So, I know you guys are expecting more fluff BUT patience.
Enjoy.
Dragon's Blood
Chapter Fourteen
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"Harry let me explain." Hermione begged.
Harry placed the bag down on her kitchen table, unpacking the various foods he had brought with him, including two hams Hermione was expecting to cook with Molly.
Harry shrugged, not pausing to unpack, "Alright, explain."
Hermione opened her mouth but slowly closed it again. She felt stupid. Even the truth sounded like a made up story to excuse herself from the scene that Harry had witnessed.
Harry cleared his throat, "Go on, then."
"I rather not." Hermione clasped her hands behind her, "You'd think I'm lying."
Harry shook his head, "I didn't know you had forgotten about Ron."
Hermione became furious, "I did NOT forget about Ron!"
Harry instantly brought her to a hug, trying to calm her, "Shh, 'Mione. I didn't mean it that way. I meant in here." Harry placed a hand on his chest, "Your heart has been mending, like it should. You don't have to prove that you love him by being miserable forever Hermione. We all know you loved him with all you had while he was still here."
Hermione felt her chin quiver, "That doesn't explain Draco. I promise Harry it was in the moment. He's getting married and I'm disgusted that I've done this to Ron."
Harry frowned, "I might question your insanity about your decisions but I'll have a talk with Draco."
Hermione stopped him, "Harry, he's been helping me. Don't scare him off, he's going to drift away anyways."
"I think I know he's been helping." Harry smirked.
"Please, not a word to anyone." Hermione begged, "I'll stop seeing him, promise!"
Harry threw his arm around Hermione, "I'll tell the ferret you're off boundaries and this never happened. I don't see anything out of a stupid kiss. What's the worse that could happen? You two getting married?"
Hermione nodded, agreeing with the silliness. Harry was right, what could come out of a stupid kiss. It was one time. Seconds later, Fleur and Molly were escorted in by a nauseous looking Ginny. Molly and Fleur took in every detail of the manor, unable to believe that Hermione had fixed it up to restore its former handsome self. Ginny pulled up a chair and sat down, her chest heaving up and down.
"What's wrong?" Hermione kneeled next to Ginny, holding her clammy hand. Molly chuckled and patted Hermione's back.
"Oh don't mind her, she's a bit woozy from the floo powder." Molly grinned down at her daughter, "All she needs is a cup of tea to settle her stomach."
Ginny touched her face, "I hadn't felt this way since the first months."
"Rest Ginny." Harry advised, "I'll help with the cooking."
Ginny nodded.
Fleur gently touched Hermione shoulder, " 'Mione? Will you 'elp with ze oven?"
Hermione stood up and quickly showed Fleur how to work the oven. It was some what similar to a muggle gas oven except there was no gas involved and the matches had been replaced by a handy wand.
The kitchen was soon filled with sizzling and heavy scents of dishes being prepared for the festivities. Fleur was talking about the black sleek dress she chose to wear underneath her cloak that night. Ginny sulked in the corner over the fact that she couldn't wear something skimpy or revealing without looking like a pumpkin. Still, the chatter and the laughter was uplifting and even Hermione had forgotten about that morning. Streamers were being hung in the ballroom. The finishing touches were being place on the food. Guest were slowly tickling in from the fireplace and before Hermione knew it, there was a crowd of people in her kitchen trying to get a nibble of the food. Molly shooed everyone out, almost tripping over Percy and his wife Audrey's, twin girls who were barely learning to walk. Hermione swooped over, scooped Lucy and little Molly up from the floor. Percy was quick to take little Molly out of her arms.
"They can be a handful." Percy lightly chuckled, "Almost a year old and they're already taking their first steps."
Hermione smiled, "Is George and Angelina coming?"
Percy cooed at Molly patting down her dark red curls, "Yes, not sure if they'll be bring Freddie along."
Hermione paused, "Freddie?"
Percy smiled, "Angelina just gave birth."
Hermione was over whelmed, as the bouncing Lucy giggled in her arms.
"It's a lot of grandchildren. How are your parents taking it?" Hermione asked, pinching Lucy's nose.
"Oh well, they're excited!" Percy chuckled.
Hermione turned her attention to Lucy, a beautiful chubby-cheeked baby girl with dark red curls like her sisters. Her honey-colored eyes offset the freckles on her light colored skin. She was everything Hermione had once dreamed off. In fact, when she took a look around she noticed there were a couple of red-headed tykes.
Percy's twin girls.
Bill's and Fleur's Victorie and tiny precious Dominique who had just turned two months ago.
George and Angelina had arrived alone, just as Percy suspected but they had plenty of photos to go around. Hermione took one and noticed a beautiful ebony baby boy. Although his hair was as dark as his skin, Hermione could spot out the tiny freckles forming on his tiny nose.
And to think that Charlie was introducing his new girlfriend to the family and that Ginny was very pregnant, about to introduce a new member of the family. It over-joyed Hermione.
She couldn't help but to feel excited to for everybody. There were a couple of familiar faces in the sea of people. Hermione spotted Dean Thomas with Neville and Luna as Molly ushered everyone to sit in the dinning room. Hermione quickly escaped to fix herself up and slip into the black lacy dress she had bought for the occasion. She cloaked herself and ran back down to the dinning room, where everyone cheered to see her.
Hermione once thought the dinning room was unnecessarily big for her, now she questioned if it was big enough to accommodate a seat for everyone. Mr. Weasley cleared his throat.
"It is very nice to see you again Hermione. Here, take your seat." He motioned her to the head of the table. Hermione immediately decline to an insisting Mr. Weasley.
"You are the host and the host deserves to sit at the highest honorable seat." He persuaded, "You deserve it."
Hermione reluctantly took her seat and looked down the long table, seeing every single face turn towards her. She turned away, overwhelmed to be getting so much attention but she put her fears aside and rose once again to her feet.
"If I can have a word." She shouted.
"You can have two!" Harry shouted back, causing an uproar of laughter and earning a smack from Ginny. The chatter settled down.
"I'd like to thank Ginny for talking me into having a Halloween celebration. I must admit she was pushy about the idea but I caved in, knowing that I might possibly face her pregnant wrath if I disagreed."
Ginny glared at her.
"But in all honesty, I'm very glad I let her walk all over me because then I would have miss the opportunity to see your lovely faces." Hermione gulped, "The last time we were together, was for the unfortunate passing of Ronald…
There was a silence that indicated everybody was holding on to their breath, looking at Hermione wondering how she would react speaking of her late lover.
"… but Ron was selfless. He never complained, loved everyone so fiercely, and most importantly had a humor that could life the spirits of anyone. It's hard to be bright and happy like he wants us to be when he was our source of it. But I know, somewhere deep in my heart, that he'll never leave us. So let us forget the pain and sadness and try to be cheerful in memory of him because if he was here, that's all he would want."
A murmur exploded, all agreeing with Hermione. Some looked to her in admiration, others dabbed their eyes but the main response was a positive one, and after Hermione's short speech there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Hermione was doing well.
"And," Hermione shouted over the voices, "As Ron would say-"
"Can't we just eat already?" Harry shouted, taking the words right out her mouth.
Hermione laughed as the food floated out of the kitchen in a single straight line, hovering above them, each plate reaching the intended guest.
Hermione was about to dig into the streaming plate of food she was craving since Molly began to cook when she noticed a tall figure enter the dinning room.
The fork that she was holding slipped out of her hand and clattered on her dinner plate. The tall figure smirked at her and took an empty seat next to Harry and Fleur.
"Viktor Krum." She whispered out. She glanced away, missing Harry who was trying to hide a smile.
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"Another brandy!" Hermione shouted, followed by a loud cheer.
Hermione felt warm and giddy, after the hearty meal and a great discussion over the past Hermione felt the need to bring out the drinks to loosen everyone up. Ginny, offered to take care of the children while the rest of them drank.
"I'll 'elp," Fleur offered, "Between 'oo and me. I just found out em expecting too."
Ginny and Hermione cupped their mouths with their hands in shock. Ginny was ecstatic to have someone else help her even if it was former Phlegm. Hermione vaguely remembered them round up the kids and ushered them up-stairs but Hermione did remember having four or ten drinks afterwards, kinda.
As she shouted for another round, cups surrounded her and she tried her best to pour them a bit of brandy without spilling. It was impossible but she thought she handled the task pretty fairly.
Tasks…
Hermione spotted Viktor with Harry and she stumbled over to them, holding on to Harry for balance.
"Harry. Harry. Listen to me." She hiccupped, "You were amazing in the Triwizard Tournament. Like, bloody fantastic!"
Harry's glazed eyes widen, "You mean it?"
"Yes, but Viktor was like just as incredible!" Hermione reached out to pat Viktor's thick shoulder, "Viktor you have to show me how to ride a broomstick, Harry here is no help."
"What?"
"He gets really caught up in it, he makes a horrible instructor. He's actually pretty fair at teaching other things but flying? No." Hermione waved her hand in the air.
Harry's face twisted. He took the brandy that Hermione was holding and left wiping his cheeks with the back of his hand.
Hermione, about to follow Harry for the brandy, was pulled back by the arm by Viktor.
Hermione giggled, "Noooooooo! My brandy!"
He laughed at her silliness and pulled her close, "Do you mind if ve took a valk? Outside?"
Hermione stunned by the question, nodded. Letting herself be led out by Viktor. He was very helpful in guiding Hermione uncoordinated feet as they slipped outside and headed for the gate. Krum was respectful as he always was. He only laid a hand on her when she needed something to control her balance.
"How have you been?" Hermione asked, "It's been a while."
"Good." He nodded.
Hermione snorted, "That sounds wonderful, how did you get the invitation? It was a surprise seeing you walk in."
"Harry." He simply said, "I vasn't expecting to come. I haf training you see..."
They continued walking down the beaten path in the opposite direction Hermione usually took to Mere.
"I'm very sorry to hear about Ron." He spoke softly, "I was very sadden over your heartbreak."
Hermione became much less animated, "Oh yes…"
Viktor kept walking towards a dark silhouette dotted with lit windows. Every once in a while he would look back at Hermione who was staring blankly at the ground. He chuckled to himself, muttering in something in Bulgarian then, pointing out the other Manor.
Without warning Hermione dropped to her knees and began to wail.
Startled Viktor kneeled by her side but she swatted him away. Any type of help he offered was rejected to the point where Viktor forced himself on her to pick her up. She kick and screamed until she tired out and Hermione resorted to sobbing. All she would say is
"What have I done? What have I done?" over and over again. Krum carried her back to her Manor and tried his best to calm her weeping down.
"Shhhh," He hushed, " 'Ermione. Don't cry."
Hermione couldn't help herself. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to drink since she hadn't done so in such a long time and in her condition. Granted, she was doing much better now but she couldn't help that she had done so much wrong. Nothing she was doing would Ron ever agree with.
Moving far away.
Fixing up a bloody old house.
Cleaning.
Having Draco over as much as she had.
Kissing Draco.
She felt like a hypocrite. Bring honor to his memory… She scoffed. She's done nothing of that sort. She's been a disgraceful fiancé that's been prancing around like some stupid girl. Somewhere, deep in her mind, she vowed to hurry up the second experiment to see Ron again.
" 'Ermione." Viktor repeated, "Are you okay?"
"Yes." She lied quickly, adding a giggle for effect, "Just the drinking I suppose. Brings out the worst in people sometimes, don't you think?"
Viktor flashed her a half smile, "Not for Bulgarians, no."
"Not even a little?" Hermione lifted her hand to show her index and thumb pinched together.
The bulky Bulgarian leaned over and whispered a slur of things to Hermione's ear. With each passing word, her brows rose in annoyed astonishment.
"Really?" She said.
"Bulgarian drink this like water. None of you vould last in our drinking games." He proudly bragged.
Hermione, clearly unimpressed, frowned, "Fuck off."
And with that she left.
ooo
Astoria and Draco shared a laugh with their parents as they welcomed them back from their trip. Draco, according to Astoria's observation, was detached from their dinner. He would relentlessly look out the window, letting his mind wander off. Astoria couldn't help but to think that he was thinking of a certain someone, and that wasn't her. She felt her insides ache. She didn't want to resort to this but it was the only way to secure her future, their future, she had to do this. Their trip they had taken had not placed Draco in his respectful place and that was beside her. Although they had been affectionate toward each other, as they always have, Astoria sensed something different about him. Perhaps he was scared about the wedding but Draco always discussed his fears with her. Always.
"What a wonderful Halloween." Astoria sighed, "One of the many to come, I hope."
Draco fidgeted.
"Toast to that." Draco's father, Lucius, raised his cup.
"Mmm, I could smell the pumpkin pie." Astoria's mother sniffed, "Delightful."
Much to her pain and pleasure, Draco excused himself to check up on the elves in the kitchen, explaining that he too was looking forward to the pumpkin pie. Astoria stood up the moment he was out of sight and cleared her throat.
"I'm very sorry." She apologized, "But I feel like something is off."
Her parents exchanged glances with Draco's parents.
Her mother smiled at her, "Astoria, please. We all had an exhausting day. There's no need to apologize. This dinner is excellent. It is exactly what we needed to have after a long day today."
"We went over the pre-settlements of the engagement." Malfoy's mother spoke up, smiling, "Maybe in a couple of months we can actually move on to the real dowry and then we can really plan the wedding. I'm sure it would be one for the books. I'm sure it would be the one to top Potter's."
"Months?" Astoria whispered.
Lucius snorted, "I suppose having a wedding in a farm house surround by pigs was the wedding of the century. I'm disappointed I didn't get invited."
They all snickered.
Astoria closed her eyes and shook her head, "As I said, I apologize. I don't mean any harm."
She pulled out her wand watching the reaction of her family. Before they could fully react, Astoria waved her wand.
"Imperio."
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