Questions
Jean had a feeling that she knows where this is going. It was only the matter of time before Hermione find out the truth about herself and her status. So Jean stilled her mind and heart, ready to listen and to answer her daughter’s questions. “Go on sweetheart. Tell me everything.” She sat down across her daughter and gave her an encouraging smile.
Hermione smiled back and took a deep breath, bracing herself. “Before I got expelled…” she paused. Her mother just stayed silent, patiently waiting for her to continue. “Something happened on the field trip.” She clenched her hands together and took another deep breath. “I was attacked.” Jean’s face immediately had a worried and scared expression.
“By who?”
“By our substitute teacher.” Before her mother can open her mouth to say something, she quickly followed. “But! Turns out, she wasn’t a substitute. She wasn’t even human! She asked me weird questions and I don’t even know how she knows those things about me!” she breathed out. She inhaled again and continued. “And then, she suddenly laughed really creepily and transformed into this… weird monster thing that had wings and sharp claws! She tried to swipe me but luckily, I managed to avoid it!” she then reached for the ring on her pocket and showed it to her mother. “And then, Prof. Dumbledoor gave me this ring that can transform into a sword so I can defend myself. I managed to stab the creature right through her chest and she suddenly glowed very brightly so I had to close my eyes. And when I opened them, the creature suddenly turned to dust! And yesterday, Prof. Dumbledoor, Tonks, and I were talking about the event that happened at the museum. But then, when I tried to explain what happened, Tonks said that we never had a teacher named Ms. Umbridge! I mean, I know we don’t have one now because our substitute was a weird monster and most likely dead!” she looked at her mother who had an unreadable expression. “Mom, I know this sounds really insane and not normal right now, but it’s all true!” she grabbed her mother’s hands as she looked at her pleadingly. “Please believe me.”
Jean took a deep breath, trying to process all her daughter said. She knows that her daughter was telling the truth. She knows that this was bound to happen someday. She glanced at the ring that was between them and she knows what it is. She has seen it before and knows what it can do. She looked at her daughter’s pleading eyes and held her hands tighter. “Hermione, I believe you. I already knew that this was going to happen sooner or later. I tried to keep you safe from what’s going to happen to you someday.” Hermione looked at her with confusion written on her face. Jean took a deep breath and strengthened her heart and will. This is it. This is the moment where her daughter’s going to know everything about her past and what’s going to happen in the future. She gathered her strength and explained. “Hermione, the day you were born was truly the greatest day of my life. I can’t thank the stars enough for giving me a chance to have you… and your father for making it happen.” At those words, Hermione perked up.
“My… Father?”
Jean nodded, tears threatening to come out of her eyes as she held them back. “Your father was- no… is the first and true love of my life. He gave me the greatest gift a person could ever want and more; a family.” She looked downed as her tears won and started to fall. “He did everything he can to make me happy and he always succeeds. He held my hand tightly and wiped my tears away every time I was sad and frustrated. I loved him so much that I knew he was the one I wanted to start a family with.”
Hermione squeezed her mother’s hands to give her comfort and her mother welcomed it. “Mom, about that dream… I heard voices. They were familiar yet I can’t make it out. I was sure that was you and… my dad. I heard both of you talking about me.”
Her mother chuckled, recalling her memories of her first love when their daughter came to this world. “Yes, we would always talk about how you were getting strong every day and about how you’re going to look like a second me when you grow up. He would always poke your cheek when you’re sleeping and you would always try to grab it.”
Hermione had a neutral expression and it was hard to know what she’s thinking right now. She then looked down and asked. “Why did he leave?” she finally asked the question that has been hunting her for years. Along with the question that she’s been desperate to ask. “Who is he?”
Jean looked at her daughter’s eyes for a second but it was enough to know that’s her daughter is confuse, angry, and mostly sad. So, Jean stood up from her chair, made her way to her daughter and cupped her face to make her look at her. When she got a good look at her golden brown eyes, she saw so many emotions in them. Her daughter is frustrated, lost, and desperate for answers. Those amber eyes that she got from her won’t be the same when she finds out who her father is. And she can’t tell her who because of the oath that she took. So the only way for her to know, is to go there. Jean knew this was going to happen, and she was not ready for it to come. But, in order to keep her daughter safe, she has to take to the place where she can’t be harmed. The place where she belongs. Because if she didn’t go sooner or later, more monsters will come at her and put her in danger. The first creature was just a warning and there will be more in the future.
“Hermione.” Jean called firmly as Hermione paid attention to her mother. Jean looked back at her daughter and tried to spill out her secrets that she needed to know. But first, “Would you like to walk with me at the enchanted forest that we used to go to when you were little? I would like to explore it with you again. And let’s set up a nice camp there and make some necklace and crowns from the little crystal pebbles that we find. Just like old times.” Jean smiled softly that Hermione couldn’t help but smile back. She wanted to have one more precious time with her daughter before… She shook her head and tried not to think about it.
“Ok, when?” Hermione asked.
“Before the sun sets. Let’s watch it together and gaze at the stars at night.” Her mother replied. Hermione nodded, put her dirty plate in the sink, and went to her room to pack her clothes and camping equipment for later. Jean smiled and looked at the ring her daughter put on the table. She held it close to her heart and said, “Our baby girl has grown up. I kept her safe this long. But now, it’s your turn…” She kissed the ring as a tear fell from her eye and ran across her cheek. “My king.”