Simple Twist of Fate

Chapter 7: You Didn't See It Was Time to Go Home.

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A/N: I was really happy with how my last chapter turned out and I'm not sure how exactly I'm going to follow that one up. Well, I guess its back to my character oriented chapter. In this one, you'll see a little bit of aftermath (the aftermath will be weeded into the story, rather than a block of exposition). And at the end, we will see the first chapter featuring the Potter Family Christmas!

Well, I hope you enjoy and I look forward to any and all reviews.

P.S. And as always, points to the person who gets the reference from the title.

***

The shockwave of Voldemort's appearance sent a shiver down the proverbial school spine. Most everyone in the school didn't feel that it would be a common occurrence, but it still left enough of an impression that it made Hogwarts a little bit less friendly. Dumbledore did his best to try and quell the fears of there possibly being a second attack, but a lot of the students, especially the Muggleborns just wouldn't hear another of it.

It was a good thing that there was Hermione or else the Gryffindor first years would have gone completely insane, for they had the most Muggleborns and non-magical half bloods of any house. With Harry still in the hospital wing, it seemed like it was her job to be leader of the first years in Gryffindor. Luna, Ron and Oscar helped too, but Ron was insensitive, most of the Gryffindors still didn't trust Oscar and Luna was so far out that a lot of people wouldn't listen to her.

In the hospital wing, both Harry and Katie were very luck, as Madam Pomfrey arranged them to have beds right next to each other, so they could keep each other company and it would be easier to be visited. The whole Quidditch team, along with Ron, Hermione, Oscar and Luna were there daily during all their breaks until Madam Pomfrey kicked them out.

Harry and Katie spent a lot of time getting to know each other in the weeks that they spent locked up in the Hospital Wing and they realized they actually had a lot in Common, besides Quidditch. She too lived among Muggles. She was a half blood and when her parents divorced, she moved in with her Muggle mother and boyfriend, leaving her father in the Wizarding World. While most English children looked forward to spending their summer holiday in another country, Katie looked forward to spending it in the Wizarding World.

She too was somewhat of an outsider before she came to Hogwarts. There must be something about witches and wizards living among Muggles that made them feel like outsiders. Unlike Harry, she did find solace in Muggle sports. She participated in field hockey and football, which she still did for summer holidays, to keep her speed and strength sharp.

They also determined that their fathers played Quidditch together when they were at Hogwarts. Don Bell was several years older than James Potter, so they only played together for a few years, but they were both chasers.

All though Harry found a new friend in Katie, the highlight of his day is when Hermione would stick around after the rest of the visitors left and just talked to Harry. Not about the prophecy or Voldemort or school work, but about regular things that kids would talk about on a day to day basis. Sometimes Katie would join in the conversation, but often she would just entertain herself with a book, knowing that this was important to Harry.

After a whole month of being in the hospital wing, both Katie Bell and Harry Potter were allowed to leave. “Hermione… if I ever get hurt again like that… just kill me and put me out my misery first.” Harry laughed as he gave Hermione the first real hug in almost a month.

“Don't talk like that! Being in the Hospital Wing is a lot better than being in one of You-Know-Who's torture cells.” Hermione scolded him as she returned the hug.

Harry laughed again and pointed towards Katie who was still standing behind him. “She's the only thing that made it better… well and your nightly visits too.” Hermione shrugged and they continued to walk through the courtyard, so Harry could get some fresh air.

“Well, I'm going to head in, guys. I'll catch up with you later. See you, Harry.” She smiled sweetly and then walked off into the castle. Hermione wasn't sure why that bothered her a bit, but it did. Could she be jealous of his new found friendship with his teammate? They were on the team together; it would only make sense that they would become friends… right?

By the time Harry got out, it was already mid December and Christmas was already on everyone's mind. On December 14^th, the 4^th years and up would have the Yule ball and the next day, everyone who would be heading home would board the Hogwarts Express and they wouldn't come back until January 9^th.

Christmas was always one of Hermione's favorite events, as it would bring her whole family together. Hermione's family was all over the world. Her paternal Grandfather was spending his retirement in Ireland in a beautiful house overlooking the shores. Her maternal Grandparents were in New York City, living where they lived since they emigrated from France. Her Aunts and Uncles were spread across the globe, so she didn't get to see them that often. Christmas was the once chance for everyone to get together at the Granger's house.

This year it wasn't the same however. For one reason or another, every member of the family was hung up on something. It would just be her parents, Julie and her for Christmas. But, then again she would be right next door to Harry and that at least gave her something to do for the rest of the holiday. Wait! What was she going to get Harry? He did all that work for her Birthday, she should return it for Christmas, but what could she do. Well, she did have a pretty good idea, but she didn't exactly want to resort to it.

“Fred… George… I need a favor.” Hermione asked as she approached the Weasley Twins in the Common Room.

At the sound their names, they immediately jumped into action and swooped around the girl. “Ah, Hermione, darling…”

“What can we do for you?”

Hermione bit her lower lip, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “You want to win the next Quidditch match, right?” They both looked at her as if she was crazy and decided not to qualify that question with a response. “Well, you're not going to do it unless Harry has a better broom.”

That last bit interested them. “First years can't have brooms on campus.” George reminded her.

“But when has that stopped us… What do you have in mind?” Fred asked her.

Hermione bit her lower lip again and continued. “Well, you're third years, you can go to Hogsmeade, and where I believe there is a broom shop. If I give you the money, would you get a broom and then send it to my house for me?”

Fred and George smiled at each other with a glint of mischief in their eyes. “Now, you're talking, Granger, but that doesn't explain how he'll get to keep it.”

“Right. I was thinking that we could keep it with the school brooms and I could bewitch it so that it responds… badly when anyone but Harry rides it.” Hermione smiled at what she had come up with for a scheme.

Fred and George's eyes lit up in a way she had never seen before. “We might just have to let you into the club… by the way what broom did you have in mind.”

Hermione pulled out a piece of paper that looked like it came from some sort of catalogue. “I've been talking to Ron and he said that this one… the Nimbus 2000 is probably the best racing broom out there right now… I know it's a lot, but I have the money right here.” She pulled out a sack of coins that looked to be pretty weighty. “200 galleons.” Fred and George looked as if they had just seen the most money they had ever seen in their entire lives… too bad to say, it probably was. “Both my parents are dentists… they make quite a bit and my Dad still gets paid for work that he did when he was younger and that still pays a lot.”

Wordlessly, Fred and George nodded and too the money bag and the ad for the Nimbus 2000. “Um… yeah… of course we'll do this, Hermione.”

“Anything for the team.” She smiled and gave them both a quick hug and ran off towards her dorm room.

When she got there, she almost airily flopped on to her bed with her eyes closed. Little did she know, Lavender Brown had already turned in for the night to do some light reading. “Why are you floating, `Mione? You and Harry have a close encounter in a broom closet?”

Hermione got wide eyed and turned a brilliant shade of red. “What are you talking about…? Lavender… I've never… err… um.” Lavender put her book down and doubled over in laughter, causing her bed to shake.

“I'm just kidding, but it's obvious that you have it bad for Harry. Just a friendly observation… Luna, Parvati, Anna and I were all talking about it earlier today. It's actually kind of cute.” Hermione started to stammer again, making Lavender bust out into another burst of laughter. “If it makes you feel better, Harry's a boy. I'd imagine he's completely thick towards the whole situation.”

Hermione sighed a bit. “But, I don't fancy him like that.”

“Uh huh… just keep telling yourself that.” Lavender rolled over and continued to read her book, leaving Hermione completely lost in her thoughts. Did she really think of him like that? Did she really want Harry to be more than just a friend to her? Why did she feel obligated to spend more money than she had on a Christmas gift for him? Rather than rack her brain for answers, she decided it would be best to get some sleep.

Hermione woke up the next morning to the sound of Luna's voice telling her to get up. It was Saturday and the day of the Hogsmeade visit that the Weasleys would get Harry's broom and the day of the Yule Ball. On her way downstairs, Hermione walked passed the 4^th and 5^th Years' dorms and saw girls frantically trying on dresses, yelling about how they would need to get them altered before they wore them that night.

Dressing girly never appealed to Hermione, mostly because it was just downright uncomfortable. Why would she want to wear clothes that were uncomfortable just to make her look a little extra pretty? Not that it would help much at all. She wasn't what a person would call your classic beauty.

“Hermione! Ready to go?” Harry asked as he saw her descend down the staircase. He was completely decked out in all of his snow gear and had a look on his face that looked like he was ready to do battle.

Hermione looked at him strangely. “Ready to go where?”

“Snowball fight in the courtyard. First and Second Year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs vs. First and Second Year Slytherins and Ravenclaws.” Harry said excitedly, giving Hermione a wide smile. She ran back upstairs to fetch her snow gear and flew back down, seeing that everyone else was ready but her.

Witches and wizards really knew how to have a good snowball war. Every year on the day of the last Hogsmeade visit before the Christmas holiday, the heads of houses set up a snowball fight for all the students unable to attend the outing. When all the First and Second Years got down the courtyard, they saw a winter wonderland set up to look exactly like a war ground, complete with trenches.

For the whole afternoon, the young students battled in good spirits and they only decided to quit because Slytherin was starting to curse everything they sent over. Once inside, Harry, Hermione, Oscar, Katie, Ron, and Luna went up to the Gryffindor common room and sat by the fire with mugs of hot chocolate. “You know, Harry… I could probably convince my Dad to lend you his broom… he wants to see Gryffindor get the house cup as much as anyone.”

Harry looked up and smiled at his new friend. “Yeah, that'd be great.”

Luna and Ron gave Hermione a bit of a knowing smile, which coincided with Fred and George coming back from Hogsmeade and turning to Hermione saying, “Mischief managed, Granger,” in unison.

“So, Oscar… what are your plans for the holiday?” Hermione asked, not sure how Death Eaters celebrated the holiday.

He shook his head. “Death Eaters don't celebrate Christmas. It involves worshiping something that isn't the Dark Lord.”

”Wait. Your parents are Death Eaters?” Katie asked with genuine surprise. She was new to the whole group and it hadn't really come up in conversation since she had joined the group.

Oscar simply nodded. “You never can truly tell, can you? If they aren't now they were… and old habits die hard. I was actually planning on staying here… the less time I'm at home, the better.”

Harry and Hermione looked at each other knowingly. “Oz… you know, Hermione and I live next door to each other. Why don't you come home with one of us?”

He shook his head adamantly. “No, I wish I could, but I'm going to be in enough trouble if a certain ferret tells his Dad that I'm friends with you guys and my parents find out. I'd be lucky if I was allowed to come back.”

Rather than press the subject any longer, Hermione decided to move on to classes and how excited she was about the up and coming term, causing Ron to roll his eyes and leave. Luna gave both Harry and Hermione a worried look and then decided to join Ron, against her better judgment.

“Well, guys, I better be going. Alicia wants me to help me do her make-up. She says she's dreadful when it comes to that stuff. Ah, the benefits of being raised with the Muggles.” She smiled and then got up to go towards the Girls Dormitories.

With Katie off of the couch that she and Harry were sharing, Hermione brought her feet up off the floor and pulled them to her chest. Then in an unexpected move, she flopped over and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. “If only all Muggleborns could be that lucky.”

“'Mione, you're beautiful without all of that stuff on your face. You don't need it in the least.” Harry smiled down at her, making her look at him with a disgusted look on her face.

“Thank you, Harry. You're sweet, but there's no need to lie to make me feel better.” Both Harry and Oscar rolled their eyes, deciding that there would be no winning that argument, at least as long as Hermione was still conscious.

Rather than do anything else for the rest of the evening, the trio simply decided to get into their pajamas and hang out by the fire place until it was time for bed. Enjoy each other's company in a way that they haven't had the ability to because of certain attacks on the school.

On a second look, Harry didn't realize how much Hermione belittled herself in terms of appearances. He didn't have the chance to see it for the Halloween Ball, because they were too busy fighting trolls, but Hermione had such a longing face as she looked at all the girls dressed up, going to the dance with their dates.

Harry was completely lost at what to do to make her feel better; it hurt him to see her hurt like this. “So, Oz… fancy a chess match?” Harry looked up at his other friend, hoping to keep `Mione's mind off of the night.

***

The sun was beginning to set at the forest outpost on the outskirts of the Hogwarts Ground as Remus Lupin returned from a day in the field. Since the top of the month, Lupin had been secretly guarding Hogwarts with Nymphadora Tonks, Bill Weasley, Octavius Maroni, and Harold Brown and it was really starting to wear on his spirits and body. Now that the full moon was coming up, he was even more on edge.

“Wotcher, Remus, you don't look good!” Tonks shouted as he entered the outpost with notable scratches and hunched over, like he was about to completely lose his balance. She rushed over to him and helped him into a large, over stuffed chair.

“Ha! No, I'm an old man, playing a young man's game. If it weren't for Harry up at the castle, I wouldn't be out here. Sirius told me I was the lucky one… if only, if only,” Lupin let out a hearty laugh, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table in front of him.

The forest outpost was set outside the Forbidden Forest, on the opposite end of Hagrid's hut as if to create somewhat of a wall, protecting the perimeter completely. Like the opposite hut, it was set up to feel like a home away from home. Dumbledore didn't want any of the aurors to be battle worn before the battle actually came. The fireplace was where Tonks and Lupin spent most of their time when they weren't out stalking the grounds.

“Remus, let me make us some dinner.” Tonks smiled patting his leg before she walked into the kitchen that was attached to the main room.

“You play nurse and you cook? Damn, you'll make someone a good wife one day.” Remus called in towards the kitchen, causing Tonks to blush a bit.

“Aren't I a little too young for you, Wolfie?” She asked slyly, poking her head, which now had neon green hair out from behind a counter.

Remus squirmed a bit in his chair at the question. “Erm… you're also a little too feminine for me too… my furry little problem isn't the only secret I had Padfoot and Prongs keep for me.” Tonk's eyes grew huge as she began to forcefully apologize. Remus got another healthy laugh out of watching the incredibly uncomfortable auror try to make it up to him, which he quickly declined.

“My dear, it is nothing worth getting worked up over. I'm a werewolf and I am also a half blood. I have far bigger things to worry about than whether or not I find women attractive.” Remus got up and put his arm on the young girl. “I'm just grateful that I have been able to spend these past two months in such great company.”

Tonks again blushed and then turned back to the kitchen. “So, do you have anything in mind for dinner?”

Remus simply nodded. “Yes. It's getting to be… that time of the month again. So if there're any steaks left, I'd quite fancy one… rare.” Tonks let out a snort and went back to fixing their dinner.

***

The holiday season was always a favorite time for James and Lily Potter. When they were young, they always were looking forward to spending the holidays with their families, as that was the one time of the year that they actually had time to be around them. Naturally, they were both very excited on December 15^th when the Hogwarts Express was due in. James even got there an hour early, so he wouldn't have to worry about crowds.

“David Granger! How are you doing to day, sir?” James walked over and shook Mr. Granger's hand firmly. “Can you believe their first team is over already?”

David smiled and nodded. “It will just be nice to have Hermione home for a little bit. I've missed her terribly. Marie and I both have.” David always had a close relationship with his youngest daughter, mostly to make up for how distant he was with his eldest in her formative years. He was completely lost with out Hermione around the house. “It's just too bad the family won't be joining us for Christmas this year. Just us.”

James stood back and thought for a second. “Hey, why don't you come over to our house for Christmas Eve dinner? Christmas isn't a time to be alone, it's for families and I have a strange feeling Harry and Hermione have gotten close enough to be family. It'll be great; we have my two best friends coming, a few co-workers, and perhaps one of Harry's teachers stopping by.”

Unsure of how to answer, David was left speechless. “James, that's nice of you, but I wouldn't want to intrude.”

“I insist. Harry and Hermione would have so much fun together. Harry rarely has someone his age to spend time with; this will be good for them.” David knew that he was right. In her letters home, Hermione talked more about Harry than she did herself, which it was great she had friends, but he really wished that she hadn't mentioned Halloween. He could have done without knowing about the troll.

David smiled at James and nodded emphatically. “Of course, I'll have to run it by Marie, but I'm sure she'd be okay with it. Between you and me, she was kind of depressed about her parents and sisters not joining us for the holiday. Hey, erm, shouldn't you clear it with Lily first?”

“Actually, we had talked about it earlier. Before we knew if you had plans or not. It was more or less her idea.” James patted his new friend on the back and he warmly returned it.

David stood their awkwardly and began to look around, wondering what time it was, hoping that Hermione would arrive soon. “James, what was Hogwarts like when you were there? Hermione hasn't told me much.”

“Well, um… lets see… there's nothing really to worry about. The teachers are all wonderful, except for the so called Potions Teacher. I didn't have him, but he was a classmate of mine. Brilliant, but a horrible bloke. If you're worried about Hermione getting hurt with all the magic flying around, don't be. Dumbledore wouldn't let anything happen to a student while he's headmaster.” James explained, watching his friend as he tried to take everything.

Dumbledore? David had heard that name before. Back when the large bloke came into their home and explained the Wizarding World to them. “You seem to be a fan of this Dumbledore bloke too. The guy who gave Hermione her letter was just as pleased with him… big fellow too.”

“Ah yes, Hagrid. An old friend of mine… he might even be coming to dinner.” James smiled, remembering his old friend. “But yeah, there's nothing to worry about now that Sirius and I have graduated. We caused a lot of trouble in our day.”

David wasn't exactly excited to hear about people causing trouble with magic. He didn't think it was something to be messed around with, but who was he to argue. He was only a Muggle. “Ah. Here they are.” David pointed towards a large sea of children that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. “There's Hermione and Harry!” The two gentlemen saw Harry and Hermione warmly saying goodbye to a redheaded boy and a bleached blonde haired girl. Once they spotted their parents they began running towards them.

“DADDY!” Hermione jumped into his arms as soon as soon as she got close to her father and Harry did the same, but a lot less excitedly and Hermione-like.

“Well, shall we go? Where's your car, James?” David asked the black haired wizard who was putting down his son.

“I actually don't have one with me right now… I apperated… err teleported here… would you mind giving us a lift, I forgot how big these trunks were.” James asked shyly, but David graciously agreed, leading the company to his car.

Needless to say, The Grangers were insanely well off. David still got royalties from his work in the music industry and he and his wife were currently dentists. Both of them paid very well and they were reflected in his black 1991 BMW E31. It was small, yet large enough to fit the Grangers and any random luggage that they needed to be carried along with them.

”Daddy… do you think Harry could spend the night with us tonight?” Hermione asked her father once they were in the car and driving towards home.

David wasn't entirely sure. He wouldn't exactly like it if Hermione decided not to spend her first night home… away from him. “I don't know, honey… Harry hasn't seen his family in a long time. But if it's okay with James, we'd love to have him.”

“Of course it's okay. We're at the school all the time, and we're flexible. We'll move the welcome home dinner to tomorrow. That's easy enough.” James smiled at Harry's new found friendship after remembering a talk from a year ago where Harry placed Hermione as weird. He felt that this was the start of a beautiful friendship.

A/N: Okay, so we had a little Harry/Hermione, Katie Bell, Remus, David and James… really full chapter (hope it wasn't too full). Well, I really hope you all enjoy this chapter (It's not my favorite, but I needed to write it) and I hope none of you kill me over some of my Remus developments… Well, I look forward to your reviews.

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