A/N - Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 7

6 July 2003

When Hermione awoke, Neville was spooned behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist. She could feel him hard against her back and stayed as still as possible, trying to determine if he were still asleep. He appeared to be. She could hear the even rise and fall of his breathing behind her. If she could manage to get out of bed without waking him, she could hopefully avoid another potentially uncomfortable situation.

She carefully lifted his arm a bit and eased herself out from his embrace. She stood from the bed just as Neville began to move, reaching out for her. Quickly, she grabbed her pillow and stuck it under his arm. He pulled it towards him and snuggled back down into the blankets. Hermione held her breath and watched him for a few moments until she was satisfied that he was still sleeping. Then she left the room and closed the door quietly behind her.

Stepping into the loo, she sighed once the door was closed, glad to have gotten out of that situation. Hopefully, she could continue to come up with plausible reasons to avoid sex without doing damage to the relationship. She didn't think that was a line she should cross.

She used the toilet and then searched through the cabinets until she found a few vials of hangover potion. Although she hadn't drank that much, she still had the slight headache she always got after drinking champagne. She grabbed a second vial for Neville, knowing he would definitely need it.

Hermione thought about showering while he was still asleep but that would mean she would need to go back into the bedroom to get clothes to wear. She decided against it and pulled on the dressing gown that was hanging on the back of the door instead. It wasn't quite eight, Neville would probably sleep for a while yet. Hermione decided to read more of the journals for a bit and then make some breakfast.

Before heading to the living room, she cracked the bedroom door open slightly. That way she could hear when Neville woke and hide the journal again. She grabbed the one from third year and settled on the couch to read.

Over an hour later, she heard the creak of bedsprings and a groan from Neville. She stood and stowed the journal back in her desk, then grabbed the vial of hangover potion and made her way back to the bedroom.

Neville had thrown a pillow over his face, one arm flung across the bed onto her side. She stood in the doorway and smiled at him for a moment before she cleared her throat. He groaned again.

"I have something for you," Hermione said.

"Don't think I can right now," he mumbled.

She laughed and walked into the room. "Not that." She pulled the pillow away from his face and he squinted in the morning light. She held out the vial of purple liquid.

"I love you," he said as he grabbed it and then downed it quickly. He sighed and closed his eyes again. "Better, thanks love."

"I'm going to start breakfast while that kicks in."

Neville nodded, eyes still closed as Hermione left the room.

She went into the kitchen and examined the contents of the ice box, deciding on omelets. She pulled out the ingredients, started the kettle for tea, and went to work on the eggs.

A few minutes later, when Hermione had the first omelet in the pan, Neville walked into the kitchen. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Morning," he said as he kissed the back of her head.

"Feel better?"

"Loads." He began to kiss her neck.

Hermione unconsciously tilted her head to give him better access, then admonished herself for doing so. It was like her body had a mind of its own and she remembered what Luna had said the night before. That the other Hermione was still there but just hiding.

Hermione supposed it was possible that the other Hermione hadn't gone anywhere, that her consciousness was still in her body, had just been superseded by Hermione. Maybe it was like a kind of possession? Hermione shuddered at the thought of it. Neville, however, took that as encouragement and pushed one shoulder of her dressing gown down her arm.

"Neville, I'm trying to make breakfast," she protested.

"Breakfast can wait," he said, kissing her shoulder now.

"It's going to get cold," Hermione said, quickly grabbing a plate and sliding the omelet onto it.

"Warming charm," Neville mumbled, moving back to Hermione's neck.

Thankfully, Hermione's stomach growled loudly at that exact moment. Neville chuckled and stood straight, hugging her around the middle. "All right, I'll let you eat." He kissed her temple and then stepped back from her. Hermione handed him the plate with the finished omelet and then began to prepare the second.

"Can you make the tea?" she asked.

"Sure, love," Neville said, grabbing the kettle and the cups.

Once Hermione's breakfast was finished, they sat down to eat, Neville perusing the Daily Prophet that had been delivered just before Hermione finished cooking.

"And here we are," he said, turning the paper towards her. "Page two this time. Slow news day." There was a photograph of the four of them having dinner and another of Hermione and Neville kissing just before they Apparated.

She rolled her eyes. The press really was the same in every universe.

They made plans to see his parents just before lunch as they apparently napped afterward. As they cleared away the breakfast dishes, Hermione was worried Neville would try to pick up where he had left off when she was cooking but he didn't. Instead, he went to take a shower and Hermione told him she was going to work on her proposal for a bit. He didn't seem surprised by that at all, just smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss before heading for the loo.

Instead of doing anything with the proposal, Hermione pulled out the journal again, transfiguring the cover to look like one of the werewolf books on her desk. Third year had started off much the same as her own had. Harry still spent time with Ron, the experience in the Chamber seemed to have bonded them more. Neville did things with them sometimes too, but he spent most of his time with Hermione. Ron was still after Hermione about Crookshanks and Scabbers, something this Hermione complained about quite often. However, Neville had actually taken up for her against Ron. Harry hadn't just let Ron get away with it either, like he had in her world. It warmed her heart, actually. Both boys often seemed to stick up for this world's Hermione, even during the broom incident.

Harry got a broom in the post today but doesn't know who it was from. Of course, my mind immediately went to Sirius Black and Neville agreed with me. When I told Harry he should turn it over to Professor McGonagall, Ron completely lost it. Started shouting at me that I was being ridiculous and that I'd always hated Quidditch and just didn't want Harry to play. Which was completely untrue, of course. Harry's an amazing Seeker and just because I don't particularly like sports doesn't mean that I don't want him to play.

Neville told Harry he agreed with me and told him he should let the professor look at it at least. Harry seemed torn; he really loved the broom and couldn't wait to try it out. But in the end, he agreed with me and Nev and gave it to Professor McGonagall himself. He's upset about it, especially after the professor told him she wasn't sure how long it would take for them to look it over. I feel badly but if Sirius Black is as intent on killing him as everyone thinks, I would rather Harry be angry with me than hurt or dead.

Ron, of course, is furious. He thinks I've ruined their chances to win the Quidditch Cup this year. Of course, he didn't say anything about Neville, even though Nev agreed with me. Neville stood up to him though and told Ron off. Nev seemed a bit surprised with himself after he'd done it, but I wasn't. He's stronger than he thinks he is.

It hadn't taken Harry long to come around in this world. He was upset about losing the broom but didn't blame Hermione or Neville for it. And he'd basically told Ron to sod off when Ron had kept going on about it two days later. Harry of this world appeared so much calmer than hers had been. She wondered if it had to do with the fact that he wasn't subjected to Ron's temper and volatility so often. She suspected that it did.

She heard the shower stop but kept reading. Even if Neville came out of the loo, it would look like she was reading about werewolves. She wanted to see what had happened in the Shrieking Shack.

I can't believe everything that's just happened. Whoever would have thought that going down to Hagrid's to see him before Buckbeak's execution would not only save Buckbeak but Sirius Black as well? I'm just sorry that Pettigrew got away and Neville was hurt. His grandmother seemed proud of him though and Neville had been so worried that she would be angry.

When we were visiting Hagrid, he told us that he'd found Scabbers. I knew that Crookshanks hadn't killed him. Neville took him and intended to bring him back to Ron, knowing all too well how easy it was to lose your pet. Trevor still manages to escape now and again although Neville does a much better job keeping track of him than he used to. On our way back to the castle though, Sirius Black, in dog form, grabbed Neville and dragged him into the Whomping Willow. Harry and I couldn't believe it.

The rest of the story was pretty much the same, except that Neville had taken Ron's place in everything. Hermione was immensely amused to read Ron's reaction when he'd found out that the rat that he'd slept with for years was really a murderer and Death Eater. This world's Hermione seemed to have gotten a lot of satisfaction from telling him about it.

"Loo's yours, love," Neville said as he walked back into the room just as Hermione finished third year. She smiled up at him and closed the disguised journal. He leaned down and kissed her lightly. "Get anything done?"

"Just reviewed a few things."

He nodded. "I thought we'd leave in about an hour if that's all right."

"Perfect," Hermione said. She stowed the journal back in her desk drawer, then kissed Neville's cheek and made her way to the loo.

As Hermione and Neville made their way to the Janus Thickey Ward to see his parents, Hermione wished she had come up with an excuse not to come. She had no idea how the other Hermione interacted with his parents, had no idea what to do or say. Why had she agreed so readily? Luna's words came back to her again and Hermione was starting to think that her other self had some kind of influence over what she did and said, even if Hermione wasn't aware of it. Like some kind of subconscious thing.

But there was nothing for it now. She was here and would have to hope that she could muddle through. Maybe the other Hermione would help her out somehow. She nearly snorted aloud at the thought. This entire situation was mad.

She followed Neville into the ward, holding his hand tightly. Neville greeted mediwitches and wizards and Healers they passed. Hermione merely nodded in acknowledgement, not wanting to say the wrong thing to someone. No one seemed confused or put out by it so maybe this was what the other Hermione usually did.

In Hermione's world, Neville's parents each had their own bed in the ward and weren't separated from the rest of the patients by anything but a set of curtains. Here though, they had their own room. Instead of two beds there was one large one, as well as a small sitting area. There was a chess set on a side table and a small shelf of books on the wall. Hermione wondered if it had always been this way in this universe or if Neville had made some kind of donation to give them different accommodations once he'd left school.

"Hi, Mum, Dad," Neville said, dropping Hermione's hand to embrace his mother who had stepped forward and smiled at him.

His father sat in an armchair and studied the chess set, a Muggle one Hermione noticed. His eyes flicked towards Neville, but he didn't rise from his chair. He glanced at Hermione once then ignored her completely. Neville's mother, on the other hand, walked towards Hermione once Neville had released her. Hermione glanced at Neville from the corner of her eye before she too embraced his mother. It appeared to be the right thing to do as Neville smiled at her before sitting down on the small sofa in the room.

Alice had gone to the bookshelf and pulled a book from it. Then she had picked up a brush off the bedside table and come to stand in front of Hermione. Hermione glanced at Neville again, but he was speaking quietly to his father. Hermione looked up at Alice who thrust the book at her. It was a book of poetry.

Hermione took the book with a smile but had no idea what she was supposed to do with it. Did Alice want her to read aloud or was she giving the book to Hermione? And why did she have a brush? She studied the older woman for a few moments and realized that she looked different than she had in Hermione's universe. Even though her hair was still white, she didn't look as old and frail as she had when Hermione saw her in her fifth year. Perhaps she got better care in this universe or there was some kind of treatment that didn't exist in Hermione's world.

"Looks like it's a plaiting day," Neville said with a smile as he looked over at the two of them.

Hermione looked at Alice again who seemed to get a bit agitated. She was staring hard at Hermione, gripping the brush tightly in her hand. She raised the brush towards Hermione for a second, then let it fall back to her side. As Alice's hair was too short to plait, Hermione realized that she must want to plait Hermione's hair. Given Neville's comment, this must be a common occurrence.

Hermione stood from her chair and Alice's head bobbed twice. She moved around Hermione and took her place, holding the brush and looking at her expectantly. Hermione cast a cushioning charm on the floor and sat down with her back to Alice. She immediately felt Alice's hands in her hair and Hermione clenched her jaw waiting for the inevitable pulling of her curls.

But Alice was extremely gentle, separating Hermione's hair into sections before she began to plait it. She didn't use the brush at all which was just as well as it likely would have just tangled itself in Hermione's curls. After a few moments, she could feel Alice start the plait, but she suddenly stopped and made a kind of grunting noise.

Neville turned his attention back to them with a smile. "Did you lose your place?"

"Sorry?" Hermione said.

"In the book, did you lose your place?"

Hermione noticed the bookmark in the book for the first time. "Oh, no, I just got distracted for a minute." She opened the book to the correct page and began to read. As soon as she did so, Alice began to plait again.

Hermione could feel Neville's eyes on her for a few seconds, but she kept her gaze on the book in front of her. He eventually turned back to his father. Hermione continued reading the poems while Alice slowly plaited her hair. When Alice finished, she brushed the ends of the plait for a second, then let go and patted Hermione's back.

Hermione stopped reading and turned to her. "Thank you."

Alice smiled and stood from the chair, then joined Neville on the couch. Hermione retook her seat after cancelling the cushioning charm on the floor. She watched Neville play chess with his father, although it appeared they were simply moving the chess pieces around the board randomly. Alice's hands fluttered over Neville, straightening his collar, brushing his hair off his face, patting his shoulder. His father appeared to be studying the chess board but every so often he would quickly glance at Hermione, then look away. The look in his eyes was a bit unsettling.

"I've got something to tell you both," Neville said. "I'm going to be teaching Herbology at Hogwarts next fall. Professor McGonagall hired me yesterday."

Alice smiled widely at him although Hermione suspected it was just in response to Neville's smile. Frank looked up when Neville spoke then looked back at the chess board, carefully moving a pawn from one side of the board to the other. Her heart clenched at the lack of reaction, but Neville didn't seem to mind.

They stayed with his parents until it was time for their lunch. Alice alternated between Neville and Hermione. She replaited Hermione's hair again and then sat next to Neville and held his hand for a while. Hermione read a few more poems and Frank seemed to concentrate on the chess set the entire time.

When they said their good-byes, Alice pressed a sweet wrapper into Neville's hand and hugged them both. Neville hugged Frank and Hermione patted his arm as he seemed to shy away from her a bit. A mediwitch arrived with the Longbottoms' lunch trays and Hermione and Neville left the ward.

When they got to the lift, Neville turned and hugged her, his hand running down her plait which was starting to fall out as Alice hadn't had anything to tie it off with. Hermione returned the embrace, heart clenching at what Neville probably went through every time he visited his parents. They obviously recognized him, and Hermione was quite sure Alice knew who, exactly, he was. But to have your parents yet not really 'have' them was so heartbreaking.

"All right?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Neville said. "It's just hard when I have news and I know they don't really understand."

"I know," she said, rubbing his back.

"I know I say this a lot but thank you for indulging my mum."

"Of course," Hermione said. "It kind of reminds me of when my mum used to do my hair when I was small." She realized she had no idea what kind of relationship she had with her parents in this world, if any.

Neville smiled softly at her. "You've never told me that before."

"I haven't?"

"No, but I understand it's hard to talk about them."

Hermione could only nod. Shite. What had happened to her parents?

The lift arrived and Neville took her hand after they'd gotten on. Hermione needed to read the rest of the journals as soon as possible.

"Are you all right?" Neville asked as soon as they got back to the flat.

"What do you mean?" Hermione said.

"I don't know, you've seemed kind of off all day."

"Oh, well, I am kind of tired. I didn't sleep that well last night." That was a complete lie, she'd slept wonderfully last night.

Neville studied her for a few moments. "Is this about your proposal?"

"No, not really."

"It's just, I know how you get before a presentation. You fret and worry and work yourself up."

"It's important." Hermione felt the need to defend her other self.

Neville stepped towards her and put his arms around her. "I know it is, love, I'm not trying to discount your work. I just hate seeing you so stressed."

Hermione sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. If he only knew what she was actually stressed about.

"I could take your mind off it. Relieve some stress at the same time." He waggled his eyebrows and grinned at her.

She laughed. "As tempting as that is," and it was tempting, Merlin was it ever, "I really am just tired."

He pulled her closer to him and kissed her, then hugged her tightly. "I told Gran I'd stop over and help her with a few things on the grounds this afternoon. Why don't you take a nap?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea."

"I can stop and get takeaway for supper on my way home."

"Even better," Hermione said as she reached up and kissed him quickly.

He hugged her again and then let her go. "As long as you promise to rest, not work on your proposal."

"I promise," she said having absolutely no plans to work on the proposal. And it counted as resting if she was reading the journals while lying in bed.

Neville went to change into something more suitable for working in his grandmother's garden and Hermione took that opportunity to grab the rest of the journals from the desk, shrinking them down and putting them in the pocket of her robes.

Neville kissed her rather thoroughly before he left for his Gran's through the Floo. Hermione stared at the empty fireplace for several seconds after he left, trying to compose herself. Shaking her head to clear it, she put an alarm charm on the Floo so she would know when he returned, then hurried to the bedroom.

As Hermione began her read through of the journal from fourth year, one thing became clear very quickly. She and Harry hadn't attended the World Cup. It made sense as the Weasleys had brought them in her world. Here, Harry and Ron were just casual friends, if that, and Hermione clearly loathed the redhead. She was sure the opposite was also true.

Harry and Hermione did spend the last week of the summer with Neville, as they had the year before. Neville had complained that he'd begged his grandmother to get tickets to the Cup but she had refused. They listened to the game on the wireless instead. But, of course, they had no idea what had happened in the campground until the next morning when the Prophet arrived.

Once they got back to Hogwarts, things went the same way they had in Hermione's world. The Tri-Wizard tournament still took place and Harry's name still came out of the Goblet. Ron still thought he had figured out a way to put his name in and called him out on it. But Ron didn't ignore Harry for weeks like he had in her world. Likely because they weren't that good of friends.

Mad-Eye Moody was still their teacher and from what happened in their first lesson with the Unforgivables, Hermione assumed he was still Barty Crouch Jr. under Polyjuice. The other Hermione and Harry knew about what had happened to Neville's parents. He'd told them before second year when they'd rescued Harry from the Dursleys. As a result, this Hermione had been even more livid with Moody after that first class than she had in her own world. She ranted about him for two full pages in the journal.

Nothing was different, save Neville's place in their lives, until they found out about the Yule Ball.

Neville asked me to the Yule Ball today! I couldn't believe it but of course I said I'd go with him. He didn't say it was just as friends either, so I'm not sure if that means anything. He can't fancy me, can he? Maybe he assumed I'd figure it was just as friends and that's why he didn't mention it. Because surely, he doesn't like me like that. No, I'm sure it's just as friends.

Every entry for the next week had this Hermione speculating on whether Neville fancied her or he had just asked her to go to the Ball as a friend. And if she liked him more than just a friend. She also discussed Harry's issues with finding a date. He'd asked Cho in this universe as well and was turned down for the same reason as in Hermione's world. Neville finally suggested Harry ask Ginny Weasley. He'd heard that she wanted to attend but wouldn't be able to unless an older student asked her. Harry hadn't been too keen at first, worrying about Ron's reactionto Harry taking his baby sister.

Neville suggested Harry just ask her as friends. This world's Hermione had dissected that comment for days afterward. Neville hadn't said anything to her about going as friends but suggested it to Harry about Ginny. What did that mean? Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at the teenage angst. You couldn't pay her enough galleons to go back and relive her teenaged years again.

Finally, the day of the Ball arrived. Hermione eagerly read the entry.

The Yule Ball was amazing. The Great Hall looked so beautiful. Harry had to open the dance as one of the Champions and even though he had just learned, he did all right. Neville, on the other hand, dances wonderfully. He told me that many Pureblood children took dance lessons as part of their education before Hogwarts and his Gran had made sure that he did. I'm glad Mum and Dad had taught me a few steps as well, so I could keep up with him.

We danced almost the entire night, although I did dance with Harry a couple of times and Viktor Krum, the Durmstrang champion, asked me for a dance as well. He told me that he had intended on asking me to the Ball, but Neville asked me first. I was so shocked; I couldn't even say anything. When I told Neville, he glared at Viktor for a rather long time.

But the best part was when Neville and I walked back to Gryffindor Tower. We had stayed until the end of the dance, so most everyone was already gone. Before I could give the Fat Lady the password, Neville took my hand and led me a little way away from the portrait hole. He looked at me for a minute and his cheeks got pink but then he asked me if it would be all right if he kissed me. All I could do was nod my head.

It was a perfect kiss. I know I don't have anything to compare it to, but it was still perfect. Afterward, he took my hand again and then led me through the portrait and into the Common Room. When he left me at the girls' stairs, he kissed the back of my hand and thanked me for the lovely evening. Then he waited until I got up the stairs, like a gentleman.

I still can't believe it. Neville kissed me. And I really think I'd like him to do it again.

That appeared to be the start of their romance. As Hermione read the next few pages, she couldn't help but smile. Neville was so sweet and Harry, thankfully, had accepted their new relationship like he'd expected it all along. Maybe he had.

The rest of the year was spent helping Harry with the Tournament and sneaking off to snog Neville. The other Hermione wrote quite a bit about the snogging. The year ended exactly the same way it had in her world, unfortunately.

The summer was different though. Harry still went to Grimmauld Place for part of the summer as Sirius was there. The other Hermione spent her summer at home with her parents, although she did visit Neville a couple of times and he came to her house once. Now that they were dating, his grandmother kept a much closer eye on them and refused to allow Hermione to stay the night, saying it wasn't appropriate. Some Pureblood thing, Hermione was sure.

When they found Harry on the train, he was sitting with Ron. The Weasleys had been at Grimmauld all summer, of course. The other Hermoine hadn't been all that keen to share a compartment with Ron Weasley, although the redhead hadn't really insulted her at all the year before. After the whole Scabbers incident, he seemed a bit different.

The four of them had spent an amiable enough trip, the other Hermione snuggled into Neville's side for most of it. It still made Hermione smile whenever her other self would talk about some sweet gesture Neville made towards her. And, of course, there was the snogging. The other Hermione thought Neville was a fabulous kisser and Hermione had to agree with her. And Hermione did have something to compare it to.

Now that she knew how the other Hermione and Neville had come to be, Hermione skimmed more quickly through the journals. All the major events were still the same just with Neville involved instead of Ron. Neville had convinced his grandmother to buy him a new wand after their third year, so he had improved in all his classes and was the one to help Harry and Hermione run the D.A. Ron still went to the Ministry with them, as did Ginny and Luna, and Sirius still died. Hermione wondered if there were any universes where he didn't. Surely there had to be. Maybe there were even worlds where he had raised Harry from the beginning, instead of going to Azkaban.

When she reached summer between sixth and seventh year, Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she read on. The Hermione of this world had also cast a memory charm on her parents and sent them to Australia although it was a slightly different one than Hermione herself had used. If that were the case, then something else had happened for Neville to have made the comment about missing them.

Hermione's mind filled with possibilities, of course. Maybe this Hermione had never found them after the war or she hadn't been able to restore their memories. Maybe her parents had died after they'd gone to Australia or maybe they were fine but wanted nothing to do with this Hermione after she'd performed such invasive magic on them.

Her own parents had taken a while to come to terms with what she'd done. It was possible that in another world they never had. Maybe they had disowned her or something. The thought brought tears to her eyes.

She flipped through the journal to the end, hoping she had written something about her parents. She knew that she should probably read things a little closer, she still didn't know how Harry and Luna had gotten together, although Harry had taken Luna to Slughorn's Christmas party just as he had in Hermione's world so maybe that was it. She was too curious about her parents to read it thoroughly.

Here it was, two months after the war. The other Hermione and Neville had gone to Australia to find them. Hermione was a bit surprised that Augusta had allowed it, although Neville being of age she probably couldn't do anything to stop him.

17 July 1998

It took two weeks but with the help of the Australian Ministry we finally found them. They weren't dentists anymore. Instead, my mum was working at a garden shop and Dad gave snorkeling tours. Knowing how much Mum loved working in the garden at home and how much dad enjoyed snorkeling and scuba diving, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

Neither of them recognized me, which shouldn't have hurt like it did, it means my spell worked after all. But a little part of me hoped that they would still know me somehow, no matter what I'd done. They seem to be healthy and happy, which is good. Neville and I are going to wait until Mum leaves for the day and then follow her home. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to reverse the spell.

18 July 1998

It didn't work. I tried on Mum first, stunning Dad before we started. After I cast the counter spell, we waited over an hour, but Mum just kept crying, asking what had happened to Dad. She didn't recognize me at all, even after I told her who I was. Eventually, we had to stun her too. I had Neville put her in their bedroom so Dad wouldn't lose it when I revived him.

I tried the spell again, but it didn't work with him either. He stared at me for a few minutes when I told him who I was, and I thought that maybe he recognized me, but he shook his head a few seconds later and asked where Mum was. I burst into tears; I couldn't help it. I thought that I would be able to cast the counter curse and they would be fine. Maybe they'd be angry with me, but they'd still remember me.

Neville left to talk to someone in the Australian Ministry, hoping they can help us. We had to stun Dad again and put him in the bedroom with Mum. I'm sitting with them until Neville gets back.

20 July 1998

There's nothing that can be done for them. The Ministry here brought in a Mind Healer, one that specializes in memory. He examined my parents and told me that because they were Muggles the spell worked differently than it would on someone magical. It's irreversible.

The Healer suggested that we tell them they were in an accident and had amnesia. Then I could reintroduce myself and show them photographs and things from our lives together. They might be able to make new memories with me, but they'd never remember my childhood on their own.

I'm not sure how I feel about that solution. Is it kinder to just leave them as they are, let them continue to live their lives here? They seem happy, they appear to have friends, and they both love their jobs. I want them in my life, but they would be so confused if I tried to bring them back to England. Not to mention the fact that my parents are intelligent. They're going to be extremely suspicious if they're told they both have the exact same kind of amnesia from an accident. I'm sure that they won't believe it actually. They'll think I'm trying to scam them or something.

Neville completely understands, given what happened to his parents. But at least they know who he is. They recognize him whenever he visits. My parents probably would too if I were around them enough, but again, they probably won't even give me that chance. They'll be too suspicious about the amnesia. They remember coming to Australia because they always wanted to live here. How can they believe they had an accident that was bad enough they lost their memories but not bad enough to put them in hospital?

I think I'm going to have to leave them as they are. I can't believe I just wrote that but I don't see any alternative. There are too many holes in the amnesia story. They don't know about magic anymore and I doubt I could convince them, nor does the Australian Ministry want me to try. The Healer has said that if any other memory charms were cast on them, like an Obliviate if they don't believe what I tell them about magic and the Ministry has to step in, there's a good chance they'd lose their minds altogether. Neville looked stricken when they told us that. I could never do that to them anyway.

I can't believe this is happening.

There were spots all over the page where the other Hermione's tears had dripped onto the paper. Hermione didn't realize she was crying until she finished the last sentence. There were a few more entries, the other Hermione and Neville had stayed for a few more days to make sure that her parents got back to their routines after the ordeal. They'd reported what had happened to the police, but the Australian Ministry managed to convince the police to drop the case. Hermione was sure that there were memory charms involved but the other Hermione hadn't said.

When the other Hermione and Neville had returned to England, she decided to return to Hogwarts for her seventh year. Although he had been offered an Auror position by Kingsley, Neville had decided to go back to Hogwarts with her, something the other Hermione was extremely grateful for. There had been a couple of entries at the beginning of the school year but either the other Hermione had continued her journal elsewhere or she'd given up on it altogether.

Hermione lay in bed after she finished the last of the journals, crying for her counterpart. Even if their relationship wasn't perfect, she at least still had her parents. She couldn't imagine the guilt the other Hermione must feel. Before she realized, she had drifted off to sleep.

"Hermione?"

Hermione's eyes fluttered open to see Neville sitting on the edge of the bed looking at her in concern.

"What time is it?" she asked trying to shake off the last vestiges of sleep. She'd had a strange dream about her parents not remembering her.

"Nearly six," Neville said brushing a curl away from her face.

It was then that Hermione realized he was holding something in his hand. The journal she had been reading. She froze and looked up at him.

"I haven't seen you with one of these in a while," he said indicating the journal. The other Hermione had obviously told him about them then. And the year was written prominently on the front cover, so he knew which one she was reading.

She shrugged. "Just felt like reading it."

"Because of what you said at Mungo's? About your mum doing your hair?"

Hermione nodded, glad to have an excuse to explain it, not looking at him.

"Oh, love," Neville said, setting the journal on the bedside table and lying down next to her in the bed. He pulled her into his arms and Hermione snuggled into him, sniffling as the tears returned. She thought again about what Luna had said and was more convinced than ever that the other Hermione still had some kind of influence over her body.

Neville held her tightly to him, stroking her hair and whispering soothing words to her. Hermione relaxed into his embrace.

"You did what was best to keep them safe," Neville said. "You know that."

She just sniffed again and didn't respond.

"You remember what Yaxley said at his trial. That he'd been sent to capture them to try and lure the three of you out."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Voldemort had planned to go after her parents. She'd always suspected as much but none of the Death Eaters in her world had admitted to it.

"I know it didn't work out how you wanted but your parents are alive and safe because of you. Don't forget that."

"I know," she whispered.

They lay in silence for a while longer, Neville simply holding her, running his fingertips up and down her back. After a few minutes, what was meant for comfort turned into something else in Hermione's mind and she shivered involuntarily.

Neville looked down at her and her eyes met his. He leaned down and kissed her and Hermione sighed into his mouth. The kiss deepened and he pressed himself tighter against her as they snogged. It wasn't until he rolled her onto her back that Hermione broke the kiss.

She stared up at him, breathing heavily. She had to stop them from going further. But quite without her permission, her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him back to her for another kiss. Neville groaned and rolled completely on top of her, settling in the cradle of her hips.

As he kissed down her neck, Hermione hummed in appreciation and any thoughts of stopping what was going to happen flew from her head. All she could think about was the delicious things Neville was doing to her body. Besides, stopping now would raise more questions than she could answer. And was it really cheating if she was in the other Hermione's body anyway?

She ignored that little voice in her head that said yes, it absolutely was, and started on the buttons of Neville's shirt. She managed to get them undone and the shirt pushed off his shoulders while still kissing him. She stared at his torso for a moment. Holy hell, Neville was fit.

She'd seen him briefly last night when she'd put him to bed, but she hadn't really looked. Now, though, Merlin. When she looked back up at him, he simply smiled and kissed her again, running his hands under her shirt to her breasts.

He'd just gotten her shirt off and was reaching around to unhook her bra when there was a noise from the other room. Neville didn't seem to notice until a voice called out.

"Mr. Longbottom?"

They both stopped moving, Neville's head whipping towards the living room.

"Mr. Longbottom?" the voice called again. "Is anyone home?"

"Fuck," Neville said, jumping up off the bed and grabbing his shirt. He shoved his arms into the sleeves as he hurried from the room. He obviously knew who it was.

Hermione sat up and pulled her shirt back over her head, not sure if she was grateful for the interruption or not. No, she was grateful, of course she was. Knowing her hair likely looked a fright, she gathered it into a messy bun and secured it with magic before joining Neville in the living room.

"He's been very agitated," the man in the Floo was saying. "It started shortly after you left and continued throughout the afternoon. Normally, we can calm him down but not this time. He refused to drink any potions and while we hate to do it, we ended up having to stun him as he was starting to injure himself."

Hermione put a hand to her mouth. Neville was listening grimly.

"As you know, your mother gets extremely upset whenever she sees a wand. The mediwitch tried to get her out of the room before they stunned your father, but everything happened extremely quickly. She's been terribly upset since, although she did take a calming draught."

"Upset how?" Neville asked. Hermione could see the tightness in his jaw, the muscles in his arms taut where they were crossed over his chest.

"She has been crying ever since your father was stunned and is lying with him in the bed. She refuses to let us examine him or heal any of his injuries, which are minor," the Healer assured him quicky. "Just a few small cuts and some bruises. I'm deeply sorry, Mr. Longbottom. I'm not sure what set your father off. He hasn't acted this way in a very long time."

Neville sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "I'll be right there."

"Thank you." The Healer's face disappeared from the Floo.

Hermione immediately wrapped her arms around Neville and hugged him. He held her tightly, burying his face in her hair.

"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked.

"I really do but it's probably better if you don't. The fewer people in there with them the better."

Hermione nodded against his shoulder. "I could go and just wait outside, if you like."

He pulled back from her slightly. "I don't know how long I'll be. I wouldn't want you to have to sleep in the lounge or something."

"I don't mind."

"I know you don't but it's better if you just stay here. You've got to work in the morning. Thank you though."

She nodded and he leaned down and kissed her. "The takeaway is in the kitchen. Don't wait up." He kissed her again, more deeply this time, then rested his forehead against hers. "I love you."

"I love you too."

He released her and turned to the Floo. He threw in the powder, called out for St. Mungo's, and disappeared.

Hermione stood in front of the empty fireplace for a few minutes, biting her lip and thinking about the Healer's words. 'I'm not sure what set your father off. He hasn't acted this way for a very long time.' What if she had been the one to set him off? Yes, she was in the other Hermione's body, but she wasn't her. Frank had mostly ignored her while they had been there, something which didn't seem to be all that unusual as Neville hadn't remarked on it. But he had looked at her a few times and he'd had that strange look in his eye.

Of course, Hermione had no idea how he usually looked at her other self, so maybe it wasn't any different. And there was no way he could have known she was actually someone else. She looked like Neville's Hermione and his mother hadn't seemed to know the difference. She was being ridiculous.

She turned and walked into the kitchen. She wasn't very hungry but she should at least put the food in the ice box for Neville later if he wanted it. And she supposed she had better at least familiarize herself with the proposal the other Hermione was working on. She was definitely going to the Ministry tomorrow and hopefully talking to Padma.