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3,778Chapter 13: 2009 Searching For Answers

A/N: Just a note that time ripples are going to be in flux for a while. What Harry sees may or not be the end result because Hermione Ankaa Black isn't done growing up sticking her beak into what she needs to stick it into.

Chapter 13: 2009 - Searching for Answers - Gaining More Questions

19th of June, 2009

Harry hadn't been sure what to write on his owl to Headmistress McGonagall. "Have you seen Hermione?" seemed too randomly forward. "Anything strange happen since last night?" was too suspicious and made him sound like he'd done something in a drunken fit and wanted to know if he broke something or painted a statuary pink over the night. Well, to be fair, he had been drunk, but the only thing painted was the Black Family Tree… in Hermione's blood. Twenty nine years old and still can't figure out what to say to Professor McGonagall. Way to go Harry. Where was all that Gryffindor courage and hardened experience as an Auror?

Harry shook her head. Apparently it was sleeping under a rock somewhere.

Surprisingly, the gate to Hogwarts swung open for him, and he was glad his letter had not caused the gates to be sealed to him instead. The path to Hogwarts was smooth and well kept, but he hadn't expected otherwise. Smoke was rising in welcome from Hagrid's hut, and Harry felt a bit of relief at the familiar sight. Part of him was still in denial. All of his frantic owls to Hermione, despite Kreacher's reassurance that Hermione was well, came back to him. He fully expected as he walked into Hogwarts to be met by his friend with a grin on her face and a shake of her head.

"Harry, Harry," she would say. "I told you not to drink so much last night. You know how you get."

Maybe he should go to visit Hagrid first. The old half-giant was always good for those moments when the mind needed settling. Merlin knew his mind needed a whole lot of settling. His brain was fuzzy, but he doubted it was just his hangover from the night before.

Harry let his feet carry him automatically to Hagrid's hut. Memories of staying with the half-giant were strong. So many things had depended on Hagrid. His safety as a baby, for one, and his constant, steady friendship throughout his school days. As much as he had looked up to Dumbledore, it had been Hagrid that had tried to be there for Harry in a nurturing capacity, and Harry did have a soft spot for him.

Fang was waiting for him in the garden. He woofed, tail wagging as he saw him, and began to bound towards him as always. The old boarhound was starting to be a bit slow on the uptake thanks to his increased age, but that didn't stop him from living life to the fullest. Much like witches and wizards, his life seemed extended beyond that of a typical Muggle dog of the same breed. It was a relief, honestly, as Harry valued many of the things that had become intrinsic to his childhood at Hogwarts.

Harry pet Fang vigorously, smiling as the old dog slobbered and licked his hands. His tail beat into him like a log hitting him on the leg, and Harry still felt like he was going to topple as he did it.

"'Arry!" Hagrid greeted from the door of his hut. He was carrying a large container of slug repellent.

"Slugs after your pumpkins again, Hagrid?" Harry asked.

"When aren't they, 'arry," Hagrid huffed, stroking his beard with one hand. "I'd be pretty amazed the day they don't swarm on the patch." Harry hugged Hagrid around the waist, and the half-giant patted his back heartily. "S'good to see ya, 'arry. How's the Auror business?"

"Same old same, Hagrid," Harry said warmly. Harry decided to take the plunge. The worst Hagrid could do is look at him like he was utterly barmy. "Have you seen Hermione, Hagrid?"

Hagrid stroked his beard. "Not since breakfast. You know old 'ermione. Always busy. Herding students. Keeping them from transfiguring themselves into pudding or the like. Students are always trying to pull the wool over 'er eyes, but it never works. Year after year. Hasn't worked in all the years she's been teaching. Not sure why they think they'll get away with it this year."

Harry let out a sigh of relief. So Hermione was here at Hogwarts. Maybe things weren't as off as his mind was telling him.

"I'm going to be working this 'ere patch for a while, 'arry, but if you like, we can meet up for lunch in a few hours?" Hagrid said as he sprayed the pumpkins with his concoction.

"Sure, Hagrid, that'd be great," Harry answered.

"She's probably 'anging around the Staff Lounge," Hagrid said with a nod. "It's about time for tea and some light reading for her."

Harry grinned, imagining Hermione with some gargantuan tome of some obscure topic draped across her lap as she sipped tea. Yeah, that was Hermione alright.

Hagrid went back to tending his pumpkin vines, and Harry scampered up the path back to Hogwarts, feeling a little more at ease that Hermione was still teaching at Hogwarts. He wasn't sure why his owls came back to him, but he was convinced it was all some wild misunderstanding and crossed wires in his own brain.

The location of the Staff Lounge was a mixed memory for Harry. The only time he had been there had been when Professor Lupin had taught the DADA class on boggarts in his third year. They hadn't been allowed in there since then, as students, so he tended not to think of it. He didn't teach, after all, so it wasn't like he ever needed to use the Staff Lounge.

After wandering the corridors like a lost duckling for a few minutes thanks to Hogwarts messing with the passageways on him, he found his way to the Staff Lounge, and tentatively opened the door, slipping inside. He felt like a miscreant intent on mischief sneaking into the Staff Lounge of all places.

Hermione's bell-like laughter alerted him to where she was on the far side of the lounge. He immediately felt a sense of relief that her familiar presence was here. She was, as Kreacher had said, alive and safe. He boggled, however, at the sight before him, freezing in place in complete shock.

"The Board of Governors is filled with utter slack-jawed morons," Lucius Malfoy said with a sniff. "I told them that sponsoring that program was the best way to bring extra lessons and better extracurricular funding to the school, and they all stared at me like I was recommending hiring a dragon to teach first years."

Hermione sipped her tea, laughing in between sips. "Sit down, Lucius," she said. "You're wearing a hole into the rug, and I'm quite fond of that particular rug."

The blond elder Malfoy shook his head and sat down in the comfy armchair, resting his walking cane against his leg. "How can you sit there and chuckle? You know that funding would provide a way to hire in a new teacher for the application of arithmancy and ancient runes in practical enchantments. Don't tell me you don't."

"Give it a rest, Lucius," Severus droned lazily. "You know she supports the entire proposal. As do we all. We, however, cannot force the hand of the Board."

Lucius twisted his face into the closest thing to a pout as his aristocratic features allowed. "You should all come speak at the next meeting," he grumbled.

"Oh no," Remus said. "The last time you had us speak in front of the Board, the meeting took fifteen hours, and I swear I gained half a head of grey hair just from that meeting alone."

"Psh," Lucius tutted. "You said you got the grey hair from having to hold Narcissa's hand during labour while I was stuck in that horrible court hearing in front of the Wizengamot."

Hermione smirked, her grey eyes were sparkling. "You arrived just in time to see the baby born, Lucius. You couldn't have planned it better."

Lucius fanned his hands and waved them appealingly. "I did not plan a court testimony just so I could nearly miss my son being born."

"Hnn," Hermione said dubiously. "I lack sufficient evidence to the contrary."

"My Lady," Lucius sniffed. "You doubt me?"

"No, My Lord Malfoy," Hermione answered with a complementary sniff. "I doubt circumstances."

"Stop it," Remus said with a laugh, rubbing Hermione on the shoulders. "Don't get all pure-blood on us."

Lucius and Hermione smirked at each other.

Hermione shook her head and slumped back against Severus, her black and green teaching robes merging with his in a cloth cascade. She turned the page in her book and continued to read.

Remus leaned over and stared at the book and then flipped the page.

Hermione glared at him. "Get your own book to read, Remus!"

"It's so much more fun to read yours!" the werewolf replied.

"Psh," Severus grunted. "Don't you have a class to teach, Lupin?"

"Don't you?" Remus retorted.

"Agh!" Hermione explained, slamming her book shut and setting it on the coffee table. She put her arms around Severus and Remus and pulled them both together with her into a hug. She laughed warmly, and it was a genuine sort of laugh.

"I think I'm jealous," Lucius said after a moment.

"Don't you start, Lucius Malfoy," Hermione huffed, muttering into Severus' hair. "You are a happily married man."

Lucius stroked the top of his walking cane, a sad expression on his face. "Arranged marriage, my Lady," he said softly.

"You do love her, Lucius," Hermione replied gently. "You love your son and your grandson. I see it in your eyes."

Lucius nodded somewhat grimly. "Love came after a time. She is a devoted mother and grandmother. She does what is fit and proper as is expected of a Malfoy, but sometimes I think she would have been happier wearing another man's name—following love instead of propriety."

"My mother is rolling over in her grave, Lucius, at the very thought," Hermione said with an understanding expression on her face.

"And your father?" Lucius asked.

"My father…" Hermione looked upward, a tremble on her lips. "My father would say," she said, squaring her shoulders, pausing with a twinge of pain on her face. "He would say, 'My young chick, you must fly across the heavens and blaze your own path. Let no sun or planet dictate your path, for you are a Black and a the celestial phoenix. None may force your hand, lest they be burned.'" Hermione pressed her lips together, her voice trembling. Tears trickled down her face, unbidden, as her voice trembled with the remembrance of her father. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears rimming her eyes. A haggard breath came from her throat, and she was immediately engulfed in a hug from both Severus and Remus.

Lucius knelt at her feet and took her hands in his. "I am sorry, Hermione. I did not mean to…"

Hermione shook her head. "No… it's not you. I just… I miss him so much. I remember when… he would cart me around on his shoulders in front of mother, and oh how she would look around to make sure no one was watching. He would read us stories by the fireplace… Regulus and I. He would rescue us from the wardrobe after mother would go one of her yelling fits over Sirius. He would take us to the beach in summer… and make us sand castles with magical dragons and knights… and the dragons would always win." Hermione looked upward, sniffling.

"He was a glorious man," Lucius said softly, gripping her hands, stroking them gently. "He was powerful, but compassionate. He loved you more than life. He made me swear to watch over you that one summer. Come what may. He would haunt me, otherwise."

Hermione laughed in between her tears. "You've never stopped looking out for me, Lucius," she said tenderly. "Are you telling me my father is to blame for such devotion?"

Lucius touched her cheek, brushing away her tears. "Gladly, I promised him, Hermione."

Hermione sniffled, wiping her face with her hand. "You defied a Dark Lord for me," she said wistfully.

Lucius pressed his lips to forehead. "I had a promise to keep, my Lady, and a Malfoy never goes back on his word."

Hermione looked upward. "When Father passed, it was all so very sudden. One week he was healthy, vibrant, and powerful, and the next he could hardly walk. He seemed to know he didn't have much time left… but he wasn't worried. He pulled Regulus and me to him and told us a story, just like he used to when we were kids. He whispered into my ear, so soft I could barely hear him, 'Do not fear, my chick. I will always be there for you. Look to the stars, and I will be there… smiling down at you.'" Hermione choked on her words, a spasm going through her body as the sob came. "Sirius didn't make it home in time. Mother… never forgave him. She wasted away without Orion, and she never forgave Sirius for choosing school friends over his own father. You know why she accepted Severus and Remus? They were the ones that kept me and Regulus together after Father died. They dragged me out of bed when I refused to get up on my own. Severus forced food down my throat. Remus threatened to bathe me like an infant since I wouldn't do it myself." Hermione snorted in a small laugh a the memory.

"She saw that, day after day, even as she dealt with her own grief," Hermione said. "She saw two people who refused to let her daughter waste away, even while she was wasting away."

"And the day she died," Hermione said. "She looked better. She looked like herself again. She took me into that stiff and proper hug that was socially acceptable. She pressed her lips to my forehead and told me to get out of that stuffy house and enjoy the spring weather. She gave Severus and Remus galleons when I wasn't looking and told them to take me out to dinner and have a good time."

Hermione leaned against Severus, burying her face into his robes. "When we came home, she was gone… sitting on the old rocking chair Father had made her when I was a baby. She had our family photo from back when we were all standing at King's Cross station before Hogwarts in her arms and Father's old Kneazle in her lap. They were both gone… together."

"I'm sorry I couldn't have been there for you," Lucius said softly, stroking her hair. "More than you can possibly know."

Hermione grasped his hand and squeezed it. "You were out of the Country with your family, Lucius. I do not blame you at all." She exchanged looks with Severus and Remus. "You've more than been there for me at other times."

Lucius seemed to take comfort in that as he stood up once more. "I fear I must make an appearance at the bank. My grandson decided to throw my Great Grandmother's tea service into the fireplace and flooed it to places unknown. It will take weeks of tracing and searching to gather it up again."

Severus raised an eyebrow as he rubbed Hermione's shoulders. "A little young for such mischief, don't you think, Lucius?"

Remus shook his head. "He's what… three?"

Lucius pursed his lips. "Never underestimate the ability of a Malfoy, even at the age of three."

Hermione stood up from the couch she was sharing with Severus and Remus. "I, for one, would never," she said with a smirk. She extended her hand and fell into a slight curtsy.

Lucius smoothly took up her hand and pressed his lips to the top of it. "It was a pleasure speaking with you again, my Lady," he said with automatic and refined decorum. "Severus," he said inclining his head. "Remus," he said with a nod.

Both men gave Lucius returning nods.

"Try not to traumatise the students overly much," Lucius said with a smirk, tapping his walking cane to his chin.

Severus, Remus, and Hermione gave Lucius an innocent halo look.

Lucius turned on his heels with a snort and swept the room, the flow of his cape fluttering behind him.

"You know," Hermione said after Lucius left. "Today, I'm supposed to teach a class on how to turn rats into teapots, and I can't help but think I should instead be teaching them how to turn rats into floor tiles so we can fix the upstairs corridor that Mr. Vanderburgh destroyed in his duel of 'honour' with Mr. Davidson." She flopped between Severus and Remus again with a sigh.

Severus lifted an eyebrow.

Remus nudged Hermione with his elbow. "You never have gotten over your dislike of rats, have you?"

Hermione pursed her lips together. "Never."

"Remind me never to do anything that makes you hold a grudge against me," Remus said.

"I think you learned that particular lesson back when we were eleven, Tuft," Hermione snorted.

"Touché," Remus chuckled.

"Not to be the herald of awkward moments," Severus said suddenly, causing his two friends to stare at him, "but it seems we have company." His pale and elegant finger pointed into the shadows of the lounge.

Hermione and Remus turned to stare into the dimly lit corner of the lounge.

Harry, wide-eyed and traumatised, stepped into the light. "Erm… hello, I was uh… looking for Hermione."

A flicker of something passed across Hermione's face as she brushed a tendril of her black hair away from her cheek.

"Harry," Hermione said after a moment. "Do come in."

Harry suddenly felt like the deer caught in the headlights of a Muggle car even more so than the countless little revelations he had just experienced listening to Hermione, Lucius, Severus, and Remus interact with each other for the past half hour of his hiding in the corner.

"You look like you have something heavy weighing on your mind," Hermione said.

Harry just stared at Hermione, taking in her grey eyes, black and curly hair, and strangely Slytherin coloured teaching robes. She looked older. Much older… yet some features were so definitively Hermione that he couldn't mistake her for someone else. He tried to say something, but unintelligible sounds came out.

Severus arched a brow at him.

That was the last thing Harry saw as all the blood drained out of his face and he passed out on the lounge rug.

Severus, Remus, and Hermione gathered around him, staring down at Harry, evaluating what was the best course of action.

"Pomfrey?" Remus asked.

"Pomfrey," Severus confirmed.

"Mobilicorpus," Hermione said, pointing her wand at the fallen Harry. "It's a good thing that Poppy is in the peak of health for a witch. I'm not sure she'll ever be able to retire." She tugged on Harry's collar and guided his body out the door of the lounge with her.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

A/N: Had to stop here. It's 3 am and I should be in bed! ARGH!

I will admit to copious amounts of tissues writing this chapter. I have no idea where it all came from. All I know is… the Hermione of this story adored her father very much, and while I got "into her head space" to write this, I just fell to pieces.

This chapter was a sort of a possible future. Next chapter will be back in 1971 where we belong! (Or at least where I think we belong storywise!)