Chapter 2: Hermione's Quest

Hermione felt terrible about what she had said the previous night. As she walked toward the kitchen, she heard only the slight clatter of silverware on china, no one was speaking. As she got closer, she heard almost silent sobs that could only have come from her mother. No, not my mom, Jennifer, at that very thought, she backed away from the door. "What was that? They raised me with nothing but love, how could I even think something like that?" She said aloud.

"Hermione, is that you Dear?" a soft voice came from the kitchen.

Hermione didn't respond vocally, instead, she walked into the previously occupied room to join her family. She greeted them with a sleepy smile and took a seat at the table with her father waiting patiently for her mother to join them. When everyone was settled, Hermione made her move. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you. I should, and do, know that anything you keep from me is for my protection," she apologized.

"Oh Darling, I'm, we're sorry too. We should have been honest with you from the beginning," Her mother choked before she broke into seemingly unstoppable sobs again. Jennifer got up and ran to her daughter that she loved and hugged her as if she feared to wake up and find everything to be a dream.

When the hug was broken, Hermione spoke, "Mum, Dad, I can't thank you enough for everything, you've done, but I've got to find my biological parents and get some answers. There are just too many blanks to fill in."

"We understand," her father stated.

"I only have one question," she paused looking at both of her parents for a signal to continue. "Where are the papers from the adoption? I suppose that's the best place to start."

"I'll get them for you Hermione." Chris Granger stood and left the room. He returned a short time later with a handful of papers, which he gently laid them in front of his beloved daughter. Hermione smiled in thanks and began to shift through them. After fifteen minutes, she found what she needed, the address and phone number of the Saint's Hope Orphanage. Her father offered to take her to the orphanage; she got up and thanked him with the largest hug she muster.

That afternoon, Hermione arrived at the orphanage. When she entered the building, there was a young woman not much older than Hermione herself at the front desk. Hermione kindly asked her if there was anyone on the payroll that was around approximately sixteen years ago. Luck was on her side, there were three. When the trio of women entered the room and approached the father daughter couple, one exclaimed "Mr. Granger! How wonderful to see you again. Come to take in another precious soul?" The lady was about her mother's age and slightly taller than Hermione was but she had straight shoulder length hair.

"No actually, ma'am, my daughter, Hermione has a few questions for you actually," Chris replied.

"Hermione, your daughter?" The lady pointed at Hermione, and then in a blink of an eye, her face dawned with recognition. "Oh my gracious, she's grown into a lovely young woman! It's great to see you both again after all these years," she pulled Hermione into a tight hug, and when they parted, she pulled Hermione and Chris into a small office to their right. When they were all seated, Hermione began with her seemingly endless list of questions.

"Do you know or remember who dropped me off sixteen years ago?" Hermione began.

"No, I don't quite recall. I mean that's to say I don't recall a name."

"What about her physical features?"

"Well, I do recall some things." Hermione gleamed with anticipation. "She was a beautiful woman in her late twenties, early thirties. She had almost black hair with curls similar to yours. Her eyes were dark brown and you have her nose and ears." She smiled. "I hope this will help you though I know it's not much."

"Wow, that's amazing! Your memory is outstanding. You said she didn't give you a name?"

"No, she didn't. I'm sorry."

"Right, um, have you seen her since?"

"No."

"What about any special requests?"

"Her only request was that you be given to a good home with loving parents. I held up my end of the deal. The only thing that I found strange was that she didn't touch or even look at you, not once."

Hermione asked a few more questions that got her nowhere. They stood and said good-bye. Hermione left her name, number and address with the woman in case her parents showed up looking for her. While Hermione openly expressed either parent would do, she secretly hoped that it would be her biological mother that would come calling for her. There was only one thing burdening her mind, I know there is someone that I have seen with that same description, but who?