Chapter 25: Catching Up With Family

Early the next week, Hermione found herself sitting in a café waiting on her mum, whom she was meeting for lunch. The most surprising thing about the conversation she'd had with her parents to let them know she and Rose were witches was how not surprised they had been. Her mum admitted that Jane Creevey had broken down and told her the truth after Collin was killed but swore her to secrecy, and as it turned out, Collin's father had done the same with Hermione's dad. So, the existence of the magical world had not come as a shock to them. They also admitted that they had noticed things when Hermione was a child that they could not explain, and had wondered after they had learned about magic if she had that skill. But, both of them had been surprised by the bizarre mix up which had landed Hermione in her predicament. Where Hermione had worried they would be afraid of their magic, her parents had quickly embraced the idea, and were incredibly encouraging of both of them as they undertook this new adventure.

Hermione had been looking forward to lunch with her mum, as they hadn't had much of a chance to talk just the two of them since she had learned about her magic. Seeing her mum arrive at the café, Hermione waved her over to the table, having already ordered her a tea with milk but no sugar.

"I am so sorry I am late, honey," said her mum. "I could not find a single place to park."

"It's not a problem. I really appreciate you coming into London for lunch near my office."

"Of course, Hermione. I love when we get a chance to spend time just the two of us. It is so rare these days. I've been busy and traveling, and your life has been overflowing with changes these past few months. How are you doing with everything?"

"Honestly," Hermione smiled as she sipped her tea, "I am doing really, really well. I mean I miss Dennis terribly. But, spending so much time with Ron and Hugo and discovering magic – it has been fantastic. I am happier than I can remember being in a long time."

"Oh my God, you have fallen for him, haven't you?"

Hermione just blushed.

"I knew it! I knew it! I told your father after you two went to your work gala that I thought you two were a couple. He told me I was being a busy body of an old lady and I needed to keep my mouth shut, but I was right, wasn't I?"

Hermione, still blushing, nodded her head and admitted with a smile, "Yes – we are. But, we aren't letting the kids know anything yet. We haven't quite figured out how to juggle everything, so we are trying to just keep the dynamic at the status quo as far as Rose and Hugo know. So, please don't say anything, alright?"

"Of course, Hermione. I would never say anything. But, oh! I am so happy for both of you! I won't pretend I didn't wonder if you would ever meet the right person. But, we adore Ron. He really is a wonderful man. Seeing how he has turned his life upside down for Hugo, well, it says a lot about his heart and character, doesn't it? Not many men would be willing to do what he's done. And even fewer would do it so well."

"I know," cooed Hermione. "He's been so great with Hugo. And then when you two were in Paris he stayed home with Rose one day when she was sick and I had to be in court. Growing up I never knew that what I would find so attractive would be how a man was with kids, you know?"

"Well, it doesn't hurt that he's basically hot, does it?"

"MUM!"

"Well, I may be in my sixties, but I am not dead. The man is gorgeous."

"Oh my God. I can't believe I am having this conversation!"

"I'm not going to hit on him, Hermione. I am just saying I think you may have hit the jackpot. He's kind and gentle and good looking. Don't let him go!"

"Well, we are taking things very slowly. There is just too much at stake, you know? Rose goes off to Hogwarts later this year, and Hugo is still reeling from everything. We just can't risk rocking the boat too much right now."

"Well, I think your boat's so rocked right now that you should consider just flipping it already and get on with it."

"Thanks, Mum. I am thinking we'll stick with the other plan."

"Alright. Just a thought. But – oh! It's perfect – I was going to ask you anyway…"

"Ask me what?"

"Well, with everything that's happened, I had rather lost track of what month it was until I got a reminder email yesterday."

"What reminder?"

"Well," her mum said as she wiped a tear away, "remember, Janie and I had planned a trip over the Easter holidays for the grandparents and grandchildren?"

"Oh my God, I had totally forgotten as well."

"We'd already paid and everything. And, well, I actually spoke with your father last night and we'd still really like to take Rose and Hugo if everyone is ok with it. It's just a little cottage where we will be, but it is surrounded by a wood with a stream. Your father has these delusions of fishing. But, realistically I think Hugo and Rose will hike about and throw in rocks and what not. We'll do some hiking and have some campfires. Maybe go to the seaside for a day trip or a picnic. The rental is Saturday to Saturday. What do you think?"

Hermione hadn't had a chance to reply when her mum added suggestively, "and you and Ron could have the whole week together without the kids."

"Mum! Please stop with that. Don't make me wish I hadn't told you."

"Ok, sorry. You two just seem to be such a good match, and I am really happy for you. But, you are right. I'll back off. Sexual innuendo aside, a week without kids for you was part of the initial plan. It's just good to take a break. It helps you and Rose appreciate each other more when you spend a bit of time apart."

"You know, Ron's sister in law said the same thing when she was talking about how she thought boarding school had helped improve her relationships with her daughters."

"Teenage daughters are tough. A little absence makes the heart grow fonder, in both directions."

"But you didn't send me off."

"No, I didn't. But I can remember wondering if I should have. And, let's face it, you were much less a drama queen than most teenage girls. So – will you talk to Ron? See if he is ok with having Hugo come with us? I think Rose would have much more fun if he was there. Janie had been so excited to take him on this trip. I really want to do it for her. Well, and for him. I think it could be good for all of us."

"I'll talk to Ron. My guess is his only concern will be Hugo's nightmares. I think Ron is still up with Hugo pretty much every night to help him calm down and get back to sleep."

"I didn't know he was still struggling with nightmares. How hard for both of them."

"Yeah. Ron only recently stopped sleeping on Hugo's floor each night."

"Wow. Definitely a keeper, that Ron."

"I know," Hermione beamed. "Let me talk to Ron and see what he and Hugo think."

"Wonderful. So, in other news – how are the magic lessons going? Are you getting the hang of things?"

"Well, Ron's taught me a lot. We worked on some great charms that fixed stuff around the house and cleaned things. I could have really used those when Rose was a baby! Anyway, it is slow, but I am enjoying it. I am trying to focus on a few things now, and then I can go back and add as I need. I guess I am trying to focus on the practical stuff first, and then will add the deeper theoretical stuff later, which honestly seems backwards, but I don't know that I have the patience to learn theory and history right now if I can be learning spells that wash my dishes."

"I wish I had a spell to wash my dishes."

"Mum, Dad washes your dishes."

"Well, maybe he is just still under my spell," she joked.