Chapter 4 – Home is where they remember you
Nov 4 1991, somewhere between Little Hangleton and Crawley
John worked for 35 years as a cab driver. During that he drove all over the UK and took all types of people, some stranger than others. Over the years his experience taught him how to avoid the wrong sort because they only brought trouble. So when he realized that he had three eleven year olds dressed up like little punks, he suddenly slammed on the brakes.
Luckily for everyone no one else was on the road.
"Now wait just a cotton picking minute!" John exclaimed indignantly, "I want you all out of my cab, right this minute!"
"Please Sir, would you just leave 3 kids on the road in the middle of nowhere?" the girl pleaded with sympathy.
"Yes," John shot her down instantly, "I know you punk types, and I know you are nothing but trouble. You'll just jump me when we arrive at Crawley and take away all the money you gave in advance… wait, where is the money!"
While one of the boys comforted the girl, the other started to speak, "The money is with you, you put it in your wallet."
John quickly took out his wallet, opened it, found it empty, and nodded to himself, "Alright, you gave me the money, but I still want you out."
"If you get us to our destination we'll give you more money and we will not jump you, we aren't even punks."
John gave a good hard look at the three kids, "You are right, you aren't punks. Sorry about all that. Had a bad run in with them a while back. Didn't mean to take it out on you guys," John said as he started up the cab again.
John drove another 5 miles before he had another realization.
"Now wait just a cotton picking minute!" John exclaimed again.
"What now?" one of the boys exclaimed in exasperation, getting tired of the constant interruptions.
"Sorry," the girl said apologetically. "I thought taking a cab would be the best."
"It's alright, the other boy said, it's been such a long time since we took a cab I forgot why we stopped taking them."
"Where are your parents!?" John asked.
"They sent us off, from Greater Hangleton, don't you remember?"
"Oh right, right, it was the guy with the hair and the lady in the skirt." John said. He couldn't really remember their faces but he didn't think too much of it. Clearly he must be exhausted, even though this is his first ride for the day. Today he was just oddly forgetful.
Taking a discreet glance to his right, he couldn't help but wonder why one of the boys was sitting next to him and not in the back like a normal person. He wanted to ask but he just couldn't bring himself to. All he could think about was driving. Driving as fast as he could. Driving as safe as he could. Making sure he had enough gas in the tank. Driving to avoid traffic. Driving to avoid his usual detours to run up the meter.
-oOo-
Hermione was musing to herself on how her life changed the moment she decided to quit Hogwarts.
The day started with Tom walking up to the first cab driver, gave him a hard look, told him "I gave you money now take us to Crawley" and they were off.
Hermione would have never in her life tried to do anything like that. She still didn't know if it was because she feared she would be caught breaking the law, magical or muggle or because it was just the wrong thing to do. However they didn't have enough money and needed to get to her parents as soon as possible.
The day then continued on with its new, unusual rhythm. Tom was being his control freak self, sitting in the seat next to the cab driver ordering him around as if telling him what to do was his God given right.
Victor was leaning back against the seat, relaxing and enjoying each day of life. His arm around her shoulder, no care in the world.
Hermione looked over at Victor with a sudden realization. "You guys never pay your cab drivers, do you?"
Immediately the car came to a screeching halt. "Now wait just a cotton picking minute!"
"Oh God, not again!" Hermione heard Tom exclaim as he repeatedly slammed his head against the dashboard realizing that he was going to have to brainwash the cab driver, again.
-oOo-
Tom was getting frustrated with Hermione. First he had to argue the ethics of not paying the cab driver with her, resulting in him having to brainwash the cab driver a fourth time. Also, convincing the cab driver was taking longer and longer each time because she kept bringing up the things that bothered him. If the girl could just be quiet they wouldn't have as many problems and they would get there sooner. Naturally the moment he wanted Hermione to be quiet was the moment she opened her mouth again.
"Tom? What exactly are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Sitting," Tom replied emotionlessly.
"Well yes, but I mean how do you manage to make people believe in the things that you say? Do you implant the suggestion in their minds? Do you override their will like the imperious curse? The curse is illegal and is punishable by life in Azkaban, and is part of the 3 unforgivable curses, a term coined in the 14th century by a wizard named Albertha Brown, or do you…"
The more Hermione spoke the less Tom understood, until eventually her speech just blended into the background.
"Tom!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yes?"
"Are you even listening!?"
"Yes."
"What did I say?"
Tom didn't say anything, not wanting to have this conversation, but eventually he replied.
"Something, something and a bit more something"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle! I'll have you know that not paying attention to someone while they are talking is very rude!" Hermione yelled at the top of her lungs waking Harry out of his nap.
The car came to a halt, for the millionth bloody time. "Now wait just a cotton picking minute! What is this talk about witchcraft and spells!?" John asked in confusion and alarm.
At this point Tom became exasperated by the situation and looked angrily at the driver. "No, I have had enough of this. You," Tom said pointing at the cab driver, "you will settle down and drive, while you" Tom was now pointing at Hermione, "Will you just shut up!?"
Hermione exclaimed "Why I never!"
"Maybe that's the problem, you never shut up!" Tom replied back.
The arguing continued to heat up, neither side giving an inch, becoming louder with every comeback. The driver finally had enough. "ENOUGH! Every one of you leave my cab! NOW!"
"No!" both Hermione and Tom replied in unison, "you leave!"
The driver Reared back in shock before he just stared blankly at them, got out of the car and started to walk home.
Both Hermione and Tom looked at each other not knowing how to react, surprisingly it was Victor who broke the silence as he got out of the car.
"Victor!?" Hermione said in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"Getting out of the car," Victor said as he left the car.
"Victor!?" Tom said in trepidation, "What are you doing?"
"Getting in the car," Victor said as he sat in the driver's seat.
"Victor!?" Tom and Hermione said in unison, "What are you doing?"
"Changing gears." Victor said as the sound of grinding gears could be heard from the engine, a noise that the car was not making with its previous driver.
"It has the same controls as the one in the arcade" Victor said as he slammed his foot on the gas.
-oOo-
From a distance you could see a car speeding down the road racing past the speed limit like it didn't exist. From inside the car screams and mad laughter could be heard. It was a horrifying yet curious site. The car swerved left and then swerved right with no regards to the other occupants of the road while still not colliding with any other car as if the car was protected by magic. Magic was clearly working overtime as the car didn't stop for any traffic light nor did it yield to any other driver.
Suddenly, and despite all the laws of physics the car stopped. It was an amazing sight to behold, one second the car was driving 95 mph the next it was still, the screaming still continued regardless.
"Oh will you guys stop it," Victor said to Hermione and Tom. Before they could answer back the door next to Hermione opened up and an elderly businessman sat in.
Hermione looked at the man. The man looked back at her.
"G'day sir. Where to?" Victor asked the intruder.
"London Bridge, I'll pay extra if you bring me up the cue." the man replied, still eyeing up Hermione as a competitor. Causing Tom to glance back at the man in warning.
"Of course sir. By the way sir, we also have a special offer, for an extra 50 pounds we can offer you the Premium Plus package." Tom and Hermionie looked at each other in confusion and the concern deepened. What the hell is the premium plus package?
"Really? What does the package contain?"
"I'll drive above the speed limit and not stop at traffic lights."
"How practical. I would like to upgrade to the Premium Plus package." The two unwilling participants looked at the man in horror. How could he respond like this was business as usual?
"Very good, sir." Victor replied as he slammed on the gas and continued driving at breakneck speeds.
"Psst, psst." Hermione said as she tried to get Victor's attention. Not nearly as quite as she thought she was…
"Yes?" Victor replied.
"What are you doing!?" Hermione asked angrily, her fear of his driving disappearing as her anger increased. She looked at Tom wondering what his reaction was to the entire situation and was dismayed to see him holding his head in his hands saying "This is not happening." over and over again.
Victor pointed at the new passenger who decided to shield himself for everyone by reading his newspaper. Clearly unaware of the life threatening speeds and the underage illegal activity. Hermione had more questions but decided to stay on topic.
"Working." Replied Victor like it was so obvious she was an idiot for asking.
"Working!?" The desire to facepalm was hard to resist.
"Well since we have the cab we might as well make use of it and earn some money." Victor replied as if what he was doing was the most reasonable and logical thing one would do after illegally acquiring a cab.
"Excuse me?" the passenger started, "aren't you a bit young to be a cab driver?"
"Good sir! How dare you insult my height!?"
"Oh, dreadfully sorry." the man apologized and went back to his newspaper. Quickly deciding to add a bit extra to the cost in apology.
Hermione just stared at him wondering for the first time, and not for the last, that she might have been better off trying to fight the troll.
-oOo-
Victor, Hermione and Tom were in front of Hermione's house in Crowley and Victor was counting money, 500 pounds to be exact. Victor somehow earned 500 pounds in the two hours it took to get them to her house. Nevermind the convoluted way they got there including the two times they passed her house due to Victor's self proclaimed job. It dawned on her that her parents didn't make 500 pounds in two hours and they were dentists with their own practice.
Dismissing her thoughts Hermione stepped up to her door and rang the bell. After a few minutes an older, curly haired man opened the door, he was dressed in all black and looked pale, tired, his eyes bloodshot either because of lack of sleep or tears.
He blinked a few times, willing his eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight and looked over the three kids.
Before Hermione could say anything Dan, Hermione's father, turned his head around and yelled inside the house. "Emma! We have a few late trick or treaters, can you bring out a few toothbrushes."
"That's nice, what are they dressed as?" Emma yelled back from inside the house.
"Two urchins and a goth girl!"
"A what!?" Hermione yelled in confusion..
"I'm starting to like your dad." Tom commented offhandedly, while at the same time Victor asked "What's a goth girl?"
Emma, Hermione's mother came out handing them a toothbrush and toothpaste, each. Emma was also dressed in all black and also looked like she had seen better days.
"Now dears, we don't do sweets in this household, so you get a good quality toothbrush and toothpaste, each." Emma said in a tired voice, after which she and her husband went back in the house, not sparing the kids a second thought.
"That wasn't really what I was expecting." Tom said as he went to ring the doorbell again. Hermione looked just as bewildered as Victor as she stared at her new toothbrush.
Hermione's mother exited the door again looking just as confused as Hermione. "Yes? Can I help you?"
"We aren't trick or treaters. We were here about your daughter…"
Emma interrupted Tom, "You are here because of my daughter!?"
"Yes," Tom answered, starting to feel as confused as everyone else. Glassing over at Hermione as if she might have the answers.
"...because of," Emma's voice hitched as she tried to hold back tiers "because of Harmony?"
"Who?" Victor whispered to Hermione.
"Yes," Tom answered, uncertainly.
-oOo-
Five minutes later they were all sitting in the living room. Hermione was looking around, like she had never seen the place. The living room was draped in all black. Heavy curtains blocked out the natural light, candles were lit for ambient lighting and there was a big picture of her, when she was 9, decorating the fireplace. She hated that picture, it made her front teeth stick out more than usual.
Emma was sitting in front of them, giving them a fake smile while occasionally sniffling.
"It was such a shock to us when it happened, we barely had any time to prepare and invite people so it's not your fault that you missed it. How did you meet her?"
Victor opened his mouth and closed it realizing that something was off, really off. Not to mention they clearly didn't recognize their own standing next to him.
"We met at school." Tom said slowly realizing the grangers are out of their minds. Harmony being the first clue.
"School…" Emma stared in the corner of the room, getting lost in her own thoughts.
Dan entered the room carrying something that he placed on the table. "Harmony dear," her dad started "your friends are here to see you." Dan sat down next to his wife, putting an arm around her shoulder for comfort looking at the three of them and waiting for them to respond.
"This reminds me of that show we watched, Twilight." Victor spoke up, breaking the awkward silence.
"Twilight Zone." Tom corrected him.
Victor looked at Dan, then at the jar he brought in, shrugged and said "Hello Harmony, nice to meet you, how have you been doing lately?"
After Victor finished he looked back at Dan and Emma who now both broke out into tears. Victor looked at Hermione, "What is this?" He pointed at "Harmony"
"That's an urn," Hermione replied, not taking her eyes off the item in question. "And I'm assuming that's supposed to be me?" She finished with an actual question.
"Okay." Victor paused, "What's an urn?"
"An urn is a rounded vase used for storing the ashes of a cremated person."
Finally, even Victor understood the situation.
-oOo-
Nov 1 1991, late afternoon, Granger's house
Dan was sitting comfortably with his wife enjoying a quiet afternoon when they heard the front door open. At first he was wondering who it might be before he jumped up, realizing that someone had entered their house uninvited. Before he could find a makeshift weapon the figure entered their living room.
"Headmaster Dumbledore?" Emma asked with a surprised tone in her voice.
"Dan, Emma, how nice to see you, admittedly I would wish the circumstances were better." Dumbledore greeted.
"What do you… oh no. Hermione!?" Emma asked before her voice fell, silently waiting for the Headmaster to speak.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore said, his voice solemn.
Dan got up and went for their coats. "We'll be ready in a minute and then we can leave."
"Leave? What do you mean?" This time Dumbledore asked in confusion.
"Well… something happened to Hermione so we are getting ready to leave with you to see her." Dan said as a matter of fact.
"Ah," Dumbledore started, "I am… well I am dreadfully sorry to inform you that your daughter, Harmony, passed away yesterday."
Emma gasped, not even realizing that the Headmaster didn't remember their daughter's name correctly.
"What happened?" It was Dan who asked the hard question.
"A creature accidentally snuck into our school and attacked her, please do not worry, we have made alterations to our security so that this would never happen again." Dumbledore said as he placed an urn on the table with "Harmony Granger" written on it.
Dan and Emma were so shocked by the entire situation that they didn't notice when Dumbledore took out his wand and cast spells on them. Spells haphazardly casted without care for the Grangers sense of time or any important information they would need in the future. Like holding an actual funeral, calling people who needed to know, and any other muggle processes Dumbledore was unaware of. Leaving plot holes in their memory so large they would not leave their house for days to mourn their daughter after a funeral they never had.
-oOo-
Nov 1 to Nov 4
Dreadfully sorry to hear that…
Thank you for your condolences…
No no, her name was Harmony not Hermione, we would ask you to please respect her enough to use her proper name…
-oOo-
Tom really hated when people messed with memories and he had to clean it up!
-oOo-
Nov 4 1991, Granger's house, livingroom
Dan slowly woke up feeling like his head would split in two. He felt like that one time he got so drunk he blacked out and lost an entire day's worth of memories. He could remember snippets and memories he knew he lost, he just couldn't remember what he forgot.
Suddenly the world started to spin again and he vomited all over the carpet.
"Here, have some water," a voice said next to him.
Dan grunted, drinking the water that was given to him. He looked up to see his wife crying while hugging his daughter. He kept staring, trying to figure out why the sight of them hugging was odd and out of place.
He remembered something, then he forgot it again. After about 10 minutes of holding a pack of ice to his forehead he started to come to realize that there were two other boys in the living room besides his wife and daughter and he realized that he should find that odd. He turned to one of the boys. "Who are you?"
"I'm your future son-in-law" the boy replied, like stating a fact. Casually leaning against the wall like this was a typical day for him.
Dan opened his mouth and closed it, obviously confused but not sure what to say. Suddenly a noise caught his attention and he turned to watch the other boy helping himself to their storage closet.
"Umm boy? What are you doing?" Dan asked.
"I'm taking your camping supplies." The other boy stated like it was originally agreed upon.