Kicking the Habit
"Professor McGonagall! Madam Hooch! Katie! Cho!" Hermione exclaimed as she hugged each of them in turn. "Please come in! Ginny's just getting dressed. We, and by we I do mean Ginny, got of to a late start. Let me show you to the sitting room."
Hermione had a switch, of sorts. She couldn't help but play the perfect hostess when she and Ginny had guests. These particular guests brought out that "perfect hostess" flaw to its extreme. Ginny, however, was always herself, regardless of company of location. She had a strength of character that refused to let her act different simply because someone was in her house. In Ginny's mind, a person in her house had no right to tell her how to act. They were there because they were her friend. If they had a problem, they should leave. Besides, to Ginny, playing perfectionist would only put the guest on edge.
"Do you like the house?" Hermione asked happily. The group nodded.
"It's such a great size! Not too small but still manageable," Xiomara Hooch remarked.
"We do love it," Hermione answered. She began tapping her foot impatiently. Why is Ginny taking so long? Hermione wondered. "I do apologize for Ginny's taking so long. I really expected her to be quicker than this."
"It's fine. I think we're a little early, anyway," Cho laughed. "Really, calm down."
Hermione forced another smile. "If you'll excuse me a second," Hermione rose from her chair and strode to the hall. "Ginny? Darling, do hurry! Our guests have arrived, after all!"
"Just another second!" Ginny answered with a hint of anger in her voice.
Hermione sighed angrily. She turned quickly and smiled again, "The tea should be done soon. And, as you heard Ginny, she'll be just another second."
"Hermione, it's us. We're all friends here. Relax. Sit down. Breathe." Katie said.
With a forced smile, Hermione returned to her guests and sat down. "Sorry if I seem a tad distracted."
Ginny walked calmly down the hallway, clearly not rushing despite Hermione's prodding. "Sorry. I'm running a little late," Ginny half apologized. She kissed Hermione on the head and flopped down onto the couch next to Katie just as the teapot whistled.
Ginny appeared not to notice that Hermione had stood after the teapot whistled seeing as she didn't rise as well. Ginny smiled contentedly, "How is everyone?"
"Ginny!" Hermione whispered harshly. "Get up. You're supposed to help with the tea!" Hermione looked around at her friends assembled around her. Realizing that she had lost her composure, she forced another smile.
"Oh, don't make her get up! She just sat down. Besides, look how comfy she looks," Minerva said laughing as she stood up. "I'll help."
Hermione forced a brighter smile and led the way to the kitchen.
"Do you see what I mean?" Ginny whispered to the others as Hermione and Minerva left.
The others nodded, looks of concern plastered on their faces.
"I do thank you for your offer to help, but Ginny really could have helped. She's been lazing around all day," Hermione laughed, despite her anger, as she walked to the stove.
"well, I also wanted to talk to you," Minerva confessed. "You seem… upset. Jumpy. Nervous. High strung. Different. Are you okay?"
Hermione again forced a smile. "I'm fine, honestly."
Hermione met Minerva's eyes and Minerva seemed to stare through the facade. Hermione suddenly feared that Minerva was using Legilimency and had learned about Hermione's dependency on the calming potions.
Hermione cleared her throat and broke eye contact. She busied herself with setting the tea tray with cream and the sugar bowl. "If you could get six cups?" Hermione asked, nodding in the direction of the cupboard. Minerva hesitated before moving to the cupboard and rummaging for the teacups.
Hermione looked up and, watching Minerva carefully, removed another two vials of her potion from her robes. She uncorked both and quickly downed one. "And saucers?" Hermione asked upon noticing that Minerva was placing the fifth cup on the counter.
Only Minerva's distinctive bun was visible due to the rather wide cupboard door. Seeing that Minerva had nodded, Hermione seized the opportunity. Quickly downing the second vial of the Draught of Peace, Hermione began tidying the tray and making room for the cups.
"Are you sure you're okay, Hermione?" Minerva asked as she set each teacup and saucer on the tray with a unique clink. "You know that I know when something is bothering you. I know when something is wrong. You can't hide it. You can trust me, all of us, if something is wrong. You just need to take the first step and tell us."
"Bloody hell, Professor! I'm fine! Nothing is…" Hermione brought one hand to her head and used the other to steady herself with the counter. "I don't feel too well, Pro…"
Hermione shivered and faltered in her step. Her eyes rolled back into her head and her legs buckled beneath her.
Minerva gasped but quickly slip to the floor and caught Hermione's head just before it violently hit the floor. "Ginny!" Minerva yelled, fear evident in her voice.