Summary – Harry opens a book in the Restricted Section and it transports him 21 years into the future, where he meets up with the future Ron and Hermione and their son, Eddie. Harry also meets Lily Potter, Harry's very spunky and caring future teenage daughter with a hot temper and a bit of an attitude. Harry wants to know about his future, but he feels that Ron, Hermione, Lily, and Eddie are keeping something from him; some very deep, dark secrets.
Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter, the characters, or the Harry Potter world. The all belong to the fabulous J.K. Rowling. However, while I do not own their names, the characters and the personality traits of Lily Potter, Eddie Weasley, Daris Malfoy, Christof Nott, as well as Asher Lazard and Robyn Andrews all belong to me.
Chapter 3 – Daris Malfoy:
There was a long, pregnant pause. Eddie just stared at Harry, as though he were going have to catch Harry, waiting for him to faint. But, Harry just stared out into space and did not say a weird; he was barely breathing.
"Harry, are you okay?" asked Eddie stupidly.
"That…that girl was…is my daughter?" whispered Harry, as though he could not, as though he dared not believe it. Eddie stuffed his hands into the pockets of his bathrobe and sighed heavily again.
"Yeah," he said, "yeah she is. Her name is Lily…you named her after your mother."
"I guessed that," mumbled Harry sarcastically. Eddie rolled eyes.
"Your sarcasm was one of your beautiful genetic traits that Lily inherited," he mumbled back just as sarcastically. Harry grinned at the irony because he wanted to comment on how Eddie could be just as sarcastic as his father, Ron. There were a few moments of hesitant silence before Eddie turned to Harry urgently.
"We need to go after her," said Eddie. "Daris Malfoy takes after his father, Draco and I am not sure what he will do to Lily."
"Let's go," said Harry, without needing another word from Eddie. He started towards the Potrait Hole with Eddie hot on his heels.
"They're meeting in the dungeons," said Eddie as they entered the corridor. Harry did not know why he was so anxious to get to Lily and Daris Malfoy before anything happened. He understood that Lily was his future dead but was it possible for him to feel affection for her already…even though he did not know her? Even though he had just found out just seconds ago that Lily was his daughter? Before Harry could ponder any more, Eddie had started walking by his side, keep his stride with Harry.
"After we stop this so-called duel between Lily and Malfoy, we should go to my mum's office," Eddie said reasonably. "I'm sure she'll know what to do. She's pretty bloody brilliant and she'd really love to see you." When Eddie mentioned his mother, Harry finally got the chance to ask the question he had wanted to ask since he had found out that Eddie was Ron's son.
"Who is your mother?" asked Harry, curious to know whom his best friend had married. Eddie turned and looked at him, and to Harry's immense surprise, he bursted out laughing.
"Oh c'mon!" he busted out through his chuckles. "You of all people should know the answer to that one!" Harry raised an eyebrow, about to make a retort before he looked into Eddie's warm, chestnut eyes…the same chestnut eyes that had belong to his other best friend. Realization dawned on him.
"You don't mean…"
"Oh yes, I do!"
"HERMIONE?" Harry cried out through a joyful laugh. "Ron married Hermione?"
"Yeah, a year after they graduated from Hogwarts," said Eddie, beaming proudly.
"Oh wow," said Harry, shaking his head with good humor. "I mean, I knew they liked each other but I didn't think it was that serious. I didn't know they would actually get married!"
"Are you kidding?" asked Eddie, punching Harry on the shoulder. "My mum told me you were the first one to see it coming!" Harry chuckled and before he knew what was happening, the pair of them had reached the top of the stairs that led towards the dungeons. They both looked at each other nodded, pulling their wands out of their pockets and tip-toeing down the stairs. Right before they reached the bottom of the staircase, they could manage to hear a bunch of voices echoing off of the walls.
"I'm surprised the red-headed Weasel didn't show up with you, Potter," a nasty, husky voice said coolly; as though the voice had a permanent sore throat. "I thought you two little lovebirds were joined at the hip…"
"Oh don't worry, Malfoy," Lily's voice boomed coolly, "he'll be here."
"Aw, is Weasel going to come to Potty's rescue?" another voice taunted in a mock baby voice. Harry cringed because he was strongly reminded of Bellatrix Lestrange. "Weasel and Potty sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-"
"You know that the most common people who sing that song are five-year old Muggle children, don't you, Nott?" asked Lily coolly. Harry bit his lip to prevent himself from laughing out loud. "I thought a big bad Slytherin would know that."
"You watch your mouth, Potter!" the second male voice snapped, whom Harry guessed was called 'Nott.'
"Oh, you've got me shaking in my bunny slippers now," said Lily sarcastically. Harry wanted to laugh again, but he could hear Eddie groan from beside him.
"That tongue of her's always gets her in trouble," he mumbled, more to himself than to Harry. With those words he stepped out of the shadows and stood protectively behind Lily. Harry followed suit and followed Eddie, taking in the scene before him. His future daughter, Lily, was standing with her wand at the ready, facing three other boys. The one in the front, who also had his wand out, pointing it straight at Lily, was no doubt, Daris Malfoy. He greatly resembled his father with dark blonde hair that was neatly combed, cold gray eyes, and a pug face. Standing closely beside him was a short, stocky boy with long black hair and ice blue eyes and a long pointed nose. He was glaring at Lily and Harry assumed that he must be 'Nott.' The third boy, standing far behind Daris Malfoy and Nott, was a huge, tall boy whom greatly resembled a large gorilla; Harry could only assume that this was the son of either Crabbe or Goyle.
"Ahhh there's Weasel bean!" called out Malfoy, as though it were a joyous occasion. "We knew it was only a matter of time before you came to watch me completely obliterate your friend here."
"Not going to happen," snarled Eddie, glaring at Malfoy. "The duel is off. Lily and I are not going to fall for anymore of your evil tricks anymore."
"Who says I'm falling for a trick?" Lily mumbled defensively. "I'm just looking for any excuse to hex the life out of this little git." Eddie ignored her as Harry took a few more steps forward, standing closely behind Lily and Eddie. Malfoy caught sight of him and narrowed his eyes in fear, raising his wand and pointing it directly at Harry.
"Who are you?" questioned Malfoy. Nott and the large boy also noted Harry's presence and came to Malfoy's side. Lily whipped around, saw Harry and immediately shot him a deathly glare that could have frozen hell. She rounded on Eddie.
"Why did you bring him?" growled Lily, clenching her wand tightly in her fist. Malfoy took advantage of Lily having her back turned to him. He quickly turned his wand on her instead, raising it. A rage came over Harry that he had never felt before and it made him want to kill the little spawn of the ferret with his bare hands.. Even if Lily wanted to block the curse Malfoy was about to throw at her, she would not have time to turn around. As Malfoy shouted a curse at Lily's back, Harry dived between them and raised his own wand.
"Protego!" shouted Harry. The curse rebounded off of Harry's shield and bounced back towards Malfoy and his cronies. Lily gasped and turned around, raising her wand but it was too late; Harry had taken care of the work for her. Eddie was shooting death glares at Malfoy, but before he could curse Malfoy with a few well chosen profanities, once again, Harry beat him to the punch. He stood between Lily and Malfoy, with his wand pointed directly at Daris Malfoy's head.
"You're just like your father," Harry hissed, giving Malfoy a glare; a very similar glare that Lily had just given to Harry. "He was a low-life scum who liked to attack when they're opponents had their back turned; he always took the coward's way out as well." At the insult thrown at his father, Daris Malfoy immediately challenged Harry by raising his wand.
"You filthy…what do you know about my father?" Daris snarled back at Harry. "I don't even know who the bloody hell you are. How could you know me?"
"Your father is Draco Malfoy," said Harry. Lily stared at him, completely astonished. Eddie could not help but grin arrogantly. "Pansy 'The Pug' Parkinson is no doubt your mother because you inherited her pug like face! Your grandparents are Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy…Death Eaters and followers of Voldemort! (Everyone gasped when Harry shouted out his name.) Your father's best friends were Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. You!" Harry pointed at the boy who resembled a gorilla. "You must be Crabbe's son! You have his squinted face!" Harry turned back to Malfoy. "No doubt your father followed in good ol' Lucius' footsteps and also became a slimey, wretched Death Eater…" At those words, Malfoy practically grinded his teeth and growled at Harry. His angry eyes then landed on Lily.
"Well, Potter here is one to ta-"
"Stupefy!" Harry shouted, pointing at Malfoy, who somehow managed to scream and dodge the curse, sending both he and Nott to the cold, stone ground. Lily and Eddie ended up being overcome with laughter. When Crabbe managed to help the two of them to their feet, Malfoy glared at Harry.
"I don't know who you are, but I swear," He growled, "I will make you pay!" He turned to his friends. "Let's go." With that, the three of them dashed up the dungeon stairs as fast as they could, speaking in hushed tones. Harry pocketed his wand with a proud smile and turned to Lily and Eddie. Eddie was still chuckled but Lily was staring at him quite curiously. She looked like she did not know whether to curse Harry or to thank him. Instead she bit her lip uncertainly.
"Just because you did that, does not mean I forgive you for what you said back in the Common Room," she snapped quickly. Harry gave a defeated groan as Eddie rolled his eyes. Harry noted that he seemed to do that a lot when he was around Lily, and Lily never seemed to notice. Either that or she just did not care.
"C'mon," started Eddie, "we need to take him to my mum's office."
"Why?"
"Must you question everything?" asked Eddie impatiently, grabbing her by the forearm and dragging her up the dungeon stairs with Harry on their heels. "Just c'mon!"
The three of them walked to Hermione's office in silence. Eddie was too frustrated with Lily's attitude to say anything, Lily was too irritated with Eddie's decision to bring Harry along to the duel and his decision to help Harry, and Harry honestly just did not know what to say to either of them. Honestly, what do you say to your future daughter and the future son of your two best friends? This was no ordinary scenario; it is not every day that something like this happens; even in the wizarding world. Harry's thoughts were once again interrupted when they reached the statue of the gargoyle; the same statue that Harry encountered so many times when he wanted to see Dumbledore. It was going to be very strange for him to enter this office and not have Albus Dumbledore, with his twinkling blue eyes staring at him from behind his half-moon spectacles, sitting on the other side of that desk. Instead, it was going to be his best friend, Hermione Granger. Well, Hermione Weasley technically. The idea boggled Harry's mind.
"Tootise Roll," said Eddie. The three of them stepped on to the platform and the gargoyle immediately began to spin, taking them to Hermione's office. When they stepped off of the platform, Harry looked around and was surprised to how similar Hermione's office was to Dumbledore's. The desk, chairs, and all of the portraits were in their exact positions; just as he remembered them. All of the shelves were the same and the window was still open and had a magnificent view of the grounds. However, unlike Dumbledore's office, Hermione's desk and shelves were not filled with fancy silver instruments and trinkets. Her shelves, desks, and literally everything else in the office was filled to the brim with books, books, and even more books. But, this did not surprise Harry as Hermione was constantly always reading; it should not surprise him that she continued to do so throughout the remainder of her life.
As Harry looked around, he noted that Eddie dashed immediately to the portrait of the four Hogwarts founders and muttered another password. The portrait swung open and Eddie stepped inside, and it instantly swung closed again, leaving Harry and Lily alone in Hermione's office. Harry glanced sideways at her and saw that she was fiddling with one of the rolled up scrolls that was resting on Hermione's desk. Harry did not know what to say to her; he was never especially talented when it came to talking with girls…except for Hermione and Ginny. But this was his daughter for crying out loud! Surely he had something that he needed to say to her. In realization though, Lily did not yet know that Harry was her father. She still thought he was some creep who had intentionally tried to make her angry. Harry opened his mouth to apologize, but the words never came out, as Lily spoke before he could.
"Look," she started. "I don't know who you are, but I apologize for losing my temper back in the Common Room." This was the first time that Harry got a good look at her eyes because for once, they were not full of fire. They were bright and regretful and his stomach lurched when he realized that they were exactly like his own; almond shaped and a bright emerald green. It was almost like looking into a mirror and Harry was astounded that Lily had not noticed how alike they were. He chose to try and ignore it.
"Apology accepted," said Harry, staring into her emerald depths. He again tried to open his mouth to apologize back to Lily, but once again, she interrupted him.
"But what you said wasn't right," she said, rounding on Harry. "It really…it just…you shouldn't have said it."
"I shouldn't have said that I was Harry Potter?" asked Harry slowly, knowing that he was walking on dangerous ground. Lily grinded her teeth.
"Forget it," she mumbled, turning her back on Harry.
"But I-"
"Forget it!" growled Lily, not turning to face him. Harry knew that the conversation would have to end here…for now. It was clear that Lily not only inherited is apparent sarcasm, but his stubbornness as well. He sighed and went over to the nearest book shelf. The middle shelf was the only one in the entire office that was not completely filled with books; instead it was filled with tons of moving pictures. Harry smiled as he recognized some of them. One was of him, Ron, and Hermione in their first year, smiling and laughing. Harry had a bandage over his eye and Ron and Hermione looked a little beat up as well; it must have been shortly after they tracked down the Sorcerer's Stone. Another photo was of Hermione, Luna, and Ginny; the three of them were sitting at the edge of the lake. Luna was making some crazy gestures with her arms while Ginny was giggling madly and Hermione was giving Luna a look as though she had lobsters crawling out of her ears. The third photo was of him, Ron, and Hermione. Ron was in the middle, an arm slung around each of them. Harry was waving around a graduation cap while Hermione was trying to escape the rough one armed hug that Ron had her locked in; she too was carrying a graduation cap and had a colorful shawl wrapped around her neck that neither Ron nor Harry wore; she must have won some kind of academic award.
Before he could stare at the pictures any longer, Harry heard the portrait swing open and he turned his head sharply. He half expected to see Eddie come out first, but the only person he saw was the outline of a woman. Harry held his breath as Hermione stepped out of the portrait, dashing at Harry and gazing at him as though she had not seen him in the longest time. Lily looked at the scene curiously with a raised eyebrow.
"Harry?" asked Hermione in the deathliest of whispers. Harry looked at her; she looked all in all the same as she had in their fifth year. Her hair was longer, and tamer; cascading in curls rather than frizz and bushiness. Her warm chestnut eyes were the same, except they were now lined with slight wrinkles, and she had gained some weight since her fifth year. But, she still looked like the same Hermione. Eddie had crossed over to the desk and stood beside Lily, who was watching the scene wide-eyed.
"Hermione," Harry whispered back, smiling slightly, happy to see his best friend was alive and well twenty-one years into the future. With those words, Hermione strode forward and pulled Harry into the tightest, most welcome hug he had ever been in. Harry, who was still a fifteen year old boy, hugged her back awkwardly as he felt her begin to cry into his messy, jet-black hair.
"Ed, Lily," started Hermione in a shaking voice, "would you please wait outside my office for a moment?"
"Hermione…what the-"
"Please?"
"C'mon, Lils," whispered Eddie as he grabbed a hold of a very hesitant Lily, and pulled her out of the office; but she did not go without whispering, hissing, and pestering Eddie for answers.
Once Lily and Eddie were safely out of earshot, Hermione pulled out of the embrace and held Harry at arm's length; completely drinking in his appearance, as though he had never seen anything quite like him. Harry began to shift uncomfortably under her intense gaze.
"Erm…hey…uh…this is a little weird," mumbled Harry, shifting from foot to foot. Hermione gave a weak chuckle through her soft cries and hurriedly wiped her tears.
"Oh Harry," she whispered, pulling him into another hug. "You have no idea…"
"No idea what?" asked Harry, pulling out of the hug. "Hermione, what's going on? What has happened in the last 21 years?" Hermione ignored his questions and sighed, running a hand through her curly locks.
"Harry, what are you doing here?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips and looking very Hermione like. Harry felt relief wash over him. For some reason, seeing Hermione the way she always had been made him feel more at home, like less had changed.
"I don't know," said Harry. "I went wondering into the Restricted Section looking for some help in my potions assignment. I stumbled across this book, opened it, and here I am. I'm really not sure what happened but…"
"Harry, do you realize how dangerous this is?" hissed Hermione. "You could jeopardize everything that has happened in the last 21 years!"
"Like how you married Ron?" asked Harry with a sly smirk, crossing his arms across his chest. Hermione blushed to the roots of her hair but smiled back. "I still can't believe that…you and Ron…"
"Are you kidding?" blurted out Hermione through a slight giggle. "You were the first one to see it coming!" Harry smirked.
"And you two have a son?"
"Three children actually," Hermione corrected him. Harry's eyes widened with a certain kind of joy. "You haven't met Teresa and Anne. Teresa is only six and Anne is still a baby."
"Eddie seems great," said Harry honestly. "He seems to have a bit of both of his parents in him." Hermione's eyes gleamed with pride at Harry's words.
"You're Eddie's godfather you know," said Hermione.
"What? Even though Ron had all of those brothers to choose from?" asked Harry incredulously. This caused Hermione to laugh.
"Well, you were the only one we could agree on," she said with a grin. After a long, pleasant pause, Hermione bit her lip and looked at her feet, shuffling them nervously.
"Harry, when you met Ed, you didn't happen to meet…his best friend, did you?" asked Hermione stupidly; though she already knew the answer. Harry gave her a half-hearted smile.
"You mean the hot tempered one? Blonde hair? My green eyes?"
"The hot tempered part she gets from her father," said Hermione dryly, though she was smiling slightly. "I see you met Lily."
"I did," answered Harry. "Is Lily really my daughter?"
"Yes, she is."
"Who is her mother?" asked Harry curiously. "Whom did I marry?" This was another question he had been dying to ask since he had first found out that Lily was his daughter. For some reason, deep down, Harry had hoped that it was Ginny. The idea rather frightened him yet thrilled him at the same time. Hermione, however, did not answer. She merely sighed and turned towards her desk.
"I should owl Ron," she said, sitting down, grabbing a quill and a piece of parchment. "He'll be wanting to see you." Harry gave her a dirty look for not answering his question, raising an eyebrow.
"Hermione-"
Hermione continued to ignore him, but finished writing two different letters and sent them off with her brown, tawny owl. After she finished sending them off, she dashed across her office and opened the door. Lily and Eddie came stumbling in because they obviously had been trying to listen in on Harry and Hermione's conversation. As if she knew they were listening, Hermione completely stepped aside and let the pair of them become tangled on the floor with a bemused smile on her face.
"OUCH, Ed, get off of me!" snapped Lily, trying to get untangled and shove Eddie off of her. Eddie has grunted in pain.
"Hey, it was your idea to listen in!' he retorted. Harry could not help but grin at the scene before him. It made him happy to see how his daughter and his best friends' son became such close friends and that seemed to have the same knack for trouble as the trio did.
"If you two are quite finished," interrupted Hermione. The two teenagers scurried to their feet and stood anxiously in front of her. Lily was still looking at Harry with a curious raised eyebrow. "Ed, would you please go to Professor Lupin's office and bring him here? I sent him a letter so you might meet up with him on the way here." Eddie looked reluctant to go but he nodded anyway and walked out of the office, grumbling under his breath. Hermione, however, placed a gentle hand on Lily's back and guided her towards Harry. Lily's eyes widened but they never left Harry's face.
"Lily, I know this may be hard for you to believe, but, this is Harry Potter," explained Hermione. "That is, Harry Potter at fifteen years old. He used a book in the Restricted Section." This was probably the most awkward situation that Harry had ever encountered. "I'll leave you two alone in my office. I'll be behind the portrait if you two need me."
Hermione left the two of them standing in the middle of her office, awkwardly, just looking at one another not knowing what to say to each other.
"Well, this is awkward," said Harry well naturedly, clearing trying to lighten up the mood. Lily, however, just looked back at him; her face completely void of emotion and totally impassive. "I…really don't know what to say to you, Lily." There was a long pause as Harry stuffed his hands into the pockets of his robes as he sighed and looked at his feet. He could feel Lily's gaze on him.
"I owe you in apology," said Lily's voice. Harry's head jerked up as he looked at her. "You were telling the truth. I'm sorry for snapping at you."
"You already apologized," said Harry awkwardly. "There is no need to do it again."
"I really don't know what to say," whispered Lily, as she looked at her feet; the same way Harry had done just seconds earlier.
"How about, 'hello?'" whispered Harry. He wanted to place a comforting had hand on her shoulder but he did not know if Lily would accept it or brush it off. Harry did not even know if it was his place to comfort Lily. But to his immense relief and surprise, Lily smiled at Harry's comment and looked at him square in the eye. There was finally emotion in her emerald depths and it thrilled Harry to see it there; especially to know that he put it there.
"Hello," she said simply, with a smile, causing Harry to grin back at her. "So, you're really Harry Potter? You're really my father?"
"It sure seems that way," responded Harry. "Though you don't seem to be all that thrilled to have me here." Lily did not say anything but merely shrugged. Harry opened his mouth but did not have a chance to speak as there was a huge loud thud that came from behind the portrait in Hermione's room. Both Lily and Harry jumped.
"You better have a damn good excuse for dragging me out here at three in the morning, Hermione," boomed a man's voice. "Either Lily somehow hexed Ed into the six dimension or Harry Potter is still-"
"RON!" cried Hermione, immediately shushing him. Harry's stomach immediately began to tumble in excitement. Ron was here. He wanted to rush through the portrait to see his best friend but his feet seemed somehow glued to the ground. He could hear Hermione speaking to Ron in hushed whispers.
"What?" asked Ron's voice in dead shock. He did not even wait for Hermione to respond, but immediately charged through the portrait.
"Ron, don't!" pleaded Hermione, but he ignored her.
Before Harry knew it, Ron was standing in front of him, staring at him wide-eyed. Hermione was standing behind him nervously, putting her hands to her mouth as though she did not know how to handle what was about to happen. Lily stepped forward and stood beside Harry, almost protectively.
"Ron?" she asked quietly. But, once again, Ron did not answer but ran towards Harry and wrapped his arms around his best friend in a tight embrace.
"Harry," he whispered in a croaked voice. "It's you…it's really you…" Harry could sense a lump growing in Ron's choked voice and he made him slightly uncomfortable. Ron was practically sobbing at the very sight of Harry, Hermione had gotten emotional earlier, and Lily was completely guarded about the whole ordeal. What had happened in the last twenty-one years? But, more importantly, why were none of his questions being answered? He knew that his best friend would give him answers.
"Ron, what's happened the last twenty-one years?" whispered Harry as Ron continued to embrace him. But, no one had time to answer as the door to the office burst open. Harry jumped away from Ron as Lily jumped about a good ten feet in the air and gave a small squeal of fear. Standing in the doorway as an elder man; he looked much older than he was but in reality, he was only in his sixties. He had tired brown eyes and graying brittle hair with strands of light brown going through it; his robes were shabby and the man simply looked tired and worn out by life. Harry recognized him immediately.
"Professor Lupin?" blurted out Harry. Remus did not say anything; he simply strode across the room, just as Ron had done, and pulled him into another tight embrace. The only difference was that Remus actually began sobbing into Harry's messy jet-black hair.
"Harry…" Remus choked through his sobs. "Great Merlin…oh Harry…!" It was at that point that Eddie came dashing into the office, completely drenched in sweat and out of breath; as though he had ran a full fledged mile.
"I never knew a man so old could run so fast," he whispered to Lily, who chuckled.
"Oh Harry," repeated Remus as he pulled out of the hug, holding Harry at arm's length. "Sirius will want to see you…"
"Sirius is still alive?" asked Harry hopefully. Hermione immediately intervened.
"Remus," she hissed in a low whisper, which she had hoped was low enough so that Harry would not hear, but this was not the case. "Are you insane? He can't see Sirius…he'll go crazy!"
"This could be a blessing in disguise; for all of this. He needs this," retorted Remus. "Think about it…think about all that he's been through. Harry being here would be something like a miracle to him."
"A miracle?" asked Hermione sardonically. Lily and Eddie were watching the scene; their widened in fascination. Ron was merely rubbing the bridge of nose, feeling an instant headache coming along. "Is that how you would describe it?"
"He needs this, so does Harry!" repeated Remus, gesturing towards Harry. Hermione
shook her head.
"I won't allow it!"
"Who are you to call the shots?"
"I want to see Sirius!" shouted Harry.
"He's my best friend," hissed Hermione.
"Well, he's the son of my best friend!"
"Ron, will you please back me up here?" asked Hermione angrily, rounding on her husband. Ron ignored her.
"I want to see Sirius!"
"We will lose him, Remus."
"You don't know that…have a little faith in the man!"
"Faith?"
"What the bloody hell is going on around here?" bellowed Harry in frustration, gripping at his untidy black hair,
"I…we can't lose him!" cried Hermione, tears brimming around her chestnut eyes. Harry, completely fed-up with the situation, jumped in between the fighting Hermione and Remus and looked back and forth to the both of them.
"What is going on here?" asked Harry, somberly. "Yes, I understand that me traveling twenty-one years through time is a bit nerve wracking for anyone. But, you guys are acting ridiculous. What has happened the last twenty-one years? I have a right to know!"
"Harry…"
"You tell him, then Hermione," said Remus. "You're the one who wants to call the shots here." Hermione glared at Remus but, using her head, guided Harry through the portrait and into her bedroom. Harry entered with Hermione behind him, as the portrait swung closed.
Harry was surprised by how tiny the bedroom was. It had a king sized bed in the middle with a fluffy, cozy looking purple velvet comforter and velvet pillows. One of the pillows bore the Hogwarts crest in the center of it. In front of the bed was a magnificent fireplace with a portrait of Merlin himself over it. He smiled at Harry tenderly from the painting. On the other side of the wall there was a huge window that had an incredible view of the forest and the lake. Next to the window was a simple small, round wooden table with a wooden chair beside it with a purple velvet cushion the seat.
"Nice," mumbled Harry awkwardly, gesturing towards the view. Hermione simply shrugged. He rounded on her.
"What's going on?" he immediately demanded. "Why is everyone acting so emotional around me? You and Ron practically sobbed when you saw me, Remus actually did cry, Lily is looking at me as though I'm carrying some hideous plague, and I can't see Sirius. I demand to know what happened to me since our fifth year. Why is everyone acting so emotional around me?"
"Harry, I can't tell you," said Hermione, tears leaking out of her eyes. "It could jeopardize the future!"
"So, then put a Memory Charm on me before you send me back to my time!" retorted Harry reasonably. Hermione considered the option for a moment before gently nodding her head and sighing in defeat.
"Okay, Harry," she whispered gently. "You win." Harry nodded eagerly, urging her to continue. "The reason why everyone is so emotional around is…well…it…is because….because, Harry you beca…you…you…died…"
A note from the Jitterbelle. I wrote this chapter as best as I could from memory. I hope it will do.
Please review and enjoy the story and new revisions! Much love from the Jitterbelle!