On the first day of the holidays, Harry, Hermione and Ron rode down to the station with Neville to say goodbye.
Neville would have wanted to stay with his new friends for the holidays, but his parents were undergoing a new treatment at St. Mungos and the Healers needed to find out if they could recognize him. He was to visit them on every other day during the break, and the Healers would observe their responses to his presence.
So, after a rather silent and awkward goodbye, Neville boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Upon arriving back at the castle, Hermione turned to Ron and Harry and said, "I'll be in the Library working on homework. Do either of you want to work on it with me?"
"You're mental, doing homework on the first day of break," Ron said shocked.
Harry smiled at Hermione. "I already did mine; but if you want company, I'll come with you."
"Thanks, Harry. I'd like that." Hermione smiled weakly. Ever since finding out that she was adopted, Hermione had barely said anything at all. In fact, during the final week of classes before the holiday she didn't raise her hand once.
Ron shook his head muttering something about playing chess with Percy, and walked off.
Then Harry and Hermione walked into the Library and sat down at a table in front of the big fireplace by Madam Pince's desk.
While Hermione began to write her Potions essay, Harry pulled out his mother's journal. He usually read it from October to February to help him through the holidays. Having no parents, even with a surrogate family, was hard on him.
He opened the book and began to read.
An hour later Harry realized where he had heard the name Charlotte Dearborn before.
- - -
September 1, 1973
I made a new friend today. Charlotte Dearborn. I was surprised to find that she had no friends. This is our third year after all. She's a Ravenclaw and painfully shy, but she has the heart of a Hufflepuff. She really cares about people; it's a shame that I'm her only friend. I think we're going to be as close as sisters.
Lily Evans
- - -
November 11, 1973
Lottie and I discovered something today…only…I wish we hadn't. My friend Remus, the one that for SOME reason is friends with Potter, is a werewolf. It's heartbreaking that he should have to suffer so much pain and prejudice, when he did nothing to deserve it.
Last night was the full moon, and Lottie and I decided to go down to the kitchens around sunset. We wanted to pick up some food for our Girls' Night. Professor McGonagall said that Lottie could spend one night a month with me so long as the day after was on a weekend. Anyway, we saw Remus go down to Hospital Wing, he looked so pale, so we decided to follow to make sure that he got there safely. When we got there, he was leaving with Madam Pomfrey and she was saying, "Mr. Lupin, you'll be spending the rest of the weekend in the Hospital Wing, so you'll feel better on Monday. I do wish there was some way to lessen the effects of the full moon on you, dearie."
Poor Remus. Lottie looked as though she wanted to cry for him.
Lily Evans
- - -
February 14, 1974
I can hardly believe it. It seems too good to be true. Remus sent Lottie roses. Not just any roses, but RED roses. He blushed terribly when she thanked him. They really do make the most adorable couple. If they were to get married and have children someday, their children would be adorable. All round faced, curls, and dimples.
Oh, if I could only find someone I cared for that was as sweet as Remus. But today the only valentine I got was from Potter. I've been telling him "no" for over two years, but he still won't stop asking me out. Merlin! He has got to be the most stubborn boy EVER!
Lily Evans
- - -
February 14, 1978
Oh, I can hardly believe it. Today James asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him. The Hogsmeade weekend is on the eighteenth this year. I really don't know what to wear. I KNOW! I'll wear my pink sweater. It looks surprisingly nice with my red hair.
Later…
Today was Lottie and Remus' fourth anniversary. He proposed to her! I can hardly believe it. He gave her a beautiful gold ring with a single blue diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. Lottie was so excited when she showed it to me. They are going to wait to get married until sometime next year, perhaps June.
Lily Evans
- - -
March 12, 1979
Today we found out that Lottie's life is in danger. Poor Remus! His face went white when we heard. They decided to hold off on their wedding until after the danger has passed. Unfortunately that will probably be whenever the war is over. I feel terrible for them, especially since James and I eloped last week. Dumbledore says that Lottie needs to go into hiding. He is arranging for a safe house, but he won't tell anyone where it is. I suppose it's for the best.
Lily Evans
- - -
September 17, 1979
I got a letter from Lottie today. She's six months pregnant! But she begged me to not tell Remus. She's worried that he'll never forgive her for waiting so long to tell him. I wrote her back telling her that she's being ridiculous. He'll find out eventually anyhow. They are still planning to get married, after all.
Anyway…she's having a baby girl. Oh, I can hardly wait to have a baby with James. We decided that war or no war, we're going to have a baby! After all, her little girl will need someone to play with. Lottie chose a name from a play by Shakespeare. She didn't tell me which one though. She said that she was reading the play it was from at the doctor's office when she found out she was pregnant.
Hmm…Perdita, Hermione, Juliet, Ophelia, Hermia, Helena…
Lily Evans
- - -
September 20, 1979
I can hardly believe it. I heard from Lottie just three days ago, and now she's dead. Death Eaters attacked and left her to bleed to death in her house. They let her BLEED to death! Her funeral is on the 22nd, that's Saturday. Her sister, Jane, decided to have a closed casket funeral. I won't even be able to see my sister one last time! I'm going to go cry all over James now. I swear on my life, that I will see Dolohov dead for what he did to her!
Lily Evans
- - -
September 22, 1979
I went to Lottie's funeral today. When I saw Jane I asked if they'd been able to save the baby, I was hoping…but Jane started screaming at me. She told all of us to leave immediately. She didn't even let us stay to say goodbye to Lottie. Thank goodness Remus didn't hear my question. If he'd known that Lottie was pregnant with their daughter, and that the baby died as well…well, James might not have been able to keep him from committing suicide. I hope that someday Remus will open his heart to love again. If anyone deserves it, he does.
Lily Evans
- - -
'This is not going to be fun,' he said to Ginny who was reading with him.
'I know what you mean, Harry. Poor Remus. Poor Hermione. This is like a true Shakespearean tragedy. Charlotte sure chose well when she named Hermione,' Ginny replied.
'I know what you mean. I can't believe that I have to be the one to tell Moony that he lost twelve years of his daughter's life. Never mind that he didn't even know that he had a daughter before Carina.' Harry sighed.
- - -
He'd read it all before, but he had never dared talk to Remus about Lottie. He'd have to now though.
He slipped out of the Library, telling Hermione that he was going to use the restroom, and slipped into the nearest broom cupboard. After placing a silencing charm on it, he pulled out his two-way mirror. He had promised that he would only use it in case of an emergency, because if someone found out it would lead them directly to Remus and Tonks.
"Moony," he said. A moment later his reflection shimmered and Remus appeared.
"Hey, kiddo," he said, grinning at him. "What's going on? It's gotta be an emergency otherwise you would have written.
Harry sighed. "Is Dora with you?"
"Yeah, she's right here." The mirror was shaken around a bit, while a pink haired Dora settled onto his lap.
"Hey, little brother."
"Hey, Dora."
"So what's going on?" she asked.
Harry thought for a moment about how to do this. He didn't think that the 'Guess what, Hermione's your daughter' approach would go over that well.
"Uncle Moony, I was reading Mum's journal again, and I found out something interesting."
"Okay…" Remus said drawing out the word to make it a question.
"What can you tell me about a woman named Charlotte Dearborn?"
Remus' face paled. "She was my Hogwarts' sweetheart. Your mum was best friends with her. We were actually engaged for a year or two before she was murdered by Death Eaters. Why do you ask?"
He sighed to himself. "Did you know that she was six months pregnant when she died?"
Remus' paled even more. "N-no. Oh, Merlin…"
Dora hugged her husband tightly. "Why did you bring it up, Harry? I know you well enough to know that you have a reason."
"Well," Harry began, "Mum thought that the baby died in the attack as well, but…well…she's alive."
"What!" Remus said. "How?"
"Mum wrote in her journal that Charlotte's sister never told her the baby was dead when she asked. She just thought so from her reaction and so never told you. The thing is…" Harry steeled himself, "Charlotte's sister was named Jane, and Charlotte named her daughter after a character from a Shakespearean play. My friend Hermione was just told that she her mother's niece, not daughter. Her adoptive mother's name is Jane, and is a squib. Hermione is a name from a Shakespearean play. And the description of Charlotte fits with a picture that Jane sent Hermione."
Remus was now crying. "I have to meet her."
Harry grinned, "I have a plan."
"What?" Dora asked.
Harry had a Marauding expression on his face. "Contact Professor Dumbledore and ask for permission to meet me. As its Christmastime, it would be perfectly understandable for you to want to. I'll bring Hermione to the meeting in Professor McGonagall's office, and we can talk privately there."
"It's a good plan, honey," Dora said to the still crying Remus.
"Okay," he finally said.
- - -
Harry sat down next to Hermione on one of the couches in the Common Room.
"Hermione, I have to talk to you about something important."
Hermione looked up from Hogwarts, A History which she was re-reading for the twenty-fifth time. "Yes, Harry?"
"I know who your dad is." It was out. Harry didn't think he could feel any more relieved than he did right now.
'Hold your horses there, Sparky.'
'What did you just call me, Ginny?' Harry asked.
'Sparky…I've decided that it's going to be the name of your phoenix form.'
'Oookay…'
'Anyway, you still have some things to explain to her.'
Hermione was staring at Harry in shock. "How did you find out who he is?"
Harry handed her the copies he'd made of his mother's journal entries about her mother.
As she read, she began to cry.
The twins and Ron walked over to where they were sitting. Harry had warned them what he was doing and they came over to support their friends.
"So my dad is your Uncle," Hermione asked in a quavering voice.
"Yes…well…not biologically, but yeah."
Hermione looked terrified as she asked, "Do you – do you think, he m-might want to meet me?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "He's planning on coming here on the eighteenth to 'meet' me," Harry said making the quotation gesture with his hands, "but really he'll be here to meet you."
"Did y-you tell him a-about my – my parents practically disowning me," she asked.
"No, he'd want to hear that from you." She was still crying so Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a half hug.
"Does he," she whispered, "want me?"
Harry knew she meant 'want' as in 'does he want me to live with him'. "Yeah, sis, he wants you." Harry had begun mentally referring to Hermione as his sister since she first got the letter, but he had never said it aloud before. The Weasley boys noticed his familial reference, but Hermione didn't.
"He wants me?" she whispered crying harder still. She had been feeling unloved. Between most of the students' cold treatment of her, and her parents' virtual abandonment, it was hardly surprising.
She cried for two hours before she fell asleep on Harry's shoulder. Thankfully Percy had already gone to bed, because Harry lifted her with an arm under her knees and the other 'round her shoulders.
"Cast the spell so I can go up the girls' stairs, would you, boys?" Harry asked the twins.
"How d'you…oh wait…dumb question…Marauder's son," George said.
Fred cast the spell, and Harry carried her up to the first years' dorm. It was easy to tell which one was her bed, as the trunk at the foot of it had books neatly lined up on top of it between two bookends.
He placed her gently down, and covered her with the red comforter.
He hurried downstairs before the spell could wear off.
The twins were still seated in front of the fireplace so he said, "I'm heading out for a walk, boys."
"Got your map?" Fred asked.
Harry pulled it out of his pocket and gave it a wave.
"Have fun then."
"Yeah," George said, "Don't get caught by Filch."
"I won't."
Harry activated the map, and seeing that no one was nearby, walked out the portrait hole. He wandered throughout the castle constantly keeping an eye on the map.
He was wandering down a fourth floor corridor when he saw a problem.
Filch was coming from one end, and Dumbledore from the other.
'Damn,' he thought, unconsciously projecting it to Ginny.
'What's up?' she asked sleepily.
'I'm trapped between a squib and a hard place…ahah!'
She was very awake now. 'Ahah what?'
Harry whispered, "Nox," and the light on his wand went out. He slipped into an empty classroom, and waited.
'I slipped into a classroom. So, unless they decide to randomly check this classroom, I'll be fine.'
He moved to a window and, using the light from the half moon, watched their progress on the map. They were moving closer and closer, they were stopping outside this very room.
They remained there for several minutes while Harry was barely breathing. He could hear the murmur of their voices. At last, they began to walk away in opposite directions.
Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief. He turned to leave, and, for the first time, noticed that there was something in what he had thought was an empty classroom.
It was a tall mirror framed in gold. At the top it read: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.
'What is it?' Ginny asked.
'The Mirror of Erised,' Harry said in awe. 'I've heard of it, of course, but I never thought I'd get to see it.'
'The Mirror of what?'
"It means the mirror of desire. It shows your heart's deepest desire. Many people have become addicted to looking in it.'
'Hmm…So, are you going to look?' she asked.
He carefully moved in front of the ornate mirror. For a moment he saw only himself, then…
Ginny gasped.
He saw a dinner table surrounded by people. There were decorations on the mantle, so Harry knew that it was Christmas.
The first people to come into focus were a man and a woman. The man's hair was messy and black, and the woman's was long and red.
'Your parents…' Ginny said in awe.
Harry looked closer.
'No,' he said. 'Us…the eyes are ours. We're older though.'
He watched as more people came into focus: Remus, Dora, and a half dozen children that had strange colored hair (clearly Metamorphmagi), Hermione was there looking happy and hugging Remus. Sirius was smiling and laughing with his arm around a woman that Harry couldn't see clearly. Minerva was sitting next to Dumbledore and cuddling a little red haired baby in her arms. There were also about ten children of various ages with either red hair or black.
More people, still, came into focus; all of the Weasleys, with their spouses and children. Neville was talking and laughing with his parents and grandmother. He was tall and strong looking, no longer a boy full of fear. A slender blonde and her father were talking to Fred and laughing at whatever he had said. Severus was even there with his arm around Professor Sinistra, and neither of them were wearing black.
'Luna…' Ginny whispered.
Harry's eyes were full of tears. He had once thought, that if he ever found the Mirror of Erised, it would show his parents. He was wrong.
It was a large family that loved each other. Not family by blood necessarily, but by heart.
A man and woman that looked oddly like the older him and Ginny shimmered into view, still somewhat transparent though. His mum and dad; they looked around the room and smiled their blessing on it.
Harry vowed to himself that even though he'd not see them 'til he died, he'd make his parents proud. He would do it by fulfilling his dreams. He'd live, truly live. That would make them proud.
Ginny couldn't believe it. 'It looks like we're married.'
Harry looked closer at their images.
Older Ginny was kissing older Harry on the cheek, and picking up a red haired, green eyed toddler.
'Yeah…it does look that way,' he said in a soft tone. 'You know what?'
'Hmm?'
'I think I can sleep now.'
Harry checked the map, and left the classroom. 'I'm not going to go back. I don't need to,' he told her.
'Yeah?'
'Yeah.' He was soon entering his dormitory again. 'Goodnight, Ginny.'
'Goodnight, Harry.'
And he fell asleep dreaming about his family.
- - -
Ginny couldn't sleep now. Her mind was still processing what she had just seen.
She and Harry had been married. With kids.
She had often, in the darkest recesses of her mind, wondered if perhaps her best friend would someday be her husband, but she had never pictured it that clearly before.
There had been a tree overflowing with presents and decorated with homemade ornaments and strands of owl treats. Hedwig herself had been perched at the top, carefully watching over her charges.
The table was huge and overflowing with food, not the least of which was treacle tart. Her brothers had all been there laughing…even Percy, who was far more relaxed than she'd ever seen him.
Bill had lost any arrogance he might have had, and Charlie was no longer sitting in the corner of the room, overwhelmed by the noise. Fred and George were individuals but no less amusing, and Ron looked mature. Mature and happy.
Sirius was obviously cleared of all charges, and was in love, something he had sworn would never happen. Remus and Dora had a large family, and Remus no longer was cursed. Unlike Harry, Ginny had noticed the full moon through one of the windows. Hermione was clearly very close to her biological father. Closer than she'd ever been to the Grangers.
Minerva and Albus were doting grandparents to Harry's children, and were both more relaxed than ever before. Molly and Arthur Weasley were well-dressed for the first time in years, and looked to be in better shape than they were now.
Severus was wearing a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and khakis; and Professor Sinistra was wearing a bright green dress. They looked good together.
The children were all running around and laughing, all happy and healthy.
Ginny wanted it all. Not just Harry, but everything. Harry seemed determined to have it, and so was she. They were a partnership, after all.
Hmm…someday…she thought.
- - -
It was now the eighteenth, and Harry and Hermione were on their way to see Remus and Dora.
Hermione's hands were twisting together nervously and she was biting her lip so hard that it bled.
"I'm scared, Harry," she admitted suddenly as they neared Minerva's office.
Harry stopped and turned to his sister. "It'll be fine. Remus is a good man, and he really loves you even though he hasn't met you yet." His gaze held hers for a long minute.
"Okay," she said in a firm voice.
Harry knocked on the door and waited. A moment later it swung open to reveal Minerva. She stepped back and they entered.
"Ah, Harry, Hermione, come in…I'll just leave you four to talk," that said, she left, closing the door behind her.
Hermione stared at Remus.
He stared back.
Suddenly, they both rushed toward each other. Then they were crying and hugging each other tightly.
Harry and Dora sat down and began to talk quietly, giving them some privacy.
"My baby girl," Remus said, pulling back a little to gaze into her face. "You look so much like, Lottie," he observed.
She smiled at him through her tears and said, "Daddy," and began to cry harder.
He held her close, and whispered soothing words. At last, they were both somewhat calm.
He asked, "Now, what made your adoptive parents suddenly decide to tell you that you were adopted?"
"Oh," she said nervously. "It wasn't all that sudden. When we found out that I was a witch, they…well…they became distant. I've been writing to them all term, and only received a couple of letters back until they sent this one."
She handed him the letter.
He read.
Hermione,
I feel that given your…abnormalities, it is time you were told the truth.
I am not your mother, and Richard is not your father. Your mother was my sister, but I don't know who your father is. My sister, Charlotte Dearborn, was a witch. I am a squib. We never really got along, so rarely saw each other.
Your mother was attacked by some dark witches and wizards and left to bleed to death. One of her neighbors found her, and took her to one of our hospitals. They delivered you, three months early, and she told them your name. Then she died.
You were in the hospital for a month before we took you home. I never wanted a witch daughter, but I did my duty and raised you. Now, you have decided to join your mother's world. On your own head be it.
If you can find no other accommodations for the summer holidays, you will have a room here, but do try to find another place to stay. I want nothing to do with your world.
I have enclosed the only picture that I kept of your mother. I'm sure that one of her old friends can give you others.
Jane Granger
"Well that was cold," he muttered.
Hermione looked terrified.
Remus took her hands, and looking her in the eyes said, "If you want, you can live with us. No matter what you do in life, you will always have a home with us."
Dora approached Hermione. She softly pushed some of Hermione's hair behind her ear and said, "I promise…I'll always be here for you, and want you. I'm not old enough to be your mother, but I can be an older sister for you. I am for Harry." She finished with a smile.
Hermione was crying silent tears. "I'd really like to go home with you this summer."
Both of the Lupins held her close in a sort of group hug. The three of them were all crying together now.
Finally Remus said, "We'll go to Gringotts this summer and get the paperwork filed for you to be my legal daughter."
"Can I have your last name?" Hermione asked, a tiny smile appearing on her face.
"Of course."
Harry grinned. He knew that they had a lot of work to do to be a real family, but they'd do it. He was just glad that Hermione was smiling again.
- - -
Christmas morning, Harry woke up to find four people jumping on his bed.
"It's Christmas!" yelled Ron, Hermione, Fred and George.
Percy was sitting on the foot of Ron's bed, just smiling at their childish antics.
"Alright, alright, I'm up," Harry said, picking up his glasses and putting them on.
The six students rushed downstairs to the Christmas tree, and Percy began to pass out presents.
Ron tore into his with the enthusiasm of a five year old. He got a new deck of exploding snap cards from Percy, Hogwarts, A History from Hermione (of course), a box of chocolate frogs from Harry, the family size pack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from the dynamic duo, a new Chudley Cannons poster from his parents (along with the customary maroon sweater), a package of Cauldron Cakes from Ginny, a book about dragons from Charlie, an actual scarab beetle from Bill, and a book on Quidditch strategies from Neville.
Percy got books from everyone, and the customary sweater.
Fred and George got loads of prank supplies from their friends (their favorites were the ones from Harry), some Egyptian potions ingredients from Bill, some dragon scales and teeth from Charlie, some candy, and their sweaters.
Hermione was stunned to find two presents from Remus and Dora. She got a new red journal with her name embossed on it in gold, and a photo album filled with pictures of Charlotte and Remus. From her friends she got: Runes, The Basics from Harry, a package of hippogriff quills from Neville, a nice leather schoolbag from Fred and George (they pooled their funds), and a giant bar of Honeyduke's Finest Dark Chocolate from Ron. Mrs. Weasley also sent her a beautiful pastel blue sweater, and Ginny (though they'd never met) sent a book of Shakespeare's plays. Her adopted parents sent nothing.
Harry got the traditional pranking supplies from Sirius, a necklace of a dragon fang on a leather cord from Ginny (she got the fang from Charlie and made it herself), Remus sent him a new journal (he didn't keep a journal, but instead used it to write down the spells and potions he created), The Auror Training Manual from Dora, chocolate frogs from Carina, Chinese Runes for the Advanced from Minerva, Pumpkin Pasties from Ron, more pranking supplies from the twins, How To Become a Prefect in Fifty Easy Steps from Percy, Herbology and Potions, A Guide to Gathering Your Own Ingredients from Neville, and some fudge and an emerald green Weasley sweater from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He also got a strange very lightweight package that wasn't signed.
Harry decided to not open that one until he could take a look at it through Sparky's eyes.
- - -
Harry climbed into his trunk that night after Ron fell asleep.
He placed the unopened package down and transformed into Sparky. Hmm…it's powerfully magical, but doesn't seem to be cursed. What do you think, Fawkes.
Fawkes flew over and looked at it. Poked it with a talon a time or two and sang, It's your dad's invisibility cloak. Dumbledore's had it for years. I guess he finally decided to give it to you.
Any tracing spells on it?
No.
Okay…thanks, Fawkes.
Anytime, hatchling.
Harry transformed and opened the package. A note fell out, but he didn't even bother to read it. He just threw it out. He tried on the cloak in front of his mirror, then folded it carefully.
He climbed out of his trunk and put the cloak in the compartment that held the Marauders Map.
At last he fell into bed and met Ginny at the Burrow.
- - -
"So, Harry, how was your Christmas?" she asked immediately.
"Wonderful as you already know. Don't think I didn't notice you slipping into my head off and on all day."
Ginny giggled.
"So tell me," Harry asked, "How was Christmas in Romania?"
"It was fun. Bill surprised us by portkeying in from Egypt. Charlie wasn't even expecting him to show up."
"Wow! Nice surprise."
"Yes, it was."
"So, what did you get for Christmas?" he asked.
"Oh, you mean, besides the beautiful charm bracelet you sent?"
"Erm, yeah."
"Thanks for that by the way." She settled onto the sofa in front of the fire with him. "I got a purple Weasley sweater from Mum, a new diary from Bill, my own dragon fang on a gold chain from Charlie, Chocolate Frogs from Ron, prank supplies from the twins, Household Charms Made Easy from Percy, a butterbeer cap necklace from Luna to keep away Nargles whatever they are, a stationary set and some fire topaz earrings from both of my parents."
"Not bad."
"Not bad at all," she said. "So what was in the mysterious package? I didn't get to check yet."
Harry grinned. "It was my dad's old invisibility cloak. Dumbledore had it, and only just now gave it to me. Anonymously of course."
"Of course. So when do we get to start learning the Chinese Runes."
And they were off. Both of them had discovered a love for Ancient Runes of all types. Harry was considering learning Alchemy, as it used Runes.
Eventually though, it was time to wake up.
- - -
Harry woke up to a snowball in the face.
Fred and George had decided to stay up all night eating candy, and were now on a sugar high. They went outside with their brooms, made some snowballs and flew up to Harry and Ron's window which they opened using a hair pin that had once been Ginny's. They pelted both boys with snowballs until the two ran into the bathroom with their clothes.
That started a snowball war that lasted all day. Neither Percy nor Hermione wanted to play so it was the twins versus Harry and Ron.
By dinner that night, they were all soaked and were ordered to get some Pepper-up Potion from Madam Pomfrey.
Unfortunately that did not stop the four from getting sick. They wound up being stuck in Hospital Wing until the day before the Express arrived again.
This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself...
What did Hermione say about the twins plan to get across the age line in Goblet of Fire? (the movie not the book)
10 Points.
