A crack could be heard in the alleyway behind the Hog's head. Hermione straightened her clothes and entered the pub's kitchen.
Two heads snapped up to her.
"Mum! Your late." Hermione let out a huff and smiled at her daughter scolding her. She pressed her palm against her cheek.
"I know darling, but it seems some people are incapable of talking when stunned." Imogen Nicolette Granger was a beauty. Straight hair so unlike her mother's, which fell down her shoulders to the middle of her back. With her pale complexion and icy blue eyes she was the complete opposite of her mother.
"Yes well I suppose being away for 19 years and reappearing suddenly does tend to make some people flabbergasted. You should have know that mother."
Hermione let her hand drop from her daughter's face and turned her gaze towards the other person in the room. "Of course I knew it would come as a shock but keep some professionalism in the situation. Was that really too hard?" The boy sitting shrugged his shoulders. "You are unkind mother. You spent 7 years with these people. Formed bonds. It didn't end on their side remember." His eyes were piercing as he looked at his mother.
"Oh Ander I'm sorry. You're right of course. I suppose that seemed rather unkind. I do missed them terribly. Seems like I got too into my mask." Hermione looked very ashamed at her actions. Imogen hugged her mother's side. "Honestly Ander! You could have said that nicely."
The boy waved his hand, appearing unapologetic. Ander Leidolf Granger was the complete opposite of his twin sister. His skin was tanner than hers, much like his mother's, and much taller than her. In fact he towered over his mother as well. Not very thin but filled enough that combined with his height he appeared an imposing figure. His hair the same shade of brown and just as curly as his mother. However his eyes was brown with flickers of gold in between.
"Now darlings, it is of no importance. What matters is the outcome. It seems as if The Sparrow and Nightingale school will be joining the Triwizard Tournament for the first time." Hermione occupied Imogen's seat and pulled out her notes she took of the meeting, something no one noticed her doing. She slid them towards her children and waited for them to finish reading.
As they were taking in the notes, the kitchen door opened from inside the pub. Aberforth Dumbledore was standing in the doorway with a tray of dirty mugs. "Hermione! When did you get here? We were waiting for you." Hermione smiled brightly and stood up, taking the tray from his hands. She deposited the mugs in the sink and with a flick of her hand they were being washed. "I just arrived actually. It took a bit longer than expected. Thank you though for waiting."
"Oh hush. You still talk nonsense after all the years. Now tell me, did you eat yet? Still got some stew left from the afternoon rush." He turned towards a big pot on the stove. She shook her head. "No thank you Abe. We actually have to get going now. There is so much planning to do and not to mention get the students ready. But I do have a favour to ask of you."
"Anything dear girl." He smiled softly at her. "Could the twins stay here for the next two weeks starting Monday? After that Andy will come and get them for the rest of the summer. I will be so busy with the preparations this summer so I won't be able to watch them." She glanced behind her at the twins and lowered her voice. " Ander has been having urges again. Imogen will calm him sometimes but with the full moon closing in next week..." Hermione trailed off, her face twisted in concern.
Aberforth put his hands on her shoulders. "My dear, they are always welcome. I even have two separate rooms for them this time. Of course it is connected but still separate." Hermione smiled thankfully and some of the concern left her face.
"Right. I suppose we should be off. The twins will arrive Monday Abe. Tuesday is the full moon so please watch out for him." He nodded at her, said his goodbyes to the twins and went back towards the busy pub. Hermione turned to her children, who already were waiting for her by the back door, everything packed. They entered the alleyway and with a crack all three figures disappeared into the late afternoon.
The next few weeks flew by for everyone. The Hogwarts staff all went home with the exception of the Headmaster who was busy handling the preparations. Drumstrang along with the Sparrow and Nightingale school correspondent through mail while the ministry officials came and went as they pleased.
One evening after the most detail has been sorted out, Severus finally had a chance to breath. He sighed and leaned back into his office chair. He rubbed his hands over his face. As he turned his attention to his desk littered with parchments full of arrangements and plans, his eye caught the binder that Hermione gave everyone during their first meeting. It was very muggle in its presentation. A binder with paper instead of parchment. Typed with what he believed to be from a computer instead of written with a quill.
'Hmmm, it seems Madam Granger has not turned her back on her roots. Still as organised as ever.' He thought.
He rubbed his chin as he read through her very detailed explanation. It wasn't until a house elf startled him out of his trance that he realised at least 2 hours had gone by. Midnight already.
He stood up and stretched. Taking the binder with him to bed, fully intending to complete his reading.
The next morning Severus made up his mind. Teachers will be returning the last week and it seems like the perfect time to get her here. He knew that he is doing it more for Minerva's sake since she hasn't seen her cub since graduation but damn his curiosity is also peaked. What could have gone wrong for her to hide from all she fought for? For her to turn her back on Potter and Weasley? He walked into his living room and sat down at his desk. Taking a piece of parchment intended for a letter. He paused with quill in hand, thinking on how to proceed.
'Madam Granger
I hereby invite you to spend a day at Hogwarts regarding the preparations for your school. It is merely to inspect if the classes chosen as well as quarters are suitable to your needs.
I'm sure Minerva and a few others will also be delighted to spend the day with you. I know a lot of them have questions should you be willing to answer some of them.
Regards Severus Snape Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Severus nodded to himself. Yes a little... persuasion might be needed in this case. He got dressed and made his way to the owlery. Letter sent, he left for a bit of breakfast. Hopefully she wouldn't be too angered by his play of manipulation. Heaven knows she never did well with someone trying to play on feelings if her years at Hogwarts are any indication. -- With the last week of holidays coming to an end and teachers returning but still no letter or sign from Madam Granger as Severus in defeat. He knew the risk to manipulate her was big but he surely thought she would at least send word.
It wasn't until the Friday that something happened. Neville Longbottom had finished all his planning and laid out his lessons for the new school year and with all his free time he studied the arch Hermione had grown at the beginning of the holidays. His curiosity couldn't be sated until he had the answers he seeked. What is this arch made of? To be able to graft different magical plants together and them not acting up or fighting each other was a miracle not to mention the magic threaded through the branches to be able to portal through!
As he was poking a leave the branches suddenly started vibrating and a flash of light later the arch was shimmering in the middle. Neville watch it cautiously in case this was a clash of magic, but only a moment later a heeled shoe poked through. The person that followed next was none other than Hermione Granger. She shuddered a bit, straightened her clothing and looked straight at him.
"Neville! What a surprise. Was my arrival expected?" Neville blinked twice and snapped out of his stupor. "Blimey Hermione! Sure know how to give a bloke a fright. No i was studying your arch. Very fascinating. Never seen anything like it. Thought i could figure it out." He smiled bashfully at getting caught hy her.
She gave a laugh. "Oh Neville if you only sent a letter I could have directed you towards our Herbologist." Neville scratched the back of his head." Oh well I... I haven't thought about that." Hermione laughed again and gestured to the castle. "Oh of course yes. You probably want to see Snape. Well everyone is on their way for a late breakfast. I just wanted a quick look before joining them." He held out his arm for her and she gladly took it. So they made their way to staff room.
Severus just sat down at the table the staff used for meals when he heard laughter and the door opening. On Longbottom's arm was Hermione Granger. She gave the occupants in the room one glance. "Good morning. Sorry for disturbing you so early but it seems your Headmaster requested my presence today. Just last minute details that needed attending to in person." She barely gave him a glance but that once over was enough to make him regret his letter.
"Well since you are already here, please join us for breakfast." Minerva gestured to the only empty seat next to Severus. Hermione smiled albeit a bit tightly but accepted nonetheless. Severus got up to pull out the chair for her. She hesitated a moment but sat down. He called for a house elf to inform them for an extra plate and not a moment sooner everyone was provided with breakfast. For a few seconds there was silence except for cutlery on plates but finally the silence was broken.
"So Granger. Scorpius has been asking when you all are going to come visit soon now that we moved closer to school? Astoria has fully restored the garden and she is waiting on that tea date you promised."
Everyone glanced between the former enemies. They knew the both of them were friendly if the meeting was any indication but visiting was another level of comfort. Hermione stared at Draco for a few minutes then sighed.
"I did promise didn't I? Well I won't be able to until Christmas holidays and that is only after Christmas with the tournament going on. Scorpius will see me when he comes to school this year so he doesn't have to wait long." She shrugged and continued eating.
"Actually... He doesn't know you are the guest school. Neither does Tori. I thought you would want to surprise them with the news yourself." He grinned unashamed. Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "Honestly Draco. You know it is difficult to even get Ander to go and Imogen doesn't go anywhere without him so you will have to ask them yourself."
"No. No. He is your spawn! You control him and make him come. I haven't seen Imogen in months and we finally moved out of the manor so you have no excuse."
Minerva hesitantly lifted her hand as if she was a student. "Excuse me Hermione. What does Mr Malfoy mean with... spawn?" Hermione swung her head to Draco and gave him the coldest glare she could muster. They both forgot they were not alone. Draco avoided her gaze and pressed a piece of bacon in his mouth. "By spawn, which I resent thank you Draco, he means my children." She continued glaring at him. Severus choked on his juice and a lot of them did a double take at her words.
"I thought you were unmarried Madam Granger?" Severus asked still coughing. Hermione looked irritated. "I am headmaster as I said. My children are products of war if you must know." The table was quiet once more. Thick tension settled. They all continued eating without another word. When everything was cleared from the table it was only then that Minerva timidly asked. "When you mean products of war... you mean rape don't you?"
She nervously wringed her handkerchief. Hermione inhaled, exhaled and nodded. Minerva's eyes welled up with tears. Hermione awkwardly reached across the table and patted her hand. "It's fine really Minerva. It was 19 years ago and honestly I don't regret them." Severus cleared his throat. "Will you... will you be willing to tell us more about them? As Draco mentioned they are coming for the tournament which means they are your 8th year students you talked about."
Hermione nodded. "My oldest is Ander. He fully goes by Ander Leidolf Granger. Very antisocial. No idea where he gets it from." At this Draco wheezed out a laugh but stayed quiet. "He is a bit closed off but fiercely loyal. Hmm what else. Oh some people say he makes an imposing figure with his height but1 I don't see it. He's just tall."
Draco banged his fist on the table, not hard to be seen as if in anger but hard enough to get attention. "Ander is your devil spawn and I won't apologize for saying it. He has creepy eyes that looks into your soul not to mention he is taller than me Mia! Me!"
Hermione paid him no mind. "Honestly Draco he is still a boy and in no way as scary as you make him out to be. Grow a pair. Now his twin sister is the complete opposite of Ander. Imogen Nicolette Granger. She hates her second name for whatever reason. She is short like me and thank Merlin she doesn't have my curls. I mean Ander has them but he is a boy and he keeps it shorter than me but Imogen got the idea of being a proper lady requires long hair." Hermione rolled her eyes at this but a soft smile graced her lips. Severus could see she was very proud talking about them.
A thought struck him. "Draco. You seem very comfortable when talking about them. I assume you are close?"
"Pfft of course we are close. Imogen is my favourite because of obvious reasons but I still love Ander and treat him the same as I would Imogen but as he grew older he got very scary." Draco gave a shudder as if a cold passed through him. "And what are these obvious reasons?" Severus quirked a brow.
"Those remain personal between me and my family of which Draco is part of." Hermione challenged his words. Severus bowed his head in apology. "Hermione dear, may I ask who the twin's father is?" Minerva inquired hesitantly. Hermione immediately closed off at the question.
"Unfortunately Minerva both their fathers are of limits. The fathers are aware but because of who they are and their choices they will not be mentioned or revealed ever. My children would not be safe either way." Minerva nodded. "Eh Mione. You said fathers as in plural. But they are twins." Neville looked on confused as hell.
"That is correct. The twins are what is known in muggle science as Heteropaternal Twins. Which just basically means that two eggs were fertilized by two different men and the result was the twins. It is a very complicated story. I luckily had my entire pregnancy to come to the terms of having two reminders but when I saw them all I could see was me. No matter there origin they stayed my babies and I would do it all over again." She smiled at Minerva.
"Sorry headmaster but it seems I have wasted enough time here. Could we possibly get going so I still have time to fetch them from their grandparents. This is our only weekend that everyone will be together until Christmas." Severus nodded and stood up. When she said her goodbyes to everyone in the room he held out his arm for her as Neville had done. She looked at his arm and then him but took it anyway. They made their way out of the staff room and started their business.