So I'm hoping to only have 6-7 more chapters before Hermione goes back to the future, 2-3 chapters of what happens to Charlie in the 8 years between, and then another 7-8 chapters of battle/what happens after. So we are probably looking between 45-50 chapters total. I have to say, I am looking forward to writing their reunion in the future as much as you are to reading it, but I don't want to rush my writing and tell a bad story between now and then. At least you sorta know my plan now though!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: JK owns HP
1989
Chapter 30
A few days later, Hermione and Charlie made their way up to the seventh floor; where the gargoyle that guarded the headmasters office resided. The password of 'caramel cobwebs' slipped easily from her lips as they approached; having used it several times that year already.
As expected, Hermione and Charlie had finished the evening of his return off in his four-poster bed in the boys dormitory. She had told him all about what happened at Gringotts Bank and how her, Harry, and Ron had escaped on the back of a Ukrainian Ironbelly. Charlie had hung onto her every word; both enthralled by her tale and thoroughly impressed by the bravery she showed.
What started off as a serious conversation about the horcrux hunt had eventually turned heated again as his fingers found their way into her knickers; where he proceeded to keep her warm on the frosty winter night. Though it had been weeks since she'd slept that well, she ended up forcing herself to go back to her own dorm just before dawn in order to avoid getting caught by their classmates.
The next morning she had been greeted by the warm smiling faces of the other girls, and a knowing smirk from Sarah. When asked about her Christmas, she'd made an excuse about her parents having to travel for her father's business, and her desire to study peacefully for her N.E.W.T.S anyway. As it had been hard to hide her old habits the previous semester, the five girls accepted her fib without question.
During breakfast the next morning, she penned a letter to Dumbledore while tucked under Charlie's arm. He stroked her shoulder absentmindedly with his hand while deep in conversation with Devon who was across the table from them. No one seemed surprised by their simple display of affection for one another, so she continued undeterred in her request for a meeting with the headmaster.
Luckily, his response came quickly, and he requested her presence in his office that Wednesday evening. Hermione made sure she had The Art of Forging in her bag, along with Slytherin's last journal and the invisibility cloak. Though she was excited to finally have a fully formed plan for her return, she couldn't help the nervousness that came along with it.
Just after dinner, the pair made an excuse to their friends about spending some more time alone together and headed upstairs. She hoped Charlie's presence wouldn't cause Dumbledore any alarm, but they needed his help in securing the rest of the ingredients for the amulets. This was truly something she couldn't accomplish without the both of them.
"Oh good, you're here." Dumbledore went to greet her, before noticing the companion she had brought along. His eyes narrowed, as if for once he was not sure of the situation she was throwing at him. "And you've brought mister Weasley as well."
"Yes, I have." Hermione spoke firmly and with determination. "Do you remember the day you introduced me to Mr. Harper? The day you asked me if Voldemort had returned?... You told me that it was important for me to prepare for my return to the future. You said that I had an unordinary amount of time for battle preparation. Time most people don't normally get when they are in the middle of a war."
"Yes, I remember." He replied calmly.
"Well I've done that." She informed him; her hand ducking into her bag to pull the book on forging out of it. "I finally know what needs to be done so we win the war, but it's not something I can do alone."
Hermione spun the dial to unlock the metal pages before laying the book down on the center of Dumbledore's desk. The weight of it caused a thudding noise; regardless of how gentle she tried to set it down.
"You see, Voldemort in recent years has acquired a rather peculiar companion; a maledictus in the form of a violent snake he calls Nagini. He has taken to keeping her rather close, making it difficult for Harry to get close enough to him." She explained as he looked the page over; leaving out the existence of horcruxes altogether. "If Harry is ever going to defeat him, we will need to be able to get past her without getting bit in the process."
"Oh, yes. A protective amulet." Dumbledore commented as he dragged his finger down the list of ingredients. "One that specifically makes you untouchable in regards to dark creatures. I understand now why you came to me. Several of these items are extremely hard to come by...Especially for that last step. Perhaps I can ask my old friend Newt-"
"Well, that's actually why I brought Charlie along." Hermione interrupted his train of thought to fill him in on the plan. "As I told you a few months ago, his brother Ron is one of my best friends. When we were first years he would always tell me stories of his two older brothers who had already left Hogwarts: one a curse breaker for Gringotts, and the other a dragonologist in Romania."
Dumbledore looked up from the book to flicker his eyes between the two of them. "I see." He replied thoughtfully. "Have you already applied to the RDS?"
"Not quite." Charlie shook his head respectfully. "Amos Diggory at the DRCMC wrote me a letter of recommendation over Christmas, and Professor Kettleburn agreed to write the second one. He said it would be ready on Friday, and I planned to send everything along with my application out this weekend."
"Good. The Romanian reserve doesn't tend to take very many recruits from outside countries. You will need to get a head start if you want a real chance at joining them." Dumbledore informed them. "I have a few connections that might help your chances, so send what you have to me first and I will get your application into the right hands."
"Yes, of course." Charlie nodded in understanding. "Thank you sir."
Dumbledore turned back to Hermione. "So if it's not the last step you need my help with, what is?"
She stepped closer toward the desk and used her pointer finger to motion toward the first item on the list. "As you can see, the first thing we need is a wiggentree. I know Professor Sprout procured some for herbology this year, so I was hoping you could talk her into giving us one. Each piece only needs to be a centimeter or so thick, so if we wait another month for them to mature a bit we could probably make at least four or five dozen out of a single tree."
The Headmaster raised one eyebrow at her curiously. "You wish to make enough for an army then?"
"Yes." Hermione answered him. "I plan on making as many amulets as possible to help people on our side survive. Voldemort has a band of dark creatures at his disposal, and I have the opportunity to protect those I care about from dying at their hands. Upon my return, I plan on handing as many of these amulets out as I can."
Dumbledore gave her a single reassuring nod. "I am sure I can talk her into donating a single tree to me without much of a fuss. What else?"
"Well the next three can all be acquired from the forbidden forest, though I wouldn't say easily."
His long finger traced over the next set of steps as he read aloud. "A braid made from a single strand of each of the following; hair of unicorn, hair of centaur, and hair of thestral."
He turned to her curiously. "Well, from what I hear, the unicorn hair won't be difficult for Mr. Weasley at least, but centaurs are very private and do not involve themselves with humans or our worldly problems. I do not see them giving up several strands of their hair willingly." He spoke thoughtfully. "And as for the thestral hair, only one who has seen, and is capable of facing death themselves can procure it."
Hermione glanced nervously at Charlie before grimacing. "It will be me who will have to get those then. I am not unfamiliar with either of those requirements."
Dumbledore nodded in understanding again. "Then you can leave the centaur hair up to me. I don't want the pair of you getting in over your heads by causing a big stir with the herd. I have ways of handling them."
Internally, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief; the incident with Umbridge in the forest still fresh in her mind. That was the ingredient she had been least looking forward to getting.
The headmaster read on; pausing as his long, slender finger traced the line second to the bottom of the page. "It looks like each amulet will need to have this rune etched onto the face of it." He said. "It must be carved by the fang of a vampire, that has been dipped in the blood of a werewolf."
"I remember reading that part as well. I believe the fang might be found in Professor Snape's private store room, but the werewolf blood might be a little trickier."
Dumbledore regarded her facial expression carefully. "It seems as though you might have an idea for that as well." It was a statement, not a question.
Hermione cringed again, but nodded. "Remus Lupin. He teaches here my third year." She revealed; not wanting to waste time by avoiding facts from the future. "He is very loyal to you, and I bet he would allow you to take some if you said it was for a good cause."
"If that is true, then it seems we know where to get everything." Dumbledore talked through his thoughts. "Except for how you expect to get the completed amulets once you've returned; as it seems Mr. Weasley and I will have to finish them between now and then."
Hermione and Charlie glanced nervously at each other again before she reached into her bag to pull the cloak out. The silvery material shined reflectively in the candlelight as she held it up. "I'm going to leave this in Charlie's possession, that way he can follow my past self, take out my attacker, and await my return."
For once in all the time she had known him, Dumbledore looked completely shocked; his hand trailing over the mysterious fabric he was all too familiar with. After only a moment's delay, he abruptly turned around to the cabinet on the center wall and pulled the doors open.
When he returned to the desk, he laid an identical object down next to the cloak Hermione had just pulled from her bag. And while she had been expecting it, by the look on his face, Charlie clearly had not.
"I borrowed this from James Potter before his death eight years ago." Dumbledore informed them; though they both already knew. "I of course planned on returning it to the family once Harry is old enough. I'm guessing, since you said he is your best friend, that he left it in your care shortly before your accidental trip here."
"There is an undetectable extension charm on my bag. I've been carrying all of Harry and Ron's things at all times since we had to go on the run." She explained further. "We were never meant to be separated for more than a few minutes."
"Then you know this cloak is one of a kind." The headmaster commented. "Which makes having two of them side by side a rather odd occurance indeed."
Hermione took the cloak from the future back off the desk and held it close. It really was strange to have both a past and a future version of it in one place. She felt eerily uncomfortable at the thought of them getting switched by accident.
"So Miss Granger..." Dumbledore egged her to continue. "What is the plan?"
"Well, while you are busy getting us a wiggentree and the centaur hair, Charlie and I will work on getting the unicorn and thestral hairs. After that, between now and when I leave on May 2nd, we will cut the segments of wood, and make the braids for the general form of the amulets."
"And what of after?" He asked for clarification.
Hermione took a deep breath, still hating the idea of giving away too much information about the future. "Charlie is going to be bringing a few dragons to Hogwarts for a special project in the fall of 1994." She explained. "If you can get the vampire fang, and the werewolf blood from Professor Lupin before that, it will be the perfect time for you to pass those last two ingredients off to him."
"I take it that will be the conclusion of my part in this process." He insinuated.
"Correct. Once Charlie is back in Romania he can etch the runes, and cast the amulets in dragon fire. It will be more or less a waiting game after that." She finished. "And he'll bring the finished products with him when he meets me for my return to the future."
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After their meeting concluded, Charlie ended up maneuvering them toward the prefect's bathroom instead of back to Gryffindor tower; where he proceeded to show her some of his other hidden talents. Ones that specifically had to do with the wicked things he could accomplish with his tongue. With only her legs still dangling in the water, her back rested against the stone flooring, with his hands planted firmly on either side of her hips.
When they were both completely satisfied, they sank back into the warmth of the water; where Hermione sat between Charlie's legs, leaning her back against his toned chest. His arms came to cradle her body against his as he placed a soft kiss to the side of her head.
They both seemed to sigh in content as they enjoyed their time alone together. Charlie's thumb slowly rubbed a pattern to the left of her bellybutton, while Hermione did the same to the crook of his elbow.
"So…" He finally spoke up, without adding anything else.
Hermione tilted her head to look up at him. "Yes?"
He let out another sigh, only this time it sounded more stressed than contented. "I don't get to see my family much do I? I mean if you spend a lot of holidays with them, and we've only met twice, that means I'm not around very often am I?"
"No, I am afraid you aren't." Hermione responded apologetically.
He hummed disappointedly. "Things really are about to change then, aren't they?
"Yes." She answered honestly. "They are."
He grunted again. "Can you tell me about it then? The times you know when I get to see them. Maybe it will make me miss them less if I know when the next visit is."
"I'm not really supposed to." She warned him, but the look on his face made her change her mind about keeping what she remembered a secret. It was likely now that he had fallen in love with her that he would try harder to make it back more often if he didn't know when he was allowed to. "But it might be better if you know anyway."
Charlie's hands pushed against her sides so he could turn her around to face him. He was able to lift her easily, and her legs swung over his in order to straddle his thighs. Hermione placed a reassuring kiss to his lips and rested her arms flat against his shoulders; her thumbs stroking a new pattern against either side of his neck.
"I'm not really sure about between now and Christmas of 1991, as Ron and I didn't become friends until Halloween of that year. but I do remember Ron, the twins, and Percy had to stay here at Hogwarts during the holiday break that year. Apparently, because your mum, dad, and Ginny were going to Romania to visit you."
"That sounds a little depressing for everyone else." He commented. "But I'm sure I'll be excited to show Ginny all my favorite dragons by then."
"I'm sure it will be a good visit for the both of you." She smiled. "But I should probably warn you about Ginny and her magical talents before you one day have to experience one of her special hexes first hand."
"Hey, I'm her favorite! I doubt she would ever hex me." He claimed defensively. "But what is it? What is her specialty?"
"She casts the most intense bat-bogey hex anyone at Hogwarts has ever seen."
Charlie snorted first, before doubling over with laughter; trying to picture his sweet baby sister casting something so atrocious at anyone other than his younger brothers. "Yeah, okay. I'll watch out."
"She is going to make you proud though." Hermione continued to rub her thumbs against his skin. "Clever, driven; a real force to be reckoned with. She's funny, and bloody brilliant at quidditch."
He seemed to perk up at that information. "Yeah, we Weasley's tend to enjoy flying. If it weren't for Percy we probably would have formed our own quidditch team by now." He joked. "So what other visits do you remember hearing about."
Hermione had to think back to the early years; he already knew about Norberta being sent to him via some friends, and she couldn't remember anything from second year; though she had been petrified for part of that. "Well there was the summer between my second and third year. Your dad won the Daily Prophet's yearly galleon prize draw and took the whole family to Egypt. That was actually the first time I saw your picture, as there was a family group photo published in the prophet detailing what he had done with the money."
"And did thirteen year old Hermione find me devilishly handsome in this picture?" He teased her.
"I might have, except that you were toward the back and I couldn't really make out your nice muscles." She teased back with a grin.
He pinched her on the sides, causing her to squeal and try to scoot away from him. Charlie's arms locked around her back to stop her escape plan, and he pulled her in close again.
Hermione relaxed again, feeling confident he wasn't about to try and tickle her anymore. "Anyway, the summer after that will be the Quidditch World Cup which Harry and I attend with your family. I met you there at the burrow a few days beforehand. Everyone but your mum goes to the game and spends the night in a tent, and a few days later you help send us off on the train for my fourth year."
"That reminds me." He suddenly spoke up. "You mentioned earlier that I will be at Hogwarts with some dragons that year for a special project. What exactly is the project?"
Hermione tried not to smirk as she replied with something she knew he would hate. "Do you remember the stories about the Triwizard Tournaments from History of Magic?"
Charlie released a groan and shifted uncomfortably against the wall of the pool-like tub. "Do you always have to answer my questions with another question?"
"Usually."
He scoffed at her. "Fine...but yes I know what the Triwizard Tournaments are."
"Well the ministry decides to bring it back that year." She informed him. "The first task was that the champions from each school had to procure a golden egg from a nesting dragon. You are a part of the team that brings them over from Romania."
"So I'll need the cloak to make a visit to Dumbledore while I'm here for that. That way I can get the vampire tooth and werewolf blood from him."
"Exactly. Although you will get to see the twins, Ron, and Ginny while you are here as well." She added to try and cheer him up.
"While I am glad to hear that, I have a feeling I'm going to be disappointed in not getting to see you as well."
"I know." She commented apologetically again. "But we need to par the course."
"No deviating from the plan." He agreed with a twitch of his lips. "I guess I'll just have to wait for Bill's wedding to see you again after that."
"Oh!" Hermione suddenly remembered something that would get him excited again. "Speaking of both the Triwizard Tournament and Bill. His future bride is actually the champion from Beauxbatons!"
"Ahhha." His eyes gleamed with mischief; making her regret telling him instantly. "Some pretty French girl huh?"
"You can't tell him." She warned him by poking her pointer finger hard into his chest with each word."
"Oh I won't" He used his own finger to cross his heart. "But this does give me lots of great ammo to make digs at him between now and then. Especially because I will get to see her first!"
"Well she's also half veela, so maybe try not to get too close before he does, or she might set her sights on you instead." She scolded him. "And although I might be grateful to her for healing me up after I got tortured, I would still gladly hex her if she attempts to get her claws into you."
Charlie's eyebrows raised comically high on his forehead as he raised his hands in mock surrender. She was a bit scary at the moment, yet he also felt flattered at the idea of her fighting another woman over him.
"Noted." He responded as she turned to relax next to him instead of straddling him. She ended up humming contentedly again as they settled into another comfortable silence.
After a short time where neither of them said anything at all, Charlie finally spoke up again. "Speaking of Bill, I meant to ask you earlier, but he doesn't happen to have an earring in the future does he?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes, trying to picture a younger Bill who didn't have the ponytail or the fang in his ear yet. "What makes you ask?"
"He was talking about getting one soon, and I bet him five galleons he'd be too chicken shit to go through with it." He laughed at his own dig at his brother. "Not on account of the pain from getting the piercing itself you know, but because of what mum will do to him when she finds out."
Hermione snorted at his inevitable misfortune. "I hate to tell you, but you better start saving your galleons."
"Shit."