Here you go…


As I got closer I started to analyze what she looked like. Her brown hair, and brown eyes were almost identical to mine … oh!

I paused as it dawned on me who it was. This had to be my Montresor Grandma. My REAL Grandma. I sat down and started to pour the tea.

"So Grandma, did you see in the news about the new flu in North American?" I asked my looking at Grandma.

"Oh yes sweetie, I heard about that on the news last night. Do you think we should worry about that here?" She asked looking worried.

"I'm not sure, but we're starting to work on a potion to fix it at the hosptial."

"Would that be a vaccine?" She asked as she took a sip.

"Yeah, kind of like a vaccine." I said with a smile, and then turned towards my 'real' grandma. I felt bad about not talking to her, and was surprised to find her staring at me. She seemed to be crying.

"Is something the matter?" I asked, to be kind. Maybe she was sorry for killing my parents.

She took a deep breath and smiled at me. omg! She has my smile! I mean, I have her's

"It's just so shocking how much you look like them. I mean, I've seen pictures of you, especially in the papers. You also sound like Chryeis, and your eyes are exactly my Stephen's." She said with a small smile. "This is just bringing back memories"

"So, did you, or did you not kill them?" I asked bluntly.

"Hermione!" Grandma scolded me.

I opened my mouth to object, but I was interrupted. "No, no, Aurora it's fine." She said with a laugh. "Just like my Stephen. He was always asking just what he wanted. Now Hermione, I will be honest with you and tell you that I did not kill your biological parents. I was there when it happened though. Would you like to hear the whole story? I think you deserve that."

I just nodded my head, so she started the tale. "The Montresor and Luchesi families had been feuding for a couple of generations, but my Stephen always pushed the bars. He attended Hogwarts, and right after school he started healer training. He was a very smart young man. His father and I didn't see much of him, but we thought it was because he was busy studying. Little did we know, he was dating the Luchesi girl.

Two years passed, and he became a full time healer, so I started to ask him why he wasn't dating seriously. He, as the sole heir of the Montresor Family, had to create a heir. For a while he said he was going on dates, but Stephen never was a very good liar. Then I found out he didn't live at the flat he bought while he was in training. I knew something was up.

One day as he came for tea, I asked him if there was anything he needed to talk about. He gave me a weird look, and then said there was in fact something he needed to tell me. He asked me to go out to eat with him the next day, so he could tell me. The next day I went to one of my favorite restaurants, where our family owns a room. I followed him back there, not at all expecting what I saw.

There, sitting at the table was the beautiful Luchesi girl! I remember thinking. 'Why was she with MY son, and why was she holding a baby?' I remember how Stephen stepped between the women and me and said, "Mum, I want you to listen to me. We don't expect you to accept it now, but I can't hide this from you any longer. Chrissy and I are married, and we love each other more than anything else in the world. This is our 5 month old daughter, and we're trying to make amends. Maybe one day our daughter can look at you and call you Grandma." I remember how shocked I was. I didn't know what to do! Theo would be livid with Stephen. He would say his only son disappointed him, but I couldn't not hold my granddaughter.

I remember holding you, and feeling so proud that your middle name was Trina. You know that's my name, right? Anyways, I didn't accept their marriage, but there was no denying you. I didn't say much, but they knew I still didn't fully approve. At the end of the meal they gave me Chryeis' diary from Hogwarts, telling me it would help explain everything. I took the book, and left. I vowed to myself not to tell Theo, but I knew it was only a matter of time until he found out.

When the heir of a pure blood family is born, the new baby doesn't receive their inheritance until they are one year. In the olden days they did that because most babies died in their first year if they weren't going to live. Now we continue it out of tradition and old magic. It was a couple months after your birthday that your grandfather realized there was a heir. He was, as I thought he would be, livid.

He couldn't believe that his perfect, qudditich playing, handsome, son had defied him. For the next month he tried to contact him. Saying he would cut him off if he didn't give up the illigitament heir. Stephen decided to meet us at the restaurant. I know Theo thought he had married a muggle born. Much to his surprise there was a pure blood at Stephen's side, but the worst one. He was angry at Stephen for marrying a Luchesi, keeping their relationship a secret, and many other things, but I know for a fact his intent was not to kill them.

At first he started lecturing Stephen on what a mistake this is, and Stephen just didn't say anything. Then he started telling him to leave her and get married the right way, and Stephen started to get mad. The next thing I knew they were throwing curses, and then Theo was wounded. He was so angry, and I think maybe a little intoxicated. He shot the killing curse at Stephen, but Chryeis tired to push him out of the way. It hit her. She fell on the ground dead. One look at Stephen showed me how heartbroken he was, and he was out to get his father. They started fighting again, and I was so upset I didn't even see the shot that killed my baby. I think Stephen wasn't really dueling in his blind rage.

I had tried to stop the fight multiple times, and so did Chryeis. Our husbands were just so angry. Anyways I don't want you to think you grandfather was a terrible person, because he regretted what he did. Even though he was not blamed for the murder, he suffered because of it. He died within the month. He had a heart attack, and I think it was because of the stress he was under. He blamed himself, and wouldn't forgive himself. I'm so sorry." She finished looking very sad.

Even I had a couple of tears in my eyes. I stood up and walked over to my real grandma and gave her a hug. Only a couple of days ago it seemed that my parents were just some far off story that I had never read. Now I was starting to get to know them. It made me miss them. We continued with tea, and my Grandmas would tell stories of my parents when they knew them. All too soon it was almost seven and it was time for me to leave.

"Well I have a patient to attend to, so I'll be seeing you later." I said as I gave them both a hug. "But, we could get together on Wednesdays for tea around noon every week. That's my day off."

"Sounds good sweetie," Grandma said with a smile.

My real Grandmum also smiled, "I would like that very much Hermione, and I would like you to take this." She handed me an old leather bound book. "I read this after your parents died. It helped me get through it. I think it will help you to get to know them better."

I just nodded and waved goodbye. I grabbed my bag and apparated to the Malfoy Manor.

I knocked on their huge front door right at 7: 15, and was let in by their house elves again. They led me up to Malfoy's room.

"Young Master is not doing well, and Mistress is distressed because Master has been out on business! Gingy is so glad Healer is here to help!" The smaller elf squeaked as we made it to the room. I walked in to see an extremely pale Malfoy sitting on his bed.

"Draco honey, you must eat! You haven't eaten all day!" Mrs. Malfoy said as she sat on the foot of his bed.

"No mum, I told you I'm not hungry."

"Please, just eat a little something."

"I will not eat anything, if I am not hungry." He continued stubbornly.

"For me?" she asked close to tears. Honestly she looked a little sick herself.

He was about to reply, but I decided to interrupt him. "Excuse me, but what exactly are his symptoms?" I asked his mum as I checked all of his vital signs. There still didn't seem to be any lasting effects from the plant, besides his weakened immune system.

"He has a fever, hasn't eaten all day, he's been sleeping the whole day, and has a pretty nasty cough." She rattled off. "And that common flu potion made his fever go down a little, but he still has one. It stays at about 101 degrees F."

I paused, there was never a fever that didn't disappear after the potion was taken. Something was up.

"Mrs. Malfoy, you look tired. Please take this calming draught and go get some rest. I'll tend to your son." She just sort of nodded and left the room with the potion.

As soon as she left I turned back to Malfoy. He must REALLY be sick. He hadn't made a rude comment yet.

"So how's your girlfriend?" I asked as I gave him some potions. One for his cough, and one to give him some nutrients so he didn't have to eat.

"Why do you ask?" He asked with a glare. Then he smirked, "You jealous of her?"

I laughed, "No Malfoy, I'm trying to save you. If she gave you the swine flu you could die. Is she sick?"

Suddenly his smirk was wiped off his face, "You mean I could have that muggle disease? Emily and her family got a vakine for it or something."

Great, just great. Now I've been exposed. I let out a sigh and handed him a sleeping draught, so he would rest.

"You're just going to put me to sleep?" he asked with a glare.

"Yes" I said as I handed him the potion. "It'll be easier to figure out an antidote for it if you aren't making fun of me the whole time."

He took the potion and drank it quickly sending me one last glare. "Whatever you say Granger."

I wrote a quick letter to George, telling him about what happened and how I was stuck at the Malfoy's until I found a cure. I didn't want to spread this terrible disease around Europe. I told him I was sorry I couldn't be there for him and Alicia, and I would go to the Burrow as soon as I could. Then I went out into the hallway and called for the house elf. I think her name was Gingy. I asked her where a potions lab was and she showed me the way. Leave it to the Malfoy's to have their own potions lab.

I worked well into the night on the antidote, but around one in the morning I had to get some sleep. The next morning I went to check on Mrs. Malfoy and Malfoy. They were both in his room having breakfast at a table in his room. They both looked sick, but Malfoy looked mad about something.

"THEY CAN'T DO THIS!" Malfoy yelled at no one in particular.

"Honey, don't get upset. It's not good for you, especially in your state."

"THEY CAN'T JUST PASS A LAW AND EXPECT US ALL TO JUMP! WHEN IS FATHER GETTING HOME FROM BUSINESS?" He asked angrily.

His mum was about to reply but she started to cough, so I stepped in, "Malfoy it's not your mum's fault, whatever it is. Now eat your breakfast and go back to bed. I don't know how serious this sickness is, so no over reacting."

"Well Granger, let's see if you're so calm after you read the article!" He smirked, and handed me The Daily Prophet. I took it quickly and looked at the page he was on. The last article on page 4 was 'Marriage Law' … WHAT! I sat down on the edge of the bed and began reading.

The Minister of Magic has felt it is his responsibility to encourage the wizarding community to repopulate, after the decline in numbers due to the war. A marriage law will be put into effect on May first. You must marry the spouse that the Ministry has assigned for you within the year. The Ministry will complete a series of tests to find your best match. If the witch or wizard does not like the pair, they may come to the Ministry, but not many couples will be changed. Every couple must produce a magical offspring within 3 years of marriage, because of the slow manner in which our world is repopulating. The Ministry might take couples inconsideration, if they have been dating for at least one year. If a witch or wizard refuses, they will have their wand confiscated, and sent to Azkaban for life.

I stood there, staring at the paper. Can this really be happening?! My boy friend of about 3 years just broke up with me, so now I'm going to be stuck with some random wizard! I turned towards the Malfoys.

"Can they really do this?" I asked in a whisper.

"Unfortunately." Malfoy said darkly.

I turned quickly and found my way, through the maze they call home, to the lab. I continued to work for a couple of hours, and the potion was complete. All it had to do was sit for 12 hours … great. Suddenly Gingy appeared.

"Can Gingy be of service to Miss?" she asked.

I hated to asked for her help, considering she had no rights, but I'm tired and hungry "Can you help me find my room and maybe get me some lunch?"

She nodded, "Follow Gingy, Miss."

I followed her until we finally came to a room. Last night I had just fallen asleep on the couch in the lab, but tonight I had a very nice room. It was most composed of silvers and dark wood. It was very nice. I noticed though, that there were 3 letters on the desk in the room. I walked towards them and picked them up. The first one was from George from last night.

Mione,

It's okay that you couldn't come last night. I understand that you were unavoidably detained, and it's not like your having fun with Malfoy. Anyways it's probably better you weren't here because mum would have been very angry if she knew that you had already known, and had not told her. I told everyone at dinner last night why you weren't here, and everyone is worried about you, especially mum. Make the antidote fast! George

Mione,

Hey, I know you're busy with the antidote, but when you're done maybe we could get together. We DID go out for 3 years, and the Ministry can't ignore that. plus we are from the Golden Trio. I'm sorry that I wanted to break up. I realize it was a mistake now. I love you. Ron

It looked like Ron was sorry, but I bet the Ministry won't make an exception

Mione,

Hey so there's an Order meeting tomorrow, so come to our house as soon as you figure out the antidote. Harry wants everyone to be together when they announce who the partners are. I can't believe less than a week after you and Ron break up, something like this happens! That big git will regret over reacting even more now. I'm so worried for you and I hope you're paired with someone hot! See you tomorrow! (hopefully you're not stuck at the Malfoy's still)Ginny

I smiled at my last letter. Ginny could always cheer me up. I ate my lunch and then went over and sat on my bed. I was tired but didn't feel like sleeping. I picked up my healer bag and took out the Diary. Maybe I could read this and escape reality for a while. I picked up the rather thick book and looked at the front cover. 'Chryeis Arius Luchesi'

I opened the book and started to read


Okay so from now on Hermione's Granger is Grandma, and Montresor is Grandmum. Please review

-Grace