And Now...The Final Part...Mercifully
Harry and Luna talked several times over the next few days. The easy solution was to simply return to their lives here and move on. But was it really that simple? That was a key element of their discussions. They knew the entire story in the other universe thanks to Hermione and the books. They knew they had a great life and wonderful, loving relationship complete with three great kids, a beautiful home in Buenos Aires and unlimited cash. It would be great to return there and continue their happy lives. They would have to abandon all of that if they decided to stay in this reality.
But, would going back really be that simple? They would have to abandon their loving relationships and families in this world to go back to the other one. Returning there would not be as easy as snapping their fingers and returning to the happy conclusion of the night following Harry saving Luna from Hannibal Lecter and his capture. They would have to pick a spot in the nearly twenty-years inside that world and try to reconnect a thread so that the future would proceed forward from there.
Any connection of a thread after Hermione's death would mean Hermione would remain dead forever. If they could stomach that option, then which future thread should they reconnect? What risks would they be putting in front of themselves from the reconnection point forward? If they chose to make an attempt to reconnect the thread on their final day in Buenos Aires, would it mean facing Hannibal a second time? Probably.
Nothing guaranteed that everything would go the same in a do-over scenario. It would not be just an instant replay. Infinite variations could present themselves. Time is like an hourglass with the present being the single grain in the narrowest point of the neck. As it passes through, it fans out into an infinite universe of more and more possibilities as it travels further and further away from that present. They would be taking a major risk based only on the faith of a similar outcome. This was not fiction where a failure can simply be rewritten.
In a second encounter, even if Harry did not go back to retrieve his cellphone, Hannibal could come up behind them and knock Harry out or worse. Then, he would be able to drag Luna away unimpeded. Nothing was guaranteed. It was a frightening reality. What should they do?
"This is the most difficult puzzle I have ever tried to solve," said Luna in an academic tone. "It is exceptionally perplexing."
"I agree," said Harry. "I can think of a hundred reasons for us to go back and a hundred reasons not to go. Then I can do the same with staying here. It's frustrating."
"Maybe there is no correct solution," offered Luna. "I think we may have to look for the best one."
"The only best one I can think of is to have never entered this puzzle to start with. But even that is not entirely satisfying. Why can't I just fight another dragon?"
Time passed. Several days later, a message sailed into Hermione's office and landed on her desk. It was from Harry and Luna. They felt they had made their decision. She sent back a message asking them to meet her in her office at noon the next day.
The meeting was very melancholy. They had decided to have Hermione erase their memories of the dream world using the auror's memory modification charm. They accepted the idea that almost all of that world was a collection of loose threads, but their life here was real. They told Hermione that they felt reconnecting a thread bringing their lives back together in the dream world would have untold consequences. Would they have to once again deal with murderers once they passed the situation with Hannibal? Passing Hannibal would send them to a new place and time. In addition, they did not want Hermione to be dead. Hermione thanked them for that consideration. There were too many unknowns for them to risk.
Hermione accepted their decision. After all, it was their decision to make. She added the condition that she would also have her memory modified to erase her memory of it, as well. That seemed reasonable. They decided to do it tomorrow in her office. Harry provided Hermione with the name of an auror he felt would be the best to handle the situation discreetly and professionally.
The next afternoon at one o'clock found three very nervous people assembled in her office.
"Are you certain you want to do this?" asked Hermione. "There is no going back once this is done."
Yes," replied Harry as Luna shook her head in agreement. "I modified Ginny and Rolf's memories this morning to eliminate any knowledge of the dream.
"Okay," said Hermione.
Harry and Luna looked into each other's eyes. They joined hands, not knowing the extent of the trembling taking place in the other because of their own shaking. Then, suddenly, they embraced in a deep, soul-fulfilling kiss that caused Hermione to have a flashback to the kiss she had shared with Ron during the height of the Second Battle of Hogwarts. Tears welled up in her eyes and started spilling down her cheeks.
Harry and Luna finally broke apart and turned to face Hermione.
"Are you ready, Luna?" said Harry, trying to contain his emotions.
"Yes," she said, tears in her eyes.
"Hermione, please," choked Harry, tears suddenly starting to run down his cheeks.
"It will all be better in a minute," sobbed Hermione. "Immuto Obliviate."
Hermione led them to a pair of chairs while modifying their memories to think they had been having a discussion about the battles and all of the friends they had lost along the way. As soon as they were seated, an auror who had no knowledge of the situation other than the order to similarly obliviate Hermione to forget the existence of Harry and Luna's 'dream situation', and to modify her memory to also think they had been discussing the battle and lost friends came into the room at her summons.
"Quickly, please," said Hermione, sitting down and wiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks. The auror swiftly performed his duty exactly as requested without question and promptly exited.
A few moments later the three of them were chatting, saying that they had really let that conversation get out of hand. "We need to find something more cheerful to talk about," said Harry.
