Shipping D4 - Comforting Comforter
Spring E3 - Adaptation
Trope A5 - The Mother
Stacked With: FPC; BAON; ToS; Star; Fence; Shower; T3; Ship; SpB; TrB; IC&F
Challenges: Old Shoes (Y); Short Jog (Y); The Real MC (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Zed Era (Y); Hold the Mayo (Y); Old Flames; Bi Bi Bi (Y); Saucy Oven (Y); Disabled (x2) (Yx2); Ethnic & Present (Y); Rian-Russo Inversion (Y); Neurodivergent (Y); Gryffindor MC; Hufflepuff MC; Slytherin MC; Ravenclaw MC; Other School MC; Magical MC (x2); Red Lights; Red Wave; Red Bull (x2); Bi Rainbow; Rainbow Rainbow; Missing Rainbow
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenge(s): Spinning Plates; Delicious Lie; Second Verse (Teat Juice; Sneeze Weasel; Nontraditional; Not a Lamp; Ladylike); Chorus (Rediscovery; Machismo; Fizzy Lemonade; Bee Haven; Wabi Sabi; Odd Feathers
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenge(s): T3 (Thimble)
Warnings: Innuendo; Workplace Harassment
Word Count: 3416
~o0o~
Despite her worries, Hermione just couldn't bring herself to hold Cedric at arm's length. It wasn't fair. She didn't want to get hurt again, but her heart was running away from her like it always did.
At least she had her new house to distract herself. The renovators did a wonderful and quick job.
There were times where she really loved magic. Especially magical architecture. It couldn't build a house in a day, but it sure could move a couple walls and replace a countertop.
"What'cha thinking about?" asked Cedric.
She glanced at them and looked back down at the paint cards in her hands.
"Just… trying to decide what accent color I should do for my bedroom," she said. "Black is always going to be the hero color, but I should accentuate it with other colors, yeah?"
"Absolutely," Cedric agreed. "I chose pink as my accent color but I just really like pink. Perhaps… purple? Like this one."
They picked a lovely dusty shade of purple.
"It's called purple rain," they said. "Like the Prince song. Only want to see you laughing in the purple rain."
"I know the song," she said, taking the card. "Hm… yes. I like this. I could use the black damask as an accent wall behind the bed and then paint the rest of the walls this color."
She decided to take painting the walls one room at a time. She just wanted to know what she was going to do for each room and went through cards while the paint for her entry area and stairwell was mixed. Cedric offered to paint her something that would really give the place some character. It required a light grey and some pinks and purples. They paid for that themselves, which she thought was very sweet of them.
It was going to be her last project before going back to work on Monday.
"This is a lot," said the man. "How are you going to get it home?"
"Not to worry," said Cedric. "I've got a magic backpack."
They set it on the counter and started taking the paint cans, placing them in one by one. The employees stared open-mouthed as each one went in. Cedric zipped it up and took Hermione's hand.
"I—How—"
"No one will ever believe you," said Hermione. "See you next week!"
They hurried along. Security cameras weren't likely to pick it up. Most had a tough time focusing on magic peoples if they even managed to record while magic people were present. And how would anyone who saw it tell the story of how a person put ten paint cans in a backpack and not be accused of exaggerating?
"You haven't seen the new exterior yet," said Hermione.
"No, I have not. I'm excited to see it," they replied.
The worst of the foliage was cleared out and Neville promised to take a look at the trees in the spring. She figured by then she'd have enough of the house in order that she'd be ready to start on the garden.
Even though it wasn't ready yet, walking in felt like coming home.
"Oh wow!" Cedric breathed when they turned onto Poppy Hill.
The house was definitely noticeable from a distance. The renovators had done an amazing job with the house. Even better than Hermione had expected them to. They had added on scalloped siding, which was painted like Hebridean black scales. Black at first glance but as the light caught it it shimmered a rich reddish-purple. The molding was a beautiful indigo and there were gold-colored accents to really enrich it.
The doorway was set in and that had been painted a bit brighter with orchid to teal pillars and the door was painted in similar colors while still cradling the original iron and stained glass windows.
"Oh, have you had your picture taken yet?" Cedric asked.
"No, not yet," she said.
"Well, that's very important," they said, taking out their camera and hurrying back down the street.
Hermione smiled and posed while Cedric took her picture.
"Excellent," they said. "I'll print it with our trip photos."
Our trip.
Hermione unlocked the door and stepped in. She had already prepped the stairs and entry way for painting.
"I'm going to get my painting clothes on and I'll be ready to get started," she said, hanging up their coats in the closet.
"Sure, I'll get some music going and the paint set up," said Cedric. "Top to bottom or bottom to top?"
"Top to bottom," she said and carefully headed upstairs.
She changed into an old t-shirt and leggings. Her jeans just weren't fitting right after her trip. Probably all that rich food.
Cedric got a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy CD playing and was already working on trimming along the ceiling. Hermione grabbed a brush and went along the baseboards. Yesterday she had already stained the molding a darker color and carefully dried it with a spell.
By the time they worked their way down to the first floor, Hermione couldn't ignore her growing hunger.
"I'm going to order dinner," she said, casting charms around the open paint so the cats couldn't get into it. "How's Indian sound?"
"Sounds perfect," said Cedric. "I could go for some biryani."
Hermione went down to the kitchen and fished out the takeaway menu. Cedric followed and washed their hands in the sink.
"Do you want chicken or fish?" she asked.
"Chicken."
Hermione called and ordered in biryani for both of them as well as samosas. She gave them her card information and hung up.
"It'll be here in about forty minutes," she said. "Maybe an hour."
"Not ideal, but alright," they said and smiled. "You've got a bit of paint on your cheek."
She touched her face, trying to figure out where.
"Here." Cedric swiped her cheek with the towel. "Ah, that's dried."
"It's fine, I'll scrape it off later," she said and looked up at them. "It'd be moot, we've got the underside of the staircase to do. Lots to get done before Monday."
"Yeah, and then we get back to normal."
Monday… thinking back, how much time did she really get to spend with Cedric? Mostly first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. Most of the time they were off gathering research for their next scoop. It just seemed like they spent a lot of time together and now… it wasn't enough.
"Everything alright?" Cedric asked. "Do I have paint on my face?"
"A little schmutz," she said and turned away to get the cats their dinner. "Do you need to go feed George Slow-pez?"
"Nah, he's still in hibernation, but needing to feed him is a good excuse to leave a gathering."
"Fair point," she said. "Erm, the food is going to be a little while, let's try and get some more of these walls painted."
"Good idea."
"And… if you find it boring or tedious you can go home," she said.
"Nah, I don't mind," they said. "What's the alternative?"
"Something more fun than hanging out with me?"
They pulled her back against them. "Well, if you're looking for fun…"
She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Am I going to be expecting booty calls from you?"
"Depends, are we agreeing that booty calls can be made?"
"Not after eleven p.m.," she said, leaning into them. "And definitely not at work."
"Right, I'll make sure to schedule meaningless sex between six and eleven on the weekdays and seven to eleven on the weekends," they said.
"Probably better to just not, though," she said reluctantly. "We said we'd end it when we got back home."
They stepped away, leaving their hands on her hips for just a moment longer before removing them.
"Yeah, we did."
Before she lost her senses, Hermione jogged up the stairs and grabbed her roller brush so she could keep painting beneath the steps. Don't get involved. Like they said it was meaningless and she had to keep it that way before she ended up hurt.
What were her lines again?
"Are you upset?" she asked.
"Nah," they said. "We had fun, but you're right. Better end it and just be friends without benefits."
"Unless you want to get on my dental plan," she said.
They laughed. "I'll think about it."
Soon enough, the food arrived. They took it to the living room and sat at the coffee table. She didn't get any furniture yet, so they sat on the floor to eat.
"Mimi?"
"Hm?"
"We'll be friends, right?" they asked. "No more fighting?"
"I'll always find something to fight about," she teased. "But yeah. I like being your friend. It'll be nice to have someone to watch scary movies with."
"Why do you like scary movies?" Cedric asked. "I would think after the war the last thing you'd want is blood and suspense."
She shrugged. "You'd think so, but no. I just find them fascinating, exciting, and entertaining. If it's good, it gets your blood pumping and if it's bad you can have fun making fun of it."
"Yeah… exactly," they said. "I wonder how we'd gone so long without knowing how much alike we are."
"Different social circles," said Hermione. "You know, for having the name 'The Golden Trio,' Harry, Ron, and I were very unpopular. I always wondered how you had so many friends."
"I had great hair and didn't know how to set boundaries," they said. "I'm much happier with the handful I have these days, even if I don't get to hang around them all that much."
"Good point." Hermione took a bite of her samosa. "Mm, Harry's are better. Apparently, his grandmother left a cookbook and spice box in the Potter vault. He's cooked every single recipe."
"Good thing he does cook," said Cedric. "Luna burns water. I've seen faer do it. If fae hadn't married a man who can cook, fae would have starved by now."
Hermione chuckled. "I grew into my cooking skills. Maybe you can stop by once in a while. No fun cooking for one."
They smiled. "I'd like that. I'll cook for you, too. Just promise I can use that amazing kitchen. I mean… double ovens! You can cook two things at two different temperatures at once!"
She chuckled. "Well, I couldn't get the AGA, it wouldn't fit, but I think it's better to have the cabinet space under the stove anyhow. I can keep the baking sheets and soup pots there."
"Excellent idea."
After their food settled, they got back to it and finally finished the walls along the staircase and in the entryway as the sky lightened to dawn. A spell was used to quick dry the paint and funnel the fumes out the front door.
Hermione stepped onto her porch and breathed in the cold morning air. She lingered and watched the sky lighten from grey to pink.
"We probably should have spread the work out over a couple days," said Cedric.
"Probably." She yawned broadly and stepped back into the house. "Oh, I wish I had the money to install a lift. And, listen, you're welcome to lie down too until you feel up to apparating. I don't have a guest bedroom yet but under the circumstances…"
"Probably a good idea," they said. "Don't want to splinch or end up in the wrong flat. Er… I don't have a change of clothes…"
"I think I have one of your t-shirts," she said. "And a pair of pajama bottoms."
"Ah, I was wondering where they ran off to," they said.
Hermione smiled and beckoned them to follow her upstairs.
~o0o~
Monday came too quickly. Cedric had stayed most of the weekend and had painted the most beautiful tree along her stairwell. It had a white trunk and leaves of pink and purple and it just filled her with such happiness as she passed it on her way downstairs.
They had planned to start on the living room next week, but she promised Luna and Harry she would take Lily and Teddy this week so they could celebrate their anniversary. Hermione wanted a bit of time with her godson anyway before he had to return to school the following week.
She made it to work early so she could set up the coffee station. No point in redecorating; they were going to move to Diagon Alley in a month or two anyhow.
Nobody else had arrived yet, but that was normal. Thankfully, the desk arrangement had been made the same, but now there were five desks as opposed to three. Quarters would be tight, but hopefully the workload would be a bit lighter.
They also had their new computers. The monitors were all different colors and she had the fortune of being given a purple one. The modem casing was clear and showed off the Elestial Quartz that helped them run around such high concentrations of magic.
"How cool," she murmured. No keyboard though.
She looked at her desk and saw a note.
Please wait until the tech arrives to set you up with your password.
Ah, makes sense. Hermione put her office supplies in the proper place.
"Good morning."
She looked to the door and smiled. "Morning, Cedric. Our computers are here."
"I can see that." They set their purse down on the counter and took out some snacks, non-dairy creamer, sugar, and their coffee mug. "I'm cooking tonight if you feel like stopping by."
"I'd love to," she said. "What are you making?"
"Chtitha batata," he said. "It's a potato based stew."
"Sounds wonderful!"
They smiled. "You look lovely today."
"Oh, thank you." She looked down at what she had put on.
She wanted to remind everyone just who she was and had gone with a suit. She wore a grey satin button down without a tie, the slacks were pinstriped as was the waistcoat, except the back panel of the waistcoat was a scarlet red. She kept her hair wrapped up in a black, grey, and red tichel and wore her two-toned oxford heels.
"Coffee?" they asked.
"Please. So I take it Tabatha is our fifth?"
"Yeah, I saw her yesterday. She's officially joining us here."
"Good. We should try and get everyone together this week. Not Thursday though, I have Teddy and Lily-Gin. I'm taking them furniture shopping with me."
"That sounds fun," he said.
"Yeah."
Cedric glanced up as someone entered the office, their expression morphing into bewilderment.
"Er…"
Hermione turned around to see two people, one of whom she had never seen before. He had light brown skin, curly black hair, and kind, dark eyes. Next to him was her twin. Literally her twin, Paulina. Paulina was a ball of sunshine as usual and had dressed to reflect that. She wore tangerine-colored wide-legged trousers, heels made out of leather scraps of different colors, a chartreuse turtleneck, and a fuchsia biker jacket. She accessorized with a boldly patterned head wrap that left her curls piled up at the top of her head, big-hooped earrings, round pink-wire glasses that took up most of her face, and bright blue lipstick.
"Huh!" said the man with her, signing as he spoke. He had a New Zealand accent in both spoken and sign language. "I thought you were lying about having a twin."
Paulina grinned. "Nope!"
Hermione gathered her thoughts.
"You don't have magic!"
"Aww, so nice to see you. How was your journey, I missed you Paulina!" her sister said out loud.
"I might be excited if I knew you were in the country!" Hermione huffed.
"But then I wouldn't get to see that look on your face!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, then hugged Paulina tightly. She really did miss her sister. She stepped back.
"You ugly!" she signed.
Paulina snorted at their old joke.
"And who are you?" Hermione asked the man.
"Aroha Ngatai-Margolis," he said. "I'm Paulina's assistant/translator. I'm a wizard."
"Nice to meet you," said Hermione, looking at her sister.
"I've been working with magic-users for a while," said Paulina. "In the last three years, we pioneered magic technology!"
"Cool." Hermione glanced at Cedric. "This is C-E-D-R-I-C. My friend."
Paulina lit up with interest and took a step closer.
"Hi," she said.
Cedric blinked rapidly. "Er, hi. I'm Cedric." They tapped the letter C to their heart. They hesitated, then tapped their closed fists together before pointing their hands in opposite directions. "I'm nonbinary. I go by they/them."
They finger-spelled 'they' just in case.
"It's okay if you refer to me as a man though," they finished. "I won't get upset."
It occurred to her that they weren't officially out. She wondered how many knew they were nonbinary and tried to think of who used their preferred pronouns aside from her and Luna. And of course there was the fact that she wasn't supposed to know, but if asked she could always say she heard Luna use their preferred pronouns and didn't want to be rude.
"Nice to meet you," said Paulina. "Got a girlfriend?"
"Er…"
The door to the office opened and Luna entered. Faer eyebrows shot to faer hairline. It was rare for Luna to be taken by surprise.
"Luna, meet my sister," said Hermione.
By the time Shaylyn and Tabatha arrived and were introduced, it was discovered that Paulina and Aroha were basically on loan from a M.A.C.U.S.A. Department stationed in California. They had been tasked with modernizing the wizarding world and since Paulina was a skilled engineer privy to magic, she had been given the job along with a necklace that would allow her to get anywhere in the magic world. They weren't likely to stay longer than three months, though there was the possibility they would be permanently transferred if the computers went well.
"Please tell me you have accommodations," said Hermione. She loved her sister, but didn't want to scramble to get a room ready for her.
"Yeah, we have flats," said Aroha.
"Hey Granger." Cormac leaned against the doorframe. "Missed you while you were gone."
Hermione groaned softly and turned to her sister.
"Don't speak to C-O-R-M-A-C. He's a pig."
Paulina made a face and turned around to see who she was talking about. Cormac looked confused.
"Two Grangers?"
"My twin sister. Paulina," said Hermione.
Cormac grinned and strode into the room, practically shoving Aroha aside so he could place his arms around both women.
"Twins, eh? I must be in heaven!" He looked at Hermione. "By the way, where's my souvenir?"
She pulled a rock she found on her way to work out of her pocket and handed it to him. He seemed elated until he realized what it was.
"A rock."
"Yeah, there might be something inside," she said, stepping away and pulling her sister with her. "You should go find a hammer to break it."
"Aww, I'm starting to think you might not like me very much."
"Nooo…" she gasped sarcastically.
"Your sister seems fun," he said. "Maybe I'll try to wear her down instead."
Hermione pointed her wand into his face. "Touch my sister and they'll have to scrape you off the walls!"
Wrong move. He smirked as if he had won something.
"I knew that'd make you jealous. I'm amazed you haven't even kissed me yet."
Urgh! Hermione stashed her wand away and plunked down at her desk. There was no winning with him!
"I'm exhausted," she muttered. "What time is it?"
"8:05," said Cedric.
She whined and face planted her desk.
Today was going to last forever.
"Cormac, run along," said Cedric, coldly. "We still have to set up our computers and you're distracting us from the task at hand."
Cormac grew a touch paler and skirted around him, trying not to let the room know he was scared of them.
"Just making friendly conversation, Diggory."
Cedric hummed disbelievingly and placed Hermione's coffee by her elbow.
"Here," they said, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. The touch was brief, but she was comforted. "Aroha, Paulina, we're ready for the lecture."
She thanked them and tried not to shut down. It was too much. Once again, she was struck by the temptation to quit. To run away. Was it even worth it to stay? In all the times she remained, she never once walked away. She stubbornly kept at it, but now it all felt like she was just bashing her head against a brick wall. Again and again.