Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter! You all know that of course!
AN1: I HATE THIS CHAPTER I read it and wondered what the hell I was doing! I even tried fixing it when I got it through the email, but alas all I did was increase its length! I could not keep you waiting! So here it is, it sounds rushed to me, but…well…just know that the next chapter is a time skip! Finally I can get to the good stuff!
AN2: THANK YOU EVERYONE who has read my story! I thank ALL who have reviewed, followed and favorite it! I hate this chapter and I'm sure half of you will be disappointed but the next one WILL be better I promise…don't hate me after reading it! T-T
Chapter 3 A bigger family and Angeli
"What are you doing Tom?" Harry asked. Classes were over for the day and his parents were still at school and unlike Hermione he did not want to spend he did not have an appointment at St. Mungo's.
"Nothing" Tom hissed, trying to hide whatever he had been so intrigued by. "Go away"
Harry rolled his eyes and walked over to the tree Tom sat underneath "It's boring and I have nothing to do−tell me what you're hiding in the bushes."
"I said it's none of your business!"
Ϩ Is this the brother you speak of my lord? Ϩ
Harry looked down in curiosity as a black mamba slithered out of the bushes; it probably escaped a museum or something of the sort because black mambas weren't native.
"You're hiding a snake from me?" Harry asked, looking at Tom like he was crazy.
"Since you're not running away I suppose you've gotten over your fear of reptiles" Tom replied. "Sadly that matters not because you weren't born with the gift"
Harry smirked "The gift of being a Parselmouth I presume"
"What else could I be speaking of you fool? Parselmouth's are common in the Snape family…though that seemed to have skipped you and father"
Harry looked at the snake; it had decided to curl itself around Tom's arm.
Ϩ You're a very beautiful snake, my lady−may I ask for your name Ϩ
Tom could only gap.
Ϩ Another speaker!? Oh how wonderful−Oh I am not beautiful my lord, you humble me Ϩ If possible the snake's eyes seemed to glitter Ϩ I have been named Aria by the one you call brother Ϩ
Ϩ That's a beautiful name Aria Ϩ
Tom snapped free of his surprise and gave his brother a narrowed glare "You said you couldn't understand them! You went so far as to avoid them! How the hell can you now speak parseltongue?"
Harry tilted his head to side "Don't tell me you've never heard of a lie brother?"
Tom scowled "I'm telling father and mother, you know how she is about lying"
Harry stood, having decided that Tom was getting on his nerves "Do what you wish brother."
Tom watched Harry go with a frown; did a hit to the head really change a person this much, he wondered. He dismissed the thought from his head and went back to speaking to Aria.
Harry didn't walk back inside; instead he went for a tour of the forest. His counterpart had never had the courage to explore the forest since he was afraid of something eating him alive, which was actually very much possible.
The light rays of the sun dispelled most of the shadows making it less imposing and more welcoming. Harry stopped 30 minutes into his walk when a sudden chill went up his spine.
'What the hell was that?'
He looked around, wondering if maybe he was being watched. He shook his head and continued forward but didn't get far as another chill went up his spine, this time though it was followed by an odd pull. Pure curiosity was the only reason he followed the pull.
"Don't die Ginny, you'll be okay I promise"
Harry quickly slid behind a tree and peeked out, what he saw threw him for a loop. Laid on the ground was a young Ginny, her robes were torn and blood seeped from old and fresh wounds. Kneeling next to her was a young Neville; he was as tattered as her, though he didn't seem to have as much cuts.
"We have to keep moving, they're after us." Neville whispered, looking around in paranoia.
Tears rolled down Ginny's eyes as she struggled to get up. "Ma-mama, d-does mama h-hate Ginny?"
"…"
"Mama made Nevie's G-grandmamma s-sleep," Ginny started to sob; her frame shook with the strength of her cries. "Ginny is sorry Nevie! Now Nevie's grandmamma w-won't b-bake c-cakes"
Neville supported Ginny over his shoulders "Don't worry Ginny, we just need to find help, they'll keep us safe from your mama and Dumbledore"
"Gi-Ginny wants her daddy and big brothers…"
"I'm sorry Ginny but your daddy fell asleep too and he won't wake up…Ron and Percy are with your mama, Charlie and Bill are in school and we got separated from the twins−lets pray they aren't caught"
"I-It hurts Nevie"
"…I know"
Harry took a second to decide whether or not he should help them. Neville had died well before he was betrayed and he hadn't been with Ginny to know if she was on Ron's side or not, therefore he held no malice for either of them.
With this decided he stepped out. They didn't notice him until he cleared his throat. Ginny gasped in fright and Neville tried to hide her behind him.
"Who are you!?" Neville asked his voice wary.
"I should be the one asking that, you are in my yard after all" Harry said, crossing his arms.
The guarded expression on Neville's face fell and relief shined through "Your parents, can you take us to your parents?!"
"Why should i? I don't know who you are…"
Neville looked desperate "I'm Neville Longbottom and she's Ginny Weasley− please, Dumbledore's after us! We were caught practicing dark magic"
Harry was aware he was drawing this out and that Ginny was practically bleeding to death, but he wanted to know at least one thing first. "…What's that got to do with anything?"
"Dumbledore's friends with Ginny's mom. When they found out my Grandmother wasn't loyal and was teaching us dark magic they killed her. Ginny's father tried to protect me and was killed as well…Dumbledore deemed Ginny and I dark and ordered her mother to kill us as well….i thought she loved Ginny….but she easily pointed the wand at her…"
"And you're not dead because?"
"Ginny's brothers got us out….but we got separated from them 3 days ago…the order keeps finding us and now Ginny's dying, so please, ask these questions later!" Well he seemed to have lost his weak disposition.
Harry walked over to help support Ginny "Follow me, my parents aren't home but I can send a house elf"
"Thank you" Neville said in honest sincere.
Neville stood silently in a corner of what seemed to be one of the many guest rooms in the Snape manor, watching as Ginny was treated. The healer they had contacted, Healer Row as he was titled, had easily patched him up but he was having a bit of trouble with Ginny. It seemed she had a few infected wounds and had contracted a virus.
Harry, as Neville now knew his savior was called was downstairs with his older brother while the elder Snape's, Lily and Severus, were busy speaking with the Gellert Grindelwald in the adjoining room.
They were surprisingly kind; especially that Lily lady and Severus had promised to have Ginny's brothers found. But now that all his immediate fears were gone, Neville had time to look at his less pressing fears…like where the hell they were going to stay after all of this.
"We always knew the Weasley family was in touch with Dumbledore," Lily said. "But to think Molly is so loyal she would kill her own husband and try to kill her child."
"Bella has a team searching for the twins while she locates Molly. Charlie and William are still in class and I don't want to pull them out"
Severus frowned "Dumbledore knows they got away and I'm sure he's already aware we have them, he'll have Molly pull the others from school, and we can't have that."
Lily stared silently at the door leading into the other room "We can't put them in orphanages. Dumbledore would have them killed…what are we going to do?"
"Place them with trusted families," Gellert said. "They won't have to fight for custody. The kids will be placed in the orphanage system for a mere day and then they can be legally adopted. They'll get separated but it's to keep them safe...we'll each take one to assist"
"My home is not a runaway hideaway," Severus sneered. "You can keep them all."
Gellert rolled his eyes "Neville Longbottom is heir to the Longbottom family, I'm sure you're aware his parents died of dragon pox last year….he would be a fine asset"
"Too true…"
"I'm not taking a child into my home simply because he'll be an asset!" Lily snarled. "And you shouldn't either! I'm taking him in−don't say anything to me Severus− because that child needs a home and I'll treat him like I would my own children…I'd suggest getting the girl Gellert. Hermione would love the company as would Bella and if you take in that girl you had better treat her right!"
Gellert rolled his eyes "I'm not a madman Lily, Bella would kill me if I did− speaking of Bella, if she isn't okay with any of this then Ginny will be placed with you"
Severus stared at Gellert like he had lost his head "Are you−"
"Good," Lily cut in "Though I doubt Bella would refuse"
A knock to the door broke into their conversation. "Enter" Severus said.
The door opened and healer Row stepped through; he gave a small bow before straightening himself "I'm afraid I don't have all the needed potions and equipment to fully treat the girl. I have to take her to St Mungo's. I'll have the needed equipment and supplies there."
Lily nodded "I'll get some aurors to guard her room. Severus, you and Gellert need to prepare for the battle to put that mad woman behind bars and by that I mean ensure that no one sides with her, Dumbledore had his minions in the ministry as well…also please contact who you must for the adoptions−I suggest the Malfoy's for Charlie and William and the Flamels for the twins…though I think Molly has two other children, I'm not sure…"
Severus scoffed "The fact that they did not try to save their own blood and runaway like the others points to which side they belong on−they'll stay in the orphanage, some poor blokes can adopt them."
Lily rolled her eyes but nodded in acceptance all the same.
"Why do we have to be here?" Tom hissed with a scowl before taking a bite out of the horrible cheesecake St Mungo's provided. "I could be at home researching but instead, here I am because two bums entered our home!"
"Ginny and I are not bums!" Neville shouted. He was seated at a table with Harry and Hermione. He couldn't help but hear Tom's insults; the boy was practically shouting them to the world.
"You're being a bit mean now aren't you Tom?" Orion said, he had the sense to bring a book with him when his mother came storming home for them. "If anyone is to be blamed, it should be Dumbledore"
Tom scowled but said nothing else.
Sirius walked over to Neville and wrapped an arm around the boys shoulder "Don't worry about Tom; he was just born with a stick up his ass."
"Language!" Hermione hissed.
"Oh come off it Hermione, if anything I'd say you were born with one as well"
Hermione turned an unhealthy shade of red. She was quick to her feet and before any of the boys knew what was happening she had thrown her apple pie at Sirius. Quidditch skills came to life and Sirius miraculously dodged the pastry….which caused it to land on Orion's book.
Hermione and Sirius went stark white. Harry leapt to his feet and grabbed Hermione−who grabbed Neville− then ran from the room.
"HERMIONE!"
They all chuckled when they heard Sirius's shout, "No, please Mercy! It's not my fault I'm freakishly handsome and skilled at the same time!"
"Was it nice to leave him back there?" Neville asked when they stopped in a random hallway.
Harry shrugged, "Sirius can handle that"
"Are you sure?"
"Don't worry about Sirius, Neville" Hermione said with a laugh "He's been through worse−lets go find Ginny"
Neville fidgeted "But your mom said we shouldn't leave the cafeteria−she's scary"
Harry had to admit that Neville was right about the scary part. For a moment of time Harry had thought the Bellatrix from his world had appeared. She had arrived at St. Mungo's decked out in a black dress, black boots and a dagger strapped to her waist; and her hair, sweet Merlin her hair had gone wild. The deadly gleam in her eyes when she saw the twins being rushed to the operating room had been the icing on the cake.
To think he had assumed this Bellatrix would have been better…she was less crazy but still ruthless.
"Don't worry about my mom, she's actually very nice"
Neville looked at Hermione with hope practically leaking form his eyes "Really?"
Hermione released her hold on Harry and held Neville's hand with both of hers "Yes really−now follow me, I've been here enough times to know where they are"
Harry scowled at the joined hands; he should have left Neville for dead.
Neville stopped walking when he noticed the dark look Harry was giving him; he could not for the life of him see why. Harry had been nice to him the past few hours, so why the sudden change. Hermione hooked her arm through his and Harry's scowl got larger….but Neville still could not see why he was the object of such hatred.
"Come on Neville" Hermione said, tugging on his arm.
"Hermione can you wait here for a minute? Neville and I need to use the bathroom" Harry said to Hermione, his dark scowl melting away when speaking to her.
Hermione raised a brow "I don't remember Neville saying that, you can go by yourself Harry, we'll wait here."
Harry turned sharp eyes on Neville "You want to use the bathroom, right Neville?"
Neville had been taught well by his grandmother and could easily pinpoint the underlying threat in Harry's voice.
"Y-Yeah− just wait here Hermione."
Hermione shrugged and dislodged herself from Neville "Just hurry up you two, Orion's probably looking for us." Hermione didn't see the light gleam flash through Harry's eyes, nor did she notice the painful way he tugged Neville behind him.
The second they were inside the empty bathroom the doors clicked shut and Harry immediately slammed Neville face first into the ground before proceeding to step on his face "Is this how you repay my kindness Neville?" Harry drawled sounding much like his father when annoyed.
Neville struggled against the weight as he tried to speak and move at the same time, but whatever he had been trying to say came out as a mere muffled sound. Harry scowled and removed his foot. "I-I-I didn't do an-anything!"
Harry crossed his arms, his eyes momentarily glowing as a dark mist danced at his feet "You didn't do anything you say? I should kill you for simply thinking that and feed your corpse to the hounds."
Neville tried to crawl away but that result in a blast of magic sending him flying into a wall. The poor boy cried out in pain, not understanding why this was happening to him. Harry had been so nice a few minutes ago.
Harry marched over to him and gripped his cheeks "Hermione is mine, do you hear me?" he hissed. "SHE IS MINE! No one, save for her family of course, is allowed to hold, touch or even brush her in anyway that I feel is intimate. I've lost her once and I won't lose her a second time! I don't care what you have to do, just make sure she never touches you like that again."
Neville's went blurry with tears when Harry's hands started to heat up and his eyes started to glow even brighter ; the black mist seemed to expand and Neville was positive he was not imagining a hand reaching out of it and truth be told Harry didn't realize any of this.
"Do we understand each other Neville?"
Neville nodded quickly, wondering what the hell he had gotten himself into; he should have left the second he realized the boy was a Snape because Neville knew that the Snape family were a ruthless bunch. Lily Snape was hailed as a demon in disguise, apparently she was as good at charms as she was at killing and don't get him started on Severus Snape! That man had a lot of power at the tip of his fingers and he wasn't afraid to use it, he practically ruled the ministry….oh and sweet merlin that brother of Harry's, Tom Snape sent chills down his spine.
Harry smiled as the magic pulsating around him disappearing along with the glowing eyes and black mist.
"Great, now let's get back to Hermione"
Harry left with Neville following slowly and as far behind as possible; when Hermione saw them she gasped in horror "What the hell happened to you?!" she asked, running over to Neville. She reached out to touch a bruise but Neville immediately stepped back. "Neville?"
"Don't touch me. I just fell, that's all"
"What's gotten into you Neville?" Harry asked, looking at Neville in faux confusion. Hermione missed the small flinch that ran through Neville at the sound of Harry's voice.
"Nothings gotten into me I just don't want her putting her hands on me"
Hermione stepped back, hurt in her eyes, she had thought she could make another friend. "B-But you didn't have a problem with me before Neville"
Neville glared at Hermione, the hatred in his eyes not fake, she was the cause for his distress "That was then, this is now, just don't touch me!"
Hermione looked away "Fine−lets go Harry…you can follow if you wish Neville, just stay as far away from me as you can, I don't want you touching me either…"She looped her arm through Harry's and pulled him along.
Harry grinned when he saw Molly being dragged into the court room, she was putting up quite a fight and they had to use the chains to keep her in place. They had captured Molly yesterday, the day after they had found Ginny, Neville and the twins. Ginny and the twins were still at St. Mungo's but Neville and the other Weasley's were seated behind him and his family with guards keeping a good eye on them. Percy and Ronald were the ones the guards were really watching.
Harry had to admit he wasn't expecting Barty Crouch to still be minister in this world, but alas not all dreams are fulfilled.
"Molly Weasley you are brought before the council to be charged with two counts of murder, the use of dark magic and siding with the Darklord Dumbledore" Crouch's voice boomed across the room from his podium.
Apparently, Harry realized, no one was afraid to use Dumbledore's name.
"You will be allowed a moment to plead your case before our head of Auror, Bellatrix Grindelwald brings evidence before the council."
"She'll never win" Hermione whispered to Harry, she didn't seem to care about the trial and was more interested in a book she was reading.
"And why's that?" Harry asked, he already knew the answer of course, but still felt like asking.
"Because Uncle Severus and my father rule the court room Harry, they're on the council you know…the second they find her guilty everyone else will follow"
Harry smirked, "Too true Hermione." He went back to watching the trial.
"I did not murder my husband! Arthur had a weak heart and he had a sudden heart failure!"
Crouch raised a brow "Then how do you explain the death of Augusta Longbottom and the fact that four children ran away from your home and were found covered in wounds"
Molly scoffed "Those children are liars I tell you! They went out to play and never came back, I was worried sick and so was Arthur, they're the reason he had a heart attack! They're the reason he's dead! Augusta came over the second I owled her of their disappearance, the woman blamed me and attacked, I had no use but to use self-defence! It was by accident she felt and hit her head"
Lily scowled, was this woman really trying to pin murder on her children? Augusta Longbottom was a skilled duelist; if she had attacked Molly she would not have tripped and hit her head on the edge of the fireplace.
"And how do you explain the wounds on the children?"
"That's they're fault! Some animal must have attacked them! Look at my sweet Ronald and Percy, they were smart and stayed home!"
Crouch nodded "That will be all; the council will take your words into consideration while Mrs. Grindelwald brings evidence against you."
As if they would actually take it into consideration, Crouch was aware that if he didn't do this trial right then the Grindelwald's and Snape's would team up against him and he would be without a job in the blink of an eye. "Mrs. Grindelwald, if you would please"
"Mom is so going to nail her!" Sirius laughed.
"Keep down your voice Sirius" Orion said, flipping through his book. It seemed like he had the same views as Hermione on the trial.
"Our mom is going to win you idiots!" Ronald shouted.
"Shut up Ronald" Charlie hissed, "Why are you on her side? Did you see what she did to Ginny and the twins?!"
Ron shrugged "They deserved it"
Charlie looked sick.
Bellatrix rose from her seat near Molly. She gestured to the council "In your files you will find pictures of young Ginerva, George and Fred Weasley along with their current medical status and files from their healers at St. Mungo's." Bellatrix said. Everyone on the council immediately browsed through their files. "It has been verified that the wounds on all three children contain magic residue, meaning, they were attacked by wizards and not animals."
"It didn't have to be me!" Molly protested.
Bellatrix completely ignored the outburst "Molly Weasley was not found in her home packing away valuables for travel. When the house was inspected the residue magic within matched the residue magic found on the children−Now I ask you this council, what woman buries the body of her dead husband and Augusta Longbottom under a pile of stones 2 miles from the house without informing the authorities of their deaths?" Bellatrix flashed a lock of hair back in place. "The kind who wants to hide the evidence as fast as possible."
"That's a lie!" Molly's face was as red as her hair.
"One more outburst and you will be silenced Mrs. Weasley" Crouch said before returning his attention to Bellatrix.
Bellatrix smirked "I would like to request the use of Veritaserum"
And that was where it all went downhill for Molly Weasley. The truth spilled from her lips. Things Harry had honestly not been expecting were revealed. Arthur had been layered in compulsion charms, love potions and the imperious curse; he had somehow fought them off for a mere second to save Neville's life. Groups of Deatheaters−as Dumbledore's men were ironically called− went after the children for days, attacking them whenever they found them though the children always managed to get away.
The unforgivables were apparently also seen as highly dangerous in this world. They were only to be used by the Aurors and individuals who acquired permits after a rigorous test from the ministry. The use of one on fellow individuals was seen as a crime. Harry could only imagine what wizarding Britain would be like if this rule wasn't in place, dark magic was already seen as normal.
"The council has come to a conclusion: On account of committing two counts of murder, the council finds you guilty…on account of the use of dark magic, the council finds you guilty and on account of siding with the Darklord, the council also finds you guilty."
'As if it could be anything else', Harry thought in smug satisfaction.
"What!?" Ron shouted, his voice actually rising above Molly's screams of injustice. "You're idiots, all of you!"
Lily gave Ronald an annoyed look before sending a silencing charm at the boy. With that settled only Molly's screams were left.
Crouch cleared his throat to regain attention "You are sentenced to 30 years in Azkaban. Trial dismissed"
"You will all pay! Dumbledore will have your heads! I swear it!" Molly screamed as they dragged her out. "You're the dark ones! Using such vile magic! It'll be the death of you all!"
Harry didn't bother looking in Ron's direction as he was escorted out, shouting words that no one could hear; if he did he would be tempted to kill the boy.
One week later found Lily smiling across the dining room table at Neville. The day after the trial Neville was adopted into the Snape family. Ginny had gone to the Grindelwald's, the twins George and Fred went to the Flamels and Charlie and Bill went to the Malfoy's. The Malfoy's had been the hardest to convince, Lucius didn't want the children of the darkside living in his home but a quick lashing from Lily, Narcissa and Bellatrix combined had him practically begging to take in the boys.
Nicholas and Perenelle didn't have children and couldn't even try at having them as Perenelle was infertile therefore they gladly took the twins.
The last two children, Ronald and Percy were nasty little things. They had barked of the glory of Dumbledore and how he would rid the world of its evil, they cursed their siblings for bringing traitors and hissed threats. Lily was quiet certain they would never be adopted−to think she had been second guessing her thoughts of leaving them in the orphanage.
Well back to Neville, there was one thing she had noticed since he arrived, he avoided Harry like the plague and Tom wanted nothing to do with him so he was always alone playing with that frog of his. Whenever she asked Harry about it he fell into a depressive state, stating he did not know why Neville refused to speak to him.
She would fix this.
"Neville dear, I have something I wish to ask" she said when dessert appeared and Neville took a slice of apple pie. "Is there something about this house you find uncomfortable?"
Neville wanted to answer with an affirmative and point to the green eyed demon next to him, who was calmly eating a chocolate fudge cake. "No Mrs. Snape"
Lily frowned "I said you can call me mom or even Aunt Lily if you wish"
Neville said nothing.
Tom smirked at Neville "Are you afraid of the dark perhaps? Or maybe because you were raised in a dark household, living with the light makes you uncomfortable." In truth, Tom could honestly care less.
Severus stood "You are officially a member of the Snape household, if something is bothering you then you can speak freely here" Severus didn't seem to care either as right after he said that he gathered up the daily prophet and left the room.
"Yeah Neville, we're brothers now, so you can say whatever you want" Harry said, causing a shiver to run down Neville's spine
Neville didn't even chance a glance in the green eyed demons direction, fearing what would happen if he did, instead he smiled at Lily and said "It's okay Aunt Lily, I promise if something's bothering me I'll tell you"
Calling her Aunt Lily seemed to have slightly placated her. "Okay Neville, I trust you−your classes with Hermione and Harry start next week and I need you to catch up okay? So immediately after breakfast you and Harry will meet up in the library to study," The perfect way to get them together, Lily decided.
Neville somehow managed to keep the fright from his eyes though internally he was crying at his misfortune.
After dinner Neville found himself sitting in a couch as far away from Harry as possible…which wasn't much since they were arranged in a circle. Harry had a few pieces of parchment spread across the table.
Harry looked at him and the hatred and cold fury Neville had received for the following 2 days after the 'Hermione incident' as he termed it was gone. "Neville, I do not apologize for what I did to you at St Mungo's because I would do it again in a heartbeat if my stance with my Hermione is threatened," Harry said, looking Neville in the eyes. "But as long as you and Hermione are strictly…friends, no more and maybe less then you are safe. You'll be living with me for the next few years and I would hate for you to have a sudden accident"
Neville shivered but nodded all the same.
"We can be friends Neville; you just have to know your boundaries with my Hermione"
Neville understood very well what Harry was saying; Hermione was his bethroved and he did not want anyone threatening that. "I understand Harry"
Harry smiled "Great, now let's see what you know, I'll ask you a few questions and you answer okay?"
Things in the Grindelwald household were very different. Ginny had no trouble fitting in, everyone easily accepted her…except Hermione.
Hermione had thought the girl nice and was having fun with her the first day but now she hated her. Why you ask? Well because everyone loved Ginny. Sirius and Orion finally had the little sister they could bring around with them that didn't insult there friends intelligence, Bellatrix had a daughter who shared her girly passions and Gellert had decided he could use Ginny to fill the spot Hermione neglected to give her mother therefore earning his praise at many points. He started to disregard Hermione's 'rift with her mother' as he used to call it.
Ginny tried talking to Hermione again, the girl was her sister after all but the glares Hermione gave her had her staying as far away as she could from her; when Sirius and Orion asked why she looked down and Ginny explained the situation they told their parents. This now has led to Hermione having to explain her behavior at dinner.
"Hermione, you were so nice to Ginny at St. Mungo's and even the first day she was here…so what's gotten into you?" Bellatrix asked softly.
Hermione scowled and continued to push around her strawberry pie. Sirius scoffed "See? I told you she has a stick up her ass!" Hermione threw him a glare that almost had Sirius toppling from his chair; Hermione had never looked at him like that before. He scowled "Definitely not a stick, more like a bloody tree!"
"Language" Ginny whispered before placing a placating hand on Sirius.
'No, don't touch him like that!' Hermione thought in fear; that was her job, Sirius was her brother! She knew how to calm him down best!
"Ginny is sorry if she's done something wrong Hermy" Ginny said. "She really is, so how about Ginny and Hermy go to the library? Hermy can show Ginny all the books she likes"
"Don't speak to me!" Hermione barked, startling everyone since Hermione rarely shouted.
"Now listen here Hermione−" Gellert started only to be cut off by Hermione's loud scoff.
"I'm sick of listening and I refuse to! I hate her! She's a disgusting vile little insect that should be thrown back into the orphanage!"
Ginny gasped, tears rolling from her eyes "Y-You don't mean that Hermy"
Hermione leveled a cold stare at Ginny "If you can't even pronounce my name properly much less speak in the correct first person singular then don't talk to me"
"Hermione, you had better apologize!" Orion hissed. "I can't believe you would say that to Ginny"
'Don't defend her, defend me big brother!'
Sirius gathered Ginny into his arms "Don't worry Ginny; we'll bring you out to get ice-cream okay?"
'No, you always tell me that! Don't you love me anymore?'
"She should die!" Hermione screamed "Her mother's a whore and she'll turn one as well! That blasted insect should−"
Slap!
Hermione held her thumping cheek as she stared at Orion in horror, tears blurring her vision
"You will hold your tongue!" he scowled
'They hate me, she's turned them against me− help me Harry, you're the only one I have left' But Harry didn't come.
"You are banned from the library and you will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in your room as you are grounded until I see it fit" Gellert hissed.
Normally Bellatrix would try to make the punishment less harsh but she nodded along with him. Hermione felt like a black hole had just sucked out her life.
'They've replaced me….Harry isn't coming…it hurts, make it stop…no one cares'
'I care Hermione'
Gellert had been about to send Hermione to her room when a large gust of wind swirled through the room. They all watched in undisguised shock as the doll Orion had gotten for Hermione appeared out of thin air before the girl. They could all feel the magic pulsating in the air and Gellert was quick to shoot a spell at the doll, but this proved useless as the spell seemed to be absorbed by some shield.
The doll proceeded to glow a dark red before breaking and ripping to pieces, leaving behind a glowing red ball that started to expand and take on the form of a woman. The red glow disappeared and they all looked at the human, adult version of Hermione's doll.
'I'm here for you Hermione; I won't let them hurt you anymore'
Hermione looked up at the woman. She was the lady that had been appearing in her dreams the last few days, the nice lady who sang to her and told her tales of dragons and warriors.
"Angeli?"
The woman nodded "Yes my little one," Angeli's voice rang like bells and carried across the room. It seemed to force a weight down on the other occupants of the table, stopping them from moving. They couldn't even talk due to the weight.
Tears started to fall from Hermione's eyes "They hate me Angeli! They hate me; I don't want to stay here anymore! Take me away!"
Angeli smiled sadly and scooped Hermione into her arms "Of course my child, I'll keep you safe, I promise"
Bellatrix watched as the woman took up her daughter and felt fear lash through her. Not her baby, sweet merlin not her baby. A will that only a mother could muster shook her frame and she struggled against the weight to her feet. She leveled her wand at the woman.
"Interno curenti! Cutis ferventis!"
The barrier once more consumed the spells and Bellatrix felt the weight return tenfold, but she refused to go down, her baby was in trouble.
"Let us go, little one"
"N-No, not my baby! Please not my baby!"
Angeli faced her, Hermione sleeping securely in her arms "The little one is such a sweet child, but yet you all choose to neglect her one minute and−" she glanced at Ginny "Replace her the next, she deserves better."
With a snap of the finger, it was as if Hermione had never been in the room.
Bellatrix screamed, falling to her knees, she gripped her head as tears fell from her eyes. Her only girl, her only girl! She couldn't have anymore, she couldn't and now her baby, her baby.
"No, no, no, no! My baby, my baby!"
Harry stood, surprising Neville since he had been giving him a mini pop quiz. A chill went down his spine and he knew that something had happened to Hermione.
"What is it Harry?" Neville asked, his fear of Harry hadn't disappeared but at least now he knew that all he had to do was keep a safe distance with Hermione to survive.
Harry said nothing, he simply ran from the room, taking the stairs down two at a time as he headed for the living room where his parents were. Neville followed close behind.
He reached in record time and pushed open the doors. Inside he saw Lily comforting a sobbing Bellatrix "My baby, my baby" she kept repeating. Gellert looked, for the first time in a long time, distraught as he spoke to Snape.
Harry felt his blood turn to ice "What the hell happened to Hermione?!" he snarled
All the adults looked over at Him. "Not now sweetheart" Lily said.
"Don't tell me not now when something has obviously happened to Hermione!"
Severus sighed; it was easier to tell him what was going on than to have him throw a tantrum. "Hermione seems to have been taken away…by her doll"
Harry blinked "By her doll?"
"Yes, the caravan it was bought fro has been contacted and apparently they got the doll in a trade, a rare collectable they say"
Something about this seemed familiar. Harry looked away as he tried to think about what it was. Then it hit him. He had read of this in his world. He had a transfiguration assignment due, Hermione had of course offered to help with the research as she had the same thing to do, Ron had declined the offer and left. During their search, Hermione just happened to come upon a book…a book about dolls.
"Occultum Animae" Hermione whispered as she read a passage from a book.
Harry looked up "What is it Hermione? Did you find anything?"
She shook her head "Just something that interest me"
"What is it?"
She turned the book to him, showing him a picture of a pretty porcelain doll "Apparently at a point wizards would trap the souls of magical creatures or beings in dolls as punishment and as means of power−they could tap into the soul's magical core to increase their own"
Harry looked at the doll, it was quiet pretty.
"The spell to do this is very dark and requires a spell known as the Occultum Animae− hidden soul"
Harry was intrigued, "Can the souls ever be freed? If so can they even return to their body?"
Hermione nodded, "The spell basically traps the person's body in a stasis form within the doll as well so if released the body is perfect…apparently it can be used as a form of time travel as the body never ages…hmmm, it was banned over 4 centuries ago"
"But how are they freed?"
"Whatever is trapped must have a strong magical core, but that's about it, and when I say strong Harry, I mean very strong"
"Hmmm"
"Oh, look at this part Harry; apparently you can recapture a soul by−"
Harry snapped free of his flashback "This doll, was it styled slightly like the Victorian era?" he asked.
Gellert nodded.
"Then I know how to get her back"
Bellatrix looked at Harry "This is not play time Harry!" she hissed.
Harry glared back at her "I'm not playing! Hermione's been taken by a soul that had been trapped in that doll by Occultum Animae and the only way to call back that soul is through the pieces of the doll it broke free of−a reverse ritual called Capta ánimam will draw the person back"
Bellatrix stared at Harry for a few seconds before standing to her feet "Are you sure of this Harry?"
"Very."
"Then let's gather the needed parts for this ritual−move it Gellert my baby is in trouble!"
"You can't possible take a child's word for it" Gellert hissed.
"I don't wish to hear this! You can go off and find another way; I care not−come along Lily, Harry" Lily and Harry, along with Neville who Bellatrix saw and dragged along, flooed back to Grindelwald manor.
Sirius and Orion were pacing the length of the large living room while Ginny looked at a painting of Hermione in worry. She truly was worried for her sister, she had never had a sister before and she didn't want to lose the one she just got.
"How long has it been since Hermione was taken?" Harry asked as they entered the living room and collected the pieces of the shattered doll.
"About 5 minutes, give or take 10" Sirius answered, not really understanding the point of the question
Harry frowned "Then we have 5 minutes to get everything set up before it becomes impossible to find that woman"
Harry went to work quickly. To save time Bellatrix had the house elves move the table; after this Harry, with the assistance of everyone in the room drew 3 large concentric circles surround a star and moon. He deposited the pieces of the doll in the very center and then proceeded to have everyone stand at a point with a lit candle at their feet.
"Okay Aunt Bella, I told you the spell and what to do, if you want Hermione back then you had better do it properly." And she had better or else Harry could not promise she would live, not just because he would kill her, but because the spell itself could kill her if done incorrectly.
Bellatrix pointed her wand at the glass and focused. She knew exactly when to begin, she was just waiting for her cue.
Magic began to pulsate around the room as everyone poured there power into the candles at their feet; the candles began to melt and flow to the center of the circle.
"Anima quaerere" Everyone save for Bellatrix said.
The second the words left their mouths Bellatrix whipped her wand around in a complicated pattern; Harry had taken a minute to show her the wand movements−Bellatrix didn't even bother to wonder how he knew it− they were complicated but she wasn't made the head of Auror because couldn't do such spells.
"Excipio!"
A bright flash erupted in the room accompanied by a roll of thunder. They all blinked against the light and once it died down they could easily see the beautiful woman who had Hermione tightly gripping her hand.
"You see Hermione," Angeli said with a smile, "I told you they would want you back."
"They hate me" Hermione whispered, looking down.
"They don't my sweet; they just made a simple mistake, one that some parents tend to make"
"I want to stay with you"
"You can't, where I am to go you cannot follow, a human cannot dwell there. I merely decided to help you before I left for my home…I've spent a hundred years gaining enough power to break free and now I have, I must go home"
Bellatrix broke free of the shock of seeing that the ritual had worked, truth be told she had doubted it would. "Hermione! Hermione sweetie, come to mommy okay?" Bellatrix said, looking desperately at her daughter. "Please come to mommy"
"Go on little one, your family needs you"
Hermione looked around at all the faces, they looked so relieved and happy…even Ginny did and Hermione hadn't been very nice to her. Slowly Hermione let go of Angeli's hand and walked into her mother's open arms.
A sob of relief left Bellatrix as she pulled Hermione as close as possible "I'm so sorry, so sorry"
"Never again neglect your child or stand back and watch as your husband attempts to change her," Angeli hissed. "Hermione is a wonderful girl and deserves better, I chose to help you this one time and repair the damage that was done…she will be watched, attempt such things again and I will take her and never return−I've given you your reward for being such a good friend Hermione, I was lonely before I met you−thank you"
Angeli gestured to the circle "Do you mind?"
Harry immediately erased a section of the seal. Angeli gave him a small smile before she disappeared the way she came.
Harry returned his attention to Hermione, she was safe, thank merlin she was safe. He would have loved to go over and hold her tightly but Bellatrix didn't seem to be relenting.
"Well," Sirius started "Where the hell is father?"
Harry chuckled "Looking for another way to find and save Hermione. He didn't think mine would work"
Sirius snorted "We took minutes to get her back−damn he's going to take a beating to his pride, it'll be hell the next few days"
Orion eyed Harry "How did you know of the reverse ritual?"
Harry shrugged "I came upon it in a book−Hermione found it and said I should give it a read."
Both boys seemed to accept this answer; Harry spent so much time with Hermione in the library it was inevitable he would read a few books.
"Poor lad" Sirius whispered, imagining Hermione forcing Harry to indulge in her love of books. "You must have been terrified"
Harry honestly had no idea what Sirius was speaking of so he chose to ignore whatever the boy had said. Instead he went back to watching the heartwarming exchange between Hermione and Bella, one of which O
The Master of Time and Parallel universes calmly watched the happenings around the master of death. A pool of water at her feet gave her this view.
"His powers are escalating and he does not even know it" she whispered, transfiguring a glass of tea out of thin air. She waved her hand and the pool rippled, this time it was not the image of Harry that appeared, but Dumbledore. The man was furious at the loss of the Weasley family and was already arranging for one of his minions−as she termed them−to adopt Ronald and Percival.
With a sign she turned away from the pool and walked over to the single white bed in the white room. Harry seemed to have already adjusted to his new life. But that was the only good thing she could see; Harry's violent personality seemed to have reared its head and already she could feel the evil he was radiating; what he had done to Neville had left her shivering for days, she couldn't imagine such cruelty and to a friend none the less. Neville had never done anything to gain Harry's ire in the other world but that seemed to mean nothing when it came unto Hermione.
The only thing the Master of Time and Parallel universes could do to console herself was to remember that with this past event the years to come−at least until they entered Hogwarts− would hold less drama.
Like i said, i really hated this chapter, but the next one will have a time skip and i can FINALLY start what i've been waiting to start!
Interno curenti: Internal bleeding
Cutis ferventis: Boiling skin
Occultum Animae: Hidden soul
Capta ánimam: Capture soul
Anima quaerere: Soul search
Excipio: Capture
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