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The journey to Harry's farm took nearly three hours, which meant Hugo had asked if they were there yet at least thirty times.
Ron flew halfway, he tinkered with the charms to make their yellow Ford safe for travelling and invisible, but it was a cloudy day and flying wouldn’t be enjoyable. He’s a good driver, but they aren't used to long travels, spoiled by Portkeys and Apparition. But Hermione insisted the journey was part of the bonding experience, and Ron, the good husband he was, agreed he wanted his kids to appreciate their muggle heritage too.
Rosie was more patient about the drive. Six years old and still curious about the world. Hermione loved catching her in the side mirror, her nose pressed against the enchanted car window and watched the countryside roll past them.
When Hermione was younger, her parents would take her on long travels like this and she’d watch the world like how Rosie did. Little Hermione imagined the long fields were sewn by giants. The forests stretched across hillsides in dark green waves held unicorns and colourful birds. A castle in the mountains. How funny it was to find her child self wasn’t that far off.
Hugo popped his head in between the seats. “Mama I’m thirsty.”
Hermione handed him the packet of apple juice and Hugo sipped the straw with the strength of a Billywig in a field of blossoms.
“Mama, Hugo didn’t say thank you!” Rosie suddenly chided. “Can I have my juice too please?”
“I was going to say it after I cooled my throat!” Hugo snapped, wiping dribbled juice with the back of his arm.
Hermione shared a glance with Ron, who looked resigned to the argument. They knew this journey was worth it. The children had spent the entire week looking forward to visiting Harry.
They were still young enough to believe farms were magical. Old enough to be curious and explore. Visiting Uncle Harry was the most exciting thing, an adventure of sorts, and Hermione desperately hoped that would remain.
As soon as they spotted the large rock and passed two tall oak trees, they could feel the magic shimmer and dissolve, revealing a beautiful cottage surrounded by acres of land ahead.
“Finally.” Ron sighed. Hermione massaged his shoulders lightly, empathising and grateful for his driving.
Hugo and Rosie stopped arguing and each pressed their face against the windows.
“I see it! I see it!” Hugo cheered.
Harry owned a magical farm, raising magical creatures. Open stables and a ton of trees behind a magical fence. Creatures wandered the rolling hills and opened stables Harry had built. Unicorns graze beneath flowering apple trees, Hermione is still in awe to see them out in the open instead of in the shadows of a forest. A pair of jackalopes –she still saw them as wild hares with antlers–bounded through tall grass. And she knows further along would be Harry’s heard of thestrals, the second largest herd compared to Hogwarts.
The sight always made Hermione pause. Thinking of all they endured, they witnessed being able to see the magical creatures. Her children know of their existence and they have a painting of Aunt Luna with her personal Thestral in their home, so they can imagine it. But they’ve never seen the creature in the flesh.
Hermione wondered for how long that would last.
“Alright, we’re almost there,” Ron said. “Let’s recap on our manners.”
“Say your please and thank yous!” Rosie said immediately.
“Use your inside voice!” Hugo said loudly.
“Always listen and wait before running!”
The children barely waited for the car to stop before scrambling to jump out of their door.
The moment their feet touched the ground, they took off.
Ron groaned and climbed out after them. “That’s a success.”
Hermione smiled, stretching her legs and enjoying the countryside air, “They’re just excited.” She helped Ron as he unloaded bags from the boot. Harry had room for them to board whenever they wanted.
A nice break from their jobs, somewhere far away where the press and the people couldn't bother them with unrealistic demands.
The wind smelled different here. Fresh earth and wildflowers. A peaceful calm that made her understand why Harry had left it all to be here.
Ron spelled their bags featherlight and carried them all with one hand, before holding out another hand to her. She took it and they followed the children along the dirt path, walking hand in hand towards the cottage.
Halfway there, Hugo and Rosie stopped and squealed in delight, jumping up and down, they ran with their arms outstretched.
"Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom!"
Hermione's gaze found that of a man leading a unicorn by its halter. Smiling under his wide bush hat, in brown trousers and loose cotton shirt folded to reveal his forearms. The man waved at her children, and his lips widened.
Time and farm life had definitely left its mark. He was still pale skinned, dark hair threaded with silver and line marks around his eyes, but despite that he was still a broad and fit looking man for his age. As tall as Ron and somehow maintained an aura about him.His smile revealed nothing in his eyes, and his voice, Hermione still shudders by how soft and sensual he speaks.
"Rosie. Hugo." He greeted, arms outstretched.
Her children crashed into him without hesitation, how could they not, he was a familiar figure in their lives. As soon as they left for their home back in London all they would talk about is their uncles.
Hermione felt the familiar prickle every time she observes her children around Tom. No matter how many years passed. A small part of her still remembered the past. Who this man really was.
Ron however, did not carry that ache. He drops their luggage to give Tom, who takes off his hat, a brotherly embrace. Her husband matched the children’s enthusiasm, asking after Tom’s wellbeing and admiring the unicorn behind him. All her husband sees is an uncle who loves his children, who’s made a home with his best friend, another brother in his family.
This was for the better.
Hermione accepted his polite air kiss.
“You're in for a treat, I have something to show you.”
The children followed him to a stable where Tom revealed a pearlescent rainbow horn.
“One of the fouls had an accident and we had to cut this off, it can’t be used for anything but isn’t it a beauty?”
“It’s like a rainbow in your hand.” Rosie admired.
“Why does it shine like that Uncle Tom?”
“Because it’s magic.” He answered simply, then he explained about the different colours of a unicorn horn, why its fur is gold or white.
Within minutes both children were completely captivated. Tom was a good teacher, able to keep the lesson engaging and patient with her children’s questions. He’s also skilled with his hands, fingers, without a wand, able to lead and calm the unicorns when the children wish to approach and touch.
"Go on," Tom told the children, after he showed them the different prints of unicorn hooves. "Find three different sets of tracks and report back."
The children sprinted away immediately.
“Oi, not too fast Hugo, you’d fall!” Ron called out, shaking his head. They watched the children run through the fields in search of the prints for a moment before Ron let out a loud yawn.
“You look knackered.” Tom said with a bemused smile. “You should go in and rest.”
“Sounds good.” Ron yawned a second time, “Like to say hello to Harry before I take a kip.” And he sauntered into the cottage.
Hermione held herself as she watched her children bound in the fields, carefree and laughing. Almost as if mimicking the jackalopes.
She heard him approach, “I can watch them for a bit while you get some rest, I know Harry would be glad to see you too.”
“Careful, my children can rival your creatures when it comes to boundless energy.”
“I’m capable.”
She didn’t doubt that. Someone like Tom was capable of anything.
Still, this was family, this wasn’t the first visit, she’s been through this countless of times. She had to play her part, they’d sacrifice enough.
Hermione forced herself to tear her gaze away, and nod at Tom. “Thank you Tom, the children have been talking about exploring the farm all morning. But not too late, they still need a wash before supper.”
“Of course.” Tom patted the unicorn he was handling. Even the magical creature, a pure one such as a unicorn, trusted him. “It’s good to see you, Hermione.”
“It’s good to see you too.” Hermione said, and deep down, if she could suspend belief for a moment, it was the truth.
Harry’s cottage was more of a small bungalow by the size and width. Every room was spacious, with high ceilings, decorated with magical plantae, Luna’s paintings, and photographs of all those Hermione recognised, her family included, Harry’s people.
She found Harry at the kitchen table, with the room smelling of spices and baked goods, cutting fresh bread and setting a hearty spread. Feeding people was his love language and most of the food on his table were homegrown.
She caught him holding up the buttered knife and gazing out the window.
She almost hesitated to announce her presence, but he noticed her first and turned to her and smiled. “What are you gawking there for?” Setting his knife on the counter he beckoned for her.
"I didn’t want to disturb you.” She sauntered over for a hug. Everytime she and Ron visited, it felt like a hollow part of her heart was finally filled. It took her years to adjust to the idea that Harry wanted to live a different life, one that didn’t align with her ambition. But she swallowed any sorrow to give way for his happiness, her brother in magic.
Harry had a healthy complexion, his hair was long and braided and his glasses were still the same since school. “Have you met Ron?”
Harry squeezed her once more before letting go. “Yup, led him to your rooms upstairs, he was already dragging his feet, poor sod, hopefully he’ll wake up for dinner.” Harry chuckled and wiped his flour streaked cheek with the back of his arm. “You can join him and rest, I still have to mind the soup.”
“I’m okay. I’ll stay with you for a bit.” She pulled a chair, and made herself comfortable.
“Even better.” But Harry's gaze was distracted again, gazing outside with a strange intensity. His farm was secluded and heavily warded to keep it that way. There was only Tom and her children out there..
“Something the matter?” She asked with forced nonchalant.
Harry shook his head, but his shoulders sagged as if he was sighing, “Everything seems fine.”
Hermione turned to make sure they were truly alone, paranoia made her whisper a discreet privacy spell before asking, “Is doesn’t sound like it’s fine.”
Is it Tom?
Are my children safe?
Harry’s wistful smile dropped. “Whatever made you think that?”
She straightened her back, all pretense of smiles couldn’t stave off the creeping fear, the trained anxiousness built from years surviving a war. She forced herself to remain calm. Harry’s always been delicate, protective, when it came to people he cared about.
And without a doubt, although it took years for Hermione to accept it, Harry Potter loved Tom Riddle.
Still,
“Did something happen Harry?”
“Nothing, I mean it Hermione, you can relax, you’re here on vacation.” His guilty eyes met hers and it did not assuage her concerns. He busied himself with his bread, speaking in a rush, “It’s been more than a decade, everything is fine. You always get like this, jumping to the worst possible conclusion.”
“It’s because you always hide things from me until it’s too late.” She regretted her slip almost immediately. She’d promised herself, she forgave him, that she was sincere in wanting his happiness, but sometimes, Harry forced her to make choices. Choices that meant sacrifices. She’s unable to reconnect with her parents in Australia, and Ron…
No, she wouldn’t blame Harry. He was family, she would do anything for family. In a lower voice, she pleaded, “Harry, you know how important it is that we keep each other in the loop, no matter what. You can tell me.”
Harry had his back towards her. “I know.”
She watched him busy himself for a bit more, before he sighed, still not meeting her eyes.
“It was our anniversary last week.”
She swallowed her annoyance at his change of topic. “Yes, how was it?”
“He filled our room with dandelions.” Harry sounded detached instead of joyful. “We rode our Thestrals deep into the mountains for an outdoor picnic, fresh truffles and wine, and enjoyed a swim in the lake.”
“That sounds lovely.” she said sincerely. She gave Harry some time to add anything else, when he didn’t she pressed. “Isn't it?”
He was filling the kettle with water. “Have you ever wondered if we made the right decision?”
Ah, so it was his guilt again.
“Harry we’ve been over this— You were the one who lied about the battle.” she was unable to hold back the bite in her voice. That betrayal still stung. “You were the one who kidnapped him and hid him and lied–”
“I know that.”
She marched up to stand behind him. “If Ron and I hadn't been there, and he had escaped, you know things would have been worse.”
“If we had done things differently.”
This was the same argument all over again, she can’t believe he was bringing it up right now!
“Tell me Harry, what was the alternative? You’ve tried persuading him for two years, hoping his healed soul would mean he understood remorse. We’ve tried making vows, negotiating–” The man was a snake they could not shake. “There was no other way.” She grounded.
She remembered discovering Harry’s secret. Absurd and betrayed at the thought that Harry would keep him alive, would fall in love with a monster. Harry who clung onto some worthless pursuit of saving the unsaveable.
“We took their choices away.” Harry said slowly. “I was young and naive then, thinking this was the only way he’d see reason, that he’d give love a chance. But how could I know? What if he could’ve decided this for himself?”
“Don’t be a fool Harry. Tom would never, on his own accord choose this.” It was harsh but necessary. Harry was spinning himself in guilt for nothing.
“He can still feel it, even though it’s gone.” Harry continued woefully. “His magic.”
That was her condition. She would allow Tom to live if they were sure he could never wield a wand ever again. Altering his memories wasn’t enough. “You know why.”
Harry covered his face with his hands, “Don’t you ever wonder about Ron, how different he would be if we hadn’t taken his memories.”
“No.” she said firmly. “He’s happy and safe and that’s all that matters.” She reached for his arm. “You’re happy and safe, that’s why I agreed to this in the first place.”
“I just thought, if I had more time, if I could convince him, this life, this love is worth it–”
“It is worth it! Harry, look around—” Hermione gestured at the window, at his home. She caught sight of Tom racing with the children and the jackalopes. “You have everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“I have.” He agreed. “But I could have more.”
She met his eyes, green and shining and filled with turmoil. She could see it then, the real danger.
Harry was the strongest wizard in the world. How could you not be, to subdue a dark wizard at a young age, to be able to seal his magic away.
But he was also human... selfish, and weak.
Some deep part of her blackened heart had already accepted it. That if the moment called for it, she would do anything for her family. And Harry knew this too.
“Do you want me to take all of it away?” She whispered. It was only ever their secret, just the two of them, in a world where Ron was happily married to her, Tom was happy on this farm with Harry ... and the world was finally at peace.
It could be her secret alone.
She was strong enough.
“I regret it.” Harry admitted. “Every year his love is so sincere, so deep for me, and it’s suffocating Hermione. I don’t know how to be what he needs when I am living this lie.”
“I understand.” She embraced him, inhaling flour and spice, stroking his long black braid with one hand and pressing her wand to his temple. “I just want you to be happy, Harry.”
She could spell him to forget Tom altogether, spell this farm, this fantasy to be nothing but a smoke of a memory.
She could kill Tom Riddle, the cause of her life’s despair.
But she couldn’t take away Harry’s happiness.
He trusted her with it.
“Obliviate.”