Fem Harry (Fanny) / Theseus Scamander.

Theseus was never engaged to Leta in this AU. And it's another Time Travel AU. This time without Ron and just Hermione.

I wrote this directly after watching the movie with its mean, mean cliffhanger for the first time. Therefore: Spoiler alert! If you haven't watched the movie and do not want to know what happens, you shouldn't continue reading.

By the way: I forgot the exact month of Grindelwalds escape, thus I have him freed by march already.

'Hermione, Ron, watch out!' cried Francis Potter. They were fighting against Voldemort and a large group of his Death Eaters in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic. A purple light came out of the Dark Lords wand and raced towards her friends. A light Francis had recognized instantly. The flesh eating curse. All three of them were Aurors working for the Ministry of Magic. They had been recruited as soon as they graduated Hogwarts and joined the fight against Voldemort actively. It had been three years since then. Three bloody, dark and brutal years in which they fought nearly every day. Three years of not only studying how to defend themselves but also learning how to survive and how to kill. With everything, may it be with something transfigured, something charmed or with the help of the Dark Arts. They fought fire with fire and tried to protect the innocent with it.

Hermione turned around in time, shielding herself but Ron was too slow. The curse hit him in his chest and threw him backwards some feet. Francis grabbed her wand harder and stormed over to her friend, muttering several incantations to help and stop the curse. But she knew that it was for nothing. Ron would die.

She fell to her knees and cradled her best friend and Hermione's fiance to her chest.

'You are such an unimaginable bastard!' Voldemort turned around, a malicious smirk on his face.

'Oh I know, Francis, and I like being one.' He raised his wand again but Francis was faster and their spells collided mid air. Because of priori incantatem their wands connected with each other and Hermione used the chance to run to her side, pressing her wand at Ronalds chest and muttering curse after curse to prolong his life. The Aurors assembled around them and forced the Death Eaters into a retreat. Francis ripped her wand away and sent Voldemort flying through the room while they were surrounded by a blinding white light.

As soon as the light faded, Francis and Hermione noticed that something was off. The Aurors were gone, as were the Death Eaters and their Lord. The atrium was as undestroyed as ever and many strange wizards stared at them in horror, some even screamed. They looked at each other but were pulled back to reality by their friends rasping and gurgling. Blood came out of his mouth and nose and his body had lost a lot of its flesh. His skin was ripped and bleeding and only his muscles remained. Both women pressed their wands against his torso and resumed chanting, hoping, against hope, that they could heal him.

But they were interrupted by a group of Aurors storming into the atrium. They had their wands raised and surrounded them quickly.

'Drop your wands!' One of them, a very handsome but hard looking wizard ordered. Francis rose and signaled Hermione to continue her work. She raised her wand, ready to defend her friend.

'I said, drop your wands. Or are you deaf?' Francis glared at him ere looking at her friend.

'Don't, Hermione.' But her friend lowered her wand.

'It's to late, Fanny. He won't make it.' Tears spilled out of Hermione's eyes and over her face. 'We can only make it easier for him to go on. He doesn't deserve this kind of death…'

'Hermione…'

'Drop your wands, NOW!'

'Fanny, please. Relieve him. I can't…' Francis sighed and suddenly turned her wand around, pointing it at her friend.

'I am sorry, Ron!' whispered she. 'Avada Kedavra!' The sickly green curse left her wand, after she muttered its incantation in Parseltongue, and rushed at her friend, hitting him in the chest. He stopped breathing instantly and his eyes lost its focus. Hermione sobbed loudly and dropped her wand while falling forward and hugging her now dead finance.

The Auror had rushed forward and pulled her wand out of her hand while restraining her with magical handcuffs.

'Priori incantatem!' The curse was shown but he could not identify it because it was uttered in a language he didn't know. 'What did you use? Why did you kill him.'

'I just spared our friend from a gruesome end.' She glared at him. 'He would have died very painfully from the flesh eating curse he had been hit with!''

'And why was he hit by such a dark curse in the first place?'

'It doesn't concern you at all, Mr. ?'

'Scamander. Theseus Scamander. Head of the Auror Department.' Francis looked at Hermione.

'Theseus Scamander…?' she mouthed at her friend, disbelief written all over her face. 'This is not possible!' Fanny cried, trying to free herself. 'Damn him for all eternity!'

'Fanny…' Hermione whispered.

'He will die a very painful death and regret everything he ever did to me. To us. To the wizarding world.'

'If we ever get out of here…' Hermione added. 'I will help you gladly!'

'If you get out of here.' Another wizard said.

'Travers!' Theseus Scamander nodded in his direction. 'Can you please relieve her of her wand and bring her into my office?'

'Yes. But the minister needs to be there, too.' Her captor nodded and started to lead her away but Francis didn't move. 'Go on, witch!'

'Promise me that he will receive a proper burial on Godric's Hollow Graveyard?'

'What was his name?''

'Ronald James Peverell. He was my brother!' Francis said proudly. 'And every member of our family was buried there despite us living somewhere else.' Hermione's eyes shone with fresh tears.

They looked quite grim and spooky. Dry blood was on their torn robes and in their wild, messy hair. Wounds were all over their body. As was the dirt and grime.

'I am Hector Fawley, the current Minister of Magic of the United Kingdom, and I would like to know who you are and why you look like this.' Francis glared at him ere turning her head away but Scamander hit her on the shoulder quite aggressively.

'Answer him!' He hissed. She glared at him but did as he demanded in a monotone voice.

'Francis Lily Peverell. We happened to have a fight with a quite vicious dark wizard and his friends.'

'What was the wizards name.'

'Gellert Grindelwald.' Hermione raised her eyebrow. Scamander looked at the Minister and Travers.

'And what did he do?'

'He wanted our family to join his side. But we declined politely and he killed them all or tried to. And somehow we were transported to your Ministry during our battle! But how that happened, I do not know.' She lied smoothly.

'Where did you live?'

'Near Paris.' Hermione added.

'You sound quite british.'

'We only had british teachers and seeing that we had been homeschooled we mostly spoke english instead of french. But if you want, Mr. Scamander, we can speak in french!' She spoke the last part in her supposed mother tongue. 'You have to choose!' He stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

'Who is your friend?'

'Hermione Richard, at your service.' It was a very common french name in both worlds so it would become very difficult to find the right family should they decide to research them. 'I am a cousin thrice removed from Fanny's mother and have been engaged with Fanny's now dead brother Ron.'

'They seem clean!' Torquil Travers said. 'The Aurors checked their wands thoroughly and nothing unforgivable was used. But it looked like a long fight.' He turned to them. 'We could use witches like you in our Ministry. The Auror Department is sorely understuffed and your knowledge of Grindelwald could help us defeat him.'

'If you agree,' Scamander added 'We will drop all charges and you will be free women.' Fanny and Hermione looked at each other for some minutes.

'Very well. Becoming an Auror has always been a dream of mine!' Francis said, sarcasm lacing her words.

'Wonderful.' Travers returned their wands to them while Scamander removed their shackles.

'Follow me and I will show you to you office. You don't mind sharing, do you?'

'It would be nice if we could change into something less dramatic ere you introduce us to our new colleagues.'

'Where will you stay?'

'The Peverell Family owns a little cottage in Godric's Hollow. We could use it as our temporary home.'

'Very well. Meet me back here in my office in an hour!' Scamander commanded. They nodded and Fanny apparated them to Peverell Cottage.

'It's very convenient that your family owns so many vacated properties.'

'I know. And it's even more convenient that the Potters are not at all interested in their Peverell ancestry. I even believe that they don't know any longer that they are related at all.'

'Good for us, Fanny. But let me quickly check the time. Tempus!' Hermione swished her wand.

11. 03. 1927 AD. 3:58 pm.

'Damn Voldemort!' Fanny hissed. '1927. Really.' She sighed. 'They must never find out, Hermione. Or they will use us and squeeze every information out of our brains.'

'I know, Fanny. And they won't find out from me. I will write down our back story while you take a shower. And you will memorize it while I take mine. And should they pester us, we can answer without contradicting us.'

'Thanks!' She hugged her friend ere vanishing in the bathroom. Hermione found a roll of parchment and scribbled down every detail she made up while using many situations and relations from their future live to make it more believable.

Fanny needed about twenty minutes to clean herself of all the blood and dirt. After leaving the shower and drying herself off, she walked through the house in search of clothes for them to wear. There was a large wardrobe in the dressing room but after inspecting everything she found that they dearly needed to go shopping soon because all of the dresses and cloaks were quite outdated.

Sighing, Francis pulled two dresses and cloaks out and transfigured them into something more fitting for the time. She also found some smallclothes and resized them ere modernizing them a bit. It had to do for now. She picked everything up and carried it back to the living room. Francis placed Hermione's clothes unto the table and put hers on. After dressing herself, she grabbed the parchment and read and reread everything her friend had scribbled down in her neat handwriting, trying to memorize as much as possible.

'I guess we need to visit Madam Malkins or another modiste soon. They are quite old.'

'But better than nothing.' Fanny added. 'I tried my best but they are too old to fix, I guess. They looked like the 17th century ere I transfigured them.'

'Well, it has to do. Do you have any money on you.' Fanny fished for her small purse and opened it over the table, emptying it. She pushed the coins around and counted them quickly.

'I have 150 Gallons, 67 Nickels and 44 Knuts. You?'

'98 Gallons, 124 Nickels and 37 Knuts.'

'It should be enough to buy clothes ere we receive our first salary.'

'We should go early tomorrow ere burying Ron. It's a saturday after all.'

'And maybe we can buy some more useful tools, like a cauldron and ingredients.'

'Very good. Do you still happen to have Professor Snape's private potion journals?'

'Yepp. I never leave them anywhere. He gave them to me ere he died and I will treasure them as long as I live!'

'Wonderful. But now, let's go. I feel that it may not be a good idea to let Mr. Scamander wait.'

'I would love to try…'

'Fanny, please don't make enemies on your first day!'

'Be he is so...'

'Fanny!'

'Very well!' She grabbed her friends hand and apparated them back to the ministry.

'There you are!' Theseus Scamander exclaimed while looking them up and down. 'It took you some time.'

'Well, all the grime took his time to get washed of. We depleted my families soap store.' He raised his eyebrow in an unamused manner ere leading them out of his office. The tour was rather long - they had to visit each floor and department, meet each Head and all of their Auror colleagues. Sometime around 6:30 pm they were released and left his office to find the remains of their friend, who had been placed in a cooling chamber somewhere in the Ministry. In the end it was Travers who led them to the right department and helped them to get their friend transported to Godric's Hollow. The Ministry workers had him placed in a coffin already and placed all the needed charms onto the wooden coffin to stop his remains from decaying. The two young women walked over to the cemetery and magically dug out a place next to all of Fanny's Peverell ancestors, covering it with blankets till the morrow.

Ron's burial took place early saturday evening with only the both of them and a few Ministry officials. They had bought a gravestone in the morning with his name and dates and placed it at the head of his final resting place. The officials lowered his coffin into the earth while Fanny and Hermione sung some traditional wizarding hymns that were said to lead the dead safely to the other side. The hole was filled with earth and the ladies planted some very beautiful flowers on his grave. After the ceremony was finished, they thanked the officials and left to the house they now lived in.

The first few weeks were very exhausting. Theseus Scamander was a demanding and commanding wizard and had them running from one situation into the next. She also met Leta Lestrange, an old friend and - at least she guessed - a possible love interest of Scamander's. They had to work together often because of Leta being Travers assistent and became some kind of friends.

During that time, Fanny was also sent to welcome his brother Newt in the Ministry and had to sit in his hearing, because she was directly under Theseus Samanders command. She greeted him with a smile and picked up his little friend, Pickett. They talked some more until they had come withing sight of the scary, offical looking doors leading to the meeting room.

'Hello Newt.' Theseus said, looking his brother up and down. 'Well... Look, before we go in there I...'

'...it's my fifth attempt, Theseus. I know the form.'

'This isn't going to be like the other times. This is...' He sighed. 'Just try and keep an open mind, will you? And maybe a little less...' He swished his hand through the air, pointing at Pickett, his brothers blue coat and messy hair.

'...like me?" Newt added.

'Well, it can't hurt! Come on, let's go!' Newt and Francis followed him inside, the Scamander siblings sat in the two empty chairs while Fanny walked into some dark corner of the room.

'Hearing commences!' Travers said and a quill on the table began writing. Travers opened a file in frint of him, which contained Newt's Wanted pictures and some of the post-Obscurial devastation in New York.

'You want an end to the ban on your travelling internationally. Why?'

'Because I like to travel internationally.' Newt said.

'Subject uncooperative and evasive on reasons for last international trip.' Spielman read from his own file. They all looked at Newt, waiting.

'It was a field trip. I was collecting material for my book on magical beasts...'

'You destroyed half of New York.' Travers grunted.

'No, that's actually factually incorrect on two accounts...'

'Newt!' Theseus said quietly but sternly to his brother who just frowned.

'Mr. Scamander, it's clear you're frustrated and, frankly, so are we. In the spirit of compromise, we'd like to make a proposition.' Newt glanced at his brother warily who just nodded and silently told him to listen.

'What kind of proposition?'

'The committee will agree to lift your travel ban under one condition.' Travers said.

'You join the Ministry. Specifically, your brother's department.' Spielman added.

'No, I... that isn't my kind of... Theseus is the Auror. I think my talents lie elsewhere.'

'Mr. Scamander. The wizarding and non-wizarding worlds have been at peace for over a century. Grindelwald wants to see that peace destroyed and for certain members of our community his message is very seductive. Many purebloods believe it is their birthright to rule not only our world but the non-magic world as well. They see Grindelwald as their hero, and Grindelwald sees this boy as a means to make this all come true.'

'I'm sorry, you're talking about Credence as if he were still here.'

'He survived, Newt!' Newt stopped cold, turning to his brother, who just nods. 'He is still alive. He left New York months ago. He's somewhere in Europe. Where exactly, we don't know, Miss Peverell is still searching, but...'

'And you want me to hunt Credence down? To kill him?' Out of the shadows in the corner came a deep, nasty laugh. Francis spun around, seeing Grimmson in the dark.

'Same old Scamander!' He said.

'What's he doing here?' He asked furiously.

'Taking the job you're too soft to do!' Grimmson walks towards them. 'Is that him?' He points to a picture of Credence. Newt rose abruptly and stormed towards the door.

'Travel documentation denied!' Travers cried. Theseus stared at the door ere rising and storming out after his brother. Grimmson sat down in the chair Newt had occupied only moments before.

'Well, gentlemen. I assume this means I have the job.'

After Newt went to Paris against the Ministry's orders, Theseus, Travers, Leta, Francis and a small team of Aurors went to Hogwarts to visit Albus Dumbledore. It came so very suddenly for her because Theseus stood in their office quite early in the morning without any notice.

'Mr. Scamander, how may we help you, today?' Hermione asked politely.

'Peverell, we are leaving for Hogwarts in five minutes. Get your cloak and come to my office, now!'

'Now? But I am not prepared at all. I didn't even know. Do I have to?'

'Yes. As you already know, my brother has left the country very sudden and is in Paris right now. We need to question Albus Dumbledore about his motives.'

'So Travers still believes that Professor Dumbledore sent him.'

'Yes. Hurry up, now.'

'Do I need to? I am sure you have plenty of Aurors that are just as capable as I.'

'Peverell!' he sounded quite annoyed.

'Yes, yes. I hurry. Accio cloak.'

'Wonderful!' He pulled her out of the door and to his office, where the others were already waiting. Hermione just shook her head in exasperation and asked herself how their head managed to not dislike her friend already.

The trip to Hogwarts was quite short. They apparated unto the large bridge that led to the castle's main entrance. As soon as Fanny saw it, she stumbled in her landing. Theseus caught her arm and gave her a concerned look.

'Are you well?'

'Yes. Just a little caught off guard by the castle.'

'I can understand. I think everyone is in awe after seeing Hogwarts for the first time.' She smiled tightly and followed the group that was headed by Travers and Scamander. They entered the castle and were gawked at by the students that had just finished their first lesson. A very young Professor intercepted them and asked for the reason of their coming but Travers just passed her by and marched with a single-mindedness towards Dumbledore's classroom. As soon as she entered her eyes met Dumbledore's. He looked at her quite curiously but gave her a soft smile that froze her completely.

'Peverell, are you truly well?' Theseus asked again. Professor Dumbledore's eyes widened for a second. He had heard. Damn.

'Yes, Sir.' She broke her eye contact with Professor Dumbledore and looked at the head Auror. But ere she could say something else, the students had been ushered out of the classroom and Travers had started questioning Dumbledore.

'Newt Scamander is in Paris!' Travers said matter-of-factly.

'Really?' Albus Dumbledore asked.

'Cut the pretence. I know he's there on your orders.'

'If you'd ever had the pleasure to teach him, you'd know Newt is not a great follower of orders.' Travers pulled out a small book and tosses it to Dumbledore, who caught it with one hand.

'You've read 'The Predictions if Tycho Dodonus?' He asked.

'Many years ago.'

'A son cruelly banished, despair of the daughter, return...'

'Yes, I know it.'

'There's a rumour this prediction refers to the Obscurial. They say that Grindelwald wants...'

'...a highborn henchman. I've heard the rumour.'

'And yet Scamander appears wherever the Obscurial goes, to protect him. Meanwhile, you have built up quite a little network of international contacts...'

'However long you keep me and my friends under surveillance you're not going to discover plots against you, Travers, because we want the same thing: The defeat of Grindelwald. But I warn you, your policies of suppression and violence are pushing supporters into his arms.'

'I'm not interested in your warnings!' Travers hissed angrily. 'Now, it pains me to say it, because - well I don't like you.' They both chuckle. 'But you are the only wizard who is his equal. I need you to fight him.' A pause followed. Everyone watched them.

'I cannot.'

'Because of this?' Travers pulled out his wand and cast a spell to show the moving images of a younger Dumbledore and a younger Grindelwald, that stared intently into each others eyes.

'You and Grindelwald were as close as brothers.'

'We were closer than brothers.' Albus Dumbledore was looking at the memories in agony, lost in his thoughts.

'Will you fight him?'

'I can't'

'Then you have chosen your side!' He flicked his wand once more. Thick metal cuffs - Admonitors - appeared on Dumbledore's wrists. 'From now on, I shall know every spell you cast. I'm doubling the watch on you and you will no longer teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.' He turned around, counting his Aurors. Finding on missing. 'Where is Leta? We need to go to Paris!' He stormed out, followed by the others. Theseus and Francis were the last to leave.

'Miss Peverell, may I have a word, please?' Fanny froze again and turned around to face her former friend and mentor. Scamander, too, stopped and eyed them with curiosity. 'Alone…' He looked at Theseus for a few seconds who harrumphed and turned around, following Travers out of the classroom.

'How can I help you, Professor Dumbledore?'

'I always thought that you family name vanished with the wedding of your ancestor Iolanthe Peverell into the Potter Family.'

'Very observant, Professor.'

'Please tell me how you came by the name.' Francis bit her lip for a moment ere waving her wand with a silent 'Muffliato'.

'I was born to James and Lily Potter, Sir, on the 31st of July in 1980 AD.' His eyes widened a bit. 'We fought against another Dark Lord more terrifying than Grindelwald ever will be. During our latest fight, he as good as killed our friend and we happened to get thrown back in time.'

'So to cover everything up, you took your ancestors name. A name forgotten by nearly everyone, including the Potters.'

'Yes.'

'I cannot fault you for it. What else did you tell them.'

'That my friend Hermione and I grew up in France, near Paris. That we had been homeschooled by british tutors. That Grindelwald wanted to recruit our family recently but, after refusing him, killed them all, except my friend and me. Our house has been destroyed beyond repair in the fight.'

'Why are you trusting me?'

'Because you have been my friend and mentor. I could trust you implicitly, then. And I know that I can trust you now.' He smiled at her with his familiar, kind smile. It nearly made her cry.

'Please call me Albus, then. All of my friends do!' he offered his hand which she took immediately.

'Francis or Fanny. However you want to call me.'

'Well Fanny, I think we have to join your colleagues, now, or Theseus will become impatient.'

'Oh I can imagine.' She chuckled softly. Albus placed her arm in his and led her out of the classroom. Theseus Scamander looked at them oddly. Albus chuckled good humouredly ere letting her arm go.

'Fanny, you know that my door will always be open to you!' She smiled and bowed her head respectfully.

'Albus, it was a pleasure seeing you again.' She joined the others and followed them down the floor and into the entrance hall.

'What was that about?' Scamander inquired quietly.

'Nothing. Just a small talk between old friends.'

'Peverell, be serious.'

'But I am, Sir. I met Albus at a moment in my life when I needed his help and counsel most. He gave it graciously and changed my life in a very unconventional way.'

'What did he do?' But Francis only smiled and kept silent while remembering the many meetings and conversations she had had with the headmaster. 'Peverell?' It was just then that Leta returned to their little group and they left the entrance hall. Students stood everywhere, staring in awe or confusion at the Aurors and the head of the DMLE. On their way across the bridge, Fanny turned around one last time and took in the castle in its entire beauty, a strong fortress completely untouched by the destruction the coming war with Voldemort would bring it. Maybe being back here in 1927 AD would give her the possibility to stop Voldemort ere he could become the monster he was back in her past future. She would talk to Hermione but maybe they could adopt young Tom Riddle who had been born only a few months ago and give him what no one thought to give him. A family.

To her surprise, Albus Dumbledore appeared on the front stairs and raised his left hand in a parting wave, a soft smile on his face. Fanny grinned and raised hers ere Theseus Scamander, surprisingly, took hold of her right hand and apparated them away.

'Hermione, I need to talk to you!' Fanny had, upon their return, instantly sought out her friend, leaving Scamander's office with only a small nod in his direction.

'Fanny. Whatever happened.' Her friend looked up from her paperwork. 'How was Hogwarts.'

'Beautiful. Peaceful. As grand as ever. And as soon as I saw Albus, Hermione, I had to stop myself from crying.'

'Oh Fanny. What happened?'

'I told him, Hermione, everything, and he believed me. Even better, he offered to visit him whenever I need his help or just another friend to talk to.'

'I am so glad, Fanny. I know how much he means to you.'

'Yes. And being here now means that we will have so much more time to become the kind of friends we never could be back then because I was so very young and he was - at least in my eyes - more of a mentor or grandfather to me.' Hermione got up and hugged her friend closely.

'You have to introduce us one day!'

'Of course I shall. You will like him!' She smiled. 'But while there I had an idea. Why don't we try to stop the next war from ever happening? Why don't we adopt Tom Riddle and give him a family. He has just been born a few months ago and maybe we can give him a better live.' Hermione pulled back and looked at her friend.

'You are right. Shall we go there today?'

'Not today. We are leaving for Paris soon, remember?'

'Right, I forgot. But let us got after returning to London!'

'Yes!'

Paris was one large disaster. They found Newt and his friends, Tina and Jacob - a muggle - but also lost Leta, who sacrificed herself to Grindelwalds fire and might to save their lives. Credence, the Obscurus, had joined Grindelwald and together they escaped to Merlin-knows-where. As had Tina's sister Queeny.

They stayed at Nicholas Flamel's house for a night ere returning to London. The Maledictus, Nagini, and Leta's half brother Yusuf Kama, had joined them. Both Scamander brothers were quite distraught about Leta's death because she had been a close friend and probably something more during some time of their life. There wasn't even a body to bury. Hermione used the time to talk to Nicholas Flamel about alchemy, while Francis just sat in a chair, her eyes closed and sorting through all of her memories these past days.

'Hey Fanny, my brother tells me that you are quite well acquainted with Professor Dumbledore.' Newt Scamander sat down to her right side, looking at her quite awkwardly.

'Something like this.' He gave her the small vial Moriarty had stolen from Grindelwald.

'What do you think about it?' Fanny looked at it for a few minutes, turning it from one side to the other several times.

'He did a blood pakt, didn't he?' Newt nodded.

'I thought the same. But why?'

'I think Albus would say that it were the follies of the youth.'

'Was it really?'

'Maybe but I would say that it was mostly love that lead him to do this.'

'Love? For Grindelwald?'

'Yes.' She pressed the vial back into his left hand and softly closed her fingers around it.

'You should give it back to Albus.'

'Will he be able to help us then?'

'I think so.' But being from the future and knowing the past let her know that he would for sure in the next eighteen long and dark years, that were still to come. 'You should go back to Tina, she needs you now more than ever, Newt.' He nodded and got up.

'It was nice talking to you, Fanny. I hope that we will become good friends sometime soon!'

'I hope so, too, Newt!' He nodded and left to look after the woman he had fallen in love with.

The next morning dawned to soon. None of them had slept at all during the night. Theseus and Torquil had left to get a portkey from the French Ministry of Magic and returned a few hours after sunrise. They said their thanks and goodbye to Nicholas Flamel and left Paris behind.

Newt took Tina, Nagini and Jacob to his house to clean up, while Travers and the other surviving Aurors returned to their homes. Hermione went to the Department of Child Welfare to get the necessary paperwork for their adoption of Tom Riddle, while Theseus and Francis took care of all the paperwork and the reports. He had pulled her a chair to his desk and together they filled in the many forms and report papers.

Around five in the afternoon, Hermione poked her head inside Theseus Scamander's office.

'I am returning home, Fanny, to clean up and prepare a room. Please don't stay too long. I would like to go to the orphanage tonight.'

'I will be along, soon!' Hermione nodded and closed the door.

'Orphanage? What do you want in an orphanage?'

Theseus asked, studying her face carefully.

'To adopt a small baby boy. Hermione and Ron had lost their unborn son recently and - seeing that she will not want to marry again anytime soon after losing her fiance - is seeking to find a little boy to raise. I confess that it was my idea and but I believe that a carefree, happy child will do us some good after all this loss and the dark years that are yet to come.'

'Why not marry yourself and have a family?'

'Maybe one day. I am quite the romantic at heart and am waiting for the the right man to sweep me of my feet.' She placed his quill on the table after finishing the last report. 'Is it ok, if I take my leave now, Sir?''

'Theseus, please. But yes, you may go. Can you come to the office tomorrow? We need to go to Hogwarts once again.'

'Sure Sir, Theseus.' She smiled softly. 'See you tomorrow!'

'And let me know if you have been successful tonight.' Francis nodded ere apparating home.

Wool's Orphanage was a very dark place. The house was run down and broken in some places. The front garden was completely overgrown and brown. The trees were barely alive and the view altogether bleak.

Hermione pushed the gate open and together they walked the path up to the main house. The sun was already setting and the first lights appeared in the windows.

As soon as they reached the door, Fanny took the knocker and rapped on the door. They had to wait but a few minutes later an elderly women opened the door.

'What can I do for you, M'lady?'

'We want to speak to Mrs. Cole, the matron.'

'She's in her office. Please come in!' Both friends entered and followed the woman through the rundown building. 'Here we are. Please go in!'

Fanny thanked her and together they entered the office.

'Good evening and welcome in Wool's Orphanage. How may I help you?'

'We want to adopt a little boy.' Francis said coldly, eyeing the matron with disgust.

'Then you are just at the right place.' She rose from her chair. 'We have plenty of them. What age shall it be?'

'Do you have newborns?'

'Just one. The others are already toddlers. His name is Tom Riddle. He was born on New Year's Eve.'

'Well, may we have a look at him?'

'Sure sure. But just to warn you, he is a strange boy. He never cries and sometimes, things happen. Things no-one can explain properly.'

'I don't mind at all. Please show him to me.' The matron nodded and led them out of the room and down the hallway to some kind of nursery. She pushed the door open and switched on the light.

'There he is, the little devil.' Hermione glared at her while Francis walked over to the crip. He was awake and fixed his little, blue eyes on her. Fanny leaned down with a sincere smile.

'Hello Tom!' She offered her hand which he eyed intently ere closing his small fingers around her index finger. A soft gurgling sound came out of his mouth. Fanny now placed her other hand inside, lifted him out of his crip and placed him against her chest. Baby Tom stretched his arm and placed his little hand against her chin - it was as far as he could reach - softly touching it ere pulling it back and snuggling into her arms. Fanny turned around and looked at Mrs. Cole.

'We will take him with us!' Mrs. Cole just stared at her, disbelief in her eyes

'Very well. But don't bring him back after discovering how troubling he can be!'

'Oh we won't. You can be sure of it.'

Back in the office, they filled in the paperwork. Hermione was named mother and the main guardian, while Fanny was named cousin and second guardian. Thus Tom was now officially declared Thomas Marvolo Richard.

The next day, Hermione asked for temporary leave - which was of course granted by Theseus. She returned home while Newt, Tina, Theseus, Travers, Fanny and a few Aurors returned to Hogwarts. Albus already expected them. Newt, who pulled Fanny along, walked over to him while Theseus stopped the others from following.

'Is it true about Leta' Albus Dumbledore asked Newt, hollow-eyed.

'Yes.'

'I'm so sorry!' Newt nodded but pulled out the vial. Dumbledore stared at it, simultaneously tormented and amazed.

'It's a blood pact, isn't it? You swore not to fight each other!' Shame flushed his face while he nodded curtly.

'How in the name of Merlin did you manage to get...?' He asked, still overcome by his emotions. Newt's Niffler decided that it was his time to poke its head out of Newt's pocket, watching the pendant he so liked, go.

'Grindelwald doesn't seem to understand the nature of the things he considers simple.' Dumbledore nodded and raised his hands to show the Admonitors to the other wizards and witches. Theseus Scamander raised his wand and the cuffs fell from Dumbledore's wrists.

'Can you destroy it?' Newt asked his former teacher.

'Maybe... maybe!' He said with an artificially cheerful voice to cover his many swirling emotions. He looked at the Niffler for a moment. 'Would he like a cup of tea?' They turned around and walked towards the castle, Fanny tried to back away to give them some private time but Newt - again - hooked her arm under his and pulled her along.

'He'll have some milk. Hide the teaspoons.' Albus chuckled lightly and watched the Niffler hurrying along the bridge.

Theseus, knowing that it would take a while, returned to the office with his colleagues, offering Tina an armchair, where she could wait in until Newt returned.

He did so a few hours later and left with Tina to show her, Jacob and Nagini around London.

'Where is Francis?'

'She stayed behind because she wanted to talk to Dumbledore a bit longer. She will drop by your office ere going home.' Theseus nodded and smiled at his brother.

'Thank you!' Newt grinned and left his office, Tina following after him.

The months that followed were quite chaotic. They had to go to Paris and Europe very often. Many of Grindelwalds followers caused mayhem and they had to clean up the aftermath and try to incarcerate them.

Tom got used to life with Hermione and Fanny and grew into a healthy little toddler. The both of them soon came to love him very dearly.

Funnily, Theseus visited them quite often in the evenings or over the weekend. So did Newt and Tina. Jacob had moved in with Newt, too, and learned how to care for the animals while reopening a small bakery in London, close to Newts home. Tina had quit her job at MACUSA and was now working for the british Ministry of Magic. Nagini had moved to their house in Godric's Hollow and helped them take care of young Tom, her new chosen charge after Credence abandonment.

As for Fanny, she was a frequent visitor at Hogwarts, because she either needed advice or just wanted to visit her friend. Sometimes they spoke about his past or her life in the future and sometimes they duelled each other or talked about the many different kinds and specters of magic.

'Dearest Francis,

How are you? I hope well after that terrible debacle in Paris. I heard that you made quite the career in your precious Auror Department. Advanced to the Deputy Head Auror. Congratulations. But how is work for the Ministry and the war hero? Quite restricted, I presume, with all the nasty regulations and suppressing policies.

It seems that you found a friend and protector in my former friend, Albus Dumbledore, who seemed to have furthered along your career. Is he still as disappointing and boring as all those years ago? You have to tell me one day.

You know, I am still a little sad that you decided against joining me. You are very talented and I could have led you to achieve a greatness you will never achieve as long as you work for your precious Ministry. Quite a pity. You would have made a powerful second in command and Credence could have profited from your teachings very much. But I will teach him everything he should know now while he will be prepared for his unique destiny at the same time and, hopefully, your dear friend will soon be no more!

But it is as it is and you made your choice. I hope that you will be contend with it. If not, you can contact me any time and I will invite you to my humble abode.

Did you know that I have something in my possession that belonged to your family once? I am thinking about returning it to you, should you join me. As a gift. Think about it, my dear!

And take care,

Yours faithfully,

Gellert Grindelwald.''

Fanny threw the letter on her desk. Disgust and anger on her hardened face. How dare he insult Albus like this? Only because he decided to do what was right it was no reason to mock him. She sighed and pressed her hand against her face.

Why had she never asked the other Albus where exactly Nurmengard was. Somewhere in the Alps was all she knew. Damn.

'Are you well, Fanny?' Theseus was leaning against the frame of her office door, watching her with some concern on his face.

'As well as I can be. I just received a very disturbing letter today.' She picked the offending pieces of parchment up again. 'You can read it, if you want.' It was held between her index and middle finger. Theseus walked over to her table until he was next to her and took the letter, looking at her ere reading the disturbing text. His brow rose with every line and Fanny feared that he would hurt himself seriously. He took his time and she guessed he read it twice.

'Nice.' He commented dryly.

'I thought so, too. 'Twas so very kind of him to remember me and send a letter.'

'How can you stand it?'

'I can't. But it doesn't matter to him. As long as he has his' she paused for a moment 'fun, everything is in order. But dare those that disturb it.'

'What has he that belongs to your family?'

'Nothing of importance. I would not want it anyway.' She sighed softly, remembering the Elder Wand and its bloody history. 'Besides, he would never give it back to me as long as he is alive and undefeated. It's just a trick. A promise of power and greatness to lure me in.'

'It seems to work with some.'

'Yes. But I am cured and would not want to be great and have absolute power like that. It only corrupts and brings out the worst in us. Someone once said to an old friend and mentor of mine: Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite and spite spawns lies. And quite often it leads to murder and death. Who would want that?'

'Probably more than you believe.' He returned the letter and placed it next to her hand.

'I fear you are right.'

'Fanny, may I invite you to dinner tonight? I hope that it will cheer you up.'

'Of course! I came to find that spending time with you never fails to cheer me up.' She blushed a little and fiddled with the letter.

'Wonderful.' He gave her a handsome smile, something he rarely did these days. 'I will pick you up in two hours, if it is alright with you!'

'It is, Theseus!' His finger touched her chin, lifting it up slightly. And ere she knew it he had kissed her. Fanny's eyes fluttered closed and she subconsciously placed her hand on the side of his face, pulling him closer. Theseus didn't seem to mind and engaged her lips in a very intense kiss.