Chapter 4
One must learn to live with their choices
With their flight only two days away the Grangers chose to remain in Paris. It was hard for the small family of three; Hermione was heartbroken by the loss of Croackshanks, the Grangers stressed about what they were going to do when returning to England. They had no other property to go to after all and no family close by to live with while their house was being rebuilt. Mrs Granger's sister lived in Dover and her house was quite full with four children.
The house fire was listed as arson, three other houses were also burned down alongside their own and a fourth house was partially so. The fire burned so brightly and hot that the properties were lost in a short amount of time and the firefighters had struggled to contain its blaze. There were no leads on who set the fire, however, which left many of those who lived there concern. After all, they lived in a rather well off neighborhood and nothing large such as arson had ever been a concern before. Thankfully, nobody had lost their lives in the fire, which was a miracle considering how fast it burned.
For Hermione, getting her hands on a french newspaper gave her little information until she arrived at the last page. There inserted into International news was a picture of her house, flames going so high they licked the sky yet it was the shape of the smoke that had her heart sinking. Well hidden by the smoke made by the burning houses, yet identifiable if you knew what you were looking for, was nothing short then the Dark Mark.
They'd found where she lived, and burned it to the ground. It was clear they were after her, yet would they go so far as to chase her all the way to Paris?
Occupied as they were with getting their affairs in order, the older Grangers also took note of how distant their daughter had become. Their relationship wasn't the warmest, although they did try. Since beginning her life in the magical world it only seemed to be getting worst, however. She could often be seen gazing out the window of their hotel room, a book on her lap, opened yet no page being turned.
They'd hoped that this trip would have helped them get closer to their daughter, having felt less and less as though they were part of her life. Recently she spent only a bit of her holidays with them before being whisked away to a friend's home or another location. The Magical World was not a place they could fully become part of, not like their daughter who was magical. They belonged in the non-magical world and to be honest, they were beginning to resent the Magical world.
Now they never did have quite a – close relationship with their daughter. Their jobs as dentists took them away from her life although they tried to make sure she had some of the best nannies, and after school activities. Their daughter was quite intelligent and understood that their jobs were important, however as she grew older, they did try to become more part of her life. It was becoming harder however and their trips to try to become closer were not turning out as planned.
After a long day of dealing with their affairs, the Grangers chose to go out for a nice dinner. They'd chosen to leave the hotel that night, going out to a lovely small French restaurant close by.
Leaving the restaurant, Hermione walked slightly apart from her parents, trying to keep watch as they walked along the path. Yet her emotions continued to play with her mind. The loss of Crookshanks in such a manner was not something she'd be quick to get over. Her lovable cat had been her companion now for three years and was precious to her. To know that he'd died in such a terrible manner had her angry at Death Eaters and herself.
To know they'd openly targeted her and her family made her angry and scared at the same time. She wasn't as talented as her friend was in defending against Death Eaters, so if they were indeed going to find her, she wouldn't be able to hold off for very long.
Fingering the ring on her finger, she tried not to think too many dark thoughts as they walked, doing her best to pull them away from Crookshanks and to her surroundings. Just as they turned the corner, arriving on the street that housed their hotel, she caught a glimpse of long silver-blonde hair. Almost instantly the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and her gut told her that something wasn't right.
"Mum, Dad," she spoke suddenly, surprising her parents as she squeezed between them and wrapped her arms within theirs.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Her mother questioned confusion evident in her voice.
"I need you to trust me, don't look around but we need to hurry back to the hotel now," Hermione spoke softly yet quickly, pulling her parents ever so gently into a brisk walk.
She didn't know what it was about how she said it but thankfully her parents seemed to understand the urgency in her voice as they didn't protest or ask questions. She was happy about that because she didn't know how much time they had before something bad happened. All she knew was that they had to reach their hotel room, fast.
Walking as fast as they could without appearing worried was hard, yet they made it back to the hotel rather quickly. Hurrying up to their room, Hermione quickly pushed her parents inside before shutting the door and locking it. Once done she began to walk back and forth, worry visible on her young face.
Her parents, finally unable to take their daughter's irregular actions spoke up.
"Hermione, what is going on, you've been on guard since you returned from school." Her father finally questioned. "What has you in such a state that you hurry us back to the hotel as though we were about to get attacked."
Considering her options, Hermione knew she had to give some type of explanation yet time wasn't on her side, she had a feeling things were going to turn quite badly soon.
"I don't think I have enough time to explain everything but the magical world has fallen into a lot of anger recently. I'm in the middle of it, or close to the middle." She provided an explanation knowing it wasn't nearly enough. "I'll explain everything later, right now we need to leave. I say a bad man not long ago. Our home's arson wasn't just a muggle arson, I think it was magically set. I think they're after me and we need to leave."
For a moment, her parents stood there in shock. Their daughter's words were jumbled and unclear yet the severity of the situation was quickly falling on their shoulders.
"I'll call to get our plane tickets changed." Her father began yet Hermione shook her head and rushed to her section of the room.
"There's no time for that, we need to leave now! Please you need to trust me, pack your stuff. I have a method to get us out of here quickly." Packing everything quickly, she was glad that her parents seemed to also do so before she pulled her suitcase over to theirs. Urging them towards her, she removed the ring from her finger and told them to touch it.
Just as she was about to activate the portkey, a knock at the door caused them to freeze.
"Room Service," came a male voice, snapping Hermione from her shock.
Before her parents could say anything, though she hurried to activate the portkey. The activation password slipped through her lips as the door to their room was blown off its hinges revealing three figures in black robes and masks. Thankfully, their escape was quick and before long they landed with bangs and thumps, knees buckling out from under them as they fell onto stone floors.
Body shaking and heart racing, Hermione looked around their surroundings to find that they'd arrived in a large stone room. Yet her adrenaline began to fade and tears sprouted from her eyes, cascading down her cheeks as the realization of what had happened came crashing down. Burying her face in her hands, she began to sob not holding any attention even as her parents tried to reassure her.
It was only as warm hands wrapped around her own pulling them away from her face that she looked up and found herself looking into a set of emerald green eyes filled with worry and warmth.
"Breath Hermione," Téa whispered tenderly, her voice soft and gentle as she spoke.
The words alone sent the tears falling a new and before she could do anything else, Hermione through her arms around her friend. Seemingly expecting it, Téa caught her friend, holding her tightly as she cried. Gentle fingers brushed through her hair as her friend whispered soft words of reassurance to her.
"You're safe now Hermione, I promise," Téa whispered warmly.
"I was so scared, they – I knew – they blew the door –." Hermione sobbed, unable to string a fully coherent thought together.
"I know, it's okay now, you're safe. You got you and your parents to safety," Téa whispered reassuringly while rubbing her back.
It took a bit of time but finally, Hermione got herself under control and pulled away ever so slightly from her friend.
"Right, I'm going to call somebody to bring your bags to your rooms," Téa explained before a pop was heard and a house-elf appeared causing the elder Grangers to jump. "Hello, Tilly, could you please bring the Grangers bags to their suit and make sure it's ready for them."
"Of course Mistress Téa." The little create agreed before it and the bags disappeared.
"Now, why don't we move a more comfortable place. I believe you may have questions, Mr & Mrs Granger." Téa remarked before rising and helping Hermione to her own feet. "I have a place set up, with some tea as I believed it would be necessary."
"I'm sorry but just where are we and how did we get here?" Mr Granger questioned.
"You got here by Portkey," Téa explained as the door to the room opened allowing the four to leave the stone room and arrive into a brightly lit hallway. "And here is actually Potter manor. I was forced to open it not long ago for two other friends." Téa explained as she led them towards a lovely sitting room.
The room was large, with two sofas, a fireplace, and bookshelves lining one wall. Windows lined another, overlooking what appeared to be beautiful gardens. The room was decorated in soft blues and a few portraits linen the walls.
"I believe we have a lot to cover so why don't I start from the beginning," Téa declared while serving everybody a nice cup which they all accepted.
With her cup in hand, she settled back against her seat. "In 1970 a major conflict now known as the First wizarding War broke out." Téa began smoothly. "It "ended" in 1981 and was the first reign of a man many know as Lord Voldemort. Many do not speak his name to this day, preferring to address him as He who must not be named, or You Know Who."
"Voldemort had followers, known as Death Eaters, with them he planned on taking over the magical world. He's goal, destroy all muggle-borns." This caused the Grangers to flinch back, horrified.
"Muggle Borns? Isn't that what they call Hermione?" Mrs Granger questioned worriedly.
"yes Hermione, is a muggle-born witch," Téa murmured while Hermione looked away from her parents.
"But you said this – dark lord was defeated in 1981." Mr Granger quickly said.
"He was, on Halloween night 1981," Hermione whispered morosely.
"Sadly, however, in this case, defeated doesn't mean killed. Voldemort returned to his body on June 24th 1995 after kidnapping two students thanks to one of his most loyal Death Eaters impersonated that years Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Sadly one died when he was hit with the Killing curse by another follower."
For a moment, Téa remained silent, respecting Cedric before moving on. "The other student was used in a dark Ritual to allow Voldemort to regain his body. Once he gained his body he chose to duel the student. This allowed them to escape."
"Let me get this straight, the madman who wants muggle-borns – like my daughter – dead is back?" Mr Granger questioned, anger surfacing quickly. "What are the authorities doing to protect them?! Clearly, they aren't doing enough if they're able to leave the country and attack my daughter during a vacation! Not to mention what did our daughter do to catch their attention! Why would they go after a single girl in a different country when there are others in London they could go after!"
"Sadly, yes last year the second Wizarding war truly began," Téa explained before vanishing her cup to the table causing Hermione's eye to twitch as she did it wandlessly. "You'll have to understand Mr Granger to that the Ministry is not exactly prepared to handle Voldemorts return and are struggling to defend against him internally. Actually, the only way the current Minister of Magic even agreed to accept his return was when there was an attack on Azkaban which was thankfully thwarted." Téa explained yet it was clear the Grangers were no less pleased.
"He wasn't able to get some of his worst Death Eaters," Hermione jumped in, hoping to somewhat assure her parents although, to be honest, it didn't appear as though it helped.
"Why would they attack my daughter, especially in Paris!" Mrs Granger demanded angrily.
"What if we removed her from the Magical world, it's clear that she's in danger, we have responsibilities to protect our daughter at all cost. With a bit of education, we're certain we can have you enter a proper school in the fall." Mr Granger declared causing Hermione to pale.
"No! I won't leave the magical world!" Hermione cried out yet her parents didn't seem persuaded.
"You are not going to be killed just because you are part of a world who prosecutes muggle-borns for no reason!" Her father shouted angrily. "Not to mention it's about time you stop wasting your talents on such foolishness!"
"Is that what you really think!" Hermione shouted back, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. "That I'm wasting away while learning magic, that magic isn't worth learning!"
"You had a spot in one of the top ivy league schools in England! Yet you threw it all away by entering this farce of a world!" Mr Granger shouted angrily. "I've had enough of you running around and wasting our hard work!"
"This just goes to show that we should never have allowed you to go to this school. We should have stuck to our initial plans of sending you to a proper school where you would be learning proper subjects." Mrs Granger declared firmly, causing her daughter's eyes to widen. "Now this monstrous world has placed your life and our lives in danger. We won't stand for it. We're removing you from that infernal school and we won't hear any other word against it."
"Mr and Mrs Granger, your daughter has established herself as one of the most intelligent witches of our year. She's exceptionally powerful and sending her away would make no difference. Death Eaters will continue to look for her." Téa jumped it, trying to cool the situation. "I understand that you may be scared for her life and your own however you need to trust that she's in strong and capable hands."
"No, no I don't think you do understand." Mrs Granger declared frostily causing Hermione to flinch while Téa's eyes grew colder. "Your parents were born into this world, you belong in this monstrous world. Our daughter was raised to be a proper girl who would attend great things. She wasn't meant to waste away in some fantasy world! No, its time she takes her place in society and accepts that she should never should have veered from her correct path."
"Mum!" Hermione protested shocked by her parent's words. "I will not leave the magical world! I belong in the magical world, you both have to see that! I'm a witch!"
"We do not have to see anything. You won't be returning to Hogwarts this fall Hermione. No, its time we remove you from that world." Mr Granger declared firmly, agreeing with his wife fully.
"Removing Hermione from the magical world will achieve nothing," Téa murmured before taking her friend's hand. "However Hermione is also at an age where she should be allowed to make her own decisions."
"She is our daughter – we will see fit what decisions she makes," Mrs Granger interrupted frostily.
"I see," Téa whispered before rising to her feet and walking towards one of the windows overlooking the grounds. "You may be her parents, duty-bound to protect your child and make sure they are raised to be the best that they are however your judgement is clouded by fear and I believe a bit of envy. Envy that your daughter has been slowly pulling away from you while seemingly entering a world you have little place in. It's the sad truth of all muggle-born families. My mother probably went through the same troubles Hermione is going through. Yet what you are doing is only hurting your relationship more, and causing your daughter pain. The pain you refused to see. As Hermione's friend, I will always stand by her and that is why I am going to offer her something I never dreamed I'd have to offer a friend." She finally declared before turning to face Hermione and looking her straight in the eye. "You can leave the magical world and I will do everything in my power to grant you protection against those who might want to harm you and your parents."
"Téa," Hermione whispered tearfully.
"Or, you can accept my offer of House Protection. As Lady Potter, I have the right to take you under the Potter family's reigns and claim guardianship over you, stripping your parents of their rights. Our world has yet to change those laws and as muggles, they hold very little hold against those decisions. The moment you entered the magical world, their hold was diminished. It's not pleasant, however, if you wish to stay in the magical world and they refuse to support you, you will receive the full support of the Potter family. This support is financial, and accommodation wise." Téa explained causing the Grangers to jump to their feet in protests, while their daughter simply sat in her seat, shocked by her friends offer.
"I will not allow this to happen!" Mr Granger shouted angrily yet Téa paid him no mind. He'd lost any respect she had for him the moment he began spouting his nonsense.
"It's your choice Hermione; I cannot make it for you."
"I will have you arrested for kidnapping!"
"This is old magic, what happens cannot be changed. They will not be able to speak of any of this to anybody mundane." Téa continued over the man's shouts. "There is very little I can do for protection, however, I will do all I can. It is your choice, Hermione."
"No! You cannot take our daughter away from us!"
"Yet you are taking her away from the world she belongs to! You are taking away her freedom! Her ability to chose what she wants to do!" Téa shouted back, eyes glowing as she held back her magic. "I never dreamed I'd have to provide this choice to her. She's always said that you've been supportive of her choices yet today I see something different. You are not even providing her with a choice, but instead choosing for her. You refuse to see the harm that could be caused by your actions. Yes, it pains me to have to give the choice I am providing however Hermione is my friend. Either choice she makes, she will lose something precious to her. It's not fair, it's not right, however, I will support her any way she chooses to go because I will never, ever abandon my friends!"
"The choice is hers to make. Leave the magical world and her life behind, leaving everything she's achieved or chose to leave the people who raised her, her parents and the life she once had. No matter what choice she makes, she'll have to realize that she won't be alone and that I will always support her. I will always stand by her no matter what because that's what friends do. I never had friends growing up, my cousin would always push them away from me. Becoming friends with Hermione and Ron has been the most amazing experience I've ever had and I wouldn't change it for the world."
"The choice isn't an easy one to make, and I don't want you to make it lightly."
"She won't have to make a choice, there is no choice to make, and our daughter will not be leaving her family." Mrs Granger declared confident that his daughter would choose them over some flimsy world that gave her no opportunities.
There was a moment of silence, Téa waiting patiently for Hermione to make her choice while the Grangers grew angry that she was taking so long in refusing her friends offer.
Couldn't she see that they were right and she was wrong? They knew best, they were the adults, and she was but a child.
"They'll be protected?" Hermione whispered, head bowed and eyes shut tightly yet her words caused her parents to freeze and Téa to close her eyes.
"I'll do my best," she whispered sadly.
…
Hermione looked out over the grounds as the sunset over the horizon. She couldn't believe how her day had started and how different it ended. She knew her parents hadn't been pleased with all the changes in her life or the fact that she'd been pulling away more and more yet a part of her couldn't help but think that she wasn't that close to her parents, to begin with.
Her parents might have been supportive, but only of things they approved of. People didn't know that she loved reading because it was a way to get away from the loneliness. Still making the choice she had was hard.
Turning away from the grounds, she looked around the room she was now supposed to call her own. The room was large, easily larger than her old room with a large queen bed against one wall covered in soft blue bedding. Against another wall were bookshelves. They'd quickly been filled with plenty of books by orders from Téa to the house-elves.
Knock knock
Turning to the door, Hermione smiled when it opened to reveal her best friend. Her best friend with a tray in her hands. Slowly the door opened fully and as it did a fur blur of red sped into the room and jumped onto the bed, quickly curling up and Hermione was shocked to find that it was Croackshanks.
"When you went to Paris I placed a ward on your house. When the fire took place I arrived with just enough time to save him. He was smart and hid but seemed to sense my arrival and hurried to me. I was able to get him out before the fire got too bad." Téa explained while walking over and placing a tray of food on the table. "Thought you might like something to relax,"
"I can't believe – I mean I knew my parents weren't overly fond of the magical world, but I thought they understood that I was part of that world now. I thought they'd accepted me for being – me." Hermione whispered before slumping onto her bed and scooping up her cat to hug.
"Okay, we've never been the closest. I know they loved me, but they were always so occupied with their practice. They worked 6 out of 7 days a week 7:00 am till late at night. I was often left with a nanny and then when I got old enough they'd enrol me in after school activities, enough to keep me busy so that they could extend their hours. They always planned on sending me to a boarding school it just – never was meant to be a magical one I suppose."
"Hermione, you made a big choice today, one I wish you never had to take in your life. Many have had to make the same decision you have chosen to take. Just know that your not alone in this world. I stand by you, and Ron does too. We love you, Hermione, always will." Téa whispered while hugging her friend who hugged her tightly back.
"I love you to Téa, thank you – for being here for me."
Author note:
So I've learned that if I write most of my chapter down in a book by hand, I'll have more creative flow so that's what I've been doing so far. Of course, it does not always turn into the same thing however once I start typing it up. This chapter was supposed to turn out so differently and then, well then it just – morphed into this.
There will be many of you who might not like this turn of events but Hermione's parents have never been key players in the books so I thought I'd take a twist on it all. Originally they were going to be the normal understanding, supportive and loving family that so many other fanfictions writes write up, well guess that was a bit too boring and expected so surprise!
I hope you guys enjoyed it though and I look forward to writing some more.
Also, I made a mistake lol. In the last chapter of the first story, I said the Grangers would be going to Spain, well clearly I didn't remember that (hilarious because Spain was my last trip) and turned to Paris. In all honesty, I was supposed to go to Paris a few weeks ago, it was a spontaneous trip that was planned before COVID really hit and well as so many other plans around the world did, it crashed and burned. I guess I was just thinking of Paris while writing and mixed it up
