No Magic in this fic. Its set in 1915 or around then . AU -dont own anything
The Ribbon
"IM sorry Sir Granger." Remus Lupin, London's finest doctor, sadly shook his head then patted Sir Granger lightly on the shoulder.
He looked at Lupin, his face blank, then walked stiffly away into the room where his now dead wife lay.
Lupin looked about the room, it was well furnished with nothing but top quality fashions for the era. It was obvious the Grangers had money to spare and didn't think it below themselves to show it off. He tilted his head toward the doorway and saw a dress made of silk and lace slither past.
" Miss Granger is that you?" he heard the soft fall of footsteps stop then draw nearer. Hermione was the only daughter of the Grangers.
"Yes sir it is I, was my father very sad?" she said with a sneer in her voice. She looked up at him with anger in her eyes yet Lupin could distinctly also see the sadness that those eyes held.
" Yes of course he is sad. Why do you ask?" She glanced at the door in which her mothers body lay.
"No reason Sir Lupin, when is her funeral?" when he heard the young girl of 12 say this he couldn't help but stare. Here was this child who should be crying her eyes out over her loss yet she asks the date in which she will last glance upon her mothers body?
"It has yet to be decided but I would imagine it to be soon." What was he doing? He was answering her like he would any adult. Sure she seemed wise beyond her years but telling her that, he seemed so... uncaring.
" You really shouldn't be worrying about those matters miss your father will take care of it, why don't you go for a walk. I'll tell your father when he comes out all right?" Lupin saw her hesitate momentarily then slowly nod her head and walk out. As she left his sight he couldn't help but feel for her. Losing her mother like that, does she even feel guilt? Even as young as she was how could she not know it was her sickness that killed her mother, and now here she walks and breaths while her mother lay dead.
No, she couldn't have known and if she did she couldn't blame herself could she? No, it was God's will that took her mother not her daughters.
Apart from what everyone thought Hermione knew how her mother had died and she also knew it wasn't her fault but her fathers. Everyone else may be ignorant to the extra ingredient her father put in her meals but Hermione wasn't. The only guilt she felt was that she couldn't stop him in time. Though it hadn't been till yesterday she found out why he had done it. Overhearing her father and the solicitor talking she had found out about that new life policy where the benefactor gets paid quite a sum of money for a loss of a life. Her mother was but a pawn in a evil plot of greed played by her father.
Now, she stands alone by her mothers grave not paying the slightest of attention to the people as they leave the service.
The realization that she no longer holds any love or respect for her father didn't shock her. He could've dropped down dead right now as he talks business with one of the Lords of the Realm and the only tears she would shed would be for herself and the people forced by moral respect for the dead to attend his service.
" Daughter, come everyone is leaving, lets return home." As she stood there she looked him over. Hermione remembered a time when she would look upon her father with wonder and love, but now she truly saw him as the man he was, a man who stood at 5'5 with weak shoulders and graying hair. She couldn't believe that her eyes and heart had once told her differently. She walked to their coach, stepped in and felt it jerk into movement the Granger house was not far off in fact she wondered why they hadn't walked. Then remembered all the nobles and lords she had seen and realized that this was but a mere business meeting for her father, and hated him more.
It has been three months since the death of her mother but Hermione had long since passed grieving.
She was currently sitting in the drawing room of a neighbor and friend of her mothers, Mrs. Lily Potter. Ever since she could remember Hermione was always at the Potters sometimes with her mother sometimes alone and ever since the death she could be found here more and more. In fact Hermione hadn't missed tea with Miss Lily since she could walk, she couldn't remember a time where she wasn't there at 3:00.
"Miss Lily IM going to go for a walk in the garden would you like to join me?" Hermione asked her with a smile as she rose from her chair.
"No my dear IM going to sit here for awhile longer. You go on though, I'll be here when you return." Lily watched her leave she couldn't help but smile, Hermione was growing up she had gone through a terrible ordeal and she was still as sweet and caring as always.
Lily had never been blessed with a daughter, only a son Harry who was to be arriving soon today he was 14 visiting from his schooling in London. This would be Hermione's first meeting with her son and she hoped they could become friends. Hermione needs more friends and hopefully Harry will see that but being a boy who probably right now thinks the world is his playground who knows what he'll do. Though, he has surprised her more than once before.
It was just as he remembered, roses to the left and daisies to the right. the most unique combination in his mind. Harry had already met with his father and was waiting till he picked a perfect flower for his mother before he saw her.
While walking through the garden the most humorous sight befell him. there standing on a hill where a tree stood was a girl with long wavy brown hair that was currently flying everywhere in the wind glaring at the tree as if it had insulted her in the most unforgiving way.
Upon further inspection he noticed a long red hair ribbon just out of her reach wrapped around one of the branches. Being the gentleman he was he walked to her intent on returning the ribbon to its owner.
"Give it back you mean big stick in the ground!" as Harry heard this delightful girl state the order to the tree. He couldn't help but smile again. She hadn't noticed his presence until he reached over her and plucked the red ribbon out of the tree. He held it out to her and looked at her , he couldn't help but notice how extraordinary her eyes were, a dark brown with gold, most intriguing.
She didn't say a word just stared at him then plainly said in the most regal voice he had ever heard.
"Your lily's son Harry aren't you?" She then took her ribbon from him and tied it in her hair.
"Yes how did you know?" They began walking back toward the house when she answered.
"Its your eyes they are identical to Miss Lily's an emerald green that sparkles." she smiled lightly then watched as he picked a small daisy and continued walking. When they entered the drawing room Lily smiled at her son and his companion. Her two favorite people, save her husband, and they had become friends, wonderful.
" Here mother a flower, though I must say it pales in its beauty when held by you, your one so lovely mirrors never do you justice." Harry hugged and kissed his mother quickly as he teased her with flattery.
"Oh Harry a charmer just like your father, IM glad your home. I see you've met Miss Granger,."
"Ahh not formally no, Hello Miss Granger how wonderful to meet such a charming girl I am Harry Potter and you may call me Harry." he bowed to her and grinned
"Well all right Harry but only if you call me Hermione." then she curtsied while laughing lightly. Harry was about to reply when Clay, Hermione's fathers butler, came into the room. "Excuse me, my most humble apologies but I have been sent to fetch Miss Granger. Come miss." Clay extended his hand and made a swift movement signaling her to make haste, she nodded her head and said her good-byes to Lily and Harry then walked out .
"Harry it so good to have you home! You've gotten so tall you look just like your father did at that age." Lily said as she sat gracefully back into her seat.
" Where has he ran off to I wanted to discus something with him." Harry said lightly as he too took a seat. Lily was staring blissfully at her son. A boy of fourteen years
who was as mature as any adult. She was so proud of him, he was going to be a good man just like James she knew.
She just hoped he didn't go get his heart broken at a young age like his father did yet that did work out in the end. Which is why she was so glad his meeting with Hermione went well, they were still young now but in the future Hermione would be perfect for her Harry. Now if only they will see it that way too.
"So Harry how did you stumble upon Hermione?" Lily asked innocently.
"She was having some trouble with her ribbon and I helped her." he answered quickly only half listening, he really must speak with his father.
"She is such a lovely girl isn't she?" she said with a knowing smile .
" Hmm? oh.. yes very." Lily then noticed his mind was elsewhere and decided to leave this conversation for when she had his full attention.
"Lily dear have you seen-"
"Father I need to speak with you!" Harry bounded from his chair and walked towards his father.
"Oh there you are come lets go to my office." As Harry and James walked through the door Lily smiled again and began to finish her sewing which had been neglected while her thoughts revolved around matchmaking schemes even James would be proud of.
Harry took a seat in a comfortable chair across from James' desk and waited for him to be seated.
"OK then Harry what's this very important matter we need to talk about?" James asked.
"I have been offered a position as an apprentice to a scholar who is to be touring Europe through the year. His name is Sirius Black. " Harry said all of this is one breath hoping he wouldn't object to him doing this- which if he did would have been bad since he had already taken the position. But he didn't have to know that. .
"When are you to return and when are you leaving?" James asked slowly, his son had just returned and we leaving again. oh well boys will be boys.
"Does that mean yes?." Harry waited patiently for the answer.
"yes son it does." James said with a sigh.
" I leave in two days and return in a year. thank you father." Harry stood and when to his father's side and gave him a hug James shooed him out of the room so he could finish the ledgers that hadn't been completed. this trip would be good for Harry he'll get to see the world while learning with the best of them. Yes, James decided, all would be well.
Hermione was in love. And not with just anyone, Miss Lily's own son Harry! He had been so charming and sweet she had almost floated away when he looked at her with those amazing eyes of his. Even now as she walked to her fathers office she couldn't wipe that ridiculous looking grin off her face. She couldn't, but the news her father was about to give her would. And as the oak door slammed shut she knew her father had done something terrible again and this time it was aimed at her.
Harry was walking with no particular destination just walking along the road side trying to clear his mind. Then a streak of brown hair and lace ran across the street just a little ahead of him. He raced after her when he finally saw her slowing down then stopping totally to fall helplessly on the ground he noticed where he was, a grave yard. Harry quietly walked up to her realizing the girl was Hermione he saw where she was sitting and read ' Sara Bowers Granger beloved mother. Faithful wife.
He had done it. Her father had totally ruined her life. Killing her mother wasn't enough for him. It just want fair, what had Hermione done to deserve a father like him?
"Mother you wont let him you wont! He cant send me away this is my home please mother don't let him do it." she cried as she pounded on the stone that had her mothers name. Suddenly she felt arms wrap around her in a hug. Not caring who it was she hugged back with all her strength. While all the pain and sadness finally came out as she cried.
"It'll be all right Hermione, shhh its all right." His soothing words helped her calm down and when he looked back down at her a second time she had fallen asleep . Harry didn't know the exact location of her home to take her there so he decided to take her to his mothers house knowing she would know what to do.
"Harry will you put her in a guest room on the second floor?"
Lily hadn't expected her son to come home with Hermione asleep in his arms but he had and she was waiting patiently for him to come back down the stairs with an explanation.
After he had told her the full tale she let him go off to bed. and after she had sent messenger to Mr. Granger about his daughters whereabouts she allowed herself to go off to bed.
Harry was due to leave the next day. Plans had changed and he and his scholar friend were off to Rome first. Lily and James met the scholar named Mr. Sirius Black and they liked him well enough.
They were gone by mid morning. Hermione had woken up to hear the news. Like any girl who had a crush she was sad but tried her hardest not to show it. Then she left for home when her father had called. 'ohh well' she thought better not delay the torture of seeing her father again after yesterdays display.
"You will be leaving, -don't interrupt. You will stay with my brother, you will call him sir or Mr. Granger and that is all -don't interrupt, your leaving tomorrow evening your things have already been packed save clothing for the trip there.- I say girl don't interrupt me! Now go! Go to your room till I call for you." With that said her father turned on her to finish his work. A silent dismissal along with the ordered one. She didn't even get the chance to change his mind, though, its not like he would anyway.
Some conversation that had been. She didn't go to her room though, as her last show of defiance she had ran out to see her mother one last time . Hermione wasn't stupid she knew what this was about. He was putting her away until she was needed and when she was he would just send for her at his brothers house. The only question was. What would he need her for and how could she mess it up for him. So after saying goodbye to the Potters and promising to write every day Hermione was off to her uncles.
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