A Second Channe Through Time

CHAPTER NINE

Page count: 15

Sirius' Apartment – Friday 11th December 1981

Hermione sat on the living room floor with Harry, whilst James, Remus and Sirius had left a couple of hours before the full moon rose in order to prepare and Remus had taken the last of his potion for that month. Everyone had laughed at the disgusted look he was unable to keep from his face but it soon turned into a smile, knowing he didn't have to wait much longer until he experienced the effects of the Wolfsbane Potion for himself. After taking the potion, they promptly left the apartment and headed to Merlin knew where, leaving Hermione and Harry by themselves.

Hermione had been sure to keep the little child happy, baking cookies, reading books, making forts from blankets and pillows, and after hours of fun, Harry was tuckered out and currently lay asleep, sprawled atop the blankets and cushions that covered the floor of the living room. Hermione couldn't help but stare, watching him as he slept peacefully, knowing that Harry would never have the nightmares he once did, knowing he wouldn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders, knowing he wouldn't be 'The Chosen One,' that he wouldn't be raised by the Dursleys but he'd have a family that loved and cared for him.

But, there was plenty left to do before all of that could happen. In just over a week's time, the majority of the students at Hogwarts would've returned home for the holidays and she and the Marauders would be visiting the castle to destroy the first Horcrux. Unfortunately, she still hadn't confirmed her suspicions about the whereabouts of the ring and the diary, and she realised that needed help; all the research in the world wouldn't give her the answers she needed.

She sighed and flopped back, lying down on the blanketed floor, pushing her hair back from her face and rubbing at her eyes tiredly. A chuckle sounded and Hermione was helpless to stop the way her body bolted upright and she gripped her wand tightly in her hand, poised and ready for a fight.

"Dear child, please lower your wand, I am not a target," the voice said amused.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief as dropped her wand arm as she stared at the redheaded, green-eyed woman in front of her. She was surrounded by an ethereal glow and wearing a white flowing dress, it was Lily Potter.

"Sorry, Lily, you scared the Gryffindor out of me."

Lily laughed softly. "I doubt that, you have an endless amount of Gryffindor in you," Lily responded and Hermione's mouth pulled into a smile. "I'm glad to see you have made progress in your mission, but I couldn't help notice you seem a little frazzled, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Can you tell me where the final two Horcruxes are?" Hermione asked. Lily chuckled and shook her head. "Thought not, I have my suspicions but I can't be sure if I'm right. Can you help me with that?"

"If you ask the right questions, I'm able to confirm or deny."

"I can work with that," Hermione nodded, nibbling at her lip in thought. "The diary, was it in the possession of the Malfoys?"

"I believe so, yes."

"Is it located in Malfoy Manor?"

"As far as I'm aware, yes."

Hermione sighed in both relief and annoyance. How the hell was she supposed to get the diary?

"And the Gaunt family ring. Dumbledore found it in my timeline; did he visit the last living member of the Gaunts in Azkaban?"

"In your time, yes, he did."

"After this visit did he discover the location of the ring?"

"Yes, I believe he did."