Chapter Text
Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age, was angry. But more than angry, she was terrified. Harry had been missing for two days.
The only reason anyone had noticed was that, when the Gryffindor quidditch team had gathered to practice, they had missed their captain. Not Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, they were missing their captain. They couldn’t even recall what their captain looked like.
When Hermione had asked Ron where Harry was, he got a weird look on his face and mumbled that he was probably around somewhere and then changed the topic.
Bringing up the Boy-Who-Lived got recognition, but when Hermione stated that he had been here at Hogwarts for the last five and a half years, she received disbelieving scoffs at the thought.
The professors had sent Hermione to Madame Pomfrey after her continuous and repeated questions.
Harry was missing, from everyone except her. Except he was missing from Hermione because he was not here now and she hadn’t seen him since Defense Against the Dark Arts two days ago.
Hermione Granger was terrified.
After being released from the clutches of Madame Pomfrey with a clean bill of health and a calming draught, Hermione scoured the castle for the fifth time. She hesitated by the portrait leading to the kitchen. She had only peaked her head in the first time through the castle, due to the house elves’ cold reception. She would worry about S.P.E.W. once she found her best friend.
Before she could hesitate any longer, Hermione tickled the pear and pulled the door open. She had yet to ask the elves if they knew about Harry and where he was, but their attitude toward her wouldn’t stop her now.
Heading to the nearest elf she asked quietly, “Could I speak with Dobby, please?”
The elf’s cold stare became serious. “Dobby is being tasked with most sensitive work and secrets. Why does Miss Grangy wants to see Dobby?”
“I’m looking for my friend and I know Dobby is very good at finding and protecting this particular friend.” Hermione replied, almost pleading.
“Kippy being taking Miss’s words to Dobby. Dobby decides.” The, now named, Kippy disappeared with a snap.
Kippy reappears with a wary Dobby. Dobby is wearing what seems to be elf sized robes.
“Miss Grangy wants to find her friend.” Dobby states.
Hermione leans forward and whispers, “Harry has been missing for several days now. Please, Dobby! Tell me you remember Harry!”
Dobby’s large eyes stare at Hermione for a few moments before quietly, “Dobby knows the Great Harry Potter sir.”
Hermione’s eyes widen as hope burns strongly within her. “Do you know where he is, Dobby? Can you find him?”
“Dobby knows. Dobby can take Miss Grangy to the Great Harry Potter sir.” Dobby holds out his tiny hand and Hermione grabs it.
House-elf apparition is quicker than the wizarding version and Hermione barely has moment to recognize the squished feeling before it is gone.
Hermione looks up to a hideous, but familiar, tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. She turns to face the opposite wall, finding it blank.
“Is he in the Room, Dobby?”
“Yes, Miss Grangy. Ask for the Great Harry Potter sir’s safe place.” Dobby replied and then disappeared with a snap.
Hermione quickly walks past the tapestry three times wishing for Harry’s safe place. A door appears on the wall and she enters without a second thought.
Hermione enters a bedroom with a twin bed, a desk, a window, a wardrobe, and a door. It’s clean and has no decoration. A glance out the window shows that the room is on the first floor.
She exits the room, looking into the other rooms as she passes them (only another bedroom and a bathroom), she then heads down the stairs. She hears some quiet noises coming from the kitchen around the corner.
Hermione walks into the kitchen, hoping to find Harry, only to see a vaguely familiar woman. This is Lily Potter. The same Lily from Harry’s photo album. But how is that possible? Magic cannot bring back the dead. This must be some sort of simulacrum or illusion.
The (illusion?) Lily turns to Hermione with a smile. “Hello, Hermione. It’s good to finally meet you.”
Hermione regards Lily with wariness and then asks, “Where’s Harry? I know he’s here.”
Lily just smiled and gestured for Hermione to sit at the table while taking a seat herself. “Harry’s taking a nap just now. I’m sure he’ll be up soon. Now, I’m sure you have some questions. Ask away.”
“How are you here? Are you really Lily Potter?”
“No, I’m not Lily Potter. There’s no magic that can bring back the dead.” Lily smiles sadly. “I’m the magic that Lily Potter left with Harry the night she died. Hogwarts gave me a bit of a boost, so I can form in this room.”
“That’s some amazing magic! I didn’t realize Hogwarts was so sentient.”
“Yes, it really is quite a marvel. The magics involved in both the creation of Hogwarts and Lily’s protection on Harry, both of which are unique, brought together by circumstance, this situation is truly exceptional.”
The women sit in silence for a moment, contemplating the wonder that is magic, when Lily suddenly asks, “Where are my manners, would you like some tea?”
“That would be lovely, Mrs. Potter.”
After tea is poured, Hermione asks, “Will Harry be up soon? There’s been some strange things happening in the castle while he’s been here. We should probably head back.”
Lily sits up with worry, “What’s been going on at the castle?”
“It’s quite worrying, the students and staff have forgotten Harry. They recognize the Boy-Who-Lived moniker, but when I mention that he’s been at Hogwarts for the past five and a half years, they laugh at my ‘joke’ and then forget I ever mentioned it. They don’t recognize the name Harry Potter at all. I was starting to worry that I had hallucinated him before I finally found Dobby and had him bring me here.”
Lily looked at Hermione with compassion, “Oh, that must have been so horrid, being the only one who remembered Harry. Would you like a moment to rest, or a book? A hug?”
Hermione slumped with the weight of the past several days. It really had been horrid. “Maybe a little quiet time until Harry gets up won’t go amiss.” She answered.
Lily led Hermione to the loveseat in the living room. “Here, take a breather and maybe a nap yourself.” She smiled again.
Hermione yawned and leaned into the couch. It was very comfortable, and it had been a long few days. It was idyllic here, no sounds of traffic in the distance, no roommates quiet (and sometimes loud) snores, and no more worry Harry’s safety and her own mental health. She fell asleep between one breath and the next.