Story Title: Time, Interrupted
Chapter Title: Alarm
Author: Madm_05
Rating: Strong PG-13/T
Chapter Word Count: 5,945
Date: 14 July 2006
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everyone else from Potterverse belong to JKR.
Chapter Four: Alarm
Sirius padded into the kitchen, unsurprised by the sight of his good friend sitting at the table, playing with Harmony and trying to get her to eat. "You would think Harmony would cry more, given all of the changes she's been through recently." Sirius said.
Remus looked up. "Well, Hermione said she's a social butterfly, so I'm not concerned about Harmony. Hermione, on the other hand, is causing me a great deal of worry."
Sirius frowned. "She seems like she's doing okay to me."
"That's just it, she's doing too well," Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Six days, Padfoot, her parents died six days ago, and she hasn't mourned them. She hasn't cried since I found her in that broom closet. She's been so busy helping us with the house and she seems so normal that you forget she just lost every adult in her life. And she knows things," Remus leaned back. "She knows things six year olds aren't supposed to know."
Sirius frowned as sat next to his old friend. "What do you mean? I know she's smarter than, well, most adults I've met, but I thought you explained that, with her ability to read and remember and all. That would make her pretty smart."
"That's just it, she knows things that you can't find in books!" Remus ran his fingers through his hair. "There are so many things that don't add up, so many inconsistencies." He leaned forward. "For instance, how does she know Harmony is a social butterfly, how does she know that her sister can adjust to any setting? Harmony isn't even a year old!
"And that's not all. Do you remember the Wizengamot Hearing? I've seen adults called up to testify that didn't answer as completely as she did. Usually, the Wizengamot has to ask several questions in order to get the whole story. They asked Hermione one question-- they asked her what happened. I felt like she was giving a history report! What six year old can tell you about the death of her parents and discovering a criminal on accident like she did? It doesn't make sense."
"Then there's Malfoy. She was terrified of him at the Hearing," Sirius added thoughtfully. "But she shouldn't have been, now that I think on it. She didn't know him, and he was pretty much offering to buy her anything she wanted. We know he's evil, but she doesn't. Yet she knew he was a man to feared.
"And the comment that Toad Woman said. What was her name? Umbrella? She made a comment on Purebloods and Muggleborns. I'm almost positive Hermione knew she was being insulted," Sirius said, warming to the topic. "She's a Muggleborn-- the Ministry showed everyone records that proved it at the Hearing-- so she shouldn't have known about the controversy over Purebloods and Muggleborns."
"You see? There are so many things that don't fit," Remus snorted. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was from the future."
Sirius paused and looked deep in thought. "What if she is, Moony? I mean, of course she's not from the future, but, what if she can see the future? It would explain a lot of things." He glanced around and leaned closer. "Isn't it strange the way she acts as if she knows us? And those stories we were telling Harry last night-- didn't it seem strange to you that she would sometimes smile right before we told something funny?
"On top of that, I told you about what happened at the Dursleys-- Hermione knew Harry was in that cupboard. My animagus form is a dog, Moony, I have better hearing and sense of smell than most people-- I didn't know he was in there." Sirius gave his friend a penetrating look. "If Hermione is a Seer, that would explain it. If that's true, I guess it's a good thing you have custody, isn't it? Can you imagine what Malfoy would have done to her? "
"So it is very probable that Hermione has to deal with being a Seer on top of everything else that has happened." He began to massage his temples. "Truthfully, I was relieved when she ran out of the room, and I wish she would start crying-- any reaction at all is better than not reacting."
Harmony began to fuss, getting Remus' attention. "I'm sorry, Harmony, you're still hungry, aren't you?" He said, continuing in his task. "Well, at least Hermione has Harry now."
"You're not going to convince a pair of kids they should get married, are you Moony?" Sirius said, getting up and hunting for something to eat. "They are a bit young, after all, don't you think?"
Remus snorted. "I never said anything about marriage, Padfoot. I'm just saying that they've become fast friends," he said, giving his friend a look. "You know, we need to get out to Diagon Alley. We need food and the kids need some clothes."
"I agree on all counts." Sirius said, his eyes roaming the cabinets in search of food. "Especially in regards to Harry and Hermione. It's a bit scary to me, actually, how Harry acts around her. Did it seem to you like he wasn't happy unless she was close by? Where are the biscuits?"
"They're in the left cabinet, and you shouldn't be eating them this early-- you'll set a bad example for the children." Remus grinned as his friend raised his hands in surrender and went in search of something else to eat. "And yes, I did notice how he acted. I'm not sure whether I'm worried or pleased, myself."
"I can understand you being worried-- the way he acted last night was just this side of obsessive-- but how can you be pleased?" Sirius asked, stopping his hunt.
Remus took a drink from his cup. "Because now they are not alone. Think, Padfoot, I know you can. They are two children who are orphaned at a young age, and both with extraordinary powers. Harry defeated Voldemort and Hermione can do wandless magic, and that makes them very different from everyone, it makes them different from muggle-kind and wizarding - kind.
"Then, from what you've told me of Harry's family and their treatment of him, I don't think he had many friends until he met Hermione-- a girl his age who was willing to accept him, baggy clothes and cruel cousin and all. As for Hermione, well, from what I've seen, she prefers the company of books to people. I'm speaking as a bookworm myself now, so I know that she uses her books as a shield. She probably wasn't anymore accepted than Harry was, until she met Harry himself.
"So you see, Padfoot, I would be more concerned for them both if they weren't friends. Yes, I am concerned that Harry is a bit too attached to Hermione considering they've only just met," he admitted, "but another part of me is glad they have found acceptance in each other. He's not obsessive, he's protective. Those two will either be as close as any brother and sister, or, they'll be as close as Lily and James, if you catch my meaning." Remus looked pensive for a moment. "It's as if they're Kindred Spirits."
"Kindred Spirits," Sirius nodded thoughtfully. "I hadn't looked at it like that. I'm still--" He was cut off by two owls tapping at the window. Sirius stood and opened the window, allowing the owls waiting outside to fly in. The first owl, holding one envelope, flew to Remus while the other owl, holding three envelopes, flew to Sirius.
"Well, the Ministry knows that Harry is here," Sirius said glancing at the three letters then opening the one addressed to him, "I guess we'll be going out today. It seems the Ministry has finally decided what to give me as compensation for Azkaban. There's to be a ceremony tomorrow, where I'm to receive it. There's a letter for Harry and another for Hermione, I'm guessing theirs say the same. The three of us are allowed to take a guest, so I'm sure we'll be able to find a way for you and Harmony to come along, unless you got a letter as well?"
"I did, but my letter is from Gringotts. Both the girls and I have been added to your Gringotts account and have full access. Are you sure this is wise, Sirius? They are children, and the Black family fortune is very large…"
"Relax Moony. I'm sure they'll be very responsible." Remus snorted into his cup. "Actually, I'm not telling them." Sirius admitted with a grin. "Well Moony, I'm going to wake Harry and Hermione up and have them get ready so we can go out for a while-- Harry is in desperate need of clothes that fit, but all of the kids need wizarding robes. Why don't you clean up Harmony?"
--Hermione's Point Of View--
Hermione lay in bed, unwilling to open her eyes. It was a ritual she was accustomed to. She would lay in bed with her eyes closed and pretend that if she opened them, she would be in her old room and that at any minute, her parents were going to call her down for breakfast.
She rolled over and covered her head with her pillow. For a brief moment, it seemed as if she could block out all of her memories with the darkness. She could forget her parents' deaths, she could forget about her strange new abilities.
For her guardian's sake, she pretended that she couldn't feel the magic wards placed on her room that alerted Remus when her magic acted up. She pretended that she didn't know he came into her room each night to fix the damage she had done. Last night he had turned the mist she had created back into the curtains they were before. Hermione had feigned slumber.
Hermione shifted again. Having wandless magic was one thing, having some sort of connection to magic itself was another. She could feel a tingle whenever something magical was near. It had developed after the disaster in the Wizengamot, thankfully. It was nice to have that sort of warning, but it was horrible when she was around too much magic. Just sitting in a room with a few magical objects was enough to make her twitch.
Too restless to sleep, Hermione pulled herself out of bed and got dressed for the day. Remus and Sirius had said they were going to Diagon Alley today to get robes for her, Harry, and Harmony. Her spirits lifted a little. Maybe she could persuade Sirius and Remus to buy Hedwig and Crookshanks. It would be lovely to have Crookshanks to comfort her.
Opening her door, Hermione found Sirius standing outside, his hand raised to knock. "Well, you're awake! That's makes things easier. Moony and I will be taking all of you out today, so run down and get yourself a quick breakfast while I wake Harry. We'll be leaving shortly."
Hermione nodded and watched as Sirius walked down the hallway to Harry's room with a slight bounce in his step. Grinning, she walked down to the kitchen. Seeing Sirius and Harry so happy now was almost worth… Hermione shook her head and stepped into the kitchen. Smiling at Remus as he washed Harmony's face, Hermione set about making a quick breakfast of toast for herself and Harry.
A few minutes later, Harry came tumbling into the kitchen. "I'm so sorry, I'll never oversleep again, I promise. I didn't mean to not wake up in time to make breakfast, and I really am--"
"Harry! It's okay. Really. Look, I made you some toast-- no butter, just like you like it." Hermione said with a small smile, handing him a small stack.
Harry looked at her in awe. "How did you know I don't like butter on my toast?"
Hermione laughed nervously, not seeing the shared look between Sirius and Remus. "Lucky guess, that's all!" She breathed a sigh of relief when Harry accepted her answer with a smile and a nod as he began to eat his breakfast. "So, how will we be getting to Diagon Alley?" She asked Remus.
"We'll be flooing over. Don't worry, we'll show you how it's done," he said reassuringly. "I'll take Harmony, so we'll go first. You'll watch Harry and Hermione, won't you Padfoot?" Sirius nodded his agreement and stood. "Well then, let's go."
Standing before the fireplace in the family room, Remus took a pinch of floo powder and tossed it into the fire. "Now watch closely you two," he said, wrapping his arms protectively around Harmony as she squirmed, trying to look at the roaring green flames. "Diagon Alley!" Remus shouted, stepping into the fire.
"Right, now, you go next Little Prongs. I'm sure you don't need me to carry you-- I'd been flooing by myself by the time I was four. Just throw some of the powder into the fire, wait for it to turn green, step in and say Diagon Alley, okay?" Sirius said, patting Harry on the back and gesturing towards the fire. "Just remember to keep your eyes closed because of the soot, and don't fidget, or you'll fall out of some old hag's fireplace, alright? Good."
Hermione watched as Harry swallowed nervously and grabbed a pinch of powder with shaking hands. Before he even threw the floo powder into the fire, she knew there was going to be a problem. He threw the powder and stepped into the green flames. "D-Dia-gon Alley!" Harry coughed. Hearing his mispronunciation, Hermione leapt into the emerald fire, hugging Harry, the floo taking her with him when he was whisked away.
Once the spinning stopped, Hermione and Harry tumbled out of the fireplace in a heap. Looking around, Hermione recognized Borgin and Burkes. An intense tingling shot through her-- she had forgotten how she reacted when she was near magical objects. Then another jolt of a very different sort shot through her-- if she were at Borgin and Burkes, then she could get the Ravenclaw Horcrux! The bracelet of Rowena Ravenclaw was so close at hand, and if she could only get her hands on it, it would be one less task for her to undertake later.
In the back of her mind she wondered if the Divine Beings had a hand in this. Probably not, she thought. They didn't help when my parents… they haven't helped me so far, I can't see why they would help me now.
"Hermione, look at this hand over here! It's all shriveled and stuff-- it looks like a mummy hand!" Harry said excitedly peering into a glass case. "Wow! Look at those masks, it feels like they're staring at me or something, do you feel it?"
Hermione smiled slightly as Harry talked animatedly about the strange objects through out the store. He didn't seem to notice Hermione walking slowly to the back of the dingy building. She could see it, sitting in a display case for all the world to see, if only anyone would look. She glance around to be sure no one was in the room other than Harry. I'd do anything for you Harry. I've lied and I've stolen, and I'll steal again for you. Nervously licking her lips, Hermione tentatively reached out and set her hand on the glass.
Glancing to check on Harry, she focused on summoning the bracelet to her. Focusing her magic and ignoring the tingling from all of the magic around her, Hermione thought of everything that had gone wrong in her life, blaming it all on the Horcruxes. Nothing happened. She couldn't fail, not in this. She didn't know when she would be able to return to Borgin and Burkes to get the Horcrux. Slowly, the bracelet rose from the cushion it lay on and hovered in mid air. Anger swelled in her chest. She watched as part of the glass began to melt away. Hermione snatched the bracelet and shoved it into her pocket as she turned away, stepping quickly towards Harry.
"I think we should go, Harry. Sirius and Papa Remus won't be happy if they find out we're here. This doesn't seem like a very good place to be. They're probably terribly worried as well." Hermione said, walking to the door.
Harry nodded anxiously, walking away from a blood stained pack of playing cards. "Yes, we should go. I don't like this place." The young boy swallowed nervously as she came closer, his eyes darting around.
Hermione gabbed his hand in a comforting gesture and immediately felt him relax. "This way," she said, leading him into the dark of Knockturn Alley.
Hearing the jingle of the bell, Mr. Burke stepped out of his office and looked around. "Kids these days, always causing trouble for hardworking wizards," he sneered, turning back into his office. He never notice the empty case that once held the bracelet of Rowena Ravenclaw.
Fighting the dizziness that threatened to overcome her, Hermione resolutely led Harry down the path she knew led to Diagon Alley. "Well, look what we have here," a voice rasped from one of the many corners in Knockturn Alley.
"Looks like quite a prize to me, Archie. It looks like we caught ourselves Harry The Boy Who Lived Potter and Hermione The Wandless Witch Granger. Yes, we caught quite the prize indeed," another voice echoed ominously around them.
Harry defiantly positioned himself in front of Hermione. "I'm warning you, you'd better stay away from us." Hermione shuddered. The Dark Harry had used that tone when he vowed to find her killer.
The second voice laughed, as two forms came into view. The first was an old man with a scraggly beard and missing teeth, the second was a an old woman, bent and seemingly frail. "Listen to the little lion's roar. Fierce, isn't he?" The man sneered with a mocking grin to his companion.
"Wotcher," a third, female, voice said. "You fine people wouldn't be scaring these kids, now, would you?" An old woman with a large hooked nose and hairy mole on her chin materialized behind Harry and Hermione. "Because that's just not nice, them being kids and all." She watched at the pair melted back into the shadows and looked down before shifting her form. Hermione felt a wave of relief at the sight of Tonks. "I don't suppose there is a good reason you two are wondering around a place like this, is there?"
"There was an accident when we were flooing to Diagon Alley," Hermione said calmly, hoping to hide her nervousness. Had the aurors been called in to investigate the missing bracelet already? She crossed her fingers and prayed they hadn't. "It's a bit difficult to talk clearly with hot ash in your mouth." There, she thought, seeing Harry's grateful look. She doesn't need to know that Harry had the accident, so now Harry won't have to feel too embarrassed about it.
Tonks stared at them a moment before nodding. "Well, let's go find your guardians. This isn't a very safe place for anyone, let alone a couple of kids like you," she said, guiding them out of the darkened alley. "I'm sure they're worried about you."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief-- so the aurors hadn't been alerted about the stolen bracelet from Borgin and Burkes. Soon they would be out of Knockturn Alley, and if she could only make it home with out getting caught, she could begin planning how the get the next Horcrux.
As the trio neared the entrance to Diagon Alley, Remus came barreling right at them. Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her off to one side, using his body as a shield to protect her. Tonks had no such shield. Remus ran right into her, knocking them both to the ground in a tangled heap.
"I have to tell you," Tonks said, her voice strained as she tried to get her breath back. "I prefer to be on top."
Remus flushed. Even the tips of his ears glowed red. "N-not in front of the children," he stammered, scrambling to his feet. He cleared his throat nervously. "I'm terribly sorry about that, I really am. I was looking for Harry and Hermione, you see, there was--"
"An accident with the floo, yes, I know. You know, if accidents with the floo like that one weren't so common, I would have reported you to the Ministry," she said as Remus paled. "Fortunately for you, I'm off duty, the Ministry is run by a bunch of idiots that would place the girls with a bunch of less than noble prats, and you're a friend of my favorite cousin," she added with a grin.
Remus was taken aback then looked at her intensely for a moment. "Little Dora? Is that really you?" He laughed and pulled her into a hug when she grinned. "I haven't seen you in ages!"
Tonks laughed. "I'm not that little anymore."
"So I see," he replied before coughing nervously. "Say, why don't you come with me and the kids? Sirius is watching Harmony and fighting off the attention of random witches at the Leaky Cauldron while I came here to look for Harry and Hermione-- I'm sure he'd love to see you again."
Tonks smiled. "Why not? I'm not doing anything at the moment. I have the day off from training, so I figured I'd walk around Knockturn Alley in my free time to see if anything suspicious is going on. That's how I stumbled on to the kids. It'll be nice to see Sirius and check on Hermione."
Hermione caught Harry's gaze and rolled her eyes. She knew he hated being talked about rather than being talked to as much as she did. Harry glanced at Tonks then gave Hermione a questioning look. She sighed-- she really didn't want to tell Harry about her parents, or about Tonks and the other aurors finding her just yet. Hermione tilted her head slightly in an I'll tell you later look. Harry nodded in understanding. Despite her unwillingness to talk about the night her parents died, she loved how they could still talk to each other without actually speaking, even when they were still kids.
"So," Remus began, "what have you been up to all this time Dora? We haven't talked in quite some time, not since…" He trailed off, shooting Harry a nervous glance.
"Yeah, I know," Tonks said, seeing the look he gave Harry. "It has been a long time. I'm in training to be an auror now, just started."
Hermione tuned out the conversation when she heard Harry breathe in sharply. Turning, she grinned at the look of amazement on his face as they entered Diagon Alley. It was hard to remember that, while she had been there several times, this Harry hadn't.
She struggled with a wave of dizziness that overcame her as she entered an area with much more magic to contend with. Knockturn Alley had very few stores, and even fewer frequenters, as it was an unsavory place to be seen. Diagon Alley, however, was filled with people and magical items. The abundance of magic was overwhelming, but Hermione fought to stay in control. It wouldn't help her situation if she suddenly fainted.
She focused on Harry's voice as he pointed out everything around them, pushing away the intense, constant tingling. Why do things like this always happen to me? The Time-Turner fiasco, half of the Ravenclaws wouldn't come near me because of what my spelled the parchment did to Marietta Edgecomb in the D.A., then I just had to teach myself wandless magic, and now I'm stuck feeling magic all the time. Damn my academic drive!
Hermione was relieved when the Leaky Cauldron came into view-- at least there she would only have to contend with other witches and wizards. She took a moment to look around and realized she was being stared at. Listening carefully, she could hear whispers of "that's Harry Potter and Hermione Granger" and "the Boy Who Lived and the Wandless Witch!" Hermione frowned. She didn't like the attention she and Harry were drawing.
Entering the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione felt no relief. While the tingling wasn't nearly as intense as before, there were even more people staring at her and Harry. "Bless my soul!" Tom shouted merrily, turning heads in their direction. "It's Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived and Hermione Granger, the Wandless Witch! Welcome, welcome! Please, come in, sit, eat, drink! Can I get you anything?" He asked excitedly. "It's an honor, it truly is!"
As people began to swarm around them, trying to shake their hands, Hermione tried to make herself smaller. Was this what Harry dealt with everyday? She had known he was famous, and that everyone on the side of light all but worshipped him, but she had never seen anything quite like this. Perhaps it was because Voldemort had only fallen a little under five years ago. There would certainly be quite the difference if Harry was introduced five years earlier than he had been in the first reality.
Harry, she noticed, seemed mortified. "Hermione," he whispered shakily, "how do they know my name? I've never met these people before in my life!"
"You're famous, Harry, remember? If it makes you feel better, I had no idea I was famous either." Hermione said, grabbing his hand and squeezing gently. "I can't wait to go home." Harry nodded his agreement.
"My-My!" A voice shrieked.
"Excuse me, wizard with a baby, coming through!" Sirius' voice called out over the din as he elbowed his way over to them. "I have to tell you, Moony, I'm beginning to think this was a mistake. Next time we need clothes for the kids, I say we call a private tailor to the house. As for food, well, we can hire someone to get food, can't we?" He seemed desperate.
Tonks snorted. "Yeah, you would want to just hire someone. The poor kids would never get to have any fun then, being trapped inside all the time. Where's the fun in that?"
Sirius looked at her strangely. "Little Dora?" He asked. "Is that you?" Tonks rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Hey, you're Remus Lupin right?" A witch Hermione didn't know said as she approached the small group. "What do you say we get together sometime?" The witch wasn't even looking at Remus-- she was staring at Hermione. "I'm sure I could help you with this adorable little girl."
"First, there are two adorable little girls, and second, he's not interested!" Tonks snapped, pushing the witch away. "You kids need robes, right? Well, let's get to Madame Malkin's and hopefully we'll be able to have a conversation."
"That sounds like a fantastic idea, Dora," Sirius said, pushing another wizard away before he could attempt to shake Harry's hand. He set his hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I think we need to get out of here." Hermione had never been so happy to hear anyone say that-- she was having a hard time standing up straight from the intense tingling all around her.
The group waded their way through the crowd and escaped to Madame Malkin's. The trooped in and, to their relief, found it nearly empty. There was only an older woman talking with a clerk, and a young boy Hermione recognized as a younger Neville, looking at a set of robes nearby. Glad to see a friend, she walked over to him. "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger," she said, smiling softly. As her back was to Harry, she never saw him scowling at Neville.
"H-Hermione Granger? The Hermione Granger?" He stammered.
Hermione paused. How did everyone, even Neville, know who she was? She'd only been a part of the wizarding world for a few days! "Yes," she said, before looking over her shoulder. "This is my friend Harry," she introduced the boys.
Harry calmly walked over and offered Neville his hand, his face an impassive mask. The Dark Harry had looked like that. Hermione shuddered. "Are you cold, Hermione?" Harry asked, looking at her with concern.
"A little," she lied. "But I'll be alright." She looked around for a distraction. "Oh, you never did tell us your name," she said.
"N-Neville Longbottom," he stuttered bashfully. "I know who you two are. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, the two most famous kids ever." He looked at Harry's scar, then at Hermione and flushed.
"Neville, who are you--oh! Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, why I never thought I'd meet two such remarkable children. Little Neville is nothing extraordinary, I'm afraid, he doesn't seem to have much in the way of magic." The elderly witch said.
Hermione saw Neville wince and frowned. "I'm sure that if given half the chance, Neville could be a great wizard," she defended. Neville flushed again as the Longbottom Matron scrutinized Hermione.
"Hermione," Remus said as he walked up, Tonks, with Harmony now in her arms, and Sirius on either side. "Madame Malkin has an order she needs to finish up quickly, then she'll take your measurements. In the meantime, why don't you look around for robes you would like to have."
"Excuse me," the elderly woman asked, "but you are Mr. Lupin, are you not?" Remus nodded hesitantly. "Has she been Matched?" She asked, pointing to Hermione.
"Matched?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Betrothed," the woman replied. Hermione felt the blood drain from her face. This could not be happening. "I think she would make a fine Match for Neville. She has enough spirit that she may be able to help the boy. If not, she certainly has the power to rejuvenate the Longbottom line."
"Well," Remus shifted, "I know wizarding betrothals are a long standing tradition--"
"She's Matched with me," Harry said, stepping forward.
The elder Longbottom sighed. "I thought that might be the case. Oh well, it was worth a try-- I had to at least ask. You never know about these things. Oh, there are our packages, Neville. Say goodbye to your friends, it's time to go." Neville, his face beet red, nodded and scurried after his grandmother.
Everyone was silent until, "James would be proud, Little Prongs. You skipped the dating part altogether and went straight to being engaged. Not even he managed that. But shouldn't you have asked Hermione?"
Harry looked at Hermione. "What does 'betrothed' mean?"
Hermione sighed. What had he gotten them into now? Would he always get them into trouble? "Being betrothed is--"
"Brilliant!" Remus said, looking at Sirius. "We can tell people that the kids are betrothed, and then we won't have to deal with offers from other families. The kids will be able to have some peace, at least in that respect."
Sirius' eyes lit up. "Then Malfoy wouldn't be able to get Hermione that way. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes the promised witch goes to live with her betrothed-- I wouldn't be surprised if he tried it."
"Just one problem," Tonks said, bouncing Harmony in her arms. "Official betrothals are kept on record. People are going to find out it's not real sooner or later."
"What does betrothed mean?" Harry asked again.
The adults began to shift uncomfortably. Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's a contract of sorts," she said, turning to Harry. "If a man and a woman, or in our case, a boy and a girl are betrothed or engaged, it means they are going to be married. If we are married, then it means we agree to live together for the rest of our lives." He stared blankly. "Your aunt and uncle were married."
"Okay, I understand now," Harry said, nodding.
"Are you sure she's a kid?" Tonks whispered to Remus.
Harry continued. "So we're already married then. I guess we can tell people that we're not betrothed."
"What?" Hermione choked. Did he say what she thought he said?
Tonks fought a grin as Sirius chuckled. "And how did you come to the conclusion that you're already married?"
"We live together," he shrugged. "And Hermione said that marriage is when you live together."
Hermione considered saying that both parties had to agree to live together for the rest of their lives, but decided not to speak. If she did, it may hurt him, and upsetting him wouldn't help her mission. This would have to be worked out later.
A woman cleared her throat behind them. "I do believe you wanted some robes for the little dears?" Madame Malkin asked, looking at Harry and Hermione.
Hermione was really getting tired of being gawked at for something she had no hand in. This must have been how Harry felt each time someone stared at his scar. She almost felt as if she should have a mark of some kind. One of the windows of the shop shattered. Madame Malkin gasped excitedly. "So it's true! You can do wandless magic!"
Before anyone could reply, Harry and Hermione were shuffled into separate rooms to have their measurements taken and be fitted for robes. It wasn't long before she and Harry both had several sets of robes and even a few pairs of undergarments, socks, and shoes. She and Harry had had to fight for the right to keep their old clothes-- it was disturbing that Madame Malkin wanted to keep their old muggle clothes. Judging from the look on Harry's face, he agreed. She couldn't leave fast enough.
"So, why don't we head over to the Magical Menagerie?" Sirius asked. "I can wait for my wand a bit longer, and it would be more convenient." Hearing no objections, he lead the way to the pet store. Hermione was ecstatic-- maybe she could convince them to buy Hedwig and Crookshanks for her and Harry. She walked quickly, hoping that the tingling would lessen when she entered the pet shop.
Stepping inside, Hermione went straight to the owls, looking for a certain snowy owl, and was shocked to find said owl was not there. There several snowy owls, but none of them had Hedwig's spot pattern, nor did they have the intelligent gleam in their eyes. Her egg probably hasn't even been laid, let alone hatched, she realized dejectedly. When she checked the area where the cats were kept, she found that Crookshanks wasn't there.
In the end, Tonks picked out an Australian Masked owl, saying he would be useful for long trips and sending packages. He was a proud looking creature, but was very gentle and affectionate. Naming him, they decided, could wait until later, when they were home and away from the crowd.
Hermione focused on staying upright as they began the trek to Ollivander's. It seemed even more people had entered Diagon Alley, and the tingling had become almost too much to bear. "Are you alright Hermione?" Harry asked as she began to sway. Unable to speak, she nodded. Reaching out, she grabbed Harry to steady herself.
"Maybe she needs to rest," Remus said, lifting her into his arms. "We'd better get to Ollivander's and quick."
Hermione nodded absently. Yes, she thought, Ollivander's. Then I can get away from all of these people. She was vaguely aware of Remus walking faster to reach Ollivander's as spots danced before her eyes. The tingling throughout her body was so strong it was hard to move her arms and legs.
Soon they entered Ollivander's, but Hermione's relief was short lived. She had forgotten that there were hundreds and hundreds of magic wands crammed into one tiny room, combined with the magic of any wizards present. The tingling only intensified and her world faded to black.
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A/N: I don't really have anything to say here, except thanks to everyone who reviewed last time. I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter, I certainly had fun writing it. Please review!
Cheers,
Madm_05