Chapter 34
Hermione had been spending most of her days at her parents' dental practice. They had decided to sell the practice to a young man who had just graduated from dental school and while her mother was busy getting him adjusted, Hermione's responsibility was to sort through all the patient files. Hermione was very thankful for the distraction and threw herself into the work. When she wasn't at her parent's office she was at home with her father. Mr. Granger had been doing much better since his heart attack but the doctors still wanted him to take it easy for a while.
About a week after the "scandal" hit the papers, Hermione had received an owl and much to her delight it was from her son Hugo. She hadn't expected anything so soon after what Ginny had told her about the children but was so relieved when she saw Hugo's letter. Apparently James and Rose had been the most put off by the whole thing, Albus was mostly confused and indifferent but Lily and Hugo hadn't wanted to break off contact with their parents. Hugo had said in his first letter that James and Rose were physically preventing them from contacting their parents so he had to have a Ravenclaw friend send all his letters. Hermione of course couldn't blame James and Rose for their anger but still thought it was rather selfish of them to prevent the others from writing.
With England being quite a ways from Australia, Hermione only received letters every week or so and she was sure her letters didn't always reach her son before he sent the next one, but she didn't care. She was just happy that one of her children didn't hate her. It became obvious from his letters that Hugo and Lily had discussed their mothers' "relationship" at length. Hermione read that Lily had observed her mother crying on multiple occasions over the summer, the worst of which had been when they were making cookies and Ginny had cut her thumb. Though it didn't make her happy that Ginny had been so upset, Hermione was still somewhat glad that the woman had such a strong reaction to her memory returning.
The tone of Hugo's letters really surprised Hermione. Never were they accusatory or mean spirited as she would have expected, but they were kind and understanding, like he had always known of his mother's true affections and was almost relieved that she had admitted them. It was almost more than she could handle from her 12-year-old son. He had gone on to say that Rose wasn't taking it well, obviously, but that she would get over it. Hermione wasn't happy to hear that her daughter had quit the quidditch team knowing how much it had meant to the girl. She did however get the distinct impression that Rose wasn't so much mad at her as she was at her Aunt Ginny and even maybe at Ron. She couldn't understand the anger at Ginny but not at Ron, she thought it was very unfair of Rose but Hugo would never elaborate. But the overall gist of Hugo's letter were that Hermione was basically being told that she needed to do what her heart told her. The only problem was that she was more confused than ever. That and it was somewhat disconcerting to get relationship advice from your preteen son, especially in a matter as complicated as this. Hugo also said that he had been writing to his dad but he never said what about and Hermione could only imagine if they were along the same lines as her letters Ron would not be very pleased.
Hermione had also been receiving letters from Ginny, to which she never replied. They were basically updates on the kids, it seemed Ginny was not being contacted first hand by anyone and was certainly unaware that Hugo was able to write to his parents. Hermione appreciated that the red haired witch wanted to keep her informed but she just couldn't bring herself to write her back, not even to tell her about Hugo. She thought maybe the act was a little selfish but then she remembered all the selfish things that Ginny had done.
Hermione's emotions were all over the place concerning the woman. She loved her, she loved her more than another person had ever loved another human being and she had for what? Twenty-seven years? But the situation was just so overwhelmingly fucked up. She never really forgave Ginny for leaving her in the first place but if she hadn't she wouldn't have her two wonderful children. She certainly didn't forgive her for forgetting their whole relationship and she was pretty sure she couldn't. Then, when Ginny had remembered she did everything the throw herself at Hermione basically forcing the older witch to eventually cave in her resolve. Nothing had been done on Hermione's terms, something that she definitely hated. Hermione lived to be in control and loathed the idea of being manipulated, even by the woman of her dreams.
So what was she going to do? What kind of fucked up, twisted fate was in store for her? Despite the anger she felt towards Ginny, Hermione desperately wanted to be near her. To touch her. To kiss her. To wake up every morning in her arms. But at what cost? That was something she couldn't wrap her head around. Here was her son, telling her to be with his Aunt, an entirely awkward situation but then there was her daughter who would probably shit a brick at the thought. And Ron, oh Ron. It was his sister, a woman he was always somewhat jealous of. She had been lying to him their entire relationship. Even before she physically got together with Ginny that last fateful year at Hogwarts, it had always really been the female Weasley that Hermione wanted. She knew it as well then as she did now. She made herself believe that she wanted Ron, because that was what was right and expected but it had always been Ginny. Always.
Hermione was going through some files at the office when the phone on the desk rang. "Granger Dental, this is Hermione speaking."
"Hermione, it's Dad. I, I just got a very interesting phone call from your sister-in-law. I couldn't quite understand her but I think she said she was coming here, so you may want to come home," Mr. Granger said uncomfortably. He had been informed of all the details when Hermione's mother thought his heart was strong enough to handle it but obviously anything concerning his daughter's "love life" was a bit unsettling for him. Plus he didn't really get the impression that Hermione was ready to speak with Ginny.
"Um- yeah ok. I'll be right there. I'll just 'pop' over in a minute, don't be alarmed by the noise, okay dad?" Hermione didn't want to say the word apparate in front of all the dental patients but she didn't know if she had time to drive over. She could imagine how Ginny had been on the phone not knowing how they work exactly, the thought bringing the tiniest of smiles to her lips.
Hermione hung up the phone, told the other receptionist that she needed to go home to help her father and the let her mother know that she wouldn't be back for the rest of the day but it's nothing urgent so she didn't need to worry. Hermione was talking really fast and was obviously nervous so the receptionist didn't quite believe her that the female Dr. Granger didn't need to be concerned about anything but said she'd pass on the message none the less.
Hermione walked outside and around the parking lot to behind the building to apparate out of site. She appeared in her living room and despite the warning her father jumped slightly off the couch and grabbed his chest.
"Dad! Are you okay? I'm sorry! I would have done it outside but I didn't know who was around," Hermione rushed to her father.
"Calm down, I'm fine. The jump was more of a reflex, I knew you were coming. Sheesh, between you and your mother you would think I was going to fall apart at any moment," Mr. Granger smiled warmly at his daughter. "I'm sorry about, um, about her coming. I really didn't know what she was saying on the phone, she was shouting then whispering and pressing buttons so it was beeping. I'm pretty sure she said she was coming and I couldn't really tell her no. I wasn't sure if you even wanted to see her. But I also didn't know if it were urgent or about the kids so I just said ok."
Hermione put her hand on her dad's shoulder to reassure him, "no Dad, it's ok. I need to see her anyway. I think we've let too much time to go by without starting to work things out. I may need to go back to England, I can't avoid Ron forever."
"Well I think that would be alright. I can help your mom at the office, she may not want me seeing the patients but certainly my heart is strong enough to sit at the desk and sort through files." He winked in his daughter's direction and suddenly there was a knock at the front door. "Ah, well if that is who I think it is I will excuse myself to my study. Good luck!"
Mr. Granger got up and kissed his kneeling daughter on the top of her head. "Thanks," Hermione stood up and walked to the door. Instinctively she glanced at the mirror on the wall and straightened herself out. She took one deep breath and opened the door. Ginny looked like she hadn't slept or even eaten in days, and she skin had a raw appearance to it, Hermione assumed from flying in the cold. But still, she was gorgeous, at least to Hermione.
"Ginny, please come in," the brunette witch held the door and stepped to the side. She wanted to wrap the woman in her arms but resisted the urge.
Ginny took a step inside, not meeting her companion's gaze, "I'm sorry for coming on such short notice. I called from just outside the Floo station down town, before I got in a cab. Those felly-tones or whatever are still a mystery to me. I wanted to apologize to your dad if I scared him."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at the red haired witch, "it is ok. He's fine. How about we sit down, do you want tea or anything? Maybe something stronger?" The brunette winked but Ginny simply shook her head no, still clearly uncomfortable. "I'm sorry about how things were left between us when you were last here, I just-"
But Ginny cut her off, "no Hermione. I'm sorry. I never should have expected you to come back with me. It was selfish and stupid of me, especially not even asking about your dad, who I am glad is at home now, he must be doing better."
Who had done it, neither woman was sure but they noticed that they were holding each other's hands. Hermione nodded warmly at Ginny, "yes he is doing much better. He's probably nearly a hundred percent but Mum is still very cautious, understandably." She reached up to gently touch the red head's face, letting her fingers lightly trace over her chapped skin, "it look like you've been flying out in the cold a bit too much." Ginny closed her eyes and turned her cheek into the woman's hand, relishing the touch. Hermione continued her voice dripping with concern, "and you don't look like you have been sleeping well, or eating for that matter. Why do you insist on doing this to yourself?" Ginny had always been one to not take care of herself when she was upset or troubled unlike Hermione who was more logical and knew it wouldn't do anyone any good to let herself go.
"Ha," a small chuckle escaped from Ginny's lips as she turned Hermione's hand over in hers and softly ran her finger tips over the pink scar on the inside of the brunette's wrist, "that seems kind of funny coming from you."
Both women looked up and deep into each other's eyes, unspoken understanding flowing between them. Instinctively they both leaned forward slightly but Hermione stopped suddenly and sat straight up.
"Um, Ginny. I'm glad you came, I think there are some things we need to discuss but was there a particular reason for this visit?"
The red head sat back up too and cleared her throat, "uh yes. Well I'm not sure what all you know about what have been going on with our children. I know I've updated you as best I could and Lily told me Hugo had been writing you-"
"You've spoken to Lily then?" Hermione cut her off, "I mean, yes Hugo has been writing to me and thank you for the updates, please continue with what you were saying."
"Well, I was called down to Hogwarts yesterday morning. I would have come straight here afterward but the time difference in all I thought I'd wait. Anyway, I was called in because well Lily, she um, she punched Rose in the face." Ginny rushed over these last few words, not sure how Hermione would respond. Much to her surprise the older witch laughed. And laughed harder.
"Lily? Your little Lily? Punched Rose? My Rose? Who is like twice her size?" Hermione could hardly get the words out, the image in her head was too funny. But she suddenly snapped out of it and panicked, "oh Merlin! What did Rose do to Lily? Did she hurt her? Oh Ginny, I'm-"
"No, no it's ok. Rose didn't hurt Lily. She didn't touch her. Rose was just saying some things that Lily didn't like so she hit her. Rose ran away." Ginny knew that explanation wouldn't suffice but she didn't want to continue.
"Okay, well Ginny you're going to have to elaborate, what was said?"
The red head took a deep breath before going further, "some boys were picking on Rose, about us and basically called her a lesbian. So, she told them she wasn't and that you weren't either and that everything was my fault. That's when Lily stepped in and said it wasn't all my fault and well, Rose called me a name and Lily punched her."
Hermione still wouldn't accept the explanation, "what did she say exactly?"
"Hermione, it really doesn't matter, I don't really disagree with Rose and Lily got detention, she know better than to hit someone, why don't we just-"
"Ginevra, tell me what was said. Word for word."
"Right. Okay so these boys called Rose a lesbian because since her mother is and since she is so much like me she must be. So she defended you, saying that I had put a love spell on you, which was the point Lily interjected and then Rose went on to say that I was a slut and that I ruined our families and yeah. Lily punched her."
Hermione gasped and put her hands up to her mouth, "no! Rose didn't actually say that did she? I thought I taught her better than that!" Reaching for Ginny's hands again she continued, "well I don't blame Lily for hitting her then. At least Rose had the sense not to hit her back. Ginny, I'm so sorry, you know I don't share my daughter's feelings right?"
Ginny stood up suddenly though and paced about the room, "don't you though? Maybe not about the part about me putting a spell on you or whatever but the part about me being the one the ruined our lives? And don't say no, because I know it's true. It was me. I need to take responsibility for all this, I do. I've done a lot of shit to you and you didn't deserve it and I may not even deserve you. But Hermione, know this, I love you, I love you more than I think you can even imagine and I know it's because of me that this is all fucked up but I know I am supposed to be with you. And I am going to spend the rest of my life trying to make everything up to you. You and I are meant to be together, even my 11-year-old daughter can see it. So this time I'm not leaving here with out you, not now, not ever again. I know we have a long way to go, and a lot of stuff to work out with everyone but we are going to do it together."
Hermione was still sitting on the couch, taking in everything that Ginny had just said. She knew that it would take her some time to get over certain things that had been done but she also knew her heart would never fully mend without Ginny being in her life. The red head saw the love in Hermione's eyes and rushed back to the couch and took her in her arms. She held her tight to her, never wanting to let go. She felt Hermione pushing her back slightly, she didn't want to let her but when she did she realized she had only wanted break away enough to kiss her.
Ginny felt the brunette witch's lips on her own. It wasn't one of those fiery, passionate kisses but it was strong enough to feel the meaning behind it. It was a kiss filled with love and tenderness, yes the desire and want was there too, but that's not what this was about. It was understanding. It was hope. It was everything that Ginny had needed precisely at that moment.
"I love you too Ginny. I can't forgive you for everything right now but I also can't deny that some of this is my fault too. I know I need to be with you and that we are going to have to work this together." Hermione had pulled out of the kiss but continued holding Ginny as she spoke, stroking her hair. "I already told my father that we had let this go on too long and that I would be returning to England with you so we can start getting out lives back in order."
Ginny was crying again but these tears were not shed in sadness. She felt genuinely happy for the first time in weeks. She didn't let go. And she wouldn't ever again.