Chapter 11
Hagrid was surprised to see them. He had met them before during a party Harry had thrown. The four of them sat together and had some tea. They exchanged a few pleasantries before coming to the point.
"Hagrid could you tell us about the whereabouts of Hermione Granger?" asked Diana. Hagrid stumbled. As far as he knew, Harry's family never mentioned Hermione. It took him a while to recover.
"I'm really sorry I cannot. She made me promise that I will not tell anyone about her. I can't betray her trust", he replied.
"But this is very important Hagrid", said Diana desperately.
"Even I'm Hermione. Won't you tell me?" Hermione added sweetly.
"I'm sorry. You must understand", said Hagrid.
"We had come with a lot of hope and expectation", said Robert. Hagrid still wouldn't say anything. Hermione stepped forward with a determined look on her face.
"We have to tell him everything. Probably then he'll open up", she told her grandparents. She explained everything to Hagrid from the start. Hagrid listened in awe as he thought about what could have been. His eyes moistened before he spoke.
"You all have arrived too late. Precisely at this moment Hermione Granger's engagement party is going on. Later today the date for her wedding will be decided. She will be married within a fortnight", he said sadly. Hermione couldn't believe what she heard.
"This can't be happening. Mummy's wish has to be fulfilled" she said to herself. She stood up, looked up and closed her eyes. She was so engaged in her thoughts that she didn't see an owl flying into the hut and dropping a letter on Hagrid's lap. Hagrid ripped open the letter and read it quietly. The expression on his face changed. He looked towards Hermione with tears rolling down his cheeks.
"The little girl's prayers have been answered. Hermione's wedding has been postponed for now. Seamus, her fiancée has to go abroad for some work. The wedding cannot take place in another two months. Hermione opened her eyes in relief. Robert and Diana smiled.
"So can we have her address now", Robert asked eagerly.
"I have a better idea", Hagrid, "Every year during this time Hermione holds a summer camp for pre-Hogwarts students. She teaches them many activities. Some magical and some non-magical. It is held in a remote location at Wales. I'll give you the address of that place. It would be an ideal place for the little girl. You can speak to her there", he added. The three of them nodded. Hagrid scribbled the address of the summer camp site. They thanked him profusely before turning to go.
"All the best Hermione. I'm hope you are successful in your mission. Harry and Hermione need each other very much. Even nine years after Hogwarts, I'm very sure of that", said Hagrid, patting Hermione on the shoulder. They took the portkey back home.
"Daddy, can I go to a summer camp?" asked Hermione as soon as Harry reached home.
"Are you mad? What will you do there? It's just a waste of time", replied Harry. He had always been very protective about his daughter. He had lost too many people close to him.
"That's not fair Daddy. You know that I've always wanted to go to a summer camp. Its great fun", persuaded Hermione.
"Let her go", Diana chipped in.
"I've said no summer camp and that's final", Harry roared, more harshly than he'd intended. Hermione put her head down. Harry realized his mistake. He went up to her, lifted her chin up and kissed her softly on the forehead.
"Listen Hermione, you know how much I love you. If something happens to you when you are away I won't be able to forgive myself. Please understand that. So no summer camp. Okay?" he said softly. Hermione nodded meekly. Harry walked out of the room. Diana walked towards Hermione.
"We'll have to go without his permission. Pack you bag quietly. Write a letter for your daddy. Tell him that I'm accompanying you so he needn't worry. We'll leave tomorrow morning after Harry leaves for work. The camp starts the day after", she said. Hermione was overjoyed. She rushed to her room. She quickly put a few clothes into her bag. She also put in a photo of her mother. She carried this photo with her all the time. Then she started writing the letter.
Dear Daddy,
I'm sorry for what I've done. You know how much I love summer camps. I'm getting older now and soon will be going to Hogwarts. Once I start I'll never get the chance again. I've heard this camp is being conducted by somebody very nice. So this is my chance. After all, an eight year old should not be locked up inside a house all the time. I will try and be good there.
Daddy I know that you love me and are always worried about me. But please don't be worried. I'll be all right. Granny is going with me and she'll look after me. I'll try and get the best present anyone has ever got for you.
Sorry again.
Love Hermione.
It wasn't very late yet but because she didn't sleep much the night before, Hermione fell asleep. Next morning she was very excited. Harry kissed her goodbye before going to work. Hermione and Diana quickly got ready. They left the letter with Robert. They decided it would be best to travel by train though a portkey would be much faster. In a train they could enjoy the country sight. They caught the train at noon.
The camp site was beautiful. There were small tents scattered everywhere. The field was lush green. It looked very inviting. But Hermione's eyes weren't looking at all this. They were searching for Hermione Granger. She found her. There was no mistaking. She hadn't aged a bit. As her father had said she was beautiful. The only difference was she wore a pink dress and looked like a lady. At that moment she was welcoming the children to the camp. Hermione White Potter walked up to her namesake. She was busy talking to another boy before she took notice of her.
"Hi, what's your name?" asked Hermione Granger.
"Hi, I'm Hermione", replied the little girl.
"Hey, that's my name too. What a coincidence. You can call me Miss Hermione", said Hermione bending down to shake hands with the girl.
"Why is your name Hermione Granger?" asked Hermione.
"Hmmm…Perhaps my parents liked this name. Why is your name Hermione?" said Hermione Granger. Hermione White Potter took a while before replying.
"Perhaps…My parents liked you".
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