Autor's Note
Like I said at the beginning, the Grangers and Krums are not really explored so this is my take, for my storyline proposes.
You may have noticed my love for a certain English writer, please don't hold it against me.
Since the Universe is set in England I'll probably use a lot more English literature references.
As always, all comments and suggestions are welcome.
Hugh was a sad while telling their story...
– I never really knew my mother, she died when I was very little and my father was not a man built to be a parent, he left me in an orphanage soon after, I can't remember him, he left me only his name, and I grew up with the help of the caretakers, nice people for an orphanage, anyway, I was adopted three years later, the man that took me in, was a nice old man, older that I'm right know, and he died ten years later, alas, he left me his possessions, he wasn't rich, but he was well of, so with the selling of his home and a little bit of extra money, I was able to continue my studies up until the year of my GCSE's, so I took that a year off to work and save enough to pay college, it was the best decision I ever made, – Hugh was smiling – I was hired on a little town outside Exeter, I was going to work for a nice old lady that needed help with her land and company, since she was a widow with no children, I spend the mornings working with the foreman, repairing things, fixing the fence, tending the animals, the corn field, helping her with her garden in the afternoon, I took her for walks or read to her, things like that, a companion of sorts, in one of the visits to town, I meet this beautiful girl, – Hugh smile at the memory – she was the daughter of the local noble, and after I saw her, I was completely gone, Mrs. Long, that was always looking for company, and had a weird sense of humor, well, she…she invited the girl after I timidly ask about her, she saw right through me, and she was never one to pass up the opportunity of embarrass me a little bit, so she arranged that, when she arrived I was out working the fields and when I finish my shift, and walk back to the house to clean up and had diner, I was completely filthy, sweaty, my hair, face and hands were covered on pigs manure, a was about to use the hose on the back of the house, when she open the back door and her eyes look on mine, she got back immediately and I was stuck on my spot, it was a very undignified way to meet her again, so I clean what I could and went inside to chance clothes.
Jane was laughing – Well, I was intrigued with him so, I call Mrs. Long, and she saw right through me too, she invited me for tea and I was baffled for not seeing him, but when I was about to leave, she asks me to open the back door so the house get a little bit colder, it was a little hot and she couldn't be out much, and I don't know about ways to meet but, one thing is true, you didn't look very handsome in your work clothes, all filled with mud and dirt, it was hilarious... – Jane adds with a laugh.
– Yes, well, – Hugh was still a little embarrass about it – Hermione, I'll not entering into many details, its not necessary, but, your mother and I decided to spend more time together, after the talk we had over dinner with Mrs. Long, there was… a spark of sorts and we want to see what it was, Mrs. Long, was very happy about it, apparently I was too guarded and your mother was unhappy, and for some reason we make each other happy, we make each other laugh, so we decide to see what it was, we always see each other during the day and almost never alone, after all, we were young and Mrs. Long, well, she was keeping an eye on us, never the less I went to her father to asks permission to visit her, and explain myself, – Hugh took a deep breath – I not proud to tell you that, I was denied of that chance, your grandfather, he…well he was not please about it, which was ironic since he was a married in noble, not born… – Jane put his hand on his arm – right, not rambling, he didn't approve that an unknown man, without family or fortune, was seeing his daughter, you see, he was a pragmatic man, after all, he was the richest man in town, his father-in-law had a nice state and when his older son died, she inherited all, he had nice name and manners, being from a prosper merchant family, but not going to inherited, so your mother was his oldest child by a decade so his son was not yet on puberty, which mean that technically your mother will had a very nice inheritance and he didn't want a faceless man to get her, since he already had a suitable candidate for it, someone with even more money and excellent business relations, but he was...
– Dull, boring – Jane provided. – you see, he was only after my inheritance, hell, he'll probably kill my brother and me in order to take all the inheritance for himself, he had a girlfriend that was not accepted by his family which is why he was cut off and he tough I didn't known about it, but well he was clear on his intentions, as well as a man with old ideas, you see he wanted, to keep my father clueless about his intention, he wanted to have only boys, and want me to be a dutiful little wife always slaved in the house with the kids and nothing else. Definitely not the life I want for myself.
– Anyway, he didn't approve for several reasons, but my guess, it was because I was poor, and had no family to back me up, even with Mrs. Long backing me up, he didn't want me near so, we became our own love story, Mrs. Long keep trying to help us, helped me with my studies to prove that I won't need the inheritance, but well, he won't hear about it. So, your mother and I became reckless and defying, eventually, I left for London to study and your mother stay with Mrs. Long, since she convinced her father to let her stay and keep her company, we write to each other every day, I was working hard in both my studies and saving money to bring her with me, I was a valet in one of the most elegant hotel in London, anyway, a couple of months later, I received the message that your mother was expecting and came back immediately, that's why Mrs. Long was so pushy with the idea of your mother staying with her, that way he wouldn't hurt her or send her away, as soon as I arrive I went to see him, he yelled at me and stroke me down, while your mother crying, they yell and spit on my face, they declare not having a daughter anymore so I took her with me, first we went back to Mrs. Long and prepare everything to go to London in the morning. The suitor came to see us, and we fought, it's was the first time I cross fists with another person, we fought and he stabbed me, – Hermione look at his father with concern – I'm alive relax, I think he was just frustrated for not getting the inheritance, but I did get a nice scar, anyway, we spent the night sobbing, by morning before we left, Mrs. Long give us a letter of recommendation for better accommodations in London, you see, I was staying on a student residence, small shared room and bathroom, but taking your mother with me, well we needed a bigger space, privacy and a better job, so Mrs. Long help us with a few pounds plus my savings, we were set, Mrs. Long gave us an address in downtown, we were greeted by an older couple that rent us a little flat above their Tea Shop, they hired us to work on the shop while study, I was two years away of my first degree that, as you know, was in Dental Public Health, which I study part time while working on the shop, your mother also studied until you were born, she got her GCSE's, and the college admission, while I got my degree from the GDC and I got a job at the local clinic, while your mother continue with her own studies, when you were born, your mother was still a minor, so we couldn't get married, Mrs. Long came to London and became your godmother, that way we didn't feel alone, only her and our landlords where on your baptism, then when your mother got to age, Mrs. Long travel again and was the witness in our marriage, again with our landlords and a couple of friends from school, we moved to other flat closer to the shop, since we still work there part time, eventually, as you know, we study specialties, your mother on pediatrics and I on surgery, but, that's not the important bit, – Hugh was nervous – Hermione, do you remember the few trips we took to the countryside when you were little? – Hermione nodded – well, a couple of them were because Mrs. Long was sick and we want to be with her, she was the only family we had, and the trip when you were six? – Hermione looked at him, – well, Mrs. Long was on hospice care, and pass away a little after our arrival, we buried her, next to her husband, and stay for the reading of her will, since we were the closest thing she had to a family, while we were there, we made peace with your mother's family, they never meet you and make clear that we were never being to be welcome, or recognize, no matter the success we had, but Mrs. Long was a nice person and I guess she foresaw the situation with the family and she made you the last attempt to patch up things for us...
– What do you mean? – Hermione was a little scared...
– Honey, – Jane took her hand softly – when Mrs. Long died, she made you the heir of everything she owned, she wasn't rich, but her land was vast and well, you need to go there, regardless if you keep it or not, the lawyer is the most insistent. And you most certainly will have to meet my family…
– What? why? Why will I meet them? according to your tale, they never care for me or want me, why will I have to meet them? – Hermione was a little concerned about it.
– Because, – Jane was nervous – the lawyer told me that my brother has approached him, as well as to the person we have as keeper to buy all the property of Mrs. Long, including the land and the homestead.
– There is something you are not saying… and why you have a keeper on the property? – Hermione was speechless.
– Well, we needed someone capable of keeping the fence and the intruders away. The land is big, and the fence needs to be kept, Mrs. Long didn't make much profit, but she never let go her land, so, when we heard that the old foreman had nowhere to go, we hired him to look after the property until you come to age and claim it since he knows all about the property. He has worked every position on the farm and has lived on it since he was born, his father was the previous foreman and his mother was the housekeeper. He was as much family to Mrs. Long as your mother and I, she did leave him a little stipend but well is not much, so we pay him and cover the expenses of the homestead and any material he may need for keep all together so…
– Hold on. Please stop. It's too much to process, – she stands up and take a few paces – and you are still withholding something, but let me get this straight, my grandparents hate you, for being poor, disown mother for loving you, this wonderful old lady took both of you under her care and leave me all her possessions after her death so I make peace with them?
– I don't think she make you her heir for that reason, I think she wanted you to have some sort of connection with the land that saw me grow and us falling in love, some connection, she was that kind of person, very spiritual and the land is beautiful, and well, she never like the plans that my father, and maybe my brother had for the land. And the town. – Jane was a little bit embarrassed.
– Yeah, she had the land divided into plots to had space for vegetables, fruit, hay, she used to have horses, cattle, pigs and chickens, but now there is only the structure of the stable and the pig-shed, all attached to the home and a greenhouse, the property is big, but never really liked to have livestock, so once she sold it, she certainly had a lot more of space, and a beautiful little lake, everything so peaceful, and country side, but he wanted to make a big factory and bring progress and modernity, a lot of houses or complex for workers, you know a little modern city under his watchful eye to get his pockets full, since he owns half of the town business – Hermione was processing all the information, she took a seat again and got so lost in her thoughts that didn't notice the phone ringing, Hugh gets up to answer it while Jane took the hand of Hermione...
– Granger's home. Hugh speaking...yes...yes, we know...we are informing her...no... she didn't know because we just came back...we prioritize her education over tales about family feuds...yes...I know Mrs. Long will and I know she was your friend, but...yes...she will be there...I don't think that's necessary...ok we'll be there too... good day to you too. – he hung up a little baffled and hold the bridge of his nose for a bit. He locks eyes with Jane, and there was pain.
– What's the matter, honey? – she looks at him concern.
– We have to go as well...apparently, there is a clause that concerns us and we have to go... – he looks at her with sadness.
– No... I... I can't... he didn't say anything about us coming back – Jane stands up and leaves the room, Hugh went after her, while Hermione watches the scene with tears in her eyes...
Hugh had caught Jane in the library looking at a picture and reach to hold her, she welcomes her embrace and cried...
– We'll go directly to the homestead, we don't really have to go into town, they don't have to know we are there, look at me – Jane lift her eyes – we have options, maybe…if you don't want to, we won't go, I'll arrange everything to settle here, we name a proxy, or I can go and do everything, you don't have to go there...
– I know, but she had to go, I don't want her to travel alone. – Jane smiles a little bit – I…I think I also would like to see my old home. I... when we were in Australia, I felt so at ease, in that little home in the outback, a part of my felt free on that space, that green landscape, like in my heart… it felt like home, something missing yes, but felt like home, – she embraces Hugh back – I would like to see if our tree is still there and, maybe see her from the distance – she looks at the picture before putting it back into the book. – I haven't seen her in almost 20 years...I…miss her.
– I know, – Hugh smiled a little – come on, let's go see Hermione, she needs to be informed and plans had to be made. – They walk back to the living room and Hermione was still sited in the same space, just processing... – Honey, – Hugh said while taking the hand of Hermione – I know this was a lot of information, what do you said if I take you girls out for dinner. I promise you'll have time to think about this, you have your own lawyer and you can decide if you want to go, your lawyer can call hers and meet in the office here in London, you can meet with Mr. Brandon and decide, – he kneels to be at her level and look at her eyes – honey, you don't have to decide today, take your time, he is pushy, but we can push back a few days, wherever you decide, your mother and I will be at your side. – he smiles a little bit – he will also be there you know, – Hermione look at his eyes – war didn't scare him, bigots didn't scare him, probably his mother may scare him a little bit, – they both smile – but even that didn't push him away from you, so, what's a little family feud, ha?
Hermione actually smile at that, she stands up again and embraces her father, then her mother, and the tree of them spend a little bit more time on that embrace, eventually they separate, went to clean their faces and went to had dinner, were they talk about more pleasant things, like school and GCSE's, the things she will need to go back to Hogwarts and her parents advising her about boys and such, but they all agreed that in that aspect of life, she had more sense than them…
Believe me, this rationality of Hermione is going to be tested...