Little Reminder: The fabulous world of Harry Potter does not belong to me, no matter how much I may want it. Thus, I credit JKR for her amazing work.
Chapter Two Back to London
Jenny was fidgety the entire way to the Ministry headquarters in Washington, D.C. Hermione had finally told Jenny the reasons behind going to England as they had started the drive from Ohio to the capital of the United States. The drive itself was longer than any Jenny had been on and she tried her hardest to sit still and be quiet but it seemed the ride would go on forever.
Noticing her daughter's discomfort, Hermione finally turned on the radio and used magic to turn it to the WWN (Wizard Ways Network) that was popular in the United States. As Jenny became interested in the program Hermione tuned out everything to think and drive.
Hermione's thoughts raced over her quick decision last night and she began to question actions once again. She had considered leaving Jenny with one of her little friends until the matter was resolved or even have their neighbor Miss Monee watch her. In the end she felt that she couldn't to anything except take her daughter with her to London. She had made an arrangement for them to be on the next portkey to London at seven A.M. That gave Hermione two hours to finish the trip to Washington which by now was within an hour drive.
The closer they got to Washington the more nervous Hermione became. Would she see Harry and Ron? Would she not she Harry and Ron? Would they realize who Jenny was? Harry would, he had always been so observant. Had the boys, no men, gotten over the death of Ginny? Would they understand why Jennifer was nicknamed Jenny in Ginny's honor? All these questions that had burned in her mind were going to be answered in a matter of hours and Hermione wasn't sure that she wanted them to be.
When they arrived in Washington, Hermione drove to the parking deck that was closest to the Ministry with long term parking. Getting a pass from the parking attendant, Hermione drove up to the top of the parking deck to find an empty spot. Hermione had already sent ahead their bags and taking Jenny's hand she navigated them back down to the street level to walk the rest of the way to the Ministry. Jenny looked everywhere on the walk over; she hadn't been here in ages and couldn't stop staring every time. Her mother finally stopped in front of a large building that followed the architecture of the city but seemed somehow different. Walking in the first set of doors the two were greeted by a short stumpy man who looked like Santa Claus but wore a porter's suit instead.
"Name, business and any declarations," stated Santa a grin on his face.
"Oh for goodness sake Heinz, do we have to go through this every time I come through the front doors? Its not like I work here or anything?" said Hermione slightly exasperated.
"You don't but the young lady must. She isn't working here quite yet is she or is she a very young field agent, they do seem to get younger by the day," said Heinz still grinning which made Jenny giggle.
Drawing herself up to her full height Jenny recited, "Jennifer Jean Granger, I am here to go to England and I know I am truly brilliant, or at least that's what Mommy says."
The Heinz chortled, "Your mother is right young lady, and you most definitively are. You may enter sweet ladies." Bowing slightly to mother and daughter, he opened the second set of doors which led into the Entrance Hall of the Ministry.
Entering into the hall, the first thing that caught your attention was the Security Check Point where they would search your bag, person and wand for items not allowed on Ministry property. These items ranged from weapons without permit to dirt (you never knew what was in it). Then the next things to catch your eye were the archways on either side that led to the Floo Room and the Apparition Room. These were the only places in the Ministry where you could apparate or floo from. This insured the security of the main building and made everyone pass security to enter.
After Jenny and Hermione passed security they entered the main room of the Entrance Hall, the gem of the building. Straight ahead was a statue that represented what the Ministry believed in. Looking right at you, his eyes all seeing, was Ares the god of war. He wore the war garment of the time; chest plate, fringed skirt and laced sandals. A hilted sword at his hip and a big dog at his feet; Ares held one arm high above his head and positioned like a perch. On his right or the viewer's left was Athena the goddess of wisdom facing the Information Desk. She wore the dress of the time: clean and tidy. In one arm were several scrolls and a tablet in the other. Her eyes were on the tablet but they seemed to follow all who walked past her. Finally on the right of Ares or left of the viewer facing the Check-in was Kirke, the goddess of potions and spells, a simmering cauldron at her feet. The cauldron actually simmered with water and was said that if one dropped in a coin and made a wish it may come true. Unlike Athena however, Kirke's dress was wrinkled and unkempt. With her head down and hands out stretched the only color in the statue came from her hands as blue, red and white sparks flew from them. The entire statue was cast in white marble that shined like a gem. Above their heads suspended in mid-air was an eagle flying to Ares' out stretched arm.
Begging her mother for a coin to toss, Jenny took the bronze Knut and ran over to Kirke's Cauldron to make a wish. Little did her mother know that Jenny was wishing for the one thing that Hermione was dreading.
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Jennifer looked up at the ceiling as she made her wish; Please let Da like me! Please. Tossing the coin into the cauldron Jenny looked up again at the ceiling to stare at the paintings there.
After the style of great cathedrals of Europe, around the edge the ceiling were little fairies and dragons flying in circles in pale greens and pinks. Slightly more inside were clouds where nude witches and wizards sat casting spells and transfiguring. A few were looking inward however, their eyes towards the great guardian angel that was painted right over the statue looking down on mankind. Her great wings were outspread and her hand open and accepting, but in Jenny's eyes she was sending the great eagle down to Ares below, a message from heaven itself.
Slowly taking her eyes back down from the heaven above, Jenny searched for her mother in the room that was becoming more crowded by the minute. Spotting Hermione over at the Check-in desk, Jenny made her way through the crowd to her side. Hermione was speaking with a young man who looked to be about nineteen with sandy blond hair and grey eyes. Under the young man's eyes were bags from lack of sleep and he seemed to be trying hard to stay awake; after all it was six in the morning.
Uninterested in the young tired man, Jenny turned her focus to the back of the Entrance Hall where a great mural sat between two rap around staircases. The mural was a recent addition to the Ministry and Jenny took her time to study it. Every inch of the mural was covered with activity. In the upper left was a painting of the West Coast Witching Academy were children of the west attended school after elementary. WCWA was know for its fairly new in school Quidditch league. In the lower left was Bull Green School where children from the plains attended. Their Care of Magical Creatures program was legendary in the United States. In the upper right was Salem Witches Academy with its old fashioned style castle. They were the most selective school in the U.S and were also the oldest. Finally in the lower right was Merlin's Wizarding School were all the children from the east coast attended. They had the ultimate Quodpot league and many sports oriented families moved to the east coast so their children could play. In the center were the first witches and wizards to come to the United States so many years ago. All thirteen were dressed in ragged robes and cloaks as they stood looking over the small town of Salem. Each witch or wizard had one house in one of the four wizarding schools in the country named after them. MWS had four houses where the other schools only had three each.
Hermione finally nodded to the young man and turned around noticing that her daughter was at her side once more, "Nixon said that our bags are already in the International Cooperation Department and are waiting for us there. We have about an hour until we need to be in the department, do you want to get something to eat?" Nodding and leading her mother towards the pair of stone rap around stairs at the back of the Entrance Hall, Jenny took the steps two at a time until she reached the next level. She and Hermione always had a meal in the Ministry Café whenever they were there together.
Getting her favorite, hot chocolate and a blueberry bagel with cream cheese, Jenny sat down at one of the little tables on the balcony that looked out over the Entrance Hall. Hermione took her tea and whole grain muffin and joined her daughter to watch the ministry officials as they came in for work. Some stood in line at Security and headed straight towards the bathrooms right after they passed through, some came back others didn't. There was the occasional fuss as some witch or wizard would set of the detectors and had to remove everything from their pockets and turn it in the security officials waiting hands. Others headed straight to the lifts that were under the stair on either side of the balcony. There were the young witches and wizards who were training to be Aurors with their gym bags slug across their bodies. As the time became closer to seven the older witches and wizards began to arrive; they knew that they did not need worry about loosing favor with their bosses at this point. Tearing herself away from the scene below her, Jenny looked at her mother when she realized that Hermione was speaking to her.
"Its time to get moving Jenny," said Hermione shifting her chair back. Jenny's nerves returned at hearing this small phrase. Jumping up and sliding her chair back quickly Jenny rose and pitched her trash into the bin nearest them. Hermione followed suit and the pair headed for the elevators downstairs.
Getting into the elevator Jenny and Hermione were squished in with a few grumpy looking ministry men and a young witch of about twenty. The witch had long raven black hair with bright purple at the ends. Her robes were jet black and fitted her nicely and made her purple eyes and hair stand out. Her skin was a rich tan color of someone who worked in the field and not just at a desk. Her bright smile turned to Hermione and Jenny as the elevator started up with a soft jerk.
"Who is this little imp? Not that sweet, gentle daughter of yours, Hermione?" said the young woman to Hermione a bit of cheek in her voice.
"Yes this is my daughter Jennifer. Jennifer Jean this is Lavare Blackwing. Don't bother to ask her was she does Jenny. She never gives you a straight answer. Right Air?" said Hermione looking up at Lavare a knowing look on her face.
"Got that right! We Indians never can talk straight. Always in circles like the raven flies," replied Lavare her voice even and her face calm. "This is my stop ladies, good luck in England Hermione."
As Jenny and Hermione continued upward the elevator emptied slowly. Jenny kept to herself thinking on Lavare Blackwing and what she really did. Jenny's experience with her mother left her thinking that Lavare mostly was an Auror or was in the Department of Mysteries; both options looked good to her, maybe even both. Finally the elevator came to its final stop and Hermione led Jenny out of the lift. The sign next to the elevator door read "Department of International Cooperation" on the left and on the right "Department of Transportation". Hermione led Jenny towards the archway on the right where they were greeted by a witch with graying hair and a weathered look on her face.
"Here for check in ladies?" said the witch politely.
"Yes, Hermione and Jennifer Granger," said Hermione taking out the passports she had had made two years ago when hers had expired, "Just in case." Handing them over to the witch Hermione pushed her bag higher up her arm.
"Do you have the second parent's permission to travel dear?" said the witch looking up.
"No, there is no other parent in custody of Jennifer," said Hermione trying to smile but failing.
"Well then, here you go. You two have been granted clearance and full permission of the Ministry of the United States. You two are of duel citizenship so upon entering the United Kingdom will need to report in with their Customs as well. May your trip be enjoyable," said the woman handing back the passports and writing something down on the paper before her. Hermione took the passports and placed them back in her bag and led Jenny back across the hall to the Transportation department where they were greeted by a man in his thirties who was ushering the handful of people to the rally point. Joining the group Hermione's hold on Jenny's hand tightened and Jenny looked up at her mother.
Hermione's face was pale and her skin was clammy under Jenny's hand. Jenny squeezed her mother's hand and gave her a big smile as the man in charge brought forth the portkey and informed everyone that all they needed to do was touch one finger to it; they would be leaving in one minute. Taking a deep breath Jenny looked forward and touched a finger onto the portkey with her mother.
The man counted down, "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, NOW!" Then Jenny felt the strangest sensation, like a pull at her bellybutton. Then everything began to spin and the air left Jenny's body for a second then she was falling back and hitting a stone surface hard on her butt. Looking around she noticed that only two people were still standing: the man in charge and a big guy with arms the size of small hams wearing Manchester United shirt. Then it hit her, she was in London.
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Hermione lifted herself and her daughter up off the floor and headed over to the customs officer who was standing at the door way.
"Passports please," said the man, the English accent a hard reminder of where Hermione really was. Dipping into her bag she withdrew the passports and handed them over to the man quickly sensing the small line behind her. The man flipped open Jenny's first and quickly read it over and then opened Hermione's. His eyes widened slowly as he read the passport and glanced up.
"Miss Granger? I remember your name from Hogwarts! You were friends with the famous Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley! Welcome back Miss Granger, I hope your back to stay!" said the man very quickly and very excitedly. He reminded Hermione of the fan club Harry had back in school.
"Thank you for your help, our bags are in the next room?" said Hermione nodding to the room beyond. The man gave a quick nod before moving on to the next person in the line.
Pushing her daughter lightly into the room Hermione looked around for their bags. She finally spotted them over at Rack 8. Walking over Hermione and Jenny both withdrew their bags from the mass and headed over to the door which led out onto the busy streets of London and beyond.
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Finally arriving at the Leaky Cauldron Hermione booked room Three; the family suite. The room was quaint with some slight dust on the corners and ledges. There was a queen bed and dining table in the main room and off to a side was a small room with a twin bed and dresser. The bathroom attached opposite the small bedroom and had the necessities which were clean.
Placing their bags in their "rooms" Hermione and Jenny freshened up and Hermione was aware of the fact that Jenny was in pure awe of all she had seen so far. Their walk to the Leaky Cauldron was a short one but Jenny had taken in everything she did see. Hermione had explained a great number of things they saw and knew her daughter would be hard pressed to recite it all.
Finally ready to face the magical world of Britain once more, Hermione led Jenny back downstairs and out into Muggle London. They reached St. Mungo's without much difficulty and as they entered the old building Jenny giggled lightly.
"That tickled Mommy! Does every magical building do that?" asked Jenny as her giggles subsided.
"It didn't at the Leaky Cauldron and I don't recall the Ministry building doing that either love. Come lets go find out were Nana and Granda are held up," replied Hermione as she led Jenny over to the Information Desk.
"Would you please tell me where I can find Mr. and Mrs. Granger, please? I'm Hermione Granger," said Hermione as she reached the front of the line. The frazzled witched looked at her and like the Customs Officer her eyes got big.
"Healer Granger! It has been a good spell since your power graced our halls! Your family is in the Magical Trauma area, room 118. Your young one will need to wait outside however, no children in the wards unless for treatment," said the witch excitedly.
"Thanks, Helen, its been too long I agree," replied Hermione as she steered Jenny towards the Trauma center.
Leaving Jenny in the waiting area of the Trauma center with strict instructions Hermione entered room 118 leaving Jenny to her own devices.
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Jenny looked around the room for something to keep herself entertained. There were the normal moving paintings and some adult books and witch magazines on a table but nothing to keep a ten year old happy. Deciding not to waste a great imagination Jenny sat down at in a chair that faced the doorway and waited for the great gift to kick in. As her mind raced around London, Jenny tried to imagine how her mom might meet her Da again. Her silent work was brought to a stop as seven people entered the room.
She immediately recognized the man with jet black hair and glasses as Harry Potter. Next was a man with little red hair and slightly pudgy look to him, that had to be Mr. Weasley. The woman at his side looked like Mrs. Weasley from the photo on the mantle. The next two she didn't know by memory, the woman had bright pink spiked hair while the man at her side was graying at the edges of his brown hair and was covered in scars. The next person was the unmistakable Ronald Weasley, with his arm in a sling, followed by a very harassed looking Healer.
"Can you people spend one week without coming into my center with some sort of problem?" said the Healer as she walked over to the station in the corner.
"What fun would there be in that?" replied Ron Weasley a grin on his face as Harry Potter chuckled lightly.
"Ron just enjoys pain, Sarah, didn't you know that?" said Harry as if it was normal for this sort of thing to happen.
"And if you notice Harry it's either you or some dark wizard doing it. But I seem to recall the last visit being for you and your son who decided that you didn't need snow to sled," said the graying man who was standing with the pink hair witch. Turning to speak to the woman he caught sight of Jenny and stared. Jenny looked at him calmly knowing what he saw.
Getting out of her chair she walked over to the graying man, "Hello, I'm Jennifer Jean Granger," she stated proudly.
The man bent down to look at her and spoke, his voice even, "Hello Jennifer, I'm Remus Lupin. Your mother wouldn't happen to be Hermione Granger now would she?"
Jenny grinned at the man and felt the eyes and silence behind her, "Yes she is visiting Nana and Granda." Jenny heard the mumbles behind her from the two men that knew her mother best and turned slowly to face them both. Harry and Ron both stared at the small child before them that looked very much like her mother but with rain straight hair.
As both men stared Jenny smiled at the one and said, "Hello Da."
Just To Let You Know:
I was feeling rather edgy so I thought it might be nice to leave you all there with me. If I receive some feedback for the story thus far, I may be able to post again very soon (nothing like a little bribery to get what you want). If people totally hate it and don't review (or do) then I'll not bother finishing it.
I wanted to say that thus far the rating doesn't reflect the piece but it will, I promise. What is a story after all without a little peril, doom, language and romance? If things continue well, the next story may be more mature because lets face it even our characters grow up.