A/N: I always thought people took all the events that happened to them too easily. I figure atleast the first time they experience trauma like they did, it would have effects.

A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 32

May 9, 1992

Hogwarts, England

Hermione sat in the hospital bed. They had been in here for almost two days now. Something shuffled in the Matron's office and she started. The book in her hands fell.

Edmund had much the same reaction in the chair next to her. He moved closer, looking ready to jump up. The Matron had allowed him to be there after an argument with the woman. Of course, Hermione had found her way into Edmund's bed again in the middle of the night, which is what had started it.

The Matron had accepted it the night before, but not last night. It was made worst when Harry had woken to see them arguing with her while she was still sitting in the bed in just her night dress and the blankets on her lap. She hadn't done anything wrong. She was only sleeping next to him. The bed five feet away was too far for her. She had meant it that she could protect herself, but she was not prepared to against a fully qualified, sadistic Professor.

She clenched her hand into a fist at the thought. She trusted Professors and those in authority. Between Quirrell and Dumbledore, she felt that faith shaken.

Thus, she needed Edmund close. She could protect herself, but maybe she wanted someone there to help her. Edmund was also not letting her get far away from him and she felt better to have him close.

She flushed a little as she sat back and thought about the argument with Madame Pomfrey. He had had to claim her as his betrothed before the matron had relented to let him out of his bed to sit next to her when she was forced back to her bed. She remembered him being quite red and she flushed. It was the first time he had acknowledged it out loud, or used it for what the bond meant.

"It was just the Matron," Harry told them. She looked to him. He looked at the office, a set look on his face as though he would jump up too. He had his wand in his hand.

Bandages covered the healing wounds on his hands and arms where he had been burned. The Matron had groused a few times that if they had been normal burns, he would have healed overnight. Hermione had felt it happening and Ed and her had red welts yesterday in the same spots. When she had woken this morning, they had faded to be just barely noticeable.

Ed nodded and sat back in the chair. "Are you alright, Harry," she asked.

He looked at her. Harry couldn't hide the haunted look in his eyes. "Fine," he told her.

Ed frowned. He could tell his brother wasn't. "We can move over there," Ed said looking at Harry.

Harry didn't say anything. After a moment, she made the decision. "Let's move," she told Ed.

He nodded and took his book and hers before helping her out of bed. She didn't need the help, but liked how Ed held his hand out for her. She moved to Ed's bed before he moved to the chair between Harry and her.

Harry looked a little better to have them closer.

"Would you like me to read out loud," she asked. Harry had been struggling to read a book with his hands in the wraps.

Harry shook his head. "I've got it."

Edmund sighed. "Harry, we're family. It is alright to ask for help."

Harry didn't look up from the book in his lap. "Could you turn the page," he asked very quietly.

Ed didn't say anything as he got up for a moment and turned the page, helping Harry readjust his book. The brothers didn't say a word. It was such a gentle thing, she found her feelings for Ed chasing the horrors away she was still reliving a few times an hour. "Thank you," Harry said as Edmund settled into the chair again.

"Just say when you want it turned."

Ed reached his hand up onto the bed and she took it. Having him touching her hand was even more soothing. She could feel him settle some too. They read like that for a while. Or, she tried to read. She found herself having to go over paragraphs multiple times as the feeling of needles would ghost over her skin from time to time. The bell tolled ten and a few minutes later, the door to the Hospital Wing opened.

She watched Daphne step in, followed by Neville, Ron and Parvati. Classes had been canceled again today so seeing them at ten in the morning on a Tuesday was alright. The Matron came to her door and frowned to see they had moved before turning to their friends. "Good Morning, Madame Pomfrey. Are we allowed to visit with our friends," Daphne asked her.

"It is only four of you, like I asked?"

"Yes, ma'am."

The Matron smiled. "You may stay until lunch, Ms. Greengrass. Just don't get them riled up," the Matron said before going back into her office.

She smiled to see them. Daphne came over and sat on the end of Harry's bed. Ron and Parvati sat on the other side, with Ron taking a chair and Parvati sitting on the bed opposite Daphne. Neville sat at the end of her bed facing Daphne.

"How are you," Daphne asked looking at Harry.

He shrugged. "Fine."

Daphne didn't look happy with the response.

Parvati looked very concerned. "Harry, what happened down there? Why do you have bandages all over you?"

This was the first time Ron and Parvati had been allowed in to see him.

"It was Quirrell," Ed told her.

Parvati looked horrified. Ron ran his hand through his hair. "Blimey. Why didn't you call to us? We were right there."

"There wasn't time," Neville said, saving Harry from answering. She didn't really feel like talking about what happened. She doubted Ed and Harry did either.

"But there was time for you to be there," Ron asked, sounding as though he was upset for being left out.

"We were right with Harry," Daphne snapped at him. "If we had been any later, I don't think either of them would be here."

She looked at her and Edmund, looking very upset. She felt the fear stab through Edmund. She had her own rush of fear, for herself and him.

Parvati didn't back down. "We could have helped. Even gone to get a Professor."

Daphne went to open her mouth and stopped when Harry looked up. "There wasn't time," he said to his friends. "Can we just drop this."

Parvati looked concerned and Ron scrunched his forehead. "Yeah, sure, Harry," the redhead said. "Are you doing alright? What did Quirrell do to burn you?"

Harry scrunched his forehead. "It's just something that happened."

"What happened? The Daily Prophet said you were all kidnapped and these two won't tell us anything," Parvati said looking at Neville and Daphne.

"It's not our story to tell," Neville told her, staring back at her.

"You were there! What do you mean it's not your story to tell," the girl pressed.

"Parvati," Harry snapped. She looked at him, still not looking like she wanted to back down but closed her mouth. "Neville and Daphne came with me because they were there when I felt something was wrong. Quirrell kidnapped Edmund and Hermione trying to get something. We had to listen to them being tortured with something called the cruciatus curse before we could save them. Whatever the Prophet is reporting is probably rubbish. Neville and Daphne came along because they just happen to be right there. Blaise and Tracey went to find a Professor, but even then it would have been too late if we had had to wait for them. There wasn't time to call you over or wait for you."

Harry looked very disgruntled at his friends. Parvati put a hand to her mouth and Ron looked to have lost some color. Which was saying something with his already pale skin. Daphne grabbed the blankets of Harry's bed and was squeezing tight enough to make her knuckles turn white. Neville looked to have lost as much color as Ron.

"I just want to go home," Ed said next to her. She squeezed his hand tight. She had to admit she felt homesick but hadn't wanted to admit it. Her place was with her friends.

"Edmund, I didn't mean too," Parvati told him.

Daphne looked at him. She looked frightened to hear Ed say that.

Neville swallowed. "You're coming back, right?"

Ed didn't say anything. She felt the conflict in him. It was the same she felt. She didn't feel safe here. Home sounded safe. "We don't know," she responded.

"Of course he is coming back," Daphne said, not sounding sure. Her closest mate next to Edmund was looking at her as though she couldn't be abandoned by them.

Ed just held her hand tighter. It wasn't painful, but it wasn't comfortable. They waited for Ed to respond, but he just looked at the book in his lap. "You can't leave, Evans-Potter," Ron said and Ed slowly looked at him. She was surprised. Ed only held his lips tight together. "Who else is going to help me on my Charms homework?"

Neville snorted and shook his head.

Parvati smiled weakly. "I don't want you to leave either. Harry, say you will stay."

Harry looked at her. "I want to go home too. I promise to be back. Will you come back with me, Ed?"

She felt the shock from Ed. Harry hadn't really called the Sylvan's home yet.

After a moment, Ed nodded. "Who else is going to beat you as a seeker?"

She let out a tremulous smile. Harry snorted. Daphne shook her head. "You aren't that good, Evans-Potter."

Ron let out a nervous chuckle.

Edmund turned to look at Neville. "I guess if we come back I can keep this troll in check."

Neville bristled. "Troll! You doxy!"

There were a few chuckles before everyone became serious again. "I just want to go home," Ed told them sounding so sad. He lowered his head to look down at his book again.

-oOo-

Redhill, England

The Matron had released them to go home after lunch. All they had to do was wait for escorts. It was half past two when he was finally staring at the fireplace in Auntie Min's office.

"I'll catch you," he said to Hermione before throwing a small handful of green sand into the fireplace. "The Sylvan's" he said with relief as the fire flared to accept him.

Lord Greengrass had gone through before them to meet their parents. Daphne had followed soon after and he was next. He would always go through before Hermione if he could help it.

Neville and Lady Longbottom were to follow after Harry. They had agreed to go with them when Auntie Min had said she needed to stay at Hogwarts to watch over the school since classes were starting again tomorrow. He would have preferred Auntie Min, but he found he trusted Lord Greengrass and Lady Longbottom. He didn't really trust any other adult at Hogwarts right now. Well, he trusted the Matron. She was the only other adult at Hogwarts he trusted Hermione with besides their Auntie. He also trusted Madame Hooch.

He came out of the fire and took two steps. Lord Greengrass was on the far side of the room with Daphne. His parents saw him and moved towards him. The Grangers were looking worried. That was all he saw before the fire flared behind him. He turned to catch a stumbling Hermione.

She immediately clung to him.

His mum and Mrs. Granger moved to them. "Edmund. Hermione," his mum said wrapping them into a hug. Mrs. Granger joined them, wrapping her arms around them. When Harry walked out of the fire, his mum grabbed him and pulled him in, kissing him on the head.

"Ed. Hermy," Amelia said, trying to push her way in to hug him and Hermione.

He didn't say anything. For the first time in two days he felt safe. He put a hand on his sister's back, having missed her more than he had realized. After a few moments, his mum backed up. "Neville, you helped to save them." She pulled a surprised Neville into a hug.

Meanwhile, Hermione let go of him to be dragged off by her mother before jumping to her father. His father came up to him and he reached out a hand. His father moved in and took him into a crushing hug. Amelia slunk down to grab his leg. A second later his father said, "Come here," as he pulled Harry in.

Edmund was getting close to twelve. He was a big boy. But in his father's arms he felt so small, like those nights he used to hug him when he had those bad dreams. This was why he wanted to come home. To feel safe. His father helped him to feel safe.

David came to them and he pulled his younger brother in.

"Come on, little princess. Let's go home for the night," her father said kissing her on her head.

Edmund felt her panic. He pushed out of his father arms.

"No," she said quickly, stepping back and wiping tears from her eyes. "I'm not leaving Edmund."

Her father, who already looked upset, gave her an uncertain look. "You can see him tomorrow. I just think you should be at home for the night."

She shook her head and moved towards him. Her mother stood where she was, a sad acceptance on her face. Her father took a step towards her. She took another step towards Edmund. "I am not leaving Edmund," she said a little more forcibly.

He stepped towards her, having to drag Amelia. "Hermione is welcome to stay as long as she likes," his father said.

Hermione took the last step to stand against her. Her back to his front. "Hermy is staying," Amelia said at his feet, moving to wrap herself around Hermione instead.

"I really think we should go home," her father said again.

"Dan, if she wants to stay, let her. They are home until Sunday. We'll have plenty of time to see her," her mother said.

The man seemed to struggle with himself. Lord Greengrass stepped more towards the middle of the room. "I am sorry to interrupt in what is a family matter, but Healer Tonks was very explicit in her instructions that none of them should be separated if they don't want to be. It was a rather traumatic experience."

Mr. Granger shot a look at the man. "I don't need any instructions from some magical kook. Hermione was perfectly fine before becoming involved with your kind."

Hermione stiffened and he wrapped his arms around her protectively. "Daniel Nathan Granger," his mum was first to react. "You will not talk that way to guests in my house."

"Daniel, that was uncalled for," Hermione's mum said angrily.

Her father looked at both woman before making a gruff sound and rubbing his hand through his hair. "Jane, she was almost killed again."

Amelia squeaked and reached out an arm to his leg. "Don't die," she said, tears coming to her face.

"I want you out of my house until you calm down," his mum said angrily.

"Mum, are they going to die," David asked in a small voice.

She took him into her arms. "No one is dying, David." She gave the man a nasty look, who looked abashed.

His father stepped up. "Dan, why don't you join Anders and I for a beer out back."

"Bill..." his mum started and he held up a hand to her. She closed her mouth, not looking pleased.

Mr. Granger looked at his daughter before shaking his head. "Maybe a beer. Mr. Greengrass, I didn't mean that."

Lord Greengrass didn't look that bothered. "I stepped in where I probably shouldn't have, Mr. Granger. Or should I call you Daniel?"

Mr. Granger looked at the man. "Dan."

"Come on, let's go get a beer," his father said.

"Daphne, do you mind being left with Mrs. Sylvan," her father asked.

"No, father," she responded.

His father led the three men toward the kitchen. His mum's eyes following him with a glare.

"Angela, I'm sorry. Dan has just been a little upset."

"Jane, we will talk of it later. Harry, do you need those bandages changed soon," his mum asked. Harry shook his head.

Daphne took a few steps towards them. Hermione reached out a hand for her friend, who came over and took it.

"Angela, maybe we should get some refreshments and we can all talk if you want."

"Can we just watch a movie," Hermione asked.

His mum looked at them. She looked like she was holding back tears. "I am fine with that if you are all staying for a while."

"Father said I could stay the night if Hermione would like," Daphne said.

"Neville can too, if that is fine with you, Angela," Lady Longbottom said.

His mum looked at them all. Jane spoke up. "Daphne can stay at our house tonight if you don't want so many around."

His mum shook his head. "No. No. That is fine if they want. I'm just glad to see you all. Jane. Augusta. Would you like to help," she asked the other women.

"Hermy, you are still alive," Amelia asked.

Hermione let go of Daphne's hand to reach down for his sister. He let her go to do so. She was too big to pick up now. "Yes, Amelia. How about we watch something you pick first."

The girl's face broke into a smile. "Alice in Wonderland," she asked.

"Hermione, how do you watch a book? We can't do magic outside of school," Daphne asked confused.

Hermione looked at Daphne as Amelia skipped to the cabinet next to the television. "Do you remember how I described how music tapes work."

Daphne still looked confused. "But you said you listen to music."

Harry stepped up to them. "You can watch it on the television as well."

Daphne shook her head. "What is a television."

"Hermione, can you help me rewind the tape," his little sister asked.

"Harry can explain," she said. She reached out for his hand and he was pulled along. He didn't complain, not wanting to be far from her.

"I've got the chair this time," Neville said.

He stood back as Hermione helped Amelia. Looking around, he saw David by Harry. When Harry felt David brush against him, he started. David looked abashed before reaching a hand up. Harry didn't seem to know what to do until David tried to put his hand into Harry's. Harry looked so shocked, he didn't take David's hand for few seconds before letting David take his bandaged hand.

The television turned on and a few seconds later, music started as the video came on the screen. Daphne's eyes grew wide as saucers. "Oh," she said with her mouth in a perfect 'O'.

Neville chuckled, breaking some of the tension in the room. "You should show her how to turn lights on and off next."

She didn't even notice Neville. "How is that done," she asked. "I've never seen magic like that."

This time Harry chuckled. "It's not magic. It's called technology," Harry told her.

Daphne stepped up and looked like she wanted to take his arm, but second thought it with his bandages. He held his arm to her so she could put a hand in the crook of his elbow. "Find a seat," Hermione said before taking his arm. Amelia cut around them and grabbed one of their mum's nice pillows before throwing it on the floor.

"Hermione, sit with me," his sister told them.

He helped her move the coffee table and they settled as the previews ended and the movie began. Hermione and him sat on the floor with Amelia while Daphne and Harry were with David on the couch.

He looked down at the hand that was still in his. Hermione and him had held hands as much as possible over the last two days. Having her here, in a place he knew and with people he knew would not hurt him set him at ease. He couldn't stop his hand from shaking some, at which Hermione squeezed his hand. Her hand was shaking too.

"Why is it a painting? And how is it moving? I've never seen a photo or painting do that," Daphne asked.

"Ssshhhhhh," Amelia said to her.

-oOo-

"Angela, do you think they would like Cool Aid or just some water," Jane asked looking in a cupboard next to the refrigerator.

She was at the sink. No matter what Dan said, Hermione was her daughter as much as Edmund was their son. Jane saw that. Bill saw that. Dan was in denial, but he had always treated Edmund that way until recently.

As she thought of that, the words of Amelia and David asking if brother and sister had almost died echoed in her head. They almost hadn't come home. She had heard what Minerva and Anders had told them when they visited yesterday. She had heard. She had heard two of her children had been tortured by magic. Harry had felt it through the bond. She had heard the man threatened to cut Hermione into pieces. She had heard what Harry had done and gone through.

She hadn't understood it until she saw the look on all their faces.

The tea kettle shook in her hand as she tried to get water into it.

"Ang? Angela," Jane asked turning towards her.

She suddenly felt her legs buckling and she let go of the kettle as she sat heavily on the floor. "Angela," Augusta asked moving to the sink to make sure the kettle didn't fall on her.

Jane was at her side. "Angela," she asked.

She looked at her longtime friend. "Minerva said they could have been killed," she told her. "She said that man threatened to kill them."

Jane gave her a look that she understood. The woman reached out to her and she wrapped her friend in a hug. Angela was really processing it after seeing them. Edmund and Hermione looked spooked and scared, even being home now. Harry was wrapped in bandages and looked like a deer in headlights. What had happened to do that to her children? "Jane, they were tortured. The man wanted to kill them."

Jane started to cry while holding her. "I know, Angela."

"What are we doing allowing them to go back?"

"I don't know," her friend responded.

They cried for a while before she felt like she had to collect herself again. Their children were watching a movie, but she had to be strong for them. She backed away and wiped at her face.

"Our world is not a safe a place," Augusta said from behind them. She turned to look up at the older woman, who looked just as concerned. "If you wanted to find a way to remove them from it, I will not argue, but I will not agree. Do you know what happened to my son and his wife?"

"I thought they died, like my cousin," she said.

Augusta closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. She was used to this woman showing great strength and a sharp tongue. This time, her eyes looked watery. "That would have been a kinder fate for them and my grandson."

The woman clutched her robes. "My son and daughter-in-law are in St. Mungo's. They had the cruciatus curse used on them, just like Edmund and Hermione. Depending on the skill of the caster and how much they enjoy the pain they suffer, that curse can inflict pain beyond anything you can imagine."

She put a hand to her mouth. What had they gone through?

"The pain can be so severe, or one can be subjected to it for so long, that it can addle you or give you permanent ticks. It won't kill you. No matter how much the one doing it may like that, that curse will not kill you. The aftereffects it has on your mind and body can be severe enough you never recover."

"Oh, Augusta," Jane said. "You don't mean..."

"It happened twelve days after the Potter's death. Our Solicitor and myself were trying to find Harry and Edmund. They were still in hiding, but Alice was Harry's godmother and she was supposed to have custody after Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban. I had just left their house an hour earlier. They refused to live at Longbottom Manor for some reason I will never know. Neville was only fifteen months old. All three of them were tortured for hours before the Aurors appeared when Frank didn't show for his shift. I was afraid Neville would never be normal. He was not a normal child after that. His parents are in the long-term care ward at St. Mungo's."

"What did that man do," she asked.

Augusta's look hardened. "That was no man. That was a monster as bad as the ones that did that to my Frank and his family."

"I can't send Hermione back if that is going to happen," Jane said horrified.

"Jane, Edmund will follow Hermione," she told her friend. "I will not separate Harry and Edmund."

"I cannot make a decision for you about your children. I want you to understand. Your children, all those children in that room, possess magic. Your sons and daughter are going to be very powerful, and power attracts other magic. No matter what you do, that is a truth the Potters have always lived with."

"If you withdraw them from Hogwarts, you take away any chance they may have to fight back against what happened to them on Sunday or could in the future. Your boys are Potters. There are those in our world that will not rest until they find them, for good or bad."

"What are you saying," Jane asked. She felt her heart dropping. This was some of what Minerva had been warning them about for years, she just hadn't believed it could be this bad.

"I am saying it would be a very grave error to not encourage them to return. After what they went through, I fully endorse them to be removed from Hogwarts for the week, but Neville will be going back Sunday. Earlier if he chooses. I don't see Anders not endorsing the same with his daughter. You give them the best chance of survival, and survival of your other children, Angela, by sending them back." Augusta had a hard but understanding look. As though this was a truth the woman had accepted many years ago.

"I also very much approve of Neville's friends, and would not like to see him lose them. Neville has never made friends before now, and truth be told, I thought he had been damaged enough he would never really grow into a proper adult. Your children have done more to help him heal then any mind healer I have ever hired. He is becoming the young man I know Frank and Alice would have liked to see and one I am proud to call my grandson."

She looked at the woman. Bill and her had talked very seriously of removing them as soon as they were home. She knew they still had to be trained, but she didn't like the idea of sending them back to Hogwarts. The United States or France were so far away though. Scotland was already far enough. She missed having them around every day.

"Does it have to be Hogwarts," Jane asked. "I will not take the magic from my daughter. I know Edmund won't allow it and she is happier now than she ever was in our world," she said. She shared her friends view between their children.

"Hogwarts is still one of the top wizarding schools in the world. With Dumbledore out of the picture, I think Minerva can lead it back to being the premier wizarding school, and I think your children will miss much if they go anywhere else. I also doubt they will avoid attracting danger, no matter where they are."

She wiped her face again and found the strength to stand up. "I don't want to see them hurt or killed. Harry was abused before coming here and now my other son and daughter have been tortured."

Jane took her hand for a moment before releasing it. "Edmund is my son too."

"I know, Jane. Augusta, should we change Harry's bandages?"

"Poppy said not until tomorrow. She changed them before leaving Hogwarts. I know you have already agreed to Healer Tonks having a visit tomorrow, so it would be best to wait for then," the older woman told her.

"They will be alright," Jane asked.

"They are young. It is easier for them to heal from the cruciatus at their age. Poppy said their bond will help more than anything else."

Jane sighed. "Hermione isn't going to want to go home tonight," she told her.

Angela nodded. She had seen it too. It was like when they used to come home from school days when something happened. Edmund would be so protective of her those days. She suspected they had been bullied often and beat-up a few times, but Edmund would never tell her.

"We can move the desks out of their room for the night so they all have space to sleep up there," she responded. "I'll have Bill get out the air mattresses and blow them up soon."

"I'll talk to Dan when he's done talking with Bill and Anders. I would like Hermione to be home tomorrow night, even if it means Edmund needs to stay over," Jane said.

She smiled at her friend. It was just like normal. They shared Edmund and Hermione. It had been that way since the first day they met. "What if Harry doesn't want to leave them?"

Jane gave a small smile. "Harry is always as welcome as Ed. You never have to ask, Angela. Augusta, Neville is as well and I will tell Anders the same."

She nodded and let out a jagged breath. "What about Dan?"

Her friend sighed. "He's been having a tough go at it since Easter. He doesn't like the idea of Hermione being owned by anyone. He'll come around." She felt the sadness in Jane's voice.

"Ed will never treat her wrong," she told her friend. She was as bothered by it as Jane.

"I know, Angela. I always knew Ed would be part of the family, just not like this."

"Angela, can I help you get anything ready for our children," Augusta asked.

She looked at the woman thankfully. "There are biscuits in that cabinet and plates in this one. Could you put some on a plate while I get the water going and order some pizza."

Augusta looked at her. "How do you order something if you don't have a house elf? And what is pizza?"

Jane shook her head. Angela smiled. She had seen Neville just as confused as his Gran was now when he was over at Christmas. "If you are ever trying to make your grandson or Hermione do what you want, you will want to know what pizza is."

The woman looked at her oddly that she would know something about her grandson she did not. From what Jane had said, the boy loved the stuff as much as her daughter.

-oOo-

Dan sat on the tabletop of the picnic table, his feet on the bench, beer bottle in his hands between his legs and head down.

He had his eyes closed.

Hermione was starting to look so big. She was still his little girl, but there was little doubt she was starting to go through the transformation into a young woman.

He was struggling with that. She had grown so much this year and he hadn't been there to see it.

Having her so far away for ten months out of the year now was not sitting well with him.

He sighed.

Edmund was also growing and losing some of his young boy look. Ed was lankier and taller than he had been in September.

The boy had been around his daughter since about the time she was old enough to run and talk. They had been thick as thieves for ten years now. Ed had always been very nice to his daughter. Always very protective.

He snorted.

"You good there, Dan," Bill asked.

They hadn't said much since coming out here. Bill was leaning against the side of the house while Anders had sat in a wooden lawn chair.

"You remember that time Ed broke Jane's vase," he asked.

Bill shook his head. "I remember Jane wouldn't let him over for three days. Her mother gave it to her, correct."

"It was a wedding present." He took a swig of his beer. "Ed didn't break it."

Bill looked at him. "Angela went crazy to find a replacement."

Dan let out a long breath. "Hermione confessed to me it happened when she was trying to make a fort in the sitting room for when Edmund came over. I never told Jane. Ed took the blame because she was so upset."

His mate didn't look pleased. "Why would you let my son take the blame? They were seven."

Dan closed his eyes again.

"Hermione has always looked at Ed as though he was her hero. She would ask for him, instead of Jane or I, when she was scared or something went wrong. I won't say she never came to me. I was always the one she would ask for in the middle of the night, or would be the one she suddenly appeared to at the side of the bed at three in the morning, but even then, she would ask for Ed half the time," Dan told them.

"Ed has always been there for her, Bill. I saw that day he got in the fight with those fifth graders last year. He didn't hesitate. The second one of them pushed her, his fist hit the boy's face before anyone else knew what was happening. I think Ed was only saved from getting beat because I rushed to them."

Bill stood there, looking at him.

Dan took another drink. "Bill, I can't lose my little girl. It would destroy Jane."

"Are you sure it wouldn't destroy you," Bill asked.

Dan looked at his mate. "Bill, you don't understand. We have never told anyone before. Jane had two miscarriages before Hermione and another a year after. She always wanted more children. That girl is a miracle that is our life, and she is already drifting away. Did you see how she pulled away from me today? She is only twelve."

Bill didn't say a word, taking a drink instead.

"Dan, that is something all parents deal with. For those who have children with magical talents, it starts earlier. Their bodies and minds tend to develop earlier. It is encouraged for this to happen, so that they can learn what they need to control the gift given us. From the ages of about ten to eighteen, their cores stabilize and the amount of magic that their bodies channel grows a hundred-fold or more. They have to grow up fast to learn how to control that," Anders said.

He looked at the man, blinking. "What are you saying?"

Anders looked at them. "I am saying your daughter appears to be at the same stage as my eldest. Daphne has always been strong willed. I see she has grown much since going to Hogwarts, both physically and in her manners. They are still children, but the wizarding world expects them to be mature enough to stop their education at fifteen, if they choose. By then, they are powerful and should know enough to be contributing members to our society. That was why the Ministry created the first competence exam to be taken in the fifteenth or sixteenth year of a wizards or witches life."

"I have cousins that are squibs. My family always made sure I knew them and was actually sent to a muggle school for a year with them when I was very young. We did the same with Daphne when she was around six, but after the first week, it was apparent she was much more mature than her classmates and quickly withdrew her. My guess is that your children experienced much the same," he said.

"Ed and Hermione were reading regular books by seven and devouring any magical book Minerva would take them at ten. I don't think I have read half the books they have and I am two decades older," Bill said.

Dan looked at Anders. So many things about his daughter, and her best friend, started to make more sense. "Jane and I were always worried she was gifted or even autistic. She never got along well with anyone but Edmund, usually talking far above adults five times her age and acting like she was already ten years older than she was."

"That is not uncommon for exceptionally gifted or powerful magical children. Until she went to Hogwarts, Daphne had only two other people that I think she considered friends. Since meeting your daughter and her betrothed, Daphne has been happier now that she found people that challenge her. Hermione, Edmund and Harry all challenge her. They have all played well with her naturally competitive side, but more importantly, she finally found people that understand her and understand what it is like to adjust to power like that. Ed and Hermione were lucky to find that at such a young age."

His face turned into a scowl. "My daughter is too young to be engaged."

"Dan, they are more than just engaged. You know this," Bill told him.

He looked up at Bill. "How can you just accept this? Or is it because it's your son that owns her now, not the other way around? Because of your son she has scars from beatings that never happened to her. Jane and I never once raised a hand to her. She has been to a hospital numerous times we couldn't go to because we don't possess magic. Minerva said when they were tortured, they felt each other's pain. She wouldn't have even been there if not for your wife's dead cousin's son."

Bill's features hardened. "Dan, I will let that go this one time. We have been friends for years, but Edmund is my son. He is not adopted. He is not someone that just got dropped off here because his parents died. Edmund is my son. Harry is my son. Hermione has been here enough to be our daughter too, just like Edmund has been to you. What has happened to them is because they possess magic and my son was beaten. Do you understand, Dan? Harry was beaten. Edmund somehow was able to help him survive until we got him. Hermione used her magic to help Edmund at a time that neither of them really knew what they were doing. So don't blame my children or yours. They possess something that I will never understand, but they care for each other. What happened to them was because others were involved."

His rage peeked and he threw his beer bottle across the yard. "Did you see how frightened she still looked when she came through that freaky fire. That isn't some gift they have. It's a curse that keeps trying to take her away from us. We should have had her bound."

"You are right, Dan," Anders said standing up, not looking as conciliatory. He actually looked to be maintaining his temper with an effort. "It can be a curse at times, but it is what we are. I am a wizard, Mr. Granger. I possess the same type of power that your daughter and all those children in there do. It is a gift I would not deny any of them, and you would be a fool to do so as well. What they experienced is not something I wish on anyone, but it can and does happen. All I saw when your daughter came through that fire was a child on the verge of turning into a young woman in the next few years that wanted her family and friends. I saw the same on all those children's faces. So, if you excuse me, I am going to check on my daughter and her friends."

He glared at the man, who looked back just as hard. After a moment, the wizard turned and walked into the house. Dan let out an angry breath. "Bloody stupid wizards. Hermione is going to be bound once I can contact someone."

Bill walked over and Dan looked up at him. There wasn't a warning before Bill punched him. It was hard enough for Dan to stumbled over on the table and then fall to the ground. "What the bloody hell was that for, you arse," he said angrily wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and looking up at Bill.

In all the years of knowing the man, he had never seen Bill look so upset. "Dan, this is the only time I will say this. I do not agree with what has happened between Edmund and Hermione, but there is nothing we can do except support them. If you don't get your head out of your arse, you will lose your daughter. You know as well as I that even if they did not have this bond, or whatever it is between them, those two would follow each other to the ends of the earth."

"Anders is right. They are witches and wizards. Do you know what would happen if she rejected the binding on her?"

"Minerva said she would just lose her magic. That is probably better than this."

Bill's look hardened even more. "If you were to try this, Ed would need to be bound too. If they lose their magic, Dan, we lose them. Both of them. It is not just one or the other. It will be both of them. It was made very clear if they lose their magic, they will be taken away from us, and almost all of those poor souls that lose their magic die within a year or two. Do you want to condemn Hermione to that fate? She will die, Dan. And do you want to know the worse parts?"

Dan looked at him, his anger melting and his eyes growing wide. Bill had never lied to him and the way the man was talking he knew it had to be the truth.

"Any memory or trace of her will be removed from you and Jane. You will not know you have a daughter. You will go on living as you are without knowing something so important isn't there. And while you live your life, oblivious to her, she will sit in some mental ward. Alone. Edmund would most likely be put in a different place. They will both die alone, Dan. I love your daughter, and I love my son as much as any other person in that house and would give my own life before I condemn them that way."

"Now if you excuse me, I am going to see my children."

Bill shook his hand and put his beer on the table as he walked away.

Dan was left there, on the ground with a split lip and just staring towards the back wall of the yard. Would he really lose any memories of his brilliant, beautiful daughter and a boy he had looked at as a son until Easter?

-oOo-

Harry sat with his back against the wall. He was finding it hard to sleep and had sat up after the last time Angela had checked on them.

His cousin David was sleeping next to him on the air mattress, while Neville was across from him.

Ed had settled on the floor next to his bed. Hermione was laying on the very edge of his bed, her hand over the side and in Ed's. Amelia was curled up with Ed. Daphne was sleeping in his bed for the night.

Her father had not looked that pleased to have them all in one room, but he had agreed before leaving her here for the night.

The digital clock between their beds read close to one.

He knew he had to get some sleep, but he was too afraid to close his eyes. Every time he did, all he could hear was Ed and Hermione screaming while Quirrell fell to dust at his touch.

He had killed the man.

Quirrell was threatening to cut up Hermione, kill him and keep torturing Edmund.

Harry hadn't known that just touching him would do that. He hadn't hesitated to keep touching the man, even after he saw the effects the first time.

The screams of his brother and the girl next to him still echoed in his head.

He had done the right thing.

Hadn't he?

As the thoughts swirled through his head, he wanted to move. Moving always seemed to settle him.

He moved as stealthily as he could, which years of sneaking around the Dursley's had taught him how to hone those skills if he didn't want a beating. David didn't stir and everyone was still sleeping as he closed the door behind him.

Going down the stairs, he noticed a light on under his cousin's door. "...thinks they should go back." He heard Angela.

"Ang, they almost died. I don't know if they should go back."

"Then where do you want to send them? I won't have their magic bound."

"I am never saying to do that. What about the United States? We could move. I could find another job in IT easily. Or Canada? They can still attend Illvamoony." Bill sounded serious.

"Illvamorny," Angela corrected him. "Do you really want to uproot everyone? I don't know if Jane and Dan will agree, and you know we can't separate Ed and Hermione that way. You saw the way Ed was those few days they weren't talking or when she went to Daphne's over Easter."

Bill gruffed. "I don't know what to do then."

"Minerva is supposed to come over Friday for dinner. I invited the others to come back too. Tomorrow I will go to the market and you can use your new grill. She wants to go over all the new precautions they are putting in."

Bill sighed. "Fine. But if things don't get better, we will look at moving. I won't have David and Amelia in danger like that. The twins and Hermione should never have gone through that."

He heard the mattress springs as they shifted. "I won't have any of our children hurt like that again. If Healer Tonks doesn't show by midmorning, I am going to change Harry's bandages and use that ointment Minerva gave us." He thought he heard a kiss. "She said his burns were pretty bad. I don't want them getting infected." Cousin Angela sounded genuinely concerned for him.

"Should we be concerned with Ed and Hermione? Anders said the matron found them in a bed the last two nights."

Angela sighed. "Minerva said it was innocent. I will still believe that at their age. She also said it was part of their bond. When I checked a little while ago, Ed was on the floor with Amelia next to Hermione."

Bill yawned. "I wish we could do something for them."

He heard another kiss through the partially opened door. "I do too. We should get to bed. I have an army to feed in the morning."

Bill chuckled and the light went out. "You like having all these kids around. I know you think the house is a little empty with only Amelia and David."

"I miss them. Over Easter, it was so nice to finally have them together. If I had known..."

"I know, Ang. I would have gone and gotten him myself."

Harry felt a warmth in his heart he hadn't really known before. Petunia and Vernon never talked like that. These people actually cared for him. He realized they really meant what they were saying. His heart thudded in his chest to remember some of the conversation he had overheard with Petunia and Vernon. Vernon had actually asked one night if he was worth anything if he disappeared. It was one of the few times Petunia had gotten upset with the man. Soon after, he had felt Vernon's belt for the first time.

His back tingled as he remembered that. Vernon had gotten angrier and angrier when his belt didn't leave a mark on his back. It was only a knock on the door from a neighbor that had stopped it. He now knew why he didn't have a mark from that. His younger brother and his betrothed bore all those scars.

As he thought of that, he started to cry. He sniffed and wiped his nose. Thinking he heard something from inside his cousins' room, he beat a hasty retreat towards the stairs. He wanted to go down.

"Harry," Daphne said behind him.

He jumped back, twirling on her. His heart was thudding in his chest. He found himself putting his hand to his pocket and panicking a little that his wand wasn't there. He hadn't heard her coming down the stairs.

She stopped where she was, looking at him blearily.

A light turned on in his Cousins' room and the door opened. "Harry? Daphne? What are you doing up," Angela asked.

Daphne looked at him. Her eyes looked pinched. "I woke up and didn't see Harry in the room," Daphne told them.

"Harry, are you alright," she asked. He turned to look at her. Bill walked up behind her.

He wasn't sure if he had done something really wrong or not. He hadn't meant to overhear them. He had just wanted to move.

Daphne took a step closer. "Harry, it's alright."

At her words, he let out a ragged breath. He had called this place home earlier today. Until now, he hadn't really known what that meant. After hearing them being concerned, this was home. Angela moved towards him. "Harry, it's alright. Your safe here," she said as though reading his thoughts.

His eyes began to water again. "I couldn't stop them screaming," he said through tears.

Daphne reached him just a second before Angela. He dropped to the floor and it was only Daphne that stopped him from hitting the floor hard. Angela quickly wrapped them both in a hug. He put his head onto his cousin's shoulder and started to cry. "I didn't know I would kill him. He was hurting them," he gasped out. Daphne started to cry with him.

Angela hugged them both. "You didn't do anything wrong, Harry."

"It hurt so much," he told them. He couldn't stop crying.