Behind Closed Doors

Author's Note: This chapter and the ones to follow are going to be harder for me to write but I will get them finished as quickly as possible. The tough stuff is coming and I just don't have the heart to put Hermione and Draco through too much angst in one chapter. So bare with me; it's gonna be a bumpy ride.


Hermione stepped out of the fireplace into her parents’ living room; she had a heavy feeling in her chest. She took down the wards for Draco and five minutes later, he arrives.
“Um, do you want a tour?” She was fidgeting, something she never did. He stepped closer to her and cupped her face in his hands.
“Mia, it’s ok. I’m here. Whatever has you so shaken up, we can tackle it together.” He kissed her forehead before holding her tight in his arms. Hermione melted into him. She always found comfort in his touch as well as that distinct smell that is Draco.

“Thank you,” she said, smile weakly at him.

“Anytime, Love.”

“Can I make you some hot chocolate? I make really good hot chocolate…” She looked so scared, so unsettled; she was so desperately seeking some sense of normal. Draco kissed her and smiled.

“I would love some hot chocolate. Would you like some help?”

“You can keep me company.” Hermione led Draco to the modest kitchen, well modest compared to the manor. She took out a box of Parmalat (Author Note: milk that is shelf-stable), a bar of dark chocolate and a bar of milk chocolate along with a saucepan from the pot rack. He watched her methodically cut up the chocolate bars and added them to the slowly heating milk. She retrieved the espresso crystals from the pantry, dissolving them in a few tablespoons of warmed milk then added cinnamon, and vanilla extract. She stirred the mixture into the warmed milk and let it heat while she retrieved cookies from the freezer. She took out several; placing them in the oven for 20 minutes. When everything was finished, Hermione served Draco his snack, smiling weakly at him. “Do you like it?” He nodded and smiled.

“Thank you, Love.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled as she stood and walked out of the room towards the living room. Draco picked up both mugs and followed her. “I was 5 years old in this picture.” She had a silver frame in her hand. “Daddy and I went to the circus. I got to ride an elephant. And here, Daddy took me fishing at Bury Hill in Dorking. We had a picnic; he made me peanut butter and banana sandwiches.” She picked up another photo and smiled.

“Mia, I didn’t know you danced.” She nodded.

“I’ve danced since I was three years old.” Her voice sounded sad, almost lost. “It broke Mummy’s heart when I was accepted to Hogwarts. The Royal Ballet wanted to train me but daddy said no… my education was more important than dancing. Mummy was crestfallen; she wanted a prima ballerina and that was toatlly out. I would take classes when I would come home on breaks but it wasn’t the same. I enjoyed it, yes, but Mummy wasn’t happy with me just dancing; it wasn’t enough for her.”

“You’re not very close to your Mum, are you?” She shook her head, no but a soft smile crossed her face.
“I’m a Daddy’s girl, I always have been. All of my childhood memories are with my Dad. Mummy was more into her career, not that Daddy wasn’t. But he was the one that would take off time to spend with me, take me to dance, do things with me. Every memory I have of my childhood, before Hogwarts, revolves around my Daddy.” Draco looked at her, she was crying.

“Mia, why are we here? What has you so shaken up?” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The oven timer sounded. Hermione moved towards the kitchen. “No, Love. I’ve got it. You sit down.” She simply nodded and walked over to the couch. Draco came in with a plate of cookies and sat them on the coffee table. He sat down next to her, taking her hands in his. “Mia, what’s going on?” She buried her head in his chest. He gently massaged her scalp, making her sigh, quietly.

“I dreamt about my Daddy. He was crying and telling me that he loved me. He kept saying that he was sorry and he would never stop loving me. Then he touched my face and kissed my forehead and said,
‘Ils m'ont confiés avec votre soin ; Je vous ai élevé en tant que mon enfant. Je t'aime avec tout mon coeur. Comment est-ce que que j'aller suis laissez-vous partir ? Mon Hermione précieux, vous appartenez à eux, vous avez toujours. Leur Mia aimé. Venez à la maison, Mia... Il est temps pour vous de venir à la maison.’

Draco’s heart started to race as he translated, “They entrusted me with your care; I raised you as my child. I love you with all of my heart. How am I going to let you go? My precious Hermione, you belong to them, you always have. Their beloved Mia. Come home, Mia... It's time for you to come home.” He cleared his throat, “You understood what he said, didn’t you?” She nodded. “You don’t speak French, do you?” She shook her head, no. “Did your Dad ever call you Mia?” Again, she shook her head, no. “Hermione, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. I’m scared, Draco…”

“Me, too.” They rested their foreheads together, trying to find comfort in each other.

Hermione cleared her throat. “Draco, I think we’re supposed to go upstairs.” He nodded. She led him to the stairs. As they climbed, the heaviness in their chest was almost palpable. Hermione took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door. It wasn’t what Draco expected. Instead of books everywhere, there were muggle posters of dancers, ballet shoes hanging on the wall. He saw framed pictures of her in different dance costumes. In the middle of the full-sized bed, there was a small pile of wrapped packages along some numbered envelopes. He looked at Hermione; all of the color had drained out of her face. He extended his hand to her so she would sit on the bed with him. She reached for the envelope on top. The writing on the first envelope was her father’s; her hands were shaking. Draco took her hand.

“Would it help if I read it to you?”

“You wouldn’t mind?” He kissed her temple.

“Of course not, come here, Love.” She slid back so she was leaning against his chest. Draco opened the letter slowly.

My Sweet Girl,
I was hoping that you would find your way here, somehow. I’m sorry that I can’t be with you right now and it is my sincerely hope that you are not alone when you’re reading this. Know that I love you more than life itself and my actions, though unforgivable, were the actions of a loving father who was desperate to hold onto his precious little girl for as long as he possibly could. I hope, someday, you will find it in your heart to forgive me for what I have done.

I’ve tried to organize the information so it would be…for lack of a better word, easier for you to get through. Some of it is going to seem irrelevant and insignificant but please know that all of it is inter-related and extremely important.

As you go forward, please, my darling daughter, keep an open heart and an open mind, no matter what you discover. It will be extremely difficult at times but I need you to do this, your future depends on it.

All my Love
Now and Forever,
Daddy.

Draco folded the letter and put it back in the envelope and set it aside. “Do you know what he’s talking about?”

“I’m not sure. A part of me thinks I know but my rational brains keeps telling me that it must be something else.” She reached for the first package in the pile and opened it. It was a small black journal that simply said “Our Family” on the front in gold letters. They flipped through the pages; it was set up in reverse chronological order, most recent in the front. Instantly Hermione’s heart started to pound. The names she was seeing, they weren’t English names; they were French names but that didn’t’ make sense.

“My family was originally from France? Draco, why does that name sound so familiar?” It was Draco’s turn to feel tightness in his chest. He knew but it wasn’t his place to tell her. If the letter was any indication, all would be revealed shortly. Draco didn’t reply.

Hermione turned the page and an official looking document fell into her lap. She gasped as he read it only pertinent information.

‘Jacques Fermier VII, British citizen Jack Fermier Granger date: January 7 1943.’ She turned the page quickly. There was a family tree that went back 200 years to Jacques Fermier in France.

“Jack Fermier Granger, that’s my Dad’s name. I don’t understand.” Tears tricked down her face. Draco kisses her hand and sets the book aside, leaving it opened to the family tree. He opens the next envelope…

Suddenly Draco stopped; there was a noise in the hall. He looked at Hermione and put his finger to his lips to keep her quiet. He eased of the bed, wand in hand and moved towards the door silently. In one smooth movement, he reached around the corner, grabbing someone out of the dark and slamming them against the door; the face was covered by the hood of a heavy coat. Hermione screamed; Draco had his wand poised that the man’s neck.

“Talk now! What are you doing here?”

“I’m Dr. Jack Granger…this is my house…” His voice was raspy; he looked slightly disheveled, with a shaky hand as he removed his hood.

“Daddy?” Hermione stood but didn’t move. He looked at her nodded. Draco released him and took a step back. The father and daughter stared at each other for a moment then he moved towards her as she nearly collapsed into to his arms. She was crying.

“Shhh… Daddy’s here now…” He rubbed her back, trying to calm his daughter. Jack Granger held his slender daughter in his arms; he had missed her so much. Draco stood by the door, wary of the man before him. ‘Why was he here? Yes, this was his house but he was supposed to be halfway across the world, he had abandoned his daughter and now he’s showing up out of the blue. What was the catch?’

Hermione and her father walked to bed and sat down. Her tears had slowed and her breathing had calmed slightly. “Daddy, how did you know we were here? Why are you here? Is Mummy here?” Jack put his finger to her lips to quiet her.

“No, Mummy isn’t with me. I needed to see you; I hoped that you would come here, I just didn’t know when.” He looks at Draco, his voice became very formal. After all, he had slammed him against a door in his own house. “I’m sorry, we haven’t been formally introduced, I’m Jack Granger.”

“Draco Malfoy, Sir. It’s nice to meet you.” He cleared his throat, “I’m sorry about that…before… I was protecting Hermione.” Draco shook his hand. Dr. Granger looked from Hermione to Draco and back a few times. I was more than obvious that this young man loved his daughter just by the way he held her.

‘Could this be the same boy that she used to complain about so much when she was younger?’

“Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so, Sir.” Jack nodded. He looked at his daughter; she looked down, sheepishly.

“What happened with that nice boy you met on vacation?” A wave of guilt washed over Draco as he looked at Hermione. She looked up and smiled at him reassuringly and gestured for him to come over and sit next to her. He walked over and sat down, she squeezed his hand gently.

“That was Draco, Daddy. It’s a wizarding thing.” Her father just nodded. Both of them were thankful that he didn’t he ask any more questions about them. She was sure that they would come later.

Dr. Granger took a deep cleansing breath and let it out. “As my letter said, this isn’t going to be easy and when I’m finished, I don’t know if you will forgive me but I couldn’t keep this from you any longer. I need both of you to hear me out, without interruption. It’s very important for you to hear everything before you ask your questions and I know you will have many.” They both nodded. He picked up the ‘Our Family’ book and flipped to the middle of the book, then set it aside. He cleared his throat and patted the bed so Hermione would slide closer. She looked at Draco; then moved to the top of the bed. He sat close to her, and held her hand.

“When I was very young, Grampy Jackie used to tell me these stories about a fantasy land where there were people with fantastic powers and all of the wondrous things they could do. He told me about one special people that were very powerful that was revered by all because of everything he had accomplished. His special man loved his wife very much, she was as powerful as he was and a lovely sight to behold.

When the magical couple found out that they were to be parents their joy was short lived. People pursued them relentlessly; wanting to set up and arranged marriage for their unborn child. Their child became a pawn for the affluent whose only goal was to increase their power by allying with such an influential family. Through marriage, they would forever be associated with greatness.” Draco and Hermione looked at each other, their faces growing paler as he continued. “Finally, the pressure grew so great that couple was left with on other option but to magically protect their child, a daughter, from the snares of heartless, self-serving people.”

“With the life force of their daughter in their hands, the couple turned to the only friends they had, outside of the magical world, to protect their most precious gift. This honor was given to a simple farmer, a non-magical person. He and his descendants would protect the essence of this girl until the time came for her to return and claim her place in the magical world. Many generations passed and the farmer’s descendants, the first born male, were given the honor of protecting this gift. On the day before their nuptials, the locket was passed to them and the full story was revealed.” Dr. Granger stood and walked over to Hermione’s vanity. He picked up a framed photo of the two of them and smiled sadly. They were lying on the floor in the living room reading a book together. She couldn’t have been for them 5 years old. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was going to change his daughter’s life forever by telling her this. He wasn’t ready for this so he knew she wasn’t ready for it. He was going to lose his little girl, no matter how she reacted; he was going to lose her completely to the wizarding world after this. A part of him was dying slowly as he thought about. ‘This was my obligation; my duty. I have to do this.’

“Hermione, on the day before I married your mother, Grampy Jack told me the rest of the story. Our family is descendants of Jacques Fermier, the farmer that wizard and witch turned to in their hour of need. The couple sealed their daughter’s life force in a locket that has been passed to the male in our family for many generations. Shortly before World War I, Jacques Fermier VII and his family, relocated to the England and changed the family name to Granger.” He stopped for a moment, gathering his courage before he continued. “The girl’s life force was sealed in a heart shaped golden locket.” He paused, waiting for his daughter to process the information that was presented to her. He handed her a small wrapped box from the pile and sat down next to her. Hermione looked at him then back at the box. He nodded for her to open it. Very slowly and methodically, she unwrapped the package and opened the box. She gasped and dropped it on the bed; looking at her father in utter confusion and disbelief.

“No…No…Daddy, this can’t be possible…Why are you doing this?” Hermione’s voice was shaking as her tears began to fell.

“Hunny, you promised you would listen.” He squeezed her hand. Draco held her a bit tighter as Dr. Granger continued. “The rest of this going to be very difficult, I need you to listen and not interrupt.” She nodded, sniffling. “When we found out we that your mother was pregnant, we were elated. Your mother being the planner that she is, she just had to know whether you were going to be a girl or a boy so she could get all of the decorating and shopping finished early. I don’t know how they knew you were a girl before we did but somehow they knew. I was called to Grampy Jack’s house, alone, one Saturday evening and…” He sighed heavily. “I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to say it. I met the Wizard and Witch from the story. Their names are/were Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. They told me our families were linked many, many years ago. Their fate and the fate of their child were directly connected to our family. They had been waiting for many, many years for the first born of our family to be female because…” He paused, his palms were sweating. “The first born female in our family is also their daughter. The Flamels told me how they magically linked our families and how the essential life force of their daughter had been protected in this locket until the time of your birth. When you were born, Nico and Pere were present; they placed it over your heart and…the life force of their daughter, you, was complete. I watched them with you; you were all theirs; the whole room felt it. They held you and cried. I don’t know how they made the decisions they did. They called you, Mia. It broke your mother’s heart; she didn’t understand it, she still doesn’t. That is why she insisted that we leave. She has said on numerous occasions, ‘I gave birth to her but she was never mine. It’s not fair.’ You were supposed to receive this locket a long time again. You were supposed to have it your first year at Hogwarts so the Headmaster would know who you were. Unfortunately, that was not the case; your mother insisted that it wasn’t the right time. That summer, after you’re first year, you were supposed to meet Nico and Pere but something happened and they were unable to meet you.” Draco held Hermione tightly as her father spoke; she was shaking. Her whole world was crumbling around her and he knew that she would try to bolt out of the room if he gave her half a chance.

“The rest of these packages and letters are from Nico and Pere…They’ve been sending things for you for years. They knew how much you love to learn so I can only assume that many of them are books. The intention was to give them to you each year so this wouldn’t be a shock. Unfortunately, Mummy has had a very difficult time with all of this so things never worked out as it had originally was planned.”

“Get out.” Hermione had shrunk away from her father and was now huddled in Draco’s protective arms; her voice was shaky.

“Hermione Luv, please, don’t do this; don’t push me away.”

“Leave me alone, please…I can’t take anymore.” She didn’t move from Draco’s arms and she wouldn’t look at him. Dr. Granger looked at Draco; without words the men knew that this was the only option. Jack walked over to the vanity and wrote something on a piece of paper then walked towards the door.

“Hermione, I know you don’t believe this but I love you with all of my heart. No matter what I’ve told you, you will always be my daughter, my heart. I will always be here for you if you want me.” He gave Draco a nod and left the room, and go downstairs.

“Draco, please, make it not be true.” She held him tightly as she cried. “My life has been a lie, I’m not real, I don’t exist. Why is this happening?” He rocked her, trying to soothe her but how could he? This was all too much to fathom; the stories, the magic. How could this be real? Draco shook his head; he needed to concentrate on Hermione. Her world had just been turned upside down and inside out and he needed to be here for her.

“I’m here, Mia, I love you. I’ve got you. Shhh, Love. It’s gonna be ok.” Hermione lifted her head; looking into his eyes.

“How? How will it ever be ok again? The man that raised me isn’t my father; my ‘parents’ were wizards died at when they were over 600 years old; they would still be here if it wasn’t for that maniac Voldemort. The people that raised me didn’t tell me any of this until now and why?? Because they couldn’t handle it… well what about me? Do they think this is a bloody picnic for me?” Hermione was going from upset to angry. “They stole my life, my dreams from me. They should’ve killed me; it would have been less painful.” Draco pulled her into his arms, holding her as tightly as he could. He pressed his lips against her ear, whisper to her; she could hear the desperation in his voice

“Please don’t ever say that. You’re my life, Mia, I can’t, I won’t live without you.”

“How can you love someone that doesn’t exist? I’m not supposed to exist? I’m not Hermione Granger. Who am I?” Draco kissed her softly on the lips as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“You’re the woman I love; the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. You’re my Mia; that’s all that matters to me.” He rested her forehead against his as he gently massaged the back of her head. Hermione melted into Draco’s arms, crying. “Come on, Love. We shouldn’t stay here; it’s upsetting you too much. Let’s go home; we’ll bring this stuff and when you’re ready, we can go over it together.”

Hermione looked into his eyes, questioning. “Home?”

“Yes, Love, home; when we’re together, we are home.” Draco pulled her closer as he wiped her tears away. Hermione nodded as she found comfort in his arms. Draco slowly stood, and with a flick of his wand, the pile on the bed was wrapped and consolidated into a small parcel he could fit in his pocket. He helped Hermione off the bed and they headed downstairs. Draco didn’t bother to look for Dr. Granger; he had his telephone number, if he needed him. The note he left stated that he was not returning to the Doctors’ without Borders program until he knew that Hermione was ok with all of this. Draco didn’t know if she would ever be ‘ok’ with all of this.

When returned to the manor it was very late; Draco assumed everyone was asleep. They stepped out of the hearth in the study; he walked Hermione to the nearest sofa and knelt in front of her. She clung to him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. “We’re home now, Love. Everything’s gonna ok. I’ve got you.” He gently massaged the back of her head and neck. Hermione sobbed quietly; her head was spinning, her world turned upside down.

“Draco, I can’t think. This is all too much.” He kissed her forehead, gently as he stroked her cheek.

“Come on, Love, let’s go up to bed. You don’t have to think about any of this anymore tonight.” She nodded, sadly. Draco wrapped her arms around her and apparated to their room. Hermione cried herself to sleep in his arms as he comforted her.
‘This wasn’t how I wanted our Christmas night to end up.’ Draco thought to himself, sighing quietly. He pulled her closer and kissed her head before drifting off into a restless sleep.