Chapter 1
It was Hermione White Potter's eighth birthday. She had had a wonderful party with her father, maternal grandparents, friends and many others. It had been a great day. She was about turn in when her grandmother, Diana White came up to her.
"Hermione, your mother left this with me and told me to give this to you on your eighth birthday. I do not know what is inside it. So perhaps you should have a look at it alone", she said handing an envelope to Hermione. She walked out of the room as Hermione eagerly opened the envelope. She read:
My Dearest Hermione,
I'm so sorry that I have not been there to witness you growing up into a wonderful girl. But I knew that you and I could never live together. Your father is a great man and I felt honored to be his wife. But during our second year of marriage when he was away on a year long tour I discovered I was pregnant with you. Of course I couldn't have been happier. However my joy was short lived. During a routine check up three months later I the doctors discovered I had cancer. They wanted me to start chemo therapy immediately. I was stunned. Chemo therapy would in no way guarantee my survival but it would certainly be the end of my baby. Your father could not be contacted. I had to take the decision myself. I knew that Harry would be heartbroken at my death but the news of me not being able to produce a baby would also shatter him. I love Harry very much. He too loves me a lot. But I always had some doubt over whether he actually was in love with me. I knew he would love you with all his heart, so I decided to give you life. The doctors told me I had next to nothing chances of surviving the delivery but I went ahead. And if you are reading this it means I did not survive.
I just want you to do one thing. I have enchanted the corner cupboard in the basement so that it can be opened only by you. When you get time open it. In there you'll find a penesive which has many memories of me and your dad. Don't tell him but I broke into his mind to get his versions. I had to. Look through it. You'll find another letter in that cupboard. Read it after you see the penesive.
I'll just give you an idea of the people you'll see there. You'll surely recognize Uncle Ron, your father's red headed best friend. Aunt Luna will also be there. Your father's other best friend was Hermione Granger, a sweat bushy haired girl. Other `children' you'll see there would be Ron's siblings Ginny, Percy, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George (Twins), Harry's housemates Seamus, Dean, Lavender and Parvati, the professors of Hogwarts and Draco Malfoy, your father's arch enemy. So please look through it and read my next letter.
With lots of love
Your mother, Caroline
Hermione was stunned. She silently cried as she thought of her mother giving up her life for her. There was no way she could go down now. She tried going to sleep but in vain. As she looked up she saw it was past midnight. Everybody would be fast asleep. She tiptoed her way out of the room and went down to the basement. Just as she touched the handle of the cupboard it opened up. She quickly looked into the penesive which was placed there.
For the first half an hour she went through the brief memories of her fathers first five years at Hogwarts. There were highs as well as lows. Saving an unknown Hermione Granger from a fully grown mountain troll, going after the sorcerer's stone, preparing polyjuice potion, having arms re-grown, winning the quidditch saving his godfather Sirius with the help of a time turner, watching Voldemort being reborn, Cedric dying and finally the events at the ministry of magic leading to Sirius' death. What caused Hermione pain was seeing her father suffer during the holidays after his fifth year. The events from there on became detailed. She knew her mother wanted her to focus on these events. So she did.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Harry was sleeping in his Aunt's and Uncle's house. There had been no sleep for him during the past few days. He was dreaming. The ministry of magic…..surrounded by death eaters……Hermione being hit by Dohlov….. Ron going mad……the order coming to the rescue…..duels, duels and duels…… Bellatrix Lestrange…….the veil…. and…..
`SIRIUS!!!! No don't fall', he shouted and woke up in sweat. He heard his uncle groan from the next room. He came and banged open the door.
`You'd better get out of this house if you have to shout like that. I'm warning you boy, this is the last time I'm going to tolerate that scream', He shouted and went out. Harry couldn't sleep anymore. Not because of his uncle's threat but because he thought he couldn't survive another dream like the one he had. Just then he heard his owl, Hedwig at the window. She had a letter.
Dear Harry,
I know how you are feeling now. After Sirius and Cedric you must be blaming yourself. But Harry I want you to know that I was VOLDEMORT who killed them not you. You couldn't have done anything to stop him. Nobody blames you. You have to move on. I know it is hard but you just have. I'm with you no matter what.
Harry you know Ron is away and if you want you can come and stay with me for the rest of the holidays. It's just a suggestion and you have no obligation to come. I just thought you might like it. Please write back and if you want we'll pick you up as soon as we can.
Love Hermione
Harry was touched by Hermione's gesture but his mood was such that he couldn't accept her invitation. He wrote back to her politely declining. But he wished he hadn't. Next night it was the same story and this time his uncle had had enough. Seeing his rage Harry felt scared. He asked if he could use the phone. Though surprised his aunt let him do so. He dialed Hermione's number and told her the recent developments.
`Harry I don't want to hear another word. I'm coming there to get you no matter what you or your family says. You are not staying there a minute longer'
In an hour she was there with her parents. She hugged Harry as soon as she saw him. Soon they were in Hermione's car and on there way to her house.
`Thanks a lot Hermione. I don't know what I would do without you. Sorry for not accepting your invitation. But this is truly where I want to be'.
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