Temporal Flux
Chapter Twenty-Two: Grandmother's Ball
The house of Helena Blake was one of the biggest private homes in London. She was considered part of the upper crust of London society. Her family was one of the oldest and proudest families in all of England as well as her husband's, the father of Viola. When she was less than forty years old, her husband passed away. Since that time, she had had been married and divorced three times. Her only child was Viola, making Hermione her only grandchild.
By the old tradition, dating back a couple of generations, all the females in the family were named after women from Shakespearean works. Helena was a proud woman who sought to have only the best in her family, but the trick was it had to be based on her standards. She disapproved of the fact that Hermione didn't attend the same all girls' school that many of the women of their family had attended before. She blamed Michael for it. In fact, she blamed Michael for a lot of things. Helena still accused him of seducing Viola away from the family. The only bright spot that came out of Michael and Viola getting married was Hermione as far as Helena was concern.
However, the whole business of sending Hermione off to an exclusive boarding school irritated Helena to no end. It was her own personal requirement that every decision in the family had to go through her first. And she wondered why her daughter didn't visit or have tea with her that often.
In the future, she wouldn't show as much hostility towards Ron, but she still would make him dislike her intensely. She never called Michael and Ron by their names. She would be the doting great-grandmother to Jared.
"Hermione, dear, you look wonderful!" exclaimed Helena as she surveyed her granddaughter. "It's been ages since I've seen you. And you're growing up quite beautifully." She bestowed two kisses on the cheek. The kind that where lips never touch.
"Viola, you look wonderful as well," went on Helena. She turned her head to look at her son-in-law. "You look all right, Matthew."
Michael gritted his teeth to keep from saying something utterly unpleasant, but his wife had a hold of his hand. She gave him a gentle squeeze to remind him that she was there. So, Michael swallowed his words and gave a stiff nod instead. How he wanted to put the woman in her place. After all the pleasantries were exchanged, the Grangers moved along.
As the night went on, it became increasingly evident that her grandmother was showing her off to show the rest of the world that Hermione was growing up and was still a member of the Blake family. Needless to say, Hermione was looking for the nearest exit. Unfortunately for her, they were blocked.
Things were going well enough at the headquarters of the Order. Ginny and Harry were situated in the living room while Fred and George were making quite a mess in the kitchen. They had volunteered to make dinner that night much to the cringe of their mother. She was Harry and Ginny in the living room.
Ron, Jared, Bill, and Charlie were upstairs. Each time something crashed in the kitchen, Molly looked like she was going to get up and take over at that very moment. Ginny and Harry were watching each and very reaction she was making to the noise. "You know I just hope none of us gets sick from this," said Ginny quietly.
"I wouldn't know. I didn't think Fred and George could cook," said Harry with a shrug.
Ginny gave him a very serious look and muttered, "They can't." Just as she said that there came another crash and she winched. Harry looked at her slightly wide eyed. The others choose that moment to come trooping down the stairs.
"What was that?" asked Bill.
"Your brothers are trying to cook dinner," answered Molly. She got to her feet and was about to go towards the kitchen when she noticed that the four who had come down the stairs were wearing their coats, ready to go out. "Where are you going?"
"I have to go and put this in the post office," said Jared, holding up a parcel. "It's for my Muggle grandparents. It's already late. I'm going to get in trouble with my mother for forgetting them." He was pretty sure that Molly didn't know that the post offices were already closed for the holiday. It was a good thing that Arthur was gone on official Ministry business that would keep him from home for a bit.
"We'll go with him," volunteered Charlie. "And if you want, Mum, we'll pick up some extra food. You know…something edible."
"Do you need money?" asked Molly. She was almost cut off by the sound of another pot. "I don't have any Muggle cash on me. I think your father has some."
"Don't worry about it," said Bill. "I've got some. Okay, let's go before the post office closes."
"Yeah," agreed Ron. It was noticeable that he was wearing a longer coat than the others. Molly would have noticed that he was wearing some nice shoes if she wasn't so distracted by what the twins were doing.
They chorused as they went out the door, "See you later."
Molly didn't even have time to say goodbye as one of the twins shouted, "I can't believe you did that to me! Me!" She rushed to the kitchen as the smoke started coming from under the door. As soon as she was out the room, Harry said quietly, "Phase one is complete." Ginny smiled.
Hermione was getting pretty tired of each boy in her age group coming up to her, asking her to dance. She was also tired of listening to the other girls discussing the latest of everything: the latest style, the latest movie, the latest heartthrob. Hermione was tired of all the pretentious people and wanted nothing to do with them. She had no business being in this part of the Muggle world. She was too much like her father.
From time to time, she glanced over to her father was trying to hold his own against some of those people. Sure, he made a lot of money as a dentist, but he was from a working class family. He knew better than to spend his money on things that he didn't need. For one thing, he hated playing golf unlike most of the men at the party who lived and breathed the courses. He preferred playing pool, billiards, darts, and football, having done all of that in his youth.
"So, you're the granddaughter of Helena Blake? Where has she been hiding you?" asked one of the more boring, self absorbed boys. Hermione wanted to roll her eyes, but her good upbringing stopped her from doing so.
"I've been going to a boarding school," replied Hermione. "You know the type that's far, far away from here." Just like she wanted to be right that second as she had a cup made of cut crystal that was full of punch her hand. She wanted to pour it over the pompous moron's head. Once again, she restrained herself.
"You know you're very important here. You're the only grandchild of Mrs. Blake," pointed out the boy. "This estate is huge. So are the assets."
"I wouldn't know. I don't care for this sort of things," said Hermione blandly. "It's just money. If it mattered to me at all, I'd be doing everything that my grandmother wanted me to do. And exactly the way that she'd want it done, too."
The boy leaned in forward. "That is such a turn on," he murmured. He leaned in even closer and started to whisper things to her. With growing disgust that turned into rage, Hermione listened to what the prick had to say. That was enough. In less than a minute, he was covered in punch and his foot was throbbing from where Hermione had stomped on it. She stalked off to get away from him. "If you even think of coming near me again, you'll really be sorry," she warned him without turning to look at him.
"Hermione Jane Granger!" shouted her grandmother with horror from across the room. Obviously, she had been talking to the boy's father who wore a look of shock and then anger. "You apologize right now. That behavior is absolutely uncalled for!"
Hermione didn't hear any of it. She just kept walking, pushing her way through as many people while maintaining some of her dignity. She was nearly in tears at that point. She was angry and frustrated. Her mother was going to be mad at her later. She was ready to scream at anyone else who got in her way. Finally, she managed to push her way through one of the doors into the backyard. The reason why no one was going outside was because it was snowing on and off. Everyone stayed inside to keep warm. She just wanted to get away. She didn't care that she didn't have a coat or anything else. She just wanted out.
She was just out the door when she was collided with someone else who was on his way in. "Out of my way!" she exclaimed angrily as she pushed on his chest with all her might, but the person in front of her was almost immovable. After the she had first ran into him, he had dug his heels into the snow and prepared himself to be pushed.
"You're not going to get far with that dress, Hermione. It's too cold," he told her. Hermione was shocked as she finally looked up. Her eyes widened as she started to smile. He was sort of surprised to find her so easily and wearing that dress. It took longer than a minute for them to release that Ron was still holding her. When they both realized it, they both pulled away from each other at the same time. Ron forced himself to recover first as he cleared his throat nervously, "So, why are you so mad?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Because normally, I'm the one who makes you mad."
Hermione laughed. "You're not the only one who makes me mad. You just do it more often anyone else. It's just that the ball isn't any fun at all for me. I don't fit in with anyone there except for my parents. To tell you the truth, I've been dreading this thing and it's worst than I even imagined." She started to rub her arms. Ron draped his coat on her shoulders without her saying anything. She looked at him with some surprise again.
The snow flakes were slowly drifting onto his shoulders. He was wearing a set of dress robes that she had never seen before. It looked like it had been tailored for him. The shade was wonderful and from what she could tell when she had ran into him it was soft. The coat on her shoulders was still warm from his body. "Are you sure?" she asked him, referring to the coat.
"Yeah," said Ron as he glanced at her. She was beautiful with the snow gently falling. She brushed away a flake that had fallen on her eyelashes. She reached out to brush another one away, but he had gotten there first. "Now, why are you running out in the snow in almost nothing? You looked pretty upset for a second there."
"My grandmother," sighed Hermione. "She's always trying to make me something that I don't want to be. My mum can be just as bad, but she's not always like that. She tries to stop herself or my dad will stop her. My grandmother will never change. I sometimes don't feel like her granddaughter. I feel like something that she owns."
"I doubt anyone can do that to anyone," said Ron. "And even then, you'd be the last person to belong to anyone. Unless you want to that is."
"What are you doing here, Ron?" asked Hermione. "I know that it's not exactly Christmas Eve yet, but I'm surprised to see you here."
"Jared had a few errands to run. He had to mail something off to his grandparents, so Bill, Charlie, and I went along. But I figured that I'd drop by to see you. You've seen me at my home loads of times. I just wanted to see you at some place that was like that. Although, at the point it doesn't look like it."
"Why don't we go someplace warmer?" suggested Hermione. "I'll sneak you in. The party planner's going to have a fit if someone comes in with an invitation. Besides, I don't want to go back right now."
"And your dad's here," muttered Ron.
Hermione looked at him funny and shook her head as she took his hand. They both went inside as three other people lingered outside in the snow. Jared glanced at his uncles as they kind of stepped off. "I think that's it. Let's go get some food. I'm starving."
"What about your parents?" asked Charlie.
"I'd rather not watch if it's all the same to you," answered Jared as he wrinkled his nose a bit. It was one of the few gestures that he picked up from his mother. "Why don't we go and get the food already? Ron knows where to meet us again when he's finished. But neither of you have any idea of where you need to go."
"You're just like your father. A bit prudish when it comes to this stuff. Tell me, do you have a girlfriend?" pressed Bill.
Jared shook his head. "I like being footloose and fancy free. Look, my dad maybe okay with my mum as she is because he needs her to boss him around a bit. But I'm my own man."
Bill noticed the scar that was running along the neck of Jared, "Where'd you get that?"
Jared rolled his eyes a bit and said, "Not you, too. Dad already asked me about it. And I don't remember, okay?"
"All right," said Charlie as he glanced at Bill. "Let's go get some food. Ron only has so much time and so do we."
Ron could feel the warmth of Hermione's hand as she led him through the dark hallways of the house. He could barely see in the darkness. They paused from time to time as they saw parts of the party on going. They had to duck in corners to avoid being seen. Along the way, Hermione explained what she had done earlier, and Ron couldn't help it but smile. She couldn't see it though.
They continued until they exited out again. It was the front yard of the house. Ron had told Hermione that he was supposed to meet back with his brothers on the other side. He made no mention of Jared. Ron had to be careful about drawing comparisons between himself and Jared.
"So, what are you really doing here?" asked Hermione as she folded her arms over her chest. They were standing closer to the doorway and closer together to keep warm.
"You didn't sound too happy," answered Ron. "Today. And things are a little too boring at home. Harry's still not really talking much. You have better luck getting through to him sometimes than I do, Hermione."
Hermione gave him a soft smile as she gazed up at him. Normally, she couldn't quite reach his face with hers, but with the heels she was able to if she just tipped her chin upwards a bit. He would have to meet her part way still, but at least she was tall enough not to make it hard for him. She turned her chin upwards to look at him more directly.
Ron looked down at her startled at how close she was. He wanted to reach down and touch her, but he held himself back. She could hear what he was saying loud and clear. He came because he did want to be with her, but he was still filled with excuses. The excuses were a symptom of his doubt.
"Ron, I was wondering about something," she whispered. She decided to find something to talk about to fill in the silence.
"Hmm?"
"Have you seen that raven out and about?"
Ron's expression changed from relaxed to startled in a heartbeat. "Why? Have you seen it?"
"I think I did."
"Where? When?"
"At my house. Last night."
Ron pulled back from her a bit. With a drawing expression, he realized what he had been missing all along. "An Animagus," he whispered. "He's an Animagus."
"Who?" asked Hermione as her brows furrowed. "Who are you talking about Ron?"
"He knows where you live," went on Ron, ignoring her questions. "We have to get you out of here."
"What's going on Ron?" demanded Hermione. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what this is all about. Ron? Are you listening to me?"
Ron was in deep thought for a moment as he looked around at the trees. Surely, he could spot a raven in a sea of white, but the tree tops were too high up and they disappeared into the darkness. He reached his hand out and grabbed hers. "Do you even have your wand on you?" Hermione shook her head. Ron bit down a sarcastic comment about being careless, but he needed her to cooperate with him. "I've got mine."
He knew that he just left himself and Hermione expose to Magus. He put his other hand in his pocket to get a hold of his wand. He looked around again. "We have to get back inside," he said.
"Why Ron? You still haven't told me anything," said Hermione as she crossed her arms over her chest and stood firm. She looked scared at that moment because he wasn't answering any of her questions. His next action surprised even more. He lowered his head more and pressed his lips against hers. "Trust me," he whispered as he pulled back. "You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you. We have to leave now. We'll explain it to your parents later."
Hermione was too shocked by Ron's kiss to say anything else. He was now the one holding her hand and guiding her. She didn't even have time to really think of how warm and soft his lips were. The next thing she knew they were running away from her grandmother's house.
Jared, Bill and Charlie continued down the path towards the restaurant that Jared knew about. The air was very cold and Jared had put his coat collar up to stop them from staring at it. He walked a couple of paces ahead of them as well. Neither of them asked about it further. Jared saw a pond that was froze over. He stopped suddenly. It seemed that he was frozen in place.
"Jared," said Bill as he and Charlie caught up to him. "Jared? Are you all right?"
Jared shook his head as he yanked down the collar of his coat. He ran his finger against the scar a couple of times. "I remember now. My parents and I were just at the Burrow with my friends. My friends and I went out just for a little bit. It was the holiday after all and broad daylight. Nothing's suppose to happen then." His breathing was heaving.
Charlie gave Bill a frightened look. "You mean you've been here before? Obviously that's true," said Bill in a calming tone. He could see fear.
"I hate the water. I'm afraid of water," muttered Jared. "I can't go swimming in the lake at school. He came out of no where. Separated me from my friends. He pulled me under the water." His eyes were focused on the lake.
"Jared, snapped out of it," whispered Charlie as he tried to take a hold of Jared's hands. He was obviously having an anxiety attack.
Bill started to rub his back to snap him back into reality. "Come on, you're alive still. We're no where near the water."
"What's going on? Why are all three of you out here?" asked Hermione almost breathless. Ron had her hand in his. His eyes were immediately on Jared who was fighting for air. "Jared? Are you all right? Stop that. You're going to pass out. Jared—"
Suddenly, Jared's body went slack. Bill and Charlie had him by either arm, preventing him from falling. Ron released Hermione's hand and shouldered himself under Jared. "Jared? What's wrong?" He glanced at Bill and Charlie. "What happened just now?"
"We didn't do anything," explained Bill quickly. "One minute we're walking by the frozen lake. The next he was talking about how much he was afraid of the water. It didn't make much sense to me."
Charlie nodded in agreement, "But he was rubbing that scar on his neck. I think we should take him home. Why is Hermione out here?" The two oldest Weasleys looked at their future sister-in-law in their brother's coat. Self-conscious, Hermione pulled the sides of Ron's coat closer to her body.
"I can't explain right now. We need to get back to 12 Grimmauld Place," answered Ron as he took possession of Hermione's hand again. "It's not safe out here."
AN: Helena is one tough woman. She's one of those who mean well, but she really doesn't understand. She sort of does what Endora from Bewitched does with Darrin's name, which is never using the right one. Helena does it with both Michael and Ron.
Jared does have his own fear. Just as Ron is afraid of spiders, Jared is terrified of bodies of water. He can take baths and whatnot, but if it involves getting in a boat, he can't do it. It is a logical fear as well.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This story belongs to me and cannot be posted anywhere else without my permission.
