Chapter 1 - Meet the Grangers
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling actually gets paid to write this stuff. I don't, so guess what? I don't own Harry Potter.
Author's note: I've been obsessed with this plot for a very long time, I'm glad I finally got it on paper. It's surely not one of my best works but I hope you'll like it. The title is still in working progress... I wanted to upload this before we start a new year so this title stays for now.
This is set in the early 80s in a country (doesn't matter which one) which is having some political problems.
The plot is loosely based on actual happenings in my country in those times.
Dedicated to all those who in times of need stand up for what they believe in.
So here it goes…
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The changing light, the never ending rhyme; getting tired
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"May I be excused?"
Suddenly five pairs of eyes turned her way and she felt like she was being scrutinized, finally her father nodded his consent. She stood up gracefully and left the dining area; the minute she arrived in the kitchen she took a deep breath in and sighed.
She hated these formal dinners where she had to be in her utmost behavior while pretending to be following what was being said. Politics, she never did understand it and unfortunately for her, her father was one of the country's major politicians. And since these were difficult times for her country, or so her father said, it meant more formal dinners with various allies of her father.
Her father constantly repeated, "there should be more democracy" or "this is about your future", phrases that were never explained, phrases that she had been hearing for the last few months and had become an annoying repetition.
But that's all they ever told her, they never said what was going on. When she pressured them about this her father would say that it was for her own good, "leave politics to me, you just live your life as usual". He didn't tell her what was going on and yet he expected her to accept everything. She was becoming tired of being treated like a child instead of the 21-year old woman she was. Her father was saying that these were tough times and yet around her everything seemed to continue normally, nothing was being said on the news and people certainly were not talking about it openly, that is if there really were something to talk about after all.
And these dinners? They were formal evenings where her behaviors had to be perfect so that her father could impress his allies; at dinner there was mainly superfluous talk and after her father and his ally would go discuss politics while her mother and the ally's wife would talk houses and people. And she was left either alone or in the company of the daughter or son of the allies.
Tonight their guests were the Weasleys, these consisted of Arthur and Molly and seven children. They were great allies of her father and wonderful people; in fact their daughter Ginny was Hermione's best friend even if the former was a year younger than the latter. They talked about everything and Hermione felt like Ginny was the only one who could understand her.
Then there was Ron, the youngest of the Weasley boys and the only one accompanying his parents tonight. This made the overall feeling of the dinner worse. It's not that she didn't like Ron, but it was obvious, too obvious that he really liked her. To add to this her father wanted to set her up with Ron, again this was painfully obvious.
The evening was progressing slowly and nearing the end of the meal, talk was turning to politics and her father started to comment on his political enemies - The Red Party and passing some rude comments about them. With Ron throwing certain glances at her and her father passing all these comments she had had enough and excused herself to go to the kitchen where she was now.
She suddenly heard footsteps coming her way and didn't have to turn around to guess who was coming, her mother Elizabeth Granger.
"Hermione what's the matter this time?" she asked her with a strict voice.
"Nothing mum, I'm just tired that's all, and I needed a bit of air" she answered while turning around to face her.
Elizabeth sighed and told Hermione in a soft voice: "Hermione, I know you don't like these dinners and that you don't understand the meaning of them, but this country-"
"Is on the brink of war," she said finishing her mother's sentence, "Yes mum, I know that, I've heard that so many times now."
"But you don't understand what it means?"
"Mum no one ever tried to explain to me what it means! All you and dad ever do is repeat these phrases: "we're on the brink of a civil war" or "this is for your future"; well why don't you explain it to me! Tell me what is going on you're not protecting me by keeping me in the dark."
Elizabeth looked at her daughter for a long time, she certainly was not a child anymore and she was right, they were not protecting her by keeping her in the dark. Hermione had always been bright, she knew when something was up and this time something certainly was up. But her husband wanted to hide everything from Hermione, he didn't want her to get herself entangled in the complicated web of politics, what he didn't realize was that by doing this he was hurting Hermione more.
"You're right honey; we're not protecting you this way, come sit."
"What this means is that the party in government, the Reds, are abusing the power given to it by the people, instead of practicing democracy and equality they are dividing the people into two by doing something against your father's party and its followers and feeding a completely different reality to the Reds followers!" Hermione didn't seem to understand this so her mother continued, "look; imagine that you have a child and you want to enroll it in a good school, now say that it is difficult to enter this school since it is very popular. What is going on is that since you are not of the same party as the government your child will 'unexplainably' not be accepted in this school."
"But mum how do you know this? How do you know that it isn't just coincidence?"
"Because it's not just one occurrence, many people are coming to your father to tell him similar happenings! Molly's eldest son's child was just refused by one of the state schools, and it's obvious they know which party Bill supports!"
"Then why are they not saying this on the news? Why aren't people talking about it on a national scale? Why is everything so secretive?"
"Because Hermione, the media is controlled by the state and the people are afraid! Today's dinner is important because there's a rumor going around that the Lovegoods, a perfectly respectable family who is on our side, have been threatened. Mr. Lovegood owns a newspaper and he was starting to hint certain happenings and behavior by the government that puts it in a difficult position and he was threatened not to write anything or else…"
"But didn't you just say that these were rumors?"
"Oh Hermione, I know you believe in justice and that corruption does not exist but honey, here in the real world corruption does exist and right now we are surrounded by it."
This last comment was greeted by a tense silence which left Hermione thinking that maybe just maybe her father was right. She was glad her mother had told her everything, she finally felt like she was being treated as an adult who could understand what was going on if only it was explained to her. Her thoughts were cut short when her mother told her that it was best to go back to the dining room.
When they returned her father gave them a strange look but stopped there. The evening continued as usual with her father and Arthur going into the office to talk more freely while her mother and Molly stayed in the dining area to talk by themselves and she was left with Ron.
She went out in the little garden they had and Ron followed her out as she knew he would.
"So, how is Ginny?" she asked to start a conversation.
"She's OK," came his short answer making it clear that he wanted to talk about something other that\n his little sister. "So Hermione, what would you think if I asked you out?"
'Not even trying to be subtle here' thought Hermione.
And he continued, "You know our parents certainly approve so that would be no problem."
Her heart was screaming: 'I don't care if our parents approve, I certainly don't and that would be a problem!' but she couldn't tell him that, he deserved at least more respect, so instead she told him, "Ron I'm really sorry but I don't" -
"Feel the same way, yeah I get it. I just wanted to check that's all."
He looked really disappointed by what she had just told him but was trying hard to maintain his dignity; "Ron someday you'll find someone who will be very flattered by your request."
At this he attempted a smile, just then her mother came in the garden and saved her from any further embarrassment. "Ronald you and your parents are leaving soon."
"Thanks Mrs. Granger," and with that he entered the house leaving Hermione alone with her mother.
"What happened Hermione?" she asked her with a warm voice.
"He just asked me out that's all," came her reply and her mother's eyes danced at those words but then darkened almost immediately.
"And you said no." It wasn't a question and she sounded disappointed.
"Mum I know that he comes from a good family and shares our political ideology but, I feel nothing for him."
At these words her mother came approached her and gave her a hug, "That's Ok Hermione, I don't want to force you into a relationship."
"Thanks mum; what about dad though?" She asked knowing that her father would not understand.
"Leave him to me, I'll explain."
Hermione smiled and voiced her thanks and as they were entering the house she couldn't help but think about the relationship between her and her mother. It had always been easier than that with her father that's for sure. Her mother was strong and yet kind, she knew her duties but also knew her rights. They were similar in various ways, her mother and her.
Her father was a different case altogether, he was strict and had an overwhelming sense of duty, duty to the family, duty to the country; this part of him made it more difficult to reason with him. Many times his way was the right way and often the only way.
As she watched the Weasleys leave and saw the saddened look on Ron's face she couldn't stop her train of thought from going back a few minutes in time. She felt guilty by refusing Ron's offer but as she had told her mother she didn't feel anything for him. She didn't fee; anything for anyone at that time; no guy made her heart beat faster, no guy who sent butterflies to her stomach, no guy…no one at all. And even though she tried not to show it, she felt alone.
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So that was the first chapter, review and tell me what do you think. Happy New Year to you all
Thanks,
marija