Saturday, June 22nd, 1994
It was nearly four-o-clock in the afternoon when Amelia Bones stepped onto the fourth floor of St. Mungo's and made her way through the corridors toward her eventual destination. Arthur Weasley was waiting for her when she arrived.
"Arthur, my apologies if I have inconvenienced you," she said, "It has already been a very busy day."
"No inconvenience at all," Arthur said, "I've been checking on my children every hour through the Floo Network, and nobody has blown up the house yet." He chuckled weakly, then sighed. "Actually, I might have been okay with the house in shambles. It would be a sign that things were relatively normal around the Burrow. The house hasn't been the same without Molly. Even the news that Bill and Charlie will be home tomorrow isn't bringing spirits up."
"I'm sure something good will come soon," Amelia said.
"I hope so," Arthur said, "Any good news on your end."
"Sirius Black was declared innocent today," Amelia said, "He is a free man."
"That's wonderful!" Arthur said, "Don't get too much news waiting around here. I'm sure I'll hear about the whole thing soon."
Amelia had half-a-mind to tell Arthur about Peter Pettigrew and his connection to the Weasleys, but she knew he would hear it from other sources inside the Ministry soon. She had been told that the Minister wanted to personally speak to the Weasleys about it. Besides, that was not why she was meeting with Arthur and his youngest son.
"Well, Ron will be free to go as soon as I finish meeting with him," Amelia said, "I'm sure he wants to get home. Have you read the Healer's report?"
"Yes," Arthur said, "I could not believe it. All those concoctions! I never would have guessed. Amelia... do you think my wife fed him some of those?"
"I'm afraid she might have had to, in order to keep them running through Ron's system," Amelia said, "I will see about getting a Healer to visit Molly and give her a thorough check-up. She might have had a few concoctions of her own in order to do such things to her own children."
"I'd appreciate that," Arthur said.
"Arthur," Amelia said, "all evidence I have points to the fact that Ron was quite wrong about Harry Potter and Hermione Granger cursing and hexing him. Even with the Potions out of his system, he might be convinced. We need to explain that the potions could have done some funny things. Made him believe things that weren't true. Really, it is as if Ron was stuck between trying to be Harry and Hermione's best friend and being disillusioned into becoming irrationally jealous of them, to the point he might have hated them. When the pair became a couple, the jealousy potions mixed with his own adrenaline, and took over. What I'm trying to say is, don't believe anything he may say about Harry and Hermione, at least when it comes about anything they might have done to him.."
"All right," Arthur said.
"Can I go in and speak with him?" Amelia asked, "You're welcome to join, of course."
Arthur nodded and lead Amelia into the room. Ron was sitting up in bed, reading a comic book.
"Son?" Arthur asked. "You remember Madam Bones, don't you?"
Ron looked from his father to Amelia. "I remember. Did you arrest Harry and Hermione?"
"No," Amelia said, "Ron, all evidence I have points to the fact that Harry and Hermione had nothing to do with you being hexed. Were you told of the Potions that were running through your system?"
"Um... yeah," Ron said, "I think I understood most of them. They made me loyal to Dumbledore and stuff. I had no choice otherwise."
"They also made you hate your best friends, Ron," Arthur said.
Confusion crossed Ron's face.
"The potions made you hallucinate," Amelia said, "They made you believe your best friends hexed you. When you heard that Harry and Hermione were a couple, the jealousy potion you were fed made you irrational and think that they had physically hurt you. In truth, someone else was responsible for it."
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Professor Dumbledore," Amelia said.
"No," Ron said, shaking his head, "I couldn't be him. He promised me... he promised Harry would be my best friend."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "When was this?"
"The last week of August, before my first year at Hogwarts," Ron said, "He sent me a letter and a Chocolate Frog. The card was of Professor Dumbledore. He signed it."
Amelia's mind whirled. Chocolate Frogs could easily hold potions inside them. Maybe Molly Weasley hadn't been responsible for dosing Ron after all...
"What did the letter say?" Amelia asked.
"It told me to meet Harry on the Hogwarts Express," Ron said, "If I sat with him, we would end up having a conversation and may become friends."
"When was the next time you personally heard from Dumbledore?" Amelia asked, "A letter or face-to-face."
"The first Saturday of the month," Ron said, "We met every Saturday that I was at Hogwarts. Dumbledore wanted to know what Harry was up to. He wanted me to be descriptive."
"He asked you to spy on Harry?" Amelia asked.
"Yeah, I guess," Ron said, "He promised me passing grades and money and candy if I helped him."
Candy. Amelia's mind continued to swirl. How much of the candy was dosed with potions? Amelia knew she had discovered exactly how Dumbledore continued to dose him.
"Tell me everything you remember," Amelia said, "involving everything Dumbledore discussed with you about Harry and Hermione."
"He didn't like it when Hermione became Harry's friend," Ron said, "Even before she became Harry's friend. Dumbledore wanted me to scare her away. He wanted me to tease her and bully her. On Halloween that year, it finally worked. I made her run off and cry all day. Then she got attacked by that troll, and Harry and I saved her. Dumbledore didn't like that. Hermione had become Harry's friend, and Dumbledore asked me to act as Hermione's friend in order to spy on her too. So I did. I reported about them every Saturday. It continued on and on like that. Er... only really other bad thing I remember is when Hermione got Petrified, Dumbledore was angry. Not because she was Petrified, but because she wasn't dead."
"Oh, dear," Arthur said.
"Thank you, Ron," Amelia said, "We'll be right back. I need to talk to your father."
Amelia led Arthur back into the hall. He looked pale and emotional.
"I can't believe this," Arthur said, "Why is Dumbledore so interested in Harry and Hermione? Enough that he is threatened by their friendship? Enough that he wants her dead so she isn't Harry's friend?"
"It is all about control," Amelia said, "Dumbledore wants to control Harry for some reason. I think he's wanted to control Harry ever since the night his parents died. I learned today he basically ripped Harry from his godfather's arms, just to bring Harry to his Muggle relatives. Harry wasn't supposed to grow up there. James and Lily's Final Will forbade it. But Dumbledore wanted him there."
"Two summers ago," Arthur said, "Ron, Fred and George flew my enchanted car from the Burrow to Surrey and back. They said Harry's bedroom had bars on his windows. And he was being fed cold tinned soup. As punishment. Does Dumbledore know about that?"
"I think he knows exactly what Harry experienced with his relatives," Amelia said.
"Merlin's beard," Arthur said. "And he did nothing to prevent it? He continued to send Harry back?"
"It appears so," Amelia said, "Arthur, you're not going to like what I have to say next. Once you hear my idea, you have my full permission to tell me to piss off. I will not be offended."
"Alright," Arthur said, looking confused and curious.
"First, Arthur, you need to know something," Amelia said, "I can't arrest Albus Dumbledore for an entire year. Fudge gave him a pardon of amnesty. Do you know what is going on at Hogwarts this year?"
"I've heard rumors," Arthur said.
"A big event," Amelia said, "Something that Fudge doesn't want to get moved out of Hogwarts and Great Britain. If Dumbledore was to be arrested, the ICW might move the event from Hogwarts."
"I can see Fudge's reason behind it," Arthur said.
"Here is where it gets worse," Amelia said, "First off, I believe I know how Ron's been dosed. I don't think your wife did it. Remember what Ron said he got in Dumbledore's first letter?"
"A Chocolate Frog," Arthur said.
"Candy like that could hold doses of Potions," Amelia said, "Dumbledore could give Ron candy, and he'd eat it and would unknowingly get dosed. Check all letters Ron receives this summer."
"Of course," Arthur said.
"There's more," Amelia said, "Imagine what would happen if Ron were to return to Hogwarts. Dumbledore would discover that Ron is no longer dosed and under his control. Dumbledore would be furious. Ron would likely be dosed again, only worse. True, he no longer has his two main sources of Potion-makers, but he is a crafty man. This is the part where you can tell me to piss off. Ron needs to leave Hogwarts. At least until Dumbledore can be arrested."
Arthur said nothing, so Amelia continued.
"Brighton Auror Academy has a junior academy," Amelia said, "Most of the students there tend to go to the Academy afterward. Like Hogwarts, it is free tuition, you'd only have to pay for school supplies. It is a fairly nice school, so I am told. Ron would be welcomed there. I could get him in so he could begin term on the first of September, just like Hogwarts. His records from Hogwarts would transfer over so he could be with students his own age. The academy is kind of different from Hogwarts. There is a much smaller class size, so Ron would get more focus from teachers to learn. Also, they have sort of a military focus on part of their education. Morning and evening exercises. But if Ron were to stay for the rest of his education, he could graduate to Auror training and become an Auror after one year instead of three. Also, he'd be far away from Dumbledore's influence."
"What about the rest of my children?" Arthur asked, "Fred, George, Ginny?"
"Sit them down and bring them up to date," Amelia suggested, "Let them know what is going on with your son. They may want to remain at Hogwarts but at least they would be forewarned. Ron's already too vulnerable so sending him back to Hogwarts would be risky."
"Well, I'm not going to tell you to piss off," Arthur said, "I believe I'll add Ron in the family discussion, though I will emphasize to him most of all what he would face if he returned to Hogwarts. Whatever is decided, I will be sure to let you know."
"Whatever you think is best for your children," Amelia said, "I believe I am finished here. Ron is not in trouble. He had no control over anything he did. Luckily he didn't do anything too bad. But he certainly helped me in my investigation against Albus."
"You certainly opened my eyes," Arthur said. "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome," Amelia said, "Give my best to Ron and the rest of your family."
Arthur nodded and returned to the hospital room. Amelia started off back down the corridor, her mind brimming with thoughts. The fact that a dangerous man like Dumbledore was pardoned for a year frightened her. She mentally pat herself on the back for assigning Tonks to bodyguard duty for Harry and Hermione. She knew it would likely become quite necessary over the next year. Tonks' offer, to go undercover as a fourth year transfer student so she could be around Harry and Hermione more often at Hogwarts without suspicion from students, was an excellent idea. It was unfortunate Dumbledore would know who Tonks would be disguised as. There was no way they could fool him since he was informed of the idea from the start. How unfortunate that was.
Amelia wondered if she should pull Sirius in to assist her with her investigation. He would likely not be able to be reinstated with the Aurors before the end of the summer. He probably needed something to do when he would not be involved with his godson. This seemed like an excellent idea. Besides, it would help to bring her closer to him again so that, soon enough, they could be back at the point in their relationship that they had been before Sirius was carted off to Azkaban.
She really liked the thought of that.
Sunday, June 23rd, 1994
Nymphadora "Don't-Call-Me-Nymphadora" Tonks had just finished with her shower after her morning jog, and was now sorting through her morning post. There was a letter from her mother, asking if she could find time away from her bodyguard duty for a visit, as well as inviting her to dinner with their cousin Sirius.
Tonks groaned at the thought. Ever since she had moved out of her parents' house, the summer after she finished her Hogwarts education, her mother was always trying to get her to come back in some way. She would always go to her parents' house for Christmas, and birthday dinners, but she tried her best to avoid invitations to family dinners for one simple reason:during every visit, her mother was guaranteed to ask about her love-life.
She hadn't had a love-life since her last boyfriend, Charlie Weasley in her seventh year. Charlie had finished his education the year before, and had gone off to Romania to train and raise dragons. They had tried a long-distance relationship, but after he failed to come to see her on her second Hogsmeade visit in a row – as Charlie had promised he would the previous summer – she had broken up with him via owl post. She had known it was a shitty thing to do, but at the time she felt Charlie deserved it.
It wasn't as if she was avoiding romance. She was just having trouble finding someone that she fancied and trusted just the same. The sad thing was the fact that she was having issues, even though her options were far more open than most, since she was quite interested in men, and even okay with possible romance with the same-sex. She had experimented with a same-sex relationship while at Hogwarts and had a fun time, and discovered she was open to it. She just couldn't find anyone, male or female.
There were several who caught her eye while she was in the Auror Corp, but she was very cautious. All of her fellow trainees knew she was a Metamorphmagus. She didn't trust most people who knew of her talents before she dated them. Her very first boyfriend had discovered her talents and wanted her to change her appearance to something he liked. Tonks took this as meaning he didn't like how she chose to look and broke up with him soon after. Suffice it to say that had made her extremely cautious toward searching for romantic interests after that.
Tonks wasn't stupid. She knew her own feelings. She knew very well she was attracted to one particular person at that very moment. The fact that he was a few years younger than her was the problem. But then... recently she discovered his secret. She discovered that mentally he was nearly eighteen; far closer to her age than fourteen! But body-wise he was still nearing fourteen. Also he had a girlfriend and three Betrothed who he would be married to in the distant future. Sure his current girlfriend didn't seem to have issues that another girl fancied her boyfriend, which normally would have made Tonks quite happy.
Tonks was just simply confused. It didn't help that she was currently living with her current fancy and had caught him in less than proper clothing several times. There was those two memorable days they had gone swimming at the public pool and she had lingered stares in his direction. Also, more than once she had seen him in naught but a towel after he had gotten out of the shower.
Not today though. Today, he had offered her to take a shower first. So she couldn't get her usual peek. The noble prat!
Tonks tried her best to take her mind off of Harry Potter when something caught her eye that brought such thoughts back in full force. The newest issue of Witch Weekly had on the cover of the magazine was a picture from Sirius Black's trial. Sirius Black was nowhere on the cover. Instead it was Harry, Hermione and her hugging! The animated image showed Hermione pouncing on Harry, then Tonks engulfing them both in a hug. The large bold letters at the bottom of the cover read:
BOY-WHO-LIVED THREESOME?: Harry Potter seen in intimate pose with two witches; one much older than the young teen heartthrob.
Tonks groaned. Loudly. Loud enough that someone had heard her.
"Something wrong, Tonks?" Hermione Granger asked, as she walked into the sitting room.
"Oh, nothing, really," Tonks said, then lifted up the magazine so Hermione could see it, "Just this!"
Hermione gasped and snatched the magazine from her, and studied the cover for a moment before opening the magazine and searching pages. Then her eyes moved back and forth as she read.
"Well, good news first," she said, "The article isn't by Rita Skeeter, and she promised she wouldn't use pseudonyms, so she's keeping all her promises she made."
"Unfortunately it doesn't prevent others from writing about us," Tonks said, "Any more good news?"
"Not really," Hermione said, "They were able to identify both of us. Me, because my name came up in the trial, and you – they did their research, they know you are a Cadet Auror, and they kn ow your name."
"They called me by my whole first name, didn't they?" Tonks guessed, rolling her eyes, "Did they mention anything about me being a bodyguard."
"Ah... no," Hermione said, "They're simply speculating that Harry may have two girlfriends, one who is – and I quote – 'old enough to the point of being a cradle-robber.' Huh, I didn't know that was a common term in the wizarding world."
Tonks groaned. "Do you know how many people read this magazine?"
"It is pretty popular amongst the witches at Hogwarts," Hermione said. "Lavender and Parvati love it because it fuels their gossip."
"Yes, and we're all over this issue!" Tonks said, "Why did I have to hug Harry in public?"
"You were excited for Sirius," Hermione said, "We all were."
"How can you be so calm about this?" Tonks asked.
"Simple," Hermione said, with a grin, "Witch Weekly is a sister-subscription of the Daily Prophet. Harry owns a percentage of it. He can just ask them to retract their article. I suppose he could tell them I am his girlfriend, just to make them happy. But that you're simply a good friend. Nothing romantic. Yet."
Tonks blinked. "What?"
"Tonks, I've seen Harry admiring you at the swimming pool when he thinks I'm not looking," Hermione said, "Obviously he thinks I'd have issues with it. I'm simply going to let it play out."
"You are way too open about him being with other girls," Tonks said, shaking her head.
"Other girls I approve of," Hermione corrected, "As long as he is with me. I have to be. He is Betrothed to three girls. I'd be in serious trouble if I had a problem with it."
"Yeah, but apparently, I'm a cradle-robber," Tonks said, pouting.
Hermione shrugged. "You'll be undercover as a girl Harry's age come September. If anything should happen in a romantic sense, it would at least appear to be appropriate. I mean he is technically close to your age anyway, if you know what I mean."
Tonks raised her eyebrows. "I haven't thought much about my future undercover work. I don't need to think about it until August, when I need to think of a suitable undercover name, and start practicing wearing my appearance everyday just so I'm prepared. But that isn't until sometime in August. But you are right. I'm beginning to find that is a pattern, you being right about a lot of things. Does Harry find that annoying?"
"Yes, but he knows I would hex him if he complained," Hermione said, grinning.
"Talking about me?" Harry asked, as he made his way into the room. "Any thing I should know about."
Hermione quickly disillusioned the magazine so Harry couldn't see it. Tonks was quite impressed.
"Nope!" Hermione said, "Nothing."
"Girl talk," Tonks said.
"Ah," Harry said, "Have you read today's edition of the Daily Prophet yet?"
"No, not yet," Tonks said.
Hermione shook her head. "Anything from Rita?"
"Yes, but probably not what you're thinking," Harry said, as he brandished a copy of the newspaper. "She wrote about the trial, and her exclusive interview with Sirius. But there isn't anything about Dumbledore yet. It appears she's waiting."
"Or at least trying to put together enough for a good opening article," Hermione said.
"Yeah," Harry said, "Overall, she has kept her promise. She did say we were present at the trial, but nothing more than to say we were Witnesses. Overall she did pretty well. It was her best article I've ever read. That's not saying much. I think we did it, Hermione. We got through to her. She's ours now."
Hermione grinned. "Well, there is one less thing we need to worry about. Think how much less drama we'll avoid without her articles."
"Indeed," Harry said, "So... what is up with the two of you aside from girl talk?"
Tonks simply sat back and listened as Hermione tried her best to come up with something that didn't have anything to do with Tonks' massive fancy for Harry. Tonks made mental note to get the copy of Witch Weekly back from Hermione. She wanted the cover for her scrapbook.
Then another thought crossed her mind. She needed to reply to her mother's letter. Her mother subscribed to Witch Weekly for the recipes. Her mother would certainly find the cover article very interesting. Tonks groaned out loud, then her hair and face went red when Harry looked at her.
I am so screwed, Tonks privately thought.
(Later that evening)
At half-past-five that evening, Sirius Black strode through a neighborhood in Crawley, making his way to the Granger's residence. He didn't want to Apparate straight in front of the house, so he had to come from down the street. One strange thought was swirling through his mind as he approached.
That Apparation trip was way too easy, Sirius pondered. Usually Apparation is supposed to be more difficult if you had never been to the destination before. But that was a lot more simple than I was used to.
Sirius shrugged, putting it off as something to speak to Remus about. Remus knew more about magical theory than Sirius could forget in his lifetime. His best friend had decided not to take part in the dinner with the Lovegoods that evening.
"It will be awkward enough with the parents of Harry's girlfriend being in the same room while Harry discusses a Betrothal contract to another girl," Remus had explained, "They don't need another stranger they don't know."
"But Xenophilius Lovegood has promised to bring out his Solicitor's Pensieve," Sirius had replied, "He'll have a memory of James and Lily. Don't you want to see it?"
"I can always see it later," Remus had said.
Remus wouldn't hear another word on the matter. So Sirius had left Remus relaxing on the couch and reading a book. Sirius considered it quite boring. The lad needed a girlfriend.
Sirius turned and looked at the house he had arrived at. The address was the one Harry and Hermione had given him. He had arrived. He then realized his feet had taken him to the correct house without him thinking about it.
I think I am going insane, that little voice in the back of his head began its rant, I have never been here before. What is going on? How did I know directly where to go without searching house numbers!
Sirius ignored it and strode toward the front door. He knocked on it, and a few moments later, it opened. He grinned when he saw Tonks standing there.
"Wotcher, cousin!" Tonks said, "You find the house easy."
"Yeah," Sirius said, "Easier than you might expect."
"Brilliant," Tonks said, "Come on in. Where's Moony?"
"Decided not to come tonight," Sirius said, as he walked into the house, "Said he wasn't technically invited."
"I am not technically invited, but I'm going!" Tonks said.
"You're the bodyguard, though," Sirius said.
"And isn't Remus your bodyguard?" Tonks asked, grinning.
Sirius glared playfully. Before he could retort, he heard a familiar voice.
"Sirius!" Harry said, as he appeared, with Hermione in tow.
Sirius was soon engulfed in a hug. He was beginning to really like hugs from his godson. They felt nice. Something that should have happened for several years now.
"Hey, kid," Sirius said. "Everyone about ready? Dinner party is at six-o-clock, but I don't think we want to be fashionably late."
"I'll go get my parents," Hermione said, "They're waiting in the dining room."
As they waited, Sirius was left to, once again, explaining why Remus wasn't in attendance. Soon, Hermione returned with two adults who could only be her parents.
"Mum, Daddy," Hermione said, "Let me introduce you Harry's godfather, Sirius Black. You might recognize him from the news reports. Sirius, these are my parents, Daniel and Emma Granger."
"Please call us Dan and Emma,' Dan said, as he walked over to Sirius with his wife, and extended his hand, "Welcome to our lovely home."
"It is an honor to meet you," Sirius said, as he shook Daniel's hand; he then kissed Emma's knuckles, which made Tonks snicker. "News reports?"
"Breaking news this afternoon on the – ah – Muggle news," Hermione said, "You are now a free man in the Muggle world as well! A picture taken yesterday was seen on the news."
"Congratulations on being a free man once again, Mr. Black," Daniel said.
"Please, it is Sirius," Sirius said, "Mr. Black was my father, and I wasn't very fond of the man. I wonder, has Hermione, Harry or my dear cousin here, Miss Tonks, told you anything about Apparation?"
"Only that it is a common way of magical travel," Daniel said, "And it is how Tonks has been getting Harry and Hermione around when not in our car. I've wondered ever since how easier to get from one place to another so quickly."
"Wonder no more!" Sirius said, "It is how I plan to take us to our destination this evening. Tonks has never been to the place, so I am going to have to use Side-Along Apparation for everyone. So if it is okay with everyone, I think we'll go in groups of three, then finally I'll take Tonks. First, Hermione and her dear mother, then Dan and Harry, and as mentioned, then Tonks. I must warn you, however. First time might make you puke."
"Good thing we haven't had dinner yet!" Emma said, nervously.
Sirius smiled. "Is everyone ready to go? Yes. You first, Hermione, Emma."
"Come on, Mum," Hermione said, "Nothing to be scared of. And we can Apparate from right here."
"Alright," Emma said.
Sirius smiled as Emma took one of his hands, and Hermione took the other.
"Back before you can say Quidditch!" Sirius said, "Three... two... one..."
A few moments later, Hermione opened her eyes and inhaled and exhaled. After making sure they had arrived at their destination, she immediately looked at her mother, who was standing and heaving.
"You okay, Mum?" she asked.
"That was... an experience!" Emma gasped. "I'm fine, darling.
"I'll be right back," Sirius said.
He moved away from Hermione and Emma, then vanished. Now that Hermione knew her mother was alright, she looked at her surroundings. She immediately recognized the towering house that belonged to Xenophilius and Luna Lovegood. It resembled a large stone chess rook. The house and surrounding land was resting on a large hill. In the distance was the small town of Ottery St. Catchpole, and beyond that, Hermione could just make out the familiar building known as the Burrow, the entire plot surrounded by trees that towered taller than the very tall house.
"Oh, wow," Emma said, as she looked at the house in front of her. "It is beautiful. Looks like something I might have painted."
Hermione's mother had a hobby of painting. She loved painting houses and landscapes, so she didn't doubt her mother's words.
A loud pop was heard making Emma squeak loudly in shock.
"Its just Dad and Harry arriving with Sirius," Hermione said, "That noise is the sound Apparation makes, unless you are deliberately stealthy. Is Daddy okay, Harry?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart," Dan gasped, "That was fun!"
"Hello, everyone!" Luna's familiar voice said.
Hermione turned and saw Luna walking out of her house.
"Hello, Luna," Hermione said, as Luna approached, "Luna, these are my parents, Dan and Emma. Mum, Daddy, this is our friend, Luna."
"It feels like I already know both of you!" Luna said, smiling.
Hermione and Harry had talked to her parents about Luna. They were aware that Luna was a little weird, in a sweet way.
"It is lovely to meet you, dear," Emma said. "You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you," Luna said.
Another pop was heard and Sirius and Tonks appeared.
"That's everyone," Hermione said.
"Shall we go inside?" Luna asked, "Daddy's waiting."
It was agreed, and Luna led everyone into the house. The large sitting room that made up half of the enormous first floor of the tower was the first room they entered. Luna's father walked into the room from a doorway on the other side of the room. He was wearing a chef's apron.
"Greetings, everyone!" Xenophilius said, "Welcome to the Rookery!"
He immediately walked over to Hermione's parents.
"You must be the Grangers!" he said, grinning, and shaking their hands, "So wonderful to see you. I must apologize. Dinner is not ready just yet. Soon, but not yet. But it gives us time to get to the main entertainment of the evening already."
"The Betrothal Contract?" Harry asked.
"That can be discussed during dinner, Lord Potter," Xenophilius said, "No, I am talking about a trip down memory lane!"
Xenophilius grinned and walked over to a coffee table. Sitting on the table was a large ornate bowl.
"This," Xenophilius said, "is a Pensieve. But it a special kind of Pensieve: a Solicitor's Pensieve. It is usually used in courtrooms so a large group of people can see a memory. I was given one from a former Solicitor who retired. I helped him a lot late in his career, so he gave me this, since he didn't need it. Now, every once in a while, a Solicitor Pensieve does a very cool thing. See the room we are in? The memory you are about to witness, happened in this very room, many years ago! The memory, when activated, will mold right over this room. It will be like the memory is happening right now. Now, if you will, I ask everyone to step to the far side of the room, so you don't interfere with the memory. Don't sit, please! The memory inhabitants may sit in the same place as you and it would be very weird!"
If anyone was confused after Xenophilius' speech, nobody said anything. They merely walked across the room as Xenophilius prepared the Pensieve.
"Pardon Daddy's excitement," Luna said, "He's been talking about this all day. I'm not sure even I understood everything he was saying today."
Xenophilius mumbled and murmured, then he gasped. "Aha! It is ready. Is everyone ready?"
Everyone merely nodded and waited.
"You're all standing in proper areas," Xenophilius said, "Won't interfere. Good thing, it really is. Okay... three... two... one... and it is starting!"
Hermione looked around the room, waiting for something to happen. Then she heard a crying sound above her.
"That is Luna," Xenophilius explained, "She's crying in her nursery. She was just a small baby. This was only a few months after she was born you see. It was just a few days after Harry's first birthday in 1981. Ginny Weasley wasn't even born yet! That is strange to think about. Oh, look, there... there's..."
"Mummy!" Luna exclaimed. "That's Pandora, my mother."
Hermione watched as a new figure entered the room, appearing through the door Xenophilius had originally come through. Pandora Lovegood was beautiful. It was easy to see where Luna got much of her looks from. Pandora walked across the room in graceful motion, as if floating. Hermione stared at her. Was Pandora really there? Could someone actually touch her, or would their hands go through her?
Suddenly, a loud ringing sound was heard.
"Xeno, dear!" Pandora said, "That is our guests. Can you get the door. I need to check on Luna."
A younger version of Xenophilius walked into the room.
"Oh, bring her down, will you?" Xenophilius asked, "So she can meet the guests. It is only proper! This meeting is about her, after all!"
Pandora vanished from the memory as she walked through another doorway. Xenophilius walked over to the front door and opened it.
"James! Lily!" Xenophilius said, "It is so good to see you! Oh, and you have guests!"
Hermione heard Harry gasp softly at the sound of his parents' names. She watched as James and Lily Potter walked into the house. Just like Pandora and Xenophilius, they looked quite real. Lily was carrying a baby carrier with her. Little cooing sounds were heard, and Hermione realized that she was hearing baby Harry. Then her eyes traveled to the other pair of people walking into the room.
She gasped audibly, as did several others when she saw who the two figures were. Three, if you included the toddler the woman carrying.
"Xeno, I hope you don't mind we brought guests," James Potter said, "Let me introduce you to a couple Muggles I recently ran into... long story. Turns out their daughter is one of us. Xenophilius Lovegood, this is Daniel and Emma Granger, and their young daughter, Hermione."