A/N: I'm so incredibly grateful for the reviews and support. Poka. you've been with me since the start and you'll never know how much you've motivated me to see this story through. diablo2nd you're a saint typing out your review twice! Hopefully all your questions will be answered as this wraps up, but if not, please let me know and I'll make sure it's a satisfying end for you. Kibara you binged the whole series?! I'm honored you invested your time reading and thank you so much for the thoughtful review. It means the world to me that there are readers that appreciating this series. It's been a passion project and love you all.

Chapter 22: Reentry

Saturday, July 4, 1998 | Saint Mungo's

Shift change was rarely quiet. Lily likened it to the full moon. Typically the most complicated cases would present themselves with an exhausted staff of healers trying to get out the building and home to their families. That day had been no different. Fortunately for Lily she didn't have to go far to find her family. They were all in her ward.

The new shift lead took Lily's charts from her. "Thanks for staying late."

"It's not a problem, Annie. It's nice to be back. I know most of you who stayed during the war put in a load of extra time."

"No one blames you for protecting your family," Annie said. "You did a lot of good for those who couldn't come to the hospital."

It had been a terrible time for everyone. She and James agreed long before the ministry fell that they'd have to take Cyrus and Willow into hiding. What they hadn't been sure about was what Harry would choose to do. He was the one the ministry would be after, but the entire Potter family would be a target. In the end, he listened to Dumbledore. There were horcruxes left to find. It really wasn't until the war was over that she completely understood why Hermione had given the instructions she had. The horcrux in Harry had to be destroyed by Voldemort and it would protect him. It wouldn't protect Hermione or Ron. Selfishly, though, Lily was glad Harry hadn't been alone. "There were many to be healed on all sides," she agreed, before filing final charts away in the log book. "It's just… nice to be back."

"Do you need anything for Miss Granger?" Annie asked. Everyone on the ward knew who the patient in room 493 was even if they didn't know exactly how she ended up in their ward.

"I'll let you know." Lily wished she knew what could be done to help Hermione. There wasn't anything obvious and certainly nothing easy. The best anyone could do was be there for her when the smoke settled. Pulling on her wool jumper and putting her hair up, Lily headed toward room 493. She was surprised to see only Hermione in the room. "Hey. Where is everyone?" Lily smiled warmly but resisted straightening blankets and pillows. She was getting the sense the last time she'd stopped by that Hermione was getting overwhelmed by all the attention.

"Harry took Cyrus and Willow to get some dinner," Hermione explained.

Lily noted she was moving as little as possible and couldn't stop the training from taking over. Touching the potion's locker on the wall, it recognized her identity and opened for her. Taking out a small pain relieving potion, Lily pulled out the stopper and brought it to Hermione. Hermione took it with her right hand without protest. Giving it a few seconds to work, the pair sat in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, it was hard to know what to say. Lily used the time to organize her thoughts. She had longed for that moment through the years. An opportunity to really thank the young witch for her actions. Now that the time had arrived, it was hard to know where to start. Lily saw the tension finally leave Hermione's muscles. She felt some of her own tension leave her.

"Thank you. It creeps up on me."

"Are you comfortable or do you need to be repositioned?"

"This is fine. Thanks."

Accepting the fact there wasn't an obvious action to take to help the patient, Lily took the seat that was typically occupied by Harry. There were so many times through the years that Lily had nearly said something to Hermione. Especially in the later years when the Hermione she first met was more clearly evident. "You were right about Harry. About his character. He's grown up to be the thoughtful, caring man you told me about. Despite the changes to his upbringing, he stayed grounded. Humble."

Hermione nodded, her eyes unfocusing before re-engaging in the conversation. It was a new tick Lily had noticed, she understood it was the effort required for Hermione to sort through her memories and find the right one. "If anything, I think he's more kindhearted. He… it's been easier for him to express his emotions. To accept and initiate affection. The other life… he didn't have much experience. It was pretty late into our friendship before he hugged me."

What a sad life that Harry must have had. Lily's heart ached for that boy. At least he had found Hermione. "We were on edge for quite some time after you left. I don't think it was until after that Halloween, in eighty-one, passed that James and I considered we were safe to grow our family. Cyrus was born in eighty-two. He was planned. Willow. Nothing about Willow was ever planned or expected. She came into the world on her terms in eighty-five." Lily stopped and laughed at herself. "I guess I don't have to actually tell you this. You know this. Part of me feels like I haven't seen you since nineteen eighty."

"It feels like that for me too. Talking helps."

Lily looked down at her jumper. It was the same one she had loaned Hermione. She put it on often when she needed to be reminded that that young witch was going to survive the trials she had been made to endure. "I wish we could have stopped everything you went through. James and I talked to Professor Dumbledore a lot through the years. None of his choices were made easily. I'm hoping Harry will understand… that he'll forgive us. That you'll forgive us."

Hermione was shaking her head as Lily tried to apologize, "Don't apologize. I know there's a lot that needs to be discussed but the pieces I can manage to put together of this timeline, everything that happened to me had to happen. I asked Albus to make sure it happened. There were things Harry needed to go through too, to make sure Voldemort could be defeated. I suppose that's still not the case. But the horcrux that protected Harry was destroyed. I had everything I needed to protect you and Harry from the killing curse. That's what mattered."

"It still seems incredibly unfair. The hardest part for me was letting you, Harry, and Ron go off on your own."

"We weren't alone. Not really. Not like it could have been. The two-way mirror kept us connected. You got us food and supplies when we needed it. The way it originally played out, we were completely disconnected from everyone. The first time we had any interactions with members of the Order was at Shell Cottage, after…" Hermione trailed off. Bellatrix had been just as violent in both timelines. "Well, that turned out pretty much the same. Except Fleur wasn't alone trying to heal everyone."

"I was glad we were staying there. Although, I can't say that was the reunion I had been hoping for." At the time, Bill and Fleur's place was the unofficial headquarters for the Order. Its remote location reduced many risks of accidental discovery.

"You saved Dobby," Hermione said with a whisper.

"I.. yeah…" Lily started to agree until she realized the implication. Dobby must have died on the beach. It had been an overwhelming situation to manage between the two healers and Bill. Split second decisions had been made. "James should know that. He's under the impression that so much effort was invested to preserve time, we made ourselves essentially insignificant."

Hermione looked at Lily. The soft brown eyes met hers. "You'll never understand how much your love and support made a difference for Harry. And for me."

Lily felt a lump form in her throat. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to know now what fates were spared because Voldemort didn't get the opportunity to make Harry an orphan. Familiar voices drifted in from the hallway. Her three kids could be a lot to deal with when they were all together. "I'll take Cyrus and Willow home. You and Harry need some time alone."

"No. Please. Let them stay. I'm not sure what to say yet. I'm not sure about anything and I don't want to say the wrong thing," Hermione answered quickly.

"...you're not the one who saved mum then," Cyrus's voice carried into the room. Lily heard the humor in his words. Her middle child was frequently the peacemaker, diffusing tension with humor. She worried her oldest might not be up for good natured teasing. "That means you're not the chosen one," he finished as they stepped inside.

"I never said I was," Harry pushed back, surprised to see his mother and Hermione together. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I'm off my shift and stopped by to make sure Hermione hadn't petrified the lot of you to get some quiet," Lily reassured him, standing to give him his chair back. Cyrus and Willow took up seats that had their stuff scattered about. "Everyone ate?" she asked, looking pointedly toward Harry and Hermione. She suspected neither had an appetite.

"I had stew," Harry told her, kissing her cheek before he sat down. "Hermione kept some soup and crackers down earlier. I thought I could ask Gerty to send some English muffins and honey. That always seems to agree with you."

"I'd like that," Hermione said, watching the interactions between mother and son. The emotional connection was clear. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to stay here much longer. We need to sort out everything that's changed. There might still be things that need to be addressed."

"That's really something the unspeakables can deal with. That's their job," Harry started.

Lily put a hand on his shoulder. She recognized the fragile state of Hermione even if neither the patient or her son did. "Healer Halley gets final say on your discharge orders. And James is staying up to date on reports from the witan. If something genuinely urgent had come up, he would know. I think you can have the luxury of focusing on your recovery."

"I brought my radio," Cyrus piped up, lifting his backpack onto his lap. "Fred and George are hosting a show tonight. We could all listen to it?"

Cyrus and Willow looked at Harry and Hermione, trying to manage their excitement. They understood the couple might not be up for a variety show.

"That sounds nice," Hermione finally answered which set off a flurry of activity. Willow rearranged the room to make space for the radio, explaining the interactive charms that were planned.

Lily made eye contact with Hermione one more time to make sure she wasn't just being polite. A genuine smile was on her face, and Lily thought it was good for her memory to interact with the two kids who wouldn't have existed if she hadn't risked everything to save everyone.

In between the chatter, Hermione sensed the attention from Harry's mom and looked her way. "I'm good," she whispered and made room for Harry to join her on the bed, leaving the chair for Lily to join the chaos.

~~/~~

Sunday, July 5, 1998 | Department of Magical Law Enforcement

A quill slid smoothly across the signature page of the official update, destined for the Minister of magic, regarding the fugitive Azkaban Guard. James Hardwin Potter. The ink flashed from black to a gold seal. With triumph, James put it in the outbox. It had been an all nighter and he wanted to lay down for a quick nap before heading to the hospital to check on his family. He had a nagging feeling he could have done more to make the situation easier for his son. There had been too much at stake. The only contingencies that permitted such a deviation was if the timeline was altered drastically from the intended path.

Before he could stand, the thickest report James had ever seen appeared in his in box. He groaned. The witan seal was unmistakable. They'd documented all the events that remained out of line. There would be threat assessments and recommendations. He needed to review it. A knock at the door pulled his attention away. It was an unexpected visit. Not a surprising one. "Mister Potter. I thought you'd be at the hospital," James said. He saw the hurt in his son's face. James had been a healthy level of dread over the day Harry learned the entire truth of the matter. Getting up from his desk, James led him to the more comfortable sitting area near the fire. This wasn't a discussion to be had between director and auror. This was a father and son conversation.

"Hermione checked herself out," Harry explained, clearly at a loss. "I left to check in with Tonks. I wanted to make sure Tom was secure and see where we were at finding Greengrass. She was gone before I could get back."

"She's been through a lot—"

"—that's why I'm worried. I know she's been through a lot but I don't know what that means and I don't know how to help her," Harry interrupted. Once the words were out, he leaned back heavily into the chair. "And I'm worried that I don't know who she is."

The honesty in the words cut through James' heart. "Harry. What do you think could happen that would change her so drastically?"

Harry shook his head incredulously. "I don't know. Experiencing a world altering war. Remembering three different lifetimes."

"I knew her when she only had the memories from her other lifetimes. And I know her now in this one. I remember who she was before she returned with these extra memories. She's the same person."

Stretching his neck, Harry was frustrated. "When was Tonks informed?"

James let out a small breath. He wasn't going to deny that the auror was told limited information regarding Hermione. It felt like it should be Tonks to talk to her partner. Then again, James put her in that position. "The night before Hermione returned. Remus was allowed to fill her in on the final encounter with Tom. She'd be in charge of securing Tom. I didn't want to risk anyone and I wanted you to be free to take care of Hermione. The minister signed the order."

"The night before," Harry repeated, worked to decide how he felt about the information. "She knew Hermione was hurt. This morning when we were waiting, she mentioned the shoulder injury."

"When Lupin returned to Godric's Hollow he filled us in. None of us knew if the wound was serious or not. I didn't want there to be a delay in getting her to a healer," James explained.

"And you wanted someone watching me."

Maybe there was a small truth to that. If something had gone wrong James didn't want Harry to be the one making decisions. "I wanted someone close to you who could manage if things went wrong."

"You didn't think I could manage it?"

"Harry that's not fair. Leaving you on the Riddle case proves I trust you to not let personal feelings get in the way of your job. But what do you think would have happened if Hermione showed up unconscious, or worse, and Tom was freed?"

"You could have told me when you told Tonks."

"What could I have told you that wouldn't have made you worry more? That would have made it worse for you?"

Harry stood, ran his hand through his hair and started pacing. He agreed with the assessment and it made him hate it all the more. "Everything Dumbledore let happen. Even when he could have stopped it, it was because of her. I've hated that man for two years. And this whole time you both knew what was happening."

There it was. His oldest wasn't mad at his father for keeping secrets. He was hurt by his mother keeping secrets. James stood, put a hand on Harry's shoulder to stop his motion. Then he returned to his desk to copy the report from the witan. There was no reason to keep any of it from him and the minister had already agreed to clear Harry for all reports. Handing it to his son, he offered a sympathetic smile. "Before you go burning down the entire ministry, you need to read what was at stake."

~~/~~

Wading through Snape's memories had been a monumental task. Three lifetimes had to be copied and cataloged. Fortunately the potion's protections were different for the memories that needed to be removed. The archival spell and focusing crystal had done much of the work. Severus would likely disagree on that point. Re-living so much trauma in one weekend had been difficult. All they had left to do was wait for the potion to run its course. He set a steaming mug down in front of Snape who was sitting on the couch near the pensieve. "A hot toddy," he explained.

Snape nodded his thanks. "I can't say I will miss these other versions of my life," he said with a grimace. "It's one thing to suspect you have the capacity to be a miserable person. It's another thing entirely to know it."

"One of those lives was a choice, the other a necessity," Albus said.

"Hardly a glowing recommendation of my character."

"There's one person who owes you her life in all three of those timelines."

"And I'd argue I owe her this one." Both men knew that was true in more ways than one. Snape picked up his cup and took a sip. "Sirius believes he can help with Hermione's condition. He's been working for years to understand the magic at work within the depths of Talariño Mountain. He'd been waiting for the memory pool to be discovered before requesting access. He didn't want to change anything that would endanger the past. He was just granted permits."

A knock at the door surprised both men. Dumbledore didn't want to expose his potion's professor to speculation from the staff, and decided to attend to the door himself. As he pulled it open, he was less surprised. He was waiting for this particular visit. Needed it. He just hadn't been sure how long it would take Hermione to seek him out. Quickly stepping aside, he motioned for her to enter. "How are you?" he asked, leading her to some chairs, noting the sling and bulky bandages.

She waited until she was settled before answering, her attention divided between the two men. She kept her focus on Snape. "I've been better. Do you…"

"I still have all the memories. I know what you went through," he answered the question she was struggling with.

Relaxing into the chair, she appeared relieved to be in the presence of the two men who risked everything to save her and understood her divided mind. "You know what happened?" she asked Albus.

"I know the broad strokes. We copied all of Severus' memories. We might need them if there are questions about these changes to the past. I haven't witnessed anything beyond glimpses. Is there something I need to see?"

"No. No, please don't. Not unless you have to. I just," she paused and breathed out. "Everyone is so happy. I needed to be around people who remember what I remember."

"There is cause for celebration," Albus told her, not unsympathetic, but didn't want her to minimize what had been accomplished. "Tom was very nearly successful in his mission to reshape the past. You stopped that."

"Not alone," she looked between the two men who carried on the burden while she was traveling. "You both had to live with the fall out. I got to skip that part."

"I don't believe remembering every scenario that existed is skipping it," Snape observed.

She shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't understand why things were happening until now. Not until I these other memories. I don't know that I would have been strong enough to go through it all if given the choice."

This induced waves of conflicting emotions within Albus. The implication was that she hadn't been given a choice. "This was your choice, Hermione," he started quietly, not quite trusting his voice.

"I didn't mean to imply… I… I don't blame you. For anything. I know what I asked of you was unfair."

"It wasn't bad at first. I think enough was different immediately after Tom changed the timing of Voldemort's first defeat. The choices I was forced to make over the years got more questionable the closer we got to your return. I honestly don't blame Harry for hating me. I hated myself several times over the past two years," he confessed. She looked like she was about to apologize. He held his hand up to stop her. "Please don't take the blame for this."

Snape leaned forward to ease the tension. "Based on everything I know about what was supposed to happen and what did happen, it's remarkable how events converged the further away we got from the initial change. Intervention may not have been possible even if we wanted to."

"From what we remember," Hermione qualified. "We need to talk to Fiona and Gilford to understand changes we're not aware of. The ripple outward into the world could be a problem."

"If we're lucky, concentrating so diligently on events between Harry, Voldemort, you, and Tom will have mitigated excessive alterations," Albus said, knowing they might never understand the scope of the changes. "Several times, I came close to deviating from the list. Even now, knowing this way was successful, I can't help but wonder if we could have achieved the same results with less trauma."

Hermione rubbed her leg. A phantom pain that she never actually physically experienced. Snape noticed the move. He had healed that particular injury.

"Before you lose your memories from… from the time you protected me. I wanted you to know that your anti-shield charm helped me apprehend Tom."

An unmistakable look of pride crossed his face. It was a rare expression in every memory she had. "It sounded like you were meant to have those memories. For a time."

"I wouldn't have entered the timeline if the prophecy hadn't shown me you in the shrieking shack."

"You had doubt for time that the traveler was you," Snape reminded her.

She had forgotten that. Why was that… "Oh. The swooping shadow suit. It must have distorted the vision. I never saw my face in the shrieking shack. It must have been the hood, the suit. It happened just the way I saw it in the vision though."

Albus shifted. "That's an important data point. If we can show that parts of the vision did happen the way it was predicted, we can make the case that the world Tom meant to create was possible if there wasn't intervention."

"Do you think there's reason to believe anyone will question intervention wasn't required?" Snape asked.

"I think we can count on Tom trying. If he thinks it will spare him a harsher punishment. He'll find a way to twist it," Hermione observed.

Tom. After everything they'd done. Tom was still a threat. And so was Voldemort for that matter. "There is the argument that we were all bound by the law to do everything in our power to preserve the timeline. If we had wanted to really change things to our benefit, we wouldn't have worked so hard to ensure some of our worst days were preserved," Albus pointed out.

"There's still a time turner to find. Tom let it return to the present without him. Who knows where he was when that happened?" Hermione said. "Knowing Tom, he'd have done it in a manner that would have given him an advantage and no one else. I'm guessing he hid it much like Voldemort hid his horcruxes."

"Another thing to search for," Snape observed, not looking thrilled with the idea.

They all wanted it to be over. There was a sense of relief that the most precarious of the threats they were facing was cleared. It wasn't the time to let their guards down. "Or another thing to leverage in the prosecution of Tom," Dumbledore countered. It was important to remind Hermione that her part was accomplished. There was nothing left before her that she had to face alone or at all.

"This has all complicated Ophelia's case," Hermione said, pointing out there were still some demands on her. "I'd like to meet with Fiona and Gilford first thing tomorrow."

Albus let out a small sigh. Of course she'd continue to push herself. He stood to open a concealed drawer near the pensieve. Inside were all her stored memories. Next to them was a tempus semita he'd been using to track his tasks through time. Setting it down on the coffee table in front of them, he returned to his seat. "You can review this here. The sanctuary is made up. Unless you'd prefer to go back to Godric's Hollow." He understood from James that Hermione was still uncertain about her engagement. It was odd that after everything they had done, Hermione was still destined to die in the room of requirement.

"It's so strange how much is the same and different all at the same time," Hermione wondered, echoing his observations. "The house. Our house. It was nearly destroyed when Lily and James were murdered. We managed to repair it. I wanted Harry to be closer to them, even if it was a home he barely remembered, it was still a home once and could be again. Now. It was never tainted like that. Voldemort never destroyed it."

Snape shifted. Having his own disjointed, terrible memories of the house Harry purchased from his parents. "I think you should go there tonight. It would help you remember this life."

She nodded her head. "I agree. I'd like to spend time with Harry. There's nothing in that book that can't wait until tomorrow."

Dumbledore felt himself relax. He would support whatever choice she made, but he agreed. There wasn't anything that needed her immediate attention other than her recovery. "We should archive the memories from this timeline, and everything that has occurred for you since I copied the other memories. Mister Black has been working on a solution for your duplicate memories. I'd like to make sure we've copied everything."

Snape moved to stand. "If you'd prefer. I can continue to take the potion until your situation has been resolved."

There was a long pause until Hermione's demeanor changed. A decision had been made. One of resolve. "I don't want that for you. Please. You've done so much. You risked everything. For her. For me. If you can forget that nightmare, I want you to."

Finally standing, Snape motioned toward the pensieve. "I can't imagine I'll ever forget what I've seen or the act of remembering what I've seen. I would prefer it if those memories weren't so… vivid."

"Come see me after the potion has run its course," Dumbledore instructed. "We should make sure the memories that remain are complete."

Hermione kept her eyes on the potions professor as he left the office. It was several seconds after the door closed before she turned her attention back to Dumbledore. "You think Sirius can help me?"

He wanted to tell her yes. He wanted to give her certainty. "I think if anyone can untangle truth from myth he can."

"I can't believe he's alive."

Albus hadn't believed it himself. Not even after they passed the original event and checked the tempus tomes. "I do have a bone to pick with you on that matter. You never mentioned your injury. We didn't know if our manipulations finally caught up with us."

"Harry, where's Hermione?" Albus asked once it was clear Voldemort was gone. The minister was barking orders. People were emerging from the lift, others were arriving through the floo. Finally, he saw her. Cradled in Sirius' arms. She wasn't moving. "Sirius. She's hurt?"

The wizard looked as concerned as Albus felt. He gently set her down to get a better look at her injury. "I can't see where she was hit. She's breathing."

Albus ignored all other demands of him, letting James and Remus intercede for him while Moody and Kingsley secured the Death Eater's that hadn't gotten away. Using the triage spell, there wasn't a name for the curse she suffered, but the damage was significant. Internal bleeding. Tearing. Muscle damage. Broken ribs. "We need to get her to Madam Pomfrey."

"She needs to go to Saint Mungo's," Sirius countered.

A groan from Hermione was a desperately sought sign of life. "I don't know if this was supposed to happen," Dumbledore murmured, more to himself.

Sirius' eyes went wide in concern. He leaned over Hermione to ensure no one else would hear him. "I was supposed to die tonight. She warned me about staying in cover if I was ever dueling in the basement of the ministry. What if she changed my future but it also changed hers."

"We'll check with Fiona. Take Hermione to the castle. Take her to Poppy," Albus said with urgency.

Hermione's hand covered her side. "I'm sorry. That wasn't important. Compared to everything that had to happen that night, I never considered it."

"It took a few weeks for Fiona to sort everything out. Once the time record is reviewed, I think we can point to the changes to Sirius' life before the battle in the department of mysteries as the reason he wasn't killed by Bellatrix. It could be a stretch, but it's a reasonable argument."

"Hm," she agreed, lost in thought. "You had to trick Harry into going to the ministry that night."

That was a decision he agonized over. Hermione detailed the events that led to Harry's choices. Too much in his relationship with Sirius had changed. There had been no reason for the pair to communicate in secret. "I didn't want to ask Sirius to lie to him."

"I know you don't want an apology. So I'll just thank you."

"You risked everything. The least I could do was return the favor," he told her, and then stood to collect some clean phials. "We should copy your memories so you can go home and rest."

"Home," she repeated, not sure if she had one.

~~/~~

Initial comprehensive assessment is that the changes to the past are a direct result of Tom Riddle's actions or an indirect result through the actions of those attempting to stop him and apprehend him. In fact, it appears great effort was made to preserve all events to the deterrent and well being of those directly involved. These were not the actions made by a group of people attempting to personally benefit from the situation, but to follow the laws pertaining to time manipulation. We will continue to monitor the situation as future events arise.

Harry put the report aside. It was his second time through the extensive assessment. It was so thorough, he understood it had been eighteen years in the making. He also understood the initial assessment wasn't completely true. Some had worked to personally benefit. Living was something to be gained. No matter how many trials were overcome in that life. Grabbing a beer from his fridge, Harry stepped out into his backyard. He thought it would have been weird owning his childhood home. It wasn't. It was a comfort. He wanted to make his own family within the same walls that held so much love and happiness. There was only one person he could picture that life with. And he had no idea if she still saw herself a part of that vision.

"Does Master Harry want dinner?" Gerty asked from the kitchen window.

Harry shook his head. "No. Thanks, Gerty. If I get hungry later I'll grab some leftovers." He heard the house elf grumbling her disapproval on her way to her suite for the night. It was the routine they had adopted since Hermione left. Neither were happy about it. Stoking a fire, he sat to consider his life. He didn't think it would be without Hermione forever. That didn't make it easier to accept in the moment. Tiling his head up, he considered the stars and planets. He hated them. They gave Tom the power to torment Hermione. They made her think she had no choice but to stop the dark wizard alone.

"Hey."

Her voice was so quiet, he thought he imagined it at first. Looking up in surprise, he was certain he was imagining it. Hermione was standing in their back doorway. She still had her sling and a heavy air of exhaustion around her. "Hey," he said, standing as his brain caught up with what he saw. He didn't want to move toward her out of fear she'd run or disappear and prove she was a figment of his imagination. "Are you.. Do you… How are you?" he stumbled over his words.

Doing her best to control her emotions, she nodded. "I'm… terrible. How are you?"

The honesty was both welcomed and a harsh reminder of her pain and turmoil. "I honestly don't know. Are you here to pick up the rest of your things?" he asked, hoping to cut to the bad news before he got his hopes up.

Hermione shook her head. "No. I wanted to talk."

Cautiously optimistic that this was a good sign, he motioned to a chair. "Do you want to sit out here or would you be more comfortable on the couch?"

"Here's good," she answered and joined him, sinking into the cushioned chair.

A tapping at the window pulled their attention back toward the house. Gerty's long ears were hovering near the window. "And Gerty wants to know if you want anything."

Her laugh diffused the tension. "Maybe some tea," she said. A steaming cup appeared on the arm of the chair. "Thank you!"

Gerty was happily muttering again. Sounds of cupboards opening, the oven door closing echoed out the door. A tray of small cakes flew out to them, hovering between the two. "She's happy you're here."

"Me too."

"Are you?" Harry asked, hoping it didn't make her defensive.

"I am. It's nice to be here. I'm glad you're alright," she answered earnestly.

"You went to Hogwarts this morning?" Harry didn't need her to answer. He knew she went to see Albus.

"I was struggling with all my memories. I wanted to talk to Severus."

"Severus?" Harry asked, surprised. He thought she was lying to make him less frustrated that she ditched him for Dumbledore.

Sipping from her tea, she understood his skepticism. "He's the only one who remembers what I do. Everything I do. Well he was," she said, checking her watch. "The potion will have worn off by now. I wanted to talk to him before that happened."

Harry suddenly felt like an ass. That made complete sense. It was why she had been in a hurry to be discharged. "Did you say what you needed to?"

"I did. He was all I had in the life that Tom remade. Albus was executed in front of me and Snape saved me. I didn't want him to forget what he did for me before I could thank him."

The matter of fact way that she described such trauma was alarming. It emphasized how much about her memories he didn't understand. "You have all those memories?" he asked, struggling to understand what that would be like. Trying to understand her state of mind.

"All of them. I could be her if I let those memories come to the surface."

"How do you control that?"

She gave him a smile. An appreciation for his effort. "By doing this. By immersing myself in this life. It's another reason I wanted to come here tonight. I want to remember this."

Harry leaned forward. He stopped short of taking her hand. "Was it that much different? Not the life Tom wanted. The life we had before Tom changed it all."

Hermione inhaled a deep breath. The pause cause a knot to tighten in Harry's gut. He wanted to share his life with her. What would he do if she didn't like that life and missed the other. Finally, she reached out and took his hand. "No. It wasn't that much different. It's... more."

"More?"

"Before. It was basically just us. My parents aren't part of this world. We had to figure everything out on our own. Together."

He squeezed her hand. "My family is too much."

"No! No. That's not what I mean. I love them all. I'm so glad you had them growing up. I'm glad they're there for us. I don't know what I'm saying," she finished weakly.

"Am I different?" He hated sounding so insecure and self absorbed. He needed to see the situation from her perspective. Perspectives. To do that he needed her to give him information.

"You're more affectionate. It's easier for you to express your thoughts and emotions. Less guarded. More confident," she explained.

It made sense. Not have his parents in his life was hard to imagine. Suddenly he understood what he saw in the Department of Mysteries. "Did I live with my Aunt and Uncle?"

Her eyes went wide in surprise. "How do you know that?"

"I don't know exactly. When I entered the time chamber I saw myself. At the Dursleys as a young kid. I was in a closet, maybe? Does that make sense?"

"Before you came to Hogwarts your bedroom was in a cupboard under the stairs. I don't understand why you would have seen that memory?" she said, her mind spinning as she tried to make sense of it.

"I think I saw Sirius die too."

"Oh, Harry. I'm sorry."

"So that really happened? Sirius was killed by Bellatrix?"

Hermione nodded. "Yeah. I wasn't there when it happened, but yeah."

"Did you change that?" There had been times in Harry's life when he felt closer to his godfather than his dad. He didn't know what that relationship was like for the Harry she knew, but clearly the wizard mattered enough to him that she might have risked her freedom to save him.

"Not directly. I just suggested he approach certain situations differently. But Harry, I don't know why you would have seen these things."

"The report mentioned a paradox occurred inside the event horizon. Could that have had an effect?" he asked, quickly feeling unqualified to speculate.

A pained look crossed her face. "Humphrey. That poor man. I suggested they change their protocols inside the event horizon after I watched him fall into it. We should tell Fiona what you saw. It might help them understand the magic they've harnessed."

There was plenty to do when they went back to the ministry. "What happens next?" The question was purposefully vague.

"I'm not sure. We should meet with Ophelia and Fiona tomorrow. And I need to talk to Sirius. Apparently he's been working on a solution for my memories."

We. He was part of her plan. "Will you stay here tonight?"

"I was hoping I could."

He hated the distance between them, but had to respect her reasons or he might never get her back. "Do you want to stay in the spare room?" He got to his feet, and pulled her up with her uninjured arm.

"No. Not unless that's what you want," she said, stepping closer to him.

"You know I don't. I want to hold you. To know you're okay. To know you'll wake up and I'm the first thing you see to remind you you're home and you're safe," he told her, stroked her cheek with his thumb as he cupped her face. "It doesn't have to mean anything about tomorrow. We'll just take this one day at a time."

She nodded, leaned forward into him. "Thank you."