A longer chapter this time. Let me know what you think of the story so far.

John and Mary Granger had always thought of themselves as fairly rational people, not given to flights of fancy or wild imagination. To be thrown into a world of magic, of wands and owls and men in funny cloaks made them feel like a rug had been pulled from underneath them. The people who came to the house had taken their daughter, their only child, their wonderful, clever Hermione. And they wanted her back.

At first they were in shock, unable to believe what had just happened. Nothing they had ever gone through could have prepared them for this; not even the deaths of Mary's parents or the miscarriages they had endured together before Hermione was born. Those difficult times had been part of this world, the one they knew, not some hidden, magical world that they could not enter.

They were relieved that the magical barriers, or whatever they were, had been removed from around the house, but, of course, what if they'd never been there in the first place? And how could they go to the police, raving about crows and owls and a government department that apparently didn't exist?

They had to tell their daughter's school that she would not be attending for a while. At first they gave a vague excuse about illness. Then they explained that she had been having "behavioural problems" which had caused her to start lashing out at them and other children and they were sending her to another school on the far side of London that would be able to help her. It was clear that the teacher was sceptical, as were their neighbours but they could not think of anything else. Then they started to plan.

At first they wrote a carefully worded letter to the Relocation Office, sending it with the white owl that appeared by their windowsill the next day with a letter of its own tied to its leg. This informed them that Hermione had arrived safely to Malfoy Manor but it didn't really help to calm their fears, especially when they realised that their daughter had forgotten her beloved teddy bear. They looked out for that owl each morning after that but all they got was a short, fairly standard acknowledgement and a vague promise to deal with their query in due course.

Again and again, they went over all their mistakes, wondering what they could have done differently, to stop those people. But they knew the outcome would have been the same. They knew deep down that this fostering placement had been decided somewhere else, behind their backs and already set in stone before they were even informed of it.

They struggled through each day at work for that month, a little less cheerful than before. In the evenings Mary would sit in Hermione's bedroom for a while, which was left just as it was on the day she left it and wonder if her daughter would come home soon.

When that infernal crow appeared in the garden again John ran outside and, in sheer frustration, threw a stone at it, which fell harmlessly into the hedge as the crow flew off.

"Stop spying on us!" he shouted, much to the bewilderment of his neighbour who had never seen him do such a thing before. But now he was doing lots of things he'd never done before.

"We need to talk to someone in that Ministry," Mary told her husband at breakfast the following morning, "Someone higher up, who can overturn decisions. We'll be there in a few weeks, maybe we can ask?"

John folded the newspaper he'd been reading half-heartedly and set it aside. "I don't know. What if they're all in on this plan? And besides, people like us aren't normally allowed in that place; how are we going to get an audience with someone important?"

"That woman who came to…take her, she didn't seem as callous about it as that LeRoy fellow," his wife suggested, "Maybe we could try her? Elsie something, think it was Trayhurst or something like that. She might tell us when Hermione's coming home, if nothing else."

But no reply ever arrived to this letter, not even an acknowledgement and they had no idea what to do next or who to ask. In a last ditch attempt to find out about this mysterious Manor they phoned the public library in Salisbury who put them in touch with a local historical society in the area. Eventually they got a letter from the Secretary, explaining that no such Manor existed but that there had been several large houses in the county up until the late 17th century, none of which remained standing any more. He did explain that one of their elderly members had been doing research into these missing manors but that he was currently ill and it could take a while. They resigned themselves to waiting but something told them that just like the Ministry the Malfoys would have no problems in keeping themselves hidden.

In the meantime, their local M.P was looking into their enquiry about the Ministry of Magic, for he was an ambitious man who did not like to tell potential voters that he couldn't help them. He spoke to another politician who spoke to a Cabinet Minister and through him he was able to get in touch with the Prime Minister's private secretary. He rang them back one evening, just after they'd cleared away the dishes after dinner, with a strange story of secret meetings and a mysterious portrait on the office wall that nobody was able to remove. But that was not the most disturbing thing. He'd heard rumours of a war, a secret war, involving murder and all kinds of horrible things that had only ended three years ago.

This intrigued the Grangers as they remembered a terrible explosion in London three years ago that had killed twelve people and then disappeared from the news completely. And then there were all those mysterious daytime sightings of owls that one of their patients, a keen birdwatcher, had been going on and on about when he arrived for his check-up, and John had been glad to tell him to "open wide", just to keep him quiet. Had those things been something to do with this magical world?

Not that it mattered, for this search came to a dead end too, with a polite, formal letter from the Houses of Parliament telling them that there were no secret meetings with the Prime Minister, the explosion three years ago had been caused by a gas leak and that all portraits in the building could be removed from the wall very easily.

oOo

Hermione nearly bounced out of bed that morning, eager to start the day. No lessons, no lecture about the Malfoy family today, just a trip to the Ministry to finally see her parents. It had been a nice month, for the most part, learning about all kinds of things, from herbs and potions to wizarding currency and using the right knife and fork but she missed her home so much.

Twinkle scrubbed her clean in the huge bathtub and helped her get dressed into her good brown robes, then Auntie Cissa arrived to rub Sleekeasy's Hair Potion into her curls, which were now less frizzy than before.

"Wait until your parents see how pretty you look, my dear," she told her, turning her towards the full length mirror which had snakes carved into the edges. Hermione had never thought of herself as pretty but Auntie Cissa was determined to praise her at every opportunity and was even starting to fix her buck teeth with some kind of healing magic that she didn't understand yet. She certainly looked different to when she came here.

Uncle Lucius had very important friends visiting today and they would be in the Manor for a few hours, talking about "grown up things" according to Auntie Cissa while the house elves looked after Draco. These friends did not fuss over her; in fact they either hardly noticed her or just glared at her before heading into the main living room. Uncle Lucius had explained very clearly that he was not to be interrupted under any circumstances if he had people visiting so she was glad to be getting away from the Manor for a while. She could hardly eat her breakfast for all her excitement and her auntie had to remind her to chew carefully.

"Will I be able to go to the park with my parents? They bring me to Hampstead Heath sometimes."

"I'm afraid not, Hermione, the Visit has to take place within the Ministry. There's a special room there where you can see your parents and somebody will bring them there by Side-Along Apparition, probably Mr LeRoy as he's been working on your case."

Hermione did not like the idea of Mr LeRoy going to their house again as he didn't seem to like her parents but she tried to be cheerful about it. Once Dobby had levitated the breakfast dishes into the kitchen Auntie Cissa told her more about the Visit and how her parents probably wouldn't want to know about the family history or house elves but she might like to tell them about her lessons and the new games she was learning. She thought that was a good idea.

They took the Floo network to the Ministry and Auntie Cissa even let her throw the Floo powder on to the fire. She'd been learning all about Portkeys and other methods of transport but she was fascinated by this system of travelling by fireplace. Soon they were in the same sitting room where she'd first met the Malfoys where a tall auror in blue robes greeted them and told them the room was ready. She led them down a long corridor into a small, plain looking room with a table and four chairs in the middle and another door on the opposite side and told them the Grangers wouldn't be too long.

They had only just sat down at the table when the other door opened. Hermione sprang out of her chair to greet the two people that entered, the people she'd longed to see more than anything.

"Hermione, sweetheart! You're here..." her mother exclaimed, as the child flung herself into her arms. "Oh, Hermione, we've missed you so much!"

Then her daddy was hugging her too and she could have stayed like that for an hour, such was her happiness. "Are you all right?" her daddy whispered into her ear. She nodded, her head still pressed against his shoulder as she breathed in the scent of her mummy's apple shampoo and her daddy's aftershave. But her mummy broke the hug first, holding her out at arm's length and looking her up and down.

"You look…different. Is that-"

"It's a wizarding robe," Hermione told them proudly, turning around so her parents could see her outfit properly, "Magical people wear them."

"Well, you look...very nice. And your hair looks much better too, I can't believe it."

Just then Auntie Cissa, whom neither of them had noticed, rose and walked towards them, as elegant looking as ever in her emerald green robes.

"Mr and Mrs Granger! How lovely to meet you both at last. I'm Narcissa Malfoy, Hermione's foster mother," she announced breezily, holding out a well-manicured hand. Hermione noticed that her auntie barely shook their fingertips before turning away from them. "Well, shall we all sit?" she asked, indicating the table with that same hand. Glancing at each other, her parents sat on the far side, their eyes darting around the plain little room.

Auntie Cissa pulled out the chair next to hers but Hermione climbed up on to her daddy's lap as both her parents admired her new outfit and shoes, as well as the ribbon in her hair.

"Auntie Cissa bought them for me," she told them.

We felt "Mr and Mrs Malfoy" would be too formal," her foster mother explained, her eyes never leaving the little family across from her, "By the way my husband sends his apologies but he has some important business to take care of today."

Her parents nodded. Both of them expressed their thanks for the new clothes, which Auntie Cissa responded to with a deep nod. "It's all part of our responsibilities as foster parents," she explained, but her voice sounded a bit too smug for Hermione's liking. Then her mother seemed to remember something and reached into the shoulder bag she was carrying. "Look who I brought!" she announced cheerfully.

"Teddy!" Hermione exclaimed, hugging him against her.

"We brought you some other things too," her mother told her, smiling. She took out the hardback copy of The Elves and the Shoemaker that they'd been reading together along with a colouring book and crayons.

"How lovely," her Auntie Cissa commented, "She was very upset when she realised Teddy wasn't with her." She picked up the story book and flicked through it. "We'll look at this later, dear."

Taking out her wand again she shrank all three items and placed them in her colourful, bejewelled handbag. Just then the door opened and another auror in blue robes entered, announcing politely that the refreshments were on their way. He opened the door and her parents eyes widened as two trays levitated to the table, one of which carried a plate of fresh scones with butter, cream and jam in tiny bowls. Hermione smiled at their amazement. Floating trays were often used at the Manor and she was getting used to them. They sat in stunned silence as Auntie Cissa tapped her wand on the table, making the teapot pour out three cups of tea.

"Milk and sugar, Mr Granger?"

"J-just milk, thanks..."

"Same for me, thank you," her mother added quickly.

Another spell and the milk jug was pouring milk into the three cups. A silver tongs picked up a lump of sugar from a bowl and dropped it softly into Auntie Cissa's cup, while a tall glass of pumpkin juice was levitated from the tray to the place next to her.

"Come and sit next to me, Hermione, and let your father have his tea," her auntie told her.

"She's fine-" her father began, as she looked up at him. She was reluctant to leave him but did what she was told, not wanting to make a fuss. The pumpkin juice was delicious and of course, her parents wanted to know what it was and how it tasted. They watched quietly as Auntie Cissa buttered her scone for her and made a few comments about how fresh they were. Soon the only sound in the room was the clink of china and her parents shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. Through the window in the door she could see the auror from earlier standing out in the corridor.

"It's very cold today, isn't it?" her mother said after a while, her voice a little anxious.

"Indeed, although I always find a nice Warming Charm works a treat."

"Oh, I see…"

Another silence descended. Then her father spoke up.

"You know, you don't need to stay, Mrs Malfoy, once you've finished your tea of course. We'll be fine here and I'm sure you have…things to do."

She smiled again, that strange smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I'm afraid the rules state that one or both foster parents must be present throughout each visit."

Her father stared at her. "Are you…serious? We weren't informed of this rule."

That smile remained undiminished. "Oh, that's a pity. Still, I expect we'll get along just famously."

Neither of her parents seemed interested in their scones after that and eventually Auntie Cissa levitated the trays on to a side table near the door, where they were levitated to the kitchen by the auror. The clock ticked away and footsteps could be heard outside but thankfully nobody interrupted them. Neither of her parents seemed to know what to say. Instead they kept glancing at each other. Eventually her mother took Hermione's hands in her own from across the table and squeezed them. She leaned in towards her, wanting to savour this time with them.

"Well, Hermione how are you? Are you having a nice time with the-"

"Hermione, sit up straight please; don't slouch like that". She straightened her posture immediately, muttering an apology. Her auntie turned to her mother and nodded. "Continue."

A look passed between them then her mother repeated her question, while sitting up straight in her own chair. And Hermione, knowing that she might not have much time, told them all she could think of. She told them about Draco, their lessons with the tutor, their playground, (this surprised both her parents), the peacocks, her new bedroom, about Daisy and Astor and all the things she was learning with Auntie Cissa.

"You'll be learning to sew? That sounds interesting, sweetheart." She gripped Hermione's hands once more, glancing towards the other woman who was looking on in admiration.

"I never have time to do sewing or anything like that, although my own mother was very good at it. She had a sewing machine, made clothes and all kinds of things. Tried to teach me but I never took to it I'm afraid. I did a bit of sewing at school but I could never remember how to thread up the silly thing. Do you have a… no you probably don't have a machine like that, wasn't thinking…" She stopped, blushing a little at how she was waffling on.

Not wanting another awkward silence, Hermione asked them about Apparition, which they didn't seem to enjoy talking about, and how she had arrived here with the Floo Network which she tried to explain to them, with limited success. Suddenly her auntie nudged her.

"Hermione, show your parents how well you can write with a quill pen."

They were both intrigued by this and gasped as her foster mother Summoned a quill pen, a bottle of ink and a sheet of parchment, which she placed in front of her. Keeping her handwriting lessons in mind she dipped the quill in the ink just the right amount and wrote My Name is Hermione Granger on the parchment. She smudged the ink a little right at the end but apart from that it looked fine and all three adults praised her.

"A quill pen, eh? You don't see them very often these days. Well, we don't anyway," her father remarked. "Do you remember the one my father had, Mary? I think his father used it for writing letters. He kept the bottle of ink too, and his blotting paper. Wonder what happened to them."

Her mother recalled using a fountain pen at school and Auntie Cissa nodded slowly, one eyebrow raised as she listened to tales of her disastrous first attempts with it. When they ran out of things to say again Hermione wrote a few other words on the parchment without a mistake as her parents watched in admiration.

She went on to tell them about all the wonderful books in the library and the new games she was learning, like Exploding Snap and was relieved to find that her parents were curious about her new games and toys and were happy to see Daisy, who she had been allowed to bring with her. She starting telling them about Diagon Alley too but she noticed Auntie Cissa sometimes steered her away on to other topics. They were concerned about the amount of sweet things she was eating, especially ice cream, but she made sure to tell them that she was still brushing her teeth twice a day.

"Is she behaving herself?" her father asked.

"As good as gold, as the saying goes. It's a pleasure to have her with us. Also, she's learning to control her magic through proper exercises. You may have noticed there were no broken mugs today."

"Yes, that's a big improvement, and we're both glad about that." He glanced at his daughter before continuing but she was happily writing away on the parchment. "Can we speak privately?"

"I'm sure anything you say can be said here."

He sighed, before lowering his voice. "Do you know how long this placement will go on for? Will Hermione be home for Christmas, for example?"

"I'm afraid I don't decide these things, Mr Granger. I'm sure Mr LeRoy will let you know."

Before he could answer the door opened again and there was Mr LeRoy himself.

"Time's up, I'm afraid," he announced, "You've had a full hour."

None of them felt like it had been a full hour but her father's protests were met with silence.

"Say goodbye to your parents, Hermione, it's time to go home," Auntie Cissa told her briskly.

Hermione started to cry. Her parents pulled her into a hug and her father whispered in her ear that he would find a way to bring her home again. It had only been a month but it felt so long since she'd seen them and now they would go home without her. They hugged for a long time before her parents were led away and Auntie Cissa brought her back to the Manor for lunch, still sobbing, via the Floo Network.

oOo

Narcissa sighed as she ended the Floo call with the Relocation Office. It was all very well Elsie Trehurst telling her that the first Visit was the most difficult but what was she supposed to do now? Hermione had gone straight to her room after lunch and hadn't come down for the rest of the day, even for dinner. Now she was going to have to talk to Lucius and he wouldn't be happy. He'd been hesitant about fostering a Muggleborn in the first place, although that was nothing to how her parents had reacted. They'd both sent Howlers, telling her she was a disgrace to the Black name, bringing a mudblood into Malfoy Manor and what had they ever done to deserve not one, but two traitors in the family.

She'd explained over and over what the Relocation Scheme involved and they seemed to have calmed down a little but there was no way she was bringing Hermione to their home or asking their advice. Not that she'd ever been close to her parents. It had always been her sisters she'd turned to for companionship and love as a child, back when Bellatrix was at least half sane and determined to include her in whatever mischief she and Andy got up to.

In her husbands' study she relaxed on the comfortable sofa while he poured her a glass of much needed wine.

"Well, how did it go?" he asked, pouring his own glass.

"How do you think it went? I had to sit at a table with Muggles and make small talk with them. Next time you're coming with me."

Lucius chuckled, sipping on his own wine as the fire blazed next to him. "Well, we'll see. And the Muggles themselves?"

"I suppose they're tolerable, as Muggles go, although the mother kept wittering on about fountain pens and sewing machines, whatever they are. But it's Hermione I'm worried about. She's hardly said a word since we got home and now she's refusing to leave her room."

"I don't know why they even have these Visits. It just upsets everyone and reminds the child of their old life. And she can't stay in her room all the time, with her meals being levitated to her. We eat together as a family in this house and she needs to know that. We'll talk to her in the morning, both of us."

He picked up The Elves and the Shoemaker, which Hermione had left downstairs in her hurry to get away from everyone and examined the cover.

"I presume the Muggles gave her this?"

"What was I supposed to do? I could hardly hand it back to them."

"You do know this is elf liberation propaganda, don't you?"

"It's a Muggle fairy tale, Lucius. You always have bizarre theories about these things."

Lucius sighed and settled back in his armchair. "The elves secretly make various items for the shoemaker. In other words, he is their employer, even when he doesn't realise it. He gives them clothes. They leave and are never seen again. That, my dear, is elf liberation propaganda in a nutshell, with a few Muggle trappings of course. The Grimm Brothers were either Squibs or were familiar with our world somehow."

Narcissa rolled her eyes and took the book off him. "Well, I'll read it to her myself and make sure she just sees it as a fairy tale. I'd better go and check on her."

Hermione had already fallen asleep when Narcissa peeped into her bedroom. Her teddy bear and all three of her dolls were tucked up next to her, two toys on either side, as she slept peacefully. Narcissa could not help but smile at the sight as she tiptoed into the cosy room. She was only a child and she was bound to miss things from the Muggle world, especially her parents. And a fairy tale wouldn't do her any harm. Things were hard for her now but they would get through this together. Gently she placed the book on Hermione's bedside table, stroked the child's curls and left.