Disclaimer: I own nothing and all mistakes are mine.

Chapter 2: You Better Wait

"She was only a child, someone to hold onto.

Only a child, someone to believe in.

Only a child, someone to love."

You Better Wait – Steve Perry

17 July 1995 – Number 12 Grimmauld Place

It had been a week since the incident with Gideon. He and Hermione visited almost daily to keep the bond satisfied. She had begun to enjoy their time together – he was very smart and helpful at research – and she was sad whenever he went back to the Burrow.

Fabian had yet to show any symptoms of a bond much to his excitement. Professor Snape examined him almost daily to see if there was anything that could be even remotely affected by a bond, but he always came back with a clean bill of health.

It was still baffling that he could be so cold towards her, but she tried not to let it bother her too much. Gideon more than made up for his brother's demeanor. He sometimes brought her books or made her tea if she was too immersed in research to do it herself.

Remus would tease her about it occasionally, but she would just brush it off. After her conversation with Professor Snape, she was trying to accept the fact that Gideon would be with her for as long as she was alive. Which she wasn't exactly opposed to – she had her reservations, what sane girl wouldn't? – but it was still a bit odd to be conversing with the future father of her children.

"It's really weird, you know?"

"Hermione and Prewett? A bit, yeah."

Hermione perked up from where she was sitting, a mere shelf away from the two that were talking. She wasn't surprised that they didn't know she was there; the library was huge after all.

"He's old," Remus grumbled, sliding a book back on the shelf, "She's only seventeen – "

"Technically, she's sixteen – "

"Technically, he's thirty-seven – "

"Remus – "

"He's old enough to be her father!"

"And you're not?"

She heard some shuffling around before Sirius sighed comfortingly.

"Moony…fate had other plans. You know, Dora – "

An inhumane growl ripped from the former professor and she jumped violently.

"I don't want Dora. She's a little chit that doesn't know what's good for her."

"She's my cousin – "

"She's prowling 'round the wrong wolf," Remus bit out, signaling the end of the discussion.

"Just…try not to kill him," the animagus sighed in resignation, "I don't want to explain to the little witch why you ate her intended."

She could practically hear Remus roll his eyes before he replied, "I won't eat him."

"You might not, but Moony might."

It was growing late when Hermione began to make dinner. Lately, she and Harry had been switching off with cooking, but since he had gone to the Burrow, it was her turn. She didn't mind it. Sirius and Remus weren't picky eaters in the slightest and she was grateful since she wasn't known for her culinary skills.

Tonight, she was simply throwing together leftovers. Her mind wandered as she went about her work and she realized that she missed Gideon.

The pair had decided that they would go three days without seeing each other to record how it affected the bond. So far, she hadn't had any headaches or ill symptoms; she didn't know how her counterpart was fairing.

"Smells good," Sirius said as he wandered into the kitchen.

She smiled faintly, "Leftovers from last night."

He grinned wolfishly, "Remus'll be thrilled. Can't get enough of those damned meat pies. Sure you're not making them just for him?"

"Of course not," she blushed, handing him a plate, "You need to eat, too, don't you?"

"Well, I am trying to lose the emaciated Azkaban look."

"Sirius – "

"Just a joke, kitten. I've got to be able to joke about it or I'd lose my mind. Or, rather, what's left of it."

18 July 1995 – The Burrow – Ottery St. Catchpole

"You're not going to stop seeing her, are you?" Fabian asked, looking across the kitchen table at his brother.

Gideon sighed, waving his hand over the dishes and vanishing them to the sink. It was a conversation he was frankly tired of having with his twin.

"That's not an answer," he spoke again.

"What do you want me to say?" Gideon said in exasperation as he stood, "That I'll never speak to her again? That my life doesn't depend on hers?"

The elder man rolled his eyes, "You don't know that. It could all be some crazy coincidence that you're going through. What would make her so special – "

"Dammit, Fabian, I'm done!" He growled, slamming his hand down on the table hard, "Her name is Hermione! She brought our sorry arses back from the other side. Does that mean nothing to you? Would you rather still be dead? Or are you angry that a girl saved you when you couldn't do it yourself? A muggle-born girl." He pushed himself away from the table in disgust. His voice was low when he spoke again, "I'm thankful that I was able to come back. My soul bonded with hers. Bonded, Fabian. There's no way to undo it."

"You haven't even tried," he scoffed, back pedaling instantly when he saw the look on his twin's face, "But that's fine. I mean, it's not like you chose her – "

"What have you got against her? She's smart and beautiful. She's independent. She's –"

"Young," Fabian finished bitterly, "She's young. Too young. Didn't you hear what Black was spewing when she went back to Grimmauld Place? He'd have your bollocks if you touched her before she turned seventeen. I know you want a family, Gid, but this might not be the way to get it."

Gideon poured himself a glass of Firewhisky, setting the glass back on the table with a bit more force than necessary when he sat back down.

"Hermione and I are soul bonded," he said slowly, as if speaking to a child, "That means that I must consummate the bond with her eventually. Any children I father will come from her and her alone. If she dies before it's consummated, I die, too. It's not just a simple matter of moving on from her. For the rest of our lives, she's it for me."

Fabian sat and stared at his brother, a dumbfounded expression on his face. He hadn't taken it all in previously, but now that the facts were laid out to him; it was overwhelming to say the least. His brother, his twin, had his future mapped out for him without any say in it. He was stuck with a girl he'd never met before.

Something clicked in his mind suddenly. Looking sideways, he asked, "You don't want to break the bond, do you? You're…happy with this arrangement?"

"I've always wanted a family," Gideon shrugged, a small smile etched on his face, "This sort of takes the guess work out of it, doesn't it? We can go at our own pace and we have to spend time with each other anyway. Why should I not take the time to know my future wife?"

"You're still so young, Gid – "

"I'm twenty-three. Look at Molly! She had Bill when she was – "

"Arthur was older. But that's beside the point. Don't you want a career? We could go back to the Ministry – "

Gideon held up his hand, "Your dream was to be an Auror, Fabian. I followed you because I was good at it and mum wouldn't have let you do it by yourself. Do you think the Ministry is going to welcome you back with open arms? You-Know-Who is in charge practically. It's not a good idea to announce we're back."

"We'll come up with another identity. We can trick them. We're going to Diagon Alley with the kids, we'll gauge who recognizes us – "

"I want a family. A wife, a home. Molly had everything I wanted. I'm not going to jeopardize that. I'll work with the Order."

Fabian was quiet for a moment. "You want to marry her, don't you?"

"I do," he nodded, "We'll get through this war – and survive this time – and I'll put a ring on her finger."

They sat in silence for a little while. Each man was fully grasping the weight of the other's words, trying to better understand.

"What…what if I'm bonded to her, as well?" Fabian asked so quietly that his counterpart nearly missed it.

He seemed to think about it for a few moments before he replied. "Then we'll be a triad. It's not conventional – the last one was centuries ago – but we'd make it work. Hermione…she's logical if anything. She thinks you hate her," he added with a pointed look.

"I don't hate her," the redhead groaned.

"You literally walk out of the room when she walks in."

"I never said I was tactful."

"That's an understatement," Gideon grumbled before he sighed, "Just try, okay? She's going to be in your life no matter what."

21 August 1995 – Number 12 Grimmauld Place

"Gideon leave?" Harry asked, grabbing a cup from the cupboard.

Hermione nodded from her place at the kitchen table. "Just a little ago," she murmured as she took a sip of tea.

"We're going to Diagon Alley to get our supplies tomorrow. You're coming, right? I think all the Weasleys are going. And Sirius." He poured his tea and lingered near the doorway.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Harry?"

"Fabian and Gideon can come, too," he flushed in embarrassment.

"Yes to the latter, no to the former," she replied easily, setting town her teacup.

Harry shrugged, "Up to you, 'Mione. Goodnight."

She watched as she disappeared after she bid him goodnight. She wasn't quite ready to go to bed, even though it was already well past eleven.

Gideon had come over earlier that day and sat with her while she read up on bonds. They learned that an unconsummated bond meant that the bond participants could track each other with ease and they had a slight feel on the other's emotions. Unconsummated bonds had more abilities than consummated ones, but consummated bonds were more fruitful in the long run.

He had told her that he and Fabian had had a talk several weeks prior and that he managed to convince his twin to be nicer to her, but she hadn't seen any improvements. True, he had been slightly less cold to her, but he hadn't gone out of his way to be nice to her, either.

She wasn't sure when she began seeing Gideon as a companion instead of a friend. It was strange. She had always been so self sufficient that she wasn't sure how to include another person in her life and decisions.

Ginny had asked if Gideon had given her any jewelry yet and it only served to confuse her further. They'd only known each other for a couple months for Merlin's sake.

"How else are you supposed to keep the boy's off you?" Ginny had said.

Hermione had retorted hotly, "As if that's been a problem so far."

Was she ready for this responsibility? She had no idea.

22 August 1995 – Diagon Alley

If they were trying to blend in, they were doing a poor job of it. A group of about a dozen people walking down the street was something that simply couldn't be missed.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley led the group, closely followed by Ginny and Fabian, Harry and Ron, Hermione and Gideon, Remus and Padfoot, and then Bill and Fleur trailing behind, still in their courting phase.

Hermione and Gideon would look at each other shyly from time to time, but she was much too nervous to do anything else.

Mrs. Weasley stopped in front of Flourish and Blotts, turning to look at the gaggle assembled behind her.

"Harry, Ron, Fabian, and Arthur will go get the Quidditch supplies," she instructed, not much caring for formalities, "Bill, Fleur, and Ginny will go to Madam Malkin's to pick up everyone's robe orders. Remus, you and Padfoot can go to the Leaky and get a table for when everyone's finished. Gideon and Hermione, you two can get the book orders." She looked around, nodding to herself and smiled. "Meet back at the Leaky when you're finished."

The group disbanded slowly with Padfoot leading the way to the pub.

"C'mon, love," Gideon said, pulling her hand lightly, " Lots of books to be bought."

Hermione couldn't say no to that. Her fingers had intertwined with his unconsciously and she allowed him to lead her to the store. The embarrassment of showing affection in public was shoved away in favour of purchasing books. Thankfully, the book orders for she and Harry – Ron and Ginny were using hand-me-downs – had already been placed and paid for, so the new couple had a bit of extra time to look around.

As was the same for the robes and, in Harry's case, the Quidditch supplies.

Since Ron was serious about the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Harry and Hermione had gone in on getting him a new broom and service kit. It had been Harry's idea, but she had been more than happy to throw in her share of galleons.

"It would've been smarter to mail-order these," Gideon observed as he took the large bag from the clerk and lightened it before shrinking it.

"Then we wouldn't have to come to Diagon Alley," she pointed out as they made their way back to the street. "And I wouldn't be able to go to the Menagerie."

"Menagerie?"

Hermione nodded, not even realizing that she'd taken his hand again. "I need to pick up some more food for my cat."

He smiled, "I used to work here during the summer. So did Fabian. I'm surprised it's still open." He stopped as she dragged him into the store and cocked his head at her, "Cat?"

"I have a half-Kneazle. Crookshanks."

"Oh," he replied, migrating towards the Kneazle kittens, "I like cats."

"I'm surprised he hasn't came to see you when you're at Grimmauld. But, he doesn't really like redheads." She paused, "Ron doesn't like him much."

Gideon grinned at her, "Good thing I like animals, yeah?"

24 August 1995 – The Burrow – Ottery St. Catchpole

"She's leaving, you know?" Fabian said quietly.

"I know," Gideon replied just as quietly.

It was late. The Burrow was asleep and the brothers were drinking Firewhisky in front of the fireplace. Gideon had been spending as much time as possible with Hermione to try and satisfy the bond. They had worked it out that every weekend they would meet in Hogsmeade, otherwise they would get too ill.

"Something bad is going to happen, I just know it," Gideon said darkly, taking a healthy swig of his drink.

His twin looked at him in confusion and asked, "How do you know? What could happen? Dumbledore's running Hogwarts, she'll be safe."

"Like she was last year?" He volleyed back, shaking his head. "She's following Potter's kid around. She's a magnet for danger. Her best friend is the bloody chosen one and she's a muggle-born. She's not safe at Hogwarts or anywhere."

"Then she wouldn't be safe with you."

"Fabian – "

"You were right before. The Ministry…they'll know that we're back soon. Officially. They're bound to have questions for us and we're going to have to answer them," he sighed, "She's not safe with you or me for that matter. Dolohov's going to come sniffing again. He's after your little witch, too."

Gideon's heart constricted painfully. He'd die before he let anything happen to Hermione.

"Just…believe that everything will be fine. She's smart, right? She won't put herself in danger. You'll see her every weekend, anyway."

"It's just not the same."

1 September 1995 – Kings Cross Station – Platform 9 ¾

Hermione was both happy and sad to be going back to Hogwarts. She had taken the weekend to go home and spend time with her parents. It had been nice and light-hearted until she had decided to Obliviate them. Her weekend had taken a heart-wrenching turn after she had cleared out her savings account, perfected extensions charms on her bags, and sent her parents to Australia to open a practice.

She had been careful not to let Harry or Ron know about what she had done. A feeling had been nagging her since she awoke at the Burrow, but she had been trying to ignore it. She couldn't risk her parents' safety when she was such a target in this war. She had to protect them at all costs.

"Love?"

She turned back towards Gideon and gave him a small smile.

"Are you all right?" He asked her, eyes filled with concern, "You've been different since you came back. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

She paused before she shook her head. "Everything's find. I'm just a bit distracted with going back."

"I don't buy it," he said bluntly, holding up his hand to stop her indignant reply, "But I'm not going to push you on it. You'll tell me when you're ready."

Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times as she struggled for words before she settled on a small thank you.

She found herself unable to tear her eyes away from the calm sea that was looking back at her. Children surrounded them and parents rushing to get the rightful people to the train, yet she couldn't be bothered. Everything that seemed to matter was standing right across from her, or, at least, that's what her soul was telling her.

"Ron and I are going to get your trunk on the train, okay, 'Mione?" Harry asked, pulling her from her trance.

Blinking, she nodded, "I'll find you both in a few minutes."

"Just follow the Wackspurts," Ron said, rolling his eyes as he followed Luna towards the train.

"Wackspurts? Don't tell me that's Pandora's daughter," Gideon said, looking after the blonde curiously.

Hermione shrugged, "Her last name's – "

"Lovegood, yeah?" At her nod, he grinned, "Always knew those two would end up together." He shook his head and looked her over once more. "You'll write me?"

"I'll do my best to write you every day."

"And you'll come to Hogsmeade?"

"Otherwise I'll die," she joked, sobering up when he gave her a dark glare. "I was kidding," she mumbled.

Gideon reached out and placed his hand on her cheek. "We haven't consummated the bond yet," he murmured, "I don't want anything to happen to you, Hermione. You mean…so much to me all ready."

"Did we need to? You know…" she trailed off awkwardly.

He chuckled, "It would make things easier, yes. However, I'm not going to bed you to simply make my life easier. Everything will happen at the right time if it's supposed to happen at all."

She relaxed and smiled shyly at him. "I'm going to miss you," she admitted.

Leaning forward, he brushed his lips chastely against hers before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I'll miss you, too, love. Stay safe for me."

Be sure to leave a review!

~Grace.