Thingy? That's what we're calling it now?"
"Well port key just sounds stupid," she said in annoyance before sitting down beside him.
"And thingy is so much better?" Nate resisted the urge to smile.
"Of course, gives it an air of mystery," Marie smiled resting her chin on his shoulder and staring straight at him.
After a pause she continued.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Nate didn't reply but carefully moved the bracelet away from Marie's reach, though he knew that if she really wanted she could easily take it from him.
"I could do it, and I am stronger than yo – "
"Absolutely not!" Nate cut her off, infuriated that she would even suggest doing it herself.
"I was just saying," she replied just as angrily moving away from him, "I hate that you take so much on yourself."
"That's my job," Nate replied in a deadpanned voice and he knew the mistake of that instantly.
Marie spun around to look at him her eyes on fire.
"Don't you dare say that!"
"I didn't mean –"
"I really hate you sometimes," Marie said standing from her seat beside him on the bed before walking towards the door.
'Wait.'
Marie stopped in her tracks.
'Why?'
'I need – I need you with me on this.'
"Nate," Marie said aloud, "You need to stop hating her. I have."
"I – don't – want – to – talk – about – her," his fist clenched around the bracelet once more and he could feel the metal and glass bite into his hand.
"It hurts," Marie said finally turning around to look around him, "I love you for what you've done."
Nate watched her warily as she slowly walked back towards him.
"But sometimes it's like being stuck underground again, I know that there's something more outside, but I can see it – I can't touch it - and it hurts Nate. I want to see her face. I want to remember…"
"No," Nate replied softly this time the weight of the memory pressing on him and he pushed it angrily back inside its prison. He let his head drop unable to look into her face – to see those eyes again.
He heard rather than saw her knell down in front of him. Her cold slender fingers lifted his face to look into hers.
"I'm stronger than you think," she said softly her eyes searching his.
He pushed her hands away.
"I know that you are strong physically…" he paused and looked at the bracelet once more. He saw her reach for it but he quickly shoved it onto his wrist.
"But I won't let you see that, not again, not unless I have to."
"Is it very bad?"
"Yes," he replied softly finally able to look into her face.
"And you'd carry that burden for me?" she asked like she had a thousand times before as though she couldn't understand how much she meant to him.
"Of course," he answered simply.
They stayed that way for a long time just staring at each other.
Nate looked up at the door.
"Time to go."
Marie nodded her head before standing up from her seat on the floor. She gripped his hand for a moment before walking out of the room. Nate looked down at his wrist where the bracelet now was. He gritted his teeth and followed Marie out of the room.
'Is he staring at me again?' Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione looked away from Marie to Nathan, but she was either paranoid or her eyes were not quick enough because he was definitely looking at Marie.
'Wait, what did she just say?'
"What do you mean I taught you?" Hermione questioned Marie.
"What's a 'major'?" Ron questioned curiously.
"That's not important," Hermione interjected still not sure how she should tell Ron that he appeared to be the leader of the resistance in the future. She had thought that by that time they would no longer have to worry about some psychopath trying to kill everyone but apparently she was being too optimistic. And how would he react if she did tell him? That's quite a burden to place on someone.
"One hundred years have passed," Nathan's voice cut through Hermione's thoughts, "A lot can change including how we use magic. We don't need wands anymore for instance."
Hermione was at least quick enough to see the surprised looks on Sam and Marie's faces but not on Nick's. Nick looked almost angry though she couldn't understand why.
"How do you…" Nick trailed off suddenly when both Marie and Sam glared at him. There was silence for a few minutes as though they were secretly communicating with each other and then the next moment they all turned back to look at her as though nothing had happened.
"It's similar to a protective charm or shield only it can be absorbed into our surroundings to create a protection from the outside world."
"I can see how that would be useful," Ron said thoughtfully.
And Hermione agreed though she didn't want to say it aloud because she was starting to get annoyed.
"Alright, my next question. How did I die?"
Hermione saw Sam's mouth move but she couldn't hear a word. It was almost like white noise filled the room for a moment. She shook her head to clear it.
"Sorry I couldn't hear you."
"That's because you're not allowed to know," Nathan explained forcing Hermione to look at him, "You both knew that if we ever had to go back in time we would be risking changing the future for the worse."
"Although I don't know how much worse we could get than this," Nick interrupted.
Nathan ignored him and continued.
"You never told us what you did before you…before you left us, all we know is that even if we wanted to we can't tell you anything unless it wouldn't break the rules."
"What rules?" Ron questioned curiously.
"Well clearly, nothing to do with how you died or any future events other than those that you gave us."
Nate lifted his wrist and Hermione saw a shiny bracelet on his wrist.
"What do you mean?" she questioned suspiciously.
"You gave us some of your memories to show – well – to show you. We've looked at them a hundred times but we can't understand them. I guess only you would since they are your memories."
Hermione walked over and reached for the bracelet but Nate jerked away from her.
"Sorry," she said softly though not sure why she should apologise to him.
"Well if you're ready we should have a look at a few memories now."
"You should prepare yourselves," Marie explained, "It might be a shock at first but you'll get used to it…and I don't think we should see more than two or three today."
Marie had been looking at Hermione and Ron but Hermione was sure that she had really been speaking to Nate who Hermione saw frown at Marie.
"Are you ready?" Nate asked Hermione and Ron.
"What should we do?" Ron asked suddenly nervous.
"You should probably sit," Marie replied taking a seat on the floor herself and Hermione saw the others except Nate follow suit. Nate remained standing in the centre of the room.
Hermione edged towards Ron before they too sat down.
"Ready?" Nate asked and Hermione was surprised at the concern that flickered across his face but the next moment his stony expression returned.
"I'll start with something simple just to ease you into it," Nate explained before taking a deep breath and reaching for his wrist.
Hermione saw him twist the bracelet before it started to make strange clicking noises and the next instant they were blinded in bright light before darkness surrounded them.
"Hermione?" Ron said.
"What?" she said in annoyance.
"Hermione, what are you doing?"
"I'm just sitting here, be quiet," she replied hitting him on the arm.
"Ouch. That wasn't me," Ron whispered from beside her.
"What?"
"Hermione, honestly stop mucking around with that thing."
Hermione's eyes widened as she saw a much older looking Ron walk towards her, but he wasn't a solid form, he looked almost like a ghost.
"I'm not mucking around," Hermione heard her voice reply somewhere in the distance, "This is important."
She saw the ghost-Ron sigh and fold his arms.
"I need to go soon, Hermione…"
Just like with Sam, she saw ghost-Ron's mouth move but no sound came out.
"Darn, we thought we'd hear more of that with you here," Marie whispered somewhere to her right.
"I'm almost done," Hermione heard herself say before a figure appeared next to ghost-Ron.
Hermione gaped at her future self. Her hair was straight and cut very short, she saw more than a few streaks of grey throughout but her face was definitely older, more tired and wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. She wore the same clothes that Nate and Marie wore. A simple black singlet and long pants, most surprising of all was the belt her future self wore that had multiple guns attached – no wand in sight.
"If I'm right, and I always am," ghost-Hermione spoke, drawing Hermione's attention again, "This will help us if we ever need to go back in time and save our younger selves."
"Okay, yes you're a genius," Ghost-Ron replied, "Now please be careful, I'll be back soon and …"
Hermione heard Marie groan when the voice was once again muted.
"You be careful," Ghost-Hermione replied.
The figures flickered before disappearing but not before she saw the smirk and loving look that the future Ron had given her future self.
"Well that wasn't really helpful," Ron said the instant they lights were restored and they could see each other once more, "If I wanted to see Hermione and I fight, I would hardly need a pensive."
"A pen-what?" Sam questioned.
"A pensive, it lets you see your memories," Ron explained.
Hermione felt the jolt run through her.
"Ron you're a genius!" she cried, "that's what the bracelet is, a miniature pensive."
Before Nate could get away from her she had stood up from the floor and was beside him in an instant. She grabbed his arm and examined the bracelet. The familiar liquid gleamed back at her that she had seen in the pensieve and she even saw some silvery threads that must have been the memories stored within.
Hermione felt a strong hand on her wrist. She suddenly realised that she had been holding Nate's hand and he obviously did not like it. He removed her hand from his before stepping away from her.
She saw with concern that he swayed slightly and he looked more pale than usual.
"I think that's enough for today," Marie suddenly spoke up walking over and standing beside Nate.
Hermione saw her reach over and hold Nate's hand. His face instantly relaxed.
Hermione made a mental note to question them about their relationship – they seemed somehow physically connected.
"We should go, but we will see you soon," Marie said cheerfully, "Mr Weasley said you would be at the Burrow soon."
"Oh yeah for Christmas," Ron explained.
"Yes, that's what he called it," Sam agreed, "It sounds like an interesting ceremony."
"It's a holiday not a ceremony," Ron laughed.
Sam cocked his head to the side.
"A holiday?"
"Never mind," Ron mumbled rubbing his neck, "I'm sure my dad will explain it to you."
"I'm sure he will," Nate finally spoke though his voice sounded hoarse, "We look forward to seeing you again General."
Nate leaned on Marie before being able to stand up straight. He saluted Ron and the others followed suite before they pulled out their invisibility cloak and disappeared from the room before Hermione could ask them where they had gotten the cloak from.
"I don't know about you but that gave me more questions than answers," Ron said before sitting down on his bed.
"Definitely," Hermione agreed.
The cup dropped to the rug in the Burrow living room with a soft thump.
"Could we have a moment," Maire said instantly.
Sam pushed Nick towards the kitchen but he refused to move.
"Why? What the hell are you two going to talk about?" he asked angrily.
"Move it," Sam ordered him.
"What the hell do you two know that we don't?"
"That was an order," Sam answered rather than Marie who continued to glare at the wall.
Nate meanwhile had collapsed onto the sofa beside the fire.
"Technically I don't take orders from any of you," Nick replied.
"Oh, you want to get into technicalities do you?" Sam retorted.
Nick turned to look at Sam. He clenched his fists before turning to leave the room.
Marie waited till they both had left before walking over and placing a silencing charm on the room.
"What the hell was that!" she exploded turning on Nate.
"What?"
"Oh don't play innocent with me," she marched up to Nate and glared down at him.
"I thought I could handle it."
"You promised that you weren't going to do it anymore, for Fred's sake. It's hard enough just showing the memories but you had to go and invade their privacy as well."
"I just needed to know what stage of the timeline we're at," Nate replied his voice regaining some of its strength.
"Please don't insult me," Marie clenched her fist to stop herself physically attacking him, "You wanted to find out about her."
"Do you blame me?"
"No," Marie conceded slumping down in the sofa beside him, "But you know you shouldn't use your powers like that. Last time you did you almost killed yourself."
"That was different, he was going to die. I had to find out…"
"And did you find anything useful this time?" Marie questioned when Nate trailed off.
"No, nothing I don't already know."
"Well there you go, it was all for nothing. And if I hadn't been there what would you have done? You know the connection only works with me."
Nate held his head in his hands.
"Give it a bloody rest would you," Nate groaned.
Marie froze.
"What did you just…Nate?"
Nate shook his head before looking at her.
"Sorry, still got a bit of residue left from the Genearal."
Marie felt her chest burn and she feel the traitorous tears blurring her vision.
"Don't ever do that again, it was like he was still alive for a second."
"Yeah," Nate agreed, "I won't do it again."
Marie scoffed and waited for him to add his famous last words.
"Unless I have to."
"Just make sure I'm always around."
Marie couldn't stay angry with him when he flashed her that very rare smile. She hugged him tightly.
"Don't ever leave me."
"I won't. I made a promise remember."
"Yeah…that I remember."
