DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$ from this…
A/N: For those who wonder how long this will be, below is my outline for the remainder of this book following this chapter: (These are not chapter titles - just main topics)
Ch. 25 going to Japan
Ch. 26 Japan Summer 1988
Ch. 27 coming home
Ch. 29 Harry's B-day, summer, a new home
Ch. 30 finding a horcrux, new friends, Hermione's B-Day
Ch. 31 finding Luna and Neville
Ch. 32 the founders' family trees
Ch. 33 Japan Summer 1989
Ch. 34 how to destroy a horcrux
Ch. 35 saving a life I
Ch. 36 saving a life II
Ch. 37 new students
Ch. 38 Japan Summer 1990
Ch. 39 finding/destroying horcrux
Ch. 40 Dumbles befuddled
Ch. 41 the Hogwarts plan
Ch. 42 Japan, Summer 1991
Ch. 43 getting ready for Dumbles and Hogwarts, be my girlfriend? - ends August 31, 1991.
Mind you, I might come up with an idea for a couple other chapters, but 45 will be worst case. It may also be fewer chapters than any of that before we start Book II (title not yet decided) when they're off to Hogwarts to confront the real future in need of change…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: TRANSITIONS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988 - 16 WILLOW WAY, LOUGHTON, ESSEX, U.K.
The two MI-5 agents stayed for another couple of hours and really got to know the people in the house. Even though this was not really a mission, when they left they both believed the mission was a huge success. They had met the legendary "Boy-Who-Lived" and found him to be quite ordinary under the circumstances. He seemed fairly well adjusted considering what they did know about his history and, Mike Evans thought, his current situation seemed ideal for the lad. Both he and his partner were serious about inviting the children over to their homes for visits. It was hard enough to find children for their children to meet who were magical, likeable and acceptable.
Their meeting with Lupin and McGonagall was of far more immediate import to Office W. Their office had been trying to recruit or hire on a Were for ages and, as the Grayback case was the most important open case in the office, Lupin was a serious bonus to their day's activities. It did not hurt that he was both a fully qualified and experienced Auror and more than a little put off by the magical government. Most magicals working for the non-magical government were either Muggle Borns or people like Lupin and Greengrass; very critical of the magical government and magical world as it currently existed.
McGonagall was arguably another bonus. Whether they could recruit her remained to be seen, but having contact with the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts who was also very active internationally in educational circles might one day prove beneficial to Her Majesty's government. They also learned about the Watanabe School in Japan. It might be something worth looking into both for their own children and for their government.
McGonagall left not long after the two agents as she was going to spend the day running errands in preparation for the children's trip to Japan. Hermione and Robert Granger returned home and learned of the visit. Hermione was a little put out that she had not been there to meet the two men from MI-5, but Harry and Clarice told her everything they could about the meeting and what they did not understand was explained by her mother or Remus.
"So," Robert asked as the family finished dinner, "what are your thoughts on their offer."
Remus knew the question was directed at him. "Aside from the fact that it is the best offer I've had in years, I am intrigued. I'll at least sit down with their boss and learn more. It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity and catching Greyback is something that needs to be done. He is responsible for more than half of all the Were's in Britain and a fair few on the continent as well. He's the main reason for the laws that set me on the curb. Most of us are not like that."
"Doesn't that violate that Statute of Secrecy thing?" Hermione asked.
"No, it does not," a new voice said. For the Grangers and the children, they knew the voice and knew that Sensei had made an appearance. Remus looked at the old man in shock.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Sensei winced. While he had been certain that Harry could come to trust Remus, once again it seemed too quick. He would have to work on that or Dumbles might find himself in this loop one day…
"That's Sensei," Harry said. "We usually only see him on weekends, but he occasionally shows up on other days." Harry then explained exactly who and what Sensei was.
"So let me get this strait," Remus said. "You are a magical projection of Harry from the future?"
"I am a projection of a Harry from a possible future," Sensei replied, "a future that I am hoping to avoid."
"And what has changed?"
"In the larger sense, I cannot say. But changes have been made, that much is certain."
"For example?"
"In my timeline you did not meet Harry until 1993 when Dumbledore hired you to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. As I understand it, that was the only decent job you held after you left the Auror Corps. I lived with the Durselys until I was seventeen. True, after the abuse that led Harry here into the hospital, things got a little better for me. But I never was loved there. Harry met Hermione over three years before I did. I never met Clarice in my life. I only learned about her years after she died. I never knew I had another Uncle. I did not learn about magic until my eleventh birthday and did not learn nearly as much as I could because the Dursleys had conditioned me to loath learning. Sirius Black stayed in Azkaban until his escape in 1994 and he remained a fugitive for the rest of his life. He was only exonerated after he died. Hermione here did not have friends until she was twelve. She never learned that McGonagall was her Great-grandmother and died believing she was a Muggle Born and never knew the truth about her heritage."
"And what's that?" Remus asked.
"Came as a surprise to me when I learned it recently," Sensei said. "When I was in my twenties, I learned I was the magical heir of Godric Griffindor and Salazar Slytherin."
"But Voldemort claims he's the heir," Remus protested.
"One of the projects I am going to have the children work on before they begin Hogwarts is to trace the Founder's lines from them to the present. They will trace both the legal heir and the magical heir. They will find that Voldemort is the legal heir of Slytherin because one of the magical heirs was disinherited centuries ago. A decedent of that magical heir was a daughter who married the magical heir of Gryffindor. They had a son who became the magical heir of both lines and Harry is the magical heir of that son."
"Interesting," Remus said. "Should Voldemort return…"
"Which he will," Sensei interrupted. "That much cannot be changed although the manner of his return will be different."
"Why?"
"In my timeline, Peter Pettigrew was the one who brought Voldemort back. In this timeline, Pettigrew is in Azkaban."
"So doesn't that mean Voldemort cannot return?" Robert asked.
"There are others who would be more than happy to facilitate Voldemort's return," Sensei said. "It may still be Pettigrew."
"How?" Remus asked.
"This is pure speculation on my part, but he can escape if he ever figures out how."
"But no one has ever escaped!"
"In my timeline, Sirius did."
"How?"
"Sirius is an animangus. You may recall he told you that's what kept him sane. As a dog, he simply walked out one day and never looked back."
"And Pettigrew the rat?"
"May figure that bit out as well."
"Don't count on it. Pettigrew is weak, a coward and not terribly bright."
"Then there will be another," Sensei said. "Far more Death Eaters escaped justice than the Ministry believes. Many are still loyal to Voldemort and his cause. Voldemort will return."
"And this information about being the true heir?"
"I did not learn that until it was too late to have been of any use. Now? Well, it's up to Harry here. It would severely undermine Voldemort's support if his followers learn that he is not the true heir."
"When the time is right," Harry said, "when the truth can do the most good."
"In my timeline," Sensei continued, "we never learned that Hermione was the magical heir of Rowena Ravenclaw."
"You're kidding," Remus said.
"Nope. She is. In my time, Hermione and I researched the Founders' genealogy. Hermione had come across an obscure text about the Founders and Hogwarts that told us it would be a good idea if we could reunite the Founders heirs. That's when we learned I was the heir of Gryffindor and Slytherin. We were able to trace the Ravenclaw line to Professor McGonagall and her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters but never learned that Hermione was one of them. All the others were killed by Voldemort and his followers before my parents died.
"We found out that one of our good friends was the heir of Hufflepuff. But it was too late. She was already dead as were her two sons. That line was gone forever. Now? Now it will be possible to reunite the Founders lines."
"And this is important?"
"It could be."
"Anything else?"
"MI-5 was a bit of a shock," Sensei said. "I always suspected the non-magical world knew far more about the magical than we thought. When they went to war against us, we were too easily wiped out. Now, I know why."
"And what do we do about it?"
"I always felt that the divide between the two worlds was dangerous. They never trusted us because we never let them. That is something that should change and my guess is this connection with the non-magical government is a means to change that. Maybe not for our entire world, but if they see that there are witches and wizards who are not a threat to them and will help defend against those who are, then the worst case may not come to pass."
"So you think I should work for them?"
"My role here is limited. I provide information Harry needs to know to avoid the worst possible futures. I can advise, but cannot command. I think it's a good idea, but it is up to you to make that decision. I promised myself I would not play the role of another Dumbledore in my life, and that goes for the lives of anyone else I can speak to.
"All I can do is tell you when a decision will lead the wrong way. This is not one of those times since this did not happen in my time. It's up to you, Remus, to decide whether you take the next step."
"But I've agreed to watch the children," Remus began.
"Remus," Rose said, "we'll manage. We hired you because we needed someone to watch the kids and we know you're trustworthy. We could see that from the moment we first met you. We chose you also because you needed a job. But, do not think you have to stay on just because you agreed to. This sounds like a marvelous opportunity for you and we would never want you to give up an opportunity for us. We think you should take it. Just so long as you remember you are still a member of this family and we expect you to visit and spend time with us and the kids as often as you can."
"Thanks," Remus said.
"Besides, from what those two gentleman said, you will not start until around the time these three are due to return to school."
Remus nodded. "Thank you. I know we've only known each other a few days, but this family has already come to mean something to me. It's been a long time since I felt so welcome."
"More's the loss for the rest of the world," Rose said.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988 - ST. MUNGO'S HOSPITAL FOR MAGICAL MALADIES AND INJURIES, LONDON, U.K.
Remus approached the closed door to Room 437 and could swear he could hear a woman's giggle from within. He was also certain he must be hearing things. He opened the door and saw a couple seated on one of the chairs by the window. It was a petite blonde who seemed to be exploring for the larger, black haired man's tonsils. Fortunately, the pair appeared to be fully clothed. Remus cleared his throat to attract their attention. The couple bloke apart and Remus could see that his friend Sirius had a new friendship with Healer-in-Training Sophie Tompkins. She was dressed in street clothes so Remus figured it was probably her day off. He chuckled to himself. If anyone deserved a romantic relationship, it was his long suffering friend.
"I'm surprised at you, Sophie," he said in a mock serious tone, "as a Healer-in-Training, you should know better than to put things in your mouth if you don't know where it's been."
The young woman blushed and snuggled into his best friend's chest. It was clear she was only a little embarrassed.
"Git," Sirius laughed back. "Did anyone teach you to knock?"
"Been out of circulation a while," Remus shrugged. "Guess I have to relearn manners and such."
"Indeed," Sophie giggled. "It is fortunate that Siri here is not yet cleared for more strenuous activities."
"Siri?"
"Me you dolt!" Sirius said with a laugh.
"So, how long?" Remus asked.
"I've been flirting with Sophie from the day I arrived and despite my best efforts, she refused to fall to my many charms - until her day off today when I had been assured I would not be entertaining any others."
"I don't want to hurt him," Sophie giggled, "but I've been dying to kiss him practically since the day we met."
Remus sat down on another chair facing the couple. He shook his head. "Still have a way with the Ladies, you old dog!"
"Oi!," Sirius protest, "this is - er - more than it appears!"
Remus raised an eyebrow. He could tell Sirius was not joking. This was not one of his infamous dalliances from years before.
"Six and a half years in that hellhole allowed me an opportunity to re-evaluate my life, in the off chance I ever got it back," Sirius confessed. "What can I say?"
"I'm happy for you, I guess," Remus said.
"Thanks Mate. I assure you, Sophie is different."
"Thanks Cutie," she added.
"I thought you said the kids were not coming today," Sirius continued trying to get off the subject of his love life.
"They're going out to celebrate," Remus nodded. "Hermione finished yesterday, top of her class. As Harry and Clarice did as well, the Grangers are taking them out for a fun day and nice dinner. They should be by tomorrow."
"They better be," Sirius said. "Aren't they leaving for Japan soon?"
"Their flight out is Tuesday afternoon."
"Well, they better see their bedridden godfather before they leave."
"They will Sirius."
"You know they will," Sophie added. "They really like you."
"I just wish…"
"I know," Sophie said softly. "But you're a free man again. They're still young. It's not like they were all grown up."
"Still…"
"What have I been telling you?"
Sirius laughed. "You're right, Sophie. Time to look to the future and not the past. So, Moony, what's been happening?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Remus said.
"Try me?"
"I might have a permanent job offer," Remus replied. He then told Sirius all about Office W and the visit to the Granger's a few days before.
"So," Sirius said, "you'll be like a Muggle Auror?"
Remus nodded.
"And your 'little fury problem'?"
"That's why they want me. The Auror training would be enough, but my condition is actually a bonus. Apparently, they don't have any laws about Weres."
"But you'll be working for the Muggles. Doesn't than run afoul of the Statute of Secrecy?"
"We are not allowed to tell Muggles about magic unless they already know. Office W already knows."
"Still, a wizard in the Muggle government…"
"I am hardly the first, Sirius. I'm hardly the only. Agent Evans - who's Harry's biological Uncle by the way - is married to a witch and has eight magical children. The other bloke, Greengrass, is a Pureblood. Fully trained as an Auror he went over during the War because at least the Muggles were trying to fight back. He stayed because it's a better political situation, nicer working environment and the pay's about twice what he would make as an Auror."
"Still…"
"Sirius, it's the only real job I am likely to get where I can use my education and training. If they make the offer, I'm taking it."
"And what about the kids?"
"That job was just for the summer. Once they are back in school, there really is nothing for me to do. I'll still see them, I just won't sit for them all the time."
"And how do they feel about this?"
"They think it's cool."
Sirius nodded. "Hold on, you said this Evans bloke is Harry and Clarice's Uncle? Why haven't we ever heard about him?"
"Lily was a child of her father's second marriage. Mike was the only surviving child from the first. Mike was in the Army when Lils was born. He only met her a handful of times. As for Lils' sister, he never liked her and never bothered to visit her."
"He's not going to…"
"No, Sirius. He's not going to try and take his niece and nephew. He's even more impressed with the Grangers than you are. He does want the kids to pop round every now and then. He's got a magical son and daughter who are about their age."
"Any other surprises?"
"Harry has a 'special' friend called Sensei," Remus said and then began to describe the old gentleman in detail, including who and what he really was.
"You've seen him?" Sirius asked.
Remus nodded. "Harry can always see him when he chooses to appear. People Harry trusts can see him as well. Right now, that list his Hermione, Clarice, the Grangers, McGonagall and me. Sensei believes it may include you too, but he's not about to show up here. A muggle hospital is one thing. Here, he's not sure if he could remain secret and is also unsure of the effects the inherent magic might have on his projection."
"And this Sensei really is Harry? Or a Harry?"
"Our Harry confirmed that Sensei knows things about him from before his hospital stay that no one else but he would know. I was skeptical at first, but the more I've spoken with him, the more believable he becomes."
"And he's here to change the timeline?" Sophie asked.
Remus nodded. "He already has. In his time, Harry never went to the hospital after that terrible beating. It was from Sensei that McGonagall received a hint to check out the young Weasley boy's rat and thus unmask Peter. In Sensei's time, you were never released from Azkaban, Sirius. You escaped in 1994 and remained a fugitive for the rest of your life. Hermione lived her whole life never knowing she was not a Muggle Born. She never learned she was related to McGonagall. Harry was stuck with those vile relatives until he came of age. He would one day meet and become friends with Hermione, but they first met on the Hogwarts Express. Harry would not learn about a lot of things he's already been told for years, if ever. He never met his sister. She died in early 1998. He never met his Uncle Mike. I never had a decent job. The list of changes already is staggering."
"Yet limited," Sirius thought allowed. "You say this Sensei is here to affect more than just a handful of lives, and yet…"
"Sirius, it's not even been two months," Remus said. "The real changes will not happen for several more years. But the mere thought of what that boy will one day have to face…"
"What do you mean?"
"In the end, Sensei had to face defeat and kill Voldemort, several times."
There was a gasp from Sophie at the mention of the name.
"When?"
"Sensei has not told the children yet," Remus said. "He will, but after they come back from Japan."
"Did he tell you?"
Remus nodded. "Voldemort will attempt to return to corporeal form in about three years. He will possess a wizard to attempt this at first. Sensei killed the professor in June of 1992 when he was eleven."
"Bloody Hell!"
"The next year, one of his horcruxes…"
"One? He has more than one?"
Remus nodded. "Anyway, one of them takes possession of a student. Nearly succeeds, but twelve year old Sensei stopped him, killing a sixty foot long basilisk in the process."
"But he was how old?"
"Twelve. And he had barely any defense training. His first two DADA Profs were useless."
"Bloody hell! Harry has to go through that?"
"Sensei did. It's not certain whether Harry will. But, the possessed Professor and the horcrux and the basilisk for that matter will still need to be destroyed and Harry will have to take out at least two of the three."
"Poor kid," Sirius sighed.
"Bright side is this time it might well be child's play for the boy.
"Punny! Very Punny?"
"What can I say?"
"And the student?"
"Which one? Sorry."
"The possessed one."
"Survived. Voldemort used a necromancy ritual to restore himself to a body in June of 1995. Sensei witnessed it and dueled the git to a draw before escaping to spread the word. In 1996, he again faced Voldemort and lived. Mind you, Sirius, this was all without any real training. What little he knew about dueling and combat magic was all self taught."
"Didn't Dumbledore…"
"No. Dumbledore believed and believes that Harry is meant to die, thus giving him the tools to survive would be counterproductive."
"That bastard!"
"Indeed. He also believed and may one day believe, that he knows of all of the horcruxes. He was wrong on that score. He missed one. Sensei trusted him and missed it too. Sensei killed Voldemort in May of '98 and everyone believed it was for the last time. Sensei did tell me that by the time that happened, you and I were dead, killed by Death Eaters all of who are currently in Azkaban. One of them would bring Voldemort back over twenty-five years later. Sensei would find and destroy the final horcrux and kill the git once and for all, but by then it would be too late for the rest of humanity."
"What's Sensei's plan for Harry?"
"Train him and teach him," Remus said. "And not just Harry; Hermione and Clarice as well. There is a Prophecy that says, in essence, that in the end only Harry can bring about the final defeat of Voldemort and, by extension, the Death Eaters. When Voldemort returns, which Sensei says is inevitable, Harry should know what to do. It'll be his show."
"I take it this Japan thing is part of the plan?"
Remus nodded. "When the children return at the end of July, they should have already taken their O.W.L.s. By the time they are slated to start Hogwarts, they could well have at least three Masters Levels."
"You're kidding!"
Remus shook his head. "For all practical purposes, when Harry starts Hogwarts - and he will - he will look like an eleven year old boy. In reality, he will start with twenty years of magical training under his belt. That's more than most people. Sensei was a sheep led to slaughter. Harry will be a lion."
"And our role in this?"
"Harry never had any positive adult figures in his life. That is one of our roles. We are also asked to make sure the boy has fun to the extent that is possible. While he shoulders a heavy burden and is at the top of Voldemort's 'to kill' list, we and the other adults in his life are to see that he has something approaching a normal childhood. We are also asked to keep his secrets and keep Dumbledore dumb and blind in regards to Harry. Finally, we are also asked to teach him what we can as well. Not everything comes from books and classrooms."
"This is - well - I'm sure neither Lily nor James wanted this for their boy."
"Who would? He must become the Warrior. When the war is over, he must become the Statesman. It's a lot to ask of anyone, not to mention a boy who is barely eight years old."
"How much of this does Harry know?"
"Most."
"And how's he taking it?"
"He's pissed as hell with Dumbledore. I am too as are the others. Aside from that, he's fine with it for now. After all, it's years away and to a seven year old that's a long time. Throw in that for him Hogwarts is nineteen years away, it's even longer."
"Not long enough, if you ask me."
Remus nodded. "No one, not even Sensei, thinks he's going to do this alone. He will be pivotal, but he will and must have help. I, for one, intend to help him."
"You know I will," Sirius said.
"Count me in," Sophie added.
"Sophie?"
"Come on 'Siri!' I like the boy and his friends. I never trusted Dumbledore. I'm a Muggle Born and from what I've seen, most of his pro-Muggle Born rhetoric is just that. Better him than You-Know-Who, but Dumbles is the lesser of two evils. Besides, whether you know it or not, you are stuck with me, Siri."
Sirius laughed at the expression on Remus's face. "And here I was afraid that you were the one stuck with me, Sophie! They say the sun don't shine on a dog's bum every day, and it hasn't for this old dog for so long, but now?"
"I love you too," Sophie said before kissing Sirius on the lips.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Remus joked. In reality, he was happy for his long suffering friend.
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988 - 16 WILLOW WAY, LOUGHTON, ESSEX, U.K.
In the three weeks that had passed since the children had moved into their new home with the Grangers, Sensei had observed them every day. He still only appeared to them once a week, always on Saturdays or Sundays when the Grangers, Minerva and Remus could be there as well. His magic training continued to focus on beginning to develop occlumency shields to protect their minds and the children were progressing rapidly.
Harry was a little frustrated with all the potions he had to take and the fact that they did not seem to be doing anything. However, Harry and Clarice had finally finished the potions that unbound their magic, which led to lessons from both Remus and Sensei on how to control their magic. They were both surprised at how quickly all three seemed to learn to control it and were even more surprised when all three seemed to learn to do somewhat simple magic intentionally and without wands. This was a skill all magical children could develop if encouraged to do so and what surprised Sensei was that it was the Grangers who seemed to offer the most encouragement.
Sensei was pleased that this Harry had seemed to adapt to this new life so quickly. The little boy and his sister and Hermione had become almost inseparable and seemed to be thriving. What he heard from each of them was how none of them really had any friends before. While Sensei doubted his alterations in the timeline thus far would have a significant effect on the overall future, it already had a significant effect on several lives.
Harry, Hermione and Clarice's lives were now far removed from what they would have been had Sensei not intervened. They were obviously happy children and he loved watching them play, just as he had come to love watching happy children at play in his other reality. Clarice was the least comfortable of the three, but Harry and Hermione and the others were helping her cope with the loss of the only mother she had really known. Her side of her room was now decorated with pictures of her and her adoptive parents.
The changes in Harry even after such a short time surprised Sensei. His memories of life were that of a boy who remained abused and neglected for years to come. By the time his memories took him off to Hogwarts at age eleven, he was shy, introverted, moody, unable to relate to people too well, and fearful of any form of physical intimacy including handshakes, although he did tolerate those. He had no memory of ever being hugged, kissed or comforted before the end of his first year at Hogwarts and even then it was Hermione who was the only one who he barely tolerated doing so. It took him years to become comfortable with non-violent physical contact and even longer to where he could initiate such contact.
This Harry had grown used to it in days. He was almost clingy. He was kissed good night every night since the Grangers came into his life, always by Hermione and now he got tucked in and kissed good night by Mrs. Granger as well. He had been hugged more times than one could count and was now not afraid of hugs or even initiating one with Hermione, or his sister or the Grangers or Minnie for that matter. He had been held when he cried and had held Clarice when she cried and it seemed like it had become a natural thing for him to seek or do with those people he cared about.
Sensei wondered how this might change things. This and other events in recent weeks convinced him that Harry would not suffer alone ever again. He had lifelines. He had and accepted that he had people who genuinely cared for and about him and for whom he cared as well. He was learning that he was not worthless in the eyes of those who mattered to him. This boy could well enter Hogwarts less insecure and more grounded than the last time. He would not be the moody and withdrawn boy from the last time and would be more willing to listen to others when need be because he was learning what trust really was at a time in his life when he could come to appreciate it. Perhaps this time things really would be different for him.
Case in point, in addition to visiting Sirius in St. Mungo's, the Granger clan had also set up "play dates" with two other wizarding families they had met who lived nearby. Harry and Clarice had met their cousins. Hermione was there as well as her parents believed interacting with other young witches and wizards would be both and education for their bookish daughter and enriching. The Evans family was their first foray into that world.
Harry and the others met the six younger Evans children. The three youngest were the ones they could relate to the best. Aaron, Billy and Harry hit it off practically from the start. Hermione, Clarice and Cynthia were also close almost from the beginning. The boys and girls played together and separately. Harry was not about to be drawn into "girly" games, but the girls had no issue with at least some of the boy games. They played tag, hide and seek and kicked a football about the park near the Evans home and generally had a grand time.
Harry and the others also met the Greengrass family. Clarice and Hermione hit it off with the two oldest, Daphne and Astoria. Harry liked the two girls, but he seemed to connect more with the two youngest, Renee and Jessie. Odd that, Sensei thought. Renee was only four and Jessie two. But the two youngest Greengrass girls seemed to think Harry was the fun one of the group and Harry seemed to grow to enjoy acting as their surrogate big brother. Again, this was not expected, but Sensei thought it was a wonderful experience for his young charge.
At least for Harry and the others, life had seemed to improve for the better.
_____________________________________________________________
Rose Granger stood at the sink in the kitchen listening to the odd sounds coming from her own back yard that morning as she washed the dishes. Harry had asked to cook breakfast again and had been given permission and the new custom was he who cooked did not do the dishes. In the past, Hermione might have done this chore, but the sounds coming from the back yard were the reason why Rose had a dish towel in hand. That and the fact was that tomorrow the children were leaving for a month and she wanted to spend a day with them as opposed to drilling cavities at her surgery.
The sounds were foreign in a way yet so pleasant. Three children were outside laughing and squealing with delight as they engaged in a game of tag or some such. One was Rose's adopted daughter Hermione. Hermione had played before, but is was usually in her room with her dolls or a game with her parents in the living room. Rose recalled it had been years since Hermione had actually played with other children. The last time Hermione had "friends" she was a toddler and, of course, she had no recollection of that time in her life. For years, she had been solitary and even more so once she learned to read.
In the three plus weeks since Harry and Clarice had come to live with them, Hermione had become a true child again. Yes, she still loved to curl up with a good book, as did the other two, and it was not uncommon to walk into the Living Room or Parlor and see the three of them reading. But they also played together. Well, mostly. Harry drew the line at dolls and stuffed animals. But kicking the football around or playing tag or hide and seek, those were games the three seemed to live for.
Rose was so happy for them. All children are blessings from God, she thought, but these three were special. Yes, they truly were magical, but the real thing was they got along so famously together and from what she had learned neither Harry nor Clarice had friends either before the Grangers took them in. As she watched them play, she knew that each was being a real child perhaps for the first time in their lives.
It was bittersweet in a way. Tomorrow they would fly off to Japan. For her and her husband, they would be home in a month. For the children, it would be 1500 days or over four years. True, they would have barely aged biologically. But they would have finished five years of schooling. Would they still be children like they are today when they returned? Would they seem older? All Rose wanted for Hermione before this strange summer was that she had a chance to enjoy a childhood. That, and Rose wanted to be there to enjoy watching her have fun and be a child. Would she miss watching Hermione and now Harry and Clarice grow up? She hoped not but feared this opportunity that had been all but handed to them would mean she would miss out on so much.
There was a POP from out back and Rose looked up from the plate she was drying and saw Remus and Minnie in the back yard. Along with them there were three trunks.
Rose sighed. They were here to help pack the children's things for the trip.