Disclaimer. I don't own the rights to the story of Harry Potter those belong to JKR and Warner Bros. Mara and the plot? yeah, that's mine.
A/N, Thank God for another chapter. I would like to thank my home team of cheerleaders. My Mom, my son and my brother, thanks guys Love you.
A big shout out to my lovely beta's Noppoh. Who is just amazing and Trickster32, because she had faith in this from the beginning.
I would like to thank all the followers and favorites. Hey, guys I just want you to know that I appreciate your support through this journey.
Trolls, Hermione haters, anonymous guest reviewers. You got my delete button.
This is a Hermione POV chapter, so be warned.
Enjoy the read
Chapter eleven. Hermione's Dilemma.
Hermione Granger was standing in front of the longest line she had ever seen and felt a bit out of place. For a second she thought she was looking at a glimpse of Harry in the Forbidden Forest, facing up to a man-creature, and the creature in question greeted Harry with a phrase that sounded a lot like, the -Avada Kedavra- spell.
Her recollection shifted and her vision changed. It was an odd feeling, much like experiencing Deja Vu.
Hermione shrugged at the feeling then, she regained her awareness, and noticed that was sitting on this line and felt no discomfort, or for that any curiosity of her location. For some unknown reason, she realized, she didn't mind waiting, hell, she was currently doing her favorite thing in the world, she was leisure reading. She could wait.
The book in her hands was quite moving. The story was so similar to the tale of Andersen's 'The little mermaid' that it had her shedding tears of sorrow for the tragedy of unrequited love.
Right as she was near the end, she heard a voice lament. "Oh boy, you're not supposed to be here, Mara is going to have my head, uh, Miss Granger, please come with me?"
Hermione raised her eyes and saw an old man with a mustache that looked a lot like Cliff from 'Cheers'
He smiled and said, "Hi, my name is Mack, Uhm, your thoughts are broadcasting as though you had a speaker, I suggest, you hold on to your thoughts and my boss, Mara, will answer your questions. Oh, don't forget your book."
Hermione followed Mack and, once, inside the office, Mack pointed to a door. Hermione opened it and saw a pixie-like woman throwing a vase of flowers towards a handsome, yet contrite male in a corner.
"This is exactly what I mean, I'm a death agent, and I don't like your flowers reeking with a scent of guilt… I loved you, Thanatos! I loved you, and even though my mother warned me, I defended you and you? You go and fuck that skank Aglaea, and then deny it! Go to hell! You don't love anyone but yourself and if you call me again, dear, I'll rip your tongue out! Oh my, Miss Granger, what are you doing here?"
"Aw, fuck me, the Fates, those bitches really hate me today, don't they?" said Thanatos to the ceiling.
The petite woman crossed her arms and exasperatedly exhaled.
Hermione blinked and noticed something, like a force, that the woman projected. Her look of love and heartache, and a special glow in her hair and skin. Hermione quietly questioned:
"You're pregnant, aren't you?"
"What?" asked the man discombobulated.
"Oh gods, how did you know?" asked the woman.
"My mother was pregnant in my fifth year. She lost the baby when I was struck down by Dolohov's curse; but for a moment she looked just like you — radiant. After the loss, she was brokenhearted. I'm sorry, do you want me to give you some privacy?" said Hermione.
"This is a fine mess we're in, but no, please come in..." She turned to the man and noticed he was frozen. "Now you decide to have a breakdown? Gods help me."
She cleared her tears and her throat and pointed Hermione to the chair. "Won't you please take a seat. My name is Mara and the statue here is Thanatos, God of Death."
There was a knock on the door and Mack said: "Sorry about this Mara but one of her ancestors is here."
"Nevermind, Mack, let the ancestor in."
An apparition of beauty in a burgundy dress of medieval cut and laden with jewelry turned towards Hermione.
She was taller than Hermione, her black hair was braided in an elaborate chignon and her fair face carried the most hypnotizing green eyes. Hermione realized that there must be some mistake; how could she descend from this ravishing creature?
The woman smiled at her and said: "Don't be surprised Hermione, I am your ancestor. My name is Rowena Ravenclaw; won't you give a hug to your Nanna?"
Her request broke Hermione's reticence, and just like a child, she rose and hugged the woman. Tears once more rolled over her face.
"Oh, sweet and courageous Hermione, I'm so proud of you dear. You loved so much, but let me tell you something, men are idiots, and your Harry is no exception to the rule."
This made Hermione cry and laugh, and something similar happened to Mara. She too was crying and laughing.
Rowena drew Mara into the embrace and both Mara and Hermione wept.
After a bit, Mara separated and said: "Thank you, madam Ravenclaw."
Rowena smiled, and while still holding Hermione, she called Thanatos. "Thanatos, snap out of it, you are going to be a father. Now start making amends to the mother of your child and help me fix this terrible injustice committed to the last of my descendants, now!"
Mara and Hermione noticed how the color came back to Thanatos complexion. Then he got on his knees in front of Mara and said: "I'm sorry darling, please forgive me. You're right, I'm a selfish idiot, but I do love you, and I want to be the one who helps you, to raise this child, lovingly..." He caressed her belly.
Mara raised his head and said: "We will talk about this later, for now, let us find a solution to Hermione's dilemma, shall we?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes, I'm sorry...Um," Thanatos drew a breath and said, "Right, um, Hermione, Harry did love you, but he felt he wasn't good enough for you. As madam Ravenclaw said, he's an idiot, not cruel, so this is the plan: You will receive a reprieve. You will go back to your ten-year-old body, with your memories of this timeline. Harry will not be in contact with you but he has a deadline to deliver results. The deadline is September the first of nineteen ninety-one when you two board the Hogwarts Express. I believe this time around he will say "I really, really like you, Hermione". When he does that, you kiss him. Once you lock lips, the link of your soulmate bond will be stated in the book of souls..."
Mara nodded to Thanatos. He nodded in return and she continued with the presentation.
"Now, you get to leave with Rowena as a guiding spirit and this book, which is your book of life and a list of goals. You will receive an invitation to take your parents to Avignon France for the summers at the age of ten and eleven. While in the French Provence, you will find out that there's a magical summer camp that involves parents and children… You are going to be encountering people from all walks of life. You may find old magical lines, half-blood's, and first-time magical families. There you will be able to attain the proper magical school guidance that fits your needs, and your parents will get to visualize career choices to work on the continent and experience the scope of your power. In one word, they'll attest to the statement that you, Hermione, are a witch. This is important, Ms. Granger. You see, all along, your destiny was to become the Headmistress of Hogwarts, bringing the English magical education to the XXI century."
"I know it might seem a bit much, but I'm sure you will take the labor with passion," said Rowena.
"It will be a privilege and honor. Now, let's see, you want me to go back, abstain myself from meeting Harry until the first of September of ninety-one, and meanwhile get to a summer camp that will help me be more prepared for magical life, but this time include my parents? It sounds lovely!"
"I'm breaking confidentiality here, but you are fated to be an older sister to two siblings," said Thanatos.
"What?" said Hermione.
"Well, that was the plan, but your mother suffered another miscarriage during your second year. Minerva shared that you were sick and could not reply to your mother's letters… Your mother and father loved you Hermione, but, with your return, this time around, you have a bigger chance of getting those other two siblings," said Mara.
Thanatos got close to Mara and said: "You'll be able to see Rowena and your book of life within dreams. Once you meet Harry, give our regards and tell him that Mara and I are having a baby."
Hermione nodded and replied: "I will, thank you for your help and for giving me another chance with my family, the past, present, and the future."
"Go on now, you have a whole new opportunity, make it count," said Mara.
Hermione took Rowena's hand and as the two advanced through the gate to complete their return, she looked back and saw Thanatos on his knees kissing Mara's belly and doing all sorts of cooing sounds. She inquired:
"Nanna, will they be alright?"
"Of course my dear, children are a blessing, in this realm and any other. Now, remember, love your parents and your happiness will create a net to catch those other two siblings."
"Okay, Nana."
It was then that Hermione heard a voice.
"Hermione, wake-up dear, you're going to be late for school."
She covered her head and said: "No, too comfy."
She heard her mother giggle, and question: "Sweetie, are you feeling alright?"
"No, I want to stay home, I want to make breakfast for you and dad and I want us to go to the Royal Botanic gardens, take pictures, and pretend we are royalty, and then I want a puppy."
"Well, any other request, little madam?"
"A baby brother, but since you and dad have to plan for him, I rather have a puppy until then."
"Hermione! What has gotten into you, child?"
"I had a nightmare, and in this dream, I lost you and dad, and I woke up, and you're here, and I don't feel like getting up, I just want to hold you, mum..."
The tears rolled over her cheeks. Emma Granger, usually a stern task maker, stood speechless at her daughter's plea and drew her into an embrace while Hermione wept.
Dan walked into the room and went gobsmacked at the discovery of the emotional pair — Emma holding his daughter, and the little one sobbing as though her heart was tearing.
"What is it, Emma? Why are you crying, Hermione?"
"I'm just so happy daddy. Mommy promised a baby brother."
Both Emma and Daniel gaped. Hermione got up kissed her father and said:
"Remember, his name is going to be Daniel Scott Granger, oh well, now I'm hungry, so first things first, I'll make breakfast."
"Emi, are you pregnant?"
"Um, oh, no! At least not that I know of. Hermione had a nightmare and was crying, and she then asked for a puppy, but only because it was quicker than getting a baby brother, but my God, Daniel she seemed so certain. She did."
Daniel just smiled and said, "Oh God Emi, we've been had." He started laughing and Emma could only follow his laughter. She then added: "The nerve of that little brat."
Imagine the surprise the Granger's experienced when a bit later, Hermione was serving toast, tea, and scrambled eggs, and calling them to the table.
"Mom, Dad, come down, breakfast is ready. Hurry up or you'll get cold tea."
The Granger's expected a science experiment for their morning meal and instead found two perfect plates and a sandwich on a third. Hermione chewed on the sandwich and smiled.
Dan raised his hand and sensed his daughter's forehead. He asked: "Princess, are you feeling alright?"
"Never better. Can we have a day off, Mom, Dad? I really need it."
Emma smiled and Dan smirked. "Whatever your mom says,"
Mrs. Granger burst into laughter and said. "Yeah, okay, but just this time, alright?"
Hermione started glowing and hugged her parents. "Great, I'll get ready for the outing. I love you both! Now if you'll excuse me, I have a deathmatch pending with my nemesis upstairs."
Emma and Dan baffled asked: "Who is that?"
Hermione was walking up and replied in a business tone. "The hairbrush, what else?"
Both parents sniggered at her answer and Hermione chided back: "It's not funny, you guys."
Which only made the Granger's laugh out loud.