I'm excited to post this a bit early for you all. Thank you so much to those of you who took the time to leave a review, they are so encouraging to receive. I hope you all enjoy the new chapter.
A special thank you to my Betas for their incredible work Sandra-Sempra & Geekmom13
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Hermione awoke to rays of warm sunlight hitting her face. She peeked open her eyes as she lifted her neck and realized, rather painfully, she probably shouldn't have slept in the chair. Her stomach rumbled as she noticed it was already ten in the morning. She had slept in and needed to get some breakfast. Local snow covered trails beckoned her, one of her favorite things to do as a little girl here. She got herself ready and stepped out in the hallway, smile brushing her lips as her eyes fell on the door across the hall from her room; her mind wondered who her third floor companions were. She was interrupted by her uncle as he walked briskly down the hall towards her rooms.
"Good morning. You must be Miss Grayson. I was just about to bring you some fresh towels and a complimentary basket. We give these to all our third floor guests." He greeted with a bright grin as he extended his hand. "I'm Danny, the proprietor of this humble little establishment. Along with my wife, Julia."
Hermione smiled brightly back; she hadn't seen her uncle in almost eight years. He looked exactly the same, if it weren't for a few more greys and some friendly crinkles around his eyes, With his warm and welcoming smile, just as she remembered. She always thought how fitting it was his name was Danny and he owned an Inn in Vermont. He looked almost just like the star of one of her and her mum's favorite holiday movies, White Christmas. Her uncle looked so much like Danny Kaye.
"Hello Danny, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm thrilled to be here. You have such a lovely place."
"Thank you. I hope you take some time to enjoy the outdoors a little while you're here. It's such a beautiful time of year. Well I better get this to your room," he said holding up the basket. "It's a pleasure to have you. I'm positive I'll see you around." He passed her and knocked on the door of the room across the hall, setting the welcome basket down when he didn't get an answer, and continued on towards her room, letting himself in. Hermione watched him as she waited for the elevator until he disappeared into her room. It was lovely to see her uncle again, even if he didn't remember her. She recalled how wonderful he was and how happy he made her Aunt Julia.
Walking down to the lobby towards the restaurant, she took in the beautiful and festive Christmas decorations. Some things had been updated but most of what she saw, she remembered: every window, doorway, archway, and room was filled with loads of holly sprigs, fresh evergreen garland and wreaths, fresh poinsettias and white holiday lights, glowing with candlelight incandescence. A warm crackling fire was set ablaze in every room from the lobby, to the entertainment room, and restaurant which completed the cozy holiday atmosphere. Fresh scents of the evergreen consumed her senses as she was met with a beautiful view of snow covered mountains when she entered the restaurant for breakfast. She ordered a hearty meal because she had missed dinner the previous night.
As Hermione waited for her breakfast she couldn't help but notice how few people there were that morning. Usually this place was bustling this time of year, from what she remembered anyway. Perhaps it was just a lull before the crowd got here for the holidays. She was still pondering on the emptiness of the room when her food arrived and she enjoyed every delicious bite. When she was finished she decided to walk back to her room to get her coat and scarf so she could walk one of the trails. As she passed the reception desk with someone checking in, her ears perked up when she heard the greeting the guest used for the proprietor's wife.
"Aunt Julia! How are you? Oh, I've missed you so much."
Hermione's head snapped around as she saw a young brunette woman who appeared to be about her age, enthusiastically hugging her aunt and using the title she could no longer use. This sparked a brief moment of jealousy to surge through Hermione but she couldn't do anything about it. She slowed in the lobby, pretending to look over the daily schedule of activities so she could listen to find out who this person was. She didn't like this, not one bit.
"Danny look who's here! What a pleasant surprise. How are you sweetheart? You look absolutely beautiful," Julia said as she hugged the girl.
"I'm great! I just missed my favorite place in the world to be for the holidays."
"Aren't your mom and dad going to be here as well?" Danny inquired as he hugged his honorary niece.
"Actually, they won't be able to make it. My mom's sister needs some help so she's staying with her for the holidays and dad went with her. He didn't want mom to be alone for Christmas. So I'm here to take their place. Hope that's okay. I know we didn't call to tell you." She casually leaned back against the counter on the inside of the reception desk as she continued talking to Danny and Julia.
"I'm sorry to hear about your mum's sister, I do hope everything is alright." Julia politely inquired.
"I'm sure she'll be okay. Thank you for your concern, Aunt Julia. On another note, I was hoping to secure one of the third floor suits? Would that be possible? I know mom and dad booked a second floor room, but I've always preferred the quiet low key atmosphere of the third floor."
"Anything for you darlin'. Although to be honest the second floor is just as quiet as the third floor at this point. Unfortunately," Danny sighed as he began checking the guest in.
"What's going on? Are you not booked for the holidays?"
Hermione's ears perked up at the turn in the conversation. She kept her attention glued to what they said without being conspicuous.
"Sweetheart, we haven't been booked for the holidays in years." Julia didn't attempt to hide the sadness in her tone. She looked at her husband, who shrugged his shoulders as if to say you may as well tell her. "Rosalie, we've decided this will be our last year at the inn. We just can't do it anymore. We've had to let go of almost all of our staff, except for the kitchen. We clean all the rooms and wash all the laundry ourselves. It's gotten to be more than we can handle. No one wants to come anymore," Julia completed with a sigh.
"What happened? I don't understand, this place used to get so full you had to turn people away," Rosalie's expression was that of shock and dismay as she took her room key from Danny.
"Honestly we were doing great until all these big ski resorts started moving in. They offer spas, and hot tubs and jacuzzis in the rooms, personal ski and snowboarding lessons, they have their own sports shops where people can buy or rent snow gear. We're just a little family owned inn. We can't compete with all that," Danny looked at his wife and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "So we're retiring and going to travel. Julia's brother and his wife moved to Australia a few years ago and neither of us have ever been. We're planning a trip to see them in the spring. We have enough savings to keep us going for a while until we can sell this place," Danny finished as he placed a kiss on his wife's temple.
Hermione's heart clenched at her uncle's mention of her parents. They were doing well at was a relief. However, if they were planning a trip to see her parents in the spring, odds are they wouldn't be visiting here for the holiday. But it was still a slight possibility. She forced her thoughts back to the conversation.
"Uncle Danny, I had no idea. I'm so sorry to hear that. This place is truly my absolute favorite vacation spot. I have so many fond memories here. I remember Mr. and Mrs. Granger well," Rosalie said with a reminiscent smile. "They had a daughter about my age. We were pen pals for a time, and would write each other often. They lived in London and we would call one another the closer it got to the holidays. She was my favorite person here. We had so much fun together. Her name was…" Rosalie was cut off by Julia.
At this Hermione froze. So it was her old childhood friend. But the question remained why Rosalie remembered her parents had a daughter while no one else did. How was its she remembered her? Something was off. She had to get to the bottom of this and fast. But at the moment she continued to listen.
"Rosalie sweetheart, Wendell and Monica never had any children, and their name is Wilkins not Granger," Julia responded in confusion looking at Danny, who just shrugged at his wife.
Rosalie's eyes went wide with surprise and confusion. "Of course, you're right. I must be mistaken," she conceded with a polite smile. "A lot of military families used to frequent this place. I'm sure I must be thinking of someone else. Anyway, it's been a long trip and I should get to my room. When I come back down I want to hear more about this amazing trip to Australia," she said smiling as she grabbed her suitcase and backed out of the reception desk.
"Of course dear, we'll have some tea and I'll tell you all about what we have planned. I think I've talked Danny's ear off so much he feels like he's already come and gone," Julia joked as she looked up at her husband and chuckled.
Rosalie smiled as she turned and made her way to the elevators. She knew something was going on. Remembering their names weren't Wendell and Monica Wilkins, but James and Annie Granger, and that they did have a daughter named Hermione. She remembered them all quite vividly. Always having been an awkward child and made to feel like an outcast because of her magic. Both girls had always felt a certain kinship with one another.
Of course back then she didn't know exactly what it was that made her different, discovering it was magic when she received her acceptance letter to Ilvermorney and also a visit from Headmaster Finnegus Zenphrey. She had only speculated Hermione Granger was a witch as well as it would explain her sudden lack of correspondence. Rosalie laughed to herself as she thought back to when she was searching for Hermione Granger in the sea of first years when she was only eleven. She had asked her Head of House after the sorting ceremony if London witches went to Ilvermorney too, remembering her chuckling and explaining London witches and wizards went to Hogwarts while American witches and wizards attended Ilvermorney. She never gave it much thought after that.
She remembered seeing Hermione only once more in fourth year for the holiday. After that, it was as if she completely disappeared. Then a horrible thought occurred to her, recalling the rumors about a war spearheaded by a monstrous dark wizard and his followers. She stilled in the elevator, contemplating if something terrible had happened to Hermione. But then, she would still be remembered. No, something wasn't adding up. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hermione Granger existed. Why was she seemingly the only person who remembered her? She had to figure this out, and would stay as long as she had to in order to get to the bottom of all of this. But perhaps a trip to London would be more productive. This would bother her too much if she didn't figure it out.
Stepping out of the slow moving elevator she walked to her room just as two gentlemen stepped out of theirs. Her eyes met theirs and she smiled politely. As they brushed by her she felt the tingle of magic, she froze and turned to them. They both had their heads turned back at her, they felt it too. Both wizards were devastatingly handsome, aristocratic even, both tall with sophisticated demeanors and clean shaven with just the right amount of chisel to their jaws. One had milk chocolate brown eyes, the other hazel. The one with hazel eyes met her green ones. He smirked and gave her a slight nod as if to acknowledge that he sensed her magic as well. Returning it with a small smile of her own as she entered her room. Curiosity got the best of her then, pondering as to why two wizards of their stature would be residing in a No-Maj inn such as this one. It was another puzzle to solve, a riddle in need of deciphering which she was dead set on resolving. But first, she was in dire need of a shower and rest, if not a bottle of wine to wrap her head around the mystery of her missing childhood friend and the magical strangers.
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Hermione stood stunned as she listened to the exchange between Rosalie and her aunt and uncle. She had so many questions swimming in her mind, but her main thought was how could someone from her past remember her when she had erased all traces of herself from her parents' lives. Everyone associated with them should be oblivious to her. Confusion battled relief, her fond memories of Rosalie briefly taking over but she needed to get answers. She stepped towards the elevator, which she noticed was moving ridiculously slow lately, and waited patiently, contemplating her thoughts as the elevator door finally opened. Perring up, her eyes went wide as she was face to face with none other than Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange. She quickly stepped inside before they addressed her and pressed the button multiple times as fast as she could.
"Hello, Miss Granger." said Rodolphus in his sexy voice that always sent shivers down her spine.
"Hello Mr. Lestrange, Mr. Lestrange," as she nodded her head addressing both brothers.
"I don't know if you noticed, but we had intended to get off the elevator." Rabastan commented as the elevator began to slowly move back up to the third floor.
"Hmmm? Oh right, I am sorry. I'm in a hurry to get back up to my room. I…er...need to get my coat and scarf. I wanted to venture out on the trails today," Pausing a moment to contemplate her next question. In the end there really was no tactful way of asking. "I'm very sorry to be so forward but what are you doing here? At a muggle Inn? In Vermont of all places?"
Rodolphus chuckled at her apparent uneasiness but indulged her nonetheless. "Miss Granger," he began before he was interrupted.
"Please call me Hermione." She was desperate to not have her name thrown around here. What a nightmare. Could this be any worse? First Rosalie remembered her and now the Lestrange brothers were here. How on earth was she ever going to get through this. Then Rodolphus spoke her name and all her thoughts melted away.
"Hermione." He said and paused for a moment to savor how the lovely name felt rolling off his tongue. "The Lestrange family has multiple investment interests. Not only in wizarding Britain, but all over the world including Vermont, of all places," he smirked as he took in the way her face flushed. She was a vision. He had thought that the first time he saw her years ago, but he was the epitome of evil and she, a beacon of light. He could only ever dream. Not to mention he was bound to a demented witch who kept him and his brother under a curse. He always believed he would never have an opportunity to win her heart. But with the way her honey brown eyes seemed to be entranced every time he was around, perhaps he did have a chance with this beautiful witch after all.
"Of course you do. I'm so very sorry." She said as the slow elevator finally dinged and opened the door to let her out. "Well, thank you for keeping me company and it really is lovely to see you both."
"Perhaps we could all meet later tonight for dinner downstairs," Rabastan suggested. "There's a witch we passed just now in the hall, I felt her magic. Maybe she would like to join us. It appears the third floor is reserved for those with magical blood," He chuckled as he concluded.
Hermione's eyes widened as she put two and two together. "Another witch you say? Well I presume she would be delighted if we were to ask her. Perhaps I should introduce myself first. I'll let you gentleman get back to what business you have. And yes, I look forward to dinner tonight. Shall we say around seven?" She stepped out of the way of the elevator door, never taking her eyes off the handsome Rodolphus Lestrange.
"We'll see you then Hermione," Rodolphus replied with a soft smile.
Hermione kept her eyes on the elevator door for a moment longer before she turned and ran to her room. "What the bloody hell is wrong with me! I've gone completely barmy. That's the only logical explanation. Why do I feel and act like a complete nutter whenever I'm around him," entering her room she opened the basket to get the bottle of wine and retrieved a glass from the kitchenette. Because wine was exactly what she needed. She had felt it the first time they had interviewed him, the intensity in his gaze when he looked at her. She saw the desire and the hunger in his eyes when he spoke to her, and it made her weak in the knees, causing her knickers to get wet everytime without fail. "Oh good Godric, Hermione, you've gone and fallen in love with Rodolphus Lestrange," She said to herself as she took the first gulp of wine and refilled her glass.
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As the elevator door closed Rabastan rolled his eyes at his brother. "Could you be any more obvious Roddy?"
"She's nearly half my age Rab, and I'm not looking to play games any longer. I spent most of my life thus far, with a psychotic witch that held us both under a dark curse by orders of our former Dark Lord, whom she obsessed over. If I'm lucky enough to attract the attentions of a beautiful, intelligent young witch, I'm not going to waste any time. Neither should you for that matter," Rodolphus said as they exited the elevator and made their way to the restaurant for an early lunch.
"Yes, I wonder about that other witch here. She is quite the delectable little brunette morsel isn't she? Did you sense her magic? I do hope Miss Granger keeps her promise to introduce herself and invites her to dinner tonight," Rabastan said with a sly grin.
"Speaking of that, did you see the look in her eyes when we mentioned that other witch? It was as if she were piecing together a puzzle. Do you think she knows the girl? Wonder if there is more going on than we see." Rodolphus wondered to his brother.
"All I know is, I'm thankful to the young Miss Weasley for telling you where she would be going. With how you've been acting Roddy, I don't know if you could tolerate being in a different country for a whole two months," Rabastan chuckled as he teased his brother.
"We owe her a debt of gratitude Rabby. After all, we're here because of her. If it hadn't been for her fighting for all the death eaters held under that odious curse, all of us would be holed up in Azkaban for the remainder of our existence. We all owe her and Potter the same appreciation. Now that we are here, this should be a prime spot for a new investment opportunity. This place is a gold mine. I want to look into how many wizarding resorts are around here. Perhaps we have potential to make this place a magical destination. I wonder if the proprietors would be interested in selling."
"Stop trying to change the subject, brother. So that gratitude justifies following her across an entire ocean?" Rabastan replied as a waiter approached to take their order. Once the waiter was walking away Rodolphus responded.
"I won't deny it, I plan to make my intentions known to Miss Granger before we leave here. I have hope that perhaps she feels something for me and will allow me to court her. However, I meant what I said about a possible investment. I am going to have our solicitors reach out to the proprietors and remain anonymous. This place would truly be a favorite within the magical community if all the area has to offer are muggle establishments. I wonder how Hermione likes it here. Perhaps she would be willing to help me run things if I did buy it," Rodolphus thought out loud.
"Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself Rod? You've barely spoken more than a few sentences to Miss Granger since our arrival and already you're planning on sharing in a business venture with her? And what's this about moving here to run the place? Surely you don't mean to leave Britain?"
"I've been thinking Rabby, and I truly believe that I need a change. A life altering change in order to help me move past things," Rodolphus admitted as he looked down at his coffee in contemplation.
"I can understand the need to help move past things, but moving to America? Do you really think that would help? What about our seats on the Wizengamot and rebuilding our family name?" Rabastan argued.
"First I need to rebuild myself before I worry about rebuilding the family name. Don't you feel the same? Don't you feel like there's just so much we need to let go of and move past?"
"Yes I do, but we also have a responsibility now that we're back. We need to keep our family name going. We need to attempt to abolish the dark reputation that is synonymous with our family. Running away isn't going to help that." Rabastan's tone held frustration as he paused to allow the waiter to place their food in front of them, when the waiter left, Rodolphus responded.
"I'm aware the of the negative connotation that is synonymous with our name. However, there are things I need to work on in myself first. So if you're interested, perhaps we can work out an agreement."
"What sort of agreement?" Rabastan asked curiously.
"If you choose to stay in Britain I will allow you full control over the family estate and holdings for a time. As long as I can have this inn. This is not a permanent move, it is merely me taking an active interest in a lucrative overseas investment. Unless, of course, you see fit to join me in this venture. Then we can both take some time to heal and then, perhaps, go back when we both feel the need to make a new name for our family. But honestly Rab, right now I really feel that the only way to rebuild our name is to take time for us. But this is not running away. I need this peace and serenity. I want to share this with a beautiful, intelligent witch who perhaps wants a family."
"A witch like Miss Granger. When did you first notice her Roddy? I know you both share an intensity, but this talk is coming from a man who's had developing feelings for quite some time. I have an inkling this isn't a recent development."
"No, I dare say it's not," Rodolphus paused and wandlessly cast a muffliato charm around them. Even though they were the only two in the restaurant he didn't want to take any chances. "I noticed her during the war. It was when we walked in on the former Mrs. Lestrange," he said with a sneer. "She was torturing her. It was brutal and vile just like she always used to enjoy. Greyback was there, Bella gave Hermione to Greyback when she was done. Before Fenrir could leave with her, I stepped in and interrupted the proceedings. I didn't know what I was going to do but I'd rather place her under a curse myself than allow that monster to brutally defile her. Fortunately, I didn't need to do any such thing. That's when the elf showed up and rescued them all. Thank Merlin for that little elf. I saw her defiant look through all of the torture. She was desperate to get through to Bellatrix that she didn't have what she was looking for. But the fierceness in her eyes showed even if she did, she would have willingly died before betraying her friends. It was her loyalty, defiance and fire that caught my attention. Since that day I protected her when I could without being conspicuous about it. In the final battle, I made sure she was safe as much as possible without making it obvious. There was a moment when Rookwood had his wand aimed at her back while she was dueling Amycus. I killed him before he could kill her. Even under that spell, I didn't want anything to happen to her. No one saw that but I remember it. Then she and Potter came to my cell in Azkaban, looking to help rehabilitate me. I remember I was stunned. All I could do at first was stare at her before I answered any of their questions. If I hadn't already fancied myself in love with her, that moment would have no doubt solidified those feelings," He completed with a deep breath as he took the last bite of his meal.
"I had no idea. You never said a word."
"Well, now you know." He responded, taking a sip of his cooling coffee.
"For what it's worth, Rod. She would be quite the lucky witch to have a wizard like you. I hope she treats you right."
"How do you even know she feels the same?" Rodolphus asked with a slight chuckle.
"I've seen the way she responds to you. Besides, we're the Lestrange brothers. Regardless of what's happened, what woman could ever resist our charms or our devilishly handsome good looks," Rabastan smirked as they both stood up and began walking towards the door. "How does a nice walk about the grounds sound? After all, if it's going to be ours, we may as well come up with a plan."