Terrifié
Chapter Sixteen No.
Last Time:
Hermione stared after him for only one wistful moment before she ran off to meet her parents… and Don.
TBC
"Bye!" Hermione called out to her friends for one last time from her position, semi-hiding behind her trunks and waiting for Ginny, Harry and Ron to leave before she met her parents. After they had all disappeared through the portal, she turned and caught her parent's eyes, waving her arm. The sight of Don's leer made her nauseous. Her family ran over, embracing her and bewildering her as they all chattered away at once. Don's hug was too long, too hard. She saw Draco's head disappearing into a carriage over Don's shoulder, and she prayed that everything would work out tomorrow. Before she knew it, she was being ushered into the family car and they were on the highway towards her house, a small brick house in a neighbourhood of small brick houses, with a tree in the front lawn and a picnic table in the back.
When they reached the house she went up to her room on the pretence of unpacking and getting reacquainted with all her old things and life while supper was being made. In truth she took out all the things she'd been transferring home from Hogwarts (her small dorm room was getting crowded) and then rammed everything else into the trunk and shrunk it to the size of a small hand valise. She had to be ready to go tomorrow.
Supper was easy enough; she made pleasant small talk with her family, Don included. It was so easy to pretend that nothing was different about them, that nothing happened behind closed doors. She had done this for so long. But recently, she'd started to feel that maybe it shouldn't happen. Maybe she didn't deserve it… well no, she did of course, she did something subconsciously that bedevilled men… she made them hurt her and use her. She was kin to Satan; there was no other explanation. Always she remembered the angry red face of the priest at the church she attended with her family, his booming voice telling of eternal fire and sin and the Devil. But still this change was slowly occurring, a wayward thought every now and then popping into her mind, an occasional impulse to fight, to run. She had no idea where it came from.
After supper they moved to the dining room and sat by the fireplace, admiring the tree, which was already decorated, and the bountiful amounts of presents underneath it. Hermione decided she would sneak down tonight and gather hers to take with her to Malfoy Manor with her… something to keep her heart focused on when she was lonely or sad or scared. Every time her eyes met Don, her breath quickened and she was gripped with the cold of fear. But she was blessed, because her mother invited to sleep with her for the night so they could catch up and have girl talk before she left for Marseilles. She saw Don look disappointed at this development. Hermione had never loved her mother more.
They stayed up late that night and Hermione told her mother all the news about Harry, Ron and Ginny and a little about Neville. Her mother was thrilled with the fact that Hermione had had a boyfriend at all. They finally fell asleep and woke when Hermione's father brought them breakfast in bed. They ate together, sitting on the bed like the old times, and Hermione felt more confident about her plan to go to Draco's for the Christmas holiday. While her parents finished packing she went to her room and wrote out a note to leave for Don.
Uncle Don,
I've gone to spend the Christmas holidays with a friend from school. We're partners for a big school project. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Don't mention it to mom and dad, they already know. Have a merry Christmas!
Love,
Hermione xoxoxoHermione felt bad about lying to him, but she hoped he'd never find out. If he did, she'd have to suffer consequences.
She had a few hours to herself so she listened to music for a while and finished her arithmancy project before going downstairs. Don was making a quick lunch up for the family in the kitchen.
"Hi Hermione. Have a good sleep? I heard you and Miranda giggling last night." He smiled at her, carelessy putting together some ham sandwiches.
"Oh sorry, hope we didn't keep you up." Hermione sat at the table, and stared at it.
"Oh no no, I was feeling… restless anyway." Don laughed to himself, brushing his hand off on his button-up denim shirt, which was half-tucked in to a pair of tight blue jeans. "You got much homework to do this holiday?"
"Oh no. I had a few projects, but I just finished one. I've only one left to do, and half of another. Not too much." She nodded and anxiously drummed her fingers on the side of the table.
"That's our girl, always on top of everything! I bet you are getting real good grades." Don smiled as he continued with the sandwiches. Hermione's father strolled in.
"Yep, our Hermione's the best of everything, right baby?" He ruffled her hair affectionately as he walked by, getting the orange juice out of the fridge. He poured a glass and set it on the table before her, and then grabbed her gently by the chin. Hermione opened her mouth, knowing the routine. "Ahh! Teeth in perfect condition as always! That's the good tooth-brushing child I raised."
"I already checked last night, Gerry." Hermione's mother wandered into the room, wearing an outfit that was suited to the weather of France, not the drizzle and cold of Britain. "What time is it?"
"It is… 1:30!" Don proclaimed, smiling at everybody.
"Only half an hour before we go!" Miranda clapped her hands. "Gerry are you ready to go? You've everything you're taking packed? I'm ready!"
"I've got everything, love." Gerry sat down in a kitchen chair and smiled at his wife.
"Well then I guess we have something special for Hermione, don't we?" Miranda winked at Gerry as she pulled out a little gift wrapped in red and gold paper and handed it to Hermione. "It's just a little something, you know… We didn't want to miss you unwrapping all of your gifts! I hope you guys take some pictures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning."
"Mom, you didn't have to get me anything! Thank you so much! I hope you guys like your gifts too! Are you saving them for Christmas morning?"
"Yeah. But quickly, open your gift, we've got to get on the road!" Gerry urged Hermione.
Hermione carefully unwrapped a small dark green box, making sure not to rip any of the red and gold paper. Inside was a beautiful diamond and ruby necklace. Hermione gaped at it in astonishment.
"Well, do you like it?" Gerry asked nervously, glancing between Hermione and Miranda.
"Mum, Dad… I can't accept this!!! I mean… it's beautiful, I love it, but we can't afford this, what with Hogwarts and everything… I just am…"
"Darling, don't worry about the cost. We know how hard you work and we are so proud of you. You really deserve it, and we want to give it to you. And it's not just an ordinary… Muggle… necklace either!" Miranda smiled proudly. "We got it from a shop in that alley place. It's got magic in it!" Gerry nodded in affirmation.
"It has special powers so that you'll be happy whenever you put it on! We put our love into it… or something like that, at the shop so that you'll feel our love when you wear it. You can store love in each ruby or something like that, so maybe Ron and Harry and the others can use the other rubies or something!" Gerry smiled hopefully, waiting for Hermione's reaction.
"Guys, this is wonderful. It's the best present I've ever gotten, ever! Thank-you so much. I really love it. I'm happy already!" Hermione felt tears in her eyes and blinked to hold them back. It was a truly thoughtful, and beautiful present.
"Well, we should be on our way now!" Miranda said briskly. Gerry brought the bags out to the car and everyone piled in to drive to the airport.
Hermione sat in the front seat of the car, staring out the rain-streaked window at the bleak gray sky. She was so conscious of Don in the seat next to her, humming along with the radio as he drove, that it was almost painful. Now that her parents were gone, she felt so unsafe. All she could do was think to the moment she got in Draco's car and drove away. The car pulled into the driveway and Hermione started to get out. It was 2:40 and she didn't have much time to get ready.
"I guess I'll see you after work Don. Around suppertime? You only work the afternoon shift today right?" Hermione asked, feeling guilty at her lies. Don smiled at her.
"I'm not working today. I thought I'd take some time off and spend some time with you." Hermione's heart dropped into her Mary Jane shoes.
"What?! No… No don't do that. I'll be fine here on my own. I don't want to get you in trouble or anything!" She could hardly keep her voice from quavering.
"I already cleared it with my boss, don't worry." Don grinned at her as he pulled the key out of the ignition and got out of the car, slamming the door. They walked toward the house and entered, taking off their shoes and coats in silence. Hermione headed straight up the stairs to her room and Don didn't say anything, he was occupied in looking through the new mail.
She got into her room and shut the door, her heart pounding. What could she do??? She took her super-light trunk and brought it downstairs, laying it in the porch next to the door in case she had to leave quickly. She'd find a way to get out. Don smiled at her from the couch contentedly, over the top of the sports section of the newspaper. She smiled back half-heartedly and went into the kitchen to get a drink. She opened the fridge and had a moment of genius.
"Don!" She called, almost blissfully. "We don't have any milk left! Can you run to the store and get some please? I'm dying for some." Hermione poked her head around the corner of the kitchen and looked at him expectantly. Don was in such a good mood he agreed, pulling on his jacket and telling her he'd be back soon. He gave her a goodbye kiss that chilled her to the bone and left. Hermione looked at the clock. 2:50! She hastily packed all her Christmas presents up and placed the note to Don in a place where he would see it.
She looked out the window and saw an expensive black car idling in front of her house. Her heart leapt in joy. She grabbed her trunk and ran out. She tapped on the window and it rolled down.
"Miss Hermione?" Inquired the slightly elderly chauffeur behind the wheel. Hermione smiled in genuine relief.
"Yes." The chauffeur got out of the car and took her bag. It was going to work... it was really going to work…
In a burst of sudden pain Hermione felt a vise-like grip on her arm.
"Where are you going, 'Mione?" She turned and looked up at Don. The chauffeur paused, holding her trunk poised over the open boot of the car.
"I'm sorry Don, I should have mentioned it earlier. I'm just g-going to a friend's… we have t-to work on a sch- school project… together and…" She cringed as his grip on her tightened. The grocery bag was still in his other hand.
"Well that can wait can't it? Tonight I'm off work." He smiled tensely and let go of her so she stumbled backwards, then went and snatched the bag from the chauffeur, who seemed completely blank. Don patted him roughly on the back. "Thanks buddy. Tell Hermione's friend she's busy, ok? They can work on their project when they get back to that school." The chauffeur nodded briskly and Hermione watched helplessly as he got back into the car and drove away. Why didn't he help her?
She followed Don with dread and thankfully, a certain desperate numbness, into the house, where he threw down the groceries and her trunk. He read the note she had left him and ripped it into tiny pieces without a word. He removed his jacket and boots with his back to her, and finally turned to see her standing in the door way, still in her outdoor things. They gazed at each other.
"Well? Take off your stuff. You're not going." Don gestured to the door. "And close that goddamn door. Lock it." Hermione complied obediently as well as she could, Don watching her the whole time. When she was done she looked up and met his eyes. "I'm not spending this Christmas alone Hermione. We can have fun together like we always used to, okay?" Don looked at her, expecting her to nod. Hermione stared at the floor. He took a step closer. "Okay?" He prompted. But that odd new feeling was welling up inside of Hermione, and for some reason she couldn't hold it back…
"No." She said, raising her head to look Don in the eye with a clarity and strength he had never seen in her before.
TBC