A/N – As always, HJP is JKR's (and any other entity who has a legal interest in the Wizarding World!), I'm just taking the world and characters and making then do odd things! More deviations from canon coming up! I am also aware of my propensity for playing fast and loose with chronology, but I'm ok with it. I decided that the gestation period for dragon eggs would be pretty long, so I've moved Hagrid getting the egg forward in the timeline for first year, the hatching will still be after Xmas. Also, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but the Dunfermline witch trials I mentioned a few chapters ago were also real.
Chapter 12 – Flame of the West
Hermione Granger was nervous, something not missed by her best friend. Over the weeks they had spent together he had come to recognise the many looks of Hermione. Growing up with the Dursley's Harry had to quickly become adept at reading people, gauging their moods with a glance. For some it would be an interesting study in human psychology, for Harry it was a survival trait. The slight tic from Vernon's left eye when he was angry, the subtle flaring of Petunia's notrsils which always preceded a bout of screaming at him. Dudley was the easiest to read, he had no subtlety about him whatsoever and wore whatever passed for a heart on his sleeve.
Harry used a lifetime of observational skills to their fullest when it came to the witch sitting beside him.
There was the look of concentration, most often seen when in class or reading – eyebrows furrowed, eyes focused on whatever she was concentrating on. Then there was the look of frustration which was annoyingly similar to the look of concentration, you had to pay attention to the slight pursing of the lips and wrinkling of the nose. This was her look when she wasn't quite 'getting' something, or something had gone wrong and she was trying to work out what. Frequently though, both of these looks were followed by the look she got when she figured it out – the eyebrows rose, the genuine but very subtle close lipped smile which always reached her expressive eyes. This look in turn was very close to her look of delight, again the differences were subtle, but Harry knew what they were. The smile was that little bit wider, the eyes seemed to sparkle that little bit more which made her whole face light up.
Her worried look was much like Harry's, and was something he had seen far too much of, mostly during his visits to the infirmary. Eyes slightly wide, lips tense, pressed into thin lines, usually accompanied by a fidgeting motion with her hands. Harry had only seen her terrified look once, during the troll incident, but it was enough. The tears from darkened eyes, the trembling lips, the rapid and shallow breaths, it certainly wasn't something he wanted to see again in a hurry.
Then there was that which Harry only ever saw her give him. 'The Look'. It never failed to make him want to stop what he was doing and just bask in it. It was Hermione at her most uninhibited, her most relaxed, what Harry thought of as her most natural. Her brown eyes glowing with happiness, her smile wide and natural, not a care about her big front teeth, which, although he wouldn't say to anyone, Harry thought were absolutely captivating and perfect for Hermione. Would others say they were too big? Yes they would, but to Harry they, just like her hair, was perfect for her personality. Had he been able to put it into words, he would have said that her hair and teeth were representative of her depth and charm, the physical embodiment of her personality, they made her the unique bundle of wonder that to Harry she was. On anyone else, it wouldn't have worked. On Hermione, it was perfect.
Today's look however, saw the witch in question with her eyes cast down to the ground, not making contact with her best friend's. The was the fidgeting with the hair, the bottom lip being softly chewed on, the general sense of restlessness.
The two were sat in their couch. "Hermione, what's wrong? Are you worried about the egg?" The two, along with Neville and Storm had paid Hagrid a visit. Ron was doing a detention with Snape for melting a cauldron in potions, Susan was spending some time with Hannah Abbot, helping her with charms.
"No, well, yes, of course I am, but no."
Harry furrowed his brow. It wasn't like Hermione to be so flustered. "It's ok, Hagrid said that dragon eggs take a long time to hatch, it's likely to be March or April next year, that's plenty of time to get Ron's brother onside, and if we need to, come up with a plan B."
"That's not what's on my mind, Harry" replied Hermione quietly.
"What is it? You can talk to me about anything, you know that. I probably won't be able to help, but I can listen." Harry tried a smile, but he was worried about his best friend, it didn't quite reach his eyes.
Hermione took a breath. Now or never!
"I wrote to my parents, I said that you were probably going to stay in the castle over Christmas, and asked if you could come home with me."
Harry's eyes widened. For her part, Hermione was shyly looking down, not meeting his eyes. "I've mentioned you in most of my letters, told my parents that you are my best friend, and they said that they would like to meet you and that they'd be more than happy if you came home with me at Christmas."
"Why did you ask?" whispered Harry, stunned.
"Because I hated the thought of you being on your own at Christmas. I hated the idea that you would rather be here on your own than with your fam…" she paused, even with the little she knew she didn't want to call Harry's relatives 'family'. They were anathema to everything she understood family to be. "With 'them'. You deserve better than that."
She finally looked up at Harry to see his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without any rational thought she did what seemed natural and threw her arms around him. "Please say you will come" she croaked quietly.
"Are you sure your parents won't mind. I don't want to get in the way of your family Christmas. I know you have missed them since we came here and…"
He didn't get any further as a dainty hand covered his mouth. Hermione's eyes this time never wavering from his. "You won't be getting in the way, Harry. My parents want you to come, I want you to come. It's important to me, which makes it important to my mum and dad."
"Thank you. Of course I will come." His whispered proclamation prompting a genuine wide smile from the young witch who was still sitting on his lap.
Hermione's parents were, truth be told, both delighted and nervous about having Harry visit with them. They were delighted that their much beloved daughter had finally made a genuine friend, delighted that she had asked them to let said friend come home, but nervous about what she had written about him. Hermione's father was equally nervous at the fact that the best friend was indeed, a 'him'.
Alex and Sophie Granger were perfectly ordinary people, successful dentists with a private practice in the moneyed Hampstead area of London. Married straight out of university after the end of their fifth year, the Grangers thought themselves lucky in many respects. They bought their house, a large but not opulent 5 bed detached house in West Heath Gardens as soon as they had completed their supervised professional residences a couple of years before Hermione was born, before property prices had started to climb with the dawning of a new decade and the rampant consumerism that 'yuppie' culture had brought along. Were they minded to sell the property, some 14 years later, they would easily have tripled their money, if not more. They had occasionally thought about it, 5 bedrooms for the couple with an only child seemed excessive.
The Grangers had always planned to have more children, but Hermione's birth was a difficult one. Mother and child had nearly died, something which terrified Alex to the point where it was decided after Sophie and Hermione came home that there would be no more Granger children, leading Alex to get 'the snip'. The couple would always be sad not to have a larger family, both had siblings and both wanted Hermione to have a brother or sister to grow up alongside. But, that was not to be, so Hermione was the focus of all their love.
Looking back with the benefit of their future knowledge, both Grangers found themselves wondering if Sophie's difficult pregnancy and Hermione's troublesome birth had something to do with the awakening of the hitherto dormant magical genes which had given Hermione her special abilities, something in either the Granger or Irwin-Scott (Sophie's maiden name) heritage which had bloomed back into life.
It was clear from very early on that Hermione was special. Almost from the moment she was born, her awareness of the world around her was something to behold. Friends and family of the young couple would frequently comment that they had never seen a baby who seemed to pay so much attention to everything surrounding them.
As Hermione grew into toddlerhood and childhood, her sense of wonder never lost her. From the time she learned to talk, she would ask questions, look to find out what was going on, learn new things. Her parents, both very intelligent themselves, had been delighted that their little girl was so smart. It soon became evident however, that Hermione struggled to form connections with other children. Every time there was a playgroup, Hermione would find herself on the periphery, content to watch, observe, learn, but rarely interacting. When she got to primary school, it was more of the same. As she got older, her intelligence and love of literature caused her to further stand out from her peers. Children being children, they fear that which is different and that fear often causes them to act out.
So it came to pass that Hermione became a solitary child. Unable to connect with other kids, her friends became her books, her primary pastime became learning. Both parents saw the signs of loneliness but were at a loss as to how to overcome it. Being in the medical field, both had expressed thoughts that Hermione might be on the spectrum, but all the tests she undertook saw that she was extremely intelligent, somewhat shy, but otherwise, there was nothing to suggest she was out of the ordinary.
Sophie and Alex decided the best thing they could do would be to give their daughter all the love and support they could. It was hard for a while, they were building their dentistry practice at the same time as raising a very special young lady. Both sets of grandparents were invaluable with their help, and Hermione found herself closest to her maternal grandmother, 'Big Gran', Sophia Irwin-Scott. The Irwin-Scott matriarch was Scottish, as was her husband David. They had moved to London after the War where David had found himself a comfortable role as a civil servant, rising through the Whitehall ranks, letting Sophia raise the children as well as eventually taking a part-time role as a restorer and binder for an antique bookseller, classic literature having long been a passion. Sophie had herself been born later in Sophia's life, the Irwin-Scott being 40 when Sophie was born, the fourth and final child of Sophia and David.
When Hermione was 5, Big Gran died, aged 71. That was what precipitated Hermione's first bout of accidental magic. When her tearful mother had sat her down to explain that Big Gran had died, Hermione's grief saw her latent magic erupt. With a howling wail, the window of her bedroom shattered. The Grangers were stunned, but Sophie had always had an open mind with regards to the esoteric, being spiritual rather than religious and beside was so wrapped up her own grief that she didn't put a mind to it.
As Hermione grew up the number of 'odd' incidents which surrounded her seemed to grow, always accompanied by a strong emotion. The parents finally got an answer in September 1990 when a certain Professor McGonagall rocked up at West Heath Gardens to utter those life-altering words "your daughter is a witch!"
Almost a full year later, the two watched with sadness as their brave and special daughter proudly marched through a solid wall at King's Cross Station and off to a life of magical learning. They had resigned themselves to at best sporadic contact with their daughter, so were surprised when, after only a few days, a regal looking snowy white owl appeared at the kitchen window, tapping furiously. Alex had opened the window, intending to shoo the bird away, not knowing that this particular Bubo scandiacus was as magical as his daughter. The owl stepped to the side as the window opened and then without as much as a by-your-leave, flew through the kitchen and perched on the back of one of the chairs in the breakfast area. Alex's first instinct was to try and scare the bird off, but when he saw the intelligent yellow eyes gaze at him he stopped. When the bird balanced easily on one leg, holding the other out, he saw that there was a note tied to it. As soon as he had untied it, the note became larger and turned into two sheetes, as he stared to read, he called Sophie who came running before stopping in her tracks at the sight before her.
The letter was of course, from Hermione, explaining that the owl currently staring at them was called Hedwig, and if they had any bacon cooking, she would appreciate a rasher, having shown a fondness for it. The missive went on to explain that Hedwig belonged to Harry, a boy she had met on the train to Hogwarts, who took time to befriend her after some other girls had laughed at her. It said that they had been sorted into the same house (although she didn't see fit to mention the consternation their sorting had caused). It mentioned their first few days, and the two parents smiled as their daughter waxed lyrical about her new best friend. Explaining to her parents how to send a reply, they quickly wrote back on the second sheet of parchment which had been left blank. Rolling it up and tying it to Hedwig's leg, they were astonished to see it shrink, as if by magic before, with a triumphant "prek!" the regal bird shot out of the kitchen window to wind her way back to Hogwarts.
The letters kept coming, giving Sophie and Alex an insight into Hermione's school year that they genuinely weren't expecting, leaving them delighted that, as well as Harry she had made some other friends in the shape of Neville and Susan, along with some concerns which came to a head when Hermione explained her worries about Harry's home life. Sophie was the one who fielded that letter, writing back as honestly as she could. Hermione said she would keep an eye out for anything worrying, but was forthright in her belief that Harry would never hurt anyone, least of all her. Neither parent was wholly surprised the day Hedwig turned up (just after breakfast had been cooked, complete with an extra couple of rashers of bacon) with a plea from their daughter to allow her to ask Harry to come home with her for Christmas.
They had discussed the matter at length, eventually coming to the conclusion that it would be best for them to get to know the boy who was at the centre of all of Hermione's letters, to see for themselves what sort of a person he was and get a first-hand impression as to whether or not he was likely to cause any issues for the daughter they were so protective of.
Back at Hogwarts, Harry still couldn't believe that Hermione had asked her parents to let him go home with her, or that they had said yes. His thoughts were interrupted by the witch in question.
"I told Professor Flitwick that I was going to ask, he said that you would have to get your guardians' permission to go to my house." Hermione immediately saw Harry's face fall into sadness. She reached over and grabbed a hand. "I have thought about it. I know you don't have a good relationship with your guardians, I presume they would be just as happy for you to be anywhere other than with them for Christmas, so here's what I propose…"
An hour later the two were headed to the owlery where Hedwig had chosen to roost for a while. "Sometimes I think she just wants the company of other owls" Harry had stated. "I can't blame her for that, besides, I like the walk up there." Harry was clutching two letters – one to Hermione's parents and one, in a transfigured muggle style envelope (courtesy of Penelope) which contained a letter to the Dursleys. The letter to the Grangers included a request for them to get a couple of stamps (Harry offered to send Hedwig to Gringotts to try and get the money for the stamps – Hermione just snorted and rolled her eyes at him "Really Harry, I don't think my parents will go mad at 40p for two stamps – besides, they always have books of them for stuff for work") and post the letter to the Dursleys. Hermione had explained that their permission was needed and that as they were not as accepting of the magical world, they would appreciate being contacted by muggle means.
The letter to the Dursleys was, Harry thought, another example of Hermione's genius. It contained not a word of a lie but was carefully worded.
"Aunt Petunia/Uncle Vernon
I have been asked if I want to spend the Christmas break with a friend rather than returning to Privet Drive. To do so I need your permission. I've included a sheet of paper with a declaration of permission, if you are happy for me to not to return to Privet Drive for the holiday please sign it and post it back to Drs Granger. I've included an envelope and a stamp."
The note made no reference to the fact that Harry could just as easily stay in the castle for the holiday. Somehow Hermione didn't think that was something that the Dursleys needed to know and Harry found he couldn't disagree.
After the letters had been sent off they spoke to Professor Flitwick advising him of their plans and promising to keep him informed. The professor himself was delighted at the possibility that his two favourite first years (not that he would admit to having favourites) might get to spend Christmas together, something he was sure would be beneficial for both – moreso for Harry but for Hermione too. It would also help the plan that Amelia Bones had spoken to him about, something that he was planning to keep to himself for as long as possible but that he was already aware would have to be mentioned at some point – probably the first time that Dumbledore tried to pull his strings to manipulate him into ensuring that he got his own way with regard to Harry.
He cast his mind back to the conversation he had had with Amelia.
- oOoOoOo -
"Dumbledore had already admitted he had no plans to call in the aurors regarding the attempt at Mr Potter" she had started.
"I've been here a long time, Amelia, and I've got nothing but respect for the headmaster for his previous achievements but there is so much that doesn't add up with Harry" Flitwick had added. "He knows that the boy has a terrible time of it at home, he knows that he's starved, beaten, I've seen the scars myself but he's determined that the lad is put back there and won't say why."
Amelia had made some more notes on her charmed parchment. "I'm afraid I don't have the same respect you do – don't get me wrong he deserved every plaudit regarding the Grindelwald war but let's be honest, when Voldemort rose in the late 70s, Dumbledore sat back. His Order of the Phoenix was at best reactionary, at worst counterproductive. I know he had aurors, unspeakables, ministry men and women in his little group and whenever the ministry or the DMLE tried to do something he disagreed with he was the one sowing the seeds of discord. He's not going to get away with the same shite again. We both know there has been a rise in death eater activity over the past year, it points to something going on. I will guarantee that old bastard knows something about it but he's not letting on."
Flitwick nodded. "Since James and Lily died, he's changed. He was always secretive, he always thought he and he alone knew best, but since then it got worse. He would allude to things that only he knew but expect us to go along with whatever pronouncement he made just because he was Albus fucking Dumbledore." The half-goblin sighed with frustration. "I remember the dark days of the Voldemort war, we were losing until that Halloween. Whether it was Harry who somehow banished the dark one or not, whether Lily did come up with an obscure charm or not, until whatever happened, happened we were in a bad way."
Amelia sat back and looked to the ceiling. "I can understand the rationale behind hiding the boy away from the masses. He'd just been orphaned, he would have been the centre of attention anywhere in the wizarding world, honestly, hiding him with muggles wasn't the worst idea in the world at least for a couple of years until all the crazy stuff died down, but not at the expense of his wellbeing. He was still just a toddler for Merlin's sake."
Whilst Flitwick found it hard to say Amelia was wrong, he still wasn't happy with it. "But there was the business with the wills." Flitwick looked at his friend. "Don't worry, I'm not going to spill state secrets, I know they were sealed at the Ministry, and I only know that because I have some distant family on the goblin side who are still at Gringotts, we speak from time to time, I remember them saying that they were surprised that the will had not been activated, that when they had enquired when the beneficiaries would be along for their legacies they were told of the restriction. They just shrugged it off of course. Harry can go to Gringotts at any time to have it read there."
Amelia had looked pensive. "Does he know that?"
Flitwick shook his head. "The lad knows nothing. I considered telling him, but every time we have spoken about his parents, I could see the torment on his face, it would have been inappropriate to bring up something like the will when he's only now getting to grieve."
"You said the Granger girl had asked you about inviting him home with her for Yule?" Flitwick nodded. "I've just told him that I would happily spend some time with him over the break if I can to give him more of a background of his family. I can't expressly tell him about the wills as I'm bound by oath to the Ministry. What I can do though is give him a general sense of how some of the old families conduct their business. If he's as smart as you think he is he should work it out."
The charms professor raised a half-hearted smile. "Stupid people don't get sorted into Ravenclaw Amelia. He will work it out, even if he doesn't if Miss Granger is with him she will have no problems in putting two and two together."
"Do you think Harry would object to Miss Granger accompanying him to meet with me if we can arrange it?"
This time Flitwick's smile was genuine. "One is rarely seen without the other so I can't see that being much of an issue. Harry will enjoy finding out more about his heritage, Hermione will soak up any knowledge she can find. The two of them will finish top of my class and from what I've been told by other teachers, the same is likely to be true for most others."
"Even potions?" Amelia couldn't help but ask.
"Severus calls Hermione 'acceptable' and Harry 'average' Read into that what you will."
Amelia laughed. "So they are better than average at potions too. Anyway, we digress. What are your honest thoughts on the idea?"
"It's going to be politically sensitive, it's going to cause a lot of mumblings in the Ministry, Albus won't like it. You know he will mobilise his block in the Wizengamot. There are still enough former members of his Order to cause issues. It would be easier if there was a proxy for the Black seats." Flitwick was nothing if not candid.
"I know. I need to think of numbers more but I think I could call on enough support if I need to. The Bones name still carries some weight, Augusta will be on board, I am aware of the Order families but I'm not convinced that all of them will be as pliant as you think."
"Who do you think could be coaxed?"
"Shack at least to start with, he could bring the McMillans, they in turn along with me should be able to get the Abbots on-side. Susan has known Hannah for years, alongside Miss Granger she's one of Susan's closest friends, I've known the elder Abbots for longer than I care to remember. The ones I know will stay will be the Prewett proxy, I think that's Arthur Weasley these days, Olivander will do what Dumbledore tells him to, as will Doge and Diggle. I'm going to say that there's 10 in the 'dark' bloc who will do whatever they think will best serve themselves. That leaves 40 votes, so I need 26 of that 40 to be sure, assuming that the dark faction vote against me out of principle. Some of them may abstain, but I can't take that chance."
"How many do you think Albus will be able to steer?" Flitwick was thinking out loud.
Amelia laid out her thinking. "At least 12. I think I can steer at least the same, so that will leave the remaining sixteen. I need to convince fourteen of them, and I need to do it without giving anything away."
"It's going to be neigh on impossible" said Flitwick, stating the obvious.
"Yep."
"So you have a plan for when your plan fails?"
Amelia smiled. "I'm working on it, but I'm going to need your help."
"What do you need?" Flitwick looked over at his companion.
"I could use a chance to chat with one or two of those relatives of yours you mentioned earlier…"
- oOoOoOo -
Harry found himself lying in bed that evening, his mind going over the events of the day. Just as he thought he was never going to get to sleep his eyes started to droop and he let himself relax into the peaceful oblivion of sleep.
As his dream self faded into view in his mind, Harry noticed that the dreamscape was a familiar one. The grey surroundings fading into view before becoming the same dreamscape he had experienced so many times before. Knowing what was coming he sat himself down and waited for the ethereal companion he was sure was going to arrive.
He didn't have long to wait. "We meet again Harry Potter" said the being Harry knew as being in the shape of Merlin.
"We do that" retorted Harry, being aware that many more of his memories from another life were available to him. These memories all seemed to be focussed on the manipulations of the alternate time Dumbledore. "I presume there is a reason these memories have been unlocked?"
"You are correct, Harry Potter. You are going to find yourself at odds with Albus Dumbledore before long, before you leave for the festive break."
"Why?"
"He will attempt to convince you that it would be safest for you to remain in the castle. He will point out that you will be subjecting Hermione Granger and her family to risk."
Harry paused. He hadn't thought about that. "But now you mention it, it's true enough. Maybe I should stay here."
"No. You have already accepted her offer, you should honour that."
"But…"
"There is no reason for you to recant on your decision. You will be safe. There are many ways to maximise protection, I suggest that you ensure that your head of house is present at any discussion."
"How will I remember to do that if I never remember these dreams?"
"Your instinct will guide you, Harry Potter, that instinct in turn will be guided by these dreams."
"Ok." Harry thought for a second. "Why are you so keen on me going home with Hermione?"
"Why would I not be? Tell me about Hermione Granger, tell me about your first meeting."
Harry thought back to that confusing day at King's Cross. He knew that there was more going on with these dreams, he suspected there were more than the ones he actually remembered having when he entered the dreamscapes.
"You are correct in your thoughts, but please continue."
Harry sighed "I really wish you wouldn't do that. But anyway, I spaced out at King's Cross, when I refocused, I saw Hermione and her parents. There was something about her, I can't put my finger on what, but it was like I was, I don't know, drawn to her."
"Does that sound like something which would be normal for you?"
"Absolutely not. When I ran into her on the train, it felt, I don't know, right? Different?"
Merlin nodded. "We met longer ago than you remember. I told you things in that first meeting which have subconsciously guided you. I will not repeat them, not that you would remember them anyway, but I would once again remind you to act on instinct. You did that with Hermione Granger when you first met, you should continue to do so."
Harry shrugged. "That's served me well so far, but how's it going to help with this clash with the Headmaster you are sure is going to happen?"
"Albus Dumbledore knows more than he will ever tell. He expects you to be pliant, desperate for a guiding hand and equally desperate that the guiding hand be his. Maintain your mental shields in his presence at all times, and challenge him on everything. The more he is challenged, the more he will doubt, the more he doubts, the more likely it is that he himself can be redeemed into accepting the need for balance in the universe. These meetings will start that process. As always, you won't remember this dream exactly, but your subconscious will be able to better guide you as a result. Albus Dumbledore has more secrets than most, some of them have resulted in him being the way he is. Use his own words to argue against him. Filius Flitwick will be more than able to support you."
"When is this all going to happen?"
"It will happen when it is supposed to, Harry Potter. Dates are irrelevant for things such as this. It will not be tomorrow, it will not be the day after, it will be before the train departs for the break. That is all that is important."
"So I'm not going to have time to plan?"
"Why do you need to plan, Harry Potter? Your instinct will guide you, your subconscious already knows what should be done."
"Why do you keep calling me Harry Potter, I mean I'm not going to run off in a huff if you just called me Harry" grouched the dreaming wizard.
The Merlin being smiled for the first time. "It is one of the many foibles of my manner of communicating" he replied enigmatically.
"You know that doesn't actually answer the question?"
"I am aware of that."
Harry snorted. "You actually remind me a little of Dumbledore you know. Non answers or actual answers which lead to more questions."
"I am aware of that too. What better practice for those times where you deal with Albus Dumbledore than having experienced similar frustrations with me. It will help you develop better questions, it will help you decipher the truth in any answers you are given and to see where the holes are. Speaking to me is not for you to receive direct instruction in any event. As I have said more than once it is for me to allow your subconscious to retrieve that which it may need, all the better to guide your instinct."
With a roll of his eyes Harry thought that was all good and well but it was frustrating.
"I am also aware of that" said Merlin with another smile.
Harry just shook his head. "It is time for you to return to normal sleep Harry Potter. I feel your next few days will be interesting ones."
Harry felt the change of dreamscape as much as seeing it. With a wave of his hand Merline faded from view and Harry found himself being drawn into a deeper dreamless sleep. As he did so a vision rose from somewhere deep in his psyche, a vision of a young girl with expressive chocolate coloured eyes.
A/N 2 – This may seem like a bit of a filler chapter, more expository than doing anything to move the plot forward. I am aware of that J I wanted to update the story, but need to plot out a few things more fully first, plus some of the things teased at will become clearer in the upcoming chapters. I also almost followed the fan fiction convention of using Dan and Emma for the Granger parents, but as part of the delay these days is caused by my having to deal with the estate of my late parents, I decided instead to honour my late father, Alex, and my dear departed mother, Sophie.