Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Georgie,
I enjoyed our date. It was a wonderful birthday surprise. I can't wait to see you again. I looked through the box you gave me. What am I supposed to do with trick treats? I suppose I could use the daydreams. Thank you for remembering that my favorite snack is sugar quills. Now I need to find you a nice present for christmas. Speaking of will I get to spend time with you during the holidays? Or will you be too busy with the shop? How are things with the shop? Is it keeping you and Fred busy?
Xoxo
Hermione
**Georgie thanks for noticing this. I have written to my relatives. I want to meet them but I am not sure how or when. Could you help me over hols? If you need any help at the shop I volunteer.
Tell Sirius this is the best way to write to me.
Sorry this is so short, write back soon.
Hermione
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Dad,
Ever since Hermione learned who her parents were, Ron has been in a mood. I'm not sure why he thinks she has been lying to everyone all this time but he is wrong. Hermione discovered the truth just before she shared it with us. If she were lying she wouldn't have looked so shook up. She was barely eating for a couple days.
There is a rumor going on about her being kidnapped? Who would do such a thing? Her parents may be dark but I haven't ever heard of any Death Eaters kidnapping children. How would anyone think that is alright? What can be done about Ron? He is so angry all the time and I'm concerned that he will do something rash.
Love
Ginny
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Hemione,
I am so happy that you enjoyed your birthday. And obviously you are supposed to share your sweets with friends. Please let me know what you think of the daydreams. Customer feedback is so important to a growing company. I will always remember your favorites. No need to get me something special for christmas. Im will be happy just getting to spend time with you.
I'm sure the shop will be insanely busy but we plan on some early days for family time. We are spending all our free time making extra stock so we hopefully don't run out.
George.
**After you wrote Sirius he showed the entire order. Dumbledore was not happy. I will talk to Sirius about it. Did you receive a response? If so, tell me about it. You are definitely welcome at the shop everyday. However often you need a break or to use the Floo you are also welcome.
After the order meeting Fred and I hung back to see if Sirius wanted to talk. He is not happy with Dumbledore. Rumus agrees with him. None of us feel like we can work with Dumbledore. No one should steal children from their families.
Mum told Fred that she has no knowledge of any missions involving children. He said she sounded pretty convincing. I was saddened to see the hope fade from his eyes when I told him the story dad told me. Mum was involved with your kidnapping. I'm sorry to have to tell you like this but I didn't want to keep it from you. Mum was personally there the night you were removed from Lestrange Manor. I don't know the details but dad told me about her involvement.
From the way things were worded in the meeting there may be other children who were removed from their families. No one in the order knows anything about these ‘missions’ but we are concerned about the possibility. Do you know anyone who can give us a direction to look? Ages and gender would be a good place to start.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Georgie
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Through the month of September, Harry patiently awaited a response from his godfather, as October begins to pass Harry has lost hope that he will receive a response.
‘Harry mate, I'm sorry for trying to keep you from being friends with Hermione, you're friends with us both.’
‘Ron, you have been cruel to Hermione and I can't let you treat her that way. Unless you apologize I don't think I can put this behind us.’
‘Mum sent some snacks, do you want some?’
‘No im fine. I need to head to the library to find a book for Transfiguration. See you later.’
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Mum,
Harry turned down my apology and the box of sweets and he thinks I am being cruel to Hermione. How am I supposed to keep on good terms with him if he is always siding with her? Ginny has been in more of a mood lately and I’m not sure why. You would think I cursed her with the way she is acting. She and Hermione are still friends. That means she is spending time with the Snakes too. It feels like they are influencing her to be more distant with me.
Ron
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Andromeda arrives at Grimmauld for tea with Sirius.
‘Welcome Andi. It has been too long.‘
‘That it has. How have you been? Have you recovered from your ordeal?’
‘You mean Azkaban? I suppose. I just wish I could have a proper trial. I'm tired of being a fugitive.
‘I can imagine. Is anyone working on that?’
‘I'm hoping. But for now I'm just here. How is Ted?’
‘Doing alright. He is at work today. Tell me. What's this I hear about kidnapped children?’
‘Depends on what you have heard?’
‘Only that Albus was involved. Any identities have been kept from me.’
‘Have you heard the stories of Harry and his friends getting into all sorts of trouble over the last few years?’
‘Vaguely.’
‘Harry has a friend. Her name is Hermione Granger. She was thought to be a muggleborn. She recently discovered that she was adopted.’
Andi nods her head in understanding as she nibbles on a biscuit.
‘She did a heritage potion in her free time once she got to school this term. It revealed that she is Lyra Lestrange.’
Andi gasps. ‘She is family?’
‘Yes Andi. She was taken from Bella by force, and left to be raised by muggles. Narcissa looked for years to find her, Albus was concerned that it would be discovered who she was. That's why she was given to muggles.’
‘No, she could have been raised by our family. Why wasn't she given to family.’
‘I can't answer that. All I know is what I have told you.’
‘He will pay. I will crush him.’
‘I think we should wait to see what Hermione plans to do. She discovered this on her own, who knows if she has any plans for revenge.’
‘I want to meet her.’
‘You will. I will see if she can visit during winter break.’
‘Thank you Siri. We should do this more often.’
‘Yes we should.’
They spend the rest of their tea discussing how their house will need to be restored if he ever becomes free.
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Ginevra,
Your brother tells me that you have been following Hermione around and acting rude to him? He didn't do anything to you and you need to behave yourself. If spending time with Hermione and her new friends is causing this attitude change then you and I will be discussing your choice of friends over the holiday break. You know I raised you to behave better than you are currently. You rely on family first and foremost. Do you have anything to say for yourself?
Mum
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‘Someone doesn't want me to know they planned on having a private discussion with Black earlier.’ Alistar huffs as he enters dumbs office.
‘What do you mean?’ Albus inquires.
‘Someone left out the front door and disillusioned themselves. I'm not sure if they aparated away or not but I was unable to locate their magical signature leaving the area.’
‘Any idea who it was? Someone relatively young. Perhaps Kingsley? Or someone close in age to him, I can't be certain though.’
‘Keep an eye on things and let me know if anything else comes up. In the meantime. I need you to monitor a few more people's mail.’
‘How concerned are you with the contents? Moodys asks.
‘Just duplicate the contents of young Ronald and Ginevra's mail so i can read it. And delay receiving of Hermione, Harry and young Mr. Malfoy. I want to see theirs before I allow it to complete its journey.’
‘Alright. I suppose that's not too much work.’
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‘Hey dad, are you busy? Can we talk?’
‘I was just about to head out for lunch. Let's grab a bite while we talk?’
‘Sure.’ George follows his father out of his office and to the lifts. Once they have their lunches they sit in a corner of the lunch room.
‘What did you want to talk about, son?’
‘Our conversation about mom recently.’
‘Did you finish thinking things over?’
‘I think so. I can't forgive mum for her actions but I want to thank you for always choosing to stay home with us. It couldn't have been easy to stay home when mum was always out on missions.’
‘I can understand that.’
‘So many others were signing up to be on the front lines. How did you decide to stay home?’
‘In the few short years after starting a family I had not one or two children but three and then before I knew it five children. All of which deserved to have a parent around to raise them. I chose to have children in times of war and with your mother throwing herself into missions I knew I needed to stay home with all of you. I'm happy she survived the war but you never know what can happen.’
‘I can't even imagine having that kind of decision to make. I don't know what I would have done in your shoes.’
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Gin,
I will discuss Ronald with your mother. I'm not sure what has gotten into him. He shouldn't be treating his friends like this. I'm sorry he is acting badly toward you. Remember who your friends are. Sometimes friends and family are not in the same category. Tell Hermione I'm here if she needs anything.
There have always been rumors but no one on the light side wanted to believe it was more than a rumor. I will look into it and see if any other children have been displaced from their families. Please continue to focus on your studies. We can discuss this over the holiday break.
Dad
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