This is the new fic, it is not a HG/MM so i hope you werent expecting that also in no way connected to Tabby's Vixen. It is a Molly Weasley/Hermione Granger romance.
I have a couple of chapters pre-written but im not sure when i will really get the chance to write anymore so my updates may be considerably more sporadic than they were with Tabby's Vixen. I'm having some 'legal' issues i suppose with my three month olf, Faith, because she has fractured her thigh bone, its a small crack i believe but because she is so young the doctors were obligated to call Child Protective Services which means they have to investigate to make sure she isnt abused. Which i swear to the gods i do not abuse my children in the slightest, total freak accident. Birthdays are all fun and games until an infant breaks a leg. Shit. But anyways, i will try to update as often as possible and really i am hoping we can bring her home before i run out of pre-written chapters.
Reviews because i want to know what you think. I own nothing.
Hermione was sitting at the Burrow during the summer before her 6th year reading a book in the kitchen while the others were outside enjoying the weather and playing Quidditch. Ron had offered to sit with her but Hermione explained that she simply wanted to read and that she didn't need company for that.
In all honesty Hermione was aware of the crush Ron had on her, she was silently grateful that he was both too shy and too embarrassed to broach the subject with her. Not only did Hermione not see Ron as any more more than a brother and her best friend but she didn't see any guy as a potential romantic partner.
Shortly after the Yule Ball in her fourth year Hermione came to terms with the fact that she was a lesbian. It was just after Viktor had kissed her when she realised she didn't think of boys that way and she had been honest with him. It was her first and to date only kiss and she had no intentions of seeking a partner of the male persuasion ever again.
As it was Hermione hadn't really intended to seek a partner at all for at least the next few years. She aimed to focus on her studies and on the impending war and if she made it through she hoped to acquire a decent job within the Ministry. She was pondering her possible future when loud voices sounded from upstairs.
It was hard to discern the words but it was obvious Molly Weasely and husband Arthur. The couple had been fighting for a while now though they hid their troubles well from their children. The two never fought if they thought their children where within ear shot. They must have assumed Hermione was outside with the others though they should have known better.
The voices rose until Hermione heard a door slam and someone stomping down the steps. Without seeing her Arthur stomped through the kitchen and out the back door, no doubt heading for the solitude of his shed. A few minutes later a puffy eyed Molly walked into the kitchen to start dinner but startled when she saw Hermione.
"Oh Hermione, dear. I didn't realise you was inside." Molly didn't seem to be able to meet the chocolate eyes of the teenager before her.
"I would rather read inside is all, the others are playing Quidditch." Hermione explained gently searching Molly face, for what she wasn't sure.
"Did you..." Molly started only to be gently interrupted by Hermione.
"Only raised voices not anything I could make out. Molly I hope i'm not over stepping but... its not the first time I have heard you both, is... is everything ok with you and Mr Weasely?" Hermione was hoping she wasn't toeing the line here but her fear was alleviated when Molly sniffled and started to cry again.
Instantly Hermione tossed her book aside and moved over to the older woman drawing her into a firm comforting embrace. Molly only started sobbing louder and buried her face in a warm neck as she sought the comfort she so desperately needed. Hermione cooed to the older woman like a mother might a child and after a few minutes the older woman started to calm but didn't immediately pull away.
"Why don't you let me help you cook today, we can talk if you like. You know id never tell the others anything you didn't want me too." Hermione offered gently when finally the redhead moved back a step.
"Thank you dear, that would be nice if you are sure." Molly wiped her nose on a handkerchief and gave the 16 year old a shaky smile.
"No need for thanks, you do a lot for all of us, I should be thanking you." Hermione says smiling fondly at the older woman.
"You're too kind Hermione." Molly smiled and patted Hermione's arm before bustling towards the bench.
The duo began the dinner preparation for the night, they worked together well and in silence though it seemed to be the preference of both of them. Hermione was scrubbing and peeling vegetables at Molly's request while the matriarch was preparing a roast with thyme and rosemary. It was almost 20 minutes before Molly finally spoke up.
"It started last year after he was bitten by that snake... He has been angry and... and cold ever since." Molly explains softly and Hermione stops and looks at the woman.
"I can see how that might have been hard for him at the time. It was a tricky wound after all. But I am not sure I understand why he is being the way he is now..." Hermione's entire reason for commenting at all was to gently urge the older woman to continue talking.
Molly sniffled and then sighed before slumping her shoulders and turning to face the young brunette. Molly wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with Arthur but she had her suspicions. She didn't know if she should tell the young witch, it was not Hermione's burden. Molly really didn't have anyone else she could confide in though.
"I am not sure. I... suspect that the injuries he suffered were... eye opening." Molly hedges not entirely sure how to say what she was trying to say.
"Do you think he is cheating on you?" Hermione asked not quiet understanding but getting the implication.
"No... well perhaps he may but I am not sure. What I mean is, well... we are not the most financially stable. We have more kids than we can honestly afford though I hate to admit that. I think Arthur is just realising that maybe he has wasted his years on this life with me and this family. He works hard while I sit at home and do what? Knit sweaters." Molly's eyes were filling with tears again and the young teenager stepped closer and took Molly's hands in her own.
"Molly Weasely! Now you listen up and you listen good. His life was not wasted on you, he may feel so now but that is simply not true! You made him happy for a lot of years. As far as too many children is concerned you are only 50% to blame there. And Arthur may work hard but he always comes home to a clean house and a meal on the table. You work hard too." Hermione spoke so passionately that it brought a smile to Molly's teary eyed face.
"Hermione you really are too sweet. I can see why Ron fancies you." Hermione rolls her eyes at the comment before smirking at the old woman.
"You can see why huh? You fancy me Molly?" Hermione's tone was a mix between flirty and teasing and it visibly flustered the older woman.
"That isn't even a little bit what I meant." Molly's tone was chastising but it was softened by the smile on her face.
"Of course not. Ron is barking up the wrong tree anyway" Hermione added deciding to take a chance. Coming out to Molly would be the first step towards coming out to everyone else. So long as this went well.
"Why is that dear?" Molly asked turning back to the meat she still needed to put in the oven.
"Oh well, I don't actually like boys. I'm a lesbian." Hermione confessed gently couldn't help a tinge of worry when she saw the older woman's eyes widen a little.
"Oh... well I can honestly say I didn't see that coming. I had a bit a crush on Andromeda Tonks when I was younger." Molly smiles brilliantly at the brunette even as her cheeks flush slightly at the confession she had never put voice too in the past.
"Andromeda?.. Narcissa and Bellatrix's sister?" Hermione asked knowing the name but not a hundred percent sure if she is thinking of the right person.
"That's the one." Molly nods affirming the young witch's suspicions.
"Oh, well if she is anything like her sisters I can understand that. Its me belief that the Black women are notoriously good looking." Hermione grinned at the smirk on the older woman's face. The vegetables were all prepared for cooking as soon as they were seasoned.
"You like them older then?" Molly's tone was teasing and Hermione chuckled though she answered anyway.
"I don't know. I've definitely found myself... admiring older women. But i've not really had any real interest in anyone of any age. You're the first person i've ever actually admitted to being gay too." Hermione confessed shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Oh... well i'm honoured that you trust me so much dear." Molly smiled brightly at the young woman and Hermione, for the first time, realised just how stunning the older woman was.
Molly's hair was a little on the frizzy side but not overtly so and Hermione was sure it could be easily tamed with a little extra TLC, her bright brown eyes were warm and deep. Molly was not slim by any means, she had had seven children after all, but casting a subtle glance at the older woman Hermione couldn't help appreciate the curves hidden by the old woollen robes she frequently wore.
Before she realised what she was doing Hermione found herself wishing she could find out what was under those robes. She started slightly at the thought and turned back to the vegetables. Did she really find Molly, her best friends mother, that attractive? Yes apparently. Shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts the young witch smiled at the red-head.
"It seemed like a sharing moment." Hermione shrugged and Molly nodded the appreciation shining in her eyes.
Before Molly could make another comment the back door leading into the kitchen burst open and Arthur stomped in looking from Molly to Hermione and back again for once not bothering to school his features. It seemed he no longer cared to keep the marital dysfunction from the children. He grabbed his coat from the rack behind the back door and shrugged into it, his actions a little jerky and almost angry.
"I'm going to Diagon Alley, don't bother dishing my dinner. I wont be home until tomorrow." Arthur all but growled out before stomping into the space in front of the fireplace and picking up a handful of floo powder from the clay put on the mantle. Without another word or even a glance their way the Weasley patriarch stepped in and stated his destination before leaving in a flash of green fire.
The moment he was gone Molly suddenly began to sob loudly moving the table to sit before her legs gave out. Hermione couldn't help but be angry at the way the man was treating the obviously devoted woman. The teenager quickly moved over and gently wrapped her arms around the older woman.
Because she was standing and Molly was sitting the height difference was substantial so when Molly turned and wrapped her around the young woman neither was really surprised the Molly's arms landed low on the teens hips and her face pressed into the smooth surprisingly hard stomach of the teenager. If either had put any thought to it they would have realised how intimate the embrace was but as Hermione gently cradled the red head to her and stroked her hair neither really cared. Molly needed comfort and Hermione was all to glad to give it to her regardless of the tingling feeling behind her belly button.
This is how Fred, George, Ginny and Ron found the two moments later and none of them really knew what was going on. What they did know though, thanks to Molly's shaking shoulders, that the woman was upset and none of the children could stand seeing the woman cry. Ginny was the first to move walking over and kneeling on the other side of the chair reaching up to rub the woman's back comfortingly.
"Mum, what's wrong?" Ginny asked gently as the boys all moved closer.
Knowing her children could see her crying Molly tried to gather herself but the comfort from both Hermione and Ginny was her undoing and she only sobbed harder. Her husband was angry with her and she didn't understand why nor could she figure out how to fix it. As hard as she had tried to keep this from her children it killed her to know she couldn't keep it to herself any more. She didn't even know where to start in explaining to her brood but she didn't have to as the young witch who was still in her arms spoke up.
"Your father has been rather... angry lately. He takes it out on your mother and he just walked out. He says he will be back tomorrow but I suspect that is not exactly his favourite idea right now." Hermione gives the brief version and isn't surprised to see anger flare in all four sets of eyes looking at her.
"We knew he and mum had been fighting a lot more recently but we didn't think it was that serious." Fred spoke up eventually the other siblings nodding. Molly seemed to be calming down but she was yet to remove her face from the front of Hermione's now damp shirt.
"What's he got to be angry about anyway?" Ron was frowning as if trying to figure it out but couldn't understand.
"I don't know. He's been this way since the accident at the Ministry. He is just angry and he blames me for things not working out. He... he asked me for a divorce last week but I said no." This information slightly shocked Hermione as she watched the older woman pull away from her but only slightly. A surprisingly, yet not unwelcome, possessive arm remained wrapped around her hips keeping the teenager close.
"No! Why would he do that?" Ginny was shocked but it seemed like the boys had almost expected this.
"I don't know Ginny. But... I think I have to give him what he wants." Molly hesitated to say this and it was obvious why she had when the four children spoke at the same time.
"Mum no!" They had chorused and it rather infuriated Hermione.
"You and dad can work this out." Ron added after a moment and Molly's eyes began to well with tears again.
"Don't be fools. This has been going on longer than just a few days or even a few weeks. He has been treating Molly like she is less than she is for months now. He asked for a divorce so I don't think this is going to just suddenly be fixed. He is hurting your mother and he doesn't seem to have the gall to explain why he is angry. Your mother deserves more than that and she definitely deserves your support." Hermione was always a passionate one and it had the desired effect now as the Weasley siblings all took on a look of shame.
"You're right Hermione... Sorry mum. You know we love you." George speaks up and the others nod agreeing.
"I know. I love you too. Help Hermione and I get the last of dinner on to cook and then you can go and do as you please." Molly stood finally dropping her arm from the slim hips of the only brunette in the room.
As her hand dropped away it rather obviously brushed over Hermione's back side making both women blush slightly. Thankfully the Weasley brood had already turned towards the kitchen counter so they didn't witness this. Hermione looked to Molly who blushed a little brighter and looked away, the brunette was unsure if it had been intentional or not. She was going with not, for now at least. The two women moved to help Molly's brood unknowingly both wanting to distract themselves right now.