"Three days, he said. Just a side trip to São Migue for fuel, he said. Go below and clean up the cabin, he said. Who the bloody hell does he think he is?" Ron ranted inside the cabin, carelessly flinging objects about magically.
"Ron, this is his boat and by all right, he is the captain. He does have a plan, but it's not his fault we were delayed by Customs. After all, trying to explain how we arrived on the other side of the ocean in a craft that shouldn't have made it half way is a bit to explain," Luna said, hoping to defuse the anger.
"Right, he's the bloody captain. He's bloody well in charge, and it's been nearly four days since we left that bloody island," he continued his rant.
Hermione Weasley appeared in the hatch, obviously to address her husband's short temper. "Ronald Weasley, you know full well he had to divert his course when that French naval boat tried to delay us."
"But why the extra delay? It would seem he was deliberatly delaying us from leaving," Ron arged and paced inside the small cabin.
"To conserve fuel. This boat burns one-third the fuel at half speed as it does at full throtle," Luna replied from behind Hermione.
"And he did explain that the west coast would be easier to arrive at undetected, rather than the alternative," Hermione added. " Besides, we'll be closer to home if we go through Wales ."
"That's what you say; we could Apparate home from any point," Ron argued.
"We could, but I doubt he would. He is still uncertain of himself," Luna snapped at Ron. "Harry wanted me to tell you we've passed Bristol, we'll be in Gloucester in thirty minutes."
Hermione turned to Luna, " Gloucester? Then we should be in Devon in just over an hour," she said with renewed excitement. "We should be able to continue along the Otter River and that much closer to home."
"More like two hours, unless we're forced through customs. Since we're a smaller craft, they might overlook us," Luna answered curtly. She turned to leave, but a hand to her shoulder stopped her.
"Luna, I'm sorry," Ron said. "These past few days have been stressful for all of us. And with Harry's return, I have more to deal with."
"Right, I suggest you pack your kit, if I know Harry, he'll be looking to leave here as soon as possible," Luna replied, and left Ron alone with his wife.
Hermione stepped closer to him, and hesitated a moment. "Ron, are you ready to talk about this?"
"There's nothing to talk about, I have no reason to stand between the two of you," he said with a flat tone.
Hermione gently held his face and said, "You have every reason, and you have every right. I am your wife, not Harry's. He is my best friend, our best friend; you are my husband and the father of our children."
Ron raised an eyebrow, "Really? Are you certain?" he quipped and turned away.
"Ron?" she managed to say before the demons she buried deep in her heart rose to the surface. She had deigned the inevitability of this day, and this conversation.
"No, please don't insult me and try to convince me otherwise; Ann's his daughter, isn't she?" he asked flatly.
"No," a voice from behind her said. "You are her father, you've been there to raise her and love her, to comfort her when she needed a father. You are more her father than I ever could be. You and Hermione are her parents," Harry said.
"So, you're trying to make me believe you never had an affair with Hermione?" Ron barked sharply.
"Ron, I love her as much as I love you, I never would have survived without you both. I never slept with her, as much as you won't believe that's the truth. There have been many women before, that is true. But I must admit none of them compared to her. The only one I ever felt anything for was a dream," Harry replied.
"Dream my arse; you knew it was Hermione," Ron snapped back.
Harry shook his head, "Ron, I would never have done anything that would have hurt you, you must know this," he pleaded.
"How could you have known? You're memory of any of that was obliterated," Ron answered sharply.
"Harry, you'd best get up here," Hermione Potter called through the hatch cutting the argument short.
"And be sharp about it, there's a patrol boat following us," Harry added.
"Bloody hell," Harry muttered and ran from the cabin. Once outside, he scanned the horizon; the shoreline lay before them, but a motor patrol vessel closed the distance from behind.
A single shot whistled past the craft, splashing off the port bow. Harry hesitated for a moment before he cut the engines. The 'Magical Times' slowed to a halt.
"Ahoy," a sailor from the official patrol boat called out. "Stand down to be boarded."
"I hope the lot of you have the proper papers for entry," Harry said to his counterpart, and pulled out a tattered book from a small shelf under the helm.
"Ahoy, Magical Times, identify your destination and purpose," the same voice called out.
"Make it quick, we're a registered vessel for pleasure; we're putting in to Gloucester to refuel," Harry yelled back.
In the brief moment it took the patrol boat to get up alongside, a turret mounted gun had been pointed at the waterline ready to sink the boat with a single burst. Three sailors stood by with automatic weapons, raising an alarm within the group of wizards.
"Harry, this isn't necessary. Hermione and I have documentation providing authorizations, let me handle this," the Auror said.
"Who's the captain of this vessel?" an officer from the patrol boat ordered.
"I'm in charge, Lieutenant-Commander Potter, MI9," he said producing a badge and identification.
"Follow me, sir," the officer insisted.
Harry followed the sailor, with Hermione behind him.
"I said only you, sir," the sailor insisted, trying to stop Hermione.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," she replied. "He is under my command. I can only explain to your commanding officer."
"This way," he waved, "Maintain your positions," he orders his men and led the couple to the command center of the patrol boat. A young officer stood waiting. He wasn't much older than Ron and Luna's son, Arthur, but this man had the air of authority on this vessel.
"Warrant Officer Storm." He stated. "May I see your credentials?" the officer requested. Hermione produced her letter along with Harry's identification.
"We are on a sensitive mission, I insist you allow us to proceed," Hermione ordered.
"I'm afraid I'm not allowed to release you; these are restricted waters. There have been recent reports of terrorist activities here and abroad. The Ministry has ordered all vessels seized and occupants held for interrogation. I'm certain you are aware of the recent attacks in the United States and our territories in the Caribbean?" he said.
"Unfortunately, no; we've been lucky to have barely gotten this far. We were lost in a storm, and been thrown far off course. Our radio was damaged and we've been unable to contact anyone. If the captain of this vessel hadn't maintained additional fuel, we would have been lost at sea," Hermione explained.
"So you deign escaping the authorities of Tortola?" Warrant Officer Storm asked, signing his men to raise their weapons.
"Harry, you don't think he is involved?" Hermione asked.
"I suggest you both raise your hands, and surrender," Warrant Officer Storm insisted.
"I'm afraid we can't accommodate that request," Harry replied as his hands rose upward, and pointed directly to the sailors. A blue beam shot from his fingers freezing them where they stood.
"Sorry mate, but we really are on your side. Those attacks, we believe, may be the work of someone beyond your means to deal with," Harry said apologetically. "You blokes will be fine in a couple hours; we'll set the anchor for you."
Both Harry and Hermione gathered their identification from Warrant Officer Storm before leaving the command center. The other members of the boat's crew had been frozen in place, the same as the commander. Hermione returned to their vessel leaving Harry alone for a moment. He scanned the boat's helm and found the fuel cut-off. A flick of a switch and the engines died, another switch sounded a dull splash from the front, leaving the boat as promised, at anchor.
"We've only got a couple hours, we'd best find a port," Harry called to his counterpart while joining his wife on board.
"There's a cove we can hide the boat, about one kilometer past the first bridge. Is there any way to conceal it?" Harry asked from the helm of his boat.
"Yes, there's a vanishing spell that would work," Luna replied. "I've used it before when I suspected we were discovered."
Harry glared at Luna from the boat's wheel; his look indicated this was not over. "Be ready to do it when we tie off, I don't want to lose my boat as well as my past," he said with a touch of sarcasm.
The journey to the safe refuge was brief, as was the time spent concealing the craft. The group gathered their belongings to prepare for departure to the Burrow.
"I have a request," Harry began while he watched the Potters and Weasley's pack. "My memory is still blocked in some areas."
The other Harry grinned and nodded, "I'll bring you along; it's called Side-Apparation." Harry stepped to his double and held him by the arm, "Love, you and the other go first and we'll be along in a moment."
"We'll wait for you at the tree near the glen," Hermione said and gave him a light kiss before turning to the others. Ron's ears turned his trademark red when she kissed her husband, but let that pass without comment.
"So, we're ready?" Luna stated in a question. "One three, two, one…." A series of pops from the deck indicated the group had vanished leaving the two Harrys alone.
"I wanted to have a moment with you before we left," the Auror started. "You've been gone a long time, and the life you knew is completely over. I fielded the brunt of the wrath from the other Weasleys, but I'm certain there's still some anger in them."
"I'm certain it was more than deserved; I can't undo the past. I can barely remember the past. But… I would like to reconcile with them," Harry replied.
"In time, that may happen. But for now, we have to deal with the task at hand if we are to salvage any of these realities," Harry said confidently and held his counter-part's arm firmly. With a wave of his hand the pair vanished with a pop.
"How is she doing?" Molly asked Hermione.
"She's still resting quietly, we can't risk her becoming upset, that may trigger another seizure," Hermione said as she walked down the stairs.
"Ann's still trying to contact her mum, and the others. But there's been no word now for nearly a week," Molly said.
"They're close, I can feel her; or maybe I just want to believe they are near. I can't tell sometimes," Hermione sighed.
The two women walked together to the kitchen, in answer to a shrill whistle from the kettle. Arty, Ben and Jerry were together at a table near the garden, and Bill and Fleur had left moments earlier for the twin's shop.
The relative calm was shattered by the scream of a young girl.
"Molly?" Hermione said startled.
"They're here!" Jerry shouted seconds later when he limped into the room.
The calls brought others to the room. Hermione and Molly were met by Ron, Remus and Sirius, Bill and Fleur came from the lounge, and Anna and Ann rushed from the stairs, leaving Annie unattended.
The door remained open. Luna entered first, followed by the two Hermiones. Then the identical Harry Potters - one appeared apprehensive. One Hermione left Molly's side, and embraced one of the other identical copies of herself; that hug was quickly returned.
"Dear God, it's good to see you again," she whispered in her ear, as tears leaked down her cheek.
"We never thought we'd find you here, what happened?" Hermione Potter asked.
"It's a bit complicated, but the short version is you're daughter and her boyfriend appeared in my world. She's quite ill," Hermione said audibly and then whispered to her "but her condition is far worse than Jerry knows."
Hermione Potter looked puzzled at her double and asked, "How so?"
"She has been infected, the same way he was, I'm afraid she's in worse shape than he was when your husband freed my Harry. We have to repeat that spell," Hermione Weasley said. The others watched, in silence, at the suddenness of these occurrences.
"Are you certain? Infected?" Hermione Potter asked.
"Yes, she has the same mannerisms Harry had when he changed. It's my guess this has just started recently; there may be a good chance she can recover. She's had a difficult time of it," Hermione Weasley stated analytically. "I've been working it out since I arrived; if the three of us and Harry recreate that state, and since there are two more of her here, we stand a reasonable chance for little permanent damage."
Harry came forward, and joined his wife, "Are you saying Voldemort's soul has infected her, just as he did with your Harry?"
"I'm certain that's what has happened. Her behavior has been erratic from what Jerry told us, and Anna and I found her during an attack. Since this only started a few months ago, and it took ten years to damage Harry to the point, she could be fine," Hermione said with hope in her voice.
"Annie's the one?" Ron asked surprised.
"I'm certain," Hermione Weasley replied.
"We discovered from sources in that other world of a plot to attack the Potters, but we didn't have any success learning the identity of the victim. The only issue is that the information was more than fifteen years old," Sirius added.
"No, that can't be right, she wouldn't have survived that long," Hermione Weasley stated.
"Then the only way to save our daughter is the Circle of Power. Harry, I believe her, and if she's correct we may not have much time," Hermione Potter said to Harry.
"This should be simpler than that time we tried before: instead of Caterina, we will have three of us, each with equal powers, and Harry. I think the Harry from this world should remain behind, since he hasn't been practicing his abilities in more than twenty years," Hermione Weasley added.
The other Hermione Weasley looked confused and lost, but before she could ask, Hermione Potter quickly filled in the missing details.
"I have made the necessary preparations in her room, and I've discussed this with everyone here, you were the last ones we needed. Remember this is inherently dangerous for her, this decision is ultimately yours," Hermione Weasley said.
"Mum? I've been working this out in my head since we arrived," Anna started, "I can't sit idly by while she dies. If the three of you are truly identical, then Ann and I should be identical to Annie. I would be willing to give her what I can so she'll survive," Anna said. Ann looked flustered, but let the remark pass.
That comment was also clearly understood by Ron, an angry glare at his wife and Harry confirmed his suspicions. Hermione Potter and her mate sensed the growing storm, and took action.
"Hermione," Mrs. Potter said quickly, "What preparations have you made?"
"I've established a proper pentagram for five; I expected the three of me, or us, and the two Harrys," Hermione stated.
"I can't do this," the Harry from this reality spoke up, "I don't have the abilities you believe I possess."
"Then that's set, I can take his place and help," Ann stated with authority.
The girl's mother shook her head, rejecting this deviation to her plan, "No, I won't allow it. It is too dangerous for you."
"Mum, I really want to do this, and she needs my help," Ann restated.
"And mine," Anna added.
"I can't help but believe this is why I'm here," Ann said to Hermione before she turned to Ron, "Dad, please don't blame mum for what happened, I'm glad to be part of this family. She does love you, I hope you know that."
Ron stared at the girl, shaking his head. "You are your mother's daughter, I've suspected you were Harry's daughter for a while, too. All I wanted was someone to admit the truth. You've got more courage then any Gryffindor I know." He turned to face his wife, "Hermione, go help them. This will wait."
She looked at Ron, for the first time in days, into his eyes. There was no accusing glare, no anger, just an acceptance. "Ron…" she said.
"No, go with them, I can live with anything that happens, but only if you tell me the truth," Ron said and gave her a light kiss on her cheek.
"Then lets go, Annie's not getting any better," the other Hermione Weasley commanded. Without another word, the five others followed Hermione up the stairs to Annie's room. The bed she slept on sat in the center of the room, and a circle with a five-pointed star surrounded her. Lit candles marked each point of the star; the curtains had been closed leaving the candlelight as the only illumination. The intended ambiance held a soothing effect.
"Mum, take the point to her right; dad, by mum's side. Hermione, take the spot opposite on Annie's left, I'll take the head. Girls, you both have to take to spot on the lower left," Hermione Weasley commanded. Each participant took the assigned positions.
"I believe we need to join hands," Harry said, taking his wife's hand and reaching for one of the girl's hand. The others joined hands closing the circle.
"Repeat the chant, 'Orbis Virium;' don't stop even if you think the spell has worked. We all have to be unified." Hermione Potter said.
"Orbis Virium," six voices began in unison. "Orbis Virium… Orbis Virium."
Hermione Potter led with her left hand, pulling Harry's hand to touch Annie's side. The others watched and reached into the circle, each touching Annie creating the bond needed.
Annie's eyes snapped open; a sharp gasp of breath snapped her head from the pillow. The room began to glow, emanating from the center and slowly engulfing the others.
Annie screamed from the sharp pain that sliced through her young body. Blood oozed from her lips as her head fell to the pillow.
"Orbis Virium," the voices repeated.
Annie kept screaming, "Mum! It hurts!"
"Orbis Virium," the voices repeated, some hesitation from the two girls as they watched an identical copy of themselves writhe in pain.
Annie stiffened and her eyes glazed over. Her screaming suddenly stopped the instant a blinding flash engulfed the room.
Harry watched one of the people he loved most in this life vanish. The three Hermiones faded into a brilliant glow of pure white light, highlighting his daughter's body.
"Orbis Virium," He heard again, the chant echoed into his very being, the surrounding glow of the three Hermiones pulled them all closer.
'Mione?' he thought.
'I'm here, my love.'
'I am as well.' He heard from his side. He looked away from the blinding glow, conscious of her touch no longer in his hand, but through his entire being. The two girls still held his hand, but were frozen at the radiance of the three witches that hovered over the now still body.
'Are we dead?' Anna asked.
'No, not exactly,' one of the Hermione's thoughts replied.
The three remaining physical beings stared at the body before them, unlike the prior time Harry experienced this spell, he watched his daughter's soul as the three glows pulled it free of her body. It was different than the time he watched as the other Harry's soul died; the glow was dark and dull, dark as death.
'Harry, there, a fragment of Riddle's soul has hers, do you see it ?' Hermione Potter's thoughts screamed to Harry. The two girls remained still and watched.
'Yes, it's strange. That streak looks like Riddle's soul, but there's little left of her soul.' Harry replied, the images were nearly identical to those they experienced sixteen years ago.
A tormented face swirled in the light before them. In that face a snake, dark as pitch, was twisting around the man's flesh. Its fangs sunk deep into his neck, pumping its venom into his soul. The man's strength was gone; he was barely ably to move as transparent hands tried to pull the coils from his flesh.
'Harry, there's something wrong, ' Hermione thought, her distress tore into his mind, but he had to focus on the girl or lose her forever.
His hands continued to pull at the serpent - the man's snow-white beard was tinged red from his spent blood. Harry held the snake's head and pulled the fangs free from the dying soul.
'Abeo Tegere,' Harry thought, his mind sent a brilliant ray of light into the writhing snake: the charge of energy struck the head, vivisecting the reptile. Harry maintained the surge of energy for what seemed like an eternity, until all movement ceased. A brilliant flash of the darkest light exploded from the serpent, then slowly faded, leaving behind a faint image, which too vanished.
'Mr. Potter?' He heard from his side. 'Was that…?'
'It was the last of Tom Riddle's soul, Ann,' he replied. The face that remained before them was that of an old friend, long departed from the mortal world.
'Albus?' Hermione Potter's thoughts screamed out.
'Yes…' the apparition wheezed. His features scarred and sullen from the years spent fending the evil.
'Albus, was this the protection you gave Annie?' Hermione asked.
'My dear friends, it was my last and greatest act; I could not allow your child to suffer. I felt I owed you that. She is now safe,' his thoughts said.
Another, fainter image lay behind the fading soul of Albus Dumbledore, that faint image was pure and clear as crystal.
'Daddy?' her thoughts mumbled.
'Harry, please understand, it wasn't Tom's doing. I discovered he was being controlled,' Albus' thought.
'We know, we discovered his identity and also details of others that had been sent to stop him,' Hermione replied. 'He is…'
'Stop; if he was a friend, I would rather never know,' Albus whispered. 'I would rather have clear thoughts as I go.'
'We understand, rest assured we will resolve that soon,' Hermione thought.
'I have little time left; I have grown weak in my struggle with Tom's spirit. His last attempt was nearly fatal to her and that young man," Albus said weakly.
'Jerry? I almost killed Jerry?' Annie asked, her concern for him evident in her tone.
'It was not you, it was Tom. That boy still loves you, but fortunately has no memory of that night,' Albus said.
'His injuries were healed by mum when we found him,' Anna said.
Albus Dumbledore's spirit came before Annie, 'please remember he still loves you; the damage he suffered in his mind was, and is, enough to kill him. Love him as he loves you. That is all you need to know.'
One of the Hermiones came to Annie and Dumbledore, 'he's never left your side, just remember that.'
'My friends, please remember my last thoughts are of you and your family,' Albus said after turning to Harry and Hermione Potter before he faded with his last thought 'Good bye….'
The glow from one of the Hermiones' essences drifted to the image of the fallen girl, 'Girls, come now if we are to save her.'
'Yes mum,' one replied.
'Yes ma'am,' the other replied, and both spirits hovered beside the fading soul. The spirits of the other two Hermiones joined, leaving Harry to watch. Side by side, he could detect minor differences in the three spirits, one felt more familiar than the others. That one still held part of him.
One at a time, the complete souls of the two other girls lay down with the spirit of Annie Potter, until all three joined into one. The three Hermiones surrounded the spot, radiating more brilliantly than before.
When Harry managed to clear his vision, six distinct figures stood before him; the Hermiones no longer glowed, but now possessed their physical appearances.
'D-Dad? Are we dead?' Annie asked, looking at the others.
'No, but we need to return as soon as possible,' he thought to them all.
'He's right, we can't linger here much longer,' Hermione Potter agreed.
'We have to find…' Harry began before the Hermione that delivered Annie to this world interrupted.
'Don't say his name, he may be watching. He's been able to meet us the last time, if he discovers we know, we may all be doomed. We have to get to Abraham,' Hermione Weasley said.
'But how, mum?' Annie asked.
In an instant, the brilliant glow that surrounded them had weakened revealing seven figures below, still locked together in their circle; not a single hair or muscle had moved.
The only movement came from the door; they all could see Jerry Weasley slip into the room. He stood against the wall and watched the motionless bodies encircling Annie Potter's body.
'It's time,' Harry said. 'I'll bring the girls back; we'll wait for you three to return. Girls, this will be like side-apparation, we'll return together. Ready, on three… two… one…'
Harry blinked, and he stood in the room where his daughter lay. To his left, two confused girls, and to his right his life partner. The others returned nearly at the same instant, as if nothing happened. Jerry had remained against the wall, and waited, and watched.
"Dad, what happened? Last I remember clearly was sitting in the Headmistress's office, and then a strange dream," Annie said looking up to her father then to the boy across the room.
"Annie, you've been ill nearly a month," Jerry offered, hesitated for a moment but then limped to her side.
She again looked from her father to Jerry, and then to two other girls identical to her. 'W-Who are they?" she asked, her eyes widened at the sight.
"Annie this may be difficult for you to follow," Hermione Weasley said, drawing Annie's attention to the women, each identical to her mother.
"Mum?" she said nervously.
"I'm here," Hermione Potter replied. She had remained next to Harry, but she had grown too weak to remain standing. "It is a long story, one you are over due to know. We'll tell you the details when you're stronger."
"Mum, I dreamed I met a man - he said his name is My…," she started.
"Shhh, we know," Hermione whispered hoarsely and put a finger to Annie's lips.