CHAPTER 21
Two weeks later, Hermione was sitting in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames on a chilly, Friday night. Ron, Ginny, and Harry were outside for Quidditch practice. Hermione just received news from Professor McGonagall thatshe has permission from Dumbledore and the Ministry to see her parents.
A second year Hufflepuff student Hermione didn't know also had parents involved in the attack. The two girls were supposed to go to Dumbledore's office tomorrow morning and take a Portkey to St. Mungo's. There, they are to meet someone that will direct them to their parents.
She has kept herself busy these past couple of weeks to keep her mind off of her parents.She went through each day, dreading the next day. It was only her determination not to face the truth that has kept her sane, but that doesn't mean she wasn't distracted. During the D.A. meeting last week, Hermione couldn't focus on doing a protecting shield, that Harry had to send Hermione back to the dormitories.
It was nearly ten o'clock and Ron hasn't returned with the rest of Gryffindor's team from practice yet.
It started to rain outside. Half an hour later, the team finally walked through the portrait hole. But, Hermione didn't look up to greet them. They were all wet from the rain. The two beaters, Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke, grudgingly walked up the staircase to take a shower. They couldn't have been out there that long, but they seem like they were playing in the rain for hours and hours. They were dripping water everywhere.
"I told you to call practice off before the rain came," Ginny yelled at Ron, trying to get her hair out of her face. "No, you had to keep us out there until it started pouring!"
Ginny stomped off to change out of her wet Quidditch robes. Sarah followed in suit, but not before giving Ron a nasty look.
"Maybe you could lighten up a bit," Seamus said. "We were out there for three hours. We should have come in an hour ago."
"Well, excuse me if I wanted to win our first game," Ron snapped.
Seamus didn't look like he wanted to aggravate Ron any further so he left to get change, too.
Harry elbowed Ron in the ribs and directed his attention to Hermione on the couch. Hermione heard Ron and Harry whisper something, but she couldn't make it out.
"Okay, I'll see you up there, mate," Harry said, leaving the common room to go up to the dormitory.
Ron walked over to Hermione, dripping water all over the floor.
"Hi," Ron said, standing in front of Hermione.
Hermione continued staring into the fire. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Ron. She did, but she couldn't. She didn't have the energy or the motivation right now to look up. All she has been thinking since she returned from Professor McGonagall's office are her parents. The attack was real. It wasn't something that she imagined. It wasn't a horrible dream she can't wake up from. The fact that she's going to see her parents, are confirming how real the attack really was.
During the day, Hermione has found a way to go about her day as normal as possible. But when she's in bed, when her mind is idle, her thoughts linger on the event of her parents being attacked. There wasn't any detail on what happened to her parents. The only thing they will tell Hermione is that they were attacked. The Daily Prophet weren't any better in giving her information. There are so many possibilities of what the Death Eaters could have done to her parents. Tomorrow, she will find out exactly what happened to her parents.
"I'll stay with you," Hermione heard Ron say distantly.
She lost herself in her thoughts of the ways her parents might have been attacked as she stared into the fire. Everything tuned out and disappeared. She finally had the time to slow down and really let her mind wrap around the fact that her parents were attacked. She wanted to scream, cry, and hurt something all at once. But at the same time, she didn't have the energy to do so. She felt trapped and lost. She wasn't quite sure what to do.
She felt a shift to her right and she finally turned to look at the person that was sitting next to her. It was Ron. He was sitting there staring at the floor. Hermione noticed the fire has gone out and Ron took out his wand to start the fire up. How long has she been out here? Long enough for the fire to go out, Hermione thought to herself. Has Ron been out here with me all night? She couldn't really remember anything. She remembers Ron coming in and talking to her for a bit, but that was the last thing she remembers before she blanked out.
She turned back to the fire and for the first time since talking Professor McGonagall tonight, her thoughts were not about death and pain. It was about the boy sitting next to her. Her mind was at ease with that thought. She was glad that Ron was here.
"Ron what are you still doing out here," Hermione asked.
"I told you I would stay out here with me," Ron said, frowning.
"How long have I been out here," Hermione asked, not realizing time has gone by.
"About four hours," Ron said, looking at his wristwatch. "But it got soaked in the rain. I'm not sure if it still works." Ron tapped his watch and put it to his ear to hear if it was still ticking.
She had four more hours until she had to leave.
"Ron, you didn't have to stay up with me," Hermione said.
"I know," Ron shrugged, "but I wanted to. What happened?"
"I'm going to see my parents again," Hermione said, turning to look at the fire again.
"That's good news isn't it," Ron asked, concerned. "You have been walking around like a zombie for the past two weeks, not knowing what happened to your parents. This should be good news."
"I know, it should be," Hermione agreed. "But this makes it so real. The attacks were real, right Ron?"
"I'm afraid so," Ron said sadly.
Hermione told how she was to go to Dumbledore's office to take a Portkey to St. Mungo's. Ron insisted on coming with her, but Hermione didn't think it was a good idea. She didn't want Ron there to see her fall apart to pieces. Ron has seen her cry enough already.
Ron moved closer to Hermione and put his arms around her. She rested her head on his shoulders and closed her eyes. For the first time in days, she felt tired and weak. She wasn't sure if she is able to do this. It was one thing for her to get hurt or injured, but it's another thing for her parents to be attacked. It brings the horrible things even closer than it already is.
Hermione felt herself slip away slowly, but it wasn't too long until she was awoken again.
Ron gently shook her to tell her it was time for her to get ready.
Hermione and the Hufflepuff girl, who Hermione found out was named Alexis, met with McGonagall and Sprout outside of Dumbledore's office. McGonagall said the password, and the two girls climbed the stone stairs up to his actual office.
Dumbledore took out an old, rusty gravy bowl and gave it to Hermione and Alexis.
"All you have to do is touch this," Dumbledore explained to Alexis. "I believe Miss Granger has some experience with this."
Both girls nodded their heads and held onto the gravy bowl. In a few seconds, Hermione felt the tug from her belly button.
Hermione soon arrived at the hospital with the Alexis standing at her side. They were both holding onto the gravy bowl. The little girl was clearly shaken by the experience of traveling through Portkey. Hermione, herself, has never traveled by port key until after her third year. But even with the experience, it is still a feeling Hermione knows she will never be accustomed to.
An old looking witch immediately greeted them. Her hair was pulled back in a loose braid, and she had on a white robe. She wasn't wearing the St. Mungo's embroider or any other embroider, but Hermione knew this woman was from the Ministry.
"Welcome," the witch said kindly. "You're parents are expecting you."
They were escorted down an empty corridor. There were no decorations or any sign of this hospital being magical. The walls were bare instead of signs and moving pictures. They must be at the muggle ward.
"We can't have magical things in the hall if the muggles wander around, now can we," the old lady said, as if reading Hermione's mind.
They stopped in front of an unmarked door with one window to look in. The witch turned around and addressed the girls again. "After your visitation with your parents, we will perform a memory charm. So, I am telling you in advance, they will not remember your visit today. Your parents are doing well, and we expect them to be leaving soon afterwards. The Ministry has made arrangements for them to stay in India until things are clear again."
"Why," Hermione demanded. She didn't understand why her parent's memories had to be modified. It's not like her parents are like every other muggle. They have a witch as their daughter. And why did they need to be sent away? It is as if the ministry is trying to hide them.
"For precaution," the witch explained. "We need them to forget the incident for their own protection. We're sending them to India, where there will be a lot of security. We still don't know the motives behind these attacks. We just need to be cautious for now."
"Does the ministry think there will be another attack," Hermione asked more out of fear than anger.
"I don't know," the witch said sadly. "And even if I did, I can't tell you."
The anger returned to Hermione. "Well, what's going to happen to my parents in India? What's going to happen when they wake up, find out they're in India, and are missing two weeks of their lives?"
Hermione was fuming now. The young Hufflepuff just stood at her side. She was too frighten and scared to say anything.
"I assure you, young lady. The Ministry has worked everything out. We will just tell both of your parents that there was a mass robbery. The government needs access to their house for the investigation and will pay for them to have a free holiday in India. Now, no more questions. I believe your parents have waited long enough for you."
"You're parents are next door," the witch said to Hermione. She guided the young girl into the room in front of them, and Hermione left to see her parents.
She slowly walked in, not sure what to see. But when she finally did come in, it wasn't a scene she was expecting. She was expecting her parents to be lying in bed, with bandages everywhere.
Instead, her parents are up and about. They look perfectly fine and were drinking tea. Her parents looked up at the visitor and quickly ran over to their daughter after recognition.
Hermione hugged both of her parents, never wanting to let go.
"I'm so sorry," Hermione cried.
"For what, dear," Mrs. Granger said.
"For not writing as much, for not seeing you more during the summer, for not protecting you, for not doing a lot of things," Hermione babbled.
Mrs. Granger smiled and lifted her daughter's head so she was looking into her eyes. "This isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself."
Hermione started crying. "I'm so glad you're okay. I've been so worried about you two when I was in school. Now that I know you're okay, I can go back to school without worrying anymore."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger exchanged looks. "Hermione, dear," Mrs. Granger said. "We need to talk."
Hermione looked confused. The tone in her mother's voice told her it wasn't something good. Hermione's parents sat on the bed while Hermione sat on the chair across from them. She stared at them, waiting for them to explain.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger exchanged looks again. Finally, Mr. Granger spoke up.
"You mother and I have been doing some thinking while we were here. And we thought, maybe it's not such a good idea for you to go back to school."
"What," Hermione asked, not believing what her father has just suggested.
"The magical world just isn't safe anymore," Mr. Granger continued. "We were considering of taking you out of Hogwarts at the end of June after what happened to you. But, Professor Dumbledore assured us you will be protected."
"When we allowed you to go to Hogwarts," Mrs. Granger cut in, "we didn't expect all of this. We thought it was fascinating and exciting that you can do magic. But we didn't think year after year, something horrible will happen."
"First, you were attacked by a troll and your friends were injured after getting some kind of stone. Then, you were petrified, whatever that means, I still don't get it. And didn't one of your schoolmates die one year? And what about that escape-"
"I get it," Hermione screamed. She didn't want to argue with her parents when she just found out they're okay, but this is not what she wanted to talk about. She didn't need to be reminded how dangerous the magical world is. And, she's positive; it's not even safer being best friends with the one person Lord Voldermort is trying to kill.
"I know it's dangerous," Hermione said, trying to sound calm as possible. "But I need to go back!"
"No, you don't," Mr. Granger disagreed.
"You can finish school in a normal school," Mrs. Granger reasoned. "You can even go to university afterwards. It's not too late."
"But, I need to-" Hermione started again.
"Why," Mr. Granger asked, now starting to get upset. "Why do you need to back for? To go back into the heart of danger? If you're with us, at least we know you're safe."
"Safe," Hermione questioned her parents. "Is being safe being attacked by Death Eaters?"
Hermione knew she shouldn't have said that. She wished she could take that back. After a moment of silence, Hermione said softly, "I need to go back. They need me. They can't do this alone."
"Who," Mr. Granger asked, rounding on Hermione. "Harry Potter? Or that Weasley bloke?"
Hermione didn't want to leave the magical world, not only because it was fascinating and she excelled in everything, but because it was the world Ron Weasley was in. It was the world she has formed good friendships with. It is a world that gave her life meaning. As a child, she has always been an outcast. Teased and picked on for being different. But, when she came to Hogwarts, she knew. She knew this is where she belongs. In a world where, she's not different, but like everyone else. It's the other people outside of that world that are different.
She has to let her parents see that. She belongs there. People need her. Harry needs her. Ron needs her.
Mr. Granger read the emotion on Hermione's face and knew, "It is that Weasley bloke! I shouldn't have let you go over their house over the summer. This is what happens!"
"He has nothing to do with this," Hermione yelled back at her father, finding the courage to do so. "I have to go back because there are people there that depend on me! We can stop this evil thing that is plaguing the wizarding world. If you don't let me go back, it's going to boil over into your world. What happened was an accident. It wasn't suppose to happen. But if I don't go back and stop Voldermort, it won't be an accident next time. He's going to come after non-magical people. That's why I need to go back. I need to stop this evil before it spreads and gets you again."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger sat there, shocked and unable to say anything else.
A knock at the door brought their attention back to this world. One of the Healers came in. "I'm sorry, but you only have a few minutes left. I'll leave so you can say your goodbyes."
When the Healers close the door behind him, Hermione looked back at her parents. Her mother was crying and her father was a clearly upset with what Hermione has just said.
Hermione got up from her chair. "Well, I got to go."
"We're not finished," Mr. Granger said.
"You're going to forget about this," Hermione said really calm. "All of this. And I am going back to Hogwarts! Goodbye."
The two Healers came in the room with two cups of liquid inside it. Hermione walked to the door and watched her parents drink the liquid from the cup. They instantly passed out and were sleeping soundly. Hermione knew it must have been a sleeping draught they gave her parents.
The last thing she saw before she left was the two Healers putting a wand at each one of her parent's foreheads.
She closed her eyes and heard the incantation as she walked out the door.