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"Are you fucking kidding me? What do we fucking do now? We're suddenly in our childhood bodies, and it looks like we're not even in our own time period," Hermione says in exasperation, looking anxiously around the park across from Grimmuld Place. She fidgets with her sleeves, taking in their unfamiliar small stature. Ron glances around before responding.
“Calm down, Mione. Look, we’re in the past—maybe we can change the future and stop all those deaths. First, we need to figure out when we are,” Ron says, trying to soothe Hermione. I nod, considering his words.
“We also need to see if we’re still Fae. Queen Tatiana said she changed us down to our souls, but now we’re before that change,” I add, glancing at the others for their reactions.
"Okay," Hermione says, turning from the park toward us and setting her jaw determinedly. "First things first, let’s figure out if we're still Fae." Ron and I exchange uncertain glances.
"That’s easy to test. Let’s all try to bring out our wings." I concentrate, feeling the tingle of magic as my wings unfurl while Ron and Hermione watch me and then do the same, their brows furrowed in concentration. For a moment, we all check ourselves in silence.
“So, we’re still Fae,” Ron says. “Now, let’s figure out when and how old we are.” Hermione nods, scanning the park for someone to approach.
“There’s a couple in the park. I’ll ask them the date,” Hermione says, pointing at them as we quickly hide our wings behind our backs. She puts on an innocent face and skips over to the couple. Once she’s gone, Ron turns to me, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve. “We’re back before everyone died. I could see my brothers again, and honestly, it’s scary. I’m excited but worried about you and Mione—what if you have to return to the Muggle world? We haven’t been apart since seventh year. I don’t know what we’ll do,” Ron says, trailing off as Hermione returns, interrupting his thoughts.
“Well, boys, I know what day it is and how old we all are. Today is September 1, 1988, and we are all eight years old. Isn’t that a terrifying thought?” Hermione questions, causing us both to fall silent for a moment.
"So, what’s next?" I say, sitting cross-legged and staring at the sky as I weigh the options out loud. "We know where the Horcruxes are and what’s supposed to happen at Hogwarts. I’m worried none of us will get into Gryffindor. The hat wanted Slytherin for me last time, and this time, I doubt we’ll end up anywhere else. So, we have two choices: go to the Fae world for a few years, which means being legally missing—Hermione could obliviate her parents, and the Dursleys won’t care about me, but the Weasleys will miss Ron—or stay in the wizarding world but need to stay together. The Weasleys don’t have room and are too close to Dumbledore. So, what now?" Ron thinks for a moment before replying.
Ron snaps his fingers, a spark of excitement crossing his face. "I have ideas. If we go to the Fae world, we could stay two years, then get injured and reappear in Muggle London, running to the Leaky Cauldron and pretending we escaped captivity. If we stay, it’s both easier and harder. My great-aunt Muriel said she’d transfer the lordship to any of us if we lived with her for six summers. I could do that." Ron ticks off points on his fingers as he continues, facing each of us in turn. "For you, Harry, we need a Gringotts inheritance test and cleansing, which would remove the blood glamour and let you change your name so no one links you to ‘the boy who lived.’ Hermione, you should also check for inheritance—Hector Dagworth-Granger was a Lord and famous potioner, possibly your ancestor. If not, you could still be pureblood and have custody assigned to Aunt Muriel. What do you think? We have to decide soon—my parents will notice I’m missing, and Hermione, your parents will call the police." The group listens intently, weighing the options.
“They’re both great options, Ron. What do you think we should do, Hermione?” I say while looking at her. Hermione considers for a moment, lost in thought.
After a few minutes of deliberation, Hermione says, “Well, I guess we’re going to “