The Best and Worst of Times
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters or settings. JK Rowling does and I am not taking credit. And I don't own Smallville or any of its character's just borrowing Chloe!! OK! Thanks!
PS. Sorry so long in updating… life is throwing me some nasty curve balls. Plus I haven't found much to laugh at lately.
Jade: I could have put more in there!
Holly: Here's more and thanks
Annoriel: LOL! Here is a new chapter for you!
Lady Prongs: Yes, in this version they "Died or disappeared"
Jasmine: LOL they went home!
Killer Angel: NOPE! Not yet.
AmericanMiko: LOL here is more for you!
DrangonGirl: Thanks; sometimes it pays to be evil.
Li-chan: As to the other ending that is something I'm really thinking of writing. But if I do there will be only two different endings!
SadisticAngel: Yes, I so know what you mean… I have my own favs. And thanks.
Well enough of that on with the story…..
Sixth Year End of Term Dumbledore's OfficeSitting at his desk, Dumbledore strokes Fawkes. Sighing heavily Sirius is right, too many things that have happened to Hermione that have also happened to Melody. Melody was in an attack before her seventh year; don't want that happening to Hermione. Picking up his quill, he quickly writes out several notes.
Professor Lupin's quarters
"I'm telling you Remus," states Sirius. "There are too many similarities between Hermione and Melody."
"I know," grumbles Remus. "Even I see that. But there are also differences between them too." Seeing Sirius's blank face. "Melody had a little sister, Hermione doesn't..."
"Yes, but if Hermione did have a sister…"
"If Hermione did have a sister the coincidences are unlikely, therefore I would have to say that since Hermione isn't Melody's child or a relative then…."
The SummerDumbledore had arranged for several influential wizards to check up on Miss Granger, with her parents consent. As the summer progressed, several attacks happened within days of each other putting everyone on their guard.
Many of the attacks happened in Diagon Alley, Gringotts was the first to be hit. Which many felt was foolish since the attacked didn't do any damage. The second attack was the Leaky Cauldron, which was structurally fine since it was re-built from a previous attack years earlier. The third attack shocked many was St. Mungo's. Severus went nuts it took Dumbledore stunning him to prevent him from going there.
Remus and Sirius were shocked at how badly Snape took the news. That was until they remembered that Caroline was at St. Mungo's. Dumbledore locked all three men in the same room.
Knowing that they would probably kill each other with their wands, Dumbledore had them removed. When the three men were finally let out of the room the observant person that Dumbledore is, he knew that the three men had reached a silent agreement.
"Severus a moment if you please," asks Dumbledore.
"Yes Headmaster," sneers Severus as he passes the headmaster.
"If you're on your way to Diagon Alley," comments Dumbledore causing Severus to glare at him. "I think you should know that Caroline is in the hospital wing as we speak." Dumbledore watched his former student run for the first time in a long time.
School Entranceway
Two weeks later
"Greeting Lucretia," greets Dumbledore. "And Neville. I take it you're here to see Caroline."
"Yes," whispers Neville who looks at Dumbledore with pleading eyes that were slightly puffy and red.
"I'll take him," offers Remus. "Come on Neville, she's in the hospital wing."
"That's a good idea Remus," agrees Dumbledore before Mrs. Longbottom could open her mouth. "I do believe that Lucretia and I have to talk," states Dumbledore preventing the old woman from following the two males.
Neville glances back watching the old couple go into the teacher's lounge. Hearing his DADA teacher attempt to make small talk Neville tries to follow both the conversation and the man.
"Professor," getting his attention. "Look I never really knew my father. What I did know of him I learned second hand. So although I'm sad that my father is dead, I'm not devastated." They continue on their way towards the hospital wing until Neville realizes that he left his school bag in the entranceway.
Grumbling Neville tells Remus what was wrong. Smiling at the boy Remus suggests a small race to the bag. A slow smile crosses Neville's face, as he takes off leaving Remus standing there laughing before trying to catch-up to Neville.
Slinging Neville just beats Remus to his school bag. Remus watches Neville put the bag on his back. When Mrs. Longbottom's furious voice echoes out into the hallway.
"I don't care! Do you hear me? I'm not letting that Death-eater near my grandson!"
Seconds pass, before more shouting. Both Remus and Neville walked closer to the teacher's lounge, they were almost leaning up against the door.
"I don't care what that silly girl wanted. Did you really think that I would let my precious baby's son be raised by that man?"
"Lucretia," coolly says Dumbledore. "Please sit down. I'm sure Severus is here to state his case." Outside, Neville's eyes were as big as saucers.
"He has no rights," snaps Lucretia. "The courts agreed with me."
"That's only because Caroline's divorce was just finalized when the attack happened," snaps Severus.
"He's Frank's son," hisses Lucretia. "Not yours."
"I was the only father the boy had ever known," sneers Severus.
"I fixed that," snarls Lucretia.
"How," asks Dumbledore startling everyone with his calm. "How did you fix Neville?"
Lucretia Longbottom paled under Dumbledore cold stare. But held her head high in the air, "I removed his memories."
"You Obliviated a child," hisses Severus. "A one year old child! Are you insane? Do you realize the damage you could have done!"
"Could have done," snaps Lucretia. "He is damaged! He forgets everything."
Suddenly the door crashes open, there stood Neville with Remus behind him. "Why?" All three grown-ups look at him in shock. Lucretia opens and closes her mouth without any words coming out. Neville repeats his question, "Why? I want to know why?"
"You were calling him," nodding her head towards Severus. "Daddy! He's not your dad, Frank was." The tension was fastly rising in the room. Neville glared almost hatefully at his grandmother.
"Neville," says Dumbledore. "You mother is waiting for you in the hospital wing, when you're done there you room in Gryffindor tower will be made ready for you if you wish to stay." Neville just nods as he slowly slips out of the room, unheeding of his grandmother's voice calling him back.
Hospital Wing
Sometime later
Looking up at the approaching footsteps Neville sees Professor Snape coming closer. Holding his mother's hand, Neville whispers that Snape has just joined them. Taking a deep breath Neville decides to ask, "Will you tell me about her?"
"I can do more then tell you," says Severus softly. "I can show you; I have old pictures." Severus talked about how he first met Caroline explaining that during his school years, Caroline was indeed with Frank. Saying that she was happy, Frank was a good man.
Severus tried to spare Neville from finding out that his father had physically abused his mother. Remus and snuffles bring them dinner, they stay to listen to the stories they were hearing from Severus. Remus would explain to a laughing Neville about some of the pranks that were pulled on Severus.
"So you and my mother worked together," laughs Neville. "Who would put the two of you together?"
"Believe it or not," mumbles a blushing Severus. "Another Gryffindor. Or I should say three."
"Really who," asks Neville.
"Yes Severus do tell," demands Remus as he strokes the large black dog next to him.
"Ah," groans Severus running a hand throw his hair. "Lily Potter was one." Both Remus and Sirius gasp. "Then there was Chloe Bane, I don't know who she married. She refused to tell me. Last there was Melody St. James who married Sirius Black."
"Sirius Black," croaks out Neville coughing a little. Severus flinches, Remus grimaces while the black dog wines. Each man remembers Neville's third year. Snape's private vendetta against Sirius. Remus helping Dumbledore secure the castle, telling all the students that Black was dangerous. To Sirius stealing Neville's list of password for the week getting him into deep trouble with Professor McGonagal. "You mean Harry's framed godfather?"
"Framed," asks Remus.
"Well Yeah, Mione told me all about how Peter Pettigrew framed Sirius Black for his crimes. To the point where Peter faked his own death."
"And you believed her," demands Severus earning a cold glare from Remus and his dog.
"Of course, Mione doesn't lie to me. Plus both Harry and Ron backed her up," answers Neville. "Does Harry know about Melody," asks Neville
"No, Harry doesn't know…"
The Burrow
Towards the end of Summer
Sitting at the kitchen table Harry glares at Ron over the chest set in front of them. "So are you going to do it?"
"Why do I have to be the one to do it," wines Ron.
"You know why," snaps Ginny. "How could you! She is no make that was your best friend." Ron cowers under Ginny's heated glare.
"Ginny is right, Ron. You were the one who screwed up, so you should be the one to make amends," states Harry as calmly as he possibly could.
"Fine. Fine," grumbles Ron. "I'll write her."
The Burrow
Later
Mrs. Weasley picked up the picnic basket that she had made especially for Hermione's coming to the burrow. Can't believe that Ron almost destroyed six years of friendship and for what? That stupid girl he's seeing. Hopefully the picnic that Arthur and I have planned will smooth over any lingering resentments.
Kissing Arthur good-bye, and waving to her kids, Molly apparates to the Granger residence. Seconds later a hysterical Molly shows back up.
"Arthur!" screams Molly. "Arthur!" Scaring everyone at the burrow. "It was horrible!"
Trying to calm down his wife Arthur barely makes out that there was an attack on the Granger house. Bill and Charlie draw out their wands and apparate. Telling Percy that he was in charge, Arthur also apparates.
Fred and George Floo in, as Percy attempts to keep his mother calm. When the twins find out what happen, they suggest that they go to the Leaky Cauldron. Fred and George decide to pack for Harry, Ron and Ginny, letting them leave to get rooms.
Sometime later, Charlie apparates outside the Burrow moving gracefully he first notices that his younger siblings were not home. Fred explained when George and him were bringing down the last trunk. A few moments later Bill shows up saying that their father went to the Ministry of Magic. As Charlie shrinks the trunks, Bill informs the twins that he wants them to close the Floo connection then go to the Leaky Cauldron.
Checking to see if they had forgotten anything, both boys jump when they heard a loud crash coming from the fireplace. With wands out the twin cautiously approach the fireplace.
A little girl stands up looks at her hands, "Dirty! Me Dirty!"
Glancing to each other, both Fred and George are a little confused as to what to do. When she noticed them standing there and started to jabber away. "My mine nee 'elp. You come you 'elp."
George takes a breath and approaches the little girl; upon closer inspection George notices the school robe that the little girl was wearing. "Fred, come look at this."
"What is it," asks Fred until he sees the robes. Both boys look at each other and whisper, "Hermione."
Granger ResidencePutting down the wiggling little girl, George was amazed that she even survived. Looking around George sees Fred shaking his head before he mouths that he can't find Hermione anywhere.
Until the little girl lifts up Harry's invisibility cloak, pointing to the girl laying on the ground, "MY Mine!"
"Oh God!" croaks out both Fred and George. The little girl also points towards the wall saying "poof!"
Sometime LaterBlinking several times, why is the Leaky Cauldron so white? Listening for a few seconds, it's so quite here. Why am I lying down? Turning her head slightly until it becomes painful, she recognizes the moving portraits on the wall. I'm at Hogwarts! Why?
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Until next time…