Chapter 6
AN: Thanks for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.
Two days have passed since Mie and Albus went to Eccleshell and ever since the group of fourteen who know the truth have been doing everything to prepare resulting in Aberforth spending more time in the castle than at his bar. Finally, fifteen days after Mie appeared in 1978, the day where the students, with the exception of Mie, return to class has finally come.
While they all agreed that they would get up early so that they do the one thing they agreed to do before the rest of the students wake Mie and Regulus are up even earlier and are sitting in the reading room together, Mie leaning against Regulus's chest, Regulus having his arm around her.
"So, this is it, we go back," Regulus comments, while he always knew the day was coming it feels strange now that it's a reality.
"We go back," Mie confirms. "I know what you have to do, please be safe," Mie requests, a level of pleading to his voice, as she knows how just dangerous spying can be.
"I can do my best, you know that," Regulus admits. "Mie, I'm going to ask you the same thing," Regulus admits as he knows that soon enough Mie is likely going to be in just as much danger as him.
"I'll try," Mie responds, knowing that that is the best she can do. "We use this room, we meet, we talk and if something goes wrong…" Mie starts to say, feeling the need to go over the plan again.
"I'll send a Patronus," Regulus tells Mie as while he knows how to cast a Patronus Albus taught him how to use patronises to send messages. "Voldemort didn't find out my future self, he's not going to find out about me," Regulus tells Mie, wanting to reassure her.
"I hope so," Mie says as Regulus kisses her cheek and as he does Mie closes her eyes and feels it.
"You realise you're going to become Voldemort's enemy as soon as he learns about you," Regulus tells Mie.
"And you have to be one of the people who tell him," Mie tells Regulus, as the day she shows up at Hogwarts Regulus needs to send a letter to Voldemort via his family.
"I know," Regulus responds. "And you're avoiding the subject," Regulus realises, and Mie signs.
"I know I'm going to be in danger, but that's nothing new, I'll be okay," Mie assures Regulus.
"You can't promise that," Regulus says, and before they can continue the others, who have had the elves take their belongings back to their dorms, walk out and so both Mie and Regulus stand up.
"Everything okay?" Sirius asks, looking between Mie and Regulus, trying to figure out what they walked in on
"Yep," Mie confirms, and Regulus nods.
"Did you sleep?" Amelia asks concerned, looking at Mie.
"A little," Mie admits, as she checks her watch. "It's time," Mie says. "James?" Mie asks, looking at him as he, Remus, and Sirius are looking at the marauders map, which they used the day before to confirm that Mie is now Annemie Dumbledore and not Hermione Granger, that they are holding between them.
"Minnie and Albus outside, no one else, we're good," James responds as the three Marauders start to close the map up, knowing he only has to look for those two as Moody couldn't get away from the ministry.
"Good," Mie says and the group head into the corridor, walking out of the room where they meet with Minerva and Albus who are clearly waiting for them. "Okay, let's do this," Mie says, as the room to the current room disappears.
Once the room that she has considered home for the past two weeks disappears Mie walks past the wall three times, thinking about what she needs the room of hidden objects, and after her third time walking past, the door appears and so the group walk in.
After walking into the completely cluttered room Mie opens her bag and pulls out the wooden case. Placing the case on a nearby surface Mie does what she needs to open it and pulls out six of the Basilisk knifes.
"Groups of four," Mie says. "It should be where I knew it to be in the future, but if it's not we search," Mie says. "Amy, Sev, Lily, you're with me," Mie says, giving Lily a knife and keeping one for herself. "Dad, Reg, Alice, Frank," Mie says, handing Albus and Regulus the basilisk fang knifes. "Sirius, Remus, James, Minerva," Mie says, giving Sirius and Minerva the knifes. "Remember, don't let the Horcrux have a chance to defend itself, don't let it talk," Mie says, looking around at everyone, wanting to make sure that they understand.
"We know, Mie," Lily says, though everyone understands why she gave the warning.
"Good, let's do this," Mie says, and the group split up into the three groups.
As she is the one with the clearest memory about where it is Mie leads her group to where she believes the diadem is.
"I don't see it," Amelia says, looking around, looking for the object that was described in the book.
"I do," Mie says as while it's not in the exact place it is close to where it was in the future. "WE'VE GOT IT!" Mie calls out.
"Are you going to destroy it?" Severus asks curious, as that's what he assumes.
"Yeah," Mie says, walking over to the diadem and because she knows that there are no protections on it, she picks it up and takes it over to a nearby table, getting to the table just as the others arrive.
"You've got this," Sirius says encouraging, as Mie places the diadem down and as she places it down everyone hear what sounds to be a haunting voice.
As Mie knows that she cannot let the Horcrux say or do anything Mie quickly raises the basilisk knife and uses it to stab the horcrux, destroying it and causing it to let out a blood curtailing scream as a dark substance comes out of it.
"One down," Alice says with a grin, as Mie pulls a box out of her bag and puts the diadem inside.
"One down," Mie confirms, putting the box back into her bag, and while she knows she should be feeling relieved she doesn't as she knows that there is so much more to do. "And we'll deal with the ring over easter," Mie says as she opens the knife box and puts the knife she used back inside. After Mie puts the knife inside everyone else hands the knifes back, as it was decided she'd hang onto them for a while longer, and she closes and locks the box again, before returning it to her bag.
"Good, we know what we're doing," Remus says as the group start to make their way out of the room.
"So, why do I get the feeling that this will be the easiest Horcrux to destroy?" Sirius asks.
"Because it will be," Mie answers. "This one was just in Hogwarts, with no protections, no emotional connection, the rest won't be as easy," Mie admits, as that's why she wanted to get it destroyed as soon as possible.
"Yeah, I thought you were going to say that," Alice admits with a sigh.
"We just read that," Frank says amused, as the group get to the door.
Getting to the door everyone knows that this is the moment where everything changes. As soon as they step out of the door they will go back to their new reality, they'll no longer be in their bubble and all their planning will be put to the test. It will be the moment where they start to create ripples, ripples that may turn into tsunamis.
"Mie, it's time," Regulus tells her in a gentle voice as Albus puts his hand on her shoulder, it being clear that no one wants to open the door until Mie is ready.
"I know," Mie responds, with a sigh and she reaches out, grabs the door, opens it, and walks through it.
Once the group are out in the corridor, they all exchange looks and go in different directions, the students, with the exceptions of Mie, and Amelia, head down to the great hall for breakfast, Minerva heads to her office, Amelia heads down to the Hogsmeade station to meet her brothers who are apparating there, and Mie and Albus head up to Albus's office.
Not long after they left the room of requirements the students arrive at the Great Hall, and after allowing Severus and Regulus a chance to enter first Lily, Alice, James, Sirius, Remus, and Frank enter a few minutes later.
Walking into the hall Frank heads to the Ravenclaw table while the others head to the Gryffindor table where Peter is sitting with the other seventh year Gryffindor girls Mary Macdonald, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcus Meadows and Emmaline Vance.
"You're back!" Peter says, sounding thrilled as he sees his friends and it is so hard for the others to see him, knowing what he does in the future.
"Yep," Sirius says with a grin, that is a little forced, though only Remus realises.
"What the hell happened? We got back and you were all gone," Marlene comments, seeing them, as they were all just getting back from break on the day the others left to read.
"A prank went sideways, caused us to get sick," James says, as that's the cover they came up with as it is an extremely believable story.
"And let me guess Snape and Regulus were quarantined too because they were the targets," Dorcus guesses as that would make sense.
"Yep," Lily reveals, giving James, Sirius, and Remus an annoyed look she doesn't mean.
"I would have stayed if I knew you were going to pull pranks," Peter says, looking at his friends, and looking a little sad that he was included.
"Probably a good thing you didn't Pete, it has been a very unpleasant two weeks," Remus says, not completely lying as there have been some extremely unpleasant moments.
"Where's Amy?" Alice asks, looking around and pretending like she doesn't know the answer, and in response, Emmaline, Dorcus, Mary and Marlene exchange looks. "What? What happened?" Alice asks, putting a concerned look on her face.
"Her parents were attacked," Emmaline explains, pain in her voice, and it is clear that she feels bad for her friend.
"Are they okay?" Lily asks, putting worry in her voice.
"They survived, but all three of them went home to see how they were doing," Marlene explains. "Not sure when they're due back," Marlene admits as she has even talked to Edger and Isaac's friends to find out and they didn't know.
"I hope they're all okay," Sirius admits. "I don't get it, but Amy and the boys are close to their parents," Sirius comments.
"Yeah, they are," Mary comments. "It can't be easy," Mary admits and the group drift into pain silenced which they sit in for several minutes.
"So, Quarantine with Snape? What was that like?" Peter asks, pulling a face, imagining that it was horrible.
"Really bad at first," James admits. "But we came to an understanding," James admits.
"Seriously? You?" Emmaline asks, clearly disbelieving.
"Shocked us too," Sirius admits. "But whatever, it's over," Sirius says with a shrug. "We miss anything interesting around here?" Sirius asks curious and Peter, Marlene, Dorcus, Mary and Emmaline start to explain everything that has been going on while the others have been gone.
After they walked away from the others Mie and Albus head straight to the headmaster's tower, where Mie will be introduced to the portraits and no one else. While the portraits witnessed Mie's initial conversation with Albus when she arrived in 1978, they will not remember it due to the spell so this will be their initial meeting, but they will not tell anyone until Albus allows them to.
"Are you ready for this?" Albus asks Mie once they reach the oak door.
"Yeah, I am," Mie confirms, and the two of them walk into the headmaster's office.
As they walk into the office it is clear that the portraits are pretending to be asleep, but there are one or two who's curiosity makes it clear that they are not actually sleeping.
"Everyone," Albus says and all the portraits who are pretending to be asleep open their eyes. "I would like you to meet my daughter Annemie Dumbledore," Albus reveals, and the shocks on the portrait's faces are perfectly clear.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Mie says, it feeling strange as she feels like she knows the portraits in the headmasters office pretty well as before coming to the past it's where she spent most of the last few weeks in the office.
"Annemie will be joining her fellow seventh years in a few days for the rest of the year," Albus explains to the portraits.
"Albus, I didn't know you had a daughter," Dilys Derwent says, clearly surprised.
"Before now very few people knew about Annemie's existence," Albus reveals. "But after recent events that must change," Albus explains, though it is clear that he isn't going to explain more than that, and he leads Mie around the desk and through a door that is behind the desk.
After walking through the door behind the headmasters' chair Mie and Albus walk up another spiral staircase that leads to another oak door which Albus opens and he and Mie walk inside. Walking through the door Mie and Albus walk into a grand circular living room, complete with a fireplace and a lot of bookshelves. To the left of the oak door there is what is clearly a kitchen and next to a dining table that sits three there is a door that leads to the bathroom, while across from the oak door there are two more doors.
"The left door is my room, the right is yours," Albus tells Mie, as he points to each of the doors. "Even after you move into the dorm the room is yours," Albus tells Mie, wanting to make that clear, who nods. "It is yours to set up however you would like and if there is anything you would like changed let me know," Albus tells Mie.
"Okay," Mie says. "I'll have a look," Mie responds.
"Of course," Albus responds, and while Mie heads into her room Albus calls star to get them breakfast.
Walking into what is now her room Mie is amazed, just like the Gryffindor there is a four poster bed with a sky blue bedspread and bedside tables either side, a trunk at the end of the bed, a wardrobe, desk, and bookshelf. Looking around Mie can't help but smile to herself as she knows, thanks to Aberforth, that Albus has been setting up the room since the blood adoption and it is clear that he did his best to make it both a room that she could feel comfortable in but also one that she could make her own.
Looking around the room Mie walks over and puts her beaded bag on the bed, and then walks over to the window and looks out, seeing an incredible view of the grounds. After spending a few minutes taking in her new view Mie heads back into the main room where Albus is waiting.
"I love it," Mie says, smiling at Albus.
"I'm glad," Albus responds smiling at her. "Star will be back soon with breakfast," Albus reveals and Mie nods as she walks over to the couch. "Are you alright?" Albus asks concerned.
"I think I'm still adjusting," Mie admits, as she looks around. "When are you going to tell the staff, you're going to be gone for a few days?" Mie asks curious.
"Breakfast tomorrow," Albus explains, sitting down across from Mie. "I'm going to call a staff meeting," Albus says and Mie nods.
"The funeral is tomorrow too," Mie remembers, thinking that is going to be an extremely strange experience.
"It is," Albus confirms. "We'll have to leave after breakfast," Albus explains, Mie nods and the two of them drift into a comfortable silence.
For a few minutes Mie and Albus sit into silence, while it is a comfortable silence neither are sure exactly what to say, but at the same time they don't feel the need to say anything. After sitting in silence for a few minutes breakfast appears on the table.
"Are you hungry?" Albus asks Mie.
"Yeah, I think I am," Mie responds and the two of them get up and head over to the table were they have breakfast together and talk as they do.
While Mie and Albus are up in their quarters, and the other teenagers are being caught up on recent events by their friends, Amelia is sitting and waiting for her brothers. Finally, after what feels like a while there is a pop and both Edger and Isaac appear.
"Amy?" Isaac asks, sounding surprised to see his sister as he wasn't expecting to find her greeting them.
"How's Mum and Dad?" Amelia asks he brothers.
"They're good, doing a lot better than they were," Edger explains.
"Good," Amelia says, sounding relieved.
"What's going on?" Isaac asks, knowing his sister well enough to know that there is something she wants to talk to them about.
"I need you both to do something for me," Amelia asks, looking between her brothers as she walks over to them. "If anyone asks, I've been home with you," Amelia says.
"But you haven't been," Isaac asks with a frown.
"What's really going on?" Edger asks, giving his sister a pondering look, looking into her eyes which are identical to his, as he tries to figure out if she is okay.
"I can't explain," Amelia admits.
"Are you in trouble?" Isaac asks worried.
"No, I'm okay," Amelia assures her brothers. "Look, there's a lot going on," Amelia admits. "I'm a part of something that is going to do some real good, but I can't if anyone knows about it," Amelia explains while the others all agreed that her brothers can know what is going on if needed, she wants to avoid doing that if she can as she wants to protect them. "So, I am asking you to trust me, and cover for me," Amelia asks, looking between her brothers.
"You're helping Dumbledore with whatever he's been doing," Isaac realises, putting the pieces together.
"How do you know he's been doing something?" Amelia asks her brother, sounding surprised, as her brother hasn't been at school so he shouldn't know that Dumbledore has been obviously been doing something different over the past few days.
"Kathleen told me," Isaac explains, referring to his girlfriend. "And that wasn't a denial," Isaac realises, looking at Edger.
"Really wasn't," Edger confirms with a nod, as both brothers look at their sister.
"I can't confirm that," Amelia responds.
"You just did," Edger says amused. "Will you tell us when you can?" Edger asks.
"You have my word," Amelia responds as he doesn't want to keep secrets from her brother for long, she does want to protect them as much as possible.
"Then as far as anyone will know you've been home," Isaac tells his sister, and Edger nods as neither of them need more than that, causing Amelia to hug both her brothers.
"Thank you," Amelia says as she hugs them and after a few moments, during which Amelia memorized what it felt like to hug her brothers, the three of them break apart. "Okay, how have mum and dad really been?" Amelia asks and together the Bones triplets make their way back up to Hogwarts, talking about their parents as they go.