Monday, June 24th, 1994
Emma Granger took Dan's spot on the couch and laid down. Across the room, Dan was sitting in a recliner recuperating after his trip through his memories. When he caught her looking, he gave her an encouraging smile.
"It will be alright, Em," Dan said, "Easy as pie."
Emma smiled. She looked at Amelia and nodded. "I'm ready."
Amelia handed her a vial of the iced-tea colored concoction. Emma pinched her nose then upended the vial into her mouth and swallowed in one gulp. She gagged at the taste and handed the vial to Amelia. Then she relaxed herself on the couch and closed her eyes...
She was sitting on the very same couch, reading a book. It was one of those rare moments she had to herself. Her young daughter was asleep in her crib in her nursery. On the coffee table, sat a baby monitor which connected to its twin in Hermione's nursery. Once in a while, Hermione would make cooing sounds in her sleep. Emma liked to think her daughter was dreaming.
Emma heard footsteps coming from the entrance hall, and she smiled.
"Welcome home, love," Emma said, "I thought we would get some take-out tonight. What are you hungry for?"
"You, 'love'," a strange voice said, "Only you!"
Emma gasped and jumped to her feet. A man was standing in the arched doorway between the sitting room and entrance hall. He was holding a stick in his hand and pointing it at Emma. Emma's motherly instincts kicked in. He likely didn't know about Hermione in her nursery. She needed to keep it that way.
"Take anything you want and leave," Emma said, "I want no trouble."
"Oh, too bad for you," the man said, "Because I do! Crucio!"
Before Emma could think of what language that was, she felt intense pain all over her body and she collapsed to the ground. Her fight-or-flight defenses kicked in. She needed to protect her daughter. She needed to survive. Her husband would be home any minute. She fought through the pain and got to her knees, then began to crawl.
"Oh, you are a feisty one!" the man said, "Maybe I'll play with you a little! You are a hot slut, after all!"
In the baby monitor, Emma heard crying. Hermione had woken up. Emma knew she needed to act quick. She started screaming so the man wouldn't hear Hermione crying. She screamed as she made her way behind the couch.
"Crucio!" the man snarled, "Don't flee from me, you filthy beast! Have the decency to die, bitch! Reducto!"
Emma screamed as the glass in the window above her exploded.
The memory faded from Emma's mind, and a new one appeared. A memory of her husband, assuring her that she was safe, her attacker was gone. Then there was a memory of a ruggedly handsome man who said he was serious... or was that his name? The man was waving a wooden stick around her – but the man seemed nice, not mean like her attacker. He had asked her to drink something, assuring her it would help. She felt so much pain that she just wanted medicine, and drank the liquid. The pain subsided.
A memory of a handsome man in glasses. He introduced himself as James Potter. Another memory, James Potter was back, and he was introducing a beautiful woman with auburn-colored hair, his wife named Lily, and their beautiful little boy, Harry. A memory of introducing her nineteen-month old daughter, Hermione to Harry. A memory of James and Lily discussing the wizarding world...
Emma Granger and Lily Potter walked up the stairs toward Hermione's nursery. Emma, her husband and the two adult Potters had just finished dinner in which they took part in an informative meeting where James and Lily told them about the wizarding world.
"You said you are Muggleborn?" Emma asked, "Like my daughter? How did your parents react to the wizarding world?"
"They took it quite well," Lily said. "But I learned I was a witch before my parents found out. A young boy, a wizard, saw me doing some magic and explained to me that I was a witch. He told me all about the wizarding world. My parents were great about it. My sister on the other hand... now that is a different story."
Emma could tell that Lily's sister was a sore subject, so she decided not to bring it up.
"But I was well into my childhood before I learned about who I really was," Lily said, "Hermione can grow up knowing she's a witch. That can be really good for her."
"Maybe she can grow up with Harry," Emma said, "They can have little play-dates."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Lily said.
"Do wizarding children go to Muggle primary schools?" Emma asked.
"Not very many," Lily said, "But I am planning on enrolling Harry when he is old enough. Perhaps he and Hermione can be in the same school."
"That would be nice," Emma said.
She led Lily into the nursery. They came upon a heartwarming, adorable sight. Hermione and Harry were curled up together asleep. Hermione had wrapped her arms protectively around Harry.
"Oh, that is so precious," Emma cooed, happy tears welling in her eyes, "I need to get Dan and James! They won't want to miss this..."
More memories of Emma and Lily spending time together, as Hermione and Harry had play-dates. A memory of Hermione's first clear word, not 'Ma' or 'Da', but 'Hawwy'. A memory of James and Lily telling Emma and Dan that Muggles and Muggleborn were being hunted by dangerous men. James explaining that he had an idea that might protect them. A mention of a Betrothal Contract. Emma and Dan unsure about such an idea. James and Lily inviting Emma and Dan to the Lovegoods.
Memory of the visit to the Lovegood house. Emma looking up at the house and smiling at the thought that it looked like something out of a painting. Emma smiling as she watched Hermione and Harry playing in the play-pen in the sitting room of the Rookery, as around them, the adults spoke of Betrothal Contracts and Polygamy, unknowingly planning their possible future...
"Oh, now that is an interesting tree," Emma said, as she made her left the Rookery with Dan, James, Lily, and Pandora Lovegood. Emma was carrying a sleepy Hermione and Harry was in his baby carrier that Lily carried, "I didn't really notice it when we arrived. What is it?"
"It is a Dirigible Plum tree," Pandora said, "The seeds can only be found in rare parts of the Amazon. The plums balloon up and resemble small dirigibles. But you can't take the seeds from the plums to replant them, and they only fall from the tree's leaves in the right temperature, that only found in the Amazon. When they ripen, we'll send a parcel of some to you. They are delicious..."
Memory of Emma and Dan in their kitchen discussing the possibility of a Betrothal Contract. A memory of Emma, Dan, James and Lily sitting with a strange creature known as a Goblin.
"Your request is an odd one, Lord Potter," the Goblin said, speaking to James, "But I will do as you ask. Your children won't know about the Contract without their parents' permission first."
"We're doing this for the Granger family as a whole," James said, "The Betrothal is just a technicality, or else the Ministry of Magic wouldn't approve. Dan and Emma wants Hermione to make her own choice. If she falls in love with Harry, then it would be easier for her to accept the Contract. She wouldn't understand it any other way. She won't be raised in the pureblood ways where a young witch grows up knowing they may be included in a Betrothal Contract."
"I believe I can understand that," the Goblin said. "So... Harry can find out about the other Contracts during his Inheritance but not the Contract with the daughter of the Grangers, without their express permission."
"Correct," James said.
"Unorthodox, but I will do as you request," the Goblin said.
A memory of Emma painting the Rookery. Another memory, the doorbell of the Granger House ringing. Emma answers the door, and an elderly man dressed in purple is on the porch. He raises a wand...
Emma gasped and choked as she opened her eyes.
"She's awake!" Hermione said.
"You're okay, Emma," Amelia said, "Relax. It is over. Calm down."
"I remember everything," Emma said, "That was... intense. How long...?"
"Forty minutes," Dan said, "We were getting worried."
Emma stood on shaky feet, and her her husband helped her over to the recliner, where she sat down.
"You remember all of it?" Dan asked.
"All of it," Emma said. "That man attacking me... it hurt so much. I could feel it!"
"Shh," Dan said, hugging his wife, "You don't need to talk about it just yet. Take some time to process it."
Emma broke down and hugged her husband, who comforted her. She cried for her lost friends, James, Lily and Pandora. She cursed the man who made her forget such wonderful friendships.
"All right," Amelia said, "Your turn, Sirius."
Sirius Black cleared his throat and walked over to the couch then laid down.
"Sirius," Remus said, "I need to mention something I've been thinking since Dan took the potion. You might not remember everything."
"The Dementors might have taken some of it away," Sirius said, "Yeah, I figured that out for myself, thanks."
"Just thought I would mention it," Remus said.
"Thanks," Sirius said, "Give me the vile drink. Let's get this over with."
Amelia smiled encouragingly and handed the vial over to Sirius. He gulped down the drink immediately and handed the vial back to Amelia.
"Not so bad," Sirius said, "Tasted worse stuff as Padfoot."
He grinned when he heard the various snickers. He sighed and closed his eyes as he relaxed against the throw pillow...
He was sitting at a conjoined desk in the Auror Department of the Ministry of Magic. His best friend, and Auror partner, James Potter was sitting across from him.
"Paperwork up the arse," Sirius complained, "They don't put this shit in the brochures when inviting you to the Auror Department. Twenty percent action, eighty percent paperwork. We're in the middle of a war, for Merlin's sake. There are elderly secretaries for this rubbish. That is why they are hired!"
"... not getting away this time... no you're not... gotcha!" James was saying, as he chased and snatched his Golden Snitch out of the air, "Sorry Padfoot, what did you say?"
"I was wondering why a smart girl like Lily Evans decided that a marriage," Sirius said, "as well as nine months of pregnancy and several hours of the torture known as childbirth was something she could deal with when putting up with a git like you. I distinctly remember Lily yelling at you for playing with that Snitch... several times. Before she became your girlfriend, and after you married her. You still don't learn."
"You're just jealous cause I'm married to the sexiest woman in the world," James said, "and a father to a future professional Quidditch star."
"Second sexiest girl in the world," Sirius corrected. "But I agree with the Quidditch part."
"Don't call my wife sexy," James glared playfully, then he sighed, "Why don't you just put Amelia on your motorcycle, fly off to Gretna Green and get hitched? Then put a baby in her belly during the honeymoon. Take it from me, months and months of preparing for a thirty minute wedding and four hour reception is pointless. I would have loved to get hitched and officially start my life with Lily months in advance. Months and months of waiting for the wedding was torture, worse than a Cruciatus."
"I dare you to compare waiting to get married," Sirius said, "To Lily waiting months and months to pop the pup out of her belly."
"I am not taking that dare," James said, "Lily's already upset with me."
"Trouble in paradise?" Sirius asked.
"Albus spoke to me and Lily in private after the last Order meeting," James said. "He told us there is a chance that Lily, Harry and I are... ah, bloody Taboo... You-Know-Who's newest obsession."
"You mean aside from the three times you got in a confrontation with the Moldy Bastard and somehow escaped with your life?" Sirius asked, "Including once when Lily was in one of those confrontations. While she was pregnant!"
"Do you have to remind me of that?" James asked. "Yes, aside from those three times. Dumbledore thinks we're in danger. More danger than usual. He says if it gets worse, we're going to have to go into hiding. He's even talking about making us leave the protective enchantments of Potter Manor for some house in the country Moldy could never find. We would be going into hiding, like at a safe-house or something. Cut off from most of the world."
"So... why is Lily upset with you?" Sirius asked.
"Because I want her to take Harry and hide while I fight in the war," James said. "Also, I am thinking about placing Harry in a Betrothal Contract... maybe more than one."
"Betrothals?" Sirius asked, "The pup's not even a year old!"
"I know," James said, "It's just a thought. Something I accidentally mentioned to Lily. I forgot how clingy to Harry she is at the moment, and I'm not just talking about when she feeds him. Right now, she feels like she's the only woman he'll ever need. That is a weird thought."
"Especially when you consider how she feeds him," Sirius joked.
"I did not need that mental picture, Padfoot!" James groaned.
Suddenly a memo in the shape of a paper airplane landed in front of James. James picked it up.
"Unforgivable Curse Taboo went off," James said.
"Action!" Sirius said, "Let's go! Fuck paperwork! Did I just say that in a loud voice?"
"Yep," James said, grinning.
"Crap," Sirius said, "Give me a piece of that Portkey before Mad-Eye comes over here. Luckily he has a gimp leg so he's slow as a flobberworm."
"You said that out loud too," James said.
"Crap!" Sirius repeated, with a groan.
He hopped up from his chair, as did James, and they took hold of the Portkey.
Another memory, this time of Sirius and James being confronted by a Muggle man who looked pleasant and dangerous at the same time, frightening even for an Auror. The Muggle mentioned a culprit vanishing. James says it was magic. The Muggle asks if his daughter is doing magic. James following the Muggle, leaving Sirius to care for the Muggle's injured wife.
"Hermione... Hermione."
"I'm sure Hermione's fine, ma'am," Sirius said, "We need to get you better. That potion should take most of the pain away. I know it hurts. It has happened to me more than I'd like to say."
"Sirius!" James said.
Sirius stood up and turned to James. The Muggle was behind him carrying an adorable little toddler holding a deer stuffed animal.
"This is a big one," James said, "She's a Muggleborn witch. One of us. Emotional magic just like Harry's known to do. Stuffed animals levitating all around her nursery's ceiling. How's the victim?"
"Cruciatus exposure," Sirius said, "But it looks like adrenaline helped a lot. She fought off most of it. A Pain-Reducing Potion was able to help."
"Right," James said, "Sirius, I think we need to introduce this lovely family to the wizarding world. But... hell, man... I'm not prepared for this. Lily would be better at it."
"Hey, there's an idea," Sirius said, "Let Lily take care of it."
"Is my wife going to be alright?" the Muggle asked.
"She'll be just fine, sir," Sirius said, "Nothing a little rest, food, love and another Pain Potion won't fix."
"Potions?" Dan asked, "Like fantasy novel stuff?"
"Potions are very real, sir," James said, "There's a lot of stuff you don't know about that has been hidden from you all your life. Stuff you're about to get involved in because of that adorable little girl there."
"You said she's a witch?" Dan asked. "I think you'd better explain that."
"My wife would do so much better," James said, "She's a Muggleborn, like your daughter. She can explain it in a way you would understand. Perhaps I could invite you and your wife for dinner..."
More memories. A memory of James and Sirius placing protective enchantments around the Granger house. Of James and Sirius discussing the legality of doing such a thing.
"The Ministry would never approve," Sirius said, "The views on Muggleborns are so little these days..."
"Yeah, Lily rants about it all the time," James said.
"So what will you do?" Sirius asked. "That Samuels kid. He was obviously doing an initiation into the Death Eaters. What if the house wasn't random...?"
"It likely was, but that doesn't matter," James said, "If they find out that little girl is Muggleborn? No... we have to protect them. I have to figure out how to do it in a way that would be legal if the Ministry found out..."
Another memory. Sirius Black is sitting in a holding cell in the Ministry of Magic. His life has gone to shambles. James and Lily are dead. Harry... he didn't even know where his pup was. How could he have let Hagrid take him. The Grangers! They likely don't know their friends are dead! Wormtail... this is all because of Wormtail!
"Good evening, Sirius," a voice said.
Sirius looked up. Albus Dumbledore was standing there.
"Albus?" Sirius asked, "Am I free to go? Have they caught Pettigrew?"
"Pettigrew is dead, Sirius," Dumbledore said, "You killed him."
"I did not!" Sirius growled. "When is my trial?! Pettigrew's out there. Pettigrew... oh, Merlin, he knows about the Grangers! What if... Albus, you have to protect them!
"Who are the Grangers?" Albus asked.
"James and Lily's friends," Sirius said, "They have a Muggleborn daughter. Harry... he's Betrothed to their daughter. The kids, they're... inseparable. At least they were until James and Lily had to go into hiding."
"I will find them and pass on the message, Sirius," Albus said.
Albus brandished his wand and pointed it to Sirius.
"What are you doing, Albus?" Sirius asked, "What the bloody hell -?"
Sirius gasped and choked as he opened his eyes.
"My fault... all my fault!" he groaned, "Cause of me. He did it... cause of me."
"Easy, Sirius," Amelia said, "You're okay. Calm down."
"No, you don't understand," Sirius said, as he sat up and looked at Amelia ,"Albus... night of James and Lily's deaths. When I was in the holding cell. Albus came and... my fault."
"Explain, Sirius," Remus said, "What is your fault?"
"Wormtail," Sirius said, "James... he... told Pettigrew about the Grangers. I told Albus... about the Grangers, about Harry being Betrothed to Hermione. Albus modified their memories because of me."
"So there is a Betrothal Contract?" Hermione asked.
"But I don't understand," Harry said, "Keeper Ragnok, he gave me the Betrothal Contracts. Why didn't he tell us about Hermione's Contract?"
"I can explain that," Dan said, "When we originally were discussing the possibility of a Betrothal Contract, we thought the two of you would be growing up as friends your whole childhood. We didn't want you to think you were forced into marrying each other. We wanted you to have a chance to fall in love on your own. The Contract... it was for our protection, so we could be a part of the House of Potter."
"Yes, there is a Contract for the two of you to wed," Emma said, "But... it was our idea, and James and Lily agreed, that you shouldn't know about it unless you two were involved romantically. We would only reveal it when you turned seventeen, Harry, if you and Hermione weren't a couple."
"What about the other contracts?" Harry asked, "Why were I told about them?"
"James explained that," Emma said, "Because your other Betrothed are purebloods, they likely grew up knowing that they might be Betrothed and that it was common as part of their society. It wouldn't be common for Hermione in our society."
"Later today," Dan said, "We – you, Hermione, Harry, your mother and I – we'll sit down and talk about the Contract. For now, let us focus on everything else."
"Alright," Hermione said.
"Okay," Harry said, "So... Dumbledore was responsible for the memory modifications?"
"I simply remember an old man in purple robes pointing a wand at me and then nothing," Dan said.
"Yeah," Emma said, "He actually had the nerve to visit me at our own home and attack me."
"Purple robes?" Harry asked, "Probably Dumbledore."
"Who else could it be?" Sirius asked, "I told him about the Grangers, after all. Also, he knew Wormtail was alive. I told him in the cell that Wormtail was alive, and he tried to tell me I killed him. I asked about a trial and he didn't say anything. I made the mistake of mentioning the Grangers, and for that, I apologize."
"You didn't know, Sirius," Remus said, "You didn't know Albus was capable of doing something like that. What he was planning."
"He must have visited me after taking Harry to the Dursleys," Sirius said, "Was starting his whole rotten scheme, probably plotting it and silently laughing at me while talking around me while I was in the cell about to be carted off to Azkaban."
"And there is nothing you can do about him?" Dan asked, "Because he has a Ministerial pardon?"
"I could take it to the International Confederation of Warlocks," Amelia said, "But they couldn't do anything immediately. And Albus has his hand in so many of their pies, he would find out the moment I said anything. I'd be putting a lot of people in danger. Too risky. We know what he's capable of. We can't get directly at him. Not right now. I am doing what I can. Investigating him and any known allies. Take down those around him and weaken him."
"Like chess," Dan said, "Take down the pawns and move your way to the King."
"Yes," Amelia said. "Except, in this case he's as powerful as a Chess Queen. Can make moves from all sides. Have to be several steps ahead of him, which is what I'm trying to do."
"I'd say we're doing a pretty good job," Tonks said.
"What was that about Wormtail?" Remus asked, "Knowing the Grangers?"
"Apparently James mentioned Dan, Emma and Hermione to Wormtail," Sirius said, "Did he ever say anything to you?"
"Maybe," Remus said, "But I wouldn't have made the connection. It was so long ago."
"Maybe your memory is modified," Dan said.
"No," Remus said, "Because of – what I am – my mental capabilities are far stronger than a normal human, even a normal wizard. Dumbledore would have known that. He wouldn't have risked trying it on me. I guess he thought the risk was enough. Unfortunately, I never thought about James and Lily mentioning any of their Muggle friends. They never told me about any Betrothal Contracts either."
"Of course, back then – James might have kind of thought you were the traitor in the order," Sirius said, "But only because Peter laid that doubt around, trying to convince us you were a traitor cause you were a Dark creature. So James might not have trusted you with too much information. The risk was too much."
"We were all paranoid back then," Remus said, "I completely understand his mindset, and I'd never hold it against him. So... what do we do about Wormtail?"
"I don't think he's going to come after Hermione's family," Harry said, "A coward like him only wants to find a new safe haven. If Voldemort is still out there, still alive, Wormtail will likely try to search for him."
Sirius knew that Harry was trying to make it sound like speculation, since Amelia, Dan and Emma didn't know his and Hermione's secret. Only he – Sirius – Remus, Tonks and Hermione would hear it differently and know what Harry meant.
"I still think we should place enchantments around this house anyway," Remus said, "Just in case."
"I agree," Hermione said, "Mum and Daddy will be alone without us after Saturday. It is either protective enchantments or... leave Crawley."
"Leaving is only an extreme option," Amelia said, "My Department has connections with some good Ward Builders. Types of wards where, if anyone with an unfamiliar wand passes through, they'll be transported to one of several locations meant for trespassers, checked upon daily by Aurors or DMLE representatives. I'm quite positive Hermione is the only witch residing in this neighborhood. Anyone who gets close to here aside from your friends, would be suspicious. Anyone you trust, you'd simply register their magical core into the wards – easily done by doing a simple Lumos to familiarize that person with the wards."
"It is a good idea," Hermione said, more to her parents than Amelia.
"Do it, Amelia," Dan said, "You have our permission."
"Thanks to the money I got from my part of the Basilisk harvest," Hermione said, "I can pay for it if it is required. It sounds expensive."
"It is," Amelia said, "It is a rare ward and not known by a good majority of the wizarding population. Completely legal. however the Ministry doesn't parade it around. I'll work up the documents when I get back to my office and can have Ward Builders here tomorrow."
"You might also want to have someone checking the area for anyone watching the house," Tonks said, "Wouldn't want anyone unwelcome in the area discovering Wards are being put up."
"Good suggestion, Cadet," Amelia said.
"We could do that, Moony!" Sirius said.
"I'd be happy to help," Remus said.
"Excellent," Amelia said. "Well, I must be getting back to the office before I am missed. Daniel, Emma, it was very nice to meet you. I do hope you are alright after all of that."
"It will take some time to process," Dan said, "But I think we will manage."
"Good," Amelia said, "When is a good time to visit with the Ward Builders?"
"Anytime," Dan said, "We'll all be here."
"Probably best to be random," Tonks said, "Makes it less predictable for anyone suspicious to detect a pattern of you visiting twice in a row."
"Blimey, cousin," Sirius said, "You sound like Mad-Eye."
Harry, Hermione and Amelia snickered. Amelia said her farewells and, with permission from the Grangers, Apparated from the Entrance Hall.
"Do you have to be anywhere, Sirius, Remus?" Emma asked, "I can make some lunch."
"Sounds like a wonderful idea," Sirius said, "I bet your cooking is much better than Tom's at the Leaky Cauldron."
"Well then stick around," Emma said, "I can fix something up."
She smiled then proceeded to leave the room, followed soon after by her husband.
"I'm going to strangle Albus Dumbledore with his own beard," Sirius growled, as he looked around at Remus, Harry, Hermione and Tonks, "It is bad enough that Dementors made me forget about James and Lily. But Dumbledore taking away some good memories of some of my best friends. Dumbledore's going to pay... with his life."
"As much as I'd like to put him on the list," Harry said, "He'll be far tougher to take down than anyone on that list. Besides... killing Dumbledore would be too easy. There's more than one way to destroy a man. We're already on our way to that victory, thanks Rita Skeeter – and that is quite strange to think about. While we're slowly destroying Dumbledore we can focus on other things as well. As for that, we can start on Saturday. It sounds like we're due for another trip to Gringotts very soon. While we're there, I can get the Portkeys to the Potter properties. Potter Manor would be a good place for Headquarters. There we can start putting an end to the Second War before it even starts."
Sirius grinned. "You make a hell of a Marauder, kid. Saturday, it is then."
"I almost forgot!" Harry said, "How could I forget? We need to go Grimmauld Place before too long. I need to retrieve the locket."
"Easy, Harry," Hermione said, "Nobody is going to touch it. We don't need to go there until Saturday. We can go there before we go to Potter Manor."
"I'm up for that," Sirius said.
"Okay... it can wait until Saturday," Harry said; he whistled. "It is going to be a long summer."