Games Are Afoot Chapter 41
A Brief Reprieve
Hermione flung herself into her favorite chair in the library with a huff. It had been a very long week…make that fall. Ever since the wonderful night of her birthday with Charlie, things had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Malfoy was either torturing her or Harry was torturing her about where Malfoy had disappeared to. She could swear that Harry was becoming obsessed with Malfoy's every move. She was getting concerned about Harry's paranoia and it would have been nice to talk to Ron about it but…well, Ron was too busy having his face inhaled by Lavender Brown these days. The bloody hypocrite. Her mind wandered back over everything that had led to her escape to the library.
Things had already been strained between them when Ron found out she had spent her birthday with Charlie. Apparently, Ron and Harry had been looking for her forever and then, despite the fact that she had assured him they were only in the Room of Requirement, he went off on how his brother was humiliating him by snogging her in the hallways. He had ranted and raved for DAYS about how someone could have seen one of their public displays of affection. Then they had gone to Hogsmeade and Katie Bell had been cursed by the necklace as they were walking back to the castle. And if things weren't tense enough, Ron caught Ginny snogging Dean and he totally went off on everyone getting some snogging but him. He couldn't let it go. Then Harry, Ginny and Hermione had been invited to Professor Slughorn's dinner and Ron hadn't which just set him off again. Hermione idealistically thought that winning the Quidditch match would help his mood, but then Harry had to go fake giving him the Felix Felicis and that started an entirely new row. So knowing the victory party would be in full swing, she cautiously entered the Gryffindor common room only to be accosted by the site of Ron and Lavender sitting so close together that they looked as if they had been soldered together at the mouth. The filthy hypocrite.
She left immediately to calm herself down before she hexed him six ways to Sunday, but it just wasn't her day because first, Harry found her and then who should stumble giggling into the classroom but Ron and Lavender. At least Lavender had some sense of self-preservation and left after noticing the steely look that Hermione leveled at the couple. Ron, however, it seemed, just couldn't leave without an indirect jab. So he ONLY addressed Harry without looking at or acknowledging her and her fragile control snapped. She knew he was testing the waters to see if she would yell at him but by now, she had no desire to talk to him at all. Her mind was whirling with thoughts just like the canaries overhead were beginning to fly faster and faster in their circle.
"Ron…the bloody hypocrite. Giving me grief about public displays of affection and then sitting there in the common room in front of everyone letting Lavender Brown suck his lips off. It was revolting not to mention that Ron is a bloody hypocrite. Didn't he just a few months ago chew me out for snogging Charlie in a private alcove? If he thought THAT was public, how could he justify this…this…this disgusting display? UGH!!!!" Hermione had thought as she tapped her foot on the seat of the chair as she sat on the desk.
She had left the common room in an honest effort to try and calm herself down. It wasn't even that Ron was snogging…well it was a bit nauseating, but it was more the principle of his double standards. She twirled her wand and her conjured flock of little yellow birds moved in response. She left the desk with her back ramrod straight and walked wordlessly past Ron and Harry. She was just going to leave before she did something to him, but then he sighed loudly in relief and she knew that he had been waiting for her to light into him. That sigh sent her over the edge and she sent the birds attacking as she angrily stormed from the room without a single word to him.
The next day had led to another row in transfiguration and by then, not only did she have no desire to talk to him, she didn't even want to look at him. She tried to figure out who he would most hate to see her take to Slughorn's party and so she asked Cormac McClaggen. Charlie had suggested she go with someone and originally she was going to take Ron, but now, she just wanted to make Ron as mad as he had been making her. She figured Cormac would make Ron crazy since he had been competing with Ron as keeper and had accused Ron of only making the team because of Ginny and Harry.
However, she had acted in haste by only thinking about how Ron would react to the invitation and not how Cormac would react. Cormac. Ugh. She shuddered as the memory filled her mind. She had done it to punish Ron but it backfired and she was the one who suffered…grievously. She shuddered again just thinking about his slimy mouth and wandering hands. She had spent the entire evening running and hiding from him until she could get away. She couldn't leave early because she was still trying to prove a point to Ron, but it was hard to remember that when Cormac was trying to capture her under the mistletoe. And now she was biding her time until the holidays.
So here she sat in the furthermost corner of the library, having just narrowly escaped another hex from Malfoy. She was so upset she couldn't even settle her mind to study so she pulled out the letter she received from Charlie this morning and read it again. His words would be how she survived until the train left for London. She sighed and felt herself relax slightly at the familiar scrawl.
My darling Bookworm,
Your last letter was interesting. Okay, I bloody laughed for three days and before you get mad about it, you have to realize that it was quite funny. Royce agrees. I would have loved to have seen your canaries dive bomb Ron! You will most definitely have to reenact it for me so I can witness your brilliance in person. I bet it ranks right up there with Ginny's Bat Bogey Hex. Just remember that I love you. And you love me.
As for Ron, well he's always been a prat. It's not much of a stretch to make him a hypocritical prat. If he wants to embarrass himself, let him. It should just make you appreciate my maturity more. I should thank him for being an imbecile so that I perpetually look better in your eyes.
Hopefully by now you are smiling because I have incredibly good news for you. I have arranged for you to be able to spend the holidays with your parents. I know that you have missed being with them the last couple of years with the danger, so Professor Dumbledore has approved you spending this year at home with the proper security of course. By the way, did I mention the security?
You will have your own personal body guard. He is fearless. And strong. And a dashing red head. And he loves you very much.
I wrote your parents and they are thrilled.
So, I will see you soon. Hang in there until I can be there to sweep you off your feet! I think about you constantly and they are very happy thoughts! Miss you and can't wait to see you!
Love,
Charlie
Hermione sighed and a small smile lit up her face. Suddenly everything seemed right again and she busily got to work knowing that she didn't want any homework over the holidays this year.
Hermione spent the majority of the train ride home in the prefect's carriage. Ron briefly came in to get his patrolling assignment, but she could hear Lavender giggling in the hallway as she waited for him. Hermione only left to do her rounds. Harry came to visit for a bit, but then reluctantly returned to Ron's compartment as he was spending the holidays at the Burrow this year. He was disappointed that Hermione wouldn't be joining them, but he understood and she reminded him that putting up with Lavender was a part of his duty as a best friend. When he pointed out that she was also one of Ron's best friends, she told him that her presence would only serve to irritate Lavender so it was his responsibility to humor Ron. After he left, she chuckled for ten minutes because he looked so forlorn and like it was requiring every ounce of his Gryffindor courage to return to Ron's side.
As the train pulled into the station, Hermione gathered her belongings and helped the younger students make their way toward the platform. For some reason the line had completely stopped moving so she pushed her way through until she discovered that the two students she had been studiously avoiding were in the middle of a rather amorous goodbye and thus causing the congestion. She cleared her throat but received no response. After briefly thinking, she smirked.
"Hello Mrs. Weasley." She said very loudly. Ron and Lavender jumped apart so fast she was sure one of them would end up with whiplash. The crowd waiting behind them laughed as Ron's face and neck flamed red. Lavender reached up and wiped the smudge of lipstick off his top lip and flashed him a brilliant smile.
"Good bye Won Won. I'll miss you. Owl me!" Lavender called over her shoulder.
"Hermione," Harry whispered conspiratorially, "you are bloody fabulous. I was starting to worry that we would be here all day."
Hermione laughed and then pushed her way back to retrieve her bag. "Happy Christmas Harry!"
As the line surged forward, Hermione's stomach was doing little flip flops. She wasn't sure who would be picking her up. She knew that her parents really wanted to come get her, but she really enjoyed last year when it was just Charlie.
She reached the platform and Mrs. Weasley was waiting for her with Mr. Granger. "Hermione! Oh dear girl! Happy Christmas! We will miss you so this year. Please feel free to come visit if you get a chance. You know you are always welcome."
"Thank you so much. I will miss being with your family too, but I think my mum and dad are very excited to have me home for a change." She glanced at her dad who winked in return.
"Of course they are, dear," Mrs. Weasley sighed pulling away and looking her over, "I am sure your mother will make sure you eat enough. You are looking too thin."
Ginny sidled up to her mother and embraced her. "Oh, mum, leave her alone. Genius has its price. Happy Christmas Hermione!"
Hermione laughed. "Happy Christmas!" She found it odd that her dad had yet to hug her so she moved next to him. He reached his arm around her shoulder and gave her a tender squeeze.
Hermione noticed a significant look pass between her dad and Molly but before she could ask about it, he nudged her slightly so she moved toward the archway and then passed through it into the main station. Getting to be home for the holidays meant more to her than she usually let on so she couldn't help throwing her arms around her father's neck and hugging him tightly.
Her dad hugged her back briefly but then released her and herded her along, unwilling to linger any longer than necessary. They reached the car and began the drive home before Hermione broached the subject of Charlie. Her dad winked at her and just suggested that she be patient. She rolled her eyes and turned the radio on. Her dad was unusually quiet and kept surreptitiously looking at her from the corner of his eye.
Before long they pulled up to the home that Hermione had grown up in. The leaves were off the trees and the flowers were not blooming, but Hermione thought it looked absolutely beautiful. She sighed contentedly as she exited the car. Her dad retrieved her bag while she headed up the walk. Suddenly the door flew open and her mum was running down the steps followed by her father.
"What—"She began but was cut off by the cackles of laughter at her expense.
She looked over her shoulder to see her father standing in the driveway by the car AND standing on the porch by the house.
"Charlie…." She said sternly.
The man with the bags waved congenially.
"Polyjuice?" She asked rhetorically and everyone nodded. She rolled her eyes and walked into the house thinking it would be better if the neighbors didn't notice.
This was real. She was spending Christmas at home with her family. With Charlie. She couldn't help but smile.
Hermione was unpacking and had just changed her clothes when she heard a timid knock on her door. "Come in!" She called figuring it was her mother so she was surprised when a pair of hands slid around her waist. She couldn't help the smile that exploded across her face.
"I wanted to do this as soon as I saw you, but I figured it would creep people out to have your father snog you in the station." Charlie murmured in her ear. She laughed and her head tilted back onto his shoulder. She clasped her hands over his.
"You are very sneaky. Are you sure you aren't a Slytherin?" She quipped.
It was his turn to laugh. "The sorting hat considered it, but ultimately, I was more courageous than sneaky. Although, I bet the twins could have ended up there…" He drifted off as she turned to face him. They stared at each other for a long moment. His hair had grown and there was a new scar on his chin. Her face was slightly pale and she had bags under her eyes.
"I missed you." He said sweeping her hair off her forehead and grazing his knuckles down her jaw line.
"I missed you too." She whispered clutching his upper arms. She lifted her face to his and he lowered his head towards hers closing the distance between them.
"CHARLIE! HERMIONE!" They leapt apart gasping in shock; hearts pounding.
"What?" Hermione replied shakily, her eyes never leaving Charlie's.
"Dinner's ready." Her dad called up the stairs.
Charlie laughed and held out his hand toward her. "Shall we?"
She grabbed his hand and followed him down the stairs to the dining room.
Dinner had been entertaining as Charlie regaled them with stories of the dragons and their antics of late. Her dad was thrilled to realize that Royce was the same as ever. Hermione learned that Shadow had grown sufficiently enough to be moved to the outdoor habitat. Her parents were full of news of the family and their practice and Hermione caught everyone up on the Hogwarts news and gossip. Charlie grimaced at the image of anyone snogging Ron and promised to send an owl to all his brothers so Ron would get the teasing he so richly deserved for blocking traffic on the test.
Hermione's parents adjourned themselves to the living room while Charlie and Hermione cleaned up the kitchen.
"So when did you get here?" She finally inquired, grateful to finally have him all to herself for a bit.
"A few days ago. Had to set up some security wards around the house."
"I didn't notice any wards."
"Trust me. They are there. I just had to use a more subtle charm being as we are in a muggle neighborhood."
Hermione flicked him with suds and he snapped his towel at her playfully.
"We do need to talk about safety," he continued, "but not till we are done in here." He took a step closer to her so they were standing side by side with their arms touching.
She flicked more water at him which he ignored, so she did it again. Again he said nothing...just smiled. The third time she flicked water at him she was doused with freezing cold water from over her head and turned to find him sliding his wand back up his sleeve.
"Don't start something unless you are prepared to finish it." He chuckled.
"I…you…you…water…" she stammered. He laughed and laughed that she couldn't even form a coherent sentence. She pulled her wand out of her pocket and dried herself off.
"I WILL remember this." She muttered returning to the dishes.
"I have no doubt." He answered smugly.
They finished quickly and moved to join her parents in the living room. They walked into the room and Mrs. Granger stopped them and pointed up.
"Ah, ah, ah. You know the rule."
Glancing up, they discovered the mistletoe dangling from the middle of the doorframe.
"Can't argue with tradition now can we?" Charlie said stoically.
Hermione giggled. "Definitely not." She stood on her tiptoes and gave Charlie a very chaste kiss on his cheek. He returned the favor. They moved through and settled on the sofa.
Robert cleared his throat. "I think we should discuss the plan now so we can all relax and enjoy ourselves without it hanging over our heads, don't you agree Jane?"
"Definitely. Charlie has been busy working hard since he got here, but we figured he could explain and you, my dear daughter could translate for us poor muggles." The group laughed and Charlie stood and moved to the fireplace. Just as he was about to begin he noticed what was resting under his hand on the mantle.
"You have a stocking for me?"
"Of course Charlie, you are practically family." Jane answered smiling reassuringly at him. Hermione grinned and Charlie touched it reverently.
"Thank you." He said quietly.
"Don't be a drama queen," Hermione teased, "You were about to say…"
Charlie sighed dramatically, "If I have to…" He winked at her.
"Now. Back to business. I have placed security wards around the house and yard---"
"Will they interfere with our alarm system?" Robert interrupted.
"No sir, but your alarm system is useless against wizards. They can easily disarm it with a single spell; however, the wards will alert us to any magical presence that comes near—besides Hermione and me. Your fireplace is connected to the floo network, but only linked to the Burrow---"
"What is a floo network?" Jane enquired.
Hermione turned to her mother. "In the wizarding world, instead of telephones, they can speak through their fireplaces with a special powder called floo powder. Wizards and witches can also travel to other fire places through the same network. Our house is only linked to the Weasley's so we could only travel or talk between the two."
"How can you do that without getting burned?" Robert asked, completely enthralled with the idea.
"There is a simple spell which renders the flames green and safe so that it feels warm but not uncomfortable. Soot is still a problem and you can get a little dizzy traveling that way, but it is extremely efficient."
"I should like to try that I think!" Robert exclaimed.
Jane put a warning hand on his forearm. "Robert. Now is not the time." He sat back down. "Please continue Charlie."
Charlie smiled fondly at Hermione's dad. He continually reminded him of his own father but in reverse. "Well, as I was saying…" He paused to regain his train of thought. "Ah yes, the floo. It's connected in case of an emergency and can only be used from here to the Burrow. At this time we can't use it to return. If an emergency arose," he paused and pulled a box from his pocket and set it on the mantle, "we could quickly escape. The floo is restricted to the four of us at this time. Hermione and I could each escort you to safety."
Jane nodded her understanding and Hermione chuckled to see her father's rapt expression of wonderment. She could tell he was itching for a chance to try it out.
"What would constitute an emergency?" He finally asked.
Charlie answered quickly. "A serious breach of the wards…imminent attack." This sobered the entire group.
"And is this a real possibility or merely a precaution?" Jane asked softly.
Charlie looked at Hermione and then back to her parents. "Both."
"Something has happened then?" Hermione tentatively ventured.
"Sharp as a tack you are." Charlie said, pleased that she was so astute. "We have received information—"
"From whom? And who is we?" Demanded Jane.
"Let him finish mum."
"We, the order of the Phoenix…"
"That's that secret society thing right?" Robert interjected.
"Yes dad." Hermione responded patiently.
"Ah yes, well, we have received intelligence that your family has been put on a watch list. Obviously we can't make your house unplottable being as you are muggles—"
"Unplottable?" Jane interrupted again looking to her daughter for clarification.
"Wizards have special and complex charms that can hide an entire house so that it won't show up on any map. Even if searched for, it cannot be found. The address is held by one person and only if that person tells you or writes the address for you can you find it. The charm would only be broken upon death of the person entrusted as the keeper of the information. It's how the headquarters is protected."
"Is that how you keep your statute of secrecy? So no muggles can find your wizarding communities?" Robert asked in fascination.
"No dad. Wizards live right among the rest of you. This unplottable spell is extraordinarily complex and difficult to use so it is not utilized often. It takes a very powerful wizard to perform the charm and it is extremely inconvenient for regular use."
"Robert, quit distracting them. I am more concerned about the fact that we are on a watch list. Who is watching us?"
Charlie had been dreading this part of the conversation so he cleared his throat nervously and glanced into their expectant faces.
"The Death Eaters. The Death Eaters have decided that in order to get to Harry, it would be in their best interest to watch Hermione's family. We think they plan to watch you and perhaps get to Hermione through you." He finished with his eyes focused on Hermione. She was very pale and was shaking her head and mouthing the word no over and over.
Jane also noticed her daughter's reaction. "What do we need to do?" She demanded. She was very much like her daughter. She was a woman of action and she had no intention of being a sitting duck.
"For now, they don't know that we are aware of their plan. They do not know I am here."
"That's why the polyjuice. They think my dad came to pick me up and I am going to spend a normal muggle holiday with my non magical family. If we do something drastic, they will know we are on to them." Charlie nodded.
"Then we proceed with the holiday as planned. We will continue warily but normally." Jane asserted.
"And before you leave we will make contingency plans so you don't have to worry about us, Hermione. Now breathe." Her dad commanded. Hermione sucked in a gulp of air. She hadn't realized the news had caused her to stop breathing. She knew she could be targeted, and that her family could potentially be in danger, but to have it so blatantly out there was a shock.
Charlie moved back and sat down by her on the sofa grabbing her hand in his. "We aren't going to let anything happen…to any of you. We will figure this out and we will have a plan."
"I know," she whispered, "I---"
"Will worry no matter what." Her mother stated knowingly. "We will just have to distract you won't we?" She turned towards her husband. "What's the plan for this evening?"
"Game night!" Robert said enthusiastically. He knew as well as his wife that Hermione was going to worry so the least they could do would be to keep her mind otherwise occupied for a couple of hours. "Scrabble anyone?"
"You get the board. I'll make some tea." Jane announced as she stood and moved toward the kitchen. Hermione hopped up and followed her like she knew she would. It was time for a little mother/daughter heart to heart.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think.