This Time Around Chapter 67, a harry potter fanfic

Hermione sat quietly in a small room. Her arms and legs were magically bound to a chair, but that didn't prevent the slight shake in her hand. She was frightened, more frightened than she had ever been because for the first time in her life she felt truly alone. It was an odd feeling after the months of her imprisonment, but even then locked away in Malfoy's home, she hadn't felt alone. She'd known her family and friends were out there and she knew they loved her.

Moody had been positively terrifying. The more Hermione had protested her innocence, the angrier he seemed to get. Finally, as he was binding her to the chair and she was making one last attempt to reason with him, he had snarled at her, "I am not a man who would use the unforgivable curses indiscriminately to catch Death Eaters, but for you I'd have made an exception. And if James dies, God help you if they don't give you the kiss instead of throwing you into Azkaban for the rest of your miserable life."

Hermione had shut up after that and a feeling of complete despair seemed to slip over her. There was no hope, she knew. Remus hadn't believed her. Sirius hadn't believed her. She knew Dumbledore wouldn't believe her. He hadn't believed Sirius when the same thing had happened to him. The only person she could place any hope in now was James and when he found out about Lily, even that little bit of hope would be forever lost.

Faintly, in the distance, Hermione could hear a noise approaching. Then, with a sense of dread, she felt a familiar coldness brush across her skin. A cold sweat broke out across her forehead as the Dementors grew closer.

Hermione closed her eyes and tried to even out her breathing. There was no chance she could perform the Patronus Charm. She had learned some wandless magic, but no one could do a spell that complex without a wand. With a shudder, she realized that the best parts of her were about to be ripped away from her for the rest of her life and she reached out desperately to recall the happiest memory she had.

Her mind's eye drifted not too far into the past. She was lying in bed curled up against Remus, her head pillowed on his shoulder, her hand stroking his chest ever so lightly. On Remus's chest lay Nathaniel, sleeping soundly. One of Remus's hands was lying gently across Nathaniel's back, supporting him, and the other was stroking her hair. They were both awake, but neither of them was talking. They were just resting, feeling all three of their hearts beating as one.

Then slowly a fog covered the memory and she felt it being sucked away from her. She struggled to hang onto that peaceful moment, but it was already eluding her and other memories were drifting into her consciousness unbidden. Memories of her childhood with Ron and Harry began to surface, a giant chess piece stalking towards Ron, Harry, falling off his broom fifty feet up in the air, but quickly those memories were replaced by recent more devastating memories. She could hear Nathaniel crying as she watched helplessly through a glass window. She found herself facing Voldemort in the middle of Honeydukes the day Hogwarts was attacked. She was crying over Remus's body as he lay unconscious in his bed.

Then from out of nowhere a more recent memory began bubbling to the surface. Hermione realized with a jolt that it was a memory from just that night. She was remembering what happened after she had knocked James out of the way of the killing curse.

She and James were staring up at their would-be murderer when all of a sudden from upstairs came the distinct cry of one of their sons. As one, they had both moved to try and block Voldemort from getting to their children, but he had tired of their interference. With the slightest flick of his wand they both felt themselves being lifted and thrown against the wall with such force that they were both instantly knocked out.

Hermione's mind went black and then the next memory she was forced to endure began with the sound of Lily screaming for Voldemort not to kill her son. Somehow Hermione had managed to crawl upstairs. She was too weak to stand, but she managed to make her way to the nursery. She could see Lily blocking Harry's crib with her body, then she saw Voldemort lift his wand and deal the killing blow. With Lily out of the way Voldemort peered down at Harry, his wand still outstretched.

Hermione began to scream as two Dementors grabbed her around her arms and dragged her out of the room.

Remus sat quietly alone away from the small crowd of Order members that had assembled at St. Mungo's. Nathaniel was in his arms whimpering softly for his mother.

Remus was stricken. He had always been able to comfort Nathaniel. Hell, in these last months, he was the only person who could ever really comfort him. But worse than anything, it was Nathaniel's constant pleading for Hermione that had Remus's stomach and head twisting.

In the last four months Nathaniel had been an absolute bear with his mother. He threw food when she tried to feed him, kicked and struggled when she changed him and screamed bloody murder if she picked him up. It had disturbed Remus deeply, but Hermione had tried to make light of everything. She was convinced Nathaniel was just reacting to her long absence and would eventually grow out of it.

But tonight, for the first time, Nathaniel had said mama and now he was inconsolable. Remus could sympathize, he felt rather inconsolable himself.

How could he have been so blind, he thought? How could he not have seen this coming? Hermione had betrayed them all and risked the life of her own son. Remus couldn't quite wrap his mind around the concept. He couldn't help but remember the look in her eyes as Moody dragged her away and the sound of his name on her lips had been so desperate. He stood abruptly and began pacing.

Every time he passed close to the Order members he caught bits of their quiet conversation.

"It explains so much now… Four months… Dumbledore suspected someone… Poor Lupin… Yes, four months… Had no idea where she had been…"

Remus stopped pacing as the bits of conversation ran through him. He had been so relieved to have her back after four months that he never did question where she had been. It seemed ungrateful to want to know after he was so sure she had been dead.

But Voldemort did utilize the Imperius curse to control people. Remus shook the thought away. Surely Dumbledore would have been able to see through that. Then he remembered what Hermione had alleged. She said it had been Polyjuice Potion, that the woman who had lived with them for months was really Sirius's cousin Bellatrix Lestrange. But again, surely Dumbledore would have known. He should have known. He knew everything. They had been depending on Dumbledore.

Remus was deep in thought when Sirius approached. He looked older, as old as Remus felt.

"James is going to make it," said Sirius softly.

Remus breathed a sigh of relief. "Have you talked to him?" asked Remus.

Sirius nodded.

"Does he know about Lily?" asked Remus, a lump forming in his throat.

Sirius nodded again. "Voldemort came to kill Harry," he said quietly.

Remus nodded. "We knew he would. She told us he would." He sighed. "And now he's gone and it's over."

Sirius nodded.

"And she's gone too," he said, his voice cracking. "Sirius, I can't take this. It's too much. I can't wrap my head around it."

"Remus, there's something you should know," said Sirius. "James said Hermione came charging into the house and saved his life. Voldemort was going to kill James and Hermione stopped him."

"I don't understand. If she told him the location of the house, then why would she…" Remus trailed off.

"She must have changed her mind," he said. "She must have regretted what she did and then…"

Remus cut him off. "Or she was telling the truth about the Polyjuice potion and Bellatrix Lestrange." Suddenly he turned and strode toward the Order. "We are so stupid," said Remus under his breath. "How could I have ever thought…?"

"Remus, where are you going?" demanded Sirius.

"Professor McGonagall," interrupted Remus.

Professor McGonagall turned to Remus. "Remus," she began quietly. "I am so sorry."

He handed Nathaniel to her. "Will you look after him for me?" he asked.

"What?" squeaked McGonagall, accepting the boy awkwardly.

"I have something I need to do. Will you look after him?"

"Yes, I suppose, but what…"

"Thank you, Professor," said Remus gratefully. He leaned in and kissed Nathaniel, whose face was still wet with his tears. "Be a good boy," he said, then he snagged Sirius's arm and pulled him away.

"Where are we going?" demanded Sirius, as he allowed Remus to pull him down the corridor of the hospital.

"We're going to rescue Hermione."

Sirius stopped short. "We can't do that," said Sirius. "She's already been sent to Azkaban."

"I will not lose her to Azkaban," snapped Remus. "I will not let her rot away there."

"Remus, be reasonable," began Sirius, but stopped talking abruptly when they found themselves suddenly face to face with Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore," said Remus in surprise. He shot a look at Sirius, clearly demanding his silence.

"Where are you heading?" asked Dumbledore sharply.

"Nowhere," replied Remus automatically, slightly taken aback by Dumbledore's sharp tone.

Dumbledore stared at Remus with piercing eyes.

Suddenly Remus felt angry. "It's none of your business," he snapped.

"Remus I know what you're going to attempt," said Dumbledore.

Remus felt fearful and defiant all at the same time. If anyone could stop him it would be Dumbledore, but he would put up a hell of a fight before it happened.

"You must hurry," said Dumbledore.

"What?" asked Remus in shock.

"The two of you must hurry. You'll have no chance of getting to her once they get her to the island. Bring her to Hogwarts. I'll be waiting for your arrival."

"Then you think she might be innocent?" asked Sirius.

"There is enough guilt and innocence to go around. Hermione would not have been able to do what she did had I not sent her here in the first place. I'm not certain what I was thinking," said Dumbledore with a heavy sigh. "But the time to question the past is gone. We must look to the future. It's time for Hermione to return home."

Remus stared at Dumbledore.

"You understand what I'm saying, Remus," said Dumbledore seriously.

Remus nodded.

"You must bring her to Hogwarts as quickly as possible and you must not be caught doing it by the Ministry."

Again Remus nodded.

"I'll be waiting for you," said Dumbledore and with a pop he disapparated.

"What was that about?" demanded Sirius.

Remus's jaw was clenching and unclenching and he seemed to struggling with something.

"Remus?" prompted Sirius.

Remus cleared his throat, but still he spoke thickly. "The doorway's open," he said softly. "Hermione's going back to her own time tonight."

"Potter, be reasonable," begged McGonagall. "You've been injured. You can't leave the hospital." She was still holding Nathaniel in her arms and he was reaching her hat. She shifted him to her other hip and tried to distract him, but Nathaniel was undeterred.

James was struggling to get his shoes on while Professor McGonagall fussed. "Where the hell did Moody go?" he demanded.

"I'm sure he's arranging the transfer," replied Professor McGonagall.

"Where's my son?"

"Hagrid has him. James, sit down," said McGonagall in her best professor voice.

James glanced at her. "I'm sorry, Professor. That doesn't work anymore."

"James, I realize that Lily…"

"Don't," shouted James, whirling on her. He immediately felt dizzy and had to brace himself against the bed. He bent his head low and took a few deep. "Just don't," he said. He looked up at her. "How can you hold her son in your arms and accuse her…"

"James, Albus told Alastor that she was the secret keeper. You know it would have been impossible for You-Know-Who to get to you if she hadn't told him."

"The only thing I know that's impossible is that she's guilty of anything. She threw herself in between Voldemort and I."

Professor McGonagall shuddered as James said the name.

"Why would a person do that?"

"I don't know," said McGonagall quietly.

James stood up, feeling a little steadier. "I…"

"Nathaniel," a frantic voice cried out as Robert and Daphne Lupin burst into the hospital room. Mrs. Lupin ran up to Professor McGonagall and took her grandson from him. Professor McGonagall rescued her hat and happily gave him to her. Mr. Lupin was right behind her and wrapped his arms around his wife and grandson.

"We heard there'd been an attack," said Mr. Lupin. "Where are Remus and Hermione?"

Neither James nor Professor McGonagall replied.

"Minerva, where are our kids?" he insisted.

"Robert, maybe we should step outside to discuss this?" said Professor McGonagall softly.

"Oh no," gasped Mrs. Lupin.

"No, no, nothing like that," said Professor McGonagall softly.

"Remus is fine," said James. "It's Hermione who's in trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" asked Mr. Lupin.

"They've taken her to Azkaban," said James.

Both the Lupin's gasped in horror.

"If you'll excuse me," said James. "I have to be going. Professor, can you ask Hagrid to take Harry to Hogwarts? And tell him not to let him out of his sight for a second."

"James," Professor McGonagall began, trying to reason with him again.

"Just do it," shouted James, and then he stalked angrily out of the room.

Mr. and Mrs. Lupin stared after him then turned back to McGonagall. She looked grief stricken. "Lily Potter was killed tonight," she said through tears.

"Oh my God," whispered Mrs. Lupin. "No, poor James."

"I'm afraid that's not the worst of it," continued McGonagall. "Please, let's sit and I'll tell you everything I know."

Remus and Sirius arrived at the Ministry of Magic just as the Dementors were arriving. They hung far back, but still could feel the icy effect the Dementors had on their minds.

"It doesn't look like they've taken Hermione into custody yet," Sirius commented quietly. The first level of the Ministry was completely deserted. Sirius and Remus were both crouching behind the giant fountain in the middle of the expansive room, hiding from view.

"Do you think we could head them off?" asked Remus.

Sirius shrugged. "I don't see how we could."

"We should try," said Remus standing, but Sirius grabbed him and pulled him back down.

"Wait," said Sirius. "Before we go running head long into this, I want you to take a minute to think about what you're about to do."

"I know what I'm doing," snapped Remus. "And when did you get so damn cautious," he accused. "You're the one who always acts before thinking."

"And you're the one who always thinks before he acts," Sirius threw back. "We may be on our way to freeing the woman who murdered Lily."

"Voldemort murdered Lily," hissed Remus.

"And Hermione may have played a part," said Sirius.

"If you're so damn sure she did it, why the hell are you here?" asked Remus angrily.

"Because I'm not sure," said Sirius. "I'm not sure of anything. But I am willing to consider the possibility that she's innocent."

"The possibility?" questioned Remus through gritted teeth.

"You're acting like you didn't think she was guilty as sin earlier tonight," snapped Sirius.

Remus turned red. "Are you going to help me or not?" he demanded.

Sirius clenched his jaw and nodded once. "I'll help. But at the first sign of trouble from her…"

"There won't be any trouble," Remus cut him off and turned away.

The Dementors had long since disappeared. "They'll come back this way," muttered Remus under his breath. They waited for what seemed like hours, but was actually only about twenty minutes before the Dementors returned. Remus and Sirius could hear her screaming before the lift even opened. The Dementors emerged, dragging Hermione between them. Her screams were mournful, animal-like noises.

Remus's face turned furious and he jumped up, charging the Dementor's and screaming, "Expecto Patronum."

The Dementors dropped their hold of Hermione and she crumbled to the floor, her screams turning to whimpers as the Dementors were forced to flee.

Remus ran forward and dropped to the ground next to her. "Hermione?" he said, his voice laced with worry. He rolled her onto her back. Her eyes were closed and she very pale. Remus touched her cheek and it felt so clammy. "Hermione, it's okay. I'm here," he murmured gently, but she didn't respond to him.

Remus looked up to see Sirius standing over them. "What's the matter with her?" he asked. "Why won't she wake up?"

"It's okay," Sirius said, kneeling next to Remus. "She'll be okay in a little while. Wish I had some chocolate though."

"We don't have time to wait," said Remus. He shrugged out of his robe and wrapped it around his wife. Then he tucked his arms under her legs and back and lifted her. He was shocked by how light she was in his arms. He hadn't noticed before now how thin she looked. "We'll apparate to Hogsmeade and walk to Hogwarts.

"Let's hurry," said Sirius. "Someone's bound to have heard and come investigating."

Remus nodded once and then apparated. Instantly he found himself in Hogsmeade and started walking quickly to Hogwarts. Sirius apparated a few seconds after him and had to walk quickly to catch up.

Hermione was beginning to revive in the freezing night air. "Remus," she mumbled lowly.

Remus held her tighter. "I'm here," he replied.

"Where am I?" she asked. "What happened?"

"It's okay, love," said Remus. "You're with me. There's nothing to be scared of anymore."

"Remus, I didn't kill Lily, I swear. Please believe me. Please," she begged softly.

"I do believe you," he answered. "I'm so sorry I ever doubted you."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder and wept openly. "It's been so long," she choked out. "I've wished for you for so long."

Remus struggled to keep walking. His throat and eyes burned. It had been so long for them and soon it would be over. He mentally berated himself for not having seen through the charade of the woman who had masqueraded as his wife for so long. How could he have been fooled? It all seemed so obvious to him now.

"I think I can walk now," said Hermione softly when they entered the castle.

Remus reluctantly set her on her feet, but she swayed and he immediately picked her back up. "I prefer holding you anyway," he said with a smile.

She smiled back. Then she spotted Sirius behind them. He was watching her with shrewd eyes. His stare made her uncomfortable and she looked away, laying her head back down on Remus's shoulder. He still doubted her, she could tell. But it didn't matter. The only thing she cared about was that Remus believed her. At the moment she thought she could even face Azkaban as long as Remus believed she was innocent. With a jolt she remembered Azkaban and the Dementors.

Remus felt her go stiff in his arms. "What is it?" he asked.

"What have you done?" she moaned. "Remus, one of us has to stay out of prison for Nathaniel."

Remus would have laughed if she hadn't sounded so distressed. "Don't worry. Nobody's going to prison."

"Why are we at Hogwarts?" she asked again.

"Dumbledore said to come," said Remus evasively.

"But why?" she insisted.

Remus looked at her, but didn't answer. The silence reverberated around the empty hallways of the school.

"Does Dumbledore think I'm innocent?" questioned Hermione, misinterpreting his silence.

"I don't know," replied Remus quietly. "But he won't send you back to the Ministry if that's what you're worried about."

She shrugged. "Where's Nathaniel?" she asked.

"I left him with Professor McGonagall. Don't worry. He's safe."

She nodded. "He's okay, isn't he?"

Remus nodded. "Not a scratch on him."

"And Harry?"

"He's fine too," Remus reassured her.

"What about James," Hermione rushed on.

"James got a bit banged up. Nothing serious," Remus quickly assured her. "Just a couple broken ribs and a concussion. He'll be as good as new by tomorrow."

"Does he know?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Remus nodded sadly. "Sirius told him."

Tears immediately leaked out of Hermione's eyes. "I saw him do it," she said. "I saw Voldemort kill her. I wanted to stop him, but I was too weak. And then he went for Harry and I… I…" Hermione squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to block the memory from her mind.

"Shh," Remus hushed her. "Don't think about it anymore."

"I was supposed to save them," she whimpered. "I was supposed to stop him."

"You did stop him," said Remus sharply, unable to hear the pain in her voice any longer. "You stopped him from killing James and very nearly got yourself killed. James told Sirius how you came charging into the house. He told us you saved his life. If it wasn't for you then Harry would be an orphan right now. And Voldemort's gone too. He won't ever haunt our lives again!"

Hermione didn't answer him. She couldn't bring herself to. After a long pause Hermione asked quietly. "Is that why you believed I was innocent? Because of what James said?"

Remus looked uncomfortable. "It's not the only reason," he began, but they were interrupted By Dumbledore.

"Is Hermione injured?" he asked when he saw Remus carrying her.

"No," said Remus, "just a run in with a couple Dementors." He looked at Hermione and she nodded before he set her down, but he kept his arm around her waist, supporting her.

A flicker of worry passed over Dumbledore's eyes. "We must hurry then. This will be easier if there's no interference from the Ministry."

"What will be easier?" asked Hermione.

Dumbledore looked quickly between Remus and Sirius. "Haven't you told her?"

Both of them looked away uncomfortable.

"Told me what?" insisted Hermione, feeling frustrated that no one was answering any of her questions.

Dumbledore fixed his eyes on her. "The doorway has opened," he answered. "It's time for you to return to your own time."

A/N: Beware of HBP spoilers! Sorry, I can't help myself.

Beware of HBP spoilers!

Okay, now that that's out of the way I am free to ramble.

First let me say how incredibly sorry I am for killing Lily off. I didn't want to do it, but I had to. Believe me I've been trying for weeks, if not months to figure out how to avoid it and still keep Harry essentially the same Harry we know and love from the books. If I had read HBP first I might not have done it. Since, according to Dumbledore, the prophecies don't have to necessarily come true. I probably would have just had Hermione kill Voldemort. But alas it was too late. I absolutely hated doing it, but I've been planning this story since the beginning and Lily was never going to make it. I'm so so so so sorry.

Second, I never even considered the possibility that Snape was the Death Eater that overheard the prophecy. Now that I know I have to figure out some way to kill him off. Preferably in a painful way. I never really liked Snape, although you might think I did considering I wrote an AU HP story about him and his daughter, but now I hate him with a white hot hate. I've seen the theories that say he's still a good guy and that he had to kill Dumbledore for whatever reason, but I don't buy it. Actually, considering how JKR works I do consider the remote possibility, but I wouldn't care if he was. He killed Dumbledore, who is infinitely more valuable than him. If he was really a good guy then he should have sacrificed himself. Anyway there's no way he would have formed the unbreakable bond with Narcissa Malfoy if he was good. I just can't see it. He would have made up some excuse about Voldemort not permitting it or something.

Now on to the new relationships… Happy for all H/R shippers everywhere. There were some cute bits although I was hoping for them to get together before the seventh book. The H/G shippers out there must be ecstatic. As far as canon goes I always knew those two pairs would be the ones that made it. Although I love H/H stories, I know there was nothing in the books to suggest that it would ever happen. On to Tonks and Remus. Okay, didn't see that one coming. It seems weird to me. I was never much of a Tonks fan, but it's cool I suppose. No, no it's not. Remus would never be with her. She's weird and he's lovely and serious. I don't like it. (Of course, what would I say considering the fic I am currently writing?)

Oh one last thing. I know who R.A.B. is. He he he. It's not too hard to figure out and it sets up great seventh book possibilities. Do you want to know? Of course you do. It's REGULAS ALPHARD BLACK! That's why Sirius had to die.

One last thing! I have heard some theories on the Horcruxes and what the last ones might be. Some people are theorizing it might be Harry and therefore he will have to die in order to finally kill Voldemort. Let me just say that I absolutely think this is crazy. First, I don't think a person could be a Horcrux. Otherwise Dumbledore would have said Quirell was one. I think that was possession. Plus when Harry was in the Ministry of Magic, Voldemort possessed him and experienced intense pain. If part of his soul was in Harry wouldn't they both be in excrutiating pain? Also I know where Slytherin's locket is. It's in #12 Grimmault Place. Re-read OOTP if you don't believe me. Pay particular attention to when they're cleaning the house. This also supports my R.A.B. theory.

(Deep sigh of relief) Okay, I feel better now that it's all out. I've been dying to share and see what other people think.

Hope you liked my chapter. It pales in comparison to anything JKR does, but I love it anyway.