I have so much respect for the original author of this story. Really, really worked hard on creating an amazing world that I feel I don't deserve to work with. But I made a promise and I'm going to give this my best shot, and hopefully it comes close to what was already created.
Later that evening, Tom and Hermione stood on opposite sides of the study. Hermione reclined against the wall, a glass of wine in hand, and completely different from the person she was earlier. She'd cleaned off her makeup and wore some old pajama pants and an oversized shirt. But even still, as Tom looked at her, really looked at her, it was easy to take in all the changes.
"You look exactly like your mother," he said.
Hermione took a sip of wine and said, "Even when I wear the glamour, I still have a few of her features."
"The Gauthier family has strong genetics."
"Clearly."
Tom put his hands behind his back.
"Where do you want me to begin?" he asked.
"How about the night you left? That'd be a great start."
"Very well. Though I cannot promise it will be an easy explanation."
"Why is that?"
Tom moved over to the window where he stared out into the night. Hermione watched him through the reflection of the glass. "Your mother was a force of nature. She was the heartbeat of this movement, of my life," he paused, "so you can imagine I was lost after she died."
"Is that why you went to see Lily? And why did no one tell me Lily was my godmother?"
Tom turned and rubbed his forehead. He said, "Yes, and because none of us felt it necessary to inform you. It was a mistake that cost both of them their lives."
"Meaning?"
"For context, I did not meet your mother until she was twenty-one, and I was frozen at the age of forty."
"Guess that runs in the family," she muttered.
Tom chuckled and sat down on the edge of the desk. "I had never met her until Cygnus invited me over for dinner."
"You mean Bella's father?"
"Indeed. I tell Cissy and Andy all the time their father was a spineless bastard, but no one says no to the Black family. Not even back then. Plus, even though I had a following, I needed funding, so I played along. That night, Rayna appeared with her brother, Elias. As you know, distant cousins of the Blacks and whatnot. When I saw her, it was love at first sight. Your mother was magnificent. She was witty, smart, creative, and she was as fierce as she was sweet. We fell in love. She changed me, and I am a better man for it. As for Lily, she became part of the picture when the Headmaster offered Rayna a job as the professor for Ancient Rune studies. That is how she met Lily."
"Wait, Mum worked at Hogwarts?"
"A short period, yes. I doubt the Headmaster would willingly bring that up in conversation. Only those who were there remember."
"Of course. No one's ever mentioned her name."
"Why would they? The Headmaster made it clear Rayna was involved with the Death Eaters. He wanted no mention of her. He even went as far as to hide the fact Lily was Rayna's protégé. Lily would hunt Rayna down between classes and bombard her with questions to the point Rayna decided to tutor Lily. She really blossomed under Rayna's tutelage. And this is where things get complicated. You see, the Lily was not always just James' wife, nor was she just the mother of the Golden child. She was Lily, a curious and inquisitive muggle-born who questioned the way the Wizarding world worked. One night, Rayna brought Lily to one of my rallies. There was a plan in place should things go badly, but Lily stood there the entire time. I could see it in her eyes. She believed in what we stood for. Lily stayed in the inner circle, away from the other Death Eaters. We were successful many times because of Lily. When Rayna got pregnant, she named Lily as your godmother despite the people who were against it. But your mother was stubborn, and that was the end of it."
"Until?"
"James Potter. A year before Rayna's death, Lily suddenly stopped writing, stopped checking in, and started missing lunch with Rayna and Narcissa. Your mother tasked Travers with looking into it, and we found out Lily had gotten married to James. After that, many of our raids were busted in advance. Our men were getting arrested, and our safehouses were discovered. We interrogated everyone. Rayna refused to believe it was Lily, but it was. Your mother was heartbroken, and her anger was felt by everyone."
Hermione finished her wine and sat down on the couch.
"What happened that night?"
"I truly was going there for answers. I was hurt more than angry. James wasn't home when I arrived. I'm not sure why the Headmaster spun the story that way, but Lily was home with Harry. She was in the living room with Harry, and when she saw me, she broke down into tears. I was shocked. We never got the chance to talk as James came home moments after I arrived. He attacked me first, but as we dueled, it became clear he was trying to hurt Lily more than me. He left me no choice. I killed him, and I should have left. But I needed answers, so I went upstairs."
"And?"
Tom stood and walked over to the shelf. He plucked a vial from behind a box and went over to a Pensieve in the corner.
"Come here," he said.
"Wait, you have a memory?" she asked.
"I do."
Hermione jumped up and went over to him. Tom poured the memory into the liquid and placed the vial to the side.
"How long have you had this?" she asked.
"I extracted it shortly after the incident in the graveyard. I've been waiting for the right time to tell you."
"Has anyone else seen it?"
"Severus. He needed to know the truth more than the others."
"Because of his love for Lily?"
"She was his first love. You cannot blame him for holding a torch for her as long as he did," he said.
"It's still creepy," she huffed.
Tom laughed and held out his hand. Hermione hesitated, and he was about to retract his hand when she grabbed hold. The two ducked their heads into the liquid.
Hermione blinked as she found herself in what she assumed was Harry's old bedroom. She found her father and Lily in the center of the room. His wand was down, and Harry was in Lily's arms.
"Why would you betray us?" her father asked. "Why ruin all that we built? That you helped us build?"
"I didn't know I had until I did."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Lily kissed Harry on the head and placed him back in the crib. She turned to Tom and said, "The last thing I remember is getting tea with Dumbledore. When I got pregnant with Harry, things became a lot clearer."
"Will you please stop talking in riddles?"
"Tom, as you know, there are certain potions a woman must take to ensure a healthy pregnancy. The potions canceled the suppressing potion James and Dumbledore had been dosing me with ever since that day. I slowly relived everything I did before giving birth. I remembered the Order meetings where I told them the information I had from you all. These were the same meetings Severus was conveniently never invited to. After I gave birth to Harry, I was a wreck. I needed to make things right, and I assumed my husband would understand and have my back."
Lily snorted and leaned carefully against the crib.
"I told James everything about what Dumbledore did, about how violated I felt, and I started crying to the point of hysterics. James was so sweet. He gave me water and held me as I drank it. When I put the cup down, I thought I could make things right. Then I felt dizzy. I was so stupid." Lily ran a hand through her hair. "The next thing I know, I'm fighting Narcissa at the house. I saw it in her eyes, the hatred, and it scared me. I could sense she wanted to kill me, so I panicked and cast a defensive spell that blew up that part of the house. In the distraction, I apparated home to Minerva, who'd been watching Harry. I screamed at her to get out and held Harry the entire night. When James, Sirius, and Remus returned, James and Sirius had this smug look on this face. Remus managed to tell me about Rayna before he left. I swear to you, Tom, I never purposely betrayed you. Any of you. You all were my family."
"You expect me to believe you? Believe any of that?"
"No," Lily said sadly. "But it's the truth."
"A truth you should have never spoken."
Both turned in unison as the Headmaster cast a spell at Lily. She was dead before she ever hit the ground. Harry began to cry, and the Headmaster turned on Tom. It was an even battle until the Headmaster tossed a spell to the side. It would've hit Harry had Tom not jumped in front of it, but he was seconds too slow. When the first spell hit Harry, the second spell hit Tom, and a bright light enveloped them both. Only Tom was the only one who vanished.
Hermione lifted her head out of the Pensieve. She blinked to adjust to the light and tugged on her ear. "What happened to you after that?" she asked.
"I have no idea," he confessed. "I woke up in the mountains, and the rest you already know."
Hermione clicked her teeth and said, "You died trying to save the boy everyone thinks you were there to kill."
"Indeed."
"You are an idiot!" she exclaimed.
"I know," he said.
"Why would you go and do something so stupid?"
"Back then, I wanted to know the truth at any cost, and it cost me my life and our relationship."
"It- our relationship is fine," she sighed. "We just… I don't know you, and you don't know me beyond what little Draco tells Lucius. We need to figure each other out, but I don't think that's the worst choice."
"Do you still hate me?"
"Yes. But I love you as well, and that trumps hate at the moment." Hermione walked away and picked up her wine glass. She paused before she exited and added, "Though I still need time, I know… we'll be okay."
Tom watched his daughter leave, but he felt a brief flare of hope in his chest. The door opened, and he frowned as Narcissa entered.
"You have a moment?" she asked.
"Sure."
Narcissa closed the door and primly sat down on the couch. "We need to get my sister out of Azkaban. Sooner rather than later," she said.
"I know. I will discuss a plan with Lucius tomorrow afternoon." Tom glanced at her and added, "But that's not all you have to say."
"No. I figured you would show her the memory tonight, which would allow me to finally tell you Severus told us what Lily said that night," Narcissa said. "I have my hesitations about forgiving Lily, even in her death, but if what she said was true-"
"Then the Headmaster knows more than he should. I think it's time we call an actual family meeting, but first, I need to catch my daughter before she goes to bed."
Hermione picked up her tea and blew on the hot liquid.
"I'm sorry. Say that again?" Lucius asked.
Tom put down his fork and said, "Restlessness has spread throughout my followers. They want action, and they need someone who will give it to them," he said. "I have concluded I no longer need to be in charge anymore. I desire now to be more present in your life and our family."
The room got silent. The entire family, including Remus, had come over for breakfast.
"I'm not sure what you want us to say," Ted said.
"My decision has been made."
"What does this mean for us?" Lucius asked.
"Do not mistake my words for concession," Tom said. "It is only a power shift."
"A shift? To whom?" Lucius dared to ask.
"Who do you think?" Tom deadpanned.
All eyes turned to Hermione, who put down her tea and said, "I have agreed to take over in theory. He will remain the face of the movement as he was when my mother was alive. Luna, do you have plans for the day?"
"Other than what you need of me, no."
"I feel like you two are up to something if Luna's involved," Draco said.
"All is well, Dragon." Luna pushed back from the table and wiped her mouth. She stood. "Are you ready?" she asked.
"I am."
"Yes," Tom said.
"Great."
Luna grabbed both of their arms, and they were gone.
The trio landed in the ruins of an old estate, far away from Malfoy Manor, and practically in the middle of nowhere.
"It looks so different," Hermione whispered.
Tom put a hand on her shoulder as they looked at the remains of their old home. Hermione could practically rebuild the place off memory alone. She closed her eyes and shook off the moment. She cleared her throat and turned to Luna.
"We want to do a power exchange."
"The blood ritual?" she asked.
"Yes."
"I will need to both hear you say you are willing participants. Full name and vow, please."
Tom pursed his lips and said, "I, Tom Marvolo Riddle, am a willing participant. So mote it be."
"What name would work best?"
"Your birth name."
"I, Calliope Riddle Gauthier, am a willing participant. So mote it be."
Luna pulled out her wand and asked, "Any last words before we do this?"
"You will follow me, support me, and never leave me again? Swear it?" Hermione asked Tom.
"I swear."
"Great! Both of you grab each other's non-dominant forearm," Luna instructed.
They did as they were told, and Luna placed the tip of her wand where Hermione's hand met Tom's arm.
"Do not let go," Luna warned them both. "No matter how much it hurts, you cannot let go."
Tom and Hermione nodded. Luna inhaled and exhaled several times. When she opened her eyes, they were solid gold, and she said:
A sanguine ad sanguinem
Et magicae Magia
Obscurent eum tenebræ flow
Hermione grunted and ground her teeth. It felt like her skin was on fire. Tom's head snapped back, and black smoke erupted from his throat and swirled like a tornado over their heads. An unearthly scream left Tom's throat as Luna continued the chant. Hermione felt as if the magic in her core was expanding in her chest. It pressed against her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe, and blood poured from her eyes and ears. The smoke in the air turned red, then black, and then red again. It changed four more times before it settled on a color that was a deep shade of crimson. Hermione's eyes darkened to the exact color while Tom's lightened to brown. His hair turned silver, and his knees buckled.
Tom fell, bringing Hermione with him, and as Luna reached the apex of her chant, the entire world went silent. Only Luna's final chant could be heard. The crimson smoke entered Hermione. She convulsed as the Dark Mark on Tom's arm peeled off his skin and disintegrated. Luna held the spell, even as her nose bled until the smoke fully entered Hermione.
There was a brief moment of peace before Hermione finally screamed.