James…"
"Don't worry I'll contact Remus and Sirius," James kissed Lily, "those two are/were/will be a great couple."
Dan looked at Emma as James left to contact their friends, "What do we do now?"
"James and Lily can stay as long as they need. Given that our kids are clearly involved we need to help them. Besides, it's nice to see Hermione play with someone closer to her own age." Emma hugged her husband, "Dan, we don't know much about the wizarding world and Hermione is a part of it. I think we could learn from James and Lily. Lily's just like Hermione, born to parents who aren't magical."
Dan looked at the toddlers who were snuggled against one another. "I need a drink."
Remus and Sirius both promised to not say a word to Dumbledore and then Dan gave James the address to the house. When they arrived Lily and Emma told them the adult Harry and Hermione's stories. Lily could see that the men were struggling with this. "Let's go over this. Fact- Hermione is a magical child. Fact- The toddlers never saw their adult counterparts yet just like them seem to prefer to stay close. Fact- The adult Harry looked exactly like James except for a few of my features. Features that the toddler shares minus the scar. Fact- They saved our lives and wanted nothing more than for us to give them both a letter."
"They did say we could read them Lily. Maybe that will make the men quit being thickheaded?"
Lily smiled, "That's brilliant Emma."
First they opened the letter addressed to Harry. It was female writing, which surprised them all. Lily read it aloud:
My Beloved Harry-
I desperately hope that you never have to read this letter, because if you do it means that our love didn't survive after we made the changes to the timeline. We saved your parents from death and you from being marked by Voldemort. Since the marked version of you destroyed Voldemort (even though it was my potion bomb and mycontainment ward and my research that brought us back in time…dear Merlin Harry you really need to take school more seriously. Maybe this version will with your mother's guidance) the prophecy is fulfilled. I hate Divination.
I love you, Harry James Potter. It is something that will not change. I've loved you since you jumped onto that troll's back our first year to protect me. I very nearly told you before you ran through to fight Voldemort for the second time but I chickened out- not much of a Gryffindor am I? When I got petrified by the basilisk in second year my last thoughts were that I'd somehow failed you. I woke to hear Madam Pomfrey saying that you'd killed the creature. My heart filled with joy that you'd done it, but also a little afraid that you wouldn't need me anymore since you'd been able to do it alone.
Third year was one of the most complicated years of schooling for me. Not just because of me using the time turner all year. But because of our relationship. When you wouldn't talk to me when I reported that you had been sent an anonymous broomstick it broke my heart. I know I shouldn't have gone behind your back, love, but I was far more worried about being forced to see you fall and being unable to do anything about it again. I couldn't do that, Harry. I cried myself to sleep every night when you were angry with me. When you forgave me after you got the broomstick back I began to wonder about my place in your life again. You seemed to prefer the company of Ron. I know now, of course, that he was never your friend and merely a spy for Dumbledore. Something you didn't know about either, but it hurt me to know that you'd rather be friends with a small-minded git rather than me.
The night we helped your godfather Sirius Black escape from being kissed by a Dementor was the best night of the year; having my arms wrapped tight around you as we flew Buckbeak the hippogriff up to that window was one of the most exciting things I've ever done. I hate flying like that, unprotected from a fall, but I felt so safe with you. I knew nothing would harm me while I was with you.
Harry my heart broke when you were sent back to those Dursleys instead of to Sirius. It was then that I really started to doubt Dumbledore. Then when your name came out of the cup…I was furious. Did I ever tell you that I slapped Ron that night? He was saying bad things about you and I just couldn't stand it.
Fourth year was a good year. Finally I worked up the courage to ask you out, you thick dolt. Our first kiss was everything I could have ever asked for. And then the betrayals happened. Dumbledore trying to separate us, Ron trying to separate us…it seemed like only Sirius had our backs. Dancing at the Yule Ball with you was wonderful.
When you proposed to me on my sixteenth birthday I knew the answer immediately. I could go on and on about everything since then but I won't. I love you Harry James Potter and I will love you for all time. I can only hope that you will love me again.
Yours Forever,
Hermione
By the time Lily finished the letter there were tears all around. "Who could want to keep them apart?"
"Arseholes," Sirius answered. Lily smiled. She knew all the men were stubborn but Sirius was the worst. That he'd come around was a good sign. The others would soon follow.
Emma let them pull themselves together (in James and Dan's case they drank a large glass of scotch each) before opening up the letter that was addressed to Hermione and reading:
To the Greatest Woman Who Has Ever Existed- My Hermione,
I love you Hermione. It's the first thing I've told you in the morning for the past two years, and it's the last thing I've told you every night. Without you, my Hermione, I don't think I'd have a reason to live. I don't remember being hugged before you hugged me shortly before I faced Voldemort our first year. I'm sure my parents did, and maybe Remus and Sirius too, but I don't remember it. So as far as I'm concerned, you were my first hug. You were my first kiss, which was absolutely phenomenal. You're the first person to say that they love me.
Hermione, I don't know if you remember me. But I can only hope that you do and that you love me still. Only with you have I ever experienced unconditional love. I want to experience it forever with you. I still can't believe that you fell in love with me. I've never really felt worthy of love. I was always told I didn't deserve it either. But you…you make me feel worthy. A smile from you is better than catching a thousand golden snitches. A kiss is better than the feeling I get when I'm on a broomstick, and…well, when we're intimate I feel more at home than I ever have, even at Hogwarts which I considered to be my first home.
My greatest fear is that I will wake up and you won't love me anymore. I think it'd kill me. Even when I've been a big git, you've been there ready to forgive me and never stopped loving me. Sometimes I really don't think I deserve you. You're so good at reminding me that I'm wrong and I do deserve you.
In our first year you kept me focused so that I didn't fail. You also gave me a reason to live when I was facing death. In our second year when you were petrified I felt like a complete failure. I wasn't there to protect you, I wasn't there to save you. It killed me, being unable to protect you. I sat by your bedside every day, reading to you and talking to you. Promising to always be there for you.
I failed you in our third year. I chose a racing broom over you. Not a day goes by that I don't berate myself for being such a disgusting git. But when we saved Sirius together…well I knew that I had right then what I always wanted. Someone who would never leave my side. I still wasn't sure if I was good enough for you, so though I know I pout that you asked me out instead of me asking you the truth is that if you hadn't asked me out I don't know if I'd have had the courage to do so. Not much of a Gryffindor am I? I face down Voldemort, basilisks, dragons, and more but asking the girl I love to be my girlfriend frightens me to no end.
While asking you out terrified me, proposing to you was one of the happiest days of my life. I was nervous about asking your parents for permission but when they approved of me I was over the moon. I just knew you wouldn't say no. And seeing you in that dress when we married…you were so stunning my love.
All of my life I've been left by the people who love me, betrayed by the people who claimed to love me, abused by my family, and manipulated by the people who I respected. You've never been any of those. You have always looked at me and seen Harry James Potter. You've never seen 'The Boy-Who-Lived'. You understand the hurt that title causes and you love me for all my many flaws.
Please, Hermione. I don't know if you remember me, if you remember us. But if you do, please don't turn your back on me. The rest of the world can fall to pieces as far as I'm concerned. I only need you.
Yours Forever and Always,
Harry
James looked down at the ground. He felt like he'd betrayed his son by dying the first time. Remus and Sirius were both crying unashamedly. Dan too was wiping tears from his eyes. Lily and Emma just held each other, trying to comfort one another. Silence reigned in the room for almost five minutes before James looked up, "Dan I think you mentioned being a Manchester United fan. How would you like to move nearer to Stretford?"
"I think they need dentists as much as anyplace else," he answered, smiling.
Emma looked at Lily, "If we can send them off to games then you and I can actually have a mature conversation." Both men stuck their tongues out at their wives in response.
James lay in bed with Lily, "Why the decision to stay?"
"Hermione's letter was emotional but she was able to outline the things about Harry's past that we should know about that we didn't. Things that she wanted him to understand, to not feel regret or shame for. But Harry's letter. It was all about Hermione. He only made two or so references to his abusive upbringing. His letter was all but pleading with her to love him. To never stop loving him." James swallowed, "I can't imagine feeling that alone, that worthless. Harry only survived for Hermione. That is clear to me. And it angers me that we trusted people to care for him only for it all to not matter. I hope that they do remember one another. Life has been hard enough on him without his wife not remembering who he is or that she loves him."
Lily snuggled into her husband, "If Harry does remember, he's going to struggle to have a relationship with us."
"I'd rather we struggle than he wake up and the love of his life only see the boy she played with yesterday." Lily nodded in agreement and the two fell silent, both hoping that the two did recognize one another.
Dan looked at his little girl who was at present cuddled closely with the boy who was essentially already his son-in-law. A witch who traveled back in time to save the world alongside the husband Dan had apparently approved of. The witch who had done something the four other magic users in their house claimed was impossible. "We have a great deal to process."
He looked to see his wife behind him. "I guess so. I was just thinking about how brilliant my little girl is. How upset I'd be if I woke up and you didn't recognize me."
"I've had the same thoughts. They could wake up and both remember, only one of them could remember, or neither of them could remember. While the first is most important the last one would be next ideal. I'd rather they didn't remember and started fresh than one was burdened with the knowledge that the other doesn't remember."
"Our daughter is a powerful witch," Dan said, watching the toddlers snuggle even closer, "if they don't remember, I still think they'll wind up together."
"Lily and I think so too," she nodded. "Let's go to bed Dan. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day."
November 1rst dawned to two toddlers lightly stirring from sleep. Harry opened his eyes and blinked, "My Hermi," he said softly.
"My Harry," she sighed in response, brown eyes meeting green. They both shared a smile before she shifted to snuggle him and Harry closed his eyes, feeling at peace. They had each other still. Nothing else mattered to either one at this moment. It was up to the others to move on from the defeat of Voldemort. As they were toddlers, they couldn't be thrust into the role of doing all that. Really their plan had a bonus. They didn't have to fix the magical world. That would fall to the adults. Just as it should have the first time.
Sirius and James contacted Crouch after breakfast and headed in to report what Hermione and Harry had told the four parents yesterday evening, as well as delivering the memories of Voldemort and Pettigrew. The 'official story' was that they had decided to trap the bastard and so Lily had created a potion that was capable of knocking intruders unconscious and paralyzing them. Hermione had given her mother-in-law the recipe to both the potion they'd used as well as another potion that was less lethal. Voldemort and Pettigrew had arrived and Lily fled with their son while James, Remus, and Sirius had taken both wands from the would-be attackers before deciding to torch the bodies and the house. Remus had put up the containment wards while James had sealed the house. Sirius had cast Fiendfyre and they'd all watched until the house was a wreck. They offered up Harry and Hermione's memories of the events, showing the house burning and Voldemort clearly dead. When pressed about why they fled afterwards James answered simply, "I had to get to my wife and son and Sirius felt drained from the spell. We didn't want to be sitting ducks in case they had backup so Remus and I took Sirius with us."
"Your current location?'
"We're staying with friends," James answered, "Barty I don't trust anyone. Six people knew our location; my wife and I weren't the secret keeper but Pettigrew was. Dumbledore never even showed up even though he has wards on our home and assured us he'd be there at the first sign of danger. I don't trust the bastard. Lily is convinced he set us up. For his health he better stay the hell away from us. Oh and we found out his pet Death Eater told Voldemort about a stupid prophecy, pointing him in our direction. I want the Death Eaters destroyed."
Barty Crouch raised his hands up in surrender, "I'm in complete agreement with you James. I will do all I can to bring the full weight of the law down on them."
Sirius advised what Hermione had told James last night, "Get Veritaserum in them and ask what they did to take the Dark Mark. We've got a feeling it's not just a tattoo." They let it go unsaid that Hermione and Harry knew the Death Eaters had to rape, torture, and kill people before getting the mark. You couldn't be under the Imperius curse and take the mark. It was binding a person to Voldemort; even the defeat of the dark lord wouldn't remove the marks.
"Where will you be?"
Sirius frowned, "Until all this is over I'm staying with James and Lily and my godson. They need protection. I don't trust myself around Dumbledore. I might get the urge to kill him."
"I feel the same," James said. "You don't want to know what Lily wants to do. She's feeling particularly vindictive."
Having met Lily Potter many times Barty Crouch believed that thoroughly. The redheaded witch was quite the spitfire, and very vindictive. "If your family needs anything, by all means you just need to ask."
"We've sent word to Augusta about the stupidity of Dumbledore's charm and how his own spy caused us to become the targets of Voldemort," James said, "she's going to be on a rampage."
"For now I'll inform the Prophet that you're all safe and you destroyed Voldemort. If I don't know where you're staying no one else can find out either," Barty sighed, "I'll dispatch Auror teams to string up any and all Death Eaters." The two young men were about to leave when Barty spoke, "I've already had Severus Snape arrested. I was gifted some interesting memories from him; I don't suppose you know who did it?"
"No but whoever it was deserves a medal," Black growled, "Don't suppose you have a list of Death Eaters?"
"I was able to ascertain it from the memories. There was also a list next to the memories." Barty took a deep breath, "My son was on the list."
"I'm sorry Barty," Sirius said. "My brother was a Death Eater too. I know how it feels to find out."
"I arrested him myself this morning. Hardest thing I've ever done." He looked at Sirius, "I'll make sure that that question is asked, Sirius. I don't want to know, but I think we all need to know to move forward."
"With that kind of attitude, Barty, you might make it to be Minister of Magic," James smirked. "You'd have my vote."
"Mine too," Sirius nodded. "I want to be there for Snape's trial."
"Is there any way I can reach you?"
"We'll be by." Potter and Black left, leaving Barty feeling like they might have removed one dark lord, they still had even more work to do. He looked at the wand of Voldemort. He broke the wand in two. That deserved to be gone. He called a press conference. Better to do this now than later.
Albus Dumbledore was furious. First Hagrid had returned saying that the Potter home was completely gone with no evidence of anyone or anything having been inside of it. He'd gone there himself to look only to have seen nothing. Traces of Fiendfyre were found, but that was it. By the time he returned to Hogwarts Severus Snape had been arrested for being a Death Eater. Then an irate Augusta Longbottom had arrived, all but screaming at him for intentionally putting her family in danger. From her rant Albus deduced something crucial. The Potters were still alive. That didn't fit into his plans at all.
The thought that they were able to defeat Voldemort was disturbing and defied belief. Voldemort was hunting for immortality. There was no way he could be defeated by wizards that were less powerful than Albus Dumbledore. Since Albus didn't believe it that meant it wasn't true. He'd have to figure out how to get the Potters to do as he said again. He knew best; he was Albus Dumbledore, after all.
Meanwhile Harry and Hermione were eating a snack together. Emma watched them. There was something different about their interactions today; everyone in the home was paying such close attention that any minute change was going to be easily noticed. Lily looked at her, "I've noticed it too but I'm too afraid to say anything."
Emma gave her a smile, "I feel the same. So long as they're happy we can't really complain. Dan's contacting our lawyer about selling the practice. I doubt my witch of a daughter is going to be a dentist."
"There is some intense blood prejudice in the wizarding world. However I think the magical world is in for quite the facelift. All that blood prejudice created a dark lord intent on genocide, though he didn't limit himself to just muggleborns like me; he killed half-bloods and purebloods too. James and Sirius will be pushing for some major reforms."
Harry noticed his mother wasn't looking and leaned over to kiss Hermione on the cheek, "Love you," he said.
Hermione smiled, "Love you too."
James watched the kids sleeping. "Do you think they remember?" He turned his head to see Emma behind him.
"I like to think they do," he answered. "You?"
"Lily and I have watched them all day. I think they do remember. I would imagine it's awkward for them, being one and two again."
"I can't imagine being in a situation where I couldn't be with my new wife romantically," James said turning his gaze back to the napping toddlers, "I will do my very best to make sure that they have a good future."
"I'm not looking forward to separating them," Emma sighed.
"I think we'll go looking for houses tomorrow. If we're lucky we find two that are next to each other or one is behind the other. We have double the yard that way. I don't have a problem with them sharing a bed. We'd just make sure they have a room in each house," James smiled as Harry curled closer to Hermione in his sleep. "It took me a long time to quite being a prat and get Lily to be mine. Harry made the move much sooner."
"Actually Hermione made the move," Emma teased him, "and thank goodness too. Boys can be so thick."
James chuckled in spite of himself. He liked Dan and Emma. He liked them a great deal. His son picked a good family to marry into, and James took some comfort in that.
Try as he might, Albus Dumbledore could not find the Potters. Every wizarding home he contacted hadn't seen or heard anything about them. To boot, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were also missing. Somehow they had managed to go underground. Suddenly it hit him. Barty Crouch was James' boss. He would know. Smirking at his brilliance he flooed to the Ministry.
"How did you and Emma meet?" James asked Dan as they sat at a muggle pub in Stretford called 'The Inn of Trolls'. James had insisted they enter after they went to a real estate agent to book an appointment for the next day because he thought the name was brilliant.
"At dental school," he answered, "we ended up sitting in class next to one another and I thought she was pretty. Hermione looks just like her mother," he added. James smiled at the nod to the adult Hermione Potter he'd met last night. "She's just like her too; Emma wound up asking me out because I was too nervous to even talk to her. The Granger women get what they want."
James chuckled, "Lily's the same. Sirius and Remus volunteered to babysit the kids when we go house shopping tomorrow. Kind of relieved there are several options for our parameters."
"So we're going to be attending the games frequently, yes?"
"Of course. Are you a big football fan?"
"My dad was born here in Stretford and my parents still live in the area. He is a diehard fan, as was my grandfather. And they chose red over blue. They were quite fanatical about it; my dad still is."
"Do you only want one child?"
Dan ran his hand through his hair, "We can only have one. We never really discussed having more than one, then we were told we couldn't. Of course that's when you usually want something, when you're told you can't have it." James nodded to indicate he understood and Dan continued, "We talked about it and Emma said that she'd really only ever wanted one or two children. I really only ever wanted the same but we're both happy with just Hermione. What about you and Lily?"
James smiled, "I was an only child and Lily has a sister who hates her. Both of our parents are deceased so it's just us and our friends. We finally talked about it last night. We agreed that we want to devote all of our time to Harry."
Dan nodded. He couldn't begin to imagine the guilt that James and Lily must be feeling. They'd set up arrangements for their son that weren't honored. Harry had consequently had a hard life of lies and abuse. Dan imagined Lily probably wanted to strangle her sister. Emma would feel that way if anything like that happened to Hermione. The chatted about what they were looking for in the houses as they finished their beers, enjoying the casualness of the moment.
"It's imperative that I speak with the Potters immediately Barty."
"I don't know where they're at," the exasperated head of the DMLE sighed, "And they've made it clear they want nothing to do with you. Now if you'll excuse me I have to escort Snape to our interrogation rooms."
"Severus Snape is not a Death Eater," Albus said.
"That mark on his arm says otherwise."
"I would stake my honor on Severus not being a Death Eater," the head of the Wizengamot declared, "I trust him with my life."
"Well then his testimony will clear him," Barty glared at the old man, "no one tells me how to run my department. All the Death Eaters are being rounded up and testifying under Veritaserum. Now, Headmaster, I have work to do."
Albus Dumbledore left the Ministry very annoyed and no closer to where the Potters could be. There had to be a way to find out where they were. Suddenly it hit him and he smiled. He knew a foolproof way to find the Potters.
Harry and Hermione were lying on the sofa taking a nap when Albus Dumbledore appeared in the Granger living room with his phoenix Fawkes. He looked upon the kids before he found himself on the ground, his head throbbing. Groaning in pain he turned his head to see a woman with a frying pan in her hand and Lily Potter with her wand pointed at him. "Sirius! Remus!"
The two men soon appeared and also had their wands drawn on the old man while Lily and Emma moved to the kids, who were now awake and crying. Emma sat down the frying pan and picked up the both of them, moving to the next room with Remus walking backwards to watch her back. As soon as they were gone Lily nearly growled at Dumbledore, "Get out of here you old bastard!"
"Now Lily I understand that emotions are running high after the other night but really that's no way to speak to a man looking out for your family's well-being."
"Then where were you last night when Voldemort came after us?"
"I was busy," he said, standing upright, "now please put your wand away."
"No."
The popping sound signified Dan and James returning home. James pointed his wand at Dumbledore, "Get out of here. You weren't invited and I want nothing to do with you."
"It is not safe for you to be here," Albus began.
"Can it Dumbledore," James glared, "tell me, why is it that your spy set Voldemort on us? Hmm? Why did Hagrid show up late last night at our home? Why didn't you? What was Hagrid looking for? Why is it that my family was in jeopardy and the great Albus Dumbledore was too busy eating dinner to bother showing up to help? Or did you not intend to help? Were we to die so that you could hold up our son as the poor little orphan that needed your greatness' help?"
James was far too close to the truth for Dumbledore's tastes. He tried again, "Voldemort is not gone you need to be protected."
"Voldemort is dead. We saw him die," James was technically not lying. He did see Voldemort die, just through his son and daughter-in-law's memories.
The cocking of a shotgun was heard and Lily looked to see Dan Granger with a shotgun leveled at Dumbledore. "Get out of my house."
"Now see here I am…"
"Trespassing in my home putting mydaughter at risk. Now get the hell out of my house!"
Albus Dumbledore was not used to being told no. Before he could say anything though Lily fired a disarming charm at him, then easily caught his wand, "You and your phoenix leave now and leave us the hell alone. If I see you again I'll do much more than disarm you." James was amazed Dumbledore didn't piss himself. Lily's tone was deadly and she looked ready to kill.
One phoenix transport later they were all alone again. Dan put the shotgun away and James smiled at his wife, "You got the super wand."
"Harry and Hermione both pointedly mentioned it so I decided to remove it from the picture. I was thinking you or Sirius could throw it through the Veil of Death like the kids tossed that resurrection stone through. Now tonight I want this house warded to prevent him from coming back."
"Remus and I will take care of that," Sirius said.
Emma returned with two kids in her arms, "So he's gone?"
"Yes," Remus smiled at the kids who were still holding hands. "You two were okay right?"
"Dumbledore's ego will never be the same," Lily smiled, "Emma clocked him with a frying pan." The three wizards looked at Emma in amazement before Lily recalled the memory for them all to watch in the pensieve Harry and Hermione had brought from the Potter's former home. All three wizards were soon rolling on the floor with laughter while Harry and Hermione laughed along with them so hard they too fell over.