A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
So we were cowards, so we were liars,
So we're not heroes, we're still survivors.
The dreamers, the fighters, no lying, I'm tired,
But dive in the fire, and I'll be right here by your side.
We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back,
But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony,
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like (ah).
Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head?
Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead,
Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony.
Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like.
~ What It Sounds Like by Huntrix
~*~ 21st August 2003 ~*~
Hermione came to consciousness to the soft rustle of fabric and the faint clink of a belt buckle. She opened her eyes to see Harry standing near the dresser, already halfway dressed in his new tailored trousers, the early morning light spilling onto his bare arms showing the definition of his muscles.
She sighed. "Today's the day, isn't it?"
Harry glanced over his shoulder as he tucked his undershirt into his trousers. "Did I wake you?"
She shook her head, sitting up and drawing her knees to her chest. "No, I woke up on my own."
She bit her lip as she watched him fasten his trousers, then slipped on a crisp dress shirt. The sight of him being so put together, made it so real that he was going off to St. Mungo's in such a professional role, made her chest ache in a way she wasn't prepared for. She sighed, "I hate watching you get dressed."
Harry smiled and crossed the room, stopping in front of her. "I promise," He said as he kissed her, "You can undress me when I get home."
Hermione smoothed her hand over his chest, swallowing hard. "You need a tie."
Harry looked down at his shirt. "I do?"
She nodded, throwing the covers off her body as she moved over to the dresser. "Rose and I were at the store the other day, and I saw this. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."
She pulled a narrow box from under her knickers and handed it to him.
Harry lifted the lid and broke into a grin. "Tiny stethoscopes," He took it out and looped it around his neck, watching himself in the mirror as he tied it. "I haven't worn a tie since sixth year," he told her as he turned around, "Well?"
Hermione crossed the room and ran her hands down his chest, smoothing down wrinkles that did not actually exist. "You look very professional," she bit her lip. "Tonight, I might have to be a very naughty nurse."
Harry laughed, leaning down to kiss her. "That gives me even more incentive to come home."
She sank back onto their bed with a sigh. "When do you have to be there?"
"Nathan and I are meeting for breakfast at seven," he said as he sat down beside her.
Hermione rested her head against his shoulder, "Reality is here," she murmured, "I really enjoyed having you all to myself."
Harry chuckled, "You're acting like I am leaving forever. I'll be working seven to four most days, only eight-hour shifts. Occasionally on-call if it's truly serious." He nudged her. "You work longer hours than that."
She exhaled, pouting, "I've just been spoiled."
He stood and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'll be gone until only one today. I'll stop by the shop on the way home. I'll even get Rose from school." He brushed his thumb across her cheek. "Go back to sleep. You might be able to get another half an hour."
Hermione stood up. "It's pointless now, I might as well have coffee."
Harry slipped his blazer on as they walked downstairs together, and Hermione hugged him, kissing him before Harry stepped into the floo and vanished in the swirl of green flames.
Hermione stood staring at the empty fireplace for a moment, then sighed as Crookshanks wound himself around her ankles. She bent down and scratched behind his ears.
"Well," she told him quietly, "It's just us again, Crooks. Unless you want Rose, she's still asleep upstairs."
With a flick of his tail, he padded out of the room without a glance back at her.
She straightened as she watched him go, "I'm just chopped liver."
Hermione was halfway through sealing Rosella's lunch container when the sound of clomping footsteps echoed down the stairs.
She turned to see Rosella appear in the kitchen, wearing an Ariel shirt, a bright pink tutu that didn't cover her bum, and yellow wellies that were still at least two sizes too big. Hermione closed her eyes as she took a breath. "Back upstairs," she said as calmly as possible, "And put on what I laid out for you."
Rosella crossed her arms and jutted out her lip. "But I want to wear this."
Hermione opened her eyes and mirrored her daughter. "I understand that, but you are NOT exposing your bottom to your entire class. Go."
Rosella huffed dramatically, rolling her eyes, which made Hermione question whether she was more influenced by her own attitude, by Harry's flair for the dramatic, combined with being much too advanced for being five, as she clomped back to the stairs and stomped back upstairs.
"Lord be with me when she is a teenager," Hermione mumbled as she leaned against the counter and groaned.
Somewhere between Harry coming home and becoming such an influential part of their lives, she had grown reliant on another adult being present for their morning routine.
Closing her eyes, she looked down as she took a calming breath. "Harry, you've spoiled us."
After finishing her lunch and packing it inside her lunchbox, Hermione went upstairs for a second round of negotiations. With minimal confrontation, Rosella was finally dressed properly for school. Hermione threw on something presentable for herself and grabbed her handbag before ushering Rosella out the door.
The school's car park was nearly full when Hermione pulled in.
Hermione hurried out of the car and unbuckled Rosella, who decided to take her dear old sweet time. "It's three days before vacation. You cannot be late now."
As they reached the entrance, MacKenzie stepped out, holding the door open for them and raising an eyebrow. "You two are running late."
"Don't mention it." She opened the main door as it buzzed open. Hermione nudged Rosella through the doors, "Have a great day." Glancing at Miss Miller, she smiled, "She can walk herself today."
She turned back to MacKenzie, "Coffee and breakfast?"
MacKenzie grinned, "Your place? I'll go grab some food."
Hermione nodded, "Give me ten minutes."
"See you there," MacKenzie said, climbing into her car.
Hermione drove home and tidied up what was left from her disaster of a morning with a quick swish of her wand. She set the coffee maker for a new pot and started the kettle, just in case, as a knock came at the door.
"Come in!" She called.
MacKenzie stepped inside and glanced around. "I don't know how you do it, Hermione. Your house is spotless every time I come over," her voice said from the front door.
Hermione scoffed, "You lie. I'm in the kitchen."
She heard MacKenzie's footsteps coming closer, then they stopped. Hermione turned, looking down the hallway, "What's wrong?"
MacKenzie was staring at the wall, wide-eyed, at the new photographs that Hermione had put on the wall since Harry's return. "You went to a boarding school, right?"
"Yes…" Hermione trailed off cautiously.
"Hogwarts?"
Hermione froze. "What do you mean?"
MacKenzie pointed at the framed photograph on the wall, and Hermione didn't need to look. She already knew which one it was. It was one of the ones Colin Creevy had taken of her, Harry, and Ron together after one of the Quidditch matches when they were celebrating another Gryffindor win.
"My brother wore that uniform," MacKenzie said quietly.
Hermione swallowed. "What's his name?"
"Kenneth Towler," MacKenzie told her.
Hermione slowly inhaled. "Then yes, I went to Hogwarts. He was two years ahead of me."
MacKenzie stared at her, "Shite, so you're magical too?"
Hermione nodded as the kettle started whistling behind her. "If that makes you uncomfortable-"
MacKenzie scoffed, "No," she said, waving her off, "My brother tried to scare me half to death with weird nonsense growing up, you won't," she said, walking over to her, "I'm more wondering about Annie. Is Rosella magical?"
"Yes," Hermione said, walking into the kitchen to turn off the stove.
MacKenzie blew out a breath. "I think Annie is. She gets angry, and the lights blink. She turned the telly back on after I switched it off. My husband doesn't know about my brother. He just hates him and thinks he is weird. Annie also told me that she and Rosella practice being witches and make toys come to them when they want them at school."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "I need to talk to her." She looked at MacKenzie, "I'm Muggleborn, my parents weren't magical. I'll help you with anything you need."
"Good," MacKenzie said as she sat down at her kitchen table, "Because my brother is an absolute arsehole now."
Hermione set two mugs on the table and placed a potholder under the coffee pot and the kettle.
"So," MacKenzie drawled, "Harry was in that picture, so he is one too?"
Hermione sat down across from her, "One of the most powerful wizards I know… or possibly alive now, I would assume." She poured herself a cup of coffee, then added her cream. "Did your brother ever mention the war?"
MacKenzie nodded. "He came back home and went to school to get a diploma. He said people were being hunted? He didn't do anything magical for a while."
Hermione swallowed her coffee down and held it within her hands for a moment. "There was a dark wizard," she said carefully, "Think Hitler but with magic. He believed that anyone not born to two magical parents had stolen their power from a fully magically born person."
MacKenzie stared at her, "What happened to him?"
Hermione sipped her coffee. "Technically, he killed himself, but if you ask most people in the magical world, Harry killed him."
MacKenzie choked on her coffee, sputtering. "Your Harry? Tall, dark, and handsome, with the heart of a kitten?"
Hermione nodded, "He's… well known in our world."
MacKenzie was quiet for a moment. "Were you in it? The fighting?"
"Yes," Hermione stated as she bit her lip and sat back, running her finger over the top of her mug. "The hunting your brother mentioned, because I was a Muggleborn and friends with Harry, I was second in line behind him for capture." Hermione thought about it for a moment, "So I went on the run with Harry and our best friend Ron, at seventeen years old, as we all ran for our lives." Hermione looked away as she gathered her thoughts. "Rosella was conceived while we were on the run. We didn't know it at the time. We were too starved and ill from lack of proper nutrition while we were running. By the time the war was over, Harry couldn't carry the weight of it all and left the UK to train as a Healer."
"So, he's not a doctor?" MacKenzie asked.
"Well, same thing basically," Hermione replied, "Just a different word for it."
MacKenzie leaned back, then looked at her, shaking her head. "I can't believe you went through all that, and you are younger than me."
Hermione shrugged, "Welcome to my very strange normal."
"Excuse me?"
Hermione turned around from where she was shelving the new releases and saw an older woman. "How can I help you?"
"I was looking for a certain book, but I don't remember the author sadly," she said. "I…" She trailed off as she froze, her eyes going wide.
Hermione frowned, "Is something…" she asked as she turned around.
Harry stood just inside the door, blazer hooked over one finger, slung carefully over his shoulder as if he had just stepped out of a magazine. His sleeves were rolled up, leaving his forearms bare. His veins bulged beneath his tan skin. Those damn trousers fit him too well, and the shirt clung to his muscles just enough that Hermione had to bite her lip not to groan.
Hermione swallowed hard as her pulse skyrocketed when Harry turned to Regina and grinned, earning a flustered wave before his eyes fell on her.
"Hey," Harry said as he walked over, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. Glancing at the woman waiting for her assistance, her own mouth slightly hanging open, "Oh, sorry. You're with a customer. I'll leave you to it." He nodded towards the stairs. "I'll be upstairs."
She and the customer watched him walk away, their eyes tracking every step, before the customer turned back to Hermione in a daze.
"I… don't even remember what I was looking for," she admitted, "But you are one very lucky woman."
Hermione snorted, "Don't I know it."
After some prompting, Hermione finally successfully found the book the woman was looking for, then excused herself and climbed the stairs to her office.
Pushing open her office door, she found Harry sitting in her chair. No, not sitting. No, he was fully settled, legs sprawled with slight arrogance. His tailored trousers stretched tight over his thighs that had no business looking like they did beneath the fabric that encased them. He twirled his wand between his fingers as his gaze found hers.
Hermione shut the door and locked it with her wand. "You did that on purpose."
Harry's mouth curved into an infuriating, trying to be innocent grin. "I did nothing."
Hermione shook her head as she crossed the room. Without breaking eye contact, she reached beneath her dress to remove her knickers. "Pants off."
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, standing up and unbuckling his belt.
His trousers dropped to the floor along with his boxers, revealing his already hardening penis. Hermione pushed him back into her chair, then swept her hair over her shoulder as she knelt in front of him. "You have been a very bad boy, Mr. Potter." She purred, tracing the vein down the length of him.
"Fuck, Hermione," He groaned as she ran her thumb over his tip and he reached for her head.
"I thought you were going to be a good boy now," Hermione grinned.
Rising to her knees, she untied his tie and duplicated it. Winding one around each wrist, she bound his wrist to her chair. "Now, I know that you will be a good boy," she said, grinning as she saw him twitch.
She leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear, "You are at my mercy now, Chief Potter."
Running her hands down his arms, exploring the muscles that tensed under her touch, she leaned in and captured his lips. Harry moaned into her mouth, his arms straining against his ties.
Hermione grinned against them as her hand moved between them and she wrapped her fingers around his dick, stoking it gently.
Harry's breath caught, and his body tensed as she felt him hardening within her hand. Leaning, her tongue flicked out to lick the tip, her eyes never leaving his as she swirled her tongue around it. She couldn't help but grin as he groaned, pulling harder at the ties around his hands when she took him fully into her mouth.
"Shite!" Harry groaned, stomping his foot as his hips bucked, making her nearly gag.
Hermione looked at him, "That wasn't nice."
"Shite, Hermione. Fuck, sorry, but my God, let me touch you," Harry said.
Hermione stood up, grabbed the hem of her dress, and pulled it up over her hips. Straddling his lap, she wrapped her hand around him again and rubbed his tip against her clit before sliding against him.
Her eyes widened as she heard two distinct ripping sounds as his hands grabbed her hips, and she sank onto him. "I liked that tie," she pouted as he aided her hips as she moved over him.
"I'll repair it," Harry said as he kissed her hard.
Hermione used his shoulders as leverage as she bounced on him, chasing her release. Harry's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as he bit down on her shoulder, making her gasp as she shattered around him.
Harry's hands gripped her hips as he bucked up against her, and a knock sounded on the door.
"Are you two-"
"GO AWAY, REGINA!" They yelled.
"Fine, fine… it wouldn't hurt to use a silencing charm, you know," Regina said.
Hermione looked at him wide-eyed as he gasped out, then tensed under her. "Shite, we forgot a silencing charm."
Harry snorted into her neck as he caught his breath, "I think she knew what we came up here for."
"Damn those trousers," Hermione muttered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "How was orientation?"
Harry ran his hands down her back, "It's going to be different being in a real hospital, not a field one. More people to remember their names." He sighed, resting his forehead against her clothed chest, "Nathan wanted me there because he felt I would be a great leader for the Healers and the operations of the hospital with my background and knowledge from my travels." He looked up at her, "But I like working with patients, you know, and the guy retiring doesn't do much of that."
Hermione ran her fingers through his hair, "Then you make the job what it SHOULD be. How else can a Chief be accountable for the hospital if they aren't working alongside the other healers or seeing the day-to-day operations?"
Harry smiled, "And this is why I come to you."
Hermione kissed his nose then climbed off his lap, making him groan as he slipped out of her, "Because we know that I'm the real brains of the operation. Did you make the appointment with Gringotts for tomorrow?"
Harry sighed as he pulled up his trousers, "Yeah. Kraglin was available."
"Good," Hermione said, checking her reflection in the small mirror in her office.
Harry picked up her knickers and handed them to her, "Might want these." He kissed her after she did a cleaning charm, and she slipped them on. "I'm going to go pick up Rose."
"See you tonight," Hermione said as he opened the door, and Regina stood on the other side, shaking her head.
"Bye, Regina," Harry said, walking past her.
Regina walked in, shaking her head at the tattered shreds of Harry's tie. "It's always the quiet ones."
~*~ 22nd August 2003 ~*~
Hermione stepped through the doors of Gringotts at Harry's side, her boots' heels clicking against the marble floor. Several goblins glanced up at them as they passed and nodded to her.
Hermione lifted her hand in greeting, smiling and greeting a few of them who weren't with customers by name.
Harry leaned in. "They seem very familiar to you."
Hermione smiled, "On nights that I work late, I bring the till money myself. It's safer, and you get to know them better that way."
Harry snorted slightly, "Only you would get to know everyone at the bank's names."
Before she could reply, the head goblin acknowledged them. "Lord Potter and Ms. Granger," he said, nodding to them. "A pleasure, as always, to see you both."
Hermione nodded back, "You as well, Drinny."
"Kraglin expects you," Drinny stated, motioning to a guard at his side, "This escort will take you to Kraglin's office."
The guard bowed to them, then turned to lead them down the corridor to Kraglin's office.
Harry glanced at her as they followed. "Being on a first name basis with goblins is basically unheard of."
Hermione smirked, "They appreciate respect. Give respect, get respect."
Kraglin greeted them, motioning to the chairs in front of his desk. "Ms. Granger and Lord Potter, you are here to finalize your wills, start combing assets, and retrieve travel documents?"
Hermione nodded, smoothing down her dress, "Yes, that is correct."
Kraglin slid two thick folders to them both, Hermione's notably thinner than Harry's. "Your wills will reflect your current assets, the wards and guardianship of Rosella Lily Potter." His dark eyes swept over to Harry, "Including your provisions for her."
He sat back as they both opened their folders. "You may review all the documents, but rest assured, everything has been prepared exactly as instructed. You both retain equal guardianship of Rosella, as well as have her as your secondary heir behind each other.
Hermione turned the pages of her will, reviewing every page carefully. "Everything is in order."
"Agreed," Harry said.
Kraglin took the folders from them and snapped his fingers. An elf appeared. "Take these documents to the records room to be filed."
The elf nodded and disappeared as Kraglin opened a large envelope. "Your travel documents. Portkey permissions, international apparition clearances, and the newest Gringotts bank card to use within the Muggle world."
Hermione accepted the envelope and placed it in her purse. "Thank you."
Harry looked at Kraglin, "I'd like to visit my vault as well as the Peverell vault today."
He nodded once, his gaze settling on Hermione. "That stone…"
Harry sighed, "I think Hermione might help us uncover some of the mysteries of that vault. I want to collect some funds from my personal vault."
Hermione swallowed hard, "I also may want to talk to someone, whether you could help me or not, about a situation. Is there a way to confirm family history?"
Kraglin looked at her, "Do you doubt your parentage?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, not at all. I just learned some information that there may be magical ancestors down in my family history."
Kraglin folded his hands in front of him. "There are ways. Magic leaves a trace, even generations later. Do you wish to do that today?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Not today. I just wanted to know if it's possible."
Kraglin stood, then led them to the vault caverns, where a cart was waiting for them under the torchlight. Hermione shivered the moment she stepped into the metal cart. "I forgot how cold it is down here," she murmured as Harry climbed in beside her.
He wrapped an arm around her. "Cold?"
"Just a bit."
The cart lurched forward after Kraglin and another goblin got inside, as they began plunging into the depths of the cavernous underground of Gringotts. Wind whipped around them as they ventured through the tunnels, the cold growing sharper like knives against Hermione's face. She leaned into Harry as the vaults became older. Becoming more stone than metal.
When the car screeched to a halt, Harry was out first, offering his hand to her. She took it gratefully, stones crunching beneath her boots.
Harry handed Kraglin his key, and he inserted it, running his finger down the door, and the vault door opened.
Hermione froze as Harry entered. "Oh."
The vault in front of her stretched both wide and deep, with vaulted ceilings arched higher than her house. Shelves lined the walls, weighed down with books and artifacts. Portraits propped up occupied one corner, the faces in front watching them quietly. At the back were piles of coins gleaming under the torchlight.
"Harry," she breathed. "Our house could fit in here."
Kraglin's mouth twitched. "This is not one of our large vaults."
Harry filled his moleskin bag, then turned toward her. "You can come in. It will be your vault soon."
Biting her lip, Hermione crossed the threshold. Harry walked over to a tall, narrow case and placed his finger on it, unlocking the lid. "Come here."
Hermione walked closer and froze. Inside lay rings. Dozens of them. Some plain, some glowing with what seemed to be magic, others bearing the Potter family crest. "Harry, these are all your family heirlooms."
He nodded, lifting one carefully. "This is my family's signet ring. I haven't chosen to wear it yet."
He placed it back in the velvet and picked up a thinner ring, more delicate but bearing a smaller coat of arms.
"This," he said, meeting her eyes. "Is the Lady Potter's ring. When you are ready, it will be yours. It grants unlimited access to any of our vaults, properties, and an immediate portkey to me if you ever need it."
Hermione swallowed, staring at it. "Are you sure?"
Harry just grinned. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
He returned the ring to its place. "See anything else that strikes your eye?"
She shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. "Harry, I can't accept any of these."
He smiled as he closed the case. "You misunderstand me. I'm not using these to propose."
"You're not?"
"I'm designing your ring," he said.
Her breath caught. "What?"
Harry cupped her cheek, thumb warm against her skin. "I want something just right for us. Not tradition. Just us."
He kissed her forehead. "Want to go see the crystal?"
Hermione smiled. "Let's go."
Harry took her hand and led her back to the waiting cart.
The air grew even colder as they descended deeper, the caverns narrowing around them and the walls growing darker. The security goblin slowed the cart at last, and Harry aided her out of the cart again as Kraglin came to a stop in front of the stone door. Hermione stepped forward and could feel the magic of the layered wards.
"This vault predates even Gringotts by over 500 years," Kraglin stated to Hermione, "The founders of Hogwarts, along with their magical brotherhood, found these caverns and stored their guarded treasures within. They carved their sanctuaries, then, when they teamed with the goblin world, we helped them continue their mission. This was one of the first vaults created."
Hermione stared at him, "But the Peverell family was alive within the 13th century."
"Inheritance," Kraglin stated.
Kraglin produced a small dagger and held it out to Harry, making Hermione suck in a sharp breath. "Harry-"
"It's old, Ms. Granger," Kraglin stated. "Secrets are held within this vault that demand a price."
Harry didn't hesitate as he took the dagger and pressed it against his palm. As he pressed his palm to the Hallows carved onto the stone, the stone hissed as if the vault let out a breath, and the stone rolled out of the way.
Pressing his wand against the cut, he murmured a healing charm, and his skin repaired itself. "See," he said, showing her, "I'm fine."
Hermione took his hand in hers, running her thumb over the place where the blade had been. Her throat tightened. "I thought the Peverells were a light-magic family," she said, "That didn't feel light."
"There's light and dark in everyone," Harry replied. "It's what you choose that matters."
Together, they stepped inside.
Hermione stopped short. The vault was vast, but old. The stone walls stood untouched like a giant cave. Portraits were displayed along the rock, held only by magic, their occupants' eyes following them as if assessing every move.
At the centre of the vault was a marble pedestal, and, as if it were floating above the surface of the stone, was the crystal Harry spoke about.
As she came closer, it rose higher as if acknowledging her. Hermione slowly breathed out, "It appears to be an opal." She circled it carefully, "It was polished, but not cut. Seems intentional."
She glanced at Harry to see if he was watching her. "When I tried to touch it, it wouldn't let me. It was like there was a barrier," he explained.
Hermione stepped closer, and the light within the crystal brightened, soft at first, then grew stronger, casting prismatic patterns across the walls and themselves. Warmth seemed to grow within her chest, spreading outward like sunlight warming her.
She turned to Harry, startled. "Did you feel that? The warmth?"
He nodded, "Yes. It warmed my hand and arm when I tried to touch it."
Hermione swallowed. "All right, here goes nothing."
She reached out slowly, and the warmth intensified as her hand came closer. Magical resistance brushed her skin like an invisible silk, reminding her of Harry's invisibility cloak when he was underneath it. Then the resistance gave way as the crystal accepted her.
Her fingers touched the stone. It was colder than she thought it would be. Then the stone erupted beneath her fingers. Light exploded outward violently, slamming Harry back against the stone floor as the wards flared around them. Hermione cried out as the crystal shattered into millions of glittering fragments that seemed to dissolve in midair and wrapped around her as if protecting her.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted, trying to fight against the force that pinned him to the floor.
But she barely heard him as the world narrowed around her, and the light seemed to envelope her. Not burning her, not painful, but as if it were testing her. Images flashed as if she were in a pensive. Three brothers standing at a river's edge and finding refuge in a cave, from death itself. Finding a stone pulsing deep within the cave, one of them unearthed it from the rock, darker than onyx.
The light dimmed but didn't vanish. It softened, folding in on itself until it revealed a single figure standing upon the pedestal.
Hermione struggled to draw a breath into her lungs as the man stepped down from the cracking pedestal, his boots touching the stone as his robes encased them.
"Hello," he said pleasantly.
Hermione staggered back, nearly tripping over Harry's unmoving form. Her hand shot out towards him. He didn't move or blink. "What's wrong with Harry?" she demanded.
"Nothing at all," the man said, adjusting his robes and rolling his neck and shoulders as if stretching after a long sleep. "I merely paused time. It seemed pertinent to give us privacy."
He tilted his head, studying her with eyes wise beyond their years. "Hello, Hermione Granger."
Her mouth went dry. "Who are you?"
He smiled. "Some call me Merlin. And before you ask, yes. That Merlin." He tugged his hat straighter with a scowl. "Nearly a thousand years trapped inside that crystal. My body was frozen in time, but still rotting away. Damn, Viviane."
Hermione's knees nearly gave way. "The Grimoire showed you, but you are supposed to be just a legend."
He grinned, "Legends are simply history that grew into tales. I went to Hogwarts, same as you, right after its founding," he stated. "Sit, child. You look ready to faint."
"I'm not a child," she protested.
He laughed. "To me, you are just a mere inquisitive infant."
Hermione swallowed hard. "Why me?"
Merlin's expression hardened. "I have been waiting a millennium for you." He waved his hand, and the pedestal became a marble bench. "Viviane was my student. She learned beside me, challenged me, and even surpassed me in certain disciplines. She understood magic as if it were a living thing. Perhaps I taught her too much, but my love for her clouded me."
His voice grew deeper. "Before she bound me, she told me that she carried my child. I hesitated. Not from a lack of love, but one of fear. Magic and pregnancy can be a volatile pairing. I feared for her life." He sighed, "And she mistook it for rejection."
Hermione inhaled.
"She banished me for it," Merlin stated. "Not to death, but to nowhere. My body is long lost." He held out his hands, staring down at his body, "My essence fractured and anchored within that stone. As her punishment, magic stripped her bloodline of its gift in response. Magic strives for balance, always balance."
He looked at Hermione, "Until you."
Her voice trembled as she spoke. "So, I'm descended from you?"
"Yes, from us," Merlin stated. "Magic watched you grow. Your persistence. Your refusal to hoard knowledge for yourself. Your instinct is to protect others rather than dominate. Magic chose you long before that crystal."
His gaze looked to Harry, frozen behind her. "And your bond with Mr. Potter did not go unnoticed."
Hermione looked at him, surprised. "My bond with Harry?"
Merlin nodded, "Before either of you was born, your families vacationed at the same place in France. The Potters and the Grangers."
Hermione sucked in a breath. "That's impossible."
"You were two months from birth, and the Potters were on their honeymoon in Paris," Merlin stated, "Magic sensed a convergence. A joining that was necessary. The Potters had no intention of conceiving yet." He smiled. "And yet, Harry arrived a year later. Magic finds her way."
Hermione's heart thundered in her ears.
"The Peverell family descends from Lancelot," Merlin continued. "Blessed by magic, bound by purpose, not power. His line was meant to reunite with mine for knowledge with moral restraint." He met her gaze lazily, "That is what you and Harry represent together."
Hermione's fingers curled into her palms. "What do you want from me?"
Merlin stared at her for a moment. "The world is tipping. Magic feels it. Old corruption festers as darkness grows. Some spells must be restored. Knowledge that must be shared. The Ministry must be cleansed, not destroyed."
She nodded.
"I ask you to translate my lost journals and release them to the wizarding world. Not as weapons, but as a way to regain balance."
Hermione exhaled. "And what is the price?"
Merlin grinned, "There is a soul trapped within the veil," he stated, "Not meant to be there. I know how to summon one from the in-between place. I was trapped there with him, so I know for a fact he is there. Not just a mere soul, but whole."
Hermione's breath caught in her chest as she realized who he was talking about.
"I do not offer coin," Merlin said gently, "I only offer restoration."
"I'll do it."
"As I thought you would. My journals are within the wall," he gestured. "Place your hand there. It will open for you."
"How will I understand them?" she asked quietly.
"You already will. I transferred most of the knowledge of what you need," He turned to the wall of portraits. "My likeness remains here, buried among them. Should you need counsel, seek it. Codices are also hidden in the wall of the old cave, where the veil rests, which will help in your quest."
The cold rushed back all at once as the light vanished, and Hermione's legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed to the stone floor as time slammed back into place around her.
Harry tore free, reaching her in a second. "Hermione." He said, his hands skimming over her arms, shoulders, and back, checking for any sign of injuries, "Hermione, look at me."
She didn't respond. Her eyes were open and unfocused, staring at nothing. He checked her breathing, which was shallow, nearly non-existent.
"Hermione," he said again. "Talk to me."
Her eyes shuttered closed, then her fingers twitched. Finally, she sucked in a deep breath, clutching at her chest. "Harry?"
"I've got you," he said, pulling her into his lap. "I've got you." He glanced up to see a smiling presence before it disappeared.
"We need to go to the Ministry," she said, slightly woozy, feeling as if she had a headrush.
Harry blinked. "The Ministry? Hermione, what was that? WHO was that?" He glanced towards the shattered pedestal, "What just happened?"
She scrambled to her feet on shaky legs as he helped her stand, nearly stumbling as Kraglin and the security goblin approached them cautiously.
"That was Merlin," she said breathlessly. "I released him from his confines, and he can move on now. And we need to get to the Ministry NOW."
Harry grabbed her shoulders. "Hermione, slow down. Did you hit your head? Let me see you."
"No," she snapped, shaking him off. "I am fine." She turned to Kraglin. "We need to leave. Immediately."
"Hermione," Harry said, following her as she moved to the entrance of the vault. "What happened in there?"
She climbed into the cart, fingers gripping the edge as though the world would shift around her. When Harry joined her in the cart, she looked at him. "Merlin was trapped in the stone," she said as the cart lurched backwards, "When I touched it, it shattered, releasing him. He is not meant to exist in this realm anymore, so he transferred knowledge to me. He said magic in our world is unbalanced and angry. It needs correcting."
Harry stared at her. "That's insane."
"Imagine how I feel," she shot back, "My head is pounding." The air slowly warmed as they ascended. "The Peverell's descended from Lancelot. You descend from Lancelot, Harry. His line was rewarded. Mine was punished when Viviane bound Merlin. Magic was stripped from us, then we waited."
Harry swallowed. "Waited for what?"
"For us." Hermione answered, "Our families, same place, same time. I was still in the womb. You didn't even exist yet. But my parents and your parents happened to vacation in the same place in France. Magic chose us through them."
Harry shook his head, running his fingers through her hair. "That sounds like madness, Hermione."
She took his hand as they came to the surface. "It sounds like destiny to me."
The cart came to a halt.
"We have to go," she said urgently. "Now."
"What's the rush?" Harry asked as they stepped out. "Hermione, you are scaring me."
"There is something that cannot wait." She turned to Kraglin. "Is there a faster way to the Ministry?"
Kraglin snapped his fingers, and an elf appeared with a sharp crack.
Hermione bowed to it. "Please take us to the Department of Mysteries."
Harry shot her a look. "Have you completely lost it?"
She took the elf's hand. "Are you coming?"
Harry hesitated only a moment before taking the elf's other hand. With a pop, the door that used to haunt Harry's dreams was before them.
"Thank you," Hermione said as the elf disappeared. Hermione waved her wand, and the alarm silenced just as it started. Tracing something on the door with her wand, it opened.
"What are we doing?" Harry asked.
"As I said, it cannot wait. I need the codices to translate the book, and I have to do something important," she said as they walked into the revolving room.
The doors started spinning madly, and with a wave of her wand, a door opened, and they walked through. The room grew cold around them as Hermione saw the dais in front of them.
Hermione let go of his hand as he stood frozen by the door. "Hermione," Harry whispered, staring at the moving veil before them. "Don't."
Hermione walked over to it and breathed slowly as her heart raced within her chest. "Merlin gave me a task."
"Hermione, you are getting too close," Harry warned, "Step back."
Hermione looked at the stone arch as she took out her wand, "It needs to be done."
"Hermione, step back!" Harry yelled.
Hermione swept her wand behind her, throwing him back, and she heard him skid along to stone, "Stay back. I'm not sure what this will do."
"Hermione!"
Closing her eyes, the ancient spell unfolded in her mind like a map. Hermione non-verbally slashed her wand through the air as the lost spell that Merlin had given her raced through her head. The spell was intricate, and she knew she had to perform it just right for the results she wanted. In the back of her mind, she heard Harry screaming for her, but she had to concentrate as she reached beyond their realm to the unknown.
She felt it break through the resistance and smiled, "Sirius Black, it's time to come home."
Almost as if she were fishing, she pulled her wand back and felt the resistance tear before she fell backwards onto her backside with a gasp.
Opening her eyes, Harry crawled to her side. "What the hell, Hermione?"
Hermione swallowed, her heart hammering within her chest as she wet her lips. "It was time."
"Time for what?" Harry asked as they both looked toward the veil as it made a noise. The ripples in the veil seemed to part, giving way to a bright light, and a body was spat onto the stone floor.
It hit the floor with a solid thud, and a man groaned.
The man raised his head weakly, looking at them, "Shite… it worked."
Harry froze as he stared at the man in shock. "Sirius?"
He gave Harry a weak smile, his eyes unfocused. "Hey, Pup," as his eyes rolled back, his head hit the stone, and he collapsed.
Preview of Chapter 46 – One Life
Squinting behind them towards Ron and Luna's small island, they barely saw three figures on the top floor.
"Goodnight!" Harry and Hermione yelled.
"Goodnight!" Rosella yelled back.
"We're taking her to bed now!" Ron yelled back.
Hermione giggled, "Want to go skinny dipping?"
Harry gasped, looking up at her, "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?"
Hermione smiled down at him, "Use it while you can, Mr. Potter, because soon it won't be Hermione Granger." She sat up, straddling his lap, "Or should I hyphenate?"
"Hermione Granger-Potter… or Harry and Hermione Granger-Potter. Harry Granger-Potter doesn't sound bad," Harry replied.
Hermione stared at him, "Seriously? You'd do that?"
Harry propped himself up on his hands, "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like not to be Harry Potter… in those moments I can be Harry Granger."