Harry awoke to his favorite sight once more, the beautiful brown curls of his wife, he went to squeeze her and noticed that she felt different. Moving her hair Harry noticed they weren't in their bedroom, in fact they weren't anywhere, once more they were in the endless white walls of what Hermione called purgatory.
Harry quickly glanced down at his wife and noticed that they were older as if in the last timeline, confused by this he leaned down and kissed his wife to wake her, Hermione's eyes shot open and a smile graced her lips, that is until she noticed where they were.
"Are we dead love?" She asked solemnly while biting her lip trying to think about how they once more found themselves here, her thoughts were interrupted, however.
A peal of laughter was joined by a hearty bark as they both recognized Harry's parents' voices.
"Why is it whenever they meet us, they think they died?" James asked Lily.
"Oh, I don't know dear, perhaps because we are dead." She said while lovingly smacking her husband on the back of his head. "Hey!" James said in a mock angry tone while rubbing his head, making his hair all the messier.
"Mum? Dad?" Harry asked curiously, eyebrow raised with an amused smile on his face.
"Just death's reward sweetheart. He figured you would like to spend a little more time with your parents, after all you did just send him four pieces of Riddles soul." Lily explained, which was all Harry needed. He was up like a shot and in the arms of his parents, Hermione not too far behind him.
"We don't have to go back to the other time-line or start over, again do we?" Hermione asked nervously once more biting her lip raw.
"Oh heavens no!" James stated with certainty. "No, we are just given a chance to catch up and spend some time with you both, Death thought you might like to reflect your actual age while you're here, no sense in trying to hide anything from us."
The same giant couch appeared again, only this time another smaller couch appeared along with three red headed gentlemen sitting upon it.
"Kids, this is Billius Weasley and Gideon and Fabian Prewett." James said introducing them to Harry and Hermione.
"Ron's family?" Hermione asked shocked.
"Molly spoke a lot about you two" Harry said shaking Gideon and Fabian's hands. "And Ron had nothing but praise for you Billius." He added when he took Billius' hand in his own.
"That's quite shocking, considering we were all but set to disown him from the family. Cedrella didn't even come to speak with him when you all came back in time.. the first time. Amazing the deal your mum struck with fate." Billius said.
"What deal?" Harry looked toward his mum, watching as she blushed a deep crimson.
"Oh she was brilliant!" James said proudly. "She worked it out that Ron would see how his life could be like if he continued on his current path. You might have noticed he's had quite a drastic change in personality. In short he grew up early rather than never. Wish we would have had the same luck with Wormtail." James had a sad expression on his face, no matter the outcome James had thought of Peter as a brother, the betrayal cut deep.
Both Harry and Hermione had the perfect 'O' formation on their face, shocked that anything could be done to help Ron. Hermione was the first one to break the silence.
"Thank-you!" She said emotionally while she hugged Lily tightly. "I didn't know I wanted him in my life anymore, but now that we know it's not a fluke you have given us the best gift ever! Our family is back together." Hermione let go of the tears, both in frustration over the previous Ron and the relief that they didn't have to cross that bridge once more … hopefully.
"Guys we are so happy to see you both, but we also have a few things we would like to teach you while we have the time." James started off while Hermione was still hugging Lily. The thought of being taught something pulled Hermione away Lily however and focused her attention. James held in a snort thinking about a certain red head who loved to learn just as much.
"We would like to teach you several things while you are here, unlike last time we have a specific time frame given to us, once that is over with you will once more return to the realm of the living with barely any time passed between the time Hermione fainted and the time you both wake up." Lily followed on.
"The five of us each are quite skilled in different areas, James will teach you how to become an Animagus, or at least give you both the skills required to become one, Sirius will still have to help a little in the mortal world." Billius looked toward James in awe as he turned into a stag before their eyes.
"You both won't be able to turn in this realm but I can help you set the groundwork and cut off a substantial amount of time from the training." James said once he turned back to himself.
Fabian gave a soft chuckle at Billius's shock and awe, then picked up where he left off.
"Lily here will show you the subtle art that is potion making way more proficiently than Snape ever could, and we.." Fabian pointed between the other redheads and himself "will attempt to show you both how to fight like master aurors given that was part of our job while still alive." Fabian said rather proudly.
"Me too!" James tacked onto the end of Fabian's explanation chest puffed out in a superman pose.
"How long do we have?" Harry asked smiling at his dad.
"A little under a year, Death is giving the gift of time with family and friends as a way to say thank you for fixing the humiliation that Tom Riddle has brought upon him. Your great ancestor departed the mortal realm as an equal and Death hasn't forgotten." James said proudly.
"I told you Harry! I told you that you are descended from the Peverell's!" Hermione said while sticking her tongue out at him rather maturely. All Harry could do was laugh and shake his head, he was getting to spend quality time with his parents and a family he had only ever heard about from Molly and the rest of the Weasley's. He wondered if they didn't mention the whole traveling thru time thing if someday, he could tell Molly that he got to spend time with her beloved brothers?
Something we will have to discuss before we leave love. Who we should all tell about this trip into the unknown. Hermione said in his head.
Before Harry could respond to Hermione's mind linked question his mum gave him another shock.
"We might also have a few others popping in; your grandparents would like to make an appearance as well." Lily said while holding Harry in her arms. "Both sets."
"Well then let's get started!" Hermione was always going to say yes to more knowledge, she also sent a mental we will figure out a plan later to Harry.
Jean was released as soon as the goblins gave the signal that it was safe to do so, just as she reached the kids Harry's eyes popped open followed by Hermione's, soon their faces had a smile as wide as the sea on them.
"Oh thank God your both alright!" Jean yelled as she scooped them up into a needy hug, first Hermione then Harry. Even after a several years of Hermione's hugs, receiving one from someone other than his wife and now parents was still a little shocking to the boy who lived. Jean could feel him tense up for a brief second and then he relaxed into the hug and squeezed back.
"Muuuuuuum" Hermione whined as she winced at the tight grip her mother held them in after their individual hugs, "I need to breathe you know!" She laughed a little as she returned the fierce hug, it had been a year after all.
"Is it over? Is it gone?" Harry asked, putting on a show like they had discussed, his parents had agreed with them to keep this part a need to know basis and right now in such a public setting it was not need to know.
"Yes my lord the horcrux is gone, as are the others in our possession, the containers are safe and it is up to you to determine what you would like to do with them." Ragnok stated as he walked up. "If you are both up to it, I would like to see you both before you leave, I have a few things I would like to discuss with you two." He hoped that his message would get across that it was to be a private meeting.
"Sure," Harry said as he caught on almost instantly and was curious at what the Director of Gringotts would want to discuss with them, his mind throwing out one wild idea after the other. "Sirius, why don't you take Mum and Dad to the vault, let them pick out a few books or anything else they see that they would like, we haven't really showed them around quite yet."
Jean, being very much her daughters' mother, was super excited at the mention of books. She also wasn't dumb as a brick to notice something happened when the children passed out, that was something they were going to be discussing when they got home. Call it a mother's intuition but she could see the change in their eyes, they carried themselves differently, even more different than their ages dictated.
"Books! Let's go Sirius, lead the way!" Jean said with an upbeat tone and a pip in her step giving Sirius a shooing motion.
Laughing Sirius lead the group out of the chamber and down the hall to the Potter Vault, Harry yelled after them "Make sure you show Remus his new vault too!" causing Remus to trip over his feet, impressive for a werewolf and turn to look at them with a shocked expression.
"What? We told you that you gained an inheritance from my parents, we just wanted to make sure you knew where your vault is!" Harry said with a laugh. Remus was guided away by a laughing Sirius who could be heard saying "I may have added a few coins to the pot as well, you have been my best friend for quite some time now." While slinging an arm around his shoulder.
To Remus, who has been so alone for the past decade, having his family back, even if it wasn't the whole family, was worth more than any vault could hold. He too had that intuition that told him something had changed; he would have to wait to get back to Potter Manor to find out what it was though.
Mum knows something is up Harry heard Hermione's voice in his head and replied, yeah, I saw that, Remus too, looks like we will be explaining when we get home. Nodding her head to answer him Hermione turned to face Ragnok.
"If you would follow me" Ragnok asked as he saw her look and started to walk towards his office.
Harry reached out and grabbed Hermione's hand, entwining their fingers once more as he led her out of the chamber. So much has changed, I feel so different, yet we were only out for not even a few minutes. Do you think Ragnok can tell? Hermione asked Harry.
Possibly, they did have tracking runes on us, they also have a better understanding of that ritual than anyone else. Guess we will find out when we get to his office. Harry thought back to her.
Upon entering the office Ragnok offered beverages and asked his guards and secretary to leave. Noticing the curiosity in their eyes he figured he would explain. "I have a few things I would like to go over with you, some of which would cause a great deal of pain to my people if you were to choose not to accept. I would like to spare any feelings or political views within my nation."
Sooooo, not about our journey into purgatory then. Hermione thought with a chuckle. Neither of them was prepared for what Ragnok was going to offer however. Like any good Goblin he got straight to the point.
"I would like to take this time to extend friendship status to you both as well as the rest of your party today. Obviously, we would have to forego offering this to Madame Bones as her position within the Ministry would prevent her from obtaining it, we are still nothing but beasts to them, useful beast, but beasts none the less even if the fair Madam views us differently."
"Direct Ragnok, we are blown away by this generous offer, we would love nothing more than to accept and I am sure the rest of our family will do the same." Harry said excitedly. They both had read up on goblins in the last time frame before they went back to grovel for forgiveness, they knew this was a big deal.
"Wonderful, now if you would allow me to speak freely there are a few more things I would like to ask." Ragnok was worried about asking too much, one didn't want to offend one of the richest clients in their bank.
"Sure" Hermione answered. "Go ahead and ask us anything, we will try to answer as best as we can."
"Well, pardon me for being rather forward, but you both don't sound like you are twelve to thirteen years old, we noticed this when you first came in after your bonding. We also noticed you weren't surprised by anything we had thrown at you about your vault, or your family." Ragnok watched closely for shock or surprise, finding none from either of them once again. "It seemed like you had already had this discussion and were rather familiar with your account manager already, even though you both had just met him." He finished.
"I told you they would figure us out Harry." Hermione said once more sticking her tongue out at Harry. "Pay up!"
"Director Ragnok, I know goblins are rather fond of gambling, however I would suggest never betting against the Lady Potter." Harry laughed while handing over two galleons to his wife.
"Again, no offense sir, but I learned that with your Grandmother." Ragnok finally got the shocked look he was expecting ages ago. "Yes, I was rather close to both of your Grandparents, I was their account manager before passing that down to Bogrod so that I may take over for my father as Director." He stated this proudly.
"Wow, I wonder why they didn't tell us?" Harry said, then paused and explained himself right away. "We have a painting at the Manor that we have spent quite a bit of time with this morning."
Nodding in understanding Ragnok continued his questioning. "Well, as I was saying, you both act far more mature than your years would dictate, you also carry yourselves much better than even someone who was raised in the magical world hell even some lords. You both consistently do or say things that make me think that you are time travelers."
"Have you met many time travelers?" Hermione asked out of curiosity.
"Me personally, no, but there have been stories about death bringing back a few to right many wrongs." Ragnok said while stroking his chin. "I do believe the last person to claim this was Godric Gryffindor."
"Well and here I thought we were the first." Harry said to a laughing Hermione.
Hermione just rolled her eyes, "Harry, Godric told us this himself." Hermione held in a chuckle, she caught Ragnok almost falling out of his chair in her peripheral vision.
"So it's true?" Ragnok asked while righting himself.
"Yes." Both Potters said together.
"We were actually in your bank holding an Annulment ceremony for Hermione when we found out, it was right after the second wizarding war. We act older because in reality Hermione and I are actually almost twenty." Harry said with a smile.
"Speaking of the second wizarding war, there are a few things I would like to apologize for, even if they never happened. I want to make sure that you know what you're getting when you offer us Friendship status." Hermione said solemnly.
The Potters explained a few things that happened in the original timeline, they didn't leave out much. Ragnok seemed to take everything in stride, even going so far as thanking Hermione for the suggestions that she made last time, they would be looking into getting the thief's mist installed soon. Ragnok also promised that he would be the only one to know the full story, however the healers involved in today's ritual would already be aware of the age difference in their souls. He ensured that they would be bound to secrecy and that nothing would be leaked to the public by them, he did hand pick them after all.
Happy with the way things turned out Harry then started to put their plans in motion. Asking about the Riddle property and the last horcrux was made much easier now that Ragnok knew the whole story. They also talked in depth about possible rituals to bring back the self-proclaimed dark lord.
They decided that the Potters would buy the property that the old Gaunt family shack was on as well as the Riddle Manor. They would let Frank live out his life on the property and then tear it down afterwards. The goblins would make sure that Voldemort, in the event that he would return, would not be able to access the property nor harm Frank. They also made sure to list any and all death eaters that they knew of to watch for some hefty withdrawals to fund a revival.
The trio then dove into the advantages and benefits of being a Friend to the goblin nation. They settled on a small ceremony to be held today before they left for home, that way the rest of the holidays could be spent with family.
Meanwhile, unknown to anyone really, but especially Harry Potter, plans were being made. Harry and Hermione had let Amelia know via owl about Crouch Jr. earlier that day, however Amelia would be too late, all they would find would be a dead senior Crouch and a small elf crying while clinging to an old pair of socks wadded up into a ball.
"Winky, please calm down, I really need you to focus right now." Amelia pleaded with the crying elf.
"Ami, what did you need so urgent…. ly?" Sirius was saying as he entered the Head of the DMLE's office to see Amelia with her hands covering her eyes and Winky still gripping the pair of socks as if it were a lifeline.
"Sirius!" Amelia dropped her hands from her tired face, "I didn't know who else to call, you've delt wonderfully with Kreacher, and Dobby almost appears normal now, could you tell me how to calm a disgruntle elf?"
Her face really did say everything at this moment, Amelia was stressed, tired, and about ready to take a beaters bat to a crying elf. Amelia had experience with elves, she had four of them on her staff at home, but Winky was different, years of mental abuse and the death of her master at the same time as being set free was too much for the poor thing. Amelia almost relegated it to the neglect that Lucius Malfoy doled out.
To be honest, Sirius was out of his comfort zone himself, however he did have an ace up his sleeve. "Dobby!" he called out and before he could finish the name a small crack sounded, and Dobby was there.
"Masters dog father called for Dobby sir." Dobby asked innocently, the way only an elf and children could do.
Sirius groaned, he was positive he would never hear the end of the dog father,"Yes, Dobby I'm going to need your help, Winky here has found herself in a tragic situation, it seems her master has freed her and she's not taking it well."
"Winky's family thinks Winky is a bad elf" a rather small, squeaky voice said softly. "Winky failed her master and let junior master out of her sight, master was very angry at Winky sir, I deserve to die."
"WINKY WILL NOT HARM HERSELF, WINKY WILL STAND PROUD AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED" Dobby said with such ferocity that it shocked everyone in the room, including Winky.
"How can Winky stands proud, she failed her master." Winky sobbed as she launched herself at the corner of Amelia's desk. Right before her left golf ball sized eye could hit the corner she froze in midair.
"Winky, Dobby has known you fors a long time. You are not a bad elf." Dobby was talking and walking so he could stand right in front of her. "Dobby knows what it's like to feel likes failure, but we's boths had bad masters." Dobby could see that he was almost getting thru to the distraught elf.
"Dobby no's want to see you hurt youself. As a free elf yous has options, Professor Dumbles and Miss Kitty would take you into the castle." As Dobby said this he released the elfish body bind that he had placed on her. Having a strong master such as Harry Potter provided Dobby with enough magic to be a powerful elf himself.
"Winky does not wants to go and work in the castle Winky wants a family, but who would want a throw away elf like me, Winky is better offs dying." The rejected elf sighed.
Sirius could see Amelia starting to reach for her bottle of firewhiskey, thinking to himself he went over every family he knew who would potentially need an elf. For the briefest of seconds he thought about the Weasley's but then threw that idea out the imaginary window in Amelia's office. Molly would never stand for it, she did all the cooking and cleaning in that house, only relinquishing that to punish her children, and even then, they got the work she didn't particularly like to do like de-gnoming the garden.
Sirius's watch started to vibrate, looking down as he answered with a cheerful, "What's up Moony?" the tired looking professor looked like he got hit by a broomstick going top speed, sandy grey hair all over the place, and a fresh, be it faint, new scar across the bridge of his nose. His amber colored eyes still lingering from the recent full moon tied Remus's look together.
"Oh would you wipe that smug smile off your face" Moony said with a huff, "I know that Amelia called for you but will you hurry up, you left me here outnumbered, and I know it's you who gave those two red headed menaces the tell-tale guide to being a Marauder!"
Just after Remus said that he ducked out of view, werewolf reflexes seem to come in handy when an incoming colored blob, suspiciously Weasley hair orange in color, passed thru where Remus's head once was. "Oi! You two are going to pay for that, that blob landed in my tea!" Remus yelled to riots of laughter. Green and blue blobs went whizzing past, it seemed like the twins paired up with Harry and Hermione.
"Okay wolfie, I'll be home to save your furry rear in a few, I have to help Amelia with an elf problem first." Sirius said while grinning at Amelia who rolled her eyes.
"Elf problem?" Sirius could hear Hermione in the background, "Who's elf? Crouches?"
Amelia spoke up from behind Sirius, "Yes, it seems Crouch decided to let her go, I'm just trying to figure out why and …" She couldn't finish Winky started to sob rather loudly, almost reminding Amelia of when Susan was a baby.
"Sirius would you expand the picture please?" Hermione was all business now, Remus had already done what she requested as Sirius could see him cleaning out his teacup in the background, he expanded the picture and placed it on the wall, then took a seat in front of Amelia's desk.
"Remus, that color suits you!" Amelia said with a snicker, it seemed that Harry and Hermione had landed at the exact same spot on Remus' shoulder creating a beautiful teal colored blob.
"har har" the werewolf mumbled while refilling his tea now void of Weasley orange coloring.
"Winky would you come here please?" Harry asked from Hermione's side. The little elf gasped at who was requesting her presence. The little elf immediately disappeared with a small crack and within a blink of an eye was next to Harry Potter bowing.
"Winky, Hermione and I are married, and although we have several elves, we are in need of someone with a particular skill set, one which you come with. Would you please agree to bond with us and the Ancient and Noble House of Potter?" Harry made sure to word it specifically to start the ritual.
"Lord Potter wishes to have a disgraced elf sir?" the meek little elf asked while still bowing nose almost touching the floor.
"Winky, you are not a disgrace, and on top of that we need you for a very specific job, you see how strong Dobby got after bonding as our personal elf, we would like to offer you the same position for Hermione, we even have a special project for you." Harry explained.
There was a loud crack and Dobby appeared looking at Winky with those giant expressive eyes, "Join our family Winky" he persuaded.
Winky finally raised from her bow to look between the Potters and Dobby, she had known Dobby for many years, they often talked about how nice it would be to be in the same household, however neither of them wanted to subject the other to the torment that their family dished out. This was their chance to be together in the same family, a family that from what Winky could see and feel were loving and kind. It didn't take much for her to make up her mind.
Winky walked forth and placed a hand within each of the Potters and swore her allegiance to bond with them.
"Okay Winky, here's what I need." Hermione began after the little elf was knitted out with the Potter uniform courtesy of a very excited Dobby. "I need for you to go back and explain everything that happened in your former masters home to Madam Bones, after you are done with that and she has no further questions I would like for you to locate Barty Crouch JR, do not let him see you, do not let him know you are there at all. I would like for you to find out where he currently is and report back to me unharmed. Do you understand?" Hermione made sure to add unharmed in the command, it saved Kreachers life to have a command to return home at all costs, she didn't want to have Winky thinking she could forfeit her life for the better of the Potters.
"Yes Mistress Potter ma'am." Winky bowed.
"Just call me Hermione Winky" the curly headed witch said with a smile.
"Okay, Her-me-owny" with that Winky once more appeared on the screen, she was back in Amelia's office and ready to answer questions, gone were the tears and the bundle of socks.
"Well Amelia, I guess you would like for me to stay and help make sure all the hoops are covered right?" Sirius asked with a hopeful tone to his gravely voice.
Amelia was both shocked and tickled pink, and not the kind of pink that wretched woman used to wear. She knew Sirius well both from childhood and now working together on the Horcruxes. She had no problem believing that he gave the twins a book to teach them how to be better at pranks, she also knew better than to tick off the quiet one of the once famous Hogwarts group. Everyone knew Remus was the brains behind a lot of the pranks played in school, heck even some of the retaliation was planned and crafted by him, he had a soft spot for Lily since second year when she found out about his furry little problem.
"Nope, I think I have it covered, thanks for the offer though, I think you are needed elsewhere. Please remember I would like to retain the and I quote 'Best DADA instructor Hogwarts has ever had'." Amelia couldn't help it she had to let her stern exterior crack a little at the expressions flowing across Sirius' face, first disappointment, next pride, followed by fear as he heard the prank war start back up on the mirror.
"Oh Hermione, could you please keep me updated on Crouch as you hear back from Winky?" the head of the DMLE asked politely.
Hermione's 'Sure thing!' was said while running out the door screaming, from the looks of it, it seemed the boys have now ganged up on the lady of the house. From off in the distance she heard "HEY! Not fair I can't retaliate!" Sirius chuckled hearing Jean screech. "Guess I better head home, sounds like the Grangers need someone in their corner." With a bow he kissed Amelia's hand, turned and walked out of her office heading to the floos, not before being hit on the backside with a very colorful yellow blob, Amelia's laughter ringing out into the main lobby shocking some of her Aurors.
Later that evening the Potters and family were sitting down for dinner, Harry and Hermione had discussed with James and Lily who should all know about their second journey into purgatory and had agreed the inner family, the twins, and Neville. There were reasons for each so they decided to explain their trip when everyone could be there. Persuading Jean to last that long was hard work but they really only wanted to tell their story once and answer all questions at the same time, and now was that time.
"So let me get this straight, you both were gone for almost a year, even though we only saw you both pass out for roughly five minutes?" Mick asked the two teenagers.
"That about sums it up sir." Harry said while shaking his head.
"And you got to meet our family as well?" The twins asked together as one.
"Yup! Billius was an excellent teacher, and Molly's brothers reminded me a lot of you two, they were so close in age that they might as well have been twins." Hermione explained to the unusually quiet twins.
"I can't believe Ronniekins didn't bother to listen to them.." Fred started.
"He is named after him after all." George finished.
"Hey I'm just happy my mum struck that deal with fate, we both agree he is hundred times better than he used to be." Harry said with a smile.
"Okay, I get why everyone else is here, but you said you had a reason for each of us." Neville blushed slightly, "why am I here?"
"Neville, even if we didn't have a reason for you being here, which we do, you would still be invited because we trust you and you are our closest friend." Hermione said while getting up to hug the shy lad.
"Remember when we told you several people popped in and out while we were there?" Harry asked trying to hide his smile.
The group collectively nodded.
"Well, we got to meet Apollo, or as he prefers to be called Palo." Harry was hoping someone would catch on.
"What would Neville need from the God of Healing?" Jean asked, being healers themselves the Grangers weren't unfamiliar with the mythical God of Healing.
Sirius, Remus and the twins all got it at the same time. The older Marauders started to tear up instantly, the twins watched and waited for Neville's reaction.
"I don't understand. Am I related to the Apollo?" Neville asked confused.
"Nev, Palo shared some techniques with us, we hope to be able to help your parents reconnect with the real world and escape the prison that is their minds." Hermione said solemnly, unsure of how the normally quiet boy was going to react.
Neville, the boy who was recognized by his Hufflepuff tendencies, the quite one, the future snake slayer, just sat and stared at the Potters, tears running down his cheeks unashamed of his emotion. He didn't know what he should do first, hug them, shout to the heavens. He did the only thing he believed himself capable of doing in that exact moment, Neville Longbottom asked for his Grandmother thru his tears, she needed to hear this.
The Potters did more than just floo call Augusta, they had invited her to their home, while they were waiting for her to come thru Sirius called up Amelia, she would be told about the trip, Harry and Hermione decided not to have her come for the initial telling as they wanted to inform her of the message her brothers sent with them privately, they also wanted to make sure the letter would make the transition, that was a tricky bit of magic, they had several letters from different people to be given out if they in fact came with them to the mortal world. As it turned out they came back just fine, although Hermione was a little shocked, but hey it was called magic after all.
Harry and Hermione stood next to a still tearful Neville as his Grandmother walked thru the green flames in their fireplace. Both Potters heard Amelia shout "WHAT!" over Sirius' watch, as soon as Augusta was thru the fireplace roared to life once more and Amelia came barreling thru.
Together Neville and Augusta sat holding onto each other, they listened as the Potters explained the procedure they had "learned" about. The two teenagers promised it wasn't anything that could cause any further damage to the two long term patients of the Janus Thickey ward at St. Mungo's. They also promised it wouldn't hurt themselves in the process, something that Neville was particularly worried about.
Amelia got the group into Ward 49 fairly easy, she also made sure to have Healer Jarvis there, he was the Longbottom's long time healer, not that he could do much in terms of helping them, but he made sure they stayed comfortable for the past 12 years.
The Potters explained the procedure to Jarvis, he had to admit it was a brilliant plan, one wrought with complications for an average witch or wizard, but for the pair of teenagers in front of him, they themselves would have no issues due to their bond.
The process was fairly straight forward, Harry would use legilimency to navigate thru the mindscape of the patient, for a normal person this would be extremely dangerous as one would need a strong tether to the physical world so as not to get lost or stuck within the patient's mind. Once inside the mindscape Harry would use his magic to produce a theoretical direction spell in order to find the mindscapes owner. Once he achieved his goal of finding Alice or Frank, he would have to persuade them to rejoin the physical world he couldn't force them or it could damage their mind.
Jarvis wasn't sure someone not tethered to another witch or wizard would ever be able to achieve this, for if Alice or Frank convinced Harry to stay a normal wizard would be lost to the mind and end up in a similar state to those they were trying to help. Harry however had Hermione to keep him on track or in an emergency pull him back out. He agreed that it wouldn't harm either couple to try, however he didn't want to get anyone's hopes up, if Hermione had to pull Harry back out in a hurry the Longbottom's would remain the same.
Augusta signed off on the Potters performing the probe, Jarvis set the pair up with vital and magical core tracking charms so he would know if either of them became distressed or magically exhausted. Harry and Hermione took an hour to meditate and get their minds in the right space.
Harry dove in like a true Gryffindor, as soon as he was in the mindscape, he pulled from his magic to produce a wand and used the point me spell that he learned in fourth year all those years ago. It worked like a charm, he followed a beautiful path full of different species of flowers and magical plants, Neville would be fawning over the fauna. Obviously he got his passion for Herbology from his mum.
The plants became more dangerous the further Harry went, he had already snuck past the venomous tentacula, a green spikey vine like plant that likes to try and wrap its prey up like a snake when he saw her, she was sitting below an identical copy of the Whomping Willow from school, surrounded by devils snare.
Harry walked to the edge of the black vines and called out to her, "Alice Longbottom, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I would like to have a word with you."
Harry didn't want to upset her by using her rank or title, he didn't know her triggers so figured it would be best to play it safe. "Who are you?" Alice called back while sizing him up.
"My name is Harry Potter, I'm James and Lily Potters son, your godson, and best friend to your son Neville." Harry also made sure to mention Neville, as he was almost sure that would benefit him in the long run.
"Neville? My baby is okay? Where is he? Where is Frank? Actually… where am I and how did you find me?" Alice rattling off questions like Hermione causing Harry to smile.
"Those are all very good questions, and I promise to answer them to the best of my abilities, but I really think some of them would be best answered by your son and Mother in law. Right now, we are both currently in your mindscape, you escaped here to prevent further damage to yourself after suffering the cruciatus curse." Alice gasped while Harry was explaining.
"Frank is in the same state, my wife and I are only able to help you both due to a bond we share, you have been residents of Ward 49 in St. Mungo's for a little over thirteen years. I'm here to bring you home, do you trust me to lead the way?" Harry held his breath while awaiting her answer.
"Lead on young man and thank-you." A path formed between Harry and Alice as she walked to him and put her arm thru his as he led her back the way he came.
"Hermione it's been almost two hours, is Harry alright?" Neville asked pacing, "Shouldn't you pull him back soon?"
"He's on his way back, and he has your mum with him." Hermione said while a tear was snaking down her cheek, "Look!" she pointed toward Alice's bed where her eyes had opened up and she was staring directly at Neville with a smile on her lips.
"Neville?" a croaky voice slipped from her lips for the first time in years.
All Neville could do was nod as he sobbed loudly and ran to her open waiting arms, she was home. On the other side of a two-way mirror there were nothing but tears, they all agreed to let Neville have a few moments with his mother before they would slowly trickle in. Amelia had to take a seat, she didn't care if her façade broke in public, she was crying tears of joy today for her friends.
Several hours later and Harry was still walking around Frank's mindscape following the point me spell, Hermione had already checked in a few times and was now supplying Harry with a little bit of her magic to keep him topped off. Frank took the brunt of the curses to save his wife the pain, meaning his damage was much more extensive than Alice's. Healer Jarvis did explain that the physical damage Frank had took much longer to heal as well and had guessed that he would be more difficult to find.
Harry was walking thru a hedge like maze, bringing back heavy memories from the Tri-Wizard tournament, he had just rounded yet another corner when he was attacked by yet another magical beast. He had already come across a hippogriff, a Cerberus that looked strangely like Fluffy, and a ashwinder who thankfully Harry was still able to speak with. Compared with those these Cornish pixies were easy, Harry was hoping this wasn't a sign that he was getting further from Frank and checked his point me spell one more time after the brief battle; it still pointed in the direction he was heading so continued on.
Three turns later and with a blast of ultra-hot fire Harry found Frank who was sitting on a ledge guarded by a dragon, and not just any dragon but a Norwegian Ridgeback. Thank goodness Hagrid handed Norberta over to Charlie, there is no way he could handle something this big!
Harry started out the same way that he did with Alice, "Hello there Frank Longbottom, I mean you no ill will. I've come to speak with you about rejoining your family once more. Alice and Neville are waiting sir."
Jumping to the left to avoid a blast of flames from the ridgeback Harry once more stepped front and center to face Frank.
"What is your name son? You look very much like a friend of mine." Frank said while having the dragon lower it's head so that he could climb on.
"I've been told I look a lot like my father James Potter" Harry said with a smile and then continued, "But with my Mothers eyes. I like to think I get my brains from Lily Potter as well."
"Harry?" Frank asked now on the ground and walking towards him.
"Yes, you've been in here quite a while Frank, I'm here to bring you home to your wife, my godmother and my best friend Neville. They are waiting for you." Harry said as Frank had a tear roll down his cheek.
"Where am I Harry? More importantly, where are they?" Frank asked.
"You took a lot of damage protecting your wife and son Frank, rumor is you were held under the cruciatus curse by Roldophus LeStrange for five minutes, punishment for intercepting one meant for your wife." Harry saw Franks eyes dilate, "Don't worry, both Alice and Neville are now safe, I took the same journey I am on now to find Alice and she is currently holding onto Neville. Although I have to say, your defenses are a hundred times more difficult and scarier than hers."
"Let me guess, she was surrounded by deadly plants?" Frank asked with a fond smile, seeing Harry nod he added, "She always loved that stupid tree at Hogwarts, said it was misunderstood. I preferred Care of Magical Creatures myself."
"I can tell, thank-you for putting ALL of Hagrid's teachings to good use." Harry laughed at Franks expression.
"They let Hagrid teach?! Blimey my defenses should have been easy with his love of creatures, Aragog was bloody terrifying." Frank said with a shudder.
"Oh you've met Aragog? I thought he kept him hidden from everyone." Harry said right as he got a message from Hermione that he needed to hurry up.
"Hagrid and I became friends when we bonded over our love of the unloved. He's such a gentle giant, bloody horrible things people say about him." Frank said with a frown.
"I don't mean to cut this short, but the only reason I could track you down was because my wife and I share a soul bond and with that comes a form of telepathy between us, she is currently telling me to hurry things along because your wife and son are getting antsy. Would you like to see them?" Harry watched as Frank looked from him then back to his dragon.
With a pat to the snout Frank said goodbye to his protector and walked with Harry to a door that appeared with an exit sign above it, rather convenient Harry thought.
Frank awoke to his family surrounding him and plenty of tears. Harry was exhausted and Hermione had fallen asleep fairly quickly after Harry and Frank returned, she was feeding Harry magic thru their bond to keep him stable and was nearing the point of having to pull him out due to safety.
Harry gently shook her shoulder to wake her up and softly whispered "Come on love, let's go home."