Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Hermione took an appraising look over the train compartment. She had just returned from the dining cart. On her way there she had disposed of the half finished bottle of firewhiskey with a compartment of former quiddtich players already in full revelry. She held a tray laden with a three cups of tea and cooling pack. Ginny was stretched across the bench, her arm thrown over her eyes. Luna knelt by her friend, holding onto her other hand. Seeing Hermione enter Luna stood and took the tray from her.
"Allow me."
Setting the tray down, Luna quietly said a brief spell the activate the cooling jell of the pack. She then placed it gently under Ginny's head where a nasty welt was now raised. Ginny and Hermione's tumble onto the bench might have been comical in another situation but none of the women laughed as Ginny had cried out the last of her frustration over her absent husband.
Hermione took her seat and tea in hand and silently watched her friend tend to her sister-in-law. How could Ginny think for one second that Harry was stepping out on her and the children. She thought. On occasion Hermione had seen Harry late at night at the Ministry, dragging his tired body through its halls on his way to the Aurors' offices. During his tenure as head, the Auror Department had made significant strides in reducing the number of foreign dark wizards entering England. Harry was instrumental in the collaboration of the Department of International Magical Cooperation with other foreign ministries. It meant Harry traveled extensively, to the continent, across the Pond to the States and on several occasions to Asia. His driven Ginny. Hermione said to herself. Driven to protect you and his children.
Her gaze set upon Luna. You dear woman. Rolf's father is a fool. Doesn't he know you are the best of all of us?
Looking down into her tea cup. Having drained its contents she could make out the swirls of the tea's dregs. Staring into it she thought briefly on Prof. Trelawney. Huffing, Hermione wondered what she would find to prognosticate in this cup. Watching the swirls Hermione's eyes traced the form of four circles, two small ones and two large ones all intersecting. As the motion of the train rocked her hand the circles starting to drift apart. Still overlapping but one of the larger started to break apart, separating from second larger circle. I certainly don't need Trelawney to tell me my future...
Two months earlier...
Hermione hurried out of the Leaky Cauldron onto Diagon Alley. Forty minutes late to meet Ron she wove her way through the throngs of wizards and witches to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Rose's third birthday was the next weekend. Ron had insisted that his fearless first born was ready for her first broom. Hermione had talked him out of the gift last year. She had been pregnant with Hugo at the time and had reasoned with Ron that a new born and a two year old on a broom at the same time was too much for even her to handle. Her one caveat was that they buy one with most protective spells on it. Ron had scoffed and retorted that they might as well buy her a muggle sweeper since it would be as much fun.
Finally making it to the shop, Hermione was surprised to hear a familiar laugh. Standing to the counter was Ron, in his arms a large box label The FlareBolt, its colors and black, orange and red glaring at her and standing next to him sharing in a secretive laugh was Lavender Brown. Stuck in her spot, Hermione watched as the two smiled at each other, Lavender's hand holding onto Ron's forearm. Hermione felt someone push by her causing her to stumble towards them which finally caught their attention.
"'Moine, love!" Ron said but making no move to his wife.
"Oh, hello Hermione." Lavender added, as if surprised to see her.
Finally straightening herself and stepping to the pair Hermione forgot any greeting and swallowed the sour bile taste in her mouth. In a perturbed tone she said, "Ron, what is that?"
"Rose's broom." Ron answered, confused, as if replying to a rhetoric question. "The Flarebolt, it's designed after the Firebolt. It has a safety harness spell and will do aerial loops and barrel rolls. Isn't it brilliant!"
"No, it is not brilliant. It's clearly written on the box that it is meant for young wizards and witches over the age 6. We agreed to get Rose the Comet Tail training broom. And this, this is twenty galleons more!"
"Oh that's no problem," Ron responded, ignoring the first half of Hermione's rant, "Lavender paid for it."
Hermione stood dumbstruck, mouth agape.
"Hermione," Lavender started in defense of Ron, "Rose is a Weasley." she nearly cooed. "She'll be a natural at it, beside, don't you think Ron's daughter deserves the best." Lavender addressed the last part at Ron. Her words were meant to relay so much more. Ron, the youngest of six Weasley sons could have only dreamed of being given such an expensive, new present as a child. In one statement, Lavender dismissed Hermione's appreciation of how Ron grew up and more importantly that Rose was also her daughter.
She could not, would not engage Lavender Brown in a debate on how to raise her child. Stepping between Ron and Lavender she took his arm and dragged him a few steps away. Hermione spoke in a low voice, "Ronald Weasley this was not what we agreed upon."
Ron looked from his wife then over her shoulder at Lavender behind her. Sighing heavily, his attention returned to his wife. "I know, Lav just wanted to do something nice. She found me on the street waiting for you. When I told her we were to go shopping for Rose's present she offered to come along. She insisted. I didn't feel I could refuse her. It's just a friendly gesture. Then I got so excited thinking of our Rosebud on it but...you're right. This is a bit too much for Rose to handle." Setting the box down he took Hermione's hands in his own. "I'll trade it in right now." He looked into her eyes with his apologetic blue ones. Hermione looked down a the box. Her eyes landed upon the smaller text below the FlareBolt logo, it read Optional training charm available. Suddenly her mind formed a vision of her red haired cherub trailing behind Ron, the two of them happily flying around the Burrow's field.
"She never rides by herself." Hermione stated. "We charm it to your broom. If she wants to ride, you must be with her."
A smiled broke across Ron's face. "Absolutely." He then once more looked over Hermione's shoulder and nodded to Lavender.
One month earlier...
Hermione stepped onto the landing of her and Ron's flat and set Hugo in his pram. Her Rose danced in quick circles humming the tune, "Weasley is our King." The little family was on their way to see Ron play in the Quidditch League exhibition game.
Down the hall Hermione saw an slightly older lady and gentlemen walking their way. Their attention was on little Rose as she twirled and sang,
"Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring.."
The man clapped at Rose's performance. Rose, seeing her audience left her mother's side and skipped to the couple.
"Hello there Ms. Rose Weasley. Where are you and your little brother off to this morning." The lady asked as she bent down to pat Rose atop her head. Hermione pushed Hugo to the group curious how strangers knew her children but not her.
"We're to see Daddy play!" Rose jump in excitement.
"Good Morning, I'm Hermione." she introduced herself.
"Oh, hello there, I'm Clorinda Moors and this in my husband Sheldon. We moved to the flat next door last month."
"Oh yes, of course." Hermione now recalled seeing the couple about recently.
"Yes well, we met Rose and the baby the other day." Clorinda smiled down at her. Her next words would shock Hermione. "Certainly takes after their father. Are you the sitter?"
"I'm sorry what?"
"We met Mr. Weasley and his wife along with the children on their way back from the park the other day."
Hermione drew herself to her tallest height and decided she did not like Mr and Mrs Moors. "Rose and Hugo are my children, I am Hermione Weasley."
"She's Mommy!" Rose enthusiastically volunteered.
"Oh," Mrs Moors exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. We just assumed the young woman we met the other day with the children was...Mrs. Weasley."
"Well now you know right." Hermione replied sharply. Taking Rose's hand she maneuvered the pram around the couple. Once they were out of earshot of the couple Hermione stopped and knelt down to her daughter.
"Rose, who was with you and Daddy when you met the Moors."
Rose could tell her mother was upset. She played with the edge of her jumper, unwilling to look at her mother. She mumbled a reply. Hermione could see the turmoil in her child. Drawing her in for a hug she whispered gently in her ear.
"It's okay luv. I'm not mad at you. Please tell me who was with you." Drawing back, Hermione lifted her daughter's chin so she could look at. Finally Rose spoke clearly, "Ms. Lav Lav."
One week earlier...
Late from work, again, Hermione walked into her curiously quiet home. Typically she would be greeted with the bellows and laughs of her rambunous family. Instead all was quiet. Stepping into the front room Hermione found her father in law, Arthur Weasley drowsily seated on the settee with her lovely children peacefully asleep next to him.
"Oh you darling girl, you're home." Hermione heard quietly from behind, turning to find her mother in law, Molly.
"Hello Molly. How are they."
"Tired out. Arthur was pretending to be a Norwegian Ridgeback in the Tri-Trounament Dragon Challenge with the littl'uns. I'm not sure how I will get him in the fireplace to floo home. Come to the kitchen, I just made some tea." Before following Molly, Hermione tiptoed across the room to place a kiss on the cheek of each child and gentle squeeze of her father in law's hand.
Molly set a cup of tea on the table as she entered the kitchen. "Sit. Have you eaten?"
"I'm fine Molly, thank you. Ron didn't tell me you and Arthur were visiting tonight."
"Oh, well Ron owled us this afternoon and asked if we could come and watch the children for a few hours tonight. Said he had to go to a late meeting with his Auror division."
"Really? He didn't mention it."
"Ah, well..." Molly worried the edge of her tea cup with her fingertips.
It was at this moment that Arthur entered the kitchen with Hugo in his arm and leading a sleepy Rose. Rising, Hermione took her slumbering son.
"Wher' Daddy." Rose asked as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Hermione did not answer her daughter but rather looked from Molly to Arthur.
"Your Daddy is with some friends but he will be home soon." Molly assured both Rose and Hermione. Gathering Rose up, Molly ushered Hermione down the hall to the children's bedroom.
After putting the children to bed Molly and Arthur flooed home. Before stepping in the fireplace Arthur set a kind hand on Hermione's shoulder. The in laws bid each other a good night.
Later, Hermione sat alone with her cold cup of tea. From the hall came the echoing shuffling sound and click of the front door. The rustle of clothing and a muffled cough. Steps coming down the hall that suddenly stopped. The steps resumed and finally in the doorway he appeared.
"'Mione. What're you doing up?" Ron asked his wife as he straightened his jumper and ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair.
"It's what a wife does," she replied calmly but without looking Ron, "when her husband doesn't come home at night."
Silence filled the room.
"Where were you?"
"There was incident on the coast. Russian based muggle-cargo ship was grounded. Seems it had a stow-away by the name of Petrov who wanted to get off before making port at Cardiff. Hexed the crew and was trying to make it ashore. Nearly killed Samuelson when he chased him into the hold, blew apart a number of containers."
Hermione finally lifted her eyes to take in her husband. His clothing was dishevelled and he looked exhausted. "Are you alright?'
Ron walked over to his wife and kissed her hair, "Fine love."
It should have made her feel better except for one fact. The fading scent of perfume and sweat.
