Chapter 39
AN: Thank you so much for the support you have given this story. I really hope you like this chapter.
As he apperates back to where Mie, Bellatrix, and the Death Eaters he left behind are Voldemort doesn't need Bellatrix to say anything for him to know that Mie is gone.
"How?" Voldemort asks Bellatrix, looking around at his Death Eaters who are unconscious.
"People came to get her," Bellatrix explains to her master, having concerns about how he is going to react.
"And you just let them take her?" Voldemort asks angrily, his hand twitching towards his wand, which Bellatrix realises.
"My Lord, Gellert Grindelwald was one of the people who rescued her," Bellatrix says as she gets down on her knees, her voice having an undertone of pleading to it.
"That's not possible," Voldemort responds, looking shocked something which he didn't think he was capable of feeling.
"My Lord, I promise, it was him, he protected Annemie Dumbledore and the other people who were here to rescue her. He even risked himself to make sure they had a chance to get away, he said he was here to rescue her," Bellatrix explains, and Voldemort has no idea what to say to that.
As soon as everyone hears the portrait's words of the minster coming a feeling of dread takes over the room.
"How long?" Moody asks, knowing that that will dictate how they handle the situation.
"Less than five minutes," the portrait answers.
"Reg, Grindelwald, get under the cloak," James says, pulling out his invisibility cloak and throwing it to Regulus who catches it, as Regulus catches the cloak Grindelwald looks to Albus who nods despite everything that is going on, and after seeing the nod Regulus and Grindelwald hide under the cloak.
Less than five minutes after Regulus and Grindelwald hide under the cloak together the door to the Hospital Wing opens and Mitchum, McLaggen, and Crouch walk in. As soon as they walk into the Hospital Wing Poppy hurries over to them.
"Minister, I respect that you must be here for a reason, but now is not the time," Poppy says, knowing that what is best for everyone is for the minster not to be in the hospital wing.
"Move out of the way, I need to talk to Dumbledore," Mitchum says, and he steps around Poppy and walks towards Dumbledore as unknown to him Regulus has to reach out and hold Gellert back so that he doesn't leave the cover of the cloak as he clearly wants to protect Albus. "Dumbledore!" Mitchum exclaims, walking towards where Albus is sitting next to Mie's bed, holding her hand. "I want to know what is going on and I want to know now!" Mitchell says angrily.
"Control yourself Minster," Minerva says in a warning tone of voice, as Albus stands up, his eyes blazing and due to the look on his face both Gellert and Aberforth know that Albus is far from okay, and that he is close to losing control and even though he stands up Albus does not let go of Mie's hand.
"What is going on is a student is dead and my daughter is being kept alive by magic," Albus says, his voice full of calm fury. "Voldemort's power is growing, he is infiltrating your ministry, graining more followers with every day, including those in your inner circle, you need to focus on that rather than your obsession with figuring out what I am doing," Albus tells him.
"How dare you! I am Minster for magic, you cannot talk to me like that!" Mitchum exclaims, clearly shocked that someone dares to talk to him like that.
"Harold, Minsters before you have failed, when attempting to go after my friends and I, and you will too. You have bigger concerns and if you care about anything, including holding on to the power you so desperately cling to, you will focus on Voldemort and not your obsessions," Albus says before sitting back down, making it clear that he is no longer having this conversation with the Minster.
"I'll show you out, Minster," Moody says, giving the minster, who is gaping at Albus in shock, and the people with him no choice in the matter, though it is clear from those watching on that McLaggen and Crouch debate whether they can take Moody in a fight before allowing him to lead them away.
"This isn't over Dumbledore," Mitchum threatens, as he is lead away.
After Moody, the Minster, McLaggen, and Crouch leave Regulus and Gellert wait a few moments before removing the cloak. Once the cloak is removed Gellert walks over to Albus and sits down next to him while Regulus walks over to his brother as with everything that is going on Regulus really needs his big brother.
A few hours after The Minster came to the hospital wing the students, with the exception of Regulus, have been encouraged to go get some food and air by Madam Pomfrey.
Even though they are hungry none of the teens feel like they can face everyone in the great hall and so they head to the classroom where they spend time. Considering everything none of them are surprised when they find Mary, Marlene, Emmaline, Dorcus, Isaac, Kathleen, Edgar, and Alora waiting.
"What happened?" Dorcus says, hurrying over to them.
"Where's Mie?" Marlene asks.
"Where's Peter?" Mary asks.
"Are they okay?" Emmaline asks.
"Mie's in the hospital wing, Magic is helping her breathe, keeping her heart beating," Amelia explains in a gentle voice, which shakes in emotion due to everything that is going on, as while their friends don't know where Mie comes from, they do love her and are very much worried about her.
"And Peter?" Isaac asks gently, looking between the Marauders, as James walks away from the others.
"Dead, he's dead," Sirius says, angrily, both in pain and anger as James punches the wall and starts to break down.
Seeing her boyfriend's actions Lily hurries over to him and puts an arm around him, holding him as he cries, just as Sirius and Remus do the same for each other, as it becomes clear that no one knows what to say or do.
Having no idea how much the people she cares about are hurting Mie is sitting across from Harry in their projection of the Great Hall. As time passes differently where they are for Harry and Mie it seems like only a few seconds have passed since Mie asked to stay a little longer, but in fact a lot longer passed has in the real world.
"Tell me about them," Harry says to Mie.
"Who?" Mie asks curious.
"Your family, your friends," Harry explains. "I've told you about my life, I want to know about yours, and they're the most important part of your life, who matter most to you," Harry tells Mie, saying exactly what she knows, as he thinks it might help Mie see how much she has to return to. "So, tell me about them," Harry tells Mie, who smiles.
"I didn't expect to become so close to Dad when we were reading," Mie admits. "When we started reading, I was still angry at him for what he did in your timeline, but I started to get to know him, and I saw him differently," Mie admits. "When I started to struggle, he was there," Mie admits. "You know our Remus was like a father to me, but as we read Dad became what I always dreamed a dad should be," Mie explains. "I finally have a parent who understands me, who assure me that I have no reason to be scared of any part of me, who looks after me and doesn't hurt me; He's what I never knew I truly wanted," Mie explains.
"I'm really happy for you," Harry says, smiling back at her.
"Along with Dad I also got Uncle Ab… He's different, but it's really nice to be an uncle, we haven't really known each other that long, but he knows me, and just seems to know what I need to hear," Mie explains. "I know things between him, and Dad are complicated, but he never lets that effect how he treats me," Mie explains. "I'm really glad that he's accepted me, that he's become my family," Mie explains.
"I know it's not the same, but Ab in my time became a friend to me too," Harry admits. "When I was teaching, every week until he died, we'd have Sunday dinner together, sometimes we'd even have dinner other times, we'd talk and eat, it was really nice," Harry explains, knowing that Aberforth was the first person he told when he was planning on proposing to the person he ultimately married.
"He would have liked that," Mie says, feeling a rush of pain as she thinks about the uncle she has come to know dying, but she also feels comfort in knowing that that it doesn't happen for a while.
"I like to think he did," Harry admits. "So, you going to keep beating around the bush or you going to talk about Regulus next?" Harry asks with an amused look on his face, and Mie rolls his eyes at him.
"Regulus was… unexpected," Mie admits. "He was the one person in the original reading group that I knew nothing about but, I don't know, from the time we started talking it was like we had known each other for years," Mie explains. "I know it's been fast, but what we have feels right, in a way that no one else ever has before, not Viktor, not McLaggen…not Ron," Mie explains.
"That's because you're finally met someone who is just as smart, and brave as you, someone who deserves your heart that you keep guarded," Harry tells Mie. "But you're still scared of being hurt," Harry says, knowing that.
"Can you blame me?" Mie asks.
"Mie, from what Kreacher's told me I don't think Regulus would intentionally hurt you," Harry tells Mie, after she travelled back in time, he wanted to know more about the people who Mie would be spending her time with, so he had more than one conversation with Kreacher about Regulus.
"I know," Mie responds, as that's not what she is afraid of. "But in your timeline, he dies within the year," Mie reminds Harry.
"Didn't you just steal the Horcrux, risking everything to do so I might add, that leads to his death?" Harry asks Mie, as that's what he though.
"I did, but he's still a spy, it's dangerous, I mean look at Future Dick Sev," Mie explains, and as she does Harry laughs.
"Oh, that's great, Future Dick Sev," Harry says amused.
"It started when we were reading, it kind of caught on," Mie admits. "You know that has got to be the strangest thing, how different Sev is," Mie explains. "He learned from what the version we knew did, he decided he didn't want to be that person," Mie explains. "He's become best friend with your Dad, Sirius and Remus, he's your mothers brother again… he's a good friend, we talk about potions a lot, he's got a lot of fascinating ideas," Mie explains and Harry looks amused. "It makes me wonder…" Mie starts to say before trailing off.
"Mie the Snape we knew made his choices, just like your Sev did, no one forced him," Harry reminds her.
"I know, but it still makes me wonder…" Mie starts to say before trailing off. "I've been doing a lot of research, trying to find a way to send the books, or transcripts of what happened when we were reading, to an earlier point in your timeline; give more people a chance to change things," Mie explains, wanting to know what Harry thinks of that.
"That's a great idea," Harry tells her. "There's things I would like to change, even though I won't be the one to experience it I want a different path for a version of me who has been through at least some of what I went through," Harry tells Mie.
"I'm still trying to figure it out, it's going to be complicated," Mie admits.
"If anyone can figure it out it's going to be you," Harry tells her.
"Thanks Harry," Mie responds.
"When you figure it out, promise me you'll send it back to when Sirius is still alive," Harry requests, stressing the 'when' as if there is going to be a version of him who doesn't go through exactly everything, he went through the what he wants most is to have a life with Sirius.
"I promise," Mie says with a nod.
"So, speaking of Sirius and Remus, what's it like getting to know the younger version of them?" Harry asks curious. "Seeing them in love like they always should have been?" Harry asks curious.
"That's been nice, every second I'm reminded how much they love each other, and I hate Molly a little more," Mie admits, and Harry gives her a sympathetic look. "Siri became my brother," Mie explains. "He was the first person in the past that I opened up to, and I don't know it was like he just knew I was broken and decided that I was his sister; I'm pretty sure I had no say in the matter once he decided that was it," Mie explains, with a fond smile.
"That sounds like Sirius," Harry responds amused.
"Alice was like that too, she is soo much like Neville, but like Sirius she decided I was family and that's it," Mie admits. "She is so warm, and fierce, and just as protective as Neville, I feel honoured to know she considers me to be her sister," Mie admits. "Seeing her with Sirius and Regulus, seeing her and Frank, makes me sad as I can't help but think about everything that was taken from Neville," Mie admits, and a sad feeling takes over them, and for a few moments they sit in that sadness. "Getting to know Remus has been strange," Mie admits, changing the subject. "His future self means so much to me, so it's strange getting to know the younger him," Mie admits. "But he's been a good friend, our relationship is different, but still good, we still share the passions for learning, and equal rights. I'm determined to make sure he doesn't suffer like his future self," Mie admits.
"You'll have to go back to do that," Harry says, and Mie gives him an annoyed look. "I'm just saying," Harry says in his defence, giving her an amused look. "So, other than Sev who has been the most surprising to get to know?" Harry asks curious.
"Amy," Mie answers, without needing to think about. "Before coming back here all I knew about her was what she became, and some stories that Susan told me when we were studying together, but that did not do her justice," Mie admits. "She is smart, and loyal, beyond brave, and so strong, I admire her," Mie admits. "I don't sleep well and no matter how many times I've told her she didn't have to she sits up with me, and we talk, not always about why I can't sleep, but about everything else, like how we wish things could be," Mie explains.
"She's become your best friend," Harry realises, glad Mie has that.
"Yeah, I think so," Mie responds. "You know how I said I see Neville in Alice; I see him in Frank too," Mie admits. "He has the same quiet comfort as Neville, he's smart and along with Edgar Bones the three of us have academic debates a lot, but then he'll laugh or become protective of a friend, and I see Neville," Mie explains.
"That must be jarring," Harry comments.
"It can be," Mie responds. "Are you going to ask?" Mie asks, as it's like there is an elephant in the room for the people they haven't talked about.
"I don't know…" Harry starts to say.
"Yeah, you do, it may have been over a hundred and fifty years for you, but I still know you," Mie tells Harry. "You can ask," Mie assures him.
"Mom, and Dad, what are they like?" Harry asks, clearly wanting to know but nervous about what Mie is going to say.
"Incredible," Mie answers, giving Harry a gentle smile "Harry they are so in love, they compliment each other. Lily has a temper and comes up with the best comebacks," Mie admits, and Harry laughs. "James is everything that Sirius said he was, he's confident, and loyal, loves quidditch and they are both incredibly smart," Mie explains. "Lily is so passionate about magic, she wants to keep getting better, wants to make things better, she thinks she still has something to prove but she really doesn't," Mie admits. "James is protective, does everything he can to make sure I have fun, and he can sometimes act like nothing affects him, but I know it does, and that he's terrified of what the future is going to bring; he'll be the first to sacrifice himself if needed, he wants better for all his friends," Mie admits. "I see so much of you in them, and so much of them in you, and in the beginning that was hard," Mie admits. "But they are more than the similarities they share with you, and you are more than just what you inherited from them," Mie admits. "I really wish you could get to know them," Mie admits.
"I do too," Harry admits. "But you're making it so a version of me will never be without them, and that's all I wanted," Harry explains.
"I'm trying," Mie responds.
"Seems to me that you have to go back to try," Harry responds.
"It's not that simple," Mie responds, an edge to her voice. "I love everyone I just talked to you about, it's been great getting to know younger Moody and Minerva, and even though they don't know the truth Mary, Marleen, Emmaline, Dorcus, Isaac, Edgar, Alora and Kathleen have become great friends to me; I don't want anyone to have the future I came from, but I don't know if I can keep doing this," Mie admits.
"You can, you've just got to decide to try," Harry tells Mie.
While Mie is between life and death talking with Harry Albus, Regulus, Aberforth and Gellert are sitting around Mie's bed as magic continues to keep her alive. While Regulus, Aberforth and Gellert have all eaten some of the food that the others had the kitchen send up Albus hasn't moved a muscle, or said anything since the minster came into the hospital wing.
"Albus, you need to eat mein Schatz," Gellert says to Albus in a gentle voice, being able to feel the disapproving look Aberforth is giving him but just like Aberforth they both know that it is not the time for either of them to address their issues.
"I'm not hungry," Albus responds, and Gellert moves a little closer to him.
"Then at least drink this, it's tea with lemon a ridiculous amount of sugar," Gellert says, as he knows that is how Albus likes his tea, offering him the cup, and Albus doesn't move to take it. "You need to at least have a drink, Annemie needs you to be strong," Gellert says and from the growl coming from Aberforth he is sure that the younger Dumbledore is sure he crossed a line.
"Don't. He doesn't matter right now, only Mie does," Regulus says to Aberforth, his voice full of pain.
"Can you feel anything?" Albus asks, looking at Gellert.
"I can't," Gellert admits, hating that he is causing Albus more pain. "Albus, Annemie is still alive," Gellert reminds him.
"Because of magic," Albus says as he looks at his daughters' face.
"Sometimes that's enough," Gellert responds. "She's holding on, she needs you to hold on too," Gellert says. "And I need you too as well," Gellert admits.
"I can't lose her, Gel, I… I just can't," Albus says, his voice breaking as tears come to his eyes.
"I know," Gellert says, putting his arm around Albus. "I know, Mein Schatz," Gellert says, kissing the top of Albus's head and the two of them, as well as Regulus and Aberforth, drift into silence as they sit around Mie's bed and over the next half an hour, they are joined by the others who know where Mie comes from.