Hi everyone! I haven't tried my hand at FanFic in awhile due to crazy business, but this story has been nagging at me forever and I had to write it. So without further ado, here is the first chapter! (I do not own HP)

Hermione Granger considered herself a lot of things – smart, caring, trustworthy, and a good friend. However, she had never considered herself a coward. Throughout the war, she showed her Gryffindor side proudly, thinking only of her friends and not of herself. However, one foolish night changed her whole outlook of bravery - and her life.

No one had seen or heard from her since that night. With no explanation, the witch had disappeared from the wizarding world, causing a mass hysteria. Harry and Ron searched for a year for her until they got a mysterious owl that simply told them that she did not wish to be found. Hurt and abandoned, they gave up, moving on with their lives. Harry, losing his best friend, tried to move on – he married Ginny, and they had their three children. Ron, losing his girlfriend, turned to a line of meaningless hookups, fully embracing the single life. No one heard from her for 16 years until a mysterious blonde boy showed up on the Hogwarts Express claiming the name Tyler Granger.

And just like that, the brightest witch of her age returned to the spotlight, or rather, her son.

"Tyler, are you sure you have everything? Have you started your readings? Did you-"

"Relax mom, I know what I'm getting into," Tyler laughed at his mother, kissing her on the cheek as he passed. "I can handle this. I'm your son after all - classes will be a breeze, just like they were at Beauxbatons."

"You know that's not what I'm worried about. Are you sure you want to do this," Hermione replied timidly.

"I'm sure. It'll be fine – we can't hide from your past forever, and if that means I'm going to take the first step back to your home and drag you with me, I will. I know you miss it – miss them – and plus, I've always dreamed about studying at Hogwarts. You know 'Hogwarts a History' has always been a favorite of mine," Tyler smiled.

"You are my son…I just hope I'm ready for this. I'm not sure I'm ready to face them – to face him." Hermione rarely showed this side of her, her fear, to her son. She was always strong and composed as he grew up, and he was shocked to see her so scared. While he never heard her entire background beyond what he had read in books, he knew she left with him because she thought it was best, but he also knew that it was hard for her to leave it all behind. For the first time, he knew that instead of Hermione being his rock, Tyler needed to be strong for her.

"You mom? You can face anything," Tyler affirmed, knowing it was true. Reaching for her arm, trunk in the other hand, Tyler looked at his mother expectantly. Sighing, she grabbed his hand and apparated with him at her side. Trying not to cause a fuss, she put the hood of her robe over her head and tried to hide her face – she knew Harry and Ginny would be there also. After all, this was their eldest sons first day of Hogwarts as well, only he was starting his first year, not his fifth like Tyler. She would tell Harry soon she was home, but causing a scene at the station was not a good way to announce her return.

Looking at the excitement in his eyes, Hermione knew this was a good choice for Tyler. She couldn't hide him from the truth for long – he had a right to know where he belonged, who he was, and more importantly who his father was. While she did not plan on telling the father immediately, she knew it will get out that Tyler is here and, with the fact he looked strikingly like his father with his light eyes and blonde hair among other traits, that he would get word. But right now, she just wanted to enjoy the thrill of dropping her son of at the train.

"Tyler, stay out of trouble, ok? There are going to be a lot of people interested in you simply on the basis of your last name, but focus on your studies and enjoy the castle. Be careful! And write me every day!" Hermione fixed his robes, and grabbed his hands.

"I know mom. I love you, ok?" Tyler hugged her tight before letting go and grabbing his trunk. "I'll see you over break, ok? Good luck mom!" He started walking away, jumping on to the train and out of sight and a tear rolled out of Hermione's eyes. She stood there, watching the train leave, resolved to wait until she saw it pull out of the station. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Ginny and Harry gushing over their son James. Pulling her cloak further over her eyes, she tried not to look in their direction. She would talk to them soon. But not now.

However, Hermione had been so focused on watching her son leave, she never noticed the women in the crowd staring in her direction, quill in hand. She didn't realize that the reporter had seen everything – her entrance, her face, and her son. She instead, as soon as the train pulled away, apparated out of sight, completely unaware that Padma Patil had seen every word exchanged between the mother and son and just found her new lead story.

By the next day, word was out. Hermione sat in her home in France awaiting the onslaught of owls that would for sure come with being the front-page story on the prophet. She looked down at the article in awe, knowing this would happen but wishing for Tyler's sake that it hadn't been so soon – and maybe for her own sake too.

The Golden Trio's Mystery Girl is Back

Spotted at the Hogwarts Express, Hermione Granger of the infamous Golden Trio is back, leaving us all again wondering why she left in the first place. The answer seemed to be found in the mysterious boy she was with – her son! Tyler Granger, age 15, is the newest addition to Hogwarts, and leaves us with many unanswered questions. While we just received word that the child studied at Beuxbatons for his first four years, why has he been hidden from our sights? Where has the family been? Who is the father? And why have they just know returned? While this case has yet to be solved, you can be sure the Prophet will not rest to it finds the answer.

Sighing, Hermione looked up and took a deep breath before getting up to throw the paper out. Before she could even stand up, however, an owl flew to her window, staring at her. Knowing who it was from before she even saw the letter, she walked over and opened the window, petting the owl and handing it a treat before accepting the letter with Harrys messy scrawl on the front.

Hermione,

I don't know why you felt you needed to hide this, and why you needed to leave, but I'm ready to hear you if you need. Come home Hermione – we're here to help, as we've always been.

Harry

Turning the note over and taking a deep breath, Hermione scrawled back a quick response, hoping she was ready.

Harry

I'll floo over tonight. There is a lot I need to explain.

Hermione.

Hermione sealed the letter and sent it off. It was time to be brave and stand up to this, unlike she had been doing for 16 years. It was time to face her fears, and starting with Harry was the easiest place to begin.

But how do you tell your best friend that the reason you left is that you had his enemy's child?

She didn't know how to start.

Please review and tell me if you liked it and if I should continue because I don't know if I should. Thank you for spending the time to read it, and I'm sorry for mistakes - I self beta and I'm tired. Review! :)