Chapter fourteen
The four friends were just sitting down for lunch when the main gate bell rang, Glanry stood at the back door and spoke to a small gargoyle, "Who is it, please state your business." It was Dig back with his things just as he had promised,
"Tell him to come in for lunch please Glanry," Hermione said as she poured tea.
Five minutes later they were all sitting having a quiet chat over some sandwiches when they heard a commotion from the living room. "I'll go I think I know who it is," Hermione said as she left the room.
Just as Hermione had thought it was Neville, he was just about to speak when she placed her finger on her lips indicating for him to remain quiet, "I want this to be a surprise," she whispered. Catching hold of Neville's hand she led him to the kitchen, his eyes were wide as he took in his surroundings. Ginny sprang up from the table and ran across the room, nearly knocking Neville off his feet as she flung herself at him, she was kissing him before he had really had a chance to know what was happening.
Ron sat wide eyed as Ginny kissed Neville rather passionately, right there in front of him, he was just about to say something when Harry stopped him, "It's not your business Ron."
The rest of the afternoon was spent helping to clean up the flat above the stables, at tea time they left Dig to settle in and maybe check on the horses.
The friends had a quiet evening, again Hermione had ushered them into the library but this time she did not try to get them to do any reading. She was a little busy kissing Harry. Harry mentioned sending for Luna next time as well as Neville. They were all in bed early, Hermione had a definite idea as to why she wanted to be in bed, she was not too sure about Ginny's reason, but Neville had a rather large smile on his face as he climbed the stairs. The next morning Harry was woken by Glanry, who told him that the main gate was open and he could not find Mistress Hermione.
Dressing rapidly Harry called 'Hermione love, can you hear me, where are you?'
Hermione answered him instantly 'Oh Harry I opened the gate for the Muggle postman, they threw him over the wall when they grabbed me'.
'Hermione do you know where you are love and are you ok?' Harry asked trying hard to remain calm; knowing Hermione had been kidnapped did not help.
'I think I'm at Malfoy manor, I heard Draco's voice a while ago, they were on about sending you an owl and laying a trap, Oh Harry, be careful'
'I'll check with you again shortly, if you have to, use your wandless magic' he told her as he grabbed his cloak.
"Glanry," he shouted. Just a few seconds later the elf appeared "Yes sir,"
"Glanry, can you take me to Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid not sir, I have never been to Hogwarts, I can call Dobby for you sir," he answered. Then without waiting to be told he called the little elf.
Dobby arrived seconds later, "Dobby is here Glanry sir."
"Dobby can you take me to Dumbledore's office in Hogwarts, Hermione has been kidnapped…" Harry never finished what he was about to say, with a huge bang he found himself facing Albus Dumbledore.
"Albus I don't have much time, Hermione has been kidnapped, I need the address of Malfoy Manor and at least three witnesses to come with me." Harry told him.
Dumbledore threw some floo powder into his fire place then stuck his head into the green flames, seconds later he stood back up straight "Minerva and Flitwick are on their way,"
The fireplace once more turned green as huge flames leapt out, Minerva McGonagall, and professor Flitwick stepped from the fire place, Dumbledore explained that Hermione had been kidnapped, and Harry required witnesses. Both volunteered instantly.
Dumbledore made a portkey to take them right to Malfoy Manor. Three seconds later the four of them vanished from the headmaster's office.
They reappeared just outside the gates to Malfoy Manor, 'Harry it is Malfoy Manor, they are coming for me I can hear them' Hermione said to him urgently.
'I'll be with you soon my love, I did not want to have to do this but they leave me with no choice, lock your self in with as many locking charms as you can think of,' Harry told her.
Inside the room where she was being held Hermione placed every locking charm she could think of. 'Ok Harry I've done that'
'Good I should be with you before they break through, I have to go now I need to concentrate' Harry turned his attention to the Manor gates and wards.
"Perhaps you three might want to shield your selves," Harry said to his companions.
Turning again to the gates Harry raised both hands, with a few whispered words; a huge explosion ripped apart the gates and the wards that surrounded the Manor. The three witnesses stared in disbelief at the power wielded by this young man in front of them, Harry then apparated to the manor itself, appearing just a few feet from the door.
'Hermione love I'm at the door now, do you know how close you are to the main entrance?' Harry asked.
i'I'm somewhere on the first floor at the back of the house'/i Hermione answered a little panicked 'they are trying to get in the room'
'If there is a mattress in there pull it up against the back wall and get behind it, let me know as soon as you have done that' Harry said his anger beginning to get the better of him.
'Ok Harry I'm ready. Harry do you think cook will keep breakfast warm?' Hermione said hoping to calm him; she could hear the rage in his thoughts.
Harry again raised his hands and faced the doors; the blast that hit the house took out the entire front of the building, the great headmaster and powerful wizard Harry had been in his other life was released, the power he had subdued, was now flowing through him like his blood.
"Malfoy, you sorry excuse for a human being where are you?" he yelled as he stared through the dust of the rubble.
Malfoy and around fifteen ex Death Eaters were coming toward him out of the dust cloud.
'Hermione, put up a protego maxima shield, and hold it as long as you can' Harry told his wife.
'Done Harry' was all she could answer.
Harry watched as the evil wizards advanced on him all with their wands ready. "Right I am going to give you one chance to surrender, you have just one second to drop your wands," Harry shouted loud and clear.
'Still the fools advance intent on getting hurt' he thought "Times up," Harry said as he cast another spell he whispered this time so that his witnesses could hear the spell.
"Obliviate Maxima," Harry said and prayed Hermione still had her shield raised.
Everyone in front of Harry collapsed into a heap, their entire memories totally wiped away, even the things learnt as a child, like walking, eating, talking, it was all gone they would never be a threat again.
'Harry what the heck did you do? I felt my shield buckle a little'Hermione's voice echoed in his head.
'Oh thank heaven you are safe, Hermione' I'll be up to get you in a minute so you can unlock the door now'.
Harry safely collected Hermione, then he had the task of collecting all the people in the house, he collected seventeen people, sixteen ex Death Eaters and one Draco Malfoy apprentice Death Eater.
Harry picked up a piece of plaster and made a port key, "Hermione love, take this portkey home and tell cook I'll be home for lunch," he handed the piece of plaster to her then kissed her "go," he said and the key activated taking his wife home.
Harry turned to find his three witnesses staring at him open mouthed, even Dumbledore was shocked by his power. Harry wandless and silent bound all his prisoners, joined them all to a long rope he conjured, then levitated them all.
"If you could meet me at St Mungo's, I would be rather grateful," he said dreading having to explain to them later, but it was unavoidable if he was to send out the message to the wizarding world that his wife was to be left in peace, by tonight he knew there would not be a witch or wizard who would dare raise so much as their voice to her in future.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Flitwick, all apparated to the hospital to await his arrival there. With his captives all tied together and levitated into the air, Harry grabbed the rope they were tied to and disapparated taking the whole lot with him, destination the beginning of the main street of the Alley.
Harry slowly walked down Diagon Alley his captives floating in tow behind him, everyone stopped to watch as the procession passed them. Finally reaching the hospital Harry handed them over.
"You will need to teach them the basics, their entire memory system has been wiped, right from the day they were born," he told the healer in charge.
Having deposited his now harmless captives Harry approached Dumbledore, "I think a visit to the minister might be a good idea sir."
Albus nodded and the four of them walked in silence to the ministry. Harry lead the way to the minister's office, when two Auror's stood to block his way Harry just waved his hand at them, and they gently floated out of the way. He entered the office without knocking, just pushed open the doors and walked right in followed by his three witnesses, "Hello Minister Bones." He said as he took a seat.
"To what do I owe this dubious pleasure Harry?" she asked.
"Professor sir would you give Madam Bones your version of what happened, I'm afraid I lost my temper and I'm not to sure about things," Harry said as he sat back, his blood now cooling as the anger began to vanish just as it had come.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Flitwick, all told what they had seen, after they had finished their accounts Madam Bones turned to Harry.
"This is what Hermione tried to tell me about isn't it, just how powerful are you Harry," she asked in a friendly way.
Harry had somehow expected the same sort of reaction that fudge had to Albus's power in his other life and so was surprised by her attitude.
"I don't know how powerful my magic is, all I know is when I lose my temper, whatever I try, it is simple, like blowing away those wards at Malfoy Manor, I barley felt a trickle of magic leave me. Minister I pose no threat to you or the ministry, all I want is to be left to live my life, I have a wife I love, and someday maybe we'll be lucky and have some children. If the ministry ever finds its self confronted by another dark wizard like Voldemort I don't mind helping, I would ask you a favour though, I don't want anymore stupid attacks on Hermione, so if you could make sure that the full story as told by the professor can be made public I would be grateful." Harry told her hoping she would see things his way.
"Harry, thank you for calling in, now why don't you get off home and let Hermione know you are ok, I'll see to it that the story is told, that should make those thinking of trying anything to think again, tell Hermione I'll be over at the weekend for that chat." Madam Bones told him as she held out her hand to shake his.
Outside the office Harry turned to his Headmaster, "I suppose you will want to talk to me, ask some questions, so how about calling over for dinner tonight, all three of you, say seven o clock."
Harry found Hermione in the kitchen with Ron and Ginny, they had the Muggle postman with them, he had been stunned by the attackers and thrown over the stone wall opposite their gate. He was now enjoying a cup of tea as he recovered his strength.
Harry sat down at the table and took the mug of fresh tea he was offered. "I had to call in to see the minister." He told them.
Ten minutes later after Ginny had seen the postman on his way, Harry found himself telling them all that he had done, "I had to tell the minister I didn't know how powerful my magic is when I lose my temper," he finished on.
"Did you lose your temper?" Ginny asked.
"No, not really, I mean I was angry but I knew exactly what I was doing, I couldn't afford to lose my temper with Hermione in the place," he answered honestly.
"Bleedin hell, Hermione said you blew away half the building in one go," Ron said in awe.
"Yeah that's true, what worries me is Dumbledore will want some answers, I blew away all of Malfoy's protection wards like they were confetti or something, I don't think the anger bit is going to work with him. Anyway all three of them are coming over for dinner at seven, sorry love I know you won't want them being nosey but I have little choice, tonight I'll have to reveal just how powerful I am, unless one of you can come up with something." Harry ended with a sigh.
Just two minutes later Hermione's eyes lit up "Harry I know the answer," she shouted as she ran from the room.
"I do wish she would not do that," Ron grumbled "She could at least give us an idea before she charges off like that."
Chapter fifteen
Harry sat at the kitchen table holding his mug of tea in both hands, he was not to worried about telling about his previous life to Dumbledore, but he was desperately worried about Hermione's reaction to finding out how old he had been, and that he had known all along about them being soul-mates, would she see him as an old man, would she be able to forgive. Would she still want to live with him as his wife, would all his happiness in this new life be taken from him? All these thoughts raced through his mind as he waited for her to return. Hermione returned from the library with a rather large old book, placing it on the table next to Harry she sat down and began to gently turn the ancient parchment pages, taking great care with each one, only touching the very edges of the pages, rubbing each one flat very gently with the sleeve of her shirt before turning the next page. Finally she reached the page she had been looking for. Harry leant over and watched as Hermione traced a finger above the hand written words; the entire book was an old illustrated manual, the script all hand written in Latin. The page Hermione and Harry were reading was dedicated to the magic of prehistory, written down by Godric Gryffindor himself.
Harry began to read the ancient Latin script.
Magik of Mother earth.
The story of the ancient magik of our ancestors handed down by word of mouth.
Twas a powerful magik indeed, tis told that to delve into the magik of the earth and sky was to release a force so powerful nothing could stand in its way.
My ancestor Arregimus Gryffindor did with this magik destroy the legions of the Firbolg who did attempt to take away the lands of the people. Tis said Arregimus did one thousand kill with one gesture of his hand, alas Arregimus was unable to control the power of the earth he did release, and it did consume him there after.
His son Artymus did with great care learn the secret of this magik. After much work and many days and weeks did he learn the way to harness and indeed unite the two magik's, and thus he did find it did infuse his blood and did bestow it upon his heirs. Tis said that this magik is the power of the Gryffindors, passed down through the generations, tis only called forth by the head of the family in times of true need…
i'I'll tell you what it says later'/i she thought to him.
'Its ok love, you taught me Latin in my other life, it really can come in handy' he replied.
Hermione looked at Harry as he read "You can use this, show it to Dumbledore, tell him about being the heir to Gryffindor, that's how you called forth the Gryffindor sword, he'll be so busy trying to work it all out he will never think to question you, and if he does you can tell him about how you swore an oath never to reveal it to the world."
Harry did not look convinced "You don't think I should tell them about Albus and mum, and all that,"
"No love, give him something he can puzzle over," Hermione told him "after all you are the heir, this way they won't know about your own magic, they'll think it was the earth magic, something that is only temporary."
"What's all this about Harry, what has your mum got to do with it?" Ginny asked.
'I should have known Ginny would ask' Harry thought but he was saved from answering by Hermione who tapped Ginny twice with her foot, it was their way of letting her know they would talk later when just the three of them were together.
Ginny gave them an almost imperceptible nod before taking a sip of tea.
Both Ron and Neville looked totally lost in it all, and Harry could tell they had not yet grasped a single part of what had been said.
Feeling elated Harry grinned at Hermione "You my dear wife are a genius, did I ever tell you that."
"Just a few times, in fact if I recall you said the very same thing last night," she chuckled at his slight embarrassment.
Harry felt as though a great weight had lifted from his shoulders, Hermione had saved him again with her insistent need to read, her compulsion to read every book she came across was becoming not so much the curse that he and Ron had once thought, but a useful tool that could be called upon in the strangest circumstances.
By seven that evening Ginny had managed to get Ron and Neville to go to the Burrow, telling them she would join them after helping Hermione with the dinner for Dumbledore. Now she was impatiently watching the clock as she waited to hear what Harry's mum had to do with everything.
Dumbledore arrived with Minerva, and professor Flitwick, at exactly seven, Glanry escorted them to the kitchen where Hermione had decided they would eat, it was a much friendlier atmosphere than in the dining room, which according to Ron was a dance floor with a table in the middle.
"I hope you don't mind dining here in the kitchen," Hermione said as they took their seats "the dining room is just so formal."
Harry had Dumbledore sitting at the head of the table so that he and Hermione could sit together, Minerva and Flitwick sat opposite them. Glanry supervised the serving, twice telling Harry about removing his elbows from the table, Ginny sitting next to Hermione giggled each time whispering "whose house is this?"
After the meal they all retired to the living room, Hermione went to fetch Godric Gryffindor's book and placed it on the coffee table, Harry sat with Hermione on the sofa as she explained the reason for the book, by the time she had finished telling their guests about Harry and the power of the Gryffindors, Harry was almost convinced himself. Just as Hermione had predicted Dumbledore was fascinated by the revelation that Harry was the heir to Gryffindor, and he was even more fascinated by the book, hand written by Godric himself.
"I wonder if I might borrow this," he asked as he lovingly stroked the cover "I will of course take great care of it, and return it undamaged," he asked almost hopefully.
Harry was not the only one who knew the extent of Hermione's love for her books, she looked rather doubtful for a moment, and Harry was sure she was about to refuse, when Minerva McGonagall spoke, "Albus and I could study it together, and if you would allow we could make a copy."
"No copy, I must insist there is no copy made, if we are to let you have use of it you must swear that nothing of the book will be copied," Hermione said sounding almost panicked "there are things in this book that should never be revealed outside our family."
Dumbledore gave a slight chuckle at Hermione's panic, "How would it be if Minerva and I visit at week ends to study the book right here in your library."
Harry could not help smiling when he heard Hermione say 'our family', that she accepted that she was a member of the Gryffindor/Potter family was now fact, it was no longer his family, it was 'our family'.
Hermione agreed with Dumbledore but still insisted that not one word was copied down, Harry was amazed at the authority of his still sixteen year old wife in their own home, gone was the intimidation she seemed to have in Dumbledore's presence at school, here she was the one in charge, a great surge of pride in her ran through him and he thanked the Time master that had sent him back.
An agreement was reached and a friendly atmosphere returned to the room, Ginny prodded Harry in the rib's and whispered in his ear "That book is blank, there's not a single word in it," baffled by what she said he told Hermione 'Ginny says its blank'
Hermione's reply amused him 'It must have a charm on it, so only a member of the family can see it, unless they decide to reveal it to someone, it wont be our fault if they come to study it and find it empty'
Both Harry and Hermione were wondering what charm might be on the book, a charm powerful enough to still be effective after a thousand years. They simultaneously decided to check as soon as their visitors left. Dumbledore and Hermione had moved from the coffee table on to the writing bureau in the corner of the room, Minerva had remained for a short time talking to Harry and Flitwick, eventually after watching both professors glancing hopefully toward the book, Harry suggested they join with the study of Godric's work.
Ginny left them to return to the Burrow, promising to return in the morning to take Blaze for her exercise, and to find out just what Harry's mum had to do with all this.
The dinner with the professors turned out to be one of the longest nights Harry could remember, both Dumbledore and McGonagall seemed tireless as they greedily digested the words in the huge book. Had Harry and Hermione known what would happen the following morning they would have been even more impressed with the charms on the ancient book.
Albus Dumbledore awoke at his usual time and found his usual pot of tea waiting for him in the living room of his quarters. Having poured him self a cup of the tea he then went over to his desk, pulling several pieces of parchment and his favourite quill from one of the drawers he got himself comfortable and began to write. He managed to write all that Hermione had volunteered to tell him about the earth power used by Harry, but he then sat staring at the blank parchment under his hand, he could remember not one word. Absolutely nothing of all he had read in the book was left in his head, he could remember reading it, he could remember some of the conversations they had held as they perused the amazing work, but not a single word of the actual book could he recollect.
Puzzled and wondering if time was at last catching up with him, he floo called Minerva's office, "Mini, dear could you pop over, I have a small problem to discuss."
Minerva ever happy to please the headmaster, arrived in his office a short time later, Albus informed her of his inability to remember the words from the Gryffindor manuscript all except those pointed out to him by Hermione.
Minerva found that she too had no memory of the things they had read and spent so many hours studying just the night before. Together they pondered the amazing magic of Harry Potter, certain that he had somehow obliviated them removing only certain words, which was unheard of, or the magic of Godric Gryffindor him self had prevented them from retaining the knowledge they had gained.
Dumbledore preferred the second option, choosing to believe that it was Gryffindors magic that had been helping Harry all this time. After all if he believed that, he no longer had to believe the impossibility of real time travel, time travel without a time turner where the traveller became young again.
"We should pay the Potters' a return visit, Mini, and much sooner than they expect, Dumbledore said as they sipped tea in his bedroom.
Eight o clock in the morning Ginny, Ron, and Neville, arrived at Potter House just in time to catch Harry, Hermione, and Dig, as they left the kitchen to walk over to the stables. Dig had taken delivery of their new saddles, and having woken up early and given the saddles a good clean with saddle soap; 'to remove any oil' he was now ready to give them their first riding lesson.
Their first lesson was how to place the harness on the horse, making sure that the animal was comfortable, Neville using one of the two spare horses, who he had named Peg for some unknown reason, was a little wary of the whole idea, but got stuck in anyway. It was not long before they were all out in the field learning to walk their mounts.
Ron surprised them all by actually taking to it like a natural and he was soon galloping away across the field. All four of them worked hard and listened to their instructions, by lunchtime they were all capable of saddling and riding their horses alone. Hermione and Ginny took time to take a gentle ride to a nearby wood, and having dismounted they had their promised talk, Hermione explained all that she knew about Harry having come from the future, about meeting his mother and the things she had said. By the time she had finished Ginny was quite speechless. Hermione swore Ginny to secrecy although she knew there was no real need to do so.
Remounting their horses and heading toward the boys away in the distance Hermione asked "So how is it between you and Nev?"
"I think I'm hopelessly in love with him," Ginny replied going all misty eyed again "He's such a gentle soul, and he treats me like a queen, and he gives me desires I never knew existed."
"That's how I've felt about Harry since the first day we met, its different now though. It changed when we got together, now I need him like I need air, he makes my heart swell to bursting with some of the things he says and does, I love him so much I can't even think of words that express it, he is the reason behind every thing I do," Hermione tried to explain.
Ginny sighed "I know, I've seen it in your eyes. I thought mum was joking when she first said she could see love for Harry in your eyes. That was in those first days you came to stay at the Burrow, I think she was hoping it was just a crush you had, and she wanted to see the same thing for Ron one day."
"Well there's something that will never happen," Hermione laughed.
Ginny sighed again "I love having you and Harry as best friends, I love you both even more thanks to Blaze here, thank you for choosing me."
Hermione fell silent for a while before saying "Ron blew his chances of ever being our best friend again, Harry said that when Ron would not believe him about the triwizard he was basically calling Harry a liar, Harry will never forgive that, Ron is only here now in case you want to ride and need company when we are not here."
After a pause she continued "He blew it with me that day in the common room when he tried to ruin it for me and Harry, when he said I was his girlfriend. I couldn't believe it, why he did it I don't know, I never once did or said anything to give that impression."
"Ah well Ron might be my brother but that never stopped him being thick," Ginny said seriously, "Besides his loss was my gain, his foolish and stupid ways brought us together even as it pushed him away" Ginny said.
"My that's a bit heavy" Hermione chuckled "Ginny the philosopher."
Chapter sixteen
They had all just walked into the stable when Glanry approached, "Master Harry, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, requests an audience at your soonest and most convenient time today, sir."
"Huh?" Harry answered.
"Dumbledore wants to see you soon as possible," Hermione chuckled.
"Glanry, why in the heck didn't you say that?" Harry asked the smiling elf.
"I did sir, I assure you," Glanry replied still with a smile.
"Ok tell him we'll see him in an hour, I need a shower before I see anyone," Harry informed his grinning elf.
"Your message will be relayed sir," Glanry replied before vanishing with a small pop sound.
"I'll never understand why he won't speak English," Harry muttered exasperated.
"Oh come on Harry lets go have a shower," Hermione said as she caught hold of his hand and pulled him toward the stable exit.
A loud cough stopped them in their tracks, they turned around to find Dig shaking his head at them "Not so fast you two, you still have a few things to learn for today."
"Oh the horses, sorry Dig, forgot," Hermione said in almost a whisper.
Harry just shuffled his feet, he seemed to be getting better at being told off by his staff, the thought caused him to chuckle and Hermione gave him a small jab in his ribs.
"You pay attention Harry James Potter,"
Dig showed them how to stable their mounts properly, how to use a curry comb after giving the animal a rub down, he showed them how to control the amount of water the horse was allowed to drink, and informing them that it was much more important in winter to see that a horse that had been warmed up by exercise, did not drink to much as the cold water would probably cause a bout of colic, that while bad in humans was much worse for a horse. Just over half an hour had passed by the time Harry and Hermione reached their bedroom
"Shame about Dumbledore visiting, I was looking forward to taking a shower with you, all that riding made me feel, well you know," Hermione giggled
Her giggle turned into a full blown laugh when she saw the look of disappointment in Harry's face.
"Bloomin holidays only just started and already school is getting in the way," he groaned "you best shower first love, then you can keep him company while your miserable badly treated husband wallows in self pity and cries over missed opportunities."
Hermione was still laughing as she walked into the bathroom, "We have twenty bathrooms Harry love, why don't you see if you can find an empty one."
Harry did as Hermione suggested, taking his bathrobe next door he took a cold shower, Hermione wanting to shower with him had warmed up parts of his anatomy that would be out of place on display in a meeting with the headmaster.
The hour was just over when Dumbledore arrived in their living room, Harry and Hermione were waiting for him, Harry let Hermione do the talking, she had a way of talking to Dumbledore that somehow seemed to place her on a level footing with him, where as Harry always felt slightly inferior for some reason. Maybe something left over from living with the Dursleys.
"First I have a strange question to ask, I do not in any way wish to question your integrity, but it needs to be asked," Dumbledore began
Hermione looked at Harry, he knew the look, and he knew she was telling him that no matter what came next, he was not to loose his temper, or do any shouting.
"Did either or both of you perhaps use a charm on my self and professor McGonagall?" Dumbledore asked calmly, he also knew of Harry's explosive temper.
Harry chuckled "You are kidding?" he asked.
"We used no spells or charms on anyone," Hermione answered indignantly.
Harry looked at her and thought 'Temper, temper sweetheart, remember I'm the one that explodes not you'
Before she could reply Dumbledore began speaking again "Could I take another look at the book we examined last evening, and would Miss Weasley be available to assist."
It seemed on odd request to both Harry and Hermione but she replied that she would fetch the book, and that Harry should get one of the elves to fetch Ginny from the stable if she was still there. Fifteen minutes later the four of them, three students and one professor stood around the kitchen table looking at the book written so long ago by one of the most famous wizards ever.
"Now if you would allow miss Weasley and I too read the book," Dumbledore said as he looked from Harry to Hermione.
They both stepped back and allowed Ginny forward to stand at the table next to the headmaster. Dumbledore opened the book, then quickly looked around at Hermione a look of surprise on his face.
"Its blank!" he said in an odd tone.
"I said the same thing last night," Ginny offered.
Dumbledore pulled out his wand and held it over the book, "May I?" he asked.
Hermione nodded uncertainly to his request. Dumbledore waved his wand then mumbled something, waved it again; he did this several times before turning to Hermione.
"I can find no charms or spells, or even traces of magic on the book, and yet it reveals nothing of the writing,"
"Well it's not our doing," Harry told him.
Hermione stepped forward and opened the book carefully turning the pages until she reached the page they had read the night before, "Do you see anything now?"
Both Ginny and Dumbledore shook their heads in a negative answer.
Hermione stepped forward again and said "I would like to show you this page," then stepped back as Ginny and Dumbledore looked in amazement at the words forming on the page, seconds later they were able to read it all with no problem. Dumbledore turned page after page very gently, asking Ginny to read some passages and to memorise them, he then closed the book and asked Hermione if she would place it in the living room while they had a cup of tea.
Harry asked Erin for four teas, then sat at the table with his guests. He remembered about Neville and Ron over in the stable and he asked Erin if she could take a pot of tea and three cups to his friends. Hermione returned from the living room and joined them at the table; she was now fascinated by the implication about the book given by her guest.
"Right Miss Weasley, would you mind telling us something of the passages I asked you to memorise?" Dumbledore asked.
Ginny sat there deep in thought for a while before she spoke "I seem to have forgotten it all."
"As I thought," Dumbledore chuckled; he looked like a little boy who just found some candy. "Amazing untraceable magic, I wonder how it was done, Godric must have been so much more than a great warrior wizard, his magic is so fascinating," pulling himself from his musings over the magic he looked at Hermione "I take it you nor Harry have any problems reading it," without waiting for her to reply he carried on "I do hope you will still allow Minerva and I to study it, I promise we will do nothing that goes against our previous agreement."
Hermione smiled her 'I know how it works' smile at Harry before answering, "Yes headmaster you may continue to study it, but I see no real benefit if you are unable to remember anything afterwards."
'Harry take Ginny into the living room and give her permission to read the first page of the book, don't bring her back here yet, wait till Dumbledore has gone' Hermione sent to Harry.
Harry nodded a little "Well sir, if you will excuse us Ginny and I still have a little left to do at the stable, I'll leave you in the capable hands of Hermione."
"Yes by all means Harry, I just have one or two more questions," Dumbledore answered.
"Ok Gin, we best get back," Harry said to a rather puzzled Ginny.
Ginny followed Harry into the living room "Ok Harry what's going on?"
"Hermione wanted you to have another read, so with my permission would you come and read this first page,"
Ginny shrugged her shoulders, there was something going on she still had not put her finger on, but she could feel it, and how did Harry know what Hermione wanted when she had not spoken a word. It hit her like the proverbial light bulb lighting up, that's what had been bugging her for weeks, some how her best friends were communicating without words. They were talking with their minds, they were telepathetic or what ever it was called.
Forcing back her excitement she read the page as Harry had asked. "You can tell Hermione I've read it, and while you're at it you may as well tell her I know about you being teleprophetic or what ever," Ginny said grinning.
Harry was flustered, Ginny knew, he had let it slip some how, he called himself a few choice names for letting down his guard, he should have known being married to someone and being best friends for so many years as well, was bound to gender the sort of trust where caution was not required. Still there was little he could do about it now.
'Er, Hermione love, I just made a tiny little booboo, Ginny knows we're as she put it 'teleprophetic' don't be mad, I trust her not to tell anyone' Harry thought to Hermione.
'Don't worry Harry she would have worked it out anyway, remember she has been suspicious for a while now' Hermione replied.
"I told her, I hope you'll keep this quiet Gin, just between us, it could cause problems if it was known," Harry told her
"Your little secret is safe with me Harry, like I told Hermione I love you two, I love having you as my best friends," Ginny smiled. "So what do we do now?"
"Wait till Dumbledore goes, then we go see what Hermione has in mind though I already have a good idea," Harry replied.
"You can't read her mind then," Ginny said
"No, we have to be actually having a conversation same as you and I are, except distance doesn't seem to be any trouble," Harry explained.
"So that's how you knew Hermione was at Malfoy Manor, and when she and her dad were attacked, bloody useful bit of magic that," Ginny grinned.
"I don't think its magic, I think it's the bond, soul-mates, it sort of links us." Harry said as he sat down.
A few minutes later Hermione informed him that Dumbledore had left and she was now alone so he could bring Ginny in now. "Shall we join Hermione?" he asked.
Ginny nodded and followed him into the kitchen, "Ginny did you read it?" Hermione asked as they entered the room.
"Yes Hermione just as you asked, though I don't know why," Ginny replied as she eyed the tea pot.
"Well you tell me what it said on the first page, while I pour us all some tea," Hermione said in her slightly bossy tone.
Ginny looked up at her best friend but then let her protest fade, it was just Hermione's way, it was one of the things you have to get used to if you want her as a friend. She began to think about the book and the page Harry had shown her…
This book is for the use only of myself and my descendants, Written this day in the year nine eighty seven, to those Gryffindors who will follow me, read well my children and learn of the magik that is bestowed upon you at birth…
Hermione stopped Ginny "That'll do Gin, did you have any problem remembering it?"
"No, it was like I just put it down," Ginny gasped as she realised the meaning.
Harry was grinning all over his face, "So if you continue to give Dumbledore permission to read he will never be able to remember it, yet if I were to make the mistake of allowing him he would remember it all, Gin if I look like I am about to give permission for anyone to read that book when you are around feel free to clock me behind the ear,"
"Hermione love I just know you would never let me do it if you were there to stop me," he smiled at her with his Hermione winning smile.
"Well I'm off home, soon as I can find Neville," Ginny declared "But I want to hear more about your telephonic thing later."
"Yeah think I'll go for a lie down all that riding has made me drowsy," Hermione nodded as she hugged Ginny good bye.
Harry walked Ginny back across to the stable where she collected Neville and Ron before heading home.
'Harry, bedroom in five minutes' Harry heard Hermione say in a seductive way.
'On my way love, fast as I can' he replied, as he jogged across the grass to the house.
Chapter seventeen
Sunday morning, Hermione was sitting alone in the living room, she had decided last week that she would spend some time reading Godric's book, and she found it fascinating. Some of the magic she had already tried, the wand movements were all so simple, now she was reading again the chapter about 'Mind Magik'. The contents of the chapter were not quite what the title suggested; it gave techniques for doing magic just by thinking about it.
Hermione had made several attempts but had failed each time so she was now re-reading the entire chapter in case she had missed something. She was so engrossed in the book she never heard the floo call coming through, until Molly Wesley actually shouted at her loudly; startled by the shout Hermione fell from the couch.
Molly burst out laughing while trying to apologise for making the girl jump. "Sorry Hermione," she finally managed as Hermione picked herself up and knelt in front of the fire.
"Hello Mrs Weasley, how are you?" she asked trying to sound casual.
"Yes hello dear, I just called to ask what colour icing we should have on Harry's cake this year? Arthur thought maybe a Gryffindor theme would be nice," Molly looked around the room to see who else was there.
"I think that's a wonderful idea, specially for Harry, thank you so much for going through so much trouble," Hermione shifted herself, she was not exactly a good cook her self, and it annoyed her a little not being able to do these sort of things for Harry.
"Mrs Weasley, would there be, I mean do you think, what I'm trying to say is I need to learn to cook, my mother was never one for cooking and I've never even seen her attempt any baking, would you be willing to help teach me?" she asked sheepishly.
"Yes alright dear, tell you what, instead of bringing the cake over on Harry's birthday, I'll bring it over the day before, then we can spend some time in your kitchen and I'll show you how to do a few dishes to be getting on with, how's that sound," Molly smiled at the girl she thought of as a second daughter.
"That would really be great, Mrs Weasley, really great," Hermione enthused.
"Right I'm glad that's settled, I wont have to worry about Harry losing weight if you can cook, so see you on Tuesday then, bye,"
"Yes Tuesday, bye Mrs Weasley," Hermione smiled as Mrs Weasleys head vanished from the fire.
Hermione settled back on the couch and opened Godric's book once again, then thought 'It's nice of Molly to give up time on Tuesday just too… OH MY GOODNESS',
Hermione sprang from the couch ending up once more on the floor in a heap. Scrambling to her feet she called for Glanry, he arrived seconds later with a gentle pop,
"You called Mistress Hermione," he asked
"Glanry is Miss Ginny still here?" she asked a little frantic.
"I believe so Mistress, I believe that everyone is out on the Quidditch pitch."
"Oh could you check for me, if she's there could you ask her to meet me in the living room as soon as possible? Tell her it is extremely urgent, please," Hermione asked.
Ginny arrived in the living room breathless ten minutes later, "This better be good Hermione Jane Potter, I just left the winning side for you."
Hermione had been pacing as she waited for what had seemed the entire day. She turned to look at Ginny with tears in her eyes; Ginny rushed forward and gave Hermione a hug, "What happened?" Ginny questioned.
"Oh Gin, you're my best friend you just have to help me, do you know what day it is?" Hermione asked still a bit frantic.
"Sunday!" Ginny said with a shrug.
"The date Gin, what's the date?" Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"You'll get stuck like that one day you know, now the date, I don't know twenty seventh or eighth, Ooooh, heck," Ginny said as she sank into a chair "Harry's birthday is on, Wednesday, I didn't get him anything yet, and I don't have much money, I spent it all on things for blaze, what did you…" Ginny trailed off as she saw Hermione begin to cry.
"I got so interested in that book I forgot, oh gods Gin I'm an awful wife, and Harry got me these beautiful rings, and the horses and…" she went quiet as Ginny shouted at her.
"Hermione now is not the time to panic. We need to think, we need to get him something really good," Ginny told Hermione in a firm but friendly voice.
"First we need to let the boys know we're going out, now we know they wont let us go shopping on our own, so what we do is we tell them we are popping over to see your mum, then we floo to your mothers and we take it from there, your mother may even have an idea what we can get him, because I'm darn sure I have no ideas at all," Ginny rushed.
"Ok I'll get Glanry to go tell Harry we are off to see mum," Hermione said before calling Glanry once more.
"Good, I'm off to get out of my quidditch stuff," Ginny called as she raced off.
The Grangers were pottering around in the garden when Hermione and Ginny arrived, Hermione told her mother about her predicament, she had forgotten Harry's birthday due to a book, and now she hadn't a clue what to get for him. Mr Granger gave a small cough.
"Hey there princess, I saw the perfect gift for Harry on my way home Friday, I thought at the time if I had enough money I would buy it him for his birthday, then I remembered your mother already bought a gift.
Tell you what you two jump in the car and we'll nip see if it's still there," He told her.
Ginny and Hermione climbed into the rather new Volvo and waved to Mrs Granger as dad drove them out into the road and towards the town centre.
Five minutes later both girls were standing looking at dads Idea of the perfect gift for Harry, it was up for sale as the last one, only half price the sign said, Hermione did not know too much about this sort of thing but she thought if her dad had thought it worth buying then it was.
Mr Granger talked to the salesman for a few minutes then came to talk to Hermione, "he wants fifteen hundred for it, I thought it might be cheaper."
Hermione thought about it for a while before calling the salesman over "how would you like to sell this vehicle to me, dad tells me you want fifteen hundred for it, how about I offer you seven-fifty."
Hermione's dad suddenly found his car mirror very interesting while Ginny just held her breath to stop herself saying anything.
"Look miss do I look silly to you, seven-fifty indeed," the sales man huffed "Make it twelve hundred and you got a deal miss."
"Its Mrs, I'll tell you what, you meet me half way, and I'll pay cash right now," Hermione said without the slightest care.
"Half way you say, ok you got your self a deal," the man said smiling.
Hermione counted out a thousand pounds and then waited for a moment "Do I get a receipt, and don't these things usually have some documentation."
The sales man rubbed his hand across his face, "yes, yes paper work, documents and a receipt." He strolled of toward his office, re emerging a few minutes later with all the paper work.
Hermione handed over the cash and took the documents and the keys and placed them in to her bag.
"Would you like me to organise transport for you, we only charge one pound a mile," the man asked politely giving some odd looks at Hermione.
"No that will be ok we have dad, he'll push it for me, thank you." Hermione smiled.
"I wish you worked for me Mrs, I don't know how the heck you did that," the salesman said as he walked back to his office.
"Dad can you just give me a hand push this around the corner," Hermione asked.
Ginny and Mr Granger helped push it around the corner till they were out off sight of any Muggles, Hermione pointed her hand at it and within a second it had shrunk to the size of a child's toy, Hermione picked it up and put it in her bag.
Back in the car Hermione asked her father about the accessories they would need. She would buy them, and they would tell Harry they came from Ginny. Ginny protested loudly about it for a while, till Hermione said, "Do it for me Gin, and for Harry, think how happy it will make him, if he's happy on his birthday all this will have been worth while. Please."
Ginny relented though she swore she was going to give Hermione what little money she did have left, as soon as they reached home. Hermione smiled at Ginny, because it seemed that she too had begun to think of Potter House as home.
On the way back to the Grangers house, they stopped off and bought the accessories they thought they would need, including one or two pieces for Hermione, I might want a ride she had said. By the time they were sitting once more in the car, Hermione had spent all her Muggle money.
Hermione asked her father if he could rent a trailer and deliver her gift when they arrived for Harry's birthday Wednesday morning. When they reached the Granger house Hermione placed the vehicle in the garage before enlarging it again.
The next two days at Potter House were a little hectic for Hermione; she was trying to coordinate every thing for Harry's sixteenth birthday yet keeping Harry from finding out about things. Neville was organising a party, with the help of Ginny who had been assigned the task of getting the food arranged. Ron who was supposed to be organising the drinks 'strictly no alcohol other than butterbeer' Hermione had instructed him, nobody saw anything of him or Dig, who seemed to disappear each morning as soon as the stables were cleaned.
Mrs Weasley was in charge of the pastries and cakes, while also trying to teach Hermione how to cook a few dishes, Hermione was elated when she managed to bake Harry's favourite, a treacle tart. Glanry was trying to ensure that none of the staff let it slip that a party was being arranged.
Harry meanwhile was blissfully unaware, he had forgotten all about his birthday himself. He found that he really enjoyed his horse riding, he could take a ride to the woods or to the river at the bottom of the hill, and enjoy being alone with Goldie his horse. That Tuesday afternoon while his wife was in the kitchen having cooking lessons, he was sitting at his favourite spot on the riverbank, an old tree had fallen across into the river and he enjoyed sitting on it watching the fish or talking to his horse.
A loud splash just upstream caught his attention first, then the sound of a mans voice mumbling something that sounded rather like a swear word to Harry, followed by some more splashing more swearing before the man came in to view.
"Hi Harry!" a rather wet looking James Potter called. Harry shocked at seeing his father jumped back; it was not a wise move when sitting on a tree branch over a river. Harry fell backward into the cold mountain water. Gasping from the shock of the sudden ice cold dip Harry sat up in the water "Dad!"
"Hello son, it's good to see you in the flesh, your mum said to say hello," James said as he offered a hand to Harry "you know you really shouldn't be sitting in there, you might pollute it or something."
"Yeah, thanks," Harry grinned, "I wouldn't be in here if you had let me know that my slightly dead father was going to turn up."
The two Potters chuckled as Harry climbed from the water, did a drying charm on himself and his father, then sat on the tree trunk next to James.
"So what did the Time Masters decide they want next?" Harry asked as James placed an arm across his son's shoulders.
"Actually Godric and I managed to talk those above into allowing a few changes, changes that will be for the benefit of all wizard kind, Godric recons that he wrote a few spells in that book of his that you might be really interested in," James smiled at some thought.
"Anyway, your friend Neville, well his parents were good people, good friends of your mother and I, Godric says that one of the spells Hermione was reading yesterday could be used to help bring them back from the hell they are locked in, you need to tell her to look at the spell for getting into the mind of an animal, something about being able to talk to them in some way, apparently your wife is clever enough to be able to alter the spell so she or you can get into the Longbottom's minds and lead them back to consciousness, or some such thing," James paused then took a deep breath "there is a spell that will cure my old friend Moony, apparently Godric made it up to help a unicorn that was bitten by something that no longer exists, he's a bit worried she may just skim over it and not see the significance, she will be likely to think its about one of Lovegood's myth's," James looked closely at Harry "both these spells once completed will be of great benefit to the healers."
"You should get Poppy Pomfrey to help, she has dedicated her entire life to caring for children, it's about time she was recognised, but that's just my idea. I like Poppy she always managed to patch me up after quidditch," James grinned "and she patched you up a few times too."
"Anyway as I said Godric says there are a few spells that could be modified a little, you and that brilliant wife of yours should study the book carefully, oh Godric says to give Albus your permission to read it after you've had your fun with him, seems he was a right prankster in his youth, almost worthy of being a marauder," James told him.
"How is our ancestor? From some of the things in that book, he seemed to be a rather brilliant man as well as a warrior," Harry asked
"Oh he's fine, he was, is, a brilliant man, it was him that thought of asking if we could help," James chuckled.
"Why don't you come up to the house, meet the wife, and tell her about these things? I'm sure she would get over the shock of seeing my other dead parent eventually," Harry chuckled as well.
"I don't have the time your mum and Dumbledore had, we had to plead for these few minutes, then I had to fight Godric for the pleasure, he wanted to meet you so much, but I told him you being my son gave me first choice, I was glad when Merlin agreed with me."
James pulled Harry into a hug, "Sorry we missed your growing up son, but we watch over you all the time."
"I suppose that means your time is up then," Harry murmured quietly.
"Yes afraid so, but we will meet again," James sighed.
"Not if those Time Masters keep sending me back," Harry laughed as he returned his fathers embrace, "I'm glad you came, bye dad."
James walked away back toward where he had come from; he turned and waved said "happy birthday son," then was gone.
chapter eighteen.
Harry sat by the river for a while, looking toward the place his father had disappeared. He was wondering just how many more things would these Time Masters come up with for him to do before they left him to live his life in peace. He had no complaints about the things they had asked him to do; it just seemed that the fates were placing quite a lot on the shoulders of just one man.
'And one woman' a strange new voice echoed in his head 'your young wife has a great destiny ahead of her, and you will be the one by her side'
Harry asked aloud "Who is that."
'The writer of destiny'/i came the answer 'the one who makes it all work'
'Oh,' was all he could think.
'I chose you and Hermione Jane Potter, many, many centuries ago, she will unite all magical beings, you will be by her side as she does so, she will be known as the greatest witch of all time, that is why you came back, that is the reason you need to know'
After a few more things were told to him the voice fell silent. Harry waited a while before he asked several other questions but they were all met with silence. Harry looked at his watch, two forty five, was that all, he watched as the second finger ticked around the dial. It felt like hours since he had arrived at the river.
'Time to go tell Hermione what happened and what dad said, I suppose' he thought as he slowly rose to his feet, 'So I'm not the only one marked by the fates'.
Harry found Hermione in the kitchen with Ginny and Mrs Weasley, a large amount of cakes were spread out on the kitchen table, the women were busy decorating or trimming various pastries. "Oh Harry I am really enjoying learning how to bake, I made you a treacle tart, and well, we just made a few other things," Hermione said as she tried to indicate to Ginny that she should try to hide some of the cakes.
Harry though was not paying any attention; his mind was full of the words he had heard and of the possibilities for his former professor and friend Remus Lupin, for Tonks, and Teddy, the boy who would be his godson. He thought of Neville and the happiness he was about to receive. For all the attention he was paying to his surroundings the women could have had a naked wizard on the table and he may well have not noticed. "Could I talk to you in the living room love?" he mumbled as he kissed her cheek before heading for the door.
"Oh thank you Hermione, Oh I would love to try some of that delightful treacle tart Hermione. Ooooh men," Hermione said annoyed with him.
Harry never noticed her annoyance which made Hermione even more annoyed, 'and he's ignoring me, hold on, something has happened' she thought as she made to follow him, Ginny followed as well, they found Harry standing in front of the fire the book of Gryffindor in his hands.
"Harry what is it? Has something happened?" Hermione asked as she saw the colour had drained from his face.
"Well if you would call the 'big guy in the sky' talking to me in person 'something', then yes I think we can safely say something happened."
Both girls could tell from the look on his face that he was telling the truth. Hermione gasped and sat down on the couch; Ginny gasped and exclaimed "Bloody hell."
"No I don't think so Gin," Harry said seriously. "Oh, and I just had a chat with my dead dad down by the river."
Harry was flipping delicately through the pages of the book he held, "This book, this ancient old book holds the cure for the Longbottom's, and even more astonishing it holds within these pages the cure for Remus Lupin among other things," he said as he stared at the parchment sheet of the last page. 'Teddy will have a normal father' he thought.
Harry was suddenly overloaded with realisations and emotions, thousands of people for generations to come would benefit from Hermione's intelligence and his love and support for her. Coming back had certainly been the correct choice to make. Tears began to run down his cheeks as the emotions overwhelmed him and broke free, seventy years of unhappiness had been replaced by a life full of happiness and all the things he had never had before.
Hermione was up and hugging him tightly before Ginny had been able to move. Harry took Hermione's face in his hands, gently he cupped her cheeks "I love you so much," he whispered "and so will thousands upon thousands of people for centuries to come, according to the big guy in the sky, I am married to the greatest witch ever born."
They stood there holding each other, Ginny left them in their embrace and went into the kitchen where she sat at the table and wept. It was the sadness of seeing Harry cry mixed with the joy at the words she had heard that caused her tears. Through her tears Ginny told her mother what she had just witnessed. Harry having managed to bring everything under control again, popped his head around the kitchen door "Got a Minute Gin?" he asked indicating the living room then vanishing.
Ginny looked at her mother then shrugged her shoulders "Looks like cooking has been postponed mum," she sighed as she walked toward the door, "will you manage this lot, or do you want me to send in cook."
"No, I'll manage, I don't need that darn elf telling me about being in her kitchen again," Molly chuckled.
Harry led the girls upstairs to his favourite study as soon as Ginny joined them. Once in the study Harry prepared his pensieve and then pulled out his wand, slowly pointing it at his temple he withdrew a long silver thread from his head and placed it carefully into the pensieve. "I think you should see this. While you are looking at it, I have to nip out, I shouldn't be too long, I just need to fetch Poppy and Dumbledore from Hogwarts. I'll nip back up for you if you are still here when I get back," Harry told them.
Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, deep in thought about the amazing Godric Gryffindor book, which just happened to be in the possession of his favourite student, the student he one day, had hoped might become his apprentice. Though this prospect looked less likely as the years passed, indeed if Harry Potter kept up with the pace his magic was developing, Albus might end up asking to be Harry's apprentice, the thought made him chuckle.
It was not often Albus was surprised but today seemed to be one of those days; Harry had turned up in his office from the floo, he had asked for himself and Poppy to return to Potter House with him as soon as possible, without giving a reason for the request. Albus was further surprised when upon arrival at Harry's house. Harry's wife Hermione had begged to be taken to St Mungo's immediately to see the Longbottom's, asking Poppy to go in with her. But by far the biggest surprise was now standing in front of him and smiling after having shaken his hand.
Poppy had taken Hermione into the permanent spell damage ward just fifteen minutes before; they had walked back out accompanied by Frank and Alice Longbottom. Hermione then promised that there were more surprises waiting for them back at Potter House. Harry floo called his godfather and asked him if he could find Moony and bring him to Potter house as soon as possible. The three men were now waiting in the living room, quietly awaiting the return of Hermione.
Ron, Neville, and Ginny, were over at the stable with Dig. Mrs Weasley was now working frantically in the kitchen, having accepted she would need help, she was actually working with cook, who had begrudgingly agreed to do as the master ordered, and though Harry did not actually order it cook had set to work. Hermione was the first to arrive back in the Potter living room, closely followed by Poppy Pomfrey, they both made a bee line for Remus, making the ex professor back up a little with their quick approach.
"Right Remus lie down on that couch, I wish to try out a spell on you," Hermione said without preamble.
"You want to try a spell on me?" Remus gaped as though Hermione had gone quite insane.
"Yes well you are the only werewolf I know, so it has to be you, now lie down, I think it may hurt a little and we don't want you falling over," Hermione said in her no nonsense voice.
Surprisingly Remus did as she told him and lay down, watching Hermione rather apprehensively. Hermione pointed her wand at Remus and began a long and complicated spell, occasionally giving her wand a twist or moving it in a small circle, as the spell was finished Remus began to writhe and scream in pain.
"Ah good it seems to be working," Hermione said to Poppy as a tear fell down her cheek and she cringed along with Remus.
The pain lasted a full two minutes before Remus gave a huge shudder and then took a large gulp of air. "Hermione what the hell are you playing at," he shouted at her "that was nearly as bad as the cruciatus."
"Well was it as painful as your transformations every month," Hermione said tears running freely now, it was obvious she had not enjoyed doing the spell.
Poppy stepped up to Remus and took a blood sample while he glared at Hermione. Having checked the sample Poppy called Albus over and asked him to check it as well,
"Well I'll be," Albus said as he looked at Remus's blood.
"Remus you should check this out before you upset Hermione any more," he said stepping back.
"Upset her, did you see what she did to me?" Remus asked.
"I did indeed, and I think you should too," Dumbledore told him pointing at the blood sample.
Remus leant over the sample and looked through Poppy's instrument "That's not possible," he gasped as his legs buckled and he sat down on the floor with a thump.
Hermione was looking at Poppy "Oh will someone tell me it worked," she pleaded.
Poppy Pomfrey walked over and held Hermione in a hug "Yes dear it worked."
Remus was taking a blood sample himself "there is no cure, there never has been, can't be right," he said as his hopes rose within him. After doing the complete check for himself Remus rushed across to Hermione and grabbed her in a fierce hug "I love you Hermione Potter," he said as he let her go.
"Oy Moony," Harry said not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "That brilliant witch is my wife."
"Right now we have that sorted, and it's a little later than I'd hoped, I want every one in the dining room including Mr and Mrs Longbottom." Harry told the gathering.
Hermione led them into the dining room and showed them all to their seats, she still had a few tears running down her cheeks, it had taken her three hours to work out the changes to the unicorn spell, the mind release had required no changes other than the subjects used. She had hoped to be finished just a little sooner, and with good reason. Five minutes later Ginny arrived followed by Ron, Neville, and Dig, Hermione sat them in their seats placing Neville at the head of the table. She then walked over to the living room door popped her head out and said ready.
Neville had been surprised but he knew when he was placed at the head of the table that they knew it was his birthday, so he watched the door as the expected birthday cake arrived, Glanry walked very slowly and deliberately across the room toward Neville, who eyes wide stared at the huge cake. A strange female voice to his left told him to make a wish as he was about to blow out the candles, he turned to see his mother sitting next to his father, both of them with huge smiles on their faces. Neville was so shocked he collapsed into his chair and almost fainted. Mr Longbottom handed Harry his invisibility cloak with a quiet "thanks."
Every one left the room for a few minutes, to give the Longbottom's some time together. As soon as they all re-entered the room Neville grabbed Hermione in a bone crushing hug "You are the best." he sniffled as he let her go.
As Neville's birthday party progressed Harry led Dumbledore aside, "I have something to show you in my study."
Dumbledore followed Harry to the study, and then on Harry's instruction he entered the pensieve and Harry's memory.
When Dumbledore came out of Harry's memory Harry was sitting in his armchair, a glass of mead in his hand, he indicated the chair opposite him and Dumbledore took the seat. Harry did not speak he just sat staring at the fire, twirling his glass and occasionally taking a sip. He was waiting for Albus to work it all out.
"So you did come from the future then?" Albus asked.
"Yes, it was you that sent me back."
"I suppose I was dead then, like your mother and father?"
"Yes, Snape killed you toward the end of my sixth year, on your orders, you left me with a very hard job to do, but with Hermione's help it was done."
"Voldemort?"
"Yes."
"So I'm to die this year then?"
"No I don't think so, there is a lot that needs to be done, there are many things in that ancient book,"
"I take it Hermione knows?"
"Yes, she was there when my mother visited."
"Why now Harry? The discovery of the book changed my previous belief that you had come from the future."
"I need you to help us; I don't want to waste time trying to keep this from you, though you must swear never to reveal the truth."
"You have my word on that," Dumbledore said sipping the mead Harry had conjured for him "Madam Rosemerta's I think." he smiled as Harry nodded. There would be no more questions from Albus he knew enough; he did not on this occasion require the details. He would help Harry find the answers about the ancient magik and it's power.
Poppy Pomfrey was enlisted by Hermione to help finding the different cures that lay hidden in the book, she had been asked and agreed to take a room at Potter house for the remainder of the holidays, so that they could get started straight away. That night as they changed for bed Harry placed the pensieve on his bedside table, he did not know if it would work but he withdrew the memory of his conversation with the writer of destiny, then together he and Hermione listened to it carefully. They both slept well that night, together they had done some wonderful things, Neville was now reunited with his parents, Remus Lupin was no longer a werewolf, and Dumbledore finally knew the truth. It had been a good day.