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AN: Thank you all that had reviewed, favorite and follow this story. I am blessed with your time, reviews, follows and favorites. Thank you.
To my lovely beta BernerMom. THANK YOU! You rock!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Faol Greyback and the plot.
Chapter 10
In the pocket dimension.
Hermione was recuperating from the shock of seeing her biological mother for the first time. She acted on instinct. As she stood, her hand went forward trying to touch the beautiful image, but her hand went through.
Tears flowing down her cheeks, Hermione remembered Faol's words. She stood with determination, took a breath, and looked her grandmother in the eye. "Ok, you said we were going to talk, let's get this over with." For the first time in a long time Hermione felt at peace, like she was finally seeing the light at the end of a tunnel. She didn't know if it was seeing her mother, or being in her garden.
The Queen was observing her posture, evaluating her for all that need to be said, and frightened of the future possibilities. More so, she evaluated the danger that she, Hermione is was still in.
"Hermione," the Queen stated. "What you are watching works in the same way as a pensive, however, instead of being the memories of a human, these are the memories of the garden. You see everything around you is alive; you are always surrounded by living things. This garden is the same garden your mother enjoyed during her two pregnancies, but most especially yours."
The Queen sat in on a bench.
Softly, she continued. "Child, when your mother renounced her immortality for love I thought that she was simply crazy. I offered to make Camilo her consort, but for her that wasn't enough. She wanted to experience everything that the magical world could offer, even mortality. When she gave birth to Adrian, even in pain she smiled. He was presented as the prince he is. The image that you are watching is a few days before your birthday. She knew she was giving birth to a girl but she never told a soul. She walked around the garden, singing and talking to you. She was so happy with both her little treasures that all resentment that I had for her renouncement vanished. She always had sentinels or guardians with her that reported to me. When she died after your birth, time stopped and I thought that everything was lost. Even as an immortal, I need a break." She chuckled, as she went on. "You have been a pain in my neck for so long. I have watched all your frustrations, your accidental bursts of magic, your adventures with Misters Potter and Weasley, but I have never been prouder of you than I am now. You have embraced conflict beyond your years, and have always kept yourself open to possibilities, as well as continuing to be curious and kind. You are a true princess. One that I will be proud to present as my heir."
Hermione looked at her confused. "Hold on, princess? No, no, no! No disrespect to you, but after all I have endured, and with all the pressures my newfound family and high society expect from me...Add in, I haven't yet accepted you, I will not add a tiara! Oh no…"
The Queen laughed quite hard. Once she composed herself, she stepped close to Hermione, pulling a curl and twisting it in her fingers.
"You are so much like my Ariel," she sighed. "Her spitfire spirit lives in you my dear, but we are here so you can ask the million questions that you have in that brain of yours. First though, I have something for you."
She waved her hands and produced a series of books. Handing them to Hermione she said "These are your mother's diaries. She had several. She loved to write of anything and everything that captured her interest. Just like you. And like you, she believed in documenting everything she learned, in order to leave a legacy for future generations." She sat once more in the bench and breathed, closing her eyes. "Cian you can come out, but know that we are not done yet".
"Your Majesty, the humans are becoming rather anxious, even though it has been only 10 minutes in their reality," he said kneeling at her feet and awaiting instructions.
"Ok. Have the attackers contained? I have a few questions for them."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The golems are guarding them as we speak. They will be ready when you are."
The Queen turned to Hermione, "Hermione, you can come here anytime you want, for now we still have to postpone our conversation. Your father has the ability to go into our world. After the attack, he needs to see that you are fine. He knows you are safe, however, I am not his cup of tea. He made my Ariel incredibly happy, and for that I owe him a debt for life. Now child, let's go. Where do you want to go first? St. Mungo's or Godric's Hollow?"
"Please, Harry first," she answered.
"Ok. Cian please tell the family that Hermione will go to St. Mungo's first, and that we will be there in about 2 minutes"
"As you wish, your Majesty," he said before disappearing without a sound.
"You Majesty, before we go, can you tell me how I can procure an image of my mother?" Hermione asked.
"Ah, ah, ah…None of that. Please call me Nain, as you used to. Don't worry, you can conjure the image, even outside of this garden. You only have to say cofio in Gales language, and it will show you any image that you desire. Even your time in the garden with your two friends Mr. Goyle or Mr. Greyback," she said with a smile.
Hermione blushed.
"Oh darling girl, a grandmother knows of their children. And me? Hey what can I say, I enjoyed watching you grow and flourish. We will have time for more conversations like this in the future."
"Thank you, Nain. Can we go now please?" Hermione said, clearly losing her patience.
"Yes, of course. Your first lesson is space traveling. As we are in a pocket dimension the best part is that we can be anywhere faster and easier. How? Yes, I am getting there. Just think of the person, or place, and a door will appear that will take you where you want to be once you open it. Ok so you want to be with Mr. Potter, whom I very much approve to be one of your consorts, but that is something for another time. Just think of him. In the beginning you have to close your eyes and concentrate, but after you practice, it will become second nature to you. Why you are looking at me like that? a Just do it. Concentrate… Now open your eyes and use the door."
Hermione hesitated but did as instructed and when she open her eyes there was a door. More questions began forming in her head involving the mechanics of how something so incredible could be done. For now, the answers she sought would have to be left for later. The important thing was Harry. As she opened the door, she noticed white walls and a lot of commotion. Once she crossed the threshold, she recognized where she was, St. Mungo's. In a patient's room to be precise. How was it possible? Before she could think about it, a set of arms closed on around her.
"Hermione," her father said.
For the first time that day, she relaxed. As Camilo felt her reaction he said, "Everything will be alright Angel. Daddy has you," and he held her tightly.