=== January 7 1996 ===
With the joy and chaos of the twins' first Christmas done. The Potters were happy to be returning to school. They ride once again in their modified train car with their friends.
"The twins' first Christmas was crazy, wasn't it?" Luna asks
"Had some unexpected things happen." Harry says as he looks at Ginny, who is going through the photo album Petunia gave them.
"But mostly good things." Ginny says. "Harry, would you be upset if I wanted to try talking to Aunt Petunia and her family?"
"Of course not." Harry says. "I'll even be there for the first visit if you want."
Ginny smiles. "Thank you."
Upon returning to Hogwarts Harry and Hermione left the others and went up to the daycare. They find McGonagall inside with Maria.
"Mister and Missus Potter! Just the people I wanted to see." McGonagall says, then moves revealing the girl from Malfoy Manor standing beside her wearing a long-sleeve crimson dress. "I'd like you to formally meet my daughter."
"Shannon Catherine McGonagall, pleased to meet you." She introduces herself looking right at both Harry and Hermione. They take a good look at her, her once fully blonde hair now has streaks of white through it, is braided into a pair of twin pigtails. It's her eyes that shock them both, her right eye is blue while her left eye is green.
"Heterochromia." Hermione says.
"Excuse me?" Shannon says.
"I'm sorry, I'm Hermione Potter. This is my husband Harry and our daughters Rose and Iris." She introduces them, pointing to each of them as she does.
"What was that word you said the first time?"
"Heterochromia: having eyes that are two different colors." Hermione answers. "I've never met someone with it before, so it threw me off."
Shannon reaches up and rubs the area around her left eye. "Poppy tells me it's a result of everything that happened to me.'
Concern is obvious on Hermione's face as she asks. "You remember what happened to you?"
"Not a lot." Shannon answers, seemingly embarrassed.
"Don't feel bad about not remembering, it's probably for the best." Hermione says.
"My mum says the same thing." Shannon says as she looks at McGonagall
"She tends to be right."
Shannon nods. "Can I come see your room sometime?"
"You are welcome to visit anytime your Mum allows." Harry says from behind Hermione.
"You may regret saying that, Mister Potter. I can't leave her with Maria all the time." McGonagall says.
"All of us in Gryffindor will help if you need it." Hermione says.
"I can't ask that of you." McGonagall says.
"You're our head of house, you're there for us, let us be there for you." Harry says.
=== January 8 1996 ===
With today being the first day of the second term Harry and Hermione arrive at breakfast early with the twins.
Upon request the house elves brought small bowls of mashed foods for them to feed the twins. They were in the process of doing this when a copy of The Daily Prophet drops right in front of them.
Harry glances over to read the headline. As soon as he does he drops the spoon he had been using to feed Rose and grabs the paper.
Death Eater Jailbreak!
Sometime late Iast night 10 confirmed Death Eaters broke out of Azkaban prison. The prison, once thought to be escape proof, is now under heavy scrutiny as this is the third escape in three years.
All three such escapes have been high-profile cases of known or suspected Death Eaters. The prison's inhuman guards, the dementors, are believed to be culpable for all three escapes. All three happened during the hours they were the only ones to read the halls, and they left the prison alongside this set of escapees.
We couldn't reach anyone at the prison for comment. So dear readers I hope that is a sign that they are doing something to stop this from happening again.
The Ministry has released the names and pictures of the escapees. (See pages 2 and 3) Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, has released the following statement:
"These convicts are considered armed and dangerous. We ask that regular citizens DO NOT attempt to apprehend them on their own. If you see one of these individuals please contact the DMLE immediately."
Harry turns the page and looks at the pictures of the Death Eaters. Underneath each picture is each one's name and a list of their confirmed crimes. Each one has done some dastardly deeds but there is one that tears at his heart:
Bellatrix Lestrange:
Confirmed to be You-know-who's right hand witch. Lead a team against aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom, whom the captured and tortured to insanity. The Longbottoms remain in Saint Mungos to this day.
Harry hands the paper over to Hermione as he looks around the room. He sees Neville over at the Hufflepuff table with Hannah, a copy of The Prophet in his shaking hands. Harry gets up and walks over to them. He puts his hand on Neville's shoulder.
Neville looks up at Harry, a mix of sorrow and anger on his face. Hannah reaches over and takes the paper out of Neville's hands. "Nev, love I'm here." She says.
"Not here," Neville says as he gets up and the three of them head out of the hall.
By some unspoken agreement they head towards McGonagall's office, they find the door open and McGonagall sitting with a love seat on either side of her. A steaming teapot sits in front of her, and Loki lays at her feet. "Come sit," McGonagall says as she pours the tea.
Neville and Hannah take up one of the love seats while Harry sits in the other. "I'm here." Hannah says as she grips his hand.
"I don't remember his name, the auror who told me they locked up Bellatrix." Neville says quietly, tears in his eyes "but he swore she would never see the light of day again."
McGonagall pours some tea into one of the cups before pulling a flask out of her robes and pouring some of its contents into the cup. "Calming draught." She hands Neville the cup.
Neville drinks the tea. "Thank you."
"Mister Longbottom, I'll write a note excusing you from classes for the day." McGonagall says.
"Professor, can I stay with him, please?" Hannah asks.
"If he wants you with him I'll allow it." McGonagall answers.
"I would, I'll need her to just be there when the calming draught wears off." Neville says.
"Do you two need anything before I head to class?" Harry asks.
"No." Neville says, "but thank you for getting me here."
Harry nods. "You're welcome."
"Do you need a note for class?" McGonagall asks.
Harry shakes his head. "I'm fine thank you." He gets up and leaves the office. 'Is it safe?' He sends to Hermione.
'Yes,' Hermione replies.
Harry finds an alcove and whispers. "Ego Hugin!" He vanishes and appears beside Hermione.
"Come on, History class is about to start." Hermione says as they rush into the classroom.
=== February 11 1996 ===
The carriages arrive at Hogsmeade, and everyone gets off. "Alright everyone, we all know the new rules." Hermione says as adjusts Rose in her carrier. "Groups of no less than three."
"Great," Ginny says sarcastically. "I'm supposed to meet someone again."
"I told them as much." Luna as she joins their group.
"I'm to escort you both," A male voice says. They turn and see Colin Creavey standing there.
Harry grins. "I took the liberty of inviting a couple students in your year to join us. Why don't you, Luna and Colin head on?"
Ginny hugs Harry, carefully avoiding Iris in the carrier. "How did you find out?" She whispers.
"Just remind him to be more careful where he leaves pictures." Harry says, quietly. "Especially provocative ones."
Ginny blushes almost as red as her hair. "I.."
"We'll talk later." Harry says.
Ginny nods as she and Luna each take one of Colin's hands and they head off. "Colin's escorting her?" Ron asks. "Good, maybe we'll get a picture of who she's meeting."
"Aren't there more important things to worry about?" Lavender asks. "Like how the rest of us are going to divvy up?"
"That all depends on how we interpret the instructions we were given." Hermione says. "One could argue that there are 10 individuals here."
"Hermione, you must be losing it, there's 8 of us." Ron says.
"Not if you count their children." Draco says, "then we're at 10."
"Unfortunately that doesn't lead to groups of 3." Amanda says.
"No, it doesn't." Hermione says.
"You're okay with us babysitting to skirt rules?" Amanda asks.
"I'm not a prefect." Hermione says.
Draco, Neville and Hannah all look at each other. "I think it's a brilliant solution." Draco says.
Neville and Hannah both hesitate. "I'm not sure." Hannah says.
"Then you 4 can go on a double date while we 4 babysit." Amanda says.
"Very well," Hannah says. "I'll agree to that."
The baby carriers are given to Ron and Draco who have Iris and Rose respectively. Hermione summons Rowena's grimoire then utters an incantation to make a copy of the diaper bag and hands one to Lavender and the other to Amanda.
"Now, just in case of an emergency you'll need a quick way to contact us." Hermione says.
Loki appears on Hermione's shoulder and jumps onto Amanda's. 'Hello auntie Amanda.'
"Loki can thought speak to me from anywhere, so we'll know if you two are in trouble." Hermione explains, "and I'll loan Hugin to Lavender." She holds the dagger out.
"I can tuck it in my robes and all I have to do is touch it and you'll hear my thoughts, right?" Lavender asks as she takes the blade and tucks it away.
"Correct." Hermione says.
#####
As soon as Harry, Hermione, Neville and Hannah walked into The Three Broomsticks they knew they were in trouble. McGonagall and Shannon are sitting with Draco, Amanda and Rose. A bowl of mashed food in front of Rose. McGonagall is trying to feed her.
A flash from the side lets them know Colin caught the scene. Shannon takes the spoon from her Mum and has no problem feeding Rose. 'Maybe we should leave them, looks like Shannon is having better luck feeding her than we do.' Hermione thinks to Harry.
Harry chuckles slightly when Rose shakes the rattle in her hand and starts speaking. "Mama! Mama!"
'Ratted out.' Harry says.
McGonagall gets up and turns around. "There are the proud parents."
Hermione smiles. "Hello professor."
"Where's your other daughter?" McGonagall asks.
"We have her." Lavender says as she and Ron come into the restaurant with Iris.
McGonagall shakes her head. "I feel like I should be giving someone detention, but you didn't technically break any rules."
"So?" Harry asks.
"Enjoy your meal." McGonagall says. "I expect the groups to be 3 or more students from now on."
They all nod. "Of course, Professor." Hermione says. "That's all you had to say."
"We best be going." McGonagall says.
"Can I stay?" Shannon asks, looking up at McGonagall with her mismatched eyes.
"We'll take responsibility for her." Harry says. "Especially since she's getting Rose to eat so well."
McGonagall nods. "Very well, as long as you're alright with it, she may stay."
=== April 16 1995 ===
Easter holiday, most of the student body looks forward to this day. Not Neville Longbottom, it's the day he goes and visits his parents. This year Hannah is going to go with him for the first time.
Right after breakfast the couple goes to McGonagall's office. Augusta is already there when they do. Augusta examines the teens, then nods. "You both are presentable, let's go."
Neville takes a handful of floo powder and tosses it into the fireplace. "Saint Mungos!" Hannah takes his hand as they step through.
Augusta steps through behind them and uses her wand to clean them all off. "You know the way." She says.
"Thank you." Neville says as he takes Hannah's hand and leads her through the hospital.
Since it's the holiday the hospital is only lightly staffed. Which is why Neville likes coming now. Otherwise everyone stares at him. They enter the long-term wing and Neville stops in front of a door.
"This is my father's room." Neville says as he opens the door.
Frank Longbottom lays unconscious on a bed, several monitoring spells display his condition. Neville walks up to his father and places Frank's wand on his chest. "Father, I would like you to meet Hannah. We're going to wed this summer."
"Hello, sir." Hannah says. "I'm honored to finally meet you."
After a few minutes of silence Neville picks up his father's wand and places it in his robes. They leave the room and go to the next door. "This is my mum's room." Neville says quietly.
"You haven't told me much about her." Hannah says.
"I don't know how to put it into words." Neville says. "That's why I wanted you to come along. I want her to meet you." Neville opens the door and they step inside.
They enter a fully furnished living room. "It looks so normal." Hannah says.
"The doctors say it helps." Neville says.
"I have visitors!" A female voice says as she comes into the room.
Hannah turns and sees Alice Longbottom for the first time. Even with her worn features and white hair she sees the strong resemblance between her and Neville.
"Do you remember me?" Neville asks.
"Of course I do, you're Frank's friend Nigel." Alice says. Neville winces as she fails to remember him again. "Who is your friend?"
"This is Hannah, my betrothed. We're due to wed this summer" Neville answers.
Alice claps. "That's fantastic! The world needs more love!" She takes Hannah's hands. "Will you two have children soon? I keep trying to convince Frank, but you know how he is."
"Children will happen when they happen." Hannah answers.
"That's the spirit." Alice says.
A crash sounds outside. Neville and Hannah jump, pulling out their wands. "What was that?" Hannah asks.
"It didn't sound good." Neville says
"You two wait here." Alice says. "I'm an auror." She pulls out what is clearly a toy wand and rushes for the door.
"Mum! Wait!" Neville yells right as the door is blown in.
Alice is thrown back from the force of the explosion. "Protego!" Hannah yells creating a shield to stop the worst of the explosion from hitting them. At the same time Neville catches Alice and they fall into a pile together.
A woman's cackling laughter draws their attention to the destroyed doorway. In it stands a pale woman with wild raven hair. "I came to finish what I started." She says.
"Bellatrix Lestrange." Alice growls as she goes to get up.
"Stay down!" Bellatrix yells. "Crucio!"
Alice screams in pain, forcing Neville down as she does, knocking Frank's wand out of his robes.
"Stupefy!" Hannah yells as she fires the spell at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix has to stop torturing Alice so she can dodge the attack. She turns her attention to Hannah. "Who do we have here?" She asks as she wordlessly disarms Hannah and walks towards her. "Aren't you a pretty thing?" She asks as she runs a finger down Hannah's face. "I'll have to fix that."
Neville untangled himself from his mother as Bellatrix approaches Hannah. When he sees Bellatrix touch Hannah something in him snaps and he launches himself toward Bellatrix. "Get away from her!" He yells as she summons his sword for the first time swinging it at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix dodges the sword at the last second, losing a little hair to the blade. "That was close." Bellatrix says. "Children shouldn't play with knives." She starts firing spells rapidly, forcing Neville and Hannah into a corner until she disarms them. "Now, what should I do with you?"
Alice wakes up from being tortured and sees her husband's wand in front of her. She grabs it as she looks up. Bellatrix is walking towards the other two people in the room. Suddenly something in Alice's mind clicks as she stands up. "Your fight is with me." She says. "Leave my son alone!" Alice starts firing one spell after another forcing Bellatrix back out the doorway.
An alarm goes off. "Time for me to go." Bellatrix says. "Bombarda Maximum!" A fiery spell flies into the room.
Alice fires a spell that holds the spell in place for a minute. She looks over at Neville and Hannah. "Hannah, take care of Neville."
"Mum!" Neville yells.
"I love you, son." Alice says as she drops her spell and instantly flicks her wand at the two teens "Protego Maximum!" Alice shouts, the spell putting Neville and Hannah in a bubble right before their world explodes.
#####
Hours later Neville and Hannah are sitting on some steps outside St. Mungos. A coat dropped over each one of them. Aurors are spread around the area. Police tape marks off the area.
"Neville!" Augusta cries from the other side of the police line.
"Let her in, she's his grandmother." Hannah manages.
The aurors let Augusta in and she quickly goes to the two teens. "What happened? Are you two alright?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange attacked us." Neville says, "she said she had come back to finish what she started."
"It's a miracle you two are alive." Augusta says.
"Mum saved us." Neville sniffles.
"How?"
"I don't know." Neville admits, "but there in her final minutes she recognized me."
"My word." Augusta says as she places her hand on his shoulder.
#####
It's late at night when they floo back into McGonagall's office. McGonagall is sitting waiting for them. "I figured you could use a little something." She says as holds up a flask.
"Yes, please Minerva." Augusta says as she sits. "Pour some for all of us."
"Of course." McGonagall says as she grabs 4 cups and fills them up.
Neville takes the cup and drinks from it. His eyes go wide as he quickly puts the cup down. "That's not calming draught!"
McGonagall laughs. "I never said it was."
Hannah sips her cup. "What is it?"
"Whiskey, after the day you had you earned it." McGonagall answers.
Neville pick1s his cup back up and sips it. "We need to tell Harry and Hermione what happened." He says as sips his drink.
"Aye. If they're brazen enough to attack Saint Mungos it's only a matter of time until they attack the Ministry." McGonagall reasons.
Augusta finishes her drink. "I'm going to go home. I have to start making arrangements."
"Would you like my help?" Hannah asks.
"Given the circumstances I could easily allow both Neville and Hannah to miss whatever they needed to help." McGonagall says.
Augusta shakes her head. "I appreciate it, I really do. Take some time if you need to, but I would like you both to continue classes. I'll arrange for the funerals to be early this summer."
"As you wish." Hannah says.
=== April 17 1996 ===
Though they were not yet married McGonagall allowed Hannah and Neville to spend the night together in one of the married suites. They are awoken by a knock on the door. "Who is it?" Neville calls out.
"Harry."
"Enter." Neville says.
Harry enters the room. "I just heard. Neville I'm…"
Neville holds his hand up stopping Harry. "Don't say it, you're not to blame for what she did."
"I still feel bad." Harry says.
"Don't," Neville says. "There were a few moments right before the end where my mom actually recognized me." He starts to cry. 'I know it seems silly, but it's the one thing I always wished for."
"I don't think it's silly." Harry says.
"Why not?" Neville asks. "I still had my parents, they were right there in front of me." He sobs heavily. "I wasted my time with them wishing they were different."
"The important thing is you spent time with them anyway." Harry says.
Neville nods. "Thanks, that helps."
Harry nods. "Let us know if we can help in any way."
"I will." Neville says as he really looks at Harry and notices the bags under his eyes. "Are you alright?"
"I didn't get much sleep last night. When Professor McGonagall started worrying about you two Shannon came to us. Once she got in bed with Hermione they both crashed. I was too worried about you to get much sleep." Harry explains.
"Thank you for worrying about us." Hannah says as she comes up behind Neville and hugs him from behind.
Harry nods. "Professor McGonagall said take whatever time you need Nev, and your Mum said the same thing Hannah."
Hannah nods. "Do you think you could have Winky or Dobby bring us some food then? I don't remember when either of us last ate, and neither of us are ready to face everyone yet."
Harry nods. "Hermione just did. Winky will be up shortly."
"Thanks, Harry." Hannah says then closes the door.