Canon compliant through the epilogue and what JKR has released and on Pottermore so far (as best as I could do). Something strange has occurred and Harry is investigating as an Auror. This chapters starts in November 2016. I have added some clues if you read another series to link them together. Time is a clue.
Chapter Three: Life is Beyond Us
Reports had strewn into Harry's office about more of the stone cylinders from around the world. Research Hermione had done shown there were three of them in England alone. Two more were near Hogwarts in Scotland. Every magical government had contributed research. When they heard that Time was possibly being disrupted, they threw their might into the research.
Nothing of note had come. The research had never shown what the cylinders did. They had been known since the Ancient Egyptian Wizards were building the majestic pyramids. They had been embedded in the ground even then. They were less weathered then compared to how they were now.
Hermione had been put in charge of an international task force to research the cylinders. She had become increasingly frustrated since she had started. Harry was drawn to one that the Tower of London had been built over. When the Normans had seen the cylinder, they had been scared and readily covered it up. Muggles had forgotten the cylinder was hidden beneath.
Wizards hadn't though. Every few hundred years it was rediscovered by an adventurous young Wizard or Witch. The last time it had been rediscovered was by an ancestor of the Prewett family. Apparently mischievous members always ran in the family. Fred and George had upheld their maternal ancestor's legacy well while at Hogwarts and now George carried it on with Ron's assistance.
Harry was back at the Tower today. The two weeks since he had seen the first cylinder had been transformative. Finding the record the Ministry had of this one had been a blessing.
The words that had appeared on the wall still rang in his mind. The so called Parchment of Life he had found had yet to be deciphered. It was written in something that resembled runes but they weren't. Hermione had even brought it to an agency in the Muggle government that did code breaking. They were baffled worse than the Ministry was. She had felt some satisfaction over that.
The Boy Who Lived. Only one who had Mastered Death could find it. I have Mastered Life. I am the balance to you now. I applaud you.
What had all that meant? He had deciphered the line about Headmaster. They meant Albus Severus. His youngest son. Once he went off to school in September, this mysterious witch would be back. He had enough time to prepare, if he knew what to prepare. Once Hermione had her breakthrough on the Parchment of Life, he would be ready.
The various symbols that were weathered seemed familiar to him now. The one here in London was in better shape than the rest in England. The two in Scotland were in dangerous areas that Harry didn't feel worth the trouble.
Harry pressed his fingers against the largest symbol. It was a triangle on its point inside of a circle. Something familiar came to his mind each time he touched it. He knew it wasn't safe to do so. Yet so far he had been safe. Not once had he used his wand against it.
Rectangles with arrows piercing them were the most recurrent symbols on the cylinder. The arrows direction was different on each. They seemed less familiar. A sense of warping came to him. Harry figured Time was involved with these symbols. How was a different thought. Hermione kept thinking on similar lines.
Harry walked to the opposite of the cylinder. A symbol seemed to be about equal with the largest on the other side. It was a snake chasing its tail. It was perhaps the second biggest symbol. Danger seemed to flow heavily from the symbol. How odd was the senses coming from the symbols? Harry shook his head. He had dealt with plenty of danger.
On the right side of the snake symbol was a seven spoked wheel. It seemed a cousin to the snake somehow. Pressing his fingers against it seemed instinctual. Nothing happened. Harry desired to know more. His wand seemed to float into his hand by its own accord. Since Voldemart's defeat, the wand hadn't been that weird.
Pressing the tip against the symbol, Harry focused. His force seemed to flow through him to the symbol. The world flickered around him. Visions overloaded his mind as he couldn't remove the wand from the symbol no matter how much effort he exerted. Voldemort defeated him as a baby in several. Other times, Voldemort defeated him at other times in his life. He saw visions that scared him and some that made him happy. A few visions of his life even had his parents live and get to know him and his children. Sometimes Ginny would be his wife in those and others she wasn't.
Tears flowed heavily from his eyes he knew as he saw the world flicker and the visions fill his head. The flickering stopped after lifetimes passed. Harry looked around him. The Tower of London was gone. He didn't know where he was now. London was gone besides the Tower.
Harry had never been more afraid in his life. He felt no older but eternities had passed while his wand had been against the cylinder. A closer look showed the cylinder was in worse condition than any he had seen from his… Time. The thought thundered home. He was outside his Time. Was Time the same here? Did it flow the same? He knew he would be able to go home but wasn't sure how. One of the symbols could return him home. Would everything flicker and the visions return if he did?
Trying to Apparate didn't work in this world. Was it because it was so different then his own? In the distance he saw thirteen towers rising near lights that seemed to designate some form of civilization. Fixing the stone cylinder in his mind, Harry began walking.
A plan of action came to him as he got closer to the towers. Noises came to him as he halved the distance. Fighting. It was unmistakable to him. A small group of trees provided some cover to his side. He ran towards the trees as the thumping of hooves came close.
A division of armored men on horseback thundered past him. The helmets seemed like the heads of insects. Ron would be freaking out because a few almost looked like spiders. The riders didn't notice him as they got closer and closer to the towers.
Harry followed them when he deemed it safe. More trees and small hills provided cover for him. The town near the Towers was on fire. Harry could see the sea in the distance. The town was more of a city. Ships burned in the port. The heaviest fighting was around the Towers. Lightning tore from the sky.
A ship came close to the coast. It began unloading passengers. Armed soldiers. This was an invasion being repelled, Harry realized. A fireball went flying from the city to the ship unloading. The ship began burning quickly.
Pointing his wand and casting a spell did nothing. No magical tingle came with the effort. No sense of magic at all. Was magic gone from this Time? Concentrating brought a sense of something more fulfilling in his mind. But it was poisonous as well. Tainted almost. Harry felt sick.
He knew it was from the fullness, not the battle. Harry left caution behind as he raced towards the stone cylinder. He had to leave. Had to go away. The stone was where he remembered. Something about the largest circle came to him. Pressing his wand against the triangle, he concentrated. Fullness came to him with the taint. Power seemed to flow through him.
Nothing flickered this time. No visions came either. Harry braved opening his eyes. He was back under the Tower of London. "Lumos." His wand emitted light. Breathing became easier quickly. His stomach no longer felt like churning.
Apparating to Hermione's office, Harry collapsed into a chair. "They transport you outside of Time." "What?" Concern was all he saw on her face. "I figured out how the cylinder's work. They take you outside of this Time. Where I went, there was no magic as we know. And a battle. A terrible one. Whatever form of magic they had was tainted. Wrong. Filthy."
A comforting hug embraced him. "I saw things. Worse than the battle. Better than my children being born. I don't know how. They all seemed real. Plausible. Like they could have happened." "I don't understand any of this." "I don't either. It's why I came to you first." "We can't let people know. This has to remain secret, Harry!" "I'm aware, Hermione."
Ginny felt frisky. Harry had been so wrapped up since before Christmas, it seemed he was hardly home. The children knew it but didn't say anything. Summer holidays came and Harry still was busy. He took more time with the kids since all three were around. And Albus was heading to Hogwarts in September. He was nervous and tried being brave. He failed most times. Ginny found herself near tears at the thought Lily would be all she had left in the house, for a few years. Then she would be gone as well off to school with her brothers.
Tonight, Harry had come early from work. Hermione had been sequestered with him for months on a project. Once the kids were seen to, Ginny dragged Harry with her to the bedroom. He smiled at her as she lay down on the bed. His hair was messy as always. His green eyes held a warmth she dreamt of. Just like the warmth she felt in her pit from him.
Harry tossed his work robe to the side. A flick from her wrist sent it to the hamper. A quick laugh from Harry tickled her heart. Harry then sent his shirt and pants flying with his wand to join his robe. A nod from her had him laughing once more. Harry was still fit. He flew with the boys at their grandmum's playing Quidditch. James had become Seeker this past year like his hero and grandfather.
It amazed Ginny how appealing her husband's body really was to her. His eyes were definitely his most charming feature. Yet his body appealed to her too. Harry pointed his wand at her. Ginny growled. Harry raised his eyebrows at her. She giggled in reply.
A flick sent her dress delicately off her. Harry raised his eyebrows yet again. Ginny rubbed her hand up and down her body. Harry followed the hand closely. Ginny giggled again. Ginny dipped her hand down and circled it. Offering it to Harry, he sucked on her finger. He growled for her.
Ginny took her hand to his underwear. Muggles knew underwear better than the magical world. Hermione had turned her onto Muggle fashions at Hogwarts. And Harry had had a sensibility if not the money as he grew up.
Now she was naked and he was almost so. Her hand dropped his underwear like magic. Yet she used none. And like magic, he was excited. Ginny propped onto her knees and began using her tongue. Harry moaned her name pleasantly. She loved hearing him moan her name that way.
Once, when they first were intimate, and they had been out at the Leaky Cauldron, Cho Chang had been around. Harry had muttered her name. A scar on his back was from her, not something else. Harry had profusely apologized.
Harry soon had her on her back, legs spread far apart, his head between them. His tongue performed better magic than any wand could. She had experimented that way. And with Muggle devices as well. Nothing was better than Harry. Nothing.
His tongue dug and twisted and twirled. His fingers were a perfect match to his tongue. A quick silencing charm she had forgotten earlier did the trick as he got her to be louder than she had been in a while. She curled up in a ball once she quieted down. A content smile filled her face.
Harry slid in behind her on the bed. His hands wrapped around her. They didn't stay on her stomach. One cupped a breast as the other went where not long ago it had been. She enjoyed the feeling of contentment. It was always a relaxer for both of them. Even if they didn't go fully into intimacy.
Her ear was being nuzzled as well now. "Hmmm. Harry." "Ginny." His finger tickled her. Her hips moved involuntarily against him. Harry tickled her quicker. "Oh. OH! MERLIN!" Ginny turned over. Harry had a fire in his eyes now.
Ginny flopped him gently onto his back. Climbing over him, she gripped him. "I love this wand the most. Even more than my own." "I know." "I like how it has always been mine. No one else's." "Always, Ginny. Always."
The meaning behind that word was momentous to both of them. Once Albus was older, he would learn more about his second namesake, Severus. How heroic a dreaded villain actually was. Ginny had forgiven him as most had.
Ginny slowly slid down. Harry smiled wider the more she did. Her hands clasped his. He gripped her tight. She moved back up then down. Harry fit perfectly with her. She had never lied but she hadn't always been up front. Harry wouldn't care, especially after all this time.
But she couldn't do that to him. Never. Harry had been through and seen too much. His world wasn't fragile anymore but still. Harry felt perfect with her. He flipped her over. Ginny loved when Harry was over her like this. His eyes seemed to stare into her soul. She wouldn't have it any other way with that stare.
Sleep came quickly once they were spent. Ginny felt Harry slip out of bed in the morning. His lips pressed against her forehead. She found his hand and gripped it tightly. He squeezed back. She fell back asleep as he left.
A burrowing child woke her up. Lily's face was even with hers when she woke. Lily smiled. She had inherited the green eyes of her namesake. "Morning, mummy." "Morning, my little flower." "I knocked last night when I had a bad dream but you didn't answer." "Mummy's sorry. Daddy and mum needed to sleep tight last night."
"Ok." A smile showed her forgiveness. Ginny roused herself out of bed and Lily followed her to the kitchen. The boys were running around the house. "Breakers, boys!" Cheers came from them. They raced each other to the kitchens. She heard thumps from the walls where they tossed each other.
It was off to Diagon Alley with them once they were done eating. Lily complained the whole car drive to the Leaky Cauldron about not joining her brothers in a few weeks' time at Hogwarts. Albus followed his brother around as they raced through the shops. James felt cool because he knew everything Albus would need. No list was needed for James to prepare his brother for Hogwarts.
Shopping took forever but Ginny was used to that now with the kids. Harry would have come if a new emergency hadn't cropped up the week prior. He hadn't gone into detail. Even her father had seemed nervous and said nothing. Hermione was focused on work as well.
A tall redheaded man walked around with two kids in tow. Ginny smiled. "Ronald!" He turned, "Ginerva!" She playfully slapped his arm, "Ron." James grinned at her tone. She had used it many times on him.
"Where's Harry?" "At the office." Ron frowned, "Really?" "Really." Hermione appeared out of Flourish and Botts. Lily ran up, "Aunt Hermione!" Hermione laughed happily. She frowned as well when she saw no Harry. "Harry not here?" "No." Worry crept up on Ginny. Last night had been a good night for them, regardless of the intimacy.
"Ron, watch the kids. Ginny?" "Yeah." She followed her friend off to a quiet spot. "Hermione, just tell me what's going on." Hermione paced back and forth for a second. Never had she seemed uncertain like this. Ginny felt panic along with worry.
"Last November, Harry was investigating the stone cylinders." Ginny nodded. "He figured out how to make one work." She paused nervously before continuing, "He was transported… somewhere. Not like when he sacrificed himself against Voldemort. Or in a penseive. We think he went to another… Time. A variation of this world. A possible version of this one."
He had had nightmares for the first time in years last year around that time. Muttering as he woke groggily. It had reminded her too much of after the fall of Voldemort. It had passed very quickly. "How? I don't know how that would happen." "We're not sure either. His magic failed him as well wherever he was. He almost didn't make it back. Somehow he made the cylinder work again."
Hermione glanced around them. "The symbols on the cylinder still don't make sense. We have tried. The Parchment Harry found in Belgium still hasn't been deciphered. We're running out of time." "Running out of time?" Hermione's eyes focused on Albus, "Once he departs to Hogwarts, the mysterious Dark Witch comes back. She told Harry so."
He had never mentioned it to her. He had told her a lot. Why not this? The extra hours made sense. Hermione seemed skittish. Harry had grown bags under his eyes. He reminded her of her father once the Order had come back together in her fourth year.
"Hermione!" "What?" "We need to reform the Order. Just in case. I mean, the Order was against Voldemort. But… we need to prepare. Just in case. This Witch seems so much more difficult than Voldemort." "That's bloody brilliant, Ginny! Yes!" "I can get it started." "I will help. Will you tell Harry?" "Of course." A tight embrace was all she saw of her friend before she darted off.
Ginny finished shopping with the boys before heading home. She began sending messages to the former members. Her parents came over once they got theirs. They graciously watched the kids as people began showing up at Grimmauld Place again for a meeting of the Order. Select new members had been reached out to.
Luna showed up happily. Ginny hadn't seen her in months. The kids loved Aunt Luna. The energy that was Luna was never commented on as weird. Ginny was proud of her kids for accepting people as they were. Not what they were as she had grown up experiencing. It was a better world that had been fought for.
Neville and Hannah showed up, well-traveled from their holiday. They had gone to Peru to explore the magical flora. Neville reminisced about the trip and new flora he had never seen before. It was interesting to hear about as more showed up. The kids were excited to see their friends and cousins appear at the house. They took the upstairs readily to leave the adults the kitchen.
George had entertained the kids the most. He was always the favorite with all the wheezes he would bring. Ron followed his coattails with no remorse as he had in his teens. Harry was the last to show up late in the night.
Surprise showed on his face as he looked at all the assembled members. Teddy was there. Cho had even shown up. She avoided Ginny politely. Dean stayed as far as he could from her. He eyed Harry nervously. A lot of Dumbledore's Army was there. Hermione proposed what they were there for. Harry was quiet.
Ginny stood in front of them now. Hermione hadn't gone much in depth. She decided to. It would provoke Harry to take action.
"This is the worst threat since we dealt with Voldemort. Voldemort was predictable somehow. We found out his weaknesses and strengths. Now, we are what we have. No Snape to report and be hated while he did what we needed. He dedicated his life thanklessly while he lived. And Dumbledore set us up as best he could even when he knew his death was coming."
Harry stepped forward. "I have never been more worried. I wish this hurt." His hand was covering his scar. Panic spread across the kitchen. Quickly he put his hands up to quiet them. It reminded her of Dumbledore. "I have experienced something scary. I have shared it with only one person. Hermione. We have been looking for answers, anything really, since November.
"I entered another Path of Time. My sense of magic was gone. I used a cylinder like the one in Belgium you have all heard about that is under the Tower of London. It was covered by the Muggles, actually. It scared them, rightfully so. It kept calling to me. Scaring me. So I did something dumb.
"I used my wand, and magic flowed through me, into the cylinder. The world flickered around me and visions of lives I could have lived, might have lived, for what seemed eternities. It was traumatic." Ginny saw that the rest were like her. Captivated by this story.
"I wound up in another world. Gone was London. Gone was everything I knew but myself and the cylinder." He paused as he shuddered. "I saw these Towers in the distance. I walked towards them to explore this different instance of Time. A battle raged in the city by the Towers. A fireball was launched at this ship which was unloading soldiers. I knew it was magic being used to devastation we wouldn't know."
He had to pause once more. "I felt sick. I felt something that wanted to fill me, fulfill me. My magic was gone while I was there. It was just… gone. I ran all the way back to the cylinder. I found a symbol that seemed to be the way home. The same sense of fulfillment came to me. But I felt sick. Tainted. Evil screamed at me as I focused. Magic seemed to fill me. I returned to London under the Tower. Magic worked again for me."
"Have you used it since, boy?" Her father's voice was grave. "No. No one has." Breath flowed again in everyone. It was scary. Harry had done that? Experienced that? Voldemort seemed an easier task and that had been bloody.
"What do we do?" "As far as I can tell, and Hermione, we're the only ones who know how these cylinders work. And we refuse to use them. We have warded all the ones we've found and been told about." "Is that it?" "Knowledge outside this room, even within the Ministry, is too dangerous."
The conversation that sprung up again. Most seemed to agree with Harry. Ginny felt heartened. Her sense of security was shattered though. In looking at the rest there, she saw the same in each of them. None of them felt truly safe. It had been 19 years since she had seen fear like that. When Voldemort was at his strongest.
Ron stepped to the front of the group, "I say we send a team back to the world, or Time, Harry went to. Two men and two women. They come back with a full report." Ginny was taken back by the common sense Ron was showing.
"I concur," Harry said. Deliberations went for a while longer. Once the new school term started, Harry would be going with Hermione into the other Time with Killian, an Auror, and Marie Flourer, a member of Hermione's office they trusted.
Since the term would start on a Friday, the four would go through on a Monday. Harry had returned within minutes even though he had been gone hours in that Time. Somehow, the mysteries would be solved. Hermione would be taking the Parchment of Life with them. She seemed convinced it was tied to that world. And if it wasn't, she felt she could figure it out there.
The delay in going into the cylinder would also allow for the Dark Witches use of fate, not prophecy, would come to pass immediately. Aurors would be ready at Hogwarts and Platform Nine and Three Quarters that day already.
Harry waited for the end of the meeting to bring up an unpopular topic. "I think we need some more members. This is a wonderful group here." "Like who?" Ron was deathly serious in his tone. "Some of the former members of the Death Eaters." "What?" was one of the nicest things said in the next few minutes.
"I am serious. Dumbledore trusted other's we didn't. In the end, our doubt was wrong for sure." Some heads nodded reluctantly. "The first one I want to talk to is Draco." Hermione was the first to agree. The conversation steered to when to bring them in. harry had the answer. "Once the kids head off, I will ask Draco. His son is headed to Hogwarts this year."
Agreement was unanimous. Ginny felt more confident once the meeting was over. Most of those in attendance appeared the same. It was comforting. Something was being done. They were readying themselves once more for the unknown.
All was well for now. Things were as they should be. No worries for the moment. Harry lowered his hand from his head. It was odd that he had touched that scar.
Nineteen years of peace. Apparently it was over now that Albus had gone off to school. Nothing was happening as Ginny followed him back to the car. The drive back to Grimmauld Place was quiet. Ginny sensed his nerves. His eyes darted everywhere as he drove.
Killian was on the steps as they walked up to Number 12. "Nothing to report, boss." "Thanks. You can head home." "But boss…" "Killian, I can handle this." Lily seemed confused on the bottom step. "Lily, head to your room." "Ok, mum." She was teary eyed still as being the last of the children in the house. Two more years and Hogwarts would be her world.
Harry watched the street for a moment as he tried thinking through everything. Three more days and he would disappear to that world again. He hoped to return. He didn't want his kids to grow up like he had. He was scared to go; not returning broke his heart just thinking of it. Ginny didn't deserve her partner gone away to who knows where. Harry couldn't do this. He couldn't.
"Killian?" "Yes, boss?" "Get Hermione here once she's home." "Yes boss. I will see Mistress Granger here." "Thank you."
Ginny was concerned as he entered the study. "I can't do it on Monday." "I figured," was her simple answer. She was always understanding. "I don't know how to tell the Order." "I do." She gripped his hand tightly, "You will tell them you want to be here for the threat this witch might pose." "I should have thought of that, love." "It's fine. We're a pair, are we not?" "We are." His lips met hers.
"I love you." "I love you, too, Ginny." Lily poked her head in, "Exploding snaps, Dad?" "Sure, sweetheart." "Yes!" She ran off. Harry followed her.
Hermione walked into 12 Grimmauld Place on edge. Harry had seemed nervous according to Killian. It concerned her after what happened with Ron. Was this the witch appearing as promised? She hoped not and that it was something else.
Harry was playing exploding snaps with Lily in the main room. Lily was excited to see Aunt Hermione again. Lily was her favorite of Harry's kids. She wouldn't admit it to anyone but she knew it. Ginny had a sneaking suspicion.
Hermione waited for the game to end. Lily hurried off elsewhere. Harry sat down next to her. "I have had a change of mind on Monday." Hermione exhaled. "I can't go." "I knew." A weak grin graced his face. "We need another man to go." Hermione frowned, "I think I know someone." "Surely not Ron?" "No. He needs to be here for Hugo, and Rose when she gets back. If something were to happen." "So who?"
"Draco." "Draco?" Harry was standing now. "Yes, Draco, Harry. Who else could watch out for themselves better than him? We trust him, don't we?" "Yes. He proved himself." "So what is wrong with him?" "He has barely talked to us since the Battle of Hogwarts." "We trust him." "Yes." "I will go to him." "Do you want me to go with you?" "No, Harry. You might antagonize him too much." "Ok. Come here right after?" "Of course."
Hermione apparated to the outskirts of Malfoy Manor. She hadn't been here since her torture at Bellatrix Lastrange's hands. Bad memories crept up on her as she halted at the gate. There was nothing to be afraid of. Molly had taken care of Bellatrix for all she had done.
Malfoy met her at the door. "Granger." "You know it is Weasley now, Draco." "I know… Weasley." His sneer was naturally still in place. "What brings you here to my home?" "Can we talk in private?" "Of course." "Where is Astoria?" "She went to her mum and dad's. Their grandchild started Hogwarts, remember?" "Of course."
The dining hall was where he led her. The infamous dining hall. "Is this too much for you, Hermione?" "I am fine, Draco." "Ok." She sat down across from him at the table. "I presume you come here to ask me something. Something dangerous." "I am not here to grovel." "I know that," was his demeaning reply. "Harry was to go on something we needed to do."
"And why is Potter not going now?" "He can't leave his kids." "And I can leave my boy?" His sneer wasn't there she saw. Actual concern from Draco shocked Hermione. She had seen the compassion his mother had shown to Harry.
"You wouldn't be leaving your boy, Draco. We need someone with experience for this." "What exactly is it?" "The stone cylinders you may have heard of. We figured out how to use them." Draco gaped, "No one has ever figured those out." "Harry did. Without my help." "I don't believe that."
"It is true." "What happened?" She regaled the story to him. Draco was captivated. "I will go. On one condition, Granger." "What is that?" A nefarious smile crossed his face. "Go make a story to Potter and your redhead. You have a late night at the office, right?" "No, Draco." "Yes, Granger. I sound like the only person you trust to go now that Potter is out." "What do you want?" "Nope. Come back. You will find out." "What about Astoria?" "She is with her parents for the night. They live near Manchester."
"Fine, Malfoy. I will return when I can." She left for her house to talk to Ron. More studying was needed for Monday. He accepted her story with no questions. A hug for Hugo and she was back to Harry's. Harry was happy Draco was taking his place. It was a quick conversation. It was Ginny that stopped her before she could leave.
"Hermione!" "What?" "Talk to me. What is truly happening?" Tears leaked out of her, "Draco has a price. I have waited for it for years. He talked to me, after the Battle of Hogwarts." "So?" "He talked to me, Ginny." "Oh. Why have you never said anything?" "Do you think Harry or Ron would have accepted Draco so quickly if they knew he had approached me? I think it was to assuage his guilt about all the times he called me, you know." Ginny nodded sadly. "You've pined for him, haven't you?" "I wanted to say yes very much. It would have helped him. And he was the enemy. So much passion for him. Even if it was anger. It would almost be cathartic." "What about your bond with Ron?"
Hermione couldn't look her sister-in-law in the face. "What did you do?" "It's what I didn't do." Her voice was meek. Ginny hugged her, "Tell me, please." "I… I didn't actually go through with the marriage bond. Ron did. I didn't though," was her tearful last words.
Ginny kissed her forehead gently. "Why?" "I wasn't sure if I truly loved him enough. I love Ron so much. But it always feels more like a best friend than my husband." "Harry is my best friend." An edge was in her friend's voice. "I know he is. He is one of mine too, remember?" "So what?" "I don't like when we… get intimate. I have never enjoyed it between us."
"Really? But…" "It was worth it to have the children. My sex life is not satisfying like yours is with Harry." Ginny blushed. She told Hermione pretty much everything she did with Harry. Hermione had lived vicariously through them.
"Ginny, I need to do this." "I think you do. But just think you could be destroying two families in a worse way than you think." "How?" "Your selfishness will hurt Ron heavily if he finds out. I will keep your secret for you."
"Thank you." "You have kept mine long enough." "You have no secrets I keep." "You do," Ginny said slowly. "What do- no!" "Yes." Ginny had the proper look. One Hermione knew she wouldn't feel after all this. She was going through with it. Needed to.
Ginny nodded at Hermione as she got up. Hermione was somber as she went back to Malfoy Manor. Draco was waiting for her again at the door. "I'm sorry, Hermione." "Sorry for what?" "Putting you through this." He smiled instead of sneered. Hermione cupped his face, "I'm sorry for slapping you." "I deserved it. I was a true bloody git, wasn't I?" "You were."
A smile blessed his face again. It was refreshing to see. Draco took her hand and led her to his bedchamber. Thoughts of Ginny and Dean flashed in her mind. She had found them in a compromising position once. Not seeing the robes off, she had thought it a heavy snogging session. Instead, Ginny had actually been having sex with Dean.
How had Ginny felt? Sex with Ron had been fun at times. Just not enough. Ron had the deep connection with her. She didn't with him. Would she feel a different kind of magic with Draco that she had sought for ages? She hoped so.
Tavitani watched as Hermione apparated away from Grimmauld Place. The Potter's were alone with their youngest. Word had reached her that Harry had figured out how to use a cylinder. Muggle literature had taught her of them. Finding them had been harder. How convenient one was right here in London obscured by the Muggles themselves.
She decided now was as good a time as any to approach Harry Potter. His strongest partner was preoccupied. He was on edge and expecting an attack. Not this. It was thrilling how she was about her plan.
She rang the bell. No screams came from inside. That was intriguing. Reports had been that the Matron Black had ensconced a portrait of herself that would yell at the intruders to her legacy and house. Matron Black could have been an exemplary Patron.
A tall, scraggly, dark haired man with glasses framing his green eyes with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead opened the door. His wand came out quickly. "Witch." "Harry Potter." "Who are you?" "The one you have sought." "I knew that already. Who are you?" "I am the Master of Life. Your opposite." "Why shouldn't I capture you?" "I have done little you can prosecute me for." "I can turn you over." "You still think me Sarah Gilmore? Do I look anything like her?"
Harry paused as she saw Ginny Potter behind him, wand also ready, glaring at her. "I would like to talk to you, Harry Potter." Harry shook his head, "I am taking you down." "You will not, Master of Death." Harry seemed to struggle mentally as he fought the urge to begin the fight. A strong voice worked magic better at times than actual spells.
Ginny was the one who broke the silence, "Let her in." Harry stepped aside to comply. Tavitani strolled in. A blank space marred the wall where the portrait should have been. A true loss. Tavitani brushed it aside as she made her way to the dining room.
The Potter's joined her at the table. Harry was still ready to strike. Almost like a snake cornered. Which he almost was. Tavitani gave a small smile at her hosts. Willingly they had let her inside. And none of the Ministry agents outside the house had come so far. She had been undetected. That was well.
Silence kept them surrounded. A pin drop would have been suffocated in the strength of the silence. Tavitani didn't want to speak first here now that she was seated across from Harry Potter. He didn't seem to be heroic just looking at him. Dumbledore had looked heroic.
"Why did you come to my home?" "You kept protection around you." "They are around this house as well." "I know that. Yet they are not inside. Which I know you would let me into." "How?" "Answers. You need answers."
"Yes. I do. What answers can you provide to me?" "An important one to start with. Sarah Gilmore did not die in Germany." "Yet you swear you are not her? Is it a ritualistic difference like Voldemort no longer being Tom Riddle?" "No. I have not changed my appearance. I have looked this way for ages." "Ages meaning?" "I am nowhere near as old as Nicholas Fleming was at the end. An inspiration but truly dependent on that silly philosopher's stone. Knowledge has always been the true wealth to the aged."
"That means you are?" Ginny was as fierce as told. "I am around three hundred years old." Harry cursed. Tavitani smiled. "You are worried more for my age than my name?" "Your name is?" "Duchess Tavitani." "Tavitani?" "Yes, Duchess Tavitani."
Ginny frowned. "A Latin anagram." Harry was puzzled still. Ginny spoke again, "Antivita. Tavitani. Against Life. Yet she calls herself the Master of Life." Harry stood up quickly from the table. Wand in hand again. How excitable he was in his 30's. He shouldn't be so excitable at this age.
"You are a monster." "I am not a monster. Voldemort was a monster. I am a pragmatic woman. I do what is best." "You killed people." "And you helped Quirrel die your first year. Saving Wormtail through mercy indebted him to you. Did that not help his gifted arm kill him at the Malfoy Manor? Being a fair fighter during the Triwizard Tournament took Cedric Diggory with you to the graveyard in Little Hangleton. Cedric died because of your nobility."
His face was heated as his wand wavered in his hand. Anger had taken him. "You saved many more than died because of you. True nobility. The best for the most. If a few have to die to achieve that goal, then that is best."
"Why are you really here?" She moved her left leg over her right leg. "I came to tell you, don't let them go through the portal stone." "Why not?" "You went through to a different Time, no?" "I did." "And the magic there was not quite right for you. A taint filled you once you could use magic." "Yes." His voiced sounded haunted.
"Your wife would not have had that affliction. Nor I. Nor Hermione Weasley. No female would have had that feeling of sickness. Just men, in that land you went to." "How do you know?" "I have traveled throughout Times and Lives." "Through these… stones?" "Obviously. You are not a daft git." "Why do you need that Parchment?"
"That Parchment is a codex to impossible knowledge. It's very proof is sought after in many Times." "I thought there was only three Times. Until I went to that other… place. Past. Present. Future." "That is the three constants of Time. It is very possible to travel to the Future. We could now, if we went to the Tower."
"And the Parchment's impossible knowledge is?" "I have few ideas. You have been unable to read it of course." "Obviously, daft woman." He had fight again. His wand wasn't lowered yet.
"You confuse me. Straight answers!" "Fine. They shouldn't travel through the portal stone because they will likely die. And the Parchment will disappear from this Time. This Time needs that Parchment." "This Time? Not you?" "Not me. I would like to read it and know its knowledge. And Sarah Gilmore is alive. She is the one who from this Time to figure out the Portal Stones. She has fled this Time. She is… responsible for what you saw in that Time."
"How?" "She poisoned the mind of a great man. She is far more dastardly than I am. She sent a great man's son across an ocean in a primitive time. Much tragedy will happen because of her." "Then we need to stop her." Tavitani shook her head, "There is little good that would happen. You know the Laws of Time. The ripples you cause will affect ours. It was fate that she fled our Time. If she stayed, the tragedy's she was destined to cause would be caused here."
"How are you a Master of Life? My opposite." Tavitani leaned forward now, "You mastered the Hallows. The wand. The Stone. And the Cloak. All three you possessed and used to show that like your wise ancestor, when Death comes, you will greet him as an old friend. You have met him already. He instructed Ginny here as well."
Ginny shrugged when her husband looked at him, "I didn't have an experience during the diary incident like you did in the Forest." "Speak clearly!" Tavitani smiled. "Dumbledore." "What about Dumbledore?" "Dumbledore was the avatar of Death. Every few centuries, he takes a human avatar to live a Life. Death cannot be appreciated without Life."
"How do you know this?" "As the Master of Life. I met Dumbledore when he first started teaching here. He was a proud, brilliant man. He ventured into the Dark as you discovered but he then focused on good. I was researching various things. They led me to Dumbledore. I had realized the Hallows were real. They were actual items. I was excited. I wanted to be the Master of the Hallows. The Master of Death. My conversation with Dumbledore led me to realize there had to be a balance.
"The balance was the Lifely Hallows." "What are they? Beetle the Bard never mentioned them." "They are not told of. The Deathly Hallows were feared and desired. The Lifely Hallows were too dangerous. Far more so than the Deathly. Dumbledore thought it hogwash.
"I then tried figuring out what the Hallows would be. A triangle symbol like the Hallows. Maybe the inverse could help me. They were not objects of power over death but life."
Ginny spoke then, "The Holy Grail. The Fountain of Youth." "Yes. The Grail is a chalice. An ancient chalice. The Fountain though is not a small spring or body of water. It is the water ever present in the Grail. The Water of Life." "There only two of them?" "No. There is a third."
Tavitani placed on the table a small figure. It was a pale green figurine of a man drinking from a chalice. "This is the greatest of the Lifely Hallow." "What is it?" "This is the Joshua Stone." "I doubt Hermione has even heard of this." "She hasn't." "What does it do?" "Allows the possessor of the Grail to create the Water of Life."
"How?" "My secret. I may tell you eventually." "Why are you really here?" "If you want your people to live, do not let them travel away from this Time." "I will consider it." "I tell you this for your own good." "Fine."
"I am leaving now." Tavitani hurried away from the Potter house. Her plans could proceed now that Harry wouldn't risk his friends going where he would not. Maor could be brought back. Her love. Her life. She needed him back.
Draco's lips caused a fire to burn in her. Ron had never caused that. He thought he did though. Lies were beneficial at times. Her hands cupped Draco's face still. His hands were on her rear. She moaned into his lips as they still stood above his bed.
The colorings of the bedroom were very Slytherin. Dark colors and greens everywhere possible. It almost made it feel like they were back at Hogwarts in the Slytherin dorms. A naughty thrill she loved. Draco undid her shirt now. She felt the air hit her stomach.
She fell onto the bed. Draco grinned devilishly. His shirt she tugged at until he took it off. The scars Harry inflicted showed. She ignored them though. She had dreamed of Draco so often since fifth year. Her shirt fell off her shoulders. Her bare chest was visible to him. Gently he cupped them. "They are better than I dreamed of." His voice was a whisper.
He sat down next to her on the bed. His hands still cupped her breasts as she gave over to the feelings she felt building up. All of this was brand new. It was exciting in a fashion she never dreamed of. Draco fell onto his back when she playfully pushed him over.
She undid his belt. His fly was next. She could feel his excitement. Tugging his trousers down revealed green underwear. Slytherin colors once more. Proud to the end of his days would Draco Malfoy be of his heritage in some areas.
"My son was selected for Slytherin. Your daughter was picked for Gryffindor." "I heard." His grin was priceless. "Maybe they will wind up like us one day." Hermione playfully slapped his thigh, "No talk like that right now." "No?" "No."
Her hand snaked into his underwear. A sharp hiss from him was success for her. "No then, Granger." "Malfoy." He bobbed with the rhythm of his heart. She had wondered once if he was heartless. This proved it definitively.
She withdrew her hand to another hiss. Pushing her pants down, she climbed onto Draco. His eyes showed hunger. She pictured hers were the same way.
Cloth on top of cloth. They were staring at each other. Neither wanted to make another move. He tweaked her nipples for a few moments as she moaned. Hermione slid her panties off. Draco bucked his hips and removed his briefs.
Hermione savored this moment as she teased him with her warmth. "Aren't Gryffindor's courageous and brave?" "We are." "And Slytherin's are supposed to be all snakes." "Yes." "Then conquer my snake, brave Gryffindor." "Why? It has done no evil or wrong." "It deserves punishment. I deserve punishment." "This is pleasure, not punishment." "Maybe it is both. Can't it be both?"
He throbbed against her. She needed to fix her courage to do this. So far had been bad enough but if she went further…. Could she use a mirror and be happy with seeing her reflection? Yes. She could. Her happiness would be bettered.
"Could you ever love me?" "Yes. I could." "Do you?" "No." "Why not?" "Because I don't know you well enough. You brushed me off years ago, remember?" "I do." "Are you sorry for that like the slap?" "No." "No?" "Yes."
Draco didn't say anything as she allowed him in. "Hermione!" was what he finally said after a few minutes. "Draco!" was her first word since 'Yes.' Contentment was all she felt as she had Draco. She lusted after only one other person still alive. She could never have him. He would always be happy with his life as it was. She could be happy now. Not the happiest, but happy as could be achieved.
A hand brushed her hair away from her face as she lay happily on the green bed. "Thank you." Draco was very well mannered after sex. "Thank you," she whispered. "I can't do this again." Hermione just nodded, "I think you can. You mean we can't meet again." "Well, yes." "Call me Granger again." "Granger." "Not like that. With heat. With that trademark sneer." "Granger." "One last time." "One last time."