Chapter Thirteen:
(A/N. Just a little story about Hermione and her mother. Please review! I need those reviews as encouragement to continue!)
Hermione sighed as she leaned back in a chair in her backyard staring at the forest in the distance and the horses grazing in the pasture. She'd accepted the job at the ministry and told her parents who'd thrown an impromptu party and had invited their friends. After a few hours of playing gracious host she'd escaped out here to get some peace and quiet. The sun was just dipping its rays into the horizon and the fields glowed with the warm light. It hadn't been very long since the last time she'd seen Draco but she already missed him and wished that he would come to visit her soon. Her hand went to the long chain on her neck and she drew it out until the pendant fell out and she caught it with an open palm. The stone glittered in the fading light and she looked down at it yearningly. Hermione Malfoy, she thought to herself and then mouthed it silently. Who could have predicted that they'd end up like this? Only a year ago she would have predicted Draco joining his father as a Death Eater and trying to kill Harry and maybe even herself and Ron. But things never turn out the way one expects them too. The sound of the patio door opening had her tucking the ring back into her shirt and turning to see who it was. Her mother stepped out and closed the door behind her.
"Quite a party," she smiled as she took the seat next to Hermione who nodded and glanced back to the fields. The silence that followed was casual and comfortable and Hermione took pleasure in the fact that no words were needed to communicate. That they could share moments like these without the need for words. In the distance the half-unicorn Moonbeam tossed it's long white main and its horn glittered beautifully. "Are you happy, Hermione?" her mother asked unexpectedly. Hermione turned quickly and regarded her mother who was looking at her strangely.
"Yes. I've never been happier," she said softly. Her mother continued to look at her as though she hadn't spoken and then she sighed and glanced away.
"I remember the day you were born as if it were yesterday. When they handed you to me, you were so quiet and your eyes were full of intelligence. I said to myself, 'This girl will become something great someday.' I never knew it would be this though. Magic. Saving the world," her lips moved up in a quirky grin as she glanced back at Hermione. "I'm so proud of you, Hermione." Touched, Hermione stood up and embraced her mother breathing in her comforting smell and sighing happily.
"Thanks, mom." She whispered before sitting back down.
"This Draco, boy," her mother said and Hermione tensed slightly. "I like him."
Hermione grinned, "I like him too."
"Will he be visitng anytime soon?"
"I hope so," she said softly her voice full of longing. Her mother looked at her knowingly.
"I'm glad." Another moment of silence passed filled with emotions and unspoken words which passed between Mother and Daughter through the link that no man could ever hope to understand. A few minutes passed before her mother stood up and patted her hand gently. "Let's go back inside, the party will be over soon."
"Okay," Hermione said and stood up with her mom. As she walked to the door her mother touched her arm and Hermione turned to look at her.
"When you have a daughter, remember to love her everyday and always make time for her. Before you know it she'll be all grown up ready to move out with a man who you can only hope will love her and cherish her as much as you think she deserves," her mother whispered tears shining in her eyes. Hermione embraced her mother tightly and she felt her own tears building and she swallowed them back.
"I will. I promise." Together the two generation of strong, wilful, intelligent women walked in. Both knowing that Hermione's childhood days were coming to a close and she would soon leave the house she had spent so many years in. Both thinking about the innocent girl who had read books until the latest hours of the night with a flashlight under her sheets and the girl who had gone into the to play with the horses and the girl who had had no worries in the world. And both were thinking about the future and what would come. As they walked in they simultaneously reached for each others hands in a gentle assurance of the love they would always share.