I apologize for long gaps between chapters - work has been rather hectic. And unfortunately I've also started up classes. So, I literally have no time to write.

Please enjoy the chapter and stick around for a few things at the end.

~MJB~

Chapter 13 - Hugs and Lies

July 4th, 1992 (Saturday)
Location: Leaky Cauldron

It takes longer than usual for the hug between the Slytherins to end - a new record for Meissa in general and, if she lets herself think about it too long, it felt good. It's a thought she doesn't let sink in. Without much fanfare she gathers it up into a ball and tosses it into one of the pools in the recesses of her mind.

Meissa squeezes herself back into her seat with Daphne claiming the seat next to her. The booth, not meant to hold three adults and three growing girls, feels cramp but no one suggests the relocating to another table. Snape, after receiving Meissa's order for lunch, turns to the Grangers and engages them in a conversation about the group's litany for the week.

Meissa turns to Hermione with the intention of asking her about their summer plans when she notices, for the first time, that Daphne is wearing a dress. It is sleeveless and seems to be a straight cut, with the hem of the skirt seemingly cut to end somewhere above her knees. She blinks as she struggles not to stare, her mind finally registering that she had felt smooth skin under her fingers as she hugged the blonde close. Twisting and tumbling over the colors of Daphne's dress - a deep green/blue at the collar before gradually fading into a pretty shade that reminds of her of aquamarine.

Is it her imagination or does she sees something that looks like stars?

"Meissa?"

"Mm?"

A hand finds hers under the table, both startling her from her thoughts as well as drawing her attention to Daphne. She sees the amused smile on Daphne's face and realizes that one of them must have spoken to her.

"Are you okay?"

"Er. I um," she swallows thickly before she plasters a smile on her face, bewildered by how tongue tied she feels, "Yes…?"

"Do you not want to go to the museum?" Hermione asks, just barely keeping herself from voicing her concerns as Meissa fidgets under the joint gaze of her friends.

"Oh, we're doing that today?" Meissa inquires.

"I think she was referring tomorrow's agenda," Daphne corrects softly, giving Meissa's hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. This simple action draws the raven haired girl's attention to the fact that they had been holding hands for who knows how long.

Meissa stares at her hand, flexing her fingers as she ponders how the constant touch escaped her attention. The realization that she isn't freaking out about the prolonged contact startles her. Confused she takes Daphne's hand back in her own, in turn startling the blonde from the conversation with Hermione.

"What kind of museum are we visiting?" Meissa questions, using her other hand to hold the menu flat to peruse.

"It's the National History Museum," Hermione explains. "It's been open since the 1850s and there's loads of stuff to see."

Meissa tilts her head, trying to remember if they've discussed anything like this. "Is it something we'd be able to understand?" She exchange looks with Daphne, the Slytherin girls exchanging smirks as they decide to tease the brunette. "Or is it going to be full of stuff you'll geek over?"

"I do not geek out!"

"Just a little," Daphne brings up her free hand and indicates her opinion - her forefinger and thumb nearly two inches apart.

She gets an indignant protest from the Gryffindor girl, causing Meissa to snort in amusement. The trio drawing attention from the adults at the table. Snape rolls his eyes at them but his trademark sneer is nowhere to be seen. If the girls had been paying attention to him they would have seen the tiniest smile on his face.

"Honestly," Hermione huffs at the Slytherins.

"Aw, come on 'Mione," Meissa tries to placate her pouting friend. "You have to admit it's funny."

"Was not."

"It is," Daphne disagrees, smirking.

"The two of you together isn't fair," Hermione huffs.

"Fair?" Meissa and Daphne somehow manage to say at the same time. "What's that?"

Hermione looks at the two of them with an unfamiliar expression on her face.

"What?"

"I just realized something."

"Such as?" Daphne arches an eyebrow at the Gryffindor girl.

"You two are going to be the death of me."

"I don't know about that," Meissa drawls with a mischievous grin on her face.

Hermione points her finger at the raven haired girl. "That, that right there."

Daphne giggles, her fingers squeezing around Meissa's - a reminder of the endured contact.

"Are you ready to order, Songbird?" Henry interrupts before the girls could resume their banter.

"Oh." Hermione glances at the menu for the first time since they've arrived.

"We could share," Meissa suggests, pointing to one of the dishes on the menu.

"Firewhiskey-glazed pork belly chunks," Hermione reads, "Mm… okay, this one looks good. The cubes of belly pork are coated in 'sticky sweet firewhiskey marinade with soy, anise, and honey."

Daphne peers around Meissa's arm to take a look at her menu. "That sounds a bit too rich."

"Think it'll be too much for you?"

"Possibly. But then again, after Hogwarts nothing could be as rich as their food."

Meissa scoffs in agreement. "Even Remmy's cooking was better than theirs."

"What kind of cooking are you used to if you think Hogwarts' food is too rich?" Hermione asks, rolling her eyes at the pair.

"You'll see when it's my turn to host," Meissa promises with a cheeky grin.

"You fill me with such joy," Hermione states flatly.

"Hermione," Jean scolds, receiving a sheepish grin from her daughter.

Meissa presses a fist to her mouth, just barely muffling a snicker. She flat out starts laughing when Daphne nudges her, their hands separating for the first time since they've settled into their seats.

"Meissa!" Hermione narrows her eyes at the other girl but refrains from saying anything with her parents within earshot. But she gives her best friend a look promising revenge.

She simply gets another cheeky grin from Meissa.

~MJB~

After lunch Uncle Sev left Meissa with the Grangers, sternly telling her to behave herself and that he'll be checking in on her in a week. Everything she has already heard so she dutifully nods and pockets the shrunken bags. Outside the Leaky Cauldron, she follows Hermione's parents, the trio holding a quiet conversation as they discussed their plans for the summer. Hermione was being rather tight lipped about what she planned beyond the visit to the museum.

Despite all attempts to convince the Gryffindor girl to spill they make no progress - causing Meissa to pout while Daphne made a show of comforting the other girl.

"You two are so dramatic," Hermione rolls her eyes at the pair, doing a poor job of hiding her grin. Meissa opens her mouth to retort when she sees Henry and Jean approaching a rather large thing made from a combination of metal and glass.

Meissa frowns and studies the thing in front of her with a puzzled expression. "Any idea what it is?" she whispers to Daphne, receiving a nonchalant shrug from the blonde.

With a curious look on her face she walks up to it, tapping a finger on the surface.

"Is it your first time seeing a car up close?" Henry questions, putting a key in and the thing makes a noise, startling the witch back from it.

"Er," Meissa peers through the semi-clear glass. "I see these all the time when Uncle Sev and I go shopping."

"What exactly is a car?" Daphne questions, joining Meissa.

"I have so much to educate you on," Hermione remarks before she reaches between the two Slytherins and pulls on the handle, opening the door for them. "For now get in," she tries to usher them into the vehicle - Meissa acquiesces easily while Daphne has to be dragged in by the raven haired girl.

After the Slytherins were seated Hermione helps the blonde, showing them how to do it for next time. The two purebloods grumbling at the restrictive feeling but didn't attempt to unbuckle themselves - not that they could without being shown how to first. Which will be the first thing she'll show them after they arrive at her house.

She shuts the door and buckles up before her parents reminds her to do so. She then settles back, explaining to the Slytherins about the workings of cars and vehicles. Meissa paid partial attention to Hermione - which is odd for her - and stares out the glass window. Daphne, on the other hand, questions everything there is to know about cars. Hermione did her best to answer but, as much as she likes to know everything, there were things she didn't quite know. Luckily Henry and Jean were able to fill in some of the gaps.

It doesn't take long for the topic of cars and vehicles to be exhausted and, unsure of what conversation to go with, Daphne falls silent. The blonde mutters to herself before she touches Meissa, drawing the other girl out of her thoughts.

"Mm?"

"What got you distracted?"

Meissa shrugs her shoulders idly, shifting slightly to look at the others comfortably. "I took on a few more responsibilities as of late," she finally confesses, figuring that it'd be better to be upfront. She's still not prepared to inform anyone about her status as the Lady Black but keeping it a secret from Hermione and Daphne wouldn't be smart.

"You're only twelve," Hermione reminds the other girl, "What responsibilities could you have taken on?"

"Songbird," Henry calls back, his voice carrying a slight warning. Hermione frowns but sits back with a grumble.

"I can only assume it has to do with your family again," Daphne remarks.

"It does," the brunette agrees easily. "Also, I've been working on some ideas about what happened." She meant to say more but the near frantic gestures from Hermione distracts her.

"What happened?" Jean asks, turning partially to look at them.

Meissa blinks under Jean's stern gaze and finds herself thinking that her Aunt Cissy really would have a fit. "Side effects from a project I was working on," she lies a bit too easily.

"Oh? What was the project?" Hermione's mother asks, curious. It's apparent now that Hermione doesn't talk much about Hogwarts - Meissa's not sure if it was restricted to the events surrounding the stone or just magic in general.

"The application of Alchemy mixed with Potions," Meissa answers smoothly, ignoring the quizzical look on her friends' faces.

"They're not the same?" Henry asks, glancing into the rear view mirror.

~MJB~

There's currently a blog dedicated to the story on tumblr. If you're interested please follow the blog for bits and pieces. The blog can be found at infinity-writing on tumblr

There is also a rendering of Meissa done by miss-goggles. I believe you should be able to locate it on the blog - it's really good. I belief if you do a search in the blog you should be able to look for the image. Just type in miss-googles in the search bar.