(no subject)

[tree_and_leaf]

I have written a double drabble about Hermione after the end of the war. What the Grangers told their friends and relations, mention of Hr/R.

Feedback appreciated. I don't normally write short stuff - but at least I got this one finished!



It took the Grangers some thought to come up with an answer to the question “And how’s poor Hermione?” In the end, they told the truth – more or less.

“Of course, she had a dreadful time – involved in that horrible terrorist attack just before A-levels. A whole group of friends from her school, and some of them killed in front of her. Absolutely wicked, targeting a school trip like that. She was so badly hurt – she couldn’t walk properly for a year afterwards, couldn’t even speak for months and we never thought she’d be able to work full-time. And very shaken up, too. Any pressure, you know, just brought it back: we were so worried. Of course, she’s always been so clever, but there was no way she could go to university as things were.

“The one bright spot was Ron – he was much less badly hurt. He’s so good with her: patient, cheerful, and doesn’t let her brood. No, normally I don’t approve of marrying young either, but Ron’s a lovely young man. They looked so happy at the wedding. They’ll be all right. She can always go back to her studies later.

“We’ve been lucky, really.”

Comments

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

That's a very clever drabble.

Poor Hermione, to have all her acheivements explained away in that way.

And her poor intellectual parents, who are sooo determined to put as much gloss as possible on the fact that Hermione isn't at university...

(And another Kate Rusby fan! Hooray!)

[tree_and_leaf]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

I feel sorry for Muggleborns and their parents - they are doomed to loose each other to a greater or lesser extent, and it would be particularly difficult for someone like Hermione, who has already had a pretty exceptional career even by wizarding standards! I imagine increasing baffled incomprehension: even though her parents would I'm sure understand enough to be proud of her, I'm not sure she'd believe it (the comment in OOTP about 'Being a prefect is something they can understand' is revealing and sad). But I feel sorry for the parents, too: a bit like having your child stolen by the fairies in installments. And what on earth do you tell your colleagues?

Gosh, the comment's practially longer than the drabble ;)

(Yay for Kate Rusby!)

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

The primroses scattered by April,
The stars of the wide Milky Way,
Cannot outnumber the hosts of the children
Magic hath stolen away.
Walter de la Mare does have his wetter moments, but the sentiment is there.

Personally, I always assumed that they sold the practice, moved to another town, and lied like mad. Or took a sabbatical somewhere aboard with VSO or similar and afterwards kept up the pretence that Hermione was flourishing at her state boarding school. After all, having loudly declared to all and sundry that you are adamantly opposed to private education, it is a bit difficult to go down to the next Labour party branch meeting and give the usual excuse of declaring that Hermione’s won a scholarship and won’t be going to the local comprehensive in September.

[tree_and_leaf]

Yes - that's a good idea with the VSO, and you're quite right about the political implications of boarding school (Hermione's parents are so clearly the archetypal Guardian readers, aren't they)

I wonder how the Finch-Fletchlys explained the fact that Justin wasn't at Eton?

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Hermione's parents probably used to belong to CND as well.

As for Justin, I'm afraid that I can come up with only private tuition due to ill-health, or special school for children with learning disabilities. Alternatively, they could say that he insisted on attending the local comp., and couldn't be swayed. Their friends will never know...

Oh, THAT's a doddle.

[wemyss.livejournal.com]

'Scots godmother ... insisted in payin' for Justin's schoolin' - so long as he went to Gordonstoun, mind ... well, after all, it was good enough for Philip and Charles, so....'

Re: Oh, THAT's a doddle.

[tree_and_leaf]

HAH!

Brilliant!

And thanks for your kind words below.

Re: Oh, THAT's a doddle.

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Gordonstoun would presumably explain any mysterious injuries he turned up with, as well.

[dolabellae.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's a really good choice for a drabble - that tension between the word limit and the Grangers' words running on trying to explain what can't be explained works really well.

Is this the first fic you've posted? Did I miss stuff when I was away from LJ?

(I love Kate Rusby too!)

The second.

[tree_and_leaf]

A much sillier fic

Theses are the only two. I am nearly finished a fic for Omniocular's *cough cough* February challenge, though I'm not really happy with it.

Re: The second.

[dolabellae.livejournal.com]

I still have half a fic hanging around on my hard drive for the January challenge. I suspect it won't ever get finished. So, comparatively, you're doing really well!

Re: The second.

[snorkackcatcher]

Better than me, mine's only a quarter done. :) (Although it's oneshot length, there will need to be three more parts if it's ever finished.)

[themolesmother.livejournal.com]

This is an excellent drabble. You manage to say so much about the relationship between Hermione and her bewildered, loving parents in the space of four paragraphs.

I've been giving some thought to the relationship between muggleborns and their parents, and I was struck by your comment:

I feel sorry for Muggleborns and their parents - they are doomed to loose each other to a greater or lesser extent, and it would be particularly difficult for someone like Hermione, who has already had a pretty exceptional career even by wizarding standards!

The wizarding world does very little to integrate muggleborns if we rely on canon. It simply throws them in at the deep end and expects them to get on with it without the usual family support system, as their parents are in no position to offer help and advice. Poor Hermione's parents can't even get on to Platform 9 3/4s to wave their daughter goodbye as she gets on the train.

I think the way the issue of muggleborns is treated is one of the biggest weaknesses in JKR's writing - even if it is a children's book!

Oooops, sorry. Didn't mean to rant. I'll stop now.

MM

[tree_and_leaf]

Yes: I think the whole idea is to isolate parents and children, so as to force the Muggleborns to integrate. The wizarding world is institutionally racist? (I wonder if there were some people who thought it would be a good idea to kidnap muggleborns at a young age, so they'd grow up properly integrated - actually, I seem to remember reading a (gen) fic where Hermione inadvertantly gives a grown up Draco, who is running for office, just that idea.

I don't know if it's a weakness or not - unfortunately, it seems quite true to life.

“We’ve been lucky, really.”

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

I can practically see the clenched jaw. Not what the loving ordinary parents hoped for their daughter. Poor all of them, but at least Hermione's got Ron. A clever account of an incredibly awkward situation.

Re: “We’ve been lucky, really.”

[tree_and_leaf]

There's such a vast difference between 'lucky' and 'lucky, really', isn't there?

I agree: the parents definitely loose most. And thanks for the positive feedback!

Brill. Of course.

[wemyss.livejournal.com]

Simply super. For all the reasons already adduced.

[eagles-rock.livejournal.com]

(Sorry to intrude... replying to friend's friends feels a little strange)

Your drabble is splendid; not only are Hermione's parents on the back foot re: University and early marriage (a lovely touch), but Hermione may well have saved the lives of countless Muggles who now only see fit to sneer in a terribly polite manner. Their lack of gratitude must be absolutely galling to her parents, who of course can never say.

That is, if they even know. Do you think they know their only child left school pre-NEWT to fight a civil war and basically save Muggle society? Or has she trimmed down her story to them before they trim further? I can imagine she'd head off to Hogwarts as usual and just not say.

[tree_and_leaf]

Oh, responses are welcome, especially when they're so positive!

As far as what the Grangers knew goes: I don't suppose for a minute that she told them what she was doing in advance (though she might well have tried to give them some advice to keep them safe - possibly a means of getting hold of the Order in an emergency, as they are probably at risk because of their connection to her - but while trying to pretend it was just a general precaution EVERYONE should take). They would only have worried, without being able to help.

I do think, though, that they'd have been told afterwards - they deserve to know (I'm sure McGonnagal would take this line - look how she suddenly softens towards Harry and Ron when she thinks they're sneaking away to visit Hermione) My first line was meant to imply that they do know what's happened - in outline; I don't think she'd tell them everything. Returning soldiers don't

[snorkackcatcher]

Nice little piece -- it sounds like an explanation that would sound convincing (especially as her parents' neighbours probably wouldn't have seen much of Hermione for about seven years).