Chapter one

Nineteen years later

19 year old Hermione Jane Granger buried her face into her hands as the shouts filtered from downstairs. Her golden brown hair swept into her face, the tears soaked the knees on her jogging bottoms.

The voices of her parents were muffled but she knew that the words spoken were heated and fierce. Though she never felt a strong relationship between her parents growing she knew both loved her dearly… just it seems not each other.

Hermione never understood this for her aunt Jenna always said that when her mother and father first got married they lived for each other… there was nothing neither would not be willing to do for the other.

Another burst of angry shouts bounded up the stairs and Hermione took a deep quivering breath and buried her face into her knees. It had been nearly two years since the defeat of Voldermort and his death eaters, two years since Hermione returned home after joining Harry and Ron on their quest. But it seemed in those two years her parents already fragile relationship broke down further and she couldn't help but feel guilty that it was because of her… she had joined her two friends in the war against her parents wishes, though she knew both were happy about her return and their victory she saw disappointment in their eyes and it seemed all three understood that the bound of little girl was broken… and Hermione had broken it, she was no longer their little Hermione instead she was something else and that bound wasn't as strong.

Hermione managed to uncurl her self and walk towards her bathroom, hoping to drown the voices out with a shower. As she walked across her room she saw her image in the mirror. She had changed over the years and as much as she wished it was because of her years at Hogwarts she knew it wasn't true. She had been the spiting image of her mother since she was a child… her golden brown hair was frizzy until her thirteenth birthday when it began to smooth its self then slowly over time it became smooth and silky honey brown curls. The curls were her mothers however the colouring never fit.

But what really struck her was her eyes… they were not her mothers nor her fathers, they were almond but the eyes well they were light brown with flecks of green and yellow in them. They were not her fathers and no matter how many times he said that his distant cousin had eyes similar to her she knew it wasn't true. She had seen pictures of most of her family back when she first started Hogwarts in… when the name Mudblood had really hurt her.

"Roger" a scream from down stairs indicated that her father attempted to end the argument by leaving once more but for what ever her mother did she had the power to make her father stop dead in his tracks. Hermione held the tears back a little more as she turned and headed to the door to her bedroom, she opened quietly adjusting to the light out side her room "keep your goddamn voice down… Hermione's upstairs" Roger snarled causing Hermione to wheel back slightly at the fierceness of her father's voice.

She had never heard him speak with such a tone before and it caused more tears to spill to think it was because of her. These fights had always been there in the background but had only became more frequent since her sixteenth birthday, she remember a day so clearly that it seemed cut deep into her mind.

She had woken up only slightly happy, she had turned 16 that day but her future fight with the forces of dark loomed before. She didn't even take in her appearance; she bounded down stairs and smiled brightly at her father who sat at the table reading his morning newspaper. He turned to smile at her but when he saw her Hermione saw his face drop, and she heard her mother drop a cup she had been holding then gasped. Frowning Hermione had wondered why her parents reacted in such a way… spinning round she saw in the glass door her smoother and silkier hair that hung in loose curls around her shoulders, her leaner frame and the yellow and green that had only been specks in her eyes before hand were now more prominent. Hermione had turned to find her mother and father covering their actions up and smiling declaring that now she was a young woman.

"Oh of course not like Hermione doesn't already know that we fight" Hermione's mother spat back and Hermione sighed leaning her head against the door frame.

"Fight… is that what you call it, you scream at me and I take it… Hermione should never have to listen to this… she's just a child" Roger snapped before there was a pregnant pause from downstairs "I know what Hermione is… she's MY daughter" Maggie all but screamed at him, Hermione frowned at her mothers empathise on the word MY. A dry humourless chuckle drifted up and Hermione ducked back a little.

"That is what really pisses you off doesn't it… the fact that I love YOUR daughter… probably more then I will ever love you" Roger snarled causing Hermione to once again wheel back at how much venom was in her fathers voice and she knew that this argument was heading in one direction she never heard before… about her.

"Oh please-" "what, oh please what Maggie, of course I love Hermione she's my daughter has been since the day she was born" Roger defended as Hermione bit back the sobs now building up in side of her.

the last part of the fight she heard was her mother hissing "please we both know this little pretence you have going is hard to believe" Hermione didn't want to hear anything else instead she threw her self on the bed and sobbed hard. Her chest felt as though it was about to rip apart when dry sobs came, her body hurting so much from crying she curled up and rubbed at her eyes… until they settled on the phone and she thought of Harry who had not long ago decided that he wanted one.

After the war ended and Harry awoke from his coma it was deemed that Harry never had to return to the Dursely's something he was only too happy to agree to. But he was still too young to be left along despite the fact that he faced Voldermort and killed him.

That was where his second godfather stepped in; Remus had agreed to watch over the boy until he was of age to be on his own. Of course as soon as Harry turned eighteen he was of age but both he and Remus enjoyed the feeling of having a family around them that they both stayed in Sirius's home.

Of course Hermione was really the only one who phoned Harry or Remus Ron declared it to be a strange and annoying device while no one else in the magical world even knew what one was.

Hermione reached for the phone and trembling punched the number in, her compact mirror sat beside it but she didn't really want Harry to see her in such a state.

After a few rings there was a click as someone lifted the receiver from its place followed by rustling "hello" the muffled voice called and Hermione frowned knowing that Remus had answered the phone.

"No Remus the other way" Harry's voice shouted before there was more rustling "well honestly they should label this thing more clearly… how muggle's understand any of it is beyond me… what is it Harry, well stop waving your hands and tell me-" "you have to say hello to the person who phoned" Harry declared and Hermione could tell by his voice that he was rolling his eyes.

"Why didn't you say… hello, who is this" Remus questioned as Hermione took a deep quivering breath, feeling less sad at hearing the exchange between Harry and Remus.

"Hello Remus its Hermione" Hermione stated she could hear Remus smiling "of course it is… how are you dear" Hermione smiled sadly, Remus had always been nice to her, and for some reason she always felt a strange spark around him. She once believed she may have had a crush on him, she figured out that she enjoyed his company as a father figure and she understood that when she was so far away from her father that Remus made her feel a little safer- unless she was running from him in his werewolf state- and she always looked up to him.

"I'm- my- could I speak to Harry" Hermione managed to chock out "Hermione… dear what is it, are you ok… you sound" "I'm fine really Remus I just wanted to speak to Harry" Hermione tried to make her voice sound a little firmer… all she really needed was Harry and Remus to apparent right there and then, right in the middle of another fight between her parents.

"Well if your sure… but I can be there in a moment if you need help, Harry as well" Remus assured and there was more rustling no doubt Harry moving to his godfathers side "I'm sure Remus but thank you" Hermione felt her self relaxing, feeling a little better knowing that Remus was willing to help her.

"What Harry- oh yes sorry it's Hermione I believe something is the matter but she won't tell me" Remus was cut off when the receiver was yanked from his hand "she can still hear you Remus" Harry snapped before he breathed down the phone "Hermione what's the matter… the werewolf is in a tizzy here" Harry stated causing Hermione to chuckle lightly but tears streamed down her face "oh Harry" she all but wailed before sniffling.

"Harry can I speak to you… later, I mean can I come over there maybe stay the night" Hermione asked meekly before she heard Harry's breath then suddenly a small gasp "are they?" he questioned and Hermione sighed not even bothering to stop the tears "yes" she squeaked before burying her face in to her knees.

"Come over any time Hermione… you know your more then welcome, I'll wait up for you… how are you getting here do you want to come to you" Harry questioned as Hermione sighed and new tears stained her cheeks "I'll apparent over there Harry, I just have to make sure… well you know I have to wait up until one goes to bed" Hermione stated knowing that she didn't have to finish that statement. Harry had been on the receiving end of many of these calls before hand.

"Ok, well when ever your ready I'll be waiting" Harry offered and Hermione smiled at that… her best friend always had a way of making her feel better no matter what.

After saying their good byes Hermione quickly hanged up and gathered what she needed for the night and the next day. When she was done she was about to sit down when she heard the familiar sound of the spare bedroom slamming shut then the front door she knew she couldn't wait a moment longer and grabbed her wand. She clutched her bag tightly, before she apparent to Harry.