Chapter 7: Guardian Angel
August 1982
Hermione could not wander in the Wizarding World, so her only choice was the Muggle world. Sometimes, she would go out there and alter her features – change her hair colour and eyes, but nothing too different because she might end up damaging her physical appearance. She was not a Metamorphmagus, so she had to use spells to change her appearance – which was dangerous. So, changing the colours of her hair and eyes was her only option… and styling her hair differently, of course. Sometimes she would make it bushier, and sometimes tamer.
One afternoon, she decided to go see the movies. She saw her mum's favourite film, showing, so she decided she'd buy a ticket, a bag of popcorn, and a bottled soda. The queue to the ticket booth was not long. There were only a few people outside, probably because it was a weekday and three in the afternoon. She was just joining the line when she noticed the person nearing the booth. The long, brown curls and body shape were unmistakable. Hermione inherited two of her mum's physical traits: her hair and her spoon body shape.
Growing up, she used to see some photos of her mum in the '80s, wearing high-waisted and tapered denim trousers and white tops. Her mum loved white tops, probably because of her profession.
Thirty-five-year-old Helen Puckle-Granger was walking to the booth when a tiny woman in a brown trench coat bumped into her from behind and split some milkshakes into Helen's white cardigan. They apologized to each other. Then, while Helen was removing her stained cardigan, the stranger quickly and seamlessly took her wallet from the bag and ran.
"Oh, shit," Hermione muttered. She stood there, watching her mum approaching the booth, not knowing her wallet had been taken from her.
When Helen was about to pay the cashier, Hermione stood behind her.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't seem to find my wallet," her mother said warily, looking and digging inside her bag.
"Oh, maybe that person who bumped into you took it! I knew it!" the cashier said. "I should've called the cops!"
"Oh, dear…" Helen said, disappointed.
Hermione stepped forward and offered a kind smile. "Don't worry about it, Ma'am… Here," she paid the cashier. Two tickets. One for me and one for her."
Helen Granger looked at her. At first, she was surprised.
Oh, Merlin. Do I have brown hair and brown eyes now? Maybe I look familiar to her.
"That's very kind of you, dear," Helen said gratefully. "How can I repay you?"
Hermione smiled at her mother. "Don't worry about it. Pay it forward." She handed her the movie ticket.
"Thank you again."
"Do you have to report your lost wallet?" she asked.
"Oh, no. Thankfully, I have a different one for my cards," Helen smiled.
Wise as ever, Mum, Hermione thought happily.
She went to the snack bar to buy two bags of popcorn and two bottles of non-carbonated drink she knew her mum would like and offered the snacks to her. Helen was very thankful and hesitant at first, but Hermione insisted. They went to the movie theatre together and sat beside each other. It was rather cold inside, and Helen seemed uncomfortable because she was just now wearing a sleeveless top with the cardigan ruined. Hermione offered her blue coat to the other woman. Seeing that Hermione was wearing a long-sleeved top, Helen gladly accepted the coat and went back to watching the movie.
However, Hermione could not focus on the movie. She was thinking deeply. Was this supposed to happen? I'm doing my best to stay as far as possible from the people I know in the past, but why did I bump into my mother today? Where are Dad and little Hermione? How often does Mum go to the movies alone?
Halfway into the movie, Hermione excused herself and said that she had to go to the loo, but she did not go back inside. Instead, she left the movie house and went to a café to think some more. In the evening, when Helen was finally home, Hermione dared to visit the Granger residence. She Disillusioned herself and stood by the open kitchen door.
Hermione saw young William Granger in the kitchen, trying to cook while holding three-year-old Hermione on his hip.
"Mummy's home!" announced Helen.
"Mummy!" Little Hermione freed herself from her father and ran to her mother.
"How's my little princess?" her mum asked.
"Nana's no longer sick! I read her a story," Little Hermione said proudly.
Hermione remembered her grandmother Rose, living 200 miles away from them. They often visited her when she was still alive. She died when Hermione was 10.
"How was your meeting, dear?" asked William.
"Oh, it was canceled, so I just went to the movie house. Someone took my cash wallet, but a beautiful and kind girl paid for my movie ticket and lent me this cardigan.
"It's blue, Mummy! I like blue!" Little Hermione said.
Hermione froze in shock. She had a memory of a blue cardigan owned by her mum. It was the only blue among her clothes because Mum liked white and black tops and jackets. Helen Puckle-Granger rarely wore other colours.
"She must be your guardian angel, Mummy!" Little Hermione said. "I have a guardian angel, too, right Daddy?"
"Yes, sweetie," her father agreed. "Hermione was running down the stairs earlier and I thought she hit her head."
"But I didn't. I flew from the top of the stairs to here!" Hermione said proudly.
"Flew?" Helen asked with a frown.
That, she remembered. Hermione remembered some instances of accidental magic because her parents told her when she was older, and she already started going to Hogwarts. But helping Helen Granger earlier… was that supposed to happen? She did not know.
She left the Granger residence quietly… and rather confused.
.
September 1982
(present time)
Dearest Hermione,
Greetings on your birthday! May you achieve all of your goals.
Sincerely,
Severus
P.S.
The avenging angel still hasn't agreed to go out with me. Consequently, I'm still waiting.
Hermione read the card once more. It had been two months since the last time she'd seen Severus. For eight weeks, he sent her flowers (just one to three roses) from his garden once a week with a heartfelt penned letter, asking her out sometimes. Sometimes, it was just a quote from Shakespeare.
A couple of times, Hermione sent him back something – cupcakes, handmade sweets, or pies. But no letters. She wasn't ready to write him a letter for she might pour her feelings into it.
The past months had been very lonely. Yes, she was happy at work. She had friendly co-workers. Alona was a good friend, but she could not tell her everything.
Only Severus knew everything. And probably Kingsley. But Severus was the only person she could talk to about anything.
Not true, her mind said. She could talk to some Unspeakables. The Department of Mysteries ensured the mental health of time travelers. She could go to a therapist if she wanted to, just like she, Harry, and Ron did after the Final Battle.
But all she wanted was to talk to Severus.
She wanted to see him.
She wanted to hear his voice.
She wanted to see his mischievous smile.
She wanted to hear him flirt with her.
She'd be spending her life alone until 1999. Could she do that without going crazy?
Could she live without needing someone in her life? A partner, perhaps?
She had been single for her entire life. When she was old enough to date, she didn't pay attention to that department because her priority was helping Harry save the world and getting him and Ron out of trouble.
But now, she had 17 years to wait. No Harry and Ron. No Voldemort.
And when I finally reach 1999, will I still be friends with Harry, Ron, and Ginny? Would I still long for their company? Could they hang out with a 30-something woman who just stayed behind and watched things play out?
She had a career. She had time for love. She had time to enjoy what she failed to enjoy when she was younger.
Would she rather be alone and fight her feelings for Severus than take the chance to know him, love him, and cherish every moment with him?
Should she continue dwelling on the past, or should she seize the day?
Well, I'm still young at 21. I have at least ten years to enjoy life, she thought.
One day – sooner, she knew – her only friend here would get married. From Alona's words, she and Kingsley were already thinking of starting a family.
Hermione would be left alone in their flat. She had no problem being alone, but could she live a boring, and loveless life when she knew that someone out there, whom she also cherished was waiting for her?
She sighed and made up her mind.
She was going to see him. Yes, he was at Hogwarts, but she could always message him.
She took a small piece of parchment from her desk drawer and penned a response.
She went to the Owlery of the hospital and sealed the note, making sure that only Severus Snape would be able to read it.