~ 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.
AN: For those who think the James in Chapter 41 is James Potter, you are wrong!
Secret Lab
"Severus," gently questions Melody placing a soothing hand on his shoulder. "Is it him?"
"Yes," hisses Severus in pain. Holding his left arm stiffly. "He's pissed about something." Gritting his teeth, Severus stands up. "We need to bring this to Dumbledore's attention."
Helping Severus over to the common area of the lab, Melody notes that Harry is heavily leaning against the table. He must be experiencing a lot of pain. Seeing Severus tense next to her, Melody sighs.
"Voldemort is summoning me," mutters Severus showing the adults his arm.
"You can say that again," mutters Harry holding his forehead. "He's mad."
"What else is new?" states Chloe, gripping Remus's hand for support.
"He's coming here," softly states Harry.
"Bloody hell," whispers Severus.
"What?" whispers Chloe, while everyone else was horrified. "Dumbledore needs to know."
A rather loud groan erupts from Severus's side of the room, stilling the conversation. Movement of bed sheets before a voice croaks out, "Hello? Any one there?"
"We're over here," shouts Ron.
"Bloody…" shouts Neville slightly confused. "Where are we?"
Elsewhere
"So Master," asks Rodophlus. "Where do you want us to apparate to?"
Humming to himself and stroking his chin, Voldemort contemplates where the best spot to apparate is. An evil smile creeps across his face, his red eyes flash joylessly. "We will apparate right at the gates of Hogwarts," orders Voldemort. "Then we'll move in."
"Perfect idea Master," agrees Bellatrix looking evilly happy. Stroking his arm, Bellatrix mutters, "You're a genius."
"Yes, I am," hisses Voldemort looking rather pleased with himself. "Now on to Hogwarts."
Hogwarts
Front Entranceway
Gently pushing open the door, a young couple walks silently in. Wrapping their arms around each other they headed directly to the Headmaster's office.
"Everything looks the same," comments the man. Nodding the woman agrees with him. Stopping at the Gargoyle, the man gave a fail-safe password. The gargoyle jumped aside, showing the escalating stairs. Stepping onto the stair the couple silently makes their way to Dumbledore's office.
Secret Lab
Stumbling with a few steps, Neville quickly regains his balance. Mopping his face with his hands, Neville attempts to clear his head. "I know this is going to sound funny," starts Neville. "But I could have sworn that my mother was awake."
"Peter said the same thing," states Sirius looking over to the still woman. "But she hasn't moved from that bed."
Looking rather sheepish, Neville admits, "I thought it was my mother. So when she handed me something to drink, I… I had drunk it."
"What?" exclaims Severus before he explodes. Neville's face now had a pinkish hue. "You did what! Longbottom, you are the most gullible simpleton I have…"
"Snape!" snaps Melody her eyes flashing. "For the love of God, he said that he thought it was his mother."
"It doesn't make sense," offers Harry in support. "If it was a Death Eater it would have been poison. But the woman, per say in question tucked Neville in." A loud grumbling groan comes from Severus's mouth but he doesn't say anything.
"Harry's right," states Remus. "Why would she do something like that?"
"Well," hesitantly says Neville. "Now that I'm thinking on the matter, she did look a lot like mum, but she didn't have her hair style."
"You remembered her hair style?" questions Severus looking at Neville strangely. After Neville nods his head, Severus narrows his eyes at him. "Tell me," purrs Severus staring at Neville intently, before his eyes flicker to Melody. A nasty smirk filters onto Severus's face. "What are the three main ingredients in the Draught of Essence?"
"Let's see," whispers Neville. "There's mandrake juice, ground power of Devil's snare and a fresh goat's spleen."
"Ok," laughs Harry looking faintly shocked. "That's new."
"I agree," states Severus. "When we get the Headmaster's office, I want him to take a look at you."
"We're not going anywhere," insists Ron holding up his hands to prevent anyone from saying anything. "Until we check the map. I don't want to run into any Death Eaters on the way."
"That's a good idea Mister Weasley," says Severus looking slightly impressed.
Rolling his eyes, Ron pulls out the map. Muttering the words to activate the map. The lines were starting to form, about the hospital wing when they became blurred. Shaking his head, Ron looks over to Dumbledore's office. Gasping in shock.
"Bloody Hell!"
First Floor
Dumbledore's Office
Hearing someone hesitantly knock on the door, Dumbledore calls out, "Do come in." As the door swings open, Dumbledore says, "Now Sirius how did you…. Great Merlin." Gasping Dumbledore clutches his chest.
Frightened, Fred helps him into his chair. "Dumbledore, Sir! Are you all right? Do I need to go fetch Madam Pomfrey?"
Seeing Dumbledore waving a dismissing hand, Molly looks up. Her eyebrows hitting his hairline as Molly's eyes roll back in their eye sockets before Arthur catches her. Blinking hard, Arthur looks back and forth between the couple standing in the doorway and Dumbledore.
"Ah…not the reception I was looking for," laughs the man with rimmed spectacles. "But it'll do in a pinch." The young woman turns sharply, glaring at the man besides her before slapping him on the arm. "Ouch! Hey that hurt," he says as he pouts.
"Where's my son?" desperately asks the woman, her eyes pleading with everyone. "Where's Harry?"
Second Floor
Hospital Wing
Pacing the room, he lets a low growl while he bares his teeth every time he passes Peter. Making the man on the wall squeak in fright. Smirking he continues his stalking.
"James," snaps Serenity causing him to stop his pacing. Holding up a bit of parchment, she smiles. "They're here."
"Where?" James demands as he approaches.
"Dumbledore's office," offers the blonde. "I'll bet you three Weasley Wizards Whatit's."
"No way," dismisses James peering over the parchment. "But your right, Sir."
"I knew it," he smirks glancing over his shoulder towards Peter. "So what do you want to do to him?"
"James, your sister had the idea of living in his animagi form," offers Serenity smiling evilly when Peter breathes a sigh of relief. "Without the possibly of becoming human again."
The boys look at each other before looking to Peter, grinning as they reached for their wands.
Secret Lab
"Ron?" questions Melody looking scared. "What?"
Gasping, Ron can do nothing but point his finger at the map. Ron's mouth opens and closes but no words coming out. Sirius gets fed up with Ron's gasping mouth and yanks the map away from him.
"Let's see," mutters Sirius, tracing the route from the lab to Dumbledore's office. "It's all clean, no Death Eaters." Gasping slightly, Sirius peers closer at the map. "By great Merlin," Sirius exclaims softly. "It can't be."
"What?" asks Remus looking to Sirius for answers.
Shaking his head, Sirius hands the map over to Remus. "Look at the dots in Dumbledore's office."
"Sirius?" questions Melody.
"Bloody hell," whispers an extremely shocked Remus. "But it says that Lily and James are in here!"
"Can I play with James?" sweetly asks Silly holding her doll close to her chest.
Until next time…