Chapter 1: Wills and Decisions
31 July 2020 Gringott's Bank, It was supposed to be Harry's fortieth birthday. Instead, it was the day of the reading of his will. Gathered are the Weasleys, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and Teddy Tonks. Ginny was looking bored, odd for the "grieving" widow. The only one in tears was Hermione. Ron sat looking smug. Molly was smiling. Luna held Hermione, as she cried. She too appeared saddened by the passing of Harry.
The goblin looked over the scene. He understood Hermione, but something felt off about the Weasleys. He scowled and then resumed a business-like appearance. He was saddened by the loss of one of his favorite clients.
The goblin cleared his throat. "Now then, as everyone is finally here." He said making a point to stare at Ginny. She was the last to arrive. "We will get to the reading of the last will of one, Harry James Potter." He paused as Hermione sobbed.
Ron was upset with Hermione. She was acting like the widowed, wife. Honestly, she needed to stop embarrassing him. He would make her understand not to embarrass him again when they got home. It wasn't lost on him that only Lily and Rose were here.
The goblin proceeded. "I, Account Manager Ripclaw, will now be unsealing the will. This will was made upon June 3, 2020. A few days before Mr. Potter's death." He ran his nail along a metal box. A few clicking noises were heard. Opening the box, he removed a scroll. He unrolled it and began to read.
I, Harry James Potter, being of clear mind and body, make this, my final Will and Testament. I know many of you might find this revealing. I have quite a lot to say to some of you. So I will begin by making the news known as I give out your inheritance.
Firstly to Ginevra Molly Potter, how it pains me to put that last part. You have only seen my fame. Even after we dated, you never tried to get to know who I am. As such, I give you 1,000 galleons and 30 sickles. I know you know why. You are to move out of the family house. And take James and Albus with you as they are not my sons.
To Ronald Bilius Weasley, you were my 'first friend'. I know the lies of Dumbledore. I also know you. So to you, I leave also 1,000 galleons and 30 sickles.
To the rest of the Weasley Clan, I leave 30 sickles each. It is more than you deserve.
I hereby release anyone named Potter, excluding my daughter, Lily. You are no longer of House Potter.
To Luna Lovegood, my sister in all but blood. I will miss our talks and our time just being together. You helped me in more ways than I realized. I give you 100,000 galleons and the forest where we talked and the creatures within.
To Neville Longbottom, my godbrother and distant cousin. If I could go back and change time, I would treat you better throughout our school years. I will miss the greenhouse. I give you 100,000 galleons and the Potter Potion Supply Company. Now you have all the plants you could dream of.
To Theodore "Teddy" Tonks, my godson, and so much like my own son. I wish I could have been a better godfather. Alas, someone, see "Potter" above, stopped me. I give you 100,000 galleons. I also give you the house you liked in Bristol. I wish I could do more.
To Lily Luna and Rose Emma, for you to this will be a shock. To my daughters, I leave 100,000 galleons each. I request you both finish your educations and, for Rose, move into the family house, as she is my daughter.
Finally to Hermione Jean Granger, I love you, you are my heart and soul, this part only happens if you divorce the Slytherin in Gryffindor colors, Ronald Bilius Weasley. I am leaving you everything else. All the vaults, all the houses, especially all the books. If you do not divorce Ronald, it will be held until Lily and Rose are finished with their educations. Please, Hermione, get free of the Weasleys, raise my daughters, and I will be waiting for you when you come.
As the will was finished, Lily and Rose were looking at each other, in shock. Ron was pissed. He felt he should have got more. All the time wasted on playing the 'Best Mate' for nothing.
Hermione was in shock, as well. Ripclaw handed her a potion vial. She thanked him and drank it. Quickly, she realized it wasn't a calming drought like she thought. She drew her wand and recited the divorce vow. Immediately the ring on her finger glowed and shattered. She scowled at Ron.
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny glowed. Ron pulled his wand and pointed it at Hermione, nothing happened. He scowled at his wand. He tried again, again nothing.
Ripclaw took Ron's wand and snapped it. He then did the same to Ginny. "You are no longer magical, you will be escorted out of Gringott's and out of the alley. I believe a pair of aurors wish a word with each of you, pertaining to Mr. Potter." He said, before he turned to Hermione. "Ms. Granger, I am sorry for your loss. I wish Mr. Potter was here, but I..."
"I understand. I, thank you for your sympathy." Hermione said before she hugged Luna and Neville. "I will be alright. I just wish..."
They nodded in understanding.
Hermione hugged Lily and Rose. She looked at Lily "I know I am not your mother, but I hope we can be happy."
"We're not cousins?" Lily asked looking at Rose.
"You're sisters, well half-sisters. I wish you were both mine." Hermione answered pulling them close to her.
"Is Hugo?" Rose ask wondering.
Hermione shook her head. "He is a Weasley, but not my kid. Ron augmented my memories, to accept his son as mine."
"So, James and Albus are mum's but not dad's." Lily said still in shock. "This will take time to get used to."
"Just know, I will be moving in with Rose. You can adjust together." Hermione said smiling sadly. Deep down, she was wishing things were different. When did things change? She wondered when her feelings turned to Ron?
31 August 2020, Potter Manor, Hermione was in deep thought. Tomorrow she would be sending the girls off to school. She would be all alone in this big house. Her thoughts again turned to Harry. If they had gotten together, would he still be here? Silent tears tracked down her face. Part of her knew the answer to that question.
1 September 2020, King's Cross Platform 9 ¾, Hermione took turns hugging Rose and Lily before they boarded the train. Her smile was genuine. She was happy for them. She was also sad to see them leave her. Over the last month, she felt like a mother to both girls. Her only regret was Harry wasn't there to see them off with her.
"I'm glad I'm not the kid, of a mudblood, unlike those two."
Hermione turned around to see Hugo scowling at them.
"Oh, yeah, grandmum told me. See I'm a pure-blood unlike those two. Daughters of a half-blood and a mudblood."
Hermione was upset and confused.
"I'm going to go hang out with my brothers. Maybe we can teach you a thing or two about being lower than half-blood." Hugo said running over to two other boys. They were all laughing.
After a moment, Hermione recognized the two others. James and Albus didn't look the same. Their glamors must have fallen. She looked back at Rose and Lily and gasped. Aside from age, they looked identical. Both looked like Hermione at their ages. So she was pregnant when Hugo was born. It just wasn't him. It was Lily. She smiled at her daughters. Harry's daughters.
Two flashes of green light startled Hermione. Her eyes were wide in terror as both girls fell, lifeless. No, no, it can't be. She turned her wand raised seeing the boys laughing. Hugo and James, with their wands out, smirking at her.
In a matter of seconds, her life went from joy to emptiness. Harry's daughters, her daughters were gone. At that moment, she decided. She would find out when the Weasleys began this hell and stop them. No matter the cost, she would save Harry and her daughters, from this hell.
1 January 2021, Potter Manor, Hermione sat in her chair at her desk. She was looking at a box. Inside was something, she knew she shouldn't have. She stole it. The moment she heard about it, she used the invisibility cloak and broke into the Department of Mysteries. It brought mixed emotions. Memories of Fifth-Year, nerves of being caught, and the realization, she was not as young as she once was. She chuckled at the last part. No, she was forty-one. Where had the time gone?
Focusing, she sighed. She had all her notes. She'd take them with her. It would help prove her story to the person she wanted to convince. Now she needed to somehow get into Hogwarts without being discovered. She has the cloak, but the wards would reveal her being there.
Her plan was flawed. She knew it, but she had to try. She needed to change things. How couldn't she have seen it before? It was all right there in front of her. Heck, she knew they wouldn't have been able to ride on Buckbeak. Not unless they were each other's, true love. Her mind was made up. She would travel back to nineteen ninety-four. Before the Goblet spit out Harry's name. She needed to show her younger self, the truth. Convince her to tell Harry her feelings. Before she settles for Ron. Before she convinced herself Ron was the sure bet.
She gathered everything it was now or never. Placing the bag on her shoulder, she turned on the spot and disappeared with a crack.
Hogsmeade, Hermione appeared in an alleyway between two of the shops. She quickly pulled out the invisibility cloak and covered herself. Silently she made her way to Honeydukes. She hoped to use the passageway in the cellar. The Shrieking Shack was out because she didn't want to mess with the whomping willow. Also, it put her outside the castle. She needed a way inside the castle, and Honeydukes provided it.
It was late enough. No one was on the streets. She just needed to get into the shop. Knowing no one would expect a break-in, she unlocked the door. Locking it behind her, she made her way through the shop. Shaking her head to clear the memories of her younger years, she entered the cellar. She scanned the place for the trapdoor.
Hogwarts, She silently wished, she was younger, as she crawled out of the tunnel. She sighed as she looked around. So many memories, so much lost time pining for Harry to notice her. If she was successful, she would not miss a moment of loving him.
Slowly she made her way towards the seventh floor. There she would find the spot to hide and go back in time. She smiled as she remembered what Harry had said in his will to Neville. If I could go back and change time, I would treat you better throughout our school years. Here she was trying to do the same thing, to change things, to make them better for her and Harry.
She smiled when she noticed the tapestry. She was here, now to open the room. Three times she paced. Then a thought hit her. Would she be able to get out of the room, once she went back in time? So she requested for the room to let her leave it in the past. She opened the door and smiled again.
"Hold on, Harry, I'm coming to save you."
Inside the room, Hermione pulled out the box. She opened it quickly, took the item out, put the chain around her neck, made the adjustments. Then the little hourglass began to spin.