Chapter 4 - Family
"Alexander, aren't you going to invite your guests inside?" a soft voice called.
Hermione turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw a beautiful woman standing in the door of the house. She was probably around forty, but looked very good. Her long blond locks were waving in the wind and made her look slightly mysterious.
"Won't it be a burden? I did not want to disturb you," Alexander said.
"Not at all! Come in!" she welcomed them inside.
They walked closer, but before opening the gate Alexander asked the woman, "Father isn't home, right?"
"Obviously," she answered.
"This is your house?" Harry asked Alexander, but his glance was shooting from one person to another.
"Yes, it is," he answered and lowered his gaze as if in shame.
"Don't think that Alex is rude," his mother said to Harry and Hermione after noticing their confused look and reluctance to go inside. "My husband does not enjoy guests so we try not to trouble him," she explained and smiled softly.
Hermione was shocked. At first, she was very confused as to why Alex had not told them that it was his house and obviously did not want to invite them inside. Secondly, the woman was impressive. Hermione liked her from the first look, so she accepted the invitation and went inside. Harry followed.
"Is Samantha home?" Harry asked, hoping that she was not.
"Yes, she just got home," she answered and raised an eyebrow. Harry felt as if she could see through him.
"I noticed that you are interested in the garden, 'Mione," the woman said and urged her to come inside.
"You know my name!" Hermione said surprised.
"Yes, the twins told me about both of you," she said. "My name is Priscilla. Nice to meet you!"
"It's a pleasure," Hermione replied. "I want to apologise for bothering you," Hermione said. "I had no idea that this is your house. I did not mean to be impolite and come here uninvited."
"That's not a problem, although usually we do not like uninvited guests. That's why Alex was so concerned about the situation," she said and laughed which was a very soft and pleasant sound.
Hermione walked closer to roses which had attracted her even from distance. It was a bush with pink blossoms which smelled softly. Hermione leaned closed to smell the flower and was fascinated by softness of the petals when her fingers gently touched the blossom. She went further to see yellow, white and red bushes which had all gotten much care and attention.
"How did you manage to grow all these roses if Alex said that you have lived here for only six years?" Hermione asked.
"This garden is not entirely my work. It was here when we bought the house, but I have become very attached to it. And I know the best ways to care for the flowers," she smirked.
"But this garden is better than anything that I have seen. It feels magical," Hermione told.
"Yes, just like magic," Priscilla laughed.
They took a walk around the garden and Hermione enjoyed it immensely. When they had seen everything, Samantha finished her work in the house and joined them. Harry lit up immediately.
"I did not expect to see you today," Samantha said.
"We did not expect to see you either," Harry told.
"Yes, Lucy's cat changed our plans," she said.
"Who's Lucy?" Harry asked.
"That's our little sister. She's nine," Samantha answered.
"We have a brother as well," Alexander added. "Sebastian is four."
"Alexander told me that Harry is hungry," Priscilla said. "We should go inside and have dinner."
Harry blushed instantly. "You don't have to bother. I'll eat when we return to the town."
"It's not a burden, Harry, come inside," she insisted.
Harry and Hermione exchanged troubled looks, but followed her into the house. The furnishing was old. Most likely they had not changed it when bought the house, or they preferred an antique style. However, everything was spotless and neat. Walls were clear; there were no paintings or photos.
They were guided into the living-room and Priscilla quickly set the table. She did not set only tea as Hermione had expected, but also offered salads, chicken with potatoes, and fish. Her eyes were wide in amazement.
"Why do you have so much food?" she asked.
"My children are always hungry," Priscilla chuckled.
Harry took everything what was offered, but Hermione just pecked at some salad. She was not hungry at all.
"'Mione, why are you not eating?" Priscilla asked.
"I'm sorry if it offends you, I'm just not hungry," she said.
"Then maybe you'll help me find the kids?" she asked.
"Sure! I'll be glad to help," Hermione answered.
"They are somewhere outside," Priscilla said and lead Hermione out of the house. Hermione happily breathed in fresh air. She liked being outside on a beautiful day like this.
"I heard you are here because of football." Priscilla started a conversation while guiding her out of their garden and closer to the wood behind the house. "You don't look like a big fan to me."
"I am not," Hermione said. "I agreed, because my fiancé desperately wanted to come, but in the end he couldn't come himself. The situation is unpleasant, so I am very happy that I met Sam and Alex and brightened up this holiday."
"Sounds like you strive to please your fiancé very much. Does he do as much for you?"
The simple question took Hermione aback. She was not sure. She could not even remember the last time when Ron had done something simply to make her happy. It seemed like he was sure that she would not go anywhere, so he had no reason to strive.
"I take your hesitation as a 'no'," Priscilla said. "However, I'm not too surprised. Many men are like that. My husband was not too caring while young, either."
Hermione sighed. It was not what she wanted. She had to find a way to make Ron care more for her.
"There they are," Priscilla said and turned Hermione's attention to two kids running through the trees. Soon, they noticed their mother and ran to her. They were very adorable kids. The girl had blond locks and looked like a little angel, but the little boy was her opposite, just as the twins, having black hair. He started suspiciously at Hermione.
"Who is she, mummy?" he asked.
"Samantha and Alexander are having guests," she answered. "Be polite and go to have dinner."
"All right," the girl said, while the boy still kept his eyes on Hermione. It seemed like he was completely unused to guests. The girl offered him a hand, which he took, and they both ran home while Hermione and Priscilla remained behind."
"At least your husband wanted children," Hermione sighed. Since Ginny became pregnant with James, Hermione had started talking about kids with Ron, but he always tried to change the subject. This made her doubt whether he really wanted a family with her so she did not hurry with the wedding.
"Only the last one," Priscilla laughed. "It took him twenty years since we met to become ready. When I got pregnant for the first time, he got absolutely hysterical and then disappeared for a day."
"A day?" Hermione was shocked.
"I was surprised he came back at all. We did not even plan to become a couple. We were just young and stupid. I was ready to raise the child alone and pay for my mistake; however, I was happy that he came back when I found out that I had twins."
"So you are together just because of kids?" Hermione asked.
"No, youth passion developed into love with time. He never wanted to leave me and the kids after that. Naturally, he loved them from the moment they were born. Children change people. They make them grow up."
"So you are saying that I should just get pregnant and put my fiancé before the fact?" Hermione asked.
"No, I'm not saying that. This is a very cruel way. However, there is no other way how my husband and I could have ended up together. And kids changed him for the better. I had never wanted a husband like him while he was young, but now he is finally tolerable. Don't think that your fiancé's unwillingness to have children means that he doesn't love you. However, you have to think whether he is really worth it to you. Keep in mind that he might not be the right man for you. You can build a family with another and be happy before he grows up and becomes ready."
"It's complicated," Hermione groaned.
"Of course it is," Priscilla said. "You cannot expect life to be easy. Then you don't learn anything."
"So it could take him twenty years as well to become ready?" Hermione asked.
"Not all men are like my husband," she said. "For example, Alexander wants a family already now."
This did not help Hermione, only increased her sympathy towards Alexander.
They had reached the house and went back to the living room where the twins were with Harry and the children.
"Do you have a game tomorrow?" Alexander asked.
"Yes," Harry answered, "and we were supposed to meet friends afterwards. 'Mione, have you made up your mind about the meeting?"
"I'm not sure whether drinking beer with guys is the best choice for me."
"But what else can you do?" Harry asked.
"I'll read a book," she smiled happily as if she had just come up with a bright idea.
"You are hopeless!" Harry sighed and got an angry look from Hermione.
"I think it's time to go," Hermione mentioned.
"Thank you for dinner!" Harry said and got up.
"How long are you staying in France?" Priscilla asked.
"Until next Friday," Hermione answered.
"Then you should visit us again," Priscilla said.
"What about your husband?" Hermione wondered.
"Don't worry," she said and smiled. Hermione guessed that throughout the years she had developed some techniques to deal with him. "Are you free on Sunday?" she asked.
Hermione looked at Harry. "We are," he said.
"Then we'll wait for you on Sunday," Alexander said happily. "I will accompany you to the hotel," he proposed.
"I remember the way," Harry said.
"All right, goodbye then!" Alexander said and the others joined him.
They were going out of the house, when Alexander took Hermione's hand and held her behind.
"'Mione, I think that reading a book is not the best thing to do if you haven't tried the best lobsters in this city. I know a restaurant that you definitely have to visit," Alexander said. "What if I take you after the game tomorrow?"
Hermione hesitated. He had held her behind so Harry wouldn't know. This sounded like a date and it would be unfair towards Ron. Then again she really had nothing to do.
"All right, let's meet at seven outside my hotel," she said and hurried outside.
"Where were you?" Harry asked.
"I just said goodbye to the kids," Hermione lied. "Aren't they adorable?"
"Lucy is. Sebastian is a bit too serious for his age," Harry said.
"Children are different. I don't think it's bad," Hermione retorted.
Harry groaned. "What's the matter?" Hermione wondered.
"I don't understand why Samantha doesn't like me very much."
"I don't think she doesn't like you. She just has a boyfriend, so she is careful with other guys," Hermione tried to find a reason.
"Then why are you friendly with Alex?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
Hermione blushed and had to turn away. Did he find that suspicious? "I don't think that she acts right. I see nothing bad in friendship."
"Me, either. I just don't understand her."
"So maybe you don't want to come back on Sunday?" she asked.
"No, I don't mind. I want to understand what her problem with me is."
When they got back to the hotel a brown owl was sitting on Hermione's windowsill.
"What have you got there?" she asked and took a note which the owl had brought. Then she gave it some bread and it flew away. It was a letter from Ginny, so Hermione immediately went to Harry's room.
"I've got a letter form Ginny," she said. Harry looked worried.
"I guess it's about Charlie," he said. "I hope he's all right."
Hermione opened the letter.
"He has severe burns. They are going to stay for at least a week more. They won't join us," she said sadly. "It looks like we are going to be home first."
"Has Ginny said anything about me?" Harry asked.
"No, I'm sorry," Hermione said. "I'll write an answer. Should I mention Alex and Samantha?"
"I think not. What if Ginny gets angry that I'm spending time with other women?" Harry was concerned.
"I can explain, but maybe you are right. It will be easier not to mention them at all."
