December 20th 1997
Harry's favourite part of Potter Manor was the Quidditch pitch in the grounds behind the house. It was a replica of the one at Hogwarts and was charmed so that, no matter the weather, it was warm enough to fly.
That part was added by James's parents, when they realised that nothing – not even pneumonia – would stop their son from flying.
So Jen knew exactly where to look the next morning when Meredith informed her that all the 'kids' seemed to have disappeared.
"We've never been back here," Nathan commented, as they reached the gate.
"Did Sirius tell you about Quidditch?" Jen asked in response.
"Oh, yes," Nathan said. "Why?"
"This is where they play it," Jen said, letting them in.
As they stepped onto the field, shedding jackets and cloaks in the sudden warmth, Harry suddenly plummeted towards them, pulling out of the dive just in time for his feet to skim the grass.
"Sonorous. HARRY POTTER, IF YOU EVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, I WILL LITERALLY GROUND YOU UNTIL YOU ARE SEVENTEEN." Jen removed the charm and calmly placed her wand back in her pocket. "Sorry about that; Harry seems intent on giving me a heart attack every time he gets on a broom."
Harry landed in front of them, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Jen."
"Where's Catherine?" Nathan asked.
"Down with Hermione." Harry pointed to the other end of the pitch, where a small figure on a broom was flying slow circles. "Strictly speaking, it takes Muggle-borns longer to get used to flying, and Mione hates heights anyway. I found a Cleansweep in the shed, Jen, is that okay?"
Jen nodded. "Good beginner broom. She's better off on that than the school brooms."
"What's wrong with the school brooms?" Meredith asked. "And what's a Cleansweep?"
"The school brooms are very old," Jen said. "Hell, I think they used them with us when we went to Hogwarts. The enchantments on them are fading and they're very unreliable, but they're expensive to replace. Brooms are like cars in the wizarding world; there's lots of different companies and models: the Cleansweep, the Comet, the Nimbus and the Firebolt."
"The Firebolt and the Nimbus are more professional," Harry added, flicking a speck of dust from the handle. "Whereas the Cleansweep and the Comet are steadier brooms. There are others, but those are the main four on the market today."
Meredith watched Catherine circling Hermione. "Is it safe?"
"She's not high up," Harry assured her. "And if I know Hermione, she's put a Cushioning Charm on the ground. Even if Catherine does fall, she'll bounce."
"I meant in general," Meredith said.
Harry shrugged. "Depends who's flying. There are no seatbelts, so you can fall off, but it's a matter of experience. Like the dive I just did – if Catherine tried that now, she'd crash or fall off, which is why she's not going to. The only reason Jen hates me doing it is because I cut it so close."
Meredith still looked worried.
"Harry," Jen said suddenly, "why don't you give Mrs Barter a ride?"
"If she likes," Harry said, holding the broom out.
"Is it safe for the baby?" Meredith asked.
"Absolutely," Jen said. "Harry will go slow, won't you?"
"Well, I wasn't about to turn into a rollercoaster, Jen," Harry said chuckling.
Apparently reassured, and looking a little excited, Meredith accepted Harry's hand and mounted the broom.
"Alright." Harry mounted the broom behind her, moving her grip on the handle down a little so he could steer properly. "Lean back just a tad for me."
"I was expecting it to be less comfortable," Meredith said.
"All flying brooms have charms on them," Harry said. "Otherwise, no one would ever ride them. Ready?"
Meredith nodded, and he kicked off from the ground, making the ascent far slower than he normally would.
"You sure she's safe up there?" Nathan asked.
Jen chuckled. "Harry's only ever had one accident and that was under very extreme circumstances, none of which are about to be repeated."
After a few laps around the pitch, Harry returned Meredith to the ground, promising to take her flying again later, before he and Draco managed to coax Daphne and Susan (who had arrived with Neville from Potter Manor that morning) into a pick-up game.
Neville was adamant that his feet were staying firmly on the ground, so he was sitting watching Catherine with Hermione.
It was at this time that Sirius and Addie joined them, hand in hand and both grinning like Cheshire Kneazles.
"Oh, Addie, I'm glad you're up," Jen said by way of greeting. "I know it's a bit depressing, but would you and Hermione mind having a proper look at Frank and Alice?"
Addie sucked in a shaky breath. She'd only visited her former room-mate once in the summer; out of all the Gryffindor girls, she had been the closest to Alice at school (although she was sure that had changed after the attack) and it had been a very draining experience. "Any particular reason?"
"Hermione is almost certain they can be reached," Jen explained, "but the mind healers have had no luck. You two might have a better chance of it."
Addie nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear, the sunlight glinting off the engagement ring that now adorned her left hand. "Okay."
"I'm in," Hermione said, approaching them. "James told me," she explained pointing to the empty space beside her.
"Of course," Jen said. "I really wish you wouldn't spoil my fun, Prongs."
Hermione sniggered, but didn't repeat his reply, something everyone was grateful for. "I haven't told Neville – I don't want to get his hopes up."
"Good idea," Jen said. "Good luck."
"Thanks," Addie muttered, as they headed back towards the house.
"Not looking forward to this?" Hermione asked.
"Not in the slightest," Addie said. She glanced over at Hermione as they approached the door. "You were rather quiet last night. Are you okay with me and Sirius …?"
"Oh, of course!" Hermione said hastily. "I was just a bit tired last night, that's all. And there were a lot of emotions in the room."
"Does that hurt?" Addie asked curiously.
"Sometimes," Hermione said. "Negative emotions do. They were all positive last night –they don't hurt, but they are draining."
"Will you be alright today?" Addie asked.
"I'll be fine," Hermione said. "I promise to tell you if I'm not."
The two women fell silent, until they reached the Potter Manor's reception room, where the floo fireplace was.
"Do I need to call you Mum now?" Hermione asked.
Addie smiled, a little wistfully. "You can call me whatever you like, Hermione. I just don't want you to feel like things are going to change or have to change."
Hermione didn't miss the sadness that floated in the air between then. "Am I right about Jen?"
"If you're thinking what I'm thinking," Addie said, "then I believe so."
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked.
Addie gave her a searching look and smiled. "Absolutely. I think I get to be godmother this time."
Hermione wasn't convinced, but then it had been a rather personal question.
When they reached the wing of Ravenscroft Manor set aside for the Longbottoms, Augusta and Amelia were chatting over a cup of tea.
"Good morning, Addie, Hermione," Amelia greeted. "What can we do for you?"
"I was hoping to visit with Alice and Frank," Addie said, her voice only shaking a little. "We want to see if we can get through to them."
"It's up to you," Hermione added. "We won't if you don't want us to."
"Well, what's the worst that can happen?" Augusta asked. "Nothing, that's what. It certainly can't hurt."
"I agree," Amelia said. "Do you need us in there with you?"
"I don't think so," Addie said. "But stay close please." She led Hermione into the bedroom that had become a hospital and shut and locked the door behind them. "Silencing Charm?"
"Might be a good idea," Hermione said quietly.
Addie flicked her wand again and turned to the Longbottoms. "Both of them?"
Hermione expanded her empathy again, touching first on Alice, who was standing at the window, staring at the enchanted scenery, and then Frank, who was lying quietly on his bed, staring at the ceiling, as he had every other time she had seen him. "I'm certainly getting emotions from both of them. He's not as relaxed as he looks. It's almost like they're both in the same state, but they're handling it in different ways. Who do we try first?"
"Alice," Addie said firmly. "I knew her better. When one wakes up without the other, they'll be upset and worried. I can keep her calm."
Hermione nodded and approached Alice slowly, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Alice? Will you come and sit down please?"
Alice turned to look at her with unseeing eyes, but yielded to the gentle pressure with no protest, returning to her bed and lying down.
"That's it," Addie said soothingly. "It's alright, sweetheart; this isn't going to hurt. You first, Hermione."
Hermione took a deep breath and plunged into Alice's mind.
Unlike any other mind she had been in (only to check Occlumency shields), she landed in darkness, seconds before Addie appeared beside her. "Which way do we go?"
Addie glanced behind them. "Well, it's just black that way."
"It's just black this way as well though," Hermione said.
"No," Addie said, reaching out. Her hand passed through the air, catching little tendrils of black smoke. "It's Dark magic. This is why. The Healers get in this far and decide there's nothing here."
"Well, there isn't," Hermione said. "Is there?"
"This is incorporeal," Addie said, "and it can't hurt us here. The Healers might not have been able to get through, to be fair to them, but we can." She took Hermione's hand and they walked together, straight through the wall of Dark magic.
It was like walking through a wall of Dementors, but it let them pass through unharmed and they emerged into a dimly lit hallway.
For the first time, there were signs of life – soft piano music floated out of a room up ahead.
"Come on," Addie said, tugging on her hand, and they quickened their pace, emerging in a brightly lit nursery, where a young woman was slumped beside a crib, clutching a child's blanket and sobbing into it.
"Alice?" Addie called.
The woman froze, lifting her tear-stained face, an incredulous expression in her eyes. "Addie? But … but you're dead … you can't …" She rose to her feet, drawing her wand from her pocket. "Who are you?!"
"You know who I am, Ally," Addie said softly, holding her empty hands up. "But if you insist. My name is Addison Marlene McKinnon, daughter of Adam and Marlene McKinnon, sister of Leona McKinnon. I shared a dormitory with you at Hogwarts until Christmas of our sixth year, when I moved into the next room. Along with some of our classmates, I became an Animagus in my fourth year, taking the form of a large, golden dog, favouring a grim. You nicknamed me Shadow because of my ability to blend into the darkness despite my light colour, and insisted on saying 'I told you so' a lot when I started dating Sirius."
Alice stared at her, her wand shaking in her hand. "Addie?"
"It's me, Alice," Addie said. "Why don't we put the wand down before someone gets hurt?"
Alice lowered her wand, looking at Hermione. "And who are you?"
"Hermione Granger, Mrs Longbottom," Hermione said. "I'm Annabelle's sister."
"Of course," Alice murmured. "You look so much like your mother." She frowned. "But you're older. Much older."
"You were attacked, Alice," Addie said gently. "Do you remember?"
"I remember … Pain … A lot of pain …" Alice's gaze returned to the crib and she crumbled once more. "My baby … I couldn't save my baby …"
"Alice, Neville's fine," Addie said. "I promise."
"But he's not here!" Alice protested.
"That's because we're in your head, sweets," Addie said, pulling Alice to her feet again. "You've been trapped in your head for over sixteen years. I imagine you don't want to make it seventeen?"
"Has it … Has it been that long?" Alice whispered. "Neville …"
"He's alright," Hermione repeated. "Why don't we go and see him?"
"How?" Alice asked. "There's no way out."
"We'll help you," Addie said. "I'm a Natural, remember? So's Hermione. Trust me?" She began to walk backwards, gently tugging on Alice's hands as she did. "Come on."
Slowly, Alice allowed them to lead her out of the room and in to the corridor, only to stop dead when she saw the wall of Dark magic in front of them. "They did that?"
"They did," Addie said. "We're going to have to take it down."
Alice began shaking her head. "I don't know how."
"Patronus Charm," Hermione said, the answer popping into her head. "Pure Light magic."
It took Alice a few tries, but a silvery tiger was soon crouched beside them. It took one look at the Dark magic and gave a silent roar, leaping at the wall and beginning to tear it apart.
Addie and Hermione helped urge it along, untangling some of the tendrils that floated towards them.
Finally, their path was clear, but still led into darkness.
"Come on," Addie said again. "Keep walking. I'm going to disappear in a few minutes, honey; stay with Hermione and follow my voice."
As the hallway got darker and darker around them, Addie caught Hermione's eye and nodded, before vanishing entirely.
Hermione caught Alice's arm before she could run back. "It's alright, Mrs Longbottom. Just listen."
"Alice? Alice, sweetheart, can you hear me?"
"Can you hear her?" Hermione asked.
Alice nodded, staring into the inky black in front of them. "She's in there."
"Just keep walking towards her voice," Hermione said. "I can't go any further with you. Keep going. Neville needs his mum."
At the mention of her son, Alice stiffened and nodded, striding into the darkness with a determination Hermione hadn't expected.
When she was barely visible, Hermione closed her eyes and pulled out of Alice's head, returning to the bedroom at Ravenscroft.
Addie was leaning over the bed, calling her name softly. "Alice?"
"My turn," Hermione said quietly.
Addie nodded, turning into the large golden dog that so favoured Padfoot and sitting at her feet.
Hermione took her place, taking Alice's hand. "Mrs Longbottom? Can you open your eyes for me?"
She held her breath as Alice opened her eyes, but this time, there was no vacancy in her gaze.
"What happened?" She asked quietly. "Where am I? Who are you?"
"You're safe," Hermione said. "I need to ask you a few questions before I explain. Do you know what your name is?"
Alice frowned, but answered regardless. "Alice Elizabeth Longbottom. Unless you want my maiden name, in which case Alice Elizabeth Bones."
"And your date of birth?" Hermione asked.
"December 9th 1960."
"Your occupation?"
"Auror."
Hermione took a deep breath. "What is the last thing you remember?"
"Death Eaters," Alice answered without hesitation, before her face turned a horrible grey. "Oh, shit – Neville? Where's my son?"
"Mrs Longbottom, I need you to calm down," Hermione said firmly. "Neville is fine. You and Frank were tortured. The date is December 20th 1997, my name is Hermione Granger and you are in a safe-house called Ravenscroft Manor."
"Frank?" Alice whispered, struggling to sit up.
"He's in the bed next to you," Hermione said. "We woke you up first."
"We?" Alice repeated.
Shadow barked, and Alice stared at her.
"Shadow?"
Shadow rose up on to her back legs, turning back into Addie as she did. "Hey sweetheart." She bent to hug Alice, who clung to her tightly.
"Addie, we thought you were dead!"
"I got better," Addie said. "We'll tell you all about it later. First of all though, we need to wake your husband."
They helped Alice out of bed; as soon as she had steadied herself on her feet, she hurried to her husband's side. "Frank? Frank?"
"He won't answer, Alice," Addie said sadly.
"We're going to help him now," Hermione said. "In the meantime, let's go and see Amelia."
"Amelia's here?" Alice said.
"She is," Hermione said, taking her arm. "Come on, Mrs Longbottom."
"None of that, dear," Alice said. "You used to call me Aunt Alice when you were little."
"Alright, Aunt Alice," Hermione said. "Then humour me. Amelia can take you to see Neville."
When they stepped out of the room, Amelia and Augusta hadn't moved, but the atmosphere had changed; it was tense, charged, both desperately hoping for the best, both desperately trying not to hope too much, after so many disappointments.
Amelia rose to her feet at once. "Alice?"
In response, Alice burst into tears, running into her older sister's arms. This alone was enough to make Amelia start crying as well.
"Frank?" Augusta asked.
"Addie thought Alice would be easier so we tried her first," Hermione explained quietly. "She's worried, obviously. Amelia, can you …?"
"I'll take her to Potter Manor," Amelia said thickly. "We'll go and see Neville."
"Please," Alice sobbed. "I need to see my baby."
"Come on, sweetheart," Amelia said, guiding Alice out of the door. "Right, quick rundown of the things you need to know. Sirius was not the Secret Keeper; they changed to Pettigrew, who faked his death when he blew the street up."
This brought about a fresh wave of tears, with Alice's emotions so near the surface. "We should have known."
"Ally, what could you have done?" Amelia said fairly. "You were pushing for a trial; that was all you could do. What happened after your attack is on everyone else, not you. Sirius broke out of Azkaban about three and a half years ago, but he's technically not cleared yet, hence the hiding at Potter Manor. You know about Addie, obviously, but Jen's back too; she was under a Memory Charm."
"Oh, thank Merlin," Alice said. "And what happened to Harry? Frank wasn't in the Wizengamot the day the Will was read."
"I'm not surprised," Amelia said. "He probably would have known it was faked."
"Faked?!" Alice repeated.
"He ended up with Lily's sister," Amelia said, "who somehow managed to produce a decent human being, despite treating him worse than a house-elf by all accounts, although he does have an impressive hero complex."
Despite her anger, Alice managed to laugh. "Just like Jamie."
"Just like Jamie," Amelia agreed with a chuckle.
David and Emily Potter had been Alice and their brother Edgar's godparents, and their parents had been James's godparents, which meant that the three Bones siblings were the only people who had ever got away with calling James Potter 'Jamie' – Jen and Sirius tried, but they usually only got a hex for their troubles.
Even as they reached the fireplace, Amelia didn't release her sister, stepping in to the flames beside her. "Potter Manor."
A few seconds later, they were brushing themselves down. By now, Alice's tears had dried and she was eager to see everyone.
"How did the Memory Charm happen?"
Amelia hesitated. "There's a whole long story there, Ally, and it's going to be easier if we all sit down with you and Frank later and explain it in order."
Alice nodded. "That's fair enough, I guess." She squeezed her sister's arm as they made their way through the house. "So what's he like? Did he grow up with you and Susan?"
"No," Amelia said. "He grew up with Augusta. He looks like you, with Frank's eyes. Can't brew a potion to save his life, but he's amazing at Herbology. Gryffindor, of course – with you two as parents, I was hardly surprised, but I think he was. He's grown into red and gold very well though."
"What about Susan?" Alice asked. "How is she?"
"Hufflepuff," Amelia said proudly. "She's doing wonderfully. Better at Charms than Herbology. She's here as well, actually." As they reached the gate of the pitch, she cleared her throat. "There is one more thing. Draco Malfoy and Daphne Greengrass are spending Christmas here as well."
"A Greengrass I'm not surprised by," Alice said. "But a Malfoy?"
"He's a good boy," Amelia assured her. "Both Slytherins, but Neville seems rather fond of Daphne – although I don't think he's cottoned on to the fact that she might feel the same way …"
Alice didn't seem in the least perturbed by the fact that her son's potential love interest wore green and silver. "Is she nice? Will she look after him? Do you think they'll get married?"
"Slow down, Alice," Amelia laughed. "As far as I know, they haven't started dating yet!"
They emerged on to the pitch and Amelia glanced over to the stands where Sirius, Remus and Jen were, giving them a thumb's up.
Alice didn't notice, her attention fixed on the teenage boy at the other end of the pitch.
He was sitting on the grass, leaning back on his hands, half-chatting to a blonde-haired girl at his side, half-watching a young girl on a broom flying slowly around them.
As Alice watched, the girl caught sight of them and came to a rather wobbly landing beside Neville, pointing in Alice's direction.
The Quidditch pitch seemed to disappear, along with everyone around her, as her son stood up, brushing grass from his robes as he walked towards them.
"Mum?" He asked when he was within earshot. "What are you doing here?"
His question was aimed at Amelia, rather than Alice, because, she suddenly realised, he was not expecting any kind of response from her, and the thought brought tears to her eyes.
"Mum?" Neville repeated, taking her hand. "Are you okay?" He turned to Amelia without waiting for an answer. "Maybe I should …"
"I'm fine, sweetheart," Alice said softly. "It's just you're all grown up."
Neville stared at her. "Mum? Do you know who I am?"
"I do," Alice said, touching his face. "You're Neville Frank Longbottom and you're my son."
"How?" Neville asked shakily.
"We have excellent friends," Alice said, embracing her son.
Neville buried his face in his mother's shoulder, trembling in her arms.
In the air, the flyers noticed the extra person on the pitch and swooped down to land beside them.
"Mum?" Neville said shakily, releasing her. "There's … There's a lot of people you need to meet."
"I'll say," Alice said, her eyes landing on Susan. "Susie, is that you?"
"Hi Aunt Alice," Susan greeted, kissing her cheek. "I'm so glad you're better."
"And this is Harry," Neville said, "Harry Potter."
Harry grinned at her, offering her a hand. "Mrs Longbottom."
Alice gave him a hug. "I was Aunt Alice to you as well, you know. Actually, that goes for all of you," she added, glancing at the others, including Catherine, who had followed Neville over. "Just call me Aunt Alice, or Alice if you prefer."
"This is Draco Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass and Catherine Barter," Neville said. "And you know these three, I'm guessing."
Alice turned and immediately threw her arms around Jen, who hugged her tightly. "Oh, Jen, I'm so glad you're okay! Amelia said you'd explain everything later?"
"We will," Jen said. "It's a long story."
Before Alice had a change to greet Sirius and Remus as well, a shout went up from behind them.
"Alice!"
At the familiar voice, Alice spun around and threw herself into Frank's arms with another stifled sob.
Neville sprinted forwards too, clinging to his father; Augusta watched, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.
Hermione and Addie were behind him, beaming and, after a few minutes, Neville disentangled himself to hug both of them, before returning to his parents.
Sirius wrapped an arm around Addie's shoulders as she returned to his side. "You just gave him the best Christmas present in the world."
"Yeah," Addie said quietly. "We did."
