~Chapter 2~
Previously: Several hours later, Hermione woke up, looked down at her bandaged body, and unemotionally spoke five words, "I'm moving to Lima, Ohio."
"Um, Hermione, are you sure that's a good idea?" Remus inquired slowly, not wanting to upset the young woman in front of him.
"Yes, my mum's brother lives there and it would get me far, far away from the wizarding world, which—"
"But Hermione, we need you here!" Tonks interrupted unabashedly.
"Not anymore. Voldemort was defeated a couple of months ago and there are only a few rogue Death Eaters left. You guys can handle it without me." No one said anything, knowing that nothing was going to change the stubborn witch's mind.
"Very well, Miss Granger," Kingsley finally said, breaking the silence at last. "Is there anything we can do to help you?"
"Can you bring me a phone? I'd like to inform my uncle about this whole…situation." The Minister nodded his head gravely as he handed her a phone. The four Order members stood around her quietly as she broke the news of her parents' death to one of her only remaining family members. Once she hung up the phone, she turned to her former Transfiguration professor. "He said I can come over as soon as I want and I really want to go now. Um, could we do a quick funeral before I go, though?"
"Of course. We'll all apparate over to your house immediately and you can pack your things while we make the preparations."
"Thank you, Professor," she answered exhaustedly before slowly climbing out of the bed. Once she gained her footing, the pink-haired woman hurried over to her side and put an arm around her. After Hermione was leaning heavily against Tonks, the group disapparated with a collective pop and arrived at the Granger household seconds later. Hermione froze upon seeing her childhood home as memories of what transpired there only a few hours ago rushed through her mind and mentally thanked the Order members for attempting to restore her home to its former glory. With the young female Auror's help, she managed to get up the stairs to her room. The two women remained silent as they packed up everything in the room and shrunk her trunks. They retreated down the stairs and saw that Professor McGonagall had transfigured the couches into two beautiful caskets.
"Hermione, is there anything you'd like me to say?" Remus asked her gently, she only nodded her head. "Although I did not know Henry and Jean Granger personally, I know they were extraordinary people filled with kindness because their only daughter is the most caring, loyal, and brave young woman I have ever met." Hermione hugged him as a single tear trickled down her face.
"Thank you, Remus," she managed to choke out. The group waited patiently as the brunette said goodbye to her parents. As she finished, she wiped her eyes and faced her mentor. "Professor McGonagall, do you think that you could apparate me to some place in Ohio? I think I'll be able to manage apparating to my uncle's apartment from there."
"Alright, Miss Granger. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." She turned to hug Remus and Tonks and shake hands with Kingsley before grabbing her favorite professor's arm and her ever-faithful beaded bag. Several moments later, the two witches found themselves in Columbus, Ohio. "Thank you for everything, Professor. Tell Harry that I'll write to him as soon as I've settled down. I'll be sure to keep in touch with you and the rest of the Order as well."
"See that you do, Hermione. And please, call me Minerva," she spoke, pulling the younger girl into her arms. "Please be safe, dear."
"I will, I promise." They pulled back from their embrace and disapparated, both going their separate ways. The wavy-haired brunette appeared outside of her uncle's building and took a deep breath before entering and moving up the stairs. When she reached the right apartment, she knocked and waited for door to swing open. It wasn't too long before she was met with a pair of hazel eyes.
"Oh, Mia, what's happened to you?" The man inquired softly taking in the split lip, bruised face, and deep cut on his niece's face.
"Hey, Will," she responded, hugging the man.
"Young lady, I do believe you failed to mention your current state to me over the phone."
"Oops?" She replied with a shrug. "I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd overreact and rush over to London. Relax. I can fix my face up with a bit of magic. I'm fine, ok?"
"I don't believe you, but I'll let it slide for now." He paused and met his niece's eyes. "I really missed you. You don't know how happy I am to see you. I just wish the circumstances were better."
"I know. I missed you too. I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while. Things have been absolutely mental in the wizarding world."
"I can tell."
"Well, I must say that this place looks a lot more like you ever since you left the bitch."
"I agree," he chuckled. "I fixed up her old craft room into a spare bedroom, so feel free to decorate it however you want. Oh, I almost forget!" He yelled out, slapping his hand against his forehead. "Do you want to attend the school I teach at?" He asked with a smile, noticing the way the girl's eyes lit up.
"Of course! I'd love to go back to school, especially a muggle one! What year would I be?"
"A junior. That's the second to last year of schooling here before college. You'll be a little older than your classmates, but I figured you'd like to get all caught up with what you missed while you were out on the run last year," Will informed her uncertainly.
"So I get two more years of school before university?" He nodded. "Wicked," she grinned. "When do I start?"
"Monday. Oh, I have a great group of kids for you to meet. They are a very diverse group, but I have a feeling you'll get along great."
"Ok, ok, Will!" Hermione laughed, trying to calm down her overexcited uncle. The two caught up for a few hours before turning in for the night. Unfortunately, Will was woken up a little while later by an ear-piercing scream. He sighed sadly as he rushed to comfort his niece, praying that his glee kids would be able to help her through this terrible time.