In the Eyes of the Enemy

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

In the Eyes of the Enemy- Chapter EiPresPresents

The next couple weeks passed by fairly quickly, with Hermione and Draco spending most of their free time together, learning about each other. They shared kisses and cuddles but at Hermione’s request it never went farther than that. For the first few days, students from both Slytherin and Gryffindor houses had been furious at the paring but after a week passed and neither Draco nor Hermione seemed to be able to separate from the other the criticism died down. The couple had begun sharing a nightly study session in their common room with Ginny, Neville, Harry, and Ron, which much to the surprise of all was going quite smoothly. The other Gryffindors had been surprised to discover that once Draco was out of view from the rest of the school could actually be quite agreeable. Outside the sanctuary of the Heads common room he was the same old Draco sparing only Hermione from his vicious comments, which he insisted, “must be kept up for appearances”.

It was on the September 19th that after an incredibly dull Divination class Ron caught Draco by the arm and whispered in his ear “I’m sure you know already, but today is Hermione’s 18th birthday and the rest of us were hoping to have a party for her tonight in our common room if you wouldn’t mind letting us borrow her for a little bit. We should be ready by seven if you could bring her to the library about then. We’d ask you to come but the rest of the Gryffindors aren’t very comfortable with having you in our common room. Maybe you could take her off on a walk or something. We’ll make sure Ginny sets it all up after dinner asking her to meet her in the library at seven then she can say she forgot the assignment in her room. We’ve all been pretending to have forgotten her birthday so the look on her face when we surprise her should be priceless.”

Draco took everything he heard in, and simply nodded to Ron who quickly dashed ofviouviously quite pleased with himself. Draco on the other hand was furious he really hadn’t known it was Hermione’s birthday and since the day was half over there was no time to make any arrangements or get a gift. Draco found the halls relatively empty, not suprising since most students were currently having lunch in the Great Hall. Draco had more pressing matters than food on his mind he needed to figure out what to give Hermione so he was heading directly for his room. Astoretore through his closet and dressers he was getting frustrated, he owned many fine things but none of them worthy of giving as a gift to this particular witch. It was then as he was sifting through the contents of his locker he came across the butterfly necklace his father had sent him. Though it had been contaminated by his father’s touch he had to admit it was a stunning piece of jewelry fitting of such a beautiful witch as Hermione. He quickly slid the velvet box into his pocket and headed toward the hall hoping to catch the last few moments of lunch before heading with Hermione to Care of magical Creatures class.

Hermione had taken notice of Draco’s absence from the dining hall; mealtimes were always the most uncomfortable for them since they alw always apart. She turned to Harry and Ron and asked “Was Draco in Divination with you this morning?”

Both boys nodded that he was. Hermione starting to bite her lower lip turned again to ask “Did either ou seu see him after class?”

Harry cast Ron a knowing stare before saying, “No Hermione Ron and I were in a hurry to have lunch and I can’t remember seeing him.”

She was getting nervous it wasn’t like Draco to miss a meal since it was his only opportunity to maintain his power and control over his housemate. She thought it a ridiculous activity when he had explained it to her but understood in his mind these games were a necessity. Towards the end of lunch Draco entered the hall and made his way to his customary seat at the Slytherin table and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief before finishing what remained of her lunch.

Later that day at dinner everything was going according to the plan Ginny had asked Hermione’s help with an assignment she had do and suggested they could meet in the library about seven. Hermione had agreed and went off to find Draco. He caught her hand just as she was leaving the hall and pulling her close whispering in her ear “Could I interest you in a walk?”

She gave him a broad smile and they head out of the castle in the direction of the lake. As the sun began to set the sky turned to an almost magical shade of pink and purple. It was under this perfect sunset by the edge of the lake that Draco turnedard ard Hermione and withdrew the box from his pocket. Handing it toward her he simply said “Happy Birthday Hermione, I hope you like it.”

Hermione took the box from his outstretched hands and opened it. Inside she saw the most beautify piece of jewelry she had ever laid her eyes on and she quickly moved to hand it back to Draco saying, “I can’t possibly accept this it’s worth far too much.”

Draco removed the necklace from the box it was resting in and placed it around her neck before telling her “Hermione I love you, and I insist you keep it, you’re the only one I know beautiful enough to do it justice.”

With tear filled eyes she turned to face him and asked, “Are you sure?”

To which he kissed her and replied “positive”.

They spent the next few minuets locked in each others embrace until Hermione noticed the last few rays of sunlight disappearing over edgeedge of the forest and said “Draco I’m so sorry I promised Ginny I’d help her with an assignment at even in the library we better head back. A stab of pain hit Draco’s heart that he would now be turning her over to her Gryffindor friends on what was becoming a perfect evening. Without saying a word they walked hand in hand back to the castle.

At the base of the stairs they exchanged a kiss and Draco whispered in her ear “When you’re done we’ll finish this evening in the privacy of our common room.”

To this Hermione blushed, at her request they had been putting off having sex again until they got to know each other better. However judging by the sound of his voice that was about to change, and truth be told she didn’t mind.

Hermione met Ginny in the libray as they had agreed, and was a bit irritated with Ginny. Who had informed her that she had forgotten her assignment in her room and asked if she wouldn’t mind coming with her so they could work on it in her room instead. As Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room she was stunned as a wave of screaming stus rus rushed towards her screaming “Surprise!” For one of the first times in her life she was actually speechless.

The festivities went on thought the night and in the end it was just Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione left in the common room enjoying one last glass of pumpkin juice. It was Ron who holding out a last gift in his hand said to Hermione “Last one for tonight.”

Hermione replied confused “but Ron you already have me that batch of your brothers new fainting fantasies and collectors box of Bertie Botts every flavor beans.”

Ron shook his head “I wanted to give this to you the first day we got here but I just haven’t seemed to find the right moment. It’s more of a congratulations gift for being Head Girl.” Hermione smiled remembering the embarrassing situation earlier in the month over her mistaking Draco’s flowers as Ron’s ‘Surprise’.

She took the outstretched gift and said a polite “thank you” to Ron before opening it. Inside the wrapping Hermione nearly cried out tears of joy as she spotted ‘Top of the Class: Head Boys and Girls of Hogwarts’ resting in her lap. In amazement Hermione quickly flipped through the book and came to the last two pages and saw picture of herself on one side and Draco on the other. With a bright smile across her face she asked “How did you get this, it’s not even out yet.”

Ron bushed and then replied “Mum’s cousin works at the publisher and they send her the first copy every year for holding the Hogwarts record of three children from the same family being named Heads in their year.”

A quizzical expression crossed Hermione’s face and she asked “But I thought only Percy and Bill were head boys, I know Ginny’s got one of the best chances from her year but that won’t be announced till summer.”

Ron and Ginny both exchanged nervous glances before Ron continued, “It was our eldest sister Andrea. She was Head Girl after your mother Harry, in 1979. Mum says she was madly in love and married the head boy of that year right after school en No No one knows why but Voldemort sent his deatheaters to attack them and they ended up like Harries parents dead.”

Hermione quickly wrapped her arms around Ron and said, “I’m sorry we never knew.”

Ron shook his head “it’s ok Hermione it was along time ago Ginny and I weren’t even born yet.”

Hermione lifted the book on to her lap and asked, “Do you mind if we look at them?”

With a mist of tears in his eyes Ron replied “Please, I haven’t seen a picture of her in years.” Hermione turned to year 1979 and nearly dropped the book from her hand, as looking back at her from the pages of the book were a younger but no less recognizable Andrea and Albert Granger.

As the book struck the floor everyone turned towards Hermione who was sitting in shock. Ginny rushed from her chair to the couch where the other three were sitting and asked “Hermione are you ok? What’s wrong?”

With a vacant expression across her face Hermione simply mumbled “my parents.”

It was Harry’s turn now to ask “Hermione what about your parents?”

Her far off look was broken as she quickly stumbled over the words “It’s them, in the book, it’s my parents, I’m sure of it, but I don’t understand how.”

Ron lifted the book from the floor and asked Hermione “which picture was your parents Hermione?” A look of horror crossed her face but as she started biting her lip she flipped to through the pages to 1979 where she stopped and pointed to the picture of Head Girl Andrea Weasley and Head Boy Albert Plummer.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny shared a confused expression but it was Ginny who spoke first “Hermione your parents don’t look anything like them. Your mom is kind of plump with straight brown hair, and your dad’s got black hair and brown eyes. It even shows here Albert had very striking blue ones.”

Hermione was furious “you have all seen my parents dozens of times over they years you know my mom is thin with curly red hair, while my dad’s hair is auburn with those same blue eyes.”

The group was starting to get nervous about what to do with Hermione she was obviously losing her mind since her parents didn’t remotely look like those in the photo. It was Harry who gathered his courage and said “Maybe we should take you to the hospital wing to speak with Madame Pomfrey.”

It was the wrong thing to say as Hermione roared “I’m not crazy, I’m going to speak to Dumbledore right now and you can either come with me or stay here I don’t care either way.” The three chose to follow her as she stormed through the halls to the headmaster’s office.

As they reached the entrance to the headmaster’s quarters she nearly shouted “Skiving Snackboxes” to the gargoyle, which immediately began to shutter to revile the hidden stairs.

Once at the top she immediately threw the book down on his desk and pointed to the pictures of her parents before asking, “What do you know about them?”

Dumbledore calmly rose from behind his desk and moved closer to the fireplace where he through a bit of powder in and said \"Andrea, Albert, Greselda, it’s time she knows.\"

Within moments stepping through the grate were Hermione’s parents and Greselda Marchbanks who had not been seen since their OWL’s in fifth year. Hermione rushed over to hug both her parents. Her mother was looking fierce and casting an angry look at her husband and Dumbledore, while Mr. Granger could almost be seen smiling.

It wasbledbledore who spoke first “It seems despite our best efforts Hermione as come across the book.”

Hermoine’s mother turned on her father and though tense lips said, “you said you took care of it.”

Before he could speak Dumbledore lifted his hand and said, “It wasn’t Albert. Andrea the book is this years edition which I believe may have found it’s way as a birthday gift from a certain young Mr. or Miss Weasley.”

Ron sheepishly raised his hand and Dumbledore continued,thouthought so. Have a seat children there is a long story to tell and unless I’m mistaken it is already nearly past your curfew.”

Everyone took a seat on the couches and chair spread around the room as Dumbledore began, “The year was 1944 I had been teaching Transfiguration for about five years and during that time Greselda and I had been spending quite a bit of time together, and were even considering marriage.”

To this Greselda who had moved to a chair behind Dumbledore began to blush. Dumbledore cast a smile at her before continuing “But not unlike now, the world we knew was in anarchy. Grindelwald’s forces along with the muggle war were sweeping through Europe. It was in 1945 that Grindelwald brought his battle to my door when one of his newly recruited minions Tom Riddle attacked Griselda, when she stumbled upon him stealing ingredients from the potions lab while on her way to visit me in my quarters. Tom panicked and carried her off to the forest before apperating with her to Gindelwald. Grindelwald agreed to take the blame for her disappearance upon gaining promises of retribution from Tom. When I heard that Grindelwald was holding Griselda I was furious. Up until that point truth be told, the war and Grindelwald’s muggle persona of Hitler hadn’t had a personal impact on me. However when they took her, that all changed, I became a different person. I chased Gindelwald through Ger and and finally caught up with him in one of his bunkers in Berlin. My rage was uncontrollable I set fire to everything I touched, when I finally had him cornered he was stunned and unable to react so I yelled “Flamma Letum” and brt fot forth the flames of death. The room was so small though I killed Grindelwald, but also badly burned Griselda.”

The light faded from Dumbledore’s eyes as he glanced around the room and cleared his throat before continuing. “I took Griselda to St Mungos to be treated for her burns and while the world rejoiced I fell into a state of depression. My old potions teacher and friend Nicholas Flamel tried to help me with creating an item like his sorcerer stone which when placed on an individuals body would heal any harm which had befallen them. It wasn’t until mid summer that Griselda, who healed on her own accord, woke from her coma and was able to tell us what happened. By then it was too late, Riddle had graduated and was nowhere to be found, either hiding from Grindelwald’s other servants who were seeking retaliation, or myself. As Griselda began to fully recover from her injuries we began to grow apart, she told me often enough that what happened to her was not my fault, but the guilt of knowing it had been me who inflicted more pain on her than even Grindelwald, proved more than I could bear.”

Dumbledore looked back solemnly to Griselda, who smiled and said “Keep going Albus there’s still much to tell and the hour is growing late.”

Dumbledore nodded and resumed his story “In the coming years I learned that Griselda had married a muggle named John Plr anr and I was happy for her to have found love again. I continued teaching at Hogwarts and led a solitary life for many years after. It wasn’t until one night during the fall of 1960 that Griselda turned up on my door wet from the rain and covered in tears. Her husband had passed away quite suddenly during dinner from what the doctors deemed a heart attack. She was distraught and lonely so we spent the night together in the castle. It was more than eleven years before we were to see each other again. During the summer of 1971 I was preparing to send out letters to our new first years when I came across a name in the registry of Albert Plummer born to Greselda Plummer turned Marchbanks and Albus Dumbledore. The registry you see writes things as they are not as we imagine them to be. I immediately went to speak with Griselda who informed me that she was sorry for keeping the truth from me, but that she herself had not wanted to believe it. Her friends, family and even new muggle husband had thought Albert to be the last and only child of her first husbands union. Over the years she had tried to overlook the resemblances he bore to me, but in recent years had had liitl doubt he was my son. After waiting so long she found it impossible to confess until I had learned the truth for myself. With Tom rising up as Voldemort we decided that maybe it was for the best that no one was aware of Albert’s parentage, as he would be in enough danger for being Griselda’s son without adding myself as his father. Albert however like you Hermione,” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as he smiled at Hermione “Eventually discovered the truth.”

“I think this is your part of the story to tell son.”

Dumbledore motioned for Albert to speak and he did “It was my seventh year here at Hogwarts and one day I found myself alone here in the headmaster’s room and I spotted the registry there on the shelf. You see I had always wondered if my father was truly who my mother said he was since as far as I could tell from the pictures of him we shared no resemblances at all. I took the opportunity to takpeakpeak at the book and was shocked to discover that not only had I been right about John Plummer not being my father but that it was actuamy omy own headmaster who was. When Dumbledore returned to the room I was still holding the registry in my hand and was in shock. Seeing that I knew the truth, he called for my mother, and they explained to me the story much as you have heard it today. We agreed that it was in everyone’s best interest that we kept things a secret at least for the time being.”

Albert cast a smile to his wife next to him, before resuming his story “Over the coarse of the year I fell in love with my Head Girl Andrea Weasley and we decided to marry. I wanted her to know what she was getting into though since at that time Voldemort’s power was sweeping through the magical community. She was very understanding and never changed her mind about being with me. We were head of heals in love and married within a month of graduation. We had been lucky enough to be chosen for jobs as Aurors at the ministry. Our life was perfect until a cold night in January of 1980 when Lucius Malfoy came knocking on our door. He had used polyjuice potion to look like Andrea’s father Arthur, which fooled us completely. There was no way to stop him. He threw Andrea and I against the wall in full body binds before we were able to react. He toed ued us with curses for a good portion of the night. When he finally bored with toying with us he told me that as a final punishment for my mother being responsible for the fall of Gindelwald, on Voldemorts orders my wife and I were to die. We were helpless to stop him and the next thing we knew he shouted Avada Kedavra and a blinding green light shot out at us. Amazingly though it was met by a shining white light that threw Lucius against the wall leaving him unconscious. The spell that held us was broken as Lucius’s wand fell from his hand. I was terrified, Andrea lay on the floor breathing but obviously also unconscious. The first thing I could think of was to call my father and tell him what had transpired.” Albert with a look of sadness in his eyes turned to Dumbledore who took it as a sign that he should continue the story.

Clearing his throat once more Dumbledore spoke “When I arrived bouciuucius and Andrea were indeed unconscious so I wo qui quickly to transfigure two chairs to look like the lifeless forms of Albert and Andrea. Albert and I then quickly floo’d to the Shrieking Shack with Andrea to determine what injuries she had sustained.”

It was Ron who spoke up first “But Sir I thought Harry was the only one to live through the killing curse?”

Dumbledore smiled and said \"all will be explained young Mr. Weasley just have patents. \" Ron sat back against the couch and Dumbledore continued, “It was the same type of magic that saved Andrea and Albert that had saved Harry. You see at the time unknown to Andrea and Albert, she was with child. The life of a magical unborn child is very strong, it will do anything it needs to protect itself. Even by protecting the mother from death. Which is exactly what happened. The effects though of using such magic if very draining on the mother and thus Andrea remained unconscious for three days. During our time in the shack we learned that Luciud awd awoke later that night, and believing be had killed the Plummers, and then cast the Dark Mark in the sky. They had buried the bodies with no inquires at Greselda’s request, so for all intense and purposes the world thought them deceased.”

Dumbledore stopped a minuet to rest handhand on Andrea’s shoulder as she quietly began to sob. She looked up into the old mans eyes and motioned that he should continue.

“It was decided that since they could no longer exist in the magical world, that they would continue the remainder of their lives as muggles. Together they decided on the name of Granger and legal paperwork was acquired to provide them with muggle documentation proving their identities. They quickly found a house and enrolled in University to study dentistry.”

It was Ginny who interrupted Dumbledore by asking “Sir Hermione says they look just like their pictures in the book but I just don’t see it. She’s my own sister and I’m sorry but I just can’t see it.”

Dumbledore smiled and said “Oh yeat wat was one last protection I gave them in case they were ever seen by someone who might recognize them. Hermione has always seen them for who they are, because she was inside her mothers womb when the spell was cast, but only myself as the spell caster can allow others to look upon their true form.”

With a flick of his wand in the direction of Harry, Ron, and Ginny Dumbledore chanted “Vetere veritas.”

As the three blinked their eyes to clear their vision standing before them was indeed the figures of a tall red headed woman and a slightly taller auburn haired man who’s eyes were indeed as blue as Dumbledore’s.

Both Ron and Ginny raced over to Andrea and pulled her into a strong embrace. With tears filled eyes Ginny said “Oh mother will be so happy when she hears the news. Her and dad have always been heartbroken about your death.”

A nervous Andrea tightly grabbed each of Ginny and Ron’s hands in hers “You can never tell Mother, Father, or anyone else it’s too dangerous. I’m not even sure it’s a good idea that you know.” Turning to Dumbledore she said “Maybe we should to a memory charm on them so they forget.”

An angry Ron and Ginny glared from their sister to Dumbledore who laughed “if lea learned anything over the years as headmaster of these four youngsters it’s that they can be trusted, expecially when it concerns the safety of one of their own.”

Ron and Ginny beamed with pride as Ginny spoke “Mother and Father are trustworthy too why can’t they be told.”

It was Dumbledore that answered, “I have never known Molly Weasley to stay away from any of her children and unfortunately it would raise too much suspicion.”

Hermione gasped as the reality of all that had been said finally hit her “The Weasleys are my Grandparents” pointing toward Dumbledore and Greselda “you’re my Grandparents too” then turning toward Ginny and Ron said “and you’re my Aunt and Uncle.” With that said her eyes rolled back into her head as she collapsed on floor.