Chapter nine … I hope you're enjoying this fic as much as I enjoy writing it …short fluff…scratch that it's a little long but I think the ending is coming soon. Thanks for the wonderful reviews. Sorry I wasn't able to update soon….
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Chapter 9: Taking the Risk
"You want me to help Neville my most incompetent student to make a memory reviving potion. Draco I thought you are better than this. You know pretty well that Neville isn't exactly a very reliable person," Snape blurted. I hate it when he ignores me like I don't exist. Harry, Draco and I went to Snape's home to personally ask him for help. I couldn't bring Ron along because he still hated Snape. Draco on the other hand had been Snape's favorite ever since and I thought he can convince the old slimy potions master to help.
"Can you make the potion or not?" I had enough of his nonsense. I probably got his attention because he was staring at me.
"Ms. Granger, you of all people should know that procedure like what you're asking me is very dangerous. All I'm saying is your beloved Potter might die if he undergoes the treatment especially with Longbottom involved," Snape acknowledged my presence.
"Excuse me sir. I think Longbottom is a very good doctor. He had been able to cure a number of difficult memory cases," Harry addressed Snape respectfully. He really doesn't remember anything, that's for sure. So does that mean Harry even tried to protect the people who didn't treat him well, like the Dursleys or Snape. Harry's a saint.
"Well, you must have suffered severe memory lose if you think highly of Longbottom," Snape smirked. I have never liked Snape in the past and I do not like him now. He's being stubborn and unreasonable.
"With all due respect Severus I don't think it would be much of a risk if you're the one working on the potion. Longbottom would just be assisting. You still know the procedure and only an expert like you can do it," Draco now resorts to flattering the former head of the Slytherin house. I have to say Snape still has a soft side for his little pet, as I jokingly call Draco.
"Okay, I'll only agree to this because I know I owe Potter my life just like anyone of us in the wizarding world. But I have to remind you that he would be taking a risk if he drinks the potion. The memory-reviving potion had been known for many years but only a few can make them and still drinking it is very risky. It can become a very lethal poison if done the wrong way and working with Longbottom on a very serious potion like this I cannot promise anything," It was a little reassuring when Snape admitted that all of us are in debt with Harry but it scared the crap out of me when he told us that drinking the potion can also kill. I know that Neville is a successful doctor and all but he himself admitted that he doesn't fancy the idea of working with Snape. What would happen to Harry if anything goes wrong?
"I'll make you a deal. Let Harry decide if he's willing to take the risk of drinking a potion Neville Longbottom and I will make then I will agree. Don't tell me I didn't warn you. Chillster may have patience with Longbottom but may I remind you that Longbottom and I never had any good relations whatsoever," Snape said. I can't believe Professor Sinistra married him. He's so annoyingly rude.
"I am willing to take the risk sir if it means I'll have a chance to get my memory back," Harry said.
"I said think about it. You may have lost your memory Potter but you're still stubbornly brave, no wonder you lost your memory. Rethink this over and over. Believe me Potter this isn't just whether you get your memory back or you don't. The choices are between remembering or dying." Snape's words sent chills down my spine. I can't lose Harry again. I just wouldn't know what I'd do if I lose him again.
Harry looked at me. It made me feel so conscious. "I'll think about it. Thanks for your time sir," Harry said and he stood up. Draco and I followed him.
"Thanks for coming with us Draco," Harry said when we got out of the house.
"Actually, if Sinistra was only there she could have talked Severus to do the procedure but I have to agree with him. The potion would only be either effective or lethal. So going through it is quiet a risk. Only four out of twenty people had survived the memory reviving potion," Draco explained. In my mind a debate was going on. Is his memory really important to you? Do you want to lose Harry again what if the potion doesn't work are you willing to take the risk?
"Hermione, are you okay? Should I just let you go back to Hogwarts with Draco? I can go to Daisy's birthday alone," I heard Harry say.
"No I'm fine. I'll go with you," I answered.
"Are you sure?" he's eyes were filled with concern.
"I'm okay. Draco, Harry and I will just go and visit Harry's niece. Tell McGonagall we'll be back in a little while," I said. Draco disapparated after saying goodbye and Harry and I did the same.
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We're at number #5 Privet Drive. We saw Dudley and his wife as they went around the nicely decorated front lawn to attend to Daisy's little guests.
It was lovely to watch those little kids. I wonder if Harry didn't go missing all those years could we be married this time with kids of our own?
"Harry, I'm glad you came. This is my wife Sam," Dudley introduced his wife to Harry. "Sam this is my cousin Harry and his girlfriend Hermione," I wasn't able to say anything I just smiled. Harry didn't even try to correct his cousin.
"I'm so glad to meet you. Come in and have something to eat," Sam led us inside the house.
Dudley opened the door and we saw Daisy slumped on the floor pouting but when she saw Harry. She stood up and run up to him.
"Uncle Harry. I thought you wouldn't come," the little girl said as Harry carried her in his arms.
"Of course I'd never break a promise. Aunt Hermione and I got something for you," Harry said. Now I'm aunt Hermione, wonder what's next?
Harry handed her the two gifts. "Don't show it to anyone except maybe your mum and dad. You'll be surprised with what's inside," Harry whispered to her. Daisy giggled.
"Okay uncle. I bet grandma and grandpa would want to see you," Daisy pulled Harry to the kitchen. "Aunt Hermione come I'll show you to grandma." I followed Harry and Daisy in the kitchen.
Harry's Aunt Petunia was in a bit of shock. "It can't be. Harry your alive," Petunia said.
"What's wrong Petunia…?" Vernon stopped on his feet. "Harry? Is that you?"
Harry just smiled at his two bewildered old relatives.
"Uncle Harry, grandma Petty and Grandpa Vernie," Daisy exclaimed. It was funny how she called her grandparents those weird nicknames. "Grandma, grandpa, uncle Harry came and he got me presents. He's with aunt Hermi… I don't know how to say her name."
"It's really you. Of goodness, I hope you didn't come here to…" Vernon tried to say but Harry hugged him then Petunia.
"It's so nice to see you again," Harry said. He doesn't remember what the Dursleys did to him. For a while I thought Vernon would wet his pants in fear and Petunia had the look on her face like she was dying to get out of the kitchen.
"We're also happy to see you Harry," Petunia said between slight stutters.
"Let's go uncle Harry. I promised to show you my teacups. Come and join us aunt Hermini," I thought my little nickname was cute. She took hold of my hand and Harry's on the other. We went up stairs to her attic room.
"You two sit down and I'll give you little show. Then can I open my presents," Daisy said and Harry and I sat on the floor. Daisy started to put out her tea set.
"What do you reckon, will the tea cups fly or not?" Harry asked me.
"Well, I think we'll see a wonderful show," I replied.
"Hey you should pay attention," Daisy scolded and Harry and I focused on her little show. "Teacups fly," Daisy said and the teacups started flying around the room like they were possessed by blue Cornish pixies. She sure didn't use any spells but it did work.
"That's very good Daisy now ask your teacups to stop," Harry said.
"Okay uncle. Stop!" and the teacups stopped in mid-air.
"Very good daisy," I commended her. She's Harry's niece alright.
"Now, teacups back!" and all of Daisy teacups went back to where they were before they flew about. "Now can I open my presents?"
"Sure dear open them," Harry prodded her.
Daisy opened the talking bear first. She didn't get scared like any other muggle child would have.
"He's really lovely. I'm going to call him Toby," Daisy exclaimed.
"Hi! I'm Toby. Can we be friends," the bear asked Daisy?
"You're really cute. Of course Toby, from now on you're my best friend," Daisy exclaimed. "Thanks uncle Harry and aunt Hermini."
"You still have one more present from us," Harry gave her the other package. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to give her the broom.
Daisy took the package and opened it. "A broom stick. I dreamed I rode a flying one once," she said.
"Can you keep a secret," Harry said. "This one flies too."
Daisy beamed at the two of us. " Then Toby and I can fly around the attic when no one is around."
"Tell your mum and dad of course," reminded her.
"Okay aunt Hermini. Uncle Harry do you and aunt Hermini have a baby? I want to have a cousin because mum said I can't have a brother or a sister," Daisy asked.
Her innocent question made me blush and Harry looked at me.
"We don't have a baby yet. Don't worry you'll have a cousin one day." I wonder what Harry meant.
We stayed at the attic for a while to watch Daisy and Toby ride the mini broomstick then we came down to enjoy some party food before we left.
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I could see in Harry's face that he was happy to see his relatives although Petunia and Vernon were scared and acted awfully weird. Dudley and Sam were very hospitable and Daisy was a very smart girl. Harry told her about Hogwarts and she said that she would want to study in our school.
We found out that Sam is a squib a non-magic person born in a wizarding family. I think that brought about the change in Dudley not to mention his daughters magical gift.
"Hermione, if given a choice would you want my memory back or would you just settle for me right now. Not having a clue as to the people I knew in the past," Harry's question put me to a halt.
I thought about what I should say. I would love for Harry to have his memory back but I don't like the idea of risking his life. "Harry, I… I'm happy that you're here with us and that's all that matters."
He kissed my forehead and we walked inside the entrance hall. "That's all I want to hear," I think I heard him say.
It felt all-warm inside being that close to Harry. I forgot to ask him a very important question though about a certain ring.
To be continued…