An Exciting Visit
Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, was intentionally limiting using any large amounts of divine power during this particular circumstance. He could, if he expended the effort, use his abilities to ferret out the best possible circumstances to achieve his goals but that would mean also ferreting out the worst, thus ensuring that such worlds would come into being.
Being a god wasn't actually that easy.
And so Harry worked within his current knowledge base. He wanted to find an affluent Muggle circumstance involving people who likely had a certain gravitas.
He latched onto the question: What Muggleborns did he know from Hogwarts? He decided his best option was, of course, the Grangers.
Harry hesitated to involve them. If he did this, he could be creating a very different circumstance for future Magical Britain. Hermione Granger, in many worlds, had a major effect. She became the first Muggleborn Minister for Magic or a prolific researcher or enchanter. In most cases she helped to bring modern Muggle devices into the Magical World.
But he also knew that in quite a number of worlds which fell, as this one was destined for if he did nothing, Hermione Granger never survived first year. Also, in some of the worse worlds, Hermione Granger was or became corrupted and could be classed as an enemy. He noted that in many of those cases, Magical Britain took far longer to bring itself into the future – or they never made it.
If he was honest about it, beyond offing Voldemort the biggest influence for the future of most worlds involved Hermione Granger in one fashion or another. He could even say that she was more vital in the long run.
And so, he decided, he would scope it out and then act toward what he saw was the best option.
Harry made his way to a library, the closest institution that would have access to all current phone books.
He looked through a few. The biggest problem he could find was that Granger was not as uncommon a name as he would have hoped and many phonebooks used abbreviations. Also, it was an oddity that he had previously found that helped stymie him: The name of Hermione's parents was different world to world.
He knew that in many worlds Hermione could be found in Crawley when she went to school. In other worlds, she lived in Hampstead. The difficulty was that he could not find them within these phone books.
Finally, he gave up on using that route. Thinking like a wizard and not a non-Magical, he finally considered using a spell: The point-me spell, Hermione's variation. Hermione had originally found a compass spell and, being a prodigy she had created the variation that allowed someone to point toward a particular person or thing. And although this spell had somehow then later found itself in many worlds, its original creator was Hermione herself. As a general rule, he didn't broadcast this spell because if one had an ounce of logic someone could find literally anything or anyone.
He purchased a map of England and, after ensuring he knew exactly where he was and in what direction he was looking, he cast the spell. Carefully marking the map, he then moved to a second location and cast the spell once more. Marking it, he found that it had located Hermione's likely location.
He apparated to the area and started investigating. He found that the name of the town was Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire.
It was a cozy area, tucked away and not in the general traffic of suburban London. After ensuring that he was unnoticeable he then proceeded to use his magic to find the young girl. It took a few minutes but he finally found where she was: A library. He chuckled to himself. He knew that Hermione, even this young, loved books. He was not shocked at all to find that the young girl was there.
Instead of waiting inside, he found a nearby bench and waited for the girl to emerge. He would have to be careful though: Even notice-me-not spells were not perfect and he did not want anyone to suspect him of following little girls around.
His plan was to find out where she lived and then to wait until he was certain both her parents would be present to ask for assistance. In the meantime, he enjoyed the atmosphere of the area. It was quite pleasant for a London suburb.
Finally, he observed the young girl coming out of the library. He was, however, surprised. He had expected the girl to either be with an adult of some type, a parent of governess, or quite alone.
Instead, he saw a young girl clutching a book in one arm while clutching a slightly older boy's hand with her own. Hermione looked to be chattering away toward this older boy who, though young, seemed to be accepting of her enthusiasm. For a boy who looked to be about eight years old, he looked remarkably happy to listen to the girl tell him about whatever she was explaining. What he saw did not match up to his previous experiences.
Suddenly, there was a loud screech. He quickly looked and saw a car that had taken a curve too fast and experience a blowout. His eyes widened as he realized that it would intersect with the two children quite quickly.
He disapparated and appeared behind the two who had stopped and looked to see where the sound came from. However, the boy had already reached out and pushed the girl away. He observed that the girl went much farther than a pure physical response would have created. Moving quickly, he reached forward, picked the boy up and jumped out of the way.
The car hit the kerb, jumped up, and rushed through exactly where the two children had been standing. Hermione got up and screamed, "HUGH!"
Harry set the boy down and he immediately rushed over. "Hermione!" Once he arrived he immediately reached down to help her up.
"Are you okay?" the two children asked simultaneously.
Suddenly, there were cracking sounds and two wizards appeared next to the library but not in full view of the street. They were actually in Muggle clothes – though out of fashion. Harry rolled his eyes. He motioned himself and briefly showed and then stowed his wand. He stepped away from the children.
The two came over. "What happened?"
"Car took a corner too fast and had an accident. Young wizard over there – a relative of mine – pushed his sister out of the way using accidental magic. I had to apparate to get to him and pull him out of the way. The only witness is the driver of the car. Luckily you appeared out of the view of the shopkeepers. I'll take care of my cousins and you can deal with the driver. He likely only saw my appearing suddenly as I had been waiting over there." He pointed to the bench. "I would suggest implanting the idea that I was behind the two children and after the boy pushed the girl I picked up the boy. Hurry up because I'm certain someone has already called for the constables. I'll stay and give a Muggle-friendly report."
The two wizards looked at each other and nodded. They quickly moved to obliviate the driver and then with a quick wave they disappeared round a corner. He heard their disapparation. He moved back to the two children. "You two alright?"
Hermione was wide-eyed. "Where did those men go? Where did they come from?" She looked at the man who had saved her brother. "Where did you come from?"
He smiled at the two children. "That's something that I will have to explain to your parents later." He looked at the boy. "By the way: Quick thinking; very well done. You saved your sister."
With that, Hermione threw her hands around the boy and he was amused to see that the Hermi-hug was something that she already knew how to give. The boy looked at him while being squeezed as though by an anaconda. "Thank you, sir."
"You are quite welcome. I would suggest that you two wait over on the bench for the constables to show. They will need to hear your story. It would be best not to mention the two who showed up after and then disappeared. They weren't here for the accident anyway. And all you know about me is that I was behind you and helped get you away."
The boy considered that, as did Hermione. Both nodded – there were no lies there. They moved to sit on the bench that Harry directed them to after Hermione picked up the book she had been carrying. Harry noted that it seemed to be damaged – it had likely born the brunt of her falling after having been pushed. Shocking to him was that she almost ignored the fact that it had been damaged.
After the two children went to sit down, Harry looked up and said, "Mysterious ways, Boss? Yeah, right."
Very soon, the constables showed up. He gave them the story that he happened to be nearby and had been about to move before the boy pushed his sister out of the way, thus leaving only the boy needing to be saved. Harry quite readily agreed to wait around until someone could come for the children so he could speak to them. Hermione was checked out by an ambulance – she had skinned her arm. Hugh himself had no injuries.
The driver had also been checked and then the constables had cited him for driving too quickly. The blowout was deemed to be without fault but if the car had been driving slower the incident would not have occurred.
Harry saw the mother of the two children arrive in fairly short order being brought by another constable. He assumed it was the mother because of how excited the two were to see her and how both worried and relieved she appeared to be.
After she had spent a few moments checking the two children out thoroughly and listened to whatever they had told her, she then spoke briefly with the constable and the ambulance, which had only been waiting for her to arrive and to authorize them to leave without Hermione. The constable was waiting around until the car could be taken away.
She then looked around and saw him. She said something to her children and they both nodded and pointed at him. He waved in a friendly manner and stayed where he was. One did not encroach upon a mother whose protective instincts were raised. He was perfectly willing to wait for her to come to him.
After ensuring the constable that had brought her would watch the children, she walked over. "I hear that I have you to thank for my children's safety."
Harry smiled and chuckled in a self-deprecating way. "Actually, no. You have me to thank for your son's safety after your son ensured your daughter's safety. I can only rightly claim to have saved the one."
The mother smiled at that and looked back at her children. "Still, I would like to thank you. My husband and I would have been devastated if he had been lost to us. And it would have destroyed my daughter – he is her best friend."
"You and your family are quite welcome. I guess it is a lucky thing that I happened to be in the area. By the way, my name is Harry Evans." He reached out his hand to shake hers.
She ignored his outstretched hands and delivered her own version of the Hermi-hug and then let go. "I owe you too much to be so formal. My name is Anthea Granger. Obviously, I am their mother. My husband is Humbert."
"Humbert?" Harry asked. "That is not a name you hear much anymore."
She laughed briefly, though she was still coming down from her fright. "His family is very traditional in some things."
"Still, a good name."
She smiled and said, "He will appreciate hearing someone say that. He was teased mercilessly as a child, which is why our son is Hugh rather than Humbert Junior. Hugh was my husband's nickname as a child." She paused. "You just happened to be in the area?"
Harry said, "Actually, that is not quite right. If you want the truth, I came here looking for your family – for reasons that are best privately explained. I had been taking a break on a bench when I saw the accident happening. I moved as quickly as I could. Thank the good Lord that your son had the instinct to act – I probably could not have saved both."
Anthea Granger looked for a long moment at Harry. "You just happen to be looking for my family and just happen to show up to save them."
Harry nodded. "Pure chance or Providence."
"Well, then I am certain that I and my husband shall be glad to hear what you have to say." He nodded a respectful acknowledgment.
Soon, the Grangers were being dropped back at their home by the constable that had brought Mrs. Granger. Along with the Grangers, Harry was brought along as well.
Being that it was an hour until the time that Mr. Granger got home (his office had been contacted but he was in the middle of surgery), Harry was perfectly willing to wait. Seeing that their mother had brought him along, the two children assumed that this was a parent-approved stranger and so started to ask questions.
Anthea Granger nipped that one right away. "Children. Now is not the time. First you should both go clean up. Hermione, I will help you to ensure the bandage is not made useless. We'll have to keep that bandaged until it heals." She turned to Harry. "You don't mind waiting in the sitting room?"
"Not at all. I could wait outside if you like," he said with some humour. "As it is, you don't know me much."
She smiled and said, "I know enough to let you stay indoors at least. Besides, it's not as though the constable doesn't know that you were brought here."
"True," Harry answered cheerfully.
The Grangers were busy for twenty minutes. Harry waited patiently in the sitting room, sipping the tea that had been served to him. When the Grangers returned, Harry allowed himself to be besieged by questions, telling Mrs. Granger that it was fine.
Although he would explain nothing of the sudden appearance of the two wizards or their disappearance, Hermione was quite willing to ask about anything and everything. Harry mused that her curiosity was quite indulged as a child. Hugh would comment or question on some of the things that Hermione spoke of, but mostly just listened.
Anthea Granger, in the meantime, flitted between ensuring that the dinner she was cooking was progressing properly and keeping an eye on her children and their visitor. She was amazed at his patience in dealing with her almost five year old daughter. Usually it took both her and her husband to keep up when she was like this, which was thankfully less often than it could be as she usually pestered her older brother who seemed to little mind being pestered.
Suddenly, the front door opened quickly and a man still dressed in scrubs rushed in. Hermione and Hugh cried out in unison. "Daddy!" "Dad!"
The man who was obviously Humbert Granger quickly rushed to the couch where the two children were and gathered them in his arms.
It took a moment but eventually Mr. Granger leaned back and then looked at his children while still holding them. He turned to his wife and said, "What happened?"
She gently explained the exact circumstances. She motioned toward Harry when his name was mentioned – he waved. It wasn't truly a long explanation.
When it was done, Mr. Granger stood up and walked over to Harry and shook his hand. "I want to thank you for what you did. My son is alive because you acted."
"You are quite welcome. You should definitely reward Hugh – he pushed Hermione out of the way."
The man looked back at his children and Hugh looked away while Hermione was nodding enthusiastically. "I'm sure we can find something that he'd like."
Anthea Granger interrupted. "I've invited Mr. Evans to eat dinner with us and then he has something he wishes to discuss with us."
Humbert nodded.
Dinner was pleasant. The children had good manners. The conversation was fairly bland, mostly revolving around what the children had to say. There was a special treat for the children for afters: Ice cream. They didn't often get it but the parents felt they deserved something extra.
When dinner was done and properly cleaned up (Harry insisted they do nothing special for him) they all moved to the sitting room.
Anthea started them off. "Okay. You told me you were specifically looking for our family. Why is that?"
Harry paused and then said, "First of all, there is something that you should be aware of. Are you aware that your children are Magical?"
The two were taken aback. The children were also a bit confused. "What do you mean?" Humbert asked.
Harry turned to Hermione and asked, "Do you have that library book that you were carrying?"
Hermione jumped up and raced upstairs. She brought back down the book. Harry looked at it – it was a book of history. This amused him. "Now, this book kept Hermione from getting hurt worse but it is obvious the worse for wear. Watch." He pulled his wand and cast a spell wordlessly. The book, before their eyes, repaired itself and became almost like new.
Hermione's eyes were wide as she said, "I want to learn to do that!"
Harry chuckled. "You will – when you are older." He looked at the parents. "About one in every 1000 to one in every 5000 people born are magical. There is a whole society which has been long separated from the non-Magical world. All of those things, or at least, most of those things that are considered fantastical actually existed or exist. Due to the unpleasantness of the witch burnings and the persecution from the Church and others, a law was passed several hundred years ago separating the worlds. There is also a law called the Statute of Secrecy. Most people who are non-magical never know about this world. And if accidents occur which might cause things to be seen, there are even magicals charged with cleaning it up called the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Their job is to remove, as necessary, eyewitness accounts by the use of memory charms and excuses that would be acceptable to the Muggles – their word for the non-magicals. There is even a Muggleworthy Excuse Committee which comes up with excuses that will explain things that people might see."
Anthea asked, "And where does this magic come from?"
Harry shrugged. "It's likely that one or both of you have Magicals in your ancestry. I know that there was a famous wizard named Hector Dagworth-Granger who set up the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. Think Magical chemistry. You may or may not be related in some way. But, it also explains why Hermione was pushed so far – children under stress who have magic will often have what is called Accidental Magic – a hysterical response to circumstances. Sometimes, it's just a matter of unconscious intent."
Harry chuckled. "There is a reason why I kept from speaking the spell I used out loud. Your children, besides being Magical, are remarkably intelligent. I am certain that Hermione would start to try experimenting as soon as she could. Until someone reaches eleven, their magical cores are deemed too unstable to start teaching spells. At that point, children are invited to attend a Magical boarding school and allowed to buy wands. In fact, the Magical world would normally not contact you until your oldest Magical child reaches eleven."
He looked at the two children. "Be warned that if you tell anyone who isn't Magical about magic, that there will be severe consequences for both you and your parents. This is like the Official Secrets that the government has – but even more secret. Do you understand?"
The two looked to their parents, who nodded in agreement, before promising not to tell anyone.
Humbert asked, "Then why are you telling us now?"
"Because I need help. And I need someone who is a professional who is stable. For various reasons, you were my best choice. The life of a woman and a child are at stake."
Humbert and Anthea looked at each other and then chivvied the children upstairs. They had decided that this was not something they needed to hear – or they would explain what was necessary later.
Finally they came back. "Please explain," was all Anthea said.
"You can understand that a society that is insular is very conservative – they don't change very fast and ideas considered old-fashioned are considered normal there." Both nodded. "Within the Magical world, considering that the International Statute of Secrecy was passed in the 17th century, a number of very old ideas are still extant. One that has been a favorite of the most conservative is the idea of purity of blood – they don't like the idea of anyone who has recent non-magical blood coming in and upsetting the cart. About fifty years ago, a young wizard who was a psychopath hit upon claiming power based on appealing to this nasty trend. Ironic, considering that his father was as non-magical as you can get and his mother's magic was extremely weak due to inbreeding. All of the worst aspects that the Nobles have been using for centuries are still there. Cousins marry cousins. Anyone who isn't 'of the blood' is immediately looked down upon. And, with magic, if a child is born without magic he is either killed or sent to the Muggle world. These children are called squibs and, as I said, it is likely that one or several of your own ancestors fit within this profile.
"Now, this psychopath was very willing to use the worst aspects of magic, magic that according to law and custom are considered too Dark for use. Magic can be constructive but there is much that is purely destructive. And the worst users of magic can be just as evil as the worst people in history. Even Hitler, for example, had an ally within the Magical world who felt as he did and helped keep him in power. The man who defeated that Dark wizard by the name of Grindelwald was one of the most powerful wizards in the world. His name is Albus Dumbledore.
"Now, having received many accolades and much political power, this man – a schoolteacher by trade – was placed within a number of positions of power. He became the Headmaster of Britain's premier center of learning. He was also appointed the equivalent of Chief Judge. And since then has been appointed Britain's representative to the Magical equivalent of the old League of Nations. He was named its Head. And, unlike in the Muggle world – there are no term limits. When this psychopath, by the name of Tom Riddle – a former student of Dumbledore's – organized his band of followers into what is effectively a terrorist organization, everyone looked to him to defeat Riddle.
"However, a prophecy was given which named the one with the power to defeat Riddle to a child that would be born about four years ago. The exact prophecy gave a description but no names. Now, in the late 60s there were a pair of sisters who lived in Cokeworth. The older was non-magical, but the younger was magical. She was invited to Hogwarts, the magical school I referred to. While there, she was courted by a member of one of these old magical families who didn't buy the conservative agenda, though he enjoyed the status of privilege being of one of those old families gave him.
"They eventually married and had twin sons. Either one of them could have been the one referred to in the prophecy. This lunatic had a young man who became involved with the Dark elements and, through pressure from his fellow Magicals, he became a follower though he had grown up near these sisters.
"He overheard part of the prophecy when given and told the leader. The leader, wanting to ensure that the threat was neutralized, worked out that it was one of these twins and went to attack them and kill them before they could grow and prove a threat. A spell considered unbeatable, however, failed against one of these twins. And he was temporarily defeated and rendered bodiless.
"Remember – that is temporary. In a few years, probably about ten or so, he will return.
"Now this great leader, Dumbledore, who had been given the prophecy, examined the boys and determined that one of them was the Chosen One. He also told the parents that the other was a squib – a non-magical child.
"Wanting to concentrate on raising the child that they think will eventually grow and defeat the Dark wizard – a child already starting to be revered as the second coming – they gave the non-magical twin to the woman's non-magical sister to raise. And there is where the problem is."
The two dentists had listened patiently and understood everything they were told. "While all very interesting, what does that have to do with your needing assistance?"
Harry sighed. "When these sisters were very young they were very close. When the family was told that the younger sister was magical, much was made of her. The older sister, less pretty and without the extreme intelligence that the younger sister had, wrote a letter begging to go to school with her. Dumbledore's reply was that of a man writing to someone with adult perception – and had little tact. She was heartbroken and became resentful. When she was old enough, she turned to the first boy who paid attention to her and went off and married him. Unfortunately, this man is the worst sort.
"While he has a steady job and can provide for a family, he is also opinionated and very conservative. He feels he has the right to control his wife and punish her when she doesn't conform to his demands. He considers anyone different, such as magicals, freaks. His wife, at first, reveled in being with a man who fed into her resentments. But now she is suffering. And with a child of magicals being given to his wife, he feels it is his right to ensure that the small boy knows that he is far less than his own son. His child is indulged in every way possible. He is being raised to be a bully. The nephew is treated as unwanted garbage. And the wife, who does not come from privilege, feels she has no options. He controls the money. He controls her life. She is estranged from her sister – who lives in a separate world. She is slowly being beaten into following his beliefs exactly.
"The problem is exacerbated by the fact that this powerful Wizard who said the child was a squib was wrong – or lied. The child is magical. And powerful. And likely the one who actually, even as a 15-month old babe, reflected a previously considered unbeatable death spell. When he starts exhibiting magic, it will become worse. If taken to extremes, a child who was born to be the hope of a world will be brought up a monster. I need to get the wife, her son, and her nephew away. And I need to do it in such a way that the brute of a husband cannot find them and cannot use his connections with the local constables, who happen to be his pub mates, to find them and force her back."
The couple considered that. "Why not tell the parents and get him out of there?"
Harry sighed again. "Because they, like most Magicals, consider this old man infallible. And the old man is far too powerfully magically and politically to bring him down. As far as Magical society goes, the concerns of Muggles are not their concern. The magical couple is enamoured, also, with the fame their son's apparent act caused. He is considered a celebrity. And there is no proof that the old man is wrong. It could be either twin – though I suspect that Dumbledore is using these circumstances to ensure the child is beaten down. When the child receives his invitation at eleven, he will claim it was an honest mistake. And then use the parents' abandonment of the child to keep them under his thumb. The boy will be too resentful to reconcile. And the holder of all the strings will use this to enhance his own image. Something needs to be done.
"I need to immediately get the woman and children out. Luckily, the husband has been misusing the funds that the parents actually set aside for his care and has committed fraud that Inland Revenue will surely find quite interesting.
"I have resources – money, etc – that I can set up to ensure the woman and children's safety and comfort. But I do not have a place to bring them immediately that is out of the sight of both the Magicals and the constables.
"Going forward, I need to ensure that Petunia, the mother and aunt who is caring for little Harry and her son Dudley, learns to live on her own. I plan on ensuring they have the resources but she needs to learn how to be herself. Her husband controls her opinions and even how much she can eat – she is too thin while her over-indulged son is too fat. Her nephew is starting to experience malnutrition though it is not dangerous yet.
"Long term, I want to keep Petunia, Dudley, and Harry from being used as pawns in whatever schemes are brewing. I also would like to keep your children from being used – your daughter especially. I can already tell she is magically powerful and extremely intelligent. She is exactly the type that will be treated poorly by the conservatives because they will feel threatened."
He looked at them and said, "If your family decides, I am willing to even finance your movement away from Britain and whatever is needed to get you living a life there, including any needed certifications for your profession. You could live in Australia, the United States, or any other land really. But it is likely that it will be best if you are away from Europe – Britain at least. I know it will be better for Petunia and the boys."
Anthea and Humbert looked at each other and then Anthea said, "Can you come back tomorrow after lunchtime? Say around 2:00? We will have to talk and decide what is best for our family. At the very least, we will be willing to assist in getting the woman and the boys into a safer environment. The rest we will have to think about."
Harry nodded. "It is your choice. If I could watch over them, I would. But I will be leaving for reasons that I cannot explain. Not all decisions need to be made now even. I will arrange things as needed for the most flexibility if that is your choice. But I will need to arrange things soon. The moment a decision is made, we can plan Petunia's report to Inland Revenue and move her and the boys. After that – it will be as those involved decide."
With that, Harry nodded respectfully and apparated out, leaving only a hint of noise in his wake. He checked to ensure Vernon was not a problem for the night and then returned to the Leaky Cauldron.