Dawn to Dusk

Prologue

The Second Wizarding War was over, and eight months had passed. Kingsley Shacklebolt was named the new Ministry of Magic and set out to rid the Ministry of corruption and discrimination. In doing so, he re-evaluated all of the ministry systems, starting with the abolishment of outdated laws that promoted discrimination toward magical creatures or blood status. All of the employees that were connected to the Death Eaters were investigated, tried and sentenced accordingly. While the competent Hogwarts graduates were hired to fill the empty positions left, regardless of their blood status.

With all the changes taking places, the Ministry was now busier than ever. At seven thirty in the morning, the building was already swamped with hundreds of people coming in to start work. Kingsley himself was settled in his office. He was busy examining rolls of parchment containing long texts for the newly passed Regulation and Control of Magical Creature Law when someone burst into his office without as much as a knock or a hello.

He lifted his face from the stack of parchments and found Hermione Granger standing in front of him.

"So you found my parents?" asked Hermione.

"Miss Granger,"

"You found them?" Hermione repeated her question impatiently.

"Yes, but I recall asking you to meet me here at 8 o'clock, and it is currently..." He looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "7:35"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep until I knew they were alright." She replied.

Kingsley's face turned grim. He had received news from his associates at the Australian Ministry of Magic yesterday regarding her parent's whereabouts. And it wasn't at all good news. Delivering it to Hermione would be hard but it had to be done.

"Why don't you take a seat first." He pointed her to the chesterfield sofa in the corner. Hermione obediently sat herself while Kingsley opened his desk drawer, pulled out a thick 10x13 manila envelope and approached Hermione taking a seat beside her.

"Miss Granger," His voice was soft as he began speaking. "I am so sorry to inform you, but your parents were in a car accident on July 5th and… they didn't make it."

For a moment Hermione stared at him in disbelief. She was hoping he would suddenly smile and tell her it was a joke. A terrible joke. But he never did. The serious look on his face told her that he was speaking the truth.

"My parents…" Her voice broke "…they're gone?"

Kingsley nodded weakly. He held Hermione's hands, rubbing his thumb gently along the back. "Yes, Hermione. And I'm speaking as your friend, I am really sorry for your loss."

Hermione closed her eyes and tears started pouring out. She bit her lip in an effort to hold back her cries, but it was useless. The second she realized she'd never see her parents again, a painful and despaired groan escaped from her lips.

It was really hard for Kingsley to see Hermione in so much pain. After all she had been through, she didn't deserve this. The war had brought on so much heartbreak, to lose your parents over something so trivial was unjust. He wished he could do something to lessen her pain. But he knew he couldn't. So he sat there and waited patiently as Hermione cried and groaned, and when she finally calmed down, he asked.

"Are you alright?"

"My parents are dead." She sobbed "I did everything I could to protect them, and it was all for nothing. I modified their memories, made them forget they had a daughter, and sent them far away from the war to Australia, so they could be safe… but I sent them to their death instead. Ironic isn't it?" She laughed sarcastically.

"It's not fair, Hermione! You are a smart and bright witch, but even you can't predict the future. You did everything you could to ensure their safety. What happened is not your fault." He reasoned.

Hermione tried to force a small smile. She couldn't help feeling guilty, but she appreciated his effort to make her feel better. "Thank you, Kingsley. I just…" She wiped at her fallen tears with the back of her hand. "I just wish I got to spend more time with them. Ever since the fifth year started, I was so occupied with helping Harry, I barely spent a month with them when I was home from Hogwarts. And when we were together, I was always preoccupied. My mind was always somewhere else. I never… I never got to appreciate the time we had together."

"Yeah, about that," Kingsley lightly rubbed his neck. "You might be able to spend some time with your family after all."

Hermione looked at him in confusion. Kingsley opened the large envelope on his lap and pulled out a stack of papers and stared at it. Not reading it because he already did that yesterday. He just stared at it, and it made Hermione really nervous.

"What is it?"

Kingsley reluctantly passed the papers to Hermione and gestured her to read it. 'Paternity Test Result' was printed in huge bold letters at the top. It piqued her interest, and she continued reading. The first couple of papers described the testing method and explained genetic markers. Hermione skipped to the bottom not wanting to waste her time.

Interpretation :

Name of Alleged Mother: Jean Elizabeth Granger

Name of Child: Hermione Jean Granger

Probability of Maternity: 99.999997%

"What is this test even for?" She asked as she looked up at Kingsley with a raised brow. Of course she is her mother's daughter. She never doubted that. How else could she have inherited her mother's bushy hair and formerly buck teeth?

"Keep reading." Was all he said.

Hermione shrugged and then returned her attention to the piece of paper.

Name of Alleged Father: Richard Masson Granger

Name of Child: Hermione Jean Granger

Probability of Paternity: 0%

Hermione's eyes widened as far as they could stretch and her mouth hung open with her lips slightly parted. She was stunned. She repeatedly scanned over the words to make sure she wasn't reading it wrong. She did that over three times. But the words didn't change.

Moments passed as Hermione grappled with the shocking revelation before she raised her head and glared angrily at Kingsley.

"What is the meaning of this Kingsley?"

"When we found out about your parents, we tracked down their Muggle lawyer. This is their last will. It was drafted when you were born and kept updated until last year when your mother and father when to Australia." He explained. "Some of it is regarding assets for your inheritance like bank accounts, their business practice and house lease. And some is...umm…" He gazed nervously at Hermione.

"My what?" She demanded with a stern voice.

Kingsley heaved a heavy sigh before continuing. "Some of it is contact information regarding your biological father."

For the last couple of months, Harry, Hermione and Ron spent days and nights volunteering to repaired Hogwarts along with their friends, families and even people they didn't know. However, last night Hermione had received a letter from Kingsley asking her to meet him at his office. That morning she'd gone to the Ministry of Magic and promised to meet them at Hogwarts after.

Harry and Ron had spent the whole day with Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, Michael Corner and a bunch of people from Hogwarts Quidditch Team, repairing the Quidditch pitch, sodding the field and rebuilt the audience stands. Hours passed and the sun went down. People started apparating and flying home, but there still no Hermione. They started to get worried.

"I'm gonna take off." Ron said to Harry.

"To Hermione's?" Harry asked.

Ron nodded. "You want to come with?"

"I have plans with Ginny tonight but I can be a little late."

"Oh, you don't want to Harry. Trust me. That girl will throw bat bogey hex at you." Ron and Harry shared a laugh. "But I reckon she would understand if it's for Hermione."

"Of course she will. Because she's loyal and understanding and awesome" Harry fondly praised his girlfriend.

Ron rolled his eyes and grinned. "Alright lovebird. Let's get going."

They apparated inside Hermione's flat and was relieved to find her sitting in front of the fireplace. But something was not right about her. She was still wearing the same blouse and pants she had worn this morning and her eyes stared absentmindedly at the roaring fireplace. Her entire flat was almost filled with darkness. The only light came from the fire. But Hermione seems unaware of her surroundings.

"'Mione?" Ron clapped Hermione on her shoulder. Hermione blinked in surprise at the sudden touch and turned quickly to Ron with her wands pointing at him. "Whoa, it's just me, 'Mione." He raised his hands.

"Ron," Hermione gasped as she put down her wand and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you."

"Yeah, no harm done." Ron answered wrapping his hand around her waist then planted a kiss on her cheek.

Uncomfortable with the darkness, Harry waved his wand and lights from the lamps lit up her living room. "So much better." He said as Ron and Hermione pulled away.

"Ah, it's night already." Hermione said timidly.

"You mean you didn't notice?" asked Ron with an arched brow.

"Blimey, Hermione. How long have you been sitting here?" Harry added with the same expression as Ron.

"I don't know. Not long. At least I don't think it was that long." She answered in low voice.

"'Mione, you alright?" Noticing her strange behaviour, Ron stared worriedly at her.

"No." She sighed. "I'm not."

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked while slowly guiding her to sit on the couch. He and Ron then sat on each of her sides.

Hermione was silent for a moment, looking as if she was trying to compose herself. Then she took a deep breath and began telling them about her meeting with Kingsley. By the end of her story, Harry and Ron look as shocked as she was that morning.

"So Mr. Granger is not your… your…" Ron seemed to be struggling to finish his sentence.

"He is my father, Ron. Always will be. Just not biologically." said Hermione promptly.

"Of course." Harry said in agreement. He knows firsthand that family doesn't always have to be related by blood. He has a big family, none were blood-related to him. "This didn't change the fact that Mr. Granger raised you and educated you and loved you, your whole life."

Hermione nodded and a single tear fell from the corner of her eye. "Thank you, Harry. You don't know how much that means to me."

Harry chuckled as his thumb wipe the tears from her cheek.

"So, what are you going to do? You know about your… um… other father" Ron asked tremulously.

"Well…" Hermione fiddled with a throw pillow on her couch. "My parents left me a letter. They explained everything and at the end, they wished for me to meet him. And maybe get to know him."

"And?" Ron anxiously waiting for her response.

Hermione glanced at Ron then at Harry. "I want to meet him." Her voice was filled with resolute.

"I think you should do that." Harry said with a gentle smile.

"Yeah, I think so too." Ron nodded.

"I'm glad you agree." She was delighted with their support. "He lives in Washington, so I'm thinking of going there next month."

At this, Ron's smile turned into a frown. "Wait, so you're leaving London?"

"You just said you think I should meet him." Hermione looked at him with confusion.

"Yeah, when I thought he was living in England. Or hey, maybe he can come and visit you here?" He suggested.

"I'm going to Washington. I think it's good for me. I need a little break from all of this." She pointed to the coffee table where a stack of fan mail, death threats and invitations were piled up.

Ever since the war ended, the golden trio, who had been known across the Wizarding World as heroes, had gained a tremendous amount of popularity in the magical community. People would stop them in the street to greet and applaud them. Reporters would circle around them, trying to get an interview or snap a few pictures. They were invited to banquet and parties all the time. For sometimes they were grateful for the attention, but by now they were tired of it.

"That's understandable." Harry said. "I would love a little vacation myself. But Auror training will be starting in a couple days."

Last Sunday dinner at the Burrow, Kingsley had offered the three of them to join him at the Ministry as Aurors, despite the fact they hadn't completed their final year or sat for their N.E.W.T.

Harry and Ron jumped at the offer, but Hermione decided to come back to Hogwarts and finish her education first. But it looks like she'll have to postpone it now.

"Well, then I'll come with you." Ron declared.

"No." Hermione replied quickly and firmly.

"Why not?" Ron looks a little offended and disappointed. "I'm your boyfriend Hermione. I thought-"

"Ron, I love you." Hermione cut him. "But you have to understand that this is something I have to do by myself." She stared deeply into his blue eyes hoping he would understand. "Besides, I don't want to keep you away from your Auror training."

"I'll leave everything if it's for you 'Mione." He cupped the side of her face and stared desperately back at her, pleading for her to let him come along.

"I won't let you, Ron." Her answer was the same. "I don't want to be the one who stands between you and your dream job. You'll always resent me later." Ron was about to speak again but Hermione stopped him. "And I need to do this on my own, Ron."

"She's right, mate." Harry patted Ron on his back. "You're gonna have to let her do this by herself."

Ron looked dejected. He averts his eyes from Hermione and Harry and glanced coldly at the floor.

"Ron-"

"No, I understand, Hermione." She cringed when he uses her full name. He hasn't called her that since they started dating. "You need your own space-"

"That's not what I'm saying Ron, I just-"

"And I think I need a little space from you too. So, enjoy your time in Washington."

"Ron!" Harry called sharply as Hermione started to sobbed.

But Ron didn't care. He stood up and apparated away. Leaving Hermione who was sobbing in Harry's embrace.

A/N

I do not own Harry Potter or Twilight, I just enjoy putting the character into scenarios that I created just for fun and to satisfy my imagination XD

I would also like to thank my awesome beta reader kilikate because this story would be very difficult to read without her.

Thank you for reading my story and please leave a review,I would love to hear your opinion of it.

Until we meet again :D