Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't. Special thanks to Phil for his Brit knowledge and patience.
Chapter 17: Here I Opened Wide the Door
Hermione Jane Granger, at first, didn't know what to think as she prepared for bed. Just a week ago, she'd had the most interesting day of her life. She was now friends with a boy who lived in one of the scariest places in Britain - the Tower of London!
She remembered the scolding she got from both her teacher and later, her parents, for wandering away from the tour. She hadn't intended to, but she really wasn't interested in what the Beefeater was telling them. And John Hadrian had insisted that he could show her more. Hermione was sure they could've gotten in deep trouble for all the things they did that day, but what she saw and who she was with made it worth it. She thanked heaven that her parents hadn't grounded her for life.
Tomorrow was a big day. She and her parents were heading back to the Tower to meet John Hadrian and his guardians. They were to travel in a government limo with men from the PM's Office! She wanted to ask a lot of questions, but one look at her father told her that she would be in a world of trouble if she did and silence was her best option. Hermione couldn't wait for tomorrow!
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The Grangers were picked up bright and early that morning.
The black limo, with flags flying, lived up to her expectations. Hermione was both nervous and excited. Her parents were not too sure about all the cloak and dagger that this visit was generating.
Traffic was the normal hustle and bustle as the black vehicle made its way to a quiet back street behind the Tower Complex. Hermione enjoyed playing with the many buttons and switches until she was corrected by her mother. The two men riding up front smiled at her antics but said nothing.
The limo pulled up to a small private entrance to the Tower Complex. Upon exiting, one of the men handed her parents a pass card, then left. Very, very strange, in Hermione's opinion.
John Hadrian was watching anxiously for them on the Tower Green. After Hermione introduced her parents to him, he led them to a cozy apartment in the Waterloo Barracks where an elderly couple awaited their arrival. Well, elderly was the word she would use, but she was sure her parents would say middle-aged.
"They're here!" the excited boy crowed as he dragged Hermione through the apartment door.
"John Hadrian McIntrye! Manners!" Maggie chided with a smile.
"Oops, sorry. I got excited. I've never had a friend over before that's my age," he said before turning to Hermione's amused parents.
"Hello and welcome to my home. These are my guardians, Yeoman Warder Benjamin McIntyre and his wife Maggie. And this is Sgt. Major Wolf, my primary tutor," he said with a slight smile. "And these good gentles are Dan Granger and his lovely wife Emma, parents of Hermione." he finished with a flourish. Queen Anne would've been appalled at his causal manner even if the boy was overly excited. John was sure that he would be hearing from that proper lady ghost soon.
The Grangers nodded their approval at the formal way John welcomed them. As the men shook hands, Maggie lead Emma to the table where an antique tea set was laid out with a proper English tea. John and Hermione followed behind.
"Do come in. I have the tea prepared," Maggie said, motioning them into the kitchen. "Please excuse not going to the living area, but we have many things to go through and it'll be easier here at the table."
The adults made small talk as they went over the photos of John growing up at the Tower. The Grangers learned that John was quite intelligent for a boy of nine, much like their daughter. And, as he was being home schooled by tutors, he was already doing school work two years ahead of his age mates.
"We would like to ask," Ben requested, "if you would allow Hermione to be schooled here with John, as well as going on occasional field trips with him and his tutor?"
This request came as a shock to the Grangers. All they had expected was a causal friendship between the children. True, they had held Hermione back in primary school for social reasons, despite her protests of boredom. Now they weren't so sure they'd made a wise decision. Here was a boy as bright as their daughter and he was performing two levels above Hermione!
Dan and Emma looked at each other. This was the opportunity of a life time! If what Major Connor had told them was true, Hermione would be protected and well taught here with a Ward of the Crown.
"What we want to know is what's going on?" Dan asked. "Why all the secrecy? Major Connor gave us a bit of it, but there's more, isn't there?"
Ben sat down his tea cup as he shot Wolf a glance. John and Hermione were finishing up their tea while quietly listening to the adults talk.
"John, why don't you take Hermione and show her your classroom?"
"Sure, Ben," John said, wiping his mouth with his napkin before folding it properly and leaving it on the table. "If you please, Hermione? I would love to show you where I study."
"Since it is my classroom," Wolf interjected, also wiping his mouth. "I'll supervise."
John stood and gave Hermione a slight bow and offered his hand as Wolf gave a nod to everyone.
Emma was impressed with the etiquette that John was showing. He was being a right proper English Lord. Hermione giggled slightly and took his hand. "I would love to."
Once the pair left, Ben's slight smile dropped. "First, we need you to sign some paperwork, then we'll tell you what we can. Your daughter isn't to know anything about this; this is as much for her protection as it is yours." He passed over several forms that carried the Queen's Royal Seal.
After reading it quickly, both signed the forms with some trepidation, looking to Ben for more answers.
"Now then," Ben said as he placed the forms into a folder. "John's real name, and title, is His Grace, Lord John Hadrian James Potter McIntrye, Ward of the Crown. I'm afraid we can't tell you all of his titles but rest assured, he is most definitely a peer of the Realm. Hermione isn't to know these titles - for now. You see, John's parents were murdered by terrorists when he was a baby and he was sent to live with his mother's sister."
"We were told that by Major Connor," Emma interrupted. "We were also told he had run away from an abusive home and ended up here at the Tower."
Ben nodded. "The boy popped out of nowhere when Her Majesty was inspecting the Tower, startling us all - none more so than Her. She was brilliant that day! With a few strokes of a pen, John was placed in our care and made a Ward of the Crown. It is thought that the terrorists that killed John's parents are still out there. With John standing to inherit titles, lands and political clout, it is safer for him here."
'However, we tend to forget he's a very lonely boy," Maggie said as she started to clear the table. "When he was younger, we took him to see our grandson Charley, but now that they are older . . . well, Charley lives in Manchester, and is at school. John is being schooled here. It just isn't working out. We were all surprised that he singled out your daughter. He has never done that before. Since living at the Tower, John has watched many tours come and go without a bit of interest. He likes to spend afternoons playing on the Green blending in with the crowds when he should be at lessons."
Ben nodded. "We usually punish him for missing classes, which he tends to do at least once a week. Not to say he's a slacker but, sometimes, his attention span can be very short. He took us all by surprise that day."
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John took Hermione to his classroom, the one place he hadn't taken her that day as he hadn't wanted to be caught and have his freedom curtailed. Wolf joined them to go over some papers while they explored.
Hermione smiled as she headed for the shelves of books that lined one wall. "Oh, John, this is where you have lessons? It's wonderful!" She started to look over the titles.
Wolf and John looked at each other. "I think we've lost her, mate," Wolf said with a smirk.
John huffed. "I guess. Are we still set for the weekend?"
"Sure are John, boyo! Got the teams all lined up. Should be a right blast."
"What's a blast?" Hermione asked as she came back with a book in her hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."
John smiled. "Wolf is taking me for a paint-ball hunt! He's been teaching me how to properly handle a gun. Isn't it great!"
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "But that's dangerous! You're too young!"
"Now, Miss Hermione," Wolf teased at the girl's apparent dismay. "I don't believe he'll have anything to worry about. I'm confident that John will be covered with glory when we're done."
"Covered is right," Hermione snorted picturing John coated in multiple hues of paint.
"Hermione, it'll be all right. It's part of my training. I'm going into the Royal Marines when I'm all grown up, just like Wolf," John declared stoutly.
Wolf chuckled. "Actually, miss, John is already a good shot and should place well in the competition." Then, changing the subject, he looked over at John, "You didn't tell her your favourite subject, did you?"
John grinned up at Wolf.
"It's history, Hermione. It's fascinating!" the boy said, and that started a discussion on what part of history that he liked the most versus Hermione's preference.
An hour later, Hermione was led up to the apartment by Wolf and John. It was getting late.
Both Dan and Emma were pleased with the way Hermione was rambling on about the classroom and the books there.
"Well, that's good, Hermione," her mother said. "We've decided to allow you to come study with John instead of attending your school."
Hermione's eyes widened as her mouth dropped. "Here? At the Tower? What about my grades? What about. . . "
"Hush, Hermione dear," her mother laughed. "We expect the individual attention will only help your grades."
"How am I going to get here? You both work and it was a long trip?" she insisted, with hands on her hips.
"That's easy," Wolf explained. "A car and driver will be provided for you. You are to be ready at the time you usually leave for school and you will be returned just before tea in the afternoon."
"But that's expensive!" She sputtered, glancing over at an anxious John Hadrian, who looked forlorn.
"Hermione Jane Granger!" her father huffed, breaking her concentration and forcing her to listen. "It has been worked out to our satisfaction. Leave the details to the adults."
As the Grangers started to leave, plans were made and discussed. Hermione was given her own pass to use at the Tower, so she didn't have to use the Tourist Gate. She would come everyday for lessons and return home just before afternoon tea. Both she and John would be chaperoned by Wolf.
It was possible for John to visit her, but those outings had to be carefully planned well in advance.
That night, John went to bed happy. He had a new friend that he could study with and call whenever he wanted. He looked up at the globe that held the figure of a girl with bushy hair reading on a bench and smiled. "Thank you, Lady, for my new friend," he said softly as he snuggled into his blankets.
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A/N: For those that are saying that Hermione will be very upset when she finds out who John really is, you'll just have to wait and see.
Until next time. -GF and the Frau
