Their Sign
After that… Exciting event. Hermione and Professor Dumbledoor -who now she knows as Albus- took a walk around the campsite and Albus further explain where she is. Turns out, all the campers here are all children of a god. And other creatures she thought was a myth, such as nymphs, pegasus, and centaurs, are all here as part of the camp. But, in the middle of their stroll, Hermione asked the question she wanted an answer to.
“Professor?”
“Please Hermione, just call me Albus like the rest of the campers. ‘Professor Dumbledoor’ is just a cover name for mortals.” Albus said.
“Ok then… Albus?”
“Yes?”
“Where is my mother?” She wanted real answers and she hopes she gets one.
The centaur looked at the girl with sympathy and replied, “Tonks said she protected you bravely…” Albus looked down to his hands. “But a mortal woman that was taken by a portal are unheard of.”
“… It wasn’t just a dream then?” Hermione muttered helplessly. “She’s really gone?” The girl looked ahead with watery eyes.
The man placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry Hermione.” The centaur offered his apologies.
Hermione couldn’t contain it as she felt a tear ran down her cheek. “It’s my fault… This is my fault! She was trying to protect me!” She ran her hand in her hair in frustration.
Albus gripped her shoulder and replied, “You mustn’t blame yourself-“ but the girl shrugged his hand away and faced him.
“You said the gods are real. So how could they let that happen?” She questioned.
Albus looked at her sadly. “I’m afraid there are some questions only the gods themselves can answer. Look for their sign, Hermione.” The centaur instructed and looked up at the sky. “You have to be patient. A sign that the gods have a planned.” He then gazed down and looked at the girls amber eyes. “I know that the future looks blurry, Hermione. But not to worry, just do what you can for now.” He then placed his hand on her back and gestured her to walk with him. “The gods are real but they often won’t reveal who they are, what they want, or their design.”
They passed by cabin ten or Aphrodite’s cabin. A certain girl with blue eyes looked at the window and to the brown haired girl, observing her. Before looking back at her sister’s unfinished braid. “Is something wrong?” the girl asked her big sister.
The older woman shook her head and replied, “Nothing.”
Back to the girl and centaur who kept walking around the camp, the centaur continued his lecture. “Just have faith and keep your chin up. And we’ll help you adjust, and trust that you will see their sign.”
“So if my dad’s a God.” Hermione retorted. “I’d like to know which one.” The girl glared down at her feet. “Because he’s got a lot to answer for.” She clenched her fists and glared at them. “He showed no sign that he ever existed.” She shut her eyes tightly as another tear rolled down. “No sign that he might actually care.” Wiping her tear, she looked forward again. “My mom raised me all on her lonesome, and whenever I would reach out, no one else would be there!” She cried out and looked at Albus to question, “So what if I want my birthday cards and hiking trips? Child support or homework tips?!” She again wiped her tears that seemed to flow out more now that she almost let it all out. She took a deep breath and continued. “I didn’t mean to whimper or whine…” She gazed at her hands again to find them with her scratch marks. “The guy didn’t need to be dad of the year… But it’s clear that he could’ve shown me a sign.” She sniffed. “So… So who is he?!” The girl let out with determination.
Albus frowned. “I-It could be…” He hesitated. Hermione noticed it. “That is to say… The prophecies suggests…” He trailed off as he saw one of the needed campers that’ headed their way right now. “But that’s impossible!” Albus mused. He turned the other direction and waved at the girl. “See you at dinner, Hermione!”
Hermione was dumfounded and stared at the direction the centaur went off to. She sighed helplessly and groaned. “Tough first day?” A voice behind her spoke. She turned around to find a ginger haired boy with blue eyes and freckles. He wore the t-shirt that matches hers but the sleeves are torn off. He held out his hand for a handshake. “I’m Ron Weasley, by the way. Son of Hermes.”
Hermione shook his hand. “Hermione Granger.” She gripped his hand a little tightly and apologized quickly. “Sorry. It’s just…” she sighed and thought of the words she needed to let out. “All this time I thought my dad was a dead-beat. Turns out-“
“He’s a dead-beat god!” Ron interrupted her. He then chuckled sadly and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I get how you feel.” He then walked in a certain direction and gestured Hermione to follow him. “Look, the gods are busy.” He glanced at the campers around them. “They have a lot of kids and they don’t always care.” He paused then proceeded. “But if you’re one of the lucky ones…” he then pointed at the space above his head. “They’ll show a sign that they want to claim you. A sign to admit you’re their own.”
“And if they don’t?” Hermione halted and asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ron kept walking and looked down but answered. “Then no one can blame you for holding a grudge. So hey!” He then looked back at the brunette and smiled. “You’re not alone.” Hermione smiled back at him. It was nice to know that.
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Upon reaching their destination, they stopped in front of the cabin as Ron explained. “This is the cabin you would be staying in for a while. My older brother, Bill, is our counselor. I actually have six siblings. One sister and five brothers.” He chuckled when he saw Hermione’s surprised look. “So, the Hermes cabin takes anyone who hasn’t been claimed. And you know what that means…” He said dejectedly. “We’re literally the ‘reject cabin’.” The ginger then opened the door and said. “Welcome to the dysfunctional family.” Hermione saw a bunch of bunk beds, swords, and shield laying around the cabin. He unconsciously fiddled with the ring on her right middle finger.
“Hey Ronikkins!” Two boys with the same ginger hair greeted Ron as he groaned. Twins maybe? “Who’s the new girl?”
“Fred. George. This is Hermione Granger, the one who defeated the lynx!” He stated with a smirk. The campers around them stopped what they’re doing and looked at the girl with awe. But, before Hermione was bombarded with questions, a girl with another ginger colored hair but brown eyes made her way to them.
“Alright boys, leave the poor girl alone and don’t worry Ron! I’ll show everything to her around here. So Fred. George.” She called out her twin brothers. “Get Ron out of here.” The twins said no more as they dragged their little brother out the cabin. “I’m Ginny Weasley.” She held out her hand and Hermione shook it with a small smile. “Sorry about my brothers, they’re a little… Overwhelming.”
Hermione shook her head and let out a small laugh. “No no, they’re welcoming.”
“I’m glad to hear that. So!” she led the brunette to a bunk and said, “This is gonna be your bed. This is also mine but my bed is top. You can have the bottom bed.”
“Thank you Ginny.”
“No problem. We gotta stick together, right?” Ginny smiled at Hermione“Don’t worry, Hermione. When parents are distant or seem non-existent, just hang on ‘cause you’re gonna be fine.” Ginny assured her. “And I know it’s a lot to be thinking about. I mean, all of this awkward-ass, darkness, and doubt.” The ginger girl then put her arm around the brunette. “But if you need a friend to help figure it out, just come to me or my brothers, ok? We’ll help you search for your sign.”
Hermione nodded and smiled widely this time.