-- The Riddle House --
He sat in the room. The same room he had sat on years ago, so weak and helpless. He sat on the same chair caressing his snake. His face was pale and the slits in his eyes grew thinner. His veins showed through his pale, bald head. He enjoyed the pleasure he got from this house. He had killed that Muggle 'father' of his there.
"Lucius", he hissed, "I gave you a job. Are you done with it?"
"M-My Lord", he trembled, "I am sure you are aware that the boy cannot-"
"Silence!", he ordered.
Voldemort had been calm for so long but not anymore.
"I HAD GIVEN YOU A JOB. YOU ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THAT JOB AND IF THIS CONTINUES-", he paused and stopped shouting at his trembling servant. His face turned calm and he gave a sinister look.
"If, this continues, you will have the same fate as your wife."
-- The Burrow --
Mr. Weasley and Bill picked up the unconscious Kingsley and placed him on a couch. Bill took out his wand and placed a charm on him.
"He'll be awake by tomorrow", he said, "Mum, make sure he gets a good amount of food and rest."
Mrs. Weasley nodded. The Weasleys returned to their rooms. Ron and Hermione were discussing about Kingsley's arrival.
"I thought he'd be dead! I mean, no one ever heard from him after the war!", Ron exclaimed.
"Well it's obvious he's alive", Hermione bit her lip, "But I am surprised at the state he's in. Not to mention how tired he looked."
"Where could he have come from? And why specifically here? I mean, he could've gone anywhere. Maybe he had news...", Ron's voice trailed off.
"What kind of news?", Hermione asked, and she knew what answer she'd receive but she didn't want to hear it.
"I feel like, maybe", Ron wasn't sure how to put it, "Maybe Harry's-"
"Ron stop.", Hermione commanded, "That-that can't happen. Harry's dead, Ron. Why can't you just understand that? We saw him dead!"
"It's true we saw him like that Hermione. I mean, like he was dead. But we never had a funeral, never saw him being buried. Maybe-maybe he really is alive..."
A small smile appeared on Ron's lips. He wanted Hermione to understand. It was true they saw him in Hagrid's arms, but they didn't have a funeral. Voldemort never allowed it. And as far as seeing him 'dead' was concerned, they hadn't actually checked him the day of the war, meaning that it was possible he really was alive. But Hermione didn't understand. She couldn't understand as she was still mourning Harry's death. She wouldn't even believe Harry came to her and told it to her himself.
The next day, Hermione woke up to find the Weasleys having breakfast. She also found Kingsley still asleep on the same couch. George had turned that couch into a kind of bed. She asked why he hadn't woken up only to find out that he had had too much fatigue and despite the charms and medicines, needed more rest. Kingsley still looked just as worn out as the last night and not at all like he had had so much rest but Hermione understood and decided not to complain. She was just curious and had a lot of questions in her head. Why had he specifically come here? Did he have any news? Was it possible that Ha- no, no that wasn't possible. He probably had nowhere else to go or thought of this place to hide. Maybe Voldemort had gotten hold of him and he'd escaped. Anyhow, she'd receive the answers to these questions later. Right now, she ought to pay attention to her breakfast.
After breakfast, Hermione went outside to have some fresh air. The wind howled and the atmosphere had a bittersweet colour. The red-yellow leaves were falling from the trees and it was clear winter was coming closer. She shivered in the cold wind but stayed outside. She was, for some reason quite frustrated. She felt distressed and wanted to have some time alone. But her wish was no one's command. Soon, Ron, once again showed up. Hermione turned to leave but he stopped her.
"What?", she asked, annoyed, "Listen, Ron you had better talk about something other than what I think you're trying to talk about."
"But- Hermione, he's alive. I just have a feeling, a very strong feeling that as a matter of fact, he really IS alive."
"Ron, that's not a matter of fact. Harry is dead and you don't need to speak to me about this again. Talk about this to someone who wants to hear it!"
Frustrated, Hermione left.
In the evening, when everyone sat for dinner, they heard a sound behind them.
"Where am I?"
It was Kingsley. He had woken up, but still lay in the sofa-bed. His eyes looked around in search of another soul.