Chapter 47: Godric's Hollow

It was getting dark outside as Harry tied his shoelaces in the living room. His mind was still in McGonagall's office. He couldn't believe the smile on her face when he turned into a huge lion right in front of her. However, when Hermione turned into a lioness, McGonagall's smile was then replaced with utter shock.

"How on Earth is that possible!" She cried.

Harry and Hermione quickly turned back into human forms.

"Professor, that's not everything," Hermione informed before smiling at Harry. He knew it was time to show his other form.

"What in Merlin's name!"

She went on about how extraordinary Harry's split forms were. However, she had absolutely no idea how it was possible. It turned out that even one of the smartest living witches didn't know how exactly Harry managed to take on two different Animagus forms. The main thing she mused about was Harry's and Hermione's identical form of a male and female lion. Harry didn't think much of this at first and neither did Hermione. But McGonagall was quick to point out that this kind of situation was just as rare as Harry's split forms. Further complicating the entire situation.

"Further study is required, I'm afraid. But I will summon you the moment I find something out." She informed them before congratulating on successful transformation and then disappearing off to the library.

"You sure you and McGonagall aren't related?" Harry teased Hermione on their way out.

Once his shoelaces were all tied up, he grabbed his jacket and made his way to the stairs.

"Hermione, I'll be waiting for you outside!" He called

"Okay!" Her voice came from the master bedroom.

"Beamey." Said Harry as the Elf popped out of thin air right in front of him. "Hermione and I will be leaving for a little bit. We should be back before midnight, but just in case we come back later, don't bother staying up for us, we'll be fine."

The elf nodded, "Beamey understands. But Beamey will not be going to bed very early today."

"How come?" Harry asked.

"Beamey always stays up this year to speak with Master James and Mistress Lily."

"You speak with them?"

The elf nodded again, "Every year, yes. Beamey likes to tell how much she misses them. This time it will be much nicer because Beamey can tell them how happy she's been taking care of Harry and Hermione."

"Do they ever… answer?" Harry asked, hoping the elf doesn't find his question rude or disrespectful. Truth be told, at this point he wouldn't be surprised if house-elves could somehow communicate with the dead. Ever since he met his very first house-elf, Dobby, he's been finding out again and again just how powerful their magic can be.

"No, but Beamey knows that they listen. They can also listen to Harry too if he wishes to speak with them."

Harry couldn't really think of an answer to that. He just gave the elf and sad smile before heading towards the door. "Well… regardless, I'd rather have you not wait for us. Go to bed whenever you desire, Beamey. Hermione and I will be fine."

The elf nodded happily before disappearing. Harry knew that the elf had her own little room somewhere in the Potter mansion. But he was yet to ask her about it. Maybe one day the elf would invite him round.

The cold evening air felt pleasant as he stepped outside into the front yard. He could still make out some of the countrysides as the final bits of sunshine disappeared in the sky. He took in a couple of long deep breaths before Hermione joined him. She was wearing a pink scarf and was also carrying a smaller black one in her hand. She handed it to him, smiling.

"Thanks," Said Harry as he wrapped the scarf around his neck.

"You always forget." She told him.

"That's exactly what I have you for." He answered before taking hold of her hand. "You want to do the honours?"

Harry knew Hermione was much better than him at apparating. Mostly because she was older by almost a year and had more time to practise. And even during the Horcrux hunt, she did most of the apparating. Harry was almost certain she could probably apparate between continents at this rate. Although he would never dare her to try. Even the best wizards could suffer great injuries from such long-distance apparition.

Hermione tightened her hold on his hand, and within a blink, they appeared in a small dark alleyway. Harry allowed for his vision to clear up before letting go of her hand.

"Did it work?"

"Yeah, this is the place. I just picked a slightly different area, I didn't want to risk bumping into someone on the high street. It isn't exactly late yet and it's a Saturday." Hermione told him.

Harry chuckled, "Honestly, what would I do without you? I have no idea."

Hermione gave a shy smile. "Well someone has to think of these things."

"I'm beginning to think if you ever left me, I'd probably just curl up into a ball and hibernate for the rest of my life."

Hermione took hold of his face with both of her hands and got so close their noses were almost touching. "Harry Potter, I will NEVER ever leave you. Understand?"

"I pray." He smiled before giving her a quick kiss and grabbing on to her hand.

They turned back towards the light of the street ahead and moved out of the alleyway. Sure enough, voices and laughs were coming from a couple of pubs not too far away. The sound of televisions and radios could be heard coming from houses all around them. In the distance, Harry could still hear children knocking on doors and chanting 'trick or treat!'.

"Oh yeah, and it's Halloween," Hermione added.

They walked slowly down the familiar street before the statue of Harry's parents appeared in view. However, at this exact moment, it was an obelisk, for muggles anyway. It had carved names of people who died in the war. However, when a wizard gets closer, for their eyes only, the obelisk would slowly change into the potter memorial. It looked exactly how Harry remembered it from last year. Come to think of it, it hasn't been all that long since they last visited. He hoped they'd leave in a much more peaceful manner this time around. He also noticed that a small group of people were gathered around the obelisk. They were clearly wizards. You could always tell by their clothing, especially during the autumn and winter period when wizards love to wear large cloaks and hats.

As Harry and Hermione slowly approached the obelisk, its shapes and colours slowly started to shift and change into the memorial Harry remembered. And now in front of him, he could see his dad, who could easily be mistaken for him, and his mum along with the small baby on her lap. A couple of heads turned towards them as Harry and Hermione got closer. Harry expected any minute now for someone to approach him and start asking questions. But instead, they all just gave him nods of appreciation before turning back to the memorial. Some muttered something quietly under their breath, while others simply stood in silence. Harry spotted one witch sobbing quietly while her husband hugged her.

Hermione's hold tightened as she wrapped both of her hands around Harry's arm, resting her chin on his shoulder. Harry's mind went blank again. Just like last time he stood here. He felt slightly confused. He always expected to feel great sadness when facing pictures or memorials of his parents. But instead, he always just felt a sense of emptiness. A part of him knew it was probably because he couldn't remember them. He couldn't remember his mother's voice. Or his father's. He couldn't remember being with them in the same room. The only memories he truly had of them were when he used the Resurrection Stone. That was the first time he faced his parents, although he knew that they were simply ghostly projections, nothing else. He wondered if the stone was still there, in the forest. Waiting to be found in the grass.

They stood there for a while until the church bells went off. Nine o'clock. Some of the wizards started to walk off. Probably going back to their homes. Some stayed. Harry didn't have much else to do here. He was ready to move on to the graveyard. Hermione instinctively lifted her head from his shoulder, almost as if she sensed his desire to move on.

They walked in silence towards the graveyard. Harry knew Hermione wanted to say something. He could feel she was tense. But they remained silent as they entered through the graveyard gates. This time around, Harry knew exactly where to go. They manoeuvered their way through the graves until they reached the familiar white marble gravestone. Made from the exact same material as Dumbledore's tomb. This all reminded Harry that he was still in possession of Dumbledore's elder wand. He knew he'd have to visit the tomb eventually and return the wand to its former owner.

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Read the inscription. Harry didn't quite understand why the quote was picked the first time he read it. Although now, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Voldermort used every means at his disposal to fight death. He even sacrificed his own soul to fend himself from it. Whereas Harry, just like his parents, sacrificed himself for the safety of others, and therefore conquering death, by accepting it. Just like the third brother, the original owner of the invisibility cloak.

Without saying anything, Hermione kneels down and takes out her wand, before pointing it at the bottom of the white marble. She whispers a spell as a beautiful wreath of flowers appears at the gravestone. This one, however, is a mix of green, red and yellow lily flowers. She then stands back and turns to Harry before kissing him. As Harry deepens the kiss, he can feel a single tear land against his cheek. She pulls away from him slowly and gives him a weak smile.

"Take as long as you need, love." She tells him, before walking off deeper into the graveyard.

Harry looks back down at the gravestone. A slight tension forming in his chest. At first, he hesitates, but then he realises he's alone, and no one can hear him. Not even Hermione.

"Hey guys." He says quietly.

It feels weird to speak to no one. But he can't help shaking off Beamey's words from his head. "They can also listen to Harry too if he wishes to speak with them."

"I don't know exactly how this works. But I guess if there's a chance you can hear me… somehow. Then I have nothing to lose."

He stands there in silence for a while, trying to construct words in his head.

"I'm sorry. I know that you had high hopes about the future. Or at least that's what it seemed like from the letters you wrote me. I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted it to. I'm sorry that you died for me. And that you never got see me grow up and grow old yourselves. I really hope that heaven exists, because I know that if it does, you guys deserve to be there. And also because I hope that maybe one day we will be able to see each other again." He found himself at a loss of words again. "I guess… I just wanted to let you know that I'm happy now. That your sacrifice didn't go in vain. I did everything I was supposed to do. I defeated him. And I found some great people along the way. I found a family that cares about me. I found friends who I'd give my life for. And I found Hermione. I think you guys would really like her. She's absolutely amazing. And I love her more than anything else in life. I love her just as much as you guys loved me. She makes me the happiest person alive. If Heaven exists, I know you'll get to meet her someday."

He looked over the gravestones, and he could see her in the distance. Reading memorials as she passed them. She was all he needed to be happy.

"I think… that's everything I wanted to say. I'll make sure to visit you every now and again. I also plan on fixing up the cottage. I think I might make it an orphanage home. I think you would really like that. Anyway, that's a conversation for a different day. I'll get going now. I love you guys."

And that was it. He read their names one last time, before turning away from the gravestone to catch up with Hermione. The tension in his chest was gone. He felt good. At first, he felt awkward speaking out loud, but eventually, it all became better. He knew he would do this again. He caught up to Hermione and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing the back of her head.

"You okay?" She asked.

"I'm perfect." He answered, "I love you."

She turned around to face him, "And I love you, Harry."

He looked down at the gravestone in front of them.

'Here lies John Weller. Loving father and husband.'

"Is this the one?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded, "I knew I saw it here. Just wanted to make sure. Still can't believe we just casually bumped into his only son."

"Well, you know me. Everything uncasual always casually happens to me."

Hermione laughed before taking hold of his hand, "Ready to go back? I really want to spend the rest of tonight cuddled up with my boyfriend on the couch."

Harry chuckled, "Sounds like one lucky guy."

"And I am one lucky girl." She added as they disappeared into thin air.


The ground was muddy as hell. He could feel himself slipping and sliding on every step. It was time to relocate somewhere else. Maybe to a nice thick forest. Somewhere without all this filthy rain, making everything so slippery and slimy. As he approached the tent, he heard other footsteps to his left. From complete darkness, Greyback appeared in his vision.

"Yaxley." Said the werewolf as he approached.

"Greyback. Did you scout anything interesting?"

"As a matter of fact, I did." The werewolf answered, with a menacing smile on his face.

Finally! "Oh, do tell."

"I saw Potter himself. He was at the gates today. With the mudblood." Greyback reported.

"You saw POTTER! That is great news! What's he look like? Is he in healthy shape? Anything different about him?" Yaxley asked. The adrenaline rush was giving him a crazy high. Potter was out there, and he wasn't even hiding. Fantastic news indeed.

"He's very alert. A slight noise of mine triggered his hearing almost instantly. The boy is well trained." Greyback seemed deeply disturbed by this.

"Well, he did defeat the dark lord after all. But I doubt his quick reflexes would do shit if all four of us charged at him all at once. And he was with the Granger girl you say?"

Greyback nodded. "She might prove to be a much bigger challenge than anticipated."

"How so?" Yaxley asked.

"I think Potter might be involved with the mudblood."

What a filthy blood traitor. The vanquisher of the dark lord involving himself with a disgusting mudblood. The thought made Yaxley's stomach turn. "I thought he was with the Weasley girl."

"I believe that information is no longer valid. I saw the way they acted around each other. He was very protective of her. It was the way an alpha male would shield his mate." The werewolf explained.

Yaxley smiled in excitement, "Greyback, my friend. I think our task just got a whole lot more interesting, and a whole lot more exciting. It appears we could take out two birds with one stone here. And achieve our goals all at once."

Greyback smiled again. The little glisten in his eye further increased Yaxley's adrenaline rush. He could already imagine the torture. They screaming. He could imagine Potter walking into the room. Seeing her filthy blood all over the floor, right before being executed himself.

"Come, my friend. We must inform the rest."

Death was on its way. And it was inevitable.


A/N: More of these will be coming shortly. I can safely say that the road towards some really huge events is slowly starting to form. Big things ahead of us.