AN: Characters are J.K. Rowlings
Chapter Fourteen - Mrs Weasley's Visit
Draco sent everyone back to their Common Rooms when he returned from Dumbledore's office as it became apparent that Hermione was not going to come out of her room.
The next morning he woke up to find the bed next to him empty. He'd remembered holding Hermione as she cried herself to sleep, but now she wasn't there. Draco got up and headed down to the Common Room where he saw Hermione curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea. He sat down next to her and said "morning".
Hermione turned and gave him a week smile and said "morning" before taking a sip of her tea. "Draco" she said quietly "do you mind if we don't go to Hogsmeade today, I think I just want to stay here".
Draco had completely forgotten it was a Hogsmeade weekend, "we can do whatever you want" he replied. Hermione moved and snuggled into him, "thank you".
It was around lunchtime when the portrait opened and Dumbledore and Mrs Weasley entered. Draco looked up from the sofa and put a finger to his lips indicating that they needed to be quiet. Hermione was curled up on the sofa, with her head in Draco's lap, sound asleep.
Dumbledore and Mrs Weasley both nodded silently, before Dumbledore tipped his head and left. Mrs Weasley headed over to one of the chairs and sat down, looking at Hermione. She could see the tear tracks on the young girls face, and the fact that she looked totally exhausted. Mrs Weasley had been glad when Dumbledore invited her to come to Hogwarts and see Hermione as she didn't know what to make of Ron's letter, and Hermione herself had told her that she was just working through some things and would be in touch. The poor girl had obviously been trying to deal with everything herself.
Draco looked at Mrs Weasley and he could see her looking at her how a mother would, how his mother had when he was younger. He smiled, knowing everything was going to be ok.
Hermione stirred , and Draco ran his hand through her hair, leaning down slightly to whisper "Mione, we have a visitor".
Hermione turned and looked at Draco with wide eyes, she'd told him she didn't want to see anyone today, what did he mean they had a visitor. He nodded his head towards the chair and Hermione turned to see Mrs Weasley. She burst into tears and said "I'm sorry Molly, please don't hate me".
Draco stood, making room for Mrs Weasely, who immediately took his place and pulled Hermione into her arms, "I could never hate you" she said, while soothing Hermione.
Draco decided it was best to leave Hermione and Mrs Weasley alone to talk things through. He headed out of the Common Room and headed to the Dungeons, deciding to go and visit his Godfather.
Hermione finally stopped crying and looked at Mrs Weasley. "Why don't you start at the beginning" she said and Hermione nodded. Taking a deep breath she started, explaining everything from what she had done to her parents before the war to going to find her parents and to what she had felt since then. Mrs Weasley just sat and listened.
Once Hermione had finished, Mrs Weasley hugged her and said "Hermione dear you didn't have to go through all of that on your own."
Hermione nodded, "I know, but I didn't want to be a burden when you were all dealing with Charlie's death".
"Oh Hermione, that's the thing about families, they always find time for each other no matter what".
Hermione nodded, and started to cry again, realising how stupid she'd been for trying to deal with this on her own. Mrs Weasley hugged her again, "please promise me that in the future you'll talk to me about anything at any time. I know I'm not your mother, and I could never replaced her, but I'd like to be there for you, if you'd let me".
Hermione hugged Mrs Weasely back, before pulling back and looking at her, saying "promise".
"That's my girl" Mrs Weasley said, and Hermione smiled, she'd missed Molly.
"Now remember, just because you are one of the strongest people I know does not mean that you have to deal with everything on your own. There are people who love you and will be there for you no matter what".
Hermione smiled, "so I've been told".
Mrs Weasley looked at her, "Draco told me the same thing" Hermione replied.
"Yes Ron mentioned something about you two becoming closer".
Hermione absent-mindedly played with her heart pendant, "He's been my rock, he listened and he understood. He doesn't really have anyone either. I guess we kind of helped each other after the war and..."
"You love him" Mrs Weasley finished.
Hermione smiled "yeah I do, and he loves me".
"Then that's all that matters, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise, especially my idiot of a son" Mrs Weasley smiled.
Hermione and Mrs Weasley had talked for hours. Draco had returned and been given a big hug from Mrs Weasley as well as a thank you for looking after their Hermione. Ginny and Harry had returned from Hogsmeade and come to visit, with treats from Honeydukes.
"Harry can I ask you to do me a favour please" Mrs Weasely asked.
"Sure" Harry answered
"Can you please go and get Ron. I think I need a chat with my son before I leave" she said.
Harry nodded, took a deep breath before standing and heading out to find Ron. He returned a short time later with Ron and Lavender.
"Sorry she wouldn't leave" Harry said as the three entered.
"Well who know's what you'd say to my Won-Won" she said, clinging to Ron's side, as her eyes darted around the room taking everything in.
"Mum" said Ron, shocked that his mother was sitting in the Heads Dormitory.
"Ronald, sit down. Your friend may leave, this is a family matter" Mrs Weasely instructed.
Lavender look at Mrs Weasley as if she was about to say something, but Mrs Weasley's glare made her shut up. Harry tapped her on the shoulder and pointed towards the door. Lavender looked at Ron, who was looking at the floor, before huffing and storming out.
Ron then moved to sit on the sofa next to his mother, as all other seats were taken. Ginny was in one of the chairs, with Hermione in the other. Draco was sitting on the floor at her feet. Harry sat on the arm of Ginny's chair.
Mrs Weasley looked at her son, who was not daring to meet her eye and had taken a great interest in his feet. She glanced at the 2 couples and nodded her head to indicate that they should leave. They all stood and headed out to find Lavender sitting in the hall next to the portrait. She looked up as they exited, but they ignored her and headed towards the library, ensuring the portrait had time to close before she could enter.
Once they were alone Mrs Weasley began "RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTED IN YOU. HOW DARE YOU TREAT HERMIONE IN THE WAY YOU HAVE. I KNOW YOU ARE STUBBORN AND PIG HEADED BUT I DID NOT RAISE YOU TO BE RUDE AND INTOLERANT" she yelled.
Ron could sense she was building up steam, especially as she was now standing, but he just sat there and took it, knowing to interrupt her would only make it worse.
"HERMIONE HAS BEEN YOUR FRIEND FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS, SHE IS A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY AND AT A TIME WHEN SHE NEEDED YOU, YOU DECIDE ITS BEST TO MAKE THINGS WORSE FOR HER. IS THAT WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO GINNY?"
"But Mum.." Ron started
"DON'T INTERRUPT ME. I KNOW YOU THINK YOU WERE STANDING UP FOR OUR FAMILY, BUT ALL YOU HAVE DONE IS CAUSE MORE PAIN. HAVE I NOT BROUGHT YOU UP TO KNOW THAT WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH, THAT'S WHEN FAMILIES STICK TOGETHER."
Ron looked down at his feet again, "sorry mum" he mumbled.
Mrs Weasely sat down, "I know you are" she said "Hermione had her reasons for shutting us out, and she knows she didn't have to, but she is always thinking of others before herself, that is why we have to look after her and help her when we can. You know how hard it is to loose someone you love and care for, someone who's always been there".
Ron nodded.
"Then help her, don't make her feel worse".
"I'm sorry mum" he said again, this time looking at her, "its just what she said hurt. I couldn't believe she said we weren't family. I guess I didn't take the time to understand what she meant. I love her and Harry like they were family, but I guess I never really understood loosing someone until we lost Charlie. I should have been more understanding".
Mrs Weasely nodded, "don't worry she'll forgive you".
Ron hugged his mum, "and I expect you to be nice to Draco" she said. Ron sighed "okay I'll try".
Mrs Weasely smiled, "come on you can walk me back to Dumbledore's office before finding the others".
Lavender was still sitting outside when they exited, "Won-Won" she said jumping up to hug him.
"Um, mum this is Lavender" he said, blushing furiously, as Lavender clamped herself back onto his arm.
"Nice to meet you" Mrs Weasely smiled. The three of them walked back to Dumbledore's office in an uncomfortable silence.
"Remember what I said" Mrs Weasley said as she entered Dumbledore's office and Ron nodded and turned to head towards the library.
"So are you going to tell me" Lavender asked as they walked toward the library.
"Just family stuff" he said, wanting to put things right with Hermione rather than give Lavender anymore gossip. Once they reached the library, he turned to Lavender and said "this is something I have to do alone, I'll meet you back in the Common Room?"
Lavender just looked at him, "you don't want me with you" she said, turning on the waterworks. "I thought I was your girlfriend, I thought we had no secrets".
"Um, well this is family stuff and I think its just, um, best if I go in alone" Ron stammered.
"FINE THEN" Lavender yelled, before turning on her heal and stomping off towards the Gryffindor tower. Ron sighed and entered the library.
Ron found Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Draco sitting at a table towards the back. "Um Hermione can I, um, talk to you?" he asked.
Hermione nodded and motioned for him to sit down.
"I'm sorry" he said "I over reacted and was being stubborn, and well I should have been more understanding I guess. I know how hard it was to loose Charlie, I can't imagine what it must be like to loose your parents".
Hermione looked at Ron and she could see he was truly sorry. Mrs Weasely might have told him to apologise, but she knew he meant it.
"Apology accepted" she said "I'm just sorry I shut you all out and tried to deal with it on my own".
"We forgive you" smiled Ginny "plus if you hadn't you wouldn't have Draco, so I guess it had some benefits".
The others around the table looked at her before smiling and laughing, as Ginny had a point. Hermione felt happier than she had in a long time.
AN: So I'm not really sure where this story goes from here, so if you have any idea's please let me know.
This has been quite a hard story to write for me, it hasn't come as easily as other's I've written so I apologise if it doesn't quite flow right, but I hope you have enjoyed it, and if I find any inspiration there may be more, but no promises :)