Chapter 5

Hermione Granger was aware that she was unique from a young age. She was often seen with her head in books or mature conversations with adults. As a result of her mature personality, she was often bullied and spent a lot of time isolating herself in and out of school.

At the age of eleven when she discovered that she was a witch, most specifically a muggle-born. She knew she was different from others and hoped that she'd be accepted by other witches and wizards. However, she realized that she was still different from those around her.

Even though Hermione had a different start at Hogwarts, she managed to make friends with two Gryffindor peers. However, she'll admit that if it wasn't for Electra Potter, she wouldn't be friends with Ronald Weasley. It isn't that Ron isn't nice, he can be but he struggles with empathy. He often lets his temper get the best of him, especially when he's jealous. Hermione had her fair share of arguments with Ron and it usually ended up with her either crying in her room due to what he said or yelling at him.

Electra is the kindest girl Hermione ever met. Even though she also has a temper, Hermione never feels hurt by it. That's because she knew that Electra genuinely hated being rude to her. Hermione is aware that Electra's living conditions are far from perfect. She has been trying to persuade Dumbledore to let Electra stay with her instead. Hermione even went as far as offering to put wards on her home to make sure that she was safe but Dumbledore would always refuse. Always saying that it was for "the greater good" for her to be at the Dursleys.

She kept her suspicions about the headmaster to herself because she knew Electra held him high in regard. However, her perspective changed after witnessing Cedric's death and was forced to return to the Dursleys. Dumbledore had instructed to not send any letters from the wizarding world to Electra, but Hermione refused to leave her best friend alone after that traumatic experience.

Hermione was relieved when Electra informed her that she had left the Dursleys. However, she was scared for her safety because of Voldemort's return. She was determined not to lose her. Hermione had a crush on Electra since her first year and it grew as the years went on. Although Electra only saw her as a friend, she refused to let go of any hope. Until she told her that she felt the same, she would be patient and wait for her.

Hermione jolted from her seat on the sofa in her family room as the doorbell rang. Her parents were at work and she spent the day reading or doing chores. She put her book down and made her way to the door. She opened the door and was shocked to see Professor Lupin and

"Professor? ?"

"Hello, Hermione. Can we come in?" asked in his happy yet soft tone.

"Oh! Yes, of course. Come in" She stepped aside and allowed them inside, guiding them to the living room. "Would you like some coffee or tea?"

"That's alright, Hermione. We're here because Dumbledore has requested your presence with the Weasleys at a location that is protected. With Voldemort on the loose, and everyone who knows Electra, or opposed him in the last war are also in danger. Not just Electra." Hermione was taken aback by the news. She anticipated being targeted because of her blood status and friendship with Electra. She was just surprised they were taking swift action.

"Okay.. but what about my parents? I can't just leave them without informing them" She said strongly, not wanting to leave and have her parents worried about her.

"Are you able to call them? Just tell them you're going to be spending the rest of the summer with some friends." Remus suggested and with a small nod, she made her way out the hall to the home phone to call her parents.

The conversation was brief but luckily her parents gave her permission to leave. Even though that didn't ease her concerns about the danger her parents might be in. As they weren't magical so they had no way to protect themselves from the bloodthirsty and powerful witches and wizards. That made her hesitant to leave.

"They permitted me but if I'm targeted, won't my parents be in danger too? Don't you think they'll use them to draw me out? They need protection too." Hermione said as she crossed her arms as she waited for a response. The two older wizards exchanged a look that she couldn't tell what it meant before they turned her attention back to her.

"Alright, Hermione. We'll discuss it with Dumbledore further but we could put a few wards on the house. So that way we'll get notified if anyone enters-"

"And what is that going to do? Remus please" She pleaded, her large brown eyes filling with tears as she stared up at only her favorite professor. Remus felt his heart clench at the sight. He was rather fond of the witch and thought she was perfect for his cub and he felt the two would be more but they are both stubborn.

Remus placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling softly at her.

"Here's what we're going to do, you and I will go and see your parents and I'll make an emergency Portkey for them to use if anything happens. They'll go straight to the Leaky Cauldron." Hermione let out a shaky breath. She smiled tearfully at him and whispered 'Thank you'.

"Remus-"

"Arthur, we should've thought about this! Of course, her parents would have been targeted if they couldn't find Hermione. They're just as important as she is, if not more." Hermione could see the guilt flash in his eyes as he nodded.

"Right, of course, they are. I apologize Hermione-"

"There's no need. I do appreciate it though."

Hermine gathered up her things, and Remus started setting up the wards around the house. It took about ten minutes and she could tell it took a toll on Remus. Warding is a particular type of intricate magic. After shrinking down her things and handing them to, Remus and Hermione apparated to the alley next to her parents' dental practice.

"Huh. Should've known they were dentists" Remus chuckled, getting a confused look from the witch. "Well, you hardly ever eat sweets. It's rare to see you eat a few"

"Well, I always hated flossing. The more I eat them the more I'll have to floss" She giggled with a small shrug. Before walking into the building. They walked up to the receptionist who smiled brightly at Hermione but eyed Remus suspiciously when the women realized they were standing next to each other.

"Hi, Sandy! I was wondering if my parents are free. I need to talk to them, it's important."

"Are you okay Hermione?" Hermione frowned. Not understanding why Sandy is acting so odd. "Do you know this man?"

Hermione's eyes widened once it clicked. She felt disgusted by what Sandy thought. She appreciated the caution but still. With a frustrated sigh, Hermione spoke up again.

"Where are my parents Sandy?"

"Um, in their office but-" Before Sandy could even finish her sentence, Hermione grabbed Remus' arm and pulled him in the direction of her parents' office. Remus was impressed by the language Hermione is grumbling since she usually scolds anyone else for saying such words out loud.

At the end of the hall, they found a door that was labeled "Drs Jean and Howard Granger". After knocking twice, a male voice was heard from behind the wooden door.

"Hi mum, dad. This is Remus Lupin, he used to be a professor at Hogwarts. There's a few things we need to talk about" Remus gave them a polite smile with a nod. He could see that Hermione took more after her father because of her hair color and brown eyes while she had her mother's wild curls and skin tone.

"Of course. It's nice to meet you! I'm Jean and this is my husband, Howard. Please sit down"

"Thank you. Please call me Remus" They sat down in front of Howard while Jean stood next to her husband.

"So, what is this about?"

"Well, without going into too much detail, Hermione felt that you both deserve some type of protection. Just in case some people may cause any harm to your family-"

Howard and Jean exchange concerned looks before looking back to the pair. Desperate for some type of information. "Does this have to do with that evil lord guy?"

Remus noticed Hermione's knowing look and his eyes widened slightly. He was relieved that she had opened up to some of the terrible things that had been happening. He wasn't sure why he expected her to be quiet but he was grateful that he wasn't.

"Yes, Dad. Voldemort is back and that means there will be war in the wizarding world sooner or later. Since I'm a muggle-born, I'm in danger, but also being best friends with Electra Potter means I have a bigger target on my back. Remus is here to provide an emergency Portkey, which will transport you to the Leaky Cauldron until he or another adult can get you."

Seeing the uneasiness on their faces, Remus spoke up. "I hope it was okay but I've placed some wards around your house. It'll let one of us know if someone has entered your home and wishes you harm. An alarm of sorts will go off throughout your home and it'll give you enough time to escape."

"And there isn't a way to try to convince you to stay out of it?" Jean asked, though from what Remus could tell, she knew that answer already. Hermione is amazingly bright and a powerful witch. She is also loyal and stubborn which means that she'd rather fight next to her friends than hide away.

"Nope," Hermione replied firmly, crossing her arms over her chest. Jean sighed with a shake of her head but she had a smile threatening to show. Howard, however, showed no problems to hide his amusement and chuckled at his daughter's stern look.

"Fair enough, but please promise us you'll be careful"

"I promise Dad. I'll be as careful as I can be. So I was thinking that maybe your wedding rings can be the Portkey. We'll just need to add a specific password that you wouldn't say on accident." Remus nodded along, with a smile at that idea.

It was a good hour before Hermione and Remus left the Dental practice. Hermione felt a lot happier knowing that her parents were protected. Remus apparated them onto a quiet road, the only sound that she heard was birds chirping in the trees and a few cars in the far distance.

"Here read this and memorize it" Remus handed over a strip of parchment, she had a confused frown. She read the words 'The headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix is number twelve, Grimmauld Place'. She had questions but her attention was drawn to the sound of things moving in front of her. She raised her head and her eyes widened when she noticed the building was splitting in half showing a house.

"Wow," A deep chuckle snapped her out of her amusement and Remus gestured for her to follow him.

As they walked closer to the house, there was a number twelve on the door. Remus tapped the handle with his wand and Hermione observed as it opened slowly. She scrunched up her nose as the damp odor hit her from the inside and felt a little bit uneasy as she walked further into a dark hallway.

"It's not much but-"

"Oh! Hermione, my dear!" greeted her with a tight but warm hug. Hermione looked around and gasped at the sight of the man she had helped Electra save from his horrible fate.

"Sirius!"