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The Road Home	By : alexial Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 2650 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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The Road Home

Chapter Two
�Cam�Cam, wake up, we�re almost there,� cajoled Hermione, trying to wake the sleeping form on the opposite side of the horse-less carriage. �Cam, come on. t yot you want to see where we�re going to be living?� she asked as the young boy stirred then finally sat up and looked out the window.

�Mommy? Is this going to be our new home?� a sleepy Cam asked in awe as the impressive sight of Hogwarts came into view.

Hermione smiled. �Yes, Honey. This is Hogwarts. Do you remember the picture that I showed you at Nana�s and Poppa�s? The ones of a castle and all the moving people? This is where those pictures were taken. I went to school here when I was a girl. I loved it here very much and I have a feeling you�ll love it also,� she answered, feeling a sense of home and belonging as the castle grew larger and larger.

The horseless carriage drew to a stop in front of the giant double doors signifying the entrance into the massive building. Hermione readjusted her hold on the sleeping Maggie and grabbed Cam�s hand, before slowly walking up the steps to the doors.

As they reached the top step, the door openajesajestically, revealing the beaming figures of Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall.

�Hermione, it is so good to see you!� exclaimed Albus, walking over to give her a warm hug, followed immediately by Minerva.

�Oh, and who is this wee lady and this wee lad?� she asked, looking at Maggie and then bending down so she was eye level with Cam.

Cam blushed under the attention of the three adults and tried to hide behind his mother�s leg, extracting amused chuckles from Albus and Minerva.

Albus knelt down next to the young boy and introduced himself. �Hello there young man, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I�m the Headmaster of this schoWho Who might you be?�

�I�m Cam,� he said, slowly inching his way out from behind Hermione�s legs, sticking out his small hand in greeting which Albus shook with a smile. �Your beard is really long and you�re really old,� he said in wonder, causing the three adults to laugh as Albus stood up.

�And my name is Minerva McGonagall. Do you know that I taught your mother when she came here? I have a feeling that in a couple of years, I�ll be teaching you as well,� Minerva said warmly as she ruffled Cam�s hair, after shaking his outstretched hand.

Cam looked in awe at the elderly woman before turning his gaze to his mother. �She taught you? She must be really old then too,� he breathed in amazement.

Hermione quickly scolded the young boy while Minerva and Albus laughed once again.

�It�s quite alright, Hermione. And yes, Cam, I guess I am really old,� Minerva said to Cam, before winking at him and pointing to Albus. �But definitely not as old as him,� she said conspiratorially while everyone laughed once more.

�Come, wll sll show you to your quarters and then I am sure everyone would love to see you and the wee ones,� Minerva said, taking Hermione�s free arm in her own and leading the party into the building.

As they made their way through the castle, Albus picked up Cam and kept up a running commentary of all the moving pictures and rooms they passed, to which Cam was watching and listening to with open-eyed wonder.

Hermione and Minerva, who had commandeered control of Maggie, were catching up on gossip and cooing over the baby. After the first mention of Damian, and Hermione�s immediate stiffening and halting answer, Minerva steered clear of the topic and began filling Hermione in on her new job.

As they approached the infirmary, Hermione smiled as she remembered all the times she had spent there, both as a patient and as a visitor. Seeing her smile, Minerva commented warmly, �It is nice to have you back. Feels like home, doesn�t it?�

Hermione nodded with a smile, �Yes, it certainly does.�

�And it is good to have you back,� joined in Albus before leading them into the infirmary and towards the entrance to her new quarters.

The entrance to her rooms were somewhat like that of Platform 9�. What appeared to be a plain stone wall next to the left most window of the large room was actually the archway into her rooms. After persuading and promising Cam that what they were looking at wasn�t a real wall and that he wouldn�t get hurt trying to run through it, they entered her quarters.

�I have taken the liberty of extending Poppy�s quarters to hold an additional room for Cam here. The room is located off of your room, in the very back of your quarters, so that you will always know when Cam decides to leave his room. I thought it might be convenient since he seems to like to explore,� Albus said with a smile, gesturing to the young boy who was currently running through his new home, marveling at everything.

�Thank you, Albus. That�s an excellent idea, and something I was slightly worried about myself. I was actually thinking of enchanting some type of alarm so that goes off if he leaves the rooms without me knowing about it,� Hermione answered.

�Hmmm, very interesting concept. If you would like, I can set something up fou tou tomorrow after you are all settled?� Albus asked with a smile.

�That�d be great, thanks again Albus.�

Albus and Minerva then gave Hermione and Cam a walking tour of their new home, which was comprised of six rooms, all rather large as was customary at Hogwarts. Her bedroom was equipped with the standard enormous four poster bed, as well as an ancient looking crib and playpen for Maggie. Connected to her room was an equally large bathroom with a jacuzzi-sized bathtub, and Cam�s room. Her kitchenette was located next to her sitting/living area, which had a couch and several comfortable looking armchairs all facing towards a magnificent marble fireplace, as well as several empty bookshelves. The last room was a small study with a rather large oak desk and several more bookcases, these half-filled with books on Med-wizardry.

At her smile of approval of all the bookcases, Albus chuckled and stated, �I had several extra bookshelves brought fterfter your acceptance, knowing that you have a slightly larger collection than Poppy had.�

Hermione nodded in thanks, yet her smile faded slightly as she murmured, �Don�t be too sure of that,� and turned away quickly.

Albus and Minerva exchanged a started and slightly worried glance behind her back before making their way back out into the infirmary.

�Well then, I�m sure Hermione needs to unpack so we�ll leave you to that,� said Minerva, handing the now awake and wriggling Maggie back to Hermione. �Don�t forget that dinner is at six thirty, everyone is looking forward to seeing you tonight,� said,aid, patting Hermione on the shoulder.

�Everyone, huh? You sure about that?� Hermione asked slyly, eyebrow raised, before smiling and turning back towards her quarters, Albus�s and Minerva�s laughter following her through the door.

* * * *

�She seems well,� commented Albus to Minerva on their way to dinner later that evening.

�Yes, she does�but something doesn�t seem right. I don�t know exactly what it is, but it might have something to do with her ex-husband. When I mentioned him earlier, she seemed tense, and then the whole thing with the books�� Minerva trailed off as Albus nodded thoughtfully.

�Hmm�yes, there was something odd about that. But we will probably find out eventually, and it must not be too horrible, for she seems quite content,� he reassured her.

�Yes, Cam and Maggie certainly make her happy. They will undoubtedly bring her much joy.�

Albus chuckled and answered, �That as well as more than a few grey hairs, judging by young mister Cam�s apparent similarity for his mother�s curiosity and adventurous nature,� he said with a smile.

A small laugh answered him.

�Minerva, I am sure that everything is fine. Hermione is quite a strong young witch and a fiercely stubborn young woman who has overcome much in the past. I am positive that everything will be fine. Besides, she is back under your watchful gaze and you know that no one in this castle would stand by complacently if something were to happen,� he said, stopping her with his hand.

Minerva sighed and answered, �I know Albus, and I�m sure I am just overreacting like a mother hen. It�s just that, something felt wrong.� She shook her head after a couple of seconds and changed the subject. �Anyway, I wonder if she has seen Ron or Harry since she returned to England?�

�Not that I know of. I don�t even think they know she is back since I don�t think Sirius told them she had acceptee poe position. Which is why, my dear lady, I took the liberty of inviting the two to dinner tonight,� Albus commented offhandedly, eyes twinkling madly.

Minerva laughed and playfully hit Albus�s shoulder. �Albus, you interfering old codger! Although it will be nice to see those two, and I�m sure their reunion will be quite entertaining, from what I heard from Sirius,� she replied with a smile, alluding to the fact that neither Harry nor Ron knew of Hermione�s children.

�Well, milady, we will see in just a few minutes. Shall we?� he offered his arm to his companion as they reached the doors of the Great Hall. Side by side they swept into the hall.

* * * *

Hermione was late. It was twenty minutes after the start of dinner and she still couldn�t find Cam, who had thought it would be amusing to start a game of hide and seek right before they needed to leave for dinner.

�Cam, come, co, come out wherever you are!! Come on Cam, the game�s over. Caaammm!!! Come on out�time for dinner�Cam!! Come on! Where are you?!� exasperated and getting slightly nervous that she couldn�t find her son, she tried a new approach.

�Cam, if you come out, I�ll show you some magic!� silence reigned for several seconds before she heard, with a certain amount of relief, the pattering of small feet careening towards where she stood.

�Really Mommy? You�ll show me magic?� asthe the eager boy, waiting wide-eyed for her answer.

�If we hurry to dinner then I�ll show you some magic on the way, and you�re more than likely to see magic at dinner, if we ever get there.� She laughed as C eye eyes nearly bugged out of his head in anticipation, now running towards their door.

�Let�s go Mommy, hurry up!�

Picking up Maggie, they made their way into the infirmary, Cam practically dragging his mother towards the hallways.

�Ok mom!! Show me magic!� he begged, tugging insistently (and incntlyntly) on her hand as they started in the direction of the Great Hall.

Hermione laughed and asked him, �Do you want to fly, Cam?�

Cam looked at her in awe, asking, �You can make me fly Mommy?� Silence, and then �Yes, yes, yes!! Make me fly, make me fly!� he squeaked jumping up and down excitedly.

�Alright, alright, calm down, you,� she salauglaughing as she pulled her wand out of her sleeve. �Ready?� at his enthusiastic nod, she raised her wand and cast �Wingardium Leviosa!�

Cam squealed in glee as he was lifted off the ground and twirled upside down by his mother.

�More, Mommy!! More!� he cried happily.

A very amused Hermione now rushed to the Great Hall, twirling and tumbling her son in front of her as she went.

* * * *

Twenty Minutes Before

�They�re late,� commented Minerva to Albus.

He nodded and replied, �I�m sure they�ll be here shortly. She does have two little ones to take care of, remember?�

�She�s here then?� asked Sirius, sitting on one side of Albus.

�Who are you talking about, Albus?� asked Harry Potter while Minerva nodded at Albus�s statement.

Albus smiled at the young man seated across from him, and then at the young man to his left, Ronald Weasley, who was listening with half an ear. �A friend, Harry. The new Medi-witch, actually.�

Hearing this, Ron went back to focusing on his food, much to the amusement of the other three Gryffindors.

�What do you mean they, then?� Harry asked, continuing the conversation.

�Well, the new Medi-witch has children that are too young to be enrolled here at Hogwarts. They will be staying in the castle with their mother, going to a daycare located in Hogsmeade during the day,� Albus answered.

Harry looked somewharprirprised, before asking, �Has any of the staff ever had their children staying here before, Albus? I've never seen any kids around.�

�It is a very rare occurrence to havstafstaff member�s family also living in the castle. Most have houses in Hogsmeade for easy access and to be close to one another, but our new Medi-witch has no one she can leave her children with, hence they will be staying here with her.�

The three looked up from their conversation as the doors to the Great Hall were opened with a bang and the Potions Master strode into the room, leaving the door ajar.

Glancing sourly, yet not nearly as bad as in their youth, at two-thirds of what he privately called the Dream Team, Severus Snape took the empty seat on the other side of Minerva, nodding gruffly at everyone in greeting.

�Ah, good evening Severus. How are you today?� Albus asked happily, ignoring the look Severus directed at Sirius, Ron and Harry, and smiling widely at the younger man.

Glancing at the two empty seats to the left of Harry and Ron, he answered sarcastically, �Peachy. What are Potter and Weasley doing here?� he asked, somewhat curious in spite of himself. The two were occasionally visitors at the castle, but rarely came so cloo tho the end of the school term. He also could not figure out who the empty seats might belong to since all the professors seemed to be present.

The Headmaster answered with a smile, �I invited them here to stay for a short visit,� he said with an inconspicuous glance at Minerva and Sirius, who was also smiling slightly.

The Headmaster employed the others in carefree conversation as they ate, until their meal was interrupted by a very odd noise.

From the open doors of the Great Hall, a gleeful screech and some very high pitched squeaks and squeals could be heard getting louder and louder.

Albus and Minerva both burst out laughing as they figured out who was probably making the noise, and why, soon followed by Sirius. Harry and Ron, along with the rest of the Professors, only looked towards the Headmaster in confusion.

As the noise grew louder and louder, Severus finally growled, �What is that incessant racket?!�

Before Minerva or Albus could answer, they were interrupted by a loud and slightly familiar �Cam! Quiet!�

Before anyone could say anything else, an excited looking young boy came floating through the doors, upside down and squealing only slightly less loud than before.

Most of those present, minus Severus and a few others, cracked up laughing at the look of bliss on the now right side up boy, who had stopped squealing at the sight of so many people watching him.

�Who is that, Albus?� Harry asked curiously.

As Albus was about to answer, Hermione rushed into the room, wand raised in order to float her son back to the ground from his levitated position. Even though they werandianding at the complete end of the enormous hall, everyone could vaguely hear, �Mommy, that was really cool! Wait till I tell Andy! When can I do that again?�

Everyone laughed and Hermione started leading her son up to the Head Table, recognizing her old teachers and easily picking out the newer, younger ones. As she was about halfway through the hall, Albus stood up to introduce thr three new arrivals.

�As you all can see, we have three new additions to our home for this upcoming year. I am extremely pleased that they were able to join us this year and we are very lucky to have such an esteemed witch working with us. I would like to introduce Maggie and Cam, the infant and young boy who was floated into the room, and our new Medi-witch, Hermione Granger. I�m sure you�ll all welcome her back with open arms and help her in any way necessary,� he finished, glancing at Severus at the last comment.

The applause that filled the hall was interrupted by a hesitant �Hermione?� followed by the crash of Harry�s chair as he jumped out of his seat to greet his long time friend. He was followed closely by Ron.

Hermione beamed as she saw the two figures coming towards her and welcomed them, �Hey Harry, hey Ron.�

Thrilled as she was to see them, however, she visibly tensed (visible to Albus, Minerva, Sirius, Severus and Harry) when the two men ran to her and collected her in a giant bear hug, taking care not to squish Maggie in the process.

Forcing herself to relax and calm her racing heart, she hugged her two friends before pulling away quickly, masking the gesture by looking them over.

�How are you two?� she asked, tears in her eyes and voice at the unconditional love she saw in her two friends.

�We�reat,eat, �Mya, how are you? We haven�t heard from you in ages!� exclaimed Ron, pulling her into his arms for another hug.

Hermione was relieved when she only flinched slightly, and then cursed herself for her reactions to being so close to a man, even her best friends.

As the three began to talk, and Harry and Ron were introduced to their God-children, much to their surprise and delight, Severus, Sirius, Albus and Minerva talked quietly, observing the five still in the middle of the hall.

�Where has she been all these years, Albus?� Severus asked quietly.

�Somewhere in New Jersey, she said,� answered Sirius.

�Did she react the same way to you when you first saw her Sirius?� asked Minerva worriedly.

Sirius nodded gravely and replied, �Yes, it was actually more noticeable. When she first realized it was me, she actually hugged me, then abruptly stiffened and moved away. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if warding herself from something�or someone,� he finished after a pause.

Minerva sighed deeply and looked at Albus. �It might be worse than you thought, Albus. We all know how well Hermione can hide things, that much is known from her year with the Time-Turner. No one knew anything was out of the ordinary until she decided to tell someone about it. Something could have happened to her back in America and we might never find out,� she said worriedly.

Albus also sighed and stroked his beard thoughtfully.

�What do you mean, worse than you thought? What else happened?� asked Severus curiously.

�Earlier this afternoon, when they first arrived, she and I were talking and I asked about Damian, you remember him, don�t you?� at Severus�s nod, Minerva continued. �Well, as soo I m I mentioned him, she tensed up and practically stopped talking, so I immediately changed the subject. And then, after showing her the rooms, Albus mentioned that he had added some new bookshelves because Hermione would have more books than Poppy had. I don�t think she meant for us to hear her, but she said something like �don�t be too sure�. I don�t know if that means she doesn�t have any books, or something happened to them, but she seemed rather depressed and refused to talk about anything related to her ex-husband. You don�t suppose things ended that badly between the two of them, do you?� she asked, finally stopping to take a sip of pumpkin juice.

The three men were silent before Severus spoke, �Do you think something happened to her that would cause her to fear contact with men? Either before or after her divorce from Damian?� he asked gravely.

Before any of them had a chance to answer, the woman in question finally made her way up to the Head Table, greeting her older professors until she sat down in the empty seats next to Ron and Harry.

�Albus, Minerva,� she greeted with a smile. �Hello Sirius, nice to see you again so soon. And you, too, Professor Snape,� she greeted after a pause, as if not knowing how to address the man who had antagonized her fore seven long years.

�Oh please, call him Severus, Hermione,� insisted Albus with a smile, which owidewidened as Severus�s scowl deepened in irritation.

Further conversation was interrupted by a large gasp from Cam, as his food magically appeared in front of his eyes. �Mommy, where did it come from?� he asked in awe.

Everyone who heard the question laughed, and Harry answered the question, �If it�s alright with you Mom, maybe I can show you tomorrow. Have you ever seen an elf before Cam?�

�An elf?� he asked wide-eyed. �You mean like Leglogas?�

At everyone�s confused look, Hermione explained, �It�s Legolas, from a Muggle movie called Lord of the Rings. And no, Cam, this kind of elf isn�t like Legolas at all. It�s called a House-elf and looks very, very different.�

�Is that where you�ve been living then, Hermione? In the Muggle world?� asked Ron as he returned to eating his dinner.

Hermione nodded. �There are very few wizarding settlements in the U.S., so after Cam was born, we decided to move to a small town in New Jersey. It was close to both Damian�s work and my own,� she answered, then quickly went on before anyone could ask questions. �After Maggie was born, we had already been living there for several years, so we just stayed. I do miss it, actually. Especially the family next door to us, who befriended us. They became like a second family to myself and Cam after Damian left, and helped take care of Maggie when she was first born.�

�Yea, I miss Andy and Nana Flo, Mommy,� Cam said sadly, pausingm him his dinner, which he was inhaling at a speed that could quite possibly give Ron a run for his money. �Can they come and visit?� the little boy visibly perked at this thought.

Hermione looked up at Albus, �I don�t know Cam, I guess we�ll have to see about that.�

Satisfied, Cam went back to eating, and didn�t hear Hermione ask Albus �Is there any way that it could be arranged, Albus? Would they be able to visit, even if they are Muggles?�

�Miss Granger, one who has read Hogwarts: A History as many times as yourself must already know that Muggles are only allowed near Hogwarts for the graduation of their children,� Severus interjected with disdain before Albus could answer the question.

�Severus,� warned Albus while Minerva sent him a threatening glare.

Severus replied with a glare of his own before saying, �I was only stating a fact, Headmaster. If Miss Granger had used her head, she would already know that having Muggles visit is impossible. I believe spending so much time in the company of Muggles might have lowered her IQ� he continued off-handedly.

�What?� breathed Hermione in fury, clenching her fork and knife tightly.

�Severus, that is enough. Hermione is now an employee and not someone you can ridicule without them being able to answer back at you. She is also a new guest in this castle, and will be treated accordingly. Any past grudges or dislikes will be put aside and forgotten and I will not have you treating her poorly while she is here,� stated Minerva strictly, face flushed with anger and arms crossed, daring Severus to say anything further.

The two glared at each other for several seconds before Severus nodded tersely and turned away, ignoring the others for the rest of the meal.

After dinner was over, the majority of those in the hall stayed behind, catching up with Hermione and getting acquainted with the new children in the school. Some time later, Hermione bid everyone goodnight as Cam�s eyes started to droop. She collected the already sleeping Maggie from Morgana Hooch�s arms while Harry picked up his godson from where he was slowly drifting into oblivion. Saying goodnight to those still left in the hall, Ron took his goddaughter from Hermione and the three slowly made their way towards the infirmary.

�I can't believe you're back Hermione, we really missed you,� Harry said softly, looking at Hermione over Cam�s head.

�Yea, we did, �Mya,� agreed Ron, voice equally soft.

Looking at her two friends, who the entire night had not asked her why she had stopped owling, Hermione felt herself tear up at the love she felt for the two.

�I missed you two, you guys. I am so sorry�� she started, only to be silenced by Harry�s hand on her shoulder as they stopped right outside the Great Hall.

�Hermione, we know that only something serious would make you distance yourself from the people and places you love. When you�re ready to explain everything to us�why you left, what happened, why you came back�everything, we�ll be waiting. But you really have nothing to apologize for. We�re just glad you�re alright and that you�re back here with us,� he said gravely.

Hermione stifled back a sob as she saw the emotions in his eyes, as well as Ron�s. Tearfully whispering, �Thanks guys,� she leaned in and embraced both of them, kissing them each on the cheek before pulling back. The three continued to talk quietly as they walked the rest of the way to the infirmary.

Standing in the entrance to the Great Hall, Albus, Minerva and Severus stood watching the retreating backs of the Golden Trio, as they had been dubbed so many years before by members of the wizarding world.

Minerva sighed and smiled at Albus. �Harry is quite a smart young man, and provided Hermione with exactly what she needed to hear.�

�Yes, Ron as well. He certainly has matured into a level-headed man. If I recall correctly, there was a time where he would have given her the silent treatment and not listened to a thing she had to say, being a godfather to her child or not.�

�Yes, I remember. I am just glad she�s back and alright, or on the road to being alright,� Minerva murmured.

�Hmph. I have a feeling this summer is going to be anything but quiet. The Dream Team back together, and with the second generation alive and squealing already. Is the year over yet?� asked Severus sarcastically, already dreading the year to come.
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The Road Home