Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Chapter 3
Lost
I want to leave
Want you to believe
This message is for you to receive
My heart bleeds
While your reads
Something mine needs
Listen to my words
I'm hiding, come find me
Don't mess around
Save me from the past- from Save me
Remus's POV (1981)
Three days.
Three days ago he had had his conversation with Dumbledore. Three days ago Lily and James had died. Three days ago Sirius was sent to Azkaban.
Three days ago he had passed out. And he was just waking up now. Being bombarded with information when all he wanted to know was if Hermione had come back.
No one was telling him that though. Madam Pomfrey was informing him how unhealthy it was for someone to pass out as often and for as long as he did; Dumbledore was telling him about the Aurors who were tracking down death eaters and dragging them to Azkaban. Right after Sirius, Remus thought savagely. Despite the interest he held for the information, he wanted to know about Hermione.
He felt sick, something he told Madam Pomfrey but she had said it was only natural, and that at least he was awake. She kept giving him advice, what he should eat, potions he should take to keep him conscious, useless information, in his opinion.
"Professor?" he cut in, while Dumbledore paused for breath. "Is there any chance Hermione came by?"
Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey looked at each other nervously. "Er, no, Remus," said Dumbledore. "I wanted to ask you about that."
"About what?"
"About Hermione. It isn't like her to not be here. I would expect her to be by your side at every moment, but she hasn't come at all."
Remus decided to pretend to be fooled. "That's because she's gone."
"What do you mean?" said Dumbledore, false confusion in his eyes, a fact that went unmissed by Remus.
"I mean she left. On the Thirtieth. She disappeared in the middle on the night, leaving me a note." Despite the fact he was doing it to get his information out of Dumbledore, a knife stabbed at him as he said this. Everything Hermione had done to him had emptied him, making him hollow, but somehow he could still feel pain.
He saw the sympathy in Dumbledore's eyes but it was clear he had forced some of it. Madam Pomfrey also looked away from him, as if she was embarrassed. He turned back to Dumbledore. "But you already know this, don't you?" he said.
Hermione's POV (1981)
For the first time in three days Hermione was laughing. Not at a joke or anything, it was more the sight of Lily rolling on the ground hysterically. Not even so much that it was Lily even. It was because Lily was an owl.
"Bet Petunia loved that," Lily choked, finally managing to gulp some air. She sat up, her large amber owls eyes over bright with tears of laughter. James smiled, partially over Hermione's story, and partially over his wife rolling around like a dog.
"But what I don't understand," said Lily, gasping. "Is what you were doing in Little Winging in the first place."
All the humor from the past few minutes drained away as both Lily and James stared intently at her, waiting for her explanation. She bit her lip, wanting to put off the news she didn't want to tell, the news they wouldn't want to hear. But of course she had to. They deserved to know.
"I had to check on someone," she said cautiously.
"Who?" said Lily.
Hermione exhaled. "Harry."
There was dead silence in the clearing. No one seemed to be breathing. The quiet pressed on her ears as a wave of shock engulfed the clearing.
"Harry?" whispered Lily, breaking though the wall of silence.
"Yes," said Hermione.
"Harry's in Little Winging," said James slowly.
"Yes," said Hermione.
"With them, with the Dursleys."
"Yes."
"Harry Potter, my son, is with my wife's relatives in Little Winging."
Hermione didn't say anything.
"Who the hell decided that?" James said in a hollow voice.
"Dumbledore," said Hermione. "But-"
"Dumbledore! Dumbledore decided to send Harry to those, those people?" Lily screeched. Hermione could see everything in her eyes, the shock at the news, the hurt at Dumbledore's decision, the anger at Petunia, and the pain Harry would have to endure were all blended into one, horrible penetrating stare. "After we told him that Harry had to go to Sirius!"
"That's part of it, Sirius can't take Harry," said Hermione, almost wishing she hadn't come here and waited for another day. This part of the conversation was harder to get through than she had anticipated.
"What do you mean?" said James quickly. "He's not dead is he? Because he didn't betray us."
"I know, but you should try telling the ministry that," she said and seeing the horror struck looks on their faces she added "No, he's not dead, but I bet he wishes he was."
"What do you mean?" said Lily.
"he's in Azkaban," she said, looking down at the forest floor, listening to the gasp from Lily, "Without a trial."
"The ministry believes he betrayed us? But Peter-"
"the ministry believes that Peter is dead, as does the entire magical world," said Hermione. "they also believe you are dead. They have their reasons."
"Like what," said James angrily.
"Considering that four people were told about the switch, the ministry has the testimony of Dumbledore on their side. If he's gotten out of the hospital wing, Remus might have said something. No one will listen to Sirius, everyone believes I'm insane as it is, and Peter is apparently dead. Besides, as Lily knows, I'm trying not to be noticed so I wouldn't get involved even if they would listen."
"How did you know I-"
"I figured you would go to Remus to find out what was going on after you got my letter. No doubt he would tell you."
Both Potters looked as though they couldn't believe anything they were hearing. They stared, astonished at her knowledge and the news she was giving them.
"Why couldn't Harry go to Remus? With you-"
"The ministry won't let them. Even if I was still there they wouldn't allow it. Dumbledore decided that the best place for Harry to be was with Petunia and Vernon."
"Why?"
"Because that is where he's safe," said Hermione.
Remus's POV (1981)
"You know about it, don't you? She told you somehow. Hell, you probably knew about it before I did." Remus wasn't forcing emotion into his words. He stated the facts, what was important.
"No, Remus-"
"You knew before I woke up, so why were you lying? Having me tell you what you knew?" He was talking too much about it but he didn't care.
"Remus, listen-"
"I'm not a student anymore. This isn't a little spat in the hallways between Gryffindors and Slytherins and you need to hear everyone's story. You could have just told me." He was making a big deal out of something so small, something pointless in the face of everything else that had happened. Why? But he didn't care. Something urged him further.
"Remus, I didn't think you needed to be given that information just after you've woken up," said Dumbledore, concern in his eyes.
"Why? We've got enough secrets as it is."
"Hermione told me this. She was here, Remus. I didn't think you needed to know that immediately."
Remus fell silent; a knot mixed of shock and shame constricting his throat. He was an idiot. "She was here? When?"
"Three nights ago. She told me everything."
Remus looked into his sheets. She had been here. Feet away from him and he hadn't known it. "Where is she now?"
"She didn't say that, but she isn't coming back for a while," Dumbledore said quietly.
Remus felt his weak hopes collapse under the weight of Dumbledore's words. He had thought she'd just stay away until everything bad had passed, but now he was faced with two possibilities, neither of which he relished; she'd be gone until she found herself as she had said, or there were more horrible things to come.
Alastor Moody's POV (January, 1982)
They had surrounded the house from which screams of pain and anguish were escaping. He gripped his wand firmly in his hand, taking out the horror of the moment on the thin piece of wood. Inside were several treacherous and skilled Death eater and no one could attack until the whole team was there, but these yells of torture could affect even the hardened Alastor Moody.
He nodded to Hermione Lupin, his newly appointed second since Potter's death and Black's betrayal. Her hood was pulled over her face and all her could see was her mouth so that she looked terrifying. She nodded back and screamed "Reducto".
A five foot diameter hole appeared in the side of the wall and the screams lessened abruptly. The team ran inside. Alsator watched Hermione walk in slowly, and realized with satisfaction, that she would look terrifying to the death eaters inside.
Remus's POV (January, 1982)
"Dumbledore, there has to be some way," he pleaded.
"It is out of my hands Remus," said the old man. "Even if I believed he would be safe, the ministry wouldn't allow Harry to live with you. You know the law."
"I do," said Remus, as for the thousandth time in his life he cursed his lycanthropy. "But what if, maybe Hermione came back-"
"It still wouldn't be allowed. You could bring in a thousand wizards to say he would be safe, but the ministry would not grant you custody of Harry," said Dumbledore. "I'm sorry."
Remus looked at the floor, a bubble of compassion rising in his chest for the boy. He knew what it was like to be alone and without people who cared about you in the world. He had heard enough from Lily to know that her sister and her family hated them, and knew that Harry's life could not be a happy one.
"Do you think he would be safe?" he asked.
Dumbledore looked at him with pity. "You know that I would not consider him unsafe because of your lycanthropy Remus. That has nothing to do with my opinion. I do think that Harry is safer with his aunt because of the charm I cast. Not one of them can be harmed there by Voldemort or his followers. I cannot provide that protection for Harry and you."
"I know," said Remus, and he resigned himself once again, to defeat.
Bellatrix Lestrange's POV (January, 1982)
She laughed with pleasure at the site of Alice Longbottom screaming and writhing with the pain she was inflicting. Both Longbottom's were past reason, past thought; neither could give them the information they had come for, but her torturing still had its pleasures.
Rodulphus came around, handing Frank over to young Barty Crouch and laughed with her at the pitiful figure of Alice twitching horribly on the floor. It would kill anyone of those "good" wizards to watch, but this was her joy, her sport. Her passion.
A blast interrupted her sporting, echoing throughout the house and she knew what must have happened. The Aurors had found them. She lifted her curse and started to run away, leaping over the screaming and jerking form of Alice, Rodulphus, Rabastan, and Barty following. They had to run out. The Longbottoms had anti-disapparation jinxes on their property; they would have to get away. She cursed as she ran, how could they have found her?
She heard a yell from behind her, but whether it was an Auror's or one of her fellows, she did not know. She just needed to run. Before he had disappeared, the Dark Lord, her master, had told her that if the Aurors had found, she must run. Run and protect herself. His Bella must not be hurt, he had said, brushing a long white finger against her cheek.
And she would listen to him. She would be his Bella and listen. She would run in the hope that she would see him again, returned to full power, with her at his side. She ran away in his name.
Another yell came from behind her, closer this time, and she knew it had to be one of her group. Another followed from right behind and Bellatrix knew it would not be long before her turn came. She felt something grab her robe and pulled her back. She did not yell, but attempted to curse her attacker; she was not going to be taken in without a fight.
The person who had grabbed her snapped her wand skillfully before she could do anything. She attempted to pull away but she was held firmly and could do nothing against them. She could see through the dust Rodulphus, Barty, and Rabastan, struggling as well, but she had stopped knowing it was no good, knowing that her master would be displeased when he found that she had stopped fighting.
She could hear the whimpers of Alice and Frank, and the wailing cries that meant that someone had found their little brat, Bellatrix thought savagely. They had wanted him, to torture him in front of his parents, but he had been nowhere. Shadows moved around her, but she could see nothing. Dust had been blown everywhere when the Aurors had broken in.
One figure, which had been crouching next to Frank, stood up at the sight of them. A gruff voice next to Bella said, "We've got 'em all."
The figure had come close to them by the time she replied, in a voice as smooth and deadly as poison, "All four of them?" The woman hid under a cloak, so that only her mouth was visible. Goosebumps blossomed all over Bellatrix's arms at the voice, and she prayed desperately that the woman under the hood wasn't who she thought it was. There was very little Bellatrix Black Lestrange was scared of, but one of them was-
"Yes, all four Lupin," said the voice. "The Lestrange's and the Crouch boy."
"Good," said the woman, and Bella felt a shiver crawl up her spine. It wasn't-
The woman lowered her hood so that a pale complexion that complemented brown eyes that blazed with fire and thin lips stared back at, not all of them, but just her, Bella. Hermione Lupin's eyes bored into her own as if trying to steal her secrets.
"Bellatrix," Hermione said coolly. "I thought I might find you here. Seeking word of your beloved Voldemort."
Several people who had heard her flinched, but Bella shook with rage. She dared. Dared to speak that way of Bellatrix's master. "And you are here to catch me?" she replied just as coolly.
"To catch the guilty is my job, not the suspected," Hermione said, the flames in her eyes towering.
"Then you have caught both," she said. "Savor your victory, I know you have long wanted it. It has eaten at your soul ever since we first met, ever since-"
SLAP
Hermione struck her on the face with enough force to knock Bella down and she would have were it not for the Auror holding her in his grasp. Bella tried to put her hand to her face but they were held to tightly in the hands of the Auror. Her face stung. She saw Rodulphus try to look at her, to see the damage. She stared back to Hermione. Her face was full of fiery rage.
"You will not be helping anyone by bringing up past acts of violence," she hissed. "You will only be making your trial harder for yourself and for those judging you."
"I don't give a damn about how hard it is on the judges," Bella spat, still attempting to hold her cheek. It stung, but the thought of infuriating Hermione Lupin kept her going.
"Silence," Hermione hissed. "You will not say another word while you are in my presence Bella." She turned to another Auror. "Bring them to the ministry. I will address them there. Put them in the cells and make sure that they do not escape."
Bella heard Hermione's fellow whisper "Yes, immediately." And they came around to the back of Bella and the others. Bella watched Hermione disappear into the ever settling dust until not even her silhouette was visible.
Remus's POV (January, 1982)
Despite the things he dreaded so much in his life, Remus felt much better than usual. He almost felt, dare he to say it, happy. Or the closest to happy he had been since September.
He wasn't sure why he was so content. He sure as hell didn't have that much to be happy about. Maybe it was just one of those days when no matter how horrible things were you forgot about them.
He took a sip of coffee and picked up the paper that had just been delivered. He looked at the headline for a few minutes before he took it in. Immediately he slammed his cup on the table and read the article, his nose almost touching the paper.
SUPPORTERS OF "HE-WHO–MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED" STOP AT NOTHING
Four months after the demise of the Dark Lord, the magical community has finally started to feel safe. However, two days ago four suspected former Death Eaters were found at the residence of Alice and Frank torturing the married Aurors for information on the whereabouts of their fallen master.
"It is with regret that once again we have to urge the community to remain calm," said Auror team leader, Alastor Moody, who was at the site of the attack. "Unfortunately we still haven't caught everyone who needs to be caught." Possibly the most shocking part of this assault was the company found. While any member of the ministry could suspect three of the four attackers, whose identities are not being released, no one could believe that young Bartemius Crouch was found at the sight. The question of his innocence has not yet been decided, but very few inquire as to his guilt.
"If there is one thing I've learned in the past eleven years, it's that you should expect the unexpected," says Auror Hermione Lupin, who led the operation and will question the four at the trial, which starts tomorrow. The verdict will be given the following day. "And it doesn't hurt to suspect the unsuspected."
The Longbottom's are currently in St. Mungo's for immediate treatment. Details of their condition are not being released, but it is said to be permanent. Their young son, Neville, has been brought to his grandmother's house for the present time.
"This whole fiasco was completely unexpected," said Lupin later yesterday afternoon. "And what's more redundant. We were just beginning to get used to our safety, and this will do nothing but throw the magical community into panic once again. These people will pay for what they have done to Frank and Alice. It's October 31st all over again. Neville is now in the same position as Harry, without his parents and he will never know them now. And it is all in the name of Voldemort."
Remus stared at the paper. He wasn't sure which part of the article shocked him the most. The fact that there had been an attack, the fact that Hermione was being interviewed by a newspaper but wasn't with him, or the fact that everything she had said was true. Everyone would be worried; the attack would scare them into being as reclusive as they had for the past eleven years.
He put the paper down, stood up, and started to pace, mulling it over in his mind. Alice and Frank were in St. Mungo's, Death eaters had attacked them, Barty Crouch Jr. was a suspect, Hermione had caught them, and there was a trial…
A trial. If he could get into the ministry tomorrow he could see her and maybe persuade her to come back. He just had to get in-
Hermione's POV (January, 1982)
She waited next to Barty Crouch Sr. who was cracking his knuckles. She wished he'd stop; she hated the sound. She knew she wasn't much better though. She'd been sucking on the end of eh quill for an hour and it now drooped into her lap. To her right was Moody, staring at the door. Dumbledore sat in the crowd along with others she knew like a young Kingsley Shacklebolt, new to her team, and there was Hestia Jones from the department of experimental charms. But there was someone in the bottom most row who she didn't know, or she didn't think so. Their face was covered with a hood; similar to herself when she was fighting.
No one else noticed the person and with good reason. The doors had opened and in came the four, with dementors flanking them. Hermione noticed with satisfaction that Barty jr. looked scared. Rabastan and Rodulphus were expressionless. Bellatrix looked confident and proud of herself to be there. Hermione felt a rage come over her at the site of Bellatrix. She would crush that pride easily.
The four sat in the chained chairs, whose coils grasped their hands immediately. Barty jr. struggled against his bond, the Lestrange Brothers looked nervous, but Bellatrix sat as if she was a queen on a throne, not a prisoner being held.
Bartemius Crouch Sr. stood next to her and called the court to order. He looked fierce and tired. Hermione knew he had to forbid his wife from coming. She would be allowed when the sentence was given.
"The charges then," Barty sr. said, taking out a long list of paper. "You, Bartemius Crouch jr., Rabastan Lestrange, Rodulphus Lestrange, and Bellatrix Black-Lestrange are charged with torturing the Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom for information on the whereabouts of he-who-must-not-be-named. This torturing has resulted in near death and insanity on the part of Alice and Frank.'
Bellatrix looked proud as he read of these horrible accusations on her, as if they were her pride and joy. Hermione shook with fury.
"Questioning you will be Alastor Moody, Auror; Hermione Lupin, Auror; Bartemius Crouch, head of the department of Magical Law enforcement; Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts. Witness for the defense……ah, there seems to be no witness for the defense," said Crouch with a smile. Barty jr. gulped. Bellatrix remained unchanged. "So you will be defending yourself."
Crouch cleared his through and began his questioning. "Was it your intention to gain information about your fallen master by torture? Why did you think Frank and Alice would have this information?" It went on forever. Hermione took careful notes in case she could use something against them.
Crouch sat back down. "The floor recognizes Alastor Moody."
Moody stood and it started over again "What were your plans? How did you gain entry to their house without their knowledge?" Bellatrix never spoke, but kept her yes on Hermione, a solid pride glowing in her eyes. Dumbledore went after and Bellatrix still remained silent. Her eyes flashed every time Dumbledore spoke, but still she remained focused on Hermione.
"Hermione?"
She turned. Crouch was looking at her. "It's your turn," he said.
She nodded and stood. "Tell me, there must have been a point where you realized that Frank and Alice were beyond reason, so that they could not give you information. Was there not?" Rabastan nodded yes and Rodulphus murmured "There was."
"Yet you continued your torture. It would have been my thought that then you would move on, find someone else to get your information. Why?" No one answered. She smiled. "It was for sheer pleasure wasn't it? You loved the sight of two defenseless people begging for mercy at your feet. It would have made your beloved Voldemort happy." A shudder rang throughout the room at the name, but Hermione felt a kind of horrible satisfaction. Bellatrix had changed from pride to fury.
"If I might be so bold Mr. Crouch, as to add another charge," she said turning to her left. "Attempted torture should be on the list as well."
"And what does that mean?" said a harsh female voice. Hermione turned back to Bellatrix, who had spoken.
"It means that had you been able to find him, Neville Longbottom would have been tortured as well."
A murmur rippled around the room as people in the stand whispered with one another. Bellatrix looked furious. Hermione felt her victory grow with every second.
"Well, do any of you deny it?" asked Crouch, looking around.
Looking as if she could not contain her rage, Bellatrix shouted "Yes, we would have, and with pleasure!"
The former ripple of whisper was replaced with conversation that echoed throughout the room and probably spilled into the hall beyond. Some people yelled at the four, some even shook their fists. Hermione watched Bellatrix with cruel pleasure.
"A baby, Bella," said Hermione, talking directly to her. "Isn't that a little low and desperate, even for you."
Bellatrix swelled with anger. "You dare," she shouted. "Speaking his name like you know him, you dare!"
"I do dare, and you will know how much I dare," Hermione said, only wanting to infuriate Bellatrix more.
Crouch stood back up and called the court to order, a feat that took much longer than it had previously. Several minutes passed before complete silence again fell on the courtroom. "Is that all Mrs. Lupin?" he asked.
She turned back to him. "Yes, Mr. Crouch." She sat back down and continued to watch Bellatrix with satisfaction.
"Well, if no other interrogators have questions the accused can go back to their cells," he said. The dementors returned to the room and the chains released the four. "You will be brought back tomorrow for the verdict."
"WHAT IS THE POINT CROUCH?" Bellatrix bellowed at him as the dementors pulled her out of the room. "We know. We are guilty and will be in Azkaban for the rest of our lives!"
"Silence!" Crouch barked. Bellatrix stared once more at Hermione before she was shoved through the door. The door slammed behind her and it was a few moments before the courtroom was able to pull itself to order again. People silently filed out of the room and Hermione followed. At this point she wanted to get back to her office and fill out her report so she could go back to Hogwarts, where she was currently staying. She walked through to corridor and into the lift. The number 2 had already been pushed so she waited for the lift to fill before it went up.
What a day. She was so exhausted. She dreamt longingly of going to sleep but she had so much to do. She found herself slipping into a dreamlike state, and remembering…
"Hermione, hurry!" Remus's stressed voice broke through the silent air.
"What is it?" she rushed out of the kitchen.
"Lily's in Labor, James just flooed. They want us there."
Hermione jumped into the fire and into the St. Mungo's reception Area. Remus fell out of the fireplace behind her. They rushed up the stairs and into the waiting area, where Sirius met them.
"Hey," Hermione panted. "Did we miss it?"
"What are you talking about, she just got here. It'll be a while."
Hours passed, Hermione checked her watch every few seconds, anxious for the news. At quarter to three in the morning, James came out, looking restless. "Hermione, get in her. She wants you." Hermione ran into to room, following James. Lily's face was shiny with sweat as she panted. Several witches and wizards were also in the room.
Hermione took the hand that Lily was reaching out to her. Lily screwed up her eyes at the pain that must have been hitting her. "It's okay Lily, you'll be all right," Hermione said in soothing tones. Lily nodded a breathed heavily as one of the wizards at the foot of the bed said "All right Lily, he's crowning now."
Lily screamed through her teeth and appeared to be cutting off the circulation in both Hermione's and James's fingers. Tense moments passed while Lily screamed and pushed, but she sank back into the pillows as a cry rang in the room. Hermione saw the healers wiping off the baby and handing him to James, who, beaming, showed him to his exhausted wife.
The lift stopped at the atrium and almost everyone went out, so that Hermione and Moody were the only two people left. Neither spoke. Hermione shook herself out of her daze. On level five a witch holding a large stack of papers joined them but no others. The doors opened again on level seven and Hermione stepped out as soon as she could and made her way over to the other side of the Auror headquarters. She stepped inside her cubicle but discovered that there was someone already in her chair, facing the opposite wall. She cleared her throat and the person turned around.
It was the hooded person from the courtroom, she was sure of it. They sat the same way and all she could see was their mouth. Something about it didn't feel right. "Can I help you?" she asked. "I wasn't expecting any visitors."
The person stood up. "I've been wanting to see you for a while Mrs. Lupin," said the person, lifting their hood. Hermione's hand flew to her mouth and she gasped. "There have been some things I wanted to talk about."
"Remus," she said in a shaky voice, her hand flying out to the side of the cubicle. "What are you doing here?"
"I know you were at Hogwarts in November," he said, stepping closer to her. "Dumbledore told me."
"Why are you here?" she said, scared. He couldn't be here.
"I'm here for you," he said. "I'm going to bring you home."
She shook her head. "No, I'm not coming home. And you shouldn't be here. How did you get in?"
"He ignored her question. "Yes, you need to come home. I need you to come home," he said and for the first time she heard the desperation in his voice, and it was that more than anything that started to break her resolve.
"I can't," she said. "I'm not coming home."
"So you're leaving me," he said, almost angrily, moving closer again and Hermione found herself taking a step.
"No, I'm not coming home yet. I'm not ready." She begged him with her eyes to understand her, to realize it. She knew he wouldn't but she tried. She just wanted him to know.
"Why?"
"I'm just not. Don't do this Remus. Just let me be, Remus and I will come back to you."
"When? I can't wait around forever."
"I'm not asking you to, just don't."
He looked at the floor. "So when?" He demanded.
"I don't know." Tears had made their way down her cheeks and she made no attempt to stop them. Why was he doing this? How was he here?
"How do I know you won't change everything?"
Hermione felt faint. How could he? Accuse her of something that she would never do? She had sworn never to do that. She would never use her power ever again. She had caused herself and others too much heartbreak and had vowed not to do it again.
"You know I wouldn't," she said in a hurt voice.
He glanced back up at her and said "I know." He took several steps closer to her so that she could see the tears he was holding back. "Why can't you just come home?"
She pulled away from the hand that he had reached for hers, bringing it out of his reach. She wouldn't let him. She couldn't go home. She wasn't ready. "No," she said. "I'm not. I'm staying." He pulled his hand back, hurt all over his face. She reassumed her businesslike tone. "You shouldn't be here. You're in the ministry without authority."
"You're going to just send me off, like you don't know me," he demanded. "I'm your husband. You belong with me."
"I have work to do," she said. "I don't want to have to call security."
He stared at her in shock. "Who are you?" he asked. "Do I even know who you are?" Hermione walked past him, gathered her things and turned. He grabbed her. "You're not leaving."
"Yes I am," she said, and for the first time she heard anger creep into her voice. Remus nearly let go in shock, but managed to pull her tighter. She found herself inches from his face.
"You're not leaving," he repeated and kissed her, kissed her and she found her resolve to leave crumbling. She was caught up in the moment and didn't want anything to end.
She dropped her papers in an attempt to get closer, but as sheets of parchment hit her feet she realized and she remembered.
She pulled away and picked everything up with a wave of her wand. His hand reached for her wrist again but she concentrated on Hogsmeade and in moment she had apparated in the middle of a blizzard on the outskirts of the village, and she had left Remus miles behind her.
Remus's POV (January 1982)
She had just disappeared. She was gone. He had had her, so close, right next to him. But she had left and he had no idea where. There was no way to find her. He felt the pain wash over him like it had when he had found out that she had left. How could she? She had destroyed him, he was different. It was almost as if they had switched places; he was now quiet and helpless, and she was strong and confident.
No, he would not lose face. He would find someway to stop her, some way to bring her home and back to him and everything could go back the way it hade been.
Well, almost. Peter, Lily and James were dead, Sirius was in Azkaban. Things wouldn't be the same. He'd make them as the same as he possibly could. There had to be some way for life to go on comfortably, no matter what the pain. Other families were fine, despite their damage.
He sighed and walked out of Hermione's cubicle, heading down to the Atrium where he too, would apparate home.
Hermione's POV (January 1982)
Regret filled her as she made her way to the castle. She felt empty and hollow for what she had done and for the first time, she really felt as if she had made a mistake in leaving. The look in Remus's eyes when she had disapparated had been more than she could bear.
Not that she hadn't known what she would have been doing to him by leaving, but she had just realized the extent of the pain she had caused him. He had sounded so weak, so dead, someone so unlike her beloved Remus. Someone she didn't know. It terrified her to think of him alone, without her. She had promised that she wouldn't leave him and she had, and she could see how quickly it had destroyed him, how quickly he had broken.
She hated herself for doing this. He had doted on her, cared for her, done everything her could to make her happy, and this was how she repaid him? By breaking his heart? She felt cruel. He hardly cared for himself, just her, and she disappeared when he would need her most, when he was going through so much pain. Everything in his life had been stolen from him simply because he was a werewolf and all he had ever wanted was her but she had taken that from him for her own selfish needs.
Broderick Bode's POV (September 1995)
"Croaker, we don't even know if she exits," he argued. The pair were in the time room, fighting once again over time.
"We have to try," said Croaker, pacing. He was a short man, with greasy red-blond hair, matching his sour expression. "If she is out there, we have to do everything to make sure she can't change anything. Think of how dangerous she could be, especially if it's a Death Eater."
"I know, but them sot evidence we have is just a paragraph on her in and old book, that says the last recorded was in the sixteenth century," he said back.
"She could be out there, and we will find her," said Croaker, looking up at the time turners on the wall. "We'll take away the power if we have to, but it cannot be used. Time changing is forbidden but someone who has that power with them at all times, able to change anything without anyone's knowledge can't be allowed to run around, doing as they please. Our whole history could be re-written at any moment.' He slammed his fist down on the desk, and Bode sighed, knowing what was coming. "We will stop the Time Enchantress."
I hide from my fears
Run to wash in my tears
I wallow in the sorrow of years
What else can I do?
All I think about is you
Do you only doubt what's true?
Listen to my words
I'm hiding, come find me
Don't mess around
Save me from the past
Don't mess around
Don't make the minute be the last- from Save me
Okay, what do you think? More depressing? Less? Tell me. I really want to know.
Replies
Elle DeVarquez: Praise, yes! Praise is good!
cylobaby; I will certainly try to get a new title but I'm having difficulty finding the right one. It was hard for me to think of one in the first place
Countess Vladislaus Dragu: Yes it's sad, but I promise things will get better.
Colorofangels: you brought up a good point, one I realized as I was writing this. I've got too much stuff in the next 10 years to cram it into one chapter. Yes, Hermione and Remus will be apart for 10 years.
Ashleigh: She will be, don't worry, it might just be a while
Black-rose23: you are so nice to me and have reviewed every chapter I've written in this series! Plus you live in Florida! It's hot there. There is no chance of it snowing in July there! You rule!
Tanuki jo-chan: Finally someone has brought that up, I thought it never would. Yes, it is what Sirius and Remus were talking about.
Saphira Silverflame: Yeah, I'm going to see you later so there isn't much chance you'll ever review this.
squeak-the-soprano: I put this encounter in for you, since you are the one person who liked it.
Fairy-GYAKUTENNO-MEGAMI: I got your review just as I was about to post this. Thank you so much, and even though I said it was for squeak-the-soprano, the encounter in this chapter is partially for you too.
So what did you think of my Bellatrix POV? I gave you one of my suspicions about her but it won't be very important. And yes I know, I twisted the trial thing a bit, but I made it sound more like the thing Harry saw was when they gave the verdict. I know it wasn't, but I liked the idea of having a trial where Hermione questioned.
Next Chapter
Hermione and Remus will meet again but a little different than this time
Harry will make and appearance
Sirius will come back
The first half of why Hermione changed will be conveyed
Love you all, so you better review
La Chica Perfecta