Disclaimer: Nope Harry Potter is still not mine.
I apologies for my grammar. It wasn't my best subject in school. If anyone has time in the future to check my grammar, you're welcome to email me at scarlet_emma@hotmail.com. If not, then everyone will just have to suffer through my story. J Also this story is told through the mind of Hermione. So everything she hears is what she understands them saying to her. Remember this clue, because it will come in handy in the future. To make things easier, I will italic her main thoughts. J thanks again for reading.!
The Middle of Understanding
Chapter 1
Family in Mind
As the early morning slipped into the half open curtains, a young girl laid in her queen size bed. Her long frizzy brown hair covered the orchid printed pillows. The sun shined towards her oval shaped face causing her to turn over. With the dark fuchsia blanket engulfing her, it contrasted greatly against her creamy white skin. Finally the yellow rays filled the quiet room, rousing the once blissful sleeper. Slowly Hermione opened her eyes to the sky blue walls. She let the silence surround her and relax into the tranquil moment.
" Nene are you awake yet? Sophia and Lizzy are going to be here at 10." A distant voice called from the kitchen. " I expect you downstairs in a half an hour."
Great, Sophia and Lizzy! Why did I agree to go out with mom today? I could be still relaxing and enjoying the calmness in my bed. May be if I don't reply, she will let me stay home instead. Okay Hermione close your eyes and pretend you are on the French Rivera.
Knock, Knock Nevermind
" Nene come on, I know you're awake. You promised you would come with me today."
I sighed, " Yes mom, I remember." Slowly I got out of bed.
" Good." Then I heard her footsteps walk quickly downstairs.
After changing into a light green sundress, I seated myself infront of my Maplewood vanity mirror. I hated this part of the day. I was never one to care about make up or hair do's. I honestly knew nothing about it and just didn't have the time to learn. But through the years with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil as roommates, I have realized how appearance can affect a person. Since then, I have tried every muggle and magic possible to cure me of my problem. Combing through each strand, I wished it were smooth and silky. Of course my mom would say that I had great hair, and should be happy I was not bald. She always had a way of making me look at things in all different angles. ' Never the rotten apple but always the strong tree.'
Knock, Knock
" Come in," I told my mom.
" Nene are you ready?" She asked me with her angelic voice. She was wearing her favorite lavender sleeveless dress. I thought it looked great against her sandy blonde hair, and hazel eyes. Victoria Belle Granger was the most beautiful person I knew, and yet she was my mother. How did she end up having me? " Are you all right?" Her eyebrows raised in concern at me.
" Yes, I'm just wondering how you can be so beautiful?"
She smile, " Where do you think you inherit your looks from?" We both laughed, as she sat on my folded bed. I know what you're thinking. How low self-esteem do I have? Well it's not that I think I'm grotesque or anything. I just know that I'm average when it comes to appearance. I have never thought of myself other then just plain and common. "But honestly Nene, you're beautiful too. You just have to realize you are. I mean you say I'm beautiful, and everyone we know has said we look alike. We both have the bridged nose that slightly pointed. The round brown eyes and full lips from the Dion side of course. The only thing different between us is the shape of our faces." My mom smiled with her perfect white teeth. " Come on, I made you French toast." I smiled to myself. She could always change the subject by mentioning my favorite foods.
As I finished my last bite and sipped my orange juice, I heard the doorbell ring. "Coming," my mom yelled out towards the door. Suddenly panic ran through me, like water down a river. I quickly put the dishes into the sink. I prayed to god that the floor would open up right now.
"HERMY!" God hated me.
Before I could duck behind a chair, two women in there 30's pulled me into their hugs. They were giggling like teenagers again. Sophia and Elizabeth Jones were the twin sisters I'm glad my mother did not have. Identical since birth as they always said. They were enchanting with their sleek blonde hair and fair skin. Their olive eyes twinkled as in expectation for the day to come. Also their unnaturally red lips open from all their laughter. They were forever young. What made it worst was how annoying they could be.
" Hermy, how are you?" Sophia gasped in a long drawn out voice. " You have been back for two weeks and you still have not told us about your mystery boyfriend." Great Merlin she was wearying pink again. The hot pink blouse and tight blue pants was her combo. Some women just should not wear pink.
" Yes, Hermy, I am quite disappointed in you. You should have been out with us soon as you were back." Lizzy scolded in her high pitch voice. At least you're not wearing pink.
When they had both settled down, I eased my way out of their embrace. There is only so much I could handle. I was about to tell them not to call me Hermy and they could tell from the red color of my face. Noticing this my mother interrupted before I got my chance. " Sophia did you drive your new car? How about we take it since it is already here?" She said pushing her towards the driveway.
" A perfect idea Vicky." Sophia said forgetting about my frustration. " Come on Lizzy, I have not shown you all the functions yet." They head outside to amuse themselves with the vehicle.
" Hermione Juliet Ann Granger! If you did not want to come, you certainly do not have too." She stated in a stern yet demanding manner.
" You deceived me into spending the day with you." I glared with my eyes focused and cheek sucked in. " You said that this Saturday was your day off. You wanted to spend quality time together mother. I did not agree to be with them." I threw my hands up in the air.
" Well they are my best friends Hermione. They have seen you grow up into someone they do not know. They wanted to spend time with you also." She answered back in her direct tone.
" Frankly I do not want to be with them or you right now." I screamed angrily for some reason. As I was about to walk up the stairs, I glanced at my mother's face. I wanted to cry when I did. She look heart broken and distraught. Her soft features and confident shoulders seemed lifeless. Sensing my gaze, she looked up with her unshed tears.
" You were right. I did lie to you. I did want to spend time with you. So I mentioned my plans to the girls about today. Then they asked questions about you, which I did not know the answers too. They were so general like school, friends, and you. I froze. I've watch you grow up slowly away from me. Year after year, you change into this person I do not know. What makes it worst, is that I am your mother. I do not know you. These last four years, they have been my support. They…they have been my Harry and Ron. Do not look at me surprised. Your father and I may not understand because we are just muggles. But we are still your parents. I try to remember every letter and story because that is all you give me another." Silence and tension filled the open kitchen. I stared at the wooden cupboards and forest green walls. I didn't dare to speak because I was so angry about her lying. Angry that she did not ask me directly about her concerns. Angry that our bond was slowly breaking. Angry that two people was comforting her, but not me. Angry that I was ignoring the fact my parents would understand. Mainly angry with myself for causing them so much pain.
" I am sorry mom. I guess these pass years have been difficult for both of us. I just did not want to burden you with my worries and fears. I thought even if you knew it would be useless since you could not have solved it. But I see now that you can help me Dad and you have always been my support. I forgot through all the changes and shifts. Would it be to late for that to start again?" Slowly I inched towards her, kneeing infront of her. " I love you both so much. Always will and never half way. I would not be able to handle it, knowing you thought differently." Finally I laid my head on her knees, and hugged her calves. She sank down, and we pulled each other into a tight embrace.
The rest of the day was spent shopping with the Jones sisters. Since I had grown over the summer, we ended up with piles of clothes, shoes, makeup, and so forth. With the morning incident forgotten, I receive advice on everything from clothes to what not to eat. The sisters were their usual gossip hens, while I felt lighter. As the shopping spree ended, we tossed the bags into the blue Audi.
" Well Vicky, it is only 3:00 and I think we deserve to relax after such a long day." Lizzy said while closing the trunk.
" How about Serenity? Hermy, do you want to go?" Sophia asked with excitement in her eyes.
" Certainly has been a long time since I have been there. Nene, do you want to experience your first Spa with us?" My mom smiled towards me.
So here was my major dilemma, with three smiling faces. I had already spent the whole day listening to what color goes with what. Or what to do with all the new items I have received. Either I could say no or have them pout all the way home. Or I could concede with the open mind my mom had always taught me. Remembering everything could be so annoying at times.
" Why not, I haven't turned down from an adventure yet." They giggled and pulled me into the car. OH Merlin what did I get myself into.
After 2 ½ hours of massages, facials, manicure, pedicure, and makeover, I admitted it was great. Most of the time was spent on various arguments about boys and advice of what to do in the future. We slowly piled into the car, and I saw my reflection in the glass. Goodness I looked different. No wonder everyone was smiling at me weirdly.
Finally in the evening, we returned home with bundles of bags and a new look. Once I opened the wooden doors, the aroma of exotic spices reached my nose.
" Dad, we're home." I yelled from the doorway.
" Nene, honey, dinner is almost ready. Just give me another 10 minutes." He replied with clatter being heard as well.
" Nene bring your bags to your room and then come for dinner." Mom said while walking towards the kitchen doors. When I left my bags, I stepped down towards the kitchen. As I reached the bottom step, I could smell my dad's chicken curry and rosemary rice. I strolled in and was jealous of what I saw. My dad's tall 6'2 frame was at the stove stir-frying the rice. Behind him was my mother's 5'7 height hugging him tightly. Her free right hand was twirling my dad's chestnut hair. Does love like theirs exist? If so, how does others find their true love as well?
" Dad is the food almost ready? After the day with the Jones twins, I need lots of nourishment." They finally noticed me and turned around.
" Are they still in one piece?" Smiling mischiefly at me. " I didn't think you had the will power not to turn them into chickens."
" So that's why you went fencing with Andrew today." I looked teasingly into his blue eyes.
" Maybe, maybe not. But since your mother drew the longer straw, she had you for the day. By the way nice look, it makes you look more like your mom." He laughed and his baritone voice echo in the kitchen.
" Oh you two, they are not so horrible as you make them out to be." Instantaneously my dad and I looked seriously at her with the same glare. " So they have their moments. Anyway, Nene I thought you were hungry? Let us eat this delicious meal." The rest of the dinner was filled with laughs and stories of the day.
" Douglas Patrick Granger, where do you hear these awful jokes from?"
" Honey it all comes from my charming self." Dad pointed at his head then winked at me.
" Well Doug, I think you should leave the charm and thinking only for your patients." She teased and pushed her plate forward.
" Ouch! At least my lovely daughter thinks I'm charming."
" You are absolutely right Father." I replied in my over dramatic tone.
" Well like mother, like daughter! Wait does anyone hear that? Yes that is definitely my ego cracking." Laughter then rang through the Granger home.
After I finished cleaning the dishes, I walked into the living room to find my parents. They were on the couch snuggled together. I sat across from them in my grandmother's rocken chair.
" Nene, your mom and I have something important to tell you." I hope this is not bad. Dad is never this serious with me.
" We have been waiting to make sure first, before we jumped to assumptions." Mom delicately said.
" What it is?" I hope it's not life threaten or anything. I don't think I could handle anymore worries, since Harry and the return of Voldermont.
" Well your mother's pregnant Nene." Dad stuttered out.
" We wanted to make sure I was because of the miscarriages I had before." Mom wrinkled her noise up. " In six months, you're going to be a big sister." Time seem to stop as I thought about what they had just said. I was going to be a sister. My parent's are having another child. They looked so incredibly happy. As tears filled my eyes, I looked up into their anxious faces. Quickly I squeezed myself between my parents and cried.
" Nene, sunshine don't cry. You know we will always love you." My father cooed into my new smooth hair.
" I'm not sad Dad," I hiccuped. " I'm so ecstatic and proud for you two. I don't even have the words to express how I feel." By now my mom was crying as well.
" We love you Hermione. Always will and never half way." She whispered into my ear.
" I love you too…mom, dad. Always will and never half way."