Disclaimer: I'm not writing this fanfiction to make any money out of it. I disclaim any familiar characters and/or any plots you read that are associated with Harry Potter. All rights go to the amazingly talented author of the books- JK Rowling. Any original plots/ story lines are mine, and any new characters that we may stumble across that aren't mentioned in the book or in the movie are most likely my OC's. This is a work of fiction. If, in any way, it resembles your life or someone's you know, it is purely coincidental. I don't own Peter Pan either, but you probably already know that.
Chapter 3: Wait, my father is who?
Date: Wednesday, July 24th, 1991
Time: 13:50
Tonks had finally calmed down (side effects of a badly made port-key was Remus Lupin's excuse) and Dumbledore had just finished explaining to Hermione what she was ("You're a Witch, child.") and where she was to study ("Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry is honoured to accept you as a student", "WHAT?!"). However, she was still trying to get her head around the science-defying concept of magic.
Left in the care of Tonks, she just about managed to do so, without the formalities and the 'kid-talk' she noticed anyone over her age of ten would use to talk to her. Dumbledore and Remus were no exception to this rule, so having Tonks to talk to her was refreshing.
Her foot tapped at a steady pace to an unknown beat. It was some sort of habit of hers that she could never get rid of, ever since she could remember. She found that it would always occur when she was especially nervous or agitated. Sometimes even at the most random times.
"Diagon Alley?" Hermione couldn't hide the uncertainty in her voice.
Tonks, on the other hand, was grinning like a Cheshire cat, jumping on the spot, unable to control her excitement. Tonks, despite her lack of being able to tell a white lie, could be very convincing when she wanted to be.
Apparently, if she was to go to Hogwarts, she had to be fully equipped with the school's uniform, a wand, a cauldron, wizarding text books, parchment and ink (Tonks and her had a long debate on whether or not she should just use a pen and paper. Somehow, she won and now Hermione was in need of parchment), and a pet- but that was optional- and therefore, a trip to Diagon Alley was to be made.
The bubblegum haired witch couldn't have looked more ecstatic.
"Tonks, are you sure about this? I mean, I'm not- I haven't been-"
"Oh, Hermione stop worrying!" The older witch said. "Look, you won't be the only one who doesn't know what they're doing," she promised. "And besides, " she leaned closer in a secretive sort of manner, Hermione doing the same thing. "Between me and you, Remus has just been dying to go to Flourish and Blotts to subscribe for this muggle magazine with these muggle wom-"
A loud cough came from behind the gossiping duo and a blushing Remus stood at the door. Hermione held back oncoming giggles.
"Ladies, as much as I would love for you to not finish this conversation, Dumbledore has requested to talk to Miss Granger. Alone," he added, seeing Tonks follow behind her.
'I'll tell you later', Tonks mouthed, cheekily winking at an even redder Remus.
Hermione couldn't wait.
/*\\*/*\\*/*\\*/*\\*/*\\
Dumbledore was standing by the window, an owl on his arm, when she entered. It flew away, flapping its wings loudly, and he turned to Hermione with a kind smile. "Sit, Miss Granger, sit." he gestured to the wooden stools. She did as she was told, seeing as there was no point of arguing. He had magic after all.
"Now, I presumed that you've found the name you're going with?" He asked, joining Hermione at the table.
Hermione looked openly confused. Name? Was she meant to take on a new 'magic-sounding' name now that she was a witch?
But Dumbledore merely chuckled at her expression. "My, my, you haven't been told yet, have you?" she shook my head. He exhaled aloud and clapped his hands making her jump in her seat slightly. "Hermione, as you know, you are adopted- Mr and Mrs Granger told you this before my arrival earlier today."
"Yes, sir, but do you mind me asking, where are they?"
"They were summoned at the Ministry to help Mr Weasley in their department."
Just nod and smile- it's a rule that she's followed since forever. If you don't know what the hell is going on... Nod. And. Smile.
"They're at Gringotts now to register you for vault seven hundred and eleven."
"Why so specific?"
"It's your family's vault. Since you are the only Black heir now available, the vault belongs solely to you, and you alone."
"Black hair? I'm sorry headmaster, I'm confused." She was pretty sure her hair was brown...
His loud chuckle brought Hermione back to her senses. "Ah, my child, they didn't tell you of your parentage?" At the shake of her head, he continued, but his eyes suddenly lost their twinkle and his face became sullen and serious.
Well, talk about mood swings.
"You must promise not to speak a word of this to anyone- not even Tonks, who, if I'm correct in thinking this, has grown very attached it you. She's an amazing young Auror, you're lucky to have her as a friend, Miss Granger." His light tone was gone far too quickly for Hermione's liking and he returned to the matter at hand.
"But I'm afraid no one will take it too lightly if they hear of what I am to tell you now. If word does go about; rumours spread quick; I hope you find a way to make sure they stay as that- rumours. You must ensure that no one knows. Not until the time is right for it to be told."
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore. You have my word I will not tell anyone about this," she promised.
He stared into her eyes, probably trying to figure out if she was lying. Finding nothing but the truth, his eyes lit back up and his features were graced with a small smile. "Very well." He twirled his hand (his wand hand) in the air and muttered incantations (something about silence. A silencing charm maybe?), before setting down his wand next to him.
"Your mother was a pure-blood. A very stern, respected pure-blood form one of the purest families in Britain. She had (unknown by most) fallen for one of the most... difficult men of her time," the old professor started.
Intrigued, Hermione asked, "How so?"
"You see, Miss Granger, we are living in a world of denied ignorance. They won't believe you if you speak of his return, nor will they appreciate you bringing it up. His name is spoken only by few and is feared by the rest."
"Voldemort," she whispered, colour draining from her face. She remembered the conversation she had with Tonks about a boy who was going to be in her year and how he defeated the Dark Lord.
She also spoke of her distant cousin, one Ronald Weasley. He was also to be in her year, but she warned her not to befriend him if it was possible. Something about his eating habits, she said. Whatever that meant.
Going with what Tonks had told her, Voldemort wasn't capable of conveying emotions, let alone love. He wasn't human. He just wasn't.
"Walburga Black- your mother- fell in love, not with Voldemort, but with Tom Riddle. You could say he was Voldemort's 'human' self, before the war."
He had a human self? Hermione found that hard to believe. She may have snorted at the thought of him acting like a normal teenage boy.
"And I'm to believe that I'm their daughter? Hermione Riddle?" she finished in disgust.
Dumbledore spared her a small smile but she noticed it didn't reach his eyes. "You would've been hexed if that was so. No, you are his daughter, but your name is most definitely not Riddle- nor will it ever be unless you wish for it."
Hermione let out a loud breath of air she didn't know she was holding back. "So what is my name? It cant be Granger, obviously, but if it's not Riddle, then it has to be something else. Black?"
"You've caught on quick. Yes, your surname is Black, although your first name, not so much."
She raised an inquisitive brow. "Meaning?"
"Your name is Ursula Violetta Hermione Black." Her face contorted at the name, causing Dumbledore to chuckle. "You never did like that name. I remember Minerva telling me you wanted it changed before the sorting. She didn't, of course, but you were always one to hold a grudge. Well, until she got you out of detention that one year."
Hermione turned a shade of pink before remembering what he said. "Sorry, sir, but sorting?"
"Ah, yes. See, Hermione, this is where your tale gets complicated. You aren't ten- older, actually. Much... older."
"And do you mind telling me how much?"
Dumbledore's sheepish grin did nothing to deter her oncoming anger.
/*\\*/*\\*/*\\*/*\\*/*\\
Hermione's screech of 'SEVENTEEN YEARS?!', somehow, penetrated through the silencing charms and reached the living room, where a tense game of muggle chess was being played.
"Ah, he's told her then," Remus commented, moving his pawn forward two spaces, scratching his stubble. He needed to shave, and soon, before he rivalled Hagrid's.
Tonks, however, was trying to get her head round the rules and completely missed Remus' remark. "And I can move the queen anywhere?" she asked, yet again.
"Yes...?"
She grinned, took hold of her queen and plopped it directly on Remus' king, ceremoniously flicking it off the board.
"I win!"
/*\\*/*\\*/*\\*/*\\*/*\\
"Miss Granger, I'm sure you're shocked right now but-" Dumbledore attempted to calm her down, but with no prevail. She was simply far to gone.
"So I'm twenty nine? Oh god... and I'm apparently dead to the rest of the world. Well isn't that just peachy..."
"Miss Granger-"
"How am I looking like a ten year old exactly? I mean, magic has to be involved, clearly, but-"
"Miss Granger!"
"A dark spell- I'm sure father knows many of those," she spat angrily.
Seeing as there was no other option, Dumbledore raised his wand and charmed her mouth shut. He couldn't help but grin at the improvement it made on his hearing.
"Miss Granger, I know you're in shock, but before you start throwing a tantrum, would you so kindly read this?" The headmaster reached into his deep pockets and produced a yellowing envelope with a red wax seal. He handed it to her, glad that the spell was still on her, otherwise he would've been hounded by questions by now.
Hermione, reluctantly took the letter and snapped the seal open after seeing that it was addressed to her.
Her eyes widened comically and she could feel her hands going clammy.
Suddenly, she was glad that she couldn't scream.