"And naturally," Lily said, continuing the conversation, "when you heard the words you associated with the magical world, courtesy of Hagrid, you approached them for help getting onto the platform. And thus, you were exposed to the Weasley's. With that bond made, it was easy for Dumbledore to have Molly further shape you into the wizard he wanted you to be." Harry swallowed the lump in his throat, realising with hindsight how much it looked like a setup. A concern then crossed his mind, and he voiced it.
"But it was just Mrs Weasley, right?" Harry asked uncertainly, unsure if he wanted to know the answer to his next question. "Surely Ron, Ginny, Fred and George weren't involved...were they?" James sighed at his question.
"The Twins weren't involved Harry," James answered, "as I'm sure you will be pleased to know." Indeed, Harry looked visibly relieved at this revelation. "They have always been loyal and true to the both of you." Harry nodded.
"And Ron and Ginny?" Harry pressed. James winced, but answered him.
"Ginny, we aren't sure about," James said carefully, "we don't know if she was involved, or just an innocent bystander. But Ron..." Harry visibly recoiled, as if he'd been struck, and Hermione stifled a gasp, covering her mouth in shock.
"No," Harry whispered in disbelief.
"I'm sorry you two," James replied sadly, looking between of them, "but you need to know the truth. Ron was a plant, a spy in your camp, reporting back to Dumbledore on your life and actions." Harry swayed on his feet, staggering slightly as his father's words sunk in.
"He...he was...our friend," Harry murmured, "are you telling me, that our seven years of friendship with him, was a lie?" At the end, Harry's voice was naught more than a whisper, and the duo held each other tightly as they waited for the answer.
"I'm sorry," James said regretfully.
Harry's stomach lurched and he stared, wide eyed at the ground. His best mate, one of the first true friends he'd ever had, was a spy? The feeling of betrayal in the air was palpable, and the adults winced as they saw the despondent look on Harry's face. Hermione, meanwhile, was less upset by this revelation than she was angry.
"Ronald was spying on us?" Hermione hissed, her eyes burning as she thought about the red haired traitor. "He was working for Dumbledore?" The adults all nodded. "That little Weasel..." she snarled, "how dare he? When I get my hands on the little prick..." hearing his girlfriend swear snapped Harry out of his funk, and he stared at her in surprise.
"Language, Hermione," Harry lightly chided. She stared at him for a moment, her anger bleeding away, before she snorted and giggled at his half-hearted rebuke.
"I think that's my line, Harry," Hermione said with a small smile, "I'm usually the one telling you off for that." He smiled in reply, but quickly their smiles faded as they thought back to their friend. "Do you know why he did it?" Hermione reluctantly asked the adults, not really wanting to think about their former friend anymore.
"We don't know," Lily answered regretfully, "his motives are uncertain. Perhaps he wanted to bask in Harry's fame, and Dumbledore gave him the way to do that? Without asking him directly, I'm not sure we will ever know."
Hermione nodded grimly in understanding, her jaw clenching as she thought of the little weasel. To be honest, she wasn't sure why she even asked the question. There was no reasoning in the world good enough to defend betraying your best friends.
She glanced over at Harry, and was not surprised to see him staring off across the platform, his eyes glassy and unseeing. Her heart cried out for him as she saw the pain etched on his face as he thought about their ex-best friend. Hermione had been hurt by these revelations, to be sure, but Harry...it would be like having his heart carved out with a rusty knife.
A rush of anger washed over her in reaction to Harry's pain. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve any of it. Those who had hurt him would pay dearly, she swore to herself. She would make sure of it. As she refocused on Harry, however, she put those thoughts to one side. Now was not the time. Taking his hand gently, she brushed the back of it with her thumb, trying to draw him from his introspection.
"Harry?" Hermione called softly. He did not turn to her, nor reply immediately.
"How..." Harry murmured after a moment, "how did we not see it?" He looked over at Hermione, and the grief reflected in his eyes made her heart call out to him. "Were we blind, 'Mione? How did we not see any of it?" She shook her head and pulled him closer.
"I don't know, Harry," Hermione whispered, as she hugged him tightly.
"You did," James replied, answering his question, "you did see it." The duo turned to him, a confused expression on their faces. "You both figured it out, Harry, numerous times."
"I don't understand..." Harry replied, his voice sounding puzzled. Hermione, meanwhile, frowned in thought, considering the statement, before her eyes widened.
"Memory charms..." She breathed, and Harry's gaze snapped around to look at her in shock.
"Memory cha...?" As the realisation hit him, a thunderous rage grew across Harry's face.
"I'm afraid so," James sighed, "many, many times. You are both extremely intelligent, shrewd people," he said, smiling proudly, "and the two of you uncovered the truth again and again. Whichever of you had discovered it would share it with the other, and in very short order the two of you would break away from Dumbledore's control." His smile faded and he sighed once more. "They were only short victories, however. Each time, we hoped you would escape," James pulled Lily close and held her tightly, "but it was not to be."
"Not even Sirius and Remus were able to help you," Lily added, guilty expressions growing across the faces of the other two marauders, "when they figured out the truth, or tried to help you escape when you did, the end result was always the same." Hermione shook her head angrily.
"Obliviation!" She spat, her blood boiling as she thought of the old wizard. Harry meanwhile, looked like he was ready to rip the headmaster in two.
"I think you have made your point," Harry ground out, desperately trying to keep his anger in check, "we need to go back – if only to give Dumbledore a bloody nose!" Hermione nodded in agreement, and the adults chuckled weakly.
"Was that all we needed to know about what Dumbledore has done?" Hermione asked reluctantly, hoping that the answer was yes. As the deceased adults shared a hesitant glance with one another, her heart sank slightly.
"There is...one more thing we need to tell you," Sirius replied softly. Before he could continue however, Lily stalked over to him and slapped his shoulder.
"Sirius!" Lily snapped. Sirius scowled but remained defiant.
"He deserves to know!" Sirius argued. "He needs to know what that man did to him!" Lily glared at him briefly, but her gaze soon softened.
"It can be easily fixed once he goes back." Lily argued. "Do we need to burden him with it just now? Hasn't he been through enough?" She asked him. Sirius closed his eyes and sighed, before responding.
"If it was you, wouldn't you want to know?" He asked. Lily hesitated, before nodding resignedly and walking back over to James, where she held him tightly. Harry, meanwhile, watched this exchange with wide eyes and a pale face.
"What did he do to me?" Harry asked unsteadily, unsure whether he wanted the answer.
"Are you absolutely sure you want to know?" Sirius asked carefully. Harry took a deep breath, pulled Hermione closer, and nodded. "Alright. I...I'm just going to come out and say it, no sugar-coating, like you said." Harry nodded once more. "Dumbledore...he used his legilimency abilities to..." Sirius hesitated, "forcibly alter your mind and personality." Harry and Hermione stared at him in abject horror at this revelation.
"He did what?!" Hermione snarled, furious at this betrayal of Harry.
"It's true," Sirius said, sharing in Hermione's fury. "The process is called legilivultuncy. It is highly immoral and highly illegal! The bastard deliberately rewrote Harry's unconscious mind!"
Harry had turned ashen and felt like he was going to be sick. This felt like a bad dream, a nightmare. How could Dumbledore have done this? Why had he done this? Leaving him with the Dursley's and manipulating him was one thing, but forcibly altering his mind? Changing his very essence? He felt dirty, unclean, and used. Finally, he could hold it in no longer. He fell to his knees and vomited on the platform.
Quick as a flash, Hermione was by his side, stroking his back in a reassuring manner as Harry gagged and heaved. James and Lily weren't far behind, the latter throwing Sirius a dirty look for his blunt revealing of the truth.
"I'm with you Harry," Hermione whispered into his ear as she supported his back, "I love you and I'm with you." Slowly, his heaving subsided and he panted breathlessly. After a time, he steadied his breathing and sighed.
"I-I'm alright now," he murmured, carefully standing back to his feet. Grimacing at the sick on the ground, he turned to Amanda. "I'm s-sorry about the mess." She waved her hand dismissively.
"It's quite alright Harry," the immortal replied sympathetically, "it is understandable." She smiled at him. "Anyway, it's already disappeared, so no harm done." Confused, Harry snapped his gaze back to where he had been sick, only to see that it had, in fact vanished.
"Wha...where did it go?" He questioned weakly.
"It disappeared," Amanda repeated with a smile, "there is no permanency here, as we are merely magical projections of our consciousnesses." Her smile faded as she explained. "You felt sick about what you had been told, so you were sick. It was just a reflection of how you were feeling." She smirked at him as she added an extra detail. "It's also why your hand is no longer broken and bruised, after you punched the wall earlier."
Blushing embarrassedly as he remembered his emotional reaction before, Harry lifted his previously injured hand and saw that it was indeed fine. He stretched it out and felt nothing, not even a tinge of pain.
"You punched the wall?" James asked incredulously, trying desperately to control his amusement. "Really?" Harry blushed an even deeper red, and ducked his head. Hermione, meanwhile, giggled at his reaction.
"Not to worry," Hermione said teasingly, holding Harry tightly, "I've already told him that he was an idiot for doing that!" The adults chuckled at that remark, and Harry threw a faux glare at her.
"I'll get you back for that," he promised, a smile curling the edges of his lips. Hermione, in a sign of great maturity, stuck her tongue out at him.
This set off another round of laughter, and the oppressive atmosphere engendered by the previous conversation had been lessened. Exactly as Amanda had intended when she had brought up Harry's hand. The immortal smiled brightly as Harry's smile and colour returned.
"Oh Merlin," Harry murmured, as he wiped away tears of laughter, "I needed that." He smiled at the immortal. "Thank you." Amanda smiled at him and waved her hand dismissively.
"Not a problem, Harry!" She replied happily, glad she could help in a small way. Hermione, meanwhile, smiled uncertainly at Harry as she took in his reaction.
"Are you sure you're ok, Harry?" Hermione asked hesitantly. Harry's smile faltered and he bowed his head.
"Honestly, Hermione?" Harry asked, and she nodded. "No, no I'm not. I just found out that I have been violated at the most basic level. I doubt I will be ok for a very long time." His smile became strained and he sighed. "But if I don't laugh, then I'll cry...and I've done enough of that recently to last a lifetime." As he finished speaking, she pulled him towards her and they hugged tightly. As they embraced, Harry glanced up at Amanda. "I think I can safely say we will be taking option three, Amanda." She nodded firmly.
"I expected nothing less," the immortal responded, very pleased, "you both have an innate sense of justice," Amanda smirked, "and an impressive vengeful streak when your partner has been wronged." The duo blushed and the adults chuckled. "You will be able to do so much good, I am certain of it."
"So how far will we be going back?" Hermione asked curiously. "What can we change?"
"Well," Amanda began thoughtfully, "Death and I had a bit of a chat about that. We decided that the best time to send you back would be to the beginning – your entry into the magical world for the first time..." Their eyes widened in surprise.
"1991?" Hermione asked, astonished. "I didn't think you would be able to send us back that far..." Amanda nodded sagely.
"Absolutely, we can!" The immortal replied excitedly. "We decided on sending you back before your first year in Hogwarts because it gives you the best chance to save lives. You will have a great deal of time to prepare." Harry and Hermione nodded determinately, before the former had a thought.
"So I assume we will be able to take our knowledge of the future back with us?" Harry asked the immortal, unsure how it would work otherwise. She nodded in response.
"Correct!" Amanda exclaimed. "It is a bit irregular, but we've been authorised to allow you to keep your memories from the past seven years, and everything we've told you here. We are hoping you can take full advantage of the information, before the forces working against you can react." A serious look grew over her face, and she pointed sternly. "I will caution you, however, not to tell anyone about your future knowledge..." Harry frowned.
"Why is that?" He asked curiously. Amanda smiled patiently.
"Tell me, Harry," the immortal began, "assuming you knew none of this, what would you say if someone approached you and told you they were from the future?" He blushed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I would think they were a lunatic..." Harry replied sheepishly, and the others chuckled good-naturedly at his embarrassment.
"Exactly," Amanda replied, grinning at his reaction, "Death and I didn't do all this preparation work to save the world, just to see the two of you being declared insane, or god forbid, obliviated!" He nodded soberly. Hermione, on the other hand, pressed on.
"But what if we trust them?" Hermione questioned. "Harry and I will be hard pressed to do this by ourselves. The help of our friends has always been invaluable..." Harry nodded in agreement, but Sirius scoffed.
"What, like Ron?" He asked rhetorically.
Yet another blunt response from the marauder drew the ire of Lily. Stalking over to him yet again, she slapped him over the head and none too softly. Sirius yelped in surprise and pain as her whack hit home.
"Dammit Lily," Sirius yelled, "stop hitting me!"
"I will, once you stop being so cynical, Sirius!" Lily snapped. Amanda chuckled at the byplay, before focusing back on Hermione.
"Remember what I said," the immortal said, "we didn't do this prep just to see you being taken out of the picture."
"We remember," Harry said, "but we have other friends who you didn't mention having betrayed us! Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood spring immediately to mind..." She fixed a steady gaze on the two of them, before nodding carefully.
"You are right, in that they didn't betray you," Amanda replied thoughtfully. "As a matter of fact, the pair of them were obliviated with you two on several occasions, after you had revealed the truth and they agreed to help." She smiled at them. "I approve. I will say only this: make absolutely certain they can be trusted. If you are wrong, you may cause the demise of all you sought to achieve."
Harry and Hermione, thinking back to the conversation they had just had, shuddered in revulsion and pulled one another closer. They shared a searching look, before they first nodded at each other, and then at Amanda.
"Understood," the duo said together. The immortal beamed at them.
"Great!" She exclaimed, before turning serious once more. "Now, I should mention, there is...one catch to allowing you to go back..." Harry and Hermione shared a look and hesitated.
"A catch?" Harry asked guardedly. Seeing their reaction, Amanda hastened to reassure them.
"No, no, no," Amanda began, "it's nothing you wouldn't have done anyway, I promise you both!" Seeing her sincerity, they relaxed and she sighed in relief. "It's simple: you must defeat not only Voldemort, but Dumbledore also." Their eyes widened in shock.
"Dumbledore too?" Harry gasped. "We have to beat them both?" Amanda nodded.
"Yes, Harry," the immortal replied, "Death very much wants both of them. They have caused too many deaths, and Riddle defied nature when he created those abominations called horcruxes. Death demands both souls to be his..." the duo stared in shock at this revelation.
"But...but Dumbledore is a national hero!" Hermione protested. "The people see him as one of the greatest wizards since Merlin! We can't bring him down without drawing the wrath of magical Britain!" Amanda blinked in surprise, before giggling at their panic.
"Oh, dear me," she chuckled, "I didn't mean you should throw a curse at him the next time you see him! There are other ways to weaken him before the end..." the adults nodded in agreement with the immortal.
"You would probably be best eroding his reputation over time," James remarked, "slowly discrediting the old fool before acting to remove him from the picture. Remember how far his star waned in your fifth year after Fudge's slander campaign..." Harry and Hermione nodded in understanding.
"That's true," Hermione exclaimed, "he lost nearly all his positions, and would have lost everything had Voldemort not revealed himself at the Ministry." Amanda smiled at the duo, seeing them relax.
"You two should remember," the immortal began, "that death is the most patient force in the universe. It is infinitely patient, and inevitable. None can avoid it, merely delay it." She cast a glance upwards, as if watching for her fellow immortal listening. "Likewise, Death is also patient. He will wait for Dumbledore, for decades if he must. But in the end, he must be brought down." Hermione nodded, but Harry smirked as he read between the lines.
"But I'm guessing sooner would be better, right?" Harry asked knowingly.
As Harry finished speaking, a warm and yet spine tingling force washed over him. He shivered at the sensation, but felt an overwhelming sense of approval. Wide eyed and surprised, he gaped at Amanda in shock. It would seem that a certain immortal was very pleased by his words. The goddess of love smiled knowingly at his reaction.
"And that, Harry," Amanda exclaimed, "is why you are Death's favourite being." She grinned at him as he tried to repress a shudder. "Yes, if you want to make him very, very happy with you, the sooner you can get them, the better." Hermione bit her lip in thought.
"Dumbledore is going to take time, if we're going to be careful." Hermione warned, and Amanda nodded in agreement.
"Yes, he will," Amanda assented, but smiled viciously, "but Riddle is another matter. If you do it right, you could destroy two pieces of his soul in your first year back. Even one piece will mean Death can start his work. And I can guarantee if you can do that, it would make him extremely happy." They nodded once more, smirking slightly as they could almost sense the vindictive streak of the absent immortal.
"What about Harry's scar?" Hermione questioned, casting a side-long glance at him. "How can we remove it safely?" Harry nodded rapidly, feeling very invested in this question.
"Yeah, didn't you mention the Goblins being able to help before?" He asked, unconsciously rubbing his forehead. James, once again, chimed in at this question.
"Ah, yes!" He exclaimed in remembrance. "Thank you for reminding me!" James looked intently at his son. "Harry, you absolutely must go to Gringotts as soon as you possibly can, it is crucial!" Startled, Harry stared wide eyed at his father.
"How come?" Harry asked curiously. "To get this," he tapped his head, "removed?" James shook his head.
"Not only that," James replied, "the Goblins can be extremely helpful – if you are one of their high profile clients..." the old marauder smiled smugly, but didn't elaborate. "Once you return, it is imperative that you ask for our last will and testament to be read!" Harry nodded hesitantly, sensing he was not going to get any further information. Lily, meanwhile, rolled her eyes at her husband and slapped him on the back of the head.
"Honestly," she sighed, "I'm surrounded by children," she smiled at the duo and the immortal, "present company excepted of course!" The three exceptions laughed at the amused, outraged and faux hurt reactions of the other three.
"I'm wounded, Lily," Remus said dryly, smirking at Sirius' outrage.
"I resent that remark, Lils!" Sirius exclaimed, pointing a finger dangerously at her. She chuckled and smirked at him.
"I think you mean resemble, Sirius," She retorted, grinning as the wizard stared agape at her, while the others laughed. "Anyway, as I was saying," Lily continued, ignoring the shocked marauder, "Dumbledore blocked our will reading last time, Harry. He denied you resources which you could have used to become more independent. They will be important if you want to succeed." He nodded in understanding. "Removing that soul fragment should be a priority too. You must do it before you meet Hermione again on the Hogwarts Express."
"Why is that?" Hermione asked curiously.
"When you meet again for the first time," Lily explained, "you will be drawn to initialise the bond once more. If that happens while Harry still has the soul fragment..."
"...it will be divided between us, again." The erudite witch finished, nodding in understanding. Lily nodded in return.
"It will become much harder to remove if it is shared between the two of you, so I suggest you get rid of it as quickly as possible, Harry." Said wizard nodded determinately.
"Understood," Harry replied, smiling at his mother. He glanced over at Hermione and felt her squeeze his hand reassuringly. "So, is that everything?" He asked, looking around the faces in the room. "Is that all we need to know before we can go back?" The adults all nodded their heads, but Amanda looked thoughtful.
"Oh!" Amanda exclaimed suddenly, snapping her fingers in remembrance. "One last thing! Death asked me to give you both one final gift," she grinned at the two, "have I mentioned yet that he really, really likes you, Harry?" Said wizard shivered at the reminder.
"Yes...yes, you did..." Harry murmured, still unsettled by the fact the immortal reaper apparently 'liked' him. Seeing his unease, Amanda giggled.
"Oh, pish and posh," she exclaimed, smiling at him, "it's nothing bad! In fact, it will be incredibly useful to you!" Their interest peaked; Harry and Hermione threw a curious look at the goddess.
"What is it?" Hermione asked eagerly, wanting to know what gift the god had bestowed on them. Amanda beamed at their renewed interest.
"Well," Amanda began, excitedly, "as we know Dumbledore, Snape, and Riddle are all proficient in legilimency," they nodded in agreement, "and I don't have to tell you what a bad idea it would be for them to find out about your future knowledge..." again, they nodded, but this time more frantically.
"Yeah, you definitely don't..." Harry murmured, unsettled by the very thought.
"Right, yes! Soooo," she dragged out the word, bouncing in anticipation, "to save you both having to learn occlumency as soon as you get back, we are going to give you...a little head start!"
Walking over to the duo, Amanda placed her hands on their heads and closed her eyes tightly. With a look of great concentration on her face, her palms began to glow with magical energy. Almost instantly, Harry and Hermione felt a cold rush flow into their heads, as if their minds had been dipped into a bucket of icy water. They shuddered at the uncomfortable sensation, but it only lasted for a moment.
"There now," Amanda said, stepping back from the two, "that should help! We've improved your natural occlumency abilities, giving you rudimentary shields." She grinned and clasped her hands together tightly. "They won't hold off a direct assault for long, but they will prevent invasion from a wordless spell!" Harry and Hermione smiled excitedly at the news.
"That's incredible," Hermione breathed in amazement, "thank you so much! I can already feel the difference! My mind feels...more organised, somehow..." Harry chuckled at her obvious excitement.
"More organised?" Harry teased. "Is that even possible? And how are us mere mortals meant to compete with Hermione's new super-brain, Amanda?" Hermione huffed at his teasing, and swatted his shoulder in retaliation, while the adults chuckled at the byplay.
"Prat," she retorted playfully, her serious face spoilt by a smile tugging at her lips. He merely grinned in response. Amanda giggled at the affection between the two, before returning to the matter at hand.
"You're welcome, Hermione!" The immortal replied, pleased at their reaction. "While our gift gives you a beginning advantage over your foes, I would strongly suggest you continue to train and develop your occlumency. It will be the only way you can resist a full scale attack from someone like Dumbledore." The duo nodded seriously.
"We will," they replied together, before pulling the immortal into an embrace. She looked stunned for a moment, before returning the hug just as warmly.
"Thank you, Amanda," Harry murmured, holding her with Hermione tightly.
"Thank you so much," Hermione continued, "you have given us so much..."
"You deserve it," Amanda insisted, smiling happily as she held them, "you have already done so much, against all the odds! Now, you get to do more, on your own terms!" She pulled back from them and grinned in excitement. "You two are going to do great things, I know it!" Harry and Hermione smiled back.
As the hug ended, Harry and Hermione turned their attention to the deceased adults. It was painful, but they knew that they needed to say goodbye. Knowing that Harry probably wanted to save his parents for last, Sirius swooped in and grabbed the duo in an embrace.
"Good luck, you two!" He said, grinning at them. "Make us proud, and..." he hesitated, casting a side-long glance at Lily, "...make sure you have fun, alright? Pull plenty of pranks, have a laugh, live your lives! Don't be so Siriusall the time!" He joked with a wink. Harry and Hermione groaned, the latter slapping his shoulder playfully.
"Sirius, that pun was ancient while you were in Hogwarts," Remus chuckled, stepping forwards and pulling the pair into a hug. "He is right, though. Don't let everything we've told you drag you down. Remember to have fun and enjoy your lives!"
"We will," Hermione swore, "we promise!" Harry nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, we'll make you proud," Harry vowed, and the two marauders smiled warmly.
"We know you will," Remus replied hoarsely, trying to discreetly wipe away his tears. Seeing this, Sirius pulled the old werewolf into a reassuring shoulder hug.
Finally, Harry and Hermione turned their gaze to James and Lily. They smiled back at them warmly, but they could see the agony reflected on Harry's face as he wrestled with saying goodbye. Seeing his hesitation, Hermione glanced at her partner.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, unsure why he hadn't gone to hug his parents. He shook his head, tears trickling down his cheeks.
"I...I don't," Harry murmured, "I don't want to say goodbye." He stared longingly at his parents. "I don't want to leave them..."
Hermione remained silent while he grappled with his emotions, understanding his indecision and pain. Lily, however, wasn't going to stand by and watch her baby cry. Striding over to him, she swept Harry into a tight, reassuring hug. Following suit, James quickly joined her and they held their only son firmly as he sobbed at the loss.
"Harry," Lily began softly, "my brave boy. Don't think of this as a goodbye. It's not." She pulled away and smiled at him lovingly. "We love you, and will always be with you, no matter what comes, every step of the way." Harry breathing steadied and he smiled shakily.
"T-the ones w-who love us...never truly leave us," Harry murmured, looking over at the man who had uttered those words, his godfather.
Sirius choked up slightly, a wave of emotion washing over him as he thought back to that moment, honoured that Harry had remembered his words.
"You can always find them," Sirius whispered, continuing his own words, "in here." He finished, holding the palm of his hand against his own heart. Harry nodded, smiling at the man, before pulling his parents back into a hug.
"I'm going to miss you so much," Harry whispered, squeezing them tightly. They squeezed back just as hard.
"So are we," Lily sobbed as she held her baby.
Initially, Hermione had stood by while the Potter family embraced once more, settling for watching the moment and feeling the intense emotions flying about the room. However, after a few minutes of silence, Harry looked over at her and smiled.
"I think we're missing someone," he said, opening one of his arms invitingly. She stared at him, wide eyed, as she processed his words.
"But, but," she stammered, tears of her own beginning to fall. Lily and James looked over at her and smiled warmly.
"It may not be official yet," Lily said teasingly, enjoying the blush on her cheeks as she understood the implication, "but you are a member of this family, Hermione." James nodded in agreement.
"That's right," he agreed, smiling proudly, "you're a Potter, Hermione." He gestured to her to join them. "Now get over here..."
Choked up by their acceptance of her into their family, she let out a sob of her own before throwing herself into the hug. As the hug continued, Harry and James both looked over at the other marauders, who were also stood to one side, watching the embrace. Getting the message, Remus and Sirius grinned at the two, walked over and the hug grew.
As she watched the beautiful moment playing out in front of her, Amanda sniffed and began sobbing happily once more. Conjuring another handkerchief from nowhere, she dabbed her eyes and nose, beaming at the extended family.
The family hug continued for a time, none of them wanting it to end just yet, before they finally and reluctantly parted. With a few final words of comfort and goodbyes, Harry and Hermione took one another's hand and stepped back from the family. Amanda beamed at the duo, clasping her hands together tightly.
"This is your chance to live the past seven years on your terms," Amanda told them, "playing by your own rules. Dumbledore won't give up control without a fight, but you have the advantage! Don't waste it!" Harry and Hermione smiled back and nodded determinately.
Turning away from the group, the duo began to walk away along the platform, ready to start their new adventure. Very quickly, however, they hesitated. Sharing a quick, confused glance, they turned back to their family.
"Err," Harry murmured unsurely, "how do we...you know, get back?" The adults chuckled softly, and the immortal smiled at them.
"How do you think you should get back, Harry?" Amanda asked him. "How did you begin your new adventures in Kings Cross?" The duo looked confused for a moment, before twin looks of realisation grew over their faces.
"Platform 9¾," they exclaimed together, grinning at one another.
Walking over to the familiar red brick arch, Harry and Hermione hesitated before trying to pass through. As they stood there, a few metres from their destination, they smiled at one another and shared a warm loving look.
"See you on the other side, Harry." Hermione said affectionately. Said wizard grinned and leant over, kissing her softly.
"See you on the other side, Hermione." He replied, his eyes sparkling with joy. He squeezed her hand and smiled. "You and me, 'Mione..." she smiled in return.
"...to the end," Hermione replied, before looking at the brick arch, "or rather, the beginning..."
Giving each other one last, lingering kiss, the duo took a deep steadying breath and ran at the brick barrier. As they did so, the familiar thrill and excitement they felt at the beginning of a new adventure took hold, and they grinned enthusiastically as they disappeared into the solid archway.
As the others watched Harry and Hermione vanish and begin again, they smiled fondly at one another. Their job was done. The deceased wizards and witch could already feel the slight tug on their magic, wanting them to return. Slowly, they turned back to the Hogwarts Express, ready to head back to the other place.
"So," Sirius began softly, "do you think they will be able to do it?" Remus threw a surprised look at his friend.
"You don't think so?" Remus asked him, taken aback. Sirius shook his head fervently.
"No, no," Sirius exclaimed, "of course I think they'll do it!" He grinned. "They'll kick both those codger's wrinkled arses, I'm sure of it!" Unilateral looks of revulsion at the thought of Riddle and Dumbledore's behinds crossed everyone's faces, and he laughed, before sobering. "That old bastard is a hell of a wizard, though. He won't give up Harry without a fight..."
"If anyone can do it," Lily began, smiling proudly, "I think they can. I mean, they did it the first time around when everything was working against them!" James nodded in agreement.
"You're right, Lily," James remarked, "we've given them a chance to set themselves free and make their own choices. They will do beautifully, I am certain of it." Lily pulled James close and they hugged as they walked.
"They won't be completely alone, at least," Amanda announced with a smile, "I will be keeping an eye on things anyway, helping where I can." Her smile faded and she sighed slightly. "If they do fail though...Death won't be pleased." The others nodded soberly, but Lily considered this for a moment, before speaking.
"I have complete faith in them!" Lily proclaimed with certainty. "Harry won't fail. He won't allow himself to fail, and neither will Hermione. Apart, they were weakened, but now they are together?" She beamed happily. "They will be unstoppable!"
Sharing in her optimism, the others grinned excitedly before one by one walking into the still lingering cloud of steam from the Hogwarts Express. With a shrill whistle and a whoosh of magical steam, the scarlet steam engine lurched into life, and clattered away from the platform.
As the Express departed, the bright, ethereal lights of the heavenly Kings Cross station began to dim, until nothing was left but darkness.