Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Harry’s eyes ran over the first block of text in the book as he frowned.

“This doesn’t make sense. If this book is about me than why –“

“It will be explained I am sure. Sometimes additional information is required,” Clara said softly.

“Ok, right we’ll start…”

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“Riddle…” Hermione said to herself. “That name is familiar.”

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“It really doesn’t sound too fine now,” Sirius pointed out.

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“That is a shame, these old buildings look so good when they are cared after,” Jane smiled.

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“So it was the story passed down in that village then?” Dan asked.

“It wasn’t so much passed down, it was the adults of that time that spoke of it, very few children were interested and that still rings true I would say,” Clara said.

“How do you know?” Remus asked, trying not to be too inquisitive.

“I know a lot of things. You are right though. I have yet to fully introduce myself. I am one of the true seers, each person is assigned a seer and I have the privilege of being Harry’s. We are assigned more than one person Hermione and no, I don’t personally know those that are assigned to you three. Unfortunately I only know of the magical seers, no doubt there is a division for muggles as well Jane,” Clara smiled, effectively answering both questions the female Grangers had.

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“That happens a lot with gossip,” Remus pointed out.

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“Oh gosh!” Jane gasped.

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“That is strange. I am assuming that there was no blood,” Dan said thoughtfully.

“What makes you say that?” Sirius asked, a look of confusion on his face.

“Blood is unmistakeable,” Hermione pointed out. “If there was blood the maid would have said something but all she said was that they were laid there with their eyes open, cold and still dressed.”

“She might have just not seen it,” Sirius argued.

Dan sniggered. “Think about it, this family was no doubt rich. So it is likely the house was kept clean. Any kind of dirt would be obvious to anybody in that room. The fact that it was the maid that found them also means something. Maids are often the ones to clean, so she would be used to spotting the mess. There is no way that a drop of blood would be overlooked,” Dan finished his point with a wide smile as Jane rolled her eyes.

“Ignore the show off. He watches too many crime shows,” Jane smiled fondly.

“That actually sounded more like a deduction mum,” Hermione laughed.

“Hey! Leave me alone,” Dan pouted.

Harry watched the small family with wonder. It was obvious that Hermione was just like her parents. There was also a calm that she showed when being around her parents. It was a big difference to the tense Hermione he was used to.

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Hermione gasped. “Tom Riddle!”

“It can’t be,” Harry pointed out. “These sound like muggles!”

“But… oh, you’re right Harry,” Hermione frowned.

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“That is true,” Jane said thoughtfully.

“It is most unusual,” Dan agreed with his wife.

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“That would be the first look,” Dan stated. “The workers. The maid would be classed as a witness so she wouldn’t be a suspect as much as any other workers.”

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Jane and Hermione tried their best to hide their amusement at the description of Frank Bryce.

“Watson isn’t responsible,” Dan cried in outrage.

“His name is Bryce,” Sirius Remus pointed out slowly.

“He’s talking about something else. Frank sounds like a famous character in a book…” Hermione trailed off with a blush.

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“That is completely understandable after being involved in a war,” Remus said softly.

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“Thank you,” Remus said softly.

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Dan gave the book a thoughtful look.

“Harry, did it say when the maid found the three bodies?”

“Let me check Mr. Granger,” Harry said, as he turned back to the book.

“It’s Dan not Mr. Granger,” Dan said absentmindedly.

“It was ‘a fine summer’s morning’,” Harry reread.

“Hmm,” Dan hummed as he brought his hand to his chin. “There has to be a contradiction somewhere.”

“It is logical thinking that Frank was the one to kill them dear,” Jane said softly.

“It’s too obvious though Jane,” Dan pouted.

“Hermione,” Clara smiled, looking at the child in question who was biting her lip. “Your thoughts?”

“Can you repeat that last paragraph Harry?” she asked as she thought. Her eyes lit up just a second before her dad’s did at hearing the words once more. “They were in their dinner clothes,” she whispered.

“And that means?” Harry said.

“When is dinner Harry?” Hermione prompted.

“Errr, at Hogwarts it is about six?” Harry asked.

“How many people are sleeping at that time?” Hermione asked again.

“Not many at all,” Harry said thinking back to Privet Drive, everyone was up and about at six, no one went to bed before nine at the very earliest.

“So for them to still be in their dinner clothes –“

“They would have to have been murdered at about six?” Harry asked.

“Yes, Frank would have been seen!” Hermione smiled.

“But who then?” Jane asked, making the smile fall from Dan’s face.

“I haven’t figured that out yet,” he admitted.

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“They just want someone to blame,” Hermione frowned.

“That is the case Hermione,” Remus said gently.

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“They’re just –“ Hermione said angrily.

“They don’t know the facts Hermione,” Jane said. “It is easy to see the bad in someone and blame those close to you. It is a human flaw.”

“It’s not right though,” she scowled.

“It isn’t,” Sirius agreed, deciding to join in on the discussion. “That is why it is so hard to redeem yourself in someone’s eyes.”

“Harry, continue please,” Clara said softly as silence followed Sirius’s words.

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Dan hummed once more but waved Harry on when he stopped.

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“This is a mystery,” Dan said to himself.

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“Aha! Some answers!” Dan clapped.

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“Or maybe more questions,” he frowned.

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“Huh,” Dan sat forward in his chair. “How is that possible?” he asked in wonder.

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“That is impossible,” Jane said faintly as the four magical people all swallowed thickly.

“I think… I think it was due to magical reasons,” Remus said softly.

“Magic can kill like this?” Dan frowned, glancing quickly at his daughter who nodded sadly.

“It is one of the unforgivable curses Dan,” Remus said. “The killing curse.”

“I guess it doesn’t give the person a puppy then,” Dan sighed. “Those poor people.”

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“Good,” Dan said firmly.

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“That was good of him,” Jane smiled.

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“Oh, Frank maybe it’s time to retire,” Jane said soothingly.

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“That poor man! How dare they?” Jane hissed as Dan hesitantly patted his wife on her back.

“It’s ok dear,” he whispered.

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“I am going to take a guess and say he didn’t leave the lights on,” Sirius said grimly, feeling bad for the poor man.

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“Oh no!” Hermione gasped with her mother.

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“I don’t blame you one bit Frank,” Sirius said.

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“Please just go get someone Frank,” Dan pleaded with the book as his wife chanted ‘do not go in there’.

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“Oh no Frank, please leave,” Jane begged.

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“Good,” Dan said. “You don’t want them to hear you.”

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“Sounds like magical folk, although why they would be in a muggle house I don’t know,” Remus frowned.

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Harry paled reading the next part to himself. This was his dream, he was sure of it.

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“My Lord?” Jane repeated.

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Remus and Sirius both growled at the name, making Jane and Dan look at them in surprise.

“I guess there is something about this ‘Wormtail’ that is a sensitive topic?” Dan said gingerly.

“You could say that Dad,” Hermione said, giving Harry a worried look as the boy in question was pale and seemingly lost in thought. “Wor – that man was a friend of theirs,” Hermione said softly, slightly unnerved with the silence that her words brought. Everyone’s attention (expect Harry’s) was on Hermione as she resigned herself to tell the vicious tale.

“You remember me telling you about Animagi? Where witches or wi –“

“They turn into animals yes?” Dan interrupted.

“Yes. Sirius, Harry’s dad and that man all became Animagi when they were at school –“

“I thought it was a difficult thing to do,” Jane said, looking at Sirius. “Our Hermione said that it was something few people accomplished.”

“That isn’t true, it’s a long process and a lot of people don’t have the patience or time to dedicate to it,” Remus said softly.

“Are you an Animagus Remus?” Dan asked, recognising Remus’ discomfort.

“No, I am not able to complete the change due to my lycanthropy,” Remus admitted.

Jane gasped as Dan sat forward with curiosity shining in his eyes.

“Really? An actual werewolf? Is it like the myths?” he asked.

“Dad,” Hermione groaned.

“It’s ok Hermione,” Remus smiled. “It is a lot like the myths, on a full moon I transform into a werewolf and lose my humanity.”

“There’s been a potion that was made,” Sirius interrupted. “It lets the user keep their humanity when they transform.”

“Thank you Sirius,” Remus said

“So let’s get back to what Hermione was telling us,” Jane said in a firm voice, giving her husband a look which told him he could question Remus later.

“Ok so the three of them became Animagi to help Remus when he transformed because werewolves tend to search out humans as prey rather than animals,” Hermione said softly. “Well they gave each other nicknames that related to the animals that they could turn into. Remus is Moony because he was a werewolf. Sirius is Padfoot, he turns into a dog. Harry’s dad was Prongs because he was a stag. That man was a rat, hence his nickname,” Hermione said, looking over to Harry. “He did an unforgivable thing…”

“He betrayed us,” Sirius said plainly. “He gave up the location of Harry’s parents and –“ Sirius cut himself off, pain and anguish written on his face.

“Oh my,” Jane said softly. Both her and Dan were aware that Harry was orphaned and they both heard about the tale of the ‘Boy-Who-Lived’.

Harry shook his head slightly, the silence around him seeming deafening, so he did the only thing he could do. With a slightly shaky voice he began to read.

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“What is she? A cow?” Dan asked skeptically.

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“Why is he waiting?” Sirius frowned. “Not that I’m complaining, it’s just strange.”

“Come to think of it, there hasn’t been any strange occurrences since the Quidditch World Cup,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “If he was planning something sure it would have happened? It’s almost three months later now.”

“Perhaps something went wrong?” Remus frowned.

The two elder Grangers tensed, recognising that Hermione obviously knew this ‘Lord’.

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Sirius scowled.

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“That does make sense,” Remus said grudgingly.

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“He’s a clever man,” Jane observed.

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Jane groaned, “Why isn’t he leaving?”

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“He never had any nerve,” Sirius growled.

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The reaction to this statement was instant. Everybody’s blood ran cold. Sirius left his seat and took several steps towards Harry before hesitating. Remus sat back, worry evident on his face.

Hermione gave her friend a fearful look, which he pointedly ignored.

Dan and Jane exchanged a look, both were worried. It was clear this boy meant a lot to their daughter, which meant that she was in danger as well.

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Sirius and Remus both growled again, thinking back to the time Peter had been around Harry at such a young age.

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“That man is despicable,” Dan muttered angrily.

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“Damn right it would be difficult,” Sirius muttered.

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“Oh, back up,” Dan mumbled, fascinated with the story.

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“Because you’re disgusting,” Harry said, shocking most of the room.

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Sirius sniggered darkly as Voldemort put Peter in his place.

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“I take it this ‘Lord’ is someone a lot of people fear?” Jane said evenly.

“He’s a bit like Hilter mum,” Hermione said softly. “He wants to kill those that are against him and those that are unpure.”

“Right,” Jane mumbled, falling silent.

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Jane and Hermione shivered. Neither felt comfortable listening to this conversation.

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“He’s acting like a child,” Dan frowned.

“He always did,” Remus said emotionless.

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“No you didn’t,” Hermione scowled.

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Sirius froze, he stared at the book for a long time before Harry fidgeted slightly.

“Stop looking at me like that,” he muttered.

“Sorry, just those words are familiar,” Sirius frowned.

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“If only,” Remus muttered.

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“Oh Frank,” Jane mumbled into her hands.

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“At least he understands,” Hermione said softly.

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Harry paled once more.

Clara smiled softly as she watched the young boy trying his hardest to be strong.

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“Go Frank, please,” Jane whispered as Dan moved his arm around his wife. He could tell that something back would happen before too long.

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“No Frank, just go. Run,” Jane whimpered.

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“Wha – what’s happening?” Dan asked.

“He’s speaking parseltongue,” Harry said. “Snake language.”

“Oh…” Dan mumbled. “Of course. Snake language.”

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“No,” Jane gasped.

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“Run!” Jane, Sirius and Remus all shouted.

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“Frank…” Jane whimpered.

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“Run for crying out loud!” Jane cried.

“Calm down dear, it’s ok. It’s ok,” He whispered as he rubbed his wife’s arm.

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“Why is his alarmed?” Hermione asked softly, unable to hold back the curiosity.

“The plans they were discussing couldn’t be heard by anyone. If the man had gotten away he would have been punished,” Clara answered.

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“I’d have thought he’d be taller,” Dan said absently.

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“Frank,” Jane said mournfully.

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“No, don’t lie to him,” Remus begged.

“Why not?” Dan asked.

“He is a master of l- mind reading,” Remus altered.

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“Don’t Frank, no. Don’t get cocky,” Sirius moaned.

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“No!” Jane cried.

Dan slowly comforted his wife as she sobbed for the old man.

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Sirius stared at Harry.

“That was your dream?” he asked. Harry nodded slightly. “Why didn’t you say what happened?” he demanded.

“I didn’t want people to worry about a nightmare,” Harry said softly.

“Harry,” Sirius groaned.

“Wait,” Dan said. “You saw all that?” he asked Harry.

“The second half of it, not the history,” Harry said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“How?” Dan asked.

“I don’t know,” Harry answered honestly.

“Hermione, do you want to read next?” Clara asked gesturing to the book.

Hermione gave the book a fearful look before she slowly took it from Harry.