Disclaimer: Own the Landeras and Strout family but don't own Hermione and
Ron.
In this chapt when Hermione investigates, try picturing it your mind.
CHAPTER 8: Mystery
Hermione finally went home after a long day of dyeing her hair and fixing her identities. She entered her room to pack and almost jumped at the sight of Ron. He was asleep in a chair, the moon lighting his face. Hermione took a deep breath and uncovered her suitcases and started packing what was necessary. She smiled at her success of packing quietly without Ron waking up. He did move a couple of times, and Hermione wondered if he was having his Veela dream.
Hermione stood and looked at Ron. "Well, Bye." She was about to leave when she took another look at his face, dropped her things and kneeled infront of him. "I'm foolish to think I could just go with a simple 'well bye.'" Hermione ran her fingers through his soft red hair. "You know you should really get a haircut, soon it'll be as long as mine." Hermione laughed shakily. Ron did not. "I wish- I wish that I didn't have to leave you, this house, oh God how are you going to pay rent!" Hermione burst into small tears. Get a grip. She sighed and quickly wiped them and looked back at Ron.
"Okay, Ron, Look, I don't know what we were doing living together... I don't know if we were going to become something or if we were going to be stronger friends. All I know is that it's gone. Maybe I'll come back one day, I don't know. Maybe someday we will become something- we'll have to see, I suppose." Hermione stood. "Goodbye Ron. I love you." She planted a small kiss on his forehead and got her luggage and left.
**
Hermione sat up in her bed. Yes, she was in her room in the mansion in her big queen sized bed. Hermione ran her hands through her hair which she still didn't get use to grooming and touching.
It was a dream. A flashback. A stupid reoccurring dream. Normally she would think deeply about that moment and cry but she didn't want to upset Toni anymore. Hermione lay back down, hoping Toni was sleeping well.
***
Hermione sat in a small blue chair in the middle of the room. The sun shone brightly. Toni was sitting on the edge of his bed, socks dropping and wearing blue robes made of soft material. They stared at each other. Hermione didn't glance at the room, which contained painted tessellations on the walls.
"So- tell me- since you are only nine, have you ever held a wand?"
"Yes." Toni replied. "My parents gave me one when I was eight, they wanted to teach me before I went to school so that I could be the best. But when I tried the magic they taught me- it didn't work."
Hermione nodded. "Have you ever- mixed a potion?"
"Tried. My parents tried to teach me after the wand. They did not come out right." Toni said. "My parents decided to take me to a doctor."
"How was that like?" Hermione asked.
"The doctors ran some test and told me to do things, which I failed. They checked me over and the Doctors said I had only little magic in me- that I was losing it."
"Losing?"
"Yes... they said it was getting less and less."
"How did your parents feel?"
"Shocked. Ashamed. Father said that he did not like that there was a 'shadow cast upon or generations.' Said this never happened to anyone else. Said I was a squib. The doctors recommended I have someone watch me almost all the time. My parents being busy, got Maria to hire a nanny. Someone who would watch my every move, see if my food was contaminated, see how I reacted to things."
"How did that feel?" Hermione asked. She hoped she wasn't pushing him.
"Awful I hated it. I hated that first lady, and my parents just kept hiring more and more." Toni had an angry expression. "They were always distant- my father was distant because of my business and my mother was distant because my father was distant."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, I have a good idea what to do now." She said writing things down. "Now- may I peek into your closet?"
***
Tina Laderas was a small nervous, quiet woman. She had beautiful features but some days she didn't bother to tidy herself up. She always looked tired. When at the dinner table she would sigh deeply and not say much of anything. She was still in her twenties and thirties and she seemed needy for attention. Hermione looked through the door. Tina was sitting at the desk going through parchment. She then put it away, stood and started to walk toward the door. Hermione hid and Tina passed and left without knowing.
Hermione then took out Toni's invisibility cloak. She knew his parents were filthy rich and gave him the rarest things. Only it was in a glass box, which wasn't to be opened until his 18th birthday. Hermione unwrapped it and put it on and went into the room.
It was a well-kept small study, compared to the other room sizes. The walls were covered with bookcases, which held Dictionaries and such. There was a single desk infront of a window. The soft sunlight shined onto the desk and Hermione knew that that was where she should first look.
Hermione sat on the soft, large red velvet chair. Obviously the mother's desk. There were many framed pictures of her family and a vase of red and white roses. Hermione smelled their sweet aroma and began to touch them. Then she stopped. She remembered that the Wizarding World didn't have small hiding microphones but you can never be too cautious.
Hermione saw three drawers on the side. She felt the light brown wood and tried to grab the steel handle. It was locked. All three were. Hermione got out her wand and pointed at it. "Alohomora." She whispered and the drawer shot open.
It was filled with parchment, quills and ink. Naturally, it was a supplies drawer. Hermione took a moment to admire the richness of the parchment and the quality of the ink and quill when she tore herself away from it and closed it back. Hermione opened the second drawer with the same spell.
It contained rolls of parchment. Hermione picked one up and opened it. "'Famous Quotes.'" Hermione read. So the woman liked reading books and writing down memorable lines. Hermione closed it back up and placed it neatly back. She grabbed another one and read at the top. "'Favorite Poems part 1.'" Hermione skimmed through it. Each were by a man called Jack Broust. The words were so dark and talented that Hermione could practically taste it. She lost interest put it back, and kept opening more.
Hermione was about to open what was probably going to be 'Favorite Poems part 8' when she noticed a small leather journal. Hermione took it and opened it.
It was poems that Tina had created- and not very good ones. But you had to admire the admirable calligraphy. Hermione flipped through it when a piece of parchment fell out. It consisted of a date and two words. 'Dear Benjamin.' Hermione bit her lip. She put it back and placed the journal back neatly.
Hermione closed the drawer and tried to open the third one. It stayed locked. Hermione knew that there was probably a password to it, but she didn't have the time to figure it out and open it also because it was day. Hermione went back to her thoughts before.
Hermione looked at the framed photos all moving formally and took a 3 by 5 photo of her husband. He sat proud and tall and his face frowned when Hermione lifted it. Hermione turned it around and opened the back. She found what she thought she would have found.
It was a photo of a man in his mid twenties. He was smiling broadly and Hermione couldn't help but notice the man's very handsome and charming features. His sea green eyes would have made any girl melt. He had a dangerous sense to him that bothered Hermione and couldn't shake off the feeling of seeing him before.
Hermione closed it back up, the mystery man again hidden. She smiled and knew exactly what the wife was going through and whom that man was. She was so sure, she was excited. It made sense.
As Hermione covered herself more with the cloak only one thought was in her brain as she left the room, only two words embedded in her curved lips.
Secret Love.
***
The long table was silent. Tina sat at the edge eating politely and silently. Toni was eating a little more roughly. Hermione ate silently also and couldn't help but glance frequently at Tina. She began to notice.
"I am- very pleased- that you are here." Tina said in a soft voice. "You have- lightened Antonio jr's mood. Thankyou."
"You're very welcome." Hermione said just as kindly.
"Where's father?" Toni asked as he chewed.
Tina seemed not to notice Ton's rudeness and looked down on her plate. "He's- still off doing his- business. There are things he must- arrange." She didn't look too sure.
Hermione sighed. She seemed like she really loved her husband- but he was never around. Maybe she was looking for someone to keep her happy during his business trips. Maybe the dark man was her comforter.
Maybe, Hermione thought as she finished up her meal, I should take a peek in Antonio sr's study.
***
Days went by... which turned into weeks. Hermione had not sneaked around since that first time. Instead she tried to teach Toni new things and get him books. After a few weeks she tried to see him using a wand-, which went just as bad as he had said. Spells came out wrong and Hermione knew it wasn't the time to start destroying the mansion with out of control spells.
Hermione found it strange that Mr. Landeras was never home and Mrs. Landeras became more glum. This time though, beautiful owls came and brought mail. Hermione had never read his letters but she was sure they were short and prompt without emotion and love. Tina sighed heavily at this.
Days got colder and December's arrival also had the arrival very cold weather.
Meanwhile Ron was busy with work and chess. His next match was coming up a couple of days after Christmas. Ron often practiced his chess skills with Mike who became an instant tag along buddy. Ron won every game, but Mike sucked at chess one way or the other.
Since Ron was always so busy, he almost never got time alone to think which he planned on doing. He didn't want his mind to wander off into the complications of the events that happened between September and October. This caused stress; never having time for himself and Doctors suggested he spend the weekend not on work but just resting. Not even running or exercising just lying down relaxed or thinking about something. Ron hated this and so did his boss. Ron was getting extra work done with all the free time he had and it lead to more cases. So on Christmas day, Ron decided to go to Mike and Tami's Christmas party.
"Oh, Ron you're here! And late! Come in, come in!" Tami said taking the wine bottle from his hands. "Usually we don't open the door for people who are late without telling us. I'm just kidding! Go on Ron, have a cookie or two and join the party!"
"I will not be staying long-" Ron tried to say but Tami led him to the front room and was immediately greeted by Mike and his many friends and relatives. Little kids ran around playing chess as people started talking about his chess game. Ron tried to answer all of them but they were talking all at once.
Soon, they ate turkey and it was more chatter and desert which was very messy. Ron tried to say goodbye but they wouldn't leave. See my set of Chess, Ron. Look at these photos of my family, Ron. Leave- don't spoil the fun! Finally Ron claimed he needed to go to the bathroom (and that no one should follow him) and dissaparated out of there with the Christmas present he had gotten.
Ron sighed heavily and dropped the present on the lounge chair and he lay on the couch. He couldn't even enjoy Christmas. Ron sat up and decided to open his present but then noticed there were two presents on the couch. Ron took the mystery one which was wrapped in green shiny paper and a silver and red bow.
He opened it and saw a box. He opened that and saw its contents. It was a small chess set white and black and a white men's tank top, which had a note on it.
Its probably colder then it is here.
Ron frowned and turned it to see the back. In small blue words it said Ron Weasley: Chess Champ. Ron set it neatly down and looked for a card. None. Then he looked at the presents again.
"Hermione."
****************************************
I was going to put the Ron part in another chapter but decided just to add it to this one. Thanx for all the reviews, more 2 come!
In this chapt when Hermione investigates, try picturing it your mind.
CHAPTER 8: Mystery
Hermione finally went home after a long day of dyeing her hair and fixing her identities. She entered her room to pack and almost jumped at the sight of Ron. He was asleep in a chair, the moon lighting his face. Hermione took a deep breath and uncovered her suitcases and started packing what was necessary. She smiled at her success of packing quietly without Ron waking up. He did move a couple of times, and Hermione wondered if he was having his Veela dream.
Hermione stood and looked at Ron. "Well, Bye." She was about to leave when she took another look at his face, dropped her things and kneeled infront of him. "I'm foolish to think I could just go with a simple 'well bye.'" Hermione ran her fingers through his soft red hair. "You know you should really get a haircut, soon it'll be as long as mine." Hermione laughed shakily. Ron did not. "I wish- I wish that I didn't have to leave you, this house, oh God how are you going to pay rent!" Hermione burst into small tears. Get a grip. She sighed and quickly wiped them and looked back at Ron.
"Okay, Ron, Look, I don't know what we were doing living together... I don't know if we were going to become something or if we were going to be stronger friends. All I know is that it's gone. Maybe I'll come back one day, I don't know. Maybe someday we will become something- we'll have to see, I suppose." Hermione stood. "Goodbye Ron. I love you." She planted a small kiss on his forehead and got her luggage and left.
**
Hermione sat up in her bed. Yes, she was in her room in the mansion in her big queen sized bed. Hermione ran her hands through her hair which she still didn't get use to grooming and touching.
It was a dream. A flashback. A stupid reoccurring dream. Normally she would think deeply about that moment and cry but she didn't want to upset Toni anymore. Hermione lay back down, hoping Toni was sleeping well.
***
Hermione sat in a small blue chair in the middle of the room. The sun shone brightly. Toni was sitting on the edge of his bed, socks dropping and wearing blue robes made of soft material. They stared at each other. Hermione didn't glance at the room, which contained painted tessellations on the walls.
"So- tell me- since you are only nine, have you ever held a wand?"
"Yes." Toni replied. "My parents gave me one when I was eight, they wanted to teach me before I went to school so that I could be the best. But when I tried the magic they taught me- it didn't work."
Hermione nodded. "Have you ever- mixed a potion?"
"Tried. My parents tried to teach me after the wand. They did not come out right." Toni said. "My parents decided to take me to a doctor."
"How was that like?" Hermione asked.
"The doctors ran some test and told me to do things, which I failed. They checked me over and the Doctors said I had only little magic in me- that I was losing it."
"Losing?"
"Yes... they said it was getting less and less."
"How did your parents feel?"
"Shocked. Ashamed. Father said that he did not like that there was a 'shadow cast upon or generations.' Said this never happened to anyone else. Said I was a squib. The doctors recommended I have someone watch me almost all the time. My parents being busy, got Maria to hire a nanny. Someone who would watch my every move, see if my food was contaminated, see how I reacted to things."
"How did that feel?" Hermione asked. She hoped she wasn't pushing him.
"Awful I hated it. I hated that first lady, and my parents just kept hiring more and more." Toni had an angry expression. "They were always distant- my father was distant because of my business and my mother was distant because my father was distant."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, I have a good idea what to do now." She said writing things down. "Now- may I peek into your closet?"
***
Tina Laderas was a small nervous, quiet woman. She had beautiful features but some days she didn't bother to tidy herself up. She always looked tired. When at the dinner table she would sigh deeply and not say much of anything. She was still in her twenties and thirties and she seemed needy for attention. Hermione looked through the door. Tina was sitting at the desk going through parchment. She then put it away, stood and started to walk toward the door. Hermione hid and Tina passed and left without knowing.
Hermione then took out Toni's invisibility cloak. She knew his parents were filthy rich and gave him the rarest things. Only it was in a glass box, which wasn't to be opened until his 18th birthday. Hermione unwrapped it and put it on and went into the room.
It was a well-kept small study, compared to the other room sizes. The walls were covered with bookcases, which held Dictionaries and such. There was a single desk infront of a window. The soft sunlight shined onto the desk and Hermione knew that that was where she should first look.
Hermione sat on the soft, large red velvet chair. Obviously the mother's desk. There were many framed pictures of her family and a vase of red and white roses. Hermione smelled their sweet aroma and began to touch them. Then she stopped. She remembered that the Wizarding World didn't have small hiding microphones but you can never be too cautious.
Hermione saw three drawers on the side. She felt the light brown wood and tried to grab the steel handle. It was locked. All three were. Hermione got out her wand and pointed at it. "Alohomora." She whispered and the drawer shot open.
It was filled with parchment, quills and ink. Naturally, it was a supplies drawer. Hermione took a moment to admire the richness of the parchment and the quality of the ink and quill when she tore herself away from it and closed it back. Hermione opened the second drawer with the same spell.
It contained rolls of parchment. Hermione picked one up and opened it. "'Famous Quotes.'" Hermione read. So the woman liked reading books and writing down memorable lines. Hermione closed it back up and placed it neatly back. She grabbed another one and read at the top. "'Favorite Poems part 1.'" Hermione skimmed through it. Each were by a man called Jack Broust. The words were so dark and talented that Hermione could practically taste it. She lost interest put it back, and kept opening more.
Hermione was about to open what was probably going to be 'Favorite Poems part 8' when she noticed a small leather journal. Hermione took it and opened it.
It was poems that Tina had created- and not very good ones. But you had to admire the admirable calligraphy. Hermione flipped through it when a piece of parchment fell out. It consisted of a date and two words. 'Dear Benjamin.' Hermione bit her lip. She put it back and placed the journal back neatly.
Hermione closed the drawer and tried to open the third one. It stayed locked. Hermione knew that there was probably a password to it, but she didn't have the time to figure it out and open it also because it was day. Hermione went back to her thoughts before.
Hermione looked at the framed photos all moving formally and took a 3 by 5 photo of her husband. He sat proud and tall and his face frowned when Hermione lifted it. Hermione turned it around and opened the back. She found what she thought she would have found.
It was a photo of a man in his mid twenties. He was smiling broadly and Hermione couldn't help but notice the man's very handsome and charming features. His sea green eyes would have made any girl melt. He had a dangerous sense to him that bothered Hermione and couldn't shake off the feeling of seeing him before.
Hermione closed it back up, the mystery man again hidden. She smiled and knew exactly what the wife was going through and whom that man was. She was so sure, she was excited. It made sense.
As Hermione covered herself more with the cloak only one thought was in her brain as she left the room, only two words embedded in her curved lips.
Secret Love.
***
The long table was silent. Tina sat at the edge eating politely and silently. Toni was eating a little more roughly. Hermione ate silently also and couldn't help but glance frequently at Tina. She began to notice.
"I am- very pleased- that you are here." Tina said in a soft voice. "You have- lightened Antonio jr's mood. Thankyou."
"You're very welcome." Hermione said just as kindly.
"Where's father?" Toni asked as he chewed.
Tina seemed not to notice Ton's rudeness and looked down on her plate. "He's- still off doing his- business. There are things he must- arrange." She didn't look too sure.
Hermione sighed. She seemed like she really loved her husband- but he was never around. Maybe she was looking for someone to keep her happy during his business trips. Maybe the dark man was her comforter.
Maybe, Hermione thought as she finished up her meal, I should take a peek in Antonio sr's study.
***
Days went by... which turned into weeks. Hermione had not sneaked around since that first time. Instead she tried to teach Toni new things and get him books. After a few weeks she tried to see him using a wand-, which went just as bad as he had said. Spells came out wrong and Hermione knew it wasn't the time to start destroying the mansion with out of control spells.
Hermione found it strange that Mr. Landeras was never home and Mrs. Landeras became more glum. This time though, beautiful owls came and brought mail. Hermione had never read his letters but she was sure they were short and prompt without emotion and love. Tina sighed heavily at this.
Days got colder and December's arrival also had the arrival very cold weather.
Meanwhile Ron was busy with work and chess. His next match was coming up a couple of days after Christmas. Ron often practiced his chess skills with Mike who became an instant tag along buddy. Ron won every game, but Mike sucked at chess one way or the other.
Since Ron was always so busy, he almost never got time alone to think which he planned on doing. He didn't want his mind to wander off into the complications of the events that happened between September and October. This caused stress; never having time for himself and Doctors suggested he spend the weekend not on work but just resting. Not even running or exercising just lying down relaxed or thinking about something. Ron hated this and so did his boss. Ron was getting extra work done with all the free time he had and it lead to more cases. So on Christmas day, Ron decided to go to Mike and Tami's Christmas party.
"Oh, Ron you're here! And late! Come in, come in!" Tami said taking the wine bottle from his hands. "Usually we don't open the door for people who are late without telling us. I'm just kidding! Go on Ron, have a cookie or two and join the party!"
"I will not be staying long-" Ron tried to say but Tami led him to the front room and was immediately greeted by Mike and his many friends and relatives. Little kids ran around playing chess as people started talking about his chess game. Ron tried to answer all of them but they were talking all at once.
Soon, they ate turkey and it was more chatter and desert which was very messy. Ron tried to say goodbye but they wouldn't leave. See my set of Chess, Ron. Look at these photos of my family, Ron. Leave- don't spoil the fun! Finally Ron claimed he needed to go to the bathroom (and that no one should follow him) and dissaparated out of there with the Christmas present he had gotten.
Ron sighed heavily and dropped the present on the lounge chair and he lay on the couch. He couldn't even enjoy Christmas. Ron sat up and decided to open his present but then noticed there were two presents on the couch. Ron took the mystery one which was wrapped in green shiny paper and a silver and red bow.
He opened it and saw a box. He opened that and saw its contents. It was a small chess set white and black and a white men's tank top, which had a note on it.
Its probably colder then it is here.
Ron frowned and turned it to see the back. In small blue words it said Ron Weasley: Chess Champ. Ron set it neatly down and looked for a card. None. Then he looked at the presents again.
"Hermione."
****************************************
I was going to put the Ron part in another chapter but decided just to add it to this one. Thanx for all the reviews, more 2 come!
