Golden

Hampstead Garden

July 8, 1997

Hermione sat in the far corner of a coffee shop, contemplating the plan she had come up with. She wasn't sure if what she was about to do was reversible, but even if it wasn't, it was the only way she could think of to keep them alive and untouched. She doesn't want her parents to grieve over her when she dies in this war. She wants them to continue on and be happy, even if the cost is losing their memories of her.

The mobile phone resting on the table next to her coffee suddenly rang, prompting her to pick it up and respond to the call.

"Hello?" She said over the phone.

"Hermione darling where are you?" The static voice from the woman over the phone said.

"I'm at the coffee shop by my old school, mum."

"Well, come home soon, alright? Your dad and I have things we'd like to discuss with you, darling."

"I'll be home soon mum," She says, a click sound came on before the line went dead.

She quickly grab her belongings stuffing everything inside the small beaded bag she's been carrying around.

⋆˙⟡

Hermione returned to her childhood home and upon opening the door, she noticed an abundance of boxes neatly arranged in various locations.

"Mum? Dad?" She called out in search for her parents.

"Hermione sweetheart," Her mother greeted her with a smile as she gently placed the box she had been carrying down.

"Why are there many boxes laying around?" She asked as she looked around the house.

"Why dont you take a sit dear," she ushered Hermione to sit on the sofa with her.

"What's going on Mum?"

"Well—" she started, "your father and I had been meaning to tell you this. We both have decided to move to Australia for a year." Hermione stared her blanky.

"We have been presented with an exciting opportunity at a truly esteemed university there. It will also be beneficial for us to broaden our dental practices by learning from the methodologies of another country and other professionals." her dad said as she sat down next to her mum.

"When did you plan all these?" She asked both of her parents.

"Well—it was Narcissa's doing actually, " Her mother smiled as she place her hand over her dad's. "She told us about this professor and that they are looking for practioners that would like to dive into research and exchange knowledges." She continued.

Narcissa is helping them?

"Great woman that she is, for introducing us to doctor Davies gave as one heck of an oppurtunity that we simply cannot pass on!" Her dad added.

Ever since Draco and her had started dating around the last term during fourth year he started changing, it wasn't exactly pretty when Draco had introduced her to his mother. Narcissa hated the idea of his son dating a muggle-born witch. It took her months to finally at least try and be civil towards her, but eventually she came to see how extraordinary of a person she is. Though that wasn't the only thing that made Narcissa accept her as his son's intended. It was Draco, he fought for her, he fought for them demanding that he rather be disowned and blasted from the family's tree if he couldn't be with her, that he rather start from nowhere and build up his own name than to continue the blood supermacist that made them end up living with that noseless of a murder who couldn't careless which of his followers dies in order to gain power and control. Narcissa saw how the both of them were willing to fight for one another, the willfullness to sacrifice just so that they could be together. She was baffled by them with their tender age to be telling that they'll sacrifice what they have or have believe in if the means of it that they'll be able to be together was so strong. At some point Draco had managed convince his mother to finally deflect, that it is the right thing to do.

⋆˙⟡

Flashback

June 1995

"Draco!" She hissed, "stop fussing about it you'll do wonderful." She grinned as she was fixing his all-black suit.

"I'm sure my parents will love you." She added as she pats down his chest, smoothing out his suit. She tipped her toes as she reach for his cheeks giving him a kiss. "Are you ready love?" She asked her lover who looks paler than he usually does.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." She joked, nudging him on his side.

"I've seen bloody ghost everyday Hermione, have you forgotten that there are ghosts at Hogwarts and in case you've forgotten you can actually have a conversation with them." He huffed.

"Mhmm," she hummed as she let a soft chuckle before worrying her lips down.

"I'm so fucking nervous love, it's— I never met any muggles at all," he stopped, as he avoided her gaze.

She pressed her thumb on the side of his chin making his eyes meet hers. "Hey—" she smiled at him as she soothes his arm, easing him up. "You'll do fine okay?" He gave her a nervous smile before nodding and locking their arms in.

Draco had met her parents. It was the most horrifying moment of his life. Merlin knows what kind of rubbish they've been teaching students in Muggle Studies, which of course she hadn't taken at all. His cheeks were flushed red. Hermione slipped her hand into his as she intertwined their fingers, calming him down almost immediately.

"Don't worry son" Her father chuckled as he slice through his steak and jabbing it with his fork. "Hermione has told us that your upbringing is quite different from hers, isn't that right dear?" He continues as he chews on the food.

"Erm.. yes," Hermione said as she settles the glass of juice that she was holding, down. "Well... You see, Draco's parents are both from the wizarding world and both of his parents' ancestry are part of that world as well, they are kind of like old money family of some sorts." She explains.

"Sounds like Royalty." Her father pointed out, letting out a laugh.

"Erm.. It does sound kind of like that now that you've mentioned, his family belongs to some sort of noble house per se." She continues explaining.

"No wonder your dashingly well mannered." Her mother complimented him. "You're parents must have been proud to have raised such a wonderful young man."

"Thank you Mrs.Granger I'm sure my mother would be very pleased to hear that." He smiled

Merlin, the way he smiles would make her knees go weak instantly. He's her light in this vile wolrd full of darkness.

Hermione helped her mother clean the table up while her boyfriend and father bond over quidditch after Draco has mentioned it.

"You mean to tell me these games can last up to months?" She heard her father, tone in disbelief.

"Yes sir, the snitch is really hard to catch, I'm a seeker myself you see." Draco mentions next.

Their voice drowned as she went to the kitchen were she could only hear muffled voices of Draco and her father.

"You know Hermione—" her mother began. "The way that he looks at you it's like he's ready to take a bullet for you."

"Or a spell." Hermione added.

"Darling," her mother smiled softly.

Hermione set the plates down the sink before answering her mother. "Is that a bad thing?" She trailed off as she tries to find other dishes to try and distract her of things.

"Well, it is an intense thing." She pointed out.

"Mum!",

"Do you love him?" She asked, one of her eyebrow was quirked up.

"Yeah, I do love him mum." She says sheepishly as she tugs the bottom of her shirt.

"I just don't want you to get hurt sweetheart." She smiled at her mother before crashing into a hug. "I can handle it myself mum."

"I know you can." She smiles as she pats her head.

⋆˙⟡

Present Day

During the summer of sixth year, before Draco got marked, Narcissa, Draco, and her parents met up in France. Despite their differences, her mother and Narcissa surprisingly got along, it sparkee a friendship between her parents and Draco's mother.

She was relieved that she would not have to oblivate her parents' memories after all. If they were to win in this war, she would still have them in her life. "That's sounds great mum, dad." She looked at them both smiling.

Jean gave her daughter a warm smile and said, "I am confident that you will be perfectly fine on your own. Besides, you will be returning to Hogwarts after the summer break."

Right, Hogwarts. Her parents are completely unaware of the current events transpiring in the wizarding world at the moment and that she will not be returning to Hogwarts this year. She would go wherever Harry needed to go; she will be with him, aiding him in winning this war.

"When are you leaving?" Hermione asked.

"We hate to tell you this dear, but we have to leave in two weeks time."

"Erm, it's alright— besides Harry and I have been invited to Bill and Fleur's wedding at the Burrow,"

"A wedding?" Jean sounded surprised, " how wonderful!" She clapped.

⋆˙⟡

July 27, 1997

"Hermione darling! Tea is ready," Jean called out from the kitchen

"Coming Mum—" her voice quivered as she take one final look on her now empty room.

Hermione discovered her parents seated by the sofa, enjoying a cup of tea. She noticed that all of their belongings, including photographs and books, had been carefully packed and loaded onto the truck. She understood that they were departing today, and she would be also leaving today as well.

She experienced a sense of trepidation, as her mind was inundated with numerous uncertainties. With countless thoughts has invaded her mind she didn't notice that the afternoon tea with her parents has been concluded swiftly, they exchanged heartfelt embraces before Jean and Michael departed for the airport.

Hermione made one final, swift inspection of the house to ensure that there were no traces of her parents that could potentially guide the Death Eaters to them.

"Bye mum, bye dad." She bid her parents farewell with a wave as they drove away. As they disappeared from sight, she turned and headed towards to a different direction before apparating to the safe house.

⋆˙⟡

The Order Safe House

"It's almost time!" Mad-Eye growled as he checks his pocket watch.

Remus, Tonks, Bill, Fleur, Fred, George, Mundungus, Arthur, Kingsley, Hagrid, and Ron, along with their former Potions master, Professor Snape, were all gathered in what appeared to be a war room.

"What is the update with that lord of yours Snape?" Mad-Eye asked as he goes over the plan for tonight.

"The dark lord knows— he knows that Potter would be moved tonight as he still got the trace." Professor Snape dryly said, not moving an inch to where he currently stands.

Mad-Eye scoffed "he won't see what's coming now would he— it's good that you have finally showed up Miss Granger." He turned to look at her who was silently creeping from the back.

"I was just—" she stopped, her words failed to suffice at least a sentence worthy of saying. Mad-Eye ignored her and went back on going over the plan for Harry.

"Snape is the Potion ready yet?" Mad-Eye asked as he bring his gaze back to the potion's master.

"I've modified it— enough for the potion to last it's effects for at least over two hours." Snape handed a flask containing the modified potion that Mad-Eye had asked for.

Mad-Eye turned to address everyone who would be joining this suicide mission, but it was for him, for Harry, her best friend, he's the only chance they've got on defeating Voldemort. The former Auror started pairing people up, as there wouldn't be only just one Harry Potter to protect this night. Everyone involved was prepared to give their lives for Harry. She herself was willing to sacrifice everything if it meant freeing them all from this madness and the relentless fear. She was ready to give her life if it meant securing victory in this war.

"Granger!" Mad-Eye had snapped her back from her thoughts, "you'll be going with Kingsley, seeing that you yourself isn't much of a broom rider we don't want an asset for this war to die tonight." He informed as he hammered his staff on the ground signaling that it was time for the mission to occur.