Chapter Six – So Close, Yet So, So Far
Heart fluttering, Hermione asked, "Well – do you want to talk somewhere else?"
"Um, okay," Tyler replied.
Ignoring the inquiring looks from Harry and Ron, Hermione led Tyler to a corridor not far from the Great Hall. This is it, she thought. This "adopted" thing hasn't made much sense. Now – everything will fall into place; it will all become clear…
When they stopped, Tyler only stared at her expectantly.
Awkward doesn't even come close to describing this, Hermione thought, cringing.
The silence was broken when Tyler asked, "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Hermione was taken aback. "W-what--? I thought you wanted to talk to me."
Tyler shook his head. "Nuh-uh. I just wanted to find out who you were. My Mum and Dad said you were a good role model and that I should strive to do as well as you."
"So – why couldn't this wait?" Hermione still wasn't sure about what was going on…
"I got nervous," Tyler replied quietly. "I'm not very good with people and I wanted to get it over with. Not that you're something to get over," Tyler amended quickly. "I—I mean—" he looked up at Hermione fearfully and saw her baffled expression. "Aw, now I've made you angry. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to, honest!"
"It's all right," Hermione replied soothingly. "I'm not angry. It was just a little misunderstanding." Tyler looked immensely relieved.
Hermione, however, was even more unsettled than before. Now, what am I going to do? she pondered. I can't spring the truth on him – he's so jumpy; he'll freak out. But why didn't his parents – our parents – tell him the whole truth? They wanted him to meet me, but why didn't they want him to know I was related to him? None of this makes any sense. But how will I make sense of this if I don't tell Tyler the truth first?
And so, I've come full circle.
Tyler, however, provided her with the invitation to tell him everything.
"You know," he said seriously, "you look a lot like me. Or I look a lot like you. Whichever. Have you noticed?"
Hermione sighed. Here goes. "I have, Tyler," she started. "I think there is a reason for that." Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I have reason to believe that –"
Suddenly, the doors burst open and eight hundred students entered the corridor in a flurry of commotion.
Instinctively, Hermione called out, "Gryffindors! Gryffindors over here!" Her voice rose impressively over the roar of unintelligible sound.
"Gryffindors this way!" Ginny called, joining up with Hermione. "Stay close, first-years!"
As a tidal wave of chattering student splashed toward them, Hermione had a sudden urge to wrap her arm around Tyler's shoulders so he wouldn't be washed away. But, when she looked again, her little brother had vanished into the crowd.