Chapter 21
Hermione stared at a wooden door, painted a light blue. She had been staring at this door for almost 5 minutes but had not made a move yet. Ron stood next to her, silently, ready to do whatever she needed.
An impatient noise sounded behind them, breaking Hermione’s trance.
“I hate to be pushy,” the Australian bloke said, “But we may alert neighbors by just standing here. This is a Muggle neighborhood remember.
“I’m sorry,” Hermione whispered. Ron gripped her elbow and whispered, “You have nothing to apologize for, take your time love.” He then turned and glared at the man behind them.
“Does the Australian ministry not train their Aurors to have a bit of compassion? You understand the situation mate.” The Auror, who was a decade older than Ron but at least 6 inches shorter, just nodded and headed down the stairs to wait at the curb.
“He is right, though, Ron,” Hermione said, “We don’t want to draw unnecessary attention. And the Australian ministry has gone above and beyond to help us.”
Ron huffed, “Least they could do. It was their man, Plante, who started all this mess to begin with. Without him, your parents would have been home months ago.”
Hermione glanced at him, thankful for the support, “Maybe but I should get on with it.” She grabbed Ron’s hand and finally rang the doorbell.
***
A knock at her door broke Edith’s concentration; Faye popped her head into the office.
“I know you said no interruptions but Harry Potter is here to see you.”
“Harry Potter?” Though Edith had met Harry during Hermione’s trial she never had a one-on-one conversation with the Boy Who Lived. She hoped everything was ok.
“Please send him in.”
Moments later, Faye led Harry into Edith’s office. “Hello, Harry, please have a seat. Can I offer you tea?”
Harry smiled politely as he took a seat in front of Edith’s desk, “Oh no, I’m fine. And I won’t take up much of your time, Ms. Cumberland.”
“Edith, please Harry.” Harry nodded.
“Well, I wanted to give you this.” He placed a leather pouch on her desk and from the sound it made when it landed on her wooden desk, she knew it was gold.
“What’s this?”
“Payment.”
“Harry, I told Hermione I would take her case free of charge.”
“I know that and she doesn’t know I am doing this. I just think you did such a brilliant job defending her and saving her reputation, payment was necessary. And I have more gold than I will ever need I want to use to help those who deserve it.”
Edith smiled, she was grateful for the payment, “Thank you Harry, it’s greatly appreciated it.”
Harry got up from his seat, “I won’t take up more of your time.”
“Harry, wait,” Edith called, “Have you heard from Hermione and Ron? I know they left for Australia the day after the innocent verdict but I haven’t heard anything.”
Harry sighed, “They found her parents, safe and sound. The Australian ministry going above and beyond to accommodate them. But,”
All the color drained from Edith’s face, “Please don’t tell me her parents disowned her?”
“Not quite,” Harry answered, “From what I know, they were furious, her father especially. Hermione explained and Ron supported her but as soon as Mr. Granger saw Ron place his hand on Hermione’s knee he flew into a rage, took a swing at him and kicked Ron out of the house,”
Edith gasped.
“It took a few days to calm him down and allow Ron back in the house. But the last owl I received said things were improving but the Grangers had not decided whether or not to return to England or stay there.”
Edith let out a long breath, “I knew Hermione was terrified of her parent’s reaction; it appears she had good reason to be. Is she still coming back for Hogwarts? She told me she wanted to finish her seventh year.”
“She’s meant to return on the 30th; I hope things are more settled with her parents by then.”
“I hope so too.” They stayed silent for a moment.
“Thank you again, Edith. Even with everything happening with the Grangers now, without you things could be much worse.”
Edith smiled. Harry nodded and head for the door, “I’ll make sure she owls you when she returns.”
“Thanks Harry.” Edith sat back down in her seat and asked Merlin to give Hermione Granger a break, she deserved one.
***
“Are you sure you have to go back already?” Jean Granger asked her daughter as she hugged her for the hundredth time that hour.
“Jean,” David Granger answered, “She must finish her education.”
Hermione smiled; though her father was still struggling to accept what Hermione did he had warmed up. And her mother was just so thrilled to be with her. It had been a bumpy week since she and Ron first knocked on their door but she felt hopeful.
“Dad’s right, Mum. I have to finish school and the Hogwarts Express leaves on September 1 whether I’m on it or not.”
A chuckle sounded from the other side of the room, “I think McGonagall would give you an extra couple of days.” Ron said.
“We’ve been through this, Ron,” Hermione huffed, “I don’t want nor should I expect special treatment.”
“I agree with Ron,” Jean Granger said, “You did so much to save the wizarding world, you can’t start term a little later.”
“See what you’ve started?” Hermione glared at Ron which made David Granger smirk, “Mum, we’ve been over this. I am returning to Hogwarts on September 1st. Discussion is ended.”
“Well, if there is one thing I have learned after so many years knowing your daughter, when she says the discussion is over, it’s over.” Ron winked at Mrs. Granger who laughed and looped her arm in his.
“Come on Ron, I’ll let you start our car and pull it out of the drive way. And then we can head out to your farewell dinner sweetheart.” She smiled at Hermione.
Ron’s eyes brightened, “Really?”
Jean smiled and Hermione’s previous glare melted away. David Granger could not ignore the smile on his daughter’s face when she watched the tall ginger bloke walk out the door. He knew he over reacted when Hermione first explained what she did and he definitely over reacted when he found out Ron and Hermione were together. Throwing that punch at Ron was a step too far leaving his daughter and his wife livid. Ron was a good young man, David knew that, but finding everything out at once had overloaded him. He was getting calmer with each passing day but now Hermione was leaving again and the loss that he always felt when she left for school was looming again.
“I’m going to miss you,” David said as he hugged his daughter.
“I’m going to miss you too, Dad. But I promise to write more often. And it’s my last year then I’ll be around so much more.”
“Will you?” He responded, “Your life is in the wizarding world, Hermione. Your career, your friends, obviously Ron. How do your non-magical parents fit into your magical life?”
David has asked himself this question for years, ever since they found out Hermione was a witch. But now seeing how ingrained she was in the wizarding world and that she was clearly in love with a wizard. How do he and Jean fit?
“You’re my parents,” Hermione said, shock lacing her response, “You don’t just fit into my world, you are my world. Yes, I am a witch but I’m your daughter first and that will never change. After everything that’s happened, what I know better now than ever is how important family is. I’m never letting you go again.” She hugged her father and he gripped her tightly, allowing the tears to fall from his eyes. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair like he did when she was child. She was back and he would never lose her again.
“I love you, Hermione.”
“I love you too, Dad.” They released each other from their hug, “Now, we need to talk about this boyfriend of yours.” She rolled her eyes and smiled. She had her parents back, she had Ron and she had her freedom. Hermione Granger’s life could finally begin again.
THE END