This morning had started out normally. She woke with a heavy arm over her waist and in less than a minute her sons face was right in front of hers.
"Breakfast Min?" He had asked and she had smiled at his messy hair.
They talked about some of the things in the book. So they had looked through pictures and she hadn't cried. Which was an improvement. Soren had sat between them and accepted the praise for how cute he was with a grin.
Then he had wanted to build a menagerie for his dragon and so the three of them had done that. Until the floo chimed, this hadn't been an end to their fun but Siggy popping in had interrupted it. She was standing on the couch and the two of them were chasing her around. All of them froze when Siggy spoke her name.
"Little cub. You has a visitor." His tone told her that he wasn't happy and she cocked her head.
"Mr Nott is here. With the paper." Hermione blinked once and then hopped off the couch. Not sure what Theo would say or why he had come here nowish.
"Alright Siggy." She looked to Finn who was looking at her, then shrugged and headed for the door.
They followed and she tried not to wish they hadn't. Soren didn't need to hear anything that was confrontational.
He was in the floo room and his smile was less genuine than she was used to.
"Theo. How are you?" She asked and smiled her greeting.
"Hermione. I wanted to speak with you. You've put me off the last few letters." His tone made it clear he meant it and she groaned internally.
"I've been busy Theo. Like I said. Come have a coffee or something?" She asked politely and then watched him look over Finn and Soren. Who were standing in the doorway.
"Could this be private?" He asked her and she nodded. Wondering what was happening.
"Rowle." He said to Finn and he returned the single greeting.
"Morning Soren." His smile was more genuine and the little boy smiled but didn't let go of his dad. Theo followed her into the smaller sitting room beside the one they used regularly and a tray was already there.
"What is it?" She asked and waited. For his dark eyes to stop assessing her like that and for him to get to the point.
"This isn't good Hermione." With that he slapped the paper between them and she didn't look at the pictures or articles. It was them going to and leaving the bank yesterday.
"It's just another article." She offered and knew he didn't like it. The small snort was out of character. Theo was so reserved.
"Is there a relationship between you now?" He asked.
"There isn't. Not as they are claiming." It was all she could say and she didn't want to say it at all.
"Then what is this? Why would you do something like this?" He asked and she did frown then.
"Hold someone's hand and go to the bank?" She asked him and watched his eyes flare. Alright so that had been flippant but she wasn't pleased at all. About being questioned like this. By someone with no actual involvement.
"Don't be flippant Hermione. You've been so careful about being seen with anyone and now this. Rowle gets out and it's all different." She watched him put the coffee cup down and did the same.
"Surely you understand Theo. It was complicated before and now, well he is home and no one can threaten me with Soren being taken or anything." It wasn't the whole truth but she hoped he would take it or get to the point.
"Don't give me that." He snapped and then softened before continuing. "I want my chance now. This isn't helpful in disassociating you from him. Showing others that it is a son you share and nothing else." Hermione just blinked at him and then tried not to frown.
"Theo. I don't know what to say. I wasn't aware you were waiting for a chance. That you thought of me as more than a friend. A casual one at that." This wasn't quite true. Their friendship was casual but Draco had brought it up a few times. She blew him off but now it seemed that maybe he had been right.
"Witch. You are infuriating. I want the chance to court you properly. Without a child or everyone's assumptions you belong to Rowle." He did sound frustrated and she didn't know what to say. Something honest but negative.
"I'll always have a child. Soren is my son and I don't appreciate you speaking of him that way. That aside, I am not interested in being courted or entering a relationship right now. Though I am flattered Theo." She made sure her tone was sincere. The floo chimed and she absently thought it must be Maks. Who she had expected when this wizard came out of it.
"He has a father though Hermione and you know I like him. He's a good lad. You deserve a family of your own though. Someone who puts you first. This isn't that. First he asked you to give up your life to raise his son and now. Now he is out and tying you further to him. Draco said he confirmed there is no betrothal." Theo looked sincere as well and Hermione didn't know what to say. Finn had just grinned at the articles and ripped out a picture of her smiling up at him with a wink for her. She didn't know what to think really.
"I don't know what to say." She admitted and tried not to shift uncomfortably. She looked out the window and tried to think about this objectively. Not be angry at Theo for approaching her like this.
"Be my lady. The mother of my children." She didn't look at him. Had no idea how to respond to that and then his hand touched hers. She did look up at that and wasn't sure what was on his face. He was looking at her face and then her lips and she felt her heart rate speed up. No way, her mind was loud all of the sudden and she stood. So did he and he looked expectant.
"Thank you for the offer Theo." She began and his expectant look was replaced with something else.
"No. Don't. If you need time then say so." He sounded as if he were trying to convince her and she was getting angrier.
"I don't know what will happen but I'm not ready for this. Too much of me is here to begin something like that with you." Hermione tried for honesty.
"Don't give more then. Leave. I know you've got a place and if it's the elf then we can find you one. A free one even if you want. Soren could come there just the same and I know he would. You'd still be his mum, just not here. Not Rowle's." Theo wasn't kidding. Meant his words and she felt even angrier. This was her life and none of his business.
"I'm sorry Theo. I think you should leave. Hopefully next time we see each other, this doesn't cause awkwardness." Now she was the firm one. Sure of wanting him to accept it and leave.
"I can't. He will tie you up in his shit and then you'll stay." He argued and she raised a brow.
"Tie me up? Is this what you meant after the adoption?" Her own tone was combative now and she pulled wand.
"Yes. It was so close to his parole. The hearings had started and it was only an article. It changed things for you." Hermione thought that over. Not liking his implication or that it was true. That had been eight months ago. She was just done. Finished with being questioned and threatened with her son's presence and happiness. It was like a whip that always hit its mark.
"Well it's done now." Her tone was flat and she watched his jaw clench. Then his eyes hardened and she knew it would be bad. The door flashed in the corner of her eye and she knew Siggy had blocked the sound. Even if Soren wasn't close, they shielded him nearly everything they could. That related to him at all.
"This is it? You'll just wait until he decides he's had enough and you are left watching your son with someone else? You've done everything for him. Everything and he has given you nothing." His words were cutting and like any snake, he knew how to make sure they hit their mark. She tried not to flinch but he saw it and there was a moment of triumph there. That made her angry, it was like he was celebrating her upset. She didn't deserve this.
"Maybe that's what will happen. Just like everyone whispers and even writes about. I hadn't thought that so many who know me personally thought me an emotional woman with expectations above her station.
Soren isn't nothing. I may never have kids of my own but I am a mother. He is my son and the relationship between Finn and me is no one's business but ours. It never was." The last was a petty slap in the face to this wizard. Who she had always thought was doing what he accused Finn of. Playing with something he didn't want to keep. Maybe whitewashing his image after the war. He hadn't really made an effort to know her either time, just be with her when he could. Maybe if she hadn't had Finn the year before, she would have thought it normal. Certainly he had never pushed for anything more than kisses then and nothing at all after the war. Just advice sometimes, advice she didn't take.
"So there was a relationship?" Theo zeroed in on her comment and she scoffed, letting her derision show.
"It's none of your business. Please leave now Theo. As I said, I hope this won't be an issue between us. We do share friends." She spoke the first sentence in a hard tone and then made herself calm down. She meant what she said. They did share friends and she didn't want any drama.
"I'm not giving up." He stated and she just looked at him and turned to the door.
"He's not enough for you." Theo spoke more quietly and she couldn't hear any heat. He meant it though, or so she thought. Saying nothing she opened the door and waited for him to follow her. He did and they walked toward the floo room.
They heard Soren laugh and she couldn't stop the small smile she felt on her lips. Then Theo turned and she watched him walk to the door and push it open a bit. He didn't enter or speak. She waited and after a minute, he let it close and walked toward her. She didn't say anything, just kept her eyes away from him.
"I'll see you Saturday?" He asked and she looked up at that. His face showed little and she wanted to frown. Instead, she gave a polite smile and answered.
"Yes. Narcissa was quite firm." They shared a strained smile at the matriarch's orders to them all and she waited for him to leave.
"Just think about it." He offered and she didn't change her expression or speak. Just waited for it to be over and then watched him floo home. Her shoulders deflated and she leaned against the wall behind her.
Footsteps came closer and she knew it was Maks. Quiet and more careful than Finn.
"Was that uncomfortable?" The words were drawled and she closed her eyes. Not wanting to answer him. She was still angry and upset. About so many things.
"Come on then. Let's go for a walk before either of them see that face." He indicated the french doors leading to a side patio and she nodded, then fell into step beside him. They left the house and headed into the paths of the formal gardens behind it. Minutes passed and she started to relax, felt the tension start to dissipate from her shoulders and face.
"Want to talk about it?" He asked her and she snorted lightly at that. The question was so out of character for him.
"I'm sure you know. Another heaping of shame. Or it seems that way. He didn't mean it. Or I think he meant it to be a warning but." She trailed off and he stopped. She looked up at him and then shaded her eyes so she could see his face. He smirked and shifted the sun wasn't behind either of them.
"I don't know Aven. I can't just walk away. I'm angry that people expect me to." That was something she could admit and it wasn't too revealing. Nothing showed for a moment and then she thought she saw some relaxation.
"Can't blame a bloke for trying." He didn't sound concerned.
"Yes I can. I really can. How dare he come here like that. Berate me for the papers and then offer what he did." She meant it and he raised a brow.
"What else should he do?" She looked her incredulous feelings at him and he smiled then. A small but real one.
"He's in a tight spot. You wouldn't consider anything until Thor got out. He is out now and parading down the Alley with you. That dinner is Saturday and others will be there." He spoke as if she were being unreasonable. She didn't know how to say what she meant. So she turned back to the Tower and started walking slowly. Running her hands over the shrubs and branches in her reach. Thinking about what he had said, what Harry had said at the park that day.
It all swirled together and didn't matter. Theo or any of them weren't what she wanted. They could be right though. About her not ending up with anything. Well she would have Soren but she didn't think he would be enough to have a full life. He would grow up and go to school. Maybe she should consider a career more seriously now. Or something.
"Just try to be patient." It sounded as if he meant it and she caught his eye. Her look said it was easier said than done and he smiled at her. The second one in a short time.
Thorfinn watched the two men enter the downstairs office and look from him to his witch. Who was flipping through papers and shuffling them around. He was seated behind the huge desk and Hermione was in one of the three chairs in front of him. It was easy to see their faces. Macintyre stood at least a foot taller than Macallister and both had grave looks on their faces. They had always been pompous but this was a new level of gravity. Both were dressed traditionally and in brown. It was strange to see two so similar and yet so different. The taller one was bald but had a huge moustache and the short one had dark grey hair and a small pointed goatee.
"My lord." Both intoned and Hermione looked up then. He caught her eye and knew she wanted to giggle at the somber tones. He greeted both and shook their hands over the desk before indicating they sit. Both did and produced thick folders in sync. He tried to hide his grin but the increased folds around both their lips told him he hadn't succeeded. He wasn't serious enough to please them before and that hadn't changed.
"We are pleased you have returned." Macallister began and Macintyre nodded his derbere to agreement.
"Thank you. Now I'm sure you want to begin." He said and that was all they needed.
"Miss Granger has been dedicated my lord. It has led us to do things in a different way than protocol dictates." Macintyre began and his moustache quivered as he spoke.
"I'm sure it has. Just lay it out there. I want to see the how of what showed at Gringotts." Both lost some of their habitual frowns at that and opened the files. An hour and a half later, he sat back and looked at the two men.
"Would you prefer this stops? It could be moved to another manager or even company and handled from there." He didn't want them to be miserable. Both were good and he knew that Hermione agreed. Traditional and not creative but dedicated.
"No my lord." The shorter one spoke and he wondered if they could read each other's minds. They often spoke for the other.
"So for all that complaining and moaning about how it was done. The muggle bank you had to deal with. Complicated papers with tiny rectangles and those calculator things. You still want to carry on." He was amused and neither man liked it. Hermione just signed the last three papers she had in front of her and waited.
"Yes my lord." Was the eventual reply.
"Alright. What about the journals?" He asked them and watched both heads to turn to the witch. Who just blinked at them before looking to him.
"They are your spoils little cub." He spoke truthfully and she grimaced before smoothing it away.
"I only wanted them because those families were the worst. Or some of them." She spoke quietly and he nodded his understanding.
"You have them now and love academic journals." He let some of his feelings into his tone and held her glance.
"We could separate and incorporate them under a firm and still have legal rights." Macintyre offered and neither looked to him. He waited to see what she would say. What she wanted. If she didn't want to do this then they wouldn't but if she did then he wanted her to know that he was fine with it. Happy to have her take this on personally. For herself. Then her eyes cut to the two and then back to him.
A moment's thought offered him a clue. These weren't
accountants that anyone could hire. They worked for House Rowle and that was it. Businesses had managers and staff but these two were intermediaries. He looked his answer at her and she frowned before speaking.
"I'll owl over my answer. I hadn't expected this today." Both bowed their heads in deference and half an hour later they two stood and bowed to him and then exchanged a glance before a shallower bow to Hermione. The two of them sat in silence for a moment as the Micks left and he watched her.
"Little cub?" He asked her and she huffed.
"I don't know. I didn't expect any of this." She said and Thorfinn thought she meant it. More than the journals or whatever.
"What did you expect?" He asked and sat back. She looked thoughtful and then met his eyes again.
"I tried not to have any expectations. It seemed safest." Her tone was quiet and she looked away then. He watched her organize some of the papers in her lap and then place them on the desk. A minute of stillness was followed by her standing and walking out of the room.