Chapter 10
Random Author Statement- Two days ago I swore to myself that I would never write a time-travel fic where something happens to Harry/Hermione (like dying) and they travel back to an earlier year at Hogwarts to redo history and do things like save Sirius, kill Weasleys and other traitors, etc. etc. Upon making that promise to myself I had an idea for one. I'm now halfway through page seven. If it were an Unbreakable Vow I'd be so fucked.
A/N- Anyway, this chapter is only around four pages but it's leading up to a final battle between Voldemort and the good guys so I got myself to a point where I felt comfortable with stopping before going into the mission/battle/whatever you want to call it. Also I got to write some reaction scenes which was amusing. Draco and Dumbledore's were quite fun. Well for me. Not so much fun for them. Vindictive Hermione might be my favorite Hermione. I would have written dialogue for Dumbledore but I couldn't bring myself to try and think like him. Given Albus' bouts of senility and the last time he was really in the non-magical world was in the forties I doubt he would have any clue about guns. Just thought I'd say that in case someone thinks, "Wait, AD might know about guns!"
P.S. the 'band-aid' line Harry says to Hermione was all me. I love stupid pick-up lines and was thrilled to get to make one up for the story. Also I frequently shortened "Death Eaters" to "DE's" just for the sake of saving time typing the damn phrase out a zillion times. So if you see 'DE' it's for Death Eater.
When Voldemort didn't hear from the attacking group he didn't think much about it. He presumed they were having too much fun raping and torturing the stupid muggles. So when they weren't there the next morning either again he didn't think much of it. But then he received word from Dolohov that there were disturbances in the Alley. He sent Pettigrew to investigate.
Pettigrew returned but not with good news, "M-m-my Lord…Th-th-they're…they're dead."
"Who is dead?"
"S-Snape, L-Lucius, and the L-L-L-Lestrange men."
Voldemort's eyes flashed with rage, "CRUCIO!" Pettigrew fell to the ground, his body convulsing as he was hit with searing waves of pain. Voldemort held it for five minutes, "I want to see it. Legilimens!" Inside the memory Voldemort gazed at some of his best Death Eaters. They were strung up and hanging about like scarecrows. There were holes in their bodies and they were still in their Death Eater robes. Some of the bodies had more holes than others though Malfoy only had one over his heart. He realized that there was a piece of paper on Malfoy and moved close to read it.
He exited the memory enraged. "POTTER! What magic is this? I want research done on the spells he used! And get their bodies down!" The Death Eaters all fled from his presence. Never get near a seriously angry dark lord. It was very bad for your health.
Molly Weasley had been out shopping for the new school year with her daughter and youngest son when she saw the dead Death Eaters. They were in the middle of the Alley, after all, and rather hard to miss. "Oh my word," she gasped. Ron's eyes bulged out at the image presented to him.
Since the bodies were in stasis, they still appeared to be freshly killed. When Harry told the goblins what he wanted to do they'd laughed and offered suggestions. Pulling anything over on the pureblood wizards was their idea of fun entertainment. And from Gringotts they could watch the wizards' expressions. They'd promised to give MI5 copies of their memories of the reactions, and they were also watching the newspapers for reports about the newest installations of Diagon Alley. Harry wanted them to get the message that you do not cross him. It was clear to see that for the many, that message was received.
Harry Potter was happy. Hermione was his fiancée, her goal of removing his 'saving people syndrome' and replacing it with 'pleasing Hermione syndrome' had been a success, and Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape were dead. He partly hoped that Draco and Pettigrew were next. Or maybe Voldemort would be angry and kill Pettigrew for him. That'd be nice. All in all, his life was pretty great. He wished Voldemort was dead so that that threat wasn't hanging over him but other than that Harry Potter was happier than he'd ever been before.
Hermione stretched and he smiled, his hand gently caressing the side of her breast, "Good morning love," she opened her eyes and pulled him in for a kiss, "you okay?"
"Feeling just fine," he said, shifting to sit up and yawning, "I was just admiring you."
She rolled her eyes and sat up, kissing his cheek, "No nightmares?"
"I think your arms are the ultimate band-aid. They just make everything better." Hermione feigned gagging noises and he laughed, "Okay yes that was a little thick. I suppose you're going to tell Mandy and the others?"
"Oh yes," she promised, "that was so ridiculous it deserves to be spread so you can be teased."
He probably would have been teased if everyone wasn't more interested in seeing the goblin's memories of various DE's trying to remove the bodies to no avail. It was actually funny to see them all blasted across the alley. Harry was reminded of those funny video shows; this one was just more gruesome in nature. "It's been five days and no attack. Think he learned his lesson?"
"I doubt it," Katherine said, "I think he is trying to regroup his forces. You took down 4 of his top Death Eaters; that was always going to cripple him."
"There can't be many top ones left," Hermione nodded. "Lucius was practically his right hand man."
This was understood and they all resumed watching the memories. The goblins had plenty of them. Harry smirked seeing Ron puke when he saw them before speaking, "I bet Dumbledore is weeping for his 'spy'."
Harry Potter would have won that bet. Albus Dumbledore couldn't leave the castle, not with Voldemort in control of the ministry, but he saw the pictures in the Prophet. The sight of a very dead Severus Snape on a post had tears coming to the old man's eyes. Severus was such a fine young lad. With a taste for the dark side, no less, which Dumbledore had always found enticing. And now that wonderful young man was gone. The Prophet mentioned the note and that made Albus sigh. It seemed Harry had gone dark, murdering his enemies and doing so in a violent, barbaric ritual of dark magic of some kind. And these were men who could have been redeemed! Albus lowered his head. At least he still had Draco.
Saying that Draco Malfoy was outraged was like saying the sun was hot. A gross understatement. His rage, in part, came from a letter that had been sent to him:
Draco-
For all the badmouthing of muggles you've done over the years, it was a muggle method that saw your father dead before he could raise his wand. I guess, despite all those 'wait until my father hears about this' statements you've made over the years, your father was a weak little piece of shite barely worth the effort it took me to kill him. Which was just a finger pull. If the father is that easy I can't wait to do the same to the son.
Don't worry, your time will soon come. And you won't see me before I kill you. I don't need to be invisible to sneak up on you Draco.
-Hermione Granger
That mudblood bitch would pay. Draco would see to that. But the problem was that he didn't know where she was. Since getting that letter Draco was beginning to have some conflicting emotions. While he wanted revenge, every time he turned a corner he was looking around for any sign of his impending death. He was terrified. There was only one mark on his father's body. Somehow the mudblood had killed his father with that mark. If she could kill a powerful wizard like his father then Draco could also be killed. He didn't like this at all. He was supposed to invoke fear, not the mudblood. He should have killed her when he had the chance.
The mudblood in question was at present at a training range with Mandy and Dean, firing into dummies. The letter she'd sent to Draco had been delivered by goblins. She'd told them what she wanted to do and paid for them to get it to him. The thought of the uppity bastard squirming in fear delighted her to no end. Luna had told them about Draco's adventures at Hogwarts. Attempted murder, assault, and rape highlighted Draco's sixth year at Hogwarts. Luna said that each time it was reported the victim was ignored and Dumbledore would just shrug and say that there was no evidence. The fact that he was now no doubt terrified of a muggleborn woman was very satisfying for everyone in the know.
"Do you think he's pissed himself yet?" Dean asked.
The girls giggled before Mandy spoke, "I wonder if he'll go to his master for protection."
"Maybe he'll go to Grandpa Albus and whine that the mean, evil mudblood is taunting him. I can be Harry's Dark Lady," Hermione smiled, "oh we're such a dastardly duo. Killing violent rapists who come to rape and kill innocent civilians; why, we should let them do just that!" Mocking Dumbledore's views had quickly become the only way to cope with having read the diary for all parties involved. It was simply too disturbing to do otherwise.
"I think Voldemort will be attacking soon. He's too egotistical to let it go."
"I look forward to it. We have house elves getting us information and the goblins have spies as well. We'll always know where and when."
"He is too dumb to grasp that the elves might not be loyal to him," Mandy nodded.
"Dumbledore and Voldemort both suffer from the delusion that people listen and obey them just because they're Dumbledore and Voldemort. This delusion is furthered by the fact that the public fears one and is intimidated and awed by the other," Dean shook his head, "at least we got all the new potential muggleborn students out of Hogwarts and to schools in Italy, Spain, and France."
-August 29, 1997-
Harry looked over the map. Their intel indicated that Voldemort was going to strike near Buckingham Palace. Harry thought this was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard. "He's desperate," Hermione reminded him.
"Yeah but that desperate?" Harry shook his head, "The queen has magical and non-magical guards roaming the grounds. Only an idiot would try to attack. Riddle is supposed to be bright."
"We took out alot of his people love. He doesn't have the ones that offered strategy anymore."
He mulled that over as he sat down in his chair. That was certainly true. "I just don't think we should underestimate him."
"We're not," Dean said, "but our intel is good, Harry."
"I know it just feels too easy."
Colin looked carefully at the intel, "Maybe Harry has a point. We have a large number of people. If we can coordinate with local anti-terror teams then we'd be set. Mandy, Wayne, and Dennis can take the Palace, the rest of us can head to a different location."
"Downing Street," Justin said. "The Queen and the PM are the biggest targets. I would bet that he would deploy his forces to those two locations."
"Even if he took out Her Majesty, the PM would be a problem. Riddle understands the monarchy and the parliament, at least at a basic level."
"We need a skeleton crew at Downing Street, but a powerful one. Hermione, Harry, and Justin. Dean, Terry, and Colin can go to the Palace of Westminster for Parliament. This is Voldemort's last hurrah. If we see the bastard, we have to get Harry there. And kill that blasted snake the minute you see it," Wayne looked at the others, "how's that Harry?"
"I feel at ease now," he said. "I don't see him going after civilians again, I agree. I think he'd aim for a big symbol of Britain. Buckingham is the obvious one but Downing Street seems the most likely target for Voldemort to be at. If he kills the PM he can get to Buckingham to get the throne."
Everyone agreed with this new plan and the rest of their division of MI5 began to organize the plans. While there would be multiple snipers, they'd be following the lead of the teen in the area. When they went to bed that night there was a good feeling amongst all the agents, be they a teenager or an adult. They would certainly be relying on local anti-terror teams from the police departments in some ways, but they were ready.
"Draco Malfoy you will go on the mission."
Said young man was not far from pissing his pants at this point in terror, "B-but the mudblood bitch could be waiting to kill me!"
"If you do not go I will kill you," Voldemort growled. "Your father has failed me, I shouldn't be surprised the son is just as pathetic. Perhaps I should just take care of that myself." Draco whimpered in response before being hit with a Cruciatus. Ignoring Draco's pleas Voldemort looked at Bellatrix, "First I take Downing Street, then I take Buckingham. But with attacks at both places they won't know where to go. Their forces must be smaller after that attack from my strongest Death Eaters."
Voldemort had no way of knowing that his DE's had never got a spell off, but had he known he probably wouldn't have believed it anyway. He couldn't recall non-magical weaponry but they couldn't do much, could they? Nagini would be by his side tomorrow. He wanted his familiar at his side as he claimed the throne. First England, then the world would bow before him.
Dobby silently popped out of Malfoy Manor. Apparently Dumbledore wasn't the only delusional enemy of Master Harry Potter. At least his family and new friends had already suspected an attack at 10 Downing Street. Poor Voldemort. He wouldn't know what hit him. He wondered if he and Kreacher would be allowed to kill the snake. Mistress Hermione already claimed Draco and Master Harry would have old No-Nose…surely Dobby and Kreacher could take out the snake? He'd have to ask Master Harry about it.
Chapter 11
A/N- I wrote this entire chapter yesterday. I had to gather my thoughts and make sure I accomplished what I wanted to. The story is reaching its end. It's actually gone amazingly well so I'm pretty pleased. I have artist syndrome typically where I hate whatever I do and want to destroy it once I create it but this one I'm content with. Expect an epilogue but this marks the end of the story.
I got many requests/demands that Dobby and Kreacher kill Nagini. You won't be disappointed, though I don't write how they do it. Use your imaginations to see two house elves slaughtering a snake lol. It certainly makes me chuckle imagining Dobby and Kreacher in riot squad gear with their daggers going after a huge snake. Any Transformers fans might recognize a certain phrase ;-)
Hermione Granger settled into her spot and checked her scope before tapping her ear, "How are you doing love?"
"Nervous. Kreacher and Dobby are excited though."
"Well they haven't been able to stop any of the other horcruxes. They get to kill this one. Can you imagine them wielding the sword of Gryffindor? It's much bigger than them." Her chuckle came through and Harry smiled. That was an amusing image in his head. That helped calm him somewhat.
"Thanks for that."
"Anything for you."
Harry, disillusioned near the door of 10 Downing Street, looked out at the empty street. "In twenty minutes or so this street will be covered in blood."
"Good. So we're agreed that insignificant DE's will be at the other two places, yes?"
"Which means we're the ones in charge. I like Dean, and I don't doubt his abilities, but I still think the PM is where he'd go before the Queen. Once Voldy has the throne he's not getting off of it."
"I agree." Harry smiled. When Hermione had heard Harry's reasoning for Downing Street being the largest target she'd agreed with him immediately. Dean and many others had indicated that Buckingham was calling to Riddle more than anything else but Harry was certain Riddle would be at Downing Street. He was glad he was here with Hermione and Justin. The quiet Hufflepuff was clearly only quiet at Hogwarts. Harry liked hanging around him now. All of them took their training seriously; Dean more than anyone else which had surprised everyone. Harry, just relieved to not be in the spotlight, had gladly let Dean take the role of coordinator and strategist. That had never been Harry's strong suit anyway. But sometimes Harry thought Dean was thinking wrong. Voldemort didn't think like a non-magical terrorist. Voldemort wasn't trying to scare people or incite panic. He was looking to win. This was less about terrorism and more about winning a war. Some of them just forgot that, what with their training and all.
Harry and Hermione were well coordinated with one another, and Harry realized that their relationship from the time he was eleven to now had led to that. All of their friends teased them that they worked well with one another because of their romantic relationship but Harry thought back to third year when they freed Sirius and Buckbeak; they'd trusted each other then with barely any communication. It wasn't that they were in love, it was that they had always just fit well together. The thought made him smile. "Apollo here. Our strike team is in place," Dean's voice in his ear had Harry taking a deep breath. It was time.
Mandy's voice came next, "Artemis here; we're ready."
Finally came Hermione, "Hera here, copy that. Ready and in position. Don't let them get a spell off. They will be shooting to kill."
"Copy that," came Dean and Mandy's voices. Harry closed his eyes and found his calm. Hermione had insisted on him meditating with her since he got anxious on missions. He'd obeyed her and it had in fact helped. Hermione never said 'I told you so', though, and he was grateful for that.
"Harry I love you," Hermione whispered.
He smiled and spoke, "I love you Hermione. We'll survive."
"You're on the front lines. Promise me you'll not make any grand speeches or taunt him. Kill him and get it over with."
"I'm not about to pull a Dumbledore," he promised, lifting his assault rifle, "and I'm not leaving you. Remember, we have a wedding to plan and a honeymoon to go on."
"Oh that's not something I'm likely to forget my love," Hermione teased him. Harry grinned.
Kreacher and Dobby stood near Harry, excited for their opportunity to fight alongside their master. Both wore special bulletproof vests and helmets to protect them, and Ragnok had offered them smaller goblin blades imbibed with basilisk venom to attack the snake. They'd accepted them. Neither one thought they could wield the sword of Gryffindor properly. The normally hyper Dobby was calm as he focused on helping his master.
Hermione began looking along the street. Any minute now it would begin. She saw movement and moved to look through the scope which automatically tightened its focus. "Ares, love, to your right about halfway down the street."
Harry looked, "I see him. Got a plan oh beautiful Hera?"
"Always do. Autobots, transform and roll out!" With Hermione's passphrase being given the goblins put up the wards to prevent apparition and portkeys. Their speed at those wards astounded Harry, but he was glad they were good at it. With civilians evacuated from the area and PM in a safe house it was now time to do what the wizards had been unable to because of their fear and ignorance.
Hermione struck first. The bullet between Draco Malfoy's eyes did not detract from the obvious fear on his face. Harry realized Hermione had a silencer on her gun. He usually heard at least a faint noise. He nodded to Dobby and Kreacher and they popped away to kill the snake as Hermione informed them where it was before she resumed fire, taking out Dolohov and Bellatrix with a single bullet. "Beautiful shot love."
"Keep it up I'm going to think that's my codename," she teased. Harry moved into position and waited for Hermione to give the go ahead to kill Voldemort. He didn't have long to wait as Hermione called through, "Medusa is down, Medusa is down. Fire when ready Ares."
Harry grinned and removed the disillusionment before calling out, "Hey Tommy boy!" The dark lord turned and Harry opened fire. It had been only five minutes from the time Draco had fallen to Voldemort being filled with bullets.
The minute Draco fell Voldemort turned to stare at the dead body before looking around. He couldn't see anyone that could have killed him. The DE's all looked around, wands drawn. This was supposed to be easier. Muggles were supposed to be defenseless. They were inferior to wizards. Then Bellatrix and Dolohov fell. With the fall of two of the worst DE's the others began to panic. Apparition was quickly recognized as impossible and so they began to run. So distracted by his followers and unable to see who was attacking them he didn't even notice that Nagini fell. His attention was on the rapidly dropping Death Eaters that were with him. Even the werewolves were falling. He heard Potter and turned to see him holding some metal thing before Lord Voldemort died for the last time. His last thoughts were of revenge when he returned through his horcruxes. He would be very disappointed when he realized he no longer had any.
With Voldemort gone the other DE's began running back up the street. They didn't get far. With Hermione and the other snipers taking them out from above and Harry and the others taking them out from the street again it was a completely one-sided battle. When they finished Kreacher and Dobby reappeared, both looking very proud of themselves, "We dids it!" They cheered, jumping up and down in joy. Harry grinned and hugged them both before looking to see Hermione exiting the building she'd previously been staked out in.
He moved to her quickly and kissed her, "One down. Think we'll have to get another?"
"Only if he's dumb enough to come after us," Hermione answered, "should we go see if the others need help?"
"They have to pull the wards down first. Also we have work to do here. They'll be fine," Harry said. They changed the frequency to hear the others and could hear that Mandy's group, at Parliament, was proving to be just hanging around. Buckingham Palace, on the other hand, had quite the battle going on. Harry would have been there immediately just a year and a half ago. Now, though, Harry had to make sure that the bodies were safe to be transported. Since they were ignored the first time, they were going to make a point this time. He couldn't wait to terrify the lazy ass bastards. He'd need Hermione's help on another letter to the editor.
-The Next Day-
Harry Potter Kills Dark Lord!
Below is a letter to the editor from the Man-Who-Conquered-Darkness:
To the Wizarding World-
Well I did it. I killed Voldemort. With help from Gringotts' goblins to destroy the devices he'd created to stay alive and two house elves who killed his snake Tom Riddle lost his immortality. Tom seemed to think that he could go after the non-magical world as easily as he did the wizarding world. Unfortunately for him, non-magicals don't roll over and take it. They stand and fight. And we all stood and fought. We, agents of Her Majesty's government, protected our Prime Minister and our Queen.
I want to make this clear. I did not do this to help any of you. I could care less about your bigoted, backwards world. I did this to protect my country and my Queen. If Voldemort had been content to rule over just the wizarding world I would never have killed him. His greed and thirst for power have cost him his life.
You all are content to sit back and let others fight your battles for you. Unfortunately so many of you do this that no one is left to stand up against the darkness. Up until today the goblins have held off from pursuing the ongoing thefts from my account. No longer. Today every thief will be arrested and charged in goblin courts under goblin laws. This is all for the best, really, since your government is still full of Death Eaters even though I slaughtered their master.
I can already tell you how this will go. Some will claim I'm a dark lord, others that I'm their savior. I'm not returning to the magical world. You can shove your awards and praises and howlers up your arses. Hermione and I are looking forward to just enjoying being a young couple and going on dates and vacations together. Now then. I have some advice for all of you. Leave. Me. Alone.
-Harry Potter
The bodies of the dark lord and many Death Eaters were found outside the Ministry of Magic early this morning. The Dark Lord himself is currently strung up in the Alley hanging from a gallows. His Death Eaters are all on poles like scarecrows, placed in a line from one end of the Alley to the other. It is unknown what caused the deaths of these men but one thing is for sure. No one's been able to remove any of them from their positions so far and it would appear the same holds true now.
Albus had just seen the picture of a dead Tom Riddle when three goblins entered his office, "Albus Dumbledore you are under arrest for hundreds of charges of theft, attempted line theft, kidnapping, child abuse, child neglect, bribery, misuse of funds, and letting a teenager run around with a piece of a notorious dark lord in his head."
"That last one isn't a charge."
"It is now," the goblin growled as the other two slapped magic suppression cuffs on the headmaster and took two wands and several portkeys from his person. "Planning your escape? No one escapes from goblin prisons. Stupid bastard." They exited with a defeated looking former headmaster.
When they got to the Alley Dumbledore saw members of the Order all in handcuffs. "If I could just talk to Harry I could explain everything."
"You never explained anything to him when you did talk to him, we doubt you'd start now," the goblin snarled. "Agent Potter has made his views perfectly clear. He will talk to none of you."
"Oi let go of me!" Albus looked to see Ronald Weasley also in handcuffs, "You miserable little pieces of shite get off!" His parents followed along with his sister. They weren't struggling, but they certainly weren't sad. Pure rage was apparent on Molly Weasley's face. He could see that the others were either scared, angry (though at who was a good question because many glares were being sent in Albus' direction), or had given in. When they walked past Voldemort's hanging body Albus sighed. It really was over. He had no cards left to play. He saw Draco Malfoy's body and shook his head. What a waste of a wonderful young man's life. He was so close to showing Draco the light too.
-December, 1997-
Katherine smiled at Hermione, "So you're certain you want to remain?"
"Harry and I talked about it and while we appreciate the opportunity to leave, even if it means being selectively obliviated, we'd rather stay."
"We had a feeling you would I just want you both to be sure."
"We are," she said.
"Speaking of Harry, where is he?"
"The goblins offered to show him the trials of the people who stole from him. He wanted to see Dumbledore's."
The older woman nodded, "He's a very nice young man. When is the wedding?"
"Early spring," Hermione smiled, "Harry wants us to get away for our honeymoon. I trust we can have one?"
"Of course you can," Katherine nodded, "I'll mark it down in your files. Just tell me the timeframe once you've set a date."
"We will. I suppose you'll talk to the others?"
"Everyone gets the option. There are several governmental agencies that would like you nine. It's your decision though. When you came to us you were out of options and had little in the way of choice. It was Her Majesty's request that you get the final choice. I'm personally thrilled you chose us, because I've no doubt you'll one day replace me."
"Thank you Chief," Hermione bowed her head politely before exiting the office. She had a fiancée to find.
It wasn't that she was worried about Harry. It was more that she wasn't sure why he wanted to see any of the trials at all. When she entered their apartment and saw Harry sitting on the couch she was concerned. "Harry?"
He looked up and offered her a small smile. "Dumbledore set up my parents to be killed. He made sure Sirius was imprisoned without a trial. He made sure I was abused by my relatives. He made sure that the Weasleys were the first wizard family I met at the train station." Harry stopped talking long enough to lick his lips, "But he never planned on one Hermione Jean Granger. You became my friend just because you liked me."
"And you saved me from a troll," she reminded him.
"A troll that Dumbledore planned to kill you," Harry grimaced. "He knew that Voldemort would let it in and made sure that that bathroom was sprayed with a scent that's…well it arouses them."
"But I wasn't even your friend then why would…" Hermione's eyes widened, "he thought I was a threat to his plans."
Harry just nodded and she sat next to him, "I think we would have been friends sooner if Ron hadn't been such a twisted, bullying git. All the old bastard said about it was that you were too smart for your own good. I guess he thinks killing is acceptable if he isn't directly responsible for the death. Great morals there."
"Dumbledore always seemed like a 'do as I say, not as I do' type anyway," she rested her head on his shoulder, "You okay?"
"I'm more upset that he wanted you dead than I am anything else," he squeezed her against him, "The one person who wanted me for me and he wanted you dead."
"Bumbles couldn't get rid of me, no one else will either," she kissed him, "now we need to set a wedding date. Katherine said she'd give us however long we wanted for our honeymoon off, we just have to tell her when." Harry smiled at the thought of their upcoming wedding and she knew he was fine.
Chapter 12- Epilogue
A/N- You didn't think I'd leave you without the sentences did you? Of course not! Originally I intended these paragraphs to be longer. It felt like filler so I dumped it. I hope you like how I took care of Dumbles. Took me awhile to work out the best ending for him. I mean, there are only so many ways to kill someone in a goblin mine after all. Do not worry, there is no child by the name of Albus Severus Potter in this epilogue. You're welcome.
Thank you for reading, this epilogue marks the end of the story. I really seem to have a thing for 12 chapter stories...
The trials of those that stole from Harry proved to be complex. Under Veritaserum many lesser Order members expressed they didn't know where the money had come from. The cases of the Weasleys were complicated. Arthur thought that it was from Dumbledore, but Molly knew it was from Harry. She also confessed to intending to dose him with love potions to get with Ginny. Like Bill, Charlie'd had no idea the money for his schooling came from Harry. He too helped to pay off a portion of his schooling and apologized profusely in a letter he handed the goblins to send to Harry. Percy wasn't aware of the love potion but was aware of the money coming from Harry. Fred and George didn't know about the money but knew about the love potions. Ron and Ginny knew about both and Ginny's testimony was littered with derogatory things about Hermione.
The sentences were as varied as the guilt. The minimum sentence was 10 years at a goblin mine and went all the way up to life in the mine. Dumbledore, Molly, Ron, and Ginny were given the highest sentences.
Ragnok had explained to Harry that most of the sentences would have been lighter but the criminals made it worse for themselves by verbally abusing the goblins presiding over the cases and claiming wizarding superiority. Harry found that fair. Goblins also took love potions very seriously so he knew that those would be the harshest sentences, leaving him not surprised at the sentences of Molly and her two youngest. A life sentence in the goblin mines meant just that. There was no parole, no early release. Many prisoners ran into unfortunate ends with dragons or cave-ins. It was dangerous to cross the goblins. Harry was a friend of the goblin nation, as was Hermione, so the sentences were also made harsher for that.
Harry hadn't wanted to know about Lupin, but Hermione had found out anyway in case he ever did want to know. Remus Lupin felt indebted to Dumbledore, first for letting him come to school to learn and then for a job teaching. Lupin, it turned out, accepted the money because he had no other options. He didn't have much and was forced into the position. Hermione scheduled a meeting with him after his sentencing, without telling Harry. She didn't want him upset but he'd been one of her favorite professors and had to know.
Seeing the sunken cheeks of the werewolf didn't make her soften. He'd hurt her lover and Hermione took that personally. "Did you ever ask Dumbledore why you were getting paid?"
"No," he answered.
"Why?"
"Why not ask? I was embarrassed to even take the money. But I needed it. I thought I could pay Albus back but he said to not worry about it. He's always been a great leader so I thought nothing of it."
Calling Albus Dumbledore a great leader was like calling Tom Riddle a misguided man in Hermione's eyes. Her temper flared and she practically growled, "Dumbledore knew James and Lily would be attacked that night." Hermione's eyes narrowed, "Your 'great leader' let your friends die. Your 'great leader' placed their son, a baby you played with and supposedly loved, into an abusive environment. Your 'great leader' ignored the wishes of your friends and dumped my Harry on a doorstep like a bottle of milk. Your 'great leader' never checked up on him and fully expected him to be abused. He just didn't care. Why should he? He was raising Harry to die!" She felt the tears coming but didn't stop, "You never checked up on my Harry! Tell me, Remus Lupin, did you ever wonder why your 'great leader' didn't want you to tell Harry you knew his parents? You waited a long time in our third year to tell him. You never contacted him our fourth." Hermione stood up from the table, "Did you ever wonder why Albus Dumbledore didn't want you to tell Harry you knew his parents?"
Remus wouldn't look at her and just shook his head. Hermione walked to the doorway, "I know Harry won't forgive you. His trust has been violated and you were ordered to keep us apart. That hurt him more than any monetary theft ever could. I'm not seeing much difference between you and Pettigrew. Pettigrew took Harry's parents, you tried to take his future. If you ask me the latter is the worse charge." With that Hermione walked out of the room, feeling much better than when she'd entered.
The wizarding world was crippled with the imprisonment of Albus Dumbledore. Then his testimony was revealed. Most people were horrified to read about his deeds done for the supposed 'light' and not knowing who to turn to for guidance completely disintegrated their government. Luna and the others contacted Ragnok and he again contacted Harry, who agreed to put them up in a hotel until they could find jobs. Ultimately Daphne, Hannah, Susan, and Tracey all decided to go to university. Luna was too young still and so Harry got her a small flat in a safe area. Neville entered the Royal Marines, which Harry and Hermione agreed would be good for him.
The wedding ceremony on April 21rst was small with around twenty people in attendance, not including the bride and groom. With Mandy as the maid of honor and Terry as the best man the couple wasn't alone at the altar, though they stood there just the four of them. They'd agreed to only have the two since Mandy and Hermione were so close and she didn't share that closeness with the other girls quite yet.
In Harry's mind it was a beautiful wedding, but then he was only staring at the bride so he couldn't really objectively say otherwise. Ragnok officiated for them, much to their pleasure.
With almost all the money reclaimed Harry placed it in a charity fund for orphans. Hermione helped him organize it and set up a charitable foundation to help fund research for medical diseases like cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Hermione's parents ran the foundation for them with the goblins.
As for the nine, some moved elsewhere. Mandy, Terry, and Justin went to MI6. Dean entered the British Army as a strategist, and Wayne entered the Royal Navy to see the world. Colin and Dennis both went into surveillance within MI5. These different paths did not, however, make them distant. They still managed to get together here and there.
Luna married Colin in the summer of 1999. Daphne and Tracey had already been a couple, not that anyone was surprised. Justin and Mandy got together shortly after Harry and Hermione's wedding and married in late 2000. Neville and Hannah got married three months after Luna and Colin did.
Susan contemplated a return the wizarding world that had been her home for so long only to learn that they were doing worse than with Voldemort at the helm. The sheeple syndrome of the wizards and witches of Britain was proving to be too much to overcome and so anyone who claimed to have a plan was immediately believed wholeheartedly. Susan went into politics in the non-magical world, pleased that thinking critically and asking questions wasn't looked at negatively by everyone like it was in the wizarding world.
Hogwarts' acclaim and prestige faded quickly as first generation magicals went to the continent to study magic. Without access to new income every year Diagon Alley businesses that were dependent on students began to close down.
Albus Dumbledore became the man who had driven away the Boy-Who-Lived and spent his remaining years in the mines in anger that the world was unaware of his greatness. His legacy, like Voldemort's, was of infamy. Ultimately the old man served only 10 years in the mines before dying from suffocation when a dragon chose to defecate right on top of him. Ron and Ginny Weasley were presented with the not-so-pleasant task of digging him out. A goblin guard granted the memories to Ragnok, who made sure to share them. Harry laughed so hard Hermione was afraid he'd injure himself.
Shortly before Albus Dumbledore died Hogwarts closed its doors. There was sorrow in the old man's eyes when that happened. It was like the final door slamming on the wizarding community and any that could found themselves leaving Britain.
Officially, Britain's magical community did not fail. Unofficially Hogsmeade and other wizarding settlements were virtual ghost towns. The pureblood supremacists finally had what they wanted- only purebloods were left. Their dream of only purebloods being permitted into their world was proved to be stupid and their economy came to a halt.
-November, 2007-
Harry gazed at the newborn baby in his arms. Of all the things Hermione had given to Harry over the years- her friendship, her time so he could pass his classes, her loyalty, her patience, her devotion, her passion (his eyes glazed over at that last one)- the little boy in his arms was by far her greatest gift. "Mutual effort love. You helped."
He turned, "Was I speaking out loud?"
"Mumbling. I caught a few words here and there," Hermione answered, shifting so he could join her on the bed, "how are you feeling?"
"Emotionally overwhelmed," he leaned in and kissed her, "he's perfect, Hermione."
She accepted the infant from her husband and shifted so as to feed him while Harry warmed a bottle for her magically. "He has my eyes."
"And my hair," Harry kissed her cheek as he slid his arms around her and watched her feed him, "do you know what witches do to feed? I doubt they use bottles."
"I never asked but I would presume that they would breastfeed. Though I can't imagine Narcissa Malfoy doing that."
Harry chuckled, "She did look like she just sucked on a lemon everytime we saw her." He rested his head against hers, "You're hands down the sexiest mom ever."
"Of course you think that," she smiled, "Nathan Daniel Potter. You know I wouldn't have objected to you naming him after your dad instead of mine."
"Your parents have treated me like a son even before we got together. Besides my dad was a prankster and I'd rather not name my son after him."
She smiled and kissed him, "I can understand that. I think people would expect us to name our children after your parents."
"People in the wizarding world maybe. Speaking of parents, Mum and Dad are here. The nurse came and told me while I was busy spending time getting to know Nate."
"He's only four hours old and you're already using a nickname? Lazy arse."
"I only had two hours of sleep because he decided to make his appearance in the middle of the night," Harry pouted, "so really it's his fault."
"At least you didn't say it was mine," she leaned in and kissed him. "Now go get my parents. The sooner they see Nathan the sooner we can go to sleep. I'm exhausted too."
Harry squeezed her affectionately before standing up, "I'd offer to carry the next one but it doesn't work like that."
"No it doesn't," Hermione leaned back into the pillows and gazed down at their son while Harry left to go get the Grangers. Once upon a time Hermione had told Harry she'd march into hell by his side. Looking down at their son's warm brown eyes and smiling face she couldn't help but feel that together they'd found heaven instead.