Story Title: Time, Interrupted
Chapter Title: Shift
Author: Madm_05
Rating: Strong PG-13/T
Warnings: The Dursley and the Dark Harry ahead
Chapter Word Count: 5,741
Date: 28 November 2006
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everyone else from Potterverse belong to JKR.
Chapter Twenty: Shift
Sirius Black considered himself an easy - going man. He liked to pull pranks, and he liked to fly on his broom, and he loved to play games with his godson Harry. But there were times when he drew the line, and could become a cold, callus man who was unafraid to use the mannerisms his family taught him when he was younger to intimidate others. There were certain people, like Severus Snape, that could bring out the cold, callus man he tried to hide from his godson and his best friend's adopted daughters. The Dursleys, however, were an awful lot like Severus Snape, and they brought out the worst in him.
Sirius would have preferred to be playing Clue with Harry and Hermione, even if it meant being beaten royally. Secretly, he planned to practice while they were away so that he could win for once, and wipe those mock - innocent looks off of their faces. He didn't want to be at Number four Privet Drive, but he was.
It was eight o'clock in the evening, the day before his school would be closing for summer break. Sirius paused at the foot of the drive, remembering the last time he had come to this place, Hermione walking calmly beside him… then Hermione opening the cupboard under the stairs to reveal a frightened little boy that Sirius couldn't believe was his Harry. He gritted his teeth and walked up the drive and knocked firmly on the door. He had a mission to complete.
Blood wards, Sirius scoffed. We don't even know if those things really work. He smiled grimly as he heard a voice call out "Just a minute!" He didn't want to send Harry to the Dursleys every year, but that didn't mean that he couldn't at least make sure Harry wasn't mistreated while he was here. He wasn't completely without influence.
The door opened. "How may I he- Ah!" Petunia Dursley shrieked and jumped back in fear. "You! What are you doing here!"
"Petunia, who is- you!" Vernon snarled as he appeared behind his wife.
"Yes, me, but generally I go by Sirius. You, however, may address me as Mr. Black," he said, drawing himself up to his full height, a rather impressive sight. "I have a few things I need to discuss with you. May I come in?"
Vernon's face started to turn an interesting shade of puce as he began to sputter. "N-no you may not enter my household!" He snarled. "A freak like you has no business trying to ruin the lives of decent, normal, people. I demand you leave at once!"
Sirius had to mentally restrain himself from attacking the other man. He remembered all too well Harry's words earlier that day. After dinner, Sirius and Remus explained to Harry that he would have to stay at the Dursleys for an entire month. Harry had asked in a broken voice if he had been bad and was being punished. Harry had known for some time that he would need to spend time at the Dursleys, but he hadn't known that he would be gone full month. That he would consider a month with his maternal relatives punishment spoke volumes to Sirius.
Instead, Sirius grinned easily and shrugged before subtly flicking his wand- which he had drawn unnoticed when Vernon began his tirade. Slipping his wand away, he casually reached out and grabbed the collar of the beefy man's shirt and lifted him into the air. "I really think we should take this inside, don't you?" He asked, walking forward, still holding Harry's uncle in the air. As he kicked the door shut behind him, he dropped the rotund muggle, his easygoing demeanour disappearing.
"Let's talk," he said darkly, drawing on all of the Pureblood Superiority lessons his family literally beat into him as a child. "I think we need to have a chat, Vermin," Sirius spat. "About the way you've been treating my Godson. You see, I've been able to spend some time with Harry over the past few months, and I've reached a few startling conclusions. The first being that he is disturbing talented for a child- I've never met anyone quite as good at cooking and cleaning as he is- amazing, isn't it?"
The older Dursleys began to cower. Dudley, who hadn't looked away from the television, hadn't noticed his parents' plight.
"Another interesting… conclusion… that I've come to is that my godson is far too small for his age. I can't help but think that you locking him in a cupboard just might be the reason," he hissed, towering over the quaking couple.
"Now, because I'm a sporting fellow, I'm going to give you one last chance," he looked down his nose at them. "Harry will be returning here for about a month or so. You will treat him well, and just to be sure, I'm sending along Hermione. You remember her, don't you? She was the little girl that came with me last time."
Petunia, still shivering with fear, whimpered. "W-w-w-"
"When?" Sirius asked. "They'll be here in two days, at noon. I expect both of them to have a room, and I expect them to be treated well." Sirius bared his teeth in a fierce snarl, a habit he had picked up from his animagus form. "And if I so much as think you are making Harry and Hermione do chores while that beached whale you call a son sits on his duff all day, by my wand, you will regret having crossed me."
"Now see here," Vernon sputtered, trying to regain control. "My sister Marge is coming to visit for a late birthday party for Dudley. I won't have room for them. They'll only eat the food off our table and offer nothing in return anyways. You'd better keep them, or just send the boy."
"No," Sirius sneered. "I'll send them both, because I don't think you're smart enough to believe me when I tell you that I'll flay you alive with a butter knife if you hurt either Harry or Hermione. You will simply have to make room for them." Satisfied, Sirius turned away. "Just remember. Two days." And with that, he was gone with a sharp crack.
Dudley, who hadn't noticed a thing, shoved a handful of sugary snacks into his mouth, his eyes still glued to the television.
----
Hermione groaned lightly and closed the lid of her trunk. I don't want to do this, she thought. She bit her lip and sighed heavily, taking in a final glance around her room and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It was going to be the last time she would see it for a month.
She sighed heavily and ran her hand through her bushy hair, a habit she had picked up from her 'Papa Remus and Uncle Sirius'. Her quest to discover anything about betrothal rings had been fruitless thus far. She couldn't find a single book in the library about it, though she was sure that she had seen them in there before. Perhaps Papa Remus took them because he didn't think it was appropriate reading material for kids. Unable to find any of the books on betrothal, she returned the task she had been working on long before- trying to find a way to keep Voldemort from learning anything through his link to Harry.
Much to her frustration, many of the books she had been using as sources of information had vanished alongside the other books on betrothals and bonds. It was frustrating to no end, especially since she couldn't as Sirius or Remus for the books without giving too much away. As it was, she was making a list of reference books for the next time she had a chance to buy books without someone looking over her shoulder. She wanted to learn as much about the connection between Harry and Voldemort before their first year.
So far her search had been fruitless in that respect as well. She couldn't find anything even remotely like the link between Harry and the Dark Lord. There were dozens of ways to form links, such as a marriage Bond- which was only briefly mentioned in each book- as well as bonds of servitude, much like the links between house - elves and their masters, and even links forged from casting ancient rituals in a group. The list was endless, but alas, nothing even remotely similar to the link between Harry and Voldemort could be found.
Hermione swept her eyes around the room, checking to be sure that she had everything she would need to take with her. She was going to miss her room. After having gone without books for long stretches of time while hunting for Horcruxes, Hermione didn't have a problem with leaving her books behind. Rather, she didn't want to leave her haven- the otters and the stag that played in the woods, and the rabbits that hopped about. They were comforting, and she didn't want to give them up now that she had them.
Though Hermione was glad she could go with Harry to the Dursleys- for more reason than one- she was unsure whether it was the right decision for Remus to make. Though she had gotten better at keeping her magic from acting up, she unsure of her control while living with the people who dared to abuse her dearest friend. That was not the only cause for worry- Harry was improving daily with his control over his wandless magic, and there was no telling what he would do if he were to get riled up. She wasn't' worried about the Dursleys, far from it. She was concerned that Harry would get into trouble for giving them exactly what they deserved; a good swift kick in the-
"Are you ready to go, Owlet?" Remus asked from her doorway.
The young witch sighed and looked at him. "Yes, I'm ready. I wish we didn't have to go though. I don't particularly care for Harry's Aunt and Uncle, or his cousin, for that matter."
"Do you want to stay here?" The older man asked softly. "You don't have to go, you know. We'll understand if you don't want to go to the Dursleys. I know they're not very nice people," he offered.
Hermione frowned. "I'm not going to abandon Harry," she said firmly as she turned back to her trunk, not seeing the werewolf wince. "He's my best friend, and I'm certainly not going to make him deal with those horrible people all on his own!" She grabbed the handle of her trunk and turned back to her adopted father. "Okay, I'm all ready to go."
Remus nodded, more to himself than to her, before stepping forward and grabbing her trunk. "I'll take this, Owlet. You go on ahead. I think Harry could use some encouragement."
Hermione nodded in reply before setting off down the hall to Harry's room. Sure enough, the young wizards was sitting on his bed, staring blankly at the marmosets swinging in the branches on his walls. "Harry?" She called out to him softly, almost afraid to disturb him.
He turned frighteningly empty eyes on her. "I don't want to go," he said softly.
She sighed heavily and trudged into his room. "I don't either," she replied truthfully. "But we have to, Harry," Hermione said, resting her hand on his shoulder. "It's something that we have to do. And you know Madame Alfreda says that you'll have to face them some time- she told me the same thing, so don't lie. Of course, facing kids my own age is very different from what you have to do, but Harry," she gently grabbed his hand and squeezed it comfortingly. "We can do this. I'll be with you the whole time. You can do this." Hermione leaned towards him, looking into his emerald eyes. "I have faith in you, Harry."
Harry gave her a small smile and sat up straighter on his bed before sliding down. "Thanks Hermione. I guess we have to go. I'm glad you're coming with me though. Are you ready?"
Hermione felt a surge of satisfaction with the decision that she had made to stand by Harry. "Yes, I'm ready. Let's go."
The pair left Harry's room and joined the hustle and bustle of the other children greeting their parents enthusiastically in the main entrance hall. Harry reached out and grabbed her hand, both offering and taking comfort since neither of them really had a parent waiting for them, with the exception of their adopted fathers. Sharing a smile, they went out to say goodbye to their friends.
When at last they bid farewell to the last of the students and their parents, Remus and Sirius led Harry and Hermione out to a car parked on the side of the road. "Are you sure I can't bring my piano?" Harry asked wistfully while Remus loaded their trunks into the car.
Sirius chuckled mirthlessly. "I don't think that will go over very well with your aunt and uncle," he said as he sat in the passenger side seat. "But I want you two to remember that-"
"If the Dursleys do anything bad to us, we are let you know immediately." Harry and Hermione chimed in perfect harmony. The pair grinned at each other as Remus chuckled from behind the wheel of the car and drove off, Harry and Hermione waving to Tonks and Harmony through the rear window.
"Why are we driving?" Harry asked. "Why don't we use a portkey?"
"We can't use a portkey or floo or anything like that Harry," Sirius began. "Since your aunt and uncle are muggles and live in a muggle area. It will look mighty strange if the two of you suddenly show up. The muggles need to see you arrive the way muggles do things."
"Then why didn't you drive to pick me up the first time?" Harry asked, curios.
Sirius flushed as Remus snorted. "Well, I didn't think you'd be coming back so I didn't really think it would matter if you suddenly vanished for no apparent reason."
Harry nodded his acceptance and stared out the window, watching as the trees seemed to fly by. The rest of the ride passed in much the same fashion. Sirius and Remus tried to start several conversations, but each ended up dwindling as neither Harry nor Hermione really wanted to talk.
The ride, though it should have lasted for a while, passed far too quickly for the silent occupants of the car. Soon, they pulled into number four of Privet Drive. Nosy neighbours peaked out of their windows while the other children, not as subtle as their parents, stared openly. Hermione sighed. Wonderful. More people to stare at us.
Exiting the car, they found a stony - faced Petunia waiting for them in the doorway. "Well, come on then," she said sharply and turned back into her house.
Harry and Hermione shared a look and shrugged before reaching for their trunks. Sirius and Remus beat them to it, and indicated that they would be carrying the trunks for them. The pair looked up at the pristine house before them. Taking strength in each other's presence, they slowly walked up to the door.
As they walked, Hermione briefly wished she had been able to talk more with Madame Alfreda before coming to the Dursleys-the woman had helped Hermione in ways the young witch had never thought possible; Hermione certainly never thought that she would have so many unresolved issues from being teased so much when she was younger. Surprisingly, the young girl now had much better control over her emotions, having dealt with several of her more painful memories. Regardless, Hermione wasn't sure she'd be able to hand facing Harry's tormentors without taking a page out of the Dark Harry's book and doing something highly illegal.
They crossed the threshold into number four. The house had changed very little since the last time either child had been there- the only difference was found in the pictures that adorned the walls. There were even more pictures of Dudley Dursley in all of his piggy glory. "Follow me," Petunia sniffed disdainfully and marched up the stairs.
Hermione leaned towards Harry. "Said the spider to the fly," she muttered.
Harry chuckled a little before he grabbed her hand and fell in step behind his aunt, Sirius and Remus dragging their trunks through the door. "How many books did you put in here, Hermione?" Remus asked, panting. Hermione just smiled innocently back at him. "That's what I thought."
Turning back to Petunia, Hermione shared a grin with Harry and followed his aunt down a the hallway. She led them to a small room with two twin size beds. "Vernon's sister Marge will be here later tonight, so you two will have to share."
Sirius gave her a dark look, but Petunia shockingly stood her ground. "Wasn't this Dudley's second bedroom?" Harry asked, looking around. "Where did all of his broken toys go?"
Petunia didn't answer. "I have things to do," she said stiffly, walking away. "I have to finish the roast and the rest of the meal for when Marge gets here. I will be in the kitchen."
"I can already tell that this is going to be such a pleasurable stay," Hermione muttered under her breath. Harry, who had heard her mumbling, smiled at her. "Do you want the left bed, or the right?" Harry glanced around and shrugged. Hermione suppressed a sigh- it was so like Harry to let her choose where she wanted to sleep. "I'll sleep on the left then," she decided and moved towards her chosen bed while Harry moved to his.
Sirius was livid. "I told them-"
"Padfoot," Remus soothed. "They have company coming, and you gave them two days notice. We'll just have to make sure to organize this a bit better next year."
The other man shifted a little and looked at Harry and Hermione. "Okay you two, we have to be going soon, but we wanted to say something."
"First, we love you both very much," Remus said, taking Hermione's trunk to the foot of her bed.
"Secondly, and this is important, no magic," Sirius said firmly. "Not that I don't think they deserve it, but you two are just kids," he missed the glance Harry and Hermione shared. "And I don't want them to accuse you of things you didn't do and punishing you for it or anything like that, okay? Maybe one day you'll be able to give them just what they really deserve, but for now I think you should keep your noses clean and stay out of trouble, okay?"
"And try to stay out of their way- out of sight, out of mind and all that," Remus added. "Hopefully they won't go looking for you to terrorize you and provoke you." He turned to Hermione. "As for you, we're going to secretly, and the key word there is secretly, put some charms on this room so that your magic won't be able to do much damage while you're here, alright?"
The pair nodded while Remus stood and began to wave his wand, murmuring under his breath, Sirius joining him. Harry and Hermione stood silently as the two men worked, not wishing to break their concentration. Sirius looked back at them once Remus was finished. "Remember now, no magic, and as much as it pains me to say it, no mischief, especially if it can be traced back to you. But more importantly, we love you both very much. Take care of each other."
Remus pulled Hermione into a tight embrace while Sirius did the same to Harry. "One month," Remus promised. "That's all, one month and we'll be back here to bring you home again."
"Romulus will be here about twice a week with letters, and he'll wait for a reply." Sirius released Harry. "We can't send him here everyday like we wanted because he'll have other letters to deliver, and we don't want the muggles around here getting suspicious."
The older men sighed heavily in unison. "Why don't the two of you start unpacking, though I don't know where you're going to put everything, since they only gave you one dresser," Remus said wryly as he stood next to his friend. "We have to go speak wither you're aunt and uncle, Harry, so we have to go. We'll see you soon. Goodbye Harry, goodbye Owlet."
"One month- promise. We'll see you then. Bye Hermione, bye Little Prongs," Sirius said softly. With that, Sirius and Remus left, shutting the door quietly behind them.
Harry and Hermione stood silently for several long moments before they turned to each other. "How long do you think we'll last before we use some magic on Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked.
"Not long," she replied casually. "Not long at all, considering the warm welcome we received. Come on, let 's get settled in."
Both turned to their trunks and set to work unpacking. The very first thing they removed were their treasures- Harry took his stuffed stag out and set it delicately on his bed while Hermione grabbed her copy of The Phantom of the Opera and set it gently on the small stand beside her bed. Next, Harry grabbed a wizarding photo of himself when he was a baby and his parents and set it on the small dresser, on the right side, while Hermione grabbed a muggle photo of herself, Harmony, and her parents and set it on the left side of the dresser. In the centre, Hermione set a newer portrait- in the back row stood Remus, Tonks, who was holding Harmony, then Sirius. In front of them stood Hermione and Harry, and between then sat Horace, his Order of Merlin gleaming in the light.
"How are we going to divide up the drawers?" Harry asked from beside her.
"Uh, I guess I'll have one, you'll have one, and we'll have the share the other," she replied, frowning at the dresser. The drawers didn't seem like they would hold very much."
Harry nodded. "You can have the top then, and I'll take the bottom. We can share the middle."
"Right, we'll put socks and pyjamas in the middle drawer, and our underclothing and other clothes in our personal drawers," Hermione agreed.
They set to work emptying their trunks, filling the middle drawer first. Once that was done, Harry began to unpack the few other items he had brought while Hermione put the rest of her clothes away. Setting on the shelf near his bed, Harry had placed a few of his wizarding toys, specifically the flying dragons- Hermione suspected he was going to show them off to Dudley sometime soon. Smiling, she turned away and set to work putting Disco on her bed and the books she had brought up on the shelf on the far wall while Harry put his clothes away. For safety's sake, both of them had decided to leave most of what they had brought in their enchanted trunks where it was, so that Dudley or any of the other Dursleys couldn't break anything.
No sooner had they finished putting their clothes away did they hear a sort of pounding. A few moments later the door to their room burst open, revealing a red - faced Dudley Dursley. The angry boy scowled at them. "I bet you two think you're just great, don't you? Coming to my house, my house, and bothering us normal peoples! And worse, you take my other room! I hate you, I hate you both! You're dumb stupid heads, and I want you out!" Dudley stomped angrily before leaving without another word.
"Is he mental?" Hermione asked after a moment of silence.
"I don't know," Harry shrugged. "Maybe I should ask Madame Alfreda." He paused. "I wish Misstessah would have come along, so that we could pull a few pranks on Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon."
"Indeed," Hermione murmured, partially agreeing after her cold welcome. "So what do you want to do? We still have several hours before your uncle's sister arrives."
Harry gave her a sheepish look. "I'm actually kind of tired. I didn't sleep very well last night, because I knew I was coming here today."
Hermione nodded her understanding- she hadn't slept very well either, and wondered if it was perhaps because Harry couldn't sleep. "Why don't we take a nap?" She suggested. "I don't think we should try taking on all of the Dursleys without getting some rest, or we'll be asking for trouble."
Stretching, Harry nodded and climbed into his bed, ready to sleep. Hermione nodded to herself and slipped into her own bed and lay back. It wasn't long before Harry and Hermione, both emotionally exhausted, fell asleep.
----
Hermione soon found herself standing in the master suite of Potter Manor, home of the Dark Harry and her older dream self. It was still dark here, but she could see the sleeping figures of the Dark Harry and his wife lying in their bed as the sun slowly climbed into the sky. She frowned. Hermione had never had a dream like this one. Normally when she dreamed it was mid - morning, or sometimes around noon.
The Dark Harry began to shift on the bed before sitting up and looking out the window. As he slid out of bed the other Hermione rolled over into his place and buried her nose in his pillow briefly before pushing herself up. "Morning," she mumbled, rubbing the sleep form her eyes.
Harry smiled warmly. "Good morning, Love of my Life," he slipped back into bed and kissed her gently before sliding down the bed and kissing her abdomen. "Good morning, Baby Potter."
The dream Hermione smiled at him. "So, what's on the agenda today, Minister," she purred.
Harry sighed forlornly. "I have a meeting with Neville first, then I have to do a routine check up of the auror division, then I need to pay a visit to the Dursleys."
"The Dursleys? Why do you need to see them?" Hermione asked with a frown as she curled up beside her husband.
"Oh, no big deal really, I just need to go straighten a few things out. I'm not even sure why I need to see them today," he kissed her forehead and got back out of their bed. "And what will you be doing today?"
She smiled and slid out of bed while her younger counterpart looked on in interest. "Well, if it were any other day, I'd be in my lab doing research. As I'm pregnant, I'll go to the library and do research. I might practice more with my wandless magic- I'm not as good as you are yet. Then I think I'll do some work on setting up a room for our little one. Have you thought of any names yet?"
The young Hermione looked down at the floor as the couple began to dress. "For a boy I was thinking Bartholomew, or maybe-"
"I am most certainly not naming any child of mine Bartholomew!" The dream Hermione snapped indignantly.
Harry gave her a cheeky grin. "I was joking," he said. "I would be happy with any name really. But I was thinking, if it's a girl, I would like to name her Harmony," he wrapped his arms around her. "For your sister. I know you miss her."
She gave him a watery smile. "What did I ever do to deserve you Harry?"
He smiled thinly. "The real question is what did I do to deserve someone as kind and loving and caring as you?"
"Oh my Harry," She turned in his arms and looked into his onyx eyes. "I have never met anyone more kind and loving and caring as you." She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I would be more than happy to show you just how kind, loving and caring you are, but then you'd be late for your meeting with Neville," she said with a wink.
Harry laughed. "Ah, the trouble with being the Minister!" He drew away and finished dressing. "I'll try to meet you for lunch if I can get away, alright?"
The dream Hermione smiled. "That would be wonderful, we could pick out colours for the little one's room."
He smiled before bidding her goodbye and walking out of the room. Hermione followed him, curious as to why he was going to speak with Neville. The dream shifted, and she then found herself standing beside the Dark Harry, who was sitting in a throne like chair. "What did you find out, Neville?"
Neville looked up with a confidence Hermione had never seen in him before. "So far as I can tell, it's nothing more than an undocumented side - effect. My best guess is that each case is unique and has different side - effects. But as you know, research isn't my area of expertise."
The Dark Harry nodded. "Indeed," he looked up. "I'll look into it myself. And the other matter?"
"You were right, of course. Ginny Weasley has teamed up with Draco Malfoy in an attempt to overtake you." He shifted a little. "I guess Ginny was jealous that you chose Hermione instead of her."
Harry smirked. "Likely. I'll deal with them. Put a few agents in the field. I want Ginny and Draco brought to me alive. I'll have to make an example of them." He stood up and stepped towards a nearby window. "They'll regret ever going against me. I gave them one chance, and they'll get no more from me."
Neville nodded. "What are you going to do with Malfoy's wife and son?"
"Kill them probably, as soon as I find a good, worthy ritual. I'm not so careless as to waste a few good sacrifices. I've already secured them. Pansy and Donovan Malfoy mean nothing to him now that he's with Ginny. Doubtless she's already with child." He pondered a moment. "I might keep Donovan. I haven't decided yet. I may keep him as a playmate for the baby."
The other man nodded understandingly. "That'll be nice for the sprout. It'll give them someone to play with while you're gone. Must be hectic, being the youngest Minister in the history of Britain. Before I go, how are Hermione and the baby, by the way?"
Harry grinned. "Great, they're great. Hermione is only just entering her third week, but she's already made all sorts of plans. I think she's trying to get a head start because she's worried that her morning sickness will throw her off schedule when it begins."
"Ah, the joys of wizarding medicine- you never have to wait to find out if you're going to have a baby." Neville smiled. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
"We don't know," Harry said with a shrug. "We'll find out when the baby's born. We want it to be a surprise."
Neville grinned. "That will mess up a lot of plans. Be prepared to get a lot of yellow baby clothes from your followers."
He and Harry began to laugh. Hermione was reminded how nice Harry's laugh was, even though he was technically evil. When he laughed, it was almost like he was in Hogwarts again, before Professor Dumbledore, Sirius and Cedric were killed. "That I shall." He leaned back and looked at his companion thoughtfully. "Why are you still here, Neville? Why do you still follow me?"
Neville shrugged easily. "You let me have the Lestrange brothers to avenge my parents, Harry. I can't really repay you for letting me kill then myself." Neville looked up, smiling coldly. Hermione shuddered. How could sweet, innocent Neville kill two people, and look back on his actions as though they were fond memories?
"It was the least I could do, Neville," the Dark Harry said with a matching cold smile on his face.
The dream shifted again, this time to another dungeon. "Oh my, Uncle Vernon, you've made a mess all over my beautiful floor, and Aunt Petunia can't even clean it up." Hermione turned around and immediately wished she hadn't. Vernon Dursley lay twitching on the floor in a mess of vomit and blood. He was panting heavily, his body covered in sweat as he shuddered. The beefy man's back was covered with looked like long, crisscrossing welts that had long ago begun to bleed.
In the far corner of the room, Petunia Dursley rocked back and forth, her eyes distant. "Must make tea for the guests," she babbled. "And scrub the tiles in the kitchen. No dirt allowed, no, no! Not allowed at all! Can't have anything like that, not in my kitchen, oh no. Guests would think ill of my kitchen." Back and forth she rocked, back and forth. "Tea, make tea and be polite. And clean my kitchen. Bad dirt, bad." She whimpered pitifully. "My poor kitchen! So dirty! And the tea is cold now. Oh, I must make more. Hot tea for guests, and a clean kitchen."
"So, Dud, what am I going to do with you, hmm? I have all sorts of ideas," the Dark Harry grinned and vanished the blood - speckled belt he had been holding. He calmly drew his wand, twirling it between his fingers. "But which one should I choose? I have so much to make up for." He pretended to ponder something. "Ah, I know." He smiled maliciously and pointed his wand at his cousin, his eyes alight with mischief. "I know just what to do to you, my cousin. "
----
"Up!" There was a pounding at the door. "Up now! Marge will be here in ten minutes!" Hermione sat up and looked around before remembering where she was. She slid out of bed and walked over to were Harry was stretching on his own bed.
"Ready to face Medusa's ugly twin?" Hermione asked.
"Not really," he replied as he slipped out of his bed. "But we don't really have a choice, now do we?"
Hermione shook her head. "Let's go, then." She started to walk away, but turned back when she realized Harry wasn't following her. Understanding his reluctance, she walked back and grabbed his hand in reassurance. Taking comfort in each other, they walked, hand in hand, out of their room, ready for anything. Or so they hoped.
---------
A/N: I have to admit, I missed the Dark Harry. And I made Neville evil. It was fun. Yes, there was a delay. Again. I'm sorry, I really am, but it's time for midterms at college, and I've been studying most of the time. I can't wait for Christmas break-then it will be just me and my keyboard. Alas, I have a month until that can happen.
Yes, a ridiculously long wait, but my midterms are over, finally. Just to prove that I wasn't wasting my time, I am pleased to announce that I got a 97% on my anthropology test, a 98% on one of my psychology tests, 100% on the second psychology test, and another 97% on my sociology test. Then there was family things going on, then a holiday.
Regretfully, my updating schedule won't stabilize for some time. I have 4 that I have to write, all of which are due within the next week. It's not very pleasant, especially since there's only one paper that sounds even remotely interesting (Sociology-I have to write a three page paper connecting things I've learned in sociology to a book I've read. Guess which book I plan to use.) After that I have finals. I'm sorry, but I have a busy schedule for college this quarter, and my grades are more important than my writing, especially since my scholarship is riding on them.
Well, thank you everyone who read, and special thanks to those who reviewed. And thank you everyone who was ever so patient to wait this long.
Cheers,
Madm_05