Shyla Granger was raised as a Weasley, but when she is sorted into Slytherin, her bloodline is questioned. With truths unraveling, Hermione Granger has to deal with the mistakes from her past, that are back to haunt her. But can they learn to trust again?

Rated T for some swearing, and future topics. Will not cross the border into M, and if for some reason it does, I will change the rating, and give ample warning. Thanks for reading!

The Apple Never Falls Far

Chapter 1: Happy Birthday, Miss Granger

"Hey, Mum?" the preteen girl asked on a bright and early Sunday morning in the month of April.

April 17, to be exact. The girl had light brown hair, with very little wave to it, and light blue eyes. She was thin and poised - she didn't take after her mum much at all. In fact, the only time her hair had any wave to it at all was shortly after waking up, or when the level of humidity got the best of her. The girl found it an important part of her day to straighten it, which she hated, because it involved using a product made by Muggles.

"Good Morning, Shyla," her mother replied.

"Has the owl arrived yet?" Shyla asked, cautiously.

"Felrin is in his cage, still sleeping," Hermione Granger said softly as she sipped her coffee. Her hair was long and as wavy as it had ever been. She had most certainly aged over the years, especially from the work of raising a child on her own. Yet, aging suited her.

Shyla sighed. "Mum! Not Felrin. The really important owl. You know, the owl carrying a letter from Hogwarts!" Shyla was not enjoying her mum's game.

Hermione smiled. "Oh! That owl... No, it has not arrived. Hmm... This late in the day? Maybe you're a squib after all!"

"MUM!" Shyla shouted. "Don't jinx me like that!"Hermione laughed softly and hugged her frustrated daughter.

"Happy eleventh birthday, my beautiful girl."

Shyla smiled. "Thanks, Mum. When are we going to Grandma and Grandpa Weasley's?"

"This afternoon. So be patient, my love. First, I have a present for you." Hermione's eyes sparkled with excitement. She handed Shyla a package wrapped in a crimson red paper.

Shyla quickly took the large present and tore the paper. It was a book. She carefully fought back the look of disappointment to spare her mum's feelings. Hogwarts: A Historywas the title that labeled the old book.

Hermione grinned. "This was my copy when I went to Hogwarts! I added so many of my own notes, I thought it would be a wonderful way for you to get a good start at your history. And you can add your own notes, perhaps to pass on to your own child someday!"

Shyla smiled and hugged Hermione. "Thanks, Mum." Shyla took a piece of buttered toast from the stack on the small, two person table and went to her bedroom. Her bedroom was her escape, decorated completely in her own taste, since Hermione wanted Shyla to have a bedroom she would desire to come home to during holidays. The walls were a soft shade of blue with thin deep brown lines creating a plaid pattern. Miscellaneous posters filled the walls, including one of her favourite Quidditch team, the Falmouth Falcons, the band the Weird Sisters, and one of a Chinese Fireball dragon.

She tapped the play button on her stereo and music came blasting from the speakers. It was Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, a popular wizard rock band that Shyla found much enjoyment listening to. It drove Hermione insane at how loudly Shyla listened to her music, especially because of the excuse Shyla used, to say it helped her concentrate.

Her bed was twin sized, but it was comfortable enough. A candle flickered on her vanity table, giving off the scent of fresh baked cookies. It was one of Shyla's favorite smells, considering her mum didn't exactly excel in the baking department. They mostly ate pre-made food, but when Shyla felt inclined, she was able to make a delicious yellow cake with a raspberry jelly filling.

Shyla flopped down onto her bed and took a bite of her toast. "Ugh, wheat bread," she groaned. Hermione was on a kick of trying to get them to eat healthier and she thought wheat bread was a good start. Being a, now eleven, year old girl, she would much rather have the soft flavor of white bread.

She opened Hogwarts: A Historyand proceeded to thumb through a few of the pages and laughed to herself. "As discovered by Harry Potter, the sword of Godric Gryffindor works wonders against Basilisks. Year 2." A few flips of the pages later, she came across another note. "The Whomping Willow hides a secret passage to the Shrieking Shack, but I would not recommend risking the possible injuries to access it."

Shyla laughed to herself. "Yeah, right! My mum is one of the most cautious people. She would have never risked anything that could possible get her expelled." Shyla closed the book and tossed it next to her on the bed. As much as she wanted to please her mother, she was not interested in books, although she read them when there was nothing else to do. She had more of a desire to be adventurous and to get into trouble. Hermione said Shyla took after her father in that sense and that pleased Shyla a great had never known her father. He was killed during the Great War. Hermione didn't talk about it much but Shyla picked up bits and pieces from her aunts and uncles to make up a decent story about his life and heroic death.

Shyla stayed in her room until lunch time, spending time straightening her hair, against her mother's wishes, and staring at her features in the mirror. She pretended not to be so vane, but she loved everything about herself. Especially her eyes. The shade of blue was very rare for her family. Her aunt, Fleur, had lovely blue eyes, but they were a darker blue than Shyla's. Besides, they weren't actually blood related.

There was a sharp tapping on the window. Shyla ran from her bedroom and threw open the window, allowing the wind to catch her long, soft hair. A large black owl fluttered in and presented Shyla with a parchment. Printed on the front was:

Miss Shyla Jane Granger

Shyla took the letter and smelled it. For nostalgic reasons of course. "Told you I wasn't a squib!" Shyla teased her mum as Hermione fed the owl a treat. After reading and rereading the acceptance letter several times, Shyla grinned. "I can't wait to go to Hogwarts!"

Hermione and Shyla made their way to the home of Arthur and Molly Weasley. They had been there thousands of times before, but this time it was special. It was Shyla Granger's eleventh birthday. The most important birthday to any young witch or wizard. As the girls approached The Burrow, Hermione had a flashback to the day she introduced them to Shy.

Hermione was 18 years old when she walked up to the crooked house with an infant bundled in her arms. She had not seen the Weasley family in nearly two years. So much had changed. The war had gone into full force. Losing Harry. Losing Ron. Hermione had gotten pregnant and given birth to a healthy little girl. For the first time, she had run away from life, scared of what others would think. She had gotten closer to a friend, creating a friendship that she needed the most. Even her own parents, she avoided for the sake of their good name, thinking she had betrayed their trust. But today would be a fresh day. A new start. Today, Hermione Granger would introduce her daughter to the outside world.

She crossed the barren field to the lonely house. A cloud hovered over it, while the rest of the sky was a clear blue, with only wisps of clouds. She feared that today was a bad day in the Weasley household. But it was too late now to turn back. Besides, she had been putting this off for months. It was now or never.

The wooden gate creaked as she swung it open, her heart pounding in her chest the entire time. With a last moment of hesitance, she slowly raised her hand and made a light fist. Quickly, she knocked. A part of her was wishing that nobody was home. But then the door opened. A young, red headed girl, now woman, stood at the door. Her skin was pale, and her eyes were dark with pain and suffering. This was definitely a bad day for the Weasleys.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked softly, adjusting her arms.

"Yes?" Ginny Weasley replied. "Can I- Shit..." Her face became even paler if that was at all possible. "Hermione? Is that really you?"

Hermione nodded quickly, tears of joy coming to her eyes. "I'm so sorry! I just... I needed some time to adjust... after the war. It ended so quickly."

Ginny allowed tears to stream down her cheeks. "Come in! We all thought you were dead!" She opened the door, not noticing the bundle in her friend's arms. She began shouting through the house, calling attention to their visitor. "Mum! Dad! Everyone! It's Hermione!"

Molly Weasley left the kitchen, wiping her damp hands on a towel. "Goodness..." she breathed, looking up from her hands. "Hermione? It really is you..." Tears over flowed as she took Hermione in a large, motherly hug.

Hermione adjusted baby Shyla in her arms and returned the hug. Soon Arthur, Fred, George, and even Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet, joined in on the hugging and exclamations of joy.

It was finally Katie who noticed what Hermione was carrying. "Hermione, is that-?"

Hermione smiled lightly, "That's why I'm here. I need to talk to everyone."

Molly glanced at the bundle and gasped, "Is that a baby?"Hermione nodded, "Can we sit, please?"Arthur nodded, and escorted the young girl into the living room. "Can I get you some tea?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, thank you." She adjusted the baby so that everyone could see her. "This is Shyla. She's my daughter."Molly gaped at Hermione, her eyes wide with surprise. "How old is she?"

"Shyla is about four months old. She was born on April 17." Hermione replied, caressing her baby's soft skin.

Fred quickly did the math in his head. "Who's Shyla's father?"

Hermione blushed as Ginny jumped into the conversation. "I bet it's Ron. Right, Hermione? I always knew you and Ron would fall in love eventually!"

"Gin... I..." Hermione tried to explain.

Molly allowed tears to form and run down her face, 'Oh, wouldn't that be such a gift! It would be like a part of Ron was returned to us! But tell us Hermione, is it Ron?"

They all turned to Hermione expectantly. Their faces full of hopes. She looked down at Shyla, taking a deep breath, "Yes," she heard herself saying, "this is Ron's daughter."

Hermione allowed the memories to take over as she watched her now eleven year old daughter play with her best friend. It had been hard, but Shyla was worth every moment of every day.

"Happy birthday, Shyla!" the large, extended family chorused as the young girl blew out the candles on her birthday cake.

Hermione was glad that her own parents were able to visit the Burrow for such a special occasion. Typically, Shyla had 3 holidays for every one. One with her mother, the next with the Weasley family, and then with her Grandma and Grandpa Granger. But this year, for this birthday, Hermione was able to convince her parents to make the drive to the Burrow. It would have been easier for them to use the Floo Network, but Hermione's Mum was terrified of the entire process.

Shyla grinned as she opened up a present in between bites of chocolate cake withmint frosting. "This one is from Grandma and Grandpa Granger!" Shyla announced, tearing the paper. It revealed a book about space and the stars that filled their galaxy. Shyla gave a half smile and set the book down. "Thanks..."

Hermione eyed her father. "Dad, she's eleven. Really?"

Mr. Granger shrugged. "At that age, you couldn't wait to read anything factual. Besides, astronomy is really cool."

Mrs. Granger turned to her daughter and sighed. "I tried to convince him that clothes or a game would be better. But he had his heart set on getting her that book."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I am sure I will enjoy reading it. So thank you, Dad." She smiled at him playfully and turned back to watch her daughter.

"This one is from all of us, Dear," Molly said excitedly, handing Shyla a large, rectangular package. It was covered in brown paper, enhanced with black stars and swirls to decorate.

Shyla carefully removed the paper to reveal a red box. She removed the large lid, revealing a broom. Shyla's jaw dropped. "This is a Nimbus 2015!" she squealed and pulled the black broom out of its box. "I can't believe it! My very own broom! I love it! Thank you everyone!" She shoved the last of the cake into her mouth, standing to leave the table. "Who's up for a game of Quidditch?" Shyla and her cousins ran outside, to try out the new broom. Leaving the adults to themselves.

Mrs. Granger sighed and walked over to the package, fiddling with the paper. "We're just the Muggle grandparents. Face it John, our gifts will always be second to these magical ones."

Hermione shook her head, "Oh, Mum, please don't feel that way." She turned to Molly Weasley this time. "Molly, this was really too much."Molly smiled. "Nonsense, Dear! Shyla only turns eleven once! We all pitched in, it really wasn't a big deal. Plus, it's last year's model. Just let Shyla enjoy herself."

"Besides," George laughed, "we had to help her out somehow. Between you, being terrified to fly, and Ron... Well, he was Slytherin's 'King' for a while there."

Fred, Charlie, and Bill all joined in laughing and joking about Ron's inability at Quidditch. "Not quite as bad as Percy, though," Charlie added, eating the rest of his kid's cake.

"Where is Percy, anyway?" Hermione asked, shaking her head at the brothers.

Bill scoffed. "He'll be here later. At least, so he says. Who knows with Percy anymore."

Katie rolled her eyes. "All of you, give Percy a break. He's dating someone new. Maybe he can finally move on and be happy again."

"Daniel died six years ago!" Charlie emphasized. "You would think six years would be plenty of time! Do I miss my wife? Yes. But for the sake of my children, I got on. No, I'm not ready to date again, but I don't sulk every day."

Katie threw a glance a Ginny and lowered her voice. "For some people it just takes longer!"

Hermione sighed. "I thought she was happy with Neville."

Katie shrugged. "She was. I really believe she was. Then, after Darius was born,something snapped. Poor Neville, though."

"Shh! Ginny's coming over," Bill hissed. He laughed lightly. "Fred, that was killer man. Don't make me choke!"

Ginny gave a half smile. "What's so funny?" Her eyes were heavy, and her hair didn't have the shine that it used to.

Bill nodded to Fred and laughed, "Oh, this joke that Fred told. Classic."

"Oh, what joke?" Ginny asked her brother.

Fred coughed and threw a quick glare are Bill. "It's this Muggle joke, that, uh, Hermione's dad told me. He tells it so much better, but I'll take a shot at it." He quickly thought of the only Muggle joke he could and smiled. "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

Ginny looked at him and shook her head, while Hermione rolled her eyes.

Fred began to laugh in anticipation. "To get to the other side." The group of adults started laughing, while Ginny just looked at them like they were insane.

"That doesn't even make any sense," Ginny said, dryly.

Hermione laughed. "No, Gin, what doesn't make any sense is 'why did the elephant cross the road?" She paused for the effect of the joke. "Because it was stapled to the chicken."

Fred laughed, and the others began laughing at the sound of Fred's laugh.

Hermione's dad smiled and laughed. "That was Hermione's favorite joke as a little girl. On road trips, she would go through every animal she could think of, and repeat it back to the chicken. I think the record was 24 animals stapled together before she forgot the order."

Hermione smiled at her dad. She was glad that her parents were finally comfortable around the Weasleys. It had taken them years to become relaxed, and not uptight and awkward, whenever magic was used. But they did it for their daughter, and their granddaughter. Martha Granger was helping Molly with the dishes, insisting that she help, even if magic could do it so much faster. John Granger was now in the backyard with Arthur Weasley, hiding from their wives, as they smoked pipes together. It was a nice sight to see. Soon, Hermione began to notice many of the men slipping away, to join for a smoke. Their wives pretending to be oblivious. 'It must be nice,' Hermione thought to herself, 'to be a wife.'

Thanks for reading my first chapter of The Apple Never Falls Far! I have the first 14 chapters written (and know where it is going), and they are currently in Beta. I will likely update twice a week or so. With my summer internship, I am not sure what days I will update, but definitely keep an eye out! But for now, please R&R!

~PurplePygmyPuff