Harry Potter: Bad Wolf...

jms granger

Rating: PG13
Genres: Action & Adventure, Suspense
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 30/07/2006
Last Updated: 23/06/2007
Status: completed

Harry Potters back, and he’s more danger prone than ever before. Journey with Hermione as she is ripped form her existence of work and family and joins Harry in his travels back and forth through time, constantly in search of the next great adventure. As she spends her time learning of power and magic, Harry and herself, they must do battle with unseen and unknown enemies, more dangerous and terrifying than the worst of her nightmares....

Chapters

1. The Beginning

2. Travel and Power : Part One

3. Travel and Power : Part Two

4. The Cursed King: Part One

5. The Cursed King: Part Two

6. The Cursed King: Part Three

7. The Cursed King: Part Four

8. The Incas and Home

9. Power and Persecution: Part One

10. Power and Persecution: Part Two

11. Power and Persecution: Part Three

12. Power and Persecution: Part Four

13. Power and Persecution: Part Five

14. The Apple Alder Tree: Part One

15. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Two

16. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Three

17. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Four

18. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Five

19. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Six

20. First Step into the Golden Age: Part One

21. Fire and Plot: Part One

22. Fire and Plot: Part Two

23. Fire and Plot: Part Three

24. Fire and Plot: Part Four

25. Fire and Plot: Part Five

26. The Stranded Hole: Part One

27. The Stranded Hole: Part Two

28. The Stranded Hole: Part Three

29. The Stranded Hole: Part Four

30. The Stranded Hole: Part Five

31. The Stranded Hole: Part Six

32. The Stranded Hole: Part Seven

33. The lost Painting: Part One

34. The lost Painting: Part Two

35. The lost Painting: Part Three

36. The lost Painting: Part Four

37. The lost Painting: Part Five

38. Harry Potter: Bad Wolf

39. Bad Wolf: Part One

40. Bad Wolf: Part Two

41. Bad Wolf: Part Three

42. Bad Wolf: Part Four

43. Bad Wolf: Part Five

44. Bad Wolf: Part Six

45. Bad Wolf: Part Seven

46. The Finale...

47. Authors Note

1. The Beginning

The alarm went off buzzing, feeling like a drill in the side of her head. Reaching over she threw one hand down onto the machine to stop it, hoping that the absence of sound meant that horrible little machine would be dead. Laying there in silence she tried to open her eyes but failed as she found out that they were just too heavy for her, sighing she realized that it was going to be one of those days. She sat up, eyes still closed, and reached to her bedside table to pick up her glass of orange that she always kept there. The instant that the `orange' touched the back of her throat she spat it back out to be replaced by the feeling of vomit trying to work its way up her throat. As she slowly inched her eyes open she saw that she was holding last nights cold cup of coffee instead. She couldn't believe that she had did this, again, and after putting the cup down, she finished of her real orange juice.

Another long day stood before her, signaled as usual by a horrible start, just like every other person on this planet. Normal, but boring, she thought to herself.

`Hermione! Wake up, its time for work' She heard her mother call loudly from down the stairs. The sound of this second alarm made her groan as she swung her legs out from under the covers, ready to stand up to get ready for work. This was her morning ritual, just like she did on five other days of the week, just like she had done for the last 3 years out of the 19 that she had lived. Just like she would do for the next 50 years that stood in front of her.

*

`Thank you, Ms, and if you need to bring it back just remember to keep the receipt' Hermione said to an elderly woman, who had just bought a brand new dressing gown and was probably the highlight of her morning.

She looked down at her watch, it was one' o clock and consequently time for her lunch, thank the heavens she thought to herself. She pressed some buttons on her till and logged off, checking that everything was in its right place before wandering over to her boss to tell him.

`Hey Mike, its one already' Hermione said as friendly as she possibly could to a pervert like him.

`And?' he said sarcastically, his eyes still stuck on the clipboard before him as he seemed to ignore her.

`And it's my lunch break' she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral.

`And I guess you're meeting your boyfriend for it?' Mike said looking up at her, he spat the word boyfriend like it was an insult.

`Yeah…' she said awkwardly `So I better be going, see you in an hour'

`And with these words she began to stroll out of the shop, making her way through the busy streets of London on a Saturday, everyone so intent on buying even more rubbish for their tiny flat than they already had. The sight of all this made Hermione feel sick, not physically but in a strange way where she couldn't believe somehow that this was her life, her world, and that she would probably die looking for some new curtains.

Suddenly she felt a hand go around her waist, making her spin around quickly expecting to see a group of teenagers or something, but instead seeing the one face that could cheer her up, her boyfriend.

`Don't do that!' she said throwing her arms around him and pressing her lips to his `What if I had just swung an arm or something at you? You could have been hurt!'

`By your chubby little arm I don't think so!' he said grabbing at her waist with both his hands, Hermione effortlessly slipped from his grip and stood in front of him, both her hands on her hips.

`Now, take that back, James Stone, I don not have chubby arms!' she snapped playfully.

`Ok Ok, Hermione Granger' he said laughing `you have beautiful, model arms…now lets go and get some chips, I'm starving'

He took her hand in his and led her towards the closest McDonalds, the place they usually spent lunch and also the one place that Hermione actually managed to enjoy herself during the day.

*

`Thank god, I never thought today was going to end!' a woman said, aged about 40 or so with curly brown hair.

`Me neither, Lydia' Hermione replied watching the last customer leave the shop `At least its Sunday tomorrow'

`That doesn't mean that much when your married with kids' Lydia replied emptying her till into her cashbox as she spoke `Working here is more like the day off'

`Well hopefully I won't be saying that for sometime yet' Hermione said making Lydia laugh.

`What, a pretty girl like you' she said, cashbox in hand and turning to eye her up `I give you six months' she added with a smile `see you Monday'

Hermione looked at Lydia leave, her dark brown hair flowing out behind her, and became terrified that she would be like her in 20 years time. It wasn't that she disliked Lydia, in fact they spent evenings in the pub together sometimes, it's just that Hermione hadn't yet given herself up to an ordinary life yet, however much the facts supported it.

She opened her till, withdrawing the money slowly and carefully to her cashbox before closing down the system. After straightening the top she had on she made her way to the front of the store, ready to give her cashbox to Mike and leave for the night, but as she reached the doors she realized Mike wasn't there.

`He's already gone up' the security guy said to her as he started to get the locks ready `Told me to tell you to come up to the warehouse'

`That's just great!' Hermione said stamping her feet slightly like an impertinent child and spinning around to walk upstairs.

As she made her way towards the warehouse she gritted her teeth, at the end of the day she needed to leave as quickly as possible, James waited for her and she didn't want to spend extra time in the shop if she didn't have to. It was probably Mike's idea of trying to get time with her.

She reached the door and pushed it open. The main light was of and only a few torch lights and small bulbs kept it from being complete darkness. Hermione, who was usually braver than most, couldn't help but find this room somewhat creepy, like the darkness was hiding something. She shook her head to rid the crazy childish thoughts and took a step inside, her hand reaching for the light switch. Flicking it she realized why the light was off as it was broken and took a few, slow, steps in.

`Mike, you in here?' she called, trying hard to keep any fear out of her voice `The lights broken...I just…just thought you'd wanna know'

The warehouse was full of mannequins, completely black thanks to the lack of light, and every single one of them looked creepy and alive somehow. She stopped dead in her tracks in an instant, she had heard a sound. A footstep.

`Mike…This isn't funny!' she called back, still taking her slow steps forward, but now her steps weren't the only ones in the room, in fact it sounded like several people `Now that's it! If you don't stop I'm reporting you!' she shouted into the darkness.

She stopped in her tracks, spotting something that looked like a trainer near a small bulb. She breathed a sigh of relief, knowing fully that she found one of them and made her way over to it.

`I've found you Mi….' She stopped dead in front of the small part of light, where she had expected to see a smug Mike `Oh no…no, no…' she whispered in shock. The sight she had found was in fact Mike, but not smug or smiling, but dead. His head twisted roughly to one side, his eyes still open but no longer alive, a little patch of blood dripping down one side of his mouth. She threw her hand up to her mouth to stop herself from screaming, hardly noticing the sounds of dozens of footsteps behind her.

Turning around she instantly saw them, but what were they? They appeared to be mannequins, all walking straight at her, arms held up as if they were all eager to grab her. She couldn't move, logic told her that they couldn't be real, that plastic couldn't walk.

They inched closer, a few more steps and they'd be on her, and she'd end up like Mike.

A hand slid into hers quickly, as she turned to look at the owner of the hand she came face to face with a boy her age, raven black messy hair and glasses being all she could make out in the near darkness.

`I'm Harry' the man said with a smile which disappeared before he spoke again `Now follow me'

He literally dragged her the first few steps before her feet started working again and they ran threw a door, leading to the corridor to the fire escape. He turned around, withdrew something she couldn't see and she heard the sound of the door locking behind them. Hermione's brain couldn't work, Mike was dead, plastic was walking and a stranger had saved her. This couldn't be real.

`Aha!' The man named Harry said taking something out of his coat and attaching it to a radiator. Hermione's brain tried to work out what it was but was working slower than usual. She watched as he pressed a few buttons before it all clicked into place in her head.

`That's a bomb!' she said in shock and anger looking at the man who had saved her life, but turned out to be a…a…criminal, or something, she figured.

`You're not as stupid as you look!' he said happily, stopping what he was doing and looking at her with a bright smile attached to his face, seemingly lost on what he was doing.

`You can't blow up the shop!' she demanded, making him starting to press buttons again.

`I guarantee you I can' he said distractedly, now the sound of banging on the door he had locked was joining on in their conversation. If you could call this madness a conversation.

`But what about…Mike?' she said his name softly, somewhat scared of saying it too loud so close to his body. Harry stopped what he was doing again and looked at her, pain and sorrow etched on his face.

`I'm sorry, but he's dead…' he said all this softly, consolingly `I was too late…but if I don't do this now, I'll be too late for the rest of London'

And with one last look of sorrow he pressed more buttons on the machine, a loud beep beep following and he stopped. Turning to her he had a smile across his face again.

`Come on, we ain't got long, and I want good seats' he said all this quickly, almost brightly, before taking her hand and leading her quickly down the corridor to the fire escape. He withdrew that thing again and Hermione saw it was long and made of wood, but this wasn't very surprising now, in context to the rest of the evening anyway. Instantly the door sprang open and he led her through it and down the steps again till they were on the pavement.

Leading her down the alleyway to the main street he didn't say a word until they were before the shop, looking at the place she had spent most of her waking time since she was 16 years old.

`One moment' Harry said looking at his watch before he added `now'

In front of her eyes the shop went up in flames, followed by an ear splitting BOOM. People in the street were screaming and running in opposite directions, flames were billowing like mad throughout the windows, like the pictures you see from war. And in this carnage Hermione stood stock still holding the hand of a stranger, watching these things unfold in front of her like they weren't real, like they were common place in her life, where everything since closing was the opposite of Hermione Grangers life.

`Did you like that?' Harry said letting go of her hand and walking off down the street, adults screaming like they were children running past him as he enjoyed a relaxing stroll.

`Why did you do that!' she nearly shouted as she walked fast to keep up with him.

`'I guess your not all that smart' Harry said happily, looking at the people still running and screaming `didn't you see what one of them did your friend Mike, imagine what all of them would do to London'

`But you could of hurt someone' Hermione said angrily, annoyed at how blasé he was about blowing up a building in the middle of London.

`The shop was empty' he replied shrugging `and I designed the explosion to not hurt any bystanders'

`What about me?' she asked furiously.

`Well, if I remember correctly, and I assure you I do, I saved your life' Harry said happily `So everyone wins!'

She grabbed his arm and swung him round, a look of shock on his face as she did this, but she was too angry and confused to care about her rudeness.

`You have an answer for everything, don't you?' she demanded, hands on her hips. Harry seemed to think this over for a moment before replying.

`Generally I do' he admitted `but it was pretty straight forward this time'

`How on earth do you call this…' she pointed around at the blown out building and the terrified people before carrying on `…Straight forward?'

`Well…' Harry said this calmly like he was explaining the answer to one plus one `…they would have killed you, I saved you, they would of killed thousands, perhaps millions, so I saved them. Sorry, but what part of this isn't straight forward?'

Hermione's brain worked overtime, running through the millions of questions through her head to try and poke a flaw in this Harry's logic, to try and bring back sensibility to her life.

`You're mad' she said, hoping that he would admit that he was and snap her out of this nightmare.

`Probably' Harry said shrugging before he stopped stock still and stared at her `Why are you following me?'

`I'm not!' Hermione said defensively, annoyed at his accusationary tone.

`Then, if you don't mind, I have places to be, as I'm sure you do' Harry said this in a friendly tone, but one of the conversation being over. He gave her a smile and strolled of down the street, leaving her alone with only her thoughts as company, thoughts that mainly revolved around what the hell had just happened.

*

`Hey mum' Hermione called as she opened her front door, barely half an hour after leaving the stranger Harry.

`Hermione!' her mother screamed as she heard her run through the house to pull her into a bone crushing hug `I was so worried!'

`Why?' Hermione asked momentarily confused as her mother pulled away from her.

`The explosion!' she said pulling Hermione through to the front room and positioning herself in front of the Television. She looked at images in front of her, a man in a suit telling of the action before cutting to the explosion itself. There was more fire, more panic, more chance of death, than Hermione could remember there being, it seemed impossible that she had just been there half an hour ago. But not as impossible as what else had happened.

`I was so worried!' her mother said, slightly teary eyed before slapping her on her arm angrily `Why didn't you phone!'

`Oh…' Hermione said distractedly she knew she couldn't tell what really had happened `I must have missed it'

`Thank the heavens for that' her mother said as she walked over to the kitchen and brought back a cup of coffee for her `I was just thinking, you could probably get some compensation for this, you know, trauma and all that'

`Leave it out mother' Hermione said, eyes glued to the destruction before her, the destruction that the stranger Harry had made.

`Well…I'll look into it for you' she said cheerily as she looked down at the television as well. A few moments passed before the bell rang and her mother went of to answer it, Hermione was still trying frantically to work out what had just happened, but however much she milled over the facts, they just wouldn't make any sense.

`Hermione!' came a new voice making her jump, as her vision shifted she realized it was James `Where did you run off to? I was looking everywhere for you'

`I'm sorry' Hermione said as James sat next to her, she could tell how worried he was, a look of happiness on his face as he realized she was ok. But the only reason she was ok was because of that Harry.

`That's ok, as long as you're safe' he said leaning over to kiss her. His lips against hers made her feel safe, normal, back in the real world. `Can you believe this?' he added pointing at the screen.

`No…I can't' Hermione said softly thinking of her own evening.

`So…' James said after a few moments `I was thinking we could go to the pub?'

`I'm a bit tired' Hermione said, her eyes never leaving the television. She somehow thought that sooner or later they would announce it as a hoax, or some reality TV joke.

`But, you know, we should…you know, act normal' James said a little anxiously, making Hermione look at him. She realized what was on his mind like only a girlfriend could.

`The match is on, ain't it?' she asked with a smile.

`Yeah' he admitted `If we leave now we can catch the second half?'

`You go on, I'm gonna have an early night' Hermione said accepting of how much he loved his Arsenal.

`Thanks babe' he said standing up a and kissing her `Love you'

`Love you too' she replied kissing him again.

She watched him as she left, giddy like a school kid as he prepared to watch football. She thought of how safe he made her feel, how secure and normal he was to her, how strange and different Harry was.

*

A buzzing went of in the side of her head, splitting all the way through to her brain, throwing a hand over to the side of her bed she slapped the alarm to off, the alarm that was the bane of her existence. She opened her eyes, happy at how well the morning was already going and sat up.

`Hermione!' her mother called from the next room `no need to get up, not now your job got blown up!'

Hermione sighed annoyed, in all the excitement of yesterday she hadn't thought of where she was going to work, how she was going to get money and support herself. She swung her legs out of the bed quickly, she needed to get a move on and work out what she was going to do.

After changing quickly and brushing her hair though she made her way to the front room, finding her mother with a cup of tea and the morning paper beside her.

`Didn't you hear me dear' she said happily `no need to get up today'

`I know' she said sitting down at the table with her `But I still have things to do. Need a new job'

`I hear they've got work at the shoe shop in town' her mother said helpfully.

`Knowing my luck it'll be McDonalds for me' Hermione said a little grumpily.

`Nothing wrong with working there' her mother said a little sternly.

`I know, I know' Hermione said, running her hand over her face. She couldn't get that Harry out of her head, and she knew she'd probably never see him again.

`I'm going to go to the police station today, see about some compensation for you' her mother said happily but as she spoke the bell rang `get that for me dear'

Hermione stood up, and made her way out of the kitchen to the front door. Yawning slightly she opened the door and saw a sight she would never have expected.

`What are you doing here?' Harry, the stranger, said to her slightly rudely.

`This is my house!' Hermione said quickly `what are you doing here?'

`Oh' Harry said confused looking at her `well… I didn't catch your name, and as you know mine I thought I should at least know yours'

`Its Hermione' she said confused looking at him.

`Excellent' he said and walked past her into the house `You don't mind me coming in, do you?'

`No…sure' Hermione said following him as he looked around making his way through the house. He wandered into the front room and spotted her mother.

`Hi' he said brightly to her mother.

`Hello' her mother said happily, looking at Hermione in teasing shock.

`Mum, can you give us a minute' Hermione said forcefully, her mother looked at her for a few moments before shrugging and wandering off to her own room. When she was sure she was gone she turned to look at Harry.

`What are you doing here? And tell me the truth' Hermione demanded, nothing this Harry did was ever normal, including showing up at nine o'clock in the morning.

`The truth?' Harry said wide eyed looking at her `Well the truth is it has something to do with last night'

`What has my home got to do with last night?' Hermione said, getting annoyed at all of his half answers.

`To tell the truth I don't know' Harry said, running his hand though his hair and looking around the house `I have absolutely no idea why I'm here'

`So why did you come?' Hermione asked like he was a simpleton.

`I followed a residue signature here…' Harry said, Hermione could tell that his mind was thinking everything through `…And you would have a residue signature because…when you came in contact with them cell transference started, absorbing the residual energy along with your own!'

`You're making no sense again' Hermione said confused.

`Don't worry, I do that a lot' Harry said brightly `I better be going'

`No way!' Hermione said, jumping to one side to block his path. Harry stopped and looked interestedly at her.

`What's wrong?' Harry asked, a smile playing on his lips.

`What do you mean, what's wrong!' she demanded `How about you coming here, Mike being murdered, those things trying to kill me, oh, and you blowing up my job!'

Harry looked at her for a few moments before laughing loudly, throwing his head back and just laughing like he hadn't done it in years.

`I guess you have a point' he said as he regained control and sat down by the table `how about you make us a cup of coffee and I'll explain some things to you?'

`You promise?' Hermione said eyeing him carefully. He nodded and she knew he was telling truth `Ok, I'll be right back'

She walked through the door and put on the kettle, her brain running a hundred miles an hour, unable to stop on any single thought. Harry, the most amazing and exciting person she had ever met had shown up at her house. She fought hard to suppress a uncharacteristic giggle.

Picking up the two cups she made her way back into the room, dropping each cup instantly at the sight of what was in front of her. A white, plastic arm, was seeming gashing at Harry's face, he in turn was scrambling around the floor trying to pull it off. Hermione had no idea what to do, even if there was anything she could do, but she had to try, Harry seemed to be losing.

Grabbing up a lampshade from the mantel piece she swung as hard as she could, eyes closed, as she tried to knock away the arm.

`What the hell!' she heard Harry shout out in pain, instantly realizing she had missed the arm. She dropped the, now broken, lampshade and tried to grab the arm. As she held onto it she realized it was stronger than the average man, but still she pulled with all her might. A second later it was off Harry, and was still in her arms, like the arm had died. She looked up at Harry, confused at why it had stopped and realized that he had that wooden thing in his hand again, and a smile attached to his face. He grabbed the arm of her and pointed the wooden thing at it, a brighter smile across his face.

`Fantastic!' he almost yelled turning to her `thank you, you saved me there'

`That's…alright' she said unsure of herself once again.

`I've gotta get going' he said walking out past her and to the front door. She was momentarily struck still, unable to move. Quickly turning she ran after him, catching him quickly.

`Where are you going?' Hermione yelled as she caught up with him and fell into step beside him.

`I guess I'm off to save the world' Harry said shrugging.

`What the hell? She said confused, slamming herself for sounding so dumb.

`Well…I guess I'm not saving the world, but probably humanity' he replied in a friendly tone.

`You're not making sense again' she said shaking her head at how bizarre Harry was.

`And yet again I'm sorry for it' Harry said `are you ok?' he asked seriously stopping walking and turning to her.

`Yeah' she replied taken aback by how concerned he sounded. Instantly he turned and started walking again, Hermione almost jogging to keep up.

`Who were they?' she said exasperated, unsure if she wanted to know the answer or not.

`Mannequins' Harry said brightly, evidently happy at the conversation taking a turn to something more `normal'.

`I know that but why were they…walking and…stuff' Hermione ended this sentence lamely, nothing in her life having prepared her for this kind of thing.

`They were being controlled' Harry replied equally brightly, stopping to look at the arm he held once again and then taking a turn down a new road.

`Controlled by what?' Hermione asked, having to speed up her walking to keep up with him.

`If I had to guess…' Harry said stopping and looking around him, like he was seeing things that Hermione couldn't `…I'd have to say a Plastocrese'

`A what?' Hermione said confused, positive she had never heard such a word before in her life.

`Plas-to-crese' Harry said to her, not helping one bit `A creature that can control plastic. Made out of plastic but with sentient intelligence, but one nasty personality. Almost impossible to kill and incredible strong'

`So a near indestructible creature made them mannequins come to life and walk around?' Hermione said incredulously. She had to believe what she had seen but she wasn't going to believe anything she didn't have to `Why are they after me?'

`Rather full of yourself, aren't you?' Harry said teasingly as he raised an eyebrow at her.

`They showed up at my job and my home' Hermione pointed out, but Harry only sighed.

`Actually they were after me' Harry said looking at her and explaining as he walked along the road `I was at your shop, so they came there. And I guess I left some sort of…imprint…on you, so they followed you here'

`And you're out to stop them?' Hermione asked cautiously, knowing that he could answer in any manner of strange ways.

`Yeah…' Harry said slowly, Hermione could tell by his tone that he was slightly unsure of himself.

`What's wrong?' she asked.

`It's just that…' Harry said this and stopped to look at her, moments passed where he just looked into her eyes, she could tell if he was judging whether or not to carry on `…its just that their range isn't anything like what I've been seeing, that in the shop last night was impossible…unless…'

Harry had stopped once more, his eyes not moving but his brain obviously running over time.

`…unless…the Plastocrese has set up some kind of transmitter…' Harry said, his eyes excited at the idea `ohhh…but what a transmitter they would need, the power would be way past anything available in London…'

Hermione looked at him, standing in silence, his hand running through his hair as he thought. She didn't want to interrupt him, he seemed like he was close to an answer, an answer to a question she didn't really understand. She looked about her, they had walked to the Thames, and she could see children out on the boats going on the tour of London. She remembered the tour from when she was young, before the Millennium Dome or the London Eye.

`It'd have to be huge…' he said turning his eyes onto hers `…like hundreds of meters…where could they hide it?'

`What would it look like?' she asked, trying to be helpful.

`A big circle, like a sky satellite dish, just bigger than any that's ever been made' He sounded annoyed, angry even, at why he couldn't work it out. He paused to look at the arm, fear coming into his face `damn…we ain't got long left'

`Till what?' she asked scared, fearing she knew the answer already.

`Till plastic takes over the earth' Harry said looking at her in worry. A fierce determination came into his face like fire `Now where is this Transmitter!' he almost roared this last part in anger.

Hermione watched as he looked around, then she stopped, a smile coming into her face.

`Harry?' Hermione said quietly.

`What?' Harry said annoyed slightly.

`Look at that' she said pointing across the river.

`And?' he said stonily. Hermione just smiled for a few moments pointing at it. `I'm not going on the London Eye…'

At this he stopped, his frown instantly spreading into a huge smile as he looked at the London eye, the largest Ferris wheel in England, the biggest thing you could use as a satellite

`Fantastic Hermione!' Harry said grabbing her into a hug and swinging her around `you're a genius!'

He let go of her and looked at her, a smile of genuine happiness and excitement on his lips.

`Ready to save the world, Hermione?' he said with a wink making Hermione's heart jump slightly, as she nodded he grabbed her hand and led her down to the embankment. He spotted a pothole and pulled her after him. Quickly pulling of the pothole he jumped down, leaving Hermione on the embankment alone, with a huge decision in front of her. If she went down, followed this exciting man named Harry she might save the world and see things she had never seen before but things might go wrong, like they did for Mike. But if she stayed she would miss out on…on…well she didn't know exactly what she'd miss out on, but judging by Harry so far, it'd at least be interesting. There was never any contest.

Jumping down on the ladder she climbed it quickly, reaching the bottom almost instantly.

`I thought you weren't going to come you took so long' Harry said as she reached the bottom, a teasing smile on his lips. She gave him a pretend slap on the arm and indicated she was ready to go.

`So what are we going to do when we find this Plasotarfeese?' Hermione asked, a little scared at his description earlier.

`It's Plastocrese, and we'll try and tell it to leave...' Harry said brightly, but Hermione seemed to think this a little stupid.

`Why would it leave because we told it to?' Hermione asked, the thing seemed to be ready to take London, what could she do.

`No' Harry said simply `I expect it to leave because I told it to'

Hermione stopped in her tracks and looked at him like he was mad, who did he think he was. Harry looked at her and laughed before he withdrew a shiny bottle from his jacket.

`And also because I have this' Harry explained as he handed it to her. As she held it she realized it was nearly freezing, but the liquid inside seemed almost solid `That's a potion I've created, a sort of anti-plastic you might call it…one touch of this and its dead, game over, bye bye'

Hermione looked at him in shock, they were walking into a probable trap to kill a near indestructible monster. She wished she had gone home now. Harry took the bottle from her and slipped it into his pocket. He took her hand once more and led her through a few passage ways for a few minutes, stopping in front of a large open space.

`Wait here' he said simply as he took a step forward.

`Plastocrese!' Harry yelled to the room, Hermione gasped as she saw hundreds of mannequins appear from the wall and floor, sucking up into form from piles of wet plastic on the floor, but Harry seemed to be expecting this, or he was a very good actor `I am Harry Potter and seek an audience under section 5 of the Wizengamot Charter…'

`There is no Wizengamot!' came a loud shrill voice, like the whistle form a train `and no ministry to protect you!'

`So you reject my meeting!' Harry said forcefully, a little too confrontationally Hermione thought, but by the reaction of the mannequins who all took a step back she realized he knew what he was doing.

`We accept' came the piercing voice again, making the hairs on Hermione's neck stand on end.

`Then show yourself' Harry demanded.

Nothing happened for a moment, but then it appeared. A small dripping came from the ceiling, a green like metal liquid coming faster and faster, all landing on the same spot. As the dripping stopped the liquid swirled violently around the floor, seeming to splash violently about, before it stopped and in its place stood something Hermione had never seen before. It was about 3 foot tall, fat and green like a frog, but with only the one limb being used as a leg, and a huge mouth above its three eyes. The strangeness of the creature was evident but what was even more striking was the waxy covering over it, making it obvious it was living plastic. It was more the hideousness of the creature that made her gasp softly, but not because of fear.

`You are Harry Potter?' the creature spoke.

`You know full well I am' he said confidently.

`What do you want, Harry Potter?' The creature said Harry's name like an insult.

`For you to leave London, leave the muggles alone…' Harry said this passionately, but Hermione could tell that it wouldn't work `…Your war is not with them…'

`You're both wrong and right…' the creature said softly, looking around at the room evidently checking for back up. As he didn't spot Hermione the creature nodded, and instantly four of the mannequins grabbed Harry by the arms. Harry was obviously not expecting this to happen and was easily taken, and as Hermione realized how strong the mannequins were she knew he couldn't escape `…We're at war with you too!' the creature said laughing, sounding like a girlish giggly coming from his dripping wide mouth.

`Plastocrese, your making a mistake!' Harry said angrily, struggling unsuccessfully against the mannequins as they dragged him nearer the creature `Leave now and I'll let you live!'

`I think, Harry Potter, that you will…feel… good…' The creature said, in its girlish giggle once more. The creature stopped, tilted his head back and opening its wide mouth. Wide enough to eat a person Hermione realized in fear, and Harry seemed to be the next meal. Before she knew what she was doing she stepped out.

`Plactofeese!' Hermione yelled, instantly every mannequin stopped and Harry was safe, for a few more minutes at least.

`Who are you?' the creature spoke in confusion looking at her.

`I am Hermione Granger…and under section…G of the Gizemgot…' Hermione started to speak as she walked up closer, next to Harry. The creature bellowed with laughter at her words.

`It's Plas-to-crese, Hermione' Harry said looking at her `and I have no idea what you were trying to say with the rest'

`I was trying that whole section thing you said at first' she answered.

`Oh, section 5 of the Wizengamot Charter?' Harry said chuckling `That's a good section'

Hermione couldn't help but laugh softly, amazed at how calm and collected Harry was as he faced imminent death.

`You two shut up!' the creature barked, annoyed at having been ignored and overlooked.

`Sorry' Harry said brightly, annoying the creature even more.

`You will join young Harry potter here as well…and become part of me!' the creature said dramatically.

`Um…' Hermione said this gently turning to look at Harry for an answer `What does that mean?'

`It means…' the creature started but Harry interrupted it.

`You know when I said that when you came in contact with the mannequin that they left a cell residue as they tried cell transference?' Harry asked this casually to her.

`If you say so…' Hermione said this slightly confused, as she only slightly remembered this conversation.

`…anyway…' Harry said exasperated `…Well the Plastocrese here will absorb us, and we become part of plastic like him…pretty nasty way to die by the way' he added this last part like he was explaining that the pub they were going to was rather nice.

`AND…' the creature said loudly again `…you two will…feel…brilliant…'

`I don't think I can do that' Harry said this apologetically.

`What?' the creature said confused, his eyes shooting around like crazy.

`I kinda have an appointment I can't miss, Hermione could you grab my diary, it's the pocket on the left…' Harry said all this quickly and Hermione instantly knew what he meant and made a way to the pocket, fortunately the creature was too confused to react `…my doctor thinks I might have oxbarian flu…of course I don't by the way…and if I did I'd just make a potion…I am good at that…'

Hermione picked the potion from Harry's pocket and looked at it, it was the right one. She uncorked it and waited for a sign.

`…Why, just look at this anti-plastic potion I made…' Harry said signaling Hermione with his head. As soon as he had the mannequins let him go and stepped back rapidly, and if they had faces Hermione knew that fear would be on them, just as it was on the creature.

`Why you…' the creature started but Harry just put his hand up to stop him. He took a moment to turn to her and give her a smile before he took the open bottle from her grip.

`Now will you leave?' Harry said directly to the creature, which was trying to move back on its on leg but failing miserable.

`I wont!' the creature screamed at him.

`If you don't, you won't leave me any choice…' Harry said this a little sad looking at the creature. The creature looked back at him and moments passed. All of a sudden the creature screamed and all the mannequins came running at the pair of them.

`I'm…sorry' Harry said, sorrow etched on his face as he threw the potion at the creature. Instantly all the mannequins stopped dead, all watching the creature shrivel as it screamed in pain. Hermione turned her head and placed it in Harry's chest, tears running down her eyes as she listened to the screaming dying out. Harry stood watching it, running a consoling hand along her back, a motion that calmed her and made her feel safe.

As the last of the screaming died he turned her round and looked at her, a small sad smile on his lips.

`You were fantastic Hermione' he said looking into her eyes. For the first time Hermione realized that he had green eyes, green eyes that were made brighter by the few tears that was in them `Now let me get you home'

And with that he took her hand and led her away.

*

Hermione opened the door to her house, and walked in. She felt like she was in a dream world, a scary world, but a better world. She walked through to the front room, turning round to see Harry behind her.

`So…' Harry said awkwardly `…Thank you for everything…'

`That's ok' she said simply. She just realized that they had never talked before, not when their lives weren't in danger. There were so many questions she wanted to ask.

`You wanna come with me?' Harry said quickly, his eyes looking at his feet. The question almost knocked her down it was so strange.

`Come where?' she said quickly. Harry looked at her and laughed.

`Everywhere and anywhere' he said with a cheeky smile and a wink making her almost blush.

`But why?' Hermione asked looking at him.

`Why not?' he said simply.

`Is it always this dangerous?' Hermione asked nervously.

`Yeah' Harry said happily.

`Hermione, you're ho…' her mother entered the room and looked at the pair of them, quickly followed by James `Oh, you have company'

`Hey Hermione… who's this?' James said strangely, eyeing Harry up and down.

`This is Harry, a friend' Hermione said simply, looking at her mother and her boyfriend `He's just leaving'

She said this softly, unsure of the words she was speaking as they came out, but as they did she knew they were for the best. Harry looked at her sadly, nodded to the other two and left. The bang of the front door almost broke her heart. She knew she'd never see him again.

`Where have you been?' James said coming up and putting an arm around her.

`Nowhere' Hermione said simply, not wanting to tell them the truth.

`I went to the police today, they think you might have a case for compensation' her mother said sitting herself down in front of the television just as the doorbell went `Now, who could that be?'

`I'll get it' Hermione said, thankful for having anything to do.

She slipped out of James' arm and walked out the room towards the door. Harry had been amazing, but how could she leave her life behind, she opened the door and saw…

`Hello, it's me again' Harry said, a smile on his face. Hermione looked at him, amazed at how she could have possibly been missing him already `Did I tell you I also travel in time?'

Hermione looked at him amazed, a huge smile form ear to ear on his face. He held out a hand for her to take, and she knew what she had to do. She couldn't miss this chance twice, and without a look back at her old home she took his hand, and disappeared with him…

*

So that's the opening chapter…hope you liked it…

I know it might read a little rushed in places, but I really needed all of this to happen in one chapter so their journey could start properly, and unless I made this chapter like 20 thousand words or something (which I just detest) I had to cut down parts to fit it in. Hope I didn't do it too bad…the rest will be better paced, hopefully…till next time

Jms Granger

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2. Travel and Power : Part One

Travel and Power : Part One

Hermione landed on her feet, her stomach spinning violently as she tried to keep her balance. As she looked around she was slightly confused, the last thing she had known was taking Harry's hand at her front door, and then the feeling of being pressed through a long tube came over her, and now she was here. But where was here?

The room she was standing in was huge, a large spiral staircase leading all the way up to the top floor, probably about three or four floors up judging by the height. The room was brightly lit, looking rather inviting with dark red carpets and blue walls.

`Welcome to my, not so humble, abode' Harry said pointing around at the place they had appeared.

`It's beautiful' Hermione said walking forward to look at the furniture in the room, everything was exquisite and brilliantly made. The place must have cost a fortune she figured.

`You should have seen it a few years ago' Harry said sighing as he followed her around, peering at an object for a few moments before moving on to the next thing that grabbed his fancy `dilapidated wasn't strong enough a word for this old dump'

`So you fixed it up yourself?' Hermione said eyeing him, for some reason she couldn't picture him as the DIY sort of guy, unless the thing he was doing was dangerous anyway.

`You could say that' Harry said, a tiny bit too casually.

`So, that's pretty much the tour over' Harry said brightly, dropping a broken necklace back onto a table and turning to her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips `Wanna see my favorite thing?'

`Sure' she said quickly, excitement and curiosity at what his favorite thing could possibly be as so far he hadn't proved the most normal of people.

`Fantastic' Harry said grabbing her hand and leading her through a door and into a corridor `you must forgive the size of this place, going to the toilet after breakfast can be terribly tricky' Harry said all this conversationally as he led her down another corridor down a left turning. Hermione was, once again, amazed by this Harry, and amazed at the pure scope of this house.

`Where are we going exactly?' Hermione asked curiously, remembering the last time Harry had led her somewhere had nearly resulted in both their deaths wasn't too comforting.

`To see something' Harry said vaguely `and after that wherever you want'

`Anywhere?' Hermione asked.

`Anywhere and anytime' Harry said brightly looking at her for a moment before stopping dead still, making Hermione almost lose her footing and fall `We're here'

Hermione was stood in front of a large wooden door, seemingly normal but that somehow brought up the hairs on the back of her neck. She reached forward and put a hand on the door knob, she knew that Harry wouldn't lead her, deliberately, into danger, and opened the door, stepping through with him as she did.

Before her was the last thing she could possibly have imagined to be Harry's favorite thing, an old looking Ford Anglia.

`What?' Hermione said confused, making a conscious note that she was seemingly incapable of stringing two words together at presents.

`Not just a car, but also the way we can travel back and forth, through time and space' Harry said brightly walking up to the car and opening the passengers seat for her.

She looked at him cautiously, maybe this man was brave and all, but he sure was a lunatic as well.

`So… this lets us travel forward and backwards in time?' Hermione said walking up to him but not getting into the car.

`Yep' he said brightly, flashing a happy smile.

`Do we have to reach 88 miles per hour first, like in Back To The Future?' she said sarcastically.

`Oh!' Harry said excitedly punching the air `That's the film! You don't know how long that's been bugging me, thank you so much!'

`That's ok' she said nervously, watching as Harry's eyes beamed with excitement as he indicated for her to get in.

She paused for a moment, unsure where taking the next step might take her, but she figured she had already come this far, and she stepped into the car.

She exhaled her breather in shock as she looked about her, the inside of the car was at least a good fifty times the size of the outside, and looked more like a house than anything else with its various doors and corridors.

`What do you think?' Harry said brightly as he appeared by her side. Both of them were standing up, and even with Harry's extra height he still had room to jump up and down. Hermione sighed, she had accepted seeing the miraculous, so why should a car be any different she reasoned.

`It's nice' she said turning her attention to him, a happy smile on his face `So, did you really mean I can pick where to go?'

`Definitely' Harry said cheerfully, walking over to the centre of the room where a large silvery basin was kept `Although you should be careful where you choose and blah blah all that warning stuff that I hate' Harry said making Hermione laugh.

`How about…' Hermione said excitedly, thinking of what she wanted to see `…there's a lot of choice, ain't there?'

`You don't know the half of it' Harry said, almost pensively `Past, Future, present or…different?'

`What do you mean by different?' Hermione said raising an eyebrow at him and wondering what part of anything she had seen could be classified as `normal'.

`Something you've never seen before' Harry said laughing `Although I guess that counts for the past and future, doesn't it?'

Hermione looked at him as he withdrew his wooden thing again, and after pointing it at the silvery basin for a few moments he turned his head up and looked straight at her, a smile from one ear to the other.

`So, what's your choice Hermione Granger?' Harry said all this like a school kid, like having her choose for him was a dream come true.

`I guess…' Hermione said, putting her hands up to her head like they helped her think `…Something different!'

`Fantastic!' Harry almost shouted with excitement `Now hold on!'

Hermione looked around for something to hold onto but came up short, the room inside this car might be huge, but it wasn't exactly well furnished. She instead chose to stand as solidly as possible and watch as Harry put his stick to his head holding it there for a few seconds before withdrawing a long, thin, strand of something that looked like a cross between steam and silver. Hermione gasped a tiny bit, but held it in, this was absolutely normal compared to everything else, and steadied herself as Harry dropped the silver steam into the basin.

The moment the silver steam hit the basin she was thrown to the floor violently, feeling as if the world itself was being thrown through space, with her holding onto the floor for dear life. As quickly as this had started it had stopped, and she was lying on her back, gasping for air. A moment later Harry came into sight looking down at her.

`I know I told you to hold onto something but I didn't mean the floor' he said teasingly, holding out his hand.

`Oh, ha ha!' Hermione exclaimed as she took his hand and stood up. She pulled her top down a bit as in the fall it had slipped up and looked around her, she was still in the same room.

`Come with me' Harry said walking towards what she assumed to be the way out.

`What was that silvery thing?' Hermione asked looking at him.

`That? Just a control' Harry said absentmindedly `Easier to control this by thoughts than buttons, and one hell of a lot safer as well'

As they reached the doors Harry went to open the door but she stopped him, grabbing his hand just before it reached the knob.

`You've done this before, it's my turn' she said giving him a small smile that he returned, and with that, and her heart hammering inside her chest, she opened the door and stepped through to witness the most amazing and beautiful sight she had ever seen.

In front of her was a huge field, perhaps miles big, full of colors that usually didn't move. Gold's and silvers jumping about in unison in front of her eyes.

`Their unicorns' Harry said softly, eager to let her have the moments to herself.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of gold and silver, small and big, young and old unicorns lay in front of her. She watched as the smaller gold ones jumped across a small river, making the most wonderful sounds, sounds that could only mean beauty. Looking the other way she saw a group of the silver ones, larger and presumably older, huddled together, seemingly lost in conversation, or maybe just each others company.

`Now this is different' Hermione exclaimed happily, unable to control her voice form going higher as she was so excited. She spun around and threw her arms around Harry, the man who was solely responsible for the sight before her. She rested in his arms for a few moments, too giddy and content to move, before his voice broke the silence.

`Let's go down to the village' Harry said withdrawing her from him and pointing down towards the edge where Hermione saw a group of houses next to a forest. The houses looked like heaven to her, flowers of all colors visible even from where they were standing, which was a good five hundred meters away.

Harry gave her a quick smile and started to walk towards it, her keeping step with him effortlessly. She couldn't help but watch as the unicorns galloped around them, obviously curious as to whom they were.

`Their beautiful' Hermione said as she looked at Harry `But where are we?'

`Actually your question should technically be where and when are we' Harry said brightly, not breaking step as he made his way towards the settlement.

`You mean we…' Hermione said in anticipation `time traveled'

`Yep' Harry said normally giving her a quick look `although not very far, this is only 2050… and only Cornwall'

`2050?' Hermione said, strangely not shocked by this news but intrigues `So I'm about 70 or so?'

`No' Harry said in his serious voice again `you are about 20, someone else who looks like an older version of you, and who you will one day become, is 70 at the moment'

`Isn't that the same thing?' Hermione asked, eager to learn as much about this as possible.

`You would think so, wouldn't you?' Harry said stopping dead in his tracks to look at her for a few moments before he carried on walking `But that's not the case… if you traveled back and saw you a week ago even, that wouldn't be you'

`I'm not quite sure I follow' Hermione said trying to work out his words in her head.

`Don't worry about it' Harry said shrugging `You'll pick it all up along the way'

Hermione kept in step with him, watching as a pair of older unicorns drank slowly from the stream. The way the two were next to each other she could tell they were mates.

`So how exactly did we get here?' Hermione asked, her brain eager to understand everything about the position they were in.

`Oh, now that's a bit tricky to answer' Harry said thinking hard to himself `…well, you saw how I apparated with you, I mean disappeared and reappeared?'

`Yeah' Hermione said nodding, making sure she kept up with everything he was saying.

`Well there's a…I guess the word is device…that follows the same principals of folding space as appirition, but only between two preordained points, you following?' Harry asked.

`I think so' Hermione said.

`Anyway, The trouble with a portkey… that's the device by the way… is that only a part of a persons power is stored in it, where as with apparition it has a never emptying stock, if you're powerful enough anyway…' Harry said brightly, deliberately pausing so she could keep up, which she was very thankful for.

`So you needed to somehow transfer enough power to the car so it can travel freely from any point in space to anywhere else, just like you can' Hermione said, hoping that she didn't get this completely wrong.

`Fantastic!' Harry said extremely happily `That is incredible Hermione!'

`Thanks' she said blushing slightly, with his response she knew it would have been childish to be modest.

`So, that was the problem with the space, now time was roughly the same…' Harry started again, speaking quicker this time as he evidently thought she would be able to follow `…a timeturner creates a small field which can be pushed through time, but as you can see from my car I needed a much bigger field, and so needed to transfer some truly ridiculous amounts of power to the device'

`That makes some sense' Hermione said slightly confused making Harry stop dead in his tracks again.

`What part doesn't make sense?' Harry asked eyeing her intently, a weird glowing behind his eyes barely visible.

`I guess I don't know why you'd want to create such a huge field…' Hermione started nervously at first but gaining confidence `…Where a smaller area would need a fraction of the power'

`Fantastic once again Hermione Granger!' Harry almost yelled in joy at her answer. He stopped and looked at her, a smile all the time on his face but a hint of sadness in his eyes.

`Who are you two!' came a harsh voice, breaking their conversation instantly as Harry tuned to greet the man. He was about sixty or so, Hermione figured, and seemed a mix between a farmer and a hippy in his straw hat and green dungarees.

`Hello there!' Harry said brightly holding an outstretched hand to him, which the man took after a small moment of hesitation.

`You're not supposed to be ere, this is private property' the man said roughly at him, eyeing Hermione weirdly.

`Oh, I'm sorry' Harry said abashed as he took out a piece of paper and passed it to him `I always end up greeting someone before showing my credentials, it's a bad habit that my co-worker here…' Harry said signaling Hermione with an outstretched hand `…is always trying to break me off'

`Ain't you two a bit young to be at the WMWF?' the man said raising an eyebrow at them. This time he spoke in a much softer voice which told Hermione that whatever that piece of paper was it had somehow worked.

`The World Magical Wildlife Federation doesn't care for age' Harry said looking at Hermione pointedly to let her know the cover story as he took the paper back form the man.

`If you're good enough, you're old enough, we always say' Hermione added in as much of a friendly voice she could muster. The old man looked at her for a few moments, then at Harry who was beaming back at him ecstatically before he nodded `Guess you better come inside then'

As soon as he said this he started walking off towards the settlement, Harry and her following behind him. Harry turned to her and showed her his credentials, amazing Hermione as it turned out to be nothing but a blank piece of paper.

`How did that work?' Hermione asked, for a moment thinking that the old man must be senile.

`Special paper' Harry said folding the piece of paper and putting it back inside his jacket `shows whatever I want it to…fantastic invention'

`Impressive' Hermione said laughing, nothing was ever straight forward with Harry, even a blank piece of paper.

She walked quickly after the man into the settlement, it seemed very basic but also very clean. Hermione laughed to herself as she realized this must be the hippy way of life in 2050. The man turned left suddenly and walked up a set of stairs to the largest house in the settlement, but not by too much. Harry followed up the stairs first as she followed, Hermione trying to look around the village as much as possible before going inside. Nothing from what she could see would make her guess it was 2050 anymore than 1950.

She followed Harry through the door and was met by a pleasant surprise, this room was different. Across the walls were flashing lights and monitor screens, and a lot more of the inside was made from metal. True it didn't look too much like the movies she had watched, but at least it was something like the `future'.

`I like what you've done with the place!' Harry said smiling as he looked around the room. Hermione knew he was being honest but the old man seemed to think he might have been being sarcastic and looked ready to say something.

`So…' Hermione said grabbing the mans attention with the first question she could think of `…What do you do here?'

`Shouldn't you already know that?' the man said roughly.

`Of course she does' Harry said aggressively making the man fall back slightly `But she wanted to hear it in your own words…see if what we believe you to be doing adds up with what you are actually doing'

Harry had said all this very quickly and with such authority that even Hermione, who knew he was making it all up, was inclined to believe him.

`Ohh…um…sorry…' The man said taken back before he regained his composure and spoke in his usual rough voice again `Is this an inspection?'

`Even if it was, I wouldn't be able to tell you' Harry said, talking brightly again as he looked at the consoles `Why if it isn't!'

`Huh?' the old man grunted slightly at Harry's words, Harry though was peering at a monitor, seemingly lost in amazement. Hermione took quick steps over to him and looked at it to, but all she could see was a few buttons, and a screen with a unicorn on.

`You managed to clip a neural tracker onto them?' Harry said impressed as he turned to look at the man again. Hermione wasn't sure if Harry caught it but the old man seemed a little bit nervous as Harry spoke these words `I have no idea how you managed that feat, but I guess it keeps the boundaries and audio ability well within statutory guards, and the decibel frequency from these surroundings would be excellent'

`Um…well…' the man said a little shocked at Harry's knowledge of this just from one look `…It took a couple generations…when their first born we do it, mothers too weak to and disorientated to realize'

`Fantastic!' Harry said incredulously `and the chip itself, working at an audio and boundary level, wouldn't change a cell or action…Fantastic!'

Harry looked almost ready to burst with joy at this news, and Hermione had to fight hard to suppress a giggle at the sight of him walking back and forth in excitement.

`Well it does what we want it to.' The man said walking over to the monitor and turning of the screen.

`Does more than that, and you know…why hello?' Harry said happily to a new person who walked into the room. It was a girl, no older than Hermione, with a simple yellow dress on and her blonde hair just combed out long behind her. The girl looked at the three of them and blushed.

`Oh, I'm sorry…' she said nervously `…I didn't know you had company…Sir…Miss…'

`You should be getting back to work' the man said strictly terrifying the young girl.

`Nonsense!' Harry said quickly `She can stay here and keep Hermione company as you show me the set up here'

As Harry said this he gave her a knowing look, a look that told her he wasn't just saying this but that there was a reason, although for the life of her she couldn't guess what it was. At the same time as this Hermione realized that the lights dimmed, only slightly, but just enough for her to notice the difference. Hermione figured that living in a village, even in the year 2050, must still come with some problems.

`You wanna see the…' the man started, his eyes almost coming out as he looked at Harry who walked towards the door.

`Definitely, how else could I write an evaluation on the set up here…that's if I had been ordered to write an evaluation of course' he said this all very quickly as he stopped at the door, taking one last moment to turn and wink at Hermione before leaving, the man almost jogging to keep up with Harry.

Hermione looked at the girl, who seemed almost terrified to tears at having been left in the same room as her.

`Hi' Hermione said gently, feeling sorry for the girl. She could just picture what her life was like here, with that disgusting rude old man as her boss.

`Hello' the girl said, almost squeaking the words out instead of speaking them.

`My names Hermione' she said as friendly as possible, she felt even more sorry for the girl, especially as she realized the girl saw her as a boss now, and consequently just as scary as the old man `What's your name'

`It's Emma' she said, her eyes meeting Hermione's for the first time.

`Do you want to sit down?' Hermione said gently signaling a table with chairs, sitting down herself in the hope that the girl would follow her. The girl eyed Hermione apprehensively for a few moments before sitting down quickly, her hands balled up together `So…how are you?'

`I'm fine, Miss' Emma said looking at her hands.

`My names Hermione' she said nicely.

`I know it is, Miss, but I don't feel comfortable using it, miss' she said quickly, glancing up a few times as she spoke.

Hermione looked around her, the room looked like it was fully automated, if blinking lights meant that anyway, and she couldn't understand why a village was built.

`What do you do here, Emma' Hermione asked, trying to look at her in the eyes, and maybe break down her fear slightly.

`I'm a feeder, Miss' Emma said nervously.

`That sounds…' Hermione tried to think of an adequate word to describe someone's whole life word for a moment but was interrupted.

`Why did you come here, Miss?' Emma said quickly, keeping her voice low but urgent.

`I…The WMWF sent me…and Harry' she said a little confused at Emma's sudden change.

`I mean why did you come here?' She said more urgently and louder than before adding `Miss' almost as an after thought.

`I…' Hermione was lost for words, she didn't understand what the girl meant, but knew, somehow, that it wasn't good `Is something wrong here?'

`Yes, miss' Emma said, her eyes shooting back to her balled hands which were now turning red under the pressure.

`Emma, if something is happening, then Harry can help…' Hermione started but Emma interrupted.

`No, he cant, Miss' Emma said, her hands working so furiously against each other she was worried blood might come.

`Emma, tell me what's wrong' Hermione said confidently, but still worried at what she might hear.

`They say it's a wolf, Miss' Emma said in a whisper, her eyes darting up to Hermione's again, this time unmoving as they looked into hers.

`A…Wolf?' Hermione said confused.

`A Bad Wolf, Miss' Emma said in barely a whisper, making Hermione lean closer to hear.

As the words worked there way through Hermione's brain something happened, something that took a few moments for her eyes to register, the lights on the panels that surrounded them had stopped, each and every one of them had become black. Hermione stood up quickly, looking around for at least one which was still on, but found none. And then in front of her eyes the lights began to dim, darker and darker the room grew until all she could make out was Emma in front of her.

`Emma…what's going on?' Hermione said, trying to keep panic from her voice.

`It's…It's…' Emma stuttered in complete fear, but Hermione never found out what the rest was as a sobbing scream came rattling through the room, coming from outside.

Hermione couldn't move, her legs unable to take a single step, only her heart beating rapidly in her chest and her breathe coming quick and fast.

`Hermione!' she heard Harry call loudly, banging on the door, still she couldn't move, Harry's voice alone couldn't awaken her limbs from its panic. A second later she heard a click and the door was slammed forward with power, Harry standing before her at the door, the light of the day outside coming in from behind her. She could see him perfectly, highlighted by the sun against the darkness of this room. She saw a huge grin on his face as he looked at her, the green of his eyes so vivid they looked almost alive.

`Now this is more like it!' Harry said with mischievous fire burning in his eyes, and with these words Hermione took a step forward, knowing that Harry was here with her she knew she was safe. He turned and left the room, Hermione running after him trying to keep up, sprinting through the now full village towards a group of people, circling something, all crying. Hermione watched as Harry pushed through the crowd and stopped dead in his tracks, the cue she needed to stop as well. She watched as he took a few steps forward and fell to his knees by something.

`Did anyone see what happened?' Harry shouted angrily at everyone gathered, making them all step back in fear of his anger, his tone telling her something was very wrong.

She pushed easily through the crowd, each one of them letting her past like she was a doctor or something, but as she reached Harry she stopped, the sight in front of her almost making her heart bleed.

A silver unicorn lay across the floor, its hoofs at impossible angles. All of it surrounded by a pile of silver blood. Dead. Hermione took a few steps forward and put a hand on Harry's shoulder, making him momentarily jump before his eyes locked onto hers.

`What did this?' Hermione said quietly, feeling tears beginning to form in her eyes.

`I don't know' Harry said quietly, running his hand along the unicorns back like he was trying to calm it.

`I've never seen one killed!' a woman in the crowd wailed.

`No one has…' a boy said, his voice shaky.

`They say it can't be done' the woman wailed again, her words barely audible.

`I've seen it before' Harry said quietly and at his words everyone gasped, shocked that Harry could be telling the truth.

`And what happened?' Hermione asked nervously, not sure she wanted the answer.

`Disaster…' Harry said, his head drooping low, like a man who had been defeated.

*

Ok, that's Chapter 2, and also part 1 of 2 of this Adventure. Hope you enjoyed it? Let me know what you think…

Jms Granger

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3. Travel and Power : Part Two

Travel and Power : Part Two

`I've seen it before' Harry said quietly and at his words everyone gasped, shocked that Harry could be telling the truth.

`And what happened?' Hermione asked nervously, not sure she wanted the answer.

`Disaster…' Harry said, his head drooping low, like a man who had been defeated.

Harry stood up quickly, withdrawing the wooden thing that was increasingly becoming more important in Hermione's mind, and with a complicated flick over the dead unicorn Harry stopped to look at Hermione.

`We should be going' Harry said simply and turned to walk past the others towards the main control room. Hermione stared at the unicorn for a few moments, wiped the tears from her eyes determinedly and followed after Harry up the stairs and into the control room.

`Now this is a little more confusing than I first thought' Harry said to himself as much as Hermione as he looked again at the controls, his face barely an inch from them.

`Harry…' Hermione said like she was pleading, asking for him to tell her it was ok.

`Yeah, Hermione?' Harry said offhand, his eyes still passing wildly over all the terminals as he became determined to spot something.

`What is that wooden thing?' Hermione said, trying to bring logic and sense back into the situation by asking questions.

`A wand' Harry said offbeat, his face had now stopped over a single button and he had a smile on his face `Gotcha!'

`What?' Hermione said in confusion, both at the sudden joy and the idea that Harry owned a…a…wand!

`Leaked energy coming from the generation of the neural implants' Harry said standing up and looking at Hermione `pretty obvious really, and completely unavoidable in 2050'

`But what does that mean?' Hermione asked completely bewildered.

`I have no idea…' Harry said, his eyes looking off at something but not really seeing it as he thought quickly. Long moment's passes as he stayed like this, Hermione just asking the one question to herself. Eventually Harry sighed loudly and took a few steps closer towards her.

`This is proving to be more frustrating than I had hoped for…' he said with a little sad smile, but was interrupted before he could carry on.

`Now who the hell are you two really?' the older man had come roaring into the house, his mouth twitching in anger and his face red.

`We already told…' Harry started but was interrupted by the man almost instantly.

`Don't give me all that crap!' he yelled, his eyes stuck pointedly on Harry `you two come here and an hour later a unicorn is dead!'

`You can't think we have anything to do with this!' Hermione said in indignation, firing a blazing look at him.

`That's exactly what I think!' he said, taking an intimidation step forward towards her. Her first impulse was to step back, but her will refused to be bullied by this man, especially on something she hadn't done.

`Well then your as stupid as you look' Hermione said angrily back at him.

`It all makes sense…' the old man started but was interrupted, this time by Hermione.

`What? That we introduce ourselves to you in broad day light just as we kill a unicorn?' Hermione spat at him in anger.

`But…' the old man stuttered but she interrupted him again.

`Or that you had people with us for every step we made in this village?' she pointed out, still angrily but calming down as logic came into their lives, however small.

`But…' he stuttered, completely unsure of himself.

`Or that we're going to be the ones to make sure it doesn't happen again?' Hermione finished, determined to make her words the truth. The old man looked at her, something like respect in his eyes.

`Hermione, you fantastic young woman' Harry said, a smile finally back on his mouth as he looked at her `would you care for a walk before we save the day'

`I'd love one' Hermione said smiling, taking Harry's arm and walking out of the room, the old man left cursing by himself.

`Now that was…' Harry started as they walked through the village.

`Fantastic?' Hermione said as she teasingly raised an eyebrow at Harry.

`Exactly!' Harry said roaring with laughter `but you seem to be a little over confident'

`What do you mean?' Hermione asked, happy that she had him, her protector, so close to her at this point.

`Well how can you be so sure that we can stop this from happening again?' Harry had said this seriously, like it was some sort of quiz at school.

`You stopped the plastafrese, didn't you?' Hermione said simply.

`It's Plas-to-crese, and anyway, plastic coming alive and trying to kill people was easy to diagnose, this…' Harry said this all very simply, like the school teacher in him `…well, this is a whole other ball park'

They were wandering through the village, seeming towards nowhere, Hermione couldn't help but feel a little strangely as she saw all the people in tears around them as they enjoyed a stroll.

`How is this so different?' Hermione asked as she tore her eyes away from a very elderly woman unable to stop crying.

`A unicorn, supposedly impossible to kill, gets murdered…' Harry started, looking around him like he was seeing things that she couldn't `…no witnesses, no suspect and only some excess energy to differ this place from Central Park'

`Central Park?' Hermione said incredulously.

`If Central Park had unicorns and a little hippy settlement' Harry said laughing as he conceded her point.

They walked on further till they got to a large machine, Hermione guessed that this must have been the generator Harry had left to see. She was sure they would stop here, but Harry led her past it without even a second look.

`You said you had seen one… killed' Hermione said unsure of herself.

`In a different life' Harry said quietly, looking at the ground.

`Maybe it's the same thing as then' Hermione said helpfully.

`Its not' Harry said simply.

`How can you be so sure?' Hermione asked.

`You'll just have to trust me on that one' Harry said looking at her with a smile `let's stop here'

Hermione was now still, looking around her for anything that could of made Harry stop. They were in a little narrow passage way between to houses, nothing about this spot seemed in the least bit interesting, it even appeared dull.

`Why have we…' she started but Harry put his hand up to stop her. Almost instantly she caught it, a very low humming noise like nothing she had ever heard before, and then the lights flickered again, only for a moment but enough for her to just realize it.

`What was that?' Hermione asked straight away, looking up at Harry, who had a smile on his face again.

`I think I know' Harry said ecstatically looking around the alleyway `but…this is…'

Whatever Harry's next words were going to be Hermione would never know as Harry started strolling quickly out of the alleyway, Hermione following so closely behind him that she fell into him when he suddenly stopped a few steps on. As Hermione rearranged herself after nearly falling over him Harry hadn't even seemed to realize.

`How stupid could I be!' Harry said ecstatically, his eyes scanning for someone as they searched everyone's faces, but the lights were flickering again, this time quicker and darker than previously.

`What's going on?' Hermione asked instinctively taking a step closer to Harry.

`We're running out of time' Harry said this in the strangest voice, one that reminded her of crying children somehow. Hermione couldn't understand but then Harry pointed out towards the field, and the sight almost stopped Hermione's heart.

Where once the field seemed alive with dancing sliver and gold, now it was still, the gold and silver seemed to be draining out of the scene and a new color was taking over, flowing throughout like water. The color was Red, blood red.

`What's happened?' Hermione demanded, pulling Harry to look at her.

`They've been killed…' Harry said shocked `…all of them'

Hermione looked back at the field, trying desperately to find one of them still moving, but her eyes failed her. Not a single one was still moving.

`Harry!' Hermione said pleadingly, unable to move her eyes from the death in front of her.

`Come on…' Harry said pulling her roughly away t shake her from the image `…we're running out of time…all of us will be next…'

Holding his hand Hermione had to sprint to keep up with him, after a moment she knew where they were going, the control room once again. She jumped up the steps quickly and followed Harry into the room, confronted with the image of the old man violently shaking Emma. Instantly Harry had his `wand' out and a bright light came with it. The next sight Hermione saw was Emma panic stricken, the old man lying on the floor, his back against the wall.

`Why did you stop me!' the old man shouted, giving murderous looks at Emma.

`Help me, miss!' Emma screamed and ran to Hermione, hiding behind her in an attempt to escape the old man. Harry however was looking at both of them, anger in every line of his face.

`What is your name?' Harry said determinedly, his voice had no anger in it but was very controlled.

`It's Emma, sir' she squealed panicky.

`Emma, you were the one who implanted the neural transmitter?' Harry said this as a question but his eyes told her it was more of a statement. Emma nodded in fear at him. `And no one else could ever quite manage it, could they?'

`They never stuck or they…they…' the old man couldn't finish his sentence telling Hermione exactly what the fate was of the unicorns others treated

`Emma…' Harry said slowly raising his wand and taking a step towards her.

`Kill her!' the old man shouted angrily. All Harry did to this was turn and look at him. The old man eyes shut and his head fell onto the ground, knocked out. Hermione couldn't see Harry's face or what he had done and she became scared, she didn't know what was going on.

`Hermione, move out the way' Harry said simply to her, but she didn't move `Hermione, move quickly'

Hermione didn't move for a moment, she didn't know what Harry was going to do, she didn't know if Emma would be safe. But then her mind cleared, this was Harry, and she trusted him.

`Hermione, move quickly' he said pointedly and she stepped aside letting Harry come within touching distance of Emma `give me your hand, Emma'

Hermione saw the fear on Emma's face, but the girl lifted her arm anyway for him. Harry did a little movement with his `wand' and then smiled.

`Just as I thought' Harry said stepping away `and I'm sorry'

`Sorry for what?' Hermione demanded, angry as Harry seemed to betray her in favor of the old man. Harry looked at Hermione for a moment before answering.

`She's like me' Harry said simply.

`Like…you?' Hermione said confused looking at him, what did he mean? Was she some sort of time-travelling hero?

`Yeah, like me' Harry said turning back to Emma, who seemed positively terrified at being given this label `If you had been born another time, another place, another world, everything would have been so different…but…'

`Harry you can't!' Hermione said stepping back in front of Emma as Harry raised his wand again at Emma.

`Hermione, I'm not going to hurt her…' Harry said `…I promise'

This was all Hermione needed and she turned around to face Emma, tears were flowing from the little girls eyes as freely as taps of water.

`Trust him' Hermione said simply and gave the girl a little hug before stepping away, to be replaced immediately by Harry.

Harry lifted his wand and without a word a gold light starting emanating from Emma, spewing out like smoke, Hermione noticed that it couldn't get through solid things and snuck out under the door. After a moment the door opened and Hermione gasped. Highlighted by the gold smoke was the form of a creature, she couldn't make it out properly but it was about the size of a human head. Hermione couldn't understand what was happening and looked at Harry who was staring at the creatures, now about 20 of them.

`They are parasites…, Magicallds…' Harry said happily as he watched them closely, the gold steam like thing still flowing form Emma who seemed to be paralyzed `Attracted to Emma because of her energy, attracted to me to I should point but I'm in control enough to not be taken advantage of…poor Emma here was never taught control…'

Harry raised his wand and a blue light appeared, wrapping around the gold steam, creatures and all. The creatures pushed hard against the blue light but couldn't get past it, Harry was smiling at them.

`They have been with her since birth, feeding of her energy to keep alive' Harry started waving the wand so the blue field got smaller and smaller `…and by luck, or by fate, she started working on Unicorns. Of course only she could attach the transmitter, I said how it was impossible in 2050, but she could because she was special…'

The blue light was being filled up to the brim with the gold light and with every passing second the creatures became more visibly, their parts clearer defined by the gold light that couldn't pass through it. The creatures looked like a cross between a cockroach and a goblin you saw n children's television on Saturday mornings.

`…the Magicallds are usually harmless, you never even realize their there, but as she worked on the brain, on the blood of the unicorns they passed from her to them…' Harry said, tightening the blue light again `…and unicorns are incredibly powerful, full of magic…'

`Magic?' Hermione said instantly.

`That's the energy we have…' Harry said looking at her, a smile on his face that hoped she understood and wouldn't interrupt `…Unicorn blood can keep alive even the sickest, closest to death animals, creatures and people, even those that are… already dead…The Magicallds had a feast, unfortunately…they took it to far…'

Anger flashed in Harry's face as he swiped his wand viciously through the wand as the blue light snapped close, the creatures pushed on top of each other as they struggled for space. Hermione thought she could hear the creatures screaming.

`Now they are too strong, powered up on not only unicorn blood but the unicorns' whole life…' Harry said this angrily but stopped dead in his sentence, the creatures had all stopped and were staring at him.

`So you will kill us?' the creatures all said at the same time, their voices indistinguishable from each others.

`You…' Harry said this uncertainly, the blue field got slightly bigger `…you can't speak…'

`Then how are we speaking right now?' the all said in such perfect unison that it brought the hairs up on Hermione's neck.

`This makes no difference' Harry said quickly, but uncertainty was in every syllable of every word he spoke.

`Can you kill a whole race of sentient beings?' the creatures spoke again. Hermione looked at Harry, who seemed for the first time to be panicking.

`Magicallds are everywhere!' Harry said finally.

`But we are no longer Magicallds, they are stupid parasites living of the magic of creatures like you' they said.

`So what are you' Harry said uncertainly.

`Emma called them the bad wolf' Hermione spoke remembering the girls words, taking a step closer to Harry, wanting to let him know that he wasn't alone in this.

`That is not our name' the creatures spoke, almost angrily.

`It matters not what your name is' Harry said defiantly `If I let you go you will kill more'

`Why would we?' the creatures said instantly, stopping Harry in his tracks `We don't need magic to exist, we already exist'

Hermione almost jumped as she felt a hand go into hers, but realized it was Harry's. He pressed his palm against hers almost like a child would a safety blanket.

`So what would you do if I allowed you to go?' Harry said, his voice was different, like the twenty something boy he really was.

`Observe' this time the voice came from one of the creatures, and the tone had an almost unnerving human quality about it. Somehow just the one of them speaking was stranger than when they spoke in unison.

Harry turned his head towards her and their eyes met, instantly Hermione knew the truth. Harry couldn't kill them, not now.

`You have to let them go' Hermione said softly, taking the decision off of Harry's shoulders and onto hers `their not to blame for the deaths, they were something…else…now they have understanding, language…'

Harry stood still for almost a minute, just looking straight into Hermione's. He knew what he had to do, but knew it could prove a mistake. He gave Hermione a smile and the in an instant all the light form the room was gone, all shapes of creatures was invisible again and all that was left was the pair of them, Emma and the unconscious old man.

Hermione let go of Harry's hand and ran up to Emma, her hands on the girls face checking she was ok.

`Thanks, sir, miss' she said quietly looking about her.

`That's ok, we're just happy your safe' Harry said strolling up towards her, a beaming smile on his face.

`You gave us a right scare!' Hermione said after she checked the girls' heartbeat and found it to be normal.

`I…I…I did?' Emma stammered.

`Don't you remember?' Harry said shaking his head sorrowful `you passed out…everything will be safe now'

`I promise!' Hermione added happily.

`Thanks, Hermione' Emma said with a smile, she was impressed by how trusting the girl was.

`Oh no!' Emma squealed looking at the old man and throwing her hands to her face.

`That's ok, he fell over' Harry said happily `Smashed his head, wont remember a thing!'

Emma stopped and stared at Harry in concentration.

`What did you mean when you said I was like you, sir?' Emma said eyeing him suspiciously.

`Don't worry about that…we're like fish and bicycles now, completely different' Harry said brightly as he turned to Emma `We better be leaving'

`You sure?' Hermione asked, worried still about Emma.

`Definitely' Harry said telling Hermione that everyone was safe here now. He turned to Emma quickly `If it's not too much to ask, could you get us a bottle of water, we have a far way to travel and in the excitement I've become quite thirsty'

`Yes, immediately, sir' Emma said happily turning to leave.

`Bye Emma' Hermione called as the girl left, but wasn't sure if she was heard.

`Take my hand then' Harry said happily, looking at her.

`But what about the unicorns?' Hermione asked.

`I'm sorry, but their dead…' Harry said softly, for her benefit more than his `…and not even I can bring people back alive'

Hermione felt sad, but she knew they had saved lives here, definitely saved Emma's, and who knows who else's. But still the field of Unicorns had been lost, and nothing, not even Harry, could change that.

She reached out and took Harry's hand.

`Apparating?' Hermione asked, hoping for a different answer than the one she knew was coming.

`The only way to travel…' Harry said laughing `…at least the only way that feels like you're pushed through a straw!'

And with the sound of Harry laughing the horrible sensation of Apparition came over Hermione, and the next thing she knew she was back in the Ford Anglia.

`I don't think I'm ever going to get sued to apparition' Hermione said feeling a little sick but excited none the less at the prospect of being back inside the Ford Anglia.

`You will' Harry said brightly as he made his way over to the silver basin `but I promise you won't ever enjoy it!'

`That's a great reassurance!' Hermione said slapping him on the arm as she made her way over to the silver basin.

`Just telling it like it is!' he said laughing `like the fact that you've been walking around with dirt on your forehead all day!'

`What!' Hermione said angrily reaching up and somehow trying to feel the dirt. Harry's laughter let her knew that he was joking and she gave him another playful slap on the arm `you should do stand up!'

`I'll let you know I once did…' Harry said flashing her a smile `…although that's not till 3456'

`We so gotta go see that!' Hermione said excitedly.

`Nah…you can just watch the DVD sometime' Harry said waving the idea away, `So where do you want to see next?'

`Um…' Hermione said thinking hard.

`I'm not sure where exactly um is?' Harry said teasingly, but Hermione ignored it, she had just come up with the perfect idea.

`I got it!' Hermione screamed with excitement.

`Fantastic!' Harry said in equal measure of excitement `where to then madam?'

`I want to see…' Hermione said, almost unable to control herself with the prospect of fulfilling a childhood wish `…1594…'

`Any particular reason for that date? Although I will hazard a guess that you meant to say London with it' Harry said with a mischievous smile on his face that told her he already knew why.

Hermione smiled at him, amazed at how he seemed to know pretty much everything, before answering his questions.

`To see Shakespeare'

*

So that's chapter 3…hope it was ok…anyway let me know where I'm going wrong, what I'm doing right…feedback people is the key to reviews!

Jms Granger.

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4. The Cursed King: Part One

The Cursed King: Part One

`Why do I have to dress up and you don't?' Hermione said a little sulkily as she joined Harry back by the silver basin. She had just had to change into a kind of peasant looking dress, while Harry had gotten ready, which she just found out was by him taking his glasses off.

`I'm wearing black' Harry replied shrugging `it just fades in everywhere you go. You ready to go?'

Hermione stopped to think, she was changed already into her brown `dress', and now she was ready to travel through time. She had to suppress a little giggle as she realized just what her life had become.

`Sure am, handsome' she said happily as she sat down on the floor cross legged, holding the skirt in place, before looking up at a very confused Harry. She smiled at the idea that she could possibly do something that Harry, with all his eccentricities, didn't expect.

`What are you doing down there?' Harry asked, positively joyous at what was happening.

`Preparing to travel, no falling over for me this time!' Hermione replied watching as Harry threw his head back and laughed.

`I think we should invest in a chair!' Harry said, and even though she was excited to watch as Harry pulled his wand up to his head and removing another long stream of silver steam, she couldn't help but be more excited by the use of the word we. Harry took the silver steam like had previously done and placed it into the basin, Hermione spreading her hands out along the floor ready for what she k new was coming. Instantly the room threw itself around, but this time ready for it all that happened was Hermione slipped back and forth a bit. When the vehicle had stopped and everything was once again stationary in her world, she stood up and looked at Harry.

`And I know just the little place for a nice chair' Harry said smiling as he held out his hand. Hermione took it and was led towards the door, Harry opening it instantly like it led to the living room instead of the past.

`Fantastic!' Harry said as they stood outside, and Hermione thought the same. The whole street looked exactly how she had always pictured it, old wooden houses and dirt tracks on all sides, and people rushing about in their everyday business. Hermione couldn't help but love this place. Well, this time, she figured.

She stepped forward and walked up to the nearest house and placed a hand on the wooden surface, just to check that this was all real.

`Get off that!' a middle aged woman shouted at her almost instantly from behind, and as Hermione let go the woman wandered off, muttering to herself. Hermione could swear she heard the woman say `Kids these days' and `stupid weird clothes'. Hermione laughed at how little some things had changed.

`Excuse me sir' she heard Harry say, and as she spun around she saw Harry in conversation with a guy about their age `Do you know what the date is?'

`Don't you?' the guy said suspiciously.

`Plainly me and my companion seem to have mislaid that information' Harry replied quickly, beaming at the stranger and indicating Hermione. The man looked at her puzzled for a second before speaking.

`What is she wearing?' he said confused, Hermione looked down and realized that her outfit was quite different to everyone else's, it had a fitted cut and looked more like a 21st century prop than an actual real life outfit. Harry only beamed back at the man, who eventually shrugged before answering the actual question `its 1597, our year of the king' the guy said, still suspicious but also a little angrily. Harry didn't carry on the conversation but walked over to her and smiled.

`1597!' Harry said excitedly `A very fine year too'

`Didn't I ask for 1594?' Hermione asked confused, falling into step beside him as they walked through the crowds. She assumed he must know the way and was content to follow him.

`And I was only 3 years out' Harry said looking at her with a grin.

`How come you messed up?' Hermione asked curiously

`You think its easy traveling over four hundred years through time!' Harry replied sounding put out.

`But haven't you done more than that?' Hermione stated trying to rectify any offence she had caused.

`And I'm usually happy to get the year right!' Harry said laughing, Hermione sighed as she realized that he had previously been faking hurt `Although this one time I was aiming for 21066 and missed out the two, ended up between King Harold and William the Conqueror in 1066'

`And I'm guessing they weren't too pleased to see you?' still amazed at the life Harry had led.

`William was furious! I still owed him a goat farm from a few years previously!' Harry said smiling as he stopped dead in his tracks `We're here'

`Where?' Hermione said confused, looking at the shabby little house before them.

`Here' he said happily opening the door and walking through and calling `Charles?'

`Who wants to know?' a harsh voice called from behind another door. Now that Hermione was in the room she could tell that it was a shop, and seemed to sell furniture of all sorts of descriptions. Chair after chair was piled onto of each other, with tables and other things littered around the place, Hermione was impressed that they had managed to get all the stuff into the room, let alone have room for people to walk around as well.

`Just an old friend' Harry said smiling as the man stopped dead in his tracks before him.

`Why, if I never! It's Harry Potter!' the man said, his voice pleasant with an almost musical quality to it, walking up and pulling Harry into a hug. `It's great to see you again!'

`You too' Harry said breaking the hug and looking content. For a few moments the two men looked at each other in silence, Charles was probably in his mid twenties, with sandy blonde shoulder length hair and a good build. Before long the man named Charles broke eye contact with Harry and noticed Hermione, quickly smiling at her.

`Now what do we have here, Harry Potter with a girlfriend?' Charles said stepping friendly towards her `and a pretty one as well! Although if you don't mind me asking, what are you wearing?'

`Why do people keep on saying that?' Hermione said slightly insulted `What about Harry here!'

`What? He's just wearing black, miss' Charles said laughing loudly, before turning back to Harry `Follow me into the back, I've got something to show you'

Charles started to walk away towards the room he had come from, Harry smiled at Hermione to tell her that everything was ok, and followed after him.

`Harry, you don't look a day older than when I last saw you, and that must have been 10 years ago!' Charles called as he made his way around the obstacle course of his stock

`I use duck water daily' Harry said as he followed quickly, barely noticing the intricate winding path he had to take.

`Duck water, eh? I think I'll try that…' the man said in deep though as he led walked through the door

`What will that do to him?' Hermione whispered curiously into Harry's ear.

`Make him smell like a duck, I guess' Harry whispered back shrugging, making Hermione giggle slightly.

She walked through the door and found herself in a smaller room which was tidier and with fewer items. It didn't take a genius to work out that this was where he kept his rarer items. Charles stood before them, looking excited at them, Hermione quickly noticed that he had something in his hands, but was gripping it too tightly for her to see what it was. Harry looked at him interestedly, not noticing the item he held.

`Firstly, did you ever find that thing you were looking for?' Charles asked him.

`Not yet' Harry replied simply.

`Then this may be of interest to you' Charles said handing Harry the object, which she realized to be a heavy bound book. Harry looked at it in interest, but before Hermione could crane her neck enough to see he had pocketed it and was looking back up at Charles.

`How much do you want?' Harry said in a determined tone that told Hermione that any price the man said Harry would pay.

`Nothing' Charles said nicely with a smile `I haven't forgotten what you did for me'

`But…' Harry said trying to argue, but Charles just shook his head and looked at Hermione.

`Harry here saved my life… twice!' Charles said, and from the look in his eyes Hermione had no doubt of the respect he had for Harry.

`I only did what any man would do' Harry said shrugging modestly.

`Ha! You managed to get the queen herself to pardon me!' Charles said roaring with laughter at Harry's modesty.

`If you put it like that then I guess that I did what any other hero would do!' Harry said with a laugh and a fake little bow.

`Talking of Heroes, are you in town to see Bill?' Charles asked.

`Yeah, Hermione here hasn't seen any of his plays live before' Harry said.

`Then you're in for a treat missy!' Charles said turning quickly and rummaging through a cabinet before turning and giving her a piece of paper, it was an advertisement for a play but she couldn't read the minuscule handwriting `Richard the third starts in 10 minutes!'

'10 minutes?' Harry said looking towards the door `I guess we've got to go'

`You will be back?' Charles said a little note of panic in his voice.

`I promise' Harry said honestly.

`It's been nice meeting you, Charles' Hermione said before turning to Harry with a grin on her face `Lets go, pleeeease?'

`Ok, Hermione!' Harry said laughing as she took his hand and started to pull her towards the door.

`See you soon, Harry' Charles shouted as they made their way out of the shop and into the main street, Harry taking over the leading as she didn't know the way.

`He seemed nice' Hermione said faking normality, a million questions shooting through her mind.

`He is' Harry said beaming at her as he side stepped to walk around some rubbish just left out in the street. The rubbish, left out all day in the sun had become to rot and the smell that it gave of was beyond reasonable for Hermione. Walking quickly away she was happy when she got out of smelling distance of it, `Although trust me when I tell you he's one hell of a drinker! We had a few too many nights proving just how good he was compared to me'

`I'll have to ask him about these nights!' Hermione said, making Harry chuckle. Hermione wondered how she could phrase what she really wanted to know, so she asked curiously `So when did you meet Charles?'

`About a year ago' Harry said, sliding them between crowds that were buying vegetables from a stall.

`Oh' Hermione said, a little confused.

`What's wrong?' Harry asked stopping dead in his tracks to look at her.

`It's just…' Hermione said, not sure how to phrase the words inside her head `…Well, it's just you seem really good friends…'

`Yeah, I guess we are' Harry said looking at her directly. Hermione was a little lost in his green eyes with her eyes missing half a beat. His eyes seemed clearer as they were now uncovered by his lack of glasses, she took a quick breathe and regained herself pretty quickly.

`Then, how come you didn't take him with you?' Hermione asked finally.

`I'm not really supposed to, there are laws and stuff' Harry answered seriously.

`So why was I different' Hermione blurted out before she could stop herself. Harry only smiled sweetly for a few moments before replying.

`You just…were' Harry said, Hermione thought he moved a fraction of an inch closer but before she was sure he had stepped away, still holding her hand and led her down the road.

`So…' Hermione said a little awkwardly, thinking of something to say `…have you seen this one before?'

`Yeah, it's fantastic!' Harry said happily, shooting her a quick glance.

`I just love Shakespeare!' Hermione said `I use to be a right geek when I was younger'

`And you're hoping that you'll one day grow out of it?' Harry said teasing.

`Very funny!' Hermione said laughing. Suddenly she stopped at the same time as Harry, for once she knew exactly where they were and where they were going. And before them stood the Curtain.

`Oh it's…so…' Hermione said this, thinking of the perfect word.

`Decrepit?' Harry said helpfully.

`No…well, yeah…' Hermione said quickly `…but…Fantastic!'

`Come one, it'll be starting soon' Harry said leading her up to the door. A man stopped them but Harry instantly showed them his piece of magic paper and the guard bowed, she wondered how respectable that piece of paper had just made them, fortunately enough respect must have been made that all her clothes got was a funny look and no comment. She sighed at this, next time she would work harder on an outfit.

They walked round and looked for a seat, only about a hundred people were in today as Hermione figured it was a midday session, and consequently a lot of space was left with fortunately a few of the seats. They sat down and tried to get comfortable, the butterflies in her stomach and the adrenaline in her blood not letting this be too easy.

`Oh, this is exciting!' Hermione squealed, looking up at the stage where Shakespeare in all its glory and more would be performed for them.

Before she could even get comfortable a group of players came out on stage, the audience quiet with expectation.

`Old John of Gaunt, time-honored Lancaster, Hast thou accordingly to thy oath and band brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son, here to make good the boist'rous late app…app…appeal…' The man stuttered slightly, putting a hand up to his throat. Hermione felt worried, the man playing King Richard seemed in pain. Moment passed where all the actors looked confused. Hermione looked at Harry whose eyes weren't moving, staring intently at the action before him.

`I have, my liege' the man playing Gaunt said, missing the rest of King Richards opening lines in the hope that it would make him snap out of it, which seemed to work. Hermione wondered if King Richard had had a bit of stage fright and forgotten his lines temporarily

`Tell me…moreover…' King Richard seemed to be recovering but was out of breathe slightly `…hast thou sounded him, if he appeal the duke on ancient…ancient…ancient…' The man fell to his knees and the audience gasped in anticipation, only Hermione and Harry knew that it wasn't part of the play, Harry leaned forward in deep concentration. Everyone on stage was still for moments before King Richard made another sound, screaming the next words at the top of his voice `ANCIENT MALICE!'

Harry stood up instantly, Hermione joining him a fraction of a second later.

`Stop!' a mans voice bellowed throughout the theatre from the front doors directly behind her. Hermione spun round quickly but stopped dead in her tracks, mouth open in shock at the man before her `I order you to stop this play before it's too late!'

`On whose command?' a man in the audience shouted out in anger as the man walked up the length of the theatre and stood before the stage.

`On my command!' the man said confidently.

`And who may you be!' an old woman practically screeched.

`I?' the man said confidently looking around him `I am William Shakespeare'

*

So that's the first part of this one, there will be 3 to this adventure…I know it's a little late, but its deliberate, and the next part will be out tomorrow so I hope that make sup for it…hope you liked it anyway, let me know what you're feeling…

Oh, and the Shakespeare's all correct…

Jms Granger

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5. The Cursed King: Part Two

The Cursed King: Part Two

`And who may you be!' an old woman practically screeched.

`I?' the man said confidently looking around him `I am William Shakespeare'

`Oh my god!' Hermione squealed, her mind throwing from one side to the other `is that…I mean is he ok? Is that Will…?'

She couldn't decide what to do, amaze at the living legend, the greatest writer the world had ever seen, or rush to the man who had fallen down in pain. Fortunately Harry seemed to be taking the dilemma better than her and rushed towards the stage, leaping up onto it effortlessly and falling to his knees beside the actor playing King Richard. Hermione ran after him, hoping that there would be a lot more time to talk to William Shakespeare after making sure the man was ok.

`What are you two doing?' William said, his voice as refined and English as Hermione had always dreamt it, but she didn't have time to dwell on the fact that one of her idols had just addressed her as now she had got closer to the actor she realized just how bad he seemed to be. The man was perfectly still, his eyes closed tight, and Hermione couldn't see his chest moving.

`Is he?' she asked quietly to Harry, who had his fingers on the mans neck, checking for a pulse.

`No' Harry said distractedly.

`What happened?' she asked, dropping to her knees, a lot happier knowing the man was alive, and with Harry here she knew he wouldn't be in any danger.

`What's going on?' William said strolling up towards them and standing over the three of them, looking down confused `And what are you wearing?'

`Do you feel that?' Harry said quickly, his face turning instantly to Hermione as his hands took hers in his, completely distracting Hermione from another person commenting on her clothes. He slowly loosened his grip of her hand until his skin was barely touching hers, only the tiniest amount of skin was in contact, and Hermione could feel something that could only be described as a breeze pushing between their hands, making its way around the skin that still touched.

`That's weird' Hermione said confused.

`How come?' Harry said, eyeing her with curiosity.

`Because the wind doesn't seem to be stopping' Hermione said as it continued to breeze between them `and we're inside'

`Fantastic!' Harry exclaimed impressed and wildly happy, breaking the last bit of contact with Hermione's hand and standing up `and William Shakespeare!'

`I am he, sir, but I'd prefer to know who you are' William said taking Harry's hand and shaking it politely.

`Only your biggest fan!' Harry said happily as Hermione stood up to join him `as well as Hermione here, please mind her clothes, she's a little simple'

`What is a fan?' William said looking at them in confusion.

`I am not simple!' Hermione declared slapping Harry on the chest softly.

`I meant simply fantastic' Harry said laughing `And fan means a fanatic'

`So you have something to do with this?' William said, eyeing them both suspiciously.

`Nope!' Harry said delightedly, rocking on the base of his heels slightly.

`But you're here' he said, no less suspicion I his voice.

`So are you…' Harry said stopping mid thought and looking at him confused `…actually, how come you are here, if I remember right you should be in Staffordshire at this time?'

`How do you know that?' Shakespeare demanded, a little angrily.

`He's you're biggest fan' Hermione stated, trying to be helpful, all this seemed a little too much for William, and remembering when she had first met Harry she couldn't blame him.

`You seemed to know something was going to happen?' Harry said eyeing William, an unreadable expression in his eyes.

`What are you implying' William said in outrage.

`Only that you seemed to be trying to stop the play from happening' Harry said, still unreadable.

`I think he means that you seemed to know that something bad was going to happen and was trying to save the actor from what happened' Hermione said, nudging Harry as she silently told him to behave, this was William Shakespeare after all.

William stared at them for a few moments, before he sighed and put his hand to his head.

`I don't know whats happening' he said, and Hermione could tell how painful that was for him to admit `Every time someone tries to perform Richard the Third they break down, can't even finish the opening dialogue, and what they do get to say isn't even any of my best work!'

`And what happens to them?' Hermione said instantly, cutting in before Harry could ask something, but he seemed pleased about this question for some reason.

`Their Ok' he said, sighing again `If being in a coma can pass as ok'

`How long had this been going on?' Harry asked, taking a step away and lowering himself down towards the unconscious man, turning his back to her and Shakespeare. Hermione knew that Harry must be using his wand and didn't want Shakespeare to see. She figured getting out a stick in front of most people wouldn't arise suspicion but in front of Shakespeare it could prove a problem.

`About 2 months now' Shakespeare said `This is the 6th Richard we've been through'

`6 people are all in a coma' Hermione said appalled, she had just realized how popular this play would prove to be, and how many people throughout the next 400 years could be at risk. She turned to look at Harry who was on his feet with a smile on his face, a smile that told Harry that things were looking better.

`So what is happening?' Harry said stepping towards the bard.

`I've already told you that I don't know!' he said loudly `It started 2 months ago and I came to London to try and resolve the issue! That's it!'

`Oh come on!' Harry said annoyed `you're the greatest mind of your generation, perhaps the greatest mind of all writers ever, and your trying to tell me that in 2 months you have no idea what so ever? That the William Shakespeare, writer of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet…that sounded weird, like all three of them were in a play together…God, that'd would have been weird…

Harry was looking of into space, contemplating Romeo, Juliet and Hamlet all in a play together, so Hermione carried on for him `you must have some idea what's behind this'

`There is no news, no ideas, nothing but tavern gossip and old wives tales' William responded softly, depression in his voice, Harry however seemed quite giddy at this news, taking a step closer and looking very pleased.

`What is this tavern gossip?' Harry asked simply.

`Nothing but the ramblings of scared, drunk old men' William said shaking his head in disgust at the ideas.

`My favorite type of people!' Harry said happily, like he had just received the answer to his problems `the old are wiser, the scared more resourceful and the drunk…well their just a bit more fun…but all added together and the greatest are made!'

`You are a strange man' William said, eyeing Harry in a way like he knew him somehow `Have I met you before?'

`I don't think so' Harry said a little awkwardly, running his hands through his hair. William carried on staring at Harry before he shook his head, like he was trying to loosen his thoughts from his brain.

`They…' William started as he said the word in disdain `…believe the play to be cursed, that a ghost of a thief is displeased at the Curtain being built on his grave, and is now about seeking vengeance!'

`Now that is a tall tale!' Harry said turning to Hermione `what do you think? A ghost of a thief running amok with post-life issues in fifteen ninety… something or other?'

`1597' Hermione said getting and of thanks from Harry `and I think it's impossible'

`Impossible you say?' Harry said beaming at her, before turning back to William `Master Shakespeare, if you would do me the honor would you have lunch with us?'

`Why would I?' he said looking at her in confusion `don't you see I have more to worry about than an…an…eccentric and a girl in weird clothing!'

`Seriously can people lay of my outfit!' Hermione said a little angrily, throwing her hand to her mouth as she realized that she had just shouted at William Shakespeare, who just looked at her in shock.

`Lunch, in an hour, Hermione here will be paying' Harry said happily but she could see that the bard hadn't been won over. He placed his hand on his chin looking at them both in concentration.

`If you tell me who you really are first' he said eyeing them both.

`Let's just say that we're, probably, the only people who could make it so Richard the Third will ever be performed again' Harry said confidently, but William was still thinking it all over.

`In other words we're here to save the day' Hermione said, not knowing how she was going to justify the use of the word we, but determined none the less to try. William looked at her, making full eye contact for the first time for a moment until he nodded.

`Ok then, in an hour' William said, smiling for the first time directly at Hermione `can I recommend the Oak and Daisy?'

`Yes you may' Hermione said, smiling back.

`So we'll see you then Bill…' he said starting to walk away towards the door, before he stopped and turned back around `…can I call you Bill?'

`No, you can't' William said looking at him `Are you sure I haven't met you before?'

`I think we'd both remember that!' Harry said laughing loudly before he added `I'll see you in an hour, Bill…Come on, Hermione, work time'

Hermione smiled and, for some reason unknown to her, made a slight curtsey at William who chucked at her actions. She walked fast after Harry, stepping down off the stage and catching up to him as he left into the street.

`Are you just going to leave that man unconscious in there?' Hermione said catching up quickly with Harry.

`There's nothing I can do for him' Harry said shrugging slightly.

`What? Nothing?' Hermione said in complete shock, her breathe catching in her lungs.

`I forgot to add the word yet to the end of that sentence' Harry said apologetically, allowing Hermione to breathe again.

`But you will be able to help him?' Hermione asked.

`To tell the truth I'm not sure' Harry said glancing at her quickly, still strolling down the street, Hermione unsure where he was leading them. Hermione didn't want to press this anymore, she knew Harry would save them, she had faith in him. Although, as she thought on it, Mike had died and so had the unicorns. Her stomach jumped a little as she looked at the man beside her.

They were starting to walk faster along the street, Hermione didn't know where they were going but just followed in his path, when they were stopped by a voice.

`Harry! Hermione!' she looked round quickly at the man and realized it was Charles. Harry stopped dead in his tracks and walked over to him `Why aren't you two in the theatre?' he asked curiously, something Hermione couldn't read seemed to be in his eyes.

`Just a minor problem' Harry said, obviously happy at seeing his friend again.

`What's the problem?' Charles asked, Hermione thought it was a little to serious for how Harry had said.

`Unconscious King Richards', six of them, and it makes the play a little harder without him' Harry said, making Charles chuckle.

`Six unconscious King Richards? Sounds like the beginning of a joke' Charles said, Hermione didn't like his frivolity at the situation, but she had to remind herself that he didn't know the situation.

`People seem to think it's a curse, you haven't heard of any of this, have you?' Harry asked suddenly more serious.

`No' Charles said, running his hand across his stubbly chin, seeming to be pondering this seemingly absurd question `and King Richards fall unconscious at the beginning?'

`He didn't say when they fell into a coma' Hermione said before she realized.

`I saw you only twenty minutes ago' Charles said looking at her and shrugging.

`Anyway' Harry said loudly `If you hear anything, can you let me know?'

`I'll go and ask around' Charles said `Where will you be?'

`I'll be in the Oak and Daisy in an hour, along with Bill' Harry said, Charles mouth dropped slightly.

`William Shakespeare is going to lunch with you?' Charles said impressed and in shock.

`Me and Old Bill go back years' Harry said laughing.

`If William Shakespeare is going to be there I'll make sure I find something!' Charles said

`I'll see you in an hour, old friend' Harry said embracing Charles, who smiled at Hermione before walking away in a near jog.

Harry started to walk away slowly, making it easy for her to keep up before he started to walk at his usual brisk pace. Hermione was thinking things through, and something didn't seem right.

`So what do you think is going on?' Hermione asked as they rounded a corner to a near deserted street.

`I'm guessing it's a ghost' Harry said nonchalantly.

`Ghosts are real?' Hermione asked, remembering the nightmares that all kids have when their young and shuddering slightly.

`Most certainly' Harry said happily `I use to be pretty good friends with some'

`Oh' Hermione said `you didn't believe that whole thief thing, did you?'

`Nah' he said shaking his head dismissively `although it could be'

`You don't know why this is happening, do you?' Hermione asked seriously.

`Not yet' Harry said `but I'm working on it being a ghost'

`What do you think of Charles?' Hermione asked, trying to sound as if this was a throw away question. They were now completely deserted in a street that seemed familiar, and Harry stopped and turned to look straight at her.

`What do you mean?' Harry asked eyeing her, seemingly not too pleased at her words.

`It's just…' Hermione said a little awkwardly, she didn't want to come across as crazy or, worse, jealous `…He seemed a little odd'

`Hermione if you're trying to say…' Harry started but she stopped him.

`How can you be sure he isn't involved in all this' Hermione said reasonably.

`Because that's a crazy idea' Harry said without a trace of humor in his voice.

`But how can you be sure?' Hermione asked, taking a step closer to him, now they were within touching distance.

`It all comes down to having faith in people, Hermione' He said looking directly at her for a moment `and trust me when I tell you that it always comes down to that trust'

`But he owns a shop full of antiques and even things to interest you…' Hermione started.

`Many things interest me' Harry said normally `I had to tune into the series finale of Lost the other day, that crazy show drives me insane with interest!'

`But Lost isn't an time from the past' Hermione said gravely.

`What difference does it make if the item was from fifteen ninety…' Harry stopped in thought at this.

`1957' Hermione said helpfully.

`Why can't I remember that!' Harry said a little annoyed and confused before carrying on `anyway, what effect does time have on something being interesting or not?'

`Ok, what about how he had that leaflet at his shop, for a play that was cursed?' Hermione said rationally `or the fact that we saw him just after it happened close by, or the fact that he made a joke about it?'

`Hermione, listen to me on this' Harry said turning strict `Charles has my complete trust'

`But what about all that?' she said, putting her hands on her hips and wanting an answer, Harry stared at her and chuckled.

`No beating you, is there?' Harry said smiling knowingly at her `fine! He had the leaflet because he's a huge Shakespeare fan, he was walking the street because he has a life and he made a joke about it because that's exactly what I do, and he's my friend…is that better?'

`But still…' Hermione started.

`Hermione, please just trust me?' Harry said as he put his hand son her shoulders, the unexpected contact made her stomach jitter slightly, and she knew she had to trust him, he was Harry.

`Ok then, you've haven't let me down yet' Hermione said acceptingly, and it was true, he hadn't.

`Come on, let's get out of here' Harry said as he let go and removed his wand. He looked away, at the corner of the street, looked around him to see that no one was about and waved his wand. At that moment the door of the Ford Anglia appeared, seemingly floating in midair `The rest is invisible, cloaking device, very simple'

Hermione shrugged at the words pretty simple and made her way over to it realizing it was next to the wall she had previously touched only to be shouted at by an old woman. She reached for the handle on the floating door but as she tried to open it the thing wouldn't budge. Harry's hand suddenly appeared and unlocked it with a set of keys, opening the door for her. She stepped through into the cavern of the Ford Anglia with Harry close behind, and as she looked around she breathed a sigh of relief, this place was already feeling like home for her.

`So why have we come back here?' Hermione asked watching as Harry whipped out his wand in front of her and waving it, a door instantly opened about fifty meters away.

`Just fetching something' Harry said concentrating on his wand. After a second Hermione heard the noise of rustling and watched as a huge chest of draws came floating quickly through the open door and landed next to them. Harry pocketed his wand and started looking through the chest of draws, taking his time at first but speeding up as it took longer to find.

`You really should organize things better' Hermione pointed out to which Harry only laughed `so, what we getting, and what exactly is it going to do?'

`Well…there was this poltergeist, and …well lets just say I have some experience with phantoms and the like' Harry said distractedly, rummaging through his draws and clenching a fist in celebration as he pulled something out, it was quite a large, about the size of a football and was just plain and white, made out of something as plain as plastic `this wonderful machine, a captornasm, will allow me to locate the phantom and make it visible, bring it from their… world, or wherever they come from… into ours, and then I will deal it'

`But how can you be sure it is a phantom' Hermione asked, not sure if Harry's great idea was quite so great.

`I can't, but I intend to find out' Harry said, beaming excitedly at the prospect.

`But how can you? Stand in the theatre and shout come out, come out, where ever you are, then use that machine?' Hermione said, a little mockingly

`However much I prefer that idea to mine, I'm not sure that it'd work' Harry said smiling at her.

`So what are you going to do?' Hermione said, her voice rising in exasperation.

`I'll be…' Harry said, pausing for dramatic effect with a grin on his face `…Playing Richard the third!'

`But?' Hermione said, her heart skipping several huge beats.

`It's the only way' Harry said stepping towards her, a sad smile on her face.

`But what if the machine doesn't work and you end up the seventh unconscious Richard?' Hermione said, her heart still not working like normal peoples.

`We'll just hope it does' Harry said smiling `Hermione, it is the only way'

`But…can't you just…' She started, but she had no idea and Harry only smiled sadly at her. As she looked into his green eyes she knew she had to accept it, but she also had to do something else `…Then I'll act with you, I'll be Gaunt'

`I can't ask you to do that' Harry said softly.

`You're not' she said simply, telling the whole truth `I want to be there for you'

Harry looked at her, a small smile spread across his face for a few moments before it broke into a grin and he laughed loudly, throwing his head backwards.

`Harry Potter will be Richard the Third and Hermione Granger will be John of Gaunt, the first ever actress!' Harry said laughing his head of before adding `Fantastic!'

*

So that's chapter 2, of my now 4 (not sure if that's pleasing or not?) part adventure… hope you liked it? Next part soon, Harry and Hermione do Shakespeare…

Jms Granger.

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6. The Cursed King: Part Three

The Cursed King: Part Three

`Tell me everything that you know' Harry said leaning slightly across the table and looking straight at the man before him, William Shakespeare.

`I've told you everything' he said, but words seemed to catch on the tip of his mouth and he stopped himself, and grabbed the tanker of beer in front of him and took a large gulp. He looked at them, his eyes with some desperation filling them `you will be able to stop this from happening'

Hermione wasn't sure if William had asked that or just stated it but either way they meant the same thing, that the legend in front of her was desperate.

`I'll try my best' Harry said, avoiding his eyes for a moment as he took a swig from his own drink. Hermione joined them in drinking but wished she hadn't, the beer had bits floating in it and as a standard rule she didn't drink gunk.

`How can you stop something we can't even understand?' William asked, Hermione thought the words were a little strong but decided against pointing that out as she couldn't correct the bard.

`I have an idea' Harry said, a smile back on his face as he evidently thought about their plan.

`Pray, tell' William said, it was now his turn to lean forward in anticipation.

`Ok…' Harry started but was quickly stopped by the arrival of Charles, who stood still, mouth agape as he stared at William Shakespeare who looked at him impatiently.

`Yes, Sir?' William said annoyed looking at him.

`William Shakespeare…' Charles said nervously `…I love your work'

`Thank you very much' William said impatiently `but if you can see we're a little busy right now'

Harry burst out laughing, spitting his beer straight into the bards face as he watched Charles turn red in the face through embarrassment.

`I can't believe that Charles is actually embarrassed!' Harry said laughing still `I've never managed that!'

`Leave it out, Harry' Charles said, still red in the face.

`Is he a friend of yours?' William asked Hermione.

`He's a friend of Harry's' Hermione said nodding, she still wasn't sure about him but knew she was going to have to trust Harry.

`I'm sorry, Master Shakespeare' Charles said, looking at his feet rather than William `But I came because I have some news'

`If the news is about…' William lowered his voice slightly but needn't had worried as Harry was still laughing his head of at Charles `…our problem…then join us, pull up a chair'

`Thank you, sir' Charles said, pulling out a chair and sitting down quickly, Harry had b by now seemed to control himself and looked at Charles.

`So what have you heard my timid friend?' Harry teased, but still meaning the question. Charles just batted of Harry's joke and lifted his eyes of the table and onto Harry.

`I've heard the strangest things ever' he said, looking a little worried.

`Strangest? What can be stranger than all the other stuff you hear? Like witchcraft and all that stuff' Hermione asked curiously.

`Just because some people believe in them things doesn't mean most of us do, London's pretty enlightened, not like some backwards village' Charles said simply.

`So what makes this different?' Harry asked.

`Because you're involved' Charles said with a smile `and when you're around the impossible seems to always happen'

`I think I'll take that as a compliment' Harry said smiling `so what is this'

`It's a ghost, seeking revenge…' Charles said, but Hermione interrupted him.

`Of a thief because it was built on his grave' she said all this very sarcastically. Harry gave her a weird look and Charles just laughed.

`You sound like the people who believe all the rest of the crap' Charles said laughing.

`She's a little simple' Harry said helpfully.

`Stop telling people that!' Hermione said a little annoyed, between her outfits and being called simple she was sure she wasn't coming across in the best possible light to William.

`Again, I meant simply wonderful' Harry said turning to look at her `Carry on Charles.

`Supposedly, and bare in mind this is just what I've heard…' Charles said this and leaned forward, somehow the way he had said it made all three of them copy him in leaning across the table `…It's the ghost of King Richard the third himself'

Hermione looked at him in shock, before bursting out in laughter, tears nearly rolling down her eyes, but no one else copied her example.

`The king as gods' representative would be able to perform such a feat' Shakespeare said, twiddling his beard in his hands.

`It makes sense' Harry said slamming his hand on the table in excitement.

`You can't actually believe this?' Hermione asked incredulously.

`You see since I've heard this ghost idea one thing has been playing on my mind, that last missing piece' he had turned straight to Hermione, seeming to exclude the rest from his explanation `and that's how a ghost has been following a play across the country… I know for a fact that their doomed to walk the same steps in the afterlife as they did in their actual life…this could be the link to allow the phantom to move around'

`But it seems so far fetched!' Hermione said, still in shock at the idea.

`I have to agree, but it fits all the facts' Harry said with a little self confirming no `and as Sherlock Holmes said when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'

`Who is Sherlock Holmes?' William said confused.

`Oh, you two would get on' Harry said with a sly smile to Hermione.

`The man sounds like a fool!' Shakespeare said a little insulted, making both Harry and Hermione fall into each other laughing.

`What's so funny?' Charles asked as he raised an eyebrow at the pair of them

`Nothing!' Hermione said as she tried to stop laughing.

`Just William Shakespeare slagging of Arthur Conan Doyle' Harry said, making Hermione splutter out another laugh.

`You said Sherlock Holmes!' William said incredulously `that Arthur whatever his name sounds fine'

`Stop it!' Harry said, his arms were now round Hermione waist as they laughed together of this unique and amazing example of literary criticism.

`Harry get serious, people lives are in danger' Charles said slightly annoyed, Harry stopped laughing and wiped a tear from his eye and turned back to the others `So, before I go on a monologue, have you to got any ideas about how to stop this from ever happening again?'

`I was going to seek an audience with the king' William said confidently like this was the obvious course of action.

`I think we could seek guidance from the church, their experts on the dead' Charles said thoughtfully.

`Both are interesting ideas' Harry said kindly `but I think we'll go for my plan'

`Which is?' Charles asked.

`Haven't I said yet?' Harry said completely bewildered.

`You were working to it before you got sidetracked' Hermione stated helpfully.

I think I'm losing my mind!' Harry said sighing, before a smile appeared back on his face `never mind, I will play Richard the third and draw the ghost out myself'

`Nonsense!' William said, slamming his tanker onto the table.

`It's too dangerous' Charles said worryingly.

`I meant that it won't work' William added.

`Charles, no its not, and Bill, yes it will' Harry said standing up, Hermione following him in this action `Now to the curtain'

`How will you get permission to use it?' Charles asked sitting up from his chair.

`Nobody will be there now and anyway I have William Shakespeare himself with me' Harry said logically.

`I will not do it till you tell me how you wish to help by doing this?' William said, still rooted to his chair stubbornly.

Harry looked at him for a moment, before whipping out a piece of paper which Hermione realized to be the magic paper, and put it just in front of Williams face. Hermione couldn't read what the paper was showing him, but from Shakespeare's reaction she knew it was something big. The man went white and shuddered, his eyes rereading the paper over and over again till he looked up into Harry's face in panic.

`Is it…true?' William asked nervously to which Harry nodded his reply. William continued to look at him for a while before he leapt up out of his seat as quickly as possible and started to walk towards the door `Follow me to the curtain' he said, not sparing a moment to look back at the three of them.

Both Charles and herself looked questioning at Harry, who just shrugged and walked off after him. Hermione followed him out into the street, the sun was now starting to set and a great deal of red and yellow was added to the scenery before them. She walked fast, keeping in step with Harry as Charles did the same on the other side, William leading the way purposely a few steps in front.

As they started to approach their destination Hermione couldn't believe the group they made, she was a twenty first century girl, Harry an eccentric hero, Charles the sixteenth century antique seller and William Shakespeare was himself. Just a week ago she would have been walking home after work at this time of the day, now she was of to stop a ghost.

They reached the curtain and saw a man on the door, shabby and poor but evidently a guard had been placed after the accident of earlier that day. William strode right up to him and shook the mans hand.

`The curtain is empty Master Shakespeare' the man on the door said, eyeing each of them specifically and Hermione's dress especially.

`I know that!' William said indignantly making the man blush `I have work to do and my companions and I need the curtain to do it'

`Ok, sir, proceed' the man said, looking at his feet. The four of them pushed past and found and empty theatre in front of them. It was so still and quiet that it somehow made the hairs on the back of Hermione's neck stand up.

`I can't believe I'm about to act out Richard the third in front of William Shakespeare' Harry said, leaping up onto the stage and looking down at them.

`But who will be John of Gaunt and the Duke of Surrey?' William said, strolling up the stairs and onto the stage with Charles.

`I'm going to be Gaunt' Hermione said happily, jumping up onto the stage as she said it and walked over to Harry who was beaming at her.

`But you're a woman!' William said in shock.

`Actually she's the first ever actress!' Harry said joyously.

`I'll be the Duke of Surrey, then' Charles said walking over to join them by one of the sides.

`William, would you care to introduce us?' Hermione asked.

`No I would not, you three are a tragedy happening on my play!' William said outraged, but not moving from his spot.

`William, dear old Bill, would you do us the courtesy of introducing us?' Harry asked nicely. Bill only stared at him for a moment before dropping his head.

`If the queen hears of this…' he mumbled.

`Ok, you two, if I say anything, and I mean anything I need the pair of you to follow it, ok?' Harry said to her and Charles.

`What if you're telling us something that's obviously wrong?' Hermione asked, not overjoyed with his idea.

`Oh, Hermione!' Harry said a little annoyed but stopping `I'm not going to win this, am I?'

`Probably not' Hermione said honestly.

`Fine, listen to what I say and do what's right, better?' Harry said to Hermione to which Hermione nodded happily `and then we'll be able to take down this dick ghost' Harry said, looking at Hermione directly.

`Not very good' Hermione said shaking her head.

`I meant it with the Richard/dick pun' Harry said pleadingly.

`I did get it' Hermione said `but it's still not very good'

Harry looked annoyed at himself before rolling his eyes and turned to William `Ready to start'

`Enter king Richard, John of Gaunt, with the Duke of Surrey, other nobles and attendants' William said very professionally.

`Old John of Gaunt, time-honored Lancaster, Hast thou accordingly to thy oath and band brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son, here to make good the boist'rous late appeal' Harry said this all then stopped, dead in his tracks, a confused look on his face. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped, and looked at Hermione, whose heart was threatening to implode at seeing Harry like this.

``I have, my liege' Hermione said, hoping that like the play she had seen Harry would recover at these words.

Tell me…moreover… hast thou sounded him, if he appeal the duke on…' Harry stopped at this.

`Harry?' Hermione said worried, but saw him smile.

`The actor we saw came unstuck on the next word, so I'll stop here' Harry said happily, removing his wand and making a glass of water. Hermione's eyes nearly bulged at this, as she had never seen him do anything like this before. She watched amazed as he downed the whole glass.

`What happened' Hermione said.

`The ghost tried to posses me' Harry said brightly, removing an object from inside his coat pocket, the captornasm and smiling happily `Nasty little phantom, couldn't speak and it felt like fire was being driven down my throat'

`How come it didn't work?' Hermione asked, horrified at his description as he waved his wand at the captornasm.

`I'm more powerful than the others' Harry said happily, shooting her a smile `here we go'

The room filled with a buzzing for about three seconds then stopped, Hermione looked around and saw nothing and was worried it hadn't worked.

`You are Richard the Third?' Harry said in shock, making Hermione spin around and realized Harry was looking up.

Before her, floating above head height was a translucent man, dressed in heavy animal fur and metal, with a crown on top of his head. Hermione gasped as she realized he was in fact dressed as a King.

`Among other things' the Ghost said nastily, looking down at Harry in disgust as he floated down, his feet just above the floor now.

`How have you attached yourself to this play!' Harry shouted angrily at the ghost, whose image didn't move but whole body floated back like it recoiled from him. Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing and looked around the room. Charles was close to Harry, while Shakespeare stared at the ghost, his face white an unmoving.

`It's MY play!' he said, trying to match Harry's anger.

`It's the livings play' Charles said taking a step closer to Harry and the ghost.

`You are mistaken' he said in disgust. Harry looked up at him in concentration, his brain still furiously trying to work out how all this made sense.

`Why are you striking the living?' Harry said finally, most of the anger now out of his voice and replaced by curiosity.

`None have died' the ghost replied instantly.

`But why haven't they?' Harry said taking another step closer `If you've managed to become corporeal enough to put them in a coma, then why haven't you fini…ahhh'

Hermione watched as Harry put a hand up to his head and ran it through his hair, a look of understanding on his face.

`I see you have put two and two together finally?' the ghost sneered.

`You are keeping them alive to live of their life-force' Harry said as the ghost smiled a cold smile `you wish to become fully corporeal'

`I wish to get back what I knew, I was happy like that…so would you' the ghost said.

`But I wouldn't kill for it' Harry said simply.

`Wouldn't you?' the ghost said, floating towards Harry, who now took a step back `is there anything you wouldn't do?

`I…wouldn't…' Harry said regaining his control `You kill indiscriminately, I would NEVER do that!'

`But yet again you are mistaken' the ghost said `I do not kill indiscriminately'

`What do you mean?' Harry said, confusion and fear on his face.

`Do not think I wish to kill… but realize I have to' the ghost said seriously, a first flicker of compassion in his face.

`They add up to then same' Harry said angrily.

`You know as well as I do that's not true, I can see it in your eyes' the ghost said.

`In your case it does' Harry said uncertainly.

`No it doesn't' the ghost said, floating ever closer to Harry `I've been using who I need, always on the look to find people who will limit the number of casualties…'

`But…' Harry said, panic on his face as he groped for his wand.

`It's not there, is it?' the ghost said mockingly, with a cruel laugh.

`Where have you taken my wand?' Harry said fury in his eyes which only made the ghost laugh.

`Let me continue' the ghost said, Harry was now against the wall, the ghost only about 10 steps in front of him, Hermione stepped closer to the action at the same time as Charles did `I've been looking to keep the death toll down, something I was believing to be impossible…then I found you'

Harry looked stricken, understanding in his eyes but fear in his face at the ghosts' words.

`And with your death on my hands, I will be whole once more' the ghost said, laughing a loud cackle as it shot straight at Harry.

*

That's chapter 6, what did you think? The finale to this adventure comes next, hope your enjoying it so far…

Jms Granger.

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7. The Cursed King: Part Four

The Cursed King: Part Four

`Let me continue' the ghost said, Harry was now against the wall, the ghost only about 10 steps in front of him, Hermione stepped closer to the action at the same time as Charles did `I've been looking to keep the death toll down, something I was believing to be impossible…then I found you'

Harry looked stricken, understanding in his eyes but fear in his face at the ghosts' words.

`And with your death on my hands, I will be whole once more' the ghost said, laughing a loud cackle as it shot straight at Harry.

Hermione felt her heart stop as Harry eyes went momentarily blank as the ghost hit him, she wasn't sure what was going to happen until he fell to the floor, With nothing but silence coming from him. The ghost had disappeared, presumably into Harry.

Before any thoughts could come to her mind she ran to him and fell to her knees, her hands running across his face trying to detect even a glimmer of life.

`Harry!' she said, feeling tears falling freely down her cheeks. He didn't move as her hands rubbed across his eyes.

`Let me check' Charles barked as he fell down on the other side of Harry, his fingers pushing instantly into Harry's neck, `We have a pulse, but its dying' his voice seemed scared.

`Can't you do anything?' William shouted as he marched up to the pair of them.

`But what?' Hermione squealed in frustration, nothing she had seen so far could prepare her for this, not without being in the twenty first century and phoning an ambulance anyway.

`You need to do something!' William said urgently, he was now standing above them, but Hermione hardly realized, all that was going through her mind was lying in her arms.

`Hermione…' Charles said softly `…I…I have an idea'

`What is it?' Hermione said urgently, her eyes for the first time shooting up to look desperately at Charles, a fearful look was spread across his face.

`Well…' Charles started but seemed to lose the nerve.

`Quickly!' Hermione said, not caring of how rude she was being, Harry seemed to be getting colder in her arms already and she knew that wasn't a good sign.

`The ghost always attacks at the same point… or at least Harry seemed to think so' Charles said nervously.

`If Harry thought it, then it's true' Hermione said trying to lead him onto his idea.

`Well, if…I…' Charles was evidently frightened, and Hermione just gave him the silence he needed to carry on `…If I act as King Richard, then the ghost should attack me, leaving Harry'

`But…' Hermione said, words failing her.

`So both of you can die?' Shakespeare scoffed as if the idea was insane.

`But are you sure?' Hermione said softly, and although she was sure the idea could work she was completely unsure of what it meant for Charles, what danger he could be putting himself in.

`I think it'll work' Charles said unsure.

`I meant are you sure of the risk?' Hermione said worried.

`Hermione' Charles said seriously as he leaned closer `Harry's saved my life many times, he even risked his own life before we knew each other. If there was even the tiniest chance I could repay the favour I'd risk not only my life, but my soul as well'

Hermione looked at him, the determinedness in his face was evident, it almost reminded her of Harry, like he had some how been changed by the few times they had met.

`Also, I can't miss the chance of performing for old Bill here, can I?' he said with a broad smile and a wink, and as soon as he this was done he stood up he spoke out loud `Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster, Hast Thou accordingly to thy oath…oath and…'

Hermione couldn't bear to watch as Charles clawed painfully at his throat, his eyes bulging slightly at the intense level of pain he seemed to be under.

`I have…' Hermione said as she watched Charles recover slightly, his clawing becoming less frantic `…my liege'

`Tell me…' Charles spurted out, there was no doubt in Hermione's mind that this time the pain seemed to be at new levels compared to the first actor and Harry, she suspected that this was because of the ghost not sitting dormant at the moment but actively trying to kill `…Moreover, hast thou sounded him,…if he…if he appeals the duke on…on…' Charles looked about to faint, his legs barely able to hold himself, but the fierce determination in his eyes seemed to be the only thing keeping him up. `…ancient…malice' he said in barely a whisper before his legs gave way and he fell to the floor.

`Charles!' Harry breathed in shock, sitting up the same instance as Charles fell to the floor, Harry's eyes scanning wildly but stopping on Charles seemingly unconscious body. Hermione couldn't help but feel some joy at Harry's recovery but tears still fell as she looked down upon Charles still form.

Harry leaped up instantly and shouted angrily `ACCIO WAND' with his hand outstretched. Although she hadn't known the words, she knew what they did as Harry's wand shot like a bullet across the room and into his hand as he raced towards Charles, falling down beside him and waving his wand over the body frantically. He did this for several moments, perhaps a minute, and as Hermione walked over to him he stopped.

`Is he ok?' Hermione said hopefully.

`No' Harry said simply, no emotion in his voice, his face staring straight at Charles.

`You don't mean he's…' Hermione said as she put her hand up to her mouth.

`Dead' Harry said, his voice uncharacteristically low. More moments passed where Hermione felt the tears on her cheeks as she looked down at the man that gave his life to save Harry.

`What!' William bellowed from somewhere behind them.

`But how?' Hermione asked, desperate for Harry to say it was a mistake `you didn't…that quickly'

`I was more powerful, he had to fight me first…' Harry said, his voice crackling slightly as he spoke `But Charles here…my poor Charles…'

Harry stood up and looked about violently, raising his wand after a moment and summoning the Captornasm, catching it instantly in his hand. He waved his wand over it and the eerie sound filled the room for the second time that afternoon. Almost instantly the ghost appeared with a weird look on his face.

Harry raised his wand and the ghost shot back against the wall like he was solid, the ghost now wearing a look of surprise on his face.

`How are you alive?' he said in anger, trying to fight against the invisible force that held him against the wall.

`You don't realize!' Harry shouted angrily, even making Hermione take half a step back `you killed Charles instead!'

`How?' the ghost said, he was being pushed so hard against the wall that he seemed to be merging with it.

`He acted the beginning and you transferred from me to him, you were so preoccupied with murder you didn't realize' Harry spat, walking up quickly towards him, Harry was now about a step away from him, his wand outstretched and pointing at where the ghosts heart would be.

`So now you'll kill me?' the ghost sneered as he looked straight at Harry in contempt `I'm already a ghost!'

`I won't kill you' Harry said simply, to which the ghost laughed at `I'll send you to the void'

The ghost stopped instantly, fear flooding his face for the first time.

`How?' he said, panic in his voice.

`It's easy' Harry said, moving his wand even closer to the ghosts' chest.

`But…' the ghost started but Harry cut him off.

`No more buts' Harry said, moving the wand slightly away.

`I'm not King Richard!' the ghost moaned, complete begging in his voice, tears rolling down his eyes.

`I know that' Harry spat in fury `and your pathetic story might have gotten you leniency before, even sorrow…but not now!'

`How could you know?' the ghost sobbed loudly. He ghost had broken down so much that Hermione felt the beginnings of pity enter her heart, but one look at Charles evaporated that feeling instantly.

`When you tried to murder me, we became one' Harry said `I'm an excellent Legillemens'

`But please!' the ghost begged.

`No' Harry said simply, and as he waved the wand the ghost disappeared, his wailing following him a second later.

`Is he gone?' Hermione asked nervously.

Harry didn't respond, he just stood still as he stared at the wall where the ghost had just vacated. Hermione stepped up closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder, but still he didn't respond and stayed perfectly still.

`Are you ok?' Hermione asked nervously.

At these words Harry turned and looked at her, a smile attached to his face.

`As good as I could hope under these circumstances!' Harry said brightly as he smiled a broad grin at her.

`Harry?' Hermione said worried at Harry's reaction.

`Yes, Hermione Granger?' Harry said as if he was really interested in what she was about to ask.

`What…' Hermione said confused, trying to phrase what she was feeling.

`Are you sure I wasn't right earlier when I called you simple?' Harry teased, and with a wink he started to walk over towards William `Dear old Bill!'

`Sir, are you well?' William said confused.

`Never been better' Harry said brightly `Actually that's a lie, this one time in china…'

`Your friend just died!' William said in exasperation as he stared at the man before him.

`It happens to the best of us' Harry said with a little sad smile.

`What was that thing?' William said after a moments hesitation.

`The soul of an actor' Harry said happily `do you remember a few years back when that actor died on stage?'

`No' William said uncertainly.

`Well, that make sense' Harry said simply `seeing as no one gave him a funeral, he was carted of into the carts and left…and they say people are ruthless to actors back home, Hermione?'

Harry looked at her with a smile, but Hermione was very far away from smiling back so he turned to William.

`And he died during King Richard?' William said aghast.

`At the beginning' Harry said brightly `and here's the thing that pissed him of enough to do all this…It happened so early on… in the opening dialogue even… that they got his stand-in to do the rest!'

`Oh my!' William said, his hand over his mouth to hide him gasping.

`Feeling sorry for our murdering little ghost, eh?' Harry said with a grin.

`No, but…' William said uncertain of just how he felt at this news `what was his name?'

`You don't need to know that' Harry said simply.

`But…' William said before Harry interrupted him.

`Now, Hermione, what do you think about leaving here?' Harry said turning to Hermione

Hermione looked at him in confusion but before she could speak he had said `good' and walked out through the doors. Hermione didn't even have time to say another word to William as she ran to catch up with Harry. As she left the Curtain and entered the street she could just about see him as he turned round a corner, and by the time she reached here she watched as he prepared to step into the, already visible, Ford Anglia door.

`Hurry up!' he said brightly before disappearing through the door. She bolted after him and stepped into the huge room, shutting the door behind her.

`Where to next?' Harry said brightly `Have you ever been to Paris?'

`Yeah' she said softly as she walked up to him.

`How about in the year 1789?' Harry said with a wink `nothing like a revolution to show you the best and worse of people!'

`Stop!' Hermione yelled, making Harry stand still and stare at her.

`What is it?' Harry asked bewildered.

`Your friend has just died and you're off planning your next adventure like nothing has happened!' Hermione said, now as she spoke the words the true horror made its presence known to her `It's like you don't even care!'

`Don't you say that' Harry whispered, his eyes on hers as it showed anger.

`But why are you acting…like this?' Hermione said angrily. She could still feel the soreness of recent tears in her eyes while Harry seemed fine.

`I'm not acting anyway' he said quietly, still anger behind his green eyes.

`You were smiling just 30 seconds ago!' Hermione screamed.

`That's not illegal, is it?' Harry said angrily, his voice had now risen to the volume of normal speech.

`When your friend has just died!' Hermione said shaking her head in disbelief `Is this how you'd be if I died? Just smile, shrug and walk away?'

`No' Harry said simply, no smile on his face.

`So why act like this now!' Hermione spoke these words loudly, stepping within touching distance of Harry.

`Leave it out' Harry said, turning away from her.

`No!' Hermione said grabbing him and pulling him round to face her `Tell me how you can be so heartless'

`Please' Harry said, a hint of begging in his voice.

`NOT TILL YOU TELL ME!' Hermione said, beating her hands on his chest.

`Because I have to be!' Harry said, all the pain and sorrow a person could possibly feel was etched into these words as he almost cried them out like the words were tears `You have no idea how many people I have lost! How many times I have mourned my loved ones! How many times I haven't been fast enough, or good enough to save the people I care about! I…I just can't do it anymore'

Hermione looked at him, his green eyes were sparkling with the beginning of tears but none seemed to come.

`So many people have left me that if I started now, I don't think I could stop' Harry said, looking directly at her with a sad smile on his face. Her heart seemed to break at his words and how much he meant them. She thought of his life, travelling throughout time, just by himself, alone with only the people he met now and again. Until…

`I will never leave you' Hermione said, placing a hand on his chest.

`You can't say that' Harry said as he squinted his eyes slightly to rid them of the shine of tears.

`Yes, I can' Hermione said simply, looking at him. They stared at each other till Harry smiled.

`Do you know how much trouble you will get yourself into if you mean that?' Harry said with a slight glint of his mischievous smile on his face.

`If that troubles with you, then it's no trouble at all' Hermione said honestly.

`Harry and Hermione…' Harry said laughing `Travellers through time!'

`For all time' Hermione added as she watched Harry smile.

`Then I have a place I have to take you…' Harry said with a broad grin.

*

Hermione looked around her at the full room, everyone was silent with anticipation, and her heart was beating a million beats per minute.

Her heart beat increased even more as she watched the handsome man appear on stage, this was act two scene two, and she knew exactly what was coming.

`He jests at scars, that never felt a wound' the man said, encapsulating the brilliance of the play so sublimely with every syllable. She nearly gasped as the woman appeared above him at a window `But soft! What light through yonder window break! It is the east, and Juliet is the Sun!'

Her heart beat as her mind reeled through the words she knew off by heart. She couldn't believe that she was here, the 14th of August 1949, at the Globe.

`That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet' the person playing Juliet said, and for the first time, sitting with a self proclaimed time travelling wizard, Hermione knew this was true.

She watched as the two lovers seemed to dance with their words as they circled each other, the acting of love and desire was perfect. She barely realized as a hand found its way into hers and squeezed something hard softly into her hand. Looking down she saw it was Harry's hand and looking at him she saw a wide grin on his face.

`It's a key to the Ford Anglia' Harry whispered softly he let go leaving the silver key in her hand `I've made it so the alarm button makes it visible, which I thought was a nice touch'

She couldn't help but smile as she looked at him as she pocketed this present.

`Swear by thy gracious self, which is the God of my idolatry, and I'll believe thee'

She heard Juliet's words and smiled. And with this she took Harry hand in hers, and watched the first ever performance of Romeo and Juliet.

*

So that's that Adventure done…Tell me what you think of this chapter and the whole adventure (Shakespeare time)…

Thank you to UnpredictableLover, Miss Mady, Radagast and MiSS cAsCaDa FaN90.

Every Chapter seems to get less and less reviews, lets try and stop that trend people! Please?

Next Adventure should be enjoyable, and I hope you like it…

Jms Granger.

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8. The Incas and Home

The Incas and Home.

Hermione fell through the door, the feeling of a hand was on her back and she hoped to god, or Allah or whatever deities wanted to answer, that it was Harry's. As the hand pushed her slightly at the same time as she jumped through the door of the Ford Anglia she lost her balance slightly and fell to the floor, trying to twist her body in such a way to try and see the person behind her.

`That was Fantastic!' she heard Harry call from on top of her as she lied on her stomach, He rolled over laughing which Hermione instantly joined in with. They were safe and whole, so consequently the situation became hysterical.

`What did you say to him?' Hermione asked as she rolled over on her back to lie beside a laughing Harry.

`I'm not sure but I'm guessing it was insulting!' Harry said laughing even harder `His accent was very strong, I tried to improvise!'

`And, once again, your improvisation skills made a tribe chase us out of their village with a view to killing us!' Hermione said laughing not only at the preposterousness of the situation but also the fact that it was hilarious, now they were safe of course, `the only difference was time it was the Incas!'

`I think the big guy was actually Manco Capac' Harry said stopping his laugh midway after he said this and asking a little insulted `What do you mean once again!'

`Nothing' Hermione said raising an eyebrow teasingly.

`In 2 weeks of travelling together that's the first time that's happened!' Harry said indignantly.

`What about the hygonanauts in 3019?' Hermione asked laughing.

`Now now, that was a misunderstanding! It's completely different' Harry said `and how do you remember the dates so well!'

`Did they chase us out?' Hermione asked turning mock serious before adding `and it's because I'm smarter than you'

`Kinda…' Harry said scrunching up his face in thought before looking at her and adding `and no you're not'

`And were they going to kill us?' Hermione asked again, keeping the grin from her face as she added in a childish voice `And I'm sooo the cleverest out of us!

`Probably…' Harry admitted before adding `turn around, touch the ground, bagsy I'm the cleverest!'

`You can't do that!' Hermione said indignantly as she leaned up and shot Harry an annoyed luck.

`I just did' Harry said leaning up to join her eye level.

`But you didn't turn around or touch the ground' Hermione said reasonably.

`Technically I did!' Harry said triumphantly with a grin on his face `We occupy such a tiny proportion of space compared to mass inside here that we're constantly moving, backwards and forwards and more importantly turning around…and as for the floor? I'm lying on it!'

`I hate when you use science and magic to win arguments!' Hermione said stonily.

`And with that it makes me the cleverest' Harry said with a wink before he leapt up of his feet `Where do you fancy going, dearest Hermione, my adrenaline is pumping and I want another adventure!'

`Um…' Hermione said thinking, but only one place came to mind, a place she had been putting of since taking Harry's hand `How about 2006?'

`Doesn't sound too much like an adventure' Harry said as he looked puzzled at Hermione.

`I need to go home' Hermione said honestly as she stood up and brushed the dirt of her clothes, pointedly not looking at Harry.

`Oh…' he said a little puzzled.

`Just for a visit' Hermione added quickly `we left in such a hurry that I didn't even have time to pack anything'

`But don't I have everything you need in here?' Harry said looking at her.

`Yeah' Hermione said honestly. Harry had so many rooms in this Ford Anglia that she hadn't even managed to explore them all yet, and each room was usually full with items. Managing to get a toothbrush, comb and clothes was easy in here.

`So why the return?' Harry said eyeing her up and down as he seemed to be seeking an answer from her appearance.

`I didn't get to tell my mum anything, I just left' Hermione explained `and there's James'

`Oh! The mysterious Jamie you don't like to talk about' Harry said rolling his eyes teasingly.

`Its James' Hermione said, slightly gritting her teeth at the mention of the name Jamie which she despised.

`Whatever' Harry said waving his arms to signal it didn't matter before asking casually `so that Jamie fella is your boyfriend?'

`He was last time I checked' Hermione said a little worried, she wasn't even sure where they stood anymore.

`Good for you and Jamie' Harry said shrugging.

`Its James' Hermione said `and why are you bothered?'

`I'm not' Harry said determinedly before shooting her a grin `It's nice. It's interesting'

`How is it interesting?' Hermione asked before adding as an afterthought `or nice?'

`It's nice because you have a boyfriend named Jamie' Harry explained `and it's interesting because for the last two weeks you've been travelling through time with a practical stranger named Harry and having more fun than you ever have had before…with Jamie'

`How can you be so sure I've been having fun?' Hermione said but Harry only had to shoot her a knowing look for her to drop that, stupid, argument `you're not a practical stranger'

`I'm pretty sure I am' Harry said smiling.

`Your not' Hermione said.

`What do you really know about me?' Harry shrugged at his words `How I grew up, where I used to live, first girlfriend, why I first started to travel? You don't know any of this'

`Where someone's been can only teach you so much' Hermione explained `look at the worse people in history, Hitler, Stalin et al., if you looked at them a moment before they became what they were you'd just see their past, the same as everyone else. It's who a person is, their personality and where they are now, that really matters'

Harry looked at her for a moment, his eyes and mind weighing up what she had said. She had used these words to herself many times in the past fortnight, when she was alone or asleep and when adventure didn't lead her day in so many ways like it usually did. These words were comfort to her, she used them to explain to herself that everything was perfect in her world. These words she almost believed. He broke eye contact and ran his hands through his hair.

`And you just want me to drop whatever I had planned so we can visit your mum and your boyfriend?' Harry said, a little annoyance in his voice as he spoke the words.

`Uh…' Hermione said suddenly not liking the sound of his words `yeah'

`What if I wanted to see my own Mother and girlfriend?' Harry said raising an eyebrow.

`Do You?' Hermione asked, her heart beating faster slightly at the idea of Harry having a family and, even worse, a girlfriend

`Well, no… I don't. But that's not the point' Harry said shrugging before he looked of in deep concentration `actually, while I think of it, I don't even have a mother… a living one anyway' Harry said this as he put a hand through his chair as he thought on his words before sparkling his eyes back onto Hermione `and you want to go back to drab old two thousand…'

`And 6' Hermione finished for him, always marvelling at a time traveller like Harry being so bad with dates `And I need to, My mum will think I've been kidnapped and James will think I've run of with another man'

`Haven't you' Harry said seriously.

`To which one?' Hermione laughed.

`I wouldn't say I've kidnapped you!' Harry said indignantly in mock hurt.

`And I wouldn't say you're a man!' Hermione said sticking out her tongue. She couldn't, and didn't want to, stop herself from laughing at Harry as he threw his hands up to his heart to emphasize the `pain' he felt.

`So can we go?' Hermione said stepping up within touching distance of him and trying to put on the best pleading look she could.

`Your puppy dog eyes don't work with me, Hermione granger!' Harry said `Not since those actual Puppy dogs tried to eat my arm anyway'

Hermione resisted the urge to laugh at Harry's words as she remembered the zoo in 4789, where Puppy dogs and kittens had taken the place of lions and tigers. Harry wasn't going to try feeding them again, that was for sure.

`Pleeeeeeease? One little visit?' Hermione said, not relenting her pleading look as she stepped closer. She could see it was working, even though no one else would have been able to.

`Hermione…' Harry said warningly, but she could also tell he was putting on his stern look so she didn't stop `Fine! You win! Now stop it!'

Hermione smiled and laughed as she did a little kind of victory dance mixed with a jump, after which she was met by Harry's laughter.

`Whatever am I going to do with you!' the words were dripping with amusement.

`Take me home!' Hermione said.

`Your wish…' Harry said as he whipped out his wand and held it to his head, removing the silver steam. Hermione barely had time to sit down before he had placed it in the pensieve and the world started to roll. As soon as it started it had stopped, like Hermione knew it would, and moving her eyes back to the middle of the room she saw that Harry was already looking down at her, a toothy grin spread across his face, his glasses back on for the first time in two weeks. He finished his sentence in an almost song `… is my command…welcome back to 2006!'

*

Ok, very short I know! But I really just needed a prolonged part of H/Hr speech. Each adventure is very fast moving and I wanted to show a bigger (although still very much unequal) balance of power between the two. Also I hope some of the speech was reasonably cute. I personally like everyday conversations where nothing important (plot wise) is said, and think they build relationships better than set piece speeches like a lot of fanfiction. Maybe I'm horribly wrong? Maybe you'll forgive me when I say the next adventure starts tomorrow?

Jms Granger.

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9. Power and Persecution: Part One

Power and Persecution: Part One

Hermione pushed the door open wildly and cringed slightly as it smashed against the wall, she added this newest misdemeanour to things her mum would get angry at. Top of her list would obviously be disappearing for two weeks, but she knew her mum would have to add in this as well.

`Who's that!' she heard her mother call loudly `I'll let you know I'm not defenceless!'

`Just me, mum' she called back, allowing Harry through the door and shutting it behind him.

`Hermione!' her mother screamed in disbelief, followed by a large crash of whatever she had been holding and the sound of her rushing through the small flat, banging several items as she usually did along the way.

Hermione had a moment to look around and see how little things had changed in the two weeks she had been away, except now she was here with all these amazing memories and an amazing man beside her who was grinning wickedly.

`Hermione!' her mum wailed as she threw her arms around her, shocking Hermione to stillness at the over the top greeting. As quickly as her mothers arms had sprung around her they had broken the hug `It's him!'

As quick as lightning her mother had pushed her out of the way and seemed to be attacking Harry, slapping him anywhere she could, Harry meanwhile tried to block the slaps by throwing his arms up over his head and crouching slightly. Hermione would have usually found this funny, but not this time.

`Mum, stop it!' she shouted as she tried to stop her mother but failing miserable.

`Get him, Hermione!' she shouted as she carried on her onslaught against a shocked Harry. She had seen this man face baying mobs and ghosts but had never seen him lose the ability of movement before like he seemed to have now.

`Stop!' Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs, which seemed to do the trick as both stopped mid pose to stare at her.

`What?' her mother said confused, like trying to batter Harry was completely normal behaviour, while Harry stood up and took a step back.

`More like what the hell was that!' Harry said annoyed looking at her mother in complete shock.

`You know what that was for!' her mother said angrily at him before.

`That you're crazy? Mad? A raving lunatic!' Harry shook his head at her and took a step closer to Hermione in an attempt to stop her mother launching another attack.

`You're the crazy one!' she said.

`Nuh-huh' Harry said not smiling.

`Are too!' she replied quickly.

`Both of you stop your bickering!' Hermione shouted again in exasperation at there actions `what is going on?'

`See' Harry said triumphantly `She's on my side'

`No she's not!' her mother answered back quickly.

`I'm on neither of your sides!' Hermione said annoyed, these two were becoming unbearable. Both didn't reply and looked slightly abashed at her words so she carried on `now, mother, tell me why you just attacked Harry?'

`He kidnapped you!' she said indignantly.

`I did not!' Harry shot back at her.

`Don't start this again!' Hermione said warningly `Mother, Harry didn't kidnap me'

`But…' her mother started to interrupt her but she carried on.

`I left with him' Hermione said. Her mother gasped slightly and threw a hand up to her mouth.

`Why?' she said breathlessly.

`It's only been two weeks' Hermione said looking at her mother like she had gone slightly crazy.

`It's been six months!' her mum said.

`Not too far out then?' Harry said brightly to Hermione who scowled back at him.

`And that's not what I meant!' her mother said nastily `I thought he had…I thought you were dead!'

`Why did you think I was dead?' Hermione asked, two months wasn't really long enough to give up hope even if they had thought she had been kidnapped.

`Because the police said you would be!' her mother squealed, she looked at Hermione for a moment and then threw herself into a hug `Thank god you're alive! Thank you!'

`Mum…' she said a little awkwardly as she hugged back, her mum seemed to be getting upset and Hermione knew if she carried on she wouldn't be able to stop her `Come through to the living room' she said gently and started to lead her. Thankfully her mum allowed her to and Hermione led her to the large couch, sitting down beside her and holding her hand as Harry entered behind them.

`Why did you say the police had told you Hermione would be dead?' Harry said lightly like he was just trying to make general conversation as he looked around the living room looking at things, he had a photo of her from school in his hand and smiled `that's nice!' and put the photo back down.

`Because they came round the next morning and told me' she said hotly before turning to Hermione and saying `The forms for your compensation came through…I didn't have the heart to throw them out'

Hermione laughed at this and said `You and that compensation!'

`You shouldn't laugh at it' her mother said as she nodded knowingly `Tina got two thousand because the man in the shop said she looked Greek…the fact that she is Greek is besides the point…but it's a lot of money'

`Hang on' Harry said interrupting her mothers' speech, he had now sat down in a large one person couch and seemed a little uncomfortable. Hermione however had to suppress a slight giggle as she saw Harry Potter, time travelling hero sitting down in a stereotypical old person brown couch. Harry leaned forward and asked `they told you the next morning that Hermione would be dead?'

`Just as I said' her mother replied before turning back to Hermione `now that compensa…'

`Sorry to keep interrupting' Harry said with complete bewilderment in his voice `but they don't do that'

`You calling me a liar?' her mother snapped.

`Its just the police don't say that after one single night' Harry said looking at her like she had turned simple minded suddenly.

`Well they did' she said pointedly `They said that you're a known killer and Hermione would already be dead'

`Sorry, what did you say?' Harry stood there in eye wide shock.

`That Hermione would…' she started to explain.

`The other part' Harry said quickly.

`That you were a known murderer' she said looking disapprovingly at him.

`That's impossible' Harry said quietly as he stood up slowly `completely and utterly impossible'

`But you always say that nothings impossible' Hermione asked a little confused.

`And I've meant it every time' Harry said laughing slightly as he walked up and down before the electric fire before them `But this? This is impossible!'

`No its not!' her mother said standing up and walking to the kitchen.

`She's not gone to get something to hit me with again, has she?' Harry groaned as he looked at Hermione who couldn't help but chuckle.

`I think you're safe for the time being' she said honestly as she watched her mother walk in back in through the door with a paper in her hand. She handed it to Harry who looked down interestingly at it.

`There all like that' her mother said sitting back down on the couch beside Hermione `been like it for months'

`Oh Damn!' Harry said slightly annoyed `That's a terrible photo!'

He waved the photo at Hermione who briefly saw that a full page close up photo of Harry was on the front cover of the Daily Mirror.

`What's it about?' Hermione asked standing up to try and look at it, but Harry was reading it quickly.

`How I'm a terrorist' Harry said brightly `never been called a terrorist before!'

`But why do they think that?' Hermione asked confused.

`According to this I blew up your job' Harry said which made Hermione smile as it was in fact the truth`... but also I'm responsible for drug trafficking, piracy ring, high house prices and…oh say that's not true!'

`It is' her mother said knowingly without even hearing what it was.

`But that show was sooo good!' Harry said slightly distraught.

`Did you see the one where the bear got locked out all night so he tried to…' he mother said.

`Break through the window but got stuck!' Harry finished for his mother as both laughed at it.

`What are you two talking about?' Hermione asked.

`They say I got Bear and me cancelled!' Harry had stopped laughing and looked indignant.

`Who cares?' Hermione said but both of them looked accosted by the idea `I mean compared to the rest?' they both still looked disbelieving so she just shrugged and changed her topic `Why are they saying all this stuff about you?'

`The better question is how' Harry said with a smile.

`What do you mean?' Hermione asked.

`I'm not that easy to track down, Hermione' he said quickly `I have no record of my surname in the world, and I hardly even say it, but here it is planted across the front page of a national newspaper'

`Some one got lucky?' Hermione asked hopefully.

`No way, not possible, not this lucky' Harry said shaking his head `and the explosion at your shop, no proof of that exists, I made damn sure of that one!'

`Are you sure it's not just someone's entire luck in one scoop?' Hermione asked again.

`Hermione' he said stopping mid step and looking at her `I have ways to conceal things, you see the cloaking device with the Ford Anglia'

`But you weren't invisible that night, I was there' Hermione pointed out.

`Invisible?' her mother said `What's this about, Hermione?'

`We have a very simple charm that makes people become distracted, confused, rush away when they get near a building or place…' Harry started to explain in his usual quick speaking manner `…or, and this is the important one, make a place unplotable, it's a very standard spell. Well, me being the absolute genius that I am…'

`And awfully modest too' Hermione added smiling.

`…I was bored one night and wondered what else you could make unplotable. I had this idea of creating the greatest game of hide and seek with unplotable items, 2 teams of 12 and a set of dragons, one for each team, and they would...'

`Harry' Hermione said nudging him slightly to get him back on track.

`Oh yeah' Harry said apologetically `anyway, to cut a short story I made long back to short, people cant take my photo, draw me or write my name…although with a modified Fidelius charm I can directly let people, or the people I've told can let others, or those people can…well you get the idea, a snow ball effect'

`Why do you let the people you've told pass it on?' Hermione asked curiously at this hole in his security.

`Have you ever been to a party and have to introduce yourself every single time you speak to anyone' Harry asked to which Hermione nodded her reply `well my whole life ended up being like that! So I modified it slightly'

`So how are you on the paper?' Hermione asked.

`More like what the hell are you two talking about?' her mother said and both of them looked at her suddenly having forgotten she was in the room.

`Um…' Hermione said `Harry's a…wizard'

`This boy here is a wizard?' her mother said strained, like she was waiting for the punch line. Harry whipped out his wand and made a glass, full to the brim of what Hermione thought must be wine.

`Guilty as charged' Harry said beaming at her.

`You two are mad' her mother said taking the glass from him and looking at it `can you make as much wine as you want'

`Pretty much' Harry smiled at her.

`You two are mad!' she said again before taking a swig `like how much wine?'

`Enough' Harry replied rolling his eyes. His mother looked at him, and Hermione could see she believed it somehow, but was just having difficulty accepting it.

`Carry on, Harry' she said leaving her mother to her thoughts. Harry just looked at her in confusion so she spoke again `you were talking about how you could be on this paper'

`Exactly' Harry said grinning triumphantly `the fact is I can't'

`So no one can ever take your photo, draw you or get your name unless their told by you or someone you've told?' Hermione asked, somehow the idea sounded a little creepy to her.

`Yes…well kinda' Harry said uncertainly.

What does kinda mean?' Hermione said narrowing her eyes.

`It mean's kind off' Harry said laughing as he started to walk back and forth again.

`You know that's not what I meant' Hermione said.

`Ok, kind of means that about 0.0003% of the population of the world can' Harry said confidently.

`Why 0.0003?' she asked.

`Various reasons' Harry said `Like the persons powerful enough like me, or just a complete freak accident…The system I've made isn't fool proof'

`Why haven't you made it unbreakable?' Hermione asked.

`Because that takes a lot of time and effort, and if they can break what I've already made then I have bigger problems than them knowing my name' Harry explained, not breaking his constant walking back and forth.

`So we're in trouble!' Hermione asked, knowing she would regret the question. Harry stopped mid step and looked at her, a huge grin on his face.

`Exactly!' he almost shouted.

`So what's the game plan?' Hermione said, stepping up close to him and ready for action.

`You can't go yet!' her mother said standing up angrily.

`I have to' Hermione said impatiently, ready to hear another one of Harry's crazy yet brilliant plan.

Actually, and I can't believe I'm about to say this' Harry said with a little shudder `but your mothers right'

`Oi!' her mum said annoyed.

`What do you mean?' Hermione said confused.

`You're going to have to stay here' Harry said with a consoling smile.

`No way!' Hermione said, throwing her hands onto her hips.

`I don't mean it for your safety!' Harry said throwing his head back I laughter `I mean I'm going to need a little bit of time in the Ford Anglia to work out how this has happened'

Hermione looked at him and knew he was being honest but still didn't like the idea of leaving him on his own, He was just about crazy enough that if she did he could get himself into real trouble.

`How long is a little while?' she asked.

`Probably…' Harry said as he looked at his watch `…2 days'

`And you got that from a watch?' her mother said suspiciously.

`It's not a normal watch' Harry said leaning forward to show her the face `It's a Rolex!' Harry added laughing and turning to walk away.

`See you in two days, Hermione, Mrs. Granger' Harry said waving `Be…Fantastic!'.

`Hurry' Hermione said, that being the only word she could think at the time.

She watched as he left the room and felt a sinking feeling come into her stomach, a feeling that something bad was coming, that only intensified when she heard the front door slam shut. She looked after him for a few moments before she felt her mum take her hand and she allowed herself to be led to a chair, where she threw herself down. She caught herself looking longingly at the clock, already counting down the time till the two days were up.

`EastEnders is on in a little while, I'll make tea so we can eat with it' she said softly, but Hermione didn't look up at her.

`I don't know' she said shrugging, the idea didn't exactly get her heart pumping `I think I'm going to go for a walk'

`You can't' she said, a little streak of panic in her voice.

`Why not?' she asked, completely thrown by both her mums' words as well as the tone of voice.

`Because of scenario 3' her mother said.

`Scenario what?' Hermione said completely confused, but her mother smiled suddenly and laughed as she sat back down next to her.

`I forgot how long you had been away for!' her mother said as she sat forward on the couch to get comfortable `The government have issued all these new laws, drago impedia and bad wolf…it's because of all these health scares, but you wouldn't know about that, would you!

`Mum' Hermione said sitting up in concentration `what health scares?'

`Oh loads of stuff!' she said `started just after you left…all neutons and…explotons…well, it's all science talk and I cant make out a single thing from that language…but the government say it's bad, so bad the army have all been called in'

`So why can't I go outside?' Hermione said worried at all of the words her mother spoke.

`Because it starts at 7' she said brightly.

`Mother, what starts exactly?' Hermione said.

Her mother looked at her for a moment before speaking softly `Enforced curfew'.

`What the hell?' Hermione said loudly as she stood up. She had only been gone for 6 months and suddenly a curfew was put in place

`There's a lot of them' her mother said shaking her head `we're allowed to work from 8 till 6, and go shopping till 7, then we have to be indoors, and electricity is stopped at 8' she said all this before adding as a happy afterthought `It starts again at 7 though!'

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing, the world had gone mad in just 6 months.

`So everyone wakes at 7, work at 8, finish at 6, home for 7 and bed at 8?' Hermione asked incredulously.

`Um…' her mother looked upwards as she thought through the question `Yep. Well except for the MPs obviously, but they have important work to do'

`The MPs aren't affected by these laws?' Hermione said, eyes wide in shock at every new piece of information she received `Labour did this?

`Not Labour, they lost the election in a landslide' her mother said standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

`So who won?' Hermione asked `not the Tories?'

`Nah' her mother called `they've been banned'

`So who did win?' Hermione demanded a little panicky, but the answer she got was a word she had never heard before.

`The Slytherins'

*

Hey, hope you liked that… A good start? A good premise? What do you think? Let me know…

Jms Granger.

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10. Power and Persecution: Part Two

Power and Persecution: Part Two

The loud buzzing sounded piercingly in her ears and for a few seconds she couldn't place the brain shattering sound, but without knowing what she was doing she threw her hand over to the side and slapped off the alarm clock. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock with a keen hatred for the invention boiling over inside of her. Her mind worked quickly as she wondered how an alarm clock had gotten onto the Ford Anglia which didn't have such evil devices as this. Then it all clicked into place, she was back home, she had been told she had to wake up for work at 7, and…

She sat up instantly and threw her legs over the edge, Harry had gone off and she was alone. Well, not alone she figured, but without Harry.

`You gotta hurry up, love' her mother called up from downstairs as she stifled a yawn. She went over and grabbed her night gown, and made her way out of the room and downstairs.

`Hey, mum' she said looking around the living room, her mother was sat down by the table with a cup of tea and Hermione noticed that she had made one for her. She scanned the room again and sat down, a little disheartened.

`Is there any…' Hermione started as she tried to find the right word `Message for me?'

`No one knows your back yet' her mother said looking at her as she took a sip from her tea.

`I meant from Harry' Hermione said quickly.

`The murderer?' her mother said raising her eyebrow. It was too early in the morning too be dragged into an argument so she only smiled at her so he mother added as she took another sip of her tea `No, nothing'

Hermione's heart dropped a little, she really needed to talk to Harry and find out what the hell was going on. She started her own drink tea and almost spat it back out.

`What is this?' Hermione said looking at the tea that tasted more like tar.

`Rations' her mother said brightly `I know it's not as nice as PG tips, but you'll get used to it'

`I don't want to get use to it' Hermione said eyeing her cup suspiciously `What do you mean by rations?'

`Since the health scare and all…' her mother started but Hermione cut her off with a held hand.

`I get it' she said. What kind of a country has curfew and rations in the 21st century, she asked herself annoyed, but then thought of something `Mum, are we at war?'

`Where have you been Hermione?' her mother asked her with such incredulousness that she almost felt like blushing `where has that man taken you?'

`Mum…' Hermione groaned as she was hoping that the bringing of a new day would stop her mothers 21 questions but that hope was looking dashed now.

`Seriously love, you disappear for 6 months, leaving no note or anything I might add, and then you come back with a wizard!' she said incredulously.

`It's not as bad as you make it out' she said groaning.

`When I was your age I didn't do anything like this' she said with a little nod that meant she thought this was a golden point. Hermione had to bite her lip to stop herself from giggling.

`Of course you didn't, but I have!' Hermione said as she felt sure she wouldn't laugh.

`But why?' she said.

`Because I get to see the most amazing places, do the most amazing things' Hermione said.

`But why leave your whole life to go travelling?' she said.

`I'm not leaving my whole life, I still have you' Hermione said nicely as she took her mothers hand.

`Do you?' her mother said softly looking up at her, a little teary eyed `because I don't feel like I've been any help, I haven't even known where my daughters been this whole time, what sort of mother is that?'

`It's not your fault, its mine' Hermione said feeling wretched, she had put her mum through so much `I thought I'd be back before this, I'm so, so sorry'

`Oh, look at me, I'm being silly' her mother said as she let go of Hermione's hand and brushed at her eyes as she stood up `You better get a move on'

`What for?' Hermione said shrugging as she slouched in her chair a little `I've been gone fore 6 months, missed this so called revolution, oh, and my last job got blown up and their blaming it on my friend'

`Don't' be silly, love, you don't need a job to go to work' her mother said chuckling slightly.

`How can I go to work without a job?' Hermione asked,

`Since the health scare the Slytherins have made all work Government based' she said as she finished her tea and prepared to leave `makes it easier if you think about it, everyone working for the same business, saves us having to make a choice'.

Hermione sat down and watched as her mother left the room, she should have known that she would of heard something about the health scare and the Slytherins with any question about this new world. She groaned and wondered what she'd be made to do, with her GCSE's and experience the best she could hope for was shop work, and the worst was very bad. But then again, maybe she could find out what was going on, how everything had changed so much and so quickly. Maybe, on this one, she didn't need Harry's help so much.

*

`So, what are we going to do?' Hermione asked as she fidgeted with her clothes. She was wearing a light blue shapeless dress, cut below the knee and she had plain white shoes on. She couldn't help but think that this outfit wasn't too flattering, and without any hot water or hair straighteners her hair was coming close to double its usual size.

`We work at a Slytherin off shoot department' she said excitedly, Hermione felt her heart speed up at this news, maybe fate had handed her a help on seeking answers.

She was walking quickly down the streets, and everyone else was walking there own way, each wearing the same identical blue outfit, dress for women, overalls for the men. Hermione felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up so she concentrated on their own walk and gathering any information she could.

`How did we get our jobs?' Hermione asked curiously.

`We all carried on with the same jobs as before, and then a lot were assigned new work as fits them, really a marvellous system' she said happily. Hermione couldn't help but feel her mothers praise for the Slytherins was a little suspicious but it didn't feel quite so right to question.

`So what is our job then?' Hermioine said as she walked down a narrow street she couldn't remember being there before. A dozen or more women were all walking towards the end of the street, and Hermione suspected this was where their work would be.

`Cleaning' her mother said happily, Hermione sighed slightly `now don't give me that, I've worked cleaning jobs for years'

`I know' Hermione said apologetically. She felt bad for momentarily being disheartened at her job, cleaing was as important as any other profession after all.

`HERMIONE!' a voice yelled out from across the street, a voice she instantly remembered. As she turned around she saw him, mouth agape in astonishment but still looking as handsome as ever with his short dropped hair and large build.

`James!' she yelled happily as she ran back down the road to meet him, he still wasn't moving as she reached him and threw her arms around him.

`Hermione?' he said as he held her a bit away from him `you're alive?'

`Obviously' she said with a smile, it felt good to see another familiar face in the strangeness of this place.

`They said you were dead' he said, sadness in his eyes as he said the words.

`Blatantly they were wrong' she replied as she held out her arms to show she was alive.

`Oh, thank god!' he said pulling close and surrounding her with his arms `Where have you been?' he said tearfully.

`Just travelling' she replied vaguely, she didn't want to lie to him but knew he would have a lot of trouble believing the truth.

`We ain't got time for this' her mother said, Hermione broke from the hug to look at her annoyed.

`She's right!' James said, slight panic in his voice `It's 5 to 8!'

`What?' Hermione said confused `Can't you be a little late?'

`Definitely not!' James said in complete shock.

`But when am I going to see you?' Hermione asked in bewilderment.

`How about at lunch?' Hermione nodded her agreement `I'll come get you at 1 then'

He looked at Hermione, glee in his face for a fleeting second before he sprinted of down the road to work. Now this was one step too far for Hermione, James so eager to get to work and not be late he was ready to run away after only a minute with her. He remembered how every lunch he tried to talk her into blowing off the afternoon, never to any success.

`Come on, love' her mother said pulling her and leading her down the road `He's been helping me out a lot, you know with things around the house. He's a good boy'

Hermione nodded but really wasn't thinking too much about her words, James' reaction was still playing on her mind. He seemed definitely pleased to see her so why the running away quickly, so out of character for him. She heard people talking, and seemed to be queuing up but she couldn't concentrate on this as she realized that of course James would be happy to see her, he had thought she was dead, and maybe he was hurt after she disappeared for 6 months without a word ort a note. She would be hurt as well, in fact she would of handled it a lot worse than he had id their places had been exchanged. But still something was wrong.

`I was talking to you Girl' she heard someone say as her mother nudged her. She looked up abash at what appeared to be her boss already annoyed with her. He was wearing what appeared to be dark green trench coat, but baggier and longer.

`I'm sorry' she said as pleasantly as she could, she hadn't enjoyed being called `girl'.

`If you ignore me again you will be, I can promise you that' he said nastily as he moved his face about an inch from hers.

`I'm sorry' she said through gritted teeth as she tried to keep composure. Now was not the time to fight back, she needed some answers first. But in the back of her mind she knew that Harry would not have apologized in this situation.

The man looked at her for a few more seconds before walking of down the line of women, staring intently at all of them before stopping and addressing them all.

`Time for work ladies' he said with a fake smile `hope it's a good day'

All the women started to walk forward and Hermione saw the building. It was large and seemingly mechanical, like a cross between an office block and a factory. She started walking towards it with the other women, her mother chatting away with her friends. She looked back at her boss to look at him closer. He was about her age with white blonde hair, and a nasty look on his face.

`Mum, when's break?' she asked, she had just entered the building and had seen door after door through the corridors, and really wanted a chance to look around here.

`We don't get breaks' she said shrugging `just half an hour for lunch, easier that way'

`Easier?' Hermione asked incredulously.

`Yeah, we can get a lot more work done without any interruptions' she said happily.

Hermione though stopped and sighed, before her were the buckets of water and cleaning products that was going to be her day. It was like she had never met Harry, and her life was going the way she had always feared it would. At least though she would see James at 1, and maybe have a little peek around.

*

Harry fell back into his chair, exhaustion threatening to come over him as he fidgeted slightly to get comfortable. He had been working all night and hadn't slept for over 36 hours now, and hadn't eaten for the vast majority of that. Maybe he would go and grab a bite, but then again he seemed to be a fugitive now and couldn't risk causing a massive outcry, and he couldn't travel anywhere in case something happened and he couldn't get back for Hermione.

He stretched out as he yawned, his eyes fighting to come down, and stay down. Blinking them open he reached across and grabbed a book without looking. He knew there was only one way his charms could have been broken, but that one way wasn't what he wanted to accept, so he searched his brains and library for any other answer, be it beast, man or ghost. But he hadn't made any head way in this search.

`Ahhh' Harry said as he looked down at the book in his hands. This book he hadn't been able to look at yet. This book had been his last gift form Charles, the last remnant he had of his good friend. That was the problem with time, Harry thought, nothing made much sense as there were no real rules. If he chose he could go back and see Charles again, at most points in his life, and the fact of the matter was Charles had been dead for about 500 years before he was even born. But he had seen the man die, and that was the bottom line in that story.

He looked down at the book, the cover seemed inconspicuous, early medieval Italian, circa 800 BC, with a basic block print. Harry looked closer and sighed, the book was beautiful and must have cost a huge amount of money yet Charles had given it to him for free. He opened it and gasped, he couldn't believe what he saw. It was the archway.

Harry closed the book and shut it. He couldn't start this now, however much his thundering heart wanted it. He needed to solve this, to work out what was happening, and then he would work on the book.

With images of the other moments in his life which had focused around that archway Harry closed his eyes and drifted of to sleep.

*

Hermione's shoulders felt like they were on fire, she had been on her knees scrubbing just about everything in the building, from the floor to picture frames. She stood up and looked at her watch, it was nearly one and she couldn't have been more thankful. So far she still couldn't work out what this business was, it seemed to just be a lot of corridors and near empty rooms. But on the ground floor, down a corridor she had been cleaning she had seen several people in those trench coat like robe things going in and out of, and that was the exact room that Hermione wanted to get into.

`Lunch time ladies' the blonde haired man called, he appeared every half an hour or so to look at them, and Hermione hated him more with every visit.

`Thank god' Hermione said taking of her bright yellow washing up gloves and putting down the cloth in her hand.

`You going to see James, love?' her mum said as she walked over to her.

`Yeah' Hermione said loudly, she wanted everyone to know she was going somewhere as she had every intention of coming back `He's meeting me at 1 outside'

`Give him my love' she said `It's great to have you back'

Hermione noticed that at these words the blonde haired guy looked at them for a moment before walking off his own way down one of the corridors. Hermione wanted to follow him, but knew that'd be foolish, she needed to make sure people thought she was going about her normal business so she walked with the others outside.

As she walked out into the sun she looked around and spotted him and made her way over towards him, he wasn't wearing a look of surprise this time, but neither did he have a smile.

`Hi Hermione' he said, very forced.

`Hey' she said as nicely as she could hoping it would rub off on him `you having a good day at work?'

`It's been alright' he said shrugging `but you don't even know what I do'

`Don't be like that' Hermione pleaded.

`Like what?' James said annoyed.

`Like this' Hermione said sadly.

`What like a guy whose girlfriend disappears for six months then shows up out of the blue?' James asked sarcastically.

`Exactly, just like that' Hermione said brightly making James laugh despite himself.

`Not that I'm not glad to see you, but where have you been, honestly?' James asked after a moment, a little bit more happiness in his voice.

`Just travelling' Hermione said, looking away slightly to help with her feeling of guilt.

`Is it a guy?' he asked, a little anxiety in his voice.

`No' Hermione said, but somehow her answer had felt like a lie. They stood there for a few moments in a little awkward silence when Hermione spotted the blonde haired boy walking off down the road.

`James, I gotta go' Hermione said as she looked back at the building before back to James, she knew now her boss was out that it was the best time to have a look around.

`What? Where?' James said quickly.

`I need to do something, can we meet tonight?' Hermione said quickly, she needed to be in a rush as she had no idea when the boss would be back.

`Ok' James said uncertainly eyeing her strangely.

`James, listen' Hermione started as she put a hand on his chest `Meet me after work, we can do something nice…till curfew, anyway'

`Ok…' James said softly.

`What's wrong?' Hermione asked.

`It's just the last time we were going to do something I didn't see you for six months' James said a little upset.

`This time I'll try and be more punctual' Hermione joked as she kissed him on the cheek. She turned as she saw him smile and made her way back towards the building, her adrenaline starting to pump quickly like it had so often since meeting Harry. She opened the door and turned right towards where that room was. The building was as empty as it had usually been, but now it seemed stranger unlike before when it was boring.

She stopped outside the door, it was blue just like every other door, but just by looking at it she knew something was behind it, but she didn't know what. She put her hand out and pushed the door quickly, she was on a deadline, and she closed the door behind her.

She looked around and was astonished. Before her were boxes and boxes of paper all scattered around what appeared to be a penseive. She walked over straight away to the penseive and realized it was, but how was that possible. Harry had told her before that it was for thought control of the Ford Anglia, but how could one be here, in a government building, she asked herself. Did this mean the Slytherins were like Harry? She looked around to check she was before the penseive started to flash again. She looked closer and was even more astonished, a film like image was made up of the silver steam in the penseive and it showed Harry, but younger. Hermione couldn't see him properly as the picture was deteriorated but she could tell by his glasses and hair that it was him and he seemed to be walking towards something. She lent closer, hoping to see what was happening. She now saw another figure, covered in so much darkness she couldn't make him out. She lent even closer…

`What are you doing here?' a voice broke her and she pulled back quickly and spun around, one of the government guys in their trench coat things standing in the open doorway and staring angrily at her.

`I'm…' Hermione said, desperate to look back at the penseive but knowing she couldn't `…I'm cleaning'

`You dirty liar!' he said nastily walking up to her and withdrawing what Hermione recognized as a wand, Hermione instinctively stepped away but the man was storming quickly so fast that she had no chance of escape. She wished with all her heart Harry was here, Harry would save her.

`I was…' Hermione started again, she had backed against a wall but the man was now within touching distance and interrupted him.

`Don't lie you stupid silly little girl!' he spat nastily at her.

`Don't call me that' Hermione shot back, she had felt it break and couldn't stop herself.

`Speak again little girl and you will regret it' he said low and angrily, his nose touching hers.

`You talk to me like that again and you will regret it' Hermione shot back, narrowing her eyes in anger.

`That's it' he said as he raised his wand and pointed it straight into Hermione's face, her heart was beating out of her chest as she knew there was no way out of this `goodnight, you silly little girl…'

`Obliviate!' a new voice shouted and with this simple word the mans eyes went blank, like the man was in a daze. She couldn't take her eyes of the man who had been seconds away from killing her, but a hand that grabbed hers and dragged her away and back out of the room. She had to run to keep up with the man and could only make out that he seemed tall with long matted black hair. She was pulled round a corner and was stopped by the him as they both panted slightly from their exertion. She looked up into his face and smiled at him, for he had blatantly saved her life.

`Hi, Miss' the man said with a smile back.

`It's Hermione' she said, she noticed how freckly he was and this somehow made his long black hair seem somewhat strange and give him the look of someone slightly shifty.

`Sorry about pulling you back there, but that was a basic memory charm, only a few second limit' he said apologetically, but Hermione's brain had started to work again and his words made sense.

`You know about magic?' she asked happily, things were getting back to normal…normal for Hermione Granger anyway `do you know Harry?'

`Sorry, what?' the man said in complete shock as he eyed her not with suspicion but amazement `You know about Magic?'

`Yeah' Hermione said honestly, there was something in his face that made her instantly trust him.

`How?' he said but shook his head `Never mind that, you said Harry?'

`Yeah' she said grinning slightly, it had been a while since she made someone confused, with Harry it was usually the other way round.

`Do you mean Harry Potter?' he said putting his hands on her arms in such a way that made him look a little desperate.

`He's not so fond of people using his surname actually' Hermione said as she remembered the dwarf in 3367 that only ever called him `Potter', and the resulting argument and their consequent ban from the china.

`You know Harry Potter!' he said in amazement `So you must be the woman travelling with him!'

`I guess so' Hermione said, not liking the way he put it as it made her sound like a side-kick. The man however threw his hands up in celebration in excitement and made a little whoop noise.

`I can't believe it!' the man said in amazement.

`Well, its true, Mr…' Hermione said as she realized she didn't know this mans name.

`Oh, I'm sorry, let me get rid of this first' he said as he pulled at his hair violently, Hermione started to wonder if he was in fact a little mad, but as the long black matted hair came of to be replaced by flaming red hair she sighed in understanding `It's a simple disguise, but when you're as red a me a wig works wonders!'

`You do look remarkably different!' she said amazed, where before he looked somewhat dodgy now he looked, well, handsome she had to admit.

`Thanks' he said raising his eye brows like he could read her thoughts and laughing as she blushed slightly. He looked at her before grinning and saying

`The names Weasley… Ronald Weasley'

*

Hey, hope you liked that? Sorry I'm a little behind schedule with this, hopefully the next will be done tomorrow. Ok, anyway, this story will be at least 4 parts, probably 5. Hope you like how its going anyway, and people please review! They keep dropping every chapter!

Jms Granger.

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11. Power and Persecution: Part Three

Power and Persecution: Part Three

`The names Weasley… Ronald Weasley'

Hermione smiled at him, she couldn't help but trust this man, and added to this the fact that he knew magic like Harry, she couldn't help but smile at this change in events.

`You can call me Ron though' he said grinning `but perhaps we can save that till a bit later?'

`What does that mean?' Hermione asked curiously.

`We're in the middle of a Slytherin building, and it probably isn't the safest place for us' Ron started.

`Why do the Slytherins want you?' she asked a little worried, she didn't like the idea of Ron being here in danger.

`Me?' Ron said laughing `I guess I'm not on their list of guests, but it's not me they'd be interested in, your much more valuable to them'

`Why?' she asked suspecting she knew the answer to this one already.

`Because of Harry, you're his friend' Ron said with a consoling little smile, he obviously thought the news would upset her but Hermione was way too use to Harry bringing trouble to be shocked much.

`So…' Hermione said shrugging of the idea `Are we going to apparate?'

`You know about apparition?' Ron said eyes wide in complete awe.

`Yeah, well Harry does it sometimes' Hermione said kindly.

`I can't do it' Ron said honestly `and you'll be hard pressed to find a wizard who can, except your Harry of course'

`Your not missing much, it's horrible' Hermione said remembering the squeezing sensation that apparition brought with it.

`You've actually apparated?' Ron said, Hermione felt a little worried as he seemed to be entering information override at the moment `Are you a witch'

`Even if I could do magic I wouldn't call myself a witch' she joked making Ron laugh a little `so how are we going to get out of here?'

`Our leader has set up a portkey…' he said as he fished around in his pockets before he drew out a matchbox `here it is, just touch it and it'll transport us there'

`Ok' Hermione said not liking the idea, Harry had explained to her that the Ford Anglia used the principals of a portkey for travel but in that she was inside a car and now she didn't like the idea of doing it with just her clothes for protection.

`It's perfectly safe, I promise you' Ron said leaning forward towards her slightly so she could take hold of it.

She put a finger out nervously and touched it while she looked up at Ron who was staring amazed at her. She couldn't help but blush a little as she noticed that Ron wasn't only looking at her face, but before she could notice anymore she felt what appeared to be hook grab her and pull her wildly forward, spinning the world around crazily, and just as like the Ford Anglia it stopped suddenly and sent her falling straight to the floor.

`Ron who is that!' she heard a man shout as she tried to stand up but fell over again a little dizzy. She didn't think she'd ever find a magical way of travelling that she would like.

`This is Hermione Granger' Ron said from above her, obviously he hadn't fallen over, and embarrassedly she stood up and looked around at the room.

The room was about the size of a normal school hall and had over a dozen people inside it, as well as various boxes and machines that seemed to be similar to the many she had found in the Ford Anglia. All the men were wearing those strange long trench coat like robes, and all were staring intently at her.

`Ron, why have you brought someone here!' a worn-out looking man said, he was tall and middle aged who seemed to be a little too skinny `She could be anyone!'

`Now Remus, let the young man be' an elderly wizard said walking up. He had a long silver beard and was wearing half moon glasses, his nose looked like a boxers, broken a few too many times for an ordinary man `Hello, Hermione Granger, my names Albus Dumbledore'

`Hi Albus' she said a little nervously, every person was still staring at her and many had hold of their wands.

`She's friends with Harry' Ron said walking up next to her. Everyone started to whisper too each other at this information and Hermione felt even more nervous.

`Now now Ron, there's plenty of time for that' Albus said kindly, but his eyes were sparkling letting Hermione know that he was very interested in Harry `Is there anything you would like?'

`Albus, how can you be sure she's telling the truth?' Remus said worried.

`It comes down to trust' Albus said looking at Remus knowingly.

`That's what Harry says' Hermione said before she could stop herself.

`Sounds like a clever man, a very…' Albus stopped mid sentence and looked at the wall opposite.

In the same moment every voice had died, and silence filled the air as all eyes gravitated towards the side of the room that had grabbed Albus' attention, and even the people who had been standing there had run too the other side, most cowering slightly behind them. Hermione looked at Ron who seemed to be steadying himself for a fight as he raised his wand, while Remus seemed to be worried but ready. Albus though watched the wall with a delighted but interested look on his face and a small smile playing on his lips.

A noise momentarily broke the silence, a sound Hermione instantly recognized. It was the sound the Ford Anglia made as they travelled somewhere. She looked everywhere as the sound stopped, hoping to see Harry any moment now. And then it happened. The blue door appeared in the middle of the air, floating like it wasn't part of something bigger, and as it opened her friend stepped out. Her Harry.

`Hermione' Harry said a little sternly as he looked at her `Come here, please'

She didn't need telling twice and the moment the words had finished she had started to sprint towards him, instantly jumping into his arms, throwing her head into his chest as his arms enveloped him in a hug. She had only seen him about 24 hours ago, but it had felt like an eternity to her. As she broke the hug she looked at him and he was wearing his characteristic smile. She had so many things to tell him and didn't know where to start, so she picked one randomly and said it.

`Did you know I could hear the Ford Anglia from here when you were coming' Hermione said.

`Really?' Harry said with his mouth agape a little in amazement `that would answer a lot of questions I've been having!'

`Like in china when that man was waiting for us with spears when we appeared' Hermione said rolling her eyes as it all slotted into place.

`Exactly!' Harry said delightedly `I always just thought I had the worse luck when really…'

`Excuse me' Ron said interrupting Harry, his voice held annoyance.

`Have I interrupted you once since I've been here?' Harry said angrily as he raised his voice, looking at Ron who seemed to be refusing to cower but decided against speaking again `where was I, oh yeah! The noise thing! I'm going to have to try and sort that out, any ideas my genius little friend?'

`I'll let you know I'm not that little, but I liked the genius comment so I'll let you off this time' Hermione said teasingly `how about some sort of muffler? Like on actual Ford Anglia's?'

`I'm not sure if that'd quite work…' Harry said thinking hard as he looked off slightly. Hermione felt so much better that Harry was here again she couldn't stop the smile that was stuck on her face. Harry shook his head and looked at the group of wizards who had been watching them `ok, now you guys can speak'

`Thank you' Ron said a little sarcastically but Harry didn't seem to notice, or care.

`You must be Harry Potter' Albus said kindly as he walked over to Harry and held out a hand as an offering.

`I already know my own name, thank you' Harry said happily as he looked at the aged man, refusing to shake his hand. Albus seemed to have noticed this and withdrew his hand and smiled `What I want to know is how, out of 6 billion people, you have managed to take Hermione Granger to where ever the hell we are?'

`My associate, Ronald Wealsey here' Albus said indicating Ron `found her as she was about to be attacked, and brought her here for her own safety'

`And give me one reason why I should trust you' Harry said stepping up even closer to the man confrontationally. Hermione stepped up next to him and put a hand on his arm in the hope of calming him down slightly.

`Surely we must have some of your confidence already, as you came without your wand raised' Albus said kindly.

`Your mistaken on that one' Harry said happily `it's purely… and I mean one hundred percent here… confidence in my own ability'

`Well then we must work to gain your trust' Albus said, his eyes flashing as he smiled once more `Ask Hermione, the delightful girl, if we have hurt her in any way, emotionally or physically'

Harry looked at her with searching eyes for a moment as she shook her head.

`They've been nothing but nice' Hermione said.

`They could have obliviated you' Harry said looking into her eyes.

`Don't give me that one!' Hermione said slightly indignantly.

`True, none of them seem to be at all beaten up, which surely would of happened if they had tried' Harry said grinning at her `But they could of just been faking it'

`Harry, trust me' Hermione said desperately, she knew these people were good, and they needed Harry's help. He looked at her and smiled.

`Ok, so I trust them' he said in an air of giving up before turning to the group and asking `what I know want to know was who you saved Hermione from, so I can pay them a visit'

`What I want to know is how did you get here?' Ron said suddenly, not trying to hide the suspicion in his voice.

`Car' Harry said simply looking at Ron like he was a fool. Hermione gave him a slight dig in the ribs as she knew he was being rude to prove a point.

`What my young and rash friend was trying to say, I'm sure, was that we have set up a lot of precautions not to be found and he must have been intrigued as to how you managed to break these safe guards' Albus said stepping beside Ron, Hermione wasn't sure if this was used to back up Ron or to show that he had control over him, but either way it seemed to work as Harry looked at him for a few moments.

`You haven't told me your name' Harry said finally as he held out a hand to Albus suddenly, who seemed slightly taken aback by Harry's change but recovered quickly and shook his hand.

`The names Albus Dumbledore' he said happily, his eyes still examining Harry like they were actually an x-ray machine.

`Well, Albus, surely you must know that all magic leaves signs, some large some small, all visible if you know what to look for' Harry said brightly.

`Ahhh…' Albus said tilting his head upwards slightly in understanding `You picked up on the leftover portkey trail and followed it… that is brilliant'

`Please don't give him too big a head' Hermione said groaning making Harry laugh.

`Such a kind hearted girl, she always fears for me!' Harry said pretending to brush a tear from his eye.

`But I, as secret keeper of this base, made the portkey, how did you break the fidelius charm I had put on this place?' Albus asked curiously, like they were friends just discussing ideas.

`You could say I invented the Fidelius charm' Harry said shrugging `in fact, between you and me, I actually did'

`But…' Albus started and stopped as he looked upwards in comprehension `Of course, I understand'

`Well I don't!' Ron said angrily taking a step forward.

`The clever boy broke the charm!' Harry said in a mockingly dumb voice angering Ron even more.

`Leave it out' Hermione whispered to Harry who just shrugged.

`That doesn't make any difference Ron, Remus said stepping forward `all that matters is if Harry will help us'

At these words the room went deadly silent as all eyes stared at Harry, who just looked a little confused.

`With what?' he said slightly confused.

`Surely you must know what has been happening?' Albus said

`Of course, it's just a favourite past time of mine is pretending to be dumb' Harry said sarcastically as he started to walk around the room `Hermione, you seem to have a reasonable grasp of the obvious, can you tell me what's going on?'

`Well' Hermione said, happy that Harry had asked her instead of all these other wizards and witches `6 months ago…'

`Just after we left?' Harry said turning quickly back to her in interest.

`Pretty much to the day' Hermione answered as Harry nodded to this news `The Slytherins won an election, and their a group of evil wizards and have chosen now to pretty much enslave the human race'

`How are they enslaving them?' Harry said quickly `your mother didn't seem to be under any control'

`Well they haven't exactly enslaved them completely' Remus said speaking up `Their using a placing of rations to lower peoples resistance, and after only a month every member of the populace loves the idea of being controlled by a central government, whatever their restricting laws are'

`Ingenius!' Harry said smiling and laughing `pure inspiration! If you take away someone's ability to think then they lose usefulness, but with it they are likely to revolt…a potion to wipe out the humanities instinct of resistance against what they know to be wrong would make the best of both worlds…I'm liking these guys style already!'

`Anyway…' Hermione spoke up `they seem to be very interested in you, as you saw with the newspaper about you being a terrorist…I found a room with loads of boxes, and a penseive that had you in it, but you were younger…'

`That was the memory that they…' Ron started to speak but Harry interrupted him excitedly as he walked straight up to him.

`Stop right there!' he said grinning wildly `you said something about a memory, tell me about that'

`Well we don't know too much about that' Albus said `We only know the Slytherins found a memory consisting of you, and ever since they've been obsessed with it'

`So that's how they got around my charms!' Harry said punching the air `I knew it had to be a wizard of some sort, but they used a memory of before the charm to break it…I should have seen that one coming a mile off!'

`Don't be too hard on yourself, they would have found it out sooner or later' Albus said kindly.

`Why?' Harry said confused.

`Because both side have been searching for you for years now' Albus said simply.

`Pray, tell what you mean by that' Harry said interestedly.

`The Plactofrese that you encountered 6 months ago, we were preparing to battle, a year before that with the oxbarian flu…we've seen tell tale signs of you for years but could never get your name' Albus explained `we knew you must have had it charmed someway, both sides were desperate to break it'

`But why so much interest in me?' Harry said `or is it as simple as I fear it to be?'

`Yes, it is as simple as that' Albus said lowering his head slightly `We wished to learn from you, they wish to use you…arguments broke out between us, they went their way six months ago, and we went ours'

`And your way worked, didn't it?' Harry said grinning `you have me here'

`I'm afraid that it seems to be more like you have us here' Albus said honestly with a smile, making Harry laugh.

`And you want my help to bring down the Slytherins, save humanity from slavery and re-dress the whole balance between humanity and magic?' Harry said incredulously `Do you really believe that I can do that?'

`Yes…' Albus said simply `I do'

`That's all that I needed' Harry said grinning wickedly as he started to walk around the room `I'm going to need some things, some information'

`Anything we can do we will' Remus said.

`Within reason' Ron added hotly.

`I'm going to need a full set of the rations, find out how to combat the control' Harry said.

`Ok' Remus said as he walked over to the corner and brought back a big box and gave it to Harry. Hermione watched as Harry whipped his wand over it a few times `we've been trying for 6 months and still haven't been able to find out how they are…'

`Done' Harry said interrupting Remus `it's a basic sedative mixed with veritaserum, combats rebelliousness by calming and breaking the ability to lie and conceal, very clever'

Everyone was looking at Harry mightily impressed at his ability, but Hermione already knew Harry was brilliant so she just smiled as she enjoyed watching him in saving the day mode.

`It's being given through the tea, as people start and finish the day with it its perfect for maximum efficiency' Harry said before adding `your mother must be up to the eye balls in this!'

`Haha' Hermione said as she thought the same thing, hardly a memory she had didn't have her mother drinking tea.

`So you want us to believe you've solved a problem we haven't been able to in a wave of you wand' Ron said looking at him suspiciously.

`I don't really care what you believe' Harry said shrugging `next information… is there anyone called Tom Marvolo Riddle?' Harry said casually as he walked around the room examining things in boxes.

`Should I know some one by that name?' Albus said with a smile.

`No, you shouldn't' Harry said shrugging `how about some sort of wacky anagram of that name? Lord something or other? King so and so? Complete git whatever?'

`Not that I know of' Albus said looking intently at Harry as if he saw something none of them could. Hermione had only ever seen this weird knowing look in one other, and that was Harry, who was now looking straight into Albus' face before a huge, truly happy grin broke onto his face.

`Fantastic!' he smirked `Truly fantastic!'

`What else do you need?' Albus asked.

`A day' Harry said.

`That one is easy' Remus remarked.

`And I need Hermione to wait here with you' Harry said.

`Not again!' hermiione shrieked out as eh walked over to him.

`Hermione' Harry started.

`No, you listen' she said hotly `I need you, last time I ended up cleaning all morning, nearly being attacked and then saved my wizards'

`Hermione we both know that you wouldn't of gone cleaning if you hadn't wanted to' Harry said with a smile `and as for being attacked, I would bet on you anyday, and thus the saving thing doesn't count'

`But still!' Hermione said annoyed `Why do I have to stay here'

`Can't you just do as I say without questioning it for once?' Harry said dropping his shoulders slightly.

`No' Hermione said flat out refusing

`Fine, the reason is, and I don't mean to insult anyone here' Harry said turning to everyone and shooting them and apologetic smile `is I trust you an awful lot more than anyone here, and I cant just leave all these people alone for 24 hours and expect everything to be ok when I get back'

`No offence taken' Albus said holding his hands up acceptingly `and we'll do all we can to appease Miss. Granger'

`Harry' Hermione said pleadingly.

`Hermione, do you want your mum, your friends, your whole world controlled by these Slytherins?' Harry asked seriously.

`No…' Hermione said softly.

`I'm the only one who can stand in front of them' Harry put a hand on her shoulder and smiled `me and you are the only people who can stop them'

`And what are we? Your audience?' Ron said hotly.

`Hermione, can you please help me save the world?' Harry said ignoring Ron's comment.

Hermione looked at him uncertainly for a while, she was use to following Harry and now he was asking her to actually help him. She couldn't lie to herself in saying that she was very nervous at this idea.

`What do you want me to do?' she asked determinedly.

`I need to find out what their doing, what magic their using, and if you can how to beat them, and especially to work with them and work out an antidote for the tea control, that ones very important' Harry said putting his other hand on her shoulder.

`How do you expect me to do that?' Hermione asked nervously.

`Question them, check what information they have' Harry started then laughed `Do whatever your brilliant mind can come up with!'

`Ok' Hermione said, feeling more confident as Harry had more trust in him `And what are you going to do?'

He looked at her for a while and smiled.

`I'll do what I'll always do…' Harry said `I'll save the world'

Hermione's heart was beating fast, she didn't want to be parted from Harry again but she knew she had to. There was no other way around it, Harry was doing it for a reason and she had to trust him. He smiled at her for a moment before turning around and walking straight to the Ford Anglia and opening the door and stepping inside instantly, without a look or word to anyone else before he left. The noise started again and the door disappeared and with the silence that soon came she k new Harry was gone.

And now she had to do her part, she had a job to do, she had to save the world.

*

Hope you enjoyed that and that its not all too confusing for you! I'm trying to make it all make sense for you, but I can't say, like usual, too much…

Jms Granger.

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12. Power and Persecution: Part Four

Power and Persecution: Part Four

Hermione looked at her watch and sighed, it was starting to get a bit late and she had to go home soon, otherwise her mother would start thinking she had disappeared again.

`Hermione' Ron said walking up to her from across the room, he was wearing a beaming smile that told her before his words that he had good news `So, Remus thinks that he might have the potion in the tea cracked'

`He's made a cure?' Hermione asked, conscious of the fact that she had incredulousness in her voice. It was a little hard to believe that they could do something without Harry, she knew how hard she had been finding it so far and she couldn't help but think that they seemed slightly amateur. The things she had found to read through were organized in no way that man had ever done before, and the way made it impossible to find anything, consequently she hadn't gathered much ground.

`Since your Harry named what we were dealing with, where it was, and pretty much the exact mix it wasn't really very hard' Ron said with a grin.

`He's not my Harry' Hermione said in an offhand voice.

`Seems like it' Ron said smirking `he tracked us down in a matter of minutes for you, and seems only to be helping us because you wanted him to'

`How do you figure that one?' Hermione said laughing.

`I don't know…' Ron said shrugging `he jumped on board the idea when you told him about it'

`You are so off!' Hermione said throwing her head back as she laughed `he just craves the action'

`Way to go on making us feel special' Ron said chuckling `So if Harry's not yours, then who is the fortunate man?'

`Umm…' Hermione said blushing slightly `Why do you think there's a man?'

`Because if their wasn't I'm pretty sure I would have already asked you out' Ron was grinning wickedly at her `unless I'm getting sloppy in my old age?'

`It's James' Hermione admitted, her thoughts momentarily drifting to where he was and how he was doing.

`Sounds like a lucky man' Ron said.

`I doubt that' Hermione said.

`However could Hermione Granger be a bad girlfriend?' he teased.

`Try having your girlfriend disappear for six months, then when she finally appears she runs off and disappear for the evening again' Hermione said shrugging sadly `I don't think I'll be getting any girlfriend of the year awards'

`Maybe you just need a change of boyfriend?' Ron said as he took a step closer. Hermione looked up at him, her heart was beating a little faster and her throat seemed to have lost the ability to make noise.

`I hate to have to interrupt' Albus said seeming to appear from nowhere to right beside the pair, Ron smiled at her again and took a step back `we have some information, and would care to hear your opinion on the matter?'

`Shoot' Hermione said inching even more away from Ron.

`I have it from a source that I trust that the pensieve containing the memory of Harry is to be moved, tonight none the less' Albus explained `I believe you have no way to contact Harry?'

`None' Hermione said worried, that memory seemed to have been important to him, and the images she had seen hadn't left her mind since `Don't you think it's a little strange that this is happening right now, when Harry comes back to town for the first time?'

`That's exactly what I feel about this as well' Albus said his eyes sparkling g over Hermione `but however this seems, I still believe that it may be in our best interest to try and…obtain…the pensieve in some manner?' Albus said all this and looked down at her like he wanted an answer.

`Of course' she said `but how?'

`That is the problem I was trying to solve, when I figured that a resourceful girl like yourself might just be able to help' Albus said, eyes twinkling slightly in the light.

`We should launch a full out offensive' Ron said straightening up as if he was already preparing for a fight `we have enough man power to overpower the whole building, set up a containment force, before portkeying away'

`That sounds too risky' Hermione said simply `dozens of you raging in would be spotted before we got past the door'

`I am also of that opinion' Albus said agreeing `we still have no idea how the Slytherins have become more powerful, especially as their numbers are still smaller than our own'

`I was wondering about that' Hermione said curiously `How can a group of about 20 take control against your whole operation, and throw in the whole world as well, in the matter of a few weeks?'

`I see then that we have both been pondering the same question' Albus said kindly `but, I expect, that I am no closer to solving that problem after six months than you are, after two days'

`How about a small task force?' Ron said excitedly `Say, myself, Hermione, you Albus, Remus and Kingsley?'

`Even if Hermione believes this to be the right course of action, then I still wouldn't be able to join a raid' Albus said sadly.

`Why not?' Hermione asked, confused as it seemed obvious that he was the most powerful here.

`I must be here to defend against an attack' Albus said, and Hermione could tell he was upset at the idea.

`Why do you think there will be an attack' Ron asked.

`The Slytherins seem attached to the prospect of big moments' Albus said thinking `when they won the election by manner of magic was also the same evening as they attacked the school'

`They attacked a school?' Hermione said horrified.

`Do not worry, I was able to get all the pupils out unharmed' Albus said smiling sweetly `and then as they set up the testing labs they also declared Marshall Law'

`Isn't that how the Nazi's did it? Striking in multiple places and things all at the same time' Hermione pointed out as she remembered her old history classes.

`Yes, blitzkrieg was their plan of rolling over a situation in full force' Albus seemed to be enjoying the conversation.

`So their forces should be pretty thin at the building, so a small force should work pretty well' Hermione pointed out logically.

`Excellent Hermione, I can see why Harry has chosen you to travel with' Albus said, rocking back and forth slightly on the balls of his ankles.

`I can think of many other reasons for that, Albus' Ron said laughing `but I have to admit this plan is brilliant'

`How do you think we should do it?' Hermione asked, from what she had been able to gather Ron believed in the storming in belief and thought his ideas on how to do this would be invaluable.

`Well…' Ron said thinking for a moment before nodding as if to himself `Well, Me, you, Remus, Kingsley…'

`Kingsley also will not be able to attend' Albus said sadly.

`Why?' Ron demanded confused `You don't need him to protect base site'

`But I do need him for something else' Albus said strictly `and believe me when I say that I wouldn't be using him, or Alastor who will be used up also, unless I believed it to be of the utmost important'

Hermione looked at Ron who seemed ready to argue, so she spoke up first.

`When we gather the team, then what?' Hermione asked directly to Ron, who turned away from Albus to answer.

`From my scouting I know that the building is protected from a direct portkey…' Ron started but Hermione interrupted him.

`How come we were able to earlier then?' she asked confused.

`Well around the pensieve itself is still portkeyable, the Slytherins seem a little worried about anything having a detrimental effect on the memory to allow a magic prohibition to surround it' Ron said.

`Your staring to sound like Harry' Hermione said as she tried to contemplate what he was saying `but fortunately I'm starting to get used to it'

`So the problem we have is bringing a whole team in to a small space that we know existed earlier but might not anymore' Ron explained.

`Why would they change it?' Hermione asked.

`We don't know that they will' Albus said stepping in `the problem we have always had is they seem to know more than us, and we don't even know what they've decided to move the pensieve today'

`But if we could appear close to it shouldn't we try?' Hermione asked.

`And end up splinched' Ron said shaking his head `I think our best attack would be to storm the front which will be lower in numbers, break through and make our way to the area, take it then attempt to portkey out'

`And what if the portkey field is in fact up?' Hermione said.

`Then we battle out and take it out the front door' Ron said, a little sparkle in his eyes told Hermione that the idea of battling throughout the building appealed to him.

`I don't like it' Hermione said honestly.

`What do you think Hermione?' Albus asked stepping towards her slightly.

`I think we should try portkeying from the start, at least that way we'll know how were going to leave' Hermione said.

`Well…' Ron said looking intently at her `It is a risk, but maybe we could put the two together?'

`Yeah' Hermione said catching his idea `Send a group to the front for back up, while we portkey in'

`Exactly' Ron said `Splinching is a problem but if you say we should, I'm game for it'

`You two seem to be perfecting this, so I shall go and set up the portkey' Albus said happily `you two come to me when all the preparations are ready'

Hermione watched as he gave her a little bow and a nod to Ron before walking away to a different room, leaving her with Ron to make their plans.

`Lets get this all planned out, we can't afford a mistake' Ron said, no trace of a smile, just concentration.

`Ok' Hermione said brightly `lets save the world'

*

`Are you sure that everything is set?' Albus asked looking at her directly.

`We think so' Hermione said attempting a smile, her stomach now playing up a little as she looked around at these people. Five would be sent to the outside of the building while her, Ron, Remus, Jack and Sarah would try and take the Pensieve. All of them were worried about the Portkey except Hermione, who just somehow knew that it would work.

`We are set up and ready to do this' Ron said confidently.

`While I have to admit a little bit of nerves' Remus admitted `are you sure that the portkey field will not be up?'

`Remus, trust me on this' Hermione said . Remus looked at her for a few moments then nodded.

`Now if everyone is ready, if you would all put a hand on this' Albus said holding out a can of coke, and for a moment Hermione wondered why.

`Ok, we're ready' Jack said taking the thing in his hand of Albus, he was a stocky man who was more adept at just taking orders than most, and Hermione knew that he could come in handy. Sarah however seemed incredibly scared at their plan and as she held out a finger anyone could see her hand shaking back and forth violently. Ron had promised her that she was a good witch, and Hermione had to accept it as she didn't know the girl.

She put her hand out at the same time as Remus and Ron, and all waited, worrying that something was going to go wrong, especially as so many things could happen. Hermione wasn't so much worried about the portkey not working, she had gathered from Harry that you had to be bold in situations like this, but the problem was that she wasn't sure what she was walking into.

She looked up at Ron who seemed nervous, but as he noticed her looking he gave her a smile just at the same time as the feeling of the portkey took over and she was pulled violently from what felt like her whole face, but fortunately just as the feeling had come over her it had finished and she stumbled on her feet and nearly fell over. Ron had threw his arms out under her and kept her up.

`In future I have to remember not to try and give my best smile as I'm about to portkey' he said laughing slightly as he let go of her and removed his wand. Hermione looked about and saw that the others had their wands out already and had fanned out along the walls. As she looked around she realized she was in a corridor close to the pensieve and that no one else seemed to be about. The corridor was shrouded in near darkness and only the slight humming of the sound of pipes was happening.

`Lead the way quickly, Ron' Remus said shooting the pair of them an anxious glance. Ron nodded at him and led the way, Hermione following next to him as they walked down towards the door. Hermione only noticed that they were there when Ron turned and pushed open the door, and instantly she could see the glimmering silver light of the pensieve.

`Quickly' the girl name Sarah said nervously as she stood by the door.

`Working on it' Remus said, he was now standing by the pensieve and running a hand quickly over it.

Hermione stepped up quickly next to it and looked down at the swirling picture infront of her. She could see Harry walking forward again, but it wasn't her Harry but a younger one. Now she knew what was happening she could see it all clearer and he looked a different person, not the care free, rather eccentric, man that she had met and got to know.

`Something's wrong' Ron said, and Hermione forced herself to tear her eyes away from the images and look at him. He was looking around the room, wand raised as if ready for an attack.

`What?' Remus said urgently looking at Ron.

`Hermione, what else was in this room before?' Ron said as he stepped back so his back was against the wall. Hermione looked around and gasped slightly.

`Where have all the boxes gone?' Hermione said, standing stock still in worry, but Ron's voice didn't answer.

`We've already moved them' a slow drawling voice said as the door pushed open, and in walked the blonde haired boy who had been her boss, flanked by a dozen or so men all wearing what she now realized couldn't be anything else than robes.

`Draco' Ron said stiffly and walking over and stepping in front of Hermione. She shifted to his side, determined to do what she could to get out of this situation.

`If you would drop your wand, Ron, I would hate for you people to get hurt' he sneered in an ugly way at Ron. Remus and the others had joined them and now all were facing the Slytherins. Hermione noticed that Draco appeared to be amongst the youngest, with the majority of them all being middle aged men.

`We wont' Ron said stiffly, Hermione could tell that he was looking around for any way of getting out of here, but she couldn't see anyway out for them, all she could think to do was buy time.

`Why are you people wearing robes?' Hermione said, it was the first thought that had crossed her mind and by the confusion that appeared on most of their faces it seemed to work.

`How dare you talk to me, you filthy little mudblood' Draco sneered at her nastily.

`What did you call me?' Hermione said, trying to suppress a little giggle which she quickly realized wasn't the usual reaction.

`I'll have you for that' Ron snarled angrily stepping forward.

`What?' Draco said in pretend fear `you four and the muggle are going to take us all down?'

`You…' Ron barked angrily at the man, but Hermione cut him off, she was buying time and knew Ron was getting ready for a fight.

`You seem to have forgotten someone' Hermione said simply. At her words all of them looked straight at her, and she could tell that a note of fear had come over them.

`Where is he?' Draco spoke confidently.

`And why would I tell you that?' Hermione asked brightly as she tried to hide the fear that griped her, the Slytherins had been spreading out slightly and now they had started to arc around them and things were looking worse.

`If you haven't realized little girl…' Draco started.

`If you call me little girl anymore then I'll call you little boy, deal?' Hermione said annoyed, enjoying the image of Draco blushing slightly.

`We hold all the cards, now tell me where he is' Draco sneered.

`Cards?' Hermione said throwing her head back as she laughed `Ron, who is this guy?'

At that moment she felt a sharp pain flash across her face as she fell backwards to the floor. She had hit the ground by the time she had realized that Draco had hit her, and had hit her hard. She stumbled to her feet as the sound of a fight broke out above her, and as she put a hand to her face she realized that Draco must have been wearing a ring as the blood was flowing down her cheek.

`You…' Hermione shouted as she tried to slap Draco, but all that happened was she was grabbed roughly by two large men and thrown against the wall, her face pushed up hard against the wall, her cut pushed against the wall so hard that the stinging was starting to get so bad that she could feel she was close to passing out.

`That's not a good thing to try, little girl' Draco spat as he laughed in her face.

Hermione went to answer but looked around, the other four had been grabbed and pushed hard against the wall, no sight that magic had been used once, she grumbled to herself that her thought that they had been amateur seemed incredible correct.

`I swear I'm going to kill you Draco' Ron spat as he was pushed harder against the wall.

`I actually think it'll be me doing the killing' Draco said walking up closer to him. Hermione tried to move and struggle against the two men holding her but couldn't break the lock they had on her. She watched as Draco looked at Ron for a moment before hitting him straight in the face, the sickening sound of a crunch as Ron's head smashed back hard against the wall `That was actually as much fun as I thought it would be'

`Your not going to get away with this' Hermione said, trying to sound as confident as possible. Draco smiled and walked over towards her.

`How could we possibly not get away with this' Draco asked with a sarcastic smile on his face `Your all going to die, then we're going to…meet…your Harry'

`And then he's not going to let you get away with this' Hermione said wishing that she could move out of this hold and get away slightly.

`We'll see about that' Draco said spinning around to face the others `Remus, what happened when you tried to do magic? You know, just after I slapped the mud blood'

Hermione looked at Remus who she hadn't seen yet. He was also pinned up nastily against the wall, his limbs at weird angles as he tried to fight against it. Etched all over his face was a sight that she wished she had never seen, pure fear.

Draco stopped all off a sudden as everyone else did and looked around confused, a low humming noise bouncing around the room. Hermione smiled as she heard it, and knew that finally things were turning back around.

`Keep them held!' Draco spat at the other Slytherins, as he wheeled around and his eyes searched around as he tried to locate where it was coming from.

The door appeared right in front of her in the middle of the air as she knew it would do, and as the door opened she smiled as she saw her Harry step out and look around. He looked around and smiled slightly, an apparent air of confusion on his face as he ran his hands through his hair. After a moment he saw Hermione and walked over towards her.

`One thing!' Harry said dramatically strolling up like he didn't have a care in the world, Hermione noticed that all off the Slytherins looked worried `Only one thing I asked you, and that was to make sure that they didn't do anything stupid!'

`We were actually doing this for you' Hermione said, she could feel that the two men holding her was loosening their grip but she still couldn't get away properly.

`Really?' Harry said stopping excitedly mid step, he was now only a matter of a metre away from her `did it work as well as you had hoped?'

`Obviously not' Draco sneered, he had now walked up closer to Harry, but seemed to be keeping a bit of distance. Harry looked at him for a few moments before turning towards him.

`How rude of me' Harry said extending his hand out towards him which Draco didn't take `I'm Harry potter, I assume you know me'

`We know off you' Draco said simply, his eyes were darting over him like he was weighing him up for a fight.

`Please don't say you gathered your info from Hermione's mother' Harry said with a smile `She doesn't hold a great opinion of me'

`We've gathered many sources on you' Draco said `And surely you know of us?'

`Not a clue' Harry said happily before he turned back to her `What the hell are you doing?'

`What do you mean?' Hermione asked confused.

`Why are you being pushed up against a wall?' Harry said genuinely bewildered.

`Well it wasn't much of a choice' Hermione said, the two holding her was loosening their grip even more and now she knew she could escape, but she decided she should take Harry's lead on what to do.

`Draco, my old Slytherin pal, tell your guys to let go of Hermione' Harry said turning towards him.

Draco looked at Harry for a few moments before he turned to the men and nodded, and as they let go she ran over to Harry and threw her arms around him. She pushed her head so hard against Harry's chest she could hear his heart beat, and just the sound made her smile

`That's better' Harry said, as he ran a hand through the back of her hair.

`I'm sorry' Hermione whispered, she looked around at her new friends who were still being held by their captives, while all eyes watched upon Harry.

`That's ok' he said smiling at her `now to work. Draco, what do you guys want exactly?'

`What?' Draco said a little flustered at his question.

`Harry…' Ron said but Harry interrupted him.

`Why have you guys taken over the world and tried to hunt me down?' Harry explained like Draco was a simpleton.

`Are we going to be that vulgar?' Draco asked sarcastically.

`You just hit a woman, so I think vulgar seems to be the setting' Harry said nodding.

`Ok then' Draco said recovering himself `We want you to join us, teach us of your magic, think of what we could accomplish with your help'

`What do you want to accomplish exactly' he asked curiously.

`We want what you want, power' Draco said simply.

`Now why do you assume I want power?' he asked.

`You travel through time and space to save the world, you've invented things that should never have existed for your personal use' Draco said taking a step forward `You seek knowledge and power for yourself, to use as you want'

`The old were just like you line' Harry said rolling with laughter `You guys are so retro!'

`But we are the same' Draco said, Hermione could tell that he had to work hard to keep his cool at Harry's laughter that was still coming.

`Harry…' Ron said urgently but Harry ignored him again.

`If I wanted to take over the world and rule it, don't you think I already would have?' Harry said shaking his head back and forth `power wise you people aren't even close to my league, I use my knowledge and power for my own use, but fortunately that is for the greater good'

`So you refuse?' Draco said as he looked at his friends, Hermione knew he was telling them to get ready.

`Come on, you didn't actually expect me to join you?' Harry said laughing `you even went about and hit Hermione, that's gotta mean you knew I wouldn't'

`You will join us' Draco said, he was now slightly bearing his teeth, like an animal readying for an attack.

`I'm assuming you have a plan? You seem to be a fan of the retro so I'm guessing that it revolves around blackmail or force?' Harry said stepping up close to Draco and tilting his head close to his, whispering the next words `You better think long and hard before you go and start a war with me'

`I'm pretty sure that we'll cope, thank you' Draco sneered at him back.

`HARRY!' Ron yelled at the top of his voice making all eyes shoot to him.

`What the hell could be so important to mess up mine and blondies dramatic showdown?' Harry said looking at Ron.

`We couldn't use magic' Ron said. Hermione looked at Harry whose face turned blank while a smile spread over Dracos'.

`See, I think you may just be joining us' Draco said with a low laugh as two men walked up and stood next to Harry, ready to pounce on him.

`Now that's clever' Harry said looking off slightly into the distance `incredibly clever'

`Thank you' Draco said with a grin, obviously loving his apparent victory.

`But how did you manage to only block a persons magic but still allow portkeys, that's beyond you' Harry said his eyes shooting quickly to Dracos enquiringly.

`It's simple really' Draco said confidently '20 of us all pulling together, you wouldn't imagine what we can accomplish'

'20 of you pulling together…' Harry said looking at him `but does that mean…oh, Fantastic!'

Harry bounced slightly on the balls of his feet in excitement looking all over Draco before he stopped on his hand.

`And you're keeping it all in a ring?' Harry said laughing `It always surprises me how you guys like your rings, I'm much more of a watch man myself, '

`It's simple and impossible to lose' Draco said confidently, another two men walked up around Harry and herself, and the feeling of confusions and fear hung over her, while Harry seemed as happy as ever.

`Hermione, remind me to get a watch next time were out' Harry said flashing Hermione a grin.

`What are you talking about?' Hermione asked nudging Harry.

`I think we'd all like to know that one' Ron said, he was now barely being held as everyone's concentration was now on Harry and Draco.

`Oh, I'm sorry' Harry said looking at Hermione `I've explained how people hold a certain amount of power in themselves…'

`Like how the magicallds feed of off it?' Hermione asked.

`Exactly' Harry said brightly `Now usually how powerful a person is means how much magic they can produce, like a battery might be alright for powering a torch but not strong enough to run a car?'

`Ok…' Hermione said as she tried to process all the information.

`Well these delightfully resourceful Slytherins have managed to find a way to use their individual power collectively, allowing them to perform tasks one of them could never hope to achieve' Harry said brightly like the information was a joy to hear.

`So that's how they've managed to do everything?' Ron asked, his voice between impressed and anger.

`Yep, their all linked twenty four hours a day, and while it doesn't make all that much difference on the day to day issues went hey gather and work together they can produce some marvellous magic' Harry explained cheerfully.

`How did they manage that?' Remus asked looking interestedly at Draco

`We stumbled across the idea when we found the memory of you' Draco was obviously excited and enjoying being able to brag.

`So what do we do know?' Hermione asked stepping closer towards Harry.

`Well we go with them' Harry said shaking his head like Hermione's question had been foolish.

`Where?' she asked.

`I guess to some sort of laboratory where they try and force all of the power out of me and your friends there and into a stock pile that they can push into their rings' Harry said happily as if the idea was exciting `I should say it will probably be a painful and messy process, but I'm sure they'll crack it eventually'

`But…?' Hermione said stunned at Harry's lack of fight.

`You let me down, Harry potter' Draco said with a bitter laugh `We had been led to believe you were some sort of all powerful god, and now I see that you give up without a fight?'

`I never claimed to be all powerful, more like a realist about my ability, which unfortunately came up lacking this time' Harry said with a little smile `Shall we get going?'

`Eager to meet your death?' Draco said surprised.

`More like I'm eager to stretch my legs' Harry said lightly `I've been doing so much reading for the last few days and need the walk'

`Uh…ok…' Draco said confused before he nodded to his friends who started to drag the others from the room.

`Help! Please don't do this!' Sarah screamed in panic as she looked desperately at Harry.

`Don't blame me' Harry said shrugging his shoulders.

`You'll pay for this!' Ron said as they dragged him violently through the door, his legs and arms flailing desperately as he tried to free himself.

`Is he always that argumentative?' Harry said in disbelief looking at Hermione who couldn't believe how Harry was acting. Hermione watched with her mouth agape as Jack and Remus was dragged off, only looking sadly at the man they thought would save them, the man who was now letting them down as they were sent to their deaths.

`I'm afraid that your friends seem to feel let down?' Draco said as he tried to keep himself from smiling.

`Their not my friends' Harry said brightly before adding `Me and Hermione can walk by ourselves, which way is it?'

`Rockwell, lead the way' Draco said as a large built man turned and walked through the door, Harry practically skipping after the man. Hermione had to almost jog to keep up, as she made her way to her death, with nothing but a man she had once called her hero for company.

*

Ok, first off I'm sorry for how long this has taken! I'm really, really sorry actually, please forgive me? I've been incredibly busy, plus I've been ill a lot, plus I got a new job. But now everything's settled so you can expect an update every day or two from now on like usual…

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, and hope you like the next part, which will be the conclusion to this adventure!

Jms Granger

P.S the next adventure will be a cracker!...

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13. Power and Persecution: Part Five

Power and Persecution: Part Five

Harry walked ahead of her along the corridor, the two of them followed by four large men and Draco. Harry was looking around pleasantly at everything around him, whistling a bright little tune as he led the way to what Hermione had to assume was the place they were meant to die. Even if Harry seemed to be accepting of their outcome, Hermione wasn't quite so happy with it. She knew Harry must have some idea on how to get out, that was his way, but Hermione wasn't ready to just let Harry lead the way and hope he was right.

`Why do you build such big buildings?' Harry asked craning his neck to look at Draco.

`I don't think that is neither here nor there' Draco said scorn fully making Harry shrug and carry on whistling his relentless tune.

`How's your day been?' Hermione said sarcastically as she watched Harry grinning, trying to get any sort of rise out of him.

`Oh, you know, same old same old' Harry said shrugging `I was listening to the radio and can't stop myself whistling one of the tunes'

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Harry's extreme confidence in the face of what they heading to, she had missed him since she had come back home and it had only been a day.

`When we finish here we're going to have to go to this little memory place I know' Harry said smiling at her `they specialize in extracting small memories, for example that damn song!'

`Excuse me but your not going anywhere' Draco said nastily.

`I'm sorry!' Harry said bashfully `in case we get out of here we must visit that memory place'

Hermione laughed as Draco flushed with fury at Harry's words, and at Harry as he carried on whistling happily to himself. Harry suddenly stopped beside a door and smiled at the Slytherins.

`How did you know this was the room?' Draco demanded as he looked worriedly at the door.

`You'll know that and more once you suck my power and keep it for yourself' Harry said pleasantly `and I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise for you'

Draco stared at him and the door for several long moments before he nodded and opened the door, leading them all into the room. Hermione looked around the room and her heart dropped, all of her new friends were tied tightly to chairs with what appeared to be thick metal chains, each of them were struggling in vain and seemed in pain.

`Now this is more like it!' Harry said looking around `in nearly a month I haven't been able to show Hermione one old fashioned torture chamber! I thank you Draco for being so retro!'

`Shut up!' Draco said nastily, he seemed to be reaching the end of his tether with Harry, who just smiled at him nodded and sat down on one of the two chairs.

`I'll have this one' Harry said looking at the chair like he was inspecting it, before he turned back up to the room and smiled.

`Harry, don't sit there!' Remus said warningly, but as soon as he said it the large metal chains seemed to appear from nowhere and wrap themselves around Harry, who was somehow still smiling.

`Don't worry Remus, I've been in these things before' Harry said helpfully in a tone of Harry trying to rest Remus' worries `You going to tie Hermione up? I should warn you that she used to enjoy that with her boyfriend, James!'

`No we didn't!' Hermione said indignantly `why do you have to say things like that!'

`I was only joking!' Harry said apologetically `it appears to me that we're about to die so I didn't think you'd mind as you would have bigger things on your mind… and I know James wouldn't have minded one bit!'

`How would you know that?' Hermione moaned but Draco cut her off.

`You two stop your squabbling!' he shouted, looking completely angered at their behaviour. Hermione looked around the room and saw that all the exits were covered, she knew she wouldn't be able to fight her way out, so she shrugged and decided to play along, until she could find a moment for action.

`So where do you want me?' Hermione said finally.

`You, muggle, can stay where you are' Draco sneered meanly.

`That's a mistake' Harry said simply as he whistled his tune.

`Why is it?' Draco snapped.

`Because you shouldn't underestimate her' Harry said helpfully.

`She's a muggle in a room of a dozen wizards! What could she ever do?' Draco said throwing his head back and laughing meanly.

`And underestimating, muggles as you like to call them, is definitely a mistake…running a world with 6 billion of them, each and everyone of them with the fire and passion to drive through any adversary, any strife that lay ahead of them, and you consider them nothing more than ants? Definitely a mistake' Harry said passionately, his voice rising louder as he spoke.

`But we have the power over them, and sooner or later they will be nothing more than brainless followers' Draco sneered. Harry stared at him for a few moments, a fierce fire burning in his eyes.

`You're wrong…' Harry spoke the words softly before adding, back in his usual bright voice along with his now complimentary whistle`so how are you planning on doing this?'

`We're going to use you the same way as a muggle would a battery' Draco said with an evil smile playing over his lips, he took a large black ring out of his pocket and smiled.

`You've set it up to act as a carrier wave of power?' Harry said with a surprised look on his face.

`Exactly!' Draco said triumphantly `you'll be linked to our collective, where we will drain you of all your magic'

`Now that's a terrible idea' Harry said seriously.

`I assure you its perfect' Draco said walking over towards him.

`Linking a person of my power to your collective?' Harry said incredulously `can you not see that that is going to back fire?'

`Thanks for the warning but we've put up our own blocks' Draco said, he was now about a foot away from Harry and was looking down upon him `we have a dozen people here to help perform the draining, each and every one of us is trained in sufficient amount of occlumency and most importantly the ring cannot receive power, only give it'

`Even so it's a huge risk!' Harry said seriously `linking me to you isn't a good idea'

`Whatever you can do with the link, the fact remains that only we can draw power from you' Draco said seriously looking down upon him.

`Ok then' Harry said finally and smiled.

Draco walked up to him and slipped the ring on Harry's hand, and then took several steps back until he took his place in the circle of Slytherins that had Harry encircled.

`Ohh…' Harry said in deep concentration `I can feel the link! You guys are good!'

`And we can feel your power!' Draco said, his eyes starting to glisten over in joy and concentration `so much power!'.

`Well done, so far' Harry said, all of the Slytherins had a look of deepest concentration `but why oh why hasn't anyone asked me why I keep on whistling throughout all this?'

`So why are you whistling constantly?' Hermione asked looking up at him. A huge grin spread across his face as she asked this question, but the Slytherins seemed too distracted to notice.

`It's so the people listening on the end of my radio know just when to attack' Harry said simply, like it was a throw away comment.

`What did you say?' Draco said, his eyes slicking open to look at Harry, confusion in his eyes.

`The radio I have in my inside pocket' Harry explained `Hermione, come get it out for me, my hands are a little restrained right now'

A smile spread across her face as his words jotted into place, her Harry had had a plan. She walked over to it and run her hand under his jacket and located it, a thick and heavy portable radio like the kind you always saw on police men.

`Brilliant!' Remus shouted.

`Are they going to help us?' Sarah spoke, worry etched in every word.

`Draco, I'm coming to get you' Ron said, his voice evidently joyous.

`Whoever's there please come now' Hermione spoke quickly into the radio.

`No need to rush' Harry added with a quick little whistle of the ditty he had been doing for a while.

`They wont be able to help you' Draco stuttered out, but the other Slytherins seemed confused and a little scared, their trap had turned into a trap for them.

`I think they will' Harry said cheerfully `you are having to use nearly every piece of power you have to break my defences, and with enough time you would be able to, unfortunately, you don't have that…'

Harry paused to look at the door at the same time as it was slammed open with a loud crash as it smashed against the wall. Five or six men came running into the room, wearing a mix match of black clothes that looked very much unprofessional, but what was most surprising was the fact that each of them were carrying guns, which she had never seen a wizard hold.

`Shields!' Draco screamed at the Slytherins, and each and every one of them seemed to tighten even more in concentration.

`Howdy people!' Harry called happily, sitting happily in his chair like it was a sofa. The new people looked momentarily confused for a moment before they started to spread out across the room. One of them stood still and stared at her, and as she saw him she stopped in her track. James was one of them.

`You came here?' Hermione said in shock.

`With your running away all the time I didn't see another choice' James said with a smile as he looked at her.

`So this is the illustrious James?' Ron said with a laugh.

`Yep, he's here to save humanity' Harry said arching his head around in his chair to look at Ron.

`More like to save Hermione' Ron laughed at this.

`That's why I thought he was perfect!' Harry said laughing back.

`Cut it out you two!' Hermione said strictly making the pair stop mid laugh. She turned her attention back to James who was looking at her like she was something of a mirage or a goddess `James…'

`We haven't got time for this' James said quickly as he broke eye contact with her and moved towards Harry `How do I untie you'

`Don't worry about that' Harry said dismissively shaking his head `you need to occupy the Slytherins, draw their power away from attacking me for a moment'

James looked at Harry, then at Draco, then at his friends. A look of confusion was across his face before he looked back at Harry seeking an answer to how he was going to help.

`Use your freaking gun!' Harry said in exasperation

James raised his gun and pointed it at Draco but paused, a worried look on his face.

`Don't worry, he has a shield up' Harry added with a wince `Please be quick, all this is starting to sting'

James shot his gun but the bullet seemed to vanish in mid flight before Draco. James nodded to the others and all of them started to shoot repetitively at the Slytherins. Hermione could see the look on their face getting more and more severe as the bullets came flying.

`Come on…' Harry said softly staring intently at the Slytherins, the beginning of pain coming into his voice worrying Hermione slightly `come on…'

`You wont' Draco stuttered in anger.

Hermione could feel her heart beating in rhythm to the loud hammering of each bullet as they smashed against the shield, Hermione wasn't sure how long the Slytherins could hold of for or how long Harry could last.

`James… do something' Hermione said taking a step towards Harry, he seemed to weakening slightly.

`I'm trying' he said determinedly as he shot of another round at Draco.

She stepped over and put a hand on Harry's shoulder, and at that moment a Slytherin fell to the floor, wriggling slightly in what she could only assume to be pain.

`That's it!' Harry shouted.

`Coming for you Draco' Ron said softly, menace in his words.

`Hermione…' Harry said tuning his head to look at her, a huge grin spread over his face `watch this!'

Hermione barely had a moment to hear the words before something happened. A quick flash of blinding light filled the room and all of the Slytherins except for Draco had followed the first and fell roughly to the floor, shuddering and groaning in pain. Draco however stood still, sweat flooding down his face as he stared straight at Harry in the deepest hatred.

`What are you doing?' Draco said through gritted teeth, he seemed to be fighting an intense urge to follow in the wake of the other Slytherins.

`You've linked yourself to me to drain my power, but you didn't think about how I might be able to reverse the effect and push it back onto you' Harry said as he removed the now weak chains from his arms and standing up.

`That's impossible' Draco snarled, he seemed to be close to passing out with only will carrying him through this long.

`Don't blame me!' Harry said shrugging `I tried to warn you that it wasn't a good, I also tried to warn you not to underestimate Hermione or rest of the populace, but will you people ever listen?'

`How are you doing this?' Draco said as he fell to his knees but still kept conscious.

`As I said your spreading your power all over the place' Harry said walking over to Hermione and smiling at her before going back towards Draco `all of you together might just be able to have drained me, but doing a complicated bit of magic like shield as well, and having…'

Harry stopped and looked at each and every one of the new men, all looking slightly confused but happy with what they thought might be happening.

`I thought you said there would be six of you?' Harry asked confused.

`Well there are five' James said stone faced.

`Kind of makes the name Peckham 6 a little stupid' Harry said in bewilderment.

`Peckham 6?' Hermione asked confused.

`Your boyfriend's resistance group!' Harry said brightly `I saw them in the paper when I was at your mothers place'

`The one with you on?' Hermione asked.

`You wouldn't have seen the story as I took up the first 28 pages!' Harry said with a wink `but I was checking for any mention of my Ford Anglia in the paper as I wasn't sure if I could use it if they had, and I saw a resistance movement called the Peckham 6'

`So how come you had all this set up?' Remus asked.

`Because he's brilliant!' Hermione said as she moved next to him to and wrapped her arm around his.

`Hermione's right!' Harry said laughing `Although to be more specific I have to add that I was planning to grab the pensieve tonight anyway, and a simple anti magic field is as visible as a man dancing the tango to me'

Harry turned to look at Ron before he spoke again, Ron out of his chains as well and was staring intently at Draco with menace in his eyes.

`I found out they were going to move it and I could tell that Ron here would go blazing in no matter what' Ron turned to look at Harry and seemed impressed `so I hatched this little plot, went and told the Peckham 6 my plan and told them to bring guns and a radio, things that an anti magic field wouldn't effect'

`Did I say you were brilliant?' Hermione said chuckling `more like a genius'

`Defiantly am' Harry said with a wink `it was true that I couldn't drain Draco and he could only drain me, but it wasn't very hard to let a huge amount of power through to him at once, as soon as their attention was somewhere else as well' Harry said triumphantly `using Dracos' metaphor, this battery threw out so much power at once that it blew the light bulb out'

Harry went to walk away but stopped mid step and tuned back around and smiled `I almost forgot about Draco'

Hermione looked around and saw Draco standing still in complete concentration, his eyes shut and his fists clenched.

`I hadn't' Ron said gravely, he was still staring at the blonde haired man.

`What shall we do with him?' Harry said light-heartedly looking at him.

`You wont get away with this' Draco said.

`If you carry on talking like that I'm not going to break the link and free you' Harry said waving his finger in front of him warningly. Draco eyes opened and he stared at Harry in hatred. Harry watched him fro a moment and as Draco didn't speak Harry smiled `See, your learning already'

Harry whipped out his hand and removed the ring in one quick motion, and as he did this Draco fell to his knees with the look of exhaustion covering his whole body.

`Your more devious than I gave you credit for' Draco said, not bothering to move as

`Coming from you I'll take that as a compliment' Harry said beaming down at him.

`Who's going to finish me then?' Draco said looking up at the others who had now gathered around, Hermione noticed a glint in Ron's eye.

`No one is going to kill you' Harry said bored as he rolled his eyes `but if you try this again…I will…'

`If I was you I would have already!' Draco spat at Harry.

`That's how we're different' Harry sad softly looking down at Harry.

`You're a fool' Draco said as he started to get up to his feet, fighting his legs inclination to falling over.

`I prefer the term human' Harry said as he whipped out his wand and pointed it at the ring he held in his outstretched hand and passing it over to Draco who took it nervously `A portkey'

`You'll regret this' Draco said.

`I probably will' Harry said brightly just as Draco disappeared on the spot, the portkey taking him away.

`Where did that take him?' Remus asked.

`The Sahara desert' Harry said laughing.

`I bet the albino in him loves that!' Ron said nastily.

`Lets get out of here' Hermione said taking Harry's arm, this place was still giving her the creeps.

`Your wish' Harry said giving her a grin `is my command'

*

Hermione looked around, half an hour ago she had been held captive and was facing the prospect of impending death. Now she stood amongst friends at the wizards' hideout looking upon the Peckham 6 as they marvelled at magic for the first time.

`Enjoying yourself?' Harry said appearing next to her.

`Please tell me I didn't look like that!' Hermione groaned as she watched one of James' friends throw a hand up to his mouth as he watched Remus magic a glass of wine.

`Nah' Harry said shaking his head `you were too busy trying not to get absorbed by plastic!'

`Thanks god for the pastocrese then!' Hermione said as she sniggered slightly.

`Harry, Hermione!' Albus said walking over to them with outstretched hands. The rest of the room stopped what they ere doing and either watched them or made their way closer `How can I ever thank you for what you've done?'

`Don't worry' Hermione said modestly.

`Without you the Slytherins would have tightened their strangle hold, they would have run this world into the ground and destroyed all our hopes for the future' Albus said honestly `you saved the whole of humanity today'

`Seriously it was all our pleasure!' Harry said laughing.

`You obviously don't have much fun then!' Ron said laughing.

`Oh this was much more than that! This was history! Soon both communities will live side by side, you will stop being scared of what doesn't make sense and they will understand that humanity brings with it a fantastic drive for knowledge, for acceleration…for a bettering of every living being on the planet' Harry spoke with a smile on his face, walking back and forth throughout the room `This is perhaps the first step along that line towards the golden era, towards what humanity has always promised but never reached. With the soul of each of your worlds the new one will be…fantastic!'

`You can't believe how exciting this is for us, I had stared to believe that I may never live to see the day our communities can join' Albus said walking up and offering a hand to James, he looked at it for a moment and shook it.

`This sure is weird…' James said gingerly `but as everyone keeps on saying…sure is exciting'

`You have no idea' Hermione said laughing looking at James as he looked out of place among these eccentric wizards.

`Watching you people nearly makes me want to give up my adventure for this one' Harry said looking at Albus and James.

`Why don't you?' Remus said eagerly.

`I said nearly' Harry added laughing `still so much to see and so little time'

Hermione looked around and thought how much he world was going to change, Harry had said this was the first step and the allure of what the rest of the walk would hold was gripping her imagination.

`Shall we help you take the pensive' Ron said stepping towards the pensieve they had `liberated' from the Slytherins. Hermione could tell that this was his way off offering a hand of friendship and smiled to herself.

Harry stopped and looked at it in silence, his eyes scrunching up in concentration. His head turned slowly to look at Hermione, concentration still etched in the lines of his face.

`You know what…' Harry said shaking his head `I don't need it anymore'

Hermione walked over to him and looked into his eyes, she knew that something was going on `are you sure?'

`Absolutely' Harry said with a wink before turning towards James quickly `before I go I need to know why you five are called the Peckham 6?'

`Don't know' one of them said and the others shook their heads.

`I do' Hermione said, seeing James turn instantly red.

`Don't' James said pleadingly making Hermione laugh.

`It's Tony Adams shirt number' Hermione said bursting into laughter

`Oh that is fantastic!' Harry said laughing `The man saves the world and frees humanity but the boy names it after a footballer!'

`He's more than a footballer!' James said laughing at himself

`Don't worry' Albus said chuckling `I once named my group after a pet of mine!'

`And we all thought it was cool!' Ron said laughing.

`Ron's girlfriend broke up with him after finding out about that!' Remus added teasing as he nudged Ron

Hermione looked around at the room and saw a sight she could hardly believe, normal men laughing side by side along wizards, and in the middle of all this she stood side by side with Harry. Harry. Her Harry. The man responsible for everything good in her life. As the laughter quieted down all eyes started to rest on Harry and her.

`So what now for Harry potter?' Albus asked eventually.

`And for Hermione Granger?' James added.

`You know, same old travelling' Harry said shrugging before his eyes turned to Hermione.

Everyone was now staring intently at her, she knew what she wanted to do but couldn't find the words, and she didn't want to hurt him.

`Are you coming home?' James asked, his eyes wouldn't look properly at her.

`We could do with someone like you in this brand new era' Remus said honestly.

`So could I' Ron added with a little laugh

She looked up at Harry who was looking down at her, a little sad smile on her lips.

`I'm…' Hermione said looking away from Harry and down at her feet for a moment `…I'm…going to go with Harry'

Hermione was staring intently at her shoes, so much so that she noticed they were still her work shoes, she would have to change back in Ford Anglia.

`Well I wish you the best' Albus said happily.

`If you're ever in town, remember to drop by' Ron said, a little disappointment in his voice.

`I'll look after your mum' James said finally, acceptance in his voice that welled her eyes. She looked up at him and saw a brave look in his eyes, a brave look that would have been tears without all the restraint he had. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, feeling his hands running along her back as he gripped her with all his might.

She held like that for ages, not caring that everyone was watching, till finally he broke the hug and stepped back.

`Where are you guys going to go next?' Remus asked, breaking the awkward silence as Hermione walked back to stand beside Harry.

`To Venezuela!' Harry said with his characteristic grin back on his face.

`What's in Venezuela?' Ron asked confused, speaking the words everyone else seemed to be thinking.

`Well…' Harry said weighing up his thoughts before turning to give a wink to Hermione `to tell the truth, nothing…yet!'

And with those words Harry took Hermione's hand and led her back towards the Ford Anglia, back towards adventure and danger. Back towards her home.

*

Hope you enjoyed that! I liked writing it. Now poor little Hermione has truly become a traveller…I wonder if she'll follow with Harry forever??? Well, actually I don't wonder…but you guys should!

And don't worry about Draco…he's not quitting yet, and next time he knows what he has to beat! Trust me when I say that if you see him again that things are going to go BAD for your travelling duo!

Till tomorrow (that's when I'm updating)…

Jms Granger.

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14. The Apple Alder Tree: Part One

The Apple Alder Tree: Part One

Hermione confidentially stepped out of the Ford Anglia and instantly found that they had parked in the middle of a group of people, all of whom were far too busy to notice a girl and a man appearing out of thin air. The air was somehow like air-conditioning, all stale with no real life, and added to this uncountable amounts of bright flashing machines covering nearly every surface.

`No ones attacking us with spears so I'm going to guess that we're…oooh…' Hermione said looking around as a guy removed a white and silver thing from his pocket and inserted it into the wall close by `about Forty thousand?'

`Close' Harry said brightly looking around the place in interest `203,996 A.D to be precise. August'

`How's that even close to close?' Hermione asked simply looking around in surprise, according to Harry this was by far the furthest in the future she had ever been, and the idea unsettled her slightly.

`Its not, but it is nice to be nice' Harry said pointing at a middle aged woman approaching the machine she had seen another man use `that's a cash machine'

`How does it work?' Hermione questioned noticing that the machine didn't give cash out.

`About one hundred and fifty thousand years ago Apple bought all the banks' Harry explained as he led her through the crowd, taking her hand in his `so they turned ipods into these amazing little devices, they are the ultimate credit card…as well as a mobile phone, a fan, screwdriver amongst other things'

`So where are we?' Hermione asked, completely accepting of Apple taking over.

`Are you giving up our little game?' Harry teased.

`Of course not!' Hermione said looking around `Well, judging by the use of the green lights everywhere I'm thinking we're in…Tokyo?'

`Oh…so close!' Harry said dramatically as he led her deeper into the crowds.

`So where exactly are we, and what disaster are we going to get ourselves into?' Hermione asked.

`I'm trying not to be too insulted by that!' Harry said in mock hurt `And why don't you go look out of that window?'

`What for?' Hermione asked casually as she walked over to it. It was more of a wall of glass than a window as it took up an unordinary amount of wall. She tried not to look out of it yet as she didn't want to ruin the surprise. She knew it must be night time as no sunlight was coming through the window, but as she reached it she found her breathe had been stolen from her as the scenery unfolded in front of her.

`That's planet Earth' Harry said softly as he stepped quietly next to her. She had always seen the images of the planet on the television, in magazines and on the big screen, but seeing it with her own eyes made every detail so much richer, so much stronger, like actually standing in the Sistine Chapel and seeing God looking down at you from Michelangelo's clouds.

`It's so much…more…' Hermione said gasping as a sliver of sunlight made its way over the northern rim of the globe.

`Real?' Harry said with a smile.

`I was actually thinking scary' Hermione said turning quickly to Harry.

`How come?' Harry asked raising an eyebrow at her.

`Its just seeing the planet just now I realized that everyone I have ever known is dead down there' Hermione said with a strange lack of emotion in her voice for she knew that they weren't really `My mothers grave is probably somewhere down there'

`They don't have graves anymore' Harry said with a chuckle `and before you start planning your mothers funeral you have to bear in mind that she's expecting you to visit next week'

`I know that, it's just doesn't it ever weird you out?' Hermione said taking one last glance at Planet Earth before turning back to the busy street in front of her `so where exactly are we?'

`Were on a space station' Harry said taking her hand again and leading the way `Space Station Aguilera'

`Like the singer?' Hermione said in amazement.

`Named after her actually' Harry said looking around in an exaggerated way.

`After Christina Aguilera!' Hermione stuttered out in disbelief `the singer?'

`Kinda…' Harry said simply walking along `It's actually named after Christina Aguilera when she became the President of America…much better leader than singer'

`Wow' Hermione said shaking her head `I travel through time and see the planet from a space station but that is truly the weirdest thing I've ever heard…so why have we come here then?'

`Isn't showing you the planet in 200,000 whatever enough?' Harry said chuckling to himself, Hermione raised an eyebrow at this answer so Harry carried on `Ok ok, I admit it!'

`Knew there had to be some sort of reason!' Hermione said triumphantly `You woke me up in the middle of the night by the Ford Anglia shaking through time!'

`I was a little obvious, wasn't I' Harry said stopping still and looking at her as she nodded and grinned `I was sifting through the time turner vortex when a huge amount of power pretty much jumped out at me from it!'

`By power do you mean magic?' Hermione asked.

`Not necessarily' Harry said brightly `every living thing and many others have their own power, its just magic is a very popular and common one that we deal with…the plastocrese wasn't magic…and King Richard wasn't even alive'

`So it's something else?' Hermione asked.

`Well…' Harry said running his hand through his hair in concentration `how about we just say that it's something extremely powerful'

`Ok, something powerful jumped out of you from the Ford Anglia' Hermione said rattling of the information `How did we end up in 203,996 A.D?'

`Seriously Hermione, how do you remember dates like that but not to go wandering off alone?' Harry laughed in amazement.

`Because I listen when others are talking' she said nudging him.

`Doesn't sound worth the effort' Harry said brightly walking on down the street `So this …thing… jumps out from the time turner vortex and literally sends me flying to the floor! I cant explain how amazing that is! For something… a person, animal or event…to dent time and space in such a gigantic way that it sends such an extremely powerful ripple throughout the very essence of time!'

`Sounds like the very last place anyone else would want to be' Hermione said looking up at Harry who seemed as giddy as school kid at this turn of events.

`So I located the signal from the power flux' Harry carried on like Hermione hadn't said anything `did a little jiggery pokery…'

`You did jiggey pokery?' Hermione teased laughing.

`I'm a doctorate from the University of Jiggery Pokery!' Harry said laughing `And what I learnt in the three years during that course got us here'

`If we just followed it how did you know what this place was called then?' Hermione asked.

`I didn't' Harry said pointing at a large sign on the wall that stated Aguilera Space Station Floor 12.

`It's always some sort of trick with you, ain't it?' Hermione said throwing her head back and laughing `so what is our plan, you going to do a bit of jiggery pokery magic and find the source of whatever s going to try and kill us?'

`Now lets not get on the idea of something trying to kill us just yet…' Harry said happily `in case whoever is going to try is listening in on us already'

`Because giving them any ideas wouldn't be a good thing' Hermione laughed.

`It wouldn't help' Harry said as brightly as ever, Hermione loved how confident Harry always was talking about matters of life and death, it somehow made her feel safer than if she was someone who was more cautious.

`So what new impressive magic are you going to be showing me?' Hermione asked rolling her eyes as Harry grinned at her words.

`The amazing magic of conversation' Harry said as he let go of her hand and strolled over to a woman who was inserting a white card into the wall.

`Hi' Harry said tapping her on the shoulder. The woman spun around instantly and Hermione saw that she must have been in her mid twenties, long brown hair and a perfect complexion. Hermione figured that she must have owed a lot of this to the time she was born in, although she figured she might have just been jealous.

`Hi?' the woman said confused looking at the pair of them. Hermione looked down at herself and realized why the overlooking was happening, she was wearing nothing but a simple yellow v neck and jeans, Harry in his usual black fitted clothes and glasses, while every other person on this space station was dressed exclusively in suits, very similar to the ones form the 21st century although with much more flamboyant silky materials.

`I see you have the new ipod, what gen is that?' Harry asked in a very curious and friendly voice, Hermione had to wonder at his acting skills sometimes.

`It's the millionth gen' the woman said eyeing Harry extremely closely.

`The millionth!' Harry said amazed turning to look at Hermione `what are the chances of us falling on such a round number?'

`I guess it's very slim' Hermione said pointedly trying to bring Harry back to his acting as the woman seemed to be getting more suspicious `my one has a 60 gig memory, what's yours?'

'60 gig?' the woman said, her eyes flashing onto Hermione's `you couldn't even hold memo-song on that!'

`She means 60 zig' Harry said shanking his head sadly `She always messes up her numbers, poor girl had a nasty reaction to a memory download, lost all her grasp of maths… so what is your job on this space station?'

`Same as everyone else's' the woman said, her voice was that of when a person was s confused they answered without thought `we calibrate the Bluetooth for the ipod info'

`So you programme how it's downloaded or what is uploaded?' Harry asked interestedly.

`We do both and more, everything that the ipod does we sort out' the woman said impressively, Hermione could tell her sort a mile off, a career woman.

`So space station Aguilera is at the heart of all financial, political, media and professional communication and ultimately control?' Harry said whistling `Impressive'

`I like to think us more as the actual heart of the world' she said, slightly sticking her chest out as she gave this news, although Hermione couldn't help herself but think that this might have been as much about Harry as it was pride in her work.

`Just a heart that happens to be floating safely a thousand miles above the body' Harry said with discontent in his voice `has anything strange been going on in the last, say 6 months?'

`Um…Who are you two?' the lady said sharply, obviously Harry had finally pushed her too far in his relentless questioning `only authorized personnel are allowed on board'

`I'm…the Doctor' Harry said rather lamely.

`Doctor who?' she asked suspiciously.

`Oh…' Harry said searching through his jacket pockets for what Hermione knew must be his magic paper. He removed it and held it up for her to read.

`I'm sorry Dr. Potter, Nurse Granger' the woman said more friendly, her whole body seemed to relax.

`That's more than fine by us' Harry said brightly flashing a friendly smile.

`It's ok by me to, but I'm only a nurse after all, so it probably doesn't matter as much as the Doctor here' Hermione said flashing Harry a slightly angry smile.

`I'll let you know that you're a terrific nurse' Harry said with a sincere smile before adding in a voice of weighing up his thoughts `well I say terrific, more like average…well I say average…'

`So has anything strange been going on?' Hermione said nudging him as slyly and hard as she could.

`You probably know more about it than us' she said, her voice dropping slightly to more of a gossipy whisper.

`We no doubt do, but we'd like to know what you know…completely of the record' Harry said, bowing his head slightly and lowering his voice.

`Well the word is that something's in the airs…infecting people through the air vents' she said in a whispery voice.

`That doesn't surprise me with the amount of air con in this place' Hermione grumbled as she found the stale air seemed to be bearing down on her.

`And what happens to the infected' Harry asked ignoring her comment.

`Their taken away' she said `we don't see them again'

`To the hospital?' Harry asked casually.

`Did you say you were a Doctor?' she asked suspicious again.

`We just wanted to check that they weren't taken somewhere before they got to us' Hermione said helpfully making Harry smile at the quick thinking.

`I honestly don't know' she said, Hermione thought she could see a momentary flash of pain in her eyes but it was quickly replaced with friendliness.

`Well I guess we better get back of to work' Harry said offering her a friendly smile before turning to walk away, Hermione following his lead.

`Doctor Potter!' the woman called as they had reached only a few steps away.

`Yeah' Harry said facing her again.

`My names Claudia' she said with what Hermione figured was a little too flirty a smile `I'm manager of section B, if you have nay other questions I'll be happy to answer them'

`And I'll be happy to ask them' Harry said, Hermione disbelieving of what she thought was an equally flirty smile. With a little nod Harry turned and starting to walk away, leaving Hermione to stand still in slight shock for a second before almost jogging to catch up and fall in step with him.

`She was nice' Hermione said after a few moments.

`I thought so' Harry said brightly looking about the busy street.

`Obviously' Hermione said, making Harry shoot her a quick glance.

`This is it' Harry said stopping outside a large door, a red cross painted on a white background in front of it.

`Are you going in?' Hermione said a little bit of cold in her voice, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous at Harry flirting, however much it killed her to admit it to herself.

Harry nodded at her and took out his wand, waved it over the keypad on the door which instantly opened, allowing the two to go walking straight into the hospital.

Harry looked about him and spotted a Doctor standing with clipboard in his hand that he put down on the desk and turned to look at them.

`Hi, I'm Doctor Potter' Harry said extending a hand as he walked over towards the man in the white lab coat `and this is Nurse Granger'

`Nice to meet you both' the man said. Now that Hermione was closer to him she could see that his face would usually have been quite handsome, but at the moment it had the slightly pinched look of a man who had been awake for too many hours of stressful work `we could do with the extra hands around here'

`And we're more than happy to lend them' Harry said letting go from the handshake to look around the room `If you don't mind could you show us to the patients, I feel better when I'm put to work'

`I'm the exact same way' The man said smiling a sad smile and walking of to the lead the way through the pure white corridors `we have 142 patient in at the moment…'

`How many people on board?' Harry asked quickly as he sped up to fall in step with the doctor.

`1,500 members of staff, all live in' the doctor answered shooting Harry a sideways glance.

`Nearly 10% of the population?' Harry said shaking his head in either amazement or sorrow.

`That's just one of the problems' the man started to explain again `In the 2 months since the first reported case we are still no further towards an explanation even than we originally were…'

Hermione couldn't listen to his words properly as she sped up to be next to Harry. Even though she was a thousand miles above, and 200,000 years after her old life, memories from it still flooded through her brain. Memories of walking through surgically clean corridors day after day, only hope to cling onto in this artificial world. A hope that failed.

`…Since we don't know what the trigger was we have no hope of restoring them' the man said breaking through Hermione's memory `and all medical tests show that the effects are complete. Not a single neuron inclination has come from any of them in the whole time…not one!'

The three of them stopped in front of a door, laden heavily with metal which made it appear more of a prison door than a hospital. Harry watched carefully as the man pressed in buttons ion a large keypad before a noise like the whooshing of wind came from behind the door as it swung open.

Hermione took a step inside beside Harry as the man followed them, and she found herself in a large room, more like a school hall than anything else she could think of. And inside this school hall of a room was more than a hundred men and women, all walking about seemingly doing their own business.

`Now that's strange' Harry said softly, not moving from his spot.

`What is?' Hermione asked straight away in confusion, nothing about this room seemed the least bit strange.

`And you say no neural electronic impulsivities in the last 8 weeks?' Harry said walking cautiously into the room.

`Not a single one' the man said shaking his head sadly.

`What's wrong?' Hermione said following after Harry as he removed his wand and raised it to the middle of the room.

`This is definitely strange' Harry said softly looking about him `I'd like to say impossible but I keep on getting disproved with that word'

`Harry!' Hermione yelled slightly making his eyes snap onto her `What is going on?'

`Do you see all these people?' Harry said looking with his deep green eyes into hers.

`Yeah…' she said slightly distracted.

`None of them have any brain activity' Harry said consolingly.

`Their walking around' Hermione said pointing at them, but quickly saw that they seemed to be bumping softly off each other as they walked aimlessly.

`That's the strange part' Harry said putting a hand on her shoulder `they don't usually walk around'

`Who doesn't usually walk around?' Hermione said with trepidation as she thought she knew the answer. Harry looked around at them for a few moments, sorrow in his eyes and actions as he looked back at Hermione and spoke his next words softly.

`The dead'

*

Hope you enjoy the premise for this adventure (I'm liking this word), and also for the not so subtle reference to my favourite traveller!

By the way I don't use disclaimers (I don't like them as I think it isn't a very good start to a story!) so I'm going to take a moment to say: I don't own Harry Potter, Shakespeare, Apple or ipods, Back to the Future, Ford Anglia, Doctor Who, Greek Mythology or anything else I have used…so please please don't sue me! (I'm particularly thinking of the fantastic people at Apple here!)

Hope you like how things are going! If you don't let me know why…

Jms Granger.

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15. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Two

The Apple Alder Tree: Part Two

`That's the strange part' Harry said putting a hand on her shoulder `they don't usually walk around'

`Who doesn't usually walk around?' Hermione said with trepidation as she thought she knew the answer. Harry looked around at them for a few moments, sorrow in his eyes and actions as he looked back at Hermione and spoke his next words softly.

`The dead'

`These…people…are dead?' Hermione stuttered out, instantly conscious of just how many were walking about the room, bumping of the walls and each other as they tried to get to wherever they wanted to be.

`Most definitely' Harry said taking her hand and leading her back towards the door where the doctor was stood watching them `no brain activity or respiratory action, no life whatsoever'

`So how are they walking about' Hermione asked throwing a look over her shoulder to check on them, a feeling of uneasiness had spread over her as the thought of sharing a room with the dead came to the forefront of her mind.

`No idea' Harry said simply as he walked up to the doctor `What's your name?'

`I'm Doctor Andrews' the doctor said as he rubbed his eyes with his hands, desperate for sleep.

`Doctor Andrews' Harry started as he watched the man closely `have you got an idea, however ludicrous or crazy the idea might be, of how this has happened?'

`None' the man said with a sad little smile.

`Come on!' Harry said dramatically `you've worked your way up to a Doctor on the world famous Aguilera Space Station! You must have some theory!'

`Well…' the man said looking flattered by Harry's praise `I've got a feeling it might be a disease, infecting through the air vents which are heavily used on the station'

`Is there any link between the victims?' Harry said, and Hermione could tell he wasn't sure on this theory.

`You must know as I do that in medicine there is always a link' the doctor said sighing `but we haven't been able to work one out yet…it affects the old and young, male and female, all different blood groups and backgrounds, across every floor on this space station'

`We need to work out that link!' Harry said looking at the man desperately `otherwise we'd just be shooting blind, and that usually just leaves us with a hole in the foot'

`I think we're probably all out of feet by now' the Doctor said sighing.

`So I think the…' Harry started but Doctor Andrews interrupted him.

`Hand on and watch this' the doctor said pointing at the walking bodies `this is by far the strangest thing in this situation'

`Stranger than the dead walking and Christina Aguilera as an ex-President?' Hermione said sceptically receiving a blank confused look from the doctor.

Hermione stared at Harry who was watching the dead in the manner she had seen him often, when he was trying to detect magic and power and all those things that Harry seemed to own so well. A low rumbling sound similar to the sound that let you know thunder was on its way, started to echo throughout the room as she watched Harry place a hand to his chin as his eyes focused on what was happening around him. She watched closely as his sparkling green eyes darted around the room, his face the picture of concentration as he stilled to one of his calmer moods, his work mood.

The low rumbling was increasing in noise as she dragged her eyes from Harry and tried to find out what crazy future machine could be making such a racket, but the sight before her made her take a step back in shock. Each and every body had stopped dead in their tracks as they looked up at the ceiling, a blank expression that could only ever be worn by the dead on their face, as their mouths were open and every single one of them was groaning in perfect sync with each other.

Her eyes darted around, checking what exactly was going on, but seconds passed as no answer found its way to her and the noise had stopped, and the dead carried on their aimless walk like no distraction had occurred.

`So what did you see?' Hermione asked eagerly to Harry.

`Nothing' Harry said brightly as he turn towards her with smiling `no magic, no power, no crossover between by standing dimensions, no time vortex problems or underlining phantom situations, no nothing!'

`So we're not dealing with something all powerful?' Hermione asked as she took his words as encouragement.

`Not in the conventional sense of powerful anyway' Harry said with a little tilt of his head `although this does make things a little harder to sort out'

`Because you have no idea what t is?' Hermione asked.

`Exactly' Harry said beaming at her.

`Excuse me but what the hell are you two talking about?' the Doctor said, his hands were outstretched like he was somehow grasping for some knowledge of what was happening in front of him.

`I'm sorry, forgot you were there!' Harry said bashfully turning towards the man `but it is a good thing you're here'

`You better start making some sense' the doctor said warningly, Hermione could tell he was know on his last legs and that the only thing that was keeping him moving was a belief in his work.

`He rarely does that' Hermione said friendly to the man.

`Hermione's right on that one, but this time it will' Harry said brightly `What's exactly just happened there?'

`Just what you saw' the man explained `no brain function during the whole thing, and it shouldn't be happening, but every two hours like clockwork it happens'

`Exactly every two hours?' Harry said thoughtfully `now that's interesting…completely and utterly confusing and perhaps useless… but none the less interesting'

`Who the hell are you two?' the man demanded.

`Doctor Potter and Nurse Granger, but that's not what's important' Harry said confidentially and quickly `what is important is that I'm not going to let one more person die if I can help it'

`And how are you planning on doing that?' the man said raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

`I don't know yet' Harry said shrugging `but I'm sure I'll figure something out'

`What Harry's trying to say…' Hermione said stepping in as the man looked close to breaking `is that we'll do all we can to help, Harry really is a talented Doctor'

`Thanks' Harry said seriously `and all I need is you to do one thing'

`Which is?' the man said seriously, the idea of a cure had overridden any worried he had about Harry's sanity.

`I need you to crack the link between the victims' Harry said seriously in his work voice `scour the paper work, do whatever you can, and however unlikely the link is to being the cause you still write it down'

`And then you'll be able to cure it' the man asked hopefully.

`As I said before, I'll stop anyone else from dying' Harry said confidently, as he started to walk away as he added `I'll be back in a few hours'

Hermione walked fast to catch up with her, not wanting to or having the time to spare a second to look at the walking dead, groaning every two hours, bodies. She walked beside Harry as he strode purposefully through the corridors and out of the hospital, silent in concentration as thought as he took every step.

`So where are we going?' Hermione asked as they reached the busy street and knew they wouldn't be overheard.

`Section B' Harry said simply not looking at her but searching the walls for whatever he wanted to know.

`Where that Claudia works?' Hermione said in shock `why?'

`She works here, she knows the place better than we do and might be able to help' Harry stated like it was just a normal everyday fact instead of his wish to talk more to a beautiful woman.

`Why not ask that Doctor Andrews?' Hermione said as casually as she could as they started walking down an empty alley that looked exactly the same as the main street only thinner.

`Because I need him to work on finding out a link' Harry said, his eyes still searching about them for where they were going.

`Oh' Hermione said, hoping beyond hope that Claudia might be too busy too help them with.

Harry stopped in his tracks and smiled, and as Hermione followed his line of sight she saw the reason, Claudia was inserting her ipod into the wall again.

`Found her' Harry said brightly, walking of quickly as he approached her `Claudia!'

`Oh, Dr. Potter!' Claudia said, flashing Harry an `I'm perfect' smile. In Hermione's opinion anyway.

`Call me Harry' he said charmingly with a friendly smile.

`And you can call me Hermione' she added as she tried to be acknowledged by either of them.

`Although you can call her anything you want, she's a very flexible nurse' Harry said with a grin which made Claudia laugh, throwing her hair back as she did.

`So what's brought you to section B, Harry?' Claudia asked. Hermione didn't like the way that she had said Harry and wondered how many times she would have to hear it.

`To take you up on your offer of answering my questions' Harry said brightly.

`Oh' Claudia said a little disappointed `shoot'

`How long has this station been running?' Harry asked as he looked straight into her eyes.

`This one?' Claudia said looking upwards in thought for a second `About 10 years'

`What do you mean by this one?' Harry asked, running a hand through his hair.

`This is the fourth Aguilera Space Station' she answered factually.

`What happened to the other 3?' Hermione asked curiously, it seemed strange to be on the forth of anything,

`The first one exploded, that was a black day, everyone died' Claudia said shaking her head `the second one was attacked by the rebellion, damaged too badly to carry on operating, and no one knows what happened to the third'

`What do you mean?' Harry asked, he was looking more confused than she had ever seen him, a sight that made her heart skip a beat.

`It was lost' Claudia said simply `one day it was there, the next it was gone'

`How in gods name do you just lose a space station with fifteen hundred people on?' Hermione said in shock, the death toll for Aguilera Space Station was in the thousands.

`That's just it, no one knows' Claudia said, her voice going low as she looked about to check they were alone.

`Ok…' Harry said slowly, pausing as he thought this information over `Second question, who's in charge here?'

`You don't know?' she asked suspiciously.

`I'm new here' Harry said quickly.

`But still…' she said softly as she looked at him confused before she shook her head and carried on normally `It's Mr. Bell'

`And how do I go about seeing Mr. Bell?' Harry asked.

`It's very hard, you have to make an appointment years in advance' Claudia explained.

`Scratch that' Harry said running his hand through his hair `how do I go about seeing him right now'

`That's impossible' Claudia answered.

`Scratch that question then' Harry said a little frustrated `Where is his door?'

`Why do you want to know?' Claudia asked, a little bit of fear was in her voice.

`So I can see him right now' Harry answered `and don't give me any you can't, because I'm sure as hell going to try!'

`But…' Claudia started but Harry gave her a determined look that stopped her instantly `…oh, ok…use any of the elevators and got to the top floor'

`Thank you' Harry said brightly but still stood on the spot `do you wan to come with us?'

`What? To see Mr. Bell?' Claudia said in shock `I don't think that's a good idea…'

`Claudia, I promise you two things, the first is that it will be fun' Harry started, leaning slightly in `and the second is that I won't let anything happen to you'

`Um…' Claudia said eyeing him before nodding her head `Ok'

`Fantastic!' Harry said joyously `let's get going'

`Hang on' Claudia said `I need to fetch something'

Hermione watched as Claudia walked through the door to Section B to fetch something, before she was on her way back to turn their duo into a trio, a prospect she wasn't exactly delighted with.

`Why did you invite her?' Hermione demanded, not even trying to hide the anger in her voice anymore.

`What?' Harry said taken aback by her anger.

`Why is she coming with us?' Hermione said throwing her hand to her hips in anger.

`Because she might be helpful' Harry said looking at her in panic.

`And I'm supposed to believe that's the only reason?' Hermione asked sarcastically.

`Doesn't really matter what you believe' Harry said shrugging `the facts are much more important than either mine or your beliefs'

`Why thanks for that!' Hermione said rolling her eyes.

`Are you going to carry on being like this or do you want to hear something important?' Harry said annoyed, the first time he had been like that to her.

`Sure' Hermione said shortly.

`Fine, I wont' Harry said simply, turning his head to look to see if Claudia had come back. Hermione watched him for a few seconds, but couldn't help but be curious as to what he had found out.

`Harry, tell me' Hermione asked, as nicely as she could.

`Well…' Harry said brightly, his eyes shooting back to hers `Space Station Aguilera didn't have four models, in fact it didn't even have two as the first one lasted over two thousand years'

`But she just said…' Hermione said confused.

`Exactly!' Harry said excitedly interrupting her `and as far as I can tell she's telling the truth which means that time line itself has changed!'

`What?' Hermione said wide eyed in confusion.

`This was never supposed to happen' Harry explained as he looked positively thrilled at this turn in events `somehow events have been altered, changed, and this is now happening'

`But how's that possible?' Hermione asked as theories of time crammed her mind.

`Time's alterable, forever in a state of uncertainty' Harry started to explain `and somehow all this has happened and now I have to set it all right again!'

`So we change things when we travel' Hermione asked, slightly worried at this idea.

`Not really' Harry explained as he ran a hand through his hair `actually I'd have to say no, in the bigger picture anyway'

`But what about the butterfly effect?' Hermione asked.

`I loved that film' Harry answered with a smile.

`You know that I meant the theory behind it! You know the one where a single butterfly by beating its wings can eventually cause a hurricane' Hermione explained.

`Rubbish' Harry said shaking his head `pure scientists who use numbers instead of facts and forget about the human soul'

`So what's the real deal?' Hermione asked impressed at Harry's knowledge and his life once again.

`God knows!' Harry said throwing his head back and laughing `but what I know is that you can change things, little or catastrophically huge, depending on how you play things, how cautious you are'

`You've never stuck me as cautious!' Hermione teased.

`I'm not' Harry said shrugging `but fortunately enough I've been doing this long enough and I'm clever enough to not do something stupid'

`So in the end it comes down to man making his own destiny?' Hermione asked.

`Fantastic! I couldn't have put it better myself!' Harry said smiling `but not just anyone could do what we do, a lot of people mess everything up, kill themselves and others, destroy the world they belonged to'

`So what you're telling me is I should be grateful that I have you?' Hermione asked.

`Was there ever any doubt on that?' Harry said looking into her eyes, and she knew the answer. There was never any doubt.

`You sure you're not going to invite her to travel with us?' Hermione asked nervously.

`Well I don't like using the word impossible anymore' Harry said as he put his hand up to her face and ran a finger along her cheek `but I doubt it'

Hermione felt Harry's fingers calmly working in circles across her cheek and the feeling of goose bumps spread across her back, and it was only this that made her not shout at his answer that was hardly thrilling.

`Uh-hum' Claudia said appearing from seemingly nowhere next to them `shall we get going?'

`Yep' Harry said dropping his hand and following her as she led them to an elevator.

`I don't know if we can use this elevator' Claudia said as she pushed a button by the side of the door which opened it and the three of them walked in, doors slamming shut behind them `my access isn't enough, but yours might just be'

`Don't worry about my access' Harry started as he got out his wand and pointed it at the controls `It's good enough for anywhere'

As soon as Harry had put his wand away Hermione felt her stomach lift slightly in a way what only an elevator could make and she knew that they must be going up.

`You're not really a doctor, are you?' Claudia asked him.

`Why do you say that?' Harry asked curiously.

`You ask such strange questions, about the space station, you didn't even know Mr. Bell…' Claudia stopped to think for a moment as he put a finger to her lips `and there's something behind your eyes…I don't know how to describe it… something that is bigger than this place'

`Well…' Harry said looking at her in surprise and marvel, before he gave her a smile `I'm not quite a Doctor, but I do save a lot of people'

The doors blinked open in a flash, the high beep of doors opening that she was use to in the twenty first century sounded making her smile, as they stepped out into the brightly lit room.

Hermione looked around and saw that except for the odd piece of furniture or computer terminal the whole room was painted entirely in crème, giving the room more of a yuppie's flat than of a multi billion pound company.

`There' Harry said pointing at something but Hermione couldn't exactly see what he meant at first, but almost jumped as she spotted it. A man was seated at one of the table, dress completely in crème so that he mixed in with his background in an almost abnormal way.

`Hello!' The man said blinking with surprise as he noticed their arrival, his hair was heavily slicked back with what appeared to Hermione to be oil, as he stood up from his chair and walked confidentially up to them with his hand outstretched `We don't usually get visitors all the way up here'

`That's ok' Harry said slightly taken aback as he shook his hand.

`My name is Mr. Bell, my friends call me Bill, so you wonderful people can call me that also!' he said taking Hermione's hand in his and kissing it, his lips were wet and sticky and brought out the urge for Hermione to wipe it away.

`I tried to stop them Mr. Bell, but they wouldn't listen' Claudia said rather desperately, cheering Hermione up with the first kink in her defence, Harry however hadn't seen this as a problem.

`I can vouch for her on that one, Bill Bell' Harry said kindly shooting Hermione a smile at the mention of his name which nearly made her laugh `pesky girl tried to thwart out attempts at this unexpected meeting'

`Although it is unexpected, I suspect it will prove most delightful' Mr. Bell said with a little nod to the three of them, Hermione however was finding it hard to breathe as the mans aftershave was so strong she thought she could see its steam rising off of him `and Claudia mustn't worry about this old mans reaction!'

`Thank you Mr. Bell' Claudia said with that damning model like smile of hers.

`We're here to tell you something is wrong!' Hermione said butting in to their love fest `people are dying'

`And the biggest problem is their not dying completely' Harry added.

`If their not dying completely then what is the problem?' Mr. Bell said weighing them up.

`Their brainless corpses walking around' Hermione said in desperation, she didn't need another man in her life to not take things seriously.

`Sounds like my nephew!' Mr. Bell joked, making Harry throw his head back as he laughed as hard as Hermione had ever seen him.

`That was fantastic!' Harry said between his fits of laughter.

`Very funny Mr. Bell' Claudia said with a laugh Hermione thought must be faked.

`It wasn't that funny' Hermione muttered under her breathe, and as the words escaped she was thankful no one had been listening, so she added louder `But it is still a problem!'

`Yeah…a problem' Harry added as he tried to stop himself from laughing.

`I wouldn't call it a problem as such' Mr Bell said, looking extremely pleased with their reaction to his joke, as he ran a hand through his extremely greasy slicked back hair which made his hand shiny with the left over wax.

`Zombie like creatures running around isn't a problem?' Hermione said wide eyed in disbelief.

`Of course it isn't!' Mr Bell said dramatically waving his hands to show how much it wasn't, but only succeeding in flinging leftover wax over the three of them.

`How is that not a problem?' Harry said suddenly serious, his eyes squinting slightly as he looked at the man in front of him like he had only just noticed him.

`Because, young man' Mr. Bell said as he sighed like this should have been obvious `we are the people who have don't it to them'

*

Hope you enjoyed that chapter, Sorry for the late update, I lost my new job and now looking at the prospect of not being able to pay me rent! So all fun and games for me!

Anyway, I hope Mr. Bell is horrible enough for you! I got creeped out writing him, but that might be because he's slightly based on an old boss of mine who was the friendliest freak in the world! Anyway, hope you like it, although I guess no ones a fan of Claudia?

Till next time…

Jms Granger.

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16. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Three

The Apple Alder Tree: Part Three

`Because, young man' Mr. Bell said as he sighed like this should have been obvious `we are the people who have don't it to them'

`Your doing this to them?' Harry said blank faced in shock, Claudia had put a hand up to her mouth in shock as well but Hermione found that this wasn't too surprising to her `you're killing your own people?'

`It totally depends on what your description of dead is' Mr Bell said with a wry smile.

`Like most people its my opinion that being dead is when the body dies' Harry said sarcastically making Mr Bell give a loud throaty laugh.

`Well then I guess they are!' Mr Bell said laughing still, evidently enjoying the conversation.

`Sir, there must be some mistake' Claudia said, her hand still up over her mouth and her eyes were wide in shock.

`I assure you there isn't, Apple don't make mistakes' Mr Bell said kindly, his hand running threw his greasy hair once again.

`Don't you get it' Hermione said rolling her eyes at Claudia's disbelief `he's another psycho who's trying to rule the world or something like that'

`Hermione's right' Harry said taking a step forward towards Mr Bell `he's another psychotic man who I need to take down'

`I don't like the tone of your voice there' Mr Bell said, his voice had dropped and now had an edge to it.

`And I don't like murderers' Harry said, his voice dropping to match Mr. Bells as he tilted his head in towards hers.

`Unfortunately for you the world doesn't care what some strange young man doesn't like' Mr. Bell said with an angry smile as he looked straight into Harry's eyes `the world has always twisted and morphed to what the powerful want…what I want'

`You have no idea what you're starting here' Harry said warningly.

`You should listen to him' Hermione added.

`And what could you three possibly do?' he said giving a little sarcastic laugh as he ran another hand threw his hair.

`Whatever I need to do' Harry said as he withdrew his wand and pointed it at the man who watched Harry's actions with interest `now tell me how your doing this'

`I don't think I will de doing that' Mr Bell said simply as he took a step away casually.

`If you don't seem to understand I'm now in charge here' Harry said warningly as he made an obvious attempt at pointing the wand straight at the mans heart.

`No you're not' Mr Bell said as he withdrew what Hermione knew must be his ipod and pressed a button.

`Great, now we're in for a fight' Harry said bitterly as he waved his wand, producing a red bolt of what looked like lightening coming straight out of the end and crashing towards Mr Bell, but as the light went to hit him the bolt disappeared into a gush of steam. As Harry saw this happen he turned towards Hermione and groaned `I hate this new world… that technology isn't supposed to exist'

About 20 men came rushing from the many elevators around the side of the room, each of the men wearing what was similar to the SWAT outfits she had seen in the movies, just with more futuristic looking devices. Within seconds the three of them were circled, with every gun pointed directly at their chests as the men waited for orders. Hermione quickly followed Harry and Claudia's lead of raising their arms.

`Don't move, either of you!' Harry said forcefully as he dropped his wand to the floor, each of the armed men were perfectly still as they watched the three of them intently.

`I wasn't planning on it!' Hermione said with her hands raised as high as she could as she shifted herself closer towards Harry.

`At last you finally realize who's in charge' Mr Bell said stepping past the circle the men had formed and towards Harry.

`At the moment' Harry said bitterly as he stared back at the man.

`Now what exactly is this little device' Mr Bell said leaning down to pick up Harry's wand. As he held it in front of him he smiled as he twirled it around in his fingers `a device to harness your own power? Impressive'

`Thanks' Harry said with a sarcastic smile as he looked down at him.

`Your welcome' Mr. Bell said laughing as he pocketed the wand.

`You can borrow that for now, but I will be taking it back from you' Harry said through gritted teeth, Hermione could tell that Harry wasn't happy about someone having his wand.

`We'll see about that' Mr Bell said calmly as he walked back and forth in front of the three of them, looking at them closely as if he was weighing up the situation.

`So you killed all those people' Harry said, his voice had returned to his normal happy brisk self as he tried to engage Mr Bell in conversation, obviously trying to gather some information.

`We did' Mr Bell said nodding his head acceptingly.

`I have to admit its amazing that you were able to kill them but have them walk about afterwards' Harry said brightly before he started to shake his head `but why?'

`Isn't it obvious?' Mr Bell said dramatically as he stared at them, but Hermione couldn't think of a single reason for them to do this `if someone is dead then their last will and testament has to be left to someone'

`But don't they just choose their family and friends over Apple?' Hermione asked quickly, but Harry shot her a knowing look.

`You don't know anything do you?' Mr Bell said with a huge grin.

`So why don't you enlighten us?' Harry said brightly as he slowly lowered his hands from the sky, and Hermione took the lack of gunshots as permission to follow his lead.

`Say the dead persons will is left to their family, but what if the person has no family, say an orphan?' Mr Bell asked, sounding more like a teacher than anything else.

`It would be taken by the Inland Revenue' Hermione answered quickly.

`But what if there was no Inland Revenue?' Mr Bell asked

`Then the banks keep the money' Harry answered coldly, Hermione knew that Harry had worked out what had really been meant by this example.

`But I don't get it' Claudia asked, speaking up for the first time as the shock settled over her `there is an inland revenue and hardly any orphans?'

`He doesn't mean just the example of the orphans' Hermione said, her voice seemed detached as his words had struck fear into her heart.

`He's planning on killing every single man, woman and child on planet Earth' Harry said, his voice sounding full of quiet fury as he said these words `and then they collect by default on every single thing of value in the world'

Claudia threw a hand up I shock again at Harry's words, tears had started to flood down her eyes and Hermione suddenly wished that she could have protected this women from hearing this plan.

`Well done on working that out' Mr Bell said friendly `

`But why have them walk around afterwards?' Harry asked curiously, regaining his voice to his naturally brisk tone.

`Why not?' Mr Bell said simply.

`I guess having ten billion people still able to move around could have it's benefits' Harry said thinking through the idea `you could use them to create power or many other things'

`It's thirty billion people' Mr Bell corrected Harry `but you do get the general idea, although I'd like to add that a completely empty world would have a lot of side effects, would bring on attacks'

`Your going to kill twenty billion people?' Hermione said in shock, the number was so huge that it was way beyond her comprehension even. Twenty billion murders.

`How are you doing this?' Harry said, his voice seemed to be to pitches as he tried to keep it calm but his anger wouldn't allow it.

`Like I'm going to tell you that one' Mr Bell said laughing.

`He wouldn't make much of a Bond villain, would he?' Hermione said annoyed at his lack of an answer which made Harry let out a soft chuckle.

`But he does share one characteristic with them' Harry said confidently `he's going to be taken down'

`Say what you want' Mr Bell said as he turned his back on Harry `but the facts won't change just because of your words'

Hermione looked sideways at Harry, he had a strong look in his eyes as he stared at the man as he walked away, his green eyes sparkling slightly in determination as his brain worked quick on a plan. The man turned back to them and paused.

`Take her with us' Mr Bell said pointing a long thin slimy finger at Claudia `I don't like traitors'

Harry quickly stepped in front of Claudia as the men walked slowly and purposefully towards her, ready to take her away.

`Don`t Mr Bell!' Claudia begged as she fell to her knees, tears running freely down her face `I'm not a traitor!'

`You dare!' Harry said aggressively as the men closed in tightly around him as he stood with his back to her. Hermione watched as a gun was smashed into the side of Harry's head from a man behind him, instantly knocking Harry to his knees as two men grabbed Claudia and started to drag her off.

`Help me!' Claudia screamed in a high pitch voice as she approached the elevator, but another of the men smashed Harry across the face again, the sound of crunching echoing across the room.

`You harm her and I swear on my own soul that I will wipe every single thought of you off of this planet' Harry shouted after him as he walked of through the elevator doors, Claudia screaming in desperation and fear as she was dragged by two men beside him, and all Mr. Bell did was wave as the doors shut behind them. As soon as he was gone all the men fled from the room, leaving the two of them strangely alone.

`What are we going to do?' Hermione asked quickly, running after Harry as he sprinted to the elevator door and ran a hand over the controls, his face barely an inch from the screen.

`Damn!' Harry said hitting his fist against the door in frustration.

`Harry…' Hermione said urgently in desperation.

`I know, Hermione' Harry said running his hand around the edge of the doors quickly `I'm trying'

`It's not that' Hermione said, she was staring across the room.

`What is it?' Harry said angrily as he spun to look at what she was staring at.

`That's not good' Harry said softly taking her hand in his as she watched in fear as one after the other dead bodies came stumbling through the door, each and every one of them as blank as the one's she had already seen.

She couldn't count how many were in the room now, but guessed that it was probably in the dozens, and when the last had entered the elevator doors ad slammed shut after them, and they walked aimlessly and seemingly not dangerously around the room.

`That's really not good' Harry said watching them with interest `but there's nothing we can do about them just yet'

With one last look towards the walking dead Harry turned back towards the door, still running his hands over it, Hermione realized he was now aiming for the corners.

`Harry!' Hermione squealed slightly as another of the doors sounded, this time next to them and she dreaded the idea of any more of them coming in. Harry stopped what he was doing again and stared at the door, but as it opened Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

`What is going on here?' Mr Andrews said as he walked through the room towards them, looking all about the room at the walking dead `Where did these come from?'

`I'm guessing their from Space Station Aguilera, the first three' Harry said brightly as he walked over and shook the Doctors hand.

`But…how…?' the Doctor stuttered out as he looked around at them, Hermione could tell that he was doing a quick count of the extra dead he had just discovered.

`That's not what's important' Harry said urgently `we need your authorization to get out of here, now'

`My authorization?' The doctor said in shock again, it was obvious that he was having a hard time dealing with these new developments.

`To use the elevators, I need to get to the For Anglia and quickly' Harry said urgently as he grabbed the doctor and forcefully pulled him towards the doors.

`Back to the Anglia?' Hermione asked as she took the mans other arm to steady him, Harry was being a little rough in his urgency and Hermione didn't want him to be held.

`Yeah' Harry answered `I need another wand, won't be the same as my real one but its better than…'

Harry stopped speaking as the Doctor pulled himself out of his grip and spun round to face Harry, bumping hard against one of the dead and almost falling down.

`I need to tell you something' the doctor said having now regained his train of thoughts and seemed desperate to tell Harry something.

`When we get down stairs' Harry said determinedly trying to take the mans arm again, but it was quickly pulled from his grip.

`No…' he said panting slightly, Hermione thought it was probably in excitement.

`Go on then, but make it quick!' Harry said staring at the man angrily.

`I found the link!' The doctor said, a smile breaking across his face as he said the words `It was right in front of me the whole time, I cant believe I hadn't spotted it earlier'

`We can listen to your reflections on it later' Harry said urgently but with a smile across his face. The doctor stopped to regain his breathe for a moment as the smile seemed stuck to his face, a new twinkle appearing in his eye.

`The link is…' he started, but as soon as the words were spoken a red mist of blood came flooding up from the mans neck as he was pulled violently backwards and behind the walking dead.

Before Hermione knew what had happened Harry had grabbed her arm and spun her around in a circle, Harry checking as quick as he could for any of them that was too close. Hermione felt like her heart had stopped, a man she had been talking to just seconds ago was now dead, killed in front of her eyes, and what was now in front of her eyes were dozens, perhaps a hundred dead bodies all walking slowly towards them. Her heart refused to stop pounding as Harry pulled her backwards past the lumbering dead and into a corner.

`What are we going to do?' Hermione asked quickly as Harry stepped in front of her, holding her hand to let her know he was watching out for her but with his eyes on the dead stalking towards her.

`I don't know' Harry said steely, the dead was getting so close that Hermione could see that their eyes were blank and staring of into the distance as their bodies shuffled towards them, barely metres away from

Hermione shuddered as images of what happened to Doctor Andrews flooded through her brain, the man replaced by either her or Harry in her minds eye. Harry pressed in closer to her, trying to gain an extra couple of inches away from them as he spoke softly to her.

`We're in a lot of trouble'

*

Hey, hope you enjoyed that chapter, seeing as hardly anyone reviewed last time I'm guessing the last one wasn't such a hit? I know not much happened but I needed things to be set up properly, especially as we're now ready for a fight for not only the duos life, but the life of every person on planet Earth! Hope you enjoyed that chapter, and like the way things are going.

Jms Granger.

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17. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Four

The Apple Alder Tree: Part Four

`I don't know' Harry said steely, the dead was getting so close that Hermione could see that their eyes were blank and staring of into the distance as their bodies shuffled towards them, barely metres away from

Hermione shuddered as images of what happened to Doctor Andrews flooded through her brain, the man replaced by either her or Harry in her minds eye. Harry pressed in closer to her, trying to gain an extra couple of inches away from them as he spoke softly to her.

`We're in a lot of trouble'

Harry was putting more pressure on Hermione's hand, through anger and fear, but the sting from his grip meant nothing as her mind zoomed quickly in and out of any idea to escape this corner, and the walking dead with it.

`If I just had my wand' Harry said through gritted teeth as he let go of Hermione's hand and raised it in attack, the sickening crunch was loud as his fist made contact with the first of the dead to get within range.

`Then what?' Hermione said as she aimed a kick at another of the dead, Harry was now lashing out continuously at them as they started to surround him, she knew they wouldn't be able to last for very long.

`A million things spring to mind' Harry said angrily as he fought of a dead person who had grabber him and pushed him to the floor `stunning' Harry said as his fist contacted again with a side of on of their faces `freeze em' he let out a fierce kick at another `or fire'

`Fire?' Hermione said, her heart beating quickly as an idea gripped her, but as her brain worked quickly her body slowed down and one of the dead fell onto her, their arms grabbing roughly at her skin as she held it away from sinking its teeth into her.

`Harry!' she screamed as she fought with all her energy to keep the dead from biting her, but his finger nails started digging in to her arms making her shudder under the pain as she felt blood start to pour down her arms.

She almost screamed in pain as the dead was thrown backwards as Harry landed a fist against the dead mans nose, his arms still digging in for life meant that the quick pull felt like a lump of flesh might have been pulled out of her arm.

`Thanks a lot!' Hermione shouted angrily as she threw out a kick at her attackers head and sending him falling even more lifelessly to the floor.

`That's ok!' Harry said, he was struggling against three of them and Hermione wanted to help, but she knew she'd only get one chance for her plan to work, so turning her attention from Harry who seemed to be losing the fight she pulled her yellow v-neck and, rather strangely given the circumstance of impending death, she breathed a sigh of relief to find a slightly blood stained white vest on underneath.

She searched in her pocket for her lighter but froze as she realized she had left it back at her mothers, back at her old life, and now this life seemed to be reaching the end.

`What are you doing?' Harry shouted as he pushed himself backwards and dislodged two more of them, punching the third across the face as he finished.

`Trying to set this on fire and save us!' she shouted back as she pushed one against the wall, without a lighter all she could do was fight till her energy left her, and then she had no other option.

`Fantastic!' Harry shouted excitedly as he stumbled over to her, fighting of another two as he pulled the top from her grip and waved a hand over it, and suddenly, by what Hermione knew must be magic, the top burst into flames as he shouted `quickly!' and ran pushing through the crowd of the dead in front of him.

Hermione was amazed at how the dead had reacted, flooding back as if in mortal fear of the fire, which was burning quickly through Harry's hands as he ran towards the door of the elevator. As they reached the door Harry slammed the button on the door and threw down the now burnt through top, and as Hermione looked at his hands she could see how pink and sore they had become, blisters forming all over them.

The door opened quickly and the pair of them almost fell through, slamming the next button to close them which gratefully closed instantly, stopping all sound of the shuffling of feet that Hermione was sure would become nightmares for her.

`I didn't know you could do things like that without your wand' Hermione breathed as she fell against the wall, her eyes still watching the door to check it was staying closed.

`A person I once knew use to do the trick with candles, put them out and relight them' Harry said distractedly as he looked around the small room of the elevator for something, seeming to ignore the huge amount of pain he must be in thanks to his blistering fingers `its rather impressive to see when you're a little younger'

Hermione watched Harry for a few seconds, trying with all her strength to calm her heart before it beat its way out of her chest, a feat it seemed determined to achieve. Her hand started to shake slightly and as she looked down she saw blood on it and new it was her own form where she had punched one of them and grazed her knuckles. As she looked at the peeling skin from her hand the stinging intensified, feeling like a hole was burning through her whole hand. Following her arm up she saw the claw like marks splurging blood out in a not dangerous amount, but enough to coat herself in red given enough time. She leaned harder against the wall as she used her right arm to hold the bleeding marks and slipped down against the wall until she was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall.

`Hermione we haven't got time to take a freaking break or haven't you realized that the whole world is just about to be murdered?' Harry said angrily as he looked at her as his temper flared.

`I know that Harry!' Hermione shot back roughly, her heart was now beating a million miles an hour faster than before and she knew a heart attack wouldn't be impossible right now `but I just fought off over a hundred freaking zombies and I need a second to gather myself!'

`I fought them off as well and I'm fine!' Harry said in anger again.

`Well done, Harry Potter beats Hermione Granger again!' Hermione said sarcastically as she placed the hand that wasn't stopping the blood from flowing to her heart as she tried to calm her breathing down `aren't you so proud of yourself?'

Harry looked down at her with a blank expression on his face, but her heart didn't allow her to care too much. The last five minutes of fighting against the dead for her life had been more than she could take, and she sat there on the floor of an elevator wondering how the hell things like this had become common place in her life.

`I have to admit that you look rather good in that vest' Harry said as he slumped to the floor next to her, his voice was soft and friendly as if the words were spoken like a peace offering.

`I'd like to thank the ghosts and zombies I get to meet for helping me keep in shape' Hermione said joking, her hand still on her heart as she felt it calming down slightly.

`You forgot about metafilis' Harry said laughing.

`The metal clone things, right?' Hermione asked looking at him as he nodded, she had lowered her hand from her heart as she gathered herself `I hated them things!'

`You and the whole world of 45,000 whatever!' Harry said laughing softly to himself.

Hermione looked at him, he seemed very physically tired but his mind didn't seem to allow himself to rest properly, Hermione had no idea how he kept himself going sometimes. His head was lying hard against the wall behind him, which was probably the most rested she had ever seen him achieve. After most of their adventures he would want to visit somewhere else, somewhere new he usually called it, even if it was just to go for a meal or to watch a film.

`Are you ok?' Harry asked, his voice low and serious as he looked over to her, she knew she must look a bit of a state, the blood was enough to look worrying even though it wasn't and she could barely move her muscles at the moment.

`I'm ok…' she said with a weak smile, the pain in her arm was increasing with every breathe she took, with every beat of her heart that gave it yet more blood to spew out `how are your hands?'

`Not too good' Harry said holding them up, the pink had been replaced by new colours of red and black, and Hermione felt her heart beat faster again at the look of them, the blisters swelling with every second. He moved them down and out of her sight, wincing ever so slightly as he placed them flat down on his legs `but nothing I can't fix when I get my wand back of that freak'

`I think the guy had a certain style' Hermione joked as she turned to look at him `like an incredibly creamed coloured Mel Gibson'

`More like a kitten drowner…' Harry said nastily before he stopped and paused before nodding his head acceptingly `I guess the Mel Gibson comment covers that actually…'

`Mel Gibson isn't that bad!' Hermione said nudging him softly.

`An English person who doesn't hate Mel Gibson?' Harry said in mock amazement `Now I've finally seen everything!'

`Come on, he's was good in What Women Want!' Hermione said reasonably.

`I'll give you that, but it doesn't make up for the atrocity of Braveheart!' Harry said laughing his usual whole hearted laugh `a historical film!'

`Best if neither of us mention The Last Temptation of Christ, agreed?' Hermione said, a proper smile forming on her lips.

`Definitely agreed on that one' Harry said giving another laugh, but he quickly quieted down `are you sure your alright?'

`Yeah…' Hermione said wincing slightly, she rearranged her hand on the cut and realized the blood was slowing down but hadn't stopped yet `so what happened with the fire?'

`Them, like all dead things, live in the cold and damp' Harry explained softly `they hate anything else, the light and the warmth, and especially fire as it's both of these things at the same time'

`Your lucky that I'm lucky then' Hermione said with a smile, all her plan had been was to burn some of them, and she had managed to come across their weakness by a fluke, Harry however wasn't smiling with her.

`There's quite a lot of blood…' Harry said, worry painting his words.

`I just got attacked by the night of the living dead and walked away with a cut' Hermione said laughing, the fact that she was safe for the time being was starting to properly sink in now and even the pain seemed to be leaving her slightly `I think I got out of it all pretty well'

`True…' Harry said, his eyes were squinting as he looked at her arm, but after a moment he shook his head and a smile was back on his lips `And you certainly do throw a fantastic right hook!'

`Well I was a carefree teenager growing up in South London after all, had to learn to protect myself and all that' Hermione said laughing `although the drab life of street muggings and happy slapping must mean nothing to you?

`I wouldn't say that' Harry said sighing `they sound like good concerns'

`You wouldn't be able to cope with just that!' Hermione said laughing, she had been travelling with him for a couple months now and his life was full of a lot more dangers than the ordinary `you need to be fighting something that is trying to kill you!'

`Believe me or not but all I want is a quiet life!' Harry said slightly more brightly `just not a normal one'

`I don't think you ever have to worry about leading a normal life' Hermione teased slightly, wincing as her chest convulsed as she laughed.

`We need to get out of here so I can patch you up' Harry said standing up quickly `I cant tell how serious your bleeding is here, and the human body just loves to throw up horrible surprises'

Harry held his hand out in front of her as he looked down, his eyes asking her to come with him and promising her that she'll be alright. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, trying to tell her body to gather every bit of energy it had to carry on. She put her hand to her heart, realized it was back to normal then took Harry's hand and felt lighter as he lifted her up to close to him.

`I'm sorry' Harry said quietly, Hermione was now so close to him she could feel his breathe on his face, and see the beginning of tears in his eyes.

`What for?' she said breathlessly, Harry was carrying so much sorrow in his face it made her feel like crying.

`If it wasn't for me things like this wouldn't happen to you' Harry said, his voice was straining slightly `Being attacked by all the foul things in the history of the world wouldn't be commonplace, life and death wouldn't' be such an everyday occurrence…'

`But think of all the things I've seen! The Earth 300 thousand years in the future, the finishing of the Great Wall of China! I've even had drinks with the king himself!' Hermione said earnestly, her life had bad points, just like everyone else's, but the good points meant so much that a balance didn't even exist.

`That evening with Elvis was kinda cool' Harry said smiling slightly at her.

`A world of demons is a fair price to pay for an angel' Hermione said smiling. Harry was so close to her and she watched as his eyes lost their tears and the sparkle came back, his mouth forming into a genuine smile as he looked down at her.

`It's never even crossed your mind to leave me, has it?' Harry said in amazement.

`Never' Hermione said honestly.

Harry took her head in both his hand and leant in quickly, his lips pushing against her forehead as he kissed her in delight, and as he broke he had a huge grin on his face.

`Fantastic!' he said smiling as he broke from her and stepped back, looking up at the ceiling and around at the walls. Hermione's brain was still on that kiss, the feeling of his lips against her skin, his breathe and warmth against her face.

`So…um…what's our plan?' Hermione said awkwardly as she watched him running around the room.

`Just coming up with that one right now' Harry said brightly, he was running his hands over the walls as he inspected their prison of a room. Hermione blushed slightly as she pictured those hands running over other things than just those walls. Hermione looked pointedly down at her feet, hoping with all her heart that Harry could come up with his idea quicker so she could occupy her mind with different thoughts than the ones she was having.

`Got it!' Harry said punching the air slightly as he spun around to her, an excited smile shining from his features.

`What is it?' Hermione asked, wondering what he could have come up with so quickly to get them out of their seemingly helpless

`You're not going to like it' Harry said shaking his head.

`Don't worry, I didn't expect myself to be thrilled by the idea' Hermione said shrugging her shoulders, Harry's ideas may always be ingenious but they weren't the type of thing to fill you with excitement.

`I mean your really going to hate it' Harry said warningly.

`There's little doubt that I'm going to hate it more than your build up' Hermione said a little grumpily.

`Fine, we're in an elevator' Harry started, a look of excitement on his face that meant his plan was going to be extremely dangerous `and where is the only places an elevator can go?'

`Well up and down obviously' Hermione said quickly `but we can't use it without your wand'

`But how does the elevator manage to go up and down?' Harry asked, a smile on his face that was reflected in the opposite in Hermione's heart as she realized what he meant.

`The shaft' Hermione said sighing, Harry was right about her thoughts on the idea not being at all favourable.

`Fantastic!' Harry said brightly `all we have to do is make our way down about 200 floors in the shaft, probably battle our way through hundreds of the walking dead to the Anglia, gather my wand, battle and beat the slimy Bill Bell, and then save the world'

Hermione wasn't liking this idea one bit, and could see a hundred different ways it could go wrong, probably a million different ways, but looking into Harry's face she knew there was only one way to go, and that was standing beside her Harry.

`And you make it sound so easy'

*

So that's the next part, not too much plot development here, but a bit of action, a bit of H/Hr bonding, and a kiss!!! I liked it, and I hope you did too

Till next chapter…

Jms Granger.

P.S - their kiss was actually unplanned, but last chapter got 9 reviews, which made me happy, so I decided to throw this in for you, hope you liked it…

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18. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Five

The Apple Alder Tree: Part Five

`Do you help people to travel places?' Harry asked his fifth question of 21 questions.

`Yep' Hermione said quickly as she gripped to the back of Harry, her legs wrapped around him as he lowered them down the elevator shaft, she didn't have any idea how much further down it was going to be as she refused to look down.

`Would you be green if you were painted that colour?' Harry asked excitedly.

`Anything would be!' Hermione said shaking her head at Harry's question.

`And that's not an answer' Harry said pointedly.

`Fine…yes' Hermione said annoyed, her head was resting against Harry's back and there was probably a 500 metre drop if he let go, and his hand were still swollen red and black by burns. Because of these, not so helpful to know facts, she was admittedly a little testy.

`Are you a green Peugeot 306?' Harry asked and Hermione, and although she couldn't see his face, could almost feel the extravagant grin on his face.

`This game is no fun with you' Hermione

`I'm enjoying it' Harry said, Hermione grabbed the back of his head and faced it down as he tried to turn it round to look at her, which Hermione knew would probably send them plummeting to their deaths.

`Keep your eyes on the road' Hermione said annoyed `and you would be enjoying this game, as your pretty much cheating'

`How was I supposed to know you had never heard of a Sigarian Shafnel?' Harry asked as if he was insulted by the accusations of cheating.

`Because it was invented about a million years after I was born and is the braking system for something that was still made about a million years after I was born' Hermione said, she slammed herself for how she was acting, true this was bad for her, but it must be worse for Harry who was also supporting her weight, and her mood, all the way down here.

`Want to play again?' Harry said brightly

`I don't feel like it' Hermione said as simply and as nicely as she could.

`I'll pick something from circa 1995 this time?' Harry asked, once more brightly.

`How about we just chat for the rest of the journey?' Hermione asked, she was resting her head against Harry and she had to admit she was getting more comfortable by the second.

`That sounds good' Harry said happily `what you wanna talk about?'

`Dunno…anything' Hermione said in a non committal way.

`So…' Harry started as he thought heavily for a moment before talking like he was reading from a text book `The Sigarian Shafnel was first introduced into space travel by…'

`Anything but that!' Hermione said laughing.

`Was that a laugh?' Harry said in mock excitement `please tell me it was and that I wasn't hearing things, the last time that happened I ended up calling one of the Popes a liar, and that doesn't go down to well with the Vatican'

`Yes it was a laugh' Hermione said, the feeling of a smile forming on her lips even though she tried to stop it.

`Good to hear it' Harry said pretending to sigh with relief.

`I'm just not a fan of heights' Hermione said, hoping with all her heart that they were nearing the bottom.

`Neither am I' Harry said simply.

`But you're climbing down a very narrow and very deep shaft' Hermione asked incredulously.

`Yeah, but I'm really not enjoying it' Harry said honestly, although Hermione could tell he was also wanting to shrug at his own words.

`So how come your doing it?' Hermione asked, suddenly she was very conscious of the fact that he was carrying her.

`Because this was the only plan I could think of, and that usually means it was the only way' Harry said simply, no trace of fear in his voice.

`Don't you ever get scared at all?' Hermione asked seriously.

`Of course' Harry said honestly `but being scared is just a way for your body to warn you of any danger, and gets you ready to prepare for the problem…it wasn't created to stop you from doing something…'

He paused slightly and as he did she was suddenly shaken slightly, like a very small earth quake, and she realized that they must have hit the ground. Looking down for the first time in about fifteen minutes she saw that they had reached the floor, and she quickly jumped of Harry's back and smiled as she felt pressure against the soles of her feet.

`And the thing you're scared of usually turns out to be the least of your worries' Harry said looking at her with a smile, and she knew he was right. The whole time since Harry had told her his plan, scaling the elevator shaft was her only worry, now she looked at the door before her and realized that hundreds of the dead may be behind it, and even after that they still had to beat Mr. Bell and try and find a way to save the world. But as she thought on Harry's words they made sense, after these fearful things only new ones would sprout up to replace them, especially with the way she led her life with Harry.

`So you think more of those things are waiting for us out there?' Hermione asked, a smile on her face as she thought of the time when she would finally be able to leave this place.

`Well…' Harry started thoughtfully, tilting his head slightly `on the one hand it would seem a shame to not have someone waiting to try and kill us in case we escaped, but on the other hand they did just leave us up there assuming we'd die, so they probably view us as so inconsequential that they don't really care'

`Way to big us up!' Hermione teased nudging him slightly `you forgot that they could have started the whole killing everyone process and thus the whole station has become like that'

`They haven't' Harry said simply, turning to the doors and inserting his fingers between the crack as he tried hard to pull it open.

`How can you be so sure?' Hermione asked as she took a step closer to help him with prying it open.

`Because I would have felt it' Harry said through gritted teeth as they finally managed to open the door part of the way. Hermione peered through and saw what was still the busy, very much alive, street she had been in about an hour earlier. Sighing she grabbed the other door to Harry and prised it far enough open for the pair of them to crawl through.

`We've gotta get to the Ford Anglia' Harry said as he helped Hermione up back onto the street `you wouldn't have remembered where I parked it?'

`Don't you?' Hermione asked disbelieving which Harry just shrugged at, so she added `it was by a cash machine'

`That's not actually terribly helpful' Harry said with a smile as he pointed at the walls around, each of them plastered in cash machines. He removed his key from his pocked and flicked the alarm switch which she knew would be making the car once more visible. Hermione jumped as the door slowly appeared next to her and as Harry said brightly as he opened it `that was lucky'

Hermione stepped through after him and smiled as she stood in the vast room that had so quickly become her home. She walked up to the centre of the room and ran a hand across the beautiful chair they had bought for her, she laughed at her own thoughts as she remembered how her and Harry ran from Versailles palace carrying the chair as they were chased by guards.

Harry however was rummaging through the chest of draws he had removed when they had visited Shakespeare and had a run in with the ghost of the actor of King Richard, Harry had said that he used that cabinet so often that it was too much of a hassle summoning it every time, so he had moved it conveniently next to the pensieve.

With the chair, the cabinet and the stone basin that held peoples thoughts and helped them travel through time, the room was almost becoming like a living room.

`Fantastic!' Harry said joyously as he spun around to face her, a long wooden wand in his right hand which was gripping it tight `did you know that I'm probably the first wizard to have two wands?'

`Well you are the first for a lot of other things' Hermione said brightly, Harry had the fire burning behind his eyes again, the twinkle that told her a plan was being made, and she couldn't hide the smile on her face and didn't want to either.

`Most wizards just have the one' Hermione let out a little laugh as she saw him grin at the wand in something that looked like love, Harry, luckily, was too preoccupied to hear `and you know how many times wizards get disarmed? Practically every year! And no one ever learns from it!'

`But you did' Hermione said in mock aspiration. Harry turned and looked at her for a few seconds, a huge grin spread across his face.

`You betcha!' Harry said simply as he took her arm in his, waving it quickly over her arm, stopping the blood instantly.

`That was…' Hermione said looking at where here wound once was, now it looked exactly the same as the rest of her skin, not even a scar to tell her where it had happened.

`Brilliant' Harry finished for her as he waved it over his blistering hands, which suddenly changed like hers to perfect skin `but let's save the congratulations for later, we still have the world to save'

And with these words Harry grabbed her arm and led her back out of the Anglia and once more into the busy street, where he stopped and looked around the place for some sight of what only Harry could see.

`Anything?' Hermione asked hopefully.

`Nada' Harry said shaking his head brightly `but I already knew they weren't using any sort of power that leaves a visible signal, or at least one I can see at a glance, so I didn't really expect to find anything'

`So how are we going to find Mr Bell and Claudia?' Hermione asked a little worried.

`They'll undoubtedly find us' Harry said as he removed his wand from his pocked, his hand gripped around it ready for battle.

`Why?' Hermione said confused as she looked around, if more of the dead were going to come and try and kill them she wanted to at least see them coming.

`Because of this' Harry said simply as he raised his wand above his head, a huge bolt of green light came crashing out of his wand, much bigger than she had ever seen before, and smashed into the ceiling with a deafening roar. Flames and rubble started to fly everywhere as the explosion carried them through causing Hermione to flinch as her mind instantly flew to the people under the detonation, but as quickly as it had happened the flames and rubble stopped in mid air, perfectly still as if she was looking at a photo instead of real life. She looked at Harry and saw the concentration on his face as he stared at this, his wand pointing at it, as he spoke loudly to every single person in the room, each and every one of which who was staring at him in shock.

`Do not worry, the damage will not hurt you!' Harry shouted at the street, his voice echoing around the still room like he was in a church.

`You can't just blow things up, we work here!' a voice shouted from the back of the street, his voice angry and disbelieving.

`He can' Hermione said with a smile, remembering him doing such a thing to her old job the first time they had met.

`Now I need every one of you to get out of here, right now' Harry said loudly and confidently, walking forward towards the people who cowered slightly, his wand constantly pointed at the ceiling `you all know what is happening here, with many of your friends dying? Well Mr Bell is planning on not only doing that to all of you, but to your families and friends back home, to every single soul on Planet Earth'

`That's ridiculous!' the same voice that had spoken earlier shouted again, making Hermione wish she could kick him `Mr Bell would never kill anyone!'

`Fine! Then go and sit in your little houses, watch your memo-films and relax for the afternoon, take a well earned day off' Harry said in an even louder and angrier tone `but if you hear screaming…If you see the people next to you dying…Then you tell me what Mr Bell wouldn't do it'

At this moment some of the flames came back to life, spreading across the ceiling like it was alive, and pieces of rubble fell crashing to the ground. The crowds watched this for several moments, and then as if in complete unison like the walking dead, chaos broke out between them, each running in different directions, all either screaming or shouting as they made their way back to the protection of their homes. Within moments they had all disappeared, the doors slamming behind them, and all that was left was silence.

`That worked pretty well' Harry said brightly and with one casual flick of his wand all the flames and rubble seemed to fold in on itself and disappear.

`What now?' Hermione said, trying not to sound too impressed by his speculative piece of magic.

`We wait for Mr Bell to show up' Harry said simply as he started to walk across the room, she followed in his footsteps.

`Don't you think he'll just send a load of those dead things again?' Hermione asked as she stepped over someone's discarded hotdog.

`We really ought to work out a proper name for them' Harry said chuckling as he carried on walking towards a large window `so far they've been walking dead, dead things, and the dead…it'll make us look unprofessional in front of Bill Bell'

`Good idea' Hermione said with a smile, she loved Harry's way of making light of the situation `how about…zombies?'

`Love it!' Harry said brightly as he turned his head to smile at her `anyway, not a chance he'll just send zombies… He knows that I have a functioning wand again'

`But he knew that before and it didn't seem to bother him at all' Hermione pointed out, but Harry only laughed at this.

`I was trying to do the right thing before!' he said laughing, obviously at his own mistake `what i used against him before was an incredibly low levelled stunning spell, just enough power to freeze him for a few moments so I could regain control of the situation'

`And what's different this time?' Hermione asked curiously, she had looked out at the window that was just metres from them and realized that was where she had first seen the world. She shook her head as that memory seemed so long ago.

`Well I used incredibly strong magic' Harry said happily `the Avada Kedavra curse, not a pleasant one at all, but incredibly powerful…and a suspension charm powerful enough to stop all of that was, if I many say so myself, rather impressive…and for the final piece of trying to get noticed, and trust me when I say this one definitely grabbed his attention, I sent all of that into the void'

`Sent it into the void?' Hermione said quickly `like you did the ghost of the actor?'

`Yeah' Harry said smiling `same place, slightly different spell for a phantom to an object'

`But what exactly does sending something to the void mean?' Hermione asked interestedly.

`Another time maybe' Harry said dismissively, he was now looking away from her and at the door `Mr Bell is coming'

Hermione readied herself, mentally and physically, for his arrival because however confident Harry was of the lack of zombies to arrive, she had to be ready in case. Harry stood still, his wand clenched in his hand which was lowered to his side as the elevators opened before them, allowing Mr Bell to walk confidently into the room, a smile on his face and his cream suit looking as pristine as humanly possible.

`It looks like I underestimated you' Mr Bell said in a friendly manner as he walked straight up before the pair of them, extending his hand once more which neither of them took `rudeness is a sin… but I guess I'll have to forgive you, seeing as I tried to have you killed just a little earlier'

`How gracious of you' Harry said sarcastically. Mr Bell stopped mid-step and examined them closely for a few seconds, before carrying on his walk before them, back and forth continuously.

`Of course I've heard the stories of you' Mr Bell said offhandedly `but I admit I thought you were a myth'

`What do you mean?' Harry asked puzzled.

`We are Apple' Mr Bell said with a broad smile `we own, in one form or another, every piece of information that has ever been written, spoken or thought. The traveller and his companion, appearing throughout time, never staying for any real amount of time in anyone place'

`What else have you heard?' Harry said with a broad smile of his own `hopefully of what happens to those that cross me'

`Naturally, but even if I hadn't the fact that you was stood before me would tip me of on the outcome' Mr Bell said dismissively, before a little flicker of a smile made its way over his lips `Death seems to follow you everywhere you go, Harry Potter… And not just to your enemies either, but to complete strangers, and even your friends'

`While murder follows you' Harry said forcing himself to return the mans smile through gritted teeth, his hand was clenched even harder around the wand in a similar way to a man clenching his fist for a fight.

`Same thing' Mr Bell said waving his hand `they die because of you, they die because of me'

`That is not the same thing' Harry said annoyed `not even close'

`Do you think the people who's deaths you're responsible for see it that way?' Mr Bell asked curiously, his eyebrow lifting as he asked the question.

`I…' Harry stammered out in confusion.

`I see' Mr Bell said nicely `but this isn't important now, your business is your business…and my business, is mine…'

`I don't think so' Harry said with a real smile coming on his face.

`I thought you might say that' Mr Bell said sadly, before his eyes shot straight onto Harry's `let's see if I can't convince you otherwise…ask me anything and I'll do my utmost best to answer'

`Ok…' Harry said `how are you doing this?'

`Haven't you worked it out yet?' Mr Bell said with a disbelieving chuckle `what does everyone who's been affected have in common, actually what does every human on Planet Earth… have… in common'

Harry looked at him for a few seconds before he nodded and sighed.

`It's' so obvious!' Harry said smiling `they even plug it into their ears! And you've made it at the heart of everything anyone could want to do… music, film, information, even banking!'

`The ipod is a truly great invention' Mr Bell said with a slimy smile as he looked at him.

`And through what Hermione hear knows as an incredible advanced Bluetooth you can send any information…or electronically created disease…you want' Harry said, his voice sounded slightly impressed.

`I see the myth isn't too wrong about you' Mr Bell said, running his hand over his suit to rid it of the excess grease and sweat from his skin.

`But I still don't get why you would be killing everyone' Harry said in disgust `money is a motive, but not really for this scale of genocide'

Mr Bell looked at Harry for a few moments, and ran hand through his greasy hair, his eyes weighing Harry up as if he wondered if Harry was worth telling. Eventually he took a step towards the window.

`Look out through the window before you' Mr Bell said softly as he pointed to his left. Hermione glanced out over it and saw the planet for the second time, this time the sun had moved around and now she could see everything, the outline of every single continent, the huge new cities peppering the globe, the cloud formations that floated above the ground, and every single thing looked beautiful `what do you see?'

`Planet Earth' Harry said coldly, his eyes not moving from Mr. Bell's face the whole time.

`And do you know what I see?' Mr Bell said with a sad little smile `a world in crisis, the last final stage of human life, unless I can stop it'

`What do you mean?' Hermione spoke up quickly and confused.

`My poor girl' Mr Bell said calmly `don't you understand, the human race is dying, were no longer the centre of life, we're not even on the rim of activity anymore. Every year that passes more and more business goes to other planets, to New Earth and the United Planets of America, thirty billion people and not even the industry to support a sixth of that many, and with every passing decade life expectancy goes up. People nowadays may retire at 165, but their living past 200! Governments are forced to create jobs for the jobless, care for the elderly, train the youth, heal the sick, because otherwise there would be war and too much blood shed for our civilization to allow to happen'

`But what has this got to do with you?' Hermione asked in disbelief.

`How do you think Apple bought the banks and governments of this planet?' Mr Bell asked with sorrow in his words `the system was ran into the ground, and all that made even the slimmest profit was owned by us…they had no where else to turn, and we in part took on the responsibility of running this world, of saving humanity'

`And you're doing that by murdering thirty billion souls?' Harry said nastily as he looked at Mr Bell in disgust.

`You see it all wrong' Mr Bell said shaking his head in annoyance at Harry's tone `we're setting them free, we're taking away a demand for jobs, taking pressure of the economy, of society!'

`And Apple benefit how?' Harry said snidely before adding `I'm guessing it involves profit'

`Of course it does!' Mr Bell said excitedly `with the resources we will have we can finally compete in all sectors! In development of science, of manufacturing, on every single thing as we have no outgoings at all! We would save planet Earth from bankruptcy!'

`But who are you saving it for if their all dead?' Hermione asked, her heart beating as she looked down at the world, imagining she could see every person whose life could soon be over.

`Why do you think they can still walk, and do things?' Mr Bell said in annoyance `their as dead as the dodo right now, but we could still bring them back…once things have got better'

`That technology is millions of years away' Harry said shaking his head, his voice had lost some of the anger but not all of it as he thought over Mr Bells words.

`Our other plan is that we could clone them' Mr Bell said quickly `bring them back exactly as they were the second death took them, tell them it's the same year, they would never know and humanity would live again, only this time with a future'

`But the society would be based on murder!' Hermione said shaking her head angrily.

`Every society since the Romans has been based on it, so why not ours?' Mr Bell said as he shrugged his shoulders.

`All you'd be doing was repeating the mistakes of history, basing a world of peace on war and death is destined to fail' Hermione said eagerly, the whole idea he had put forward chilled her bones.

`Why not ask your friend what she thinks' Mr Bell said simply to Harry.

`I think I've made myself very clear!' Hermione said, very annoyed at being talked about as if she wasn't there.

`Not you' Mr Bell said with a wave of his hand, and straight after the door next to them opened and in walked Claudia, perfect in her suit as if nothing had happened.

`Claudia!' Harry said in shock at the woman before him `you're alive!'

`Of course she is' Mr Bell said dismissively `I said I didn't like traitors, not that I killed them!'

`Mr Bell has explained every thing to me' Claudia said, looking at Mr Bell with a smile.

`Oh how very 1984' Hermione said rolling her eyes.

`It all makes sense' Claudia said stepping up to Harry and placing a hand softly on his chest `the world is heading for a fall, and only we can save it'

`But…' Harry started but Claudia interrupted him, her other hand moving up and stroking along his neck.

`Harry, you're a genius…' Claudia spoke the words softly `you know this is the only way to save the Earth…it's our last chance'

Harry looked at her for a long time, juts breathing and staring, and Hermione knew he must be thinking up some sort of amazing plan to save the world, it was what Harry did best. She looked down at the world, and she knew that they would be able to rest easy for the future, her hero was here to save them. She turned her head to look at Harry, who was still in deep concentration, and for some reason she couldn't quite place his eyes made her feel uneasy.

`I…' Harry started and with just that one word, dread had engulfed her `I know'

`You can't be serious!' Hermione yelled at Harry, stomping her foot in disbelief.

`Hermione…' Harry started softly `I know what problems Earth will have, I know how many of them will lose their lives, and I know how pointless their deaths will be… if I could save not only one life, but the lives of all those billions…'

`By killing them?' Hermione said, her mouth agape as Harry looked down at her, worry and fear flushing his eyes.

`You know me Hermione' Harry spoke softly `if there is another way, I don't' kill…'

`But there must be another way' Hermione said angrily `what horrors in the future can be so bad to warrant two billion deaths?'

`Just one thing' Harry said, a small tear in his eye as he looked out at the world through the mirror `The war to end all wars'

*

Ok, that's chapter 18!!! Anyone who's interested, I've just reached the 70,000 word point! Hurray for me! Anyway, hope you enjoyed the story, and the conclusion to this chapter is next…

By the way, the reads suddenly dropped last chapter, has anyone got an idea why? I mean they've read 16 chapters then stopped? That just strikes me as weird? Any theories will be very helpful (weirder and more wonderful the better as then I can steal them for a future adventure for the duo! Lol)

Til next time…

Jms Granger.

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19. The Apple Alder Tree: Part Six

The Apple Alder Tree: Part Six

`But there must be another way' Hermione said angrily `what horrors in the future can be so bad to warrant two billion deaths?'

`Just one thing' Harry said, a small tear in his eye as he looked out at the world through the mirror `The war to end all wars'

`What does that mean?' Hermione asked.

`Their right…' Harry said softly, Hermione saw that a grin had come onto Mr Bell's face `the world is heading for a fall, for a huge war...The economical problems mean that they will compete for land, for minerals, for the human workforce…neither side will use any weapons of mass destruction in fear of destroying anything valuable, and thus both sides will fight in a constant stalemate'

`What does that mean?' Hermione asked, she was in disbelief over every word that Harry spoke.

`Think of the trench warfare in World War Two…' Harry said sadly `it will be like that but this time it will last for a thousand years…people will be cloned to replenish the frontline, people will be born for generations purely for war…countless billions will lose their lives for nothing'

`And you think killing them all now will solve all of this?' Hermione said scornfully as she pointed out the window at the planet `that they would thank you for murdering them while they sleep, or work or played?'

`But we can bring them back' Claudia spoke up `when the world can cope again, when the damage we've inflicted can be put right…when we have a real future again'

`I cant stop them' Harry said speaking up, confidence back in his voice `I won't stop them…how can I let so many bad things happen in the future when I could stop it right here, right now'

`So you're going to kill every person in the world?' Hermione asked.

`No' Harry said seriously `I will let history unfold by itself, and then we will leave'

`That sounds perfect!' Mr Bell said clapping his hands in joy `and of course I wouldn't dream of involving you in all this'

`No, I want to be involved' Harry said turning his face to look at Mr Bell `I want to make sure everything goes right, I cant let there be any mistakes'

`And we'd be happy to let you help' Claudia said sternly to Mr Bell.

`Of course' Mr Bell said turning bright once more `If you'd like to follow me to the control room'

Hermione followed them as they left towards an elevator close by, Hermione tried to get next to Harry and try and find out what was happening, she couldn't believe that he would let this happen, however much he had seen in the future.

`That's a nice suit by the way' Harry said conversationally as the doors closed and the elevator sped upwards `makes you look like Mel Gibson'

`I don't know who he is, but thank you' Mr Bell said confused as he shook his head clear of the thoughts.

`My pleasure' Harry said with a little chuckle to himself. Hermione looked at him and his confidence, for the first time, made him creepy as he walked towards billions of death with a smile.

`Can I see your ipod?' Harry asked Claudia.

`Sure' she said confused as she handed it over. It was about as thick as a credit card and slightly smaller, and if they weren't about to kill everyone Hermione would want one herself.

`I love these things' Harry said brightly as he looked at it and pressed a few buttons `can I have this one?'

`Of course' Claudia said nicely making Harry pocket the ipod `I was going to get the new one anyway'

`Here we are' Mr Bell said as the doors opened and he led them through. Hermione was sure that the room would look like a Bond Villains lair, with security guards and flashing lights but found herself disappointed when she saw yet another cream coloured room with just a desk and computer positioned in the centre, with just another large window showing the world in all its glory.

`So this is where you created the electronical disease?' Harry said as he walked up to the laptop and sat down beside it and started to press buttons before asking in a distracted voice `can I have a look?'

`Fire away' Mr Bell said calmly `we have five more minutes till we must launch the virus'

`An electronical impulse is sent violently through the Bluetooth to every ipod in the world, transmitting the virus along with it that disturbs the electrical impulses in the brain but…that's how you do it!' Harry said amazed `you leave the virus in their system, activating the electrical impulses in the muscles but not to interact with the brain because it has been fried…clever, very clever'

`And just because of electricity they can still walk around?' Hermione asked curiously.

`Of course they can' Harry said looking at her `think of ambulances with those resuscitation pads that pump electricity into the body to bring people back? They activate electrical impulses in the flesh, that's why they convulse when fired, but the technology from 2006 is to low'

`Like in Frankenstein, right?' Hermione asked, remembering her GCSE English class.

`Mary Shelley also studied Science at Cambridge , and it shows in her writing' Harry explained `but the technology nowadays is much more advanced, pumping just enough at a cellular level so it allows them to operate the basic muscle functions'

`And as it's a electronical virus we can manipulate it and send more Bluetooth instructions to tell the cells what we want it to do' Mr Bell finished `but we must be carrying on with this as the satellites will be reaching the desired locations nay minute'

`Just one second' Harry said pressing yet more buttons on the laptop before standing up and letting Mr Bell sit down `everything looks perfect, you've designed it intensely well'

`Well this has been our fourth Aguillera Space Station so we've had the practice' Mr Bell said as he typed furiously at the buttons.

`Talk of a curse' Harry said brightly, slapping Mr Bell on the back in congratulations.

`But all that will be worth it soon' Claudia said, taking Harry's hand in her own.

`Have you got my real wand?' Harry said quickly, letting go of Claudia's hand who looked at him in shock.

`Yeah, Claudia get it for them' Mr Bell said, waving a hand over his back as he carried away typing.

Hermione watched as Claudia walked out of the room, throwing suspicious glances over her shoulder at Harry. Hermione turned and looked at Harry who was now staring directly at her with a smile on his face, and he slowly raised his hand to his lips, grinning to let her know he had a plan.

`How long left now?' Harry said brightly.

`About a minute' Mr Bell said.

`I have to say I think you may be wrong' Harry said, his voice low and serious `I think your going to make a big mistake'

Mr Bell stopped typing and turned his attention to Harry, throwing him an angry confused look.

`What do you mean?' Mr Bell said nastily `you haven't got the guts for the big decision?'

`I have got the strength' Harry said quietly `that's why I'm warning you not to do this'

`I don't need your warnings' Mr Bell said dismissively, pointedly holding his finger of the return button, ready to activate his disease `and you've already shown me that you won't interfere, you wont change human history through a whim of yours…your too noble for that'

`If you think so' Harry said shaking his head `but I warn you not to do this…please don't…'

`Harry, stop him!' Hermione said desperately as she saw his finger starting to lower.

`He can't and wont' Mr Bell said as he dropped his finger onto the button, the click of the button being pressed seemed unnaturally loud as she looked out over the planet, and wondered if the people would be dying yet, and how many of them were in pain `Don't worry, little girl, you're here to see me save the world'

`I don't think that's the case' Harry said, a little smile on his face.

`What do you… mean?' Mr Bell said but as he did he suddenly bent over his desk, shaking slightly in pain.

`What have you done!' Claudia screamed, Hermione spun round and saw she had entered the room, dropping Harry's wand to the floor.

`I've done nothing' Harry said as he wondered over to her and lazily picked up his own wand, a smile on his face as he pocketed his spare and clenched the original `Mr Bell seems to have bitten of more than he could chew'

`What have you done?' Claudia screamed, throwing her hands up to her ears in shock.

`I reformatted the Bluetooth pulse, like how they did their experiments on the crew of this Space Station' Harry said walking over slowly to Mr Bell and watching him as he convulsed violently `sent the pulse to only work on a specific ipod…your ipod'

`You planted it on him' Hermione said, watching as Mr Bell shook back and forth in pain.

`Then I tried to talk him out of it' Harry said, suddenly serious `I didn't want this to happen to him, but I couldn't allow him to kill anyone either…in the end I gave him a choice'

`You killed him!' Claudia said walking up to Mr Bell `you killed us all!'

`Don't touch him' Harry said grabbing her urgently `the disease is still active and it'll infect you'

`I have to try' Claudia said worried.

`You'll die' Harry said seriously.

`If it was Hermione, what would you do?' Claudia said, eyeing Harry nastily.

`I'd try anything I could' Harry said softly as he let go of her, looked into her eyes for a few moments before he turned and walked towards the door. Hermione looked over at the fear in Claudia's eyes for a second before following Harry to the elevator.

`Dr Potter' Claudia yelled as they were about to enter the elevator. Harry stopped and turned around to look at her `Death does follow…but I do hope it doesn't get Hermione'

`Thanks' Harry said after a moment before turning and following Hermione into the elevator, quickly pressing the button so the elevator shot downwards.

`Are they going to die?' Hermione asked.

`Yeah' Harry said sadly, shaking his head.

`And all the others in the hospital and upstairs?' Hermione asked hesitantly.

`Their already dead' Harry said looking at her.

`Can't you do anything?' Hermione asked cautiously. She knew Mr Bell was evil, but she couldn't bare the idea that someone would die if they could save them.

`You expect me to risk my life for everybody in the whole of existence, and I'm fine with that' Harry said shaking his head `but not even I can stop a man being evil, I cant save everyone…all I can do is try, and save as many of the innocent that I possibly can'

`And you do it wonderfully' Hermione said putting her hand onto his chest `more than anyone could dream for you to do…'

`Then why do I feel like I failed?' Harry asked seriously, sorrow lining every crease in his face.

`Because that's the curse of being a hero' Hermione said with as much of a friendly smile as she possibly could.

`Thank you, Hermione' Harry said kindly looking into her eyes as his hand moved up and held hers in his `Let's get back home'

Harry removed her hand and led her through the still empty street, not stopping to look at anything in their way. Hermione knew that Harry felt the same way as she did, that if they saw any more of this place it would be too much. All she wanted to do was to be somewhere else, anytime else.

Harry opened the door to the Anglia and stepped through, Hermione following him into the large room that should really have been a car.

`Feels good to be home' Harry said walking up to the cabinet and putting his spare wand away, before turning and smiling at her.

`I have a question' Hermione asked, the one thing playing on her mind needed to be answered.

`Shoot pretty girl' Harry said with a friendly shrug of his shoulders.

`You painted a picture of the future…' Hermione said, she didn't really want to hear the answer but needed to know `is it really as bad as you described it?'

`Not at all' Harry said brightly.

`But it sounded terrible?' Hermione asked.

`Of course bad things happen, they always do' Harry explained `but that picture of the future was simply something I made up'

`But why?' Hermione asked confused

`I needed to make them believe I was on their side, convince them I wasn't faking it, so I could find a way to stop them killing everyone that wasn't just killing the pair of them. As I said at the time, if theirs another way, I don't kill' Harry said with a smile `anyway, I knew a story of mass destruction and war would convince them I was sincere'

`How did you know it would work?' Hermione asked curiously.

`People are always the same, wherever and whenever you go' Harry said brightly `everyone believes that the world is going to end, that humanity will perish…Christians had the return of Jesus and the judgement, hippies fear nuclear weapons and the environment, while Hollywood tends to think in terms of asteroids and meteorites'

Hermione watched as Harry walked quickly around the pensieve, talking speedily, and Hermione knew that what he was saying was the truth, people were obsessed with the end.

`No one every think that maybe we'll just make it' Harry said, his deep green eyes flickering onto hers `that humanity is in this for the long haul, that we'll even outlive the planet and galaxy!'

`So you played on their fears?' Hermione said with a grin, remembering Harry's words of earlier that day.

`Exactly!' Harry said `and as I pointed out before, what you fear isn't what you really should be scared of'

`Like people always wanting what's wrong for them?' Hermione asked.

`Fantastic' Harry said with a grin `I know that one's definitely true for me'

Hermione watched closely as Harry ran his hands over the pensieve, his eyes watching the swirling silver steam.

`So what do you want that's wrong for you?' Hermione asked in her most casual offhanded voice.

`Well…' Harry said stopping and looking up at the ceiling for a few moments in thought before his eyes snapped back to her with a smile `I can think of a few things'

Hermione looked away slightly, and fiddled with the back of the chair in front of her. Her mind thought back, against her will, on the feeling of Harry's lips against her skin, her head resting against him as he helped her down the elevator shaft, on the many times she had rested her head against his chest as they embraced.

`I'm the same' Hermione said looking up at him.

`Really?' Harry said taking a step towards her and speaking quietly `What do you want that's bad for you?'

`I…' Hermione stuttered slightly as she her mind realized they were alone together `I…I want a burger'

`A burger?' Harry said, throwing his head back and laughing `Fantastic!'

`Yep!' Hermione said brightly, smiling at Harry's wonderful laugh `McDonalds…a Big Mac!'

`As always your wish is my command' Harry said turning sharply to the pensieve and lifting his wand up to his head. Hermione sat down quickly

`Lets pick a time when McDonalds won't try to kill us' Hermione said smirking `one major corporation trying to kill me is enough for one day'

*

So that's the conclusion, hope you liked it…next adventure is going to the past, to one of my favourite periods of time, and of course something will be trying to kill our duo!

Till then…

Jms Granger…

P.S I LOVE the ipod, and only chose it as I liked the idea…I own two, a 20 gig and 60 gig, and absolutely can't live without it, it's the centre of my little life really…thus the idea came about…

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20. First Step into the Golden Age: Part One

First Step into the Golden Age: Part One

Hermione looked up at the building and was impressed, she had never been to Windsor Castle before and not she stood before it, the castle dripped in pure white snow with soft lights highlighting it against the dark background of a winters night time.

`Now that's a palace' Hermione said taking Harry's arm in hers as she walked up towards the castle `sure makes you proud to be English, doesn't it?'

`Sure does' Harry said brightly `I grew up around castles and I'm still impressed by it!'

Hermione thought on his words and found she wasn't surprised. She could just imagine Harry as a child running through a castle and getting into trouble, the normal life would never have produced a man like him.

They approached the main door that was flanked by two guards, dressed immaculately in full red timeless suits of the British royal family, although both had ear pieces attached to listen to commands from above.

Harry held up the piece of paper, Hermione gripping his arm tightly as she waited to get in out of the cold street.

`Everything's in order, Baron Smith' the kind man said, he was wearing a heavy coat to protect himself from the cold air blowing outside `Baroness Granger'

They walked through the doors and entered a massive corridor, full to the brim of people in light conversation as they laughed together.

`Couldn't you have made me a princess?' Hermione said nudiging him slightly.

`What's wrong with Baroness?' Harry said rolling his eyes teasingly.

`Because the most famous Thatcher in the 21st century was Thatcher' Hermione said nodding to a man that was staring at her who nodded back.

`Point taken' Harry said after a moments thought and led her through the doors into the main hall.

Hermione looked around and breathed a sigh of relief that Harry had warned her to dress up. She was wearing a long cut dress, cut of the shoulders and pinched slightly at her waist, while Harry was dressed in his trademark black still, but highlighted by a white shirt with his suit. Everyone else though was probably dressed even more extravagantly than them, with enough jewellery around to pay for the country for a whole year.

`Do you care to Dance, Baroness Granger' Harry asked taking her hand softly in his.

`I thought you'd never ask' she said with a smile as she pulled him onto the dance floor and put her arms around his shoulder. She unknowingly closed her eyes momentarily as she felt his hands touch softly against her waist as they started to sway in time with the music.

`This song is lovely' Hermione said breathlessly as she rested her head against Harry, him leading her softly with the music.

`Number one in 298…' Harry started to explain but stopped mid sentence, resting his chin on top of her head for a few seconds as he sighed and said `yeah…it's nice'

Hermione closed her eyes, feeling Harry tighten his grip ever so slightly making her push closer into him made goose pimples shoot up her arms.

She stood there for a few moments swaying until the music died to be replaced by a faster paced song which she wasn't ready for yet, so she tore herself from his chest and pulled him to the side of the dance floor.

`I would have bet anything it would have been me giving up first!' Harry said teasing her.

`I like to throw surprised from time to time' Hermione said grinning.

`Surprises you say?' Harry said, a mischievous glint behind his eyes appeared for a moment before he turned away from her as he said `wait here'

And with those enigmatic words he walked of through the crowds, of to no doubt give her some sort of surprise that would end in someone trying to kill the pair of them.

Sighing she pulled out a chair form the table and sat down, hoping that whoever it was would wait until after the party so she could change and not ruin this dress.

`How come a beautiful girl like you is alone?' a man asked from next to her, he was slim and had his long dark hair brushed out of his eyes as he smiled at her.

`My…friend…is planning a surprise' Hermione said rolling her eyes.

`Well you're…friend…' he said grinning `is luck to have you re as a guest'

`Thanks' Hermione said absent mindedly as she searched the floor for any sight of Harry.

`If I was in his shoes I'd definitely know what surprise I'd want to give' the man said leaning closer to her in a very obviously charming manner.

`Mr…' Hermione said looking at him.

`Jonathan' the man said with a smile.

`John' Hermione said simply `I don't mean to be rude but whatever you think might happen, isn't going to'

`I was just trying to be nice' the man said hotly.

`And I was just trying to be honest' Hermione said as nicely as she could `you're a very handsome man, and there are hundreds of beautiful women here who you could definitely chat up here, I'm just not one of them'

The man named Jonathan looked at her in a mix of shock and anger for a few moments before he quickly stood up, averting his eyes from her as he walked away.

She watched as he walked away, wondering why she had been so quick to dismiss him as she saw Harry walking towards her and a smile came on her face.

`Been fun without me?' Harry said as she stood up and took his arm, he was leading them around the room towards something.

`You know how it goes…' Hermione said brightly `sat down on a chair, got chatted up by a man named Jonathan…the usual'

`A man named Jonathan came onto you?' Harry said quickly `I don't like the sound of him…which one is he?'

`He's not an alien or a wizard or anything bad' Hermione said laughing `just a guy looking to pull'

`I'll see about that!' Harry said looking around the room, obviously checking in his way for anything out of the ordinary.

`Harry, are you jealous!' Hermione said laughing.

`No!' Harry said stopping in his tracks.

`Are you sure?' Hermione teased. Harry looked at her affronted for a moment before he shrugged, sighed and carried on leading her across the room.

`That's the new president of Europe' Harry said pointing over at a man, decked out magnificently in a black satin tuxedo that his blond long hair clashed with magnificently `good man…poor guy doesn't last for very long'

`What happens to him?' Hermione asked curiously.

`You know that thing that the Tory guy did in the eighties?' Harry said looking at her interestedly.

`You mean with the…' Hermione dropped her voice so no one could hear her `the rope and…you know?'

`Did it on a Reality TV show' Harry said simply as he picked up a glass that was on the table near them and took a gulp of it.

`That's my drink, Sir' a man said roughly as he looked at Harry in complete disgust.

`And I thank you for it' Harry said brightly to the man who looked taken aback by Harry's behaviour, so Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him away towards the bar `remind me not to order Bourbon'

`He was drinking bourbon?' Hermione said in surprise, she was sure that that drink would have died out by now.

`Oh, not bourbon as in the South American drink…bourbon! Made from those chocolate biscuit things that children love' Harry said chuckling.

`That sounds disgusting!' Hermione said shaking her head.

`People would have said that about all the alcopop drinks your generation has' Harry said laughing `Dandelion and burdock with vodka!'

`Don't forget my personal favourite of Archers with lemonade!' Hermione said nudging him slightly.

`In the year 21st century their really juts starting on their mission of putting as much crap as possible into alcohol…' Harry said walking beside Hermione `by now they've perfected that art'

`Is there anything the human race can't achieve?' Hermione said laughing.

`Given enough time they'll mess up anything you can throw at them' Harry said chuckling `and somehow still turn it around at the end'

`So people stop drinking rubbish?' Hermione asked.

`Maybe not anything then' Harry said laughing.

Hermione stopped in her tracks as a voice spoke across the room and the music quieted down, straining her ears to hear the voice above the dim of people conversations.

`And for all you retro lovers out there we the next song is sure to have you smiling' the voice said making Hermione laugh, the cheesy party disco dj had somehow managed to break into the elite circles in a thousand years `Athlete's Street Map…'

`I love that song!' Hermione said in amazement at how Athlete could be seen as Retro.

`Listen…' Harry said taking her hand and leading her into the middle of the dance floor.

`Dedicated to a certain lady named Hermione Granger' the voice said as Harry grinned at her, `and after that we get onto the business of the night' Hermione heard these words like they were spoken a mile away as she looked up into Harry's deep green eyes and wished the evening would never end.

I would like to think our paths are straight,
Disconnected from the choices we make,
That there is no reason why it can't be like you said,

`Thanks' Hermione said with a grin.

`That's ok' Harry said placing his hands on her waist as she fell into him, her head back in what now felt like its natural position as it rested against his chest `I saw their album Tourist last time we visited your mum…'

`That was a couple months ago' Hermione said amazed.

`I…' Harry said softly, swaying her in his arms `guess I just remember things'

`But never the date of where you've travelled to?' Hermione teased.

`You're a thousand more times interesting than dates and time' Harry said honestly. Hermione's heart sped up, she didn't know why but the words sounded powerful to her.

I would like someone to make a map,
Mark my home and draw some lines that match,
All of the reasons why,
It can be like you said,

`Thank you, again' Hermione said as she listened to the words.

`What for this time?' Harry said softly, a smile on his face as she looked up slightly into his eyes

`Bringing a little piece of my old life here for me' Hermione said, her head still pointing upwards as Harry looked down at her.

`For you I would do anything, rearrange time itself if it pleased you' Harry said, his words were slow and pointed as he kept his eyes locked on hers, seconds past where only the piano from Athlete sounded in her ears `I've grown attached to travelling with you now!'

`Better than being alone?' Hermione said laughing.

`Sometimes' Harry teased `although waiting for a shower is annoying as hell!'

`We have six of them in the Anglia!' Hermione said slapping him on the chest slightly.

`Not the point' Harry said in his mock serious voice.

Hermione stood there, swaying in time with the music against Harry as she listened to the music, and knew there was no one she would rather share this moment with than Harry.

But I know one day it's gonna happen,
You're gonna be swept off your feet

The music suddenly died, and Hermione pulled her eyes from Harry's face as she slipped out of his grip realizing that all eyes were now staring straight up at the huge television screen she hadn't yet noticed attached to one of the walls.

`And let the evening really begin' The DJ said loudly and joyously over the chattering crowd as the screen turned on and Hermione saw the sight of Big Ben, thousands upon thousands of people all standing and staring at the clock.

`Only 30 seconds left of this historic year, and then the English people embark on a new page of human history' the presenter said as he appeared on the screen, Big Ben now directly behind him, looking strangely like Terry Wogan.

`Still haven't lost the flair for the dramatics, have they?' Hermione said watching as the people in the streets all started to cheer having noticed they were now on TV.

`End of a Millennium' Harry said `grabs the attention like nothing else'

`Now to Big Ben so we can count in the seconds of the first step into England's Golden Age' the Terry Wogan look-alike said with a characteristic TV presenter smile as the TV switched to the view of the worlds most famous clock.

`Starting in a second ladies and Gentlemen' the DJ said loudly sounding slightly annoyed that peoples attentions were momentarily of him `everyone grab their lucky someone, to kiss in the New Year…'

Hermione felt her heart lunge slightly as she hadn't thought of this part of the evening. Harry looked at her with a smile and took both of her hands in his as he moved to stand before her.

The loud chime of Big Ben echoed throughout the room but she could barely hear it over her beating heart as she looked at Harry. She tried to rearrange a smile on her face but guessing by Harry small little laugh she had failed.

`10…!' the crowd roared around them, every voice sounding ecstatic but Hermione couldn't find hers yet as they shouted `…9…' in time with another ring of Big Ben.

Harry inched closer to her, shuffling his feet slightly awkwardly as he did.

`8…' the crows roared, Hermione felt her throat getting dry as all she could see was Harry's green eyes `…7…'

Harry let go of Hermione's left hand, which fell quickly to her side, her mind unable to control it anymore.

`…6…' the crows cheered again, Big Bens chimes still echoing around the room as the spoke `…5…'

Hermione somehow managed to step forward, taking a little shuffling step as her feet only allowed this, her heart though seemed to be throwing itself into a panic at what she knew must be coming.

`…4…' the choir of people sang happily as Hermione put a hand out softly onto Harry's chest `…3…'

Harry raised a hand and ran it along her cheek, softly touching her skin and sending shivers down her spine.

`…2…' she lent forwards, her mouth pushed together to meet Harry's lips `…1…'

Time had seemingly slowed down as Harry lent towards her, his lips only inches away from hers, her heart beating as fast as it ever had in any life and death situation she had ever been in.

The whole world seemed to crumble around her as his lips touched hers, touching softly against her lips, his hand moving slowly along her cheek and running its way through her hair. The bells of Big Ben rang throughout the room as her lips slipped tenderly against his as she pushed slightly closer against his. She wanted to open her mouth, feel his tongue search through her mouth, but she couldn't' bring herself to as Harry pushed slightly harder, desperate for the intimacy to continue and deepen.

She ran a hand up through Harry's hair as the kiss intensified and she pushed her body harder against Harry's, but something seemed to scream in panic inside her and she pulled away.

`Happy New Year!' the crowd cheered, music playing loudly amongst them as she stared at Harry, a look of slight confusion on his face, but he quickly rearranged it into a smile.

`And a Happy New Millennium' Harry said with a grin, Hermione's heart was still threatening to tear a hole in her chest.

`And to many more' Hermione said, surprised that she could actually get the words out as she had believed that her beating heart now owned her.

Harry broke eye contact and looked around the room, smiling as he saw all the people hugging and kissing each other throughout the room, each one looking delighted with themselves.

`I love new years' Harry said looking back at her `so many people brought together by the hope that things will get better, not just for them but for everyone on this little amazing planet!'

`How many people do you think are like us here?' Hermione said nervously.

`Time Travellers?' Harry said laughing in disbelief `probably none'

`No, I meant…you know…' Hermione said nervously, she didn't know what words she exactly wanted to use `…friends…'

`Well…' Harry said looking at her as if he was examining her with his eyes `most people think it's normal to kiss someone who's more than friends'

`Harry…' Hermione said softly, she still couldn't think of the words and wasn't sure even what those words would be or mean.

`But no one could call us normal' Harry had put some emphasize into the word `us' that made Hermione's heart drop slightly.

Hermione shook her head and smiled. They, literally, had all the time in the world together, and Harry had taught her that things always worked out, the way they had been meant to. With only slight tinkering on their behalf.

`Let's get out of here' Hermione said laughing to herself.

`How come?' Harry said looking at her.

`No one here is ever going to try and kill us…' Hermione said simply, smiling to herself as she looked at Harry, looking like he did in that suit `and I don't know about you, but I want some…adventure…'

And she gave him one last grin before she took his hand and led him back to the Anglia, ready to travel through time again, ready for danger to find them, and ready to succeed against whoever might get in their way…together.

*

Ok, so not the beginning of the adventure I promised, but I hope you won't hold that against me?

That was my 20th Chapter special, and I hope everyone liked it? I hope you did as I really enjoyed writing it, especially as it's quite out of pace from the ordinary of this story and so it let me have fun…

I hope that at least some people got a little worried that this was the start of a new adventure and that their kiss would be interrupted by the next thing that wanted to kill them? Also, that was my first EVER attempt at a song-fic part of a chapter, although not even slightly important to the plot I wanted them to dance so I put in a song that means something to me…

Anyway, for those who care, this shows time has passed, they've now been travelling about 5 months, nearly 6 months...

Till the next adventure…

Jms Granger…

P.S - For those who find it interesting, I have started writing the finale for this story, and am already past the 10,000 word point and only half way through, all written in very very short! So far, in my personal opinion, it will be one hell off a finale!!! I'm honestly really excited by it!

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21. Fire and Plot: Part One

Fire and Plot: Part One

Hermione stepped out of the Anglia behind Harry who was off talking rapidly about the day ahead of them. He hadn't stopped speaking since they had thought of this idea and had even changed into a smarter looking black outfit and a knee length black coat especially for this visit. Hermione however had just slipped into a pair of jeans and had thrown over her blue hoodie for comfort, she suspected that it would be cold where they were headed.

`If you can believe it I've never actually met him' Harry said as he stood still, fidgeting slightly on the spot, as he waited for Hermione to catch up with him.

`How come?' Hermione said as she looked up at him, excited like a school boy.

`To tell the truth I've always been a little nervous about meeting him' Harry said with a sly smile `it's not exactly normal, even for me, to walk up to Albert Einstein and just say hi'

`True' Hermione said as she zipped up her top, the wind was as chilly as she had expected it to be, however much Harry was determined to say it was going to be warm `maybe you should try howdy? Or even bonjour?'

`Or maybe even gruezi?' Harry said laughing before he turned serious again really quickly `but I am apprehensive about it still'

`You battle demons and beasts pretty much for a living but your scared of a man?' Hermione said laughing.

`Not just a man!' Harry said indignantly `he changed the world with his thesis on power and relativity…plus demons and beasts are usually pretty simple'

`You did it with Shakespeare' Hermione pointed out.

`I bumped into him by accident the first time' Harry said simply `but Einstein! The basis for all modern Science, without his theories we wouldn't have travelled to the stars, created nuclear power and split the atom…and don't forget the microwave!'

`So where are we?' Hermione said grinning as she watched Harry's exuberance.

`If your going to see Albert Einstein there's only one time to go to, his miracle year as people like to call it, although I probably shouldn't use that seeing as the press don't coin that term for about another thirty years…anyway, we're in…' Harry said as he looked around, but stopped mid sentence and said distractedly `…1905…'

`What's wrong?' Hermione asked quickly.

`Why are we inside?' Harry said shaking his head in confusion `and when did Zurich ever look like this?'

`Look like what?' Hermione asked looking around, the room they were in was highly decorated with deep blood reds and gold's, thick rugs covered the flooring and paintings were hung throughout.

`Like…' Harry said examine the painting before he quickly turned to Hermione and asked confused `have you ever heard of a…London type area…in Zurich?'

`Cant say that I have' Hermione said chuckling at Harry's complete confusion `But I'm sure you have an answer for where we are exactly'

Harry had paused for a second, seeming to strain his ears for few moments before his shoulders visibly slouched and he looked at Hermione.

`Unfortunately, I do' Harry said dejectedly as he turned around and sighed. Hermione quickly spun around and instantly copied Harry in throwing her hands up into the air as she saw about a dozen men in red outfits all pointing guns at them with confused looks on their faces.

`Ah…' Harry said as he held his hands up and looked at the men who pointed the guns at their chests `1605'

`1605?' Hermione said shooting Harry a quick look of disapproval.

`Practically the same thing as 1905' Harry said sighing before he shrugged and said quickly `although if I remember correctly a little less warm…'

`Anyway…' Hermione said nudging Harry slightly who seemed to spring back onto topic as he withdrew his magic paper, inspecting the men before he handed it over.

`God fearing men, protestant, Crown orientated…' Harry said quickly and with a nod of approval he held the paper up to show them `Reverend Potter, and Sister Granger from the Glastonbury Cathedral. We have been invited on behalf of King James the First to inspect the Churches of the area, which we fear may be open against the menacing threat of Catholicism'

`Oh…' the guards said slowly as they looked at each other for a few moments, one of them, a sandy haired man with broad shoulders stepped forward which seemed to be the signal for them to lower the guns.

`Good to have you on board, Father Potter' the man said extending a friendly hand out which Harry took quickly with a smile `troubling times we find ourselves in and we welcome an extra hand with great accord'

`You're welcome' Harry said brightly `whatever we can do for our King and God is our duty after all'

`Brilliantly said' the man said as he now took Hermione's hand, she saw his sandy coloured moustache twitching slightly as he did.

`So what troubling things have been happening?' Hermione asked curiously, hoping for something that wasn't just paranoia or stupidity.

`Many things, Sister' the man said looking straight at Harry as he spoke letting Hermione know how the rest of this conversation was going to go `just before we found you even, we heard a low rumbling like thunder spread throughout the castle'

`Perhaps you've displeased God somehow?' Harry said with a smile for he knew it was the sound of the Anglia appearing.

`I assure you if I have I will repent!' the man said, his voice broken slightly by panic.

`I'm sure Father Potter is wrong though' Hermione said as kindly as she could `we have seen a lot of sinners on our visits and he may be finding the habit hard to break'

`That's probably the case' Harry said laughing softly to himself `so what other troubles have you been having'

`Well…' the man said in deepest thought `its nothing we can exactly pinpoint, that's the worrying part'

`Please speak exactly kind sir' Harry said with a friendly smile `who knows how much time God has allowed either of us in this life, and I would hate for it to be over before I heard the end of your tale'

`Yes…' the man said completely taken aback, Hermione knew he would never have heard a priest talk like Harry `strange sounds have been reported from the cellars, but when we investigate we find nothing'

`Sounds in an old building?' Harry said sounding unimpressed.

`And also things have been going missing' the man said quickly `rifles disappearing never to be seen again, and a lot of fresh meat as well'

`People stealing guns and food?' Harry said looking even more bored by his words.

`Maybe he has something' Hermione said kindly, although she wasn't too sure herself.

`Yes, I think I do' the man said impatiently `I'm talking about over a hundred rifles and enough food to feed London for a month just disappearing from a heavily armed institution'

`Maybe' Harry said as he thought for a moment `I guess we could look into it, lend our expertise on trying to solve this riddle'

`Thank you, Father' the man said bowing slightly.

`Can you lead us to kitchens, I wish to see where the meat has been stolen from' Harry said looking brighter, more himself.

`Yes, Father' he said as he turned and barked orders at the men, half of which stormed of the other way obviously to patrol the area `if you'd care to follow us'

Hermione walked next to Harry, several steps behind the leading soldiers as they went to show them the kitchens. Hermione wasn't surprised that Harry had wanted to go to the kitchens instead of the barracks where the guns had been taken or the cellar for the noises, as Harry usually liked things that didn't kill others.

`So…' Hermione said to Harry `Albert Einstein probably isn't going to be here, is he?'

`It's not that bad really' Harry said quietly to her `turn the 9 in 1905 upside down and you get 1605'

`What about Zurich turning out to be London?' Hermione teased shooting a glance at the guards who led the way to check they weren't listening in.

`Both have six letters' Harry said shrugging.

`Doesn't it seem a little odd?' Hermione asked curiously, something gave her a bad feeling about being here.

`Maybe, but maybe not' Harry said with a quick shrug `just appearing in the wrong place and time isn't enough though'

`What about them saying strange things have been going on?' Hermione asked `the noises and disappearing items?'

`These people always think strange things are going on' Harry said rolling his eyes `I think they unsuccessfully predicted doomsday every fifty years'

`Point taken' Hermione said with a little smile `but you were pretty off on this trip, weren't you?'

`Yeah' Harry said annoyed as he admitted this `I guess being so excited about where we were going could have done it…'

Harry walked along the corridors in silence as he thought on what was happening, and Hermione knew it was generally best to let him think for a while, because at least he wasn't being as rash as he usually was.

`I don't like that guy' Harry said sighing having given up for the time being on working out what had happened

`I don't think he was that bad' Hermione said teased as she lent closer to Harry `although I thought you playing the religion card was a little harsh'

`Fire and brimstone and eternal damnation' Harry said brightly `specifically created to get a reaction'

`I guess, but still…' Hermione sighed, she had always felt better being out of touching distance from religion, and she thought that now she was back in a time in which the Crusades and the Inquisition existed that she shouldn't really be changing this rule

Hermione shuddered a little and quickly zipped up her hoodie even higher up, sometimes she hated the English weather and longed for warm beached. She caught Harry who seemed to be studying her intently, but he suddenly started to walk faster in order to get next to the man in charge.

`It's a little chilly for August?' Harry said in a friendly manner as he strolled down the corridor confidently.

`August?' the man said laughing `just how long have you been wandering the hills?'

`Quite some time now' Harry said sighing `sin is a tricky business to be in, and has the worse of hours

`It's November' the man said shaking his head, a little hint of a smile coming from under his bushy moustache.

Harry stopped suddenly, making everyone spin round and stare at him confused. Hermione though saw something in his face that she knew all to well. It was the look he had when things had gone wrong.

`November the what?' Harry asked, his voice lower than usual and seemingly not wanting a reply.

`Why, it's the fifth today' the man said looking at Harry like he was wondering if he had lost his mind `November the fifth'

The words sprung memories in Hermione's mind, like it would any person who had spent every winter in England for their whole lives. It was the second most famous date in English history, perhaps more famous than 1066 even.

`And what building are we in?' Harry asked, running a hand through his hair as he usually did when things weren't going so well.

`Don't you know?' the man said, suspicion in every line of his face.

`We've never been to London before' Hermione lied quickly to stop Harry from answering angrily `and we don't know all the proper names of the buildings, sorry'

`We're in the Houses of Parliament' the man said, his eyes still focused solely on Harry.

`Remember, Remember the fifth of November' Harry said lowly, annoyance and apprehension colouring his words `Gunpowder, Treason and Plot'

`What are you talking about?' the man said taking a step closer to Harry.

`I see no reason why gunpowder, treason' Hermione said remembering the rhyme every school kid knew so well `should ever be forgot…'

`What are you two talking about?' the man said, his hand had now slipped down to his sword as he looked in anger at the pair of them.

`It means something very bad is about to happen' Harry groaned as he looked straight at Hermione `it means that something, be it the universe or fate or even a person, wants us here'

`Why?' Hermione moaned, like a child who knew what he was saying made sense but not wanting it to be true.

`Because coincidences don't exist' Harry said shaking his head sadly at Hermione `something has made us appear here by mistake, and whatever it is must have done it for a reason'

`Maybe we're supposed to stop Guy Fawkes?' Hermione volunteered, not caring at the others reactions who were now looking at them as if they were getting ready to arrest them.

`And maybe we're supposed to help him succeed' Harry said with dawning comprehension `but whatever it is we are needed to do, we only have a matter of hours to do it'

Hermione looked around them and realized their predicament. By the cold air and the setting of the sun outside of the windows she realized it was quickly approaching night time, and the night Guy Fawkes became famous. Panic started to grip her at the enormity of their situation, and she looked at Harry and spoke the words that scared her most.

`To stop or start a Revolution?'

*

So that's the beginning of their newest adventure, hoped you liked it…Sorry I've taken a while to update, its been a hectic week for me with job searching and things, and I had a little trouble ironing out all of the points I needed for this adventure. But don't worry, all sorted out now (on the plot aspect) and I think it will be...Fantastic!

Till next time…

Jms Granger.

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22. Fire and Plot: Part Two

Fire and Plot: Part Two

`To stop or start a Revolution?'

`Maybe' Harry said uncertainly, looking around him in that way he did to search for a clue.

`You two better start telling me what's happening quickly' the man said angrily, his hand was now on the grip of the sword which he seemed ready to unsheathe at any moment.

Harry looked at the man for a few seconds then turned his head to Hermione and nodded, a sign to let her know that she could tell him.

`We have reason to believe' Hermione started `that there is a plot to blow this building up, tonight, with the King and Parliament all inside'

`But…but…' the man stuttered `that's impossible!'

`Why do you think all them strange things have been happening?' Hermione said simply `all occurring at the same time as your going to host the king?'

`But…' the man said, his eyes shooting around desperately but stopping on Hermione's determined face `who is it?'

`Guy…' Hermione started to answer but Harry cut her off.

`Some guy' Harry said casually as he took a step closer to the man `a conspiracy to overthrow the King and install a new royal line…a Catholic royal line'

`What can we do' the man said determinedly, his hand was off his sword and he was looking straight at Harry in concentration.

`I'm not sure…' Harry said, running a hand through his hair in concentration `but I will find a way, I promise'

Hermione inched closer to Harry, eager to hear his ideas and to find out what they were going to do. Guy Fawkes was actual History, such a big part of England that she knew it couldn't be changed by them, Harry was always careful on what he could change and how. But they had been pulled here by something, or someone, and they must have wanted them to do something here.

`Can you lead us down into the cellars?' Harry asked politely to the man who nodded his agreement instantly, circled and shouted at the guards.

`We're just going to go down there, without any sort of a plan?' Hermione said, she didn't really like this idea and was a little worried about the backlash in time otherwise.

`I don't really see another way' Harry said seriously as he looked at her.

`How about try and find out more?' Hermione said `work out a plan of action, what were going to do when we see him?'

`We already know what's happening' Harry said after a moments thought `it's a benefit of travelling to the past'

`But you didn't know this…' she pointed around them at what was happening to them `…was going to happen?'

`So I need to get that answer from somewhere' Harry said shrugging `and I think meeting him might be the best place'

`And you can't see this back firing at all?' Hermione said disbelieving.

`Trust me I can see it, perhaps even more than you can' Harry said shaking his head `but I can also see the problem we have if we take too long before acting, especially as we only have a matter of hours left now'

`I guess so…' Hermione said unsure of the truth in this `but it does seems incredibly reckless'

`Of course it does' Harry said with a little grin `that is my style afterall'

Hermione forced out a little laugh at Harry's words, it was true, he was reckless, but always seemed to save the day anyway. She would have to put her trust in him, like she always had and probably always will.

`Lead the way' she said to the man with a little smile, and as she said this the man turned on his heel and led them away, down the corridor

`Have you got any idea what were going to be walking into?' Hermione asked.

`No idea' Harry said brightly, the idea obviously cheered him up `although it wont be anything dangerous'

`A lot of guns have gone missing' Hermione pointed out `they'll definitely be armed'

`Hadn't thought of that' Harry said thoughtfully `but even if they are it shouldn't be too much of a problem'

`The guys on the Aguilera Space Station over powered you with guns' Hermione pointed out.

`The overpowered me with a couple dozen men with machine guns' Harry corrected her `stopping several thousand bullets in a few seconds is pushing it, although I probably could, but stopping a few men shooting a bullet every fifteen seconds or so? Easy…but that probably won't happen'

`Why are you so sure we aren't walking into a trap?' Hermione asked slightly confused.

`We have been made to come here, by the universe of fate or something else, in the middle of a crucial and central point in history' Harry explained, falling back a little so the guards couldn't hear him speak `and if they could do that and they wanted me dead, I already would be, we would have appeared in a volcano or on the battlefield of the Somme, not in a corridor in the Houses of Parliament'

`At least one of us is confident' Hermione teased.

`There's a reason for us to be here' Harry said shaking his head.

Hermione stopped as the men in front of her did, in front of a long set of stairs leading down into near complete darkness.

`That's the basement' the man said copious.

`I guess you guys couldn't find a spookier looking place to put it, could you?' Hermione said looking down into the darkness.

`We could hardly put it upstairs!' the man said in annoyance.

`Why not?' Harry said in interest.

`Because it's a cellar!' the man said like its simple.

`That doesn't mean anything' Harry said looking down the stairs in concentration `the human way of making every thing have a place! Eat dinner in the dining room, wash in the bathroom, put cellars under the ground! I have no idea where this belief came from!'

`It makes sense' the man said in confusion.

`Why not have a room in a brightly lit corridor upstairs that does the same job as a cellar?' Harry asked `eat dinner wherever you want, make all bedrooms en suite! Options are limitless in life, but people close them off with a false belief in the right way!'

`You finished yet?' Hermione said grinning at Harry's rant. He knew he felt like this, the rooms in the Anglia was completely random, storerooms that doubled as bedrooms, bedrooms that doubled as dining rooms, and rooms that she couldn't even begin to describe.

`Umm…' Harry said looking at her smiling `I guess so'

`Shall we get going then?' Hermione asked.

`Sure' Harry said, but his voice sounded a little nervous at the idea, a sound that didn't make Hermione feel very confident.

`I'll lead the way' the man said looking at Harry.

`No, you won't' Harry said simply.

`What do you mean?' the man asked in confusion.

`You'll wait here and make sure no one escapes' Harry said, his hand was now inside his pocket and Hermione knew it must have been gripping his wand `Me and Sister Granger will investigate.

`But I'm in charge of security here!' the man said angrily.

`And thus I'm giving you the job of guarding the exit' Harry said in annoyance.

`But…' the man started.

`Sir' Hermione said cutting over him `on our journeys bringing the Lords message to people, we have come across these issues before. We are qualified in the ways of Evil men more than most, and less than a very few. Use our knowledge and experience, I beg you'

The man stared at Hermione in thought, while Harry stared at her in amazement. She could feel herself blushing ever so slightly at Harry's reaction to her little speech.

`I guess it makes sense' the man said looking her over `but you will have to report to me straight afterwards.

`Thank you, kind sir' Hermione said grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him down the stairs before he could insult the man again.

`That was…' Harry said in amazement `Fantastic!'

`Thank you' Hermione said casually, happy that it was dark enough to hide her little blushing `but instead of congratulating me can you get us some light instead?'

`Oh…' Harry said quickly, and she heard him pull out his wand and a bright spark came out of the tip, lighting the stairs completely. Hermione saw they were close to the door and she led them in front of it where Harry put his hand out to grab the handle but Hermione stopped him.

`Are you sure this is the best thing for us to do?' Hermione asked, she had the feeling they were about to make a mistake.

`Hermione' Harry said kindly `these people can't do anything, guns and technology at this level hasn't got a chance against me…ok?'

`I guess so' Hermione said uncertainly as she let go of his hand.

Harry pulled the door open and stepped through, the light had barely got to the edges of the room before she saw the outline of a man.

`Expelliamus!' Hermione heard a man shout as soon as they entered the room, and as she heard it she saw Harry's wand flying uncontrollably out of his hand, taking the light with it.

`How the hell did that happen!' Harry said, not moving in shock.

`I don't care!' Hermione said a little panicky `but it did!'

Harry took her hand in his and pulled her closer, inching backwards towards the door, but as they reached it the door slammed shut, echoing loudly throughout the room.

`Who's there' Harry shouted, more anger in his voice than she thought was wise.

`Just a man' the voice said, it sounded strangely friendly as it came from the darkness `a man who is wondering why a wizard would come to this cellar, on tonight of all nights?'

`And I'm a guy who doesn't answer people who refer to themselves in the third person' Harry said hotly.

`Stop' Hermione said nudging Harry in the ribs as hard as she could `we're just travellers, passing through'

No response came from the darkness, and all Hermione could hear was Harry breathing and the beating of her own heart as her eyes tried to see through the black before them.

`Show yourself' the man spoke, his voice low and sounding as if an appeal.

`You took my wand so we…' Harry said but stopped at the sight before them before saying the last word under his breathe `…can't'

In a spark of flames that bathed the room in reds and yellow a bright golden coloured bird appeared in the centre of the room, looking around the room with its small bright eyes until they stopped on Harry. Hermione wasn't sure but the bird seemed to be smiling.

`What is that?' Hermione asked, gripping Harry's hand tighter.

`Fawkes?' Harry said, his voice sounded low and full of emotion.

`How do you know his name?' the voice from the darkness spoke in confusion and shock.

`Guy Fawkes?' Hermione said in shock.

`No' Harry said letting go of her hand and walking up toward the bird. As he reached it he ran a hand over the birds head and it seemed to close its eyes in joy `This is an old friend of mine, one I haven't seen in many years…Fawkes the Phoenix'

`Fawkes is a phoenix?' Hermione asked, her mind reeling with the incredulousness of this statement.

`No and yes' Harry said, his hand stroking Fawkes as he looked at Hermione `this is Fawkes the Phoenix, but Guy Fawkes is a wizard'

Hermione looked at Harry who raised a hand and pointed behind her, and as she spun around she saw a man. He was rather tall, about six foot, and he was wearing the long pointed hat that was reminiscent of a story time witch or wizard, and his face was adorned by a longer than average grey and white beard. His eyes seemed to hold a certain calmness as he watched Harry. The only thing that made him look dangerous, and make her heart skip a beat, was the wand that he held up pointed at Harry, still and ready for action.

`That wizard…' Harry said brightly `…is Guy Fawkes'

*

Short but necessary…hope you liked it. I was planning on getting this out yesterday but I got held up, I came up with a new plot for a new story and started to outline things for that one. This story is coming to an end this month and I like my new idea for my next project. It'll be much more a romantic, love story but with quite a lot of action and some serious danger…

Anyway, enough about that, hope you enjoyed it, this chapter will probably be five parts long, and I like the basis for it, obviously. After this one there might be two more adventure, although one may be small, and then there's the finale, which is now about 15,000 words and looking pretty dam good if I say so myself.

Till next time…

Jms Granger.

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23. Fire and Plot: Part Three

Fire and Plot: Part Three

`That wizard…' Harry said brightly `…is Guy Fawkes'

'So that's Guy Fawkes…' Hermione said as she tried to get her head around this new information as she pointed at the man with the wand before turning her attention to the Phoneix, beautifully golden and red looking happily at Harry `…and that's Fawkes the Phoneix?'

'Seems that way' Harry said as he stroked behind the ears of the phoenix which was now singing happily as he did. Strangely the song seemed to somehow lighten her heart just by the joy of the sounds.

'How do you know either of us?' Guy Fawkes demanded with his wand rose aggressively at Harry.

'Oh...you know...' Harry said, running a hand through his hair, but Guy Fawkes stood still and awaited an answer and for once Harry seemed to be at a loss '...um...any help Hermione?'

'What do you mean?' Hermione said confused as Harry scrunched up his face in concentration.

'I've run out of convincing lies' Harry said shaking his head and laughing, Hermione saw that Guy Fawkes now seemed completely bewildered by Harry's words.

'Try the truth then?' Hermione suggested.

'Ok' Harry said simply `we're a lovable time travelling duo from the twenty…'

`Not that much of the truth!' Hermione said quickly, cutting Harry off before Guy Fawkes stopped them with his wand.

'Oh, I get you now!' Harry said laughing loudly to himself having enjoyed his mistake `I know you because I've heard of you, and I've been friends with Fawkes since I was...ooohhhhh...12?'

'That's impossible' Guy Fawkes said in confusion, shaking not only his head but seemingly his whole body.

'Now why do you say that?' Harry said with his voice low and thoughtful.

'Because Fawkes has been with me since I was a young boy, before you were even born let alone 12!' he said angrily.

'No arguing with you there' Harry said laughing, but Hermione was confused, how Harry could have known Fawkes when he lived 500 years in the future was beyond her. Hermione quickly reasoned that Harry had lots of friends in the past, like Charles she had met before, and with Harry the impossible often seemed mundane.

'Explain yourself boy!' Guy Fawkes shouted, his wand shaking slightly in anger.

'Fawkes is my friend, and to prove this watch this' Harry said and bent his mouth low next to Fawkes golden red ear and appeared to whisper some words in it before backing away, holding up a bright golden feather, evidently plucked from Fawkes. Hermione had no idea what this proved but by Guys reaction she knew it had meant something and she could tell instantly that the tide was turning their way for once.

'That's...that's...' he stammered in shock.

'Impossible?' Hermione said smiling.

'Yeah' he breathed, his wand lowering down next to his side which brought out a smile on Harry's face 'He wont even let me pluck a feather for my wand, and he's been with my family for generations...'

'He learnt a long time ago not to give away his feathers for wands' Harry said gently, his hands running across the neck of the phoenix in a way that seemed to be consoling 'mine is the only one left in existence with his feather as a core'

'Your wand is made from Fawkes?' Guy said, his voice seemed to be getting weaker as he got more information, and thankfully Harry seemed to realize this and only nodded hiss agreement and stood in silence stroking the phoenix as he awaited Guy to speak. Hermione made a mental note to ask Harry how and when he knew Fawkes, as a lot of things was still left unanswered, but she knew that they had to look completely united in front of people, especially those that just may be murderers.

'Well...' Guy said after a few moments, his voice having found some its strength again '...Well, I guess then, if your a friend of Fawkes and all...then we...I am your friend also'

Guy suddenly pointed his wand at the ceiling and the whole room was quickly lit up and Hermione saw dozens of boxes without markings around them. Harry smiled and wandered over to his wand retrieving it and pocketing it quickly.

'I'll be back in just two ticks' Harry said in a friendly tone to Guy who looked confused so he added 'Some...people...are upstairs and I need to make sure we wont be interrupted'

Hermione watched as Harry strolled of up the stairs, leaving her alone with Guy Fawkes, the revolutionist from her school books who she had just been threatened by and who also happened to be a phoenix owning wizard. So all was normal in the life of Hermione Granger.

'What's your name then, dear girl?' Guy said after a few moments.

'It's Hermione' she said as nicely as she could and tried to smile at her.

'That's a nice name' he said in a very friendly tone.

'Thanks' she said awkwardly, meeting history's celebrities was usually daunting but meeting one who was in the process of blowing up the houses of parliament and who had a wand was doubly so.

'If you don't mind my asking, you're not a witch are you?' Guy asked with his voice low and smooth as he spoke.

'Nah' she said, relaxing slightly 'I'm just...well...me'

'There's nothing better than being yourself' Guy said, a smile had unfolded from one eye to the other and seemed to fill his whole face.

'Guy...do you mind if I call you that?' Hermione asked nervously but he smiled and nodded generously `How did you know I wasn't a witch?'

`I assure it I meant no harm by that comment' he said nervously so she smiled at him to let him know she took none `It's just I tried to expel your wand when I did your compatriot, and I couldn't fathom why you wouldn't have one on you'

`Someone's a little quick, aren't they?' Hermione teased as she laughed making him chuckle.

`Basic logic, my dear Hermione, just plain basic logic' Guy said with a wry smile `we do live in an age of enlightenment, after all'

Hermione looked at the kind eyed gentlemen before her and couldn't believe this was Guy Fawkes, the man who would blow up a building for a religious belief, a man who had been vilified for centuries.

`Guy, I hope you don't mind me asking, but…' Hermione said, pausing to think her words through carefully `…why are you here tonight?'

'I assumed you and your friend already knew that?' Guy said, his eyes measuring her slightly but his smile told her it wasn't meant in a bad way, not like a lot of the other times people had measured her up. They usually had a view to killing her.

'We know what you're... planning to do...' Hermione said this nervously as she tried to pick words that didn't sound like an accusation but just part of a conversation '...but we don't know why?'

'Really?' Guy said, sorrow in his voice 'I guess I must seem quite the monster to you, don't I?'

'No!' Hermione said quickly, but her raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief 'well, not really...we knew there must be more to it...there has to be'

'And like most stories of this nature, there's an awful lot more' Guy Fawkes said gently, sadness in his tone as if he was trying to avoid telling everything because of the pain of reliving it.

'And we really have to hear it all' Harry said as he strolled back into the room, closed the door and waved his wand over it and smiled at the pair of them 'we wont be interrupted, they think we're performing an exorcism'

'And I guess you Father Karras?' Hermione said smiling, with Harry's arrival the room seemed to be even brighter still.

'Naturally' Harry said with a wink as he walked up next to Fawkes and ran a hand along his neck.

'If you don't mind, kind sir, Shall I call you Father Karras?' Guy said politely to Harry.

'Father Potter will do' Harry said laughing 'or plain and simple Harry'

'Plain and simple?' Hermione said teasingly nudging him slightly to make him chuckle.

'Well then just Harry' he said with a wink as he turned his attention back to Guy Fawkes.

'Well, Harry' Guy Fawkes said quickly 'I hope you forgive my briskness but time is running against me, so please tell me what you wish to know?'

'How and why you think blowing up a large building full of innocent people is justifiable' Harry said, his voice seemed to be a little darker as he said this 'because I'm guessing that it's not to overthrow the Protestant control of England?'

'No no' Guy Fawkes said quickly shaking his head 'I wish it was something as simple as that, something that made sense in a black and white way of the world…'

'Then please tell me what it is' Harry said forcefully.

'You wouldn't believe me' Guy Fawkes said sincerely 'no one else does'

'Me and Harry have seen a lot of things people think were crazy about' Hermione said gently 'maybe we can help you'

'No one can help...' Guy Fawkes said 'I fear even I am to late...'

'Guy' Harry said strongly, a hint of desperation in his voice 'what is going on here...what is coming?'

'How do you know something is coming?' Guy said quickly eyeing Harry with a pleading look.

'Fawkes' Harry said running a hand behind the Phoenixes ear 'he comes to those that have to face a challenge, and a big challenge at that...that's how I knew him'

'What did he help you face?' Guy asked seriously, his eyes running all over Harry as if searching for a clue to the answer of this question.

'It's not important' Harry said dismissively waving a hand.

'YES IT IS!' Guy shouted quickly.

'Why?' Hermione asked low and confused.

'Because I don't know what I'm up against!' Guy said exasperated, the verge of tears started to enter his eyes slowly.

'How...wha...eh?' Harry said in confusion as he shook his head slightly in confusion.

'Fawkes follows me and...He seems to be leading me...here...' Guy said as he fell to his knees running both hands up against the sides of his head.

'How?' Harry asked seriously walking up closer to the man who looked like he was in pain.

'I don't know...feelings...coincidences...all made by Fawkes...' Guy said this and stopped.

'And...' Harry said nudging him to carry on.

'And...' Guy said slowly 'I have these dreams...painful dreams...dangerous dreams...'

'A seer?' Harry said in shock as he looked down at Guy, Harry seemed to tense suddenly and his voice took on greater urgency 'What do you see in these dreams?'

'I...I...' Guy stuttered 'When I awake, I remember them perfectly, but before I can write them down they slip away, like my hands are trying to cup water...'

'A premonition' Harry said darkly under his breathe, before his eyes shot with crazy excitement as he practically shouted at guy the `It has to leave you with something, anything, a word, an image, a phrase, a feeling?'

'Bad Wolf' Guy said softly looking up and locking eyes with Harry as if he thought the green of his eyes would tell him what those two words meant.

'What?' Hermione said quickly at his words, breathing rapidly in shock.

'Bad Wolf' Guy said looking at her 'just those two words I can remember, over and over again, for months on end...Bad Wolf...'

'I've heard that before' Hermione said looking at Harry, she knew she had but couldn't recall where, like her brain had somehow locked those moments away from her.

'So have I' Harry said taking a step back towards Hermione, she breathed easier, if Harry had heard them too he would solve it, he would make sense of it.

'What does it mean?' Hermione asked nervously as she looked at Harry who seemed to be thinking hard, his hand running through his hair as stood still and upright.

'It means...' Harry said before he stopped for a moment and then a smile came on his lips 'it means we came to the right place, as there's a lot of work for us to do here'

'You will help me?' Guy said, a huge smile broke out on his face, and his hands seemed to grab the air in the need to somehow grasp Harrys words and hold onto them for dear life.

'Of course we will' Hermione said, her heart pumping faster as she saw the smile on Harry's face, the smile that told her he had an inkling of a plan..

'The dream team will save the day' Harry said smiling at her, his green eyes flashing excitedly as they locked onto hers.

'Always' she added with a smile.

*

That's that chapter, hoped you liked it.

I am so sorry for taking so long. My computer got wiped. So I lost all my notes! This story, the outline of all the adventures, the ending that was finished, Microsoft Office, and even all my University work! To say this sucks is a HUGE underestimation, and consequently I had to write a fifteen thousand word essay on the increasing cultural shift between works of 'Art' and 'literature'...not fun...although it did give me an adventure for the duo that I LOVE! So you'll be getting that soon...

Anyway, hope you liked this, two more chapters for this adventure, and then it's a biggie, a VERY biggie that has ALOT of things to look out for the ending...

Till next time (tomorrow)...

Jms Granger…

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24. Fire and Plot: Part Four

Fire and Plot: Part Four

Hermione followed after Harry and Guy Fawkes as they walked through the dark corridors. Since they had all agreed to help Guy on his plan they had been on somewhat of a race, as soon as Hermione had pointed out that it was fast approaching midnight and that they must be running out of time.

Guy had pushed some boxes out of the way and shown them a door which he explained led to the underground corridors of the palace. As they had entered this `way out' Hermione had groaned, as her luck dictated they were barely lit and as she put her hand on the wall she realized that they were damp ridden as well.

Following behind them she was lost in her thoughts. How was Harry friends with a Phoenix? What challenge had he faced that Fawkes had had to help him with? And why hadn't she been told about all of this in the months she had known him?

They were now onto the fifth or sixth long, dark, damp corridor and the air was getting heavier and heavier with each step, so she quickly sped up to fall in line with Harry.

`What is our plan?' Hermione asked, breathing heavily as she attempted to keep up with them as they strolled through yet another corridor.

`Actually that's a very good question?' Guy said curiously looking at Harry.

`Well you know the saying' Harry said brightly `there's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers'

`Is Fawkes leading the way?' Hermione asked as she watched the Phoenix float gracefully above their heads without moving its wings, a trick that kept on impressing her more with every second it lasted.

`I take that back' Harry said stopping in his tracks as he looked at her `because that's the stupidest question I've ever heard!'

`We could be!' Hermione huffed out at Harry's harshness.

`Look where following Fawkes has gotten Guy?' Harry said pointing casually at Guy, who looked rather insulted at Harry's words

`Good point' she admitted seeing the logic in his statement, but not wanting to hammer home the point too much and make Guy feel bad.

`I'll use Fawkes when and if I need to' Harry said with a smile as he carried on walking down the darkly lit corridor before adding absentmindedly `he likes to pop up at the last moment and save the day anyway'

`You two must be pretty close then' Hermione said laughing but Harry hadn't heard her as he came to a stop by a large flight of stairs `What's up there?'

`The dungeons' Guy said under his breathe, not even pretending to mask his apprehension that marked his every syllable.

`And why are we heading that way?' Hermione said, even though she knew they would, naturally, be going up there to do something dangerous.

`If you were looking for intruders where would be the last place you'd look?' Harry said brightly as he flashed her a smile.

`Good point' Hermione groaned as she led the way up the stairs, groaning as she realized with every step that the floor got wetter and sticker and she had to work hard to stop herself from thinking about what it was.

She pushed hard against the large wooden door at the top of the steps and felt it slowly click open, and she walked inside to inspect her most recent destination, and probable battleground.

Looking around she saw yet another corridor, but this time heavy barred alcoves which could only have been prison cells lined of against the walls, one after the other. The remnants of its last occupants remained in the alcoves in the shape of cloth and bone, and not wanting to look at this anymore than she had to she walked of down to the end of the corridor, finding herself in a small circular room, with two heavily barred windows on each side.

`This is where the guards would sit and taunt the prisoners' Guy said as he approached her `back when they still used this'

`I remember them days' Harry said sighing as he looked back at the rooms making Guy stare at him questioningly.

Fawkes flew up and landed on Harry's shoulder and started to sing a slow, methodical song that seemed to be drenched in sorrow.

`Please not that one, Fawkes' Harry sighed and looked at the Phoenix who instantly stopped and Harry quickly added `thanks'

`I've never known him to take orders before' Guy said impressed `and as I said, we've been bonded quite a while'

`Oh, we were never bonded' Harry said shaking his head `we were just friends'

`You sure are a strange young man, Harry' Guy said eyeing him with a smile.

`You don't know the half of it' Hermione said smiling at Harry who winked back at her.

Hermione watched closely as the two men stared at the Phoenix lovingly, Harry seemed ot have genuine and complete affection for this bird, more than she had probably seen for anything or anyone else. She quickly added this to her questions to ask before the bird suddenly leaped of Harry and spun around, disappearing in a shower of fire and stars.

`Where did he go?' Guy asked worriedly.

`That's an impossibly good question' Harry said breathlessly as he stared at the spot Fawkes had disappeared from before his eyes shot wide in amazement `that's… impossible…'

`Where has he gone?' Hermione asked curiously.

`I must have made a mistake' Harry said, his voice slow and thoughtful before he added more confidently `must have'

`Where did you think he had gone?' Hermione asked, everything about this Phoenix and its connection to Harry intrigued her, especially as he wasn't giving her any answers.

`Hang on…' Harry said as rubbed his eyes and looked around the room more seriously, but as soon as he had started his posture froze in what appeared to be shock.

`What do you see?' Guy asked taking a small step towards him.

`Now that's not good' Harry said as he stared at the empty space just to the side of Hermione `not good at all…'

`What isn't good?' Hermione said nervously.

`Double…even triple not good' Harry said shaking his head in dismay.

`Please Harry, tell us what happening?' Guy urged him, a look of foreboding colouring his otherwise attractive features.

`Now I'm leaning more towards quadruple not good' Harry said staring even more intently at the space beside her.

Hermione took a step closer to Harry and took his hand in hers, wrapping her little fingers softly around his palm. His eyes sparkled like he hadn't noticed her doing it and his eyes locked on hers for a moment before he smiled, sending a little chill up the back of her spine.

`Harry, what's wrong?' Hermione said softly, inching still slightly closer to him.

`I can see time, the simplest echoes of moments that have happened, images of what never happened, mere memories of what could have happened…even the ripples of time and space changing around us… ' Harry said softly as he ran a hand through his hair as he turned more casual `…if I try anyway'

`And what do you see now?' Hermione asked nervously, she hadn't known this about Harry and the idea scared her slightly, seeing all of that whenever he wanted to, or needed to.

`I think what's actually more important is what I don't see' Harry said softly, letting every word catch softly on his lips before he said them `we're not supposed to be here'

`But we are here' Hermione said nervously.

`Evidently' Harry said `but we're not supposed to be'

`Which means?' Hermione asked, already dreading Harry's eventual answer.

`It means…' Harry said running a hand along his chin in deep thought `It means I was wrong. For once. Completely and utterly wrong. I thought that time or fate or whatever it is that makes us crumble to whatever whims it has had brought us here because that was its plan, where in fact…'

Harry trailed of and looked even more intently at the still space around him, Hermione was still holding his hand and for some reason this seemed to calm her as she knew she was safe…for the time being anyway.

`That something else has led us here' Hermione finished for him `and probably something that isn't very nice'

`Who are you two?' Guy Fawkes said suddenly, reminding Hermione that her and Harry wasn't in fact alone. As she looked at him she could see he was working things out in his mind and that his ideas were probably quite close to reality.

`I…' Hermione stuttered as she thought through a million possible lies, but Guy quickly waved her away.

`I' m sorry, I have no right to ask that' Guy said apologetically as he looked away bashfully.

`Don't apologize' Harry said suddenly turning deadly serious `instead tell me any single thing that may be of any note whatsoever…however tiny or insignificant it may seem'

`I'll try' Guy said looking at him `but I really don't remember anything at all, the darkness and cold quickly takes over me'

`Cold?' Harry said in something that sounded like a small triumph `you didn't mention cold before?'

`I didn't?' Guy said `is it important?'

`Perhaps not at all' Harry said quickly `tell me anything else you know, and quickly'

`Well…after each dream…each nightmare…' Guy said, his eyes burrowing in concentration as he struggled to remember anything `I…I fell nothing…empty…'

`You feel empty?' Harry said raising an eyebrow `how so?'

`Like something was inside me…suffocating me somehow' Guy said.

A smile swept across Harry's face and a moment later he leapt forward at these words and enveloped Guy in a huge hug as he cheered loudly.

`How could I have missed it!' Harry said in excitement `for heavens sakes you had told me you had dreams you couldn't remember!'

Letting go of Guy he turned and hugged Hermione next, the only thing on his face which was in sight was a huge grin.

`Gargoyles!' Harry shouted in excitement `the keepers of the night time and dreams, the protectors of the Land of Nod. As the poem goes, they lure you into the world of dreams, and forever keep your soul!'

`It can't be!' Guy said, his face flooding with fear at the mention of this word, all colour instantly leaving his face

`I assure you it is' Harry said, a grin on his face from ear to ear.

`But they were…defeated…' Guy said quietly, as if he spoke the words too loudly then they would be disproved `weren't they?

`They were' Harry said running a hand through his hair as he paced back and forwards across the room `by me in fact'

`You?' Guy said in shock.

`So their no problem then?' Hermione said, a smile on her face as saw things turning their way yet again.

`I wouldn't say that' Harry said rather darkly.

`But if you beat them before…' Hermione pointed out.

`Then they couldn't possibly be here now' Harry pointed out matter of factly making Hermione groan. She now saw that things were in fact swinging the exact opposite way to where they were standing.

`Damn' Hermione said stamping her foot `for just once I'd like the dead to actually stay dead!'

`A dream of the highest order!' Harry said chuckling `no pun intended of course'

`So what are we going to do?' Hermione asked curiously.

`Well…we'll…' Harry said shaking his head slightly in confusion `we'll…you know…win'

`You have no idea, do you?' Hermione said, a flicker of a smile coming on her face.

`Not the one' Harry said brightly.

`Why are you two smiling?' Guy said in shock as the pair of them laughed before him.

`Because otherwise we'd cry' Harry said still laughing.

`According to you monstrous murderous Gargoyles that have been extinct for thousands of years have reappeared, and for some reason seem to be coming here, and all you two can do is laugh and act like…like… children!' Guy said in disbelief.

`Hermione, Guys right…' Harry said trying not to laugh `we have to stop kidding around'

Hermione had to clutch her side as she bent over double, laughing as hard as ever at Harry's purposefully poor joke, and couldn't stop herself as she saw the annoyance fill Guys face.

`If you two are going to be immature I'll just…' Guy started but Harry cut him off.

`What?' Harry said laughing again `go and blow up the houses of Parliament?'

Hermione fell into Harry as she laughed harder at the absurdity of their situation. As usual they had gotten themselves into more trouble than was plausible, more trouble than you could fill a normal lifetime with, and just about enough trouble to fill an average Wednesday in their lives.

It took Hermione moments to realize that only she was laughing now, that Harry had tensed up, one of his arms wrapped protectively around her as the other fished quickly inside his pocket for his wand.

Quickly she stepped back and looked around, Guy seemed confused by Harry's reaction while the room seemed as still and silent as ever.

`Their coming' Harry said softly, his wand rose in no particular direction at all.

`What do you see?' Hermione asked quickly.

`Echoes, ripples, vibrations…' Harry said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the ceiling now `a whole freaking storm through time is coming'

`Through time?' Hermione asked wondering if this meant time travellers or just a shift in the actuality of their surroundings, like the telltale signs of magic and power Harry usually watched for.

`And space…' Harry said distractedly `This is way beyond Gargoyles…miles… light-years away from what they could possibly ever do…'

Hermione watched as Harry walked over to the heavily barred windows and stared out at the clouds. Hermione thought that even she could see the air somehow swirling around in what she assumed to be some sort of power vortex.

She held her breathe as the air started to get heavy, Guy had now withdrawn his wand as was searching around for something to point it at, but before he had found it Harry had thrown himself to the floor in an instant, leaving one large image trying to push through the bars of the window, it's teeth glistening in the reflection of the moonlight, its claws scratching desperately at the brickwork in search of a way in.

The gargoyles had come.

*

So that's part Four, slightly (hours) ahead of schedule…Last chapter of this adventure coming next…Hope you liked this. I've nearly finished the next chapter so that should be up tomorrow, and I hope you enjoy it.

Only two more adventures after this before the finale (which I'm writing again!), so all answers to everything is coming soon, I promise…

Jms Granger…

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25. Fire and Plot: Part Five

Fire and Plot: Part Five

Harry fell backwards against the wall shooting streams of crimson red from his wand, which lit up the gargoyle for the briefest of moments as if it was covered in a red mist of blood. Guy had pushed himself up against the wall, unable to shoot as he held a blank expression on his face.

Hermione stepped forward quickly, taking her eyes of the gargoyle as she ran towards Harry, wrapping her arm around him and pulling him to his feet. He watched the window as she looked him over, no blood or mark stained him and she breathed a sigh of relief before she tuned around.

The window was now empty, the grey bars now only reflecting the clear pale moonlight, and the slow whirls of the clouds that showed a storm was on its way.

`That was a gargoyle!' Guy finally said in shock, his voice sounding calmer than his face seemed.

`Actually that was a child gargoyle' Harry said brightly, walking up to the window and peering through cautiously in case it was ready to come back.

`You mean they get bigger than that?' Hermione asked incredulously as she remembered the two inch long teeth that glistened in the window just seconds before. She peered out of the window before waiting for a reply and could see the town below, devoid of electricity but full to the brim with torches and fires. She couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, and definitely no flying monster creatures, so allowed her guard to be let slightly down.

`At their biggest their about ten foot tall' Harry said as he stepped away and looked about the room `wing span is about double that'

`Where did it go?' Hermione asked.

`That was just one of the scouts, chosen because of its small size, and the fact that if it got caught they wouldn't miss its killing power too much' Harry said absentmindedly as he ran a hand through his hair `we have got a little while longer yet'

`Where's Fawkes?' Guy asked urgently, he sounded as if he was terrified that the phoenix might have gotten hurt.

`Not about' Harry sighed shaking his head `but he'll show up when he's needed'

`We need a plan' Hermione said, steeling herself for Harry as he seemed to be too preoccupied to. She would bear the weight of the world for him as he did daily for everyone else.

`How about a near certain death one?' Harry asked with a wry smile.

`Um…' Hermione said pretending to think it over `good…but maybe we could do better?'

`How about fifty-fifty?' Harry asked as if he was bargaining with her.

`I'll settle for a we all walk out alive plan' Hermione said grinning as she held out a hand for him to shake.

`Um…ok' Harry said shaking her hand and chuckling `but you never let me have any fun!'

`You two are crazy' Guy said softly shaking his head back as he laughed along with them.

`Be that as it may, we are rather good at defeating things that go bump in the night' Hermione pointed out reasonably.

`I'd say fantastic!' Harry said with a grin as he lifted up his wand and filled the room with light `we need some light, gargoyles are our dreams fears, so we light up our world to start with'

`And that will protect us?' Guy said sounding hopeful.

`Nope' Harry said simply `but it'll buy us a little bit of time if we need it'

`Oh great' Guy said sarcastically, but Harry didn't pick up on it.

`How did you beat them last time?' Hermione asked trying to be helpful and direct Harry's thoughts to a practical solution.

`I went to their world' Harry explained distractedly `DreamWorld, Land of Nod, The Darkness… all those fairly dramatically named places'

`Why?' Hermione asked.

`They were feeding of the population of a village on the edge of the Black Forest' Harry said happily as he seemed to remember the time `delightful people… so I offered them a hand'

`And I guess by offered you mean jumped in without permission' Hermione smirked.

`Pretty much the same thing if you ask me' Harry said shaking his head slightly.

`So why don't you do that again?' Guy asked, but Hermione had already seen the flaw in this plan.

`Because I've already defeated them, banished them from the netherworld' Harry explained quickly `and now they appear to be somewhere else as they try to break into our world'

`And as you don't know exactly where they are we going to have to fight them here' Hermione pointed out, not liking the sound of her own words.

`Precisely' Harry said brightly `and as far as I know there's not a single way to beat one here'

`Oh' Hermione said, liking Harry's words even less than her own.

`You mean…' Guy started but stopped mid-sentence.

Hermione paused as she heard a noise form above, and as she looked around she realized Harry and Guy were both looking upwards.

`There beginning to come through' Harry said under his breathe.

Hermione stepped closer to Harry as she listening to the sound she could only liken to scratching, the sound she knew must be the breaking down of this world.

`Ahhhh' Harry groaned suddenly in pain, doubling over and falling to his knees. Hermione was practically holding him before he hit the ground as she jumped at him as if protecting a child.

`What's wrong?' Hermione asked nervously running a hand over Harry's face, his eyes were screwed up and his right hand was scratching at his forehead, as if searching for something that wasn't there.

`It's happening' Harry said, his eyes opening slightly, like slits in his screwed up face instead of eye sockets. He breathed in Hermione's ear the words `help me up'

`You can't!' Hermione yelped, both fear and reason told her that Harry had to stay still, had to get calm and help himself.

`Help me up!' Harry growled, a fierce look firing up behind his eyes.

`But you'll kill yourself' Hermione said and as eh said the words his eyes seem to flash menacingly.

`HELP ME UP!' Harry roared in anger sending Hermione falling backwards a few yards away and only able to watch as Harry limped himself of the ground.

Harry raised his wand above his head, and instead of a light coming shining out of the end a ear splitting whistle filled the room making Hermione fall to her knees, hands over her ears, eyes scrunched up in pain.

She could feel the room shaking beneath her, the cracks and creeks coming from every stone block in the castle, the panic cries resounding from outside the window. And slowly a calming song filled the room, crashing chaotically with the rumbling and screams.

And then it was over. And all that was left was still.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes and looked at Harry, a puzzled expression covered his face where pain had previously been.

`What happened?' she breathed softly, her chest aching as it fought to get out words.

But Harry didn't reply, his face was perfectly still. Guy stood up at the same time as her and looked at Harry. His eyes seemed lifeless as they stayed stationary, and for the barest of moments she thought something might have happened.

But as quickly as this thought had come, Harry had turned his head and smiled at her, a weak but kind smile that filled her quietly with hope.

`Fawkes came' Harry said softly.

`I heard it' Hermione said walking up closer to Harry who seemed almost too weak to stand on his own.

`And then he left' Harry said as if this was an explanation.

`Where to?' Guy demanded, panic in his voice as he feared for his friend.

`Home' Harry said simply.

Hermione looked at Harry, his hand was shaking slightly and his eyes were watering, and she took his hand in hers once again, felt his cool clammy palm and wrapped her fingers tightly around it trying to banish any fear he might have.

`Are we safe?' Guy asked nervously looking around the room.

`Yeah' Harry said, his voice quiet and weak.

A loud thundering came hammering on the door knocking them all quickly from their thoughts.

`Come out!' a man shouted form behind the door, and Hermione recognized the voice as the leader of the soldiers `we have the exit guarded so escape is not an option!'

`What are we going to do?' Hermione breathed urgently as she saw Harry look quickly around the room `can you apparate?'

`No' Harry said, his voice hard and low `too weak'

They all watched as the beating on the door intensified, Harry's eyes were burrowing in determination, his wand clenched dangerously in his hand, but Hermione knew he might not have enough power to fight their way out.

Guy walked up infront of them and smiled a strange smile, as if trying to say goodbye without words, before he quickly threw what appeared to be a thin blanket over the pair of them at the same moment as the door was slammed open

`You saved me, now let me help you' Guy whispered momentarily before the soldiers she had met came storming into the room. Hermione was surprised that not a single one of them even spent a second to look at them, but this thought was lost as she saw one of the largest men hit Guy around the back of the head, sending his limp body falling to the floor.

Hermione went to jump forward and try and protect Guy but Harry pulled her close and whispered in her ear.

`Remember that he didn't die yet' and Hermione knew it was true, but a she also knew that they would be labelled his accomplices, and they would be killed. She backed away slightly, still shocked that none of them paid any attention to them yet but Harry whispered again `this is an invisibility cloak, they can't see us'

`Oh' was the only word, or sound she could make as Harry's hand gripped around hers and pulled her backwards the way they came, hidden from notice by the cloak. And the last time she saw Guy was as he was dragged violently through the door, ready for history to vilify him.

*

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped through the door of the Ford Anglia, its large walls and heavy wooden doors had rarely seemed so inviting before. Readying herself she turned and faced Harry.

`Are we going to rescue Guy?' Hermione said quickly, knowing that it would probably be rather easy for them now they were home, with the power of time travel and rest at their fingertips.

`No' Harry said simply as he wandered over to the pensieve and sat down in his chair. He looked completely knackered and seemed ready to pass out.

`Why not?' Hermione asked

`Guy will be fine' Harry said with a grin `being hung, drawn and then quartered can actually be quite enjoyable for a wizard…I hear it's slightly ticklish…and I think its best if we leave him to his destiny'

Hermione thought over this for a few moments, she had liked Guy and didn't like the idea of never seeing him again. Slowly she sat down in her chair opposite Harry and looked at him.

`Your right' she admitted softly and found it easier than she thought it would be `our lifestyle would be too much to ask anyone to take in, wouldn't it?'

`Can you imagine what we'd say?' Harry said laughing `we travel through time saving people and having fun…he'd think we were mad'

`I didn't' Hermione pointed out quietly.

`Yeah, but you're…' Harry said and seemed to be at a loss for words for a few seconds till he recovered and said laughing `so bossy you just saw it as a way of reaching millions more!'

`Ha ha' Hermione said sticking her tongue out slightly playfully.

They sat there in silence for a few moments, each just enjoying the experience of nothing trying to kill them until Hermione leaned forward to speak.

`So what actually happened with the gargoyles?' Hermione asked curiously.

`What do you want to know?' Harry asked without moving his head.

`Why they came there?' Hermione said before adding `and how they went away?'

`So pretty much everything then?' Harry said grinning without moving `The gargoyles fled through space and time, that much is obvious'

`So why here, why now?' Hermione asked and watched as Harry ran a hand through his hair in thought.

`As you know all people carry a cellular residue' Harry started to explain `their power wizards call it, religion says its our souls…the gargoyles use to feed of when we are asleep, becoming more powerful as that residue leaks out in dreams…so it should have been obvious to me that when they fled… if I had realized of course they had managed to…that they somehow got trapped between space and time. As we crossed over, travelling ourselves outside of time they saw us. Usually this would have been fine, amny things live outside of what we know as reality, but unfortunately I was the last thing they touched, and my residue pulled them through back into the reality they dreamed of so hard. I guess that this resulted in some sort of an explosion and we were thrown out of the original destination and into the fifth of November…'

Hermione looked at Harry and smiled, always so clever and confident.

`I thought it'd be something as simple as that' she said with a slight smirk `and you closed that rip?'

`Yep' Harry said, his face dipping down out of sight slightly as he spoke `with a little help from Fawkes'

Harry watched her for a few moments before he lent forward and took her hand in his.

`Go. Get some sleep' he said softly, caringly `I'll park the Anglia somewhere safe for a while and we can take a holiday?'

`How long for?' Hermione said eyeing him suspiciously.

`Ooooh…' Harry said running a hand along his chin `how about…a day?'

Hermione threw her head back and laughed, Harry was always going to be the happy traveller and a day to him of not doing it would seem an eternity.

`Ok' Hermione said and saw that Harry suddenly looked rather scared at the idea `a day of to relax? It'll be your greatest adventure!'

And with a little squeeze of his hand she stood up and walked of, dreaming of a well deserved bed…

***

Harry fell back more into his chair as he watched Hermione walk from the room, his muscles relaxing as he cushioned himself deep in against the leather. The night had taken all of his energy, and for the first time in a long time he felt both mentally and physically knackered.

He thought briefly of Fawkes, and whether or not he would ever see him again. He somehow knew that he must, but this knowledge unnerved him. The future held so many surprises, and he had found out they were hardly ever pleasant.

Thinking of his future, as it did too all people, he found himself feeling alone, and needing to talk to someone. Hermione would most likely be drifting of to her dreams by now, so he couldn't talk to her, and even if she was awake he wouldn't be able to tell her what he really wanted to.

That he had lied.

That the Gargoyles hadn't fled through time, hadn't been attracted to him because of residue and pulled here. Such theories were plain and simple lies. Impossible fabrications of words in order to protect her…and maybe even him…

He wanted to tell her the truth.

That only one…thing…could be responsible for this. One thing that was so dangerous that Fawkes would have travelled here in a hope to help. That, in the moment he held his wand above his head, he had almost sacrificed himself…and her…and everyone else… to stop it…and only Fawkes had stopped him…

Just one…thing…

And even the merest echo of it and he had found himself in a situation all too familiar…almost losing…her…

And… for the first time since he had taken Hermione's hand in his own, leading her away from the plastocrese… the future didn't look so bright.

A storm was coming and Harry was scared. Scared for himself, Hermione and every other living creature throughout time…

It was coming…

The Bad Wolf.

*

Hey, hoped you liked that. And I hope you weren't getting too down about Harry's original explanation because it wasn't supposed to be very good, just long! But I hope the little part from Harry's point of view built things up nicely up?…

This adventure, for me, went even better than I had originally planned…I really did enjoy this and can actually see every little link I wanted to put in, and wondered how I'd manage it, represented nicely on the page….probably better than I could have hoped for. I know it wasn't as self contingent as the other adventures, and didn't answer all the questions the plot of it asked…but hopefully you realize that this was on purpose… things will become clear…

Next adventure starts tomorrow, going back to 2006! Hope you like it, its one of the adventures that I had originally planned and thus is very fun…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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26. The Stranded Hole: Part One

The Stranded Hole: Part One

`Every time you go home you come back with twice as much!' Harry said half exasperated half laughing.

`I do need to get things washed form time to time, or would you like to have a smelly, dirty friend travelling with you everyday?' Hermione shot at Harry as she threw all of the clothes she had packed into two large holdalls onto the floor of the Anglia and sighed as she enjoyed the weight being of her shoulders before adding `and its not my fault my mother had bought a few things more for me to wear, is it?'

`Not even I could blame you for your mother!' Harry said rocking slightly on the balls of his feet as he laughed `the burden would be too much for anyone to carry, you'd go crazy!'

`She's not that bad really' Hermione said, relaxing as she looked around the cosy interior of the Anglia, feeling doubly grateful as it had helped her escape the November chill `she has stopped referring to you as him and it…'

`Don't forget my personal favourite…' Harry chipped in brightly and said the last part in a high pitched comical impersonation `why oh why!'

`I miss that one too!' Hermione said reminiscing about her mother saying that every other sentence, Harry bent down and looked at the holdalls, each seemed about to burst with clothes.

`Seriously, Hermione…' Harry said, his face screwed up in a mix of awe and surprise `I know the Anglia is practically limitless and can hold pretty much anything, but you don't have to test that theory with your wardrobe!'

`We can't all be the very fashionable I like to wear black kind of person you happen to be' Hermione shot back making Harry laugh.

`True true' Harry said shaking his head `it is very hard to pull off and it wouldn't be fair of me too ask you to try'

`Harry, dear, foolish, Harry…I'm a breathe of the times' she started toe explain in a fun aristocratic, arrogant voice `forever changing to fit fashion, merging with what I already know… consequently I am forever perfect'

`While my look is more a timeless beauty' Harry said laughing

`By timeless do you mean old and scraggy looking?' Hermione teased making Harry fake looking hurt and pretend to put a dagger through his heart.

Hermione laughed as he managed to recover from his stabbing and walked over to the pensieve. She looked at what he was wearing, another pair of dark jeans, dark converse, dark plain t shirt and a dark, not too long, jacket. Harry was right, it was a timeless look, perfect for fitting in everywhere. It also helped that he looked, in Harry's word, fantastic, in it. He showed just enough of his lean feature that most women could get lost in her thoughts as they stared…But she would always prefer colours to practicality. As she saw it, they were fighting for their lives so often that they needed a bit of colour

Harry bent over the pensieve and looked into it, whirling his finger around in the silver smoke that layered the bottom of it. Hermione had found herself often throwing glances at the machine, wondering how exactly it worked, and more importantly if she could ever be taught to use it…but she had so far stopped herself from asking. She knew, somehow, that this would be one of the things Harry was strangely strict over, probably telling her that if she messed things up the universe would shatter and time would end. Some sort of lame excuse like that anyway. She made a mental note to try and bring up the conversation if she ever got the chance.

`Where to now, sweetie?' Harry cooed softly as he continued to run his finger through the mist, and as she went to answer she burst into laughter having realized that Harry was in fact talking to the pensieve itself. Boys and their toys.

Harry suddenly snapped back and withdrew his wand, looking straight into Hermione's eyes with a boyish grin on his face.

`Ever been to the year 320,986?' Harry asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he had obviously thought of something which he considered fun. And consequently dangerous.

`Um…' Hermione pretended to think `can't say that I have!'

`Ah! You missed a treat!' Harry said laughing `the first Olympics between Earth and Mars since the Freshdan incident of 290,000 something or over!'

`Martians have their own Olympic team?' Hermione said, eyes widening as she tried to picture them. However much she had seen she couldn't help but see them as small and green with large dark circular eyes, like a horror movie from the 60s.

`Well, obviously their not real Martians' Harry explained rapidly as he pushed the wand up to his temple.

`Obviously' Hermione said under her breathe as she rolled her eyes.

`Just a colony of the Forth Great and Bountiful Earthian Empire…' Harry carried on explaining `so its more like the early Commonwealth Games than the Olympics…still a lot of fun to be had here… a two foot asexual engineer from Alpha York wins the long jump by 7 metres!'

`Sounds like history in the making!' Hermione chuckled as she looked at Harry, all full of life again now her visit home had been finished.

Harry extracted the long wispy silver smoke from his temple and looked at it for a few seconds, and as he did Hermione sat down in her chair, preparing to be crashed through time and space to wherever these games would be held. She hoped it wouldn't be held in Mars, she had been told once in a pub in the year 502,981 that all Martians were crooks and lazy, and she didn't feel like putting the words of an old drunken man to the test.

Harry was still staring at the wisp, and suddenly he nodded and tossed it into the pensieve, and as Hermione knew at that very moment the ground started to shake beneath her feet.

But something was wrong. Her chair toppled over, and the shaking carried on and on, rougher and harder than it had ever been before. From under her chair where she was pinned she counted that more than twenty seconds had passed, and she was starting to wonder if she would spend the rest of her life under this chair.

But, finally, the rumbling stopped, and the earth was still once again. Pushing the heavy chair of her with all her effort, she stood up quickly in an effort to find out what had just happened, and how a chair that was supposed to be stuck to the ground could topple over. As she saw Harry she realized he was standing stock still, exactly where he had been before their trip through time and space, and was looking around with a confused look in his eyes.

`What was that?' she asked straightening her clothes, incredibly relieved that the shaking had definitely stopped.

`I don't know…' Harry said, so quietly that Hermione had barely heard it. And without another word to her or a look around he ran forward and passed her to the door to the outside world. Hermione chased after him but by the time she had reached him he had already stepped past, so without a second thought she bounded out after him, barely remembering to shut the door behind her.

Harry stood to her right looking around the street in front of him. It was light and familiar. She looked closer and realized familiar didn't cover it, this was exactly where they had been a few seconds ago. Just in the corner of the street outside her mothers flat, this spot had now become their regular parking space whenever they were in town.

`We're back home?' Hermione said out loud, but really meaning it to herself, and she added `and it looks exactly the same as it did in 2006?'

`That's because we haven't gone very far' Harry said, his voice still low and soft as he scanned the street and looked at his watch. Kids were playing football, having to get out of the road for every passing car, and old ladies were carrying their shopping home in Tesco bags.

`When are we then?' Hermione asked. She guessed that it was being back home that made her feel that way, but the question sounded strange in her mouth.

`Hey, Madame!' Harry called out as he ran over to one of the many old woman on the street, she seemed completely taken aback and scared that a man under 25 was talking to her and Hermione knew from the area they lived in that the woman was quite right to be `Would you mind being a doll and telling me what day it is?'

`I can tell you that's it's not 1960, so no need to use the term doll' Hermione said warningly under her breathe, but Harry wasn't taking any notice.

`November 4th, love' the old woman said quickly and tried to move on but Harry stepped closer to her, slightly rudely, to let her know he hadn't finished.

`And the year, treacle?' Harry asked as kindly as he could, but his words sounded rushed, panicky even.

`Its 2006' the old woman said as she, leaning as far away as she could from Harry, struggled along the street, desperate to reach her destination before it got any colder.

`We didn't even move a single day!' Harry said in amazement as he watched the old lady wander away.

`I'd say that we didn't even travel a single second actually' she said looking around at the day that was as bright as it had been when they had left with her clean clothes.

Harry started to walk back towards the Anglia and although his steps weren't fast, they did somehow seem to hold some importance and urgency.

`5th of November tomorrow' Hermione said conversationally as she caught up and got in step next to him but Harry didn't respond `amazing to think we were at the original one only a few months ago'

`Was it that long ago?' Harry said stopping in his tracks to look at her.

`Just over two months actually' Hermione said with a smile and added `2 months and 8 days, I think'

`How time flies' Harry said brightly taking another few steps upwards to the Anglia `even when you're not the one making it do so!'

Harry reached out and lifted the handle, but the door strangely didn't move. Hermione looked up at him and saw real panic on his face. He quickly removed his key from his pocket and tried it on the lock but to no avail and turned to Hermione.

`Try your key!' he growled in frustration `now!'

Hermione rummaged through her pockets and withdrew the little silver key with the electronic alarm button and pushed it into the lock, but as she tried to turn it the key wouldn't move. It was like it was the wrong key.

`No no no!' Harry growled as he whipped out his wand and hovered it over the lock, this time though it sprung open and Harry charged in, Hermione following right behind him.

Hermione watched as Harry ran over to the pensieve, ignoring everything else as he stood with his hands on the sides, looking straight down in the basin.

`Why wouldn't it let us in?' Hermione asked as she wandered up slowly to him. The Anglia had never done anything like that before, always worked first time on anything, although usually a little bumpy.

`Security measures' Harry said softly, his eyes not moving as he stared down into the basin still, obviously something had attracted his attention and was able to keep it.

`Isn't a key enough protection…' she started but the words and thoughts died away as she reached Harry and looked into the pensieve.

Where there once was fog now there was nothing. Just the smooth stone carving of a dip that someone had once made. No mist. No Pensieve. And Hermione instantly knew that this mean no time travelling.

`The security measures are automatically started when something goes wrong…' Harry said, his eyes slowly moving up to look at Hermione `everything in the Ford Anglia is the same in essence, the doors, the chairs, the pensieve, all the same thing, one large instrument…a potentially very dangerous one at that…and when its…hurt…it stops any outside influence…even me'

`Can you help it?' Hermione asked, she hadn't realized how attached she had become to this remarkable vehicle, but the welling up of her eyes was kind enough to make it evident for her.

`I don't think so' Harry said removing his wand from his pocket and waving it over the pensive for a while `we knew that it would eventually run out of power, that'd it'd…but I thought we had a long time yet…hundreds of years even'

Hermione wrapped her arm around Harry's waist, she didn't know if he wanted to, but she needed to feel him at this moment. Harry's physical closeness had meant safety for so long now that her body had become like a switch, being changed instantly by his arrival or exit.

Suddenly a low humming came over the room and Hermione looked around for what was making the noise but couldn't find it.

`That's the Anglia' Harry said making the sound take on an almost human quality in Hermione's mind, like a person screaming and whimpering before the end.

She blinked rapidly thinking the tears coming in her eyes was affecting her sight, but however much she did the room was still picking up glare, and slowly she realized things were becoming transparent. She could now see the whole outline of Harry's chair, which was supposed to be practically hidden by the pensieve.

She looked up at Harry and saw him gulp, his soft green eyes glistening in the sunlight that was now able to come through the walls.

Now kids seemed to be playing football inside the Anglia, but she knew this was a trick of the eye, that the Anglia took up so much room that it just appeared to stretch out across the road.

She looked back down at the Pensieve and realized it was gone, and all that was left was the barest outline of Harry's chair, disappearing by the second until that too had gone.

And as she looked up she saw that the walls had fallen, the ceiling was gone, and all that was left was her and Harry, standing alone in the middle of the pavement in a street in London.

Hermione didn't want to talk, and couldn't help but sob slightly. Too many thoughts were running through her head, what had happened and why. What it meant. And what they would do now.

`She took my wand' Harry said softly `she took every piece of magical equipment inside'

`Where did it go?' Hermione asked. Her voice was breaking slightly as the words came out dry as they inched up her throat.

Harry paused and looked at her. He took both her hands in his for the same reason she had held him, because it meant safety.

`It's dead' Harry said, his face still with just the faintest outline of tears in the corner of his eyes.

`The Ford Anglia's dead'

*

Hey, hoped you liked it…and hoped you don't mind being back in good old 2006? Seems like bad news for the Anglia…But on the plus side to this we get to see some old friends…

Anyway, the new chapter is being written up now, I had a lot of ideas for dialogue I want to use so have about 3,000 words of the adventure now! Thus, the next chapter shouldn't be too long…hope you like this adventure…only this one and the next left before the finale…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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27. The Stranded Hole: Part Two

The Stranded Hole: Part Two

Hermione was sat on the cold plastic bench inside the fish and chip store, a middle sized carton of chips in front of her and behind that was a rather shaken Harry. He picked up a chip slowly and eyed it cautiously, as if it could have been poison or even a snake, before taking a bite and grimacing slightly.

`Please Pleas Please tell me this wasn't your regular?' Harry said, squinting slightly as he swallowed the food.

`Nah' Hermione answered after taking one for herself, it wasn't even half as bad as Harry had been making out `but James use to order food from here a lot'

`That explains the dull taste' Harry said winking slightly as he attempted a joke, but Hermione could see that the ordeal with the Anglia was still sinking in, so she decided against reprimanding him this time.

`There not that bad' Hermione pointed out encouragingly.

`How can you say that!' Harry said shaking his head `we just had a literal coronation banquet in Kyoto 1312 and now were eating a meal that's definition of side dish is a choice between vinegar and ketchup!'

`Sometimes it's nice to have a bit of home cooking' Hermione said shrugging, Harry seemed to be trying to pick a fight and she couldn't blame him. All she could do was not rise to anything he said and try and be as nice as possible.

`A luxury that it looks like I'm doomed to repeat' Harry said, a little bitterness in his voice.

She sat across from him and was lost in her thoughts. The Ford Anglia, the only other constant traveller they had with them had, in Harry's words, died. She felt in between fainting like Jane Austin Novel, crying like a Hollywood movie and smashing things up like a poor British Guy Ritchie movie. But all she could mange to do was to eat chips.

`Harry…' Hermione said feeling nervous about how she could bring it up when neither of them wanted to mention it `um…have you got any ideas…about what to do?'

`There isn't anything' Harry said shaking his head.

`So the Anglia is gone…' Hermione said, her mind reeling `forever?'

`Yeah' Harry said shaking his head as he took another chip, this time without the accompanying screw up of his face, a marker of how much the conversation uneased him.

`Can you build another?' Hermione asked.

`I doubt it…' Harry said, he ran his hands through his hair in thought, an action that threatened to bring a smile out on Hermione's face `I wouldn't even know where to begin'

`But you did it before' Hermione pointed out.

`With a lot of help' Harry smiled bitterly at these words and his head sunk lower.

Hermione heard his words but they didn't make sense, who could have helped Harry build the Ford Anglia, the most powerful and amazing thing she had ever seen, had even heard mention of.

`Who…' Hermione started but stopped as she heard a small cough come from her side. As she turned her head she saw a large man, bald on top but with a full beard.

`You two enjoying your meal?' he asked gruffly as if he would prefer to be eating them as a meal rather than asking them how it was.

`Reasonably well…' Harry said brightly, a large smile on his face `although some croissants wouldn't go amiss?'

`Sorry, we're fresh out of that' the old man barked back sarcastically, but Harry kept on smiling despite this.

`Any crab?' he asked, still as bright as ever.

`No' cam the response.

`Lobster?' Harry asked, a little bit of the brightness gone from his voice but still sounding cheery.

`Fresh out' the old man laughed nastily.

`Any crustaceans at all?' Harry asked, sounding a tiny bit impatient.

`Fish' came the response.

`Not quite a crustacean…' Harry said shaking his head slightly as if he was thinking over the old mans answer `actually not even slightly close…crustaceans aren't even solely water based like fish…to tell the truth its about as close as if your answer had been a horse'

Harry had ended this with a little apologetic shake of the head that seemed to bemuse and embarrass the old man, and before Hermione knew it his eyes had darted away from Harry through awkwardness.

`That'll be two fifty' the man said, slightly red in the face that his beard wasn't hiding as he tried to look away from Harry.

`Oh' Hermione said quickly rummaging through her pockets and thanking her lucky stars as she found a heavily crumpled fiver at the bottom that she must have forgotten to pack away. Thank god she had changed into some new jeans when she had been home, otherwise there wouldn't have been a chance that she would have had pound Stirling on her.

`Thanks' the man said from under his beard, and after he gave back her change he waddled off towards the kitchen.

Hermione looked up and smiled at Harry, she thought that something finally going their way would be something to celebrate but Harry was looking at her in deep concentration.

`What's wrong?' Hermione asked, but Harry looked slightly awkwardly at her.

`I'll have to get some money…' Harry said, his voice full of confusion and he was shaking his head ever so slightly back and forth `…and I've always been a bit vague about money!'

`You earn it by doing a job' Hermione said encouragingly.

`A job!' Harry said sounded both choked and mortified `that's another one of those thingies that I've always been a bit vague about...how do you get a job?'

Hermione laughed and despite himself Harry let out a small, short chuckle at his words. He looked more confused than he had ever been before, torn from his life and seemingly thrown into another in a matter of hours. She could remember when she was like that, but that time plastic had been trying to kill her as well, so she tried to smile consolingly at him. Harry however was too preoccupied to notice.

`It's all pretty straight forward…' Hermione tried to say as reassuringly as possible `Get a job, get paid, pay your bills…electricity, gas and all that'

`Where will I live?' Harry said suddenly as the thought had obviously just struck him, he was now shaking his head back and forth like he was searching for a solution.

`You buy one…well you'll probably have to get a mortgage…' Hermione said but then a thought struck her and she found herself blushing and having to look away from him.

`A mortgage is one of those bill thingies, right?' Harry asked, he looked as if he was trying to sound knowledgeable so she smiled at him.

`Yeah…a big bill' Hermione said, her thoughts still drifting and making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

`I don't even have the job to get the money for a small bill' Harry said reasonably, sighing out in exasperation.

`Well…we could…' Hermione started, but as she was blushing so furious she found the words hard to say `…you know…like, share, a mortgage…and a…home'

`A home' Harry said, his face still and unreadable.

`Yeah…a home' Hermione she said nervously, but at these words Harry jumped up, slamming his fist into his hand in evident celebration before grabbing Hermione by the face and pushing his lips roughly against hers.

`Fantastic!' Harry shouted as he pulled away, leaving Hermione blushing even more furiously `Hermione Granger, you are without doubt the most Fantastic person in world…even more Fantastic than the Fantastics who live in Fantastic World, FantasticVille, 197 Fantastic Street… and I'll let you know that their pretty darn Fantastic!'

`What did I say?' she asked, thanking heaven that her curiosity had meant that her blushing was dying down.

`A home!' Harry said smiling `and I happen to already have one of them, equipped with a thousand…a million different things that could, maybe, possibly, a tiny glint of a chance, help us get back the Ford Anglia!'

`Oh!' Hermione said jumping up with him and smiling, she now realized exactly what he meant. He was talking of the first place he had ever taken her, straight after defeating the Plastocrese, the place he used to park the Ford Anglia.

`Number 12 Grimmauld Place!' Harry beamed down at her `My inherited family home!'

*

They had caught the bus to Islington and, having spent all their money by now, they had been walking back and forth down the same roads for the best part of an hour.

`I'm sure I left it somewhere around here!' Harry practically shouted, grabbing at his hair in frustration and turning to look at her.

`You make it sound like a car!' Hermione said, but as she said the word car Harry looked away, and she could see him gulp ever so slightly.

She had been shaken up by what happened to the Ford Anglia, but now she was really seeing what it had done to Harry. She had been travelling for perhaps 8 or 9 months, but the whole time she had been with Harry. Harry had been doing it for perhaps his whole life, and at the least quite a few years, alone. With only the Ford Anglia and the people he sometimes met as company. The Ford Anglia was the only bit of stability Harry had in his life, until he met her.

`Harry' she said, trying to bring up something more practical `its number twelve Grimmauld Place, isn't it?'

`Yeah' he said distractedly, his eyes shooting slowly along the houses one by one.

`And we're on Grimmauld Place right now?' she asked.

`Of course' Harry said indifferently.

`So what are we looking for?' she asked in confusion, if you had the number for a house it usually made things a lot easier. She looked at the house to her right, it was number 4, and the next one was number 6…

`The house is bewitched' Harry said quickly `it needs someone to know where it is and think of the name looking at it for it to appear, otherwise you'll just keep missing it'

Hermione heard him speaking but was still counting the houses as he spoke. Number 10 was there and next to it…

`Its here' Hermione said, and as soon as she said the words Harry spun round and looked at her, searching her face quickly.

Slowly he looked to his side, where Hermione had pointed to the house and froze. He looked up a the windows, looked closely into the front garden and spent thirty seconds reading the number over and over again. Slowly he walked up to the house, pushed open the gate and jogged up to the front door, pausing as he reached it.

`Now let me see…' Harry said under his breathe as he slowly put a hand out before him. He lowered it slowly, pausing just for a second as he was about to touch it, and then he put his whole palm down across the front door `now that's not good…'

Hermione looked at him, she had no idea what was wrong and consequently didn't have a single question she could ask, so she watched him and waited for him to start elaborating as he was inclined to usually do.

`Or is it…?' Harry said slowly, and before she knew it he had laid his head against the door, pushing his ear hard against it as if he was trying to listen to the other side.

`Can you hear anything?' Hermione asked after a few moments of watching him straining for sound.

`Shhh…' his voice sounded slightly more upbeat but confused, as far as a shushing could tell you about a person's state of mind anyway.

Slowly he backed away from the door, taking both his head and hand of the surface and turned to look at her.

`So much magic was pushed through that house' Harry explained rapidly, excitedly `and I'm talking enough to power New York city for a week was coursing through its veins…metaphorical veins I mean, not literal watch out the house is alive and will obviously try to kill us in a minute kind of veins…and you know what I can hear?'

`What?' she asked quickly, he was on one of his big rolls where he said a lot of things very quickly that only made the tiniest amount of sense, and this sound, his renewed vigour and actions, lifted her hopes more than anything he could possibly have said.

`Nothing!' Harry said dramatically, a grin from one ear to the other `Anyone who was any good at all could hear something from this house, and I'm more than good! Oh oh oh, I'm so much very more than good! Nothing could hide the houses magic trail from me, no magic that has or ever will be invented…'

Harry stopped and spun around walking up the garden tracks and out into the road, Hermione had to literally run to catch up with him.

`What does it mean' Hermione asked, ever so slightly out of breathe.

`That something's up' Harry said, shooting her a huge smile, his voice was louder and full with life `something hasn't only drained the magic from this house, but completely absorbed it, packaged it, and taking it away with them!'

`Do you think that's what might have happened to the Ford Anglia' she asked excitedly.

`You know I don't believe in coincidences' Harry said happily strolling down the street `not as the first, second or third explanation anyway'

The sun was now starting to set and the skyline of London was erupted in reds and yellows. Hermione knew she should have found this beautiful, but it seemed to her that London was on fire. She shook the thought from her head and carried on beside Harry.

`So what's the G.P then?' Hermione asked with a smile.

`G.P?' Harry said throwing his head back in laughter `how very 1980s Vietnam War movie of you!'

`Shut up' she said rolling her eyes which only made Harry laugh more `the plan, what is it?'

`We're going to see some old friends…' Harry said happily `and a certain redhead who I just know will be dying to see you again'

Hermione smiled, it wasn't very often in her life that she got to go back to see people again. Usually they were just one shot wonders, and the anticipation of seeing friends breathed new life into her step.

`And what do you think is doing this?' Hermione asked `and can we reverse it'

`Too early to tell' Harry said brightly shaking his head.

`Too early to tell if we can reverse it, or what is doing it?' Hermione asked, thinking some clarity on this would be helpful.

`If we can reverse it' Harry said `no idea what the hell could do this!'

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and groaned, they were once again walking into an unknown situation where the only thing they were pretty sure was that something not exactly happy would happen to them. Probably threats of death. Harry stopped and looked at her in surprise.

`If it can suck magic out of the Anglia and Grimmauld' Hermione asked dreading the answer `then won't it be able to do it to you?'

Harry laughed and carried on walking, Hermione followed him and tugged at his arm for an answer

`The amount of power taken to do this to something is astronomical, of the chart, completely and utterly out of this world!' Harry almost shouted in joy `locking onto a small moving target, especially one that is working as hard as I am to conceal myself, would be unthinkable'

`But wasn't the idea of something being able to drain the Anglia and Grimmauld completely unthinkable as well?' Hermione pointed out.

Harry stopped dead in his tracks as he heard these words, a thoughtful look on his face. He ran a hand through his hair and she could hear him humming to himself very softly. After about a minute he shook his head and carried on walking down the street.

`Thanks Hermione' Harry said, and his voice was softer and she could tell he meant it `that's a very, very, good point'

`And…' Hermione said, pushing him to give her more on the matter.

`And…' Harry said mimicking her voice teasingly `I'm really going to have to be careful this time'

`That's really not good enough' Hermione said, conscious that she had put her hands on her hips as she stopped, a habit that she hadn't done for quite a while.

`Sadly it'll have to be' Harry said as he stopped and turned to her, but his voice didn't seem to think it was sad, instead it sounded buoyed up at the idea of facing the unknown again.

`And what are our other options?' Hermione asked, trying to keep her voice patient instead of shouting as her brain was straining to do.

`There isn't any other options' Harry said scratching at this ear distractedly.

`There are always other options' Hermione stated aletting her anger get the better of her momentarily, Harry was always too reckless for his own good, and the days were long gone when she would just let him do whatever stupid thing he wanted to without any reassurances.

`What?' Harry said shaking his head in annoyance `get a job, get a mortgage, a big screen TV, marry you, have kids and buy myself a different pair of slippers for everyday of the week? Can you see me ever doing that? Can you see yourself ever wanting that?'

`No…' Hermione said, and it was partly the truth, just the words about marriage and kids gave her a small pause for thought. But no. that wasn't going to be her life, because then she wouldn't be with her Harry. Her Harry saved people, risked his life for strangers because it was the right thing to do, because it was the only thing he could ever do. She steeled herself and looked in his eyes `that's not you, and now that's not me'

`I thought so' Harry said softly, as if he was trying as hard as he could to not rub it in at all.

`But I need you to promise me something' Hermione said with a smile.

`Anything at all' Harry said taking her hand in his and leaning slightly closer.

`No unnecessary heroics this time, ok?' Hermione said, now grinning with Harry.

`Unnecessary I can promise… but Hero?' Harry said with a wink of his clear green eye `what else could I ever be?'

*

Hey, hoped you liked that…and the speed of my update this time has even amazed me, especially as I really liked this chapter! It went exactly as I originally saw it! Usually the story stays the same, but in every story changes happen. For example Back to the future 2 was first written to be in the 60s (not really a very relevant bit of information, but I think its fun!), but this went…perfect!

Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it…

Next chapter is the return of some friends…

Jms Granger…

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28. The Stranded Hole: Part Three

The Stranded Hole: Part Three

`…and don't stare into any of their eyes, ok?' Harry said all this very quickly as they strode down the stone floors of their friends' hideout.

`Why would I stare into their eyes?' Hermione asked shaking her head at Harry's strangeness.

`No real reason' Harry said smirking slightly `it just seemed that you and Ron…'

`Are just friends' Hermione interrupted quickly making Harry laugh.

Hermione walked down the endless corridors, listening to the echo of footsteps that belonged to her and Harry. With its rich reds and large stone paved floor the place reminded her of the many medieval castles, and in particular a rather unhappy encounter with William the Conqueror who was still very upset with Harry over their first meeting.

`Why shouldn't I stare into their eyes?' Hermione asked curiously as his words slowly sunk in, she found it weird that she wasn't supposed to do something with her friends.

`They might be able to read your thoughts' Harry said this as if it was completely normal.

`They can read my thoughts?' Hermione said in shock before another, much scarier thought, struck her `can you?'

`Naturally' Harry chuckled before adding quickly as he saw the look on her face `but don't worry, I hate doing it, having it done on me and would never ever dream of invading your privacy like that'

`Thank you' Hermione breathed, a lot happier now that she knew the thoughts she had been having recently were still private.

`But they might be able to do it to you' Harry added warningly, throwing her an apprehensive glance.

`So Ron was reading my thoughts the whole time when we were here last?' She asked not sure how she felt about it.

`I don't know' Harry said shrugging his shoulders dramatically `Its pretty advanced magic so I don't even know if any of them could even do it, let alone do it to you…except Albus Dumbledore of course'

`So Albus is a mind reader?' Hermione asked interestedly making Harry throw his head back in laughter `What's so funny?'

`I used to know a particularly nasty little man who would want to kill you for uttering the words mind reader!' Harry laughed `but that's besides the point…Albus can read minds, for want of a better term'

`How do you know?' Hermione asked.

`He tried to break into mine' Harry said brightly, but Hermione was shocked at this, Albus had always seemed so nice and trusting before `don't worry, he didn't manage it and he probably knew he wouldn't be able to'

`So why would did he try then?' Hermione asked.

`So he could judge first hand if I was as powerful as he thought I might be' Harry explained `I wished that I had realized that when he tried, that way I wouldn't have flexed my absolute supreme power quite as much as I did'

`What did you do?' Hermione groaned as she saw the mischievous glint sparkle behind his eyes.

`Nothing much…' Harry grinned `kicked him out, followed the source of his magic and folded it back onto him and left a slight imprint of a memory with him'

`An imprint of what exactly?' Hermione asked, they were nearing the door to their destination and she now had to wonder what kind of reception she should be expecting. It sometimes seemed that Harry brought the worse out in people.

`Do you remember that I told you at the time that I had been listening to the radio and had got a song stuck in my head' Harry asked looking at her.

`Kinda' Hermione answered `When Draco was leading us to that torture chamber room he had you said how you wanted to go to some place to get it extracted'

`That's kinda remembered?' Harry teased.

`Carry on with your explanation' Hermione said giving him a playful little nudge.

`Well I found a place to dump that memory instead' Harry said with a wicked grin `Albus had to listen to Ice Ice Baby on repeat for hours!

Harry pushed the doors open and strode through, Hermione giggling slightly as she followed him into the large busy room and looked around at its inhabitants, instantly recognizing several of them.

`HERMIONE GRANGER!' she heard Ron roar as he ran up to them, instantly pulling her into a tight hug. As he broke the embrace he gave her a little smile before looking at Harry and adding in an overly dramatic, but not very friendly voice `and Harry Potter, her ever faithful sidekick!'

`As long as I'm hers' Harry said chuckling to himself as Hermione felt herself blush slightly.

`So what are you two doing here?' Remus asked as he strolled up to them, a large smile covering his features as he embraced Hermione and shook Harry's hand.

`Yet another mysterious adventure' Harry said awkwardly giving Hermione the cue that he didn't want too much said.

`Yeah, same old life' Hermione said smiling `anything weird been going on here?'

`Depends on what you mean by weird' came a voice that she instantly recognized.

`James!' Hermione squealed as she turned and saw him before her, and without a second thought she ran to him and leaped into his arms. As his hands ran over her back she realized how much she had actually missed him `I can't believe you're here…actually, why are you here?'

`Muggle-wizard relations' James said as he broke away from her, by the look on his face and the way he held himself as he said theses words she could tell just how proud he was of it.

`James Stone, defender of the world!' Hermione said making Harry blush slightly `so what do you do?'

`To tell the truth, not too much' James said modestly, but sounded slightly disheartened `after the Slytherin Government were overthrown the Conservatives won by a land slide, and naturally they refuse any change saying they don't want to panic the populace'

`Why don't you just go over their heads?' Harry asked curiously `run it through the media and get the truth out there?'

`We can't all stand against an entire country and win' James said respectfully to Harry.

`And besides that, we're not sure that people are ready for it' Remus said a little shyly.

`And the Slytherins are still out there, probably plotting their next way to enslave the muggles and kill us' Ron said reasonably `if we told them we might just end up dragging them into a war were not even ready for yet…and with those New-clear weapons they have, who knows what might happen?

`I don't know about that!' Harry laughed loudly and dramatically for show `I think they might just surprise you…the human race might just be ready for the next great adventure, to throw everything in the air and see where it all falls…'

`If my mother can get her head around it then everyone else should be fine' Hermione pointed out making James laugh slightly to himself.

`The greatest thing they have is how adaptable they are, a thousand times more than you are' Harry explained, his voice going slightly lower as he became more passionate `look at all the things they've been through, from plagues to world wars and ice ages! And every single time the human desire for a better, happier, life brings us through!'

`But we don't all have the luxury of viewing 2006 with hindsight' Albus Dumbledore said interrupting Harry as he strolled over to them.

`But you do have the luxury of being able to ask me about it' Harry said smiling as he shook Albus' hand.

`Societies can't grow if they already know the future' Albus shot back grinning.

`But individual members could' Harry said laughing.

`And so the debate could last for all eternity' Albus said chuckling `but, unfortunately, we don't have that amount of time, so why don't you tell me why you have appeared today?'

`We were just…' Hermione started.

`Were stuck' Harry said interrupting her. Hermione shot him an angry glance, Harry had made it obvious that he didn't want to much said, and now he was blabbing everything.

`How can you two, who can go anywhere, be stuck?' Albus said genuinely confused.

`Something or someone has taken that away from me' Harry said simply.

`Ah…' Albus said.

Hermione looked around, every face in the crowd was straining their eyes as they stared at the two of them, trying to work out just what was happening. Hermione looked at them and wondered if they were trying to read their minds, as was the concentration on all their faces.

`Maybe we should talk about this in my room…' Albus said this and pointed towards a door at the other end of the room.

Harry nodded and took Hermione's hand to lead her away but Albus held up a hand.

`Maybe we could do this just the two of us, alone?' Albus asked as his eyes twinkled onto Hermione for the smallest of moments.

`Whatever you have to say to me you can say to Hermione' Harry said, a little anger fluttered into his voice as he looked at Albus. Hermione felt both awkward and angry. Did Albus not trust her?

`Dear, lovely Hermione' Albus said as kindly as he could as he took her free hand in his, his skin soft against hers `I mean no harm by this, none at all…'

`So why do you want me alone?' Harry asked, but Albus was still looking at her. Hermione remembered Harry's warning and made sure not to stare into his bright blue eyes.

`I just need half an hour of young Harry's time, half an hour and he's yours again…' Albus said, a little sadness seemed to drain into his voice `forever'

`And I told you that…' Harry started.

`Its ok' Hermione said interrupting Harry as she let go of his and Albus' hand and gave Harry a smile `I want to catch up with everyone anyway'

`Hermione…' Harry started, his voice low and full of concern.

`No' Hermione said as sweetly as she could `you go with Albus'

`I'll show you around' James said taking a step closer to Hermione.

`But…' Harry said, but his voice trailed of as he just stared at Hermione in a complete lack of thoughts.

`That's agreed then' Albus said as he started to walk slowly towards the door he had earlier pointed out.

Harry stood still as he looked into Hermione's eyes, Albus walking off slowly behind him, when he suddenly lurched forward and enveloped in an embrace.

`Half an hour' Harry breathed lowly into her ear.

`you sound panicky' Hermione teased as she felt his hands crawl up her back making her eyes want to close and bury into his chest.

`Well…' Harry said as he broke the embrace `I've gotten used to having you next to me'

and with a little wink he turned on his heel to leave her with her old friends, her old boyfriend, and the new feeling of being along, the feeling of not having her Harry standing beside her, ready to battle the world for her.

*

Harry lowered himself softly into his chair and pushed his back deep into the upholstery as he looked around Albus' room. It was exactly as he had expected it to be, full to the point of overspill with amazing magical items and equipment, the kind of things that when he was younger would have completely blown his mind away. Now he was older, and had seen so very much, and was more interested in what Albus actually owned.

`You have a good collection here' Harry said appreciatively, the amount of items he had would give the Anglia a run for its money. One of its store rooms anyway.

`Thank you' Albus said lowering himself into his chair across the table from Harry.

Harry sat opposite Albus and looked around, Albus was trying to lead the conversation by making Harry speak first, and in effect give up what he wants and whys he's here leaving Albus in the main role of saviour. Harry absolutely hated this approach and felt like cursing, except that would mean he broke first.

Harry twiddled his feet slightly and wondered how long Albus could keep this going. Hopefully not like Pol Pot. He had managed 8 hours, in which Harry had accidentally drifted of to sleep, twice. And now he only had half an hour. And he wouldn't be late for Hermione.

Harry had a peek to see what was on Albus desk and saw a large bowl of liquorice wands which made Harry thank god. Grabbing one he started to chew on the end, and although he liked them he half wished for strawberry bon bons, Hermione's favourite sweet, but knew he should be grateful for anything.

He looked up and almost found himself speaking for he had seen the pensieve, the one that held his memory, or at least a memory of him. So Albus kept it in his own room? Harry found this very interesting.

`You win, Harry Potter' Albus said snapping Harry from his thoughts. Harry gave him a little apologetic shrug and checked his watch. Twenty minutes. Not bad.

`Never play games involving time with me' Harry said laughing.

`Harry Potter, the lord of time' Albus said with a smile.

`I prefer Time Lord' Harry said laughing again, but it quickly died away as he found himself shooting a glance to his side, to his side where he expected to see Hermione.

`A Time Lord?' Albus said thoughtfully `Please tell me how a Time Lord can be stuck?'

`Jumping right into the nitty gritty?' Harry said, slightly impressed.

`Well I wasted twenty minutes through my stupidity, and realize that you refuse to be late for Miss Granger' Albus explained `So I figure that we only have ten minutes left, and I wish to use them well'

`Good. The means by which I travel got…absorbed or drained…and thus I have no way to travel…It even took my wand' Harry said groaning as this point sunk in on him.

`Absorbed or drained?' Albus said in thought, seeming to disregard the issue of Harry being wandless `are you sure the magic didn't run out?'

`That's what I thought at first' Harry admitted `but a home I have, intensely protected, has also met the same fate…and coincidence is the excuse of the lack of imagination'

`I agree' Albus said truthfully.

`So what do you know?' Harry said, finding himself wanting to come straight to the point. He had promised Hermione that he would be back in half an hour, but saw no reason that he couldn't come back earlier.

`Of magic absorption and draining?' Albus said `no more than others, and definitely a lot less than you'

`Ok' Harry said grinding his teeth slightly at the lack of information `What do you know of anything strange that has been going on?'

`At the moment everything seems strange' Albus said cryptically.

`Albus' Harry said low, he was starting to get annoyed `I don't have time for your games, for you to try and protect knowledge and play your cards against your chest'

`I know that' Albus said leaning forward, his face completely calm `but what you have to realize is that whatever has happened has stumped you! The self proclaimed Time Lord who has seen things that I could only ever dream of! And you come to me and expect quick answers for such a problem, to see a crack of a hint in the thirty words you've given me?'

`I…' Harry said awkwardly, he knew he was being unreasonable, childish even. But it wasn't often that he found himself so confused by magic, and felt himself falling back to when he was a lot younger and a stranger to this world, a world he needed to be led through `I'm sorry'

`It's quite alright, Harry' Albus said kindly `I know what its like, being rather cleverer than the average person myself I often get annoyed with peoples lack of imagination'

`I'll try and rephrase it…' Harry said thinking carefully `something magical, wizard or animal…acting differently…you probably haven't seen it much lately as otherwise you would have noticed how much power it has…I don't know what more I have…'

`How about a history in trying to drain magic from you?' Albus said leaning forward quickly, his eyes sparkling manically as he grinned from ear to ear.

`You mean?' Harry said excitedly `Draco Malfoy is back?'

`About six months ago' Albus said smiling `managed his way hack form the Sahara Desert in less than 3 months, rather sunburnt thought!'

Harry leaned backwards and laughed, this was starting to all form but problems still existed.

`Maybe…' Harry said cautiously `but he could never manage this…draining someone when you stick magical items on them in front of you as your prisoner is one thing…but breaking magical protections of the likes you've never heard of and draining a stationary object of unparallel power is another thing all together'

`He fits the other points' Albus pointed out `I saw him about a month ago, seemed paler than ever, worried…scared even…he's stopped showing up for any events, stays completely to himself, even leaving his lackeys Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle…and now he's disappeared'

`Disappeared?' Harry asked.

`Completely' Albus started `I have some of my best men out searching for him but so far he's fallen through the cracks'

`I guess it possible' Harry said uncertainly.

`I think its probable' Albus said quickly.

`You have a hunch about him, don't you?' Harry asked with a wry smile.

`Well, yes I do' Albus admitted.

`Then that's good enough for me' Harry said smiling.

Albus sat there for a few moments and watched him, curiosity gone and in its place was genuine friendship. The meeting of minds.

`You've lost your wand, correct?' Albus said quickly standing up, Harry nodded.

Albus walked over to a large cupboard, reminding Harry of his own one back in the Anglia.

`Here's a spare wand' Albus said handing him the wand and sitting down again in his chair across from Harry's. He held it before him and was amazed at the comfort and fit of it, like a brand new Olivanders.

`What's the core?' Harry asked as he gave it a wave and magiced a glass of wine for himself, a trick he had perfected in his visits to Hermione's mums.

`Phoenix tail feather' Albus said eying Harry closely.

`Fawkes?' Harry said laughing to himself in disbelief.

`How do you know Fawkes?' Albus asked, throwing away all pretence of being casual and leaning forward in curiosity.

`We go way back' Harry said cryptically, he didn't want Albus to know everything `we bump into each other from time to time'

`That's the only feather he's ever given' Albus said conversationally, leaning backwards into his chair.

`Nope' Harry said shaking his head `at least two others have been made…I should know I owned one of them…'

`So he gave away three feathers, two of them he meant for you?' Albus said this quietly, more to himself than to Harry.

`I better be going' Harry said quickly standing up, he didn't want Albus to ask any more questions along this line as Harry knew that the other wand would be brought up next `thank you for everything'

`I'll have my men search for any sign of Draco or the Slytherins' Albus said

`I'll do my own searches as well' Harry said making his way to the door.

`One last thing, Harry' Albus said, making Harry stop and turn around `although now I feel stupid for not mentioning this before I rearmed you'

`What is it?' Harry said in concentration, Albus' words were already angering him.

`It's Hermione…' Albus said softly.

`What about her' Harry said quickly, his heart beating quickly, sending out his magic accidentally making Albus recoil ever so slightly. Harry regained his control and stared at the old man.

`She's not yours' Albus said softly, calmly but with the tiniest hint of apprehension.

`What does that mean?' Harry asked and he felt his blood was starting to boil as it coursed through his veins.

`You know exactly what it means…' Albus said, sorrow in his eyes `It's why you've pulled away from her all this time…'

`You know nothing of it' Harry said angrily, clenching his mouth shut and grinding his teeth.

`Not even a Time Lord can over come this…' Albus said.

`Maybe your right' Harry said as he turned on his heel and opened the door `but I can'

`Harry…' Albus said `I've seen what will happen…'

But Harry heard no more as Harry slammed the door behind him. He didn't want to know the future, not his, not hers. The future led people, when people should be the ones creating it. He walked down the corridor, determined to get to Hermione, but he found his head ringing, not with the sound of door on stone but with Albus Dumbledore's words. And they were the truth. Hermione wasn't his.

*

Ok, I know I took a long time updating this, and I'll explain. First of, reviews have DRASTICALLY dropped…3 reviews for the last chapter! That's incredibly disheartening for a writer. So I took my time, I wrote out the rest of the story by hand, adding in one very, very horrible thing because of the lack of reviews, and now I'm typing them up and adding to them…

Hope you liked it…4 more chapters to this adventure…Finale is quickly approaching!

Without a time machine and all the adventures that has to offer, our duo finds themselves alone. Expect Fluff!

Jms Granger…

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29. The Stranded Hole: Part Four

The Stranded Hole: Part Four

`Home sweet home' Harry said sighing as he looked around. Both of them had only taken the first step into Grimmauld Place and neither really wanted to go any further in.

Hermione looked at the wall to the right of the entrance where they were standing and saw a large dark patch where a painting had evidently previously been hung. Now though all that was left was a dark, damp smudge that wasn't at all inviting.

`Its…nice' Hermione said this blank faced, which she found was the most joy she could bring out in herself. Her heart ached as she thought of the Anglia, her home that she missed so much.

`It'll do' Harry said walking into the foyer of the large house making Hermione follow him, his voice sounded slightly hollow and like he was trying to convince himself of something `till we get travelling again anyway'

Hermione sighed and shook her head, the place was alright and would indeed do for the time being, clean and modern like most houses that existed in England in the 21st century. It was definitely a lot better than where they usually went, from the prisons at the Houses of Parliament to the toilets at cholera infected London.

But it wasn't home. It felt weird around her, like it was somehow bereft of hope and laughter. She thought back on the first time she had come here and knew she hadn't felt like this then, but then again she had the promise of travelling through time running through her brain, where as now she has the prospect of never travelling through time again.

`Follow me' Harry said taking her hand in his and pulling her forward `I'm sure I left a dining room around here somewhere'

Hermione followed him into a corridor and watched as he opened the first door. Behind it was hundreds, thousands even, of dusty leather bound books covering every spare inch of wall space. One of the many libraries that Harry owned.

`Nope' Harry said brightly as he slammed the door and led her on again.

The second door contained what appeared to be a store room, over filling with equipment, machinery and what looked like bottles full of different colour liquids. The third was yet another library and the forth was completely empty. Finally on the fifth attempt Harry spoke again and pulled Hermione inside.

`This is it' he said brightly and walked over to the table that was situated in the middle of the room, the room was sparsely decorated with just a nice comfortable rug and a couple paintings adorned the walls `Its not much, but plenty of room and comfort for anything we need'

Hermione took Harry's lead and sat down, choosing her seat next to him. For the half and hour that he had been with Albus she had found herself panicky. As she spoke with her old friends her heart had been going about a thousand beats a minute and threatened to come out of her chest. Now was a time of uncertainty and she needed her Harry to be there with her.

`How did you even get a house?' Hermione said laughing, loving the fact that she was alone with him again, the universe was back to the way it was meant to be.

`I bought it' Harry said smiling to himself as he looked around the room, evidently pleased with what he saw.

`I thought you said it was inherited?' Hermione asked suspiciously.

`Good catch!' Harry laughed out loud `I sort of inherited it a long time ago, different life really, so back here in good old 2006 I had to buy it of an old couple, gave them a damn good price too'

`How did you get the money?' Hermione teased `you don't even get the underlining principals of jobs and mortgages!'

`I'm not that dumb!' Harry said indignantly, but ended up laughing as Hermione looked sceptically at him with her eye brow raised `Ok, Ok! You got me! I travelled back in time, got The Taking of Christ by Michelangelo Merisi Da Caravaggio, returned to the early 90s and sold it'

`You were the guy found the Taking of Christ? I love that painting!' Hermione was genuinely amazed. She remembered when she was just a child and hearing about the finding of the lost master piece and being completely taken by the idea. She remembered spending a whole day in her attic searching for something as amazing as the story.

`Guilty as charged' Harry said shrugging `want a drink?'

`Sure' Hermione said, realizing that however amazing the lost Caravaggio painting had been, the truth with Harry carrying it through time was an awful lot more exciting.

Harry quickly magiced a bottle of wine onto the table and took a glass, but Hermione didn't pick up her own.

`Red is your favourite, isn't it?' Harry asked worriedly.

`No…well, yeah, it is' Hermione admitted impressed that Harry knew this intimate detail about her `It's just…didn't your wand disappear with the Anglia?'

`Oh' Harry mouthed looking down at his hand that held the wand and pocketing it `Albus gave it to me'

`That's…nice' she said looking away slightly, she always felt awkward when Harry was taken up with Wizards and magic, and the simplest things like getting a spare wand was beyond her.

`What's wrong?' Harry asked taking her hand softly in his.

`Nothing' Hermione said brightly flashing him her best fake smile.

`That's not going to work with me' Harry said holding her hand `your real smile is a hundred thousand times more beautiful than your fake one!'

`If you keep saying things like that your just going to make me blush' Hermione said awkwardly feeling her cheeks hotten slightly.

`There's nothing embarrassing about the truth....' Harry said honestly staring into her eyes `now can you tell me what's bothering you, please?'

`Ok, but you're just going to say I'm being stupid!' Hermione said shrugging, but Harry just kept on watching her calmly `I just fell sometimes that I…hold you back'

`What do you mean?' Harry asked with genuine confusion in his face.

`I juts think sometimes that if you travelled with a wizard you would be better of' Hermione said honestly `I'm just some silly muggle as wizards like to say'

`Firstly, I never use the word muggle, do I?' Harry said and looked at her waiting for an answer.

`No' Hermione admitted `you like to talk about humanity'

`Its because that's what you are' Harry said sweetly `Humane, not like the cynical old wizards who are forever stuck in the past, untrusting and fearful of the future and change….kinda like the Conservatives'

`Ron doesn't seem to be like that' Hermione pointed out.

`And how many no-magical friends do you think he has, except James who saved his life' Harry said all this quickly `I'd be willing to bet that the answers none'

`But it's his group…' Hermione started.

`That's not an excuse' Harry said shaking his head `7,421,209 people, roughly, live in London, and probably under 500 of them are wizards, and they only keep to that small group? Do you understand how selective you have to be to keep within such an absolutely tiny group of people?'

`So that's why I don't hold you back?' Hermione said sceptically.

`Not at all' Harry answered `that's why you being magical or not isn't an issue for me…I am what I am, and you are who you are, which just happens to be a person I love an awful lot'

`Thank you' Hermione said blushing furiously `but wouldn't I be more helpful if I could do magic?'

`Hermione' Harry said rolling his eyes `I'm more than magical for the whole world… You help me by simply being you, by stopping me from charging in head first all the time, making me worry about your safety keeps my own in check…It may not always seem like it but I listen, constantly, and where as before I would just storm in, you make me think things through first…you cant even imagine the amount of trouble I used to get myself into!'

`Oh, yes I can!' Hermione teased softly as she leant closer to him. She didn't know how he always managed to do it, but he could make her feel better with just a look. She picked up her glass and drained it in one, pouring another as she finished.

`Thirsty?' Harry teased as he raised an eyebrow. Hermione stuck her tongue out at him and took another sip of her wine.

`Subject change!' Hermione said brightly, Harry had managed to make her feel better and she just wanted to enjoy being alone with him `do you think that you'll ever settle down? You know, stop travelling and stay in just the one time zone?'

`Why would I ever do such a thing?' Harry said, slightly disgusted like Hermione had suggested that he marry his sister, or something as horrible as that.

`That's what I thought' Hermione said shrugging and taking another drink from her glass `but don't you ever want children?'

`Of course!' Harry said laughing `but why would that make me stop travelling?'

`Well, for starters you'd have to send them to school, and you could hardly get them involved in all the adventures that we go on' Hermione pointed out reasonably.

`Rubbish!' Harry said shaking his head dramatically `kids love adventures, I know I did, and as long as their with us, no real danger would come to them'

`I'd be travelling with you?' Hermione asked.

`Of course' Harry said dismissively as he drained his glass and refilled it with his wand, but Hermione was touched by his words, and couldn't help but imagine being the mother to the kids they spoke about.

`What about school?' Hermione asked.

`I'd probably send them to Hogwarts, some way into the future' Harry said thoughtfully `but for summer and winter breaks I could teach them a lot more than the teachers could… definitely get an O in history of magic, a subject I flunked horribly'

`You got any names planned' Hermione teased, she found it funny to hear Harry talk of the future in this way.

`Petunia for a girl' Harry said stone faced.

`Ew…I don't like that!' Hermione said shuddering.

`That was my mothers' name' Harry said looking at her in what appeared to be shock.

`Oh' was all that Hermione could manage to say as she wished the ground would open up and swallow her, but after a few moments Harry burst into laughter and made her realize it was a wind up `that's horrible!'

`Your reaction was priceless' Harry said as he slowly stopped laughing `I was in fact thinking about Lily for a girl'

`Now that I like' Hermione said honestly.

`Really?' Harry said with a little smile `that was my mothers name…honestly'

`What happened to her?' Hermione asked.

`She…died' Harry said looking away slightly.

`I'm sorry' Hermione said wishing she hadn't brought it up.

`It's ok' Harry said with a little shrug `I was young, very young'

`What did she…?' Hermione started but couldn't say the words.

`She was murdered' Harry said with a sad little smile.

`Oh, Harry' Hermione said, she had no idea what to say.

`Lets not talk about this' Harry said quickly `What about the name of your son?'

`Ooohh' Hermione said `how about…James?'

`I like it' Harry said laughing.

`You think naming my first born son after my ex boyfriend is a good idea?' Hermione asked interestedly `that the father would be fine with that?'

`Well it's also my fathers' name' Harry said brightly.

`Are you having me on again?' Hermione asked.

`I promise that's the truth' Harry said honestly.

`How weird is that!' Hermione said chuckling `what are the chances?'

`Of two people both having one of the most common names in the world?' Harry teased `pretty high I'd guess'

`Ha Ha' Hermione said sarcastically `you know what I meant'

`So…' Harry said looking away from her slightly awkwardly `James is definitely your ex-boyfriend?'

`Yeah…' Hermione said, equally as awkwardly as Harry.

`Cool…' Harry said, still not meeting her eyes.

Hermione looked at her feet, she was wearing a simple pair of converse and wondered when the hell she had started wearing trainers like these, evidently some point after meeting Harry. But she found her eyes shooting upwards as a loud ripping like sound came momentarily piercing into the room.

`What was that?' Hermione asked looking around before her eyes shot onto Harry who had already leapt up of the chair and was now standing straight with his wand in his hand ready for action.

`You heard that too?' Harry said with confusion in his voice.

`Yeah…' Hermione said looking around, the noise had stopped now but the air seemed somewhat heavier around them `but I have no idea what it was'

`It sounded like a rip…' Harry said as he took a few steps closer to Hermione, his eyes searching the walls in that way of his.

`That's what it sounded like to me' Hermione said taking a step closer to Harry and holding his hand.

`Lets just keep our fingers crossed that we were both mistaken' Harry said as he tugged on her arm and started to lead her towards the door `come with me'

Hermione followed Harry out of the door and watched as he made his way form door to door, holding his ear up hard against it for a few seconds until he moved onto the next. After about five or six doors he stopped and backed of slightly, his eyes watching the door closely.

`Do you remember where this door leads?' Harry said quietly deep in thought.

`It's where you use to keep the Anglia' Hermione said knowing that this couldn't be a good thing.

`It must be the fact that a hole was ripped here so often' Harry said to himself `and with the complete draining of the house it's created a weak point'

`A weak point for what?' Hermione asked nervously.

`Don't know' Harry said `could be the universe sterilizing the wound, something coming through, a void sucking in the world around it…too many things to name really…'

`None of them sounded very good' Hermione said sighing `we going in?'

`Yeah' Harry said after a couple moments and took the door handle, slowly turning it before stepping quickly into the room.

The room was blank and empty like it had always been, a store room for Harry's most prized possession, but now something was different.

The ripping sound rang in her ears again, louder this time than before telling her that this was exactly where the sound was coming from.

`What's that?' Harry said confused pointing at the far wall.

Hermione watched as a dark large shape appeared, incredibly blurry so that they couldn't see any of the details properly. Another figure seemed to step out of the dark shape and step forward, and Hermione instantly recognized that it was a person, although a very blurry person.

Hermione watched as the ghost like figure stopped mid step, the dark shape behind it where she had appeared from wasn't gaining any clarity, but the figure slowly was. Harry was standing perfectly still, his eyes narrowing as he watched the person fall to their knees. Hermione could tell that the person was in fact a woman, and from the rapid shaking of the shoulders the woman was in tears.

`Lets leave' Harry said, his voice was dark and forceful.

`We can't' Hermione said quickly, but she found that she couldn't step forward `we have to help her'

`She's not real' Harry said quickly as he grabbed her hand and tried to pull her away, Hermione however was ready for this and shook of his arms and stepped closer to the crying woman.

Then she stopped.

And before her stood herself. The image was now more defined, her hair was the same as she wore it now, her clothes were different but she knew they resided in her wardrobe, and down both cheeks were floods of tears as this Hermione, transparent like a ghost, rocked back and forth on the floor, not even bothering to try and stop them coming with her hands.

`How?' Hermione said quietly.

`It's a ripple of time' Harry said walking up closer to her `for some reason its caved on itself and appeared here…This must have been what Albus mentioned, about seeing the future…'

`I meant why…' Hermione said interrupting him `why am I crying?'

`Have you cried like this before?' Harry asked, his voice sounding serious, but Hermione barely heard him. The sound of the ghost Hermione was now echoing through the room, sobbing and shaking like nothing she had ever heard before.

`No…' Hermione said `not like this…'

`Then it's either the future, a mirror image reflected in the crease in time that the rip must have bent into our world…' Harry said, his voice sounded controlled but deeply worried `Or a distortion of space and time creating a unique moment which happens to draw of you as it skips through here...'

`The future…' Hermione said, the word sounding so strange and foreign to her, for the first time it sounded like an enemy. She knew the future, she visited there and enjoyed every moment of it. But her future seemed a different prospect now.

`Or just a ripple of what might be' Harry added, his voice shaking slightly.

`So my future, my destiny…' Hermione said, choking the last word out `is to end up… here?'

`There's no such thing as destiny' Harry said sharply `we choose our own'

`That's easy for you to say' Hermione snapped `your not the one crying and sobbing her heart out'

`I know what its like' Harry said softly.

`How could you?' Hermione snapped again, the ghost version of herself was still crying, still shaking uncontrollable, and now she thought she saw fear in her eyes.

`I…' Harry started but stopped instantly.

Hermione looked up at him, a fearful confused look was in his eyes as he watched the ghost Hermione rocking back and forth.

`I followed my supposed destiny once…' Harry said.

`And what happened?' Hermione asked.

`I found out that it didn't exist' Harry said sharply, turning to her with a fierce look in his eyes `let's get out of here'

The words he spoke seemed to be like a command for the apparition, making it dissolve into a puff of black smoke as he said it.

`Where would we go?' Hermione asked, her mind still on just what could make her cry like the scenes she had just seen.

`To get our Anglia back' Harry said determinedly.

`But how?' Hermione asked shaking her head, she wasn't feeling like the epitome of optimism at this moment and needed Harry to work his magic and make her feel better.

`I don't know' Harry said shaking his head slightly `but I will find out…'

`What if you can't?' Hermione asked fearfully.

`Then…' Harry said determinedly but stopped for a moment `I will work it out… I will save everyone…I will…'

And as Harry took her hand she smiled, she knew she was temporarily safe, that nothing could happen to her with Harry leading the way. But she couldn't help herself thinking about what would happen to her…and when it would all start… and if it already had…

*

Hey, hoped you liked it…Action coming soon, violence and threats of death galore! But I hope you liked this little Harry and Hermione chat, with talks of a future together, even if they do talk around it! Anyway, I might get the next chapter up tonight, otherwise ill do it after work tomorrow…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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30. The Stranded Hole: Part Five

The Stranded Hole: Part Five

Hermione crossed her arms tightly across her chest, feeling the quick burst of her body heat filter ever so slightly through her body in spite of the bitter cold November wind. The cars rushing past them as they made their way home from work only helped to dampen her spirits as she looked straight at the building she would soon have to be entering.

The old Slytherin high command looked derelict now, windows smashed from the children that resided in this run down area and the obvious lack of cleaning made the building look more like a haunted mansion than an old Government building.

She grudgingly remembered the last time that she was here, working as a cleaner while on a self made undercover mission to find out what had happened to her world. That time it had worked out well enough, saved by the two men she loved most in the world, Harry and James.

`You should have fetched your old scrubbers' uniform out' Harry joked as he shot her a teasing glance from the corner of her eye.

`You just like seeing me in a dress' Hermione smirked back `however horrible and baby blue it may happen to be'

`How very true' Harry said thoughtfully `makes me think I'm travelling with a woman instead of a twelve year old boy'

`Below the belt from Harry Potter!' Hermione called as she let out a little whistle `and the judges are ready to make a decision…it's a disqualification!'

`Any chance of an appeal?' Harry asked faking concern.

`Of course' Hermione said reasonably `but all that you could hope to get from it would be an extended sentence…so it's your choice really'

`Um…' Harry said scratching his chin in concentration `you don't leave me with many choices with this…please be kind?'

`Cant be kind or cruel' Hermione joked `seeing as the law is reason free from passion'

`Aristotle was such a smart ass' Harry groaned exaggeratedly `Put me out of my pain and sentence me, please?'

`Ok, you asked for it' Hermione said thinking hard.

`By any chance is it that I have to save the world?' Harry asked hopefully `because that I could manage'

`Nope' Hermione said sticking out her tongue.

`That I have to travel through time and space with a twelve year old boy look-alike?' Harry asked grinning.

`Next place we go, after the whole defeating the Slytherins thing we're doing at the moment, I get to choose your outfit' Hermione said with a wide smile.

`You're not going to pick plain, timeless black…are you?' Harry said sighing.

`Definitely not' Hermione smirked `I'm thinking yellow and pink'

`At least I won't be mistaken for a twelve year old boy' Harry said as he weighed up his punishment.

`Did I forget to mention that it'll be a dress?' Hermione said laughing.

Harry slinked his shoulders and groaned loudly, stomping his feet slightly impatiently before he turned to Hermione.

`I guess we'll look like a twelve year old couple, you the boy and me the girl' Harry said laughing `shall we get going and do this whole saving the world gig?'

`Well we really shouldn't keep it waiting' Hermione giggle as she took Harry's hand and started to lead him towards the main doors of her old place of employment.

Hermione let go of Harry's hand and pushed open the main double doors, surprising herself that they weren't locked, or even in need of a good oil.

`This place really misses you' Harry said in slight disgust as he stood rooted to the spot looking around. Hermione didn't reply but instead took a few moments to look around and saw instantly massive piles of dust, cobwebs and piles of crumbling cardboard boxes. It looked like it had been lying unkempt for at least a decade. Harry looked at her and added `you know, because you were a cleaner here and now it's a mess'

`I got it' Hermione said distractedly `I just chose to ignore it'

`It was funny because of the dress talk we had…' Harry continued, sounding slightly put out.

`Hasn't this place only been shut for about 6 months' Hermione said interrupting him.

`Ignoring me, that's new…' Harry muttered.

`Harry...' Hermione said turning to him sharply.

`New, but interesting' Harry carried on muttering to himself.

`Snap out of it' Hermione said warningly.

`Ok. Right. Dirt. Stuff' Harry said shaking his head with his voice back to its brisk casual style as he looked around the foyer again `it does look pretty darn derelict!'

`Darn?' Hermione said giggling at Harry.

`I'm trying out some new words' Harry said brightly.

`It's working for you' Hermione smiled.

`I'm also considering dang' Harry grinned.

`And I'm considering getting back to the point at hand' Hermione said snapping herself out of their banter and onto the issue they faced, mainly being stuck in a Slytherin building, probably with something that is draining magic inside, that looks like it had been derelict for a decade when it had only been for six months.

`Maybe the building was built on some cruddy, animal infested ground and their now out in full force to reclaim their territory?' Harry said shooting Hermione a hopeful glance.

`Or maybe it's the same thing that's draining power and giving us apparitions thing?' Hermione pointed out

`I was dreading that' Harry said screwing up his face and sighing, before he shook his head and started talking rapidly `Its probably another instance of time folding, this is probably the nexus of the activity or a centralized points of disturbance and thus the power is leaking out around it, morphing space around the crux of time'

`Just what I was thinking' Hermione said laughing as she took Harry's hand and started to lead him through the corridors which she found she still remembered from her job `I thought we'd check the room where they kept the pensieve first'

`Good call yet again' Harry said impressed `with the power that thing was shooting out haphazardly in its attempt at keeping the memory alive that it would create a slight temporal weakness that would be easily manipulated'

Hermione strode through the endless corridors, pulling Harry alongside her, counting the many turns until she found the right one and walked to the edge of the door that led the way.

Harry pulled on her arm to stop her as they reached the door and out his hand into his pocket, removing the wand he had receive from Albus.

`It's not as good as my one' Harry said looking at it mournfully `but hopefully it'll be enough'

`With you behind it I have no doubt at all' Hermione said with a little encouraging smile which Harry returned before she took the handle of the door and pushed it open.

Hermione stepped in after him and looked around, the room was completely bare, absolutely void of anything at all and entirely decorated in pure white.

`I guess we were wrong this time' Harry said shrugging as he strode around the room and closely examined the corners.

`Why is this room so clean compared to the rest of the place?' Hermione asked confused.

`Maybe it's a different cleaning company that do the rooms?' Harry asked hopefully.

`Or maybe it the magic draining, apparition creating, corridor dirtying thing at it again?' Hermione pointed out as she thought she preferred the dirt of the corridors to the hospital like cleanliness of this room.

`Seriously Hermione' Harry said dramatically `please stop pointing these things out!'

`I'll keep that in mind next time your trying to fool yourself with a stupid theory instead of facing reality' Hermione teased grinning'

`Just keep it in mind' Harry said brightly before he shuddered and added `I so hate reality!'

`Onto the torture chamber?' Hermione said brightly.

`Hearing you say those words gives me the chills!' Harry said pretending to shiver as he took her hand and lead her from the room `I meant that in a good chills type of way of course'

`Really?' Hermione asked curiously `little…kinky?'

`Now why does your mind always drop into the gutter?' Harry teased as he pulled her up a flight of stairs.

`So you meant that you get chills from the idea of literal torture?' Hermione asked cocking her eye brow.

`Oh' Harry said stopping momentarily before carrying on down a corridor and adding quickly `I'll take the kinky thing'

`Good choice' Hermione said giggling slightly.

`As they strode through the endless corridors she couldn't help but smile, the fun banter as they strode to face a nameless and probably lethal enemy was so natural to them, and she loved it.

`Ding, ding, our stop me lady' Harry said stopping outside the large, completely out of place, wooden door and gave her a bright smile `you ready?'

`One moment' Hermione said holding up a finger to indicate it as she straightened out her clothes slightly `if some thing is going to try and kill me, I at least want to look good for it'

`Your such a girl' Harry teased dramatically rolling his eyes as he pushed the door open and stormed in, his wand raised high and ready for action.

`Where is everyone?' Hermione said strolling in after him `or anyone at all for that matter?'

`I'm more concerned with how this room looks exactly the same as it did six months ago?' Harry said looking around, and Hermione quickly realized that he was right. The chairs were still even bound with the heavy chains they had worn before.

`Maybe no one has been here since then?' Hermione asked hopefully.

`Or it's the drainy, dirtying, appiritiony, cleany thing again?' Harry groaned `I hate temporal anomalies reflecting in the cracks of space…'

`Who's being the pessimistic one now?' Hermione said shooting Harry a pretend angry look.

`At least its not here ready to attack jus' Harry pointed out brightly.

`But also it means we've hit a dead end, as this was our last idea after all' Hermione sighed, she was watching the chairs and shuddered, the heavy chains brought back some bad memories.

`Maybe not…' Harry said, his voice was low and deep in concentration as he stalked around the room, putting his hands barely and inch away from the chairs before quickly doing the same to the next one.

`You got an idea?' Hermione said grinning from ear to ear.

`I think I just might' Harry said loudly, joy in his voice as he spun around excitedly.

`Come on and share!' Hermione cheered, Harry's plans always meant something good and always ended well.

`Ok' Harry said jogging up close to her and putting his hands roughly onto her shoulders, a boyish grin masking his face `when Draco and the other Slytherins had me captive…or at least thought they had me…they hooked me up to them to drain my power'

`But they failed' Hermione pointed out.

`Naturally' Harry said grinning `but they linked my power…which as I've told you before is really what I am, like my soul or being or consciousness… they linked it directly to their own, so theoretically at least a connection was formed and still some residue bridging should really exist'

`Isn't that dangerous?' Hermione asked, horrified that Harry's soul was linked to someone as horrible as Draco Malfoy.

`I'm talking of the stringiest of links' Harry said excitedly `just a few more atoms than I'm linked to everything else, completely and utterly useless in any other situation'

`So how's this helpful' Hermione asked wondering which crack of a hint she had missed.

`Because we happen to be situated in a place where a machine exists ready that was made to bridge that gap and actively pull on it' Harry said, flashing a little wink.

`You can fold it back on itself?' Hermione said grinning `you, the self proclaimed king of apparition and portkeys, can appear where Draco is, can't you!'

`Self proclaimed it may be, but no one does it better!' Harry said as he held out his hand for Hermione to take.

`You mean right now?' Hermione said not taking her hand.

`No time like the present' Harry said winking again `I promise nothing will happen to you'

Hermione shrugged and took his hand, sure that this wasn't going to go swimmingly, and as soon as their skin touched she felt the familiar, and completely horrible, feeling of being pushed through a tube that was apparition.

`WHAT THE -.' A voice rang out from around the room.

`Draco Malfoy!' Harry shouted brightly as if he had bumped into a long lost friend in the road completely by accident. Hermione followed Harry's eye line and saw Draco sitting on a chair, his face was paler now than ever before and he seemed so shocked by their arrival that he was stuck to the spot `its amazing to bump into you, here of all places!'

`I think you've looked better before though' Hermione said following Harry as he approached Draco.

Draco suddenly twitched, as if having a convulsion, and his hand shot like lightning for his wand, but even before he reached it the wand went flying upwards, bouncing roughly against the ceiling.

`I still need to get used to this wand' Harry said chuckling to himself as he picked up Dracos' wand off the floor and pocketed it.

`Harry Potter' Draco sneered settling back into his chair and looking at Hermione, disgust evident in every crease of his screwed up face `and his mud blood slave! What an…honour'

`I see your time in the Sahara didn't improve your manners at all' Hermione laughed at Dracos' pathetic insult.

`Maybe Antarctica will help his etiquette?' Harry said looking questioning at Hermione. The slightest bit of colour Draco had fell from his face and he twitched again in his chair.

Hermione laughed and looked around the room, it was dark and damp and seemed the complete opposite of Dracos' arrogance. She even saw drips of something sticky falling from the cracks in the ceiling.

Then her eyes stopped as she saw a familiar sight. A pensieve.

`Harry…' Hermione said grabbing Harry by the arm and pulling him around.

`What the…' Harry stopped mid-sentence as he saw the pensieve. He looked at it for several moments before he strode purposefully up to it and looked down into the swirling grey smoke `you cultivated the memory again'

`The one of you?' Hermione asked as she remembered the eerie sight of a younger, scared, Harry surrounded in darkness. Harry didn't answer Hermione but instead spun around and ran up to Draco, his wand raised into his face.

`Why cant you just GET OVER IT!' Harry yelled an inch from Dracos' face `why do you have to persist in hounding me, chasing memories and moments that don't belong to you!'

I seek power, the same as you do' Draco sneered cockily in Harry's face.

`That's not good enough' Harry said `I warned you not to interfere again'

`So what?' Draco said laughing loudly `you send me to some god forsaken backwards country and I get myself back here anyway? Why even waste your time?'

`Not this time' Harry said hotly `this time you're not leaving this room'

`Harry…' Hermione said taking a step closer to him, but he didn't even look in her direction.

`No' Harry said more to himself than anyone else `he's not leaving'

`But…' Draco said, fear flooding his voice for the first time `you…you can't…'

`I can' Harry said, his voice sounding full of sadness and mourning `and in a few moments, I will have already done it'

`We Cant let you interfere' came the echoing of a hundred voices all speaking as once through out the room making Hermione spin around expecting to be surrounded but finding nothing.

Harry backed of from Draco and looked around the room where the image of a human outline started to come into focus, like it was somehow being pushed into the air from somewhere else.

The image was male, but Hermione didn't know how she knew this as the thing was completely featureless and was only letting out a small amount of bright blue light.

`Dang!' Harry groaned running a hand through his hair as he scrunched up his face.

`What is it?' Hermione said but quickly added as he realized she was being rude `I mean what is…he…called?'

`It's…' Harry said his voice sounding surprised `…it's the Magicallds'

*

Hey, hoped you liked it. Personally I'm enjoying writing this, as I FINALLY get to pull a few loose strings together from several chapters, and its satisfying to do…Anyway, I hope you remember the Magicallds, and if you don't you could always read chapter 2 and 3 again??? Or listen to my quick little history recap...

The Magicallds are like parasites, completely void of any corporeal existence and thus they need to feed of magical creatures (including wizards) in order to carry on existing. Anyway, a freak accident happened where they were able to mix with the blood of unicorns (scientific experiments that contaminated the surgery and let them into their body) in order to gain immortality and its own, sentient life…Harry, having learnt of their intelligence, decided to let them go under the promise that all they would do was observe humanity…

And that's where we are now…

Hope you enjoy what's coming…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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31. The Stranded Hole: Part Six

The Stranded Hole: Part 6

`What is it?' Hermione said but quickly added as he realized she was being rude `I mean what is…he…called?'

`It's…' Harry said his voice sounding surprised `…it's the Magicallds'

`That is not our name anymore' the no longer called Magicallds said.

`So enlighten us' Harry said sweetly as he turned to look at Hermione quickly and rolled his eyes.

`We are nameless' they said, the hundreds of voices was slowly becoming one with every word, but the image was still detail-less and wasn't improving at all.

`Then, for lack of a better term, I'm going to call you…ooohhh…what do you think Hermione?' Harry said sarcastically `I got it! Magicallds! Is that alright by you?'

`If Harry Potter, our past saviour, the man who gave us life wishes it, then he may' the newly renamed Magicallds said.

`So what are you doing here?' Hermione asked quickly. None of this made sense, and they were the last…things…Hermione expected to find here. Especially as the last time she saw them was 44 years in the future.

`We have come…' the Magicallds said hesitating momentarily `because we wish to…meet…Harry Potter again…and we knew your family was in this time zone…'

`What have you done with Draco?' Hermione asked quickly as she saw that Draco wasn't moving, even his eyes sat unblinking.

`We don't wish for him to hear what we have to say…they are nothing but the bodies, helping us because we promise them power…' The Magicallds said, his voice sounding very indifferent to Dracos state `we have temporarily frozen him in time'

`Saves me the effort of doing it' Harry's aid shrugging not even looking at Draco before carrying on with sarcasm dripping his words `So you've come to just say hello?' `then you're going of back…wherever you came from'

`No' the Magicallds said, the voices had now all died down and had been morphed into one, but the featureless blue body was still there and not changing or moving one atom.

`I thought you were just going to observe?' Harry said in annoyance, sounding like a school teacher telling off his pupils `to watch time unfold'

`And we did' the Magicallds said, their voice sounding bitter `all the way till the end'

`Watch some more then' Harry said in his annoyed voice once again `obviously you can travel through time'

`We did' the Magicallds said `we've seen it all'

`Now that's just silly talk' Harry said waving this away with his hands, but Hermione saw something that looked like apprehension in his eyes.

`We are pure energy, and have never been corporeal' the Magicallds said `we saw you and watched how the Anglia worked. After consideration we applied the same principals of energy being pushed against this world to create a dent, and we found it was like second nature for us'

`I hate energy based organisms' Harry groaned `they have their own set of rules for everything'

`And we live forever' the Magicallds said `no young or old…just life'

`So I'm guessing you've seen a lot then?' Harry asked strolling up closer to them and looking closely into their shining blue body `and something you saw led you back here?'

`Everything we saw lead us back here' the Magicallds hissed `to where Harry Potter would most likely appear, visiting the family of his Hermione'

`At least someone thinks she's mine' Harry grumbled making Hermione confused but before she could think on this Harry was off again, speaking brightly as he walked back and forth in front of the blue body Hermione was still unsure if it was just the one of them or all of them. Harry continued speaking brightly `so what's so interesting about me, as a fellow traveller through space and time I know for a fact a couple… maybe one or two, somewhere… more exciting things exist'

`We've seen them all' the Magicallds said.

`You keep saying that!' Harry said hotly `what do you mean'

`Your mortal mind keeps forgetting something' the Magicallds said but Harry looked at them confused.

`How old are you?' Hermione asked as she realized what they meant.

`It's uncountable' the Magicallds said, fear and sorrow in its voice `we've seen the start of the universe and its end, we live outside of time and have seen it all so many times…we have seen everything'

`Oh my god' Hermione said throwing a hand over her mouth horrified at the idea.

`I don't believe you' Harry said, his voice low and determined.

`Believing something doesn't change reality' the Magicallds said unworried.

`If you've seen everything, which I really do doubt, what did I have for Christmas dinner, 148,041?' Harry said shooting Hermione a confident grin.

`You didn't eat' the Magicallds said `you were temporarily incarcerated in New New Jersey mental institution because of your rather excessive use of a dead word, that being fantastic, which was judged as a prison worthy offence. You broke out of there the next day by…'

`Ok. So you saw that' Harry interrupted frowning, before grinning again `I once told a friend what my favourite Shakespearian play was…who was that friend?'

`You have never had such a conversation, but you once told Charles that your second favourite was Othello' the Magicallds replied, their voices sounding lifeless and bored as they rattled of these facts.

`Ok…' Harry said slowly.

`But we would predict that your favourite is Much Ado About Nothing' the Magicallds interrupted `as you have seen it performed 17 times in 14 vastly different time periods'

`I…' Harry said losing the ability to speak.

`Do you believe us now?' the Magicallds asked.

`Not yet…' Harry said shaking his head and wiping the impressed look of his face `you may be made of pure energy and thus able to bend through time, but how the hell is your memory so good?'

`Because we watch you' the Magicallds replied lifelessly.

`Because you, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, you two…' the Magicallds voice dropped lower in a frenzied way `…you change time!'

`And that's all you have left, isn't it?' Hermione said, she couldn't help but feel sorry for them, repeating time forever and never being able to see anything new.

`We have watched you for the last year…Harry longer than that' the Magicallds said sounding depressed `but you are mortal…and you will be gone in a blink of an eye…and we will be left once again with nothing…'

`So what?' Harry said cockily `you came here, manipulated events to meet so you could what? Ask us to never die, because that we cant do'

`We know that, and we are sorry' the Magicallds said softly `now we wish to escape'

`You know what? We are very similar, maybe we'll even end up like you, bored of time and life' Harry said pleadingly `we travel through time, seeing things for the first time, or reliving history! But we don't want to escape, we want to explore even more! Find the next big thrill'

`There is nothing more' the Magicallds said sadly `not in this world, anyway'

`You don't mean…' Harry said slowly.

`We are going to open a hole to the void' the Magicallds said, their voice getting louder and shriller.

`You can't' Harry said looking at them nonplussed `not even I can do that'

`But you can…the field you contained us in, and where you sent that ghost?' the Magicallds said, its voices getting more passionate with every syllable.

`I just pushed it through this world, its just luck that the void is on the other side' Harry said shaking his head.

`You were able to push against this world' the Magicallds said animatedly.

`The field was just me pressing on this world, with every bit of power I had, and only a few atoms of void stuff came through, disappearing as the tension was released!' Harry said shaking his head more and more `and pushing something inanimate through is nothing like manipulating the void to allow a whole species to jump through…you just can't manage it! '

`But what if you had pushed harder…' the Magicallds said, their words were light and soft on the air.

`Then…' Harry stopped as he said that word, a worried confused look on his face.

`Then we can leave' the Magicallds stated, hope seemed to be in their voice.

`Fracturing this world as you leave' Harry's voice was angry `allowing the void into this world as you leave it and bringing the world through with you'

`That is a risk…' the Magicallds said uncertainly `but not a certainty'

`How can you take that risk?' Harry said amazed `why is it your right to take that risk!'

`Life is intolerable and we can't die!' the Magicallds hissed `what would you do?'

`If you've seen everything then shouldn't you already know exactly what I would do, in every single possible situation' Harry snapped angrily.

`And we know you would do anything…anything…' the Magicallds said slightly impressed `for those you love, for your family of friends…we, the Magicallds as you call us, are more than family, we are each other, the same force'

`And knowing me as you do' Harry said with a bitter grin `you must be able to tell exactly what I would when confronted with someone who could kill?'

`You would try to stop them' the Magicallds conceded, sounding like they were actually sighing `but we're not evil…'

`Why aren't you?' Harry asked shaking his head.

`We don't seek power like the Slytherins' the Magicallds said with pleading lining their words `all we wish for is to escape this…this…this hell'

`And I cant let you do that' Harry said `for one it'd be like committing suicide'

`Not if you came with us?' the Magicallds said `you and Hermione'

`We wont' Hermione said disbelieving.

`You heard the lady' Harry said slowly as he stared straight at the Magicallds.

`So this is it?' the Magicallds said tonelessly `we become enemies?'

`I think you'll find that we already are' Harry said, his voice low and dangerous.

`Then…' the Magicallds said slowly `when we meet again…'

The room flashed bright as the Magicallds words echoed in her ears. She felt weightless as the lights blinded her temporarily but quickly it was all over and straight in front of her was the familiar sight of Harry. She threw her arms up and pulled him into a hug, happy to be out of there before it turned to silence.

`Thanks for getting us out' Hermione said as she broke the hug and looked around and realized she was back at her mother house `although I wouldn't expect you to pick here?'

`I didn't apparate us' Harry said shaking his head `it was the Magicallds…damn good trick as well'

`Well, at least we're safe' Hermione said smiling hopefully.

`They didn't want to hurt us' Harry's aid dismissively `otherwise they would have apparated us into a volcano or into space'

`Oh my god!' her mother squealed as she walked into the room, frying pan in hand and raised in preparation for attack `It's you two!'

`Who did you think it was?' Hermione asked, unable to help herself from laughing as her mother tried to find a place to put the frying pan and ended up just dumping it behind the sofa.

`God knows what!' her mother said, now smiling as she hugged the pair of them, even though the hug to Harry seemed slightly false. She started to sit down and her and Harry followed her lead, Harry sulking back in his chair `It's not that I'm not pleased to see you, but just why are you back?'

`It's a really long story' Hermione said pleadingly.

`Fine' her mother said rolling her eyes `you kids and your secrets…'

`Thanks mum' Hermione said smiling. Her mother had always had a sixth sense about when not to press a conversation and she was pleased to see it still working after the many months apart.

`So how long you back this time?' her mother asked.

`We cant really say' Hermione said shaking her head, she really wanted to be alone with Harry for a few moments and felt guilty about wanting her mother to disappear `can we have a cuppa?'

`I though you'd never ask!' her mother smiled as she stood up and walked of towards the kitchen, pausing at the door to add `Harry, you want it black as usual?'

`Thanks' Harry said nodding.

`Like your clothes' she heard her mother mutter `completely dull.

`We show up out of the blue and she still has to moan about my fashion sense?' Harry said staring incredulously after her.

`She just likes colour' Hermione chuckled `and isn't your biggest fan over anything'

`Really?' Harry said in mock surprise `I thought being called a jkidnapper was a compliment!'

`Leave her alone' Hermione said rolling her eyes, but she had to admit she enjoyed her mothers bickering with Harry. She was after all, beside Hermione herself, the only person who didn't treat Harry like some sort of hero or demi-god. To her mother Harry was just the friend of her daughters who she thought was a bad influence, and Hermione had to admit she did have a point.

`Oh, do I hate the Magicallds now!' Harry suddenly lurched forward and groaned.

`But you'll stop them, wont you?' Hermione asked brightly.

`Who knows' Harry said weighing up his words `I know a lot of thinigs, but what they've got themselves into is really on the edge of my knowledge…completely unproven theories and ideas…'

`So it's not just me who didn't understand everything properly?' Hermione said cheering up slightly.

`The composition and effects of the void?' Harry said brightly `no one really knows'

`Why would they want to go to the void?' Hermione blurted out confused. She remembered the look on the ghost as he was sent there, and the fear was complete, and Harry had explained to her how it was, in effect, hell.

`Because then they can travel to other worlds…' Harry said shaking his head `Their not our usual crowd of the insane and evil, but something more dangerous than that'

`What are they then?' Hermione asked not liking the tone of Harry's voice that was low and pensive.

`Their idiots' Harry said sighing `desperate enough to try whatever they can to escape their prisons…so they can travel from world to world searching out new events'

`What do you mean by worlds?' Hermione said confused `and how does the void help?'

`Ok' Harry said turning to face her `think of a book, the first page is our world, the second page is another world…their both incredibly close, but very different…the two can touch but you couldn't rub the words of one onto the other'

`Ok…' Hermione said listening carefully.

`And each of these pages are different choices… the science fiction writers call them parallel universes' Harry spoke very rapidly `now in-between these pages is air, even when its shut there's atoms of air, a complete non entity for the book…that stuff is the void…'

`But how do you get form one to the other' Hermione asked.

`If you dropped a blob of ink onto our page and pushed it against the next one, then you would in essence be creating a bridge and air would be unable to occupy the same space as the ink….and thus the void would no longer exist between the two, and you could step between the two'

`But don't they want to go to the void, not get it away?' Hermione asked.

`There both the same thing' Harry said sighing `if a breach happens, of a big enough amount, enough ink to use our metaphor, then the void would stop to exist'

`Why?' Hermione asked.

`Because nothing is impossible' Harry said, his voice low and slightly scared `mathematically and factually impossible'

`But you said its there' Hermione said confused.

`Haven't I showed you that impossible usually means its true?' Harry said giving her a weak little smile `do you get any of this?'

`I think so…' Hermione said concentrating `but one thing…'

`Whatever it is ill try my best to explain' Harry said patiently.

`An ink blob isn't very dangerous is it?' Hermione said.

`Maybe not' Harry said shrugging `but it depends on how much ink is used and, probably more importantly, just how absorbent this world is…'

`I guess so' Hermione said nodding as she thought she could understand it now `the book could be made from hard back paper, or tissue?'

`And one blob of ink to tissue and this page will absorb it instantly' Harry said sighing `and maybe the whole book along with it'

`Here is your drinks' her mother said as she walked back into the room carrying the three cups expertly in her two hands.

`Thanks mum' she said as she took a huge sip `I needed that'

`I like your top' her mother said after a few moments `although I'm worried that its the same one that you left in…'

`I do change my clothes' Hermione said indignantly.

`So its just a coincidence?' her mother said raising an eyebrow.

`No' Hermione said `it's because we haven't gone anywhere'

`Oh' her mother said before smiling broadly `you giving up the travelling?'

`No mother' Hermione groaned.

`Maybe you should think about it' she said encouragingly, but stopped as she heard the front door push open. Harry slid his hand to his pocket ready for what was coming.

`Mrs Granger!' James called as he burst into the room `Hermione's….home…'

`Hi James' Hermione said, letting go of Harry's hand. Even though she could hold Harry's hand in front of any amount of creatures, peoples and wizards who were trying to kill her, holding it in front of her ex-boyfriend was a completely different matter.

`What are you two doing here?' James said looking around the place as if he was expecting to see a wildebeest in the corner.

`Long story' Harry said sighing `and not one I really care to relive again'

`Hermione' James said urgently as he sat next to her, taking her hand in his `what has happened?'

`James…' Hermione said withdrawing her hand from his.

`You can trust me…' James said smiling `and maybe I can help'

`Go on love' her mum encouraged `James is such a nice boy'

`Please tell him, Hermione' Harry groaned `otherwise your mother will carry on for hours'

`Ok…but this will sound strange' Hermione said uncertain where to start.

`Like the man you thought had abducted your girlfriend showing up and asking you for help to take down some evil wizards?' James said laughing `I've gotten pretty used to strange'

`So he needed your help?' he mother said looking at Harry, but the three of them ignored her.

`I guess so' Hermione said, she hadn't thought about it but James' life had changed nearly as much as her own after meeting Harry `Well, in the year 2050 we went to this unicorn sanctuary and…well I don't know the all the science behind it but some magical parasites got into their bloodstream and used it to become sentient…we let them leave so they could observe life, but after trillions of years of travelling back and forth through time they have gotten bored, hating their prison…now they wish to open up a hole in this world to escape it to another dimension, which may just cause this world to fracture and cave into the void'

`Whoo…' James said with his eyes wide in confusion `I didn't get any of that!'

`I'm sorry' Hermione said sighing `these things are harder to explain than they are to understand!'

`Maybe you'll forgive me next time I go on a spiel?' Harry said laughing `Bad guys, made form pure magic, are going to try and destroy the world so they can escape it'

`Oh' James said his eyes instantly shooting back to Hermione's `what are we going to do?'

`I think he makes most of it up' Hermione's mum said shooting Harry a little dirty look, evidently still not over him taking away her daughter.

`I don't know' Harry said shaking his head `I know I'll end up trying something but I have no idea what'

`You being serious?' James said astounded `you haven't got a plan?'

`The void isn't a topic you can just read up about' Harry said hotly `and if you experiment with it to much you might just undo the world'

`So your going to stop the Magicallds?' Hermione offered.

`Their immortal' Harry said shaking his head.

`The ghost was already dead' Hermione pointed out.

`He was only one entity, and ghosts aren't complete energy…' Harry said shaking his head `near but not complete'

`So what's you trick going to be?' James said grinning.

`I…' Harry started but then stopped, his whole body freezing and his eyes stopped moving. When he spoke his voice was low and lifeless as his body didn't respond `I don't think I can stop them'

The whole room stopped, even her mother looked at Harry worriedly. Hermione had heard him claim things to be impossible before, to not be able to think of a way out of it, but this time it was different. This time he was fine at first, and it was trying to work out a plan that had stumped him, and the problem was he didn't know enough. James was now looking at Harry strangely, a fierce determination shining from behind his eyes.

`Why do you think I've never tried to convince Hermione to come home?' James said, his voice shaky as he spoke `when I've had to wake up every single day for the past year knowing that I wouldn't just be able to call her because she was off gods knows where?'

`Lack of confidence?' Harry joked, but he was cringing slightly.

`Because who could compare to you?' James said, his voice steadying slightly `Harry Potter, the time traveller'

`James…' Hermione said feeling slightly tearful, she wished she hadn't caused James any pain, and she wished with all her heart she knew what to say to take it away.

`No, its ok' James said looking at her before turning back to Harry and speaking forcefully `I'm not, and never will be, in your league…the wizards here, who can do things I could only dream of, are not even close to you! Let's face it, you're the hero here, the one we need, to lead us, to save us! And you took her away, showed her the world and time…'

`James please, stop' Hermione said, her eyes were brimming slightly with tears.

`I'm done' James said holding up his hands `I've said everything I wanted to say'

`And what do you want me to say to that?' Harry said incredulously `sorry I took your girlfriend away? Sorry that I can't always save the day? That sometimes I, Harry potter the time traveller, can fail?'

`No' James said shaking his head `this isn't about saving the day, or failing?'

`Then what?' Harry snapped, but he was staring at James in concentration.

`To be who you are' James said simply `Harry Potter…the man who's always there, always trying, and not because we need him, or even sometimes that we want you…but because he has no other choice but to be himself'

`I…' Harry said blinking slightly as he couldn't tear his eyes from James.

`Harry?' Hermione said looking up at him.

`Ok' Harry said slowly standing up.

`Ok?' Hermione said `you'll try?'

`Naturally' Harry said looking down at James `it's who I am after all'

`But what can you do?' Hermione asked worriedly `if they've seen everything, then won't they be able to predict your actions. Won't they be ready for you?'

`Fantastic! Hermione you are absolutely fantastic!' Harry almost bellowed as he punched the air, a sparkle fluttering through his eyes `you've just made the plan for me…the tiny glimmer of hope that will bring us through'

`What do you mean?' James asked confused.

`You're in muggle-wizard relations, right?' Harry said, a grin forming on his face.

`Yeah…' James said uncertainly.

`Round them up' Harry said quickly, his voice low and fierce `anyone of age and who can hold their own in a fight'

`What are you going to do?' James asked, his face resolute as he took Harry's orders.

`We are going to go to them… head on' Harry said determinedly `ladies and gentlemen…we're going to war'

*

Hey, Hope you enjoyed that…the world may just be sucked into nothingness? Who believes in Harry? Anyone out there think he'll fail? Anyone wondering just who will be dying this adventure (or did I not mention that before???)…

Hope you like what's coming…

Jms Granger…

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32. The Stranded Hole: Part Seven

The Stranded Hole: Part Seven

Harry walked back and forth as Hermione looked out at the room. About a dozen men and women stood before him, the makings of a small army. James was there, and he had rallied up Ron, Remus and other wizards, even Albus had shown up ready to help.

`Ladies and Gentlemen' Harry said as he stood still next to her, the pair of them in front of them like they were addressing the troops `me and Hermione are at war…'

The room buzzed slightly as he said the words, people were looking between themselves as if to check that Harry had really said that.

`In a matter of minutes we are going to be walking into battle' Harry said as he started to walk up and down the line once again `a battle we can't be sure we will win'

Hermione felt butterflies form in her belly at Harry's words, were things really this bad.

`And if we don't…' Harry said simply `then the world…every single living thing in the universe throughout time…will die…'

`you cant be serious!' Ron shouted angrily.

`Ronald…' Albus said warningly, his eyes focused sharply on Harry `allow him to continue'

`Thank you' Harry said nodding at the old wise man `The enemy is the Magicallds…magical parasites that have gotten to big for this world, seen too much for this life…they want to open a hole in our world to escape it, which will in turn suck our own world with them into the void…'

`The void?' Albus asked speaking up `We know nothing of the void'

`No one does' Harry said shaking his head `but I've been there, and I have ideas…and those ideas are enough to make me ready for war, a straight on fight'

`Harry…' Remus said slowly `if you cant beat them, what use are we?'

`Probably more than I will be' Harry said chuckling to himself `you see the magicallds know me, they know exactly what I can do…now its my belief that they will try and neutralize me, stop me from fighting at one hundred percent…I'll keep them busy while you carry one fighting'

`So who are we going to be fighting?' Ron asked his back straightening tighter.

`The Slytherins' Harry with making Ron laugh loudly.

`You should have said that part first!' Ron bellowed grinning wickedly `I'm in'

`Thank you' Harry said agreeable `now if any of you see the risk as too great…'

As he said this everyone in the room made noise, telling Harry that they too was in, ready to go to war for Harry.

`Don't answer too quickly' Harry said shaking his head `This isn't like usual, I cant guarantee anyone's safety…people will die…'

`We have to' Remus said stepping forward `its our world that's in danger!'

`Are you sure?' Harry asked smiling as all the faces nodded in front of him. All the faces except Albus Dumbledore `what about you, Albus?'

`We all do what's needed of us' Albus said softly `but is walking into a battle, a probable trap, really what we need to do?'

`Albus…' Harry started as he took a few steps closer to him `these Magicallds aren't like the others…their clever, extremely…I cant stop them any other way, and if they succeed…the world might just end…now, out of everyone except for Hermione, you are the person I'd most like beside me as I walk into battle'

Hermione blushed slightly at Harrys praise of her, placing her above Albus Dumbledore himself. Albus looked closely into Harry's face and eventually nodded, a grin spreading over Harrys face.

`There is something you need to know…' Albus said gently.

`What?' Harry asked confused.

`I know where a huge crack in time is' Albus said watching Harry closely `we believe that something, the Magicallds as you call them, has been widening it recently…this may be their point of attack'

`How the hell did you find a crack in time and space?' Harry said bewildered `it's not just something you stumble across unless…'

Harry stopped and Hermione could tell that Albus was feeling uncomfortable. His eyes looked away from Harry's slightly, and his shoulder twitched for the tiniest of moments.

`You've been searching for…it…haven't you?' Harry said softly, his voice almost a whisper.

`Can you honestly say that your surprised?' Albus aid confidently.

`To tell the truth I'm surprised you've even heard of it!' Harry said looking suspiciously at Albus before he blinked and shook his head `but I probably shouldn't be'

`I had Kinglsey and Alastor searching for it…I sent them the night I first met you…' Albus said `and, about a month ago, they found a crack…since then we have been patrolling it, knowing what could happen if it fell into the wrong hands…'

`Where is it?' Harry asked.

`Slytherin high command' Albus said `in the store room, under ground'

`Figures' Harry groaned.

`Shall I send scouts to watch the place?' Albus asked.

`Why?' Harry asked bewildered.

`So we can plan our attack' Albus said slowly.

`Oh…there's no plan' Harry said laughing `we're going now'

`But…' Albus started but stopped `everyone remove your wand and be ready for battle'

Hermione watched as everyone unsheathed their wands and moved closer together, as if they were marines preparing to watch each others backs. Harry walked up close to her.

`Stay close to me no matter what happens…' Harry whispered in her ear `I wont let anything happen to you'

`Thank you for letting me come' Hermione said holding his hand in preparation for apparition.

`There's no one else I'd want with me' Harry said softly once again before addressing everyone `Is everyone ready? Good. This is a little trick the Magicallds taught me'

Hermione felt Harry raise his wand above his head and felt what seemed like a gust of powerful wind rush out from him, followed by a blinding light and there re-emergence in another, dark but large room. Harry had obviously copied the Magicallds mass appirtiton trick, and made them all appear in the Slytherins basement store.

She barely had seconds to see the corners of the room before the first crash of a n explosion sent her flying of her feet, smashing painfully into the floor.

`Get up!' Harry bellowed as his hand grabbed her and pulled her to her feet, his wand hand having produced a large silver shield that explosions was smashing against. Suddenly he threw a hand up to his head and winced but quickly recovered themselves `didn't expect the Magicallds to try that one…follow me'

Harry led her across the room, deflecting the majority of spells but Hermione still had to duck or swerve to miss a few. Harry kept on stopping, fighting of whatever invisible magic the Magicallds seemed to be sending at him. Harry quickly pulled her behind a large set of boxes and started throwing spell after spell across the edges.

Now she had some protection she peered round the edge and looked out at the battle scene in front of her, her breathe catching in her throat as she did.

Ron was stepping backwards as two large built Slytherins seemed to be closing in on him, but he was deflecting their red and blue spells and sending back his own.

Remus was fighting back to back with a heavily scarred man who kept on shouting obscenities as a group of four Slytherins surrounded them. She watched as a bolt hit Remus in the chest sending him crippled to the floor. Only seconds passed until the scarred man joined him lying motionless in the room.

`We're hugely out numbered!' Harry shouted at her as he stood up and aimed several large spells at the men who had taken down Remus who seemed to be congratulating themselves, three of them yelped in pain and fell down.

Hermione saw an amazing sight, Albus was in the middle of the room, six of the Slytherins had surrounded him and his wand was moving so fast that Hermione could no longer see it, battering of spells and shooting his own back. Around him was the still bodies of about 4 or 5 Slytherins Albus had evidently already taken down.

`Harry' Hermione yelled as she watched Harry fall to the floor in pain momentarily, before he sprang back up shaking his head `what's happening to you?'

`Those dam Magicallds are attacking me with everything they have!' Harry grunted in pain `and while I'm here everyone else is being beaten!'

`Ron! Albus!' Hermione yelled, she needed to help Harry, no one, not even he, could fight two battles at once `Come over here!'

She watched as the pair of them backed away slowly from the fighting, the Slytherins seemed glad at this and a lot of them left them to fight the others. Moments later Ron and Albus had arrived.

`What is it?' Albus said, still shooting spells into the battlefield.

`We're losing this!' Hermione said desperately `we need to get it over and done with!'

`I could fight all day!' Ron yelled in anger.

`Maybe you could, but I can't' Albus said with a smile `Hermione, Harry…now would be a good time to do your stuff and get us out of here'

`Um…' Harry said stopping what he was doing and looking around the room.

`What does um mean?' Hermione asked warningly.

`Its oral sentence filler, not meant to be in written English' Harry said brightly.

`And what does it mean in this instance?' Hermione asked angrily.

`It means I…' Harry said looking away from her awkwardly `haven't really got a plan…'

`You led us into battle without a plan on what to do when we got there?' Albus said disbelieving.

`Pretty much' Harry said with an apologetic grin.

`That's ok' Hermione said dismissively `because he needed to see the tear in time to work things out. And now he can he's coming up with one right now'

`Thanks' Harry said as he looked around the room `I could fill it with matter?'

`Then it can't be void?' Ron asked, still firing a hundred spells a second.

`Would that work?' Hermione asked.

`No' Harry said honestly.

`Then why suggest it?' Hermione asked.

`I'm brain storming here' Harry said angrily shaking his head `and I already have the Magicallds inside my brain trying to tear things to shreds so I don't need you to do it to!'

`Just think Harry' Hermione asked.

`I'll try…' Harry said as he stilled himself and looked around, staring into the far corner `It's bigger than I thought possible…'

`Meaning its close to breaking?' Hermione asked nervously.

`Yeah…' Harry said staring even more intently `it also means that I cant reverse it…'

`What do you mean?' Albus asked forcefully.

`Sometimes, if the hole gets too big, you cant repair it anymore' Harry said, his voice low but calm.

`So it's over?' Albus asked.

`Don't be silly' Hermione said dismissively waving a hand at Albus `what are you thinking?'

`That I could open one…' Harry said slowly `I could do it more carefully, smaller, just enough for them to leave…'

`But you said that the whole world will crack and that everything will fall away with it' Albus said angrily.

`I know that' Harry said shaking his head `but it's all I have!'

`What will happen to the Slytherins?' Ron asked interestedly.

`The Magicallds will leave, stop trying to neutralize me, then I'll teleport them into a volcano or something' Harry said bitterly as a large explosion happened over them, giving Harry just the second he needed to create a large roof of bricks to protect the from it.

`The risk is too great' Albus said shaking his head and putting a hand on Harry's shoulder `we must withdraw and plan!'

`I say we go down fighting!' Ron said angrily looking at Harry for orders `we fight to the very last!'

What do you think, Hermione?' Harry said turning from Ron and shaking Albus' hand of him.

`Will it work?' Hermione asked seriously.

`I can't say' Harry answered honestly `but it could work…'

`So either way that hole is going to be opened?' Hermione asked as she weighed up the options.

`Yeah…' Harry answered.

`Then I'd prefer if it was you then the Magicallds' Hermione said smiling. And it was true. She threw her lot in with Harry a long time ago, and now she stood by him no matter what.

`You may have just condemned everyone to death' Albus said looking sadly at Hermione.

`or saved humanity once again' Harry said with a smile as he slowly raised his wand above his head.

Underneath her the ground started to shake, the walls rumbling and threatening to cave in, and even the fighting stopped besides them. The whole world stopped and listened to the sound of an earthquake impede on their lives. The sound she heard when Harry collapsed with Guy Fawkes.

`You opened it…' the voice of the Magicallds echoed around the room `for us?'

`For humanity!' Harry shouted back as the room continued to shake `that they may live!'

`Harry Potter…' The voices said loudly `you gave us life, and saved us from prison…what can we ever do to repay you?'

`One thing…' Harry shouted angrily `Never…and I mean in all of eternity…NEVER return!'

`We accept that…' the Magicallds said softly, sounding upset `thank you. Harry Potter'

`One last thing!' Hermione shouted having realized something `repair the hole and return the Ford Anglia to us!'

`Your wish, Hermione Granger…' the Magicallds said sounding freer than ever `is our command'

As soon as the words were said the shaking of the world had stopped, and a strange peace and silence resounded throughout the room.

`Is it over?' Ron asked looking around the room.

`Yes' Albus said slowly `Harry and Hermione has saved us once again'

`We're going to end up owing you two too many worlds!' Ron said laughing as he stepped out into the room from behind the box. Hermione followed him and saw bodies lying on the floor, not moving.

Harry stepped forward of them all and walked over to the still body of Remus. He crouched down lower over the body and placed his hand on his throat, feeling for a pulse.

`He's dead…' Harry said softly as he placed a hand over Remus eyes to close them `goodbye, old friend…'

`Where are the Slytherins?' Ron asked.

`They were pulled with the Magicallds' Harry said slowly `into the void…into hell'

`Why?' Albus asked.

`The Magicallds were trying to make things right' Harry said sounding disgusted `they watched humanity for too long, thought they could understand us…but they missed one thing, they weren't human, they see individual lives too clear cut, too easy to be wiped out…the Slytherins are dead because they made a mistake and wanted to correct it'

`Harry…' Hermione said softly.

What is it?' Harry said with a weak smile.

`There must be more to this…' Hermione said quietly.

`Like what?' Harry said as he fought a lump in his throat.

`Some moral, some lesson, some hope…' Hermione said fighting tears in her eyes `all we have is death, despair and pain…I need something more…'

`There isn't anything more' Harry said shaking his head sadly `all there is in this universe is me and you…that's it…'

And although his words were not full of promise, she felt herself slightly lightened. The only thing in this universe was her and him. A fact she had known for a long time now.

`If I find…it…' Albus said looking at Harry `how can I let you know?'

`We're leaving' Harry said suddenly without even looking at Albus, raising his wand out in front of him. Slowly Hermione watched as the door came into focus, only a few feet from where they were standing and Harry walked over to it opening the door without stopping as he stepped inside.

Hermione looked at Ron and Albus and sighed. Her old friends. Friends she had out grown. And now all that was left was her Harry. Her and Harry, alone in the universe, was all that mattered.

*

So that the end of the adventure…sorry for taking so long to update, I got only TWO reviews for the last chapter and was hoping for some more! Unfortunately I didn't get any! But, fortunately, it gave me a few weeks to get a slight march on this story…

So…today, I am giving you seven (count them… SEVEN!) new chapters, the whole of the next adventure and the first part of the finale!!! I'm pretty sure that that will make up for the long update time, but if it doesn't, I promise the finale will!!!

Also, the faster you review, the faster I update…and trust me when I say, and it'll be worth it!!!

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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33. The lost Painting: Part One

The Lost Painting: Part One

`Hurry up!' James said without looking back as he strolled towards the large doors.

`Come on' Harry said brightly shooting Hermione a quizzical glance as he followed quickly in James' path.

`I don't see what the rush is' her mum said grumbling as she jogged quickly up the many steps in order to keep up with them.

`Because this…' James said and Hermione could see the grin forming on his face `this…is fantastic!'

`It's not like its going anywhere' her mum grumbled once again `most of the things in here are thousands of years old anyway'

`That's kind of the point of a museum, mum' Hermione said chuckling to herself.

This definitely wasn't her usual visit home. From the moment they had come back James had sprung through the door and practically frog marched the three of them to the British Museum whilst refusing to answer any of their questions directly. Harry, by the huge grin on his face, was finding this eccentric change in James to be most delightful, while her mother was disbelieving on how she was being asked to spend her Saturday.

Hermione watched as James threw down a small, thin, bundle of notes into the suggested donation box and stormed of through the large ceilined room, paintings adorning the walls from their very first step. Hermione seemed to shake slightly inside as she saw her mother and James stumbling through the past, that was hers and Harry's place.

`I just love these little shops!' Harry said making the lot of them stop by the gift shop `millions of years of human history and every single place that is of any real benefit to humanity has a gift shop!'

`Its true' Hermione said nodding at James confused look `hospitals, museums, the raised Titanic'

`They raise the Titanic?' her mother asked confused.

`Not the Titanic that sunk…although they do raise that…' Hermione said shaking her head as she watched Harry walk into the shop and straight up to the counter `the one that crash landed'

`I can't believe they'd make more Titanics' her mother said rolling her eyes `their just going to tempt fate that way'

Hermione thought her mother actually had a good point as she watched Harry come strolling out with a little brown bag, the emblem of the British Museum painted on the side.

`Pencils…for drawing and…sketching thing…' Harry said grinning.

`When are you ever going to need pencils?' Hermione teased.

`Don't know' Harry said shrugging before he started to wander off `I'm going to check around, I'll catch you guys up'

Hermione watched him walk of down one of the exhibitions, his eyes not looking at the paintings but at the people examining them. People watching was one of Harry's favourite past times, and in a place like this she could really see why.

There were people on dates, the girls naturally looking rather bored. The staff were buzzing about, eagerly dealing with questions and problems, while the real art fans examined everything closer. Even the children were fascinating in a museum, a curious blend of childish boredom and a love of the unknown past.

`You've never seen anything like this' James said grinning as he broke her from her thoughts and they started to wander towards their destination again.

`I don't know about that' Hermione said keeping step with him `I've seen some pretty amazing things…like this one time we went to this little island in the 33rd century, the island doesn't exist yet but its beautiful and attracts all the surfers thanks to its reef'

`I didn't know you and Harry were into surfing too' James said shaking his head.

`We're not' Hermione said dismissively `but there was this thing with the moon and an invert of the Earths heat streams, I don't really understand that part completely… but the ocean had frozen! And I'm talking like an ice cube frozen…anyway there was these sixty foot waves, frozen so solidly that they looked like they had been made from glass!'

`I have to admit that is amazing' James said grudgingly but Hermione was still smiling as she remembered the perfectly still red sky above the still crashing waves which looked like crystal.

`But…' James said stopping and facing a wall, his arms spread out to indicate a wall in front of him `tell me if travelling through time has this!'

Hermione stopped and felt her mouth practically fall to the floor as she saw the impossible. And amazingly clear painting was hung on the wall, probably from the renaissance, with just the one image of a saddened woman sitting on. But the impossible part of this was the fact that the woman was her.

`Nice legs' Harry said grinning as he appeared next to her. She was now so use to Harry appearing from nowhere she didn't even really notice it.

`Oi!' her mum said shooting Harry a quick glance `that's my daughter you're talking about!'

`Your daughter the painting!' James said, his eyes still transfixed on the painting.

`I always wanted to be a muse!' Hermione said as she finally regained composure and walked up close to the painting, resting her hand on the glass that protected it.

`How amazing is this!' James said blinking wildly as he watched the painting closely.

`Pretty amazing' Harry said as he walked up and joined Hermione next to her painting `I'm guessing 1584…in Florence by an unknown artist of the goddess Isis, awaiting for the return of her husband from another world'

`How did you get all that by just looking at it?' her mother asked impressed.

`There' Hermione said and pointed at the plaque that Harry had just read of the wall.

`Everything he does is just some sort of a trick, ain't it?' her mother said shaking her head before she looked closer at the painting and added `but he is right, you do have nice legs, love'

`Thanks' Hermione said feeling herself blush slightly.

`You really should try wearing more skirts and dresses' she added.

`There not really built for running away' Hermione joked.

`Maybe you and Harry shouldn't get yourself in so much trouble you have to run away from it' her mother added with a little stern smile.

`When is this going to happen?' Hermione said ignoring her mother and spinning around to look at Harry.

`1584' Harry said.

`No, I mean for us?' Hermione asked rolling her eyes, talking about time always had difficulties.

`Um…' Harry said as he looked upwards in thought `no way to know'

`It has to be happening soon' James interrupted `you don't look any older than you do now'

Hermione looked at the painting and smiled, she looked exactly the same in it as she did now. The more she looked at it the more she was amazed, every single little blemish or curve she had was represented in the painting perfectly. It was like she was actually looking at a mirror.

`This thing is…' Hermione said slowly `fantastic!'

`Sure is' James said brightly, sounding happy at hearing Hermione's seal of approval `when I first saw it I thought it was a photo!'

`It looks exactly like you' Harry said, his voice was a little lower and thoughtful, a voice Hermione knew when Harry meant that he found something a little suspicious.

`Whoever did this really knew you' her mother said `you had an affair with any hunky Italians recently?'

`Not in the renaissance' Hermione shrugged making Harry laugh.

`So when are we going there?' she asked turning away from it and looking forward to being painted so beautifully and literally becoming a work of art.

`You cant go yet!' her mother retorted `you had only just arrived when James led us here!'

`I don't think we should rush it' Harry said shaking his head as he ignored her mother `the fact that we are seeing it now means that no matter what, we will end up in 1584 and getting it done…'

`What if you don't go?' James said looking interestedly at Harry `rebel against time?'

`Then seeing as Hermione saw Hermione in a painting that never existed, it would create a paradox' Harry said brightly.

`And…' James asked, even her mother seemed to be listening intently.

`A Paradox is bad' Hermione sighed.

`How bad?' James asked, incredibly interested in the question.

`Then the world would end' Harry said simply and rather happily.

`Just because of a painting?' her mother asked.

`Times pretty malleable but can't be bent that much' Harry said as he took a pencil out of his pocket and started to bend the pencil slightly `but if you bend it too much…'

The pencil shattered, and Harry let it drop to the floor. James seemed to be a little taken aback and her mother took a step closer to Hermione as if protective of her. Hermione was, however, rather use to the possibility of the world being ended, it was a by effect of travelling with Harry.

`So why don't we go and get this done?' Hermione asked.

`I hate changing my plans in fear of a paradox' Harry said shaking his head.

`How often do you wear those earrings, love?' her mother asked suddenly making Hermione spin and look at her.

`What?' Hermione asked but all her mother did was give her a piercing insulted look `this isn't the time to discuss my Christmas presents'

`Why?' Harry asked.

`Because in the painting she's wearing them' her mother said.

They all fell silent and turned to examine it. Hermione took of an earring and held it up against the painting, realizing instantly that it was an exact match.

`I didn't even notice that' James said shaking his head disbelievingly.

`I guess that means we're leaving now' Harry said sighing as he started to walk away from the painting and back towards the entrance.

`Why the sudden rush?' her mother said as Hermione started to follow after Harry.

`Because I never wear these earrings…I only wore them this once because they were a present from you' Hermione said as she pulled her mother into a quick hug before leaning up and plating a kiss on James' cheek. Stopping just before walking after Harry she added with a small smile `please buy nicer earrings next time, mum'

And turning on her heel she ran quickly after Harry, glad that she was wearing jeans.

*

`Hurry up Hermione!' Harry called from the main room.

Hermione wiggled slightly into her clothes and looked across and into the mirror. She smiled and saw herself smile back, dressed in a nice long dress and sandals. It seemed to fit her well, showing her petite shoulders and, she had to admit, her rather good legs. Perhaps all the running for her life seemed to be paying off for her.

She went to the door and opened it, seeing Harry instantly dressed in a black retro suit, with gold hemming around the edges.

`You look…' Hermione teased `good'

`So do your legs' Harry said with a grin.

Harry suddenly ran up to the pensieve and removed his wand extracting a small wisp of sliver smoke and throwing it into the pensieve.

`You ready?' he asked smiling at her.

`Just a few moments' she said quickly as she wandered over to her seat and got ready for the rumbling and shaking of time travel, nodding as she sat down comfortable in her chair.

The whole room began to shake back and forth, and a few seconds later it had stopped, with Harry standing above her holding out a hand. Taking hi hand she pulled herself up and was mildly impressed at how much better she was at the whole travelling through time part. This time she felt perfectly normal and not dizzy or sick at all.

`Lets get a move on' Hermione said letting go of his hand and wandering over towards the door.

`We wouldn't want to disappoint your public after all' Harry teased as Hermione opened the door and stepped through.

The sun instantly hit their faces as people ran about beside them, Florence was as beautiful as she had imagined it would be. And now she was due to become art. This trip seemed to be going a lot better than she could hope for.

*

Part one of the adventure done…this is a five parter, and I rather like this one! Finale comes after this!

Hope you enjoyed it…

Jms Granger…

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34. The lost Painting: Part Two

The Lost Painting: Part Two

The sun instantly hit their faces as people ran about beside them, Florence was as beautiful as she had imagined it would be. And now she was due to become art. This trip seemed to be going a lot better than she could hope for.

Hermione took Harry's hand and started to stroll down the street with him. As in all the times that they went to she saw the same sort of people, mothers out shopping for food, men and women of to work and children patrolling the streets playing games that adults can never understand. She even saw a whole wall splattered with missing signs with a picture of a dark haired woman smiling from it.

`So how does one go about becoming a model?' Hermione asked excitedly.

`Well Natalie Portman got spotted in a pizza place' Harry said looking around the streets `and we are in Italy'

`Natalie Portman is an actress' Hermione pointed out.

`But she's sure cute enough to model' Harry said with a cheeky grin ` poetic beauty in Star Wars and a completely different kind of beauty in Closer'

`So the point you're making is it could happen anywhere, right?' Hermione said changing the subject.

`Pretty much' Harry said shrugging `fancy a drink?'

`Sure, why not' Hermione said cheerily, although she was really hoping that she could become a model sooner rather than later.

They stumbled through the streets, avoiding the people who were trying to sell food and odd bits to the people and made their way into a tavern.

`You buying?' Hermione asked.

`You got the last lot…' Harry grumbled as he fished around in his pocket and looked for a wallet `you go and get a table'

Hermione walked of across the room, as it was midday the tavern was rather empty and it was easy to find a seat. She noticed that in here too the missing signs were hung.

Harry wandered up and put down two large metal mugs of what Hermione assumed to be beer, an assumption that was proven as she took a large mouthful.

`There's a lot of these wanted signs about' Hermione said conversationally as she pointed at the woman smiling from one.

`Lost loved ones are common all over time' Harry said, his voice sounding a little hurt as he looked at it.

`So what's our plan?' Hermione asked eagerly.

`I really don't know' Harry said shaking his head and taking another swig `I guess we just hang abut doing out own thing till something presents itself?'

`I guess so' Hermione admitted grudgingly. She was really looking forward to becoming a famous painting.

`So, except being a model, what one job would you want to do?' Harry asked as he took another sip from his mug.

`Except a model?' Hermione laughed as she thought about her life and what she'd really want to do, but nothing sprung to mind.

`Ok, let me rephrase that' Harry said quickly `if you had never met me, and then I hadn't blown up your place of work, and then took you away to travel through time…what do you think you would have done?'

`I don't know' Hermione said thinking back to that place, but it seemed so strange, so long ago `I always wanted to do my A-Levels…I had actually applied to go to college in September…I should probably phone them and cancel that…'

`A-Levels?' Harry said interestedly `what ones?'

`English, Sociology and History' Hermione said grinning.

`So pretty much what we do now?' Harry said laughing.

`Just with more books and less death threats' Hermione said

`That's all the good parts!' Harry said throwing his head back as he laughed `so after ace-ing you're A-Levels?'

`Don't know' Hermione said `maybe University?'

`So, after your whole glittering academic career' Harry said `where would you see yourself in ten years?'

`What's with all the questions all of a sudden?' Hermione asked curiously.

`Just interested' Harry said grinning `I'm always amazed to think that you haven't always been travelling with me…that your life was completely different only about a year ago.

`So what about you?' Hermione asked changing the topic, she didn't like to think about how much things had changed, because then it meant the people she had left behind `if you weren't saving the world all the time, what would you do?'

`I would still travel' Harry said thoughtfully `go and see things, learn things from the masters…I've always wanted to learn to paint, maybe I'd get Michelangelo to teach me'

`Can you paint?' Hermione asked curiously.

`Not at all!' Harry said laughing `whenever I try, which isn't very often, the people always come out as stick men with huge heads!'

`And Michelangelo would take in such a no hoper?' Hermione teased.

`He could teach anyone' Harry said `and I can be pretty persuasive!'

`Excuse me' a male voice said breaking their conversation.

`No excuse needed' Harry said turning quickly to him and smiling.

`Have either of you seen this woman?' the man said passing over one of the missing pictures. Hermione looked at it, before looking at the man and knowing instantly by the painful look in the mans face that they had been in love. He was in his mid twenties and had short black cropped hair, but something in his demeanour made him look somewhat broken.

`I'm sorry, but we haven't' Hermione said with a sad little shake of her head.

`Are you sure?' the man said, his eyes were swelling up with tears in desperation. By the lines in his face it was evident that he hadn't slept in days.

`We are' Harry said simply, watching as the man sunk into the spare chair and dropped his head into his hands.

`I don't know what's left to do!' the man said shaking slightly.

`Excuse me, but what's your name?' Harry asked suddenly.

`Its Marcus' the man said offering Harry a weak smile.

`Marcus…' Harry said slowly `when did…'

`Lasiandra' the man filled in.

`When did Lasiandra disappear?' Harry asked.

`About a week ago' the man spoke softly `we live in a village on the outskirts of town and one day she went into town and never came back'

`A week isn't that long' Hermione said kindly `maybe she just forgot the time visiting friends?'

`We were due to get married 3 days ago' Marcus said, tears had started to roll down his eyes `she wouldn't just forget that, would she?'

He asked it genuinely, the question that put more fear in him than anything else.

`Have you got any information?' Harry asked quickly.

`No…' the man said, saying the words pained him `no one has seen her in our town, and this is my first day in Venice…I don't really know the town at all…'

`Have you been to see her family?' Hermione asked.

`They died a few years ago' Marcus said `I was all she had left…'

`What about her maids?' Harry asked with a little smile that was meant to try and cheer Marcus up a bit.

`Why would I have been to see them?' Marcus asked confused.

`People grow attached to helpers' Harry said shrugging.

`Maybe your right…she always did talk about her helper…' Marcus said thoughtfully `Thank you…'

`Harry and Hermione' he said brightly standing up with him and shaking his hand `we work for…the Pope…not in the church…more like art historian advisors…'

`So you two have sway in this town?' Marcus asked hopefully.

`Yeah…' Harry said awkwardly and Hermione could tell that Harry felt that his excuse had back fired.

`So why don't we come with you?' Hermione said suddenly, making Harry give her a confused look.

`I…I couldn't ask you too do that…' Marcus said bashfully.

`It's no problem' Harry said slowly staring interestedly at Hermione before his eyes shot back to Marcus and he smiled `why don't you lead the way?'

`Thank you so much' Marcus said as he stood up and started walking towards the exit `we have some luck because the maid lives close to this tavern…'

The pair of them followed as Marcus strode purposefully

`What's this for?' Harry whispered confused `we're supposed to be getting your painting?'

`You said that we should just hang about and do our thing' Hermione whispered back `and helping people is our thing'

`I guess so' Harry admitted as he shrugged and brought a smile on his face `so how far to this house?'

`We're nearly there' Marcus said distractedly as he turned round a corner and led them down a nice quiet street. Hermione could tell that this was a nicer part of town than where the street sellers were, but she seemed to like it less here. Marcus stopped in his tracks and pointed at a fair sized house, with meticulous lawns and beautiful roman columns `this is it'

And with those words Marcus strode up to the door and banged three times loudly on it. Hermione listened but couldn't hear anything, so Marcus banged again. This time she heard a scuttling noise as a person came up to the door and opened it, and in the door way stood a woman in her 50s, large and powerfully built.

`Hi, I'm Marcus…' Marcus asked politely but evidently in a rush `Have you seen Lasiandra?'

`Yes sir, but surely you know that sir?' the woman said amazed eyeing the her and Harry closely `and may I say congratulations, sir?'

`On what?' Marcus asked.

`The marriage' the woman said confused.

Marcus seemed to grab his throat slightly in pain at the word `marriage', so Harry stepped forward.

`Hi, I'm Harry and a friend of Lasiandra and Marcus' Harry lied with a smile on his face `have you seen Lasiandra lately?'

`About a week ago' the woman said eyeing them suspiciously `what has happened , sir, is Lasiandra safe?'

`She disappeared a week ago…' Marcus said gritting his teeth `that means you were the last to see her'

`No sir, Master Dubont must have been…' she said scared, being a maid in the renaissance Hermione knew that she had to be careful with allegations.

`Master Dubont!?' Harry said faking recognition `and what does he do again?'

`He's the famous painter…' the woman answered `Lasiandra wanted to get a painting done as a surprise and Master Dubont is the best…'

`I think we ought to pay Master Dubont a little visit' Hermione said quietly `thanks you so much'

They walked from the doorstep without another word and back into the sunny street, Marcus had a hopeful smile on his face now as he led the way.

`I know where he lives' Marcus said fiercely as he held a hand out in the street making a horse drawn carriage stop by the side of them `I'll get a driver for us'

`Shall we go?' Harry asked.

`Well, seeing as I'm due to become a model and this guys a painter' Hermione said as she stepped up into the cart, she had recently found out how fun horse drawn carriages were and savoured the moments `I think we have a date with destiny that we cant miss!'

*

Ok, that's part two, hoped you liked it…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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35. The lost Painting: Part Three

The Lost Painting: Part Three

Half an hour later, and one hell of a traffic jam, the horse drawn carriage pulled up to a large villa on the outskirts of town.

`Master Dubont's residents' the driver said `that'll be 10 lira'

`There' Marcus said as he handed over the coins and stepped out.

Hermione lowered herself as gracefully as possible from the carriage and watched as Harry just jumped over the side.

`I have to warn you' the driver said `but that Dubont is a right miserable git'

`Thanks for that' Harry said brightly as he turned to follow Marcus up to the intimidatingly large building. If the house you owned dictated how good you were at what you did, then Hermione thought that this guy must be as good as Picasso.

Marcus hammered on the door and instantly it was answer by a small girl, about twelve years of age.

`Yes?' she asked looking at the three of them suspiciously.

`We've come to see Master Dubont' Marcus said quickly.

`Master Dubont isn't seeing people' the girl said as she went to shut the door, but Marcus held out a hand and stopped her.

`This is Harry and Hermione, the Popes Art advisors' Marcus said authoritively making the girls eyes almost shoot out.

`You should have said' she spoke happily as she opened the door and beckoned them inside.

Hermione looked around the large foyer and was amazed at how lavishly the house was decorated, with rich rugs, gold plated door handles and marble everywhere. This place seemed to fly in the face of the clique that all artists were poor.

`I'll just go and get him' the girl said before curtsying and hurrying away.

`Nice place' Harry said letting out a low little whistle `wonder how he affords it'

`Master Dubont is world renowned' Marcus said `for years he has been requested by Kings and the extremely rich to paint for them'

`A tale of not what you know' Harry said cynically as he wandered up to painting `this isn't very good'

Hermione strolled up to the painting and saw a canvas painting of a hillside. It was adequate, but seemed to miss a little spark.

`That was once of my earlier works' a voice came making them all look and realize that Master Dubont had arrived. He had almost spat the word earlier in distaste `I keep it hung up for all to see to show people the reward of hard work'

`And of having good connections' Harry said brightly.

`As you know, working for the Pope' Master Dubont said `it is necessary to know the right people'

`Certainly' Harry shot back determinedly.

Hermione looked at Master Dubont but couldn't help it, with his slim figure, pointed features and well groomed moustache, he reminded her of a French man. She suddenly felt very English.

`Have you seen my fiancé' Marcus said stepping forward making Dubont blink slightly as if he hadn't realized Marcus was even there `Lasiandra?'

`Lasiandra?' he said recovering his composure and pulling on his ear in deep thought `Lasiandra…I don't remember…'

`This is her' Marcus said handing over one of his missing sings, but he stared at it but didn't seem to recognize the face.

`Pretty woman…' he said handing it back `but I don't recognize it'

`Ok' Harry said with a smile as he went to walk away but Marcus stood rooted.

`She was getting it as a…wedding…gift?' Marcus said desperately, and as he said the words something behind his eyes seemed to light up.

`A wedding?' he said softly `Lasiandra?...now I remember!'

`When did you last see her?' Marcus asked desperately.

`About a week ago, she wanted a painting of herself as a wedding gift…' Dubont paused for a few moments to look at Marcus `I'm afraid I didn't have the time to do it for her'

`Did she say where she was going?' Marcus asked.

`I'm sorry but she didn't' Dubont said `she seemed upset and left straight away'

`Are you sure?' Marcus asked pleadingly.

`I'm sorry, but I know nothing more' Dubont said caringly before he turned to Harry `so why has the Pope got an interest in me?'

`A painting' Harry said guardedly.

`Of her?' the man said looking at Hermione `she is remarkably beautiful…'

`Thank you' Hermione said blushing

`No' Harry said forcefully making Hermione shoot him a confused look.

`The painting is a secret, a huge surprise, something to go down in history' Harry said smiling `and the Pope demands us to investigate everything properly'

`Like what?' Dubont asked suspiciously.

`We had to meet the artist, which we've done' Harry said with a smile `now we just need to investigate your studio'

`No one is allowed in my studio, I'm sorry' Dubont said with a little smile that said this was the end of the issue.

`We're really going to need to see it' Harry said forcefully `we cant hire you without it, it's the Popes command'

`I'm sorry but no one is allowed in my studio, except for me and my models' he said `I do the cleaning up so my maids don't have to come in'

`So paint Hermione' Harry said with a quick smile, and Hermione almost fell to the floor laughing. So this was how she became a model. The man stepped closer to her and looked her over, his eyes staying for longer on her breasts and legs as he strode about her making her feel uncomfortable.

`I do need to paint the goddess Isis' the man said thoughtfully `caring, beautiful and petite…the perfect wife and sister…'

`So Hermione fails then?' Harry teased.

`On the contrary' the man said `her eyes scream out in care of the world while her beauty disarms you…'

`So…' Hermione asked feeling herself strangely nervous.

`You will be perfect' he announced as if handing her a treat.

Harry started to follow them towards the studio but he put a hand out and stopped him.

`You cannot come' he said.

`Oh' Harry said thinking things over before shrugging and giving her a smile `ok…be careful…'

Hermione followed Dubont through a few corridors but stopped outside a large heavy door. Dubont gave her a smile as he withdrew a set of keys from his pocket and opened the door, and as he pushed it open and she walked in she found herself in what appeared to be a Museum of dozens of paintings.

`These are all my work' Dubont said proudly as he strolled about purposefully, taking a few seconds to examine some of them before carrying on.

`There beautiful' Hermione said nervously as she stood in the doorway waiting for some direction.

`I already know that…my work I sought by kings' he said with a grin as he ran a hand over one of the paintings before turning quickly to her `if you'd like to sit down'

He had pointed to a small block, similar to a block of large stone but it had been grooved to slightly resemble a chair. Hermione made her way over to it and sat down, hoping that she wouldn't have to spend days on this thing waiting for the painting to be finished.

The door was suddenly pushed open and the small girl stumbled into the room carrying a tray of drinks and food.

`I thought no one was allowed in here?' Hermione asked as the girl approached her father and handed him a drink.

`She's the exception to the rule' Dubont said smiling as he took a large gulp. The girl wondered over to her and handed her a glass of red liquid which Hermione assumed to be wine `she's my daughter'

Hermione tried to smile but was too taken aback, he seemed to treat her as more a servant than a daughter so instead of answering she took a large gulp of the drink, loving the taste of wine on her lips.

`All I wanted to do was to create beauty' the man said as he walked up to Hermione, the young girl walked from the room and closed the door without a look back. Dubont walked up closely to her and Hermione felt her head spinning slightly. Dubont extended his arm and pulled her sharply to one side as if rearranging a doll, but Hermione found that she couldn't react, her arms had become heavy, and her eyelids threatened to close.

`But I was dammed with these' he said holding up his hands for her to look at, but her eyes were losing focus `and then one day it all changed'

`What are you doing…' Hermione managed to breathe out.

`I'm making art' he said looking sadly down at her `and you're becoming it…'

*

Harry kicked the ground in boredom a he wondered how long a painting took to do, he guessed it was probably at least a few days. It had already been about three hours and looking out of the window Harry could see that the sun was already starting to set. Marcus was walking back and forth in front of him, stopping every few seconds as if he had something before continuing his pacing. If Harry was honest with himself, and that was something he was usually pretty good at, he felt the desire to pace nervously as well, although he didn't know why. He had seen the outcome of this modelling, so Hermione must be safe for the next few days at the very least, and then after that he would be with her, and he would never let anything happen.

`Why are we waiting here?' Marcus finally said, now turned to look directly at Harry.

`Because the trail went…' he wanted to say dead but was sure that was one of the tactless words that Hermione would usually condemn him for `…cold…just after she visited here'

`We should be canvassing door to door' Marcus said spilling the thoughts he must have been having `find out where she went after here'

`We don't know that she left here' Harry said, he hadn't voiced the words earlier but something was definitely strange about Master Dubont. People, generally, weren't as forthright with answering questions to complete strangers as he was, and especially not artists. They usually had mighty tempers as well as poetic souls, but this man had neither, rattling of cliques one after the other.

He really wanted to get into the studio and check, and maybe after dark he would. For the time being he had to rely on Hermione, and as he thought this he smiled as he knew there was no one else he'd rather rely on.

`But Master Dubont said…' Marcus said but stopped as he gathered Harry's meaning `you think he might have something to do with it?'

`Now now, I didn't say that' Harry said shaking his head `I only implied it'

`That's the same thing' Marcus said angrily, his temper was flaring as Harry knew it would, people were at their most volatile when fighting for people they loved.

`Not at all' Harry said brightly, hoping his manner would help calm down Marcus who seemed ready to crash into the studio `implying something means it's only an idea…if I really thought it I'd say it'

`So we're waiting for Hermione to report back?' Marcus said in disbelief `leaving this in the hands of a woman?'

`Yep, but you missed one point' Harry said with a smile `that woman is Hermione Granger, and neither of us could wish for anyone better'

As he said this the door opened and the small, barely twelve, girl entered the room and shot them a quizzical look.

`What are you two doing here?' she said shocked as she strolled into the room.

`Waiting for Hermione to finish posing for the painting' Harry said brightly.

`But Master Dubont has finished' the girl said blinking.

`What?' Marcus said standing up angrily `how?'

`He's already finished and left for Venice' the maid said apologetically.

`Then where is Hermione?' Harry said through gritted teeth as he felt anger pulsing through his body.

`If she's not here, then she must have left with him' the maid said looking down at her feet.

Harry stepped up, breathing deeper and resisting an urge to pull out his wand and find out by force what she was hiding. Slowly he took a few steps closer to the girl, who seemed to back away slightly in fear.

`Tell me what you know' Harry said, his voice as calm and low as he could make it.

`I know nothing' she said, water was breaking into her eyes now as she shook her head violently. She reminded Harry of another servant he had once known, fighting against the constraints of master-servant binding, but not even this could calm him down.

`Please, tell us what is going on here' Harry said forcefully, but the small girl only shook her head violently again.

`I can offer you protection and money' Marcus said desperately.

`No one can protect me against him' the girl yelped out, tears now falling freely from her eyes `please, please don't make me tell you!'

`Ok, we wont' Harry said as he felt his heart start to beat slower, his adrenaline system closing down slightly in preparation for what he needed to do.

`What?' Marcus said in shock `we can't leave here!'

`We're not' Harry said shaking his head and walking towards the door `we're going to the studio'

Harry pushed his way past the young girl, who now seemed to be crying uncontrollably, as he walked down the wooden panelled corridors, feeling his way with intuition towards the studio.

He stopped outside a large door and tried to open it and found it locked, knowing instantly that this was the right room. He held his hand over the keyhole to perform a little bit of wandless magic and the door sprung open.

He strolled forward into the room and looked about, dozens of paintings made this room look more like a gallery than a studio.

`I have to admit' Harry said as he walked around the studio examining the dozens of beautiful paintings, looking more like photographs than pictures `but Master Dubont does have some talent'

`I know what you mean' Marcus said, his words sounding slightly cold `but don't you think that they look too…real…it's a little creepy really'

`Too real?' Harry said turning to look at the bewildered Marcus. He could feel his brain rolling over, working things out, and then he had it `Marcus, look for the painting of Lasiandra'

`But he said he hadn't done one' Marcus said.

`Just do it' Harry said shaking his head in haste.

Harry bolted around the room, scanning each painting as he went, looking for what he now understood must be here.

`Oh my god!' Marcus bellowed in shock from the other side of the room. Harry instantly stopped what he was doing and ran over to where Marcus was standing, and quickly looked at the painting that had stunned him.

`It's my Lasiandra!' he said, his words low and scared `I mean…that is actually…literally…Lasiandra!'

`Just as thought' Harry said stepping up to it, looking at the raven haired woman he gave her a little sad smile, he could see the look of fear in the woman's eyes, a look so tiny that if you hadn't known it was there you would have missed it.

`What witchcraft is this?' Marcus demanded, but his voice sounded hollow as he ran a hand over the painting.

`Potions' Harry grumbled as he stared closer at the painting. He could see the traces of magic that enveloped the painting, he almost had to look away because of how much powerful magic was evident. Whoever did this was in an all together different league, past anything or anyone he had seen on his journeys. The magic may seem simple, but the truth was that it was man made, a potion of sorts, and whoever made it, whoever invented such a concoction was even better than he was.

`You can save her?' Marcus said hopefully, his voice shaky as he hoped for the answer he needed.

`Maybe…' Harry said slowly as he peered closer at the woman, trying to follow what he could see between the colours, but the dense magic made it hard to follow. And then he spotted it `Fantastic!'

`So you can do it?' Marcus said with hope in his voice.

`I believe so' Harry said nervously, he had just realized that Hermione must have already become one of these things `I will'

`How?' Marcus said desperately `What is it?'

`Well…' Harry started, wondering just how to describe what has happened to a man such a Marcus who was already tittering over the edge of reason `The body is in there, you can see that for yourself, but its not strictly alive…over time the soul will leave it and all that will be left is a painting…but, fortunately, I can see the soul is still there…'

He realized that Hermione's painting is in 2006, but he banished this thought instantly.

`I should be able to reverse the potion' Harry said as he withdrew his wand and heard Marcus gasp slightly `invert the magic field and the body and soul should…pop…out!'

Harry waved the wand over it, performing every bit of magic reversal he knew and then stepped back.

`Its' worked' Harry said with a smile as eh watched the painting begin to melt, dripping down the wall in all the colours of the rainbow.

`Is she safe?' Marcus demanded turning to him.

`Just watch' Harry said as he watched the colours roll together over the floor, before slowly it started to raise to a woman's height, and the paint began to dry, and before he could marvel at such magic it had dried, and Lasiandra was back in the room.

Marcus threw himself forward and Lasiandra enveloped him in a hug, both were kissing each other furiously as they ran their hands over each others faces and bodies. Harry knew he should find this beautiful, a joy of life, but his mind was elsewhere. Could he save Hermione.

`Lasiandra, your safe!'' Marcus called as he backed away from her, holding her still in his arms.

`He drugged me…' Lasiandra said nervously and confused `and then…and then…I don't know'

`You're safe now' Harry said interrupting her, he didn't want too many people knowing what had happened here `and you have a wedding to get to'

`Yes' Marcus said, tears in his eyes `we missed the first one'

`I missed it?' Lasiandra yelped slightly, and Harry could tell they were both very much in love.

`Yes, my dear' Marcus said gently `but it's only a few days, and we have forever to make up for it…'

`I love you so much' Lasiandra said.

`I love you to' Marcus replied kissing her lips tenderly.

`And I better get going' Harry said awkwardly as they kissed. Marcus broke completely from her and turned to Harry.

`What about Hermione?' he asked forcefully.

`I'm going to save her' Harry said uncertainly.

`Do you know where she is?' Marcus asked.

`Yeah' Harry said gently `The British Museum'

`I've never heard of it' Marcus said confused `I'll come with you'

`No' Harry said forcefully `you have a wedding to get to'

`But, isn't Hermione more important?' Marcus asked.

`Yes and no' Harry said shaking his head `to me she's the most important thing in the world, but to the universe…the universe loves you two, because you're in love, and because you two will live happily forever…what more would the worlds want? True love that works is astonishing rare…now I must go and see about mine…'

Harry turned on his heel and walked out of the studio, in search for his Anglia, in search of the hope that Hermione was still alive.

*

Hey, hoped you enjoyed that… poor Hermione! Being a model isn't going as well as she had hoped!

Till Next time…

Jms Granger…

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36. The lost Painting: Part Four

The Lost Painting: Part Four

Harry stepped into the nice, air conditioned room, and the British Museum in all its grandeur welcomed him in. It seemed like weeks had passed since he had last been here when in fact he had only been here a matter of hours ago. That time it was for fun.

Harry strode through the foyer and past the gift shop, remembering the look Hermione gave him when he told her about buying pencils.

Harry was walking purposeful through the rooms when he felt a strong hand grab his arm and pull him backwards, and as his sight focused properly he saw James standing before him.

`I just saw you leave five minutes ago?' James said shaking his head distractedly.

`Then why are you still here?' Harry asked slightly confused.

`I wanted to get a postcard of Hermione' James said shyly `but they don't sell them…I'm going to get a camera to take one'

`Fantastic' Harry said sarcastically as he carried on walking, James caught up quickly and walked beside him.

`So where's Hermione?' James asked looking about them, but Harry couldn't answer, so James tried again `How long have you been away?'

`Not even a day' Harry said dismissively as he read the signs on the wall to make sure he was going in the right direction.

`That time travelling thing is weird' James said with a little whistle.

`You have no idea' Harry muttered under his breathe as he carried on walking.

He noticed the hundreds of painting but didn't want to look at them, he knew he wouldn't see nay beauty in them, not when he was about to see Hermione again.

He strolled through to the exhibition on renaissance art and walked up to the painting, so beautifully hung in the middle of the wall.

`Oh, Hermione…' Harry said as he walked up to it, he could feel the beginning of tears starting to form in his eyes, but he blinked them away. He had work to do.

`So what's so important about this painting that you visit twice in one day?' James said but Harry didn't answer, instead he drew out his wand and waved it over the painting `What the hell! Put that away!'

James grabbed Harry arm to try and force him to hide his wand but Harry pushed him of angrily and James stared at him in shock.

`This painting is Hermione!' Harry growled angrily at James.

`I know…' James said uncertainly `I showed you it'

`You don't get it' Harry snapped angrily `this is her!'

`What do you mean?' James said, but his eyes shot onto the painting and he gasped as he realized exactly what it meant `What has happened?'

`Isn't that obvious!' Harry said angrily as he pointed at the painting.

`Can you save her?' James asked quickly.

`I don't know!' Harry said angrily `She's been in that painting for four hundred years…It might be too long'

`Why don't you just go back and save her in wherever you came from?' James asked quickly, his voice still full of fury.

`Because I can see it right in front of me!' Harry snapped `which means I wasn't able to find it, and never would!'

`What the hell do you mean?' James said looking confused.

`If I went back and saved her, then this painting would never have existed in the year 2006' Harry said shaking his head as he looked at Hermione `you would never have seen it, never have shown us it and it wouldn't have made us go to 1580 something or other! Thus this painting has to exist in 2006 or a very mighty paradox would occur'

`Ending the world' James said lowly.

They both stood there silent for a few moments looking at Hermione. He couldn't understand how he could have missed it, this painting was exactly her, every line and blemish in the exact spot. No one could have painted this thing, no one who hadn't known her inside out anyway. It was just too beautiful, too perfect. Too Hermione.

`What will happen to her?' James asked.

`What do you mean?' Harry asked confused.

`The painting is weathered' James answered, his voice breaking slightly `the paint is old, and parts of her face is missing'

Harry leaned closer and found it to be true, like all old paintings it had taken a beating throughout the centuries.

`I don't know' Harry lied as he remembered the paint dripping down he walls to become the person once again

`Tell the truth' James said bravely.

`I think…' Harry said but choked on his words `I think there will be some…some…damage…'

`You cant' James said, his eyes glistening now with tears.

`What else can I do?' Harry shouted angrily `Leave her to rest as a painting forever? Do you realize that we'll never see her again? That she'll never live again?'

James looked at Harry, he was now crying and sobbing slightly. James bent closer to the painting and placed a kiss on the glass.

`Do it' James said stepping backwards.

Harry bent closer to the painting and looked into Hermione's large brown eyes, to perfect to be painted by anyone.

`I'm so sorry, Hermione' he whispered as he held up his wand and waved it over th painting, performing the spells he knew should work.

But nothing happened. And Harry knew no soul was left in this painting.

`Has it worked?' James asked nervously after several long moments.

`No' Harry said, his eyes stinging as he fought the tears back `I was too late…'

`Hermione' James sobbed suddenly as he fell to his knees, rocking uncontrollable `you did this to her! You killed Hermione!'

`It…it wasn't my fault!' Harry said stepping backwards, his vision blurry from the tears `I…I…'

`If you hadn't taken her away she would be safe right now!' James shouted angrily. Harry knew that they must be getting strange looks from the other visitors but he no longer cared.

`I…I…' Harry stumbled out `I showed her the world…'

`And that world killed her!' James shouted angrily once again.

`Oh my god…' Harry said running his hands over his face `I've killed her…'

`You took her away from where she was safe' James carried on.

`I killed her' Harry repeated softly.

`And because you she died alone! Without her family and friends!' James shouted once more `in Florence 1584!'

`What?' Harry said stopping, his heart beating rapidly in his chest once again, but not for loss this time, but with excitement.

`You killed her!' James sobbed.

`Not that part' Harry said rapidly walking up to the Hermione and looking at it once again, closer this time.

`She died alone!' James sobbed.

`Not that part either' Harry said waving a hand. He examined the picture and saw hope.

`In Florence!' James bellowed.

`Now that's interesting!' Harry said throwing his head back in laughter as he finished examining the painting.

`Interesting?' James said disbelieving as he stepped to his feet `is that what it is?'

`Yep' Harry said brightly, laughing even harder `because Master Dubont took that painting to Venice!'

`So what?' James asked excitedly, he didn't know what was happening but Harry was happy again, and that meant a plan.

`So what?' Harry said with a huge grin `So I might just be able to save her still!'

And without another word Harry ran from the building, back towards the Anglia, ready to travel through time again, ready to save Hermione Granger.

*

That's part 4 done! I know its short, but I liked it still! Hope you enjoyed it…the conclusion comes next, and then it's the finale! Excited? No? Well I am!

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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37. The lost Painting: Part Five

The Lost Painting: Part Five

Harry strolled through the main doors, feeling the humid air on his arm gave him the chills. He didn't like this place, the place where Hermione had been attacked, and wished he would never be here again.

He walked through the first room and into the foyer, where he saw the little girl once again.

`Hi!' Harry said brightly, but the little girl took a large step back and went to run away. Before she could even reach the door Harry had his wand out, and stopped the girl dead in her tracks.

As he wandered up to her he smiled at her still body, an unlocked her once again.

`Now now, no running away' Harry said brightly.

`But sir!' she cried `I told you earlier that I can't tell you anything'

`Yes you did' Harry said with a sad little smile `and I was gentlemanly enough to accept that'

`And I thank you for it' she said smiling weakly.

`I wouldn't thank me yet' Harry said shaking his head slowly `because I'm not going to be gentlemanly with you anymore…'

`I wont tell you anything' she said frightfully, crying even more than before `however much you hurt me is nothing compared to what he will do!'

`I know you won't tell me anything' Harry said softly `I knew a servant like you once, and I know how hard it can be…'

`Thank you sir, now please go' she said quickly.

`I can't do that' Harry said sadly `I guess I forgot to mention that me being ungentlemanly isn't forcing you to tell me by violence and threats, but to steal those memories from you'

And he instantly withdrew his wand and pushed it to her temple, performing the simple bit of legillemens needed to break into her mind. It was all over I seconds.

`Thank you' Harry said as he pulled away his wand and broke the connection `that's more than enough'

`How did you do that?' she mouthed in shock.

`Magic' Harry said with a grin as he turned his back on her and made his way to the studio. His heart was beating faster as he knew that this might just work, that he might just be able to save Hermione.

As he entered the studio he stopped and sighed, he couldn't believe that he had missed it earlier. So he quickly made his way over to the middle of the studio, dropped to his knees and pulled open the secret trap door, the door to the real studio that the maids mind spoke of.

He walked quickly down the steps, his wand raised high in preparation for an attack, but when he reached the bottom of the stairs he was presented by a baffling sight. Master Dubont brandishing a large blade.

`Now, Mr Potter' the man sneered `I will kill you myself!'

With a lazy flick of the wand Harry transformed the mans sword into a large rubber chicken which Dubont quickly dropped to the before throwing himself straight back against the wall.

`You're a wizard!' the man said in disgust.

`Yeah…' Harry said brightly as he walked around the room. He saw dozens of paintings, all looking as clear as photographs, and stopped dead in his tracks. There was Hermione, as beautiful as he could ever imagine. He blinked to force himself to look away from it and faced Dubont `I have to admit I assumed you were a wizard as well'

`I'm no such thing!' he said sounding terrified.

`Well then that opens up a whole lot more questions' Harry said shaking his head `and I'm really going to need answers from you'

`Artists don't answer questions!' the man sighed `we don't deal in black and white, but in all the colours of the rainbow!'

`Fortunately though you're not an artist' Harry said simply shaking his head.

`How dare you!' the man said furiously taking a step forward `look around! I created these things, not from paint and lead, but from life itself!'

`Doesn't count' Harry said shaking his head.

`Why doesn't it?' the man snapped back.

`Stealing lives, such as ideas, to pass of as your own doesn't count' Harry said shaking his head again `Hermione is the artist, Lasiandra was the artist…all you did was plagiarize their qualities, their beauty, and try and pass it off as your own'

`All I ever wanted to do was to make beauty' the man said, his demeanour had shrunk since Harry had talked and now he seemed sad `years I tried…I practiced with the best…learnt from them…but I had no talent…then I found it…'

`Found what exactly?' Harry asked taking a step forward `and this is one of those questions you have to answer'

`An archway' the man said quietly, his face looked nervous now `I found it in the ruins of Rome…it…spoke…to me'

`What did it say?' Harry asked leaning closer, his heart beating faster.

`It told me how to make the potion, it was speaking inside of my head!' the man said looking lost `it kept on saying I am the Bad Wolf…and it told me of you! That when you came I had to kill Hermione or otherwise I would lose the ability!'

`Where is this archway?' Harry asked forcefully, his blood boiling as he realized what this meant.

`I ran from the ruins…' the man continued `and the next day I returned, but it was gone'

`Are you sure?' Harry asked, his voice low and dangerous.

`I searched for a week…' the man answered `it was gone'

Harry looked around the room, the dozens of portraits staring out. More victims of the Bad Wolf. And he wondered if and when their paths would cross. And he knew he must be ready for the day, or all could be lost.

`I'm going to take the ability of making that potion away from you' Harry said regaining himself.

`You can't!' the man almost screamed.

`I can, and I will' Harry said.

`What will I do!' the man cried.

`The same as everyone else…' Harry said sadly as he lifted up his wand `move on, and try and find another beauty to love'

Harry pushed his wand against the mans temple, using all his power of legillemens he located the memory, dark and damp in the pits of the mans mind, and removed it.

`It's gone' Harry said softly.

`How did you do that?' the man said weakly `I felt you in my brain…like the Bad Wolf…'

`Maybe I am him?' Harry said softly as he lifted his wand `maybe we are the same person…linked forever by bonds unbreakable?'

And with those words Harry waved his wand and the man crumpled to the floor, asleep before he hit it.

Harry walked quickly up to the painting and rested a hand softly on it.

`Hermione…' Harry said softly `as beautiful as ever…'

Harry looked in Hermione's eyes and smiled, such beauty and caring rested in them.

`I'm not good at this…' Harry said nervously `never been good at this sort of thing…but, as you can't hear me, I guess I can give it a shot…Hermione…I love you…'

Harry wiped a small tear from the corner of his eyes and put on a smile, Hermione would be reappearing soon and he didn't want her to worry. Slowly he raised his wand and waved it over the painting, the picture instantly starting to melt against the wall. Harry watched excitedly as the painting slowly formed together, raising to the perfect height and becoming Hermione.

`Harry!' Hermione yelled as soon as she reappeared `Watch out for Master Dubont! He's a psycho!'

`It's ok' Harry said `it's over'

Hermione stood rooted to the spot and looked around, quickly seeing Master Dubont collapsed on the floor, snoring lazily to himself. She wondered just how much time had passed.

`Thank god!' Hermione said smiling rearranged her clothes, but as she was she felt Harry throw himself at her and pull her into a tight bone breaking hug `how long have I been?'

`You've only been a painting for a couple of hours' Harry said as he slowly broke the hug, Hermione could see that Harry was completely ecstatic and she wondered why.

`Shall we get out of here?' Hermione asked, wanting a bit of privacy.

`Ok' Harry said as he raised his wand and waved it across the room, suddenly all the painting liquidised making Hermione back away slightly `take my hand'

As Hermione took his hand she felt the common squeezing feeling of appiriton, and the next time her eyes focused she saw the inside of the Ford Anglia.

`What was that?' Hermione asked confused.

`That was me releasing the people from the paintings' Harry said as he strode towards his chair and dropped into it.

`I looked like that?' Hermione said shaking her head.

`Not a models finest hour!' Harry teased as Hermione dropped into her own chair and felt her back relax as she scooted to get comfortable.

`Talking about that, what happened to the painting?' Hermione asked curiously `haven't we created a paradox and ended the world by you saving me before 2006?'

`I think we're safe?' Harry said, and his grin told her it was true. Harry had saved her, and the world, once again.

`This didn't go to well…' Hermione sighed.

`What do you mean?' Harry asked baffled.

`I was a model, and now I'm not' Hermione groaned `I know it's not that great a thing, but it was kind of cool, being a real work of art that will live forever'

`You still are' Harry said with a grin.

`How?' she asked `I got released'

`The painting in the British Museum wasn't you…well it was of you, but wasn't literally you' Harry explained.

`What do you mean?' Hermione asked.

`After you got…transformed…I went back to 2006 to try and save you and not get a paradox' Harry said grinning `and then I, eventually, realized that the painting wasn't you, and that the painting of literally you was saved by me and didn't exist in 2006'

`So who did the painting?' Hermione asked interestedly.

`Me' Harry said grinning.

`What are you talking about?' Hermione laughed.

`I realized that I had to paint that painting otherwise we would never have been led back to 1580 whatever' Harry started grinning widely `so, knowing you were safe for the time being, I travelled back to 1520 and took an apprenticeship under Michelangelo'

`You painted that?' Hermione asked impressed.

`With a little help from the real master' Harry said grinning `only took me and him a couple of months…and you said those pencils I bought from the museum wouldn't come in handy!'

`You took a couple of months to rescue me?' Hermione faked anger making Harry laugh.

`As I said, Michelangelo could teach anyone to paint!' Harry said laughing.

`It was beautiful' Hermione said after a few moments.

`Thank the model' Harry said grinning.

`You did all of that from memory?' Hermione asked impressed.

`I know you, Hermione' Harry said softly `your face, your eyes, your body…its all locked in my memory…putting it onto canvas was easy…'

`So…' Hermione said slightly awkwardly `that's why you were so glad to see me?'

`Yeah…' Harry said nodding `for you it may have seemed like ten minutes, but it was about 6 or 7 weeks for me'

`I bet you had a ball' Hermione joked.

`No' Harry said honestly `I was painting 18 hours a day, travelling forward in time a few months for Michelangelo to be able to do his parts to it, then painting again…I wanted to get to you as soon as possible…'

`Thank you Harry' Hermione said honestly to which Harry just smiled `so what happened to Marcus?'

`Reunited with Lasiandra…' Harry said snapping out of his silence `got married, had three children…named one Hermione! They died together in their 80s'

`So true love won out?' Hermione asked impressed. She had become a work of art and had a child in the Italian renaissance named after her.

`Seems like it did this time' Harry said, his eyes stuck on Hermione making her blush slightly.

`Doesn't it always?' Hermione asked.

`Not at all…' Harry said shaking his head `true love is fragile…rarely it will come out…it's too precious to be common…'

Hermione looked across at Harry and wondered what would happen to them. Would they work out, or would the universe try and break them. And would she ever tell Harry how she felt. That she loved him.

`Let's go to Paris…' Hermione said standing up suddenly.

`When?' Harry said standing up excitedly and walking over to the pensieve.

`Don't care' Hermione said smiling.

`So why Paris?' Harry said as he withdrew a thought with his wand and threw it into the pensieve.

`All this talk of love makes me want to visit the city of it' Hermione said grinning.

`Ok…' Harry said twirling the pensieve around absentmindedly.

`Just one thing!' Hermione said with a twinkle in her eye `make sure its raining…'

*

So, that's the end of that adventure, hoped you enjoyed it! I rather liked the idea and rather liked the outcome...

Now, brace yourself…the finale is close at hand! And if you think things have been bad for the duo before, you aint seen nothing yet!

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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38. Harry Potter: Bad Wolf

Harry Potter: Bad Wolf

My name is Hermione Granger. A plain and simple girl who enjoyed laughing, had to work and savoured love. Normal. I was just Hermione Granger...for the first nineteen years nothing happened…ever.

And then one day I met a man named Harry Potter. And he took me away from my old life in his magical machine and gave me the whole of time and space. We travelled from place to place seeking adventures beyond our wildest dreams. Together we saw sights that defied all reason. Beauty and fear became normal. Hermione Granger became a traveller through time, saving people and worlds.

He changed me. He showed me that sometimes you have to make a stand, to choose between what is right and what is easy. He showed me what it was to love.

And I thought it would never end. That's what I thought.

But that was before he returned home. Before he was followed. Before so many souls were lost…Before the Bad Wolf came into our lives.

My name is Hermione Granger.

And this is the story of how I died.

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39. Bad Wolf: Part One

Bad Wolf: Part One

`Do you really need all these clothes?' Harry said incredulously as he pulled two large suit cases over his shoulders `And how can you get through so many in just a month or so?'

`Because someone, not to mention any names…' Hermione teased as she walked up the path, her mothers' house standing ready to welcome her back from her travels with warmth and love `keeps on taking us to sunken towns… or Pompeii in volcano season… or Wales!'

`I always seem to stay clean' Harry said with a little grin that made her stick her tongue out at him.

For the last month things had gone brilliantly, with the majority of their visits ending with just plain and simple fun where very few, if any, people were trying to kill them or destroy the planet. They had really just been like any other youngsters travelling and laughing, with just a hint of heroics thrown into the mix.

Hermione dropped the suitcase with a loud thud as she reached the door.

`I guess I'll be carrying that one too' Harry teased.

`Well, it wouldn't be very gentlemanly of you if you didn't' Hermione joked as she rang the door bell.

`Hang on one moment, Pete' she heard her mother call. Harry gave her a quizzical look at the name Pete, but Hermione had a guess of who she meant.

The door swung open and a smile lit up on her mothers' face, only visible for a moment before she sprung forward to catch Hermione in a bone breaking hug.

`Oh, I've missed you!' her mother yelled as she rocked back and forwards before she broke the hug and looked at Harry `and you too!'

And then, for the first time where harm wasn't meant, her mother embraced Harry, kissing him roughly on the cheek as she broke from the hug.

`Come in, you two' her mother said as she turned and walked into the house, leaving Harry staring after her dumbstruck `you'll catch yourself a death of cold'

Hermione followed her mother chuckling to herself, evidently her mother had finally embraced Harry and now saw him as family. She had seen the same thing happen to James all those years back, first she hated and didn't trust him, but after time he became one of her `extended family'. She guessed that in her mothers eyes Harry had finally proven himself.

`So, Pete?' Hermione teased as she entered the living room, noticing that her mother looked away slightly.

`What of him?' her mother said nonchalantly.

`Been seeing much of him?' Hermione said `I only ask because you seemed to be expecting him?'

`He was coming round to fix the pipes' her mother said as she sat down in her favourite chair, Hermione sat down beside her. Thankful for being back she relaxed.

`Is that what you kids call it these days?' Harry said as he struggled into the room carrying three suitcases full of clothes.

`Never mind you what anyone calls it!' her mother said in a mock strict voice `don't want you getting any sorts of ideas in your head while you're travelling with my daughter!'

`Mum…' Hermione groaned, and even though Harry and her mother both laughed at the joke she couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She wondered if parents embarrassing their children would ever stop being a universal fact and made a mental note to check that when they started travelling again.

`So how long are you two back this time?' her mother asked Harry. He had definitely become one of her `extended family'.

`A few days' Harry said with a smile.

`Been anywhere nice?'

`A few places' Harry answered noncommittally.

`We went to the opening of the Great Wall of China' Hermione said impressively.

`Tina went in the summer with her compensation money for that man calling her Greek…' her mother said simply `she didn't think much of it'

Suddenly a large crash echoed throughout the room making Harry spring to his feet, his wand snapped out as a deafening hammering came raining down on the front door.

`What the hell?' her mother said annoyed standing up.

`Let me get it' Harry said forcefully.

`You sit down, love' her mother said shaking her head as she wandered out of the living room, leaving Harry looking bewildered once again.

`You're mother might be getting nicer' Harry said groaning as he looked at Hermione `but she sure is still mental!'

`Its only James' her mother called which was the words that made Harry drop back into his chair.

`And he brought a friend' her mother said cheerily.

`Ron?' Hermione said confused `I mean, sit down'

`I'll get us all some tea' her mother said, shooting Hermione a puzzled look.

`You have to come with us' Ron said instantly like a soldier `Albus' orders'

`We having tea' Harry said shaking his head and stretching out slightly. Hermione knew that the very worse word to use with Harry was said. Orders.

`Trust me, Harry' James said earnestly `you're going to want to see this…'

`I'm more interested in seeing Tina's photos of the Great Wall of China' Harry said shrugging.

`Tina?' James said momentarily baffled before recovering `she didn't like it so didn't take any'

`Maybe she has some nice snaps of the hillside then?' Harry said hopefully.

`Nope' James said shaking his head `just a lot of a Chinese guy she had a…thing…with. And trust me, you don't want to see them'

`Can you two shut up and pleas come with us?' Ron said angrily.

`With a tone like that I'm not going to do either' Harry said looking at Ron in disgust.

`Then I wont tell you what's so important' Ron snapped back.

`good!' Harry said brightly turning to James `so what's wrong with the photos of that Tina's…'

`Albus has found it' Ron snapped hastily, instantly stopping Harry in his tracks.

Harry looked at Ron carefully for several long moments before h slowly stood up and walked over to him.

`You better not be lying' Harry said menacingly `for your sake'

And without another word Harry walked out of the room and evidently out of the house.

Hermione sprung up quickly and ran into the kitchen, seeing her mother trying to balance 5 cups of tea in her two hands.

`I'm sorry' Hermione said taking two of the cups of her and placing them on the side `I've got to go'

`Where?' her mother said `you just got back!'

`I'll be back later' Hermione said kissing her on the cheek, but as she turned away her mother took her arm.

`Every time you come back you stay for shorter' her mother said quietly `soon you'll leave and never come back'

`And miss your cups of tea?' Hermione joked lamely, giving her mother another kiss, she turned on her heel and ran from the house to catch Harry up.

She was desperate to find out what was happening, but another thought occupied her mind. Her mother was right. One day she would never return.

*

The four of them, her, Harry, James and Ron, had all shared a particularly uncomfortable silence filled taxi journey. The only thing that broke the monotony was the fact that throughout it Harry and Ron constantly exchanged dangerous looks at each other.

All in all Hermione was glad that it was over, and now strolling down thee corridors together she felt the familiar buzz of adrenaline that told her an adventure was on its way. And, judging by the look of concentration on Harry's face, this was a big one.

`This is where I leave you' James said as they reached a door.

`Why?' Hermione asked, wishing that he would stay with them, if only for a friendly face.

`I…' James said uncertainly `I don't like it in there…besides I have things to do'

`Ok' Hermione said uncertainly, and with a small wink James walked off down the corridor, and back of to work.

Ron gave the two of them a knowing look and used his wand to open the large metal doors in front of them, and all three stepped forward. Hermione followed Harry into the room and saw that it was lined with hundreds of steps on all sides, dropping downwards like a Roman Amphitheatre, but completely surrounded. Around the top of the stairs stood a few men, all large and each of them with wand in hand. And in the middle of the room, at the bottom of the steps, was a simple, plain Archway. A black cloth lying motionless over the front.

Hermione was just about to ask what was happening when Harry stepped forward and caught her eye. His whole body was tensed as he stood still staring at the Archway, his eyes were narrow as he watched it closely, as if expecting the object to grow legs and run away.

`Oh my god…' Harry said breathlessly, his voice no more than whisper. And before Hermione could speak again he bounded forward, jumping three or four steps at a time, stopping a centimetre short of the black cloth.

Hermione followed him, hoping down the steps as fast as her legs could carry her, but as she reached the bottom Harry held out a hand to stop her from coming any closer to it.

Harry stared into her eyes as he put a hand up to his lips, indicating her to be silent. And slowly he moved his head closer to the black veil, his ear poised as if to listen to it.

`Can you hear that?' Harry said, a sparkle going of like fireworks behind his bright green eyes.

Hermione copied Harry, feeling her heart pumping as she placed her ear closer to the archway.

`No…' Hermione said uncertainly `I don't hear anything'

`Exactly!' Harry said with a slightly maniacal grin as he sprung back away from it, grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her up the steps back towards Albus by the entrance. Harry was now speaking feverishly fast and he was slightly hurting her as he pulled her too fast `I was right! It must have been cut off! It's the only explanation'

`What is going on?' Hermione asked as she pulled her arm free of Harry's grasp and rubbed it softly.

`No time to explain!' Harry said brightly as he approached Albus.

`I trust that you're glad you came?' Albus asked gently as he looked from Harry to the archway and back again.

`Glad?' Harry said throwing his head back and laughing loudly into the air `try delighted! Elated! Euphoric! A Permanent resident up on cloud seven!'

`What's with all this?' Hermione asked, she was worried at how strange Harry was being. Well, stranger anyway `you want to decorate the Anglia?'

`Not at all…' Harry said softly as he looked back at it longingly `this Archway is perhaps the most dangerous thing in the world…'

`What?' Hermione laughed incredulously but she could tell from the exchange of looks between Ron and Albus that Harry was right. `What is it?'

`That is the million pound question with all your lifelines gone!' Harry said staring at the archway again `and a question I can't answer…'

`Then why do you think it's so dangerous?' Hermione asked puzzled.

`Because Hermione, dear sweet Hermione' Harry said placing a hand on her shoulder `because I know what it does…'

`What does it do?' Hermione asked nervously, she could feel her stomach swirling with nerves. Harry may be dramatic, but he didn't lie, so if he said this was dangerous, then it was.

`I…' Harry said looking straight into her eyes `I…I'll show you…soon'

`I don't know about that' Ron said interrupting.

`What?' Harry said baffled.

`If its as dangerous as you say, and as important as we suspect it to be' Ron said steadying himself against Harry's scornful look `then we cant let unauthorized people near it'

`And I count as unauthorized?' Harry said turning to Albus, who just looked at him and slowly nodded. Harry suddenly laughed and said `You can't stop me'

`You would fight us to get to it?' Ron said incredulously.

`I would fight the whole world' Harry said low and strong `and I'd win'

`Harry, we know we can't stop you' Albus said softly stepping forward closer to Harry `your more powerful than we could dream of being…but your being rash, your moving too fast'

`Albus' Harry said caringly `I've been waiting for this for five years. Before I met Hermione I travelled alone, and all I ever did was think of this, plan what I'd do, hope that the day would come when I would find myself before the archway'

`Think of the life you have built here' Albus said passionately `think of the people who rely on you… we rely on you!'

`You'll cope…' Harry said with sorrow in his voice `the 21st century is when everything changes…and you're ready for it…'

`Think of Hermione!' Albus begged, his voice pleading with Harry.

`What about me?' she snapped instantly.

`Could you leave her?' Albus said still looking into Harry's eyes `could you hurt her…as you know she will be…'

`We've coped with many things and always come through' Harry said, his voice sounded uncertain but he flashed her a look and his bright green eyes told her to have faith, that he was her Harry and always would be.

`Everywhere we go we could be hurt' Hermione said smiling at Harry `and standing side by side and working together, we make it through'

`Always have and always will' Harry grinned.

`The Golden Duo' Hermione added which Harry gave a simple nod to, the pair of them watching each other eyes closely, lost in the moment.

`I see you've made your decision' Albus said, his voice sounding broken and defeated.

`Albus, you can't be thinking of letting them…' Ron said angrily.

`Even if you can't see it, Ron, I can' Albus said sadly `now we have brought the archway to Harry he wont stop…it's my mistake…'

`Than k you' Harry said gently `I'll be back in one hour'

`Where are we going?' Hermione asked curiously as she took Harry's hand in preparation for apparition.

`Back to the Anglia' Harry said brightly `we need a few things…'

Harry pulled her gently towards him, swivelling the pair of them slightly as he did, but then he stopped.

`And one last thing' Harry said turning back to face Ron `if you try anything to stop me, then I'll kill you'

And Hermione was left with Harry's threat ringing through her ears as she was pulled into the squeeze of appirition, wondering what had just happened. Wondering if the archway was Pandora's box, and just what would happen when Harry opened it.

*

Hey, hope you liked that…I'm updating the next chapter next. This was very much just a set-up, necessary but slightly dull in my opinion, the next one is when things REALLY start! And I can promise you fireworks with it! But if you want me to update as quickly as humanly possible, please review! It's coming to the end and I want to hear what you think of this story while I still have the chance…

Also, a lot of people seemed to have missed chapter 32-37 and jumped straight to Hermione's epilogue? If you missed the adventure in renaissance Florence where Hermione becomes a `model', then I suggest you go back and read it…especially as I really liked that one!

Now turn to the next chapter…(after reviewing!)

Jms Granger…

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40. Bad Wolf: Part Two

Bad Wolf: Part Two

As soon as Hermione blinked the darkness faded away and the soft light of the Anglia lit her up. She was home. But for how long she didn't know.

`Why did you threaten Ron?' she snapped angrily. Harry was acting strange, and she could cope with that, but she couldn't cope with him going against what they believed in, sounding like one of the people they stopped so often.

`Who says it was a threat?' Harry said darkly, but as Hermione raised an eyebrow at him incredulously he threw his head back in laughter `Ok, ok. It was an idle threat. All I'll do is turn him into something…I'm thinking festive here…how about a reindeer?'

`Well he does have red hair' Hermione laughed, glad beyond words to see Harry acting more like himself again.

`So its agreed' Harry said walking back and forth quickly as if his mind was still trying to work out where he wanted to go as he spoke rapidly `if Ron tries to interfere, then he becomes Rudolph!'

Harry raised his wand and closed his eyes, the sign of him doing magic, and as soon as he started she heard a large crashing coming from the other side of the main doors, which flew open to allow a blur of brown fly past her and into Harry's hand.

`This is it!' Harry said excitedly as he opened what Hermione could now tell wasn't a blur but was in fact a book `do you remember when I got this?'

`It was our second trip…third adventure if you count the Plastocrese' Hermione said with a little smile. So much time had passed since then, so much had changed that she could no longer remember the girl she once was

`Well done, you finally said it right' Harry laughed as he leafed through a few pages after throwing her a grin `Charles gave this to me before…before we saw Shakespeare…'

`So what's important about that book?' Hermione asked as she tried to peer over Harry's shoulder, but he was scanning the pages to fast for her to really take any in so she stopped.

`I don't know yet…' Harry said seriously `but I have an inkling'

`Haven't you read it yet?' Hermione asked curiously.

`No' Harry said shaking his head distractedly `didn't have the time'

`Time is all we have!' Hermione said laughing.

`You know what I mean' Harry said dismissively `all that searching was in the past for me, while I had just begun to get to know you, to travel with you…the archway didn't seem so important after you arrived…'

Hermione didn't know what to say. She hadn't realized, or even considered, just how much Harry's life had changed to. Before he was alone, a sole traveller on a mission, and she came into his life and changed everything. She hoped that it was for the better.

`There!' Harry cheered suddenly as he spun around beside her and opened the book to a page for her to see `that's the archway!'

And Harry was right. And even though the book was heavily beaten and incredibly old, every image and letter stood out clearly. On the page was heavily dense writing that she couldn't recognize as even letters let alone words, and at the bottom, under all the scrawl, was a picture of the archway with a man beside it with a long flowing white beard.

`Who's that beside it?' Hermione asked pointing at the old man who reminded her of Albus.

`That's Merlin' Harry said proudly as he looked admiringly at the book.

`As in The Sword in the Stone?' Hermione said with a smile. She loved that film when she was younger.

`The very one…Although without the sword. Or the stone. Or any of the oh so delightfully Disney singing' Harry said shaking his head unimpressed `makes you wonder what he did actually have?'

`An archway' Hermione said simply with a grin.

`That he did' Harry said knowingly `that he did'

`So can you read all of this?' Hermione asked pointing at all the writing.

`Pretty much' Harry said nodding as his eyes scanned the words `but its pretty dull…beware the archway!...all that rubbish'

`So is the book useless?' Hermione asked.

`Not at all' Harry said grinning as he slammed the book shut dramatically `it proves that I was right…that Merlin created the archway'

`And how's that helpful?' Hermione asked interestedly.

`This picture is kind of like a…magical photo…' Harry said looking at Hermione confused `which I just realized you've never seen'

`So what is it?' Hermione asked irritably, she hated not knowing things.

`Its…complicated' Harry said looking confused before his eyes twinkled again and he opened the book back to the page of the archway and handed it back to her `check out that picture again'

Hermione peered down at the picture knowing what she would see but as her eyes set upon it she was completely surprised. Merlin was now sat on the floor with his back resting against the archway, his large pointed hat over his eyes as he appeared to be dozing of to sleep.

`He's moved!' Hermione said finding this discovery delightful.

`Native Americas and Brazilian tribes people weren't all to far off when they thought that cameras stole the models soul' Harry said with a grin `the photo actually takes a picture of it, and magic allows it to show itself…this is a very early form of that'

`And as you can see his soul, you can see his magical force?' Hermione asked, hoping that she had got this right and didn't sound stupid.

`Fantastic!' Harry said `when I turn the archway back on, a billion different strands and souls of magic will fly through and only the right one will let me properly activate it… and if I didn't now have a clear image of Merlin's soul I would have to guess and would likely end up just stepping through into the void'

`Wait one moment!' Hermione interrupted `what's this got to do with the void?'

`Everything' Harry said cryptically.

`Harry…' Hermione said warningly `what is going on?'

Harry stopped and looked around the Anglia, seeming to be thinking hard of the words to explain to her, but as he turned back to her something else burned in his eyes.

`Have I ever let you down?' Harry said quietly, dangerously.

`No' Hermione admitted before quickly adding `but we're suddenly talking about the void now, and that worries me…especially as all you ever do is talk about nothingness…please tell me what is going on?'

`The dead call it the eternal…my people call it the void' Harry said softly, carefully `but some people… some people call it Hell'

`So we're talking about Hell?' Hermione said shaking her head `maybe Albus was right…you're sounding very rash all of a sudden'

`Hermione' Harry said forcefully as he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder `this is me. Harry. Would I ever walk you into Hell? Do you think I would, that I could, ever literally send you to Hell?'

`No' Hermione said shaking her head.

`Then have faith in me' Harry said, his eyes pleading with her to believe him `and I promise that I'll pull us through this…together…right through to the end'

Hermione looked at him and breathed deeply. An image floated into her mind, the image of the future she had seen months ago, a future that had her falling to her knees in tears. Tears that could only have meant one thing. That she had lost Harry.

She breathed deeply once again and closed her eyes. Harry was standing close to her, watching her, waiting for her. And then she opened her eyes and saw her Harry.

`Ok' Hermione said.

`Thank you' Harry said with a grin.

`But if I end up having tea with the devil' Hermione said laughing `I'm pointing him in your direction'

`Deal!' Harry said throwing his head back and laughing.

Harry slowly walked over to the large cabinet that they had bought in medieval Britain. Well, bought wasn't exactly the right term. She had won it in a game of poker of a self proclaimed King. She didn't know if he was one, but she really liked his taste in furniture.

`Here' Harry said returning with a wand outstretched for her to take `it's the one Albus lent me a while back'

`I can't take that' Hermione said not moving from her spot and keeping her hands tight to her side to resist the urge.

`Why ever not?' Harry said puzzled.

`I can't do magic' Hermione said shaking her head `there's no point'

`It's not to do magic with' Harry said kindly `it's more so people think you can'

`In the last year you've never asked me to carry a wand before!' Hermione said suspiciously.

`And before we visited the Taj Mahal I had never asked you to ride a donkey!' Harry teased `but looked how wonderfully you did that!'

`Donkeys don't make things disappear' Hermione said rolling her eyes as she went to take the wand.

`And who knows' Harry grinned as she took it from him `it could come in handy'

`I guess I could jam it in someone's eye!' Hermione said laughing as she pocketed it and felt the strange sensation of carrying a wand. She hoped she wouldn't have to get used to it.

Harry quickly sprung out his hand towards her ready for her to take it `I know we're a little early, but shall we get back?'

`Ok' Hermione said smiling as she placed her hand on Harry's, and as soon as she did the familiar sense of apportion stole over her and her vision went dark.

`Back already?' Ron said as soon as they reappeared, even before Hermione was able to open her eyes.

She looked around the room and saw that only Albus and Ron remained. This had evidently become a need to know incident, where only Albus and Ron was high enough to need to know.

`I pride myself on my punctuality' Harry said brightly as he walked past the pair of them and down towards the

`But it is a lot easier when you have a time machine' Hermione laughed as she followed him down the steps and towards the archway where Albus was awaiting them. Harry walked up close to him and held out a hand.

`Thank you Albus' Harry said as he shook hands with the old man `this really means a lot to me'

`It's been a privilege to know you, Harry Potter' Albus said earnestly `and even though I don't agree with what you're doing, I understand it'

`That's all I ask' Harry said smiling at his friend. At the one man he saw as a real equal.

`Till we meet again' Albus said breaking the hand shake and turning to Hermione, his eyes unable to meet hers `Hermione…please take care of yourself and return to us safe and well'

And with those words Albus walked of, up the stairs and away from the room.

`Hermione…' Ron said looking at her before he pulled her into a quick hug before looking at Harry `if you let anything happen to her…'

`Then I'll be sure to tell you, Rudolph' Harry said scathingly as Ron turned and left as well.

`You ready?' Hermione said as the pair of them faced the archway without moving.

`I think so' Harry said as he slowly raised his wand and waved it over the veil.

As soon as he started Hermione could hear something. She thought it was whisperings of people from beyond it. Slowly she moved closer, listening as intently as she could, but the whisperings got no clearer, hundreds, thousands, millions of people seemed to be talking from beyond it.

Hermione turned to look at Harry and saw that he was facing the veil, his eyes closed in concentration. Hermione turned back to it and listened again. She thought the voices sounded sad and scared.

`It's done' Harry said slowly, and as Hermione turned to look at him his eyes were open once more and facing into the archway `I can hear the voices…the link has been made'

`A link to what exactly?' Hermione asked nervously, but Harry didn't answer. All that she could see was the veil now moving slightly as if caught by a slow gust of wind, and all she could hear were voices crying out for help.

`Hermione…do you remember what I said when we visited the unicorns' Harry said nervously turning his head to the side to look at her.

`You said a lot of things' Hermione pointed out nervously, unable to completely tear her eyes away form the veil and onto Harry. The archway seemed very wrong.

`That every different time version of you is completely different' Harry suggested.

`That even if I bumped into myself five minutes ago, I would be in essence a completely different person?' Hermione asked, finally tearing her eyes of it and onto the clear green of Harry's.

`Keep that in mind' Harry said with a smile `and have a little imagination'

Harry went to take a step forward, to pass through the veil and into the archway, but he stopped, turned and faced her.

He slowly reached his hand up to her face and brushed her hair behind her ear, leaving his hand resting on her cheek. She thought she could feel every atom of his hand as it warmed her cheek and her heart threatened to explode.

Slowly he moved his face closer to hers, inching forward slowly, and instinctively Hermione already knew what was going to happen. She tilted her head up slowly, waiting for him to get closer.

And then his lips touched hers and fire burst throughout her body. She reached her hands up around his neck and pushed her whole body against his as he seemed to melt into her. His tongue pushed forward and she opened her mouth to allow him to enter her, feeling his heat burst through her like an explosion of light. And then he stopped, and pulled away slowly.

`Wha…' Hermione breathed slowly as she realized her eyes were still closed and fought to open them `why did you do that'

`Because' Harry said staring into her eyes `I think that may be my last chance'

And without an explanation he turned on his heel and disappeared into the veil.

Hermione placed her hand on her heart, quickly realized that if she did yoga for several hours that it still would slow down, and stepped through after him.

But nothing happened. No gust of wind, or squeeze or teleportation, not even a bright light. Just her foot making contact with the floor as she stepped the whole way through.

And then she saw Harry facing Ron.

`Didn't you leave?' Hermione asked confused.

But Harry didn't say anything, and Ron just stood there staring dumbstruck back at him.

`Bloody Hell!' Ron said, his voice ever so slightly lower than she remembered. And then something completely and utterly bewildering happened, Harry walked up to him, and the pair embraced like brothers.

`It's so good to see you!' Harry said, pure and utter relief in his voice as it broke slightly with joy.

Hermione couldn't breath. What on Earth was happening?

Harry slowly broke form Ron, identically huge grins on both of their faces as Harry took a slow step back and turned to Hermione.

`Hermione Granger…' Harry said slowly, the words seemed to be hard to say as he was smiling so widely `…meet Ronald Weasley'

`I already know Ron' Hermione said uncertainly and then something jumped out at her.

Ron seemed to be a little taller, or maybe he just seemed it as he looked slimmer than when she had just seen him. And his hair was longer, scraggier than the neat short look that he adopted and wore so well with his military manner.

`Bloody Hell!' Ron said, his words seeming to drawl on forever in shock as his eyes almost jumped out of their sockets.

`When are we?' Hermione said slowly, but then she realized something else. She knew the room they were in, and it wasn't where she just was.

`What is Ron doing in Grimmauld?' Hermione asked confused, her head was hurting as she tried to piece together so many things, none of which made the tiniest bit of sense.

`Hopefully looking after it for me' Harry said laughing as he turned to Ron `where is she?'

`She's…' Ron's aid slowly, his eyes stuck completely still on Hermione `somewhere…'

`I see your as much help as ever!' Harry joked, which made Ron's eyes snap back onto Harry and make his eyes look like they had life behind once again.

`Its really you, isn't it?' Ron said shaking his head as a grin appeared.

`Who else did you expect to come through?' Harry laughed.

`Maybe Sirius?' Ron said, but Hermione didn't get it but evidently by Harry's laugh it was a private joke. But since when did Harry and Ron have private jokes?'

`Where is she?' Harry said softly, looking slightly at his feet.

`I'll call her' Ron said snapping out of his daydream again and running to the door. As soon as he had it open he started to shout, his words echoing throughout the building, and maybe even the whole of London `HERMIONE! HERMIONE!'

`I'm here?' Hermione said confused, but neither of them was looking at her, both of their eyes stuck on the doorway.

`WHAT?' she heard a voice all too familiar voice call back from another room.

`HARRYS BACK!' Ron yelled `HARRYS HOME!'

With theses words came an almighty crash from the other room, and a squeal she knew instinctively. And a second later a blur ran into the room and threw itself at Harry. The sound of sobbing came from the bushy hair that was hugging Harry, as they ran their hands all over each other.

Hermione was close to passing out, fainting like in an old Hollywood film, as the facts, however impossible they seemed, hit home.

Slowly she watched as the woman broke form Harry's embrace, kissing him passionately on the lips and stepping back. And then their eyes locked. And she saw the woman's big brown eyes.

`Hermione Granger…' Harry said looking at the two of them `meet Hermione Granger'

*

So that's part two…hope you liked it! Oh, and the last line is definitely right! I have to assume that most people can guess what has just happened, but for those that haven't I'll tell you (there are still a lot of other things I have to answer anyway). Harry has come home. Back to his world. Back to the canon-world. Back to the world where his real Hermione and Ron live…

I hope you like this twist, as it was the whole purpose of the story from my point of view…

I might be able to update tomorrow, but the next chapter is a HUGE one, where I answer all of Harry's secrets…and Wednesday is the Arsenal game…so it'll either be tomorrow or Thursday…sorry…

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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41. Bad Wolf: Part Three

Bad Wolf: Part Three

Hermione lifted up her cup closely to her lips, trying to steady her hands as much as possible as she prepared to take a sip of her cup of tea, which the other Hermione had made.

She looked around the table, Harry was chatting animatedly with Ron, but she couldn't hear their words. While she was being stared at by her.

She looked identical. With her big brown eyes, small body and full lips there was no mistaking them for twins or sisters. They were the same. Hermione smiled to herself as she realized the only difference between them was the other one had never heard of hair straighteners.

`This must be some sort of record!' Ron suddenly said making Hermione break eyes with the other one so she could see him rocking backwards and forwards laughing.

`I agree, I've never seen Hermione lost for words…' Harry said with a grin before adding as an after thought `either of them'

`Well its not everyday you meet your clone' the other Hermione said wryly a fraction before she was going to say something to the same effect.

`I am not your clone' Hermione said angrily shaking her head back and forth `If anything you're a copy of me'

`No ones a copy of anyone' Harry said leaning forward and talking forcefully `your completely different in everyway but looks, trust me'

`How are we different?' Hermione asked, she needed to know something, anything, that made her herself.

`A hundred ways that will become apparent' Harry asked as he looked around the place smiling `What protections do you have up?'

`The same as before' Ron replied, the wide smile he had been wearing since they had arrived was still on his face.

Harry raised his wand over his head for a few seconds and then placed his wand slowly into his pocket.

`What was that?' Hermione asked suspiciously.

`Just a few more protections, the Fidelius Charm and a few things I invented' Harry said brightly `we don't want just anyone walking in right now, do we?'

`But doesn't the secret keeper charm take hours and three people to perform?' Hermione asked suspiciously.

`Not for me' Harry said simply as he looked about the place smiling.

`What does that mean?' Ron asked confused.

`It means I'm a lot better at this magic gig than I was when I was last here' Harry said, and then he turned to Hermione and laughed `I use to be pretty useless at all this…took me months to learn the accio spell in Year Four'

`Months to learn the summoning charm?' Hermione said teasingly `I could learn it quicker than that and I cant do magic!'

`You're a muggle?' the other one said, her mouth dropping down in shock.

`I'm…she's a witch?' Hermione asked incredulously.

`Yeah' the other one said with a kind smile. Her kind smile.

`I meant that as an insult' Hermione snapped back. How was she a witch in this other world? And now she not only had to compete with a woman who looks exactly like her who has known Harry since he was a teenager but also can do magic.

`As I said earlier you're completely different' Harry said smiling `and this is just the beginning of those'

`This is crazy' Hermione said standing up. She couldn't be here, with her, in this world where she didn't belong `this isn't my wolrd! I…I…'

`Hermione…please sit down' Harry said leaning forward and taking her hand. She looked down at him, saw his kind smile and knew she had to at least hear him out. He was still the same Harry who had saved her and her world on so many occasions, and he owed him that much at least. Sitting down she looked into his eyes and however much she wanted to scream and shout at him she couldn't help but be calmed by his bright green eyes as they started into her `This was…is…my world. I was born here, raised here and went to school here'

`Then what were you doing in my world?' Hermione asked earnestly. All the questions she had about Harry, who he was and where he was from, was just about to be answered, but she didn't feel excited like she thought she would. Instead fear came over her at what her answers meant. For her and for them.

`That's a really long story' Ron said shaking his head, Hermione could tell that he wasn't comfortable thinking about it, let alone talking about it again.

`I want to know what happened after…' the other Hermione said softly, her eyes shooting momentarily onto Hermione `and more specifically why there's now two of me'

`Me too' Hermione said fiercely looking straight at Harry.

Harry seemed to flinch slightly and look around the group, his eyes working busily to work out a plan in the same way Hermione had seen so many times before. Seconds passed in silence before Harry breathed a long sigh and started to talk.

`There was a wizard...' Harry said slowly `Tom Riddle turned bad…and I'm not talking your everyday garden variety bad either, but a whole new level…Tom became Lord Voldemort'

`Isn't that the guy you mentioned to Albus?' Hermione asked interestedly.

`Albus is alive?' Ron asked, his eyes bulging slightly in hope.

`Pay attention, Ron' the other one said rolling her eyes `it's a different world, a different Albus, probably a different you…and definitely a different me'

`A prophecy was made' Harry said speaking over Hermione `and that led Lord Voldemort to believe he had to kill me…he murdered my parents, and tried to kill me when I was one…'

`How did he fail?' Hermione asked, she knew Harry was fantastic and powerful but as a baby?

`My mother died protecting me' Harry said shrugging as he ran a hand through his hair `and when Lord Voldemort tried to Avada Kedavra…that's a killing spell…it rebounded back onto him'

`So he's a ghost?' Hermione said hopefully, Harry had already defeated a ghost pretty easily.

`No' the other Hermione said shaking her head `he had created Horcruxes, and split his soul so he could not die'

`Isn't that the plot to Lord of the Rings?' Hermione said shaking her head.

`Pretty much' Harry said brightly `although Voldemort has more flair than that eye-guy-thing…he did it seven times'

`So Frodo had to destroy seven rings?' Hermione asked.

`I don't look anything like Elijah Wood!' Harry said in shock.

`Some were already destroyed when we started' Hermione carried on `we had to hunt down and destroy four of them, and then we were left with the task of defeating the most powerful wizard in the world'

`Lets guess' Hermione said smiling `Harry walked back and forth a bit, went on some rant that no one understood and then saved the day?'

`Not quite' Harry almost whispered as he looked down at his feet.

`You couldn't just walk up and kill you-know-who' Ron said shaking his head `he had too many followers, and even if you got past them Harry wouldn't of lasted long against You-know-who face to face'

`So we came up with a plan' Hermione said joining the others in looking away from everyone.

`Actually Hermione here did' Harry said happily `my godfather, the only real family I had ever known, was murdered when I was 15'

`By Voldemort?' Hermione asked.

`No, by my godfathers' niece or something, Bellatrix' Harry finished `she sent him falling backwards through the veil, through the archway we just walked into'

`So he's in our…my world?' Hermione asked interestedly.

`You forget that I created a link between the two worlds' Harry said softy.

`He fell into the void?' Hermione asked shocked.

`Or hell as some call it' Harry grimaced making Ron and Hermione shoot him outraged looks, but Harry ignored it and carried on `Hermione realized that all Bellatrix had done was land one hit on Sirius and the Archway did the rest'

`But landing one hit on Vol-Voldemort was a big problem' Hermione added.

`I could last a while against him, but I had no real power behind my attacks' Harry said shaking his head `there was no chance of me beating him in one on one fighting, or even landing a hit'

`So I suggested that if we can't push you-know-who to the Archway, we make the Archway go to him' Ron said this like it was a confession, looking up at Harry as if seeking forgiveness.

`We battled in the Ministry, where the prophecy had been stored for 15 years, and after lives were lost and blood was spilt, only the two of us remained' Harry said looking straight into Hermione's eyes `I exploded the Archway as Hermione had suggested, she knew that the effect would be a loosening of the archway, making the entry into the void fill the whole room'

`The room was created to hold the explosion just in case' Hermione said `the void could not pass out of that room due to ancient magic and so the room became an entrance to the void for a few seconds…and then it disappeared'

`So how did you end up in my world and Voldemort in the void?' Hermione asked.

`The Ford Anglia' Harry said simply, Ron's head snapped onto his with a smile `it's what I put the machine into in the other world for protection'

`I knew it would work, that Harry and Voldemort would end up in the void, and that no one could escape it' Hermione said, a few tears were building up in her eyes `but I couldn't allow Harry to do that…we worked together to create a device, made from a time turner and portkey, for him to activate in the void and bring him back to us'

`So that's why there's so many rooms in the Anglia!' Hermione said amazed.

`Yep' Harry said smiling `you asked when we were visiting the unicorns why I needed so much power in the machine that I had to spread it out of thousands of rooms'

`You needed all that extra power to rip you from hell back into the land of the living, and if you hadn't created such a large space to spread the power out over the power used to push you through space and time would have ripped a hole in the world…like the Magicallds were trying to do…and you would have destroyed the world?' she said slightly worried.

`I see Hermione's a brilliant as Hermione' Ron said smiling.

`You don't know the half of it' Harry said laughing.

`But I should have worked it out' Hermione said shaking her head `I should of guessed the truth'

`That I was from another world?' Harry teased.

`Exactly' Hermione laughed `because no one in the whole world is as crazy as you'

`So what happened?' the other Hermione said interrupting them.

`I activated it… almost as soon as I entered' Harry answered pausing slightly, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what happened to Harry in the void, in hell, but these thoughts were lost as Harry continued `and I was ripped from there, rather painfully actually, and I arrived in the mid nineties…I tracked you and Ron down but you were different…I didn't talk to you back then because I was in another time, and didn't know what damage I could make, if I'd even undo my own existence…but you weren't you, and I realized I was in another world'

`I thought you might be' Hermione said smiling.

`How come?' Harry asked.

`I knew that the device would work, that you'd figure a way out of the void…' Hermione started `so when you didn't come back I got to thinking…why would someone make an archway to hell? Then it occurred to me, the Archway was actually made to bridge two places…'

`Kind of like Stargate' Harry added.

`Exactly…' Hermione said smiling `so I thought that you might have ended up on the other side, and maybe it was another world because for the void to lay between the two it couldn't just be a different time or place…I used to hope that in the other world you would find your family'

`So that why you rebuilt the archway?' Harry asked slightly awkwardly, his eyes shooting to Hermione ever few seconds.

`Yeah' she said smiling `I didn't know if it would be any help, but it was a link between where you were and back home... I tried to make the connection active, but I couldn't'

`Don't worry' Harry said as he raised a hand up to her face and stroked away a tear `I'm home now, aren't I?'

Hermione watched Harry embrace her counterpart and felt a snapping inside her chest. His hand should be on her face, not the other girls. Harry was hers.

`You let Harry sacrifice himself?' Hermione interrupted incredulously.

`You don't understand' the other Hermione said `Vol-Voldemort…don't shudder Ron… was the most powerful wizard. Pure Evil. But supremely powerful'

`And?' Hermione said angrily, she didn't like the idea of Harry having to sacrifice himself and couldn't believe that she would, even in an other world, would have let him `Its Harry we're talking about, he would have figured out another way'

`Voldemort was too strong' the other one said sounding like she was getting on the verge of tears, but this only angered Hermione even more `if there was another way…'

`If you had given Harry more time this Voldemort wouldn't have stood a chance' Hermione snapped shaking her head forcefully.

`He would have taken over the world if we didn't act then' Ron said stepping in.

`And Harry would have saved it once again!' Hermione snapped disbelievingly.

`Voldemort was too strong' Hermione said forcefully `if we had waited fifty years there would be no guarantee that Harry would have beaten him!'

`Oh, come one' Hermione said laughing `you knew Harry before he even became a teenager…trust me that the man version is a lot different, and a hell of a lot more powerful'

`Not that much' Harry said but no one listened to him.

`We weren't just your ordinary O.C teenagers' Hermione said shaking her head triumphantly `we beat a three headed dog named fluffy when we were eleven'

`I rather like the O.C' Harry grumbled under his breathe.

`A three headed dog?' Hermione said incredulously `try bringing down an evil Government of England'

`Try defeating a Dragon' the other one snapped back.

`A Plactocrese intent on killing the whole of humanity' she said laughing `and making friends with me while he does it!'

`A hundred Dementors!' the other one snapped angrier leaning forward across the table.

`Harry painted me and now I belong in a museum' Hermione said triumphantly, and that seemed to stop her momentarily.

`Harry…?' Ron said looking at him confused but Harry just shrugged.

`We travelled back in time to save his Godfather' Hermione said dramatically once she had recovered from the shock of hearing about Harry the Artist.

`Please!' Hermione said almost rolling about in laughter `we travel back in time every single day! We met Shakespeare and Guy Fawkes!'

`Try beating…' she began but instantly stopped mid-sentence her eyes snapping onto Harry.

`Now I'm in for it' Harry groaned and slumped his shoulders.

`Please tell me my counterpart is delusional' she snapped angrily at Harry `and that you haven't been using the device in the other world…'

`Well…' Harry cringed `what you don't understand is…'

`Oh my god, Harry!' Hermione said throwing her hand up dramatically `I can't believe you'd be so irresponsible! You know all about the Ministry laws on time travel and the repercussions of it! At least say you followed most of the laws'

`It depends on what you mean by most?' Harry said not looking her in the eyes. Hermione had never seen Harry acting like this, like a boy being scolded by his teacher, and she had to admit she didn't like it.

`Changing events, telling people anything of consequence, saving lives' Hermione said counting them of on her fingers.

`Guilty, guilty and guilty' Harry answered looking away from her slightly.

`Was there any laws you followed?' Hermione asked.

`I never…' Harry started but stopped mid word and sighed `actually I did that one'

`Harry' the other Hermione pleaded incredulously while Hermione and Ron laughed under their breathes.

`I never slept with a family member!' Harry said brightly as if he had somehow won the argument with this.

`Oh…' she said softly, calming herself down slightly `your family were in the other world?'

`No…' Harry admitted making Ron laugh `but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have done that one even if they were!'

`So that's it!' Hermione said rolling her eyes incredulously `in five years of travelling through time the only law you haven't broken is incest?'

`Pretty much' Harry admitted brightly, sounding more like the Harry she knew again `but I did make a few extra laws on my travel which I thought balanced things out a bit'

`What laws?' she asked interestedly.

`Well…' Harry said his face flushing slightly with embarrassment `Because of me goats could vote in the 1568 Local Election in Sussex'

`What?' Ron said laughing loudly.

`I was drunk' Harry said shrugging `and no one seemed to get the fact that I was joking!'

`And that makes up for time travelling and breaking every law' Hermione asked raising an eyebrow `I cant even imagine the amount of destruction you have made in that world'

`I didn't destroy anything' Harry said angrily shaking his head `I'm experienced, I know what I'm doing'

`Time is too complex, too many variables' Hermione said dismissively `and the Harry Potter I know isn't even too good at dealing with the one variable at a time'

`I've changed' Harry said with a little smile `I've changed a lot…'

`Like how?' Hermione asked, her anger seemed to have swept away now and she was staring at Harry with a look she knew too well. The other Hermione was scared that Harry had changed too much. She was scared of losing him again.

`I can see everything…' Harry said looking upwards in thought `magic, time, power, life, things that never were…the whole of creation atom by atom if I try hard enough'

`And what do you see?' she asked biting her lip slightly that Hermione recognized as another trait they shared.

`That time and life is the same thing, that everything rises and falls in its own way…' Harry said looking at her again for a moment before looking back at the other Hermione.

`But what does it mean?' Hermione asked. Harry looked at them all for a few seconds, took a deep breathe.

`Its hard to explain… but do you remember the first time that someone, probably your teacher in school, told you that the world's actually turning, and its unbelievable! Completely and utter madness! Because you stand on the spot looking around and everything is still. The tress, the people, buildings, even the wind are all perfectly still...Well, I can feel it….The turn of the Earth' Harry said, his eyes flicking from person to person as he talked slowly `The Floor beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour while the planet hurtles around the Sun at 67,000 miles an hour… and I can feel it all when I try… We're falling through space, all of us, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world… and if we let go...That's what I see…'

`Harry…' Hermione said softly reaching out and taking his hand, he was hers now. He had changed too much. Let the other Hermione have the child version and memories. Harry, the hero he was, was hers.

A tapping at the door broke there concentration and all eyes spun around to look at the door, Harry's hand flinched slowly down and held the wand in his pocket.

`Down worry' Hermione said standing up and walking over to the door `it's only The Prophet'

`The Prophet!' Harry said delighted `god I missed that rag!'

`Harry Potter misses the Prophet!' Ron said laughing `now that's front page news!'

`What's the Prophet?' Hermione asked as she watched her counterpart slowly walk over to the table with a newspaper in hand.

`The magical communities newspaper' Harry said `I'm a big star with them'

`They still mention you pretty much every day' Hermione chuckled as she looked down at the newspaper `they managed to start the housing initiative yesterday'

`The Ministry allowed them?' Ron said impressed.

`The Ministry allowed what?' Harry asked confused.

`This new charity group have emerged recently' Hermione said handing over the paper to Harry.

Harry took the paper and stopped dead, his whole body perfectly still and tense like Hermione had seen a thousand times before, and which meant only one thing, trouble was at hand.

`Explain' Harry said slowly, his eyes still scanning the front page `what has this group been doing?'

`Helping people' Ron said happily `and not just the magical community, but the muggles too. They do soup drives, homes for the homeless'

`Their calling this Britain's Golden Age' Hermione said smiling.

`Britain's Golden Age?' Harry said softly as he stood up `oh how this world misses Albus…how this world misses me for that sake…they call it Britain's Golden Age when really they should mean the Dark Times'

Harry slammed down the paper, his eyes trapped on Hermione's and pointed at two words in the headline.

`Bad Wolf?' Hermione said, her heart beating faster. How could those words be here.

`That's the charity group' Ron said `named after some muggle fairy tale'

`I've seen these words before' Hermione said worried.

`We've seen them everywhere' Harry said, anger sounding in his voice as he spoke `Emma with the Unicorns told you of the Bad Wolf, and the Slytherins named a law after it'

`And something was filling Guy Fawkes head, telling him to do what he did' Hermione said standing up, she knew Ron and the other Hermione must be staring at them confused but now was not the time for etiquette `and it kept on saying those two words'

`And the person who gave Dubont the power to make painting was the Bad Wolf' Harry said shaking his head in anger `Someone has been playing a long game with me, a year I've seen those two words, stalking me…and now its appeared in this world too...when I find out…'

`What is going on?' Ron said sounding worried.

But as Ron said these words Harry suddenly feel to the floor, Hermione jumped forward but her counterpart beat her and she caught Harry. Hermione had to stand still, her heart beating out of her chest, as she watched the other Hermione holding Harry in her arms as Harry wriggled in pain.

`What's happening?' Ron said in panic.

`I don't know!' the two Hermione answered at the same time.

`It's him…' Harry said through clenched teeth his hand had started to scratch painfully at his forehead.

`Is it your scar?' Hermione asked, fear mixed with her words to make her speak high.

`Harry doesn't have a scar-' Hermione said but stopped as she saw a line of blood flowing from Harry's forehead dripping down into his eyes, Hermione's hands trying to brush it away fruitlessly, and under this blood was a scar. A scar in the shape of a lightning bolt `what is that?'

`No time' Harry breathed through pain `prepare…he's…he's…'

`What's happening!' Ron yelled in anger as he fell to the floor next to Harry.

`It's the bad wolf…' Harry said scratching at the bleeding scar as if determined to peel it away `He's…He's…here…'

`Who's the bad wolf?' the other Hermione asked, tears spilling down her cheeks as she tried to pull Harry arms away from his face.

`He's been leading us here…' Hermione said, her heart beating violently, she knew what was happening, and she knew who the Bad Wolf must be now they were in this world `He's always been watching, following us, leading us here…'

`Who?' Ron said urgently as he turned away from Harry was wriggling on the floor.

`He knew we'd come' Hermione said, her mind reeling quickly from logical jump to logical jump, from fact to fact `we pressed to hard into the world, became too visible…'

`What are you talking about' Hermione said looking up at her.

`Before I joined him, Harry had worked hard at staying invisible' Hermione said as the final pieces fell into place `shielded his name and image from existence with the secret-keeper charm…but we broke it defeating the Slytherins…and now he's followed us here…'

`Who?' Hermione and Ron yelled together.

`The Bad Wolf' a low hiss like voice came from the corner of the room, and all of them looked quickly at it. A man stood in the dark, a black robe covering his face. The other Hermione and Ron fell backwards as they pulled Harry away. But Hermione stood still, she need to know if she was right, if she had brought this back to life.

The man stepped forward out of the dark and raised his hands up to the hood, slowly withdrawing it from his face. Hermione saw the mans face and almost had to turn away, his eyes were red and more slits than eyeballs, and his nose was flat like a snake. His lips wore a triumphant sneer. She was right.

`The Bad Wolf has arrived…' the man hissed again taking another step closer, his eyes focused on Harry as he twitched slightly.

`Lord Voldemort has arisen'

*

Hope you enjoyed that…and I know that Lord Voldemort being the Bad Wolf isn't exactly a twist, but how can I tell a Harry Potter action story without bringing in his greatest enemy? The one man that Harry can't beat? The one man who is as powerful as Harry?

I hope you liked it. I found it really hard to write, 2 Hermione's are definitely A LOT of trouble for me as well as Harry, but am reasonably pleased with the outcome…

I was half hoping to finish this story this weekend, but there's not much chance of that now…so I promise it'll be done by Christmas…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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42. Bad Wolf: Part Four

Bad Wolf: Part Four

`The Bad Wolf has arrived…' the man hissed again taking another step closer, his eyes focused on Harry as he twitched slightly.

`Lord Voldemort has arisen'

Harry spun round, his wand raised straight into the air and even before his feet were properly grounded a gushing of wind that toppled Hermione filled the room.

`Impressive…' Lord Voldemort said as Hermione got herself to her feet.

She saw that Harry was now standing, one hand on his wand and the other clutching at his scar like it was a stitch or something. Ron stood to his right and the other Hermione stood to his left, both with their wands raised and pointed at Voldemort `an anti-magic field in just one command? Most impressive…'

`Thanks' Harry said brightly as he let go of his forehead and shook his head, the blood was still draining down, but now it was just a slow trickling `and I have to commend you on breaking all the security measures on this place…I admit I thought it impossible'

`I would love to say it was all my own work' Voldemort said stepping closer to Harry `but our connection was once again fully established'

`And you just followed the line of power' Harry said laughing `any squib could do that!'

`Could any squib…' Voldemort spat the last word which let Hermione know that it must be an insult `kill your parents, orchestrate the death of your Godfather and Albus? Return from death not once, but twice now?'

Harry's whole body tensed at these words and it looked momentarily as if he wanted to take a step away, but as soon as Hermione saw it Harry had shrugged it off and took a step closer to Voldemort.

`Have you just come to trade insults with me?' Harry said laughing `or are you here for some other reason?'

`Straight down to work, Potter?' Voldemort said laughing `I think you should take Albus' lead on how to deal with such things…you are trying to fill his position as self-righteous, self-proclaimed saviour of the earth, aren't you?'

`I don't know about that' Harry said as he started to pace slightly back and forth in front of his enemy, a sight Hermione greeted with hope `saviour of the Earth? Some have called me that…I think of myself as just a man who happens to be in the right place at the right time'

`You do always seem to appear in my way' Voldemort said, his hiss like voice had an almost musical quality to it, but of a song that brought despair in place of hope.

Voldemort suddenly clapped his hands, the echo of the band filled the room slightly as Voldemort filled his face with a smile.

`Once again Harry, we started on the wrong foot' Voldemort said `men of power such as ourselves can often be too guarded, too ready to expect the worse of others…and that's where we find ourselves already'

`Mainly because you're a murderer' Harry said as he looked at the man confused.

`Everyone kills for a reason' Voldemort said with a sad little smile that made him look more human than his face seemed to allow `I suggest that we talk as equals, because that's what we have become…equals is what we are now'

`Equals?' Harry said disbelievingly.

`Yes…' Voldemort hissed with a smile `you are not some fool who I can trick or threaten into submission, and I am not a man who you can outsmart and walk away unscathed and whole…we are equals, strong in different way, both with weaknesses that the other knows all too well'

`The most powerful, and least modest I might add, wizard in the world calls me his equal?' Harry said laughing disbelievingly `what's the trick here?'

`No trick' Voldemort said simply `you know how strong you have become, it would be foolish of me to not recognize that'

`So you want to talk as equals?' Harry said in shock once again, before he shook his head and smiled at Voldemort `The tell me how this has happened, you coming back here?'

`Surely you know the answer to that one?' Voldemort said with a small smile `the great Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the man who conquered, surely he knows?'

`I have most of it' Harry admitted `thanks to this connection we have I have a splitting headache and can't think so perfectly'

`Then…' Voldemort said looking at Harry interestedly `in the business of equality, I shall explain…'

`What are you doing?' the other Hermione growled angrily `he's just going to try and manipulate you!'

`Oh, shut up!' Hermione barked at her counterpart `Harry isn't some idiot, he can believe what he wants to believe!'

`Thank you' Voldemort said with a little sneer before he turned back to Harry `When you banished me into hell I lost all hope, it was over and I had lost. No one can escape the void by themselves, no matter how powerful they may be…so I did all I could do…I waited. Waited for nothing…and then I saw you'

`When?' Harry asked quickly.

`When your friend Charles was murdered and you sent the actor ghost to the void' Voldemort answered `our connection was momentarily awakened, incredibly weak, but very much real…I find it a great irony that up until that point our connection, the leftover of my failure to kill you, held the greatest amount of anger inside me. And then , as I waited in the darkness of the void, it was the only thing that brought me light, kept me alive!'

`Over time that connection became stronger…' Voldemort carried on `I can not tell you how long it took as time does not exist in the void…but it felt like an eternity'

`Our connection brought you into the other world' Harry said quietly as he looked at the man before him.

`Not in any real sense of the word…' Voldemort answered `but eventually I could leak forth, the amount of energy and effort involved was incredible, and it was so painful that I began to wonder if death existed in the void…but at that point even death would have been preferable to what my life had become'

`I assume that the connection was so weak that I couldn't feel it, but…' Harry said, his eyes shot up to Voldemort and a smile formed on his face `with nothing, and I mean absolute void, to distract you, you could feel it…'

`while you…' Voldemort said, his eyes shooting momentarily onto Hermione before snapping back to Harry `had more than enough distractions'

`So with this connection what did you do?' Harry asked curiously.

`I first tried, unsuccessfully, to break through by force' Voldemort admitted `I snapped into your machine and brought you to 1605, trying to use Fawkes against you…remind you of all you lost and it nearly worked…you felt the connection momentarily, but you didn't realize it was me, and you almost brought down the world, and brought me back to life'

`But Fawkes stopped me' Harry said simply `that must have pissed you off something rotten!'

`I do have a rather detest for that bird that seems unreasonable' Voldemort said smiling `that didn't work, my second plan came into action, and that one was a lot more successful…I leaked out a memory of you to ensnare the Slytherins, who I knew would be foolish and greedy enough to seek you out…break the protections over your name and face…'

`You needed someone to do your dirty work because you didn't have a body…' Harry said with a smile `impressive'

`But that was not all…' Voldemort carried on `I wished more than anything to get back, it was my only thought as I spent thousands, perhaps millions, of years in Hell…I needed you to get closer to me, to enter the void even for the briefest of moments so our connection could become more tangible…I needed you to walk through the Archway so I could follow you through'

`Why the Slytherins?' Harry asked.

`If you had found the Archway in any other time and went through I could have followed, but I would have ended up in the same time as you' he explained `unlike you I do not have a time machine, so I hid the Archway throughout the years, buried it under lost cities and forgotten civilizations…'

`So that's why I could never find it' Harry said nodding `and why I was led to Dubont'

`I wished for Hermione Granger to die' Voldemort said simply as if this was of no consequence `She was distracting you, had made you happy enough to give up on returning home'

Hermione blushed slightly as the other one stared angrily and confused at her. Had she really made Harry that happy?

`But it didn't work, so I used her relationships against you, primarily Albus and Ron' Voldemort smiled `I used Albus' need for knowledge and understanding, and a certain protectiveness of Hermione, to find it for you…I used him to lead you to it'

`And I blundered in and stepped through, and now here we are, face to face once again' Harry said with a smile before he added `So why are the words Bad Wolf sprayed out through time and space?'

`I was pushing myself through each time' he answered `leaking my power, my soul, through each time…I knew you would have found out, and that you would have stopped me before my plan came to fruition…so I became the Bad Wolf, putting as much power into leaking that through as anything else…'

`To throw me of the truth' Harry said, a bitter smile on his lips `which I fell for'

`Thankfully' Voldemort added.

`So…' Harry said slowly `you managed to beat me once again'

`No' Voldemort said shaking his head `all I did was recover a body that you took away…I believe us to be evens'

`So now you have your body back…' Harry said as he started to pace again `what are your plans for it?'

`You already know' Voldemort said dismissively `I wish to control the world'

`And you expect me to let you?' Harry said, his face tightening.

`In a manner of words, yes' he replied straight face.

`Living in hell has made you delusional!' Harry said laughing hard as he threw back his head.

`I wish to reach a compromise' Voldemort said, his voice now sounding sharper at Harry's reaction.

`And how could we do that?' Harry said shaking his head.

`There are infinite worlds out there' Voldemort said pointing behind him at the Archway `enough for us to never see each other again'

`So I'm supposed to pass you of onto others?' Harry said shaking his head.

`This world is lost to you now, you spent to long away from it…and even if that's not the case I have a stronghold here…as I followed you through I arrived nearly a year before you'

`And you created a charity group!' Harry said laughing `good on you!'

`We have outposts throughout England, throughout Europe…' Voldemort said laughing a high shrill laugh `we have men situated on all the continents of this tiny little insignificant world…no one suspects a charity and so I infiltrated every organization in this world!'

`And what if I refuse?' Harry said looking straight in his eyes determinedly.

`Then we once again take our stances as enemies…but be warned' Voldemort said, his voice getting lower and more threatening `I care nothing for this world, if I must I will turn it into a barren wasteland which only holds death…I will kill all humanity in fire and salt the earth…and then I will move on through the void, conquering world after world…'

`And what if I want this world?' Harry said interestedly.

`Then I would leave' Voldemort said shaking his head `as I said this world means nothing to me'

`So everyone I care about would live?' Harry said, his voice dropping lower in thought.

`I don't seek a war with you' Voldemort `or those you love'

Harry ran a hand through his hair as he looked of in deep thought.

`We would all win…' he said quietly under his breathe.

`Harry you can't!' Ron said making Voldemort and Harry look at him.

`He would kill billions of people if we let him go!' the other Hermione said desperately.

`But we would live!' Harry pleaded.

Hermione could see Voldemort smiling as he watched in on this which angered Hermione through her whole body.

`You've changed…' the other Hermione said taking a small step away from him.

`Oh shut up!' Hermione said at her counterpart `Harry isn't seriously thinking of agreeing to this!'

`Hermione…' Harry said warningly.

`This is what he always does!' Hermione said unable to stop herself `pretend to go along with it so it buys him a few moments to think of a plan…when did I get so damn stupid!'

`Hermione…' Harry said under his breathe `that was a few seconds I really needed!'

As Harry said this Voldemort sprung forward and Hermione felt his long cold fingers snap around her neck, as tough and cold as metal.

`And instead I was the one who took them moments!' Voldemort laughed.

`Let her go' Harry said, his eyes flashing in fury as he stepped forward, but as he did the fingers wrapped around tighter and Hermione couldn't breathe.

`It looks like I may just have won, Harry Potter' Voldemort sneered next to Hermione's ear and the next thing she knew she felt the hard squeezing feel of apparition steal over her.

As her lungs filled with air she opened her eyes and saw she was no longer in Grimmauld. Voldemort flung her onto the cold hard stoned floor, and Hermione took a second to look around.

The room was full with perhaps twenty or thirty people dressed completely in black long robes, their faces hidden by a dark bone like mask.

`We have a guest' Voldemort sneered not looking at her `treat her well'

Voldemort lifted his wand and pointed it at the wall. Hermione gasped as she looked at it and realized that the silvery air like substance seemed to fill the whole wall, as if it was one large, gravity defying, pensieve.

With a flick of his wand the silver gas swirled around and an image appeared on it.

It was Grimmauld Place, where she had just been, and Harry had his wand out and was flying around the room staring in that way he does.

`Harry!' Voldemort called which made the image of home spin around and stare out. Hermione realized that this wall pensieve must be like a TV phone, and that Harry would be able to hear and see where she was.

`Let her go!' Harry yelled at Voldemort from the wall.

`I will…' Voldemort said softly `as soon as I watch you walk through that Archway'

`What?' Harry said, his teeth clenched in anger.

`You walk through that Archway right now and I will send her after you' Voldemort sneered `you can even take your sidekicks with you'

`And you will let her go?' Ron called, genuine worry was in his voice.

`Of course' Voldemort said shaking his head `what do I want with a muggle? And besides that if I kept her here then Harry just might find a way back to save her, and that would ruin all my plans for this world!'

Harry stood staring at the screen for several long moments. He was still, staring straight into Voldemorts eyes in concentration.

`What do you say?' Voldemort said finally.

`No' Harry said firmly.

Ron and Hermione snapped their heads round and stared at him in shock, even Voldemort seemed bewildered.

`What do you mean?' he said sounding confused.

`I mean no' Harry said forcefully.

`You have no choice!' Voldemort said angrily.

`No!' Harry shouted angrily at him.

`I will kill her' Voldemort said just as forcefully as Harry

`No' Harry shouted again, his eyes full with deepest loathing `because this is what I'm going to do…I'm gonna rescue her. I'm gonna save Hermione Granger from the middle of the Death Eater Command. Then I'm gonna save the Earth. And then, just to finish off, I'm gonna wipe every single stinking Death Eater of the face of the earth!'

`But you are outnumbered and have no plan!' Voldemort hissed angrily.

`Yeah…' Harry said smiling at the screen `and doesn't that scare the life out of you?'

Hermione put a hand to her heart, she would be safe. Harry would save her, Harry must save her. Harry turned and faced her, a smile spreading out on his lips.

`Hang on, Hermione' he said raising his wand at the screen and it instantly went dark, just Harry's soft words now filling the room.

`I'm coming to save you'

*

Ok, so that's this story set up nicely, and a lot (nearly all) of the hints and things I've left throughout the earlier chapters spelled out for you…what do you think? Have I made it too obvious or not obvious enough? Feedback would be appreciated on this!

Now, Harry is in trouble…can he save Hermione? The world? Himself? Dark times lay ahead, and remember this is the finale…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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43. Bad Wolf: Part Five

Bad Wolf: Part Five

Voldemort stood still watching the now empty wall screen. The room was silent as he examined nothingness, and this above anything made Hermione more nervous. She could tell he was working things out in his head, taking a few quiet moments like Harry so often did, and that could not mean anything good.

'Shall we take her wand?' a voice came from behind her. As she looked around at the speaker she was struck by his blonde pale features that made him look like a grown up version of Draco Malfoy.

'No need' Voldemort said quietly 'she's a muggle'

'Oooh...' a woman with dark hair and complexion said. she had made this sound as if Hermione was a Christmas present that she had received and couldn't wait to unwrap.

'Don't touch her' Voldemort said severely turning around instantly. The woman took a step back in shock and looked down at her feet.

'And why not?' Hermione asked as brightly as she could in an attempt to take the fear from her voice.

Harry would need some time, she had not idea ho much time exactly, but if she had to talk to this monster to get that for him she would tell her life story if necessary.

'Because, muggle...' Voldemort spat the word as if it was an insult on him to speak it 'you are leverage'

'If you think having me hostage is going to stop Harry kicking your ass, then you really are mistaken' Hermione said laughing. Taunting him was all she could do to stop herself from fainting as Voldemort walked up closer to her, his red eyes becoming clearer as they loomed only centimeters from her face.

'I know that holding you hostage won't help...' Voldemort said with a cruel smile 'Harry will undoubtedly save you in some dramatic show of power and knowledge, after all that is what he does'

'Then why not kill me while you have the chance?' Hermione snapped back. Her heart was starting to calm slightly as she spoke to him.

'Because I wish him to save you' Voldemort said with a wry smile 'if he has you, a defenseless and impetuous muggle child to protect then he will act slower, more cautiously...'

'And a devil may cry Harry is too much for you too take?' Hermione laughed.

'Perhaps not' Voldemort said laughing 'but I prefer the emotionally fragile protector over the man who has nothing less to lose as my enemy'

'Harry will stop you' Hermione said determinedly.

'Why do you believe such things?' Voldemort said shaking his head 'twenty two years he has stood in my way, him and that muggle-loving fool Albus, and each time I have escaped, become stronger...'

'You talk like you think your some sort of a god!' Hermione sneered.

'So what if I am?' Voldemort said softly taking a step away from her 'I cannot die and not even hell could hold me...'

'You'll be back there soon enough' Hermione countered, but Voldemort spoke over her as if she hadn't made a sound.

'…And have you ever thought about the fact that maybe humanity needs a new God?' Voldemort said softly 'for thousands of years humanity inched forwards, a small step at a time but a step none the less...now we have arrived here, the old gods thrown away and discarded and the world stands on the brink of oblivion...weapons that would not only kill man but the planet itself is now available to any man with enough gold, and all this time the one thing, the one power, that us wizards have that could save this planet is denied to them...I will give the muggles this power, show them magic...and they will obey and love me for it...'

'You're...' Hermione faltered slightly 'you're mad'

'they called Galileo mad for saying the sun was the centre of the galaxy' Voldemort said reasonably 'so they say it when I tell them that I am that centre...history is written by the winners poor child, and I will paint myself in my true image, as a God...'

Voldemort turned from her and strolled over to a group of the men in robes, Hermione's heart pounded with every step he took. She was in trouble and so was Harry.

She turned around, trying to gather any information that could prove useful if she got out of here, but the room was barren. Only large stone slabs lined the floor and walls, this place seemed to be a dungeon of sorts. Maybe a literal one.

She noticed that all the robed people kept on throwing her nervous glances in between staring worriedly at Lord Voldemort. Maybe this group was not as tight as he believed?

And then something caught her eye, a blue light began flashing in the corner of the room, and then it spread to the whole wall, before disappearing and reappearing on the other wall.

'What's that!' one of the men shouted, now all of them had out their wands and was turning on the spot as they tried to keep the light in sight. But Hermione knew what it must be. Who it must be.

'He's sending through thousands of portkeys at once, straining the defenses till they snap' Voldemort said impressed

'But that's impossible!' the blonde haired man said spinning around to keep the blue light in vision.

'Hasn't anyone told you?' Hermione said laughing 'Harry practically invented Portkeys!'

'Looks like our hero will find us sooner than I expected...' Voldemort said just staring into one corner, the blue light reflecting menacingly of his red eyes.

'Don't you mean found you' A voice came from beside Hermione as she felt a hand tighten around hers, squeezing it softly to let her know it was friendly. She turned her head and almost burst into tears as she saw the bright green eyes of Harry smiling back at her.

'Avada Kedavra!' the whole room bellowed, and Hermione saw just the beginning of green fill her eyes before she closed them. She recognized those words, it was the killing curse Harry had just mentioned. She tightened her face in wait for death, but nothing came. Slowly she peered open her eyes and smiled as she saw Harry shaking his head, a huge grin on his face.

'An extremely thin, but very much real, layer of void surrounds us…I'm just pushing the air around us into the void, just a fraction, but also just enough…' Harry explained brightly before he turned to Hermione and smiled 'you ok?'

'Yeah...' Hermione said as she leaned into him and hugged him as tightly as her arms would allow.

'Stop that!' the woman who had spoken before screeched making Harry turn to her and grimace.

'Bellatrix...' Harry said softly, Hermione recognized this name as the woman who had killed his godfather, the last of his family, Harry shook his head as if disbelieving of seeing her in front of him before speaking in his bright brisk tone once again 'I thought you'd be dead by now...but no worry, that'll work itself out soon enough'

'Is that a threat!' Bellatrix screamed once more but Harry just put his hand up to her, waited a moment and turned back to Hermione.

'Have they hurt you at all?' Harry asked seriously.

'No...' Hermione said 'although that ugly cow Bellatrix seemed like she wanted to'

'Don't worry about her' Harry said with a smile 'she can't hurt you know'

'So, the legendary Harry Potter returns home!' the blonde man said stepping forward.

'Lucius!' Harry said in such excitement that he almost let go of Hermione's hand 'Old Lucius! Or young Lucius if your age touchy as many people seem to be nowadays...'

'Playing you old games as usual?' Lucius sneered.

'No games from me, just a greeting' Harry said brightly 'I just saw your son a few weeks ago...when was it Hermione?'

'Mid November' she answered with a smile, this place, with Harry beside her, didn't seem so scary and barren as it did before. Hermione almost even laughed as a blank look appeared on Lucius face.

'Poor Draco' Harry said sighing 'got sent to the void'

'You lie!' Lucius shouted angrily.

'Me? Never!' Harry smiled 'but it was in the other world, so it's not quite as bad as it sounds'

Hermione smiled as she saw Lucius' face fill with anxiety, relief and grief all at the same time. It made things easier to realize these people were human. Putting a human face on the monsters that lived in the dark always helped her.

'But enough of that!' Harry said brightly 'Why hasn't old Tommy spoken yet?'

'Appreciating your voidshield' Voldemort said through gritted teeth. Hermione could tell that he hated being called Tommy, and probably Tom for that matter, and she made a mental note to call him that from now on.

'Nice, isn't it?' Harry said looking around them at what appeared to be just thin air 'I wasn't too sure if it was going to work or not'

'It's a pity that you were right' Voldemort said walking up to Harry and placing a hand out at him quickly, spreading out his long cold fingers as he tried to reach for Harry's throat. The hand stopped in mid aid as if a wall lay between them, and Voldemort had to pull his hand away as if he had been burned by the air.

'Nothing can exist in the void, including magic such as the Avada Kedavra and especially your hand' Harry explained mockingly 'you should know that better than anyone, Tommy Tom'

'So this is how where you stand?' Voldemort said after several long seconds, his voice low and full of fury 'you stand alone in my way?'

'It's the only place I know to be' Harry said forcefully 'but I'm not alone...not this time'

'Oh, you have your muggle friend beside you' Voldemort said with a sneer 'but you don't have a good record of keeping those you love out of my reach...'

'I...' Harry said and faltered, his eyes flashing for just a moment onto Hermione 'I'm leaving'

'I thought so' Voldemort said 'shall I take it we're at war?'

'That's a certainty' Harry said with a grin as he turned to Hermione and smiled 'ready?'

'Yeah' Hermione replied.

She felt the beginning of the pull of appirition pull over her but it suddenly stopped, making her blink in the dim light of the dungeon.

'One last thing' Harry said 'Bellatrix, I'm going to kill you'

And this time the squeeze of appirition pulled over her and the next time she opened her eyes she was back in Grimmauld, the warm air feeling like nothing else on her skin.

'Oh, thank god!' Ron bellowed as he ran at them and pulled Hermione into a hug 'I was so worried'

He slowly let her go from his grip and Hermione felt another pair of smaller arms embrace her.

'Thank you, Harry' the other Hermione said as she hugged her. It was the weirdest feeling in the world, being hugged by yourself, but when they broke Hermione felt lighter as she saw her counterpart smiling up at her, her eyes red and bloodshot from nervous tears.

'Did he tell you anything?' Harry said, his voice serious and straightforward as he spoke fast, walking back and forth in that way of his.

'Nothing much...' Hermione said, she didn't want to say that Voldemort saw her being with Harry as a distraction, and maybe a vital one.

'Good' Harry said as he whipped out his wand and ran it running around in circles 'protections are up again…we need to move fast'

'Why?' Ron said confused.

'Because we're at war once again' Harry said with a sad little frown.

'And this time Voldemort doesn't care for this world' the other Hermione said gulping slightly.

'Does that make any difference?' Ron said sarcastically, but both Hermione and Ron looked worried 'what is it?'

'Last time Voldemort wanted to rule the world, muggles included, so he couldn't kill too many of his future servants' the other Hermione said 'now though I assume he's planning on leaving this world anyway'

'And he'll try to draw me out quickly' Harry said looking over his shoulder back at the archway 'he doesn't want me to have time to work out what to do, how to attack, if I can stop him…He's been planning this for hundreds of years, and he wants me to act rashly, blunder in without a real plan'

'He's going to kill them...' Hermione said putting a hand up to her mouth.

'Who?' Ron asked confused.

'Everyone' Harry said sullenly.

Suddenly he seemed to snap, and ran straight up to the archway, a fierce look shining behind his eyes.

'I need something' Harry growled to himself 'anything'

At that moment the door slammed open and Hermione gasped at who was standing in the doorway. He may look skinnier, and more war torn than she had known, but there was no mistaking him.

'Remus!' Hermione shouted.

'Hey...Hermione?' Remus said looking bewildered as his eyes shot from her to her counterpart and back again. Slowly though his eyes locked onto Harry and a smile filled his face completely 'Harry!'

Remus ran up to Harry and embraced him, tears forming in his eyes as he seemed to hold on for dear life.

'It's so good to see you, Remus' Harry said as he disentangled himself from the man, a smile on his face that Harry seemed determined to fight away 'but we don't have time for this just now'

'I know' Remus said quickly 'I was coming to tell Hermione and Ron...Voldemort is back! He was in charge of the Bad Wolf Incorporated this whole time!'

'We know' Ron said shaking his head but Harry spoke over him.

'What has he done?' Harry asked straight faced.

'Their killing everyone' Remus seemed shocked to hear himself say these words and had to clear his throat 'everyone...hundreds around the world, laying flat whole towns...it was too quick, too huge, and the Ministry just couldn't react in time...They'll fall quickly'

'How many?' Hermione asked.

'Thousands already...' Remus said shaking his head 'hundred of thousands...and more constantly coming in...Harry, I think we've lost'

Harry stood still, his face still and emotionless as he refused to react to Remus' words. The air seemed heavier around them as they all stood staring at Harry for an answer. For some hope. And finally, after more than ten seconds had passed, Harry spoke in a croak of a voice.

'Remus, Ron' Harry said quickly 'get the Order together...pick an area and defend it, kill if you have to, but defend it...and then move onto the next place'

'But their attacking in hundreds of towns across the globe all at once!' Remus practically shouted.

'And our numbers cant stretch that far, we can only stop one at a time...' Harry practically shouted this in anger as he stormed around the room before his eyes dropped and he ran a hand through his hair and spoke to no one in particular 'I'm sorry...i'm so sorry...'

'Harry...' Hermione said softly but Harry just shook his head.

'Remus, Ron...' Harry said forcefully, and to these words they acted like soldiers, nodded and turned to leave.

'What about me?' the other Hermione asked looking up at hum.

'I'm gonna need your help' Harry said with a little smile before he turned to look at Hermione, his eyes misty and upset before he held out a hand 'Hermione...take my hand'

Hermione took Harry's outstretched hand and followed him up to the archway. Harry kept his eyes determinedly on their path and didn't look at her the whole time. He stopped in front of her and looked at the archway, a small smile appearing on his lips as he let go of her hand and turned to face her.

'Hermione...' Harry said softly 'I need you to step through...return back to your world'

'For how long?' Hermione spurted out angrily.

'Forever' Harry said with a little nod 'after you walk through I'll be closing the archway, permanently'

'What?' Hermione spurted out like an idiot, quickly adding the question 'why?'

'I can't allow Voldemort to leave this world...' Harry said slowly 'if he's allowed to leave he will kill thousands of worlds, countless billions of people will die or be enslaved...I might not be able to save this world any longer, but I can save all the other souls that aren't already lost...you have to step through'

'Well that's not going to happen' Hermione said shaking her head forcefully.

'You can't stay here, its not your world' Harry said, tears threatening to envelope his eyes 'you'll never see James, your friends, even your mother again! It's your world'

'My place is beside you...' Hermione said shaking her head determinedly.

Harry held a hand up and touched her cheek, sending shrills of excitement and sorrow through her body.

'You can be such a stubborn fool sometimes' Harry laughed as he ran his fingers softly over her skin.

'I learnt it from you...' Hermione said smiling 'and I won't desert you...'

'You don't get it...' Harry said, a solitary tear falling down his cheek 'we made the worlds unbalanced...'

'What do you mean?' Hermione asked, her heart had jumped six inches and threatened to come out of her mouth at his words.

'All time and life has its rightful place, its rightful ups and downs...' Harry explained slowly 'every single universe is completely different, exactly right and perfect for where they are in life...I told you that every version, every time, every world of you is completely different, utterly individual...and I was right...all different and unique, belonging to their perfect world... a balance that cant be changed'

'What are you talking about' Hermione said hearing the anger in her own words.

'You don't belong here' Harry said firmly 'Voldemort is back in his right place, and so am I...you're not...you have made the world unbalanced...'

'So what?' Hermione said snapping her head back and forth in anger.

'I cant close the archway when its unbalanced' Harry said 'I can sever the link between our two worlds, but Voldemort could escape into the void, use a machine like mine and go anywhere'

'I...I...' Hermione faltered, her heart was beating with anger as tears filled her eyes and misted her vision.

'I can't beat him if you stay...' Harry said, his voice sounding fiercer now, more final 'if you don't walk through the archway the unbalance in the two worlds gives him leverage, he lived in the void and he will only become more powerful and more powerful...then he will kill this world, 6 billion people will die, and he will move on to the next, bringing death along for the ride…If you don't go through that Archway I will lose, I will die!'

'There...' Hermione stuttered, her eyes were stinging with tears as she fell into Harrys chest, his hands running powerfully over her body as she cried into him 'there has to be another way!'

'There's not' Harry whispered to her as he rocked her back and forth.

'But what will I do?' Hermione said looking up at him 'how can I live without you?'

'You'll find a way' Harry said with a smile 'do your a-levels, go to university, marry an eccentric man with a tendency for getting into trouble and live happily ever after...'

'I can't leave you' Hermione sobbed again pushing her face into his chest.

'You have to' Harry spoke softly once more 'you have to go back, do the one thing I've never been able to do...live a normal, happy, life'

Harry slowly pushed Hermione away. He leant in to kiss her on her forehead, and even as she pushed up her lips for one final real kiss he backed away and smiled at her.

'I love you' Hermione said, the tears were threatening to overtake her now and she couldn't bare to look at the man in front of her anymore. The man she loved. She knew his words couldn't change anything, that she knew their love was real, so she turned and stepped through the archway.

Her feet touched the other side and she looked around. She was back. And the tears over took her. They seemed to be coming from everywhere and not only her eyes as she threw up both her hands to try and catch some. But it was useless, so she stopped. Her Harry was on the other side of that veil, just one step away, and she would never see him again.

She fell to her knees, unable to breathe as tears filled her lungs and throat.

She was alone.

And as the veil behind her stopped moving she knew the link had been broken. That her Harry was gone.

*

Harry watched as the last of Hermione disappeared through the archway. She was just a few centimeters away. He could follow her through and change their fate. But he knew he couldn't. Too much depended on it.

He ran a hand up to his face and pushed his fingers into the corners of his eyes, brushing away the tears that had begun to form.

He heard footsteps walking up behind him, and felt the presence of Hermione standing beside him once more.

Slowly he raised his wand and disconnected the archway. Her world was safe. And that's all that mattered to him. Hermione was safe.

'I remember when I let you walk through that archway...to save the world' Hermione said as she placed her small soft hand on his. It felt so much like hers that he felt like crying again 'now it's her turn to do it for you...'

Harry lifted his other hand up to his face, running his middle finger softly around the outline of his scar. It had been along time since he had been here, along time since he had felt this scar. Along time since he held this Hermione's, his real Hermione's, Hand before battle. Five years. And it felt like an eternity.

'I lied' Harry said as he pulled his hand roughly away from hers.

'What?' Hermione asked confused.

'The balance was a lie' Harry said shaking his head 'or not a lie exactly, but it doesn't make any real difference on fighting Voldemort'

'But then why?' Hermione said, he could hear her voice breaking up with fear as she spoke.

'So she could be safe...' Harry said simply 'so she would live through this...because millions, maybe billions, of people are going to lose their lives today and she cant be one of them'

Harry looked at the veil and smiled. She was safe. She would live. Maybe she'd get over him, maybe she wouldn't, but what mattered is tomorrow she will see the sun rise once again, and every morning after that.

'Because I can't beat him' Harry said truthfully 'Voldemort will win...he will kill me...and this world is already lost...'

*

Hey hoped you enjoyed that, it was actually a pleasure to write! Anyway, PLEASE review!!! I'm on 272 and really want to get over 300 by the end of this story, which is coming soon! Also, I have an extra special present for all the reviews (if you leave an email) so it's definitely in your interest as much as mine!!! And don't worry you people who don't review, it's fun and nice, but not all important, and you'll get it eventually as well...

Anyway...is there anyway back for the duo? Is this one adventure too much for Harry? What could Hermione possibly study at University?

Till next time...

Jms Granger…

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44. Bad Wolf: Part Six

Bad Wolf: Part Six

'I lied' Harry said as he pulled his hand roughly away from hers.

'What?' Hermione asked confused.

'The balance was a lie' Harry said shaking his head 'or not a lie exactly, but it doesn't make any real difference on fighting Voldemort'

'But then why?' Hermione said, he could hear her voice breaking up with fear as she spoke.

'So she could be safe...' Harry said simply 'so she would live through this...because millions, maybe billions, of people are going to lose their lives today and she cant be one of them'

Harry looked at the veil and smiled. She was safe. She would live. Maybe she'd get over him, maybe she wouldn't, but what mattered is tomorrow she will see the sun rise once again, and every morning after that.

'Because I can't beat him' Harry said truthfully 'Voldemort will win...he will kill me...and this world is already lost...'

`What are you talking about!' Hermione snapped, worry lined her words and she said this more as a statement than a question, but Harry chose to ignore the tone.

`If I don't go and fight Voldemort in…' Harry said shaking his head `the next ten minutes or so, then millions of people are going to die as he tries to draw me out…if I take an hour or two then perhaps a billion of people will lose their lives…longer, and maybe the world…'

`But you're more powerful now' Hermione said shaking her head `you know things that not even Albus knew!'

`I know loads of things that Albus didn't' Harry said with a grin `but it doesn't matter'

`Why doesn't it?' Hermione bellowed, her voice echoing of the stone walls.

`I forgot how much stock you put in books and cleverness!' Harry said remembering her words in their first year, over a decade ago `but in the real world, they don't mean so much'

Hermione went to retort, a scandalous look on her face, but Harry spoke over her and continued.

`Dueling is an art' Harry said slowly, truthfully `I'm not bad…actually I'm pretty awesome…but Albus was, and Voldemort is, on another level…'

`You're on that level now!' Hermione said biting her lip slightly `I don't think you get just how much magic you know now!'

`Trust me I know! I have a pretty large ego and a small modesty' Harry laughed `Do you remember what I said when you first came up with the idea for Dumbledore's Army in fifth year?'

`You said that fighting Voldemort was more than just memorizing spells' Hermione said looking away from him momentarily.

`Knowing spells gives you the basis for being able to fight' Harry said shaking his head `it's a pity but its one of those things that practice and experience gives you…neither of which I've had, and both of which Voldemort excels in'

`But…' Hermione started.

`Voldemort is by far the better dueler!' Harry said slightly angrily, he didn't need this right now `I'm a twenty two year old with a handful of real fights under my belt…its why he's drawing me out, so I cant use my knowledge and experience against him, that I cant use what I know to beat him…he's drawing me out to a contest I cant run from and which I cant hope to win!'

`But you know more than him' Hermione said defiantly `you impressed him with an antimagic field, followed his apparition field to break his defenses, and even escaped from the centre of his defenses! You are more powerful than him and he knows that! He's acting like a desperate man in this worldwide attack, splitting his forces when he should be centering them!'

`My parents escaped him three times as well' Harry said angrily `and what happened to them?'

Hermione fidgeted awkwardly as Harry stared down at her.

`If your not going to answer a question for the first time in your life, then I will…they were murdered by him… beaten so completely that they died unable to protect their child' Harry said shaking in anger, he hated being this blunt and talking this way about his parents but his actions had to be quick if he the world had any chance of living past this night and he didn't have time to hold her hand through this `they lost their lives, lost each other, and without a miracle they would have lost their only son!'

Hermione stood still for a few moments, her bottom lip quivering slightly as her brain ran over all the logic it knew. After about ten seconds her eyes watered as logic seemed to fail.

`Run away then!' Hermione said falling into him `we'll make another device and leave this place…never return!'

`And what? Never travel past 2006 because we don't want to go to a time ruled by Voldemort?' Harry said shaking his head `I've been to the past, and trust me when I tell you that it's not as fun as people make it out to be…'

`Oh Harry!' Hermione sanpped, hitting her small hand into his chest `don't joke!'

`I could never do it' Harry said softly, seriously as he held her in his arms `its why I broke those laws all the time about interference…I'd try and forget what was happening, let human history take its own course, but the thoughts would follow me through time…I'd be sitting drinking wine with one of the King Louis' and I'd see the faces of the children being attacked by a werewolf in 2569…'

`Then change!' Hermione yelped as she cried into him.

`You once told me something…that I have a saving people thing' Harry said pulling her back slightly so he could look into her face but she squirmed from his reach and stood on her own two feet a step away from him with a confused look on her face `and finally, only seven years and a Dark Lord or two later, I admit that your right…Hell, your always right!'

Hermione shivered noticeably and Harry's heart went out to her. He knew what she was thinking, because he had though the same thing as the Archway was shut. Losing the one you love once is hard, but losing them twice is a whole different story.

`Why did you ask me to stay?' Hermione said throwing Harry completely. Out of everything she could have said to his admission of her being right, the top two being I told you so or doing a little victory dance, this was definitely near the bottom. `You sent Ron and Remus to fight and protect the world, but you said you wanted me to stay…why?'

`Oh!' Harry said throwing his head back and laughing, he had almost forgot he had even said that `It's nothing'

Harry went to take her hand and lead her away but she pulled it from his grasp and gave him a look that told him he had better answer if he wanted to leave that room in one piece.

`Seriously it's nothing' Harry said shaking his head as he smiled to himself `Fine…I've just gotten use to having…having…' Harry sighed knowing this wasn't going to sound so great so he just said it `I'm used to having a Hermione next to me'

`Oh' Hermione said softly looking at him strangely. He noticed that her eyes shot quickly to the Archway and back onto his face `and what does she usually do?'

`Tea' Harry said quickly congratulating himself on his fast thinking.

`What?' Hermione said blinking in confusion.

`She makes me tea before battle' Harry said pointing at the door with a smile `two sugars, plenty of milk!'

Hermione blinked some more and was rooted to the floor for several long seconds, her mouth hung open in complete and utter disbelief. Harry watched as she slowly closed it and looked at him, expecting or waiting for him to tell her he was joking. As time passed she realized he was being serious and slowly begun to walk towards the door, throwing back looks over her shoulder every few steps as she couldn't believe what was happening.

Harry smiled after her, even throwing a little wave at one point until she had fully closed the door.

He exhaled as deeply as his lungs could, every single atom of air expelled from him, and then he fell to the floor.

He was in big trouble, and he knew it for sure. He crawled up and laid with his back against the wall, he wasn't comfortable but it didn't matter. His heart had made his body numb.

He had learnt magic in the other world, but they were behind the times. No one in that world was a great wizard, sure Ron was brave and Albus as wise as ever, but none would have lasted even a second dueling against any of the Death Eaters, let alone Voldemort. And these had been the people Harry had had to duel in the last five years.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. It was feeling longer than he remembered it being, and he couldn't understand why. And then he remembered Hermione saying once that he should grow it, and without another thought he hadn't had it cut again.

Hermione…

Shaking the thoughts from his head Harry looked at the Archway one last time and ran a hand over his face. She was gone, and he was soon to be dead. But at least they had that year together. The best year of his life.

Harry laughed to himself despite the pain in his heart, a year had gone by? He was Harry, time traveller extraordinaire, and he was still able to be amazed at how quickly time could past you by.

He smiled as he remembered her face, her body, her hand in his. A whole year had gone by, and it seemed like madness. His mind felt like it had only been a week, but his heart was so thoroughly attached that he couldn't remember a world without her.

A year since the first time he saw her? He closed his eyes and thought back on that marvellous day when his life had been changed by her…

A hand slid into hers quickly, as she turned to look at the owner of the hand she came face to face with a boy her age, raven black messy hair and glasses being all she could make out in the near darkness.

`I'm Harry' the man said with a smile which disappeared before he spoke again `Now follow me'

He literally dragged her the first few steps before her feet started working again and they ran threw a door, leading to the corridor to the fire escape. He turned around, withdrew something she couldn't see and she heard the sound of the door locking behind them. Hermione's brain couldn't work, Mike was dead, plastic was walking and a stranger had saved her. This couldn't be real.

But it had been real. And not only that, but it had been true. He loved her, there was no doubt about that anymore.

And wherever she was, whoever she was with, she knew he loved her.

*

She fell to her knees, unable to breathe as tears filled her lungs and throat.

She was alone.

And as the veil behind her stopped moving she knew the link had been broken. That her Harry was gone.

The tears streamed down her face and threatened to never stop. Her throat filled up with the water but she didn't care for her gentle choking, small things like that didn't matter any longer.

She tried to look around, but her vision was completely blurred by the tears so she gave up. Her heart was aching, literally in pain, as her knees threatened to bring out blood on the hard stone floor.

She could see herself now, weeping on the floor before the arch and she knew she had seen it before. The Magicallds had shown her when they were breaking down time. Albus had warned them about this. And here she was. She had lost her Harry.

She ran a hand up over her eyes and pushed it into the corners, her vision improving but still blurred as the tears continued to roll down her eyes.

`Hermione!' a voice screamed in panic, she knew the voice to belong to Ron but that didn't matter so she didn't move. Breathing hard she felt a hand wrap around her shoulders `what's happened Hermione…are you hurt?'

Only a loud sob echoed throughout the room as Hermione went to answer. Clearing her throat as much as she could, she tried again.

`Harry's gone…' Hermione croaked out painfully.

Ron had his arms around her waist and was helping her to her feet. She hadn't realized this was happening until her foot landed its first step onto the hard floor.

`What?' Ron said in shock `where?'

`Back home…' Hermione said rubbing her eyes as hard as she could. When she had finished she looked around the room and saw they were alone `Harry was from another world…and he's there fighting for it…'

`What about you?' Ron asked looking at her `Why are you here?'

`Harry had to balance the worlds once more…' she replied hesitantly. She didn't know if she should be telling anyone this but carried on anyway `he couldn't close of the world unless I went through, and if he didn't close of the world Voldemort would have escaped…'

`Who?' Ron said confused but quickly changed his question `Balanced world? Close of? I don't know what you're talking about?'

`It doesn't matter' Hermione said shaking her head. It really didn't matter, nothing did if Harry wasn't here beside her.

`Maybe it does' Ron said, he was sounding business like again so Hermione stepped away from him `I'm going to get Albus'

`Sure' Hermione said noncommittal.

Ron's lack of a response about Harry had brought more tears in her eyes. The man she loved was gone forever, and the world carrying on turning seemed to be an insult to this.

She looked around the room once again, her eyes purposefully missing out the Archway. She had no where to go. Her mother wouldn't understand this, and James was now too close to Albus to really appreciate it. And anyway she had left James for Harry, she couldn't really tell him how Harry had now left her.

There was only one safe place where she could be herself left, and that was Anglia….

She pulled the set of keys out of her pocket. She always kept them with her, Harry said that it was very important to do so. She moved the keychain around in her pal, it was only plain metal with a small red button pressed into the centre, but the cool cold sensation against her skin felt pleasant to her.

She couldn't believe the amount of time that had passed since she had first held the keys in her hand. Back then she had been more naive, had seen less, and was only at the beginning of her journey with Harry. A whole year ago.

She closed her eyes and remembered those moments, wishing so hard to be back there and have all that time together still in front of them

She watched as the two lovers seemed to dance with their words as they circled each other, the acting of love and desire was perfect. She barely realized as a hand found its way into hers and squeezed something hard softly into her hand. Looking down she saw it was Harry's hand and looking at him she saw a wide grin on his face.

`It's a key to the Ford Anglia' Harry whispered softly he let go leaving the silver key in her hand `I've made it so the alarm button makes it visible, which I thought was a nice touch'

She couldn't help but smile as she looked at him as she pocketed this present.

`Swear by thy gracious self, which is the God of my idolatry, and I'll believe thee'

She heard Juliet's words and smiled. And with this she took Harry hand in hers, and watched the first ever performance of Romeo and Juliet.

It had been only their second trip, third time of saving the world. And more important still was that it was their first real date. And Harry was still the god of her idolatry.

Slowly she pressed the tiny small red button and heard the sound of the Ford Anglia ripping through time and space for the last time. As it materialized beside her she froze.

What could she do with this machine? It couldn't fall into the wrong hands, but yet again it was the last link to Harry she had. She walked up to it, her eyes stinging slightly as the light reflected of the blue metal surface and hit her tear stained eyes. She held out a hand, opened the door, and stepped inside.

*

Harry felt the back of his head and winced. Without knowing it he had been softly hitting his head against the wall. He hated sitting on the floor and, slowly, he began to stand up.

He couldn't sit here thinking about what he had lost anymore, he had to prepare himself. Battle was coming. A battle he had to win, but couldn't.

He watched as the door slowly opened and Hermione came tottering inside, cup of tea in hand. When she had first entered his chest had been caught, his heart pounding heavily as he saw her, but as quickly as it appeared it had faded.

`Harry…' Hermione said as she carefully walked up to him `Dobby wanted to come and see you'

`Dobby?' Harry said smiling `what's that maniac doing here?'

`After you…disappeared…' Hermione said as she handed him the cup. He took a large gulp of it and felt his insides warm up. Drinking tea as the world ended outside, he suddenly felt very British `he refused to work at Hogwarts anymore…packed his things and came here'

`How come?' Harry asked.

`He said you'd need everything clean for when you came back' Hermione said with a little grin.

`So you have your own house elf?' Harry teased.

`Not really' Hermione laughed `I kept going on about paying him and giving him holidays, but he said doing it for you was all the paying he needed…today was the first time he spoke to me in four years!'

Harry threw his head back and laughed. He could see Dobby now, tea cosy on head waddling past Hermione with his face held high as he ignored her and cleaned the house.

`So SPEW is over with?' Harry asked as he stopped laughing.

`Heavens no!' Hermione said laughing back at him `It's not going…perfectly…but we're trudging along well enough'

`What's your take on the whole knowing the future thing?' Harry asked suddenly giving her his best mischievous look.

`It's against the law' Hermione said firmly.

`What if it concerns House Elf Rights?' Harry asked grinning even more as he watched Hermione's eyes twitch in excitement. She seemed to almost be bursting with words, but her lips were clenched tightly as if that was the only way she could stop herself from asking `so?' Harry carried on.

`It's…' Hermione said opening her mouth slightly but stopping and clenching them again. Harry began to worry in case Hermione was going to literally explode but at that moment she breathed out all the air in her lungs and smiled up at him `you win! What happens…?'

`Well, in the other world' Harry started `but I assume the two are quite similar on most issues, especially as the same people seem to occur in both worlds almost exactly…even with the same names…'

`Harry…' Hermione pleaded giving him her puppy dog eyes look `get to the point!'

`Ok!' Harry said rolling his eyes `House Elf's gain their freedom, including voting rights, in the 2678…August…the something or other'

`That's…' Hermione said looking at Harry with a little scowl before she shook her head and said `I think I can speed up that process quite a lot!'

Harry couldn't help it but let out a huge laugh as he almost fell to the floor in laughter.

`You and House Elf's!' Harry said laughing still `I tell you they get full freedom and all you can think of is getting it earlier!'

`What's wrong with that?' Hermione said defensively.

`Absolutely nothing!' Harry said smiling as he calmed himself down `in fact it's…Fantastic!'

Harry stood there smiling down at her, both of them was trying to put of what had to be done, both of them trying not to think of the lives that were being lost at this very second.

`Shall we get going?' Harry said finally.

`Are you… ready?' Hermione practically yelped nervously.

`One moment' Harry said shaking his head.

He looked at her. His best friend, and secret crush, from childhood. How she looked like her.

Her eyes shone the same from deep inside the dark brown, her hair framing her face as beautifully as ever. And her lips…He remembered those lips…

Harry raised a hand and ran it along her cheek, softly touching her skin and sending shivers down her spine.

`…2…' she lent forwards, her mouth pushed together to meet Harry's lips `…1…'

Time had seemingly slowed down as Harry lent towards her, his lips only inches away from hers, her heart beating as fast as it ever had in any life and death situation she had ever been in.

The whole world seemed to crumble around her as his lips touched hers, touching softly against her lips, his hand moving slowly along her cheek and running its way through her hair. The bells of Big Ben rang throughout the room as her lips slipped tenderly against his as she pushed slightly closer against his. She wanted to open her mouth, feel his tongue search through her mouth, but she couldn't' bring herself to as Harry pushed slightly harder, desperate for the intimacy to continue and deepen.

She ran a hand up through Harry's hair as the kiss intensified and she pushed her body harder against Harry's, but something seemed to scream in panic inside her and she pulled away.

`Happy New Year!' the crowd cheered

`I'm ready' Harry said blinking in the light.

`Are you sure you want to do this?' Hermione said, tears had already filled her eyes.

`Although it's not at the very top of the list on the ways I like to spend and afternoon…' Harry said brightly, he was trying to calm his heart as he strolled up to her. He was walking into who knew what and he needed a calm mind and heart. He added brightly as he took her hand `It'll do!'

He started to pull her until he fell into step next to him.

And he walked out of the door towards his battle. Towards his fate. Towards his death.

*

Hermione walked into the room and up towards the pensieve in the centre. How many times she had seen Harry stroll around that machine excitedly was beyond her, and probably beyond mathematicians as well. Her heart was beating faster as she approached the machine, and as she bent down to look into it her heart had nearly come out of her chest.

He had no idea what she had expected to see, but the simple vision of grey smoke was no stranger to her, and worse than that it was completely normal.

`Don't worry…' she said softly. She wondered if the machine felt his loss, the two of them, the Anglia and Harry, seemed like close friends more than anything `I'm still here…'

She looked around the large room, and for the first time she had ever known it felt empty. So often she had been here and it seemed to almost overfill with excitement and life. But now all it seemed was a room.

She saw large leather bound book on the floor and fell to the floor next to it. It was the book that Charles had given Harry.

She fingered through the pages until she came to the picture of the Archway. Merlin was now standing beside it with his head down with his hat in his hand seemingly to be in mourning.

Hermione slammed the book shut and tossed it to one side. The tears began to fall again and she wished they would be replaced by something, anything.

She shot the book a look and screamed at the top of her lungs. If they had never got that book then Harry would be here with her right this second. And if Albus hadn't been nosy and found the Archway they'd probably be traveling through time. And instead she was sat on the floor, alone with a broken heart while Harry fought to save another world.

She shouldn't have left him. No matter what he said. How would he cope without her? He'd go bumbling in, knowing it was a bad idea, all to save the world. She should be there, to help him, to literally hold him back if he needed it.

She felt so useless. Harry could be dying right now for all she knew and she was sat on some stinking floor in the wrong world…

She moved slightly as she realized her leg had become numb. Looking down at how this could happen she saw something in her pocket and removed it slowly, a small smile crept up on her face.

`Here' Harry said returning with a wand outstretched for her to take `it's the one Albus lent me a while back'

`I can't take that' Hermione said not moving from her spot and keeping her hands tight to her side to resist the urge.

`Why ever not?' Harry said puzzled.

`I can't do magic' Hermione said shaking her head `there's no point'

`It's not to do magic with' Harry said kindly `it's more so people think you can'

`In the last year you've never asked me to carry a wand before!' Hermione said suspiciously.

`And before we visited the Taj Mahal I had never asked you to ride a donkey!' Harry teased `but look how wonderfully you did that!'

`Donkeys don't make things disappear' Hermione said rolling her eyes as she went to take the wand.

`And who knows' Harry grinned as she took it from him `it could come in handy'

The smile deepened on Hermione's face into the glimmer of hope. Perhaps it was false hope, and only the tiniest hint even at that, but she was willing to hold onto anything at this very moment.

*

Hey, hoped you enjoyed that chapter, it was pretty different but I liked it! Only two (maybe even three) chapter left…how is everyone enjoying it…also, thank you to everyone who's been reviewing so far!

Not to question anyone's motives or anything, but as soon as I said about a surprise `present' for all the reviewers, I suddenly got like double as many as usual! So I think I must elaborate a tiny bit on what the `present' actually is (I can't give away too much though!)…well…its…its hard to put this actually…but lets just say that if you've enjoyed this story (and I mean really enjoyed it) then the `present' will be freaking awesome! If, like some of you must be, just read the story because its something to do the `present' will still be pretty good, but not as spectacular as it will be for the fans of this story…

Till next time…

Jms Granger

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45. Bad Wolf: Part Seven

Bad Wolf: Part Seven

The smile deepened on Hermione's face into the glimmer of hope. Perhaps it was false hope, and only the tiniest hint even at that, but she was willing to hold onto anything at this very moment.

She looked down at the Pensieve, the grey silver fog floated casually in the machine like nothing had happened. Pausing for a moment, just half a second, she lowered her hand quickly into the substance, closing her eyes instinctively.

She expected to feel a pull, or some sort of pain, but all that flooded over her body was a cool light sensation as her cells tingled softly.

It wasn't in there.

She pulled her hand out and the tingling stopped with it. She grabbed the side of the pensieve and spun around it, looking for some sort of a clue, but the thing appeared to be nothing but solid stone. She lowered down towards the floor and looked around the base, but yet again it ended in a dead end.

She slowly stood up and took a step back to look at the pensieve again. What would Harry do? She strolled slowly around the machine, pausing every few steps in order to examine something slightly closer. Before she knew it she had done a full circle and was no closer to finding anything that might help her.

Harry had once said that he used the pensieve for ease, so his thoughts could control the device with ease. Harry had gone into battle with the device, so it couldn't be the pensieve itself, so it must contain the device somewhere in it.

She tried to calm herself down, to think rationally and work out what else she did know about it. And then it felt like a light switch had been turned on inside herself.

Harry controlled this with his thoughts…

Hermione lowered her hand once again into the Pensieve and felt the cool light sensation over her skin once again as she tried to concentrates on her thoughts.

I need the device…

Nothing happened, so she tried a different approach.

I need the device that Harry built…

Still nothing happened, but she was sure that she was on the right track, so she tried again.

I need the device that teleports us through time and space…I need the portkey and timeturner thing…portkey and timeturner combined…I NEED THE GODDAM DEVICE!!!

The coolness still floated over her skin and nothing had appeared. Anger was starting to flood over her. She needed to get back quickly as she had no idea what Harry would do without her. True, he had a different Hermione, but she didn't…

And then Hermione realized what she had missed.

I need the device that Hermione built…

As soon as she thought the words she felt a cold hard metallic object seemingly drop from somewhere and land in her hand. As she withdrew it instantly she was amazed at what she saw.

Resting in her hand was what appeared to be a necklace, with the amulet something like a turnable sand piece. But now was definitely not the time for being amazed.

She pushed the device into her pocket. She had the first piece of her plan, now for the second.

`I'm ready' Harry said blinking in the light.

`Are you sure you want to do this?' Hermione said, tears had already filled her eyes.

`Although it's not at the very top of the list on the ways I like to spend and afternoon…' Harry said brightly, he was trying to calm his heart as he strolled up to her. He was walking into who knew what and he needed a calm mind and heart. He added brightly as he took her hand `It'll do!'

He started to pull her until he fell into step next to him.

And he walked out of the door towards his battle. Towards his fate. Towards his death.

He walked through the large doors and into the corridor, his mind reeling as quickly as humanly possible. Possible spells, ways to use his knowledge of the void and maneuvers he had picked up fighting every fowl creature in the other world sprang to mind.

`What are we going to do?' Hermione asked, her voice sounding more controlled as battle approached.

Harry stopped and waved his wand over his head.

`I just lowered the wards over this place' Harry said with a smile.

`What?' Hermione said panicky.

`I need Voldemort to come here' Harry said brightly as he took her hand and led her down the corridor. He didn't know where he was walking, but he often found that just a stroll helped him to think.

`Come here?' Hermione said disbelievingly.

`Yeah' Harry said joyfully `I can't fight him in public where bystanders get hurt, and this place is just as good as any other'

`I guess that makes some sense' Hermione said looking at him with a small smile `plus we have what the Americans say is the home court advantage'

`Hermione Granger has knowledge of popular culture!' Harry said laughing `I never thought I'd see the day!'

`A lot has changed since you've been away' Hermione said with a grin.

`Evidently so' Harry said smiling. He had missed her so much in the last five years and wished he had more time just to chat and catch up.

`After all this we can go away and you can find out' Hermione said as they turned around and started to walk back the way they had come.

`A romantic getaway might just be what I need' Harry said thinking out loud.

`Romantic?' Hermione said stopping in her tracks.

`Can you accept that as a verbal slip up?' Harry said looking at her.

`Um…' Hermione said uncertainly.

`Don't forget to add in that it came from a man who was just about to die' Harry said as he took her hand and started to walk back down the corridor again. Hermione didn't speak again straight away and when she did her voice seemed lower and more frightened.

`Don't say that'

Before Harry could reply he felt a disturbance in the air around him. He whipped out his wand, impressed with how quick Voldemort had been, and listened carefully for some sort of trace of the intruder, be it sound or magic.

`Harry!' Ron's voice screamed throughout the house making Harry put his wand back in his pocket and look down the corridor.

`In here' Harry called back as brightly as he could.

He watched as Ron came stumbling into round the corner, blood was spilling down his face and his lips were bleeding heavily. Hermione, letting go of Harry's hand instantly, ran to him and jumped into his arms, planting her bushy hair into his chest.

`The wards are down!' Ron said as he slowly disentangled himself from Hermione.

`I know' Harry said with a chuckle `and soon Voldemort will know, and then he'll come here for me…'

`But that's…' Ron started.

`This war is between us, and we need to finish it before anyone else gets hurt' Harry said forcefully, his mind half on the Dark Lords impending arrival the other half on the petite frame of Hermione that stood next to Ron. He looked steely at Harry for a few moments as if ready to argue, before he slowly breathed out and shook his head slightly.

`We're defending London and we seem to be winning' Ron reported.

`What about the rest of the world?' Hermione asked quickly.

`I… I'm not sure' Ron said gulping slightly.

`What do you know?' Harry asked.

`Wizards are flocking the streets of wherever they live, fighting for all they have…' Ron started `the muggles are fighting to…but the civilians are caught in the middle across the world…'

`What's the toll?' Harry asked slowly.

`Its…Well…' Ron said blinking slightly in shock as he processed the words he was about to say `Millions'

Hermione raised her hands to her face, her mouth open in shock at the figures Ron had said, but Harry wasn't surprised. Voldemort had been planning this for a year now, had men on every continent, and was launching a full out offensive of the likes the world had never seen.

`You get back to the fighting' Harry said quickly.

`I can't leave you' Ron said shaking his head angrily `not with you-know-who coming!'

`Don't be a plonker all your life, Ron' Harry said rolling his eyes `I'm a grown man, I can look after myself'

`But the more help the better, right?' Ron asked hopefully.

`Ron, millions are dying' Harry said sadly `your one of the best fighters, without you millions more might lose their lives than necessary'

`But what about Hermione' Ron said shooting her a nervous glance `is she coming with me?'

`No' Harry said shaking his head.

`Why not?' Ron asked, his face pinking slightly in anger.

`A million good reasons that I haven't got the time to go into' Harry replied hoping it sounded like he wasn't lying, because the truth was he just wanted her beside him.

`Give me one' Ron said steely faced.

`I helped him build the device' Hermione interrupted, Harry was very thankful because it was a lot better than his because I said so reply he had planned. `and it might come in helpful again'

`I guess so…' Ron said looking down at Hermione.

Harry had realized that Ron's crush on Hermione would live on for a while, but he hadn't expected it to still be going five years later. Still, he knew how it felt to be in love with Hermione.

`Can you protect her?' Ron asked looking straight into Harry's eyes.

Harry didn't know what to say as he knew the truth wasn't an option. He knew he'd die trying, but Harry also knew the chances of the world seeing another day was slim. If Harry lost, which was more than likely, then Voldemort would surely kill all of his friends, with Hermione and Ron at the top of that list.

`Ron' Harry said as forcefully as he could as he grabbed his shoulders in both of his hands `I promise I'll look after her. I promise no harm will come to her…I promise…'

`I…' Ron said nodding `I believe you'

`We have to hurry, Ron' Hermione said as she pulled on his arm.

Ron looked at the two of them, before turning on his heel and apparating back to the fight.

Harry wished more than anything that he'd see his old friend again. That some time in the future they would be able to sit around and laugh together like the old days. But he knew that wasn't a realistic wish.

`Let's go back to the Archway room' Harry said taking Hermione's hand.

`Why there?' Hermione asked as they started to walk towards it.

`Then we can make your lie to Ron seem slightly believable' Harry said laughing.

`And what does that matter?' Hermione said rolling her eyes.

`Because if he believes that, then he might believe our vacation is purely platonic!' Harry laughed again as he answered `you've never been to Paris, have you?'

`I went during our third year summer!' Hermione said sounding offended.

`I know that' Harry said throwing his head back as he laughed `I meant Paris 1789…during La Revolution!'

`That's your idea of romance?' Hermione said with a wink `I have a lot to teach you…'

Hermione pulled the door to the Anglia open and stepped through. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she scanned the room expecting no one to be there, but instead she saw Albus Dumbledore standing there as if the were waiting patiently for her to come back out.

`I hope your feeling better, Miss Granger' Albus said with a caring smile as she stepped forward and halved the space between them.

Hermione nodded excitedly as she pulled the device out and handed it the old man before her, a wide smile on her face on contrast to his frown.

`You can't get back' Albus said suddenly as he looked up at Hermione `even with this miraculous device'

`But…' Hermione stuttered.

`Harry had this device the whole time but he had to find the archway first…' Albus explained as he handed it back to her `if you use this all that will happen is you will tear through this world to another point in its time and space'

`But we have the archway' Hermione stuttered again.

`And it's been disconnected' Albus said shaking his head sadly `there is no way to get you into the void for you to be able to use that device'

`You must be able to open it?' Hermione asked hopefully.

`I had it for two months and tried everyday' Albus said sadly `I just don't have the knowledge, and I fear that my heart may have let me down as well'

`What do you mean?' Hermione asked curiously.

`I fear this device' Albus said looking at it `I fear what will become of us because of it…I believe subconsciously I stopped myself from opening it…'

`Then if you can't be bothered to do it…' Hermione shot angrily `I'll tear a whole in this world to get there!

`No you won't' Albus said softly as he placed a hand on her shoulder `you could never do that to James or your mother…to anyone for that matter, let alone a whole world'

Hermione looked up at him ready to argue but she knew he was right. She would never be able to harm people just because her will needed it, and even if she could she would lose Harry even more.

She slowly closed her eyes and ran her hands across her temples as she tried to ease the headache from exploding in her head. There must be another way around this that she was missing, Harry had taught her so. All she needed to do was to find this strand of hope and pull on it.

Hermione breathed softly, trying to calm her mind as slowly a song seemed to appear in the room and as she opened her eyes she saw a familiar sight.

`Fawkes' she said with a smile as she lowered down to the floor to stroke him. He was singing a beautiful song which seemed both happy and sad at the same time. Calmness was spreading over herself slowly and she knew it was him `thanks'

Fawkes looked up at her with what seemed to be a smile, and then its eyes turned to the archway and stopped. Tears flooded its eyes as it stared at the silent, unmoving archway.

`He's fighting' Hermione said stroking the bird `he's fighting for his world, for our world…for all the worlds…'

Fawkes slowly looked up at Hermione, a puzzled look on its face which let her know that he understood.

`I wish I could be there with him' Hermione said stroking the bird even more `but Albus cant open the archway…only Harry could…'

The bird looked back at the archway, the tears had stopped flowing and it looked purposefully at it before snapping back to her.

`I don't understand?' Hermione said softly.

Fawkes repeated the motion, first looking at the archway and then at her, as if desperate for her to understand his charades.

`It's closed of…' Hermione said shaking her head but Fawkes kept repeating it, as if desperate for her to understand his point `no one in this world can open that archway…no one…'

`I think he disagrees' Albus said softly as he took a step closer to her and laid a hand on her shoulder again.

`But you tried' Hermione said looking at him.

`But I think what he's trying to say is… you haven't' Albus voice was low and mildly surprised.

Harry looked around the room yet again, and still found nothing. No traces of magic, no flow or stream of it coming, not even a reflection of events. The room was completely dead.

`The wards have been down for nearly half an hour now!' Harry said impatiently looking down at his watch.

`You don't expect him to just come bumbling in at the first chance, do you?' Hermione said raising an eyebrow.

`It's what I would have done' Harry said shrugging his shoulders.

`He probably won't be alone either' Hermione said laughing, as if she thought this was as obvious as him taking his time. Harry however was slightly surprised. He always just assumed that in the end it would be just Harry and Voldemort, but then again he had brought Hermione, and anyone Voldemort would bring could be easily dealt with.

Harry stopped as he felt a disturbance and looked to the corner of the room, half expecting it to be full of a hundred Death Eaters.

`I think this is them' Harry said pointing to the corner so Hermione would be ready to see them arrive.

As sure as anything Harry watched as three figures appeared in the corner of the room, all of there wands raised aggressively at Harry and Hermione. But none of them shot, obviously under orders from Voldemort Harry figured.

`Good of you to come!' Harry said brightly as he raised his wand at Voldemort and saw that it was Lucius and Bellatrix that made the party three `although you have taken longer than I thought'

`And I guess you thought I come alone as well?' Voldemort sneered making Lucius and Bellatrix laugh. Harry however was annoyed at this, was it that obvious to everyone but himself?

`And it's especially good to see Bellatrix here' Harry said smiling `it'll save me a trip after I beat Tom'

`Still think you'll kill me, Potter?' Bellatrix sneered `even though we out number you?'

`Not think, poor Bella' Harry said brightly `but I do guarantee that by the end of the day, you'll be dead'

`Over confident Potter?' Lucius laughed.

`Nope' Harry said taking a step forward and enjoying that Lucius recoiled ever so slightly `just the benefit of being a time-traveler'

Bellatrix' faces screwed up in anger as she eyed him with disdain. This was exactly what Harry needed. If Bellatrix got emotional and made a mistake then it'd be two versus two, and Hermione could easily handle Lucius.

`Or maybe you'd prefer the void?' Harry asked playfully making even Bellatrix fearful at the mention `Sirius would be more than welcome to greet you!'

Bellatrix looked completely confused at Harry's light tone about Sirius, and so did Hermione for that matter, but Harry knew what he was doing.

`But then again you might enjoy that…you pure bloods sure love incest' Harry laughed and noticed Bellatrix look even angrier `is that why you killed him? Sexual chemistry gone awry? Did he turn you down?'

`SHUT UP!' Bellatrix screamed, her hand shaking with fury.

Harry let out a little whistle and turned to look at Hermione, although constantly concentrating on Bellatrix who was close to snapping.

`I think I might have hit a sore spot' Harry said laughing when he saw her move out of the corner of his eye.

`Avada Kedavra!' she screamed as if in pain and hate.

Harry fell as quickly forward as he could, helped by the fact that he had faced away to talk to Hermione, and rolled to his right to avoid the green light, barging Hermione effortlessly to the ground as he raised his wand in the same motion at Bellatrix.

He slowly straightened himself as he stood back up to a room now full of four people, only which were two Death Eaters.

`Did you send her to the void?' Voldemort asked, his words were spoken slowly and Harry thought he could hear fear as he said the word void.

`Nah' Harry said shaking his head `I've cut of the link so not even I can use it anymore'

`Then where is she?' Lucius asked looking around as if he expected to see her hiding in a corner.

`London' Harry said with a smile `right into the middle of our forces…I wouldn't be expecting her to come back and help you any time soon'

`To noble to kill?' Voldemort asked with a silky small laugh `or do you just prefer to get others to do your dirty work for you?'

`It's true that I don't take any pleasure in killing, Tom' Harry said emphasizing his name `but I'll try and make an exception for you'

`So here we are' Voldemort said smiling as he withdrew his wand slightly and stepped before Harry.

`Here we are' Harry said as he put his wand down by his side.

`The two greatest wizards in the whole of time' Voldemort said with a wry smile as his wand went to his side. Harry stole a glance to his side and saw Lucius and Hermione were following them in their actions and Harry prayed that Hermione was as good at dueling as she had been.

`Ready to fight for the world' Harry said as they bowed down low to each other, their eyes never leaving the other for even the briefest of moments.

`Avada kedavra' Voldemort screamed as his wand swished in the air, Harry rolling to his right and scanning the room for Voldemort. He had disappeared with lightning speed. The battle had begun.

Hermione looked up at the old man for several long seconds, her brain somehow unable to comprehend what he had meant. And then it clicked in. and she threw her head back and laughed.

`That's priceless' Hermione said unable to control the laughter `but probably not the right time for joking!'

`I'm not joking' Albus said slowly, his voice controlled and truthful.

`But I can't do magic' Hermione said shaking her head now. This had stopped being funny and had quickly became confusing.

`Just because you never had doesn't mean you can't' Albus said with a small smile.

`But…but…' Hermione said blinking rapidly `that's crazy!'

`Is it?' Albus said smiling even broader `the Hermione in the other world, who by your own words is exactly the same as you, is a witch?'

`But Harry said we were completely different people' Hermione said defensively.

`I think we can all admit Harry has a…blind spot…when it comes to you' Albus said with a smile `and he even gave you a wand'

`So it looks like I can do magic' Hermione said shaking her head `it's just for show'

`The wand picks its owner' Albus said gently `and your wand is from Fawkes'

`And?' Hermione said slightly rudely.

`In this world Fawkes has only ever given a single feather before which has become the core to the wand you carry, and even in Harry's world he had only ever given two' Albus explained slowly `I have to take the logical step and assume that fate has led you to that wand'

`But…' Hermione started but Albus held up a hand to quiet her.

`The magic Harry uses often is extremely advanced' he spoke faster now `so advanced that it leaves so little trace I can barely see any of it…have you ever seen anything…strange…'

Hermione went to answer no but caught the word in the mouth. Often she had seen the flashing light, the sound of magic be it a hum or buzz. She remembered that she heard whispering coming from behind the veil, and when the gargoyles had attacked she had seen the storm of them coming through space, somehow felt them ripping through.

`Did you ever see the Magicallds?' Albus asked looking pointedly at her.

Slowly she nodded.

`Wouldn't Harry have realized?' Hermione spoke after several minutes of silence.

`Alas, no' Albus said sighing `it is a problem for the powerful that they often see things how they want to see them…especially when it concerns those they care about'

`But why would he avoid realizing this?' she asked.

`He had largely withdrawn from the world of magic and concerns himself with what he likes to call humanity, but what we call muggles…before you got yourself mixed up with us anyway' Albus said shaking his head `I believe that magic has brought him nothing in this life except losing those he loved…somewhere inside him he wanted to keep you safe away from that world that had been so harsh to him'

Hermione slowly nodded, it made sense but she still couldn't believe it.

She reached down into her pocket and held the wand out before her eyes. It felt warm to the touch, like it was more than just wood. She wondered if this was good news or not.

She stood up quickly, time was not in her favor for once and she spun to look at the archway.

She had no idea what to do, what words to say or motions to wave the wand.

`A wand is just a way to focus the magic' Albus said as he stepped up beside her `all magicians lose their control of their emotions from time to time and perform wandless magic without any idea how they did the spell…I think as my subconscious has hindered my attempt at opening the Archway, yours might just give you what you desire…'

`So I just have to let my emotions out?' Hermione said as she eyed the archway `I've been crying for the last half an hour so it shouldn't be too much of a problem'

`But think on it first' Albus said holding out a hand and taking her shoulder once again `Harry wanted you to come here, so you could be safe and so Voldemort couldn't escape that world…he doesn't want you to risk yourself or the whole of time!'

`I've thought of that!' Hermione said triumphantly, feeling her heart almost explode as hope flooded through it `and I'll just be doing the same thing Harry did…step into the void and pull myself out of the other side, and when Harry did that the archway on this side didn't re-open, did it?'

Albus seemed to think on this for a moment, before his eyes misted up and he sighed.

`Alas, you are right' Albus said with sorrow `the archway on this side will be open to the void, but the other world will remain closed…but you will still be in danger Harry didn't want you to be in!'

`So why did you tell me I had a chance to get back there then?' Hermione asked turning her head to look at the man.

Albus looked away from her and at the archway deep in thought.

`I guess because you're in love...because I believe in both you and Harry…because it really is your life, and thus your choice' Albus said softly.

Hermione closed her eyes and thought of Harry. Was she doing the right thing by fighting to be back there? She laughed to herself as she realized that only time could tell on that one.

`Everywhere we go, every time we visit, Harry risks himself, steps forward to fight whatever it is' Hermione said looking at Albus pleading for him to understand `he sacrifices himself every time to save strangers, to save humanity…and if I die when I reach him, then that's a price I'm willing to pay…I cant let him do it alone…'

She stepped forward slowly and out of Albus' grip as she raised her wand. She filled her mind with Harry. The first time they met when she took his hand, when she left to travel with him that first time, watching Shakespeare together…

She could feel the wand starting to vibrate softly in her hand.

She remembered all the times when Harry and her mother had fought and bickered, and when James accepted how she felt about Harry, and the first time they kissed as they heralded in a new millennium.

She heard Fawkes song and realized that he was now circling her as her wand vibrated even more.

Finally she remembered kissing him as she prepared to leave his world, she remembered telling him she loved him. And she felt how true those words had been.

The room flashed complete darkness for a fraction of a second, and when the light returned she could hear the whispering again, and the veil blowing slightly in the non existent wind.

`You did it' Albus said, his voice told her that he had expected this `when you step through you will enter the void…'

`Hell' Hermione said softly, the first beat of a nervous heart issuing in her chest.

`Use the device as you enter, it is a simple turning device' Albus said breathing heavily `and think incredibly hard of Harry and his world…that will hopefully be enough to pull you through'

`But couldn't I end up anywhere?' Hermione asked, her nervous heart still beating in her chest.

`You could, but I don't think you will' Albus said sincerely `Harry has just stepped through, Voldemort had just ripped himself after Harry so their should be enough residual energy flowing that you should pop through'

`I think the word should should be banned' Hermione said making Albus chuckled.

She took a deep breathe and closed her eyes. She was just about to step into hell, but it was the only way she would ever see Harry again, and a world of demons is tolerable for the sake of an angel.

She stepped forward, her eyes closed, and felt the veil press softly over her face.

And then she felt nothing.

Complete darkness flooded her eyesight, but it was worse than that. She couldn't feel her body. She felt nothing, thoughts even slipped away effortlessly.

She went to turn the device but realized she didn't have any hands. Thankfully though the fact that she had no body meant her heart couldn't start beating any faster, and all she had was thoughts.

Harry had managed to use the device in here, so she wasn't trapped indefinitely. This was just another problem she had to solve before getting back to him.

She realized the only thing she had was her thoughts, so that's all Harry would have had.

She concentrated on imagining her hands, the feeling of having them, where they would be, and more importnantly the device they held. And in her mind she slowly turned the sand dial around and around, thinking as hard as she could of that last kiss she shared with Harry.

And then a strange feeling flooded her body, as if every limb was growing back in seconds. She could feel the bones appearing, the veins and muscles encasing them, and the skin overlapping everything.

And then her eyes were filled with light, and before her stood Harry.

Harry shot of a stunning charm that vibrated powerfully of the walls, missing the disappearing Voldemort by milliseconds.

The fight was hard, he was bleeding, but he was still alive. If he could keep going Hermione could beat Lucius and maybe the two of them could beat Voldemort together.

But just as hope filled his head, a cold wind swept throughout the room.

Harry instantly stopped dead in his tracks, his wand falling down to his side in his hand as he felt the soft wind flutter over his body. However impossible that feeling was he knew now it was real, and that it was full of power.

He looked at the archway and saw the veil perfectly till as he knew it would be. What he was feeling wasn't the Archway, it was a ripping of the world. He knew it was impossible, but he also knew why it was happening. The fighting had stopped at the exact same moment as he had ended it, letting him know that they all felt the intrusion into their world.

Voldemort was now staring at him, a smile appearing on his face as he took an eager step forward. Harry felt a trickle of blood work its way down his chin, surprisingly cooling the skin that it touched as worked its way down to dripping to the floor.

He felt his skin pulled softly as a dent in his world was forming, the feeling so tiny and insignificant that he knew only Voldemort would feel it too.

And then she stepped forward blinkingly into the room, appearing just beside the Archway out of thin air. Still unaware as to where she was, what was happening, and how catastrophic her return would prove to become.

This worlds Hermione stood staring at the counterparts return in shock and worry. Her eyes shooting around the room as if trying to comprehend what this all meant.

Lucius stood in wide mouthed shock at a second Hermione appearing in this fight, and his face told Harry that he was working out what this meant. If a victory or loss would soon be at hand for him.

Harry however already knew what this meant. He knew it all as it snapped into place. The wand he had leant her. The hints of magic she had showed that he had turned a blind eye too. The Anglia he had left in the other world. But he was ahead of everyone else, for he knew the future now. He knew what was soon to happen. He knew his story was over.

`Harry…' Hermione started as she stepped forward, but her voice and movement was stolen from her as she realized that Voldemort had just raised his wand and held it on her.

This worlds Hermione inched forward as if ready for attack, but stopped as she realized what Harry knew, or at least some of it, that there was nothing they could do.

`It appears that you have another decision to make' Voldemort said struggling to hide the joy from his voice at this unexpected present `and I urge you to make the right choice this time'

Harry felt his right hand clench around his wand and anger surge through his body, but this was almost instantly replaced by sorrow.

`Go on' he said through clenched teeth.

Voldemort took another small step forward, his wand always trained on the new arrival.

`I will allow Hermione, and the other one as well, to leave through the void' Voldemort said with his now permanent smile.

`How can I be sure you'll keep your word?' Harry said staring directly into his red hateful eyes.

`In essence you can't' Voldemort said shaking his head slightly `but why wouldn't I? There are infinite worlds out there, infinite Hermione's…what do I care for them or that other small world?'

`But you do care about me…' Harry said his eyes refusing to budge from Voldemort.

`Yes' Voldemort said softly `so I will let them go…'

`In exchange for?' Harry said, but he already knew the answer. He had known it from the first moment that he felt the wind from the void sweep across his skin.

`Your life' Voldemort said with a hateful grin.

Harry thought he heard both of the Hermione's gasp in shock, but he wasn't sure. Although his mind had accepted his fate, his body hadn't until these words were said. His stomach felt sick, and his cells seemed to shake with the knowledge of impending death.

Harry looked to his side and saw this worlds Hermione, one of his oldest friends. It was fitting that she would be here, fitting but terrible. They had been through so much together, and it was mainly because of her that he had become the man he was.

He looked to the other Hermione and smiled. He feared for her life and knew that even if Voldemort kept his word and she lived she would have to cope with watching him die. But he couldn't help one little spark of joy from happening with inside of him. He had been granted the chance to see her one last time.

Harry dropped his wand to the floor and heard it echo throughout the room as his eyes snapped onto Voldemort.

`Agreed' Harry said nodding his head determinedly. He wanted to die like a man, his head held high as he went to the pit to die.

`No, you can't do it!' the two Hermione's shouted in unison, and despite himself Harry had to laugh.

`I guess I was wrong about you two being completely different' Harry said smiling as he thought of what their lives would become.

`You cant…' they started to say again in unison but stopped.

`Harry…' this worlds Hermione said first, beating the other by a slight second `you can't just give up…what will happen?'

`Promise me, the two of you, that when this is over you will leave through the veil…live your life's and not think about me…' Harry said.

Both of them shook their heads, tears streaming down their eyes.

`Please…?' Harry said shaking his head in desperation. He knew Voldemort wouldn't give him long `just do it…for me?'

`I'm so sorry…' the other Hermione said `I can't believe I was so stupid…I thought…and now…'

`Don't worry about me…to the organized mind death is nothing but the next great adventure' Harry said smiling at her as well as he could before he turned back to Voldemort.

Voldemort smiled at Harry and turned his wand of Hermione. Harry knew at this point that he would keep his word. Harry was defenseless, and if Voldemort wanted to he'd kill the pair of them just so Harry could watch them die.

Harry closed his eyes and smiled.

`Let's do it'

*

Hermione felt her eyes stinging violently. She had caused the end of everything. The end of her Harry, the end of this world, and the end of the millions of others.

Voldemorts wand was now off her, but the only thing that happened was her fear and panic had doubled, taking the place of all hope as it rested squarely at Harry's chest.

She couldn't let this happen, and an idea flew into her mind.

She looked to the side and her eyes met the other Hermione's, looking as swollen and tear stained as hers. But a fire burned behind them, and she wondered if hers looked like this and if the fire meant that shared the same idea.

She looked away and watched as Voldemort stopped carefully about ten feet away from Harry. But this was ideal. This meant her plan could become a reality.

She could hear Voldemort speak, but the words held no meaning as her mind drifted back home, back to the world. James would be waiting for her, Albus having told him what had happened. At least he would have answers.

Her mother would probably never know, never having known that she had left in the first place. She would keep her room for years to come, keep the same house, always hopeful that she'd one day return.

But that day would never come. This was the end of her story. And she hoped they would all forgive her.

`Avada Kedavra' Voldemort said, and as if in slow motion she stepped forward, once again in unison with the other Hermione, between Harry and the curse.

And the last thing she saw was green.

Harry couldn't breathe.

His skin had lost all sense of touch.

And time seemed to have stopped.

He looked up at the two of them, both lying motionless on the floor, entwined together as if sisters.

`Hermione…' Harry tried to say but all that seemed to come out was his breathe as he stared down unbelieving at them.

`Such a pity' he heard Voldemort said but cared nothing for the words `only you had to die…'

Harry still couldn't move forward. He wanted to run from the room, and felt that if only he could get far enough away that it would somehow bring them back.

`The other one can still leave though' Voldemort said snapping Harry from the bodies of the two people he loved most in this world and onto the murderer before him

`What?' Harry snapped angrily.

`The killing curse only kills one person, the other must be knocked unconscious from the blow' Voldemort said as he made to step over the bodies in an attempt to get closer.

Harry felt the surge of anger flood through his body as his mind, the human part, switched off. He lunged desperately forwards towards Voldemort and hit into his stomach, flooring the monster and landing on top of him, all thought of magic gone from his head and only violence remained.

He felt a sharp pain as his fists smashed down violently onto his face, each blow bringing yet more pain. But the pain was a different feeling, distracted his whole body at the thought of which Hermione was still alive. The question over which one he hoped had survived.

He felt what he knew must be Lucius wand pushing into the back of his neck but he didn't care. His fists carried on raining down on Voldemorts hard skin, determined to make as much damage as possible.

A loud bang filled his ears, and pain shot throughout his body, the feeling of tumbling over and over filling his senses, and when he opened his eyes he was about ten foot away from Voldemort and Lucius.

Harry couldn't stand up, not through pain or injury, but through despair. Because of him Hermione was dead, and which ever it was he knew he would never get over it. Anger coursed through him as yet another person had joined the list of dying to protect him.

Voldemort struggled up to his feet, his mouth full of blood as he pointed his wand into Harry.

`For that…' Voldemort shouted angrily `Lucius'

The sound filled the room as he screamed `crucio!'

The pain burst through every cell in Harry's body, every vein felt like it was coursing fire as he brain swelled up in pain. The pain was so great he wished for death, so great that all though of Hermione had fled him, and he wished it would never end.

Physical pain, however terrible, was easier than real life. At least his life.

The pain stopped and it felt like it was physically leaving his body. Only exhaustion remained, and the thought of the people he loved.

`Was that it?' Harry laughed, knowing this was the only way to get rid of his thoughts `Tommy-Tom, you should fire the loser!'

`Crucio!' Lucius screamed once again.

The thoughts ended as blissful pain scorched through his body causing such great damage that he was sure he would die. With each thumping of his head he wished the memories of that day would die. With all the fire bursting through his veins he wished it would burn through his heart.

He had no idea how long this had been going on, perhaps five minutes, but eventually the pain died once more.

`Slightly better' Harry laughed once again as he tried to roll over, but his muscles failed him `but only good enough to get a troll'

`Cru…' Lucius said and Harry closed his eyes in anticipation but this time no pain came.

Harry leant his head back and saw that Voldemort had his hand held up to stop Lucius, and was walking towards him.

`How does it feel Harry?' Voldemort laughed as he wondered within touching distance of Harry. Harry tried to pull at his muscles to make a grab for him but they had been pretty much burnt out by the crucio.

He fell over to his side and managed to sit up slightly with his back against the wall.

`I said how does it feel?' Voldemort said with such anger that Harry decided to answer.

`It wasn't bad…but Bellatrix was much better' Harry said shaking his head to check if his muscles were gaining back any energy `was being the main word there as that bitch is probably dead by now'

`You think I care? I have infinite more Bellatrixes to recruit across the worlds' Voldemort sneered `and I have one Hermione to, entertain, myself with'

`You touch her and I swear I'll kill you!' Harry shot back angrily. He didn't need Voldemorts laughter to tell him that it had been an idle threat so he took a deep breathe and tried to think of something to say to the man who was about to murder him `so what's the plan? Make me watch as you torture the one that lived? Make me watch as the two people who I love most in the world are killed? It works and all but it's not exactly original'

`No' Voldemort said simply with such a cruel smile on his lips `I'm going to kill you before you know which one died, and unknowing of what I did to the other'

Harry blinked and his head thundered. He would never know who lived on, would never even have a moment of hope, and would die broken on the floor with unanswered questions.

He felt tears begin to form but stopped them. He wouldn't give Voldemort the enjoyment of that.

He loved both of them, and once again the curse of Harry Potter has gotten more innocent victims. Wherever he went people died, people he cared about were hurt and those he loved were taken from him.

And he did love them, the pair of them, for completely different reasons. And he hoped they felt the same way for him. As he thought this his mind clicked, and a small smile appeared on his face.

They did love him. He was sure of it.

`And now, Harry Potter, you will die'

Voldemort stood up and pointed his wand down at Harry. Harry closed his eyes again and hoped that whoever had lived would find their end quickly and without pain.

`One last thing…'

She felt her head aching and thought the floor beneath her was spinning. She had no idea where she was, what was happening or even who she was. All memory had died away leaving her alone in a spinning world.

Groaning she tried to open her eyes but failed. She wondered if this was right or not, maybe she was blind? She tried to lift her head of the ground but stopped instantly as the pain scorched across the back of her skull. Thoughts flittered through her mind and she thought she could hear words spoken close by.

`and I have one Hermione to…entertain…myself with'

It had come from a cold low voice said full of triumph. The voice made her insides feel cold and she wished that the girl named Hermione was far away from the person who spoke of her as the word entertain held more fear than any threat.

`You touch her and I swear I'll kill you!'

This new voice sounded defiant, and somehow seemed to ease the pain coursing through her body. She tried to move her fingers and found that she could.

`I'm going to kill you before you know which one died, and unknowing of what I did to the other'

It was the low cold voice again and it made her yarn for the other speaker to come back again. The other voice was full of hope and somehow made her body feel stronger.

She wished she could remember why she was here, or even who she was, but those memories were out of reach for her.

Slowly she opened her eyes, but as the light came in blurring her vision and searing pain entered her head she closed them again.

At least she knew she wasn't blind, and she thought she had seen the outlines of people in the room.

`And now, Harry Potter, you will die'

Harry…

She opened her eyes and turned towards the voices. She knew who she was, and knew it was her fault they were here. She saw Voldemort standing above Harry his wand pointing downwards at him and she tried to call out at him. Warn him of what was about to happen. But her voice had gone and all she could do was watch.

`One last thing…' Harry said as he looked up at Voldemort.

`Not this time, Harry…' Voldemort said `Avadad Kedavra!'

As the green spark started at Voldemorts wand Hermione saw the tiniest hint of a smile spread over Harry's face as he spoke out loud.

`She loved me'

Hermione watched as the green light bore down at Harry and hit him in the chest. Hermione tried to look away but couldn't. A solitary tear found its way into her eyes as she watched what must be the death of the man she loved.

But the green light didn't die.

Harry keeled over slightly in pain, but he was alive, and what was more was that the green light hadn't gone away.

Voldemort was now ensnared in green light, and was looking around manically. The blonde haired man had fallen backwards away as the green light got closer and closer onto Voldemort.

`Not like this!' Voldemort screamed as the green light got closer to him by the second `not again!'

The green circles of light seemed to pull over him like a net, and compressed into nothing, until it was gone.

As the green light died, the room was changed. Voldemort was gone.

She watched as Harry stood up slowly, not looking anywhere in particular as he steadied himself on his feet. Hermione couldn't understand what was happening, how Harry was alive, but as the tears came flowing from her eyes she knew she didn't care.

`What happened!' Lucius shouted angrily at Harry who just laughed.

`History has a way of repeating itself…' he said as he strolled over past Hermione. She tried to call out, and hoped he'd see her eyes were open, but he strolled past her without even looking at her `Voldemort, the evil monster he was, always saw his magic as more powerful than anyone else's…the first time I fought him I thought the same…fighting him with curses and plans…'

`What did you do!' Lucius screamed.

`I was loved' Harry replied, his voice low and full of feeling `my mother loved me and died protecting me…and Hermione loved me and died protecting me…'

`That's…impossible' Lucius stuttered.

`Nothings impossible' Harry said shaking his head `seems like Albus won after all…'

Hermione didn't understand what was happening and her head ached. She wondered how she was alive, and with the pain searing through her head how she was still conscious.

`The question I'm left with is what to do with you' Harry said walking up to Lucius, his wand raised at the mans chest.

`I won't go back to Azkabam!' he said defiantly.

`I agree' Harry said walking up closer to him `in fact you won't be going anywhere'

Lucius seemed to hesitate momentarily before letting out a high pitched laugh.

`You won't kill me!' he said laughing even more.

But as Harry stepped closer to him, facing him eye to eye, his body froze in panic. Hermione had no idea what Lucius had seen in Harry's eyes, but only knew that it seemed to drive Lucius mad with fear.

`Avada Kedavra' Harry said softly, and Lucius crumbled to the floor in a green light.

As the green light filled the room pain exploded down the back of her skull, filling her lungs with an intense pain she couldn't pinpoint.

And as the green light faded, her eyes shut, and the memory of what she had just seen faded.

Hey, so that was pretty much the finale, just a funeral to go to now…and that WILL be done tomorrow…now onto my apology.

I know I said this would be finished by Christmas, but I'm really sorry that I let you down. I went away on holiday for three weeks on Christmas eve to America…it was my first time in the states and visited: New York, Boston Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Georgetown, Newburyport and some other places…it was awesome, but completely unplanned! That's why I took so long to update! I hope you guys can forgive me…

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this, and I hope I can be forgiven for killing `a' Hermione… I did warn you several chapters ago that Hermione was going to die…and I do expect that everyone can guess just which Hermione died…I didn't mean to leave that open as a cliffhanger, so I apologize if that happened…it was canon-Hermione that died…

Anyway…funeral next… and some other cool stuff…

Also, the last part with Hermione was purposefully confusing…you'll find out why…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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46. The Finale...

The Finale…

Hermione sat uncomfortable in her chair as she tried to stay still and stop fidgeting. The heavy black clothes she wore were uncomfortable, especially as she had to cover her whole face as much as she could while she was here, and this made her head throb uncomfortably throughout the service. She slammed herself hard for not wanting to be there.

But then again attending your own funeral was never going to be easy.

The last two days had passed in a blur for her. The last memory she had was of stepping in front of Voldemorts spell and the green light filling her sight, and then when she finally came to she was in a hospital bed, being fussed over in hushed whispers as people gawked at her. It took her time to realize why they seemed so intensely interested in her, and then she realized why she was still alive. And what the other Hermione must have sacrificed in place of her.

She looked around the room at the weeping people, and wanted to run. These were faces she had always known, her favourite auntie weeping over her death. Friends and family had all come together to mourn her death.

And then her breathe was taken as she saw a person that previously had only ever been in pictures. Her father was holding her mothers hand as she cried into his chest. Hermione's heart threatened to give in at this, to shatter into a million pieces at what this world was showing her, but she still couldn't tear her eyes from him.

In all the pictures he had always been a grinning early twenties boy, naive and young, taken too early into his life. And here he was before her now, grown and mature, grieving over the loss of his child. She didn't know if she wanted to run to him for comfort or run from the church in tears. Her father, alive and kicking, was heartbroken.

`You shouldn't really be watching them' Harry's hushed voice floated into her head as he sat down next to her.

`Why not?' Hermione said feeling her heart breaking as she carried on staring at them.

`Because it won't end well' Harry said warningly.

`What could happen just by looking?' Hermione said snapping her eyes onto Harry.

`How did it go the last time you didn't listen to me?' Harry said, a steeliness was apparent in his voice as he looked determinedly away.

Hermione felt like she had been slapped round the face, and the only thing that stopped her from returning that slap to Harry was the fact that he was right. It had been her who had come back, against his wishes, and so it had been her fault they were now at Hermione's funeral.

She balled her hands together and looked downwards. There was nothing she could say, nothing she could do to escape the consequences of her actions. She had gone blundering into something without thinking things through, against all of Harry and Albus' wishes, and now the world were under this roof bearing the outcome.

Hermione still had no idea what had happened after she had been knocked out. Harry had briefly explained that the killing curse could only kill one person, so she had luckily lived. He had painfully explained how because Hermione had died protecting him, that he was left with a protection that meant Voldemort couldn't touch him, and his killing curse had rebounded back on him. The only part Hermione really understood was when he said that he had been protected by love.

Hermione stole a glance around the room and saw many people she couldn't recognize. Ron was with his large family, all upset and crying, while Remus was sitting down blank faced in pain besides a man twice the size of a normal human. Harry didn't look at any of these people and seemed to be determined to keep to himself, even though the whole room kept on shooting him nervous glances.

They were nearing the end of the funeral, the priest had spoken at length about what a loss the war had been for everyone. How God would take in all those millions of souls lost, and how the ones responsible would have to stand up for judgement. Her mother had read from the bible, and one or two others had said heartbreakingly beautiful words about her. She, this worlds Hermione, had been loved.

The cremation was about to begin and Hermione could feel her throat tightening and tears coming as the casket started to lower into the ground, ready for the bodies final act.

The room had gone stone silent, only the sounds of sobs echoing against nothing. But as the machine spurned into life, and the casket started making its way into the ground, Harry took her hand.

`I can't do this…I thought I could, but I can't' Harry whispered rapidly, silent tears strolling down his face, his voice breaking with sorrow as he stood up and pulled her after him.

He pulled her along the aisle, all faces turning now to look at what was happening, but Harry kept his face straight ahead unblinking till they got out.

`Harry…' the giant said as they walked past his aisle, his voice breaking up between sobs as he looked down from his height at Harry.

`Not now, Hagrid' Harry said, his voice without emotion and not even turning to look at the giant.

Hermione followed Harry as they tried to walk out of the church, she was wishing that no one would recognize her, and thrown even more confusion and heart break into the day, but by Harry almost running out she knew she couldn't guarantee it.

She could hear murmuring around the room, and from her peripheral vision see people were even standing up and craning their necks to get a better look at them as they ran from the funeral but as they reached the exit a man stepped in front of them to block there paths. And for the first time since the war, since so many lives had been lost, they were face to face with Ron.

`You said you'd protect her' Ron said standing in front of Harry.

`Ron…please…' Harry said, pleading laying in every syllable.

`No!' Ron shouted, his face reddening to match his blood shot eyes `you promised me that she'd be safe!'

`And I'm sorry' Harry said looking at his once best friend.

`No your not! You have her!' Ron said throwing Hermione a distasteful look which Hermione couldn't blame him for under these circumstances `I trusted you when you said she'd be safe, and I didn't even get to say goodbye!'

`If I could swap places with her, don't you think I would?' Harry said, anger in his voice as he looked down at his feet `don't you think I'd change things if I could?'

`You have a time machine!' Ron said disbelievingly, his voice shaking with anger.

`I can't change it' Harry said looking up at Ron `I cant cross my own time line…'

`You always have an excuse' Ron said shaking his head in anger at Harry `and the excuse is always because another person has died for you…'

Harry stood dumbstruck looking at Ron, completely lost for words. The room was silent and Hermione knew all eyes were now on them as they stood there facing each other for several long seconds.

Ron finally seemed to gather what he was doing, and with one last look of distaste moved out of the way. Harry carried on looking at Ron for a few seconds, before turning to face the exit and walking through.

Hermione ran after him, catching him effortlessly, and fell easily into step with him as they walked down the quiet street.

`Harry…' Hermione started.

`Please don't' Harry interrupted shaking his head `I don't have the strength left'

`But I'm here for you… when you want to talk' Hermione said slowly. Harry turned to her without breaking step and shot her a weak smile.

Hermione thought she could hear something and stopped to look around, but the street seemed empty.

`What is it?' Harry said looking at her with an eyebrow raised.

`Just thought I could hear something, that's all' Hermione said stepping up closer to him.

`Really?' Harry said scanning the quiet street interestedly.

`It's nothing' Hermione said shaking her head `it's just been a long day'

`We just found out you have magical powers, and you want me to believe hearing things is nothing?' Harry said sceptically.

`Harry!' a new voice bellowed from down the street breaking their concentration.

Hermione wheeled round to see who had called this, and saw an old man walking towards them. Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that this guy looked something like an old tired lion as he limped up closer to them, a fake smile on his face.

`Scrimgeour, your still minister?' Harry said, his voice sounded both amazed and mocking.

`Voted in by a landslide majority' the man said grinning.

`Well…' Harry said disbelievingly, before he shook his head and planted a smile on his face `good for you!'

`Thank you, Mr Potter' the man said genially as he inspected Harry `and may I say how pleased I am that you were once more around to help the Ministry'

`Help the Ministry?' Harry said throwing his head back in laughter `I beat Voldemort again!'

`I assure you my Government had plans' Scrimgeour said with a smile.

`Sure' Harry said looking at he man as if amazed by what he was saying `may I ask why you've left a funeral early to talk to me?'

`Official business, I'm sorry' he said, but his smile didn't look sorry at all `but what is this I hear about a time machine?'

`Oh' Harry said blinking in confusion, before adopting the voice of an adult speaking to a two year old `its for travelling through time'

`You have one?' Scrimgeour said frowning at Harry's lack of tact.

`Yeah' Harry said coldly.

`May I confirm that you know all the laws about time-travel' Scrimgeour said frowning even more `and more specifically Section 32 of the Temporal Declaration?'

`That time travel is illegal under any and all circumstances' Harry said brightly `of course I know it'

`Good good' Scrimgeour said, still frowning heavily.

`But I don't listen to it' Harry added as brightly as Hermione had ever heard him. She knew how much Harry loved being in trouble, and how this was exactly what he needed.

`Well, you must realize that since you have returned that that behaviour can't carry on?' Scrimgeour said determinedly. Hermione noticed that the mans eyes shot onto Harry's wand, only for a fraction of a second, but enough to tell her that he was ready for a fight.

`I will carry on…' Harry said stepping forward, face to face with the man. Harry may have been younger and slimmer, but somehow he seemed to fill more room than the Minister.

The man seemed to take a small step back, before regrouping and stepping back face to face with Harry, determined not to back down.

`Then you will be seeing Minister Aurors soon' Scrimgeour said menacingly.

`You do not want to threaten me…' Harry said, his voice low and sharp which made the hairs on the back of Hermione's neck stand on end. The voice seemed to belong to someone other than her Harry.

`I'm the minister of magic!' the man said confidently `and you're just some kid who got lucky!'

Harry shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.

`I use to be a man who had so much mercy, forgave nearly anything…and I wish that man was here right now…that I was him once again…' Harry said all this as he looked into the distance `but I'm not'

`What do you mean' Scrimgeour said confused.

Harry's eyes shone brightly for a second and Hermione thought she saw something…something…inhuman…behind them. But as quickly as it had sparkled it had disappeared.

`This is what I mean' Harry said angrily `I'm a completely different man now, different to what you remember, and even different to how I was a week ago…and if you think for one second even that you can try and bully me into anything then you are much mistaken'

`The law and society is on my side' he said forcefully.

`And so am I…' Harry said leaning in closer to the ministers face, his voice getting lower and more menacing `and because of that I'll give you the greatest bit of advice ever given throughout time…'

Scrimgeour seemed almost worried as he looked into Harry's eyes, and Hermione wondered if he had seen a glimpse of something.

`What is it?' he asked interestedly.

`Stay out of my way…' Harry said forcefully `now, in the future, and even in the past…because if our paths cross again, and during any of them your in my way…'

Harry leant in even closer and just stared into the mans eyes, who seemed to be struck dumb at Harry's behaviour.

`Just stay out of my way' Harry said slowly as he turned away and started to walk of down the road once more.

Hermione turned on her foot and chased after him, falling into step beside him. Hermione was breathing quickly, not because of the walking they were doing or her injuries, but because Harry had actually scared her just then, something he had never done before.

`Have you really changed?' she asked quietly.

`I guess so…' Harry said without looking at her.

Hermione didn't know what to say as she walked beside him. A week ago everything was different. Now the war had touched so many, and while she had survived she wasn't so sure Harry had. Not the same Harry he had been before it, anyway.

`What are you going to do?' Harry said as he stopped and turned to face her.

`Um…' Hermione said feeling her heart beating faster.

`I'm rich in this world…' Harry said seriously `really really rich…I can buy you a house and make it so you have money for your entire life…I even have a lot of sway over at Hogwarts and could arrange for you to be trained in magic?'

`Oh…' Hermione said slowly `and what about you?'

`Same old life' Harry said shrugging `travelling from one adventure to the next'

`And you don't…' Hermione said nervously `you don't want me to come?'

`Of course I do!' Harry said laughing.

`Then why offer that?' Hermione asked feeling herself calm.

`I didn't think…after everything…' Harry said running a hand through his hair as he looked at her smiling weakly `this life is difficult and dangerous'

`So what's different?' Hermione said laughing.

`This world will be harsher, more powerful' Harry said smiling at her.

`So you're lucky I'll be there to save you then!' Hermione said grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him forward. The air was getting chilly now and she wanted to get to wherever they were going.

`I guess time will prove if your right' Harry said chuckling slightly before he added `I hope you don't mind but I took the device from you while you were unconscious?'

`Its yours' Hermione said truthfully, feeling slightly abashed that she had just taken it before.

`Firstly, it's ours' Harry said turning to face her `and secondly, watch this'

Harry raised a set of keys from his pocked, the set of keys she had seen everyday for a year now, and pressed the button on the front.

Hermione's heart leapt as she heard her favourite noise in the world, the rumbling of an engine ripping through time and space. It was quieter than a normal car, and phased louder and the quieter, but with every second her adrenaline pumped more and more.

And then it appeared, the blue Ford Anglia she thought she'd never see again. Her home.

After doing the really embarrassing girl thing of squealing and hugging Harry which she was mortified about, she ran to the door and pulled it open and stepped in.

For days she had been stuck in another world, a world where she was dead and now friendless, but standing there, in the large open room of the Anglia, she couldn't help but feel at home.

She pulled of her hat, removed her glasses and scarf and took one long deep breathe. She felt alive again, fresh and finally happy once more.

`You like what you see?' Harry said stepping in after her and walking up to the pensieve, stroking it in the way he usually did as he reached it.

`I love it!' Hermione said joining him around the centre. She noticed that her chair was there in the right place and a crazy thought hit her `how did you get this back?'

`It was easy' Harry said, the silver fog shading his face magnificently `you just have to know where to look'

`But I thought you said the archway was locked now?' Hermione said, now daring to hope a little more `that we couldn't go back to my world?'

`We cant go back to your world…' Harry said stopping what he was doing and standing up properly to face her, sadness shadowing his features `remember that I couldn't use that device from your world to get back here because it would fracture the world…this world isn't any different, if we use that device this world will end…the archway is a doorway to the void, and I needed it…pulling yourself from nothing to something is easy, especially as you are technically something, its kinda like osmosis…but it cant work the other way around.

`So how did you get the Anglia back?' Hermione asked, her stomach falling slightly.

`This is the original' Harry said looking around the interior `I've known this car since I was twelve'

`Oh' Hermione said, her heart falling down slightly as hopes of seeing her mother was dashed. All she could do now was try and not think about what was lost, to save that for another day, but to concentrate on the future `so why did you have a car when you were twelve?'

`That's a long story' Harry said with a smile `and one day I may even show you'

`So you had the Anglia in my world because of this old thing?' Hermione teased.

This isn't just some old thing!' Harry said mock hurt `this car once saved me from being eaten by a bunch of oversized spiders!'

`How can a car do that?' Hermione asked curiously.

`I forgot to say… this one is a little different to the one in your world' Harry said smiling to himself as he looked down at the pensieve `it's…slightly…alive'

`How can something be slightly alive?' Hermione asked in genuine interest.

`It doesn't have a brain or organs or even a proper digestive system' Harry said grinning `but…it'll be more fun if you find out as we go along!'

`Your idea of more fun isn't the same as everyone else's!' Hermione said laughing as she lowered herself into her chair. She knew Harry was now on a roll, and that very soon they'd be going somewhere. It was Harry's way, that glint in his eye, that signalled when a new adventure was going to start.

`Your sense of fun is the same as mine' Harry teased `otherwise why else would you still be here with me?'

`Um…' Hermione said pretending to think hard about the answer `maybe it's the witty banter your so good at!'

Hermione laughed as Harry used both his hands to grab at his heart as if he was mortally wounded by her words, before rolling his eyes and standing back up to look down into the pensieve. Hermione noticed that his wand was now ready in his hand.

`So, where to?' Hermione asked, her heart pumping faster with adrenaline.

`A million places…we have a whole new world to explore' Harry said sighing, his eyes sparkling with excitement `I guess your going to have to see Hogwarts, meet the Weasleys, you gotta see some Quidditch, Sirius…oh and your probably gonna have to meet my parents some time'

`Your parents?' Hermione stuttered out, her heart beating faster for an entirely different reason now.

`Yeah, but don't worry' Harry said with a worried look `I've never met them either'

Hermione looked at Harry as he stared at the pensieve and could almost see the gears turning inside his head. Harry had the whole of time and space once more before him, with a world he hadn't even seen yet. She couldn't believe how hard a decision he had been faced with.

`Any ideas where to first?' Hermione asked after a few seconds of contemplation.

`Plenty' Harry said distractedly.

`And are you gonna choose one today?' Hermione teased.

`I got it!' Harry said spinning around in excitement and dropping to his knees before her.

Harry was now so close that he had both his hands on her legs, and Hermione felt her heart fluttering once more. It felt like an eternity had passes since they were last this close, within real touching distance of each other, and she wished that it would never end.

`This is something I've always wanted to see, but it was impossible in the other world' Harry said, his words dripping with anticipation as he removed his hands from her legs and stood up to walk over to the pensieve `maybe, if I'm super lucky, then maybe…'

`Are you going to share this with me?' Hermione asked eagerly.

`Nope' Harry said laughing as he pushed his wand up next to his forehead `it's a whole new world for you, so you'll have to wait to see it with your eyes!'

`A whole new world' Hermione said softly as she looked up at Harry from her chair. He was pulling the thoughts from his mind with a boyish grin that she had feared she'd never see again.

`And it's gonna be…' Harry said dropping the thoughts into the pensieve as he grinned at her, the twinkle going like crazy behind his deep green eyes.

`Fantastic'

*

The End…

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47. Authors Note

I updated this at the same time as the last chapter, so if you haven't read the funeral, then that's a chapter back…

Authors Note:

So that was the first part of my story, and the sequel will be starting in the next 6 months. Now, if you're like me and not a fan on sequels, then hopefully I can lay your mind at rest in this note. First of, this was always the plan, and originally it was just going to be one very very large story. But the whole Bad Wolf story, and what is coming next (by the way it's pretty darn good in my opinion), that span each part I thought worked better in two parts. Also it does give me a little bit of rest in-between them, seeing as this one has taken more than six months to write! If you enjoyed this then the sequel will be just as good, if not better, as it will be the exact same format. A new time zone to mark each new `adventure', with lots of clues and hints throughout to lead up to the finale... Plus, now I've brought them back to canon-world I have some cool characters to use, and some very fun storylines worked out!

The Reviewers:

You reviewers have been wonderful! An absolute godsend to me, and I can guarantee you that if you hadn't been so loyal this story would NEVER have been finished…thank you…With the slightly different feel and idea of this story it obviously doesn't have the mass-market appeal of Portkey, so I don't have as many readers for this story as I have for anything else, so I have to put my complete faith in this behind the few people who review…towards the end I was thinking about how to repay you all for getting this finished…the obvious ideas came into my head, thank you all in this note individually, but it seemed a little bit too easy… I mean, LOTS of writers do that one, but not LOTS of stories are finished solely because of the reviewers…so I had to come up with something better…so I decided that the people who reviewed must like this story, so what would be better than to write a SPECIAL ADVENTURE just for those people? A really fun , special adventure that would be emailed to them, but NEVER posted… I, personally, really liked the idea, and hope you do to? I have a very good plot idea that I would have loved to use in the sequel for this, but I am going to send it to you instead…so, the loyal reviewers, please leave your email…and to those who would have liked to read this adventure (its going to be VERY fun!!!) but haven't been reviewing, I am REALLY sorry about this, but the reviewers helped this story so much that they deserve it, and there's no other way I can thank them as much as this…

An Appeal:

For the sequel I'm looking for some help. I know it's cheeky for a writer to ask for help, but with this story I think I can as it is rather unique with its layout! I want ANYONE out there to come up with an `adventure' for the duo…I don't care if you have NO EXPERIENCE at writing, I don't even care if you cant speak English, because as long as the story line is good enough I can work on the rest…the one thing I need is a WHOLE storyline for the adventure, an A-B-C plot, no `please send them to the American Civil War' because, for one thing, I know nothing about it…so WHOLE storylines please…you can send them ANYWHERE you want, any period of time in the past or the future (even 2007 if you really want)…obviously if anyone takes this up I will work as the BETA for you, and I may have to change a thing or two to keep in with the overall storyline of the sequel…just bear in mind that people will be reading your story, it'll be fun, and the more people who come up with great storylines mean that the story will be much longer! I will write as many as I did for this one, and anyone else's will be extra fun! Oh, one last condition, obviously you cant use major characters for your story as I have a plan for the likes of the Weasleys, Ginny, Hagrid and the rest…And PLEASE someone take up this offer!!!

The Sequel:

I know what's coming, but I think it only fair if I give you a taste…Ginny will be in it and that will be devishly fun! And I know how much you must all be missing everyone's favourite redhead, plus we get to see how Ron deals with Hermione's death…The Ministry comes up with a plan that could catch even Harry of guard…the Marauders make a fun, but murderous, outing for duo…Harry shows his `darker' side on too many occasions…a seductress with a dark secret called Miss Mady takes a shine to our hero…and we finally get to meet the Emperor of the Dementors…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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