Author's Note: Here is Chapter Twelve; I hope you enjoy it. Two more full chapters to go, and then the epilogue! We're almost done!

Chapter Twelve:

"Abhorrence"

Close to a week later, as Hermione was once again attempting to write her novel, Lauran rushed into her office looking to be on the verge of tears. She held in her hand what Hermione assumed was today's issue of the Daily Prophet, that was clearly occupied by a picture of Hermione and Lauran taken just after the Hearing.

"Oh, no! Don't tell me that wretch of a bug…I mean woman actually went through with the story?"

Lauran looked at her accusingly, "You knew?"

"Knew? Of course, I knew! She sent me an owl requesting an interview! And, well, for lack of better words, I told her where she could stick that interview!"

Lauran's angry face changed abruptly to impressed and amused, "Mum? I didn't think you could be so rude!"

Hermione chuckled, "Well, one doesn't grow up with Harry and Ron and not learn a thing or two about rudeness. I needed to learn how to take of myself, and you for that matter."

Lauran laughed, but then her face returned to serious, "What are we going to do?"

"This is just something we have to live with. If we try to do anything, she'll pick on that. We're stuck, but don't you worry...not many people believe her anymore."

With that, she hugged her daughter and sent her on her way. And picking up the paper to see what damage had been done, she cursed Rita Skeeter with every evil bone in her body.

Custody Hearing Gone Wrong
By Rita Skeeter

Just mere weeks ago, I was present at a hearing between a witch and two muggles who were so desperately fighting for custody of one, Lauran Anastasia Courtinger. Miss Courtinger, who is the adoptive daughter of Mr. John Michael Courtinger and Mrs. Elizabeth Kingsley Courtinger, is now in the custody of her biological mother, Hermione Jean Granger. Miss Granger, if you'll remember, once toyed with the hearts of famous wizards, Harry Potter and Viktor Krum. There now is speculation of who the father of little Miss Courtinger is. It could be the "Boy Who Lived" and Internationally Renowned Quidditch Player: Harry Potter, Internationally Renowned Quidditch Player: Viktor Krum or even Miss Granger's long time best friend and possible boyfriend: Ronald Weasley.

Not so long after the hearing, I wrote to Miss Granger requesting an interview with her and her 'new' daughter, so as to obtain information for this article, however, Miss Granger rudely replied, "No." No news yet as to how Miss Courtinger will fair with her new mother.

Hermione threw the paper and glanced at her desk, very tempted to write a very lengthy letter to the insect of a woman. Remembering, however, what she had just told her daughter, she restrained herself.

***

Lauran was stomping through the hallways. There's nothing we can do?! she thought angrily to herself as students in the hallway eyed her anger with amusement. Still, they hated her, for none had forgotten her ability to talk to snakes, but now that the article on herself and her mother had been printed, they seemed to get great amusement from her anger…which angered her more. Hadn't she proved to them by now, she was not the spawn of evil as she had once been proclaimed? Granted, in a way, they'd been right. Her father had been possessed by the spawn of evil they assumed, so wouldn't that make him her father as well? It would most definitely answer a lot questions her mother failed to answer. One such being: Why could she speak parseltongue? Now she assumed it was because of the evil her father had been possessed by…which in theory some of the powers had been transferred to her. The same thing had happened to Harry Potter…sort of. Completely lost in her thought, she did not see the girl in front of her and, unable to stop her step in enough time, ran right into her. She was surprised to see her friend from the Samhain Ball all those months ago.

The two hadn't really been able to talk due to the separate houses and different classes--Analese was taking much more advanced classes than Lauran, given that she was so intelligent--in fact, they hadn't talked since that night beside the Black Lake. Helping each other up, the two launched into conversation. Acting like the girls they were, they talked about boys they liked and boys they didn't and when Ana, as Lauran could now call her, asked about life, Lauran was unable to stop herself from talking. Eventually, they got onto the subject of Rita Skeeter's new story. Ana was greatly annoyed by this article. Though short, it was very scandalous.

"It's just ridiculous! How can she get away with it?"

Lauran almost laughed at her new friend's protectiveness over her, "Well, Mum says not many people believe her anymore."

"Even still," she said angrily, and then suddenly perked up, "I could hex her to oblivion if you wanted me to?"

Lauran laughed, "No. That isn't necessary."

"Hades?"

"No."

"Please?"

"I'll think about it."

"Yes!"

***

As was the norm, Hermione once again was sitting at her desk writing her novel when something disturbed her. Bloody Hell! she thought as she got up to answer the owl tapping at her window, Merlin's Beard…I'm turning into Ron! She laughed at that thought. They'd been spending so much time together recently, it was amazing. Grabbing the letter, however, she turned her attention to it. Opening it, she saw the neat scrawl of someone she hated more than Rita Skeeter.

Dear Miss Granger,
As you may well be aware of, I was recently in attendance at the custody hearing between you and a set of muggles. Now, do not misunderstand me, seeing that I am all for a witch being raised as such, rather than as a muggle; however, I feel that perhaps you should not have been chosen to be the witch to do so. Based upon my memory of you from Hogwarts, you are irresponsible and inadequate of raising a child…much less a young witch just coming into her powers. I do not even believe that you should be teaching at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As you know, Hogwarts is a fine wizarding institute, and regrettably, you do not make for a fine instructor. I apologize for any offense, I did not mean to insult you. I am just merely voicing my opinion.
Signed,
Dolores J. Umbridge

Hermione, in her rage, grabbed a quill and parchment and wrote a response to Miss. Dolores Jane Umbridge:

Miss Umbridge,
I am very well aware that you were present at the hearing between Mr. and Mrs. Courtinger and myself. I apologize that you are not happy with the results of said hearing, however I must remind you that it is not only your decision to make. A decision, as such, is made by a group of people who are knowledgeable in the situation at hand. As for my teaching at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall believes I make an excellent professor and has even asked me to return next year. I may just accept. Next, I must advise that you keep yourself out of the business of other people…it is quite rude and leads people to believe that you are nothing but a bothersome toad. I apologize for any offense, I did not mean to insult you. I am just merely voicing my opinion.
Signed,
Hermione Granger

Hermione smiled, quite pleased with herself.

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