Author Note: This chapter is a lot of talking and exposition as people start getting to know each other. The entire story is probably going to have this happen frequently but I'm hoping not to let it bog down too much. Plus eventual time jumps as we move the plot. But those are a bit further down the road. Btw PTSD, Grief and stress can cause some really unpleasant things to people's personalities and behavior. The mentions of suicide in here are for dramatic purposes and not to be taken as condoning said behavior. If you are depressed and feel suicidal please seek help. There are many local, state and national resources available. In the USA call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 if you need help.
===xxx===xx(Story begins)
Harry, Hermione and Professor McGonnegal sat quietly in an awkward silence. Harry took the moment to study the woman and the office. She looked quite like the Scots-woman he had known for so long. The office was subtly different but that might have been due to personal choices and not anything too dramatic. He looked up at the various portraits and saw the same headmasters as before. One thing he noticed though was that none of the paintings were moving.
"What happened to the paintings?"
Minerva seemed to pull herself from whatever thoughts she had been considered to turn and look at the paintings in confusion, then she turned back to Harry, "Ahh yes. Something happened during the battle when the wards fell and part of the structure fell. Anything within the castle attached to those wards broke." She sighed.
"Oh that's a shame. I enjoyed some of the conversations I had with a few of the paintings. Aurelia was a very nice person in her lifetime."
"Aurelia?" Harry asked Hermione.
"The door to the Gryffindor common room was covered by her painting. Everyone just commonly called her the fat lady."
Minerva nodded, "Yes she was called that by the students here as well."
"You know maybe if we are going to impersonate your Harry and Hermione we learn a bit about them." Harry suggested carefully.
"I agree ma'am. Just from speaking to Harry and the others it would seem that our experiences were not the same as theirs." Hermione said.
"No from what you have said and intimated I would say they were not." Minerva said before looking at the broken pensieve.
"I cannot tell you much about their personal interactions, or their thoughts and feelings with their friends. I can tell you what I saw about them." Minerva told her.
"That would be very helpful, as well as maybe a listing of our classmates or at least the ones you say them interact with the most, the other professors and what sort of person they were towards them. Other persons of note." Hermione calmly stated. Like she did this professionally on a daily basis.
Minerva looked a bit surprised too then smiling nodded, "Before you leave today I'll have those lists prepared. Now as to your question of what I observed." She paused and frowned for a moment, "I was there when Albus left Harry with those muggles. The Dursleys were not the right sort I thought but Albus over ruled me. Told me not to worry they would sort themselves out."
Harry thought well that certainly sounded familiar.
Minerva got up and retrieved a pitcher of water and three glasses. Pouring herself one she took a sip to compose herself before continuing. "It was only a few years later when Albus had myself and a few others from the Order move into the neighborhood to remind the Dursleys that they were Harry's caretakers and not his jailers or torturers. They soon began to treat him much better, even if they were a bit hesitant to do so."
That was something totally different, Harry thought. Nice Dursleys was a sign he was definitely in another world.
"He came to school, met his friends. Became a good if somewhat reckless student at times. The youngest seeker in 50 years. Due to his amazing skills."
"The Rememberall in first year." Harry remembered with a smile.
"Yes. And his rule breaking did not improve much from that point forward, although it was always for a good cause. He soon recruited Miss Granger and Mr Weasley into his adventures as they had become his friends." Minerva smiled softly at the memories she had brought up.
"Was there a troll in first year? Quirrel was possessed by Voldemort?" Harry rapidly asked.
"Yes and yes. Miss Granger had almost been killed, if not for the intervention of Mr Potter and Weasley."
Hermione frowned, "I saved Ron from that troll in my life. With Harry's help."
"I rescued Hermione from the bathroom, with Ron's help." Harry glumly said remembering how scared he was, not that he was going to die but that she was hurt. Though he did wonder why she frowned when she said that.
"Yes, it was the event that bonded them the most at the beginning. The three of them acted like siblings as time went on from there, more than siblings sometimes. Although Mr Weasley was always a bit on the emotional side of things."
Hermione chuckled sadly, Harry sighed remembering the fights between Ron and Hermione he had been in the middle of. It was those fights that had pushed her more towards Harry than anything else. She had sat up many nights with Harry listening to her go on about some argument the two of them had engaged in and Ron had not apologized for. Occasionally she would wind up on Harry's shoulder crying. As time went on though there was less complaining about Ron and more leaning on his shoulder just to relax and talk about the future, about books, about classes, her fears for the war, the future.
"Mr Potter?" He heard Professor McGonnegal call pulling him out of his reverie.
"Sorry. I guess I kind drifted off there."
"Yes you did. As I was saying you would have to speak to Miss Weasley or Miss Lovegood about any other relationships."
"Right of course. Did Hermione have anyone?" Harry asked refocusing himself on the task.
"Not that I was aware of. She stayed close to Harry the entire time. Even when he was with another girl. However as I said you would have to speak to one of their friends to understand more."
"Very well we will do so. What about this world? I take it the statute of secrecy is still active? Who is the Minister? Who is the ruler of Muggle England? Did Hermione have parents? Where are they?"
Minerva looked flummoxed by the rapid fire questions. "Uh. Well. What about this world? The statue of secrecy is still quite active although with the Ministry in turmoil right now it is a bit difficult. The Queen, Elizabeth the second, is the ruler of the Muggle Government. I forget their Prime Minister."
Minerva paused to reflect a moment, "Yes Hermione had parents. I am not certain what happened to them. Things happened so fast this last year. From the Ministry falling, Hogwarts becoming a refuge as best we could against darkness. Harry, Mr Weasley and Miss Granger were tasked by Albus to find the Horcruxes. Mr Longbottom remained here to assist in the defense."
Hermione frowned but nodded at that point a large glowing silvery white jack rabbit with antlers came floating through the door. In the voice of Luna Lovegood it spoke, "I have buried them and marked the grave ma'am. I will be returning to help you explain things to our visitors." It then faded into nothingness.
Harry laughed slightly "Well trust Luna to have a unique patronus. Was that a crumple horned snorckack?"
Hermione shook her head, "No Neville found those in the Alps two summers ago and they look different."
Harry looked at her and mouthed the word okay. "Well unless you can think of any other questions that I can answer I'll let Luna take over things. It is getting close to lunch as well. We'll have to go to the village as we shared the food from the store rooms with the refugees."
"Right. I guess we'll be on stage right at the beginning." Hermione said unhappily.
Harry had been thinking but said quietly three names." Sirius, Remus and Tonks."
Minerva looked sympathetically at him, "I am sorry Mr Potter but they did not make it. That happened in your world as well?"
Harry nodded curtly. Hermione though sighed, "Professor Black and Lupin both survived as far as I know. Who was this Tonks?"
"She was Remus' wife. Andromeda and Theodore Tonks' daughter." Harry said turning to look at her. "She was cool. A metamorphmagus who hated her first name. She could get right scary if you used it."
"Oh. I never met anyone like that. Sorry." Hermione said with a shrug.
"It must have been one of the differences that could occur. Hermione tried to explain it to me one night when we would sit and talk." Harry sighed.
"True. The infinite earth moves through infinite seas."
"Right." Harry agreed although he had no idea what she meant."
They lapsed back into silence before Minerva stood and brought two large boxes out from within a hidden safe. She placed the boxes in front of Harry and Hermione.
"What are these?"Hermione asked.
"These are the effects of Harry and Hermione. The things they had with them when they fought here." Minerva explained with a hitch in her voice.
Hermione took the box in front of her and wordlessly slid it into her shoulder bag. When Harry made no move to take his she looked at him questioningly and after he nodded she lid his into her bag as well.
Harry suddenly realized he had no idea if he had a home or a place to stay in this world, "Professor. Did Harry still stay with the Dursleys or does he have a home?"
"Oh yes. Mr Potter had inherited #12 Grimmould Place from his godfather. So you may stay there I suppose unless you wish to find someplace else. Although the Burrow might not be very comfortable for a time." Minerva ruefully noted.
"Yes. Grimmould will be quite alright I believe. I am at least rather familiar with it." Hermione said with a slight smile. She looked at Harry who nodded.
"Very well. Gringotts is the goblin controlled bank. Diagon alley still our main shopping center in London. I am hoping that the world's you came from are not much different than our own, or if they are then the differences are minor enough."
"This quote you want us to give the newspapers this afternoon. What sort of things do you want us to say?" Hermione asked neutrally.
"Well the usual, hopeful, non-committal, positive uplifting message that the people will need at a time like this. I'm sure you can think of something. I have had complete faith in our Harry and Hermione so the two of you should be no different." She said writing out a short note.
"And why should we do this? You know I just got done fighting a war and having the person I loved die in it. What does it matter if your Harry got himself killed. As Ron pointed out I'm not him. I have no idea how to be him here. And I don't know the first thing about your world. So what makes you think anything I say will makes a tinker's dam? Would you have pushed your beloved Harry out in front of the reporters for a quick comment after all of this too? Is that how much you cared about him?" Harry suddenly felt a surge of anger that had been running just below the surface of his thoughts and feelings since all of this began. He had tried to keep it down but something about being expected to perform on cue rankled him. It reminded him of all the times Dumbledore had manipulated him, lied to him and treated him like a precious little pet.
Hermione raised her eyebrow at him then stood quickly and yanked him to his feet, "I'm Sorry Professor. If you'll excuse us I'll have a talk with Harry."
Looking positively gaffed Minerva nodded, "Yes please thank you. Oh give this note to whomever is in charge at the aide station and they can give you a list of the casualties. That might help you."
"Thank you. Now Come along Harry." She said squeezing his arm with enough pressure Harry noticed to make the blood flow to his hand stop.
"Right fine. I like this idea." He said coming with her.
===xxx===xx
Hermione slammed him against the wall once they were out of the headmaster's office. "What the hell was that whiny little outburst there?" She hissed in his face. She was stronger than she had originally appeared Harry noticed but he grabbed her hand to get her to release his shoulder by pinching the nerve that Remus had shown him
With her letting go he glared at her with his nostrils flaring, "That was me getting angry at being expected to perform like a trained pony. Something that manipulative old bastard Dumbledore did to me for seven long years." He hissed back in her face.
She slapped Harry on the cheek hard rocking his head. He glared at her in shock before she said in a cold tone, "Albus Dumbledore was the greatest man I ever knew. He took me in and treated me like his daughter. Never insult him in front of me!"
The soft sound of someone politely clearing their throat caused both of them to practically shout, "What!"
"My apologies for interrupting your unresolved sexual tension filled argument however if you are hungry we can go get something to eat. I prepared a picnic so we can visit them as it is a lovely day." Luna Lovegood said standing there with a picnic basket in one hand and her wand in another. The wand was pointed at the floor but held at the ready position.
Hermione started walking, "I have no unresolved sexual tension for him, thank you."
Harry didn't say anything but rubbed his slapped cheek, "That was quite the wallop."
"You'll get over it." She sniffed looking at Luna who shrugged then turned leading the way in silence.
===xxx===xx
The three of them arrived in a small glade. A statue of a Stag and Otter stood on the edge of it. A wreath of flowers was woven through the antlers of the stag.
"I buried the two of them in the edge of the glade. Together, holding hands. I think they would have liked that." Luna explained.
Hermione grunted but otherwise said nothing. Harry sighed and said, "Thank you Luna. I'm sure they would have liked that."
"Why did you get so angry Hermione? Professor Dumbledore did manipulate events according to a plan he had developed to defeat the Dark Lord. That is a commonly accepted fact. Harry had accepted and resigned himself to it."
Hermione frowned as she stood stroking the nose of the stag statue lost in thought. Finally she turned and let out a deep sigh, "That may have been your Dumbledores. Mine was the kindest, wisest man to have ever lived. When they found me in the orphanage and figured out I was the Child of Destiny, the Prophesied one as they liked to call me, he adopted me. He taught me a great deal, helped me develop my skills and what I needed to know to be ready to fight. He helped me understand everything Ron and Harry showed me about the wizarding world. He and Aunt Minnie."
"Aunt Minnie? As in Professor Minerva McGonnegal?" Harry asked carefully opening the picnic basket with Luna's help and setting out food items on a blanket.
Hermione smiled looking off at a tree in the distance that had a squirrel climbing its branches. "Yeah. I wanted to be an animagus like her so badly, but the war came and I never got around to learning that bit of magic. I hope. I hope I didn't hurt her too much by vanishing like that."
"Oh. Somehow that name just doesn't fit the Professor I knew." Harry chuckled.
Hermione came and sat on the blanket across from him. Placing the basket and Luna between themselves. "Oh she was firm, and fair with me the same as anyone else. Just if I had girl problems or just needed to talk to another female she was the one I could go to."
"Right. That must have been nice." Harry said absently.
The conversation died out for several minutes as the three at their picnic lunch. Eventually Luna opened the conversation back up with a rather odd question, "So the both of you are virgins?"
Hermione paused a sandwich halfway to her mouth before looking at the pale blonde girl. Shaking her head she said with a mirthless expression she stated, "That's not exactly anyone's business."
"Yeah what does that matter Luna?" Harry asked with a chuckle more accustomed to his Luna's behavior.
"Well I thought I would ask the most shocking and personal thing I could think of to try and break the ice otherwise the two of you will still be sitting here quietly when the sun grows dark and the earth freezes in the void of dead, empty space."
Harry laughed, "Yeah that makes sense. Yes Luna I am a virgin. I've kissed a couple of girls but never went further than that."
"Oh. That is very interesting. Harry and I had progressed to the point we would manually stimulate each other as well as seeing each other mostly naked, before we broke up." Luna said with a Mona Lisa smile and a sigh.
"If things were going that good why did you break up?" Hermione finally asked.
"Because Harry thought he was being noble and protecting me from danger. It was rather foolish but I understood why. Especially as he, Hermione and Ronald left on their mission soon afterwards."
"And when he came back he was engaged to Hermione." Harry stated.
"Yes. It was not a surprise. I knew it was going to happen as even when he held my body I knew I never held his heart. None of us did. It was always Hermione that was there." Luna bit her apple with some force.
"When you say none of us that implies there was more than one." Harry observed.
"Not like that. Harry did not play around. He comforted Cho for a few months after the Tri-Wizard Tournament and she got confused but they worked that out. Ginny and he dated from Christmas in fifth year until about mid summer of the next year when they discovered they did not have much beyond Quidditch or kissing that connected them. I started dating him after Slughorn's party in sixth year."
"It sounded like the two of you had a real connection though." Hermione observed.
"I shared some of the qualities he saw in Hermione. Intelligence, compassion, refusal to conform to social expectations. She was confused about her feelings as well and dated Neville for that time. Ron was upset and had tried to convince her to date him but he wound up dating Parvati."
"You don't exactly sound upset or bitter about the two of you breaking up." Hermione expressed herself.
Luna smiled at her again, "That is because I am not. It is what it is. For me to be upset because Harry and Hermione loved each other would have been as irrational as being upset that the sun rose again this morning."
"Oh. That makes sense I suppose." Harry agreed looking at this Luna. She was petite with a dancer's build. Strong legs and graceful arms. Her long silvery blonde hair reached her waist but was tied back in a single braid. She had large soulful sky blue eyes that looked out on the world with an intensity and focus found in the mad or the enlightened Harry had heard Hermione describe once.
Luna felt his gaze and tilted her head to give him a small smile. "So the two of you have not transferred feelings from your counterparts to each other yet."
Hermione threw her apple core into the woods with such a vehemence Harry was a bit nervous if she was going to react more badly. "No Luna. Harry has not even been a day gone from my life and I shall not replace him like he's a burned out light bulb. Thy visage still burns bright in my heart oh my glorious knight errant." She said with a pained expression.
"You certainly like to quote from Shakespeare a lot." Luna observed
Hermione opened her eyes and stared at the odd girl who stared back. Harry tried to remain quiet and observing everything. Finally Hermione snorted before replying, "Sister Agnes, at the orphanage, was a big fan of the bard so when she heard my name she would read the plays to me when I was a baby. I grew up thinking she was really my mother. She died when I was 7 though. I read and studied and buried myself in books to make the pain go away. And that quote was not exactly pure Shakespeare."
"No but you do say many things oddly." Luna observed.
Hermione didn't reply. She sat staring at the memorial silently.
"So what was your Luna like? Was she nice?" Luna wondered.
Harry looked at Hermione who did not seem to be wanting to be involved in the conversation yet, "Yeah. You kinda remind me of her. She was a soft gentle person who had a hidden strength. I'm not sure who really was smarter her or Hermione sometimes but they approached it differently. Luna was all about faith and belief and Hermione was logic and reason."
"Did you have a good relationship with her?"
Harry considered, "Yeah. We never clicked romantically. Really. I guess I never gave her a chance to though. She was a really great friend and wound up falling in love with Neville."
Hermione looked at him curiously, "Yours wound up with Neville? So did mine."
"Hunh. Wonder if that means anything. Luna did you and Neville get together here?"
She shook her head, "No. Ginny and him are together now. I am still unattached. I had considered Ron but he is still very immature at times."
"Sounds about like him." Harry and Hermione both said then chuckled hollowly.
===xxx===xx
Ron walked into the Burrow, slamming the door behind him. He checked the clock and saw that he was the only one home so he sighed and slumping on the couch stared at the wall. The pictures of him and Harry, Harry, Ginny and himself with Hermione, all alone he started to finally cry. Let the feelings he had been bottling up come out of eyes in torrents.
Unable to do anything he stood up and taking the picture of himself, Harry and Hermione, Colin had given them just before they left the school the last time in sixth year off the wall he trudged up to his room. Holding the picture to his chest he curled up and let sleep claim him.
===xxx===xx
Luna had told them a great deal about the interactions between the original Harry and Hermione and their friends. Who was important to know and who was not part of their circle. It seemed that the local Harry and he had a similar enough life that Harry would be okay if he was careful. Hermione though was going to have a problem as she had a vastly different experience from the local one.
The local one had been born to loving caring parents who raised her as a muggle until her letter was brought by Minerva. She had joined the magical community and become friends with Ron and Harry, as well as Ginny then her circle expanded to Neville, Luna, Lavender and a few others with DA. Hermione had sent her parents to Australia Luna thought she had said with a memory charm to protect them.
Hermione had stopped talking during all of this leaving the conversation to Harry and Luna. Luna had accepted the two of them as people it seemed like and was treating them like she had known them her entire life. Occasionally laughing at something Harry tried to say or touching him on the arm or leg to comfort him when he talked about his past. Hermione observed all of it quietly but said nothing she didn't have to.
Finally Hermione sighed and asked Harry, "Have you thought about what you are going to tell the reporters?"
"No not really but then I don't usually think about these things. I don't give a lot of public speeches. When I do I kinda speak more off the cuff."
Hermione frowned, "Well that's something to consider."
"I was planning on keeping it short, to the point and as vague as I can get away with. Until I know more about what's going on I don't want to say or do anything too specific."
"Probably a good idea." Hermione agreed.
They sat a while longer discussing things to possibly mention that sounded positive and inspiring without being too specific, Luna pointing out where their worlds differed to help them understand more what to say.
A cat patronus scampered into the glade telling them in Minerva's voice that it was time to get ready to speak to the reporters before vanishing. Harry helped Luna pack things up and they started the trek back to the castle.
===xxx===xx
By the time they reached the front doors a large crowd had formed. Neville and Ginny came up and escorted them to the front steps where Minerva waited for them.
"I thought we were only going to make a simple comment to a few reporters." Harry hissed stridently.
Minerva looked at him earnestly, "Somehow it got out that you and Hermione would speak. The people want to see their heroes Harry. Please don't let us down. We are counting on you, still."
Harry looked at Hermione who remained impassive so he frowned a moment before taking a deep breath and turning to face the crowd.
Everyone had been murmuring and talking before he stepped and when they began applauding and cheering. Harry stood there for a moment letting them express themselves before raising his hands which quieted them down.
"Thank you for that. I'm not the only one who deserved your applause though as it took a tremendous effort by a great many people. Friends and family who stood against the darkness, some of whom will never come home again. I was only one of the people who fought. We did this. We fought and we defeated the dark lord. Now we begin the harder job. We need to rebuild, to change things so that we do not allow the darkness to gain this much power. The blood purity movement, the hatred, the division, the sickness in our society must never be allowed to gain a grip again. We have the power to choose to do good or evil. We have the power to choose to do the right thing, not the easy thing. So let us stand together and make the right choice. You may dismiss my words. You may dismiss some of these ideas that are going to come about but No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world. This world is going to change and we are going to do it, together. Thank you. That is all I have to say." Harry's voice had started weak and quavering with nerves then grew in strength and firmness as he spoke. Pausing at the right moment, using his hands and body to emphasize words and draw the crowd in until he finished with his arms spread encompassing the entire crowd. He smiled at the crowd then turned and walked into the castle. Hermione smirked appreciatively and followed him while the others looked at each other in surprise before coming in behind them. The crowd roared with applause and cheers.
Once the main doors had closed Harry spun and said tiredly, "There how was that."
"It was quite well. The newspapers will be quite pleased with that." Minerva complimented him.
"What are you going to do now?" Ginny asked.
"I am going to go to Grimmould and sleep for as long as I possibly can." Harry declared with a challenge to anyone to dare disrupt that plan.
"We shall not disturb you unless it is an emergency Mr Potter. Miss Granger will you be joining him?" Professor McGonnegal asked politely.
"I don't know. I guess I can't stay here?"
Sighing Minerva shook her head, "No the damage to the castle was too severe and many portions of the structure are unsafe."
"You're welcome to find a bedroom at Grimmould and claim it. I think there is more than enough to choose from." Harry said peevishly.
Hermione looked at him like she was considering her options before nodding, "Alright. Just as flat-mates."
===xxx===xx
The woman with the weirdly flowing form smiled a Glasgow grin that split her head in half before cackling madly. "See sisters your true love is failing. They do not like each other even."
"Our champion will grow to love the other."
"She is waiting for him to prove himself to her. The seed has been planted it will grow."
"There is time yet for them."
"If you say sisters. Many hurdles wait for them yet."
"They will overcome them."
"Love will prevail."
"So you say." the wild one said ominously.
===xxx===xx
Neville and Ginny walked to a quiet part of the castle. Avoiding fallen beams and burned portraits. The fighting had ranged inside the castle as well as out.
"So are you going back to the Burrow or do you want to come over to my estate. Luna's already gone back to the Rookery." Neville inquired of her.
"I better go spend some time with the family. Between Ron blowing his stoppers out and Percy things are going to be rough. They'll need me." Ginny explained.
"Okay. So you're okay with this?"
"With what?"
"These people showing up. I guess they're Harry and Hermione but not ours. He looks at me like I'm a total stranger and she looks at me like I'm a threat." Neville said sitting on a large chunk of stone and looking through the gaping hole in the wall that it came from.
Sitting beside him Ginny put her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. "I know. She seems so cold, so uncaring. Not like ours but we need to give them a chance. They just got here. They're still in shock and grieving for their friends. Like we are."
"I know. I don't want to go home to a empty house can I come to the Burrow with you?" Neville softly asked.
"I don't think Mum or dad will mind."
===xxx===xx
Harry came out of the floo followed by Hermione. Looking around the room they saw that it was dusty and had been probably close to a year since anyone had been here.
"Well housekeeping is going to be a priority."
"No a hot shower then sleep is going to be a priority." Harry said with a sigh. "I'm going to go find the main bedroom as it's apparently my house. Pick any of the others."
"We should explore the house to make sure its safe first." Hermione said with her wand out.
"Fine." Harry said drawing his and walking out of the entry parlor.
"For not being good at public speaking that was not a bad speech." Hermione remarked.
"Thanks for that faint praise there."
"My pleasure." She said with a sly smile at his back.
The library was well stocked with books and a few display cabinets. The wall with the Black family tree was right where Harry remembered. He ran his fingers over the blast mark that had been Sirius' space. They found the dining room and kitchen empty of anything except a few spiders and some mold that was growing on a sandwich left in the fridge. Harry banished it quickly.
"Well grocery shopping will be high on the list too." Hermione observed opening a few of the cabinets.
"Yeah it will. They must have cleaned the place out before they went on the hunt."
"They probably didn't know how long they would be gone. Plus with Ron's appetite." Hermione tried to chuckle but choked on it.
Harry turned to look at her, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine."
"I think that's supposed to be my line." Harry pointed out with a gentle smile.
"Well I'm using it too." She replied.
They had explored the rest of the house and only the master bedroom remained. They had found a bedroom with some of Ron's things in it and one with Hermione's as well. Opening the master bedroom they found an empty owl stand, his school trunk and a bunch of other things that had belonged to Harry. The bedroom tastefully decorated in shades of red. Pictures hung on the walls of the three friends among others from the school.
"Well looks safe enough so. I'll see you when I wake up."
"Do you want a dreamless sleep? I think I have one left."
"No. It'll be okay."
"I'm not sure I want to dream yet." Hermione acknowledged her feelings that slightest bit to Harry.
Reaching out to hold her arm gently Harry said, "I know. Me neither but I think I need to see what dreams may come." He said with a smirk.
She smiled at him then said, "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams."
He slowly moved to give her a hug which she stiffly accepted and returned. "Sleep well." She said and turned. Harry watched her walk down the stairs to the room below. The local Hermione had slept in the room across the hall. Harry sighed and letting his shoulders slumped headed for a hot shower and a soft bed.
He looked around the room and felt drawn to the bed. The shower could wait for the morning as he had been going for almost two days straight, aside from that little nap he took when he killed himself this morning.
He flopped on the bed and was soon fast asleep. He had dreams and nightmares but was so used to them that they barely bothered him anymore. Twitching and flinching a few times in his sleep he did not cry out or awaken. He did
===xxx===xx
Hermione entered the empty bedroom and immediately began casting cleaning charms, protection and deteection charms. Finding nothing dangerous and the room sealed she sighed and tossed her bag on the bed she followed it a moment later staring at the ceiling. She had been going for over a day straight and soon her breathing evened out as she was fast asleep.
She had a few nightmares and confusing dreams. Harry kissing her then dying, her friends falling because she failed and wasn't strong enough. She was used to these dreams. They barely bothered her anymore. She twitched a few times and groaned in her sleep a couple of times but otherwise sleep soundly.
She woke up with a start feeling both comfortable and at home as well as in danger and an unfamiliar place. Shaking her head until everything settled back into place she checked the time and saw it was almost six in the morning. She had slept for twelve hours without even taking her potion.
Grabbing her bag she headed for the bathroom to clean up and get dressed.
===xxx===xx
Harry woke up slowly. He rolled over and saw a large Gryffindor Emblem painted into the ceiling. He sighed as he recognized the brushstrokes of Luna.
He shook his head as he wondered what he was going to do now. He had killed himself but he wound up waking up in a glade with Hermione. She seemed to be from a different world where she was the one targeted by prophecy. This world he found himself in though had both Harry and hermione die. Which what was the odds of all that. He would have to ask Hermione, if she was talking to him today and not going to slap him again.
In the shower he got to thinking that maybe he hadn't survived the curse. Maybe this was actually his torment somehow. He would see Hermione and be near her but never have her love or be with her. Or maybe this was his reward and he would get a second chance with her. Or this was just another world and he somehow managed to blast himself across the barrier.
He shook his head letting the water slam into his face. If he kept thinking like that he was going to make himself crazier than Bellatrix. He was just going to do like he always had. Live each day to the best he could. He wouldn't try to woo this Hermione he would let it happen naturally if it happened at all. After all Luna didn't seem to be too uninterested in him, and she was cute. She had already had a relationship with a Harry so maybe it could work out. He didn't know and wasn't going to worry about it.
===xxx===xx
Coming down the stairs Harry saw a light in the library. Smiling he turned and walked into the room to find her sitting at the reading table looking over a history book.
"Good morning. How did you sleep?"
"Fully clothed, on my back." She said without looking up from the book.
Harry blinked a couple of times until he saw the sly grin spreading on her face then he started chuckling, "I guess I walked into that one."
Shutting the book she gave him her full attention, "Yeah, I guess you did. Look I think we need to talk."
Harry sighed, this was where he was going to get the brush off. He sat down in the chair by the reading desk and looked at her.
"First off I want to apologize for yesterday. I was not exactly myself."
"No problem. Neither was I really. I shouldn't have said that about Dumbledore."
"It's the way you feel and what your experiences were. Mine were different. We need to stop looking at each other as our friends. They are gone. You're a different person and so am I."
"Right. Totally new people." Harry nodded not sure where this was going.
Hermione smiled, "I'm not trying to give you the brush off or get rid of you. Just letting you know that I don't want to jump straight into a relationship with you. I need to process and grieve for Harry and I have a feeling you should do the same over your Hermione. This doesn't mean we can't be friends. Far from it. I would like to stay your friend and get to know you better. Maybe someday things could work out, maybe they won't. I would like to get to know you better first either ?"
Harry's heart flew summersaults. He choked back a grin so he could answer her without sounding like an entire goofball, "Yeah, sure I'd like that."
She raised her eyebrow then chortled, then burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"You. You never learned occlumancy did you?"
Harry grinend at her, "Nope. Open book. Was it that obvious?"
"Just a bit. I think we should probably work on that occlumancy at some point."
"Well you would probably be a better teacher than Snape was." Harry sighed
"Why would he be teaching you?" Hermionelooked at him in surprise.
"Because he was the potions master and worked for Dumbledore."
"Oh. He was a death eater where I knew him." Hermione softly made a grunt of surprise.
"Oh he was that too." Harry pointed out.
"You really need to tell me more about your world, Harry."
"Maybe you can tell me about yours?"
"You first." Hermione said flatly looking away from him.
"Oh okay. Well let's go find out if the coffee shop down the street exists here and they still have those good sausage bagels." Harry said getting up.
She stood up and making sure her shoulder bag was with her she followed him, "I want one of them with the raspberry cream cheese."
===xxx===xx
Ron woke up, rolling over he groaned. The dreams he had been having kept him tossing and turning all night. He felt like he hadn't even slept. Dreams of everyone he knew being replaced by strange dopplgangers. Sort of like that movie Hermione, the real one, had told him about.
He stood up looking out his window to discover it was almost midmorning. He had passed out for almost half a day. Getting clean clothes on after his shower he went downstairs. Maybe he could rustle up some food.
Hearing voices he paused, his mother, Ginny, Neville, Fred and George were talking to what sounded like Bill. He frowned as he didn't know if his sister and Neville were still going to support the impostors or him. As long as Neville was getting into Ginny's pants he would do whatever she wanted him to Ron knew. Not that Ron disliked Neville he just wished she had stayed with Harry.
Ron started to go in then stopped. They had been alone with them for hours. How did he know they were still Ginny and Neville. How would he be able to tell. He narrowed his eyes as he came around the corner into the kitchen.
Molly came over and hugged him tightly. "Oh Ron I'm so proud of you. How you helped them win. Sit down and I'll get you some food."
"How's dad?"
"The healers said he'll recover. They had to regrow his kidneys and spleen but otherwise some rest and he'll be home this evening." Molly cheerfully said pulling plate sout of the icebox.
Ginny was watching Ron closely as was Neville he noticed. Sitting down he picked up a Prophet and read the article about Harry. His comments and how much the paper at least supported him. He snorted and threw the paper across the table.
"What's wrong Ronniekins. Jealous you weren't there to get you picture in the paper?" Fred teased.
"Why would I want a piicture with fakes." Ron snorted.
Ginny kicked him under the table. "OW! Back off." He shouted moving his chair out of her range.
"What was that? Why did you call them fakes?" Molly asked in mid food preperation.
"Because they are. Harry and Hermione died. They were killed in the battle." Ron declared emphatically.
Ginny shook her head stridently, "No they didn't Ron. Did you get hit in the head with a confundus or something?"
"I saw them. You saw them in the hospital wing. I saw Harry get hit by that curse when You-know-who died. Neville you and Ginny were there when Bella killed Hermione. You shoved the sword through Bella yourself. What's wrong with you guys?"
"Nothing is wrong with us Ron." Neville calmly pointed out.
"Yeah something is wrong with you. Harry and Hermione got killed."
Bill picked up the paper, "They look pretty healthy on the paper here."
"That's not them. That's the fakes that replaced them." Ron declared using his wand to slash and burn the paper up.
"Fakes? Ron. That's the exact same Harry and Hermione you've known since you met them on the train in first year." Neville glared at him.
"They got to you! The invaders! The impostors! They got to you!" He shrieked backing away from the table. His face was contorted in fear and anger.
Ginny stood up carefully. Her brother loved and cared about her and she could usually talk sense to him when none of the others could. "Ron. Give me your wand. Its okay we can sit and talk about this."
"No. You want me too. You're all in this. You're all trying to take us over." Ron fired a stunner at Ginny who parried it. In the close quarters of the kitchen Bill took it in the face and fell into Neville causing him to miss Ron with his own stunner. Molly had been standing there watching Ron have his nervous breakdown and run off. By the time everyone sorted everything out Ron had already apparated away.
"Damn his hide!" Ginny hissed as Neville caught up to her.
"What're we going to do? We can't go to the authorities they're busy rounding up the left over Death Eaters."
"I know Neville. We need to go warn Harry and Hermione. Ron must have had his grief drive him mad." Ginny sadly said.
"Yeah. We need to calm your mom down first. She's about having an apolexy."
Ginny looked at the spot Ron had apparated from. She said a silent prayer that Ron wouldn't do anything stupid.
===xxx===xx
Harry and Hermione had enjoyed their breakfast at the coffee shop, fortunately Hermione had enough muggle coins to pay for it. Her money seemed to be similar enough at least to the local to not draw attention. They had managed to stop by alocal shop and with the last of her coins buy some groceries to last for at least a couple of days before they could get to Gringott's and see about Harry's wealth.
Going back to the house they laughed at their luck but settled into the library to do some more research.
The floo rang out causing them both to react. Harry as the owner of the house answered and saw Ginny's head floating above the flames.
"Harry, you're finally home. Neville and I need to come through and talk to you. Can we?" Her tone of voice was agitated and concerned.
Harry looked at Hermione who shrugged so Harry turned and said, "Yeah sure. Come on."
Ginny and Neville were soon standing in his Library. Ginny was looking rather upset while Neville was standing politely beside his girlfriend.
"Harry I have bad news. Ron has snapped or something. He started screaming abobut invaders and impostors replacing everyone. He called us impostors. He tried to stun me then ran out the back door at the Burrow and apparated somewhere. We don't know where." Ginny reported.
"Great. Do you think he's a threat to himself or anyone else?" Harry asked.
"Maybe, we don't know."
Hermione asked, "What have the authorities said?"
"We haven't told them. The aurors are busy trying to track down the remaining Death Eaters or protect the Alley and the Ministry. The last few months have made the muggles come close to being aware of us." Neville explained.
"And you want us to try and help you find him?" Hermione scoffed in disbelief.
"Well we were hoping you could help." Ginny begged looking at Hermione pleadingly.
"Look I don't know enough about the way things are in this world. Why isn't the International Confederation of Wizards helping fix things? Why aren't the officials involved?"
"I don't know. I've spent the last year trying to avoid rape gangs and torture at the school until you, er our, friends came and liberated us in the final battle." Ginny growled at Hermione.
Hermione blinked a few times before nodding, "Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't know. My Hogwarts never fell. As for Ron, I don't know your brother well enough to make any decisions that would be helpful. Anything I knew and based on my Ron, or Harry's might not corroborate with your brother. Did he have any other friends. What about Parvati? According to Luna he dated her for several months."
Neville swallowed then said, "Parvati was killed during the battle. Padma is in Saint Mungo's in shock."
"Oh. I'm sorry. We haven't gone over the lists yet. Well was there anyone else special to him? Anyplace he would go? Someplace special to him?"
Ginny shook her head, "I don't know, Hermione. I wish our Hermione was here to help. She would know." Ginny collapsed into a chair.
Hermione rubbed Ginny's arm, "I'm sorry. There is only so much I can do."
Ginny nodded, "I know. I was hoping. Her and Harry had created so many miracles that maybe you guys would too. I don't want Ron to get hurt."
"We'll do all we can to help Ginny. Okay?"
"Thanks Harry. You guys might not be the people we knew, but you're pretty good people." Ginny smiled wanly.
===xxx===xx(Review Responses)
Lisa: Thank you. I got this idea from a Facebook prompting. I hope my interpretation of it is enjoyed. I am going to go off the beaten path with it a little bit. Ron's motivations are not jealousy in this one, they are a bit more complex and we will explore them next chapter.
OfficerDonNZ: Yeah I liked this idea and it kinda sprung up in my head. Maybe not the normal sort of story but then normal is just the average of everyone's abnormality. Yeah Ron and the Death Eater remnants are not going to enjoy having two elder wands pointed at them. As for the Earth-3 Elder Wand we'll find out about that next chapter too. The Goblins are probably going to not care as long as he passes the blood test and have the right key and magical signature. That will be the question though.
Firemnwnb: Yes I am aware of the canon spelling of her name and I purposely chose to spell it the way I have. That and several other little changes along the way are sort of my trademarks and signs that this is not canon.
RhysThornberry: Oh I am enjoying this so much. The idea of what-if and the road not travelled is one that has always interested me. Thank you and I hope you like the way I'm going with the idea.
TomHRichardson: Thank you. I'll agree with original, brilliant well lets wait until i get it finished before we start celebrating too much. Lol. Oh yeah. This Hermioen is definately a lot more determined, decisive and active in her personality. But she has also got emotions and human frailty. I am not sure I would call Ron-3 the villain. He is going to be an antagonist for certain, but I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call him a villain.
Dennisud: Thank you. It seemed the logical place to start so we can compare and contrast the two heroes. Their methods and techniques, their motivations. They are the only two who will be showing up from off of Earth-3 and this is not going to be tied into the slide by slide series. I do have a list of those who were killed in the war, at least of the named characters. We will see that from time to time referenced. But war has consequences and death is one of them.
Blcoachmac: thank you I am hoping I can wring a few good chapters out of this (and probably a couple of mediocrre ones as .)
Bruins35, smithback.: Well hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading.