The thin sheet of cloth continued to wave in the absent breeze; a lone couple stood motionless at the base of the raised dais. The hush of silence engulfed the room. A thin cord joined the pair at the wrist.
"Bugger that. I forgot how much I hate it. It seems worse then before," Harry said.
"We were fifteen years younger. We may be magical beings, but we are only human," Hermione replied while untying her wrist.
"Glad you remembered the cord. I can bear the lost feeling better knowing you're still there. It makes arriving easier when we don't have to wait," he said.
"Umm-hum." She looked about for a moment. "Darling, look for an indication of which of the many possible worlds we've fallen into. With luck, this may be the only one we have to go to."
"Right. It all appears normal - no signs of that battle we had," he said.
"My, you are getting old. Those battles were always in the court rooms, not in here," she corrected.
"I was… just checking to see if you remembered," he said.
"I see," she replied with a smirk. "I think we'd best see what's out there. It's obvious no one's been here in a while, the dais is covered in an even film of dust."
They left the dais that held the Arch and walked up the steps of the pit. They both held their breaths as he pushed the door, but it refused to move.
"Alohomora," she said, and the door opened. The corridor at first appeared to be empty, but then they heard voices and sounds. The doors to the Hall of Prophecies were slightly ajar, and the sounds emanated from that chamber. Move voices from several other rooms on the floor indicated they we not alone.
"We'd best stick to the stairs instead of the lift, less traffic," Harry whispered to Hermione.
"Right, and if we run into Umbridge?" she said with a grin.
"We'll deal with her if that happens. First, I think we should determine what changes have occurred here. I think it would be safer if we slipped into Muggle London and begin our research there," Harry said.
She nodded as they both slipped thru the door and into the stair well. This time their luck held. No one else decided to climb the stairs that day. The journey up to the main floor seemed endless.
"Harry, best use the cloak to get out of the building. If we Apparate, it may trigger some wards."
Harry pulled the old invisibility cloak from his pack and covered them both.
"Brings back memories." He grinned and waited for someone to leave the building. Soon a distinguished looking wizard left through the main door, unaware that two others left with him.
Within moments they found an isolated alley and removed the cloak. "It's lighter out then when we left. How long were we in 'transit'," Harry asked.
"It's hard to say - at least twelve hours, maybe more."
"So where to first? A Library?" he asked.
"No, we always got a clue from home, so it's off to the cottage," Hermione replied. She produced her wand and gave it a wave. Harry nodded and with a snap of his fingers they vanished together with a familiar pop.
Harry materialized on the front stoop, but he was quite alone. "Moine," he called out.
"Here, I couldn't make it all the way. I seem to be blocked," she called from the tree line in the distance. Harry left the porch and met her half way.
"That's quite odd; there must be a reason," he said.
"You don't think I'm not alive in this world," she said with a bit of nervousness.
"One way to find out - the garden, mum and dad," he said.
"Cemetery, you can say it," she grinned. Together they followed the overgrown path to the now neglected family grave site.
"Only your parents are here, mine and the babies are missing," she said, her voice now sounded slightly disturbed. She also felt a sharp icy twinge shoot through her stomach.
"Could be your parents are still alive and the twins were born," he deduced.
"Then why are the grounds overgrown? You always took pride in the appearance of our home," she said. "Ron, we must try the Burrow next. I would rather not look inside my home in this world."
"Come, love. We'll leave together," he said as he took her hand and smiled. They vanished as quickly as they appeared. Before either had a chance to blink, a familiar oak tree stood before them.
"Well, at least that hasn't changed. Let's see who's still here," Harry said. They walked past the unfamiliar grounds where they had spent countless hours in another life. The tree was still there, but Sirius' memorial was gone.
"This doesn't look promising," Hermione said as they came to the edge of the woods closest to the house. The garden remained as it had, the wooden gate still required significant repair.
"Shhh." Harry stopped in his tracks and held Hermione's hand tight. "There's someone in the garden."
A tall woman with long flowing blonde hair stood with her back to them. She held a basket of vegetables freshly picked for the day's meal.
"It's Luna," Harry said softly. "At least that's not changed."
"Merde, je lui ai dit qu'il doit supprimer les gnomes! " the woman said. - "Shit, I told him to clear out the gnomes."
"Harry, wait, she's French," Hermione said, holding Harry's arm.
"French? Luna doesn't speak French. Who could that be?" he asked softly.
The woman turned, and they saw her face. She was a beautiful woman, breathtaking to the point where Harry gasped at the sight. Hermione looked at him slightly puzzled.
"You never have that reaction when you see me," she teased.
"Who is she? She looks familiar," Harry said to change the topic.
The woman turned at the voices in the brus, and peered into the tree line. 'Allo, who ez there?" she called in broken English, and put down her basket.
"Stay put, love. Let me deal with her," Harry whispered as he stood.
The woman pulled a wand from her apron the moment Harry stood up, his hands were empty.
"Come 'ere where I can see you," she called out.
"I'm a bit lost," Harry said as he approached.
"Are you alone? I 'erd you talk to someone," she said, holding her wand at Harry's throat.
"Yes, there's no one…"
"Stop," Hermione called out. "We're a bit lost." She stood and joined Harry.
"'ermione, what are you doing in ze wood? And with a strange man?" she asked.
Hermione froze and stared hard at the woman, a glint of recognition burst through decades of memories. "Fleur? Fleur Delacour?" she asked.
"Delacour? What foolishness is zis? You had best get back inside before you 'usband finds you with zis man."
"Husband? Oh my God, Harry. She thinks I'm married to a Weasley," Hermione said.
"Weasley, yes. Ronald will be furious with you for zat, but I will not tell on you. We are zeezters," she said.
Harry chuckled. "Then I think we need to clear this mess up."
Fleur looked at Harry, and listened to his voice. Non, is cannot be, you are 'Arry Potter? No?"
He looked at her, and nodded.
"My God, it iz 'Arry Potter," she exclaimed. "Bill, Come ere, quickly," she called out.
Bill Weasley lumbered around from the rear of the house; a wide brimmed hat was pulled over his face, leaving only his chin exposed. "What's the commotion, Fleur? Another garden gnome?"
"No, silly, look, 'Arry Potter and 'ermione," she said excitedly.
"Are you daft? Hermione's in the house tending those brats of hers. And Potter's as good as dead," he said.
"Bill? Bill Weasley?" Harry said confused.
He limped to the gate and looked up, deep scars from an unknown battle distorted his face. He wiped a constant line of drool from his chin and stared at the Boy Who Lived. One look at Harry's scar convinced him.
"It is you, Hermione. You did know where to find the prat. So, Potter, why return now. Haven't you caused enough damage to my family?" The grin on his face was more of a snarl, indentions on his lower lip of elongated canine fangs were clearly evident.
"Bill? I… I don't…" Harry started, seeing him alive after watching him die twenty-seven years earlier left him speechless.
"Harry he's not the Bill we knew. This is a different reality," Hermione whispered to him.
"You'd best get back inside, Hermione. If my little brother sees you with him he might not be able to hold back this time," Bill warned. "And if I were you, Potter, I'd crawl back under what ever rock you were hiding under and stay there. Fleur, forget him, and you'd best bring those inside."
Hermione left Harry's side and walked directly to face Bill. "Bill, you have to listen. We look like people you know, but we are not from this world. We're here to stop some of Voldemort's followers from bringing him back. They've found a way, and we have to search for any remnants of him they can use. I can't be specific, or you may all be in danger," Hermione said.
"That's pure foolishness. If you'd rather not listen to reason and heed my warning, then have at it. Fleur, are you coming?" he said and turned to leave.
Both Harry and Hermione followed. "Bill we can prove what we're saying if you give us a minute," Harry said.
Bill simply waved his hand as if to motion them on into the house. "I can't stop you, Hermione; this is your home too." He and Fleur left them alone in the house.
Once inside, the Burrow looked the same as it always had. The familiar smells from the kitchen brought back memories. Harry put his arm around her waist as they walked into the lounge, raised eyebrows from several teen aged children led Harry to rethink his normal affectionate interactions with his wife.
"Dinner will be ready in a bit. Fleur, did you bring the vegetables I asked for?" a voice from the kitchen croaked. Age had set in, but nothing would keep her out of her own kitchen.
"Gram, Mum's got a friend here," a tall, red haired boy called from the lounge.
Molly Weasley left the kitchen to see who he referred to and dropped her pot on the floor.
"Merlin's Beard, it's Harry Potter?" she exclaimed.
"Mum? Looks as if you and Ron have been busy here," Harry teased.
"Harry, that's not funny. Molly, can you tell me where Ronald is and when he'll return?" Hermione asked.
"Children, run along. You shouldn't be here," Molly said to the children in the lounge. Once they left, grumbling, she continued. "You know full well he's tending the store. If it wasn't for everyone helping, Fred's shop would have gone under," Molly replied. "Now can you explain yourself, Mr. Potter?"
"Excuse me, explain what?" he asked turning to face her.
"I don't have time for this. I would like to ask you to leave my home, but if you're still as hard-headed as you were when you left, then I suppose there's no getting rid of you," Molly said as she turned her back on him.
"Darling," Hermione began grabbing his arm, "remember, this isn't our life. Whatever happened here in the past has happened. We can't change it; just correct the outcome."
"Darling?" they heard from the doorway, "Darling? I always knew there was something between you two, and here it is. I suppose you've decided to return and steal my wife, eh Potter?"
"Ron," Hermione called in surprise. "We have to talk to you. Please listen. We are not who you think we are. Yes, I am Hermione, and this is Harry, but we are not the Hermione and Harry from your reality. We crossed into yours hoping to find answers and help."
"Potter, I want you out of my house and life. You have no business here anymore. And as for you, Hermione, try to remember we meant something to each other once. Try to remember I loved you. If that's not enough, then leave with him like a cheating slut. Obviously, you've decided your wedding vows to me aren't important any more," Ron screamed at them. The thick veins in his neck bulged in protest.
Harry noticed Ron's hand now held his wand, shaking in anger.
"Ron. I'll leave it that's what you believe," Harry began and paused as the door opened.
"Mum? How did you arrive so quickly? I left you arguing at the market over the price of the roast?" The girl that stood behind Ron was unmistakably Annie.
Ron turned to the girl and started, "Ann, go to your room, your mum and I have some things to discuss." He stared at her for a moment, then to Harry and back to Ann.
"Ann, do as your father asked," Hermione insisted.
"Bloody hell. You worthless, cheating bitch. She's his daughter, isn't she?" Ron screamed.
"Ron I can't answer that. I am not that girl's mother," Hermione said, now standing in defense. Harry stood as well.
"You've lied to me all these years, you… Mudblood. And you use to call yourself my friend. Shaggin' my wife behind my back, and now you show up with some worthless story?" Ron cocked his hand back and swung, the blow was aimed perfectly at Harry's jaw. Harry's reflexes betrayed him, as he ducked at the precise moment, Ron's fist struck Hermione in the nose. The distinctive crunch told the story of the injury.
The blow caused her to stager back a step, and flashed Harry's furry to boil. The moment Ron raised his wand, Harry pointed his hand at his oldest friend, striking Ron with a bolt of pure energy.
"You ok, 'Moine?" Harry called."
"I'm boody fine, just don't let him near me or so help me, I'll…" Hermione said, as she held her nose.
Molly Weasley, on hearing the confrontation rushed to Hermione's side. "Ronald Weasley, how dare you strike a woman, and your own wife?" Molly said as she helped Hermione to her feet. "Potter, let him go after I get Hermione away,"
Harry held Ron suspended for a moment, letting tempers cool while Ann watched from the landing on the stairs.
"Ron, as soon as you calm down, I'll let you go. Maybe then you'll listen to reason," Harry commanded.
Slam.
The front door slammed shut, breaking the tension. Ann watched in disbelief at the newest player to enter.
"Molly, I'm back. That prat of a butcher raised his prices again. But I managed a fair cut," Hermione Weasley called from the foyer.
She passed the staircase to see her daughter watching, mouth agape. Harry released Ron the moment she rounded the corner. Hermione had a puzzled look to see Ron home so early.
"Ron? Why are you…" she started until Harry's green eyes caught hers. Her bundle of groceries slipped from her grasp as she stood and stared.
Ron, too, stared.
"Ron, this is your wife. The Hermione you hit is in the kitchen; she is my wife. Now do you believe me?" Harry asked as he stepped toward Ron with an open hand.
Hermione Weasley stared at Harry. "Harry? You're here? Your memory, they said it was irreversible," she asked startled, a nervous hint to her voice tainted her surprise.
"Hermione, can you come back. It may answer all their questions," Harry called into the kitchen.
Hermione Potter returned to the lounge, a cold clothe pressed to her nose. "This won't stop; there's something wrong," she said, the rag she held was quite bloody.
"Would someone explain what the bloody hell is going on?" Ron demanded.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" Hermione Weasley asked.
"As we tried to explain, we are not from this reality. We are your parallel selves. Hermione and I had been forced to travel to three other such places; each had some different path in history. What we need to determine is where history changed from our world," Harry began.
"That's the easy part," Hermione said with a nasal twang as she pinched her nose. "We think we may have let the secret of these parallel worlds out at some point, and someone from this world is trying to bring Voldemort back. We learned in our world that he may have split his soul and portions may be hidden," Hermione added.
"Horcruxes?" Hermione Weasley asked. She stepped forward over the forgotten roast. Ann inched closer to the conversation, keenly interested.
"Yes, you know of them?" Harry asked.
"What do you know about 'Horcruxes'?" Ron asked bewildered.
"A Horcrux is a very advanced, very dark bit of magic. A Horcrux refers to an object used to conceal a part of one's soul," Hermione Potter said as if reciting from a textbook.
"You know of them then?" Ron asked.
She nodded and addressed Ron directly. "Harry told us after our sixth year, don't you remember? Some sort of a quest he said he had to complete alone. He left weeks after Professor Dumbledore was laid to rest."
Ron stepped forward. "That's right; you missed half the seventh year. It wasn't a surprise, since most of the students stayed away after the Professor was murdered."
"How and when did he die?" Harry asked.
"You should know, you were there when it happened," Ron replied.
"No, that was your Harry Potter. We need to find him. He may be able to help if we pool our powers," Hermione Potter said.
"He's disappeared more than twenty years ago; no one has seen him since," Ron said.
Hermione Weasley shook her head, "No, that's not quite right. He wanted to forget this life so he had his memory cleansed by a Ministry Obliviator. His whereabouts has been hidden with a secret keeper, not even the Ministry Obliviator knows. He's been living the life he always wanted, in peace. I won't let you break that."
Ron looked at her., "Is this the dark secret you've kept from me? You couldn't even tell me?"
"I made a promise to him, to let him live his life in peace. I was the only one he trusted after… when it was over," she said.
"So do you know who his secret-keeper is? Can you take us to him?" Hermione Potter asked her counterpart.
She shook her head. "No, you can't bother him. All he knows is the life he's lived for the past twenty years. I can't let you hurt him," Hermione Weasley said.
"You're his secret-keeper?" Hermione Potter asked.
She hesitated before she nodded. "I know where he is. But…"
Hermione Potter held her hand up. "You can't tell us, and we shouldn't force you to tell us or help us. But…" she looked to Harry then to Ron, "if I can talk to you in private, for a moment."
Reluctantly she nodded her head, and turned to Ron for a moment, "Please wait, I'll be just a moment," she said then turned to lead the other Hermione to the porch.
The two identical women stood on the porch, one stared at the other.
"Hermione, this will sound unbelievable, but I am you from another reality," Hermione Potter began.
"You're accurate there; this is as far fetched as…"
"Using a time turner for lessons or to help free an innocent man?"
She stared at herself before answering, "I guess anyone could have discovered that."
"What about your daughter. Ron seems to have noticed," Hermione Potter said softly.
Nervously she replied, "There's nothing for him to be concerned about."
"So he doesn't know she's Harry's daughter, not his?"
Hermione Weasley shuddered and shook her head. "He won't believe a word of it. You can't tell him."
"Relax, I won't. We're not here to disrupt your lives, but we will need your help. We have to find Harry. We had been drawn here for a reason, and I think getting our counterparts together is part of it. It has worked before."
"Before? When?"
"This is just one of the parallel worlds we've been to. In the last we were in we encountered ourselves, but something had gone horribly wrong. I'll spare you the details. Just understand that whatever happened in other realities has also happened here and in my reality. Harry and I have a daughter too, and her name is Annie. We left a Hermione in another reality with child, and I believe she had a daughter. I believe certain events occur in all realities for a reason. Fifteen years ago, you and Harry must have been together to have a daughter her age."
"No, there's no proof to that accusation. He's been living his life in peace. That's all he wanted," Hermione Weasley said as she turned to leave.
"Your Ann is identical to my Annie, just as you and I are identical. There's no doubt in my mind that she is Harry's daughter. You must have been with him at least that one time. But don't worry, that secret will be safe," Hermione Potter said. "Remember this: you and I shared identical pasts up to a point. I was in love with Ron at one time too, but what I felt for Harry was much stronger. Maybe that was the choice that altered our lives, or maybe there was some other decision made by some one else. What I do know is we must find the Harry of this world, and we'll do it with or without your help."
She reluctantly nodded. "He's found a place far away where he's happy. There's an island in the Caribbean, in the British Virgin Islands. He's there."
"Can you take us there? Would he remember you?"
"No, I pretended to be a tourist there for a fortnight. He has probably forgotten me," she sighed.
"I'll see to it Ron doesn't find out. I think we need to return," Hermione Potter said, to reassure her counterpart.
"So, how did you pull it off, finding a look-alike for Hermione?" Ron asked once the women had left.
"Ron, you and I had our differences in the past, but we've always been friends. When did you and Hermione get together?" Harry asked.
"In the summer before our seventh year. You disappeared, and she came here for your birthday. It was to be a surprise. Ginny hoped you would change your mind and stay together," Ron said.
"I remember. She was there when I needed help. I went through a rough time after I lost Sirius. I tried to push you and Hermione away to keep you from getting hurt. She spent that summer at the Burrow with you," Harry said.
Ron shook his head. "Dumbledore came round to Privat Drive and brought you to the Burrow. Hermione was there most of the summer, and Ginny kept complaining about Bill and Fleur."
"Dumbledore did come to Privat Drive, but if I remember I tried to run off. He took me to the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the break. I didn't see either of you until Sirius' will was read. I wasn't ready to be with you both then and stayed in my room alone. The day we all were to return, there was an attack on the train," Harry said relating that summer.
"That year was one of the most difficult I had. If it wasn't for you, Hermione, and Ginny, I wouldn't have gotten through. Dumbledore sent Hermione to Privet Drive the following summer to help me keep my head," Harry added.
"No, Dumbledore was murdered when the Death Eaters attacked the end of that year. You were there when Draco and Snape attacked him," Ron said.
"Draco and Snape? They helped us defeat Voldemort. Snape was killed trying to help… members of the Order. Draco warned us of the attack and has proven to be a loyal friend. He was murdered a few days ago, and he died in Ginny's arms," Harry said.
"Ginny? My sister and a Malfoy?" Ron yelled.
"Yes, they were quite happy," Harry said.
"Don' tell me anymore. Next you'll say I'm married to Cho," Ron said.
Harry's face blanked. "She was murdered by Krum at the End of Year Feast in our sixth year."
Ron crossed his arms, still unconvinced. "That didn't happen here. Cho's in London, last I heard. What happened in the fifth year?"
"Professor Dumbledore was pushed out of the school by Umbridge. She nearly allowed the school to collapse on itself in suspicion and mistrust," Harry replied.
"What else happened?" Ron asked, continuing his interrogation.
"We all followed Harry into the Ministry where we fought Bellatrix and others there. Sirius was hit and fell into the Arch. Dumbledore showed up and dueled Voldemort to save us all. Most of the Death Eaters were captured, but a couple escaped," Hermione Potter replied, announcing their return..
"Yeah, that's what happened," Ron said. "What were you two talking about?" he asked.
"The same thing you two are discussing," Hermione Weasley replied curtly.
"Ron, I need to know what happened here. The end of the war you had, it seems to have gone poorly?" Harry asked.
"You can say that. Dumbledore was dead the end of the sixth. That summer Voldemort's agents systematically began attacking members of the Order. The Auror ranks were decimated early on and were disbanded by Rufus Scrimgeour. He hoped that those who remained alive could survive long enough to recover. You vanished until after Christmas holiday. When you did return, you were different. You seemed older and beaten. You kept saying you couldn't find them all. No one else knew what you meant," Hermione said.
"But Hermione and I knew you left to find the Horcruxes on your own," Ron added. "You wouldn't let us help you."
"I guess I was luckier in my reality. If it wasn't for all my friends in the sixth and seventh years, it might have turned out differently. Eileen's help and confidence in the seventh year…" Harry began.
"Who is Eileen?" Ron asked.
"She is my cousin and our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in the seventh year," Hermione Potter replied. Her counterpart looked at her with a questioning look.
"There wasn't anyone teaching that spot for us. No one would take the position after Snape," Ron said.
"Snape? He taught that class?"
"In the sixth year. They found Horace Slughorn to fill the Potions spot."
"Slughorn? I know of him. Dumbledore left a message from him for me to find," Harry said. "He is the one that told …"
"Yeah, Harry told us about that memory too, but that was back in the sixth year," Ron said.
"We just discovered it recently; apparently it had been hidden so carefully no one knew about it. The best we know, it was hidden close to sixteen years ago. Dumbledore left it in Firenze's care just before Snape killed him," Harry said.
"Snape killed Firenze?" Ron asked.
"No, Professor Dumbledore was murdered by Serverus Snape from one of the alternate realities," Hermione Potter added.
"He and Malfoy are working together. We're not certain which reality he actually came from," Hermione Potter added.
"We do have an idea Malfoy came from here since we've been brought here, and we've recovered a portion of his cloak at the scene of a recent attack," Harry said.
"Who did he attack?" Hermione Weasley asked.
"He killed Dobby. But before the killer got away, Dobby nicked a monogrammed button from his cloak, and we, that is Harry, watched him Disapparate from the scene," Hermione Potter said.
"From what you have said, there's little we do to assist you on this quest," Ron said.
"Help us find Harry. His abilities and mine are identical, and we will need all the help possible to prevent either Snape or Malfoy from bringing Riddle back," Harry said.
"She's told me where he is. Hermione, Ron, I think it best Harry and I deal with him privately first and see if he'll return on his own," Hermione Potter said.
"No, I'm the only one he'll trust. He has no memory of this world and this life," Hermione Weasley said.
"You forget. I am you, and I know Harry better then anyone else," Hermione Potter said. "Well, at least I know my Harry. Your Harry can't be much different. Besides, I've worked with the Healers on ward 49, so I know how to deal with these forms of memory loss," Hermione said.
"She's one of the top Healers in our reality, along with Luna. Ron, you and I became Aurors straight from school. You even became my supervisor in later years," Harry said.
"Please be careful with him. I doubt he'll remember you. Ron, they're right. We should wait here," Hermione Weasley said.
Ron shook his head. "No, I lost my best mate, and I want to see him again."
"And greet him the way you greeted us? No, it's best for all if you remain here and we deal with him. We'll bring him back on a Muggle flight if we are successful," Harry said.
"Then we all go, but please let me deal with him first. I'm the only one he trusted enough. Ron, he was afraid you would have tried to stop him, that's why he never wanted you to know," Hermione said. The obvious emotional stress was evident.
"So where do we go? He's not hiding in Hogwarts," Ron said sarcastically.
"To the Caribbean. There's an island we need to visit first," Hermione Weasley said.
"Darling," Hermione Potter said turning to Harry, "we really need to find him and get home."
"Right, I don't fancy the children are keen to us being gone this long," Harry said.
"Kids?" Ron asked.
"Two," Harry began before he caught Hermione's glare. "A boy and girl, but they're staying with you at the Burrow."
"I'm certain they're fine. We really have to get to Heathrow," Hermione Potter said, hoping to change the topic.
"No, we need to wait until Gringgotts opens in the morning," Ron said, "We haven't that much Muggle currency here."
"We made a stop before we came. We've been here before," Harry said as he patted his trousers pocket.
"But, isn't that currency from your world? It won't work here," Hermione Weasley said.
"We have observed many points of commonalty, and the currency from all the realities we've experienced has been the same, or at least usable in the others. Although that is an interesting point," Harry said. "If there's been activity in his account, we might be able to track him through his accounts."
"That won't work. His financial details have been sealed by the Wizengamot and the goblins in Gringotts, by his request," Hermione Weasley said.
"You certainly know a lot of details for someone you haven't been in contact with," Ron saidjealously.
"Ron, it was more then twenty years ago. You went off with the Cannons as their keeper. He had left Ginny and turned to me for help," Hermione Weasley said to Ron.
"It still doesn't explain why he won't return. When Dad passed away, we expected he would return," Ron said, his pent up anger began to surface.
"He couldn't. He has no idea who he is; his memory was cleansed of all wizarding knowledge. All he knew was he was an orphan with distasteful relatives in Little Whinging," she replied.
"Then I suggest we quickly pack what we need and make arrangements for the next flight to where ever he is," Harry said and stood. "Where shall I say we are going?"
"The British Virgin Islands ," both women said together.
The trip from the Burrow to London and ultimately Heathrow was uneventful and equally quiet. Ron and his wife had gathered a few items they knew they would need, and out of pride, Ron liberated what little household funds they had. His brother and mother contributed what they had, all under protest from Harry that was unnecessary.
The plane they boarded for the crossing was like any other Muggle craft. The Potters had more experience in this manner of flight then Ron. Unfortunately, as they managed to arrive as the plane was boarding, they were unable to purchase four seats together. Ron and Harry chose to sit together. Even with his pent up anger, Ron still loved Harry as a brother.
The two Hermiones sat together and when asked by the flight attendants, a simple tale of identical twins separated by fate satisfied the curious.
"You still haven't told me what happened to Harry. I do need to know," Hermione Potter said.
"Ron and I started dating after Bill and Fleur's wedding. It took some effort for him to take that first step," she began.
"Yes, Ron is stubborn," Hermione Potter agreed.
"Harry and Ginny tried to make a go if it, but there was always something holding him back. I really believed she was in love with Harry since her first year. After their experience in the Chamber, his concern for her safety seemed to indicate more then just friendship." Hermione Weasley stared out the window. "Harry didn't seem to be concerned that she…"
"She wanted him more then he wanted her. He had that crush on poor Cho. Her death hurt him, and I think that's why Dumbledore had me stay with him that summer," Hermione Potter said,
The other Hermione shook her head. "No, I never spent the summer with him. When did this happen?"
"Cho was murdered the end of our sixth year, and I left to stay with Harry that summer. We've been together since," Hermione Potter said.
"Cho is still alive. She had a difficult time of it after she left school, but she met a bloke from Belgium, and they've been together, as far as I know. He was a Muggle, I think. Harry had left to find the Horcruxes, and he succeeded. There was a cup, locket…"
"The diary, ring, a dagger, and a silver snuffbox," Hermione Potter said, finishing the statement. "The dagger was Godric Griffindor's; it matched the sword Dumbledore kept in his office. It was the same one Pettigrew used to sever his hand when he brought Riddle back after the Triwizard Tournament. It had been used time and time again for such evil," Hermione said reflecting. Her right hand slipped under her blouse to an old scar.
"Is something wrong?" Hermione Weasley asked, seeing her counterpart lightly rubbing a spot on her chest.
Hermione shook her head. "No, not anymore. The dagger almost took my life before we knew what it was. It was locked away for years before we realized what it was."
"Harry never mentioned what he found; he wasn't certain he found them all. He must have destroyed those items and others to be certain," Hermione replied. After he returned, he was changed; nothing could raise his spirits. He muddled through the remainder of the yea, until he faced Voldemort alone. Those from the DA went with him, but ultimately they fought alone in a sealed chamber under a house in Wales."
" Wales? Near a ravine? Was there was a long stairway from the chamber to the house?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"No one knows, Harry sealed that chamber, and the house was left in ruins. He wouldn't talk of it to anyone. Ginny tried. She said the first night they made love, he had a horrible nightmare of that chamber. She was terrified from his screams," Hermione Weasley replied.
"How long…"
"They were together for a year after that, but Harry couldn't put the past behind him. He drifted from relationship to relationship leaving broken hearts behind. Ron and I had been together for a couple years by then. Harry and I spent many nights talking when Ron was off with the Chudley Cannons, mostly about nothing. It seemed to calm him when we sat alone and talked. Most nights he would fall asleep with his head in my lap. He never had a nightmare those nights," Hermione Weasley said.
"That summer I stayed with him, he screamed in his sleep, and I crawled in bed, and held him. His nightmares never came back when we were together," Hermione Potter reminisced.
"You do love him. It shows," Hermione Weasley said softly.
"And I know you did too, and you must still love him to want to protect him," Hermione Potter replied. Her twin nodded lightly.
"But there's Ron. He is my husband and the father of our children," she said.
"But not Ann's father. Tell me what happened," Hermione Potter said.
"Five years after he emerged from the chamber and Voldemort was gone, he was on the verge of insanity. Ron was off with the team, and Harry came to me. He did not know I was carrying Ron's child then. He was far worse then I had ever seen him. I suggested using a Penseive to store those memories he was fighting. He asked, no he begged me for help. I had little choice and brought him to see an old friend at the ministry to have his memory Obliviated. He wanted to forget everything from his eleventh birthday. Nothing of his life as a wizard," she said.
"Who was the Obliviator?" Hermione Potter asked.
"He wanted no one to know. I was the only one he trusted anymore. I convinced him to see her, and she promised to keep his secret. We set up a Muggle trust fund for him from his accounts at Gringotts and arranged for his retirement. When she was done, I took him to the Islands while he was still unconscious. I spent the next month crying., Ron thought it was the child and hormones, but it was Harry," she said.
"You never admitted to anyone you were in love with him, did you?"
"Only once. I told him before he forgot me. I couldn't forget him, and a couple years later when Ron fell from his broom and couldn't play anymore, he became distant. I still loved him, but the passion was gone. When he was off watching the World Cup, I left to find Harry again," Hermione Weasley admitted.
"Five years after you left him on the Island. Who was the Obliviator?" Hermione Potter asked again.
Just as the intercom announced they were in the final approach to St. Thomas, Hermione Weasley said, "Luna."