A/N: Thank you SO much to those who reviewed! :) To ShootingStar, MissLexiRe, swimchick1614, Katakali and Hermione Pheonix. Thanks for all your reviews. :) You guys made my day. ::grin::
Sorry if there isn't much action (verbal and non-verbal)... yet. I'm still trying to build it up through thoughts. :) Don't worry, it'll progress.
Chapter Summary: We'll have a glimpse of Michael and Kate, Hermione's back at Hogwarts, and some sinister and not so sinister plans and surprises are abound.
Chapter Two: Memories
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Harry and Hermione sat in comfortable silence as they took in the park's pleasant atmosphere. The sun was shining brightly and a satisfying breeze passed as small children were running back and forth, enjoying the glorious weather. They were seated a couple of inches apart, Hermione's bag seated between them. Harry was successfully fighting the urge to take her hand and hold it. Hermione was the first one to speak.
"What time are you going back to work?" She asked.
There was a pause before Harry replied, "I can go back anytime I want, actually."
Hermione turned her head towards him and smiled, "Would you like to have tea at my house before going?"
"Gladly." Harry replied with a grin.
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As Harry and Hermione arrived at the Granger's front porch, they heard fumbling noises coming from inside. Hermione just raised her her eyebrows and rang the bell. After a few more fumbling, mumbling and scuffling noises were heard, the door was finally opened, revealing two trying to be innocent-looking eleven-year-olds.
The girl was an inch shorter than the boy, her hair as bushy as Hermione's when she was that age, except that it was a darker shade of brown and she wore it in pigtails. The boy had short hair, of course, much like the shade of Hermione's but it shared the same unkempt look like Harry's. The two kids, barely reaching Harry's chest, were looking at the two adults with wide peanut colored eyes.
"Hello!" They greeted with bright smiles.
Harry and Hermione shared bemused looks as they stepped inside.
"Hullo to you too, Michael." Harry laughed as he used his free hand to dishevel the boy's already mistreated hair.
"Hey!" the boy jokingly protested while the girl, Kate, laughed.
More laughter was heard as the group headed to the kitchen, Michael and Kate bombarding Harry with questions.
"Where've you been?" Michael asked eagerly.
"You haven't visited us in an awfully long time." Kate said with a bit of disappointment.
"Where's Ron?" Michael asked.
"Have you got a picture of any of those Midentors yet?" Michael asked.
"It's Dementors." Kate corrected.
"I know." Michael said off handedly. "So, how's Uncle Fred and Uncle George?" he continued asking.
"You didn't bring us any wizard candy, did you?" It was Kate this time.
Harry held up his hands as they settled themselves at the kitchen table. "One at a time!" he admonished with a chuckle.
Hermione turned to Harry and the two impatient kids. The three were seated at the small round kitchen table. Michael and Kate were seated across Harry while he answered their previous questions one by one animatedly. The two had grown inevitably close with most of Hermione's friends after their parents died, and undeniably very, very close to Harry. It was him that rescued them from the dark hole they locked themselves in after the tragedy. It was Harry who made them realize that there was still life after loss. It was Harry who helped them until their full recovery. It was Harry who gave them hope to start a new life. It was Harry who stayed by their side always.
At first, Hermione knew that Harry did it because he felt guilty. He felt guilty for all of it. However, as he spent more and more time with the twins, she guessed that they had formed a special bond with each other. Tears stung her eyes as she looked at them now. They wouldn't have gotten through without him. She wouldn't have gotten through without him. The foundation she built, crashed after her parents died and siblings injured, rebuilt with her friends' help, was threatened to fall again when they almost lost him after he defeated Voldemort. Even Michael and Kate, who barely moved in the early days, went as fast as they could to his side. The defeat of the Dark Side had given everyone new beginnings.
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September 14, 2000
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
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Hermione sighed as she walked away from the Charms corridor, her footsteps echoing through the deserted vicinity, and her dark blue robes billowing behind her as she did. Teaching the first, second and third years in succession today had been very trying. Only two weeks had passed since school had begun and already she was feeling fatigue. Not because she was tired of teaching, but because she had been having a hard time getting enough sleep during the past few nights. She would always have the strange feeling of dreaming about something… something significant. But she couldn't remember a thing every time she woke up. She guessed it was just because she lazed around too much for the summer, and her body needed getting used to the new schedule again. She sighed once more. She just wished she'd get a decent night's sleep.
She finally reached the tower to her chambers. It was a small one compared to the one beside it, which was Gryffindor Tower, but it's rooms were anything but small. It composed of a bathroom with toilet, shower, and bath, a bedroom with a comfortable four poster bed, in colors of scarlet and gold of course. A small common room was also there, just a small one with a comfortable couch, a low table and a fireplace, papers and all sorts of paraphernalia were a bit scattered on the table as she murmured a spell to create a fire. She walked through the carpeted floor, sat down on the couch heavily, and closed her eyes. She was really sleepy… but the back of her mind kept nagging her that there was something she had forgotten. What was it? She yawned and settled herself in a lying position on the couch. She was even too tired to change into her sleeping garments or go to the bedroom.
Hmmm… maybe tomorrow.
And she promptly drifted off to sleep.
- - - - -
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Hermione moaned and turned. Was she dreaming? She groaned. Tap dancing? A couple of more soft 'tap's were heard as she slowly opened her eyes. She moaned again, now in frustration. She couldn't have been asleep that long, now, could she? Now she could faintly hear a clicking, and a hoot. Wait a minute… a hoot? The noises continued as she slowly roused herself.
Tap!
"What the bloody hell?" She muttered. She sat up straight and looked around. Her grogginess only minimum because of the now loud noises. She looked towards the window and found a large, snowy white owl looking directly at her, clearly looking more frustrated at the effort of waking her.
"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed and sat up straight. It was Hedwig! She could see three more owls behind her, all looking a bit haggard. She hurriedly stood up and practically ran towards the window to open it. All of them flew as hurriedly towards the couch, their packages landing with a soft thump. She conjured a large bowl of water with her wand and placed it on the floor. The owls gratefully flew to it, obviously forgiving her for making them wait.
She knelt down beside them and gently stroked Hedwig. "I'm sorry." She murmured. Hedwig looked at her and just clicked her beak, her amber eyes accepting. Hermione smiled.
She silently observed the other three owls with her hands on her knees. One was a medium-sized brown barn owl, probably from Ron, she thought. Pig was still too small to carry packages. The other one was a large grayish black eagle owl. Draco… and probably Ginny too, she tilted her head and smiled.
Draco had worked together with Professor Snape, becoming spies for the Order. The 'accidental' death of Narcissa Malfoy had triggered his sudden retribution near the end of their sixth year. She remembered it clearly.
All of them had highly doubted his motives except maybe for Dumbledore and Snape. She had kept an open mind but still… who would even think it? Draco Malfoy! That name wasn't easily acqauinted with anything good. He refused to talk to any of the other members at first, confiding only to Dumbledore, and sometimes Lupin, surprisingly. Harry and the Weasleys had all their bets that Malfoy was going to bite their backs like a snake anytime. Except Ginny. Yes, except Ginerva Molly Weasley. Hermione saw them talking once, quite comfortably she had noted, amused. Both of them had stared at her like two innocent children caught stealing candies. She had just laughed it off to assure Ginny that her brothers wouldn't find out but apologized all the same for intruding.
In time, though, Draco was gradually accepted, not after a heroic act in the Second War was he fully accepted by the Weasleys. She didn't have that much of a hard time. She knew there was a hidden personality somewhere inside him that just needed to be encouraged. Harry and Ron were a different story, though, especially Ron. Finding out that Draco was secretly dating his youngest and only sister was in no way a help to ebb his contempt.
Now… well... now was different. They were officially adults and too much had happened to let childish anger get in the way of decency. All of them had learned to at least become friends, which was a huge relief. They would get together at least a couple of times a month, exchanging friendly banters and catching up. It was good.
She was distracted from her thoughts as she looked at the third owl. It was brown, a bit on the lumpy side, but what really got her attention was it's orange wing feathers. Orange? She chuckled. She was positive it was from Luna Lovegood.
She stood up and went to the couch to open the packages. She wondered what could've caused this. She sat down and got the first letter with the fine angular script. The one from Harry.
Dear Hermione,
Happy Birthday!
She paused, slapping her forehead with one hand. That's what it was! She loudly laughed at herself. She had forgotten her birthday, of all things! She leaned her back at the couch and continued reading with a wide grin plastered on her face.
How are you? I know it's been awhile but did you really think I'd forget your birthday? You're twenty, finally! I hope you didn't get yourself too worked up today. Sorry I wasn't able to drop by in person. I figured you'd be in class and everyone would be distracted. Ron just arrived last week, I reckon you already received his letter. He said he'd send his gift with his own owl. I'm a bit nervous about my gift even though Malfoy said I picked the best gift I could find.
I hope you're doing great. Send my regards to Dumbledore and the other professors.
Again, Happy Birthday!
Harry
She put down the letter with a smile, her heart feeling a whole lot lighter. She would open the other packages tomorrow, she decided. What she needed now was rest. She headed towards her bedroom, changed her clothes and crawled under the soothing covers. Tonight she looked forward to a good night's sleep.
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"Albus?"
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was sitting on his chair in his round office. His elbows were on the table, his hands raised one above the other where his head rested, his eyes closed.
There was a long moment of silence as Minerva MacGonagall, Hogwart's Headmistress waited for her companion's answer. Finally, Dumbledore opened his eyes, for once showing the signs of aging… and a bit of tiredness. MacGonagall clasped her hands together in anxiety.
"Yes, I'm afraid Minerva. It has begun."
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TBC
Up Next: Catastrophes.