Hero of the Story || James Potter x Hermione Granger Fanfiction

49 | i will love you with every single thing i have

"Hush now, sweetheart," her mother whispered, placing a sweet kiss on her head. "Worrying too much will be harmful for you and the baby."

"Don't worry about me," Hermione insisted. "Worry about yourself more."

Anya softly chuckled. "Hermione, the moment I held you in my arms, I knew you'd be my top priority," her mother said. "You and Peter both come first. Even in terms of worrying."

"But what really happened, Mum?" she asked again. "The wards you placed around the house were decent enough. Peter and I agreed adding a few more wouldn't hurt because of the increasing attacks. How was a Death Eater able to breach our wards? It doesn't make sense."

While she rambled on, Hermione noticed the guilt in Anya's eyes. The brunette thoughtfully nibbled on her bottom lip, trying to ponder over Anya's expression, when realisation finally dawned. With widened eyes, she breathily continued, "Unless... unless you willingly let one in."

Anya's expression was already telling and Hermione couldn't understand. She knew her mother had already integrated herself back into the Wizarding World, constantly visiting the Potters to converse with Euphemia over tea. But despite this, Anya still steered away from bustling Wizarding streets such as Diagon Alley and from what she remembered, Anya hadn't associated herself with other wizards or witches.

"Mum..." She faltered, grasping onto Anya's elbow and waited until she met her eyes once more.

"It was my fault," her mother sighed. "I received a letter a few days ago from my brother."

"Brother!" Hermione gasped in shock. Anya rarely told them about her family, but Hermione had done her research. Even as Hermione Granger, she'd never really known about the Selwyns, except that they were staunch supporters of Voldemort. Which admittedly made her curious, to be related to people who'd supported an evil wizard that had brought terror and turmoil over the Wizarding World. It didn't bother her at all, especially because she was brought up and taken care of by such a wonderful witch. She was just thankful her mother had run away from home and Hermione wasn't forced to live amongst Pureblood bigots.

Anya's eyes welled with more tears, deep pain and betrayal painted on her pale face. "My brother and I... we used to be just like you and Peter, my love," her mother explained, daintily sniffing as she swiped her wet cheeks. "But I ran away from home when I fell in love with your father and I cut off all ties with my family. I thought... I thought he wanted to reach out, after all these years."

Hermione's glistening eyes hardened. "He did this to you," she harshly spat.

A small, sad smile appeared on her mother's face. "It was my fault for trusting him, in spite of everything I knew he'd done with his life," she said.

"That bastard!" Hermione growled. "I will tell Peter and—"

"Hermione," her mother cut her off, "I'd rather your brother doesn't know who attacked me."

She deflated, a confused look on her face. "But Mum, he needs to be imprisoned for what he did to you," she insisted.

"He's still my brother."

"Who tried to murder you!"

"Sweetheart," Anya appeased, "it's fine. I'm just glad I'm still alive to see you get married to a man who absolutely adores you and who has given me the grandchild I've always wanted."

Hermione's face crumpled, disbelieving her words. But she'd forgotten this was Anya Pettigrew, the same woman who'd endured years of abuse from a man who didn't love her. "Why are you being stubborn about this, Mum?" she rasped. "What if he comes back and finishes the deed? I want you to be safe!"