Disclaimer: Oh yeah! I got a million of 'em! If I only did create these characters, at least one! But hey I didn't, J.K. did.
A/N: As you may assume from the title of this chapter, I am introducing Hermione's parents to this story. Seeing as how both are dentists and would have the title of "Dr" instead of "Mr &Mrs", I had to make up first names to distinguish which is speaking. I've looked EVERYWHERE and can not find out their first names according to J.K. Please forgive and if anyone actually knows, please info me and I can update the story. N-E-ways on with the story. Thanx for the reviews!
Chapter Five: The Grangers
The owl was marked as urgent and arrived two hours after the discovery of Hermione. She tapped the window with her beak just as Dr. Ophelia Granger entered the examination room. Confused, the dentist opened the window and retrieved the letter. After noting that the owl was still waiting on the windowsill, she began to read:
Dear Dr.'s Granger,
This letter is to inform you of a grave set of circumstances that have befallen your daughter. Before the start of class, Hermione was discovered badly assaulted by a fellow classmate who has now disappeared. The presence of both or understandably either of you are greatly desired by the Headmaster as well as Hermione, who is recovering now with our Medi-witch. (At this point, Hermione's mother was rushing toward the waiting room where her husband was about to call the next patient.) For the fastest transportation to Hogwarts, may I suggest returning the owl that delivered this letter with a time for when to meet you at your home. Your fireplace is in the process of temporarily being connected to the floo network. Hermione has assured me that both of you are aware of this method of wizard transportation. We will have Ronald Weasley arrive to your home at the arranged time to assist you in your travel.
My deepest apologies, Professor Minerva McGonagall
Grabbing a pen from the secretary's desk, Benjamin Granger, after agreeing with his wife, hastily wrote a reply and reattached the note its messenger, who seemed to nod and quickly flew away.
Two hours later a very freckled red-haired young man placed a finger on the doorbell. Not sure of how long to keep his finger in place, he simply waited for the Grangers to answer. After the first eight bars of Beethoven's Fifth looped itself four times, Benjamin jerked the door open to allow one of his daughter's best friends to enter.
"Morning, Dr. Granger." Ron stated meekly. "Do you have a rubbish bin?" he asked holding up a sheet of wadded paper.
After disposing of the deactivated portkey, Ron noted the house. He smiled to himself. Too spotless, as usual. Ron followed Dr. Granger to the sitting room, where Ophelia waited nervously.
"Ron, how is she?"
Ron found himself smiling. "She's tough. I already know that she will be okay. It'll just take some time."
Ophelia sighed in response.
Reaching into his pocket, Ron withdrew a velvet pouch. "Ready?" He noted the parents weakly nod. Smiling inwardly, he shrank the two suitcases that had been packed. After placing the luggage in his pocket, he motioned for both to follow him into the fireplace. "Hold on to me now...Too tight!..Just a bit more... There we go!" Grasping a handful of floo powder he commanded, "Headmaster Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts!"
Seconds later two very shaky parents collapsed unto each other on the hearth of Dumblesore's office. Assisted by the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall, they stood. Ophelia looked pale and Benjamin had a slight smile on his face. "Despite the circumstances, I'd say that was rather fun."
"I feel the same way," Albus said with a hint of the popular twinkle back in his eyes. "Please follow me. Unfortunately I must give you the details of Hermione's attack. Over the night, Hermione was raped by a student named Draco Malfoy."
"Oh, god," Ophelia muttered and crossed herself as Benjamin exclaimed, "Son of a bitch!"
"She's already been examined and healed by Madam Pomfrey. She's sore but recovering as well as can be expected. There is more. I can understand that you would feel the urge to take Hermione from here to recover at home or elsewhere. However, I must advise against this. Draco is missing and had expressed a misguided love for young Miss Granger before he left. Outside of Hogwarts, she is at an even greater risk of being taken again."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione's mother spoke up slowly. "I can see your reasoning. If I remember correctly, we had met his father, Lucius, once in Diagon Alley. Hermione has mentioned that he is a very evil and powerful wizard. As long as either of us can stay as long as she needs us, I do think that Hermione is safest amongst the protection of magic."
"You are both welcome at Hogwarts for as long as you would like." The wizard sighed to himself, relieved that he would have an opportunity to rectify the incident that had happened while the Gryffindor was under his protection. "Your daughter has also been given a very ancient potion and I must explain its effect on Hermione." At this point, they had reached the doors of the infirmary.
Madam Pomfrey heard the door open and turned to see Benjamin Granger carrying his wife, who apparently had fainted, and now was placing her on the nearest bed.
Professor McGonagall quickly revived her. Eyes fluttering open she muttered, "Barbaric."
"I agree wholeheartedly," Dumbledore stated as he conjured a glass of water.
"Thank you. Why would a wizard do such a thing?"
"Pride... Draco comes from what is known as a 'pureblood' family. At one point in our history there was a time when a wizard could have his choice of bride simply by forcing her. If a wizard considered there to be too many suitors or if he suspected that he would be denied, the wizard would force the witch to conceive a child. Her father, especially if a pureblood, would consider his honor at stake and regardless of how the child was conceived would force his daughter into marriage. This would create a binding magical contract that, if not upheld by the witch, would strip her of any magic."
"And what was this bastard thinking?" Benjamin queried. "That I would do so as well? I would never force my daughter to marry someone who would hurt her!"
At Dr. Granger's exclamation, a loud crack echoed through the medical wing. Baffled, both dentists looked to the Headmaster, who smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Granger. You have just released your daughter from any binding that may have been created by the potion. Now concerning her possible pregnancy... As I had mentioned before, the potion protects from potions and magic. If Hermione were to decide against carrying..."
"We both know of good doctors who would take care of her, especially due to the circumstances." Ophelia stated.
"I confess that we were hoping of such an option seeing as how you are both doctors even if it is different, am I correct?" McGonagall asked. Both nodded to her.
Hermione's parents approached the curtains surrounding her bed. Inside the curtains they found Hermione sleeping somewhat peacefully, curled in the arms of Harry, who smiled at them as they walked in. "On a much happier note," explained Professor Dumbledore as Harry gently unwrapped himself from Hermione. "Hermione has accepted Harry's hand in marriage."
"Oh, Harry!" Ophelia smiled as she gently pulled her daughter's fiancee into her arms.
"With your blessing of course." Harry groaned as she tightened her hug.
"Good show, Harry! We'd be delighted to have you join our family." Always welcome to finding good news in the darkest of moments, Dr Granger honestly smiled and shook Harry's hand.
Hermione groaned loudly and began to sob in her sleep. Everyone rushed to her bed as she awoke with a scream. Her mother held her daughter to her chest and hummed to Hermione who desperately clung to Ophelia.
"Oh, mum!"
"Hush Sweetie, Dad's here also."
"Thank you for bringing them, Headmaster."
"Just focus on getting some rest, child. All will be well."
As Ophelia wiped her tears, Harry held her hand and Ron entered her area with his arms full of books and sweets that he dumped onto the foot of her bed, Hermione gave her first smile since the ordeal. "Yes, I hope it will be."
A/N: I promise that the plot will start to pick up from here. I just needed to address some questions that my Boyfriend/ makeshift editor Mason, kept throwing at me about if her parents were going to be info'd of everything. To answer you Mace: ta-da! I honestly don't think that a compassionate person such as Dumbledore would not tell them or not let them see Hermione. N-E-ways! will update shortly. To be honest, I have nothing to do at work (gasp! was that a confession?)