Dinner was different; yes different was a good word. Another good word? Leaving. As in Dinner was different, but we really need to be leaving. Was Hermione picking up on these despite telepathic signals Harry was sending? Not a chance. She was too busy catching up on the family gossip. Harry sighed and turned back to his coffee.
"So Mr. Potter." Harry froze coffee cup half way to his mouth. Quickly he cleared his throat.
"Yes?"
"What brings you and the lovely Hermione our way?"
"Well we were in Gotham, but Hermione wants to take time traveling the country seeing the family."
"A noble endeavor, And your intentions for our little winter queen?"
"Intentions?"
" You share a hotel room with her, as my Sarah tells it a bed too." Jareth regarded him with a raised brow, those otherworldly mismatched eyes judging. Harry sputtered, and could feel himself turning red.
"It's not like that. We don't sleep well without each other. Not after the war." Harry somehow managed to not choke on his own words.
"Jareth!" Sarah snapped, the two women had tuned into the conversation. "I told you not to bother him over it. Their relationship, however complicated or simple is their relationship."
"It's not." Jareth began the magic choking the room.
"Any of our business, all we can do is offer support… and threaten eternal torment if needed." Harry gulped, as Hermione patted his hand.
"You stick your nose in to Isabella's relationships all the time."
"She makes bad choices." Sarah turned back to Hermione "Have you visited Bella?"
"We are not stopping there on this trip. We got into a tiff over what is fiction and what is delusion and what is artistic license the last time we saw each other."
"That's right. Is she talking to you yet?"
"She never has to talk to me again for all I care." Hermione snapped, stirring her coffee harder than she needed to. Harry listened as they dissolved back into family gossip.
"You know seeing this suddenly puts it all into perspective."
"What does?"
"Hermione knew nearly everything that was going in in the castle when we were in school. She knew who most people were, who they happened to be dating at the time, what the latest drama was. I could barely keep up with who was in the same year as us."
"You will find that the gossip is how the family, as wide and expanded as it is, keeps tabs on everyone. They all participate regardless of gender or age. Hermione is gathering information that she will pass onto other relatives, who in turn will add to that information as they pass it on again. It is like a living version of tumblr." Jareth smiled. Harry privately wondered what Tumblr was.
Harry nodded "That does make sense."
"Just so you know. If you do, do anything to hurt her I will make you run the labyrinth until you expire and then trap your spirit there. Sarah will help me." He continued in a very low voice, Harry saw Sarah's eyes gleam with promised torment in agreement when he looked over at her.
"Harry whats wrong? You just went pale."
"I suddenly don't feel well, do you mind if we call it a night?"
"Of course." Hermione smiled.