Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The following day Hermione has breakfast alone. Ron drags Harry away whenever he sees Hermione in the same room. Ginny looks sadly in Hermione's direction but does not approach her. By tea time Hermione can't shake how sad she feels at the loss of her friends. She walks into the hospital wing to have tea with Madam Pomfrey, a small smile on her lips as she tries to pretend everything is alright.
‘My dear, I know you promised to visit so we could discuss the summer but it looks like you might have something else on your mind. Would you like to talk about it?’ Madam Pomfrey asks as she pours tea for them both.
‘I learned this summer that my parents adopted me. I spent so much of the beginning of the summer doing chores that I was unable to heal on the schedule we discussed. So I began to look for an alternative place to stay. After that I was able to rest enough to heal before being able to enjoy the rest of my summer. Thank you for your assistance.’
‘That is good to hear, now tell me what is bothering you today.’
‘Over the last week I brewed a potion to determine who my parents were. As of last night, I now have my answers. My friends were less than thrilled about WHO my parents are and now I have been accused of lying to them.’
‘Why is that dear?’
Hermione pulls the parchment from a pocket in her robes and silently passes it to Madam Pomfrey.
A few moments later, Hermione is stuffing the parchment back into her bag.
‘That is enough to cause concern. How are you adjusting to this information?’
‘I was informed by some classmates that Lyra was kidnapped very young. I feel I need to know more about what happened. I also want to send a letter to my parents, but I am not sure if I should.’
‘That is a tough decision. Perhaps you should meet with another family member? If I remember correctly Mr. Malfoy is your cousin.’
‘I hadn't had a chance to look up my newfound family tree yet, but when I ran into Malfoy yesterday he did ask why I had a parchment with his aunt on it. When I run into him next, I will try to talk with him. Thank you for listening.’
‘May I run a diagnostic test to see if you have any glamour tied to your core?’
‘Um, sure.’
Madam Pomfrey raises her wand and after a moment of focus, she clears her throat.
‘It seems there is something tied to your core. Would you like me to remove it?’
‘Not yet. I want to get used to knowing who my parents are before I start changing things about myself. When I am ready, can I come to you?’
‘Of course you can. I enjoyed today. Visit whenever you have time, I enjoy your company.’
‘I will try.’
*.*
Hermione left the hospital wing and decided to take a walk outside. Once she nears the lake Hermione decides to sit under a tree until dinner. An hour later Draco walks up.
‘How did you manage to find time to talk to the girls in my house last night? I didn't think there would be enough time.’
‘I was ambushed by them after Ron called me a liar.’
‘Wow and how did Potter react?’
‘I think he was shocked, he hasn't spoken to me since. And Ginny just looks sadly in my direction. No one in my house has spoken to me since last night. I did speak with Madam Pomfrey today and she recommended that I speak to you as my closest family.’
‘Well that is kind of her. What are we talking about at her prompting?’
‘The topic is should I write to my parents?’
‘Fascinating, I would say you should probably write to your mother. However, if you are nervous about sending it yourself I can get the letter to my mother and we can go from there.’
‘Why thank you for your assistance cousin, i would like to spend time with you, if you are not too busy.’
‘I think I can make that happen. What will your friends think?’
‘At this point I will say that I am getting to know my family. If anyone has any other opinions I will remind them that when I need support, my dear cousin is the only one willing to talk to me. Are those your friends coming this way?’
Draco looks up to see Theo and Blaise walking their way.
‘Guess they found me. Remember we didn't spend all summer together.’
‘Of course not, dear cousin. Now introduce me to your friends.’
‘Malfoy there you are. Have you been hiding from us?’
‘I would never. But I needed to be sure my long lost cousin was doing alright after discovering who her parents were. Theo, Blaise this is Hermione- are you going by Hermione or Lyra?’
‘Hermione for now. I will know more after I have a chance to speak with my parents.’
‘Alright then, guys this is Hermione.’
‘Nice to meet you. May we join you?’
‘Of course, we were just getting to know each other.’
‘As you should, if we are interrupting just say so and we will leave.’
‘Don't you dare. It is always nice to get to know new people.’
For the rest of the day Hermione and the Slytherins sat by the lake getting to know one another.
When it was time for dinner the Slytherin’s walked Hermione inside. They agreed to meet up for a study session later in the week before parting ways and heading to their usual seats for dinner.
Hermione had just sat down when Ron opened his mouth.
‘Hanging out with Slytherins? I knew you were lying yesterday. You should just go sit with them. No one wants you here.’
‘Seriously, Ronald? You get upset and don't talk to me all day then you decide to yell about the only people who have spoken to me today? They asked how I was feeling after last night. No one at this table has done that today. I have not lied about anything, but at this point I'm not sure I want to sit here. Enjoy the rest of your evening. I'm not hungry again.’
Hermione walks out and heads to her dorm. Neville grabs a few things from the table and hurries after Hermione.
‘Hermione, wait.’
Hermione pauses in the middle of the staircase, while Neville catches up.
‘Hermione, you know no one agrees with Ron. Don't let him get to you.’
‘No one ever seems to contradict what he has to say, and I'm tired of listening to him.’
‘I grabbed you some rolls. This is the second dinner you walked away from.’
‘Thank you. I think I'm just a bit sensitive today. I never expected that I would discover my parents were the Lestranges.’
‘We have been friends since we met on the train. I will still be your friend though this. You are not your parents, and I will not hold them against you. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you this morning.’
‘Thank you for saying that. I'm glad we are friends. I'm sorry my parents are the reason you never got to know your parents.’
They continue climbing the stairs until they reach the common room.
‘I'm going to bed now. I need time to think. Thank you again.’
Neville hugs Hermione before she climbs the girls staircase up to her room. As Hermione nears her bed there is a light tap heard from the nearby window. She opens the window, removes the letter and watches the owl fly away. After seeing her name Hermione tears open the letter.
Kitten,
I was so happy to hear from you. You completed the potion, I knew you could do it. The results are a surprise, but I am proud to call you family. In the last war I remember hearing rumors about a kidnapped child from the dark side. None of us believed the rumors were true. I didn't even know which couple lost their child. I now have proof of otherwise and will begin to ask around. Whatever happened back then, I will get to the bottom of it. I promise.
As for writing to your parents, that is a decision only you can make. You have heard many stories about them at this point, I'm sure. Nevertheless, they are your parents and I support your decision if you choose to reach out to them.
I'm here for anything you need.
Padfoot
Hermione rereads the letter as she sinks down onto the foot of her bed. A smile on her lips, knowing that someone supports her. She can figure out the next steps in the coming days. After a moment, Hermione gets ready for bed and closes her eyes.
*.*
°Sirius POV°
Sirius grabs the crumbled letter and begins to smooth it out again. He takes a moment to read it again. Before he can finish Sirius crumbles it again and throws it across the room.
Who is responsible for kidnapping a member of the Black family? I will kill them. Hermione should never have been subject to such circumstances. I'm going to bring this up at the next Order meeting. he murmurs.
Grabbing his wand, Sirius summons the parchment and utters a spell to smooth it out. No one would know of his anger. A second later Sirius was properly composed and ready to confront the Order with his accusations.
As it turns out the next Order meeting was the following night. Remus arrives before everyone else.
‘Hey Pads, everything alright?’
‘Yeah, sure. Hey, can you be around for the next few days?’
‘I think so. What's going on?’
‘Just a bit of mischief. Nothing to worry over.’
‘Alright Pads. We can talk later.’
Everyone else starts to arrive and gather in the kitchen. Albus is the last to enter the room. Everyone who has been out on missions shares what has been learned. Nearing the end of the reports, Sirius sees an opening to talk.
‘I have something new to discuss.’ He speaks up loudly.
‘What can you possibly have to discuss? You never leave the house.’ Snarks Snape.
‘Actually I received a letter from Hogwarts. It seems our resident know-it-all decided to do a potion project in secret.’
Fred and George share an understanding look with Sirius. Before Snape can interrupt again Albus shakes his head.
‘Please tell us more about this potion. Which one was it?’
‘A heritage potion. Would you like to see the results?’
‘Yes please you can show me after the meet-’ Without waiting to see what else Albus was going to say, Sirius flicks his wand and projects the results from the potion onto the wall. Many people in the room gasp.
‘That is impossible. She is a muggleborn.’ Kingsley murmurs.
Sirius' eyes have not left Albus' face. There was disbelief for a second before it morphed into anger. Sirius blinks and suddenly Albus' face is serene again.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ Remus demands.
Molly is seething in silence. Moody says nothing but his eye focuses on individuals one at a time.
‘That is what I would like to know, Moony.’ Sirius remarks.
‘Sometimes decisions need to be made for the greater good. Certain missions are need-to-know only. ‘
‘Are you saying there were other missions? That Hermione is not the only child who was kidnapped? Are you currently planning missions like this?’ Sirius’ anger is growing and his calm mask is slipping.
‘Of course not. I'm merely saying that sometimes a situation merits action.’
‘Even if that made any sense. Why did she have to be perceived as a muggleborn? There were many people who would have taken her in. I'm her blood and so is Andromeda. Actually most people in this room count as blood.’
‘Sirius we can talk about this later. If there is nothing else this meeting is over. Albus swept from the room before anyone had a chance to blink.’
‘This conversation is not over.’ Sirius yells.
Looking around the room Sirius believes that many had no knowledge of this particular mission. Molly is surprisingly silent. Arthur looks ill. Slowly everyone begins to leave. Sirius notes that Remus Fred and George are the only remaining people in the house.
‘How about we have some Firewhiskey while we discuss this in the drawing room?’ At their nods he grabs a bottle and some glasses before following them upstairs.
*.*