Chapter 11- Going Home

I didn't see Severus again. He left sometime after I'd fallen asleep, satisfied and tired. I should have expected him to leave without a proper goodbye. He did leave me a note, expressing his sincere apologies. He loved me, I had no doubt, but I would have been nice to wake up in his arms. My husband's arms.

Harry was distant as we made our way to see Albus. I was sure he knew I was hiding something from him. There wasn't anything I could do but home Bellatrix gave up the child or never told it that Harry was its father. It would make things simpler. I almost caved and told him, but I didn't want to risk his temper right now. I feared the outcome.

I left Remus a letter. Telling him the usual sentimental things. It didn't feel right leaving without a saying something.

Albus had the potion waiting on his desk when we entered.

"Now, I should warn you. It might be painful." That was the first thing he said. Harry and I remained silent as it didn't really matter.

Harry and I stepped forward at the same time and downed our potions without hesitation. A strange sensation erupted all over my skin. I expected Harry felt the same. I looked at him and saw that he was fading away, not disappearing. My stomach took and uneasy turn. Then I knew no more.

I opened my eyes, groaning, my first thought that I would ask Severus to brew me some headache potions. I could always use those. I looked around and saw I wasn't in the room of requirement. Where-

We were home. Harry was waking next to me and cursing. I stood and looked around us, seeing how deserted everything was. Wasn't it summer here? Had we gone back too far or not enough? We should have asked more questions!

"Ahh, you've returned. Come with me." I spun around quickly and a saw the much aged Minerva.

"Minerva!" Harry said, from his position on the ground. There was something wrong with Harry. I knelt next to him, touching his forehead lightly. Harry struggled to stand up and winced. Had he landed to hard?

"Harry?" I asked stepping closer. He smiled sadly, "I'm fine. Just sore. Let's go see everyone."

I nodded and turned my attention to Minerva, who was staring at us with a hardened expression.

"What happened? What did we change?" I whispered to her, fearing the worst. Her expression darkened and she turned and swept away. I struggled to keep up with her, leaving Harry behind.

She didn't say a word until we entered the infirmary.

"You changed everything." She said in a firm voice. My eyes were glued to the four beds that were occupied in the infirmary. I turned and sealed the door, locking Harry out.

"He doesn't know!" I said urgently. Minerva's eyes widened comically, "How in the-

"She was different there Minerva, and she loved Harry. She asked me not to tell and I didn't."

Bellatrix Lestranges and what looked to be her daughter were lying in to beds side by side. It was surreal. I looked over to the other beds, hoping and praying but no…Ron wasn't there. He was still gone.

"Remus was the first to come to us. Then Sirius. Two weeks ago Bellatrix Lestranges and her daughter Helen woke up in a warehouse." Minerva said softly, but my mind was racing too quickly.

Remus!

I ran to his side, heart pounding out of my chest. It was him! He was real and in front of me. Oh gosh, Teddy had a father now! Remus stirred and opened his eyes.

"Mione? You're back?" he said his speech slurring from sleep. I nodded wordlessly, my eyes shining. I tackled him in a hug, practically crawling on top of him in joy.

"Severus has been helping Poppy with them, especially Bellatrix. He said that she's almost another person, not the death eater he once knew. She still killed Ronald, but she said it was pay back for breaking her heart and leaving her with nothing. I honestly suggested turning her over to the ministry but-

"No. You don't know what Harry did Minerva, not all of it. He treated her like dirt and back then she was just a girl." Ignoring how my heart picked up at the sound of Severus' name. I glanced down at my diamond ring, still on my finger.

"Ahhh, Severus has been beside himself with irritation. He couldn't get the ring off you see."

I burst into laughter, "That's because I charmed it when he wasn't looking!"

Minerva smiled a little and looked back to the door.

"He wont come in. I warded it strongly he'll know there's a reason." I sat on the edge of Remus' bed, looking at the familiar faces. Sirius was sleeping deeply, but he looked younger somehow.

"Sirius hasn't spoken. He was dead longer than the others." Minerva said softly.

"Harry will get him to talk." I said and sighed. This was so much more than I ever expected.

"Hermione!" I spun to see Bella sitting up, her green eyes wide. I moved over to her side, surprised that I wasn't angry. I should be considering she killed Ron when she knew exactly what it would do to us.

"I didn't kill him. Lucius did it. I tortured him just like you remember but I didn't kill him. I swear it. I couldn't, knowing it was the reason I lost everything." She whispered so softly no one else could hear. I believed her. I shouldn't have so easily but why should she lie?

"I want to see him before I leave for Azkaban. Please." She pleaded. I frowned.

"Why would you-

"I'm a death eater Hermione. I never killed anyone, but I made so many people believe I had. You've no idea what I've done for the dark lord."

I couldn't argue with that, "I'll let him in, but I can't guarantee anything."

Her curly wild black hair swung as she nodded. I took down the wards and opened the door. Harry walked in slowly. He froze predictably when he saw everyone. Remus was silent, thank God.

"Harry, you look like shit." Bella said after moments of silence. Harry surprised me by smiling evilly, "So do you, Bella."

Bella let out a genuine laugh and her eyes glittered with happiness. I felt my heart clench. She wouldn't ever have his love.

"Who is that?" Harry pointed to Helen. Bella was silent, staring at her daughter. I swallowed the fear in my throat.

"Harry, this is Helen. You're daughter." I said into the silence. Apparently no one else was going to speak up.

Helen was still fast asleep; I suspected they had been sedated. Harry paled so visibly I feared he would faint.

Harry walked over to Helen, looking more closely. He hadn't noticed Sirius or Remus. Or Ron's absence. Helen shifted in her sleep and turned over so her face was visible. She looked almost identical to Lily Evans. Her hair was black, but had Lily's straightness and silkiness. Her nose was small and pert. We couldn't see her eyes but they were most likely green. Harry was speechless, stunned by the resemblance.

"What's her full name, Bella?" He asked suddenly, his voice so gentle Bella winced.

"Helena Marie Potter. Her name she went by was Lestranges. I didn't need Lucius to be suspicious." Bella said quietly. I felt horrible seeing the look of longing on her face.

I turned back to Remus, leaving Harry to his newfound daughter that looked to be his own age. Sirius was waking up. Harry didn't notice when I walked over to him and waited for him to open his eyes.

"Hermione? You and Harry are back? It's about damn time!" He snapped sitting up. He didn't sound like a man refusing to talk. Harry heard his voice and his whole face lit up.

"Siruis!" He exclaimed loudly. I hadn't seen him so happy in a long time. My heart ached to go find the person that made me that happy, but I knew I had to wait. He would need more time. Or he might even never want to be with me, Husband or not.

"Hermione you should go see him."

I shook my head at Minerva, "He wouldn't like the surprise. I'll see him later today." She wanted to protest but she could tell it wasn't going to help. I needed time to adjust, see the weasely's and everyone that had returned.

"Does-

"No one besides Poppy, Severus and I know anyone has returned. A few people know you went to the past, Molly and Arthur were visiting one day and saw you."

I nodded, remembering Molly at the school once, "Well I can tell them myself. Then I'll go see Severus."

I left before she could say anything and headed to the nearest floo. The halls were empty but they felt sadder somehow than in 1977.

"Hermione!" Molly cried when I fell out of their floo. I smiled and pulled her into a hug. I missed her hugs.

Aruthur, Gorge, Ginny, Bill, and Charlie all took turn bringing in the hugs and cries of happnies. Ginny particularly wanted to hug me forever.

"Everyone sit down, I have some good news. I assume you all know Harry and I had an accident and went to the past. We've been there four six months. Apparently we changed a few things about this time. I don't want you to get your hopes up, but Ron isn't back nor is Fred, but a few people have returned to us. Remus and Sirius." I jumped right in, unable to hold back my excitement. Molly demanded to see them, saying they couldn't be getting their hugs all alone in that castle. I laughed.

"I hugged Remus enough. You can come tomorrow I'm sure. There is one thing I'm positive you wont like. I never told you who kill your son Molly. I couldn't bear to remember, but in my memory it was Bellatrix Lestranges. Harry will explain more to you all later, but she didn't kill him. The past changed and apparently Lucius kill Ron along with my parents."

Molly's smile flattened but she nodded in thanks. "Thank you Hermione. Thank you."

I gave everyone more hugs and was about to leave when Ginny spoke up, "Nice ring Mione."

I glared at her half heartedly. Everyone's eyes were glued to my left hand,where my diamond sparkled.

"Well guys, I'm married." I said bluntly into the silence. Ginny squealed and pulled me into the tightest hug of all. Molly looked to happy to describe and the boys were just in shock.

"I won't say who just yet. This man has waited twenty years for me, it might not work out." I warned, but Molly just snorted.

"A ring that beautiful must come from a man who would wait forever. Congratulations Hermione. I'm happy for you, though I wish I could have planned you a wedding." She added with a smile.

I left them all talking about my mystery man and flooed back to Hogwarts to find him myself. I went to his rooms, half sure he wouldn't be there. I was allowed in. The wards had been keyed to me! I sat down on a nearby sofa and rested my head. I was tired and it felt like I'd been back for days instead of four hours.

The door creaked open and my Husband walked in.

A/N: Chapter 11 guys! Maybe three or four more chapters unless I get a new idea for the story. I hope you all like it.