Happy 2020, hope you had a nice holiday time. So once again i apologize for all the mistakes, the slow plot and the sporadics updates.Thank you to each and everyone whom follow and favourite this game of words. And a special thanks to Lucyole for all your reviews, you keep me going mademoiselle, thank you thank you.I'm not the owner of the characters, i just borrowed them, from the fantastic JK Rowling who wrote Harry Potter for our pleasure

Chapter 22

Hermione and the two elders witches left the brain healer and Lucius deciding on the room service menu. The shopping afternoon of the witches could start. They left the hotel nearly skipping they were laughing and humming a song they had heard on the wireless playing in the lift who had taken them down to the lobby.Hermione being the muggle born took charge of her two friends. Fighting for the light had erase some of the barriers in between those three.

They first walk to a street register in Hermione memory while they had drove from the Australian ministry,and then going to her parents. The street was busy with pedestrian and children running . Their first stop was a small restaurant. There they ate a lunch of a steaming meat pie. Followed by some Lamingtons biscuits cover with some delicious chocolate and sparkles of coconuts. After their lunch they scroll the street looking at the windows displaying various items going from shoes ,clothes to hairdresser parlours. And many other items unbeknownst from the older witches. Hermione then spotted a shop where the items weren't too young nor frivolous or too young for Poppy and Minerva. The two witches were like children in a candy shop, but Hermione had to reign her eldest otherwise her credit card wouldn't survive. She bought each woman wool dresses warm stockings knee high boots and very light coats filled with feathers, the weight of said coats was a true pleasure for the shoulders of the old ladies, the warmth made a cocoon They left the shop,dress in their new attires carrying their transfigure clothes in bags Minerva and Poppy were giggling at their new clothes. They felt so comfortable and warm,so warm,so naughty. They could see their legs covered in their boots. Since the day they had been of age in the magical world they only had heavy long dresses and robes. the winter clothes were heavy and scratching. Those muggle ones were warms light and beautiful. From what they had seen at their arrival the witches at the ministry were wearing muggle clothes, at first they had not thought about it, now thinking off it they understood. England magical world was so old fashion and prejudice. Those two pure blood old women were ready to make a revolution. Hermione was laughing so much at their banters,she had the feeling of being the adult listening at children dreaming about the future they wished to live once adults. They just came out of a nasty war one for Hermione two for the headmistress and the nurse of Hogwart. It was good make the silliest plans for the future, to speak of a fashion revolution, to speak of nonsense ,in a word to be FREE.

For now they had to go back to the hotel, it was starting to be late , they had enjoyed their afternoon, it had been a long time since they were able to go out without looking over their shoulders. Now they were ready to go to their room and take a much needed rest.

The next morning found everyone in the living room around a lovely breakfast, but no one had much appetite at the exception of Lucius. The man was living in his own world. When he had seen the women he had pull the chairs for them to seat at the table like the pureblood etiquette request of him. He didn't remember the names of the ladies, he knew deep down he had met them but wasn't sure, he introduced himself bowing his head in front of Minerva and Poppy. The two witches exchange a glance and gave him their names. As for Hermione when she appeared Lucius presented her his elbow to accompany her to the table . Hermione took his arm as it was the most natural thing in the world. She was too nervous to eat more than a dry toast and drink a mug of coffee.

It was too early to go to the Grangers , but they could all do with a walk in the park down the river. They all bumble up in winter clothes . It was a cold sunny day. The park was magnificent and a pleasure to walk through its path. Lucius once again had offer his arm to Hermione, no one knew why. Mr Etherslumber couldn't give any explanation. Nevertheless he encouraged her to go along. Lucius made small talk with the young girl. They spoke literature it was surprising to see how he could remember Dantes, Shakespeare, or the Brontë sisters, Hermione was even more surprised to learn he had read muggles writers. But Minerva dampen her enthusiasm telling her that in truth they were wizards.

It soon was time to go to Hermione parents house for the lunch invitation.

Seeing how Lucius behave it was decide to let him be himself. If to imperious him was a necessity one of them would do it without alerting the Grangers.

Arriving in front of her parents house Hermione started to slow her steps, Lucius look at her patting the hand she still had in the crook of his arm a smile lit up his face like a sun. It help her relax. She let go of his arm she didn't want her father to imagine things about her life. She put her hand in her bag to pull out few gifts she had bought for her family when she thought she would come alone.

She gave Minerva a wood box containing tea. Poppy a chocolate without sugar box containing the favourite ones of her parents. Etherslumber a book. And to Lucius a bottle of elf made wine and for herself a bouquet of her mum favourites flowers. Everyone was ecstaic by her foresight.

The door was open by Wendell /Richard. He welcome his guests gesturing toward the end of the hall. There they found Monica/Jane finishing to bring a tray of small toast on the table of the living room. She greeted them with a warm smile giving the woman a hug and her hand to shake to the men, only Lucius didn't shake it but bow over it . Monica/Jane looked at her daughter a little surprise but got a swift move from her daughter saying later .

The guest gave their present to Jane and Richard, and sat on the sofas and armchairs around the small table. There was a real awkward silence, everyone looking at the other wondering who would be the first breaking that heavy atmosphere.

To the surprise of the guests Lucius being the only one use to find himself with people he didn't know during his wife gatherings or charities event, was the one to break the silence by thanking his host for their hospitality. Complimenting Jane for her nice receiving salon. To say that Hermione was shocked was an understatement. She wonder what would have been his reaction if he hadn't lost his memory.

The Grangers offered drinks and little appetizers. While the roast, finished cooking. The dialogue wasn't flawless far from it, becoming easier when the chilled white wine did his job relaxing all the ones present. The war was explained to the Grangers it help them understand the life of their daughter. And why she had act as she did. Lucius was listening with open mouth, wondering what his fellows were talking about. He knew he had lost his memory that much was a fact, and now he wonder if he had been part of that war everyone talk about or if he had already been sick at the time it took place. No one told him,what was his part in it, now wasn't the time , as none knew if this would damage his already cursed memory.

The lunch was pleasant, the talk easier as the wine loosen the tongues. The Grangers told their daughter that they had thought that they will not return to England with her, and that they prefer if she didn't stay in Australia. They understood her motives ,forgave her for what she did,but they needed time to digest , all they learn during this gathering.

We do love you Hermione, but you must understand, our point of view. We shall be glad to see you again, maybe at the next break school, but for now letters will be the way to keep in touch. Mr Granger finish his speech standing up nearly running to take refrefuge in the kitchen,

Hermione had tears slowly leaking from her eyes. Her mother look up from her lap, were she had been looking all the while her husband had talk. She smiled sadly at her daughter, but didn't give her any soothing words. All what said ,the lunch had come to an end,Minerva was the first to stand from the table, followed promptly by Poppy, and mr Etherslumber, as for Lucius, he looked around him, not truly understanding what was happening, the only thing he saw was Hermione crying softly, he stood up and went to the distraught girl to help her up by pulling her chair, as soon as she was up he pulled her into a fierce crushing hug, caressing her soft curls to sooth her. His traveling companions were rather surprised. Mrs Granger looked at this man whom probably was about her age taking care if her daughter like a lover would do of his mistress. Minerva seeing the daggers in the mother eyes went to her side and in soft whispers explain the situation,

No lucius and Hermione weren't a couple. But Hermione had save the man from the street, and as such the man attached himself to the girl, as she was the only one he could remember from one day to the other. There was nothing in this tender moment, he probably act as a father, as in the forgotten past life he had a son Hermione age. Unfortunately he didn't remember, but his subconscious was taking over.

Mrs Granger nodded slightly.

After bumbling themselves up in their warm coats ,the travellers thank again their hostess, mr Granger came out of his hidden place to say goodbye to his guests and kissed his daughter, apologising .

The group asked if they could leave thought the garden as they wanted to apparate directly to their hotel suit,

Once they had land, it was decide to floocall the minister to see when they could book a portkey back to their country.

Minerva floocall Siena Martin office, the two women had a short talk.

They decide that it was best, to leave the same evening.

Siena will come with the limousine to pick them in one hour and a half, time enough for them to refresh and pack their belongings .

Siena arrived on time the bill was paid for by the foreign minister as a thank you for the heroine who help defeat the most evil wizard the world had known. Hermione was still in shock and didn't register what was happening. Lucius was still holding her in his embrace, and it was such a comforting feeling, that she wasn't questioning her attitude.

Once at the minister they were direct to the same room they had land and an old Quidditch broom was given as their return portkey, it was a much easier item to hold but Minerva not trusting Hermione to hold tight to it all through the time the journey, passed an arm around the girl waist . Etherslumber told Lucius to hold tight but didn't see the necessity to imperio him as he had done previously. They all goodbye to Siena and were left in the room. A voice coming from the walls start to countdown from five until a blue light illuminated the broom, and the pull of their journey took them ,across the ocean.

They land smoothly in the minister portkey landing room. The door open in their back, and the same clerc welcome them,he ask just for the form,if they had brought back forbidden goods from their travel, he did it so nonchalantly that if they had answer yes ,he would probably have an aneurysm. The negative answer, got him stand from behind his desk and with a lazy flick of his wand he open the door at the back of the travellers. They all hurriedly step out and direct their steps to the atrium where they used the floo to go back to Hermione house.

Upon arrival Hermione propose tea and was met with approving nods. She put the water to boil and prepared a tray with mugs milk ,slices of lemons sugar and a plate of biscuits. Once the kettle whistle,she poured it into the teapot. She then brought everything in the living room. When the tea was brewed she served everyone letting them accommodate their tea . Minerva ask if someone wanted a shot from her flask. She suspect that they could do with a stronger beverage. They all poured some firewhisky in their tea, even Lucius was provide with some. No words were spoken, they all were tired, soon their mugs were empty. They then decide to meet again the next day, to plan Hermione and Lucius return to Hogwarts and the treatment necessary to help the lord to recover his memory as smoothly as possible.

Once they all have left Hermione closed her floo , and warded her doors and windows, she always had been a cautious witch but today she was slightly paranoid. Lucius had look all the process, wondering what kind of dance it was, but didn't ask understanding the girl was overwhelmed with sorrow, when she propose they retired for nap, he followed her up the stairs, she asked him if he wanted to take a shower first to which he promptly acquiesce . She light up the bathroom for him and once again showed him how to use the shower and where to put his dirty laundry, providing him with a fresh set of pajamas and towel. She then left him to his ablution. She then went to her bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed taking her head in her hand, pulling at her hai. The pain help her rationalise the meeting with her parents went better than she expected, they could have refused to talk with her after they recovered their memories, instead they invited her with her fellows for lunch, they listen to the war stories, they listen without judging, they listen without questions. They acted as what was said never truly happen to their daughter. She couldn't blame them, in less than forty eight hours their world had been put in a mess which was difficult to absorb. She understood them but she was hurting and didn't know how to stop the pain.

A Knock on the door made her jump, Lucius was behind. When she open the wood panel she throw herself in his arms, holding to him as he was her saver. Lucius was not certain if he could move . He hold the witch tightly he was like a fish out of water , nothing nade sense but he understood that the girl was needing comfort and love. Love the word sound strange, he had no clue what it meant but dip down he the foreign feeling was soothing his turnoil. He pick up the girl bridal style , and in few step was at her bed, he lay her down in the middle , getting ready to leave her . She just hold his arm in a vice grip,he then lower his long frame and lay next to her closing his arms around her small frame , while she put her head on his torso.The soft rhythm of Lucius heart lulls her to sleep.

to be continued. ...