Her garden was her balance to her work as a dentist, her refuge. At first, her husband derided her for her new passion, but once he realized, how much of fun and joy gardening gave her, he refrained from any gibe and supported her.
So it was no wonder, that she used her free afternoon for urgent upcoming gardening. A wonder was however, that her daughter had volunteered to help her. And that could mean only one thing: There's something in the bush!
With a sigh, Jean Granger leaned on the rake and glanced around: "Not the royal garden, but already close, don't you think?" She turned with a grin to her daughter and dropped the rake in horror. "Honey, what are you doing?"
Hermione growled through clenched teeth: "I" thud "pluck" thud "the" thud "bloody" thud "weed" thud "out, what else." And slammed the weed hoe with force into the ground once again.
Jean winced inwardly after each subsequent 'thud' of the weed hoe: "But the whole point is, working in the garden work should help you relax."
Thud "I'm" Thud "relaxed." Thud.
Jean doubted this, since Hermione's bushy hair and red face spoke a different tune. She picked up the rake (David still complained about his bulge) and forced a smile: "I don't know about you, but I could use a little break!"
Her daughter looked up: "Already?"
Jean nodded and fanned herself with her hand: "It is just too hot. Besides, I'm no that young anymore and I know my physical limit."
Hermione snorted: "Mum, you're not even fifty and fit as a fiddle!"
Her mother took the hoe out of Hermione's hand and winked: "And to keep it that way, I allow myself a well earned break – and the same to you, don't argue!"
Her daughter admitted her defeat with a sigh and went through the open patio door into the house. After a last sad look at the remains of her wild flowers, Jean followed her in the house.
"Iced Tea?", she asked, as she stripped off the gardening gloves.
"I would prefer Firewhiskey!", Hermione muttered.
"Worse day?", her mother asked gently, and handed her a glass of iced tea.
Hermione smiled wryly: "More likely a worse week."
Jean laid her hands on the back of a chair and she looked at her invitingly: "I'm a good listener."
Her daughter looked at a drop of water, which ran down the glass. Slowly she followed the drop with her finger.
"Is it because of Ron?" She asked softly
"Yes, no." A sigh. "It is complicated."
"All right, I'll tell you how I see it. Your husband desperately needed distance from –"
Hermione growled angrily: "The only reason, why he went on the stupid expedition, is, because his life is too boring for him."
Horrified, her mother looked at her: " You really think that?"
Hermione did not answer and gazed still at her glass.
'Sometimes silence says more than a thousand words'. Jean sadly thought: "Honey, I'm firmly convinced, that Ron is not looking for adventure. I think, no, I know, that he is just looking for a distraction."
"Distraction from what? From his family or perhaps from me?"
"Of course not! I know, he says otherwise, but in my eyes, he still blames himself for the death of this 17 year old young members of this group with the creepy name-"
Her daughter frowned: "Death Eaters?"
"Right." She shuddered with revulsion. "what a horrible nam–."
"Mum, what you're talking about?" Hermione interrupted her impatiently.
She stared at her daughter in disbelief: "I'm talking about the reason for Ron's sleepless nights, compunction and sadness."
Her daugther swallowed and croaked: "He told me nothing about it and I..I don't notice anything."
Shocked, Jean put her hands on her hips: "What?"
Ron stepped out of the tent and stretched his arms above his head: "Good morning!" Luna looked up from one of the boxes with found objects and waved at him: "Slept well?"
"Like a baby." He glanced around the camp: "Where are the elves?"
"Fetching water. Tea?"
"Maybe later. I'll go first of all to the lake." He winked, "I need to make myself a little more presentable, before we return to the Wizarding World."
She smiled dreamily: "You should try a waterfall shower, just heavenly."
Ron swalloed, trying, to dislodge the image of his naked wife under the waterfall: "Yeah, really tempting."
Shaking his head about himself, he went back to the tent, to pick up his washing suit and towel. He waved briefly to Luna and set out - cheerfully whistling (and in the hope, to keep away dangerous animals) - his way to the nearby lake with the waterfall. Already from afar he heard the babble of the three elves. He chuckled, the three remembered him of 'the Three Stooges', a Muggle comedy troupe, which his father-in-law like to watch.
When he arrived at the lake, he was greeted by the three with the usual "Master Redbeard!". He nodded to them: "Good morning." and glanced around mistrustful. The elves watched him curiously. Embarrassed, he rubbed his neck and asked: "Any spiders?" – The largest of the three replied seriously: "No spiders, spiders are gone."
Relieved, he placed his bag on a rock and knelt beside the water's edge. Before he dipped his toothbrush into the water, he stopped briefly, to look at his reflection in the water. No wonder, that the elves called him recently 'Master Redbeard'. He grimaced and passed his hand through the cool water, so that his image blurred.
After his quick wash, he sat down on the rock (of course not without convincing himself beforehand that it was a spinfree area, true to his motto 'Better safe than sorry') and thought back to the last few weeks. Although they had not been spotted – not even a trace – of a Blibbering Humdinger, Luna's mood remained cheerful. On the contrary, with her typical dreamy she told him: "Xochiquetzal* was so gracious and let us discovered some new magical plants. Just think, how Neville will be delighted about it." How much easier would be his life, if he had her sunny nature. She would have been a better part of the trio, than he.
"Stop it – it is a part of your past, and cannot be changed.", he grumbled to himself, "Soak the here and now. The new experiences, that you have collected, this beautiful place with the magnificent waterfall…, wait, waterfall!" He grinned: "Yeah, a shower would be nice."
He sprang up with renewed vigor and glanced around, no one within sight, the elves had already disappeared with the water barrel. Preventively, he listened, but no chatter of the Elves. Alright, now or never. While he undressed in record time (after a moment's hesitation, he also removed his boxer shorts), he remembered a little wistfully at the beginning of his relationship with Hermione, within a very short time, she was a true champion in undressing him.
Carefully, he slid into the water, bloody hell, the water was so cold, that he could hardly breathe. He waited a moment, until his breathing had returned to normal. He tucked his wand in his mouth and swam to the waterfall, which lay on a hill. He climbed up the slippery stones and laid his wand to the side. As he placed himself under the stream of water, he cried enthusiastically: "Fucking hell, this is bloody fantastic."
Hermione looked at her mother incredulously: "Mum, this is Dad's best Scotch Whisky and moreover it is only 16.00 clock."
Jean shrugged her shoulders and poured her daughter, and after brief hesitation, herself a glass scotch: "Desperate times call for desperate measures." Then she exclaimed "Cheers!" and took a long sip from her glass. "Okay, that explains the term fire water," she croaked afterwards. Her daughter nodded and shuddered.
"That idiot!", Hermione muttered suddenly, "There comes along a stupid 17 year, who has no scruples to kill him and who feels guilty – Mister gulity-complex-in person, my husband!"
Jean patted her hand comfortingly: "We both know, that he had no other choice, but he believes, that the boy's death was pointless and unnecessary."
"And even worse is, that he told me nothing of the incident. I'm finally his wife!", Hermione asked desperately.
Her mother raised her eyebrow: "Are you sure, that he did not do it, in his own way?"
"I would have.."
Jean lifted her hand: "Hermione, you're my daughter and I love you with all my heart, but I think, it is time for some inconvenient truths. But beforehand.." She picked up her glass and took another sip. "Holy crap!"
Hermione's eyes widened.
"What? The stuff burns. Where was I? Oh yes, your relationship problems. No, don't interrupt me. Since you've been promoted to undersecretary, and you know we are all very proud of you, your priorities have changed. Now your work is second to none. Even Harry's needs are further up, than the needs and worries of your own husband."
Her daughter opened her mouth, probably to defend herself.
Jean waved her hand: "I'm not finished yet. Every night, you come home late from work. In the last months we have seen him more, than you, what of course is no problem, we love Ron like our own son." Her tone became softer: "But it would not hurt, if you're home for dinner. The poor boy was tired, to eat every night alone, he always went out to eat. A wise man once said, you are happily married, when you rather come home, than going away."
Her daugther grabbed her glass with whiskey and grumbled: "Yeah, and my husband prefer a trip through the jungle, what does this tell us?!" before she took a deep draft from her glass.
"Surely the Expedition was a stupid idea, but I'll tell you the same thing, that has already told me my mother. Men want supporting. Show him, therefore, that you are on his side – even if you don't share his opinion."
"Oh Merlin, in your eyes I'm terrible wife, who makes her husband miserable, right?"
"That is, please excuse the harsh word, bullshit. Sure for the award 'Wife of the Year' I would not nominate you, at least not currently…." – Her daughter lowered her gaze and whispered shakily: "Me neither." – "But it takes two to tango. Ron is not much better with his difficulties to communicate. Not without reason are the cornerstones of a happy relationship 'communication, trust, respect, togetherness' and last but not least, "she winked, "a fulfilling sex life."
Hermione blushed and screamed: "Mum!"
Jean shrugged her shoulders and giggled: "Come on, it's true. And it seems to me, in this area you both have no trouble."
Abashed, Hermione covered her face with her hands and groaned.
"Now that this is settled, your efforts to increase the togetherness."
"What should I do? Give up my job, play for him the housewife?" Hermione's voice came out muffled though her hands.
"In no case, we no longer live in the fifties. You are Hermione Granger, sorry, Weasley, for heaven's sake – you can do anything, also a good wife and career woman."
Her daughter looked up and grinned slightly: "You don't believe, that Ron wants a wife like his mum?"
"Are you kidding me? He needs and wants an equivalent partner, who challenges and not mothered him. Although, if you give him – now and then – the feeling to admire him and look up at him, his star will shine a little brighter, and his self-esteem gets a nice thrust upward."
Hemione's eyes twinkled mischievously: "Have I ever told you, that Ron's aunt Muriel gave me the book 'The compendium for the good married witch' for our wedding?!" – "The compendium for the good married witch?" – "Mmh, a summary, how a witch has to be in the marriage. You know, such as 'spoil him' or 'a good wife always knows her place'!"
Jean gasped: "This is not serious!"
"Offer him, to take off his shoes, he is the master of the house"
"You've actually read this rubbish?"
"Of course! And after that, it flew immediately in the trash."
The two women looked at each other and began to laugh heartily.
As the laughter subsided, Jean refilled their glasses and asked casually: "What do you think about children? You may not a housewife à la Molly, but Dad and I hope for grandchildren, if possible, before we are old and frail."
"Mum, I'm only twenty-four and ….."
"Twenty-five in a month, and suddenly you're thirty. It is not so easy to become pregnant, believe me, or why do you think, you are our only child!"
Hermione gasped: "You wanted more children?"
Her mother nodded approvingly: "Unfortunately, it did not work. But…", Jean smiled at her lovingly: "We cannot complain, we have the best daughter in the world."
"You must be joking, I'm career-obsessed.."
Jean nodded.
"A Know-it-all."
Jean nodded.
"Insensitive?"
Jean nodded and lifted her finger: "not to forget, a little stubborn "
"Mum, you must not disagree with me!"
"I now! Hey, don't pout." Laughing, she closed her daughter in her arms.
After a while Hermione asked timidly: "Mum?" – "Hmm?" – "Do you think Ron still loves me?" Jean leaned back and looked at her daughter speechless. – Hermione swallowed: "He has not even said goodbye." - Jean brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and smiled: "Honey, Ronald Weasley still loves you beyond all measure".
Relieved, Hermione burst into tears and her mother embraced her comfortingly: "Sssh, ssh, everything will be fine. He will be back soon, then you can express yourself. Especially since absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Clack "Ouch!", cursing, Ron rubbed his shoulder. Clack - another pebble hit him, this time at the back of the head. "What's the fuck!" Angrily, he grabbed his wand and looked around. Clack, clack – more and more stones flew at him. He held his arms protectively over the head and stumbled forward. And then the inevitable happened, he slipped on the wet stones and fell headfirst into the lake.
When he emerged spluttering and coughing at the water surfaces, he clutched a rock with one hand and with the other his wand - ready to attack. Something was in the lake and touched him under water. His hair on his arms stood on end, but he forced himself to breathe calmly. Apparating was no question, Luna would probably get a cardiac arrest, when he ended up naked at the camp, and not to forget, his wife his head or a other important part of his body. It remains only the Patronus Charm.
He closed his eyes and thought of one of his happiest memory (the first time, as Hermione 'I love you' to him said), while he drew with his wand circles : "Expecto Patronum".
As he opened his eyes, his Patronus, a Jack Russell-Terrier, stood wagging at the shore. Relieved, he shouted the message to him: "Luna, come quickly, I need your help." Immediately, his Patronus rushed off.
While awaiting the "plong" of the Apparition, he peered into the water, in the hope, to see something. But he could only see hazy outlines.
"Ron, what's going on?" Luna shouted suddenly from the shore.
Ron pointed to the water: "There's something in the water!"
"Something or Someone?"
"I don't know, you're the expert!" Ron hissed.
"Tell me in a few words, what happened."
"I was pelted with stones and the something or someone pinched my, uhh, bottom."
Luna clapped her hands together: "Oh, it could be a water demon, such as the Kappa."
"Sorry, if I have to dampen your enthusiasm, but water demon sound not good!"
"Don't worry, you can ward off a kappa."
"Alright, how?"
"One possibility is, to appease the Kappas through the offering of a cucumber."
"Okay, for lack of a cucumber, I hope, there is a other possibility?"
"The mythology says, who can outwit Kappas to come ashore and bowing according to the custom, they stripped of all powers."
"And according to the case, I am unable to outwit him?"
"Kappas live on human blood." - Ron widened in horror. – "They suck them via the anus, the blood and guts…."
"Stop! I think, I can imagine, what will happen." Ron screamed in a high voice and grumbled to himself: "This explains the pinch."
After a deep breath, he took a first tentative step towards of the shore. Thanks to Merlin and his body size, the water was only up to his chest: "Come on, water demon, what do you think, when you accompany me to the shore?" He walked slowly backwards, in order to offer the water demon no attack surface. Furthermore, his left hand was protectively over his bottom.
"I'll be right back!" Luna shouted and disappeared with a plong.
"Now remain only two of us." Another step towards the shore. "Believe me, I, uh, inside me is nothing is particularly."
Plong.
"Damn, Luna, where were you?"
"In the camp, to get the camera!"
Ron closed his eyes briefly: "A really fantastic -"
"Isen't it?! Oh, I wish Rolf would be here."
"So do I, so do I", Ron muttered into his beard, whereas Luna further reveled in enthusiasm: "For a Kappa is water the most precious, because he draws all of his magical powers from the water.."
Ron risked a another cautious look into the water and stopped short. He called over his shoulder: "Luna, do you know, how this thing looks like?"
"According to unconfirmed rumors, the Kappa resembles a frog or a monkey with webbed feet and fish scales."
"Then it is definitely not a Kappa. I can see here something like a mane." He peered once again into water: "Yeah, that is a mane. That's good, or?"
"Not necessarily. Kelpies, by the way also water demons, occur mostly in the form of slightly scruffy-looking horse with mane-like bins. They try to ingratiate themselves at humans."
"I have no problem with it, it is definitely bet…."
"Once the Kelpies have caused someone to sit as a rider on their back, they carry their victim immediately to the bottom of a lake and devour it there."
As quickly as he could, Ron rushed out of the lake. Not even two minuter later, he stood with forwardly bowed upper body, one arm propped up against a tree, and uttert breathing heavily: "I swear, never again, I go swimming in a lake."
"Master Redbeard!" – "Yeah?" He looked to the side, where stood out of nowhere one of the elves with his boxer shorts in the hand. Ron blushed to his hair tips and grabbed the shorts. He glanced at Luna, who examined – to his great relief – with her eyes the water, most likely in search of the water demons.
In all haste, he pulled on his boxer. He was about to button up his shirt, as Luna suddenly cooed a series of strange noises, which sounded very screechy and harsh. Ron covered his ears with his hands, until Luna's lips stopped moving: "Bloody hell, what was that?"
Luna gave him a dreamy smile: "It sounds beautiful, huh? Mermish is the language of the Merpeople."
"In the lake are Merpeople?"
"More specifically, Mermaids." Luna replied distracted, put down the camera and climbed into the lake fully clothed. Ron's mouth dropped open.
Peter Granger considered himself as 'unflappable'. For this reason, he looked at the uprooted wildflowers and asked himself merely, who had raged here. But when he opened the door to the kitchen, he was for the first time in a long time speechless by the sight, that greeted him there.
The two favorite women in his life sat side by side on the floor and giggling hysterically. On the table was a bottle of -, wait, he narrowed his eyes and grabbed the half-empty bottle – whiskey, moreover, a bottle from his best Scotch whiskey. He raised his eyebrows and looked down at the two.
His wife smiled and slurred: "Ohhh, hic, you're already, hic, there. Is, hic, it already so late?" She looked at her wristwatch, apparently in her drunken state not aware, that she held her glass in same hand: "Oops, my, hic, whiskey." She held up the empty glass: "Please be a sweetheart-"
Hermione snickered, whereupon her mother gave her a quizzical look: "Won's first, hic, girlfriend gave him..m, hic, a 'my sweetheart-necklace', hic, I think, it's still in a box…x in the attic, hic."
"Rea..lly?".
"Mmm, yeah!"
"Nice!" Both started laughing - once again.
With a sigh, Peter sat down on a chair: "This will be a long night."
* "Spring flowers"; goddess of the moon, the earth, the flowers of love, dances and games - twin sister of Xochipilli
