Chapter 4
Chapter 4
When she wakes the next morning the house is once again silent. After getting ready Hermione grabs her letter before heading downstairs. In the kitchen there is a new note from her parents:
Hermione,
You weren't even here when we returned home. Your chores were not completed and dinner was cold. Where were you? When you did come home you were loud and woke us both up. We raised you to be more respectful than that. We will be having a talk about your recent behavior when we get home this evening. You will be punished.
Hermione stopped reading. There was no point in reading the rest. A few minutes later Hermione was on the curb holding out her wand for the knight bus. When it arrives she purchases a ride to the leaky cauldron. From there she quickly strolls toward the post office. After sending the letter off she gets something to eat while she thinks about where she could spend the rest of the summer.
The Weasleys would probably be her best bet. Unfortunately Mrs Weasley would most likely not give her a moment's peace because of her injury. She could probably get a room at the Leaky Cauldron while she came to a decision? With that, Hermione decides to walk to Gringotts to see if her vault had enough extra in it for her to stay for any portion of time at the Leaky. Over an hour later Hermione slowly walks out of the bank defeated.
There was only enough in her vault for school supplies. Her parents had not been depositing her allowance as they had promised. Her only options at this point were to stay home with her parents or request to join the Weasleys. Shaking her head, Hermione leaves the alley and heads home. Maybe if she can do all the chores they listed, her parents will give her enough of an allowance to get a room.
Several more days go by. Dan states that because of Hermione's attitude and inability to do her chores in a timely manner, she is grounded for the summer. And no matter what chores she does Hermione will not be given an allowance. Hermione sits at her desk beginning to write a letter to Mrs Weasley to ask about visiting when there is a knock at the front door.
Dan and Jane were just climbing into bed when they heard someone at the front door. Grumbling about poor timing and how rude to visit anyone at this hour, Dan stomps down the stairs and flings the front door open.
‘Who do you think you are visiting at this hour? What do you want?’ He snarls into the dark evening.
*.*
It took more than a week before Lucius contacted Rudolphus. Bella was too stressed to eat, much less do anything else. When Lucius appeared in their floo, Bella rushed to his side. Before she got the chance to speak he placed a parchment in her hands.
‘Here is her address. I couldn't find out anything else about her. I'm sorry. Please visit us when you find out if it truly is her. Cissa seems to be just as nervous as you look. No matter the time just floo over do you understand?’
Bella shrieks and hugs Lucius tightly.
‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’
Moments later Lucius disappears back through the flames. Bella looks into her husband's eyes pleadingly. ‘Alright, let's go. I think we have waited long enough. Do you remember to look up the lineage spell? I'm not sure I remember the wand movement properly.’
Bella begins to drag Roddy from the house. Of course, I looked it up this week. I also took the time to practice. Everything is ready. By the end of the night we will know if she is in fact, our daughter. As they cross the property line Bella opens the parchment, wraps her arms around her husband and promptly apparates them away.
*.*
As soon as the landscape comes into focus again, Bella looks around. The houses on this street were all the same. Every house had a tidy yard 1 or 2 automobiles and a fenced back yard. The only variations she can see are: the houses and automobiles are different colors. Quickly she glances back at the parchment in her hand before looking at the house they were standing in front of.
‘This looks like the right address, Roddy.’
‘Well let's knock and see what happens.’ Rudolphus takes her hand and leads her to the door. After knocking relatively softly he is running low on patience. He begins to knock harder and more insistently. Suddenly the door is flung open by an angry muggle.
‘Who do you think you are visiting at this hour? What do you want?’ The muggle snarls.
Rudolphus raises a hand to silence his wife before she can respond to this rude muggle.
‘Hello sir. We are hoping to find the Granger residence. Are we in the right place?’ His tone is polite, but the look on his face is anything but.
‘Yes, this is the Granger residence. What do you want?’ Mr Granger refuses to lower his voice.
‘May we come in? I fear your neighbors will begin to notice us if we continue this conversation at your door.’ Bella suddenly pushes into the house. The muggle who had previously been blocking the door now appears to be shocked into silence.
He must have noticed their robes, or possibly recognized them from the pictures in the paper? Oh well. At least he was done yelling.
‘Is Hermione home this evening?’ Bella asks quietly.
The muggle does not respond but footsteps are heard descending the stairs. A moment later a young woman dressed in pajamas steps into the room with her wand pointed at bella. Clearly she recognizes them. When Bella notices she raises her hands to show she is not holding her own wand.
‘We are not here to harm you, we just want to talk. Would you please give us a few moments of your time?’ Rudolphus mimics his wife by raising his hands. Hermione does not lower her wand as she steps in front of the muggle.
‘Father, go back upstairs. I will take care of this.’
The muggle opens his mouth, looks around, closes his mouth, then leaves the room.
‘Well? What do you want to talk about? Why are you here?’
Bella slowly lowers herself onto the edge of the couch before placing her hands in her lap.
‘We are here to talk with you. And ask a few questions. Before we get into anything. Were you adopted?’
Hermione advances on them, her wand held tightly. ‘How? Why would you know that? I only learned that this week. Why are you here?’
Bella looks up at him in silence. Roddy nods.
‘We are here because there is a possibility that you are our daughter.’ Hermione shakes her head. ‘She was kidnapped at 13 months. We searched everywhere we could think of. There was no trace. Recently we have discovered new information that led us here. Will you permit us to perform the test? If you are not who we have been searching for we will leave and no harm will come to you or the muggles upstairs.’
‘This is not possible. I'm not related to you. But then why else would you be here? What test are you referring to?’
‘The lineage spell is very simple. Bella will cast it over you and I. the color will tell us if we are related. Red if i am your father. Green if we are more distantly related. Blue if there is a marriage connection. Or yellow if we are not related. It will take her a moment to perform the spell as it is rather intricate but after that we will be able to answer any other questions you have.’
‘I’m just supposed to trust that the spell is harmless? Based on your reputation alone, I shouldn't even be listening to you. Swear on your magic that you will never harm me, no matter the results.’
Without hesitating Bella and Roddy did as was requested. Hermione lowered her wand in disbelief. Bella begins the spell and after several moments the room is bathed in a red glow that is connecting himself to hermione. Roddy looks from Hermione's stunned face to Bellas ecstatic one. He rushes to his wife, engulfing her in a bone crushing hug.
Bella is repeatedly mumbling, ‘We found her, I can't believe we found her.’ Roddy kisses her temple before looking over at Hermione again. Hermione has sunk into the sofa, she begins to shake her head.
‘No this cannot be true. What is happening? I don't understand.’
‘Hermione, I mentioned that our daughter was kidnapped at 13 months old. Shortly after that we were looking for answers. I'm not proud of how we handled your disappearance. Soon after we were sent to azkaban. For years your aunt continued to search for you. But there were no leads, we were convinced you had been sent to another country or killed.
‘It did occur to us that your birthday had been changed to keep you hidden, and possibly your appearance as well. Now that we have found you. We would like to make up for lost time and begin to get to know you. Is this something that we can arrange?
*.*
Hermione is in shock. These are her parents? Did that make her a pureblood? What did he mean ‘arrange’? Was my birthday changed? What was my birth name? Has my appearance changed? What is going to happen next? Suddenly Hermione decides to voice these concerns.
Maybe they will not force her into anything she is not comfortable with.
Bellatrix leans forward and starts to answer her questions.
‘Yes you are a pureblood. We were wondering if you had time this summer to spend with us. But we don't want to force anything on you. We realize you have family and friends that may be expecting to spend some time with you, but we are still hopeful that you can fit us into your schedule. Your birthday is August 13th, 1979. Your cousin was born the following year you should be entering your 7th year. However Draco tells us that you are in the same year as him. When is the birthday you celebrate?’
‘September 16th.’ Hermione whispers.
‘That makes sense. With that date you would end up in the same year as Draco without suspicion. You were born Lyra Lestrange.whenever you are comfortable we can try to break a permanent glamor that was likely placed on you as a child. I would not recommend doing so while injured. You need your core to be strong enough to break the glamor. Perhaps we can discuss that later this summer? And what's next?
‘Like I said, that is up to you. We can continue to visit you here or we can communicate through owl if that is easier. I don't want to seem pushy but you can also come stay with us. We can make up a room for you whenever you arrive. What would you like us to call you?’
Hermione takes a moment to gather her thoughts before answering.
As my parents I wouldn't mind if you called me Lyra. Beyond that, let me think about it. I'm not sure if I will continue to go by Hermione or not. As for what I'm doing this summer. I guess I have some more questions before I can agree to anything.’ Hermione looks up to see both of her parents nod for her to continue. ‘Where do you live? I refuse to be anywhere near that madman. I don't care if he is your lord. Who will be finding out I am your daughter? Will my name be changed?’
‘Lestrange manor is north of London in a remote area. You will not be forced to meet with anyone. No one will be permitted at the manor if you are not comfortable with it. We will keep this in the family for now if that is alright. We want to look into anyone who may have helped kidnap you. And as for your name that is up to you. I believe there is a potion that you could have discovered and brewed this summer to see who your parents are, if you are interested.’
Hermione thinks about everything she has learned in this short time.
‘Can you give me a moment? I need time to think.’
‘Take all the time you need. We will be here until you ask us to leave.’
Hermione nods then retreats up the stairs, heading for her room. Before she can get there her parents door opens and she is pulled through the doorway.
‘Who are they? Are they still here? What is happening?’
Looking around, Hermione sees Dan and Jane standing before her, they both look furious.
‘Apparently they are my biological parents. They came to see if i was their daughter, apparently i was kidnapped at 13 months. Do you know anything about that?’
‘Of course we don't. All we know is that Dumbledore appeared and asked us to adopt you. I didn't even want kids. Your mother talked me into it. When are they leaving?’
‘Dumbledore handed me to you personally? Interesting. They will leave when I ask them to leave. I don't recommend you go downstairs.’ Hermione left their room and walked into hers before closing the door.
At her window an owl is trying to get inside. Hermione crosses the room and opens the window. After offering a drink and a snack, Hermione grabs the letter and opens it.
Ms Granger,
It saddens me to read your most recent letter. You will need as much rest as possible to recover properly. Do I need to bring you here so that you can rest? Are you at least taking the potions I sent home with you? Please advise me on the best way to move forward. If I have not heard from you within the week, I will arrive at your home to discuss matters with your parents.
Sincerely,
Madam Pomfrey
Hermione walks to her desk and scribbles out a quick response stating that a visit is not necessary at this time, but it may take a few more days to arrange alternative lodgings. She also urges her healer to await further correspondence before taking any action. Hermione ties the letter to the owl before telling it there was no rush and it should rest before leaving.
Hermione takes a few more minutes to review everything she has learned this evening before making a snap decision. Waving her wand, Hermione sends all her belongings into her trunk before shrinking it and placing it into her pocket. She finds crookshanks and puts him into his carrier despite his protesting hissing. With another wave, Hermione changes her clothes into jeans and a tank top. She then slips on her shoes, grabs the cat carrier and heads back down the stairs.
Hermione returns to the sitting room and sees that the lestranges are hugging once more while they sit on the sofa. Bellatrix has tears flowing freely down her face. As Hermione walks into the room they both turn and look at her. There is a look of surprise that they share after seeing Hermione's clothing change.
‘I have made a decision. I will agree to spend the summer with you. With a few conditions. 1st I want my family to be obliviated. I will not be returning to this house. 2nd I want to know more about who kidnapped me. I was just told that I was delivered by Dumbledore personally. I am willing to ask around after completing that potion you mentioned. 3rd in regards to anything pertaining to me, i want to discuss what will happen next i am not a child i will have a say in how my life proceeds. 4th this is my familiar Crookshanks he goes everywhere with me. Is this acceptable to you both?
Bellatrix moves forward but Rudolphus' arm around her keeps her in place on the couch.
‘Of course we agree to your conditions. If you will give me a moment I will obliviate them and then we can leave. I'm sure there is much more to discuss. However, tonight is not the time.’
He turns to his wife and lowers his voice. ‘Bella, you cannot jump on her. At least ask before you try to hug her, I will return in a moment.’
As he left the room Bellatrix slowly stood and tentatively took a step toward hermione. ‘I have missed you every day. May I hug you Lyra?’
Hermione could see her struggling to stay where she was. With a small nod Hermione opened her arms to her mother. Bellatrix lunged in her direction and wrapped her in a hug so tight Hermione didn't know if she could breathe. After several moments Bellatrix loosened her hold slightly.
‘What should I call you?’
‘You can call me mum or Bella. It's up to you.’
‘I will think about it and let you know.’
With one last squeeze Bellatrix steps away. A moment later Rudolphus descends the stairs and they all head out the door. Hermione places her hand on Rudolphus’ arm when asked. A moment later the quiet muggle neighborhood is empty. No trace remains of the young witch that had previously resided there.
*.*