When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 121: Untying Ties and Lacing New

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 121: Untying Ties and Lacing New

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

July, 1998

He was convinced that Australia could be a prime example for the biblical hell. For once in his life, he regretted that he favored black clothing. The sun blazed down on him, making his clothing a wearable sauna. How all these people could be happy living here bewildered him.

Hermione offered him a bottle of water and he took it gratefully. He opened it and drank a quarter of the contents with one large swallow. He was tempted to pour the rest on his head, but it would probably only boil off his hair.

He'd spent the rest of his recovery helping her track down where her parents were in Australia. He lifted the bottle to his lips again and took another drink, his hands shaking as he did so. The venom left residual effects to his nerves, but it was minor enough that he'd be able to ease it with his potions once he started brewing again.

Right now, it was about her. The witch next to him was tense as she took a seat on the heated bench. He took another sip from the bottle.

"They will be here soon," she said. She was playing with her nails and shifting every few seconds.

He'd promised to help her find a way to restore her parent's memories when he'd seen her looking at their pictures. The pain in them wasn't something he wanted to see ever again. At least this time he could fix it.

Or at least he hoped. Memory charms were complicated if they were done right. Considering she was the one who did it, he was sure that the charm would be perfect and difficult to reverse.

He looked at the watch on his wrist and then to the path that crossed the park. The Granger's were people of routine, making them easy to track. He was glad that the Death Eaters hadn't bothered. They were too lazy to search other muggle countries.

"They will." His hand covered hers to stop her nervous movements.

They waited under the infernal sun listening to the sounds of people enjoying the day.

She rose from her seat and he followed her actions. He looked in the direction she was staring and saw a couple walking down the cobblestone path. Their hands were intertwined and they laughed and conversed like lovers on their first date. She took a step but then paused in her actions. He was about to question why when he noticed her mother's state.

A prominent curve on the woman stomach was visible when she sat down. Evidently, his witch hadn't expected that. He would estimate that her mother was six months along in her pregnancy, which meant that she conceived after Hermione cast the charm.

"Severus," she said. "Let's go back home."

"Hermione?" The confusion poured in his voice. His mask wasn't difficult to drop around her now. He thought she'd be thrilled to have a sibling.

"I... I don't belong in their world anymore. I haven't for a long time." She looked up at him and smiled. "They're happy here and have a new life. I have a new life too. I think that's how things are supposed to be."

He reached out and moved an arm around her waist. "Are you sure. Don't you want to talk to them at all?"

"What would I say?" she said and sighed. "It will only hurt more. Those two people aren't my parents anymore. They're going to have a baby too. I can't bring their memories back and have them go through all of that. I can't do that to the baby." He saw she was on the edge of tears, but they didn't fall from her eyes.

His witch, this Hermione Granger, was a strong woman.

He nodded. "Let's go then."

They pulled apart and then took each other's hand. They walked away from the couple, and away from the park.

AN: Deciding this was a bit difficult but here we are. Hope you liked it and let me know what you think. See you on Wednesday.