Starting To Rebuild
While Serafina continued to look after Fliss, Harry and Hermione left Hogwarts and returned to their home. Police officers stood at the doorway to stop people from looking in the house, and the pair of them went inside to meet with the investigating officers. Harry and Hermione expected the inside of the house to be somehow changed. It wasn't, and it seemed perverted to them. Everything so far was bright, happy and cheerful which made the pair terrible, and both wanted to go on a rampage and destroy everything that looked happy. Sirius stuck to one side with Aurors Jackson, Riottz and Miz while the police officers talked to Harry and Hermione.
"We've done some investigation work on the car your parents were driving, and we have found no mechanical faults with it" said the Inspector. "For all intents and purposes, it simply crashed into the barriers. The only thing they would have known was the car swerving into the barrier, but after that… well it was very quick" he finished.
"Could it have been intentional?" asked Harry.
"Another car? We've gone over the wreckage, but have found no paint traces on the metal apart from the colour of the car" said the Superintendent. He looked at his subordinate, and then back at the two children. "I've served thirty years in the force, and I have never encountered an incident like this. We've done blood tests to ensure there was no drink driving, and they came back with a negative result. It was like the car was possessed" and Harry turned to Hermione and whispered something in her ear. His sister nodded and then turned to speak to the senior of the two officers.
"We'd like to see our parents please" she requested.
"I don't think that is really a good idea" said the Inspector.
"We want to see them" said Harry.
"I think you should take the advice and not see them" Sirius said. He – like the other three Aurors – was dressed in muggle clothes to blend in. their cover story was that they were bodyguards for the two.
"We don't care – we want to see them" Harry and Hermione insisted. The Inspector looked at his Super, and then went into the hallway to use his radio. After a little while, he came back in and said that it would be possible to see the bodies in half an hour. Both officers were impressed by how well the children were taking the deaths of their parents, and they remarked as such to the pair.
"We've already seen death" said Hermione.
"Oh?" enquired the Superintendent.
"A child died whilst at the school they attend" Sirius explained.
"I see" said the Inspector. They talked for a little while longer, and then arranged for them to go to the hospital.
"We'll sort out train tickets back to school" said Jackson and Riottz, and they headed to the town centre to get a drink. They needed one after seeing how cold both Harry and Hermione were acting. Sirius and Auror Miz went with Harry and Hermione to the hospital, which was in the centre of the town as well. Upon arriving at the place, the group was led to the morgue where the adults waited outside while the children took as much time as they needed.
#
The door closed behind them with a gentle click, and they looked at the bodies of their parents. Someone had tastefully put the heads back on, though this was mainly for the benefit of the children. Harry and Hermione hugged them both and started to cry for a long, long time – a full hour in fact – until Sirius quietly came in and found them hugging and crying.
"I know you've got as much time as you need, but we have other things to do" he said, as gently as he could. They nodded, said goodbye to their parents, kissed them gently on the head and then left the room hand in hand. It was the last time that they would ever see their parents, and this ensured that Harry and Hermione were quiet all the way back to Hogwarts. Before they left, Harry and Hermione made it quite clear that they forbid an autopsy to be performed on either one of their parents. If the hospital did so, then they would sue them for a large amount. When one of the doctors chuckled at Harry's statement of suing them, Hermione said that their bodyguard – Sirius – was out from prison after being inside for murder. (She decided to not tell them that the charge was false). The doctors soon stopped laughing quickly enough, and Harry and Hermione left the hospital morgue, and didn't look back.
#
It turned out that Fliss had spent the day in the Gryffindor common room, and she had enjoyed herself quite a bit. From what Serafina reported, Fliss had even taken on Dean Thomas at colouring in and had beaten him, and the boy had jokingly grumbled about it. Harry and Hermione had smiled about in the right places, and then gone for a walk around the castle. They had got halfway round when it happened, and all hell broke loose.
"Did you see her? That Granger girl was crying like a little baby. All because her muggle parents died! Then again, what do you expect from a stupid mudblood?" said an older female student. The Hufflepuff said this whilst they had been going past her, and Harry and Hermione executed perfect about turns, and Hermione spoke.
"Excuse me?" she said.
"Who are you?" asked the Hufflepuff, turning to see her.
"Hermione Granger – stupid mudblood" Hermione replied, and she punched her in the stomach. Harry joined in the attack, and all the grief that was being held in was released, and the two of them poured the grief and anger into the assault. The Hufflepuff's friends tried to pull them off, but this had no effect as Harry looked at them, and the students found themselves flying doing the corridor. One member of the watching crowd attempted to stun the three of them, but this didn't work either. When McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout arrived on the scene, they found fist and feet flying in all directions. It took all three of them to separate the combatants, and McGonagall took Harry and Hermione into the nearest empty classroom.
"What on earth do you think you were doing?" she demanded of them.
"They called Hermione a mudblood, and insulted our parents" Harry said. He had bruises forming on his face, a bleeding and broken nose, a black eye and a few more injuries. His clothes were all in tatters. Hermione was in exactly the same position as her brother.
"You should have told a prefect or a teacher at once" McGonagall said, "I know you have just suffered a loss, but that is no reason to attack someone. If you had hit the other student and then gone away, I would have deducted points and given you a detention. As it is, I am going to suspend you for a week. I'll have to inform your parents about…" McGonagall cut herself off from speaking the words automatically as she saw Harry and Hermione stiffen like boards. "I'm sorry" she said. "You're confined to your suite. Go to the hospital wing to get yourselves sorted first though. I only hope that this is just grief talking" and she sent them off to Pomfrey after repairing their clothes with a wave of her wand. The other girl was there getting sorted, and when she saw them she screamed and went to the other side of the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey came out of her office, saw the newly arrived pair and treated them after adding her own condolences. Upon release from the Hospital Wing, Harry said he wanted to talk to Oliver Wood, so they headed off to Gryffindor tower where Wood was there.
"Harry, Hermione. I'm sorry for what has happened" he said.
"Thanks" said Hermione.
"To tell you the story before the rumours spread, we've been suspended for attacking a Hufflepuff" Harry said, "But that is not what I want to speak to you about. I want to give you this" and he handed over a small piece of parchment which was folded over. Without another word, the pair left Gryffindor tower before Wood could ask them to explain.
"What does it say?" asked Fred.
"Let me read it fir… oh" Wood's voice dropped to silence.
Dear Oliver Wood
I, Harry James Potter, do hereby resign from the Gryffindor House Quidditch Team for reasons of a personal nature. Please understand that this no way reflects on your leadership ability at all. I wish yourself and the rest of the Gryffindor team good luck in the upcoming season.
Signed
Harry Potter
"Get McGonagall" said Oliver, and the Weasley twins belted out of the common room as fast as they could. Harry and Hermione meanwhile, had returned to their tower where they sat on the settee.
"What are going to do?" asked Hermione. "Who are we going to live with now?" she added.
"I don't know" said Harry, "I wish I could marry you now – that would solve one problem at least. I… I… I can't believe that they are gone" he added, and Hermione shuffled up to him and embraced her brother and boyfriend.
"I don't either" she said, "They are both good drivers, so I cant believe it was just an accident. But you heard the officers – the car was mechanically sound. I mean it was almost as if it was mag.." Hermione stopped speaking and turned to face Harry who was looking at her, "…ic" she finished the word.
"Murdered" Harry's face went red with anger once again. "Our parents were killed. Only two people would try such a thing – either Snape or Dumbledore! "We've got to let people know" and his tone grew hard.
"We can't leave the suite" Hermione said.
"One of those two killed our parents" Harry said, "For me, that's the second time that has happened. Are you going to allow the restriction to our suite stop you from getting them bastards?" as Harry was explaining this in loud words, Fliss and Serafina came in. "We'll talk later" Harry growled.
"I heard you two shouting" Fliss said. "Why?" she asked with innocence.
"It's too complicated to explain" Hermione told her, "We're just upset about our parents dying, so Harry and I might get mad at times. If we do that to you, we don't mean it" and Fliss nodded and headed up to her room.
"We saw McGonagall on the way over" Serafina said. "She told me quietly about what you'd done. From what I have heard on the grapevine, Sprout went crazy when she heard what one of her lot had done. She's confined her to the Hufflepuff common room unless there are lessons she needs to attend" and Serafina looked up at where Fliss had vanished.
"What?" said Harry.
"McGonagall told me to take Fliss with me to stay in the first year dorms for a few days. I think she would like you to have a few days to cool down and get your emotions in check. Personally… well done" Serafina said.
"Thank you" the pair said at the same time.
"About the… funeral" Serafina said carefully, "Any idea as to when it would be?" she asked.
"We… we… we don't know" Hermione said. It took her three attempts to get the sentence out, and sadness entered her voice and fell over both hers and Harry's faces. "I think it might be sometime this week or early next week. There are so many things to take care of" and she trailed off in thought.
"Fliss's be down in a minute or two" Harry said, "What did McGonagall tell Fliss about staying in Gryffindor tower?" and Serafina smiled.
"She told Fliss that you two were very sad, and that you needed to be alone together. So instead of living here, she could stay in with the Gryffindors for a bit. McGonagall has to be mad at you for what you did, but she told me – off the record – that she would have done the same thing if that had happened to her" Serafina paused for a moment. "She'll be alright" the girl added as Fliss came down with a small trunk in her hands.
"All set for your trip?" Harry asked Fliss.
"It is only with the Gryffindors" Fliss said. Harry, Hermione and Serafina mock glared at her for a moment, then broke into smiles. "I hope you feel better soon" she called, and then slipped her hand into Serafina's and then waved the pair goodbye. Once the door was shut, Harry and Hermione dropped the cheerfulness that was on their faces, sat down on the settee and started to talk more.
"Who do we talk to?" Hermione said. "If we accuse Snape or Dumbledore then people will think it is grief speaking. And if we do, and there is evidence that both of them were seen in large groups, then what will people think then?" Harry knew she was right.
"I know Hermione, but I just know that this is the work of one of them" Harry said.
"You know that I agree with you, Harry, but what can we do?" Hermione said. "Even if Dumbledore has done some terrible things recently, he still has a lot of respect. If we accuse him so soon after his trial, people will think that we are out to slander his name" and Harry glared at her before nodding.
"And if its Snape, then Dumbledore will push to have him given a light sentence" he put his head in his hands and shook it tiredly. "Maybe we are just so confused after mum and dad dying, we don't know what we are saying. Perhaps we should just…"
BANG BANG BANG
Heavy knocking made the pair of them jump before McGonagall came in.
"What is this?" she demanded, waving a bit of parchment about in her hand.
"A tomato sandwich?" suggested Harry.
"This" McGonagall ignored Harry's remark, "This is a letter from you resigning from the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I have just spent the last thirty minutes having Oliver Wood climbing up the walls of my office. I want you to explain yourself at once!" the headmistress demanded.
"Professor McGonagall, my parents have just been killed in a car crash in the early hours of this morning. Quidditch is not at the front of my mind right now. In a few days time, I have got to bury two members of my family. Do you expect me to come back from practice and go to a training session?" McGonagall took a step back at Harry's outburst.
"Don't you think that you are being too hasty?" she asked him.
"No I do not" Harry replied, "I do not wish to play another game again for a long time" and Hermione moved places to sit nearer to Harry.
"Professor, this is what my brother wants. I am sure that, if he so wishes, he might return to the team" Hermione made her position clear to the headmistress. "We would like to be left alone now please. My brother and I would like to grieve alone and in peace. We will thank you if you could let the word be known we do not wish to be disturbed" and McGonagall looked at the pair of them.
"I am sorry if we seem rude to you, but we're not thinking straight. That's why we want to be alone" Harry said, and McGonagall's expression changed to one of understanding.
"Of course" she replied, "I forgot that people deal with these situations in different ways" after apologising to them both, McGonagall left the room. Both of them were silent for a long time in each other's arms as they thought about the future. It was well into the afternoon when Hermione thought of something.
"With no one to look after us, I wonder if anyone is going to try and split us up?" she said, repeating her earlier statement.
"Like who?" Harry asked her.
"Well maybe Dumbledore will try for something" Hermione said. "he could ay that he'll keep us together if you become his apprentice or something" and Harry shook his head.
"Rather be buggered with a toothbrush" he said firmly. "You'll think of something, Mione" Harry said, stroking her hair gently, "You always do" and Hermione smiled weakly. Whatever way she looked at the situation, there was no possible solution that gave them a good end result.
"I, Harry James Potter, do swear on my magic that I will remain as part of Hermione Jane Granger's family until we are grown up" Harry swore a magically binding oath that made Hermione gasp with surprise.
"You did that? Was that for me?" she asked, and Harry nodded.
"I would do anything to make you happy. And I will do everything in my power to ensure you are safe, and that includes putting my life on the line if you are in danger" Harry said. Hermione turned her head and kissed him on the lips.
"Lets go to bed" she said to him as she got up from the settee.
"At our ages, Hermione?" Harry said, trying to get some humour back into the day.
"Not like that, you silly idiot" Hermione protested, "Its just that I am so tired, but I don't want to be on my own" and Harry nodded.
"I could do with some sleep. When we wake up, I bet we will find this a dream" he said, and off they went together.
#
"I do not disagree that I have crossed Mr Potter's path before. It is my belief that his general well being can be served by placing him with me" Dumbledore spoke to several members of the Wizendgamot at the Ministry. "His sister and the two girls he has under his protection can be put up for adoption, but Harry should come with me" and he sat down. The panel spoke in hushed tones for a while before turning to Dumbledore.
"Your request concerning Mr Potter has been approved, and he will be placed into your care. You other request concerning the adoption family has also been approved, and Miss Granger, Miss Parkinson and Miss Pekkala, and they will be awarded to the Weasley family" said the panel head, "This session is now over" and Dumbledore rubbed his hands with glee. Now he had access to everything he wanted, and he could complete the wedding contract…
A/N:
I am an evil little fanfic writer I am!
So, now we have dealt a little with the aftermath of the incident, and Dumbledore has already made a move on Harry and Hermione.
Not much really to say, except to note the references in the previous chapter:
1 - Some of what the sorting hat says.
2 – Hermione's reaction to how her parents were killed, is similar to what Hagrid says about Lily and James.
This will be the last chapter for sometime (RE: A/N of previous chapter), as I need to get some strength back. While I'm fine as such, I still have a few little niggles which hurt. I'll still reply to everyone who reviews though, but understand that replies may come when I feel like it.
Saying this though, I have an outline for chapter 38 which will deal with the funeral, will reading and Harry and Hermione telling Dumbledore exactly what he can do with his adoption and marriage ideas!
Special Mention: joemjackson – the only person to wish me a speedy recovery in their review!
Shameless Plug: When I said I recommend you visit Accidental Amputee, what I meant was GO AND READ IT! If you do not, then a team of hyperactive monkeys will be despatched to your home.
Reviews and Pm's in the normal manner,
Regards:
Pixel