Chapter 18
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Because a lot of you are curious I am letting you know that I just started writing the first chapter that takes place between second and third year, it is chapter 27, and it includes something I know you are all looking forward too.
AN2: Thank you for the support. It means so much to me. PLEASE REVIEW.
June 4th 1992
Having no idea what his daughter is doing Remus is sitting at home reading and drinking tea by the fire when he hears a tapping on the window. Looking over to the window Remus sees an owl.
"It's a bit late for mail." Remus comments with a frown as he gets up and walks over to the kitchen.
Opening the window, the owl flies in and drops the letter before flying up. Picking up the letter Remus quickly recognizes his daughter's writing and so he opens It and reads it, and with every word he feels more horror grow,
"NO." Remus says, sounding completely horrified before running over to the fire place, the letter still clutched in his hand, "Minerva's McGonagall's office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Remus says as he throws floo power into the fire.
A couple of minutes later Remus step out of the fire in Minerva's office.
"Remus? What's wrong?" Minerva asks, being sure that he wouldn't be there unless something was wrong, and without a word Remus just hands the letter over and then goes running out of the room as he knows that he has to get to the third floor and help his daughter and her friends.
Remus has only been running for a few seconds when Minerva catches up to him.
"You should have trusted them. You should have checked anyway." Remus tells his old friend.
"I know, I'm sorry Remus, but I did check." Minerva says as when she checked everything seemed fine.
A few seconds later the two of them run into the entrance hall where Albus is talking to too someone they all recognize.
"HERMIONE." Remus yells, running towards his daughter.
"Minerva get Severus; Remus go with Hermione to the hospital wing where Neville is helping Mr Weasley to." Albus says as runs up the stairs.
"PAPA." Hermione says, throwing her arms around her father who hugs her tightly.
"Ae you okay? Are you hurt?" Remus asks his daughter as he hugs her.
"I'm fine, but I couldn't go with Harry, there was only enough for one. He went alone, I don't know who he's going to face." Hermione explains to her father, as he holds her tightly, "He's all alone." Hermione says, sounding upset, and if Remus were to look at his daughters' face he would see that her eyes are more grey than anything right now.
"He won't be for long, Albus will help." Remus tells his daughter, holding her so tight because he never wants to let go of her.
"Remus, get Hermione up to the hospital wing." Minerva says to her friend, "I'll see you both soon." She says before she heads towards the dungeons and Remus leads his daughter up to the hospital wing.
A few minutes later Remus and Hermione walk into the Hospital wing, Remus still having an arm around his daughter. As they walk into the hospital wing Neville is being checked over by Madam Pomfrey while Ron is asleep on a bed.
"Nev, Ron was awake, what happened?" Hermione ask worried.
"The chess piece caused Mr Weasley a head injury, I gave him a potion to help and sleeping helps with that." Madam Pomfrey explains, "Sit down, Hermione, I want to check you over too."
"I'm fine." Hermione answers, through truthfully she is more worried about Harry and Ron than herself.
"Even so, Poppy is going to check you over anyway." Remus tells his daughter, leading over to the bed between Neville's and Ron's, "Are you okay, Neville?" Remus asks concerned.
"Yeah." Neville says with a nod.
"Poppy?" Remus asks, wanting to be sure.
"He's okay." Poppy assures, "But you need rest." Poppy tells Neville, "Now, you." Poppy says to Hermione and she uses her wand to scan Hermione, "You need rest too, but you're unhurt." Poppy says to Hermione, causing Remus to feel slightly better, though he is still very worried, "I want you both to sleep here tonight." She tells Hermione and Neville.
"Yes Poppy" Hermione and Neville say together, neither thinking about what they are saying.
"I'll be in my office if you need anything." Poppy says, "I want you both asleep in half an hour." She says, "Remus." Poppy greats before heading to her office.
"What happened?" Remus asks, looking between Hermione and Neville, once Madam Pomfrey has left.
"Well. After talking to Minnie we know we had to go so we snuck out of Gryffindor Tower using Uncle James's cloak, and ….." Hermione starts to say, but then Remus cuts her off.
"Uncle James's cloak, are you telling me that Harry has James's invisibility cloak?" Remus asks.
"Yes, he got it for Christmas." Hermione explains.
"Right." Remus says, not even wanting to think about what Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron will be able to do with that as he remembers all too well what he, James, Sirius and Peter used to do.
"Hagrid told us how to get past Fluffy so that was relatively easy." Neville admits and together he and Hermione begin to explain to Remus everything that they did in the last couple of hours, and more than once during the explanation Remus feels like he has to reach out to his daughter and Neville to reassure himself that they are okay.
Twenty minutes after Hermione and Neville begun to explain to Remus what has happened in the past couple of hours the door to the medical area opens and Albus, trailing on behind a stretcher which has Harry on it, walks into the room.
"HARRY." Hermione and Neville yell and they both try to run over to their friend but Remus stops them as Poppy comes out of her office.
"Albus?" Remus asks, as he holds back Hermione and Neville, and because of the pain in his voice Albus knows exactly what Remus is really asking.
"He's still alive." Albus answers, as Poppy hurries over to Harry, though Remus can hear a hint of uncertainty in his voice that doesn't help his worry.
"Give me space, Albus." Poppy says and Albus, reluctantly, walks over to Remus, Hermione and Neville.
"Did Voldemort get the Stone?" Hermione asks, wanting to ask if Harry will be okay, but she figures that Albus doesn't know yet.
"Did Snape?" Neville adds.
"Professor Snape wasn't after the Stone." Albus says, stressing the Professor, "Professor Quirrell was working with Voldemort and no, neither of them obtained the Stone." Albus reveals, and Hermione and Neville feel a little bit more relief at that, as the four conscious people in the Hospital Wing other than Poppy drift into silence.
For twenty minutes Remus, Albus, Hermione and Neville stand in silence as they watch Poppy work on Harry.
"He's stabilised." Poppy says, "He'll likely be unconscious for a while, but he should wake up." Poppy tells the group, "Now, you two need to get some rest." She says, looking at Hermione and Neville giving them both a stern voice.
"Yes Poppy." Hermione and Neville say and they walk over to beds and lay down as they do Remus walks over to the pair and sits down next to them.
"Will you be here in when I wake up in the morning?" Hermione asks her Papa.
"Yeah, I will." Remus says, after giving Albus a brief look.
"Good, I'm glad." Hermione comments.
"Get some rest, Sweetheart. I'm right here." Remus tells his daughter, placing a kiss on her head, "You too Neville." Remus adds, looking at the young boy, and within a few minutes they are both asleep, leaving Remus, Albus and Poppy the only people awake in the Hospital Wing, it being clear that all three of them are worried about the four first years.
June 7th 1992
It has been three days since Harry was brought unconscious to the hospital wing and ever since everyone has been worrying about him. As he promised Remus was with Hermione when she woke up and after spending about half an hour with his daughter Remus had to talk to Albus and then head back home, because Ron was asleep until after Remus left he didn't get to meet Hermione's father.
As of a little while ago Harry has finally woken up and for the last ten or so minutes Harry has been talking to Albus about everything that happened, about Quirrell, Voldemort, The Stone, Nicholas Flamel, his father and Snape, and why Voldemort wasn't able to touch him.
"And sir, there's one more thing…." Harry tells, Albus.
"Just the one?" Albus asks curious.
"Um, two actually." Harry corrects, "The first is how'd I get the stone out of the mirror?" he asks curious.
"Ah, now, I'm glad that you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me that's saying something. You see, only one who wanted to find the stone find it, but not use it would be able to get it, would be able to get it, otherwise they'd just see themselves making gold or drinking the Elixir of Life. My brain surprises even me sometimes." Albus explains to Harry, "Now what is your last question? And I really must insist that it be your last question."
"Why didn't you let Hermione's Papa visit me when I was growing up?" Harry asks, asking the question that he wanted to know for months.
"The protection we talked about, the love, that runs through your veins also runs through your aunt. You are safe there and I was thought that if Remus was allowed to see you neither of you would want to say goodbye to one another, which would hurt you both because your relatives house is the best place for you, it is where you are safe." Albus explains to Harry, "I was trying to protect you both from being hurt." He explains, telling the truth as Remus, Harry and Hermione all mean a lot to him, he considers them to be his family so he wants to protect them from pain, even if he doesn't go about it in the right way.
"I hate it there." Harry informs Albus, feeling that he has nothing to lose, "I may be safe from Voldemort, but I don't feel safe, I'm not loved, I'd rather live anywhere else, I've never considered it my home and my Aunt has made it clear that it's not… " Harry tells Albus, pain in his voice, and tears threatening to come to his eyes, "Please don't make me go back." Harry begs.
"Harry, has your Aunt ever said that it wasn't your home? Not your Uncle, your Aunt?" Albus asks, his voice grave because if she had then the protection should not have worked.
"Yes." Harry confirms, "She's been perfectly clear about that." He comments, causing Albus to frown.
"There is something I need to look into." Albus informs Harry, "I must ask that you return to your Uncle and Aunts house for one week once term ends. After a week I will pay a visit to your Aunts house and we will discuss things further." Albus says, knowing that a week should give him enough time to look into things.
"Okay." Harry says with a nod, feeling a sense of hope, "But sir if I have a choice I would rather live with Hermione and her Father."
"May I ask why?" Albus asks, "You don't remember ever meeting Remus." He comments, finding that strange.
"I know, I just, It's a feeling I have." Harry admits, "Ever since Hermione mentioned her Papa trying to fight for me I've had a feeling that tells me that that's where I really belong. That they are more of a family to me than my relatives." Harry explains.
"Interesting." Albus comments, pondering some things, "Now, I think it's time you make a start on your sweets." Albus says, walking over to the pile "Ah! Berttie Bott's Every Flavour Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit flavour one, and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them." Albus says and he picks up a box of Bettie Bott's, "But I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?" Albus asks with a smile as he popped the golden brown bean into his mouth, "Alas, ear wax." Albus says with a frown, causing Harry to laugh a little.
June 8th 1992
It has been a day since Harry woke up and ever since Madam Pomfrey hasn't allowed Harry to have a single visitor even though Hermione, Ron, and Neville have all been attempting to visit.
"Just five minutes." Harry pleads, wanting to see his friends.
"Absolutely not." Madam Pomfrey tells him.
"You let Professor Dumbledore in." Harry objects.
"Well, of course, that was the headmaster, quite different. You need rest."
"I am resting, look, lying down and everything. Oh, go on, Madam Pomfrey." Harry begs.
"Oh, very well, but five minutes only." Madam Pomfrey says and she lets Hermione, Ron and Neville in.
"Harry!" the three of them yell and Hermione looks like she is ready to fling her arms around him again, but she doesn't something which Harry is glad about as his head is still really sore.
"Oh Harry, we were sure you were going to…." Hermione starts to say but then trails off.
"Dumbledore was soo worried." Neville adds.
"The whole school's talking about it." Ron says, "What really happened?" he asks curious and after a few seconds of hesitation Harry explains everything that happened. He explains all about everything that happened, the mirror, the Stone, and about Quirrell having Voldemort on the back of his head.
As he explains everything that happened he finds Hermione, Neville and Ron are a great audience, they gasp in all the right places and when Harry told them what was under Quirrell's turban Hermione and Neville scream out loud.
"So the Stone's gone?" Ron asks.
"Doesn't that mean Flamel's going to die?" Neville asks, sadness in his voice.
"That's what I said, but Dumbledore thinks that, what was it? 'to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.'" Harry explains.
"I always said he was off his rocker." Ron says, looking quite impressed at how crazy his hero is.
"What happened to you three?" Harry asks.
"Well I got back all right, and Nev was already attempting to get Ron arrive and after a while we both managed to get him awake." Hermione explains.
"I took Ron to the hospital wing and Mione went to find help." Neville explains.
"In the entrance hall I meet Dumbledore and he already knew, he just said 'Harry's gone after him, hasn't he?' and hurtled off to the third floor." Hermione explains, leaving out the parts involving her father as Ron still doesn't know about her family.
"D'you think he meant you to do it?" Ron asks, "Sending you your father's cloak and everything?" he ask.
"No." Hermione says, needing to believe that Albus wouldn't do that, "He can't have, he wouldn't have." She says needing to believe it.
"It would be terrible if he did intend it, you could have been killed." Neville adds, knowing that it will affect his friend a lot if it's true.
"No, it wouldn't be." Harry says, "He's a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on around here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea of what we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't think it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked, it's almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could." Harry explains and even though she understands that to a degree Hermione finds herself frowning slightly.
"Yeah, Dumbledore's off his rocker, all right." Ron says proudly.
"Do you think you'll be up for the end-of-year feast tomorrow?" Neville asks curious, "The points are all in and Slytherin won, of course." Neville says with a frown.
"You missed the last Quidditch match, we were steamrollered by Ravenclaw without you." Ron explains, "But the food'll be good." Ron explains and as he does Madam Pomfrey comes over.
"You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now out." She says firmly and Hermione, Ron and Neville all reluctantly leave.
June 9th 1992
After spending most of the day alone, sitting by her tree, though she did go to the library to get some information on a specific subject that she wants to read over the summer, Hermione returned to the castle to head to the Great Hall for the leaving feast. She has only been sitting for a few minutes when a sudden hush takes over the hall, a hush that Hermione realises means Harry's entered and about a minute later Harry sits down next to Ron, across from Hermione and Neville.
As Harry sits down it is like the entire hall is talking about him, but to his relief Dumbledore arrives moments later causing the babble to die away.
"Another year gone!" Albus says cheerfully, "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were, you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year start." Albus tells everyone, "Now, as I understand it, the house cup here need awarding, and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor with two hundred and sixty-two points; in third Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy two points." Albus tells the hall, causing the Slytherin table to cheer, "Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin." Dumbledore says, "However, recent events must be taken into account." Dumbledore says, causing the room to go very still, "Ahem, I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. First, to Mr Neville Longbottom, for outstanding knowledge of Herbology and quick thinking when others were in mortal peril, I award Gryffindor House, fifty points." Albus says, causing cheers to erupt all around the hall.
"Completely deserved." Hermione says, putting her arm around her friend, who seems to be torn between embarrassment and shock.
"Second, to Mr Ronald Weasley for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in man years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Albus says, casing Gryffindor cheers to seemingly raise the bewitch ceiling as the stars overheard seemingly quiver.
As the cheers erupt Percy turns to the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!" Percy says, sounding proud, and after a couple of minutes there is finally silence again.
"Third, to Miss Hermione Granger, for the use of cool logic in the face of fire I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Albus says and as he does Hermione buries her face in her hands, attempting not to burst into tears, and as she does that Neville reaches over and pats his friend back while also squeezing her shoulder in comfort.
Up and down the Gryffindor table everyone is beside themselves, they were a hundred and fifty points up.
"Fourth, to Mr. Harry Potter." Albus says and the room goes deadly quiet, "For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points." Albus says and the second he does the din becomes deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points, exactly the same as Slytherin. They were now tied for the house cup, if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.
After a couple of minutes Dumbledore raises his hand and the room gradually falls silent.
"It is one thing to let a friend walk into danger alone, it is another to knowingly walk into danger with a friend, or stay behind with another, just to make sure they are not alone." Albus tells the hall, "After this inspiring demonstration of friendship from the aforementioned students I award, Gryffindor House, ten points." Albus informs the hall and the second he does the loudest sound erupts from the Gryffindor table, and Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron find themselves disappearing under a pile of people hugging them, it is so loud that someone standing outside might have thought that some kind of explosion has taken place as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are cheering.
"Which means." Albus says over the loud storm of applause and cheers, "We need a little change of decoration." Albus says and as he claps his hands the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold, the huge serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion to it's place, and if the cheers are anything to go by the celebration won't end any time soon.
June 12th 1992
Three days after the leaving feast, three days that seem to blend together Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville are in a compartment together on their way home, all four of them feeling rather proud of their exam results and Harry and Hermione are a little surprised that Snape didn't fail them on principle.
As Fred and George Weasley just left after spending time with the foursome, most of which was spent complaining about the warnings not to do magic outside of school, Ron decides that it is time to ask something he's been wondering for days.
"So Hermione, why did you call Professor McGonagall Minnie when we tried to tell her about the stone?" Ron asks and the second he does Neville and Harry both look at Hermione, "And what do Harry and Neville know that I don't?" he asks, truthfully a little annoyed, and wanting answers before they get to London, which is soon.
Hearing the question Hermione is about to internally debate what she wants to do, but she quickly realises that she doesn't want to keep the secret from Ron anymore, honestly she doesn't want to keep it from the school, but she'll see how Ron reacts first,
"Hermione Granger isn't my name; Granger isn't my real last name." Hermione reveals.
"Please say your real last name isn't McGonagall?" Ron asks, not even being able to imagine what that would mean.
"No." Hermione says with an amused smile, "The school's reaction if it was would be easier to deal with." Hermione admits, causing Ron to frown in confusion while Harry and Neville both cross their fingers and hope that Ron takes the truth well, "I don't have a Mum and a Dad, I have two Fathers." Hermione reveals and because of the fact he grew up in the magical world Ron doesn't even find that strange, "My real name, the name I'm thinking about going by next year is Hermione Jean Hope Lupin-Black." Hermione says, closing her eyes as she says Black.
"Black?" Ron asks and Hermione can hear the disgust in his voice.
"Yes." Hermione confirms, opening her eyes to see the clear rejection on Ron's face.
"That Psychopath is your father?" Ron asks, looking at Hermione in complete horror, "You're Death Eater Spawn, just like Malfoy." He says, looking at Hermione in disgust and as he does Hermione has to fight not to let tears fall as Ron's words, the words she's always expected to one day here, cut through her like a knife.
"Death Eater?" Harry asks Neville in a confused whisper.
"You-know-who's followers." Neville whispers back.
"How can you two be okay with this? Come on Harry, let's get away from Death Eater spawn." Ron says and as he does Hermione loses the battle to keep her tears at bay and they start to roll down her face.
"No." Harry says, as Neville walks over to Hermione and puts his arm around her, "I'm not going anywhere and neither are you." Harry tells him, "Hermione isn't her father. What he did has nothing to do with her, or her other father." He says, sounding angrily, "Just because Hermione's father is a bad person and did horrible things doesn't mean she is." He says, "It's not fair to make her pay for what he did." Harry says as Neville, who still has his arm around Hermione, gives him a grateful look.
"After what her father did, someone should pay." Ron says, glaring at Hermione.
"But not, Mione." Neville says, sounding angry, "Mione doesn't remember ever meeting Sirius, she was raised by Remus, her Papa, and Remus is the most amazing, the kindest person I've ever known, and that's the parent she takes after." Neville reveals, and as he does the train starts to slow, "Judging Hermione by what Sirius did isn't fair to her."
"She's the daughter of Sirius Black!" Ron says angrily, "A mass murdering psychotic Death Eater!" He says, "Don't write me." He says, looking at Hermione.
"RON." Harry and Neville say shocked.
"It's okay." Hermione says, looking up with the tears clear on her cheek and her eyes looking more grey than brown, "If you don't want anything to do with me, and don't want me to be your friend, and want me to stay away from you, I will." Hermione tells Ron as she has been preparing herself for this kind of reaction for a while.
"That's exactly what I want." Ron says as the train stops.
"Okay." Hermione says and all four of them stand up, as they do Harry walks over to Ron who is collecting his stuff.
"Ron, be reasonable." Harry says to him in a quiet voice.
"Reasonable? She's going by a different name because she knows what people knowing she's Sirius Black's daughter will mean." Ron says to Harry, "She's ashamed, and she should be." He confirms as he pulls down his stuff and walks out of the carriage.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry." Harry tells his friend, feeling bad as he was hoping Ron would react better.
"It's okay." Hermione says, lying as it does hurt, though it's not overly unexpected, "My Papa will be waiting, would you like to meet him?" he asks.
"Definitely." Harry confirms, smiling at Hermione, and together the two of them and Neville grab their stuff and head out of the carriage.
About ten minutes later Hermione, Harry, Neville and Ron have made it through the gateway and when they do Hermione and Neville walk right over to Remus and Augusta who are standing together.
When she gets close enough Hermione just hugs her father,
"I missed you so much, Papa." Hermione says, even though it's only been a few days since she saw him.
"I missed you too." Remus says as he holds his daughter tightly and after a couple of minutes the break apart, "You've been crying, what's wrong?" Remus asks his daughter, concerned, but before Hermione can answer they hear,
"Hermione, Neville." And they both turn around to see Harry who has walked over to them after thanking Mrs Weasley for the Christmas present she gave him.
"Harry." Hermione says with a smile, one that isn't even forced, "I'd like you to meet Neville's Grandmother Augusta Longbottom and my Papa, Remus Lupin." Hermione introduced, "Papa, Mrs Longbottom, this is Harry." Hermione introduces.
"It's really nice to meet you both." Harry says and then realises something, "But, I guess for you it's not the first time."
"No, it's not." Remus confirms, "But, I'm so glad to see you again, Harry, and I'm sorry that I haven't been a part of your life sooner." Remus says, as he'll never stop feeling bad that he wasn't.
"It's okay." Harry says, "It's not your fault."
"How are you feeling?" Remus asks concerned.
"Better." Harry answers.
"BOY." Vernon's voice yells.
"I got to go." Harry says with a frown.
"I talked to Dumbledore, he said that he needs a week to figure somethings out, but after that I will make sure that you don't have to spend any longer there." Remus assures Harry, "I will find a way." He promises, knowing enough from Hermione to know that he can't let Harry stay at his relatives longer than a week.
"I hope you do." Harry admits, the words being out of his mouth before he can stop himself, "I should go, it's nice meeting you Remus, Mrs Longbottom." He quickly says and then he hugs Hermione and Ron before walking over to his relatives.
"Papa, we can't let him stay there." Hermione says, looking at her father.
"I know; I don't intend to let him." Remus promises his daughter and after the two of them watch Harry walk away.
"Let's go home." Augusta says once Harry and his family can't be seen anymore and together Hermione, Neville, Remus and Augusta all head out of the station, Remus having his arm around his daughter's shoulders as they walk, feeling glad to have her home again but at the same time he knows that he can't leave Harry at his relatives longer than a week.
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