I apologize for the delay in getting this chapter posted! I was sick last week and then busy with Thanksgiving.
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Chapter 11
Hermione is enjoying the Weasley family Christmas, everyone is there except for George, who will be over later with Angelina as she is having a tough go of the day. It has been a lovely day thus far, this year is so much better than the last. Andromeda Tonks came with Little Teddy Lupin not too long after Hermione had finished breakfast. He has been running around changing his hair and eyes to match whomever he was playing with at the time, it's adorable.
They've just exchanged gifts and everyone is laughing and talking when Harry suddenly exclaimed, "Hermione, I completely forgot!" He jumps up and runs over to the door where his coat is hanging with the others. He's rifling through his pockets then pulls out a beautifully wrapped package, the paper is red and shimmers in the light and the ribbon looks like it's made of spun gold.
Hermione gives Harry a confused look as she reaches for the gift Harry is handing her. "Harry, what's this? You've given me too much already!" He had given her a first edition signed copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
"It's not from me Hermione. It came specially delivered to the ministry yesterday afternoon for you. Shacklebolt asked me to deliver it. Anyway, this couldn't be from me, you know my wrapping is rubbish and this looks pristine." He flashes her a cheeky grin.
Hermione examines the package looking for the tag. Her stomach sinks a bit when she thinks that maybe it might be from Ron. She isn't aware that everyone is watching her with interest seeing the different emotions play across her face, surprise, happiness, confusion, and then concern. Charlie, who is sitting next to her, leans over and says in his deep booming dragon training voice, "Well don't keep us all in suspense." She shakes herself out of her musing and asks, "Harry, there is no tag, did the ministry check this for curses?"
"Sure did, so did I." He smiles at her, eyes twinkling, so she knows he's joking when he says, "I'm sure Bill here would check again if you want."
"No, no, that is alright." She doesn't look up and is still studying the gift wrapping, fingering the beautifully delicate gold bow and ribbon, finally pulling at it to open.
She carefully opens the paper to find a beautiful wood box with a kneazle frolicking on it, she smiles because it makes her thinks of Crookshanks, it appears to be pawing at the latch. Hermione runs her finger across the kneazle and the animal settles down at her touch and sits, curling around itself. She opens the latch; the box is lined with emerald green velvet and inside is the necklace she has been admiring at the jewelry store on Diagon Alley.
Ginny has joined her on the sofa, "Merlin, Hermione, that box is wicked." She angled herself for a better look, "What is inside?"
Hermione touches the necklace and bites her lip, and looks up, her eyes narrowed, "Harry, is this really not from you?"
"No Hermione, I promise. I don't even have a clue what it is." Harry looks at her with his earnest expression and she believes him. If it isn't from him, who else could it be from?
She pulls the gold necklace from the box and holds it up, she sighs wistfully and says, "it is a replica of a time turner, it even spins and turns like a real one."
"How do you know it isn't real? It looks just the one we used in third year." Harry had gotten up and was standing in front of her, lightly touching the necklace."
She scoffs, then in her lecturing voice says, "Harry, the ministry destroyed them all, anyways I saw it at the jewelry store on Diagon Alley."
Ginny touches Hermione's arm to get her attention and asks, "Is there a card anywhere in the box or an engraving on it?"
Hermione puts the necklace on over her head, she vows to find out who gave her the necklace, so she could give it back, knowing it is much too extravagant of a gift for her. She picks up the box and the kneazle starts moving again, prancing around. Hermione turns it over and the box makes a growling sound, she flips it over again and the beast has narrowed its eyes at her for a moment then begins pawing at the latch again. She opens it and runs her fingers over the velvet lining, writing across the bottom then glows in a shade of lighter green that reads: Portum is the property of Hermione Granger.
"Do any of you know what a Portum is?" Her eyes are shining; she loves to learn new things.
Andromeda is the one who answers her, "In Latin, the word Portum means safe haven. Is that written in your gift box along with your name?"
Hermione nods, not sure what to make of her answer.
Andromeda continues, "A Portum is a protective box that usually contains a family heirloom, usually a prized piece of jewelry, guarded by the magical beast engraved on it can only be opened by the owner and the gift giver. It will give a nasty bite and burn to anyone else who touches it; hence, a safe haven to the jewelry that resides within. They are quite rare and usually passed down in families. I would be happy to teach you the charm that will allow others of your choosing to touch it; you'll just need a lock of their hair to do so. Also if you have children in the future, they will be able to open it."
Hermione is intrigued but also a little concerned and swallows trying to choose her words carefully so she will not insult the older witch, "It sounds...a bit like...dark magic." She was beginning to wonder if it isn't cursed and instinctively touches the necklace, she hadn't felt any darkness stirring in her like when she wore the Horcrux; maybe she should get Bill to check it.
"Oh dear no, not dark magic at all, just very old, somewhat similar to what is used for protective wards today. From the sound earlier I am sure that yours has a kneazle on guard duty." She smiles knowingly when she says this.
"Yes, it does." She can't help but smile back "and I would love to learn the charms for it."
"Excellent, why don't you come for tea next Tuesday and I'll show you." Hermione immediately agrees. Andromeda looks down to a sleeping Teddy in her arms and smiles fondly at the child, "Well, I think it is time to take this little one home." Teddy rouses in her arms as they are saying their goodbyes, even though he is pouting about leaving, he hugs everyone.
As they are walking out George and Angelina arrive; all in all they look good, although he looks tired and her eyes are rimmed in red from crying. "Hullo family!" It is so nice to see him smile again. He greets everyone with a big hug, even Hermione. She is glad he did, it's the first time she has seen him since Ron moved out and wasn't sure how he would respond to her. Relief flows through her briefly until George says, "Well I have a bit of good news, Ron has started seeing my healer mentalist and I figured since he has, it would be alright to have him come over a bit tonight."
George is looking sheepishly between his parents and Hermione. She sees the joy in Arthur and Molly's eyes, everyone really, but her stomach drops and her whole body clenches as everyone is watching for her reaction. She can't tell them he can't come. They are his family after all. She breathes in and out deeply a few times and says a half-hearted "Brilliant."
She wants to run but doesn't want to appear rude. She continues breathing deeply to try and maintain some level of decorum.
Ginny leans over and whispers, "Let's go take your new box and other gifts upstairs." Hermione nods, Ginny stands up and reaches for her hand being sure not to touch her gift, not wanting a bite, burn or both. Hermione gathers up all her gifts as well as the beautiful paper and ribbon. "Okay." She says softly.
The girls head up the stairs to Hermione's room. Ginny watches her as she places several gifts in boxes and her last one on her nightstand on top of her journal.
Hermione turns to the door and Ginny places a gentle hand on her arm. "I could kill George tonight and Ron, stupid gits." Hermione meets her eyes and they are full of care and compassion. "You know none of us expect you to see him. We could go out for a drink, or over to your new place?"
Hermione shakes her head no and practically falls onto her bed. She had been having such a wonderful time and now dread is coiled in her stomach. She isn't ready to face him.
Ginny scowls, she won't say anything to George tonight but she will let him have it soon. It is Hermione's last night at the Burrow and now it is ruined. Maybe she can get Ron out of here quickly. She looks at Hermione staring at the wall blankly. A few minutes ago her eyes had been dancing with enthusiasm at the mystery of her gift from an unknown admirer. Ginny reaches down and pats her gently and says, "I'm going downstairs, be back in a jiffy"
She closes Hermione's door and places a silencing and a couple of protection spells on her room… She hears everyone greet Ron cheerfully and it sets her teeth on edge. She almost goes back into the bedroom but decides she will be better off downstairs in case he has any ideas about seeing Hermione.
She'll listen to his words, but he will have to do a lot more than talking for her forgiveness, she has to see changes. She walks into the living room and sits next to Harry. He takes her hand and squeezes it, lacing his fingers in hers, knowing that it is his request for her to be patient. "I was shocked when George told me he was seeing a Mentalist, I thought it was rubbish when Mum and Dad mentioned it." Ron looks at his parents, sighs and says, "sorry 'bout that."
His mother beams at him and his father says, "Go on son."
"Well, I have only seen her a couple times so far. We've been talking about a lot of things. Did you know there are five stages of grief? I can't recall them all but apparently I'm stuck in the anger one."
Ginny bites down on her lip to keep from saying no shite. Harry squeezes her hand again and they share a look, and she follows his eyes to her Mum, she looks happier than Ginny has seen her in ages. She looks back to her brother, who is still talking about his sessions and studies his face; he seems to have lost the permanent scowl that shadowed his expression for over a year. She relaxes into Harry's side and he puts his arm around her.
Ron stops talking and takes a deep breath and blows it out. He waits for a beat to see if anyone asks him a question, looking around at the faces of his family. Most look happy, especially George and his parents; Ginny looks cross but he knows she will take some time to come around. He had dreaded and hoped that he would see Hermione. He supposes Ginny had been upstairs with her. He guesses it would probably be best to have their first meeting later. Before he begins again he clears his throat and looks down then back up, focusing on his Mum, "I wanted to apologize to you all for the way I've been acting. I still have a long way to go, but I am trying."
Molly lets out a sob and pulls Ron into a hug. "Oh son…I'm so glad…you are getting the help…you need," she exclaims through her tears. Ron holds on to her and begins to cry a bit himself. When they both let go, Ron sees that most in the family are crying or at least have tears in their eyes, even Ginny.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Hermione isn't sure how much time has passed, at some point she had removed the Portum from her nightstand and placed it in her lap, occasionally moving her finger along the box and watching the kneazle chase it.
She fingers her necklace, trying to think who might have gotten it for her. She had looked at it several times at the jewelry store but only had it taken out the day she ordered Harry's cufflinks. She doesn't remember seeing anyone she knew that day, but the store was very busy. Perhaps the jeweler himself had sent it as a gift to promote his store. She has had that happen occasionally with other products, being a member of "The Golden Trio," she scoffs when she thinks of the racing broom she had received that she gave to Ginny. She decides no, gifts like that always come with some sort of fanfare. She decides to go and speak with the jeweler to find out who bought it.
A knock at the door startles her and her pulse start racing, thinking it is Ron before she hears, "Hermione it's Ginny, can I come in?"
"Ye...yesss," she stutters out then begins to take slow deep breaths to ward off the panic attack.
Ginny enters and sees Hermione is shaking. The little good-will she had built up for Ron is gone, bloody idiotic rat lover. This is one of her favorite terms to call her brother in her head since that whole Peter Pettigrew/Wormtail incident, she smiles, how could he not know he had an animagus sharing his bed for years. Just shows he is completely daft.
Hermione is still taking deep breaths, fingering her necklace as she does.
"Hi, I brought up some hot mulled cider, and spiked it with a little fire whiskey." Hermione carefully places the Portum on the night stand then reaches for her drink. "Thanks." She replies barely above a whisper. Ginny sits down next to her and puts an arm around her shoulder giving her a light squeeze then starts playing with some of Hermione's curls in a soothing manner, trying to figure out how to cheer her best friend. "So, have you decided who your admirer is, maybe someone from your training?"
Hermione shakes her head no, "Professor Gibbs is the only person I really had any contact with at the Healer Institute and I can't imagine it from him, I mean, it is a pretty expensive gift."
At that, Ginny arches her brow at her friend, and almost chuckles at Hermione's perplexed expression. I can't believe she hasn't figured it out yet, expensive gift, expensive box, was with her at the jewelry store. Hmmm, I think I need to let her figure it out for herself, but I can give her some idea. "Maybe someone from work?" she asks innocently.
Hermione gives that some thought and tries to think of who might buy her a gift like this, and then shakes her head. "Not anyone I can think of."
Ginny bites her lip to keep from laughing, brightest witch of our age indeed. She decides to change the subject to the move, maybe they will run into tall, blonde and broody tomorrow and it will click for her.
"Harry will be here early in the morning to help us move you to your new flat. I thought we'd send him for lunch after we get all the boxes delivered while we start unpacking."
Hermione nods, then smiles and begin talking about what colors she will be painting the walls and what furniture she is going to transform in her new flat. Mission accomplished, Ginny thinks, glad that Hermione is distracted. They continue to talk until neither can hold their eyes open and they fall asleep after the second cup of spiked cider.
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