Disclaimer: I do not own HP, I do not own the lyrics

AN: Well, my review replies will be via reviews-to-my-own-chapter for now...until we can quash either this rumor, or this rule--whichever case is true.


Infitiulus Rememdium

Chapter 2:Acerbus Spero

Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you within me I can't find no rest
Where I'm going is anybody's guess

I've tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

It seemed like an eternity between the realization that dawned on the twins' faces, and their subsequent collapse. Even as they fell to their knees, vainly battling their tears, the twins moved in unison. Hermione had never seen the twins cry before, really cry. She had seen many a time when they would make an impressive display of fake tears to get out of the trouble their pranks invariably caused, but she had never seen them truly sobbing before.

The world was strange around her, reality seemed to warp, sound was muffled as if someone had just used a remote and turned down the volume. The twins clung to one another for support, Ginny ran up to the two, and sobbed into either George or Fred's arm.

There was a flash of color in the corner of Hermione's vision, but by the time she could motivate herself to look, it was gone.

They had to move. A small voice in the back of her mind had woken up at the movement, they needed to tell the Order...if the Death Eaters decided to check in, they couldn't afford to still be here.

But...then again...if they found us, they'd only kill us, right?

The blackened body she held against her was beginning to cool. The heat from the explosion had charred and disfigured his features, but she could still recognize his brilliant emerald eyes.

He had fought to the end. Even when he had to have known it was hopeless, he still made one last attempt. What would he do if he knew she had simply laid down and died? They had to do something...warn the Order...get revenge...something!

Her mind was numb as she stood, letting the boy fall back to the floor. There was only one way to get to Dumbledore quickly without a fireplace. Technically no one was allowed to make a portkey without Ministry permission, but that would simply take too long, assuming the Ministry allowed one at all. Sixth years were not expected to know how to make one...but you could always find what you were looking for in a book, assuming you knew where to look.

The three Weasleys looked up in surprise when she handed a wooden board-turned-portkey out toward them, but did not ask any questions. Seconds later, the four haggard survivors found themselves in the Headmaster's officer, only to see four equally harrassed-looking teachers staring down at them in surprise.

"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked finally, voice weighed down by emotions that Hermione could not make out.

SSSSCCCCCCSSSSSS

He was not sure how long after Fawkes' return it was, before a tangle of red-haired people appeared out of thin air, clutching a portkey.

He felt a wave of relief wash over him, So, all is not lost...some of the Weasleys survived.

The four new arrivals quickly disentangled themselves from eachother, and stood to face the curious stares from the other three teachers in the room.

So...Fred, George, and Ginny Weasley, and Hermione Granger...we have eight surviving members of the Order. Despite Molly's insistence, he had always felt--although they might not yet be prepared for active duty--that they were indeed members of the Order.

The four travellers looked worn and weary, covered in filth and soot. Young Ginny Weasley was weeping as she hugged Minerva for support. Hermione Granger looked as if it was taking all of her strength to stand, eyes red and puffy. The twins stood too straight, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Oh, Headmaster, sir! It's terrible!" Hermione said quickly, voice choked with tears, "The Burrow...everyone...Harry...they're all dead!"

SSSSCCCCCCSSSSSS

The headmaster gave a heavy sigh, and motioned for her to sit at a chair.

"A simultanious hit..." Moody growled from the other side of the room, where he was pacing. "This had to be a coordinated attack from the inside. You realize what this means, don't you? We see who survived. Who decided not to go to the Burrow."

"A conversation for another time, Alastor." Dumbledore said, frowning slightly.

"Simultanious...?"

There was a slightly pained expression on Dumbledore's face as he looked back over at her, "Yes...it seems we underestimated our enemy..."

"What...happened?"

"Miss Granger..." he said, giving a soft sigh, "Those that you see here are the last of the Order."

A shock lanced through her, "Last...?"

He can't be...he can't! He CAN'T mean what is sounds like! It's not possible!

He only nodded.

No...no! No! It can't be! Everything inside of her was twisting and coiling, she wanted to scream, to laugh in his face, to tell him it just couldn't be but her thoat wouldn't comply. The only word she could croak out was a pitiful "How...?"

He shook his head, "The details mean little now. We must regoup, and find a way to retaliate."

"Retaliate...with four people, Albus?" It was Proffessor McGonagall who spoke this time, her voice cracking, and face unusually pale.

"Four? I count eight, Minerva." There was a ghost of his familiar twinkle in his eyes.

"Albus, no!" McGonagall gasped, standing, "They are only children!"

"Children!" Fred roared, advancing on the Transfiguration teacher, "We're Overage! We're out of school! We have our own business! For God's sake, what do you expect!"

"They murdered our family! Our friends!" George put in, face as red as his hair.

"We don't have the privilege to pick and choose anymore." Moody growled, normal eye on Proffessor McGonagall, and magical eye on the twins.

"Indeed. We have no choice but to work with what we have, Minerva." Dumbledore nodded, a sympathetic smile on his face.

"What are we supposed to do...?" Ginny asked, curiousity temporarily winning over her grief, "What can we do?"

A part of Hermione, a very small part, gave a surge of curiousty and excitement. What could they do for the Order? How could they help?

Irritably, she stamped out the emotion, shaking her head, What does it matter? Nothing we can do can bring him back...no spell can revive the dead...and we don't have a Time Turner anymore...

Her arms and hands stung sharply, and her skin was an angry pink where she had been holding the sizzling body. She secretly hoped it would leave scars--even as a simple reminder of him.

She found herself speaking without quite realizing it, voice trembling, "Even if we fought...even if we won...they'd all still be gone...Mr. & Mrs. Weasley...Ron...Proffessor Lupin...Harry..."

Her voice broke as she spoke his name. Her words trailed off, as memories of the twisted mockery of his sweet, innocent smile, trapped on his charred remains, came to mind. She had not realized she was sobbing outwardly, until a firm hand gripped her shoulder so tightly it was almost painful. Before she could even jump in surprise, the hand was gone. Her eyes widened as none other than Proffessor Snape swept past her a moment later.

I didn't even realize he was here! Was he?...Dumbledore did say eight, I guess...

Fred and George were gaping at her as if she had spouted a second head. Ginny was watching her with an incredulous frown.

"If you would please hurry..." he said in his usual silky voice, "It seems 'he' has summoned another meeting. Most likely he will simply wish to gloat, but it would be exceedingly unwise for me to be missing, even so."

"Oh, I do not think that will be necessary, Severus." Dumbledore said, smiling.

"What?" His voice was perfectly cool, but the irritated glare in his eyes spoke volumes.

"I do not believe it will be necessary for you to attend any further Death Eater meetings."

"And why would that be? Have you, perhaps, found someone more fitting for the position?"

"Oh, certainly no!" Dumbledore replied, eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth, "However, if my plan works, there may be no more meetings to attend."

"Albus!" Proffessor McGonagall gasped, "You can't!"

"Now, Minerva, can you think of a better plan?"

Proffessor Snape's jaw twitched, as if he were restraining himself from screaming, " Proffessor...there is no guarantee anything of importance..."

"Ah, even if it works half as well as I am hoping, it should improve things dramatically."

Hermione watched the three staff members wide-eyed. It was as if she had somehow skipped the first half of the conversation. She opened her mouth to speak, but just then she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. Moody's magical eye was staring directly at her. The man frowned, and gave a slight shake of his head. Irritably, she snapped her mouth shut again.

What is going on? What does it have to do with us?

Her answer came quickly, as Proffessor McGonagall continued in her attempt to dissuade Dumbledore. "Albus...the changes you are implying...to do this...we would be seen! Exactly what you have always said we must avoid!"

"Now, Minerva, how can one see oneself when one has not yet been born?"

Most of the room let out a collective gasp, He want to change time? He has a Time Turner?

"You can't!" Proffessor McGonagall gasped, looking absolutely horrified.

"I think the plan is brilliant..". Moody said gruffly, limping up to the knot of teachers gathered around the desk. "...But..shouldn't you be asking them if they want to help?"

"Certainly!" Dumbledore nodded, then turned his eyes on the four students who stood or sat gaping in various states of confusion. "Would you four be interested on going on a mission for the Order?"

"This is no ordinary 'mission'." Proffessor Snape scoffed, "You suggest these...inexperienced children change time so profoundly? I doubt the Weasley twins will do anything other than cause trouble!"

"Oh, you would be amazed how much even a small change can ripple time." Dumbledore said, his characteristic twinkle fully restored. "If you wish, you can certainly travel with them--although you will understandably not retain your ability to dock points."

Proffessor Snape snorted, "Please. You know very well I cannot go anymore than you could."

"Perhaps." Dumbledore nodded, "But if you feel up to the challenge of it all, I certainly will not stop you."

"Proffessor Dumbledore, sir..." Hermione spoke up finally, unable to contain her curiousity, "Do you...do you have a Time Turner?"

He shook his head slightly, "No, Miss Granger...a Time Turner causes physical damage to travellers if used to go back more than a few weeks."

"Then...what?"

Dumbledore gave a slight, thoughtful, frown. "You are familiar with Portkeys, I see? As you know, you must choose a very specific place to arrive--much like Apparation--or you could find yourself in a very unpleasant situation."

Hermione nodded, "Yes, which is why the creation and use of Portkeys is so regulated."

"Well...there is also another, optional, parameter. It is one that the commonly used 'Portus' spell does not include spell does not include." He said, smiling, "That parameter, if you have not guessed, is Time."

The Weasleys' jaws dropped to the floor.

Time? Of course! Why didn't I think of it? Her heart quickened as her mind processed the information. We can do it! With whatever he has planned, we can really bring them back!

"I'll do it!" the Twins said simultaniously, Ginny gave an energetic nod.

"But what will we have to do? When will we be able to come back?"

"Ah, I believe your goals will be simple...you must ensure two things One: That all four of the Mauraders are alive to present day--yes all four--and Two: That Pettigrew does not become a Death Eater, and betray his friends."

"And how are we supposed to do that?" Fred snapped, "He was a dirty rat!"

"Ah, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, raising a pleading hand, "I do not believe that is true...and I believe you will know how to do what you must, when the time comes."

"Proffessor, you did not answer me completely..." Hermione said softly, anxiety growing into a knot in her throat, "How will we get to know when to come back, and how will we do it?"

"It is simple, Miss Granger." he said, smiling, "Each one of us Proffessors will give you an item, when that item glows blue, you may utter the password, and be returned."

"What is the password?"

"Something that is the same now as it is then." he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Now, you must realize the spell will only recognize each individual password once."

He pulled out two items from his desk. One item was a set of strange silver scales, the other a pair of purple gloves. "These magical scales will allow you to travel to the past--these gloves will take you back."

He looked expectantly at the other teachers.

Moody grunted, "I did pick up a new sneak-o-scope last year..."

Proffessor McGonagall shuffled through her robes a minute, then produced a ruby ring, which she placed on the desk next to the sneak-o-scope and gloves. Snape simply scowled down at the collection of items for a full minute, before Dumbledore cleared his throat politely. Muttering several profanities, he plunged a fist into his robes, and flung a crumpled piece of paper onto the table.

"Now...there is one last thing I want to make sure you know." Dumbledore said, turning to look directly at her, "If this works...no one will remember this timeline...no one who did not mean you in the past will remember you. No one. In other words, this timeline will cease to exist to all but you four...family...friendships...all will be severed. Is that acceptable?"

Hermione felt her heart constrict in her chest. Cease to exist? Then Harry...Ron...Mom...Dad...No one will remember me?

She shook her head slightly, "So...either let them die...or..."

"Actually...it is possible that only one or two of you could do it." Dumbledore corrected, "So your memories would be adjusted as well, and they would still remember you."

She shook her head. So...I could stay...Fred, George, or Ginny could do it...I could forget I ever saw everything I cared about lying in ruins...but...then I would forget about Fred, George, and Ginny, too...and they would be forgotten by everyone...

There was only one choice. I'm the only one who can do this...the only one who has no right to stay...even if it means I lose him forever, at least it means he'll be alive...

I've tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

Incomplete

CH end


AN: Ah. Actually Hermione's hair is more auburn than red, but whatever...

Thanks to Mugglenet for the Portkey idea! . So, any theories on who the 'spy' was? It will be revealed later, of course.

Yes, I did try to slip in a microscopic amount of SS/HG in this chapter, but I do have an excuse! I mean, she is his student, he's not a sadist!

-Yusagi Sombermoon