Chapter 6 – Never

Nate watched the reaction of the people in front of him.

"What do you mean – he – used – his – powers?"

Hermione looked at them all curiously.

"You said that it was because so many of us weren't able to go to Hogwarts, and we didn't have wands to emit our energy through –"

"Um, can you go back and explain that – because I didn't understand any of it," Ron interrupted him.

Nate ran a hand through his hair as he collected his thoughts.

"You're right, its probably better if you heard the explaination first hand," Nate looked at Sam, "Is the room secure?"

Sam nodded before him, Marie and Nick walked into the spare bedroom.

"Could you come with us," Nate looked at the three on the couch and they all looked at each other warily before standing up and following Sam.

"I'm sorry," Nate turned and looked at the others in the room, "We can only show this to a small number of people."

"It's okay," Molly reassured him, "We trust you."

Nate smiled at her gratefully before he too followed Sam into the room.

He saw the General and Major sitting with Harry on one of the beds. Nick stood leaning against the wall watching him carefully. Marie sat twisting her hands nervously, her eye followed him as he stepped into the center of the room. He saw Sam walk over to the door and perform the protection and silencing spell on the room.

"This will probably be easier if you hear it from yourself," Nate said looking over at the trio on the bed.

Sam handed him his bag and from within the depths his fingers touched on the hard cool surface of their most prized possession. He pulled out the object and handed it over to Hermione but stopped himself and looked at her and the others carefully.

"Are you prepared to know everything?"

The three nodded their head simultaneously. Nate took a deep breath before he placed the book into Hermione's hands.

She took the object from him. Her fingers moved along the edges of the steel book. She looked up at him.

"Turn it over," he explained.

"What's it say?" Ron asked leaning over to look at the inscription engraved on the underside of the small book.

"It's in Runes," Hermione explained.

"Can you translate it?" Harry questioned.

She nodded her head wordlessly. She looked around the room hesitantly before she spoke.

"This is the property of – " She stopped and looked up at him.

He simply stared back at her.

"Of…Hermione Granger," she finished before she opened the book.

"Oh, it's a laptop," Harry said reaching for the book.

"No!" All four of them screamed instantly.

Harry froze and his eyes widened in shock.

"What?" Ron asked in alarm.

"It's programmed to hurt anyone who doesn't have matching DNA to the owner," Sam explained, "My father helped design it – we couldn't have our enemies or – spies getting their hands on it. Of course even if they did chances were that they wouldn't know how to use it but better safe than sorry as my mum always used to say."

"But hang on…" Ron said slowly looking at Nate, "You touched it."

Silence descended on the room.

"I have partial access as I'm the highest ranking officer – well before we came here that is. But other than me and the Major –"

"Please call me Hermione," Hermione interrupted him, "That title makes me uncomfortable."

Marie giggled and all eyes turned to her.

"Sorry," she apologised, "It's just, you used to say that all the time. You used to have fights with – "

Nick glared at her and she instantly silenced.

"Sorry," she said looking down at her feet.

"Let's just cover one question at a time shall we. We may as well start from the first recording," Nate continued walking over to a far corner away from the group, "It should work the instant you turn it on."

Hermione looked at the small laptop in her hands before she touched a symbol on the screen.

"You can place it on the ground, the image will be projected for everyone to see," Sam said walking over eager to see the images on the laptop once more.

Hermione did as Sam told her and after a few seconds of static noise an image flickered before it was projected in front of them.

"It is – did you press the button?" an image of Hermione asked.

"Yeah I pressed it," Ron replied from somewhere unknown.

Hermione straightened the lab coat and pushed her hair out her eyes.

"This is the 10th year of the occupation," Hermione's image spoke, the image flickered but remained before them, "We've been able to locate and save close to a thousand muggles that had been hiding out in military camps…There are still more – many more, we don't know how many were captured, killed or worse…"

"You okay?" Ron's voice asked her.

Hermione held her face in her hands and took a deep breath, she turned away from them for a moment before turning back.

"Hermione, you wanna stop for a bit?" Ron asked her in concern.

She shook her head at him.

"It's okay, I can do this," she answered in a shaky voice.

"Take your time," Ron replied.

"We are sending this transmission out to all of you muggles that are trapped underground or wherever you are – we are here to help, we are on your side. If you need food, water, medical supplies or you just need to be evacuated than we will come and save you. We will move to a different country every 30 days, so on that day, just think the words 'Godric Gryffindor' and we will come get you.

If you're being attacked then think the words 'Order' and we will be there – "

The image took a step forward and looked at them directly.

"Hope is not lost, we can get through this but we need to be united."

"That was perfect," Ron said, "I'll have Harry edit it and send it out tonight."

Hermione nodded her head before she started swaying side to side. The image flickered once more before an image of Ron ran over and grabbed her.

"That's enough for today, you need rest," Ron said lifting her off her feet with ease.

"No," she protested though her voice was much weaker now, "I have to – help – Hugh."

"I'll take care of it, you just rest, you're no use to us if you're exhausted."

"Ron!"

"Just listen to me for once would – "

"Merlin, can't you two get along while I'm gone," Harry's voice interrupted them.

Ron and Hermione looked to their left from which Harry appeared. He walked over and folded his arms.

The real life Harry could be heard taking a sudden intake of breath.

"How you feeling?" the much older Harry asked.

"Much better," Hermione replied.

"She's still weak," Ron said as he lifted her easily off her feat and carried her in his arms.

"Ron!"

"STOP!"

Everyone in the group jumped when Nate suddenly screamed. They all turned to stare at him then turned round to see the image had paused, it flickered before it dissapering.

"Nate," Marie said in a pleading voice, "You said you'd tell them."

Nate closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

"Alright, but I will do this my way," Nate walked over and sat on the bed opposite Hermione, "The last thing you told me, was that if anything ever happened to you and the General. If we were forced to return to this time, then I was to show you – and only you this image. I will show it to you and then you can decide if you want the others to see."

Hermione took a moment to think before she nodded her head.

"Could you guys leave," Nate said to the others.

They all did as he asked except Marie and Ron. Marie folded her arms and looked at Nate angrily while Ron watched them both in concern.

Nate turned and looked at Marie. She suddenly threw up her hands in resignation and left the room.

"Hermione?"

"It's okay," Hermione reassured Ron.

He nodded and walked out the room.

Nate heard the door click behind them, he waited till the green rune once more appeared on the door before he turned to look at Hermione.

"Prepare yourself."

She simply nodded and turned to look at the image in front of them.

Ron sat down on the couch and stared at the door.

After a few moments he noticed Marie pacing the room nervously.

"Why are you so worried?" he asked her.

"She's not worried," Nick answered for her, "She trusts dear Nathan with her life."

Ron heard the bitterness in his voice and saw the glare that Marie shot at him.

"We don't have time for your childish jealousy," Sam retorted.

Ron looked over and Harry who was watching the group in surprise, it appeared that without their leader they were more open with their emotions.

"I'm not the one with a chip on his shoulder," Nick replied, "The guys been trying to get rid of me since day one."

"Well you can't blame him."

Nick turned to look at Marie.

"What does the hell does that mean?!"

"We're different from you," she replied, "and even now, you still think you're better than us."

"I am!"

Marie and Sam just shook their heads as though this was not the first time they had heard Nick speak this way.

"Don't give me that look," Nick continued, "At least I'm not afraid of my abilities, at least I know how to use them – not like you…like you and your…"

"Our kind? Mudbloods?" Marie offered, "The people who saved you?"

"You didn't save me," Nick said but he looked almost ashamed of what he had said.

Marie scoffed at him.

"No, I didn't, Sam didn't, and Nate didn't. But you know who did? Do you know who risked their life so that you could escape the clutches of that maniac?"

Nick didn't answer but turned away from her.

"Answer me!" Marie screamed, she ran over and forcefully turned him round to look at her.

"The Major did, she risked her life to save yours! And you're standing here, in her house, acting like you are better than the rest of us. Why? Just because you were lucky enough to have parents that were death eaters? Because you benefited from the deaths of thousands, millions of innocent people?"

Nick stepped away from her and Ron got the impression that this was not something the group openly discussed. He even saw Sam cringe at her words.

"She's captured, tortured or worse, because she tried to save you. Because your bloody disgusting death eater parents – AHHH!"

Marie suddenly screamed in pain before collapsing to the ground.

Sam rushed over to her but he too stopped dead in his tracks.

"Stay away from her!"

Ron turned to see Nate running out of the room and over to Marie. He turned her over and she stared up at him in shock.

"I'll let you go if you control yourself," he said to her.

Ron wasn't sure if he got an answer out of her since she appeared to have been stunned but he placed his hands on her temples and the next moment she was able to move again.

"Nate, I didn't mean to – I just – " tears streamed down her face as she looked at Nate.

Nate held Marie in his arms as he looked up at Nick.

"She didn't mean it, you know she didn't."

"No I don't," Nick replied, "That's the exact same words you said to me after she disappeared."

"That was a long time ago," Sam said walking over to him.

"You showed us where your loyalties lie," Nate replied, "And who you were then is different to who you are now – right?"

Nick simply nodded his head.

"Okay then," Nate said lifting Marie up with him as he stood up, "Shall we continue?"

Ron simply stared at the group in shock. He looked over at Harry but his friend was staring at Nick.

After they had all gathered back into the room. Nate walked over and stood in front of them.

"After talking with the Ma – with Hermione, I decided that it was probably best to show you the memories that were given to me and just answer any questions you may have."

They all nodded in understanding before Nate placed the bracelet on his wrist. It made the familiar clicking sound before images appeared before them.

It was from Ron's perspective apparently because Hermione and Harry were running ahead of him. They were all out of breath as they ran down a narrow corridor while dust and small rocks rained down on them.

"Hugh, I have to get to him," Hermione sobbed.

"He's fine, he's fine," Ron chanted as though to convince himself more than her.

"They must have found out about us," Harry said as they headed up some stairs, "But I don't know how."

"Someone betrayed us, that's how," Ron replied angrily.

"Please don't," Hermione said looking back at him, "We can't start accusing each other."

They suddenly stopped when the path led in two different directions.

"Hugh was patrolling, so I'll go check on him," Hermione said instantly turning towards the left where there were some more stairs.

"No," Ron grabbed her and spun her around, "I'll go, you find the kids."

He then ran up the stairs before she could reply.

After another run along a narrow corridor he finally reached a steel hatch. Ron touched the hatch and it dissolved before his fingers. The instant the door dissapered Ron was blown backwards with a blast.

Rocks and fire flew in from the outside and Ron was thrown backwards and hit the rocky walls hard.

Screams filled the room.

"DAD!"

The sound of someone running was heard before a face appeared before them. He was tall with brown hair, but his face, looked exactly like Ron's.

"h –ug…"

"Don't, don't talk," the man looked at Ron in despair, "Oh dad please don't die."

"Run! Run! I'll hold them off!" someone screamed in the distance.

A few people ran past them but someone stopped beside Ron. Her face contorted in pain as she stared at Ron.

"Is he…"

"He's not dead!"

"But Hugh…he's - "

"He's not dead!" Hugh screamed again while he desperately tried to stop the bleeding.

"What – oh god! Ron!" Harry voice was heard before he appeared next to Hugh.

Shots were fired at them and the ground trembled as what sounded like bomb blasts were heard around them. More people ran past screaming and Harry and Hugh lifted Ron off the ground.

Suddenly Hugh pulled the woman who had stopped and placed Ron's arm on her shoulder.

"Take care of Nathan," he said before running towards the fighting.

"Hugh!" the woman screamed.

She looked torn for a moment before she moved Ron's hand of her shoulder. Harry tried to grab her arm but she was too quick for him.

"Fuckin' hell, Hermione's gonna kill me," Harry said before the image disappeared.

When the light was restored to the room Nate saw that everyone was visibly shaken.

Marie was looking at him with a hurt and confused expression.

"Nate," she said tearfully.

He clenched his teeth before looking at Ron, Hermione and Harry.

"Are you ready for the next image?" he questioned them.

"No, you need to rest," Marie said walking over to him.

"What I need is for you to stop being so emotional."

She stopped and stared at him in disbelief, he saw tears falling down her face.

"Why didn't you ever show me that?" she questioned.

"It served no purpose to show you," he replied looking away from her.

"No purpose?" she said in disbelief, "I thought…I mean – I thought we were…"

He simply stared back at her.

"My job is to protect you," he replied.

He saw her lip tremble as she looked at him.

"Is that all?" she questioned her voice breaking.

He didn't answer.

He saw her take a step backwards as she stared at him in disbelief.

"You are such an idiot!" she screamed before she ran from the room.

"Let her go," he said to Sam when he moved to go after her, "She needs to let off steam and its best you weren't there."

"Is it safe?" Sam questioned.

"The protection shield we put up will be enough," he turned to the others, "Are you ready for the next memory?"

"Um, before that," Harry stood up from the bed and walked over to them, "when do we find about your abilities?"

"You'll find out soon enough, Hermione thought it best you watch the sequence of events in order. Now, are you ready?"

Harry looked at him strangely before sitting down again.

Nate twisted his bracelet and the next image appeared.

They were in a rocky landscape, the wind whipped around them and the sound of waves crashing could be heard in the distance. Ron searched the bodies around him but he didn't see the face he was looking for.

He heard Hermione scream. He looked up from the ground filled with bodies and ran over to where she was sobbing on the ground. She was knelling on the ground as she held a body in her arms.

Ron dropped down beside her.

He touched the pale face of the boy in Hermione's arms.

"He's gone," Hermione sobbed, "They killed my baby!"

"Why? Why would they do this?"

Ron didn't answer as he lifted the body from Hermione's arms.

"Hugo," he held the boy in his arms, "I failed you son, I should have protected you."

Hermione screamed and pounded the ground with her fists.

"I'll kill them! I'll kill them all!" she screamed.

"Stop!"

Nate blinked and the scene disappeared. He looked over at Ron.

He was holding Hermione's hands tightly in his own.

"I think we know what's happened, you don't need to show us anymore of that."

"Ron, its alright," Hermione said from beside him, "That doesn't have to be our future. We can change it."

Ron simply shook his head.

"I don't want to see you like that," he explained looking directly into her eyes, "Never."

Hermione smiled before placing a hand on his cheek.

"And you never will."

Hermione turned round to look at Nate.

"Can we stop here for now?"

Nate simply nodded his head before he left the room.

He had to find Marie. Make sure she hadn't caused too much damage. He saw Sam follow him out but Nick stayed behind.

He stopped and turned to look at Sam.

"Stay with him."

Sam turned round and returned to the room.

They couldn't afford another outburst of emotion. Who knows what they might accidentally say.

"Ron!"

Ron kissed Hermione and stopped her from protesting further.

"You may be the smartest witch alive but I will not let my wife work herself to death."

She pouted and crossed her arms.

"That's better," he said teasingly.

She tried to look angry but she gave up once Harry laughed.

"Honestly, I don't know why I put up with you.

"Because I'm devilishly good looking and am great in bed."

"RON!" she screamed in embarrassment before she began hitting him.

He simply laughed harder as they exited the lab.

She could hear Harry chuckling behind them and she hid her blushing face in Ron's chest.

A sudden trembling was heard and they were all jostled about. Dust and rocks fell from the ceiling.

Hermione jolted awake. She wiped the sweat from her brow and stepped out of bed.

After washing her face she walked down the stairs. She needed some fresh air.

She stopped at the kitchen when she heard voices. She debated whether to listen or go but she heard her name being spoken and moved closer to the door.

However the instant she moved the conversation stopped.

"Would you like to come in Hermione?"

Hermione pushed open the door to find Nate sitting on the ground, a few notebooks before him and Marie lying on the couch asleep.

"Who were you just talking to?" she questioned him as she moved forward.

He lifted one of the notebooks off the ground and she saw a framed portrait on the floor.

"Is that…?"

"Hermione, meet the Major."

"Hello there," the image waved at her.