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Chapter Text

CHAPTER 1 - MARITAL PROBLEMS

Harry took a deep breath and tried to relax as he leant back in his chair in the garden at the Burrow. It was a bright sunny day and they were planning on eating outside, only Harry wasn’t hungry, he’d lost his appetite and hadn’t felt inclined to eat much for a while now. Everyone else was happy and carefree, everyone except Harry it felt like.

‘You look how I feel.’ Hermione joked as she sat down next to him. Only, Harry noticed, the joke didn’t quite reach her face.

Harry narrowed his eyes at her, noting the tightness around her features and the tense set to her jaw. He glanced around them checking to see if anyone was watching them but everyone was too busy with something else. 

Molly was still inside cooking, George hadn’t turned up yet, and no one was actually expecting him to. Percy was droning on about something while Arthur was staring intently at what looked to be the spray part of a spray bottle, while Ginny and Ron were arguing about a broom. Bill and Fleur were watching Charlie entertain Victoire and Teddy with his hands emphasising his points while they watched utterly entranced. ‘Think we can slip away?’

Her eyes widened. ‘You serious?’

Harry nodded, suddenly feeling guilty. He hadn’t noticed that she wasn’t happy, too wrapped up in his own affairs to realise that his best friend was struggling with something too.

Hermione blinked at him before slowly nodding. She inclined her head at the path to the shed and motioned him to stand up before chatting away about her work. ‘It’s such a simple remedy I can’t believe no one's even thought of it before, and while the legislation is actually quite complex, if we can get the bill voted through the Wizengamot, it would be easy to put into action.’

Harry followed her as she led them past their other halves where Ron's eyes glazed over and Ginny gave him a sympathetic look but left them to it. Harry swallowed and smiled weakly at Ginny as they passed, thankful that her busy schedule had kept her from noticing his growing distance while he desperately tried to figure things out in his head.

Once they reached the shed, Hermione grabbed his hand and they darted down the overgrown path to the field where they occasionally played the odd quidditch game.

‘I can’t believe that worked!’ Harry gasped as they came to a halt, feeling some of the heaviness lift from him.

‘Yes, well, it's amazing how boring I can be without actually saying anything.’ Hermione’s tone was joking but her eyes were serious and Harry winced, knowing he was guilty of thinking that about her.

He went to apologise but she’d already taken his hand and with a sharp crack apparated them away. Harry blinked as he looked around them, staring at the dust covered room they were in.

‘Grimmauld Place?’ He asked, looking at what used to be the kitchen. It had been years since he’d been here, Ginny had hated it so they’d found somewhere else to live, more suited to the both of them and he’s slowly forgotten about it.

Hermione sighed and slumped into one of the chairs, a wave of dust billowing up around her. Harry was surprised it didn’t break. ‘The only place I could think of that they wouldn’t look for us.’

‘Hermione, what’s wrong?’

She shrugged but bit her bottom lip and he could see the tears that suddenly sprung up into her eyes. He reached out and held her hand.

‘I-I don’t think I should have married Ron.’

Harry blinked at her while two very different emotions whipped through him. Anger, initially, because that was his best friend and how dare she? Swiftly followed by relief, relief that he wasn’t the only one. ‘I know I shouldn’t have married Ginny.’

Hermione stared at him, her mouth opened wide in shock. ‘You too?’

Harry shrugged, fairly certain that they had very different reasons for feeling this way. ‘She’s cheating on me.’

‘What?’ Hermione practically screeched, her eyes darkening with anger.

Harry nodded. ‘She doesn’t know I know.’

Hermione blinked and he could almost see the gears turning in her head. ‘What are you going to do?’

He took a deep breath trying to push down the feelings that bubbled up inside of him. ‘I don’t know. She’s talking about retiring and starting a family only…’ he trailed off unable to carry on. Tears pushing at his own eyes. He’d known for a while but it still felt raw and he couldn’t quite seem to get to grips with the betrayal, was it his fault? Had he done something? Did she no longer love him?

‘Oh Harry.’ Hermione stood up and wrapped her arms around him.

He burrowed into her embrace, finally allowing his tears to fall free and letting go of his pent up emotions. He didn’t know how long it was until he finally came back to himself and found that he was lying on a comfy sofa in her arms. 

He swallowed and found himself free of his anger and hurt, left only resigned and tired and feeling stupid. ‘I performed a pregnancy diagnosis spell on her a couple nights ago while she was sleeping. It was positive, only we haven’t slept together since I caught her with him four months ago.’

Hermione’s arms tightened around him. ‘She’s pregnant?’ She whispered.

Harry nodded. He knew he’d invaded her privacy and that he was in the wrong for doing it, especially behind her back, but when she’d started talking about starting a family so suddenly, and giving up the career she loved, the career she had said she’d never leave only a few months ago. Things just hadn’t added up, and now he knew why.

‘Merlin Harry, I’m sorry.’

He shifted slightly, resting his head against hers. ‘So, what’s happening with you and Ron?’ He found he wasn’t angry at her anymore, only curious about why their relationship wasn’t as stable as he’d believed it to be.

She sighed, looking miserable. ‘We’re arguing constantly. About everything, what to have for dinner, who’ll cook or pick up take away, what take away and where from.’ She paused and he knew the real problem was this next one. ‘Why I’m not already pregnant and raising our children, why I keep giving George so many chances.’

Harry blinked. He wasn’t touching that one about Hermione being pregnant with a barge pole, everyone knew how much she cared about her career and how important it was to her but… ‘What's George got to do with it?’

Hermione tensed.

Harry sat up and looked at her. ‘Hermione?’

She sighed and fiddled with her fingers. ‘Ron wants to take over Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes.’

Harry frowned, he already knew this, Ron wouldn’t stop going on about how great he could make the shop if George would only let him. ‘Yeah I know, he wants to run it with George, become a full on partner.’

Hermione shook her head. ‘George isn’t having any of it. It was his and Fred’s dream. Ron thinks he can take it over and run it himself, without George.’

Harry felt his blood run cold. He could understand where George was coming from, it had been his and Fred’s dream and George had never gotten over Fred dying. He’d stopped inventing and the shop only sold the products they’d already come up with, but they’d come up with so many, Harry doubted he’d ever go out of business. But Ron wanting George out? That was news to him and even as he struggled to believe it, his brain came up with comments Ron had been making about George and the joke shop and he knew it was true.

‘What are you going to do?’

Hermione shrugged, looking small and helpless for the first time he had known her.

‘What do you want to do?’

She gave a broken laugh. ‘Go running to George, tell him everything and make sure Ron never has anything to do with the joke shop ever again.’

Harry nodded, wishing his own problems could be sorted that easily and he knew how close Hermione had gotten to George in the last few years. She was just as close to George as she was to Harry, if not closer. 

‘What about you?’

He shrugged, staring at the old fireplace and wishing for the impossible. ‘Go back in time and do everything differently.’

Hermione tensed again. 

Harry turned to look at her but she avoided his gaze. ‘Hermione?’

‘Hmmm?’ She asked, wrapping her arms around herself.

‘What do you know?’

‘What? Nothing! I mean,’ Hermione frowned, looking confused. ‘Lots of things, I know lots of things, why?’

‘Hermione, you know something that could help, what is it?’ Harry demanded with a sharp edge to his tone that he never used around her.

He regretted it the second he saw her deflate. 

‘Hermione…’ he pleaded in apology, wrapping her up in his arms.

She pushed her head onto his chest, taking the comfort he offered before he felt her take a deep breath as if to steal herself for something. ‘There’s a spell I found a year ago. To take you back in time, similar but different to a time turner. A time turner can take you back in time but only to a maximum of twenty four hours and it takes your physical body back so that there are two of you.’

Harry nodded, he remembered their third year and the time turner and how they’d accidentally destroyed them all the night Sirius died.

‘This spell doesn’t take your body back in time, it sends your mind back to your younger self, and there is no time limit on it. You can go back as far as you want as long as you still have a body. You could go back to the day you were born for example.’

‘What’s the catch?’ Harry asked, attempting to joke but really wanting to know.

‘You need three people to do it. And you all go back to the same time. We would all have the memories from this life, no matter how much we change the other one. And if you don’t succeed, the spell takes your life as forfeit.’

Harry ignored that last part. It wasn’t like they were serious about actually going back or anything, it was just interesting, having options. ‘But we could change the direction our paths take? Not get married.’

‘Oh Harry, we could do so much more depending on how far back we went.’ She pulled back, looking at him intently as if needing him to realise something. 

He frowned at her but it suddenly clicked. ‘Sirius. We could save him, stop him from dying.’

She swallowed, ‘Fred too, and Remus and Tonks. Dumbledore.’

He stared at her and nodded resolutely. ‘So who’s our third?’

She smiled at him, relief covering her face. ‘You are.’ He frowned at her but before he could ask her what she meant she squeezed his hand. ‘Do you really think there isn’t anything George wouldn’t do to get Fred back?’

He let out his breath noisily. ‘Of course. Does he know?’

She shook her head. ‘I wasn’t going to get his hopes up until I knew I was serious about this and not being selfish. And only if I could find someone I trusted to go back with us.’

Harry frowned and stared at Hermione intently. ‘What else is going on? You're not doing this just because of your marriage.’

Hermione winced. ‘Some of the things I’ve learnt from working at the ministry...’ She swallowed loudly and took a deep breath. ‘Its rotten at the core. If we’re doing this again, I certainly won't be working for them.’

Harry stared at her, he knew the ministry wasn’t perfect, he worked for them too and often found himself banging his head against a brick wall, but the way Hermione was talking was something else entirely. ‘Is this why you changed departments last year?’

Hermione nodded slowly. ‘The ministry is a lot more indoctrinated into the pureblood society than I ever realised.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The pureblood Houses.’ Hermione informed and at his lost look began explaining. ‘All the old wizard names are what’s known as Houses. The House of Weasley, the House of Potter, the House of Longbottom for example. Only the House of Weasley lost their seat at the Wizengamot years ago. The House of Potter stopped when your parents died.’

‘Why have I never heard of this? If my family is a part of this?’ Harry demanded.

‘Partly because you weren’t of age to do anything, and partly, I’m certain, because your mother was muggleborn.’

Harry stared at her.

‘They want to keep all the Houses pureblood, like the House of Malfoy and the House of Black.’

‘Sirius had a house?’ Harry asked astounded.

Hermione nodded. ‘Grimmauld Place was one of the House estates. It wasn’t the family manor, but their London house.’

‘Family manor?’

Hermione nodded. ‘Sirius didn’t leave an heir, or rather, he never accepted his role as the head of the family meaning the House of Black didn’t have an heir. However magic recognised you as his heir and left you Grimmauld place and his personal vaults, but the Black family manor and the vaults and heirlooms went to Narcissa Malfoy nee Black.’

Harry blinked at her, feeling nauseous. ‘What?’

Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes. ‘Every single member of the Wizengamot is a pureblood, it’s why I’ve been fighting an uphill battle in everything I try to do. I’m muggleborn so either don’t know what I’m talking about, or want to abolish pureblood traditions.’

‘That’s ridiculous!’ Harry stared at her. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘There’s nothing you can do about it Harry, it’s the way of the wizarding world.’ Hermione sounded defeated. It was not a tone he liked hearing on her.

‘So how do we change it?’ Harry asked, determined.

Hermione half smiled at him. ‘I don’t think we can.’

‘Of course we can.’ Harry pushed. ‘We defeated Voldemort, we can sort out the ministry.’

Hermione snorted, but then squinted at him. ‘I do have an idea, but we can only try it if Sirius agrees.’

Harry beamed at her.

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Chapter Text

CHAPTER 2 - THE PLAN

‘I’m in.’ George said adamantly, somehow looking resolute, relieved, and happy all at the same time.

‘You need to think this through.’ Hermione began seriously. There was no way she was letting him go into this blind and putting him through even more pain and heartbreak. She had no idea if they could save those who had died, or if they would still lose them a second time: if fate was real and they’d been fated to die.

George shook his head. ‘I don’t have to, even if I only get to see Freddie for one more day, I don’t care, I’m in.’

Hermione pursed her lips but nodded. ‘Okay, I accept that and I'm relieved you're coming with us, but I still need to explain it all and make sure you know what I know.’

George raised an eyebrow. ‘Mione, I’m good and all, but I will never know what you know.’

Harry snorted and Hermione couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. ‘Thanks, but I mean about going back. And I need you both to know and understand this. Once we change one thing, there can be a ripple effect and other things that we never meant to or had no intention of changing can change.’

Harry nodded. ‘A butterfly flaps its wings in Australia and there’s a tsunami in Thailand.’

‘What?’ George frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’

Hermione nodded, ‘Pretty much yeah, George you throw a pebble in a pool of water, what do you get?’

‘Ripples.’

Hermione nodded. ‘And we’re the pebbles. We’re going back to change things, to save Sirius and Fred, but that doesn’t mean that a week or a month or a year later, something else happens and they die.’

George inhaled harshly. ‘You think they might have been fated to die?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘I don’t believe in fate, but that doesn’t mean fate doesn’t exist.’

Hermione watched as her words sunk in and George swallowed, he looked directly into her eyes. ‘Doesn’t change my answer. I’m in.’

She breathed out, her shoulders slumping in relief. Hermione bit her bottom lip, feeling pressure build behind her eyes. They’d both agreed. They were actually doing this. 

George opened his arms and Hermione pushed herself into them. Recently she’d been finding herself wrapped in his arms more and more as her relationship with Ron broke down and her career disintegrated before her eyes. It wasn’t anything romantic, their relationship was purely platonic, but he was now one of her closest friends, closer than even her husband.

She thought that Ron and her would overcome their differences, that love would prevail, that good would prevail, she’d been wrong. While opposites did sometimes attract, her and Ron were not the sort that lasted. This time around, she would make sure that they would not get together, that they would just remain friends. Nor would she ever accept a job at the ministry.

She felt George turn his head.

‘So I know why I’m doing this, and why Hermione is, but why are you?’

Hermione winced at his question and shuffled herself so that she could see Harry and still receive and offer comfort to George.

Harry sighed and pulled his glasses off, rubbing his forehead. ‘Ginny’s your sister George, I don’t think it fair I complain.’

George reached out a hand. ‘We’re about to change history Harry, I love Ginny, but I think we all need to know each other’s reasons, and I doubt yours is just to save Sirius.’

Harry stared down at his hands for a moment before nodding. ‘Ginny’s pregnant. It’s not mine and she doesn’t know that I know.’

George blinked at Harry for a moment. ‘Merlin’s balls.’

Harry snorted. ‘That about sums it up.’

‘So, you two are going to stop yourself getting romantically involved with your current partners, stop Sirius from dying and I’m going to stop Fred from dying, then Hermione’s going to destroy the ministry. That about sums up our plan?’ George asked.

Hermione nodded. ‘We need to have a much more detailed plan but yes, that is the essence of it.’

‘How detailed?’ Harry asked, grimacing.

Hermione couldn’t help her smile, she knew he was much more of a “fly by the seat of your pants” person than a planner but for something this important, they needed plans after plans after plans. Each plan would need a back up plan and she’d have to incorporate as many scenarios as she possibly could. ‘For starters we need to agree on exactly how far back we’re going. Sirius died in fifth year, do we go back to that night? To just before Voldemort sent you that dream? Or earlier? To when we found out he was innocent and Pettigrew escaped?’

Harry grimaced. ‘I did not enjoy puberty.’

Hermione snorted. ‘Did anyone?’

‘I loved it.’ George said, looking away. 

Hermione knew he was thinking about Fred. She reached out and tucked her hand into his. ‘Whichever we chose, Fred will still be alive when we go back.’

‘What would happen if we stopped Pettigrew from escaping?’ George asked.

Hermione shrugged. ‘It would clear Sirius’s name, and while Pettigrew was instrumental in helping Voldemort regain his body, that’s not to say he wouldn’t have managed it another way.’

‘A way we wouldn’t know about or have an advantage over.’ Harry said quietly.

Hermione nodded sadly. ‘And we don't know if we can clear Sirius’s name another way. Did anyone ever try?’

Harry grimaced. ‘Not until after Voldemort was dead and I think the ministry only cleared his name to humour me.’

‘So,’ George wiped a hand over his face. ‘Do we want Sirius to be able to clear his name, or do we want an advantage?’

‘But we already have an advantage, a massive one, we know about the horcruxes, and where they are.’ Harry reminded her.

‘The what?’ George asked, his face paling.

Hermione winced. ‘Err, yeah that's what we spent our year on the run looking for.’

‘He made horcruxes?’ George’s voice was hoarse. ‘As in more than one?’

Hermione and Harry nodded but it was Hermione who answered him. ‘He made seven.’

‘One of which kinda happens to be me.’ Harry added, before frowning. ‘How would that work, with going back? I had to be willing to die, for him to destroy that one in me.’

Hermione winced. ‘I think you would need to be willing to do the same. I haven’t researched horcruxes in people.’

‘Hold up.’ George stared at Harry in horror. ‘He made you a horcrux?’

‘By accident, the night he killed my parents.’ Harry sighed, his finger tracing his scar. Hermione knew it hadn’t hurt since Voldemort had died, so he was probably remembering everything they’d gone through.

‘Your scar.’ George breathed in realisation.

‘If Pettigrew doesn’t escape, Voldemort may never regain his body, or not for years.’ Hermione said slowly, thinking back to that time and what they would need in order to accomplish killing Voldemort. ‘We could destroy all the horcruxes, except for you Harry, but it wouldn’t kill him.’

‘Because I would still be alive.’ Harry groaned. ‘Hell.’

‘So, you're saying we need Voldemort to be back, to have his body?’ George checked dubiously.

Hermione nodded. ‘I think we need to go back to just before Tom Riddle sent that dream to Harry about Sirius.’

‘And then what?’ Harry frowned.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. ‘And then not go.’

‘But wasn’t that the night that the ministry found out Voldemort was back?’ George asked. ‘Don’t we need everyone to know?’

Harry looked at Hermione. ‘Do we?’

‘I-I don’t know.’ She admitted, thinking quickly. It wasn’t something she’d ever thought of before. Having everyone know had actually made things easier for them, especially at school as everyone stopped treating them as if they were insane. Nor had it hindered them looking for the horcruxes because no one had known what they were after. ‘It certainly helped. The ministry stopped interfering in Hogwarts.’

George nodded. ‘Merlin, I hated Umbridge.’

‘Didn't it also get Fudge fired?’ Harry frowned.

‘Scrimgour was put in power right after.’ Hermione agreed. ‘Barely even a month after.’

‘Yeah well, Fudge had been harping on about Harry losing it because he said old voldepants was back. ‘George grumbled. ‘So do we want Fudge or Scrimgour?’

Harry shrugged and looked to Hermione again, while she was used to him thinking she had all the answers, it had been a long time since he had kept referring to her for answers. He was an auror now and a good one.

She sighed. ‘I think Scrimgour, while we won’t be able to predict everything, we know he’s more offensive then Fudge. He tried to stand up to Voldemort and his supporters.’

‘Yeah and he also wanted me as his poster boy. ‘ Harry frowned, licking his lips as if he tasted something foul. ‘So, we do have to go to the ministry that night?’

‘Yes.’ Hermione said slowly, as a plan formed in her mind. ‘But not to save Sirius, he won’t be there, but to set a trap instead .’

George grinned at her. ‘I like the way you think.’

‘Some Death Eaters were caught, but some important ones got away.’

‘Malfoy may have been imprisoned but Bellatrix got away.’ Harry said in disgust. ‘And Malfoy got released.’

Hermione nodded, rubbing her arm where Bellatrix had carved the word “mudblood” into her skin. ‘I think, with a bit of planning, we could change that.’

‘How?’

Hermione shrugged. ‘Off the top of my head? We set the ministry alarms off deliberately and sooner, and the more urgent ones, but make sure that none of the order knows so that Sirius can’t turn up.’

‘How would we do that?’

‘Snape.’ Hermione whispered, realising that he would also still be alive. And this time they knew exactly whose side he was on.

Harry nodded. ‘I forgot I’d told him.’

‘You would need to learn occlumency from him.’ Hermione reminded him, remembering how awful that had gone the first time.

Harry grimaced. ‘Shit.’

‘I know you said that he was on our side, but really? You want Harry to trust Snape with his mind?’ George asked, looking stunned.

Hermione looked at Harry.

‘Because I was Voldemort’s horcrux, he could see into my mind and vice versa. It wasn’t pleasant, but with what I know now…’ Harry trailed off.

‘So, Harry will be learning occlumency from Snape.’ George agreed.

Hermione frowned and stared at Harry. ‘You learnt it for Auror training though, didn’t you?’

Harry straightened and grinned at her. ‘That’s right, I did!’

‘Theoretically then, you’ll know how. You’ll just need to practise it once we go back to make sure you still can.’

‘And we’re going back to the night Sirius died? The twentieth of June?’ George checked.

‘Sirius died on the twentieth of June ninety-ninety-six. But Voldemort sent me those images during that day, just after you and Fred set off the fireworks and left. So if we go back to that day, it’ll have to be earlier.’ Harry said quietly.

Hermione nodded. ‘I think night’s best, the night before. It will give us time to catch Fred up. If we go back at about midnight on the nineteenth, that way everyone will be in bed and it will be easier for us to regroup and meet up.’ She glanced at George, wanting him to be able to find Fred and have their reunion alone, without witnesses. She was under no illusions that George was likely to break down the second he saw his twin and that Fred would have no idea what was going on.

‘So what’s our plan for defeating Voldemort? Again.’ George asked bluntly but Hermione could see a small smile on his face. This was the most animated she had seen him in years. Since Fred’s death.

‘Same as what we did last time, but quicker.’ Hermione looked at Harry and he nodded.

‘We know what we have to do this time,’ Harry agreed. ‘Where the horcruxes are and what they are.’

‘Nagini is going to be a problem.’ Hermione winced.

George frowned. ‘That snake that Neville killed?’

Hermione nodded. ‘She was another horcrux, the only one we couldn’t get to.’

‘I suppose it would be too much to hope that Neville could cut her head off again?’ Harry asked hopefully.

Hermione snorted before a thought struck her. ‘We should include Neville more.’

‘What?’ Harry frowned at her.

‘That year that we were on the run, Neville started standing up for others because of the Carrows, he really came into himself. Why can’t we encourage that?’ Hermione reasoned.

‘What could we get him to stand up for though?’ Harry questioned.

It was George’s turn to snort. ‘You.’ He said bluntly, staring at Harry.

Harry stared back at him looking dumbfounded but Hermione was in complete agreement. ‘Neville wasn’t really close to anyone in school, I don’t remember seeing him with anyone or having a best friend.’

‘So we’ll change that. Harry will become his best friend.’

‘Oi, Ron’s my best friend!’ Harry exclaimed.

George rolled his eyes. ‘Uhuh, how’s that working out?’

‘You can have more than one best friend, aren’t we proof of that?’ Hermione cut in before things could escalate.

Harry frowned unhappily. ‘I suppose.’

‘And anyway,’ Hermione continued. ‘We’ve got too much to sort out and get organised to get side tracked.’

‘Okay, so we get closer to Neville and track down the horcruxes, what else?’ Harry asked.

Hermione bit her lip. ‘What do we tell Dumbledore?’

‘Everything.’ Harry said instantly.

George groaned . ‘You really give that man way too much credit.’

Harry looked at him startled. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Look, don’t get me wrong, Dumbledore was a great man, but he was also an idiot. He left you at an abusive home and ensured that no one could ever check up on you, not only that but he kept insisting that you returned there every year, no matter how many times my parents pleaded for you to come live with them.’

Hermione watched Harry blink at that information, she doubted that he knew Molly and Arthur Weasley had wanted him to live with them full time even though they couldn’t afford it. Hermione knew that Harry still believed in Dumbledore and that he cared greatly for him, and with Dumbledore being dead, she hadn’t seen any point in showing him otherwise.

Hermione cleared her throat. ‘Not to mention the summer he made us all promise not to contact you.’

Harry winced at the reminder and a dose of self loathing shot through Hermione, she would always regret complying with that order.

‘Let’s face it, Dumbledore had great vision but bad execution.’ George summed up gently.

Hermione nodded.

Harry looked at her, a lost expression on his face. ‘You agree?’

‘I do.’ She said simply.

Harry breathed in noisily. ‘So, do we tell him?’

Hermione winced, she really didn’t want to, but mainly because she didn’t trust him.

‘And then guess at how he’ll react and what he’ll do differently?’ George shook his head. ‘We need to limit the amount of people who know.’

‘What about,’ Hermione said slowly, hoping that they’d agree. ‘We only tell one person each and swear them to secrecy?’

George nodded. ‘Three is still a lot but you both know who my person will be, so I suppose it’s only two.’

Hermione and Harry both nodded. 

Harry frowned before shrugging. ‘Sirius.’

Hermione nodded, agreeing with his choice. With Sirius alive, it could change a lot for Harry, and if they cleared his name, then Harry would actually have a home.

‘I need to look into his case before we go back, see if there’s any evidence we can use to get his name cleared.’ Hermione thought aloud, wondering why the hell she hadn’t done that already. He might be dead and his name cleared in this timeline, but that had only been done as a favour to the Boy Who Lived and their Second Saviour. Not because the ministry had believed in Sirius’s innocence.

‘Who are you going to tell?’ George asked her.

Hermione blinked, before taking a deep breath, knowing neither of them were going to like her answer but she’d thought long and hard on who would be the best situated to help them and there had only been one answer. ‘I don’t know, the only person who comes to mind that we’ll have to tell to get their help is, well, Snape.’

‘WHAT?’ George stared at her looking both alarmed and horrified.

Harry grimaced. ‘God, I hated him back then.’

Hermione winced but agreed. ‘We’ll probably need you to share some of your memories with him Harry, but he’s the best placed to help us and we can’t deny that he was an excellent spy.’

‘But won’t he go running straight to Dumbledore?’ George asked. ‘I mean, he was Dumbledore’s spy.’

Hermione looked pointedly at Harry who was shaking his head. It wasn’t her place to explain why Snape had made the choices he had.

‘He became Dumbledore’s spy because Voldemort killed my mum. He loved her and turned against Voldemort the second he threatened her.’

George stared at Harry agape. ‘Why am I only hearing about this now?’

‘Because now, you need to know it. Harry was respecting Snape by keeping it quiet.’ Hermione explained gently, reaching over and squeezing Harry’s hand.

Harry shrugged, ‘It felt wrong to tell everyone his reasons.’

George smiled, looking mollified. ‘You’re a good bloke Harry.’

Harry grimaced, not looking convinced. 

It was another reason why Hermione wanted to do this, to go back and change his home life so that maybe, just maybe they could instil some confidence in him as a person. But then, Harry would still have all of his memories of this life even if he was in the body of a teenager, but she still hoped that they could get him living with Sirius, and she’d be having a very long discussion with Sirius. But first, she needed to figure out how to clear his name and how to do it quickly.

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Chapter Text

CHAPTER 3 - THE END OF THE POTTERS MARRIAGE

It was another three days before Harry was able to get away without it being seen as suspicious. He floo’d directly into Grimmauld Place, their unofficial meeting place, and wasn’t surprised that Hermione was already there. Ron had been complaining that she was working late at the ministry on a case recently and that he’d barely seen her. It happened so frequently that Ron wasn’t even suspicious, although he was perfectly aware that she wasn’t happy about something at work and often lamented about it to Harry, wishing he could help.

Harry knew exactly what case Hermione was working on and that it wasn’t for the ministry. He hated lying to his best friend, but he couldn’t tell him the truth and he could feel it driving a wedge between them even though he had barely seen Ron since Hermione had told him about the spell. Not that that was unusual, he’d been distancing himself from Ron since he’d found out Ginny was cheating on him. He’d actually been distancing himself from all the Weasley’s, unable to figure out how he could possibly remain as part of the family if he separated from Ginny.

If Hermione hadn’t come up with this option, he’d still be trying to figure out if he’d be able to force himself into living a lie, to stay with Ginny. He had no problem with raising another man’s child, he could and would, do that in a heartbeat. He was having trouble deciding whether he could still stay with Ginny knowing their relationship was a lie. Now that he had this option, he knew he couldn’t.

‘Alright Harry?’ George asked absently as he made his way over to where they were huddled at the kitchen table with paperwork strewn everywhere.

Harry blinked, the question sounding so similar to how Ron spoke, although, he supposed wryly, they were brothers. 

‘Yeah I’m good. For once I’m pleased that Ron quit the aurors and I can pretend I’ve got a case that I can’t speak about.’ He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face and glanced at Hermione who was engrossed in paperwork and looked like she had been for the last three days. ‘She alright?’

‘She’s furious.’ George said bluntly.

Harry frowned. ‘Why?’

‘Turns out Sirius never even had a trial and all the evidence points to him being innocent when you take away Dumbledore’s and Lupin’s witness statements that Sirius was the secret keeper.’

Harry froze. ‘What?’

George nodded. ‘That was all of their supposed evidence along with the other witness statements that put him in the same place as Pettigrew and what they’d said before the explosion happened. They didn’t even test his wand!’

‘But they made out they’d only exonerated him as a favour to me!’ Harry exclaimed, his heart sinking.

‘Looks like they were trying to cover their asses.’ George sighed, pouring out a generous measure of firewhisky and sliding it over to Harry.

Harry downed it as he sat down at the table with a heavy thump. ‘If we weren’t going back to change everything, I’d be quitting.’

‘Don’t blame you. Hermione’s already said, many times, that she will not be going to work for the ministry this time around.’

‘I’m with her on that one.’ Harry said, helping himself to the bottle.

‘Well, I’m pretty sure she’s got everything she needs to clear Sirius’s name when we go back.’ George shrugged. ‘Hopefully we don’t have much more to plan and soon we’ll be in 1996 again.’

‘Good, I don’t know how much more of this I can take.’ Harry admitted.

George clinked his glass against Harry’s. The sound seemed to startle Hermione out of focus.

‘Harry? When did you get here?’ Hermione frowned at him, blinking as she looked up.

He forced a brittle smile. ‘Not long ago, George filled me in.’

‘I can’t believe them!’ Hermione snarled. ‘Exonerating Sirius as a favour to cover up their injustices while offering us jobs! Arseholes! I would say I can’t believe their audacity but I’m afraid I can believe it all too easily!’

‘Seems to be the story of my life.’ Harry sighed wondering if with this second chance, people would stop shitting on him. Somehow he doubted it but maybe, just maybe, things might go his way, only he knew too well how hope could be both a wonderful and dangerous thing.

Hermione looked at him, giving him one of her intense stares that he both dreaded and revelled in. ‘We’ll change that. We’ll change all three of ours.’

‘Here’s to change.’ George said quietly, raising his glass.

Harry smiled at him, knowing that at least George’s life would be changed for the better even if his wasn’t, and while he didn’t want to jinx it thinking his life couldn’t get any worse, he knew it could.

‘To Fred, may we soon be with you again.’ Hermione said and Harry couldn’t help his smile when George beamed at her.

‘How soon do you think?’ George asked, unable to hide his eagerness. ‘The potion should be ready in a week.’

A smile crossed Hermione's face. ‘As soon as the potion is ready. I know how to prove Sirius’s innocence but I’ll need to get the information when we return, which I should be able to do when we go to the ministry that night.’

‘Where I will not be informing anyone of what we are doing.’ Harry interrupted.

‘Oh you will, just in a different way than you did last time.’ Hermione grinned.

‘And with you both working at the ministry, you’ll know the best way to set off the alarms.’ George reminded them.

‘And which ones.’ Hermione said, a sly twinkle in her eyes.

Harry grinned back at her.

‘What do you mean?’ George asked.

‘Different areas have different alarms for different departments, some are more urgent than others.’ Harry explained. ‘So one alarm might just alert a security guard, but another might wake the head of aurors for example.’

‘Which got set off the first time?’ George asked.

‘Initially it was a low level alarm, but as the Death Eaters had stunned the guards, they went unnoticed. It was only when Dumbledore set off a high level alarm when fighting Voldemort that Fudge and the other high members of the ministry were alerted.’

‘So, we find the evidence to exonerate Sirius, before the Death Eaters arrive?’ Harry checked.

Hermione nodded. ‘We’ll need to wait and fight off the Death Eaters until Voldemort arrives. As soon as he does, we set off the high level alarms and get the ministry to witness his existence just like before.’

‘You make it sound so easy.’ George groaned and Harry couldn’t help but agree.

‘But last time, we didn’t have the Weasley twins with us.’ Hermione grinned.

‘I like the sound of that.’ George swallowed and nodded, breathing in sharply. Hermione reached over and grabbed his hand. George looked up at the ceiling, blinking quickly as they linked hands. ‘It’s been a long time since anyone said that.’

‘A week. A week and we’ll have him back.’ Harry promised.

George breathed out and nodded. ‘A week.’

The hallway clock chimed and Harry felt his heart drop, it was nearing eleven and even though Ginny, like Ron, thought he was working on a case, he should be heading home, he still had work in the morning. He stood up, with any luck Ginny would already be fast asleep in bed. ‘Right, I’d better be getting back.’

‘Night Harry.’ Hermione smiled sadly at him.

‘You alright with us staying here a little longer?’ George asked.

‘Stay as long as you like.’ Harry offered. The only reason he hadn’t sold the house was because it was still something to tie him to Sirius. He waved as he made his way to the floo, pausing only a second to brace himself before he returned home.

‘Harry,’ Ginny smiled at him from where she was curled up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate. ‘I left your dinner under a warming charm.’

‘Oh.’ Harry said, initially too surprised to react. ‘Erm, I ate in the office, I wasn’t expecting you to still be up.’

‘Well, I feel as if I hardly get to see you anymore, especially with how hard you’ve been working on this new case.’ She smiled at him, shrugging a shoulder so that her dressing gown fell down to reveal she wasn’t wearing much underneath it. ‘I thought I could help you relax.’

Harry’s heart dropped even further, all the way to the floor. ‘Sorry Gin, I’m knackered.’

Ginny frowned at him but he could see the anger and hurt in her eyes. ‘What’s going on Harry? You haven’t touched me in months, do you even love me still?’

Harry felt his own hurt and ire raging up within him. He wasn’t a Griffindor for nothing after all. ‘No, I haven’t touched you since I saw you in bed with another man.’

He watched as the blood drained from her face. ‘How did you…?’

‘I’m an auror, Ginny, or did you forget that?’

‘You spied on me?’ She stood up, her face now red with anger as she pulled her dressing gown more tightly around her body.

‘No.’ Harry shot back. ‘You just forgot that I was meant to be meeting you when you arranged to shag someone else!’

‘I didn’t arrange anything!’ She shrieked. ‘It wasn’t ever meant to happen, I had too much to drink!’

‘And what he fell on you?’ Harry asked, his tone scathing. ‘Pull the other one.’

‘I love you Harry, I’m so sorry.’ Ginny sobbed. ‘It won’t happen again. It was only that one time. I want to make this work with us. I love you.’

Harry stared at her. He took a breath, his decision suddenly made. ‘I’ve had months to come to terms with this, and I don’t.’

‘You don’t, what?’ Ginny asked him, her expression one of frozen horror.

‘I don’t want to be with you anymore.’ Harry said quietly. ‘You think I don’t know why you’ve been trying to get me into bed?’

‘You arse!’ Ginny shrieked, grabbing a book off the sofa she’d been sitting on and throwing it at him. ‘You utter wanker!’

Harry dodged more and more objects as she screamed obscenity after obscenity at him. He winced when she heaved up a lovely antique bowl he’d taken from his parents vault and heaved that at him as well. He ducked it easily enough, wincing as it shattered against the fireplace but he wasn’t quick enough to dodge the shards that flew back at him. He felt one hit his face but ignored it, waiting for Ginny to tire herself out, only instead he saw Ginny point her wand at him and everything went black.

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Harry woke to silence and a strange room that unfortunately, was familiar to him from his auror work. This was not the first time he had woken up in a room at St Mungos. Unfortunately, he found out as he turned his head to the side, it was the first time he was waking up in St Mungos with his boss beside him.

‘Sir?’ Harry asked, trying to think what could have warranted waking up in St Mungos with his boss beside him. He remembered arguing with Ginny and her pointing her wand at him, and that was it, which didn’t explain why he was at St Mungos or why his boss was there.

‘You hadn't taken off the blackout spell from training today.’ Gawain Robards explained simply.

‘Shit.’ Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. That explained everything. The blackout spell was designed to prevent serious injury and the second the person who had it on them lost consciousness, alarms were sounded and sent to certain authorities. It was now only used in training as it had ruined many undercover operations, especially when it was discovered that it didn’t differentiate between unconsciousness and being asleep.

‘Unfortunately we had to take your wife in.’ He continued.

Harry sat up and stared at him. ‘You arrested Ginny?’

‘I kept it off the books, but she refused to calm down and injured a few aurors who turned up when your alarm activated.’

‘I’m sorry, shit.’ Harry ran a hand through his hair. ‘Where is she?’

‘In the cells. I suggest you take some time off to sort out your personal situation. Regrettably, I haven’t been able to curb the gossip mill and it’s now doing the rounds that your wife attacked you.’

Harry winced. ‘Damage control?’

‘Up to you, do you want to press charges? Technically, she attacked a ministry auror.’

Harry shook his head. ‘No, but my marriage is over.’

Robards froze before clearing his throat. ‘We had to get in a mediwizard to check her over as she didn’t come quietly.’

Harry winced, knowing where Robards was going with this. ‘It’s not mine.’

‘Ahh. I’m sorry Harry.’ Robards squeezed his shoulder. ‘Take the rest of the month off. Get your affairs and head in order. If you need anything else, more time off, just let me know.’

‘Thanks Sir.’ Harry smiled gratefully.

Robards nodded. ‘I’ll find a healer and get you cleared for release. Do you want me to keep Mrs Potter or alert someone to collect her?’

‘No, I’ll come get her and take her home.’ Harry took a deep breath. ‘We need to talk it out.’

Robards nodded as he stood up but glanced back as he left the room and grinned wryly at him. ‘Don’t take off the blackout spell then.’

Harry snorted, surprised he could still feel amusement after tonight’s events. He went over everything in his head. Ginny could stay in the house, they didn’t need to confirm or deny anything publicly, as soon he would hopefully be back in the past. The only problem would be the rest of the Weasley’s, although he hadn’t counted on Ginny attacking him. He’d send them all, Ron included, an owl saying that he needed space and to please give it to him. He debated on telling them about Ginny, that she’d cheated on him, was pregnant by another man and had attacked him, but it didn’t feel right. They’d find out about her attacking him easily enough, he’d be surprised if it wasn’t all over the morning news and it was up to Ginny whether she told her family about her affair and pregnancy. He didn’t have to say anything apart from the fact that they’d split up.

He’d get Ginny out of lockup, but he wouldn’t be going home with her. He’d go to Grimmauld Place, with his schedule suddenly opened up, he could devote it to preparing to going back to 1996.

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Chapter Text

CHAPTER 4 - THE END OF THE WEASLEY’S MARRIAGE

Hermione blinked her eyes open and stared at what was once again becoming a familiar sight: the ceiling of her old bedroom in Grimmauld Place. She’d been thinking of asking Harry if she could move in and this morning she’d woken up with a new resolve. She couldn’t leave this life without doing something, without standing up for herself. She would speak to Ron and tell him exactly how she felt and that she needed to be alone for a while. Fear instantly shot through her but she knew it would be cathartic and while she would miss him, she missed who they had once been more. Which she would soon be getting back. She stretched out and allowed her limbs to flop heavily back onto the bed. She couldn’t believe how tired she felt but knew she needed to get up and face the day, but that knowledge just made it harder. Although she could really do with a cup of tea.

She sent a patronus off to work, explaining she’d be off for the rest of the week with a serious family matter and then another to Ron, asking him to meet her at home in two hours. Another bout of fear shot through her but she couldn’t chicken out now, and anyway, she was a Griffindor. She forced herself up and wrapping a fluffy dressing gown around herself as protection from the drafty house, made her way downstairs. She stopped in surprise at the doorway to the kitchen where Harry and George looked to be cooking up a feast and Harry seemed the most lighthearted she’d seen him in years.

‘Hermione!’ He greeted her enthusiastically. ‘Hope you're hungry!’

‘Not really.’ She admitted, the thought of confronting Ron ridding her of any appetite. ‘Has something happened?’

Harry and George glanced at each other. 

‘Haven’t actually been to bed yet.’ George admitted with a smile.

‘When I went home last night, Ginny was there and I don’t know why, but I confronted her.’ Harry shrugged, looking slightly lost. ‘She said it had been just a one time thing, just a heat of the moment thing and that she’d made a mistake.’

He drifted off, staring at the tomato in his hand.

‘Harry?’ Hermione prompted gently.

He blinked. ‘She was apologetic but promised me that it wouldn’t happen again and that she loved me but… I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stay.’

‘My lovely sister did not take that well.’ George said, taking over when Harry stayed quiet again. ‘It seems her pregnancy hormones may have taken over and she started throwing things, not at Harry but he did get caught and ended up at St Mungos where his boss showed up.’

Hermione nodded at George’s confused tone. ‘The head auror is always notified as soon as an auror turns up at St Mungos.’

‘He’s given Harry the rest of the month off to sort out his family life.’ George concluded.

‘I came back here and found George levitating you to bed.’ Harry smiled ruefully. ‘Decided to move in.’

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath. ‘Would you like some company? I’m speaking to Ron in a bit and telling him we’re separating.’

‘You alright?’ Harry asked instantly, looking concerned.

She smiled at him. ‘I think I should be asking you that, but yes, I am. This conversation is long overdue. Do you mind me moving back into my old bedroom for a bit?’

Harry practically beamed at her. ‘Course not! I’d love it, be a bit like old times.’

‘I-I also think George should move in with us and we cut off the floo to anyone else.’ Hermione rushed.

‘Me?’ George looked stunned. ‘Why?’

‘Your family’s going to be on the warpath with both me and Harry leaving Ron and Ginny. And no matter what happens between Ron and I, I think he’s going to try and blame you. We need to work on this potion and get all the kinks ironed out in our plan. I’ve taken the rest of the week off work, they’re not going to miss me, and with Harry being given the time off as well, we might as well put it to good use.’

Harry nodded thoughtfully. ‘I’ll also get the wards up, no owls or howlers and no apparition. I think a Fidilus is going too far at the moment but we can keep it as plan B if things go downhill.’

Hermione nodded. ‘How are we set to hole up in here for the following week?’

‘We’ll need supplies and food.’ George replied, looking bemused but gamely going along with them. 

‘George and I can do that while you're with Ron.’

‘You really think my family will go that far?’ George asked quietly.

Hermione shook her head. ‘No, but Ron will definitely try and track us down and once he finds out that Harry and Ginny split up as well…’

She glanced at Harry and noticed his grimace.

‘He’s always been afraid that we’ll get together.’ Harry admitted uncomfortably.

‘What?’ George asked, looking astounded.

Hermione squirmed. ‘That year on the run? He left us, thought we were carrying on behind his back. Ron and I weren’t even together then but he was certain that Harry and I were and we were keeping it a secret from him.’

‘Yeah you two are best friends, but it’s obvious you view each other as family, as siblings.’ George said.

Hermione shrugged. ‘We did eventually get that through to Ron, but he’s going to find the timing suspicious, put two and two together…’

‘And come up with two.’ Harry said bluntly.

‘Going for the easiest explanation.’ George sighed, ‘Which is as far from the truth as it can possibly get.’

‘Well,’ Hermione frowned, delicately placing her hands in her lap and straightening her back. ‘We are going to be living together.’

George stared at her in utter shock while Harry snorted. It only took George another second for a laugh to burst its way free.

Hermione felt herself staring as warmth rushed through her, she hadn’t heard George laugh like that for years, not since Fred. And she’d been the one to cause it. She glanced over at Harry who was grinning happily. He reached over for her and she grabbed hold of his hand. Things may be rough right now, but they had a plan.

‘And with us all out the way, Ron can plan his grand scheme to take over the joke shop.’ George said lightly.

Hermione froze and stared at him. ‘You know?’

George raised an eyebrow, ‘My little brother is as subtle as a bludger.’

Harry winced. ‘We would have told you…’

George shrugged, looking unconcerned. ‘It doesn’t matter anymore. In a week's time we won’t be here.’

‘I’m sorry George.’

He smiled sadly and turned back to the stove, levitating plates over. ‘Breakfast is ready.’

Declining breakfast, it didn't take her long to shower and prepare for meeting Ron, she stared around herself in dismay but there was no point in wasting time. She might as well head home and pack up whatever she wanted to bring back with her. It would be clothes, seeing as there wasn’t anything she could take back in time with her, there wasn’t any point in holding onto material possessions no matter how much they meant to her.

She floo’d home and after spending barely any time at all packing, wondered around the house she had made a home. A home with Ron. Their were so many memories and not only was she leaving it behind, a part of her felt as if she was chucking it all away. She wondered if Ron knew what she thinking, for all of his obliviousness, he could be extremely astute at times, usually times she wasn’t expecting it. She wondered if now was one of those times, was he feeling the same? Did he dread coming home to her? Dreaded whatever arguments would happen that night between them? Wonder where the woman he’d fallen in love with had gone?

‘You don’t look like you came from the office.’ Ron said quietly from behind her.

She startled, forgetting how quiet he could be when he wanted to. She turned around and instantly knew that she was right. They’d both been feeling the same, she could see it on his face.

Tears pushed at her eyes and she bit her lip, trying to hold them back.

‘So, this is it then?’ Ron asked for her, wrapping his arms around himself.

‘I’m sorry.’ She choked out.

He shook his head, opening his mouth then closing it again, his throat working. Something inside of her eased at the knowledge that it was just as hard for him as it was for her.

‘Don’t be.’ Ron said eventually, his voice hoarse. ‘I’ve been expecting it for a while.’

Hermione shrugged, feeling lost and bereft. ‘I never thought this would happen to us.’

‘Me neither.’ Ron huffed. ‘Did you hear from Harry?’

Hermione nodded, not knowing what to say or how much Harry had told him.

‘It’s all over the prophet.’

Hermione frowned. ‘What? How?’

Ron rolled his eyes, leaning against the door jam with a grim smile on his face. ‘Aurors, they gossip worse than a bunch of girls.’

Hermione shot him a look for the sexist remark but still didn’t understand. ‘How would they know though? Surely Harry didn’t go tell them they were splitting up?’

‘Oh.’ Ron stared at her, straightening up. ‘You don’t know. Ginny attacked him and the aurors arrested her.’

‘What?!’ Hermione gasped, staring at him in alarm. It seemed that both Harry and George had downplayed that little bit.

‘Yeah, Harry’s disappeared and Gin’s hysterical. No one can get any sense out of her. Mum had to give her a calming drought. All we got out of her was that Harry had left, which we already knew from his letter, and that she’d been arrested for attacking him.’

‘Is he pressing charges?’ Hermione demanded.

Ron shook his head. ‘I called in a favour from a few mates. When we train the newbies, we place a blackout spell on all participants, so if anyone loses consciousness, an alarm sounds and St Mungos are notified. It seems Harry forgot to take it off, and coz it was him, both aurors and mediwitches turned up. They found Harry unconscious, the room destroyed and Ginny hexing him. When they tried to stop her, she put up a fight.’

‘Merlin’s beard!’ Hermione found a seat and quickly sat down. ‘Harry didn’t mention any of that, just to give him space.’

‘I think he was trying to be nice about it, seeing as she’s my sister and all.’ Ron responded glumly. 

‘Is Harry still in St Mungos?’ Hermione asked, hating having to be sly to Ron of all people, but she honestly didn’t know if she’d be able to lie convincingly to him if he asked her where Harry was. Not after he’d just been so truthful to her, it was things like that that had had her falling in love with him.

Ron shook his head. ‘Robards got him discharged and he wasn’t at home with Ginny. Dunno where he went.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘Kinda hoped you might have some ideas.’

Hermione shrugged helplessly and decided changing the subject was the best way to go. ‘I was going to move in with a girl from work. She’s moving in with her boyfriend and leaving her flat empty.’

‘You don’t have to go, you know.’ Ron said, wincing. ‘I can move back home.’

Hermione shook her head, knowing how much it took from him to offer that. She picked her bag up from the floor. ‘It’s fine, the rents paid up till the end of the month anyway.’

Ron stared at the bag. ‘You’re really going then?’

She nodded, unsure what else she could say. She was shocked that they hadn’t even argued yet.

‘You can come back anytime.’ He offered. ‘You know, in case you’ve forgotten something.’

She tried to muffle her snort into a smile. ‘Thank you, I think we both need some space though, before we try to sort anything out.’

‘Yeah.’ He scratched the back of his neck. ‘Your probably right. Always are actually.’ He grinned at her the way that had always made her heart clench, but now she felt nothing. It felt like a death knell.

‘Good bye Ron.’

‘Bye, Mione.’ His voice was sad and she turned on her heel and apparated away. She knew she was being sneaky as she appeared into her old bedroom at her parents house, but he was a fully trained auror. She apparated a few more times, before floo-ing to George’s flat and then onto Grimmauld Place. A sigh of relief escaped her when she felt the wards allow her entry and block her off from the rest of the world.

‘Mione?’ She heard Harry call. ‘That you?’

It suddenly hit her, exactly what she’d done. She’d left her husband, she’d left Ron. The first sob was out of her before she knew what was happening and suddenly tears were pouring down her face and she was struggling to breathe. She felt arms around her and allowed them to lead her, to wrap around her and soothe her while inside she wore herself out with grief over what she’d just done.

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Chapter Text

CHAPTER 5 - GATHERING EVIDENCE

‘You alright Mione?’ George asked hesitantly. He’d been experiencing a strange mix of emotions recently, not just his usual anger, lethargy and antipathy, but now also guilt, eagerness and on occasion, happiness. But he knew the last two were all down to Hermione’s plan to get Fred back. Or rather to get them back to Fred.

Hermione shrugged and he held an arm out for her to snuggle into. He felt her relax slightly and kept reading everything they’d written down about what they could remember from the last few years of the second war.

He wasn’t under any illusions that they were only doing this for him, for Fred, but it was why he was doing this and they knew that. They all had their own reasons, Fred was included in them, he knew, just like he was. He knew he hadn’t handled his twin's death well, or at all really. It was still a struggle, he dreamed of Freddie being alive every night and waking up every day was the hardest thing he ever had to do. He’d tried losing himself in the bottle, but the hangovers just made losing Freddie all that much worse, he didn’t have his twin to take the piss out of him for doing it but still bring him a hangover potion. 

Everywhere he went there were reminders of Fred, even if Fred had never been there, he couldn’t stop imagining what Fred would have thought, would have done, the pranks they’d have played together. Fred was everywhere, which George both loved and hated, but he found himself escaping to their shop, or their flat, or their workroom just to be able to picture Fred as he had been. It hadn’t been long until he was only going to places that they’d already been to, and soon he’d found he could only go to places where he could still see Fred. Their shop, their flat, the Burrow. It didn’t help that every time he looked in the mirror, Fred stared back at him, every time he spoke, he heard Fred’s voice.

Hermione, Harry and Ron had been the ones to bring him out of it, to get him living again and he both resented and appreciated that. Ron had quit working with the aurors to work with him in the shop, George hadn’t been keen on the idea. The aurors had always been Ron and Harry’s dream, Ron had never shown any interest in the joke shop, and the longer he worked with George, the more George missed Fred and felt pushed out. It made sense now, what with Ron wanting to take it over, as much as he loved his brother, he wasn't blind to Ron’s faults. Ron had always been eager to earn tons of money with very little effort and Fred and George’s already successful joke shop was ideal for that.

Freddie wasn’t the only one they’d lost, he wasn’t even the youngest, but he was still George’s world. The plan was to save as many as they could, Sirius and Freddie included, or especially. 

Hermione had confided in him that she wanted Harry to experience a proper childhood, or at least as much of a childhood as he actually could, and that Sirius was the key to that. George wasn’t stupid, he knew they couldn’t just wing something like this, it was why he was working so hard with Hermione on so many plans. Harry seemed to understand and while he was good at his work, he wasn’t always one to follow the rules, which seeing as he was being groomed to take over from Robards, George found it more than a little ironic.

The potion was easy to make, it was just slightly time consuming, needing to be left at a certain temperature for twenty four hours three days into it and at five days it needed direct sunlight for forty-eight continuous hours and then stirred counterclockwise forty-eight times at the forty-eighth hour and twenty four times clockwise immediately afterwards, frozen for five hours then gently defrosted over six hours and the rest of the ingredients added at ten minutes intervals then left to simmer for ten hours. It then had to be used within an hour of it being ready. In a couple hours they’d be starting day three.

‘We didn’t even argue.’ Hermione sniffed when Harry quietly walked in and set about making tea the muggle way. Hermione had explained why a few days ago when George had only noticed for the first time. Being raised muggle, there were things that both of them found soothing to do the muggle way.

He frowned before realising what she was talking about. Her and Ron. 

‘He was expecting it. I didn’t even have to say anything.’ She sighed and wrapped her hands around the steaming mug Harry put in front her. 

George nodded his thanks.

‘He spent most of the time filling me in on Harry and Ginny.’ Hermione pursed her lips as she fixed Harry with a glare.

Harry choked on his tea.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Did Harry explain how he ended up in St Mungos?’ Hermione asked, keeping her eyes on Harry who was turning red.

‘Yeah, Ginny threw something at him.’

‘Did he tell you who took him to St Mungos and what happened to Ginny?’ Hermione persisted.

Harry winced and mumbled something.

‘He didn’t.’ George said, frowning at Harry.

‘Well it seems that Harry was unconscious throughout it all and Ginny got arrested.’

‘What?!’ George heard himself yelp. ‘Harry! What in the name of Merlin's saggy balls happened?’

‘It doesn’t matter, they didn’t press charges and Ginny got off with a warning.’ Harry mumbled.

‘Harry!’ George glared at him. This was not the moment to act chivalrous just because Ginny was his sister.

Harry sighed, took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. ‘I’d forgotten to take off the blackout spell from training the new recruits, once Ginny stopped throwing things she pointed her wand at me. That’s the last thing I remember until waking up in St Mungos. Apparently the aurors found her still hexing me and when they tried to restrain her, she resisted.’

‘Ron said it was all over the papers and that the aurors were a gossipy lot.’ Hermione sighed as she watched Harry.

Harry winced.

‘Has anyone seen a paper?’ George asked, unsurprised when they both shook their heads. ‘Right, I’ll go get one, check out the damage.’

He got up and floo’d directly to his flat where he had a copy of the paper delivered. It was still sitting unopened on his kitchen table. He grabbed it and the rest of the mail that had been left there, checked his self replenishing owl treat dispenser and that there was enough money to cover the next week of papers and quickly floo’d back to Grimmauld Place. He didn’t want to linger in case any of his family popped around wanting to know if he knew anything or demanding where he’d been.

Before heading back to the kitchen where the other two were waiting, George opened the paper, read the headline and saw the accompanying photo before quickly closing it again. He took a deep breath and quickly read the first paragraph.

‘How bad is it?’ Harry called and George stared at the paper in amusement for a second before walking through to them.

‘Not as bad as it could have been for you, but Ginny’s being crucified. They’ve got a photo of her screaming while being restrained by three aurors.’ George summed up. ‘They’ve hyped the entire thing up of course but seem to have hit all the major points of that night, minus the fact that she’s pregnant by some other man.’

‘That’s good, I suppose.’ Harry frowned.

‘The article switches between you being constantly physically abused by her and trying to turn it into a consenting kink between the pair of you. But no mention of an affair or pregnancy.’

Harry nodded. ‘It’s not like I’ll have to deal with it anyway.’

‘That’s true.’ George agreed cheerfully. ‘In a week's time we’ll either end up in our teenage bodies fourteen years ago or we’ll be dead.’

Harry and Hermione both grimaced at the reminder that if the spell went wrong, all three of them would be incinerated on the spot.

🪄🪄🪄

‘So, we know how to exonerate Sirius and we’ll get the evidence the night we go back.’ Hermione recited before glancing at George and feeling concerned. ‘Are you still sure that you want to come with us and not spend it with Fred? You leave school the day we go back and can have that evening with him.’

George shook his head. ‘I’ll have had most of the day with him by this point, and the previous night to catch him up. There’s no way that I’m letting you two do this without me, without us. Maybe I can convince Freddie to stay in school so we’ll be with you?’

Hermione shook her head, they’d already ruled this out for a reason. ‘We’re changing too many things…’

‘And the more things we change, the less we’ll be able to predict what will repeat.’ Harry continued for her.

Hermione smiled sheepishly. ‘And anyway, we need you and Fred to get the vanishing cabinet out of the room of requirement so that Malfoy can’t find it, repair it and use it. Just in case. It won’t be long till the end of term where hopefully we’ll have Sirius either exonerated or close to it and we can smuggle Harry away from his relatives' place.’

‘I still don’t understand why you want to tell Snape?’ Harry asked, looking at her questioningly but without judgement.

‘Nagini is the biggest question mark out of the horcruxes. He always keeps her close, we can’t bank on Neville killing her again which means that Snape is our best bet.’ Hermione explained. ‘He’ll have contact with her through his work as a spy and he’s not just going to suddenly trust us. He died before we even thought to trust him.’

Harry winced at her reminder and Hermione sighed.

‘All the other horcruxes we’ve got covered. Kreacher has the locket so Dumbledore doesn’t have to drink that potion that weakened him. Sirius might be able to get the cup out of Bellatrix's vault if he claims his place as the head of the Black House and claims Black Primacy. We know where the diadem is in Hogwarts and will get it out before the end of term. The only other item we’ll need help with is the Gaunt Ring as Harry and I will still have the trace on us.’

‘Fred and I could get it.’ George instantly offered.

Hermione shook her head, having anticipated his offer. ‘Too risky, we don’t know what traps Dumbledore had to get through to get it and look what it did to his hand! The ring is cursed. We need Snape or Dumbledore for that one too.’

‘I understand the whole “trust the devil you know over the devil you don’t.”’ George began. ‘And while I know that Dumbledore really dropped the bouncing ball on Harry here, but, why are you trusting Snape over him?’

Hermione winced, she couldn’t really explain it to herself let alone to anyone else so she settled for shrugging. ‘Just, something is telling me to.’

George surprised her by nodding. ‘Your instincts are telling you to.’

‘Yes.’ She realised. ‘They are.’

‘Trust your instincts.’ Harry advised her. ‘I do. What I don’t understand is this house primacy that Sirius needs to invoke?’

Hermione scrunched her nose up. It was complicated and utterly stupid but amazingly it was still law. ‘It’s outdated and not really used anymore but it’s a pure blood law to keep family members in order. Certain houses, or rather family names, have primacy over people that marry into the blood line. It’s sort of like control, so, for example, the Lestranges asked to marry into the Black family, Rodolphus Lestrange married Bellatrix Black, but as it was Rodolphus asking to marry into the more prestigious Black family, the Blacks have primacy and control over the Lestranges.’

‘Which would, for some reason, include their vaults?’ Harry asked sceptically.

Hermione grinned. ‘Actually no, not unless the Black family had ground to prove that the Lestranges had wronged them.’

‘And how is Sirius to do that?’ Harry asked, looking utterly lost.

Hermione grinned, pleased he’d asked even if she didn’t like the answer. ‘The Black family motto is “Toujours Pur”, it’s French and means always pure. The Blacks are a strict pure blood family, how pure is it to follow a half-blood?’

Harry’s eyes widened as he realised where she was going. ‘You think it will work?’

Hermione nodded, she’d done her research. ‘It should be enough to get Sirius control and if not, Bellatrix and Rodolphus were imprisoned. That should definitely be enough once Sirius’s name is cleared.’

‘So, we still need a plan for the Gaunt ring and for Nagini.’ George summed up for her, getting them back on track. ‘What else?’

‘The diary’s been destroyed, leaving Slytherin’s locket, Hufflepuff’s cup and Ravenclaw’s diadem, all of which we know how to get. Being realistic, Dumbledore is going to find out what we’ve done and we can ask him whether or not Harry can sacrifice himself for a second time, but the principle is the same so I don’t see why it wouldn’t.’ Hermione listed off and reasoned.

‘We befriend Neville, in case he can find a way to kill Nagini again, but also see if Snape knows of any ways to get close to her without alerting Voldemort.’ Harry continued. ‘Voldemort didn’t realise we were hunting and destroying his horcruxes til not long before the final battle and that was only because we broke into Gringotts.’

‘So, he doesn’t feel the horcruxes being destroyed?’

‘No. And hopefully us befriending Neville will give him some much needed confidence he might not end up gaining without his year being terrorised by the Carrows.’ Hermione added wryly. She wasn’t sure why again, but instinct was telling her they needed him.

Harry looked at her intently, his look that said he was seeing something she might not be aware of or be ready to admit.

‘Instinct again? Or something else.’

‘What else could it be?’ She asked, going over everything again in her mind.

‘I think you have a saviour complex just like I do. You want Sirius to be able to give me a home for the last couple years of my childhood, and you want Neville to have friends in his and the confidence he gained that year we were on the run and missed seeing him come into his own.’

Hermione felt her cheeks heat and quickly cleared her throat. ‘Yes well , if we manage to prevent that awful last year, he might never gain that confidence.’

‘Umhmm.’ Harry hummed knowingly. ‘And the dragon in Gringotts? What have you planned for it?’

Hermione felt anger surge through her at the thought of that poor abused dragon, at least she might be able to free it earlier than they had managed to. ‘Well, we do have more important things to concern ourselves with.’

Harry raised an eyebrow and George crossed his arms.

‘Oh very well.’ Hermione huffed, but was pleased at how well her friends knew her and knew they’d help. ‘I was going to make sure it became public knowledge that they kept a dragon down there beneath London, beneath everyone and their children.’

Harry hummed thoughtfully but George winced.

‘Christ no! Everyone will be calling for it to be executed then. You need to get Charlie involved, it’s illegal to have dragons in Britain.’

Hermione stared at him, how the hell had she not thought of something so simple. ‘That’s brilliant George!’

George grinned and winked at her. ‘I’m not just a pretty face.’

A laugh bubbled up out of Hermione, the difference in George since they’d decided to go back was incredible, he still wasn’t their old George, Hermione doubted he ever would be, but he was smiling and joking again. It was a massive improvement.

‘Okay, we’ve got the remaining days of school planned.’ Harry reorganised them, prompting Hermione.

She nodded. ‘We’ll get the diadem out and start getting Sirius’s name cleared, I don’t think we’ll have enough time to get his name cleared to stop you going back to the Dursleys, but George and Fred will come collect me, and we’ll collect you and come back here. We’ll tell Sirius everything and hope that he agrees to take up his place at the head of Black House.’

‘Sirius is not going to like Snape being involved.’ Harry warned.

‘He’s going to have to lump it, Snape is the only way I can think of to help with Nagini and the ring.’ Hermione glowered at the table.

‘You know Snape is going to involve Dumbledore, right?’ George asked.

‘I think he’s going to have to for the ring, I’ve been trying to figure out when Dumbledore found it and I think he found it sometime that summer.’ Hermione admitted. ‘The next school year in September, his hand was already cursed.’

Harry nodded. ‘Snape was the one trying to cure him, he trapped the curse into Dumbledore’s hand but couldn’t do any more.’

Hermione pursed her lips. ‘I want Snape to go with Dumbledore but I don’t know how to arrange that without controlling everything and everyone which isn’t going to work.’

George raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t think we were going to be able to control anything, you said every action that differs from the original timeline, no matter how small, might have a snowball effect.’

Hermione sighed and scrunched her face up, leaning back in her chair. ‘It does, that’s the problem. I think we’re going to have to trust Snape and whatever he decides in relation to Dumbledore and helping us.’

George grimaced. ‘That’s a lot of trust for a man that none of us ever trusted.’

‘I know. And I want more back up plans but there are just too many variables.’ Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose and spoke the words she hadn’t dared to yet. ‘Are we going to screw everything up? What if we change too much and end up losing the war? What if Voldemort wins?’

She felt an arm snake around her shoulders and allowed Harry to pull her into his embrace. ‘We won last time with less information than we have now. Is there a chance that we get cocky and fuck it all up? Absolutely. But I think we’re all too scared of that outcome. And if we think it is too risky, we could go back to the final battle instead, save Fred, Remus and Tonks too.’

Hermione shook her head, knowing exactly how self sacrificing Harry could be. ‘They all died before Neville killed Nagini. In fact, so did you. We’d be too busy trying to save those we lost, to do what we did last time.’

‘She’s right.’ George admitted quietly. ‘The amount of times I’ve gone over and over in my head, what I could have done differently to save Fred, what I should have done differently. We need to go back sooner. We’re going back to the right time, I know we are. I can feel it.’

‘That’s how I feel, until the self doubt crawls in.’ Hermione admitted.

‘Same.’ Harry sighed. ‘Until I start thinking that I’m being selfish trying to save Sirius when so many others died. But I think this self doubt will steer us through this. It will keep us on track.’

‘Merlin, I hope so because I don’t know if I’ve ever been this scared in my life.’ Hermione held a hand out to George while she stayed in Harry’s embrace, wanting him to feel included.

‘I’ve never felt so sure about anything in my life before.’ George said quietly, not making eye contact with either of them.

‘Then we’re all agreed.’ Harry stated. ‘We’re doing the right thing.’

Hermione nodded and smiled when George finally raised his eyes to them, his relief clear.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 6 - RETURNING TO HOGWARTS

Harry stared out the window, wondering if he was up to asking George to check his mail. He’d activated the wards in Grimmauld Place so no owls could get through, no one could apparate in, and only him, Hermione and George could floo in. Not even patronuses could get into Grimmauld place unless from him, Hermione or George. Hermione had redirected all her mail to her office with anything urgent to be sent to George’s flat where George’s mail was going. Harry’s mail was still going to his home with Ginny with anything important being forwarded to Gwaine Robards who was the only one outside the three of them who knew where he was.

He couldn’t believe it had come to this, he’d manage to fuck up his life so badly, he was risking death for a second chance, to save loved ones he believed should never have died. 

He’d promised himself that he would live his life to the fullest in honour and memory of all those who had lost their lives, so when had he gotten so complacent? When had everything gone so wrong? He still couldn’t understand what had happened between him and Ginny, he’d thought they’d been fine, he’d been happy, had thought she was happy. Was it all a lie? Were only parts of it a lie? In which case, which parts and how had he been so blind to it? He hadn’t been able to tell she wasn’t happy. They did things together, went out together, met up with the Weasley’s weekly for Sunday dinner whenever they could. They had friends, some in common with each other, some not. Yes, Ginny had her quidditch career, just as he had his auror career. He knew he was being groomed to take over from Robards, as brilliant an auror and great boss as Robards was, he was more happy being an auror than in being in charge of them all, but he still had big shoes to fill.

So when had they stopped being Harry and Ginny? They met up with friends, both together and separately, they didn’t live in each other’s pockets but they still did lots of things together and they’d had a good and active sex life. Until he saw her in bed with some other man.

So why had she had an affair? Was it his fault? Was he doing something wrong? Was he not doing something? What did this guy have that he didn’t? He’d thought long and hard on how he could compete, until the angry thought had wandered into his mind demanding why should he compete? She’d already chosen him and he her, so why did he still have to prove himself? Did he still have to prove himself? Even though they were married?

He sighed and glanced at the stack of work in front of him. At least he had plenty to distract himself with seeing as they had so much to prepare. He understood why Hermione wanted plan after plan but he couldn’t see the point in having so many seeing as once one thing changed, everything could change. Those changes were not something that anyone, even Hermione, could plan and account for.

🪄🪄🪄

George stared at the potion as he finished the twenty fourth clockwise stir and it turned a vibrant metallic turquoise and he quickly muttered the spell to freeze it. He checked the clock and magically set a five hour timer. In eleven hours, the potion would be ready and in twelve hours they’d either be dead or back in 1996. 

Sad to say, he couldn’t wait, either way he would be reunited with Freddie and this hell he found himself in without his twin would be over. He’d tried to find his way, to find enjoyment in life, but he’d failed. He’d dated, but to no avail, he’d even tried dating Angelina which had been an utter disaster. She’d kept waiting for him to revert to his former jovial pranking self, and he was always reminded that Fred was no longer with them.

Losing himself in alcohol hadn’t worked either, nor had losing himself in his work, his work that he had always done with Freddie. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to invent anything new, but had completed all the inventions they’d already started. It had made him feel close to his twin, reminded himself of the good times, when he and Freddie would spitball ideas and debate on the best ways to get their desired results or wondered what would happen if they mixed a certain potion with another or a different spell. 

They had both loved experimenting and while some of their results had blown up in their faces, quite literally and on numerous occasions, they’d had a dream, a goal. It had ended when Fred had died in the final battle.

George knew that Fred wouldn’t have had it any other way, he’d be proud to have died fighting in something he believed him. George would have as well, and while, if it came to another final battle, George knew both him and Fred would be fighting in it, beside Harry and the others, just like before, but this time, George would look after his brother better.

🪄🪄🪄

Hermione frowned as she tried to figure out the best way to handle Dumbledore. He was the biggest enigma for her and the wild card who was smarter than her and with his position and knowledge, would probably be the only one to outsmart and outwit her. 

She was pretty sure by showing Snape their memories, that he would agree, albeit reluctantly, to help them although with a few caveats she was unable to predict. Or rather, to help Lily’s son, and Hermione would ask Snape, while he viewed Harry’s memories of the war, to also have a look at his memories of his mother and her sister. She hoped, but refused to count on, Snape being furious at Harry’s living situation and help them get Harry away from them. Although there was no way she was counting on that, that would just be a bonus, she already had her plan on how to get Harry away from the Dursleys, and that was subterfuge and Sirius. If they had to disappear while they got Sirius’s name cleared, then so be it, it wouldn’t be the first time.

She prayed to Merlin that when she went back, she treated Ron the same. They wouldn’t have gotten together yet, that didn’t happen for another two years, all they had then was the beginnings of a crush, and that was more on her end anyway. At least this time, she could stop them ever getting together and the failure of their marriage from ever happening.

Nor would she ever be working for the ministry again. It was both freeing and terrifying, knowing that she would need to forge a new career path. Working at the ministry and eventually becoming minister for magic had been her goal ever since she’d found out about magic and the ministry. She wanted to do so much good for the world but she couldn’t do that, not with how corrupt the ministry was and she was no longer sure that weeding out all that corruption was even possible. Even if they did manage to go back in time and they got Sirius to help them, sometimes it all felt too much.

She sighed and closing her eyes, took a deep breath. She had gone up against worse, with Harry and George, she could do this.

🪄🪄🪄

Harry finished chanting in the ancient Latin that came eerily easily to him even though he didn’t know the language and had never spoken it before, but Hermione had already warned them of that part. He threw the potion on the ground in perfect synchronisation with Hermione and George, watching the glass shatter and the liquid turn to smoke and trail its way up to them as it multiplied. He automatically held hands with the other two but couldn’t say why or what had prompted him, he frowned, squinting and took a deep breath only to cough and choke as the fumes turned noxious. He wanted to turn to the others but was struggling to breathe and as much as he tried to claw at his throat, he couldn’t release their hands. He fell to his knees, hearing Hermione and George do the same, that just like him, they couldn’t breathe either.

Something had gone wrong, the spell had gone wrong or they’d missed something, and it was taking their lives as forfeit. They’d failed. They weren’t going back in time, but dying, and dying slowly and painfully, as a rancid poisonous gas filled their lungs and suffocated them.

He struggled to draw in a breath, and squeezed Hermione’s and George’s hands tightly, trying to give them sort of comfort in their final moments. He felt them both squeeze back just as he couldn’t fight the darkness any more and everything went black. It was strangely freeing as the numbness spread throughout his body and the fact that he could no longer breathe didn’t worry him in the slightest.

He awoke with a gasp, sitting up and blinking. Everything was blurry and dark as he glanced around but it was clear that Hermione and George weren’t there, they were gone. Instead he seemed to be lying in a large four poster bed, a very familiar four poster bed. 

He lunged to the side where he used to keep his glasses when he’d been at Hogwarts. He instantly found them and put them on, staring around at the gold embroidered scarlet blankets that littered his room in Gryffindor tower. 

In the next bed, Ron snorted and rolled over.

It had worked. 

The spell had worked.

They’d gone back in time and he was in his fifteen year old body, with all of his memories intact. He scrambled out of bed and raced for the door, crashing into the doorway nursed to his smaller body, pausing for only a second out in the hallway, George and Fred’s room was further up, but he didn’t want to intrude on their reunion. Instead, he turned to go down to the common room, almost falling down the stairs in his haste. He flew into the room and straight into a person who wrapped themselves around him. Hermione's bushy hair gave her away and he hugged her slighter frame tightly, breathing deeply as she cried into his neck.

‘It worked!’ Hermione gasped, leaning back but not breaking their embrace. ‘It actually worked!’

‘Of course it did!’ Harry laughed, squeezing her arms. ‘We had you.’

Hermione smiled at him before sobering. ‘George?’

Harry shrugged uneasily, slipping his hand down to hers and turning to stare back the way he’d come. ‘I didn’t want to intrude.’

Hermione nodded but started up the stairs. ‘Better us than someone else though.’

Harry winced and followed her. He hadn’t even thought about that, and it was a possibility seeing as the dorms housed five students each and he had no idea how George, or Fred, would react. He trotted after Hermione, wondering just how and when she had found out how to get to Fred and George’s room.

She paused outside the door and took a breath before slowly opening it. Everything was quiet, he quietly crept in her after her, almost bumping into her when she stopped suddenly. 

George was stood by one of the beds, in his pajamas, staring at Fred while he slept.

‘George?’ Hermione whispered, going up to him.

George opened his mouth but didn’t say anything, nor did his eyes leave his sleeping twin.

Harry jumped when a person behind him fidgeted in his sleep. He glanced over at them but Lee Jordan was luckily still asleep. 

‘Come on George.’ Hermione beckoned Harry over and he used his wand to close the curtains around Fred’s bed while Hermione manoeuvred George onto the bed. 

‘Was going on?’ Fred asked sleepily, sitting up and frowning at them as Harry quickly cast a silencing charm so no one could hear them. ‘George? What happened?’

Harry glanced back to see tears pouring down George’s face as he clutched tightly at Fred who was hugging him back but staring at Hermione in bewilderment.

‘What’s happening?’ Fred asked again.

‘Wait, wait, wait.’ George pulled back grinning broadly as he sniffed, tears still trickling down his face. ‘What's that muggle telly saying? We’re from the future!’

Harry felt himself snort while Hermione giggled and nudged George with her shoulder.

George wiped his eyes and stared at Fred again. ‘Merlin, it’s so good to see you again!’

Fred frowned at him, ‘We saw each other an hour ago when we went to bed.’

‘It’s been longer than that for us.’ Hermione said quietly.

‘Hermione found a spell to bring the three of us back, to send our minds back to our teenage bodies.’ George attempted to explain but just seemed to confuse Fred further.

‘What have you taken? And when?’ Fred asked, peering into his twin's eyes intently, then turning George’s head to side and squinting into his ear.

George laughed, and Harry felt himself stare. He hadn’t heard George laugh like that for years. Suddenly George’s eyes widened and he clutched at his ears. ‘I’ve got both ears!’

Hermione snorted and clutched at her sides.

‘Eh?’ Fred looked at George worriedly. ‘Right that’s it, we’re going to see Pomfrey.’

Hermione's hand shot out and grabbed hold of his. ‘Hear us out first Fred. We’ve come back fourteen years. We do win, Harry kills Voldemort in our final year, but there’s a battle, we lose a lot of people.’ She swallowed and glanced at George quickly before looking back at Fred. ‘We lose you.’

‘What?’ Fred asked quietly, looking at George who was quiet and pale, tears slowly dripping down his cheeks.

‘I.’ George took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t do so good without you.’

‘None of our lives were what we expected.’ Hermione admitted gently. ‘We all struggled.’

‘You-you seriously all came back in time?’ Fred blinked at them then grinned. ‘Wicked! The joke shop? Did we do it?’

George beamed at him. ‘We did and it’s a roaring success!’

Fred’s eyes lit up. ‘Please tell me Umbridge gets her comeuppance!’

‘She does, in a way. Eventually.’ Hermione winced. ‘But when Voldemort takes over she’s pretty much head of the ministry for a year.’

‘But we get Dumbledore back?’ Fred checked.

Harry winced. ‘We do, but he dies in a year. It’s complicated and we’ve got plans upon plans to stop it, but well, we need to stop Sirius’s death tomorrow first.’

Fred blinked at him. ‘Sirius die’s?’

Harry nodded. ‘It’s my fault. Voldemort plants a fake vision in my head tomorrow, when you two leave school, in it he’s torturing Sirius buts it’s fake. He needs me to break into the ministry to get hold of a prophecy about the two of us.’

‘So, what’s the plan?’ Fred asked instantly, a massive grin on his face.

George grinned as Hermione's shoulders drooped in relief. ‘Told you he’d be in.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 7 - PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION

Hermione blinked her eyes open to find Lee Jordan staring at her in confusion and the feel of someone’s arms wrapped securely around her. 

‘I don’t know what you four are up to, but breakfast will be over soon.’ Lee informed them, sounding both suspicious and not all surprised.

She couldn’t help but smile as a feeling of satisfaction and contentment washed over her when she remembered where she was and who she was with. She sat up and poked at Harry who she’d been using as a pillow. ‘Thanks Lee.’

Lee’s eyes widened and he nodded as he stepped back, shaking his head slightly as he went.

Hermione twisted to wake George only to frown and then quickly hide it when she saw Fred blinking sleepily at her and George stirring behind him. It had been Fred’s arms wrapped around her? She’d assumed it had been George’s.

‘Anyone even hungry?’ She asked, doubting she’d be able to keep anything down as she recalled what they had to do today.

‘Starved!’ Both the twins replied together as Harry shook his head.

Hermione couldn’t help the fond smile at seeing George so happy with an alive Fred. 

‘Well, I’m going to get changed out of my pyjamas.’ Hermione stated before she gave into her impulse and kissed all three boys on their cheeks. She jumped off the bed and headed out the dorm room, ignoring Lee’s alarmed look. ‘You know the plan.’

‘Mione.’ George called after her and she paused in the doorway. ‘Thank you.’

She smiled at him before she slipped from the room and quickly transfigured her pyjamas into a uniform to save her the embarrassment and catcalls of having to pass everyone in the common room knowing she’d slept over in the boys dorm. It would lead to too many questions she couldn’t answer and they needed to keep attention off of them.

‘Hey Hermione, you seen Harry this morning?’

Hermione felt her blood turn cold as she turned to face Ron. She swallowed. ‘Ron. Good morning.’ She instantly cursed herself for sounding so formal and stilted.

‘He’s not in the dorm or down at breakfast.’ Ron continued, oblivious.

Hermione nodded, attempting to smile. This was not the same Ron, this was not her husband, presently, he didn’t even have a crush on her and she needed to put all of her current feelings for him aside. ‘He’s just getting dressed, he’ll be right down.’

Ron looked at her, a strange frown on his face and it was easy for her to guess he was wondering why she was coming down from the boys dormitory and how she knew that about Harry.

She grinned and threw her arms around him, taking them both by surprise. It was so good to have this Ron back.

‘Erm, Hermione?’ Ron asked, sounding terrified as he awkwardly patted her back. ‘You okay?’

She pulled back but couldn't stop her smile. ‘Yeah, yeah I am. Just need to grab my bag.’ 

She quickly darted away and ran up the stairs two at a time to her room. She needed to get a grip on herself before she did something stupid.

🪄🪄🪄

George knew he was staring but he just couldn’t help it. It had worked. It had actually worked. Fred was still alive and he felt whole again. He grinned weakly when Fred rolled his eyes and gently punched his shoulder, but he knew Fred was worried about him. He could see it in the way Fred kept glancing at him and standing close to him, closer than he usually would, which he appreciated. George found himself constantly needing a physical and visual reminder that Fred was here, that he was alive. He could tell his actions were worrying Fred even if he tried to hide it, he knew when his twin was hiding his frowns and worries.

‘Room of requirement?’ Fred checked with George before pushing his shoulder and took off running down the corridor. ‘Race ya!’

George laughed, finally able to without feeling the all encompassing guilt that he was alive and laughing while his twin wasn't, because Fred was here with him, and winning the race. He took off after him, losing even though he sent a slipping jinx at Fred’s feet as he shot round a corner which sent him crashing into some armour. 

He caught up with him but Fred wasn’t his twin for nothing and George was out of practice and definitely was not expecting Fred to turn his shoes into mini boats. The fact that they’d gotten to the room without seeing a single teacher and getting detention was a minor miracle.

‘Okay, so, Harry is going to get some sort of premonition from Ol Voldypants that Sirius is being tortured in the ministry while he’s in an exam, an exam where we’ve decided to enact our exit strategy and it goes off perfectly and we leave school.’ Fred said, wondering the room as they examined anything big enough to be the vanishing cabinet. ‘But he doesn't go to the ministry straight away?’

‘Dumbledore's left, Sirius didn't answer his mirror call.’

‘His what?’

‘Sirius and Harry have a set of mirrors they can talk to each other through, like a floo call.’

‘Wicked!’

George grinned back at Fred. ‘We have got to ask Sirius how he did that!’

Fred nodded. ‘And Umbread has locked down all the floo’s except her own.’

George nodded. ‘They got… get, caught trying to use her floo, Hermione has the great idea of leading her into the Forbidden Forest with Harry where they’re supposedly hiding the secret weapon of Dumbledore’s.’

Fred snorted. ‘What’s actually in the Forest?’

‘Hagrid’s half brother, on the giant side, she then gets captured by the centaurs.’

‘Do we still have to leave? I don’t know if I want to miss that!’ Fred turned to him, looking serious.

George winced. ‘Hermione said we need to keep to the original timeline as much as possible so we can predict what will happen and still win against NoNose.’

‘NoNose?’ Fred quizzed.

‘Yeah, it seems Voldidiot forgot to bring his nose back with the rest of his body.’ George grimaced. ‘And we need to get this cabinet out of Hogwarts.’

‘Yeah, what’s with the cabinet?’ Fred asked, scratching his head.

‘With Old Voldy back, he moves himself into Malfoy Manor, Malfoy gets his arm tattooed this summer and gets given two tasks, at least that we know of.’

‘Kill Dumbledore.’ Fred winced.

George nodded. ‘And to find a way to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts, which he does by getting this cabinet working, and with the matching cabinet sitting in Burgin and Burkes, lets a load of Death Eaters into Hogwarts.’

‘But Snape kills Dumbledore.’

‘Harry said it was already planned out between them, which is mind boggling and a whole story in itself.’

Fred shrugged. ‘We got the time.’

‘So Beadle the Bard and his story of the Deathly Hallows? Not such a kiddies bedtime story after all.’

‘’Are you pulling my Nargle?’ Fred stared at him and once again George felt the laughter bubbling up inside of him. It felt good.

🪄🪄🪄

Harry stared at the exam questions wondering how the hell he had passed this the first time around, he could barely remember any of this stuff. He glanced up, unsurprised that Hermione was writing furiously while Ron didn't look as if he was writing at all, which really didn't surprise him. He watched as Hermione glanced up at the clock and then turned around to glance at him. He caught her eye and she pursed her lips and turned back, if Fred and George found the vanishing cabinet, then they would still go ahead with their plan of leaving, if they didn’t find it, then they would stay. 

Hermione hadn’t been happy with the concession, but she agreed that they needed to get that cabinet out of Hogwarts and if they couldn't find it, then it would be easier having more people looking for it.

He glanced down at his paper and wrote out another answer, unsure if it was correct or not. He really needed to start paying attention to this stuff now that he wasn’t going to be joining the ministry as an auror. He winced as he realised that he now had to actually come up with a career plan and figure out what the hell he wanted to do. At least he’d have Hermione and George helping him. He smiled, and Fred and Sirius and Remus.

A faint bang sounded and he breathed out in relief. He glanced up and saw Hermione grinning at him, her eyes wide in relief as another bang sounded, louder this time. Umbridge frowned and began striding down the hall.

Fred and George had found the cabinet. They still had to wait to see if they’d found the Diadem. Hermione being showered in green sparks meant they had the cabinet and Harry being showered in green sparks meant they had Diadem.

He glanced at Hermione grinning before turning around to watch as Umbridge opened the door. Harry heard a fizzing and something pink and sparkly darted around in front of her face before it came whizzing into the room, spinning until it exploded with a band, sending sparks everywhere. 

Umbridge took a few more hesitant steps before Fred and George came flying into the room on broomsticks, throwing fireworks after fireworks everywhere, sending the exam papers flying.

It was chaos and the room was both bright and smokey at the same time. Fred and George were on opposite ends but flew down low, sprinkling fireworks on everyone that seemed to tease and whizz around. The Slytherins seem to get the ones designed to scare and Harry wondered how they had managed to charm them to just go after the Slytherins. 

Fred dropped a firework over Hermione that sparkled green and did a happy little jig between exploding in a confetti of stars while George lobbed a red one after Malfoy that he ran from, managing to dodge it, sending it into a wall where it left his face imprinted in horror in a shower of glittery gold sparks. They grinned before flying up high for their inside grand finale and threw their last firework which turned into a great roaring dragon before heading straight for Umbridge and chasing her out of the exam hall. It exploded just outside the room breaking every single bit of glass and decree she’d had Filch mount on the walls.

The twins followed her out and Harry slipped over to Hermione as everyone raced out after them.

‘Ready?’ She asks him.

He grimaces. ‘Not really, I was so sure it was real.’

She slips her hand into his. ‘Come on.’

They got outside just as everyone was cheering the massive sparkling W in the sky, Fred and George having already flown away with the still broken vanishing cabinet shrunk with the rest of their luggage. Harry hadn’t been convinced about them taking the diadem back with them but it didn't really matter seeing as they hadn't found it. He remembered exactly what the locket had done to him, Hermione and Ron when they’d worn it and didn’t want it anywhere near the happy go lucky twins, not when George had only just got Fred back.

The vision hit him almost as soon as he breathed in fresh air and he staggered back, falling into Hermione as the images played in his mind. It felt so real, sounded so real and he realised he was struggling to breathe.

Finally the images ended and he breathed Sirius’s name. He caught Hermione's eye and she nodded. Show time. They had to do everything exactly the same as last time, with the exception of telling Snape anything. Harry followed his instincts, insisting that he knew it was real and that Sirius was being held in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry, that he was being tortured.

It was easy, going along with what happened, letting it all happen automatically as they broke into Umbridge’s office while the others distracted the inquisitorial squad and promptly got caught by Umbridge herself. Harry managed to hold his tongue when Snape arrived informing Umbridge that she’d used up all of his veritaserum before he left.

Harry watched him go with a strange feeling in his chest, it might not be the first thing that they’d changed, but it felt like it was and it took him by surprise how much he had wanted to blurt out to Snape that they had Padfoot. He had to bite his tongue to stop himself, but the longer it went on, the easier it seemed to get.

Hermione tricked Umbridge into going to the Forbidden Forest with Harry where Grawp distracted Umbridge and the centaurs took off with her. They ran back to the castle, meeting up with the others where Hermione asked how they had escaped and instead of refusing their help, Harry instantly accepted it, again finding it easier to choose his own path. He had long since learnt to accept help from his friends, Hermione and Ron had drilled that into him in their year on the run.

He turned to Luna and asked how they were getting to the Ministry and once again marvelled at how on home she looked riding a thestral. 

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 8 - CHANGING THE PAST

They arrived as planned and ran in, Harry glanced at Hermione as she deliberately lagged behind them all. He hoped that Fred and George were already there and were just waiting for them to break into the auror office to set off the correct alarms while they gathered the evidence they needed to exonerate Sirius. He glanced at Hermione, watching as she whispered a spell and her otter patronus appeared and bounded off up one of the floo’s without anyone noticing.

Harry easily led them to the Department of Mysteries and they wandered along the corridors, the shelves lined with glass orbs and jumping at noises they weren't certain were noises. He exclaimed loudly that Sirius was meant to be there, that they were in the right place. 

‘Harry,’ Neville called him over. ‘This one has your name on it.’

Harry glanced at it, knowing that was the reason why the images had been planted in his head. ‘Leave it Nev, I already know what it says.’

Neville frowned at him but nodded. He belatedly realised that he’d never shortened Neville’s name like that, not yet anyway.

‘What?’ Ron asked. ‘What does it say?’

Harry shrugged and turned to the shelves, pretending to pick one up but conjured one instead.

‘Harry!’ Ginny shouted, sounding alarmed.

Harry took a deep breath and went to her side, Hermione nodding grimly.

A Death Eater, fully robed and masked, walked up the corridor towards them.

‘Where’s Sirius?’ Harry demanded.

‘You know you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams…’ The Death Eater waved his wand with a flourish to remove his mask and reveal himself as Lucius Malfoy. ‘And reality. You saw only what the Dark Lord wanted you to see. Now hand me the prophecy.’

Harry played along even though he knew that Lucius Malfoy was not the only Death Eater in attendance but Hermione had pointed out that they didn’t want the other Death Eaters running away as soon as they realised that they’d known and prepared for the trap. Not that either of them thought that Bellatrix Lestrange would ever run away from a fight.

‘You do anything to us, I’ll break it.’ He threatened.

Bellatrix’s laughter rang out. ‘He knows how to play. Itty, bitty, baby, Potter.’

‘Bellatrix Lestrange.’ Neville said, stepping forward, looking gobsmacked.

‘Neville Longbottom is it? How’s mum and dad?’

‘Better, now that they’re about to be avenged!’ Neville exclaimed, pointing his wand at her.

Bellatrix pointed her wand back at him with an almost inaudible gasp.

Lucius held his hands out peacefully. ‘Let’s, everybody, just calm down.’

He made a high pitched sound and Harry frowned, he hadn’t cast a spell and it wasn't a word that he recognised.

 ‘All we want is that prophecy.’ Lucius was saying.

Harry glanced at Hermione in apology. He’d had enough of playing along. He let the conjured prophecy in his hands vanish. ‘And of course I have to be the one to get it as Voldemort is still pretending to be dead.’

‘You dare speak his name?’ Bellatrix whispered before shouting. ‘You filthy half-blood!’

‘It’s alright.’ Lucius said, almost graciously, but Harry knew that was because he wanted the prophecy and thought he still had a chance. He started walking towards them. ‘Haven't you always wondered, what was the reason for the connection between you, and the Dark Lord? Why he was unable to kill you when you were just an infant? Don’t you want to know the secret… of your scar? All the answers are there Potter, in that orb, all you have to do… is give it to me, and I can show you everything.’

‘I’ve waited fourteen years.’ Harry said.

‘I know.’ Lucius tilted his head sympathetically.

‘Guess I can wait a little longer. Now!’ Harry yelled and while all the others yelled out Stupify and ran, he and Hermione yelled out different spells. Ignoring Lucius he pointed his wand at Bellatrix. ‘Ebublio!’

A bubble encased her and she shrieked loudly but it was too late, she was already stuck inside it with no way out until someone from the outside cancelled the spell.

He turned and ran after the others, Hermione right behind him having cast a blasting charm at the shelves that rained down orbs on the Death Eaters below them.

They’d lost the others but could hear them shouting out spells. A dark mist appeared in front of him and he was unsurprised when Lucius appeared in front of him.

‘Expulso!’ Harry yelled and watched as Lucuis Malfoy flew backwards, landing with a sickening thud. He walked forward slowly, unsure how injured Lucius really was, he certainly wasn’t moving but Harry had learnt the hard way that that didn't mean anything. He stood over him, wand at the ready but he still didn’t move. Harry nudged him with his foot, but still nothing. Knowing better than to lower his guard, he rolled Lucius over with one hand. He was unconscious and bleeding, barely breathing. He pointed his wand at him again. ‘Ferula.’

Bandages appeared and wrapped themselves around all the parts of Lucius that were bleeding. Once he was assured that Lucius wasn't about to die, he pointed his wand at him again. ‘Incarcerous.’

Ropes sprang out and tied Lucius Malfoy up. Harry turned and left, looking for Hermione, absently wondering how Fred and George were getting on. He ran down a corridor, pausing at the end as he heard footsteps, only for Hermione and Ron to appear. Death Eaters kept appearing and disappearing in black smoke and no matter how many spells they shot at them, they didn’t seem to hit any of them. Just like before. Which was why, when they could get away with it, he and Hermione were using other spells.

He pointed back the way he’d come. ‘Fumos.’

Dark smoke slowly covered the area. He glanced at the other two and with a nod, the three of them ran on.

‘Obscuro!’ Harry yelled, pointing his wand at another lot of dark mist and was rewarded with a dull thud.

They carried on running and just like last time met up with the others coming from a different direction. The mist appeared again and before Harry could step in Ginny had already pointed her wand at it. ‘Reducto!’

A bright white light hit the mist and it disappeared but Harry remembered this. He could hear the sound of glass shattering as the glass orbs began to fall off the shelves, breaking everywhere.

‘Get back to the door!’ Harry yelled and they all ran forward. The shelves around them falling with loud heaving thuds and bangs breaking up the sound of the glass orbs splintering everywhere.

They made it through and fell straight down, stopping abruptly before they hit the ground before being let go a second later. They hit the floor a second later but none of them were harmed.

‘Department of Mysteries?’ Ron queried as they got to their feet. ‘They got that bit right, didn’t they?’

Harry looked around, his eyes drawn to the arch where he could hear voices whispering. The arch that Sirius had fallen into and never come out of. He shivered and took a deep breath. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

They ran past it, but the dark mists of the Death Eaters caught up with them in seconds. This was the room that Siruis had died in. But in that version, Harry had the prophecy in his hands, he didn’t this time, having never taken it off the shelf.

He saw a person appear out of the mist and grab Ron, but he shot his wand out. ‘Baubillious!’ and then ‘Furnunculus!’ just for the fun of it.

He could hear Hermione doing the same and Ron’s ‘Bloody Hell!’ in astonishment. It seemed that they hadn’t been the only one to escape the Department of Mysteries. Harry shot a few more silent spells when he thought he could get away with it but froze when he saw Luna held captive by one of the Death Eaters.

He glanced around, looking for Hermione, but she was nowhere to be seen. Harry knew not to worry, and wasn’t surprised when he saw a shimmer of something that wasn’t meant to be there. He went to look closer but his attention was drawn by the Death Eater, which if Hermione was doing what he thought she was, made sense.

A second later the Death Eater's head turned into a pumpkin and Harry couldn’t help the snort of laughter that escaped him. Hermione had been reading up on Dumbledore before they’d come back, anything to give her some insight into how he might react and she had told them how Dumbledore was rumoured to have used that spell on Fudge.

The Death Eater wobbled and grabbed at his head, releasing Luna who promptly got away from him.

‘And serves you right too.’ Luna told the Death Eater in her soft voice before turning her back on him and skipping over to the rest of them.

Harry grinned, he hadn’t quite appreciated Luna before but now he was relieved that she brought a bit of levity to the situation with her happy outlook on life. He needed more of that and while they hadn’t included her in all of their plans, maybe they should have. He’d have a word with Hermione once they got back to school about it.

‘What do we do now Harry?’ Ginny asked, looking to him for guidance.

Harry felt slightly queasy, remembering the hero worship she’d had for him before they had finally gotten together, but it did make him wonder when had she stopped looking at him like that? Because he hadn’t seen that look for a long time, but it did remind him of why they were there, to not repeat mistakes. 

He glanced at Hermione, they didn’t have to delay or stick to the same timeline, not that either of them had managed to narrow it down during this fight. Fred and George would be setting off the alarms earlier in this timeline so they just had to wait until Voldemort turned up then keep him there til the people saw him.

‘Lucius Malfoy made it clear that Voldemort lied.’ Hermione said with a slight shrug.

‘Don’t take it to heart mate, he’s hoodwinked many great wizards.’ Ron clapped Harry’s shoulder.

Harry smiled gratefully at his best friend. 

‘Thanks Ron.’ At least Ron still thought he was a great wizard even with this wild nargle chase, but then if Ron knew that Harry and Hermione had known beforehand, he probably wouldn’t be saying that.

‘So, Sirius isn’t here?’ Ginny asked, not looking all that upset.

Harry breathed out. ‘No, I think we need to not be here too though.’

‘Hey, on the bright side, we’re all still alive.’ Neville reminded him.

‘That’s true, thanks Nev.’ Harry threw him a smile and watched when Neville literally puffed up with pride. It looked as if Hermione had been right again about him. Harry really needed to be more observant about people.

‘So, which way is out then d’ya think?’ Ron asked, peering around.

‘I think we should try this way.’ Hermione said and Harry nodded, trying really hard not to grin at her.

They walked along the corridor.

‘So what d’ya think happened to Sirius then?’ Ron asked.

‘Ron!’ Ginny scolded him, obviously thinking the worst.

‘Oh, I doubt he was ever in any danger at all.’ Luna said dreamily.

Harry almost choked. Technically in this timeline he wasn’t, and he only had been in the last timeline because Harry had believed the images Voldemort had put into his head. At least that intrusion had hopefully been cut off due to his occlumency. He’d been reinforcing his shields ever since the images had stopped.

‘No, err, I’m sure he’s fine.’ Hermione said awkwardly, glancing at him quickly before looking away again.

‘Err, yeah, course he is.’ Ron said dubiously, looking at Hermione in alarm.

‘Let's keep going, maybe we can find out where Sirius is.’ Harry said, wanting this to be over and to be able to check in with Sirius and make sure he was still alive.

‘Maybe we should look for a way out.’ Hermione shrugged.

Harry shrugged as well and nodded, knowing if he spoke, he’d probably sound too eager agreeing with her.

They kept going, seeing the opening to lead them back to the main entrance of the ministry of magic. Harry slowed to a stop and shared a worried look with Hermione, this was where Voldemort appeared, swiftly followed by Dumbledore but unlike before, Sirius and the order members had not appeared.

Harry had a moment of fear that Voldemort wouldn’t appear either, but then why wouldn’t he? Voldemort knew that Harry was here, and he would know that Harry had refused to retrieve the prophecy so would most likely come to try and force him to or take it himself.

He prayed that Fred and George had managed to get what they needed and set off the alarms, the alarms that protected the rooms with the information they needed were the ones that went straight to the aurors.

‘Harry Potter.’ A voice whispered. ‘You should have killed them, you know the spell and they would have killed you.’

Harry turned, looking for Voldemort, relieved that this time, Voldemorts voice was no longer in his head. It must mean that his occlumency was working but he had forgotten that Voldemort had spoken in his mind at this point. ‘Your friends don't know, they don’t understand, but they will die for you. Will you die for them?’

With a gust of wind Lord Voldemort appeared behind him.

Harry raised his wand but just like before Voldemort disarmed him without speaking a word, just a wave of his wand hand.

‘So weak.’ He snarled.

Harry blinked, shocked and surprised to see Dumbledore appear in a blast of green flames out of the floo. How had he arrived when the others hadn’t?

‘It was foolish of you to come here tonight Tom.’ Dumbledore said. ‘The aurors are on their way.’

‘By which time I shall be gone.’ Voldemort said with a touch of theatrics, his full attention on Dumbledore enabling Harry to get his wand without anyone noticing. ‘And you… shall be dead.’

‘Glacius Tria!’ Harry shouted, his wand pointed at Voldemort.

Voldemort deflected it, but it started the battle. Harry knew they just had to hang on until the ministry employees arrived, and this time Harry knew he would be able to keep Voldemort out of his head. His occlumency was working and there was no way he could allow Voldemort to possess him like he had last time, Harry had no idea what he had seen last time but this time, he would see too much. Harry would not allow Voldemort to see how they defeated him, or to find out that they knew about the horcruxes and were destroying them. 

It wasn’t just Dumbledore against Voldemort this time, both Harry and Hermione knew more than they did last time and while they were still in their fifteen year old bodies, they were not fifteen years old in their minds. Or in Hermione’s case, sixteen.

The fiery snake appeared amid jets of green and red as the two wizards fought. Dumbledore kept protecting Harry, shielding him with spells and magic that pushed him away and to safety.

It irked him but Harry had to keep reminding himself that he wasn’t here to fight Voldemort, that fighting him was pointless seeing as so many of his horcruxes were still horcruxes. And Harry did not want Voldemort to know anything about his skill or fighting techniques until all the horcruxes had been destroyed, including the one inside of Harry.

Glass shattered everywhere raining down on them before it was aimed at them like daggers. Dumbledore cast a spell and it hit a shield before turning to sand.

Voldemort disappeared and Harry reinforced his occlumency, building them up and barricading him out before Voldemort reappeared, sliding through the sand, having been thrown backwards from his failed attempt to enter Harry’s mind.

Voldemort rose to his feet looking furious and Harry smirked at him.

‘Locomotor Wibbly!’ Hermione’s voice yelled out from seemingly nowhere and Voldemort staggered, his wand slashing down creating a gauge in the wall, his legs giving way but just before he fell he seemed to regain control and stood easily once more. 

His eyes bulged and his movements turned rigid and awkward and Harry knew that it was Hermione causing it. 

Like him, she was adept in casting silently and they’d been preparing while George had brewed the potion. It was paying off. Harry thought of all the annoying childish hexes that he could and silently threw them one by one at Voldemort: the stinging hex; the pepper breath hex; the pimple jinx; the knee reversal hex; the weakening hex; the impediment jinx; the pus hex. 

It didn’t matter that Lord Voldemort could and did fight them off, all they needed to do was delay him and it was working. It took him a moment to fight each one off and they weren’t alone, everytime Voldemort tried to cast a spell on them, Dumbledore was there to deflect it and send one back at him.

Dumbledore raised his wand again, but the floo’s were already whooshing into action and ministry people were appearing. 

Minister Fudge was one of them, he paled as he stared at Lord Voldemort. ‘He’s back.’

They’d done it. They’d held him off long enough for everyone to see him.

Voldemort snarled and in a grey mist, vanished.

It was too late though, everyone knew he was back, including Fudge. Just like last time, there was no way he could ignore what he had seen with his own eyes, especially as many other ministry members had witnessed it as well.

Now they just had to explain how Hermione and he knew so many offensive spells and get away with it.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 9 - RAVENCLAW’S DIADEM 

George glanced over at his twin. ‘Alright Freddie?’

‘Yeah Georgie.’ Fred grinned back at him. ‘This joke shop, you sure it's our future? Coz I gotta say, we’d be bloody brilliant at a life of crime.’

‘The joke shop is epic, but we are not selling Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder! At least not until after the war!’ George grumbled.

‘There’s a story to that that I'm not going to like.’ Fred sighed.

George nodded and looked at all the information they’d managed to gather and take out of the ministry. It was a lot and he was shocked at how poor their security was. Getting past all the alarms and spells had been childs play, literally, him and Fred had already learnt how to circumvent most of those spells by third year. What on earth was the ministry playing at? And keeping that much damning information just lying around? They were asking for someone to come and take it. They were just lucky it was them and someone who would only use it all to blackmail them into doing their jobs.

Harry and Hermione were going to wonder if they’d been given felix felicis with all the information and memories they’d managed to steal, and even they couldn’t believe how much information they’d managed to get. Not just on Sirius, but on Harry himself, and anyone with any influence and power.

‘Still can’t believe that Umbridge still has her own office in the ministry.’ Fred grumbled.

George nodded in agreement. ‘Luckily for us, otherwise we wouldn’t have any of this information.’

The information Hermione had told him to get that would prove Sirius’ innocence had been easy to find and exactly where she had said it would be. It was also not far from the office with a pink door and cat plaque on it with the name Umbridge plastered across.

They hadn’t needed to debate to break into that room straight afterwards and see what they could find. Security was identical to the other room and easily circumnavigated.

The only reason they’d been delayed and almost caught was because they were trying to make copies of everything so that it wasn’t obvious that the place had been broken into and stolen from. In the end there’d been too much and they’d left it looking ransacked. 

‘Lucky she’s so up herself she doesn't think anyone would dare steal from her.’ Fred grinned.

‘As long as she blames the Death Eaters for the state we left her office in.’ George grinned back.

‘What’s the plan with all of this?’ Fred asked, indicating the papers and memories that they’d copied and grabbed.

‘Go through it all and find out everything that the Ministry has been up to, we can give it to Hermione when we go collect her and Harry and take them to Sirius.’ George shrugged, the extra information didn’t change the plan, it just gave them more to do.

‘Still?’ Fred asked, looking at him dubiously. ‘You’re close to Hermione aren’t you?’

George sighed. ‘She got me through the last few years.’

Fred raised an eyebrow but George shook his head.

‘Nothing like that. She married Ron, and while they’re marriage may have ended, I never looked at her like that. She’s my sister and best friend.’

Fred winced and looked down. ‘I’m glad you had someone.’

‘We weren’t that close at first, but Ron started helping out occasionally in the shop and then eventually quit the aurors after a couple years to help me full time. It was only the past couple years that Ron’s been…’ George sighed. ‘I refused to invent anything new, I needed the reminders of you and well… The shop was doing great, I didn’t need any new inventions to keep going.’

‘But?’ Fred pushed.

‘Ron wasn’t happy with that, he could see that we could bring in more money with more and newer inventions.’ George shrugged, he would never lie to Fred, but he also wasn’t sure how much he wanted to prejudice Fred against Ron. George couldn’t blame Ron, but as much as he tried not to let it, he knew that Ron’s actions in that future would always come between them.

‘Ah, Ronnikin’s never ending quest for easy money.’ Fred guessed easily.

George nodded. ‘He wanted the shop.’

‘And you?’

‘And I was standing in his way?’

‘What did he do?’

George snorted. ‘You think Hermione would ever have let him?’

Fred grinned. 

George shrugged. ‘We came back before he tried anything.’

‘Was that why their marriage ended?’

‘No, they were always arguing and I think the fact that Hermione wanted a career over a family was a lot of it, added into the fact that the Ministry’s corrupt as we have just found out.’ He grimaced.

‘So Hermione wasn’t in line to become Minister of Magic?’ Fred half joked.

‘Nope.’ George sighed.

‘Wait, seriously?’ Fred frowned. ‘Even after the whole saving the wizarding world?’

‘It wasn’t as bad as all this.’ George indicated the stuff on the table. ‘Harry was being groomed to be head auror, even though he’s half-blood and Hermione wasn’t actively being hindered in her job I don’t think, but she wasn’t allowed to progress any further and kept finding obstacles that if she’d been a pureblood would have aided her.’

‘So what are we doing about it?’ Fred stared at him.

George grinned, he couldn’t get over how good it was to have Freddie back. ‘I’m positive Hermione has a plan but I think we should also come up with one and maybe combine forces.’

‘Combine forces you say?’ Fred’s look turned speculative. ‘Interesting. We’ve never done that before.’

‘Never too late to learn something.’ George grinned.

‘Very true Georgie, but you really think Hermione would go along with pranking?’ Fred asked dubiously.

George grinned ‘I thought you wanted to change career paths to a life of crime?’

‘Which she also wouldn’t approve of.’ Fred pointed out.

‘She’s Harry’s best friend, how many rules have they broken already? Not to mention performing the spell that brought us back. She helped us and Harry break into the Ministry and you think she’d turn her nose up at pranking and breaking the law?’

‘You make several salient points.’ Fred allowed before looking down at every thing they’d taken. ‘We’d better get started then, we have a lot of work to do while the others finish with school.’

‘Indeed we do Freddie.’

🪄🪄🪄

Harry blinked and stared.

‘Dobby has bought Harry Potter a hot chocolate!’ Dobby said proudly, offering him the steaming mug that was topped with an alarming amount of whipped cream and sprinkles.

‘D-Dobby?’ Harry stuttered, still staring at the house elf. 

Harry was sitting on his bed in his empty dorm room, relieved to finally get some privacy. Privacy was one thing he hadn’t taken into account, or rather, his lack of privacy. While he had been looking forward to having everyone back and being back at Hogwarts, he had forgotten that he wouldn’t have a single second on his own.

Dobby’s ears drooped and his shoulders hunched inwards on himself.

‘Does Harry Potter not want hot chocolate?’ Dobby asked sadly, his large eyes looking worried. ‘Does Harry Potter want to be alone?’

Harry grinned and took the mug off of Dobby, putting it aside before scooping the house elf up in his arms and hugging him tightly. He knew that Dobby was alive, but he hadn’t seen him yet and while he knew that he would be emotional about seeing him again, he hadn’t expected the pure joy that was filling him.

Dobby squeaked in surprise but let out a full body sigh and melted into Harry’s embrace, nuzzling his head into Harry’s shoulder.

After a few minutes Harry pulled back feeling embarrassed. He cleared his throat. ‘Sorry Dobby, I…’ He sighed. ‘It’s really good to see you.’

‘Dobby is pleased to see Harry Potter as well.’ Dobby flapped his ears and grinned happily at him.

‘And thank you.’ Harry remembered reaching out for the hot chocolate. ‘For the hot chocolate, it’s just what I wanted.’

Dobby beamed at him before looking down and scuffing the floor with his foot.

‘Are you okay Dobby?’ Harry asked, wondering what had upset him.

Dobby nodded but looked yearningly at the spot beside Harry on the bed.

Harry tried to hide his smile. ‘You want to sit next to me while I drink this?’

Dobby launched himself at the bed, scrabbling to get up. He was about to fall back down when Harry hauled him up and placed an arm around Dobby’s shoulders. Dobby snuggled into his side with a loud heartfelt sigh.

‘I’m pleased you're here Dobby.’

‘You are?’ Dobby asked, sounding shocked.

Harry nodded. ‘Sometimes you just need the company of a friend.’

Dobby’s eyes widened. ‘I’m your friend?’

Harry nodded and took a sip of the delicious hot chocolate and smiled at him. ‘Of course you are Dobby.’

Dobby sniffed loudly and tears started leaking out of his eyes. ‘Harry Potter has always been Dobby’s friend but Dobby never even dared hope that he was Harry Potter’s friend!’

🪄🪄🪄

Hermione wandered down another row of old junk in the room of requirement looking for what Harry had described as an ugly old bust of a warlock. In a year's time Harry hid his potions book in this room, marking it with the warlock's bust and placing a dusty old tiara on top of it. Find the bust and they would hopefully find the diadem near it. ‘You figured out what you’re going to say to Sirius?’ 

Beside her, Harry shrugged. ‘Not a clue. It was so good to see him last night though, even if it was just through the mirror.’

Hermione reached over and squeezed his hand, unsurprised when he squeezed back. ‘I didn’t know what to say. I froze.’

Hermione frowned. ‘How did Sirius react to that?’

‘Thought it was because of Voldemort and the images he’d put in my head.’

‘You told him about that?’ Hermione asked, surprised. They had planned on telling Sirius once they met up with him in person and in private and would tell him everything else.

Harry scowled, looking annoyed. ‘Dumbledore beat me to it.’

Hermione felt shocked, not at what Dumbledore had done, it was just like him and to be fair, it was the responsibility of the headmaster to have kept Sirius informed. Even if Dumbledore did like his secrets, keeping this one secret would benefit no one, which the headmaster had obviously agreed with seeing as he’d told Sirius. What had shocked Hermione was Harry’s tone. He’d always almost hero worshipped Dumbledore and never thought ill of him, although if he had, he’d certainly never voiced it before.

Hermione and George had had to tread very carefully when talking Harry out of informing Dumbledore of the spell they’d cast and coming back to change everything.

‘Which we should have planned for.’ Hermione winced. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t even think of that.’

‘Well, Dumbledore apologised to me and tried to take the blame. He explained a few things, like before. He thinks I heard the prophecy in the room before the Death Eaters got there and put it back.’ Harry huffed. ‘And like we expected he said I can’t go live with Sirius.’

Hermione nodded in agreement, before pausing. Was that what Harry was upset about? Had he secretly been hoping that Dumbledore would let him stay with Sirius while he was still a convicted criminal? ‘Are you okay with that?’

‘He also told me that I wasn’t allowed to visit him this summer, that it would be too dangerous.’ Harry said bluntly, frowning severely. ‘I’m to stay at the Dursleys.’

Hermione snorted. ‘It’s not like you've been unable to visit other places in past summers.’

‘Exactly!’ Harry retorted immediately. ‘’He says that now that everyone knows Voldemort is alive it makes it more dangerous for me to go elsewhere but he’ll come collect me at the end of the summer so that I can spend a few days at the Burrow before school.’

‘A few days?’ Hermione snorted derivatively. ‘Generous of him.’

Harry pulled off his glasses and rubbed his forehead, leaning against an old wardrobe, which Hermione didn't even want to think about how that had gotten in here. ‘Harry?’

‘It’s like, now that I know more, and with everything we’ve been through, I can see things differently, and I am seeing things differently.’ Harry tried to explain and Hermione suddenly knew exactly where he was coming from.

‘And you’re seeing Dumbledore differently.’

‘Yeah, and I know that he died, that he gave his life for this, but he shouldn’t have. He was wrong about the elder wand and being the last master of it.’ Harry exploded before slumping his shoulders. ‘And now I can’t help but think what else was he wrong about?’ 

Hermione sighed. ‘Everything is easier in hindsight and we have that luxury.’

Harry pulled a face. ‘At least you seem to be doing better with your teenage hormones.’

‘Oh?’ Hermione grinned at him.

‘Ugh, the mood swings. They’re driving me crazy.’

Hermione laughed. ‘Give Dumbledore a bit of slack, he was the only one who figured pretty much everything out. No one else even got close.’

Harry nodded, looking reluctant. ‘You’re right, you always are.’ He huffed a sigh. ‘I can see why you want him kept in the dark about us.’

Hermione nudged Harry and kept wandering down the corridor, looking for the bust. ‘I’m rethinking telling Snape now.’

‘Oh? Why?’ Harry quiered.

Hermione shrugged. ‘I’d forgotten how much of arse he was. Is. But I don’t know if I can see another way around telling him.’

‘We’re only telling him coz of Nagini, so I don’t see why we need to.’ Harry said carelessly.

‘Except we’re not.’ Hermione said glumly. ‘Dumbledore’s hand?’

‘Oh. Yeah, I’d forgotten about that.’

‘Even if we get Sirius’ name cleared in time, we don’t know when Dumbledore will go looking for the ring. I don’t know if Dumbledore will even listen to us if we tell him, definitely not on our say so if we’re not telling him what we’ve done.’

Harry nodded. ‘In which case, we need Snape to dissuade Dumbledore from going.’

‘Or to go with him.’ Hermione shrugged.

‘D’ya think Dumbledore will listen to Snape?’ Harry asked.

Hermione shrugged. ‘I don’t know, that’s why I’ve been going back and forth. I honestly don’t know which one of them we should tell.’

Harry stilled and looked at her. ‘What’s your gut telling you?’

‘To not tell Snape but tell Dumbledore some of it, but not all.’

Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at her inquiringly.

Hermione shrugged. ‘Why should we tell him everything? We don’t have to, and we can easily explain it by saying that if we do, it could change the future. Him of all people would understand that.’

Harry nodded slowly. ‘Yeah, I agree. That makes sense, and you’re right, we don’t have to tell him everything.’

Hermione smiled pleased. ‘Shall we tell Geo-rge...’ She trailed off before splitting into a wide grin as she finally caught sight of a ugly bust with a dusty dull tiara sat half hanging off the warlock’s head.

‘What is it?’ Harry spun around with his wand out, instantly looking for threats.

‘No, we’ve found it! The diadem!’ Hermione quickly rummaged around looking for the bag she’d gotten to put the diadem in so that neither of them had to touch it.

They were going to hide it at the bottom of Harry’s trunk as Hermione didn’t think hiding it in a girls dorm room was wise until they could get it to Sirius and explain everything to him.

Harry levitated it over to her and into the bag. ‘Now we just need a basilisk tooth.’

‘And to hope that Myrtle has gotten over her crush on you.’ Hermione teased, unsurprised when Harry groaned loudly.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 10 - PROFESSOR SNAPE

Harry felt the blood drain from his face as he read the daily prophet. ‘Hermione?’

‘Hmmm?’ She mused, listening while she read which wasn’t unusual for her. This time though, the book she was reading was on pureblood customs with a transfigured cover to make it look like a school textbook.

‘Have you seen the paper?’

‘No, not yet.’ Hermione sounded distracted. ‘Why?’

‘Come read this.’

Ron looked at them suspiciously as instead of moving, Hermione lent into Harry’s space to read. 

‘Oh. Oh Merlin.’ Hermione breathed, sounding as horrified as Harry felt.

‘What is it?’ Ron asked.

‘Lucius Malfoy is dead.’ Harry explained feeling slightly numb.

This wasn’t meant to happen, last time he had been caught, not killed. They hadn’t planned on changing that, so how had it changed? Hermione had previously explained that anything they changed could have a ripple effect and change things completely unrelated to what they’d done, but he hadn’t been expecting this. Had saving Sirius killed Lucius? If so, Harry was taking it. While he hadn’t meant to, or wanted to, kill Lucius, he would take his godfather over Lucius Malfoy any day of the week. Sirius was worth hundreds of Malfoy’s as far as he was concerned.

Ron snorted. ‘Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.’

‘But how? He was alive and tied up when I left him.’ Harry asked, unsure what he was feeling. 

Hermione shrugged but looked worried, clearly wondering what else had they changed that they hadn’t meant to. They’d tried so hard to stick to the original timeline, only changing what they had to.

‘Probably one of his Death Eater cronies.’ Ron dismissed.

‘It just says that he was found in the ministry with several other Death Eaters and the others, including Bellatrix Lestrange, have been sent to Azkaban.’ Hermione huffed. ‘Not like Bellatrix has already escaped from there before.’

‘It’s all over the school.’ Neville panted as he joined them. ‘Apparently Malfoy’s in hiding in the Slytherin common room.’

Harry shared a look with Hermione. It was this summer that Malfoy got marked by Voldemort, but last time, when his dad was just imprisoned, he hadn’t gone into hiding.

‘Why’s he in hiding?’ Ron asked, practically reading Harry’s mind. ‘S’not like no one knew his dad was a Death Eater.’

Neville shrugged. ‘His dad offered him a lot of protection, I guess. Now he’s dead.’

Hermione frowned. ‘I thought it was the Malfoy name.’

Neville shrugged. ‘It’ll be part of it, but Lucius Malfoy was a snake in the Wizengamot and Draco won’t be old enough to take his seat yet.’

‘But then, surely the others would still be courting his favour?’ Hermione persisted sounding just as confused but more knowledgeable than Harry

Neville shrugged. ‘My gran would know more, I don’t really know much about it.’

Harry could see the gears working overtime in Hermione’s brain and would bet his last Galleon that she wanted to sit down with Neville's gran and discuss politics.

‘Does anyone know how Lucius Malfoy died?’ Harry interrupted, before Hermione could wangle an invitation to visit Neville over the summer and interrogate his gran.

Neville shook his head.

‘Has the ministry spoken to anyone after getting our initial statements?’ Hermione followed up his question, instantly catching on to where he was going.

‘No.’ Neville said hesitantly, frowning. ‘Thats… that’s weird, isn’t it?’

‘I think we need to speak to Dumbledore.’ Harry looked pointedly at Hermione and she scrunched her face up, probably because she hadn’t decided exactly, in detail, how to tell him what they’d done.

‘Shouldn’t we wait?’ She asked, hopefully.

Harry grinned at the reversal of their roles.

‘You two are acting really weird.’ Ron frowned at them both.

Harry shared a look with Hermione and Neville, glad that Neville at least, was on the same page as them.

‘Err, we’re a bit too young to be murderers Ron.’ Hermione ended up saying gently.

‘What?’ Ron stared at her horrified. ‘Murder? Who’ve we murdered? We didn’t kill anyone!’

‘We were one of the last ones to see Lucius Malfoy alive.’ Neville pointed out.

‘But the Death Eaters!’ Ron exclaimed.

‘They’re not exactly going to admit to killing him.’ Harry pointed out. ‘And no one has questioned us about it.’

‘We need to know how he died.’ Hermione mused, going through the article again. ‘The prophet doesn’t say.’

‘So it may not have been murder then.’ Ron sighed in relief.

Harry stared at his best friend, torn between amusement and disbelief. ‘I left him tied up unable to move.’

‘See! You didn’t kill him!’ Ron grinned at him.

Harry sighed and just nodded. ‘No Ron, I didn’t kill him.’

‘I wouldn’t feel responsible for it, if I were you.’ Neville said quietly. ‘I was ready to kill Bellatrix Lestrange.’

‘I need some fresh air, anyone coming?’ Harry asked.

Hermione nodded and got up. 

‘Ron?’

‘Nah mate, I still got to pack.’ Ron looked mournfully up the stairs.

‘Nev?’ Harry asked, once again surprised Neville perked up at the inclusion.

‘Err, yeah, if that’s okay?’

‘Course it is.’

They headed outside and down to the Lake, watching the giant squid play in the sun. As he always did, Harry felt a sense of calm cover him whenever he was in this spot.

‘You’re worried one of us caused him to die.’ Neville said quietly.

Harry nodded.

‘If it was one of us, Ginny’s last reducto was the most likely culprit.’ Hermione practically whispered, as if afraid to say the words out loud.

‘It was an impressive reducto.’ Harry admitted. ‘But if it was, I don’t think we can tell her.’

‘Do you think that’s why the headmaster hasn’t said anything to us?’ Neville asked, sounding worried.

‘It doesn't make sense that he wouldn’t.’ Hermione exclaimed angrily. ‘Otherwise we’ll just wonder and blame ourselves anyway!’

‘Unless you’re Ron.’ Harry snorted wryly in amusement, still not over his best friend's obliviousness.

Hermione giggled.

Neville looked at them amazed. ‘He, he really didn’t get what you were saying did he?’

‘Nah, he’s an innocent little butterbean.’ Harry chuckled.

‘Now you sound like George.’ Hermione snorted before sighing. ‘It’s going to be weird next year without him.’

Harry nodded, he’d gotten used to it being the three of them.

‘You mean them?’ Neville frowned.

‘Yeah, sorry, them.’ Hermione quickly covered. ‘We’ve never been at Hogwarts without them.’

Neville nodded in understanding while Harry silently breathed a sigh of relief. That had been a close call, even he hadn’t picked up on what Hermione had said until Neville had questioned it.

‘So, what are your plans for the summer?’ Neville asked, thankfully changing the subject.

Harry raised an eyebrow to Hermione and wondered how long it would take them to cave and invite Neville into their plans. He’d already proven how loyal he was, Harry couldn’t believe that he hadn’t seen it the first time around.

Hermione smirked at Harry. ‘Well Neville, once we break Harry out of his uncle and aunts, how do you feel about visiting us?’

‘Err, what?’ Neville paled slightly. ‘Why does Harry need breaking out of his uncle and aunts?’

‘Because they abuse him and Dumbledore insists he must remain there for his own protection against Voldemort.’ Hermione informed Neville casually.

Harry winced. ‘Christ Hermione, say it like you mean it.’

Hermione shrugged. ‘Did I lie?’

Harry grumbled while Neville stared at him horrified. ‘Is that true?’

‘Why do you think he always ends up at the Weasley’s?’ Hermione grumbled before brightening. ‘But don’t worry, we have a plan.’

‘That is a very scary look on you Hermione.’ Neville whispered, blinking rapidly. ‘But I’m in.’

Harry grinned at him. 

🪄🪄🪄

‘Are you ready?’ Hermione asked him, as they stared at the sink.

Harry sighed, it had been a long time since he’d spoken parseltongue, having been told many times how creepy it was. He knew it wasn’t a sign of being a bad wizard, but so many believed that it was, that he’d been pleased when people had forgotten he could. Hermione was one of the few who appreciated the fact that he could and he tried hard not to let her see how self conscious he got about it in front of her. He squared his shoulders and spoke to the sink with the snake emblazoned on the side of the tap in parseltongue. ‘Open up.’

They watched as the top parapet above the sink rose up with a grinding noise as the sinks moved outwards until the sink Harry had spoken to slid down into the ground, revealing the giant hole behind it.

‘Oh Harry.’ Moaning Myrtle gushed watching him intently with her head in her hands as she hovered over the toilet cubicles. ‘You’re really so… heroic, when you do that.’

Hermione, ignoring Myrtle, took a step forward. ‘We have to jump? Can’t you ask for stairs?’

‘It’s a really long way down.’ Harry pointed out, not understanding why she would want to take the time to walk down. It would be much quicker to just jump.

‘Which is why I'm asking for stairs.’ Hermione reiterated, staring at him.

‘I don’t know if that’s a thing.’ Harry frowned, unsure.

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘Do you really see Salazar Slytherin jumping?’

Harry blinked, the thought having never entered his mind. ‘That’s a point, although why would he put the entrance in a girls bathroom?’

Hermione stared at him. ‘Harry, you’re a genius!’

‘I am?’

‘There weren’t bathrooms when the castle was built! So he wouldn’t have been able to, the entrance to the chamber must have been moved!’

‘So there could be more than one?’ Harry asked, not wanting to know what happened in the castle before bathrooms had been a thing. ‘That’s good, coz I’m not sure we can ask Fawkes to lift us out again.’

Hermione sighed and pulled out his firebolt. ‘That’s why I brought this, but I was hoping we might find another way.’

Harry glared at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘Boys and their brooms.’

‘Tell you what, I'll ask for stairs, but we’ll still use the firebolt, it will be a lot quicker.’ Harry offered.

Hermione nodded. ‘I wasn’t a fan of having to go down vertically in our final year.’

‘Bet Ron loved it.’ Harry grinned.

Hermioned nodded. ‘He did.’

‘Stairs.’ Harry said in parseltongue, doubting that any of Salazar's relatives would have asked instead of demanding. He blinked in shock when with a loud groan, a circular staircase appeared within the hole.

‘Oh great.’ Hermione groaned.

Harry grinned at her as he mounted his broom and held out a hand for her. ‘Hold on tight.’

Hermione whimpered quietly but gamely got on behind him.

Harry shot up, looped the sinks with Hermione holding on so tightly he was worried she might cut off circulation and then shot down the hole swooping along the stairs.

He was positive that Hermione had her eyes closed the entire time but for him, it was breathtaking and this time he could see all of the tunnels coming off of the one they were going down, all smaller in size to the one they were in. It made him wonder which was the original one and if the main one was bigger or not and therefore easier to get through, but he never saw it if it was.

He slowed down once the stairs stopped and they came out into the cave. He kept going along the chamber, passing the towering pillars until they reached the statue of Salazar Slytherin where the snake’s carcass still sat.

Hermione hopped off the broom and pulled out another bag, this one enchanted with magical properties to hold the basilisk fangs. Harry went over to the snake and pointed his wand at the remaining fangs, separated them from the snake and carefully helped Hermione place them in the bag.

‘Do you think we should tell, or rather hint, to Narcissa Malfoy what happens?’ Harry asked Hermione abruptly. It had been on his mind for a while.

Hermione froze and turned to look at him, her face blank which Harry knew she only did when she wasn’t sure of his reaction to her reaction. He winced as he realised he really needed to work on his relationship with her if she felt she couldn't be completely and utterly honest with him about everything.

‘That’s a no then?’ He asked, uncertainly.

‘Why do you want to tell Narcissa Malfoy?’ Hermione asked carefully. ‘I know she saved your life and therefore everyone else’s, and you ended up with a cordial relationship with her, but do you even trust her?’

Harry winced. ‘I just feel bad. All this shit is about to rain down on her. Malfoy is about to be marked and given the task of killing Dumbledore and getting Death Eaters into Hogwarts.’

Hermione frowned, nodding slowly. ‘I know, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Voldemort has already moved into Malfoy Manor seeing as he’d already set up shop there in our final year, but would she even trust us, like now, in this time? How do you know she wouldn’t go running straight back to Voldemort.’

‘She never took the mark.’ Harry attempted.

‘But her views were identical to Lucius’s until Voldemort threatened Draco.’ Hermione pointed out. ‘And we don’t know if he’s threatened Draco yet.’

‘And you’re right, at this point in time, she wouldn’t believe us.’ Harry slumped his shoulders down.

‘So who would she believe?’ Hermione asked him. ‘Snape?’

‘I thought you’d ruled him out.’ Harry reminded her, which the way their potions professor was still acting, he fully agreed with.

‘Yes, but Snape is Dumbledore’s spy.’ Hermione pointed out with a smile.

‘You still think we should tell Dumbledore?’ Harry asked hesitantly. ‘Just bits and pieces!’

‘I sent George a coded message.’ Hermione winced. ‘He’s not so keen.’

Harry raised an eyebrow.

‘He doesnt think we should but is willing to trust me on this.’ Hermione expanded reluctantly. ‘I’m just worried that if we hold off on telling Dumbledore, it’ll be too late and he’ll have found the ring and be cursed.’

‘To be honest, I’m not happy telling any of them.’ Harry sighed, ‘But I agree about Dumbledore. If we tell him some parts of it, then he can not put the ring on when he finds it and won’t be dying, maybe he can get Snape to warn Narcissa and she can do something to save herself and Malfoy.’

‘And Dumbledore and Snape wont come to that stupid agreement for Snape to kill him.’ Hermione muttered.

‘But Malfoy will still be given the task of killing Dumbledore.’ Harry complained.

‘Not unless Narcissa takes the warning seriously and does something about it.’ Hermione shrugged. ‘But I honestly don't think we can do anything about that apart from warn either Dumbledore or Snape.’

‘I really don’t think we should warn Snape.’ Harry sighed and rubbed his scar. ‘I know he was on our side, but he’s still an arse.’

‘So, if I’m only telling Dumbledore bits and pieces, do I get to tell another person bits and pieces as well?’ Hermione grinned at Harry.

‘You’re thinking of Neville?’ Harry grinned back, laughing. ‘I think we hold off on telling him at the moment, but you were right about him. I don’t know why I didn’t see it the first time. Let’s hold off on a decision just now and play it by ear. Come on.’

He got onto the firebolt, waiting for Hermione to get on behind him and took off a much more sedate pace this time around, gradually picking up speed for the staircase, he still went up at the same speed he had come down, but Hermione seemed to enjoy going up more than she had coming down, if the tightness of her grip was anything to go by.

‘Oh,’ Myrtle sounded disappointed. ‘You’re still alive.’

‘Thanks for the concern Myrtle.’ Hermione said dryly as she dismounted the broom.

‘Oh I wasn’t concerned.’ Myrte grinned evilly at her before flouncing back into one of the toilets and flooding it.

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘We’d better get these safely put away.’

Harry nodded, following her from the bathroom. ‘At least if it goes badly telling whoever we decide on, we’ll have a back up plan.’

‘I’m still uncertain and I can’t seem to get a feel for which way we should go about…’ Hermione trailed off and as they exited the bathroom, coming to stop.

‘And what exactly are you doing in the girl’s bathroom Mr Potter?’ Snape asked, glaring at him.

Harry glanced at Hermione and she half shrugged and half nodded at him. ‘I think that’s our answer.’

‘That is not an answer, Miss Granger.’

‘Can we speak to you privately please Professor Snape?’ Hermione asked.

‘You wish to privately tell me why Mr Potter was alone with you in the girls bathroom?’ Snape sneered. ‘I’m sure I can work that out for myself.’

‘You’re a trained legilimens Professor Snape.’ Hermione pointed out. ‘And it’s quite clear that our clothing and appearance is not out of sorts.’

Harry stared at Snape in astonishment. ‘You thought we were having sex? She’s my best friend!’

‘And we’re only Sixteen.’ Hermione added.

‘Fifteen.’ Harry grumbled

‘You would not be the first your age to get caught. But you are correct, I do not believe I have just caught the two of you having a secret tryst. Nor do I believe I have told you Miss Granger that I am in fact a legilimens. Ten points from Gryffindor Mr Potter for telling secrets not your own.’

Harry rolled his eyes but had an idea of how to get the man to listen to them, and being willingly respectful to him would probably arouse his curiosity. He thought of how he watched his professor die. ‘Professor Snape, look at what I’m remembering.’

Snape frowned but Harry watched him stare intently at him before paling. Harry deliberately cut off the connection with ease and watched as Snape’s eyes widened. ‘My office now.’

Snape’s cloaks billowed out from behind him as he strode down the corridor, not even bothering to check to see if they were following him.

‘What did you show him?’ Hermione whispered.

‘When we saw him in final year.’ Harry muttered back.

‘Really Harry?’ Hermione remonstrated, throwing him an exasperated look.

Harry shrugged. ‘It worked!’

‘You know I can still hear you.’ Snape snapped curtly.

‘Sorry Professor.’ They chorused together and Harry watched the man’s eyebrow rise in shock causing them both to fall silent as they followed until he ushered them into his office ahead of them.

The door clicked shut behind them and Snape glared at them. ‘Explain.’

‘It’s an old spell, lost to time and hidden away in the Ministry.’ Hermione explained shortly. ‘We did win the war, but we lost a lot of people.’

‘Including you.’ Harry added.

‘Yes, I saw that.’ Snape narrowed his eyes at them. ‘Why come back if you won?’

‘That doesn’t matter.’ Hermione said softly. ‘We know you’re not Voldemort’s and while we know you work for Dumbledore, he doesn’t hold your loyalty.’

‘And who told you that?’ Snape asked them, his eyes flashing furiously.

‘You did.’ Harry said, feeling sympathy and anger for his teacher at the same time. ‘You were my mother’s, even if you did initially hand her over to Voldemort and constantly pick on her son.’

Snape’s eye’s flared wide.

‘The reason why we are telling you this, is because you can help.’ Hermione interrupted as Harry tried to get a hold on his emotions. He hated being a teenager again.

‘And why would I help… you?’ Snape demanded, looking as if he found the mere thought of helping them repugnant.

‘This summer, Dumbledore finds one of Voldemort’s horcruxes, it’s a ring and he ends up putting it on.’ Hermione sighed but Harry took note of Snape’s interest at the word horcrux. ‘The ring also contains a curse and it curses Dumbledore, you help him trap the curse in his hand, but the damage is already done and will kill him.’

‘Why are you telling me this?’ Snape asked. ‘And not the headmaster?’

Hermione glanced at Harry but ultimately chose to ignore the question. ‘Voldemort marks Draco this summer as well and gives him the task of killing the headmaster. Dumbledore persuades you to kill him instead.’

Snape raises an eyebrow. ‘The Dark Lord wishes Draco to kill the headmaster?’

Hermione looked to Harry to answer that one.

Harry shrugged. ‘Voldemort was furious with Lucius, I think it was meant to be a punishment, but in that timeline, Lucius was arrested as a Death Eater and not killed.’

‘L-Lucius… didn’t die in your other future?’ Snape questioned, looking stunned.

‘Ripples of a pond.’ Hermione sighed. ‘We knew we wouldn’t be able to predict all of the changes, but hopefully we could still save a lot of people and destroy Voldemort like we had before.’

‘You know how to destroy him?’

Both Hermione and Harry nodded. 

‘We know what his horcruxes are, how he planned on going about it and we know that that will change, but it still gives us an advantage.’

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘It was foolish to return when you actually won.’

‘We know, but we also had our reason’s.’ Hermione said quietly.

‘Reason’s, that I’m sure, do not concern me.’ Snape pursed his lips. ‘And you have told me this in hopes that I will do what, exactly?’

‘Warn Narcissa Malfoy and help Dumbledore. Either warn him there's a curse on the ring or go with him or both.’ Hermione spoke up. ‘That’s all we’re asking.’

‘Hmmm.’ Snape mused. ‘When does the headmaster go looking for this ring?’

Hermione winced.

‘We don’t know exactly, all we know is that it’s this summer. By next school year, his hand is already dead and you’ve contained the curse to his hand.’

‘And yet, you said, he is already dying. What is the curse?’

Harry glanced to Hermione, allowing her to take the lead on this.

‘We don’t know.’

Snape narrowed his eyes. ‘But you have an idea.’

‘A theory, in which I could easily be wrong.’ Hermione warned him. ‘Dumbledore recognised the ring as being a powerful and destructive ancient object. He disregarded its status as a horcrux and put it on.’

‘What is the ring?’

Hermione hesitated.

‘Why are you telling me this when it is clear that you don’t trust me?’ Snape asked them haughtily.

‘It’s not that,’ Hermione sighed and rubbed her head. ‘The more we tell you, the more we change what happens, which will hinder our ability to win again.’

‘And also, we don’t trust you.’ Harry snarked.

‘Harry!’ Hermione reprimanded him.

‘I will think about your request, you will have my answer in due time.’ Snape dismissed them.

Hermione nodded and got up to leave, Harry followed her but paused at the door. ‘For what it’s worth, I am pleased to see you alive, professor.’

For a second, Snape looked startled before his expression went blank and the door closed.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 11 - BLACK MANOR

George emerged from the memory with a pale faced Fred beside him. ‘Did we just see what I think we just saw?’

Fred nodded, ‘Yeah, as long as you think we just saw Umbridge agreeing to back Corbin Yaxley’s ministerial career if he got her boss removed from the picture?’

‘Why would she keep any of these?’ George wondered aloud.

‘Well, there was also blackmail material on Rowle in there as well. Confirmation he was a Death and a killer for hire.’ Fred began listing off.

‘We need to cross-reference and find out what happened to her old boss they were talking about.’ George interrupted his brother, guessing that the boss was already dead. This was a lot bigger than he had ever imagined.

‘He also mentioned other’s that he had come to similar agreements over. I bet you ten Galleon’s that she used those names and got blackmail material on all of them as well.’ Fred sighed and rubbed his head. ‘We’re not going to get through all of these before Hermione and Harry get back from school, not with setting up the shop as well.’

‘We need to set up the shop, we’ve changed too much. Hermione will have our heads if we change that as well.’

‘At least we know it’s going to be a success.’ Fred yawned.

‘Want to give it a break?’ George asked, staring at his twin in concern.

Fred shook his head, ‘Nah, maybe we should switch to the shop for a bit, then we can come back to this.’

George nodded and grabbed his quill. ‘I’ll just catalogue this first.’

‘Maybe we should hire some help for the shop?’ Fred, pointing his wand at  the memory and labelling it with the same code that George had written down and was currently writing what it referred to.

‘Who is Corbin Yaxley anyway?’ George asked frowning, ‘The name rings a bell.’

‘It should do, he works in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.’ Fred said sourly.

George froze, remembering why the name sounded so familiar. ‘What?’’

Fred nodded grimly.

‘He becomes Head of that department during the war. Hermione was right when she said the Ministry was corrupt, but I don’t think I really believed how much until right now.’ George murmured, staring at the vial containing the memory.

‘Maybe we should hold off with the joke shop?’ Fred offered again.

‘Mum would kill us.’

‘What, on the top of the daily Howler’s she’s sending us?’ Fred grimaced.

George frowned. ‘We need to have clout and money to go against the ministry.’

‘A joke shop is not going to get us clout.’ Fred pointed out.

‘But it gets us money.’

‘It does that well?’ Fred

‘Oh yeah, think our wildest dreams success.’ George grinned at his twin. ‘But I think we should add on a little side business, known only to a select few.’

‘Keep talking Georgie.’ Fred grinned at him and George felt a pain ease in his chest that he hadn’t even known was there.

George smirked. ‘Quite a few of our pranks aid, unfortunately, both sides of the war.’

‘Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder.’ Fred nodded.

‘So how about having a Defensive Aids side business to help people protect themselves?’ George asked, already knowing his twin's answer. It was finally beginning to sink in that he wasn’t alone anymore. He had Fred back.

‘Personal Defensive Aids.’ Fred grinned at him. ‘PDA’s, I like it.’

🪄🪄🪄

Hermione stowed her luggage next to Harry's on the Hogwarts express, smiling gratefully at Neville as he handed her her handbag.

‘Thanks Nev.’ She said, copying Harry in giving Neville a nickname. She put the handbag up with her luggage, not alerting anyone to the fact that most of her luggage was actually in her handbag and not her trunk. She used the same undetectable extension charm she had on the bag she’d used for their year on the run. 

She wasn’t sure what this summer would bring, but she knew she wouldn’t be spending long with her parents. As much as she wanted to stay with them, to revel in having her parents properly back, she couldn’t. Not if she wanted their plan to succeed, but it would give her enough time to hug them and bask in the fact that they actually remembered her before leaving. If their plan worked, then she would have plenty of time to spend with them.

Nevilles cheek turned pink. ‘N-n-n-no p-problem.’

Harry grinned at her and she rolled her eyes but sat down next to him.

‘We should make plans to meet up in Diagon Alley before we go back to school.’ Hermione stated, ignoring Neville’s downcast look. ‘We can chat during the summer about meeting up earlier but at least we’ll definitely have at least one plan finalised to meet up.’

Neville perked up and nodded his head. ‘That sounds good. Gran and I usually go about two weeks before school starts to avoid the rush.’

‘That makes sense, I tell you what.’ Hermione dug around in her pockets and pulled out a few coins. ‘I made these so we can send messages to each other through them.’

‘Hey guys.’ Ron shuffled into the carriage, automatically accepting the coin from Hermione and scrutinising it. ‘Is this real or another fake one?’

‘Fake, it’s the same idea as the coins we used for Dumbledore's Army but we can all send messages instead of just Harry.’ Hermione explained. ‘I’ll teach you all the charm on the way back.’

‘Wicked!’ Ron grinned, falling into her as tried to push his trunk up with the rest of them.

‘Ron!’ Hermione laughed.

‘Sorry Mione!’ Ron called, huffing as he sat down next to Neville. ‘Can you believe they gave us homework to do! Over the summer!’

‘I’ve already done three of the essay’s.’ Hermione nodded.

‘What?’ Ron stared at her horrified.

‘I did my charms and transfiguration essays.’ Harry nodded.

Ron goggled at him and Hermione hid her amusement.

‘I tried to start my potions essay.’ Neville sighed morosely. ‘I haven’t finished it.’

‘I can help you with that.’ Hermione told him.

‘What?’ Ron stared at Hermione aghast. ‘You won’t help me with my potions essay but you’ll Neville?!’

‘Neville won’t just hand me his essay and expect me to do it for him.’ Hermione glared at Ron.

‘So not fair.’ Ron grumbled under his breath but relented.

‘Hi everyone.’ Luna breezed into the compartment with Ginny behind. ‘Looking forward to the holidays?’

‘So much.’ Ron groaned. ‘No school, it’ll be bliss.’

‘Bliss. Yeah.’ Harry sighed, looking downcast.

‘Don’t worry mate. I’ll talk to mum and we’ll get you over to the Burrow as soon as we can.’ Ron promised, placing a commiserating hand on Harry’s shoulder.

Hermione knew how oblivious Ron could be, but it was times like this that proved he was a good friend. He was always happy to share what he could with his friends, he bemoaned what he didn’t have, loudly and often, but shared what he did without a second thought.

Harry smiled at him but Hermione could see it was half hearted. ‘Sounds great.’

‘I’m going to miss everyone.’ Ginny sighed with a quick glance at Harry before she stared out of the windows as the countryside rolled past.

Ron snorted. ‘Miss your boyfriend you mean.’

Ginny shrugged. ‘Well, we’ve only just started going out so I don’t know if I’ll miss him per se.’

‘What?’ Ron stared at her, ‘You’ve been going out with Michael for ages!’

Ginny waved her hand dismissively. ‘We broke up ages ago, he’s going out with Cho.’ She shot Harry an apologetic look but Harry didn’t seem to be paying them any attention.

‘So who’re you going out with then?’ Ron demanded, getting himself worked up.

‘Dean Thomas.’

‘What?’ Ron shrieked and Hermione felt herself giggle. After everything they’d been through, sometimes it was good when people didn’t change.

‘Eh?’ Harry returned to the conversation looking confused.

‘Ginny’s going out with Dean Thomas!’ Ron muttered furiously.

Harry beamed at her and Hermione had to cough to hide her amused chuckle at Ginny’s crestfallen face. ‘Good for you Gin, Dean’s great!’

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius!’ Harry breathed, when he spotted the Grim just as he was getting out of his uncle's car at Privet Drive.

‘Quiet boy!’ Vernon hissed at him.

Harry grinned. ‘Have I introduced you to my godfather?’

Vernon paled, ‘None of that godfather nonsense, we all know it was rubbish that he was a convicted felon!’

‘I think you’ll find a different story when you get into the house.’ Harry beamed at him and watched as his uncle raced into number 4, not even remembering to lock the car behind him.

The Grim bounded up to Harry and gave him a slobbering lick over the face before running into the house after Vernon. Harry wiped the drool off with his sleeve and heaved his trunk out of the car and into the house, but left it at the front door. Hopefully Sirius would be taking him home with him and he wouldn’t have to heave it up the stairs.

‘Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my home!’ Vernon screeched loudly from the kitchen then went suspiciously quiet.

Harry entered the room to find him cowering in the corner with Petunia and Dudley behind him. Dudley blinked owlishly at his godfather who was back in human form.

Sirius spun around with a grin on his face and opened his arms wide. ‘Harry!’

Harry launched himself into his godfather. He tried to keep a tight rein on his emotions not wanting to break down in front of the Dursley’s so made himself pull back after a moment.

‘Come on Harry, we’ll go talk in private.’ Sirius said, indicating for Harry to lead the way up to his room as he grabbed Harry’s trunk on the way. He closed the door behind them and quickly cast a muffliato.

‘Are you okay Harry? I heard what happened at the ministry and I don’t care what Dumbledore says, I had to come see you!’ Sirius peered at Harry intently.

Harry launched himself back into Sirius’s arms, this time unable to keep his emotions at bay.

‘Hey, hey, Harry. It’s alright pup, whatever it is, it’ll be alright.’ Sirius soothed him.

‘I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again.’ Harry admitted, mumbling into Sirius’s shoulder, tightening his grip.

‘Dumbledore told me what happened.’

Harry chuckled darkly, pulling back as the tears pushed at his eyes while his throat burned. ‘He doesn’t know the half of it.’

‘Harry?’ Sirius asked, sitting them down on the bed.

‘I was meant to tell you with Hermione in a few days when she comes to collect me.’ Harry sniffed, rubbing his nose with his hand.

‘What do you mean? Tell me what?’

‘You died Sirius. That night at the ministry, you died.’ Harry took a wobbly breath as he tried to hold onto his emotions that were threatening to spill out.

‘No Voldemort just put the images in your head, I’m right here.’ Sirius corrected him gently.

Harry shook his head. ‘We changed it.’

Sirius blinked. ‘You came back in time? How? A time turner?’

Harry shook his head. ‘We did come back in time. Fourteen years. Hermione found a spell that cast us back into our younger bodies.’

‘We lost the war.’ The blood drained out of Sirius’s face.

Harry shook his head again. ‘No, we won it. But we lost a lot of people, we lost you.’

‘Oh Harry, I’m so sorry!’ Sirius enveloped him in another hug and this time Harry really did start crying, huge great big sobs that racked his whole body while he gripped Sirius tightly to him. If felt like all of his emotions that he’d been keeping tight control of had forced themselves out and he was helpless to keep them at bay any longer, no matter how hard he tried to fight them.

Sirius refused to let him go throughout it all, rocking him steadily and rubbing his back, constantly whispering soothing words into his ear.

Harry didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but it certainly didn’t feel like seconds. Eventually he pulled back. ‘I missed you so much.’

‘I’m so sorry to have left you.’ Sirius told him, his own eyes looking suspiciously wet.

‘We know what we have to do to take down Voldemort.’ Harry said quietly.

‘I’m in, Harry, whatever you need.’ Sirius looked at him intently.

Harry smiled brokenly at him. ‘Hermione will be pleased to hear you say that.’

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius?’ Harry asked, poking his head into the study and finally finding his godfather.

Sirius smiled the second he saw him. ‘Found a room you like?’

Harry grinned at him. ‘Yeah I have.’

Sirius nodded. ‘I’ll call Kreacher and get him cleaning this place up.’

Harry grimaced, knowing there was no way he could put off this conversation. ‘About that…’

Sirius frowned at him.

‘If we want Kreacher on our side, we need to treat him better. But I don’t think we should allow him here.’

Sirius blinked at him. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You and Kreacher don’t get on, at the moment Kreacher thinks your family, with the exception of you, are the best things to ever have happened to him. The night you…’ Harry faltered. ‘Kreacher made sure I couldn’t contact you and was working with Bellatrix. When Hermione, Ron and I ended up moving into Grimmauld Place, it took us a while but with your brother's help we got him on board and helping us.’

‘How did Reggie help?’ Sirius asked, astonished. ‘He’s dead.’

‘Kreacher adored him, and he asked Kreacher for help and to destroy the locket. Kreacher couldn’t, we helped him accomplish that and he gave us his loyalty for it.’ Harry explained as simply as he could. ‘But, if Kreacher isn’t at Grimmauld Place, it’ll arouse suspicion.’

Sirius inclined his head in agreement. ‘It will arouse suspicion, but as the Black house elf, Kreacher is bound to me and my instruction.’

‘He was before and he still found a way around it.’ Harry pointed out.

Sirius nodded, looking thoughtful. ‘I’ve instructed him to not say a word about my becoming Lord Black and I’ll instruct him to stay at Grimmauld Place for the time being, but we need a house elf here. The manor is too big and used to have a staff of twenty house elves at least.’

‘Maybe we can just find one? And we need to hire them, Hermione will kill us otherwise.’ Harry asked, feeling terrified at the thought.

Sirius chuckled. ‘Sure, but I don’t know how to go about getting a house elf when I’m a convicted felon.’

‘Maybe I could ask Dobby?’ Harry frowned, then jumped at the loud pop.

‘Friend Harry Potter has called Dobby?’ Dobby said excitedly, his ears flapping enthusiastically.

‘Err, Dobby?’ Harry stared at him. ‘How did you get here?’

Dobby shrugged and smiled happily. ‘Dobby can get most places wizards cannot and Friend Harry Potter called him.’

Harry stared at him, confused as to how he had gotten through the wards. ‘But I said your name? I didn’t call you.’

Dobby chuckled awkwardly. ‘Magic, Friend Harry Potter.’

‘Dobby is it?’ Sirius cut in but had a knowing smile on his face. ‘Do you have a master?’

Dobby shook his head, his ears flying and hitting him as he puffed up his chest. ‘Dobby is a free elf!’

‘Dobby works at Hogwarts now.’ Harry interrupted, wondering how to phrase his questions to get more answers.

‘I get paid one galleon a week and get one day off a month!’ Dobby stated proudly.

‘Would you also like to work for us as well?’ Sirius asked. ‘We’ll match your pay and you can continue working for Hogwarts as well, but I’m sure Harry would like having you here, at his new home, in the holidays.’

Dobby stared at Sirius, his mouth falling open. ‘Y-you want Dobby to work for you too?’

Sirius nodded. ‘You are Harry’s family.’

‘Oh yes Sir Sirius Star! Dobby would most definitely like that!’ Dobby ran forward and wrapped himself around Sirius’ leg.

Sirius glanced at Harry in alarm but he was trying to stifle his laughter so that Dobby didn’t hear him.

‘Dobby can start right away Sir Sirius Star!’ Dobby exclaimed muffily from Sirius’ leg.

‘That would be most appreciated, however Dobby, it is imperative that no one knows about us or that we’re here.’ Sirius stated, beginning to look worried.

Dobby stepped back and nodded his head violently. ‘Dobby will not breathe a word Sir Sirius Star!’

Dobby disappeared in another loud pop.

‘Err, what just happened?’ Harry asked, finally letting his amusement free.

‘The elf is attached to you, there's no other way he could have gotten through the Black wards.’

‘What do you mean attached to me?’

‘Is Dobby the Malfoy elf you told me you freed?’ Sirius asked.

Harry nodded.

‘I wonder if he made a bond with you.’ Sirius mused.

‘A bond?’ Harry frowned. ‘What kind of bond?’

‘The only bond I know of involving house elves is that of servant and master.’ Sirius shrugged.

‘I don’t want to be his master.’ Harry exclaimed, shaking his head. 

‘I don’t think it’s quite that bond, but the only way for Dobby to come through my wards, is for him to be in service to this house.’

‘But I’m not a Black.’ Harry frowned.

‘But you are my godson.’ Sirius pointed out. ‘And that is also something I wanted to talk to you about.’

‘What? Me being your godson?’ Harry asked, wondering what there was to discuss about it.

Sirius nodded, looking uncharacteristically nervous. ‘I was going to wait until we got my name cleared, but, I was wondering how you might feel about adoption?’

Harry blinked at him. ‘Adoption? You- you want to adopt me?’

Sirius nodded. ‘I do.’

‘I…’ Harry stared at him, feeling utterly wrongfooted. This was not something he ever thought would happen. Adoption had never crossed his mind and he’d just been happy with a godfather who actually seemed to care about him. He nodded, biting his lip to stop the tears that threatened to fall. ‘I’d really like that.’

🪄🪄🪄

‘Mr-’

‘And Mrs-’

‘Granger-’

‘It’s a-’

‘Pleasure-’

‘To meet you-’

‘Both.’

Hermione heard the twins' voices from the lounge and darted through to see Fred and George bowing deeply to her parents.

She laughed and launched herself at them, hugging them both individually before looping her arm through her mum’s. ‘Mum, dad, this is Fred and George Weasley, joke shop entrepreneurs.’

‘You certainly seem to know them well.’ Her dad said, looking hesitant.

‘The Weasley’s take in strays and they’ve practically adopted Harry and I and look out for us in the wizarding world. Which is why I’m apprenticing with them this summer. It'll look amazing on my resume and it will help me integrate into the wizarding commuting when I graduate.’

‘Okay dear, but can we please hear from you more often than we do at school?’ Her mum asked, squeezing her arm as she looked down at her.

Hermione felt her resolve waver. ‘I promise mum.’

Her mum nodded and kissed her forehead. ‘Okay then, will we get to see you before term starts again?’

Hermione winced. ‘I’m not sure but I’ll really try, okay?’

‘We promise we’ll look after Hermione as if she’s our own sister.’ George promised her parents and Hermione was surprised that she could so easily tell them apart.

‘And she’ll be staying with our parents at the Burrow, who you’ve met.’

Hermione’s mum nodded. ‘Yes, they were, err, lovely.’

‘Hermione tells me you’re entrepreneurs?’ Her dad asked.

‘Yes, we’ve set up our own business and will be showing Hermione the ins and outs of running a business in the wizarding world.’ Fred smiled gently.

‘While I’m sure it’ll be very similar to how it’s done in the muggle world, it’ll be good for Hermione to get out into a business setting rather than just a school setting.’ George blagged.

‘That does sound like something she’ll love.’ Her dad sighed. ‘Please remember to call us, we do worry, you know.’

‘I know.’ Hermione grinned sheepishly. ‘I love you too.’ 

She quickly hugged them both before turning to the twins. ‘My trunk’s in the hallway, would you mind shrinking it for me?’

‘Of course, just lead the way.’ George bowed slightly.

Hermione led them into the hallway, grabbing her handbag off her trunk as Fred quickly took charge of her practically empty trunk and had it hidden away in his pockets in moments.

‘Mr and Mrs Granger, we’re going to apparate away if that’s alright with you?’ George asked them.

‘It’s a loud nose, similar to how we arrived.’ Fred provided.

‘Oh, err, yes, that's quite alright.’ Her dad blinked, looking startled.

‘Bye mum, bye dad.’ Hermione quickly kissed them on their cheeks. ‘I’ll miss you.’

‘Be good and remember your manners!’ Her mum said quickly, just before the twins apparated them into a deserted country lane she’d never been to before.

They were at the edge of imposing looking black gates surrounded by a ten foot tall thick hedge that went as far as the eye could see. The lane they were on seemed to follow the hedge.

‘Where are we? This doesn't look like Privet Drive.’ Hermione frowned.

‘That’s because it’s not.’ George told her. 

‘There’s been a slight change in plans.’ Fred added.

‘It seems there were a few things we didn’t account for.’ George sighed.

‘Welcome to Black Manor.’ Fred grinned at her.

‘But what about Harry?’ Hermione blinked at them.

‘Harry’s already here.’ Fred linked his arm with hers.

‘As is Sirius.’ George also linked his arm with her free one.

‘Or, as he will soon be known as-’

‘Once we get his name officially cleared-’

‘Lord Black.’

Hermione felt her mouth drop slightly ajar as her head swivelled between them as they walked up to the gates. ‘You mean he did it?’

‘If you mean, take on my family's legacy.’ Sirius said, from where he was lounging by the gates. ‘Then yes, I did.’

‘Sirius!’ Hermione beamed at him as he placed his hand on the gates and they simply vanished. 

She darted through and hugged him tightly. ‘It’s so good to see you again!’

‘And alive I hear.’ He quipped.

She giggled but still had to fight back the tears at seeing him again. ‘But how? How did you know to?’

Sirius sighed and led them up the path to the main house. ‘I knew that something was wrong with everything that had gone on at the Ministry, which we will be talking about in great detail later on, and what with Dumbledore’s debriefing that just left me with more questions.’

‘He is good at evasive talking.’ George allowed.

‘I had to see Harry, so I met him at his aunts and uncles, even though Dumbledore had instructed me not to see him this summer, I just couldn’t leave him there, not with everything he told me.’ Sirius shrugged. ‘And at least, officially becoming Lord Black means that I get all of the Black estates which are known far and wide for their impressive wards, I can definitely keep Harry safe here.’

‘Does Dumbledore know?’ Hermione asked, dread curling in her belly.

Sirius shook his head. ‘No. Harry didn’t want me to tell him, but asked me to send word to the twins.’

‘We met in a safe place and then Sirius brought us here.’

‘I’ve keyed them into the wards and I’ll key you into them as well once you’re settled.’

‘Where is Harry?’ Hermione asked with a nod of her head. So far, Sirius was exceeding her plans and expectations.

‘Hopefully finishing off his homework. Fred and George have a lot to tell us.’ Sirius told her meaningfully.

‘You got the information to clear him?’ She turned to the twins excitedly.

‘Oh did we get information.’ Fred told her with a significant look.

‘Not just enough to clear Sirius, but enough to implicate and jail half the ministry and most of the Wizengamot.’ George informed her.

‘What?’ Hermione asked, amazed. ‘How?’

‘It seems Umbrige still had an office in the Ministry.’ George grinned at her.

‘An office, with really bad security.’ Fred beamed.

‘An office where she kept files upon files-’

‘And memories upon memories-’

‘All of corruption within the Ministry.’ George concluded with a big smile.

‘That’s incredible!’ Hermione breathed out, her mind racing with plans. She needed to find out just what this information was to know what she could with it, however overthrowing the ministry might actually be an option instead of a rant.

‘And stupid.’ Fred added for her.

‘And it means we have to figure out a plan of how we’re going to use that information.’ Sirius added as he pushed open a door and ushered Hermione in first.

She walked in and spotted Harry at a writing table.

‘Harry!’ She rushed over to him and wasn't surprised when he leapt up and grabbed her in a fierce hug.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 12 - LORD BLACK

Harry watched his godfather, after everyone had been debriefed and caught up, still unable to believe that Sirius had instantly agreed to become Lord Black when he had been so against it just to help him. Sirius had never hidden his hatred for his family and his disdain for the Black family legacy, and yet he’d claimed it all for him, for Harry, even though they barely knew each other.

‘First things first.’ Sirius said, claiming everyone’s attention. ‘I think we need to concentrate on Voldemort and get rid of him before we concentrate on overhauling the ministry and, wow, that is a sentence I never thought I’d hear myself say.’

‘We know where all the horcruxes are with the exception of Nagini.’ Harry pointed out, trying not to grimace as he remembered Sirius’s reaction to finding out that Harry was a horcrux. He didn’t want to know if the decanter full of alcohol was an heirloom or not, or how important, or know who had cleared up all the mess. He had a feeling it was Sirius seeing as Sirius had taken Harry’s words to heart about Kreacher and was revelling in the fact that Dobby was still in awe of him.

Sirius grimaced and glanced at Harry. ‘I really don’t like the fact that you are one and that Voldemort has to effectively kill you to get rid of it.’

‘That’s freaky on a whole different level.’ Fred agreed.

‘The cup may be a problem.’ Sirius said, rubbing a hand over his face and getting them back on track. ‘I can’t access Bellatrix’s vault.’

‘Not even if you claim primacy?’ Hermione asked with a frown on her face and Harry knew the effort she’d gone into looking into that.

‘Yeah, about that. I have no idea who told you about primacy but they’ve been pulling your Erumpent Horn.’ Sirius said bluntly. ‘The only way I can get access to her vaults is if she dies and now that I’m Lord Black.’

‘Bugger.’ Hermione swore and rubbed her forehead, looking dejected.

‘So what you’re saying is-’ George began.

‘The wrong Death Eater died in the Ministry.’ Fred finished.

‘How did Lucius Malfoy die?’ Hermione asked.

‘Didn’t Dumbledore tell you?’ Sirius asked, glancing at Harry and looking taken aback when Harry shook his head. ‘He was crushed under the falling shelves.’

‘Oh Merlin.’ Harry felt sick.

‘Harry, it’s not your fault.’ He heard Hermione insist.

‘I left him tied up and unable to move.’ Harry whispered.

‘He was a Death Eater Harry, if it would have benefited him, he would have killed you, don’t ever feel any guilt over his death.’ Sirius, rubbed his arm gently. ‘I wouldn’t.’

‘We can’t tell Ginny how he died either.’ Hermione said and Harry looked up to see her looking at Fred and George.

‘Why not?’ They asked together.

‘She cast the spell that caused the shelves to fall.’ Hermione told them quietly.

‘Sasquatch shit.’ Fred summed up succinctly.

‘Well, that explains why Dumbledore didn’t tell any of you.’ Sirius groaned. ‘I take it Lucius Malfoy didn’t die in your other timeline?’

Harry shook his head. ‘No, he was imprisoned. He didn’t even die in the final battle.’

‘Well, there’s nothing we can do about that now.’ Hermione sighed. ‘We knew we were going to change things when we came back and that we wouldn’t have control over them.’

Sirius cleared his throat. ‘What about Wormtail? Did he die in your timeline?’

‘He died.’ Harry nodded grimly, remembering the silver hand strangling him in greater detail than he’d like.

Sirius smiled evilly. ‘We’ll just have to make sure he dies this time too.’

Harry nodded and he could see George doing the same. 

‘So, Voldepants then, what's the plan of action?’

‘We found the diadem and brought that back with us.’ Hermione informed them. ‘Harry has it.’

‘How do we destroy a horcrux?’ Sirius asked.

‘We went down to the Chamber of Secrets and got the rest of the basilisk fangs.’ Hermione informed him cheerfully. ‘I have them in my bag.’

‘And that’ll work?’ Sirius asked dubiously.

‘You’re just carrying around basilisk fangs in your bag?’ George asked her, shocked.

Harry snorted as Hermione rolled her eyes, reached into her bag and her entire arm disappeared into it.

‘It worked on the diary which was the first horcrux we found even if we didn’t know it at the time.’ Harry explained to Sirius before answering George. ‘Undetectable extension charm. She’s the only reason I survived the first time.’

‘Why didn’t you destroy it at the school?’ Fred asked.

Hermione glanced at Sirius. ‘We weren’t sure how much convincing you'd need. Sorry.’

‘And I thought you’d like to see it.’ Harry added.

‘Cheers.’ Sirius looked bemused by the whole thing. ‘Although I actually would like to witness that.’

Harry grinned at him. ‘Whenever you’re ready. I, err, kinda thought you might like the honours of destroying one?’

Sirius’s eyes lit up. ‘Absolutely.’

Harry turned to George. ‘We thought you might like to do the other one when we get it?’

George blinked at him. ‘R-really?’

Harry nodded. ‘Thought it might be kinda therapeutic.’

‘A shadow of the horcrux comes alive,’ Hermione warned them. ‘It seems to somehow sense that we’re trying to destroy it and it can sense your insecurities and use them. When it dies, it screams, loudly.’

‘Seriously?’ George stared at her.

‘No, I’m Sirius.’ Sirius replied then winced. ‘Sorry, habit. Can it harm us?’

Harry shook his head. ‘No, the diary was the only one that had a corporeal form and that was because…’ He winced as he trailed off and looked at the twins.

‘Ginny.’ They both sighed quietly.

Harry nodded.

‘No time like the present.’ Sirius said, looking eager.

‘I’ll go get it.’ Harry said, quickly running to his room where he still had it hidden in his trunk. It was exactly where he left it and he ran back to the room, huffing slightly as he skidded in.

‘I kinda feel that running with a horcrux is maybe more dangerous than running with knives.’ Fred looked uneasily at the parcel in Harry’s hands.

Harry grinned at him and placed in the middle of the floor.

‘You know Harry, Fred, he likes to live on the dangerous side of life.’ George grinned and gently thumped his brothers arm.

Harry laughed as Hermione practically disappeared into her bag and he could hear her rummaging around before emerging triumphant with a black bag in her hands. 

She delicately opened it and pulled out a basilisk fang, handing it to Sirius. ‘Are you ready?’

Sirius nodded and took a deep breath, gripping the basilisk fang. ‘I what? Just stab it?’

A form slowly appeared from the diadem and chuckled. ‘Poor little Slytherin, sorted into the lion's house where when it came down to it, at the end, not even your so called friends trusted you.’ Tom Riddle sneered.

Harry nodded. ‘It has to pierce the diadem.’

Sirius gripped the fang and raised it above the diadem.

‘Sent you to prison for thirteen years and forgot about you. They threw away the key, like the trash you are.’ Tom Riddle’s voice rose higher and higher.

Sirius swiftly brought the fang down and stabbed the diadem with so much force the fang went straight through it and into the floorboard.

A piercing scream instantly filled the room and Harry winced, clapping his hands over his ears. It carried on for several more seconds as black ooze spluttered out of the diadem and it began wobbling on the ground. The screams began to peter off before stopping entirely.

‘Is-is that it?’ Fred asked shakily while Sirius stood watching it, his face pale.

Harry swallowed and nodded jerkily. ‘Y-yeah. Another horcrux down.’

‘Good.’ Sirius’ voice was harsh. He took a deep steadying breath before looking at Harry.  ‘What about the other horcruxes, you said there are seven but this is what? Two? That are now destroyed.’

‘This and the diary.’ Harry nodded. ‘The locket is actually at Grimmauld Place. Kreacher has it.’

‘What?’ Fred stared at them in shock. ‘How?’

‘Erm, well, Regulus, Sirius’s younger brother, had a change of heart about serving Voldemort.’ Hermione began, looking uncomfortable. ‘He switched it out with a fake and sent Kreacher away with the real horcrux and told him to destroy it.’

Sirius swallowed. ‘What did actually happen to Reggie?’

‘He died trying to get away from where Voldemort had hidden it.’ Harry said gently. ‘Last time, Dumbledore took me, and if we hadn’t been together, we wouldn’t have made it out alive either.’

‘Kreacher just left him there?’ Sirius asked, horrified.

‘Regulus ordered him to.’ Hermione said softly. ‘He had no choice and he tried to destroy it but couldn’t. He was really upset about it.’ She winced. ‘Actually still will be.’

‘It was how we got Kreacher’s loyalty, by helping him destroy it.’ Harry reminded his godfather.

‘Kreacher loved Reg.’ Sirius said, looking blank and staring at nothing.

Harry shared a worried glance with Hermione.

‘I’m sorry Sirius.’ Harry said, not knowing what to do.

Sirius took a deep breath and seemed to snap out his trance. ‘So I can easily go and get the locket and we can destroy that.’

‘Should we allow Kreacher to help? It’ll stop him from helping Bellatrix instead of us.’ Hermione pointed out.

‘Kreacher helped Bellatrix?’ Fred asked,confusion covering his face. ‘I thought he was Sirius’s house elf.

‘Bellatrix is my cousin.’ Sirius admitted with a shrug.

‘Last time, Dumbledore said he had, which is why Harry believed the images Voldemort put in his mind the first time.’ Hermione offered.

‘But he’s not going to put any more images in your mind is he?’ Sirius asked, suddenly alarmed.

Harry shook his head. ‘I ended up an auror, occlumency is a requirement and I can still do it. I stopped him from getting into my head in the Ministry.’

‘Oh thank Merlin for that.’ Sirius slumped against his seat. ‘I need a drink.’

‘I know it’s a lot.’ Hermione said apologetically.

‘And you’re getting a crash course.’ George added.

‘I don’t think we should involve Kreacher just yet.’ Harry grimaced, unsure why he didn’t want Kreacher involved, they had a good relationship in the other future and Harry knows just how Kreacher feels about being unable to honour Reggie’s last order. Something inside him of him was very against the idea of involving Kreacher this time around.

Hermione shrugged and nodded.

‘But that’s two more horcruxes down.’ Fred added. ‘The diadem and soon, the locket. We need a plan for the cup, what about the others?’

‘Dumbledore will be getting the ring this summer.’ Harry said.

‘If we’re not telling him, how are we getting it off of him?’ Sirius asked.

‘Well, we kinda, told someone else instead.’ Harry winced. 

‘We’re waiting on him getting back to us.’ Hermione admitted.

‘But he will help us.’ Harry insisted.

‘Who is it?’

‘Please don’t be mad.’ Harry begged him, antipacting Sirius destroying something else with his temper.

‘Oh I’m really not going to like this am I?’ Sirius asked, looking extremely worried.

‘Snape.’

‘Snivellus?’ Sirius stared at Harry as if he was insane. ‘You told Snivellus?’

Fred and George snorted. 

‘Snivellus, why did we never think of that?’ Fred punched George’s shoulder.

‘Snape isn’t Voldemort’s nor is he Dumbledore’s.’ Harry rushed to say. ‘He was mum’s.’

‘He was never Lily’s!’ Sirius shouted aghast.

‘But he loved her!’ Hermione shouted over him. ‘And that is why he’ll help. It was her death that turned him against Voldemort.’

‘Where are you getting this?’ Sirius asked, throwing his hands up.

‘’We have done this before.’ Hermione said dryly. So dryly it caused Sirius to stop in his pacing and stare at her.

‘You're right, I’m sorry.’ He took a deep breath. ‘It’s just, I have a lot of bad history with him.’

‘Oh we know.’ Harry said pointedly, surprised when Sirius winced.

‘I suppose, we did rather bully him.’ Sirius admitted with a heavy sounding sigh. ‘What made you choose him over Dumbledore?’

‘He was there?’ Harry tried even though he knew Sirius would not accept that excuse.

Sirius sent him a laconic look.

‘Dumbledore is more of a wildcard than Snape.’ Hermione luckily took over explaining it for him. ‘It’s easier to predict what Snape will do with the information than Dumbledore.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Snape will help us under some proviso, one that I very much doubt any of us will like and it will be meant to torture us. Dumbledore…’ Hermione sighed. ‘Dumbledore will try to outthink us and exclude us from his plans for the greater good.’

Sirius blinked at her. ‘That is remarkably astute.’

‘That’s because I’m a thirty year old in my sixteen year old body.’ Hermione muttered.

‘And you're the smartest witch of our generation.’ George added, nudging her.

Hermione groaned loudly and lent into him. ‘It really doesn’t feel like it.’

‘Second thoughts?’ Harry asked her.

She shook her head. ‘Doubts, really, I’m terrified we’re going to get cocky and then, well…’

‘Lose.’ Harry finished for her. ‘You’re not the only one.’

‘Well, while you two indulge in your self doubts, we’ve come up with a few plans.’ George grinned at them.

Hermione sat up straight. ‘You have?’

‘Firstly, Sirius needs to finish off clearing his name.’

‘Wait, finish off clearing his name?’ Hermione’s head whipped around to face him.

Sirius held up a hand. ‘I’ve been going through all the information George and Fred have provided-’

‘Fred and George.’ Hermione corrected.

Sirius frowned at her.

Harry shrugged. ‘It’s a thing, just go with it.’ He advised his godfather.

Sirius blinked but continued. ‘It all depends on how we want to clear my name, quietly or with a bang? How much do we want to shake up the wizarding world?’

‘A lot.’ Hermione said. ‘I want the Ministry overhauled.’

‘I don’t think that will be enough to weed out the corruption.’ Fred sighed.

Hermione stared at him. ‘It’s that bad?’

‘Oh, it’s worse.’ George informed her darkly.

Harry nodded, he hadn’t been through all the information yet, Sirius had insisted he get his homework out the way first, but he’d overheard a lot. Especially when Sirius had blasted a room to pieces when reading over the evidence proving his guilt, or rather innocence.

That had gone a long way in Sirius agreeing to keep everything a secret from Dumbledore. Apparently Dumbledore had been in a position to ensure that Sirius received a trial, which he didn’t. Sirius was imprisoned purely on the statement from Dumbledore that Sirius was the Secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter. Remus Lupin’s statement had been stamped with a bright red werewolf and then been placed at the back of the file. The minute amount of evidence collected that was still in the file hadn’t even been looked at, but it was clear from that evidence that Sirius had been innocent. There was no way he could have caused the curse from where he stood with the resulting devastation.

‘We’ll need the press on our side.’ George began.

‘Which is going to be hard.’ Fred continued.

‘But we need them reporting positively about Sirius.’

‘And getting the world thinking good things about him.’

Harry felt a smile creeping over his face as he looked at Hermione. She was smirking back at him. ‘Oh we have a reporter in our pockets.’

‘You do?’

‘Who?’

‘Rita Skeeter.’ Hermione grinned.

‘We let her off way too easily last time.’ Harry grumbled, now that he was thinking about it, he couldn’t believe that all they’d done was let her off with a promise to basically be good.

‘How?’ Fred asked.

‘During the Triwizard Tournament, didn’t anyone wonder how she got so many inside scoops?’ Hermione asked with a smug smile.

‘Blackmail?’ George guessed.

Harry shook his head. ‘Like Sirius, she’s an unregistered animagus.’

‘A beetle to be exact.’ Hermione added.

‘We can use that.’ Fred and George grinned at each other.

‘Okay, but firstly we need to get the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement on our side.’ Sirius cut in. 

‘Which is currently Amelia Bones, but Corban Yaxley replaces her during the war.’ George offered grimly.

‘Oh no, how could I have been so stupid!’ Hermione exclaimed, staring at him stunned. ‘I didn’t even think!’

‘What? Hermione, what is it?’ Harry demanded urgently.

‘Amelia Bones is about to be murdered by Voldemort!’ Hermione exclaimed. ‘I didn’t know she was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement but I remember re-reading the daily prophet from this time before we came back. The report said that she’d put up a good fight and it had also hit the muggle newspapers.’

‘Why?’

‘Because she’d been killed in her own home in a room that had still been locked from the inside.’ Hermione said, frantically grabbing today’s newspaper. ‘I think we still have time.’

‘How do we approach her?’ Harry asked.

‘Carefully.’ Sirius replied instantly. ‘Very carefully. She’s a fair witch but as Hermione said, she’s a highly skilled duelist.’

‘Well you’d have to be, to put up a fight against Voldemort.’ George agreed.

‘Hermione, can you remember when she died?’ Sirius asked urgently.

Hermione shook her head. ‘It was the beginning of summer, maybe first or second week? Soon anyway.’

‘We need to alert the Order.’ Sirius stood then paused, glancing at Hermione. ‘Should we?’

Hermione grimaced. ‘I don’t think we should. I think that just the five of us should go.’

‘Okay.’ Harry nodded his head, always willing to trust her judgement and instinct.’

‘Do you know why?’ George asked, also standing and sheathing his wand.

Hermione shook her head. ‘No, but if Harry’s with Sirius, it should stop her from immediately arresting him, at least until we can get her here and convince her of his innocence.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 13 - AMELIA BONES

George stood beside his twin just behind Harry and Hermione, while Harry knocked on Amelia Bones’s door. Sirius was hidden behind them under the invisibility cloak. A second later she appeared in the doorway and frowned at them. ‘Yes?’

‘Amelia Bones?’ Hermione checked. ‘We desperately need to speak to you. It’s life and death.’

Madam Bones raised an eyebrow. ‘Isn’t it always? Although with Harry Potter with you, I’m more inclined to believe you. Who’s under the invisibility cloak?’

George smiled when Freddie elbowed him subtly, he too was desperate to know just how she’d known someone was hiding under an invisibility cloak, if he hadn’t already known, he wouldn’t have a clue. Harry had caught him out with it many times over the years.

‘It’s not safe to do this out on the street.’ Harry was saying.

Madam Bones sighed. ‘You’d best come in then.’

‘Do you usually let teenagers straight off the street into your lovely home?’ George asked casually as they entered.

‘No Mr Weasley, but my niece has told me all about you, my only surprise is Mr Ronald Weasley isn’t here in your stead.’ She retorted.

‘First off,’ Harry said, taking charge again and holding out Sirius’ ministry file. ‘We need you to look at this evidence.’

Madam Bones frowned but took the file and flicked through it. ‘This is Sirius Black’s file. How did you get hold of it. Wait, that can’t be right.’

She frowned and peered closer at it, concern covering her features as she turned the file this way and that, her eyes darting all over as she worked it out. ‘How exactly did you get hold of this?’

‘We stole it.’ Fred smiled cheerfully at her.

‘I’m sure you’ve heard about how we broke into the Ministry recently.’ Harry asked her. Madam Bones nodded. ‘I knew the images Voldemort put in my head were faked. We used the opportunity to get a few Death Eaters arrested and to try and clear Sirius’s name.’

‘And how exactly did you know he was innocent?’ She asked.

‘You believe us that he’s innocent?’ Hermione cut in, staring at her intently.

Madam Bones sighed. ‘Before you gave me this, I wholeheartedly believed he was guilty, now though, it’s clear he was framed.’

‘I wasn’t the Potter’s Secret Keeper.’ Sirius removed the cloak.

Madam Bones faltered for a moment but regained her composure rapidly. ‘And who would that have been?’

‘Peter Pettigrew.’

She frowned and blinked rapidly. ‘But he’s dead.’

‘No, he’s an animagus.’ Sirius informed her.

She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘That’s why you called him Wormtail, he’s what? A mole?’

George frowned, Wormtail, that was a very familiar name. He glanced at Fred who was already frowning back at him, but there was no way that Peter Pettigrew could be the Wormtail they were thinking of. There was no way the man who had handed Harry’s parents to Voldemort could have written the Marauders Map.

Sirius shook his head. ‘A rat.’

‘The same rat that lived in my family for an abnormally long time.’ George added grimly. The name Wormtail for Peter Pettigrew now made sense and at least he could still respect the four wizards he and Fred idolised.

Madam Bones nodded. ‘That I can believe, a pureblood family that would hear of any news of He Who Shall Not Be Named returning.’ She turned back to Sirius. ‘You were called Padfoot, so what are you? Some type of dog? A cat?’

George stared at Sirius, his mouth falling slightly ajar. Padfoot? There was no way that could be a coincidence, he glanced at Fred who was staring at Sirius in what George was sure was a similar fashion to him. Had they been wrong?

Sirius mused the question for a moment. ‘A grim.’

‘A grim, protector of innocents.’ She stared at him. ‘That’s how you escaped from Azkaban.’

Sirius nodded.

‘And James? Prongs, something with antlers, a stag?’

‘The Marauders!’ George heard Fred whisper. He didn’t need to hear that there was a fourth called Moony. He was standing in the presence of one of the most magnificent wizards in the entire world. They had created the Marauders Map and were what him and Fred always aspired to be. He couldn’t believe he’d thought so highly of Wormtail, but right here and now, they were in the presence of someone they had dreamed of meeting and never thought they’d ever find out the true identity of. George had always known that returning was the best thing to do, but he’d never have believed how many dreams it would make come true.

Sirius winced and nodded.

‘And Remus Lupin, Moony, a werewolf.’ She smiled sadly. ‘I can see why you did it, even if the three of you were unregistered.’

George stared at Fred. Lupin had taught them for an entire year and they’d been none the wiser that their professor was a living legend, a werewolf, yes, they’d clocked that easily enough, but a Marauder? That they hadn’t. They’d already met two of their idols and never known. George elbowed Fred in excitement as they both stared wide eyed at Sirius.

‘Would it have changed anything?’ Sirius asked, his tone dry.

Madam Bones shook her head. ‘Just how we jailed you, which, seeing as you’re innocent, is a good thing. Now is there a reason you’ve come with this to me here, in the holidays? Why not just drop this information off on my desk at work when you’d broken in?’

George glanced at an already grinning Fred and knew they were thinking along the same lines. Sirius, as a Marauder, would definitely be behind their plans, now they just had to get Hermione on board. He knew that as long as the plan was sound, Harry would be all for it.

‘Two reasons.’ Hermione said. ‘Voldemort is going to target you, we didn’t… know, until this morning.’

Madam Bones inclined her head. ‘And the second?’

‘We didn’t think of that.’ Hermione admitted downcast.

Madam Bones smiled for the first time they’d entered. ‘Well, you are still only teenagers. When is this attack going to happen?’

George had to hold in his snort, if only she knew.

‘We think eminently. Within the next week at least.’ Harry said, glancing at Hermione and George.

Madam Bones pursed her lips. ‘And you believe He Who Shall Not Be Named himself kills me or sends his Death Eaters.’

‘Voldemort himself comes.’ Hermione said quietly. ‘It’s well known how skilled you are.’

Madam Bones sighed. ‘That poses a problem. I know my wards would keep out most Death Eaters, but He Who Shall Not Be Named is no ordinary Death Eater.’

‘I’ve accepted my legacy and I would be honoured to offer you the protection of the House of Black.’ Sirius offered.

Madam Bones frowned and looked around her house, a thoughtful expression on her face that also seemed to be sad for some reason.

George felt his hero worship kick in, a marauder and a gentleman, this was going to be brilliant. He was going to quiz Sirius incessantly when they got back until Sirius kicked him out. He had so many ideas and plans.

‘I believe I will take you up on that offer, at least until I can sort something else out.’ Madam Bones eventually accepted. ‘And while I get your name cleared.’

‘The Fidelius Charm would certainly work, but it would be best to have your Secret Keeper someone no one expects.’ Hermione mused out loud. ‘But we’ll have time to sort that out.’

Madam Bones blinked at Hermione and nodded. ‘That is an idea, but I would still like to be able to get to work in a semi-reasonable fashion.’

‘Oh, there are ways around that.’ Hermione dismissed. ‘We can discuss them once we’re in a safer place.’

‘Yes. Quite.’ Madam Bones regarded Hermione with a guarded and respectful look.

George internally grinned, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was slowly beginning to understand the wonder that was his best friend Hermione Granger. Even Fred had a proud look on his face.

🪄🪄🪄

We’ll be careful!’ George promised, finding it amusing that Hermione was so worried about them doing something they didn’t even consider dangerous. ‘All we’re doing is getting the locket from Kreacher’s cupboard.’

Hermione frowned. ‘I wish we could come with you.’

‘Are you sure we can’t?’ Harry complained with a slight pout on his face.

Hermione shook her head, sending her hair flying. ‘We can’t risk being seen by any members of the order. None of them know that we’re with Sirius and not where we’re meant to be.’

‘I know.’ Harry sulked.

‘How you enjoying being a teenager again?’ George teased.

‘Shut up.’ Harry mumbled.

‘Maybe just Sirius should go?’ Hermione worried. 

‘Hermione,’ Fred practically sighed her name but he was smiling. ‘The Order are utterly used to us bugging them to allow us to join, they won’t notice anything suspicious about us being there.’

‘But they will have noticed it’s suspicious that I’m not there.’ Sirius winced.

‘And at least you can distract Kreacher and give him orders that will keep him out of the way.’ Fred continued glancing at Sirius before he looked back at Hermione with his eyebrows raised expectantly.

Hermione sighed and rubbed at her arms. ‘I know, it does make sense, I just don’t feel comfortable being left behind.’

‘Instinct?’ George asked her with a frown.

Hermione shook her head and grumbled, ‘No, I just like being in control.’

George snorted but noticed his twin’s amused look.

‘You shouldn’t arrive at the same time.’ Hermione decided suddenly.

‘That could definitely look suspicious.’ Sirius agreed. ‘I should go first, at least then I can ask some questions and see what the Order is up to.’

‘Have you got an excuse as to why you haven't been there?’ Hermione asked.

Sirius grinned. ‘Of course, I’ll tell them I’m doing what Harry’s doing.’

‘What? Sulking.’ Hermione laughed.

‘I am not!’ Harry denied but George could see the start of a smile on his face.

‘Exactly.’ Sirius agreed. ‘They’ll believe I’m sulking over not being able to see Harry.’

Harry frowned. ‘You would?’

‘Absolutely, it’s probably why I haven't heard from Moony.’ Sirius sighed. ‘I’ll apparate there, seeing as I’m the Secret Keeper, but I’ll go via Godric’s Hollow in case someone’s trying to follow. You two make sure you cover your footsteps as well.’

George saluted him as Sirius.

‘How are you going to get there?’ Harry asked him.

‘We’ll apparate to Hogsmeade, then our shop, floo to our flat, then floo there.’ George provided.

‘We can check on our latest PDA as well while we’re at the shop.’ Fred nudged George.

Hermione choked, staring at them with wide eyes. ‘I’m sorry, your what?!’

‘PDA.’ George repeated, not understanding what she was so alarmed over. Even Harry was staring at them weirdly.

‘Personal Defensive Aids.’

‘Oh. Right.’ Hermione coughed. ‘PDA, silly me.’

‘What did you think it stood for?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘Nothing.’

George glanced at Fred but he shrugged.

‘Well, on that note, we’ll head out then.’

As he disapparated with Fred he saw Harry and Hermione start laughing. He didn’t have time to wonder about it though as they landed at the back of Zonko’s and came face to face with the owner.

‘Fred! George!’

‘Mr Bilmes!’ They greeted him with quick hugs before he narrowed his eyes at them.

‘What are you two doing here? Shouldn’t you be at your own joke shop?’

‘We’re on our way-’ Fred began.

‘But we had to pop in and see our favourite joke shop owner.’ George ended.

Mr Bilmes chortled and slapped them both on their shoulders. ‘I’ve heard how well you two boys are doing and I couldn’t be prouder.’

‘Thanks Mr Bilmes, pop round and your first purchase is free!’ Fred grinned at him.

‘Keep up the good work Mr Bilmes, we need our competition!’ George waved before they both apparated to their shop.

‘I’ll do a quick walk through, you check on the PDA’s?’ Fred called, as he disappeared down the stairs. George headed into the back room where he checked on their prototype mock-up-me. 

‘Circumrota.’ He pointed his wand at the mock-me-up, pleased when it almost managed to deflect it but it still ended up rotating around. They still had more work to do on it, but they were getting there. He cast a few more spells at it and a diagnostic charm and sighed at the results. They definitely had more work to do on it.

Moving over to their desk, he packed up some more of their work, namely more of the PDA’s they were on like the Contagious Mimicking Maladies and the Bogeyman Bangs. He put the mock-me-up into the bag they’d designed for it, they’d take it back to Black Manor and work on it there.

He carried the stuff downstairs, and had to wade through all the customers to find Fred.

‘We might need to hire more staff.’ Fred grinned quickly and cheerfully, ringing through a couple sales.

‘I’ll put out an advert.’ George agreed, helping up a wide-eyed kid who fell into his bag. ‘We should get going. Agnes? You and Jimmy going to be okay without us?’

‘Of course Mr Weasley.’ Agnes beamed at him. ‘You continue with those Ministry orders. Jimmy and I’ll be just fine.’

‘Thanks Agnes.’ George followed Fred over to the floo. ‘Send us a message on the pocket watches if you need us!’

He’d gotten the idea from Hermione with her use of the Protean Charm on the coins for DA. It worked brilliantly and didn’t call attention like a patronus did, and that was assuming that his staff could produce one. The pocket watches were inconspicuous and on a chain attached to the uniform.

‘Will do Mr Weasley!’ He heard Agnes call as he stepped into the floo and called out the name of their flat.

Fred followed him out. ‘I swear Agnes has the hots for you.’

George snorted. ‘She’s just thrilled that we’re letting her run the shop how she wants to.’

‘She’s thrilled we’re making it a success.’ Fred intoned. ‘Think we’re safe enough to head over to the Order?’

George nodded and stowed the bags away before they headed over to Grimmauld Place. 

‘Where is everyone?’ He asked, when he stepped out behind Fred and didn’t see anyone.

They heard a door close and headed over to the sound.

‘Oh it’s just you two.’ Molly Weasley sighed as she saw them. ‘Get on with yourselves and make sure you eat lunch!’ She headed back into the room she’d just left. ‘It’s just the twins…’ They heard her say before the door closed.

The house went silent again and it was obvious there was a silencing charm on the room. 

‘It’s like they're expecting someone to eavesdrop.’ Fred mused with a grin.

‘It’s not like we haven't done that many times before.’ George grinned back at him.

‘Filthy blood traitors stinking up my mistress' house and home, who do they think they are.’ Kreacher slumped down the corridor, his shoulders hunched and glaring back at the room their mum had just returned to.

‘Kreacher, lovely to see you.’ Fred smiled at the house elf who was still muttering away to himself.

‘Such a pleasure to hear your voice.’ George added.

‘Disgrace of a master ordering me around.’ Kreacher glared again and disappeared with a pop.

Looking at each other, they quietly headed to the kitchen where Kreacher kept his den in one of the cupboards. Fred stayed lookout while George opened the cupboard and rummaged through it. He eventually found it, still shiny regardless of all the filth surrounding it. He levitated it up and into the little bag that Hermione had given them just for this. Sealing the bag, he closed Kreacher's cupboard and turned around.

‘Might as well have some lunch while we’re here.’

Fred’s eyes lit up.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Hello Rita.’ Hermione said pleasantly, ignoring how the woman paled.

‘How did you get my address?’ Rita demanded, gripping her front door tightly.

‘Aren’t you going to invite us in?’ Hermione carried on, raising her eyebrows.

Rita ground her jaw but stepped back, allowing them into her house. She led them through to a sparsely but cosily decorated receiving room. ‘What do you want?’

‘Is that any way to greet us, especially with the information we know.’ Hermione asked as she took a seat. The old ornate chair was surprisingly comfy. Rita may not have many furnishings, but they were extremely comfortable.

‘And I haven’t broken our agreement.’ Rita glared at her, then sneered at Harry.  ‘And why have you bought the boy wonder with you?’

Harry dropped a folder on Rita’s old fashioned tea trolley before leaning against the wall instead of taking a seat. Hermione knew it was from him being an auror, it had been drilled into him to always be alert and it had been a habit he’d gotten into whenever he wasn’t home or in a place he considered safe.

‘You’re going to be helping us out.’ Hermione indicated the file.

Rita sneered at them. ‘Or what?’

‘Or we may forget to keep certain secrets.’ Harry inserted. ‘In fact, I’m sure we might have mentioned something about you to a couple of our friends.’

Rita paled.

‘Just in case you thought obliviating us might be a good idea.’ Hermione followed up, staring at her while feelings of annoyance, disgust, hopelessness and anger swirled around her. She couldn't believe that here she was, blackmailing someone. She’d come back in time to change her life for the better and yet here she was, committing blackmail. Was this really the direction she had in mind? She knew that she had to change things though, and not all change came easily. You had to break some eggs to make an omelette as her mum was fond of saying.

‘And what’s stopping me from coming out to the ministry as an animagus and getting you off my back?’ Rita snarled.

‘Oh nothing.’ Hermione smiled at her but knew that her smile was sharp and didn’t reach her eyes. ‘You’re not the only reporter we know and if you don’t want to shake things and get the scoop on things, then you’re not the Rita Skeeter we thought you were.’

‘Scoop?’ Rita snorted. ‘You think you have something newsworthy?’

Harry chuckled but remained silent.

Hermione smirked and watched Rita glance at the folder.

‘Not just newsworthy.’ Hermione shrugged. ‘But if you don’t want it…’

‘I didn’t say that!’ Rita snapped then frowned, clearing having an internal battle. Hermione saw the second the reporter in her won out against her repulsion about being blackmailed. ‘How big?’

Hermione smiled. ‘In that file? Career making.’

Rita’s eyes narrowed in on the file.

‘A word of caution though Rita.’ Hermione said standing up but making no attempt to pick up the file. ‘The wizarding world may not be ready to hear this, so do it slowly and do your research.’

Rita snorted. ‘Are you really telling me to be careful?’

‘No. I want you to do this right.’ Hermione corrected her. ‘But if you outright lie for sensationalism? We’ll do a lot worse than just tell the ministry you’re an unregistered animagus.’

‘This is not the only information we have and combined that with the fact that you are not the only reporter we know…’ Harry pointed out as he too stood. ‘You do well on this, and there’ll be more. Go against us and you don’t know the meaning of the word ruin.’

‘Good luck Rita.’ Hermione called as she headed back the way they’d come. She saw Rita reaching for the file as Harry followed her out of the room. They let themselves out and stood outside the front of her house.

‘I wish we could apparate again.’ Harry grumbled.

‘Same, but we both have the trace on us.’ Hermione sighed and they began the long walk back to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry nudged his shoulder into hers as they walked. She smiled. She may not be where she wanted to be, but she had friends she knew would be there for her no matter what. And technically, she was sixteen, she had time to get where she wanted to be, to change the ministry and help Harry kill Voldemort. They hadn’t been back long enough to do much, she was just being impatient.

She took a breath and grinned at Harry, ready to break into a run. ‘Race you!’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 14 - THE LOCKET

George held out the bag containing the locket to Hermione but she didn’t make any attempt to take it.

‘You want to destroy it now?’ She asked him instead.

He blinked, taken aback by the question. Sirius was still at Grimmauld Place and he’d assumed they’d all be there together to do it, like they had with Sirius when he’d destroyed the tiara. ‘You don’t want to wait for Sirius?’

Hermione shrugged. ‘We can do, if you want, but we don’t have to. I doubt Sirius will mind.’

‘He won’t.’ Harry shook his head, pushing his glasses back up when they slid down. ‘We don’t know what’s around the corner so it's best to get it done now, especially as Madam Bones is still at the Ministry.’

‘Come on George.’ Fred nudged him gently. ‘I want to hear what your insecurities are.’

George glared at his twin as his heart missed a beat and began racing.

Fred shrugged and grinned at him. ‘They might be the same as mine!’

George couldn’t help the snort that left him even though he both wanted to do this and didn’t at the same time. He wanted and needed to do this for everything he’d been through, for Fred dying because of Lord Voldemort, for all of the pain and suffering that him, his family and countless others had been through. He also didn’t because… because he was scared. He’d seen the other one scream Sirius’s insecurities and fears at him and he doubted he would be able to shrug them off as easily as Sirius had.

Fred frowned and touched his arm. ‘You don’t have to Georgie.’

George shook his head. ‘Yeah I do. I need this.’

Fred nodded silently.

‘I’ll go get the basilisk fang.’ Harry said quietly, slipping from the room.

Hermione stared at him expectantly and George sighed, his shoulders dropping. ‘I know.’

‘What do you know?’ Fred asked, confused.

‘Hermione’s trying to get me to talk about my insecurities before Harry gets back.’ George grumbled.

‘Why?’

‘Because I know them and Harry doesn’t.’ Hermione said quietly, still staring at him intently.

He knew what Hermione wasn’t saying, that Fred needed to know them before they went into this, but he couldn’t. He couldn't open up that wound, not again.

‘Let’s just get this over with.’ George smiled at Fred, putting a false smile on. ‘It’ll be fine.’

Fred shook his head. ‘Georgie, you saw how it reacted to Sirius, it’ll tell us anyway.’

George sighed and fell silent. He wrapped his arms around himself and walked over to the window before he looked out over the overgrown lawn and hedges that obscured the view. ‘I didn’t handle you… it, well. I told you that earlier.’

‘Yeah, you said.’ Fred said quietly and came to stand next to him.

‘I-I blamed myself.’ George admitted. 

‘It wasn’t your fault.’ Fred instantly said adamantly.

George shrugged. ‘You weren’t there.’

‘But I’m here now.’ Fred sounded gentle but forceful at the same time.

George turned to him and found himself in his twin's arms.

‘No matter what this horcrux says, I'm with you, always.’

George took a deep breath and nodded. ‘Let’s do this.’

Harry re-entered the room and George smiled thankfully at him, knowing he’d deliberately waited to give them time. George placed the bag on the floor and took the basilisk fang from Harry.

He paused before opening the bag, he needed to be ready, he needed his head on his shoulders. With Freddie by his side, he could do anything. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders.

Gripping the fang tightly with one hand, he pointed his wand at the bag with the other and it opened up to reveal the gold locket sitting there looking innocent.

He swallowed and bent down, the locket sensing his attack, instantly started spewing out vitriol. 

‘Oh look, it’s the wrong twin, the one that nobody wanted, the one that should have died. Everybody loves Fred more, or is that loved Fred more, after all, you’re willing to destroy the world and let me win, let me kill everyone else, just to replace you with your twin.’ The voice of Lord Voldemort spat at him and George froze.

He’d worked hard to overcome that feeling that he was the one who should have died, that Freddie was the favoured twin, and while he knew that he’d never succeeded, he’d managed to get on and ignore the feeling and just miss his twin. He knew he needed his twin but he hadn’t felt any of those old feelings re-emerge. He’d just been too relieved and pleased to have his twin back in his life again.

‘And that’s exactly what will happen, Fred will replace you. He’s everyone’s favourite and you’ll get to watch him succeed while you wallow and drink yourself to death, because without him you’re just nothing!’

George stared at the horcrux in realisation and smiled. ‘You’re bringing up old insecurities. I have Fred back and my whole life ahead of me.’ He thrust the fang deep into the locket, feeling his hand shake when it let out that same unearthly scream it had when Sirius had stabbed the diadem and the same black ooze slid out of the locket.

‘Well done George.’ Hermione breathed out but George couldn’t take his eyes off the broken locket.

‘You know that’s rubbish right?’ Fred nudged him. ‘People feel exactly the same way about either one of us because they have no idea which one we are, even mum.’

George couldn’t help the chuckle that erupted out of him but found himself in his twin's arms when his laughter turned into sobs.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius?’ Harry asked, watching his godfather in concern. He’d been uncharacteristically quiet ever since he’d returned from Grimmauld Place.

‘Hmmm?’ Sirius asked, not making any eye contact.

‘What’s wrong?’ Harry asked bluntly.

Sirius finally looked up at him. ‘Nothing’s wrong.’

Harry crossed his arms and stared at him. ‘You’ve been off since you got back from Grimmauld Place. What happened there?’

Sirius frowned. ‘Nothing.’

‘The twins said there was a meeting going on?’

Sirius breathed in noisily but nodded. ‘Yeah, there was.’

‘And?’

He shrugged. ‘And they were all surprised to see me, except Moony.’

Harry frowned. ‘Why were they surprised to see you? I thought they thought you were living there?’

Sirius shrugged, looking slightly petulant. ‘They thought I’d done a runner.’

Harry stared at him. ‘What?’

‘Yeah, Remus seemed surprised by that little revelation as well.’ Sirius allowed, before he huffed and shrugged again. ‘They seemed… dismayed by my presence.’

‘But you’re part of the order aren't you?’ Harry asked.

Sirius nodded. ‘It was the way they all looked at Dumbledore, as if asking if it was okay that I was there.’

‘Why would they look to Dumbledore for that?’

‘He is the leader of the order.’ Sirius pointed out.

‘But they all know that you’re in the order.’ Harry reminded him. ‘Unless…’

‘Unless what?’

‘Unless Dumbledore told them something else.’

‘You think Dumbledore told them I left the order?’

‘No, I’m wondering if Dumbledore told them he sent you somewhere.’ Harry said thinking out loud before conjuring his patronus. ‘Find Hermione and Fred and George. Something weird happened in the Order’s meeting regarding Sirius that we need to talk about.’

The stag bowed its head before running off.

Sirius blinked, watching it with a lost look on his face. ‘Prongs.’ He whispered.

‘Oh, err, yeah. Sorry’ Harry winced apologetically. ‘I forgot you hadn’t seen my patronus form.’

‘No, no it-it’s fine.’ Sirius said, staring where the stag had disappeared. He blinked and shook his head. ‘What are you thinking?’

‘That we need an inside man in the order.’ Harry said darkly. ‘I mean, another inside man.’

‘You think they’re phasing me out?’ Sirius said in surprise, turning back to him.

Harry shrugged, ‘It's a possibility.’

‘Moony might know.’ Sirius frowned.

Harry shook his head. ‘If he was pleased to see you, and didn’t act like the others, then he might not.’

‘Who might not what?’ Hermione asked as she entered the room.

‘Know if Dumbledore’s trying to push Sirius out of the order.’

‘Dumbledore’s pushing Sirius out of the order?’ George repeated questioningly as he walked in a couple seconds behind Hermione.

‘Why would he do that?’ Fred asked.

‘He either knows that Sirius is with Harry, or that Sirius will no longer blindly follow his every order.’ Hermione said, sitting down slowly as she worked it out in her head.

‘I don’t know for sure.’ Harry held his arms up in defeat. ‘I’m guessing.’

‘What happened?’ Hermione asked, turning her attention to Sirius.

‘Remus was the only one pleased to see me, the others all looked a mixture between surprised, shocked and confused and looked to Dumbledore for his reaction to me.’ Sirius said, frowning. ‘It sounds stupid said out loud.’

Hermione shook her head. ‘No, it’s not. If Dumbledore’s found out that Harry isn’t with the Dursley’s, added with the fact that you disappeared…’

‘Did Dumbledore say anything to you?’

Sirius shook his head. ‘Not really, just the general platitudes, Moony took the piss out of me for sulking. They discussed a few things: houses being broken into and a couple other deaths; Rufus Scrimgeour is being sworn in as Minister. While he’s anti-Voldemort, he sees the Order as vigilantism and going against the ministry instead of working with it.’

Hermione nodded, ‘Just like last time, Scrimgeour won't be of any help.’

‘So, who would be our inside man?’ Sirius asked.

‘Inside man?’ Fred and George asked together.

Harry shrugged and explained. ‘If Dumbledore isn’t telling Sirius what’s going on, it would be helpful to have someone who he will tell.’

‘Moony?’ Sirius suggested.

Harry shook his head. ‘Not if he was pleased to see you when the others weren't.’

Hermione frowned. ‘Dumbledore’s keeping Lupin in the dark as well?’

‘That’s my theory.’ Harry sighed, wondering just what was going on in his headmaster's brain.

‘But why? What would he gain?’ Sirius asked.

‘It’s Dumbledore.’ George shrugged. 

‘He’s not really one for sharing his plans.’ Harry agreed, feeling relieved that he’d listened to Hermione and George and not told Dumbledore everything. He was realising his headmaster was not the man he remembered and that there was a lot he’d been blind to. ‘But I don’t know how we can get anyone else in.’

‘What about us?’ George asked. ‘Last time, they let us join the order.’

Hermione nodded. ‘Were they open with you on their plans?’

George grimaced. ‘At the time, it felt like it but looking back…’ He shook his head.

‘Still join, it's what you did last time.’ Hermione turned to the twins. ‘We need to keep things as close as possible.’

Fred grinned at her and winked. ‘We’re going to be much better at being double agents than Snape though.’

Hermione smiled and snorted but nodded. ‘I have no doubts.’

‘I want to let Moony in on what we’re doing.’ Sirius said suddenly.

Harry blinked, both surprised and not at the same time. ‘We can’t let him know how we know what we do.’

Sirius shrugged. ‘Moony was always the smartest of us, he’ll figure it out.’

‘Then should we really be inviting him into this?’ George asked.

‘He’s my best friend, he won’t betray us.’ Sirius argued.

‘We’re not saying that he will, we know he won’t, it’s just…’ Harry blew out a noisy breath. ‘The less people who know about this, the better.’

‘The less chance there is of everything changing and us not being able to predict how we can still win.’ George quietly explained.

‘Oh.’ Sirius blinked, looking slightly disheartened. ‘That makes sense.’

‘Things have already changed that we weren’t expecting.’ Hermione shrugged, sending Sirius a smile. ‘We knew that going into this, but there’s a high chance that professor Lupin will guess what we’ve done.’

Sirius smirked at Hermione, ‘Professor Lupin?’

She shrugged. ‘Habit. And I don’t know what else to call him.’

‘Do we think he could help?’ Fred asked reasonably.

Harry frowned at that. ‘He certainly couldn’t hurt, Sirius do you think we could talk him into keeping this from Dumbledore?’

‘Oh yeah.’ Sirius grinned. ‘I know for a fact he’s really not happy with a few of Dumbledore’s choices, and he’ll be furious when I enlighten him about a few other things.’

Harry raised an eyebrow, curious as to what Sirius had kept from his friend but Sirius refused eye contact.

Hermione pursed her lips and sighed. ‘I don’t like this, but I agree with Sirius.’

‘You do?’ Harry asked, surprised.

Hermione sighed. ‘As Sirius said, he was the smartest of the Marauders and well, he was a marauder. I think we’re going to need him.’

Sirius grinned, looking hopeful.

Fred and George exchanged an excited look and Harry knew they’d been refraining from asking Sirius about being a marauder and bringing up old, painful memories. He doubted they’d manage to hold out for much longer, especially if they were bringing Moony into the mix.

Harry snorted at how eager they all looked.

‘So, we can tell him about our plan?’ Sirius asked.

Harry deferred to Hermione, this whole plan was her baby.

Hermione nodded slowly. ‘Yeah, I think we should. What’s Professor Lupin up to nowadays anyway?’

Sirius shrugged. ‘Mainly going away on missions for Dumbledore.’

‘Missions?’ Fred frowned, looking uneasy.

‘Because he’s a werewolf.’ Hermione winced, closing her eyes.

Harry felt sick as he realised what he’d missed the first time around.

Sirius nodded. ‘In the first war, Dumbledore tasked Moony with trying to get the werewolves on our side.’

‘Just Professor Lupin?’ Harry asked aghast. ‘No one else?’

‘Moony’s the only werewolf we have.’ Sirius shrugged. ‘He distanced himself from us because of it, it…’ He swallowed roughly. ‘It was why I began to distrust him.’

‘And now Dumbledore’s doing the exact same thing.’ Hermione said, disgust in her voice. ‘We need to get him away from Dumbledore.’

Harry nodded. ‘But how?’

‘He could move in here?’ Sirius asked, perking up again.

Harry frowned. ‘Would he want to leave his home?’

Sirius winced but nodded, rubbing his hand over his face. ‘His home was his parents. Being a werewolf, it’s practically impossible to hold down a job in the wizarding world. His parents left him everything and he’s too bloody stubborn to accept help from us.’

Harry glanced at Hermione. ‘I think we need him here.’

Hermione didn’t look happy but she nodded.

‘Do you know where he is now?’ Hermione asked Sirius.

Sirius shrugged. ‘He’s probably at home, preparing for his next mission in between the full moons.’

‘When is the next full moon?’ Hermione asked.

‘End of the month, July 30th.’ Sirius replied promptly.

Harry raised an eyebrow and stared at him, positive that Sirius blushed under the scrutiny.

‘He’s the last of my best friends.’ Sirius said dryly.

Hermione caught his attention, opening her eyes wide before doing the same to George. Fred frowned at them in confusion.

‘Can you get him here without anyone knowing?’ Harry asked Sirius.

Sirius nodded, ‘You think he’s being followed?’

Harry shrugged. ‘Better to be safe than sorry. And make sure that Professor Lupin knows that everything we tell him is to stay between us and only us.’

‘Go as Padfoot.’ Hermione told Sirius.

He grinned at, saluted and disappeared. As Lord of the house, he was the only one who could apparate in or out.

‘What is it?’ Harry asked the second he’d gone.

‘Sirius needs Lupin.’

Harry frowned at her, ‘What do you mean?’

‘He’s only got us to confide in,’ Hermione explained. ‘Harry and I will end up back at Hogwarts in September. George and Fred have their business to run and each other, who does Sirius have?’

George shrugged but nodded, leaning into Fred who threw an arm around him.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Do you think we should tell him?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘I don’t think we’re going to need to.’

‘You think he’ll figure it out?’ Fred asked, surprised.

‘The marauders were beyond smart and Sirius said Lupin’s the smartest of them.’ Hermione pointed out. ‘Also, Sirius can be reckless, I think Lupin would curb that.’

Harry sighed but nodded. ‘Yeah, you’re right.’

George snorted. ‘Harry? Agreeing someone else is reckless?’

Harry grinned and sent a stinging hex at him. ‘Shut up.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 15 - REMUS LUPIN

‘Sirius, this is madness.’ Hermione heard Lupin say as she watched him stare around the parlour in astonishment.
‘Hello professor.’ Hermione said, having no doubts that he knew exactly how Sirius felt about his family and their legacy and so couldn’t fathom why he had suddenly embraced that legacy.
He turned to her, blinking several times before he recovered his composure. ‘Miss Granger? What are you doing here?’
‘Oh she’s not the only one here.’ Harry grinned as he came to stand by her side.
‘H-Harry?’ Lupin stared at them both, looking completely taken aback.
The twins had gone back to their shop and Madam Bones was at work so it was just the four of them.
‘Sirius, what have you done?’ Lupin asked, turning to Sirius, horrified.
‘What I had to.’ Sirius said quietly, looking unsure but sounding positive.
‘Sirius.’ Lupin groaned, closing his eyes.
‘Professor Lupin,’ Hermione began.
‘I’m not your teacher anymore Miss Granger.’
Hermione smiled wryly. ‘Then why are you calling me Miss Granger?’
Lupin sighed.
‘Sirius is helping us.’ Harry said slowly and Hermione could tell that he wasn’t sure what to say.
‘The ministry is corrupt, as I’m sure you’re aware of, what you won’t be aware of, is just how much.’ Hermione cut in. ‘With Sirius becoming Lord Black, he can help us weed out the corruption.’
Lupin blinked at her. Hermione wasn’t sure she was starting with the right information but she didn’t want to explain too much about Voldemort in case she said too much.
‘The kids have a plan.’ Sirius grinned but didn’t look as excited as he had when he’d left to get Lupin, Hermione wondered just what had happened between them.
‘Dumbledore is keeping things from everyone.’ Hermione began.
‘And how exactly do you know this?’ Lupin questioned, looking flummoxed.
Hermione stayed quiet but stared at him. ‘We have Madam Amelia Bones staying with us as Voldemort will try to kill her imminently. She’s helping us, as are the twins, do you believe she’s wrong to do so?’
‘Of course not. The Weasley twins?’ Lupin checked, blinking rapidly. ‘Fred and George?’
Harry nodded.
‘We’re asking you to help us as well.’ Hermione continued. ‘We haven’t told you everything, if you’re in…’ She glanced at Harry and he nodded. ‘We’ll tell you what we can.’
Lupin frowned. ‘What does that mean?’
‘We’re marauders Moony, are you in or not?’ Sirius asked, staring at him intently.
Hermione could tell this was make or break time. For all of them but especially for Sirius, everything would depend on Remus Lupin’s answer.
Lupin sighed, and stared at Sirius for a long time before shrugging, looking defeated and he smiled sadly, half in resignation. ‘You know I’m in.’
Sirius grinned and launched himself at Lupin, wrapping him in a hug.
Hermione felt the smile tug at her lips as Remus returned the embrace, the two friends holding onto each other tightly and a strong sense of relief spread through her.
‘So, what do I need to know?’ Lupin asked, when Sirius finally released him.
Hermione smiled.

🪄🪄🪄

Hermione frowned at the owl holding out a letter with her name on it. Usually the owls left the mail in a designated alcove which had treats and payments ready for them but this one had been determined to find her.
‘Careful Hermione.’ Madam Bones warned her as she approached. ‘There may be curses or charms placed on the owl or on the parchment.’
‘I’ve checked for the most dangerous and common ones, so far all I’ve found is an enchantment that the letter must be personally delivered to me.’ Hermione said softly as she pointed her wand at the letter and levitated over to a little table. She handed the owl a treat and he hooted at her, nuzzled her hand and flew off.
‘May I?’ Madam Bones asked, pointing to the letter.
‘Be my guest.’ Hermione offered, watching as Madam Bones ran through all the same spells she had and a couple more that she’d heard Harry occasionally use. There was only one that she hadn’t heard of.
‘It’s safe, but it is enchanted for only you or Harry Potter to read.’
Hermione frowned. ‘That’s strange, how would anyone know we were together?’
‘Did you tell any of your school friends of your plans to meet up?’
Hermione shook her head. ‘My parents believe I’m apprenticing with the twins at their shop.’
Madam Bones blinked rapidly before indicating the letter. ‘I believe it safe to read, but maybe we should get the others just in case.’
Hermione nodded and silently called her patronus up. Her river otter sprang forth and bounded in a quick circle. ‘Can you go to Harry, Sirius and George and let them know I’ve received a letter that can only be read by Harry or I please?’
The otter bounded off and Hermione winced when Madam Bones stared after it in shock.
‘We learnt them this year in school.’ Hermione offered, hesitantly.
‘Yes, Susan did say that you’d set up a group to teach defence lessons.’ Madam Bones commented, sounding taken aback. ‘While she told me how well you were doing, it seems that they were a roaring success.’
‘Susan?’ Hermione frowned, the realisation hit her. ‘Susan Bones.’
‘Yes, my niece.’ Madam Bones smiled.
‘I should have released earlier you were her aunt.’ Hermione sighed then turned at the sound of running footsteps.
‘You haven't touched it have you?’ Fred asked instantly, looking worried and checking Hermione over with George right behind him.
‘No, I’m not stupid.’ Hermione told him but couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. She’d never been all that close to Fred and while she’d known he was caring, him and George had looked after so many first years and younger students during Umbridge’s reign of terror, she’d never had it turned onto her before. She found she rather liked it.
‘I remember what happened when Rita Skeeter claimed you were Harry’s girlfriend.’ Fred reminded her and she winced.
‘Yeah, I’d successfully forgotten about that.’ Hermione sighed, mentally shivering at the memory of Bubotuber pus.
Harry and Sirius appeared moments later. Professor Lupin had gone on his pre-arranged mission from Dumbledore to try to convince the werewolves not to join Voldemort this time. She knew that Sirius was annoyed that Lupin had gone, but they still had to keep up appearances, it was too soon to allow anyone to guess their intentions.
‘Who knows we’re both here?’ Harry asked instantly, looking worried.
Hermione shrugged. ‘I haven’t read it yet, but it’s not addressed to me here, just to me. Whoever sent it doesn't know our location.’
‘And you’ve checked it’s safe?’ Sirius asked Madam Bones.
Hermione rolled her eyes while Madam Bones agreed that she had. She opened it up and breathed out. ‘It’s from Snape. He’s agreed but, unsurprisingly, has some terms.’
‘That’s good?’ George asked.
Hermione inspected the letter while Harry shrugged. ‘Depends on his terms.’
‘He wants to meet at the orders headquarters with his terms.’ Hermione read out in confusion. ‘That’s a weird way of phrasing it.’
‘With his terms? George checked.
‘Not on his terms?’ Fred added.
‘No, it says with his terms.’
‘Has he written a list, do you think?’ Madam Bones asked and Hermione froze, having forgotten she was here.
‘Sounds more like his terms are items.’ Harry muttered before Hermione caught his eye and he fell silent with a guilty look.
‘Or people.’ Sirius said slowly. ‘But I couldn't even hope to guess who. I didn’t think Snivellus had any friends.’
Hermione sighed. ‘You’re going to need to set aside this rivalry.’
‘Never.’ Sirius promised her.
‘What’s he helping you with?’ Madam Bones asked.
‘Ah,’ Sirius winced. ‘That would be something that’s better left alone, if you don’t know, you can’t yell at us.’
Madam Bones stared at him unimpressed and Sirius chuckled nervously.
‘It’s part of how we knew about the attack on you.’ Hermione explained.
Madam Bones sighed. ‘You do know that I was an original Order member, don’t you?’
Hermione winced apologetically. ‘I’m sorry Madam Bones, but there are some things safer left unsaid.’
Madam Bones nodded. ‘Very true, Hermione. Just remember if you need my help, you need only ask.’
‘Thank you.’ Hermione smiled at her. It was nice having another adult on their side, although a lot of the time it didn’t really feel as if Sirius was an adult but another one of the boys, especially since Fred and George had found out he was a marauder and had been including in him in their ideas, plans and pranks.
Madam Bones froze and paled.
‘Madam Bones?’ Hermione checked, sharing an alarmed look with Harry.
Madam Bones cleared her throat. ‘I believe the wards on my home have just been breached.’
‘Alert the aurors, but don’t let on that you’re not there.’ Sirius instructed.
Madam Bones winced and rubbed at her chest but nodded. She produced her patronus and sent it off to the ministry.
‘Can you tell what’s happening?’ Hermione asked.
‘Whatever defensive spells you left certainly helped, and the… mock-up-me? Did you call it? Certainly felt as if it took a battering.’
Fred and George shared a worried look. It was something they had been working on since George had returned and they’d come up with the idea for the Personal Defensive Aids. A replica of a witch or wizard that had basic movement and defensive spells. It wouldn’t fool anyone for long, not in a fight, but it might give someone the time they needed to escape.
‘What?’ Hermione demanded seeing their look.
‘Madam Bones shouldn’t have been able to feel what happened to the mock-up-me.’ Fred said quietly. ‘We just used her likeness for it, it wasn’t connected to her.’
Hermione thought for a moment and turned to Madam Bones. ‘What about the wards? How connected are you to the wards?’
‘The normal way, I can feel when they’re breached and then as part of Magical Law Enforcement, we added a few extras to be able to tell more information.’
‘Such as?’
‘How many people breach the wards and intentions.’ Madam Bones shrugged. ‘I felt five people breach the outer wards but only one breached the inner wards around where the mock-up-me was.’
‘The wards allowed you to feel Lord Voldemort's intentions as he destroyed the mock-up-me.’ Hermione explained.
‘Yes, that could be.’ Madam Bones eyed Hermione with an interested look that Hermione recognised.
She wouldn’t be surprised if Madam Bones later on figured out exactly what they’d done. Now that the attack had been carried out, they needed to get Madam Bones into a house safe where she wasn’t likely to overhear anything more.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Professor Snape.’ Hermione greeted him. She hadn’t been certain that he would agree to the change in destination and knew she had put him on guard by refusing to meet him at the Orders headquarters.
Snape’s nostrils flared and he looked around the area, disdain covering his features. ‘This is where you have chosen to meet?’
Hermione smiled but knew that it didn’t reach her eyes. ‘It is a safe, neutral, meeting place, Professor.’
He narrowed his eyes at her, assessing. Grimmauld Place was also a safe place but it wasn’t neutral. ‘Yes. It is.’
‘You asked for this meeting, Professor.’ Hermione reminded him. She was surprised that Snape hadn’t called her out on not meeting at Grimmauld Place, but then if he wanted her to look after people, then he might not want them knowing that he was a spy, not after she had given him an out by not meeting him at the Order’s headquarters.
‘I have decided to help.’ He began.
‘And your price?’ Hermione asked instantly and could see that she had surprised him but she couldn’t see any items or people with him. Although if he had brought items they could easily be hidden.
‘I have two people for you to keep hidden and safe from the Dark Lord.’
Hermione hummed, wondering where and who they were. ‘I will need to discuss it.’
‘They need protection and sanctuary immediately.’
‘Then you should have contacted me sooner.’ Hermione smiled serenely, refusing to allow him to have the upper hand. She’d been doing this a long time with people far more annoying than her old Professor.
‘The headmaster is going away tonight.’ Snape bit out.
‘You believe he’s going horcrux hunting?’ Hermione asked.
Snape nodded but she could see that it cost him.
‘I have offered to assist him.’ Snape clenched his jaw.
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
‘He has refused and requested that I stay close to the Dark Lord.’
Hermione pursed her lips, thinking. ‘Can you hint that Voldemort has cursed the item that Dumbledore is looking for?’
Snape glowered at her. ‘The headmaster,’ he emphasised. ‘Is well aware of how dangerous the item is.’
Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘And yet it will not stop him from putting on the ring.’ She scrutinised Snape closely and came to a decision. She could guess at the identities of the two people he wanted to be kept safe but wasn’t convinced she was right. If she was, it was going to make both Harry and Sirius furious. ‘Make sure you go with Dumbledore and we’ll give protection and sanctuary to the two people, however, they will not be able to leave the place I will be taking them to.’
Snape maintained eye contact with her before subtly nodding his head. ‘I accept your terms.’
Two figures approached them from behind him.
‘What is the meaning of this?!’ Draco Malfoy’s voice carried ahead of him.
‘Draco, be quiet.’ Narcissa Malfoy hushed him.
‘What is she doing here?’ He demanded, ignoring his mother.
‘Do you want us to save your life or not?’ Hermione asked him with a serene smile on her face. She watched as Mrs Malfoy pursed her lips in distaste and stared determinedly at Snape.
‘Are you sure this is necessary?’ She asked simply.
‘I am.’ Snape replied.
Hermione shrugged. ‘Unless you want your son to be marked and given the task of murdering Headmaster Dumbledore?’
Snape glared at her, probably because she’d finally used Dumbledore’s school title to Mrs Malfoy and not him. She refrained from asking if Voldemort was already set up in Malfoy Manor, their presence had answered that question.
‘Where will we be going?’ Narcissa asked, seemingly taking it all in stride.
‘It’s under the fidelius charm.’ Hermione told her. ‘And I’m not the secret keeper.’ She silently called up her patronus. ‘Alert the others that we’ve agreed terms and I’m bringing back two seeking protection and sanctuary.’
Her otter bounded off before disappearing. Hermione turned back to them, unsurprised by Draco’s gaping and the two adults eyeing her suspiciously.
Sirius and Harry appeared a moment later.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ Harry exclaimed just as Sirius did.
‘Please tell me this is some evil variation of a Boggart that you've been working on.’ Sirius stared at his cousin in horror.
‘Hello cousin.’ Narcissa said dryly.
‘What. Is. He. Doing. Here?’ Snape demanded between clenched teeth.
Hermione grinned at him. ‘Now that information wasn’t part of our deal.’
‘I think I’d rather deal with Erkling’s.’ Sirius muttered, making Harry snort.
Hermione eyed him and Sirius raised his hands in surrender. ‘I promised to play nice with Snivellus over there, not any devoted idiot followers.’
‘If they’re here, ‘ Hermione reasoned. ‘It’s because Mrs Malfoy didn’t want her son marked like her husband was.’
‘And what makes you think my dear old cousin isn’t marked?’ Sirius asked, turning to the woman in question.
Narcissa raised a haughty eyebrow but rolled up her sleeve to show her unmarked forearm. ‘Really Sirius.’
‘And now Draco.’ Hermione requested.
‘What?’ Draco spluttered.
‘I refuse to take Death Eaters into my home. Especially one’s whose father died trying to kill my godson.’ Sirius smirked at his cousin.
Mrs Malfoy paled. ‘Draco show them your arm.’
‘No.’ Draco refused sullenly. ‘I don’t see why we’re even here.’
‘Draco.’ Mrs Malfoy hissed.
Draco glared at them but pulled up his sleeves. ‘See?’
Hermione nodded. ‘We’ll go somewhere else, then onto the safe house.’
‘Why?’ Draco glared at her.
‘In case you’re being followed or this is a trap.’ Hermione told him honestly.
Mrs Malfoy nodded her head in agreement and turned to Snape, holding out her hand. ‘Severus, thank you.’
He grasped her hand and inclined her head before disappearing in a swish of black robes.
‘Follow us.’ Hermione told the Malfoy’s as she turned around with Harry by her side and Sirius waiting to follow after the Malfoy’s.
‘We’re walking?’ Draco demanded, sounding horrified.
Hermione snorted. ‘Do you not have two legs?’
Draco fell silent with a glare and they continued walking for several minutes before they came upon an old, small house. Harry entered first and Hermione followed, not bothering to check that the Malfoy’s were still behind them as she followed Harry to the fireplace.
She shared out the floo powder. ‘We’re going to Pastels Lodge.’
It was also under the Fidelius charm, but for this place, she was the secret keeper. It was also heavily charmed to strip any enchantments off a person, such as tracking charms.
She stepped into the fire first and calling out her destination, felt herself spin around until she emerged out into the fireplace at Pastels Lodge. She waited for Mrs Malfoy to come through, knowing the others would stagger them coming through, just in case someone tried something.
Mrs Malfoy, elegantly stepped out, followed by Harry who stumbled, as did Draco. Sirius stepped out just as elegantly as his cousin did.
‘Follow me.’ Sirius said, barely glancing at the Malfoys and they followed him through the house to another fireplace.
He threw some more floo powder on it and stepped in. ‘Herish Valley.’
Mrs Malfoy drew in a breath and sent Draco ahead of her.
‘What did he say?’ Draco frowned.
Harry grinned. They’d planned it this way so that they knew that no one could follow them, each place was under the fidelius charm until they got to their actual destination. Each place was designed for protection. Pastel lodge stripped enchantments, Herish Valley tested intentions and Harry was the secret keeper for Herish Valley.
‘Herish Valley.’ Harry said clearly for the Malfoy’s. Only with him speaking the words to them could they understand and use them.
Draco followed, then Harry, then Mrs Malfoy, then Hermione.
Hermione grinned as she saw Fred and George waiting for them.
‘Went well then?’ George asked, as Harry went and stood by him.
‘Even if you did bring back a couple gatecrashers.’ Fred grinned, holding out his arm to Hermione. She leant into him, needing a reassuring presence.
‘Where are we?’ Mrs Malfoy asked, looking around.
‘Nowhere important. Our final destination is Black Manor.’ Sirius grinned at them.
Hermione heard Mrs Malfoy’s quick intake of breath and wondered how it must feel to suddenly remember your childhood family home, after not realising the memory of it had disappeared.
‘I’ll apparate the Malfoy’s.’ Sirius continued, not looking enthused at the idea.
Hermione nodded as she gripped Fred’s arm tightly as they disapparated and reapparated in the parlour.
Hermione stifled her giggle as she watched Draco appear on Sirius’s arm and look around them in astonishment. He was obviously expecting some hovel and not the luxurious surroundings of Black Manor.
Hermione smirked when Narcissa Malfoy’s eyes widened as she took in where they were and her gaze zeroed in on Sirius’s hand and the Lord Black ring sat prominently on his finger.
Sirius saw her gaze and his smile mirrored Hermione’s. ‘Problem cousin?’
‘No, of course not.’ Mrs Malfoy recovered quickly. ‘Lord Black.’
Draco stared at him with horror written over his features.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 16 - HOUSE GUESTS

Harry watched the different emotions cover Sirius’s face as he read the Daily Prophet. He hadn’t seen the paper that morning, but could easily guess that Rita Skeeter’s article had most likely come out today. It would be interesting to find out what kind of spin she had put on the information they had given her.

‘Rita’s article came out this morning.’ Hermione smirked.

‘And?’ Harry demanded.

‘Oh, she outdid herself.’ George grinned.

‘Why are you so interested in a reporter?’ Draco demanded imperiously, while attempting to look unimpressed at his breakfast.

Harry was tempted to tell him that Dobby had made it just to see how he’d react but refrained. He wasn’t a fifteen year old anymore, he was a twenty nine year old in his fifteen year old body. He’d grown, the war was currently ongoing, but it had also been over for a long time for him as well.

‘What’s she said?’ Harry asked, his eyes widening in surprise when Sirius guffawed and had to stop reading.

‘She’s said the ministry had multiple reasons to help me escape from Azkaban and help me hide.’

‘And what reasons would they be?’ Draco snorted, shaking his head as if everyone had lost their minds.

‘Namely the fact that I’m innocent and the ministry knew it.’ Sirius grinned. ‘She even said the ministry had evidence of my innocence and tried to bury it.’

Hermione snorted and sipped at her orange juice.

‘If they buried the evidence of your innocence and locked you up-’ Fred asked, walking into the room.

‘Why would they then organise your escape?’ George finished for him as he handed over a copy of the paper to Hermione.

Harry watched as Fred leant over Hermione and stole a strawberry off her plate.

‘What are you two doing here?’ Draco asked, staring at them in horror.

Fred and George both smirked at him. ‘Oh, ickle Dracikins, you didn’t think it was just these three in on this did you?’

Draco paled and pushed his breakfast away.

‘Draco dear.’ Mrs Malfoy’s elegant voice floated out from the window seat. ‘Sulkiness is not becoming on you.’

Harry had almost forgotten she was here.

‘Sulkiness isn’t really becoming on anyone.’ George corrected. 

‘A pout maybe, but not sulkiness.’ Fred agreed.

Mrs Malfoy rose and glided over to the table laden with breakfast foods where she refreshed her tea. She looked amused as she watched the twins. ‘Quite. I assume I have the pleasure of meeting the Weasley twins?’

Draco snorted. ‘It is certainly not a pleasure.’

‘Draco, the twins are my guests. You are not.’ Sirius said, handing Harry the paper and giving Draco a stern expression.

Harry made sure he hid his amusement while Draco swallowed and glanced up at his mother.

Mrs Malfoy sipped her tea.

‘I apologise.’ Draco forced stiffly.

‘You would do well to drop the attitude and attempt civility, after all you are only here at the behest of your teacher. What happens to you when our business with him is done?’ Sirius asked as he stood. Placing his hands in his pocket he leant against one of the chairs and stared at Draco, waiting for an answer.

Harry was impressed, since he’d gotten to know his Godfather, he’d never viewed him as imposing.

Draco’s eyes widened and he once again turned to his mother.

Harry bit his lip to prevent his snigger.

‘I’m asking you Draco, not your mother.’ Sirius pushed.

‘Enough Sirius.’ Mrs Malfoy said quietly.

‘Are you Lord Black, Narcissa?’ Sirius asked bluntly, arching an eyebrow at her. 

Harry barely covered his snort into a cough.

She inclined her head in apology. ‘I apologise. This is all new to us both.’

‘And yet, you have already adapted. You were raised a Black, unfortunately it seems your son wasn’t.’ Sirius said, watching her. Harry saw her pale a fraction. ‘That was very remiss of you.’

‘If you are amenable, maybe Draco and I could occupy the library for a time each day.’

Sirius shrugged. ‘You are free to use the rooms I showed you on your arrival whenever you like.’

Harry smiled, knowing that only the guest library was included in that and not the family library like Mrs Malfoy had probably been angling for.

Mrs Malfoy blinked but kept her composure. ‘Of course. Thank you cousin. My son and I will freshen up from breakfast and you may find us in the guest library if you have a need of us.’

‘By the way, we have another house guest, Amelia Bones, you may know her as the Head of the department for Magical Law Enforcement.’ Sirius informed her happily.

Mrs Malfoy faltered. Harry had never known her to falter before.

‘If you wish to avoid her or her knowing you are here, she joins us early in the mornings and late in the evenings, otherwise she is at work.’ Sirius allowed them a reprieve. ‘I’m sure everyone here is happy to keep your presence here a secret if you so desire?’

‘T-that would be preferable.’ Mrs Malfoy practically whispered.

‘Of course. If you want to be certain that she has left for work then you may call our house elf Dobby to inform you.’ Sirius smiled, verbally slapping them both in the face with the news that their old house elf was now his.

Harry only just caught the flash of recognition in her eyes before she inclined her head and swept from the room with her head held high and dignity intact while Draco frowned, looking nervous and hurried after her.

‘You guys must be having a ball.’ Fred commentated once the door closed behind him.

‘The second Moony’s back, I’m forcing him to move in.’ Sirius muttered, collapsing into the chair nearest to him.

Harry instantly pictured Draco coming face to face with Lupin and snorted.

Hermione caught his eye and giggled, obviously thinking along the same lines. ‘At least we’ll be seeing less of Malfoy that way.’

‘If we upset their delicate sensibilities…’ George laughed.

‘Imagine how they'd react to having to eat breakfast with a werewolf!’ Fred’s eyes lit up and Harry could tell pranks would soon be in their future.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Remus!’ Sirius’s yell startled Hermione out of her thoughts and she looked up to see Sirius tackle her old professor and wrap himself around him.

‘What on earth happened?’ Lupin glanced at Hermione in alarm.

‘The Malfoy’s have moved in.’ Hermione sighed, reorganising the papers she’d just disturbed and checking them over again.

‘What? Why? How?’ Lupin instantly returned Sirius’ embrace, running his hands up and down Sirius’s back.

‘Snivellus.’ Sirius said into Lupin’s neck.

‘What’s Snape got to do with this?’

‘We needed his help, he agreed with a proviso.’ Hermione explained, wondering if she had misjudged Snape and should have left him out of it, although that would have condemned Dumbledore to death. At least this way, she didn’t have his death on her conscience.

‘And the Malfoy’s were the proviso?’ Lupin asked, staring at her shocked.

‘He wanted protection and sanctuary for them.’ Hermione explained.

‘Why would they need that?’ Lupin asked.

‘Because Voldemort has moved into Malfoy Manor.’

‘How exactly do you know that?’ Mrs Malfoy asked icily from the door.

‘Cousin.’ Sirius’s voice was sharp and he’d drawn himself up to his full height even though one of his arms was still wrapped around Lupin.

‘Who do you think told Snape Voldemort was going to mark Draco this summer and give him the task of killing our headmaster?’ Hermione arched an eyebrow at Mrs Malfoy. She knew that Harry had had a civil and cordial relationship with her after the war, but she never had. Mrs Malfoy had the same beliefs as her husband, she had just never been marked.

Mrs Malfoy paled but Hermione could see her jaw tense.

‘Was there something you wanted, Narcissa?’ Sirius asked, his voice gentler than before but still a dismissal.

‘Draco was wondering if he is allowed use of the broomsticks and the pitch?’ Mrs Malfoy requested.

‘Of course. I’m sure you remember where they are kept and the way.’ Sirius replied cordially.

‘I do.’ Mrs Malfoy inclined her head and left.

‘She certainly thinks quick on her feet.’ Hermione muttered.

‘More likely she was wanting to know who had arrived.’ Sirius snorted.

‘What?’ Lupin asked.

‘Please tell me, you’ve agreed to move in.’ Sirius practically begged.

Lupin’s expression turned fond. ‘You know I can’t do that, Padfoot.’

‘Please Moony, you can’t leave me living with my cousin and her brat!’ Sirius whined. ‘I’ll go even more insane!’

Lupin snorted and dryly replied, ‘I doubt that.’ 

Hermione was pretty sure that both men had forgotten she was in the room with them and that they still had an arm around each other.

‘It would actually be beneficial if you did professor.’ Hermione interrupted them.

They both startled and blinked at her.

‘I’m still not your professor Miss Granger.’ Lupin reminded her. 

She eyed him. ‘Then stop calling me Miss Granger.’

He sighed in defeat. ‘Hermione, and you can call me Remus.’

She grinned at him. ‘Sirius did say that you were the cleverest of the marauders.’

‘Oh did he?’ Remus eyed Sirius who grinned back at him.

‘Hermione? I got the owl!’ Harry’s voice preceded him into the room. He brightened considerably when he saw Remus. ‘Professor! You’re back.’

‘As I’ve just reminded Hermione, I’m not your professor anymore.’ Remus sighed, looking put upon.

‘It’s good to see you back Remus.’ Harry grinned cheekily. ‘Are you staying? We all know trying to get the werewolves on our side is pointless.’

Remus blinked at him before turning to Sirius. ‘You told him?’

‘Didn’t have to, they already knew.’ Sirius shrugged.

Remus turned to them, frowning. ‘How?’

‘Same way we knew about the Malfoys.’ Hermione said, rolling up the pieces of parchment and tying them securely.

‘Which is?’

‘Ask us no questions and we’ll tell you no lies.’ Harry replied, holding out the owl who stuck it’s leg out for Hermione’s to attach the tied up parchment.

‘That’s a muggle phrase.’ Remus narrowed his eyes at them. ‘What else do you know?’

Hermione finished with the owl and glanced at Harry who shrugged. ‘We win the war.’

Remus’s jaw dropped. ‘Wha… How do you.. In fact never mind. I don’t think I want to know.’

‘Good, because Voldemort made Horcruxes. Seven of them.’ Harry said, walking over to the window and opening it and held his arm out for the owl to take flight. ‘Take these to Rita Skeeter.’

The owl hooted softly before hopping onto the window ledge and taking flight.

‘H-horcruxes?’ Remus sank down into a chair. Sirius started massaging his shoulder. ‘Seven?’

‘We’ve destroyed three of them.’ Hermione took over. ‘Leaving Hufflepuff’s cup in Bellatrix LeStranges vault, Gaunt’s ring which Dumbledore is obtaining with Snape and Nagini, his snake.’

Remus frowned. ‘That makes six, you said seven?’

‘The seventh was accidental and he doesn't know about it.’ Hermione sighed.

‘’But you do?’

‘Me.’ Harry said bluntly and moved his fringe to show his scar. ‘I’m the seventh horcrux.’

Remus paled and stared at him.

‘Pretty much my reaction as well.’ Sirius sighed and dropped down into the seat beside him. ‘Except there was more swearing and shouting.’

‘I think I need a drink.’ Remus said quietly.

Harry went to the drinks cabinet and brought back the firewhiskey with two tumblers which he placed in front of Remus and Sirius and poured them both a generous measure. 

Remus knocked his back in one.

Sirius sipped his. ‘You see why I need you here.’

Remus nodded. ‘I don’t think Dumbledore will understand but I can tell him that they’ve told me not to come near them again, that they’ve already chosen.’

‘About Dumbledore…’ Sirius winced

Remus blinked at him. ‘You have told Dumbledore all of this?’

‘No and we’re not going to.’ Hermione said firmly.

Remus stared at her. ‘Why not?’

‘He made a lot of bad decisions and ultimately he dies.’ Hermione said quietly, knowing that she was admitting what they’d done without saying it.

‘He…’ Remus trailed off, looking as if he’d suddenly solved the puzzle. He was quiet for a few minutes. ‘You said Dumbledore was going after one of the horcruxes though? A ring?’

Harry nodded. ‘He puts it on, only it contains a curse.’

‘That’s why we made a deal with Snape, to go with him and stop him from getting cursed.’ Hermione explained further.

‘The curse?’ Remus asked.

Hermione shrugged. ‘We don’t know much about it, just that Snape managed to contain it to his hand but it was slowly killing him.’

Remus nodded slowly. ‘What else do you know?’

‘That Dumbledore is going to start telling me about the horcruxes next year at school.’ Harry began.

‘We’ve already changed some things and the ripple effect is already happening.’ Hermione added.

‘Like my death.’ Sirius offered. 

Remus stared at him.

‘The night we broke into the ministry. It was a trap but this time we knew it was and used it to our advantage.’ Hermione said when Harry just looked down at his lap. 

‘How?’ Remus asked.

‘We made sure that none of you came to save us and had the twins break into the records room and steal files that are going to prove Sirius is innocent.’ 

‘Rita Skeeter’s article.’ Remus breathed out in realisation.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius, I know you have no reason to trust me but I can help.’ Narcissa said as she surveyed him sitting in their grandfather's chair in their grandfather's study.

‘How can you help when I don’t trust you?’ Sirius queried her, leaning back in the chair.

‘Give me something inconsequential to do.’ Narcissa offered.

‘That still won’t make me trust you.’ Sirius pointed out.

Narcissa shrugged elegantly. ‘It will give me something to do. And you’ve allowed me and my son to stay here, you must trust me to an extent.’

Sirius snorted and shot her a grin that he’d been told many times made the recipient wary. ‘I may have been sorted into Gryffindor, cousin, but like you, I was raised Slytherin. You would do well to remember that.’

Narcissa stiffened. ‘My husband is dead and I’ve fled my home, does that mean nothing to you?’

‘How many wizards and witches have been slaughtered by that half-blood you follow?’ Sirius shot back. ‘Do they mean nothing to you? Not even your precious purebloods that have been killed and tortured by his hand?’

Narcissa swallowed.

Sirius grinned again. ‘Ah, so you are aware of old Voldies origins then? And yet you still followed him extolling the virtues of a pure blood only regime.’

Narcissa inclined her head. ‘It was a mistake to follow him.’

‘A mistake? You call the slaughter of hundreds of us a mistake?’ Sirius clenched his fists together behind his desk. ‘Tell me cousin, if he hadn’t given your son an impossible task that would end in him being tortured and most likely killed, would you be standing here?’

Narcissa swallowed and bowed her head. ‘I do not know. I believe in the cause, just not how he has gone about it.’

‘I’m afraid Narcissa that you can’t stand on the bylines anymore.’ Sirius informed her as he picked up his discarded quill. ‘You need to choose a side. Now if that is all, I have work to do.’

Narcissa inclined her head and swept from the room, the door gently closing behind her.

Sirius let out a long drawn out breath and put down his quill. He hadn’t expected to have this conversation with her so soon, he’d thought it would have taken longer, but as always, his cousin surprised him.

Although he wasn’t surprised by her viewpoints. The marriage between her and Lucius was not an arranged marriage but one of her own choice, having met him at Hogwarts. She had followed in the Black footsteps of believing in blood purity which begged the question of why she hadn’t turned to her sister Bellatrix for help rather than choosing exile from Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Sirius didn’t believe this was a trap, that she was spying on them and feeding the information back to Lord Voldemort. He believed Harry and Hermione in that his cousin loved her son and would do anything to keep him alive and happy. Which, working on that theory, it would track that his cousin would err towards their side, he just didn’t know how much. 

He doubted that his cousin would fight on their side, or her son for that matter, from everything she had done and said, she would be happy to hide out here in Black Manor until the fight was over. And yet, she had no idea how long the fight would last, the first wizarding war lasted eleven years and she had no way of knowing how long this one would last. Harry said they defeated him in what would have been his final year, which was just over two years from now.

There was no way she could be planning on hiding away for years and years, which led to the question, what was she planning and what did she know?

He needed to keep an even closer eye on his cousin and her son.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 17 - CHANGING SIDES

Hermione frowned when an owl pecked at the window she was sat at. She recognised that owl, it was the same one that Snape had sent her. She quickly sent her patronus off to the others letting them know that Snape had sent another letter before opening the window and letting the owl in. 

‘I don’t have any treats on me, but you know where to go.’ She told the owl as she retrieved the letter from its leg. The owl bobbed its head and flew off towards the owlery.

She performed the usual spells, scanning the letter for any dangers, and included the ones she had learnt from Madam Bones. She had just finished when Harry skidded into the room with Sirius and Remus right behind him.

She opened the letter and read it aloud.

‘The ring has been retrieved but not destroyed. Everyone is in fine health. Same place and time, in two days.’

‘He stopped Dumbledore from wearing the ring?’ Harry asked, sounding slightly astonished.

‘Seems so, although he doesn't say if the ring was recognised or not.’ Hermione mused, reading the words again in her mind but couldn’t glean any more information from them.

‘Recognised? As what?’ Remus asked.

‘The resurrection stone from the Deathly Hallows.’ Harry said quietly.

‘Th- they're not real, are they?’ Remus looked taken aback.

Harry nodded. ‘Dad’s cloak? The Potters descend from the Peverells, Ignotus Peverell to be exact. And Dumbledore has the Elder wand.’

Sirius stared at them both, looking a mixture of angry and impressed. ‘And just when were you going to share this tidbit?’

Hermione winced, she’d thought they had, but going from Sirius’s reaction, they must have forgotten that bit. ‘Oops?’

‘I take it they're important?’ Remus asked.

Harry nodded and opened his mouth but Hermione quickly shushed him as she heard footsteps. ‘Someone’s coming.’

Mrs Malfoy and Draco entered quickly. 

‘You’ve heard from Severus?’ Mrs Malfoy asked, almost sounding out of breath.

Hermione’s sharp glance at Harry stopped him from answering, she could guess he was about to agree but she knew he was thinking of the woman she had become in the other timeline and not who she currently was.

‘I don’t think that’s wise.’ Sirius cut in. ‘You still have a decision to make.’

Hermione glanced at him curiously, wondering what they had spoken about and what decision Mrs Malfoy needed to make.

Mrs Malfoy clenched her jaw but nodded her acceptance.

‘What?’ Draco looked at her horrified. ‘Mother, you cannot be serious! Are we prisoners?’

‘Of course not.’ Sirius cut in. ‘You can leave any time you want, but you will never come back.’

‘We are safe here Draco.’ Mrs Malfoy said quietly.

Draco frowned sulkily. ‘We were safe at home.’

Hermione snorted, wondering if he really believed that.

Harry chuckled. ‘Yeah, I’m sure Tom Riddle is a right blast over tea and biscuits.’

‘Who’s Tom Riddle?’ Draco frowned.

‘Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort.’ Hermione explained. ‘The half-blood you follow and think so much of.’

‘He Who Shall Not Be Named is not a half-blood!’ Draco shouted, looking furious.

‘Really Narcissa.’ Sirius drawled. ‘You’re keeping important details like that from him?’

‘M-mother?’ Draco asked, looking wrongfooted and unsure.

‘Follow me Draco, it seems we need to talk.’ Mrs Malfoy spoke quietly and elegantly glided from the room, not even pausing to see if Draco followed her. Draco glanced around at them suspiciously before following her out.

‘What decision does Mrs Malfoy need to make?’ Hermione asked curiously.

‘What side she’s on.’ Sirius answered bluntly.

‘But she’s on our side.’ Harry frowned.

Sirius stared at Harry and opened his mouth to say something but frowned when Hermione held up one hand and pointed her wand at the door with the other, quietly casting a disillusionment charm. She hadn’t heard all the footsteps leaving.

Draco was stood on the other side of the door and looked at them startled.

‘Hear anything interesting?’ Hermione asked him, her wand still raised in his direction.

He squeaked and ran off down the corridor.

‘Well caught.’ Sirius told her impressed.

‘Thank you, and Harry, right at this moment, she isn’t.’ Hermione sighed. ‘She might have helped us in the last war, but that was after she watched what Voldemort put Draco through.’

Harry wrinkled up his nose and sighed. ‘Yeah, I seem to keep forgetting that.’

Remus stared at them and swallowed loudly before breathing in and nodding. Hermione was certain he’d either guessed or had a very good idea of what they’d done.

‘Right, let's deal with this letter first.’ Sirius stared at it unhappily. ‘Snivellus wants to meet us in two days and what? He’s just going to hand over this ring? Without wanting anything?’

Hermione shrugged, feeling fed up with meddlesome men. ‘He can try to make demands but he’s put us in the stronger position by asking us to hide the Malfoys.’

Harry nodded. ‘If we don’t like his demands, we can threaten to throw the Malfoy’s out.’

Sirius perked up. ‘Can we throw them out anyway?’

Harry chuckled. ‘No, at least not yet. But feel free to view them as a bargaining chip.’

Sirius grinned at him.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Have you seen today’s paper?’ Remus asked, stopping Harry in his tracks. ‘Oh, sorry Harry, I thought you were Sirius.’

‘I’m here.’ Sirius muttered sleepily behind him. He’d taken to getting up with Harry, no matter how early Harry woke. ‘And no, I haven’t seen it, why?’

‘Rita Skeeter’s got another article, but it’s not in the daily prophet this time.’ Remus explained. ‘Oh and I moved my things into the Mercury room.’

That didn’t surprise Harry, Mercury was next to the master bedroom which Sirius had and the only free room on their floor. Harry had picked Earth and Hermione Venus, the twins had chosen Mars, mainly because it was on the same floor as them. The Malfoys had been given Neptune and Pluto which were on the top floor with Madam Bones in Saturn, leaving Jupiter and Uranus the only rooms free.

Sirius looked over joyed before he sniggered. ‘Didn’t you like Uranus’ room?’

Remus glared at him.

Harry cleared his throat. ‘Rita Skeeter’s article?’

‘It’s in The Quibbler.’

Dobby walked in carrying an enormous teapot that was almost as big as he was and followed by numerous floating plates piled high with a variety of breakfast foods and promptly removed the paper from Remus’ hand. ‘No reading at the breakfast table. No upset tummies in the morning!’ 

Harry nodded, not wanting to upset him.

Sirius cleared his throat. ‘Quite right Dobby.’

Dobby’s ears flapped happily and he made to leave.

‘Are you not joining us, Dobby?’ Sirius asked.

Harry frowned. Dobby always shared their meals with them.

‘The Malfoys are wanting their breakfast now, Sir Sirius Star.’ Dobby said uncertainly, and having refused to call Sirius anything else. ‘I have told them that Madam Bones has already left for the day.’

‘They can wait.’ Sirius said sternly. ‘You are family and family share their meals together.’

‘And you’re to tell us if they don’t speak to you with respect.’ Harry told Dobby, there was no way he was letting the Malfoys order Dobby around, especially with everything that Dobby had been through with them when he’d been their house elf.

Dobby nodded shyly, his shoulders rising in embarrassment.

‘Here Dobby, what would you like for breakfast?’ Sirius asked, plate in hand and Dobby rushed forward, unable to let Sirius serve him.

Harry frowned at the paper still in Dobby’s hand, he knew that Hermione had suggested she use The Quibbler if things got too troublesome at the Daily Prophet, but they weren’t expecting her to use them so soon. ‘Why is Skeeters article in The Quibbler and not the Daily Prophet?’

Remus grinned, accepting the plate that Sirius had piled high for him. ‘She says in the article. The Daily Prophet fired her for slandering the ministry. And she is not happy nor is she pulling any of her punches now.’

Harry smiled, feeling victorious and helping himself to fried sausages, bacon and scrambled eggs. ‘What’s she saying?’

‘She’s named and shamed ministry employees who are known Death Eaters and promoted purely for that fact.’ Remus grinned, buttering his toast and slathering on plenty of jam. ‘She even has examples.’

Harry blinked, impressed. ‘She’s outdone herself.’

‘What the hell did Hermione say to her?’ Sirius wondered, gnawing on a sausage before licking his fingers.

Harry shrugged. ‘I want to know that too.’

‘Know what?’ George asked as he and Fred entered the room. 

‘By the way. We just want to say, Remus, Sirius-’ Fred began.

‘We are so honoured to know that you are Moony and Padfoot.’ George continued earnestly.

‘It is a dream come true to meet you and we will be pestering you with questions.’ They both bowed slightly.

Harry couldn’t help his smile and covered his laugh into a snort, easily guessing how important this was to the twins, he’d forgotten that he’d never divulged who the marauders were to George, thinking it too insensitive to once Fred died.

Remus blushed, blinking rapidly and looking embarrassed.

Sirius grinned. ‘More than happy to answer any questions and encourage a new generation of marauders.’

Fred and George lit up like all their christmases had come at once.

‘Maybe after breakfast?’ Remus asked looking slightly overwhelmed.

George nodded, sitting down. ‘Of course.’

‘What were you wanting to know Harry?’ Fred asked him.

‘What Hermione said to light the fire underneath Rita Skeeter.’

Fred grinned, spying the food and pulled up a chair. ‘Rita’s doing all of our work for us.’

‘Well not all.’ George corrected him with a grin and accepted some toast and eggs. ‘We saw The Quibbler.’

Fred’s eyes light up. ‘You are going to love the line we’re working on.’

‘If any of it is as good as the mock-up-me, I fully believe you.’ Sirius told them.

Remus frowned at them. ‘The mock-up-me?’

Sirius excitedly launched into retelling of how they’d set up Madam Bones house to fool the Death Eaters.

‘Hermione not up?’ George frowned, glancing around.

Harry shook his head. ‘She was up late with Madam Bones showing her some of the information you got from the ministry.’

Fred’s eyes rose incredulously. ‘How did that go?’

‘Tense.’ Hermione yawned as she entered the room. ‘And unproductive for the most part.’

‘Madam Bones is a respectful house guest.’ Dobby nodded, sucking on a piece of bacon.

‘How come?’ George asked Hermione, pouring her some tea and eyeing Dobby in amusement.

Hermione took the tea cup gratefully. ‘She understandably needs to verify the information I showed her.’

‘So why is that unproductive?’

‘Because, what’s the betting that the Ministry have already found out that Umbridge’s office was broken into and have gotten rid of most of the evidence?’ Hermione asked, helping herself to some fruit and granola.

Fred screwed up his face throughtfully. ‘They might not have.’

‘We tried not to leave any evidence we’d been there but had to leave it looking ransacked.’ George agreed. ‘You still want to go back to your parents for the day or do you want to get some more sleep? I can take you anytime.’

Hermione shook her head. ‘I’d like to still go after breakfast.’

George nodded. ‘Is Madam Bones still sleeping?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘She left early to go into the office.’

‘How’s she doing?’ Fred asked, topping up Hermione’s tea.

‘Better than expected.’ Harry answered while Hermione drank her tea. ‘She’s finished setting up the safe houses for the people we warned her about. At least now with the attack on her house, they’ve agreed to take them into hiding. She’s refusing to move into her safe house until she knows the others are safe.’

‘Ollivander’s apprentice is running his shop and Florean Fortescue hasn’t been seen in a week. His employees are keeping the shop open but on reduced hours.’ George confirmed.

Remus nodded. ‘Emmaline Vance has moved into Grimmauld Place.’

‘Dobby, you want some fruit?’ Hermione asked him and Harry watched the house elf blush while hesitantly nod as Hermione handed over one of the plates full of fresh strawberries, grapes, mango and pineapple.

‘Remus, can you pass the marmalade?’ Fred asked, buttering more toast.

‘Oh.’ Mrs Malfoy stood in the doorway, looking startled.

‘Can I help you Narcissa?’ Sirius asked, sounding relaxed but Harry knew him better than that.

‘I was waiting on my breakfast…’ Narcissa started. ‘But I can see things are done differently here.’

‘Very,’ Sirius agreed, sounding amicable. ‘Dobby is part of our family and we do not expect him to wait on us.’

Harry could hear the warning in his voice and it was clear Mrs Malfoy could as well.

She inclined her head. ‘I understand.’

‘You could always join us?’ Remus offered.

Harry smirked wondering how Draco would react to being asked to breakfast with a werewolf.

‘T-that isn’t necessary.’ Mrs Malfoy faltered.

‘So you’ve made your decision then?’ Sirius asked, turning to look at her.

Mrs Malfoy breathed in deeply. ‘Breakfast would be lovely, I’ll just get Draco.’

They watched the door close quietly behind her and Remus snorted. ‘Nicely done Padfoot.’

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius, may I have a word?’ Narcissa asked, gliding into his office and fully expecting him to make time for her, not that she would hold it against him if he didnt.

‘Of course, cousin, how may I help?’ Sirius put his quill down and gave her his full attention. 

It was something that she hadn’t expected of him but since she’d been here he had taken her by surprise at every turn, except in his convictions and beliefs.

She sat down in the seat in front of his desk and met his eye with her head held high.‘You know more than you’re telling me.’ 

He inclined his head in a Black family tradition. ‘I do.’

He fell silent and stared at her. She had rather been hoping for him to explain more and had hoped to gain more information from him that way but it seemed he was going to make her work for it. He’d told her not to forget that like her, he had also been raised Slytherin, but he’d been a Gryffindor for longer so she hadn’t completely heeded his warning. She should have.

‘Severus informed me that the Dark Lord was unhappy with my family after Lucius… failed him.’ She forced the words out. She was still mourning for her husband but was also trying to protect her son.

Sirius nodded, still not forthcoming with any information.

‘It seems you are all aware of this information including the task the Dark Lord wanted to set for my son.’ Narcissa pushed on. ‘I highly doubt that you would have willingly shared this information with Severus and vice versa.’

Sirius raised an eyebrow and Narcissa instantly realised that she’d been wrong, someone had shared information but she was unsure who. She doubted it would be Severus, it was more likely to be a Gryffindor.

‘The children however…’ She trailed off and saw the flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes.

‘I don’t know how they got hold of this information but Draco did overhear something interesting.’

‘Listening in on private conversations will not help your cause.’ Sirius informed lightly.

She fought hard not to flush at the insult and instead shrugged elegantly. ‘Children. However it does make me wonder why they have gone out of their way to help us. It is clear my son has not endeared himself to your Godson and his friends.’

‘No, he has not and just to be clear, I was against bringing you both here.’ Sirius warned.

Narcissa felt a tightness in her chest. She had planned on Sirius at least protecting them, but it seemed that it was in vain. However, it meant that the children were in charge of her fate, but it surprised her that Sirius was allowing mere children to be in charge.

‘How am I meant to make a decision and turn my back on all my beliefs when I don’t know all the information?’ Narcissa finally asked him.

Sirius shrugged and she tried to figure out another way to get him to spill his secrets.

‘The children know things that should, quite frankly, be impossible to know.’

Sirius frowned slightly. ‘You’ve lost me there. Surely Voldemort told you about his connection to Harry? The one he tried to manipulate when he implanted the vision of my death into my Godson’s head?’

Narcissa’s eyes widened as the implication of what Sirius was saying flitted through her mind. She hadn’t been aware of any connection between the Dark Lord and Harry Potter, but Sirius was implying the connection went both ways. ‘Is the connection still open?’

Sirius raised an eyebrow, clearly communicating that it was none of her business. 

She inclined her head in acceptance. She hadn’t chosen yet but she did need to go in a new direction. ‘Why are you so sure that half-bloods and muggleborns are equal’s to us?’

‘Why are you so sure they are not?’ He countered.

She blinked at him. ‘Our blood is pure.’

‘Is it? Then how come purebloods can produce squibs? How long would purebloods last until incest and inbreeding become necessary to continue the wizarding race or we died out compeltely? Explain muggleborns.’

‘Purebloods are direct descendents from Merlin himself.’ Narcissa offered, surely Sirius could see the advantage of that.

‘And yet, the smartest and brightest witch of your son’s year is muggleborn. And you haven’t answered any of my questions.’

Narcissa sighed but knew she would have to play along. ‘No one understands squibs, although there is a theory that squibs are the magical versions of muggleborns.’

‘I have heard that theory and yet the figures in no way match up, there are very fews squibs born, maybe ten in the last two decades and yet hundreds of muggleborns in the same timeframe.’

Narcissa had known that one was a long shot, which is why she had begun with it. Always end on a strong note. ‘You are right in that pureblood families are dying out, but if we are careful, we can still regenerate our populations.’

Sirius snorted. ‘Are we human beings or plants?’

Narcissa tried hard to glare at him. ‘The sacred twenty eight-’

‘Is absolute Dragons dung.’ Sirius cut in. ‘Pureblood families have been cut out and some with muggle relations included.’

Narcissa shifted tensely in her seat. ‘Be that as it may, we are still an important part of wizarding history and culture and that cannot be ignored.’

‘Whose ignoring it?’ Sirius queried. ‘The sacred twenty eight, which is decreasing rapidly and already down to twenty four families is already full of incest and inbreeding to keep the lines pureblood. No one is attempting to abolish our histories and traditions.’

‘And yet we do not keep to our traditions.’ Narcissa cut in sharply.

‘No, because purebloods got on their high and mighty horse and instead of rationally arguing your side began spewing vitriol and trying to kill your opponents.’ Sirius cut in just as harshly.

‘I have already stated that I do not agree with how the Dark Lord has gone about this.’ Narcissa began, trying for diplomacy again. ‘But we cannot just simply allow muggleborns and half-bloods to destroy our legacies and traditions, to just lie down quietly while we are being eradicated.’

‘Pure bloods already have the majority of the wizengamot and just when exactly was diplomacy attempted?’ Sirius asked her and Narcissa tried not to clench her jaw. 

She took a deep breath to calm herself and find out where Sirius was heading with this. ‘What are you suggesting?’ 

‘How hard would it have been, knowing that purebloods have the majority of votes in the wizengamot, to introduce a day to celebrate our history and traditions, to get it passed that they are taught in Hogwarts?’ Sirius asked simply.

Narcissa blinked at him. He had a point. It wasn’t much but it was a start and something that should have been done a long time ago. ‘Dumbledore would never agree to have the old ways taught in Hogwarts.’

‘Is there not a Board of Governors?’ Sirius asked with a knowing smile.

Narcissa shrugged elegantly. ‘They’re useless.’

‘Well, with your husband threatening them into compliance, then yes I can see how you would think that. But surely they can be reasoned with and convinced of a viewpoint that if well thought out and presented, is best for everyone involved, namely the children.’

Narcissa hated to admit that he had a point about Lucius threatening them into compliance but only because convincing them had failed.

‘And why does it have to be limited to Hogwarts?’ Sirius asked. ‘You could have reintroduced the old ways being taught in people’s homes, memorials are all the rage I’ve heard.’

Narcissa couldn't help but smile in response to Sirius’s own dry smile. She may not completely believe in everything Sirius did, but she had been becoming disillusioned with the Dark Lord for a long time. After the first wizarding war she had seen it was the time to try to claw back their pureblood status but now she could see she had gone about it in the wrong way. Not only that but Sirius had given her ideas, idea’s no one on the dark side had given her or attempted even though they were simple in their origin. 

She wasn’t completely sold, but could see that Sirius had the stronger position and that what remained of her family would be safe with him. He was also open to giving her a way to keep the pureblood lines and traditions alive, something that she’d slowly come to realise was not an option with the Dark Lord.

‘Maybe that’s something I can work towards once we’ve defeated the Dark Lord?’ She asked with a conspiratorial smile.

Sirius smiled at her, and this time it actually lit up his entire face. She had forgotten how handsome and charismatic her cousin could be.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 18 - THE RING

‘Sirius,’ Madam Bones greeted them all at lunch.

Hermione smiled her greeting while going over some more of the blackmail material that Fred and George had given them while making notes on a separate piece of parchment that she hadn’t told anyone about. One that detailed how to help reinvent the ministry. She doubted she would ever need it, but wanted it in reserve anyway.

‘Madam Bones, this is a pleasant surprise.’ Sirius greeted her.

It took a moment for his words to penetrate Hermione’s brain but once they did, she turned to the clock to see it barely a quarter past one.

‘You might want to let Dobby know to inform the Malfoys to stay hidden while I’m here.’ She smiled wryly as she sat down and helped herself to tea.

‘Why would I want to do that?’ Sirius grinned at her and Hermione stared as Madam Bones laughed.

‘I doubt I would have noticed if they hadn’t been on the same floor.’ Madam Bones buttered some bread and started looking through the variety of fillings Dobby had provided them for lunch.

‘How remiss of me.’ Sirius replied, not sounding repentant in the slightest.

Madam Bones snorted. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.’

Sirius looked slightly disappointed but sipped at his tea.

‘Thank you, Madam Bones.’ Hermione said when it became clear that Sirius wouldn’t.

‘It’s clear that you, Hermione, along with Harry and possibly George, know a lot more than you possibly could.’ Madam Bones glanced sternly at her. ‘However, you saved my life, have kept me safe, and given me a lot of information on just how rotten my workplace is.’

Hermione winced.

‘The second I publicly clear Sirius’s name, I will move into my safehouse and work from within the ministry to weed out the corruption.’ Madam Bones continued. ‘I hope that whatever needs to be leaked to the public I can pass on to you to give to Miss Skeeter?’

Hermione felt her face heat but nodded. ‘We’ll make sure it’s published. And thank you Madam… wait, you said publicly?’

Madam Bones smiled. ‘Caught that did you? Yes, I have already had Sirius’s name cleared however we are three of only five people who currently know it.’

‘You have a plan.’ Hermione accused her, recognising the look on Madam Bones’ face.

Madam Bones smirked at her. ‘I do.’

‘Who else knows?’ Sirius wanted to know.

‘Gawain Robards, he’s recently been promoted to Head of Aurors.’ Madam Bones began.

Hermione nodded. ‘He’s trustworthy.’

Madam Bones looked at her in surprise and Hermione hid her wince.

‘I thought so, and he’s not such a stickler like Rufus Scrimgeour can be.’ Madam Bones allowed.

‘And the final person?’

‘The Head of the Hit Wizards.’ Madam Bones said. ‘His name is classified but he needed to tell the witches and wizards in his department to stand down where you were concerned.’

Sirius raised an eyebrow at Hermione.

‘Alastor Gumboil. I don’t know much about him. Harry might know more.’ Hermione frowned and absently sent off her patronus to get him.

‘How do you know his name?’ Madam Bones stared at her before shaking her head. ‘In fact, I don’t want to know.’

Hermione smiled sheepishly. ‘You probably don’t.’

‘Okay, what’s your plan?’ Sirius asked, changing the subject.

‘From what I’ve seen of Miss Skeeter’s articles, and from what I remember about Sirius Black, I figure a very public showdown is in order.’ Madam Bones smiled.

‘How public?’ Sirius asked.

‘I’ll invite Rita Skeeter for you.’ Madam Bones grinned. ‘And whichever reporter has replaced her at the Daily Prophet.’

‘Why did she leave the Daily Prophet?

‘They fired her. It seems the Daily Prophet is heavily influenced by the ministry.’ Madam Bones said unhappily.

‘Not like we didn’t know that.’ Harry said as he wandered into the room, his face lighting up at the sight of food.

‘You know Alastor Gumboil?’ Hermione asked him while he beelined for the food and looked through what was on offer.

‘Head of the Hit Wizards?’ Harry asked distractedly  as he decided on what to eat and shrugged. ‘Not much, quiet bloke, keeps to himself. Competent.’

Hermione smiled to herself as she watched him. She’d been worried he’d go back to grabbing whatever food he could and gobbling it down but he hadn’t. Probably because he’d barely spent any time at the Dursleys since they’d come back and that certainly hadn’t been long enough to let him get hungry.

‘Trustworthy?’ Hermione pushed.

Harry frowned, finally giving her his attention. ‘I’d say so, why?’

‘He’s one of the five, now six, people who currently know that Sirius Black is innocent and no longer a wanted man.’ Madam Bones explained.

Harry’s eyes lit up. ‘That’s brilliant!’

‘And Madam Bones has a plan on how to let the rest of the world know.’ Sirius grinned at him.

‘Oh yeah?’ Harry asked, forgoing the food altogether.

‘I was thinking a press conference.’ Madam Bones suggested, sounding and looking innocent, as Hermione felt herself staring at the woman. ‘With Sirius present of course if you wish.’

‘When?’ Sirius asked.

‘Whenever you’d like.’ Madam Bones offered him. ‘I’ll send Rufus an update in the morning of the press conference, but he’ll be too busy to read it until right before.’

Hermione thought quickly and trusting her instincts, decided to trust Madam Bones. ‘Sirius is going to adopt Harry, would that be better done before or after?’

Madam Bones blinked, looking taken aback. She cleared her throat. ‘Well, I suppose that depends on whether or not you think someone might try and fight it.’

‘They would.’ Sirius and Harry both said together.

Madam Bones frowned. ‘In which case we can do it before, you’ll need witnesses. Official ones to nullify any disputes. I can be one and I’d suggest either Gawain Robards or Alastair Gumboil as the other as they both know about Sirius’s innocence.’

Hermione nodded and looked at Sirius. ‘Up to you then.’

‘Moony needs to be back.’ Sirius said with a shrug. ‘Otherwise I’m happy with Madam Bones, one or both of the others, Hermione and the twins witnessing.’

‘A member of the Black family ideally should be a witness if my memory serves me.’ Madam Bones said and eyed the door as Narcissa glided in before freezing. ‘Mrs Malfoy should suffice seeing as she was born a Black.’

Mrs Malfoy swallowed before continuing into the room. ‘Madam Bones. I had not realised you had returned.’

Madam Bones smiled in her direction. ‘Sirius and I had information to discuss.’

‘Something that I should suffice as?’ Mrs Malfoy asked with an edge in her voice even if her tone was polite.

‘Yes, I’m adopting Harry before my innocence is declared to the public.’ Sirius cut in. ‘Madam Bones reminded me that it would be beneficial to have another of Black blood present.’

Mrs Malfoy blinked but took the information in her stride as she sat down at the table with them. ‘Of course, I would be honoured to.’

‘I was reading into the adoption procedure and it recommended that Harry have someone there he views as matriarchal.’ Hermione frowned over the word.

‘Matriarchal?’ Harry questioned. ‘You?’

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, thank you, but you also view me as family and an equal therefore you cannot view me as matriarchal.’

‘I was wondering if Madam Bones would fit the criteria, but it depends on whether or not you need some form of relationship.’

Madam Bones nodded. ‘Hermione is right, you would need to know me better to view me as Matriarchal rather than just knowing that I am matriarchal in being the Head of the department of Law Enforcement.’

‘It isn’t necessary though, for the adoption to be completed.’ Sirius said.

‘No.’ Madam Bones said slowly. ‘But Hermione is right in that if you believe the adoption may be contested, we need to cover all of our bases and having someone there who Harry views as Matriarchal would be beneficial. We could argue that it was me, however, I would be there in a Ministerial capacity as witness and depending on who was contesting, they could argue that Harry doesn’t know me well enough which is right.’

‘So we need someone who Harry views as Matriarchal and who he has known for a while.’ Sirius looked at Harry hopefully.

Harry stared back at him blankly. ‘Mrs Weasley?’

‘Would she keep it quiet?’ Madam Bones asked.

‘I’d want a vow of secrecy.’ Sirius pursed his lips.

Hermione rolled her eyes, the answer was obvious to her. ‘Professor McGonagall.’

Harry’s face brightened instantly. ‘Yeah, she is definitely matriarchal to me!’

‘Would she be willing to participate in the adoption and perform a vow of secrecy to Lord Black until it becomes public knowledge, though?’ Madam Bones asked.

Hermione looked at Harry.

‘I think she would.’ Harry nodded.

‘Only one way to find out.’ Sirius shrugged, looking uneasy.

‘The twins could get her a message. She’s in the Order isn’t she?’ Hermione asked, completely unsure.

Madam Bones shook her head. ‘No, but she did help us greatly.’

‘Order?’ Mrs Malfoy asked. ‘Of the Phoenix?’

‘You know it?’ Harry asked hesitantly.

She nodded slowly. ‘It’s been a long time but I remember Lu- my husband mentioning them in the first war.’

‘We were a lot more active then.’ Madam Bones sighed.

‘There were a lot more us back then, plain and simple.’ Sirius muttered, looking slightly haunted.

‘When does Remus get back?’ Hermione asked loudly, changing the subject.

Sirius instantly brightened. ‘Soon actually. Hopefully tonight.’

‘We can brief him then.’ Hermione nodded.

‘Mother…’ Draco trailed off, turning white when he saw Madam Bones.

‘Mr Malfoy, how nice of you to finally join us.’ Madam Bones commented casually. ‘Tea?’

🪄🪄🪄

‘Professor.’ Hermione greeted Snape as he seemed to slowly materialise in front of them.

‘Miss Granger. Brought your guard dog again I see.’ Snape sneered.

Hermione raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

‘I have the ring.’ He held out his hand, showing the folded cotton that was on his palm.

‘How did you get it away from Dumbledore?’ Sirius asked, sounding slightly amazed.

Hermione was surprised as well. She had assumed that Dumbledore would have taken it with him and destroyed it, but this was better. This way there would be no doubt that it would be destroyed.

Snape raised a disbelieving eyebrow and Hermione knew it would be the only explanation they would get.

‘Would you like to destroy it?’ Hermione asked him.

Snape blinked at her, his expression shocked before turning back to his usual sneer. ‘You want me to destroy it for you?’

Hermione shrugged. ‘We’ve all destroyed one, it’s quite cathartic.’

‘Weirdly invasive, but yes, cathartic explains it very well.’ Sirius allowed.

‘In-va-sive?’ Snape queried slowly.

‘The horcrux picks up on your deepest fears and screams them at you.’ Hermione admitted. ‘It seems to be able to sense our intentions just as we are about to destroy it.’

Snape swallowed and eyed the folded cotton on his hand. ‘If it’s all the same to you, I’ll pass.’

Hermione nodded and stepping forward, picked up the cotton.

‘Our house guests are still alive in case you’re worried.’ Sirius suddenly came out with.

Hermione fought to hide her snort at Sirius’s bluntness and sudden attempt at conversation.

‘If they were not, I would not be here.’ Snape looked down his nose at Sirius.

Sirius chuckled without making eye contact anywhere near Snape’s direction. ‘My cousin is surprising me, her son on the other hand…’

Snape’s lips twitched. ‘Give Draco time.’

Sirius shrugged. ‘He might have too much of his father in him. Narcissa is currently working on it.’

‘Really?’ Snape asked slowly, but Hermione could tell he was surprised.

She wasn’t sure if Snape had chosen the Malfoy’s to save because he actually cared for them, or because he knew they would annoy them the most. For all she knew it very well could have been both. He was a complex man.

Sirius shrugged.

‘I am surprised they didn’t talk you into letting them come.’ Snape allowed, looking annoyed at himself.

Sirius snorted. ‘They tried.’

Hermione smiled at him. ‘We’re not that easy to push over Professor.’

Snape sneered at them and instead of replying, turned around and disappeared with his robes billowing.

‘I would like to point out how civil I was.’ Sirius said into the silence.

Hermione laughed. ‘You were civil. And yes, I will tell Harry.’

Sirius grinning lazily. ‘Home then?’

Hermione tightened her grip on the cotton in her hand. ‘Home. Maybe Remus might like to help us with Snape’s gift.’

‘I’m sure he would.’ Sirius’s voice turned soft as he held out an arm to Hermione. 

She slipped her hand through and held onto him tightly as he disapparated and she wondered if Sirius realised he was in love with Remus. 

They went through the same routine of covering their tracks before emerging from the fireplace of Black Manor.

‘How is Severus?’ Mrs Malfoy asked instantly, rising from the chair she’d been waiting in.

‘As taciturn as always.’ Sirius sighed but Hermione noticed that he had a slight smile on his face.

Narcissa nodded, looking unusually concerned.

‘Did you get it?’ Harry asked.

Hermione nodded and raised her hand, indicating she was holding it.

Mrs Malfoy looked at her hand but glanced away, her shoulders slumping slightly.

‘He looked to be in good health.’ Hermione reassured her.

‘Thank you… Hermione.’ Mrs Malfoy replied stiltedly as if unsure of her welcome.

‘You’re welcome… Narcissa.’ Hermione said daringly, wondering how she would react.

Narcissa smiled but it looked to be bittersweet. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’m sure you have things to discuss.’

‘Thank you, Narcissa.’ Sirius said to her, sounding utterly sincere in his thanks.

From the way Narcissa’s smile turned to pleased, Hermione wondered if it was the first time Sirius had treated her as an equal since they’d re-connected.

‘You weren’t gone long.’ Harry frowned.

Hermione shook her head. ‘He didn’t want to do it.’

‘Balked when we mentioned ol’ Voldy picked up on insecurities.’ Sirius smirked.

‘Remus then?’ Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. ‘Is he back yet?’

Harry shook his head. ‘We’ve got time though.’

Hermione nodded. ‘Where do we keep it in the meantime?’

‘The study?’ Sirius offered. ‘I’m the only one able to enter and exit.’

‘Yeah, that would be good.’ Harry nodded, pulling out his wand. ‘I’ll create a safe container to put it in.’

Hermione sighed out in relief, she had not wanted to have it anywhere near her person. She would have, if it had been required, but she remembered all too well having to wear that locket around her neck all those months on the run.

🪄🪄🪄

Remus stared at the ring on the table and then at the basilisk fang in his hand. ‘And I just stab it?’

Sirius nodded, wanting to put a comforting hand on Remus's back but refrained, knowing his friend needed to do this for himself. ‘Once you commit to it in your mind, it seems to sense it’s in danger and will start screaming out all of your insecurities.’

Remus nodded. ‘Which is why you asked for us to do this alone?’

Sirius winced. ‘I thought you might prefer it.’

‘I do.’ Remus stared at the ring. ‘Thank you.’

‘Moony, you know that none of us care that you’re a werewolf. I-we, all love you. You’ve been a werewolf the entire time I’ve known you, same with the kids.’ Sirius tried to put into words how he felt about Remus without telling him how he felt about him. It was a lot harder than he had anticipated.

Sirius had known for a long time that his love for Remus was not the same as his love for James. He loved James like a brother. He’d found out in Azkaban that he’d loved Remus a lot differently. He loved Remus like a best friend and lover, it was a shame that Remus didn’t feel the same way about him. 

When he’d noticed Remus pulling away before James had gone into hiding, it had hurt and it had taken him a long time to go to James about that hurt. James had admitted he’d felt the same, they’d both been wary about Remus going to the werewolves, positive he’d be hurt or possibly killed. They had never expected their best friend to start pulling away from them. It had allowed the doubts to set in and was part of the reason why Sirius had suggested Peter as their secret keeper instead of him.

Remus stared at the ring.

‘You don’t have to, you know?’

Remus shook his head. ‘No. I do, for Prongs.’

Sirius nodded, stepping closer. He wasn’t sure if he was offering Remus moral support or himself, but he needed to be closer to him. He knew how Remus felt, when he’d been offered the choice, he’d known he couldn’t turn it down, that he’d had to kill that little bit of Lord Voldemort for his fallen brother.

He heard Remus take in a deep breath and he stepped forward, determination written in his every feature.

The ring wobbled. ‘You?’ It sneered. ‘What a pathetic immoral beast, you think you could possibly do anything to me? You’re nothing but a mindless animal, a danger to society! And you think you have friends.’ There was cruel laughter. ‘They’ll desert you, or more likely you’ll desert them. You think you know loyalty? Or even love? Well, you’re right in that it definitely won’t be returned. What on earth could ever love you?’

Remus faltered for a second before stabbing the fang down. Sirius blinked, awed that Remus had even managed to hit it as he certainly had not been looking at it before the words the ring had screamed out filtered into his brain. Remus loved someone? Remus was in love with someone and it wasn’t reciprocated. 

Remus was in love with someone.

The ring screamed and screamed and once again a dark liquid oozed out of it before it stopped vibrating and the screams petered out into silence.

Who was Remus in love with? And how did Sirius not know? So, he’d been imprisoned for thirteen years, but they’d reconnected. Why would Remus not confide in him? Not tell him? He told Remus everything, or at least, he did now. And who the hell did they think they were not loving him back? Sirius needed to keep a closer eye on his friend, no wonder he had agreed to move in with him so readily if he was suffering from unrequited love.

‘Are you okay Moony?’ Sirius asked, as he watched in worry as a trembling Remus stared at what was once a horcrux. He wanted nothing more than to go over and reassure his friend but he could see that Remus’s walls were up. Sirius had faced Remus like this before and there was no getting through to him in this state.

Remus nodded, his throat working before he opened his mouth. It took him a few tries before any words emerged. ‘I-I need to be alone.’

Sirius nodded while it felt like his heart was shattering into a million pieces. He reached out to touch Remus’s shoulder, unable to help himself and flinched when Remus tensed at his touch. ‘I’m always here for you Moony.’

Remus nodded again without looking at him and unsteadily left the room.

Sirius watched him go, knowing he wasn’t hiding his feelings at all, but what did it matter? Remus wasn’t even looking at him. He sighed and stared at the ring unsure now if it had been wise for Remus to destroy it. If he could curse Voldemort into eternal suffering he would do it. 

He bent down and retrieved the ring before going about setting up for his meeting with Professor McGonagall. Amelia, as she’d requested he call her, Alastair Gumboil and Gawain Robards were meeting him with her as well. Firstly to meet him and sort out everything about his soon to get newfound freedom, and secondly to help explain everything to Professor McGonagall about the adoption in the morning. He just hoped that Remus would be okay by then.

He put the destroyed ring with the other destroyed horcruxes and sat down, reclining in his grandfather's surprisingly comfy leather chair. There wasn’t actually anything more for him to prepare. Hermione had everything scheduled almost down to the second for the adoption and there was nothing more that he could do about his Lordship until his innocence was announced and he was allowed entry into the Wizengamot. That was a moment he was actually looking forward to, to see the dumbstruck look on everyone’s faces when he walked in and they realised he was the new Lord Black. But none of that currently mattered, Remus was somewhere in the house, feeling alone and unloved.

Sirius rethought over every single conversation he’d had with Remus since he’d escaped from Azkaban and couldn’t remember him talking about anyone with any sort of frequency. Although he had mentioned that Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius’s cousin, was pretty. Sirius frowned and tried to remember seeing them together. 

She was a member of the Order and he’d seen them interact together but hadn’t picked up anything between the two of them. Maybe some flirting on her behalf but certainly not on Remus’s, although if Remus didn’t think he was worthy, then he certainly would not have initiated anything with her, but surely he would at least have flirted back with her?

He would have to monitor the situation between them and see if there was anything there. As much as he loved Remus, he wanted the best for his friend, and if that wasn’t him, then he was Gryffindor enough to stand aside. Maybe. He needed more information. 

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 19 - WOLFSTAR

Sirius sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, inwardly wincing when he felt the wards alerting him that three strangers were waiting at the gates for him. Even though Amelia knew the secret, she couldn’t bring others into his house and she’d been collecting Alastair Gumboil, Gawain Robards and Professor McGonagall for their meeting.

He stood and apparated down to the gates.

‘Amelia, Hitwizard Gumboil, Auror Robards, Professor McGonagall.’ Sirius greeted them. ‘Welcome to Black Manor.’

The two men nodded at him while Professor McGonagall stared, her eyes widening as she was brought into the secret of the fidelius charm. ‘What is the meaning of this?’

‘Did you not tell her, Amelia?’ Sirius asked, slightly surprised.

‘Thought I’d leave that to you.’ Amelia grinned at him and kissed his cheek as she passed him by.

Hitwizard Gumboil and Auror Gawain both followed Amelia up to the house, giving him a moment with his old professor.

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips disapprovingly. ‘I suppose there is a lot more truth to what Mr Potter, Miss Granger and the youngest Mr Weasley said about your innocence than I’ve been led to believe.’

Sirius grinned at her. ‘You’ve always been quick Professor, and soon everyone will be aware of my innocence and that my name has been cleared.’

‘I should hope so and that our Head of Department of Law Enforcement, Head of Aurors and Alastair, who I am not meant to know is the Head of the Hitwizards, aren’t consorting with convicted felons.’ She sniffed before breaking into a smile. ‘It is good to know that I wasn’t wrong about you, although it appears I was wrong about you ever becoming Lord Black.’

He grinned sheepishly and shrugged. ‘Harry needed me to.’

She gave him an appraising look. ‘Yes. That would certainly do it. Now what is it that you’ve called me here for?’

Sirius smiled, relieved and pleased at how easily she had accepted his innocence and place in Harry’s life. It was good to know that some people still had faith in him and offered her his arm. ‘I’m afraid I will need you to keep it a secret and perform a vow to that effect, but I need your help.’

‘Well, seeing as you’ve got the law on your side, I’m doubtful it’s anything illegal.’ She eyed him but accepted his arm and kept pace with him as they walked up the long drive behind the other three.

He chuckled. ‘Nothing illegal I promise, but I can’t say anything more until you’ve taken the vow to keep anything and everything you hear tonight to yourself and will not say a word to another soul.’

She was quiet for a moment. ‘You did not include my help in that vow?’

Sirius shook his head. ‘I would love to have your help but I will not ask you to give it without first knowing what it is for.’

Professor McGonagall nodded. ‘Then you have my vow, I take it we will be performing the vow up at the house?’

‘As soon as we enter.’ Sirius confirmed. ‘And thank you, Professor.’

‘I think it's about time you called me Minerva.’

‘Only if you call me Sirius.’

‘You certainly know how to charm someone, Sirius.’ She smiled wryly at him and he laughed. ‘It’s good to hear you laugh.’

‘It’s good to laugh again.’

‘I’m surprised Remus isn’t here with you.’

‘Oh, he is. He is… dealing with something at the moment though. He’ll be at the event tomorrow.’

‘Event?’ Minerva asked him with raised eyebrows.

Sirius grinned. ‘The one I’m hoping you’ll help with.’

She nodded and glanced around. ‘You know, I’ve never been to Black Manor before.’

Sirius shrugged, ‘It’s nothing special.’

‘I very much doubt that.’ Minerva said, her tone slightly scalding.

Sirius snorted. ‘Well, I never really cared for it.’

‘Yes, I can believe that.’

‘It has its uses though.’ Sirius allowed. Black Manor was known far and wide for having impeccable and impenetrable defences. It was another reason when he heard everything from Harry that he had agreed so quickly to take on the role of Lord Black, it gave him access to the manor with all of its protections.

‘I’m sure it does.’ She murmured as they approached the main entrance. 

He tried to glance at it with new eyes but to him it was the same as it had always been; large, cold and imposing. He supposed that at least now it didn’t hold the same connotations for him as it had done as a child. He now had a family inside, an actual family, one that he had always dreamed of having as a child, well almost. He’d always dreamed of having a wife, but now he yearned for a certain male partner to spend the rest of his life with. But he was loved, he knew that, he just needed to make sure that Remus knew that as well.

As soon as they stepped into the foyer, Minerva turned to him and held out her hand. Sirius accepted it and with just a thought, called forth his ancestral magic to hear her secrecy vow. Bands of white light wrapped comfortingly around their clasped hands.

Minerva looked into his eyes.

‘Do you swear to keep everything you see and hear tonight secret and to tell no-one?’ He asked her.

‘I do.’

‘And do you swear to keep all future plans that you see and hear tonight secret and to tell no-one?’

‘I do.’

‘I accept your vow.’ 

The bands of light sunk into the skin and disappeared. The vow had taken.

Sirius grinned at her. ‘Want a tour?’

Minerva smiled at him amused. ‘And I thought we were here for business.’

He grinned. ‘But what is life, without a little fun?’

She chuckled. ‘That certainly was your motto at school.’

‘Which just so happens to be part of the reason you’re here.’ He allowed as lead her through the parlour and down the elaborate hall, opening doors for her to peek into.

‘And that would be?’

‘I’m adopting Harry tomorrow.’

She stopped and stared at him, blinked and then nodded. ‘I think that would benefit Harry greatly.’

Sirius stared at her in surprise. ‘You’re not going to convince me to take Harry back to his relatives?’

Minerva frowned at him. ‘Why would I do that?’

‘It’s what Dumbledore told me.’ Sirius admitted with a grimace.

Minerva sighed. ‘He is a great man, but he is not infallible.’

Sirius smiled wryly. ‘I’m afraid I do not agree with many of his decisions where Harry is concerned.’

‘Well,’ Minerva pursed her lips together as they approached his study where Amelia was already waiting outside with Alastair Gumboil and Gawain Robards. ‘You are not alone in that.’

He opened the door and motioned for them to go in before him and then closed the door behind him. He strode over to the drinks cabinet.  ‘Refreshments?’

‘Sherry please.’ Amelia asked, causing Hitwizard Gumboil and Auror Robards to raise their eyebrows. 

Sirius assumed they were unaware she was currently staying in the Manor with him. He poured her a sherry and turned to the two men.

‘Firewhiskey.’ Auror Robards relented. ‘Just a small one.’

Gumboil nodded and Sirius poured them both firewhiskey’s.

Minerva smiled wryly. ‘Gin please.’

He selected her favourites gin and placed it with a bottle of tonic in front of her, ignoring her wry smile as he poured himself a generous helping of firewhiskey.

‘So you now all know why we’re here.’ Sirius began. ‘I’m adopting Harry tomorrow before my freedom becomes public knowledge.’

‘Why before it becomes public knowledge?’ Minerva asked.

‘There are some who will try to stop this adoption from going ahead and I don’t want them to succeed.’ Sirius allowed, forgoing that he knew Dumbledore would be his greatest opposition. ‘I don’t want to give them the chance.’

Minerva nodded. ‘Makes sense.’

He looked at her surprised.

‘It is a good strong strategy although I do wonder why instead of confronting them, you’re acting rather Slytherin about it.’ She explained.

Sirius felt himself laugh. ‘Well, I was raised as a Slytherin.’

‘But you sorted Gryffindor.’ Minerva reminded him curtly.

He nodded, feeling a sense of belonging wash over him. ‘I was.’

‘Myself, Alastair and Gawain will be there as official witnesses.’ Amelia cut in, getting them back on track.

‘Official?’ Minerva questioned with a frown.

‘With three ministry officials being witnesses, no one, no matter what their position, can claim the adoption null or void.’ Amelia explained.

Minerva stared at her a moment. ‘Who exactly are you all so worried about?’

Sirius winced, not knowing how to tell her.

Minerva sighed. ‘You’re worried about Albus, aren’t you?’

‘Yes. He wants Harry to stay with his relatives, but at best, they are abusive, both verbally and physically, to him.’

Minerva paled. ‘Have you told Albus this?’

‘He knows.’ Sirius said quietly. ‘But I have information that Dumbledore is not privy to, and this is the best course of action.’

‘What information?’

‘I’m afraid that isn’t for me to say.’ Sirius admitted. ‘I took my own promise.’

Minerva nodded in acceptance. ‘So what is my role in this?’

‘Hermione has been doing some research.’ Sirius began.

‘Of course she has.’ Minerva smiled, sounding fond and a little smug. 

‘She’s found that the adoption will be stronger if we are both surrounded by people we care about and love. Also if I have a blood relative on my side and Harry someone he views as matriarchal.’ Sirius continued.

Minerva blinked, instantly putting the pieces together. ‘He views me as matriarchal?’

‘You are his head of house.’ Sirius reminded her.

Minerva smiled, her eyes looking suspiciously wet. ‘What time do you want me here?’

Sirius beamed at her. ‘We’re planning on late morning so that we can have lunch afterwards.’

‘I have to admit that I have never participated in an adoption before.’ Minerva admitted. ‘Is there anything I need to do?’

‘You’ll need to be the one to invoke the adoption, ask us the adoption vows and bind them.’ Sirius explained, handing over a small, red leatherbound book. It was one that Hermione had found in the family library and been pouring over. It wasn’t one that he was sure he’d ever seen before but then, adoption had never interested him before.

‘I’ll study this tonight.’ Minerva promised.

‘Feel free to call or come by with any questions.’ Sirius offered. ‘I’ve allowed you access to the floo, you two as well Hitwizard Gumboil and Auror Robards.’

‘Thank you.’ Gawain finished his firewhiskey. ‘I’d better be heading out, but it was good meeting you Lord Black and I look forward to tomorrow.’

Sirius stood with him and bowed slightly. 

‘Appreciated, and you might as well call me Alastair, no one calls me Hitwizard Gumboil.’ Hitwaizard Gumboil grimaced but also stood.

Sirius smiled. ‘Sirius.’

‘Gentlemen, I’ll show you both out.’ Amelia stood, taking her half empty sherry with her as they followed her out the study.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. ‘She seems to know her way around here very well.’

Sirius grinned, delighted at how perceptive she was. ‘I should hope so seeing as she’s been staying here until her safe house is ready.’

Minerva narrowed her eyes. ‘Safe house?’

‘Lord Voldemort broke into her house to kill her.’

‘And?’

Sirius snorted. She was definitely a sharp woman. ‘And we had advance knowledge of it and had her safely ensconced here before the attack even happened.’

‘I’m assuming that this advance knowledge is the same information that you cannot talk about?’

Sirius inclined his head.

‘Very well.’ Minerva glanced at the book in her hands before looking up at him. ‘Sirius, I’m very proud of you.’

Sirius swallowed, suddenly feeling choked up. He hadn’t been looking for her approval, and he certainly hadn’t been expecting it so he wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming feelings he was experiencing. He took a deep breath in, slowly releasing it. ‘Thank you.’

‘I have to admit to being curious as to how you have managed all of this?’ Minerva asked.

Sirius smiled, half choking on his feelings while he fought back the tears. ‘With help.’

‘I’m sure. Well, it seems that I have homework to do, but I look forward to hearing the tale tomorrow after the adoption.’ Minerva stood.

Sirius offered her some floo powder and motioned to the fire. ‘You can use the floo if you’d prefer.’

‘Thank you Sirius.’

He watched as she took some powder, threw it onto the flames and called out the name of what he assumed was her home before disappearing into the green flames.

Tonight had been an emotional ordeal and he felt as though he’d been stampeded by a herd of hippogriffs, although he was sure that Remus probably felt a whole lot worse. He poured himself another serving of firewhiskey and threw it back in one as he collected all of his Gryffindor courage and went in search of his best friend.

Remus needed to be reminded that he wasn’t alone nor was he unloved. Sirius had lost his trust in Remus once before and he would never do it again. If he hadn’t become so paranoid then maybe none of this would have ever happened.

He debated with himself the entire way to Remus’s room, telling himself that his room was right next door so he could easily just leave his friend be, like he’d requested, but Sirius didn’t believe that Remus actually needed to be alone even if it was what he wanted. Being in Azkaban and then on the run for so long, he had learnt a lot about the difference of what someone wanted and what they needed.

He hesitated outside of Remus’s bedroom door before knocking gently and pushing it open before he could change his mind.

‘Go away, Padfoot.’ 

He heard Remus’s hoarse voice come from the area of the bed. It was obvious that his friend had been crying and seeing as Remus was using his nickname, Sirius doubted that he still actually wanted to be alone.

He rolled his eyes and feeling more confident now, strode over to the bed, shedding his jumper and stepping out of his shoes before he crawled into his friends bed, thankful that his animagus form was a grimm and gave him a better sense of smell. He found Remus curled up on his side and wrapped himself around his friend. 

‘What are you doing?’ Remus’s voice was full of resignation.

‘Comforting my idiot friend who won’t ask for it.’ Sirius replied, burying his nose into Remus’s neck.

‘We’re not kids anymore.’ Remus muttered but Sirius felt him relax.

‘Speak for yourself.’ Sirius grumbled, breathing in Remus’s scent. ‘And that just means that you should be better at asking.’

Remus huffed. ‘Better at asking you to sneak into my bed?’

Sirius couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up and he secured his hold on Remus. ‘I’ll sneak into your bed anytime you want me to.’

‘Don’t say that.’ Remus sighed, sounding hurt.

‘Moony.’ Sirius grumbled, suddenly annoyed and frustrated. He’d thought he was getting somewhere. ‘When will you learn you aren’t alone? You never have been. Yes you’re a werewolf, that didn’t stop your parents from loving you, which I’d like to remind you, is a lot more than I ever had. It didn’t stop you from making friends, from keeping friends, from having people loyal to you in your life.’

‘I know that Sirius.’ Remus said quietly.

‘Do you, though?’ Sirius asked him. ‘I’m sorry I became so paranoid that I stopped trusting in you, it was the worst mistake of my life and I regret it every single second. Maybe Lily and James would still be alive. Maybe I wouldn’t have gone to Azkaban, maybe Harry wouldn’t have been raised alone.’

‘You can’t blame yourself.’ Remus told him, turning around in his arms to face him. ‘None of this is your fault.’

‘Of course it is, I was the one who suggested Peter as secret keeper.’ Sirius took a breath to stop his voice from wavering but even he heard the pain in it. ‘If I hadn’t been so distrusting… I knew that Lord Voldemort would come after me, believing me to be the secret keeper. I thought I was so clever in having it be Peter.’

‘I’m sorry I pulled away from you all, maybe if I hadn’t… then you wouldn't have lost trust in me.’ Remus whispered, looking down at the space in between them.

‘Why did you pull away?’ Sirius asked, he’d always wondered and even though he was pretty sure he had the answer, he needed to know for sure.

‘Trying to befriend the werewolf packs…’ Remus closed his eyes and took a breath. ‘It was hard, harder than I’d imagined and I couldn’t correlate the way they lived with the way I did. In order to gain their trust, I needed to immerse myself in their lives and become one of them. But then, you and James kept being there for me, trying to get me to talk. It pulled me away from the mindset I was trying to get into and… I couldn’t immerse myself in their lives while still having you all try to be there for me.’

Sirius tried to smile sadly. ‘I thought that would be it.’

‘Then why did you ask?’ Remus sniffed.

‘You know me, I need to know everything.’ Sirius tried to lighten the mood.

Remus smiled but it was still sad.

‘I destroyed one as well.’ Sirius said, easily remembering the words that had been screamed at him, but he’d had much worse thrown at him over the years, that had been easy compared to his childhood and Azkaban. 

Remus looked at him.

‘Told me that you all forgot about me and threw away the key.’ Sirius shrugged. ‘Of course, I didn’t let it go on for as long as you did.’

Remus snorted a laugh. ‘Thanks Padfoot, I needed that.’

‘Anytime.’ Sirius hesitated. ‘You know I’m here for you?’

‘I do.’ Remus’s voice sounded hurt though.

‘So stop pushing me away.’ Sirius hated the pleading note that entered his voice.

‘I don’t mean to, it’s just hard.’

‘Moony, you’re my best friend and I love you.’

Remus closed his eyes, looking pained. ‘I love you too.’

‘I’m sorry I stopped trusting you.’ Sirius whispered.

‘We don’t have to do this.’

‘I think we do, otherwise I wouldn't have had to push my way into your bed to comfort you.’ Sirius tried to smile, pushing away the mental image of Remus inviting him into his bed. Preferably naked.

‘I remember the first time you did this.’ Remus whispered, keeping his eyes closed.

Sirius smiled at the memory. It had been after a full moon and it was so obvious that Remus had been both mentally and physically exhausted. Sirius remembered when he was at home at night, wishing his friends were with him. Just the thought of them had comforted him, so he’d crawled into Remus’s bed and wrapped his arms him. James had watched and followed. Peter had slept through it all but it had become habit, after a full moon they would crawl into Remus’s bed and offer him comfort.

‘Some of the best nights of my life.’ Sirius smiled.

Remus’s eyes flew open, staring at him with a surprised look on his face.

Sirius frowned at him, then felt a bit sheepish. ‘You were always so strong and would never let us comfort you. You spent all the time we were figuring out how to become animagi trying to talk us out of it.’

‘I didn’t want you to ruin your life.’ Remus whispered.

‘Why would becoming an animagus ruin my life?’ Sirius joked. ‘It actually helped save me.’

Remus rolled his eyes. ‘An illegal animagi.’

Sirius sighed, turning serious. ‘When will it enter your thick head, you’re worth it, Remus.’

‘Am I?’ Remus whispered, looking scared.

‘For the love of Merlin Moony, of course you are! You mean everything to me!’ Sirius exclaimed, feeling suddenly angry, resigned and infuriated. ‘I would do anything for you! Why don’t you get that?! I’ve been in love with you for years and you keep pushing me away! You just don’t seem to get it, being a werewolf doesn't change who you are, it’s just part of you but you keep using it as an excuse to push us all away. To keep yourself separate!’

Remus blinked at him, looking shocked at his outburst. ‘You love me?’

Sirius groaned, throwing his head back. ‘You’re my best friend Moony, how many times do I have to tell you that?’

‘You’ve never told me that you’re in love with me before.’ Remus said slowly, watching him intently.

Sirius frowned, blinking as he thought back over what he’d said. ‘What?’

‘You said.’ Remus paused, breathing in. ‘You’ve been in love with me for years.’

Sirius froze for a second. He had. He had said that. He’d never meant to admit that, especially not now, knowing that Remus was in love with someone else. He moved his arm off of Remus, unsure if his embrace or presense would still be wanted after that accidental emission.

Remus moved jerkily, grabbing hold of Sirius’s arm and keeping him where he was. ‘Do you mean it?’

Sirius sighed, supposing that he was a Gryffindor for a reason. ‘I do.’

‘Since when?’ Remus looked blank and for the first time in his life, Sirius couldn’t read him.

‘I don’t know.’ Sirius said quietly, not knowing what he was meant to do. He was lying in Remus’s bed, admitting he was in love with him and Remus was just staring at him blankly. ‘I always knew that I felt differently for you than the others. I realised why in Azkaban.’

Remus closed his eyes.

‘Say something Moony.’

‘I’ve been in love with you since I met you.’

Sirius blinked and repeated it in his head. Had Remus just said what he thought he said. ‘What?’

‘I've been in love with you since I met you.’ Remus repeated.

Sirius beamed at him, lunging forwards to kiss him. Their lips met with a crack as their teeth clashed but Sirius didn’t care. He’d fantasised about this for so long and had never, ever believed that Remus had felt the same way about him.

‘Why,’ Remus gasped in between kisses. ‘Did. You. Never. Say?’

Sirius pulled him closer, his hands roving everywhere, unable to get enough. ‘Why didn’t you?’ He murmured, rolling fully onto Remus and opening his eyes to see his reaction.

Remus chuckled, his expression open and soft as he smiled at him.

Sirius grinned, rising up slightly above Remus watching him intently before slowly lowering himself so he was again lying on top of him and kissed Remus properly, exactly how he’d imagined doing countless times.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 20 - FLYING AND ADOPTION

Harry wrung his hands nervously even though he knew there was nothing to be nervous about. Sirius loved him and wanted to be his father, he’d been the one to suggest this. It still felt strange to know that someone actually wanted him. He knew that he had friends and people who loved him, people who wanted him in his life, but he wasn’t sure he would ever get used to it. Ginny had wanted him in his life, but that hadn’t stopped her from cheating on him. 

Hermione nudged his shoulder and he smiled at her gratefully. She was one of the few people who loved him unconditionally, she’d proven time and time again that she only wanted the best for him. They’d had ups and downs, times when he’d thought she’d overstepped, or hadn’t realised she was actually looking out for him, but they’d come out of them all with their friendship stronger and he’d promised himself to stop being so selfish.

Fred and George grinned at him. George clapped him on the shoulder affectionately. ‘Excited?’ 

‘Terrified.’ Harry accidentally said, instantly wincing afterwards.

George chuckled. ‘I bet, but you already know and live with Sirius. This just makes it official.’

Harry breathed out, nodding. ‘Yeah, that’s true.’

‘Morning Harry!’ Sirius practically sang as he entered the room.

Harry blinked at him, taken aback by how enthusiastic he was acting. 

Remus walked in behind Sirius and smiled. ‘Morning Harry.’

‘What happened?’ Harry demanded, watching them both closely. ‘You are not this excited because of the adoption.’

Sirius grinned.

Remus blushed.

Harry felt his eyes widen as it suddenly clicked. ‘Am I getting one dad today or two?’

Sirius burst out laughing.

‘W-w-what are you… how did you…?’ Remus stuttered.

‘It’s about time.’ Hermione smiled at them. ‘You two have been dancing around each other the entire time we’ve been here.’

‘Which is barely even a month.’ Remus grumbled.

‘And yet, we all called it.’ Fred grinned.

‘However, in order for you to determine who won, we do need to know whether it was Remus destroying the horcrux or the adoption that finally got you two together.’ George asked with a wink

‘George!’ Hermione hissed but Harry could see she was fighting not to smile. She’d known about the bet and hadn’t made too much of an issue about it because it had been so good to see George acting like his normal self.

Sirius laughed. ‘The horcrux.’

‘And the lovely Miss Granger wins.’ George grinned.

Hermione turned bright red.

Harry stared at her in surprise. ‘You bet on them?’

She scoffed at him. ‘Like you didn’t.’

Harry grinned. ‘No, but I thought it would take us leaving for Hogwards to get them together.’

‘Good morning.’ Narcissa announced as she walked into the room followed by a slinking Draco.

‘It certainly is a good morning.’ Fred grinned.

‘The weather looks to be good as well.’ Narcissa commented, either allowing Fred’s comment to go over her head or ignoring it altogether. ‘You’ve picked a good day.’

Draco snorted.

‘Something to say Draco?’ Hermione asked.

Draco sneered at her. ‘No.’

‘Draco. Manners.’ Narcissa admonished.

He glared at the table.

‘Dobby has made a special breakfast for a special day!’ Dobby exclaimed excitedly as he bounced into the room, barely noticing that he was spilling pumpkin juice over his knitted jumper, his ears flapping happily.

‘Thank you, Dobby.’ Harry told him. He took a deep breath and grinned at Hermione, finally beginning to feel excited about the day before staring open mouthed at the trays and trays of food that were following Dobby in.

‘Dobby also has something special for lunch and dinner!’ He stated proudly, floating the pumpkin juice up onto the table and clambering up onto a chair.

‘I can’t wait.’ Harry told him honestly.

‘Wow, this certainly looks amazing.’ Madam Bones commented as she entered the room and sat down beside Remus.

Draco stared at her, glancing worriedly at his mother.

‘Madam Bones.’ Narcissa greeted evenly

‘Mrs Malfoy.’ Amelia smiled.

‘Tea, Madam Bones?’ Hermione offered, holding up the pot.

‘Please, Hermione.’

‘So, did everyone sleep well?’ George asked, a sly smile on his face.

‘We know at least two people did.’ Fred winked at Harry.

Sirius, who had just taken a sip of coffee, choked.

Draco frowned.

‘So, just to put this out there.’ Harry said, helping himself to some fresh pastries and fruit. ‘I’m not calling either of you two Daddy.’

Sirius stared at him.

Remus turned red.

Fred howled with laughter while George high fived him.

‘Children.’ Hermione sighed but was smiling.

‘Yeah, it’s like we’re teenagers or something.’ George grinned.

Harry froze, staring at Hermione for a second before she snorted and then laughed.

‘Yes, there are only four adults at the table.’ Sirius grinned, finally setting Harry off.

‘I don’t get it.’ Draco stared at them.

Harry tried to stifle his laughter but it only made it worse.

Remus and Madam Bones shared a look that Harry caught, it was clear they had a very good idea of what was actually going on.

‘Is anyone going to explain what’s going on?’ Draco asked, looking around them unnerved.

‘Well Draco,’ Fred began and Draco stared at him, looking alarmed at the use of his first name. ‘Sirius and Remus finally realised that they’re both in love with each other and today Sirius is adopting Harry. Questions?’

‘You used my first name?’ Draco stared at him.

‘Your mother also happens to be a Malfoy, who knows which one of you we may be referring to.’ George grinned.

‘I didn’t give you permission to use my first name.’ Draco glared.

‘Draco.’ Narcissa admonished curtly.

Draco relented sulkily.

‘Tea sulky Draco?’ Fred offered him while George refilled Harry’s coffee.

Draco glared at him. 

‘Coffee Glary Draco?’ George offered.

‘He’ll have tea, thank you.’ Narcissa bit her lip, smiling.

Sirius held out the tray of pastries as Harry polished off the last one on his plate.

‘Dobby this is amazing.’ Harry said, picking out a blueberry covered tart and some macarons.

Dobby beamed, a piece of cream from the chocolate eclair smearing down his chin which he happily swiped up on his fingers, licking them clean.

‘When does the adoption begin?’ Fred aked, smiling his thanks as Hermione popped some more fruit on his plate.

‘In a couple of hours,’ Sirius said. ‘We have some guests arriving first.’

‘Who?’ George asked, slightly wary.

‘Professor McGonagall?’ Hermione perked up.

Sirius grinned and nodded. ‘She came over last night and agreed.’

‘You said guests, who else?’ Harry asked, frowning.

‘Two more ministry officials.’ Sirius agreed and Harry realised that he was talking about Alastair Gumboil and Gawain Robards. It would be strange seeing his old boss again.

‘When are they getting here?’ Harry asked.

‘Is that a good idea?’ Draco asked, worry written over his face.

‘Of course it is.’ Madam Bones replied.

Harry had to bite his tongue to stop himself from laughing as Draco almost squeaked at being addressed by her.

‘You and your mother are not fugitives.’ Madam Bones smiled in amusement.

‘No, only I am.’ Sirius grinned, winking at Draco.

Draco blinked.

Harry frowned at Draco’s reaction. He seemed unused to being included in the conversation as an equal.

‘We were thinking of maybe going flying before the adoption?’ Fred grinned, winking at Harry.

Harry frowned, Hermione wasn’t exactly a fan of flying so that only left three of them.

‘You think you can keep up Draco?’ George smirked at him.

Harry stared.

Draco almost dropped his teacup.

Narcissa smiled. ‘I think that’s a splendid idea.’

‘Mother!’ Draco looked horrified.

‘Good.’ Fred grinned. ‘Hermione you’re with me.’

‘Hmm? What?’ Hermione asked, suddenly looking alarmed.

‘You’re coming flying.’

‘No, I'm not.’ Hermione instantly denied.

Harry smirked seeing the identical determined looks on the twins.

‘Freddie, it seems that Draco is brave enough to come flying with us-’ George stared.

‘But Hermione is too chicken.’ Fred finished, looking disappointed. ‘Maybe the sorting hat made a mistake.’

‘Oh enough.’ Hermione grumped, throwing her napkin onto her empty breakfast plate. ‘Fine, I’ll come.’

The twins grinned and Harry snorted into his tea. 

It didn’t take them long to finish breakfast, get changed and troop out into the gardens with broomsticks. In no time at all, they were all in the air with Fred having talked Hermione into riding his broom with him, giving her the control while he rode behind her.

Draco seemed to keep to himself but also stayed with them, flying with them but not really interacting with them. Harry didn’t really mind, him and Draco had never seen eye to eye and he doubted they ever would. Even after he had saved Draco’s life and Narcissa had lied to Lord Voldemort and saved his life, they’d only ever been polite but distant with each other.

‘How does it feel, being back on your old firebolt?’ George asked him.

‘Amazing.’ Harry admitted, looking down at the broom he was flying. ‘I’d forgotten how much I love it.’

‘It’s both weird and amazing isn’t it?’ George asked, watching his twin and Hermione flying.

‘Being back? Yeah.’ Harry nodded. ‘It’s more than I ever hoped it would be.’

‘It’s everything I hoped it would be.’ George admitted.

‘Didn’t see that happening though.’ Harry nodded towards Hermione and Fred.

‘Me neither.’ George admitted. ‘I just hope Hermione allows herself to love again.’

‘You think she won’t want to fall in love again?’ Harry asked, the thought having never occurred to him. He had wondered whether or not she was still in love with Ron with how friendly she’d been with him. She certainly hadn’t acted like they were exes, but then Harry had been trying hard to act the same with Ginny. 

George shook his head. ‘I think she’ll be too scared to allow herself to love another Weasley.’

‘We’ll make sure she stays open to it.’ Harry promised him.

‘Now that I have him back, I just want to stay alive and be happy.’ George admitted.

‘I know the feeling, before we came back I’d never thought that Sirius and Remus had romantic feelings for each other, but now?’ Harry shrugged, feeling a warmth spread through him. ‘I’m so relieved we changed things and that they’ve got this opportunity.’

‘And yet, we never even imagined that we’d have the Malfoys staying with us.’ George deadpanned.

Harry snorted. ‘I certainly never did.’

‘He’s got potential.’ George was suddenly serious.

‘I had noticed that you’ve been trying to include him.’

‘He’s lost, and once we leave Hogwarts, what do the separate houses even mean?’ George asked.

Harry sighed. ‘Yeah, it’s just something more to talk about at work, oh look what house so and so was in, makes so much sense now with what they’re doing, whether it was good or bad or whatever.’

‘Makes you realise it’s nonsense. The house you end up in doesn't dictate whether or not you’re a good or bad person, the person does that all on their own.’ George said.

‘You’re right.’ Harry said, thinking about Peter Pettigrew and Horace Slughorn.

‘Anyway, we gonna fly or what?’ George grinned at him, gently shoving his shoulder before lying low over his broom and shooting off after Malfoy… Draco.

Harry laughed, watching Fred say something to Hermione causing her to laugh. He didn’t think he had ever seen her laugh on a broom, but then it was hard not to laugh when Fred and George were around. 

It was good getting to act like a child again, or rather for once. 

They stayed up in the air flying together, taking it in turns to entice Draco to actually interact with them until Harry noticed Sirius watching them. He pointed his broomstick at his Godfather, lying low to the handle, urging it on and only pulled up when he was a few metres away, stopping right in front of him. Harry grinned as Sirius raised an amused eyebrow.

‘Merlin, Harry.’ Remus blinked at him, looking startled. ‘I thought you were going to hit us.’

‘He’s just like James.’ Sirius said proudly.

Remus turned an unimpressed look at Sirius. ‘James did hit us.’

Sirius inclined his head. ‘So not exactly like James then.’

Harry laughed. ‘Is it time?’

Sirius nodded. ‘Minerva and the other two ministry officials are here and waiting.’

‘Better get this show on the road then.’ Fred grinned as Hermione brought them to a gentle halt beside everyone. ‘Excellent flying Hermione.’

Harry watched as Hermione’s already rosy cheeks turned a slightly deeper pink. ‘I think I should be the one thanking you, I do not have many pleasant experiences of being on a broom.’

Harry winced at the reminder that someone had actually died that time in the room of requirement.

‘What happened?’ Fred asked curiously.

Hermione shook her head. ‘Later.’

He nodded and turned to watch George who was clearly ribbing an infuriated looking Draco about something.

‘Come on, you two!’ Harry yelled and waved.

George sped over, jumping off his broom before it had even stopped. ‘Hurry up Draco! There is no way I’m missing this!’

Draco glared at George. ‘If you hadn’t dared me…’

‘Yeah yeah, no one cares.’ George dismissed him, throwing Harry a grin.

Sirius shook his head. ‘Alright, hurry up and get changed kids, then down to the family library and yes Draco, you will be allowed to enter it this time.’

Draco glared at him and Harry wondered when he had tried to enter it before and what had happened.

Sirius held his hand out for the brooms and Harry ran upstairs to quickly get changed. He knew he didn’t need to get dressed up, but he still wanted to look presentable and Sirius had given him an old family tunic that had the Black crest on it. The last thing Harry wanted was for the Black ancestral magic to deny the adoption, if that was even a thing.

Changing quickly, he hurried down to the family library, unsurprised to find all the adults and Hermione already there.

‘Professor!’ Harry said in relief as he found himself in front of professor McGonagall. ‘Thank you for coming.’

‘Of course Mr Potter, I have to admit to being pleased you wanted me here and trust me with this.’ Professor McGonagall said, surprising him.

Once the war had finished, Harry, mainly through Hermione, had kept in touch with her and they’d ended up meeting up a couple times a year to discuss new entrants for the aurors programme. Not that she knew any of that.

‘No one else I trust more, Professor.’ Harry told her truthfully while reminding himself not to call her Minerva. It had taken him a long time to stop calling her professor and now he was worried he was going to call her by her first name instead.

‘I’ve gone through the book Sirius gave me last night, and I have to admit to being quite excited.’ She confided.

Harry grinned. ‘Me too.’

‘You’re good for him, you know.’ 

‘I am?’ Harry stared at her, unsure what she meant.

She nodded. ‘You and Remus, it’s nice to see that they’ve finally seen what’s been there for years.’

Harry snorted.

‘What do you mean?’ Sirius asked, materialising at their sides and staring at her. ‘There is no way I am going to believe that you called me and Remus getting together when we were at Hogwarts.’

Professor McGonagall snorted. ‘We even had a bet going, not that any of us won, of course.’

Remus clapped his hands together. ‘Shall we start? Before Sirius gets into something he can’t finish?’

‘I want proof.’ He warned her before grinning and addressing the room. ‘I want to thank you all for coming.’

Everyone seemed to stand up taller and congregate around them but Sirius seemed to be completely unfazed. Madam Bones stood by the windows with Gawain Robards and Alastair Gumboil, watching everyone while the Malfoys had situated themselves behind Sirius. Professor McGonagall was in between them with everyone else surrounding them.

‘To witness the adoption of Harry James Potter, from the House of Potter, by myself, Sirius Black the third, from the House of Black. We have Madam Amelia Bones, from the House of Bones and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of the Hitwizards, Hitwizard Alastair Gumboil and Head of Aurors, Auror Gawain Robards as witnesses. As Lord Black, I am representing the House of Black along with my cousin, Narcissa Malfoy, nee Black and her son, Draco Malfoy. Officiating in her matriarchal role of Head of Gryffindor House is Professor McGongall. And most importantly of all, we have our loved ones as witnesses: Remus Lupin, Hermione Granger, and Fred and George Weasley of the House of Weasley.’ Sirius smiled at Harry.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. ‘If everyone is ready then we may begin.’ There was a murmur of assent through the room accompanied by heads nodding. ‘Is there anyone present who wishes to object?’ Silence. ‘In which case will Sirius Black take the hand of Harry Potter.’

Harry held his hand out and Sirius clasped it. Professor McGonagall pointed her wand at their hands and called out in a strong voice. ‘Paterna familia benedictio!’

Two lights sprung from her wand, one silver, one orange and they wound around Harry’s and Sirius’ hands in opposite directions. Harry had no idea how he knew but the orange one represented the Black’s and the silver one represented him, the Potters.

‘Sirius Black of the House of Black, do you swear to take on the role of father to Harry Potter of the House of Potter? To love and protect him?’ Professor McGonagall asked.

‘I do.’

‘Do you swear to house and provide for him?’

‘I do.’

‘And to nurse him in sickness and live with him in health?’

‘I do.’

‘To laugh with him in joy and cry with him in sadness?’

‘I do.’

‘Harry Potter of the House of Potter, do you accept Sirius Black of the House of Black to be your father from this day forth?’

‘I do.’

‘To allow him to guide and support you in all matters of your life from this day forth?’

‘I do.’

‘To accept his help and protection from this day forth?’

‘I do.’

To accept his care and protection and strive to honour the House of Black for the rest of your life?’

‘I do.’

‘I call upon the ancestral magic of the House of Black and the House of Potter to witness and bless this adoption.’ Professor McGonagall raised her hand and stepped closer. A dagger appeared in it with both the Black family crest and the Potter family crest.

She nicked Sirius just below the thumb and several drops of blood emerged and rose up hovering above their clasped hands. She repeated the move on Harry and his blood rose up to join Sirius’s where it merged together and formed an orange snake and a silver raven, both of which seemed to bow to each other before disappearing at the same time as the silver and orange bands of light around their hands.

‘The ancestral magics have approved and blessed this adoption.’ Professor Mcgongall announced proudly with a smile. ‘As it has been said, so it will be.’

Harry stared at Sirius, slightly in awe, still holding his hand. Sirius grinned and pulled him into his embrace, wrapping his arms around him tightly. ‘Welcome to the family Harry.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 21 - PRESS CONFERENCE

‘Are you sure you want to do it this way?’ Madam Bones asked, looking towards him.

Sirius grinned as he caught Harry’s eye. Harry grinned back and Sirius turned to glance at Moony.

‘It’s your show.’ Remus squeezed Sirius’s hand in reassurance. ‘We’re behind you in this, all the way.’

Sirius knew that it was his choice, he was the one who had been wrongly imprisoned for thirteen years and spent the following two on the run. This was Amelia’s way of giving something back to him, highlighting to the world that the Ministry was wrong, that Sirius should never have been imprisoned.

Fred and George looked excited and even Hermione looked eager.

He didn’t need to do this, he already had everything he needed, but at the heart of it all, he was a marauder and lived to create mischief and this, what Amelia was doing for him, appealed to him immensely as a marauder.

‘Let’s do it.’ Sirius agreed. He’d already decided when Amelia had first raised the idea and hadn’t changed his mind, but he’d needed to be sure that the others were on board as well, namely Harry and Remus as this would affect them the most. 

The press conference was going to be held on the steps in under half an hour and they were currently hiding out in a disillusioned alcove that the aurors kept hidden for informants. He hadn’t decided if he wanted to be seen or not, he was going to see how it all played out but if he did and was questioned he would be referring to Harry as his Godson, not his son. They weren’t mentioning anything about the adoption today nor would he be mentioning anything about their living arrangements. He wanted to keep people guessing about anything to do with Harry for as long as possible.

‘How long?’ Remus asked.

‘The press conference has been arranged to be held in a little under half an hour.’ Amelia said after checking the time.

‘What do we do after Sirius has cleared his name?’ Harry checked with Hermione. ‘We haven’t got all of the horcruxes.’

‘We still need to find a way to get the cup. Anyone have any ideas?’ Sirius asked them.

‘You said the only way we could get into her vault was if she was dead.’ Hermione reminded him.

‘And her husband would have to predecease her.’ Sirius added on with a grimace.

Hermione stared at him in dismay.

‘So we break into Bellatrix’s vault again?’ Harry asked Hermione.

‘Again?’ Sirius demanded, his eyes wide. He had not heard about this and would have to sit them down to get the full, unedited version at some point.

‘I should not be hearing this.’ Amelia sighed as she leant against the wall. ‘You could always claim she’s stolen from you and invoke your right to search her vaults seeing as she’s being sent straight back to Azkaban.’

‘Sirius can do that?’ Hermione asked, staring at her.

‘Now that his name is cleared, yes. And I’m sure the ministry will try their best to stay on his good side.’ Amelia explained, seeming quite at ease with talking to them about this. ‘I can file the paperwork straight after the press conference.’

Sirius frowned, realising something worrying as he looked at Amelia. ‘When did you find out about the horcruxes?’

Harry and Hermione paled.

Amelia rolled her eyes. ‘You all aren’t as sneaky as you think you are.’

‘We’re plenty sneaky, thank you very much.’ Fred and George chorused.

Amelia eyed them. ‘You two certainly are. The others not so much.’

Sirius snorted. He’d have to work on that with them.

Hermione winced. ‘Yeah, I never really mastered that art.’

‘That’s not always a bad thing.’ Amelia smirked. ‘I better go annoy Rufus’s secretary and make sure he’s been reading his memo’s.’

‘And if he already has?’ Hermione worried, biting her lip.

‘Trust me, I would have heard by now.’ Amelia told Hermione, her tone dry before she walked out the little alcove they were in and disappeared into the ministry.

‘So we just wait here till everyone turns up?’ Harry glared at the steps where the podium would soon be erected and Sirius wondered what he was thinking or remembering.

‘We don’t want anyone seeing us just yet.’ Hermione reminded him.

While no one had actually come straight out and said it, Sirius was pretty sure the person that they didn’t want seeing them was Albus Dumbledore, or possibly anyone from the Order, but Sirius’s money was on Dumbledore.

‘I’m actually surprised that there arent any reporters here already.’ Fred commented.

George nodded. ‘I thought that at least Rita Skeeter would be camped out by now.’

‘Did you tip her off?’ Sirius asked Hermione.

Hermione shook her head. ‘Cant do all of her work for her, can I?’

Sirius chuckled, impressed with Hermione. ‘That’s true. We don’t want her to start getting sloppy.’ 

Harry grinned, ‘And of course, we might have given her the impression that she wasn’t the only reporter we’re dealing with.’

‘Do you think she’ll turn up?’ Remus asked, ‘After the prophet fired her?’

Harry shrugged but Hermione nodded.

‘She’ll turn up, she’s a reporter and that’ll override any embarrassment or fury she feels over that.’ Hermione said, her voice full of certainty.

‘Well, you’re right on that one.’ Sirius commented, watching the woman in question. ‘She’s just tottered up the steps into the ministry.

Hermione smiled triumphantly.

‘Where’s she going?’ Remus wondered.

‘See if she can get any hint on what the press conference is on.’ Hermione informed them.

Harry snorted. ‘Good luck to her.’

‘You know she’s going to be furious that you didn’t warn her about this?’ George smirked.

‘Let her.’ Harry shrugged. ‘She’s going to need to up her game anyway if she wants to keep getting our information.’

‘See that man?’ Remus asked, nodding towards the podium. Sirius turned to watch a nondescript man with short brown hair in a grey suit head up the steps. 

If Remus hadn’t pointed him out, Sirius wouldn’t have even noticed him. ‘Who is he?’

‘Rita’s replacement.’

‘He’s a reporter?’ George asked, disbelief in his voice.

‘Yep.’ Remus sounded annoyed.

‘What happened?’ Sirius demanded, recognising his tone and instantly feeling angry on Remus’s behalf.

‘He cornered me after I resigned from Hogwarts wanting the inside scoop.’ Remus shrugged.

Sirius narrowed his eyes, he had always been able to tell when Remus was hiding something. ‘And?’

‘He tried to get me drunk to get the story.’ Remus said, disgust in his voice.

Sirius turned to look back at the man just in time to watch him disappear into the ministry. ‘I’m going to destroy him.’

Remus tugged on his arm to get his attention and glared at him. ‘He’s not the worst reporter to corner me.’

‘I’ll kill them all.’ Sirius promised him, meaning it. If Remus let him, he’d hunt down everyone who’d ever spoken a bad or detrimental word against Remus.

Remus chuckled. ‘We’re clearing your name Padfoot, you can’t kill anyone now.’

Sirius grumbled under his breath and watched as several ministry officials emerged and began setting up for the press conference.

‘What do we know about this new Minister?’ Remus changed the subject.

‘He was Head of the Aurors before he became Minister and was a stickler for details and appearing strong.’ Harry said.

Remus winced. ‘Was?’

‘Err.’ Harry grimaced.

‘Right.’ Remus sighed. ‘So how is he going to take this press conference?’

‘Not well.’ Hermione sighed. ‘It will make the Ministry look weak, while he’s trying to make them look strong.’

‘Does Amelia know this?’ Sirius asked, suddenly worried but keeping his eyes on the steps, watching as more reporters gathered around in a large crowd.

‘We spoke about it,’ Hermione nodded. ‘She’s going to spin it to him that he needs to publicly overhaul the Ministry to appear strong and show that he will not kowtow to Voldemort or his supporters.’

‘Which is where Rita’s articles about promoting Death Eaters comes in handy for her.’ George grinned.

‘We had Skeeter lay the foundations for this and she has no idea.’ Fred smirked.

‘And it might keep him too busy to use Harry as “The Chosen One”.’ Hermione said with a glance at Harry.

‘I’d forgotten about that, did you have to remind me?’ Harry complained.

‘What is this?’ Sirius perked up, sniffing out another story.

‘Scrimgeour wanted me to act as the Ministry’s poster boy.’ Harry grumbled.

Sirius snorted. ‘Over my dead body.’

Harry grinned at him.

‘I think they’re starting soon.’ Sirius said, watching as an official stood in front of the podium claiming everyone’s attention.

‘Is that Dumbledore?’ Hermione whispered even though the spot they were in was both disillusioned and had a silencing charm on it.

‘Where?’ Sirius frowned, unable to see him.

‘He's over to the right with his back to us.’ Hermione said slowly, ‘I can’t see who he’s talking to.’

‘It looks like Tonks, she’s in the order.’ Remus said and Sirius felt himself growl. 

He hadn’t gotten around to asking Remus about her and if there had ever been anything between them. He didn’t like that Remus had been the first to recognise her.

‘Does he usually come to these things?’ George asked, sounding confused.

Remus shrugged, looking hesitant. ‘Sometimes.’

‘So why do you sound suspicious?’ Sirius demanded, instantly worried that it was more about Tonks than Dumbledore.

‘Because the ones that Dumbledore does attend, he usually has prior notice that they’re about something important.’ Remus said slowly.

‘Only no one knows what this press conference is about.’ Sirius said slowly.

‘So how would Dumbledore know it’s important?’

‘Because Madam Bones called the press conference.’ Hermione said slowly. ‘And she’s effectively been in hiding.’

‘You think that’s it?’

‘Unless he’s got a way to read the Minister’s mail before anyone else does?’ George wondered aloud.

Both Harry and Hermione shook their heads. ‘The Ministry have protocols in place for that and they’d have been able to tell if any mail had been tampered with or read already.’

‘So he could just be guessing that this is going to be important?’ Fred asked.

‘Possibly.’ Harry shrugged.

‘I don’t understand how he could know.’ Hermione sighed.

There was no way Sirius was revealing himself now, not with Albus in the crowd who would be sure to try and talk to him and either warn him away from Harry, or try to find Harry using him if he was aware that Harry was no longer with the Dursleys. Just the thought of Harry still with them made him angry.

‘Ladies and Gentlemen,’ A female Ministry official called in a shrill, magically magnified voice. ‘Madam Bones and Minister Scrimgeour are ready to give a statement, we ask that you hold all questions til the end where they have four minutes to answer your questions. Thank you for your cooperation.’

She waved her wand and Madam Bones stepped up to the podium. ‘Good afternoon, thank you for attending today. This press conference has been called to discuss Sirius Black, who escaped from Azkaban two years ago. The present administration re-opened his case and noticed some alarming inconsistencies. It seems the administration in charge at that time, who were understaffed and highly stressed, missed several salient points and many mistakes were made, including charging and imprisoning an innocent man. The present administration has been making every attempt to right the wrongs that have been made in the past. Sirius Black is innocent and has been pardoned.’

Sirius smiled as the reporters all started clamouring for attention and shouting questions.

Minister Scrimgeour stepped up and Madam Bones stepped back to allow room for him causing the crowd to quieten down.

‘We would like to apologise publicly to Sirius Black,’ Minister Scrimgeour said stiltedly but with a straight back. ‘And offer restitution. We believe him to currently be abroad and want to welcome him back to our shores where we will make amends. I will answer questions now.’

‘Restitution?’ Sirius frowned, ‘Amelia didn’t mention anything about restitution.’

‘That was well-played about the previous administrations.’ Remus commented.

‘Hinting that Fudge covered it up?’ Hermione asked wide-eyed. ‘I’m not sure if I’m awed or horrified.’

‘It says that he’s unwilling to take any Griffin dung.’ Sirius remarked. ‘While also saying that he’ll own up to mistakes.’

‘It makes him more relatable to the public.’ Hermione whispered in understanding. 

‘Makes the public more willing to stand by the ministry.’ Harry breathed.

‘He’s good.’ Sirius admitted.

‘Or Amelia is.’ Remus pointed out.

‘Oh.’ Hermione breathed out.

‘She is good.’ George chuckled. ‘She’s manipulated the Minister into doing not only his job but also the right thing.’

‘She’s one of us.’ Sirius said in awe, watching as she surveyed the crowd, not once glancing in their direction even though she knew they were there. ‘She’s a marauder.’

‘Look at Dumbledore.’ Fred said suddenly, his voice serious.

Sirius turned to look over to see the headmaster standing there, looking pale and shocked. Tonks, by his side, looked excited and pleased while Dumbledore smiled awkwardly at whatever she was saying to him. He looked disappointed.

‘Damnit.’ Remus sighed. ‘I really hoped we were wrong about him.’

‘Same.’ Harry said, his voice upset.

Sirius turned to his son, looking at the blank expression on Harry’s face but could easily see the pain in his eyes and he realised that Dumbledore was probably the first father figure in Harry’s life to actually show him some niceness.

He pulled Harry over to him. ‘I’m sorry Harry.’

Harry shrugged and Sirius wanted to curse Dumbledore for doing this to him. He didn’t really care about the betrayal to himself, it had already been done and there was nothing that could change that. They were here to change the future, and Sirius was not going to let anyone hurt Harry ever again, he’d been through too much.

‘Minister! Minister! Rita Skeeter, independent reporter, how did you come to the realisation that Sirius Black is innocent and that the previous administration covered it up?’ Rita Skeeter simpered with a false smile plastered on her face.

Minister Scrimgeour glanced at her. ‘Before becoming Minister, I am sure you are all aware that I was Head Auror and was in charge of finding Sirius Black. I saw it as a personal failure that I had not managed to capture him, upon reviewing his personal file once I was minister, I was horrified by what was found and an investigation into clarifying exactly what happened that fateful night began immediately.’

‘Technically, he hasn’t lied.’ Hermione sounded impressed.

‘What did happen that fateful night?’ Another reporter asked, swallowing every word.

‘I find it very suspect that you declare Sirius Black innocent after my article proving his innocence and that the Ministry helped him escape!’ Skeeter shouted.

‘We are still investigating what happened that night along with reports that Peter Pettigrew is still alive and a Death Eater. We are asking that the public keep an eye out for anyone matching his description and to be extremely cautious.’ Scrimgeour ignored Skeeter’s question.

‘Minister! Did the previous administration help Sirius Black escape?’ Skeeter practically screamed.

Scrimgeour turned to face her with an extremely dubious expression on his face and everyone fell silent. ‘Miss Skeeter, an operation like this does not happen overnight. I do not know who leaked partial information of this to you but I can assure you that the previous administration did not help a convicted murderer, whether innocent or not, escape from Azkaban.’

‘Well, that both puts Skeeter in her place and shows us exactly what he thinks of this.’ Sirius sighed, his mind replaying the distaste on the Minister’s face.

‘That is all we have time for today.’ The female Ministry official stepped back to the podium while Scrimgeour headed back inside with Madam Bones behind him. ‘We thank you for coming today and for your understanding that the Ministry is working for you to make our world a better place.’

‘Dumbledore and Tonks are leaving.’ Fred commented.

‘Probably going back to Grimmauld Place.’ Remus frowned. ‘Everyone’s leaving.’

‘Let’s get back home then.’ Hermione sounded uneasy.

‘What is it?’ Sirius asked but Hermione shook her head, glancing back out over the disappearing crowd. ‘Home first then.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 22 - FRIENDSHIP

‘What is it?’ Draco asked, looking alarmed as they returned home but Hermione no longer thought it was an act. ‘What happened?’

‘The press conference went fine.’ George shrugged. ‘Dumbledore was there though.’

Draco sneered at them. ‘Thought you were all number one fans of the headmaster.’

‘Not exactly.’ Hermione sighed. ‘Remus, I think we’re going to need you to go back to the Order and find out what’s happening.’

Draco lost his sneer and began looking confused. Hermione didn’t miss that he looked to Harry first but they’d always hated each other, although she could understand how disorientating losing such a strong emotion could be.

‘I’ll go with him.’ Sirius offered.

‘No.’ Hermione said at the same time as Harry. She indicated for Harry to continue.

‘They’ll say more without you there.’ Harry grimaced. ‘They don’t know that Remus is here.’

‘They don’t?’ Draco butted in, sounded confused.

Hermione shook her head. ‘They think Remus is trying to placate the werewolf packs and stop them from trying to join Voldemort.’

Draco shuddered as she said the name and she rolled her eyes but refrained from saying anything.

‘He lived in your house and you're still scared of his name?’ It seemed that Harry felt no compunction in saying something though.

Draco glared at him, opening his mouth to retort but visibly stopped himself. 

Hermione was slightly impressed, she’d never known him to have much restraint before, but now his father was dead and he and his mother were in hiding. This was the first time he was voluntarily spending time with them but so far, he’d only had his mother for company while they’d been here.

‘I can go to headquarters now.’ Remus offered, standing up.

Sirius glowered at the floor, crossing his arms and Hermione had to wonder just what had upset him. He’d first started acting funny when they’d seen Dumbledore at the press conference but he’d been more on board with not trusting Dumbledore, so she couldn’t make sense of his behaviour now. He was practically acting jealous.

‘No.’ Hermione stopped Remus, turning to Harry for his opinion. ‘It’ll look too suspicious, maybe go in the morning?’

Harry nodded. ‘Probably be best to get there first thing before anyone else.’

Remus nodded. ‘That’ll be early, Emmaline Vance is staying there now.’

‘I thought that headquarters belonged to Sirius?’ George asked.

‘It does.’ Sirius agreed.

‘So who gave her permission to move in?’

Hermione stared at George.

‘Probably Albus.’ Remus answered quietly when no one else did.

‘But Sirius is now innocent, what’s to stop him from taking the house back?’ Fred asked, grinning at Hermione as she realised what they were getting at.

‘Oh!’ She exclaimed and turned to Sirius grinning. ‘That would certainly set Dumbledore back, but do we actually want to do that?’

‘Err, do what?’ Sirius asked, looking lost.

‘Move back into Grimmauld Place.’ The twins chorused together.

‘Just to keep an eye on the Order of course.’ George winked.

Sirius frowned and scratched his chin. ‘It would be tempting, but I don’t want to leave you guys alone here. And Harry’s my son.’

‘Wouldn’t you take him with you?’ Draco asked, looking hopeful.

Hermione snorted at how transparent he was being. ‘And leave you all alone here?’

Draco glared at her.

‘You wouldn’t have to move in.’ Remus said slowly. ‘Just give the appearance of moving in.’

‘But would Dumbledore then move the Order somewhere else?’

‘Once Sirius starts going out and about, he’s going to wonder where he’s living anyway.’ Remus pointed out.

‘Until I turn up at the Wizengamot and everyone realises that I’ve become Lord Black.’ Sirius reminded them. ‘Then it’s going to be clear that I’m staying in Black Manor.’

‘Which is unplottable.’ Remus agreed. ‘So no one will be able to find you.’

‘It would create a stir amongst the Order.’ Fred began.

‘And they might let something slip.’ George continued. 

‘Something they might not say in front of Remus.’ Fred pointed out. 

‘Aren’t you all in this Order?’ Draco asked, thoroughly confused.

‘Too young.’ Hermione grinned at Harry.

‘The rest of us actually are.’ Remus admitted.

‘But you don’t trust them?’ Draco pushed.

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘Do you trust everyone in Slytherin?’

‘Of course not.’ Draco looked affronted. ‘I’m Slytherin and a Malfoy. We don’t trust people on their say so.’

‘And you think we do?’ Harry asked, looking stunned.

‘You’re Gryffindors.’ Draco said, as if that explained everything.

Hermione bit her lip, trying not to laugh and turned to Sirius. ‘Think on it, Scrimgeour made out that you’re abroad, so we don’t have to decide now. Plus, I’d like to think more on it as well, if that’s okay?’

‘Of course, Hermione.’ Sirius smiled at her, but it looked weak and worn down.

Draco rolled his eyes.

‘Padfoot?’ Remus finally seemed to notice that there was something wrong.

Hermione watched as Sirius shook his head and Remus stared at him hesitantly. ‘You two go have some adult time, let us kids be kids.’

Sirius sent her a sardonic look and she smiled innocently back at him.

‘I can see what you’re doing.’ He told her.

‘Then go do it.’ She made shooing motions with her hands and he snorted but complied with Remus following him, looking bewildered.

‘What’s going on with them?’ Draco frowned.

Harry’s shoulders hunched in defensively. ‘None of your business.’

Hermione put her hand on Harry’s shoulder in support. ‘It isn’t any of our business, it's their own relationship.

Draco rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, looking grumpy but Hermione was pleased that he didn’t make any attempt to leave. He may be starved for friendship and company but, in time, he might end up proving to be an ally they could use.

🪄🪄🪄

Sirius heard Remus close the door behind them but he couldn’t bring himself to turn around. He’d automatically headed towards his favourite room in the manor, the only one he’d ever gotten some enjoyment out of when he’d been a child. Not that Remus knew that, he’d never spoken about this house to any of his friends and had tried hard not to talk about his home life to any of them. Of course, they had found out, especially when he’d run away from home and James’s parents had taken him in and adopted him.

‘What’s going on Sirius?’ Remus asked while Sirius had been lost in his head.

Sirius sighed, debating whether or not he should say anything or just to tell Remus to leave it.

‘And don’t tell me it’s nothing.’ Remus added.

‘I’m just feeling out of sorts.’ Sirius glowered, staring out the window that overlooked a shadowed part of the garden. It was part of why this room was his favourite, no one had ever looked here for him.

‘Don’t lie to me.’ Remus’s voice was stern. ‘If you think last night was a mistake just say so, don’t act like this.’

Sirius spun around, staring at him in shock. ‘How the hell did you get to that conclusion?’

‘Really?’ Remus glared at him, his posture defensive, as if he was protecting himself from Sirius. ‘Do I really need to spell this out? We spent last night together and now today, you’re refusing to talk to me!’

‘I’m talking to you right now!’ Sirius shouted at him, wondering how on earth Remus could get from Sirius telling him he loved him to thinking it was all a mistake? Did his friend really think he was that shallow?

‘Currently, you're yelling at me.’ Remus said curtly.

Sirius breathed in deeply, reigning in his temper. He’d been imprisoned wrongly for thirteen years for losing his temper. ‘Moony, I love you and I want to be with you. I don’t understand how you’ve gone from me loving you to thinking this was a mistake?’

‘Because of how you’re acting!’ Remus shot at him. ‘You won’t even look at me!’

Sirius forced himself to look at Remus and felt his heart contract. ‘I’m sorry Moony, I’m just…’ He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, shrugging.

‘Talk to me Padfoot.’ Remus pleaded.

Sirius felt horrible for even asking. ‘What’s going on between you and Tonks?’

‘Me and Tonks?’ Remus repeated, sounding shocked.

It went a long way to soothing the hurt that Sirius felt and he knew that he had blown it all out of proportion. ‘I’ve seen the way she looks at you.’

Remus blinked at him, looking confused. ‘What are you talking about?’

Sirius glared at him.

Remus huffed. ‘So she might have flirted with me, I ignored it and you cannot blame me for someone else’s actions.’

Sirius blew air out of his mouth slowly, knowing that Remus was talking sense but it still annoyed him. He’d completely blown it all out of proportion and blamed Remus for someone else’s actions.

Remus came up to him, and wrapped his arms around his waist. Sirius leaned into him, resting his head against Remus’s.

‘What’s going on in that head of yours?’ Remus whispered.

‘I don’t know.’ Sirius admitted.

‘Talk to me.’

‘I’d seen you two together and if she was the one you wanted…’ Sirius’s voice broke and he couldn’t bring himself to say that he’d promised to stand aside so that his friend could be happy.

Remus pulled him tighter into his embrace, moving his hands to either side of his face and dotting kisses all over his face. ‘You idiot. You absolute moron.’

Sirius huffed but stayed put, Remus’s administrations were actually quite soothing and his tone was affectionate even if he was insulting him.

‘I told you last night that it’s always been you, so why the hell would you think I might want someone else?’

Sirius closed his eyes and lent further into Remus’s embrace. ‘You recognised her so easily today.’

Remus groaned. ‘And that’s what you based your attitude on?’ He buried his face in Sirius’s neck and mumbled something.

Sirius frowned. ‘What was that?’

Remus lifted his face up and smirked. Sirius felt a mild trickle of alarm run down his smile. ‘Well, I’m just going to have to convince you that you are the only one I love.’ 

Sirius watched as Remus pointed his wand at the door and locked it before casting a silencing spell. He couldn't help lick his lips at the way Remus was looking at him, like a predator stalking his prey. Sirius grinned and lifted his face, meeting Remus’s kiss forcefully, as Remus wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.

‘I think I’m up for that.’ Sirius grinned, pushing his body closer so that Remus could feel exactly what he thought of that plan.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Feeling better?’ Harry asked Sirius wryly the next morning. It wasn’t hard to figure out why they hadn’t seen or heard from either Sirius or Remus the rest of the day but it was clear they’d made up.

Sirius grinned at him. ‘Certainly am. And I think you and Hermione are right, let's shake up the Order.’

‘You mean shake up Dumbledore.’ Draco said quietly from the corner he’d been reading in.

Harry was surprised that Draco had spoken up, he’d been in here a while and Draco had just been ignoring him. He wasn’t sure why, but it was beginning to annoy him. Draco would speak to the others but not him. Harry wasn’t sure what game he was playing but he’d grown up, and he was not going to give Draco the satisfaction of playing along.

Harry nodded. ‘Pretty much, yeah.’

Draco stared at him, surprise written over his face.

‘Think it will work?’ Sirius asked. ‘It might push them to find another headquarters.’

Harry shrugged. ‘Does it matter if they do?’

Sirius grinned at him, his eyes lighting up. ‘Now you’re thinking like a marauder.’

‘What exactly are you going to do?’ Draco asked, turning to give Sirius his attention.

Harry tried hard not to nash his teeth together.

Sirius shrugged. ‘Turn up to tell them the good news and that in celebration I’ll be giving the house a make-over.’

‘So you’re just going to wing it?’ Harry grinned.

‘Got a better plan?’

‘Always.’ Draco rolled his eyes.

‘Let’s hear it then.’ Sirius challenged.

‘You’ve just had your freedom publicly acknowledged, go back and tell them you’re throwing a party to celebrate, they still use the place as headquarters, but you need it for a night.’ Draco shrugged.

Harry blinked. That was a really good idea. ‘That would include the bonus of delaying them from looking for somewhere else.’

Sirius smirked. ‘They wouldn’t be sure if I was taking the house back or not.’

‘Will you?’ Draco asked, looking interested.

Sirius shrugged. ‘Don’t know. I don’t need it.’

‘And we don’t actually need the Order to move, or to rile them up.’ Harry admitted, suddenly feeling wrongfooted.

‘We should wait until we know how they’re going to react to the news of Sirius’s freedom.’ Remus said as he walked in with Hermione.

‘All we know for sure, is that they’re pushing Sirius and possibly Remus away and not keeping them informed of everything.’ Hermione added. ‘We don’t know how Dumbledore is going to react to the news of Sirius’ freedom.’

‘So, we wait to see how they react?’ Harry asked, noticing how closely Draco was listening to their conversation.

‘And then prank them?’ Sirius asked hopefully.

Harry snorted but smiled.

‘You are a marauder.’ Hermione pointed out.

‘And here I thought all you Gryffindors were goody two shoes.’ Draco sneered, only he sounded faintly amazed.

‘And here we thought you were just a sleazy snake.’ Hermione shot back with a smile.

Draco frowned but instead of coming back with a snide remark, he looked thoughtful. ‘You’re not going to win this war before school returns are you?’

Harry barked out a laugh. ‘Are you serious?’

Hermione stared at Draco looking amazed. ‘No.’

‘Do you have any idea what’s going to happen to me when we return to school? What they’re going to do to me in Slytherin?’ Draco asked seriously.

It was just on the tip of Harry's tongue to say nothing that he doesn't deserve when he stopped himself. He wasn’t a teenager anymore, well technically he was, but he’d come back to do better, to be better.

‘The same thing you used to do to others?’ Hermione asked gently but pointedly.

Draco winced and deflated. ‘Yeah. Pretty much.’

‘Unless you use it to your advantage.’ Sirius said, staring at Draco intently.

‘What do you mean?’

‘What do you, or your peers in Slytherin actually know about Lord Voldemort?’ Sirius pointed out. ‘Do they know he’s a halfblood? How many purebloods he’s slaughtered while spouting how important purebloods are?’

Draco frowned. ‘No.’

‘You’re a Malfoy.’ Sirius pointed out, ‘You’re good at lording what you know above others.’

Draco snorted a laugh and then looked surprised at himself.

‘There’s also the fact that not all Slytherin’s agree or side with Voldemort.’ Harry pointed out, feeling victorious when Draco looked at him for the first time. ‘You won’t be alone.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 23 - GRIMMAULD PLACE

‘Do we still need the Deathly Hallows?’ Harry asked Hermione, causing her to turn and stare at him, ordering what he was thinking.

‘You can’t use your own wand to defeat him.’ Hermione reminded him, frowning at the strangeness of his question.

Sirius turned to face them, sharing a glance with Remus.

‘Do I need to?’ 

‘How else are you planning to defeat him?’ Hermione asked, turning to face him properly.

Harry shrugged. ‘I just don’t see how I’m going to get the wand from Dumbledore.’

‘He is ultimately on our side.’ Hermione reminded him but grimaced. ‘I just don’t trust him.’

‘Err, is there something you two have forgotten to tell us?’ Sirius asked patiently, even if he did fold his arms and give them an extremely parental look.

Hermione blinked at him, sure they had told them but not being able to recollect when.

‘Did we not tell you?’ Harry sounded confused.

‘I thought we had, but now I’m not so sure.’ Hermione said slowly.

‘What exactly does Dumbledore’s wand have to do with anything?’ Sirius asked, looking furious.

‘It’s the elder wand.’ Harry blinked, looking uncertain.

‘And you didn’t think to tell us this when you told us about the ring and your cloak?’

Harry grimaced. ‘I thought we had?’

Sirius sighed and ran his hand over his face.

‘How did Dumbledore get the elder wand?’ Remus asked, amazed.

‘He took it from Grindelwald.’ Hermione confirmed.

‘Do we need the resurrection stone?’

‘Actually it’s a ring…’ Harry trailed off.

‘A ring?’ Sirius repeated, looking confused.

‘One that was used as a horcrux.’ Hermione told them pointedly.

‘Are you saying we already have two of three deathly hallows?’ Remus stared at Hermione in shock.

Hermione smiled. 

Sirius stared at her before he started laughing.

‘So we have two of the three deathly hallows.’ Remus looked amazed. ‘What do we need them for?’

Harry frowned. ‘It’s just the wand that I really need.’

Hermione nodded. ‘Harry’s wand and Voldemort’s wand both have a phoenix feather core, from the same phoenix.’

‘Fawkes.’ Harry supplied.

‘What does that mean?’ Sirius asked, looking lost.

Remus looked interested as well.

‘The wands won’t fight against each other.’ Harry explained. ‘When we tried to fight each other at the cemetery when Voldemort was resurrected, the wands recognised each other.’

‘And Prior Incantantem happened.’ Remus remembered.

Harry nodded. ‘The next time we fight, my wand will recognise Voldemort as an enemy and will defend me.’

Remus gaped at him.

‘Huh.’ Sirius looked shocked. ‘I didn’t know that was possible.’

‘Nobody was certain on why it happened.’ Hermione allowed.

Remus took a breath. ‘Just how far back in time did you two come?’

Hermione pursed her lips as she glanced at Harry, he shrugged but nodded. ‘Fourteen years.’

‘We lost the war?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘No, we won that.’

Remus frowned.

‘I died.’ Sirius said quietly.

‘So did I.’ Fred said.

Hermione glanced up, blinking as she saw Fred and George stood in the doorway.

George shrugged. ‘We didn’t want to interrupt.’

‘You both know?’ Remus asked, sounding surprised.

‘Three of us came back.’ George explained quietly, sharing a faint smile with Hermione and Harry. ‘The spell needed three of us for it to work.’

‘We all had things to gain by coming back.’ Hermione sighed. 

George glanced at his twin. ‘And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.’

Remus looked at Hermione .’You don’t have to explain.’

Hermione shrugged. ‘How do you think we knew how rotten the ministry was?’

Remus grimaced before closing his eyes. ‘That’s why you’ve been going about things the way you have.’

‘We’re going to try and remake the ministry, or at least force it to be better.’ Sirius shrugged.

‘But I will never again work for the ministry.’ Hermione rubbed at her eyes.

‘Neither will I.’ Harry agreed.

‘What did you do?’

‘I was an auror.’ Harry admitted softly. 

‘I worked in the minister's office.’ Hermione sighed. ‘And the prejudice, while well hidden, had me running in circles.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The rubbish I was told about customs and pureblood traditions while I was passed over for promotion countless times.’ Hermione sighed and shrugged, trying hard to pretend that it hadn’t hurt as much as it did. Those she had considered friends had lied to her face and most likely laughed behind her back. The research she had done, spending hour after hour, night after night, trying to look into and research what they’d said, only to never find anything, because they’d made it up.

‘So you came back, to stop Padfoot and Fred from dying and to weed out the corruption in the ministry?’ Remus checked.

‘And you.’ Harry said softly.

Remus paled and glanced at Sirius who reached for him.

‘You died in the final battle.’ Hermione explained.

Hermione half nodded, half shrugged. ‘We know how to win the war, we’ve done it once, but we’ve changed things, so it will have a ripple effect.’

Remus blinked at her. ‘New things will happen that you won’t be able to anticipate.’

‘Exactly.’

‘What’s changed so far?’ Remus frowned.

‘We’ve already saved Sirius.’ Harry said quietly.

‘The night we broke into the ministry.’ Hermione explained. ‘Only…’

‘Only Lucius Malfoy didn’t die the first time.’ Harry finished for her.

‘Fred and I weren’t involved last time either.’ George added.

‘So, why aren't we involving Dumbledore?’ Remus asked. ‘Apart from the fact he’s trying to push Padfoot out?’

Hermione grimaced and glanced at George, wondering where to start. ‘He’s made a lot of questionable choices.’

‘Like forcing Harry to stay with abusive relatives even though our parents tried countless times to adopt him.’ George began for her.

‘Knowing that Sirius was innocent and not doing anything about it.’ Harry winced.

‘Setting Harry up to die.’ Hermione said bluntly.

‘I’m sorry, what?’ Remus demanded.

‘I’m the last horcrux.’ Harry admitted. ‘It was his idea that I have to be ready to die, for Voldemort to destroy the horcrux but not me.’

Remus stared at him.

‘In Dumbledore’s defence, he thought he was doing the right thing and died for his beliefs.’ Hermione admitted, rubbing her forehead.

‘Oh, Merlin.’ Remus whispered, his eyes wide and his face pale.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius, my boy!’ Dumbledore smiled, looking pleased to see him. ‘It’s good to see you.’

Sirius grinned back at him, remembering Hermione’s words that Dumbledore believed that what he was doing was in everyone's best interests, that he was helping them win the war. For his own mental health, he couldn’t believe that his old mentor had deliberately left him to rot in Azkaban for thirteen years and then refused to give him refuge and made him go into hiding instead of fighting for his freedom and his godson.

‘And as a free man.’ Sirius grinned, taking a leaf out of his family’s Slytherin tendencies. If Dumbledore was playing him, he’d play him right back. Dumbledore may have years of experience in meddling in people’s lives for the greater good, Sirius remembered the stories about Newt Scamander and the rumours that it had been Dumbledore who had orchestrated his trip to New York when he’d found the Obscurus, but Sirius was raised Slytherin and sorted Gryffindor and was a marauder. 

Sirius knew, underneath it all, that not all Slytherins were evil and not all Gryffindors were good, Peter was proof of that. Merlin, even Snape now seemed to be proof of it as well even if he was still a slimy git. Sirius would never like or even forgive Snape but he would work with him if he had to. Harry was worth it.

‘Yes, congratulations! I am pleased for you.’ Dumbledore nodded. ‘It is a relief to know that not everyone in the ministry is corrupt or under Voldemort’s thumb.’

‘Yes, it is a relief isn’t it?’ Sirius agreed, unwilling to say too much. ‘And a surprise, was this your doing?’

‘I wish I could say it was, but alas, I do not hold much sway with anyone in the ministry nowadays.’ Dumbledore sighed as if implying that if he had, Sirius would have been a free man long ago.

Sirius shrugged. ‘Someone seems to have gone to a lot of work to get the world to know of my innocence. I would like to thank them.’

‘I’m afraid I do not know who it was.’ Dumbledore admitted.

‘Sirius!’ Molly Weasley cried as she walked into the drawing room and saw him. ‘It’s so good to see you! I was hoping you would come back, especially now that your innocence has been proven!’

She pulled him into a hug and squeezed him tightly, surprising him. Seeing as she hadn’t said much to him last time he’d been here, he’d thought she would have been more disapproving but she’d proven him wrong. 

‘Of course I’m back.’ Sirius grinned, holding onto her arms as she pulled back from the embrace. ‘This is my home and while I had been hoping to thank the person that has ensured my freedom, it seems they want to stay in the dark.’

‘I’m afraid I can’t help there Sirius, I hadn’t heard anything about it until the press conference, but oh! Harry will be so pleased to hear about this!’ Molly gushed.

Sirius hid his smile that he didn’t even have to bring Harry up as he glanced sideways towards Dumbledore and saw him wince.

‘Maybe we should leave that little revelation to me?’ Dumbledore said, sounding both sage, sad and important at the same time.

Sirius frowned, trying hard not to react. ‘Do you think that’s wise? Surely now Harry can come live with me?’

‘I’m afraid that it’s imperative he stay with his relatives.’ Dumbledore replied. ‘After all, Grimmauld Place is not exactly suitable for a teenager to live in.’

Sirius glanced around the place and nodded in agreement. He had hated living here but that had been more to do with his family. Although it was currently in dire disrepair but now that he was a free man, it didn’t need to be. ‘You’re right, of course. Molly, do you think you could help me sort the house out so that it’s suitable?’

Molly beamed at him. ‘Of course I can! Oh Sirius, Harry will be so thrilled!’

Dumbledore faltered. ‘Sirius, are you saying that Grimmauld Place can no longer be headquarters for the order?’

Sirius blinked at him, pretending for a moment to be confused. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You can’t have a teenager living here and for it to be the secret meeting place of the Order.’ Dumbledore explained.

Sirius shrugged. ‘I’m sorry then headmaster, but Harry is my priority.’

‘In which case, winning this war should be your priority.’ Dumbledore tried to correct him. ‘Lord Voldemort has shown that he has an unnatural obsession with Harry and in order to protect Harry, we need to defeat him.’

‘I’m Harry's godfather, and I will do everything in my power to protect him, even from people who think they’re helping him.’ Sirius said warningly, glaring at the headmaster.

‘I’ll make a list for what the house needs.’ Molly said quietly before backing out of the room.

‘Sirius, you know I care deeply about Harry.’ Dumbledore began.

‘Is that why you’ve left him with his abusive relations?’ Sirius snorted angrily. ‘Because you care deeply about him?’

‘The Dursley’s are not abusive.’ Dumbledore began.

‘Yes they are!’ Sirius roared, completely losing his temper. ‘They locked him in a cupboard under the stairs for eleven years! And you allowed it! That makes you no better than them!’

Molly skidded back into the room with Arthur behind her, closely followed by a couple more members of the Order, including Emmaline Vance who had her wand out and pointed at Sirius but was staring at Dumbledore looking horrified.

Dumbledore paled. ‘Sirius, that is not true.’

‘Are you calling me a liar? My son, a liar?’ Sirius shouted, balling his hands into fists and trying hard not to pull out his wand on his old headmaster.

Dumbledore stared at him, looking horrified. ‘Your son? You do mean your godson, don't you?.’ 

Sirius prevaricated but stood up to his full height. ‘My godson is not a liar.’

‘What have you done?’ Dumbledore whispered.

‘What you should have done all those years ago! I protected him!’ Sirius tried hard to keep his voice at a reasonable level but was sure he was failing.

‘The blood protection Lily gave him relies on him staying with blood relatives, with Petunia.’ Dumbledore tried to explain.

‘Oh Dragon’s dung!’ Sirius exploded. ‘How can you honestly believe that leaving Harry with people who verbally and physically abuse him is worth anything?!’

Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed. ‘I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but it does.’

‘Albus!’ Emmaline whispered, her wand lowering and staring at him.

‘Harry is the key to winning against Lord Voldemort.’ Dumbledore began. ‘But only Harry can kill him.’

‘Bicorn Balls!’ Sirius snorted. ‘I know the prophecy, Albus, as does Harry. And you are not the only one who knows exactly what his scar is.’

Dumbledore paled. ‘How?’

‘Why the hell should I tell you?’ Sirius sneered before turning from him and taking a deep breath. ‘You can continue using my house as headquarters, but I will no longer be a part of your order. I’m afraid I just can’t condone child abuse.’

Sirius walked from the room, unable to look at any of them. He needed to get out of here, away from the memories of his own awful childhood and back to his son, back to Moony, back to his loved ones where he had peace and hope for the future.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 24 - MAKING FRIENDS

‘When are you planning on attending a Wizengamot session?’ Narcissa asked as she sipped at her tea.

Harry turned to look at his godfather… father, inquiringly. He knew it was part of the plan and was needed to help sort out the ministry, but surely it could wait? He didn’t think there was any rush for it.

‘I haven’t decided yet.’ Sirius shrugged, clearly not concerned.

‘I think you should attend the one tomorrow.’ Narcissa continued. ‘And I would like to accompany you.’

‘Why?’ Sirius asked, beating Harry to the question.

‘You need to make a stand.’ Narcissa said, lowering her cup of tea. ‘You’ve broken from Dumbledore, but at the moment you’re hiding, licking your wounds. You need to show the world where you stand and that you’re strong.’

Harry instinctively bristled at the insult to Sirius but he quietened when Sirius arched an eyebrow. ‘Do I now?’

Harry blinked, surprised that Sirius hadn’t risen to the bait, but then, his father knew how to play the game better than he did.

Narcissa nodded. ‘And I wish to stand with you.’

‘Don’t you think we should have others on our side before we show our hand?’ Harry asked, thinking over what she had said. If they were strong, surely they should have others standing with them, proving their strength?

‘Not really.’ Sirius answered him. ‘But I am curious as to why my cousin wants to publicly ally herself with the House of Black?’

‘Draco needs protection when he returns to school.’ Narcissa admitted . ‘And Sirius has now provided a lot of us with a third option instead of either watching or having to ally themselves with the Order or with the Dark Lord.’

‘In which case I’ll have a stronger position going into the Wizengamot without anyone standing with me.’ Sirius said and Harry saw what Narcissa was trying to get at.

Standing up alone could prove to be the stronger position.

Sirius smiled slowly and toasted his cousin with his tea cup.

Narcissa smiled in response and raised her own cup, before taking a sip.

Harry watched them both, surprised and pleased and wondering if this was what it was like to be Slytherin. No wonder the hat had suggested Slytherin to him, if it hadn’t had such bad connotations for him, and they hadn’t been in a war with Voldemort, he thinks he would have enjoyed being a Slytherin, although he loved being a Gryffindor.

Harry glanced at the door as Draco entered and looked around wearily.

‘Morning.’ Draco said as he sat down next to his mother and poured himself some tea.

‘Morning.’ Harry watched him, noticing that Draco was getting used to doing things for himself instead of expecting a house elf to run around after him, although he still kept to himself and his rooms a lot. He usually only accompanied them if he was goaded into it, either by Narcissa or George, although Hermione was beginning to include him more as well. Harry didn’t, but only because Draco tried hard to ignore him and Harry was trying to respect that. 

He also had no idea how he would explain this to Ron when they met up, or if, now that he was living with Sirius, he would be meeting up with Ron before the start of school in September. He both hoped he would and wouldn’t. He missed his friend but he was also worried about Hermione even though she had handled seeing Ron at school for the last few days of term okay.

‘You boys have any plans for the day?’ Sirius asked, with a small smile.

Harry threw him a dirty look but shrugged. ‘I’m sure Hermione’s got something that I can help with.’

‘Why doesn’t Draco help you?’ Narcissa offered.

Harry froze before he took a breath. ‘I’ll ask ‘Mione.’

Draco snorted. ‘Maybe I don’t want to help.’

Harry raised an eyebrow.

Draco scowled and hunched in his shoulders.

‘Sit up straight Draco dear.’ Narcissa reprimanded quietly.

Draco instantly sat up straighter. 

‘If Hermione doesn’t, I’m sure Fred and George could find something for you to do.’ Sirius said with a serene smile making Harry choke.

Draco stared at Sirius horrified.

‘How is their… shop, doing?’ Narcissa asked, pausing heavily as if the idea of a joke shop was distasteful to her.

‘Really well.’ Harry grinned, looking at Sirius. ‘Especially with their special lines.’

‘Special lines?’ Draco frowned.

Sirius cleared his throat. ‘They’re branching out into merchandise that can help protect individuals.’

‘Oh?’ Narcissa looked interested.

‘Madam Bones tested out some products.’ Harry smiled. ‘She was impressed.’

Draco tensed. ‘I am not letting them test their products on me, Potter.’

Harry snorted. ‘I think they’re past that stage, especially if Hermione has anything to say about it.’

‘Which reminds me.’ Sirius turned to Harry. ‘You still happy to be a Potter?’

Harry frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

Sirius shrugged. ‘You’re my son now, you can remain a Potter, become a Black or hyphenate if you wish.’

Harry stared at him. ‘You’re serious?’

‘That is my name.’ Sirius grinned.

Draco rolled his eyes.

‘You don’t have to decide now or anytime soon.’ Sirius shrugged. ‘I just realised I’d forgotten to mention it to you.’

‘Pretty big detail to forget.’ Draco sneered.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at him and Draco flushed.

‘I could become Harry Black?’ Harry asked, then winced at the sound of it.

Sirius laughed. ‘If you wish, but remember, your parents were Potters, they adopted me but I kept the name Black.’

Harry swallowed and nodded. ‘For the time being, I’ll stay Harry Potter, but it’s nice to know that I don’t have to if I don’t want to.’

Sirius beamed at him.

‘I don’t think I could get used to calling you Black.’ Draco mumbled.

Harry laughed. ‘Well, for the time being, you won’t have to.’

Draco stared at him, wide eyed and stunned, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

Harry frowned, wondering what had him looking at him like that.

🪄🪄🪄

‘Sirius?’ George asked hesitantly.

Sirius raised his head and smiled. ‘You know, you can call me Padfoot if you want to.’ Fred’s eyes widened and he beamed. ‘What’s up Plumes and Feathers?’

George gaped at him.

‘No?’ Sirius asked. ‘Not a fan of those names?’

‘You’ve given us marauder names?’ Fred asked wide eyed and George knew he was feeling the same sense of awe.

‘Who's who?’ George demanded, grinning.

‘Fred is Plumes and you’re Feathers.’

‘Done.’ George agreed instantly. Sirius had not only given them marauder names that suited their patronuses, but he’d given them names that ultimately meant the same thing.

‘Do Hermione and Harry have names?’ Fred asked curiously.

George blinked, having never actually wondered that.

Sirius nodded. ‘Pronglet and Paddles.’

Fred stared at him. ‘You call Hermione Paddles?’

Sirius winced. ‘Not currently to her face.’

George burst out laughing. ‘She doesnt know she has a marauder name?’

‘Not yet, I’m building up to it.’ Sirius grinned. ‘How badly do you think she’ll hex me?’

‘So badly.’ Fred was still staring at Sirius in awe.

George disagreed. ‘I think she’ll surprise you.’

‘Oh yeah?’ Sirius tipped his head to the side. ‘You might be right.’

‘We actually need to ask you something.’ Fred winced, reminding George why they were there.

‘Oh?’ Sirius asked, straightening up.

‘We overheard mum and dad talking-’ George began.

‘They were discussing what happened between you and Dumbledore-’ Fred continued.

‘They want to talk to you about it-’

‘They sounded furious with Dumbledore-’

‘But they don’t know how to get a hold of you.’ 

‘We didn’t let on that we knew anything-’

‘Or where you were.’ George concluded.

Sirius nodded. ‘I can talk to them.’

‘Really?’ Fred beamed.

‘Home probably isn’t the best place, too many curious ears with everyone home.’ George pointed out.

‘Grimmauld Place is out for the same reason.’ Fred agreed.

‘The safe house we met the Malfoys?’ George asked.

Sirius smiled. ‘You two are brilliant marauders. You think your parents would be free now?’

George smiled. ‘We were just at the Burrow.’

‘We can go back and get them.’

‘Pretend it’s Order business.’

‘I’ll head to Pastel’s Lodge and meet you there?’ Sirius offered.

‘Thanks, Padfoot.’

Sirius winked at them, grabbed a bit of parchment before handing it over and heading over to the floo and disappearing.

George checked the parchment and saw Pastels Lodge written in Hermione's writing as he turned to Fred, as he handed him some floo powder. ‘How do you think mum’s going to handle this?’

Fred shrugged. ‘Like she normally does, with lots of yelling and hugs.’

George threw the powder into the fire and called out for their flat. He stepped out closely followed by Fred and they apparated home to the Burrow.

‘Fred! George! You boys hungry? I can quickly whip something up.’ Molly bustled past them, making sure to touch them both and fuss over them without breaking stride.

‘We’re good mum.’ George smiled. It was strange the things he missed and this, being here, in his childhood home with his mum fussing over him and Fred, he missed. He’d found it too much without Fred, but it was perfect with him.

‘We actually need to speak to you and dad.’ Fred began.

‘What have you boys done! Arthur!’ Molly yelled. ‘Arthur!’

George checked the clock and noticed he was home. ‘Isn’t dad meant to be at work?’

‘Oh, no. I was so upset about.. It doesn't matter, he took the day off.’ Molly smiled at them before calling for him again.

Arthur walked in and grinned at them. ‘Boys! I wasn’t expecting you, how’s the shop? Business booming?’

‘Of course.’ Fred grinned.

‘What, you expect anything else from us?’ George laughed.

‘Of course not, well this is a pleasant surprise!’

George quickly put up a silencing charm.

‘Well, we actually need to speak to you both, in private.’ Fred explained.

‘We heard you earlier.’ George admitted.

‘And we know where Sirius is-’

‘If you want to talk to him.’

Arthur blinked at them.

‘Of course we do!’ Molly said instantly, wiping her hands on her apron and taking it off.

‘Follow us to the shop?’ Fred asked them.

‘He’s at your shop?’ Molly frowned.

‘Nope.’ George grinned and apparated away, knowing that Fred was doing the same.

Their parents arrived twenty seconds after them. 

‘What was that about?’ Molly admonished.

‘Sirius is keeping a low profile.’ George said, handing them some floo powder and the piece of parchment Sirius had given them. It would only work with Hermione writing it seeing as she was secret keeper.

‘Read this and then burn it.’ He instructed.

Molly looked at him bewildered and watched as Fred disappeared. She read the parchment, her face clearing before she handed it to his dad and followed Fred. Arthur read the note before casting an incendiary on it and followed into the fire calling out Pastels Lodge. George went last.

‘I don’t understand.’ George heard his mum saying.

‘I need to stay hidden for the time being.’ Sirius was explaining. ‘You’ll understand soon, I promise.’

‘But what about Harry?’ Molly demanded. ‘I thought you wanted him away from those awful relatives of his?’

‘Molly, dear, I’m sure he has his reasons.’ Arthur was calming her down.

‘I heard you wanted to talk to me?’ Sirius asked diplomatically.

‘Oh Sirius!’ Molly gushed. ‘The argument you had with Albus, you aren't really leaving the Order are you?’

‘I’m sorry Molly. I am.’ Sirius confirmed.

George shared a glance with Fred, they hadn’t heard this.

‘Sirius,’ Arthur began. ‘I only heard the end of your, err, conversation, with the headmaster, is it true? That Harry’s relatives were…’

He trailed off looking hopeful and anxious at once.

Sirius sighed and rubbed his head. ‘I’m afraid so.’

‘Then we have to go get him!’ Molly shrieked instantly.

‘Harry isn’t with them.’ Sirius admitted. ‘But I need you to keep that quiet.’

‘Where is he?’ Molly asked suspiciously, glaring.

‘He’s safe.’ Sirius insisted.

‘You mean he’s with you? Then why didn’t you say?’ Molly demanded, looking as if she was about to wallop Sirius.

‘Cause Harry has a lot of enemies and no one can know.’ Sirius insisted, staring her down.

‘Bring him over to the Burrow,’ Molly smiled, looking relieved. ‘I bet he’s missing Ron as much as Ron is missing him.’

‘I can’t do that.’ Sirius said, trying to be gentle.

‘Why not? They always spend the last part of their summers together.’

‘Let me guess,’ Sirius asked sourly. ‘Only when Dumbledore allowed it?’

Molly opened her mouth looking annoyed but Arthur cut in.

‘Actually…’

‘Arthur!’ Molly admonished.

‘How many times did we ask Albus for Harry to come to us for the whole summer?’ Arthur reminded her. ‘How many times did you complain to him about how skinny Harry was? Tell him our concerns?’

Molly frowned and tugged at her blouse with her fingers before sighing. ‘You’re right. I lost count and he always had a reason why that sounded so genuine.’

‘That’s the problem.’ Sirius muttered. ‘He always sounds so genuine and trustworthy.’

Molly deflated but Arthur looked reassured.

‘So what do we do?’ Arthur asked.

‘I’ve already got Harry away from them.’ Sirius promised. ‘Albus was right about one thing though, Voldemort is after Harry and that puts him in grave danger.’

Yes, we know, but why can’t we see him?’

‘You can, just not now.’ Sirius sighed. ‘Harry is safe where he is but I need to keep him there to keep him safe.’

Molly grumbled under her breath, crossed her arms and glared at Sirius. It was clear she was not going to let this go.

‘Mum,’ George interrupted. ‘Was that really what you so desperately needed to speak to Sirius about?’

‘I was not desperate!’ Molly instantly admonished him. George rolled his eyes but Molly turned back to Sirius, wringing her hands in her skirt. ‘Is it true, Albus left Harry there when he didn’t need to?’

George watched as Sirius winced.

‘Yes.’ He interrupted.

‘George.’ Molly admonished.

‘How do you know that?’ Arthur asked him slowly, his eyes narrowed. His dad may not act it, but he was astute when he wanted to be.

‘Dumbledore has made a lot of mistakes where Harry’s concerned.’ George sighed as he butted in. He was surprised that Sirius hadn’t instantly condemned Dumbledore to his parents but he could understand that Sirius might be hesitant to do seeing as how his parents were such supporters of the headmaster, or rather that they had been. ‘He looks at the greater picture rather than individuals, and it’s lead to Harry being hurt numerous times.’

Arthur turned to Sirius. ‘What’s your plan?’

‘Protect Harry and defeat Voldemort.’

Arthur nodded resolutely. ‘We’re in.’

Sirius blinked at him.

George grinned at Fred.

‘I don’t understand.’ Sirius said, staring wide eyed at them.

‘Whatever you need, we’ll help.’ Molly nodded in agreement.

‘That’s…’ Sirius blinked, looking helpless and lost. ‘I appreciate your offer, but Dumbledore is still working to defeat Voldemort.’

‘And he keeps putting an innocent child in harms way.’ Arthur pointed out. ‘A child who is our son's best friend.’

Sirius sighed. ‘Dumbledore can’t know anything about what I’m doing.’

Molly frowned and George could see how torn she was. 

‘Mum…’

‘I’d need you to take a vow.’ Sirius spoke up. ‘If you’re still in.’

Moly whirled around to him. ‘You don’t trust us?’

‘I do, but when it comes to Harry’s safety…’ Sirius trailed off and Molly melted.

‘Oh of course Sirius.’ Molly agreed instantly. ‘The poor dear, how is he doing?’

Sirius instantly perked up and George was impressed at how masterfully he’d manipulated his parents.

‘Harry’s doing really well and he’s not alone, but have a long think about everything and if you still want to help and are willing to perform a secrecy vow, let Fred and George know. They’ll get word to me.’

‘Fred and George?’ Arthur smiled at them proudly.

‘I shouldn’t be surprised that you two are already involved in this.’ Molly sighed but smiled at them proudly.

George felt himself smile in return as something loosened in his chest and he breathed in deeply feeling content.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 25 - THE WIZENGAMOT

Sirius walked through the double doors of the entrance to the Wizengamot in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, barely noticing the words ignorantia juris neminem excusat as he passed underneath them. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. It was a timeless motto and dated back to the days the Wizengamot was first established before there was ever a Ministry of Magic. It was apt back then and it was still apt today.

He didn’t pause as he strode in, although it was extremely hard not to notice how everyone in the chamber fell silent as he walked in. He hid his smile and kept his head high, knowing that his cousin, just a mere step behind him, was doing the same.

The Wizengamot was basically a large dome, with several tiers to accommodate its various functions as both court and parliament and all fifty or so members along with the Chief Warlock and Scribe. The top tier was more of a public gallery which was only opened up in high profile trials, such as during a lot of the Death Eater trials in the first war: the ministry had been desperate to be seen to be doing something. 

For today though, it was a closed session. There were no court proceedings to oversee and no trials. This was a normal session where attendance wasn’t mandatory and it would just be reviewing laws and bills to be passed or any amendments to present ones that someone wanted passed. The Ministry also provided an overview of what they had been doing where the Wizengamot could chime in with their opinions. 

Sirius had always hated it and found it interminably boring. He wasn’t expecting it to have changed but for Harry, he would suffer through it. At least his presence was going to shake things up. He could see many members whispering to each other while the others looked shocked or perturbed at his presence.

‘Lord Black.’ Amelia stood up and loudly called him over. There was a collective gasp as the members of Wizengamot realised just who she was referring to. ‘I’ve saved you a seat.’

He grinned and trotted up the steps, heading towards her. ‘How many times Amelia, it’s Sirius.’

She winked at him and sat down, smoothing her robes as she did and ignoring the surrounding members.

‘Cousin?’ He turned to Narcissa who smiled warmly at him and indicated he should enter their row first.

‘How are you, Amelia?’ Sirius asked, kissing her on her cheeks in greeting before settling down.

‘Settling in well, thank you Sirius. It’s good to see you both again.’ Amelia smirked, knowing, as did Sirius, that the entire Wizengamot was listening to their every word.

He knew that everyone would be trying to figure out what side he was on. Entering with his cousin, a Malfoy, would make the light believe he was working with the dark, but the dark, knowing that Narcissa and Draco had gone into hiding, and seeing him greet Madam Bones so familiarly, would believe he was working with the light. He was planning on keeping them all guessing for as long as possible.

‘And you Madam Bones.’ Narcissa replied, politely.

‘Please, call me Amelia. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.’ Amelia said airily.

Narcissa smiled and this time it reached her eyes. She inclined her head. ‘Only if you call me Narcissa.’

Amelia smiled conspiratorially.

Sirius arched an eyebrow as Albus walked into the room, listening to Ernest Hawkworth prattle on about something. It was clear that he was not expecting Sirius to be there and so far, hadn’t noticed him. His eyes narrowed as a small frog like lady dressed in pink walked in behind them, eyeing them distastefully, she glanced around and her eyes widened in horror as she looked at him.

Sirius smirked at her.

‘Ahem.’ She called loudly, causing everybody present to stare at her. ‘We seem to have an interloper.’

‘And who would that be Madam Umbridge?’ Amelia called loudly with a slight belligerence in her tone.

Umbridge blinked at her. ‘Your companion, Sirius Black.’

Albus’s eyes widened as he looked up at them, finally noticing him.

Sirius stood and very deliberately looked down his nose at her. ‘That would be Lord Black to you.’

‘I beg your pardon?’ Madam Umbridge looked furious.

‘Yes, you should. You are very close to insulting me, Madam. I suggest you tread carefully before I demand restitution.’

Amelia stood up beside him. ‘I’m sure you’ve been kept informed that Sirius has been proven innocent and given a full pardon by the minister himself, Madam Umbridge.’

Umbridge’s nostrils flared. ‘Has he been recognised by the Wizengamot?’

‘That is what today is for, Madam.’ Sirius put as much disdain and tiredness in his voice as possible and heard several members behind him titter cautiously. ‘And luckily for me, my family already has a seat in the Wizengamot so you will be unable to vote me out.’

Several loud chuckles echoed throughout the chamber.

‘We’ll see.’ Umbridge told him in a sickly sweet voice.

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Yes we will, what exactly are your credentials, Madam Umbridge?’

‘My father was a distinguished member here.’ She smiled but her eyes glared daggers at him.

He snorted loudly. ‘I beg to differ, your father was a janitor and if you wish to lie to me further, I will insist the scribe bring out the record of every single Wizengamot member for the last hundred years.’ 

He sat down.

‘Maybe the press should be informed.’ Narcissa commented to him in the ensuing silence. ‘It is unbecoming to have such an establishment besmirched in such a way.’

‘I happen to agree.’ Amelia replied. ‘However maybe Rufus could shed some light on this. He’s been digging into the old administration and is not happy with what’s being unearthed.’

Madam Umbridge cleared her throat, looking uncomfortable but proceeded to her seat, far away from them. Sirius could hear other members muttering around them and the looks Umbridge was now getting were not pleasant. He smiled to himself, he had the evidence and the proof of all of her lies and while he was planning on bringing them all to light. There was a time and a place for it and it wasn’t today. For everything that she’d put Harry and Hermione through, he wanted her completely and utterly destroyed and they had a plan. Hermione had sent Rita a lot of information on one Dolores Umbridge not long ago and her next article was due out tomorrow.

Albus was looking at him in dismay but Sirius ignored it, now that it was out that he was Lord Black, he didn’t really need to stay, but for his cousin’s sake, he would. He settled himself in, knowing that, no matter how boring this got, and it would get exceedingly so, he needed to pay attention. There were too many people here he didn’t trust.

🪄🪄🪄

‘That went well.’ Narcissa commented once they were finally back in the manor, sounding sincere.

Sirius groaned loudly and made grabby hands at Remus and wrapped himself around him, burying his nose in neck.

Harry snorted as he watched them, unable to help his smile as he watched Sirius and Remus together.

‘So the wizarding world now knows that Sirius Black is Lord Black?’ Hermione smiled beside him.

‘And that he has it in for a certain Madam Umbridge.’ Narcissa added.

Harry winced, they hadn’t planned for that to come out and he hadn’t figured out any ramifications. ‘Really?’

Sirius mumbled something unintelligible.

Hermione shrugged. ‘Does it matter? It’ll actually show how strong a position he’s in once she goes down.’

Harry slowly smirked as he realised what it would look like to others. ‘People will think he orchestrated her downfall and has the connections to ruin someone.’

‘That’s a very Slytherin trait.’ Draco said from the doorway, looking between Sirius and his mother.

Harry felt a smile pull at his lips that Draco had come down and willingly entered into their conversation.

‘So what’s the next step?’ Narcissa asked.

Harry shot Sirius a look, he knew he was biassed here, that he remembered the woman Narcissa had become and that this Narcissa kept blending into that Narcissa in his mind. Sirius knew this Narcissa the most and would be the best judge of on what they should include her in.

Sirius caught his look.

Draco glared at the ground, looking upset suddenly.

Harry frowned at him, wondering what the hell had happened to turn his mood so suddenly.

‘We need to get into Bella’s vault.’ Sirius turned back to Narcissa and Harry couldn’t help but be pleased that they were trusting her more.

Narcissa blinked. ‘My sister Bella?’

Sirius nodded. ‘She has something that we need in there. It will help us defeat Voldemort.’

Narcissa shrugged carelessly. ‘I have an appointment at Gringotts in the morning, I can access her vault then. What is it that we need?’

Harry stared at her.

‘You have access to her vault?’ Sirius asked slowly, looking stunned.

‘Yes, while she’s imprisoned, she’s given me control over her assets.’ Narcissa explained as it was obvious. ‘She did the same last time she was imprisoned.’

Harry laughed and shook his head. 

Sirius grinned wryly.

Remus looked resigned.

‘Helga Hufflepuff’s cup.’ Hermione said from the doorway.

‘Why would aunt Bella have that?’

Hermione raised an eyebrow to Harry and he shrugged. He was happy to tell them if she was, and he knew she would want to take precautions and was in agreement. Being an auror had taught him to be more cautious and not to take people at face value.

‘We’d need you both to take a vow never to tell another soul before we tell you that.’ Hermione said, silently agreeing to Harry’s plea.

‘Of course.’ Narcissa nodded, turning to her son. ‘Draco?’

He frowned, looking suspicious. ‘You’re willing to tell us everything if we take a vow never to repeat it?’

‘No, we’re willing to tell you why we’re looking for the cup and maybe some other important details if you take the vow, but not everything.’ Harry clarified.

Hermione nodded.

‘I’m willing.’ Narcissa stated, looking at Draco.

He sighed. ‘Fine.’

‘Remus?’ Harry asked. ‘Sirius?’

They both nodded and Remus pulled his wand out while Sirius extended his hand to Narcissa and the three of them performed the vow before it was repeated with Draco.

Harry would have preferred to be the one in Sirius’s place, but knew that it was better being Sirius. Harry was still underage and while they were in the manor, they were able to perform magic, it was still best not to perform magic that strong.

Narcissa looked at them expectantly once the vows were over, while Draco stood hesitantly beside her.

‘Voldemort turned the cup into a horcrux.’ Harry said bluntly and watched Narcissa pale.

‘A what?’ Draco frowned.

‘A horcrux.’ Narcissa breathed, horrified.

Harry nodded.

‘We’ve destroyed four already.’ Hermione explained.

‘How?’ Narcissa looked amazed.

‘What is a horcrux?’ Draco demanded loudly.

‘It’s an object that a dark witch or wizard hides a part of their soul in, in order to become immortal.’ Hermione explained and Harry was pretty sure she was reciting the definition out of a textbook somewhere.

Draco blinked. ‘What? How?’

‘In order to do so, you need to split your soul.’ Remus explained further. ‘Which can only be done through murder.’

Draco grimaced, turning pale and a slight shade of green.

‘So there are five of them?’ Narcissa asked, blinking. ‘He made five horcruxes.’

Harry winced. ‘Actually…’

Draco’s head whipped up to stare at him and Harry found that he couldn’t look away, caught in Draco’s silvery stare.

‘He made seven.’ Sirius said in the ensuing silence.

‘Seven?’ Narcissa whispered. ‘Oh Merlin.’

Draco swallowed. ‘What-what are the other two?’

Harry glanced uneasily at Hermione.

‘You don’t have to tell us.’ Draco glared sullenly at them.

‘Nagini is one.’ Hermione said quietly, coming and standing beside Harry.

Harry lent into her and looked at his father. ‘I’m the other.’

Narcissa gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

Sirius sat down heavily, pulling Remus with him.

‘We don’t believe he meant to make Harry a horcrux.’ Hermione said, slipping her hand around his waist.

‘I’m sorry.’ Harry whispered, knowing just how much Sirius hated even thinking about what it meant.

‘I, what does that mean?’ Draco frowned.

Harry winced and looked at Hermione.

‘It means Volemort has to kill Harry to destroy the horcrux.’ Hermione said quietly.

Draco inhaled sharply, taking a step back and staring at them in disbelief and accusation. ‘I- I thought we were going through all this crap because you could defeat him!’

Harry blinked at Draco. Draco believed in him? Draco was here because he wanted Harry to win? Harry had honestly thought that Draco was only here because Narcissa had brought him and wanted him safe. He hadn’t really put any thought into what Draco wanted, if Draco really believed in Lord Voldemort’s propaganda. Draco had always believed that purebloods were better and superior, so why was he so upset that Harry, a halfblood he had always hated, was fated to die?

‘What?’ Harry asked dumbly, still not able to process.

Sirius and Remus shared a look.

Hermione squeezed Harry’s waist. ‘We don’t want Harry to die, and we’re hoping he won’t, but, as far as we currently know, Voldemort will need to cast the killing curse at Harry to destroy the horcrux he made in him.’

‘The scar.’ Narcissa whispered with her eyes closed. ‘The scar is the horcrux.’

‘Yes, we believe so.’ Hermione agreed.

Harry was still staring at Draco who was still staring back at him. 

‘And you’re okay with this?’ Draco demanded suddenly. ‘Knowing that you have to die?’

Harry shrugged, knowing that they couldn’t tell them they were hoping that he wouldn’t actually die as he hadn’t the last time, or that he’d been hoping they would find something else to get rid of the horcrux in his head. ‘I don’t think okay is the word I’d use, but if it saves the people I love and stops this war, then I’m willing for it to happen.’

‘You’re insane.’ Draco whispered, staring at them all horrified and backing away. ‘You’re all insane.’

He ran from the room and Harry watched him go, wanting to go after him but found himself rooted to the spot.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 26 - WAKING HARRY

‘Have you seen Rita’s latest article?’ George asked as Sirius practically bounced into the room.

‘No.’ Sirius blinked at him before grinning broadly. ‘Is it on Umbridge?’

‘What’s put you in such a good mood?’ Fred asked, then paused. ‘Remus.’

‘And yes, it’s on Umbridge.’ George grinned, he hadn’t known Sirius in the previous timeline and had barely known Remus, but he’d never seen either of them this happy. 

‘Can I see?’ Hermione bounded over to him, leaning into his side and he wrapped an arm around her as he handed her the paper. Fred watched them easily but knew they viewed each other as siblings, which worked well as it was obvious to George that his twin had it bad for Hermione. He wondered if Fred had felt this way in the previous timeline but never done anything about it.

Hermione opened the paper and laughed loudly. ‘Oh, Rita really outdid herself on this one.’

Sirius came round and peered over their shoulders to read it and read the title out loud. ‘“Ministry hired torturer who abused Hogwarts students.” She really didn’t pull any punches did she?’

‘Not in any way.’ George snorted. ‘She even got student testimonials about our detentions. Apparently she invented the Black Quill.’

‘The quill that used our blood as ink?’ Hermione grimaced. ‘I thought it was a medieval device.’

‘According to Rita, and we all know how truthful she is.’ Fred snorted. ‘It was Umbridge’s own invention.’

‘And Rita also dives into Umbridge's family,’ George continued. ‘Nothing we don’t know. Her father was a ministerial janitor, her brothers a squib and he and her mother are living in the muggle world. Oh and Rita managed to track them down, her mother goes by her maiden name, Ellen Cracknell and she goes into great detail about how cruel both Dolores and her father Orford were to her and her son.’

‘And she’s used some but not all of the blackmail evidence you gave her.’ Fred added. ‘The ones that she’s used, she goes into a lot of detail about, named names, instances and places. Makes me think the rest of it she’s keeping in reserve.’

‘Knowing Rita, she probably is.’ Hermione agreed. ‘It would make a great follow up.’

‘Which with this evidence, the ministry is going to have to look into.’ Fred nodded,

‘They could fire her but would probably suspend her pending an investigation.’ George agreed.

‘Which would be a perfect time to drop more bombshells about her.’ Hermione smiled.

‘Bombshells about who?’ Draco glared at them as he entered.

‘What’s stuck up your arse?’ George asked, surprised at the turnabout in him. He’d really thought they were getting somewhere with Draco, he’d stopped being so stuck up and obnoxious but it now felt like they’d taken several steps backwards.

Sirius snorted but kept reading the article.

‘We told him about the horcruxes.’ Hermione murmured, skimming the rest of the article. ‘He didn’t take it well.’

‘That was an understatement.’ Sirius mumbled under his breath.

Draco snorted. ‘Whatever, I’m not the one leading the lamb to slaughter.’

‘Ah, he knows that our young Harry is a horcrux?’ George asked melodramatically.

‘You all know?’ Draco asked, looking aghast. ‘And you’re okay with him dying? I thought you were meant to be friends!’

Hermione sighed quietly. ‘We are friends.’

‘And yet, you’ve all just accepted he’s going to die!’ Draco shouted at them.

George hid his grin as he suddenly realised exactly why Draco was so upset. He had wondered the last time they’d done this about Draco’s actual feelings for Harry and while he’d eventually dismissed it, he was now rethinking it. It was clear that Draco was extremely upset that there was a chance that Harry might die.

‘Do you even know us?’ Fred snorted.

Draco froze and stared at them, taking long looks at each of them before he settled his gaze accusingly on Hermione. ‘You said you couldn’t tell me everything.’

‘And I can’t.’ She agreed, smiling.

Draco breathed out slowly and nodded. ‘Okay then.’

George grinned, pleased that Draco had guessed they were working on another plan. Hermione, himself and Fred had been combing the Black private family library and Madam Bones was doing the same at the ministry. There had to be another way to get the horcrux out of Harry without trying to kill him, they just had to find it. He knew that Hermione had been searching before they’d come back, and that she hadn’t found anything, but Madam Bones had more access than she had and better contacts.

Sirius shook his head and turned to the twins. ‘How’re your parents doing?’

George grinned at him. ‘Funny you should ask that, they want to see you again and to know what your plans for Harry’s birthday are.’

‘I would love to throw Harry a party.’ Sirius winced apologetically. ‘But we’re under the fidelius.’

‘We can still have one with just us.’ George grinned.

‘Harry will love it.’ Hermione agreed.

‘Surprise party!’ Fred exclaimed.

Sirius smirked slowly.

‘No.’ Remus groaned.

‘A marauder party!’ Sirius beamed.

‘Only mum and Dad will insist on coming.’ George glanced at Hermione.

‘Oh yeah, Ron overheard and is insisting on coming too.’ Fred pulled a face.

George heard Hermione take in a deep, measured breath.

‘Hermione?’ Sirius asked quietly.

She swallowed. ‘As long as he’s willing to perform the vow too.’

Sirius nodded. ‘Send them a message and I’ll meet them at Pastels Lodge.’

George nodded and sent off his patronus.

‘Oh great.’ Draco muttered unhappily, crossing his arms petulantly. ‘More Weasley’s.’

‘Lucky you.’ George grinned at him.

‘Being surrounded by Weasley’s.’ Fred shook his head.

‘You might have to hunt out some non redheads.’

Draco narrowed his eyes at them and sneered but it was clear he didn’t get what they were hinting at. ‘Like the lot of you aren't inseparable. Might mean I’ll actually get some peace.’

‘Ah, is poor little Draco planning on hiding away in his room?’ Fred teased.

Draco glared at him. 

‘I’m a Malfoy, I don’t hide.’ He said, sounding insulted.

Hermione snorted as she failed at containing her laughter.

‘And yet, you’re not going to come out and play with the big boys and girls.’ George grinned.

Draco stared at him in alarm. ‘Never call yourselves big boys and girls again.’

‘Only if you stop hiding away.’ Fred bargained.

Draco stared at them, looking thoroughly irritated at the whole thing and sighed heavily. ‘Fine.’

A weasel patronus came bounding up them. ‘We’ll be there in ten minutes.’

Draco looked torn.

‘Better let the others know.’ George winked at Fred. ‘Draco, you can let Harry know right?’

‘Why can’t you?’

‘I need Fred and George to go over something I was working on last night.’ Hermione smiled and pointed out a rather large and imposing stack of papers.

George felt his eyes widen as he stared at it in dismay. ‘Maybe Draco could stay and help you Mione, and Fred and I will wake Harry up.’

‘Nope.’ Draco exclaimed quickly, heading for the door. ‘I can wake him up.’

Hermione grinned as Draco left the room.

‘Well played.’ Sirius commented in amusement.

‘Why exactly do you want my son to wake Harry up?’ Narcissa asked, looking stern but her posture was friendly.

‘In case he suddenly realises that his feelings for Harry are more friendlier than he currently realises.’ Fred grinned.

Narcissa chuckled, surprising him. ‘I’m not entirely sure my son has realised he’s attracted to boys and not girls.’

‘Really?’ George asked, and smirked. ‘Maybe we might have to show him that it’s perfectly normal.’

‘If Remus and I haven't shown him that, then I have no idea what else would.’ Sirius said dryly.

George grinned and inclined his head. 

‘Maybe just let them figure it out on their own.’ Narcissa advised. ‘Although, getting them to spend more time together certainly wouldn’t hurt.’

‘Well, I’d better go meet your parents.’ Sirius got his coat. ‘Do they know that we have guests?’

George winced.

‘That would be a no then.’ Narcissa said dryly. ‘Would you like us to stay out of sight?’

Sirius shook his head. ‘No, they need to know exactly what they’re getting into and where I stand.’

Narcissa smiled, looking pleased.

‘We’ll come with you.’ Fred said as George stood up.

‘There’s a lot of bad blood, it's mainly aimed at the late Mr Malfoy but I doubt they’ll want Ron here after what happened to Ginny.’ George explained as gently as he could without beating around the bush.

Narcissa frowned. ‘Ginny? Your sister? What happened to her?’

George shared a look with Hermione.

‘One of the horcruxes was a diary of Lord Voldemort’s when he was still at Hogwarts, it was left in your husband’s possession.’ Hermione began gently.

Narcissa paled. ‘I’m not going to like this am I?’

Sirius shook his head.

‘He slipped the diary into Ginny’s schoolbag when we… met, in Diagon Alley before school for our second year.’ Hermione winced. 

‘The year the Chamber of Secrets was opened.’ Narcissa breathed in realisation.

Hermione nodded. ‘Ginny almost died.’

‘Maybe I should also come and apologise for the actions of my late husband.’ Narcissa offered, her hand shaky as she clutched her tea but her expression was resolute.

‘You’re more than welcome to, but they haven't taken a secrecy vow yet.’ Sirius reminded her.

Narcissa shrugged as she rose. ‘After seeing us together at the Wizengamot, it’s not a huge leap to correctly ascertain that I’m living with you.’

Sirius held out his arm to her and nodded at him before he apparated them both to Pastel’s Lodge. George grinned at Fred, preparing himself for the fireworks he was sure was about to happen before they both followed Sirius and Narcissa.

He wasn’t surprised to find his parents and Ron already there and waiting for them. Or the disapproving glare on his mothers face. He shared a look with Fred while they hung back, waiting to watch the show.

‘Mr and Mrs Weasley.’ Narcissa began before anyone could say anything. ‘I want to apologise for the actions of my late husband. I have only just been informed of what he did and I offer you my heartfelt apologies.’

Ron snorted in disbelief.

Arthur blinked at her, looking confounded. ‘Erm, thank you.’ 

‘You seriously expect me to believe that you had no idea that your husband had endangered our only daughter's life?’ Molly shouted at her. 

George stared at his mother, impressed by just how imposing she was coming across, even Narcissa looked taken aback. 

‘At the time I could believe that rubbish but now? After it all came out about the Chamber and You-Know-Who and that Ginny had been taken, especially when it was your good for nothing husband who went to the school all high and mighty and ended up losing your house elf! Oh. You really didn’t know?’ Molly asked, looking startled before she visibly deflated having come to her own conclusions in her rant.

Narcissa shook her head. ‘Hermione has just informed me.’

‘Hermione’s here?’ Ron cut in, now looking bewildered.

‘I’m afraid I will need a vow of secrecy from all three of you before we say anything more.’ Sirius cut in smoothly. ‘Except to say that Narcissa’s son Draco is also with us.’

Ron stared at Sirius in horror. ‘What? Why?’

‘You have two choices. A vow of secrecy and then I explain further, or you leave here.’ Sirius told him.

Ron looked at their mother horrified.

Molly nodded, looking determined. ‘I’ll make the vow. Ron, I would rather you didn’t and returned home but I understand that your friends are involved and… as your father reminded me, you are sixteen.’ She pursed her lips unhappily and refused to continue.

‘We decided it’s up to you if you make the vow, but you do understand how serious it is and what will happen to you if you break it?’ Arthur asked him, watching Ron intently.

Ron nodded hurriedly. ‘I’ll die if I break it. I understand and I want to take it.’

‘And you are aware that you will, at the very least, have to be civil to Draco?’ Sirius checked.

George guffawed and Fred had to slap him on the back.

Ron threw them a dirty look but nodded looking resigned.

‘Arthur?’ Sirius asked.

Arthur grinned. ‘I’ll take the vow.’

Splendid.’ Sirius clapped his hands together. ‘Fred, George, which of you would like to officiate?’

🪄🪄🪄

Draco hesitated outside of Harry’s room. He hadn’t been told this was Harry’s room, but he had eyes and he knew how to observe, just like he knew that something had changed. Harry, Hermione and the twins were all acting strange, Sirius possibly was as well but he hadn’t known the man before they moved in so it was hard to tell. He didn’t think Professor Lupin was anymore, he was still acting exactly the same as he had been when he’d taught them Defence Against the Dark Arts.

He wasn’t sure what had changed but Harry wasn’t quite as quick to irritate as he had been, it had always been so easy to get a rise out of him. To get him to shout back, to get him to glare at him with those piercing eyes behind those absolutely awful glasses he always wore. Harry wasn’t doing that now, and Hermione seemed even more preoccupied than she usually was and he couldn’t fathom for the life of him why the twins kept talking to him and trying to include him for all of their teasing.

And soon Ronald was going to be added to the mix. He found it interesting that he wasn’t already here, did that mean that he didn’t know what the others did? How would he be acting? Like he normally did and would be just as easy to rile and spit back the same vitriol that Draco dealt out? Or would he be acting just as weird and strange as the others? Somehow he doubted it was the latter and then wondered just why he cared so much, they weren’t his friends.

He took in a deep breath and reminded himself of that fact: what did he care, they weren't his friends. He reached out, knocked on the door resolutely and waited for Harry to answer. And waited. He glared at the door and again raped his knuckles against the wood sharply. Still no answer. Frowning, he pushed against the handle and stared in surprise as the door opened. He couldn’t even feel any wards on the door. Harry left his bedroom door unlocked? Was this a trap? True, Draco left his bedroom door at home in the manor unlocked, at least he had before the Dark Lord had moved in. While this was Harry’s home, Draco was sure that it hadn’t been for long and Harry wasn’t the only one living here. Did Harry really think he was so safe here that he didn’t have to lock or even ward his bedroom?

He pulled his wand out and marched in, fully expecting Harry or someone to spring out and curse him but it was silent and dark in the room. Draco blinked, waiting for his eyes to acclimatise and he squinted into the darkness, just about picking out a large dark object which he was pretty sure was the bed. He glanced around at the floor but couldn’t spot any obstacles that could trip him and slowly headed towards it, by the time he reached the bed, his eyes had acclimatised and he found himself staring at Harry, fast asleep, curled up in the top corner of the bed, sleeping silently.

Draco stared. He looked so peaceful and so strange without his glasses on. It was almost like watching someone else. He’d known for a while that what he felt for Harry wasn’t just rivalry but something else, just like he knew that Harry did not feel the same way about him. Harry would quite easily ignore him and Draco found that the indifference hurt even more than it had knowing that Harry hated him, so he shouted abuse and vitriol at him and revelled in the attention when Harry shouted it back.

He frowned as he realised that in the short amount of time he’d been here, he’d stopped calling them by their surnames in his head and instead had started using their first names. Soon, he would be doing that out loud and then what would everyone be thinking? It was one thing for them to be calling him Draco, he could kind of understand that they couldn’t call him Malfoy with his mother here, it would be too confusing, but it was another thing completely if he started calling them by their given names. 

‘Potter!’ He called sharply, glaring at Harry. There was no way he was going to allow Harry to wake up to Draco staring at him fondly. He didn’t know what lay ahead of him but he did still have a reputation. ‘Potter, wake up!’

Harry’s eyes flew open instantly and his body tensed but he didn’t move other than to squint in his direction.

‘Merlin’s sake Potter! Get up!’

‘Draco?’ Harry asked sleepily as he reached out to the bedside table and patted around until he found his glasses.

Draco was not going to mention the tremor that shot through him at the sound of Harry’s sleep infused voice but the memory was one he would never forget. Draco huffed loudly to cover his reaction. ‘Yes Potter. Now hurry up, your weasel friend is going to be arriving soon.’

‘Huh?’ Harry frowned and blinked before staring up at him with large confused eyes behind those awful looking glasses.

Draco rolled his eyes. ‘Goes by the name of Ronald? Is any of this ringing any bells?’

Harry grinned widely, looking pleased. ‘Ron’s coming?’

Draco clenched his jaw tightly. Harry had never once looked at him like that before, and the fact that it was aimed towards that weasley git cut through him like nails on a chalkboard. ‘Isn’t that what I said? Are you hard of hearing now as well as blind as a bat?’

Harry rolled his eyes, almost affectionately. ‘Uhuh, hey thanks for waking me.’

‘Whatever.’ Draco sneered at him and turned to leave. As much as he wanted to stay in Harry’s room and talk with him, being so near him was getting harder and harder the less Harry responded to his taunts and the more he saw Harry relaxed and happy.

‘Gimme a sec to get dressed.’ Harry yawned.

Draco frowned, not understanding why Harry would want him to wait for him. He would wait, how could he not? But why did Harry feel the need to ask him to? He sighed, resigning himself to spending the next however long with the Weasley’s.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 27 - FAMILY

‘Molly,’ Sirius cleared his throat solemnly and saw her glance at him worriedly. ‘I’m afraid I do need your help with quite an important task and was hoping that both you and Narcissa could aid me.’

‘Of course Sirius.’ Narcissa instantly offered.

Molly nodded, looking unsure. ‘What is it you need?

‘I would like to throw Harry a surprise birthday party.’ Sirius grinned, dropping his stern expression.

Narcissa smiled wryly but looked pleased.

Molly stared at him before bursting out into excited chatter. ‘Oh of course! I can provide all the food and the cake. We can have it at the Burrow and they can play out in the field. Oh and we can invite all of his friends.’

‘We’ll be having it here.’ Sirius cut in quickly. ‘And we’re under the fidelius so it will be small.’

‘Oh but Sirius…’ Molly began.

Sirius held up a hand. ‘Non-negotiable Molly.’

She sighed and pursed her lips but nodded begrudgingly, looking like she was already trying to find a way around it, but because of the Fidelus, unless he relented on the location, there was nothing she could do. And there was no way he would ever put Harry’s safety at risk, not with what he now knew.

‘Now, I’ve spoken to Hermione, and the friends from school that Harry would like to be there are, apart from those already living here, are Ron, Neville and Luna.’

‘Does Harry know about this?’ Narcissa asked.

Sirius shook his head. ‘I want it to be a surprise. Now I will approach Augusta about Neville coming, especially as I need to clear the air between the Longbottoms and the Blacks.’

Narcissa winced.

‘I don’t know the Lovegoods that well, but will approach them as well and as long as both are willing to perform the vow, I’m happy for them to come. Hermione assures me they are both very good at keeping secrets when required.’

Molly frowned, looking disheartened.

‘Ron has already performed the vow Molly, and your twins have been brought into the fidelius, if the rest of your children are happy to perform the vow, then they are also welcome to come.’

Molly shook her head. ‘Ginny’s too young and Percy…’ she trailed off.

‘You know your children best.’ Sirius said gently. ‘But I would appreciate any help in decorating and I’m sure Dobby would appreciate sharing the cooking. I’ll tell him you’re doing the cake though.’

Sirius smiled wryly wondering just how badly Dobby would take that, but he was planning on asking Dobby to make another cake, just for the family who were living here.

Molly smiled contentedly and glanced at Arthur.

He shrugged. ‘I think we should give the children the option. Ginny will hate being left out and Percy needs to hear that the ministry is not as great as he thinks it is.’

‘Ginny’s only fourteen!’ Molly hissed at Arthur.

‘And she’ll soon be fifteen.’ Arthur reminded her.

Molly shook her head. ‘She’s still too young. The only reason I allowed Ron is because Harry’s his best friend.’

‘And Ron’s sixteen.’ Arthur pointed out.

‘He’s still not of age!’ Molly shot back.

Arthur sighed but nodded. ‘We’ll see if Percy can tear himself away from work and come over and babysit her.’

Remus frowned. ‘Percy works for the ministry doesn't he?’

Molly pursed her lips and looked close to tears.

Arthur nodded. ‘In the minister's office but we haven’t heard from him since it came out that He Who Must Not Be Named is back.’

‘I think he’s embarrassed.’ Molly whispered. ‘We thought he’d been promoted to keep an eye on us but he refused to believe it.’

‘So his pride’s been hurt.’ Sirius winced in understanding. 

Arthur nodded. ‘I don’t know if he’d even respond to us.’

‘If not, we have friends Ginny can stay with.’ Molly decided. ‘We’re not missing Harry’s birthday.’

Sirius grinned at them. ‘Well, that’s the guests mostly sorted. Assuming we have Luna and Neville coming, that’ll be…’

Fifteen.’ Remus cut in. ‘Assuming none of the other Weasley children are coming?’

Molly shook her head. ‘Charlie’s still in Romania, Albus has him recruiting foreign wizards but I’ll ask Bill, he’s back.’

‘Sixteen then.’ Sirius smiled. ‘Not bad for a secret party held under the fidelius.’

‘Not bad at all.’ Remus agreed with a grin.

‘Who else is coming?’ Molly asked with a frown.

‘Minerva and Amelia.’ Remus replied quickly while Sirius blinked blankly. ‘Minerva came for the adoption and Amelia was living with us for a bit, so both know the secret of the fidelius.’

‘And Harry will be okay having so many adults?’

‘He got on very well with Amelia when she lived here.’ Narcissa allowed before she smiled. ‘But not as well as Hermione did.’

Sirius snorted. ‘I’m pretty sure that Amelia’s going to be offering Hermione a job the second she leaves Hogwarts.’

‘I’m pretty sure she wants to offer Hermione a job right now.’ Remus scratched the side of his head.

‘And Minerva?’ Arthur asked, blinking rapidly.

‘Harry asked for her to be at the adoption. Hermione found out that it would go smoother for him to have someone he viewed as matriarchal. He chose Minerva.’ Sirius smiled proudly, hoping that Molly didn’t feel slighted for Harry not choosing her. Although he was of the impression that Harry viewed Molly as more maternal than Matriarchal and while she ran the Weasley household, she didn’t run the house.

 🪄🪄🪄

Hermione bit her lip, trying not to laugh at the glaring contest going on between Ron and Draco. 

It was strange, being back in her teenage body after being an adult for so long, not that she’d always felt like an adult. There wasn’t a switch to flip to go from being a child to adult but she had always acted and done the mature thing and now that she was a teenager again, it was a relief to not always be the one everyone looked to for answers. Even though she still wanted everyone to. It was infuriating. She wanted everyone to go to her for help, hated it when they did and was infuriated when they didn’t. It was a work in progress.

It was also a work in progress dealing with Ron. She still loved him, always would, but it was surreal dealing with him as a teenager again. Especially now that she needed to get him to play nice with Draco. She had no idea how to go about it, and was reminded about how stubborn he had always been, especially as a teenager. It wouldn’t be easy getting through to Ron and getting him to change his mind or his views about Draco. Although she was surprised that they actually seemed to be getting through to Draco, she hadn’t been convinced that they would be able to without the experiences that he’d been through last time.

She glanced at Draco, sullenly staying quiet on the outskirts but she hadn’t missed the many glares shot at Ron.

‘I just don’t understand.’ Ron threw a worried look towards his parents, Narcissa, Sirius and Remus. ‘Don’t they have their own friends to go to for help?’

‘Oh yeah.’ Draco sneered. ‘All our friends who believed the same as we did about the Dark Lord.’

Ron scowled back at him. ‘And whose fault is that?’

Draco huffed and rolled his eyes.

‘Ron,’ Harry began patiently. ‘I’m not asking you to suddenly start liking him, but just lay off the insults, yeah?’

Ron pouted at Harry.

Hermione bit her lip.

‘I don’t need you to fight my battles!’ Draco stared angrily at Harry.

Fred snorted. ‘Yeah, you were defending yourself so well.’

‘Shut up!’ Draco crossed his arms sulkily.

George snorted and stood up from where he was lounging. ‘Come on, Draci-poo, let's allow Harry and Mione to talk to our brother in private.’

Fred’s eye’s lit up. ‘He can help with our latest PDA!’

Hermione swallowed her laugh, still struggling to get over what they’d called their personal defensive aids.

Draco sighed but seemed pleased to get away from them.

‘You don’t let me help.’ Ron glared sullenly at them.

Hermione saw Draco smile before he turned to leave. She smiled thankfully at Fred as he walked past and quickly clasped George’s hand gratefully.

She turned back to the others to find Ron staring at her in confusion. ‘When did that happen?’

‘What happen?’ Hermione asked, drawing a blank.

‘You and George!’ Ron accused.

Hermione stared at him for a second before feeling the laughter well up inside of her and struggled to contain it. She held a hand over mouth as it burst out and she almost doubled over at the effort.

‘What?’ She could hear Ron asking. ‘What’s so funny?’

She had to wipe her eyes clear from tears when she straightened and saw Harry chuckling as well while Ron stared at the pair of them looking bewildered.

‘We’re friends Ron.’ Hermione managed to say. ‘Good friends, but just friends. That is allowed isn’t it?’

Ron frowned, looking confused. ‘Y-yeah?’

‘You don’t sound certain.’ Hermione pushed, suddenly realising how helpful those years of marriage had actually been. She now knew how to prod Ron in the right direction. ‘Are you sure I’m allowed to have friends outside of you and Harry?’

‘Yes. I’m sure.’ He said slowly, sounding afraid and correctly sensing the trap she was setting up for him.

She raised an eyebrow.

‘Of course you are!’ He rushed defensively.

‘As we all are.’ Harry grinned.

‘Do you think Fred and George are planning on killing Draco?’ Ron asked hopefully.

Harry snorted.

‘I think they’ve actually taken him under their wing.’ Hermione admitted, smiling at Ron’s horrified look.

‘Why?’ He whispered.

Harry shrugged. ‘He’s not so bad.’

‘Not so bad? Are you mental?’ Ron demanded aghast. ‘He’s tormented us for the past five years and after you spend part of the summer with him you think he’s not so bad?’

‘Now that his eyes have been opened about Lord Voldemort.’ Hermione shrugged, internally winced at the outward shudder Ron made as she voiced Voldemort’s name.

Ron snorted. ‘Sure he has.’

‘It took a while, but now that Narcissa had decided to help Sirius-’ Hermione began.

‘She what?’ Ron’s eyes widened.

Harry nodded. ‘She stood with Sirius at the wizengamot.’

‘Only because he’s Lord Black.’ Ron emphasised.

Harry shook his head. ‘No, she got away from Lord Voldemort before she knew that Sirius was Lord Black.’

Ron looked sceptical. ‘I still don’t believe they’ve changed and I think you’re both mental if you think they have.’

‘Not completely.’ Hermione allowed, gently. ‘But they’re getting there, and we’re trying to show them why we don’t agree with their way of thinking.’

Ron rolled his eyes. ‘Because their way of thinking is wrong.’

Hermione winced. ‘Everyone is allowed their thoughts and beliefs, we’re just challenging those thoughts and providing an alternative. We’re not forcing our way on them like they’re trying to do to us.’

Ron frowned, an expression she recognised when he didn’t understand something. ‘Because we’re better than them?’

Harry chuckled. ‘No, to show that no one person is better than another, that everyone matters and should have the same opportunities given to them.’

Ron snorted. ‘Uhuh. Wait until we get back to school, mate. Then he’ll show his true colours.’

‘I think he might surprise us.’ Harry admitted, shrugging with a dopey smile on his face. 

Hermione stared at Harry, she recognised that smile. She had seen it many times when he’d started seeing Ginny as a girl and not just Ron’s baby sister. How had she missed this?

Ron shrugged. ‘Alright mate, but I reserve the right to tell you both, I told you so.’

Harry laughed and threw an arm around Ron’s shoulders. ‘Sure, but you’ll be polite right? No goading?’

Ron sighed heartfully but nodded. ‘If I must, but I’m not going to suddenly start liking or trusting the prat, okay?’

Hermione grinned, knowing that most of the battle was over. She wasn’t stupid enough to know that they wouldn’t have blips and that there werent going to be screaming matches in the future, but Ron would always come back to them, even if he didn’t know that yet.

‘There’s more that you need to know.’ Hermione said, taking charge. It wasn’t fair that Draco knew more than Ron did, especially seeing as Ron was their best friend and Draco had been their enemy until this summer. 

Harry blinked at her, looking surprised, unsure and pleased all at once. Sometimes she wondered how he’d gotten so far as an auror when he managed to show all his feelings so openly. Although she was beginning to suspect that he only did that to them.

‘A lot’s happened recently.’ Harry sighed. 

Hermione sighed. ‘We know how to defeat Voldemort.’

Ron practically lit up. ‘Really? That’s fantastic! What do we need to do?’

Hermione stared at him for a moment before feeling her heart clench and she beamed at him. There was the man that she loved, the man that would do anything for his friends, the man that this teenager had grown into. ‘He split his soul into fragments called horcruxes. We’ve destroyed four but have three more to do.’

‘You’ve done four already?’ Ron looked annoyed. ‘Without me?’

‘The first one was that diary in second year.’ Harry quickly told him.

‘The one that Ginny had been writing in?’ Ron paled.

Hermione nodded. ‘Sirius and Remus know, as do the twins. That’s what we’ve been doing this summer. We wanted to tell you but we needed to keep their involvement quiet so we couldn't let your parents know.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because we’re not telling Dumbledore any of this.’ Harry said bluntly, causing Hermione to wince. She had wanted to lead up to that.

‘Your parents are in the Order and would have told him.’ Hermione explained. ‘Dumbledore would have stopped Sirius from adopting Harry.’

‘Sirius adopted you?’ Ron turned to Harry, grinning. ‘Mate, that’s awesome!’

‘That’s why Sirius had to become Lord Black and get his name cleared.’ Hermione said, bringing them back to the topic.

‘But why can’t we tell Dumbledore?’ Ron wondered. ‘Why would he have stopped Sirius getting Harry away from the Dursleys?’

Hermione fell silent, knowing this was Harry’s story to tell.

‘Because when Voldemort killed my parents, he made me a horcrux.’ Harry said quietly.

‘What?’ Ron whispered, staring at him, pale and horrified.

‘Dumbledore knows that. He doesn’t know that I know though.’ Harry admitted.

Ron blinked at him, breathing heavily before he stood up and started pacing. ‘What does that mean though?’

‘It means, that in order to get rid of the horcrux, Voldemort needs to kill me.’ Harry said quietly. ‘We’re hoping that he doesn't actually kill me though, just the horcrux.’

Ron frowned. ‘Who is hoping this? Dumbledore? Are you trying to tell me that he’s setting you up to die? That in order to free us of, of, of - him, you have to die?!’

Harry nodded. ‘We’ve looked into it. He isn’t wrong.’

‘Although we are trying to find another way.’ Hermione shot a glare at Harry, hating how at ease he was that once again Voldemort had to cast a killing spell at him.

Ron stared at him and shook his head. ‘No, Hermione's right, there has to be another way.’

‘i haven’t found anything yet.’ Hermione said quietly and watched Ron deflate.

She waited silently along with Harry, both of them giving Ron the time and space to think things through.

Eventually Ron nodded and looked at her. ‘So what do we do?’

Hermione grinned at him. ‘We research and while we’re doing that we destroy the other two horcruxes. One is a cup that Bellatrix has in her vault and Narcissa is getting for us. And the other is Nagini.’

Ron’s jaw dropped. ‘The snake?!’ He screeched.

Hermione nodded and sighed. ‘We don’t actually have a plan for that.’

‘Wait a second, you said Narcissa is getting the cup?’ Ron asked, looking alarmed. ‘Don’t tell me Malfoy knows this?’ 

‘He knows some of it.’ Hermione admitted. ‘We kinda had to tell him.’

‘Oh great, he knows before I do.’ Ron looked furious.

Hermione smiled and walked over to him. ‘But he’s not a genius chess player nor is he our best friend.’

‘Genius chess player huh?’ Ron asked.

‘And best friend.’ Harry repeated.

Ron smiled slowly and nodded. ‘No he isn’t. And he’s still a slimy git.’

Harry snorted and laughed.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 28 - THE CUP

‘Harry is a horcrux?’ Molly whispered horrified, her expression pale and heartbreaking and Sirius remembered that Harry always spent the last of his holidays with them before heading back to Hogwarts.

Sirius nodded gravely.

‘And Albus knows?’ Arthur questioned, disbelief in his voice.

‘Yes.’ Sirius took a deep breath, unwilling to end up ranting his anger about Albus to them.

‘How could he?’ Molly railed angrily. ‘He’s just been setting Harry up to die?’

‘We don’t know for sure,’ Remus hedged.

‘We think he’s hoping that when Voldemort tries to kill him, he destroys the horcrux instead.’

‘Hoping?’ Molly repeated faintly, before yelling. ‘He’s hoping?!’

‘To be fair, I haven't actually faced him with this information.’ Sirius allowed. ‘I was too angry.’

‘I don’t blame you.’ Arthur said, uncharacteristically tense.

‘Has there ever been anything like this happen before?’ Arthur asked. ‘Any instance that Albus could be basing his thoughts on?’

‘Not that we’re aware of.’ Sirius said slowly.

‘We’re assuming that all of his knowledge is theoretical.’ Remus added. ‘And with it being Albus, his guesses are usually quite accurate.’

‘But Harry’s a child!’ Molly implored.

‘Which is why we disagree with him.’ Sirius attempted diplomacy.

‘Is that why you left the order?’ Arthur asked, looking as if his whole world had been turned upside down.

‘Partially.’ Sirius allowed. He swallowed when Molly shot him a look. ‘He also wanted Harry to stay with the Dursley’s who were abusing him.’

Arthur swallowed loudly and reached out for Molly’s hand. ‘Albus always disregarded our worries.’

Sirius nodded. ‘It’s why I became Lord Black. I can protect Harry better than the blood protection given to him by Lily with the manors wards.’

‘Why didn’t Albus ever think of that?’ Molly asked.

‘I believe Albus initially thought I was guilty and then when he found out I was innocent, never thought it could be proven and therefore moot.’ Sirius shrugged as if the thought of his life being so superfluous wasn’t hurtful, especially by one who he’d always looked up to.

‘That’s absolutely rubbish.’ Molly bristled at the thought.

Sirius smiled wanly. ‘Thank you for the support.’

‘I just can’t understand what is going through Albus’s head.’ Molly admonished.

‘Unfortunately he’s not willing to share.’ Remus cut in. ‘However we do have the outline of a plan. We just don’t know how to get rid of the horcrux that’s in Harry.’

Sirius nodded. ‘Hermione and Remus have been combing the Black libraries for information, and Amelia the ministry ones.’

‘We’ve found out a lot about horcruxes and how to make and destroy them in inanimate objects.’ Remus sighed. ‘But nothing about them being in living beings.’

‘Which is why we don’t have a full plan.’ Sirius allowed.

Arthur nodded. ‘And you’re getting the next horcrux today?’

‘Narcissa is key to that one, it’s in Bellatrix’s vault of which she has access.’ Sirius nodded in his cousins direction.

‘Which reminds me, did you want to come with me to Gringotts?’ Narcissa asked Sirius. ‘We should be leaving soon if you do.’

‘Would you mind?’ Sirius asked, not having expected her to invite him even though he had hinted he would like to go with her.

‘If our guests don’t mind?’ Narcissa smiled at Molly.

Sirius marvelled at how well the two women were getting on even though Molly seemed to be swinging between anger and empathy for Narcissa.

‘Of course not. We should get Ron, we don’t want to impose.’ Molly said instantly, looking around as if Ron would magically appear.

‘You can stay here if you like.’ Sirius offered, exchanging a look with Remus who nodded.

‘It would give Ron a chance to catch up with Harry and Hermione.’ Remus smiled at them.

‘That would be lovely.’ Arthur beamed at them.

‘Are you sure?’ Molly asked hesitantly, glancing between Arthur and Remus.

‘Of course Molly.’ Sirius cut in, quickly. ‘Remus can show you libraries.’

Molly swallowed and nodded resolutely. ‘Bill’s a curse breaker for gringotts.’

Sirius paused. ‘Goblins hoard their knowledge as much as they do wealth. Would Bill be willing to perform the vow?’

‘Of course!’ Molly exclaimed, sounding both pleased and affronted.

Arthur winced. ‘He made his own to the goblins.’

Sirius shrugged. ‘He may be able to point us in a direction though.’

🪄🪄🪄

‘I can’t get over how innocent it looks.’ Narcissa remarked, scrutinising the cup carefully.

Hermione took in a deep breath, noticing but not mentioning how both Draco and Ron were staring at it with matching expressions. ‘It senses when it’s about to be destroyed.’

‘What?’ Narcissa’s sharp gaze focused on her.

‘That’s eerie.’ Molly grimaced.

‘It also seems to know who is going to destroy it and screams out their insecurities in an attempt to save itself.’

‘That’s alarming.’ Arthur admitted with a frown before his face cleared back into his normal cheery expression. ‘So who's killing it?’

Everyone’s eyes turned to her.

Harry stifled his laugh but Hermione turned to Narcissa. ‘Narcissa, would you like to?’

Narcissa blinked at her, clearly taken by surprise but refusing to show it. ‘You would like me to?’

‘We’ve all taken it in turns.’ Harry grinned.

‘Sirius, Remus and George have all done one.’ Hermione shared a smile with George.

‘What about you?’ Narcissa asked them.

Harry shrugged. ‘I killed the diary.’

Hermione smiled and shrugged, knowing that if she voiced any more there would be too many questions. She’d killed one in another lifetime but she couldn’t tell anyone that. Ron had as well, but he didn’t remember it and therefore didn’t have the experience of it, but they’d been older then, and this way, it helped the adults come to some closure for all the hell Voldemort had put them through.

Narcissa glanced at the cup again, seemingly accepting that answer. ‘This is the last inanimate object though, are you sure you want me to?’

Harry shrugged. ‘He’s taken something from everyone here, but we wanted to give you first refusal.’

Narcissa nodded and straightened herself up to her full height. ‘Then I would be honoured to.’

Hermione grinned and held out a basilisk fang. ‘Then you’ll need this.’

Narcissa gently took it from her. ‘Is this a basilisk fang? They’re very rare.’

Hermione shared a glance with Harry and Ron, pleased to see Ron grinning at them. ‘We came across one in our second year.’

‘The chamber of secrets.’ Narcissa breathed, looking sorrowful for a moment before she clutched at the fang and strode towards the cup.

‘Ooh a Black and not the blood traitor but a traitor of a different kind!’ The cup hissed. ‘You couldn’t even stay faithful to your husband, had to let him die in my service while you ran like the little coward you are! And you call yourself a Black! The Black’s would be ashamed to call you their daughter! And what kind of example are you setting for your son?’

Narcissa paled at the words but looked determined.

‘And look at that son, so much like his father with none of you in there.’ The cup sneered before screaming as she stabbed it with the fang and black ooze instantly began from it.

‘Mother.’ Draco ran forward and caught Narcissa as she sank to the ground in a controlled descent, pale and shaking as she stared blankly at the destroyed cup.

‘I-I.’ She took a deep breath in and shuddered.

Hermione quickly poured her some tea and added a cube of sugar to it, stirring it in and handed it over with a couple of chocolate biscuits. It would do in the absence of actual chocolate but Hermione was unsure if Narcissa would mind Dobby popping in with some chocolate.

‘Thank you.’ Narcissa said gratefully and took a sip. She breathed out slowly. ‘I know you’d warned me, but I still wasn't expecting it to be so specific.’

Hermione grimaced. ‘Yes, we don’t know how it picks up on what will hurt us the most, but it certainly does.’

‘Where all of yours…’ Narcissa trailed off, as if realising how personal that question was.

‘Worse.’ Sirius told her cheerfully.

Remus nodded but stayed quiet.

‘Sorry.’ Narcissa winced. ‘That was insensitive of me.’

‘You had more witnesses.’ Remus admitted. ‘Sirius allowed it to just be me and him.’

Narcissa nodded and smiled sadly. ‘I can understand that.’

There was a gentle knock at the door and Harry quickly went over.

‘Thanks Dobby.’ Harry sounded grateful as Dobby walked in with pieces of chocolate on a silver platter which he held in front of Narcissa.

‘Thank you Dobby.’ Narcissa smiled as she selected two pieces and popped one in her mouth.

Dobby flapped his head and floated the platter over to the table. ‘Mistress went through a hard and stressful feat. Dobby will get rid of the evidence.’

‘Thank you Dobby, we appreciate it.’ Hermione told him and he grinned shyly at her before collecting the destroyed horcrux and basilisk fang.

‘So that’s two more horcruxes to go?’ Ron asked shakily before wincing and glancing at Harry. ‘Sorry mate.’

Harry shrugged. ‘Not untrue and we need to figure out how to kill Nagini.’

‘If we could get hold of her, could we test ways of how to kill the horcrux but not her?’ Ron asked, looking hopeful.

Harry shrugged, looking at Hermione.

‘Maybe.’ Hermione frowned, options whirling through her mind. ‘Only we think it needs to be Voldemort casting the killing curse that will destroy the horcrux but not the host. I don’t know how we would test it on Nagini. We’d only get one go at testing and if it didn’t work…’ Hermione shrugged.

Both Ron and Draco grimaced.

‘Surely it’s worth a shot?’ Sirius asked, looking at her hopefully.

Hermione nodded. ‘Any ideas on how to capture her when she’s constantly around Voldemort and keep her contained when she has a link to him?’

‘We don’t know the nature of her link though.’ Harry reminded her. ‘It could just be the horcrux and the ability to speak parseltongue.’

‘Maybe we need some more heads to help us brainstorm?’ Remus asked.

‘What do you mean?’ Hermione frowned.

‘Well Sirius was thinking of reinstating the Tonks’ into the Black family.’ Remus shrugged. ‘And while they are members of the Order, Andromeda and Ted are more on the outskirts.’

‘Isn’t Tonks heavily involved?’ Harry asked suspiciously and Hermione couldn't blame him. 

Remus had ended up marrying Tonks and having a child together before they died in the final battle, and she wasn’t that pleased about him sticking up for her right now when he was with Sirius. Her heart clenched painfully as she glanced at Sirius’ unhappy expression and realised that in that timeline, Sirius had been dead before that had happened. Remus and Sirius had never had a chance together in the old future. Nor had they told anyone that Remus and Tonks had married and had a child.

Hermione frowned, so what was Sirius unhappy about then? Remus and Tonks hadn’t started a relationship, Remus had started one with Sirius instead, it was clear to them all how they both adored one another, so what was eating at Sirius?

‘Yes I was. I am.’ Sirius frowned. ‘But maybe it might be wise to wait until this is all over?’

Remus sighed. ‘Padfoot. I can’t help it if she has a crush on me.’

Hermione snorted and then stared at them and felt all the blood rush to her face. ‘Sorry.’

Harry laughed and she recognised the relief in it. ‘There's no harm in waiting if you want.’

Sirius sighed. ‘I will reinstate the Tonks’ back into the Black family though.’

Narcissa smiled warmly. ‘I think that’s a wonderful idea, however you might also want to cast Bella out.’

Sirius winced. ‘I was actually planning on that but I wanted our position to be stronger and more well known before that happened.’

‘I agree.’ Narcissa sipped at tea and Hermione saw her squeeze Draco’s hand.

‘Slower is better at the moment.’ Hermione agreed. ‘We don’t want to alert too many people to what we’re doing, not until we have to or it’s to our advantage.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 29 - HARRY’S BIRTHDAY

Harry frowned at Hermione suspiciously, she was acting really weird, giddy was the only word that came to mind. She couldn’t stop smiling and kept sneaking glances at him.

‘What?’ He demanded.

She looked at him, still smiling but fake surprise and innocence in her expression. ‘What?’

‘Somethings up.’ He narrowed his eyes at her and looked her up and down, realisation souring his mood. ‘You’re keeping something from me.’

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘How long have you known me?’

‘Too long.’ Harry relented as he smiled. He knew better than to be suspicious of Hermione, she’d gone above and beyond for him, but sometimes old habits died hard, and they died a lot harder now that he was back in his teenage body with hormones running riot. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Already forgiven and forgotten.’ Hermione smiled at him.

Harry smiled wryly, but his mind was already thinking. She hadn’t denied keeping anything from him, so something was definitely happening. She was keeping him distracted. ‘So what part of the house are we avoiding?’

Hermione snorted. ‘The floo and parlour.’

Harry closed his eyes as it hit him. How had he been so stupid? ‘My birthday.’

Hermione punched his shoulder. ‘D’uh.’

‘Surprise party?’ He winced.

‘What do you think?’ She grinned at him. ‘Sirius has worked really hard to keep it a secret.’

Harry felt warmth bloom in his chest. ‘He’s throwing me a surprise party?’

Hermione nodded. ‘He’s just as determined as the rest of us to give you as much of a normal childhood as possible.’

Harry took in a breath and looked at her. ‘You really think that’s possible? At our age?’

Hermione smiled sadly. ‘Why not? Technically, we’re teenagers even if mentally we’re a lot older.’

Harry nodded and settled down on the window seat. ‘How are you doing? We haven't really had a chance to talk with everything going on.’

Hermione shrugged. ‘It’s not as hard as I thought it would be.’

He sighed. ‘Same.’

‘Even dealing with Ron, it’s...’ Hermione shrugged, looking helpless. ‘It’s just like old times.’

Harry frowned, was she talking about getting back with Ron? Or again but for the first time? ‘You still have feelings for him?’

‘I will always love him, but this has proven that I’m no longer in love with.’ Hermione said quietly.

He reached out a hand and pulled her close when she slipped her hand into his. ‘We’ll always be best friends.’

‘And this way, it’s less complicated.’

Harry nodded. ‘Everything’s so different, but it seems right and easy.’

‘Even the Malfoy’s.’ Hermione agreed. ‘It feels right that they’re here.’

Harry chuckled, pleased that he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. ‘It really does. I never thought I’d feel at ease living with Malf… Draco.’

Hermione laughed. ‘I’m still getting used to calling him that.’

‘Is it weird that I actually think we could be friends?’ Harry asked, sounding and feeling both surprised and aghast.

Hermione shook her head and looked at him pointedly. ‘Have you not noticed how well Fred and George are getting on with him?’

‘I have actually.’ Harry grinned. ‘Ron’s still in shock over it and thinks it's a prank.’

Hermione snorted. ‘He’ll still think it's a prank in twenty years' time.’

‘True.’ Harry agreed, he wasn’t convinced that Ron would ever get over his dislike of Draco. He was still surprised that he had, but then he’d been through the first war and had over a decade of peacetime to deal with lingering issues. ‘He surprised me though.’

‘I thought he was going to start yelling and shouting.’ Hermione admitted but she was smiling.

Harry nodded.

‘Do you think we’ve changed too much in coming back?’ Hermione asked suddenly.

He frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘It’ll never be the same, the three of us I mean.’ Hermione sighed and shifted his legs to sit next to him. ‘I want the three of us to be just as close as we were, but I also don’t.’

Harry nodded but stayed quiet allowing her to get her thoughts in order.

‘I love having the others in our lives.’ Hermione shrugged. ‘George, Fred, Sirius, Remus. But Ron’s… he's part of us and I miss that, but I also want to have other friends who I can turn to.’

‘We did kind of close ourselves off to making other friends.’ Harry admitted. ‘I loved how close we were, but it hurt so much when we kept falling out and I can see now that I closed myself off to other friends.’

Hermione nodded. ‘Neville?’

Harry nodded. ‘And you?’

‘I didn’t have any female friends. Still don’t. I find it hard to relate to other girls and I want the chance to change that.’

‘Then we’ll make sure that we will.’ Harry promised her. It wasn’t something that he’d ever really thought of, that by becoming so close to each other, they had forfeited not just other friendships, but the ability to make them too.

She smiled and took his hand in hers. ‘Thanks Harry.’

He smiled back warmly, glancing at a bird outside in the garden, hopping and pecking its way along the path.

They stayed silent for a moment, just watching the bird, allowing time to steadily tick forwards while they stayed in their little peaceful bubble just the two of them.

The bird flew away when a gust of wind blew up some leaves.

‘So who’s coming to this party I don’t know about?’ Harry asked, feeling content and as if a spell of peacefulness had been cast over them.

Hermione snorted. ‘Nice try.’

Harry grinned at her. ‘How long do you need to keep me distracted for?’

Hermione glanced over to the large clock on the other side of the room. ‘About now should do it actually, there’s one person you need to meet first.’

‘Who’s that?’ Harry frowned.

Hermione laughed. ‘You’re really not getting the whole point of the surprise are you?’

‘Fine, fine.’ Harry grumbled but allowed her to pull him up and out the room. They kept their hands clasped as they walked companionably down the hallway, down the stairs and past several rooms until they arrived at the floo where normally guests would arrive. Since they were under the fidelius charm, they would have been having to bring them all through. Or rather Sirius was.

Harry stared when Sirius stepped through the floo followed by an elderly lady he recognised but kind of wished he didn’t. Augusta Longbottom was tall, bony and stern and as usual was wearing her hat with a stuffed vulture on it.

She raised her eyebrow at him haughtily.

‘Madame Longbottom.’ Harry stumbled, bowing his head in greeting, wondering why on earth she was here. She inclined her head at him but in a much more condescending way than Narcissa did.

He looked up, hearing someone fall through the floo and grinned when he saw Neville lying on the floor covered in soot.

‘Neville!’ He cried happily, instantly going to help his friend up.

‘H-hi Harry.’ Neville stuttered, trying to brush the soot off himself. ‘H-happy Birthday.’

Harry beamed at him.

‘And to you Neville.’ Hermione cut in, sending Harry a sharp look. ‘Harry Birthday.’

Neville turned red.

‘Happy Birthday Neville.’ Harry quickly hugged him before setting back. ‘It’s great to see you, how’s your summer been?’

‘G-good. And yours?’ Neville blinked, looking surprised but pleased.

‘Good.’ Harry agreed.

‘Weird.’ Sirius added.

‘Strange.’ Hermione tacked on.

‘S-so normal for you guys then?’ Neville chuckled, looking nervous.

Hermione nodded. ‘Pretty much, and seeing as we’re under fidelius, I hope you don’t mind us stealing you for your birthdays?’

Harry grinned as it clicked. They were throwing him a joint party with Neville.

‘No, course not.’ Neville actually sounded relieved and Harry dreaded to think what he would be doing otherwise. He remembered getting drunk with Neville one night and reminiscing about how awful their childhood birthdays had been, but that had been in the other timeline.

‘Shall we go find out what they have planned for us?’ Harry asked, trying to mask his surprise when Madam Longbottom smiled proudly at the wall. He sent a questioning frown to Sirius who quickly shook his head.

‘Augusta?’ Sirius offered his arm to her.

‘Well met.’ She said taking his arm and allowed him to lead her out the room.

Harry stared after them in bewilderment.

‘S-sorry.’ Neville apologised immediately.

Harry shrugged. ‘Nothing to apologise for.’

Neville still looked worried.

‘Come on Nev.’ Hermione grinned at him. ‘We can show you around afterwards.’

‘I-I had to take a vow of secrecy to come here.’ Neville said wide eyed.

Harry winced, feeling sheepish and rubbed at the back of his neck. ‘Yeah, sorry about that.’

‘It’s no problem, no one’s ever trusted me before with a secret.’ Neville was still wide eyed.

Harry blinked at him, unsure what to say.

Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled on their arms, getting them to follow her out the room. ‘Well, that’s their loss and they clearly don’t know you very well.’

Harry chanced a quick glance at Neville and had to bite his lip at Neville’s awed and alarmed expression. He slipped his hand back into Hermione’s, knowing exactly where she was leading them to. ‘Are we finally allowed into the parlour now?’

Hermione smirked as she approached the door and stood back watching him intently. ‘Of course, in you go.’

He frowned at her and with a silent look at Neville, they both slowly opened the door and walked in.

Harry gaped and was pretty sure that Neville was doing the same thing. The parlour had been changed into a wilderness full of plants and enlarged wizard photos and animals. The doors leading out into the gardens beyond were open and looked to be magically expanded while magical white opaque stags, does, wolves and large dogs that resembled Sirius’s animagus form roamed free. The plants were obviously for Neville as Harry could barely identify a handful of them and after a quick glance at Neville’s gobsmacked face, Harry was certain they were for him.

Harry approached the enlarged wizard photos and realised they were of his parents. But not just his parents, Neville’s parents as well, and their friends. Photos of all of them growing up, at Hogwarts, at Hogsmeade, at home, their mothers pregnant with them, photos of them as babies and of Neville growing up and the both of them at Hogwarts. 

Harry glanced behind him as Sirius approached. 

‘How?’ He asked, his voice choked up. 

‘I had some photos lying around, so did Remus, Augusta and the others. We had a lot of help from Minerva, Amelia, Molly and Narcissa getting the room ready but Hermione helped me and Remus with the planning.’

‘Thank you.’ Harry said, walking straight into Sirius and holding onto him tightly. 

He hadn’t expected anything but had known that Sirius would do something. He’d honestly thought the most he would get was a cake and some presents, things every other teenager got on their birthday. He’d never imagined anything like this, that someone would ever care enough to go to these lengths just for a birthday, especially as sixteen didn’t mean that much in the wizarding world.

Harry couldn’t even remember his last sixteenth birthday, he was pretty sure he’d been at the Burrow with the Weasley’s. It would have been just after he’d helped Dumbledore convince Horace Slughorn to come out of retirement, which meant that Dumbledore must know now that he wasn’t with the Dursley’s anymore.

Harry pulled back and smiled at Sirius, trying hard not to cry. This was the best birthday he’d ever had. ‘Thank you.’

Sirius grinned at him, surreptitiously wiping his eyes. ‘Don’t thank me yet, you haven't opened any presents yet.’

Harry went to laugh before he realised that Sirius was serious, his eyes went round as he noticed the mound of presents his father was looking at.

‘Don’t worry, half of them are Neville’s.’ Hermione grinned happily at him.

‘W-what?’ Neville stuttered while his grandmother looked on proudly.

Harry winced but George winked at him, materialising at his side and whispering into ear. ‘Don’t worry, we got you covered with Neville.’

‘Are the presents supposed to be moving?’ Harry asked in alarm as several of them started rustling under the wrapping paper.

‘Oh they’re Neville’s.’ Fred shrugged unconcerned. ‘He should probably go first before they get upset.’

‘U-upset?’ Neville squeaked in terror.

Harry glanced at Fred in alarm but Hermione shook her head with a smile, reassuring him.

‘Happy Birthday Harry.’ Luna skipped up to him, kissing him on the cheek before repeating the sentiment and action to Neville as well.

‘Luna?’ Harry grinned at her. ‘It’s great to see you.’

‘Thank you for inviting me. The manor is the most amazing place and I’ve already come across a new species of a dippolzinpin.’

‘Err, great?’ Harry half questioned.

Neville looked confused.

‘It’s a shame I can’t tell anyone about it but it’s such an honour to even witness it, I don’t really mind.’ Luna continued, before handing them both presents.

‘I’m glad you’re here.’ Harry told her honestly.

She smiled serenely before following one of the wolves and examining a leaf it had led her to, complimenting the wolf on its taste in fauna.

‘Where are we placing the presents?’ Neville asked and Harry followed his lead, never having been in this situation before.

‘You can open them now.’ Sirius grinned but Neville glanced at his grandmother who slowly inclined her head in acceptance.

Harry quickly opened Luna’s present to find a handmade bracelet in red and yellow. He grinned and quickly put it on, noticing Neville’s was similar only it seemed to have been made out of several different types of greenery, but he followed Harry’s example and put the bracelet on.

‘You can both open them all at the same time.’ Hermione decided and indicated the two presents closest to them. ‘Harry that looks to be from Professor McGonagall, as does this one for Neville.’

Harry gaped at the book on quidditch and grinned up at his head of house. ‘Thanks professor!’

Neville gasped as he opened his own book titled “Ten thousand uses for household plants” and blushed red. ‘T-thank you.’

‘You’re both very welcome.’

‘Let’s do this a much easier way.’ Sirius grinned and with a quick wave of his wand, separated the mound of presents into two piles. ‘Dig in boys.’

Harry laughed and happily launched himself into his pile, ripping open his presents while Neville, quite astutely, went about his in a much more careful manner. It seemed everyone had brought Neville either plants or books on them and he looked to be in heaven. 

‘That one’s from us.’ Remus said as Harry ripped into the largest and heaviest one there.

Harry glanced up to see Remus smiling at him and Sirius looking worried. He threw them a grin and hurried up taking the paper off, wondering what they’d gotten him that had Sirius so concerned. He stared at the massive and gorgeous pensieve that had such elaborate markings it looked like it could be a family heirloom.

‘There are memories in the compartments below.’ Sirius was wringing his hands and staring at the pensieve.

Harry frowned. ‘Okay?’

‘They’re of your parents.’ Sirius offered with a sad smile.

‘And us, growing up, at Hogwarts, their wedding and you as a baby.’ Remus elaborated further.

Harry bit his lip. He’d never gotten any of this, he hadn’t thought he’d ever find out more about his parents lives and if he was honest, he hadn’t even thought to. ‘Thanks.’ He glanced at the bottles again. ‘Can we watch them together?’

‘Of course.’ Sirius beamed at him, half hugging him.

‘Which goes well with mine.’ Draco interrupted and shoved a smartly wrapped present into his hands that could only be a book.

Harry blinked but smiled in appreciation at how well Draco had quickly put a halt to any embarrassing shows of emotion. Harry took more care opening it, positive he was being judged on his technique and stared at the book wondering how on earth the pensieve went well with a book on pureblood heritage. It wasn't even a subject that Harry was interested in. 

‘Err, thanks Draco.’ Harry tried to hide his confusion but obviously wasn’t successful.

Draco rolled his eyes and sighed. ‘It has both the Potters and the Blacks lineage in it.’

Harry brightened, Hermione had mentioned that the Potters were purebloods on his fathers side but he hadn’t really thought much more about it other than what else had been hidden and kept quiet from him. He should have realised the implications earlier and done some research, at least he could now. 

‘Thanks.’ Harry said sincerely, pleased and a little moved at how thoughtful Draco’s gift had been.

‘Mine has nothing to do with your family.’ Hermione grinned as she pointed out an oddly shaped present.

Harry grinned and opened it up to find a muggle magic eight ball with a book on magical careers underneath it. He laughed and hugged her tightly. 

‘It’s perfect.’ He whispered into her ear.

‘Happy Birthday Harry. And Fred and George got Neville a Venomous Tentacular from all of us.’ She whispered back.

He pulled back and stared at her in alarm.

She grinned. ‘Sirius convinced his grandmother to gift him a greenhouse for his birthday.’

‘How the hell did he manage that?’ Harry wondered aloud as Hermione winked at him as she was pulled away by Fred.

‘Delicately.’ Sirius sighed behind him. ‘We had a long talk and came to an agreement on several things, but they both agreed to the vow and Augusta wants to help.’

Harry frowned at him. ‘Neville’s parents were in the Order weren’t they?’

Sirius winced. ‘She does not hold many favourable feelings towards Dumbledore for how he ignored her and Neville afterwards.’

Harry blinked and opened his mouth but changed his mind. Now was not the time. ‘You’ll tell me later?’

Sirius smiled at him proudly. ‘The only reason I didn’t tell you before was because I wanted to keep this part a secret.’

Harry smiled and quickly hugged him. ‘I know. Thank you.’

‘I thought you’d be up to the challenge.’ Harry heard Hermione say blasely. ‘Clearly there’s not much Slytherin about you.’

Harry glanced over to see her with Fred, Draco and Neville.

‘What’s that meant to mean?’ Draco retorted.

‘You like potions,’ Hermione sighed, and Harry recognised it as her being done with the boys idiocy. ‘Neville likes plants, plants go in potions. Are you actually saying that your petty rivalry is more important than testing out Neville’s different techniques in growing plants and the effect they have in potions? And possibly inventing something new or an improved technique?’

Harry grinned at Draco’s scowl and leaned closer to Fred. ‘Ten Galleons Draco and Neville will be planning variations in plants and potions by the end of the day.’

Fred snorted. ‘What do you take me for? A first year? Ten Galleons they’ll be planning in the next two and a half hours.’

Harry raised an eyebrow.

Fred grinned. ‘Draco will need to sulk first that Hermione got one over him.’

Harry laughed.

‘Harry!’ Molly enveloped him and wrapped him in a motherly hug. ‘Happy Birthday dear.’

‘Thanks Mrs Weasley.’ Harry hugged her back.

‘Bill would have been here but he needed to stay at home to look after Ginny.’ Molly admitted looking as if she’d just bitten into a lemon.

Harry frowned.

‘Percy’s still being a prat and Bill’s asked Fleur to marry him.’ Fred supplied, patting his mum's arm sympathetically. 

Harry blinked, forgetting that that had happened now. They had one of the strongest marriages Harry had ever seen, certainly a lot stronger than his own had ever been.

Fred looked at him strangely.

Harry attempted a smile.

‘Have you seen the cake mum made?’ Ron appeared at his side, a slice already mostly eaten in his hand.

‘Ronald!’ Molly reprimanded him severely. ‘How did you get that? The cake hasn’t even been served yet! Where are your manners?’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 30 - GETTING A CLUE

Hermione smiled, watching Harry enjoy himself. This was what she had wanted coming back, to give them all another chance at childhood. 

She knew that they still had a war to fight, that was inevitable, but they also had a childhood to experience and she was determined that this time around, Harry would actually get to do that. She managed to get part of her childhood whenever she had returned home to her parents the first time, and this time around, she would still do everything she could to keep them safe, but she was hoping that with Sirius' help, she wouldn’t have to obliviate their memories of her this time.

She had kept her promise to them and wrote them every week, sometimes even twice a week when she was feeling partially guilty at leaving them when she’d only just got them back. She missed them, but she knew that George would take her back home if she needed to see them. He’d already taken her back home once so she could spend an entire day with them and was looking forward to when she could spend a lot more time with them without worrying about what was going on in the wizarding world.

Neville’s laugh caught her attention and it was good to see him having fun, she didn’t think she’d ever seen him laughing like that at Hogwarts. Watching everyone now, she was more positive that they had done the right thing in coming back. She blinked and bit her lip when she realised he was talking to Draco. Her taunt to Draco had been deliberate, but she honestly hadn’t expected it to work so quickly. It was obvious that Draco was competitive and driven, he was only a few points below her in their classes, so he was smart and would have recognised her taunt for what it was.

‘You alright?’ A voice asked from behind her as an arm snaked its way around her waist.

She smiled and leant into Fred as she nodded. ‘Yeah I am. I just…’ She shrugged, feeling helpless and overcome with emotion.

‘What did we do the previous time to celebrate Harry’s birthday?’ Fred asked.

‘Not much, we were at the Burrow but there was so much going on with the world finding out that Voldemort was alive again that it all got overshadowed.’ Hermione sighed. ‘I think we had cake, and I remember Remus looking awful because he was trying to recruit the werewolves and so was gone a lot.’

‘Was Percy acting like a tosser?’

Hermione snorted. ‘Yes, but he came around in the final battle.’

‘Oh yeah?’ Fred turned to her grinning.

She smiled sadly. ‘He was with you.’

He winced in understanding. ‘Ah.’

‘He took it badly.’

‘But none of that is going to happen.’ Fred moved, wrapping both his arms around her and hooking his chin over her shoulder. He’d never been this affectionate before, but then she’d never really known him in the other timeline, never really given him the time of day.

She leaned back against him, resting her hands on his arms, enjoying the warm feeling she got whenever they were close to each other. ‘No, it won’t. Sometimes I worry that we shouldn’t have done what we did, but so much has changed for the better. Harry never got this, neither did Neville.’

‘You’ve done good.’ Fred said gently, squeezing his arms around her reassuringly for a second. ‘You all have.’

‘Merlin I hope so.’ She breathed, closing her eyes. Why had she never seen how supportive he was? How considerate and caring. She realised she’d never really seen Fred before. ‘So far it’s all been worth it, but I keep worrying that we’re going to get overconfident and lose.’

‘We won’t.’ Fred said adamantly, his promise coming through in his words.

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘Because we have you.’ Fred kissed the side of her cheek. ‘And you’re not alone, it’s not just the three of you anymore. You have us, Sirius, Remus, the Malfoy’s, need I go on?’

Hermione felt herself smile. He was right, there were more of them now, it wasn’t just her, Harry and Ron anymore. She’d changed that. They’d changed that. ‘You’re right. We’re not alone anymore.’

He loosened his arms and nudged her. ‘You know you never have to be alone right? Not if you don’t want to be.’

She turned around and faced him. ‘I know. And thank you.’ She huffed. ‘I think I’m so used to always being the one that Harry and Ron looked to, who figures things out and makes the plans that I keep forgetting that I have others to help me now. You, George, Sirius, Remus… you’re all amazing at coming up with plans…’

Hermione froze as Fred lurched forward and swiftly placed his hands either side of her face and kissed her. She blinked twice before her eyes closed on their own accord and she relaxed into him, allowing her brain to shut down and stop thinking as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back, losing herself in the warm feeling spreading through her.

He pulled her close and deepened the kiss before pulling back and grinning at her. ‘You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that for.’

‘I-I-I…’ She couldn’t form any words but he didn’t seem to mind.

‘Have I kissed you senseless?’ He teased. ‘Stunned you speechless?’

She snorted and smacked his arm but tried to turn serious. ‘I don’t know if we should…’

‘Hey.’ He interrupted her sternly. ‘None of that. I wanted to kiss you and if your reaction was anything to go by, you wanted to kiss me.’

She felt the blood rush to her face. She hadn’t realised it until they were already kissing, but yes she did and she realised that she would like to kiss him again. ‘I did and I do, but I have history.’

‘In another time.’ He interrupted her again, but this time his voice was gentle. ‘A future that isn’t going to happen again. The question is, what do you want to happen in this future? And are you okay still being with a Weasley, just with a different, better looking one?’

She laughed but didn’t have an answer.

He kissed her cheek and backed away, throwing her a wink. ‘Think about it, I don’t need an answer, not just yet anyway.’

🪄🪄🪄

Harry entered the Black private library, looking for his favourite chair to sit in and look up either the Blacks or the Potters heritage, and if he happened to glance at the Malfoy’s heritage then who was going to know?

‘Is that the careers book I got you or the heritage book Draco got you?’ Hermione asked, sitting in his favourite spot.

He looked down at his hands in surprise. ‘Oh, the one Draco got me.’

‘It was very thoughtful of him. Have you thanked him?’

Harry frowned at her. ‘I thanked him yesterday at the party.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘That’s not really a proper thank you though, is it? You could have just been being polite.’

Harry held up one hand in surrender and backed out of the room. ‘Alright, I’ll go thank him now.’

He caught sight of her smiling to herself as he left and wondered what that was all about. She’d disappeared for a while the day before and when she’d reappeared, she’d constantly been around Fred and George.

 He glanced down at the book that was still in his hands and sighing, began making his way back upstairs and headed up to the third floor where he knew Draco’s room was. Not that he’d been snooping and already knew exactly which room he had picked or anything, it was just basic survival, know where everyone surrounding you is staying. At least, that’s what he was going with and if anyone asked how he knew, he’d make something up. He was good at that, he’d had to be living with the Dursley’s.

He hovered outside Draco’s bedroom door for a moment, debating, should he do this now, or should he wait? Surely waiting would be the better option, he didn’t want to ambush Draco in his bedroom of all places.

Sighing, he realised he was being a wimp, he was meant to be a Gryffindor and yet here he was loitering outside Draco’s bedroom door because he was what, nervous about thanking him for a present? Rolling his eyes, he knocked on the door and waited. There wasn’t any answer and he couldn’t hear movement from within but he knew that Draco wasn't downstairs or outside, which only left this floor.

He knocked again, frowning when the door swung inwards slowly. Draco had come into his room while he was sleeping to wake him, it should be okay for him to enter just to see if Draco was here or not.

‘Hello?’ He called, pushing it open further and taking a step inside. He glanced around curiously and was surprised that Draco hadn't decked the entire room out in Slytherin colours but there were barely any, just a few green accents here and there and the room was fastidiously tidy. Harry stared, wondering who on earth kept their room this tidy, unless Dobby was coming in and tidying for him but Dobby knew he didn’t have to do that.

‘Draco?’ He called, hearing a noise further into the room. It wasn’t until he was almost at the door that led to the ensuite that he realised the noise was the shower. He turned to go when he heard another noise, almost like a moan. He stepped closer, turning his ear to the door when another moan hit him and he suddenly realised what he was hearing. He felt his face heat and looked back at the main door, knowing he needed to leave but for some reason his legs and feet wouldn’t co-operate. He felt rooted to the spot as another, louder and filthier moan reached his ears.

He swallowed, and pulled at the neckline on his shirt, needing air as he breathed in deeply and willed himself to move. Instead he just felt his pants tighten. What the hell was going on with him?

‘Oh Merlin, Merlin.’ Draco grunted from the bathroom and a full body shiver went through Harry.

If he’d been in any doubt as to what Draco was up to in the privacy of his own bathroom, he certainly wasn’t now. Draco could come out at any second and find Harry perving on him in his bedroom. The thought sent a flash of want through him and he had to close his eyes and steady himself, breathing deeply.

‘Harry!’ Draco called loudly. 

Shame flooded through Harry as his eyes flew open, certain he’d been caught. A desperate grunt sounded from the bathroom and Harry suddenly realised that Draco had called his name as he’d come. 

He blinked, trying to figure out what that meant, did Draco fancy him? He’d just shouted his name as he’d climaxed, surely it meant something. He swallowed and breathed deeply, willing his heart rate to slow down, he felt as if he’d just run a marathon, or actually been in the bathroom with Draco. He looked up, trying to calm himself, having never felt this hard before in his life and he hadn’t even been a participant.

His heart jumped into his throat as he heard the water turn off and finally his body responded to his wishes as his legs sprang into action and he ran from Draco’s room. He somehow managed to keep his wits about him and quietly closed Draco’s bedroom door behind him before he sprinted to his own room, thankful he didn’t meet anyone.

He needed a shower. Whether or not he needed a hot shower or a cold one, he hadn’t decided yet, but he was still hard as a rock and something needed to be done about it. Willing it away certainly wasn’t helping and he quickly locked both his bedroom and bathroom door and cast a silencing charm for good measure. There was no way he wanted anyone walking in on him and hearing.

🪄🪄🪄

‘I thought you were going to thank Draco for his present, not have a shower?’ Hermione asked as he entered the room.

Harry tried hard not to stay composed. ‘There was no answer at his door.’

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. ‘What happened?’

‘What?’ Harry hated that even he heard how high pitched his reply was. ‘Nothing happened!’

‘Don’t you lie to me, Harry James Potter!’ She stood up, eyeing him with her hands on his hips.

‘What’s going on?’ George asked, entering the room behind him with Fred. ‘We heard Harry’s high pitch lie.’

‘I was not lying!’ Harry denied, feeling his face turn hot.

‘Oh please, that was an out and out lie.’ Fred snorted as she went around him and slipped a hand into Hermiones.

‘When did that happen?’ Harry blinked, staring at their hands.

‘At your party yesterday, why are you impersonating a Chinese Fireball?’ Fred enquired.

‘Alright, alright.’ Harry muttered and quickly checked that the four of them were alone in the room before locking it and casting a silencing spell. ‘I went to thank Draco for his present.’

‘Sure you did.’ Fred grinned, waggling his eyebrows.

‘At Hermione’s insistence!’ Harry exclaimed.

Hermione huffed and stared at him.

‘Only…’ Harry winced, feeling embarrassed and knew that he’d been the one in the wrong.

‘What?’ Hermione demanded when Harry didn’t say any more.

‘His door was open but he was in the bathroom.’

‘And?’ George demanded, looking innocent and like he knew exactly where this was going.

‘And the door really should have been locked!’ Harry exclaimed.

‘Harry.’ Fred laughed, looking and sounding completely at ease. ‘Did you overhear Draco wanking?’

‘He said my name when he came!’ Harry burst out before slapping his hands over his mouth. He hadn’t meant to say that.

‘Don’t tell me you're only just realising how Draco feels about you?!’ Hermione asked, sounding a little too amused for his liking.

‘I thought he hated me!’ Harry tried to excuse himself.

Hermione rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded like ‘boys’.

‘Hey.’ Harry felt himself pout and tried to turn it into a frown instead. ‘I resent that.’

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

Harry held his hand up in surrender. ‘I’m not disagreeing, I just resent it.’

‘Harry?’ George asked, looking at him intently. ‘You do realise that Draco has a crush on you right?’

Harry stared at him helplessly. ‘Well, now I do.’

Hermione burst out laughing and had to turn to smoother the noise into Fred’s shoulder.

Harry slumped. ‘How long?’

George shrugged. ‘At least since he’s been here mate.’

‘The question is, how do you feel about him?’ Fred asked.

Harry blinked and stared at him. How did he feel about Draco? ‘I-I don’t know.’

‘It’s alright to like blokes.’ Fred shrugged. ‘Look at Sirius and Remus, mum and dad said they’ve never seen either of them so happy.’

Harry swallowed. ‘I-I just never even considered it.’

Hermione smiled up at Fred before looking at Harry pointedly. ‘Well, now you can.’

Harry swallowed and felt that same rush of heat spread through him as he had standing in Draco’s bedroom.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 31 - THE IMPARTIAL ORACLE

‘Have you heard?’ Narcissa asked, a satisfied smile on her as she walked into the breakfast room. ‘Dolores Umbridge is going to be tried in front of the Wizengamot.’

‘Yes, I’ve just got my summons.’ Sirius smirked, interested in her feelings on the matter. It was still unusual for him to have her support but he was settling into the feeling and appreciated their newfound camaraderie.

‘We are to decide whether the trial is to be open or not.’ Narcissa mused. ‘I think a lot of parents are going to want to be there, however I’ve heard that the ministry wants to keep it quiet.’

‘Keeping it quiet would create an uproar, and allowing it to be public would go in the Wizengamot’s favour.’ Sirius said slowly, with a smile on his face. Now that he was finally getting to know his cousin, it was easier to see her cues and guess the direction of her thoughts. ‘I think it’s time that the press found out about the ministry's wishes.’

Narcissa smiled as she took a sip of tea. ‘I’ve already replied with my response for it to be public.’

‘As have I.’ Sirius raised his coffee to her. ‘However, I’m growing tiresome of helping Rita Skeeter’s career after how she’s acted. I believe it’s time to give someone else the byline.’

‘So glad to hear you say that.’ Fred said as he and George entered the room and helped themselves to tea and biscuits.

‘Our friend Lee Jordan from Hogwarts has decided to get into the reporting business, mainly as a favour to us.’ George added.

‘He wants to become a sports commentator but is struggling to find a job or open position.’ Fred explained.

‘Sounds perfect, does he work for a paper?’ Sirius asked, wondering just how long they’d been working on this.

Fred and George grinned. ‘We were going to talk to you about that.’

Sirius blinked, this was the first time he’d been on the receiving end of grins like that and had never appreciated the fear it instantly instilled in others. ‘Am I going to like this?’

‘No.’ Fred shook his head.

‘You’re going to love this.’ George finished.

Sirius frowned at them, instantly curious but couldn’t help the grin that stretched at his mouth. The twins reminded him of him and James and while sometimes it hurt, it mainly helped and he was determined that they would have a better life then what had happened to the marauders.

‘We may have talked Lee into starting up his own business.’ Fred was practically bouncing.

‘Everything’s all set up and ready to go.’ George added. ‘He just needs investors.’

Sirius grinned and raised an eyebrow for them to continue, instantly seeing where they were going with this. Not only did he have plenty of money now that he had taken on the Black Lordship, but it would give him partial control over a paper and what they printed. It was a good strategy.

‘We’ve agreed, the joke shop is doing amazing, but we’re still just starting out.’

‘Unfortunately, we can’t cover all of the start-up costs at the production rate that we’d like.’

‘We want it to be sent out to as many people as we can.’

‘Every single household. Which is what we can’t afford.’

‘But I could.’ Sirius had already decided and he approved of the production scale the twins were already thinking of. He was sure he could improve on that and was determined that he would very quickly have this paper being the one that everyone wanted to read. ‘I think I need to meet this Mr Jordan.’

‘We were hoping you’d say that.’ Fred grinned. 

‘We’ve already set up the meeting.’ George admitted.

‘In an hour.’ Fred stated.

Sirius grinned and clapped his hands together excitedly. ‘Excellent. We won’t be able to get any information out before the trial, but it'll be good for the future.’

‘I wouldn’t be so sure about that.’ Fred beamed excitedly.

Sirius paused and looked at him inquiringly.

‘He’s already set up and ready to go for the first edition to be released tomorrow morning.’ George grinned. 

‘The first one is free and then it’ll be a subscription.’

Sirius laughed. Every child Umbridge had taught would want to see her downfall plastered across the front page of a newspaper. ‘And I know just the target audience.’

‘The Wizengamot session is tomorrow morning.’ Narcissa smirked as she refilled her tea. ‘I think the timing is most opportune.’

‘Our thoughts exactly.’ Fred and George agreed.

‘Will Lee be able to add in another piece?’ Sirius asked.

The twins nodded. ‘We’ve already asked.’

‘By the way.’ Narcissa asked, topping up the twins' tea. ‘What is the name of the paper?’

‘The Impartial Oracle.’ The twins chorused.

Sirius blinked before a slow smile spread across his face. It was perfect.

Narcissa smiled. ‘I approve of the slight. The Daily Prophet is going to hate it.’

‘The Daily Prophet can kiss my…’ Sirius began.

Narcissa coughed, drowning out the end of his sentence. ‘Yes, I get the picture Sirius.’

🪄🪄🪄

Harry stumbled into the breakfast room, barely staying upright. 

‘Have you seen this new paper?’ He demanded, seeing Sirius and Remus already seated. It had been slid under his bedroom door and one of the first things he’d seen getting up that morning. The headline of a paper he’d never even heard of before announcing “The trial of the century: Dolores Umbridge, the ministry’s child torturer.” had already made his day and this was shaping up to be his best summer ever.

‘Surprise!’ Sirius shouted with a massive grin on his face.

Harry blinked, not quite understanding. ‘You-you had something to do with it?’

Sirius poured him a strong coffee, apparently deciding that Harry didn’t need any tea. ‘The twins came to me with a proposal to help their friend's new paper business get off the ground.’

‘This is where you disappeared to all day yesterday.’ Harry realised.

‘Have you seen this?’ Hermione rushed into the room, her hair flying behind her wildly. ‘This is incredible! I didn’t know that Lee wanted to start his own newspaper business!’

‘You can thank us for that.’ Fred said coming in behind her at a much more sedate pace. He kissed her cheek before pouring the three of them tea.

Harry blinked and hid his smile. He’d known that Hermione was trying to figure things out between them and what exactly was going with her feelings, but he was pleased. He thought she might have sworn of dating for a while but it seemed that Fred had managed to win her over.

Hermione froze, before biting her lip and smiling happily, taking the seat next to him.

‘And the headline?’ Harry asked with a happy grin.

‘You can thank Sirius for that.’ George nodded towards Sirius who preened happily.

Remus cleared his throat. ‘It wasn’t Sirius who stayed up with Lee all night ensuring all the deliveries went smoothly.’

Sirius winced. ‘I helped.’

‘If by that, you mean you helped drink almost an entire bottle of firewhiskey in celebration, yes. You certainly did that.’ Remus agreed wryly, clutching at his coffee.

Sirius looked sheepish. ‘It’s the first investment I’ve made as Lord Black. I had to celebrate it.’

Harry snorted.

Sirius sighed and kissed Remus. ‘I’ll do better.’

Remus smiled at him. ‘I don’t mind, it’s nice to see you so happy.’

Sirius shot him a smile but sighed, reaching out for Remus’s hand. ‘But you’re right, as Lord Black, I need to behave better.’

‘Only in public.’ Remus informed him. 

‘Talking about public,’ Harry interrupted them with a wince. ‘It says Umbridge’s trial is going to be open to the public, any chance we can go?’

Hermione looked at Sirius hopefully as well.

Sirius cleared his throat. ‘I hope you all noticed that Lee specified it’s only public due to the Wizengamot’s vote that it be public?’

Harry grinned. ‘I did. I also noticed that he pointed out that the ministry tried hard to keep it quiet.’

‘Well, as members of the Wizengamot, both Narcissa and I will be attending as council members.’ Sirius said and shrugged. ‘There's a floor for the members' family to view trials away from the public, it’s one of the safest places to be. I don’t see why not.’ 

‘And it will be a good opportunity to announce your adoption of Harry.’ Hermione said, popping a strawberry into her mouth.

Harry stared at her.

‘I thought we were keeping that quiet?’ Sirius wondered aloud.

‘We were, but as Harry pointed out on his birthday, Dumbledore will know that he’s no longer at the Dursleys seeing as last time Harry had already helped him convince Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts.’ Hermione explained. ‘And he was the only reason we were keeping it quiet.’

‘What about Voldemort?’ Sirius frowned.

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘How many times have you pointed out that the Black wards are the best in the country and much more effective than the blood wards that kept Harry safe?’

Sirius grinned.

‘And with everyone’s eyes on Umbridge, is anyone going to pay attention?’ Harry asked.

Remus snorted. ‘Oh, they’ll pay attention.’

‘You better get ready if you’re coming.’ Sirius warned them. ‘Remus will stay with you on the family viewing floor, but be prepared to be called as witnesses if needed.’

‘Witnesses?’ Hermione asked, looking surprised before glancing at him worriedly. 

‘Dolores Umbridge taught all of you.’ Remus reminded them.

‘But we haven’t been asked to be witnesses.’ Harry pointed out.

‘Doesn’t matter, not in wizarding court.’ Sirius informed them. ‘They send you an owl the morning of the trial with a portkey. It’ll take you to a safe room so you can’t conspire or warn anyone.’

Harry paled but nodded, fervently hoping that he wouldn’t get called but he doubted it. He still had “I will not tell lies” scarred into his hand and as much as he hated it, he knew it was a perfect example that would get her imprisoned.

‘So we could still receive an owl?’ Hermione sighed.

Sirius shrugged. ‘Possibly, but we are under the fidelius, the only reason Snape’s owls were able to get through was because he knew that and circumvented it. The ministry won’t know to do that.’

‘How did he circumvent it?’ Fred asked, looking curious.

‘He didn’t write an address.’ Hermione explained for him. ‘And he wrote my name on it. Technically I’m a guest here, like you two are, which is how he got around it. If he’d addressed it to Harry or Sirius, we’d never have received it.’

‘And the ministry would use addresses.’ Fred nodded in understanding.

‘It works similar to how the Hogwarts letters get sent out.’ Remus added on.

George pulled a face. ‘Never bothered to look into that.’

‘It taps into the trace that all under age witches and wizards have on them.’ Hermione grimaced. ‘However it is a closely guarded secret that the ministry has successfully kept under wraps so that no one can perform it.’

‘You mean they’ve actually managed to keep something secret?’ Sirius asked in surprise.

Harry eyed Hermione. ‘You have an idea though, don’t you.’

Hermione snorted. ‘There’s only one reasonable explanation for it. And that’s that they lost the information.’

Harry blinked as it sunk in before laughing loudly.

‘They lost it?’ Remus repeated, staring at Hermione.

‘I don’t believe they have any idea how it works.’ Hermione explained with a shrug. ‘I would be surprised if they even knew what the spell was anymore.’

‘Anyway.’ Sirius cleared his throat. ‘Go get ready, we’ll be leaving as soon as you are.’

Harry nodded and rose with the others, following Hermione out of the room. ‘Is that why the trace breaks at seventeen d’ya think?’

Hermione nodded. ‘A witch or wizard comes of age so it automatically breaks, but why wouldn’t it be able to be put on an adult? What would stop it?’

Harry shrugged. It was certainly something to think about. ‘Not knowing what the spell is would certainly do that.’

‘Which also begs the question, if the person who invented this spell didn’t trust the ones in power. So they cast what we now call the trace, to be placed on all magical children the second signs of magic are detected and for it to be broken the second they become of age.’ Hermione mused as they climbed the stairs.

‘And kept the information of the spell to themselves so it couldn’t be used against adults.’ Harry continued her thought. ‘But they’d have to trust those in power to an extent to allow them to know who cast the underage magic.’

‘The Improper Use of Magic Office is alerted when that happens, however there are some exceptions, Hogwarts is the most notable.’ Hermione paused at the entrance to her room. ‘Although that is deliberate.’

‘But?’ Harry prompted her.

‘But before I started at Hogwarts, I tried out a few simple spells at home and never received any notification that it was banned.’ She reminded him before entering her room.

Harry stared after her, remembering meeting her on the train when she’d told him that exact same thing. She’d successfully cast simple spells at home before their first year at Hogwarts. And yet, when he’d cast accidental magic and blew up his aunt, he was almost expelled even though whenever he’d done accidental magic before, nothing had ever happened.

It certainly gave him a lot to think about while he quickly showered and got changed into some smart looking clothes that Sirius had had laid out, and tried to tame his hair unsuccessfully.

Was the trace waning? Was there something interfering with it? Could magic interfere with it and could that be accidental or did someone know and was doing it deliberately, trying to figure it out? 

‘Harry?’ Sirius’s patronus came soaring into his room. ‘You ready? We need to go.’

Harry glanced at the time and winced, he’d been in his room almost an hour and had no idea where the time had gone. He hurried from his room, grabbing his new robes that had both the Black and Potter insignia’s.

He ran down the stairs and met the others by the floo. Amelia had granted them access to use the floo in her office where she’d meet them and escort them to the chamber.

‘You alright?’ Sirius looked at him in concern.

Harry attempted a smile and nodded.

Draco frowned at him.

Sirius clasped his shoulder. ‘We don’t have to do this.’

Harry took a deep breath and managed a reassuring smile. ‘I’m fine. I’m ready. Just thinking bout something.’

Hermione frowned at him but he shook his head.

‘Okay.’ Remus said, gaining their attention. ‘Narcissa will go first, followed by Draco, the twins, myself, Hermione, Harry and Sirius last. Okay? Any questions?’

No one said anything and Narcissa stepped forward, taking some powder from the ornate urn and throwing it into the fire, it flared green and she stepped in calling out Amelia’s office name and disappeared. A moment later Draco followed.

‘Maybe that distraction was a bit too good of a distraction.’ Hermione said quietly to Harry as George and then Fred disappeared in the floo.

‘I was wondering if someone was deliberately disrupting the trace trying to figure out how it works.’ Harry admitted.

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. ‘Possibly. They’d need to be studying it and its effect but how would they get such unrestricted access to it?’

‘Unless it was the ministry.’ Harry nudged her and nodded at the fire. It was her turn.

She took some powder and disappeared.

‘Something we need to talk about?’ Sirius asked, placing his hand on Harry’s arm as he went to take some powder.

‘Just what we were talking about at breakfast, but it can wait.’ Harry quickly hugged him and Sirius handed him the powder.

He stepped into the fire before stumbling out the other side, barely staying upright. Sirius emerged a moment later elegantly stepping out with perfect balance.

‘You all ready?’ Amelia asked them, already in her Wizengamot robes.

Sirius nodded his ascent and she led them from the room, they went along a few corridors, one strangely going uphill before they went down a lift and arrived at the entrance. Harry didn’t remember this entrance. When he’d been tried in front of them for casting the patronus to save himself and his cousin, he certainly had not come in through this entrance. He’d come in through the dungeons and had fully been expecting to come in the same way again today.

Harry noticed the raised eyes as Sirius walked in and then the silence as everyone seemed to realise he was with him.

‘This preliminary session is for council members only.’ A woman with purple hair boomed out.

Sirius raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

‘Members' families are allowed to watch, especially if underage.’ Amelia cut her down. ‘And if they have matters to be made known before the court.’

‘And what matter would that be?’ The woman continued.

‘Matters which will be discussed once everyone is here Madam Stokke and we’re in session.’ Sirius said loudly. ‘And not before just to assuage your curiosity.’

Madam Stokke huffed but relented, throwing him a glare.

‘Is it always like this?’ Harry whispered to him.

‘Always.’ Narcissa said at his side. ‘Everyone’s just a bunch of gossips.’

‘I resent that fact.’ Amelia commented serenely as she led them up the stairs to the family members floor. ‘Can’t deny it though.’

‘What happens in this preliminary hearing?’ Hermione asked.

‘It isn’t actually a hearing, just a chance to update everyone on the upcoming trail. You won’t be able to hear any of the prelim talk.’ Amelia explained. ‘The Chief Warlock will cast a silencing spell when there are family members here.’

‘Who is the Chief Warlock?’ Hermione asked. ‘Has Dumbledore been reinstated?’

Amelia nodded. ‘Last week.’ 

‘What about Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden?’ Narcissa asked.

Amelia grimaced. ‘They resigned so it’s different. I am planning on putting it to a vote to invite them back.’

‘I will be seconding that vote.’ Sirius warned her with a smile.

‘Pleased to hear that.’ Amelia turned to Harry and the others. ‘Are you going to be able to stay safe and out of trouble here?’

He grinned at her. ‘We can give it a try.’

It would allow him to speak to the others about what he suspected about the magic surrounding the Trace. He quickly hugged Sirius and saw Draco have a quiet word with his mother before Sirius, Amelia and Narcissa went to the main chamber.

‘Remus,’ Harry asked. ‘What do you know about the magic surrounding the trace?’

Remus frowned at him. ‘Is that what’s on your mind?’

Harry nodded.

‘Everyone magical under the age of seventeen has the trace on them to monitor underage magic.’ Draco stated. ‘Everyone knows that.’

‘And yet sometimes it detects accidental magic and others it doesn't, it can’t tell if the person who has cast the magic is underage or not and it can miss it all together.’ Harry shot back at him, trying hard not to look at him. He hadn’t actually looked him in the eye since his birthday and had been doing quite well at avoiding him. Not the best or the healthiest way to deal with it, he knew, but he didn’t know what to do or what he wanted to do.

‘What do you mean, it doesn't detect if the person who casts it is underage or not, of course it does.’ Remus looked at him.

Harry shook his head. ‘In my second year, Dobby levitated and smashed a cake and I got a warning for performing underage magic.’

‘Wait, that shouldn’t happen.’ Hermione denied, shaking her head. ‘There are meant to be precautions in place.’

‘Only if you’re right, will anyone know how any of it works?’ Harry asked.

‘If she’s right about what?’ Draco sighed.

Harry winced and glanced at Draco, then felt his cheeks heat. ‘Sorry, I forgot you weren’t at breakfast.’

‘We were discussing how owls can find us.’ Hermione began.

‘That’s the birds own magic.’ Draco shrugged, as if it were obvious. ‘Nothing to do with a spell.’

‘Yes, I know. The ministry and Hogwarts address the envelopes and the owls deliver to the address. Snape addressed a letter to me and the owl found me even though I was in a house under the fidelius. There are ways around it and I likened it to the ministry and Hogwarts knowing everyone's addresses to the trace detecting underage magic.’ 

‘But the trace is a spell.’ Draco denied.

‘And how else would Hogwarts and the Ministry know muggleborns' addresses?’ Hermione shot back.

Draco blinked, before grimacing and nodded. ‘Alright, point taken. What is your point anyway?’

‘The trace can’t be put on an adult, why not?’ Hermione asked him.

Draco blinked. ‘Because it can’t.’

‘Why not?’ Harry persisted.

Draco frowned.

‘If I asked you to perform the anti-disapparation jinx,’ Remus cut in. ‘Could you do it?’

‘Of course not.’ Draco scoffed. ‘I don’t know it.’

‘Exactly.’ The twins chorused.

Draco frowned and then stared at Hermione. ‘You think they don’t know what the spell is?’

Hermione shrugged. ‘Or it’s been lost over time.’

‘It is the ministry.’ Fred pointed out.

‘Either is possible.’ George agreed.

‘But what if someone is trying to figure it out?’ Harry asked. ‘Hermione successfully performed magic before Hogwarts and wasn’t warned or even caught.’

‘Accidental magic isn’t picked up by the trace but deliberate magic should be.’

‘I accidentally blew my aunt up and got a warning about it.’ Harry told him.

Remus frowned. ‘That shouldn’t have happened. Do you think it’s not working right? And someone’s trying to fix it?’

Fred and George snorted in derision.

‘Wait a minute, hold on. Wouldn’t someone figuring it out be a good thing?’ Draco checked.

‘Unless you can put it on adults.’ Hermione said quietly. ‘Or find a variation that can be put on adults.’

‘No one would have any privacy.’

Draco paled. ‘Y-you think the Dark Lord may have someone trying to do this?’

Harry grimaced. ‘I actually thought it might be the ministry, but you’re right, it could be Voldemort.’

‘It is something he would do.’

‘But he didn’t…’ George trailed off, glancing at Draco guiltily.

Draco huffed and crossed his arms, muttering under his breath.

‘That’s true.’ Hermione frowned, glancing at Harry.

He shrugged. ‘Something isn’t right though.’

‘We’ll look into it after the trial.’ Remus promised him.

Harry nodded but it didn’t ease his worry. Draco had brought up a valid point, and just because Voldemort and his minions hadn’t said or done about the magic of the Trace, didn’t mean that they weren’t behind what was happening. Harry wasn’t so naive to think that all of Voldemort's plans had come to light in the previous timeline.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 32 - UMBRIDGE

‘Well, this should be interesting.’ Sirius commented dryly as he followed Narcissa and Amelia back down the stairs to the main gallery and couldn’t help but feel everyone’s eyes following him.

‘All part of being a leader.’ Narcissa told him, probably meaning it to be more reassuring than it actually was.

‘And the Blacks have always been leaders, at least until our parents' generation.’ Sirius replied with a sigh.

Narcissa winced. ‘Yes, they rather let the bar down.’

Sirius reached out to her. ‘Isn’t that why we’re making a stand?’

‘Is it?’ Narcissa smiled, squeezing his hand. ‘I thought it was for our children.’

Sirius smiled back at her but didn’t comment as they came to the bottom, crossed the main floor and followed Amelia to their seats.

‘So what’s the protocol for getting members reinstated?’ Sirius asked Amelia quietly as the last few stragglers entered the gallery, Albus among them.

‘I’ll make a motion and we’ll see how many here back me.’ Amelia murmured back to him.

‘How many do we need?’

‘Election is simply by majority, however we have twenty four voting members so we basically need a minimum of thirteen votes.’

Sirius nodded, twenty four voting members? That was a surprisingly small amount. ‘Well you have two at least.’

‘Three.’ Narcissa added.

Amelia smiled. ‘Thank you. It will be close but at least six others will want them reinstated.’

‘And Marchbanks and Ogden?’ Narcissa asked. ‘They want to be reinstated?’

Amelia nodded. ‘Umbridge was the only reason they both resigned. They are delighted with this predicament the ministry finds itself in.’

Sirius grinned. ‘I bet.’

‘It has been a while since I sat in on one of these.’ Narcissa admitted, glancing around.

Amelia nodded, her expression blank. ‘Lucius was very hands on.’

Narcissa hummed. ‘I should have taken more notice of what was going on.’

Amelia shrugged. ‘We trust our family.’

Narcissa huffed. ‘To be fair, I fully believed in the cause, if Severus hadn’t convinced me Draco was in harm and if Sirius hadn’t humoured me and argued with me about my beliefs…’

‘We live and learn.’ Sirius told her gently before grinning at her. ‘And anyway, we can’t all be perfect like me.’

Narcissa snorted elegantly.

‘Here’s Albus.’ Amelia caught their attention and Sirius watched as Albus walked into the gallery with another elderly wizard.

Sirius held back his grimace and watched as Albus cheerily waved goodbye to the other wizard and checked the time and then an old looking book. He called for the floor to be sealed and cast a silencing charm so the upper floors couldn’t hear them.

‘Good morning Lords, Ladies and Madams.’ Albus called. ‘This session of the Wizengamot has been called to order, any notifications before we start?’

Sirius followed Amelia as she stood along with two others he should recognise but didn’t. He noticed Albus staring at him and inclined his head in recognition.

‘I recognise Lord McLaggan to the floor.’ Albus conceded to the man who stood barely a second before him.

Instead of descending to the floor, Sirius followed Amelia and the other man in sitting while Lord McLaggan stayed standing. ‘I would like to invite the ministry’s head of auror’s, Gawain Robards, to become a member and recognise his exemplary record as proof of welcome.’

Albus nodded down at the parchment on the stand in front of him. ‘Seconded?’

Sirius raised his hand alone with Amelia, Narcissa and the majority of the members. The only ones who didn’t raise their hands, Sirius made a note of, knowing that the chance that they were Voldemort supporters would be extremely high.

‘Agreed.’ Albus smiled happily and waved his wand. An official piece of paper flew up into the air with a quill writing on it before it rolled itself up in a flourish and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

‘I recognise Madam Bones to the floor.’ Albus called.

Amelia stood. ‘I would like to reinstate Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Odgen as members seeing as they were astute enough to recognise the next prisoner for exactly what she was.’

‘Hear hear!’ Several members roared in approval.

Albus inclined his head with a wry smile on his face, looking pleased and satisfied. ‘Seconded?’

Almost every hand rose.

The parchment and quill got to work again and disappeared just like the previous time.

‘I recognise Sirius Black to the floor.’ Albus said, looking at him curiously and a little hesitant. Sirius couldn’t blame him but in this instance, he had no beef with his former headmaster.

‘That would be Lord Black.’ Sirius said drolly as he stood but was interrupted by a loud bang as the door’s flew open and Lady Marchbanks and Lord Odgen entered.

Sirius slowly applauded and was soon joined by the rest of the Wizengamot.

The two bowed and Lady Marchbanks took point. ‘Have we missed anything?’

‘Head of Auror’s, Gawain Robards, has been asked to join and it has just been ascertained that Sirius Black has taken his family’s Lordship.’ Amelia called down.

‘Jolly good. Continue.’ Lady Marchbanks said pompously before turning on her heel, her shoes loudly clacking on the floor as she took her seat.

‘The Wizengamot recognises the new Lord Black.’ Albus allowed, not exactly looking happy at the news. ‘I recognise...’

‘Actually.’ Sirius interrupted, still standing, ‘That was not my announcement, we covered that I was Lord Black at the previous session.’

Albus blinked at him and Sirius hid his smile at how worried he now looked. 

‘Lord Black has the floor.’ Albus sighed.

Sirius nodded. ‘This is my second time here and with this trial being so important and far reaching to so many, pretty much everyone in our world, I find myself disappointed with our turnout.’

Albus blinked at him. ‘I’m sorry my boy, I don’t follow.’

Sirius arched an eyebrow, knowing that he had every single person's attention. ‘You can’t honestly be telling me that this is our full number?’

‘Ah.’ Albus winced, seeing the pint Sirius was making. ‘I’m afraid that it is.’

Sirius glanced around slowly, watching members either squirm or sit up in interest. ‘Are you telling me, that out of all our most noble and ancient houses, we have dwindled this badly? Even though many of the lines are still strong? And what of the others? Where is Minerva McGonagall? She used to preside here with us?’

Silence greeted him.

Albus nodded wisely. ‘I’m afraid we lost many in the last war.’

‘I didn’t realise Minerva was a ghost.’ Sirius replied dryly. ‘She certainly managed to eat and drink proficiently last I saw her.’

Albus sighed but didn’t rise to his bait.

‘And what of the Weasley’s? The Longbottoms? The Abbots? The Johnstons? The Notts? The Bulstrodes? The Crabbes? The Goyles? Where are they?’ Sirius demanded, deliberately adding an equal number of families who supported the Dark Lord to those who opposed him, to throw people off with which side he stood.

Narcissa stood beside him. ‘I believe they will be on the public floors, watching, instead of participating as they should.’

Albus sighed. ‘As much as I wish we could include every family of note, I’m afraid we can’t.’

‘But we should!’ Hawkworth stood up. ‘We can start with the ancient families, serving as a member is by invite, not a requirement. We can ask the ancient and noble families, the ones who have lost their House first and then work our way down.’

‘We need to breathe new light into here!’ Ogden called out in agreement.

‘Fresh blood.’ Griselda Marchbanks stood. ‘We need new and young blood to join, otherwise we will die out. Just like the sacred twenty eight is doing!’

‘I resent that!’ A voice called but Sirius couldnt see who it was.

Narcissa stood beside him. ‘As part of the sacred twenty eight, it pains me to admit that yes, our numbers are dwindling, but I cannot deny it as fact.’

‘Hear, hear!’ Ogden called. ‘We start with them. Chief Warlock, put it to vote please.’

‘Alright.’ Albus agreed, looking bewildered. ‘Consensus to invite the sacred twenty eight to be members of our historic foundation the Wizengamot?’

Three-quarters of the hands rose.

‘So be it.’ Albus agreed gravely and waved his wand, several parchments and quills leapt into the air before disappearing into clouds of smoke. Albus glanced around the gallery. ‘I recognise Lord Shole to the floor.’

Lord Shole struggled to his feat, waving his hand in dismissal. ‘Madam Bones and Lord Black covered it quite efficiently.’ He coughed before sitting down again before he fell down.

Sirius smiled, pleased at how many had wanted not only Marchbanks and Ogden reinstated but so many others.

‘So noted.’ Albus nodded. ‘Does anyone have questions about the upcoming trial?’

‘Is Scrimgeour going to be gracing us with his presence?’ Lady Marchbanks shouted, waving her walking stick.

‘He will be joining us when the trial starts, representing the ministry as protocol dictates.’ Albus replied, a serene smile on his face.

‘What about Fudge?’ A male voice called out.

‘Seeing as he was the one who appointed her.’ Another called out angrily.

Albus held up a hand. ‘Let’s be civil about this, please.’

‘Then no, no questions.’ Another called out.

Sirius smirked.

‘Then let us break until the trial commences.’ Albus said diplomatically and cancelled out the silencing charm and unsealed the room.

Sirius glanced up to where Harry, Remus and the others were waiting, staring down at him in bemusement. He glanced around, debating whether he could excuse himself to quickly pop up to see them and explain what had happened. Sirius would much rather be up there with them then down here but he caught sight of Albus and decided against it. He didn’t want to risk getting caught in conversation with him and saying something he knew he would later regret. He was Lord Black now and had a reputation to uphold, losing his temper with the headmaster, while amusing, was possibly not the look he was going for.

‘I wouldn’t.’ Narcissa whispered into his ear, ignoring as the general public and press began entering the higher floors.

He huffed. ‘I came to the same decision.’

‘You know he will corner you eventually?’

Sirius nodded. ‘We’ve already had it out once, but that was before he knew I was Lord Black. He still doesn’t know about the adoption.’

‘You’ve got the entire wizengamot behind you, not to mention all of your loved ones and family.’ Narcissa reminded him. ‘What could he possibly do about it now?’

Sirius brightened and nodded. ‘Thank you. I needed that.’

‘Family.’ Narcissa squeezed his elbow and fell silent.

They both watched as Gawain Robards entered and took his oath with minimal fanfare. He turned, and catching sight of them, headed over, taking a seat beside them much to the Chief Warlock’s disapproval.

‘This is going to be one hell of a show.’ Robards muttered just loud enough for them to hear.

‘Oh?’

‘Almost every single Hogwarts teacher has volunteered to testify.’

‘Even Snape?’ Sirius snorted in disbelief.

‘I did say almost every one.’ Robards grinned.

Sirius chuckled, unable to help himself even though Narcissa glared at him.

‘Severus is not that bad.’

‘Not to you.’ Sirius allowed, not wanting to upset his cousin.

‘We’ll agree to disagree.’ Narcissa sighed, straightening further when the ministry officials began entering. 

They looked somber, as if they were the ones on trial and Sirius felt that they should have had their own trial, someone had to be responsible to allow Umbridge to get as far as she did.

Rufus Scrimgeour, entered slowly, dressed impeccably in a metallic flowery black suit that Sirius was slightly envious of. He held his head high but came in alone with no aides accompanying him. Sirius approved of his bold move and could understand it, it sent a clear message that he had not been part of the Umbridge brigade and that he did not hold favourites. Whether or not he would see to it that everyone was held accountable would be proven in time.

Albus cast a sonorous on himself. ‘The trial of Dolores Umbridge will commence shortly. Members of the press and the general public please remain quiet throughout and retain order. To ensure that you comply and that the trial continues smoothly, your floors will be silenced so that we in the wizengamot will not hear you but you will hear us.’

Several boos went up but quickly stopped as Albus cast the one way silencing shield which also prevented any spells being cast down on them. It wasn’t just for Umbridge’s safety but for everyone’s, it wasn’t unknown to have spells cast on the jury to influence the decision.

A moment later Dolores Umbridge, in a dirty and unkempt pink skirt suit, was led into the courtroom in shackles and chains, looking a lot worse for the wear. Sirius kept his expression blank but was inwardly pleased to see her looking so harried. He already knew what his vote would be and doubted there was anyone present who wasn’t already convinced of her guilt.

‘Dolores Umbrdige, daughter of Orford Umbridge and Ellen Cracknell, wand made from birch and dragon heartstring measuring eight inches, you are hereby held to ascertain your guilt over the following charges.’ Albus began. ‘Lying to the Wizengamot over who your father was and his career, multiple counts of abuse of minors, multiple accounts of torture of minors, multiple accounts of misuse of power, multiple accounts of blackmail, multiple accounts of abuse of ministry documents, multiple accounts of crimes against muggleborns.’ Albus frowned over his glasses. ‘I’m afraid to say that the ministry has been unable to define how many each “multiple accounts” consists of as there were simply too many.’

Umbridge cowered in the centre of the room and there was silence for several moments. Sirius had to commend Albus tactic with how powerful his silence could be in a case like this. 

‘How does the accused plead?’ Albus eventually continued.

‘Not guilty.’ Umbridge shrieked, suddenly appearing to wake up. ‘They deserved it! Every single one of those-those-those despicable, disgusting little freaks!’

Griselda Marchbanks rose.

‘Lady Marchbanks, you have something you would like to add?’ Albus asked, looking slightly taken aback.

‘Move to skip this nonsense and go straight to sentencing.’ She called loudly.

Sirius stood. ‘I second that move.’

‘Agreed.’ Numerous people stood up, all shouting their agreement.

‘This is most irregular.’ Albus frowned.

Sirius stood up again. ‘As father of one of the children she repeatedly abused and tortured, who is also with us today, I would like to spare Harry having to relive everything she put him through.’

Narcissa stood beside him. ‘I think all of us parents would like to spare our children any more hardship after the ordeal this woman has put them all through.’

‘Father?’ Albus frowned. ‘Sirius, you do not have any children.’

Sirius smiled wryly, knowing he was about to have the attention of every single person present. He didn’t bother raising his voice. ‘I adopted Harry Potter.’

Silence greeted him.

Albus looked at him, disappointment and something else written over his features.

‘Well done boy.’ Lord Ogden’s voice rang out. ‘And about time too!’

Huge applause rang out, much louder than before and Sirius couldn’t help his smile when someone began whooping.

Albus stood staring at him in dismay, not seeming to notice the joyant celebrations going on around them. Sirius maintained eye contact with him, allowing his own disdain and disappointment to cover his features. Albus flinched and frowned, looking confused before seeming to notice what was going on around them.

‘Order!’ Albus called loudly, ‘Order! Sirius, Harry has family already, you cannot adopt him. You would need ministry permission.’

Amelia stood up. ‘Harry Potter’s blood relatives agreed it would be for the best for Harry to live with and be adopted by his Godfather. Chief Warlock, Lord Black had ministry permission.’

‘You would also need ministry officials to be present.’ Albus continued.

‘I was present.’ Amelia snarled down at thim.

‘As was I, and the head of the hitwizards.’ Gawain Robards stood and smiled down at him. ‘Are you saying we cannot perform our jobs, Chief Warlock?’

Albus paused, possibly realising he had gone too far. ‘I would have appreciated being invited, after everything that has happened.’

Sirius stared down at his former idol who seemed to have forgotten he was no longer impressionable and was now an adult able to make his own decisions. ‘You have just amply demonstrated why you were not when all you have done is attempt to argue me out of it in a public trial that has nothing to do with this.’

‘Well said, what the bloody hell does Lord’s Black’s personal life have to do with Dolores Umbridge and her cruelty and torture of our children?’ Griselda Marchbanks stood up, glaring viciously at Albus.

Albus frowned. ‘The adoption of Harry Potter-’

‘Has nothing to do with anyone but Harry Potter and his family.’ Narcissa stood up. ‘Unless you are saying that we have to account our private lives to the entire Wizengamot?’

‘In which case I would have several questions for quite a few people here.’ Sirius said lazily, but stared intently at Albus.

Albus flushed and nodded. ‘Very well. Motion to go straight to sentencing?’

‘Hear hear.’ Several members called out as everyone raised their hands.

Albus sighed but nodded. ‘Recess to determine the sentence?’

‘Oh pish posh Albus. We all want her gone!’ Griselda Marchbanks shouted.

‘Life in Azkaban!’ Several others joined in.

Albus pursed his lips. ‘All those in agreement of life imprisonment in Azkaban for crimes committed?’

Every single person, Wizengamot member, family member, general public, press and ministry official, raised their hand.

‘Dolores Umbridge, you have been found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban with no possibility of parole.’ Albus declared and banged down the gavel.

Dolores Umbridge stared at Albus Dumbledore in shock and disgust as applause once again broke out, drowning out her cries of protest, censure and revenge.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 33 - DUMBLEDORE

Harry watched as Umbridge was led back out the chamber still in shackles, screaming in defiance.

‘Well, that was certainly different.’ Hermione said faintly, looking slightly horrified.

‘Things around you lot certainly are.’ Draco frowned but kept his eyes firmly on the events unfolding below.

Harry frowned at Hermione's unhappy look. ‘What’s wrong?’

Hermiones turned to him, her eyes wide and exasperated, ‘What's wrong?! You are joking aren’t you? That wasn’t a trial, it was a popularity contest!’

Harry blinked at her, seeing the trap but not the cause.

George shrugged beside him while Fred winced in agreement.

Draco shrugged unconcerned. ‘She got what she deserved.’

‘Yes, but where was the evidence? Where was her representative? Where was her defence?’ Hermione whispered angrily.

Harry winced. There hadn’t been any of that, and even though they knew she was guilty, they hadn’t proven it.

‘If Sirius had gone to trial, how would this have been any different to that?’ Hermione demanded.

Harry felt his stomach roll. It wouldn’t have been any different. Umbridge, while guilty, had been sentenced on everyone’s beliefs, not the evidence. Sirius may not have had a trial, but if he had, would it have been any different?

‘We can discuss this at home. I think we should go before we get mobbed by well wishers and the press.’ Remus frowned uneasily as he glanced around.

‘What do you mean?’ Harry asked, leaning over to watch Sirius, needing to see him with his own eyes. Sirius caught his eye and smiled reassuringly. Harry smiled back, raising his hand to wave.

‘I don’t know if you noticed, but everyone was a lot more interested in your adoption than the proceeds, or rather lack, of proceeds of the trial.’ Remus said wryly. ‘It’s going to be a nightmare to get to the floo’s and the ministry have anti portkey wards.’

‘No fear.’ Fred grinned.

‘Here you go Harry.’ George handed him a plain beige wrapper. 

Harry stared at it.

‘It’s a sweet.’ George prompted. ‘You eat it.’

‘Sorry about the taste.’ Fred winced as Harry unwrapped it.

‘We’ve been working on it.’ George promised as Harry took a deep breath and popped in it mouth.

His eyes widened and watered as the strong taste of peppermint invaded all of his senses and he only just managed to swallow it. He felt his ears ring with pressure until it stopped with a pop and he squeezed his eyes shut, breathing as if he’s just run up all the stairs in Hogwarts.

‘Oh wow!’ Hermione said, her voice wondrous.

Harry opened his eyes to them all surrounding him and staring at him. He realised they’d actually managed to keep him from view from everyone else. 

‘What?’ He asked, his eyes widening as his voice sounded completely different to his own. ‘What was that sweet?’

The twins grinned triumphantly.

‘Works in the same way as polyjuice potion.’ Fred explained proudly.

‘It just doesn't last as long-’

‘Well, not all of the effects anyway.’

Harry stared at them worriedly.

‘We’re working on it.’ The twins chorused.

‘But it’ll last long enough to get you out of here.’ Fred continued.

‘And we have a sweet that’ll reverse the effects that don’t disappear.’ George added.

‘Is that one peppermint as well?’ Harry asked, doubting he’d ever be able to enjoy it again.

The twins shook their heads.

‘That one tastes of cinnamon.’ Fred told him.

Harry nodded. He liked cinnamon, he just hoped it wasn’t quite as strong as the peppermint had been, that was if his taste buds returned by then.

‘Let’s go.’ Remus began.

‘It’ll be easier if we split up.’ Hermione pointed out.

Remus nodded in agreement. ‘Harry and Draco with me. Hermione go with the twins.’

Harry watched Hermione nod and slip her hand into Fred’s, following George to the staircase as she glanced back at him. The rest of the people on the floor were still looking around, as if trying to find someone and Harry was pretty sure that someone was him. Thank God for the twins and their new inventions, the PDA’s were a work of genius but Harry no longer believed or trusted in the ministry so wasn’t sure they should only market them to the aurors as was the original plan.

Once Hermione and the twins had disappeared from view, Harry went to follow but Remus held him back. ‘Hold on a sec.’

Harry looked back at him to see Remus frowning down at the main chamber. ‘What is it?’

‘Albus is talking to Sirius, Narcissa and Amelia.’ Remus said, sounding concerned.

Harry headed back over to the balcony and watched Sirius conversing with his headmaster, if Harry hadn’t known the signs to look for, he wouldn’t have known how uncomfortable his adopted father actually was. It seemed he was also getting to know Narcissa and Amelia because Narcissa looked defensive and Amelia looked angry.

‘That doesn’t look good.’ Harry said, as all four of them left the main chamber in a group.

‘No, it looks like we’re going to have a guest.’ Remus sighed.

‘Yeah, but where?’ Harry asked.

‘He won’t be invited back to the manor will he?’ Draco checked, looking worried.

Harry shrugged even though he doubted it. ‘That’s up to Sirius.’

‘Let’s get back and find out what’s going on.’ Remus suggested, hurrying them along.

It was actually easy to leave the ministry with the disguise on, especially as no one was expecting Harry to be disguised or to be with Remus or Draco. 

He sighed in relief when he exited the floo at Black Manor but instantly turned worried when he saw Hermione looking guilty with her wand out.

‘I’m so sorry!’ She was apologising, looking contrite and scared.

Only Harry knew his best friend and knew when she was acting and Hermione was currently acting. What exactly had she done and why?

‘What happened?’ Harry said, hurrying over and staring in amazement at Dumbledore, getting up off the ground and brushing off his robes.

‘Ah Harry, hello.’ Dumbledore smiled, looking at him in amusement. ‘Good to see you, I do like your disguise.’

‘Thank you sir.’ Harry said politely, glancing around in confusion. He wasn’t sure what had happened or how the headmaster knew it was him.

Sirius looked unhappy and the twins just shrugged. George handed him another sweet and Harry popped it in his mouth, wincing at the strong cinnamon taste but it wasn’t near as strong as the first one.

‘Albus insisted on checking with his own two eyes that you were healthy and in one piece.’ Sirius informed him, his voice curt.

Harry frowned and turned back to Dumbledore who was looking at admiringly. ‘You could have done that at the ministry. I was there on the family member's floor.’

‘Ah, yes, well.’ Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled. ‘I have to confess to wanting to see where you were living and making sure you were safe. And I would never have witnessed the marvelousness of those sweets.’

The twins grinned proudly but Harry could see the conflict in their eyes. He crossed his arms, feeling like he was being played and not liking it at all. ‘Why? You never cared when I was at the Dursleys?’

Dumbledore blinked, looking surprised. It was clear he hadn’t expected Harry to talk back to him. ‘That was a different situation.’

Harry snorted and heard Hermione and Sirius do the same.

‘Maybe we should talk in private?’ Dumbledore asked.

‘Why? Sirius has already adopted me and it’s legal. There’s no talking me out of something that’s already been done.’ Harry pointed out.

Dumbledore sighed. ‘I would like to chat to you about some things. Find out exactly what went wrong with your relatives.’

‘What went wrong?’ Hermione asked icily, glaring daggers at their headmaster.

Harry held up his hand. It was clear that Dumbledore thought he could still get Harry on board with his plans, which if Harry hadn’t already lived through it once, he would have, but Harry was no longer the fifteen year old Dumbledore was expecting him to be and he was the one with the upper hand here. ‘Maybe it would be best if we spoke in private.’

Dumbledore smiled but his sigh of relief did not escape Harry.

Hermione nodded, turning her glare to Sirius. ‘I can ask Sirius about the trial.’

Sirius must have recognised her tone because he glanced worriedly at Remus who sighed.

Harry indicated for Dumbledore to walk with him and took him to the guest parlour, not wanting to actually give his headmaster a tour of the house. He was both relieved and annoyed at missing Hermione's lecture but knew they would have to do something about it. Having trained as an auror he knew better, but he’d seen it happen before so hadn’t really thought that much of it. He would check over the evidence and make sure that if it ever came to retrial, she would still be found guilty.

‘What do you want to know?’ Harry asked, once they were alone in the room, noting how Dumbledore closed the door behind them. ‘It’s no secret the Dursley’s were abusive to me.’

‘I wish you’d told me.’ Dumbledore said, his voice sincere as if that would absolve him of any blame. It just made Harry angry instead.

‘You’d have sent me back there.’ Harry looked him directly in the eye. ‘And Headmaster, it’s not like you didn’t know.’

Dumbledore looked concerned. ‘Harry…’

‘My first Hogwarts letter was addressed to The Cupboard Under The Stairs. Are you really going to lie to me?’

Dumbledore sighed, looking sad. ’I’m sorry Harry.’

‘For all that you're a great man you failed to see what was right in front of you.’

‘What was that?’ He frowned at Harry, confusion covering his features.

‘You saw me as the key to defeating Voldemort and not an abused child needing to be rescued.’

Dumbledore paused and stared at Harry intently. ‘That’s an interesting choice of words.’

Harry stared back at him. ‘No, it really isn’t.’

Dumbledore frowned. ‘You know more than you should.’

‘I do.’ Harry agreed.

‘Harry, what have you done?’ Dumbledore sounded both shocked and worried.

Harry shrugged, still not ready to let him in on what had happened. Dumbeldore had broken his trust and so far, had done nothing to repair it. ‘What do you think I’ve done?’

‘That portal in your mind that lets you see into Tom Riddle’s mind is dangerous.’ Dumbledore began.

Harry snorted. ‘You mean the horcrux that he accidentally created the night he killed my parents?’ 

Dumbledore stared at him with wide eyes. ‘You… how?’

‘That doesn’t matter, you using me to your own ends, does.’

‘Harry…’ Dumbledore sighed. ‘Tom Riddle needs to be stopped, he’s killed too many of us and we are heading to another war.’

Harry nodded. ‘And Sirius is doing what any parent would do, what you, as headmaster, should have done, protect children.’

Dumbledore frowned.

‘Everyone goes on about how safe Hogwarts is, and yet, every single year, I’ve battled against Voldemort there.’ Harry pointed out to him.

Dumbledore winced. ‘That is regrettable, but he is fixated on you.’

‘“Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.”’ Harry quoted the prophecy.

‘You heard it?’ Dumbledore asked quietly.

Harry nodded.

‘I never wanted you to hear it.’ Dumbeldore admitted. ‘I never wanted you to live in fear.’

Harry snorted. ‘No, instead you wanted me to live with abusive people who hated me.’

Dumbledore winced. ‘I wanted you safe from Voldemort.’

‘But I wasn’t safe, not from my relatives.’ Harry said quietly. ‘And you were the one who put me in that situation, who deliberately stopped others who loved and cared for me for taking me in.’

‘Harry, the blood protection that your mother gave you protects you.’ Dumbledore explained, sounding urgent.

‘But it doesn't protect me from them, from blood relatives hurting me.’ Harry shot back before sighing. ‘I’m not going back, it doesn't matter what you say. Sirius has already adopted me, it’s a done deal.’

Dumbledore sighed. ‘I’m sorry to hear that Harry, and as much as I don’t want to put this on you, you are the key to defeating Voldemort.’

‘I know.’ Harry agreed, enjoying the stunned look on his headmaster's face. ‘It’s why I’m here, with Sirius, Remus, Hermione, the twins and the Malfoy’s.’

‘Harry,’ Dumbledore repeated, this time softly with his voice full of wonder. ‘What have you done?’

‘What you should have done.’ Harry said softly, realising how dangerous doubt was, it led to hope and he had, until this moment, still hoped that Dumbledore was a great man who cared for him. ‘Accepted help.’

‘Trusting people in times of war is not as easy as you make it sound.’ 

Harry frowned at his headmaster. ‘After everything, are you really going to say you wouldn’t trust Professor McGonagall with everything?’

Dumbledore blinked, clearly taken aback with who he had named. ‘Of course I do.’

‘And yet, you kept everything from her.’ Harry said quietly. ‘I know you can’t trust everyone, but I also know you can’t do it alone.’

Dumbledore was quiet for a while before he nodded. ‘That is very wise of you Harry.’

Harry snorted. ‘I don’t feel very wise.’

‘No one ever does.’

‘And anyway, Hermione’s the one who drilled it into me.’

Dumbledore nodded gravely. ‘I assume it was she who found the spell that brought you back in time?’

Harry grinned at him, remembering his third year when he rescued Sirius with the time turner. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about headmaster.’

Dumbledore smiled and inclined his head. ‘I would like to help.’

‘Then maybe you should get on my Godfather’s good side.’ Harry smiled at him, watching the dismay flash across his headmaster's face. He may be ready to forgive the man, but he wasn’t going to make it easy on him.

🪄🪄🪄

‘So.’ Harry asked tentatively, looking around the room to gauge the feeling. Dumbledore had left, his apology to Sirius acknowledged but not accepted before he was politely ushered out under a false pretence of previously made plans.

‘I’m not going to apologise for agreeing to skip the trial and sending that hag straight to Azkaban.’ Sirius held a hand up, looking pale and uneasy. ‘But I agree that Hermione is right that protocol should have been followed and that the trial was not fair and I have been suitably chastised.’

‘Even if she had,’ Narcissa shrugged, not looking concerned in the slightest. ‘The only difference would have been people calling for the Kiss.’

‘We’re trying to make things better though.’ Hermione stressed. ‘That includes being even and fair to everyone. Just because we know they’re guilty, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get the same treatment as anyone else.’

Sirius nodded. ‘And you’re right in that if I’d had a trial, it would have most likely gone the same way. I would still have been imprisoned because everyone believed me to be guilty.’

Remus scowled and whacked Sirius upside the head.‘I would like to think that at least I would have noticed that massive whopping lack of evidence in your case.’

Sirius grinned ruefully and pulled him close. ‘You would have, if it had ever been presented.’

Remus smiled and kissed him. Harry sighed as Sirius deepened the kiss, either forgetting or uncaring that they weren’t alone.

‘Oh! What was going on when we got back?’ Harry demanded loudly, poking Hermione.

‘Yeah.’ Draco stared at her. ‘Why was the headmaster on the floor?’

‘And why were you fake apologising?’ Harry demanded.

‘Fake apologising?’ Draco repeated quietly staring at Hermione with a bemused expression.

Hermione smirked at him and shrugged. ‘I wasn’t expecting him to come through the floo.’

‘She disarmed him.’ Fred crowed, looking at her in awe. ‘It was incredible!’

‘It really was.’ George agreed, clapping Hermione on the shoulder.

‘You disarmed the headmaster?!’ Draco stared at Hermione in shock.

‘Why would you disarm…’ Harry trailed off as it suddenly hit him and he realised exactly what she had done. ‘You’re a genius!’

‘Yes.’ Hermione looked like the cat who’d just got the cream. ‘I know.’

Draco frowned at them. ‘I don’t get it. What is going on?’

‘Voldemort is after the Elder wand.’ Hermione turned to Draco.

‘Like in the Deathly Hallows?’ Draco looked unimpressed. ‘That’s a fairy tale.’

‘Only it isn’t a fairytale.’ Sirius smiled wryly, wrapping his arms around Remus and hooking his chin over his shoulder.

‘Haven’t you ever wondered how we got around Hogwarts so easily without being seen?’ Harry asked him with a grin.

‘Invisibility cloak.’ Hermione smiled.

Draco rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah, I got one back home, only lasts a summer.’

‘This one is a family heirloom.’ Remus provided.

‘James used it when we were at Hogwarts.’ Sirius grinned at Remus and they shared a knowing sad smile.

Draco blinked at them. ‘Invisibility cloaks don’t last that long.’

‘Not unless this one was the one that Ignotus Peverell got from Death himself.’ Harry said quietly. ‘And handed it down to his son and so on and so on until it got to me.’

‘And the ring? The one that Snape got for us?’ Hermione reminded them. ‘Was the resurrection stone.’

‘The, the Deathly Hallows are real?’ Draco said, stunned.

Harry nodded. ‘And Dumbldore has the Elder wand.’

‘What?’

‘He won it off of Grindelwald who stole it off of Gregorovitch,’ Hermione informed Draco.

Draco blinked. 

‘Now that Hermione’s disarmed Dumbledore, she's the master of it.’ Harry said.

‘So Harry and I will duel, where I will not go easy on him.’ Hermione grinned at Harry.

Remus groaned loudly but Sirius looked excited.

Harry laughed. ‘And when I win, I’ll be the master of the Elder wand.’

‘But Dumbledore will still have it though.’ Draco pointed out.

Harry shrugged. ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.’

‘We have plenty of time.’ Hermione agreed.

‘So, we duelling then?’ George asked excitedly.

‘Might as well be responsible and head to the duelling room then.’ Sirius said, rising.

Harry gaped after him. ‘We have a duelling room?’

‘Of course we do.’ Sirius said, sounding faintly affronted.

Remus laughed. 

Harry laughed before pausing and turning to Hermione. She raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Should we do this now?’

‘What do you mean?’ Hermione questioned. 

‘Who’s more likely to get involved in some sort of fight, me or you?’ Harry asked her.

‘You.’ Hermione frowned before her expression cleared. ‘Oh.’

Harry nodded. ‘Exactly.’

‘What?’ Draco asked.

‘Oh.’ George realised, looking impressed.

‘That’s actually pretty good thinking.’ Fred agreed.

‘Thanks, it does occasionally happen.’ Harry said dryly.

‘I don’t get it.’ Sirius said.

‘Me neither.’ Draco admitted.

‘If Harry wins the wand's allegiance now, he’s more likely to lose it, than if I keep it.’ Hermione explained.

Draco raised an eyebrow, looking at Harry sceptically. ‘And you thought of that?’

Sirius grinned and slapped his shoulder. ‘That’s my Godson.’

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 34 - DRACO

‘Hey Draco, wait up.’ Harry called.

Draco turned back to him, his lips pursed as if he’d stopped his automatic response of a sneer but didn’t want to admit to being curious. ‘What is it Ha- Po- Harry.’

Harry grinned. ‘I wanted to talk to you.’

Draco rolled his eyes. ‘I gathered that.’

‘So, I, erm.’ Harry froze, having no idea how to bring this up.

‘Spit it out Potter.’ Draco sighed.

‘Back to Potter is it?’ Harry asked.

Draco stared at him.

Harry shrugged, feeling awkward. ‘It’s just, I thought we were getting somewhere.’

‘What?’ Draco looked at him blankly.

‘Well, I mean you called me Harry…’ Harry trailed off, feeling his cheeks heat as he remembered Draco groaning his name.

‘When have I ever called you Harry?’ Draco demanded.

Harry froze. Apart from that one time, when Harry was not meant to be there, he couldn’t think of a single instance. In fact, he couldn’t even recall Draco calling him Potter either, this conversation was the first time he’d actually called him by his name, and he’d stuttered over that, since they’d agreed to be civil to each other after Draco had moved in. It had been all of Harry’s friends insisting on calling Draco, Draco. 

‘Well?’ Draco demanded, staring at him.

Harry winced. ‘Well, err, I didn’t mean to overhear!’ Harry blurted out and then instantly regretted it. 

Draco narrowed his eyes. ‘Overhear what?’

Harry felt himself beginning to panic. ‘I went to find you to thank you for my birthday present, I did thank you for that right?’

Draco nodded slowly. 

Harry wondered if he could distract him with that. ‘Well it was a really great present, really thoughtful and I wanted to tell you that.’

‘Umhmmm.’ Draco crossed his arms, staring at him angrily.

Harry winced. ‘And your bedroom door was open so I… when you didn’t answer, I stepped in.’

Draco frowned. ‘You came uninvited into my bedroom?’

‘I didn’t mean to! I called out and then when I heard something,’ Harry shrugged, feeling helpless, knowing that he was in the wrong and not knowing how to explain himself. ‘I didn’t know what it was and was worried.’

‘So you came into my bedroom and then what?’ Draco demanded.

Harry felt his cheeks heat further but Draco did not need to know how long Harry had stood there listening in. ‘You were in the shower so I left.’

Draco raised an eyebrow. ‘And when did you hear your name…?’ Draco paled.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to!’

‘You-you heard…’ Draco stared at him, looking horrified.

‘I know I invaded your privacy, but I honestly am sorry.’ Harry said hurriedly, trying hard not to drop himself in it further by saying how long he’d stood there, mesmerised by the sounds Draco had made and how that had made him feel.

‘You had no right!’ Draco screeched suddenly, angry pink dots appearing in his pale cheeks.

‘I know and I’m sorry!’ Harry pleaded but Draco was shaking his head and backing away from him.

‘No, no, no, no, no, no, no.’ Draco was staring at him accusingly before he turned and fled.

 ‘I really like being friends with you Draco and I don’t want to ruin that!’ Harry called, breaking into a run after him. He didn’t want to leave things like this, he needed Draco to understand that he didn’t mind, that he wanted to keep getting to know him, but it was clear that Draco was too upset to speak to him. 

He saw Draco dart up the stairs and raced after him, it was easy to guess that Draco was headed to his room and Harry inwardly winced at the realisation that he’d invaded what was supposed to be a safe room in an unknown house for Draco. 

He heard a bang up ahead and arrived outside of Draco’s room to the door still rattling and pounded on it. ‘Draco please, just listen to me!’

There was no answer.

‘Draco! Draco, I’m sorry!’ Harry shouted, hoping that Draco hadn’t cast a silencing charm and couldn’t hear him.

‘Harry? Harry, what’s wrong?’ Hermione called from the stairs, heading towards him.

Harry sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He closed his eyes. ‘I wanted to talk to Draco only…’

‘Only?’ Hermione prodded.

He groaned. ‘I kinda, sorta, told him about overhearing him in the shower.’

Hermione gaped at him. ‘What?’

‘I know!’ Harry slumped down against the wall. ‘I didn’t mean to, I mucked it all up and now he won’t talk to me.’

‘Can you blame him?’ Hermione asked, sitting down next to him.

‘No.’ Harry moaned miserably. How the hell had it come to this?

Hermione patted his shoulder. ‘Give him time. When did he find out?’

‘About two minutes ago.’ Harry winced.

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘So, Draco has only just found out that you overheard him and you’re expecting him to instantly act calm and rationable about it?’

Harry thumped his head back against the wall. ‘Give him time.’

Hermione nodded. ‘What…’

Harry turned to see Sirius’ patronus soar through the air to them. 

‘Everyone meet in my study.’ Sirius’s voice said sternly.

Harry glanced in worry at Hermione and hammered his fists on Draco’s door again. ‘Draco! Sirius needs everyone in his study! Draco!’

‘Leave him be,’ Hermione pulled at his arm. ‘We’ll explain to Sirius that he needs to be alone right now.’

Harry stared at the door, not wanting to leave without Draco before sighing and nodding, seeing the sense in Hermione’s words. Draco needed time and unfortunately he doubted that the first person that Draco would want to see would be him.

He allowed Hermione to pull him up and trudged after her in silence all the way to Sirius’s office.

Sirius breathed an obvious sigh of relief as they entered and practically wilted into Remus’ arms.

‘Whats going on?’ Harry asked.

‘Someone used the floo to leave.’ Sirius winced. Remus rubbed his back reassuringly.

‘I didn't realise we were under lockdown.’ Narcissa arched an eyebrow as she entered.

‘We’re not, but we are under fidelius.’ Sirius reminded her. ‘And I don’t know who it was who left.’

Hermione glanced around. ‘The twins and Draco are the only ones not here.’

‘The twins were in the house using the lab.’ Remus sighed, taking his glasses off and rubbing at his nose.

Harry winced. ‘Draco’s in his room, we had a… disagreement.’

Narcissa frowned but the door opened and the twins walked in. 

‘What’s the emergency?’ They asked.

Wait.’ Harry said, feeling his heart plummet.

‘Are you sure Draco is in his room?’

‘That’s where he ran to.’ Harry felt numb.

‘All the rooms have their own fires and they are all connected to the library floo in case of emergencies.’ Sirius explained, his face blank.

‘Oh Merlin.’ Harry felt sick.

‘Where would he go?’ Hermione demanded.

Narcissa stared at her blankly.

‘Narcissa, where would Draco go when he’s upset?’ Harry demanded urgently.

‘Home.’ Narcissa whispered.

Harry stared at her in horror.

‘But he knows that Voldemort is there!’ 

‘Even Draco’s not that thick!’ George declared.

Narcissa swallowed. ‘There’s a secret entrance.’

Harry took a deep breath.

‘Does anyone else know about it?’ Sirius demanded.

Narcissa shook her head. ‘Only family.’

‘Your husband wouldn't have told Voldemort?’ Hermione asked urgently.

Narcissa shook her head. ‘And he wouldn’t have been able to learn it through occlumency, the secret is protected by the family magic.’

‘And Draco would know that?’ Harry checked.

Narcissa closed her eyes.

It was confirmation that was the most likely place that Draco had run to.

‘We need to go after him!’ Harry declared, heading for the floo.

Hermione and Sirius instantly blocked him.

‘We have to go!’ He insisted, struggling against Sirius’ hold, angry that his friends and family were trying to stop him.

‘And we will, but Draco will be hiding in the manor.’ Sirius panted, his arms still wrapped around him. ‘What’s your plan? Burst in and instantly alert Voldemort that you’re there?’

Harry stopped. That was actually pretty accurate. He didn’t really have a plan but that had never stopped him before.

‘Draco knows how to hide.’ Narcissa said quietly.

Harry looked at her.

‘The Dark Lord was already inhabiting the manor when Severus got us out.’ She explained primly.

Harry swallowed, not liking the thought of what Draco had gone through and was currently going through because of him.

‘Narcissa, where would Draco be?’ Sirius asked.

Narcissa shrugged. ‘Either his room, or his favourite spot in a little alcove off of the great hall, it leads to the conservatory and can only be accessed by family.’ She took in a deep breath. ‘I’ve always thought that was why it was his favourite, because he knew that only I or his father would be able to find him.’

Harry nodded. 

‘What about his room?’ Hermione asked, placing a gentle hand on Harry’s shoulder. ‘Would anyone else be able to get in there?’

Narcissa swallowed and nodded. ‘The Dark Lord didn’t want us to ward any of the rooms and while we did what we could, we didn’t want to alert him to our impending desertion.’

‘So that little alcove is the most likely place for him to be?’ Harry checked.

Narcissa nodded shakily.

‘So that's where we’ll go.’

‘What’s the plan?’ Sirius asked. ‘A select few sneak in and bring Draco back? Do we need a diversion?’

‘A diversion would be good.’ Hermione nodded. ‘Concentrate Voldemort and the Death Eaters in one place with the distraction, and sneak in the backdoor to get Draco, only question is, will Draco come back with us?’

Narcissa frowned. ‘What backdoor?’

‘Figure of speech.’ Harry explained shortly. ‘That might work.’

Remus glanced at Sirius. ‘We can come up with a distraction.’

Sirius smirked back at him. ‘Oh, I was planning on coming up with several.’

‘Wouldn’t that be counterintuitive?’ Narcissa asked.

‘Depends on the distraction.’ Sirius grinned, ‘But do you really think Voldemort would lower himself to check out one measly distraction?’

Remus winced. ‘I’m not going to like this.’

‘However he would have to, if he had, say, two groups of armies knocking on separate doors?’ Sirius glanced at Hermione.

She grinned back at him, nodding. ‘I think that would work quite nicely.’

‘The order and the ministry?’ Harry mused, nodding in agreement.

‘I can get the order there.’ Remus agreed.

‘And Narcissa can get the ministry there.’ Sirius offered his cousin.

Narcissa blinked and shook her head. ‘No, I’m going to get my son.’

‘You are.’ Sirius agreed. ‘By going to the ministry and explaining that Voldemort has invaded your home. They’ll immediately send aurors to break in.’

‘That’s brilliant.’ Harry agreed. 

‘Only Narcissa needs to get us into the manor.’ Hermione reminded everyone.

‘The ministry won’t listen to anyone else, or be able to get to Malfoy Manor without her.’

‘And they need to go instantly.’ Harry said slowly. ‘Only something like this, they can’t just up and leave. They’d need to call in all the aurors, formulate a plan of attack and how to breach entry into the manor.’ 

‘Okay, how long would that take?’ Sirius asked.

Harry shrugged, ‘Depends on if Narcissa gives them a way in.’

Narcissa nodded grimly. ‘We want them away from us so I’ll tell them how to get through the wards and in through the front door.’

‘Looks like we have a plan.’ Sirius looked to Remus.

He nodded. ‘The order won’t know how to get to Malfoy Manor, but if Narcissa can tell me how, and which entrance, we can be there at the same time as the ministry.’

‘Narcissa, can you tell Remus how to come in from a different way?’

Narcissa nodded. ‘From the gardens would be most suitable.’

‘Then let’s go.’

‘Harry, grab your cloak.’ Sirius instructed and seeing the prudentness of the order, Harry raced off to his room where it was still packed in his trunk. 

He hadn’t found that he’d actually needed it since arriving here. He grabbed it along with a wand halster he’d been given at his birthday and raced back. Narcissa was talking to Remus who was nodding intently and Hermione and the twins seemed to be manhandling Neville and putting things in his pockets.

Amelia was there talking to Sirius and Neville’s grandmother, both looking battle ready and Harry blinked at Neville who smiled nervously.

‘H-Hey Harry.’ Neville practically squeaked.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Gran was with Amelia when she received Lord Black’s patronus.’ Neville explained. ‘I’m not letting you go without me, well , I’m staying here but as back up.’

Neville nodded as if convincing himself but his voice had been steady.

‘We’ve armed him with everything we can think of.’ Fred said in a reassuring voice.

‘I have no idea what half the things do.’ Neville looked at the twins in worry.

George shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter, just throw any of them at the enemy and run.’

‘But these are only as a precaution. Neville will be staying here in Black Manor. George and I will be staying in the room we arrive in, in Malfoy Manor, to make sure it stays secure.’ Fred explained and Harry was pretty sure it was for his benefit and that more plans had been made in his absence. 

Harry forced a smile, grateful for Neville’s presence but still worried for him.

 The floo flared to life and Professor McGonagall stepped out, looking severe but ready.

‘We ready?’ Harry demanded impatiently. What if Draco had been found already?

‘Almost.’ Sirius’ voice was serene and Harry glared at him but the floo flared to life again.

Molly, Arthur, Bill and Ron tumbled out.

Harry blinked at them all.

‘Ronald, I want you to stay here!’ Molly’s strident voice echoed through the room. ‘I mean it.’

Ron scoffed. ‘I’m going with Harry.’

‘Right, that’s everyone.’ Sirius clapped his hands together.

‘So, Harry, we’ve narrowed down the plan a bit more.’ Sirius said quickly. ‘You’re still going in with Narcissa and Hermione.’

Narcissa pursed her lips. Harry could guess she wasn’t happy leaving her son's rescue up to two teenagers, Sirius and Remus must have convinced her somehow that it was their best option.

George handed out everyone coins and Harry stared at it, it was very similar to the ones Hermione had made up for Dumbledore’s Army.

‘We all have the coins as a precaution. If Narcissa finds Draco where we're hoping he’ll be, she’ll bring you all straight back here and we all stay put.’ Sirius continued. ‘If they don’t find him, then Narcissa will return while Harry and Hermione use the cloak to search for him. Narcissa will go to the ministry, Remus to the Order and I will take Amelia, Minerva and the Weasley’s to the back entrance.’ 

‘I want to go with Harry and Hermione.’ Ron shook his head.

Sirius raised an amused eyebrow. ‘You’re staying here with Neville. We need someone here in case it all goes straight to hell.’

‘That’s not fair!’ Ron instantly shouted. ‘Harry’s my best friend! I can’t leave him!’

‘Ronald Weasley!’ Molly shouted. ‘You do as you’re told or you go straight back home!’

Ron crossed his arms sulkily.

Sirius glanced around at everyone.

‘If Draco isn’t in the alcove, where do we look?’ Hermione asked, looking at Narcissa.

Narcissa pursed her lips again unhappily. ‘I should go alone to see if he’s there.’

Sirius shook his head. ‘And if he’s not, you’ll go searching through the manor instantly instead of returning.’

Narcissa exhaled loudly but turned to Hermione. ‘His room, if he’s not there then the roof, but getting to either is going to be difficult.’

‘So you’ll have to wait for our signal.’ Sirius told Harry.

‘W-what’s the signal?’ Ron’s voice was low and wobbly.

‘Explosions.’ Sirius grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

Remus sighed. ‘Us attacking.’

‘From three different angles.’ Fred stated, looking with a grin.

‘So you should definitely hear us.’ George added, nudging his twin.

‘But we’ll still send word on the coins.’ Sirius reminded everyone, staring around at them all. Everyone nodded and Harry swallowed. ‘Narcissa?’

Narcissa nodded after a moment and stepped forward. ‘I’ll have to apparate you there.’

Harry nodded and him and Hermione stepped up on either side of her, putting their hands on her elbows. A moment later Harry was trying hard not to throw up as he felt Narcissa dislodge her arm. Pain landed through his scar and he staggered into the wall, straightening with a grimace. He took a couple deep breaths as he got used to the sharp stabbing pain in his forehead. ‘I don’t remember it being that rough.’

‘That was the wards we came through.’ Hermione grimaced but was already following Narcissa.

‘He isn’t here!’ Narcissa whispered frantically as she ran to check all the possible hiding places in the conservatory, keeping her voice low. Just because only family could access this hidden room, didn’t mean it was soundproofed and that no one would be able to hear them.

Harry nodded grimly and pulled out his invisibility cloak. ‘Go let the others know. We’ll make our way to his room and if he's not there, the roof.’

Narcissa stared intently into his eyes. ‘Bring my son back to me.’

Harry nodded. ‘I will.’

Her eyes searched for a moment longer before she disapparated, leaving them alone in Malfoy Manor with a missing Draco, Death Eaters all around them, and Lord Voldemort somewhere in the vicinity.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 35 - MALFOY MANOR

Harry threw the cloak over himself and held it open for Hermione to slip in beside him. It had been a while since they’d done anything like this, but with them being younger and smaller, it was once again an easy fit for the two of them.

Harry looked around the conservatory one last time before they headed towards the Lagoon Ballroom, because of course Malfoy Manor had more than one ballroom and Draco’s favourite had to be the one that reminded Harry of the Great Lake at Hogwarts. They’d already agreed to check Draco’s bedroom after the ballroom and then the roof, while Harry thought it was more probable that Draco was on the roof, the ballroom and bedroom were both on the way and Harry couldn’t ignore the fact that his bedroom was the most likely destination for Draco to have headed to.

The Lagoon Ballroom was deserted and they made their way to the stairs in silence. They had to be careful climbing the stairs, making sure that no shoes or body parts slipped out from under the cloak and hoping that the Malfoys maintained the property and didn’t stand for any creaks. Just because they couldn’t see anyone else around, didn’t mean there wasn’t anyone, and Harry was acutely aware that Nagini was roaming around somewhere. He really didn’t want her to sniff them out.

Hermione grabbed him and he froze as he heard voices coming towards them. Two men came down the stairs, completely oblivious to their presence and passed them closely but didn’t seem to notice anything remiss as they quietly chatted. They disappeared in a different direction and Harry let out a small sigh of relief and they started up the stairs again.

They paused as they got to the first landing, quickly looked around to make sure it was clear before they headed up to the next floor where Draco’s bedroom was. They were just clearing the last step when Harry heard Hermione’s sharp intake of breath.

Corbin Yaxley was lounging against the wall, playing with his wand.

Harry reached for Hermione’s hand and holding his breath, they crept past him. Yaxley gave no indication of realising that he wasn’t alone.

They continued along but Draco’s room was only three doors down from him. Harry paused once he was outside of Draco’s room. How on earth were they going to open the door without anyone noticing?

He glanced at Hermione but she shook her head and mouthed the word “WAIT” at him. He nodded and they waited. And waited.

Harry frowned at Hermione but she put her hand on his arm. He nodded and they kept waiting.

‘What are you doing here?’ A male voice asked and Hermione had to jerk Harry’s arm to stop him from instantly turning to see and dislodging the cloak. Slowly they moved together, staying hidden and saw another Death Eater approach Yaxley.

Yaxley grinned. ‘You really think the brat’s on his own?’

Harry froze. They had Draco. Voldemort had Draco.

The other Death Eater snorted. ‘You think there are more of them running around here, right under The Dark Lord’s nose?’

‘That brat was.’ Yaxley shrugged.

‘And The Dark Lord has had the entire bloody manor searched.’ The other one complained. ‘Including the Malfoy brat’s room.’

Yaxley smiled. ‘You really think he came back here alone?’

‘You saw him, he’d been crying and kids are stupid.’

Harry couldn’t help the sharp intake of breath at what he heard. Draco had been crying. He’d made Draco cry and now Voldemort had Draco. This was all his fault.

Hermione squeezed his arm, slightly pulling him back making him realise he’d been leaning forward. He took a deep breath and forced himself to relax his muscles. It was a trick he’d learnt as an auror, he needed to keep his head and focus. Draco’s life depended on it. All of their lives might end up depending on it. 

‘I wouldn’t believe everything that rat Pettigrew says.’ Yaxley hummed.

Harry drew in a sharp breath. He had forgotten about Pettigrew. How in the hell had he forgotten about Peter Pettigrew, of course he was here with his master.

The other man left with a frown, leaving Yaxley alone again.

He glanced at Hermione, feeling helpless. They weren’t ready, he wasn’t ready. He didn’t have the elder wand, Dumbledore did, and while Hermione had its allegiance, he still needed to win against her. They hadn’t decided what to do with Nagini, and he was still a horcrux, they hadn’t found out how to successfully remove one from a living being without killing them. They had only planned for distractions, not an invasion. Last time, it had taken a battle with hundreds of them where many of them had died. They didn’t have any of that this time. 

Hermione pushed him forward, and he took the hint and they crept back past Yaxley, freezing when one of them stood on a loose floorboard and it creaked.

Yaxley instantly straightened, staring around him with a suspicious look on his face and raised his wand, scowling, but his gaze carried on past them. He cast a revealing spell but it harmlessly shot past them. When he turned away from them, muttering under his breath and still casting, Hermione prodded Harry again and they slowly continued back down the stairs, sticking to the wall where they’d hopefully avoid any more loose or noisy floorboards.

Harry stopped when they reached the bottom of the stairs and looked around. 

‘Where to now?’ He whispered.

‘We need to alert the others that Voldemort has Draco.’ Hermione whispered back, fidgeting and jabbing him with her elbow.

‘Ow,’ Harry winced and felt something warm in his pocket. ‘We need to find what room Draco is in.’

Hermione nodded, peering at her hands. ‘I’ve let everyone else know with the coins.’

‘I’d forgotten about the coins.’ Harry admitted, but stared at hers instead of pulling his own out of his pocket.

‘Voldemort liked to reign court in the Banquet Hall.’ Hermione whispered.

‘How’d you know that?’

Hermione shrugged. ‘I’m assuming that was from Narcissa.’

‘So where’s that?’ Harry asked, realising that Hermione had read that from her coin.

‘That way.’

‘How’d you know?’

Hermione huffed. ‘I paid attention when Narcissa was telling Remus the layout of the house.’

Harry winced. ‘Sorry.’

‘Let’s go.’

They moved back down the hallway, pausing as it became more populated, they were definitely getting closer. The only problem was they were also getting closer to getting discovered.

It was obvious when they came upon the Banquet Hall, the Malfoy’s obviously didn’t believe in doing things by halves and the ornate double doors were certainly something to behold with the intricate carvings, gold accents and moving ceremonial guards.

Several Death Eaters were milling around and two were clearly standing guard either side of the doors.

Harry went to open the door but Hermione smacked him causing the nearest Death Eater to turn at the sound. They both froze, holding their breath til he turned back to the scroll he was reading and carried on his way.

“WAIT!” Hermione mouthed angrily at him and he winced. 

He knew better than to go bursting in without knowing what was on the other side and yet, that was exactly what he was about to do. He couldn’t understand it, he knew better than this and yet he was doing everything wrong. It was like his mind was ignoring all of his auror training and running on instinct. He blinked as he realised that was exactly what he was doing. He was running on his younger self’s instincts, not his older self’s training, no wonder he wasn’t paying attention to things he should be.

He took a breath and settled in to wait, they needed someone to either go in or out so they could slip in with them unseen. He wasn’t keen on waiting, but knew that it would play in their advantage. He had no idea how long the Order and the Ministry would take to get in place and provide their much needed distraction, although he doubted that they would settle at just being a distraction now that they knew that Draco was being held by Voldemort.

The door suddenly opened and a man left the room, pausing as he spoke to one of the guards, leaving the door wide open as he did so. It gave them plenty of time and room to move around the guards and slip inside. Harry almost groaned at what he saw.

Voldemort definitely had Draco and it looked like he was either about to make an example of him, or was waiting for someone to come for Draco. 

Lord Voldemort was at the head of the Banquet Hall on a raised dais sitting on what looked to be a throne with Draco clearly restrained in iron cuffs curled into a ball at his feet. On Voldemort’s other side was a large huddled figure that Harry instantly recognised as Pettigrew. He tightened his grip on his wand.

Harry had no idea if Draco had been tortured but had to assume that he had been, especially by his position. He kept reminding himself that Draco was still alive and they could heal what had already been done to him and that Voldemort hadn’t had enough time to do much damage.

Harry narrowed his eyes and glanced around. No one else seemed to be ready for attack: the Death Eaters in the room nearest to them were milling around, quietly murmuring to one another; the Death Eaters closer to Voldemort looked either nervous or pious and were staring at Voldemort as if expecting to be given an order.

Hermione caught his attention, frowning and whispered into his ear. ‘No Nagini.’

He breathed out and checked. She was right, Nagini was not in the room with them. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed as while she would have been able to sniff them out, they didn’t have the option of killing her, although Harry now realised how stupid they’d been.

‘No basilisk fangs.’ He breathed into Hermione’s ear and watched her freeze and stare at him in horror.

They hadn’t even thought to bring anything with them that would be able to destroy a horcrux as they hadn’t even thought they would be in a position to. Nor had they come up with a viable plan to capture Nagini or anything that would work to hold her in where Voldemort would not be able to find her.

Hermione straightened her back. ‘Draco.’

He nodded. There was no point in them trying to kill Voldemort and win the war now, not when he still had two horcruxes, this was a rescue mission only. He nodded as a path cleared big enough for them both to pass through under the cloak. It would take a while, but with Voldemort not currently torturing Draco, they had the time to sneak up on them.

They were about halfway there when Voldemort suddenly stood, Draco whimpering at the movement and what remained of Voldemort’s nostrils flared as he stared around the room.

Harry and Hermione froze.

Voldemort walked down the golden steps, his cloak flaring dramatically behind him while Pettigrew scuttled behind him. 

‘The wards have been breached.’ He announced, sounding amused. ‘It seems someone has come for the little wretch. No doubt his whore of a mother has realised he isn’t in his crib.’

Laughter rang out among the hall and the Death Eaters gathered around him, leaving a wide circle. It hindered them initially as they had to move under the cloak around them but once they cleared them, it made it a lot easier for them to move past Voldemort and his shadow and get to Draco.

Harry and Hermione crouched down beside Draco.

‘Draco, shh, it’s me and Hermione.’ Harry whispered while Voldemort kept court.

Draco gasped and looked up, glancing around, unable to see them.

‘We’re under the invisibility cloak.’ Hermione explained quietly before opening the chains Draco was in.

They opened with a loud crack.

‘What?’ Voldemort spun around, staring wildly. ‘How?’ He narrowed his eyes into slits. ‘Nagini! It seems we might have guests.’

Harry glanced at Hermione, wondering if they’d be able to apparate Draco out with them. Technically they both knew how to, but they hadn’t dared attempt it yet with the Trace still on them.

Pettigrew shoved his nose in the air and sniffed, frowning but stayed quiet.

Hermione shook her head. ‘The wards wouldn’t allow us.’

‘Oh God, you don’t have a plan do you?’ Draco groaned.

‘Who is there, little one?’ Voldemort asked.

‘What did he say?’ Hermione asked. Harry frowned at her. ‘Parseltongue.’ 

‘He asked who is here.’

‘Nagini.’ She winced.

Harry nodded.

‘Please tell me you have a plan?’ Draco whimpered.

The floor rocked as a massive bang echoed throughout the manor.

Hermione nodded. ‘We have a plan.’

Draco swallowed but nodded.

‘Enough of this.’ Voldemort screamed and pointed his wand towards Draco. ‘Avada Kedavra!’

Hermione gasped and flinched and Harry reacted automatically, throwing himself over both of them, feeling the spell hit his body and send him toppling over them.

He sat up, rubbing at his head and stared around himself in dismay at the stark white room. This was not the Banquet Hall, this was… he half laughed as he recognised it. He had been here once before, but he hadn’t been alone. Dumbledore had been with him last time, but last time Dumbledore had been dead. He pushed himself up and got to his feet. Last time Voldemort had been here too, a twisted and warped version of a baby. He headed over to where Voldemort had been the last time and stared down at the bawling creature, a mixture of feelings flowing through him that he couldn’t identify.

He yelled when a hand touched his shoulder and flinched away, almost falling over as he turned. He gaped as he saw Cedric Diggory standing there.

‘Heya Harry.’

‘Cedric?’ Harry stared at him. This had certainly not happened last time.

Cedric grinned sheepishly. ‘You any idea where we are?’

Harry shook his head, why was Cedric in his head? ‘Platform nine and three quarters?’

Cedric’s eyes widened and he looked around, more features slowly coming into view as Harry identified a place. He nodded. ‘Yeah, yeah it could be. Any idea why we’re here?’

Harry shrugged. ‘I know why I’m here…’

Cedric chuckled and shoved his hands into his pockets. He was still wearing the same thing he had died in. ‘But not me.’

‘No.’ Harry said quietly. ‘I don’t know why you’re here.’

‘You’ve done good Harry.’ Cedric said suddenly. ‘Coming back and changing what you have.’

Harry felt his jaw drop again. ‘Y-you know?’

Cedric shrugged and smiled. ‘Yeah, I kinda wish you’d come back to before I died, but I understand why you didn’t. You can’t save everyone and… it makes more sense this way.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Harry instantly apologised. ‘We wanted to but…’

‘But I died before he got his body.’

Harry swallowed and nodded.

Cedric gave him a lopsided grin. ‘It’s okay, I understand and I’m fine. I really am. The after life? Not a bad place to be, I feel safe and loved.’

Harry nodded again, feeling a lump form in his throat. 

‘You can win this Harry’. Cedric said, gripping Harry’s arms suddenly as he turned serious. ‘You can finish this now, end it all before it becomes the war you witnessed the first time.’

Harry blinked. ‘But we don’t have the fangs… We have no way of killing Nagini.’

Cedric smiled but he didn’t look as solid as he had a moment before.

‘You have everything you need, you just need to ask.’

‘What do you mean?’ Harry frowned at him, but Cedric was fading too fast.

‘Good luck Harry. Destroy him and end it before it gets bad again.’ Cedric’s voice faded with him as Harry spun around, trying to find a way to get him back again.

‘Cedric? Cedric!’ He shouted, but it was too late, Cedric was gone.

The baby bawled.

Harry frowned down at it. What had Cedric meant by he had everything he needed, he just had to ask? How did he ask for Nagini to be destroyed? He mentally shrugged, maybe Hermione might know. He blinked as realisation dawned on him. He just had to ask. Hermione had drilled it into him over the years to ask for help. Could it really be that simple? Did he just have to ask for help killing Nagini? He’d already mentioned it to most of the others in the know. Who hadn’t he mentioned it to?

‘Harry? Harry!’ He heard Hermione’s frantic voice.

‘Uhuh.’ Harry groaned.

‘Oh thank Merlin!’ She breathed in relief.

‘It worked like last time.’ He breathed out, relief clouding his voice as he opened his eyes and stared up at his best friend who was hovering over him. ‘I’m no longer a horcrux.’

‘What?’ Draco demanded, wincing as bricks rained down on all around them.

Harry stared and realised that Draco was holding a shield charm up, protecting them from Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

Harry grinned at him and gripped his own wand tightly. ‘We just need to kill the snake.’

Hermione laughed, sounding slightly hysterical. ‘Harry, what with?’

He shrugged. ‘Cedric said we have everything we need, we just had to ask.’

‘Cedric?’ Hermione and Draco both repeated, staring at him as if was insane.

‘I thought…’ Hermione trailed off, her eyes widening in realisation. ‘Oh.’

She gasped and ducked, pushing Harry down beneath her as a spell managed to pierce Draco’s shield.

‘Protego!’ Harry shouted, reinforcing it. ‘We need to get out of here and find the others.’

‘You think?’ Draco snarled at him, still looking quite a bit worse for the wear.

Harry grinned, feeling exhilarated and leant towards Draco, pushing his lips firmly against Draco’s and kissing him chastely and quickly before pulling back. ‘Yeah, I do.’

Draco blinked at him, his eyes shocked and wide.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 36 - FINAL SHOWDOWN

Hermione rolled her eyes at their antics and checked the coin.

We’re in 🐾

She sighed in relief and sent her own message back. 

In the Banquet Hall - Got 🐉 Harry no longer horcrux 🦦

She paused a moment before internally shrugging. Harry had said they just needed to ask for help.

Kill the snake 🦦

An infuriated scream echoed throughout the hall followed by the sound of fighting and Hermione grinned as she reinforced their shield. They were no longer alone. Sirius, Amelia, her head of house and the Weasley’s were there, inching their way towards them.

Almost there 🌑

The ministry are in the foyer 🌼

While the flower wasn’t quite a Narcissa, Hermione assumed it was her. She looked up, glancing at everyone around them and came up with a plan. ‘Harry, where’s your cloak?’

‘Here.’ Harry grinned at her, patting at what must be the cloak.

‘Draco, can you stand?’

‘Yeah?’ He didn’t sound confident.

‘Get under the cloak.’ She ordered them, sending one last message on the coin so that no one worried. Going invisible.

‘What’s the plan?’ Harry asked her.

‘First get Draco to the others. Then, kill the snake,’ Hermione explained. ‘And somewhere along the line, you need to defeat me.’

Harry paled. ‘I’d forgotten about that.’

‘Good job I didn’t.’ Hermione grinned at him and helped him pull Draco to his feet before he threw the cloak over them.

‘Now what?’ Harry asked, his arms wrapped around Draco while Draco lent heavily into him.

‘That way, quickly!’ Hermione said and pushed them behind a curtain just before Voldemort screamed again.

‘Where are they?’ He demanded, sounding infuriated.

Hermione grinned at Harry. ‘Just like old times.’

Harry snorted. 

‘Where’s Pettigrew?’ Hermione frowned, realising that he was no longer shadowing Voldemort.

Harry glanced around and shrugged. ‘Can’t see him.’

‘He was here a moment ago.’ She said slowly. ‘You think he’s changed back to a rat?’

Harry groaned, looking annoyed. ‘Probably.’

Hermione kept watching the ongoing battle, watching as Fred and George threw something that exploded on several Death Eaters, causing them to scream and run around, seemingly blind. Two ran into each other before cursing each other simultaneously, another tripped over a chair, cursed the ceiling and got knocked out by debris which also took out another one, another ran straight into the wall and knocked themselves out. 

Fred and George were easily taking out a large number of Death Eaters by throwing their WWW products, producing mayhem and carnage on them wherever they landed.

‘What are you two on about now?’ Draco asked, sounding exasperated.

‘Next curtain, now!’ Hermione demanded and she pushed them in the direction she wanted them to go as Harry half carried, half dragged Draco.

‘What the hell are those three doing here?!’ Hermione demanded furiously as she saw three faces peek into the room and a hand dreamily wave at her.

‘Who?’ Harry asked.

‘Ron, Neville and Luna.’ Hermione muttered, wincing as the door they’d just been behind exploded inwards and fell into the room with a bang.

‘I see them now.’ Harry pulled a face. 

‘You called them to help?’ Draco groaned, sounding annoyed and disbelieving at the same time.

‘I thought they were meant to be staying at Black Manor.’ Harry said. ‘When did Luna arrive?’

‘I don’t know and they were.’ Hermione sighed, before pointing over to where Sirius was fighting nearest to them. ‘Sirius, run now!’

Harry hauled on Draco and Hermione pushed, ignoring Draco’s pained grunt and no longer caring if they stayed under the cloak as they dashed as quickly as they could towards Sirius. 

Seeing a Death Eater approach Sirius, Hermione shoved her shoulder under Draco’s and threw her wand arm out, silently casting and sending the Death Eater flying into another one.

‘Nice.’ Sirius grinned at her, straightening up to his full height, regardless of the fact they were in a full on fight, with spells being shot off everywhere. ‘All three of you there?’

‘Yes, Draco’s hurt.’ Harry quickly said, as Sirius reached out and grabbed the cloak as it slipped to the floor. He half hugged Harry, half pushed him to the floor as a spell shot over their heads.

Hermione threw herself into them all, pushing them all over as Nagini slithered into the room through a partition partway up the main wall, lunging at where Sirius’s head had been moments before.

Sirius cast a blasting charm but all it did was throw Nagini back and out of range.

‘We need to kill her.’ Hermione muttered unhappily. She’d thought Nagini was already in the room, why else had Voldemort been speaking parseltongue earlier? Unless she’d been in the walls the whole time.

‘We didn’t bring any fangs with us.’ Sirius snarled and cast a shield around them all.

They ducked as debris rained down around them but not on them and Hermione glanced up to see their shield charm being reinforced by someone else.

Fred and George were right behind them and conjured up some glamours to hide them.

‘We need to regroup.’ Sirius said, glancing around.

‘And get Draco to safety.’

‘I’m fine.’ Draco declared.

‘You can barely stand.’ Hermione dismissed him.

Draco pouted. ‘I can fight.’

Harry snorted. ‘No, you really can’t.’

‘Just give me a potion or something.’

‘Sure, we’ll just pop over to St Mungo’s in the middle of this battle eh?’ Sirius grinned down at him.

‘I’m not sitting this fight out, that bloody ignoramus took over my house.’ Draco insisted.

Hermione couldn’t hold in her laugh fully. It wasn’t the thousands that Voldemort had killed or tortured, it was that he’d taken over Draco’s family house that made him see sense. She shook her head but was smiling, underneath it all, Draco wasn’t all that bad, just misguided, and they were rectifying that.

She grabbed Sirius’s sleeve. ‘Pettigrews here, we think he’s changed back to a rat.’

Sirius growled deep in his throat. ‘He’s a dead rat if I come across him.’

Hermione nodded grimly then glanced up at Fred as he crouched over her, protecting her as another spell shot past them. 

‘So, what’s the plan?’ He asked her with a grin.

‘Can you get Draco to safety? Preferably with Ron, Neville and Luna in tow.’

She winced as Neville dived to the ground and slid several metres through fallen debris while Ron was blasted to the side and Luna hid behind a broken slab of table. 

Ron sat up, blinking with his hair all stood on end. One of the Death Eaters must have used a percussion spell with a static after effect. Luna smiled at them and shot off a spell sending a Death Eater spinning like a muggle toy.

‘We got him.’ Fred gave Hermione a quick kiss before him and George hauled up a protesting Draco and dragged him over to where Ron was sitting. A short argument ensued which Hermione missed while she cast spell coverage, enabling them to retreat and hopefully get him back to Black Manor or to the Order or Ministry. 

Hermione sighed as Fred and George left without Ron, Luna or Neville, but still propping up Draco as Narcissa ran into the room looking frantic. She cast a spell Hermione had never heard before and the wall carvings peeled themselves out of the wall and with a war cry launched themselves at the Death Eaters. She disappeared with the twins and Draco.

‘Come on.’ Sirius pulled them back. ‘We need to regroup and plan.’

Hermione nodded and grabbing hold of Harry, they ran over towards Luna, Neville and Ron, pulling them back with them.

Blimey.’ Ron gasped as they skidded to a halt as a sudden wave of Death Eaters came crashing through.

‘They seem to be never ending.’ Luna announced. ‘A bit like the humming cockroacher.’

Hermione ignored them, instead staring at where the Death Eaters were entering in horror. Fred, George, Draco and Narcissa had just disappeared where they had come from.

She raised her wand, prepared to fight when Sirius suddenly shouted.

‘Down!’

Hermione dropped to the floor in an instant, wincing at the force in which she hit the floor but clenched her eyes closed at the sound of curses being shot at them. She opened her eyes, and glanced around at the little she saw and instantly realised they were trapped. There were Death Eaters in front of them and Voldemort and more Death Eaters behind them.

She glanced back, stunned to see that the Death Eaters had actually taken a lot of their own out when Sirius had told them to get down.

She heard Voldemort laugh, sounding exhilarated and turned to see Neville’s pale trembling face.

‘What do we do?’ He whimpered.

‘We fight.’ Hermione heard herself say. ‘And kill the snake.’

Neville’s eyes widened and he swallowed but nodded resolutely. ‘Fight. Kill the snake.’

‘Kill the snake.’ Luna agreed.

‘You mean Nagini?’ Ron almost screeched. ‘How the bloody hell are we meant to kill her?’

‘Up.’ Sirius demanded and Hermione scrambled to her feet, instantly following him as he dived behind the shattered high table.

‘Right. The rest of the Weasley’s, Amelia and Minerva are over the other side of the hall.’ Sirius informed them. 

‘They are still alive right?’ Ron pleaded.

Sirius nodded. ‘They were all up and fighting.’

Ron swallowed and nodded, fighting back tears, looking pale and grim.

‘We will get through this.’ Sirius told Ron.

Hermione glanced at Harry uneasily. They hadn’t been expecting this and weren’t prepared. They still had the snake to kill and Hermione had the allegiance of the elder wand, not Harry, although currently Dumbledore still had the elder wand and not Voldemort. Could Harry defeat Voldemort without either of them having the elder wand?

‘Harry.’ Hermione whispered.

Harry looked at her and shrugged. ‘If we can kill the snake, we have a chance.’

Hermione took a breath and nodded. ‘We might have to set the manor on fire.’

‘What?’ Neville whimpered.

‘Fiendfyre. It’s one of the few things strong enough that can kill her.’ Harry explained.

An opaque white circle rushed up to them. 

‘Hold tight padfoot, we’re almost there.’ Remus’s voice whispered.

Sirius grinned, relief practically pouring off of him. He looked around at them all. ‘We just need to hold them off a little bit longer, then the odds will even up a bit.’

Hermione nodded grimly, tightening her grip on her wand. ‘We can do that.’ She darted up and cast a spell that she shouldn’t have known in this timeline. As she ducked behind the table again, she heard a couple screams from the Death Eaters her spell had affected.

Harry copied her, shooting off a few different ones.

‘That’s the spirit.’ Sirius grinned, doing the same.

‘What the hell spells are those?!’ Ron demanded, staring at her, looking both awed and terrified of her.

Hermione smiled grimly, feeling a weird sense of pleasure of Ron being scared of her.

Neville looked up, squeaked but shot off a spell of his own and Hermione grinned when a Death Eater let out a blood curdling scream.

‘What the bloody hell was that?!’ Ron demanded, wide eyed.

Neville looked at him, his wide eyes and slightly disbelieving. ‘I switched that climbing cactus with my venomous tentacular at home.’

‘Nice one Neville.’ Hermione grinned encouragingly at him.

‘T-thanks.’ He looked up again and shot off another spell.

Hermione dared a look and realised that he’d split the plant in two. The plant in question was acting extremely happy with its new found freedom and was attacking the Death Eaters quite heartily. Hermione shot off a few more spells, noticing Madam Bones, Professor McGonagall and the Weasley’s also taking advantage of the distraction the plant had caused.

She chanced a look at Voldemort and saw him still battling against several of the wall carvings that hadn’t disintegrated yet. Hermione was impressed at the fight they were putting up, they were certainly keeping Voldemort occupied. Although Nagini didn’t seem to know what to make of them, staying at her master's feet.

‘How are we going to get Nagini away from Voldemort?’ Hermione asked.

Sirius stared at her then flinched when the doors to the hall were literally blown off their hinges and went flying across the room.

Dumbeldore stood there, looking regal and battle ready and more than a little intimidating with Remus and the rest of the order stood behind him.

Hermione grinned. ‘That’s not something you see every day.’

‘Well, I don’t know about the snake but I know who’s going to be keeping Voldemort distracted.’ Harry said.

‘I know how to distract a snake.’ Sirius winked before changing forms and a second later a great big black shaggy dog stood there in his place. With a bark, Sirius was off and darting through the Death Eaters.

‘He does know we don’t have a plan for the snake right?’ Hermione stared after him.

Harry shrugged. ‘We’ll have to figure something out quickly then.’

‘Oh sure, like it’s that easy.’ Ron said faintly.

‘Of course it is.’ Luna declared, smiling at Neville. ‘Everything we need will be provided.’

‘We can’t just leave him.’ Neville blinked, before suddenly making a run for it after Sirius, dodging spells and firing off his own.

Hermione felt her jaw drop slightly. She knew Neville was brave, she’d seen him in the final battle of Hogwarts, heard how he’d killed the snake, but this was a younger Neville who hadn’t been through what he had, hadn’t spent a year being tortured by the Carrows at school and learnt to stand up for himself. Underneath it all, he was still Neville and while they’d changed the circumstances, he was still the brave person he’s always been.

‘Neville!’ Harry shouted, instantly running after him.

‘Hey!’ Ron sounded and looked indignant and ran after them both.

‘Boys.’ Hermione sighed and resigned herself to following as Luna grinned at her and skipped after them. Why did boys always act stupid and brash, in any timeline.

‘Harry!’ Hermione screamed as jets of blue shot over head. 

Her warning was just in time as Harry dived to the ground instantly instead of looking around for the danger. The spell went over him and hit the wall behind them, erupting in a shower of sparkles sending out a wave of smoke and the stench of burnt coal.

Hermione didn’t wait for the smoke to clear but sent back a volley of her own spells, quickly checking to see how Dumbledore was holding up in his fight against Voldemort. It wasn't their first fight but it seemed that Voldemort was better prepared for it this time than Dumbledore but Dumbledore was still holding his own and putting up a good fight.

Narcissa entered the room with Rufus Scrimgour at her side and aurors poured in after them. Hermione saw a flash of red hair and breathed out in relief, recognising Fred and George among them. She couldn’t see Draco and could only assume that Narcissa had sent him somewhere safe before rejoining the fight with the twins.

Luna sent spells past her towards the Death Eaters, covering her. The fight seemed to start in earnest and Hermione found herself facing Thorfinn Rowle with Ron and Luna while Harry and Neville reached Sirius and had to dive out the way of Nagini’s sharp bite.

Ron didn’t know as many spells as she was used to him knowing, but he was a good fighting partner and Luna knew some spectacular and bizarre spells that proved to be inordinately helpful while together, the three of them held Rowle off but were struggling to defeat him without killing him.

Finally Hermione got in a lucky shot and silently fired off an Alerte Ascendare and sent him flying into the ceiling. He fell to the floor with a dull thud and didn’t get up again. She glanced around as she heard Dumbledore shout and saw him shield himself, Fred and George from a shower of red spells. 

Her heart jumped into her throat as she saw Fred kneeling on the floor, pushing back against the barrage of spells being shot at them. He couldn’t die now, not after everything they’d done to save him, not after George had just got him back, not after she had just realised what he meant to her.

She battled her way to Harry, not checking to see if Ron and Luna were behind her. ‘We have to finish this.’

He smiled grimly at her and pointed his wand at her. She went flying, her wand shooting out of her hand just as the statue that had been behind her exploded. She blinked at Harry and he half shrugged back at her, grinning. She glared at him while she grabbed her wand from the floor, at least he’d chosen the moment to disarm her and saved her from a spell she hadn’t seen while winning the allegiance of the elder wand. Although how he was going to get it from Dumbledore, she didn’t know and very much doubted that Harry had even thought that far ahead either.

‘What the bloody hell was that for mate?!’ Ron exclaimed, half falling, half sliding through the debris towards them.

Luna hummed as she sent off a stunning spell to a Death Eater sneaking up on them.

‘Needed to disarm her.’ Harry grinned wickedly. ‘And it saved her.’

Hermione yanked him down and he fell on top of her as another spell exploded above them.

‘Pay attention.’ She snapped, glancing back over to where Dumbledore and the twins were fighting Voldemort.

Harry mock saluted and shot off a few more silent spells to a couple Death Eaters trying to creep up on them.

She saw Fred and George laugh as they simultaneously cast spells that threw Voldemort backwards but he retaliated from the air, shooting green spells at them.

Dumbledore yelled, throwing himself into the way, brandishing his wand and sending both the twins flying into the wall behind them. Hermione saw them fall as Voldemort laughed on his feet and skidded backwards, he leant forwards and used one hand on the floor to keep his balance as he fired another spell that Hermione didn’t recognise.

It caught Dumbledore by surprise and he looked shocked for a second, before slowly falling backwards.

‘No!’ Hermione heard herself scream. She wasn’t sure who she was screaming for, Dumbledore, George, or Fred. Or all three of them.

Voldemort laughed again, louder and this time it echoed throughout the hall.

Hermione felt Harry grab at her and pull her backwards as she tried to reach them, any of them, as all three men lay still and unmoving on the floor. 

She screamed again as she tried to see if Fred’s chest was moving, if he was still breathing, but she couldn’t from this distance. 

Voldemort approached them and she fought harder to get to them as he stooped over Dumbedore’s body and stood up holding the Elder wand, grinning maniacally.

Spells shot at them, but she no longer cared. Fred was down, so was George, and Dumbledore was clearly dead. Had changing the timeline actually changed anything? Would they still die? Were they meant to die? 

Dumbledore had died in both timelines and there was now a high chance that Fred was dead too. She needed to check, to find out if they'd done it all for nothing but Harry wasn’t letting go of her no matter how much she screamed at him and fought.

She turned to Harry, to plead her case but stopped, blinking in surprise as Neville stumbled backwards, just in time ducking underneath Nagini’s strike. Luna’s wand was out and Nagini was knocked to the side momentarily while she helped Neville stand. He struggled to his feet with Luna‘s help, pulling up a silver sword with him and used it to deflect Nagini’s next attack only he fell backwards over Ron and into Luna.

Hermione screamed again as Nagini lunged a third time but Ron grabbed the sword out of Neville’s hand and swung it upwards, screaming with his eyes closed. Hermione watched in disbelief as it made contact and Ron cleaved the head in two.

Hermione stared, stunned as a furious scream echoed throughout the hall. They had killed Nagini and Harry was no longer a horcrux. All they had to do was kill was Voldemort.

Harry and Luna cast a shield and Hermione turned to see Voldemort’s spell bounce harmlessly off of it. She glanced back at Harry and saw the shocked realisation on his face that they had almost done it, he just had the final step to complete.

The shield fell and Voldemort screamed out the killing curse just as Harry counteracted it, not with expelliarmus as he had done before but with Bombarda and Voldemort was propelled back down the other end of the Great Hall, sliding several feet before his body came to a stop in front of Narcissa.

Hermione binked, feeling numb as Narcissa stooped down and prodded at him with her wand before rising regally and loudly announcing, ‘He’s dead.’

Cheers broke out but Hermione didn’t have anything to be cheerful about, not yet anyway. She scrambled over the broken tables and other debris, forcing her way through the people to get to the twins.

She reached Fred first and rolled him over, almost crying in relief as she saw him take a breath. His eyes were closed but he was still alive. There was blood coming from a wound on his head but his heart was beating and he was breathing. She pointed her wand at him and cast the rennervate spell but he didn’t open his eyes. She cast it again but nothing happened.

‘Come on Fred.’ She pleaded, hearing her voice break but not caring. She cast a third time and again he didn’t wake up.

She turned to George and cast the same spell on him and sobbed as he groaned and blinked his eyes open.

‘He’s alive but he won’t wake up.’ 

She saw the same terror she was feeling sweep across his features.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 37 - AFTERMATH

George watched his twin disappear through the floo with the mediwitch and tightly gripped hold of Hermione’s hand.

‘He’ll make it.’ George said, hearing the waver in his voice and hating it. ‘He has to.’

He couldn’t believe this was happening again. They’d done everything to stop it, to change it, and Fred was once again fighting for his life. Although that wasn’t strictly true, last time he hadn’t had the opportunity to fight. This time he did and George held onto that. 

‘Fred’s a fighter. He won’t leave us.’

Hermione breathed in shakily and noisily and squeezed his hand. ‘No, he won’t leave us.’

George nodded and glanced around.

‘Let’s go, we’ll be useless here.’ Hermione said but just moved closer into his side.

He stared after his twin for a moment before attempting to apparate and stumbling as he was knocked back. Narcissa still had the wards up, he glanced around but couldn’t see her.

‘Here.’ Hermione handed him some floo powder and threw some into the fire, she disappeared as he heard her call the hospital. He followed and allowed Hermione to pull him through the winding corridors and up different stairs until she got to the wing she was apparently looking for. She poked her head into different rooms until after the twenty seventh, she pulled him in after her.

He swallowed and felt tears pull at his eyes as he saw Fred lying motionless on the stark white bed while medi witches and wizards rushed around, pouring potions down his throat, casting spells over him, making notes and checking vitals. But not once did Fred even twitch at any of their administrations.

‘Why isn’t he waking up?’ George whispered.

‘I-I don’t know.’ Hermione responded, sounding terrified.

‘What spell did he get hit with?’ One of the medi witches demanded of them.

‘He didn’t,’ George denied, shaking his head. ‘Du-Dumbledore pushed us out the way.’

The medi witch shook her head. ‘No, he’s got spell residue over him.’

‘We were fighting!’ Hermione said exasperated. ‘Spells were flying everywhere.’

‘This was a direct hit.’ The medi witch pushed. ‘It’s why he’s not waking up, a spell did this to him but none of the usual remedies are working.’

‘So try the unusual ones!’ Hermione snapped at her, taking the words right out of George’s mouth.

The medi witch sighed and glanced back at Fred. ‘We are.’

‘Do you know…’ Hermione trailed off.

George shook his head. ‘Voldemort was casting silently. I don’t know what spell it was but it hit Dumbledore dead on.’

‘Did you…’ The same medi witch turned back to them, staring at them in alarm. ‘Did you say he was fighting He Who Must Not Be Named?’

Everyone around them stopped and stared at them, some looking frozen in place.

George nodded. 

The medi witch stared at Fred wide eyed.

‘He’s dead.’ Hermione said into the silence.

The medi witch shook her head. ‘No, he’s in a coma.’

Hermione frowned. 

‘She meant Voldemort.’ George said woodenly, his eyes still on Fred. ‘Harry killed Voldemort.’

‘Harry? Harry Potter?’

‘He’s dead?’

‘He Who Must Not Be Named is dead?’

Questions were shot at them from all angles until Hermione shouted.

‘Yes, Voldemort is dead and Fred was injured helping defeat him. Now do your jobs and save him!’ She glared at them all and several of them flinched before carrying on with trying new spells and potions on him. A couple stared at them both for a moment longer before continuing.

‘I suppose we’ll hear soon enough anyway.’ The medi witch sniffed before turning her back on them.

‘And then we’ll be demanding an apology.’ George glared at her.

‘Actually, I want somebody competent at their jobs treating him, instead of some busy body.’ Hermione glared at the woman and was about to leave when Harry came running into the room with Sirius right behind him.

‘How is he?’ Harry demanded instantly.

‘Apparently in a coma, but I’m uncertain about the abilities of these so-called healers.’ Hermione said icily, staring at the medi-witch in particular.

‘I’ll have her fired.’ Sirius promised. ‘I’ll be back with the department head healer of spell injuries.’

George nodded gratefully as Sirius disappeared, not caring that the medi witch in particular paled at his words.

‘Draco okay?’ George asked Harry, not taking his eyes off his twin and hating how wooden his voice had turned. 

His voice had turned like that after Fred’s death but it had taken years for him to be able to actually feel anything afterwards. He was already feeling numb and Fred wasn’t even dead, he was close, but not there yet and wouldn’t ever if he had anything to say about it. Only there wasn’t anything for him to do. He didn’t know how to help Fred. Once again he was unable to help his twin.

The tears pushed against his eyes and he struggled to see as a massive lump blocked his throat. He gasped, feeling for the wall behind him only his legs gave out just as he felt arms around him and he buried himself in Harry and Hermione’s embrace unable to stop the overwhelming certainly that he’d failed his twin again. That he hadn’t been able to save Fred even though he’d refused to be separated from him and known this would be a likely outcome. He should have locked Fred up until this was over, Fred would be furious with him, but he’d be alive.

🪄🪄🪄

‘How is he?’ Sirius asked his cousin, leaning against the doorway.

‘I’m fine.’ Draco grouched from his hospital bed, glaring while Narcissa brushed his hair out of his arms. 

‘The healers have healed all his wounds but he’ll be shaky and unsteady from the cruciatus curse for a couple days.’ Narcissa took a deep breath. ‘They don’t think he’ll have any permanent effects but it’s a waiting game.’

Draco scowled. ‘I can’t believe you made me miss the fight.’

Narcissa glared at him. ‘There shouldn’t have been a fight, not yet anyway. What were you thinking, running back to the manor, knowing he was there!’

Draco winked, looking apologetic. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘We will talk about this later.’ She informed him. Sirius felt for him, but knew he deserved a bollocking for what he’d done.

‘You were lucky.’ Sirius said quietly.

Draco swallowed. ‘I know, he said he wasn’t going to kill me straight away as he wanted to make an example of me.’

Sirius nodded and closed the door, he came into the room, standing by the bed. ‘And because of your rash actions, many people were injured and some lost their lives.’

Draco paled. ‘Who?’

‘Dumbledore.’ Sirius said quietly.

Draco stared at him looking horrified.

‘Fred’s in a coma. The rest of our immediate circle are alive and not needing to stay here.’ Sirius informed him quietly, hoping the fact that those were the only casualties might be slightly reassuring. ‘I don’t know of any others.’

‘Fred?’ Draco whispered, looking heartbroken.

Sirius nodded, remembering how close Draco had gotten to both the twins. ‘George, Hermione and Harry are with him currently.’

Draco nodded, wiping away the tear that slid down his cheek. His hand was shaking.

‘Harry defeated Voldemort.’ Sirius said quietly.

Draco stared up at him. ‘H-he did?’

Sirius nodded. ‘Ron, Luna and Neville killed the snake, it was the last… you know what.’

Draco nodded, breathing quickly. ‘V-Vol… he cast the k-killing curse at me, Harry dived in the way.’

Sirius closed his eyes, and breathed through his mouth, reminding himself that Harry was alive. ‘That sounds like my son.’

‘Finally calling him your son?’ Narcissa asked, dabbing at her eyes.

Sirius shrugged. ‘I think it’s about time Harry and I stopped tiptoeing around the matter.’

‘Does Harry know this?’ Narcissa smiled.

Sirius winced, he really did need to speak to Harry about this. He didn’t feel comfortable with Harry calling him dad, not when it should have been James, and he knew that Harry felt awkward calling him dad. They needed to find an alternative but he was fully comfortable calling Harry his son.

There was a knock at the door and Sirius instantly pulled his wand out, Narcissa copying his movement. 

An orderly popped his head around the door, blinked at them with wide eyes and cleared his throat. ‘Sorry, we’re going to need to discharge you, there’s been an influx of injured from some fight.’

‘Of course.’ Narcissa smiled, her wand vanishing as she rose. ‘You’ll have the room momentarily.’

The orderly eyed her but nodded before closing the door.

‘I take it the news hasn’t broken yet?’ Narcissa asked as she helped Draco from the bed.

Sirius slipped an arm around Draco’s middle, unsurprised when Draco heavily leaned into his side. ‘Not yet, although a medi witch treating Fred didn’t believe Hermione.’

‘And they still have their job?’ Narcissa asked, surprised.

‘Not for long.’ Sirius smirked. ‘I demanded the head healer of spell injuries oversee Fred’s case and that she be dismissed. Apparently she’s very good at her job though.’

‘Are you staying here with Harry?’ Narcissa paused at the doorway.

‘I’ll make sure you and Draco are settled at home, then come back.’ Sirius explained, frowning when Narcissa didn’t move. ‘What is it Cissy?’

She smiled sadly. ‘It’s been a long time since you called me that.’

He smiled at her.

She took a breath. ‘May we remain at Black Manor for the time being? Just until Draco recovers and I can get Malfoy Manor back to rights.’

Sirius smiled at her. ‘You can both stay as long as you want. I’m pretty sure Harry would be furious with me if you two left so soon, as would Hermione and the twins.’

Narcissa closed her eyes a moment, her composure slipping for a couple seconds. ‘Thank you Sirius.’

‘You’re welcome cousin.’

🪄🪄🪄

Harry yawned as he stumbled into Sirius who kept him upright. He was exhausted, not just from the fight but the stay at St Mungo’s. There was still no change in Fred and both George and Hermoine had refused to leave him. Not that Harry was surprised, although he was surprised at how quickly and thoroughly Hermione had fallen for Fred. He wasn’t sure she’d even realised how much she cared for him until this.

‘Straight to bed for you, I think.’ Sirius steered him through the room.

Harry shook his head. ‘Too much to do.’

‘Nothing that can’t wait.’ Sirius countered.

Harry sighed not having the energy to fight and kind of enjoying having a parent figure take care of him. He’d never had that before.

‘Harry. Sirius.’

Harry turned and blinked at his Professor McGonagall. ‘Professor.’

She smiled sadly at him. ‘I think after everything, you can call me Minerva, or Minnie, at least while we’re not at school.’

Harry nodded. ‘I’m glad you're okay.’

Her gaze saddened. ‘And I you.’

‘Is the headmaster…?’ Harry trailed off, not knowing how to ask.

Minerva breathed in and nodded. ‘He died, yes. I’m the executor of his Will and as such, am tasked with arranging his funeral and last wishes.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Sirius offered her his condolences,

‘Albus was a great and powerful man, even if sometimes misguided.’ Minerva allowed and pursed her lips. ‘All of his affairs are in order, although I’m sure the ministry will try their utmost to interfere and to go through the fine print of his will.’ 

‘Have the ministry made a statement to the press yet?’ Sirius asked, making Harry’s heart drop. 

He really didn’t want to live through the whole second saviour thing again. That had been a nightmare the first time around and at least then he’d been able to hide away from the world not having school or anything to go to. Not that he had, he’d actually become an auror and somehow bought into all the ministry hippogriff dung that he’d refused to believe in while he'd been underage.

‘They’re in the process of preparing a conference.’ Minerva sighed, and rubbed a hand over her forehead. ‘Scrimgeour politely asked me if there was anything I wanted to say. I declined.’

Harry snorted, the little he knew of Scrimgeour from the other timeline was not flattering to the man even if he had stood up against Voldemort and tried his best to show that the ministry had backbone. He would never forgive him for trying to get him to be the ministry’s poster boy. Although, Harry admitted ruefully to himself, he’d done that all by himself afterwards.

‘How is Mr Weasley?’ Minerva asked hesitantly.

‘Which one?’ Sirius asked sardonically before sighing. ‘Bill’s going to be fine, Fred…’ He trailed off.

‘The healers don’t know why he hasn’t woken up.’ Harry rubbed a hand over his face. ‘They don’t think it’s because of the head injury but due to whatever spell it was that Voldemort used.’

‘And as he was casting silently…’ Sirius added.

Minerva frowned. ‘I thought the spell hit Albus instead?’

Harry froze. ‘It did. The headmaster pushed Fred and George out of the way.’

‘So, it can’t have been the spell?’ Sirius questioned.

Harry turned to Sirius. ‘I don’t see how, but the healers said his coma wasn’t anything to do with being blasted into the wall, that they’d healed his head injury. I need to go back to St Mungo’s and tell them.’

Harry turned back to the floo but Sirius stopped him.

‘I’ll send Hermione a message. The only place you are going is straight to bed.’ Sirius informed with a stern expression.

‘But-’ Harry fell silent at Sirius’s raised eyebrow. 

He knew that look and waited while Sirius sent his patronus to Hermione with what they’d figured out.

‘I’d better go.’ Minerva sighed. ‘With Albus gone, I’ll need to sort out what’s happening at Hogwarts.’

‘Surely you’ll be made headmistress?’ Harry blinked, taken aback that it wasn’t already a done deal.

Minerva shook her head. ‘The school governors will need to vote me in, but I’ll be interim head until they appoint whoever they choose.’

‘Well, you can be guaranteed my vote.’ Sirius reassured her.

Minerva smiled gratefully as she headed to the floo, throwing some powder in. ‘Thank you Sirius. Get some rest Harry.’

Harry nodded as she disappeared.

‘Come on, bed.’ Sirius said gently.

Harry didn’t move.

‘Harry?’ Sirius questioned.

Harry opened his mouth, finding it suddenly dry as he struggled to breath.

‘Harry, what is it?’

‘What if it isn’t whatever spell Voldemort used, or the head injury?’ He whispered, staring at Sirius in horror.

Sirius frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He died in the other timeline.’ Harry struggled to get the words out.

‘So did I, and I’m still here.’ Sirius reminded him.

Harry shook his head. ‘But what if we just delayed the inevitable?’

‘Then I would have been the first to go, not Fred.’

Harry blinked and rubbed his eyes, unable to stop the tears that seemed to suddenly be flowing freely down his face. He hiccupped and found himself in Sirius’s arms. With a sigh he gave in to the need to be held and let his emotions get the better of him and he pushed himself into the comforting feeling of being held by someone who loved him.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 38 - GETTING TOGETHER

Sirius opened his arms out, slightly surprised but also not when Harry instantly buried himself in them. Again. 

Harry wasn’t a normal sixteen year old, mentally he was thirty years old and didn’t have the embarrassment of seeking reassurance from another, not even a father figure. At sixteen years old, it was all Sirius had wanted and refused to allow himself, believing that being an adult meant he didn’t need comfort, love or reassurance, that he was old enough to be above it. How wrong he’d been and while he was pleased that Harry knew better than he ever had, he hated the reasons why his godson now followed him everywhere.

Since Harry had broken down in his arms the night of the fight, it seemed to have broken down any barriers and their relationship was all the better and stronger for it. Sirius hadn’t kept anything from Harry, not even the papers the following morning that all declared Harry their saviour for a second time and credited him with showing the ministry how to kill Voldemort from the inside of Malfoy Manor.

Fred had still not woken up and the healers in St Mungo’s were lost as to what was causing it, positive it was due to Voldemort’s spell. Harry was paranoid that it meant that Sirius was on borrowed time and would die at any moment. Not that Harry was the only one, Hermione and George hadn’t left Fred’s side and Remus was giving in to his every whim, as if it was going to be his last. 

Added to that, everyone was in shock at Dumbledore’s death. It hadn’t been planned like Harry and Hermione had explained in the previous timeline, Voldemort had managed to defeat the greatest wizard of their time, but then Harry had defeated Voldemort, did that mean that Harry, at sixteen years old, was now the greatest wizard of their time? 

The funeral had been arranged to be held in a few days time but there would be a vigil the first night of term for all students who wanted to pay their respects. Even in her grief at losing her boss and friend, Minerva had excelled at being thrown into the role of headmistress. Sirius had insisted she join them every evening for dinner, she had become a good friend to him this summer and he wasn’t going to let her get bogged down in misery. Amelia had obviously had the same idea and it was rare to see one without the other now.

‘Dobby’s cooking dinner.’ Sirius said, just to have something to say that wasn't a swipe at never being left alone for a moment’s peace.

‘Not hungry.’ Harry mumbled into his shoulder.

‘You need to keep your strength up.’ Sirius told him, pulling him tighter. ‘We all do.’

Harry sighed but nodded. ‘Hermione…’

‘He’s taking some to them.’ Sirius said gently, knowing how guilty Harry was feeling over Fred getting injured. Although that was nothing to how guilty Draco felt over it all, he hadn’t been able to talk when he found out.

Harry nodded and fell silent again.

‘Bill’s doing better.’ Sirius offered into the silence. 

Remus had seen Greyback at the manor and taken off after him, unfortunately Bill had run to help him and ended up getting mauled by Greyback, just like he had in the other timeline. It hadn’t been a full moon so Bill hadn’t been infected with lycanthropy. He was not and would not become a werewolf, just like the other timeline, it was a small mercy, but a mercy nonetheless. Sirius could understand why Harry, Hermione and George were so on edge, only this time, Bill had killed Greyback. To Sirius it proved that he wasn’t fated to die, but he understood why they were so scared, after being locked up and then on the run, he was enjoying having people love and care for him again. It wasn’t something he would ever be able to take for granted.

Harry nodded and half smiled and Sirius viewed it as a small victory. ‘Moony said he’s going to like his steak on the raw side from now on.’

‘Fleur likes his scars, says they're sexy.’ Harry admitted

‘And how do you know that?’ Sirius teased.

Harry winced. ‘In the other timeline.’

There was a bang from the door and Draco stood there pale and shaking. ‘Did you say other timeline?’

‘Ah.’ Sirius winced and glancing at Harry’s stricken face, detached himself from his godson. ‘I think you two need to talk. I’ll go track down Moony.’

Harry nodded, throwing him a worried look. 

‘I won’t go off on my own.’ Sirius promised. ‘Moony’s at the hospital with Bill, I’ll go straight there.’

Harry looked miserable. ‘I’m sorry.’

Sirius smiled at him, pulling him into a hug and kissing his head. ‘Don’t be. I’d be the exact same if our positions were reversed.’

‘Thanks for understanding.’ Harry said quietly.

‘Always.’ Sirius smiled, trying to convey some reassurance as he left the two boys to it and made his way to his office. Dinner would still be awhile and anyway, Dobby could put a stasis charm on it if he was late. 

He also had a lot of planning to do. Pettigrew had escaped, once the fight had started, no one had seen him. Sirius was positive that Hermione was correct in that he’d changed into a rat, but Sirius knew that his ex-friend wouldn’t have stayed, he’d have run from the fight to save his own skin. Pettigrew wasn’t at the top of anyone’s list but Sirius would never forget and he would never stop looking for him. He also had the added benefit of knowing Peter Pettigrew and he would use that to his advantage to track him down and kill him. Only currently there were others who were more important to him that he needed to help,

He threw some powder into the fire and emerged into St Mungo’s, heading straight for the room both Weasley’s were being kept in. Sirius had pulled a lot of strings to get Bill roomed with Fred seeing as they were meant to be in different departments. If the Weasley’s ever asked, he would deny to his dying day that he’d paid to get them put into a private room. He knew exactly how proud the Weasley’s were and he would never want to disrespect them like that.

‘How are the patients doing?’ Sirius asked as he wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders, kissing the top of her head.

She leant into him. ‘There’s no change. The healers aren’t sure but they think it's a combination of the head injury and whatever spell Voldemort used and it’s put his mind into a sort of stasis.’

‘Have they figured out what spell Voldemort used?’ Sirius asked.

Hermione shook her head. 

Sirius raised an eyebrow and huffed.

‘I’ve gone through all the spells I can think of that would have a stasis effect on his mind but the healers have used the antidotes for all of them.’

‘So it has to be a secondary effect then.’ Sirius said.

Hermione blinked at him, as if suddenly remembering she was speaking to a marauder. ‘Yes, the only problem is that secondary effects aren’t that widely known.’

‘And it could only be specific conditions that happened at that instance that might have caused those secondary effects.’ Sirius mused, thinking aloud.

Hermione blinked again.

‘Sounds to me, as if you need to recreate the scenario and test out some theories.’

‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ Hermione mumbled.

‘Because you’re not a marauder and you’re sleep deprived.’ Sirius said to her kindly.

She smiled sadly but nodded. ‘You’re right, I’ll get some sleep then find somewhere I can set up.’

‘You can use the duelling room at the manor,’ He offered, helping her to her feet. ‘You may also want to collect everyone’s memories to see what they remember happening at or around the time. Someone may have even heard the spell he used and just not realise it.’ 

‘Thanks Sirius.’ She gave him a quick hug before pausing. ‘I’ve had a lot of time to think and I don’t think this is fate. I think you’re safe.’

He smiled at her automatically. ‘Can you tell Harry that?’ She snorted and was almost out the room when he blinked as her words actually sunk into his brain and he realised what she’d said. ‘You really think that?’

She smiled wryly. ‘I do. If it was fate, I don’t think Fred would be in a coma, nor would Lucius Malfoy have died.’

Sirius nodded. ‘Thank you.’

She paused but turned away again.

‘Hermione,’ He said gently. ‘What is it?’

‘Did Harry tell you about Remus?’

Sirius winced and nodded. ‘That he married my cousin and had a son?’

‘That both Remus and Tonks died in the final battle.’ Hermione almost whispered, her voice was so quiet.

Sirius swallowed, feeling a massive lump suddenly swell in his throat. He shook his head, unable to answer.

‘They both survived this time, as did all the students who stayed behind for the final battle.’ A tear fell down Hermione’s face. ‘Snape also died in that timeline and Amelia is still alive.’

Sirius nodded, biting back his scathing retort that Snape deserved it. He frowned, realising that he hadn’t seen Snape at the fight. ‘Was Snape there?’

Hermione looked back at him, her forehead creased. ‘I didn’t see him.’

‘Wonder where the greasy git has gotten to then.’ Sirius mused before kissing her forehead again. ‘Go get some sleep, I’ll let George know where you’ve gone.’

Hermione nodded. ‘He’s just with Bill and Remus, trying out one of their new scar cream products.’

Sirius snorted and watched her walk away, rubbing her head tiredly before she went out of sight and he sat himself down, knowing they didn’t want Fred to be left alone in case something happened or he woke up. He knew he’d given her something to think about, which he was planning on helping her with, he wasn't a marauder for nothing, but she'd also given him something to think about. Where was Snivellus? Why hadn’t he been at Malfoy Manor? And Remus had also died in that other timeline? 

All the marauders had died, and Harry hadn’t had any of them. He’d been alone except for Hermione and Ron.

He hadn't been there for long until George walked back in, followed by Bill and Remus.

‘Hermione finally gone home?’ George asked, surprise colouring his voice.

Sirius smirked. ‘I gave her something to work on. Be prepared for her to want your memory on the fight.’

Remus sighed as he kissed Sirius hello. ‘She needs to sleep.’

‘I did tell her to do that first.’ Sirius defended himself, pulling Remus down to sit on his lap, needing the contact.

‘Why does she need our memories?’ George asked, leaning over Fred and smoothing his pillow.

‘We were talking about what spell Voldemort might have used and that this stasis effect might be secondary to certain conditions experienced at the time.’ Sirius explained. ‘I offered the duelling room for her to experiment in and thought that if she collected memories of it, we could replicate it and someone might have inadvertently witnessed the spell Voldemort used.’

George stared at him. ‘That’s brilliant!’

‘That really is you know.’ Remus smiled, wrapping his arm around his shoulder and knocking his head into his. ‘We might be able to get somewhere seeing as the healers are struggling to know what to try next.’

George stared longingly at Fred.

Sirius bit his lip, wanting to say that Hermione didn’t think it was anything to do with the other timeline but Bill didn’t know anything about that so he couldn’t. ‘How are you Bill?’

‘Fine, they discharged me last night.’ He shrugged. ‘Mum and Fleur almost got into an argument over fussing over me.’ Sirius snorted, trying to hide his laugh but Bill grinned. ‘It went about as well as you’re imagining.’

‘I’m sorry I missed it.’ Sirius grinned.

‘I’m not.’ George rolled his eyes but looked fondly at his brother.

‘Hermione did mention something else that got me wondering.’ Sirius said, wondering whether or not he should bring it up.

‘What’s that?’ Moony prodded.

‘Snape.’ Sirius paused. ‘Where was he? Did anyone see him at the battle?’

Remis frowned. ‘No, I haven't seen him at all this summer.’

Bill shook his head. ‘He hasn’t been attending any of the Order meetings but…’ He winced and took a breath. ‘Dumbledore never acted concerned and no one ever asked.’

Sirius nodded. ‘I’ll ask Minerva at dinner.’

‘Hey, thank Dobby for the food, would you?’ Bill brightened. ‘It was delicious, but don’t tell my mum that!’

Sirius chuckled. ‘Never.’

‘I’m assuming you're required at home for dinner to be clucked over?’ Remus grinned.

Bill pulled a face but nodded and clapped George on the back. ‘Thanks for that cream.’

George smiled at him. ‘We haven't perfected it yet, so you may, er, get some weird side effects.’

Bill laughed and waved as he left.

‘You coming back George?’ Sirius asked, already knowing the answer. ‘Make sure you eat and get some rest.’

‘I will.’ George agreed as Remus stood up and entangled his hand into Sirius’s.

‘Send a patronus if you need anything.’ Remus reminded George.

‘Thanks.’ George smiled sadly as they left.

‘I hate this.’ Sirius muttered, leaning into Remus as they made their way to the floo.

‘I know.’ Remus heaved a sigh. ‘I do too.’

‘I don’t trust Snape.’ Sirius frowned.

‘Why wasn’t he at the manor?’

‘I think we need to head to Grimmauld Place after dinner and find out if anyone else from the order knows anything.’ 

‘Narcissa might know.’ Remus reminded him. ‘They are good friends.’

Sirius scowled, he had forgotten that. ‘I was just beginning to like her.’

🪄🪄🪄

Harry stared at Draco, completely at a loss. Draco wasn’t meant to know but what could it hurt now? They’d done everything they’d set out to do, well almost, as soon as Fred woke up they would have. While they hadn’t reformed the ministry, they hadn’t actually set out to do that, just put a bug up the ministry’s arse, which they had successfully done. They had time to figure out what to do next.

‘What other timeline?’ Draco repeated, crossing his arms and staring at Harry.

‘There’s a spell, it sends you back in time.’ Harry said, did he make out it was just him or did he tell him about Hermione and George?

‘How far?’ 

‘As far as you want as long you’re still alive.’ Harry said quietly.

Draco swallowed. ‘How far back have you come?’

‘Fourteen years.’

Draco breathed in sharply and stared at him incredulously. ‘So, you’re what? Mentally thirty?’

‘Twenty nine at the time.’ Harry admitted.

‘So, you and Hermione come back in time, to what?’ 

Harry winced. 

Draco paled. ‘We lost. Oh Merlin, Voldemort won.’

Harry shook his head. ‘No, we won, well Voldemort died, but later on.’

‘How much later?’

‘In our final year.’

‘So why come back?’ Draco demanded.

‘There were a lot of losses, and winning didn’t change enough. There was still prejudice, muggleborns still couldn’t progress and purebloods were still dying out.’ Harry exclaimed, then sighed. ‘And our lives weren’t what we were expecting.’

Draco snorted. ‘Oh let me guess, you were married with kids and didn’t like the white picket fence!’

Harry sighed. ‘I’m not getting into this with you if this is how you’re going to react.’

Draco froze. He worked his jaw, took a few breaths and blinked. ‘Okay, so you and Hermione-’

‘And George.’’ Harry added, deciding that if they were doing this, he wasn’t going to have any secrets.

Draco stared at him. ‘George? What about Fred?’

‘Fred died in the final battle.’ Harry said quietly. ‘So did Remus, Sirius died…’

Draco frowned at him.

‘Sirius died at the ministry, the night your father died.’

‘Did…’ Draco swallowed. ‘Did my father die in the other timeline?’

Harry shook his head. ‘No, but he displeased Voldemort that night and Voldemort marked you in retaliation and gave you an impossible mission.’

‘The one my mother and godfather were talking about.’ Draco realised. ‘What was it?’

‘To kill Dumbledore and find a way to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts.’ Harry said quietly.

Draco paled and had to grab hold of the nearest chair. ‘Did I?’

‘You didn’t kill Dumbledore, but he did die. You did manage to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts though.’ Harry explained. ‘When Voldemort cast the killing curse on me, your mum was there, she lied to him to keep you safe. You didn’t want to fight, but he threatened your family.’

Draco stared at him. ‘How do you know this?’

‘We didn’t become friends, but I always watched you. I felt as if I knew you.’ Harry admitted, then shrugged, might as well say it all. ‘I’ve always watched you.’

Draco snorted. ‘Same.’ He face reddened and he looked embarrassed.

Harry grinned. ‘Good because I’d also like to talk about that.’

Draco raised an eyebrow. 

‘I’m sorry I overheard you masturbating, but it did open my eyes to a few things.’ Harry admitted.

‘Oh?’ Draco cleared his throat, his cheeks pink as he looked away from him.

‘I’d never thought of myself as anything but straight, but it’s clear that I’m not and I’d like to explore that option with you.’

Daco stared at him. ‘Oh Merlin, you even sound old!’

‘Hey!’ Harry glared at him.

Draco snorted and then laughed. ‘“You’d like to explore that option with me.” You sound like a job interview!’

Harry glared at him. ‘You don’t have to be a dick!’

Draco laughed and he walked up to Harry and wrapped his arms around him. ‘But I do, it’s part of my charm!’

Harry huffed but couldn’t help the smile as he pulled Draco close to him. ‘Is that a yes?’

Draco rolled his eyes. ‘I’m not dignifying what you said with an answer, but if you rephrase it I might.’

Harry groaned, glaring at him. ‘Will you be my boyfriend?’

Draco huffed, sounding put upon. ‘Seeing as you’ve asked so nicely…’ Harry pinched him and Draco yelped. ‘Yes, yes, I’ll be your boyfriend!’

Harry grinned as Draco glared at him, then laughed. He let Draco take control as he pulled him close and slowly leant in and kissed him. Harry found himself melting into one of the sweetest kisses he’d ever had in his life and he’d never thought it would have come from Draco Malfoy. 

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 39 - FRED

‘Sirius.’ Narcissa smiled from his study doorway.

Sirius smiled up at her, motioning her to come in. ‘How did it go at the manor today?’

Narcissa pulled a very unladylike face. ‘It’s going to take months to get it back to rights.’

‘I hope that means that you’ll be staying here while you get it sorted?’ Sirius checked with her, knowing just how proud his cousin could be.

‘I was hoping you hadn’t changed your mind.’ She smiled, looking slightly relieved.

‘I hadn’t.’ He confirmed, but she noticed how unsure she was acting. He gave her his full attention. ‘What is it?’

‘I know you don’t have the best of opinions on Severus, but I was hoping that he’d be able to visit me here rather than coming to the manor while I’m busy.’ Narcissa asked, cutting straight to the case.

Sirius pushed his lips together. ‘Has he finally given an account of where he was at the time of the fight?’

Narcissa sighed and crossed her hands in her lap, looking at Sirius with disappointment written over her features. ‘He was at Riddle House, making a potion that the Dark Lord had instructed him to.’

Sirius inwardly sighed, unsure if his cousin knew just how effective that disappointed look was. ‘And the reason why no one heard from him the following day after the battle?’

‘Really Sirius?’ Narcissa asked curtly but he wouldn’t back down. She sighed. ‘The potion was a complex one and he needed to oversee it for fifty one hours. As soon as he realised he instantly went to the school where Minerva filled him in on what had happened.’

That added up with what he’d heard from Minerva, minus the potion part even though Minerva had figured out that Snape was still spying for Dumbledore quite a while ago.

Sirius sighed. ‘Fine. But the manor is staying under Fidelius until I’m sure that nothing will come back onto Harry from the surviving Death Eaters, he can meet with you at one of the other residences.’

Narcissa nodded, looking unsatisfied with the outcome. ‘You do know that he’s resigned from his position at Hogwarts.’

Sirius blinked, taken aback. ‘No, I hadn’t.’

Narcissa turned to leave but looked back at him. ‘He was never happy there and only stayed because of the Dark Lord and Dumbledore. He was stuck in an impossible position and made what he could of it.’

‘He could have quite easily not bullied my son.’ Sirius pointed out.

Narcissa inclined her head in acceptance and left him alone.

Sirius frowned, Minerva hadn’t said anything to him about it, but then she was so busy and rarely spoke about school matters at dinners with them. He wondered if Harry knew and went to find him, knowing that he would probably find Draco with him seeing as they had become practically inseparable since realising their feelings for each other were reciprocated.

🪄🪄🪄

Hermione sighed as she reran the scene again and stood at a different angle, hoping that she’d see something new, something that she might have missed the previous five hundred and forty eight times.

She had to give it to Sirius, this was a great idea, and while it had given them some answers, it hadn’t given them enough. 

It turned out that Snape had been completely oblivious of the fight, having been at Riddle House working on a potion for Voldemort. Fortunately for them, the potion he’d been working on, could be used to counteract several of the effects of the spell that Voldemort had used with some tweaking. Snape was working on it currently only Hermione had no idea if it would actually wake Fred up.

She stared at Fred again, his face frozen in an exhilarated grin in the memory, feeling the now familiar heartache and longing try to smother her before she took a deep breath and got to work.

She walked around Voldemort again, allowing the memory to play out in slow motion and concentrating on his actions and wand movement. He cast the spell silently, just like both him and Dumbledore had done all throughout their fight.

They’d tracked down the person whose spell had interacted with Voldemort’s, now she just had to figure out what spell Voldemort had used as the combination of the two had put Fred into a coma.

She watched the moment the two spells collided before they shot towards Dumbledore, George and Fred and then Dumbledore throwing Fred and George back, taking on the bulk of the spell and she saw the moment part of the spell was deflected and hit Fred as he went flying with George.

Sighing, Hermione reset the scene, she must have missed something. She must have. She went and stood by the other caster, whose spell had hit Voldemort’s, this was the only view she hadn’t watched repetitively. There wasn’t any reason to after figuring out it was this spell that integrated with Voldemort’s.

The scene played again and she watched as the spell’s were cast. A stunning spell by itself wouldn’t have put Fred in a coma, and while she didn’t know for certain, she was almost positive that Voldemort had used some sort of freezing spell. Only a stunning spell and freezing spell combined wouldn’t put Fred in a coma, so she had to be wrong. She’d seen this so many times she was seeing it in her sleep. 

She frowned as something caught her eye and she reset it and went back. Her mouth dropped open as she saw another spell collide with the first one, which then collided with Voldemorts.

Three spells.

Three spells integrated with one another, changing direction and then hitting Dumbledore, with a fragment of those three spells hitting Fred, the blast sending the twins flying back.

She’d never heard of such a thing.

No one had.

She wasn’t even sure it had ever happened before, and if it had, no one had ever realised. She traced the third spell back to its owner and froze, staring at Harry in amazement. He’d been casting silently as well, but she knew what spells he favoured and from the look on his face, knew exactly what spell he’d cast and why it had affected Fred’s brain. Which meant that with the combination of spells, she had a pretty good idea of what had happened and would be able to work out just how to wake Fred up.

She cancelled the memory and pulled her head out of the pensieve with a gasp before running to the floo. She needed a potion tweaked and knew just the person.

🪄🪄🪄

George stared at his twin as Snape slowly spelled the potion into Fred’s mouth. Hermione had already explained that Fred had to slowly ingest the potion and it should reverse the combination of the three spells that had affected him.

He had no idea how the hell Hermione had figured out that three spells had merged into one and that when Dumbledore had tried to protect the twins, part of the spell had splintered off and hit Fred. Luckily the splinter of the triple combination was only a weak sliver which is why it hadn’t killed Fred, but the combining effects of a freezing charm, stunning spell and jelly-brain jinx had sent him into a coma.

George glanced at Hermione who was biting her nail anxiously. ‘I trust you.’

She looked at him, fear in her eyes. ‘This has to work.’

George grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace, not having the words to reassure her. He knew she was Fred’s best chance.

They watched in silence while Snape continued to pour the potion slowly into Fred’s open mouth while Bernard Dewitt, the head of the brain injury department watched, taking notes with his quill scribbling furiously, seeing as Snape had banned him from casting any diagnostic spells until this was over.

Once the potion had finally all been slowly poured into Fred’s mouth, Snape pulled out his wand and pointed it at Fred’s head. ‘Rennervate.’

It went against everything in George to just stay there and watch while Snape pointed his wand at his twin and cast on him. He tightened his grip on Hermione to stop himself from doing something stupid, like cursing Snape away from his brother while he was actually helping him.

He breathed in deeply, watching for any sign of Fred waking up but nothing happened.

Hermione stifled a cry and turned around in his embrace, burying her face in his chest, her entire body shaking. George felt himself freeze as everything in him turned numb.

‘Give him a moment before you write him off Miss Granger.’ Snape said, his voice as stoic and annoying as ever. ‘He is not going to instantly wake up from that combination of spells.’

‘How long?’ George asked, his voice raspy.

‘Could be as long as a couple hours or so, the potion needs time to take effect and his brain needs to wake up from the sleep it was put into.’ Snape said and turned to Healer Dewitt. ‘You can cast your diagnostic spells now, they won’t interfere any more.’

Healer Dewitt instantly hurried forwards, his wand already out and casting spells, as he scrunched his face up, scrutinising the results, his quill behind him scribbling furiously the entire time.

George nodded, unable to speak and resigned himself to more waiting. He was useless at waiting and yet he felt as if was becoming a pro at it, seeing as that’s all he’d been doing since the fight.

‘Come on, Hermione.’ George rubbed her back. ‘We can give him a couple hours.’

Hermione nodded with her chest still buried in his chest and turned, keeping her arms wrapped around him. 

They stayed like that, watching and waiting. The slow rise and fall of Fred’s chest becoming hypnotic.

‘Did…’ George frowned, watching his twin more intently. ‘Did he just groan?’

‘I- I think he did.’ Hermione swallowed, sounding nervous.

George knew exactly how she felt, not wanting to hope, but unable not to.

Fred grimaced.

‘Freddy!’ George cried, rushing forward with Hermione, almost falling over her in his haste and he leant over the bed.

‘Urgh.’ Fred moaned, squinting and his head rolled to the side.

‘Fred!’ Hermioen called, relief reverberating through her voice.

‘Fred, can you hear us?’ George asked.

‘Five more minutes.’ Fred muttered.

The laugh bubbled up and out of George before he even realised what he was doing and once he did, the laughter had already dried up and he was crying. He gripped Fred’s arm and sank down in the chair, crying into Fred’s arm.

‘Georgie?’ Fred murmured, worry in his voice and George looked up to see Fred frowning at him. ‘Wha’ pend?’

‘You were hit by three different spells.’ Hermione sniffed, her voice wavering.

‘You’ve been in a coma.’ George’s voice was hoarse, ‘Hermione figured out how to wake you up.’

‘Thas ma gurl.’ Fred said and smiled before closing his eyes and sighing.

‘He’ll most likely need an energy potion.’ Snape said behind them and George glanced to see him talking to Healer Dewitt. ‘I’d be curious about your results.’

Healer Dewitt nodded, taking the vial that Snape handed to him, and continued casting his diagnostic spells now glancing with wide eyes at the results. ‘If Mr Weasley agrees, I can forward you a copy of his report.’

Snape nodded before turning and leaving with his cloak billowing around him.

Healer Dewitt poured the energy potion down Fred’s throat causing him to splutter and blink his eyes open, looking around him more alertly. ‘Did I hear Snape?’

George snorted and Hermione half laughed and half sobbed. ‘Yeah, he helped save your life.’

Fred sighed. ‘Did we win?’

George grinned. ‘Hell yes we did!’

Fred grinned and pulled Hermione close.

George breathed in deeply, happiness and contentment filled him as he watched Hermione snuggle into Fred’s side, kiss his cheek and instantly fall into a deep sleep. He knew just how she felt, he hadn’t slept for more than a few hours at a time since the fight.

He settled into the chair, stretching his legs out and closing his eyes while the Healer flitted around them, still taking notes and muttering to himself, grinning.

George took a deep breath,finding himself unable to relax, he closed his eyes and instantly had to open them again, suddenly scared that it wasn’t real, that Fred hadn’t woken up. 

As if sensing his turmoil, Fred reached out a hand and George tightly grasped it. Fred was alive. As was Sirius and Remus. Harry and Hermione were fine and in new and different relationships. 

They had changed the past and history was not repeating itself. He took another deep breath in and felt some of the tension ease out of his shoulders. They had done it, they had saved Fred and changed the past. 

They may not have done everything they had set out to do, they hadn’t overthrown the ministry or fished out all the corruption, not that Hermione and Harry had been fully informed of that plan, but they’d only been back a few months and him and Fred had already made a start with Sirius’s help.

George smiled at Fred as it hit him, it had only been a few months ago that they’d been planning this, that they’d only been back for three months. That he’d only had Fred back for three months.

They had accomplished more than any of them had thought possible and uncovered so much more than any of them had expected. 

He was pretty sure that Harry and Hermione were onto something with the way the underage magic wasn’t always being detected and had found several discrepancies that made him think an Unspeakable was behind it. He had plans to figure it all out and more importantly, he had friends and family to help him figure it out. 

He had Fred.

They all had Sirius and Remus.

George squeezed Fred’s hand and caught his sleepy gaze. Fred’s eyebrow rose inquisitively, probably because George was already scheming. He sighed happily as he finally felt sleep pull at him and allowed himself to drift off. 

Voldemort was dead again. Fred was alive and in a relationship with Hermione. Harry had finally clicked that he had a massive crush on Draco and done something about it. Both Sirius and Remus were alive and together. 

The three of them weren’t alone anymore and the marauders were back.

The ministry didn’t stand a chance against them.

🪄🪄🪄

Chapter Text

EPILOGUE

‘Can you believe we’re back here again?’ Harry said as he grinned at Hermione while they stood on platform nine and three quarters. He squeezed Draco’s hand reassuringly while his boyfriend glared at him. He knew just how much Draco had been dreading this but hadn’t known how he felt about it.

The last few weeks had been nothing like Harry had experienced before. For the first time in his life he’d gotten to experience being a teenager without any responsibilities and that was all down to his family and friends. He actually had a family that loved him and wanted him. They had put off doing anything about the ministry just yet, Sirius and Remus had insisted they all spend the rest of the summer acting like the children they were physically were. Harry knew they had something in the works, they were not subtle, but was happy to currently leave it to them.

It still took him by surprise that Sirius was not just his godfather but also adopted father and once everything had begun to calm down, Sirius had sat him down and had a chat about what he would call him. He completely understood that Sirius was uncomfortable being called dad, Harry wasn’t comfortable calling him that even though he had always desperately wanted one. Sirius was now his dad, but they had decided Harry would call him either Sirius or Padfoot but he would refer to him as his dad. Just like Sirius would refer to Harry as his son.

It hadn’t all been good. Harry had had to disguise himself to go into Diagon Alley to avoid being mobbed, but then he wasn’t the only one. The twins were always getting stopped and thanked and being asked for autographs when they went out, as were Luna, Ron and Neville. At least Hermione and he knew from past experience it would die down. 

There had also been Dumbledore’s funeral which Minerva had attempted to keep small and while that hadn’t worked, she had succeeded in refusing entry to any press. It had been a nice service and Harry believed that Dumbledore would have appreciated the send off he got, especially as Minerva had stipulated that everyone had to come in bright colours.

‘No.’ Hermione grumbled, leaning into Fred’s side. ‘I can’t believe we have two more years of this.’

Harry laughed. ‘Never thought I’d hear the day that Hermione didn’t want to go to school.’

Hermione giggled. ‘Neither did I.’

‘Ah, that’s because she never had someone so handsome and debonair waiting for her.’ Fred winked.

‘Oh yeah? Who’s that then?’ Draco sniped with a raised eyebrow.

George laughed and clapped Draco on the back. ‘Gonna miss you Draco.’

‘What about the rest of us?’ Harry teased.

‘Maybe.’ George grinned, grabbing Harry in a stranglehold. ‘Possibly.’

Harry flailed, having been taken by surprise but laughed as he tried to beat George off of him unsuccessfully.

‘Just a little bit.’ Fred laughed.

‘Well, I’m not going to miss you two, especially if you don’t release my boyfriend.’ Draco sniffed, sticking his nose in the air dramatically but Harry knew now that it was for comedic effect.

‘Yeah you’re going to be too busy running.’ Fred chuckled.

Harry winced knowing that Fred’s comment was a bit too close to the bone and that Draco was actually terrified of that happening. Having not actually made any friends in Slytherin and it having been so long ago, Harry had been useless in reassuring him. Although it had made Harry realise how segregated the houses had made the, especially Slytherin.

‘But all that exercise might put a bit of meat onto his bones.’ George teased, winking at Harry.

‘And anyway, he has the four Brave Heroes of Gryffindor to protect him.’ Fred said with a grin.

‘Oh shut up.’ Draco grumbled.

George rolled his eyes. ‘Merlin Draco, please don’t tell me you actually believe that every single Slytherin worshipped at old Voldepants feet?!’

Draco frowned.

Harry smiled, trust the twins to have friends in every house.

Fred laughed incredulously. ‘I know plenty of Slytherin’s who’re over the moon that he’s dead and have been celebrating with everyone else.’

‘Who?’ Draco demanded.

George waggled his finger in front of Draco’s face. ‘Now now, you can’t honestly expect us to make it easy for you, do you?’

Draco glared at him.

‘Open your eyes Draco.’ Fred winked and wrapped his arms around Hermione. ‘You might be surprised at what you find right in front of you.’

‘I have opened my eyes.’ Draco grumbled and tugged at Harry’s hand, leading them away to the train. ‘You lot were there.’

Harry grinned and waved back at them before following Draco, he paused at the steps. ‘Just a minute.’ He leant up and kissed Draco quickly on the mouth, in full view of the entire platform before he ran back to the others and threw himself into Sirius’s arms, hugging him tightly. ‘I love you.’

Sirius hugged him back tightly and Harry felt him push his face into his neck before he pulled back and sniffed. ‘Love you too.’

Harry pulled back and grinned at him. ‘Best summer ever.’

Sirius grinned, looking pleased and exhiliared as he stepped back into Remus and wrapped an arm around him, swallowing as he leant into him for support. ‘Be prepared for your best Hogwarts year yet.’

Harry laughed, as he turned back to the train. ‘It’ll be weird, my first year without Voldemort trying to kill me.’

‘Better make the most of it.’ Sirius winked at him. ‘I left a present in your trunk.’

Remus stared at Sirius in dismay. ‘You didn't?! So did I!’

Harry laughed and sprinted back to the train, past Hermione passionately kissing Fred goodbye again with a gagging Ron rushing past them. 

‘Come on Mione, we’ll be late and you’ll ruin your perfect attendance.’ Harry teased.

‘Attendance is overrated.’ Hermione called back.

Harry laughed.

Ron goggled at her. ‘Okay, where’s the real Hermione?’

Hermione threw him an amused look but gave Fred one last kiss goodbye and George a quick hug before she followed them onto the train.

Harry pushed past a few people before spying a familiar dark head of hair. ‘Hey Nev!’

Neville turned around, looking relieved to see him. ‘Harry! Ron, Hermione.’

‘Found a free carriage yet?’ Hermione asked him.

Neville shook his head.

‘Draco should have, he got on before us.’ Harry led the way, checking compartments until he found the one Draco was in. Only Draco wasn’t alone, there were three other Slytherin’s sat in there with him. Harry recognised Blaise Zabini but not the two girl’s, although one looked like a younger version of Draco’s wife in the other timeline.

‘Harry, you know Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis?’ Draco introduced them with a lightness in his voice that had been missing just a few minutes ago. Harry had a moment of relief that Daphne wasn’t Astoria and then worry that she’d introduce them, before he squashed it. 

Harry smiled and shook his head. ‘Heard of Blaise.’

‘We’re all in the same year.’ Daphne smiled at him. ‘Thanks for getting rid of that tyrant.’

Harry grinned as he squeezed in between Draco and Ron and entangled one of his legs with Draco’s.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she sat down and pulled Neville down with her. ‘And Draco worried he was going to be all alone in Slytherin this year.’

Blaise snorted. ‘Well, you won’t have Crabbe and Goyle as friends anymore but there are plenty of us who weren’t enamoured of the Dark Lord and are happy he’s gone.’

‘H-Have you heard Snape resigned?’ Neville spoke up with only a hint of nerves in his voice.

‘What?’ Tracey’s eyes lit up. ‘Ooh I wonder who’ll be replacing him and whether or not I can continue potions with an Exceeds Expectations and not an Outstanding.’

‘I think you can.’ Harry grinned. ‘I heard the Headmistress has got Horace Slughorn to take over from Snape and that he’ll accept Exceeds Expectations for his classes.’

‘Brilliant.’ Tracey flicked her hair back. ‘That’ll make mother pleased.’

‘Room for one more?’ Luna’s melodious voice said from the doorway.

‘O-of course!’ Neville stuttered, almost tripping over his shoes in his hurry to make room for her.

Luna grinned happily at him and sat down next to him.

Blaise eyed Harry up. ‘Don’t suppose you’ve heard who the new DADA teacher is?’

Harry’s eyes lit up as Ron groaned theatrically and tried to hide.

‘Yep, Ron’s older brother Bill.’

‘Wicked!’ Neville’s eyes lit up.

‘He’s a very good fighter.’ Luna nodded.

‘He fought against Greyback didn’t he?’ Daphne asked, frowning. ‘Got hurt in the fight at Malfoy Manor?’

Harry nodded.

‘It wasn’t the full moon so he isn’t a werewolf.’ Hermione told her icily.

Daphne sighed, flicking her hair back. ‘Pity. Lupin was the best teacher we’ve ever had.’

Harry blinked at her.

‘That’s just Remus.’ Hermione smiled, instantly relaxed again and glanced at Harry.

‘You know him personally?’ Daphne stared wide eyed before leaning forward eagerly.

Harry chuckled, feeling proud as Draco snorted beside him. ‘He’s dating my dad.’

The Slytherin’s all nodded, and Harry remembered that his adoption was common knowledge. Having holed up in the manor all summer and then hiding from the press, he had forgotten that they had spilled the beans at Umbridge’s trial. It all seemed so long ago and yet it really hadn’t been. This was the first time that he had not been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts, but it was also the first time that he had a home and family waiting for him.

Harry flinched when Draco flicked the side of his face. 

‘Yes, yes, you’ve been adopted and have a wonderful home life and even more amazing boyfriend.’ Draco said, drolly. Hermione giggled. ‘What we all want to know is, what career are you planning on?’

Harry blinked and stared at Draco. He had no idea, it wasn’t something that he’d given any more thought to after his birthday. He grinned and shrugged. ‘Dunno.’

‘Mate!’ Ron exclaimed, looking horrified. ‘I thought we were gonna be aurors together?’

Harry pulled a face. ‘Sorry Ron but no chance, I don’t think I want anything to do with the ministry.’

Ron goggled at him and glanced at Hermione. ‘You can’t say that! Hermione’s going to work for the ministry!’

‘No I’m not.’ Hermione shook her head. ‘Like Harry, I don’t want anything to do with the ministry.’

‘What do you want to do then?’ Ron asked, sounding utterly confused. 

Hermione and Harry shared a glance with each other and smiled. ‘We’ve got time to figure it out.’

Ron gaped at Hermione before looking slightly impressed. ‘Fred’s had a good influence on you.’

‘What about you Draco? Now that your godfather isn't teaching potions?’ Blaise asked, looking both sly and curious.

Draco shrugged, but Harry could feel his tenseness. ‘Neville and I are going into business together.’

‘What?’ Daphne blinked. ‘When did this happen?’

‘Over s-summer.’ Neville explained hesitantly, looking unsure.

Hermione beamed at him and Harry was pleased that Neville was trying to be part of the conversation and group.

‘Neville has a way with plants.’ Luna agreed with a hum as she picked up Neville’s hand and started playing with his fingers. 

Neville's cheeks turned pink but he made no effect to stop her, just smiled happily.

‘Talking about summer.’ Blaise cut in, looking at Draco expectantly. ‘Where exactly did you spend it?’

‘With me.’ Harry grinned, squeezing Draco’s hand. Draco smiled wryly and knocked his shoulder into Harry’s.

‘That explains so much.’

🪄🪄🪄

Severus wandered around the memory in his pensieve. It was the same memory he’d been visiting at the time of the battle instead of concentrating on the potion he’d been making for the Dark Lord. 

That potion was easy to make for someone with his skill. This, however, this was much more important to him. He knew every single detail of it by now, had memorised the entire thing and could easily recite the incantation in his sleep.

He had taken the memory from Hermione Granger back before the end of the last school year. He hadn’t realised just how important it was when he’d first seen it and he was positive that Miss Granger hadn’t realised she’d given it to him.

What she had uncovered was miraculous and fascinating and while he hated to admit it, she really was the brightest witch of her age. 

Not only had she uncovered a time travelling spell that no one knew still existed but had successfully gotten it to work. Miss Granger, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley had successfully time travelled fourteen years into the past and changed history.

He’d already acquired all the ingredients for the potion and knew how to brew it. All he needed was two others willing to go back in time with him. 

It would take him a bit of work, a lot of smooth talking, convincing and cajoling, but he had an idea of just which two candidates would be ideal.

He smiled, pleased, as he checked his freshly cleaned cauldron over, ensuring no lingering residues could accidentally mix with the next potion.

🪄🪄🪄