At Second Glance
Chapter Four: Golden Trophy
Hermione heard the floo. She left her bedroom in a robe and a sleeping Ron on the bed. Once she made it to the living room, a pair of green eyes met hers.
"Harry," she said with a sigh. She ran up to him with a hug and she felt tears beginning to gather in the corner of her eyes.
"Gin, how about you go get Ron?" He suggested while giving her a look. Ginny nodded quickly and took off. "Hey, you okay?" He was concerned. Every year the Victory Ball got to her. The others knew, but not as deeply as he did. Despite what Ginny, Ron, or Hermione thought, he knew Hermione. He knew her most of all. Ginny liked to think that she saw everything, so Harry let her. But no. He knew that Hermione was hiding things. And he could read her. He knew what she was hiding.
"No. I don't want to go," she whined.
"Why not?" He asked. Every year he asked, but the reason was the same. But it was never complete.
"Too many bad memories."
"I know."
"How can you enjoy the fame and idolization?" She asked suddenly. He was caught off guard. She had never asked this. Granted, a lot of people thought he did. But he thought Hermione would know better.
"I don't, Hermione. But…" He pulled away from her hug to look at her. "I do it for everyone else. They need a hero. They need hope. They need a reason to justify deaths and their pain. They need me. So I oblige."
Her face wasn't legible. So he just waited with a calming smile on his face until she decided to comment. "But do they need me?"
Harry thought for a moment. "I do." He then paused and thought of another individual. "He does, too."
Hermione nodded. "I know he does. That's why I married him. I need him," she said.
"Hermione, that's not-" He got cut off by the reentrance of Ginny with Ron.
"Alright you two, get out of here. Time for Hermione and I to get ready," Ginny said with an authoritative tone to her voice. Harry stole one last glance and Hermione. She nodded so subtly and quickly, no one else noticed, so he knew it was okay.
"Okay, Ron let's go," Harry said. Ron kissed Hermione's cheek and left. Hermione could have sworn that he didn't even noticed the scared look on Hermione's face.
OOOOOOOOOO
Once Ginny was done doing Hermione's makeup and Hermione had put on her gown, she looked like a star. She looked just like a golden trophy one would put on a shelf. Completely foreign to herself, but beautiful regardless.
Ginny, too, looked stunning as well.
"The boys should be back soon," Ginny said looking at the clock on the wall.
"I hope so. People with be arriving there in thirty minutes," Hermione said biting her lips. "I don't like being late. I would prefer to get there a little sooner."
"Oh hush, we'll be fine."
The floo went off again for its third use today. The boys immediately saw their wives and were completely awestruck.
"Wow, how was I lucky enough to marry you?" Harry said to Ginny while pulling her in for a kiss.
Ron, too, was completely dumbfounded. "You look…" He stopped talking, unsure of what to say next.
"Thanks," she said with a small smirk. "Let's get going guys. We'll be late."
"You think being on time is late," Harry said with a laugh.
"It is!" She insisted. "Now, let's go!"
Once again, the floo roared as they all left for Hogwarts.
OOOOOOOOOO
Hogwarts was brightly lit and decorated in anticipation for the influx of a crowd. The evening sky was begin to hang. By the time the visitors arrive, the sky would be overcome with shades of reds and purples. A perfect reflection of Ginny's appearance tonight.
There were elves hustling about trying to get everything done. They were all properly clothed and paid, of course. They all tilted their heads downward in a respectful bow as they walked past, although none stopped. Without a doubt, they would recognize them. Harry famous for his relationship with Dobby, and Hermione and her work in the equality for minority species (especially house elves).
Upon turning a corner, they spotted a tall, skinny witch. Her hair tightly pulled into a bun, folded neatly at the base of her skull. She pointed every which way, guiding elves to new destinations. Meanwhile, her wand was lit up as it caused the candles in the dining hall to spark and catch flame.
Once they were all lit, she dropped her arms to admire her handiwork. Her shoulders bounced as there was a sounded roar of applause. The four former Gryffindors cheered and smiled in pride towards the woman that played such a major role in their lives.
"Children, you startled me!" McGonagall said with an affectionate tone. She gave them a closed mouth grin and admired the former students in front of her.
"Children?" Ron asked.
"I hardly think we classify as those anymore," Harry said. Of course, war had aged them all. Although yes they were young adults, they were plagued with a heaviness that added on many more years. But despite that, they were now in their late twenties.
"You'll always be children to me." The woman lightly clapped her hands together. "I'm so glad you four are here." She approached Harry and placed her hands lightly on his cheeks. "So good to see you." She looked the four. Noticing how much they've grown in the last year since she has seen them. Of course, Ginny had grown a little wider. But other than that, she saw small creases draping each of their eyes and noticed that each of their facial structures were a tad more profound. They were right of course, they were hardly children anymore.
"Everything looks amazing," Hermione commented.
"Thank you, my dear. Please, come in! Festivities will be commencing in…" She looked at a clock. "Oh Godric, twenty minutes. I must go make final touches. Luna has been assisting me; she should be around her somewhere?" She looked around frantically for the girl when Hermione reached out to steady her.
"We'll find her. Go finish up what you need to do." McGonagall nodded at this.
"I will see you guys inside," she said and she turned around and reentered the dining hall. The hall was then silent but there was a subtle hum of a feathery voice. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and went in the direction of the melody.
They were greeted by the presence of a long, blonde haired beauty tracing the stone bricks, her fingers running along the grooves in between. She was humming some tune that was unfamiliar to the other girls.
"Luna!" Ginny yelled, running up to her and wrapping her arms around the blonde girl. Luna quickly responded and hugged back, along with a peaceful smile on her face. Hermione studied the girls. They looked so happy to be seeing one another again. No doubt, Hermione was happy to see Luna, but the situation was hardly ideal for Hermione. Not this meeting necessarily, just the impeding reality of what was next.
"It's so good to see you guys. The Blibbering Humdingers were beginning to laugh at me," she said in a completely innocent and concerned voice.
"Not at you, Luna," Ginny assured her. "With you. They were laughing with you."
"But I wasn't laughing."
"Just go with it, Luna," Ginny said. And the in order to change the topic, "look, I have a Potter Parasite in my belly."
Luna reached out to touch the bumped stomach of the girl in front of her. "That's a rude thing to call a baby," she commented.
"Trust me, anything related to Harry—" Ginny began.
"—and Ginny," Hermione added.
"—will be a parasite." Ginny turned to glare at Hermione "Thank you for that kind addition."
"You're very welcome." Hermione grinned mischievous grin.
"Who all do you think will be here today?" Ginny asked.
"I hope to see Neville. Dean Thomas, maybe? Seamus?" Hermione suggested.
"Think we'll see the Patil Twins? I know you were roommates with them, but they haven't been here the last couple of years," Ginny commented.
"Draco Malfoy will be coming. I can feel it. The Nargles were whispering about it earlier," Luna stated.
Ginny and Hermione looked at one another. "I doubt it. He has never showed his face at these things. He's an ex-Death Eater."
Hermione let out a shaky breath and sighed. "Godric, I hope he doesn't show."