Chapter Text
“We don't believe you!” He screamed, “You're lying! I have no idea why, but you are!” Hermione froze taking in the furious face of Sirius Black. Her eyes travelled to his side where he was flanked by James and Lily Potter and Remus Lupin. Silently, she weighed up her options.
“I have memories,” she replied softly.
“Modified ones! I have no idea who the fuck you are, but I don't trust you!”
“Fine. Everyone feels like that?”
Several Order members looked tense but they nodded. “It's… it's not possible, Miss…..Hermione, wasn't it?” Albus shook his head regretfully. Whatever this was, it wasn't worth losing support. It would have perhaps been interesting to hear the girl out but what she had accused him of had made him less sympathetic. They would work it out, if nothing else, she had at least confirmed they’d won in the end.
“Very well. Then I won't take up any more of your time.” Palming the small device in her hand, she disappeared before they could stop her and it was the last they heard of her for months.
“We’re losing Albus!” Minerva's pained voice sounded around the room. The Prewett twin's death had stunned them all.
“We should have let that woman talk, actually listened to her….let her show us those memories.” Marlene voiced what they were all thinking. She had tried to warn them, she’d offered to help. They’d barely let her talk. She’d begun by warning them of Albus’ inaction, his holding his cards too close to his chest, but the real fracture hadn't come until she’d accused Pettigrew. That had been the moment she’d lost them. None of them believed him capable and so they’d refused to listen, even as she’d begged them to. Pointing out that Pettigrew wasn't even there, asking where he was, dismissing their excuses.
Several people jumped at the resounding bang that interrupted their conversation, all of them raising their wands as they realised it was a similar noise to the one that had heralded the mystery woman's arrival. Was she back? Many of them hoped so.
A tall, dark-haired man in Auror regalia walked into the room, looking about curiously before he frowned.
“Where's Hermione?”
“Who are you? Why the fuck do you look like James?”
The man looked Sirius up and down before his eyebrows rose. “Sirius! But…you don't know who I am?”
“Should we?”
Harry's eyebrows rose higher as something seemed to occur to him. “Where the fuck is my wife?” he barked.
The Order tensed. “We don't know,” Marlene replied quietly.
“What the fuck do you mean you don't know?” his voice was controlled but there was no hiding the fury in it.
“She came here spouting a load of lies. From the future!” Sirius scoffed, “How were we meant to believe that.”
Harry let out a long, slow breath. Why hadn't she just come home? What was she up to? “You are going to start from the beginning.” he said quietly, in that same eerily controlled voice, “And in return, I am not going to murder you all. But if I find out something has happened to her…if she is harmed in any way, there will be no hiding from me.”
“Young man!” Minerva protested, almost recoiling at the look on his face.
“Yes, Professor?” he asked politely as if he hadn't just threatened them all.
“Who are you?”
“Ah…Harry James Potter.”
Several people paled, looking over to James and Lily, Lily's hand resting protectively on her stomach.
“It's a boy?” James asked in a strangled voice.
“Yes. Now…explain to me exactly why my wife hasn't come home.”
“We didn't believe her,” Marlene whispered. “We…she just left.”
“Even after the memories, you didn't believe her?” He frowned. “Her scars….”
“We wouldn't let her show them.”
Harry froze, his magic swirling around him as his control slipped. “Are you telling me…” he hissed, “that the plans we made, years of them…so that more of you could live were all for fucking nothing because you wouldn't even let her explain?”
“Yes.” Minerva sighed. “Many of us are not proud of it, but yes.”
Harry nodded slowly before his magic exploded shattering the glass and china in the room.
“I grew up hearing stories about you.” he began conversationally, his eyes on his parents as if he hadn’t just lost control. “About how amazing you were…obviously the sources were biased, but I believed them.” James and Lily both paled. “You’ll be dead by the end of next year, did you know that? Sirius will be in Azkaban…fuck knows where Remus will be, somewhere wallowing in self-pity I assume. And I…I will be left on the doorstep of the Durselys, in November. No one put me first. You died for me but you also trusted the wrong people, despite evidence that you shouldn't. Dumbledore raised me to die when the time was right. Ironically, as much as he was a sadistic, miserable bastard, Snape protected me more than any other adult. But you’d know that, if you'd bothered to pull your head out of your arses and listen to my wife… my wife, who was right fucking beside me from our first year. My wife, who is, if you're very, very lucky, hunting Horcruxes and risking her life all on her own because you are all fucking incompetent imbeciles! How the fuck could you justify not fucking listening to her!”
“Peter would never…” Sirius began.
“But he did!” Harry screamed, making them all flinch before he turned towards the other end of the table. “He's a fucking child, what is your excuse? Still letting the Marauders run the show, Headmaster?”
“Now see here, lad!” Moody growled.
Harry arched a brow, “I’m not fifteen anymore, Mad-eye. You're not quite as intimidating as you used to be.”
“What…what do we need to do?” Marlene asked quietly, her eyes glued to the seething man in front of her.
“Nothing. I am going to find my wife. And then, we are going home. Assuming nothing has happened to her, I might even attempt to persuade her to leave her memories, but it depends on how generous we’re feeling. I might not bother. First though, I’m going to call a few people. I trust them, you see. And it might take them all to stop me murdering you.”
The Order paled as he took a small contraption out of his pocket and placed it on the floor muttering an incantation over it.
“Potter?” a voice drawled.
“They have no idea where she is.”
There was a long pause. “She's missing?”
“Yes! I’m implementing emergency protocol. All of you be ready in ten minutes.”
“Alright,” the voice sighed, “But Potter…Granger's never failed at anything she put her mind to it’ll be fine.”
“Her name's Potter!" Harry growled.
The voice snorted, “She’ll always be Granger to me Potter. I’ll get the Weasel and Red to pass on the message I assume you want everyone? Pans’ll be furious, she and Blaise were heading to Australia today.”
“Yes to everyone. Pansy’ll be fine. If anything's happened to Hermione, we both know she’ll want revenge.”
“True enough. She’ll be fine though. It's Granger!”
“She’d better be,” Harry growled.
Silently the Order contemplated just who this woman was that she had people willing to go to war for her; James and Lily never took their eyes off their son. Their son who was currently older than they were and clearly furious with them.
All of them watched nervously as Harry sat down, casting a silent spell that made a timer appear next to him. Apparently, he had been deadly serious about giving whoever he was speaking to ten minutes.
The resounding crash just as the timer expired made all of them jump. “Potter,” a tall blonde man strode in.
“Malfoy!” Sirius hissed.
Draco raised an eyebrow, looking down his nose at the man, “Yes, Cousin?”
Sirius’ jaw dropped. “Have we got a plan?” a regal, dark-haired woman asked, directing her question at Harry.
“No, Pans give us a minute.”
She huffed, “I swear to Merlin if we miss out on two weeks on a beach because this lot is fucking incompetent I will flay them all alive. I’ve been looking forward to this for months!”
Beside her, a dark-skinned man grinned, “I do so love your murderous tendencies, darling. Let's get Granger back and then we can discuss the particulars.”
“Blaise,” a redheaded woman growled, “No murder until after we have facts.”
“Fine, Red,” he huffed, “always such a killjoy.”
“Is someone going to explain what happened?” The tallest of the three redheaded men asked.
“Ask them,” Harry muttered.
“Will do.” Fred nodded, turning to look at the astonished Order.
“Well, we’re waiting,” George prompted.
“It's not like Mione to rush off on her own,” Neville mused. “Oh…hi Gran!”
Augusta's jaw dropped as her eyes raked over the man standing in front of her. He was tall, handsome with a look of her Frank but with Alice’s colouring. Beside him, a short blonde woman snorted slightly before her eyes drifted to the side.
“Oh. Aunt Amy.”
Amelia Bones blinked a few times before waving slightly. “Are you…going to introduce yourselves?”
Draco rolled his eyes, “Apparently it's only polite given that we may murder you. So Granger says anyway. I've never understood her logic, it hardly matters if you know our names, your dead either way.” he almost laughed at the looks of horror that flashed over the faces of those watching them. “Draco Malfoy.” he turned introducing the rest of the group, “Pansy and Blaise Zabini, Neville Longbottom, Susan…ah Bones, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny Weasely. Now where the fuck is Granger?”
“They let her leave,” Harry growled, “Wouldn't let her explain.”
Ginny frowned, “Why not?”
“Peter wouldn't betray us!” Sirius stated defiantly. Pansy sent him flying into a wall.
“Listen here you inbred arsehole, if my friend is hurt in any way because you are in fucking denial I will skin you slowly. Am I clear? That snivelling piece of shit lived in Draco’s house for a while, always looking when he shouldn't be. He made my fucking skin crawl.” Sirius’ eyes were wide as she advanced on him, the rest of the Order too stunned to intervene. “He let you rot in Azkaban for twelve years. He led the Dark Lord to James and Lily Potter's house and then twelve years later, resurrected the mad bastard. He murdered Cedric Diggory and he fucking enjoyed the torture of those the Dark Lord brought in for his followers to play with.”
The entire room was silent as Ginny casually strolled over and pulled Pansy back. “If she's hurt, I’ll help. But first, let's find her, yeah? The kids would like their mother back.”
All of those watching paled further. “You have children?” Lily squeaked.
“Four,” Harry growled.
“Then why did she come here?”
“Because other than me, she knew the most. I wasn't sure I could handle being here so she offered. She was meant to be here and back in days.”
“But it would have changed everything, you might not have even been married, “Albus protested.
Harry sneered at him, “My wife is considered the brightest witch of her age. She wouldn't do anything to jeopardise our children. We’ve been working on this for years.”
“Theo says he's sending the tracker,” Draco spoke suddenly, “He’d also like me to remind you, Red, that you promised him that weekend away when your mum had the kids…and gods I’m not repeating that!”
Ginny laughed at his look of disgust, taking the notebook from him. “Ah. I did promise that.”
“Salazar, I did not need to know that. Let's find Granger so that Susan can obliviate me at home.” he shuddered.
“Luna says she's tethered the tracker, apparently if things are dire you can use it as a portkey.”
Harry paled, “Things had better not be fucking dire.” he muttered.
“It’s Mione, mate. She’ll be fine. She's fucking terrifying at the best of times, but when she's angry?” Ron shuddered. “Well…maybe she’ll have already taken out the mad bastard.”
George looked thoughtful, “Nah, I wouldn't put money on Bellatrix either way though.”
“Bellatrix is dead,” Marlene murmured,” two days ago.”
The Order looked startled when the group perked up. “Is she really?” Fred checked, “How did she die?”
Marlene shuddered, “Tortured, and….carved into. She was dumped outside the Ministry, it was…not pleasant.”
There was a slightly stunned silence before the travelling group laughed, “Well then Potter, that answers the question as to whether your delightfully vindictive wife is alive.” Draco snorted.
“What did she write on the bitch?” Neville asked with a grin.
“Traitor.” Marlene stammered.
“Not what I thought she’d go for,” Pansy mused.
“You think…you think that your wife murdered Bellatrix?” James asked Harry, his face screwed up in disgust.
“I’d bet my vault on it.” he replied with a grin, before turning to Sirius, “I’ll tell her you said thank you.”
“Me?” he spluttered, “Why the fuck would I be thanking your psychotic wife.”
Harry's face went hard instantly, “Because that bitch murdered you. She tortured the Longbottoms into insanity and she fucking tortured and carved into my psychotic wife. Did you let her explain anything?”
“There is…there is no excuse for murder.” Albus protested.
All of the group snorted, “Do be quiet old man, we sacrificed our childhood for your thestralshite, so if you don't like our methods, you’ve only yourself to blame. We are, after all, exactly what you made us.” Susan scoffed.
“You cannot blame me for that woman's decision to murder!” Albus retorted heatedly.
“We can actually,” Harry replied with a shrug, “And we do. If you had told us anything, given us a clue, actually fucking dealt with the Horcruxes yourself, involved the Order, not sent three fucking teenagers on an impossible treasure hunt…any of it…Hermione would never have been near Bellatrix. As it is…she was just returning the favour. Given that she still wakes screaming several times a week, I think that's fair.”
The Order flinched. “Was she…badly hurt?” Lily ventured.
She almost recoiled when her son swivelled to face her, “Bellatrix held her under the cruciatus for almost two hours, trying to get information out of her. She was eighteen and we’d already been starving in a tent for months. She has mudblood carved into her arm. It won't heal, the wound is cursed. She has a wound on her neck from the same blade. What do you think?”
“Sweet Merlin,” Someone cursed, all of them looking horrified.
“I wonder how the pink toad is faring?” Ginny asked with a slight grin that was suddenly echoed around the group.
“Oh fuck, if Bellatrix is dead…she only hurt Mione. The toad hurt you,” Ron's grin grew wider.
“I hope we get there before she starts,” George muttered as Fred laughed.
“Oh yes, what do you think? I must not be a heinous bitch?”
“There are colours other than pink?” Pansy suggested, fighting to keep her face straight.
“I’m a waste of magic?” Blaise threw in.
“Bows are for five-year-olds?” Neville suggested.
“Who are you talking about?” James exploded.
“Oh…Delores Umbridge. I assume you're familiar. Remus certainly will be.” Ron answered.
“What…what did she do?” Augusta asked, watching them in horror.
“She carved into students with a fucking blood quill during detention. No one stopped her.” Harry replied, his voice even before he lifted his hand making a fist so the words stood out against his skin.
“I must not tell lies,” Minerva murmured. “Where was I ?”
“Oh you were there Professor,” he snorted, “No one did a damn thing.”
“None of us?” she checked looking nauseated.
“No. Not one of you.”
“Do you think she deserves to die for it?” Remus asked, speaking for the first time.
“For that? Not entirely.” Harry replied contemplatively, “For heading the Muggleborn Registration Committee, sentencing them all to Azkaban and snapping their wands after accusing them of stealing their magic, causing many to go insane under the dementors influence, ripping apart families with a muggleborn parent, vilifying children, and threatening to crucio me when we didn't give her the answers she wanted, I think I’m ok with her dying for that.”
“Sweet Mother of Morganna.” Minerva breathed as the Order retreated to stunned silence.
“Ah, the tracker has a location!” Blaise exclaimed. “For fuck's sake, Red! Remind your fucking husband that more than you is reading these messages. Has he no shame?”
Ginny grinned, “None at all. It's one of the things I like best.”
“Where is she?” Harry cut in.
“Little Hangleton,” Blaise replied. “Why the fuck is she there?”
Harry rolled his eyes. “Stay here. None of the rest of you know where it is. Malfoy, you're with me.”
Draco saluted him with a roll of his eyes, “Yes Boss. Graveyard?”
Harry nodded sharply, twisting out of the room, Draco following after.
They arrived in the graveyard at Little Hangleton, Harry barely touching the ground before he took off for the village at a run. “For fucks sake, Potter,” Draco muttered chasing after him, throwing up a shield automatically when Harry tackled the diminutive form of his wife to the ground with no warning. Granger tended to hex first and ask questions later.
“Ha…Harry!” Hermione exclaimed.
“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” he demanded.
“Hello to you too, darling. I’m well, How are you?” she replied sarcastically, before looking up “Ah…Malfoy.”
“Granger,” Draco nodded, attempting to hide his grin.
“Hermione!” Harry growled. “What the fuck are you doing!”
She sighed, her head hitting the ground. “Missed you,” she murmured.
Harry's face softened as he moved off her and pulled her to her feet before wrapping his arms around her. “Missed you too, you fucking infuriating witch. Now I’ll ask again, what the fuck are you doing?”
She sighed, “They wouldn't listen but you still deserved parents.”
“Not at the cost of you,” he murmured into her hair.
“I’m fine.” she protested.
“You're doing this on your own! That's not fine, Hermione!”
“How many do you have?” Draco asked suddenly.
“Oh. This is the last one.”
“How?” he gaped. “
“I had a bit of help,” she confessed sheepishly.
“From?” Harry prompted.
“Want to meet them?” she grinned. “You’ll never fucking believe me otherwise.”
“Fine! But I want an actual fucking explanation. Bellatrix, Hermione?” Harry raised a brow pointedly.
“Technically that wasn't me..”
“Technically?” Draco probed.
“Well…I might have had a hand in ah…acquiring her but I didn't touch her after that.”
Neither of them looked like they believed her. “Who the fuck are you working with?” Harry barked.
“Let me send a quick Patronus and then you can see.”
“How's Umbridge?” Draco checked.
Hermione flushed. “Well…. she's alive if that's what you're asking.”
“For how long?” Harry asked shrewdly.
She shrugged, “Undecided. We had been discussing killing two birds with one stone and just leaving her with some poison and Greyback. He wouldn't be able to resist biting her, if the potion was slow acting enough she’d realise what was happening. Obviously, we’d need to be really mindful of the dose so it killed him too, we hadn't quite worked out how to make that happen.”
“Fuck me, Granger. I forget how terrifying you are until you say shit like that.” Draco muttered, barely restraining his grin.
Hermione laughed, “Right, Horcrux then meeting?”
“Fine,” Harry sighed, knowing it wasn't really a question.
“Fabulous. I almost had the wards down. Be careful they're particularly nasty.”
Draco and Harry stood at either side of her, lifting their wands to help, all of them feeling the blast as the last ward fell.
“Interesting, I wonder if he felt that,” Draco murmured.
“Oh, I doubt it, I chucked down a containment box before I started,” Hermione shrugged, “Maybe if I hadn't.”
“Of fucking course you did,” Draco muttered with a smirk.
“Right, shields up- mental and otherwise. It might be best if Harry deals with it actually, being a parselmouth and all.”
“Fine.” Harry sighed, hissing something at the door that swung open for them. He hissed something else once they stepped into the room, all of them wrinkling their nose at the smell.
“If ever there was an argument against inbreeding,” Draco muttered, looking around him, startling slightly at the floorboard that was glowing. “It's in there then?”
“So it would seem. Hermione, levitate the board. I’ll see if parseltongue is enough to get it to come to us. I assume you’ve a dampening box?”
She nodded, fishing in her pocket for a tiny box she enlarged before handing it to him as he hissed out an instruction and the ring floated up and towards the box.
“I bet if old Dumbles had had any idea it was that easy, he’d have dragged Potter along all those years ago,” Draco muttered as Harry snapped the lid shut.
Hermione laughed, “Probably. Shall we head?”
“Where?” Harry asked with narrow eyes.
“Harry Potter, don't you trust me?”
“Implicitly.” he responded without hesitation, “Now where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she grinned, as she grabbed their hands without warning and apparated away.