A/N: This creeped into my head and I just had to put something down….Also it's part of an AU challenge.

P.S. I don't own Harry Potter.

Hermione was harboring a secret.

And no, not an innocent one like having a crush or something. It wasn't dark either. Nor was it dirty. But it was a secret. One that she was much too proud to tell.

Hermione was broke.

Like taking bird baths at gas stations broke. Like eating beans every day broke. After her parents death, almost all of their savings are went to the funeral. What she had left was precious little. Which is why she was currently living without water, electricity and heating/cooling. If you could call what she was doing living. All of this she kept to herself. After all, people were still grieving from the loss of their loved ones that was only three months ago. Adding her burdens onto theirs didn't seem fair. Besides, she could eat beans for another month. Right?

Wrong.

After three weeks she was getting sick and tired of beans. After another month and a half she became tired of ramen noodles too. But as luck would have it her fortune was about to change. It came as a nondescript letter in the mail. It was addressed to her from Madam Violet Granger. Her grandmother. A woman who, Hermione had only heard of twice and both mentions had been inconsequential at the time. She knew that her grandmother was wealthy. And she also knew that she lived in Marseille, a city in the south of France.

The contents of the letter weren't anything too specific save that news of her son's demise had reached her and that she wished for Hermione to come to France and stay with her for a while. She had even included a first class plane ticket. Looking around the now minimally furnished house (she sold everything else) Hermione decided to take her up on her offer. So the next week, packing what few meager belongings she had, Hermione went about catching the plane that would take her all the way to France.

She had to stop in Paris, where there was a car waiting for her. A luxury car. Looking down at her jeans and scuffed trainers she felt more than a little embarrassed. The drive was seven hours long, not that Hermione minded. She was too busy taking in the sights. The sounds. And Merlin, the smells. She couldn't wait to get her hands on real French cuisine. "Mademoiselle, we're here," the driver's voice broke Hermione out of the light sleep she had slipped into. He took her luggage and Hermione followed him into what turned out to be the foyer of the French villa. They were greeted by a rather stern looking woman with white hair, pulled back into a tight bun. "My name is Mrs. Margaret Florence, I am the housekeeper. Madam is asleep, but she has been expecting you for some time. Your room has been set up and Maria, the kitchen maid will be bringing up a light dinner for you."

"T-Thank you," Hermione replied with a grateful blush feeling uncomfortable amidst all of the finery.

The elder woman's eyes softened, "Follow me." It was a short trip up the grand staircase. Her room was on the right and she noticed that it had been decorated in baby blue and cream. The bed was large and inviting, with its gilded blue pillows and other worldly softness. In fact, it lured Hermione straight to sleep despite her fierce hunger.

The next morning felt almost surreal to Hermione as she showered for the first time in months. The hot spray felt good on her skin and if she had it her way she'd stay in there for an hour. As it was she got dressed quickly in one of her more decent outfits and skipped down the stairs. The maid, Maria, was there to greet her and direct her into the breakfast room. Which was essentially a small dining room and it was a great deal cheerier than she expected. The decor was white overall with lots of greenery throughout. Seated at the small rectangular table was a woman dressed in matching plum top and bottom. Her hair was curly and a very dark gray and she had the same whiskey colored eyes as Hermione. "Bonjour 'ermione, I trust you slept well…"

She nodded, amazed at her grandmother's rather youthful appearance considering. Rising up from her seat, her grandmother came around to grasp the young girl's shoulders. "My, my, my, you look so much like Richard," she remarked with watery eyes. "I only hate that tragedy has caused us to meet. May I, hug you mon cher?" Hermione's nod this time was rather hurried and the two embraced. It was a long hug, one filled with love and regret. Wiping the tears from her eyes Violet gestured for Hermione to sit down. Taking her hand she said, "Tell me how you've been fairing since…" her sentence trailed off, but Hermione didn't need any clarification.

And then Hermione told her everything. Beans and all. "So when you asked me to come to France, well, I had nothing left to lose." Their breakfast had arrived now and both women took a moment to sustain themselves.

Patting at her face with her napkin, Violet spoke, "I admit to having an ulterior motive for bringing you here," she said meeting her granddaughter's gaze.

"What?" Hermione choked out.

Violet Granger waved her hand and summoned a tray, "Here, have some tea."

"Wait-you're a witch? B-But-"

"A mediocre one I'm afraid. I can't do much more than summon small items, and turn the lights on and off," she explained. "But I studied magic and even made some friends from your world."

Hermione was in awe, she never imagined having another witch in the family. "Does this have something to do with you bringing me here?" She asked after sipping her tea dutifully.

Her grandmother's smile was distant as if she was recalling some fond memory. "I came to France without a penny to my name and with nothing else save the clothes on my back and a dream to be a super model. In a week's time I met the two greatest men I have ever known: Your grandfather, Reginald and Priam Prince."

She paused, taking a sip of water to wet her lips before continuing, "Reginald was a military man and I fell for him quickly. Priam had known Reggie since primary school and they were virtually attached at the hip. Priam was a photographer and he helped me get my first gig. He even took care of me when Reggie was away during the war. After that, the rest was history."

Hermione frowned, "But where do I come in?"

Violet grimaced. "When Richie was born, Priam had a daughter at that time as well. As parents we vowed to have them marry and tie the families together. But then your father….well, he ran off to pursue his dreams and that's when he met your mother." She took a hold of Hermione's hands and gave her a careful smile. "I have never forgotten how good of a friend Priam has been to me, nor have I forgotten my promise. He….has a grandson, a wizard, and apparently of high standing. He's a bit older than you, but if he is anything like Priam, then you will be treasured beyond your wildest dreams."

Hermione's mouth opened and closed several times before she stammered, "Y-You, you want me to m-m-marry his grandson?"

"Yes."

Hermione pulled her hands away, "And do I have a say in this?"

Madam Granger smiled. "Of course, but I will say that Priam is under the impression that you've already agreed. He, and his grandson will be here in three days time. I invited them to stay for a week," she took her hand again. "Please, just give him a chance."

Hermione bit her lip, what should she do? This clearly was important to her. But Hermione's own ideals were warring inside of her. Besides, she had always wanted to marry for love. An arranged marriage sounded…..archaic. But, if she was being practical, marrying rich wasn't a bad idea. And the grandson was a wizard, so they'd at least have that in common. And he was older so hopefully that meant he was more mature than the boys her age. She sighed, "Okay, I'll give him a chance."