Chapter 42: A Summer in Britain, A Winter Down Under
June 16th, 1996
Narcissa swept into the room where the other Death Eaters were meeting the moment she heard Bella was back. She couldn't help it. She had been obsessed with her sister's safety ever since Lucius had died. That still wasn't real to her. She had tried to mourn him, but it just wouldn't come. Not yet. But one thing she wasn't able to ignore was that her sister might very well be in the same danger.
"Just as you suspected Severus, Granger's parents didn't even wait to go home. They were moved out already," said Bellatrix, "I suspect they have already left the country, or will do so tomorrow."
"Just as you were closing in on them," said Rookwood, his voice clearly disappointed.
"We know she is going to Australia," dismissed Snape, "We can hunt her down at our leisure. It will take some time for Potter to find out that she is gone. At least a couple of weeks."
"No," said Bellatrix, "Potter knows she is gone now. He arrived at the Granger's house minutes after I did. He clearly didn't know what was going on, but someone tipped him off apparently and he knows they are gone. I need to hunt down Granger immediately, or Potter will bury them so deep that we never find them."
"You didn't bring me a gift, Bellatrix?" asked the Dark Lord, but he had a smile on his face as he said it, "You've always said you could capture Potter for me."
"I admit, I didn't know what I was talking about," said Bellatrix, "I was barely able to keep him from defeating me, and he was trying to capture me, not kill me. He's good, far better than your descriptions indicated, my Lord. I suspect he has improved since the last time he fought you."
"You think he can defeat me?" asked the Dark Lord, a dangerous edge to his voice.
"No one can truly defeat you," assured Bellatrix, "But he is dangerous to your operations nonetheless. I believe he is a match for any other Death Eater, myself included. You should be as wary of him as you are of Dumbledore."
The Dark Lord nodded. "I believe you may be right. Very well, take five Death Eaters with you, kill Granger in Australia. We need to hurt Potter, and this is the best way to do it. Snape, any progress on who killed Lucius and his group?"
"Our information is very sketchy," admitted Snape, "I can guess that maybe it was Bryant Greengrass or the Irish magical underground, but those are guesses. I can't even be absolutely certain it isn't Potter. I don't think he did it, it would have required him to almost be in two places at once, but on the other hand, he might be devious enough to do something like that."
"Perhaps we should hire mercenaries," said Narcissa, surprised as much as anyone that she had spoken up, "We have the funding to do so. More than enough. Our numbers are getting thin."
The Dark Lord nodded. "Not a bad idea, but I'd like Bellatrix's input on any hires. We'll wait until she gets back from Australia."
Suddenly the Dark Lord smiled at Narcissa. "I am glad that you have managed to recover from your grief so quickly. With your husband gone, we will need your insights more than ever."
Lucius got himself killed, thought Narcissa, He isn't getting Draco and me killed as well.
"There will be time to mourn later," said Narcissa, "Right now, we need to take control of the situation we find ourselves in or we risk everything spiraling out of our control."
"I'm starting to think you were the brains of the Malfoy family," said the Dark Lord. Bellatrix smiled at that.
"We have larger problems," said Rookwood, "I just received word that Fenrir Greyback has decided to back out of supporting us with his werewolves. He doesn't believe that we can win, having lost so many of our people. That is a bitter blow. Even worse, that will almost certainly cost us the giants. One of the main reasons they were supporting us was because the werewolves were also supporting us…"
The meeting went on for another 15 minutes. Afterwards, Bella walked over to her sister, in what might as well have been a full on run.
"I'm so glad you have chosen this path sister," said Bellatrix excitedly, "I look forward to working side by side with you. As soon as I return from Australia, of course."
"Stay safe, Bella," said Narcissa, "I couldn't bear to lose you too."
"I will, Cissy," said Bellatrix, "You don't have to worry about me."
XXXXX
Harry got up the next day, only to have Kreacher and Dobby both accost him before he could leave. He finally consented to have breakfast, especially given that he didn't know when he would eat again.
"Harry," said Sirius as Harry wolfed down his sausages, "I'm glad I caught you."
"Whatever happens, keep trying to recruit those mercenaries," said Harry.
"Harry…" said Sirius.
"You can't come with me, you'd be missed," said Harry, "Neither can Remus, or Tonks, or Bill or even Fleur, and I'd kill to have any of them with me. But I promise you, I won't go alone. If necessary, I'll go to Ireland and get Blaise." Harry shook his head angrily.
"I'll give you one thing, any doubts that going behind Dumbledore's back was a bad idea are now out the window," said Sirius, "Remus and Tonks are both very angry with him right now."
"Are they finally an item?" asked Harry as he finished his meal, "I know they've been on the verge of it for a while."
"They should be," said Sirius sourly, "I think that maybe they are, secretly. Remus probably wants to keep it quiet though, as he's a bit scared of what people will think."
"Well, I hope they figure it out," said Harry, "Anyway, I'm off to Hogwarts."
"Harry, you probably shouldn't Apparate…" started Sirius, right as Harry apparated away.
He emerged on the road to Hogwarts, where Fleur had Apparated them after escaping from Voldemort in the graveyard. Harry walked up to the gates. They were closed, of course, but Harry summoned a Patronus and sent it to Hagrid. He was a bit surprised that he could summon a Patronus in his current state of mind, but he had been thinking about finding Hermione, safe.
Hagrid was at the gate in a moment. "Harry! What are you doin' here? School ended yesterday."
"I need to speak to Headmistress McGonagall," said Harry, "A matter of utmost urgency has come up. I'm not here as a student, I'm here as someone concerned about a person for whom she is acting as guardian."
"Right!" said Hagrid in agreement, "I'll let you in then."
Hagrid quickly let Harry in and escorted him to the Headmistresses office. McGonagall's eyes widened when she saw him.
"What are you doing here, Potter?" she asked.
"Did you give Hermione's parents permission to move her out of the country?" asked Harry.
"I did, yes," answered McGonagall cautiously, "I assume you came here to make sure she wasn't being kidnapped? Well, I suppose that would be urgent, if it was the case."
"Did you talk to Hermione about it?" asked Harry.
"I… no I didn't," said McGonagall, her face perplexed, "That's odd. Normally I would."
"How did you know that her parents wanted her to move?" asked Harry.
"Harry, I know you are upset..." started McGonagall.
"Hermione DID NOT TELL ME that she was moving," said Harry firmly, "And she had made several promises and had many commitments that she was responsible for. Does it sound like Hermione, skipping out on a commitment like that?"
"No, it doesn't," said McGonagall, her voice now disturbed.
"So who told you that Hermione's parents wanted her to move?" asked Harry.
"I vaguely remember Snape," said McGonagall, "Was Dumbledore there? I can't remember."
Harry had a sharp intake of breath. This was very bad. "Can I use legilimency on you Professor? I think your memory has been tampered with."
"I suppose," said McGonagall begrudgingly.
Harry delved into her mind, and sure enough, he saw the telltale signs of minor obliviations. And her memory of that conversation was hazy. Too hazy for Harry to determine anything from.
"Someone has messed with your mind Professor, probably so you wouldn't question why you signed off on letting Hermione go without talking to her. I am certain that she didn't know that her parents intended her to move," Harry began pacing.
"Bloody hell!" swore McGonagall, "They used me! Whoever did this…"
"Will be dealt with, but right now I need to know where she is. She is in great danger," said Harry.
"If Professor Snape and Dumbledore are hiding her, I'm sure she is fine," insisted McGonagall, "I am not happy that they tricked me, but they are capable of keeping her safe."
Harry shook his head. McGonagall was still being affected by something. This was going to require some more work.
"Last night, I went to Hermione's house, and I ran into Bellatrix Lestrange," said Harry, "She knew Hermione had left the country! The Death Eaters are trying to find her, and the mere fact that she left the country will not stop them. Just like the fact that Dumbledore put my parents under a Fidelius didn't stop them. I have to find Hermione before they do. I have to!"
"I cannot give out that information to a student!" said McGonagall.
"You are her magical guardian!" snapped Harry, "You can tell me whatever you damn well need to!"
McGonagall hung her head. "You are right, of course. Why am I fighting this?"
"Someone messed with your head," said Harry, "They have some spell causing you to resist this."
"Australia," said McGonagall, "Hermione and her parents went to Australia. And Potter, I am sorry about this."
"Not your fault," said Harry, "Either Dumbledore or Snape has twisted your mind like a pretzel. Now I have to go. Can I use the floo?"
"Certainly," said McGonagall, "Where will you be going?"
"The Burrow," replied Harry.
XXXXX
Harry came crashing into the Burrow from the fireplace. He hadn't ever done that before. He must really be on edge if he was screwing up something so basic.
"Sorry," said Harry, "I'm not all here today."
"That's understandable," said Molly, her face sympathetic, "I can understand that you'd be upset about this."
"I'm more than upset," said Harry, "Someone was messing with McGonagall's mind. She never told Hermione about this. I don't think Helen and Robert meant to do it, but they have effectively kidnapped their own daughter."
"Oh no!" said Molly, her face now covered in shock, "That is terrible! But why are you here?"
"I wanted to ask Ron and Ginny for some advice," said Harry.
"Oh, well I'm sure they will help you," said Molly.
"Of course we will," said Ginny as she grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him upstairs into her room. Ron was already there.
Harry quickly went over what had happened with McGonagall.
"Bloody hell," swore Ron, "That's a huge problem."
"I have to go to Australia," said Harry, "But I don't really want to go alone."
"You shouldn't," agreed Ginny, "But I doubt I could trick Mum into letting us go to London, much less Australia."
"I know you can't go," said Harry, "I'm trying to figure out who could."
"Blaise would do it," mused Ginny, "And his bosses would probably let him, given the circumstances."
"I agree he would do it, but he has other responsibilities that I might not approve of, but nonetheless are important to him," said Harry.
"You won't be able to get Daphne to go," said Ron, "She's said that she is going to have trouble getting over here even."
It sounded to Harry like Daphne was avoiding Ron for some reason, but he didn't bring that up.
"Tracey would go, but she would get in sooo much trouble for it," considered Ginny, "But Luna might be able to go. She and her father aren't going on vacation for another month this year."
"Really?" asked Harry, "Would he let her go with me?"
"Luna can probably convince him of just about anything," said Ginny, "Xenophilius Lovegood just dotes on her."
"All right," said Harry, "Could you contact Dobby and have him bring my things to Diagon Alley?"
"Sure thing, Harry," agreed Ginny
"All right, thanks for the help guys," said Harry, 'I really appreciate it."
"You don't even have to ask Harry," said Ron.
Harry left Ginny's room and ran downstairs.
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley, I'm heading out now!" he yelled.
"Aren't you going to take the floo?" asked Molly.
"I'm heading over to Luna's and I need time to think anyway, so I'll just walk," said Harry.
"Well be careful," said Molly, "Remember that the Death Eaters are after you."
"I'll be fine," said Harry with a rakish grin, "I already drove off Bellatrix Lestrange yesterday. Unless Voldemort comes himself, I think I can handle myself."
And Harry walked briskly out the door as a very baffled Molly Weasley stared at him.
XXXXX
Luna's house was decidedly odd. It looked like a rook from chess. Harry wasn't really surprised though.
"Hello," said a very odd looking man who was wearing an odd triangular necklace, with a circle and a line inside it. Harry was shocked to recognize it as Grindelwald's symbol. The man seemed to be looking at something through a magnifying glass, but Harry couldn't see anything he was looking at.
"Xenophilius Lovegood?" said Harry, "I'm Harry Potter, I came over to speak to Luna for a moment."
"Ah! Luna has said so much about you," said Xenophilius excitedly, "She's…"
"I'm right here," finished Luna, who came out from behind the house, "Is something wrong Harry?"
Harry nodded grimly.
Luna took Harry by the hand and invited him inside her house. It was a very strange house, even by magical standards. Harry quickly went over what had happened over the course of the last day.
"And you want me to go with you?" asked Luna.
"I'd prefer not to do this alone," said Harry, "And I'd prefer to go with someone I trust. You're definitely on that list."
"I'll go," said Luna.
"And your father?" asked Harry, "Will we need to concoct some lie for him?"
"No," said Luna. She pulled Harry by the hand out to where her father was still examining nothing.
"Father, Harry and I are going to Australia to rescue our friend Hermione," said Luna.
"Oh, well, that sounds fun," said Xenophilius, "Just be home in time for dinner."
"I definitely won't be," said Luna, "I need to get some things, if you'll wait here Harry."
"Of course," said Harry, amazed that that had gone so well.
Xenophilius went back to what he had been doing for a moment, but after a moment he turned to Harry suddenly. "What are you really doing?" he asked.
"Luna just told you, we're going to Australia," said Harry.
"Oh, of course," said Xenophilius, "how silly of me." Xenophilius went back to what he was doing as if nothing was going on.
Luna came out with a case that Harry assumed had clothes and other assorted items she'd need for the trip.
"Where to first?" asked Luna.
"Diagon Alley first. I need to get some money, and I arranged to have my things brought there. Then the airport," said Harry.
"Sounds fun," said Luna as they entered the house. Xenophilius probably didn't even notice the crack when Harry apparated them instead of using the Floo.
XXXXX
June 17th, 1996
Hermione sat on a chair in her new room, facing the backyard of her parent's new house. They had managed to get this place fast, which indicated to Hermione that magic had been involved in getting it done. Which was very bad, all things considered. It would have been better if there was no trace of this in the magical world at all. Her parents hadn't changed names either. Another mistake. All things considered, Hermione should have been thinking that they were being offered up to the Death Eaters for slaughter. Hermione wasn't quite ready to think Dumbledore was willing to do that. Not quite.
She'd recovered her wand the first night of course. There was no way for her parents to keep that from her, and Hermione knew she would need it. Sooner or later, someone would come for her. She'd erected some basic wards on her own, but she was not convinced that they would do much if the house was attacked. The geomancy in Australia was very different from the geomancy in Britain.
Her father knocked on the door. She knew it was her father because her mother had stopped knocking all together. "Come in," answered Hermione.
Her father walked in, and he came and sat down on her bed. "Listen Hermione, I know you are angry with us…"
"I am not angry with you," said Hermione calmly, "You are being manipulated, it isn't your fault."
"What do you mean?" asked Robert.
"Even now, you're starting to realize that this wasn't what you wanted," said Hermione, "you came here to try to rationalize what you've done, but it's harder than you expected, because truly, you don't understand why you came here yourself. Whatever spell they used on you is wearing off."
"I…" started Robert, but he shook his head, "I'll be damned, you're right. Your mother is still convinced that this was the right move though."
"Of course she is," said Hermione, "They must have used a lot more power on her after all. You always wanted to protect me, so bringing me here almost fits with your personality. Almost. But you have had experience with mind affecting magic."
"So why are you so calm about all this?" asked Robert.
"Maybe the Death Eaters hunt us down first, which is a possibility, and then we'll either die or I'll beat them, but it will break whatever spell mum's under either way. Honestly? I'm only worried if they send Bellatrix with the team. Or maybe Harry finds us first, in which case his skill with legilimency will allow us to remove the spell. Either way, I can't control what is happening. Or rather I could, but then I wouldn't be able to use this to my advantage. As things are, we can use this opportunity to actually get you to safety, now that we aren't under Dumbledore's watchful eye. I actually already had a plan to get you to safety, but it works just as well from Australiaas from Britain. Well, Percy had a plan."
"So Harry will come for you, you think?" asked Robert.
"He will," said Hermione.
"I think so as well," admitted Robert.
"You don't seem as upset about it as I'd think you would have," said Hermione.
"He's your boyfriend," said Robert with a shrug, "I knew that eventually you'd get curious about certain things, it's only natural. I think you're both still a bit young, but that isn't as important as you both being ready. And I know he'd never hurt you, he has too much respect for you to pressure you into something before you were ready. And I'm pretty sure it was you who pressed the matter."
"Yeah," said Hermione, "It was."
"Well, don't ever think that I don't approve of Harry." said Robert, "I do. I can get you your wand back…"
Hermione dropped her wand out of her sleeve into her hand. "I already did that," she said, "Even without a wand, I could have summoned it the moment you took it from me. I don't need it to do magic, it just makes it easier. And it isn't illegal for me to ise magic in Australia. "
"But you didn't use it to escape, or capture us," said Robert.
"I didn't want to have to threaten you," said Hermione, "And if I had… I wouldn't be here to protect you."
Suddenly Robert leaned forward and hugged his daughter. "Thank you," he said, "And I'm sorry."
He paused. "I knew Harry had spent the night with you in First Year, but I didn't know he'd stayed as your roommate," he admitted.
"No way," said Hermione as she pulled out of the hug.
"It was pretty obvious how he could use his magic to let you stay in that room," pointed out Robert, "I was fine with it. And if I'd known that he was still there… well I think at one point I'd have been worried. I'm not now though. I know Harry well enough, he's a good boy, and he'd never hurt you."
"You say that now," laughed Hermione.
"I'm the one who discovered that Harry had slept with you over Christmas," said Robert, "I overheard Harry admitting it to Sirius. I… heard what you two went through. I'm sorry. I didn't tell your mum until after Snape and Dumbledore visited us. I thought it might calm her, if she knew you hadn't used your room for intimacy."
Hermione looked at her father sceptically.
"What?" he said defensively, "I am nowhere near as dense as your mother thinks I am sometimes."
"Did Dumbledore and Snape give you any idea of who was behind this?" asked Hermione.
"Dumbledore did most of the talking, Snape only spoke when he Dumbledore talked to him," said Robert, "Dumbeldore wasn't his usual unflappable self though. He seemed agitated."
Hermione wasn't sure what to make of that. What she was sure of was that she had seriously underestimated her father.
XXXXX
Harry took a look around the hotel room he was sharing with Luna. It was comfortable, and it had two beds. Luna seemed to think it was the height of luxury, but Luna was easily impressed by muggle technology. Harry wanted to start searching for Hermione right away, but he knew he needed some rest first. He laid down on his bed while Luna took a shower. Harry figured that there was some magical trail for Bellatrix to follow to Hermione, but the muggle trail might be quicker.
He heard the sound of air being blown around from the bathroom. A few minutes later Luna walked out wearing a towel. Her hair was going in all directions.
"I'm not sure why this style of hair is in vogue with muggles," said Luna.
"It isn't," said Harry, "That device is just supposed to dry your hair quickly."
"Oh," said Luna, unhappily, "I thought I'd discovered the source of muggle fashion."
"Muggle fashion is just as ridiculous as wizarding fashion," admitted Harry, "Just in different ways."
"I suppose so," said Luna. She walked over to her bed and pulled out a set of pajamas. Harry turned his head as she dropped her towel, though not before he had a glimpse of her backside. After a moment, he felt her sit next to him. She was dressed now, but had a rather serious look on her face.
"Bellatrix Lestrange is leading the Death Eaters looking for Hermione?" asked Luna.
"I think so," said Harry.
Luna shook her head. "I know what she did to Neville's parents. She's a horrible person."
"Yeah," said Harry, "You like Neville?"
Luna nodded. "I do, but he only has eyes for Hannah. I don't think I'm going to win that one. Not by any deficiency of mine, so much as Neville's clear adoration of her."
"Sometimes that's how it goes," said Harry, "but maybe you're a little young to be so certain that all is lost."
"Bellatrix is one of those people that likes hurting people, isn't she?" asked Luna, seeming to change the subject.
Harry nodded. "She really does."
Luna sighed. "I don't want to hate anyone. But I think I hate Bellatrix Lestrange. Is that all right?"
Harry put an arm around Luna and pulled her close. "Yeah, it's all right."
"Barty Crouch was the same," said Luna, "He helped torture Neville's parents too. And I hate him too. Not just because of that, but because of his capacity to hurt others. When I failed to stop him…"
"If she hurts Hermione, we're going to kill her, right?" asked Luna suddenly.
Harry gave Luna an odd look. "I thought you didn't want to kill people," said Harry.
Luna laughed. "Of course I don't. But we can't let Bellatrix hurt all the people we care about, can we? She won't stop at Hermione, that's for sure."
"Bellatrix Lestrange wasn't always this way," said Harry, his thoughts now distant. He looked at her through Voldemort's eyes now. His distant memories of her.
"She used to care about other people, before she joined the Death Eaters. She hates everything now. Somewhere, somehow, she lost an essential piece of her humanity," Harry shook his head, "She's a wild dog, one that needs to be put down before she bites again. But hate her? I can't hate her. Not after what she was put through. They forced her to marry, forced her into a Death Eater family, forced her into the Dark Lord's service, forced her to kill. And now killing and torturing is all she's good at."
"So she's a victim?" asked Luna.
"Even Voldemort is a victim," said Harry, "Tom Riddle was treated like a pariah his whole life. Riddle was, and still is, a victim of his mother's pride and hubris, and her failure to understand the difference between love and lust. I pity him."
Luna laid her head on Harry's shoulder. "I'm afraid I'll be useless to you here."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "You are never useless. Your very presence brightens my day."
Luna smiled slightly. "That is very nice of you to say."
They both stopped speaking. They were both further from home than they had ever been before, hoping against hope that they could save the life of one of their friends. Before long both of them were asleep.
XXXXX
June 18th, 1996
Finding Hermione seemed to be easier than Harry had thought it would be. Luna had a talent for mind affecting spells. It had allowed them to travel to Australia without a passport. The man checking the passports had seen the blank booklets they had held up as valid passports, thanks to a bit of spellwork by Luna. Similarly, they walked into the immigration office in Sydney and waved around some blank badges that everyone saw as some form of legitimate inspection authority. Luna had disguised them so they looked like adults as well.
Finding these records would have been difficult for anyone but a wizard, but Harry simply used a summoning charm and everything he needed came to him. Luckily, no one saw this, so he didn't even have to Obliviate anyone. The documents showed that the Grangers had bought a house in Melbourne.
"Clever trick, flying into Sydney then moving to Melbourne," said Harry quietly, "But not good enough. Whoever filed this left out a lot of details, which means it was probably filed by magical means."
"Which means that there is a trail in the magical world to follow," said Luna.
"We need to get to Melbourne as soon as possible," said Harry.
"Does Australia have a Floo Network?" asked Luna.
"I don't want to go on the magical grid," said Harry, "I brought brooms. We can fly, if you are comfortable disillusioning yourself."
"I am," said Luna, "Though I'm not the most confident flier."
"You're fine," said Harry, "And I'll be with you the whole way. We can even hold hands if you want."
"Or share a broom?" asked Luna.
"We can, I guess," said Harry, "Though that'll be a bit uncomfortable."
"I don't mind," said Luna, "We don't need to be losing each other in a foreign country."
XXXXX
June 19th, 1996
Harry swore as he stood at the address from the file from the immigration office. Of course whoever had filed that report had filed the wrong address. This address was an office building! Still, Luna thought that Hermione was probably in Melbourne, and Harry wasn't sure he disagreed.
Luna was the one who thought that the Grangers might set up a new dental practice in Australia. It was a dumb idea, as it would make them simple to track, but Harry was fairly certain that Dumbledore hadn't set up full covers for the Grangers, so they might not have anything else to fall back on. Sure enough, making some inquiries with a local dentists association revealed that the Grangers were in Melbourne, and had been in contact in regards to setting up their own practice. Some minor magic and persistence produced their real address.
An hour later, Harry and Luna were several blocks from the house Hermione was supposedly in.
"We need to scout this out," said Harry, "We don't know whether they did this on their own volition or were manipulated like McGonagall was."
"Maybe I should handle that," said Luna, "I can go ahead and scout things out, and I can send you a Patronus when you should come in, or if I need you to get something. "
"Good idea, Luna," agreed Harry, "But won't you be recognized?"
Luna waved her wand once and her hair turned dark brown and her face seemed just a bit bigger.
"This won't fool anyone who touches me," said Luna, "But until someone does, I'll look very different."
Harry laughed. "You have a whole lot of surprises."
"I have tried to find something I was good at," said Luna, "Ever since I screwed up in third year and got caught by Crouch, I've been working to get better at my strengths. And illusions are definitely my strength."
"Well, you've done very well," said Harry, "Your vivid imagination is suited for them."
XXXXX
Luna walked up to the Granger residence, a box of sea shells in hand. She'd brought the shells on a hunch, and they would indeed prove useful. Luna had shaped them into jewelry, and that would be her entry into their home.
As Luna crossed the property line, she felt a vague sense of... something. Someone had put up a ward on this property. A weak one, but that was to be expected. Hermione had access to her wand at the very least. That boded well.
Luna knocked on the door. It was Helen Granger who opened the door. She had the telltale signs of wrackspurts around her head, but she also seemed to be locked down. Someone had messed with her head for sure. Luna relaxed a little bit. That meant she wouldn't be innately hostile to Luna.
"Hello," said Luna, "My name is Laura Forrester. I'm selling jewelry made out of shells. Would you like to look?"
"I'm not sure that I'm interested right now," said Helen dubiously.
"Oh, you don't have to buy anything," said Luna, "I saw you were new to the neighborhood, so I just felt like coming over here and showing you my collection. Sort of my way of welcoming you to the neighborhood."
"You're British, aren't you?" asked Helen.
"Yes," said Luna, "And I heard through the rumour mill that you are as well. Again, another reason for us to get to know one another."
"How old are you?" asked Helen.
"Fifteen," said Luna.
"Almost Hermione's age," said Helen, "Well maybe this will help her get out of her funk."
"Is she upset because of the move?" asked Luna.
"Less than I thought she'd be," said Helen as she ushered Luna in.
Luna set down the box and opened it on the Granger's living room table. She pulled out several shells that she had decorated beautifully. Helen had gone into the other room to talk to her husband.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea," she heard the voice of Robert Granger say.
"Nonsense, she needs to make some friends her age," said Helen. A few minutes later Robert, Helen and Hermione all walked into the room. Hermione started when she saw Luna. Luna guessed that her disguise hadn't fooled her. She also noted that Hermione's father had wrackspurts even worse than her mother. However he wasn't closed off as much as she was. It was like the spell on him had mostly broken down. More good news.
"Hello!" said Luna, "I'm Laura Forrester. I wanted to welcome you all to the neighborhood, and to show off my shells."
"Hello Laura," said Hermione, an amused smile on her face, "Good to meet you."
"How are you adjusting to life in Australia?" asked Luna, "Is everything all right?"
"It's been an adjustment, but I think things are stable now," replied Hermione, "I'm starting to feel that I'm in control of my life again."
Luna nodded, while Helen looked at Hermione oddly.
"Well, these shells are very nice," said Luna, as she pulled out a shell necklace she'd covered in glitter and beads, "Why don't you wear this one?"
Luna handed the necklace to Hermione, and when Helen and Robert turned to look at Hermione, she quickly cast two spells, designed to open up their minds. At first it didn't seem to work, so Luna followed up with a very weak cleansing spell. The closed off sense faded. That wasn't a normal spell effect. Luna wondered if it was some sort of potions effect. That spell wasn't really designed to cleanse potion effects, but it could work, if the potion had almost entirely worn out. Some potions left lingering effects even after they had worn off that the cleansing spell could cleanse. This might be one.
Helen staggered for a second, then her face went ashen. "What have we done?" she said suddenly, "Why did I bring you here?"
"You were under a spell, Mrs. Granger," said Luna, "Someone manipulated you in order to force you to bring Hermione here."
"Laura? You're a witch?" asked Robert.
Luna smiled, and with a wave of her wand she was herself again.
"Luna Lovegood," said Helen, recognizing the girl, "Does this mean Harry is nearby?"
Luna nodded. "No way you wouldn't have recognized Harry immediately, no matter what disguise we used. I can bring him here shortly. We need to get you out of here."
"What do you mean?" asked Helen.
"We tracked you here," explained Luna, "Which means Death Eaters can track you here. And they are looking for you."
There was a sudden series of cracks from down the block.
"And apparently they're here," said Luna, a sense of dread settling into her stomach.
XXXXX
Hermione immediately pulled out her wand and knelt down, jamming it into the ground. She sent as much power into the wards as she dared, but knew that would buy her a minute at most. She casually looked out the window. She winced when she saw what was coming.
"Bellatrix Lestrange and five other Death Eaters," said Hermione as she waved her wand at the window. The spell would collect any broken glass if the Death Eaters tried to blast through it. They probably would. It would be a catastrophic mistake, but they didn't know that.
"Oh no!" cried out Helen, her face terrified, "This is my fault. Hermione, you have to run away. Save yourself and Luna. This is all our fault."
"I'm not abandoning you," said Hermione firmly, "We just have to hold out. Luna go get Harry."
"I can't apparate," said Luna, "I'll send him a Patronus though."
"Okay, summon it, then hide," ordered Hermione, "Do not get involved. Any one of those Death Eaters could kill you with ease. Mum, go and hide in the laundry room. It's an interior room, so they won't be able to see you from it. Dad…"
Hermione swept her wand about and transfigured the shells in Luna's box into shotgun shells. Casting at a lamp, she transfigured it into a double barreled shotgun.
"You know how to use a shotgun, right dad?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," said Robert, his face serious.
"Unload both barrels," said Hermione, "They'll probably shield some of it, but some of the buckshot will get through. If you can take one of them out for me, I think I can do this. If you can take two of them we'll be in very good shape."
Robert grabbed the shotgun and loaded it with two shells. "Got it."
"Harry," Luna was saying to her hare Patronus, "We are under attack by Death Eaters. We need immediate help. Get Aurors, then get over here." The hare flew away at an incredible speed. Hopefully the Death Eaters didn't see it.
Hermione held her wand out in a ready stance. It would happen soon.
The house lurched as the Death Eaters attacked the wards. They seemed to have held the first assault, but that wouldn't last. Luna disillusioned herself and fell back into the house somewhere. The house shuddered again. The wards still held, but Hermione could feel them straining under the force of the attack. A few moments later and the house shuddered worse than ever. The wards had shattered.
"Protego Maxima!" said Hermione as she conjured a shield in front of her father. There was a crash as someone shattered the window. A reductor. Big mistake.
The glass all fell into the spell Hermione had placed at the window. With a wave of Hermione's wand, all the glass fused together into a single solid spike of glass. And Hermione hurled it out of the window at one of the Death Eaters. There was a thud, and she heard a gurgling come afterwards. She'd hit the Death Eater in the throat.
"Oh very, very good Granger! This mudblood has teeth!" shouted Bellatrix, "Don't worry though, I'll take that out of your parent's hides!"
Hermione began casting, drawing power from the Earth and concentrating it in her front yard. With this power flowing through her, she could feel where the Death Eaters on the lawn were standing. Hermione nearly swore when she realized that Bellatrix was still standing on the street. This wouldn't work on her there. She targeted another Death Eater.
Collecting all this power, Hermione brought her wand up as well as her other hand, holding both apart. Two walls of earth surged out of the ground, one on each side of the Death Eater, whom Hermione (well Voldemort) recognized as Yaxley. As soon as the walls went higher than Yaxley's head, Hermione brought her hands together.
There was a sickening crunch as Yaxley was crushed between both walls of Earth. Hermione saw that Bellatrix had come forward a bit. She was now on the lawn! Hermione pulled the two walls apart, letting the smashed remains of Yaxley's corpse fall to the ground. And Hermione moved the walls to either side of Bellatrix.
Bellatrix hopped back and sent two powerful curses at the earthen walls. They exploded into chunks.
One of the other three Death Eaters charged through the window. Her father pulled the trigger on his shotgun twice. The Death Eater went down, his face full of buckshot. Another Death Eater outside sent a spell inside. The shotgun suddenly flew out of her father's hands.
"Fall back, Dad!" shouted Hermione. Her father fled into the kitchen. Hermione felt the house rock as a huge spell hit somewhere else, but she didn't have time to see where it was. She stood in the doorway of the kitchen as the two remaining Death Eaters leapt into the living room. Hermione sent a "Confringo!" at one. He was still getting his feet when it hit, causing him to explode into chunks, the other Death Eater was propelled forward by the blast. He cast a killing curse at Hermione, but she ducked it and heard an explosion behind her as it hit an inanimate object. As she ducked, she cast a quick "Diffindo!" at the last Death Eater.
It hit the Death Eater across the head, shearing the top of his skull and brain right off.
Hermione relaxed for only a moment, but she knew Bellatrix was still around. She raced to the front door. The front door had been blasted in. She was in the house. Which meant…
She spun around to see Bellatrix in the living room, holding her mother by the back of the neck and holding her wand right under Helen's chin.
"Mum!" shouted Hermione.
"Drop your wand or she dies!" screamed Bellatrix, her eyes filled with madness.
"I'm so sorry Hermione," said Helen, tears streaming from her eyes, "This is all my fault. Do not drop your wand!"
Behind Bellatrix, Hermione saw Luna appear. She moved silently, her footfalls silenced.
Hermione slowly put down her wand, then stood up straight.
"Hermione, NO!" screamed Helen.
"You only want me," said Hermione.
Bellatrix jabbed her wand toward Hermione, "That I do! Cruc…"
"Diffindo," said Luna. And suddenly Bellatrix's entire forearm was on the ground, wand still clutched in it.
"Accio Mum!" shouted Hermione, throwing her arms wide. Her mother pulled away from Bellatrix and into Hermione's waiting arms.
Bellatrix spun around to meet Luna. "Who are you?" Bellatrix demanded.
"I'm a friend of Neville Longbottom," said Luna, "And you aren't going to hurt anyone ever again." And suddenly, Luna sliced the air with another cutting curse. A thin line of red formed on Bellatrix's neck. She fell to the floor, gasping for air, but only finding blood. Within moments she was dead.
"It's over," breathed Hermione as she hugged her mother close, "It's over."
Robert walked into the room and ran over to Helen, pulling both her and Hermione into a huge hug. His eyes were red with tears. Hermione pulled away after a few moments. She had to see to Luna.
Luna was staring at Bellatrix though. "Luna, are you okay?" asked Hermione.
"She deserved it," said Luna blankly, "She really did. So why do I feel sad?"
Hermione ran over and hugged Luna. "Because you are a good person," assured Hermione, "Never feel ashamed of this. That sadness means that you are a very good person."
"Are you okay Hermione?" asked Robert.
"I'm fine," she said.
"HERMIONE!" came a voice from outside that Hermione had been waiting to hear.
Harry burst in the front door. His eyes went wide when he saw the carnage. "Hermione! Are you all right?" he asked, his eyes almost desperate.
"I'll be fine now," she said as she continued to hold one arm around Luna, "Luna killed Bellatrix."
Harry ran in and put his arms around both of them. "I was so afraid when I got that message," said Harry, "I thought I was about to lose you both. I am so, so happy to see you both. And I am so proud of you both "
And then he kissed Hermione, and for a moment, she forgot everything that was wrong.
Author's Note: So I have to say, I'm a little offended by the idea that I had Hermione abducted just to make Harry look like a badass. There are two points everyone is forgetting. First, Hermione is a minor still. It is illegal for her to use magic in Britain. The second point is that Hermione's parents decided to move her legally. If they want to move her to Australia, with the support of her magical guardian, they can! If Hermione runs away she's the one breaking the law.
Hermione had three options. She could run away and become a fugitive, she could stun her parents and keep them imprisoned until she could break their mind control, and she could play along, go to Australia and wait until Harry arrived to try and deal with this from there. This option actually gave her the most control over the situation. And as you can see, she wasn't exactly scared or angry, just determined to keep this from spiraling out of control. Harry only plays into this situation at all because she needs help, not to escape, but to handle her parents without needing to use force on them.
From here on out the story is now firmly in non canon mode. There are a couple of plot points that make appearances from Year Six, but they are completely recontextualized. Harry has a new plan for how to break Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
Next Time: Harry and Hermione return to Britain. And Harry gets mad enough that he finally starts thinking clearly about a certain former headmaster.
