I don't blame you if you give up on reading this story! Because I'm taking so damned long to update and then when you FINALLY get a chapter it's only a few thousand words long. Please bear with me, when I have more time chapters will be longer, more detailed, updated more often and quite frankly, just plain BETTER! Please try to enjoy…
Disclaimer: Me own Harry Potter? No…but I might one day. Although I wouldn't be willing to bet the life of my beloved cat on it!
You're going places, Hermione
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Chapter Fifteen: The renewing
Hermione was relieved when she received an owl from Ron telling her that she was able to take the twins out for lunch later that week.
She didn't know if she should be feeling for the twins what she was. Hermione was curious about them, anxious about what they would think of her and happy that she would get to see them. They were most certainly feelings, and feelings were most certainly forbidden. Or they should be, because of the Disattachment spell.
Hermione decided that she would go over the entire process later. For now, she was standing inside that hallway of Ron's place waiting for her two little lunch dates.
"It's just Morgan," Ron explained, "He always takes a long time to get ready."
"And Paige?"
"Leaves it to the last minute. I swear Hermione they've got nothing of me in them, it's all you." He grinned, and Hermione's heart began to beat rapidly.
"I…I was thinking about what you said, about getting together with Harry and such," She ventured, "How soon do you think we can do it? Tonight? Tomorrow night?"
Curiously, the tips of Ron's ears turned slightly red and he coughed as though clearing a frog in his throat.
"I'm busy tonight actually," He replied quickly, "But tomorrow night would be fine."
Hermione wanted to know what he was up too but she was doing her best to remain polite. Stepping on eggshells more like. She didn't want to ruin anything that might be able to form between herself and Ron.
"Harry's available?"
"He'll get the time off."
"That easily?" She wondered.
"Yeah, still spoilt he is. The-Boy-Who-Lived-Twice is a favourite at the Ministry." Ron said, grinning again but with slight distain.
Hermione frowned, "What does he do?"
"Nothing really," His grin faded even more, "He kind of just drifts around. Does a bit of this and that."
"And he's," She paused, "Spoilt, did you say?"
"I don't mean it badly!" Ron shook his head, "He just gets whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Minister of Magic jumps at his every wish. But then again, he did defeat You-Know-Who."
Without thinking Hermione placed her hand on his arm. He looked down at her and without hesitation she brushed her other hand across his cheek.
"You had a lot to do with that too Ron, don't forget it," She continued on daringly, "Harry may be everyone's hero but you're a hero too. I know you-"
"Dad! I am not going to wear this!"
Ron took a step back from Hermione and over to their daughter, who was holding up the hem of her skirt in disgust.
Hermione sighed, she had just about said, I know you're my hero. She was both relieved and disappointed that she hadn't. After all, she had only arrived back in England four days ago and already she was practically throwing herself on Ron. It wasn't the way to go about things. She would only end up making an utter fool of herself.
"What are you whining about?" Ron asked her, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm whining," Paige said angrily, "Cos you've made me wear a bloody dress-"
"Don't swear." He warned.
"-and you know I hate wearing dresses. I don't think I should have to get dressed up for her!"
She nodded her head at Hermione who was slightly taken aback by her harsh tone. Ron reacted immediately, grabbing Paige's arm tightly.
"You remember you manners!" He snapped, "I don't want you talking to anyone like that, you hear me?"
"Fine." Paige scowled.
There was an uncomfortable silence that was thankfully broken by the appearance of Morgan who appeared at the end of the hallway and spun around.
"I'm ready," He half sang, "Do I look all right Dad?"
Ron grinned slightly, "Good mate. You ready to go?"
"Oh yes," Morgan gushed, "I'm very excited."
"I'm ready." Paige said stiffly, revealing without effort that she was not excited.
"Have them back around four or so. I'm not fussy." Ron told Hermione. He patted his son on his head and kissed his daughter on the cheek before urging them outside.
"We won't be long." Hermione told him.
When they reached the bottom of the steps leading up to the Weasley house, the twins turned to Hermione expectantly.
"Er," She coughed, "I was thinking that perhaps we could…go to a Muggle café or something…if you two wanted too? Or, if you want to do something else…that's fine too. I'll let you pick."
Paige rolled her eyes, "I really, really don't care."
"Oh but I do!" Morgan said, his eyes shining, "I'd love to go to the café! That's where they dip the Muggles in coffee right?"
After Hermione had explained the Muggles weren't dipped in coffee but instead drank it, they made their way to the café.
It was a small place around the corner from where Hermione lived, so she was remotely familiar with it. Quaint, cosy and never busy, the café seemed like the perfect place for Hermione to talk with her children.
"What'll it be?" Asked the waitress in an evidently bored voice.
"What would you like?" Hermione said with a smile at the twins, "It can be anything."
"Anything? Great!" Morgan peered up at the menu above the counter; "I'll have the chicken salad…and maybe a water?"
Strange as this was, Hermione nodded, "That sounds fine. I think I'll have the same. Paige…er, what would you like?"
"Bucket of chips, burger with everything, chocolate cake and chocolate milkshake." She said simply, seating herself in a corner.
"Right," Hermione looked at the waitress; "Did you get all of that?"
The waitress nodded and muttered, "Be with you in ten or fifteen."
Hermione nodded back and joined Paige and Morgan who were exchanging a few heated words where they had sat.
"Just don't, I'll tell Dad!" Morgan warned.
"Go on and tell him then! I don't bloody care." Paige snapped.
"Honestly Paige, where do you get your manners from? I am truly horrified at the words that come out of your-"
"Everything okay?" Asked Hermione, sitting opposite them.
"Yes." They said together.
"Good."
"Well, no, everything is not all right actually." Paige muttered.
Hermione was hesitant, "Um, okay. What's the matter?"
"The matter is that I'm stuck here with my stupid effeminate brother-"
"Hey!" Morgan said angrily.
"-and you which is not how I envisioned spending my day! I'd rather be sitting at home in my room reading!" Paige fumed.
"Oh well," Hermione was flustered, "You weren't made to come here, I don't know why you're-"
"We were too made!" Paige interrupted, "Dad said he'd make us de-gnome the entire garden by ourselves if we refused!"
"May I add," Morgan said quickly, "That the threat was directed at my sister! I was more than willing to attend this outing."
"Oh shut up Morgana!" Paige growled.
"There's no need to speak like that." Hermione reprimanded, at a loss for saying anything else. She could not believe Ron had made the twins come out with her, it made everything very uncomfortable. And plus, she didn't want to force them to do anything they really didn't want too.
"You can't tell me what to do!" Paige snapped.
"I think I can!" Hermione snapped back.
"What makes you think so? The fact that you gave birth to me? That doesn't make you my mother!"
And with that Paige jumped up and stormed over to the girls' bathroom at the end of the café. She yanked the door open and slammed it with all of her might. Simultaneously all of the cafés salt shaker lids popped off, pouring salt all over the tables. The waitress shrieked and ducked behind the counter while the other customers all looked similarly surprised.
Hermione knew that Paige slamming the door had nothing to do with what had happened to the salt shakers. At least she now knew her daughter wasn't a Squib.
Turning to Morgan she said, "She's got a temper like your father."
"Really?" Morgan raised an eyebrow, "I think she's like you, Mum. I mean, when Dad described what you were like in school he always said you were very outspoken and sometimes temperamental…"
Hermione smiled, "Did he now?"
She wasn't very concerned with what offensive thing Ron had said; she was focusing more on what Morgan had called her. Mum. She…well, she liked it really.
"Would you excuse me a moment?"
Hermione slid out from the table and hurriedly made her way to the ladies bathroom. It wasn't difficult to establish which cubicle Paige was hiding in for there were soft children's sobs coming from it.
Hermione knocked gently on the door, "Paige?"
"Go away!" Came the angry reply.
She knocked again, "I want to talk."
"About what!" The door remained closed; "I have nothing to say to you!"
"But I have some things to say to you-" Hermione began.
"Then I don't want to listen! I hate you, you know! I really, really hate you!" Paige shouted.
Hermione wasn't certain why what her daughter said made her stomach lurch, nor was she sure why Morgan calling her Mum made her heart twinge. She had expected them to come to lunch so she could explain to them the logic in her absence from their lives and that it hadn't been their fault. No emotion was to be involved yet Hermione was definitely feeling things!
"I don't hate you." She whispered back.
"Well why would you have a reason too? I never did anything to you," Paige's voice was bitter, "You're the one that left me and Morgan all alone and never tried to contact us or see us!'
"I am sorry about that," Now was her chance to say what she had wanted too, "None of that was your fault. It was mine. You see…when I first found out I was pregnant I cast this spell on myself…and it made me see things differently to how I was supposed to have seen them. I wasn't gone because I didn't love you and your brother! I was gone because I couldn't love you."
There was no reply to this and Hermione was afraid that Paige had not understood her. She probably hadn't made any sense.
Opening her mouth to try and explain herself again, she was stopped as the cubicle door was swung open and Paige threw herself at Hermione.
She looked down and was surprised to see the young girl had wrapped her arms around her waist and was sobbing into her chest. Slowly she knelt down so that they were about eye level.
"You…have…no…idea…how…much…I've…missed…" Paige hiccupped.
"Oh. Oh Paige." Hermione felt her heart breaking. She reciprocated the embrace and began crying as well.
For a great deal of time they hugged each other, sobbing incoherent words and phrases until Hermione collected herself and drew away.
"Come on," She said gently, "I bet our lunch has been ready for a long time now."
"Okay."
Upon returning to their table, Morgan looked very annoyed.
"I know it's custom for ladies to take a great deal of time in the bathroom," He said irritably, "But that was just ridiculous!"
Paige and Hermione shared a laugh and the rest of the lunch was spent in a happy, if slightly halted, way.
"Christmas is coming up." Paige said as they walked up the steps to her house.
"Oh." Hermione already knew this and didn't understand why a ten-year-old was telling her.
"Yeah." The young girl nodded.
"Oh just come out and say it you daft girl!" Morgan shook his head; "She's trying to hint to you - very subtly - that she would like you to come to the Christmas party we have every year. I for one would also be very pleased if you came."
"That'd be nice," Hermione countered, "We'll see if your father asks me to come. I think it'd be better if I received a formal invitation."
She reached for the doorknob and had just about grasped it when to her surprise; it turned itself and swung open to reveal a young looking woman with short brown hair and a wide, bright smile.
"Paige! Morgan! Give me a hug!" She said happily.
The twins groaned and walked slowly forward to be embraced in a very energetic hug. When the lady had let them go she straightened and stared at Hermione with a very polite smile.
"Hello, I suppose you're their mother? Hermione Granger, isn't it?" She asked.
"Er, yes. Who are-"
"I'm Cadie Cameron. I must say, it's an absolute pleasure to meet you! I've heard so much about you from Ron and Ginny and Harry! Welcome back to England," Cadie paused, "Are you going to come in? I'll put on a pot of tea if you like…"
Hermione grinned as she realised who this woman was, the housemaid. Ron must be going very well at the Ministry if he was able to afford one!
"I'm not coming in, I was just dropping the twins off," She turned to them, "So what do you think guys? You want to do this again tomorrow?"
"I'll check my schedule because sometimes I'm preoccupied with other things-"
Morgan babbled, stopping when Paige hit him on the head.
"He's free. He just likes to think he has other things to do. We're both doing nothing tomorrow, so it'd be great." She told her.
"Don't hit your brother," Hermione scolded before smiling, "And great. I'll pick you both up around ten? Is that okay. I'll ask Ron-"
"I'll get him for you!" Cadie said cheerfully, "RON SWEETIE, HERMIONE'S HERE!
Hermione frowned, "Do you really think it's professional, calling him that?"
"What?" Cadie frowned too, "Ron?"
"No! Sweetie."
"I don't understand what you-"
"Hermione!" Ron appeared, looking red faced, "You're back really early. I didn't expect…so you all had fun then?"
"Yeah, heaps Dad!" Paige said.
"Oh, really?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Hermione wants to take them out again tomorrow, sweetie," Cadie told him, "That's fine isn't it? I mean, we're going out after all."
"Yeah, that's fine." Ron's face had now become scarlet.
Hermione looked between him and the maid several times before something seemed to click into place. With her hands on her hips she turned to Ron.
"Do you really think it's appropriate to hire a maid that has an obvious attraction to you?" She demanded.
Everyone was silent for a moment until-
"I am most certainly not the maid!" Cadie said indignantly, "Ron? Didn't you tell her?"
"I…I was going to soon," Ron mumbled, facing Hermione, "She isn't the maid. We…well…dating in fact."
"I'm his girlfriend," Cadie clarified, making things more clear, "We've been together for nearly two years now."
Hermione was unable to say anything, so she did the only thing she could and gaped.
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A/N: Okay, okay, I know it's expected that Ron has a girlfriend but this isn't one of those stupid/blonde/bimbo girls that he only goes out with because of their breast size! This is actually a very nice girl!
I'm so sorry it's taken me forever to update! School overload! MASSIVE ASSIGNMENT OVERLOAD!
Thanks a lot for all the reviews. They really cheer me up! And I appreciate any sort of criticism…
I also apologize if my spelling is horrendous…I myself find it annoying but no matter how many times I reread a chapter I always seem to look over words I have mispelt!
CHEERS EVERYONE! :)