3 ANs: I. I'm back. I never planned on abandoning this story. I just needed a break. A word about Mrs. Weasley: She just lost a son and nearly lost her whole family (by inches in her daughter's case). She isn't crazed so much as overly protective and emotionally wrung out.
2. I'd really appreciate more reviews. I knew this one wouldn't get a lot, but it just assures me that readers are engaged.
3. I really want to update a couple of times more this week, but that is dependent on how much my fan helps in 90 F heat. I know that sounds cool to some of you right now. But not where I live because it snows in late April and we got 7 feet in November last year.
Hermione:
Harry and Ron sat in shocked silence in Ron's room at the Burrow once Hermione finished telling them about what McGonagall revealed.
"So, you're a chosen one," Ron said finally.
"I wouldn't put it that way. And it's not something to be envious of," she said.
"No, I'm not," Ron said quickly. "I'm tired of prophecies and all that other stuff. It's just one more thing you're responsible for on top of everything you've been through with us."
"Is it just a duel?" Harry asked. "Are things like Horcruxes involved?"
"McGonagall seemed to imply it is just a duel."
"I wouldn't count on this red witch to play fair though," Harry said. "She bent time once."
"I agree," Hermione said. "Which is why I'd like the two of you to come with me and McGonagall. If you're up for it."
"After all you've done for me Hermione, I'll do anything for you," Harry said.
"I second that," Ron said. "Especially after I abandoned Harry and you."
"I thought we agreed to leave that in the past," Harry said.
"I still feel bad though."
"We're getting off track," Hermione said with a note of impatience. "The manager of Flourish and Blotts is assembling everything he has on the red witch and naturally occurring Evil. He warned me his inventory is a mess so not to expect much. McGonagall is also sending me her research. I'd love to go into the Hogwarts library, but McGonagall anticipated this and told me there isn't anything useful and the library is too heavily damaged for anyone to go in."
"Hermione, why aren't you calling her Gran?" Ron asked.
"I've only known we're related for three hours, Ron! I'm still processing everything!"
"I know you lost your grandparents before you came to Hogwarts. I never knew mine. I'd embrace the opportunity to acknowledge someone as being a family member."
"Even McGonagall?" Hermione asked. "You've said some truly vile things about her over the years."
"In case you haven't noticed, I have grown up," Ron said evenly. "I was being a prat back then who didn't know the difference between discipline and being mean. Look at how she nearly died trying to defend Hagrid. How she coordinated the effort to evacuate all the students under age AND fought Voldemort himself. She's a legend, Hermione."
"You seem scared Hermione," Harry said. "And I'm not talking about facing the red witch either."
"I don't know," she said with a bit of anguish. "I have deeply admired McGonagall since the moment she smiled at me the first time I transfigured that matchstick. She was my role model for how to follow rules. It nearly broke me, first year when she deducted all those points, even as I knew deep down, she was doing the right thing. I wasn't scared so much as intimidated by her. I wanted to be the best student I could be for her. I cried so hard when she was attacked during our fifth year. To suddenly be forced to see someone in a completely different light is just I don't know, terrifying I think."
Ron stepped over and hugged her. Harry piled on top of them.
"We'll get through this like we do everything else," Harry said. "Together."
"With no one running away when things get tough," Ron added.
Hermione and Harry glared at him. He smiled sheepishly and suddenly they were all laughing like the good friends they were.
"I need to get going," Hermione said and stood up. "I need to face my parents."
"Are you sure you don't want some support?" Harry asked. "You did say your parents wanted to meet me."
"I need to handle this alone first."
"I'll see you out," Ron said.
The three of them went downstairs. Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen cooking a pot of what smelled like stew. She was directing spoons with her wand. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying.
"Are you staying for dinner Hermione?" she asked. "I always make more than enough for the family in case friends drop by."
"Not tonight, but thank you," Hermione said. "I was wondering if you knew anything about an entity known as the red witch?"
A spoon dropped briefly. Mrs. Weasley wouldn't look at her. "Why do you want to know something about that? Beings like that only cause problems if you cross them."
Hermione briefly explained about her newly-found parentage and the deal the witch struck with McGonagall.
Mrs. Weasley added more vegetables to the stew. "I wish you the best of luck, but I can't offer any help. I just know there are things in the magical world best left alone so whenever I heard whispers about that being, Arthur and I steered clear."
"I'm going with her," Ron said.
All the spoons dropped and Mrs. Weasley spun around.
"You are not! You are not going to get involved with another deadly wizard! Haven't I lost enough?"
"Mum, Hermione means the world to me," Ron said firmly. "She and I are still figuring out what kind of future we want together, but I know for certain that I won't let her face this being alone!"
"She won't be alone. I assume McGonagall is coming as this is technically her mess," Mrs. Weasley said.
"I'm going too," Harry added.
"Haven't you cheated death enough?" Mrs. Weasley snapped. "Dear, I can't bear the thought of losing you again either!"
"What is Hermione, chopped liver?" Ron countered.
Mrs. Weasley brandished her wand at him. "Don't give me that! I care about you Hermione, but I need to look out for my boys, my daughter, and my husband. I wake up every morning crying with the realization my Fred is dead! Ronald, do you want to be my other reason!?"
Ron turned to Hermione. "Go. This isn't going to be easily settled."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I want an answer!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked.
"Promise," he said with a quick nod.
Hermione left as Mrs. Weasley continued to scream about how much she had lost. This made her feel conflicted.
…
Beth was pulling some Cornish pastries out of the oven while Tim was reading a book at the kitchen table.
"Did you find the answers you were looking for?" Beth asked.
"More than I could have anticipated," Hermione said nervously.
"It's all right dear," Tim said as he put his book down. "This changes nothing."
"But I need to duel and kill an Evil witch or I will die before I turn twenty," she said rapidly.
"You certainly weren't kidding," Beth said and put the food on a cooling rack.
"How are you so calm?" Hermione asked.
"Because even though you wiped our memories, you still came back," Tim said. "You're certainly not your self. But somehow, I think you will come out a stronger woman as you have so many times in these past seven years."
"I think I'm going to Niagara Falls to face her," she said.
"Get us one of those souvenir snow globes for us," Beth said.
"Why aren't you freaking out?"
"Because we know you need us to be strong," Tim said and reached for her hand.
Beth came over and touched her shoulder. "We believe in you. It's going to be okay."
Hermione took both her parent's hands. She was truly blessed to have such wonderful loving parents.