Exiled

I

Hermione looked at the pile of letters in front of her. Several minutes earlier she had received another one.

She hesitated because she knew that if she looked at any of them, everything would come back. And she wasn't sure she was ready for it, even after all these years.

She untied the ribbon and put a new envelope on top. The sender of all of them was none other than Ginny Potter.

Hermione sighed and put them in a drawer. So many years had passed and Ginny still hadn't given up. She admired her stubbornness. She apparently did not have that much persistence herself.

"Hermione?"

The woman, out of her thoughts, looked towards the door. She smiled gently and waved her hand.

"I'm coming."

She closed the drawer and felt strange. Maybe the time has come to face them, to face their content.

But not today.

She left the room, closing the door carefully. The office was her temple to which no one but her had access.

The kitchen was noisy, and that letter had made her completely forget about their plans for this afternoon. They had organized a picnic for nearby families and hosted today's event.

"Hermione! We already thought you were missing!" Mrs. Danbury summoned her, smiling. She was an energetic senior who could embarrass many adults.

"I'm sorry Valerie. I got letters from old friends, they swallowed me up unintentionally. '' She began to explain herself, but knew she had already lost her attention.

''No worries. See how beautiful the weather is, we got lucky. Everyone is having a great time. ''

Hermione nodded and found her husband in the crowd. He was actively involved in the field game, just gesturing to the kids what they needed to do.

"Lucius is the perfect host today, isn't he." Valerie smiled mischievously. "A husband like that is hard to find. You're lucky, Hermione."

"It's true. I'm lucky indeed. I couldn't have asked for a better one." The woman confirmed and bit her lip. It was pure truth, but if Valerie had known about their past ... She shook off the uncomfortable thought and changed the subject.

"How about the kids? Didn't they spread the garden with their energy?"

Mrs. Danbury chuckled, which was peculiar.

"Everything under control. They're going crazy, but without any accidents. Hayden is extremely lucky to win today."

"No wonder," Hermione concluded. "Like dad."

"True, you can see many of your husband's qualities in him. And wise upbringing by a mature parent."

"It's hard to disagree, Val. Conscious parenting is a tangle of life experiences."

Not always easy. Hermione added silently and shouted out loud, "Hayden!"

The ten-year-old boy looked like a copy of his older brother. Platinum hair, blue eyes and a sly smile that heralds problems. A volcano of energy that leans towards mischievous. Above average intelligent, able to perfectly twist everything round.

He had just ignored her call and Mrs. Danbury shrugged.

"Enjoy this afternoon. It's been a long time since the weather was so beautiful in this part of England."

Hermione sincerely hoped their next child would be more like her. A few days ago she found out she was pregnant again. Though it wasn't the right word again. After so many years of efforts and miscarriages, they had yet another chance. Nobody knew yet, not even Lucius. Only her.

"You're right." The woman sighed. "We can't control everything. Sometimes things just happen independently of us."

"Golden words, Hermione. Now, " Mrs. Danbury lowered her voice. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Hermione looked at her in shock, she didn't expect anyone to suspect her of it. After all, she was thirty-five and had been a mother for ten.

"H-how?" She stuttered, but Valerie laughed.

"I am seventy-five, Hermione. I've seen many things in my life. And pregnant women look different —they have such a glow that is hard to explain. And that's what you shine with. You shine like the most beautiful star in the sky."

Mrs. Danbury's words confused Hermione. It was supposed to be a secret, but someone already knew.

''Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It's just a gut feeling, sometimes people do.'' She winked at her and walked towards the others, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.

Valerie Danbury was a flesh-and-blood woman, and it would appear as if she had magic. But she was definitely a Muggle.

In the village where they lived, they had never met a wizard. To be honest, they hadn't actually seen wizards in ten years. Her visits to Diagon Alley and to London happened once a year. Most often when Lucius went to Malfoy Manor to meet Draco, Astoria and Scorpius.

Hermione took a glass of juice, took a sip, and called again, "Hayden!"

This time, her wayward child came, but he looked miserable. He was clearly angry that he dared to summon him.

''What's up mom?" She loved that tone full of childlike resentment. ''I hope it's something important, because I think I'm losing already. '' He looked at the other children and snorted. The fun went on without him. ''Mom?'' He groaned in a long, pleading tone.

''Nothing, Hayden. Have fun.'' Hermione was a cruel mother in the eyes of her son. Distracting him from victory just to say something. ''I love you, son.'' She added with a warm smile, but Hayden couldn't hear anymore. He ran to others to take away their victory.

Behaviour worthy of Slytherin.

The thought made Hermione's stomach contract. She was very afraid of September, because she knew what would come to her son, and at that moment she did not know what they would do about it.

But one thing was for sure - she would have to face the demons of the past. They will both have to do this for the sake of their child.

Children cannot pay for their parents' mistakes.

Lucius came up to Hermione and grabbed her hand.

'' What are you thinking about?''

'' About our son. He's turning eleven soon, and you know what that means. ''

He put his arm around her.

'' I know. '' He kissed the top of her head. 'We've known about this for a long time. We have to face it. ''

'' So many years have passed." Hermione snuggled up against him. "Let's hope ..." She broke off as her voice began to tremble. All the memories she had kept closed began to fade away.

Lucius began to soothe her and whisper soothing words.

One thing was for sure, Hayden couldn't pay for their mistake. Not now, not at all.