Love Or Letters

Chapter 8: The Shock of It All

Hermione's POV

At the Hospital yesterday, Fred made a full on storm with both our situations. Molly really expressed her thoughts about us disappearing on everyone... George was even kind enough to make it seem that we ran away together (note the sarcasm...) that earned us a few looks from Ron, Molly, Harry and a little with Blaise and Draco. I thought it was odd but I really didn't need the extra drama right now, I had my mother to think about.

I didn't even care that Remus was coming over with little Teddy and Andromeda Tonks... Father had asked me if I wanted to see my mom before Remus and the others arrived but I wasn't sure if I wanted to see her bandaged up. It took me about 5 mins to really think about it. Besides Snape, she was the only parent I had left from childhood... He informed me that I may still have some good news if I had an open mind about the situation.

So here I am at the hospital about to walk into my mother's room. I took a glance inside the small door window and saw that Minister Kingsley was talking to... I assume my mother and a toddler at the edge of the bed facing the window! 'Who is this kid?' I questioned. 'Is that one of my cousins from my mom's side? Are my relatives here to take care of her?'

I took a deep breath before I heard Snape say that he'd wait outside the room if I needed him for any reason. With that in mind, I gave him a quick hug and a smile before knocking and announcing my entry.

Kingsley motions me over to stand next to him so my mother could see me. It took me all the strength and courage I had to look at my mother without breaking down in tears. As she laid there on her bed, I saw that she had many scars and bruises all over. Her right arm was casted and there weren't many parts of her that were bandaged up as I thought from before! My previous thoughts lead to almost being in a body cast or forever crippled...

"Hermione? My love is... is that you?" My mother spoke up which made me look up at her instantly as I saw a single tear fall upon her face.

"I'm here, mom... I'm here!" I said knowing that I'll be crying my heart out in a few seconds. "Wait, how do you remember me?" I walked over to her side and gave a questioning look to my mother and then to Kingsley.

"We were able to return most of her memory but it will take a while to gain the rest. As we were saying before your arrival, your mother may have to visit the ministry once or even twice the week after she's out of this hospital." Kingsley said.

"Hermione, I'm truly sorry that I have forgotten you. But I'm also disappointed in you for spelling your father and I to forget our only child... I mean our first born. But I am grateful that I have regained the memory of you." she said, as she motioned me to come closer to her.

As I walked closer to the right side of her bed, I took a glance of the little girl at her feet. It took a minute for the child to walk closer and sat on the other side of mom to allow me to see her little shy but sad face. I looked to mom and she understood my confusion.

"Hermione, I'd like you to meet your sister. Your father and I adopted her not too long ago, this is Areena Jacalene Granger." I looked at my mother with a shocked expression then I turned to the little girl and my expression softened into a welcoming smile.

"It's nice to meet you Areena, I'm Hermione." I said finally meeting eye contact with her. "It seems that you and I are going to be sisters. Can you tell me how old you are?"

Still in her shy state she holds up her three cute little fingers. "Where's daddy?" I looked at her with shock plastered on my face as I glanced towards my mother and Kingsley who both gave me a sad look.

I was going to reply to her but mom beat me to it. "Daddy won't be with us for a long while. It will just be the three of us together, is that ok with you?" She gave us a confused look before happily nodding.