Hey guys, last chapter before Hermione starts to grow up.
Please review and tell me if there's any particular scenes you'd like to see before Hermione begins Hogwarts.
Chapter 24: Hermione's first birthday
"She's not well today mother!"
"She's five. She will be fine"
"I mean that the funeral took a toll on her!"
"I told you I should have been there. Hermione would have never of ran away if I was there!"
Minerva rolled her eyes as she tipped her drink towards Severus motioning for him to get her another shot of Fire Whiskey. It had been two days since the funeral and Hermione was still feeling the pain. She had barely slept, barely eaten and barely said a few words to her parents and godfather.
"I doubt it mother. Hermione was in a very upset and did not want to leave her birth parents behind. Albus has been rocking her to sleep for the past two and a half hours" Minerva gritted her teeth as the dark haired man poured her another drink.
"Well then let me try. Hermione's infatuated with having a seanmhair...grandmother...grandmomma...nanna...Oh I will decide later what my perfect wee granddaughter may call me" She stated before taking a swig her drink and marching into Hermione's room without knocking.
"Ooch, the nerve of that woman!" The green eyed woman growled as Severus poured himself his fifth drink for the night. Somehow, all he could see was the complete resemblances between Minerva and her mother. They really were the exact same except Isobel seemed more forward...well blunt really. She seemed to have gotten to the stage where she no longer cared about anyone else's opinion after her husband died.
Lately, she had been coming round more often to teach Hermione French in order to keep to their little lie of the girl's hidden adoption. It seemed to be working and Hermione had been learning rather quickly. The next language would be Gaelic for sure. Severus knew that much. It seemed to be every few days or so which and he had been enjoying watching Minerva walk around like a bird with ruffled feathers trying to get to a bug buried underneath their skin.
"I couldn't agree more, tabby" He smirked as he took a sip of his drink and relaxed onto the red leather couch.
"I suppose she could have come to the funeral?"
"And have her make scathing remarks at the poor lasses dead birth parents? I think not!"
"And Poppy?"
She sighed, taking a seat next to her friend and 'adopted' son, "had to work, unfortunately. Too many injured students from yesterdays Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin game. Perhaps you could speak to your team in regards to not throwing pocket sand into other players eyes. I am quite sure that is illegal and dangerous"
Severus hummed, "I will speak to them"
"Good" she turned back to Hermione's door wondering how Albus was doing with the both of them.
"As for now, I barely know what to do about the poor girl's birthday. It's only a week away. I'm wondering if Hermione would even be well enough, she's been so ill since the funeral. Poppy had to give her a small drought of the living dead just so she would sleep at least a few hours"
Minerva sighed tiredly as she sipped her whiskey, "Albus and I have barely slept a wink".
Severus could only nod, "Perhaps your mother should care for her tonight considering we all have the staff meeting tomorrow"
She groaned in pain feeling a headache come on, "she's been asking to take my daughter to her first day of school"
"It is her only grandchild"
"And your godchild. I would at least expect you to be taking her for at least one night"
"Perhaps tomorrow evening depending on how she rests tonight" He really had no clue how to take care of a mentally exhausted, emotional and tempered child. Let alone his.
"I expect so"
She took her last gulp of alcohol before standing and placing her glass down on the coffee table, "I should go check on them".
Isobel could only glare at her son-in-law as he snored loudly on the bed with one arm wrapped tightly around her exhausted granddaughter. She decided to appease the girl in a much more subtle way and changed into her Animagus form before jumping onto the bed. She smiled as she crept onto the girl's lap and purred as loudly as she could. It was the same way she had comforted Minerva when she was a child and it seemed Hermione was the same.
Her large golden eyes glanced down at the old cat as it reached up, paws on her chest to rub it's head against her cheek. She smiled at the cat before wrapping her arms around the small creature and leaning back into the crook of her father's arm-pit. The rise and fall of his chest help ease a bit of Hermione's worry. She had been alone for far too long and her parents reminded her of how much she didn't want to be alone. In fact, all her nightmares had been fixated on being abandoned and isolated for being a freak and a traitor.
Her father coughed quietly in his sleep causing Hermione to blink her tired, black ringed and bagged eyes before they closed again and tried to rock back off to sleep.
Isobel took a glance around the somewhat messy room to find a litter of different toys and story books on the bed in an effort to lull her granddaughter to sleep. Though her favourite teddy had remained at her side the entire time.
Isobel stepped over the girl before walking onto Albus' lap and slapping him across the face with her paw.
Albus took a quick breath in, waking up and sitting up causing Hermione to fall to the side and be woken back up yet again. Tears began to pour down the girl's face as she sobbed quietly to herself. She just wanted to go to sleep without the night terrors.
In the meantime Albus was being stared down by a black green eyed cat wanting him to leave immediately, "good evening Isobel" He grabbed the cat and pulled her over to his side before taking him his daughter in his arms, "oh my dear girl. Please don't cry. Shush, shh" He kissed her cheek as she sobbed in sheer exhaustion.
"My poor girl. My beautiful girl"
He rocked her back and forth into his shoulder before pushing himself off the bed and walking her around the room. He was definitely tired and wishing his little girl would go to sleep. At least for a few hours. He kissed her cheeks before seeing the cat still resting on the bed glaring at him. He sighed, knowing she wanted to spend the rest of the evening with her granddaughter alone.
He placed her down on the bed before tucking her up with her teddy bear, "I believe your grandmother wants to spend some time with you. Do you want some hot coco, dear?"
Hermione shook her head, making her father sigh, "perhaps some warm milk?"
She shook her head again, "I'm going to come back soon with your medication and some pumpkin juice. I really need you to drink them all, okay?"
Tears sprawled down her face as she nodded her head.
"I love you very much, my dear girl. Be good for your grandmother" He kissed her forehead before moving off.
Hermione turned to the black haired cat who licked her lips at her. She moved her hand over to the cat to feel the softness of her fur, "gwandmomma?"
The cat's eyes brightened before leaping off the bed and changing into her human form, "I think I do prefer that name over seanmhair"
"S-S..."
"Not to worry my dear, sweet kitten"
"I heard that you haven't been sleeping very well"
"T-The monster...I don't want to be alone...and...and it keeps gwabbing me when I slweep and...and"
She brushed the girl's hair back as she laid with her, "More poor baby. Well, I might know a spell or two to make them go away" She smiled at her little girl.
She rubbed her sore, tired eyes before sniffing and turning to her grandmother, "momma and papa alweady twied"
"Well I haven't, now how about we start?"
She waved her wand dimming the lights a bit more before helping the girl rest her head back comfortably on the pillow before waving her wand in front of her.
The room was illuminated by light blue fluffy sheep jumping over a fence. Hermione couldn't help but smile tiredly as the animals jumped over, imprinted with numbers in their wool.
She moved back over to her little girl and cuddled up to her in her cat form, hoping it would calm and tire the girl down enough to send her off to sleep. However, it didn't last long as Minerva and Albus came back into the room carrying a tray of potions and a drink of warm pumpkin juice.
Isobel groaned in annoyance, as she watched the girls head lull to the side of the pillow following her parents as they came and sat down next to her.
"Nice big gulp for me, dear" Albus told her passing her one of the potions. Hermione could glance up at her parents as she cradled the glass vial in her hands. Minerva glanced over to her husband worried, "Well dear?" she prompted her.
"It doesn't make the monster stop chasing me"
"We're putting you back on a stronger dose of the dreamless sleep tonight, kitten"
She looked up at her mother, concerned.
"It is alright dear, Severus and Poppy both agreed that a stronger dose may help. It will be just for tonight, my sweet girl"
Hermione could only nod her head and gulp the potions down one by one until she got to the pumpkin juice and began sipping the small drink.
Minerva smirked leaning over the bed and kissing the small girls cheek, "I suppose your grandmother will be caring for you tonight?" She looked down at the glaring at her from the girls' lap.
"Try and get some sleep, deary. If you need anything at all just holler" she hugged her parents goodnight before falling back onto the pillow and watching the sheep jump over the fence.
14...15...16...
The days progressed onwards and Hermione began to return to her almost normal self. She had been on a stronger dose of the dreamless sleep potion since Tuesday last week. She continued on with her therapy sessions, playing with her family, her nightly cuddles and watching Severus and Poppy work throughout the week until the day arrived.
Hermione was ecstatic to say the least. She had woken her parents up just after six o'clock in the morning by jumping on them in her kitten form, her wild untamed bush of hair waking them up, "Hermione five more minutes, kitten" Her father folded his arms into his body and pulled the kitten to his side.
"Papa!" Hermione complained turning back into her human form and trying to push away from him and wake them up.
"Hush now dear. Papa needs a few more minutes of rest" He cuddled her tighter to his side making her squirm and try to wriggle out of his grasp, "mommy!" she turned to her making Minerva groan and turned to her side. She smiled as she saw her small daughter caught in between the both of them. She couldn't help but smile knowing she had found what she had wanted for a very long time; a family. Her own pride and joy.
"Ooch, my little girl" She pinched her daughter's cheek making Hermione roll her eyes knowing she was being ignored on purpose.
She chuckled, "happy birthday, my beautiful girl" she kissed her forehead. The girl looked up at her mother with wide eyes. "Momma, you wemembered" She smiled happily before hugging her mother tightly in her small arms.
Albus groaned, opening his eyes at the comment, "Ah girl, of course ya papa and I remembered your birthday" Hermione giggled happily as she hugged her parents. The small family had decided to have breakfast in bed that morning. Minerva spent the time cooing over her daughter and cuddling up to her as they had an English breakfast.
"So, where would you like to go today, my dear?" Albus wiped his mouth with his cloth before placing it on his plate.
"Ummm... the beatch"
"Beach, dear"
"Bee-cha"
"Can god-daddy and godmomma come?"
"I'm afraid your godfather does not like the beach"
She pouted looking up at her papa to ask him, beg him even. Albus could only sigh, "I suppose I could ask. But for now, how bout you open some of your presents"
"Presents?"
"Of course, kitten. It is your birthday!" Minerva opened her night stand and pulled out three items.
Hermione's eyes couldn't help but light up at the items and giggle happily.
"Thank you, mummy and papa" She kissed her parents cheeks before opening the presents. She recieved a gold necklace with a small cat at the bottom with red eyes. Minerva and Albus had decided to place a tracking spell on it to ensure they no longer had to rely on Severus to track her 'bracelet collar'. The second present revealed several books related to transfigurations and some story time books and the third present had a colouring-in set.
"Well, what do you think, dear"
"I pretty, thank you. I love them all" She smiled toothily at her parents before hugging them.
"Right kitten, go brush your teeth and change into your bathers. Your papa will ask Severus and Poppy to come"
"Perhaps your mother would also-"
"No!" Minerva scowled at her husband before giving Hermione a push to get ready.
Hermione placed another pile of sand onto the medium sized sand castle as her father dug a hole in the middle. They had been at the beach for just over an hour and Minerva and Poppy had decided it would be a good idea to take a nip in the ocean.
Severus groaned and turned his head away as the older woman moved to the beach in their one piece bikini's. For Merlin sake, how did he get robed into this?
Oh right, he was practically blackmailed by the crazy old man, telling him he'd ruin Hermione birthday if he didn't go. He pulled his shirt away from his skin, perspiration dripping down his forehead. He was hot to say the least and refusing to take his robes off.
"SEV-RUS!"
Least she was getting better at pronouncing his name.
"Oof" He groaned as he stared down at the small girl buried in her lap laughing happily. He rolled his eyes trying not to be angry at the amount of sand the girl was covered in that was also getting all over his bloody robes.
"Thank you for coming, god-daddy" She smiled toothily at him. He forced a gentle smirk towards her before pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Yes well, your father convinced me otherwise" He pulled her chin up to look at her beautiful golden flaked eyes. "Look," She pulled the golden chain of her necklace up and showed him the small cat with Ruby eyes. He could feel the small trace of magic on the chain, "momma and papa said it's enchanted so it doesn't break"
He nodded, that and likely another tracker on the girl.
"Do you like it?"
"It's suits you, girl"
She smiled happily towards him before hugging him again, "papa and I are making a sand castle, pwease join us. Pweaze!"
He sighed, pulling her up and into him arms making her laugh as he took carried her towards her father.
"GodDa...daddy...sto!"
SPLASH!
She was thrown into the cool water making the girl scream, "God-daddy!" She complained chuckling before rushing over to him and tackling his leg still drenched in water. "You little!" He growled at her as she attempted to pull him into the water. Instead, he ended up tripping over in an effort to avoid her and fell into the shallow water below with Hermione falling on his stomach. She looked up into his eyes seeing the annoyance present on his face.
She gulped, quickly transforming into her tiger form and crawling onto his chest and pouting at him as to say 'please don't be mad at me'. He groaned further as he heard the cluckle of the older women laughing at him and the man.
He grabbed the tiger pulling her into his arms as it attempted to claw up his coat, "Very funny" he stared into the soaking cats eyes.
Albus chuckled as he walked over to the two of them, "About time you came out of those dredged dungeons. You could use some sunlight!"
Severus glanced back into the pleading tiger's eyes and sighed.
'Maybe this was good for him'
The family continued to remain on the beach until the afternoon. Hermione had even got to spend time with her godmother outside of the hospital wing and Hogwarts itself.
"Ooh you have finally put on some weight" She had cooed to her goddaughter as she attempted to run a hand through the girls nearly dry hair. They had returned back to Hogwarts just over two hours ago, enough time for Hermione to be given a shower.
They were currently sitting in Minerva's and Albus' room with Hermione sitting on her godmother's lap allowing her to brush her hair. She had only just awoken from her afternoon nap and had just taken her medication. She leaned into her godmother and hugged her tightly.
"What's for lunch, godmommy?"
Hermione asked rather hungry.
"Well there's a small birthday surprise for you near lunch, sweetheart" She finished tying her hair into her bun before kissing her cheek.
"Now how about you get your shoes on and we'll meet you everyone down in the staff room"
"Do I have to wear shoes?"
"Yes, dear. You wouldn't want to get a cold or step on something sharp would you now?"
"But my sores still hurt when I-"
"Now dear! and I'm sure your mother bought you some nice new socks for you to wear along with your shoes"
Hermione sighed but did what her godmother asked from her. She quickly raced off to her room to find a pair of soft socks as Poppy grabbed her shoes off the rack and helped the small girl place her shoes on.
She took her godmother's hand and walked with her towards the staff room. Hermione groaned in annoyance as she tried to adjust her shoes whilst walking, "dear you are not to take your shoes off"
"But it itches!"
"You need to get used to wearing them. It's not healthy to walk around barefoot. What if you step on something sharp?"
Hermione shrugged, not particularly caring if she stepped on anything at this rate as long as it wasn't socks and shoes.
They entered the staff room in less than a few minutes and were welcomed with a big banner that said happy birthday with many different coloured streamers coming down from the roof. Hermione looked around seeing her parents, the staff and even the Weasleys.
Minerva and Albus were standing by the front to instantly greet their small child with a tight hug before kissing her forehead, "happy birthday, my dear girl" Albus smiled brightly at her.
"Come dear, I want to introduce you to your uncle" Minerva pulled Hermione by her hand and lead her over to a tall, large man.
"Aberforth, this is Hermione" Aberthforth turned to see the small girl with brown hair and golden eyes.
"Hermione? Strange name for a girl don't you think?" Aberthforth commented.
"Hope he does a better job at taking care of her than..." He caught himself at Minerva's scowl.
Aberforth had only come down at the request of Minerva of course, to see his niece. It was true, Aberforth could barely stand to be in the same room as his brother. Despite the years that had gone by, he still blamed Albus for the death of their sister. He still remembered her funeral, clear as day, where he had physically assaulted Albus and broke his nose. Aberforth knew his brother felt guilty otherwise he would have healed his still broken...well now crooked nose.
Aberforth coughed awkwardly, still unable to get over his sister's death.
He rustled his nieces' hair before bending down on one knee and passing her a present. He was always keen on dueling and the combative sports as a young boy. However, he knew both her parents were the studious types and had settled on a book for her. After an extended time at the local book shop, he settled on 'The Basic Guide to Dueling' in hopes that it would appease the girls fascination. It went through the ins and outs of etiquette to proper dueling stances etc.
"Thank you, uncle Abby-fworth" She hugged him as much as he could. He smiled at the small girl wrapped around his leg. He chuckled and told her to be good for her parents before turning to talk to Severus who remained in the background of the event, as usual.
Hermione looked over to the massive pile of presents she had received from everyone. Truly, she had never received that many before. Most were books to be fair.
Once Minerva and Albus began boosting about her obsession, many of the staff found it rather easy to buy for the girl. However, she did receive a plant from Pomona; a Venus Flytrap to be specific.
She had told the girl it was a good way to learn responsibility and the importance of plants in medicine and potions. She had received a children's potions kit from Severus, a few new clothes from Poppy, a dream catcher from Professor Trelawney. Hagrids' and Kettleburns gift had come as a surprise to Hermione however it was removed quite quickly from her. She had overheard the words 'baby firecrab' somewhere and Minerva saying that it wasn't acceptable for a six year old.
Somewhere along the lines the two agreed and having no material items to give the girl; they had decided to take her to see some unicorns on the grounds that they brought safely onto Hogwarts grounds. Hermione was head over heels at the prospect of riding a unicorn. Sorry, observing a unicorn as her Minerva had corrected. Although, the wink Hagrid had given her had told her otherwise.
The Weasley family had given Hermione a red sweater with the letter H in the middle. Hermione was happy about it, she liked it even more when Ginny and Ron wore there's so she would feel more included. Much to Ron's distaste.
The party had ended with a rather large birthday cake and having a sugar high, much to Poppys distaste. She was going to have a terrible sugar crash come dinner time. She had decided to give Hermione a book on different types of medicine, seeing how she had told her parents that Hermione was destined to be a healer.
By the night's end, Hermione was asleep and tucked up on the couch, in her mother's arms. She had already given her sweet daughter a relaxing bath and a bedtime story before wrapping her up in a blanket and giving her her medication. Poppy had unfortunately told her that Hermione was likely to be on medication for the rest of her life due to the severity of her abuse, her neglect, her starvation, her PTSD. She was worried this would only add to the girl's inability to forget about her past.
Minerva couldn't help but hold her tighter in her arms as she they laid on the couch together watching the fire. She ran her hands through the small girls hair, comforting her as Albus prepared the evening drinks and potions.
She looked back down to her small child who was had been bundled up in a red Gryffindore blanket. Her wet hair an indication of her recent bath her mother had given her. She had added extra lavender to the mix of herbal medicine she had placed in the bath to ensure she had a proper night sleep.
She heard her small girl sniff, attempting to wake up. Her bright golden eyes met Minerva's emerald green ones, "did you have a good day today, kitten?"
"The best, well second best"
"Second best? What was the first?"
"W-when you took me in"
Minerva couldn't help but smile at the small girl. She had set her eyes on adopting Hermione since the first day she had landed her eyes on Hermione in the hospital wing. And even before then, the best thing that she ever did was take a stray cat home, never knowing it would change her life and everyone else's forever.
"You know what dear?"
"What?"
"That was my favourite day too"
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