Hogwarts, May 2, 1998
When the wounded after the battle at Hogwarts had received the medical help they needed, the headmistress approached a tired Hermione. Minerva knew if everything she and Albus worked so hard for was going to work, she had to move quickly, no time to waste.
Hermione was sitting outside the great hall, resting against a pillar, when Minerva approached.
"Hermione, dear, please follow me. I have something that's yours in my office.
"Of course, headmistress." Getting up slowly, I was still sore after a nasty fall during the battle that cracked a few ribs.
"It's Minerva, dear," she said, holding out her arm for me to support myself while walking up to her office.
Walking up the stairs in silence, taking in the damage to the castle. Parts of the castle were totally demolished. Smiling sadly at Minerva, and she pats my hand, nodding as she too watches the destruction of the castle with sad eyes. It's really a tragedy. Not only the innocent people that lost their lives, but also the damage to the castle that's been my home for years, and even longer for Minerva.
Minerva taps the gargoyle with her wand and mumbles, "Nimue." The door slides open, and we walk up the moving spiral stairs. Looking around Minervas office, my eyes land on the portrait of a familiar face. Eyes twinkling like usual, and a small secret smile on his face.
"Hello, Miss Granger." I blink, and tears slide down my chin.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore." My voice wavered as I smiled sadly at his portrait.
"Don't shed your tears for me, Miss Granger. I lived a full life, filled with both happiness and sorrow.".
He turns to Minerva.
"Minerva, my dear, I believe Miss Granger might be in need of some potions. There are some on the shelf behind you. A pain relief potion should do the trick, I believe."
I smiled gratefully at Professor Dumbledore and thanked Minerva as she handed me the potion. I drain it quickly and sigh in relief as the pain in my ribs flows away.
"Now, we have some serious matters to attend to. Please hand Miss Granger the envelope in the second drawer," Albus says to Minerva.
She nods and waves her hand over the drawer. The lock clicks and slides out, revealing a thick envelope inside.
Minerva picks it up to put it on the desk, and I move closer to the desk. The envelope is humming with magic, and I feel drawn to it. When Dumbledore's portrait clears his throat, I slowly drag my eyes away from it and look over at the portrait.
Dumbledore smiles gently.
"I'm not the most straight-forward kind of wizard, as you know, Miss Granger," he jokes and winks, making me giggle.
"But in this matter, I find it most useful to be just that, straight forward.
Inside this envelope lies a vial, its content is almost like a memory or a prophecy, if you will. Watching the memory will change your life, Miss Granger. And to make that change, you have to make a decision. One that you might find difficult in these times."
He pauses and looks at me thoughtfully. Blue eyes twinkling and secretive.
What could it possibly be? I feel my curiosity grow and my mind spin. I nod my head for him to continue.
"If you take this chance, it means you have to stay out of any type of romantic relationship for one year. I know of your romance with the youngest Weasley boy, so think carefully about your answer.
In times after war, it is easy to fall back on the past and rely on what we think is safe, but one can learn a lot in a year. Both good and bad.
To love and allow yourself to evolve on your own with only yourself as your greatest ally is the biggest reward." He pauses
"The envelope needs a vow to open, Miss Granger." He finally says
Hearing the conditions of the vow makes me a little wary. It really seems serious if I need to make a vow, and what happens if I fail? I sit down heavely in the chair in front of Minervas desk.
"What happens if I do make the vow but later break it?" I ask
"An excellent question, but I'm afraid I can't answer it before you make the vow. Just remember that Minerva and I have your best interests at heart.
Let's just say that the vow has fewer negative outcomes than if you do not make it."
What happened with straight-forward I think and glance at Minerva. Her face is calm, and her smile is friendly as always. I do trust them, but a vow is serious.
"It is only for a year, Hermione, and after the year you've just had, living every day running from death, it's going to pass by faster than you know," Minerva reassures me and smiles.
Thinking about ending my newly formed relationship with Ron, and I felt myself relax.
I immediately feel guilty.
Wasn't I supposed to be happy that we finally took the step of becoming something more than friends? I knew my answer before I even finished that thought.
No, I wasn't in love with Ron anymore, if I ever was.
Pursuing a relationship with him would only be for him and not for me. The pressure from everyone around who always thought we would end up together is not enough to settle for a relationship not built on love. And after he left Harry and me in the woods while hunting for the horcruxes, he lost all my respect, and I can't trust him.
Shaking my head, no, I would not do anything just to please someone else. Surviving a war makes you see life differently, and I know a relationship with Ron will be a failure, and I know his values. He would probably want us to settle down, get married, and have kids over the next year, and that makes me nauseous thinking about it. We are too young and have been robbed of the freedom of being kids for far too long.
Additionally, he doesn't understand my need for knowledge or my ambition to work and help change the world.
He doesn't understand me at all, to be honest.
I think back on all the times he made me cry or lashed out in anger. Ruining the Yule Ball in our fourth year because of jealousy, and then getting his revenge with Lavender in our sixth year.
And I also feel like I could sleep for a year, so the thought of not committing to anything seems like a perfectly reasonable deal. And I'm too curious not to take the chance. Even though Professor Dumbledores actions over the years are questionable, I trust Minerva with my life.
With my mind made up, I clear my throat, straighten my posture, and look at Minerva and then at Professor Dumbledore's portrait.
"I promise to not enter a romantic relationship or date anyone for a year." I feel the vow settle over me as I say this. Tingling and soothing, like a cleansing.
"A great choice, my dear, a great choice! Now, Minerva, if you will, please handle Miss Granger's envelope."
Turning towards the desk, Minerva smiles reassuringly, and she looks relieved. I reach for the envelope. My fingers tingle when I touch it, and a golden glow lights up the envelope, and the seal breaks.
Peeling it open, catching the vial, and setting it down on the desk before taking out the letter. Minerva moves around the desk, squeezing my shoulder.
"I'm going to collect the pensive; I'm proud of your choice, my dear." I hear her walk out of the office, and I'm alone with the letter in my hand. Nervously, I unfold the parchment.
"Dear Miss Granger, you are courageous and brave like a true Gryffindor. I've always admired your resilience and determination. Your loyalty is a beauty to witness and be blessed with.
I've made many wrongs in my time, and I've worked hard to right my wrongdoings. I feel like this is the last step in my redemption. I had the fortune, together with Minerva, to take a glimpse into the future. A beautiful future with unlimited possibilities. One that you're now on the path of reaching. The only thing you have to sacrifice is one year of your life, and by the time the year is over, you're going to have more clarity and answers to some of your current questions. Keep your head high, Miss Granger, and don't let other people's expectations and their opinions of your life get in the way. People always reveal their true colours in the end.
Try to remember that choosing yourself first is not wrong and that you don't owe anyone anything.
Your brilliant mind and your skills have already helped save our world.
Myself and Minerva will always be here for you. Never hesitate to ask for help or guidance.
I've taken the liberty to hand over a portion of my will to you. Money and old trinkets are of no use to a dead man, but I hope you'll find them useful.
I have also made sure you have a good home. It is a property I bought many years ago. It was intended to be my sister Ariana's future home. I think it will suit you.
She had the same kindness as you do, Miss Granger.
Inside the envelope, you'll find a note with a location and a key. It's a heavily warded property, and with a small drop of your blood on the key, you'll be able to apparate directly. The property will provide you with everything you need. That includes a small library with all the books I've collected over the years, as well as my private notebooks.
I hope you'll find them enlightening. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope the vial will help give you some more clarity.
Be true to yourself and trust your mind.
When the heart fails, the mind will concur.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore"
My hands shake by the time I've read through the letter. I look at Professor Dumbledore's portrait, noticing it's now empty. Sneaky old man.
The door behind me opens, and Minerva walks back inside, the pensive hovering in the air behind her. Feeling nervous, I grab the vial, watching the silvery threads move inside.
Minerva lets the pensive float in the air next to her desk. She walks back to the cabinet behind the desk and pulls out two glasses and a tumbler of whiskey before sitting down.
"Let me tell you a little about what Albus and I discovered, it will answer your question about breaking the vow, "she says, motioning for me to take my glass before taking a sip of her own.
Closing her eyes for a moment before she starts telling me
"When Albus learned of the task assigned to Mr. Malfoy in your 6th year, we decided to explore the room of requirement. It should have been done ages ago, but we always thought of it as a dump—nothing to be bothered with. How wrong we were."
She pauses to take another sip before continuing.
"As you know, the room changes depending on your needs. A few days after Albus told me of his plans regarding his death, I was feeling defeated and roamed the halls trying to understand his reasoning when the door appeared before me. When I stepped inside, the room was filled from floor to ceiling with vials, just like the one in the envelope. I didn't dare touch anything, not knowing what it was or how it was connected to what I was feeling or thinking when the door appeared.
I sent my patronus to Albus, telling him to come, and waited. When he arrived, he was as confused as me, which made me even more cautious. The room, as if it felt our confusion, provided us with the answer.
A pensive descended from above our heads, and a vial levitated out from one of the shelves hovering above the surface. Albus tipped the content in, and we dove inside.
She pauses again, draining her glass before refilling it.
"What did you see?" I ask to curious not to. I take a small sip of the strong drink and wince when it burns in my throat.
"We saw the future under Voldemort's ruling, it was a bloodbath filled with death and violence so brutal that even the most loyal supporters tried to run away." Her voice trembles, and she swallows.
"When the sequence ended, the room sent forward another vial, this time we both hesitated for a long time before emptying it in the pensive to watch. To both of our relief, it showed us another alternative for the future. It was colorful and full of life and prosperity. After getting back from that one, we emptied vial after vial and watched countless possible futures and soon realized that the ones with a good outcome were the ones where you survived."
Minerva's eyes focus on me, and I swallow nervously.
"What does that mean?" I ask.
A voice to my right startles me, and I jump in my chair, looking up at Professor Dumbledores portrait. "It means that without you, my dear Miss Granger, the world that we know and love would have been nothing more than a fairytale in a history book."
His smile warm and proud, and his eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
"There is no denying that your role in this war was crucial, but to what extent was something only Minerva and myself knew about. We couldn't jeopardize the future by telling anyone. Would this information land in the wrong hands you would have been more hunted than Harry ever was." His words sink in, making me feel uneasy.
"And my departure left poor Minerva alone with the burden of knowing the possible disastrous outcome had you not survived the war, Miss Granger." Understanding the seriousness of what I've just been told makes me a little dizzy, but I'm also relieved that it all came to pass.
Looking over at Minerva, I'm filled with such gratitude and love, and my tears fall as I launch myself out of my chair to hug her.
This amazing woman and witch introduced me to the magical world all those years ago and always took care of me. Always made sure I was okay and supported me all the way. Her arms wrapped around me make me feel safe and warm, with one hand stroking my hair in such a loving way that it makes me cry harder. Letting out all the emotions I've been carrying over the past year. The fear, the anger. I am crying for the loss of people I love. Feeling relieved that it's all over.
"Thank you, "I manage to croak between sobs.
"It is I who should thank you, my dear." She whispers back, her voice thick with tears of her own, and we stand there in her office, hugging.
A few moments later, I slowly let go of her, she smiles and raise a hand, and wiped away my tears.
"Are you ready to watch the'memories'? She asks, and she tucks a stray curl behind my ear.
The action is so loving and comforting that it almost makes me start crying again, but I swallow the lump in my throat and take a deep breath before nodding my head.
I grab the vial, and we walk over to the pensive together.
"Don't be nervous, my dear, I'll accompany you. There are things you're not supposed to see yet."
Minerva takes my hand in hers, her smile reassuring.
"It's going to be all right, Hermione, you'll see."
Feeling myself relax, I smile at her.
"thank you"
I pop the lid on the vial and pour the silvery contents inside the pensive. Minerva's hands tighten around mine as I take a deep breath before we dive inside.
Minerva and I land inside a spacious living room that is styled in earthly tones. A big fireplace with lots of framed pictures on the mantle. I take a step closer to get a better look at the pictures, but the sound of a door opening behind me makes me pause and turn around. Coming face-to-face with myself. Memory me is holding a basket full of muddy vegetables. Toeing off her shoes and then walking around the corner.
I follow close behind, ending up in a kitchen. I know now that this must be the house Albus signed over to me.
The kitchen is exactly what I've always dreamed about. Spacious without being too big, the cabinet doors are painted a pale blue colour with knobs in a white flower design and gold details. A big stove with an oven and big counters with space to prepare food and bake. A big fridge and a freezer. Looking around, I notice that the house seems like it's run on electricity. I smile to myself, knowing I will, in the future, manage to make the electricity work alongside magic.
"I look happy," I whisper under my breath. I feel Minerva behind me.
"Yes, Hermione, but there will be hard times too. The next memory will be hard to watch, so prepare yourself."
Watching the lovely kitchen disappear, only to be replaced with another kitchen. One that I recognize well I look at Minerva.
"The burrow?" I ask, and she nods her head in affirmation. I can hear shouting from upstairs, and I walk up the stairs slowly with Minerva close behind. I recognize my own voice, I sound tired and resigned. I open the door and watch my memory self. I'm sitting on the bed with Ron towering over me.
His face was red in anger. "But I don't understand Mione, why? We belong together. Everyone but you can see that."
"I don't care what other people think, Ronald; this is my life, and I won't let anyone dictate it."You're my best friend, nothing more!" My voice is strong, but I can hear the frustration and pain.
"But I don't wanna be just your best friend. I want to be your boyfriend and your husband. I want to take care of you."
"I don't need anyone taking care of me!" I interrupt, irritated. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I'm getting sick of fighting with you over this again and again. It's getting rather tiresome."
"It wouldn't be tiresome if you could just listen and stop lying to yourself! We belong together!"
He shouts in her face, spit flying everywhere, and he steps closer, grabbing her roughly by the arm. I can see in my memory self that it hurts. He leans forward to whisper something in her ear, and I'm just about to take a step closer so that I hear what he's saying when Minerva grabs my shoulder again. She moves to stand next to me, looking sadly over at the scene in front of us. "The next part is not something I want you to see right now. We can come back to that later."
Just before the scene changes, I catch a glimpse of me lying on the floor, holding my face, crying. I feel my stomach drop.
ShockedI look up at Minerva, her face sad. "Is this something that will happen because of my choice or something that would have happened if I didn't?" I ask in a shaky whisper.
She looks tired and sighs, "Both, I promise I will explain one we are finished watching."
The next scene forms around us, and we are standing in a small, secluded park. Big trees surround the area, and the sun is shining. In the shadow underneath a big oak tree is Minerva. She is sitting on a wooden bench dressed in cedar coloured suit pants and a dark blue long-sleeved blouse.
It's a shock to see her dressed so casually. She looks older but at the same time younger, with a relaxed look on her face as she sits reading a book.
A tinkling laugh makes me look away from Minerva as a little girl in a green sundress runs towards her. Her long black curly hair was flowing behind her, a big smile was on her face, and her gray eyes were framed with thick lashes. She trips and falls, and I move closer, feeling worried. Did she hurt herself?
Her laughter makes me relax, and she gets up on her short legs and continues towards Minerva.
"Gramma, Look!" She yells excitedly and jumps, only to float above the ground for a few seconds before landing again.
Minerva laughs and claps her hands.
"Well done, darling."
Stunned, I gasp and take a step back, spinning around and staring at Minerva. Her eyes are misty with tears, and her smile is proud. I open my mouth, but I don't know what to say. Before I'm able to turn around and get a better look at the little girl, the scene changes again.
"No, please go back." I beg and grab Minerva's hand.
"Don't fret, my dear; this I know will happen because of your choice, "she says, smiling and patting my hand.
She motions for me to turn around. "This is the last one for now."
Turning around, I see that we are in Hogsmeade, standing outside a small apothecary.
"Look at the sign above the door, Hermione."
In black, bold letters read "Prince Potions." I gasp and run towards the door, stepping right through it, only to come face-to-face with Severus Snape. I let out a relieved sob, he survived!
He is standing behind the counter, looking bored and staring out of the window, when the bell above the door chimes.
"You are late. Did you walk from Wyre, Miss Granger?"
I spin around, watching myself take my robes off and smirking at Professor Snape.
"Don't be silly, Severus. I'm not late, it is you who insist on coming in too early, and besides, it would be impossible for me to walk all the way from Wyre to Hogsmeade. My legs are much too short!"
I smile and watch a slow smile spread over Professor Snape's face, and a short laugh escapes him.
"That is true, I would not be able to tell the difference between a Dachshund and yourself if it wasn't for your hair."
The scene dissolves, and we are back in Minervas office again. Stumbling over to the chair and sitting down, resting my head in my hands. My head is pounding, and I feel slightly nauseous. There are so many questions spinning around, and I don't know where to start.
Minerva walks toward the cabinet behind her desk, pulls out a pepper-up, walks back to me, and stands beside my chair.
"Here, drink this. I know you have a lot of questions, and this will help clear your head, my dear.
Smiling in thanks I swallow the potion, giving the empty flask back to her, sighing in relief when the pounding in my head slowly fades.
"I don't even know where to start," I whisper, looking down at my hands. The scene with Ron flashes behind my eyes, and I shudder. I feel drained. My body feels heavy, and all I want to do is sleep, but there is still so much I want to know. Grabbing my glass of whiskey and taking a sip, thinking over everything.
The "memory" with Ron makes me uneasy. Did my choice make him into that person, or is that who he really is deep down?
"When I asked you if my choice made Ron hurt me like that, you said both. What did you mean?" I ask, still looking down at the ember-coloured liquid in my glass.
"As I told you, every vial that contained a bright outcome for the future depended on you staying alive. At first, we were so relieved and thought we had the answer we needed, but then we continued watching the rest of the vials, and one thing became clear. You would survive and save our world, but would slowly deteriorate and become an unhappy shell of the girl, woman, we know." She pauses, looking over at me, her eyes sad.
"There was one factor in every one of them that made you unhappy, and that was your relationship with Ronald Weasley. There were times when you would be happy for a short period of time, but it always ended the same. You are unhappy. We left the vial room, and weeks went by. Albus and I were watching you and the way your relationship evolved. Noticing the signs of your growing affection for the boy and his ignorant behavior regarding your feelings," she takes another sip, shaking her head, brows furrowed, and mouth set in a hard line.
"I'm sorry to say that we both were relieved when he got together with Miss Brown. It saddened me to watch you get your heart broken, but at the same time, it made me hope for another future for you. Then he got poisoned, and you know the result of that." Her voice was bitter at the end.
Watching her face display such disgust at the thought of Ron makes a small giggle burst out before I can stop it.
Minerva looks at me, surprised at my reaction, and hides my smile behind my hand.
"Your face portrays very clearly your thoughts about him, you remind me of my mother, "I say and smile before continuing.
"She hated him from the moment she first met him, and she repeatedly made her thoughts about him clear."
Minerva smirks "She sounds like a smart woman." I nod my head. She really was and is.
"A few days after the incident with Mr. Weasley being poisoned, Albus and I were having tea here in his office when I decided that I would do anything in my power to make sure you got the future you deserved. Albus was hesitant at first, afraid that if we changed something, it could change the whole outcome. I argued that there were so many of them that trying to change one wouldn't hurt. And I was right."
She smiles smugly and looks at Albus portrait.
"We worked on many different options and finally settled on the one that we presented to you. No romantic relationships for a year, and a push in another direction. We went back to the room of requirement and noticed that more vials had appeared on the shelves.
She smiles, and her eyes shine with happiness. "It was beautiful, Hermione. It was so beautiful, and we knew that we had made the right choice. Now there were several vials containing a different life for you, a happy ending."
She glances over at Albus portrait, and I follow her gaze and smile when I see that he is asleep in his frame.
"Since there is more than one happy future, I can't say for sure how your life is going to turn out. All I know is that you are going to be happy, live a long life, and become a mother to that lovely girl we saw in that memory."
I smile fondly thinking about the little girl, it feels good knowing that it's in my future to become a mother. I do not want to become a mother right now, but in the future I wish to have my own family.
That thought makes me think about my parents, and I let out a shaky breath.
"She called you grandma, I guess that means I won't be able to reverse the memory charm on my parents." I ask and meet her eyes. They are sad, and she shakes her head.
"No, I'm sorry, my dear; in all the vials, the good and the bad, you never got them back."
I swallow, blink back the tears, and nod my head. I knew there was a risk of losing them forever, but knowing they are safe in Australia makes it feel a little easier.
I yawn, all this information made me wake up a little, but now I feel myself close to collapsing. Knowing I'm allowed to relax for the first time in over a year makes me want to crawl in bed and not wake up for at least a week.
Minerva gets up and walks around her desk, summoning her robes. "The castle is in no shape to stay at overnight, you're welcome to stay at my house for as long as you need."
The overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love for this amazing woman makes me tear up again, and I smile gratefully at her and nod my head.
"I'd like that very much," I whisper.
We exit her office, and I offer her my arm when she stumbles on some rubble on the floor. As we walk down towards the great hall, the castle is silent and the halls are empty.
The doors to the great hall are open, and we can hear people talking.
Standing at the entrance, we watch the rows of people we lost covered in white sheets. Relatives and friends are sitting huddled together, some crying softly, and some are just staring out in space at nothing.
The red hair of the Weasley family is easy to spot among all the people, they are sitting in the same spot as they did before Minerva summoned me.
Next to Fred's covered body.
Arthur is hugging George close and rocking him softly while Ron cries into Molly's shoulder.
I meet her eyes over his shoulder, and she smiles sadly before closing her eyes.
Minerva wraps her arm around my shoulder.
"Let's go home," she says, and I rest my head on her shoulder, closing my eyes, feeling the pull of the side-long apparition pulling me away.