Chapter 07:
"Little dove, a word please," Fabian held Hermione back just as every other kid moved down towards the hall at Grimmauld Place.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at his choice of endearment but waited to find out what he wanted to talk of.
We don't want you going out with Molly just yet especially when we can't go with sounded like a sure shot way of having Hermione pissed, so the twins had come up with an innovative way to keep her occupied.
"We were wondering if you could take us to muggle London for some Christmas shopping?" Gideon asked, lightly touching Hermione's elbow just as she came to stand in front of them.
"The kids are all a little under the weather, understandably so, and we wanted to get them something nice for Christmas. Arthur will be back by then too so their spirits should be better by then?"
"What say? Care to help us shop?" The older set of twins looked on expectantly at Hermione, giving her their best puppy eyes without making it too obvious.
"Of course," Hermione agreed. "I am not sure how helpful I'll be for the actually shopping and we will be cutting it close with the Christmas rush but there's this really nice Christmas market that's held every year near my place. We could go there first and if that doesn't get you everything you need we can try some mall next. Does that sound alright?"
"Sounds perfect," they chorused. "Let us get some Weasley hair in our Polyjuice and we'll get a move on." With a quick wink for the teen witch, they were gone, both men forgetting their age and skipping up the stairs two at a time, making Hermione smile.
…
"This isn't weird at all," Hermione hummed, shaking her head.
"It obviously isn't," Fabian agreed.
"We're just trying to get you used to hanging out with twins," Gideon winked.
Hermione looked from her right to left, from Fred-like Fabian to George-like Gideon and shook her head.
"And why would I need to get used to hanging out twins?" she queried.
"Think of it this way," Gideon started, "Potter would draw too much attention if identified, "so Ronald was out with him."
"Bill and Charlie have nothing in common with you, so them accompanying you might be suspicious if we were spotted," Fabian elaborated.
"But the twins, they're safe," the two chorused together.
Hermione snorted. "I don't think anyone's ever thought that about them."
The twins beside her smirked. "Maybe not. But being them also gives us a licence to go crazy."
"Nobody who knows them would expect anything otherwise."
"How crazy? And more importantly what crazy are you planning?"
"Nothing, sweet girl, relax. We're just, covering our tracks for the just-in-case scenarios."
"And I'm guessing shopping with you will be crazy?" Gideon looked at Hermione curiously. "I mean.. girls and shopping and all that?"
"Wrong girl lads," Hermione shook her head. "If you wanted that sort of a girl you should have got Ginny. I come equipped with lists," saying that Hermione promptly pulled out a neatly folded paper from her jean pocket and opened it up, holding it at an angle so they could all see it.
The paper had perforation on the side it was torn on and was full of horizontal ruled lines. There were three columns and numerous rows. Each printed line made a row and had a name on it with two different gift options beside the names in the two columns.
"We should ideally be done here in under an hour. Ninety minutes tops." Hermione proudly stated.
"You are scarily efficient," Fabian looked from the list to Hermione to his brother to back again at Hermione in quick succession.
"You put everyone's names on the list," Gideon said in approval after noting that she had even made it a point to add not just Sirius and Remus but also the young auror Tonks and Shacklebolt who always helped them smuggle out of Grimmauld. Why, even Poppy was on the list!
"I figured you'd want to thank them all for all their help," Hermione bit her lip wondering if she'd gone overboard. "Too much?" she asked in doubt.
"No," Gideon shook his head, pulling the list away from the slacking fingers. "It's perfect," he said with a soft smile that Hermione returned with a full-blown grin.
"Let's get started then. The list is not going work itself out," she rubbed her hands and entered the sheltered area where the Christmas market was put up, the twins following behind her.
…
They had picked up a rather large box of more than a hundred different flavoured hand-crafted chocolates for Remus and a wild assortment of home brewed alcohols for their current host, Sirius. A bottle of hand-made perfume each for Tonks and Molly, with an extra silk scarf for their sister and bathing salts that smelled conveniently like Remus' soap for the young auror.
"The kid's gonna freak out when he smells himself on her," Gideon winked at his brother, both chortling, making Hermione wonder what she'd missed.
For Ginny they picked up some hand-blown glass jewellery and a peppy shift dress to go with it. "You realise that we normally do it the other way around, right?" Hermione had commented. "We first buy the dress, then look for the jewellery."
"Yeah, but…" Fabian pointed at the colourful bangles dangling on a stand in a corner of the small store-front, "when have you ever seen jewellery as pretty as this?"
Every time I came here sounded a bit brazen to say out loud so Hermione just hummed and let it pass.
"Beauty deserves its own exceptions," Fabian remarked, making Hermione really think of those words as she looked once again at the things around her.
"Did you like anything, love?" Gideon asked from behind her, his warm hand coming to rest on the small of her back as he tried to gain her attention, making Hermione blush lightly and completely forgetting her train of thoughts.
Fabian caught his brother's eye, winked and then left them to it, looking around the colourful shop to give the two a few minutes of privacy.
"No," Hermione shook her head. "I don't wear jewellery," she elaborated, "except these," she added, pushing her hair behind her ear so Gideon could see her ear rings. "But these were a special gift," she said and left it at that.
Gideon frowned at the solitaire diamond ear rings his intended was wearing, itching to find out who they were from and yet wondering if he really wanted to know the answer. They were pretty, no doubt, three strands of gold – one yellow, one rose, one white, twisted around half a carat of diamond but what mattered to him was what or rather who made them special. But he daren't ask.
For their nephews they went to an upscale boutique close by and bought sharp muggle suits. "For those special dates," they said and grinned, making Hermione forget for a second that she was with Fabian and Gideon and not Fred and George!
"You realise Ron is going to grow out of them within six months, right?" she pointed out.
"We'll spell them, once at Grimmauld, to grow with him," Gideon bent down to whisper in her ears making Hermione shiver when his breath ghosted the sensitive skin on her neck, the sparkle in Gideon's eyes returning after the earring episode.
They even went ahead and bought bottles of Chardonnay for Dumbledore and Moody while they were shopping for one for Arthur and Kingsley, each packed with its own set of assorted cheese and sweetmeats.
"Can we please go see my parents? Since we're here already? I live just across the street and it's a weekend, they'll be at home," Hermione softly asked the two just before they moved to make payments.
Fabian and Gideon seemed to have those twin-telepathic conversation with their eyes for a moment before they agreed. "Of course, little dove, anything for you."
"We'd love to wish your parents a happy yule anyway," Gideon agreed.
"Completely discounting whether they'd like or even accept our wishes or not," Fabian whispered close to his brother's ear as he went ahead to add another box into their shopping cart.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Hermione smiled broadly at the two and gave them both good hard hugs out of her happiness at seeing her parents.
Fabian distinctly made a whiplash sound just before exiting making his brother glare at his back.
…
"Oh, Hermione!" the young boy behind the counter greeted Hermione with a big smile. "Here for the holidays from that boarding school of yours?"
"Hey, Chad!" Hermione smiled at the boy in return. "No, actually one of my friend's dad is hospitalised so I won't be staying but since I was in the area, I thought I'd surprise mum and dad with a quick visit."
"Oh, they'll love that," Chad agreed. "The usual then? Christmas special?"
Hermione grinned, "You know me too well. Yes, the usual. Just make it for five this time. My friends," Hermione gestured to twins behind her, "will be joining us for lunch."
"You got it. I'll even throw in a bag of prawn crackers and fortune cookies for you guys. On the house. For Yule," he winked at Hermione.
"Oh, Chad you spoil me," Hermione smiled at her old friend. "How is everyone? I haven't had a chance to catch up with most of them since last summer."
"Yeah, I heard what happened at your school. I'm sorry, I should have offered my condolences immediately. Dr Granger mentioned you were very upset all through summer. Were you friends?"
"Not too close," Hermione shook her head, "But you know how it is…" she trailed off uncertainly. Cedric's memories only fired her blood to fight harder against Voldemort and broke her heart for a life so young and promising that was lost forever.
Chad nodded, just as one the boys from behind her pressed her shoulder in comfort. Hermione turned around offering him a small smile before returning to her friend. "Boyfriend?" Chad wiggled his eyebrows suggestively making Hermione laugh while turning around yet again to see the twins listening in on their conversation.
"Not either of them," Hermione winked conspiratorially at her friend. "Enough about me though, tell me what's been happening here?"
"Remember Sophie?" Chad asked her.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "As if I'd ever forget her."
Sophie had been Hermione's frenemy since the time she could remember. She never knew what exactly had brought them close, nor did she know what it was that spurned them on to constantly fight each other, but neither let the other go without trying to one-up.
"She's engaged," Chad smiled, his own mind remembering the hair pulling and the book tearing that the two girls did back in the day when they all stayed the day at the local day-care as their parents went to work.
"Really?" Hermione asked, her pitch high as she conveyed her disbelief. "Who'd be mad enough for that?"
"Found someone at her uni. Said a yes immediately I hear," Chad informed her in a conspiratorial tone.
"Big rock?" Hermione guessed.
"You bet. Freaking Gibraltar! I tell you, Hermione, some of these boys are making lives of simple boys like me really tough! Now whatever I get my fiancée, it'll always be smaller than Sophie's freakishly large boulder!"
Hermione's laughter tinkled through the small, thankfully empty, corner bistro. "As long as you take a few years to find the right girl, I'm sure you'll put together enough money to get the lucky girl something worth flaunting."
"Well, that's the plan now. Can't have Sophie of all people one-upping my girl now can we?"
"Yes," Hermione agreed, "can't have your imaginary girl dealt with like that."
"Hey!" Chad looked affronted, "no patronising the guy that deals with your food!"
"That's actually a good rule," one the twins from behind quipped.
"Smart guy," Chad nodded. "So," he turned around and pulled the large brown paper bag from the window between the kitchens and the front counter. "Should I ring up the sales on Dr Granger's card like always?"
"Yes, please," Hermione smiled.
"We'll get it," again one of the twins from behind said, handing over two fifty pounds notes.
"Whoa dude! I'm not gonna be able to break those first thing in the morning." Chad replied with an apologetic grimace.
"Just charge it on Dad's card, Chad. You know he won't mind."
"No, please. Let us get this. And the keep the change," the man instead handing the money in at the counter.
"It's gonna be close to forty pounds," Chad raised his brows in enquiry at Hermione but when she just shrugged her shoulders, he nodded. "You got it," Chad did the needful, handing the receipts and the food bag to his friend. "Happy Yule, love. And to you two, too," he smiled. "I hope your friend's dad recovers quickly."
"Yeah me too," Hermione smiled.
"Happy Yule," the twins chorused as one of them slipped another twenty into the tip jar.
Chad's eyes googled but the guy simply winked, thanked him and walked out.
…
"Bunny!" Robert greeted his daughter, surprise and undistinguished glee evident on his face.
"Da-ad!" Hermione groaned but stepped forward and hugged her father.
"So, dare I ask?" her father looked down at her critically.
"Oh, long story," Hermione huffed. "These are my friends by the way, but would you mind if I introduced them a bit later. They're polyjuiced," Hermione whispered to her father.
Robert just about managed to hold back his groan. "I guessed as much," he muttered but ushered the three in.
"Mum!" Hermione yelled rom the entryway, simultaneously pulling at her coat. "Mum, I'm home!"
"Hermione?" her mother's voice cried, before the woman was standing in front of her daughter and hugging her hard in a bone crushing hug, typical of mothers everywhere. "You're home!" Nora smiled.
Just as suddenly though, her smile disappeared. "Hermione Jean Granger! Are you hurt again?"
"What? No! Why would you even think that?"
"Yes, Nora, why? It's not like she's ever come home broken or bloodied or both. Not during Christmas anyway. That's usually an end-of-the-school-year treat, love, not a yuletide miracle."
"Hey!" Hermione turned to face both her parents. "No patronising the girl handling your food!" she plagiarised her friend's words.
"Well, technically we're handling the food, love," the deep baritone from behind her made Hermione realise she wasn't visiting her parents alone.
"And you wonder why I never have friends over," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Who is hurt Hermione?" Nora pressed her daughter.
"Why does anyone have to be hurt? Can't I just want to spend some time with my parents during Christmas?"
"Pull the other one," her father snorted.
"You were to study for your OWLs during the break and I don't see anything short of an emergency pulling you out of the library you keep raving about. So, spill.." Nora's tone was enough to make Hermione narrow her eyes, but she did spill the beans.
"Mr Weasley was bitten by a snake. Ron and his family are very stressed. Harry saw it happening in his dream, so he came back with them."
"And you're there to help your friend through this difficult time," Nora smiled, "that's very sweet of you dear. Mumma's proud of you," Nora patted her back. "Now, your friends are not Fred and George I'm guessing."
"How did you know?"
"Would you believe me if I said we've met?" Robert deadpanned.
"Why would you guys meet?" Hermione asked curiously, looking from one person to another.
"Thought as much," Robert muttered under his breath and rolled his eyes, eyeing the duo in front of him.
Looking at Hermione curiously eyeing all four of them, Nora decided to step in. Again. "Someone said food, didn't they? Thai, I'm guessing." Hermione cheekily nodded, making the four others chuckle. "Great! So, how about we have a nice family lunch and catch up? Come on boys," she ushered the twins towards the table while Hermione gave a confused look at her dad mouthing family?
Robert raised his hands in surrender and walked sedately by his daughter's side towards the dining table.
…
It was sometime during lunch that the effects of the Polyjuice ran out and Fabian and Gideon were back to being, well, Fabian and Gideon. Hermione glanced at her parents, quietly wondering at their lack of reaction through the remainder of the lunch.
"Dr Grangers, we have something for you," Gideon said after lunch when they'd all gathered around the small fire in the sitting room.
Fabian pulled out a paper bag from amongst the various shopping bags and handed it over to the Grangers. "That's very kind of you," Nora said, accepting the bag with a smile.
"Not at all," Fabian replied, "Mum would've had our hide had she ever heard we showed up empty handed at someone's house, during Christmas no less."
"Good to know you were at least taught certain things," Robert glared at the duo. Nora pinned him with a rotten stare of hers, making him cough before he turned to Hermione. "I'm working on the gazebo we discussed in our letters. Would you like to see it bunny?"
"Of course," Hermione smiled, before turning around to face her friends. "Would you.."
"You go on, love, I'll keep these two company," Nora said instead. Nodding Hermione followed her father out of the hall and then out the homestead. Nora waited till she heard the back door click before she turned towards the two men sitting in front of her.
"I am really sorry about Robert," she cringed. "I know he is being unfair. He knows he is being unfair. But he can't seem to help himself."
"It's alright, ma'am," Gideon smiled.
"We don't take offence so easy." Fabian seconded his brother.
"We completely understand what he's going through. Had the places been reversed and we had a young lad we knew not head or tail of coming to lay a claim on our daughter we would have hexed first and questioned later," Gideon said.
"Truth be told, we even did that to Arthur back in school when he'd just started dating Molly," Fabian confessed.
"I'm glad at least you two understand. This would've gone south real quick had you all been of the same mind!" Nora grumbled making the twins smiles widen.
"Don't worry about us, ma'am, we're made of sterner stuff. And there are some things that just need to play out in the men's worlds. There's no stopping it."
Nora chuckled, shaking her head. "Anyways, I have something for you both. Now I was going to send it over via owl post with Hermione's school owl when her post next came, but since you are both here, I'd like to take the opportunity to give it in person." Saying that Nora got up from her seat and walked over to the decent-sized Christmas tree that was stood decorated perfectly in the hall and bent down to pick up two parcels from there. Walking back, she handed one to each of the twin.
"This one is for you Gideon, and this one is for you Fabian," she said, a warm smile stretching across her lips. "Merry Christmas."
"How did you know which one of us is which?" Gideon asked in shock as just like the daughter, the mother seemed to have the uncanny knack of being able to tell them apart.
Nora smirked. "The way you look at my daughter," she said pointing at Gideon, "no one can mistake that look of pure adoration. It almost borders at worship. I'd know that look anywhere. I see it every day in Rob's eyes for me."
Then she turned to Fabian, "And the other one obviously has to be you. So, I saw your interactions with my daughter and remembered the colour of the shirt your wearing. Just for your information, Robert sees that look too and hates you more for seeing his daughter with those eyes."
"The poor thing never had an option but to be a know-it-all, didn't she?" Fabian asked in amusement.
"Got it in one," Nora winked sharply at them. "Go on then, open up. Let me know if you like it. Mrs Weasley I've heard knits her own sweaters each Christmas. I'm not that talented with the needles but I realised that must be an acceptable gift. We just didn't get a chance to get to know one another for something a little more personal but I'm hoping that will change soon enough."
"Dr Granger you really didn't have to go through all the trouble for us," Gideon started.
"Nora please. And we are family or almost like family. And if you aren't comfortable with that then think of this as a thank you for warding our house and giving us an emergency escape route."
"They warded our house?" Hermione said from the doorway. Ah.. so that's how they knew each other.
"Yes," Nora smiled at Hermione. "They were kind enough to come with Mr Weasley and ward our house for us and give us an emergency portkey for, you know, emergencies."
Oh! "That's… that's very kind of you both and Mr Weasley. Th.. Thank you.." Hermione whispered to the twins.
"That wasn't a big deal," Gideon pressed, shooting panicked glance at Nora and his brother. How much had Hermione heard?
"Nonetheless, thank you," Hermione repeated, a warm smile stretching across her lips.
"I think I'll put some tea on," Nora smiled and went to excuse herself.
"Do you mind if I join in? I've never seen a muggle kitchen before," Fabian cottoned on and left the room behind Nora.
Hermione watched the two walk towards the kitchen with a slight frown as she made her way to sit on the couch beside him and continue to stare at Gideon with a frown line embedded deep between her eyebrows.
"It's really no big deal. Can we please forget you overheard that?" Gideon asked with an almost pained expression on his handsome face.
"No big deal?" Hermione parroted back, shock still evident in her voice. "Gideon, you ensured my parents safety in these turbulent times. You don't know how much you've put my mind at ease. Thank you so much," she said yet again and unable to hold herself back, she hugged him.
Gideon froze only for a second before his arms snaked around Hermione. "Not that I mind the hugs, Hermione, but keeping your parents safe is also a part of my responsibilities. There's no thanks needed."
"I can't believe the Order would actually care enough for my parents," Hermione's mind was still reeling with the shock.
Order? Oh! She thought… Gideon mentally shook himself. "Like I said.. No thanks needed.."
"No. You two are really good friends, both you and Fabian."
Gideon's pained expression morphed into a tight smile, but he found no words to speak.
"But what I don't understand is…" Hermione halted, should she or shouldn't she? Then looking into Gideon's eyes that were encouraging her to speak what was on her mind without so many words, she started again. "Why does my dad keep giving you the stink eye? As if you're going to rob him blind?"
Unable to hold it back, Gideon threw his head back and outright laughed. "Because he knows I am his thief," he answered after getting his breaths a little under control.
"What do you mean?" Hermione frowned.
"I plan to rob him of his most prized possession and he knows that. He hates me for it and Fabian is probably in the loop by extension. He can't stop it from happening, but he sure as hell can fight it, so that's what he's doing. It's the way the world works, love, don't you go worrying your pretty little head about it. Certain things just need time to adjust to, especially those that are beyond our control." He really wanted to kiss her nose at the cute expression she was sporting but he held himself back, settling to show his mirth in the twinkles in his eyes.
"I don't get it," Hermione's frown deepened.
Gideon awarded her with an indulgent smile before giving in bending over, kissing her on her forehead instead, "You don't need to. Just know this – Fabian and I, we'll do anything to keep you and yours safe. You can always count on us."