Author's note: So finally got round to this – this has been the hardest chapter and I'm still not thrilled with it. I knew what I wanted to include, and how I wanted it to end but I couldn't make all the pieces work together. Anyhow, I think the saying is don't let perfect get in the way of good. So here is a 'good' finished chapter for you to enjoy. As always, I own nothing recognisable. Thanks Nx


Hermione was fidgeting, a habit that she knew her grandmother loathed. She had been pretending to read, but she was really watching the clock - waiting for reinforcements to arrive.

When she had first sought a ministerial dispensation to tell her grandmother about magic, the war against Voldemort, and most importantly what she had done to protect her parents; both Minister Shacklebolt and Professor McGonagall had offered to come and help, an offer that Hermione had initially refused. However, after arriving at her grandmother's house, and seeing her grandmother for the first time in almost three years Hermione realised just how challenging the task would be. So, she went up to her rooms and sent two patronuses, within an hour of her otters swimming away Hermione had an important looking owl tapping at her window. Certainly, a Ministry bird somehow looking less ruffled than a school owl, it carried a note from Kingsley advising that both he and Professor McGonagall would be there to help and asking her to confirm if half past ten the following morning would be suitable. Hermione found herself scowling slightly as she read the note, evidently Professor McGonagall and Kingsley had been discussing her situation without her, although there was nothing, she could do about that now so she did as the note asked and replied that half past ten would be fine and included the details of a safe place for both visitors to use as an apparation point. Hermione tied her reply to the owl's leg and opened her window sending it on its way.

Now less than twelve hours later, Hermione was anxiously waiting for her guests to arrive so she could tell her sensible, practical grandmother all about the wonders of the magical world. Not that her grandmother wasn't open-minded, but Hermione was certain that even the most accepting of people would struggle to find out that their only grandchild was a witch, war-heroine and responsible for her parents' disappearance all in one day.

Hermione looked up from the book she was pretending to read and saw her grandmother had turned away from her writing desk, and was in fact watching her, Hermione smiled and tried to relax, when a member of her grandmother's staff announced the arrival of a Minister Shacklebolt and Professor McGonagall. Both Hermione and her grandmother stood to welcome their guests, Hermione's grandmother requested tea, and invited the newcomers to sit.

Hermione could feel the three sets of eyes waiting for her to speak so she cleared her throat and began "Granny please let me introduce – Professor McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts, and Minister Shacklebolt" her grandmother smiled politely and replied,

"A pleasure to meet you both, I'm sure. You must both call me Sybil – but you'll forgive me Hermione has been rather vague about the reason for your visit, so I must ask why her headmistress and a priest are in my library several days before Christmas, I hope nothing is wrong at school"

Professor McGonagall smiled slightly and decided to begin with the explanation, saving Hermione from further awkwardness, "Thank-you for your lovely welcome Sybil and you must call us Minerva and Kingsley. Let me begin by reassuring you that Hermione continues to exceed expectations in her education and will no doubt have a magnitude of options available to her at the end of the school year. No the reason we both are here is to assist Hermione in explaining to you that some things in your granddaughter's life are not what they seem. I should also clarify that Kingsley is not a priest but rather a government official, although that will become clearer as we continue."

And so they sat in the library for almost two hours going over the finer points of the magical world and Hermione's place in it. Hermione's grandmother, to her credit, just took everything in asking the occasional question, however when it came to the details about the war and the disappearance of her son and daughter-in-law, she signalled Hermione to sit beside her and held her hand tightly as the older woman's eyes shone with unshed tears.

When it came time for their guests to leave, they walked them out to a quiet spot in the garden and waved them off as they both disappeared with a loud pop. Hermione's grandmother stared for a second before blinking and turned to Hermione taking her face in her hands simply saying "Oh my poor brave girl, how hard the past few years must have been for you, I want you to know I am not in the least angry and you do not need my forgiveness" with that she pulled Hermione to her, hugging her tightly, and for the first time since the end of the war Hermione allowed herself to let go of her everything she was feeling and cried onto her grandmother's shoulder.

Over the next two days, Kingsley stopped in several times with various ministry officials who were linking the fireplace in Hermione's rooms to the Floo Network, authorising protective wards and even casting a spell which would allow Hermione to listen to the Wizarding Wireless Network. Hermione was also fairly certain they were checking to see if her grandmother's staff had noticed anything magical, since none of them were authorised to know the secret but couldn't be certain and since they didn't seem to be obliviating anyone she let it pass.


On the morning of the twenty-third Hermione woke up early – she thought about a floo calling the Burrow but realised that it was unlikely anyone other than Mrs Weasley would be up and about. Opening her curtains Hermione looked out over the frosty grounds surrounding the house, and a thought came to her, she walked into her wardrobe and dressing room searching for a couple of minutes until at last she spotted what she was looking for, a pair of tall black riding boots and hanging near them were breeches and a lovely warm tweed riding coat, a birthday present from her mother, she tried everything on, using her wand to magically alter the riding jacket ever so slightly and went downstairs.

Mead, her grandmother's butler was in the dining room for breakfast, although it was just her this morning there was a lovely looking porridge made with dried fruit and nuts, helping herself to a bowl while Mead poured her a coffee, she ate quickly and made her way outside towards the stables. Her grandfather had maintained quite the breeding stock, even managing to produce some major race winners, her father had less of an interest and most of the horses now were companions that enjoyed the odd country ride. Hermione found her saddle and grabbed a blanket, and bridle and went to the stall which held her beloved horse, a chestnut mare which she had named Garnet almost instantly when she had been gifted to her at Christmas roughly ten years ago.

When Garnet was saddled Hermione rode out, through the fields and a small woodland area near the house, the fresh morning air stung her cheeks, and caused her eyes to water but Hermione didn't care, she enjoyed the feeling of freedom that came while she was riding. Eventually, she rode to the top of the hill that overlooked the road and saw a dark blue car pulling into her grandmother's drive, checking her watch she realised that she had lost track of time and had been out for almost two hours. Her grandmother would be furious if she wasn't there to welcome their guests, so she turned back towards the house slowing as she rode into the yard. Normally she would have liked to take care of Garnet herself after a long ride but conscious of time she handed her over to a stable hand and went back inside, seeing the car pull up at the door, she realised there was no time to change so she ducked into the downstairs loo and washed her hands, splashed warm water over her face and tidied her hair, before joining her grandmother in welcoming their guests.


When they pulled up at the house, Draco couldn't help but smile – although he no longer believed that all muggles lived in filthy hovels, it was nice to know that the first time he stayed in a muggle residence it was one that at least resembled his own home, although it was somewhat less ostentatious in its décor, there were no peacocks for a start. Draco got out of the car and went to help his mother only to realise that there was someone already at the door, an older officious looking man, helping his mother out. Draco offered his arm to his mother, and looked around noticing an older woman smartly dressed and standing by the door, his mother glided over to her and kissed both her cheeks saying "Aunt Sybil please let me introduce my son, Draco"

Draco nodded his head taking the older woman's hand and saying "Lady Banbury, thank-you for inviting me"

The older woman pulled him in and kissed his cheek saying, "Not at all Draco, and you must call me Aunt Sybil as your mother does – goodness knows I've known your family for long enough."

Draco smiled and nodded when Aunt Sybil continued "Now I'm not sure where my gran – ah here she is at last! Narcissa, Draco may I introduce to you my granddaughter,"

Draco saw a young woman step out through the door and vaguely registered Aunt Sybil saying Hermione, at the same time he blurted out "Granger?!"

To which the shocked young woman replied "Malfoy?!"


Next chapter coming soon - please comment and review I do so love hearing from you!