Disclaimer: I do not own anything of what J.K wrote, what is different is mine that is all.
I have been thinking about this story a long while now, always finding my mind drifting to it, so I've finally decided to do something about it.
I really hope readers will like this story, please review if you read it, I would really like to know people's opinions on it!
This story will be about multiple characters, give it a chance you might like it.
Chapter one: Reappeared at home.
"Is that her?"
"No dimwit, she's the brunette, cant you tell, she looks like her!"
"Idiot, don't you read the newspapers or magazines!"
"Who are those with her, he looks familiar…."
"That girl's French right?"
"Who is he?!"
"Scratch that, who is she!"
Whispers could be heard echoing around the great hall, as the three students in subject advanced, side by side, closer to the sorting hat. They were the last to be sorted. There was no doubt about it, all eyes were on them, one in particular. Ever since the rumors circulated about the return home of one of the legendary war heroes.
Hermione Granger.
For as long as they have been alive, they have known everything there was to know about the war heroes. They, being the witches and wizards population of the world. Ridding the world of Lord Voldemort was an act unforgettable, not in the history books or even the news papers till this very day. Except that, after the excitement of the war, the days where the news was solely about the acts of heroism, bravery and the repeated story of the end of a dark era -and the role of the "golden trio" in all of it- came to an end, and so the days of the globalization of the golden trio into celebrities started. News circulated about every little thing they did, are doing or intend to do. It was a circus media, always keeping them three on the first pages, and always selling because the public's thirst never seemed to be quenched.
Nineteen years ago the war ended.
Eighteen years ago the magical world went into a frenzy as news of Ginny Weasley's pregnancy, then Harry Potter's girlfriend and now wife, was printed on the pages of the very esteemed daily prophet, followed by hundreds of other magazines and newspapers.
A few months later Hermione Granger, Best friend of both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley left England and moved to France for unknown reasons, creating her own media mayhem there. That happened shortly before the Potter's wedding which was a complete private affair, security was high and it was located in, at the time, an unknown site.
Hermione Granger was not on the attendee's list.
A few months later, images of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger walking in the park surfaced in many high profiled magazines, all carrying the same head line: HERMIONE GRANGER'S SECRET PREGNANCY, FIVE MONTHS BUMP!
The following year, February 6th the world held it's breath awaiting the birth of Harry Potter's son.
Jake Potter.
The same year, the world held it's breath again a few months later for the birth of Hermione Granger's daughter.
Skyler Granger.
Hermione Granger never revealed who the father was, rumors circulated that it might have been Ron Weasley seeing as, her relationship with him remained close through out the years with his constant visits to France. But those rumors were put to rest when he married Elaina Badeau a famous French novelist, also close friend of Hermione Granger's, a year after the birth of her daughter.
The wedding was attended by both, the Potter's and Granger's. However, the world did not miss the lack of relations between them and any questions and inquires were shot down or unanswered.
It was always a mystery.
Seventeen years later, it is still a mystery, along with Hermione Granger's sudden return.
"Skyler Granger, sit on the stool please." Said the defense against the dark arts professor, Donald Eckhart, as he introduced himself earlier when sorting the first year's. He was a handsome middle aged man, with graying light brown hair which looked shaggy and rumpled . His eyes were electric blue and about the first thing noticed about him after his very peculiar sense of style. Covering his 5'10 frame were very bold choices of wardrobe. Blue trousers .. which looked very much like Pajama trousers with a white formal shirt and a dark purple set of hilarious looking robes on top of what he was wearing. His outfit was completed with a set of brown flip-flops.
Skyler stifled the laugh that so desperately wanted to escape her lips upon first laying eyes on this man in front of her, knowing that she was not the only one struggling after glancing to her left to see both her friends putting up more admirable efforts than her into looking solemn and unaffected. It looked to her as if this professor was confused, it seemed like he didn't know whether to go to work, the beach or sleep!
She took a deep breath and walked towards the stool, sat on it gracefully and looked at her friends, giving them a small smile. The sight of the great hall and all the students staring at her did not faze her, she was used to people staring.
She had shoulder length wavy light chestnut brown hair, which was very much similar to her mothers. She had a very slender proportionate form. Her facial features were soft and delicate. Great big blue eyes with full pink lips and a slender nose that she inherited from her mother.
"Sleep is my guess" said a voice inside her mind, a voice belonging to the sorting hat placed on her head. Skyler smiled holding her laugh replying ' Hello, I'm-'
"Hermione Granger's Daughter, I had hoped that this would happen one day"
' Here I am, never thought even a hat was curious to see what I looked like' said Skyler with a small mental chuckle.
"More interested in what's on the inside, and you have not failed me… you remind me so much of your father" a sad smile graced Skyler's face "You are curious...You should always let your heart guide you" said the sorting hat before shouting loudly for all to hear "GRYFFINDOR".
The great hall cheered, Gryffindor house louder than all. Skyler Granger would join Gryffindor and complete the second generation of the golden trio in the house of the lion, along side the potter's and Weasley's.
Skyler grinned high fiving her friends "One down, you guys left, make me proud!" she said as she made her way to sit on the table clapping with the crowd for her friends before she took her seat.
"Miss Devon Williams, it's your turn" Gasps could be heard through out the Great hall as recognition set in. Devon Williams the daughter of Martin Williams the owner of Fountain town in Diagon ally, the very expensive district where luxury items could be found for a small fortune. Not to mention, the face of a few of the clothing shops there. She was known in England, but not as much as she was in France.
Devon sat on the stool, with as much grace as her friend and stared at her remaining friend with her steel blue eyes, her face expressionless. She had long raven hair reaching the middle of her back, contrasting greatly with her fair complexion, adding more to her allure. She had a slender but curvy frame. She stood at 5'4 , the same height as Skyler's.
" I see so many things in you…I think a person like you belongs in…" the sorting hat fell quiet causing Devon to hold her breath, every fiber of her being focused on Gryffindor, she wanted to be with her friends no matter what, so she waited closing her eyes patiently until the sorting hat finally shouted " SLYTHERIN."
Devon opened her eyes, enormously disappointed for expecting this but smiling nonetheless, and looked at Skyler winking to send her the 'I'm okay message', she got off the stool and walked towards her cheering house.
"Mister Evan Scott, if you may please" said Donald Eckhart holding the sorting hat in his hands. It was very obvious that he was more than happy that it was finally down to the last student. Evan Scott flashed him a grin before he sat on the stool.
"Oh my god it's Chris Scott's son, the famous Quidditch Seeker who plays for the national English team!" someone said a little more loudly and excitedly than they meant to and suddenly the great hall broke out into whispers of enthusiasm and thrill.
The sorting hat barely touched Evan's head before it shouted "SLYTHERIN."
Shock was evident on his face, along with the rest of the great hall's, but soon enough it turned into an amused expression and his laughter followed almost immediately as he jogged to where Devon sat cheering loudly with the rest of her house mates. Skyler mouthed 'traitors' from afar but she still clapped, because she knew this wouldn't affect them three one bit.
"You know, I was so prepared to give that hat a serious piece of my mind, along with some serious negative energy for putting you in a different house than, what we supposed was the house I was going to get into, the chicken of a hat didn't have the Guts to man up and even mentally face me!" said Evan, completely serious, next to Devon who was still laughing at the speed of which his house was decided.
He was 6 feet tall, well built due to all Quidditch he played, growing up and at his previous school. He also had sandy blonde hair that almost reached his neck in layers, guarding his sea green eyes.
"Well, I'm sure it was just too terrified to face the almighty Evan Scott!" said Devon sarcastically rolling her eyes, with a smirk tugging at her lips "Oooh food time!"
Food appeared out of thin air on the table right in front of them and they both looked up to where Skyler was and pointed at the food, she gave them the 'I know!' look.
"You know, I think Hogwarts might just not be so bad!" Said Evan rolling his sleeves up.
"I agree." Said Devon laughing at the man turned pig in front of her "You embarrassing pig, thank god no camera's eh!"
Evan chocked in response.
XXX
Hermione looked out her window, physically sitting on the cushioned window bench with a cup of tea she sipped on occasionally, but mentally she was in another place and at a different time. She felt like her life was not hers at all, like the sand in the desert controlled by the wind. Pulling her in all directions except the direction she wanted the most. No matter how much she struggled against it and fought for a chance, a break, she was just swept effortlessly and pushed towards a new direction. With no control or power to stop it.
Lies.
Her life was full of lies she never expected herself to tell. Lies she had to tell. She was not proud of her decisions, but she would do it all over again and go though the pain all over again, a million times again, if it meant his safety. If it meant his life.
Flash back
18 years ago..
Hermione Granger was about to flu out of her flat in a very private muggle neighborhood, more than eager to get to her destination to share her news, when a knock on the door stopped her dead in her tracks.
No one ever knocked on her door, not her neighbors , not her friends ... not anyone. All who wanted to contact her contacted her via the fireplace or owls, so it was very strange that she would get a knock on the door. Her auror instincts took over, gripping her wand tightly she walked slowly to the door, the world was still full of evil that has yet to be caught. A knock on the door may seem innocent but it could very well end her life.
She stood a lengthy distance from the door before muttering a spell for it to open, wand ready in hand incase of unfriendly visitors.
To say she was shocked would be an understatement, but her wand was raised and pointed nonetheless. Hermione had no clue who would knock on her door, but she would have never have thought, not in a million years that Xaus Malfoy would be standing in the hallway, holding his brothers cane while looking contemptuously at the place.
His Cristal blue eyes surveyed the place and seized it up, looking at it with disgust before finally landing them eyes on Hermione. He smiled was instantaneous and sweet.. too sweet.
Hermione felt a chill go up her spine. That man reminded her strongly of his older brother. From his posture to the black robes he was wearing ending with his long blonde hair, tied at the back the …exact same way. Not to forget the cane. She felt her heart starting to pound harder in her chest, it felt like it was going to pound it's way out of her body. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for battle, the ministry had been after him but because of lack of evidence there was nothing to convict him with. He sneaked his way out of everything, like a serpent.
Lucius Malfoy wasn't so lucky.
"You." Said Hermione with disgust, her eyes set on him- full of anger and hatred. This man was the reason behind the death of so many innocent people, so much pain and suffering, and to see someone like him walk away, unpunished, made her blood boil. She knew that the world would be a better place with one less man like him around, but it wasn't her place to decide what punishment he deserved and she knew it. However, she also knew that she had it within her power to find a way to get people like him behind the bars of Azkaban, where they will pay for all their sins and find the justice they deserved. All that it required was a little slip up on his part and she could have him sent there within the day.
"Hello, miss Granger, I believe we have not been introduced formally, I am-" said Xaus Malfoy in his Melodic pleasant voice but was interrupted by Hermione before he finished his sentence.
"What. Do. You. Want." Hermione let each word out slowly and aggressively. She wasn't going to let him continue his 'nice' deceptive act on her.
Xaus Malfoy took a step forward into her flat " Shall we have this conversation inside, I don't believe you would want the neighbors to overhear us now would you?"
Hermione kept her wand pointed at him, as he walked in closing the door behind him, Watching him like a hawk.
"I would sit, but this place is just too filthy for me" he said waving his free hand around in nonchalance" Now, to business yes?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at what he supposed was a stinging comment and said in complete sarcasm "I'm so hurt by your creative and witty insults!-now," eyeing him warily and suspiciously she added "What business?"
He gave the most chilling smirk before he said "Why my nephew of course!"
Hermione felt the blood in her veins freeze. Every heart beat seemed to resound louder in her ears. She didn't even realize she'd been holding her breath until her lungs ached for oxygen. All the color drained from her face, and her eyes were wide with astonishment. Complete and utter astonishment. She couldn't speak, even if she wanted to, words she used everyday failed to come to her mind to aid her.
She just stared in complete shock, with her wand raised in front of her as nothing more than a prop, because if Xaus Malfoy chose to attack at that moment she would not have been able to do anything to defend herself.
"Surprise! I know" said Xaus in a sing song voice, relishing in enjoyment at Hermione's reaction.
Hermione snapped out of her shock at the sound of his voice, her grip around her wand tight once again. She was shaking, no, trembling on the inside. There was no way he could know, only two people knew and those were her best friends who swore never to tell anyone. She was trying to search for faults, for mistakes or opportunities that led to the believe or doubt about her being with Draco Malfoy.
There were none, they were always careful not to be seen, always on alert.
It was impossible for anyone to find out, let alone his wana be head of the family after his brothers death uncle.
"I don't know-" started Hermione, not even convincing herself, only to be interrupted with a hollow chuckle.
"When he refused the betrothal- in more than one occasion, I knew there was something wrong, I knew there was someone else, someone filthy" he said looking at her with repugnance.
"Betrothal?" asked Hermione in puzzlement, her eyebrows rising a little in surprise.
"Oh, well I expected him not to tell you. You maybe…desirable for filth" he said scanning her figure slowly with his eyes, licking his lips in the process. Hermione was appalled on so many levels, she wanted to throw up and just shield her self from his sickening gaze "But, he is promised to someone else, even though he didn't know about it until recently," here Xaus laughed as if it was an exceptionally funny joke but then continued as if he was talking about a complete stranger "And the betrothal is magical, bound by blood and all that by the way. He thought he could get out of it, but of course he cannot. I assume you understand that being all what the news papers say about you."
"You see, when my dear nephew switched sides and started working for your side, I thought it was just to save his own life, but imagine my surprise when it turned out that he was actually sincere!" said Xaus as if it was the most horrifying thing in the world "nevertheless even if he is a traitor, he is still a Malfoy and we do not associate ourselves with mudbloods"
Hermione wanted to scream, shout, hex him and unfreeze her frozen body, but all she could do was listen, listen to his words and feel the knives go deeper and deeper into her heart.
"I had personally uncovered the mystery and I must say I was surprised!" he said in a sickeningly excited tone and than added with a shrug " who would have thought a few letters and an owl would lead to Hermione Granger, the hero!"
"Well, I need to be going so I will make this very short and curt, I do have more important things to attend to rather than an insignificant mudblood." He said looking condescendingly at her.
"He is to be married to his Betroth in two months, if he doesn't marry her, he will die because that is one of the terms on the betrothal contract to insure that he follows through, the only way for him to be free is if she dies, and even if she does I will be around to insure that … he doesn't stray or else he might face significant consequences that I am sure you would hate for him to face.." said Xaus calmly while moving his cane from one hand to the other. He spoke as if he was in a business meeting, closing a deal, a successful deal in his case.
"I will not let some low life bitch like you ruin the Malfoy's name or purity" he added dangerously in a low hiss, his eyes flashing.
As soon as that was said his tone changed to the same pleasant tone he used when he first entered "It was nice meeting you, good day!"
And with a pop he disappeared leaving Hermione exactly where she was, with her wand still raised. She stood there for a long time. She didn't feel time passing by, she only felt pain, excruciating immobilizing massive pain.
It started with her wand falling to the floor.
Then she herself fell to her knee's, her legs not able to carry her weight on them anymore.
It ended with her whole world falling apart.
End of flash back.
Hermione dropped her tea cup spilling hot tea all over herself and the cushions. She swore loudly getting up to get her wand from the coffee table to clean up the mess.
"Are you okay Mione?" Said someone from behind causing Hermione to jump in surprise, her wand immediately clutched in her hand, pointing at the direction the sound came from.
"Ron!, I didn't hear you come in, you scared me half to death!" said Hermione letting out a sigh of relief followed by an awkward laugh at her extreme reaction.
"Your crying." Said Ron quietly, his voice heavy with concern.
Hermione touched her cheeks feeling the hot fresh tears, she quickly wiped them with the back of her hand laughing uncomfortably "See, I spilled hot tea on me and it really hurt, I'm so clumsy!"
Hermione turned around Quickly and started walking to the kitchen with the tea cup in hand. She muttered a few spells and in a matter of seconds her jeans and blue t-shirt were clean with no burning sensation.
"So, what brings you here Ron?" said Hermione knowing Ron was right behind her, but not feeling quite ready to face him just yet she stayed facing the window overlooking the field of her Victorian house. She picked a beautiful classical Victorian looking house in the country side with spacious lands for her privacy. There was even a small pond near by. It seemed perfect, secluded and Skyler loved it, so that was all she needed to purchase it " Is everything alright?"
There was a heavy pause that hung in the air for a while before Ron answered her.
"He's dead"
XXX
Jake potter was in the Gryffindor common room, sitting on his favorite armchair next to the fireplace with his best mates, staring discreetly and occasionally at Skyler Granger at the opposite end of the room, standing with his cousin Georgette Weasley.
Hermione Granger was a name he'd heard so many times in his home growing up. Sometimes with full on hatred and anger from his mother and at times with nothing but regret and remorse. His father, however, always with wretchedness and misery. Going back to the old issues of the daily prophet, when no one would answer his questions, he managed to find out a lot of things that he either categorized as false or true. In his own experience with the paper, even an esteemed paper like the daily prophet they always found a way to add more to the truth or tweak it a little, maintaining the credibility title along the way.
Best friends.
They were best friends along with his uncle Ron.
Inseparable.
Almost always in pictures together, having a laugh or looking serious.
He could see it in the pictures, all three of them shared a bond strong enough to come across to the readers through mere pages. His curiosity was vast. He was just too curious about why things ended up the way they did- his uncle Ron still best friend of both, while both no longer friends. It seemed unfathomable how two close friends ended up like complete strangers who didn't even interact with each other through the years.
What happened?
Jake always found it suspicious when he was little and his parents would shut up whenever he'd walk into the room. But as he grew older and smarter, he learned to stand by the door for a few seconds before he walked in, which wasn't useful seeing as both his parents being the incredible Aurors that they were realized his presence. However, he had discovered that all those conversations were about her, Hermione Granger.
Her occurrence in the English papers of the magical world was not as constant as it had been, but the French papers were more than enough to intrigue him further. It seemed that she left to have her baby and work in France as an Auror, something that she would not have been able to do here in England because of his father, who started out as an Auror but is now head of the department of magical law enforcement and has his own training center called Dumbledore army- which is independent from the ministry for all those who want to better themselves in the defensive art of magic.
They would have had to run into each other all the time had she decided to work in the ministry of magic, so Jake came to the conclusion that her decision had something to do with his father. Hermione Granger was connected to his life in so many ways, via so many people but was not a part of it and his parents feelings towards her confused him even more. But he could feel it ever since he was a little boy, the one thing that was always in the air when she was brought up was regret.
Jake was looking at Skyler again without realizing it and it finally registered that blue eyes were looking back at him. Jake swore inwardly for getting caught while lost in thought and smirked at her indifferently. She raised an eyebrow questioningly and was answered with a shrug on his part. He then turned his focus back to the conversation with his mates.
"Yeah, I don't think Williams is French though" said David Labret one of Jake Potter's closest friends "Didn't her family move to France after the war?"
"Don't know, I'm not interested in her as much I am interested in Scott, his father is a legend!" Said Andrea Samuels who was a Quidditch fanatic.
"What do you reckon they're talking about?" said Jonathan Weasley looking at his cousin and Skyler Granger on the other side of the room.
"Probably fashion, make up and who was on the cover of more magazines last month" said Jena Weasley uninterestedly flipping through her Quidditch now magazine "Air heads like them, what'd you expect, right Jake."
"Err Jena we wear make up and like to dress up nice, and isn't Georgette your cousin?"
"Oh, yeah, we're not close, and we do but we're not shallow like they are, it's so obvious!" she said indifferently looking their way with a hint of dislike which was slowly replaced with a mischievous look "Cant wait to start testing out dad's new products, right Jo!"
"So I see you've decided the targets of this year Jena, poor Georgette.." said Jonathan chucking his eyes twinkling with mischief "We should really give her a break…but this is our last year!"
"She is my cousin as well, and I wont let you torture the poor girl again!" said Jake rolling his eyes at his cousins wicked intentions "You evil twins!"
Jonathan and Jena patted their eyelashes innocently at the rest of the group and said in mock hurt unanimously before bursting out laughing joining the entire group "Cant you see the halos Jake how could you!"
Meanwhile on the other side of the room where both Georgette and Skyler were sitting on a sofa catching up.
"I still cant believe how amazing that day was, playing against Chris Scott totally unreal!" raved Georgette her eyes lighting up in excitement.
Skyler laughed in irony "You know that is Exactly what Evan said about playing with your dad, uncle Ron!"
"Yeah I don't think so, my dad is an embarrassment to all human kind!" said Georgette rolling her eyes in typical teenager hate for butting parents "Remember Sam, well Sam no more thanks to him!"
Skyler burst out laughing uncontrollably, she couldn't stop herself, the way her friend said it was soo funny. Georgette had the worst dates with boys thanks to her dad, he always found a way to ruin everything, whether it was eating in the same place by complete 'coincidence' or just happening to be where they were at the same time, disguised of course to not attract attention for being the world famous Quidditch player. That disguise did not fool Georgette one bit, she could smell her fathers presence from miles.
Georgette joined Skyler, attracting more attention to their corner, students looked at them curiously wondering what was the reason behind their laughter. Skyler caught Jake Potter looking at her again, this time along with the rest of the students with an amused look on his face. Skyler wiped the tears of the flashbacks of Georgette's stories and calmed down.
"I just remembered all those times you wrote to me about him, it was and still is hilarious!" said Skyler giggling , not believing her friend's bad luck with her dad.
"I'm glad my life's most embarrassing moments are there to entertain you!" said Georgette in mock anger.
"Come on, you get amused by them as much as I do, but your dad should seriously give you a break!" said Skyler giving her friend an apologetic smile.
"I know right, I'm a fifth year not a kid anymore." Said Georgette rolling her eyes in annoyance at her father "So, my dad does not get called cool in front of me, even if the rest of the world is in love with him!"
"Fine by me I shall warn my friends, though they might not agree with you.." said Skyler grinning but then asked upon remembering Jake potter's glance "What's the deal with Jake Potter and his friends?"
"Them, well they are idiots that's what they are!" said Georgette angrily "Not Jake, he's nice to me, I am his cousin after all, but the diabolical twins are monsters!"
"See the red haired boy with green eyes and freckles, about the same height as dad is Jonathan and the blonde bitch with brown eyes is his twin sister Jena, Jo isn't so bad until she starts picking on me" said Georgette, her cheeks flushing in anger "I haven't even done anything to her and I'm her cousin for crying out loud, uncle George has evil children!"
Skyler looked shocked and glanced briefly at the un-identical twins who were also Georgettes cousins and offered her friend a sympathetic smile "My guess is that she is just jealous, you are one of the most famous faces around" she said looking all fake glamorous trying to cheer her friend up, then she added more sincerely "Besides she doesn't know you and that's her loss really."
Georgette smiled brightly and gratefully at her friend, her spirits high again and continued to the last two members of the group "David is the blonde guy on jakes right, the one with the dimples and Andrea is the petite one with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes, I don't know much about her except she's really into Quidditch and is on the Quidditch team"
"Are you?" asked Skyler curiously.
"No.." said Georgette nervously "Jena freaks me out so I haven't tried for the team."
"Is she on the team?" asked Skyler her brows frowned.
"Yeah.." answered Georgette letting out a long sigh with her shoulders slumped.
"Come try out's day, we will both be there and give it our best shot okay!" said Skyler in authority and confidence she held Georgettes hands and added seriously" No but's or anything, don't let her dictate how you want to live your life here just because she's petty and jealous!"
"Bu-" started Georgette but was interrupted by Skyler's hand over her mouth.
"Zip it! now let's go check out my Dorm!" said Skyler Grabbing Georgettes hand and heading towards the stairs leading to the girls Dormitory.
Emerald eyes Followed them curiously until they were out of sight.
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So, review!
I will be working on the second chapter as soon as possible.