Note to readers, this has not yet been edited. So there are plot holes and grammatical errors until such a time as I can reread and edit all my previous chapters to smooth this one into the story.

And our lovely little family makes it to Diagon Alley.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Harry scuffed his knuckles repeatedly on his denims as he worried about their day.

But Hermione was brilliant—JP grinned up at him from under a dark grey newsboys cap. Harry chuckled and greeted the energetic boy, laughing loudly when Minnie practically knocked JP over with her own enthusiastic hug.

Hermione calmly greeted her parents and led them through the pub, gently ushering the kids to hold onto the Grangers' arms and pull them straight through to the back alley.

Harry sucked in a sharp breath and flicked a quick glance behind as he followed the group, taking in the relaxed wizards involved in regular pub behavior. No one had noticed the Boy-Who-Lived…either of them. No one had watched menacingly in imminent threat to the two muggle parents escorting their family into the magical alley. No one even greeted the large group.

Green eyes focused ahead as Hermione gestured him forward to the wall. He felt his throat clog with a knot of emotion as he grasped his wand. Her sober eyes met his as the kids chattered and the Grangers marveled.

Three up, two across.

Harry sighed as the brick wiggled and then the hole appeared and expanded. JP laughed and followed Minnie through, the duo chattering excitedly and bouncing around the two older thems. Mr. and Mrs. Granger followed cautiously, blinking at the sudden difference in environment.

Harry looked around with careful eyes, standing beside his family. It must appear they'd gone back in time—cloaks and long dresses and cobble stone streets. And again no one really paid notice to the family.

Good.

But Harry still felt the strain in his wrist and hand as he waited poised to grasp his wand and fight. Hermione took up her habitual position beside him, but managed to chatter to the group and point out landmarks and buildings without giving away her own tension.

Harry sighed in relief when they finally made it past the human guards exterior of Gringotts and into the atrium. While Goblins weren't his favorite Beings, he knew they wouldn't appreciate any wizard causing mayhem in their bank.

Hermione ushered Minnie in front of her with her parents, her arm resting over JP's shoulders as she whispered in his ear.

They waited in line a bit before the teller gestured them forward. Hermione immediately straightened her spine and gestured with her chin, "May your vaults overflow and your enemies tremble."

The Goblin paused his quill scratching, looking up slowly at the curly haired witch who waited patiently. The whole Granger family waited awkwardly, and in Harry's case anxiously. What was all this?

The black eyes blinked, "May your skills ever improve and your family stand strong." Then he sniffed and his ears flicked. "Business?"

"These are the Grangers, their daughter is a New Blood."

With quick efficiency the Goblin arranged some things on his desk. Then he leaned over and offered a slate to Minnie—"Palm flat."

She blinked and looked to be biting her questions back and squirming, but she did follow the taciturn direction. The Goblin blinked at the slate as he took it back, flicking his hand over his desk and then leaning down. "Take this key, Go to Grimble and exchange some Euros."

Hermione cleared her throat. "She actually fits the sponsorship program set up by the Dagworth's."

The Goblin blinked and looked at Hermione. Then his teeth flashed in a quick predatory smile, "So be it."

"And this is JP, he's an orphan from an ancient line."

The Goblin sighed and leaned over with the slate again. JP needed no instruction and flattened his palm firmly on the stone. The Goblin waited a moment before returning to his chair. Then he blinked at the slate and narrowed his eyes. "No key."

Hermione's face scrunched up and then she turned her face down to JP. The little man looked up from under the brim of his newsboy cap with a defeated expression on his face. Harry coughed and stepped forward—"Would I be able to claim the key?" he asked softly.

Hermione's breath caught, Harry watched her eyes flick to the Goblin teller who had exposed this new conundrum. Yet Harry couldn't remember if he'd ever gone to Gringott's on his own, if he'd ever been in possession of his key. Hagrid'd had it, then Molly Weasley…

"Hand flat," the Goblin grumbled and extended the slate once again.

Harry did so.

He felt a fine prickling along his skin, like needles just touching but not piercing all over his palm. It was quickly over, whatever it was, and the Goblin blinked down in consternation at his podium.

Then he harrumphed, "This won't do."

"Is there a problem, Nagnok?"

The Goblin turned his black slanted eyes up to her, his pointed ears twitching. "Follow me," the Goblin said.

Hermione tilted her head slightly but did so, taking both the kids under her arms as they entered the cold stone tunnels of the real bank. Harry followed with his eyes darting about, his hand twitching to where he knew his wand was stashed along his hidden waist belt.

"Wait here," the Goblin said and then spun to march back down the halls.

Hermione ushered them all into the Spartan room, darting a quick glance around before sitting.

Harry followed suit, though he took just a bit longer in his perusal of the room. JP and Minnie each shared one of the wide simple stools, the two children almost too big for a table made for Goblin meetings. Mr. and Mrs. Granger sat awkwardly by the wall.

"What's going on," Harry asked carefully.

Hermione propelled a curl up with a sharp breath, her amber eyes checking the gaping archway and the children before turning back to him. "I guess you are once again the center of excitement."

The elder Grangers sighed, relaxing awkwardly on the short seats. Hermione herself looked quite comfortable and had arranged herself neatly and swiftly.

"In the case of most muggleborns and orphans, the first time in Gringott's is usually the occasion for the blood test—the palm on the slate—to confirm identity and retrieve a key. Muggleborns usually are requested to do so in case they have remedial magic lineage. Once the blood is confirmed the key should appear to the summoning the Goblin does behind the podium—they have rather efficient magic like that. In this case both JP and Harry's blood was denied a key even though their parentage was confirmed."

"How do you know it was confirmed?"

Hermione shrugged and grinned. "Goblins are rather reticent creatures, but if they felt that we had lied and claimed the Potter heritage they would have shown their displeasure obviously. Those guards aren't just there for show."

Mrs. Granger looked rather ill at the answer, though Mr. Granger looked contemplative.

Harry sighed and scrubbed his hands through his hair. JP grinned up at him—"I'm liking my cap. You look like you got shocked."

The others snorted out their laughing agreement and Harry sheepishly pawed at his hair.

Minnie perked up with a question—"If they suspect each muggleborn has magical lineage why don't the wizards test us when they deliver our letters?"

"Because wizards don't believe the same…and some pureblood vaults from extinct lines just rest for posterity. It is a great point of contention when the Ministry tries to claim line vaults—Gringott's refuses such a policy, and a law won't pass in the chamber because the pureblood seat holders would then fear any new policies regarding their vaults. So the Goblins check each new magic user in the off chance they can thumb their nose at the Ministry and re-activate an old vault for a child the wizarding world would otherwise ignore and even disgrace."

Mr. Granger spoke in his low voice, "I see the logic and method in that, but wouldn't wizards just take their business to another bank if they don't agree with the policies?"

"Goblins are quite clever," Hermione explained lowly while they waited in an antechamber. "There were several battles between goblins and wizards, and there has been fault on both sides. But I think that the Goblins, who have never been seen as more than Beings by wizardkind, have managed to gain the best position with their pride intact."

The two elder Grangers and the children blinked at the off topic explanation.

"But they live here! And they don't get a wand!" Minnie cried out at the injustice she'd read about, her forehead crinkled and her eyes wide. "That's hardly the best position, or one of pride for that matter!"

JP blinked at Minnie, but turned unerringly to Hermione for an answer.

Harry stared at his best friend as she leaned forward to whisper mischievously: "Did you know there is only one bank for the whole of the wizarding world?"

Minnie drew back and her face skewed with confusion. JP started to grin. Mr. Granger appeared gob-smacked before he started chuckling.

"But that's absurd! Multiple banks create a far better system of cheques and balances and policies about your money!" Mrs. Granger voiced her bewilderment.

"And right you are! But you will learn one thing that is true for all wizards—they are inherently lazy. Magic is something they take for granted—to the point that muggles are a strange lot and that squibs are lesser wizards. They won't realize how innovative some inventions are, how clever other Beings are—because they are different and have genius and foreign magics."

JP tilted his head to the side, "So they're too lazy to care about managing their own money?"

Hermione grinned at JP and tweaked his nose; the boy's green eyes sparkled behind the square silver frames. Minnie sighed and shook her head, looking quite put out.

Mrs. Granger shared her expression, but Mr. Granger was still grinning as he interjected. "I'm quite happy to see that we have a knowledgeable escort to help us with all this. And from everything I'm learning I'm doubly happy to know that the Goblins are holding their own. But what is this Dagworth Scholarship?"

Hermione's response to that question was interrupted as a gravelly throat cleared and Nagnok entered the room again, a shorter goblin with glasses and whiter hair accompanying him.

Hermione stood and bowed just slightly, grinning with all her teeth bared. "Gornuk, may your vaults overflow."

"Granger, may your enemies fall at your feet." His voice sounded like rocks rolling on pavement as he sketched a brief bow and flicked his long fingered hand.

"This is my family, we are simply in the Alley for the start of term shopping. We didn't expect such complexities."

The Goblin grinned. "Your new brother—we are honored to help the one you claim as blood. But you bring another complexity with you." His eyes flicked to the two children and then older Harry.

Harry stiffened and shifted so that he could stand up quickly.

Hermione grinned. "Well, I suppose it might be time for that story…"

Harry sat back heavily as he witnessed something he'd never seen in his life; a Goblin laughed in the presence of wizards. It wasn't a pleasant sound, quite like his voice it resembled rock on stone, except louder like a landslide while all those sharp teeth were revealed. Harry shuddered.

Mrs. Granger clutched onto her husband and the two children leaned forward in amazement, watching this strange Goblin.

Gornuk shook his head, pushing his glasses up his sizable nose with a clawed and gnarled finger. "Ragnok will be pleased. But now is not the time. There is foul play in our vaults—once again you bring attention to criminals abusing our treasury."

Harry sighed and closed his eyes, massaging his forehead. "I think I need a story or two as well."

He opened his eyes to look down at Hermione where she'd leaned into his shoulder. Her eyes were sparkling up at him, and she was holding in a grin by biting her lower lip. His tense shoulders softened.

"I promise I'll explain everything. But right now we need to get this solved, get some money, and get the school supplies."

Mr. and Mrs. Granger sat back slightly in agreement and let the two magicals take charge.

It took close to the half hour mark before everything was settled, several fees lodged against the Potter Vaults for the initial investigation and expense of recreating a family line vault key. Harry marveled at their efficiency, and their assurance that whoever had orchestrated the subterfuge would be penalized with reparations paid to the Potter vaults.

A befuddled group left the bank, and only Hermione's knowing eyes as she saluted the guards alerted him to anything more beyond the situation. While the kids marveled at a display in a magical toyshop and the Grangers asked them questions, Harry quietly asked, "What did I miss?"

Hermione hummed before leaning in closer and murmuring, "The Goblins are relieved you didn't sue them for negligence regarding your family vaults—Potter is one of the oldest and most respected families. It is dishonor to harm your assets when you were orphaned with no one to proxy."

"Ah." Except Harry didn't really see.

"Don't worry, it's all sorted now." Then she grinned up at him, "Let's get the kids all sorted out and make sure my parents don't run into any harm. It's going to be a full day."

Harry chortled and lightly touched her forearm, recognizing that she would explain later when they were home safe. "Alright you lot, first thing is robes, can't go to a wizarding school in denims."

The group journeyed to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Mr. and Mrs. Granger waited outside resting on a bench to take in all the sights. Hermione paused to say something to them and the trio carried on ahead. Harry blinked as they entered the store and he saw a pinched faced blonde boy being measured.

"Hogwarts dears?" Madame Malkin inquired, quickly ushering both children up onto the stools beside a young Draco Malfoy.

"Hullo," he said," Hogwarts too I suppose?" while Madame Malkin tugged large robes over both the children and started pinning.

"Yes," JP grinned while Minnie shyly nodded her head.

"My father's next door getting my books and mum's looking at wands," Draco said in a bored drawling voice that suddenly reminded Harry of Ms. Banks lording it over them. "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms—I don't see why first years can't have them at school. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."

Minnie looked scandalized and JP looked uncertain, as if both children had never thought to hear such words from someone their age.

"Aren't you a precocious young man?" Hermione said in an amused voice. Harry startled and half turned to where she'd snuck up to his side, her hand sliding into the crook of his elbow. He relaxed at her touch, at her reassuring presence.

Then he turned to face this old enemy on such a young face. He managed a smile at the irony—the Draco Malfoy he'd known would have hated being so vulnerable. "JP will be an amazing seeker when he get's the chance, but I hope he takes the first year to cheer on his housemates."

Hermione grinned, "What's your name?"

"Draco Malfoy," sniffed the boy.

"Pleasure," Hermione murmured, shifting her posture just slightly. "My name is Hermione Granger, and this is my brother JP. We're escorting Minnie Granger," she flicked a graceful hand to Minnie who curtseyed with her eyes warily turned on Hermione.

Draco stiffened and sketched a bow.

Harry successfully bit back a small smirk, but Hermione pinched the inside of his elbow anyway. He sent her a brief wounded/amused look before chuckling. "Such manners."

"Manners are the mark of a gentry—a true mark of good breeding. He does his family proud minding them." Hermione winked at the confused blonde boy.

"Thank you ma'am," he managed to drawl out without sounding too shaken.

"That's you done dear," Madame Malkin's assistant said to Draco, brushing off the shoulders of his robes. "We'll have your complete set of robes ready in two hours—full spells right?"

"Of course," Draco sniffed with a sour face. Then he was off the stool and almost to the door. With his hand on the door handle he paused, turning to Hermione and bowing deeply. "It was a pleasure to meet you," he said perfectly, and then turned to the children, "I'll see you in Hogwarts."

Harry coughed. Minnie giggled and JP laughed at him.

Hermione just hummed in amusement. The two children chattered to each other about the magic all around them for the rest of their fitting, completely putting out of their minds the encounter with the blonde.

Harry turned his eyes down to Hermione, waiting until her attention turned to him. He arched a brow.

She grinned and leaned her head on his shoulder to whisper discreetly. "It was only coming back and encountering Ms. Banks that I had the thought—manners above all." She laughed.

Harry didn't get it.

Hermione hugged his arm as she continued. "Draco is going to be so confused—wanting to show good breeding but finding out that Minnie is a New Blood. It should be some interesting letters we receive."

"You manipulative witch," Harry whispered affectionately.

She smiled innocently with wide honey eyes—"Does that mean you'll buy ice cream?"

Harry roared with laughter as they herded their charges and the Grangers to Florean Fortesque's. After enjoying double scoops of interesting flavours for everyone and a chatty patio seat, they walked to the bookstore.

"It's odd how similar and yet different this trip to Diagon is," he mused quietly to Hermione.

She blinked up at him.

He grinned lopsidedly. "We're going to the stores in the same order…and even encountering Malfoy. He almost said the exact same thing last time."

Hermione stopped, her mouth dropping open and her eyes wide. Then she laughed and shook her head—her curls flew everywhere. She grinned up at him with sparkling eyes, "That's good to hear."

"Is it?"

"Time is not something wizards truly understand—even with time travel what should happen will. That means that Draco was supposed to meet you. I'm interested in seeing what Time keeps the same and what has changed."

Harry smiled at her, his brain working to guess what should stay the same. What shouldn't but might…oh god. His gut clenched with a sudden terror and he griped his wand tighter.

The Granger family continued forward oblivious to his mood, but Harry was extra alert. Hermione took in his shift in mood quietly before walking at his side with a more discreet observant stare.

Flourish and Blott's was certainly Minnie's favorite store so far—upon entering she squealed rather cutely about the sliding ladders and three levels of stacks. The Grangers laughed and encouraged her to browse for personal books while they took charge of finding the actual schoolbooks. Mr. Granger called to her quickly disappearing back, "We'll buy you a few extra, poppet."

This turned out to be an efficient system, and JP quite enjoyed trying to flip through books and find random facts to quiz Hermione on.

She never let him down.

Harry watched the pair fondly, remembering his first foray into this store where he'd searched for jinxes to use against Dudley. It was quite the contrast, and he had Hermione to thank again.

The Dursleys weren't even a concern for JP. The differences eased the tension growing in his shoulders and he relaxed to enjoy this time with the family and children before they went to Hogwarts.

Minnie emerged from the stacks breathless and beaming, carry her own stack in her arms with a little wobble. Harry grinned at her and helped her out, setting the tomes on the counter alongside their growing pile of school books. Minnie bounced on her feet as she waited for the family to gather at the till and pay. As soon as the books were hers she grabbed one and stuck her nose in it, walking safely with the group only because the others helped her steer once in a while.

Hermione sent her a fond look before taking Mr. Granger's hand. The man startled and looked down at the young woman who wouldn't meet his eyes. Then he softened, and tugged her closer to him to bend over and kiss her head.

Harry watched Hermione as her face flooded with emotion and felt his heart clench. Mrs. Granger laughed with the children as she pointed something out, and Harry quietly caught up to them to give the pair some privacy.

Quietly he steered them to the Apothecary, trying not to draw attention to their two dawdlers. But the pair had caught up before the shop door finished closing on their group. The smell hit them first, and Hermione and Harry watched the group explore and poke around the fascinating bits and baubles while they ordered the supply of Hogwarts first year basic potions ingredients for two. The order was quickly filled and they corralled the group back onto the streets of Diagon Alley.

"Well JP, you said you wanted to get your birthday present today. What shall it be?" Hermione leaned over the young boy, smiling expectantly.

JP's wide green eyes darted around, hardly settling somewhere before they searched again. A grin lit up his face, healthy teeth and fully brilliant smile. "There!"

Harry blinked up at the Eeylops Owl Emporium. Licking his lips Harry shared a look with Hermione and followed the excited children with the Grangers. It was just as dark as he remembered, full of rustling and flickering feathers and jewel bright eyes. And his breath caught as JP unerringly picked out the unusually white female snowy owl.

Hermione clasped her hand reassuringly in his as the Grangers and JP cooed over the gentle bird.

Their last stop—the most special—was Olivanders. Makers of Fine Wands since 500.

Harry clearly recalled his discomfiture on his first entry into this shop—the eeriness and ghostly feel of what he now knew was the collection of wands calling out. It wasn't any different this time despite his age and experience with other more horrid things.

JP and Minnie clutched at each other, and even the magically null Grangers shivered and glanced around uneasily.

Olivander spooked them with his usual entry—and Harry flicked his fingers carefully over his wand. He wondered what wand JP would get—the boy was so different because Hermione had been in his life. And the incident in the Goblin halls told him there was more she still hadn't spoken of—and a niggling suspicion gathered at the base of his skull like an itch. But he trusted Hermione, so he tamped down his paranoia and focused.

Minnie went first, so Harry had to wait to see what wand JP got.

The whole process of the distracting tape measure and the wand hand and Olivander muttering about was very similar to the first time he'd experienced it. Minnie ended up shooting brilliantly multicolored sparks out of the wand that chose her—sparks that looked like the ones that danced in curly hair and brown eyes when the Granger girls got emotional.

But the wand maker did not nod in satisfaction at the wand's choice. Instead Olivander blinked his bulbous eyes, an almost consternated expression on his usually serene face. "This wand…it thrums for the little Miss Granger, but calls out sadly to you."

Hermione blinked placidly under the eerie man's stare and tilted her head slightly, regarding the older man. "My first wand was very similar," she offered.

She didn't even smirk. Harry smiled and turned away, glancing over the many shelves. In the future past he had already received a new wand—in fact the Elder Wand hadn't wanted to stay at Dumbledore's grave and so Mr. Olivander had crafted a replica to leave at the monument while Harry carried the wand of death.

Harry wondered how powerful Hermione's new wand would be—she'd tamed Bellatrix's monstrosity of a wand so that must mean her magic had grown.

Minnie squealed and refused to put her wand down as they watched JP's turn. The measuring tape barely fazed the boy as he gawped around, itching his nose after it was measured.

"Interesting…" Olivander murmured.

He emerged from the back, and a wand box in his pile literally jumped out and fell to the ground. Everyone stared at it. Olivander made a humming noise and set his pile aside, crouching on bones that creaked.

He opened the wand box and approached, stopping once again with that vaguely consternated expression. With clear disapproval on his face he glanced at the two time travelers.

Harry sheepishly smiled, ruffling his hair.

Hermione smiled sweetly.

Olivander's face went slack, his mouth hanging slightly open. "Merlin help us…." he shook his silvery head. "I never thought I'd see the day when Earth Magic actually …" He shook his head again.

"Sir, the children have their wands," Hermione said firmly, although in a murmuring tone. "It is not for us to understand how Earth and Time arrange things." Hermione licked her lips and stepped forward, "I need a new wand."

Olivander swallowed, staring at this strange witch.

Harry's eyes narrowed and his hands clenched. Something was off—he'd seen this man throughout years at Hogwarts and even during captivity in the war. The man always carried his usual aplomb and flightiness. The sudden heaviness to his gaze, it was even more unsettling because it defied all previous experiences with the gentle wizard.

"A new wand for this time," the wizard rasped. He did not even bother with the tape measure as he retreated into the stacks. He emerged only carrying one box—a beat up old leather case.

He handed it to Hermione who pulled out a short thin wand with twisting vine carvings. Hermione was silent as she lifted the wand out, but her growing elated expression told them all that the wand was suited.

"This wand…" Olivander rasped, "is old. My grandfather's grandfather made it. And no other like it has been made."

Everyone turned to the old man, and JP clasped Hermione's free hand.

"This wand….has a core of sand."

Almost everyone face faulted, but Hermione smiled brilliantly and laughed. She actually pulled the old wand maker into a hug and thanked him. Olivander stuttered out the rest of the wand's specifics, shaken by Hermione's affectionate response, and the family paid for their new wands and made their way out of the wizarding world as quietly as they had arrived.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief when they were safely at the Granger's. After tea and biscuits the burned out kids, still trying to excitedly talk to each other about everything they'd seen that day, were herded up the stairs to their beds.

The adults settled in to talk.

Mrs. Granger cleared her throat as she refilled the tea. "I saw the most interesting thing in the Alley, dears."

Hermione blew on her cup and looked up with her large brown eyes. Harry watched the two stare each other down with such similar eyes. It was a bit disconcerting. Then Hermione smiled impishly, a dimple appearing on her cheek he'd never seen before.

Mrs. Granger smirked right back. "I saw a cat change right into a witch." She sat back and sipped her tea. "Now this reminds me of a rather intelligent stray we've taken in."

Padfoot barked from out on the patio—where he'd been listening by the screen door.

Mr. Granger threw his head back and laughed. Then he stood, wiping tears from his eyes, and walked to the patio to open the door and invite the dog in. Padfoot came just in the threshold before he shook himself and shimmered—the aristocratic form of Sirius Black suddenly there and grinning devilishly at them all.

Mrs. Granger smiled at the man as he bowed genteelly and laughed out, "Sirius Black, how do you do?"

"I do say you know us all by now, Sirius. Come sit for tea—I can't believe you have all been hiding him in the backyard when we have yet another guest room to spare. For shame!"

Harry grinned sheepishly—"It's a sight better than what he had before, and he has to stay hidden."

Mrs. Granger sniffed and waved his concern away. "I'm offended you think so—he'd be perfectly safe here. No wizard folk would think to look into it. Don't think I haven't noticed or recalled all the times Minnie had magical issues—the whole lot of them ignore us!"

Hermione conceded her head. "I've used it to my advantage before."

Mr. Granger clapped Sirius on the back, "Well, now the secret's out. You two better not keep much more from us. We want to trust each other—now get this man some tea and a proper plate. I feel awful that I've been sneaking him table scraps like a common cur!"

Harry laughed and helped Sirius settle in for their discussion.

Mr. Granger squeezed Hermione's hand, reaching over the table to do so. Her breath caught and her gaze landed on his. "You guys don't have to do this alone," the dentist murmured.

Harry sat back heavily, recognizing this was why there hadn't been more reaction to the secret of Sirius. Mr. Granger, after seeing their behavior in the alley and probably since their biggest secret had come to light, had chosen to look beyond any feelings of betrayal and see their real need.

They needed to be accepted and comforted. They were still children in some aspects—though they had been playing as adults since they were eleven years old.

Sighing, Harry turned his green eyes to the elder Grangers. "I am sorry we kept him a secret—we're so used to…so used to hiding and fighting and not trusting. It wasn't any intended slight to you." He stumbled to explain, not wanting there to be any doubt.

Monica patted his hand. "While we might have been offended once upon a time, we know you. We know you both," she firmly repeated with a glance at Hermione. "And I believe that our family has grown—we understand each other. Let us set that aside then—I want to hear this story!"

Harry laughed at the matriarch as she squirmed excitedly—quite unlike a proper lady in behavior. Hermione giggled and leaned into him, her hand clasping tightly around her father's. "Mum loves a good story," she stage whispered.

Sirius barked out a laugh—"Well let me tell you my version of the story. The kids have an entirely different one!" So, with his usual Marauder theatrics, he detailed his false incarceration, his years of madness, then his liberation by what he thought was a hallucination. Then he detailed his recovery—how even as a mutt being in this household helped him deal with the hurt of losing everything. "I want to thank you both—your family is so loving…it was a blessing to be part of it even in my animangus form."

Monica was in tears, silently dabbing at her face. Even Wendell looked particularly choked, and he reached to firmly grasp Sirius' arm. "Welcome to the family," the patriarch said firmly.

"Why don't we save our story for another time," Hermione interjected gently. "I still need to explain to you about the Goblins, and then I think it's best we go to bed. You two have work tomorrow, and it's been a long day."

"It has been a little adventure…and a little emotional." Wendell admitted, his eyes soft as he stared at his time traveling daughter.

Monica cleared her throat—"There is one thing I'd like to ask, but I agree that we should probably wait until tomorrow to hear all the stories."

Hermione blinked. Harry turned slightly to Hermione, wondering if the question Monica would ask would be the one on his mind…one of the many on his mind.

Sirius barked out a laugh-"Only one question would satisfy our curiosity? I have many!"

Monica's face didn't break into a smile though—instead she stared at her older daughter with a serious and tender expression.

Hermione swallowed, her hand trembled on the table where Wendell had let it go earlier, and as she drew it back to hide the tremor Harry caught it in his grasp. Keeping his eyes on the Granger matriarch he gave his truest friend a comforting squeeze. She gave him one back and accepted his comfort.

"Monica…"

Mrs. Granger gave her husband a soft look before leaning forward and addressing Hermione, "How did you do it?"

"What?" Hermione asked, honestly confused.

Monica's eyes started darkening and glistening with tears. "I've watched you, Hermione," she said softly. "You are so strong and independent—you are a little lady with the world on your shoulders. How did you do all this on your own—the Goblin friendship when all we've heard is rebellions and tension with wizards, the time traveling without a time turner, the magic after your wand was broken, and even raising JP while struggling to change the world from the sidelines?"

Harry swallowed hard and turned his eyes to his friend.

Hermione's eyes were teary as well. A smile struggled over her lips, trembling and uncertain. "I managed to do it because I had to."

Monica sobbed and got up, walking around the table to kneel beside Hermione and touch her face. "You are an amazing young woman—I am so proud of you."

Her breath shuddered in as she gasped, and Hermione gaped down as she struggled to reign in her expression. Harry blinked his own tears away, recognizing Sirius' clearing of his throat and Wendell's discreet brushing of his eyes.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered.

"No, thank you," Monica responded. "And I am so sorry that we weren't there for you in your life. So please, Hermione, let me be your mum now."

Hermione laughed and sobbed and slipped right out of her chair into an embrace with her mother. Wendell cleared his throat and joined them unashamedly, taking the two small Granger women into his encompassing arms.

Sirius' hand ended up on Harry's shoulder, and Harry smiled.

…

Yes, CM is still alive and kicking around this story. Got busy with teaching grade one, had a car accident, you know the stuff: life got in the way. But I am trying to finish this and haven't given up. I hope you all still enjoy it.