Friday 15th April 2005
"Yes, Alethea?" Hermione asked perhaps a little impatiently when the quick knock on her open door reached her ears, not even lifting her head to look up as she frowned at the graph before her.
"You sound as hungry as I feel," the deep basso made her head whip up to look at her fiancé leaning against her door frame. Fiancé , that was still a thing to get used to despite it having been a week.
She set her pen down and sat back, offering the man a small smile. It has been an exhausting week but she wanted to get on top of her work as she had been so distracted with the First Wix office set up, recruitment of staff, and dodging the press. "I'm starving actually," she admitted. "You're done for the day? I thought Theo sent a memo that the Australian Minister for Justice was visiting."
"He postponed his portkey until tomorrow morning in order to accommodate his jetlag," he chuckled. "If you'll have me, I'm all yours," he offered teasingly but wondered whether she was up for seeing him tonight. They barely managed to see each other since Monday and he kept her request for dating in mind.
"I thought we already set the date for that to happen," she quipped back but had her desk packed up with a flick of her wand and wrapped her favourite pashmina around her neck to keep the cool evening breeze away despite her thicker sweater dress.
He offered her his arm and was pleased when she gently squeezed his biceps as they walked together towards the lift. "How do you feel about muggle pub food? Decent one, of course," he asked, fancying a steak and ale pie and wanting to take her to one of his favourite down time places that he hadn't had a chance to visit in a while.
"Honestly? I could cause mild bodily harm for some onion rings," she admitted as they headed out through the atrium, catching the eye of the few workers still milling about on their way home. They took the telephone booth up to muggle London so no one would be able to follow them and Kingsley led them to a nearby alley where he apparated them to a part of town she didn't recognise.
"We're in Holborn, and that is where we're going," he motioned at a Victorian-looking pub called the Princess Louise. "Named after Duchess of Argyll, I believe she was Victoria's sixth child," he mused as he guided her inside, watching her eyes sparkling in interest at the fin the siècle features and art deco touches that were added in the decade before the Princess' death.
"This is lovely, thank you for taking me here," she looked around and smiled when an elder gentleman at the beer pump called out to Kingsley in greeting, clearly familiar with him.
They took one of the tables on the side where they were partially hidden in an alcove and could have some more privacy. Once Kingsley ordered their meal, they settled down with their pint each and the tension leaving both their shoulders was practically visible. "Thank you for picking me up for dinner, I like that you did," she offered, seeing he was taking her request seriously.
Kingsley took a deep drink from the beer before setting the glass down, looking a bit tired but pleased. "Believe it or not, I thought it was a great idea to date. We can start getting used to being around each other in a different setting," he agreed. "I would ask how your day was but feel compelled to ask how your week was instead," he admitted.
Her thumb wiped at the moisture gathering on the side of the cool glass in contemplation. "It has been a bit mad, as I expected it to be, but in ways I didn't predict," she admitted. "Theo is very efficient but the amount of memos and documents he sent across was a bit overwhelming. I did manage to sort out the staff, and we agreed with the Head that I will keep an office on the second floor, they'll just move me a bit further up and expand a suite for me, so I can have a small meeting and reception room, proper space for my secretary and enough room for security," she explained.
"Is Alethea contented with the move?" he asked, knowing Hermione was really fond of her secretary. He surely couldn't imagine going without Theo at this point.
Hermione shook her head. "We discussed what my itinerary may look like, and with the foreign visits and unsteady working hours, it didn't suit her right now. Which I understand, she needs to focus on her daughter for a few more years. Theo gave me a list of candidates and I've been trying to figure out who would be best. I'm down to two names, I might sleep on it during the weekend and then decide on Monday morning after a final interview," she explained.
"Is the added security necessary?" she asked, not wanting to be ungrateful but the idea of a security detail permanently stationed at her office was a little bit unnerving. She wasn't oblivious and noted the wizard that had followed them and settled a few tables down with a clear view of their booth and the door as well. "I'm guessing he's ours?"
Kingsley followed her gaze and nodded to the man in a short greeting before looking back to her with an apologetic smile. "Yes, that's Michael Andrews, he's with us at least until things settle. It's not exactly protocol but you're a famous war heroine in your own right, and we both have enough enemies to fill a few feet of parchment with. I would feel safer if you had some protection in the office and when alone running errands," he explained.
She paused in her response as their plates arrived, a steaming steak and ale pie with mash and peas for Kingsley, and her own crispy battered cod and chips. She was a sucker for tartare sauce, occasionally having it with other fish as well when cooking at home. "Thank you, this smells delicious," she complimented, the young waitress looking pleased before leaving them again once she added the bowl of onion rings between them. "I'll take some getting used to the security," she turned back to Kingsley, "but I'll accept it if it's necessary," she acquiesced as she gently broke up the batter on her fish to allow the steam to escape. "I do think there's a couple more things to discuss before next week."
"I agree. Theo informs me he set up an appointment with a wedding planner for Monday. Would you like me to be present?" he asked, willing to accommodate the process though it wasn't exactly something he felt he would have valuable input into.
"I suspect your schedule will be quite tight," Hermione offered him the way out with a knowing smile. "I just wanted to run a couple of things by you and see if we're on the same page," she suggested. When he motioned for her to go on, she continued. "I was thinking a small private ceremony, at your family's magical stone circle to bless our marriage as per tradition. We can hire one photographer that we trust to do a few official photos in the wedding attire, and then change and move to the reception. What do you think?" she asked.
He nodded at the sound of that. "I think my family magic will be happy to claim you, and it is always good luck to have a blessed union. The reception can have an official list, Theo will help draw it up. I would prefer that the actual ceremony is private thought," he agreed.
"Thank you. I'll only have five people attending, including Harry who will give me away. How many guests do you think you'll have? I wasn't sure," she explained, having realised a few days back that she knew very little about the man who was to become her future husband. She knew his character as a friend, and their values seemed to align well but what about other aspects of his heritage? He was from a pureblood family. What about his parents? Did he have close friends that he would like to attend? She had so many questions but didn't want to pry.
He seemed to realise her dilemma and finished his mouthful before setting his cutlery down for a moment. "I will likely have only up to five people present myself. Sadly my parents were killed while visiting South Africa in the eighties, during the uprisings against apartheid. I was never able to find out what actually happened to them," he admitted.
"How old were you?" she asked gently, feeling the loss of her own parents keenly still.
"I just turned nineteen. I was in the middle of my specialised auror training when I received the news. My sister was barely eighteen, just married six months before their trip and was living in France. She was devastated," he explained.
Hermione looked at him in surprise. "You have a sister?" She really didn't know much about Kingsley at all it seemed.
He chuckled. "Yes, her name is Esme and she's very much looking forward to meeting you," he said kindly. And it was the truth. The moment he wrote to her, Esme began making arrangements to arrive back in Britain a week ahead of the wedding to get to know her future sister-in-law and catch up with him. They only ever got to see each other a couple of times a year as they were both very busy, but he looked forward to having her visit.
"Father was a proud man who liked to maintain his status but my mother never cared for it, and brought us up to understand the world's inequalities while recognising the value of our peers equally. She was a fearsome woman if crossed, and very determined. My parents were just as surprised when they got pregnant so shortly after I was born, there is only 13 months between Esme and I."
"She sounds like a woman I would have loved to meet," she offered. The knowledge that she was about to marry a member of one of the oldest pureblood families was disconcerting but knowing he wanted to change that legacy with her made her appreciate him even more.
"I think she would have liked you very much," he admitted. "And I think you'll get along with Esme famously," he said a bit wearily.
Hermione chuckled. "Tell me more about her. What does she do? What does she like? And her husband?" she asked before taking a bit of her fish to stop even more questions falling out of her, trying to stop herself from getting too eager.
Kingsley chuckled and she thought his smile was fond when he looked at her. "Alright, but I don't want to give away too much, I want you to get to know her yourself," he pointed out. "She owns a small business in Aix-en-Provence, makes her own line of organic cosmetics. Unlike some societal wives, she had a fantastic head for business and wanted more out of life than the comfort of wealth and the occasional charitable endeavour."
"Smart woman," Hermione grinned and sat back, getting full now, just sipping on the last of her ale.
"That she is," he chuckled. "Her husband, Philippe is an enterprising man himself, his family is what we would call nouveau riche over here - a middle class pureblood businessman who adores my sister. He is a distant cousin to a prominent family with no old money and everything he had ever gained and built he has worked for. Father was initially against the match, but my mother saw the potential in their love and made him approve of Philippe's proposal. They've been happily married for twenty years and still going."
Hermione noted his approval, glad that they were both minded towards a marriage that lasted. "They both sound wonderful. Please let me know when she arrives, I would love to meet with her and if she would like, have her help with the wedding," she suggested.
Kingsley's smile widened. "Be careful what you wish for," he chuckled but it was clear he was pleased at her acceptance of his family.
"Thank you for sharing this with me. Are there any other pureblood customs that you would like to see represented in the ceremony?" she asked, having enough experience with magical weddings but many pureblood families had their traditions and rituals to consider that she would rather ask.
Kingsley thought about it for a moment, swirling the last of his Guinness at the bottom of the glass. "I would like a traditional hand binding and I will be expected to wear my house robes to represent the house for the binding. The Shacklebolts usually have an unbreakable soul binding but due to the risks associated with both our positions, I don't think that would be advisable."
"Agreed," Hermione nodded. "I'll get a book on pureblood weddings and ask Theo for some help as well," she promised and excused herself to the ladies room for a moment when their conversation lulled a bit.
When she returned to the table a few minutes later, their plates had been cleared away and a thick envelope lay on her side of the table. "What's this?" she asked, opening it carefully, her eyes widening. "Kingsley-"
He raised his hand to stop her protest. "I was at Gringotts on business today and realised we should get our affairs in order. Inside you will find a cheque book, a Gringotts bank card that serves in the muggle world as a Debit card, and your own key to the vault. You will be my wife, as well as the Lady of the ancient and noble house of Shacklebolt. What is mine is yours," he said simply but earnestly. It was clearly non-negotiable and though she wasn't in this for his money or title, she wasn't going to argue with this custom. Her parents have joined their assets as well, there was no need to keep things separate.
"Thank you. I realise we never talked about money," she put the envelope into her handbag and paused while the waitress brought them a fresh pint each. "I'm happy to merge my vault with yours. I'm not used to spending money but I'm not as frugal as I used to be. My savings are decent and I own the flat I live in," she admitted.
Kingsley shook his head. "I wouldn't presume to dictate what you do with your finances, Hermione, but you are of course welcome to join our accounts if it pleases you. I thought to make these arrangements for us early as you may have to invest initially to accommodate your new roles as Lady of the house and First Wix, and I hope you will use the family vault to fund this," he offered.
Hermione conceded after a moment of consideration, it was a practical choice. "Very well. And I presume we will be moving in together shortly, or after the wedding?" she asked.
Kingsley nodded. "If you would be amenable to joining me at my current home in Knightsbridge initially, I would appreciate it. The house already has a security detail arranged, and the house-elf that comes with the office cleans the house twice a week," when he saw her eyes narrow, he hastened to explain. "It's a large house and we won't have time for something as mundane as cleaning with our schedules. Finkley is a free elf contracted for the job. She gets a salary and annual leave, and is saving for a pension. And for her birthday she always asks for bingo vouchers or a new pair of shoes."
Hermione knew that would take some time to get used to but acquiesced in the end. "Very well, I look forward to meeting her," she finally managed. Her younger self would absolutely refuse to have a house elf but with the years spent working with the elves, she understood that their particular magic was suited for their vocation and many elves were content working for families. She knew this was about making compromises, and she was prepared to make them.
"Thank you," Kingsley was relieved at how well that went over. He was no stranger to her previous efforts to free all elves and was glad she was willing to accommodate this arrangement. "I want you to know that I will be happy to consider getting a different home at a later time, one that we choose together, if that is what you would like. With the wedding so close, I didn't think you would want to be house-hunting as well."
"Oh Gods no," she chuckled. "I think this is quite enough to manage already," she admitted as she sipped her drink. "It'll probably take me the next couple of weeks to sort through and pack up my flat. I think I'll keep it, there's no harm in having a property to rent out. But I will aim to send all my belongings through to the house so I can settle-in after the wedding. How does that sound?" she asked.
"I think that sounds like a plan," he nodded, hesitating a moment, wondering whether it was too early to ask this question but he did want her to be comfortable in the home they would be sharing. "It is custom for the Ladies of the House to have their own bedroom, and some entertainment quarters. I can speak with Finkley to arrange a floor of the house for you," he offered. When he saw her hesitate, he thought perhaps it had been too early to ask. "I don't need an answer straight away, there is plenty of time to think about it," he clarified, not wanting her to feel pressured into making decisions without having the chance to see the house properly.
Hermione finished her drink and set the glass down before meeting his gaze again. "It's custom in my world to share a bedroom as a married couple. I would be happy with having my own office, a space just for myself in the home. But I would like to share the master bedroom and one bed, if that's..agreeable?" she asked, her dark whiskey gaze honest and open to let him know it truly was her wish despite the peachy blush gracing her cheeks. Her skin always reminded him of soft butter caramels, her sparkling eyes of his favourite whiskey and her tight curls smelled of coconut oil. And he realised in that moment that he couldn't wait to taste this woman once she was his wife, to see if she was as sweet as her natural scent.
"I would like that very much," his response was spoken softly and there was a warmth in his dark gaze that made her body respond pleasantly. She could see her response was what he wished for as well, and a part of her was pleased that he clearly found her desirable.
The moment was broken when the waitress came to collect their glasses so they decided to call it a night as it was getting late. He led them over to the apparition point across from the restaurant and they paused before they needed to go their separate ways.
"Well then, thank you for dinner, I enjoyed our evening," she smiled before she felt him pick up her hand.
"Thank you for your company," he kissed her knuckles gallantly before motioning for her to apparate first.
She did, landing safely in her quiet flat as she tried to ignore the way her skin tingled pleasantly where his lips touched her hand…