Chapter 29

"I beg your pardon?!" Lucius Malfoy's voice rang through the room rather high-pitched. "I come to check on my friend, get accosted by... by THIS..." his arm swept toward the fae woman while gesturing wildly. "And now she is telling us that our king is very likely in some fae realm?"

Nimue tilted her head to the left while looking completely unbothered by Lucius's dramatics. "Yes," she said simply, "Harry has likely sent Oberon to the fae realm, and once again, I apologize for landing on you in the garden. It is not common anymore to hear the Elven Call. I was... a bit ecstatic."

"Would you please explain?" Severus asked while standing rigid near Harry's desk. They had reconvened in Harry's study as the others brought Hermione to a Healer.

Nimue leaned against the carved oak of the desk. For a moment, her expression was unreadable. Then she spoke. "Harry spent two years with me. At my lakeside, I mean. He was a breath of fresh air, honestly. I taught him some of the ways of the world. When to be kind, when to be cruel, when to be fair. The boy had the self-preservation of a gnat after being sheltered so much. Honestly, what were his parents thinking? He hardly knew any defensive magic," she huffed.

"I told him, if anyone ever came looking for my things, he was to send them to the fae realm. Some of the things in my vaults are not meant for use in this plane of existence."

"So what now?" Severus asked.

"Now, I will go to the fae realm and confront Oberon myself. That boy needs a stronger lesson not to covet other people's things."

"Tell me, is it true that the fae realm is toxic to humans?" The Potion master asked.

Nimue hesitated, "It could be," she admitted. "There is a reason fairytales warn mortals not to eat fae food. The realm itself is woven of pure magic. It can seep into a mortal's mind, twist their perceptions, alter their desires. It might not kill you outright, but it could... affect you. Psychologically."

"I want Harry back. I want to come with you. If he is in any danger from that cur..." Severus growled.

Nimue actually smiled. "I knew I liked you," she stated. "And to be frank, I am a bit worried about Harry-darling. He is, quite frankly, horrid at the Mind Magics. I can sense you are quite good at Occlumency. That will be a boon for you if you are ever caught in the fae realm. Though if I am bringing a human with me, I will need another mode of travel. The bracelets I gave you would also help. Please tell me Harry has his on."

"He does," Severus answers as his eyes go to the gift Nimue had given them not too long ago. The water nymph then murmured something about Fate being a troll under her breath, but he didn't know the meaning just yet.

At that moment, the study doors burst open, and Hermione stormed in with Kingsley and Luna trying to restrain her. Her hair was wild, her eyes fever‑bright. "I want to go as well!" she shouted. "Harry's in this mess because he jumped in to save me!"

Nimue stopped her instantly. The fae's voice was sharp but not unkind. "No. You are not all there yet, child. The fae realm would break you. What I can do, however, is help you in another way."

Hermione blinked, shocked. "What do you mean?"

"If I take Severus into the fae realm, I cannot bring him out in time before the madness sets in while I am battling Oberon. I will need a friend's help with that. And for that, Hermione, it might be time you learned one of your family's secrets." Nimue answered.

"My... family's secrets?"

That was how they ended up on the doorstep of Hermione's parents' house. She was confused. Severus was confused. Lucius and Draco, who had insisted they tag along, were confused.

The door opened, and Hermione's mother stood frozen in the doorway upon seeing Nimue. Her eyes widened as recognition struck.

"Hello, Magdalena," Nimue said softly.

Hermione's mother flinched at the name, while Hermione looked utterly bewildered. "Mum...? What did she just call you?"

Before Magdalena could answer, footsteps sounded from deeper in the house. Hermione's father appeared with a wary expression. "Maggie dear, what is going on?" he asked upon spotting the strange assembly at their doorstep. Then he spotted his daughter. "Hermione?"

They were invited in wordlessly. The Granger home was quiet, though the air was thick with tension as the group settled into the living room.

Hermione sat stiffly on the couch while her eyes darted between her parents, who refused to meet her gaze, and Nimue. Severus stood near the mantle, arms folded, and Lucius and Draco occupied the far chairs, both looking as though they'd stumbled into a play they hadn't rehearsed for. Nimue remained standing as she looked at her old friend.

Finally, Hermione's mother spoke, "I wish this day hadn't come."

"Neither did I," Nimue replied. "You seemed content, Magdalena. But things have changed. Your brother is causing havoc, coveting something that was never meant to be his. I will need your help on this one."

"Brother?!" Hermione asked in disbelief as pieces started to click into place.

"Maggie, it's time we tell her, the whole sordid thing." Hermione's father stated as he placed a hand over his wife's. "We knew this day would come one way or another."

"Dad... you knew?"

"I'm not a Muggle Hermione, dear, like you were led to believe. I've had my own dealings with Oberon." He confessed.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Draco finally spoke. "What sort of telenovela drama is this?!"

"Aren't you a Pureblood?" Hermione's father blinked with confusion. "How do you know about telenovellas?"

"That is not the point!" Draco flushed crimson while trying to deflect. "Next thing you will be telling us is that you are a Squib related to some Dark Lord."

"..."

"..."

"No..." Draco's brows shot up. "No... no... not happening."

Lucius groaned, burying his face in his hands. "You broke my son."

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AN: Hello all!!! Now I have a fun little Idea. It's called ASK THE AUTHOR! If you write your questions about these HP stories in this multiverse in here, or if you have questions on future updates, characters, Lore, or maybe plot ideas etc. Feel free to ask them. Once this book is completed, I will try to answer all your questions as a bonus chapter. Kind of like a fun little interview. You guys might get answers to some burning questions.