Force It On A Girl Why Don't You?
Chapter Twenty: Of Possible Brothers and Disappearing Mothers
My heart was beating erratically in my chest as I rushed down the platform of nine and three quarters. I was in the process of making a healing draught when a very flustered Melody called me to inform me that her mother was nowhere in sight. Lavender, after the pre-Christmas madness, seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth, and, coincidentally, forgotten to take her daughters along with her.
She had dropped Hailee off two days ago in my hands and ran off, not telling me where she was going or even if she would be back for Christmas itself. Hopefully she would be, for the sake of her daughters at least.
She did this sometimes, not too often for it to become a regular occurrence, but every few years she would just take off, without a word, and come back, slightly happier, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary. I had tried calling her out on it, sometimes, but she always changed the subject, or avoided the topic altogether, it really was quite infuriating.
I left Hailee back at the flat in Luna's very capable hands (even if she was just about ready to pop and produce the third Weasley grandchild. Bill and Fleur had two bouncing boys right now.) while I rushed off to pick up the other one. Lavender could be irresponsible at times, yes, but whenever it came to her two daughters she usually took the utmost care in handling their well-being. Something had to be wrong. I easily spotted Melody's messy hair above the crowds as parents came to greet their own children coming home for the holidays.
"Melody!" I called over the heads of bustling first years and second years. Even thought the train has arrived over an hour ago, no one seemed ready to leave just yet. "Melody, over here!"
Melody looked up from her conversation, immensely relieved to have been found. She said goodbye to her two friends, both girls her age, before approaching me.
"Aunt Hermione," Melody grinned, hugging the woman who had become a second mother to her. "You could've just called mum, y'know."
"Your mum," I hesitated for a moment. How did you tell an eleven year old that her mother was missing and seemed to have forgotten all about her two daughters yet again? "Your mum's on a trip right now, you'll be staying with me for a while."
Concern immediately found its way onto the young girl's face as she picked up her cat which was lounging around her feet. Lavender had bought her that cat on their last trip to Diagon Alley because Melody had desperately wanted a pet but detested owls.
"Is she OK?" She asked, hissing only a moment later. Shaking her hand, she murmured, "Crookins bit me!"
I smiled softly at the girl, reaching for her trunk when another hand clasped itself around the handle. Glancing up, I spotted a boy, third year at most, smiling down at Melody. He had dark brown hair and bright blue eyes, reminding me of Zabini almost immediately. Maybe he had a brother.
"Is this your mum, Mel? She's awfully pretty," The boy gushed, staring down at the girl adoringly. I raised my eyebrows at Melody but she just rolled her eyes and shrugged.
"No Locke, this is my Aunt, Hermione," Melody informed him patiently. "What're you holding onto my trunk for?"
His face became etched with worry. "I just thought I might help, that's all."
I smiled down at the young boy, and with a wave of my wand, the trunk became a feather.
"As you can see I've got it all under control," I said softly, taking the feather from the boy. Turning to Melody, I continued, "I'll leave you two to say your goodbyes, I'll be waiting by the concession stand Melody."
Ignoring the girl's protests I quickly walked through the barrier and towards the old vendors. Seconds later, she was by my side, panting, but glaring at me evilly.
"Why'd you go and do that for?" She whined, holding onto my hand as I glanced at the menu.
"Why whatever are you talking about?" I replied innocently, looking down at her. "D'you want anything?"
"No thank you," Melody stated stiffly as I ordered myself a cup of coffee. "And I mean leaving my there with that prick!"
"Now, now Melody, Locke seemed to be the furthest thing from a 'prick'," I teased, taking my coffee and paying quickly so we could leave. "He seemed to be a very respectable young man."
Melody snorted.
"Who happened to dye my hair bright pink when I was sleeping," She muttered darkly. I glanced at her, confused.
"How did he get up into the girls' dormitories in the first place?" I questioned.
"Broom," Melody stated simply with a shrug as we began to walk towards a secluded area.
"Well, he clearly fancies you," I stated with a shrug. "Give the boy a chance!"
Melody laughed, slapping me on my arm as I placed it around her shoulders.
"He does no such thing!" She giggled, turning red. Laughing along with her, I realized for a guilty second, that this was yet another mother-daughter moment that Lavender had missed yet again.
"Hold onto my hand then," I told her, reaching out so she could grasp it firmly. In a matter of seconds we were standing in front of my empty flat and Melody seemed slightly subdued. "What's the matter sweetheart?"
"Mum's always disappearing like this," Melody complained. "And right after my first term too! I wanted to tell her about everything, what I learnt, who I met!"
Luna glanced up from the smiling toddler in her hand with a wave and quickly hobbled off towards the bedroom to give us some privacy.
"Well I don't know about anyone else, Melody," I said, kneeling down in front of the frowning girl. "But I wouldn't mind hearing about any of it."
A/n It feels good to be writing again! This is a sort of filler chapter, no real Harry/Hermione here, but the next Chapter is the one you all have been waiting for- the dinner! Let me know what you think! I've got one more exam, but it's a breeze and one I'll barely need to study for, so I'll post another chapter between now and then most likely!