Little Reminder: The fabulous world of Harry Potter does not belong to me, no matter how much I may want it. Thus, I credit JKR for her amazing work.

Chapter One Mother and Daughter

"But Mom!" said the tiny eleven year old, a slight whine in her voice.

"No. There are plenty of other places to receive a good education." replied a woman with bushy brown hair.

"You went to school there so why can't I? Besides, I haven't been invited anywhere else." said the little girl as she pulled on the band that held her straight brown hair in place.

Her mother sighed deeply; her daughter knew reasoning but Hermione Granger did not feel reasonable.

"Look if by some change of winds we end up in England before term, then you may go. If not then you, Jennifer Jean Granger, will attend Salem Witches Academy in the fall."

Jennifer looked thoughtful for a moment, considering the odds. The mathematics told her that it wasn't in her favor but what choice did she have? Then it came to her in a flash of brilliance that only a Granger could pull.

"Okay. We don't have to stay there, just go there, right?" quizzed Jenny making Hermione chuckled.

More like her father each day, looking for loop holes. God she missed him.

"Fine, if we spend even one second in England then you can attend Hogwarts."

With a small yelp, Jennifer skipped down the hall towards her bedroom.

Hermione let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding as her daughter's door closed. Sitting down on the couch that was behind her, Hermione rubbed her temples slowly. Then sensing movement in the room, Hermione looked up and saw her old cat Crookshanks walk in from the kitchen. Crookshanks ambled up to the couch and meowed loudly. With a small smile, Hermione leaned over and picked up the large ginger cat and gently placed him in her lap before she began to stroke his head.

Looking up and around the room, Hermione's eyes traveled the walls which held ten years of photographs. Near the kitchen door, the photo of Jennifer, age four, on the Fourth of July waving "Old Glory," her face lit up with wonder of fireworks. On the end table in the corner, Jennifer, age six, riding a broom for the first time. Hermione smiled as she looked on; no matter how hard she tried, her daughter couldn't be kept from flying, just like her father.

Just above the mantle was the first photo ever of Jennifer when she was about a month old, sound asleep in her crib like an angel. Letting her eyes drop slowly from her daughter, Hermione finally stopped on the four photos of her past that sat on the mantle itself. First was a picture of her parents, back in the United Kingdom: Mr. and Mrs. Granger had always supported their only daughter, not matter what the situation. Next was the picture of Hermione, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley just before the boys had left of Auror training nearly eleven years ago. Beside their smiling faces was the photo of the entire Weasley family from the Daily Prophet eighteen years ago. Finally, there was the only picture of just Jenny's father; the only picture that had captured Jenny's attention for hours as a child. That, and the need to let Jenny know what her father looked like, was the only reasons that Hermione would admit to for keeping it.

Refusing to dwell on Jenny's father, Hermione closed her eyes and counted to ten. Slowly opening her eyes she realized that Crookshanks had left her lap and went to his cat bed under the end table. Hearing a small meow from the hall, Hermione looked over just as a black ball of fur streaked into the room towards Crookshanks.

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"Jinx! Come back here you silly kitten!" said Jenny giggling as she chased her kitten into the room. Scooping up the black kitten that was currently annoying Crookshanks, Jenny smiled up at her mother. The smile faded as Jenny realized what her mother had been doing.

"Mommy, why don't you and Da talk? You said that you were once friends?"

Realizing where this was heading Hermione began the old familiar speech, "Mommy knew that Daddy couldn't handle a family yet and I thought it was for the best that he just not know about you until he was ready. You have to admit my girl, you are a handful, even for me. When I think that Daddy is ready to deal with you then I'll let him know. Plus friendship isn't like real ships, it can't cross oceans," Hermione crossed over to her daughter and took up Jinx before continuing, "Besides, we are a family of our own: you, me, Crookshanks and little Jinx." Upon hearing her name, Jinx meowed loudly, as if she were agreeing.

"When you plan to tell Da, let me know so I can help. I want to see the look on his face when you do," said Jenny a grin crossing her face slowly at the picture she was painting in her mind. Jenny's mom telling her father that they had a family then letting him meet Jenny and loving her when he sees her. They would be the perfect family, just out of a fairy tale, plus a few furry creatures too.

Taking the kitten back from her mom, Jenny headed back to her room, deemed "The Forest" by her friends and mother. The carpet was deep emerald green with leaf patterns cut into it. The ceiling was painted green and draped with green silks in different colors and patterns which made it look like a tree canopy. The walls were painted hunter green with tree trunks painted in all shapes and sizes.

The four poster bed that Jenny had had since she was five was dark rosewood with green velvet curtains draped around it. The walls held pictures of fairies, nymphs, dragons and other magical creatures. A Quidditch calendar hung next to the bed and held a moving picture of that month's team: "The Chudley Canons." In the corner by the window was a small statue of a pair of unicorn foals; one laying sound asleep, the other watchful over its sibling. An arrangement of toys, books and stuffed animals littered the floor and crowded the shelves that lined one wall. The closet door was ajar and visible was a collection of dolls, clothing and other random items that every ten year old must have.

Placing Jinx onto the floor, Jenny headed back over to her bed which, like her floor held numerous books and stuffed animals on it. Laying down and picking up her current favorite, Jenny began to read aloud to Jinx. The story was of a young girl who pretended to be a boy so she could become a knight in the king's service. The young girl stood up for what she believed in and was a strong fighter. With her black cat Faithful, the young girl fought many evils and served her king well. Jenny continued to read as Jinx jumped up next to her on the bed and curled up next to her. Within minutes Jenny was so engrossed in her book that time lost its meaning.

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Around six o'clock Hermione started to prepare dinner for Jenny and herself. After placing the chicken into the oven to bake, Hermione took some potatoes out from in the barrel in the corner and washed them using her wand. Chicken and mashed potatoes were the Thursday meal with salad and fresh bread. Hermione wasn't a great cook but ten years on her own Hermione had gained enough knowledge to make a few decent meals.

As she added butter to the mashed potatoes and pulled the chicken out of the oven, Hermione called down the hall to her daughter for dinner. Cutting up the chicken and dishing out the mashed potatoes, Hermione called again to her daughter. Setting out the drinks and remaining dinnerware Hermione finally headed down the hall to collect Jenny. Finally realizing that her mother was planning eating now Jenny dashed to the table before her mother and sat down.

Taking a seat across from Jenny at the table, Hermione dished out the salad and some grapes. Jenny began to shovel food into her mouth which earned her a reprimand from her mother, and grinning sheepishly, Jenny slowed down to a more normal rate. Hermione watched for a while until she was satisfied that Jenny was eating correctly before she began on her own food.

The meal was a quiet one as Hermione picked at her food while Jenny inhaled hers. Leaning back in her chair, Jenny looked at her mother quietly for a few minutes as Hermione finished eating.

"Fine, your excused," said Hermione a smile on her lips as her daughter jumped out of her chair and raced back to her room. With a heavy sigh, Hermione waved her wand to clear and wash the dishes. Knowing that magic would work the dishes Hermione headed into the living room to work on her reports for St. Coventina, the United States affiliate of St. Mungo's. Her work there in the memory research had gained them a reputation of saving even the most destroyed memories in the past thirty years. Neville Longbottom had even brought his parents there a few years back and the St. Coventina research group had revived a good portion of both their memories. Sitting back in her work chair she reviewed the grants and current spending of the team. It was only when she had begun her report that she heard the tapping on the window pane.

Walking over to the window and opening it, Hermione accepted the letter the owl had tied to his leg. Moving aside to let it in for food and drink Hermione examined the letter closely. The owl itself was large, used for long flights only, plus the handwriting wasn't familiar to her. Opening it, Hermione began to read and stopped abruptly. Sliding over to the chair Hermione felt her knees shake.

Dear Hermione,

It has come to my attention that you may not be currently aware of your parents' problem. Four days ago your father was brought into St. Mungo's for treatment of several flesh wounds that Muggle treatment center was unable to deal with. Upon his arrival, Aurors attempted to reach your mother and were unsuccessful. It seems that she had a heart attack that same day. Both are currently at St. Mungo's pending treatment and questioning about the incident that caused both. It is my professional opinion that this was the work of extremely dark wizards, most likely the remaining Death Eaters. I hope that this owl finds you well and that you can make arrangements to come back to England.

Yours truly,

Neville Longbottom, Chief Herbalist

Taking a few deep breaths, Hermione cleared her mind and willed herself to think clearly. There was only one thing she could, would and should do. Jennifer was about to have her dreams come true.

"Jenny! We are going to England," shouted Hermione down the hall to her daughter. Hearing a thud and the door swing open Hermione looked up.

"What's up Mommy?" said Jenny slowly.

"I need to see Nana and Granda back in England. We leave tomorrow morning as soon as I make it known at work. Pack a bag and some of your books and toys we may be there a while," said Hermione as she stood up slowly. With a small shout Jenny scurried back into her room and began rummaging around for important items to take with her.

Hermione looked back out the window and wondered for how long she could avoid two of the most powerful wizards in all of England. She didn't think that it would be long.

Just To Let You Know:

I have read a great deal of fanfiction in my time and thus decided to write something of my own. If I ever take an idea from another work, or give a shout out, I will give credit to the writer and their story. Thus, I credit Tamora Pierce with her work, Alanna, which Jenny reads to Jinx. The book created by Tamora Pierce was my favorite as a child and is where I drew my strength. If any of you are interested in medieval fantasy, go to your local library and check it out.

Secondly, I would like to remind you that this is set in JKR's world but my characters are exactly that, mine. Please don't try to compare them to others. If you enjoyed this chapter let me know by leaving me a review and we'll see where it takes us.