Twenty-One
September 18th 2017:
Lyra Granger sat on her thin mattress. She has no idea where she is or how long she’s been here.
“Good Afternoon, Sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart? Really?” Lyra asked the man.
“No need to have an attitude with me. I’m bringing you your dinner.” On the plate was mashed potatoes, bread, and pasta. Something that shocked Lyra from the beginning was the meals they gave her. They definitely were not your everyday prison meals. “Now where are your manners?”
“Thank you.” Lyra said sarcastically. “What is today’s date?”
“The eighteenth of September.” The man answered her.
“Tomorrow is mum’s birthday.” Lyra mumbled.
Lyra thought of her mom often. She knows her mom is freaking out and worrying about her. Probably stressing to herself to death. Hopefully Harry and Ron are taking care of her.
“So, who are you?” Lyra asked her guard while eating.
“Name is Macnair.”
“First or last?”
“Last.”
“What’s your first name?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious.”
“Walden Macnair.” Lyra nodded. “I knew your father when he was your age.”
“Lucky for you. I’ve never met him.”
“Consider yourself the lucky one.” Lucius Malfoy walked through the door. “He is a disappointment. Always has been, always will be.”
“I’m sure the same could be said about you.” Lyra snapped back.
“So quick to defend someone who abandoned you.”
“My father did not abandon me. He doesn't know about me.”
“Oh he does.” Lucius threw a newspaper onto the bed. On the front page was my mom and dad standing in front of a podium. This was from yesterday.
‘War Heroine, Minister for Magic, mother, and liar. Hermione Granger revels secret love child with ex-death eater, Draco Malfoy’
By Rita Skeeter; September 17th, 2017
Today at an emergent press conference that Minister Granger held revealed interesting information. It was announced today that Ms. Granger’s daughter, Lyra Rose Granger is actually a Malfoy. The two were involved in a scandalous relationship during the last year they spent at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was denied that the affair between the two was the cause of the divorce between Draco Malfy and Astoria Greengrass. However we have yet to hear any word from Astoria Greengrass on her feelings about the situation.
Also revealed at this press conference, Lucius Malfoy, father of Draco Malfoy, is on the loose after escaping from Azkaban. Read more about this on page 6.
“He knows about me and he is looking for me. They both are.” Lyra knew her mother would be looking for her, but also knowing her father is looking too, gives her a boost of hope.
“That won’t help you. They won’t find you.”
“I don’t believe that. I think they will find me, and you’ll be sent right back to Azkaban.”
“How can they find you, when you aren’t even in England?”
“What do you mean?”
“You are not in England. You are in Australia.” Lyra feared for what came next. “Do you know who else lives in Australia?” They both knew the answer. “Your maternal grandparents.”
“They don’t know about the wizarding world. Don’t do anything to them. Please.”
“Oh I won’t. Not as long as you behave and do what I ask.” Lyra nodded her head. She wouldn’t let them get hurt. “Would you like to meet them?” Lyra’s eyes widened. They didn’t know who she was. They didn’t know who they were. “Follow me.”
The binds trapping Lyra to the room disappeared. She stood up, following Lucius out the door carefully. She shut her eyes as the windows brought in sunlight. It was dark in the room they kept her in.
“Look out the front window.” Lucius commanded and Lyra did as told.
Walking to the front window, she saw Jean Granger, now Monica Wilkinses, sitting out front in her garden as her husband, Wendell, grilled their lunch.
“Look how happy they are.” Lucius put a hand on Lyra’s shoulder. “We wouldn’t want anything to mess that up, would we?”
“No.” Lrya had to come up with a plan to get her grandparents to safety.
“Why did you abduct me? Why not go straight for my mother?”
“Your mother took my son from me. I’m only returning the favor.”
“My mother did not take your son away from you.”
“And how would you know that?”
“Because I’ve read and learned everything there is on the war, on the Malfoy family, and on your son. Your son followed you through the war. It wasn’t until his trial that he even mentioned feeling otherwise. He said he willingly went through with being a death eater because of the threats made to his mother. He did not identify Harry Potter when he was brought to your house because he was scared of the dark lord and of you. He didn’t publicly change his views until his marriage to Astoria Greengrass. That’s when he started donating to muggle charities and programs that help muggle-borns. My mother did not drive him away from you. You did that yourself when you allowed an evil wizard into your home.”
“You think you’re smart, huh?”
“I don’t think I am smart. I know I am.”
“You’re just like your mother.”
“Thank you.”
“Macnair, take her back to her room.” With that, Lucius walked away.
“I don’t think he likes me very much.” Mcnair almost smiled at Lyra. He’d never seen anyone drive Lucius Malfoy out of a room that fast.
“No. I don’t think so either.”
Once back in her room, alone. Lyra thought of all the ways she could get a message to her mom. Anything she thought of seemed impossible. She didn’t have a wand. She’d only practiced small wandless spells.
“Even if it doesn’t work, they’ll get the message of underage magic being used.” Lyra thought aloud. She thought about every happy memory she could think of. This was a long shot. Nearly impossible but she had to try. She thought back to everything her mother taught her. She thought about her happiest memories. The first time catching a snitch at Hogwarts, her first date with Perseus, the moment they said I love you for the first time. Even if it’s not powerful enough for a full blown patronus, she had to try to ignite a spark of her magic.
“Expecto Patronum.”
“And none of us, missed this.” The voice of Ginny Potter stopped Hermione Granger from snogging Draco Malfoy.
“Uh- we were just- uh-” Hermione was stuttering.
“Snogging. We were snogging.” Draco answered for her with a smirk. Hermione’s cheeks blushed pink.
“I need a drink.” Ron walked straight to Hermione’s kitchen.
“Me too.” Harry followed him.
“I need to change.” Hermione practically ran up the stairs.
“I’m coming!”
“Me too” Ginny and Katie followed Hermione up the stairs to no doubt try and pry details of her and Draco’s kiss from her.
Draco stood alone in Hermione’s living room pondering what to do next. His thoughts were distracted by Theo, Milli, Blaise, and Pansy coming in through the floo.
“Where is everyone?” Pansy asked.
“Potter and Weasley are getting drinks in the kitchen and Hermione, Weaslette, and Katie are upstairs.”
“And why are you standing in the middle of the living room by yourself?”
“Because we walked in on him and Hermione snogging.” Harry came back into the room holding bottles of Firewhiskey and wine.
“Come on Mili, we’re getting details.” Pansy said, dragging Millicent upstairs to Hermione’s bedroom. “You and Draco snogged!” Pansy yelled walking into the room.
“Please, come on in.” Hermione said sarcastically. She was in the middle of changing her work clothes to her loungewear.
“Oh please.” Pansy closed the door behind them and stood with her arms crossed. “I kept your secret for years, I deserve to hear the dirty details.”
“As I just finished telling these two,” Hermione said, pointing at Katie and Ginny who were sitting on her bed. “There are no dirty details.”
“And as I was just telling her,” Ginny emphasized to her, “we don’t believe you.”
“We walked in and Hermione’s legs were wrapped around him, her back pushed up against the wall and his hands were everywhere.”
“They were whispering sweet nothings to each other about how much they missed each other.”
“Seems like you don’t need me to tell the story. You two are doing a fine job on your own.” Hermione finished changing her clothes.
“How’d it all start?” Milli asked
“We were talking about Lyra and the case and his father. I told him I wanted to kill his father. He thought it was very attractive and I asked him to kiss me. That’s it.”
“Leave it to Draco Malfoy to get aroused at the mention of his father’s murder.” Pansy commented.
“On that note, let’s go back downstairs.” The group of girls ventured to meet the boys downstairs.
“You are just plain wrong, Weasley.” Theo stated. “The Chudley Cannons are the worst team in the league.”
“They are not! They won three matches this past season.” Ron defended poorly. “The Appleby Arrows only won two.”
“I personally love the Holyhead Harpies” Harry tried to move on before Ron got too angry.
“Only because you are sleeping with the best chaser they ever had, and now their best strategist.”
“Exactly.”
“I think we can all agree the Falmouth Falcons are the best in the league.” Blaise sipped on his drink.
“They are!”
“Must be why Lrya wants to play for them. She only plays for the best.” Hermione announced the women’s entrance into the room.
“I think Hermione Granger just called Slytherin the best.” Theo pointed out that small detail.
“They have won the house cup, five years in a row.”
“Much to Mcgonagall’s annoyance.” Katie shared. Both the Weasley-Bell kids have been sorted into Gryffindor.
“They’ve only won every year because they have Lyra. Whatever house she landed in, would have been the winner of the house cup. She’s a better Quidditch player than anyone in this room.” Hermione said.
“Ow!” Ginny, Harry, Ron, Draco, Blaise, Theo and Katie were all offended. Hermione smiled and laughed.
“None of you even play Quidditch anymore.”
“It still hurts.” Ginny replied for the group.
They all sat around Hemrione’s living room. Ginny’s eyebrow raised once Hermione sat next to Draco on the two person sofa she had.
“Does everyone have a drink?” Hermione asked, being the gracious host that she is. Once everyone confirmed, she relaxed on the sofa. Draco stretched his arm out, along the back of it and Hermione smiled at him.
“Instead of sitting silently and wondering, like everyone else in this room, I’m going to ask. What is going on with you two?” Pansy pointed to Hermione and Draco.
“Pans,” Draco warned.
“Love, maybe this is one of those times we don’t say what we’re thinking out loud.” Blaise said to his wife.
“Oh shush. You were just whispering about it to me.” Blasie smiled at his wife. Everyone has always known which of the two wore the pants in that relationship.
“Pansy, we kissed for the first time in sixteen years today. After that, Ginny interrupted us. We’ve barely had a moment to think about it, let alone talk about it.” Hermione answered her.
“I’m just saying. You two have been idiots in love for seventeen years. I don’t know what you’re waiting on.”
“Personally, right now, I’m waiting to see if my daughter is alive.” Pansy froze at Hermione's sharp tone.
An awkward silence passed over the group. Hermione took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry, I know you don’t mean any harm. I just would rather have this conversation in private then in front of everyone and I would rather it be after we make sure Lyra is home safe.”
“Granger, you don’t have to apologize. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” The two women smiled at each other.
“Why don’t we all go around sharing our favorite Hermione Granger moments?” Harry suggested. “It is her birthday tomorrow.”
“Or we could not.” Hermione said, blushing.
“I say we do!”
“Me too!” Ginny and Katie cheered.
“Malfoy, why don’t you go first.” Ginny said to him.
“Well I don’t think my favorite Hermione Granger moment is appropriate to share with an audience.” Draco smirked. “But it has to do with Hermione Granger after the final Quidditch game of eighth year, dressed in an old Quidditch Jersey of mine, legs wrapped around my waist and three little words.” Hermione blushed.
“Wait. Gryffindor played in that game. You wore a Slytherin jersey to the game for the house cup?” Ginny was offended.
“That’s the part you focus on?” Pansy asks her. “I want to hear more about the legs wrapped around his waist.”
“Is that why you missed the after party?” Theo questioned. “We were looking for you all night. Should have known Granger got to you first.” Hermione blushed again.
“Oh, Granger got me alright.” Draco was smirking.
“Moving on from that,” Ron started. “My favorite Hermione moment has to be ‘I’m going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed or worse, expelled.’ I think about it every time Harry and I go on missions.” Hermione had a permanent blush across her face.
“I need the context of that.”
“It was after we had seen Fluffy for the first time. We were out of bed because somebody," Hermione looked at Draco. “Challenged Harry to a duel. We were running from Filch and after Peeves saw us we ended up in the forbidden corridor on the third floor that Dumbledore had warned us about. Inside was Fluffy, Hagrid’s three headed dog, and that’s where the philosopher's stone was being hidden.”
“Hey, if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t have seen - Fluffy? Really?”
“We’re all going to ignore that.” Harry said and Hermione laughed.
“I think mine is when Hermione set Snape's cloak on fire. Personally, I was very upset that I didn't get to witness that.” Ginny shared.
“That was you?!” Theo yelled
“We thought he was trying to kill Harry.” Hermione shrugged. “Harry attacked Snape in third year! Used Expelliarmus on him.” Theo lost it.
“Hey! We’re talking about you right now. Not me.” Hermione rolled her eyes.
“So you both attacked Snape and he still didn’t find a way to expel you?”
“Oh he tried.”
“Multiple times.” Harry and Ron told the group.
“Moving on,” Harry laughed. “Mine is when Hermione turned herself into Millicent’s cat.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Hermione made a mental note to kill Harry.
“Second year. We were trying to figure out who the heir of Slytherin was. We thought it was Draco so we made a plan to brew polyjuice potion and transform into you, Crabbe and Goyle. I successfully turned Harry into Crabbe and Goyle but I accidentally took cat hair off your robes instead of your hair.”
“You brewed Polyjuice potion in second year?” Blaise asked her.
“Yeah.” Hermione made it seem like the easiest thing in the world.
“I always thought they were exaggerating when they said you were the brightest witch of our age.” Theo got a pillow to the face.
“I was top of our class every year.” Hermione defended herself.
“I never said you weren’t smart. I’m just saying, it felt like an exaggeration. But now I understand why.”
Any further discussion was interrupted by a blue light filling the room.
“Mom, dad…” a gentle voice said before the light disappeared. Hermione stood from her spot.
“What in bloody hell was that?” Theo asked. “Maybe I’ve had too many firewhiskeys.”
“That was a patronus.” Ginny answered Theo.
“It was Lyra’s. I taught her in her fourth year how to send them.
“She can send a wandless patronus?” Draco was in awe of his daughter’s magical abilities.
“There was barely a message. All I heard was,” Ginny paused.
“She said dad.” Draco looked at Hermione and smiled.
“Wandless patronus are nearly impossible. It’s no surprise only two words were sent. But even without a message, we can find her. “ Everyone stood up and looked at Hermione.
“How exactly?”
“She’s underage. She still has the trace on her.”
“Bloody Hell.” Ron set his drink down. “We have to get to the Ministry.”
“One small problem, you’ve all been drinking.” Pansy pointed to Hermione, Draco, Harry and Ron.
“We’ll send for Garret. He’s third in command.”
“Did he go to Hogwarts? He seems familiar.” Theo thought hard about where he knows him from.
“Uh, I’m not sure.” Harry replied, “You can ask him when we get to the ministry.”
“We should already be at the Ministry.” Hermione walked straight to the floor. “Minister’s Office!” Hermione disappeared into the floo.
“You heard the Minister.” Draco followed her through the floo.
“We’ll swing by the shop and pick up sobering potions.” Theo and Milli left through the floo to Diagon.
The rest of the group followed through the floo to the Ministry. When they arrived and walked out they saw Minister Hermione Granger, commanding the entire Auror department, in her pajamas. She wore no shoes, only socks. Her hair was in a messy bun, her wand through it to hold the curls up. No one dared comment on how she looked.
Auror Garret walked onto the floor with his team close behind him.
“Have they found her location yet?” Garret asked the floor.
“Narrowing it down now.” Another Auror answered him and a moment later, “We have a location!”
“Where is she?” Hermione ran over to the Auror that hovered over a map. There was a glowing dot right above, “No. No. This can’t be right.”
“It is.” The Auror confirmed.
“What is it?” Harry walked over to the map.
“That’s the street my parents live on.”
“She’s in Australia?” Draco now looked onto the map as well.
“I need an Auror to find Monica and Walden Wilkinses. Now!” Hermione turned to Draco. “If Lucius is in Australia, it’s because he knows my parents are there. This shows Lyra’s trace directly across the street from where my parents live.”
“Garret, you need to go now!” Harry commanded him.
“Let’s move out!” Garret and his Aurors all vanished.