The initial meeting between the two realities left all involved tired, confused and embittered at the state of the world in which they currently resided. The three original residents had lived this reality all their lives and had no concept that any other path had been possible. Harry and Hermione both knew from the past that a minor change to a minor event could significantly alter the course of events to follow.
This world was the reality of the Veil. It was the same world, with the same basic laws of nature, but different. The Marauders, with one exception, were all here. The evil defeated in one reality had flourished here, and had shown far more suffering then the couple thought possible. They remembered the hate and anger in Tom Riddle, but that seemed so long ago.
That evening they enjoyed a hearty meal proving that even a wizard could stalk and kill game. The venison steaks were cooked over a raw flame on an iron grate. Hermione had enjoyed a similar meal as a girl, when a close family friend returned from a hunt. This meal was just the raw flesh grilled without the seasonings that brought out the natural flavors of the meat. The outside garden provided fresh vegetables, and from wild vines the wizards had learned to produce their own wines in small batches. That wine was, as the main dinner fare had been, devoid of the sophisticated methods employed in the other realities, and held a natural and unaltered flavor.
Sitting around the fire in the cabin, Hermione sat tucked in Harry's lap . The air of contentment they held showed through the troubled times, and the mutual feelings they had radiated to the three Marauders. James watched them closely, he longed for a woman that he could love that deeply and Harry was proof that he had at some other point in some other reality.
Hermione needed to know for herself what had become of her family. "I want to go to London and find my parents." She said this softly so only Harry would hear her, but the Marauders knew she would try to find her family, and two of them had very acute hearing owing to their animagi forms.
"London's not a safe place; they have wards in place to track anyone that apparates in. That bastard is paranoid someone will try to kill him. Many had tried once, a long time ago." Moony commented offhandedly.
Startled she looked up to the man that had been their professor. She gave him a puzzled look and he simply smiled and pointed to his ears.
"I need to find them, see if they're alive. I need to know." Hermione stated plainly. "If either of my parents are alive I will find them."
"Moony's right," James added. "If you go there, you'll be picked up in minutes. There are wards detecting portkeys and apparations. If you only had a broom, you might have a chance. But you'll have to wait; tonight's the full moon.
"It's a good night for a hunt, but I'd steer clear of populated areas." Lupin added.
"Uhhh, Harry, if it's a full moon, shouldn't he be restrained?" She asked nervously. As much as she liked and respected him, this was the most dangerous time to be around him.
"You're right. Remus, are you going to be okay tonight?"
"What's this obsession with me all of a sudden? And while we're discussing it, what makes you think I'm a werewolf?"
"Well, you were bitten and that's how you all became animagi, to keep him safe, isn't it?" She offered this information openly and with concern for him as their friend, but she still sounded shaky.
"Maybe in your world I was bitten, but I can assure you I'm not a werewolf."
"Then why do they still call you 'Moony'? It was always because…" Harry tried to defend her comments, but was quickly cut off.
"You want to tell the story or shall we?" James dug at his friend's obvious discomfort and decided to push on. "Ok, then I'll tell it. You see, we became friends as children; Sirius was thrown out of his home for his refusal to attend the academy Voldemort established after shutting down Hogwarts after our second year. My parents were assassinated for refusing to send me there as well. And one afternoon in Diagon Alley, we encountered this strange old gent, half moon glasses, long hair and beard. He approached us to offer to help us learn in an underground school. That's where we met Moony. We shared a room with him right from the start, and we have been fast friends since."
"That must have been Dumbledore. I was hoping he was still around." Harry chipped in.
"Yes his name was Albus Dumbledore, a great man, but he was murdered eleven years ago by one of Voldemort's lackeys, Severus Snape, I think it was. Anyway, when we were-" he leaned into Sirius for a moment for a quick consultation, "sixteen he snuck out of the rooms. We had to follow him, of course. And we found him down by the stream past the pitch dancing with some girl. What was her name? Vicky something, she was a year younger. He was dancing with her under the moonlight in that glen on the other side of the stream, and his eyes were as huge as the moon."
"Ever since, he's been Moony."
"What happened to the girl? Did you see her again?" Hermione asked.
"She died a few years later, both her parents were muggles. She was caught in the 'Purification'. Moony almost died with her, but a freak incident stopped him from catching her."
"Oh. Remus, I'm so sorry. If it's any comfort, you've been like family to us."
"Forget it. That was a lifetime ago." He turned from the group to refill his beverage, but stayed away for several minutes.
Hermione stood and walked to his side, to find him remembering his lost passion, and his feelings for that girl in the moonlight. "If it's any consolation, you've lived a happy life with us, and have found someone that's been crazy about you for years." She said softly, soothingly.
"Who's that?" he asked.
She smiled slyly, winked and lowered her voice to continue their conversation privately, "Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius'cousin and an Auror in our world, she and Kingsley Shacklebolt were assigned to hunt Sirius after he escaped. They were both members of the Order and helped keep him safe.
"Remus, that freak incident James mentioned, what was it?" Hermione asked, she had been playing the events in her mind, and that was one of many unanswered questions.
"It was during the summer, I was on my way to get Vicky and I ran into some red-haired girl with the brightest green eyes, she was being chased during the 'Purifications.' I think she was a muggle-born."
Excited at this news, Hermione pressed for more information. "What happened to her?"
He sighed deeply and thought about the events, thoughts he had fought to suppress for thirty-five years. "I was alone in London, trying to avoid confrontation and trying to make my way to Vicky's home, when I saw that other girl. She was being attacked by the patrols looking for anyone of mixed lineage. I stopped short in the alley and watched those animals. She begged for mercy time and time again. I transformed to my wolf form to get closer, thinking I could help. There was nothing I could do, there were too many of them. The leader was a wizard I remember seeing before, he had long white hair, and an attitude that made me want to retch when I had to deal with him, Malfoy, I think was his name. They held her and repeatedly raped her. I heard she was then raped and murdered by Voldemort himself. She was never seen again."
In near tears, Hermione willed her eyes to stop their swelling, by blinking furiously. She tried to take this news in and decided not to tell Harry, the shock might be more then even he could take. She decided, however, that she would steer him away from seeking her, knowing her fate.
"By the time I got to Vicky's home," Remus continued, "she was taken and killed. Although I could never prove it, I believe it was Snape and his henchmen; he had grown close to Voldemort, and held his confidence. If we can kill that bastard, I'll feel we've accomplished some good."
The pair remained to the side in their private conversation while another discussion also continued.
"When would you suggest we go to London? Can we get to Diagon Alley for supplies?" Harry asked, noticing the other two engaged in their private conversation.
"I wouldn't recommend it for either of you; if it's not safe for us you wouldn't stand a chance. We all have a bounty on us for refusing to kneel before that madman." Sirius answered, hoping that would be the end of the discussion.
The younger wizard grinned and looked at his wife; they had the combined ability needed, her intellect and his power. 'Tomorrow I' ll show dad what we' re capable of.' He thought.
"I suggest we all get a good night's sleep, I'm sorry the accommodations are a bit rough." James longed to spend the night talking to this young man and his wife; he could feel the pull from his heart that only comes from a close tie.
Harry stood as looked at the arranged mats on the floor in the corner, and since there wasn't room for them all in this small shack; he quietly excused himself and left the single room cabin. On the way out he picked up the rucksack he managed to grab back at the Burrow, and gave Hermione's arm a light squeeze, to which she simply nodded a reply. Outside he looked at his choices, sleep in a crowded cabin or under the stars, or create other shelter for them. He pulled a small piece of cloth from the backpack and placed it on the ground. These actions drew the interest of the Marauders, as Hermione bid them goodnight and left to join him outside.
He stood motionless and passed his hand over the piece of cloth. A flash from his outstretched hands struck the cloth and it expanded before him. From that small scrap a large comfortable tent appeared, inside the comforts of a sleeping bag large enough for two. Three wizards watched at his ability to transfigure a scrap of cloth into decent accommodation, a feat not easily accomplished.
"Tricky kid that one, Prongs. Too bad that conjured tent won't last the night."
Hermione waved a good-night as she slipped into the tent after Harry, a cool blue glow from inside revealed a couple that sought each other as soon as they were alone. The only other trace that the Marauders were not alone was the occasional giggle from the tent.
Morning found them all anxious to prove this world was worthy of saving. It had been several months since any of them had ventured into London, or even away from this sanctuary. The tent outside the shack was still there, much to the surprise of the elder wizards. A conjured item never lasted that long.
Harry and Hermione greeted the morning and their new companions with the unmistakable aroma of sausages and tea from the shack. They had obviously been up for a while. In that twilight period between putting one's head on the pillow and actual sleep, she conceived a plan. They would split up as best they could, the Marauders would transform into their animagi forms, thereby being undetectable to the wards while she and Harry would fly in as close as possible and then sneak in as muggles.
Before they packed their little encampment to leave, Harry sat with her in the privacy of the tent. They both knew the possible dangers involved, and the potential discoveries. "I know you want to find your family, but I want to find my mum too, I need to know what happened." Harry told her.
The revelations from Remus tore into her thoughts, Lily was most likely dead. The possibility her parents were also dead loomed heavily over her heart. This world was the bleakest existence possible. She was unable to divine a common thread through any of these changes, but she did have her theories. Since Grindelwald had joined forces with the Nazi party, that meant Dumbledore didn't defeat him, but since her history showed that conflict in 1945 and in this world Grindelwald came to power in 1943, there had to be another thread. The Burrow had existed at that time, but was destroyed recently, within the past fifteen years. Their home in Godric's Hollow never seemed to exist; there were no ruins evident. That house was relatively new, only a couple of hundred years old. Hogwarts had existed, that much was certain.
The trip to London began easily enough, they apparated within a few miles of the border. The Marauders were well acquainted with the boundaries and guided them to a safe point. The three Marauders would transform into their animal forms and enter the city that way; Harry and Hermione would enter from a different direction. Harry produced two items from the rucksack, the first for concealment, his father's old cloak, and the only possession from his Godfather from so many years ago. The Firebolt was shrunk to a convenient size and when he expanded it, his father's eyes widened at the sight of such a broom. As wide as James'eyes grew, her eyes narrowed.
Hermione sighed at the sight of his Firebolt, and although she had explicit confidence in his ability, she still detested this means of transportation. "Can't we walk? Or, James, can you let me ride on your back?"
"Just get on, you'll be safe. We'll stay close to the ground anyway and skirt around the buildings. That should hide us for the most part."
"I know, but I hate those things. I wish I knew when that changed, Hermia said she loved to fly."
"Just hold on, you'll be fine. I'll never drop you." With that, she slid up on the shaft and nuzzled into his lap. She felt his arms surround her in the familiar embrace on his broom. There were moments she truly was afraid, but she knew when he held her tight, she always felt safe.
He flipped the cloak around them and noticed she shivered slightly; he still had that oversize tunic, which he now wore as an overcoat, and pulled the extra length of the sides around her. The wolf, stag and large dog watched them disappear, and Harry imagined double takes by the three animals. He kicked off and they soared overhead, he stayed as close to the ground as possible, unless there were people out and about.
The first stop would be to the outskirts of London, where her parents had lived and died. They hoped there would be some evidence of the Grangers. The house she expected did not exist. The neighbourhood itself was desolate and mostly abandoned, with only a few dwellings occupied. House after house of all the children she knew in her early life either didn't exist or were strangely different.
In the shadows, they noticed a large wolf and stag hiding while the black dog scouted forward. A sharp bark brought the three together in another place of concealment. Harry landed in one of the spots of concealment to review the next step, as the home she sought was no longer there, or possible never was.
"Okay, so now we know you parents' home isn't here, but it's still possible that may be elsewhere, there's a payphone in that restaurant. Mione, you go and check the phone book, I'll keep the bloke at the bar busy."
This improvised plan was quickly executed. She had remembered her covert training from the days the trio had been in Auror training. They folded the cloak and he shrunk his broom back to a size for the rucksack. She slung it over her shoulders, and wrapped a spare jumper around her waist for the appearance of a traveller through the countryside. He pulled the belt from his trousers and used it to hold the tunic closed.
She entered the establishment first with Harry close behind. The others remained outside under cover, since they were known by sight.
"Excuse me, do you have a public telephone?" she asked the teenager working behind the bar. He pointed to a small cupboard with an old-fashioned pull door at the end of the room. Hermione casually walked to the phone, picked up the receiver and pretended to put a coin in the slot. She then opened the directory and quickly scanned the pages until she found a single listing that interested her, he maternal grandmother was still alive, or more correctly, she was still alive at the time that book was printed. She memorized the listing and hung up the receiver. Before she exited, she scanned the main room of the restaurant, and noted only one man had entered since she had.
The man stood at the counter and seemed to be in a heated discussion with the waiter, she looked carefully and noticed Harry stood outside the building, leaning against a tree. The man arguing with the waiter seemed to believe there was a discrepancy in the bill, and wanted the value adjusted. She took this opportunity to slip out of the booth and out the restaurant before being questioned.
She walked past Harry and noticed his lips moving as he watched the heated discussion. She appeared to ignore him and kept walking until she came to a secluded spot, where three others waited. James no longed maintained his stag form, while Sirius and Remus both remained in animagi form.
After a few moments, Harry joined them. She gave him a sight puzzled look, he shrugged his shoulders and casually replied. "All I said was I was going to distract the bloke at the counter, I never said how I was going to do it. I figured I could make that fellow think he was done and his bill was off by a quid."
"Mind control?" His father asked.
"I learned the basics in the fifth and sixth years, and found it comes in handy."
"But I never saw a wand."
"He hasn't held one since he…"
"Since I killed Voldemort in our world. I vowed to never use one again." He finished her thoughts, as he always seemed to do.
"I found my mum's mum, she's nearby, about two or three miles from here." She sounded excited and could hardly contain her news. Harry tried to support her enthusiasm, but from what they had already seen, this may not hold much hope.
Her grandmother's home was still in the outskirts of Victoria Park, on the far side of London. The trip across London lasted nearly the entire day, both Harry and Hermione had a major advantage over the three Marauders, they were formally trained in their craft, while the Marauders had been self taught after leaving Dumbledore's underground school. As skilled and powerful as they were, the three were not even near Hermione's level. And Harry was that much more powerful and advanced. Harry was trained for combat; she had basic combat training, but advanced as a healer.
A single wave of his hand transformed the appearances of the Marauders from the hard and rough look of those hiding in the forest for months at a time to clean cut muggles heading about their daily business.
They made best use of muggle transportation, buses and the underground to traverse the city. They were delayed due to errors in which bus or which train to take. They arrived at Hermione's grandmother's home near dinnertime, and the younger couple finished the journey. The Marauders remained a few blocks away, having stopped for take-away to satisfy their hunger, complements of some sleight of hand by Harry, changing a scrap of paper into a five-pound note.
She walked to the front door with her husband at her side. He had never met her grandmother, as in his world she had passed away that summer they spent abroad. She knocked on the door to be greeted by a matron in her fifties, the same age as the Marauders but also too young to be Hermione's grandmother.
When Hermione saw the woman she bit her lip to prevent jumping into her arms, Harry, too had to restrain himself. "Excuse the interruption, we're looking for a distant relative, is this the Locks residence?"
"Yes, it is, and whom may I ask are you?"
Harry spoke first, "My name is Herman Grattor, and this is my wife Harriet."
She dug her nails into his palm, to show her recognition to the alias he used.
"I have a distant cousin I was told lives here, we're visiting from Little Whinging, where my husband's family lives. I was told by my mum before she passed away about this side of the family and we wanted to finally meet you."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Grattor, but I know there are no relations unknown. Good day." She began to close the door to these strangers.
"Please, Alycia, wait." Harry blurted.
"How did you know my name?" she hissed.
"May we come in? This may take some explaining."
She hesitated, and after a few minutes of staring at the woman standing before her, agreed and opened the door. From a vantage point across the street, three men watched the couple enter the house.
Once inside, Harry took charge, knowing Hermione was choked up at the sight of her dead mother. Alycia had offered them a seat in the front room, and excused herself for a minute to provide refreshments. Hermione looked the room over and visually examined the objects that adorned the walls. This was the home of her grandmother; she remembered it from her childhood. She remembered the porcelain figurines that filled the shelves; one in particular caught her attention.
She stood and walked to a delicate figure of a witch on a broom, she held it in her hands examining the object intently. "Harry, I remember this one, it was one of my favorites and I remember when I was six I dropped it. I was terrified Gran would be angry. I willed it back together. But there was one piece missing." She held the figure in her hands, and at that moment Alycia dropped the tray, startled by the revelations Hermione just made.
Before the tray hit the floor, Harry froze the teapot and cups in mid-air with a wave of his hand. He quickly stood and closed the distance to his mother-in-law. Before any of this registered, he again waved a hand and uttered 'Sliencio' preventing the inevitable scream.
"Please, Alycia, wait. Please sit." He held her by the shoulders and motioned the tray to the table. He then motioned to her again, allowing her to speak. "Let me explain …"
"You're one of 'them', aren't you, and you," she pointed to Hermione, "You're one too."
Hermione couldn't contain herself, she rushed to her mother and grabbed for her hands, which were quickly pulled away. With full eyes, ready to burst, she looked at her mother, and produced her wand. Without a sound, she called to a box in a cupboard. That box flew into the room and a single picture was extracted. She held that picture next to her.
"Mum, please look at me." She begged.
"I am not you mother; I would have drowned your kind given the chance." She hissed.
"Please, listen to her; we're not from this world."
"Mum, please, I've missed you." Hermione forgot herself and tried again to embrace her mother and again she was pushed off.
"GET OUT, you, and your kind are vermin; you've cheapened life and killed for fun. There's nothing you can say that I want to hear."
"Mum, please. I think we're here to fix all this, but I needed to see you." She tried to hold the hand that held her as a baby in her world. All she received was a slap across the face.
The imprint on her cheek grew red in contrast to her pale complexion. Hermione's palm began to sting, and she glared at Harry. His anger at the fruitless attack was more then he could stand.
"Enough, Alycia, she's your daughter, Hermione Jane Granger. This is the first time in more than ten years that she's been able to see you. You have NO idea how much she's been hurt because of what's happened. PLEASE listen with an open mind." Harry ranted at his mother-in-law.
The woman knew wizards had the power to kill, she also knew her actions sealed her fate. Hermione knelt at her mother's feet, hoping to convince her. She held the picture one more time to her face and this time her mother looked. She looked at a woman's tear streaked face next to a picture of herself, half a lifetime ago. Hermione knew her grandmother kept family pictures in a box in a certain place. She hoped this would at least allow her the chance to plead her case.
"Mum, please. We're from a world like this one, but different. It's difficult to explain."
As she started to explain, three men entered the house, the look of sheer horror spread across Alycia's face. The men stood in the hall of the house, each held a thin rod of wood pointed at the people in the front room. Harry stood and approached the three strangers.
"Harry, we need to leave, they may know you're here."
He turned to the two women, still at odds with each other. "Love, we need to go. Alycia, I can help only if you want my help. If we wanted to hurt you, would we have asked to come in? No. We would have barged in and taken over."
"Mum, please. I have to go, I just …"
"So you claim I'm your mother. Then tell me, who's your father?"
"His name was Alex Granger, you both shared a dentistry practice and were very much in love. I remember you both so well."
"I don't know anyone named Alex Granger."
"That's what we're trying to understand. Mum, this is Harry Potter, my husband. We've been married ten years, these three are as close to family that he has. This is Sirius, his godfather, Remus and that is James Potter, Harry's father."
She spent the next half hour explaining all she knew, her world and the events that led them to this world. She explained about Eileen being the only living family she has. When she finished, a nervous group of wizards watched the street for any signs of disturbance. After all her explanations she was unsure of her mother's reaction.
"Mum, please, I need to try and find Eileen, she may have some insight to what's happened. There's a special connection between us and I know she has the answers."
"You're a witch, why don't you just 'pop' over where she is and leave me out of it. Your 'friends' keep such a close watch on each other, I'm sure you can ask them. And if this 'Eileen' is a relative as you say, then why don't I know her?"
"I told you, she's from daddy's side, but I haven't been able to find any trace of him. Just you through Gran's phone."
"Then, I suggest you try the same approach, or are you too dense to work it out?"
"Alycia, I appreciate you being upset, however, I am beginning to tire of your attitude. We have come here to find answers and help. You've done nothing but despise us; we haven't done anything to you. Now are you going to help?"
"Or what? You left out your threat, that's what you people do. Go ahead, I've nothing to lose."
"Then I have no choice, Hermione, this is for the best." He held his hand level to her head, his hand began to glow slightly, and he placed his hand on her forehead. Alycia's body stiffened, and the three Marauders watched stricken with terror that he was doing something to this woman. He held her head for a moment and reached his hand to Hermione, who took his outstretched hand in hers.
After a moment the three separated, Hermione felt her knees wobble. Her mother fell back into a chair and stared at the wizard.
"I- I understand. I didn't know how. Hermione please. I thought you and Harry were here to hurt us." She held her arms out and Hermione's wish was granted, she felt her mother's love once more, even if this was in a different reality.
"Where did you learn that?" James asked.
"From Albus," was his reply, mother and daughter sat together, it was the least Harry could do. "Alycia, I'm afraid you can't remember any of this when we leave. If they find you they will tear these thoughts from your mind. You do understand?"
"Yes, Harry, yes." She never stopped holding or looking at Hermione. "The telephone directory is in the hall, but if you're looking for a remote number in the States, use the computer."
Hermione gave her mother another hug and kiss, before pulling away, this was her realm. And within a few minutes she had the information she needed.
"Harry, she's still in Ponce Inlet. Should we try to go there directly? Mum, we can take you and Gran with us there; you'll be safe, I'm certain."
"You never asked me, your grandmother passed away last year and I've lived here since. I had nowhere else to go. There's nothing here I value, so, yes. I would only if she wants me there."
With that, Harry nodded to the Marauders in an inquiring way, and each nodded in agreement. He picked up the photo Hermione had used, and laid it on the table. She then produced her wand and gave it a wave while uttering the incantation. Harry instructed the woman to simply touch the photo and when all six people had at least a finger on the photo, the room emptied.