Hermione's Riddle

The Tea Date

Hermione knocked on the door before opening it. She stepped into headmaster Dippet's bedroom as she did every Sunday. The room was easily twice the size of a regular dorm room and was decorated in Hufflepuff theme. Dippet was sitting in a high-back chair on the other end of the room. The fireplace roared with life since the season was turning and winter was just around the corner.

"Hermione, dear," smiled Dippet when he saw her. She shut the door behind her and joined him in front of the fire. "You played wonderfully yesterday, my dear."

Hermione returned his smile. "I thought you would be disappointed that your house lost," she joked.

Dippet chuckled which caused his mop of wiry gray hair to bounce. "I am sad and do hope they pull through in the other matches but my true pride will always lie with you whether you be my granddaughter, great-great-granddaughter, or a stranger."

Hermione felt her smile fall away. Dippet was a true Hufflepuff and was way too kind. "I practically am a stranger," she whispered a bit brokenly.

Dippet patted her knee, still wearing that warm smile. "I suppose we should fix that. Shall we start by you revealing your real name? I would hate to keep calling you by my granddaughter's real name when behind closed doors. Then you can tell me whatever you wish to reveal to me." He gave a conspiratorial wink that clashed with his small, toothless smile that warmed her heart.

"'Kay," Hermione laughed. It was amazing that Dippet always seemed to know what to do or say to soothe her. "First off, I should tell you that I was named after my grandmother. My full name is Hermione Jean Granger." An image of her younger sister flickered across her mind. "I also have a little sister named Hester. Hester Aria Granger." She missed her family.

"Would you tell me more about your family? I assume I am no longer around during this time and it would be lovely to get to know them and you."

"Of course," said Hermione as she leaned back into the chair. A tray with two glasses of butterbeer appeared on the table beside them. It appeared right on time just like always thanks to the house elves. She wondered how they were doing. It had been so busy this school year that she had yet to find the time to visit them.

"My family consists of me, my sister, and my parents," began Hermione. She decided to deliver the bad news first before diving into more detail. "My grandparents on my mother's side, which were Hermione and Peter, passed away before I was born." She watched as Dippet's smile fell away and tears formed in his eyes. When he saw her looking, he nodded for her to continue. "I've mentioned my sister already. She's two years and three months younger than I. When we found out I was a witch, her eyes lit up like saucers in the hope that she too will one day be accepted into Hogwarts. When that day never came she became distant. So much so that she will hardly talk to me."

Dippet once again patted her knee in comfort. "I'm sure she will come around. A bond between sisters is hard to break."

Hermione nodded though she was doubtful. The last time she saw her sister it had ended in an argument. It didn't help that her sister now lived in Australia and was under the impression that she was an only child.

Hermione wiped away the tears that formed in the corners of her eyes. "You would love my parents. They're both dentists. The practice isn't that common right now as it is in the future. What they do is work on teeth to make them healthier. When they first found out about magic it was like they turned into children. They were apprehensive about the dangers of magic but very enthusiastic about its implements," chuckled Hermione as a fond memory of her parents' first time in Diagon Alley popped into her head. Her family loved it there. Her father had been drawn to the candy shop while her mother had been drawn to the dress maker's. It had been an interesting experience to watch the colored material buzzing around in the shop. Little Hester had been drawn to the brooms with wild fascination while Hermione had wanted nothing more than to spend all of her time in the bookstore. The experience had been wonderful and magical all at the same time.