A/N: Okay, wow, this took a very long time to complete. And once again, you have no idea how sorry I am for not finishing sooner as I promised last time. I know some of you have given up on this story, but I want to thank those who have and are still waiting patiently. For regular updates (such as previews for the next chapter etc), please visit my livejournal.
This chapter has not been edited, so please excuse any spelling errors or grammar mistakes.
Previously: Harry turned to Hermione whose brows were furrowed. She looked at him and finally agreed. Seeing the bright smile on his face really made Hermione's worries ebb away. It had been too long since she saw him smile like that.
Now, only one problem remains. How will they be able to find the correct potion to brew?
Throughout the rest of the week, the trio spent as much time as they could asking around for old spell books; pouring over possible potions that could be useful for time traveling. Each week went by just as quickly as the last, and soon they found themselves feeling more hopeless each time they closed an book in defeat. The snow had fully melted and February was just around the corner; both Ron and Harry slowly began to give up. Hermione, on the other hand –though not spending as much time as before— continued with the research, asking every bookstore she came across for possible information on what was needed. To their disappointment, she came home everyday empty-handed.
The idea seemed impossible each time either one of them thought about it, and soon, it completely slipped their minds. As much as Harry wanted to do something about Draco's memory loss, he found himself accepting the fact that things will never be the same. Besides, if things were meant to be this way, then he will just have to continue on with his life without looking back. What will happen later on will happen. For now, he was tired of trying to convince himself there was a solution.
Laughter broke out around the room as Fred and George Weasley took turns telling everyone about their recent trip to Ireland.
"—honestly, who knew George could dance like that? Here, pass these pictures around, Ron."
"Look carefully and notice how intrigued Fred was while watching—"
"Oy, I was not you sick pervert!"
"George, what in Merlin's beard are you wearing in this picture?"
"It's called a thong mum."
"Well I can practically see your private parts!"
"It's covered though!"
"I don't care, no more trips to Ireland for you boys!"
Harry laughed at the disbelief expressions that appeared on the twin's faces.
"We're not 17—"
"We're adults now—"
"You can't tell us—"
"Dinner's ready!" Hermione interrupted before the conversation could turn ugly.
Everyone seated themselves around the large dining table, surprised to see the amount of food placed on it.
"Remus, how did you cook all this?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking extremely impressed.
"I've been learning ever since last year. Hermione here, has great muggle cookbooks."
"Where's Tonks and Ginny?"
"I'll go look for them," Harry suggested, rising from the table and leaving the room.
Number 12 Grimmauld Place had definitely gotten a thorough cleaning by the looks of the completely dustless place. The floor even looked waxed. Harry headed upstairs to the top floor when he heard someone squeal. Ginny and Tonks had their wands drawn out, practicing beauty spells on themselves in front of a large mirror.
"I've seen quite enough," the mirror wheezed out, apparently not amused.
"Oh shut up, we look great. Harry! Come to join us?" Tonks said once she noticed him.
"Come to tell you dinner's ready actually," Harry grinned.
"Oh, thanks. I guess we'll continue later then Ginny."
Harry observed their matching lime green hair and large pointy nose, deciding not to comment. He was about to leave the room with them when he stopped shortly after something caught his eye.
"You coming, Harry?" Ginny asked, with her hand on the doorknob.
"You two can go first."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just… I just want to sit for a while and I'm not that hungry yet."
"Alright then!" Ginny left with Tonks, closing the door behind her.
Harry focused his attention back on the large rectangular piece of wood that stuck out slightly from the wall. The surface completely matched its surroundings, and it was something you could easily miss if you merely glanced around the room. Had Ginny and Tonks seen it since they have been in the room longer than he has? He took a step towards it—
"See you eyeing the wall, what's so interesting about it, lad?" the mirror wheezed again, almost causing Harry to whip out his wand, thinking there was someone else in the room. Once he noticed it though, he cleared his throat and crossed his arms.
"I uh…" Harry started before quickly changing his mind. He wasn't in the mood for explaining his actions and thoughts to a talking object. "It's nothing."
"Y'sure? The wolf man was eyeing that too the last time he came up here."
"Remus?"
"Whatever, I'm just a mirror. I don't need to remember no names. Y'should go see what it is."
"You mean he never found out what it was?"
"Nope, had something better to do. The only lad that has actually walked through that was old Cabot."
"So this leads to a room? What's in it?"
"Are y'blind? Do I look like I can de-attach myself from the wal and walkmy way over there with ease?"
Harry ignored the mirror and turned back to face the wall. He walked towards it again and lightly touched the edges. It looked like a door, but there weren't hinges or a handle.
"Y'gotta tap your wand like Cabot did and it'll open by itself."
Harry reached into his robes but hesitated once he got his wand out. He didn't know what this doorled to, what if it was something dangerous?
"You didn't, by any chance, happen to see Cabot come back, did you?"
"Oh he came back alright, with stacks of parchments and old textbooks. He was a reader y'see."
Books? Harry suddenly felt a rush of excitement. Would he be able to find the information he had been looking for? It was the first time he thought about the idea in a while. He had pushed any possibilities in succeeding at the back of his mind. Thinking about the 'what ifs' had his heart clenching painfully, so he stopped thinking about anything related to his past. Without any more hesitations, Harry tapped the door and watched with surprise as it suddenly vanished. He walked in slowly as the door replaced itself afterwards.
The room he stepped into wasn't like any of the ordinary libraries he had seen. Books were flying to and fro from shelves, circulating the ceiling by flapping its pages. As Harry moved towards a shelf to examine one of the books, the whole lot of them suddenly flew away from his reach. Feeling slightly annoyed, he turned around to leave only to find his exit blocked by Remus.
"So this is what's behind the door," Remus said to himself before smiling at Harry. "We were wondering what was taking you so long. Who knew you'd venture into this place?"
"How did you know I was here?"
"The mirror informed me. Now, are you going to be joining us?"
"I guess…but I want to know how to get the books first."
"What do you need it for?"
Knowing he could trust Remus, he told him everything about the idea he had hoping Remus could help. After Harry explained it to him, Remus smiled sadly at the man before him.
"If only it's as easy as you make it sound."
"I know it's not going to be easy, but I have to at least try, right?"
"And you've tried every book store and library?"
"Yes, Hermione and Ron even asked around for old spell and potion books. No luck there either though."
"You do realize that the books here might have to do with Dark Arts?"
"I'm just looking for a potion, not a spell to torture someone with," Harry said to lighten the mood.
"I know," Remus replied reluctantly. "I'm just not sure if this is the right place to find what you need."
"I've tried everywhere though. I just want to at least try. What if there is something that could help me here?"
Remus remained silent for a moment, looking around the room; finally, he raised his wand and pointed it at a table.
"Time potion," he spoke clearly.
No sooner has he said it, several books came swooping down, landing on the table in one neat pile. Harry could feel the excitement bubbling throughout himself all over again while noting the interesting titles.
"That's about it. Now, why don't you help me with these books, and come have dinner after?"
Harry had never felt so thankful.
A/N: I know, you people are waiting for the D/H action, but that will come later. Please review to tell me what you thought of this chapter.