Hermione POV
She sat on the end of Harry's bed and stared at her crossed legs. Snape had left after the dramatic show of his Dark Mark and Sirius had been sent away. That was just another thing that she couldn't do anything about. It was more understandable this time but again Harry didn't get what was best for him. Harry's eyes had met hers after the animagus transformed and left. Catching her speculative glance at the Headmaster and then immediate change to concern. As had been his way lately, Harry didn't say anything just let her see his awareness and then looked out the window.
That had been the most steady glance or communication from her friend since she had entered the hospital wing and been shocked by the jumbled retelling of events. Harry looked up then, with anguish and Hermione wanted to scream her frustration. A second later she tamped it down, for Harry and Adrian. A facade of calm wouldn't do.
Cedric. Kill the spare. Her friend was blaming himself and she didn't know what to do. Then defeat showed and she knew he would speak. Fear was the only emotion she felt at what he might say. How he was feeling about the Hufflepuff or even Voldemort. Not allowing herself to think about that yet, it would take over, she just waited and then Ron shifted in the chair by the bed.
Harry and her both looked at him and she didn't quite understand what was on his face. He was tense and his shoulders shook occasionally but not as if he were crying.
"Go check on them Ron. This is a time for family." Harry spoke lowly and they shared a glance before Ron looked at her. She nodded briefly in assurance that she would stay for as long as she could. Eventually the matron would be back with the promised sleeping potion so probably not long. They watched the lanky red head leave and then she waited, waited for Harry to speak.
"It. He was. My parents. I'm sorry." He just spoke those words haltingly and then stopped and her heart broke for him. For all of them. It wasn't fair and she didn't know what she could say. So she stood and walked to the head of the bed before leaning down and wrapped her arms around him gently. There was little relaxation in his posture and she knew he didn't want to break down. So she didn't say what she wanted to. Didn't whisper that she loved him and they would keep going. Couldn't assure him that they could do this or they would figure it out.
It was only a minute or two before Madam Pomfrey came around the screen with a potion vial in her hand. Hermione straightened and was profoundly grateful for the dreamless sleep her friend would get. She didn't like leaving him here exposed and waited outside the screen after she whispered her goodnight to Harry.
The matron came out and gestured toward the door. The two witches walked over there with her and then Hermione stopped. Looking up at the kind face of Madam Pomfrey who always patched them up so well, It was hard to challenge her but right now, right now she needed to know that the woman would look out for him. If Hermione had to leave then she was trusting this woman with her best friend. Who was vulnerable, more so than ever before.
The glance from the adult was chiding and then it softened. Hermione just waited. She may be young but this was serious. Life or death. Eventually she received a firm nod and even slightly squared shoulders. That was the best she could ask for and she walked through the door that the witch held open.
Since this was halfway up to the tower she didn't have far to go. The school felt different. Not dangerous but quiet and watchful. Somber even. They had lost someone today. A student and peer. Cedric wasn't someone she knew well but he had been a prefect and she knew he was well liked, even before the tournament. It felt unreal and she wondered what the Hufflepuff common room felt like tonight. Having anticipated celebrating even if he hadn't won. Then she thought of her own and hoped they didn't expect answers from her. With that thought she gave the password to the Fat Lady and didn't respond to her low question about Mr Potter.
There had been quiet talk before she was noticed and she saw the Weasleys sitting together. They looked like they expected her to join them but she just gave a small head shake and headed for her dorm. Wanting to be in her privacy en chanted bed. Alone. First felt like she had to shower this day away. If hot water and soap could scrub away the feelings crawling over her.
She grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. Then her fluffy socks and under things. A minute later she was peeling her clothes off and staring at the wall that was being distorted by steam. As she stepped into the shower she didn't move. Just let the hot water beat on her face and chest. Closing her eyes at the sting. Eventually she turned slowly and then let herself cry. It wasn't sadness or even a specific worry. Complete bewilderment and the helpless feelings were overwhelming her attempt at calm. She should have taken a calming draught or something. As she scrubbed and washed her body and hair the sobs slowed to tears that still fell occasionally. Dry and clothed she sat on her bed and then curled up in a ball.
Her whirl of thoughts slowed and then she felt it, like reaching. A slight tug on the bond and she knew it was him. Waiting for her. For a moment she allowed the petulant thoughts about not being able to see him in person. What she wanted was to bury her face in his neck and feel his arms hold her right, steady her. The relaxation and peace of them being physically together. Then she forced that back and tried to be grateful that she could at least have this. Steadier, she relaxed and reached for him through the bond.
Concern and other variations of that flowed to her and she let them. Didn't try and send calm but accepted his and let her own feelings through. Sorry about the tenor of hopeless overwhelm. He accepted it though and the rush slowed. Feeling a bit better she closed her eyes and wasn't surprised that it was a feeling of nearly the same want she had earlier, her tucked under his chin and him holding her close, cradled gently. More tears then and they stayed that way. Comforting each other as best they could until she fell asleep.
Adrian POV
Adrian let go of his mother as they spun into their home and looked his question at Marc. Was he staying? The grim look he got in return was answer enough.
"Breakfast then." Adrian didn't order him but knew that Marc would understand. He didn't want his friend at home or to not know how he was for very long. More than before and he got a nod before Marc kissed his mother's cheek and turned down her invitation to dinner.
Then he and his mother stood in the apparition foyer and looked at each other before she nearly threw herself at him and he hugged her tight. She quietly murmured her love for him and how happy she was that he was home. Then she pulled back and looked him over carefully. Neither of them wanted to be so obvious in their concern on the platform. He didn't glance around but knew his father wasn't there waiting for him and that was unsettling. All of the sudden his mind was awash with thoughts and concerns about his father.
"Father." He got the word out and kept his straight posture, not wanting to upset his mother anymore than she already was. There was a tightness around her eyes that was extremely concerning and the lack of his father was equally disturbing.
"Let's have tea Adrian." That wasn't good but it was expected. His mother liked to have something to occupy her hands with when she was agitated and he didn't blame her at all for wanting to be in a place she felt secure. Without his father there, this place that had always been a home suddenly felt vulnerable and he didn't like that at all.
Seated in his mother's sitting room and with a small sandwich in hand to appease the worried look over she kept giving him, he waited and hoped she would begin soon. The uncertainty was increasing his agitation, not soothing it. Already he was disturbed by the last days at school and Hermione leaving for the muggle world. He hadn't been able to ask about wards or security for her. Not wanting to argue when he knew she would go regardless, it was on his list of things to speak with his father about.
"He didn't want to be here." His mother's words were few but carried the weight of a bludger slamming into him and he carefully put the teacup down and the sandwich on its plate. Hands tightly holding his knees, he made himself look up at her face. The apprehension there was surprising and even scary. She was watching him as if he would lash out and he wasn't sure what was causing it. Deciding that he had to know, he took a breath and then blurted it out.
"He doesn't want to see me?" Adrian's attempt to keep his feelings out of his voice had failed spectacularly and his mother looked as if she had been slapped.
"Adrian! Of course not. His concern was the reverse." Her words were clipped and she lifted her chin. He thought she was daring him to confirm his father's fears and stood abruptly.
"Can he come home now?" Perhaps it was immature to want his father at this time but he had been worried and Hermione had even asked quietly in their single hour alone together if he was alright. Through Potter to her, he knew that he had been summoned that night. Seen the Dark Lord newly reborn. From a cauldron. Just the thought was so disgusting that he tried again to push it away.
"Pinny. Please fetch Nathan. Thank you." With that the elf disappeared and he waited for his father to come. When his mother pulled her legs up under her after sitting down he allowed himself to show his own agitation and paced in front of the windows. A minute later he felt the wards ping and stopped, looking at the French doors that led into this room. A minute later a single knock and he couldn't help taking a step toward the door. A glance at his mother as she bid his father come told him how relieved she was by this. Both of them had been concerned then.
"Father." The word came out and he stared before taking the ten steps to him and hugging him tightly. He didn't think he had done this, really sagged against his father in need of support for years now. Surprise stiffened the older man for a second and then his father returned the embrace for a moment before holding him by the shoulders and meeting his eyes. Searching them.
As Adrian's shoulders relaxed, so did his father's and both of them just stared for a moment before his father released one of his shoulders and steered him to his seat. As usual his father sat beside his mother and the two clasped hands. Ignoring the pang at not having his witch, he wanted her there with them, he waited for something, anything.
"Are you alright son?" The gruff tone of his father's voice was surprising and he nodded immediately, knowing what was meant. He was alright. Upset and concerned. Afraid for his family and Hermione. Not panicking at the moment though and reassured by his parents sitting easily together.
The only direct thing Hermione had said about his own family was that this wouldn't change how his father felt about him, didn't change the years of love he had received. It had been the first time that she had been comforting him and it had been both wonderful and terrible. That she had given it but also that he had needed it. Wanting to be her strength and for the first time seeing that it went both ways.
"Hermione?" His mother's soft tone was full of her apprehension and he frowned slightly in response.
"Concerned and a hundred others things. Physically she is alright, though I want to speak to you about wards and protections for her when she isn't at school. Or here." The last two words made him feel ashamed. They were a plea and had come out as one. His witch and him had this summer and she had mentioned thinking that Harry would want her and need her. The Order would be reformed and she didn't know what that meant but she wasn't leaving him alone with horrible muggles for months. Regardless of what the Headmaster wanted, her voice had been seething with rage and helpless frustration.
"The girl isn't holding me against you?" That was an unusually direct question from his father and he responded truthfully, knowing his father was reading his surface thoughts. His occlumency shields had been up and he had mentioned the skill to Hermione so she wasn't surprised when it came up. He knew it would. Dropping them now, he allowed his honest feelings to show.
"No father. Not at all. She sends her hopes that you are alright. Potter told her enough for her to know that it was horrible. Would have been horrible for anyone with a conscience." The words were not smooth but they were true and he could tell that she had meant it. Both of his parents relaxed further at that and he did in response, unwillingly soothed by their genuine increase in ease.
"That is encouraging. Surprising. I must meet her. It is clear that I do not have a proper mental picture of her reactions or responses. That will be needed." There was strain in the deep and familiar voice now and Adrian nodded his understanding.
"We will speak about things after dinner, I am sure you have questions. For now though it is enough to have you here. I admit I was unsure. If you would view me differently or hold me responsible for increase in the tangled nature of this web." His father's admission hurt Adrian. That his father had doubted him but he knew that if Hermione hadn't made her respect for his parents clear and kept at him until he admitted his fears of her wanting him less, that she might not fight as hard for them because his father. Well he was part of the problem. Marked and tied to a wizard who was certainly going to attempt to kill her best friend, probably her too. That thought made him feel ill and the sandwich went back on the plate with a single small bite missing.