Fathers and Grandfathers

Terry and Landen both stared at her with their mouths open. Landen shook his head. "Can't be."

"Yes. My Auntie Hestia gave your daughter to my grandmother Honoria to raise as a Muggle. My mum married another Squib, and they had me."

The old man stumbled back and sat down hard on a chair at one of the small tables. He shook his head again.

Hermione sat down opposite him and waited. She had a million questions, but she'd learned over the years, it was better to wait rather than to ask them all at once. Finally, the old man looked at her. "How did you—?"

"I didn't. It was just a guess, because magic being what it is, I thought it was worth asking, besides you have very distinctive eyes."

He nodded. "The Wrights are known for their green eyes."

"Why have you been coming in here every day?"

He ran his thumb along a groove in the table. "I haven't been feeling well. Muggle doctors aren't much use to the likes of us."

"You need to go to St. Mungo's?"

He shrugged. "Maybe just to an apothecary."

"Then come through." Hermione stood.

He shook his head. "It's been too long."

"Nonsense." She held out her hand.

He looked at her. "What would you know of it?"

She sat back down. "I know Honoria and Hestia were at my house recently talking about how they'd looked for you. How you must have cast an obfuscation spell, because location spells couldn't find you. Your family misses you."

"I was weak. No one misses me."

"Weak?"

He stared at his hands. "I just dumped her off on Hestia and ran away."

"But Mum has had a good life. She's happily married. She's had a good career as a dentist. She and dad have their own practice. Actually, they own two and they're innovators in their field. They've written textbooks. They have me and they're good parents, the best. So, she hasn't suffered by your actions." Hermione knew that was entirely true, but she didn't think saying so would help her cause.

"It's too late. It's been too long."

"No, it hasn't. Come through, at least to see a healer."

"I don't know."

"It's okay. You're with me. No one will bother you."

He looked at her askance.

"Trust me."

After a long appraising look, he nodded. Hermione stood and held open the door into the magical side of the pub. He stepped through and she followed.

Ron was sitting at the bar chatting with Hannah and Neville. She nodded at him, and he smiled and walked over to them. "Hello."

Hermione gestured to the old man. "Ron, this is Landen Wright, my grandfather. Landen, this is Ron Weasley, my husband."

Landen looked up at Ron. "Aren't you two mighty young to be married?"

Ron grinned at him. "We get that a lot."

"We're on our way to St. Mungo's."

Ron's eyebrows shot up. "What's wrong?"

"Landen's not feeling well."

"I probably just need an apothecary," Landen said.

"How long has it been since you've seen a healer?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not sure," Landen said.

"Then we're going to St. Mungo's," Hermione said firmly.

"But—" Landen said.

"Best not to argue, mate," Ron said. "She'll have her way in the end anyway. Make it easy on yourself and just go along."

The old man sighed and followed them to the fireplace to take the Floo.

xXx

When they stepped out of the fireplace into the lobby of St. Mungo's, Hermione went to talk to the Welcome Witch while Ron got Landen settled in the waiting area. It wasn't too crowded. There was woman with a tentacle for an arm and a man with two heads waiting. The heads were arguing in what sounded like gibberish.

Landen looked at them and smiled. "It's good to be home," he said to Ron.

Hermione returned. "They'll call you in a few minutes," she said to Landen.

He nodded and continued looking around. Hermione smiled awkwardly at Ron. "So how was your day?"

"Okay. I spent the morning training new cadets, but now they're on field exercises, so I have the rest of the day off. I tried adding my name to your account at Gringotts, but they said you had to come in person and sign the paperwork."

Hermione frowned. "Of course. I should have thought of that."

Ron shrugged. "They said it's just a form. Maybe we could do that when we're done here."

"Maybe."

The Welcome Witch called the lady with the tentacle and then Landen.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Hermione asked.

"No, luv, I'm fine." Landen shuffled toward the elf that came to collect him.

Hermione watched him go and then turned to Ron. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course. You know I hate to miss it when I'm right."

She chuckled. "Naturally."

He put his arm around her and she leaned against him. "It'll be fine," he assured her.

Twenty minutes later, a healer came into the waiting area. "Wright family," she called.

At first it didn't register with Hermione that the healer meant her, but when he asked again, she realized and stood. "Here."

The healer came over. "You're with Landen Wright?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "I'm his granddaughter."

The healer narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you Hermione Granger?"

"Yes."

The healer frowned. "Your grandfather has Henkle Witz syndrome."

Hermione looked at Ron, but he clearly had never heard of it either. "I'm sorry. I don't know what that is."

"It's a condition magical people can develop when they've been too long disconnected from the magical world. It's fairly rare." He frowned. "And easily avoided. Why someone of your stature would—"

"Hang on," Ron said. "Could you hold off on condemning her. She only just met him today."

The healer made a sour face. "Fine. Anyway, he needs rest and immersion in the magical world. If he's not better in a week, we should talk about doing a magic restoration circle. His magic is very depleted."

"All right," Hermione said. She looked at Ron. "Perhaps he can stay with us for a while?"

"Fine by me," Ron said.

"Do you live in a magical community?" the healer asked.

"We live in London," Hermione said.

"In Diagon Alley?"

"No," Ron said. "Near Hampstead Heath."

"That won't do," the healer said. "He needs immersion. You should put him up at the Leaky Cauldron or another magical inn if you don't have family that lives in a magical village."

"Okay," Hermione said.

"For how long?" Ron asked.

"It depends on how quickly he recovers," the healer said.

Ron raised his eyebrows at Hermione, who grimaced.

"The house elves are getting him cleaned up and mending his clothes now. He'll be out in a few minutes."

"Thank you," Hermione said.

When the healer left, Ron said, "Bloody hell, how long are we going to have to pay to keep him at an inn?"

"I'm not sure. I can cover it for a while. It's not as though we have a mortgage."

"No, but that's going to add up pretty quick."

"I know. Perhaps Mum and Dad can help."

"So, you're going to tell your Mum straight away then?"

"Well, I don't know," Hermione said worriedly. "What do you think?"

"I think maybe you tell Madam Scrivenshaft first."

Hermione nodded. "You're right. And we'll put him up at the Three Broomsticks. It's cheaper than the Leaky Cauldron, and he'll be less likely to slip back into Muggle London."

"And maybe Madam Scrivenshaft can check on him."

"Maybe. Hestia did seem legitimately concerned about him."

"All right then, but let's take care of Gringotts while we're down this way."

"Sure," Hermione said. "I'll need galleons to pay for the room anyway."

"Right." He looked over her head. "Oh, hey."

Hermione turned around. Walking toward them was a transformed Landen Wright. Although he was still pale and stooped, his clothes were clean and repaired. His hair and beard were neatly trimmed, and he appeared freshly showered.

"Wow," Ron said.

Landen shuffled over to them. "I'm sorry you had to wait. It seems I've brought this on myself."

"That's okay," Hermione said. "Do you mind if we stop by Gringotts before we get you settled."

"I need to go anyway. I'll have to get money out to pay for the inn."

"You have money in Gringotts?" Ron and Hermione said at the same time.

He looked at them. "I should. There was gold in the account when I left."

Hermione glanced at Ron "Let's go then."

xXx

They walked down the street to Gringotts. Ron held open both sets of doors, and they all stepped inside. There wasn't an open teller window, so they had to stand in line with a few other people waiting their turn. Next to them was the statue of them with Harry and Griphook. Ron and Hermione both deliberately didn't look at the statue while they tried to look inconspicuous. Landen on the other hand hadn't seen the statue, so he was quite curious about the addition to the bank.

"Hang on," he said. "Is that you two?"

Ron and Hermione both blushed as the other people in line ahead of them turned to look.

"Could you keep it down, mate," Ron said quietly out of the side of his mouth, but it was too late. People were already coming over to shake their hands. One of the people in line was a photographer for the Daily Prophet. Photos were taken. Finally, the goblins thought to open additional windows and the crowd dispersed. Hermione signed the paperwork to add Ron to her account while Landen got out money for himself. When they were done, they took the Floo to the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta was handing a mug of ale to a customer when the three of them stepped out of the fireplace.

"As I live and breathe," she said, holding a hand over her heart. "Is that Landen Wright?"

"Rosmerta," Landen said. The two embraced.

"My stars, man," Rosmerta said. "Where have you been?"

"Here and there," Landen said. "But I'd like to stay here for a while if you have room."

"Of course, I have room." Rosmerta looked at Ron and Hermione as though she just realized they were there. "Hullo. Haven't seen you two around here in a while. Wait, are you with him?"

"She's my granddaughter," Landen said proudly. "There's a statue of her in Gringotts. Did you know that?"

"Of course, I did, luv. Everyone knows that." She looked at Hermione. "His granddaughter?"

Hermione nodded.

"So, you know then?" Rosmerta said.

Hermione frowned. "Apparently, I'm the last to know."

Rosmerta shook her head. "That's not true. I only know because Hestia and I are friends." She pointed a thumb at Landen. "I used to be friends with this lout, before he took up with that Muggle and left us all broken-hearted."

Landen scoffed. "No one was broken-hearted."

"Well, let's get you settled then, pet," Rosmerta said.

Landen turned to Hermione and Ron. "Thank you so much for all your help."

Hermione nodded. "You'll be okay here, then?"

"I think so," he said. He looked around with tears in his eyes. "It's been so long, but this feels right. I already feel better."

"Good," Hermione said awkwardly. She wasn't sure if she should hug him or shake his hand or what. "I'll check on you tomorrow."

"Thank you," he said. "I'll see you then." He followed Madam Rosmerta to the stairs leading to the rooms above the pub.

"Are you ready to head home?" Ron asked.

"I think I better go over to Scrivenshaft's first."

"Right. Come on then."

They went out of the pub and down the street to her great aunt's shop. It was already closed, but Hermione led Ron through a side gate where she knocked on the back door.

Ernest Scrivenshaft opened it. "Hermione?"

"Hello, is Auntie Hestia home?"

"Yes, come through. Have a seat."

Ron and Hermione sat at the kitchen table. A couple of minutes later, Hestia came in followed by her husband. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Hermione assured her. "But something has happened."

Hestia and Ernest took seats at the table. "Tell me."

Hermione explained about Landen Wright. When she was done Hestia and Ernest looked stunned.

"Good heavens," Ernest said.

Hestia shook her head. "I wish you'd come to me before you approached him."

"I wasn't even sure it was him. It seemed wildly coincidental," Hermione said.

Hestia frowned at her. "But that's magic, isn't it?"

"That's what I said," Ron said.

Hermione sighed. "Well, he's here now and it's a good thing given that he's ill."

"True enough," Hestia said. "Have you told your mother?"

"No. I would've done, but when Madam Rosmerta said you and her were friends, and that she knew I was your great niece all along, I figured I better tell you before she did, so we came straight here."

"Right you were," Ernest said. "I love Rosmerta but she would have run straight over here. We'll likely see her in a little while."

Hestia frowned at him. "She's a good friend. It's not like she's a blabbermouth. She kept it to herself who Hermione really was all these years."

"True enough," Ernest said. "But you two are thick as thieves. You know we'll see her tonight."

Hestia nodded. "Well, thank you for telling me. I'll go and see him in the morning. Are you going to tell Honoria and Monica tonight?"

Hermione sighed. She was exhausted. "I suppose I should."

"It can't wait until morning?" Ron asked.

"I have meetings all day tomorrow and Mum has work. I'll go tonight and get it over with."

xXx

A half an hour later, Hermione was standing in front of the door to her parents' condo. Ron had offered to go with her, but she'd felt like it would be easier if she went alone. She wasn't sure how her mother was going to handle the news, and it seemed rude to bring Ron into a potentially upsetting situation. She blew out a calming breath, squared her shoulders, and knocked on the door. Her parents' Yorkshire terriers immediately started barking and a moment later, her father opened the door, carrying Cleo.

"Hullo," he said. "What brings you out at this hour?"

"Hi, Dad," Hermione said coming inside. "I'm sorry to come out so late, but there's been a development in the family situation with Mum, and I felt like she should know sooner rather than later."

"Oh, for heaven's sake." Her father set down Cleo, who immediately started sniffing Hermione's shoes. "What sort of development?"

"It's best if I tell you both at the same time. It's kind of complicated, and I don't want to have to go through it twice."

Her father frowned. "Would it be possible for you to stop opening cans of worms and leaving them all over our life?"

Hermione felt awful. "I'm sorry, Dad. I know this has been hard. I swear I had no idea it—"

He shook his head. "Don't. I know it's not your fault. The truth outs eventually. That's just the way of the world." He sighed. "Come on, your Mum is in the parlor."

"Wen?" her mother called from the parlor. "What was that about?"

"It's Hermione," her father called back.

They stepped into the parlor to find her mother curled up on the sofa with Calli in her lap.

"I can see Calli is quite the guard dog," Hermione teased.

"She thought Cleo had it covered." Her mother smiled at the little dog in her lap. A show was paused on the TV screen. "What brings you out?"

"Well," Hermione said, taking the wing chair closest to her mother. She tried to quell the anxiety forming in her stomach. "I…" She looked anxiously at her father. Both of her parents looked at her expectantly.

She decided it was best just to say it. "Your father, Landen Wright, turns out to be neither dead nor missing."

Her mother's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. "What?"

"I mean he was missing for a while, but now he's not."

"You found my father?"

"Actually, he sort of found me."

"I don't understand," her father said.

"Me either," her mother said.

Hermione started at the beginning with the old man in the Muggle side of the Leaky Cauldron and told the whole sequence of events through taking him to the Three Broomsticks and telling Hestia.

Her mother sat with her mouth open, clearly stunned. Calli licked her hand and Cleo jumped on the sofa and leaned against her. Both dogs clearly sensed her distress.

"I'm sorry, Mum. I know this is a lot on top of what has already been a very stressful few weeks, but once I knew who he was, I couldn't keep the information to myself."

"No, of course not," her mother said. "I'm glad you told me. I just don't know how to feel about it."

"That's understandable," Hermione said.

"Absolutely," her father said. "Take your time. It's not like any of this needs to be handled tonight."

"No," Hermione said. "In fact, given that he's ill, we don't want to overwhelm him. Hestia said she would talk to him tomorrow."

Her mother nodded. "Did he say anything about me?"

"Only that he was weak for giving you to Hestia to deal with and then running away. He seems filled with regret in that regard. To be honest, I don't think he gave you away because you were a Squib. I think he gave you away because his wife died, and he couldn't handle it and didn't feel like he could take care of you."

"That is pretty weak," her father said.

"Dad!" Hermione was shocked at his lack of compassion.

He frowned. "I'm serious. Do you honestly think, if your mum had died, that I would've just dumped you off on some relative?"

"No, of course not, but—"

"But nothing, he should be ashamed."

Her mother put her hand on his knee. "I'm okay, Wen."

He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "I don't like seeing you so upset. This is a lot to take in."

Her mother nodded. "It is, but he is family. To be honest, that's been the hardest part of all this to wrap my head around. My whole life I thought I was adopted by strangers, when in fact, my adopted mother was my cousin. How bizarre is that? I'm so…angry, I guess, that she didn't tell me. I mean, I've been angry at her for years over the way she treated you, Mi, but now, knowing all this…I don't know. I can't decide if I feel sorry for her or if I'm even angrier than I was before. It's just so much to process and now my biological father has shown up. What are the odds of that?"

Hermione grimaced. "I'm afraid that may be my fault."

Her parents both looked at her with confused expressions.

"Ron thinks magic flows toward me, sort of favors me, so when I started down this path, well things just magically went my way."

Her mother closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose while her father ran a hand down his face.

"I'm sorry. I had no idea all of this would come to light."

"Don't be sorry," her mother said. "None of this is your fault even if magic does go your way. There are layers of lies and abandonment and cover ups that have nothing to do with you, so it's not your place to feel bad about it or to fix it. I need to stop wallowing around in self-pity and resume my role as an adult. You don't need to keep acting as a go between."

"How are you going to talk with anyone if I don't?"

"Well, first I'm going to talk to your grandmother. I don't need your help with that. After we talk, I'll let you know where we stand. I might ask for Purdy's help to get me around where I need to go."

"I'm sure she'd be happy to help you, but I can take you where you need to go Mum."

"I know that, but you shouldn't have to. I can handle my own affairs. I'll deal with my father."

Hermione wasn't sure what to say. Part of her didn't want to be sidelined, but part of her was really happy to see her mother reassert herself. The last few weeks had been very disconcerting. "All right then. Well, if you need me in anyway, you know I'm happy to help."

"I know that, darling. But I'll be just fine. Don't worry about me."

Hermione and her father exchanged a worried glance.

"Seriously," her mother said. "I'm fine. I know I've been a bit of a mess this last month, but that's over."

"If you say so," Hermione said.

"I do." Her mother patted her knee. "Now you get home. I'm sure Ron's sick of you coming over here every night."

"Ron's fine. He understands the need to take care of family. On the other hand, it would be nice to get back. I'm knackered."

"Go," her mother said. "I'll talk to you soon."

"All right, I'll ask Purdy if she'd be willing to help you."

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

Hermione nodded and pulled her wand. "Goodnight then." Both of her parents hugged her, and then she Disapparated.

xXx

Ron woke that night from a sound sleep because the wind was howling outside. The storm reminded him of storms they'd endured in the tent. Once he started thinking about that, he couldn't go back to sleep. A few minutes later, Hermione sat bolt upright in bed.

"You okay?"

Wide-eyed, she looked over her shoulder at him. "Yeah. Why are you awake?"

"The wind woke me. We're having a pretty bad storm out there."

"That explains it then."

"Explains what?"

"I had a nightmare. We were back in the tent and a storm was raging outside. We were low on food and so tired it was hard to cast the spells to reinforce it."

Ron nodded. "I was just thinking about that."

She lay back down and snuggled against him. "I'm glad we don't have to do that anymore."

"Me too. Living in a house is way better than living in a tent."

"Having our own room is nice too."

"That is nice."

She sighed contentedly. "When we sat up all night in that storm making sure the tent didn't collapse…"

"Yeah?"

"I wanted you to hold me just like this."

Ron smiled. "Yeah?"

"Definitely. I remember because Harry was sitting in the chair and I was on one end of the sofa and you were on the other, and I kept thinking you were just two feet away. Twenty-four inches and I could touch you. I really wanted to touch you."

Ron nodded. "That was a mutual feeling."

She rose on one elbow and looked at him. "I'm glad we don't do that anymore."

"But Hermione, I still want to touch you," he teased.

"Good," she said and crawled on top of him for a kiss.

He enthusiastically kissed her back and thought again how happy he was to be out of that damn tent.

xXx

A little while later, Hermione lay contentedly sleeping beside him, but Ron was still awake. The wind continued to howl outside. As quietly as he could, he slipped out of bed and pulled on his bathrobe and went downstairs for a glass of water and to check on Harry. Just as he'd thought, Harry was sitting at the kitchen table.

"What are you drinking?" Ron asked as he walked into the kitchen.

Harry looked up. "Warm milk with sugar and vanilla. You can't sleep either?"

Ron scratched his head. "Nah. Stupid wind is keeping me awake."

"Me too. I'm surprised Hermione isn't up."

"She was, but she fell back asleep."

"Lucky her." Harry took a sip of his milk.

Warm milk didn't sound appealing to Ron, but he thought some chamomile tea might help sooth his nerves. A cup appeared before him. "Thanks Purdy."

"I had a dream we were back in the tent during that terrible storm in Scotland. Remember that?"

Ron chuckled and sat down across from him. "We were just talking about that a little while ago. We both had the same dream."

Harry shook his head. "That storm was awful. I was sure the tent was going to collapse because the spells we were casting to reinforce it were so weak."

Ron shrugged. "But we survived. And now look where we are."

Harry nodded. "Who'd have thought?"

"Not me. I still wake up every morning surprised and delighted. Sometimes, I look over and see Hermione sleeping next to me, and I get the giggles. I mean really. I just can't believe it." He shook his head, grinning. "She's my wife."

Harry grinned back at him. "I know."

"Crazy, right?"

Harry shrugged. "Inevitable more like."

"Nah." Ron reconsidered. "Well, maybe."

"How's she doing with all the family stuff?"

"About as good as can be expected, I guess." Ron took a sip of his tea. "At least it looks like her mum has pulled herself together. I hope that means that Hermione won't have to be in the middle of everything. It would be nice if her mum and her grandparents could work out their own mess."

Harry nodded. "That would be nice." He yawned. "We should probably head up. We've got work tomorrow."

Ron nodded. "About that, you're sure you're all right with tomorrow being my last day?"

"Of course, I already planned the party."

Ron grinned. "All right. If you're sure."

"It's high time you get to do what you want instead of always looking after me, don't you think?"

Ron scratched at his jaw. "It just feels so weird to be leaving you there."

"I know," Harry admitted. "But it's not like we'll never see each other. I'm such a baby, the minute Ginny leaves, I'm over here."

"You're not a baby. Besides, we like having you here."

"And I appreciate that. But you don't have to worry about me at work. We've trained a good group, in no small part due to you, and the old guys are solid. I've got a strong team with me."

"That's my worry."

Harry's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "I don't understand."

"You think of them as the team. You don't make yourself part of it. I worry you'll take risks and go off on your own. You can't do that, Harry."

"I won't. I just said it wrong. We're all one big team. Don't worry about it. Go work with George. He needs you now. Besides, I know you love it."

Ron chuckled. "I do. I didn't think I'd enjoy it this much, but making up joke products is every bit as fun as it sounds."

"Good. You deserve to have fun."

"And you don't? Why are you stuck hunting monsters?"

Harry blew out a slow breath. "I'll tell you a secret."

Ron leaned forward.

"I love my job. Hunting monsters is my favorite thing to do. Well, he amended, at least when it comes to work. Seriously, I like being an Auror, really like it. I'm happy hunting monsters. You're happy working with George. It's all good."

Ron turned his teacup in his hands. "You know, Hermione is moving in your direction."

"I know, but she's not interested in field work. She can do it, obviously, but she doesn't want to be an Auror."

"I know," Ron said. "But I reckon she can at least keep an eye on you in the office. See you don't go all lone wolf."

Harry smiled. "I expect one of you will always have an eye on me. I think that's just our lot in life, don't you?"

Ron chuckled. "I reckon."

"I'm going to go up. The wind has died down enough I think I can sleep."

"I'll head up as soon as I finish this," Ron said, holding up his teacup.

"Goodnight then."

A few minutes later, Ron set his teacup in the sink and went upstairs. Hermione was sound asleep and he watched her sleeping from the doorway for a minute before taking off his bathrobe and climbing in next to her. Inevitable or not, he felt damn lucky.