Previously:
It took Hermione a full minute to realize that there was a Hogwarts owl waiting for her to take the letter of acceptance from its claw.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nobody spoke as Hermione's shaky hands reached out and took the letter from the flustered owl. As soon as the letter was in her hands, the bird flew off with the rest of them. Hermione just stared down at the letter, taking in the manila color of the envelope and the jade green print that said her name with neat, formal script.
'Miss Hermione Granger' Hermione's eyes caught. She smiled a little. It was there. It was official. Her name was on the envelope. It was for her. She was-
"A witch." Ron breathed out, eyes popping out of his head. "Hermione…you're-,"
"-a witch!" Harry exclaimed, a wide smile forming on his face.
"I'm a witch." Hermione said incredulously, not at all taking her eyes off the letter, "I'm a witch!" she cried out, finally looking up to meet her two best friend's, and her parent's flabbergasted stares. "I'm a witch," she repeated happily, seeming to not be able to say anything else. Then, her smile dropped to a confused frown and her eyes narrowing questioningly, "I'm a witch?" she said yet again, only this time, as a question.
She looked over at Lily, James, and the king and queen for an answer. They looked just as perplexed as her.
"Who would have thought?" Arthur murmured befuddled.
Hermione, breathing deeply and loudly, said, "Oh my gosh." She looked up at Harry and Ron, eyes starting to twinkle ecstatically, a large smile forming on her face. She screeched, "OH MY GOSH!" She jumped up the same exact moment Harry and Ron did, and leapt across the table into her best friends' open arms.
Immediately, everyone started to cheer and exchange surprised words. Hermione could vaguely hear Fred or George shout out, "Minny-Mione is coming with!"
"I might not fail this year after all!" she heard Neville shout out happily.
"A witch! Our daughter is a witch, Stephen, can you believe it. Our little Hermione is going to Hogwarts," came Elizabeth's proud voice.
"Drat, now who will I hang out with?" Ginny's annoyed voice was heard.
"The children you always hang out with, of course." Ron answered, patting Hermione on the back.
From a few feet away, James, Lily, the Queen and King were standing looking around and taking in all the cheerfulness.
"Can you believe it James?" Lily said with awe in her voice.
James put an arm around her shoulder. "No, love, I can't."
"Our little boy is off to Hogwarts. He's growing up," tears started to form in her eyes. "They all are."
"Not all of them," James reminded her, placing a hand on her stomach. She turned and looked at him, starting to smile. He bent down and kissed her.
"I'll go owl Remus right now. I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear about all this." The Queen said, almost in tears at all the joy.
"I'm going to lie down for a bit. Awake me when lunch is ready," the King said, patting James on the shoulder proudly. "That boy of yours is turning out just as magnificent as you are, Son." He finished as he walked by them both.
James felt something in the pit of his stomach. Watching his father walk away, he sensed something big coming along. His father seemed to sleep more often. He looked weaker. But…
'James, stop thinking morbidly. You're son just received his Hogwarts letter. It's a time of celebration, not sadness.' He inwardly scolded himself.
"Let's take a walk in the gardens, love," he suggested, looking down at his lovely wife. She glanced up and smiled at him before taking his hand and followed as he leaded her out of the noisy dining hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know, this just seems so…odd." Hermione said, almost suspiciously the next day as she, Harry, and Ron were sitting under an oak tree, just relaxing.
"Hermione, it shouldn't seem odd. You're a witch. You're coming with us. It's as easy as that." Ron said trying to knock her out of her thoughts.
Hermione smiled, "I know it's simple and everything. I guess I just never even considered the fact that I might be one. After all, neither of my parents possesses magic blood. Along with my real grandparents."
Harry shrugged and placed his hands behind his head casually. "Hey, look at my mum. Not a single trace of magic blood in her family line, all except for her. These things happen all the time."
They sat in silence for a while longer. Hermione broke that silence by saying as she got to her feet, followed by Ron and Harry. "There's one more thing that's bugging me."
"What's that?" Harry said as he threw and arm around her shoulder. (He's always did that ever since they were old enough to walk; Harry was always placing an arm around her shoulder during serious time or discussions.) They started to walk back to the castle.
"If all this time, I had contained magic blood…why didn't those brooms work well for me?" she asked thoughtfully.
Ron started to smile and said in his own sarcastic, joking way, "Oh, that's easy."
Hermione turned her head to face him, looking anxious to hear the answer. Harry looked over as well, a small smile on his face.
"Well?" Hermione prompted.
"Well, the reason is…you've always sucked on brooms." He said, starting to run. Hermione stood indignant for a few seconds before her face contorted into a scowl and she broke free of Harry and shouted at Ron as she ran to catch him. Harry just laughed and ran to catch up, not wanting to get in the middle of their argument. After all, they were always much funnier to watch than take part in.
Harry continued to run after them, eventually reaching the castle. He turned a corner he saw Hermione run around. A few seconds later, though, he came to a dead halt, and a wide grin formed on his face as he caught a glimpse of someone inside the front parlor. Forgetting about catching up with his friends, Harry changed his direction and ran into the parlor.
"Uncle Remus!!!" He shouted, running over to the older man. The older was talking to Lily and James, but turned as soon as he heard his best friend's son.
They embraced fiercely.
"Goodness, Harry, you've grown a bit since I've seen you last." Remus exclaimed, eyes crinkling merrily when he smiled.
"Yes, it's been about six months, hasn't it?" Lily spoke, ruffling her son's hair affectionately.
"Afraid it's been a little busy with the Order," Remus said apologetically.
"Oh, that may be an understatement," James joined in the conversation. His eyes clouded a little, "After all, we haven't seen Padfoot for years."
Remus nodded sadly, "Hopefully they'll be back soon. Well, I guess they have to be back soon. After all, Sarah and Matthew's twins will be starting at Hogwarts this year as well. They've got to come back soon."
James nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, the children have just gotten their letters yesterday."
"I got my letter!" Harry said excitedly to Remus. Remus grinned down at him proudly.
"And guess who else got their letter," Lily spoke up, eyes twinkling.
"Lots of children, I suppose," Remus joked.
Lily rolled her eyes and grinned at him, "Well obviously," she continued happily, "But whom else."
Remus shrugged, "I give up."
"Hermione got a letter!" Lily exclaimed.
Remus' eyes widened, "You don't say. And Hermione was accepted?"
At that moment, Hermione and Ron ran in there, sputtering and gasping for breath. Ron looked a little muddled courtesy of Hermione.
Still gasping for breath, Ron smiled and breathed out, "Hello Moony!"
"Hello Ron," Remus said, chuckling at his state.
"Hello Moony!" Hermione said breathlessly, running over to hug him.
"Hello Hermione," Remus answered, "I've heard you've been accepted into Hogwarts." He beamed proudly and said sincerely, "Congratulations Hermione! I never would have even dreamed that would happen."
"Yes, it was a bit of a shock." Hermione agreed.
"But, hey, look at mum. Not a single drop of magic blood in her family until her," Harry said affectionately.
Unbeknownst to the three children in the room, Remus, James, and Lily exchanged glances. She and James had yet to tell Harry about his ancestor, Lily's great to the third grandmother, who possessed magic blood in her as well. She and Dumbledore had still been meeting on a regular basis to help her train into a full Spirit Keeper. She was almost done with the training, having only about a year to go and she would be just as powerful as their old, likely deceased, nemesis Voldemort.
"That's right," James finally spoke when the children looked up at them, curious about the sudden silence. He looked over at her lovingly, "You're mother was the only witch in her family. Truly remarkable." He started to smile and then look back at Remus, taking Lily's hand in his. "Children, why don't you wash up for dinner," he said, not taking his eyes away from Remus.
Harry just shrugged at his friends and led them out the room. As soon as Ron had shut the door behind him, Remus spoke, "Now, before Harry ran in here, you were going to tell me something…" he trailed off, prompting them to finish.
"Yes, about that. We…we know Sirius isn't here yet, but," Lily looked over at James for confirmation.
"We'd rather tell you ourselves than let someone else tell you." James took over, starting to grin his mischievous grin that Remus and Lily knew all too well. Instead of saying anything, James put his hand on Lily's stomach, a meaningful look in his eye.
Remus observed all this and a second later, his eyes widened for the second time he had arrived, "Oh don't tell me…" he glanced back and forth from Lily and James, slack jawed. "You're really pregnant?"
Lily smiled widely, nodding. Remus walked quickly over to where they were standing and kissed Lily on the cheek and clapped James on the back, "Brilliant!" he exclaimed. "Simply marvelous. When's it due?"
"The beginning of March." James answered.
"And I suppose you don't know the sex of it yet." Remus said presumably.
"That's right. As soon as I know, I'll write you and say." Lily promised.
"Well, I think all this calls for some dinner. What do you say? Will the Lady escort me into the dining hall?" Remus held out his elbow to Lily.
"Oh gosh," Lily said in mock despair, "I don't know if my husband will like that," she looked over at James, grinning.
"Oh come on, he didn't care about last weekend," Remus said, wiggling his eyebrows in feign suggestion.
Lily widened her eyes, looking horrified, "Oh no!" she went on, pretending to freak, "He didn't know about that Remus!"
Remus voiced a high-pitched gasped, matching one of an old lady, "Quick! Run!"
Laughing, Lily and Remus ran out the door, leaving James to shake his head, ashamed, "I'm insulted. Such horrible acting would be expected from Sirius."
Chuckling, he followed his wife and friend to the dining hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A few days later, things were getting chaotic. Anxiousness began to place itself inside of the soon to be first years in the castle. James finally decided to take some action.
At the breakfast table on Tuesday, James looked over at his son sitting next to his mother. Grinning, he said, "Time for a trip to Diagon Alley, I suppose."
Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Seamus simultaneously snapped their heads up, eyes twinkling. Hermione most of all looked incredibly delighted. After all, she had never been there before.
"When are we going?" Harry demanded anxiously.
"After breakfast if it's alright with you," James said, brown eyes sparkling like a child's.
Fred, George, Percy, and Ginny all watched as the five 11 year olds cheered. Ginny wasn't too excited. She had to wait a whole year before buying all her supplies. And the other three have done their shopping so many times before, they really didn't care anymore.
"Hermione, we must show you the Quidditch shop there. It's fantastic!" Harry told her, cheeks flushed looking like Christmas had come early.
Hermione looked wearily at him and Ron, who was also grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Reluctantly, she spoke, "Oh, alright. Just as long as you don't make me try to ride any brooms in the store…" she raised her voice, looking pointedly at the twins, "Or over any Snifferlump's dens!"
"Hey, you knew perfectly well what you were getting into that day," George said, grinning manically.
Hermione looked affronted, "I most certainly did not!"
"Oh come on Hermione," Fred spoke up, practically bursting out laughing, "You know that Snifferlumps are poisonous."
"And you knew they could jump and hop," George put in.
"Yes" Hermione hissed, "But I didn't know that they had magical effects on broomsticks!"
"They only lowered your broom low enough to get a bite of your leg," Ron reasoned.
"And for an octopus, I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered too much!" Hermione argued.
Ron looked at Harry, clueless. "Because they've got seven more." Harry explained. Ron nodded in understanding.
Hermione put her face in her hands, shaking her head hopelessly. She loved her friends to death, but honestly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two weeks until they all left for Diagon Alley. Lily was turning into her mother-mode. She insisted on spending as much time with Harry as humanly possible. James, on the other hand, had very serious matters to deal with.
It started when he was walking to his chambers. Passing an old picture of Merlin, he turned his head when he heard Arthur calling out to him from down the hall.
"Hello, Arthur," he said pleasantly.
"Hello, your Highness." James looked as though he would cut him off, but Arthur went on, "We've got some stuff to discuss in your father's study. Most of the Order is here already."
James nodded and followed Arthur to the study where he saw Lily, Cynthia, Patrick, Molly, Elizabeth, Stephan, Remus, Sybil, and, for James contempt, Lockhart. They were all seated at a table where Dumbledore sat at the head.
"Good morning everyone," James said politely. Everyone nodded at him and greeted him the same way.
"Alright, now that almost everyone is here, let's get started," Dumbledore said, shuffling around some papers, "This meeting isn't too important. I just assumed that since we're all part of the Order, we should all be here."
He turned to James, who had taken a seat between him and Lily. "The Ministry has found that it is a little too easy for many death eaters to escape from the prison cells. They just need verification from the Order and the Royal Court to place more dementors in Azkaban's facility. So, would everyone please sign their names at the bottom of this parchment." He passed it around the table where everyone signed without hesitation. He placed another sheet in front of James, "And James, if you could sign the Royal Court order."
James' eyebrows furrowed, reading the form. He looked up at the Hogwarts' headmaster and frowned questioningly, "Shouldn't my father be the one signing this?" he asked.
Dumbledore shook his head, "As of about three hours ago, you are in charge of all the king's duties."
"What?!" James exclaimed surprised.
Without another word, he jumped up and stalked out of the room. Lily followed, almost as upset as he was.
James walked swiftly to his father's chambers, to be greeted with the sight of his mother sitting on a chair beside his sleeping father.
Not wanting to wake his father, but desperately needing answers right away, he motioned his mother to follow him out into the hall. He and the Queen saw Lily jogging up the hall to them, looking questioningly at them both.
"What's this about, James," his mother asked, a little surprised.
"Since when am I in charge of father's duties?" James insisted.
The Queen's eyes soften and she let out a small sigh, "James, you're father isn't in the healthiest of conditions as you well know…He's getting old."
James shook his head stubbornly, "He's fine, Mum! Other than the fact that he's sleeping more than usual, he's as healthy as a horse."
"Now son," his mother said in a soothing voice, "You know as well as I do that that is not true."
Lily put her hand to her mouth sadly, her heart breaking at the sight of her husband getting this upset.
"Alright, I admit, he is getting old. But, the key word is 'getting'. He's not that old yet," James persisted.
"Please James," the Queen pleaded, "don't make this harder than it already is. You have to accept the fact that your father…your father won't be around much longer. And when…when it happens, you must be prepared to fully take over the kingdom."
Without another word, the Queen retreated back into the chambers. Lily caught sight of a lone tear trickling down the elder woman's face. James sighed and closed his eyes painfully. She rushed over and hugged him tightly, trying to take away his pain.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The night before September 1st, Harry was reading a book on Wizard's History for school in his bed. His eyes darkened more and more as he read about a certain part in the disaster section. Lord Voldemort killed over 10,000 people during his horrific time period. He seemed very heartless and cruel.
How can a world so great have such hate? His father and mother had told him about Voldemort many times, that's for sure. But, reading this book, Harry realized that they seemed to have candy-coated everything they told them. (They never did tell them about how he was finally defeated.)
He was just about to read about how the world had overpowered the horrible wizard when he his door suddenly opened.
Lily walked into the room, "You should get to bed, sweetie. You've got quite a day ahead of you."
Harry sighed, "I know I should, but I can't sleep."
"Too excited?" she guessed.
He nodded. She walked over and sat on his bed, wiping the hair out of his face. She was always so grateful that Harry wasn't like a lot of kids that were too concerned about growing up too fast. He didn't care if his mother babied him. Harry didn't know why he didn't care; it was just something he realized he should be very grateful for.
Lily started to sing a lullaby she used to sing to him when he was a little younger. It always had put him right to sleep. When she finished, Harry's eyes were halfway closed.
She continued to stroke his hair. Though, looking down into his face, she got a feeling in the pit of her stomach. Occasionally, she felt it. Like something gnawing at her. Despite how nothing seemed to prove it, Lily felt like something was coming. Something big.
Speaking softly so as not to disturb her son in his peaceful state, Lily said, "Harry, I'm going to tell you something important. There may come a time when you may need to remember it." Harry made an 'mmm' sound to show he was half-way listening.
"My precious boy, if one day, when you are old and on your deathbed, and you cannot remember anything at all, strive to remember this thought, 'Great hopes makes great men,' Be all that you can be, my son, have hope and faith, even in the bleakest of times, for it is in that greatest moment of belief that you can truly rise to your potential and rid the world of evil."
She bent down and kissed his forehead gently. Standing up slowly, she crossed the bedroom and as she shut the door, she whispered, "Goodnight my sweet angel."
Harry didn't remember anything that was just said to him, for he had fallen asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, they were all at the King's Cross Station, pulling along trunks. Elizabeth and Stephan had said their farewells to Hermione before they had left the castle since they wouldn't be able to see her off at the platform. Remus was there as well since he was chosen to help supervise on the train.
"Goodbye, Harry. We love you." Lily said tearfully, hugging her precious son tightly. She pulled back and looked at him almost pleadingly, "And please, stay out of trouble.-,"
"Oh, don't listen to her, Harry, have a blast!" James said, grinning widely. Lily turned her head to glare and him. He just continued to grin, though on the inside, he was disappointed. He was almost certain that Sirius, Sarah, and Matthew would be coming back to bring Parvati and Padma home. But, just yesterday night, old Mundungus Fletcher showed up at the castle with the twins, stating he couldn't stay long, he needed to get back to the others as soon as possible. James tried to get some information out of him, but he left before he could.
So, they had brought Parvati and Padma to the station as well. The two girls seemed nice and polite. Hermione even tried to have a conversation with them, but they seemed so wrapped up talking and laughing with one another to even hear what she was saying. So, shrugging it off, Hermione went back to talking with Harry and Ron.
"Come, Harry, let's take a little walk," James said. He swung his arm around his son's shoulder and led him away from Lily and Remus.
Lily pursed her lips, only able to imagine what her husband was telling her child.
"Oh don't worry, Lily." Remus said, breaking her out of her reverie, "James wouldn't say anything too bad to him. After all, this is James we're talking about here." He continued jokingly.
Lily didn't smile though; she just looked at Remus seriously. "Remus, I know this sounds a bit odd," she started, Remus placing his full attention on her, "but, could you please keep an eye on Harry, especially when Malfoy's boy is around him. He's starting this year as well, you know."
Remus nodded, "Not to worry, Lily. I'll keep an eye on him for you. Didn't even need to ask. He's like my own son; I would never let anything happen to him." He assured her.
Lily sighed and grinned. James and Harry walked back, Harry stuffing something into his pocket. Lily stared suspiciously, but let it go because at that moment, the train whistled in warning.
"Alright, everyone, time to get on the train," James called out to the big group.
"Now Harry, please be good. You're the prince, and everyone knows it. So, at least be polite if nothing else," Lily said, eyes glancing around at all the people pointing and whispering at them.
"Alright mum," Harry said exasperatedly.
He hugged and kissed his parents one more time before hurrying over to Ron and Hermione. They were standing next to Fred and George and Percy. Neville, Parvati, Padma, and Seamus already on the train
"Goodbye Ginny." George said. Abruptly, the youngest Weasley burst into loud sobs.
"Oh don't cry. We'll be back for Christmas." Fred said, trying desperately to keep her quiet and divert all the attention she had attracted away from them.
George turned to look at Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and grinned mischievously. "Best be on your guards at Hogwarts, children. Of course, if you ask nice enough, we may show you some of our secret passageways."
"No need," Harry spoke up, smirking. He held up his hand which held something in it, "before we left, my father gave me this."
Hermione and Ron and twins widened their eyes and dropped their jaws in disbelief.
"No way!" George exclaimed.
"You've got the Marauder Map?!" Fred said, astounded.
"That's right," Harry said proudly, "Now…" he went on, simply relishing as he said smugly, "if you ask nice enough, we," he indicated himself, Hermione, and Ron, "may show you some of our secret passageways."
Fred pulled George along onto the train, both unable to take their eyes off the parchment Harry was holding. Hermione giggled and Ron grinned so wide you thought his face would crack.
"Yes!" Ron exclaimed, "We've got the Marauder's Map!"
"That's not all," Harry said mysteriously, "But I'll tell you later."
"Alright guys, this is it." Hermione said, looking at the train that was almost ready to leave.
"It's off to Hogwarts." Ron continued, following Hermione's glance.
Harry put out his hand looking at the other two. They put theirs out as well on top of his. "We're just about ready to take the biggest step of our lives so far," he said, looking at his best friends in the eye.
"We solemnly swear to stick together!" they all shouted as one before walking onto the train.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Another chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, again, like I've said so many times, you're all WONDERFUL!
Here's the preview to the next chapter.
*"Name's Rubeus Hagrid."
*"And just who are you?"
*"You're threats are nothing but petty squabble. Voldemort is nothing more than a myth."
*"Watch your back this year."
*How do you think Harry is doing?"
*"Come on, let's go on a picnic."
*"They've destroyed me once…I will not allow that to happen again."
*"Christmas is coming up,"
*"He's getting worse."
*"Hopefully he'll make it till then."
*"My son, believe in yourself."
*"I'm sorry…He's passed on."