Title: Nowhere to Turn

Author: GEM

Date written: 8/16/07

Rated: T

Word count: 4410

Story Timeline: 3rd year

Category: Drama

Warnings: none

Characters: Minerva McGonagall, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the rest of Hogwarts.

A/N: The story continues, once again thanks go to my beta Vangoghadmirer. Thank you to all of those reviews who have stuck with me. You keep this story going.

Chapter 7: Making Plans


Hermione woke early the next morning. She slept but not soundly the night before. Minerva helped her with the list of things to discuss with the funeral home but, she still had to write obituaries for her parents. She sat down at the small desk in her room with a clean piece of notebook paper and a quill.

Jeanine Leanne Granger, loving wife and mother died suddenly on Wednesday. A family statement reads, "Mom was a loving and caring person she always made you laugh. She was dedicated to her family, work and friends. She will be missed but always remembered." She is preceded by her husband William Granger, parents Marjorie Peters Granger and Gordon Granger, and, sister Lillian Granger. She is survived by daughter, Hermione Jean Granger and many loving friends.

Hermione wiped away a tear as she finished the statement. She left a space for the arrangement details to be filled in and at the bottom wrote. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the London Children's Hospital.

Once she was done she pulled out another sheet to write one for her father. William Mathew Granger loving husband and father died suddenly on Wednesday. A family statement reads. Dad was a caring person who always put the needs of others before himself. He was dedicated to his family and his work. He will be missed but always remembered." He was preceded by his parents, Charles Granger and Marie Holmes Granger as well as a brother Mathew Lucas Granger. Like she had done with her mother's Hermione left a space for the arrangements and wrote at the bottom in lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the London Children's Hospital.

Hermione folded the papers and placed them inside the notebook that had her list. She wiped tears away from her eyes again. She went over to the chest of drawers and selected a set of clothes before making her way discreetly to the washroom.

---

Minerva woke as the sun began to come into the window. She looked at her watch and groaned. She had overslept. It was quarter to eight and they needed to leave by 8:30 to arrive at the funeral home. She tied her tartan dressing gown as she crossed the sitting room to knock on Hermione's bedroom door, as she raised her hand to do so she heard the water running in the washroom. She stepped closer to that door and knocked lightly. "Hermione."

"Yes, Minerva."

"You're up then."

"Yes. I'll be done shortly."

"That's fine, dear."

Minerva thought Hermione sounded a little more downtrodden today and rightfully so. She went back to her own room to collect a set of clothes, a dark blue sweater and a pair of gray slacks. She thought her selection was both very muggle and tasteful for the sad occasion.

She heard the door to the washroom open. Moments later Hermione appeared in the doorway. "It's all yours."

"Thank you." Minerva stepped up to the girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "How are you this morning? Did you sleep well?"

"I'm about the same although I did sleep some."

Minerva and Hermione walked across the sitting room to the hallway before Hermione's room. "That's good."

"Minerva, I wrote the obituaries this morning."

"Oh, I see. How did you make out?"

"Fine. I cried a bit. I wish I could stop doing that."

"Hermione." Minerva knelt down in front of the young lady she placed her hands on her arms. "You just lost your last remaining family. It's okay to cry. I cried for a long time."

"You had family."

"Yes, and they were all much younger than me. I was responsible for them."

"How did you?"

Minerva stood up. "That is a story for another time. We need to get ready or we will be late for our appointment."

Hermione nodded turning to go into her room to finish getting ready for the day.

---

Minerva and Hermione made their way to Elliott's after they finished a light breakfast and Hermione assured Minerva that she looked Muggle enough. They took a taxi to the home and were met by a tall, dark haired man in a suit. "Miss Granger, My name is Jackson Elliot, I'm so very sorry for you loss."

"Thank you, Mr. Elliott." Hermione turned to Minerva. "This is Minerva McGonagall she is one of my professors at school. She will be helping me through all of this."

He smiled sweetly at both of them. "Of course. If you will follow me we can get started."

They sat in a small sitting room down the hall and Mr. Elliott pulled out his information. "I received this from your family's lawyer this morning. It seems that your parents have a family plot and all the other wishes are listed here.

"We will take care of contacting the cemetery and making the arrangements they requested for you. We will need to select clothing and…" He stopped for a moment. Hermione's face had fallen this was now very real. Minerva held onto her tightly as she began to cry again. Mr. Elliott handed Hermione a tissue. "We are going to have to decide on obituaries, clothing, services and flowers."

Hermione wiped her eyes. "Okay. I have the obituaries written here." She pulled out her notebook and handed Mr. Elliott the two pieces of paper. "The only thing that is missing is the visitations and service times."

Mr. Elliott read through them. "These are very good. I will have our office staff contact the hospital and set up the fund." He placed the papers in the folder and continued. "Your parents have selected their priest, readings and songs. What do you think about flowers?"

"Mom…. Mom… she likes lilies… white, the bow has to be yellow."

"Okay."

"I don't know what to do for dad." She looked up a Minerva pleading for help.

"How about we do lilies mixed with roses for both." Minerva asked holding Hermione again. Hermione nodded.

"Alright, Hermione you are doing great. I understand how hard this is." She sat up again pulling a tissue from the box on the table in front of here.

"If you can drop the selected clothes off later today. We can have the wake for them on Wednesday evening seven to nine.

"That's fine."

"It would also give you some time to spend with them if you want to."

"Oh…I don't… know."

"Think about it. For some it helps with the grieving process."

"Should I also consider a closed casket viewing?"

"No… I don't think you have to their faces weren't affected by the accident."

Minerva gave Hermione's hand a squeeze; of course the muggles would be given a different story then what happened. "Okay."

"I think that's all we have to do Miss Granger." Mr. Elliott stood, Hermione and Minerva followed.

"I will drop the things you needed for my parents later this afternoon."

"That's fine."

---

Hermione was drained all she wanted to do was go back to sleep after that meeting.

"You did well, Hermione."

Hermione sat on a park bench outside the home while waiting for the taxi. "I don't feel like I did. I know nothing about any of this Minerva. I'm going off of what I remember from my grandmother's funeral last year."

"It seems they knew what they wanted. My parents arrangements were much more complicated. They hadn't planned much at all."

"How did you ever manage it all?"

"I had lots of help. Friends of the family and Professor Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?" Hermione was a bit shocked.

Minerva smiled. "Yes. I'll tell you more later."

The two of them got into the taxi and Hermione gave the driver her home address. She had decided that since they had time between the appointments that she should get the unpleasant task of selecting clothes for her parents out of the way.

--

Hermione had been standing on the sidewalk in front of the house for some time. She was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't stop. She knew she needed to go in and get this done but she didn't want to. Going inside would mean it was real. Her mother wouldn't be making dinner in the kitchen. Her father wouldn't be reading the post in the den. They were gone. She was shaking with tears now falling down her face.

Minerva put an arm around her shoulder. She remembered these feelings well. One minute it was passable the next the world was crashing down around you. They strolled up the walk together. Hermione stepped up on the front porch and pulled her keys from her pocket. She tried her best to make the key go into the lock but her hands were not cooperating. Minerva covered her hand and took the key. She placed it in the lock and turned it. The lock clicked and she turned the handle to open the door.

Hermione entered slowly looking around the entryway. All the pictures and nick knacks would have to be boxed. The furniture would have to go. She would have to put some of the things in storage until she graduated from Hogwarts. She collapsed the floor in a new fit of sobs. Minerva joined her on the floor holding her as she cried.

"I don't know where to start with all of this."

"The best thing to do is focus on one thing at a time. You have to get the things for the funeral home. Do that and then when it's all over we will deal with the rest." Hermione wiped her tears for the tenth time that day and stood up. She helped Minerva up as well. They had a short conversation about what was appropriate and Hermione left her seated in the sitting room. She came back moments later with a black garment bag. She took a deep breath and went on to the next thing. She called a cab giving the company the two addresses she needed to visit.

----

They made their first stop. Hermione took the garment bag and went to meet Mr. Elliott once more while Minerva waited in the cab. Hermione came out a few minutes later and got back in the car.

----

The arrived in front of Mr. Edwards's office twenty minutes later. Hermione paid the driver and thanked him. She and Minerva both got out of the car and walked up the stairs and in the front door.

Hermione gave a small smile to the woman behind the desk "Good Afternoon, Mrs. Johnson."

"Oh, Hermione, dear how are you holding up?"

"As well as can be expected. I have an appointment to see Mr. Edwards."

"Take a seat. I'll tell him you're here." The slender blonde secretary disappeared from the reception area. Hermione took a seat in the homey waiting area. Minerva was seated in the chair next to her and placed a hand over the top of hers.

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked up at the sound of her name. A tall older man with graying hair approached her with his hand out searched. Hermione took William Edwards hand. "I'm so sorry. If there is anything I can do for you. Anything at all, just ask. Your parents were very dear friends."

"Thank you. I have to be honest with you. I don't know the first thing about the will or what I have to do." Hermione turned to Minerva. "This is my Professor, Minerva McGonagall. She's been helping through all the arrangements and things."

"Pleased to meet you ma'am." William extended his hand. "Why don't we go to my office and I will try to help you through some of the legal aspects." Mr. Edwards led the way back to his office.

Once inside they sat down at a small round conference table. "First off," Mr. Edwards began, "there is the matter of the estate and taxes. Your parents left me in control of that should you be underage age at the time of their deaths. I have filled the necessary preliminary paperwork and once we get the death certificates we will take care of the rest. You're an only child so they left almost everything to you. There is the matter of the business that will be left to Dr. Grant."

Hermione nodded somewhat relieved that she wouldn't have to worry about the business as well as all of the personal aspects.

"You're parents have earmarked a sum of money to go to several medical charities. We have set up those accounts and will transfer that money once we have the proper paperwork. You're parents have specified that you may do whatever you see fit with the house and have set up a trust fund for you.

"Who is looking after that?"

"I will be looking after that dear. We have invested some of the money according to your parents wishes and the rest is in trust for you to pull when you need it." William turned the pages over in the file. "I was hoping to ask you about this and hopefully Professor McGonagall can assist us with the matter of paying for the reminder of your schooling. You're parents have set aside a large sum of money, in a tax free account to be transferred to you and placed in what your parents described to me as the account you know about."

Hermione began to fidget nervously. She couldn't tell him about her world or school. "Yes, I am aware of that. It was the one thing we have discussed in the event that something was to happen."

"Okay, then. I will need the information to transfer the money."

Hermione pulled out a small tattered notebook. "Could I please have a sheet of paper and a pen?"

William handed her a paper and pen. Hermione wrote the bank name and savings account number, and the name on the account. Her parents had set up an account there so Hermione could have access to transfer money to transfer to Gringotts.

"There you are and as for my tuition money, if you transfer it to that account as well I will see that it is transferred to my school." Hermione turned to Minerva. "I assume that I can pay in advance Professor."

"I'm sure we can make arrangements dear."

"Your parents were very specific Hermione. This money was to be used only for your education."

Minerva spoke up. "Mr. Edwards, I can assure you that Hermione will use the money for only that purpose. She is an extremely responsible individual."

Mr. Edwards made a note in the file while talking to Minerva. "Of this fact, I have no doubt, Professor. All right then I will see the money is transferred to the account, this afternoon, it should be available by the end of the week." We will not be able to close your parents' accounts until the documentation is received but I will be able to transfer the money. That's all I can give you now. Once, the death certificates come through we will have to meet again to sign some papers. Since you are not legal age yet I will co-sign them with you to make the government happy."

"Okay."

William Edwards stood up. "Hermione I am so sorry for your loss but you have shown incredible strength and you will get through this." Hermione and Minerva stood as well and walked out of the office d to the reception area. Mr. Edwards extended his hand to Hermione. She took it. "Thank you, for all of your help and kind words."

"You're welcome." William extended his hand to Minerva. "Good to meet you and thank you for helping this dear girl through this ordeal."

"Thank you for all of your help, Sir."

---

Minerva and Hermione returned to the Leaky Cauldron and decided to lunch in Diagon Alley. They ate sandwiches at one of the cafes across from Quality Quidditch Supply. Hermione couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She had many questions for Minerva.

"Is it different, in the wizarding world?"

"What do you mean?"

"When your parents…is it different all the arrangements and legal stuff?"

"A bit but I still needed help."

"That's where Dumbledore came in?"

"Yes. Albus was very helpful."

If Hermione noticed Minerva's use of Dumbledore first name she ignored it. "How did you raise your family?"

"That's a bit of a long story are you sure you're up for it?"

"I waited a long time to hear it. I've been trying to find the right time to ask."

Minerva took a sip of her tea and then looked at Hermione. "Then you shall know the story or as much as I can tell you. I don't remember much from the first few days. My brothers and sister spent the first few days with a neighbor. I spent them in a fog of dreamless sleep and calming potions. Dumbledore and a number of wizards created a society to fight Grindlewald. He and some of my parents friends took care of the arrangements for my elder brother and parents."

"So you didn't have to go through much of what I've had to."

"No, I did…I went through exactly what you are going through today. I remember Dumbledore coming to get me out of his rooms so I could sign the papers for the will. I remember selecting clothing for my brother and mother. I'm sure I did it for my father too. I remember sitting with Albus selecting readings and music and crying on his shoulder. I remember feeling angry, sad, abandoned and overwhelmed throughout the process."

"How did you survive?"

"That is an entirely different story. One I will tell you another time but I will say this. I had a family to consider. I needed to move on."

"I need to move on too. My parents would want me to. I just don't know how." Tears began to fall again.

Minerva took her hand in comfort. "It won't happen overnight but it will happen." Hermione wiped her eyes and nodded.

"I need to write Harry and Ron. I'm going to Scribbulus Ever changing Inks. I'm out of parchment. Do you want to come?

"No, I think I will wait for you here and finish my tea." Minerva watched as Hermione walked across the street she finished her tea and looked down at the afternoon edition of the Daily Prophet. A small black owl circled her for a few moments and then landed on Hermione's side of the small table. "Well, hello, little fellow. She noticed an envelope tied to his leg. She took it and gave the owl a bit of her crust. The owl sat there and waited for her reply to the letter she was reading through her square glasses. It seemed Caroline would be able to meet her this later this afternoon. She quickly wrote a response and sent it back with the black owl.

Hermione came back across the street and sat down. "Is everything alright?"

Minerva gave the young girl a sweet smile. "Everything is fine. I have to meet the Caroline Abbot this afternoon. I need to go alone but I don't think it is safe for you to be wandering about."

"We can go back to the Cauldron I need to write Harry and Ron. I have some reading to do as well." Minerva stood and came around to Hermione putting a hand on her shoulder. She smiled sweetly. "Alright then. I shouldn't be long."

---

Minerva made her way the third level and Caroline Abbot's office. She opened the door and approached her secretary. Caroline came out moments later and showed Minerva to her office.

"It's good to see you Minerva. The older witch sat behind her desk and opened the file. I see that you are looking to help out one of your students."

"Yes."

"I do apologize for not getting to this sooner by I was at a meeting in Manchester over the weekend."

"No need to apologize Caroline."

"I see from the file that Hermione is a muggle-born with no relatives or listed guardians. You wish to become that guardian?"

"Yes, I do."

"May I ask why?"

"Miss Granger is an intelligent girl. She deserves better then the Conner House."

"What if we could find her something better than The Conner House? Would that make a difference?"

"No. She reminds me of my younger self, Caroline. We've been through similar ordeals. I feel I can help her cope with hers. I can help her heal."

Caroline smiled. "You did such a good job with you brothers and sister Minerva. I couldn't think of a better guardian for Miss Granger but I can't make it happen. I'm sorry."

"Why not?" Minerva was shocked.

"The ministry review board wouldn't allow it. You are too old Minerva she doesn't need to lose her parents and then lose you. They are concerned about your association with Albus Dumbledore. Dark Wizards seem to follow him wherever he goes. Hermione doesn't need to be placed in that sort of danger."

"It doesn't make sense Caroline. I have plenty of years left in my life. I'm hardly even middle aged for a witch and Albus Dumbledore being around me is hardly a reason. She would be better protected around us both. She's best friends with Harry Potter. You have to admit danger follows him on a regular basis. Is the Ministry going to start dictating her friends as well?" Minerva was growing angry.

"Minerva I am sorry there is nothing I can do. My superiors have made the decision. I have made your exact argument. They will not allow her to be adopted by you. They feel it is a conflict as you are her teacher and your position and associations put her in too much danger."

"Help me Caroline. Help me fight this."

"The only way to fight this is to go in front of the Wizengamot."

"Then help me."

"It could get ugly. Especially since Albus is a member of the body."

"I know but I have to do this for her. I will not let her go to that place." Minerva was holding back tears as she left the office.

"Minerva! Minerva wait!" Caroline ran out of the office after her. She caught up with her in the hall. "Minerva." Caroline took her arm and led her to a conference room. "I want to help you but you really should write Albus." She handed her some parchment and a quill from the pocket of her robes. "I will help you but you have to understand this is an odd request from my superiors. I don't know why they are truly blocking you. I can't ask questions they've threatened my job." Caroline sat down next to her. "Do you understand now?"

"Yes." Minerva pulled the parchment closer and began to write the letter.

"Be careful what you write they may be reading it."