~ Best and Worst of Times ~
Summary: Before the start of the Seventh year term, Hermione is at home. When a Death-eater attacks. Sending her back in time. There she meets the love of her life.
Dinning Hall
Gryffindor Table
"NOT HARRY! PLEASE…"
Cold silence fills the dinning hall no one dares to move. Sirius looks around for the boy in question. Bloody hell where is Harry? Helping Molly to her feet, Sirius glares at Ron. "Where is Harry?" he demands.
"He's waiting for the staircases to move back on the second floor," promptly answers Ron. "He should be here in moments." Sirius nods to Remus, before breaking into a run for the door heading back the way he came.
Hogwarts
Second Floor Stairwell
Racing down the steps, Melody is chilled to the bone by hearing her long dead friends voice radiate from the very walls of Hogwarts. Goosebumps quickly spread up her arms as dread fills her stomach. Approaching the second floor stairwell, Melody instantly spots bright red hair along with pale blonde hair.
Coming to an abrupt stop, Melody sees Chloe pass her by a few steps before coming to a stop herself. There sitting on the landing was Silly playing with a red haired doll.
"My sister's name is My Mine," says Silly seriously to the doll. "She loves me lots! You know." Silly puts the dolls mouth up to her ear and giggles. "Yes, I would like some cookies too! But we have to wait for My Mine; James said she would be here shortly. Then we get cookies!"
Clearing her throat, Melody heads down to her sister. "And who is this?" she asks as she points the doll.
"This is my new Molly Dolly," says Silly hugging the doll close to her. "She's special." Laughing softly, Melody smiles at her sister. "We want some cookies," states Silly tucking the doll under her right arm and grabbing Melody's hand with her left. "Let get some before the boys eat'em all."
"Yes, let's," snickers Chloe. Quietly whispering to Melody, "I wonder how Sirius is going to get out of this one?"
First Floor
Dumbledore's Office
Series of small squeaks come from the floor as a magical door is slowly pushed open. A large rat struggles to make his way out until he succeeds. After pulling himself completely out of the magic trap door, Peter lets the door close on Fudge.
Slowly changing out of his rat form, Peter sneers at Dumbledore's office. A growing evil smirk graces his face. A soft menacing chuckle escapes from his mouth. It would be just like Padfoot to let his guard down now that Melody is back. I thought Melody and Chloe were killed by Lucretia Longbottom. Where did they come from? If I brought Lord Voldemort their lab, he'll reward me. Turning the knob, Peter quits the room.
Suddenly Lily's voice surrounds him. Shaking, Peter looks sharply around for her. Not seeing her, he takes a shaky breath. They're just messing with my head.
Second Floor
Hospital Wing
Sitting next to her bed, Neville cups one of her hands in his. Smiling softly down at his mum, Neville feels a fierce pride for his mother. "I understand," whispers Neville. "I wouldn't have wanted you to stay where you felt unsafe."
A mother's pleading voice jerks Neville away from his mother. Standing up, Neville gently places her hand on her stomach. Walking around the curtains, he looks over the vacate hospital wing. Chills race up Neville's spine, as the comfortable silence now seems malicious.
Jumping at a scratching noise on the hospital doors, Neville takes a deep calming breath before releasing it. Walking slowly over the door, Neville peers outside into the hall. He sees no one. Shaking his head, Neville closes the door. Fluttering of bird wings was heard in the quiet room.
Making his way towards his mother's cot, Neville was extremely shocked when she walked out from behind the screen. A soft smile graced her face as she took steady steps towards him. Great Merlin! Can it really be?
First Floor near
Dinning Hall
Bonding out of the dinning hall, Sirius races towards the staircases. As he gets closer, he spies Harry laying face down on the floor. Please! Please God. Sliding on the floor near Harry's body, Sirius breaths easier when he notices the steady rise and fall of Harry's chest. Thank you, Thank you. Reaching over Sirius gently shakes him. Earning no response.
"That won't wake him," states Silly as she steps off the last of the stairs. "James said your going to have to use your wand."
"Oh," whispers Sirius looking at Silly amazed. "And just where did you get to young lady?"
"I got a new Dolly," laughs Silly holding out her doll for Sirius to see. "It's a Molly Dolly. She's special." Blinking Sirius attempts to make sense of Silly's statement.
"Sirius darling," says Melody looking down to her husband with an unpleasant smile on her face. "Please wake Harry up, so he can escort Silly to the Dinning Hall. That way you and I can have a conversation."
Flinching from the tone of Melody's voice, Sirius mutters the charm to wake up Harry. Observing Harry, Silly and Chloe heading to the hall, Sirius wishes that he were going with them. Two arms wrap themselves around his waist, as Melody puts her head on his chest.
"I love you," softly says Melody. "I truly do. But if you ever leave my sister unprotected again, I just might kill you."
Kissing the top of her head, Sirius replies, "That I do believe. Come on everyone is waiting for us in the hall." Gently placing his arm around her shoulder, they make their way to the hall.
Hogwarts
Second Floor Stairwell
Narrowing his eyes, Peter watches the happy scene with a look of discuss on his face. Sneering he continues quietly up the hallway. Spotting drops of blood and pieces of black robes on the floor, Peter resists the urge to swear. Tripping over his feet, he scraps the hospital wings doors. Bloody brilliant there Peter. Now Snape is going to come investigate.
Hearing approaching footsteps Peter changes into his rat form. Scurrying over to the corner just as the door opens. A young boy peeks his head out, looks up and down the hall before closing the door.
This is just perfect! That klutzy boy is on his own. This is almost too easy.
Dinning Hall
Gryffindor Table
Holding open the door, Sirius waits for Melody to enter the hall before he does. There at the Gryffindor table sat Silly surrounded by the Weasley family proudly showing off her new doll. Ron and Harry were sitting on the across her. She's holding court just like her sister.
Second Floor
Hospital Wing
"Neville."
Merlin! My mother knows my name. A bright smile graces Neville's face as he gets closer to her. "Mum," softly questions Neville as tear well up in his eyes. He watches her lift her hand, clutched there was a vital. The vital was holding an electric blue liquid.
"Neville, you must drink."
Taking the vital from her hand, Neville unquestioning drinks it down. A soft sigh comes from his right; turning his head he rapidly blinks his eyes. There laying down on a cot was his mother. Bloody Hell!
"I'm sorry Neville. But you're important."
The room starts to blur, his tongue feels too big for his mouth. Swaying on his feet, Neville feels two hands helping him to lay down on a cot near his mother. Peering closely at the woman, Neville finds that she's smiling softly at him.
"You're going to be fine now."
The hospital wing doors open, turning his head, Neville see a Peter Pettigrew slink in. Concern floods him, as the room slowly becomes black.
"Well Caroline," sneers Peter.
"I didn't expect to see you up and about."
"I'm not Caroline." Bright lights flash before Neville's closed eyes. Seconds pass before Neville feels a blanket lowered over him then tucked it.
Until next time…