Chapter 29: Forgiveness?
Lavender smiled as she placed the gift basket on the bed and made sure everything looked picture perfect. She hoped this would make Hermione's parents feel welcome and appreciated. In addition to her pantry and kitchen duties, she had taken to something she did well: pampering. She would create small welcome packages with necessities, toiletries, treats, and clothes to make people and creatures feel welcomed and like they mattered. When she had approached Hermione about wanting to do it, the girl was over the moon. They had just been tasking the elves with finding things as needed, but they were already busy, and they deserved appreciation too.
When Harry had gone over the family finances with Hermione, they discovered that there was an account that was just hers with revenue from businesses and products created by all previous Lady Potters. As Hermione had no need for any of that and all her expenses were covered, she had Dobby bring enough gold for Lavender to make sure the house was still a home and not just a refugee camp. Lavender loved this new task. She remembered how much it helped her when Hermione had brought her some things when she had just arrived.
FLASHBACK
Lavender jumped when she heard a knock on the Infirmary door. She opened it to find a sheepish Hermione carrying a small duffel bag.
"Hello," the brunette smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better… Hermione, I have no words. What you guys did for us… I-"
"It's okay, Lavender. I am sure you would have done the same," Hermione said this a little too quickly.
"Girlie, we both know that is not true. I don't even have a clue how I was sorted into Gryffindor. I was so mean to you. About Ronald… about your lack of interest in fashion and makeup and… I was such a bitch, Hermione. You don't have to sugar coat it," Lavender said all this with bright red cheeks.
"You have grown a lot," Hermione smiled.
"So have you."
"I brought you this. I know it's probably not your style, but at least you will be able to change more often," Hermione handed her a bag she was carrying. Inside there were three blouses, two shorts, a couple of hair ties, and sweatpants.
"Merlin! Thank you so much!"
"I tried to alter it to fit you well, but I figured you would do a much better job than I could," Hermione shrugged.
"This means a lot to me. Truly, I don't know what to say…"
"Say you will forgive me for being petty about your and Ronald's relationship."
"Of course. He's dead to me… You know… They say that whoever keeps the guy loses," Lavender knocked her hip against Hermione's and laughed, making the brunette laugh too.
After a while, they calmed down, "Write a note for your parents and we will send it to them via elves. They must be worried sick."
"Thank you, I will."
END FLASHBACK
After Hermione granted her the funds, Lavender had been taken to Puerto Rico. Fortunately, one of the soldiers spoke Spanish and helped her get all she needed without being charged more for being a tourist. Lavender agreed with Harry that the least they could do was positively impact the finances of the territories around them. That was why most of the food was being acquired from local fishermen and farmers. To start buying so many more things would for sure enhance their contribution. Soon enough, Lavender would discover the shopkeepers would start adding small gifts as tokens of appreciation when she purchased past a certain amount. Sometimes it was additional products. Other times, it was some more of the most expensive product she purchased.
Lavender had even placed small gift bags on elves' nests. The elves had been shocked that someone thought they were important enough to get a gift. And they had no idea where and when the gifts had been procured. For many elves, it was the first time they received something that wasn't a freeing item that brought them shame. The bags had a small container of guacamole with seaweed or almond meal chips and a homemade cookie under a preservation charm, as well as a small bracelet with their initial. The bracelet was Harry's idea.
She and her parents ensured the elves were never involved in making the items or meals they would receive. After some research, she even brought gift baskets for the merfolk and Firenze, much to their shock. Luna was using her special skills to help Lavender get the soldiers what they wanted. It was always simple things. It was impressive how war put things into perspective. Everyone seemed to want basic comforts: a fuller pillow, a softer blanket, a fan for the heat, a tub of lotion, sunscreen, lip balm, candy, chips, butterbeer… No one wanted anything fancy, and they were extremely appreciative of the small gifts.
Fleur had moved her and Bill's things to Tonks and Remus' room with Dora's support. Kreacher had helped them with a subdivision, and they would share a bathroom. Fleur insisted that since Hermione's parents had been through so much, they would need a space where they felt safe and comfortable. One where they could feel they had privacy to talk and figure things out. Mrs. Granger had asked where Hermione was sleeping, and Mrs. Weasley had told her that she was staying in her own room. She left out who the girl was sharing it with as the matron was sure that it would be throwing a match on a powder keg. Mr. Granger had stared suspicious daggers at Harry when Mrs. Weasley said that.
While they were gone, the room had been completely cleaned. The bedding was changed, the pillows were fluffed, the curtains were washed and pressed, the bathroom was spotless. And so, when Mr. and Mrs. Granger stepped into their new room, they were very pleasantly surprised. All the décor was to their taste. Muted tones with pops of pastel that were calming but not bland. Furniture that looked comfortable, elegant, and sturdy. A large sofa and two armchairs surrounded a coffee table. On top of the coffee table, there was what looked like a picnic basket with bread, cold cuts, cheese, a bottle of cider, and fruits. A tall bookcase was in the corner of the room and next to it was a writing desk with muggle stationary, pens, and envelopes.
There were plants around the room too. The balcony doors were open, and the landscape looked like a painting of a tropical paradise. The bed was king-sized with two bedside tables with a lamp and one bottle of water on each table; there were alarm clocks too. Mrs. Weasley showed them the closet where Lavender had placed basic items in their sizes. There were three sets of pajamas, two robes, three t-shirts, and three pants for each of them. Additionally, there were two sets of slippers and trainers. There were three sets of underwear and socks for them too. They were all in the correct sizes.
Lavender had figured out that threes were better than twos. She would buy a black set, a beige set, and a white set of everything. The slippers were usually black, as were the trainers. She would add a sweater and a zip-up hoodie, as well as sweatpants for missions and cold nights. She had made sure the bathroom had been stocked with towels, toilet paper, shampoo and conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash. She added menstrual products and basic muggle medications, band-aids, and others that Dudley had told her about. Mrs. Weasley took the bag the Grangers placed on the sofa and began unpacking.
"Mrs. Weasley, is it?" Emma asked.
"Yes?" Molly replied as she put things in the closet.
"Don't. I will put our things away later," Emma said, panicking a bit. She had no idea where Daniel had put the money or the documents.
Molly stepped back with a blush, "Of course. I am sorry. As a mother of many, my hands have a mind of their own."
"Don't worry…"
Daniel was still outside, staring into the ocean, trying to calm down. His head was still pounding. He was sure that he had to have at least seen some of the people he and his wife had interacted with before, but so far, no memories were triggered. Hermione's voice did feel like a stab in his brain. She had sounded so scared, so full of pain, so fearful. He felt his emotions claw and punch an invisible and yet impenetrable dam around his memories, but that was the most he could do. She had to be his girl. He could feel it, but he couldn't put his heart and his mind in alignment. It was dizzying and confusing, and he could feel his heartbeat pounding in his head.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger," Andromeda was at the door. "My name is Andromeda Tonks. I am a healer, what you would call a doctor. I would like to give you a general checkup."
"We are fine," Emma shook her head. She didn't trust any 'medical professionals' anymore.
"I know you are dentists, but you are not doctors… Hermione explained the difference," Mrs. Weasley said. "Please let Andromeda look after you."
"Ah, yes… Hermione explained… Of course," Emma replied. "I have a question, Healer Tonks, were we rescued or kidnapped?"
Andromeda blinked, confused, "Do you see any bolts in your door? Do you see any chains? Bars in your windows, perhaps?"
"Don't patronize me. You are witches… and wizards, I suppose. I don't think you would need those things to keep us here against our will. We don't even know where here is," Emma replied.
"We are in the Caribbean, close to Puerto Rico... Mr. Granger, may I examine your head? I was told you have a headache," Andromeda offered, trying to calm things down.
"Unless you can examine me without one of those stick thingies, I don't want you to touch me," Daniel turned to her with a frown. True, the headache was massive, but the salty air helped.
Minerva McGonagall stood by the door and knocked, even though it was open.
Emma turned to her, "Professor McGonagall!" she exclaimed. Immediately, she gasped and started grimacing in pain. "Why do I remember you?"
"Mrs. Granger… I was the first witch you ever met. I came to your house to tell you that your daughter was a witch and that she could attend…" Minerva looked at Andromeda questioningly, but the healer nodded. "Hogwarts."
"ARGH! God damn it! I told you the word Hog was important!" Daniel came in and sat down on the sofa. He was pale.
"Mr. Granger, it is important that I examine both of you. All you need to do is try to calm down and close your eyes. Then, I will do some diagnostic spells and tell you how things are and what we should do going forward."
"Why isn't our daughter here?" Emma asked.
"I was told of your husband's reaction to her voice. I wanted to minimize the potential for disaster. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, mind magic is one of the most complex magic in existence. A mind that is damaged can be damaged permanently."
"So, she risked that? For us to become -pardon the expression- vegetables?" Daniel asked with wide eyes.
"Mr. Granger… Your lives were at stake. Hermione risked your sanity to keep you alive and as far away from harm as she could get you. She sacrificed herself as much as she did your sanity because she has been through a lot… And she needed you here for all of it. She prioritized your safety over the fact that she's a child, fighting a horrible war, putting her life at risk, helping others, all the while being terrified about you and where and how you were... She has needed you so much. I know you are upset, and you are right to be, but bear in mind that while this hurt you, this hurt her too. She deprived herself of the people she loves most, of your companionship, of your support, of your advice, in order to keep you alive. She has been blaming herself for all the potential what-ifs. You know her brain. She went through so many scenarios that a normal person's brain could burst."
"That's how bad it was?" Daniel asked, feeling sorry for his daughter.
"Whatever you are imagining… It was worse," Minerva replied. "I should let Andi work. If you want to talk to me, I am also staying here. On the first floor."
The Grangers shared a look and nodded at her.
Emma turned to the Healer, "Diagnose us. But you don't have our consent for anything else."
"Understood, Mrs. Granger," Andromeda sat them next to each other and pulled up her sleeves. The dicto quill hovered next to her head.
"Do me first so Emma can know what to expect," Daniel requested.
"Yes, of course. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths for me… Good. Now, you will feel a slight breeze around your temples. Keep your eyes closed. The light from the diagnostic spell is quite bright and may bother your eyes. Stay in this position until I tell you, and then we will be done. You should feel no pain at all," Andromeda explained as Emma watched her like a hawk, Daniel obeying her commands.
Sirius and Remus were trying to smother both Harry and Hermione with their hugs. Hermione started to cry again. Her parents looked at her as if she was a stranger. Then, as if she was a criminal. She was now certain they wouldn't forgive her. At least with the mask, they couldn't see her devastated expression. She was so grateful that they were here, where she knew they were safe. But she wouldn't be able to function if they kept throwing her biggest mistake back at her and telling her how disappointed they were and how much they hated her for it. She hadn't even been able to hug them.
Harry took deep breaths. This kind of hug was his favorite. He was trying not to cry. Being received with joy would never get old to someone like him. Sirius pushed him away to check him over. Harry had some cuts and scrapes from the branches that grazed him as he flew. He was sweaty and gross, but Sirius didn't care. He kissed his godson's forehead while Remus took off Hermione's mask.
"I am so glad you are okay," Sirius whispered against his head.
"Thanks. How are you guys doing? Any progress?"
"Well, we ran Neville through all the worst questions that can be asked… poor kid ended up with a massive headache. Luna had to calm him down. The questions will be personal and mortifying," Sirius replied with a small smile.
"We also have a battle plan to take Frank and Alice out of St. Mungos," Remus added while checking Hermione for injuries. "Several elves have volunteered information and participation."
"Wonderful."
"Harry?" Mrs. Weasley was at the library door.
"Yes?"
"They agreed to let Andromeda examine them," she replied.
"Thank Merlin!" Hermione sat down. That gave her hope. Even if they never spoke to her again, they could hopefully be healed.
"You should go be with them."
"I don't think I am or will be welcome for a long time."
Emma was really dizzy, and even with how much she had thrown up due to the teleportation, she felt no better. A surprising thought came to her, an errant memory, perhaps? She had felt like this before. Emma suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum when she was… pregnant with Hermione. She inhaled slowly. Daniel was still in the shower. She could hear him crying. Magic or no magic, she couldn't remember the last time she had heard or seen him cry. He felt he had failed as a father. Emma felt like screaming. How long had they lost? Having been robbed of memories was worse than just losing some data… it was losing the only non-renewable resource humans had… Time.
Daniel came out in pajamas and a robe. He was so glad he had been given clean clothes that were his size. Emma was on the sofa, eating an apple slowly. Apples were the only thing she could eat when she was nauseous while she was… very pregnant. Oh, God. It was real. Daniel felt he needed to find things out on his own. Emma was in no position to listen to their daughter, and frankly, neither was he. They were told to call Ruki if they needed anything.
"Ruki?"
The elf appeared and bowed, "Yes, Mr. Granger, how can Ruki serve you?"
Both Grangers jumped, "I am never getting used to you just appearing out of thin air…"
"Sorry, sir. If you prefer, I can appear outside your door and knock," Ruki offered.'
"That would be helpful… we are still… tense," Daniel replied.
"Noted, sir. How can I help you?" Ruki asked.
"This whole war that is going on in your world…"
"Yes?"
"We would like to get all the newspapers we can about it," Daniel said with a slight frown.
Ruki looked conflicted for a while, "Starting when, sir?"
"The last thing I remember clearly was that boy… Cedric, was it? That he died at the end of our daughter's fourth year… That is the last clear memory I have of the conflict."
"Yes, me too. We sat down with Hermione to talk about his death. I don't remember much else clearly, just some flashes of conversations," Emma nodded between bites.
"I will bring as much as I can find," Ruki replied. "This island is a refugee camp, so many boxes of old papers have been sent away or discarded."
"How are we supposed to stitch this all together without information?" Emma sighed.
"May I make a suggestion?" Ruki asked.
"Yes, please."
"I understand you don't want to talk to La-Hermione," Ruki said, grimacing at her mistake.
"La? La what?"
"Pardon me, there are so many people here, and more are being added every day that I get confused with the names," Ruki lied. She felt she wasn't believed from the look on the Grangers' faces.
"Right… What were you going to suggest?" Daniel pressed, unamused.
"Would you like to talk to some people that can vouch for what Hermione and Harry have been doing?"
"We don't want to talk to wizards."
Ruki blinked, "You don't have to. I will bring a non-magical to talk to you."
"Who?"
Dudley was chopping wood outside with some soldiers when Ruki appeared and whisked him away toward the house.
"Ruki, where are we going?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger want to talk to you."
"Me? About what?! No, no, no, no, no… Ruki. You can't be serious. They are in a very delicate state… If I ruin this for Hermione, I am dead," Dudley replied, panicking.
Ruki stared at Dudley so fiercely that he took three steps back, "You owe this to Harry, Dudley."
As Ruki's eyes stared into his own, Dudley saw flashes of all his family did to his cousin in his mind. He could swear Ruki was directing the slideshow, "Fine! Just make it stop." His mind quietened. "What am I supposed to say?"
"The truth. To the best of your abilities… Tell them what you have seen, answer their questions… If you don't know the answer, then tell them that," Ruki replied. She pointed at their door and motioned for him to knock. He did.
"Who is it?"
"Dudley, Dudley Dursley, ma'am."
"Come in," Emma replied.
Dudley went inside on shaky legs. I can't fuck this up. She said be honest. I can do that. I owe him and her to try my best. Dudley took a deep breath and sat down. The Grangers looked pale, but that was the only concerning thing that he could see.
"Why were you sent here?"
"To tell you the truth to the best of my abilities."
"Who are you again?"
"Harry's cousin," Dudley said proudly. "On his maternal side. My parents and I… we are like you… non-magical or muggles as they call us."
Emma rolled her eyes, "He sent his cousin to defend them?"
"I was told you wanted to talk to a non-magical. Harry doesn't even know I am here… I am no knight in shining armor, ma'am… For most of my life, I did nothing but torture and bully Harry. I did the most horrible things to him… I recruited my so-called friends to beat him up. I would lie to my parents to get him in trouble for things he didn't do… I… He saved my life from some soul-sucking creatures that attacked us." Daniel and Emma shared a look. That sounded familiar. "I had done nothing but make him miserable my whole life. He could have left me there for dead. He should have… Hell, had I been him I would have left myself behind. I was huge, then. I have lost a lot of weight and put on a lot of muscle here. I was twice his size, and yet, he carried me all the way home after he successfully fought off those creatures."
"Twice his size?" Daniel blinked. That was not possible. Harry was around Daniel's height (6ft2, maybe 6 ft3). His cousin was barely 5ft8.
"Yes, sir. Harry was shorter than me and scrawny."
"Scrawny? Pardon me, but he was already through with most of his puberty… Wouldn't that mean he was done growing?"
"He grew a lot in the past months… in every way. He can explain the magic part better, anyway."
"Right," Emma nodded. "And how is it that you are here?"
"My parents… They were murdered."
"Sorry for your loss, Dudley," Daniel replied instantly.
"Thank you. We had run away… To the States… Because of the war. We were living in Montana… I am embarrassed to say that my parents accepted a fortune out of Harry's bank account… Money that he didn't agree to have given to them. It was hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they were stolen from him. They bought a large ranch there. They thought we'd be safe… The Death Eaters, a terrorist group that follows Tom Riddle, found us. I was coming home from work when a goblin intercepted me."
"A goblin?"
"Yes, they are some short stocky creatures. They run the one magical bank. Quite mighty magic and excellent fighters, though… The house was already on fire. The Death Eaters had tortured my parents to death. They were trying to get information on Harry. I don't know how much they told them, but the goblin took me away. The Death Eaters would have killed me before I even got to the house."
"And?"
"I was taken to Gringotts, their bank… Some hours later, Harry and Hermione were brought to the bank. Harry offered me sanctuary here. He even allowed me to do a parting ceremony for spreading my parents' ashes in the ocean. That was so kind of him…. My father used to beat him with his belt. When Harry got older, he started using his fists too… He decided whether Harry got to eat, to go outside, to use the bathroom… My mother… She used to burn him with cigarettes. She would force him to do chores around the house, and he was never taken to a doctor, a dentist, or anywhere when he was ill… I think his magic did its best to patch him up. She demeaned him and said horrible things about his dead parents any chance she got… And yet, he attended the ceremony. He blames himself for… everything, really. If it hadn't been for him, I'd be sleeping under a bridge in Montana or worse."
Daniel and Emma shared concerned looks, "What did you have to give him in return?" Daniel asked.
"Nothing. All I have had to do is pull my own weight. I help around the island with repairs, fishing, chopping wood, and whatever is required. In exchange, I have gotten a safe home, real friends, a family… I never really understood why people made such a big deal about those… but I do now," Dudley smiled. "Harry is a great guy. I am just lucky to be here."
"I see… Harry and Hermione… How long have they been together?"
"I don't know," Dudley shrugged.
"You live here… Or are you telling me their relationship predates you coming here?"
"I have no clue. I honestly thought they were together since their third year. She was always there when we dropped him off at the station, and he would always look thrilled to see her. I think they have always had feelings for each other, but they feared losing their friendship… I imagine you are concerned about Hermione's safety. Trust me, Harry would kill and die for her. There is nothing he wouldn't do, no obstacles he wouldn't overcome… to keep her safe and happy," Dudley smiled a bit. "He has gone through literal hell for strangers. She is the most important person in his life. I have never seen two people more in tune… Two people who seem to be so much better when they are together… You will notice, I am sure."
"Dudley, you say he would kill and die for her…" Emma trailed off.
"Yes, absolutely," Dudley nodded enthusiastically.
"I am more concerned with whether he will live for her," Daniel replied.
Dudley stopped cold. "You know, sir… months ago, I would have said hell no. You should have seen them the first time I saw them at the bank. They were so thin, so gaunt. They looked like a strong wind would topple them over at any moment… Now, with their staves and all the training they are doing… He will live for her just so he can live with her. He adores her. Truly. The way they look at each other… I will consider myself lucky if someone ever looks at me with half that emotion."
Daniel blinked, processing the information, "Thank you for your candor, Dudley."
"Not at all, sir. Can I get you anything? Anyone?"
"Yes. Who do you think was the closest thing Harry had to an enemy here?"
Dudley thought for a bit, "Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"Please call him here," Emma requested.
"Yes, ma'am."
Hermione was going to split the island with all her pacing. Harry kept trying to push calming energy into her, but she was so anxious that it wasn't helping at all. Draco came to their balcony with a platter covered in different treats. Maybe eating would help settle her nerves.
"Hermione, you are going to get motion sickness," Draco handed her an icy bottle of water. "Have something to eat. Dobby says you haven't eaten anything today."
"I can't stop," she replied after taking a sip.
Dudley knocked outside their room. "Malfoy! Ruki says you are in here. I need to talk to you."
Draco looked confused at this. "Dudley?"
"Yeah."
"What is going on?" Draco opened the room after Harry nodded at him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger want to talk to you," Dudley replied.
Harry jumped away as Hermione's grip on the bottle went slack, and it splashed around.
"What?" the couple and Draco replied in unison.
Dudley shrugged, "Just go."
"What do you mean 'just go'? What am I getting myself into? Granger, if I mess up you will chop me up, won't you?"
Hermione didn't reply and resumed her pacing, pulling her hair back harshly. Her breathing started to hike up in speed as she tried to calm down unsuccessfully.
"Potter, what am I supposed to do?" Draco insisted.
"They are probably going to interrogate you," Harry replied with a frown.
"I will screw it up!" Draco placed the tray on Dudley's hands.
"You won't… They want the truth as you recall it, nothing more," Dudley shrugged.
"How do you know that?" Harry turned to his cousin with a slight frown.
"They talked to me first," Dudley replied with a blush.
Hermione sat and pulled at her hair harder, groaning.
Harry gasped, "What did you say?"
"The truth."
"Meaning?" Draco asked before Harry could.
"Just that… they asked me things, and I told them the truth. Ruki said to say I didn't know if I didn't know something, so that's what I did."
Hermione burst into tears, covering her face with her hands. Harry hugged her and kissed the top of her head.
"They want t-to hear from o-our old e-e-enemies b-before they hear from me," Hermione sobbed against Harry's chest.
Dudley nodded. "That's what they said, yes," his tone was apologetic.
Draco took a deep breath. It hurt him to see Hermione in this condition. She didn't deserve this. He had to do this, and he had to do a good job. He owed it to Hermione. He turned her to face him, "Hey, it will be fine... Your parents will have to give into talking to you sooner or later. I'll go talk to them, and then I'll come to tell you all about it."
"Thank you, Draco," Hermione whispered.
"It's the least I can do," Draco hugged her briefly. He whispered, "I am not above them not liking me for telling them things they don't want to hear."
"Huh?" Hermione asked.
"Nevermind, doll. I'll be back as soon as I can," Draco kissed her forehead and left.
Hermione stared at the door after he closed it… "He did just hug me, kissed my forehead, and called me doll… or am I tripping?"
"He did," Harry blinked, just as shocked as Hermione.
This was a good thing. Draco was finally one of them. He was willing to be put in what would be an extremely uncomfortable position for someone like him just because they were friends. They didn't even have to do much or push him into that position. Perhaps the whole 'You catch more flies with honey than vinegar was really true.
"Come in," Daniel said. He was sitting in a much more upright position. Emma was sitting next to him. Her arms were crossed.
Okay, they are about to drag me through burning coal. No wonder Hermione's so well-behaved, Draco thought. What am I saying? She's a menace. Out of Potter's gang… She's the mastermind. She's incredible, kind, loving, brilliant… but scary.
"May I sit?" Draco asked.
Both parents nodded.
"What can I do for you?" Draco asked, sitting as formally as he saw them sit.
"What is the nature of your relationship with Harry and Hermione?" Emma asked.
"Um… That's complicated… I would say we are currently friends, but Merlin knows it took a lot to get there," Draco replied.
"Explain," Daniel pressed.
"I met Harry at Hogwarts. Growing up, my father always told me stories of how pampered and spoiled he was. I was told all about how he was a kid with no significant talent, but that he was old money and that I should befriend him… So, I offered my friendship to Harry he both refused me and humiliated me. Looking back, I would have too."
"Why?"
"He was with some people my father had told me not to associate with… As you won't get to meet Lucius, that's my father, I will explain. That meant poor people or those who didn't have a magical lineage… First-generation witches and wizards… like your daughter. I am ashamed to admit that while we were at school, I did nothing but tease her and bully her about her blood status… as if it was something she could change."
"Mudblood," Emma said as the word banged against her mind. She started rubbing her temples.
Draco blushed and looked down. He was such an idiot growing up, "Yes."
"What changed?"
"Huh?"
"You look in physical pain at having called her that… What changed?" Emma asked.
"She saved my life. Mine and my mother's… I… My father was a Death Eater," Draco replied.
"Was?" Daniel asked.
"I killed him," Draco looked down.
"Why?" Emma asked, dreading the answer. Patricide was a horrible thing.
"He raped…" Draco took a deep slow breath not to cry. "And helped others like him rape and beat the love of my life," he trailed off.
Emma gasped. Daniel frowned.
"Is she-?" Emma began.
Draco shook his head slowly, "We tried to save her… She was u-unconscious for a long time… She managed to wake up just enough to say g-goodbye…She d-died from her injuries."
Emma covered her gaping mouth with both hands. It was so horrible.
"My God! We are so sorry for your loss… Was she about your age?" Daniel asked.
Draco nodded, not trusting himself to speak. The Grangers waited for him to compose himself.
"So, she saved your life, and that's why you are now friends?"
"No... It's so much more than that. They took us all in. Me, my mother, Luna, Chyou, Mr. Ollivander, and even our House Elf… We would all have been tortured and killed by now," Draco grimaced. "Then, Luna had a vision… She's a powerful seer, meaning that she gets visions of the present or the future. We ran to Potter for help. I was sure he would do nothing because… Well, I was raised by people that never helped anyone unless it benefitted them. But Potter had said I was one of them now, and they had my back…"
"So, you swallowed your pride and asked for help?" Daniel asked.
"Sir… I had no pride left. None. Not anymore. My nemesis had saved my life and proven me wrong in every way about the kind of person he was repeatedly… He doesn't talk about it much unless you are in his inner circle, but instead of growing up pampered, as I heard, he grew up treated like a slave. He was starved and beaten. His relatives hated both him and magic… When Luna told me Daphne was kidnapped by my father, I would have gone to hell and back to help her, but she was being kept in my father's house. I was still not healed from my own injuries, so I couldn't go… The house was full of Death Eaters, and it was essentially a death trap."
"But he went there anyway?" Daniel frowned.
"No, he didn't go personally because he had no wand, no way to defend himself. His wand had been broken months before, and they hadn't managed to get a new one. Hermione wanted to go too, but they didn't let her. You see, they are glued at the hip. If Potter goes somewhere, she goes with him. It's the only way they are safe… What they did was assemble a group of amazing people who crafted a plan to get Daphne out. They got many more out that day."
"Hmm… This island… Whose is it? Who is covering the costs? From what I saw and heard, it's some sort of refugee camp for hundreds," Daniel replied.
"Harry, sir. He has been supporting everyone here for months. He pays for our food, our medications, our clothes, any funeral rites… anything we need… and he asks for nothing more than for everyone to pull their own weight. Contribute by working on something you are good at, and that's all. He doesn't ask for obedience or blind faith," Draco said this slowly. "He is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He has never asked people to endanger themselves. People do things voluntarily here. We are allowed to question his decisions, offer our input, to complain, even. And yet, with everything he has going on leading the resistance, Harry manages to keep tabs on people. He really cares. It's not for show…"
"Keep tabs?" Emma asked. "How do you mean?"
"Yes… A few days ago, I wanted to apologize to my mother… Even if he was a sociopath, my father was her husband, and I killed him. So, she was not speaking to me. Mrs. Weasley suggested I should write her a letter to mend some bridges and get her a meal she loves. I can't cook to save my life. The elves had never made Beef Wellington. Harry stopped what he was doing to cook it for me from scratch. He put on a flowery apron and all."
"That was nice of him… Thank you for sharing that with us," Emma nodded. This sort of information was very useful to them. It helped them see the human side.
"We have two questions," Daniel looked at Emma, who confirmed.
"One, what do you mean they are only safe together?" Emma asked.
"And two, how is the kid affording all of that? There are too many people and creatures here," Daniel frowned.
Draco took a deep breath. He couldn't tell them about the bond. It wasn't his 'secret' to tell, "As for the first, Harry and Hermione are… um… hyper-aware of each other. Since they could only rely on each other to stay safe for a really long time, they are used to doing everything together. No one can approach Hermione in battle without Harry going ballistic on them… And the other way around too. They don't even try, it's like a survival mechanism. They don't think about it. It's automatic. The general says that they are so focused on protecting each other that their self-preservation is not the best, so there's that. But they are working on in with the general and our trainer. As for the second question… Um… Harry is a Lord."
"A Lord?" Daniel scoffed. "Isn't he like seventeen?"
"Yes, but his father died when he was a baby, and he inherited the title as his only child. Harry is Lord Potter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. The Potters are as close to royalty as old money goes in the wizarding world. His family is behind many inventions and the creation of many spells used in manufacture. They also invested heavily in non-magical enterprises. As a result of that, their fortune is… well…. mind-boggling."
"How rich are we talking?"
"Um… I will put it like this… If he pulled all his money from the Wizarding World economy… It would very likely collapse," Draco replied, a bit uncomfortable with the question.
Daniel nodded, "I see. Thank you for sharing all that."
"We are sorry that you had to live through all those painful things," Emma reached out and squeezed his hand.
"I hope it helps," Draco shrugged a bit.
"It does. Can you please get us someone in his family?" Daniel asked.
Draco frowned, "He's an orphan."
"Yes, we know… but he must have someone…"
"His godfather, Sirius Black," Draco offered.
Daniel grimaced in pain once more. Emma handed him the vial that Andromeda left for them, and he took a sip, "I know that name… Why do I know that name?"
"I think he was in the muggle news at some point," Draco replied, regretting it as soon as he did. Mass murderer headlines were probably not a good idea.
"No… Hermione… She mentioned him," Emma grimaced as well as she tried to remember, taking a sip of the vial as well. Andromeda told them to use it only when needed.
"I'll go get him," Draco stood and left before he messed up further.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sirius Black, Lord Black of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black," Sirius shook their hands.
"Another Lord?"
"Yeah… It is an inherited title, though. Please don't hold it against me."
"We won't," Daniel replied. "I think you can imagine what we want to know."
"My godson's intentions with your daughter first or the state of the war?" Sirius asked with a teasing smile.
"Our daughter is the most important person in the world to us. Start there," Emma replied with a frown.
The frown and her expression made Sirius straighten up in his seat. He couldn't tell them about the bond. They were already processing too much. "Of course. Harry loves your daughter. There's-"
"Let me guess, there's nothing he wouldn't do to protect her?" Daniel asked with a brow lifted in contempt.
Sirius frowned, "Listen, Mr. Granger. I understand that, to your knowledge, Harry is nothing but a kid. A very unlucky troubled kid, perhaps, from what you have heard over the years… I don't know what you may remember, but-"
Emma's eyes widened, and she jumped off her seat so quickly that she felt faint, and her husband jumped to be next to her to steady her, a bit puzzled.
"Who are you?!"
Sirius looked concerned at this, "Sirius Black, Mrs. Granger, I just introduced myself."
"No… You can't be him. He is dead. Hermione told me Harry was very depressed, and she didn't know what to do to help him through his grief from losing him," Emma started to walk backward.
Daniel stepped in front of her, covering her with his body. His position was a fighting stance. "Who are you?!"
"I am him, Mrs. Granger. I am Sirius Black… Merlin… I don't think you will believe me or grasp this as muggles, but I will try to explain… I wasn't dead, dead. I went to an in-between place of sorts. I think you call it limbo I think… Anyway, they sent me back," Sirius gave them the simplest explanation he could come up with.
"You know what? I am not even going to question the physics or the laws of nature involved in the madness you just said… If you are Sirius Black, I need an explanation as to what it is that you have been doing while we rotted away in an asylum. If Hermione was so worried, as everyone says, if she's the boss's girlfriend, I would think getting us to safety would have been a priority. If competent adults are helping, what the hell happened?"
"Yes, there are competent adults here. Thanks for the compliment," Sirius smirked. Daniel looked at Sirius as if willing his head to explode with a stare, "Let me explain, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Harry's parents were my close friends, family really, and his mother, Lily, was brought up like Hermione. No one else in her family was magical. She taught us a lot. Among those things she taught us about your world were history and phrases you typically use. So, let's see if we understand each other better. Hermione got you out of England right before everything went pear-shaped. There was no keeping calm and carrying on at the moment… nor has there been much calm ever since."
"Wait… didn't Hermione say something about a wedding? If things were so bad, why would they have a wedding?" Emma asked, trying to ignore the twinge in her head.
Sirius was surprised they remembered that tidbit, "As I have been told, the Weasley family had a wedding for their son Bill and Fleur. Fleur is Alain's daughter. Alain is the Minister for Magic of France. The man you met in Bora Bora… Anyhow, the reception was crashed by Death Eaters that started attacking people left and right. Harry, Hermione, and Ron Weasley had to vanish in the middle of the fight. They began running away while trying to find some artifacts called Horcruxes… Artifacts that need to be destroyed for Tom Riddle to die."
"Wait, so… is he like immortal? Poppycock!" Daniel blinked slowly, processing the information.
"Not exactly… He has been buying time doing very dark magic. He split his soul into many pieces. Those pieces were locked in objects. Until those pieces are destroyed, even if we killed the body, he could still come back using another body. We weren't exactly having high tea with your queen all this time. It wasn't all hunky-dory over here. We weren't exactly sunbathing and sipping cocktails on the beach," Sirius replied with a touch of annoyance. He knew he had to be patient, but Hermione's parents weren't helping.
"What the hell do you think we were doing?! This wasn't a vacation for us either. It was a nightmare from day one. We were chased from the moment we got to Australia! We were followed out of the airport. We thought it was just someone trying to do some human trafficking at first, but now we know better. We always felt watched, and we were followed many times. We became paranoid. A patient called the authorities, and we were involuntarily committed to that hell hole."
"They took you against your will?" Sirius asked, frowning. "They can do that?!"
Emma replied, "Yes. When they think you are a threat to yourself and others. They took us and treated us against our will for psychosis and schizophrenia, neither of which we even had! We were beaten, electrocuted, I was almost raped and was groped by personnel and patients, and we were fed disgusting meager meals."
"I am really sorry you had to go through all of that…"
After a deep breath to calm herself, Emma replied, "Thank you…"
"Are they sleeping together?" Daniel asked.
"Whoa. You switched topics so fast there that I think I pulled a muscle… Who do you mean?" Sirius chuckled.
"It is heartening to know you find our concerns amusing," Daniel scowled.
"No. Sorry. I don't. If your concern is whether your daughter is sexually active, I think it would be very disrespectful of me to make any assumptions. However, I don't think that she is. Both she and Harry have good heads on their shoulders. You raised an amazing young woman. They are much too responsible and have far too much going on. They don't have a lot of time for romance," Sirius replied.
"They are teenagers. Forgive me for doubting their responsibility and self-control," Daniel said.
"Mr. Granger… Harry is a warrior. He is older than his years. He has seen battle, bloody and raw. He has had people die fighting the good fight. He knows what's at stake here. He would never put Hermione in a vulnerable position, such as being pregnant in the middle of a war," Sirius said with an all-business tone. "He has done nothing but try to keep as many people safe as he can because he thinks that as he is Riddle's main target, anything Riddle does to get to him is his fault."
Daniel frowned. He wasn't comfortable with child soldiers.
"Whatever happened to that Weasley boy?" Emma asked.
"Ronald?"
"Yes."
"He betrayed them. Sold them off to Riddle. He died recently fighting against us. His brother Bill had to kill him. Ronald betrayed his family too. He gave Riddle a way to breach the protections in his family's home. This got his father killed by Riddle, and the Death Eaters destroyed their home," Sirius explained.
"I told you that boy was bad news the first day I met him," Daniel whispered to his wife.
"And I agreed," Emma narrowed her eyes at him. Turning to Sirius, she asked, "So, what are we to do to earn our keep here?"
"Huh?"
"We have been told everyone pulls their own weight here."
"You will have to talk to Harry about that. This island is a Potter property. But I really doubt he wants you to do more than focus on your recovery," Sirius replied with a small smile.
"We'll see… Thank you for talking to us," Emma said. Her tone was extremely polite and yet a clear 'get out, now.' Padfoot left, closing the door behind him.
Daniel and Emma spoke about what they had learned for hours. They used the stationary on the writing desk to write a timeline to make sense of all they learned. Since they had been snacking on all the fruits and other small food items in their baskets, they didn't realize how late it was. When they went outside, the house was dark. They were trying to find a clock. They tiptoed downstairs, hoping to find the kitchen. Instead, they found a darkened living room where their daughter was crying mutely. Her face was swollen, splotchy, and red, but she was still their baby girl. Seeing her face, seeing her in distress, something snapped in their brains, and despite the pain, they ran to her simultaneously. Harry was shoved aside by Daniel, who jumped over the sofa.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Granger were squeezing Hermione harder than ever before, and for the Grangers… that was saying something. They kissed her all over and spoke at a speed that made what they were saying incomprehensible. Harry froze in the spot he was pushed toward. He felt he should leave. He felt he wasn't welcome, but at the same time if he moved, things would get more awkward. I need to do something to get out of here… He stood up slowly, but they noticed and turned to him.
"Sorry. I… I noticed you didn't come down for dinner. Let me make you something. We have fresh sourdough bread," Harry walked toward the kitchen, keeping his eyes on the ground the whole time. "Is BLT good enough, or do you want some chicken?"
"Anything is fine," Daniel replied.
Harry nodded and made himself zone out as he cooked. He unplugged from his mind connection to Hermione. She needed privacy.
"Before you tell me how disappointed you are-"
"We love you, Hermione. We are upset at how you decided to handle things behind our backs. Our minds are a mess right now, and heaven knows if we will make sense of this at some point. We are making a timeline on paper and would like you to fill out the gaps later."
"We have been talking to some people here. We heard about how bleak things were…"
Hermione felt hope at that, but it was soon crushed.
"However, you cannot expect us to forgive you. What you did… Hermione, you made decisions that weren't yours to make. You uprooted our entire lives. We lost months of our lives being chased, being treated like we were insane, being hunted like deer… all because you thought you knew best," Emma said with a frown. "By deciding this, you infantilized us. We were supposed to make the hard calls, not you."
"We are your parents. You had no right to use your magic against us. When you were eleven, you promised never to use your magic on us unless our lives were at risk medically and you could heal or help us. You especially had no right to use it against us when you knew perfectly well that you were going to force us to do something we would have never agreed to do otherwise. You robbed us of choice, and that almost got us killed," Daniel said slowly. "The worst part is that we knew we were being chased, but we didn't know why. It was only my military training that saved my ass. Picture strangers coming at you with a wooden stick that can kill you without knowing why or how. Picture having flashes of moments you think you lived all the while being gaslighted to believe are all in your mind and never happened."
"Picture having a beautiful daughter… and then having none. Picture people telling you that you imagined your daughter all along. She was never there," Emma added. "Picture being locked up with sex offenders and other criminals who plead insanity. Picture them trying to rape you. Picture the very people who are supposed to take care of you groping you while you shake in fear…"
Hermione sobbed, hugging a cushion. "I'm s-s-sorry. I'm so s-s-s-sorry. I r-realized I messed u-up but you… you have n-no idea. I t-though I was s-smart… Me, q-q-queen of brains… I didn't t-think to create a w-w-way to keep permanent t-tabs on y-you. I… I l-l-lost you. I've b-been te-terrified for m-months. We had people l-l-looking, but we c-c-couldn't find you. Then… they f-found your burnt p-p-practice and t-t-two bodies and I-"
Hermione couldn't keep talking as she remembered the worst moments of her life.
Daniel and Emma were trying hard to stay firm.
Harry came to the living room and wordlessly wrapped his muscular arms around Hermione and placed his forehead against hers, turning her to him. Gold sparks began coming out of the two of them. A blue light flickered from Hermione's chest to Harry's. His expression turned to one of physical pain as he seemingly absorbed Hermione's own pain, but he made no sound. Hermione started to breathe better, imitating Harry, who was modeling breathing while looking deep into her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Always," Harry stood up. "Your BLTs are ready. I will be going to bed. We have a training session at 4, but I will tell Longwei you may not come, Hermione. Don't worry. Your family is a priority."
Hermione nodded, very grateful. "Thanks, Harry."
"Excuse me, Harry?" Emma grabbed his arm, and he flinched, expecting to be hit. Emma frowned. This young man could break her neck without much effort, but his reaction proved what they had been told about his abusive relatives.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"We need to talk to you too."
"I am at your service. However, I think you need to talk as a family first. I would be on your way. Just know that I love your daughter more than anyone else on Earth. She's my everything. She's been through a lot. I know you have concerns about our relationship, but Hermione's my best friend. She's an incredible person. I want to grow old with her. There is nothing I wouldn't do to-"
"Why are you living in sin, then?"
Harry and Hermione shared a look, a blush, and a sigh. "Have your sandwich first, and we will tell you."
Daniel and Emma were trying really hard not to look as pleased as they were by the sandwich they were eating. Damn it. The boy was a good cook. Once they were done, they turned to the kids.
"Explain your relationship to us," Emma said, taking a sip of the iced tea they had been served.
Hermione blinked, a bit perplexed. "E-Explain it?"
"Yes."
"When, where, how? As far as I know, your crush on Harry was over sometime in your sixth year, and you started liking Ronald," Emma said with a frown.
Harry turned to Hermione, shocked that she had told her mother but even more shocked that her mother remembered.
"We told you that kid was bad news," Daniel frowned deeper than his wife. "And now, you are dating this one? He is a ticking time bomb, and when he explodes, he may take you with him!"
Harry felt really low. His eyes closed as his shame bathed him. However, he squeezed Hermione's hand under the table and pushed calming energy toward her. Her father's tone, though, had already irked her exceedingly already, as did the implications of his statement.
"I guess we can chalk that up to my being stupid too," Hermione said. Harry grimaced. When Hermione got like this, she would come for your head.
"Watch your tone, Hermione. Remember who you are talking to here," Daniel replied. "Did you really expect us to be happy about this? You throwing your education, your life, and even us, your FAMILY, away for some rich kid that hasn't done anything but risk your life since he met you?!"
Emma dug her nails into her husband's thigh, but it was too late.
Hermione's face transformed at his question.
"Stupid is as stupid does. Isn't that what you said to me growing up? I didn't throw my education away. It was stolen away. Do you want to know where Riddle lives right now? Hogwarts! We had to help evacuate hundreds of students when he took over. Even before he did, his minions oversaw discipline, torturing kids left and right." Hermione scowled.
"Listen-"
"My life is MINE to throw away if I choose to do so! As a veteran, though, I would expect you, of all people, to understand the importance of fighting for life and country!" Hermione interrupted him. "Harry is not some rich spoiled kid. Harry is a warrior. He is a HERO. I am fighting the good fight! I am not a child, and I am smart enough to know the right side of history. Furthermore, I will not have you try to embarrass me or humiliate me for loving and supporting my husband!" Hermione stood up, her hair flew with non-existent wind.
Emma gasped. "Your what?!"
Daniel turned to Harry, and in seconds, he had the young man pressed against the wall by the neck. Harry saw it coming, but he didn't even try to defend himself. Mr. Granger had a right to be pissed at him.
"Daddy, no!" Hermione jumped after her father and started trying to pull him away. "Let go of him!"
"He will answer to me!" Daniel exclaimed, adding more pressure. "How dare you take advantage of my daughter like that?! Forcing her to marry you when she has no family looking out for her or advising her? After everything she has already done for you?! She sacrificed US for YOU! That wasn't enough?! You needed to make her a bigger target, kid?!"
The wards of the house started to screech violently in the minds of those who were allowed free entry and apparition.
Ruki appeared out of thin air, her hands covered in blue elven fire, her eyes full of murderous rage, "You better put my kid down gently, Mr. Granger. I don't want to hurt you, but Merlin knows I will. If you hurt Harry, I will cause you so much pain you will regret your whole existence!"
"Ruki, n-no! Stand down! It's o-okay… Mr. Granger is r-right to be angry at me and-"
Out of nowhere, Minerva, Sirius, Remus, Neville, and Luna were around them, wands pointed at Mr. Granger, furious expressions on their faces.
"How about you let go of our pup immediately?" Remus roared; his wand pressed against Mr. Granger's neck. He was having a hard time keeping his wolf at bay at this scene.
"Remus, don't! E-Everyone, lower y-your wands…" Harry grunted. When he saw that they didn't, he roared. "Lower your bloody wands! That's an order!"
Slowly, wands went down.
"Mr. Granger, you can beat me down if you want to… I understand, and I won't resist. However, Mrs. Granger seems to need you right now," Harry frowned. Emma had fainted on the sofa. Daniel let go immediately and ran to his wife. Harry started to cough. Hermione looked torn between tending to her mother or her husband. Harry nodded at her to go to her mom.
"DOCTOR! We need a doctor here!"
Lady Greengrass came downstairs in a robe. "What happened?"
"She seems to have fainted."
"Bring her to the Infirmary," Lady Greengrass motioned for Daniel to pick her up when he saw the tension in everyone's faces. Hermione went after them.
"Son, are you okay?" Remus examined his reddened neck.
"Yeah… I am fine," Harry said between coughs. Mr. Granger coming at him like that had him experience flashbacks where he saw Vernon Dursley's purple scowl.
"What happened?" Neville asked, fetching Harry a glass of water.
"Hermione got upset and let it slip that I am her husband… Her father didn't like that at all."
"Fuck," Sirius let out a deep breath.
"Yeah… but I don't think there's any way you can say that in these circumstances and have them react positively," Harry shrugged, taking a sip of water.
Minerva stepped toward him, "Harry, Ms. Lovegood and I were talking. We think there's something we can do to improve the situation."
"What's that?"
"I can connect your brain to theirs and push all your memories of the war to them," Luna offered.
"Luna, absolutely not! I am sorry, but the last time you did that connection thing, you could have died!" Neville exclaimed.
"I agree with Neville. Luna, if you are connecting us with someone else… Who would give you the energy to carry on?"
"One of you… I can share Hermione's memories while Harry stabilizes my core… Then, after I recover, I can share Harry's while Hermione keeps me safe," Luna replied.
"No, Luna. It's too much. The pensieve should be enough," Harry replied.
"Perhaps, but if we make the connection, they will feel the emotions, not just see the scenes. I think that is the only way they will absorb this and believe you completely," Luna replied.
"Luna, sweetie, I can't. It's too much… They shouldn't have to see all the carnage we have seen or feel all the fear and sorrow."
"I understand… I am always willing if you change your mind," Luna squeezed his arm and walked away to see her father. They were going to air Augusta Longbottom's laundry in The Quibbler ahead of the trial. Neville didn't know yet. She hoped he wouldn't be upset at what she had discovered.
Bellatrix was spiraling. She was in a lot of pain. There was blood in her underwear. They had kidnapped another healer from St. Mungos. The Dark Lord grunted, and she stood up against Healer's recommendations.
"Bella," He croaked.
"My Lord?"
"Get me Severus," he grunted, sitting up. He was finally looking less… well, dead.
It had taken both human and animal sacrifices and very dark rituals from the Lestrange grimoire, but they were effective. For how long? That was still up in the air. Bella walked away slowly. Her womb felt heavier than it should.
"Stevens!"
"My Lord?"
"It's time. Go get them."
"But sir,"
Voldemort stared down one of his more promising recruits with such hatred in his eyes that Stevens stopped talking, "They better be here today by the end of the day, or you will not live to see tomorrow. Am I making myself clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Don't you ever question what I say again, Stevens."
"No, sir. I won't."
A/N: Thank you for reading! I have loved all the notifications for favorites or follows and reading your reviews. Tones of Gray will be my next update. I hope you are safe and healthy wherever you are. -Lux-