Disclaimer: Secrets long buried are beginning to surface.
As old manipulations come to light and future knowledge collides with present opportunities, Harry, Hermione, and Daphne must decide which battles cannot wait.
Some treasures are worth protecting, while others may be worth far more than anyone realizes.
The discussion about Ron’s interference eventually evolved into something far more productive.
Homework was quickly forgotten.
Instead, the three gathered around a low table in the common room, comparing everything they remembered from their previous lives with the information their respective Grim Reapers had provided.
Whenever one remembered a detail, another added to it.
Notes were scribbled down, crossed out, reorganized, and rewritten.
By the time they finished, a fairly comprehensive list lay before them.
Priority Objectives
1.
Establish the Soul Bonds
– Completed.
– Inform Daphne’s parents — completed.
– Inform Hermione’s parents — pending.
– Finalize both bonds.
2.
Visit Gringotts
– Add Daphne and Hermione to the Potter vault access list.
– Inform the goblins about Hufflepuff’s Cup.
– Begin emancipation procedures.
– Officially claim emancipation after the Goblet selection.
3.
Secure Legal Representation
– For Sirius Black.
– Protection against libel and slander.
– Action regarding unauthorized use of Harry’s name and likeness in Boy-Who-Lived merchandise and publications.
4.
The Goblet Oath
– Harry must swear a magical oath immediately after his name emerges from the Goblet.
– The oath must occur before entering the antechamber.
5.
Horcrux Retrieval
– Ravenclaw’s Diadem.
– Slytherin’s Locket.
6.
Basilisk Carcass
– Harvest and preserve venom.
– Determine how to handle the remainder of the corpse.
7.
Lord Greengrass
– Assistance in securing Sirius’s freedom.
– Potential aid with future objectives.
8.
Dr. Granger
– Possible firearms training for Harry.
– Additional methods of dealing with Riddle.
Hermione leaned back in her chair and carefully reviewed the list.
“I think that’s everything,” she said, thoughtfully chewing on her lower lip.
“For the moment.”
The unfamiliar female voice came from directly behind Harry and Hermione.
Both teenagers nearly jumped out of their seats.
Harry spun around instinctively.
Across the room stood a woman neither of them had seen enter.
Daphne’s eyes widened in visible shock.
Harry’s hand immediately moved toward his wand.
Before he could draw it, Hermione grabbed his forearm.
“Don’t, Harry!”
He froze.
Hermione was already rising to her feet.
“This is Roma,” she explained.
“My Grim Reaper.”
Harry stared.
Only then did several details click into place.
The woman wore robes remarkably similar to those John had worn in Judgement.
Her reddish-brown hair fell to her shoulder blades, neatly parted in the center with a short fringe framing her face.
Most surprisingly of all, she was barefoot.
“Roma?” Hermione asked.
“Why are you here?”
The woman smiled gently.
“Daphne Anna moved considerably faster than we originally anticipated.”
Daphne looked mildly pleased with herself.
Roma’s smile widened slightly.
“Fortunately, that proved to be the correct decision.”
Her expression then became more serious.
“Secondly, Albus Wulfric attempted a Legilimency probe much sooner than expected.”
Harry grimaced.
Roma nodded.
“The resulting backlash incapacitated him temporarily.”
All three immediately sat up straighter.
“Which means?” Harry asked.
“It means,” Roma replied, “that a window of opportunity has opened.”
She folded her hands before her.
“A window we did not originally foresee.”
“For accomplishing certain tasks before Albus Wulfric recovers enough to begin… interfering.”
Daphne frowned thoughtfully.
“I thought you already knew how events would unfold.”
Roma shook her head.
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
“The moment the three of you were backstepped, the future you remember ceased to exist.”
Harry blinked.
“What?”
“It must be that way.”
Roma calmly continued.
“Free Agency requires it.”
Daphne tilted her head.
“Free Agency?”
“The mortal world exists for one primary purpose,” Roma explained.
“To allow souls the freedom to choose.”
She gestured toward them.
“You create your own futures.”
“We can advise. We can guide. Destiny itself may influence events.”
Her eyes swept across the room.
“But ultimately, the choices belong to you.”
The explanation seemed to satisfy Hermione.
“So because Daphne bonded with us immediately…”
“The timeline changed.”
Roma nodded.
“Every choice creates ripples.”
She turned toward Daphne.
“Your decision generated several significant ones.”
“And you didn’t see them coming?” Harry asked.
“No.”
Roma’s expression softened.
“If we knew precisely what would happen, Harry James would never have suffered six previous deaths.”
The room fell silent.
“Nor would either of you have suffered your own.”
Hermione slowly nodded.
“That actually makes sense.”
She glanced at the list on the table.
“So how do these changes affect our plans?”
Roma stepped forward.
“First, you need to investigate the basilisk.”
Harry immediately focused.
“The carcass?”
“Yes.”
Roma nodded.
“You need to determine how much magical degradation has occurred since its death.”
“Or have someone do it for you.”
She paused before continuing.
“Following the events of your second year, Albus Wulfric placed monitoring charms throughout the girls’ bathroom.”
Harry cursed under his breath.
“If he were present, he would immediately know you had returned to the Chamber.”
“And stop us,” Daphne concluded.
“Precisely.”
Roma looked pleased.
“Fortunately, the three of you possess sufficient knowledge to temporarily move or bypass those charms.”
Harry glanced toward the list.
“So we should do it soon.”
Roma’s expression darkened.
“Very soon.”
That caught everyone’s attention.
“Why?” Hermione asked.
“Because Ronald Bilius intends to beat you to it.”
The room froze.
Harry stared.
“What?”
Roma nodded.
“Without the friendship bond he previously relied upon, Ronald feels no particular loyalty toward you.”
A cold edge entered her voice.
“He sees the carcass as a valuable resource.”
Harry’s jaw tightened.
“He’s planning to steal it?”
“Eventually.”
Roma nodded.
“The only reason he hasn’t already done so is because he never expected you to recognize its true value.”
“And because,” she added, “he knows he would immediately become the primary suspect if it vanished.”
Harry slowly leaned back.
“There’s just one problem.”
Roma raised an eyebrow.
“The Chamber requires Parseltongue.”
“Correct.”
“So how exactly is Ron planning to get inside?”
Hermione exchanged a look with Roma.
Then she sighed.
“Because Ron is a Parselmouth.”
Harry’s brain stopped.
“…What?”
Hermione nodded.
“During the Battle of Hogwarts, we needed basilisk venom to destroy the Cup.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Harry remembered.
“We went into the Chamber.”
She folded her arms.
“Ron claimed he imitated Parseltongue.”
Harry frowned.
“Yeah?”
“He lied.”
The words landed like a hammer blow.
Hermione shook her head.
“Parseltongue cannot be faked.”
Roma nodded in agreement.
“Only a true Parselmouth can open either entrance.”
Harry stared between them.
“You’re telling me Ron understood everything I ever said in Parseltongue?”
“Yes.”
Roma answered gently.
For several seconds Harry sat completely motionless.
Then his expression darkened.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
“That little…”
“Enough.”
Roma raised a hand.
The single word halted him immediately.
“You now know the truth.”
Harry clenched his jaw.
“Do not act on that knowledge.”
“But—”
“No.”
The authority in her voice left no room for argument.
“Claim the basilisk.”
“Protect what belongs to you.”
“But do not reveal that you know Ronald is a Parselmouth.”
Harry reluctantly nodded.
“Fine.”
Then another thought occurred to him.
“I always assumed my ability came from the Horcrux.”
“It did not.”
Roma smiled faintly.
“You are a descendant of Salazar Slytherin.”
Harry blinked.
“What?”
“So is Ronald Bilius.”
That earned three identical looks of disbelief.
Roma continued.
“Both family lines trace back through the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.”
She pointed toward Harry.
“You through Dorea Melania Black.”
Then toward an invisible Ron.
“He through Cedrella Lucretia Black.”
Harry groaned.
“So every time I spoke Parseltongue…”
“He understood every word.”
Harry buried his face in his hands.
“Wonderful.”
“That is how he knew exactly what to say when opening both entrances.”
Harry slowly looked up.
“Right.”
His voice had become very firm.
“The basilisk just moved to the top of the list.”
“A wise decision.”
Roma nodded approvingly.
“Now, your next task.”
All three immediately focused.
“Before anything else, speak with Minerva Isabell.”
“Professor McGonagall,” Hermione translated automatically.
Roma smiled.
“Yes.”
“You need permission to contact Hermione Jean’s parents regarding the bond before they discover it through other means.”
Hermione immediately paled.
“Oh.”
Harry winced.
“Good point.”
“There’s more.”
Roma’s smile turned slightly mischievous.
“Before visiting them, stop at a bookshop.”
Harry blinked.
“A bookshop?”
“Purchase a proper book explaining soul bonds.”
She looked directly at him.
“Trust me.”
A pause.
“You will want Hermione’s parents to understand what the bond means before you arrive and attempt to explain it yourselves.”