CHAPTER 18 - Side Effects

Hermione was packing her things in the suitcase. She was excited to visit her boyfriend Tom, for the last time before he would go to Egypt with Bill.

She was starting to be a bit worried when no owl came from him for a month since they last saw each other. The love mark he gave her… thank Merlin mom and dad didn't notice it… Hermione would think after discovering that thing didn't come out she would be furious with Tom, but now she was too worried after he and the rest of his brothers left Hogwarts without as much as a word. She couldn't wait to see him again.

Finally the wizard taxi arrived.

She will at last be able to see him again.

Finally…

She practically jumped out of the staircase and ran into the cab, hugging her parents abruptly as they were saying their goodbyes. She would want to officially introduce Tom to them soon, but maybe after his apprenticeship?

If only a young witch stopped for a moment she would notice a small, fluffy owl flying to her room, by the open window.

Pig dropped a letter with Ron's name that was nothing but alarming.

"Hermione!

I know you were going to visit us this week. Please, don't! It's not safe in the Burrow. I can't tell you more than that, but Tom is not all what he seems. He is my brother and I care for him, but I love you. You're my best friend. Please it would be better if we won't see each other ever again.

Ron.

PS. I'm really sorry, Mione. "

As a young witch was near the Burrow, her heart skipped.

She knocked on the main door only to see some younger girl in a summer dress and slippers. Hermione blinked, who was that?

- Ah, Hermione, here you are! - She heard Arthur's voice behind that mysterious girl. - Meet Ginny, she is our daughter.

Hermione blined.

- I didn't know you had a daughter, sir… - How weird, she was here at least a few times over her time in Hogwarts and not even once she saw her. Boys also never mention her.

Arthur stopped on a staircase as if thinking how to respond. Thankfully the girl provided the answer herself.

- I was in St Mungo's for the past few years. - Ginny knew exactly what to say. She had enough time to come up with a possible lie, after all. - It's a bit sad, so none of my brothers like to talk about it. Oh, but Tom and I often write to each other. He didn't mention me?

There was a certain amount of poison in her seemingly nice tone. It was a good thing that Tom trusted her like she was actually his devoted little sister. Backstabbing him in revenge would be much more pleasant when the time comes. She also noticed George would be a good ally, even if she didn't know what happened between the two. It wasn't really her problem as long as he would be willing to exact her revenge.

Was the constant presence of Abraxas and Edmund rubbing on her? It was a shame Braxy and Eddy were old pricks by now…She remembered how funny it was when Tom found a note in his own diary about how much of a good kisser one his old follower was… To be fair she was leaving him fake things like this all the time just to make fun of him. Like the supposed dancing cancan in pajamas and singing "i'm a lumberjack and i'm okay" in front of everybody in a Great Hall. Or how she started an illegal casino run by Hogwarts elves.

- I'm sorry to hear that…

Hermione knew it would be impolite to ask more questions, so she left it for now.

- It's really nice to meet you. I'm Hermione, I'm Tom's girlfriend.

- I know, Tom mentions you all the time! - She cheered. If Hermione could hear her thoughts she would know Ginny added "mudblood". She really needed to cut herself from Knights of Walpurgis ideology.

Then Hermione noticed Ron, who just left the bathroom, he stared at her for a moment. She could swear he was really sad to see her.

- Oh, hi, Ron! - She tried to come to him and hug him, but he ran away from her. Didn't he say he was ok by now? That he, quote "picked them both?"

Finally she saw him. Tom. He was as gorgeous as always. No, even better. He was not wearing wizard's robes, but a plain combo of t-shirt and jeans. And he looked like a fashion model, despite those being no doubt from second hand muggle stores.

He leaned to her, giving her a deep kiss and their tongues swirled around a bit.

- I missed you so much. - Her eyes shined as she was finally close to him.

- Me too. - He smiled back at her. - Come in, I will help you with your suitcase.

He took her bag into his arms.

- You have a room ready, next to mine. Please, my dear, you must be hungry and tired after a long trip? Do you have anything in mind?

- Maybe an omelet? With ham and cheese? - She took his free hand and let him lead her to the room where fresh sheets were already on bed.

- Sure. Take a shower, and we can eat when you are done. - He patted her curly hair. Excellent, adding a sleeping potion to the eggs would be so easy.