Epilogue – Part One

The house of Grimmauld Place was cold. It had always been cold, for as long as Harry could remember. But now, it seemed colder with the knowledge that there had been more casualties than they could deal with. Colin Creevy's face popped into Harry's mind a lot. He was so young, but so, so brave. He shouldn't have been at the battle, but he took a stand with them all and paid the ultimate price. Sighing, Harry slowly moved through the old hallway and opened the door to the kitchen.

Looking around, he was greeted with small smiles from the Order that never reached their eyes. Or, what was left of the Order. Tears welled up in Harry's eyes as he realised how many empty seats there were. His attention was mainly on George. He had lost his other half, there was no recovering from that. Harry could still see the tear stains on his face and the redness in his eyes. He looked broken. Yet, he still managed to find the strength to find one person who should have been there.

Hermione.

Harry had no idea when she disappeared. Only, that one minute she was there, and the next there was absolutely no trace of her. Harry knew his best friend better than most and became viciously angry whenever someone asked if she had simply deserted them. Sighing heavily, he took his seat next to Kingsley and asked the group the question he dreaded.

"Has anyone found her?"

Harry let the tears spill down his face at the sight of the entire room shaking their heads. Ginny was sat next to him with Luna and Neville on her right. She gently grasped his hand and sighed, offering as much support as she could. Before anyone could say anything more, there was a tap at the window. Frowning, Harry looked up to see Bill letting in an unknown owl with a large parcel attached. As soon as Bill removed the parcel, the owl fled. The eldest Weasley looked at it before he frowned. He handed it over the table to Harry.

"It's from Gringotts."

Harry's frown deepened as he stared at the parcel with two letters attached. He never received any mail from Gringotts, so why now? Believing that it was worth looking at, Harry took off the first letter and opened it. Taking a deep breath, he decided to read it out loud.

Dear Mr. Potter,

It has come to our attention that a letter and object from many years ago is under strict instructions to be given to you on this date, 3rd of May 1998. We at Gringotts only know that it is from the late fifteenth century. We can offer no more information.

Regards,

Head Goblin Ragnuk

Completely confused, Harry set the letter down and let the Order look at it themselves. Picking up the second letter, it was clear that it was definitely as old as the Goblins claimed it to be. The Parchment was aged and the lettering was different. However, he could have sworn he recognised the elegant handwriting. Casting a quick glance at the gathered group, he paused for only a moment before removing the older letter.

Gulping, Harry turned it over in his hand a few times, trying to figure out who the sender was before opening it. Breaking the seal, Harry was stunned when the letter glowed a bright blue before the light vanished. It drew the attention of the others but no one knew what to make of it. Taking a breath, he unrolled the parchment and read it silently first. Tears rolled down his cheeks by the end of it and he had to take a moment to breathe. Hastily wiping the tears away, he gave the Order a small smile before he read it out loud.

Dear Harry,

I am aware that it should now be the end of the war. At least, if everything went right that is. Sweet Maria, I really hope it all went right. I cannot apologise enough for not being there with you all as you celebrate. The only reason I know it is definitely you reading this is because I cast a spell on it to only open at your touch. I suppose you could consider it similar to the jinx I put on the Dumbledore's Army parchment to write 'SNEAK' on Marietta Edgecomb's forehead.

I digress. Apologies, this is a rather hard letter to write. You see, I'm not entirely sure what happened. I have searched my memory over and over again but I'm taking the assumption that I was hit by an unknown curse or spell. It really pisses me off that I don't know but I've learnt to live with it. Oh, don't give me that look, Harry! I have!

As I've said, this is incredibly hard to write but it is a must. You see, during the Battle of Hogwarts, I was sent back in time. To the late fifteenth century to be precise. As you and I both know, Harry. Time is not something a witch or wizard should mess with. We both also know that one can only go back in time, not forward.

Despite this, I have left you my memories from this time. That is what is in the box. I have stored not only my memories but someone else's who means a lot to me. Do not fret, harry. If I'm honest, I believe coming back in time was the best I could have ever hoped for. I know you're worrying right now and I hope to ease your worries through my memories. I lived a good life, Harry. Please, let everyone know that. If you're still unsure that it is me then let me reassure you... 'I open at the close.'

Your best friend and professional nagger,

Hermione Trouillefou nee Granger.

P.S. I'm pretty sure I've removed all the sex from the vials but if I'm missed one, please just act like an adult and move on. Or you and Ronald can cover your ears and close your eyes like the children you are!

P.P.S Tell Ginny she would be proud of me... I hope!

Harry let out a watery laugh as the Order processed the letter. They were all stunned. They couldn't find Hermione, because she wasn't there to be found. Blinking, Harry wiped the tears from his face and grinned. Removing the packaging from the large box, he opened it up to find many, many vials inside. There was a small card telling him what one to look at first and what direction to go in from there. If there was any doubt in his mind that it was in fact Hermione, that little card removed all doubt.

Professor McGonagall stood up from her seat across from Harry and took out a bottle of Firewhiskey from the cabinet. Pouring out everyone a strong shot, she held her tumbler up, a small, tearful smile on her face.

"To those we have lost, in more ways than one."

They all raised their tumblers and downed the burning liquid in one. Taking a few minutes to let the alcohol rest, Harry grinned.

"Well? Shall we have a look?"

Slowly, the people around the table matched Harry's grin. George wiped his eyes and nodded his head as he croaked out.

"I want to see why Gin here should be proud of the infamous Gryffindor Princess!"

They all chuckled and nodded. Kingsley stood up and looked at the vials before nodding.

"A simple spell will allow us all to view these' He frowned slightly before looking to Harry. 'in a way similar to the tell-ay-vision?" Harry grinned.

"Television. It'll look as though we're watching a film."

Kingsley nodded, despite not quite understanding. Tapping the box with his wand, the tall man took a deep breath before muttering words that Harry couldn't quite make out. The box of vials disappeared and, in its place, stood a large mirror of some sorts that allowed everyone to see what was going on, no matter what angle they were all sat at.

Harry exchanged concerned glances with Ron before the pair nodded at one another. They understood that Hermione was gone and there was nothing they could do to bring her back. However, this way, they were able to see how she spent her life. Harry heard Ron chuckle as he turned to George with a small grin.

"I bet two galleons she ended up working with books." George gave a weak laugh.

"You're on Ronnikins."

Harry spotted Molly rolling her eyes at her two sons but made no move to stop the banter. He took a breath and squeezed Ginny's hand and sat back slightly.

"Let's see what Hermione got up to then."

Without another word, the memories took their cue from him and started. Harry felt as though if he were to blink, it would all be over. Quickly cleaning his glasses, he gave the screen his full attention.

To say that he was stunned when the memories started from someone else and not Hermione would be an understatement. However, he quickly understood why when this man found Hermione unconscious in an alleyway. Biting his lip, Harry watched impatiently as the man check her pulse, and then proceeded to carry her into some kind of tomb. Frowning, he didn't miss the panicked look on the man's face when he spotted Hermione's wand. However, he was glad that the man thought to take it with him.

Harry felt gobsmacked by the playfulness Hermione showed as she bantered with this man, Clopin. She had never acted that way before. Frowning, Harry wondered if she had hit her head or something. But, her memories were still intact. Confused, Harry shook his head and focused on the memories. Harry and the rest of the Order understood the need for Hermione to change her appearance and name. They were all well aware of the dangers if she didn't.

Harry chuckled when the white goat refused to leave Hermione alone. Djali reminded Harry of Crookshanks. Tilting his head, Harry figured he had better find the blasted cat, or he would never hear the end of it from Hermione when he saw her again, one day. He had no idea what to think of Hermione's outing with Clopin but he did know that the man would help Hermione, no matter what. It was just a strange feeling he had in his gut. Smiling at the image, the atmosphere quickly turned cold as Clopin led two soldiers up to the gallows in the Court.

Biting his lip, Harry knew that it had to be done. It wasn't like Hermione could have wiped their memories in front of everyone. He watched as Hermione stared at the two deceased guards until Clopin pulled her away. He understood when she admitted that she didn't feel as bad as she thought she would have. Harry smiled and squeezed Ginny's hand when she admitted that she had come to think of the Court as her home.

Harry burst out laughing, alongside Ron and George as Clopin tried to convince Hermione to walk the tightrope. It did involve quite a bit of trickery but the trio were impressed when the man managed to get her walking it on her own without being hexed into the next century. Even if he did end up being sworn at for it. The women in the room agreed with Hermione's assessment at the time as well as her friend, Selina's, opinion on getting even with him at the party they were about to witness.

Harry's jaw dropped to the floor at the sight of her clothing, as did the other men's. The Hermione he knew would never wear something to revealing but since it was apparently a tradition, who knew. He spotted Ginny leaning back in her chair, grin on her face and arms folded as she whistled lowly.

"Oh, Hermione. I approve!"

Harry chuckled as Ginny pointedly ignored her mother's scolding. He shook his head as he watched Hermione get well and truly hammered. He did have to pick up his jaw again when she danced erotically with Selina by her side.

"Bloody hell, Hermione!"

A quick glance told him that Ron hadn't expected the routine either. Rubbing the back of his neck, Harry just tried to shake it off. His sister in all but blood would never dance like that... not if his poor brain had anything to say about it. Harry was almost certain they were about to witness a sex scene that Hermione had missed before Clopin stopped the pair since they were drunk. Clopin had unknowingly risen high in the books of all who were sat at the table.

Harry grinned as Clopin panicked about whether or not Hermione would remember agreeing to court him. Ginny and Luna cooed over the steps he was taking to make a good impression on her. Harry just shook his head, knowing that his best friend was already enamoured with the man. It did draw a smile on his face as he took her on their first date which ended up being a meeting with Gringotts. Bill's jaw hit the floor when she exchanged information for a vault and 500 galleons. He shook his head and let out a small laugh.

"Well, I'll be damned. Hermione really is something else."

The whole group grinned at the comment. Fleur continued to translate some things that no one knew in French. Thankful to have her, Harry gave the screen his attention once more. Harry beamed and wiped a few tears from his face as he witnessed Clopin asking Hermione to marry him. He knew Hermione always planned to the last detail, but it was good to see her throw caution into the wind now and then. It was good for her. He chuckled as she fell asleep on Clopin.

Harry was gobsmacked, along with the others, when Hermione and Clopin decided their wedding should be on Halloween. Wiping the tears from his eyes once more, Harry leaned into Ginny who offered him the comfort he needed. He was so touched that she would think of him on that day. Sniffing, he watched in amusement as Hermione did her best to kept the colour and design of her dress a secret from Clopin, but he didn't like the sound of these pick-ups.

He was proven correct when Bartley kneeled before Hermione and told her Clopin had been captured. Tensing his jaw, Harry could only watch as his best friend became the fierce warrior they all knew her to be. She used her magic to silently enter the Palace of Justice and was able to get Clopin out of there, although they were all more horrified by the state he was in, than the fact that Hermione had slit a man's throat. They had all seen her kill before after all.

Harry could see just how much Hermione loved the man based on how she took care of him whilst looking after his people as well. She ran herself ragged making sure everything was running smoothly whilst Clopin rested. Harry had to admit, he still understood Clopin's annoyance with the constant fussing and attention. He did also recognise when Clopin put his foot in his mouth without realising it. Perhaps it was because they had both been friends with Hermione for so long, but both he and Ron winced whenever Hermione stormed away, especially when Selina broke it down and let Clopin run off to apologise.

Harry had to wipe tears away when he spotted Hermione in her wedding dress. In another world, he would have probably been the one to walk her down the aisle since she had wiped her parent's memories clean of her, with no way to get them back. He couldn't help but beam as she made her way down through Notre Dame to her beaming husband-to-be. He heard many of the women crying at the sight but Harry couldn't take his gaze off the screen.

Harry burst out laughing as the pair worried over Christmas. He should have known that Hermione hadn't really wanted anything but Clopin had fallen for his friends claims of a trap. Shaking his head, Harry leant back and smiled as the memories moved on to the Festival of Fools. He had never heard of this festival but figured it could be a lot of fun. He, and the rest of the Order, chuckled as Clopin did his thing and entertained the crowd. They all bit their lips when Hermione's tent was burst into and she shouted out how great the mask was. Harry really hoped it was just a mask or Hermione would never forgive herself.

Harry was certain that he would never be able to pick up his jaw again after watching Hermione's dance for the festival. He was certain he wasn't the only one either based on George's 'Fucking hell, Hermione.' or even Kingsley's 'Sweet Merlin.' Shaking his head slightly, he felt terror grip at his gut when Hermione made the dreaded judge look a tit. Harry spotted the horror in Hermione's eyes when she realised that the man was not actually wearing a mask.

The boy who lived almost cried at the sight of the torture the poor man was going through. Based on the angry responses from the others in the Order, he wasn't the only one who was livid. However, they all calmed down when Hermione stepped up on the stage and freed him. Harry felt sick to his stomach as he realised what Hermione's argument with the judge could mean. She could be hanged. Harry forced his mind to go back to the largeness of the box, they couldn't have gone through all those memories just yet, surely!

He couldn't help but chuckle as Hermione made a mockery of the soldiers but quickly bit his lip in amusement at the sight of her fighting the soldier in Notre Dame with a candlestick.

"Go on, 'Ermione! Show 'im who's boss!"

"Woo! Go, Hermione!"

Harry chuckled at Fleur and Ginny's encouragement until he spotted the look in the soldier's eye. Groaning, Harry knew that Hermione wouldn't spot that the soldier liked her until it was too late. The entire Order leaned forward and watched as Frollo trapped Hermione in the cathedral and watched silently as she sung a prayer to God.

"I didn't know Hermione could sing." Harry looked at Luna and offered a small smile.

"She doesn't like to do it often."

Luna just nodded her head as though that explained why the world spun. Chuckling, Harry continued to watch his way through Hermione's memories. Harry and Ron burst into an uncontrollable fit of giggles when Hermione pretended to read Quasimodo's palm. Barely able to breathe, Harry tried his best to smother his laughter whilst watching Quasimodo help Hermione escape. The second they spotted Clopin, they knew Hermione was in deep shit.

Harry knew that Clopin's angry shout of 'I WILL NOT WATCH YOU SWING FROM THE GALLOWS!' will forever be etched into his mind. He knew he could speak for a lot of people based on the looks on the Order's faces. It was then that it really hit them, Hermione could die just for speaking out of turn, just for who she was. There was no doubt in his mind that Hermione was now, and forever will be, the Queen of Gypsies. That doesn't mean he agreed with Clopin's actions to keep her under house arrest, he understood why, but didn't agree. Percy offered a small smile as he shrugged.

"Let's face it, if Clopin hadn't said or done anything, Hermione would have done everything she could to go against Frollo. Clopin made the right choice in trying to get through to her."

Although nodding along with Percy, Harry was grateful that it hadn't been him that had to make the choice. He felt a small shudder run up his spine at the thought of a pissed off Hermione after him. Harry wasn't surprised at all when Hermione sneaked out of the Court. However, he and everyone else, was stunned by how much magic she used to get her people out of prison. Harry chuckled when he realised that Hermione had now broken into a bank and a prison. Shaking his head, he watched as she saved the ex-Captain and took him to Quasimodo.

The entire Order was in hysterics when Hermione smoothly and quickly made the soldier aware of her marriage. They had all been waiting for it, since they had all spotted the look in the soldier's eye, but they found it just as amusing as Bartley had later on. The atmosphere quickly became sombre at the sight of Clopin about to hang Phoebus and Quasimodo. They all understood the anger he felt towards them, after Clopin explained to Hermione later on in the cells anyway.

The tears rolled down everyone's cheeks as Hermione and Clopin shouted their love for one another as the King was dragged away from his Queen. Taking a deep breath, Harry wondered if this was really it as Hermione's memory turned black, just for Clopin's to take over. The sigh of relief amongst the table echoed through the room, they couldn't help but chuckle at Clopin's swearing and ranting but were stupidly relieved when Quasimodo was able to save Hermione.

The tears continued to roll as they watched Kezia die. None of them could have predicted that. Lowering his head, Harry sent up a small prayer for the elderly woman, despite knowing it was about five hundred years too late. Seeing Hermione open her eyes, they all held their breath as Quasimodo did his best to get her to safety. Harry was the first to cheer as Frollo fell into the fiery pit. He smiled softly as Clopin raced to find her and they embraced. His heart broke when Clopin had to tell her that Kezia was dead and witnessed her collapse to the floor with grief.

Wiping his eyes, Harry beamed as the people yelled in triumph when Hermione stepped out of the cathedral. He beamed even brighter as she pulled Quasimodo out of the church and introduced him to the population.

Harry stared at the image for a long time. The women of the Order clearly knew what was going on with Hermione as the memories progressed but he could honestly say he had no idea. At least, not until Selina squealed about being an auntie. It was as though a lightbulb had flickered on above all the men's heads at once. Chuckling, Harry rubbed the back of his neck as he watched in amusement at Clopin trying to figure it out. Once he did, Harry couldn't help but feel pure joy for them both.

Hermione's hormones were something to be reckoned with. Harry would shrink back in his chair whenever she seemed angry and she wasn't even in the room! He spotted Molly wince sympathetically.

"Such a painful pregnancy as your first.' She winced again as Hermione made her way through the streets of Paris with Clopin by her side. 'I wouldn't be surprised if she only has that one child!"

Harry turned his attention back to the screen. He had a feeling that despite it being so painful, Hermione wouldn't mind once she met her child. Harry squeezed Ginny's hand and exchanged a soft smile with her. The entire Order winced with every cry, curse and scream that came out of Hermione's mouth, but as soon as Blake entered the world, they all smiled softly at the image. The memories were constantly fading in and out, unsure as to why, they turned to the oldest witch in the room for answers. Professor McGonagall sighed as she topped up her tumbler.

"She said it in her letter. She's removed quite a few memories, it's no wonder we're not certain on the timescale."

Harry blushed at the reminder. Hermione was getting quite a lot of sex then. He heard Ginny snigger next to him but he just rolled his eyes. Harry knew Hermione wasn't impressed when Clopin left to earn some more money for them but he just couldn't find it in himself to blame him. He smiled as Hermione sang another song for the crowd and beamed when she realised that Clopin was home.

Surprised to suddenly see four children instead of just the one, Harry blinked but rolled with it. He assumed that Hermione had removed a fair few memories to stun them all. He almost gasped when she admitted to being pregnant again. Shaking his head, he chuckled. Hermione really had changed. Seeing that another festival was to start, Harry sat back and watched carefully, hoping not to have another Frollo pop up.

Wincing, Harry hoped that Madelaine really did like Quasimodo. It was clear on his face that he liked her a lot. However, he had a feeling there was more to it than that. He was proven correct when Blake suddenly went missing, along with the bell. Harry felt awful as he couldn't help search or comfort Hermione in any way. However, he rejoiced with the rest of the Order when they were able to save Blake from Sarousch and recover the bell in time for the festival.

Harry chuckled, it seemed that trouble didn't just follow him anymore. As the last memory played out, Harry was overjoyed to see that his best friend had lived a long and happy life. As the memory faded, the screen disappeared and was replaced by the box once more. Grinning, he realised that they could watch the memories whenever they wished. Looking around at the table, Harry noticed that whilst they were all happy to see Hermione was happy, there was also sadness at knowing that they wouldn't see her again until their time was up.

Standing up, Harry grinned at the whole group and raised an eyebrow.

"So? Shall we visit Hermione?"