The Reluctant Guardian

The Reluctant Guardian - Chapter III

The sounds of the fountain in the center of the opulent room were soothing after a long morning of listening to conference speakers. Mr. and Mrs. Granger had just sat down for Afternoon Tea at the Palm Court. They had a splendid table right next to the fountain. As tea was being served, they chatted about the conference, their room and other mundane matters.

"Do you think that our darling daughter is enjoying herself?" asked Mrs. Granger.

Mr. Granger appeared puzzled as he grabbed a scone from the ornate tray in the middle of the table. "There haven't been too many moments where Hermione hasn't enjoyed herself at school, dear. Except perhaps that exam she had several years ago. Although, now that I think about it she did seem to enjoy that as well," he finished cheerily.

Mrs. Granger's jaw dropped as she looked at her husband. "I can't believe you've forgotten! You do have two daughters. How could you?"

He gave a belly laugh and answered, "Right you are. I'm sure she is having the time of her life. You're mother is probably indulging her every whim. I say, when are these Yanks going to discover the joy of clotted cream with scones? How do they expect me to eat this?" Mr. Granger put his blueberry scone down in disgust and moved on to what appeared to be cranberry orange bread. "Who do they think they're fooling, serving sweet whipped cream?"

Mrs. Granger rolled her eyes at her husband. "These Yanks, as you like to call them, haven't been part of the British Empire for well over two hundred years. You can't expect them to remember everything."

"Bloody well serves them right," groused Mr. Granger, "severing themselves from King and Country in that manner. Why, it was barely civilized."

Mrs. Granger quickly turned the conversation back to the conference. She knew better than to let her husband get on a roll where British-American relations were concerned.

They finished up their afternoon tea in relative peace and made their way to their hotel room to freshen up for the round of afternoon speakers. Both were so animated in their discussion that they failed to notice the oddly dressed person following behind them.

It was an exhausted Hermione that sat down in the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning. She had spent most of the night looking up Inherited Magic and finding nothing that applied to her. It was Dumbledore's words that proved to be the most puzzling. How could there be more to her than what she already knew? In the baby books at home were pictures of her when she was just a few days old. She reasoned that there was some other explanation for her disappearance during her confrontation with Malfoy. She would need to find out what it was.

While Hermione was lost in thought, Ron and Harry chatted about their plans for Saturday. It was the first Saturday of the Christmas holiday and the last Hogsmead weekend before Christmas. Ron and Harry reckoned they could do all of their Christmas shopping in one day.

"What are you getting for Hermione?" whispered Harry over the table.

"Don't know," answered Ron. "She acted really weird when I got her that perfume a few years ago and I haven't known what to do since."

"Maybe we should talk to Ginny," suggested Harry. "She's a girl."

Ron just grimaced and shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth by way of answering.

Shadows suddenly moved about the Great Hall and the flapping of wings could be heard. But, no real notice was taken. Most, if not all, students were accustomed to owl post by now. Hermione was jolted out of her train of thought when a large black raven landed in front of her. It was apparently a note for her. It held out its leg in a haughty manner, waiting for her to untie the roll of parchment. As soon as she had removed the raven of its burden, it flew immediately away. Hermione unrolled the heavy cream colored parchment. She was confronted with spiky black writing.

Miss Granger,

You are expected in my office promptly at 6:00 pm this evening.

Professor Severus Snape

Hermione looked up from the note to gaze at the Head Table. Professor Snape wasn't there and neither was Dumbledore. She found, however, that her curiosity surrounding the whereabouts of Professors Dumbledore and Snape was nothing compared to the strange looks she was receiving from her classmates.

"Oy, Hermione," said Ron. "What was that all about?"

"Yeah," Ginny chimed in, "who did that raven belong to?"

"Um, no one," muttered Hermione. "I'll be in the library," she said quickly as got up from the table.

Harry watched her walk out of the Great Hall. "What's going on with Hermione? She was a bit quiet."

"She's probably worried about that test in McGonagall's class this afternoon," reasoned Ron. "You know how she gets."

"Hmmm, maybe," said Harry sounding unconvinced.

"It would seem, Miss Granger, that you are faced with a choice," said Snape as he paced the room later that evening. "You can remove yourself and your family from danger. And the Fidelius Charm will be performed. Or, you can shoulder the responsibility forced upon you." He took that moment to glare at Hermione. She visibly shrank back in the chair. "Let me make myself perfectly clear. If you decide to stay and face the Dark Lord, you will be spending a great deal of time with me. I promise you, it is not something that will be enjoyable to either of us. You will be living two lives. One of a loyal Death Eater on the surface and another that is loyal to the Order. That life must stay hidden at all costs. You will lose your friends to save their lives. You will make friends with your enemies." Snape turned abruptly away from her and stood facing the massive shelves that lined his office.

Hermione looked up at Professor Snape, the fear evident in her eyes. "What about my family?"

"Your family is being taken care of by Remus Lupin," said Snape with a look of distaste. "He apparated immediately to the United States after our meeting with the Headmaster and will be keeping a close eye on your parents."

"But, you said in Professor Dumbledore's office that they were in danger," came Hermione's weak reply.

Snape's eyes flashed menacingly as he glanced at Hermione. "And they are in danger, you silly little girl! You have shown Mr. Malfoy that you possess the gift of very powerful magic. How could you believe it was something he wouldn't share with his father?" spat Snape.

"But, sir," protested Hermione. "I've searched through book after book. I've still no clue what Professor Dumbledore could be referring to. I know my lineage. We are plain, ordinary muggles!"

Professor Snape's eyebrow shot up as he surveyed Hermione across the room, his lips forming a thin line. He strode over to Hermione, his cloak billowing behind him. Hermione shrank back into her chair as Professor Snape leaned over her, his arms now on either side of her. His hands were gripping the arms of her chair. "Miss Granger," he yelled, "you clearly do not want help since you persist in believing in this fallacy." Professor Snape straightened up suddenly. "Get out!" he spat, pointing at the door.

"Pardon, sir?" asked Hermione with her eyes wide. Her heart started pounding wildly in her chest. She wasn't sure what she felt more, fear or hatred.

"Are you dense child? Leave!" shouted Snape.

Hermione stood abruptly, her eyes narrowed at Snape in hatred. A burning blackness began to materialize around her. She clenched her fists and prepared to launch a tirade of insults at Snape. Little tendrils of inky blackness began to form. "Professor Snape," Hermione said firmly. She seemed completely unaware of the storm of darkness surrounding her. "I grow weary of your inability to teach." She took a step forward and the tendrils around her shot out and began making their way to Snape.

Snape backed away from her, the fear and curiosity mingled together on his face. "If you think I am going to sit here and let you insult me a moment longer, you are wrong!" she yelled. The tendrils launched at Snape and began surrounding him. Snape could feel a strong pull on his magical energy, but before he could yell to Hermione, he watched her collapse to the floor. The inky blackness was gone.

Snape hurtled himself across the room to where Hermione was laying on the floor. Her face had gone deathly pale. He felt for a pulse and was relieved when he found it. He scooped her up and ran to the Hospital wing.

Hermione woke up the following morning to two anxious faces peering over her bed. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked around groggily. "Why am I here?" she moaned.

Ron and Harry glanced at each other and then turned their attention back to Hermione. "Well," started Ron, "Professor McGonagall came to the common room last night and told us that you were here."

"We don't know why, Hermione," finished Harry. "We were hoping you could tell us."

Hermione stifled a yawn. A sigh escaped from her lips before she turned her attention directly to Harry. "Harry, in your trunk, do you have any really old books on wizarding families?"

Before he could answer her though, Madam Pomfrey strode briskly into the ward. "Ah, I see you've finally woken." She gave Ron and Harry a hard look. "The two of you can speak with her later. Now shoo, both of you," she said with a wave of her hand.

Hermione looked sadly at both Harry and Ron as they moved towards the door. Harry turned before he shut the door and silently mouthed, later. Hermione nodded quickly and gave a small smile.

"Now, Miss Granger," started Madam Pomfrey, "I cannot even begin to guess what you've been doing this time, but there will be no more of it. Let's take a look at you before we decide what to do."

Hermione sat quietly on the bed while Madam Pomfrey went through her examination. However, she was lost in thought. All she remembered seeing were these little black things surrounding Professor Snape. Then she felt this enormous rush of power and then she woke up here in the hospital wing. Any rational explanation was beyond her at the moment. She only hoped that Harry had something that would help.

While her mind was racing through any possible solutions, she vaguely heard herself mechanically answering Madame Pomfrey's questions. She thought she heard the words "free to go" when she found herself facing Professors Dumbledore and Snape.

"Miss Granger," twinkled Professor Dumbledore, "I see you are feeling much better. And you've had visitors."

For the first time that morning, Hermione noticed the pile on the bed table next to her. Sweets, cards and even a vase of flowers! She reached over and brushed her fingers over the petals of the bright daisies, before turning her attention back to her professors.

"Professors," she began, "what happened last night? What were those things surrounding Professor Snape?"

Professor Snape gave her a hard look and strode across the room to the window.

"Ah, yes," said Professor Dumbledore, looking at the retreating Professor Snape. "I believe that what happened last night was another example of your power. That is why, Miss Granger, I must ask you not to speak of this to anyone. You will be returning home tomorrow?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes Professor. It's been a while since I spent Christmas with my family."

"Very well, then." Professor Dumbledore stood. "We shall be making a visit to your home over the holiday. Perhaps with the help of your parents, we can solve this mystery." He peered at her over his half-moon spectacles, "Travel safely, Miss Granger."

"Thank you, sir. I will," Hermione answered. With that, both Dumbledore and Snape exited the hospital wing.

Hermione slid down from the bed and began to gather her things. She gave a small laugh when she went through the notes on her bedside table. A card from Ron and Harry was decorated with little witches that flew all around. It was lined with little comments both to her and to each other. All of which, made her laugh outright. One of the witches had made her way to from the front of the card to the inside and made Hermione laugh again as the words jumped out of the way of the approaching witch.

She gave a satisfied sigh and put the card in her bag. Apparently, someone had thought to have it brought to the hospital wing, though she couldn't imagine who. She picked up the rest of the cards and thumbed through them. One from Ginny, one from Lavender and Parvati, another from Professor McGonagall. When she came to the last card, however, she was rendered speechless. It was a beautiful shimmering lavender color with little butterflies charmed to fly gently around. Beautiful and innocent looking. Curious, she opened the card to see who it was from. She looked wildly around, but didn't see anyone. She didn't really expect to. Fear gripped her heart like a vise. The inside of the card was mostly blank, with only five small words in curly writing.

We know what you are.

She gave a shiver, quickly stuffed the card and everything else into her bag and ran back to Gryffindor Tower. She needed to find Harry, and fast.

Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall were gathered around a large table in the Headmaster's office, books strewn everywhere. Judging by the state of the room, they had been there quite a while. In fact, they had been pouring through various tomes for well over four hours.

"Albus," spoke the surprised sounding Deputy Headmistress, "Albus, look at this. She bears a strong resemblance to..."

"Yes, Minerva," agreed Professor Dumbledore as he stood behind her looking at the book.

Professor McGonagall turned and gave him a questioning look. "But how could that be, Albus? She was never known to have any children." She glanced across the table to find Professor Snape getting out of his chair.

Snape moved quickly to the other side of the table and stood by Professor McGonagall's side. He squinted as he analyzed the picture in the book. "She also had a reputation of disliking the detestable creatures," Snape added blandly. "I can't say she was isolated in her opinion."

McGonagall bit back a terse retort and continued, "This book was widely published. If Mr. Malfoy owns it, there will be no doubt in his mind or that of his master."

"Now, Minerva," said Dumbledore, "a resemblance alone is not enough to prove descent. We must look into this further."