Chapter 28: While You Were Gone

Well that was thoroughly awkward, Rachel thought as she tried her best to keep up with her girlfriend. The eighteen year old witch towed the muggle behind her. Of course she had all the energy in the world. After all she hadn't been chased all over Glasgow by death eaters for most of the morning. Her college girl though was feeling the effects of the marathon she had ran and was struggling.

"Will you please slow down?" she cried as Hermione pulled her across the field. "Unless your goal is to rip my shoulder out of its socket. Then by all means keep going!"

Laughing the witch did not slow her pace until they were well out of the sight of the adults. Once she was sure that they were far enough away did she change to a walk. The sudden shift in momentum caused the muggle, whom was never graceful under normal circumstance, to nearly tumble the down the hill. Luckily, for her, her girlfriend's arms were there to catch her. "Are you trying to break my neck?" Rachel asked, attempting to regain her footing.

Before she got the chance, Hermione's arms were around her and pulling her into a tight embrace. Rachel returned the gesture but soon found her stability once again failing her. The Gryffindor continued to lean against her counterpart until the pair was falling backwards. Fortunately for the older girl the angle of the hill behind her allowed her to lightly hit the ground. But she couldn't stop the quiet "oof"when Hermione's petite frame landed on top of her.

Staring up into those chocolate brown eyes she couldn't help but smile. "Now I know you really are trying to kill me," she whispered sarcastically, causing Hermione to laugh. How she had missed her laughter…in fact Rachel could not think of a sound she enjoyed more in the entire world.

"Shut it," Hermione responded, leaning in.

Yes ma'am, Rachel thought allowing her eyes to close.

It didn't matter how long the girls had been together, every kiss was like their first. The ever increasing chemistry between them had only caused an intensified reaction when their lips touched. The world around them fell silent, even the wind ceased. Their senses became heightened. Every light touch of the other's fingers, inhale of the other's familiar scent, sound of their almost unified breath, and taste of their partner's lips grew with each passing moment. Rachel's felt her body shiver when, once again, Hermione's fingers made the way to her hair line. If she would have known that this is what she would have experienced she would have chopped it off ages ago.

Rachel hadn't been alone with her girlfriend, with anyone actually, in such an intimate way in months. It was hard to control herself when all she wanted to do was feel her love's skin against her own. Gently the muggle traced over her girlfriend's cheeks, lightly caressing the battle worn skin. She felt Hermione tremble at her touch causing a smile to pull on her lips. The younger girl leaned into the elder's touch, relishing in the moment. How she had missed her. Hearing Rachel's voice almost every day and not being able to see her had been trying on the witch.

But, with Jessica West's memories still a thing of the past, someone had to pretend to be the girl's mother to keep up with the charade. So unbeknownst to the brunette when she was speaking to her mom, she was actually talking to her forgotten girlfriend. The eighteen year old became lost in her own world of bliss, when she felt Rachel's hand begin to travel up her back. The instant her hand intertwined with the curls, Hermione uttered a low moan. It appears that shorter hair had the same effect on both teenagers.

"What was that my dear?" Rachel asked, allowing her lips to travel down the brunette's jaw line and onto her neck.

Without missing a beat Hermione yanked on the back of her girlfriend's hair causing her own cry of pleasure. Opening her eyes Rachel saw the smirk on the obviously proud British girl's face. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Touché."

This all felt like a dream. It took every effort for Rachel not to keep pinching herself. How was it that less than an hour ago I was sitting in class, wanting to stab myself with a pen, and now I am here, the soul piercer thought her eyes mapping every feature of Hermione's face?

"Come here," she said, enveloping the younger girl into a hug.

The witch allowed herself to be cradled against Rachel's chest. This is where she felt the safest and knew that with each heartbeat she felt that this wasn't some hoax. Finally, the pair had gotten the proper reunion they should have had over a year ago. The world around them began to slowly filter back into reality. Bird songs traveled on the breeze sounded like a lullaby that caused the pair to want to simply drift off.

"I could lie here forever," Rachel mumbled, nuzzling her cheek into the top of Hermione's head.

"You read my mind."

"I believe I read souls, not minds," she joked, causing a sigh to sound from her lover.

"You can never be serious, can you?" Hermione smiled, brushing a piece of hair out of Rachel's eyes.

"Never" and a cheesy grin was the response that she got. Laughing, Hermione sat up and pulled the older girl to her feet. She knew that if they didn't at least keep moving that they would be asleep before long. Their nap would have to wait because a lot needed to be covered between them. Rachel gave her girlfriend one more quick peck as they began to walk.

"I'd almost forgotten what clean air smells like," she joked, inhaling deeply. "I've gotten so used to the contestant mix of car exhaust, fried food, and stale beer on campus. Nic and I even thought about bottling the stuff and selling it. But I think this scent is much more appealing. Then again perhaps it's because of the company I am enjoying with, hm?"

Suppressing a smile, Hermione playfully shoved her. It was just like her to find a way to make the witch feel like she was all that mattered in the world. Not many people got to experience this with a significant other, and Hermione always remembered to never take her words for granted. "Always the charmer, you are," she laughed as the soul piercer wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"What can I say? It's one of my award winning qualities, and you're the one who picked me, right? So lucky you," the muggle smirked, laying a soft kiss on the girl's cheek.

Yes, Hermione thought casting her eyes in Rachel's direction, staring at the familiar curves of her face, lucky me.

The sun had just reached its mid-day point when the girls stopped. Rachel advanced toward the shore line due to the hypnotic pull large bodies of water always had on her. The closer she got to the pond the more things seemed…familiar. It only took a second for the chill to run up her back. This was the spot that Hermione has cast her spell last fall, she was sure of it. Turning she found Hermione timidly looking at her, she knew that Rachel had figured it out. The girl smiled at the witch and placed her hands in her pockets. She knew that the same thing would not be happening again, but still she felt slightly uneasy about their current location.

Hermione sensed her girlfriend's uncomfortable vibe, and honestly she couldn't blame her. She hadn't meant to take her down this path, but it was apparent her muscle memory had done that for her. Truth be told, she had walked past this exact spot numerous times over the past months reliving that afternoon in her head.

It was hard to forget the glazed over expression that took ahold of Rachel's face, her blue eyes becoming cloudy in blink. The pain in her heart had been unbearable looking at her zombie-like lover. Her wand tumbled from her hand as she dropped to her knees a sob escaping her throat. It was like she was dead all over again, except this time it had been at her own hands. Immediately she had wished she could undo it.

No, the thought screamed, you promised yourself you would keep her safe no matter what. This is going to be incredibly difficult but it has to be done.

Once she was able to will her legs to stand she walked over to the soul piercer, who was still staring vacantly toward the sky. Hermione made sure to encircle her slowly, memorizing every last inch of her face, every freckle, every strand of hair needed to be remembered.

"Rachel?" she whispered, gently touching her hand.

The older girl jumped as if pulled from a trance. Blinking the daze from her eyes she stared at Hermione, a look of pure innocence on her face. The look she could only describe as a child seeing the world for the very first time. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth…the smile the witch loved.

"Oh, hello."

"Hi," Hermione responded, and gently touched her cheek. "You ready to go?"

"Go where?" the girl asked, the grin still present on her face. "If it's with you beautiful, then lead the way," was added with a wink.

Instantly Hermione had a sick feeling creep into the pit of her stomach. She always carried the thought that she might not be getting her girlfriend back when this was done. But with that comment it became a real possibility for the first time; especially if this is how Rachel normally reacted to seeing a girl she fancied. This very forward flirt was not what she expected from the hopeless romantic.

"Oh shut up," the Gryffindor hissed, and upon grabbing her wrist proceeded to walk Rachel back up to the house.

But the older girl dug her heels into the ground causing the pair to almost topple over. Hermione turned angrily at her girlfriend, memory wipe or not, she was not in the mood to deal with her games. Beside the longer she was with her in this state, the more her heart wished to cease functioning.

"You know I was just kidding, right?" the soul piercer stated, "Not about the beautiful part, cause trust me you are… but I really can't go with you."

Still flattering me, she thought with a smile

"And why is that?"

"Because I have a girlfriend, who I am sure is looking for me," Rachel responded, looking around, "we must have gotten separated when she was showing me around. Maybe you've seen her? Eighteen year old, about my height, brown eyes, brown hair…"

Hermione's heart began to drum faster. For a split second she thought she was describing her. Maybe the spell hadn't worked properly? Maybe this was some sign that the pair was not meant to be separate? It was only when she heard, "American" did it confirm Rachel was actually talking about…

"Beth," the witch whispered.

"Yes!" Rachel cried, a spark igniting in her eyes. "You know her?"

Hermione cursed under her breath. She hadn't meant to say her name aloud. Now she was going to have to make up a lie. She hated lying under any circumstance but now she had to do it to her memory erased girlfriend.

"Um yeah, I think she is at my friend's house. Come on I'll take you there," she lied, extending her hand on instinct.

Rachel looked at her hand before stuffing her good one into her pocket. She didn't even seem to notice her other arm was in a poor state. At that moment the only thing she cared about was being reunited with girlfriend. As they walked Rachel rambled on about the adventures that Beth and her had been having. The eighteen year old felt like her insides were being torn out as the American told about the romantic walk around the city at sunset. How Beth had stopped in front of a fountain with her and promised her that they would come back to this exact spot on their honeymoon.

Hermione never had been jealous of Rachel's love for her first girlfriend. She knew that their relationship was a huge part of her past and shaped the woman that she was in love with today. Though it was still hard hearing the way she talked about Beth and seeing the smile on her face. It made Hermione realize how much love she had, had for the deceased girl. Part of her had wondered if Rachel carried the same feelings for her…well…did have before two minutes ago.

Stones settled in her stomach as the pair made their way back to the Burrow. She could almost picture the reaction that was going to occur once it was found out what she had done. Upon reaching the noisy home every mental picture that she had, came true in an instant. Every member of the Order was beyond furious with her actions. After all, in their minds Rachel had been one glimmer of hope of getting Harry back. The soul piercer didn't help the situation by asking for Beth half a dozen times upon entering the house. Finally, before she could ask once again Kingsely pointed his own wand at the girl. Hermione instinctively flinched, even though she knew he would not harm her. The familiar mist exited the wand and encircled the girl's head. Immediately she fell silent as the dazed look returned.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Kingsely cried, as the group encircled the girls.

"Harry is still missing, in case you have forgotten! We needed her now more than ever and look at her! Just look at her!" Lupin added, motioning to the clueless soul piercer sitting in the chair. She had resumed to staring off, seemingly quite content being lost in her own little world. "She's useless now!"

"Don't call her that!" Hermione cried, tears forming in her eyes again, "Do you have any idea what she's been through, what I've been through? What if it were Tonks, Mrs. Weasley, anyone you loved with everything you possess, what then? Would you continue to let her be in danger or would you do whatever it took to protect them? Would you keep them safe even if it meant making others angry at your actions?"

All the adults fell silent. Staring at the eighteen year old before them, they knew she was right. Hermione was always called the brightest witch of her age, but at that moment she seemed like more of a grown-up then the rest. They knew it had taken tremendous courage, and sacrifice to do what she had done. Sighing, Lupin let his shoulders relax and a small smile appear.

"You're correct, Hermione. I would have done the same exact thing if it were my wife. I apologize for what I said. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are all stressed, and worried about Harry. Still it does not excuse us for thoughtless words," he said, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Please forgive me."

Nodding, the witch returned the smile, even though it was forced. She knew his apology was genuine, but still his words stung her heart. How had he accused her of forgetting about her best friend? It had been a battle with herself once she found out about her and Harry's connection. The only reason she went through with the spell was she knew that her best friend would be found even without Rachel's help.

"But now what do we do with her?" Ron asked, cautiously eyeing the soul piercer. Even though she was basically sedated he still was waiting for her to attack again. "Obviously we can't keep her here."

Everyone looked at Hermione, expecting her to fill them in on the rest of the plan. In actuality she hadn't really thought about what should be done with her girlfriend. But upon her suggestion of perhaps sending her back to the States it was pointed out it might not be the best course of action. After all, she couldn't go back to her home with parents who didn't remember they had a child. So where else would she have to go but to wander the streets with amnesia? It was back to the drawing board for a plan to determine what to do with the girl. After a moment the female auror piped up with a thought.

"Well…Rachel is supposed to be in Glasgow, correct?" Tonks asked, waiting for someone to catch on to what she was driving at. The blank stares before her confirmed that she was on her own. " What if she actually got to go experience university?"

"We can't just send her off to school without a memory or protection. If somehow she was found she would just be a sitting duck," Hermione stated, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"I wasn't saying that," she stated leaning against the kitchen table, "Actually, it would be the complete opposite. I have an old family friend from the order that we have kept in contact with over the years. Him and his wife moved over to the States when You-Know-Who put out a bounty on his head. I know they have a daughter a few years older than you lot. She graduated from Hogwarts I think two years ago…. "

"Oh!" Ginny cried, as the light bulb clicked on, "Was she in Ravenclaw?"

"I believe so."

"Now I remember, she was the chaser on their quidditch team. Bloody awesome player," Ron added, remembering watching the girl in action on the pitch, "Something Williams, right?"

How could they have forgotten about the older student? After all she was the only American student in Hogwarts. They all remembered the first year at school and hearing about the girl from across the pond. Though none of them really interacted with her due to their age difference. Most of the students tended to stay within their own year, that didn't mean they didn't know of the other students.

"That's her," Tonks smiled proudly.

The Williams had been a part of her life as long as she could remember. She remembered fondly spending holidays with them when she was growing up. Even though the Williams children were a few years younger she always managed to get into mischief with them. One time she and Thomas, the family's only son, teamed up to play a trick on the younger girl. Tonks had made herself into a carbon copy of Nicola, and then spent the rest of the day thoroughly convincing her that Tonks was the real Williams daughter. This little incident caused the trouble makers to be on punishment the rest of the Tonks family's stay.

Though it had been several years since she had seen the family, she spoke to their father, Russell, regularly. Ever since Voldemort's latest attempt at a revolution Tonks, consulted the former auror. Russell was a legend in the ministry. He had successfully captured more dark wizards than any other auror. The man seemed to have a natural instinct to know his prey's move before they even knew it. This was both a gift and a curse. As often as he caught the bad guy, he took it so much worse when one would escape his grasp…which didn't happen often.

Russell Edward Williams grew up in Birmingham, England. The oldest in the muggle family, he was the only one who received his acceptance letter to Hogwarts. He had been sorted into Ravenclaw the year before the Marauders entered the school's campus. Luckily, once they arrived he had managed to always stay on the younger students' good side. This trend continued when Russell was made prefect and sometimes looked the other way when they weren't exactly following the rules. After his time at the prestigious magical school, he began his auror training. Due to his quick wittiness, and instincts he managed to graduate top of his class. He stayed in touch his friends from school, and soon he began to hear about a group that Professor Dumbledore was trying to form.

During You-Know-Who's initial reign of terror, it only made since that he join the Order of the Phoenix. He had fought alongside the greatest witches and wizards of his time. Russell had used his training to save hundreds of muggle lives. Then during one particular battle an ambush had been set for a festival in Leeds. Dumbledore has alerted the Order of the planned attack. Immediately they sprang into action, appareting to the fairgrounds.

When they arrived a full fledge outbreak had begun as the death eater had beaten them there. James and Sirius began barking orders splitting the group up to cover the most ground. Russell raced through the grounds casting spells at any dark shape that moved. When he was doubling back he heard a scream. Turning he found Lily Evans in a fight for her life against a hooded figure. She screamed for her boyfriend, but he was out of earshot.

The curse was uttered before Russell could think twice. Hitting the death eater, he watched him crumple to the ground. The auror rushed to his friend's side, and was enveloped in a hug by the young woman. At their feet lay the body of the death eater that had tried to end Lily's life. In the course of his fall the mask had fallen off to reveal a face of a boy not much older than fifteen. It was the only time in the man's life were he felt incredible guilt for his actions. It turned out the boy was the son of one Voldemort's right hand men. The father of the slain teen wanted the auror's blood. Soon Russell and his young wife, Emma, were in grave danger.

At the next meeting, it was decided the couple had to leave for their safety. Of course Russell was strongly against abandoning his role in the Order. He was not one to back down and hide from the enemy. It was at that moment that Emma revealed a rather large secret…she was expecting the couple's first child. Now the man had to think about not only their safety, but also had to take into account his unborn child. He knew what he had to do. That evening they appareted to a safe house that had been set up in America. There they would begin their lives over in a whole new world. All ties had to be cut to their lives in Great Britain, for everyone's safety.

Russell took a job as a police officer and they began to settle into their new life. Emma gave birth to Thomas later that first year. Then two years they had a daughter, Nicola. While in the States the events of that faithful Halloween night occurred. If one was to ask him about the first of November, he would still be able to describe what went through his mind.

It had been, four year old, Thomas who had shouted, "Birdie!" at the breakfast table. Both Russell and Emma where shocked to see the owl their son was pointing at sitting on the windowsill. They hadn't received an owl since they had arrived in America, so upon seeing the large bird they knew the threat was over. No one would risk sending them one otherwise! Russell grabbed the letter the bird carried, and tore it open. He recognized the familiar hand writing of Minerva McGonagall. In her letter she crafted the sad story of the Potters, Harry's survival, Voldemort's demise, and Sirius's betrayal.

The recap left an aching in the man's heart that never fully closed. He secretly blamed himself that he hadn't been there to help protect his friends. If only he had been there, maybe James and Lily would have gotten to raise their son as he was able to raise Thomas and Nicola. Over the next several years, it was apparent that Russell wasn't the only one with the magical gift. At an early age, Nicola began to show signs of magic, and the instincts that her father shared. This began the discussion if it was safe to return to England, so that she might attend Hogwarts. There was a magical school in Salem, Massachusetts that she could attend. But deep down Russell and Emma knew that she was meant to be at his alma matar.

Russell reached out another muggle born in his year at school, Ted Tonks. Soon the friendship began to rekindle. A few months later the Williams stepped back on English soil for the first time in almost six years. From that moment the Williams and Tonks many summers together.

"I'm sure that if we explain everything she would be willing to help us," Tonks said looking almost proud of herself. "She's in university herself so it should be an easy transfer. Molly, can I use your fireplace?"

In a matter of seconds upon entering the living room a male voice responded to the witch's call. It was apparent by the sound of his voice that he was glad to speak to the woman. The teens couldn't make out what was being said for a majority of the conversation. Only now and then did they pick up a word. A few moments later Tonks returned, smoke still coming off her hair. " Everything is set," she smiled, " We can take her to Glasgow tomorrow. Russell will meet us there with Nicola."

Hermione turned to Mrs. Weasley who smiled at the young Gryffindor. " Not to worry dear, I am sure she will be in good hands," she said cheerfully. She needed a bit more convincing that Rachel in fact would be safe. She knew about the Williams girl but still…would she really be enough to protect the soul piercer…wait….

"What about her soul piercing?" Hermione suddenly blurted, " if she is going to around that many people it's going to keep happening."

"Well, she did live with her gift before all of this," Ginny stated, staring at their friend. It was so weird for her to see Rachel this quiet. The muggle was definitely not known for silence, especially when surrounded by her friends. She hated seeing her like this, she reminded Ginny of a doll. "I'm sure she will be fine, Hermione."

"It's not the other people I am worried about. What happens if she pierces Nicola? Can you imagine what that could do to her? She could see everything that we discussed, as well as Hogwarts. That could look familiar to her and try to trigger her memory. I've read that this could actually cause irreversible damage to someone under the Oblivious spell. Their brain will try to reconnect everything too quickly and it could end up driving her mad," the brightest witch said.

She had certainly done her homework when it came to performing this act on her girlfriend. After all, she wanted to be 100% sure that she would be able to have her fully back when this was over.

Surprisingly, the solution to their problem came from an unlikely source. Not that they weren't brilliant by any means, but the twins ideas normally ended with laughter at someone's expense. So when they returned, after a sudden apparition away, with a box everyone was apprehensive to take it.

"It's not going to bite!" George finally laughed, trying to hand the box to Hermione.

His words didn't seem to give her more confidence in a prank not being pulled. Finally, they could see that they would have to open it themselves. George opened it while Fred pulled out its contents. In his hand it appeared to be an ordinary silver ring on a chain.

"What is it?" their brother asked, cautiously looking at the object.

"This is one of our most ingenious inventions…" Fred started.

"Only it didn't work quite as we intended it to," his twin finished.

"Okay….so you want to put one of your shoty ideas around Rachel's neck?" Ginny asked, which caused a stifled laugh from Ron. "I think I will speak for everyone and veto the idea right now."

" Where is the trust little sister? Just hear us out before you go shooting us down," George asked, placing an arm around Ginny's shoulders. " The original purpose of this was to control another person's actions and mind…"

"For a brief period of time of course!" Fred interjected, but not before his mother shot her sons a disapproving look.

" Right you are Freddy," George stated flashing a cheeky smile, "Only we found out after testing it on some, shall we say, volunteers, the effects lasted a bit longer than expected."

"How much longer?"

"Remember how Lee kept walking into walls all of spring semester?" Fred asked.

The three remaining Hogwarts students nodded their heads. It was thought that fellow Gryffindor, Lee Jordan, had been the victim of some kind of curse by his suddenly clumsiness. By the end of the term it was more odd to see Lee upright and not flat on his back from his latest embrace with the stone wall.

"That long," George said, "for months anytime a girl so much as glanced as ol' Lee….SMACK…right into the wall. It took him almost the whole summer holiday to forgive us."

" And all this has to do with Rachel….how?" Hermione asked almost rudely.

The twins flashed a grin toward the brunette. " Well it seems to us that you need a certain trait of your girl controlled for some time…" Fred trailed off letting everyone reach the conclusion at the same time. Hermione's eyes lit up almost immediately.

"How does it work?"

"It's quite easy. . ." George said holding the ring out the Gryffindor.