Chapter Text
The mind-numbing work of scrubbing the floors was just what Hermione needed to forget. Forget the horrors of war and the demons that trickled into her mind when she had moments of quiet. The sound of the scrub brush against the floor helped slightly.
The residents of Grimmauld Place left her alone, only coming together for meals. Harry, Sirius, and Hermione were here keeping a watch on the Malfoys within these walls before their trails, they were there to protect them while some Order members swept through the Malfoy estate to ensure nothing nefarious was left behind by the Dark Lord.
Remus and Tonks came by with Teddy to break up the routine of things, for which Hermione was grateful. She was Teddy’s godmother and Harry was his godfather. Something they both enjoyed.
After the war, it was discovered that the Malfoys and Professor Snape worked for The Order all along. She felt bitter not knowing these things beforehand, it was all part of Dumbledore’s plan to leave everyone in the dark, second-guessing everyone.
Bastard.
Closing her eyes, she swallowed the lump in her throat when her mind thought back to the time at Malfoy Manor. She didn’t blame Malfoy for what happened to her while she was there. Harry and the others escaped with Dobby before she could reach them, leaving her there with them.
That’s when it happened.
The assault.
Voldemort returned to find her sprawled on the drawing-room floor. Of course, her torture continued under his hand. When she wouldn’t break, he forced potions down her throat with a harsh laugh and ordered Professor Snape to defile her.
Her mind cringed thinking about it. He took too long in Voldemort’s estimation and played puppet master and used the Imperius Curse forcing him into action. To her, they were both assaulted by the madman. It was her first time.
She should have known better. She knew what happened to female captives, she had heard the horror stories, and yet...yet, she didn’t think in a million years it would happen to her.
After Snape finished with her, he righted his clothes and stood next to Voldemort, waiting for directions. His milky eyes stared off into space. She could see him tremble as he fought the pull of his orders, but it was no use.
Voldemort grinned down at her, his yellow teeth gleaming in the yellow in the dim light, her stomach lurched. He was fumbling with his robes and was reaching for her when Dobby grabbed her and whisked her away before anyone could blink.
She had no time to mourn her loss of innocence, not telling anyone what happened to her when they left. Dobby knew, of course, he looked at her with quiet horror, snapping his fingers, putting her to rights before the others came rushing for her.
She let out a dry chuckle thinking about her innocence. It was lost years ago when Voldemort rose once again, installing fear in those around him. He used his followers to do his bidding, much like Dumbledore, commanding them to do nefarious deeds in his name, or in Dumbledore’s case, the Greater Good.
Now she’d come on the other side of the war, she could see that both Voldemort and Dumbledore were two deadly masters to live under. Voldemort, while evil, you knew what he was, and his beliefs. Dumbledore knew Harry had to die to kill Voldemort and end his reign of terror but didn’t tell anyone except for Professor Snape. The same Professor that was ordered to kill Dumbledore to make him out to be the villain to make Voldemort believe he was his most faithful spy and follower, putting him in the precarious situation he was in now, fighting for his freedom.
A hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to shriek, jerking away from the touch. “Hermione?”
“Harry,” she wheezed, her hand clutching her chest. “You startled me.”
Her heart hammered in her chest; the thick metallic taste of fear coated her tongue as he knelt next to her “Sorry. I called you a couple of times, but you didn’t respond.”
They were quiet as he slowly pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back as she took gasping breaths. It was always this way for her now, any sudden noise or movement startled her. Harry started sleeping in the same bed with her at night to keep the demons at bay that chased her in her dreams.
She pulled back, frowning up at him. “I guess I was lost in my own world.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he gave her a small smile. “I understand. I just wanted to tell you that Kings just returned. He has news about your parents.”
Standing to his full height, Harry reached down offering his hand pulling Hermione from the floor, wrapping an arm around her while they walked to the library where everyone was waiting.
The Malfoys were there with Sirius, waiting with Kingsley for him to bring Hermione to them. She would have ample support for this.
Kingsley smiled at Hermione as she walked into the room, with Harry reaching out his hand towards her, beckoning her to come to him. She took small steps, reaching for his hand.
Leading her to the couch, he sat her down, turning his body towards her. He nodded his head at Harry to sit next to her. “I just came from the Ministry in Australia.”
“Were you able to find them?” Hermione asked.
He let out a sigh, pulling out several photos for her, and handing them to her silently. She took them looking through them. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to keep the sob at bay. Several moving pictures of her father and mother…her very pregnant mother.
“Your mother is six months, pregnant. We feel it would be…unwise to try to undo the spell you used.” Kingsley said softly. “I was able to get close enough to take some pictures for you, I know it’s not the same, Hermione, but I thought you would like to see for yourself that they are safe, and well.”
“Thank you,” she croaked.
“Do you have any other family?”
She shook her head. “I was just the three of us,” she swallowed hard. “That’s why I… I had to Obliviate them, to make sure that they were safe.”
Kingsley patted her on the back. “You did the right thing. Two weeks after you sent them into hiding, it was reported that Death Eaters broke into your home to find them.”
“I know,” she whispered, looking down at the pictures. “Tonks told me.”
“Of course, she did,” Kingsley muttered. “What do you want to do now? We can see if we can try after your mother gives birth and try to restore their memories.”
Hermione shook her head, looking up at Kingsley. “No. I have to let them go,” she said in a broken voice. “I always knew it was a long shot to get them back, I guess…” She looked back down at the pictures. “As long as they're happy, that is all that matters.”
Kingsley stood brushing her hair to the side when she looked up. “You are very brave, Hermione. Not many people would be able to do what you did. Just know that no matter what, there are several of us that would be happy to call you family.”
Standing, Hermione wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “Thank you, Kings.” She gave him one more squeeze before separating from him, offering him a small smile.
Even though her heart was shattering, she knew it was the right thing to do. She had to let them go completely now.
“I will be back in a few days with an update on your trials,” Kingsley said, looking towards the Malfoys. Then he was gone.
Harry grabbed Hermione’s hand, tugging her down on the couch with him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest, his hands rubbing her back in soothing circles. “You are my family, Hermione. You’re the only one that has never left my side. You’re not alone.”
She couldn’t speak. Her throat closed as the emotions came closing in on her. She grasped his shirt, nodding her head, holding back the tears the best she could.
Sirius sat next to her, a tumbler of Firewhiskey in his hand. He was at a loss what to do for the young woman. She had saved his life twice, he owed her. But, what do you say to someone who lost their parents that they loved and cherished to the point she erased her existence for their minds just to protect them from the horrors of war that she had to endure.
Taking a sip of his whiskey, he looked over at the pair as Hermione’s quiet sobs filled the silence, “You can always stay here, kitten. You and Harry are always welcome.”
Hermione wiped her eyes, and took a deep breath, moving from Harry’s arms. She sniffed as she looked at Sirius, her face blotchy from crying,
“Thank you, Sirius. I appreciate the offer. I’m not sure what I’ll do now. I have my parents’ home still, but I think… I think I will just sell it or charm it away from muggles for the time being. I just need time to process all of this and decide what to do.”
“Kingsley is right, my dear. What you did was very brave,” Narcissa said quietly. “I’m sorry for the heartache you are feeling.”
“I want to be selfish and have them back, but I know something could go wrong, and where would that leave my brother or sister?” Hermione said, looking at the woman. “It was war, and I chose to keep them safe. Sadly, life is not fair, and we must live with the choices we make, trying to make the best out of an impossible situation.”
Narcissa’s face softened as she watched Hermione look at the pictures once more, her delicate fingers tracing the picture as it moved.
“I’m going to the Leaky to meet up with Ron for a pull, you want to join?” Harry bumped his shoulder against hers, trying to lighten the mood. He hated seeing his best friend upset. He thought right now was the perfect time to get smashed.
“Merlin, no.” Hermione grimaced as she put the photos on the low coffee table in front of her. She looked at Sirius and then Harry, a small grin tilting her lips trying to lighten the mood, “That would leave Sirius here unsupervised, who knows what would happen.”
Sirius clutched his chest. “That hurt, kitten. If it makes you feel better, Remus is coming over with Tonks and Teddy to keep me company to make sure I stay in line.”
She raised a brow at him, “I think I’ll stay. I don’t think I am ready to see Ronald yet. Besides, I get to spend time with my godson.”
Harry groaned, and ran his hand down his face. Ron was an idiot for what he did. He shared a kiss with Hermione, and it seemed to him that their relationship was set until Hermione caught Ron snogging Lavender an hour later in a dark alcove, “Ron said he was sorry,” he said weakly.
Hermione shrugged, “Still, it’s better I do not see him with the mood I am currently in, he will just end up running his mouth off, and I can’t promise I won’t hex him.”
“You’re probably right,” Harry laughed. Ron more than likely would have Lavender there with him tonight. But Harry wanted the three of them to be as they were before, but things were changing. They were growing up.
Standing, he leaned over, kissing her forehead, “I’ll see you later tonight. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“That I do.”
Sirius tugged Hermione into his arm when Harry left. He looked down at the small witch and smiled as he took a sip of his Firewhiskey, “You know, I heard that you performed a blood ritual,” he said casually.
Hermione paled, blinking up at him. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Professor Dumbledore asked me to.” She told everyone, including Dumbledore, that she had. She did it for Harry. Everything she ever did was for him. She had to find a way to keep him safe. Dumbledore, of course, was all for it. He told her to advise everyone she was asked to do it, and in the time of war, what she did was highly illegal.
“I know now that it is considered Dark Magic, and most people die doing the ritual or turn into squibs,” she said idly and turned back to look at Sirius.
“That’s true.” Sirius tilted his head to the side, studying her. “The reason I bring this up to you is because of what you did, you are now considered a Pureblood.”
“W-what?” her breath hitched. “I’m a Muggleborn, how does that work?”
To her, she was Muggleborn.
Lucius cleared his throat, gaining her attention. “Years ago, people performed this ritual as a way of…cleansing themselves, making themselves pure. When you unravel your magic, that is what you become, is pure magic. Tell me, can you cast wandless now with ease? Summon elemental magic as well?”
“Yes. It took me a while to recover from the ritual, I was unable to use any magic for two weeks after. I thought I had lost it.” she kept her face smooth as she looked at him, her heart hammering in her chest.
“No, the longer it takes to return, the stronger your magic will be. What Sirius said is the truth of the ritual, in the magical world you are now considered a Pureblood.”
“Perfect,” Hermione grumbled. “Not that it should matter to anyone. Magic is magic.”
Sirius chuckled. “It does matter. I just wanted to mention it to you, so you’re protected. Kingsley is correct that there are a lot of people that would be happy to call you family. Some that may not know you will even try to convince you to join their family, I would imagine once they learned you unravelled your magic even more will. You saved many lives during the battle, giving people a second chance at life. That is a handsome incentive, I’m sure you have plenty of life debts to collect.”
She elbowed him lightly. “Not that I’d ever collect any of them.” It was true, she was able to save so many because her magic was now considered elemental. She called upon the ley lines and brought life where there once was death. She just wished she was able to save everyone, save for the Death Eaters.
He let out a loud laugh, pulling her to him, kissing the top of her head. “You once saved me years ago, if you remember. You will always be important to me, I just wanted you to know that I’ll protect you.”
She thanked him quietly and picked up the pictures once more, trying to memorize her parents and remembering the good times with them.