"Hermione!" Her Mum answered the phone happily. It almost made her reconsider the whole thing. She was clearly looking forward to seeing her daughter again, unaware that a sneaky plot was going to occur right under her nose. "Oh, I'm so glad you called. I was just about to ring you, actually. You still like yams, don't you, sweetie?"
She cleared her throat. "Yes, Mum, I do. Listen, there was something-"
"Your dad wanted to wait to decorate the tree but I told him we'd be too busy for that. Oh, do you remember when you were little and we used to make it a big affair? We took you to see Santa and we'd have Christmas shaped pancakes, we'd decorate the tree and top it all off with a big pot of soup," Her Mum sighed wistfully, likely remembering those days. When she spoke up again, she sounded slightly saddened. Hermione would wager to say it was because she was grown now. It was just another reminder that things were going to be different this year. "I just can't believe it; you're out of school now and living on your own and soon enough you'll be dating and getting engaged-" Hermione cringed at this, "and getting married and having children and grandchildren and-"
"Mum," Hermione said loudly over her. "Come back."
Her Mum sniffled, laughing weakly. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I get a little emotional when I think about how much you've grown. It's hard for any parent when they realize their little baby grew up, but we're so, so proud of you and everything you've accomplished, Hermione. You've grown into a beautiful, brilliant young woman and your dad and I can't wait to see where your future takes you."
Hermione's stomach felt uneasy now. The guilt came back worse this time. Oh, what was she doing? This was a terrible thing to do. Her parents would no longer be proud, they'd be so disappointed in her. "Mum, I-"
"I know you aren't too thrilled about your aunt and cousin coming," Mum continued and Hermione could hear the smile in her voice, "but you've shown your dad and I some great maturity. You used to pitch a fit about it for days and you haven't said one word about them coming."
I've been a little too busy constructing this giant lie for everyone to fall for
"Err, right. But Mum, I need to tell you-"
"I made your dad go out and buy a new lock for your room," Mum told her. "Now it'll be completely Libby proof."
Her cousin had a habit of going into Hermione's room to snoop. She was notorious for it, really. She'd caught Libby at it once and her cousin had the audacity to act like Hermione was in the wrong for getting upset. Her anger had soon turned to panic when Libby secretly grabbed one of her spell books that was kept in her closet for safe keeping. Hermione didn't immediately realize it was gone until later; she tore after her cousin and the two ended up in a tug of war. Libby had refused to hand it over, insisting there was no harm in looking through it.
Aunt Patty thought Hermione was being a brat and told her as much. Hermione's Mum hadn't taken kindly to that and soon Hermioe's Dad had to stop her and Libby as well as Mum and Aunt Patty from screaming at each other. All the while, Uncle Melvyn hadn't a clue what was happening as he was still on the couch in the living room, watching the telly.
All in all,that had been a rotten Christmas that no one brought up. Ever.
"That's great," Hermione managed to say.
"So, what did you want to say to me, honey?"
Hermione's mouth went dry. "Just that we can't wait to come!"
There was a pause.
"We?" Mum said with curiosity and excitement in her voice. "Do I sense there's a young man in the mix?"
"Err, well, yes-"
Her Mum screamed. Hermione had to pull the phone away. "Oh, Lewis! You've got to hear this! Hermione's bringing a date!"
"Mum!"
"What's his name? Do we know him? Is it one of your friends, Ron or Harry? They're both lovely young men. Does he have any preferences for food? Did he go to that magic school with you? Oh, I wished you would have said something sooner! I need to buy him a present! You'll need to give me a list of things he likes so I can-"
"Mum!" Hermione's voice went up in pitch before lowering back down. "I...we're-he's actually my fiance."
More silence.
She hoped her mum didn't keel over.
"Hermione Jean Granger!" Mum shrieked. "You got engaged without telling us! When were you going to say something?"
When it actually happens
"I'm sorry," Hermione grimaced. "It all happened so fast. I didn't expect any of it."
"We definitely have to meet him now!"
"You will," Hermione said patiently. "We'll both be there tomorrow. He's looking forward to it."
"That's wonderful," mum said. She then went quiet and added, "is he good to you, honey?"
Werll, Percy was a good friend. A fantastic one for sure.
"Yes," She said truthfully. "He's great, the best there is."
"Good," mum whispered. "You deserve the best, Hermione."
I'm not sure I do...
/
Percy was staying the night since they were leaving in the morning. Hermione just put down the two pizzas she'd ordered for them on the kitchen countertop when she heard him come through the fireplace once again. He started talking but it wasn't to her; it was Crookshanks. He was laying on the arm of a chair. When she took a peek from around the corner, she couldn't believe her eyes. Crooks was rubbing his head into Percy's hand, presumably purring. He never acted that way with anyone but her.
"How did you do that?" Hermione wondered. "He only ever does that with me."
"Just lucky, I suppose," Percy grinned. "I've always loved cats, you know. Penny had this adorable kitten she brought with her in our fifth year-ah, I suppose if we're going to pretend we're engaged, you don't want to hear about her."
She waved it off. "It's fine, Percy. I'm not offended."
She had no reason to be. It wasn't like they were actually together.
"Are you hungry? I bought pizza," Hermione said.
He looked curious. "I've never had pizza. Is it good?"
"Very," Hermione smiled. "There's cheese and sausage on the counter. Just be careful, they're steaming."
Once they gathered some drinks and put some slices on the paper plates they used, the two of them found themselves seated on the couch, facing one another as they ate. Percy was asking her more questions.
"Tell me about your family, anything I should know."
"Okay," Hermione swallowed. "My dad's name is Lewis, my mum's name is Clara and of course there's my Aunt Patty, cousin Libby and Uncle Melvyn and Libby's fiance, Joel."
He nodded.
"My dad's not really into sports but he'll watch them when Uncle Melvyn is around so you might get pulled in on that as well. Luckily, he won't expect you to know anything, especially if he knows you're a wizard," Hermione continued. "Although I suspect he will ask you about your dental health." She rolled her eyes. "Just tell him you've been to a wizarding dentist regularly and he'll be satisfied."
Percy frowned. "We don't have dentists."
"No, but trust me you do not want my parents all over you for it. They'll pester you until we leave and insist on taking a look to make sure everything looks right," She sighed. "You're better off just playing it off."
"Something tells me they've done this before," Percy smirked.
"They wanted to," Hermione shook her head. "They asked me whether Harry and Ron had had their teeth checked. I told them yes before they could tell me all the facts about gum disease and cavities."
He laughed. Admittedly, it was a very nice sound. But that wasn't strange. Lots of people liked someone's laugh. And her someone just happened to be Percy. "Tell me about your mum."
"She loves cooking," Hermione recalled with a soft smile. "She's the designated cooker and baker in our house but she loves it when we do it as a family so she'll probably ask you to help."
"That won't be a problem," Percy said. "I learned a lot from Mum."
"You can cook?" Hermione was surprised.
"Of course," Percy said playfully, "not to brag but I'm pretty good, I'd say."
"I can't believe i didn't know that," She muttered to herself and then added, louder, "you'll have to cook dinner with me sometime."
"Don't believe me?" He teased.
"I didn't say that," She laughed. "I just want you to prove it."
"Mhm."
"Without magic."
"I can cook without magic," he said confidently.
"'Prove it, then."
"Is that a challenge, Granger?" He smirked.
"I suppose it is, Weasley."
"You're on," he laughed. He rested his chin on his arm which laid along the back of the couch. "What do I get when I win?"
"What makes you think you'll win?" She said, amused.
"I'm older, more experienced and obviously have the most skills out of siblings," He said.
"So you say."
"Are you feeling nervous, Hermione? I'll go easy on you if you want."
She shoved him, making him laugh more. "Absolutely not."
"But you're not telling what I'd win so you must be nervous."
"Isn't winning enough for you?"
He pretended to think about it. "It's always nice to have a prize as a reminder."
"You're incorrigible."
"I love you, too, dear," He said dryly.
"I hope you'll say it better than that at my parents' house."
"I promise to be the most romantic man on earth," he said dramatically. "Your cousin will be forever jealous of you."
"That'll be the day," Hermione rolled her eyes as she got up on her way back to the kitchen when she was intercepted; she tripped over her own feet and fell directly in Percy's lap, his arms immediately wrapping around her to stabilize her.
She froze.
Percy did as well, peering down through his glasses.
They sat in silence, unable to properly communicate.
It was so bloody awkward.
She wanted to obliviate them both right then and there
"I'm so sorry," She was mortified. "I didn't-I tripped and-"
"It's fine," Percy said when he recovered, finding his voice once again. He smiled at her. "Don't worry about it."
She got up from his lap with no further incident, offering to take his empty paper plate and cup to the trash bin. On her way there, she was ambushed with a sudden thought. It was utterly ridiculous. This whole thing was getting to her-
While sitting there in his lap, Percy's arms had felt oddly strong. It wasn't something she would have expected from him.
Her cheeks went pink.
She needed a drink.
Or somewhere to drown herself.
/
After that embarrassing ordeal, Percy asked if he could use her shower, to which Hermione waved him in the direction of, saying it was all his. He went around the corner and that was the last she saw of him. She decided to clean up the kitchen so it was one less task she would have to come back to.
Crooks hopped up onto the countertop, meowing as though he were experiencing starvation. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, giving him a scratch behind the ear. It didn't placate him. He stared at her, before giving another wail.
"It wouldn't hurt you to be a little patient," She chided.
Crooks merely meowed again. She swore he had a real facial expression; that one that was going for pitiful so she would have mercy on him and bend to his wishes. Ron called her barmy but he just didn't understand.
"You'll get it in a second," She told him.
He gave one last howl, hopping down to the floor and walking away with his tail all fluffed up to let her know he was quite displeased with how the evening was going. He was a bit on the spoiled side. She shook her head.
He was going to be more disgruntled when she'd have to stuff him in a cage and take him along with her and Percy. She didn't feel comfortable letting someone else watch over him. Crooks could be very naughty when left to his own devices or put in a situation where he was with someone he didn't know. She'd have to keep him in her old bedroom during that week. It wasn't entirely ideal but she hoped to avoid a fiasco by keeping him where her scent would hopefully calm him down.
After she sat down a bowl of flaked tuna, watching as Crooks approached it, sniffing it rather haughtily before deciding it was acceptable and dug in with gusto.
She wrapped her arms around herself, sighing softly as she flipped off the lightswitch, heading down in the direction of her bedroom. She was exhausted; work had been horrendously busy, especially once she asked Kingsley for some time off. He'd granted it, of course, but that also meant everything had piled up all at once. Her stress had skyrocketed to an unbearable point; lucky for her, Percy had been there to help. He was of great assistance, actually, working with her to get through all that paperwork and everything else when she had been on the verge of a breakdown more than once.
"Hey," Percy said soothingly when Hermione buried her face in her palms. "It's okay. Just take a deep breath. I know it's a lot but we'll get through it."
"It's never ending," She groaned. "Every time I think I'm close to being done I'm not."
"Try not to stress," He advised. "We'll get through this, trust me." A few seconds of silence trickled by and he chuckled. "I sound like a hypocrite saying that."
She glanced at him curiously. "Why do you say that?"
He gave her a wry smile. "Because I was a bloody nightmare in school."
She frowned. She'd heard that before from his siblings but always thought it was unfair of them to say. "Oh, I'm sure you weren't-"
He put up his hand. "Trust me, I was. Oliver can attest. I stressed out over everything and practically lived on no sleep until exams were over."
But it wasn't just all due to the extra workload. The stress that came from the impending lie and being in close quarters with Libby once again was already wearing on Hermione. She kept fretting over making a mistake or one of them accidentally saying something different from each other that someone would catch or not being convincing enough. She would be absolutely humiliated if anyone caught on to their act. Libby would have a field day, she knew. This would be just the thing she could use against her for the next decade-oh, who was she kidding? She'd use this against her for the rest of their life!
She sighed.
This wouldn't have to be necessary if she wasn't such a jerk. Why did Hermione have to have someone in the first place? Couldn't she be happy being single with a terrific job? Why did her not having anyone mean there was something wrong with her, something that made her less than? It was utterly ridiculous is what it was. This had been going on since her and Libby entered their teenage years. Actually, it was more accurately started at eleven, when they were starting to grow into their looks. Libby was, naturally, praised by Aunt Patty for being such a beauty while Hermione was thrown a look of poorly concealed distaste and suggested to invest in some hair products.
She knew she shouldn't really care what they or anyone had to say. It hardly mattered. But in a way it did matter. For most of her life, she was teased and mocked over something. Her hair, her lack of friends, being a know it all, lack of significant other. It certainly didn't help that some of it was coming from her own family.
When Hermione passed by the hall closet, more guilt-if it were possible-piled up on her. She was so absorbed in this lie that she didn't even remember to be hospitable enough to ensure that the bathroom had a suitable amount of towels. What was wrong with her? She took three or four, shut the door and headed toward the bathroom.
"Percy, do you have enough-"
Her breath hitched.
And she nearly dropped the towels.
Oh Godric, oh Godric, oh bloody Godric.
Percy was in a towel only that was wrapped firmly around his waist. His upper body was bare, slightly pink but dry. Her eyes, embarrassingly enough, were immediately drawn into his chest area. How had she never noticed? He was certainly in shape, that much couldn't be denied. It wasn't outrageously so but more than she would have expected from Percy Weasley.
Stop staring!
Her cheeks went red.
She let out a squeak of alarm. "I..I-"
Get it together, Granger. It's just a half naked man. You've dealt with worse
Half naked...naked. I just saw Ron's brother half naked
Percy wasn't much better. He'd froze upon stepping out and seeing her there. For a moment, they stood in the hallway of her flat, staring at one another open mouthed. It was the most embarrassing thing to have happened to her. She wished the floor would swallow her whole.
"I'm so sorry!"
They blurted it out simultaneously.
"I should have-" Hermione truly didn't know what to say. Her mind was racing and all she wanted to do was hide her face.
"It was my fault," Percy said hurriedly. "I shouldn't have come out. I..I forgot my other clothes to change into and-"
"It's fine!" Hermione said, echoing what he'd said earlier. "Don't worry about it."
She laughed nervously.
He smiled at her, though she saw right through that.
"I'm just gonna...let you get dressed."
He nodded with that fake-totally-embarrassed smile on his face. "Okay."
"Okay," She echoed.
This can't possibly get any worse...