Declaimer: I’ll just come right out and say it this time. The world of HP belongs Ms. J..

A/N: Nothing to say really. Enjoy the chapter! Sorry it’s been so long. I promise, school’s almost over and then you’ll have me all to yourselves!

Special Thanks: Loads of thanks to Dreamsong, Purple, BlackDemonAngel, Crystal, and Mia Kyra Callwel. Thanks for the vote of confidence! And of course, a thousand thanks goes out to HarmniousPie for her counsel and BETA-ing this chapter.

Fighting Destiny

By Lola Leddir

Chapter 23-Lunetta

“The way I see it,” John began commandingly, reminding Hermione immediately of his glory days as head Auror. “I don’t care if Hermione doesn’t want to leave. I am her father and I have the right to take her away if it is my wish.”

“I’m off age!” Hermione answered angrily. “I like working here, and they all like. Frankly, I don’t give a damn about the family name or anything that concerns you. As far as I am concerned, I haven’t been a Regragn since the first day Mother and I left the Regragn’s Manor, since you married Malina and turned your back on Mother.”

John looked as if he was punched in the face. He composed quickly however. “Hermione, isn’t it time to forgive and forget?” he adopted his voice to a softer tone. “Please understand that the- well- discipline you’ve received were for your own good. You must learn to bow your head to certain people and situations. I admit that I’ve made certain mistakes, but it is certainly time to move on from that now.” He turned to Mandrake. “Please understand, Simon, I am simply a father, looking for his daughter.”

Hermione softened. Here was a glimpse of the Father she once knew, once looked up to, and once loved. But then an image of the night flashed into her mind and Hermione was reminded of the pain and hardships that he had caused for both her mother and herself. No, was she forgetting her promises to herself already? Was she, Hermione Granger, already giving in after all that she had strived for? She had found the strength and independence to stand up onto her feet without the protection of the Regragn’s name, and she mustn’t throw all that away now. John Regragn never forgives, so who was he to command her to do so now? She was Hermione and she was going to make John Regragn regret everything that he’s done! You are going soft, Hermione. Hermione told herself sternly. No one deserved what you went through and John, he was the source of it all, make him pay for his mistake. Make him pay for turning his back on you, the other Regragn, pay for marrying another woman and breaking your mother’s heart. Everything you’ve suffered, every scar you’ve obtained, it was all because of him. Hermione felt herself hardening as memories flooded through her mind.

“I will repeat myself one last time, John! I am Harmony Granger and I am a singer at the Witches and Whiskeys. That is who I am. You can disapprove and you can call me names, but nothing you do will ever affect my life ever again. You threw away your so-called fatherly rights when you threw me out. I’m not coming back, I’m never coming back!” Hermione finished, glaring hatefully at John. You tell him Hermione! Hermione silently applauded herself for daring to stand up to John.

As if it was an old routine, Hermione moved her hard gaze away from John’s face and towards his hands at his sides, which were balled tightly into fist and Hermione shrank back subconsciously in habit. Harry moved beside her at her slight indication of movement and placed himself between Hermione and John, hiding Hermione from view.

Touch her and you’ll have to deal with me! Harry seemed to be warning John silently as he glared at the older Wizard.

Comforted by Harry’s support, Hermione found his hand from behind and squeezed it in gratitude. She peered at Mandrake and found him giving Mundungus a meaningful nod. Not wishing for Harry to once again fight for her sake, Hermione stepped forward, yet John spoke, stopping her from her track.

He must see the exchange between Mundungus and Mandrake too for he spoke in his commanding voice again, “There is no need to call your guards Simon. I can see that we are not going to reach to an agreement today. Thank you for your time,” he inclined his head stiffly at Mandrake and turned his attention onto Hermione.

“This isn’t over, Hermione,” John said softly. “Think about what I said.”

“,” Simon Mandrake stopped John in mid-track.

John turned towards the wizard again. “Yes?”

It was at that moment that Hermione truly understood Simon Mandrake’s reputation. Anyone who dared to spoke those next few words to the great John Regragn would be needless to say dead in a blink of an eye, yet Mandrake stood high and calmly proceeded. “What you chose to do to your daughter, Hermione Regragn is none of my business. It is as you said, a family matter, and I do not have the power nor do I want to get in between your problems. However, anything that concerns my employee, Harmony Granger, is my business. In the future, leave your family problems at home, is that understood?”

John tensed at the threat and Hermione saw his hands move into his robe pocket, no doubt fingering his wand. The two men glared unblinkingly at each other from the opposite of the room. Finally, John broke the contact. Flickering his gaze to Hermione again, John murmured quietly, “Think about it Hermione,” and without another backward glance, John Regragn stormed out of the room.

H/Hr/H/Hr/H/Hr/H/Hr/H/Hr/H/Hr/H/Hr

When they left the Witches and Whiskeys that night, Hermione found herself desperately trying to make small talk. However, despite her attempts, Harry answered in such short and monotonous tones that she quickly gave up and the two lapped into silence. Just as Hermione was ready to ask what Harry’s problem was, they had arrived at the end of the tunnel and the two climbed out, exposed to the cool night.

Harry took a short glance at the sky and wordlessly pulled out a miniature broomstick. Holding it in the center of his palm and enlarged it into it’s original size.

Eyeing the hovering broomstick warily, Hermione broke their unspoken pact of silence. “No way Harry! Apparation is faster and-and safer. Plus, I live in the Muggle part of London; it’s too much of a risk of exposure.

“It’s a nice night,” Harry offered, as if that alone was a good enough explanation. “We’ll fly through the clouds so no one will see. I want a little more time with you tonight, there are things I want to talk about.”

Signing in resignation, Hermione gingerly climbed in front of Harry and closed her eyes tight as they slowly dwindled away from the ground.

“So? Talk,” Hermione ordered as she slowly found it within herself to open her eyes again.

“You surprise me, that’s all,” Harry whispered softly behind her. They were high in the sky now and Hermione found herself melting down from self-defense as only clouds and nothing else surrounded them.

“How so this time?” Hermione asked.

“Tonight,” Harry continued. “You were so cold.”

“Excuse me?” Hermione asked, affronted.

“The way you talk to your father,” Harry replied. “He seemed so sincere tonight. When he admitted himself as only a simple father, why- why did you go off like that?”

“You don’t see him the way I do, Harry,” Hermione told him bitterly. So, this was what it was all about. Harry Potter did not want a cold-hearted girlfriend.

“Tonight, I saw a lonely man wandering through the streets looking for his long lost daughter,” Harry’s voice sounded slightly broken. “Tonight, I met a man who wanted a second chance, to right his wrongs of the past, but you were unforgiving. He showed you his vulnerability and you threw it back into his face.”

“Don’t talk about what you don’t understand, Potter!” Hermione heard her voice, hard in her ears. “John Regragn does not have any vulnerability. It’s him against the rest of the world; it has always been that way. He doesn’t care about me, he doesn’t care Malina and he probably doesn’t care about Draco, Luna or Blair. The only ones that are acquainted with him are those who does not know him, everyone who truly sees him for what he is are long gone.”

“What did he do that was so horrible?” Harry asked, half curious and half frustrated.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Hermione bit back furiously. “Look, I’ve got enough things going on at the moment, I don’t need you coming at me too. If you are sick of me, then just drop me off here! It wouldn’t be the first time someone abandons me, trust me! I’m used to it.”

“What are you talking about?” Harry asked, trying hard not to raise his voice. Then in a quieter voice, he scooted closer to Hermione and tucked up his chain, resting his head on his shoulder. “I would never want to abandon you Hermione, I just want to help. But if you don’t want to talk about it, then okay. I’m here if you want to though. Remember? I’m here to take care of you now.”

“I loved him,” Hermione whispered quietly, the statement painfully stabbing at her heart. “I trusted him, admired him and then, he just left Mum and I.”

“But he’s sorry now,” Harry insisted.

Hermione shook her head wildly. “The John Regragn you know, the one that the world know now is not the John Regragn I use to know. He was-” at this, Hermione broke off, sniffing. “He was the best father I’ve ever had. Ever since I was old enough to walk, he always took me everywhere with him. He taught me the basics of magic himself, took me to ride dragons, bought me lavish gifts to my heart’s content and doted me like any father would. I, in turn, trusted him beyond reason, admired him and modeled myself to him, dreaming of the day that I would be able to face the word and make a name for myself, just as great, as grand as the greatest Head Auror that Ministry has every possessed. Imagine growing up in a world where your father is spoken with about the same admiration, placed in the same league as Albus Dumbledore and Godric Gryffindor. I strived to live up to my father’s reputation. There was nothing else I wanted to do more than to make my father proud,” in spite of herself, Hermione smiled through her tears at the memory and her 5 year old determination to become just like her Father.

“What happened then? Why, how did you two drift apart?”

Hermione wiped a tear away and composed herself. “Of all of my father’s children, there was only one that my father loved even more than me, and that was my older sister, Lunetta.”

“You mean-”

“Yes, the sister that’s dead now,” Hermione answered softly. “Lunetta and my father were almost inseparable, and so as I was Lunetta’s younger sister, both born of the same mother, I tagged along too.” Hermione laughed bitterly at this. “Now that I look back on it, Lunetta was probably how I got so much attention, because I was the other daughter, Lunetta’s sister. I was never jealous of her, no. My sister and I were always extremely close; there were no secrets between us. I looked up to her also, proud of her. My beautiful older sister, father’s favorite out of all of his children. The three of us, we were quite the trio. My father, always doting and sweet, Lunetta, gifted with the beauty and grace of a queen, and me,” Hermione laughed softly, “Well, I was, shall we say, another John reborn, strong headed, talented and brilliant. Everything was perfect and I did not think that anything would ever go wrong. I was thankful, I had a loving home, the little princess of the family, horribly shielded away from the rest of the cruel world.”

Hermione could feel Harry’s soft breathing on her neck. She saw him, in her mind’s eye, smiling as he imagined the days of her golden years. “Lunetta always had a way of getting whatever she wanted out of my father. She was the only one that he always listened to, obliged and never argued with. Not even my mother could tame him completely, but Lunetta did it effortlessly. For a long time, everything was prefect. We lived in Wales then, and the days lazily moved by, filled with mornings in the library, studying with tutors Father hired and afternoons running through the pastures of the mountainside behind the Manor. Every now and then, John would join the two of us. Sometimes he brought us to the Dragon arena and took me for rides. He and Lunetta sometimes raced, for of course, Lunetta was already old enough to ride by herself. But then, the most horrible thing occurred…

She was reading yet another Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook that her Father had bought her when it happened. A Boom was sounded throughout the whole Manor. The chandeliers in her room swung dangerously. She dropped the book in alarm and grabbed her dagger, which was a present from John for her sixth birthday.

There was urgent banging at her door. “Hermione! Hermione! Hurry! It’s them! We have to leave now! Hurry!”

“Lunetta!” she opened the doors in relief, her self-assurance crumbling as her older sister stood in the doorway. “What’s going on? Did you hear that bang? Who’s them? Where’s Daddy?”

“There isn’t a lot of time,” Lunetta was panting and she was holding her wand at ready in her hand. “Very good dear, you have the dagger Father gave you? I only pray that it won’t be needed. Now follow me and be careful. We need to get out of the Manor.”

Hermione grasped Lunetta’s outstretched hand and followed timidly out of her beloved room. They had not gone far when another BOOM was sounded. Crying out in fright, Hermione buried herself into Lunetta’s arms.

“It’s alright, Hermione. You are safe with me,” Lunetta whispered, rubbing small circles on her back. “Come on, Sweetheart, we need to keep moving.”

Nodding, she composed herself once again. Be brave Hermione! She told herself. You are John Regragn’s daughter! Make Daddy proud! Smiling at Lunetta to show that she was better, Hermione continued on.

Lunetta lead her cautiously down a set of staircases, towards the kitchen on the other side of the house. They had only made it halfway across the room when someone banged against the south wall of the kitchen. Exchanging a nervous look with Hermione, Lunetta quickly opened the cupboard to the left of her and mentioned Hermione to creep inside. Following Hermione inside, Lunetta securely closed the door behind. With her arms around her ankles, Hermione looked wide-eyed at Lunetta and Lunetta put a finger to her lips, mentioning for her to be quiet.

Through the small crack between the two flaps of the cupboard, Hermione watched as two wizards, followed by a witch, all wearing in metal masks made their way into the kitchen.

“Are you sure you saw the brats running here?” the witch demanded, scanning the kitchen in mild disgust.

“I’m positive,” one of the wizard confirmed, scanning the kitchen carefully.

“How do we know that they didn’t leave already?” the witch asked impatiently.

“Will you be quiet? I’m trying to listen!” the wizard who had confirmed the witch before bit back in agitation.

“How dare you speak to me like that! Need I remind you Lucius, that the Dark Lord has named me his most loyal servant!” the witch snapped, glaring dangerously at the wizard called Lucius.

“I don’t think they are here, Malfoy,” the other wizard finally spoke. “Let’s get back to the group. That John Regragn is a hard one to deal with.”

“Which is why we are looking for his children. Not just any of his children. His two favorite ones,” Lucius hissed, now slamming the kitchen cupboard doors open and close.

Bam! Bam! The sound was getting closer. Hermione huddled closer to Lunetta, scared tears running down her face.

Gripping her wand tightly in her hand, Lunneta raised it high in front of her, readying herself.

“That’s enough, Lucius, they are not here! I’m not wasting any more time!” Bellatrix called somewhere outside. “Come Macnair, we are leaving!”

Footfalls told Hermione that they were now moving away from the cupboard that they hid in. Signing in relief, Hermione relaxed and waited for the footsteps to completely fade away.

She made a move to open the cupboard doors, but Lunneta stopped her.

“Not yet,” Lunetta shook her head cautiously. “We best wait for a while. Just to make sure that they are truly gone.”

Hermione nodded obediently and returned to her spot next to Lunetta. She watched as Lunetta fingered her wand lovingly and stared in admiration.

“When do you think I’ll be old enough to be given a wand that I can carry around all the time?” Hermione asked eagerly.

Lunetta laughed softly. “Soon,” she promised.

“I just don’t see the point of access with my wand only when we are studying. I’m ready to keep my wand with me all the time, aren’t I?” Hermione asked anxiously.

“You know, Hermione. You should consider yourself lucky. Most children don’t get their wand until they are ready to go to Hogwarts, at age 11,” Lunetta whispered softly, running through Hermione’s hair lovingly.

“But we are not most children, we are Regragns!” Hermione stated proudly.

“Why would you want a wand so early in life?” Lunetta asked. “What’s a six year old girl need with a wand?”

“To defend myself of course,” Hermione answered automatically, not understanding why Lunetta was questioning such an obvious wish. “And to prove myself of course, as John Regragn’s daughter.”

Lunetta shook her head, sighing. “You may not understand now, Hermione, but magic doesn’t have to be used in defense. It just so happens we were both born into a world where magic is viewed that way, but it is so much more than that.”

“But Father taught us that!” Hermione’s eyes were wide in disbelieve. What was Lunetta saying! “He said that magic is wielded to those who are powerful enough and it used to defend against others. That’s why he makes me read so much Anti-Dark Arts books.”

Lunetta shook her head again. She smiled lovingly at Hermione. “In a way, Hermione, I envy you. Father sees the talent in you to do great things. He recognizes himself within you and is making sure that you will get the best education out of all of us. He’s making you read all those books because he wants you to be the one who continues the family business. Me? I’ll probably be married off to some arrogant pureblood heir, but you, you’ll have the freedom to pursue whatever you dream of. Don’t waste it sister. Set your mind to something and chase after it. And even if you fall, never give up. Always remember, you are a Regragn, and nothing will ever triumph over you. You just get out there and go make me proud.”

Hermione frowned at this. “But- but why can’t you refuse the marriage. I don’t want you to leave, Lunetta, we are sisters! Why can’t you do as you please too?”

Lunetta smiled remorsefully and Hermione found herself suddenly doubting all the carefree smiles Lunetta have given to everyone around her so often. “Every woman has her place Hermione, and the sooner she realize it, the better. Mine is to make a good marriage for the family, and that’s what I’ll do. I know my duty and even if I don’t like it, it is what I must do.”

“But surely, your life is your own and you have the choice to do what you wish,” Hermione couldn’t comprehend at all.

Lunetta shook her head again. “That sort of thinking is exactly why Father chose you. You bend to nothing and nobody.”

“That’s not true!” Hermione protested. “I always listen to you, and Father and Mother!”

Lunetta laughed slightly. She patted Hermione gently on the head. “Trust me, Hermione, that’s a good thing. No, don’t you worry about me now. The plans are already made for me. Don’t blame Father for this; he is reluctant to let me go too. But when I graduate Hogwarts in six years, it will be my time to leave. Don’t worry; I’ll visit you often. I promise, we are sisters, I’ll never leave you.”

“I love you, Lunetta,” Hermione hugged her sister tightly, overwhelmed by the new rush of information. Why hadn’t Father ever told her about this? Was it true that she had just little control of her life as Lunetta? That if things were different, she would be the one forced to marry some boy she didn’t know, that even if she wanted to marry someone, she would be force to carry on with her career. But surely, Father has his reason, she thought again. Father knows best.

“I love you too, Hermione,” Lunetta wrapped her arms around the smaller girl.

After a while, Lunetta pulled back and giggled. “Look at us, Death Eaters are out there and all we can do is cuddle up in some cupboard, talking about the future. Let’s get out of here, Hermione. I’m suppose to watch for your safetly.

Hermione nodded and crawled out after Lunetta.

They made their way through the back door of the kitchen and into the gardens.

eHHh HH

“Do you think Mummy is okay?” Hermione asked timidly. There was smoke coming from the front of the house, and the noise of it all brought her back to the current situation. “What about the others? Is Luna okay?” she asked.

Lunetta nodded. “Draco already got Luna and Lynet out of the house. They are safe. Mother was out and Draco was on his way to her when they left.”

“He’s so mean! He gets his own sisters, but won’t come and help us?” Hermione frowned.

“Oh don’t say that, Hermione. We are all family,” Lunetta reprimanded her gently. “Draco and I were with Father when they attacked and Father told him to go mind Malina’s children. He sent me for you.”

“Well, that doesn’t make them better liked!” Hermione wrinkled her nose. “Draco is so sarcastic, thinking that he’s better than all of us just because he’s a boy out of all of us girls. As if it makes a difference! And Lynet, she is the most annoying girl I have ever met. She thinks that she’s so pretty, but you are a million times more pretty than her, Lunetta. Only Luna is nice enough. She keeps me company when you are away.”

Lunetta shook her head. “There are some things that are better left unsaid, Hermione. I worry about you because you speak your mind so honestly, but sometimes, it’s better for it not to be so. You must learn to hold your tongue at the right times.”

“The truth hurts,” Hermione stuck her nose in the air.

“Ha! I found them!” a triumphant voice interrupted the conversation.

Lunetta raised her wand high again in alert, puling Hermione behind her. Hermione struggled, trying to peer out from behind Lunetta.

The three masked Death Eaters was closing them in.

“Stay back!” Lunetta called out.

The three Death Eaters laughed.

“Aww, she’s going to fight us!” the witch pronounced mockingly.

“Still got your dagger, Hermione?” Lunetta whispered.

Nodding, Hermione fingered the dagger in the pocket of her nightdress. Her fingers smoothed over the cold, metal of the blade. When she had first gotten the dagger, she dreamed of situations where it would become useful, yet now, a few moments away from truly using it, she felt her heart nervously speed up. She didn’t want to kill.

“Good, at my word, run towards the front of the house, that’s where Father will be. Reach into my robes. Father gave me his invisibility cloak. Put it on when I say so and run. And whatever you do, do not look back and do not stop no matter what you hear. And if anyone cross your path before you reach Father, you know what to do.”

Hermione tried, inconspicuously reaching into Lunetta’s pocket and pulling out the liquid like cloak. “But what about you?” Hermione whispered back, her eyes on the witch edging ever closer.

“Don’t worry about me. Promise me Hermione! It’s crucial that you reach Father. Do you understand? Do this for me. I’ll be okay. Ready?”

“But-” Hermione wanted to protest that she was not ready, that she won’t leave without Lunetta, but Lunetta had already raised her wand. “Now, Hermione!”

Holding back her tears, Hermione swung the cloak over herself as she heard the three Death Eaters gasp in surprise.

Lunetta raised her wand and immediately began screaming spells, one after another in the dueling stance that John had taught them so well.

Biting back a cry, Hermione chanted to herself again and again. “You are a Regragn. Be strong! You are a Regragn! Be Strong! Listen to Lunetta, she said that she will be okay!”

True to her word, Hermione crept around the battling quartet and ran.

“But she didn’t come back, and she wasn’t okay,” Hermione cried softly, the pain tight in her chest. She was aware of Harry’s fingers moving comfortingly over hers. During what point of the story did he move his hands onto of hers? Merlin, it’s been so long. How many years had she pushed the memories of that horrible night to the back of her mind, determined to never uncover it again? Without any warning, the many years of regret and self-blame exploded within her. She felt her heart twinging painfully and the tears came harder as she tried to catch her breath.

“It’s alright, you are okay,” Harry whispered sympathetically, hugging her tight from behind.

The sound of his voice made Hermione jump. What was she doing? Of all people, why was she telling him of Lunetta? Not even her mother knew of the details of that night. Lunetta was a weakness and Hermione screamed at herself for revealing it to Harry. She quickly willed her tears to stop and tensed her body. “I’m okay,” she mustered to sound calm and collected. “Sorry to go off like that, I shouldn’t have.”

“No, no,” Harry shook his head wildly behind her. “I’m glad you did. I’m here for you Hermione.”

“She was so young. It just wasn’t fair for her, she never even had the childhood,” Hermione was no longer crying, yet her heart ached. “It’s so easy for those on the outside to assume that living in that great Regragn mansion is the greatest place to be, so easy for them to image John Regragn’s children bathed in gold and consuming ambrosia, living like the princesses of England. No one will ever know the truth of Lunetta’s life, of any of us.”

“It’s too soon to tell,” Harry whispered. “Who knows? We are still young, the next generation, John Regragn made his name into the world, there is yet time for us to make ours.”

“ But Lunetta will never have her chance,” Hermione retorted, almost angry. “She played the role of a mother for me even more than my mother. She who brought me up, acted as my shield when I angered John. It should have been me,” Hermione’s voice shook again, almost unaware of Harry behind her, “It should have been me, the second daughter who always was the challenge, not Lunetta, never Lunetta, the beautiful and gentle, wise and forgiving Lunetta. If I could have had it any other way, I would die in her place. She was not prepared. I was suppose to stay and fight. While she had been groomed for marriage and making alliances for my father, I was the one prepared to continue John’s legend, as the fighter, the defender. I should have studied harder, should have realized sooner that John’s ambitions for glory would have been our downfall and that eventually, battles would take place in our lives. I was suppose to protect her, not the other way around, and yet, it always was.”

“I know exactly how you feel, Hermione,” Harry whispered sympathetically. “When I was 15, I lost my godfather, Sirius Black, to Bellatrix Lestrange. I was stupid, overconfident with myself, thinking that I knew enough to finally face Death Eaters. I led my friends to the Department of Mysterious against better judgment. My parents were in France at the time, and Sirius came to my aid. She killed him and I didn’t think that anything would be the same again. Above all, I blamed myself. But Mum found me and she told me…she told me to honor the deceased as if they lived. She said that Sirius died fighting for me and the greatest respect I can pay him is to continue on and finish what I started. Accept your sister’s wishes, don’t let her die in vain.”

“Your mother is very wise, it’s what I figured too,” Hermione nodded. “But I failed her. She wanted me to grasp my chance, and I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t even fight my way into Hogwarts. I couldn’t keep my place beside John. Draco had taken my place. He will be the one to continue John’s work, not me. I’m just Hermione now, the other Regragn girl who fell from grace.”

“Maybe that’s what she wanted you to do all alone,” Harry told her. “Why continue someone else’s life when you can build your own. You are forever free of John’s shadow, you can be your own person, isn’t that what Lunetta wanted?”

“Perhaps,” Hermione whispered, barely registering what she was saying. In her mind, she was still seeing Lunetta’s body laying in the garden, wide-eyed, the last horror of the duel still etched on her face.

“So, so that was when things turned for the worst?” Harry asked after a moment of silence.

Nodding, Hermione sniffed and began, “Nothing was ever the same after Lunetta left. At first, I tried to fill her shoes, tried being bright and charming and kind, but no matter what I did, it did not please Father. He no longer wanted to spend time with me; I think he blamed me for Lunetta’s death. I think he wished too, that he had lost me that night instead of Lunetta.”

“Don’t say that,” Harry chided gently. “He was only grieved. I’m sure he loved you too, Hermione.”

“I’ll never know for sure, nor do I care anymore,” Hermione’s voice hardened. “So he withdrew himself from my already half broken family and buried himself into work. When he came home, he no longer spent time with Mother, but with his mistress, Malina. I had had enough, I begged my Mother to take me away from Wales. It was painful for both of us, reminded of all of the happy memories with Lunetta in that horrid Manor. But that didn’t go well with John. There was a horrible fight, and he told Mother that she wasn’t allowed to leave him, that we belonged to him. But then, Blair was born and John was ecstatic. Malina had given him something my Mother never could, not one, but two sons to carry his name. Malina made Father buy a bigger home and we moved to England. She kept on influencing John after that. She was a possessive woman, told him that she will not share him with anyone else. So John filed a divorce, and here we are.”

“I see, you blame him for betraying your Mother,” Harry confirmed silently. Hermione nodded. “It isn’t right, he loved many woman, and then abandoned them all. People make excuses for him, just because of who he is, but nothing should pardon him of what he’s done.”

“I would never have guessed. John Regragn. I always looked up to him you know. A good Auror, a good man. I never could have imagined-”

“Well not you know,” Hermione replied. It felt good. At least there was now one more person that knew of John Regragn’s wrongdoings.

“And then he prevented you from going to Hogwarts,” Harry confirmed. He had already heard this story; courtesy to the many nights he had accompanied her home.

Hermione bit her lips. “Yes, and that was when I really began to hate him. Up till then, I didn’t blame him. I was only nine years old. I didn’t understand. I just thought that Mummy and Daddy weren’t getting along, so he was letting my Mother go free. Still a good, kind man. But I thought I was still his chosen, the one Regragn who will continue his legacy. I studied hard and waited for the one day when I will go to Hogwarts and finally take my rightful place as John Regragn’s daughter. Finally, I turned eleven and the Hogwarts letter came. And that was when he told me that things have changed. I couldn’t go. That was when I first began to see him for he really was.”

“I’m so sorry, Hermione,” Harry breathed.

“Me too,” Hermione admitted. “It was the only thing I’ve ever wanted. To achieve what Lunetta wanted me to do, to fulfill my place that was determined since I was born. And during that single day, everything came crashing down.”

“But it made you stronger,” Harry smiled against her neck. “You did go on, exactly what Lunetta would have wanted. You didn’t give up and you found your way around your difficulties. You taught yourself magic, and very well might I add. Lunetta would have been proud of you.”

Hermione shook her head. “But it will never be enough. Without proper magical education, the best I can do is to sing at W&W. And there are things that I can’t learn from a book. For example, I’m horrible at nonverbal. Divination makes no sense to me at all, and I wouldn’t be caught dead on a broomstick. I don’t have my appearition license or any official proof of my magical abilities. It will never be enough.”

Harry chuckled at this. “Yes, so it must be a good thing that you happens to know the famous Harry Potter.”

“What?” Hermione asked in bewilderment.

“I’m well respected, Hermione, especially in the ministry. John Regragn has retired; he is slowly being forgotten by the Wizarding World. I’m sure I can pull a few strings and give you some exceptions.”

Hermione bit her lips and shook her head. “No, I don’t want you to do that. It would go against everything I believe in. It was John’s reputation that started all this, I would be just as bad if I used your reputation to achieve my wishes.”

“I see,” Harry nodded. She was right of course. But he had to help somehow! “Well, at least let me help you with your magical problems. I’m horrible at divination too. But I can teach you to fly, and practice spells.” Harry suggested.

“Would you really Harry?” Hermione asked tentatively, warmth spreading over her at this simple suggestion.”

“Of course,” Harry’s voice was sincere in her ears.

“What did I do to deserve you Harry?” Hermione sighed softly. “ You are such a good person and I still don’t know how to thank you for introducing Neville Longbottom for the Wiltons. tells me that Emily is doing so well these days. There are even times when she responds to things as if she’s completely normal.

“I’m glad that I can help,” Harry answered.

“It’s such a sad story. I can’t imagine who would do something like that to an innocent 15 year old. I’m going to find him Harry. I swear, he’s going to pay for what he did to Emily.”

Harry squirmed uncomfortably behind her. “I don’t know, Hermione. was unwilling to say anything about him. We should respect his wishes.”

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about that too. Why is he protecting the one responsible?”

Harry sighed and in an attempt to lighten the mood, playfully buried himself into Hermione’s neck. “Careful Mione, Curiosity killed the Regragn.”

Hermione huffed. “Very funny Potter. Now watch were you are going and lower the broom.”

“Oh, are we here already?” Harry looked down and was surprised to see the gate to Hermione’s apartment. He shifted his weight forward and gently lowered themselves to the ground.

“Thanks, Harry,” Hermione carefully stepped off the broom and smoothed out the wrinkles on the robes. “Good night.”

Harry smiled, pulling her close, placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“And I really appreciate it that you told me about Lunetta. Thanks for trusting in me,” he whispered against her lips.”

“I do trust you,” Hermione whispered back.

After another pause of silence, the two reluctantly let go of the other and went their separate ways.

A/N: I was very tempted to stop at a cliffhanger just now…but I decided to be nice. Hope you’ve enjoyed this chapter. There was suppose to be more action, but again, that would have to leave my readers at a Cliffy and who wants that? Please leave me a comment if you can, thanks!