Part 8

Author's note: The idea of Percy Weasley being together with Oliver Wood comes from Endrina's wonderful stories at AO3. If you do not know them you are in for a wonderful read! Be sure to stock up on food or drink before you start, as you won't be able to stop reading!

The next day Corban had to attend a magical law enforcement meeting in Brussels and therefore had to leave disgustingly early but not as quickly as not to remind his witch of his devotion. Hermione scarcely knew herself. Blushing at random because some innocent sound or smell reminded her of something connected to Corban. Smiling until her cheeks hurt. She shook her head at herself at the insight that obviously she hadn't been truly in love before. She had experienced lust, she had had crushes and she had worked hard at her two relationships with Ron and Justin but nothing compared to how she was feeling now. Saturday could not come early enough in Hermione's books.

The day of the match dawned bright and crisp, with a promise of spring. It had not taken long to persuade Luna to come along to the match. Both being figures of public interest Hermione's reunion with Corban had been less amorous than both liked. They had seats in a middle-range box. Antonin was there as well as Mulciber and Jugson. The surprise was Percy and his long-time boyfriend Oliver Wood. Hermione had heard about those two being together but it had been quite some time since she had seen the third Weasley brother. The man took one look at her and Corban and pumped his fist into the air.

"Ha! The betting pot at the ministry concerning its most confirmed bachelor has been sitting far too long! Congratulations, you two make an awful lot of sense!"

Hermione blushed and Corban, after an instinctive bristle, calmed down when his witch put her arm around his waist. He nodded at Percy.

"Indeed, Mr Weasley, thank you."

Just then the referee started the game. Luna was sitting in the front row between Antonin and Maggie Jugson who pointed out Finn. Hermione noticed the Russian's eyes ever so often leaving the game to ponder the blonde next to him with a puzzled expression. She nudged her lover.

"Do you think Luna could be the missing third?"

"The thought has crossed my mind. It is early yet, and you told me she is troubled at the moment. Antonin is cautious by nature, we will have to watch them together with Finn. That boy wears his heart on his sleeve."

Snuggling closer, for warmth and for being closer to him, she whispered, "We could watch for a short while and then go home?"

Pressing a kiss on the shell of her ear he answered, "I thought of skipping the party as a whole, they do not need us after all."

"The party starts right after the match? Is the Falcon's seeker any good?"

"Eager, witch?" She pressed his thigh as an answer.

Finn played very well but the match lasted for nearly three hours. Luna assured her friend that she wouldn't miss her company at the party. The couple was in Hermione's flat, tearing each other's clothes off, before the first Quidditch player could make it to the locker room.

After another round and a nap they cooked dinner together, Corban being delegated to preparatory work, and talked. Hermione learned about her lover's childhood growing up as the middle child between two sisters with well-meaning but rather traditional parents. Flora and Elizabeth were both married with children, the first living on the Isle of Wight, the second in New Zealand. There was one topic that had obviously been on Corban's mind for some time.

"Hermione, I have a confession to make."

The witch caught on the serious tone. "Yes?"

"At the manor I live with three house-elves. I have known them all my life, the youngest was my first childhood companion. After your change of legislation I offered them days off and payment. They indulged me, even asked for a small plot of land. I will show you what they've done with it. Could you live with elves?"

The witch knew much more than at thirteen, and she knew that Dobby and Winky had been rather singular elves.

"I am not sure how but they communicate with each other and I have a very bad reputation with some of them. I know now that my first approach towards elf-rights threatened their very livelyhood, I have learned a lot since. The ministry elves accept me by now, if your elves can do the same?"

"Of course they will. Not because I ordered them to but because they will see how happy I am with you."

"Then I do not foresee any problems."

"Shall we go to the manor tomorrow?"

"I would like that, yes."

Corban sent a Patronus to his elves, announcing their presence for lunch the following day.

The next morning heavy rain against the window woke Hermione up. After a trip to the bathroom she snuggled up to Corban where she received an enthusiastic welcome. The couple was about to drift off again when the phone rang.

The Scot admired his witch's silhuette through the open door. When he noticed that the call might be longer he brought her a blanket which drew a grateful smile.

"No, Mum, I cannot come. I met someone. We are going to his house today."

"- "

"No, it is not one of Ron's brothers."

"-"

"No, Mum, you do not know him."

"-"

"Yes, he is. Why do you have a Pureblood-dictionary?"

"-"

"Bye, Mum!"

Corban drew his witch into an embrace.

"If I can introduce you to my elves you can introduce me to your parents, it's only fair."

"Mum will call me again this evening and invite us, she can get pushy sometimes."

"There is the birthday of Flora's youngest in three week's time but otherwise I am at your mother's mercy. I would like it if you accompagnied me to the MacAllisters but I would understand if it is too early."

"I will go with you to your sister's but I should tell you something before you get to meet my parents."

The following talk was harrowing and sobering. The good part of it was that Corban could reassure Hermione that her parents had been in real danger, the bad part was the reminder that he had been part of a group that had brought so much grief to so many people – Hermione, her parents, her friends, all the other Muggle-borns. Despite having actively sabotaged Voldemort's regime wherever possible Corban still felt guilty for joining at all. He had done so without coercion because he felt the Knights of Walpurgis had the right approach to counter advancing Muggle technology. In his youthful arrogance he had not counted on the nature of the Dark Mark, subjugating him to be a vassal.

Hermione tried to dispense the somber mood with kisses.

"Corban, let's have breakfast, I would like to meet your elves." He smiled and pressed her close in gratitude.

"A single toast will suffice, lunch is bound to be plentiful."