Part 9

They went to Scotland some time before lunch because Corban wanted to show Hermione around. As it was early spring in Scotland the gardens looked bleak safe for on colourful spot. When they were nearing it Corban asked his witch to be blindfolded.

"It's better that way, witch. You can appreciate it more if the full horror is sprung on you."

Hermione let herself being led to the perfect stop. Before removing the blindfold her lover drew her close and whispered into her ear, "Essentially this is your fault," while vanishing the cloth.

In front of her was a five by five metres patch of earth with a little railway, artificial hills and valleys and at least thirty garden-gnomes of various sizes and occupations. Hermione was speechless.

"I told you my elves wished for a small plot for themselves? Naively I thought they wanted to grow flowers. Twice a year they refuse their wages and I have to obtain these monstrosities instead. If I'd never knewn about this particular Muggle custom I'd have died a happier man! We are lucky that goblins do not visit garden centres, we would have a new war on our hands if they knew what depravities there are – naked gnomes, gnomes doing unspeakable things with vegetables to each other, you name it."

The witch was doubled over with laughter. She had been to Germany once with her parents where they had visited an allotment garden, too, and had seen garden gnomes.

"Poor darling, how you must suffer!"

"Do not mock me, woman. When you are lady of the manor I fully intend to share my duties with you. The elves do not tolerate similar gnomes, each one has to be different."

"We will have to go to Germany then."

Before lunch Hermione was introduced to Lachy, Kerry and Floddy. She blushed heavily when they addressed her as mistress and when Floddy, the matriarch of the household hugged her knees with tears in her eyes, telling her how happy she had made the master and the whole household.

Yaxley manor was a stark stone building from the outside, but with a lived-in and warm feeling inside the house. Corban hadn't changed much since his parents' demise and quite a few rooms were closed. They had lunch in a small dining room near the kitchen, then took a walk around the grounds and only surfaced from the master bedroom for dinner because they did not want to disappoint the elves.

Mrs Granger did not reach her daughter in the evening but the next morning, confirming dinner with the couple the following Sunday. On Wednesday Hermione met Luna for lunch and noticed a much improved disposition in her friend. Not wanting to push her she tried to keep her questions about the party at the minimum but the blonde witch remarked nonetheless, "It is early days yet, Hermione, but I enjoyed myself a lot with Antonin and Finn. We will meet again on the weekend, I promised to show them my research into snargalumps."

"I am happy for you, Luna. It hurt to see you so despondent."

Sunday roast at the Grangers went quite well, all things considering. Hermione's parents were relieved not having to entertain a clueless wizard like Ronald and they could see how attuned the pair was to each other. Robert Granger would have been read the riot act by his wife if he tried the protective-father-approach anyway but Corban's knowledge of and ease with the Muggle world he liked very much. Helen Granger had always thought that her daughter would end up with an older man and therefore was not as surprised by the age-gap as one might think. A few snide remarks against Hermione because of the memory charms Corban countered with Death Eater insider knowledge of what would have happened had not the witch acted as she had done. This produced some tense moments but in the end set the pace for a relationship on eye-level between parents and prospective son-in-law.

Before meeting Corban's sister and her family the couple had an evening in the pub with Antonin, Finn, Mulciber and Jugson. Luna was there also and awed the men with her prowess at darts. After a few pints Leo and Maggie were beginning to look morose - Hermione and Corban were an acknowledged couple, the unlikely triad of Luna, Antonin and Finn was not official but plain to see in the making.

"Aye, mate, you see the signs on the wall? Being godfather here and there, always the odd one out at Yule and other seasons. If we're even invited. Looking more and more sad, leaning there on the bar, until we're too old for even the barmaid's granny."

Maggie Jugson had always been a drama queen, which might have contributed to his lack of success with the ladies. Hermione had read "Emma" often enough, she did not want to tempt fate after her successful guess with Luna. In time there would be someone for Leo and Maggie as well. The witch put it down to her relationship with Corban that she noticed a profound change in herself. A year ago she would have planned and plotted to match a friend, she would have fretted over the still noticeable rift between herself and her parents, she would have beat herself over the fact that she hadn't known such an important facet like Imbolc and the other festivals of the world who was hers, too. Finally, at the age of 31 Hermione felt at home in her body, in her life and in the wizarding world. And she had no driving need to know whether this had happened because of loving Corban or whether Corban had become possible due to the changes in herself.

Family gatherings at the MacAllisters were comparable to Weasley bashes. Less children, a lot of food and even more noise. Corban's family was clearly surprised that he had brought someone but Hermione was welcomed by everyone. One elf had muttered `Missy not leaving hats, is she?´ and the birthday boy Sean, now eight years old, had patted her hand pityingly when she'd confessed to be a very bad flyer. After dinner, the men withdrawing and the children running towards the playroom, Flora MacAllister beckoned her through the kitchen and out of the back door where she lit a Muggle cigarette.

"Ms Granger, I am sorry for being such a poor host. I try not to smoke in front of the children. Corban of course said nothing that you would be coming, otherwise I wouldn't have combined Sean's party of friends with the family and neighbours! I wanted to tell you how glad I am that Corry finally found someone. I want my brother to be happy and I haven't seen him this relaxed in years, but I have a selfish reason, too."

"Mrs MacAllister, please call me Hermione. I am grateful for being here at this wonderful gathering. I am not sure whether a more formal party would have provided more chances for talking. Maybe we could meet for tea some day?"

"Flora, my name is Flora, and yes, I would like that. Do you see my eldest, Alastair, over there?"

She pointed towards quiet, chubby boy of about eleven who was walking through the gardens, talking to the plants. The light was already waning but to Hermione it seemed as if the shrubs and trees tried to turn towards the boy.

"Yes. He reminds me of my friend Neville. Plants would always turn in his direction."

"Neville as in Neville Longbottom, author of `Herbs of Grace I – V´?"

"The very same."

"He's Alastair's hero! I had to read those books to him for years before he was able to read himself, I could re-do my Herbology OWLs and reach an Outstanding now. Ali will become a herbologist or a researcher of rare plants, but he is not cut for politics or the wizengamot. As of now he is the Yaxley heir. His father and I have been despairing over our boy having to have lessons in politics and law. With both of your occupations your children with Corry are bound to be much more interested in such things than Ali."

Seeing Hermione's surprised look Flora started to apologize, "I am sorry, I have been too forward again. It's just – seeing you come in with Corban, it felt as if something missing just clicked. I wasted no thought of whether you are serious or not because Corry would not have brought you along if he did not intend to marry you. There, I did it again!"

The woman stubbed her cigarette bud with more force than necessary.

"Flora, there's no need to apologize. I love Corban, the only thing holding me back is the fact that we only have been dating for about two months."

"Isn't that good to hear, luv?" Corban had come out by the kitchen door, too, embracing Hermione from behind. He murmured into her ear, "Beltane is in three weeks, we could marry then."

"Barefoot in your circle?"

"Aye. Do not frown, luv, I will cast a warming charm on your toes."

"I was thinking of my mother. You won't be her favourite anymore if she can't plan my wedding."

"Is summer solstice long enough for her?"

"It is too long for me, it has to suffice for my mum."

Flora had watched the exchange with fond amusement.

"Corry, was that your proposal?"

The man had the grace to look sheepish. He dropped down on one knee in front of his witch, nestling in his trouser pocket. When he'd found the ring he said, "Hermione, I have been carrying this ring with me for some weeks now. I too was frightened by our pace but I cannot imagine spending my life with anyone else. Will you have me as your husband?"

Hermione took his hands and drew him to a stand, "Of course, Corban, I will marry you gladly."

During the kiss that followed Flora slipped quietly inside and sent her husband for their best champagne to celebrate the engagement.