Day Twenty-Six

Because he didn't have to get out of bed when she did on his day off, Rabastan gave his wife a sleepy kiss good morning with a promise that he would make it up to her later. Considering the way he made it up to her the last time on top of the kitchen table, she was more than willing to let him.

The store was slow all morning but at least there were still customers. She was able to handle everything on her own. Even after so many days of the shop returning mostly to normal, Hermione still couldn't believe how devious Nicholas had been. Was his plan really to destroy her business and when she was desperate to sell it before she was completely out of money, buy it from her with the money he stole? Unfortunately, she thought it was.

Just before noon Rabastan came downstairs with her lunch. He kissed her right there in the middle of the shop, not caring that they could be seen. It would take some getting used to, but she thought she might like it.

"I'm going to run a few errands but I'll be back before dinner."

"Where are you going?"

No matter how curious she was or how many questions she asked, he wouldn't tell. All he would do was smile and promise her that he wasn't doing anything illegal or unethical. She supposed that was a good enough answer. Everything wasn't her business, after all even if she wished it was.

Some time in the middle of the afternoon she looked up at the sound of the bell above the shop door to see Harry enter. Immediately, she felt sick to her stomach. Was he there to lecture her again? He might have seemed calmer than the first time he dropped by after her marriage, but she knew him well enough to know that looks could be deceiving. She'd been expecting him to eventually show back up. The way they left it the first time didn't feel finished.

"Hello, Hermione. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

She looked around the shop and realized she didn't have any customers. Assuming that whatever conversation they were going to have would probably be best to have uninterrupted, she pointed her wand at the door to lock it and flip the sign to 'Closed'.

"Now I do. What's going on? Are you here to berate me some more for my choice of husband?"

Hermione wasn't in the mood for his usual theatrics. Often just being in his presence set her on edge. It was sad to see how their friendship changed over the years. Being his friend wasn't easy, never was.

"No, I'm not. I still don't agree with your choice, but you are an adult."

"I'm glad you finally seem to realize that."

Harry sighed.

"I don't know what it is about these brothers that have ordinarily rational thinking women behaving so stupidly.

"If you just came here to insult my family, I'd like to ask you to leave."

She felt protective of the other Lestranges, especially of Andromeda and Rodolphus. After spending time with her brother-in-law in the shop, she liked him. He was nothing at all like she expected him to be.

"When Andromeda told me she got married. I thought she lost her mind. I seriously considered contacting St. Mungo's."

"Because when a woman makes a different choice than you think she should make, it's proof in your mind that she's gone insane? Can't imagine Ginny cares much for that."

Feeling like he might be on the verge of losing his composure, Harry closed his eyes for a few seconds.

"I didn't come here to fight with you, Hermione."

"Then why did you come here?"

"The anniversary of the war ending is coming up this weekend."

"I'm aware."

Eleven years had nearly passed. Some days it felt like it all happened the day before and then others it felt like another lifetime. She didn't usually like thinking about it. There had been so much loss. Not just life, but innocence and hope. Her parents were still alive the last she checked but they were a loss too.

Every year there was a commemoration of the end of the war at the Ministry of Magic. It started off as a solemn affair, but like usually happened when people moved further away from a tragic event, it became more of an excuse to network and enjoy free alcohol. Hermione hated the function from the very first year. It all felt so crass and the majority of the attendees spent the hours of the final battle safe and snug in their beds with no worry that their lives were in danger. It made her sick to see those people who made no sacrifices act as if they played any part in ending the war.

But, she attended every single one because Harry asked her to and even though their friendship was strained and seemed often to be on the verge of crumbling entirely, she cared enough about him to be there to support him. It wasn't an easy night for him either and he needed the support of his loved ones.

"I don't think it would be appropriate for you to attend the event Saturday night."

She wasn't sure she heard him correctly.

"You don't think it would be appropriate for me to attend the commemoration of the ending of the war I helped you fight and win?"

"Considering you are now married to a Death Eater who fought on the opposite side, no, I do not think it is appropriate for you to attend. What sort of message would that send?"

"That the war is over and it's possible to forgive and move forward. That we don't have to stay trapped in the past."

He wasn't convinced. Likely he didn't even really hear what she said. If anything, he seemed angrier.

"I'm not sure very many people would agree with you."

"No, what you mean is you don't agree with me. That's all that matters after all, right?"

Harry was furious but trying not to say so.

"There's no way to tell how many on our side that your husband killed. How do you think the families of those who died would feel seeing you there knowing who you are married to?"

There was no reasoning with him when he made up his mind. No point even trying.

"Fine, Harry. I'll stay away. I won't embarrass you by showing my face at a celebration marking the end of the war that changed my life too."

She could feel herself about to lose her temper.

"Do you think I'm enjoying this? Do you think I like being the 'Chosen One'? My parents died…"

"You aren't the only one who lost their parents, Harry Potter, so you can stop playing the 'dead parents' card. My parents may as well be dead and what about poor Neville? Hannah's mother was murdered and no one ever found out what happened to Dean's father. Luna watched her mother die in front of her eyes when she was just a child. And what about your godson Teddy? His parents are both dead too. You are not the only one who has experienced loss and I'm exhausted listening to you act as if you're somehow special or some moral authority because of what happened to your parents."

Even just a few months earlier she never would've said something so seemingly cold, but she couldn't handle him another second. It had been years of build-up. There were times, mostly when they were young but still occasionally as an adult, he could feel so sorry for himself and act like he was the only one that had a hard life. It was insulting.

"I can't believe you just said that."

"Well, maybe I should've said it a long time ago. I gave up my parents for you, Harry. I followed you and supported you and nearly died countless times in the process. And all along you just took me for granted, expected I would always be two steps behind you waiting for the moment you might need me again. And I'm done. I won't go to your party on Saturday. I would much rather stay home with my Death Eater husband. At least he never pretends to be someone he's not."

Harry couldn't speak he was so furious. A line had definitely been crossed that had never been crossed before. She pointed her wand at the front door to unlock and open it. Recognizing he was being dismissed, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him in the most dramatic of fashion.

Feeling suddenly very tired, Hermione used magic to lock the door again and turn out all of the lights. She climbed the stairs to the flat. Going straight to the bedroom, she kicked off her shoes and climbed on top of the bed. Expecting to cry, she discovered she didn't have enough in her to care. Everyone had their breaking point and she'd met hers. She didn't have trouble falling asleep.

The ringing bell above the shop door woke her up some time later. She waited in the same position to hear Rabastan come up the stairs. It didn't take long. Maybe he ran when he saw the shop closed unexpectedly. He called out her name, but found her in the bedroom before she even had a chance to respond. He was relieved.

"When I saw the lights were off and the shop closed early, I knew something was wrong. What happened, my darling?"

Rabastan sat on the edge of the bed. His fingers brushed her hair away from her face. The simple affectionate act brought tears to her eyes. He leaned down to her kiss her cheek and they started to roll out.

"Harry came by the shop."

He sighed, knowing already it was bad.

"He wanted to make sure that I didn't embarrass him by showing up at the Ministry on Saturday night when the anniversary of the war ending is celebrated."

"Oh, Hermione, I…"

At a loss, he didn't know what to say. She was so tired of it all. For years she held on to so much anger and bitterness. It wasn't healthy.

"I feel fairly confident my friendship with Harry is over."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It probably should've happened years ago. It wasn't as if we'd been all that good of friends in recent years anyway."

"No, I'm sorry you're sad. Fuck Potter."

She had to smile. He leaned down to kiss her cheek again.

"I think after the day you've had, you need my surprise more than ever."

"Your surprise?"

"Yes, I've been very busy since I left the shop."

He stood up.

"Now don't move and close your eyes."

She did as he asked with another smile. The creaky floorboards told her that he left the room for just a moment and came right back.

"Are your eyes still closed?"

"Yes."

It was easy to feel him walk to the side of the bed and place something on the mattress next to her.

"All right. You can open your eyes."

There was a tiny, fluffy grey kitten on the bed staring at her with big, wide eyes. She nearly cried all over again. Quickly sitting up, she picked up the precious animal to snuggle. Immediately she was in love. Rabastan watched her cuddle the kitten with a bright smile, beaming.

"He's not quite the little ones Fletcher was referring to, but I thought he might be good practice."

"He's wonderful. What's his name?"

Rabastan sat back on the bed again to reach over and pet him.

"I thought you might like to name him. I'm sure you have something erudite and literary you'd like to call him."

"He looks like a Buzz."

His booming laughter startled the kitten.

"Or you could call him that."

It was impossible to remain in a sour mood with a curious and playful kitchen to keep her occupied. The evening was enjoyable, thoughts of Harry pushed to the side for the present.