The Granger Son

Harry; Hermione; Dr. Grangerx2

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

The Granger Son

Chapter 10

It was finally the end of the week, Saturday, and Robert and Jean were glad the weekend was here. The appointments at their dental practice had been busy that week, so a day or weekend of lounging about sounded perfect to them. And that was exactly what they were doing. Robert and Jean were lounging together on the couch in their home, sitting in a relative, yet comfortable silence. Jean was writing away in her journal while her husband read a book. Though neither of them was talking, they were enjoying each other's company.

Two days ago, they had received a letter from their children, Harry and Hermione updating them on how life was going for them at Hogwarts. While they were glad that their children were going well, as well as happy for their accomplishments—no matter how small—they were not happy about something their son had written in his portion of the letter. Harry had written to them about Headmaster Dumbledore trying to re-Sort him into another House other than the one he was currently in. Neither Jean nor Robert were happy about this, but there was nothing they could do about it. But luckily for Harry, he could not be placed into another House, especially with him enjoying Slytherin House and his friends there.

Other than that, Jean and Robert were happy that their children were doing well, and glad that they finally had some time to relax. Just as Robert turned a page in his book, they heard a knock at their front door. Frowning, he looked over to his wife who had looked up from her journal, asking, "Are you expecting anyone?"

"No, are you?" Jean asked in reply.

When her husband shook his head, Jean frowned further before placing her pen in her journal and closing it. Placing it on the coffee table, she stood up and walked out of the living room to the front door, wondering who was there. They rarely got visitors, and if it was family, they always called ahead to inform them of their impending arrival. Grabbing the doorknob, she twisted it and opened the front door, only to be surprised at seeing Professor McGonagall on her doorstep again. But she was even more surprised at seeing that the older woman was accompanied by two other people—a couple that looked about her age.

"Professor," Jean said in greeting. "This is a surprise."

"Yes, I figured it would be," McGonagall replied. "May we come in? We'd like to discuss something with you and your husband."

Nodding, Jean allowed them entry before closing the door, then following them to the living room. Robert closed his book and set it aside before standing to greet McGonagall, shaking the mystery couple's hands as well in greeting. Once they were all seated, McGonagall said, "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, allow me to introduce to you Gregor and Nora Temple."

Nora smiled at them politely and greeted, "Hello."

Robert nodded before turning his attention back to the Deputy Headmistress. "I don't mean to be rude, but what are you doing here? What prompts this unexpected visit?"

"To put it simply, your son does," McGonagall answered.

"Harry? Is he alright?" Jean asked concerned.

"Yes, he is, but I fear if we do not act quickly, he won't be."

Frowning, Robert asked, "What do you mean by that?"

McGonagall took that moment to inform the Grangers about all that had happened during that week, telling them how Dumbledore had started inquiring about Harry's whereabouts before Hogwarts, and how she had told him Harry had been in Wales all this time. However, because she believed that the Headmaster would eventually go for Harry's home himself sometime soon, she had gone to visit the Temples—her in-laws—to make them a part of her plan to protect Harry. She had gone to ask them to pose as Harry's parents and family in Wales, as that was the story she was selling.

"Of course, Nora and Gregor thought it right to meet with you two and gain your permission to act as Harry's parents while keeping the fact that you are his real parents a secret from the Albus and the Wizarding World," McGonagall finished.

Nora nodded and said, "We don't mind doing so, and even agreed to pretend to be his parents, but it is ultimately your decision if you choose for us not to, and we will respect that."

The Grangers nodded at what had been said and sat silently for a moment. Eventually Robert stood up with his wife, excusing them before pulling her into the kitchen, stating they needed to discuss the matter before making a decision. The moment they were in the kitchen, Robert said, "I don't know about this, Jean. I mean, can we even trust these people Minerva is introducing us to?"

"Hey, I have reservations about it all, too," Jean replied, laying a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder. "But think about it, honey. With the Temples posing as Harry's adoptive parents, as well as already living in Wales, it protects our son from being taken away from us. We may not like it, but it is necessary. After all, what else can we do? We don't possess magic and can't go against someone else who does. And besides, they are Minerva's in-laws; if she is willing to entrust Harry to them in our stead, then they must be trustworthy. Don't you agree?"

Robert was silent as he thought about what Jean had said, weighing the pros and cons in his head, as well as her input. Seeing his wife's point of view about the situation, he nodded and said with a sigh, "You're right, love. This may be the best chance we'll get. But we should at least have both of our children informed about this, so as not to alarm them in the future."

Jean nodded and stood on her toes, kissing Robert's cheek, then lips, and said, "Deal. Now let us go tell them."

Walking out of the kitchen and into the living room, Jean said, "Alright, we agree that the Temples can pretend to be Harry's parents during the time Dumbledore continues to look into his background."

"Or course, this is under the condition that Harry and Hermione be told about this sooner rather than later," Robert finished.

Gregor nodded and said, "Understood, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. And we of course would like to meet the boy to get to know him for this plan to work."

Nora nodded in agreement, as did McGonagall, who agreed to arrange for Harry and Hermione to visit home the next day. With that settled, she and the Temples bid Robert and Granger farewell.

The next day—Sunday—had come along easily, though the warm weather was beginning to turn chilly. And because of the chilliness, the Granger siblings decided that it would be a good day to study some of their lecture notes in the library. They had been there since after breakfast and it was nearly lunchtime. And though they wanted to take a break, they continued to work diligently on their studies. The two of them were deep in their studies for Herbology, though Hermione was unsurprisingly nearly done with her work.

Just as Hermione had finished her Herbology assignment and was asking her brother did he need help on anything, they were approached by Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom. Ron looked at them before focusing on Harry, sneering at him as he said, "I still can't believe you are a Slytherin, and friends with Malfoy. You know him and his family and all Slytherins are Dark wizards and witches. Maybe you were placed there because the Sorting Hat knew you would be, too. Has the great Harry Potter learned any Dark spells lately?"

Harry looked at the redhead bemused but decided not to even deign what was said to him with a response. He had always taken the high road, and there was no need to stoop to Ron's level. Besides, he knew who he was and didn't care what others thought about him. Of course, his older sister had no qualms about responding to Ron.

Glaring at the redhead, Hermione said in defense of her brother, "How dare you say something like that to Harry? You don't even know him and yet you're judging him because of the House he was Sorted into. Not everyone that was in Slytherin is evil. Merlin was a Slytherin and he's one of the greatest wizards of our time. So, if you are just here to insult Harry, then you can just leave, and leave us alone."

"I wasn't talking you to, Granger." Ron glared at the brunette in response to her statement.

"But I'm talking to you, Weasley."

"Swot."

"Ginger pig."

Neville, who was beginning to look slightly stressed from the confrontation happening before him, tugged his Housemate's sleeve and said, "Ron, remember we're not here for this.

Turning his attention to the blond boy, Harry asked, "Why are you two here, Neville?"

"Professor McGonagall asked us to come find you two and tell you that she wants to see you both in her office."

Nodding, Harry thanked Neville and began packing up his belongings, Hermione doing the same as the two Gryffindor boys left them and the library. Leaving the library and nodding to Madame Pince on their way out, Harry asked his sister, "Why do you think we've been summoned by McGonagall?"

Shrugging, Hermione replied, "No idea."

They walked together all the way to McGonagall's office, knocking on the door as they reached it. The door swung open on its own, and they saw McGonagall sitting at her desk going over some papers. Looking up, she saw the two children and beckoned them inside, closing the door with her wand as they did. Setting her quill down, she said, "I'm sure you're wondering why I've summoned you here. The reason is that I'd like to discuss something with you both, particularly Harry, but it can't be done here. Therefore, we are going to make a little trip for a couple of hours."

Blinking, Hermione asked, "Where?"

"I'm taking you two to visit home and see your parents."

The happy grins on the siblings' faces were enough to make even McGonagall smile. She instructed them to leave their school bags in her office before having them follow her out of the office and out of Hogwarts. The students that they did pass by looked at them in wonder, but otherwise didn't say anything and left them alone. As they walked away from the castle and down the path towards the gates, Hermione realized that they were heading for the wards surrounding the school. It wasn't long before they passed through said wards, and McGonagall took both of their hands in hers.

"Hold on tightly, and don't let go," she told them before Side-Apparating them along, their feet hitting the ground in what felt like seconds later. Well, McGonagall's feet had hit the ground; Harry and Hermione both fell when they landed. They both stood up and brushed themselves off before looking up to see their home in front of them. Smiling, they both ran to their house, entering it and calling for their parents, McGonagall following behind them.

"Oh, my darlings, I'm so glad you both are home for a visit!" Jean said happily as she hugged her son and daughter to her tightly, not wanting to let them go even for a moment.

Robert chuckled as he watched his wife hug their children, glad to see her so happy. He too was just as elated, even if he knew their visit was only for a short while. Eventually, he told Jean to release the children so he too could hug them. Once he had done that, Jean had ushered them to the kitchen table to sit, as she had prepared lunch just for them. It was one of their favorite meals, bangers and mash.

As they sat and tucked in, Harry and Hermione informed their parents in depth about how their schooling was going, what they were learning, what friends they had made, etc. Jean and Robert listened to the two in vast interest, asking questions when one child said something they didn't quite understand. At one point, Jean had asked McGonagall to join them in lunch, but the older witch politely declined, content to sit in the living room and read. As they ate, Robert then brought up Hermione's birthday that was just two days ago, and how the presents they had gotten for her were in her bedroom. It was hard for him to believe his daughter was twelve already, but he also knew that no matter how old she got, she would always be his little girl and she could come to him for anything, no matter what.

Right as they finished up lunch, the sound of Apparation was heard outside, soon followed by a knock on their door. Robert stood to go and answer it while Jean cleared the table; he opened the door to find the Temples standing there. Nodding at them he said, "Gregor, Nora, please come in."

The Temples entered the home, Robert closing the door behind them, and he led them into the living room where his family had moved to as well to join Minerva. Seeing both Harry and Hermione's curious expressions, the Deputy Headmistress introduced them to the two newcomers. "Harry, Hermione, this is Gregor and Nora Temple. We've got something to discuss with you both. And like I said earlier, particularly Harry."

"I am Minerva's sister-in-law, if that makes things easier," Nora added with a smile.

Hermione nodded slowly before asking what exactly it was that needed to be discussed, though she continued to look at the Temples with an almost strange look on her face. Robert and Jean then began to explain their presence, as well as the plan that McGonagall had come up with and how her in-laws were to be involved. Harry and Hermione listened carefully to how the Temples would pretend to be Harry's parents to throw Dumbledore off when he decided to start snooping or asking questions again. Once they were finished, Robert asked, "Is this something that is alright with you, son? You don't have to agree if you don't want to."

Harry looked from his father to Nora and Gregor, taking them in as he continued to look them over in silence. They both looked like kind and trusting people, not to mention they were willing to help keep him safe from Professor Dumbledore taking him from his family. Not only that, but Professor McGonagall trusted them because they were her family and she wouldn't have involved them if she didn't. Coming to a decision, he nodded and said, "Yes, I'm okay with this, and I know that I can trust them."

Gregor smiled and nodded at the boy before suggesting, "Perhaps we get to know one another soon to make things more believable when the time comes, with the help of your parents, of course."

"Yes, I think that would be best," Jean said as she ruffled Harry's unruly hair.

"If that is the case, then you will have to do it fast," Hermione said suddenly, causing everyone to look at her.

"Why is that, Hermione?" Robert asked.

Hermione looked up at him before looking around at the others. Her brown eyes settled on McGonagall as she said, "I don't know if it is important or means anything at all, but I've been having recurring dreams about Professor Dumbledore. In them, he arrives in Wales to visit the home of the family that supposedly took Harry in as their son. And he does this on All Hallows' Eve night."

Silence followed the little brunette's words, everyone suddenly feeling tense with the information. That meant that Dumbledore could really soon begin looking into Harry's whereabouts, and not just take other's words for it. And once again, McGonagall wondered if Hermione was possibly a Seer, her Seer qualities only manifesting themselves in her dreams. That was something else she'd have to look into, but for now she would take the information given to her.

Harry, always having trusted his sister's judgement—not to mention she was correct about the last recurring dream she had coming true—nodded and looked over at the Temples. Smiling at them, he said, "Well then, if that's the case, let's make it look like I've been with you guys for the past ten years."

The Temples nodded and followed Harry up to his bedroom to begin learning about their pseudo-son, Jean following behind them to help them along. As the ascended the stairs, McGonagall looked at Hermione and asked, "Are you positive about your dreams, Miss Granger? It isn't that I don't believe you, but I want you to be absolutely sure."

Nodding, Hermione answered, "Yes, because they are just like the ones when I kept seeing you come here."

Robert wrapped his arm around his daughter and held her close to him before looking at Minerva. McGonagall looked at him and nodded before standing, stating she'd return for them within an hour before leaving their home. As she left, Robert hoped that everything would work out for his family.