The hallway of the Ministry of Magic buzzed with activity, wizards and witches in various states of urgency, rushing to and fro. Amidst the organized chaos, Hermione Granger sat at her desk in her tidy office, surrounded by towering stacks of parchment. Her focus on the paperwork was interrupted by the familiar voice of a young boy.
"Aunt Mimi! Aunt Mimi!" cried a five-year-old boy with brown hair and deep chocolate eyes. He sprinted towards Hermione, his energy uncontainable. A few steps behind him, a woman with a regal demeanor and thin, tall build followed. Her brown hair was secured in a bun, and her haughty gray eyes surveyed the scene with an air of superiority, drawing the attention of those nearby.
Hermione looked up to see her nephew approaching. "Teddy, what have I told you about running in the hallways of the Ministry?" scolded the woman in the deep blue dress, her voice soft but cold. Teddy's hair changed to a rosy tone as he hung his head in shame.
"It's okay, Andromeda. I don't mind him calling me Mimi," Hermione reassured, holding her nephew in her arms. Teddy buried his face in his godmother's curls.
"I've raised him with manners, Hermione. The least he could do is show a little politeness," Andromeda, not easily appeased, replied with a stern tone, maintaining her aristocratic posture.
Hermione sighed, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Andromeda, it's alright. Really." But before she could say more, Teddy piped up with a pout, "Godmother, I'm sorry for yelling and running through the hallways.", playing with the pearl necklace around her neck.
"Don't worry, it's always a joy to see my favorite godson," Hermione said, tapping Teddy's nose, causing him to laugh.
"I'm your only godson," Teddy giggled, filling the room with childish laughter. Hermione and Andromeda exchanged tender glances at the boy's innocence. Then, Andromeda turned to Hermione with a request.
"Hermione, I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand, but I need you to stay this afternoon in charge of my grandson. Cissa needs my help for the Christmas charity gala, and you know how she is," Andromeda said, a light blush covering her cheeks.
"What's wrong with Harry? Can't he take care of Teddy?" Hermione inquired, aware of the cordial but distant relationship between Andromeda and Harry.
"Harry wanted to take Teddy to the Burrow the other day, and we argued," Andromeda explained, her eyes darkening, a more pronounced sneer marring her face. "I did not want my grandson to set foot in that place. Molly Weasley killed my older sister, and it's something I will never forgive her for, and before you speak, I'm aware of all the damage my sister Bella did and my family's opinion of Muggle-borns and blood traitors, but she was my older sister and Molly Weasley killed her. I must seem like a hypocrite to you after all"
Hermione, sympathetic, responded, "I'm not the one to judge you, Andromeda. I've always found it very curious and in some twisted way, admirable how all the Blacks, including Sirius, remain so loyal to their family after everything you've been through. Sirius hated Walburga and yet he never tore or burned his mother's painting, nor did he sell Grimmauld either."
"You once asked me why I preferred you over Harry," Hermione nodded. "You see the world in grayish tones, not just black and white. You understand the complexity of relationships, Harry doesn't. Harry doesn't understand why I hold a grudge against Molly when it was the Death Eaters that killed my daughter and son-in-law. I may hold a grudge against Molly but that doesn't mean I don't hate those responsible for the death of my grandson's parents.
As Hermione remained silent, Andromeda continued speaking. "Bella, Cissy, Sirius and Regulus, all of us were all raised in a family that valued blood purity and power above all else. They instilled in us from a very young age, amongst other things, that for us consequences did not exist, that guilt and remorse were of weak people. My father and Sirius' father, Orion, were very disappointed when they found out that Bella had become a Death Eater and had dragged Reggie with her. My father almost blasted Bella off the family tapestry, you know?
Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise, "What? Why? They agreed with Voldemort's ideology."
"The House of Black could agree with Voldemort's policies and support him but they would've never, never allowed Voldemort to take one of their own. You see, another thing that was just as sacred in our family was that a 'Black bows to no wizard', no matter who he is.
"So, even though they were pureblood supremacists, the fact that they took the Dark Mark and agreed to follow Voldemort's orders was seen as a betrayal of the family's principles?" Hermione asked, trying to grasp the intricacies of the Black family dynamics.
Andromeda nodded solemnly. "Exactly. They could support the cause but they took the Dark Mark, but once they bowed to Him , it was a stain on the family honor. My father never recovered from the disgrace. Sirius, the rebel he was, ironically never broke that principle and I think that deep down, in some twisted way, Walburga and Orion were proud of him."
Hermione listened intently, her empathy for Andromeda deepening. "It sounds like a difficult family to be a part of."
Andromeda chuckled bitterly. "Difficult doesn't even begin to cover it. But enough about my family. I need you to watch over Teddy this afternoon. I trust you more than anyone else, and I don't want him near Molly Weasley or that Burrow."
Hermione agreed, "Of course, Andromeda. I'll take care of Teddy. We can spend the afternoon in my flat watching Disney movies."
Andromeda's stern expression softened, and she placed a grateful hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Thank you, Hermione. I appreciate your understanding."
As Andromeda left, Hermione turned her attention back to Teddy, who had been patiently waiting during the conversation. She smiled at him, "Well, Teddy, it looks like you and I are going to have a fun afternoon together."
Teddy's face lit up with excitement. "Yay, Aunt Mimi! Can we watch the 'Lion King?"
Hermione laughed, "Absolutely, Teddy. But first I need to pick up something from the Department of Mysteries" And with that, they left the office, hand in hand.
Hermione swiftly led Teddy through the bustling corridors of the Ministry, his tiny hand tightly clasped in hers. As they entered the Department of Mysteries, the air grew colder, and the hushed whispers of mysterious enchantments filled the space. Hermione took a deep breath, glancing around at the veiled archways and curious orbs floating in the air.
"Okay, Teddy, your godmother needs to go into this room for a moment. It's important that you wait right here and don't touch anything, alright?" Hermione crouched down to Teddy's eye level, looking into his wide, innocent eyes.
Teddy nodded solemnly, his hair turning black with seriousness. "I'll wait, I promise!"
Hermione smiled reassuringly, patting his head. "I'll be right back."
Entering a smaller chamber adjacent to the hall,Hermione quickly located what she needed—a small, shimmering hourglass that seemed to be filled with sparkling sand. She carefully placed it in her purse. "Yes, got it," she muttered to herself, a sense of relief washing over her. But just as she was about to return to Teddy, his piercing scream echoed through the hall.
Heart pounding, Hermione rushed back to find a neo-Death Eater, his face obscured by a mask, holding Teddy hostage.
"Give me the Time-Turner, Mudblood, or the brat gets it!" he hissed, his wand pointing threateningly at Teddy, who sobbed quietly.
Hermione's mind raced. She quickly assessed the situation and, with a heavy heart, handed over the Time-Turner. "Take it. Just let him go," she pleaded, her voice quivering.
The neo-Death Eater pushed Teddy towards Hermione and fled, disappearing into the shadows. Crouching down, she held Teddy close, her eyes welling with tears, "Run, Teddy. Run as fast as you can to the fireplaces. Get home to Malfoy Manor. I love you. I'll be with you before you know it."
Teddy nodded, tears streaming down his face, and sprinted towards the fireplaces. Once she saw Teddy safely on his way, Hermione's focus shifted to the fleeing Death Eater. She sprinted after him, fury burning in her eyes. Without a word, she nonverbally made him trip, sending him sprawling on the cold floor.
"You worthless, mudblood bitch" The Death Eater, enraged, quickly recovered and turned to face Hermione.
"Expelliarmus"
"Is that the best you can do, Mudblood? You know you can do better than that," he taunted, a cruel smile beneath the mask.
Wand in hand, they engaged in a fierce clashed in mid-air, creating sparks that illuminated the surrounding the midst of the intense battle, Hermione's attention wavered for a moment. She managed to catch the Time-Turner, but failed to notice the Death Eater's menacing grin, laughing he forcefully pushed the towering shelves of prophecies towards her.
It was too late for Hermione to react. The shelves toppled over her, prophecies crashing and breaking around her making her drop the Time-Turner, a chilling shout of "Avada Kedavra" pierced the air, a blinding flash of green light engulfing her, and the world went silent.