Year Five

In the softly lit bedroom, Hermione and Narcissa stood, preparing for bed. As Hermione watched Narcissa's distant demeanor, a pang of concern tugged at her. With a gentle tone, she inquired, "Is something troubling you, Narcissa?"

Narcissa sighed and looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just realized that we don't know yet whether or not you end up with me, and the thought terrifies me. I've realized that I'm falling hard for you, Hermione."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat, her hand reaching out to touch Narcissa's arm. "I've already fallen for you, Narcissa," she confessed softly.

Narcissa looked up, her eyes wide with surprise, a mixture of confusion and hope swirling within her. "Truly?" she inquired, her voice trembling delicately.

Hermione nodded, a gentle smile gracing her lips, a testament to the warmth that radiated within her. "Yes, I love you." she professed, her words etching a sweet melody in the air.

Narcissa's face lit up with an enchanting smile, but as quickly as it appeared, it faded, replaced by a creased brow. "There's something else that's been nagging at me," she admitted bashfully.

Hermione cocked her head, urging Narcissa to continue.

Narcissa blushed as she spoke, "I can't help but feel envious that Fleur was the first to share your bed."

Hermione couldn't suppress a soft chuckle at Narcissa's revelation, her laughter tinkling like a melody in the night. "In this timeline, I haven't been with a woman before," she explained. "And even if we revert things back to the original timeline, these memories would forever be etched within our souls."

A mischievous glimmer danced within Narcissa's eyes as she took a step closer to Hermione, her nimble fingers effortlessly unbuttoned Hermione's shirt. A sultry purr slipped from her lips as she whispered, "In that case..."

Their lips met in a passionate kiss, their bodies pressing together in a display of desire. The room was filled with the sound of their breathless gasps as they allowed themselves to get lost in the moment.

As they finally broke apart, foreheads tenderly resting against one another, Hermione whispered, her voice a feather-light murmur, "I love you, Narcissa."

Narcissa smiled, her eyes brimming with adoration, a testament to the depth of her feelings. "And I love you, Hermione," she declared, her voice a velvety confession.

Embracing a mixture of eagerness and tenderness, they embarked on a journey of exploration. Their hands and mouths traced the contours of one another's bodies, their love and desire intermingling well into the wee hours of the morning.

###

The next morning, the group gathered eagerly, as Hermione sat at the console, her fingers deftly working to prepare the memories for viewing. But as she focused on her task, Ginny couldn't resist the urge to tease her friend. "My, my, Hermione. You look positively worn out this morning. I hope you had a good night," she said with a sly grin.

Beside her, Luna added her own dry commentary. "Judging by the number of pixstasies floating around Hermione and Narcissa this morning, I'd say they had a rather enjoyable evening," she quipped.

Draco furrowed his brow, clearly puzzled. "What in Merlin's name is a pixstasy?" he asked, looking to Hermione for an answer.

Hermione's eyes widened in alarm, but it was too late to stop Luna. "Oh, it's a type of enchanted pixie that heightens sexual pleasure," she explained matter-of-factly.

Draco's cheeks flushed scarlet, and he shook his head vigorously in an attempt to dispel any thoughts of his mother's intimate life. "Uh, right. Let's just...let's just move on, shall we?" he stammered.

Hermione let out a long-suffering sigh, then pressed play on the next set of memories

###

June 26th, 1995

Sirius Black walked into the small café, his eyes scanning the room for his cousin Narcissa. He spotted her sitting in the far corner, sipping a cup of tea. Sirius walked over to her, and as he sat down, he asked, "What's going on, Cissy?"

Narcissa looked up at him with a worried expression. "It's Lucius," she said. "He's becoming a real threat."

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked, leaning in closer.

"He's demanding that I give him custody of his 'bastard heir'. He is attempting to use his influence to get me fired from my job at St. Mungo's. He's also threatening me with legal action, banking on how wizarding society views unwed mothers, no matter how the child was conceived." Narcissa explained bitterly.

Sirius's face darkened. "That prick," he spat. "I will ruin him myself. I'll toss every ounce of the Black family fortune at him to fight any legal action he tries to take. You know the Blacks make the Malfoys look poor.

Narcissa let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, we do," she said. Turning serious for a moment "Legal actions and my job I could handle, but he also has begun having his thugs showing up at my home and work, threatening to hurt me. I am worried for both Draco and my safety."

Sirius's expression hardened. "This is unacceptable," he said. "You and Draco need to move in with me. I'll get Bellatrix over to help cast a fidelius charm on the place."

Narcissa looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Sirius," she said.

Sirius hesitated for a moment before indulging in his curiosity. "Have you told Bellatrix about what is going on?"

Narcissa shook her head. "She'd go off the deep end," she said. "She'd torture and likely kill Lucius, and I'd rather keep her out of Azkaban."

Sirius nodded. "I understand," he said. "I'll just tell her the fact you are moving in and the fidelius charm is simply a precaution because Voldemort is back."

###

August 2nd, 1995

As the four of them were lounging in the living room after dinner, the flames of the fireplace erupted with green flames, and out stepped Albus Dumbledore. Narcissa and Sirius stood up to greet him.

"Albus," Narcissa said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "What brings you here?"

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," Dumbledore replied. "I just wanted to have a word with Sirius and you, Narcissa, if that's alright."

Sirius looked at Narcissa, who gave him a nod. "Sure, Albus," he said. "We can talk in the study."

Dumbledore's gaze shifted towards Harry and Draco, still seated on the couch. "I need to speak with you and Narcissa alone," he said solemnly. "Harry, Draco, why don't you boys go take a walk and enjoy the summer evening? It's a lovely night out there."

Harry and Draco exchanged glances, sensing the underlying reason behind Dumbledore's request. "Sure, Professor," Harry replied, standing up. "We can go to the park nearby."

Dumbledore followed Sirius and Narcissa into the study, leaving Harry and Draco alone in the living room. After a few moments of silence, Dumbledore's voice could be heard faintly from behind the closed door.

They left Grimmauld Place and headed towards the park nearby where they settled themselves on a bench beneath a towering oak tree, enjoying the gentle breeze that rustled through the leaves. The park was quiet, with only a few other visitors scattered in the distance.

But soon, a chill crept into the air, as if the very atmosphere had turned cold. Draco frowned, glancing uneasily around. "Do you feel that, Harry?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Harry's senses immediately heightened, and he too felt the sudden shift in the environment. He nodded grimly. "Yeah, something's not right."

As if on cue, a dense mist began to gather, swirling and coalescing in front of them. It took the shape of hooded figures, gliding silently closer. Dementors.

Draco's eyes widened with fear. "Bloody hell, Harry!"

Drawing upon his training, Harry's mind raced for a solution. With a steely determination, he raised his wand and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"

A brilliant burst of silver light erupted from the tip of Harry's wand, taking the form of a magnificent stag. The Patronus charged forward, its antlers gleaming, and forced the encroaching Dementors to retreat.

As the mist dissipated, Harry's heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at Draco, who wore a mixture of awe and gratitude on his face. "Let's get back to Grimmauld Place," he said. "I don't want to be out here any longer."

###

August 3rd, 1995

The atmosphere in the dining room at Grimmauld Place was tense as Narcissa, Sirius, Draco, and Harry sat down for breakfast, the foursome worried about the pending consequences of the dementor attack. Sirius cleared his throat, breaking the silence in order to let the two young men know what was discussed with Dumbledore the night before.

"Harry, Draco," Sirius began. "Remember how I explained how in order to combat the Death Eaters we have reformed the group known as the Order of the Phoenix?"

At the boys' nods Sirius continued "There have been some developments regarding the safety of a few of the members. As a result, we'll have some of those who are vulnerable moving in with us."

Harry looked at him curiously. "Who will be staying here?" he asked.

"Remus, your cousin Tonks, Fleur, and the Weasley family," Sirius replied. "They'll be here until the beginning of September when more safehouses will be up and running."

Draco groaned, causing everyone to look at him. "That means that prat Ron will be here," he muttered.

Narcissa shot him a stern look, and Draco quickly corrected himself. "I mean, I promise to be on my best behavior," he said, rolling his eyes.

Harry chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, at least there are some positives," he said. "Ginny, the twins, Tonks, and Fleur will be here too."

Draco sighed dramatically. "Yeah, but now we'll have to worry about Hermione 'visiting' more," he said sarcastically.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "I thought I told you they aren't a couple anymore, Draco," he reminded him. "Fleur and Hermione decided to just remain friends, especially since Hermione is still in school."

All three men failed to notice the intrigued look that flashed across Narcissa's face upon hearing that Hermione had been dating a woman.

Sirius went on to inform them, "You'll see Hermione and Neville anyway. There's a full Order meeting after dinner this evening, and they'll both be here. Along with their grandmother, who is one of the founding members of the Order."

###

August 3rd, 1995

Dinner was wrapping up at Grimmauld Place ahead of the Order meeting, filling the air with a mix of anticipation and tension. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the front hall, causing Mrs. Black's portrait to start screaming.

Bellatrix, who had been leaning against Minerva's shoulder, turned to her sister with a smirk. "I think our niece has arrived," she said, her voice laced with amusement.

Moments later, an embarrassed Tonks stumbled into the kitchen, accompanied by Mad-Eye and Kingsley. Turning to Minerva, Bellatrix, and Narcissa, Tonks said "Hi Aunties!" with a small wave before taking a seat next to Draco.

Molly, who had noticed that all the members expected for the meeting had finally arrived, took charge. "Ginny – Ron – Fred – George – Draco – Hermione – Neville – Harry – leave the kitchen, now.

All the younger adults immediately protested, their voices blending together in a cacophony of objections. "Hey, we are of age to know what's going on!" the twins pointed out together.

Augusta, sitting with a steely resolve, interjected, "Molly, that is not your decision to make. I want Hermione and Neville here. The better informed they are, the more likely they'll survive."

Sirius spoke up. "I agree," he said. "Harry will be at the center of this whether willing or not. He stays."

Narcissa nodded. "Draco has a high chance of being in the thick of this. He will also be allowed to stay.," he said.

Arthur wearily pointed out, "We can't stop Fred and George, they are of age and legal adults now."

Molly, unyielding, turned to her last two children and ordered them to leave. Neither Ron nor Ginny went quietly.

###

August 12th, 1995

As the hearing for Harry's use of underage magic continued, Fudge made a snide comment about the presence of dementors. "How convenient," he said. Dumbledore spoke up, "Actually, Cornelius, we have a witness to the dementor attack."

All eyes turned towards the door, where Narcissa and Draco had just entered the court. Draco took a deep breath and began to explain the dementor attack, emphasizing how Harry had saved his life by repelling the dark creatures.

Umbridge scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Oh, please," she said. "The boy is likely lying. He's a known friend of the defendant and growing up in an amoral family situation likely led to him not knowing better." She glanced at Narcissa, her eyes full of judgment. "It's part of the reason I am supporting the boy's father's petition for custody."

Narcissa's grip on her wand tightened, and she could feel the anger bubbling up inside her. She held her tongue for a moment, but as Umbridge continued to speak, sparks flew out from the tip of her wand.

Umbridge recoiled, a mixture of surprise and fear on her face. The courtroom fell into a brief moment of silence as everyone turned to look at Narcissa. She met Umbridge's gaze, her eyes filled with unspoken fury.

Fudge noticed the expressions around the room and being smart enough politically to know they likely lost, moved the hearing forward. The rest of the hearing went by quickly, and Harry was let off with a warning.

###

September 2nd 1995

It was the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class of the semester, and Hermione eagerly raised her hand, itching to ask a question. Umbridge, wearing a sickeningly sweet smile, called on Hermione. "And you are, dear?"

"Hermione Longbottom," Hermione replied confidently. Hermione then pointed to the board where the course aims were written. "I have a question about the course aims."

"Well, Miss Longbottom," Umbridge replied in her saccharine voice, "I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully."

Hermione took a deep breath. "There's no mention of practicing defensive magic," she said matter-of-factly.

Umbridge looked incredulous. "I can't imagine any situation arising in the classroom that would require the use of defensive spells," she said.

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Surely the whole purpose of defense is to practice defensive spells," she retorted.

Umbridge smiled condescendingly. "Miss Longbottom, I'm afraid you're not qualified to understand the purpose of a course," she said. "We will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way."

Harry couldn't help himself. "But if we were attacked, it wouldn't be risk-free," he interjected.

Umbridge turned her attention to Harry. "And who do you think children like you would be attacked by?" she asked.

Harry's voice was resolute. "Voldemort," he said, causing a murmur to ripple through the classroom.

Umbridge dismissed their concerns with a wave of her hand. "You are not in any danger, despite the unfounded rumors going around by unhinged boys, batty old men, and filthy half-breeds," she declared. "The return of Voldemort is a lie."

"It isn't a lie!" Harry exclaimed; his voice filled with frustration.

Hermione couldn't hold back. "And don't you dare refer to Fleur as a half-breed!" she yelled, anger flashing in her eyes.

Umbridge's expression turned icy. "Ah, I remember where I had heard your name before Miss Longbottom, you are the one who had the unseemly dalliance with that French creature. Detention, both of you. We will see if a week's worth of detention can't fix your insolence." she declared, her voice dripping with disdain.

###

September 3rd, 1995

Harry and Hermione sat at their desks, facing Professor Umbridge, who sat at the front of the room with a sickeningly sweet smile on her face.

"Mr. Potter," she said, "I'd like you to write out the phrase 'I must not tell lies' until the message sinks in."

Harry gritted his teeth, his hand twitching to reach for his wand. He looked down at the parchment in front of him and began to write, his quill scratching out the words on the page.

Hermione looked up at Umbridge. "And what am I supposed to write?" she asked.

Umbridge's smile widened. "Veela are inferior," she said.

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "How many times?" she asked, her voice trembling with anger.

"Until the message sinks in, of course," Umbridge replied, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

###

September 9th, 1995

During lunchtime, Fred and George approached Ginny, Draco, Neville, Hermione, and Harry with mischievous grins on their faces.

"Hey, have any of you had a class inspected yet?" Fred asked, barely able to contain his excitement.

Harry shook his head. "No, not yet. Why?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

Fred exchanged a knowing look with George before answering, "Well, let us tell you. Umbridge just tried to inspect Professor Black's class."

Harry's eyes widened. "What happened?" he asked, leaning in closer.

Fred began to explain with a gleam in his eyes, "Professor Black immediately hit her with Silencio, and then calmly pointed out that if she were a competent defense instructor, she should've been able to block that."

George chimed in, "And you should've seen Umbridge's face. She drew her wand on Professor Black, but she just raised an eyebrow and went 'Dolores do I need to remind you of our sixth year here?'"

"Umbridge went pale and turned tail and ran." Fred cackled.

###

Hermione paused the playback of the memories when she heard Narcissa's laughter filling the room. Everyone turned to look at her, curious about what had caused such amusement.

Narcissa tried to compose herself, her laughter subsiding to a few chuckles. "Merlin, I forgot Bella did that," she managed to say between giggles.

Draco, intrigued by his mother's reaction, couldn't help but ask, "What did Aunt Bella do?"

Narcissa took a deep breath, regaining her composure. She explained, "Umbridge was a thorn in everyone's side, especially her fellow Slytherins. One day, after she foolishly tried to pick a fight with Bella, Bella retaliated by transforming her into one of those tiny kittens she was obsessed with, complete with a pink bow."

The room burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "And what did Bella do with the kitten?" she asked, curious to know the rest of the story.

Narcissa grinned mischievously. "Well, she took the kitten and snuck into the first-year Hufflepuff girls' dormitory, leaving Umbridge there for an entire week before finally retrieving her. We don't know what they did, but Umbridge shuddered anytime she ran into one of those little girls for the rest of the year. Anyway, I am calm now so you can continue the playback."

###

September 14th, 1995

The Gryffindor common room was cloaked in silence, broken only by the gentle flicker of flames dancing in the hearth. Long past curfew, most of the students had retired to their dormitories. But for Harry, Hermione, Draco, Ginny, and Neville, the weight of the world pressed heavily on their minds as they huddled together on the couches.

Draco couldn't contain his frustration any longer, and his voice broke the stillness with a heavy sigh. "Umbridge is a nightmare," he muttered, the annoyance clear in his tone. "We need to do something about her."

Hermione nodded emphatically in agreement, her determined expression speaking volumes. "She's hindering our education, and it's unacceptable," she insisted. "We can't afford to have poor grades in Professor Black's Defense Against the Dark Arts class. It's the most crucial N.E.W.T we could take, especially now that Voldemort has returned. And let's not forget that Black is only accepting students who received an 'Outstanding' on their O.W.L."

Neville's anger simmered just below the surface, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Umbridge is practically delivering us into the hands of the Death Eaters by preventing us from learning how to defend ourselves," he growled.

Hermione paused, considering her next words carefully. "Harry," she said, turning to him with an intense gaze, "what if we form a defense group? We can practice and learn defensive spells together. You have more experience than any of us, so you could teach us."

Harry hesitated, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "I'm not sure I'm qualified to teach," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

But Hermione refused to let him back down. Placing a firm hand on his arm, she spoke with unwavering conviction. "Harry, think about it," she implored. "You've stood face-to-face with Voldemort himself. You've battled Death Eaters and Dementors. We need someone who understands the true dangers out there."

Harry sighed, realizing the truth in her words. Reluctantly, he agreed, "Okay, I'll think about it.

###

November 7th, 1995

Harry's elation at winning the game for Gryffindor was short-lived. As he basked in the glory of catching the Snitch, Theodore Nott landed nearby, his face twisted in anger. His bitter words stung Harry like a wasp's venom. "Saved Black's neck, did you?" he spat, "I've never seen a worse Keeper, but then again, he was born in sin. Did you like my lyrics, Potter?"

Harry turned away, trying not to give Nott the satisfaction of a reaction. But Nott was relentless. His voice dripped with malice as he continued to taunt Harry, "I wanted to add another couple of verses," he sneered, "But I couldn't find a good rhyme for 'blood traitor' and 'slag'. I wanted to sing more about his mother. I hear she is living with you now, do you get a free ticket to ride or do you have to pay like her other customers?"

###

Draco's eyes darted awkwardly towards his mother as he listened to the harsh words spoken about her in the original timeline. It was utterly appalling how the wizarding society held such misguided ideals against single mothers. The whole situation left a bitter taste in his mouth, reminding him of the pervasive ignorance and prejudice that still persisted.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense and heavy, Ginny intervened with her signature playful humor, attempting to lighten the mood. "You must admit, Draco, that 'Weasley is our King' was hardly a masterpiece."

Draco couldn't help but chuckle at Ginny's attempt to distract everyone. He understood her intention and appreciated the effort. "Well," he responded with a sly grin, "I like the thought of all the Slytherins singing 'Draco is our King'. I think it has a certain ring to it, don't you?"

###

December 19th, 1995

As they arrived at Mr. Weasley's room, a healer was already inside, preparing to change his bandages. Harry, Draco, Ginny, and the twins decided to wait in the nearby waiting room, giving the healer some space. Ron petulantly followed, grumbling under his breath.

Augusta's eyes softened as she looked at the Weasley children. "I heard what happened. Please convey my well wishes to your father," she said kindly. Addressing Hermione and Neville in a firmer tone, she added, "And you two, don't tarry too long. We mustn't keep your parents waiting."

As her grandmother walked down the hallway, Hermione turned to Ginny and embraced her, offering her condolences. "I'm so sorry to hear about your dad," she said sincerely.

Ron, witnessing the hug, flew into a fit of rage. He yanked Hermione back, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.

Drawing his wand, Ron pointed it at Hermione and hissed, "Keep your filthy, unnatural hands off my sister!"

Ginny and the others were about to hex Ron in defense of Hermione when a stern voice interrupted them. It was Mrs. Weasley, who had just entered the waiting room. Disarming her youngest son, she approached him, her eyes flashing with disappointment.

"Ronald Weasley, this is not how you were raised!" she scolded, her voice filled with a mix of anger and shock. "We will discuss your prejudiced views when we get home. You come with me, we will see what your father has to say about this."

The group stood in stunned silence as Mrs. Weasley led Ron away, her voice still carrying down the corridor as she scolded him.

###

March 27th 1996

Harry stood in the center of the room, facing the members of Dumbledore's Army. He explained to them the intricacies of casting a Patronus, going through the motions and emphasizing the importance of a powerful, happy memory. As he finished his explanation, he walked around the room, observing as the students began to practice.

Within moments, Hermione had a silvery otter gamboling around her feet. Grinning like a loon she was completely enamored with her patronus.

Draco couldn't resist as he looked at Hermione. "Thinking about a certain Veela, were you?" he teased, a hint of mischief in his voice.

Hermione just replied coyly, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Draco looked at her, and smirked, "Yes, how else will I get a 'happy' memory to cast from?"

Meanwhile, Neville had been listening to the conversation with only half an ear. He was too busy concentrating on his own thoughts, searching for his happiest memory. Suddenly, he shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"

In an instant, a magnificent silvery stag burst forth from Neville's wand, prancing before him.

###

Harry and Neville watched the memory unfold before them, their eyes widening in disbelief. In unison, they exclaimed, "Holy shit."

Turning to Neville, Harry couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Neville, has your Patronus always been a stag?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

Neville shook his head, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty on his face. "I've never cast a corporeal Patronus before," he admitted. He paused for a moment, gathering his resolve. With determination in his voice, he called out, "Expecto Patronum!" The same silver stag seen in the memory burst forth from his wand, galloping around the room.

"Yay! And now that is three!" Luna exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.

Harry blushed, feeling slightly self-conscious. He scratched the back of his neck nervously and suggested, "Maybe we can talk about it later, Neville, after we finish watching the memories?"

Neville nodded shyly in agreement, looking a bit flustered.

###

June 18th, 1996

After the History of Magic O.W.L. exam, Hermione, Neville, and Draco caught up with Harry, their faces etched with concern.

"What happened, Harry?" Hermione asked anxiously.

Harry took a deep breath before replying. "Voldemort has Sirius. He's been captured."

Shock and disbelief rippled through the group. Neville's eyes widened in horror, while Hermione's expression turned thoughtful.

"But how is that possible?" Hermione queried. "It's the middle of the day, and surely, Voldemort wouldn't go unnoticed."

Harry shook his head. "I don't know how it happened, but I have to save Sirius. I can't let him be taken to Voldemort."

Hermione looked at Harry with a mixture of worry and doubt. "Harry, we can't just rush in blindly. We need to verify that Sirius is really in danger before we do anything."

Draco chimed in, "It's too bad Aunt Minerva and Aunt Bella are indisposed. We could have asked them to contact Sirius."

After a moment of silence, Draco's expression shifted, "Actually, on second thought, it's a good thing the other professors sedated Bellatrix before she could kill those aurors or Umbridge for attacking Aunt Minerva. Aunt Min would be quite cross if she ended up in Azkaban."

Neville spoke up, "Why don't we just try to Floo Sirius to see if he's there?"

The group nodded, silently agreeing that it was a sensible course of action.

###

June 18th, 1996

In the heart of the Department of Mysteries, the room crackled with tension as the students of Dumbledore's Army, accompanied by members of the Order, engaged in fierce duels against the Death Eaters. Spells clashed and echoed, filling the air with a chaotic symphony of light and sound.

Harry, his wand raised high, stood shoulder to shoulder with Neville, Bellatrix, Sirius, and Augusta. They formed an unyielding barrier by the mysterious veil, their determination radiating from their very beings. Each of them fought with unwavering resolve, their eyes ablaze with defiance.

Rodolphus Lestrange, a cruel smirk on his face, hurled a malevolent red jet of light towards Sirius. Acting on instinct, Sirius swiftly ducked, narrowly evading the deadly curse. His voice dripping with sarcasm, he taunted, "Is that the best you can do, Lestrange? I expected more!"

But before he could finish his taunt, a second spell struck Sirius, catching him off guard. The impact sent him stumbling backward, perilously close to the ominous veil that seemed to beckon from beyond.

Bellatrix, ever alert and protective, reacted with lightning speed. She grabbed hold of Sirius, her grip firm, and sharply scolded him, her voice laced with urgency. "Stop taunting, you fool! Pay attention!" With a swift movement, they reengaged the nearest Death Eaters, ensuring they positioned themselves strategically amidst the chaos.

Neville, unaware of the near-tragedy that had befallen Sirius, remained rooted in the same spot before the veil. Oblivious to the danger that lurked behind him, he fought valiantly, his determination unyielding.

A masked Death Eater, his gaze fixated on the vulnerable boy, seized the opportunity. Casting the curse "Diffindo" with a cold, calculated precision, he aimed directly at Neville. The sound of the incantation reached Augusta's ears, and in a heartbeat, she spun around.

Realizing the imminent peril, Augusta's instincts took over. Without hesitation, she pushed Neville aside, diverting the curse meant for him. The cruel magic struck her side with a sickening thud, sending her tumbling through the veil.

###

Harry's frustration and anguish had been festering since finding out about the time traveler, and now it erupted like a volcano as he leapt out of his chair, his voice cracking with desperation. "Sirius survived! We can't stay in this timeline. Bella turned to the dark side, Hermione and Neville were separated, and I had to endure the Dursleys. Cedric was murdered, and then Sirius died too, along with so many other things. We have to go back to the original timeline as soon as possible!"

Hermione, her voice calm yet firm, reached out to Harry, trying to soothe his turbulent emotions. "Harry, we need to finish going through at least the Battle of Hogwarts," she said, her voice steady. "There is a huge spike of variation there. We need to ensure the wizarding world will be safe from Voldemort, even if this timeline seems to have turned out worse for most of us."

Neville, his face had turned pale while he watched that last memory. He could hardly bear the weight of his own losses, regardless of the timeline. He spoke up, his voice filled with sorrow, "It doesn't seem to matter which timeline we're in. I still lost most of my family either way."

Harry looked at Neville, his expression filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Neville," he said sincerely, understanding the pain his friend had endured.

Neville waved him off, mustering a small smile. "It's alright, Harry," he replied. "My grandmother would have much preferred to go down in a blaze of heroic glory rather than having spent the last two years wasting away from Dragon Pox before finally succumbing."

With that, Neville stood up, excusing himself from the lab. He needed some time to gather his thoughts. The group all watched him go, their heart breaking for the young man, all except for Ginny who was staring at the screen deep in thought. Something Hermione said nagged at Ginny, but she couldn't quite pin down the thought.