Chapter 09-Dinner Fun

Hermione made it down to the kitchen just as everyone was settling in. It must have been a meeting night because the whole order seemed to be here. They all seem to get quiet when Hermione entered. Ah they were talking about me again, Hermione thought.

With the way Ron and Ginny were smirking it wasn't good things. "Good evening, Miss Granger," Dumbledore greeted too cheerfully.

Hermione smiled willing the play the act while her headmaster still tried to pick at her brain with legitimens. Again, she shut him out of her head and infuriated the headmaster at the same time. Severus watched with amusement. The headmaster was starting to be too easy to read about Hermione and she was very stoic would make any Slytherin proud. "Hello Hermione," everyone around the table said.

Sirius and Remus were sitting next to each other. McGonagall and Snape sat next to Dumbledore. The Weasley's were all in a line with Harry at the end. Tonks sat between Kingsley and Remus. Then there was a space for her between Snape and Kingsley. The only one missing would be Mad Eye Moody, but she was sure he had been here just not wanting to stick around for dinner. He was still a little iffy about eating things others prepared for him.

Tonight, was a nice shepherd's pie to Hermione's delight. She loved shepherd's pie. She sat down and listened to the talking about her. They all seemed to be making small talk and eyeing Hermione at the same time. "So, Miss Granger, how are your parents?" Kingsley asked.

"Very well sir," Hermione answered, "They want me around more but understand with everything going on we are all safer with me here."

"Yes, I can understand all that," Kingsley said, "Do they like your new appearance?"

Hermione realized Kingsley was approaching this like an Auror and questioning her in the long run to try to get what he thinks is the truth. "They were a little shocked like I was," Hermione explained, "But after we all talked it out at home and express our own concerns. All of us just decided to make the best of it. I think I look good."

"I see," Kingsley said, "They don't have any idea as to why you changed so?"

"No, sir," Hermione said politely starting to eat, "As you know my parents are muggle and have no clue why magic would do something like this. My father did say his grandmother was a blond and my mother said I share features with her grandmother. They showed me picture and we just chopped it up to my magic helping this ugly duckling turning into a swan."

Snape and Harry laughed at Hermione's reference to muggle literature. No one else did. In fact, the table minus the twins glared at the two. Hermione could have sworn Ginny nudged Harry for his response. "Honestly, sir, I don't understand anything," Hermione said, "You all seem to think I'm hiding something but I've always been so upfront and honest with you all that I dot understand this change of view toward me. I am a bright witch and have never struggled with my studies couldn't my magic have been the reason for my never having struggled."

Everyone seemed to ease with that except the three that had doubted her from the start. "You can't master flying a broom," Ginny seethed after seeing the table give a little toward Hermione.

"That is because I hate heights. It has nothing to do with the ability to fly it's the fear holding me back," Hermione explained.

Just then an official looking owl flew through the open window in the kitchen. The letter dropped in front of Hermione. The seal was that of the Ministry of Magic. "That's an Auror owl," Tonks said eying Hermione suspiciously.

Hermione opened it.

Dear Miss Hermione Granger,

We regret to inform you as of 5:30 pm this evening your home of 255 Cranbury Rd was destroyed by a Fiendfrye curse. Two neighboring houses were also destroyed. Unfortunately, it seems your parents were the only fatalities in this fire. We could not get the curse under control before their deaths. I am deeply sorry for your lose. WE are searching tirelessly for who did this rest assured. It seems your parents had a will that was sent to the ministry to be read tomorrow at 1:30pm. We will see you then.

Amelia Bones

Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Hermione dropped the letter like it had burned her and tears started flowing. Snape immediately picked up the letter. "Oh, Miss Granger," Snape groaned, "We had no idea their location wasn't safe. We did everything we could to protect them."

"What is it Severus?" Dumbledore demand not caring for the concern the potion master was showing.

"The Grangers are dead," Snape said, and the room gasped, "Seems their house was burned down tonight with them inside by the Fiendfrye Curse."

The table was quiet. Through her tears Hermione observed the room. Some showed concern, some faces showed shock, and others showed hatred. "Can I go to my room?" Hermione asked the table sniffling.

"Of course, dear," Molly said, "I'll send Severus up in a minute with a few potions and dinner."

Hermione just nodded hurriedly leaving the room vacating to her room once more. No one said a thing everyone was too shocked. So many emotions were hanging around the table no one knew what to do or say. "I think Tonks and I need to go to the office see what we can find out," Kingsley said.

"Yes," Dumbledore said, "the rest of you finish dinner. Minerva and I will go back to the school to finish setting up for next year. Severus take care of the girl then go see your friends and see what they know."

"Alright," Severus said, "It maybe tomorrow before I am back. If it was them, they will be partying."

"Very good," Dumbledore nodded.

With that the table emptied significantly. The professors going through flew, the Aurors leaving for the apparition point, and Snape heading upstairs. "That poor girl," Mr. Weasley said shaking his head.

"It's war Author. Sad to say but we knew something like this was bond to happen," Remus said gloomily.