JK Rowling ended her story "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at the end of the second war with Voldemort. She then followed up with an epilogue entitled "19 Years Later". This is the story of those 19 years in between. Please note that the information provided by "The Cursed Child" will not be taken into account for this fanfiction.
All characters are property of JK Rowling and I do not make a profit from this story.
Chapter Sixty: The Return of the Old Beaded Bag
Ron Weasley – Present Day
February 28, 2001
Harry and Ron arrived at the Ministry of Magic, eager to explain to Kingsley what Hermione had discovered. With the help of the Aurors, they should be able to track down the killer and from there, hopefully, track down and destroy the two horcruxes.
"Minister," said Harry, as he reached Kingsley's office. Kingsley was standing outside of his office, with his door open, and about to enter when Harry and Ron had approached him.
"Mister Potter, Mister Weasley, might we meet a little later? I have business at the moment with-"
But Ron had cut him off. "This is urgent, Minister!" he said frantically. "Hermione made a connection between the two men who were murdered; we might be able to find out who the murderer is!"
"Miss Granger made the connection, did you say?" came the voice of Dolores Umbridge, stepping into view with a large grin on her face. Clearly, the person that Kingsley had business with was Umbridge, and she had been standing inside of his office. "Might I remind you, Mister Weasley, that Miss Granger is a fugitive and anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts who does not inform the Ministry is just as guilty as she is, especially two members of the Dobwig Association."
"We received an owl from her," Harry lied quickly. "We have no idea where she is."
"Very well then, Mister Potter. Please provide me with the letter that you've received," responded Umbridge.
"I've burnt it," Harry said plainly.
"You've burnt it?" Umbridge repeated. "Well, I'm afraid that is considered tampering with evidence and is also a crime. Don't worry, gentlemen, I know we can work this out," she said sweetly, behind her ugly frog-like grimace. "You will of course have to wait in Azkaban for your hearing, but I believe there is an opening in about three months from now."
Ron looked at Harry. "She can't put us in Azkaban," he said slowly.
"Oh, but I can, Mister Weasley," she said happily. "And it's about time, too."
Ron watched Umbridge raise her wand, but felt Harry tug on his arm quickly. "Run!" Harry yelled. Harry and Ron took off down the hall and to a nearby staircase, while Umbridge yelled behind them and started to send orders for the Ministry of Magic to be sealed.
"Harry, what do we do?" panted Ron, as he followed Harry down another flight of stairs.
"Just follow me and keep up!" Harry yelled back, as he lead them to the Dobwig Association, and locked the door behind them.
"This will be the first place they look!" said Ron.
"If they know where to look," responded Harry, leading them to his office. "Hermione and I had this place installed; you never know when you'll need a hideout." Harry opened what appeared to be a solid wall, and inside was a small little room, with a tiny box in the corner. "Get in, hurry up!" The two of them entered the small room and closed the hidden door, just before Umbridge, Kingsley, Yaxley, and two Aurors appeared.
"I told you that they wouldn't be here," came Kingsley's voice.
"Well, they are in the Ministry," responded Umbridge. "And they are not getting away this time; come on!" Harry and Ron stayed quiet, long after Umbridge and her associates left, to ensure that they didn't get caught.
"What is this?" Ron finally asked Harry, but still careful to keep his voice down.
"Remember the vanishing cabinet that Malfoy used in sixth year?" Harry asked, as he was reaching into the little box and pulling out a galleon.
"Yeah," said Ron, as he watched Harry message someone.
"Well, this is it. Hermione and I thought it would be good to have a getaway in case we ever needed it."
"And you didn't think to tell me?" Ron asked angrily.
"Seriously, Ron, now is not the time. Come on, we have to go."
"Who did you galleon?" Ron asked, annoyed with the secrets that Harry and Hermione always seemed to share.
"Hermione," Harry responded truthfully. "It's not my usual galleon; we've got one hidden here and have encrypted it so that nobody would be able to intercept it. Come on, let's go," Harry said, before Ron could ask anything else. Together, Harry and Ron vanished from their cabinet inside the Dobwig Association, and arrived inside of the cabinet's pair, at a location that Ron was unaware of. "Hello?" Harry asked hesitantly, as he pushed open the door.
"Potter! What the bloody hell is going on?" came a familiar voice.
"Aberforth?" asked Ron, recognizing the wizard that lived in the house where they just arrived at.
"I thought this was only to be used in an emergency!" asked Aberforth angrily, as he started to clean up dirt from an overturned plant. Clearly, Aberforth had his cabinet well hidden by plants, and was not expecting it to be used.
"This is urgent," Harry responded. He quickly filled Aberforth in, and then headed for the door. "Thanks for your help, Aberforth," Harry said. "Be sure to keep that hidden; we may need it again."
Ron followed Harry to the front door, and into the alley at Hogsmeade, where Aberforth's front door lead to. "What now?" whispered Ron.
"Now, we go and get Hermione," Harry responded. "And then I guess we run."
Harry Potter – Present Day
February 28, 2001
Harry and Ron apparated just outside of number twelve, Grimmauld Place, and entered into a house full of commotion.
"Potter, Weasley, what is going on?"
"There are rumors that you are wanted by the Ministry!"
"What happened?"
"How did you get out?"
"We don't have much time," said Harry, rushing to do what needed to be done. "Remus, please keep the Order going; we will be in touch when we can," he said, looking at Remus and accepting his nod. He then ran upstairs and grabbed Hermione, who was already packed. "My message worked then?" he asked her, seeing her hold the beaded bag that she had used in the past to hold all of their belongings.
Hermione nodded. "I've kept the extendable charm on it, in case we've ever needed it. The only thing I don't have is your cloak."
Harry frowned. "Well, it is what it is, I suppose," he said. "Come on, we need to go." The pair of them made their way downstairs to where a confused Ron was waiting. Harry turned and looked at Ginny.
"I'm coming with you, and I am not hearing a word against it," she said sternly.
"You can't," he sighed, grabbing her hands. "Ginny, do you trust me?" he asked her.
"Of course, but that isn't stopping me from going with you."
"Listen," he told her, pulling her out of ear shot from everyone else. "I need you to go to our flat and get my cloak. You are going to be watched so please be extra careful. Then tomorrow, meet me at the bakery outside of Grindelwald's hideout. Make it look like you're on watch for the Order and once I know the coast is clear, I'll show myself, okay?"
"Fine," she responded. "But then I'm coming with you."
"Ginny, I need you here."
"No, Harry!"
Before Harry could respond, he heard his name being called. "Harry," came the voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"Here to turn us in?" Harry asked angrily, already drawing his wand.
"Harry, I am the Minister of Magic and therefore must do things that you often do not like," he responded, but kept his wand within his robes. "But whether you have noticed or not, I am on your side. I told the Aurors that I was heading to the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters to see if you are here. I will of course tell them that you are not here, but you need to leave. I don't know how long I can keep them from demanding entry to here."
"We should move Headquarters," said Remus.
"Yes, but make it look like we haven't," responded Kingsley. "Otherwise it will be suspicious. Harry, you, Hermione, and Ron need to go. We will do everything we can to help you, but for now-"
"We are on the run, yeah," Harry finished for him.
"Apparate under your cloak."
"My cloak is at my flat," Harry responded.
"You mustn't go and get it," said Minerva. "It is too risky."
"I have a plan for it to come to me," Harry said, without making any eye contact with Ginny.
"Well, how're ya going ter leave now?" Hagrid asked.
Hermione pulled out a bottle of Polyjuice potion. "Can three of you lend us some hair?" she asked. It did not take long to prepare the potion with the appropriate hair, and soon there were two Remus', Tonks, and Seamus' standing in the room.
"We will be well hidden," Harry said, while Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement. "We've done this before," he added weakly. "We will be in touch; everyone stay safe and do not contact us; we will contact you." It was an emotional few moments as everyone was saying bye, and Harry was quite thankful that Molly was back at the Burrow and not present for this. Nobody was happy with the decision, but for the time-being, they knew this was the only option.
"You need to go now," said Kingsley.
Harry, who currently looked like Remus, nodded, then turned to Ginny. "I'll see you then," he said, careful not to mention when and where. He then turned to Hermione (who looked like Tonks), and Ron (who looked like Seamus). "The Forest of Dean?" he whispered, carefully so only the two of them could hear him. The pair nodded and one by one, walked out of Headquarters and apparated to the forest. Harry was last to arrive, and as soon as he did, Hermione, Ron, and Harry started casting the all too familiar protection charms to keep them hidden. Once completed, Hermione sat in a corner and opened up one of her books. Ron set up the tent and went inside, not speaking to either of them. Harry sat on the edge of the perimeter, stating that he would keep first watch. He couldn't believe that this was where he had found himself again, and he had no idea what he was going to do.
Jessica Ferguson – Present Day
February 28, 2001
Jessica anxiously paced back and forth in the Lovegood's sitting room. She was finally meeting Neville's grandmother, and although she knew exactly what she was going to do, it didn't change the fact that she was slightly nervous.
"Hi," came Neville's nervous voice, as he entered the room. Jessica nodded but said nothing, instead choosing to sit down and face the only other couch in the room, where she assumed Neville and his grandmother would sit. It took a few moments before Neville's grandmother appeared, out of breath and clearly annoyed.
"Such a ridiculous layout," said Augusta Longbottom, as she finally reached the circular sitting room and took a seat on the couch. "We will have to make better arrangements in the future," she said, looking directly at Jessica. "Now then, where is my great-granddaughter?" she asked bluntly.
"She isn't here," Jessica said.
"Well, I can see that! I have come to see her, so, where is she?"
"I wanted to speak with you first," Jessica said, looking directly at Neville's grandmother.
"Well then, speak! I am not getting any younger!"
"Amelia is Neville's daughter and I have agreed to allow him to see her, but I have some rules first."
"What nonsense is this?" asked Augusta angrily.
"Gran, let's just hear her out," Neville pleaded quietly.
"Very well," Augusta sighed. "Let us hear these rules."
Jessica took a deep breath but then spoke confidently. "Amelia does not know that she is a witch. I understand that she is one, and she will be informed, but I am the one that will tell her."
"Well, I don't bloody care who tells her!" said Augusta, rolling her eyes. "Although she should be told soon, and not surprised when she arrives at Hogwarts as the Longbottom heir and not aware of her roots!"
"She will be told this week, just before she meets Neville."
"A week? So what was the purpose of us coming today, then?"
"Gran, I'm okay with waiting a week," Neville said quietly.
"The next thing," Jessica said, moving on, "is that Amelia is known as Amelia Ferguson."
"Well, that is not something you can control!" said Augusta, knowledgeably. "Once Amelia goes to Hogwarts, she will default to Longbottom."
"I know that, and once she turns eleven, I will decide if she is going to Hogwarts. Only then will the final decision on her last name be made."
"Not go to Hogwarts!" shouted Augusta, clutching her chest. "You do realize that she is the rightful heir to the Longbottom name! She is next in line for the Sacred Twenty-Eight! Not to mention, suppressing one's magic could have dire consequences!"
"I know about the potential of becoming an Obscurus," Jessica responded, briefly remembering her conversation with Molly. "And I would not let that happen to my daughter."
"I should bloody well hope not!" said a very disgruntled Augusta.
"When the time comes, I will decide if she goes to Hogwarts or if she is home-schooled by a witch of my choosing. Until that time, Amelia will be attending a muggle school."
"Anything else?" Neville asked quietly, before his Grandmother could say anything.
"Just one more; you can visit with Amelia but only when I am present. You may be her father but the truth is I have no idea who you are and I do not trust you."
"Now you listen here," said Augusta, finally reaching her limit. "You may be the girl's mother, but my grandson is her father. I do not care what you think my grandson did but he is entitled to be a parent to her and I will damn well make sure that he has the right to be. You can put her in her silly muggle school, but at the age of eleven, she will decide if she attends Hogwarts or not, or I will fight you tooth and nail, you mark my words. And if you wish to be present at our family functions, so be it, but Amelia is going to learn all about what being a Longbottom is, and she is going to be a proud Longbottom at that! Now, come along Neville, we will return a week from today to spend a full afternoon with Amelia." Jessica said nothing as she watched Augusta leave the room. Neville looked at her briefly, but then turned and left with his grandmother without a word.
Sirius Black – The Past
July 2, 1994
"Reminiscing?" asked Remus, as he sat next to Sirius on the dusty old couch in the basement of number twelve Grimmauld Place.
"Yeah," chuckled Sirius, accepting the cup of ale that Remus was handing to him. "You know how much I love this place."
Remus chuckled too. "You can't honestly stay here," Remus said, looking at his old friend.
"It is the only place that I am safe," Sirius answered honestly. "I'll probably go abroad for a bit though, as Padfoot. It's been a long time since I've seen the country side."
"Sirius, look-"
But Sirius shook his head. "I don't need to hear it, Remus. I wouldn't have believed me, either."
"But I should have known, I should have asked!"
"You never would have known that Wormtail would be the one to betray James and Lily. I didn't believe it myself, even when I knew the facts! It's all forgotten, old friend; I hold no grudge."
Remus gave him a weak smile. "There is one thing, though," he started slowly.
Sirius took a large gulp of his drink. "Daisy," he said quietly.
"Daisy," Remus repeated.
Sirius didn't respond right away. Finally, he spoke. "You know that I love Daisy just as much as I love Harry, right?"
"I would hope so," answered Remus truthfully.
"But Harry was alive and Daisy wasn't even born yet; I had to protect him."
"Harry was safe though; it was Daisy that wasn't."
"Which is why I told you to get the Healers."
"Sirius, you knew there wouldn't have been enough time," Remus said.
"I know," Sirius agreed quietly, with his head in his hands. "I didn't know what to do," he answered honestly. "If Snape didn't see Lily there, I don't think Harry would have been safe."
"Snape?" asked Remus.
"Dumbledore didn't tell you?" Sirius asked, looking up at his old friend. Remus shook his head no, and Sirius swore loudly. "Snivellus was in love with Lily," Sirius told him.
"In love?" repeated Remus. "I knew they had a friendship at a time, but never did I think that he loved her like that."
"Well, he did, and that's the reason he came to our side," answered Sirius. "Not because he's some great wizard, but because he couldn't stand to see Lily get hurt."
"So, he knew that Voldemort was after James and Lily?"
Sirius nodded. "And if he didn't find Lily like that, then maybe he would have thought her to be alive. I didn't know that Voldemort had fallen at that point."
"So, you wouldn't let me bring Lily to a Healer so that Snape knew for sure that she was dead."
"I know it sounds horrible, Moony, but I had to protect Harry! You understand, don't you?"
"I can't say that I do in its entirety, no," said Remus truthfully. "You saw Hagrid take Harry to safety and you knew that Dumbledore had a plan. But, you have also never trusted anyone and so I can see why you wouldn't have put your faith in Dumbledore." Remus watched Sirius struggle to speak. "You are hiding something, aren't you?" Remus finally asked him.
"Not really," said Sirius. "I really was protecting Harry, but it wasn't just from Snape, it was also from my mother."
"Your mother?"
Sirius nodded. "She had intentions of killing the Potters."
"And she did," Remus told his friend. "She was the reason that James' parents died."
"I had suspected as much," responded Sirius quietly, holding back his tears.
"You need to talk to Harry," Remus said finally.
"I'll make him understand about Snape."
"He is a bright boy; he will need to know more than that."
"How can I tell him that my parents are the reason his grandparents and sister are dead?"
Remus didn't respond right away. After a while, he asked Sirius, "how did you know it was a girl?"
"Dumbledore told me," he responded. "He said that you took care of the paperwork." Remus nodded and handed Daisy's birth certificate to Sirius. Sirius read the parchment silently. "the first of November," he said after a moment. "She was born the next day?"
Remus nodded. "It took some time for me to get the Healers to Lily."
"Was she alive at all?" Sirius asked, dreading the answer. "Did Daisy take any breaths? Did she suffer? Damn it, Moony, give me the death certificate!" he yelled. "I've suffered enough!" Sirius knew that the death certificate would show Daisy's time of death, and Sirius would be able to determine how much damage he had caused to this small child.
"At this time, Daisy Potter does not have a death certificate," said Remus, not looking Sirius in the eyes.
"What?" said Sirius, in disbelief. "Remus, she can't be alive?"
"Now that secret will stay with me," said Remus.
"Moony…"
But Remus shook his head. "Some things cannot be known to the world, Padfoot; I'm sorry." Remus left the room and Sirius sat in silence for a while. Perhaps he did not deserve to know where Daisy was and if she was alive. All he could do was pray that he did not ruin her chance at life after all.
Author's Notes: Well, I guess we will see what will happen to our golden trio!
To answer a review, no, Harry did not hide decoy cloaks! I can confirm that Malfoy took his real invisibility cloak. In regards to Kingsley, I'm trying to show him under pressure. We do not know too much about him but have faith in him; he may surprise you. In regards to Daisy, I am not answering anything yet! Lol you'll have to keep reading! I will confirm that Lily and James are dead (sadly). Lily's protection on Harry would not have worked if she were alive. Also, Voldemort was not one to use Abracadabra (he enjoyed killing). In regards to the light, yes Abracadabra does have a green light, that's what makes this spell so difficult to differentiate from Avada Kedavra - great question!
The next chapter will focus on the Trio, as well as a scene with Jessica, and the past scene gives us a POV from Petunia!
Thanks as always; reviews make my day!