"So let me get this straight" Alecto started as she stared at the person, she thought to be dead, "You want us to put what in his potion?"
She couldn't believe these people; did they think it would be that easy to slip the Dark Lord a potion laced with poison? Did they even know who they were dealing with?
"Voldemort will no doubt check for poison, however we are not putting a poison in his potion, in fact it won't register at all on any of the detection tests that he could or would perform." Regulus said confidently.
Draught of Living Death is odorless and tasteless, it has similar potion ingredients to the potion he is currently using as a body restorative. And as a bonus feature, they laced a rabbit with it as well to knock out Nagini.
Those Potters were a wicked smart bunch, Reg always knew Lily was extraordinary at potions, but her talents here put Severus' to shame.
"How do you suggest we give a dead rabbit to Nagini?" Amycus asked skeptically, "It's not like we ever feed her it would look suspicious."
It was a fair question Regulus thought as he looked toward Amelia, this was her plan after all, and like the boss she is, she had an answer ready. "Animate it"
It was such a simple answer, they were witches and wizards after all, a little transfiguration would make the laced dead rabbit look and act alive, they knew the blasted snakes feeding schedule would require her to come out just as they returned from their "trip".
"Okay, so we have a plan, how do we get you lot in, only marked death eaters can see the house, Regulus would be able to pass into it but everyone else is toast." Alecto stated matter of fact.
"We will deal with that, just make sure once you have him laced with the draught to come tell us and we will gain entry." Amelia was extremely confident in her response.
"OH!" Amycus said with a little bit of worried expression on his face "We will need a bowtruckle. That's what we are currently out searching for."
"We will handle that bit" Amelia said, "It will be a convincing animated replica of one."
Nodding both Carrows set about their tasks to get ready for their big return to their now former master. Regulus insisted they clear their minds and spend some time shoring up their occlumency shields so as not to look suspicious.
Harry and Hermione were snuggled up in their bed, comfortable and feeling confident that this go around they wouldn't have to fight the dark lord. Both Harry and Hermione would be with Amelia when the shields came down, Voldemort will die by Harry's hand, even though they both thought the prophecy was a load of fodder they wanted to cover their bases on the off chance they were wrong.
Are you ready for tomorrow love?Hermione asked through their bond, even when they were alone their mind link felt like second nature and much more comforting than speaking out loud.
I am. I'm glad that this plan allows us to be completely safe. The goblins will check to ensure this is the last piece of him, they will double check the snake just in case. It will be the easiest thing I've had to do in either timeline, especially if it means you and our family are safe. Harry responded while placing a kiss to Hermione's forehead.
Are you nervous? She asked worried.
Not really, I'll have you there for back up, along with Amelia, Sirius, Lucy and Regulus. Those two have really joined the family, and I'm so happy for Sirius I could burst. He finally has his family.
He's always had a family Harry, when it wasn't your dad or the marauders it was you.. us. Hermione felt Harry squeeze her a bit tighter.
What are we going to do with the rest of our time at Hogwarts love? When we decided to come back it was to save everyone we love from Voldemort, now that he won't be in the picture I'm worried it will be boring for at least you, Merlin knows I can actually pay attention this go round. Harry chuckled out loud as he said that and Hermione smacked his chest lightly.
"What are we going to do with the Wanker?" Hermione asked out loud, she couldn't even speak his name in their sacred space.
"Dunno" Harry said honestly, "I figured we would let Amelia handle that, he has a lot to stand up for."
"True" was all that she replied.
Look at all that we have accomplished love, would you have ever thought we would be friends with Draco? Give Neville back his parents, my godmother? Did you ever think we would have a huge, beautiful home? We not only came back to save people, but we also saved ourselves in the process. Harry slipped back into their internal dialogue too emotional to speak the words out in the open.
Hermione, we get a second chance at being us, loving you has made my world shift drastically in the best way possible. I love you sweetheart.
I love you too Harry. No other words were needed between them, they will take the future as it comes, Dumbledore and all.
The following morning Harry had received an owl at breakfast. Everyone was getting ready to head out to the shack to take care of Voldemort once and for all so he was curious on who would be writing to him.
"Just open it up love" Hermione said with a worried look in her eye.
Harry pealed the wax off the back of the envelope and opened the letter. "It's from McGonigal." He said to the group gathered around the kitchen table.
"Apparently Albus has been asking my whereabouts as the Dursley's have finally asked about me." Harry said with a laugh "Bloody hell it's been almost two weeks since the end of term."
He continued to read the letter out "Apparently he is concerned with my safety and wants to escort me back to the Dursleys personally."
"No way in hell is that happening my love" Hermione spat. "However, I think it's quite hilarious that even he didn't know you didn't go back to number four."
Harry was just about to call for Dobby when he popped in out of nowhere with a piece of parchment and a pen. Something that he picked up was a useful tool while staying with the Grangers.
Laughing Harry took the parchment and wrote out a note to his head of house, informing her that he is now considered a legal adult via his status change and that Dumbledore's presence will not be required any time soon.
"What a crazy old fool, I'll handle him as soon as this mission is done today" Amelia said with a snarl. She hadn't forgot everything that Regulus had informed her of nor his confessions in the Room of Requirement.
"Let's just focus on today" Said Sirius "The wanker is tomorrow's issue"
The group laughed and Regulus patted him on the back. It was a good time to be alive, and he was thankful every day for his godson and his beautiful wife.
"I can't believe it was that difficult to get a giant ruddy snake to eat a damned rabbit" Alecto cursed under her breath.
The pair had sat outside the death eaters safe house for forty minutes attempting to get the snake to eat their rabbit that was laced with the draught of living death. In the end the snake surrendered to the lure of the rabbit, swallowing it whole. Amycus, feeling confident that the draught had worked went to move the snake when the snake must not have been all the way out as it jerked and took a bite at his leg.
Throwing the snake down as fast as he could Amycus inspected his injury, it wasn't bad, didn't even break the skin through his jeans, thank Merlin, he could only imagine what kind of potent venom the giant snake carried.
Using more precautions, which he should have done in the first place Amycus levitated the snake through to the edge of the wards, unsure if the Dark Lord put a tracking spell that would ping when outside the wards, they will leave it there for the team to handle when they tore down the wards.
The pair looked at each other, mentally preparing themselves for the next part of the mission. Alecto wanted to get her thoughts out of her head before heading in.
"Brother, if something should happen to us in there, I'm happy knowing that we are doing the right thing, who knows when not if he would kill us for something." Searching his eyes, she could read the understanding.
What they were doing was going against everything they were taught, however allowing this monster to continue killing pure bloods was not an option.
"We will make it through this my dear sister and return to our lives we have built on our property, just you wait and see." He said smiling. "Let's do this"
Walking into the house was nerve wracking, as discussed Amycus removed the jar with the fake bowtruckle out of his messenger bag as they entered the living quarters where Voldemort was waiting, his blood red eyes staring at the pair.
"Very good my faithful followers, I was expecting you much later, I am pleased that you made it back so quickly." Voldemort searched their minds for anything that might be worrisome, he saw relief at being back and eagerness to brew the potion to return him to full strength.
Happy with what he saw he requested that Amycus bring him is regenerative potion as he was past his time for taking it. Bowing the wizard left the room after bowing leaving Alecto by herself.
"Alecto, tomorrow I will need you to follow up on another follower for me, I will give you details before you leave, for now please assist your brother with brewing" the Dark Lord ordered.
Alecto simply nodded and bowed her head before leaving the room, glad to be out.
With the bowtruckle once more secured the potion will be done in 3 days, he will need to secure a higher up death eater with the capabilities to give him a proper backing and manor to live in. As soon as Nagini comes back from her hunt he will get her to go with Alecto for security.
Amycus entered the room once more with his potion on a tray. He placed it on the side table next to him and left the room, already knowing the procedure. Voldemort did the routine checks, not that his faithful death eaters would dare attempt anything as stupid as poisoning him, he would always check. It is not in his nature to be trusting.
With all tests coming back clean Voldemort downed the potion and his world went black.
"Do you think they managed it?" Amelia asked nervously.
Regulus who could see through the wards thanks to the nasty tattoo on his left arm, so he noticed when Alecto stepped from the dank house and waved.
"Amelia, it's go time" Reg said smiling.
Amelia joined him in smiling and gave the signal to the goblins to start tearing down the wards. Voldemort may be powerful, but the Goblins could break through anything with their curse breakers. And it's not like they needed them down in a hurry, even though they still had it down in a minute flat.
First thing the goblins did after tearing down the wards was review and take stock of the snake before beheading it.
"They confirmed the snake was not a horcrux" Amelia said to Regulus who was keeping a close eye on the house.
"Good, lets end this" Regulus said while walking to the house Harry and Hermione following along on his heal.
The group reached the door as Alecto's eyes went wide seeing Harry Potter approaching.
"You brought Potter here?" Alecto asked.
"Of course, if this ends it needs to end completely" Regulus said, "And if you try to lay a single curse on him I will end your life faster than you can blink do you hear me?"
Swallowing hard Alecto just nodded. He had no intentions of trying to harm the boy, he was just a little surprised.
Harry quickened his pace when they reached the tiny living room, he stood over the homunculus of Tom Riddle and fought back the anger to kill him instantly.
You need to wait Harry! We want to make sure when you kill him it will be the last time. We need to make sure our family will be free.
Hermione's words flitted through his brain and instantly calmed him down. The goblins performed several rituals to ensure that there were no other anchors tying Tom Riddle to this earth. After several very long minutes the cleared the room handing Harry the knife that was gifted to them, impregnated with the basilisk venom.
Harry took a deep breath, his eyes connecting with everyone in his party. Regulus, Amelia, Sirius, and now Hermione. Nodding she smiled at him and moved closer.
Harry grabbing her hand and interlacing their fingers and while gazing into her eyes he nicked the homunculus with the knife.
The scream that ripped through the room took everyone by surprise. Almost everyone had their wands in their hands prepared for battle. Harry scanned the room quickly before turning back to Voldemort, out from the tiny body of the boy rose the shadow figure of Voldemort's face screaming in pain right before exploding with a gale like force of wind.
As soon as the shade died the body of the boy faded away bit by bit like dust in the wind.
Breathing heavily Harry simply said, "Voldemort is no more."
Walking hand in hand into the main living room at Potter Manor Harry and Hermione briefly explained what had happened at the shack to Hermione's and Harry's parents before excusing themselves to clean up.
Not that either of the pair were extraordinarily dirty they just needed time to themselves to process everything.
Jean understood the kids need to be alone, they have after all accomplished nearly everything, they had planned to take several years' time, in just a under a year. It was remarkable really, how everything fell into place. Now the clean-up begins, Jean thought to herself.
"Oh Remus, Tonks would you please come here for a moment?" Jean asked politely "I have a favor to ask of you both."
Remus saw the devilish smile that graced Jean's lips. He felt he knew her well enough now to know she was planning a rather big prank.
Petunia and Vernon Dursley were sitting in the lounge, Petunia was reading her romance novel while Vernon was reading the newspaper. A perfectly normal day for the Dursleys, they were extremely happy, they didn't have to deal with their lump of a nephew, their son was enjoying some time with his friends at the park up the street and they had planned a wonderful summer vacation to Barcelona.
Yes, the Dursley's couldn't be happier about their summer holidays. A knock at the door started Petunia out of her book as she rose to answer the door. Vernon seemingly didn't hear the door because he didn't make a move until he heard his wife's scream.
Walking up Vernon noticed that Petunia was pale white, her eyes dilated, and she had a mixed expression of shock and fear on her face. Once Vernon reached the door he peered around the open door and fainted.
There standing in the doorway was James and Lily Potter.
Screaming threats brought Vernon out of his faint, not wanting to give himself away he kept his eyes shut as he listened to the red head scream.
"HOW DARE YOU MISTREAT MY SON, WHAT KIND OF SICK TWISTED WOMAN HAVE YOU BECOME TUNEY THAT YOU WOULD PURPOSELY BEAT AND TOURTURE YOUR ONLY NEPHEW." Lily screamed.
"Tell me why I shouldn't beat you with the same ferocity that you did Harry right here right now?" James said coolly and in control making Petunia shake.
"Ho…how… when… you're alive?"
"Of course, we are alive, my son, your supposed nephew killed the maniac that was running around killing people for years. His bravery caused us to be free from the spell we placed on ourselves to protect him. I should have brought him with us, I'm sure he would like to say a few words to you and your oaf of a husband." Lily said with so much venom in her voice Petunia thought she would expire on the spot.
"I .. I …" Petunia started.
"Oh, don't even think you're going to try and say sorry. You and that fat excuse of a man down there are so far past sorry you should probably pack up and move to that rental unit you just secured in Barcelona because I'm going to make your life so miserable here in your town that you won't want to stick your nose so much as an inch into someone else's business." Lily spat.
"I would suggest that you and your husband go grab your lump of a child from the park where he is currently attempting to beat up a child much smaller than himself and leave town. Remember we will always know where you are, but your life here in your neighborhood is over." James said with a sneer.
"Mom would be so disappointed in you Tuney, may you wallow in the bed you have made for yourself." Lily then turned and walked back up the driveway.
All the neighbors around number four heard her yelling. Everyone knew how they treated Harry now, they would never be able to stay here. And before they could even head up the street to the park the constable who lived next door ran up the street ahead of them where he found Dudley doing exactly what the Potters yelled about.
Dudley Dursley was promptly placed in handcuffs and brough into the station, several parents following behind to file complaints against him for several other incidences.
Lily and James got to the end of the street and entered an alcove before disappearing.
Landing in the foyer at Potter Manor laughing Remus and Tonks still dressed up like Lily and James were met by the hard stare of Harry.
"Where have you two been?" he asked while Tonks shifted back into her normal appearance of bright pink hair.
"Oh, you know, around" Remus said smoothly.
A mmmhm came from behind the pair, turning around they saw Sirius and Hermione standing with their arms akimbo.
"And you didn't even let us tag along. What fun are you two?" Sirius said sullenly.
"Oh, knock it off you lot, it was me who sent them" Jean said walking in and hugging Tonks. "That was from Lily for a brilliant performance."
Turning Jean saw all the shocked faces and wanted to put an end to their looks before dinner started. "To answer your unasked but very well-known questions, Lily and I concocted this idea. We couldn't let the Dursley's go without them paying. They will now be looking over their shoulder for the rest of their lives."
Turning Jean started walking into the dining room with the group following. "It's not like we did any physical harm to them, hell not even monetary harm like I wanted to. Lily knew her sister well and played off her biggest fear, public humiliation will go far in paying back for all the damage that wretched woman had done to our Harry. And Vernon's weakness of money will take a hit as he'll be spending a fortune to move from place to place."
Harry walked up to his mother-in-law and hugged her tight, she gasped as he didn't often initiate hugs. "Thanks Mum, I love you!" Harry said quietly, feeling that their plan was brilliant.
Holding good to their promise Harry and Hermione sat down to dinner with their family and friends to plan their summer holidays. Making time to spend quality time with those who were in the know to pass along information was mixed in amongst theme parks and beaches.
By the time they returned to the station on the first of September the group was tanned and toned. They had decided to start a training regimen over the summer to tone their bodies, and you could definitely tell who put in the effort. Harry, Hermione, Draco, Neville and the twins all came back from the summer holidays lean and toned. Whereas Ron put on about a stone.
Arriving to Hogwarts was like a breath of fresh air. Just like Amelia had promised she took care of the Dumbledore situation, he was currently on his forty fifth trial with several more to go. Minerva took up the position of Head Mistress and promoted Madame Sprout to deputy.
Once they had received their new positions, they completely revamped the course work and teaching situation. Snape was allowed to stay under strict agreed stipulations, they continued to let Professor Binns teach, however it was to an empty classroom since he refused to leave. Remus broke the curse of the dark arts position by being the first professor in fifty years to come back for his second year in a row and Sirius would stay as well as his substitute when the moon called.
Everything seemed right in their world. Harry and Hermione for the first time in either of their timelines could now effectively focus on learning and having fun.
All was well.
The End.