Godric's Hollow, West Country,

England, Great Britain

October 31st, 1998

It was no later than six thirty in the evening when a pair of children walked hand in hand with their parents, clutching red and green buckets that resembled a jack-o-lantern. The smiles upon their faces were priceless as they showed off their outfits to anyone who looked in their direction. Dressed in a purple fairy costume, with sparkly, silver wings the little girl no older than four, spread out her arms as she pretended to soar high above her parents, let a squeal of happiness as her father plucked her off the ground, zooming her in the air. This is what this day was meant to be about.. Children being anyone whom they wanted for a whole evening without a care in the world as they went door to door begging for candy.

Across the street, stood a lone figure watching as the father interacted with his young children, a series of smiles resting on their faces as they stopped at the next house. The figure smiled softly, wondering what would have happened if his parents would have survived that fateful night. Would they have dressed up in costumes? Gone door to door trick or treating as a family should?

He shook his head at the mere thought of what ifs, turning his attention to the true reason he came this evening. Harry stood outside of what was left of his family home.. A little over ten months since his last visit; thankfully this time, it was under better circumstances. He stepped through the small gate, the hedges now standing a good ten feet high in the air. His green eyes shifted over the two-story cobblestone, decorated with sprouts of ivy along its surface.

A small pop came next to him; he hadn't needed to turn his head to see whom it was. He felt her lay her head on his shoulder, linking her fingers through his.

"What are you doing here, Hermione?" He asked softly, his gaze still fixed upon the ruins.

"Thought you might like some company.. Especially tonight." She replied, her heart aching for her best friend. He nodded his head, gently giving her hand a squeeze as he inhaled deeply before making his way inside what was left of his home.

Once they stepped through the threshold, Harry's gaze looked up at the rather large whole in the ceiling; the full moon's luminescent light resting on the foot of the remains of the staircase. As he gazed upon the floor where the light rested, the image of his father's lifeless body flashed before his eyes, causing Harry to wince slightly, tearing away his gaze.

"It's okay, Harry." he heard her whisper. He could feel the tears begin to manifest themselves behind his eyes. He dropped her hand and nodded to what he assumed was the living room.

"I'm gonna go take a look around. Feel free to do as well." He told her rather abruptly, leaving her to stand alone at the entrance of his home. Hermione fought back the urge to reach out to him, understanding that he needed some space. After all, if the roles had been reversed she would have expected the same. She walked carefully across the floor, pushing away pieces of the debris away from her foot. As she was mid past the staircase, a door appeared before her.

She cocked her head to the side, knowing full well that door wasn't there before. She looked around for any sign of Harry, wondering if she should call him or open the mysterious door. Deciding on the latter, she reached out a single hand, gripping hold of the brass door knob.