TWO

Crawley

England, United Kingdom

The dark gray car moved purposely through the wide two lane residential road flanked on both sides by picturesque homes with immaculately manicured lawns and their garages.

Inside the magically modified Jaguar XJ, Alvin York was careful not to exceed the residential speed limit of twenty kilometers per hour as he searched the houses on either side of him for the residence of the Grangers.

As he was doing so, he was considering the conversation that he had with Remus, Sirius Black and Harry Potter earlier this morning before he dropped them to a safe house to await his signal. They had talked about the latest ploy of the British Ministry of Magic to get Harry to trail to answer for underage magic.

Al had informed Harry that he believes that Dumbledore is behind the attack, and it is a ploy that the Old Man is using so that Harry would feel more indebted to him.

Both Remus and Black disagreed with that assessment, as they believed that Dumbledore is out of this, given the well documented hatred of the Old Man of dementors, instead, they suggested that the Ministry is doing this on their own, but the Old Man, never to miss out on an opportunity, is seeing this as a way to make Harry feel more indebted to him.

Regardless of who is behind it, however, the three men decided to let a lawyer handle the defense of Harry instead of letting Dumbledore do it for them. The choice of the lawyer had Al laughing silently towards himself; after all, he had no doubt that Anton Rosseu would want nothing more but to return to the court. Towards that end, Al had sent an owl to the Ministry early this morning before leaving for this mission, and in that letter, which Harry signed, they stated that they have a lawyer of their own who would handle the case and named Anton Rosseu as that counsel.

Shaking his head, Al banished all thoughts of the conversation that he had with Harry and the two Marauders on the far side of his mind, reminding himself that he had a mission here.

He was easily able to find the house of the Grangers, though, when he did exactly as Sirius instructed, look through the looking glass that was built in on the windshield of the car and look for shimmering people. When he sees one, follow their gaze and the house that they must be watching must be the house of the Grangers, after all, why are you going to place people in invisibility cloaks in a muggle neighborhood?

The Granger house looked almost exactly like the other houses in the area. It was a two storey house with a garage and a lawn that, while not as immaculately picked on as the lawn of their neighbors, is still functional. The house was finished in white and has a faint yellow roof, blending with the normality of the neighborhood perfectly, but Al knows that appearances can be deceiving.

Other than the fact that a witch calls that house her home, of course. Basic investigation through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health had confirmed the earlier suspicions of Sirius in regards to the Grangers, and it had also confirmed that despite the fact that they live in a normal neighborhood, the Grangers are fairly wealthy. A white BMW 5 series parked outside the garage but within the driveway of the house seemed to confirm that.

Al briefly considered engaging the 'guards' watching the house, Al had already recognized them as members of the Order of the Phoenix, based on the records that Sirius had provided them, he had access to them since his ancestral home is used as the headquarters, and Al can name those guards easily. He, however, decided to ignore them for the time being. He would deal with them later if there is a need.

Deciding to ignore them, however, does not mean that he cannot inconvenience them, and best of all, Al knew that they would not be able to do anything about it since they are supposed to remain hidden. It just so happened that one of the guards was sitting on the sidewalk opposite the Granger house. Al decided to park the car there, and while doing so, he pointedly made sure that the car would not only block the watcher, but would also hit the watcher. As he was parking the car, he felt the side mirrors of the car hit the watcher and he smiled gleefully to himself as he considered the pain that the watcher is now feeling.

Now parked properly, Al switched off the engine of the car and got off the vehicle, making sure that he appears as muggle as possible, though he knew that that would be easy for him since he had spent more than half of his life in the muggle world.

A few moments later found him knocking on the front door of the Grangers. The door opened to reveal a young girl with bushy brown hair and eyes the color of brown chocolates, "Yes sir?" she asked.

Al smiled at her, realizing that he may be looking at the next Lady Potter. He briefly considered kneeling before her, but then dismissed it at the same thought, for the success of this mission, Hermione Granger must not know him until the last possible moment, "Good morning ma'am" Al said, smiling at the girl in front of him and even managing a courteous bow, "I was wondering if this is the house of Robert Daniel Granger?"

Hermione Granger can sense the power of the individual in front of him, and she realized that this man is most probably a wizard. Still, he named her father, so they may be acquaintances and from what she can see, the man in front of him was as normal as one could go. She decided to answer in the affirmative, invited the stranger into the living room, and went off to call her father.

In the Granger living room, Al took note of everything. He saw the many pictures of the family and confirmed that Mr. and Mrs. Granger doted on Hermione. Most of the pictures in the living room are of the girl, and there are few other pictures where she is with other children, and in those pictures, Hermione does not look too happy, so he surmised that those pictures have been taken for the sake of formality only.

Al did not take a seat since he was not given permission to seat; instead, he stood at the living room. This turned out to be a good thing since a few moments later, Hermione, followed by her father and mother, entered the room. What surprised Al was that Hermione's hands were behind her, and from the way that those hands were positioned, Al can tell that the young witch is holding her wand.

He managed a smile, which, fortunately, Dan Granger mistook as a gesture meant for him, "Al!" the normal looking dentist said, rushing towards his old friend with his hand outstretched. Al took his hand and the two old war buddies, though Dan did not really fought in the frontlines, shook hands, "It's been what? Twelve years?"

"Closer to thirteen Dan" Al replied, he smiled at his friend, allowing his genuine emotions to run through as he cannot deny that he is happy to see the dentist who advised him that the next time that he would need to crush the shell of a nut, he should not use his teeth.

"My family" Dan said, motioning to Hermione and his wife, "I'm not sure if you've met Rose before, we were steady during the war, but I am sure that you've never met my daughter before" he smiled and shook his head, "She goes to a boarding school up in Scotland, but since its summer break, she's staying with us"

"Pleasure" Al said, he bowed to Mrs. Rosaline Emma 'Rose' Granger, and then turned towards Hermione. He smiled at her and then turned his attention back towards Dan, saying, "Dan, there is something that we need to talk about, which is why I am here, but first, I would need to ask your permission to bring in a few friends of mine"

The seriousness in the voice of his old comrade had warned Dan that he would not like what Al was about to say. He glanced at his family, and then back at Al before asking, "Should we keep this talk to ourselves Al?"

To the surprise of all the Granger's, Al shook his head, "it would be better if they hear this as well, it involves them, especially" he turned his attention to the youngest Granger, "Hermione"

Hermione wanted to confirm her suspicions that this man is a wizard, she was getting ready to use her wand, but before she can bring it to bear, her father said, "Alright, you have my permission Al"

"Thanks Dan" Al replied, and to the surprise of everyone, he pulled a wand out of the left sleeve of the black greatcoat that he was wearing, which he then flicked once, sending a signal that everyone saw.

Hermione moved to counter, she saw this man as a threat now, but before she can move, she took time to study the wand that this strange man had withdrawn from his sleeves. It was like all other wands that it was made of wood, but unlike wands that she had seen before, his wand was longer and seemed thicker.

At that moment, three figures beamed into the living room, reminding Dan Granger of Star Trek.

Upon seeing the three men who had beamed into the room, Hermione whipped her wand out and pointed at them, asking, "What was the last thing I gave Harry Potter before he went off to face Voldemort during our First Year?"

Harry smiled at her, "A hug" he replied.

Hermione nodded, she sighed to relax herself and then lowered her wand, without warning, and certainly ignoring her father, mother and all the other adults in the room, she suddenly threw herself at Harry.

She would never admit it but Hermione would have wanted to give Harry more than a hug, both today and during that time at the Third Floor Corridor, she would have wanted to kiss him, but then her Gryffindor courage failed her, that time. Right now, she cannot because her parents are there.

Al introduced the newly arrived guests to the Granger elders. Both dentists were not sure of what to make of Remus when they were told that he was a werewolf, or of Sirius when they were told that he had escaped from a maximum security prison, but when they were introduced to Harry, they suddenly paused.

Dan and Emma Granger were perplexed. They had watched as three men beam into their room, but that was something that, while they did not expect, they are prepared for, after all, their daughter was a witch, but it was more than that when they looked at Harry, it was as if a dam had broken in their minds and the waters of memories flooded into their being, it was remembering something that for some reason, both had forgotten.

Al, who had his attention at his old friend, was first to notice it. He can tell that the glossy eyes and almost blank look anywhere, for as a battle wizard, he is accustomed to using the same tactic. As soon as the color on the eyes of both Granger parents returned, Al turned towards Dan and asked, "What do you remember?"

Those words separated Hermione from Harry, her concern for her parents that saw her ready to tackle Al back in her eyes. She looked at her father, as did Harry, as Dan Granger said, "Halloween, 1981"

Al looked at Sirius, as did Remus and Harry, just in time to see him nodding. He looked at Dan for a few moments, and then said, "When I arrived at Godric's Hallow that night, Hagrid was already there, holding Harry, but there was someone else, someone that we are sure is not magical"

"My father?" Hermione asked, looking at the three adults.

"We thought so" Sirius admitted, he looked at Dan and nodded, before turning his attention back towards Hermione, "Now we know so"

"We used to live on the coast" Emma Granger said, looking at her daughter, she lovingly added, "Hermione loved it there"

"Halloween, 1981" Dan Granger said, "I was out because our baby supplies run out" he obviously thought it better not to mention what those particular supplies were, "when I saw this light coming from an island, I felt compelled to investigate, I felt as if my daughter was calling me there, so I got on my boat and went there"

"Godric's Hallow?" Harry asked, looking at his three guardians

"Yes" Al replied, he looked at Harry and said, "Until a few moments ago, we are not sure if what Sirius had been dreaming for the past fifteen years was true, at first, Remus and I thought that it was because of the dementors" he smiled at Dan and said, "It seems that it was true after all"

"There was a destroyed house and bodies" Dan said, "and then I heard a baby cry, I looked for the child and saw a baby with the greenest eyes" he looked at Harry and confirmed it, "and a lightning shaped scar on his forehead" Harry showed him the scar.

"Dad" Hermione said, "You mean to tell me that you were there when Harry was taken by Hagrid?"

Dan Granger nodded, "More than there, princess" Dan replied, he looked at Sirius and said, "You were there as well?" when Sirius nodded, Dan continued, "I saw a man there, with the longest goatee I would ever see, and he pointed something at me and I was paralyzed" he looked at Al, "Any idea who he is?"

Al nodded, but his response of 'Lemon-Drop', was closely followed by 'Supreme Obliviator' from Sirius and 'Chief Manipulator' from Remus sowed confusion among those who do not know whom they are referring to, Harry looked at a confused Hermione, whom he noted was still holding hands with him, and smiled at her before saying, "You know him as Dumbledore, they" he indicated his three companions, "have their own nicknames for him, Sirius insists that I come up with my own as soon as possible"

Dan Granger nodded, it was clear that he failed to see the humor behind the nicknames that the three adults have used, so he just continued with his story, "The last thing I remembered was this man placing the child on the middle of the abandoned home, and then I lost consciousness, the next thing I remember, I was back at home and that's it"

Emma Granger, who had went to the kitchen to grab a couple of drinks, had now returned and filled the blanks in the story that her husband had just narrated, "Probably the same man that Dan saw on the island appeared on our front door that same day, he was carrying Dan, he pointed a wand at me and the next thing I remembered was being anxious on finally moving away from the shore." She looked at Dan and said, "Now that I remember, I was the one who insisted that we live near a beach because I love watching the setting sun there"

Al looked at Harry, by now, everyone was sitting where they can find seats. The thirty year old battle wizard sworn to defend the Potter heir noted that Harry and Hermione are not only sitting together, they are also holding hands, and from the way that they are holding hands, it was clear that they are not letting go anytime soon. Al wondered if it was the revelation that they could have lived with each other as pseudo-siblings, or if it was something else. At that moment, he suddenly remembered something, and he looked at Emma Granger, "Ma'am" Al began, he was stopped by Emma who began insisting that she be called by her first name, "Emma" Al corrected, "May I ask why that particular beach?"

Emma seemed to think about it, and then replied after a few moments, "Well, it was a beautiful stretch" she replied, "And as I said, I loved watching the setting sun, but" she suddenly looked at Hermione, she noted the closeness of her only daughter and Harry, and then back at Al, "one of the foremost reasons was Hermione, when we passed the stretch of beach, she started crying, so Dan stopped there, she seemed happy there"

Al nodded, "May I ask if Hermione ever wanted to go to the island where Dan saw Harry?" he asked, the tone of his voice was read by everyone in the living room, and they all realized that the answer to the question is critical for something that Al is thinking about. What that something is, however, only he knows.

Emma paused to think about the answer, but she did not pause for long, she actually started laughing as she remembered, "She demanded, in a way that only one year olds can, to go to that island, but we always manage to placate her, everyday, when I take her out for a walk, she would reach out for that island,"

"And after Halloween 1981, it suddenly stopped?" Al asked.

Emma almost fearfully nodded, she realized that there was something wrong, but it was Dan who asked, "Al" he said, "What is it?" and from the look on the faces of everyone in the room, it was clear that he was the only one who knows what the hell he is talking about, since the others are also demanding an answer to the question that Dan just asked.

"Something that we can never be sure about unless we make some tests" Al said, she looked at Dan and said, "Dan, there are three guards from the Order of the Phoenix outside, and it is imperative that Harry, his godfather and Remus here must remain hidden from them," Dan nodded, "May I suggest sending Harry and Hermione somewhere for the time being?"

Dan was about to agree, from the tone of voice that his old friend had used, he got the distinct impression that whatever it is that he is about to talk about, he does not want to talk about in front of the two kids, but before he can open his mouth, Hermione said, "I demand that we be allowed to hear this if it is something that involves me and Harry"

Harry nodded as well, and it is to him whom Al turned and implored, "Harry" he said, "I am not sure if you are ready for this"

Harry snorted, "It doesn't matter isn't it Al?" he asked sarcastically, the teenager decided to use the words that Al had used against himself, "Things happen when you are the least ready for it after all,"

Al sighed, he looked towards his two companions and found them laughing at him, and then back at Harry and nodded, "Very well" he replied, he looked at Dan and Emma, who both have no choice, seeing the look on the face of their daughter, in the matter and nodded their permission for Hermione to stay as well.

"Harry, Hermione" Al said, and then he looked at Hermione's parents, "Dan, Emma, what I am about to tell you is something that only the closest friends of the Potter family is aware of, as a York, I am privileged to hear this information because we require it to protect the future of the Potter family"

"Shit" Sirius suddenly said, he recognized the phrase that Al had used. As for Remus, he was not able to say anything because at that moment, he dropped the cup that he was about to drink from. A quick repair charm and cleaning charm later, he looked at Al with disbelief written in his face.

Al nodded, he looked at the two Granger parents and said, "The Potter male heirs are always powerful, and their magic, always know when their future is near" at the confused expression on the face of his old friend and his wife, Al decided to simplify things a bit, "What I am saying is that the Potter male heirs always know when the girl who would most likely be their wife is close to them" he paused for a few moments to look at Dan and Emma, both nodded and was about to ask a question, but before they can do so, Al added, "this ability, however" he said, "is not unique to the male heirs alone, their future wives also feel it" he turned towards Hermione, it was a good thing that her parents are temporarily stunned by what Al had just said, and asked, "If I may? When you first met Harry, what did you feel? Magically, physically, mentally and emotionally?"

"Al, I was an ass when we first met" Harry complained, but Al ignored him for the time being, he was focused on knowing the answer of Hermione to his question.

Hermione paused for a few moments to remember what she felt that day on the train, she had to mentally banish the thought of Ronald Weasley impliedly insulting her, and for a few moments, Al was worried that her parents might interfere, but a quick look at the two dentists showed that they too are anxious to know the answer.

Hermione sighed, "When I first met Harry that day, I felt something tugging at me that I could never name, I now know that as my magic, and when I think about it, I can say that I am feeling magically…" she searched for a word, "compelled?" she tried, but then shook her head, "that would imply that I would have no choice, but see, I did have a choice, seeing that I left them a few moments later."

Al nodded, he gave the impression that that was exactly the phrase that he was looking for, he looked at her and her parents and said, "Hermione's magic recognized Harry's, much as, I believe, it had recognized Harry all those years ago before you left that house, their magic had made a connection" Al looked at Sirius and Remus and said, "I would say that that is enough, but then again, most magical couples do feel the same way when they meet their spouses, so we cannot be sure if that is what we are looking for" he looked at Hermione and asked, "Physically?"

Hermione replied, "it was hard to get away from him after meeting him" she replied, "At first, I thought it was because he was famous or something, but it wasn't that"

"Your magic is interfering with your physical capabilities because it has already recognized Harry" Al said, "whether or not as your future spouse is still debatable, but I think we are heading there" his statement brought a smile on the face of both Harry and Hermione, "mentally?"

"I had to be with him" Hermione answered instantly, "there was no other consideration, I had to be with him and that's it"

"You left remember?" Harry asked.

"That was because of a certain red haired boy" Hermione replied playfully, lightly pinching Harry's face with her hand, "And emotionally, I felt as if all my emotions are about to break then and there, I felt as if I wanted to laugh, cry and be angry at the same time"

Al looked at Sirius and Remus who both nodded. Al was about to turn to explain to Dan and Emma, but Sirius interfered, he turned towards Al and asked, "How long did you think?"

Al smiled, "Emma had already provided us with the answer to that one" he replied.

Remus blinked, "Since birth?" he asked.

Al shook his head, "Since they passed by the island" he replied, he sighed and then turned towards the Granger elders, Harry and Hermione, before announcing, "Everything that Hermione had said corresponds exactly to what Lady Lily had told me when he first met Lord James" he said, "And we know for a fact that Lord James and Lady Lily are soul-bound" he seemed excited as he added, "Lord James and Lady Lily bound when they first met, eleven years old on the train to Hogwarts, Sirius, I believe was there?"

Sirius nodded, he looked at his godson and said, "If they had bound since the time as Al claimed…"

"A powerfully bound couple" Remus concluded, "No wonder"

"So?" Harry asked, anxious to know the answer.

Al, as did Sirius and Remus nodded, but it was Remus who said, "Harry, Hermione, you are soul-bound, and judging from the time that you had been bound, a very, very powerful one"

11