Chapter 13 is proudly written by Avadne and anniePADFOOT, who have temporarily replaced the wonderful Adriane1. Don't worry it's probably just for the previous chapter and this one. We've followed the plan Adriane1 set for us.

Sorry about the whole difference thing. Adriane1's writing style is totally different to Avadne's, and Avadne's is different still to anniePADFOOT's, so it's all mixed. We tried… so please don't throw tomatoes at us…

That being said, you all better review and tell us how we did. Personally, I, anniePADFOOT, am pessimistically convinced that this is a disaster…so prove us wrong and review.

Chapter 13

Hermione's POV

It was time for me to go home, to my original home, and see my family. Draco and I had said our goodbyes after we exchanged presents, and I touched the mirror he gave me in my pocket comfortingly. Taking a deep breath, I knew what I had to do to activate the Portkey candy wrapper.

"The Granger residence," I announced clearly, touching the wrapper gently.

A tug at my navel later, I was standing outside the door of my parents' house.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked three times steadily. I could make out the footsteps and someone fiddling with the lock before the door was opened.

"What are you doing here?" Hanna sneered.

Unfortunately, it had been her to answer the door, which just made my sour mood even sourer.

"I'm coming inside to my house," I snapped back, shoving past her, annoyed.

"Aunt Helen," Hanna called out in a sickly sweet voice. "We have a… uh, visitor."

Her voice was thick with disdain, giving my parents the expression that I was some unwanted person of the street or something.

It took effort not to strangle her then and there.

My mum and dad both emerged from the kitchen and looked at me speechlessly for a second, clearly not expecting this. Then my mum burst into action.

"Hermione, we're sorry about the summer… we want to make it up to you though, and we'd love it if you stayed here," my mother began.

I could see Hanna's furious scowl and was tempted to accept the invitation if only to make her even angrier, but decided against it.

"Please, Hermione… it was hard, with Hanna's mum dying and your changes…" my dad added.

I didn't really want to be here; they had hurt me a lot, but I decided to give them a shot.

"Sure mum, dad," I purposely left Hannah's name out of this. "We are family after all."

I didn't see why I couldn't have some fun.

The next few days were spent with a distinct festive season attitude, and although I didn't feel totally comfortable, I knew mum and dad were doing their best. Hanna, however, was a totally different story. She was slowly but surely ruining my home life.

Mum and dad unfortunately, still viewed her as the perfect little angel, and she took every opportunity to rub it into my face that she was the daughter of the family know. I was just some reject.

Before I knew it, it was Christmas day and we were opening presents. I had gotten mum and dad ordinary muggle items from America as souvenirs, I thought they could appreciate. Unsurprisingly, Hanna and I didn't exchange gifts; as if I'd spend money on her.

"We have a special present for you, Hermione," dad began, nodding to mum.

She disappeared into her room, coming back a second later with a cage. Inside, was an owl. I shrieked in delight, having wanted one of these for ages. Crookshanks was great, but he couldn't carry messages.

"She's beautiful," I breathed.

Hanna scowled jealously, but mum and dad beamed.

"What are you going to name her?" mum asked gently.

I thought about this for a second before responding.

"Lilu."

Stroking the newly named Lilu for a few seconds, her fine caramel coloured feathers with streaks of black, I came to my senses. Immediately finding a scarp of parchment and a quill, I quickly scribbled a note to Tonks.

Tonks,

It's Hermione; the owl is Lilu, a present from my parents. Anyway, just checking in, hope you had a good Christmas.

Love,

Hermione

Attaching the note to Lilu's leg, I had doubts about whether Lilu would know where Tonks is, but her inquisitive eyes told me she wouldn't have a problem. I knew Tonks was also in England for Christmas, giving the rest of the Order an update in physical form, not just by letters.

Hanna was now whining about how tried she was, while sending me hateful looks. Mum and dad suggested we go to bed, so I took Lilu up to my room and fell into a gentle sleep.

The next day, I did something uncharacteristic for me; I slept in, until almost mid-day. Realizing the time, I almost cursed out loud; I was due at Hale's in only an hour.

Getting ready at a record speed, I was ready to go to Hale's, amazingly enough, on time. Mum and dad offered to drive me, but Hale's place wasn't very far, so I insisted I'd walk.

"Mum, dad! I'm going to Hale's for the night," I yelled from the front door.

I had told them about going to Hale's as I had promised earlier this morning, and although they didn't like her, they couldn't stop me either.

"Good, don't come back; it would be best if you stayed away from us and with that… that… juvenile delinquent," Hanna said dramatically as mum and dad waved me off.

"Oh shut up, Hanna," I groaned, slamming the door in her annoying face.

I could hear her still protesting from behind the door, but steadily ignored it as well as I could.

I walked to Hale's house, and she greeted me with surprising friendliness. I got my stuff out and all that, then we just sat down and caught up on old times and what had been going on recently. I told her about Draco, she told me about this guy she met, Slate.

I was spending the night at her house after all, and it was about 9; I was wondering what Hale had planned, and was about to find out.

"Hey, Herm, what do you think of going to Moonlit," Hale asked.

Moonlit was one of the numerous clubs Hale and Hermione had partied at over the summer.

"I don't know, Hale…" Hermione trailed off hesitantly.

"Come on, Herm! What happened, you were wild and fun," Hale begged.

"I've just got a bit of a bad feeling, is all," Hermione answered, placing a hand over her churning stomach.

"It's nothing, now get your ass changed and ready, we're leaving in 20 minutes," Hale yelled, already out of the room. I sighed and gave up, tugging out some of Hale's clothes; I knew mine weren't exactly acceptable for a club, besides, I hadn't really had time to pack.

I was in the process of adding my jewelry, which mainly consisted of metal rings and funky pendants that I had taken a liking to when an owl flew in. Hale had come into the room as well and was watching it with curiosity.

The owl dropped a letter at me before flying off. I read it quickly and immediately, I felt my knees give way.

"What's wrong, Herm?" Hale asked at once, a hint of concern entering her voice.

"They're… they're… dead," I managed to spit out.

Hale instantly grabbed the letter and read it through. "Dear Ms. Granger, blah, blah, blah, we're sorry to inform you, blah, blah, blah, we understand that Miss Helen Granger and Mr. Menelaus Granger we're your parents, as Hanna, blah, blah, blah, have been found dead? Oh god."

"I've got to go see them," without even thinking about it, I took off at top speed; mum and dad's house wasn't very far and I would run it all the way if I had to.

"Uh, Herm? Motorbike over here," Hale reminded.

I would have smacked myself for the stupidity, but felt too numb; hopping onto the back of Hale's motorbike, we sped off to my parents' house and got there much faster than we would have, running.

The Dark Mark was there.

My parents were dead. I assumed Hanna was too, but I wasn't willing to enter the ruins and check. Sure, I had hated Hanna with a passion, but did I really want her dead?

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