Hermione POV
The past two days had been a mixture of relieving and tense. She had come from a world where disbelief and incredulous whispers were everywhere to absolute normalcy. The smiles on her parent's faces had been surprising and concerning in so many ways. The fact that they knew nothing about the profoundly different danger they were in was making her jumpy. Just seeing the group of muggle parents, standing on the mundane side of Kings Cross, waiting for their magical children had been nausea inducing. Most of the muggleborns didn't understand and that was equally disgusting to her.
Dumbledore had stood up and declared that Cedric had been killed by Voldemort for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The children raised in this world had similar grim looks as she and her friends did, few though had looked as if they believed it. Some of the Slytherins though, they did.
Hermione wondered for the hundredth time what was happening across England. Were students trying to explain what happened and what they had been told, or like her, were they living some kind of twisted half life, feeling marooned and exposed out here. There were less magicals and that was safer, the anonymity of disappearing into the millions of mundane citizens of England. The opposite end of the spectrum was that you basically had to assume that everyone could be a danger and there were just so many people.
Something would have to be done about this and the letter from Adrian had come as a relief. Could she come the next day or what was the next time she was free. The tone made it clear that this was important and she buried her nerves and thoughts of the negative outcomes that kept appearing in her thoughts and even dreams.
Perhaps she would have the courage to ask him if his dreams had changed now that she was aware. Some of the things she dreamed about were outside of her realm of knowledge or took place in locations she hadn't seen. These could be his addition. She had no idea what the bond was capable of. Last night it had been in what she thought was their library and even in the dream she had felt curious about their location.
So she was waiting. Her parents were at work and she had said that if she could get ahold of Rosalyn in time she may be late. The Ravenclaw was a muggleborn in their year and both had met up several times. This year she had asked if she could use Hermione as a blind for visiting magicals and they had agreed it was alright.
That had been in October and she hadn't had any plans to use it but was thankful now. It wouldn't hold forever but it gave her some breathing room. She would owl her parents if anything changed. The lying was regrettable but she wanted to speak to Adrian and at least his mother before she broached the topic with them, unsure of what she could or should say.
That was how she always spoke to herself. As if she might actually say something to her parents, anything about her life or what was happening in a place they couldn't see. It wasn't likely but part of her wanted to be able to.
The clock downstairs chimed nine thirty and Hermione stood. She was meeting Cynthia at ten in the same park as last time. Self consciously, she looked down at her sundress. It was warm for the beginning of July and grabbing her cardigan, she slid on her sandals then headed for the door. As she walked down the shade dappled streets she tried to let the calm everyday nature of it soothe her. Today she would have to be calm and collected, or as close as she could be.
Inside the gate of the park, she walked as slowly as she could manage to the copse of trees and leaned against one. Waiting. There was the pop, she wondered if the muggles thought it a backfiring car and then tried not to jerk towards it.
There Cynthia was, in a pretty floral sundress that looked as if any fashionable muggle might wear it. Her curls were in a low bun and Hermione was surprised by the tentative smile on the older witch's face, as if they had never met before and she didn't let her internal frown show. What was wrong?
Then as she walked quicker toward the witch, some of the uncertainty left and the smile looked a bit as if it were pasted over other emotions. Her own uncertainty increased but she tried to keep breathing evenly.
They stood in silence for a moment after they walked into the shadows the trees and Hermione felt more unsettled by the second.
"Do you not want me to come?" It was more than she could do, to keep the quaver from her voice but it seemed to jerk the other woman out of the behavior Hermione was sure was uncharacteristic.
"No! No. Of course I want you to come. We can talk when we aren't so public. Hold tight." Cynthia spoke firmly, then was being pulled through a tight tube and landed in the same place as they had last time. Now it was a riot of colour, the planning and scaling of the plants was obvious.
"It's amazing." Hermione breathed and let herself spin slowly in place. She couldn't think of another word but that one seemed inadequate to convey the care that had been used to place each plant and tree.
"Thank you. They are waiting though dear and are surely as agitated as the situation warrants." Hermione looked to Cynthia then and nodded. Not trying to ignore the situation in favour of the gorgeous surroundings anymore. When the witch didn't move, Hermione just tried to look her question and not push the bond to find him.
"Will it be alright for us to go to both of them or would you prefer to see Adrian first?" The question could have been awkward but it was delivered with real concern and seemed genuine.
"No. That should be fine. It's not as volatile as before." Hermione tried to smile but could feel how wan it was. The one she got in return was an equally valiant attempt but Hermione could see what might be nervousness or something in Cynthia's posture and gestures. As if she were less certain of herself than their previous meetings and Hermione didn't like it, hoped it wasn't her causing it.
Even in her own spiral of thoughts and concerns, she had been considering the danger she was to this family and decided to maybe say or indicate something about not being one. What she meant exactly she didn't know and how she would phrase it she had no idea. The feeling that she should give them an out, or acknowledge the way things were was there though.
That seemed enough, or as much as they could say, and both of them turned toward the large home. It was lovelier and looked softer with the surroundings being so lush and she hoped to be able to get a tour one day or learn something about it. The age was clear and she thought there was a hum in the air or ground, like magics she couldn't actually sense but she was sure they were there. Hogwarts had felt like that and still did to a certain extent. One of those things that she wasn't sure about. Did her magics just accept the feeling and so notice it less or did the magics accept her a little bit and let up.
When they walked through the open terrace doors she let her attention flick to the bond, which was nearly shut down. Not as if he was trying to block it like she had those months ago but as if he was trying to let the absolute minimum through. It was disconcerting but she told herself again and again not to panic.
Surely she wouldn't have been brought here like this for him to decide he didn't want her or something even more terrible had happened. There wasn't time to think about his father or notice exactly where they were going before the door was opening and Hermione barely took in her surroundings.
"What is wrong?" The question just came out of her mouth and she tensed. Adrian was there by the window and looking at her but so was his father.
Nathan Pucey was leaning against the edge of his desk and watching her with as much intensity as she could remember being observed. Even though she felt as if she should have her eyes on him they wouldn't move from his son, who had a look she couldn't read on his face and so much in his eyes that it wasn't any easier to place. The bond only let through a mix of frustrated uncertainty and fear, not much of it either so that wasn't very much help. Panic was building in her rapidly and she just stood, clutching her cardigan in her hands and staring at him.
"Adrian." His father barked and she didn't move her eyes from Adrian's, not knowing what was happening but assuming his father did.
"That is enough. Everything is fine and she is only so upset because you are. Do you need a moment alone?" The tone had softened by the end and she did look at the man then. His son did look like him for all his physical attributes that he shared with his mother. There was something harder in his jaw and look that was far more calculating than anything she had ever seen on Adrian. As is he were actually calculating something though and not trying to fit her into calculations.
"It is a pleasure to meet my son's bonded. I think he just needs a moment." A hand was outstretched and she shook it without thinking and then blushed furiously. The look on his face said that hadn't been what he intended and he gently turned her hand over and kissed her knuckles lightly.
"Hermione." Adrian spoke softly and at that the wizard dropped her hand and she turned to Adrian. When their eyes met this time, the bond opened and she had to close her own eyes in response to the rush of emotions. Disbelief and relief. The receding fear and growing hope, so many things. Eyes open again she walked to him then laced their fingers together. He relaxed beside her and she knew she had read the want for physical contact bordering on need correctly.
"Of course I came." She tried to keep her voice even and not let much of the scoff she felt out either. A low chuckle from his father broke their eye contact and both of them looked to him. Nearly a different man stood before them. Oh he looked the same but his stance was different and so were his eyes. Still assessing but it seemed he had decided some things.
"Thia, should we eat or speak first?" The wizard looked away from them and Hermione watched him and his wife share a glance that further reassured her. Cynthia was someone Hermione already trusted and she should have known that her uncertainty was a representation of the whole family's and not only personal.
"Let's eat. I'm sure no one has been eating well. Perhaps here and all together we will do better." The witch replied warmly. Hermione felt Adrian's question through the bond and smiled up at him.
Even just holding his hand and the bond being open between them had reduced her anxiety and nerves immensely. She wasn't sure how this would go or what would happen but it mattered less when they were together. His relief made hers no embarrassment at all and the acceptance of their bond was something she hadn't known she was concerned about. If her parents could never understand or really accept it then his doing so became doubly important. Someone knowing was validation and Hermione realised that was something she felt like they needed.
It had been some kind of office they were in and as the two of them trailed the couple in front of them she let herself look around, when she wasn't looking at Adrian anyways. It was easily the distance to the post box down the street at her house to get from that office close to the terrace to the small dining room on what she thought was the other corner of the back of the house. There was an oak tree that she could see and it looked like the one she had noticed last time she was here. The table was set for four and a delicious looking brunch was laid out.
"The elves will fuss so introductions to them can wait for later." Cynthia spoke with some amusement and Hermione relaxed yet further. The older witch was glancing between the three of them as if she wanted to memorize the moment but was enjoying it too. Her husband placed a hand gently on her's and Hermione knew that he understood more that she did.
"I'm afraid that I know almost nothing about you. Adrian of course has told me some things and so has 'Thia but I would like to know more." Hermione swallowed the bite of omelette as Nathan Pucey spoke and considered what to say. The bond showed interest only as response to the question.
"Please ask me what you would like to know." Hoping her eyes conveyed her genuine response she wondered what he was looking for then his eyes flared and he looked to his wife who pursed her lips and then gave a short nod.
"You wanted to know what I was looking for." Hermione put down her fork and remained as composed as she could, trying not to let her thoughts spin. The idea that he would know they were became a certainty when he kept eye contact and nodded once. Before she could decide how to respond, he turned to his wife and spoke.
"Interest. Quick mind." Hermione blinked and then looked at the witch who shook her head slightly in a way that Hermione thought was exasperation
"That was not tactful Nathan. I am sorry Hermione." His mother spoke softly, Adrian didn't move but she felt the anger and immediate frustration and perhaps he was surprised by her push of interest and assurance. She was fine and if he didn't push then it was only her surface thoughts.
Immediately after thinking that she pushed the research she had been doing on the protean charm in front of whatever would have followed her thoughts of what she was hiding and the man laughed. It wasn't long or loud but she was surprised enough to stare. In the process of taking a bite for something to do and occupy herself, the hollandaise dripped onto her plate.
"That was well done. Can you feel this?" Suddenly she stiffened at the strange pressure she assumed was actually against her mind, and he nodded. Seeming to be pleased, it was strange and she didn't know what to say. Then he sat back and picked up his coffee cup.
"Have you tried to learn?" He asked and she knew he meant occlumency. Then it really sank in. He was a legilimens. One who had let her notice what he was doing instead of just reading her the whole visit. Now it was her assessing him and she sent a question at Adrian. Not words but generally and received encouragement, even if he didn't know what for.
"No. Well yes but the books were vague and not on how to do it. Even in the restricted section." She let an image of Dumbledore and the rumours of his being a legilimens flash across her mind and tried to make it clear. Wondering if that would work and he looked at her with a different light. Still calculation but also assessment or curiosity.
"I'll stop now. Unless you give me that look. You are right in that it isn't safe for me to know everything you do. I would like to speak to you about that charm and the plan you had for it. I will provide you some books and perhaps things can be less strict than I had anticipated. Over time." Cynthia visibly relaxed and Hermione ate the bite on her fork while thinking over what he had said.
This man was not what she might have expected and the way he had gone about it was interesting as well. She could contemplate him when he wasn't in front of her though. Adrian sent his own question and she looked up at him. He was watching her intently and she smiled at him beside her. Then speared a strawberry off his plate. She wasn't upset and he needn't be either. If they were going to trust each other, have a life together one day, survive even, then they needed to trust each other. Them, his family needed to trust her as much as she did them. Trying to let him feel that or see it she made it strong and didn't try and lessen its complexity. Whether he understood completely or not, he grinned at her and gave her a mock chiding frown.
"How did your exams go?" Cynthia's question wasn't the normal one. All of them knew they had been followed by events so perhaps had mattered less. Next year would be NEWTs for Adrian and OWLs for her.
"Fine. Runes was hard. It always is and it's been two years of Marc being right about it." Adrian answered and Hermione frowned at his dismissal of one of her favorite subjects. She felt the amusement at her disagreement with his assessment.
"Good. Runes was wonderful. I always appreciate the last few questions that allow me to really make my own judgements on the context. You were right about not needing the endless repetition and my projects adding without being on the curriculum." Her tone made it clear she didn't like admitting to Adrian that he was right and Cynthia laughed.
"Vector is excellent at his chosen skill though less creative than I would like. I'll add a book for you. Something for when owl revision is not letting you puzzle enough out, of you would like." Nathan seemed genuine in the offer and she smiled her agreement. Suddenly considering that maybe this man would be more helpful to her personally than she had thought.
"I hope you won't be offended by my next question." His tone made it clear that he was going to ask anyways and she swallowed her bite of blueberry muffin and took a sip of her tea before looking directly at him, trying to be ready. This man had read her mind and not prefaced it with a disclaimer.
"Our customs are not the ones you were raised with. What are your expectations?" His look to his son was answer to her uncertainty and she stilled. Both in her own lack of any idea how to reply and Adrian's rush of emotions at the question. Most were negative and she wasn't sure why, the question or something like it was expected surely. His phrasing though and reference to customs indicated that he meant something specific, or so it seemed to her. After a moment she looked to Cynthia, hoping for a clue or something to go off of, a soft smile was all she got.
"It seems that you were right and I don't even understand the question." Hermione could feel the heat on her face and that made her more embarrassed. Adrian just held himself still and she got the impression he didn't want to have this specific conversation.
"You accepted the owl, a gift from our house to you. Will you accept others? Behave as a witch with an eventual betrothal? The circumstances are such that Adrian, and even we, can not claim you publicly as we would have done." She blinked twice and then looked at Adrian who gave her a reluctant nod then Cynthia who looked as composed as ever. Perhaps knowing that she wasn't upset or just sure in her choices. The man though, he looked inquisitive.
"I am as grateful to have Athena as ever and even more humbled by the gesture. From your house, I didn't know it's significance when she was given to me. What other steps will lead to an eventual betrothal? Perhaps it is that Adrian knew I wasn't comfortable with the speed that such decisions were being made and so was shielding me." The look the elder had shot his son was reprimanding and she didn't like that Adrian may be chastised for something she was sure he hadn't talked about because she was less comfortable with speaking about it. Nathan tilted his head at her in a way that meant he accepted the reasons for his son's misstep. Then she had an idea and sent a question to Adrian. He again sent his support of her asking whatever she wanted.
"The bond makes us unwilling to push anything on the other. I can't explain clearly but if there are things that I need to know, and he can't push it, then perhaps one of you could bring it to my attention." She felt as if she were being brave, by asking them to help with the bond in that way, but this time it wasn't something that affected their safety but maybe their pride and certainly Adrian's feelings.
"Certainly darling. This is an example of just such an issue. The process of claiming a witch is quite intricate and nuanced. It will be more so in this situation." Cynthia smiled at her and exchanged a look with her husband. Hermione felt the bond pulse and knew Adrian was uncomfortable with this, afraid even, that she would balk or be frightened. She wasn't, having settled into this more and accepted maybe unconsciously that she had committed herself to this. The future seemed so murky now and they only had one more year at school together.