Forgotten Yesterday
Chapter 23: The People That We Love
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters borrowed for use in this story.
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"Well?" Sirius sat at in a chair before Snape's large desk.
"Please, have a seat." he gestured to the chairs the two men already occupied and walked toward a bar in the corner. "Firewhiskey?"
"Please." Remus took the glass that was offered and sipped at it.
Snape took a seat in the chair opposite them. "Well what?"
"Don't be a jackass, Severus." Sirius leaned back in the chair. "My godson talks to you far more than me."
"In regards to Hermione, I'm assuming."
He nodded.
"They have been growing closer since she returned to the school."
"Why did she desert during the war?" he demanded.
"You're jumping to conclusions, Sirius." Remus spoke calmly. "What he means is did she desert during the war?"
"She was another of Albus' mistakes."
Both men shook their heads. "What happened?" Remus asked.
"Her parents disowned her after sixth year. Over the course of her last year they had begun reconciling. They were murdered the night of her leaving feast. He plopped her on a train to London with out so much as a have a nice life. She just never came back. Not that I blame her."
"She could have been…"
"Yes, she could have. Something bothers me though."
"What?" Sirius looked over the desk.
"Did Poppy tell you about the spell?" he continued when they nodded. "She was never sick until about five months ago. That is when I found out about her. I thought she had been sick since the war. We didn't find out about the onset until recently."
"What does it mean?"
"Either he assumed she was a convenient test subject. That would be obvious. She was astringed from the community, living in another country. The added bonus being that she was once Harry's friend and she at very least helped in his defeat several times. Or he knew we would come after her and there was something more sinister in mind."
Remus looked at the floor and then at Snape. "So you think he's back."
"No one but Voldemort could have cast that spell. No one else had enough power. Not even Albus. It would have weakened him though. Greatly. That may be why we haven't seen him until now."
"Should we watch her?" Sirius leaned foreword and took the whisky bottle from his desk filling an empty glass.
"I trust Hermione explicitly. If I didn't I wouldn't let teach potions, let alone join the order. She is no danger. However, I fear Voldemort may use the spell again now that he knows it works."
"How does he know? Hermione is still alive."
"Do you remember Harry's muggle family?"
"Unfortunately."
"They're dead."
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Harry flopped unceremoniously onto the sofa. "I cant remember ever being this tired. What time is it?"
"Almost 4." Hermione sat beside him.
He groaned and buried his face in the pillows. "Kill me now."
"If it makes you feel better, Happy Christmas."
Harry shot up. "Bugger! Kaity will be up in an hour."
"Calm down." she gestured toward the large tree in the corner. Presents were stacked about the base.
"How did you?" he looked at her amazed.
"House elves."
"You are the most amazing woman I have ever known."
She smiled and leaned against him. Harry waved his wand and the tree was lit by a thousand tiny points of light. They sat in silence for several long moments.
"I have a present for you." He whispered into her hair. Harry reached into his robes and pulled out a small box.
"Harry you didn't have to." she sat up and took it from him.
"That's why I did." he waited expectantly.
Hermione open the small box. Inside a small heart pendant shimmered back at her. "Harry, it's beautiful."
He leaned over and pulled the necklace from the box and fastened it around her neck. He placed a small kiss on her lips and leaned back into the sofa.
"Actually," she reached into her robes, "I have a gift for you too." she handed him the small box.
"Hermione you… you didn't have to."
"I know. That's why I did."
He carefully opened the box. He looked with amazement as he withdrew the small gold and sliver ball. With a flutter it sprouted wings and began to hover around the room. "Hermione, how did you?"
"A little bird told me you lost yours."
"It's amazing." The snitch flew back to his waiting hands and came to a stop. "This has been one hell of a Christmas."
She laughed and settled in against his side. "Definitely exciting."
Harry was silent as he ran his hand through her hair.
"What do you think is going to happen?"
"I don't know. It's not good."
"Let's not think about it for a while."
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"Ginny, Come on." Draco paced the foyer of their house. Since Snape called they had been franticly packing.
Ginny came running down the stairs pulling Claudia behind her. "Have we forgotten anything?"
He helped her on with her cloak. "It doesn't matter. Come on."
"Daddy, what's happening?" The little girl ran behind them.
Draco turned and swept her up. "We're going to visit Uncle Harry, sweetheart." There was a sound from around the corner of the large manor house. "Keep going." He pushed Ginny on toward the waiting portkey just beyond the gates.
"Morsmordre." Came the call from just beyond their sight.
They turned and saw the dark mark take form in the sky above the manor. Draco's face darkened and he pushed his family on. He looked once at Ginny as they took hold of the object and disappeared.
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