A/n: Wow. I can't apologize enough. I'm not going to say I didn't abandon this world for a while, cause that would be a boldfaced lie. I abandoned it. And every time I would try to force myself back in, I couldn't do it. I was thinking, I don't wanna do this to my readers, but I just can't bring myself back. I'm busy. I'm in high school. I'm working on work, and my school…I wont say too much cause that would give away where I am, but my school has had some pretty bad things happen lately, and I've had school hockey games and trips and all these crazy things. So I'm going to try. I promise, even if it takes the rest of my life (being sarcastic) I will finish this. I'm just not making promises as to how quickly. I feel like a terrible person and I'm truly very sorry. Bash me all you want, I wont say a word back.
Moving on-anyone here watch soap operas? I swear this story is turning into one. You'll see what I mean in like ten seconds.
By the by---It was a total accident that Andromeda is also Tonks' mother's name. Total accident. I totally forgot. Lol.
~*~
"Mr. Potter!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as Harry jerked awake. "What are you doing here?"
Harry looked around and realized he was in the infirmary, sitting in the chair by Hermione's bed surrounded by Poppy and McGonagall. He removed his arm from Hermione's tight grasp and stood up quickly. "Um…"
"Poppy…I'll take care of Harry later, don't worry about it. Harry…would you please go into Pomfrey's office and retrieve Miss Granger's file?" McGonagall asked.
"Sure…uh, yes, Headmistress," Harry, disoriented from sleep, walked into the nurse's office.
"Now, I must warn you Minerva, she may be a bit out of it…I gave her a lot of potions before she went to sleep and they may have caused some strange dreams…Miss Granger?" Poppy steadily woke Hermione.
Hermione awoke with a start and sat up. "Where is he?"
"Where is who, dear?" Minerva asked.
"Harry…" She pointed to his chair. "Harry was right here…"
"He was just…" Poppy said before Harry came in the room, looking uneasy.
Hermione smiled. "You're not gone?"
"No…" Harry eyed her suspiciously.
"I had a dream that you left…and then…"
"Hermione, relax, honestly…" Harry moved towards her, somewhat distracted and Hermione grabbed his arm.
"Sorry…ah," She squirmed in pain.
"Yes, lie back down, you awoke too quickly," Poppy tsked.
"I guess so," Hermione slowly let her self down again.
~*~
~2 minutes Earlier in Madam Pomfrey's Office~
Harry saw the file they were looking for, and quickly glancing around to make sure no one was near, opened it. His eyes fell upon the first page in curiosity.
His breath stopped. "Hermione Jane Granger (born Hermione Jane Amherst)," His voice softened as he continued. "…Born…Paris, France…Hôpital Hôtel Dieu…Father, Adrian Mark Amherst," His voice said in total confusion. "-French, muggle…Mother…" His eyes widened again. "…Alexandra Marie Norris-English, muggle," Harry finished quietly. He continued reading, scanning, whispering out bits of information.
"Moved to London, England at one year old when-"
It was when he heard Hermione call his name that he snapped out of it, quickly closed her file and headed into the next room, trying not to look guilty.
~*~
"Harry, are you alright?" Minerva asked, sensing Harry was a bit out of it.
"Wha-oh yes…I'm just fine, Headmistress. Here's that file you asked for," Harry offered her a weak smile.
"Ah, thank you," She handed it to Madam Pomfrey and Harry wondered. Had McGonagall seen the file before? Probably, considering Hermione was now a part-time student. Why wasn't she doing anything about it? Did his mum know? He would ask her.
"Miss Granger how are you feeling this morning?" the Headmistress asked.
"Good, thank you, Professor. I'm feeling much better this morning," Hermione smiled up at her.
"Good," Poppy said. "You will be sore for the next few days but I expect you will feel 100% better very soon."
"Thank you. Am I allowed to go now?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Yes," Poppy sighed.
Hermione exhaled a deep breath and smiled. Harry held her arm as he helped her up from the bed carefully. "Are you sure you'll be okay?" He asked, reassuring himself.
"Yes, I will be fine. I'll go to class today…"
"Yeah right, you'll go home and rest," Harry commanded her, forgetting about the truth he had just uncovered not too long ago for a moment.
"Harry…" Hermione whined.
"I'm afraid Mr. Potter's correct, Miss Granger…I don't want to see you back at this school until Thursday morning," McGonagall ordered with a grim smile. "I want you completely recovered before you come back, understood?"
"Understood," Hermione sighed, still holding onto Harry as her sprained ankle crippled her.
"Hermione!" A bubbly young girl came racing through the door and jumped into Hermione's arms.
"Emma…" Hermione spoke grimly as she almost fell down, Harry catching them both before it was too late.
"Oof, sorry, Hermione…" Emma said, shocked, backing away from her sister as he put his arm around Hermione's waist again to keep her steady.
"It's alright, Emma, just be careful," Hermione winced.
"Hermione," Elizabeth came through the door behind Emma.
"Oh, hello," Hermione forced a smile to her mother.
"Hello," Elizabeth smiled. "You look much better-"
Harry blocked out the rest of the conversation as his thoughts wandered. There was Hermione's `mother'. But according to the file, Elizabeth Granger wasn't her mother at all! Who was she then? Why was she posing as Hermione's mother? Was she Hermione's step mum? `Robert Granger' the man who had abused his best friend…wasn't her father? Who was he? And Emma…was Emma really Hermione's sister? Or was she Elizabeth's daughter only? What had happened to this `Alexandra' woman? Or…Adrian? Why weren't they with Hermione anymore?
"Harry?" Elizabeth called. "Harry?"
"Hm?" Harry was brought back to reality.
"Thank you…for taking care of my daughter," Elizabeth smiled.
Harry wanted to shake his head and glare at the woman but instead just stared at her with a questioning look in his eyes. "Of course."
Elizabeth saw the look in his eyes; almost as if he were questioning her without having to say a word. Did he know something? How could he? What did Harry know?
Hermione looked up at Harry with a questioning gaze, sensing something was wrong by the sound of his voice, but said nothing when Harry slightly shook his head at her.
"Well, I have a class right away…but Remus said he doesn't have a class for a bit and he volunteered to take you and Emma home. I want you to relax and take it easy, alright Hermione?" Her `mother' asked.
"Yes, mother," Hermione said, rolling her eyes at yet another order.
"You'll just need to go down to Remus' room right away."
"I'll take them," Harry offered.
"Would you, Harry? Oh, that would be wonderful, class will be starting soon. Is that good with you Minerva?"
"Yes, I suppose that will be just fine. Please return to class though as soon as you have though, Harry, you missed enough lately," She reminded him.
"Yes, Headmistress," Harry promised.
"Very well then, now that all this is worked out, I must return to my office. I'm glad you are okay Hermione, Good day," Minerva left with a smile, followed by Elizabeth who gave one last wave.
"I can't believe you got attacked Hermione! How did it happen? Who did it? Mum said a woman saved you…"
"Who?" Harry asked Hermione while she used him as a crutch to walk out of the room.
"I dunno, actually, I don't remember. I think she said her name was…Tonks?" Hermione said. "She told me when she brought me back here but I was only half awake."
"Tonks?" Harry asked, smiling.
"You know her?"
"Yeah, very well actually. Good friend of ours…Remus and I's. And…Sirius…"
Hermione decided not to press him on Sirius at the moment, considering they were walking down the hallway with her little sister. "You know everyone in some way…"
"Something like that…" Harry sighed.
"I think…I can…walk," Hermione moved on her own two feet.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"You still haven't answered any of my questions," Emma complained.
"Emma, can we just talk about it later, when we get home?" Hermione asked.
"I guess," Emma said. "How are you Harry?"
"Good," Harry answered, amused.
"Good, Hermione has probably seen you a lot lately. She's been at Hogwarts all the time. Are you two friends?"
"Yes," Hermione answered, annoyed.
"Good friends?"
"Yes," Hermione answered, still annoyed.
"Best friends?"
"Yes," Harry answered for her, smiling at Hermione.
"Oh," Emma seemed satisfied now. "Harry?"
"Yes Emma?"
"Are you my friend?" She asked curiously.
Hermione looked at Harry, rolling her eyes at her sister's questions. "Yes, Emma, I'm you're friend."
"Good," Emma said, pleased.
"She's cute," Harry whispered in Hermione's ear.
"She's annoying," Hermione whispered in his ear. "Not cute."
"Yes she is," Harry whispered back. "And she reminds me of you," He whispered, his lips on her ear.
"Ha ha," Hermione said aloud.
"Are you talking about me?" Emma questioned.
"Maybe," Harry raised his eyebrow.
Hermione laughed a little to herself and wondered what he meant by that. Harry thought she was cute? And that Emma reminded him of her?
She let the thoughts drift from her head and noticed they were almost to Lupin's room and as the two were about
to follow Emma inside, she stopped Harry. "Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Is…something the matter?" She asked, now standing face to face with him.
Harry knew she would be able to sense the fact that something was wrong with him. She knew him too well already. "Nothing's wrong…"
"Promise?" Hermione eyed him.
Harry didn't want to lie to her but this was a necessary lie. "Promise," he forced a smile. "I'm just glad you are okay."
"Okay…" Hermione shrugged, walking in as he held the door open for her.
"Hermione!" Remus exclaimed, Emma in his arms. "It's so good to see you up and walking."
"I dunno how good the walking thing is going right now," She remarked as Harry caught her before she fell again.
"Well, you'll recover soon," Lupin smiled at Harry. "I'm just glad you see you're okay."
"We all are," Harry looked down at her.
"We'll be leaving from my floo connection," Lupin said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Emma answered for the two of them.
"I'll go after you both go through the floo…who wants to go first?" Remus asked.
"I do!" Emma exaggeratingly raised her hand.
"Okay, then, Em, into the fireplace you go," the werewolf guided her.
Emma stepped in and nervously took the powder. Lupin ordered, "Say it strongly."
"17 Andromeda Lane," Emma threw down the powder and disappeared.
"She did it right, I believe," Remus sighed. "Hermione, it's your turn now. Are you ready?"
"Just one second," Hermione turned to Harry, who took her by the arms.
"You'll take care of yourself, right?" He asked, as Lupin watched in the background with a strange look in his eyes.
"Yes," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You won't go running around?"
"No," Hermione sighed. "I'll be fine."
"Just making sure, I won't see you for a couple of days," Harry looked her over again. "Remember to take the potions Poppy gave you, okay? And if you need me…I'll be there in a second."
"I know, I know, you don't have to lecture me," Hermione waved her hand dismissively.
"Ha," Harry said sarcastically, pulling her to him and hugging her. "I just want to be sure you're okay."
"I know, but you're a bit over-protective, Potter, I'll be at home, with Emma, I swear," Hermione told him.
"Good girl," Harry winked, letting go of her. "I'll see you in a few days."
"Goodbye," Hermione waved, walking into the fire. "17 Andromeda Lane."
Harry watched as she disappeared, away from the castle, away from him and hoped that she would be safe.
"Well," Lupin made himself noticed again. "I guess I must go to be sure they are okay."
"Right," Harry said, distracted by his thoughts
"Is there something you need to talk about, Harry?" The professor asked curiously.
"No."
"Are you positive?"
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed, and sighed. "I'm-just, thinking about something…it's nothing, really."
"Alright, well, Harry, if you need to talk…I'll be here. Even if it's about `nothing'…"
"I know," he said, before watching Remus disappear through the flames.
~*~
"I'm leaving, are you sure you are going to be okay?" Remus asked one last time before heading to the fireplace. He had dropped the two off and made sure Hermione had more than enough to keep her busy for a few days. Now he must head back to the castle for the morning class, and leave the two girls alone to fend for themselves.
"Positive, Remus, Emma and I will be perfectly fine. Keeping busy…not leaving the house…" Hermione sighed.
"Hermione, it's only in your best interest," Remus eyed her.
"I know, I'm just not one for staying in one place. I have lots of reading material though. Really, Remus, I will be just fine."
"Alright," Lupin thought of something else then. "Hermione, did Harry happen to mention that anything was wrong?"
"No," Hermione narrowed her eyes. "But he did seem distant. Why? Is something wrong?"
"Oh, you shouldn't worry your mind over it, love, that's just Harry for you. You never know what's going on with him, he's pretty secretive. I'm sure he's just fine-worried over you perhaps." He tried to tell her.
"Perhaps," she seemed unconvinced.
"You seem to have caused quite a spark in that young man, I must say."
"What do you mean?"
"He seems to have quite a taking toward you. I don't know how you did it, Hermione, but whatever you did-," Remus shook his head. "He cares about you, a lot. And I warn you-when Harry cares about someone-he's going to try to protect you. Even if it means someday pushing you away," Remus told her suddenly.
Hermione thought about this for a moment as her eyes scanned the room around her. "I won't let him get rid of me…"
Lupin let out a chuckle. "I'll see you tonite, Hermione, I'm checking in on you for dinner."
"Not mum?"
Remus looked down. "No, not your mother."
"Oh," Hermione nodded, forcing a smile. "Well, goodbye, for now."
"Goodbye," Remus said, feeling bad for Hermione. A mother who barely cared for her, how sad. Elizabeth was his friend, but there were some major problems in her priorities.
Perhaps Alexandra should have kept her daughter.
~*~
It was driving Harry crazy. It was later that night and he had to see the file again. He had to know more. He had to know who Hermione really was. Maybe Hermione even knew about this. She could be holding back…I mean, how well did he really know her?!
`No,' he shook his head, angry at himself for his own doubt in her. How could he think that way of Hermione? She didn't know. But Harry was her friend and she deserved to know the truth. Even if it hurt her.
Then another thought occurred to him. His mother. Could she know? She was good friends with Elizabeth. And how many
times had she slipped up… almost telling him about some kind of hidden secret. She knew, Harry knew she did. He stormed
off toward her classroom.
Harry didn't care that class had just started. He was angry now. And for some reason, he couldn't contain it.
"You know!" Harry came in to her room, stopping before her desk. The whole classroom, filled with sixth-year Gryffindors and Slytherins stopped their work and stared.
"Harry?" Lily asked, alarmed.
"You knew the truth about her! About her mother! You knew all along."
"Harry, come," Lily dragged him into her office, leaving the classroom of students to wonder what the hell was going on.
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked, digging to see how much he knew before she blew it all.
"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about! Hermione is NOT Elizabeth's daughter! Some Alexandra persons…she was abused by a man who's not her father...! Tell me everything, mum, please!" He yelled, breathing heavily. He slowed his breath steadily. "Please, mum, tell me what's going on."
"Okay, okay, Shh," She brought her son to her and rubbed his hair. "Sit down."
Harry uneasily took his seat as she sat on her desk in front of her. "I'm sorry for bursting in here."
"It's okay, Harry, I'll tell you." Lily smiled. "First of all, yes, you are right. Elizabeth is not Hermione's mother." Harry shook his head. "But she is Hermione's aunt." Her son looked at her in confusion. "Elizabeth's sister, Alexandra…she was only very, very young when she had Hermione. And when Hermione, was only very young…her mother decided that she could not properly take care of her. Elizabeth offered to take care of Hermione with her husband, Robert."
"And they took great care of her," Harry remarked, sarcastically.
"Yes, in the end, the care wasn't as good as it should have been, but Lizzie had good intentions. Hermione's birth father was not taking proper responsibility anyways and so Liz was only doing it for Hermione's best. That's when she decided to protect her sister, by putting her name down as her mother and changed her name to Hermione Jane Granger. Hermione moved to London when she was around one, and started that life. The little words she knew were French, from living in Paris, and Elizabeth decided to bring her up as a strictly English girl, but made it a point for her to study French."
"Why was Alexandra living in Paris?"
"She was going to school there," Lily answered. "Both sisters are very English… Hermione's father was blue blooded French," Mrs. Potter sighed. "This is a lot to take in Harry; I know…you must be very upset…"
"Hermione doesn't know, right? She was just in the dark about this as I was?"
Lily nodded. "Of course. Elizabeth wanted to protect her."
"She hurt her."
"Well, yes, Elizabeth is not a good mother to either of those girls."
"Emma? Is she Elizabeth's daughter?" Harry asked curiously.
"Oh, yes, Elizabeth is truly Emma's mother and Hermione's cousin. That is for certain."
"Wow," Harry let his back hit the back of the chair. "This is too much. I have to see her…"
"Who?"
"Hermione," Harry answered.
"No, Harry! You mustn't tell her!" His mother stood in front of the door to block it.
"I'm not going to keep secrets from her!" Harry protested.
"Harry, think of it this way. You don't want Hermione hurt. Neither do I; telling her this, will hurt her, darling. Things are bad enough."
"So what, is Elizabeth going to pretend she is Hermione's mum forever? Not tell her the truth?? I won't allow it!!" her son exclaimed.
"Harry…I'll talk to Elizabeth. I'll figure this out. But for now, love, I'm begging you to keep quiet. Understood?"
"Understood," Harry finally said quietly.
When he left the room, he didn't go to dinner. He went to Lupin's office.
~*~
A/N: Can I just apologise for this chapter. I wrote it a while ago and don't know what I was thinking. I wrote this really confusing chapter and I'm sorry if I made any of you be like, "You just ruined like a good story". Totally didn't mean for it.
But this chapter was TERRIBLE! Do urself a favor and get out now. Sorry for disappointing.
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