I'll have you guys know that the 1995 Chicago heat wave really did happen. I didn't want to make up some predicament that happened upon Altaira's adoptive parents, so I had just looked up events that had taken place in the year '95 and voila! Still wanna check if I got my facts straight? Feel free to do so.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except Miss Altaira and the mere mentions of Michael and Sandra Lane Granger.
It was mid-morning when both girls were settling down at the kitchen table for breakfast. Hermione's parents had already left for work, but not before leaving a big breakfast laid out onto the table to which the two happily helped themselves to.
During dinner last night, Hermione's mother had prepared a big welcoming feast for Altaira as well as a cake in celebration of her birthday, which had past not too long ago. All throughout the evening, it was just filled with smiles and cheer as they walked down memory lane and shared stories of their own.
Once dinner was finished, Hermione and Altaira had gone back upstairs, only this time, going into Hermione's room. Hermione had let Altaira explore her room, never having gone there since they were kids. It was obvious on how much they have grown by the items Hermione had displayed, and it was a picture of Harry, Ron, and Hermione that began their conversation.
They talked all night about their lives, about their friends, about their school, about Altaira's parents. They had laid on Hermione's bed just talking and laughing and joking about whatever came to mind, catching up as much as they could. For Hermione, apart from Harry and Ron, Altaira was the only closest best girl friend, aside from Ginny, who's becoming to be a good friend. She could share things with Harry and Ron, sure, but there were things that, as a girl, those two wouldn't understand. Altaira was basically a sister to her.
The two sat in silence as they enjoyed their meal with Altaira commenting every now and then how delicious the food was. Set before them was a pile of pancakes along with a bowl of oatmeal, a plate of eggs and bacon, and toast as well as a jug of orange juice and milk. Definitely a wonderful meal to start the day.
Hermione glanced up at Altaira, noticing how comfortable she was sitting crossed legged in her seat. She smiled, knowing that despite the difficulties Altaira had faced, she still had the strength to carry on.
At this time, Altaira noticed Hermione smiling at her and gave her a questioning look. "What's with the smile?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing really," Hermione replied. "I'm just glad that you're well."
Her cousin looked at her with surprise before smiling, understanding what Hermione meant. Losing her mother during her birth, her father to some unknown force, and then her adoptive parents to the Chicago heat, all of these tragic events could've turned Altaira into someone cruel and sadistic. Maybe someone who's always pessimistic. Basically, she could've been someone who isn't as nice and cheerful as she is now.
All of a sudden, there was a tapping noise that sounded throughout the kitchen, and both girls looked to the window to see a small owl hooting excitedly with a letter addressed to Hermione by it's feet.
"An owl?" Altaira looked at it with curiosity as Hermione walked to the window to let the owl in.
"Oh, Pig," Hermione sighed as the hyper owl began to circle around the room. Altaira laughed as she watched Pig did a few tricks around the kitchen before landing onto the table.
"His name is Pig?" Altaira asked as she fed the small bird some toast, feeling it's appreciation when he had leaned into her hand as she petted his head.
Hermione laughed. "Pigwidgeon actually," she replied as she picked up the letter and began to open it. "I've told you about Ron, right? Well his sister, Ginny, named him, and he liked the name immediately. Refused to respond to any other name Ron tried give him." Altaira laughed in response, now turning towards the owl and giving him her full attention.
While Altaira was occupied with Pig, Hermione read through the contents of the letter and found herself growing more worried with each word she read. It was when she gasped that caused Altaira to stop and focus on her cousin, giving her a questioning gaze.
"What's the matter?"
"I…" Hermione read through the contents again before meeting eye contact with Altaira. "I have to leave." Altaira furrowed her eyebrows, unsure about her cousin's sudden reaction. Hermione moved from her spot at the window and began to leave the kitchen area before stopping at the threshold of the kitchen. She turned to look at her cousin, staring at her for awhile before saying, "And I think it's best that you come with me as well."
Altaira's eyebrows shot up as she stared back at Hermione. She had only gotten back to London yesterday, and all of a sudden, she's being told that she had to leave. Why?
As if reading her thoughts, Hermione said, "We need to meet with the others in hiding."
An hour or so later, the two were at the front of the house with their suitcases at their side. Altaira had not ask any questions, placing her full trust in Hermione's decision on having them leave. They only needed to bring a few necessities, so while Hermione had packed one suitcase of her belongings, Altaira had to decide on what to bring and what to leave in her temporary room. She packed with her a few important documents, a few clothes, and some trinkets that she could never bring herself to part. Some of which were from her adoptive parents - a few pictures and a good luck charm she's always carried with her - and a few that were, supposedly, from her father.
Michael and Sandra Lane, her adoptive parents, had told her briefly that when they had adopted her from the orphanage that the caretaker of the facility had given them three letters. Two that were addressed to Altaira and one to the adoptive parents. The caretaker had said that it was from her father.
Of course by now, Altaira had already opened the letters or at least one of them. In the letter that was written to Michael and Sandra Lane, her father had written saying that they should only be opened at a specific time, a wish that Altaira had fully consented to. Upon reaching the age of ten, that was when she opened her first letter and had discovered a picture of her real father with a tiny version of herself. He had black, curly hair and kind, grey eyes. In the picture, he had been holding her hand with her sitting in his lap, trying to get her to wave at the camera as he looked at the camera with a grand smile. Although she's had a few vague recollections of him, the few that you can somehow recall from when you were young, it gave her a pang of heartache and yet, happiness.
Happiness from knowing that life was good with her father from the few memories she remembered.
Altaira looked to Hermione, who was currently on the phone with her parents. She listened to the conversation as her cousin apologized for their sudden leave, that she had to leave again, telling them that they will be going to Ron's place for the remainder of the break, and then apologized again, all to which her parents had not minded but regretted for not having spent more time with Altaira.
Sighing, Hermione placed the phone back in it's housing when a knock resounded throughout the house. Altaira clasped her hands in front of her, allowing herself to sink deeper into confusion as Hermione opened the front door, greeting the light brown haired, green-eyed visitor.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione exclaimed, giving him a hug. After a moment, she took a step back and looked at him with seriousness. "Is Harry going to be alright?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "You will learn more once we reach the place." Hermione nodded, biting her lip with worry.
"And who is this lovely young lady?" Lupin asked, facing Altaira with a kind smile as Hermione let him inside the house.
At this, Altaira took a step forward, offering her hand to Lupin who took it. "Altaira Granger," she introduced, sharing a smile of her own. "I'm Hermione's adopted cousin."
Lupin nodded, taking note of her traits and suddenly feeling a sense of familiarity. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Altaira," he said warmly. " I am Remus Lupin. I was formerly a professor at Hermione's school, but now I am just simply a mister." He then gave Hermione a look to which she only laughed because both knew that she would always call him by his previous title. "Well, now," he looked between the two girls before setting his eyes on Hermione. "Am I right to assume, and please excuse me if I sound rather rude," he added, looking at Altaira and then the suitcase she had prepared before looking back at Hermione. "That Miss Altaira is quite aware of things?"
Hermione gave a firm nod, glancing at Altaira who returned to being puzzled at the situation but was really patient with the lack of information she's been receiving. "I haven't gotten the chance to explain everything with the short amount of time I was given." Hermione stated, referring to the letter that she had received earlier.
"Well," Lupin sighed. "As long as she's 'tied,' it is a lot safer if she comes with us. You are quite alright with this, Altaira?"
Altaira looked at him for a second before nodding to which Lupin was able to sense that she's been kept in the dark on the situation. At this, he chuckled and told her, "Don't worry. Once we get to headquarters, I'm sure Hermione will be more than happy to fill you in on the details." He then offered both girls a hand. Hermione, realizing what he was going to do, grabbed his hand and picked up her luggage. Altaira, though still a bit lost, followed suit.
Altaira, wanting to at least know where they were going, asked, "Where are we going?"
"12 Grimmauld Place," was the suddenly whispered reply. It was so soft that she almost missed it. She didn't expect for her answer to be so quiet compared to the way they had been speaking to each other earlier, and she instantly knew that it was a secret.
There was a resounding crack as the three of them disappeared.
I know that there are a lot of holes that need to be filled and don't worry. I plan on filling them up as time goes on.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will be longer. I'll probably post it this Friday, so look forward to it. Drop a review and tell me if you like where it's going so far. Until next time!