Here is the new chapter
Next chapter, not this one, is the cliffhanger of the story and I still do not know where to end my fic. I think, I am going to choose the short version with a long epilogue, plus few chapters that are going to be those missing moments between the end and the epilogue.
a broken soul needs healing welcome :)
and rypecanha welcome :)
Xx
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Friday 19th of June, 1998
Andromeda was in the kitchen finishing her breakfast, while Teddy was still asleep. She was reading the letter that she had got from Teddy's healer. His treatment would start in few days, just before the new moon, a new cycle. She had forbidden Harry to pay for Teddy's treatment but Harry being Harry, he had gone to St Mungo and paid for the treatment for the first year. When she had learned what he had done, she did thank him and reprimand him too just like a mother would have done which had made smiled Harry.
With Hermione, they had told Andromeda many times that she was offering them something so much more valuable than money. Indeed, she was offering them a home, a family and after Harry had repeated those words again that day, Andromeda had broken into tears and hugged him tightly because the two young adults were definitely giving her a new family too.
And it was finally the day to start their new lives, all together at Grimmauld Place. She was beyond excited to have them finally moving in.
Of course, she was well aware of the fact that Hermione's stay would certainly be short. With her mother being alive, her relationship with Fred and her return to Hogwarts at the end of August, Andromeda seriously doubted that the young witch would spend more than a summer in this house.
It was saddening her but she could not feel reflective or sad already, after all Hermione had not even properly moved in yet.
She wanted to give them what they needed and be good for them. She had many up and downs with her own daughter. A part of her regretted the fights that they had about Tonks's relationship with Remus. She was trying to be more helpful and supportive than judgmental with Harry and Hermione than she had been with her daughter.
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She was so absorbed in her reading and thoughts that she had not heard Kingsley stepping out of the fireplace of the living room.
It was still early, Kreacher was gone to buy food and she was not expecting anybody before the afternoon, when Hermione and Harry would come to start moving in their things and organize their bedrooms.
...
All the big furnitures had already arrived, safely, thanks to Charlie and Arthur Weasley who had went to the Muggle's stores to pick them up and drove them to Grimmauld Place. Charlie was the only one who had a real Muggle driving licensing. As for Mr Weasley, well, his fascination for all sort Muggle's stuff had been stirred up by the word Ikea. Back to Grimmauld Place, he had even tried to assemble the beds without magic and it had obvisouly been a complete fiasco. They all had a good laugh though, specially the twins and Charlie.
...
The, now, frequent laughters that were resonating inside the house were overwhelming and definitely soul-stirring too.
It finally seemed like grieving was coming to an end even though the pain would last forever.
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Andromeda finished to read the letter and only raised her gaze when Kingsley cleared his throat.
She smiled at her oldest friend and told him to take a sit.
She stood up to make more tea. She was glad to have him back in her life. It was nice to still have someone around who had known her since forever. They knew each other's so well, their connection was so deep that she was regretting to have lost contact with him for some years after getting married.
...
She was observing him and she noticed that he looked annoyed. Kindly, she asked him what was bothering him.
She had a pretty good idea of what it could be as Hermione had not kept secret what Percy had told them a couple of days before. Neither did Hermione have forgotten to explain what they were believing, a connection between the Death Eaters and the time turners.
Kingsley sighed deeply and told her that he did not know where to start.
She sat next to him, placed a hand on his shoulder and with a delicate smile suggested him to start from the beginning.
« I went to see Dumbledore, well his painting at Hogwarts, the one in Minerva's office. » dropped Kingsley who was still avoiding Andromeda's gaze.
She had made him promised, about nearly two weeks ago, to stop looking for that time turner and he did not want to fight with her or disappoint her but the doubts were consuming him.
He had to find out what had happened, he had to be sure that the plan of the Death Eaters on the run was not the one that he was thinking about.
...
Just like he had been afraid of while speaking, Andromeda pulled apart and asked him angrily if his visit to Dumbledore meant what she was thinking. Kingsley could be so stubborn, she should have known that he would not listen to her.
« It does Dromy. Yaxley is driving me mad but he had said something between the lines and I am just trying to protect whoever has taken the time turner. Please believe me, it has nothing to do with my personal hunt. » he affirmed while hoping that Andromeda would not argue with him
« What did he say. Kingsley talk to me please. You are scaring me. » replied a very worried Andromeda
She had to know what he had discovered to inform Hermione. She was so scared for the young witch that she cared about so much. Fred was right, destroying the time turner was the safest, and wisest, option. Andromeda took a mouthful of tea to do not sigh, she had to find a way to convince Hermione to destroy the time turner.
She looked into Kingsley's eyes, he would not lie to her, she trusted him.
Also, she had been rather surprised to hear Kingsley called her Dromy. Her sisters, parents and Kingsley were the only one who did use this nickname when she was younger. She had not heard her old nickname for more than twenty years. She had never mentioned it to anyone, not even her late husband.
Her heart had missed few beats and if she had not been so worried about Hermione, the time turner and this never ending story, she would have certainly blushed.
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A bit taken aback by her reaction Kingsley wondered for few seconds if she could have forgotten to tell him something. She had lost everything during the war, she had no reason to be linked to that time turner episode unless... He closed his eyes, he needed proofs before to expose his deepest thoughts.
« Well, I thought, no I was, had been, convinced for weeks that they were not after Minerva's time turner, after finding out that it was just a regular 5 hours back. I thought that it was useless. »
« Isn't it. » interrupted Andromeda who was trying to look as confused as when Hermione had told her everything
« It is unless you get a special time turner like the one that does possess Mr Lovegood. » he stopped and plunged, again, his gaze into Andromeda's blue eyes where he could still read fears though he had no idea why.
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He explained her in details how the special time turner of Mr Lovegood worked and why they had to use this special one to verify each time turner. Andromeda was listening carefully in case Hermione and the boys had missed something about its mechanism. Obviously, they had guessed correctly.
«And just like that Minerva's time turner becomes the most dangerous time turner in this country. » growled Kingsley
«If it had been used on the 2nd of May, which you still had no proof about. » reminded Andromeda before to carry on
«Besides, how could the Death Eaters know about it and know who had taken the time turner and know about Mr Lovegood's special time turner. I understand your concern but I think that you are reading too much into Yaxley's words. » finished Andromeda who was still trying to hide her awkwardness
Having this conversation for the second time was not easy.
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Kingsley shook his head and confirmed that the Death Eaters, well Dolohov, Greyback and Lestrange knew about the special time turner. After the Aurors' raid at Malfoy's manor, they had found a list of valuable artifacts that Voldemort wanted and the special time turner was on this list. Dolohov, Greyback and Lestrange had been the ones in charge of finding those artifacts.
« But still Kingsley how could they possibly know that someone had used Minerva's time turner during the battle. » she asked even though she knew the answer, Rookwood must have seen Hermione.
Hermione, the boys and herself had already come to this conclusion.
Fortunately, Kingsley did not seem to have the answer which briefly calmed down Andromeda. He had gone to Hogwarts hoping to get it but his plan had failed. He reported to Andromeda the conversation that he had with Dumbledore. Dumbledore had served him one of his speeches about love, trust and friendship.
«Something that he would not have done, if one of the Death Eaters or any of Voldemort's supporters would have taken the time turner that night. » affirmed Kingsley
...
Both did not say a word for a couple of minutes.
Andromeda spoke first, she had to if she did not want to awoken Kingsley's radar. She asked him if he had idea of whom could have taken the time turner.
He, again, shook his head and confessed that he had a list of potential suspects but nothing clear yet. Neither did he mention that Harry, Ron and Hermione were on top of this list, after all Harry had come back from the dead, had not he?!
Andromeda raised an eyebrow and asked him what that yet meant. He chuckled before to answer
« Well, I am just working on few theories. And actually, Dromy, I have to go. Thanks for listening to me. I am sorry for coming to you but I had missed you so much and I can trust you. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have you back in my life. »
« I am glad to say that I feel the same. Kingsley, one last thing before you leave. »
Dubious, Kingsley was observing her, waiting for that one last thing.
« You know that you are an amazing Minister and even if I did not approve this personal hunt of yours, I reckon now that you have to go on but please when you will find who had used the time turner and why, please be human. » she scolded gently
« You think that Dumbledore did not tell me because he still sees me as the too rational boy. » answered an offended Kingsley. He was not like that anymore.
She nodded with a weak smile on her face. Kingsley nodded too though he did not say a word. He stepped into the chimney and vanished into the green flames. He was hurt but he knew where Andromeda's comment was coming from. However, he had changed and he was going to prove that to her.
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Few hours later
Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny and the twins were back at the burrow for lunch. They were all going to help Harry and Hermione to move out of the burrow. It had surprised everybody when Ron had said that he would help them. Indeed, and for Harry's despair, Ron's relationship with Hermione and Fred had not really improved over the last few weeks.
They were no longer fighting and it was true that the tension had vanished. Harry and most of the Weasleys had believed, at first, that Ron would come around and apologize but he had not, neither had Hermione tried to make peace. As for Fred, they had not expected him to make the first move as he had said loud and clear several times that he had nothing to be sorry about.
Anyway, Hermione was busy with the twins and Ron was busy with the Aurors and Lavender. They were barely at the burrow except for dinner and to sleep so they had no time to fight.
Harry could tell that Hermione was still sad to have lost Ron but she had stopped to care. When he had asked her why, she had answered, quite evasively, that she had more important things on her mind. Harry was worrying about what she had involved herself into this time. Whenever, he was trying to question her, they were interrupted by someone. Hopefully, moving to Grimmauld Place, a quieter place would help him to find out.
...
Truthfully, Harry was still hoping that Hermione and Ron were just ignoring each other's even if it did not look like that at all. Indeed, Hermione and Ron were openly avoiding to be left alone in the same room.
So yes, it had surprised him, a lot, when Ron had said that he was going to help them. Harry was hoping to do not have to witness any skirmish. Ron was quite capable of having decided to come to satisfy his needs of quarrel.
Of course, he was moving out too, it was not just Hermione and Ron certainly did want to help him, his other best friend, his only real best friend like he had started to say few weeks back.
Harry sighed deeply.
He sat between his two best friends thoughtful. He really did not want this afternoon to end into another warfare. He was missing hanging out with both of them, at the same time. He had tried to smooth things between them but it had not worked. Harry was afraid that the friendship between Ron and Hermione might have really been permanently damaged after their last fight at the end of May and Ginny had agreed on that...
Also, he could not say why but he was feeling guilty for letting Audrey, Alicia and Charlie going alone, again, to the black market. Not that Audrey, Alicia and Charlie needed his help but he was having a bad feeling about this trip.
Mrs Weasley's voice called him back to earth. He accepted the plate with a smile and joined his friends' conversation.
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For this last lunch, Mrs Weasley had prepared Harry's and Hermione's favorite plates. She was going to miss them so much. She had been quite hurt when she had learnt that they had jumped on Andromeda's offer but weeks had passed and now she was understanding their motives better.
They needed to go on with their lives, just like the rest of them and staying at the burrow forever would not help them to make any progress. Besides, the fact that both were dating a Weasley was making things weirder and moving out was certainly the best way to defuse the tension.
However, like the rest of the family, or perhaps more than them, she was still not over what was looking like the end of the friendship between Ron and Hermione.
At least, she had become more supportive of the relationship between Fred and Hermione and the couple was satisfied with that for the time being.
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Few hours later
Ron went upstairs to help Fred with the last box of books. Everybody else was gone. They were alone at the burrow and Ron was mentally preparing his speech. Hopefully, Fred would hear him out.
He knocked at the door and cleared his throat. Fred turned, wondering who was stupid enough to knock in that moment. Well, he knew who it was and his annoyance grew when he saw his little brother at the door.
Fred asked Ron, as nicely, as he could if he had come to help him or to stare at him.
Ron looked at his brother and answered nervously that he had come to help and to apologize.
Fred chuckled, he must have misunderstood.
« Fred, I am serious. I am sorry, I have been acting like a git. I overreacted but it hurt you know, seeing the girl that I loved, still love, with not just another bloke but with my big brother. You always get everything that you want, you don't know what it feels like to be the the third wheel. » explained Ron
Unfortunately, it had sounded more like a complain and Fred was rolling his eyes
« You are wrong, I do. I had been in your shoes Ron when I thought that she was in love with you. I have been pining for years too. My feelings for her aren't exactly knew and you know why I did not make a move at first, because of you and because I never thought that she could love me back or that I could be good enough for her. And that's just speaking about Hermione, I am not going to comment anything else about having everything I want because we both know that it is not true. » replied Fred before to pause for few seconds.
«Ron, please don't play the victim here. You got your heart broken, I got mine broken too. At some point in our lives, we all get a broken heart. » said Fred who had chosen to play it cool, a fight was not needed and Ron's intentions seemed pure
« I know and I understood that you had suffered too and that you do are in love with Hermione but that did not exactly help to make the pain go away Fred. I have Lavender and I like her a lot, I want things to work with her but seeing you two, together, it is going to hurt for a while and , and » said Ron while looking at his feet
« Ron, stop tiptoeing please. » sighed Fred who did not want to listen to his little brother rambling
« I am not but. Never mind. I just came to say that I am sorry. You are my brother and I love you and I can see how happy she is with you so hum what I am trying to say is, don't break her heart or I kill you. »
« This is the weirdest apology that I have ever heard but I do accept it, I guess. » chuckled Fred who accepted the hand that his brother was offering
« So we good. » asked a confused Ron after shaking hands with Fred
« We do but Ron, you need to talk to Hermione and apologize to her as well. You had hurt her and she had not deserved what you have put her through. » insisted Fred
« I will but I need time, a bit more. I don't want to make a fool of myself or fight with her again. I will make it right once I will be ready to face her which I am not yet. » confessed Ron who had turned red
« Don't wait too long, talk to her. » encouraged Fred with a smile. Being compassionate was not Fred's thing but Ron was clearly making an effort, so Fred could make effort too.
Ron simply nodded and then silent fell over the room.
...
Uncomfortable, Fred took the last box and told Ron that he was going to take care of this last box. It was Hermione's and as she was waiting for him at Grimmauld Place, it just made sense. Ron agreed and not knowing what to add, he said that he was going to pay a visit to Lavender.
« So, I guess that this is it little brother. See you on Sunday. » said Fred cheerfully.
For the first time in weeks, he had a normal conversation with his brother and none of them had yelled at the other. Things with Ron were back to normal for him until their next fight...
« Yeah see you on Sunday. Can't believe, I am going to be alone here with just the parents and Ginny. Bloody hell, this is gonna be weird. » said Ron oddly
« Sod off, we both know that you are happy to see us moving out for good and have all the attention of our parents. Enjoy Ronnie. » winked Fred as he was walking out of the room.
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Ron looked at the almost empty room. The twins' beds, a desk and their old cabinet were the only furnitures that would stay at the burrow. Ron felt a hint of nostalgia, he should have apologized sooner. He was going to miss the twins. Even though, he had not lived with them for some time, this time it was farewell, this time they had left to do not come back just like Hermione and Harry had done.
Six weeks after the final battle, they had turned a new page and Ron knew that he had really lost his chance to be with Hermione but like he had said, he was learning how to cope with it.
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For some time, I did not really know what to do with this chapter as the first part is basically a re told of what happened in the last chapter but the relationship Andromeda/Kingsley is really important in this story and Kingsley's point of view was also needed for you to read to understand next chapter better.
Yes, in the next chapter, truth is out but without Hermione confessing and as the main chapter is focused on Kingsley, Percy, Audrey and Charlie, I could not not post this chapter. I would love to read your thoughts about what will happen in the next chapter
Xx