4.
The car was indeed old , but it was obvious it had been loved and well maintained. The drive was uneventful and soon, they arrived to an old landing strip. There they found a little plane, which like other things around, had seen better days.
Mcgonagall exited her car and put a gentle hand on the engine. "Let me explain for the last time what will happen. The plane will fly you to Italy. You will need to use a portkey." She insisted strongly on the next part : "Both of you must absolutely touch it at the same time, exactly half an hour after taking off. The key has the form of a bottle of champagne."
Then she looked in the eyes of the Grangers : "It's your last chance for turning back. After that, the plane will continue its way on auto-pilot to finally crash in the montains. It will be considered as a simple Muggle accident. Your familly and friends will believe you're dead. For their and your security, you must understand that trying to contact them in any fashion will be impossible."
Mrs Granger nodded decisively. "We know Minerva. We talked a lot about it. And really it's for the best. Take care of our little princess for us, will you?"
"Mom, please! I'm not a little girl anymore and I will see you again before school and during holydays."
Mr Granger who had stayed back until now, morally supporting his wife, stepped u pand embraced Hermione : "You will always be our baby and it's the prerogative of all parents to worry. We love you."
Minerva put a reassuring hand on her star pupil and sayd in a confiant and decided tone : "Don't worry I will take good care of miss Granger. I promise you nothing will happen to her.
We will stay the first week in your home to settle the last details. I'm sorry though to let you fend by yourself in the manor in the meantime."
All heard Hermione muttering : "Last details.. mm. It's the death of my parents that we're talking about there! Our nosy neighbour will be so happy to take care of poor little Hermione. The rest of the familly, distraught, will not stop calling. And I'll have to talk to some rats of lawyers. A week to settle all of this is really short..."
Elizabeth embraced her daughter. "I know love, it will be difficult. But your 'best prof ever' will be there to help you. Anyway, we will soon be reunited and safe. As for us, I think that we will be very busy too. Ok love?"
While Hermione was hidden in her mother's arms, Minerva raised a eyebrow and murmured to herself : "Best prof ever?", which made Hermione blush a nice red that went very well with her t-shirt. No explanation was given about it, the only clue being a little and knowing smile tugging on the Grangers's lips.
A.N. thanks you for reviewing 'morgana-alex', 'allthesame', 'elayne sedai', 'Nightwing 509' and my beta-reader 'fade9wayz'.