Braving the Past

Chapter 52: Times Have Changed

Here's another meme I found that I thought was hilarious. Enjoy :D

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Mrs. Weasley ushered everyone inside, filling a couple plates with some crackers and cheese. It wasn't much between the four of them, but Hermione sent a grateful smile her way. Malfoy and Blaise hardly touched the food, both sitting straight-backed in the small wooden chairs Mrs. Weasley had pulled out for them.

Hermione learned that on top of Mrs. Weasley, Charlie, and Harry being alive, there was also Luna (she knew she'd seen her!), Professor McGonagall, Seamus Finnigan, Theodore Nott (surprisingly, another Slytherin), and Professor Snape.

So few. She'd already known so many of her friends had died in the battle, but Hermione had had her hopes up only to have them dashed once again. She and Ginny had reunions tinged with sadness with each of their surviving friends before they all gathered in the small dining area. She didn't see any signs of Professor Snape, but apparently it was normal for him to hide away these days.

Hermione waited - tapping her fingers against her leg, heel bobbing up and down under the table - for everyone to get situated before jumping back in to figure out exactly how much she had changed by going back in time.

Harry explained to her how he'd figured out he was a Horcrux upon waking up after he sacrificed himself to save those left alive at Hogwarts. The last time she had seen him, and the moment she'd relived again and again in her nightmares.

Professor Snape had been the one to find him. Apparently he'd had to flee from Voldemort when the dark wizard had mistaken him for the owner of the Elder Wand. He told Harry everything Professor Dumbledore had done, they scrounged up all the survivors they could find, and went into hiding. Not everyone they'd found had survived.

"You have no idea how hard I've looked for you, Hermione," Harry said earnestly. "It's been hell -"

Thump

Malfoy and Blaise jerked at the muted sound, eyes searching their surroundings warily.

"What was -"

Thunk-thunk THUD

"If you're planning something, Potter..." Mafloy warned, his wand held uneasily at his thigh.

"Oh...ah, erm, I think I've forgotten something," Harry said at last, realization dawning on his face. "Hermione - " Thunk " - did you come here - " Thunk " - with someone else?"

"I came with Ginny, Blaise, and Malfoy?" she said with vague uncertainty.

Thump-thump

Harry leaned back and crossed his arms as if satisfied, "There, see? He was lying."

Luna let out an indignant cry. "Harry, you already know that's not true," she admonished. She turned to Hermione. "He's asking if you came to this time with someone else."

Hermione's eyes widened. "You found Tom?" she exclaimed.

Now it was Luna's turn to look satisfied. Almost smug, if Hermione thought she could ever be capable of such a look.

The sounds became increasingly more insistent and annoying. Yes, that was most definitely Tom. They had to be keeping him upstairs. She didn't know how he'd found the others, but she wasn't going to wait a moment longer to see him.

Without even waiting for a response, she kicked back her chair and rushed up to the second floor, following the thumps and thuds.

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP