Chapter 8: Condemnant quo non intellegunt ~ They condemn that which they do not understand

Hermione swallowed. Turning her head, she saw Harry in her periphery. Caught the nod, a silent approval. "When the Horcrux existed within Harry," she started, very deliberately qualifying her answer, "There was a connection between the two. When Voldemort was… emotional… Harry could see what was happening. He saw Voldemort gain possession of the wand."

Waiting, the follow up questions that were inevitable would be just as difficult.

The older wizard leaned forward. "Where did he find the wand?"

Her eyes narrowed. Did he know about the deathly hallows? She wasn't sure she believed they were anything other than three amazing magical creations. Others might not be so enlightened. "It was Albus Dumbledore's wand. Won in his duel with Grindelwald. Voldemort took it from Dumbledores' grave."

The thought was repulsive to many. Not the worst crime Voldemort committed to be sure, still, the violation was clearly understood.

"And where is it now?"

Formulating her words before she spoke them, she wasn't sure she would get away with the obfuscation. It was worth a try. "From what I understand about wandlore, it would be in the hands of the person who won its allegiance."

"Well," the wizard started, his eyebrows raised. "That would be you now, wouldn't it?"

"I suppose it would be," it was an answer, if not an entire truth. She held his gaze, challenging him to ask her directly if she had possession of the elder wand.

"Would you show us your wand?" The wizard asked.

Remus moved to object, she rested a hand on his arm. Opening a pocket sewn into her skirt, she set her vine wand down on the table. Grateful the Elder Wand was safely at Grimmauld Place. "Vine, ten and three quarters, dragon heartsting. Harry has the receipt from the wand check."

Appeased for the moment, the wizard sat back. She scanned the witches and wizards, expecting the next question. A kind looking witch raised her hand and waited for the Minister to acknowledge her.

"You have a daughter?" she asked.

"I do."

"With Harry Potter?"

"Minster, I don't see how this is relevant," Remus interjected.

Hermione waited. Was Kingsley ready for his efforts to be tested? Did he trust that she figured out what she needed to do to protect Delphi?

"I'll allow it," he said without much hesitation. "Ensure that it's relevant."

"Yes. Lily Grace Potter is our daughter."

"Conceived when Harry was possessed by a Horcrux?" The witch spoke slowly, her accusation veiled.

Hermione was about to lecture the witch on the absurdity that a horcrux could be simply transferred inadvertently to a baby until she realized that was what she had just testified had happened to Harry. It wasn't the same even if Lily was biologically Harry's. "Are you asking if a Horcrux is a genetic disease?"

"Miss Granger. You would have us believe that Harry lived for eighteen years, carrying a piece of Voldemort's soul that was attached to him by accident, is simply an anomaly and that we shouldn't be concerned that history has repeated itself. That history will repeat itself. This court must determine if these Horcruxes are in fact gone for good and Voldemort has really been destroyed."

"I'm not sure this is the place to discuss magical theory. What I can offer is evidence. The dark mark is gone from every Death Eater. That wasn't case when Voldemort's body was destroyed in 1981 or when I stabbed him to death on Tuesday. Only the complete destruction of Voldemort's soul could produce such a result. My daughter is not a Horcrux and she will not be subjected to any tests to confirm this fact." Her wand still on the table spun ever so slightly to present its handle to her. Hermione surprised herself by the sharpness of her tone and by the unintentional display of magic. It shut the witch up.

"Miss Granger. No one will lay a finger or a spell on your daughter," the minister assured her, trying to diffuse the situation.

Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and leaned back, trying to relax. She had read in the books Harry got for her that a muggle mother could lift a car to save their baby. She hadn't really believed that was true at the time. However, in that moment, Hermione was sure she could lift the Knight Bus without magic if she needed to.

Kingsley continued to talk. "Did you infiltrate the ministry last September?"

The change in topic was abrupt. It forced her brain to override her emotions. Likely the result he was counting on. "We did, yes."

"For what purpose?"

"We learned that a ministry employee had possession of the locket we knew to be a horcrux," she answered, pleased her voice was steady again.

"Who?"

"Dolores Umbridge."

That was clearly scandalous. No doubt their former colleague had been as divisive at the ministry as she had been at Hogwarts. Kingsley let the disruption last several seconds before gaveling order again. "Are there more questions?" he asked and called on a witch with a bun so severe McGonagall would have been proud.

"I have one question in two parts," she said very orderly. "How did you know where You-Know-Who could be found and how did you know Bellatrix Lestrange would be provided the privacy required to assassinate him?"

Hermione wanted to tap her index finger on the table to signal Remus she needed intervention. She wanted to ask for a break. She wanted to get up and leave. None of those things would spare her from the question. If she didn't answer it then, it would continue to be asked. Catching Kingsley's eye she wanted to be a Legilimens. She desperately wanted to know the actions he had taken to protect Delphini. "When Bellatrix took a break from torturing me, I overheard a conversation between her and her sister. I was in and out of consciousness, but heard enough to learn that Bellatrix was having an affair with Voldemort." It was enough truth. She hoped. The revelation appeared to be more scandalous than grave robbing or Dolores Umbridge's entitlement. Kingsley's gavel was not powerful enough to reign in the shocked court.

"Order!" he finally yelled. "We are not the editorial board of the Daily Prophet. I expect professional comportment."

Between the disruption and the admonishment, Hermione hoped there wouldn't be a follow up question on that particular matter, she hurried to answer the second question. "While I was recovering after we escaped, I overheard some intelligence reports regarding the most likely headquarters since Voldemort left Malfoy Manor. I understand he was furious over our escape leading to the move." She was doing her best not to out the Order of the Phoenix as the source of that information. It was still unclear what the Ministry's position was on the extramural organization. It would be safe to assume that since Kingsley was installed as the minister they would be safe from judgment. It was just an assumption. Hermione was also resistant to mentioning the Riddle name. Part of the protections afforded to Delphini was the obscurity of Voldemort's background.

"There will be a supplemental report regarding this intelligence source," Kingsley intervened, sparing Hermione the need to clarify. The room seemed eerily quiet while everyone waited to see if the minister had more to add or ask.

"What happened to Bellatrix Lestrange?" a Wizard blurted out earning a warning from Kingsley before he nodded to Hermione to answer.

Part of her was annoyed. Why would they assume she would know? Was she supposed to have the knowledge of every Death Eater's demise? Unfortunately she did have this answer. "She died at Hogwarts."

"How?" a voice called out.

She looked around, trying to find who had asked the question.

"If we can't proceed in an orderly manner, I will end this hearing," the minister warned.

For Hermione's benefit, he pointed toward a younger wizard who looked mildly familiar to her. "In the process of saving Severus Snape from her, she was inadvertently killed."

"By who?" His question was enunciated with an annoying edge.

"Me," she said simply. "I brought the roof of a building down on her." Thinking back on it, she was suddenly reminded of an American muggle movie she watched about witches before she knew what she was. A house had landed on a wicked witch. She hadn't thought of that movie in a very long time. When she got her letter for Hogwarts though, she wondered if she would meet good witches floating in bubbles or wicked witches in red shoes and striped socks. How easy everything would have been.

The snobby wizard shifted in his seat. "Are you telling this court you eliminated Voldemort and his top lieutenant single handedly in one day?"

The mannerisms had her certain he was related to Cornelius Fudge. She remembered seeing his picture on the Daily Prophet. She wracked her brain. His son. Carson or Chris… They might not have suffered through the war if his father hadn't been so concerned with optics. In any other setting she might try to give him the benefit of the doubt. His attitude implied he wasn't at all unlike the former minister. "Is it because I'm a girl or a mudblood that makes that thought hard to believe?"

The offense her words leveled may have been a slap based on his reaction. "Miss Granger, it's not an unreasonable question. It appeared as if Voldemort was on the eve of ultimate victory despite the efforts of many powerful witches and wizards in the resistance. You'd have us believe that a Hogwarts-aged student did what no one else could?"

"You asked me here to explain my actions. I cannot speak for what others could or could not accomplish." She turned away from him expecting another question.

"I'm not asking for your assessment of other efforts. I'm questioning this unbelievable story that is being accepted as fact."

Several around the man groaned, others rolled their eyes. He didn't appear to be well respected. Earned his seat thanks to his dad most likely. Too thick to realize privilege didn't guarantee competency.

"Christopher," Kingsley admonished. "We've been through this. This testimony has been corroborated by other reports. The truthfulness is not in question. The purpose for today is to fill in the gaps only Miss Granger is capable of doing."

Appearing to not understand how to shut up, Christopher pressed. "Minister. Severus Snape is not a credible source."

Having none of it, Kingsley slammed his gavel down. "Severus Snape saved your life. You'd do well to remember that."

Hermione didn't know what the minister was referring to, it left the wizard growing red with embarrassment and finally shut him up. Making a mental note to find out how Snape saved the younger Fudge she tried to shake off the implications left in the wake of his questions. He wouldn't be the only one who would question the veracity of her statement. She didn't know yet if she cared.

A poised witch in the back row raised her hand. Decorum had returned. "Miss Granger. Most of my colleagues don't question what you've done for all of us," she started glaring at Fudge. "We wonder why it was necessary. Why do you think Albus Dumbledore entrusted such an important mission to three students and never once tried to ensure others knew what needed to be done in the event you failed?"

This was a reasonable question. One she had grappled with often over the previous year. "Firstly, I don't know that he didn't have a plan in the event we failed. If Harry died before the remaining Horcruxes were destroyed, I can't say what would have happened. As I said in my statement, I believe he was confident in the protections Harry was granted. If Harry was killed that would also mean Voldemort was dead. I do know the most important requirement for our success was that Voldemort was not aware of what we were doing. If he felt his soul fragments were in jeopardy, he would have moved them, making it nearly impossible to find them or get to them. I think that's why Dumbledore guarded this knowledge. The fewer people who knew the better."

"Do you find that decision… cruel?" she asked, some sympathy in her eyes.

Of all the questions she prepared for, this wasn't one of them. "Do I think it cruel…" she repeated, sifting through her thoughts on the matter. It had been insanely unfair to not tell Harry the truth, to expect him to sacrifice himself without even trying to find another way. It was why she had taken the actions he had in the first place. What wasn't clear to her was whether or not she blamed Dumbledore for not trying. "I think our world has a problem with transparency. We hide the things we don't entirely understand. We restrict the things we fear without trying to find ways to neutralize them. We worry about optics and opinions when we should be trying to fix the things that are unjust. We ignore the uncomfortable truths in our history, the prejudices that defined our policies. Was it cruel to expect Harry Potter to sacrifice his life in service to our future? Wasn't this in line with our long tradition of identifying who has more value than others? If you want me to answer that question, you need to tell me if our foundation built by defining castes is inherently cruel."

"Well," Kingsley redirected the attention to himself. "That is certainly outside the scope of this hearing. Something we should consider."

Hermione heard Lily let out a cry. It had been a miracle she had been quiet as long as she had. Glancing behind her, she saw Tonks taking the infant and the diaper bag. She was taking her for Harry so he could stay in the courtroom. Grateful for the support, she turned her attention back to the dais. There seemed to be a resistance to asking another question after her last answer. Good. They should be uncomfortable, she thought. The distraction of Voldemort was gone, they should be focused on rebuilding. Part of that should be facing the prejudices which allowed Voldemort to rise to power in the first place.

"Is it true Dumbledore was dying?" the same witch asked, undeterred by Hermione's assessment of their world.

She wanted to return the favor Snape had given her by confirming her version of events. "I don't have first hand information. I can confirm he suffered from a deadly curse contained within his hand. Transferred to him from the ring. Professor Snape also shared the conversation he had with Dumbledore regarding their plan through legilimency. I understand this isn't admissible, it was convincing. And I wasn't inclined to trust him at the time. I wasn't inclined to trust anyone at the time."

Another hand went up. Hermione shifted, took a drink of water, waiting for the next question.

"You destroyed the lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw? Several founders artifacts in fact," a high pitched voice called out from her right.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the question. In her mind it was irrelevant. "I didn't. We didn't. Voldemort did when he turned them into Horcruxes. The Grey Lady, Helena Ravenclaw, asked us to destroy the corrupted diadem."

"You've demonstrated contempt for our heritage during this hearing. You destroyed three priceless antiquities."

Hermione looked from the witch to Remus. Was she for real?

Remus stood, "Unless you are considering charging Miss Granger with a violation of the magical antiquities preservation act, I'm not sure how this line of questioning is relevant."

Kingsley cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "I'm inclined to agree. Beatrice?"

"I have a follow up. I'd like to know first if she has a complete disregard for our legacy."

The minister let out a small sigh.

Hermione sensed the minister was about to intercede. She spoke up. "I'm happy to respond to the accusation. If you've interpreted my words as contempt, I apologize. That was not my intention. And I do regret the damage done to the cup, the locket and the diadem. I didn't decide to turn them into vessels of dark magic. Voldemort did. We didn't have a choice to either destroy the dark lord or the objects he corrupted. I'm not sure I ever considered the latter an option. And I still don't."

Waiting for the real question to be asked, the witch sat back. "How is it you managed to find a relic that has been lost for centuries?"

Rubbing her forehead, Hermione felt like she was talking to Crabbe or Goyle. "We didn't find it," she started slowly. "Voldemort convinced the Grey Lady to tell him where she hid it."

The witch held up the list of destroyed Horcruxes. "You found it. You destroyed it and I want to know how."

She didn't find it. She didn't destroy it. Harry did both of those things. She wasn't sure the witch would understand the nuance and yet she had stumbled on a legitimate question. "Professor Dumbledore and Harry Potter laid the foundation for most of our understanding at the start of the war. When the ministry fell two horcruxes had been destroyed, the journal and ring, and we were sure of another two, Salazar Slytherin's locket and the snake. There was also evidence that Voldemort first saw the locket in the presence of Helga Hufflepuff's cup. Our assumption from that point was that he tried to find a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor possession to complete his plan to make six Horcruxes. It's likely his plan was to always have four founder's objects and when he couldn't obtain a Gryffindor object, he used his snake."

"It seems there were some great leaps in logic in that process."

Swallowing the laugh at the obvious projection, Hermione wondered how to simplify the explanation. "Dumbledore recovered memories over decades of history, from people close to Voldemort or those who unfortunately came close. Studying those in his pensieve, he put together places important to Voldemort where he might hide these objects and items he came into contact with that he would have considered worthy vessels for his soul. The most helpful pieces of information came from a conversation Voldemort had early on where he entertained the possibility of breaking his soul into seven pieces. He was under the impression that a seven-part soul was somehow sacred and would lead him to immortality. These weren't leaps in logic. Our understanding came from extensive investigation."

"Where are these memories?" a wizard's voice asked.

Instead of trying to find the source, she looked to the minister. This was well beyond her. "I wouldn't know what happened to Albus Dumbledore's personal items after he died."

"You just believed these memories were genuine and embarked on essentially a death mission because Albus Dumbledore told you to?" the same wizard asked.

Now she scanned the bench, found a man who appeared to be fighting the ravages of time. Resisting the reality of aging. His skin was uncomfortably tight, his eyes awkwardly shaped. Likely a contemporary of Dumbledore trying to pretend he was decades younger. "It turns out, it's a good thing we did," she simply said and meant that to be the end until the questioning wizard looked insulted. "We didn't do this because Albus Dumbledore told us to. Someone needed to make sure Voldemort could be defeated. I guess we can all just be glad he didn't ask you."

"Minister!" the wizard erupted. "This contempt of court cannot be tolerated."

"I didn't hear a contempt of court, I heard contempt for your question. Move on," the minister ruled. "Miss Granger, try to simply answer the question you were asked."

"Yes, minister," Hermione tried to act contrite. The longer the hearing went on, the more discouraged she was becoming that anything was going to change. It seemed the members of the highest ruling body were in denial. They wanted a different narrative. Her questioners were insulted that she was resisting their wishes.

A small hand went up, an older witch looked like she had weathered several storms. "How did you know how to destroy a Horcrux? Is this part of the Hogwarts curriculum now?"

For the first time since she walked into the court, she felt some guilt. "I stole a book," she said softly.

The older witch leaned forward, "What's that?"

Clearing her throat, she knew her emotions were silly. She wasn't a student. She hadn't committed a crime, she broke a school rule. "I took a book. From the restricted section. Well, Professor Dumbledore had removed it from the library when he found out it contributed to Voldemort's actions. I summoned them after Dumbledore died."

Sensing a change in the room, Hermione was hopeful everyone had asked their questions. The door opened behind her, she guessed it was Tonks returning with Lily. She wanted desperately to join her family and leave the ministry.

"Are there any more questions for Miss Granger?" Kingsley finally asked. Silence confirmed they had exhausted the immediate concerns. "The witness is free to add anything that hasn't been addressed related to this testimony."

The offer was unexpected. Her instinct was to decline in order to end the hearing faster. The nature of their questions had left her uneasy. It might be her only opportunity to say what was on her mind to the only group of people who could impact change. Shifting in her chair, she brushed a stray hair behind her ear. "I understand the truth can be inconvenient. It would be easier for everyone if the ministry hadn't fallen, if the institutions would have held against the attacks from Voldemort. Why he was able to gain such total control in a relatively short period of time is a reality that is hard to face. I hope you will investigate how that was possible as intensely as you'll be looking at our actions to end the war," she started, trying to keep her voice neutral. She could feel the emotions on the edge. "In some ways, the Horcrux hunt was easier than the task set before you. We knew the enemy, we knew we could trust each other, we knew we were on our own, we knew his weakness, and we knew what was needed to declare victory. In the fog of war, our decisions may not have been perfectly made. You will find fault, I'm sure. The heroes of this story are imperfect and would prefer not to be considered heroic. Those who would prefer to be the hero of the story lacked the bravery to stand in the gap when it mattered."

Hermione could tell that thought didn't sit well with some. She bowed her head slightly and held up a hand to acknowledge she didn't think all of them had failed. She had to admit there was value in career ministry employees staying in their position to keep as much functioning as possible. "There needs to be an accounting of the events that ended the war, that allowed the war. I don't fault the seeking of the truth. If history has taught us anything it's that the inconvenient truths cannot be hidden. They come out eventually. I ask that you evaluate our systems, our institutions, find the fault lines. Look at the resistance, put together your timelines and players. Ensure no one exploited the situation for personal gain. An honest evaluation, one which doesn't start with a predetermined answer, can help us repair, rebuild, and heal. Trying to control the narrative will create the environment for the next dark wizard to rise."

Deciding she had said enough that the audience wouldn't have much more patience for a lecture from a Hogwarts-aged student, she stopped. Gave the minister her full attention.

"Members of the Wizengamot will have one week to submit any additional requests for clarification in writing. I will determine if those requests can be satisfied in writing or if an additional hearing is warranted." He turned to Hermione. "Thank you for your sacrifices and heroism. When all fact finding investigations are complete there will be an unclassified summary made available to the public. I'll ensure you receive a copy in advance. With no further business, this session is closed." The gavel echoed off the walls. Almost immediately the room filled with chatter and conversations.

Remus put an affectionate arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a side hug. "You were brilliant. Well done," he whispered in her ear.

Letting out a long breath, she turned in her chair. She found Harry and Lily waiting for her. Hermione picked up her wand and slipped it back in her pocket before joining them.

Harry was searching her eyes to make sure she was really okay before smiling at her. "That was really great," he told her. "For a minute there, at the start, I thought you were going to curse a few of them."

Gathering Lily into her arms, the corner of her mouth twitched. "I hadn't ruled it out." Movement near her caught her eye and she saw Kingsley give her a nod of approval before slipping out. "Let's get out of here," she said, desperate to avoid an awkward confrontation with one of the recalcitrant judges. Letting Remus lead them out, she stuck close to Harry while keeping her focus on Lily's face. Based on the scowl, the baby didn't like the sudden change in noise around her.

Harry handed Hermione a pacifier. "I'm not sure if she likes these or not."

The sudden silence in the lift was a relief for everyone.

"It's really hard to figure out what they want," Tonks observed.

"How is Teddy?" Hermione asked, knowing he was only a few weeks old. It couldn't have been easy for Tonks to leave the baby even for a few hours, let alone long enough to fight in a war-ending battle. She listened to the older witch gush about her newborn. Hermione nearly asked Tonks how she had managed everything despite the war. Realizing she should, in theory, know what it was like Hermione kept her comments to herself.

When they were back in the atrium, Hermione took a moment to enjoy the open space, turned toward the Lupins. "Thank you both again. I'm not sure how I would have managed that alone."

"Do you want to come over for brunch? My mum was planning a spread," Tonks offered.

Casting a nervous look to Harry, Hermione shook her head. She needed to find her parents. She and Harry needed to get their story straight before spending any time with friends, and they couldn't do that until they knew if she could restore her parents' memories. "I need to catch a portkey. Did you want to go with Lily?" she asked Harry.

"You're not going alone," he started.

"We can't bring Lily."

Remus watched the cryptic argument play out. He wisely didn't press for details. "Why don't you both come for brunch, leave Lily with us. We can watch her while you take care of… whatever you need to."

It was a surprising offer. Likely the only people she would trust to watch Lily right then. Silently weighing the options, she really wanted Harry with her in case she couldn't fix her parents. "You sure it won't be too much trouble? We'll be gone a few hours."

"No trouble," Tonks assured her. "Come on, let's introduce the two babies, see how they get along."

~~/~~

Wendell and Monica Wilkins looked perfectly happy sitting on the patio of a small house just north of Perth. The couple were sharing a quiet evening listening to music in their back yard. Hermione wiped at tears of relief that prick at her eyes as she watched them from underneath the invisibility cloak. "We should wait until they go inside," she whispered.

Harry wondered if she was stalling. He knew she worried about lifting the enchantment. There was a fear that she might not be able to fully restore their memories. Then, if she could do that bit of magic, she'd have to explain why such a violation was necessary. He couldn't do a thing for her other than support her. "We can wait."

"This is a nice place."

"It is."

"They look happy."

"They do."

"What if they want to stay here?"

The emotion was thick in her words. Harry took her hand. "We'll work this out. It might be hard at first. They love you."

"They loved me. They don't know who I am."

Finally her parents stood and stepped through their back door. Harry thought the unknown was worse than the knowing. They couldn't deal with the fallout of her efforts to protect them until they knew what they were dealing with. Still holding her hand, he pulled her toward the glass door. "Do you want to see if they'll let us in, or try to lift the enchantment from under the cloak?"

"I think under here. That way, if it doesn't work, we won't have to explain ourselves," she said, dropped his hand, and took out her wand.

Harry leaned in, opened the door for her to remove the barrier. The couple on the other side stopped what they were doing and looked at the door that appeared to have opened on its own.

Hermione pointed her wand, "Reminiscor."

Harry held his breath. Watched her parents turn inward. Worry grew the longer they stood. He'd never seen the spell used and didn't know how it would look as it worked. The pair finally looked at each other in surprise. Harry thought it must be unsettling to suddenly have eighteen years of old memories. To wrestle with their very reality. Hermione hadn't just erased herself, she changed their identities.

"Nic?" her mother said, starting to panic.

Hearing his real name, Hermione stepped forward, letting the cloak slip off her. "Mom, it's okay," she said, standing just inside the house, going no farther.

Her dad saw her first. "Hermione? What's happening?"

Hermione's hand flew up to her mouth after he said her name. It was suddenly real. He recognized her. Harry pulled the cloak off and joined her, knowing the three Grangers would need someone more subjective to manage the processing that was required. "Can I make us some tea?"

Nic's eyes went wide at the sudden appearance of Harry. "I don't understand."

"I know daddy. Can we sit down? I'll try to explain," Hermione asked, stepping further into the living area. Her mom took a step back. Hermione stopped and looked to Harry with a pained expression.

"Miss Granger, I know this is very confusing."

"Miss Granger," the older woman said, testing the name. "I'm Ole Granger. Nicole Granger. I'm not Monica. Why did I think I was Monica?"

"I can explain," Hermione tried again. "If you can both come sit. I'll explain."

With some relief, Harry saw Nic step closer to Ole and pull her forward to the couch. He passed them in search for a tea pot, keeping an eye on the trio. Hermione waited until both her parents were seated and then took a chair opposite of them.

"Do you remember when I explained how Voldemort returned?" she started.

Not wanting to leave her on her own for long, Harry summoned the tea instead of looking through cupboard. He boiled the water with his wand. Finding a tray, he set up four cups.

"I… I do now," her dad admitted.

Putting a cup of steaming tea in Nic and Ole's hand, Harry sat on the arm of Hermione's chair, absently rubbed her neck.

"He took over the ministry for magic last year. They started to gather up the muggleborns," Hermione pressed on.

Harry hadn't spent much time with the Grangers. He knew they'd been to Diagon Alley every year to get school supplies and books. It never occurred to him that she would have been so open with them about what was happening in the magical world. The Dursleys weren't just disinterested, they found any talk of magic was dangerous. It was strange. Not in a bad way. Her parents were supportive and proud of their daughter. Never once had he known them to disapprove of her magic. He wondered what it would be like to have family he trusted enough growing up to share his fears. Explain what was happening to him. With a start, he finally realized he didn't have to wonder anymore. Hermione was that to him now. She knew everything about him. Maybe even more than he did and she was still there for him. Risked her life for him multiple times.

"Did they do this to us?" Ole asked, pulling Harry's attention back to the conversation.

That would be an easy story to go along with, Harry thought. A lie to cover a lie wasn't the best way to heal.

"No. No mom. I did this," she said quickly. "I did this to protect you."

The disbelief was evident on both of her parents' faces. It would be hard to believe that such a betrayal would be the best option in any situation.

"What did you do? Exactly," her dad asked.

Hermione leaned forward, ready to take responsibility for their pain. "I made you forget about me, about magic. I made you think you were Wendell and Monica Wilkins, two dentists who always wanted to live in Australia. I made sure you had the documents, the finances, and the resources to move. I left information about Perth in our home for you to find."

The truth in her words hit her mom and dad differently. Confusion gave way to disbelief. Disbelief turned to concern in her dad but looked like hurt in her mom.

"Why?" Nic finally asked.

"To get you out of the United Kingdom. To get you as far from the ministry as I possibly could. To keep them from hurting you in order to hurt me."

Ole shook her head, trying to defend herself from everything happening to her. "Hurt you. You're just a student. None of this makes any sense."

"I'm not," Hermione protested Ole's description.

She wasn't. She hadn't been just a student for a while. Neither had he. Harry didn't blame Hermione's indignation. She just spent an morning being told she was too inexperienced, too young to have been expected to save their world. Accusations had been leveled at her knowledge and skill. Part of her protest was likely due to residual stress from the hearing. Understandable, still it wasn't going to diffuse the situation. "We knew things about Voldemort that would hurt him. We had to hide. Hermione wanted to make sure you were safe."

"Well, why not come with us? Why make us think we were someone else?" her mom asked.

Harry's eyes flicked from Ole to Nic. Her dad was sitting back. Sadness evident. He knew. He knew why.

"Ole," Nic said quietly, took his wife's hand. "She wasn't sure she'd survive. She didn't want us to remember her if she didn't."

"No. No. This isn't normal," Ole said standing. "You don't do this to people you love. What would make you think I wouldn't want to remember you? That's worse than losing you."

Harry cleared his throat. It was more complicated than that. "The only way to really protect you was to make the Granger's disappear. Completely."

Nic stood to comfort his wife. "Are you okay now?" he asked his daughter, his attention torn between the two women.

Hermione nodded. "We're okay. The war is over. You can come… back."

Harry thought she was about to ask them to come home and realized home was complicated now.

"We can't stay here. Our friends wouldn't understand. Any of this," Ole processed out loud.

They had a life there. Harry felt for their situation. It was a lot to process. "We can take you back. Tonight, if you want. Or we can make arrangements to move you back."

"We can't just leave," Nic admitted. "We should quit our jobs. Sell the house. There's a lot to do."

"We can make it easier," Hermione offered.

Ole turned and walked into the kitchen. Nic offered a sympathetic look. "Give us some time. This is a lot. Are you staying in Perth?"

Hermione stood, taking the cue to leave. "We need to get back to London. We can come back. When you're ready."

Not wanting to leave the situation in such limbo, Harry didn't stand. He didn't know what to say or do. "Hermione… Lily…" he said, not wanting her to leave without telling them they were grandparents. For several seconds he thought she was going to walk out the back door.

Her chin went up, and she swallowed her hurt. "We have a daughter. Lily. She's two months old."

This news changed everything. Harry could tell there was still hurt on all sides, but this brought hope.

"You have a daughter? Together?" Nic asked, taking a step toward them.

Nodding proudly, Harry finally stood. He joined Hermione at the back door. "We want you to meet her. When you're ready. Can we call you tomorrow?"

Nic grabbed a pen and notebook, scribbled their phone number down. He handed it to Harry and then gathered Hermione up into a hug. "This is a big shock. It's going to take a bit to sort it out. We love you. You know that right?"

Hermione nodded her head, hugged him tight before releasing him. "We'll call tomorrow," she promised, took Harry's hand, and led him from the house.

They walked in silence down the quiet street. Harry let her take them away from the house. Away from the hurt. "That could have gone worse," he finally said after a couple blocks.

She turned toward him. He was surprised to see she had been openly crying. His brows knit together. The lack of sound made it worse. That she could be suffering so severely and he had no idea felt like a stab to his heart. "Come here," he said, pulled her into him. "It's going to be okay. They just need a few days to come to terms with everything. Maybe we can have Molly and Arthur talk to them."

Pushing back from him, she wiped her face with her sleeves. "That would be good. They can explain the war, the threat to muggleborns. We'll need to come up with another story about Lily."

"Another story."

"I can't ask them to lie about taking her. Not after all the lies I made them live," she explained.

Harry didn't think they should rule them out so fast. "If we have to explain to someone where she was for two months we can just tell people we'd rather not say to protect the people who helped us. But I think we should wait and see how your parents come around first." Checking his watch, he didn't want to rush her. "The next portkey leaves in ten minutes. Do you want to catch the next one or apparate now?"

"I want to go home. I want to get Lily and go home."

He didn't have to be told twice. Her day had been grueling. He wanted nothing more than time alone with her. Time to adjust to their new life. Time to just stop. He worried they wouldn't have peace just yet, but they could take a night. Hand in hand, they disapparated.