Disclaimer: I have no ownership rights of anything contained within that is recognisable as the works of JK Rowling, the Harry Potter Universe and other affiliated properties.
Note to readers:
The story contained is based in an alternate universe to accepted canon, if this is not your thing please turn back now. Thank you.
Snuffles
To say that Hermione was surprised to see a shaggy black dog, on the back seat of the car, when she left Kings Cross was an understatement. Her parent's never had been too keen on pets, before Crookshanks, may he rest in peace, there had only been the occasional goldfish; and she'd only been allowed the half kneazle on the condition that Crooks was Hermione's responsibility. The shaggy dog also looked surprisingly familiar.
"The kennel said he's called Snuffles," Mrs Granger smiled, "The RSPCA lady said he was found roaming the airport. Had a collar with his name, poor thing, but no contact details, and no electronic chip. He's so well behaved, we just had to take him home."
Hermione still appeared a little confused as she helped her father load her trunk into the hatchback.
"After the miscarriage, your mother was so upset. So we now have a dog." Her father whispered.
"Ah." Hermione understood, although she couldn't help but wonder whether there was something more to the fluffy creature than met the eye.
The journey home was a long one, but as described, Snuffles didn't act up one bit. Once Hermione had settled into her seat, the dog had snuggled into her side, head on her lap, watching the world go by.
"So how was school?" Mrs Granger asked, once they were on the motorway and no longer relying on the TomTom.
"Same as usual really. Classes were interesting, exams were stressful, and the Boys have yet to learn how to get their homework done without rushing.
"There's been a little bit of a fuss, Dumbledore, our Headmaster, well he's dead. He stepped off the astronomy tower while sleepwalking, poor fellow. Someone forgot to lock the classroom that evening."
"Now that is a shame, he was a decent bloke." Her father commented.
"Some would say that, you know I was never to keen on him. But I wouldn't wish that on anyone." Mrs Granger had met the man once, but after hearing about how Harry had been treated, and how Dumbledore had been the one to place him with the family, she had started to question. It had bothered her quite a bit that the man hadn't gone, or at least sent someone, to investigate, when the letters to Harry had been addressed to 'the cupboard under the stairs'.
"Anything less upsetting, like a boyfriend, perhaps?" Mr Granger decided to swifty change the topic, a moving vehicle was not the place for the inevitable argument about the now dead Headmaster.
"You know there's no one at school that's peaked my interest. They're all too annoying."
"Girlfriend?" He tried again.
"You know we wouldn't judge you if that's your thing." Her mother reassured.
"No." Hermione was embarrassed and turned to look out of the window. "I just don't think I've met enough people to have met the one yet. Maybe when I get out of school you can be more hopeful for the gossip you are so desperately after."
"Your knight in shining armour will turn up one day Hermione. I promise you." Her mother reached her hand over to pat her husband on the thigh. "He'll appear when you least expect it. Or she, she'll appear."
"Riiight, moving swifty on… Harry is still unsure about Ginny. They've been close for years, you know this, but he'd beginning to wonder whether she's just after him for the fame.
"Ron was dating the school bike, but that didn't turn out well. He's decided he's off dating for the moment… I've told him that one bad experience doesn't mean all women are monsters, but I suppose he needs time. Luna's been trying to flirt with him since Easter, but he's having none of it… he did mention that he might have to travel one day, he thinks that he might find a witch out there in the world somewhere.
"Mrs Weasley still thinks that Ron and I should be thinking about getting together, no matter how many times we've tried to explain that we see each other as brother and sister… it just feels wrong.
"The bad guys are still showing the world that they exist, Professor Lupin mentioned that he'd put some wards up on your house; everything will be fine, he's a rather talented wizard, especially with the help of Bill. You know Bill is a curse breaker for the Bank, he's probably made our house safer than Hogwarts."
Mrs Granger hummed in agreement, "they were a charming pair, mentioned that they were employing a couple of techniques the Ancient Egyptians had used in protecting their tombs; magically safe for muggles, but disastrous consequences should Wizards with evil intentions come calling. I thought it was quite nice of them, and they agreed to extend the wards to include the practice as well."
"It was rather good of them, it's not like we're part of your world, and in the grand scheme of things we'd only be considered collateral damage." Mr Granger commented, "I never thought that they'd take us into consideration… oh, Peggy did you catch what that sign read?"
"The inside lane is closing after the next junction, probably been an accident; I'd come off at Duxford, and come across on the A505, we can always venture through the countryside. Might as well stop and let Snuffles have a run around… anyhow you were saying."
"Ah yes, good plan. Seems we're going on a country jaunt Mya." He chuckled, "but yes, I was saying. It was good of Remus and Bill to come out and put those wards on our properties, we really were not expecting it. I know that the world seems to revolve around your friend Harry, and I would never expect you to stop being friends with the boy. We just came to the conclusion that if something were to ever happen to us, then it was going to happen.
"It is rather nice to know that the people in charge of the resistance seem to think that we are important enough to protect. You know we love you, and wouldn't want to miss out on your wonderful achievements, but we also know that you know that we'd both take a bullet for you. It's what parents do."
"Nothing bad is going to happen to either of you, nor I. We're going to get through this whole mess and have a lovely family holiday. I was thinking, maybe we could go to China when I graduate? I know it's next summer, but I thought maybe it would give us some hope through everything."
"Oh, what a swell idea."
"We shall have to see what this new Labour government are doing first, but we shall try. At least under the Conservatives we knew what we were getting. Not sure what they plan to do with the NHS and the taxes. They've not been in long enough to give us much clue. You know as well as us that the manifestos are a pile of bo..."
"No swearing in the car dear."
Hermione chuckled in the back seat, her movements waking the sleeping bundle of fluff. She began stroking her hand from the ears, down as far as she could reach along the dogs back. "Sorry I woke you Snuffles."
The dog looked at her, before letting out a huff and closing his eyes again. Hermione decided she was quite glad her parents had decided to adopt him.