Here is the next chapter. Please read and review thank you love Hermione xxx
Damian and Dudley had been spending a few nights away from home each night to allow Petunia and Vernon to adjust to the fact that their boys would soon be leaving home. It was all working out to the relief of everyone there.
"Dora I need you to do me a favour if you can. Can you go to Hogwarts and bring this camera with you? I would like a photo of the sleeping arrangements in each house!" Damian said wisely as she looked stunned.
"You are very clever sir. No one has ever thought to do that. I will do it and I will be back!" she said taking his Polaroid magical camera and leaving at once. He was very shocked to hear that no one had thought of it before. Why wouldn't they want to see what they all looked like before deciding where they wanted to go? He knew about the sorting hat as Dora had told him about it and he had been curious as to why people didn't ask for the house they wanted to have. Why would they not ask? Half an hour later Dora returned with the photos he'd asked for.
The Gryffindor dorm all had beds which went around in a circle with a nice furnace or heat source in the middle. I guess being up so high meant that you were likely colder or something. Each bed had its own bed side locker with its own lamp. The beds were all four poster singles made of dark mahogany wood with scarlet red curtains on them. In the corner of the room was door leading to the bathroom which she had also photographed. Each person had a stall assigned to him or her with its own shower, bath rub and toilet in it. There was a sink inside and the ladies had a vanity outside in the main communal bathroom space. It did look nice for what it was.
Next he looked at the Ravenclaw rooms and smiled. This room also had four poster beds which were made of thick silver metal and had midnight blue curtains on them. These beds didn't go in a circle however they went in a straight line. Opposite each bed was a neat area to store your trunk and a chest of drawers for your clothing. The bathroom here was also opposite each section with each child getting their own bathroom. This was interesting indeed. He really liked the colours but even he could see that this was not a reason to go to Ravenclaw house.
He then looked at the Hufflepuff rooms which were laid out very differently. In the true style of an actual burrow the levels started at one and got deeper under ground as you went to seven. Each year had seven bedrooms with two people per room. Each bedroom came with an en suite bathroom containing two bath tubs, toilets and sinks. Another sweet feature was that each of the four poster beds which was made of ebony wood and covered with yellow curtains had a patchwork quilt on it. It was like it had been made with love by the beautiful house elves of the school and each one was a new design. In the centre of each room was a stone badger which dispensed snacks and drinks as you required. He wasn't really sure how much this was needed but the more he thought about it the more he thought that he'd always appreciate having access to water whenever he wanted a drink. He thought it was very sweet and for the moment was considering this house as a possible house he would like to be in. Just because he was the new Lord Slytherin didn't have to mean he'd be in Slytherin. Ideally all of them could go into each others houses to get a fresh perspective on it. He doubted anyone would agree to something that cool but it was worth a shot to ask them about it anyway later on.
The last house he looked at was the Slytherin one. Like the Hufflepuff house they had seven rooms for two people each on various levels however their levels went outwards and down gradually instead of directly straight down like the Hufflepuff layout. Each room had two four poster small double beds in it. Those beds were made of silver metal and had deep green curtains on them. On the four posts of each bed were snakes that wound all the way up the metal. These snakes had emerald green gemstones for eyes. Inside the bed he could see runes you would tap with your finger or wand to silence your bed for eight hours. This would keep out the snoring if anyone did snore. He sure hoped Dudley would go with him to whatever house he chose. He wouldn't force Dudley though. He could in reality go into whichever house he wanted to he'd just miss him a lot if they weren't in the same house. In the rooms they had en suites like the Hufflepuff bedrooms but in the middle of the room they had a gorgeous elaborate fountain. This fountain consisted of four snake heads one at each corner shooting water into the middle but it didn't much look like water. He wasn't all that sure it was even water even though it was clear like water.
"Dora can you tell me do these fountains actually contain water like it appears they do?" he asked her as she smiled at him. He was so perseptive. He was able to tell even from looking at it head on the first time round that it might not be water. He'd obviously asked her to clarify but she loved that he'd had that thought on his own. It was rather clever of him.
"The snakes' heads have different coloured eyes sir. The snake with green eyes gives the elixir of peace. This is to calm you down should have a nightmare in the night and it's also used to aid in housemate disputes. It truly does save time and was very clever of Salazar to install. Clearly he thought it would be needed and it was'' she said pointing to the first snake head in the photo he had in his hands. He thought it was a very clever idea too. I mean all one would need to do is take a sip of the elixir of peace and everything would work out and calm down quickly. This did insure that no one would needlessly get hurt.
''The snake with the blue eyes gives you safe drinking water. The snake with the red eyes supplies you with a wakefulness potion in the case of you working too hard the night before and being too tired in the morning. It is a safe potion sir and it doesn't matter how much of it you use but it does matter when you use it. It is recommended to use it only in the morning. It is comign from the snake with red eyes as those who are exhausted normally have red eyes. Again it was very clever of Salazar. The last snake has yellow eyes and supplies you with butter beer. The snakes are said to represent each house!" she answered him fully.
He thought it was an amazing idea and it did make sense. Someone cunning would always want peace to plan out their next move. Someone who was always going into battle would need some safe water to drink to keep them replenished. Someone who was constantly studying new things all the time sometimes late into the night would need a wakefulness potion in the morning to healthily remain awake and go about their day normally. The fact that Hufflepuff was clearly located near the kitchens made you getting butter beer from the yellow eyed snake sensible. Obviously it was what would happen. He had already made his decision but he had Dora take him to Dudley.
Dudley was currently in a hot tub he'd found in the top floor of Grimmauld Place. He'd only allowed Damian access to the very top floor which he as Lord Black could only enter with those he had said could enter previously. He jumped as Damian and Dora popped in suddenly making him scream.
"What the hell Damian? At least come to the door next time and bloody knock!" he snapped as Damian himself screamed as Dudley had scared him.
"Stop bloody screaming you terrified me! Anyway here look at these pictures of the different bedrooms in the Hogwarts Houses and tell me which one you like the best!" he said handing it to Dudley who dried his hands and took it from him calming his racing heart slowly but surely. He looked through all of them and smirked.
"Well I just love the one with the snakes. I think I will ask the hat to place me there. I realise we're not meant to know about it but mum didn't realise that when she told us about it. I can't for the life of me understand why it's forbidden but either way it is. Have you thought anymore about what you told me about Hermione?" he asked Damian who blushed bright red.
"Yes I have and intend to fix it. I'm sorry but what happened to me before was mortifying and I realised then that I don't want anyone to ever have to suffer the same embarrassment. I'll be going now!" he said leaving his brother there after giving him a hug.
"Dora go to Hermione's home and knock her out. Bring her to me and when I am done you can put her back. Don't worry I don't intend to harm her!" he said reassuringly to Dora who still didn't look sure but did it anyway. Hermione was in her room reading when Dora popped in and zapped her till she was unconscious and brought her to Damian's house where she left her in an armchair. He put on some disposable gloves and opened her mouth seeing her two huge front teeth and groaning. This was bound to amount to bullying and he wouldn't stand for it. Raising his wand he adjusted their size permanently to shrink and become perfectly straight anyway. They were all her adult teeth as the process is slightly elevated in magicals then it would be in muggles. Most muggles get their adult teeth by twelve of thirteen but for all magicals they have all their adults' teeth by the time they are eleven. That's just the way it is although no one really knows why.
He looked at her once more with her perfect teeth and smiled and then frowned again. Her hair was a nightmare and even she said so on a regular basis. He looked in the Peverell family grimoire for a solution for wayward hair which he eventually found and applied. Instead of it looking like birds nest which it usually did on the regular it now hung in very neat waves. He knew Hermione would assume her magic had just done it to her and had Dora return her to her room and wake her up once more.
Hermione opened her eyes groggily and suddenly had loads of pain in her mouth. For all the good that Damian had done he hadn't realised that once it was done a pain relief potion would be needed. Hermione went to the bathroom to check herself out and almost screamed. Her hair fell in neat waves and she had normal sized straight teeth. She assumed her magic had done it to her and took a pain relief potion as she always had them on her now due to starting her cycle a few months ago. She went downstairs as her mother screamed upon seeing her.
"Hermione what the hell have you done to yourself? Where in the hell is my little girl!" she snapped as Richard her father ran in and looked at her in awe.
"Well mum it would seem my magic did this to me itself. I cannot control it. I would assume every girl who has magic changes this way as they mature. Do you not like it?" she asked her eyes filling with tears which didn't fall.
"Oh sweetheart I am sorry I screamed at you I just preferred you the other way because you looked like a little girl still. Now you look like such a young woman. I just miss it so much. It's all happening so fast!" she said as she burst into tears with Richard giving her a strange look and leaving them to sort it out alone. It was obviously one of those feminine things he would be no good at helping with. If he was honest he'd always hated Hermione's hair and how unruly it always looked. They'd broken several brushes over the years on it and this for him was a welcome change even though he could still see where his wife was coming from.
"Mum I started my period a few months ago. It's only natural this should happen too!" she said as Jean's head flew up in rage to meet her daughters eyes. She was highly confused by that. Where was the sudden anger coming from. Did her mum have her period now too?
"When the hell were you planning on telling me this huh?" she snapped as Hermione jumped at her tone still seriously not understanding where the ire was coming from. Should she not have said that or something? To be honest she expected her mum to be mature enough to handle that happening to her but maybe she'd misjudged her mum or something.
"But why would I tell you about it when it happens to me? That's very weird and so is the fact that it happens at all. It's very painful and icky. I would imagine you wouldn't like to hear that from me. I could hardly just say hello mum I'm bleeding out my vagina and started menstruating today. It's weird to do that and it would make me highly uncomfortable! Besides which it's very personal and highly private. I don't ask you to tell me when you bleed" she replied sounding horrified at the idea of sharing anything so intimate with her mother.
"Hermione you're my only daughter and so it makes sense I would want to know that about you. Since we discovered you even had magic in the first place I just feel like I'm constantly loosing you or fighting for your attention when I shouldn't have to. I am your mother and I love you dearly. I know you can be very private sweetheart but I didn't think you'd keep this from me. How have you been caring for yourself and dealing with the pain and cravings which come with getting your cycle every month?" she asked as Hermione looked guiltily at her.
"Well I didn't know you felt like that. I've always just asked my house elf Lara who you know I inherited when I became Lady Ravenclaw to use the money in that account to buy supplies for me and give me whatever I crave which is usually chocolate or curry depending on how I feel. I only asked her to get it because I don't like feeling dependant on others when I shouldn't have to be. It's just not fair at all!" she said as her mother looked at her in awe.
"Hermione you will be twelve in a few weeks you could never be a burden to me or your father ever and I promise you that. I know we're often very busy what with running our own dental empire and going to all those dental and business conferences but you will always be our most important asset. Please tell me what you do because I need to be sure you do it correctly. You're not in trouble I promise you I was just very shocked. Also we need to have a talk!" she said as she stood up and proceeded to make two of her famous Granger hot chocolates.
"Well mum I use pads with wings which I stick into my underwear however Lara has recently gotten me pads which have a very pretty designs on them but are reusable and better for the environment. She washes them for me any time I need her to in an instant. She's so wonderful. I don't often need things because she can get me anything I need although I wouldn't say no to some curry now. As it happens I do have my cycle at the moment. Weird as it is for me to tell you this I can tell it will somehow make you happy. I will never understand why but it's your life! No offense mum but you know how obsesseed with reading I am. Did you really think logically I'd allow myself to remain clueless in this area?" she said sighing as she rubbed her tummy. Jean went to respond but before she could Lara popped in and handed her a potion.
"Missy Mione must be calling Lara when you need me! I have told you many times to not forget it is my job to care for you. It doesn't annoy me. You are my family and you need to stop being so foolish. I can see your hair is better. Probably due to less stress. Good you are taking my advice about relaxing more. Didn't I tell you with a better appearance you'd be taken more seriously in our world. I am delighted you are listening to me. Here take this for your pain and I will get you those chocolate fudge squares you like!" she ordered as Jean watched the interaction in fascination. The elf clearly cared very much for her daughter and could be quite bossy when she needed to be. It was slightly heart warming to see. She was shocked that Lara had thought Hermione should look better and was happy with her new appearance. It would be a lot to take in. Hermione downed the small potion in one and you could tell she instantly felt better.
"Tell you what sweetheart as a treat I'll call out for a curry and we can make a girls night of it. We can paint each others nails and all that!" she said surprised as Hermione exhaled loudly.
"I don't like painting my nails mum. It's a waste of time I could be spending doing something else and besides which they never dry on time and then you go to read and ruin a book. No thank you. We can have the curry and I will indeed paint your nails because you seem to like it so much!" she said shocked as her mum burst into tears again.
"Hermione I know you're a witch and a very smart one at that but surely you could enjoy some beauty with me once before school. Would it kill you to act like a normal almost teenager for a while? I know you all mature much faster as Professor McGonagall told us that when she came here before!" she snapped as Hermione looked confused.
"Why is it you and I are never on the same page? I will do it but only because it will make you happy. There is more to life then good looks and beauty. That will get you nowhere if you're not smart enough. I would have thought you knew that. Anyway you said we needed to talk what did you want to discuss?" she asked her mother who was stunned.
"Hermione you can have beauty and brains too you know. I don't know why you fail to see that. Now we need to talk about what happens to a girl as they get older. You probably already know you get your cycle every month and usually for the same amount of time too. Although at the begining you will likely be irregular as most girls are. What I mean is that your period might not be for the same length of time at the start until you settle down a few years later. What you may not know is that your body floods with hormones which can make you feel very angry, happy or sexually excited suddenly sometimes. It's nothing to be ashamed about at all. As you grow up your breasts will further develop and they might be larger or smaller then mine. For example my cup size is a C cup but you might be a B size or a D size depending on how you mature. You will start to like boys and you may even want to do sexual things with them!" she paused to take a drink of her hot chocolate when Lara popped in with the chocolate fudge squares and fed one to Hermione immediately who moaned at the taste.
"Thank you Lara. You care so well for me. You must be the best elf ever!" she said hugging her now squealing elf who was bouncing up and down with joy. Jean smiled at seeing the happiness on her face. She truly loved Hermione very much.
"You really love Hermione don't you Lara?" Jean asked the elf who looked shocked at being addressed by someone who wasn't Hermione as it so rarely happened to her.
"Don't worry Jeanie ma'am. I love her and I will always make sure my Missy Mione is always safe and protected. You look after yourself too or I will come here and make sure you are doing it just like I do with Missy Mione!" she scolded lightly before popping away.
"Well that's me told then isn't it? She's precious Hermione. As I was saying do you understand what it means to become sexual with someone?" she asked Hermione who rolled her eyes. She'd read all this ages ago. Just because she was exceptionally private and never volunteered any information about herself didn't mean that she didn't know things.
"Yes I do. The mans penis fills with blood and swells to a much larger state then it is when he's not excited. The woman's vagina becomes very wet in anticipation of the man inserting his penis into her vagina. When two people make love the man will slide his penis into her vagina. If the woman is irresponsible and doesn't insist the man uses a condom or uses a contraceptive potion herself she will become pregnant and have a baby. It is up to those two parties to protect themselves carefully. Don't forget to protect yourself and then cry to me when you're pregnant. As for me when I am sexually active in my own time I will be using the contraceptive potion to insure no accidents can happen. I do not anticipate having children until I am at least twenty five. It doesn't fit in with my life plan otherwise. Who knows kids might not evcen be for me anyway. You should know I don't volunteer any information about myself to anyone because I'm just not like that. It's no one's business but my own'' she said seriously as Jean regarded her equally as seriously. When she'd been young she told no one anything about herself either and I guess having your own daughter remind you so much of yourself was tough. It was a tough pill to swallow. She felt like she should respect Hermione's desire for privacy but also felt that she'd be missing out on so much of her daughters life if she did so.
''When I first got my cycle I read everything and saw all the diagrams! As I said earlier I don't have a life outside books so it really shouldn't surprise you all that much to know I read all about it. If it does you don't know me all that well" she said stunning her mother who was sat there opening and closing her mouth like a fish at that last statement. What did you say to an annoyingly intelligent little girl who looked up and studied everything so much that she'd never really need to ask her parents for help? Richard who had heard what she said came in looking furious and surprising Jean who hadn't even known he was outside the kitchen.
"No man will ever get near you till you're at least thirty and this I promise! Over my dead body will you ever understand about sex until then! I will not have a scarlet woman or harlot for a daughter whoring it with all the boys. You may know it all now but you will never and I repeat never be physical with a boy without my permission first" he snapped as she rounded on him looking furious herself. He seemed confused by Jean who face palmed and sighed heavily.
"This is why people like you who always say the wrong things loose not only their children but their children's respect. I still respect you dad but you need to take that back or you'll lose my respect fast. It is my life and my choice. Just because I am highly intelligent and know so much now does not mean I am beyond asking for help if and when I need it. I am not perfect and will need it for sure at some point in the future. I need to be able to rely on my daddy and if I can't or don't feel I can then what does that say about you?" she paused to take a drink before ploughing on again before he even had the chance to reply.
He was just standing there with his mouth hanging open in awe. Jean eyed them both in awe herself. In fairness Richard had been a dick earlier but Hermione's repsonse had been truly shocking. She needed to be sure that Hermione and Richard always had a good relationship. She knew herself from being a teenager that her own relationship with her own father had gone south because he was far too controlling and overbearing and she'd resented him because of it. She would discuss things with Richard later on when they were alone because he would need to understand that speaking like that to his daughter even if it came from a good place did such damage he was liekly unaware of.
"The fact that you could ever think that of me is so hurtful. To be frank I love books and don't have time for a man right now because that would ruin my organised life. Having said this I feel like that now but I could surprise myself and change my opinion on that at some point later, I don't know. You are making yourself look bad. I will never want to introduce anyone to my father if he will be rude about me like that calling me a whore for wanting someone. It's unrealistic to say you want me to be single till I'm thirty because even I know that'll never happen. I want to be proud to bring someone home to you but after what you just said I wouldn't be proud to introduce anyone to you, much less a boyfriend because I couldn't guarantee what you'd say. It would make me toop nervous because I'd say here's my dad be careful though because he may say horrendous things. You really need to think about what I'm saying. Please leave me alone I have my cycle and my hormones are all over the place which is making eveything I say more intense then it would normally be. The point is tomorrow isn't promised to anyone and so I plan to live my life to the fullest while I can. You should too!" she said in such an intelligent way it blew him away.
"Hermione I am sorry but since this whole magical thing you have become someone I don't know anymore and to be honest I have become something I don't like myself. I have been lying to relatives about why you're never free and where you're going. I am not a liar but because of magic I have had no choice but to become one. You are too smart for your own good sweetheart and I am sorry I was such a jerk. I know you would never do that. I will never truly say that to anyone and I promise you this. I was just mad because it seems everything parents are supposed to be able to tell their young daughter you already know. I really don't like feeling useless and as though I am no longer of any value to you in your life'' he said passionately gulping thickly as she just stared at him in awe herself. He ploughed on though after a while.
''I don't like who I have become or who magic is making you become but I will adjust. In fairness Jean she truly does read everything she can get her hands on and I should have known better. I love you so much! Please forgive me sweetheart. I'm so proud of you I just felt very teritorial or protective over you becsause you're my true gem, my darling girl and I never want anything bad happening to you. I don't want to lose you baby girl" he said cradling her closely while Jean phoned for the curry.
''Oh daddy you'll never lose me. You might lose my respect but you'd never lose me. I believe you when you say you're not going to say these mean things any longer. I am sorry too it's just my period is really making me feel far too passionate about things then it normally would. I love you so much daddy!'' she said running into his arms and cuddling him close as he held her tightly and smiled brightly. Things were ok again and he was relieved.
Hermione went into the living room to read for a while as her parents stayed in the kitchen to have a privare chat. It was clear they needed one and she was more than happy to let them at it, if it meant they'd leave her in peace to read quietly alone. ''Richard sit down please as we need to talk! As you know I had a bad relationship with my father growing up but I never told you why. I guess it never came up or it never occurred to me to tell you why. Either way I did and I feel like you need to know why'' she said as he sat down looking concerned.
''Ok you've got my attention Jean. It's ok I'm here for you'' he said seriously reaching out and squeezing her hand in a reassuring way. He wanted her to feel safe to explore this with him. He loved his wife so much and always wanted to show her that.
''When we were kids Angela rebelled heavily against mum and dad. She did everything you weren't meant to do and in all honesty got off on pushing their buttons repeatedly. If they said she wasn't to do it you could bet your bottom dollar she'd wind up doing it. It honestly wore them out and as I was not like that it was difficult for me to see her do it to them. I really didn't like her doing that to them. I was like Hermione and lived mainly in books myself. This changed when I became a teenager though!'' she said her eyes welling with tears which didn't fall. She took a steadying breath before continuing as Richard held her hand rubbing his fingers over her palm in comfort.
''When I became a teenager dad thought I'd wind up as messed up as Angela had. He couldn't go through all that again but he couldn't see that I wasn't like that myself. He assumed everything I did or wanted to do was bad and would cause him trouble like Angela had. He never once trusted that I wasn't like her and he dominated my teenage years. I had no life as a teenager because he took it from me. He automatically assumed I was bad and wouldn't hear that he was wrong about it all no matter who told him he was. He never let me do anything on my own and chased away any boy who might have been remotely interested'' she said now sobbing as he cuddled her close.
''I was a geek growing up. I wore the thick rimmed glasses and I lived in books purely because he couldn't hurt me there. No one ever wanted me ever. I never once felt special or pretty growing up and whenever there was a possibility someone might have liked me for me, he'd in all honesty swoop in and ruin it for me. He knocked my confidence all the time telling me I couldn't be a whore. I wasn't a whore Richard I just wanted some attention from boys from time to time. As I said he scared every boy away and mum and he often faught about it. He ruined my childhood and I am sorry to say I don't want that for Hermione. You are not my father and I see that but I am only saying I don't want you to become like him either. He really isn't a good dad. To be honest he never was. I just don't think he was ready to become a father so young. Oh Richard!'' she said desperately as he clung to her tightly.
He wanted so much to comfort her. Her sister Angela had become pregnant at sixteen and seriously let the family down. She miscarried her baby and was never the same again. She had a complete breakdown and looked to her dad for comfort but all he could see was a slut. He couldn't get over it and Jean didn't think he ever had. HIm and Angela had stopped talkking and to be honest she wasn't close with him either. He did the best he could with the information he had at the time but could never once apologise for it which ultimately ruined any chance of reconcilliation he had with her or Angela.
''Jean I'm so sorry. I didn't know that. I knew you weren't close with him but I never asked you why and for that I am sorry. I promise I will be someone Hermione can be proud of. I won't let her or you down, I promise. I think if Hermione took one of those contraceptive potions that lasts seven years that Lara told me about earlier today I would surely feel better. You are a wonderful woman darling and should never let your father rule your life anymore. You are amazing and I've never loved you more. I have always loved and desired you sweetheart and I always will no matter what!'' he said seriously as she regarded him in shock. He was being perfect right now. It was everything she needed to hear. If she was honest he was turning her on slightly as well by being there for her. He had always turned her on a lot. She'd always desired him and that didn't diminish over the years. She just loved him so much. See that was the difference between him and her own father. He'd messed up earlier but he'd recognised it, said sorry and vowed to never do so again. It was this act which endeared him to her all the more.
''Richard thank you so much. I love you so much and for the record I've always desired you so much. I know you're a wonderful father to Hermione and she's lucky to have you. Remember that beautiful little girl in there is just as smart as I was growing up. She is different but very special as well'' she said wiping up her tears and kissing him deeply. She was having to face that Hermione really didn't have a life outside of books and really did read them all the time like she had in her own childhood. Was it so uunbelievable that she'd have found one which explained sex and read it? No in reality it wasn't, it was just highly shocking. As Hermione herself had said she'd need plenty of help in the future with other things she'd be asking them to help her with. The food arrived a while later and Jean and Hermione spent the night being silly and girly. Hermione didn't like it but learned a valuable lesson about doing things you don't like because someone you love, loves it. Her dad talked to her and they made up. She was able to see his point of view eventually and it made her happy. She loved her dad so much truly. It was a wonderful night in the Granger household.