Since she couldn't just stand here until Zavi came back and chided her, she had to move. So she did. Forcing her attention away from Sabrina and him. Sabrina was easier to look at and decent distraction. Walking past him was like trying to walk in a perfectly straight like on steeply slanted ground. Her body tried to swerve to him and she felt like an idiot.
Ignoring Josh was all she could do. He wouldn't help her in any way and she didn't want him to get between the siblings. Sabrina had been defensive lately and had said a few things about Thorfinn being with them. Not with Josh and she had tried to explain that they had to let him be comfortable or something. That they could wait and they didn't know how disoriented he would be. She apologized for the Rites, that it would make this different than it would be without it. Sabrina had gotten upset with her. Not angry but incredulous that she would apologize when she had done it for her. Invoked the Rites because her brother had asked her to, so she could get Sabrina. It was true but she still felt a million things about the betrothal and the Rites.
Finally she made it up the two flights of stairs without looking back at the people following her. It was difficult and she counted the stairs and tried to think about changing the molding from white to the clear varnished wood like Daphne had mentioned for this area. It didn't really work and she mostly watched the paint. The two dark sconces on the second floor didn't bother her but she looked at them as she usually did when she passed.
The big double doors to this wing were open and she caught sight of the large ornate J on the door across from her and turned toward the H. Only to find the door open and the room lit, not brightly but it was comfortable and a warm tone. The low table was laden with food and several beverages.
She looked around the room and couldn't help but smile. Then she turned to Rina and watched her do the same. She met those eyes she loved and the smile was small but genuine. Hermione wasn't sure why it felt so awkward but she moved the small couch she usually sat on and began pouring Rina a cup of tea.
"Can I make you a plate?" Sabrina asked her brother, who sat in one of the low leather armchairs across from her.
"I can't wait." The tone said he meant it and she caught Josh's eye. Maybe they could share a smile over this. He was seated in the chair beside his friend and looking around curiously. Maybe he hadn't come in here.
"Thor likes lemon Hermione. Do you have Sin's letter?" Sabrina asked and tucked herself beside Hermione. It felt better, not sitting alone and she nodded. Then pulled the letter out of her pocket and began fixing tea for the two across from her. Not thinking about her actions but watching Sabrina from the corner of her eye, touch the letter and look up at her brother. Solemn eyes and her determined look.
Hermione flicked her eyes to the wizard when she handed Josh the cup and watched him turn his attention from her brother to his sister. Then still and wait, clearly understanding Sabrina was serious.
"Sin didn't want to add to an already overwhelming day, so didn't choose to take the day and come home. He wrote you though and I hope you will come to Hogsmeade with us next month. Write him as well." She watched the wizard smile. Really smile at his sister and then his eyes flicked for her and something warm was there. Something not sexual or magical but it felt as important as those things pressing at her. She looked at the letter and then let herself smile genuinely.
The wizard took the letter and read his name printed neatly across the front of the envelope. Then he opened it and sat back with the letter in one hand and the teacup in the other. Not a dainty little cup either but one of her mug style ones. Bless Zavi for knowing them so well. Then she turned her eyes to Sabrina and watched the witch watch her brother. She caught her eye and the witch sat back and accepted the cup Hermione offered her.
"He writes like you said he talks. All proper." Was chuckled and she smiled too, felt Sabrina shift and then rest her shoulder against hers.
"He is eloquent." Josh put in and she looked to him. Nothing showed and she looked down at her cup, feeling as much of a burden as she ever had. Her emotions were all over the place and she wanted to run. The pull to the wizard six feet from her kept her rooted to her seat though. That and Sabrina.
"Yeah. We will go. He requested I come if I was comfortable and found the time." Thorfinn's tone was wry and she did smile a bit at the wording.
"Thank you." Sabrina said quietly and she did hold the eye contact with him this time. When he looked from Sabrina to her it was clearly concern and she tried to tell him it was alright. Just the normal concerns. Things changing.
"Tell me what you've been doing Sprite. Pass me a danish too." He said and Sabrina was reaching for the plate before she started speaking.
"Have one of each. That's four though. Merlin Hermione. Maybe halves then." Sabrina looked up and her eyes asked the question. Hermione nodded easily and smiled.
"Josh liked the apple ones best I think." She said quietly and Sabrina blinked and then began cutting the pastries and serving them.
"I don't have a favourite really and neither does Hermione. Some seem to come back more often though." Sabrina chatted and then sat back with her plate and took a bite.
Hermione did too and felt the melting pastry and the tart black currant settle her some. This wasn't bad. Nothing was wrong. The Rites were impatient but she didn't feel like she would crawl out of her skin and she just tried to project acceptance to the magic. It was quiet for a minute as they all ate and appreciated. She didn't look up at Thorfinn. Not knowing how her mind would react to any sign of bliss. Just the thought made her want to wiggle. It was embarrassing and expected.
"Work is good. I usually don't think of it that way unless it's a planning day. Those are hard. George wants to just do things but we need a plan, or things don't go as well. Fred has been coming to the product planning meetings and seems more cautious but he is stubborn. More than George, so it's challenging. We finished two for the holiday line last week though so we've all been on a high from our success. Mark, he started out behind the counter, he's been doing some ingredient sourcing for us. Blaise got him started on it so I know he has a list for them too. They always have a list of things to keep an eye out for. Anyway, we have been training two more for the front so a lot of the back end has been offered to me. It's mostly numbers so I don't mind and they do it differently than Hermione so it's interesting." Hermione listened to Sabrina tell her brother about that part of her life and finished her half a danish.
It did feel good. Like they had waited and prepared to be ready for this. Now it was happening and Sabrina was following through on her plan. To begin how she meant to go on.
"So most of what you do is make products? Like create them from an idea?" Hermione could see him thinking and looking at his sister with speculation when she looked up.
"Yes." She said pertly and lifted her chin. Then those eyes she had rarely seen but were the mirror of his sisters, were on her. She could see the question and grinned. It felt genuine and she noticed his return of the expression. Thinking about how handsome he was wouldn't help though so she picked up her cup and ignored the other half a danish for now.
"I think at first it was the challenge. I like working with them for this reason too. They want to do something and then actually try and make it happen. Years of success have taught them a lot and they are inventors. They have a shop and they love it but it's also an outlet for their minds. Some things are funny or merely meant for enjoyment. Others were made for a reason. Some were just the challenge. Now though, she offers ideas and has files of ideas for changes or how to do things. Uses all of her education and it keeps her always striving. George and her feed each other and console each other when it doesn't work out. I think she is a born consultant. Something like Blaise. The need for many projects and reasons to use the knowledge they enjoy collecting." He nodded as she finished and flicked his eyes to Sabrina who was looking at her.
Hermione could only shrug.
"You disagree?" She asked the witch and watched her face.
"No. That was all true. Is that how you reported. Information and your assessment of me?" The curiosity kept an insult from her tone and she held the witch's eyes.
"Yes. You know I love talking about you." The last was teasing and Sabrina shot her brother a look of such good hearted exasperation that he laughed and she chuckled too. Josh even barked a sound that might have been one.
"Am I allowed to see where you work?" Thorfinn asked and she felt herself let go of one worry. It had been a weak one but there. That he wouldn't openly show the interest she knew was there.
"George said he would come in and tell you all of my most embarrassing moments whenever you were ready." Sabrina assured and grinned. Her emotion was easy to see and Hermione felt herself getting emotional too. Feeling relief for the young woman she loved so deeply, who looked as if there wasn't any weight left on her. Her posture was loose and relaxed. There was a pink on her cheeks and those eyes were clear. Emotional but without deep pain or fear.
"I can't wait. He tells a good story. They both do and I'm sure there were pictures. Hermione brought a few good ones." He said and Sabrina just smiled at him and nodded. Then frowned and Hermione knew that look was apprehension.
"I suggest bribery if there is anything you want to have kept from your brother. Long term and think the conditions out." Was her answer and Sabrina looked thoughtful. Josh scoffed quietly and she looked up at him.
"Is everyone bribed to keep quiet about you?" It was a serious question and she felt Sabrina go rigid beside her. She only held the eyes kind of like hers and nodded seriously.
"Blackmail." She said and Sabrina laughed after a moment. Her body pressed further against Hermione's and she decided to speak, since Josh looked rigid.
"The usual confidences hold. If you went to George and asked him for embarrassing stories about me, I am sure he would happily act out the very worst ones." Her tone was somber but she tried to smile. Not understanding the tone or if he was sharing the joke.
"Let's save it for a party Josh." Thorfinn suggested and she watched her brother catch his friends eye and she looked away from whatever private thoughts they were sharing. Ignoring the way her eyes wanted to watch his expressions. She wasn't sure that was the magic either.
"So you would be at work usually. Do you work tomorrow?" Rowle asked after a minute and Sabrina looked from her to her brother.
"I took these three days off. I might go in for a bit or George might stop by. My schedule is pretty flexible and they made sure I knew I could take whatever time I want or need." Hermione couldn't help flicking a glance at the wizard and he nodded then sat further back in the chair.
"Tell me about something." Thorfinn said and she looked to Sabrina but Josh spoke first.
"She has been dueling at Titans once a week." Hermione looked at him and tried to understand the inflection. Sabrina tensed again and Hermione squeezed the arm closest to her and then refilled her cup and Sabrina's before sitting back. Those eyes were watching her and she finally met them. Curiosity, maybe intrigue.
"I needed an outlet." She said quietly but firmly and he looked her over and then at Sabrina.
"No. She hasn't been." Letting the irony be heavy, Hermione answered. He looked back to her and then quickly to Josh, who would have had to give permission.
"Solo?" He asked and she could hear nearly nothing.
"Malfoy." Josh answered lowly and she waited. Another look over of her and then he looked to Sabrina. So did Hermione. The smile was a bit mean and smug.
"They are amazing. Not as good when they duel each other. Well they are good but they don't like to go all out against each other. When they duel others it's them against the world and they can put on quite a show if they want to." Sabrina answered and Hermione watched her expression shift to a grin. A happy one.
"Do you want to go?" Thorfinn asked his sister seriously and she knew the witch would look to her. So she was ready and just answered silently that it was her choice.
"Yes. Hermione wouldn't have let me go if she could. I think she actually could have since she had the proxy forms but she wouldn't. Her attention couldn't be on me." It was as if he had his strings pulled. The way he draped himself into the chair. One throwaway comment about being unable to be alert to her had been enough to explain that she didn't want Sabrina there without what she considered enough protection. Blaise always wanted to have all of his attention on her and Draco, their backs mostly.
Sabrina nudged her and there was something triumphant in her fierce smile. It didn't last long but clearly the witch thought she had won. Or they had won. What they had won wasn't clear to her but it was encouraging nonetheless.
Author's Note: Hopefully there has been some improvement in the editing. I've been trying to be more careful and carefully read each word and paragraph to find the errors. It's not as fun as writing so I'm sorry. There have been several comments on the improvement which makes me feel badly about the previous errors. I'll try and go through the chapters. It's many though, hundreds of thousands of words and that's just what is already posted. I appreciate all of your patience and enthusiasm.
-Maybenotahufflepuff