"Minty. How are you?" She asked the dignified elf and received the verbal assurance that Josh's elf was well.
Then a quiet question about Mrs Greengrass' changing preferences and the request that she go see Petal about the fungus. Hermione nodded her assent and answered the question then received a thorough look over from the elf. It was surprising but she accepted it and then headed off to find Petal. What had been happening to the waterlilies?
"Hermione." Daphne's voice caught her by surprise and she looked up at the door she had almost reached. There was her friend. As perfect as ever but not smiling. Not even a polite mask smile, encouraging and not at the same time.
"Do we have a few minutes?" She asked and the witch nodded at her and then stepped out the door. It wasn't warm but it was warming up. Late May sunlight and the growth around them was comforting and comfortable.
"Zavi has his French uniform on." Daphne said as if it were news of him being naked and she grimaced.
"It isn't the most discreet thing when your elf changes uniform based on where you are sleeping that night." Was her reply and Daphne shot her a look that said she wasn't pleased.
"Everything is alright Daph. I always planned to go to France as I would have." This was true, she did go when it started to warm up there and usually at least every couple weeks just because.
"I see." Hermione stopped and sat on a dainty bench. Waiting for Daphne to sit too and then meeting the witch's dark blue eyes straight on.
"I'm not sure that living together is best for either of us right now. I do not seem to be increasing his comfort. I am comfortable at the Escape and he can come there. I can come here just like I have right now. I noticed our owls made it fine. Zavi just owls things from here if it's local." This was all true and she meant it. Perhaps they needed less pressure or something. Lately he hadn't sought her out nor been in places with the door open. Leaving her free to enter and so she had seen him mostly at meals or when they had guests.
Something changed in the blue eyes and she tried to guess what it was. As if Daphne felt guilty and she considered that.
"I know we haven't spoken about Josh. Had an unspoken agreement not to, or close enough. So all I have are my observations." Then she grinned at Daphne and watched her flush. Daphne blushed so prettily right in front of her and the witch was smiling now. So was Hermione and for a moment the two beamed happily at each other and then the witch composed herself and she did too. Daphne was more comfortable if they just went on ass if the emotional moment hadn't happened.
"Mother and Father are pleased. Father told me he was going to owl you after his meeting tomorrow." This was as good as it would get and Hermoine nodded easily.
"It's surprising who I get owls from really. Your father and I owl newspaper articles mostly. He is an interesting man. Appreciates the ironic." Daphne smiled at that and her eyes nearly danced. She loved her parents, who they were. It was so lovely to see in a pureblood Family. They were happy together even if it wasn't perfect.
"Josh agreed to come to dinner once a week." Daphne said and Hermione was so happy for her friend, for Josh too.
"That's wonderful. Your parents will be relieved." The Greengrass's has been worried that Daphne wouldn't come home often. That Josh wouldn't become part of their family as well and it was reassuring to them that things were carrying on and Josh was making the effort. To attend events they were and call on both Daphne and her family. Helena was gloating to her friends about the attentive wizard her daughter had chosen. It was funny and felt somewhat normal. More people were courting and contracts being signed. There had been some more muggle style engagements too. She thought Harry was going to do that. Propose and then quietly deal with the contracts separately.
Pop.
"Miss's Sisters be here. Others too." Zavi spoke chidingly and she accepted the unspoken order to move herself off the bench and toward her regular tea guests.
"Josh?" She spoke quietly into the open study door. It was open and that had been surprising.
"Hermione. Come in." He had his head bent over some papers and she scanned a bookshelf while she waited.
"What brings you?" His voice asked and she turned to him. He was watching her and she sat down while she answered him.
"A few things. How are you?" She asked him directly and waited.
"How are you?" He held her eyes and she sat back in the chair, obviously it was answer or she wouldn't get one. Not a very good start.
"Pretty good. I'm always happy when school is getting out. The hotel is starting to have some bookings further into fall and that's encouraging. The restaurant is nearly booked and some of the event rooms have been booked for the holidays." She reported and he nodded. They had been speaking some, mostly about business things and that was comfortable. He was interested and she had been grateful to have something to talk about.
"Are you coming to the game?" It was three weeks before the school year ended and the game was tomorrow. The big Slytherin vs Gryffindor game and she had eight seats. He didn't answer her and she wanted to shriek her frustration.
"A simple yes or no would be appreciated." Her voice was earnest. It was beg or yell and she still had at least two questions.
"I don't want to impose." Was what he finally said and she rolled her eyes, didn't even try hide it or quell the urge.
"If you want to come to your cousin's game with your family, then that is not an imposition." He blinked at her and sat back. A nod. He wanted her to spea, like they were back in that stone room.
"I don't know what to say. Can't we just be family? Don't you want to come to his game? Sabrina invited you for our birthday feast too. Why didn't you come? We eat together once a week and you leave. I've tried coming by. She says Rowle will demand to come to games and won't make me plead to talk to him. I hope so. Everyone said it would be better when you got out. I thought it was the situation or something." He was listening but didn't speak so she kept going, reminding herself firmly that she wanted specific things and that screaming all of her thoughts at Josh would get her nowhere. .
"I came here to ask you three things. The game, will you come for the dinner at the Escape when he comes home? We have a big one and it's fun. Everyone flies and eats. Enjoys the heat. The third thing is less important but I'm hoping you will help me. I want to duel." She took a breath and then kept going at his lack of any response. .
"Draco and I want to duel. He is leery of doing it publicly. Like tournaments or something. So am I for that matter. I need the outlet though. I need something to pour myself into. The Rites are hard. You haven't asked and maybe I should have explained. I thought he would have. Or you would know. Maybe you don't appreciate that it isn't just a magical chastity belt." He had sat all the way back in his chair and had a hand on the desk and the other on his lap. Listening and his face was more open than she had seen.
"Is there whiskey?" Hermione asked and looked around, feeling as pent up as she ever had. As if her skin was too tight. It was getting worse and she was nearly ready to start counting the days. A brow went up and he waved his hand.
"Thank you. So I want to duel but apparently need your permission to enter Titans." It had to be asked and acknowledged. That she needed his permission to do this.
It had taken months to get it out of Draco and Blaise. Why they hadn't just suggested the solution. Even if she wasn't happy she could see why they wouldn't want to tell her that she needed someones permission to enter the Wizarding gentleman's club. She had been livid but decided to ask.
"Explain." He said in answer and she rolled her eyes again. The burn of the whiskey was welcome and she made herself look up at him.
"The Rites?" She asked and he nodded.
"Will you come to the game and dinner?" She asked him first. Not wanting this to be lost if this conversation blew up. His nod seemed easy. Like it hadn't been a question and she surveyed her brother. This man she didn't understand and don't know.
"He's got dampeners on so it's a pull to nothing. It started like a hook in my magic and has steadily grown stronger. Like an elastic band. The pull doesn't decrease at the Tower but it's effects do. So it's tight. The other things are unfortunate too. It started out with only lecherous thoughts causing discomfort. Like crawling feelings but it's so much worse now. Pretty much Harry, Blaise, and Draco. Others for shorter periods of time but if I want to be comfortable with someone for longer than an hour it's got to be them. About the dueling, Draco and I are good. Feel free to request a demonstration. I'm not sure I want to duel alone yet. We keep each other from getting carried away and that's important too." This time she knew he would speak when she stopped.
"He didn't talk about you. Or the Tower. Not about the Rites. You did a ritual at his home didn't you?" He asked her and she could see his mind working, thinking and assessing her.
"I always understood why you didn't want to talk to me about Daphne." Josh nodded his acceptance of her comparison.
"Yes. I did one here and then have done them there. The Rites doesn't punish me so badly there." Her dry tone got a small smile and she scowled.
"Are you alright?" He asked her and she thought about that, then him.
"Are you?" She asked and sat back herself. Settling into the comfortable armchair and waiting.
"Yes. Better than I thought I was. Walking into a life was more than I expected." He looked serious and she felt her emotions teeter at the admittance.
"I've wondered about that. I'm glad you are feeling more comfortable." That was sincere and she thought he heard that.
"In answer to your question, yes. I'm alright. I need an outlet though and this one is perfect. No one wants me to just invite people here or even to the hotel to duel so if you would grant your permission then I will be better than I am now." He scanned her carefully and then insulted her again.
"I want to talk to Malfoy first." All she could do was nod and stand. Shut down just like that. As if she were a child.
"I'm sure he will be thrilled to have his opinion asked. See you tomorrow." She didn't smile but didn't slam the door behind her.
"That was so exciting." She breathed into the seconds of silence then yelled along with everyone around her. Sinclair was sprillaing down down. Glittering ball in hand and the two directly behind her were screaming into the air. Both seekers themselves, they had enjoyed him playing the position and lamented that he didn't want to keep it.
"Do you think it's alright if we go down?" She asked Blaise beside her and then looked to Josh. He didn't know Sinclair well enough to comment but she didn't want to be rude.
"For you Cara, certainly." Blaise answered her and offered his arm before pushing Draco and Harry out of their way and heading down the endless stairs to the pitch. Every Slytherin in the school was there. Celebrating their win of the Quidditch Cup this year.
She couldn't help but grin at the happy faces with green and silver scarves and even face paint. She was a solid block of emerald and comfortable too. Even her boots were the dark green with silver buttons down the side.
"I'm so proud of you Sin. Good luck on your exams." She hugged him tight and relished the hug she got back. Than he thanked them all for coming and accepted the congratulations and promised to write Harry and Draco back. Accepting Ginny's letter, she had a game today too.
"Let's go to the Three broomsticks." Harry suggested and they all thanked the Headmistress and headed toward the gates.
"Draco." She called toward him and cut off the play by play he was doing with Harry. He stopped and waited for her then offered his arm and she grinned at his interest. Usually she would let them pretend to not like each other while agreeing on everything the other said about quidditch.
"Josh told me yesterday that he needs to speak with you. I'd appreciate it if you would. Thank you." Then she jogged off to catch up to Pansy and ignore what was happening behind her.
"He wants to give me a bracelet Granger." Pansy spoke quietly and Hermione looked sideways at her friend. Perfect dark bob in place and she looked unconcerned, except her eyes which kept darting over to her.
"I know Pans. You don't like necklaces very much." She pointed out and the witch scoffed.
"I want one." It was a clear admittance Hermione tried not to smile.
"I don't know why you would. Gorgeous wizard worships you and wants to show that publicly. Something shiny too. It's a rough situation." Her tone was all serious and Pansy laughed and then grinned over at her. Eyes sparkling behind her long bangs.
"You'll tell him then?" She asked as if it were a given and she linked arms with Pans.
"Sure. I've been waiting ages. We picked one out. You will love it." Pansy was quiet as she thought that over. That Cass and her had done that together.
"From the vault?" Pans asked and Hermione caught her eye but didn't break the casual stride or tone.
"No. They were all a bit dowdy. That isn't nice and I'm sure some will work with the perfect gown or something. He wanted to know if I could see something he didn't and I couldn't so we went to Pearson's together. I've never been in the back room. Amazing. It's so you Pans and I can't wait. You will love it. He does." She let the eye contact go then and waited for her friend to accept this too. Pansy didn't like to be surprised and often rejected unexpected things. No one wanted this to be one of those situations and so the explanations and answers. Cassius would be so relieved.
"I can't wait. I love a surprise." Hermione couldn't stop her laugh at Pansy's seriously said words.
"Today was a good day." Hermione said as they reached the picturesque little town.
"Our boy is brilliant Mione." Harry said and she grinned up at him as he slung an arm over her shoulder.