― CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE ―

Jaquenetta made a quick detour on her way to meet Hermione at The Leaky Cauldron, stopping at the post box she had rented promptly upon her arrival at Number 12. With all the added protections placed upon the new Headquarters for the Order Jaquenetta was not surprised that no owls could get through to deliver the mail. The only exception was Hedwig – Dumbledore, in understanding Harry's isolation had ensured that any mail to or from Harry via Hedwig would always reach the intended recipient. After Jaquenetta's first owl, which was sent from Diagon Alley to Hermione giving the address for the post office and confirming that owls would not be able to get to her, the two girls had to rely on the less speedy Muggle post. This being the reason for the trip to the post office – Jaquenetta had only received one letter from Hermione due to the postal delivery delays and wanted to make sure, if there was one waiting for her, that she read it before seeing Hermione.

As Jaquenetta opened the small door to her post box her heart skipped a beat when she saw the letter waiting for her. Making her way to the small park just around the corner from the post office Jaquenetta hastily opened the envelope as she sat down on the wooden bench.

Dear Jaquenetta

I am not entirely certain that you will receive this letter before we see one another but I still wanted to write, even if only briefly so that I can get this posted today. I have never realised how slow the Muggle postal system was until now, the wait for your letter seemed to stretch on for days. Mother and Father are looking forward to meeting you. I have not told them about us. I'm a little scared to be honest, what if they disapprove? I mean their personal thoughts on the matter will never sway how I feel about you, but what if they hate me? A book I borrowed from the library said that people are a lot more accepting than they were even ten years ago. They have a Dental Conference to go to at the end of the week so I will be staying at the Weasley's until term begins again. I will have to go into the small town nearby and rent my own postal box I think. I don't want to even think about not being able to write to you. Perhaps you could come visit me there? I think Crookshanks is missing you. I have been as well... I know in my last letter I know I said I would tell you about the train ride home but I don't think even I have enough parchment for that... but I'll fill you in when I see you. Hopefully you will have some ideas? Well I had better dash to the post office; I hope I haven't missed the mail.

Yours, Hermione

Jaquenetta carefully replaced the letter in its envelope and stowed it away inside her jacket. Looking at her watch she had fifteen minutes to get to The Leaky Cauldron and made the short walk there in good time.

Jaquenetta was thankful for the directions Tonks had given her, for she was almost certain she would have passed right by had she not been looking for it, as her only other visit was back on Boxing Day when she passed through with Hermione. The Leaky Cauldron was situated right between a Muggle bookstore and a record store. It was dark and shabbier than she had anticipated, dimly lit with walls of old dark wood. There were numerous tables in the corners, hidden amongst the shadows. Sitting at some of the tables were witches and wizards dressed in a mixture of Muggle and Wizard clothing.

Jaquenetta looked around the room searching for Hermione, or a place to sit if she was the first one to arrive. As she began walking towards the bar Jaquenetta caught the briefest of glimpses out the corner of her eye of bushy hair, and turned around to get a better look. Jaquenetta smiled as her eyes rested upon Hermione who was sitting in a booth at possibly the farthest table from the bar. She was fidgeting slightly and appeared to be rather engrossed in a book that was open on the tabletop in front of her, and made her way over to the table.

'Hey there' Jaquenetta said softly as she neared the table

Hermione's head shot up and a grin broke out on her face as she registered Jaquenetta's presence. She quickly closed the book, which Jaquenetta now saw was the Lonely Planet Guide to London, and jumped out of her seat. Jaquenetta embraced the younger witch, sighing as she felt that familiar electric charge radiate from all points of contact. The wave of happiness she had missed greatly the past week now returning.

As they pulled away Jaquenetta brushed her lips against Hermione's cheek, a blush spreading across the spot almost instantly.

Oh I have missed that smile, even if tinged with... sadness?

After Hermione had sat back down in the booth Jaquenetta slid in next to her, taking her hand gently underneath the table. While Hermione's display at Hogsmeade on the last day of term had been unexpected and thrilling, yet also very public, Jaquenetta was not sure if Hermione would be comfortable with anything overt right now.

'So you've come prepared' Jaquenetta said with a grin, nodding towards the closed book in front of Hermione.

'Yes' Hermione said returning Jaquenetta's grin 'I have not really been to London myself except when coming to Diagon Alley before each school year, and never on my own.'

'I think the book is great, do you have any places you'd like to go to?' Jaquenetta asked, having already noticed that some of the pages had been dog-eared. Hermione's over-preparedness would be chastised by many at Hogwarts but Jaquenetta found it very endearing.

Hermione brought the book closer to Jaquenetta so they could both see it easily 'Well, there are a few places...'

By the time their lunch orders had been taken and brought out the two witches had an almost entire day of sightseeing planned. After a quick look through the book Jaquenetta had confirmed that many of the famous landmarks were the same though she had not visited all of them. It did not take them long to compile a list that would keep them occupied for the better part of the day. The list included the Tower of London; at Jaquenetta's request, and the largest independent lending library in the world, the London Library; at Hermione's request.

Sipping her Butterbeer Jaquenetta noticed that Hermione had gone quiet once more and thought perhaps now was the best time to talk about whatever was on her mind.

'Do you- do you want to talk about what happened on the train?' Jaquenetta asked softly. The booth they were in was far away from other patrons to be private, and Jaquenetta hoped Hermione would feel comfortable to talk here, if not there was always a park they could apparate too.

Hermione looked over to Jaquenetta, her eyes had lost their familiar glow that Jaquenetta was used to 'it was nothing, really' she said softly her eyes now turned to look at her drink.

'Hermione, if it was nothing it would not be affecting you like this' Jaquenetta said gently 'I know there is something bothering you and if I can I would like to help.'

Hermione took a sip of her Butterbeer and began to tell Jaquenetta what happened after she had ran back to the train.

'Harry, Ron and I had managed to get a compartment to ourselves on the train. Just after the trolley cart had gone past Malfoy and his two cronies had come past and slid our door open. I knew they were only there to cause trouble. Malfoy started hassling Harry saying he was 'Dumbledore's favourite boy again'. He was simply trying to get a reaction out of Harry and when Harry stood up telling Malfoy to get out of the carriage, the altercation escalated.'

Hermione stopped to take a breath and another sip of her drink. Jaquenetta who was sitting silently listening gave Hermione's hand a gentle squeeze in encouragement to continue.

'Malfoy shouted at Harry that he had picked the losing side and that he had told Harry back in first year to not hang around with riff-raff like myself and Ron. And then... then he said' Hermione closed her eyes remembering 'too late now Potter. They'll be the first to go, now the Dark Lord's back. Mudbloods, Muggle-lovers and Dykes first!'

After another sip of Butterbeer Hermione continued, running her fingertips over the back of Jaquenetta's hand.

'It was like a box of fireworks exploded inside the compartment. We had all jumped to our feet and hexed Malfoy and his little gang before they could even defend themselves. It was wrong to do so of course, we could've gotten into serious trouble for it, but it felt so... good.' Hermione looked over at Jaquenetta in an effort to gauge her reaction.

'I can understand how it would have felt good' Jaquenetta said with a smile. 'Malfoy had better not use such vulgar language in my presence or I may need to resort to less honourable means myself.'

'We were not the only ones to hit Malfoy with a hex. Fred and George were just passing when they heard what he was saying and hit them with a few of their own. Goyle had fallen into our compartment so Fred and George helped Harry move the three of them out into the walkway and joined us inside. And, well, for a little while they just played exploding snap, but then... oh they just like to embarrass me!' Hermione had begun to blush again.

'They started teasing you?' Jaquenetta asked, having gotten to know the Weasley twins more in the lead up to end of term she knew that they enjoyed a laugh and good natured fun but would never be spiteful or malicious in their fun.

'Yes. They started ribbing me about you and how impressed they were of me for dating an older woman' Hermione's face had gone quite red at this point and Jaquenetta guessed the Weasley twins had said a little more than this. 'Once they had stopped I thought that was the last of it but then Ron started huffing. He is incapable of being happy for me. He was insufferable when the other schools had first arrived all he could talk about was how Victor was the greatest Seeker ever, but then, when I went to the Ball with him he berated me for even speaking with him going on about how I was associating with the enemy.'

'What did he say to you, about us?' Jaquenetta asked gently

'He- he yelled. I'd never heard him so full of spite before. I was almost prepared for there being a confrontation about us being girls, or even for not telling him, but it was nothing like that. Apparently, he has a pr-problem with, as he sees it, me throwing myself at the newest thing that comes along.' Hermione stopped, a tear escaping which she quickly wiped away.

Jaquenetta was shocked. She knew that Ron had some feelings towards Hermione at this point but was too clouded in adolescence to know just what they were. What she didn't expect was him to be so vicious in his accusations. Jaquenetta didn't ask any more questions instead simply pulled Hermione into a tight hug, hoping that her actions would be enough at that moment for she did not trust herself to speak for she herself was quite considerably angry at Ron.

Oh Ronald Weasley just wait until I get my hands on you.