Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.
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A/N:- Thank you to LadyWinterlight, for her beta work on this chapter, and to everyone for their reviews and alerts. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, and I am sorry that my posting schedule has gone out the window this last year, life has been a bit unpredictable for me.
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Chapter Eight – Emotions Run High
The next few days went by in a blur for Hermione. She spent most of it away from everyone, and actually considered moving to Grimmauld Place for a while, but then realised that isolating herself was not healthy. However, after a couple of days, she did make the discovery that Ron had disappeared at exactly the right moment, because everyone, well, everyone except Ginny —and even she didn't know the details of Hermione's after-graduation encounter with Draco—interpreted her mood as worry over Ron's whereabouts, not that she was missing Draco, and she did nothing to correct them.
Certainly, Draco had given her some hope, but she did not know if that hope would ever be realised, and it was tearing at her, especially when their fevered coupling continued to echo around her brain constantly. Having no occupation was a serious issue as well, especially for someone like Hermione. She was so used to studying every waking moment that it was weird not to have anything to do.
However, with the new week came her reading list from Professors Vector and Babbling, but this posed another issue. Whilst it finally gave her occupation, it was extensive, and she wondered how she would afford the books she did not have, but tried to put that to the back of her mind. She settled down to reading the ones that she did have, and tried her best to shut the rest of the world out.
Then on Wednesday afternoon, it was with a great amount of trepidation that she paid the promised visit to Narcissa Malfoy. She did not tell anyone where she was going, and as she approached the house the fleeting thought passed through to mind that she may not have exactly been smart in doing that, but she trusted Draco, and she continued up the front steps. She knocked and was admitted into the same entranceway that Draco had apparated them to on Christmas night last year.
Today, however, it was not dark and closed up but light and bright, and Hermione thought it very lovely. She was led into the parlour where she was greeted by an enthusiastic Teddy.
"Miss 'Mione," he cried, abandoning his toys and running to greet her.
Hermione scooped him up and hugged him. "Hello, sweet Teddy," she said, hiding her head as emotion swamped her as more scenes from last Christmas came to mind along with images of caring for Teddy with Draco.
Andromeda rose from her chair and came to collect Teddy. "Hello, Hermione," she said, squeezing her arm. "It's good to see you."
Hermione settled the emotion within herself, and she replied, "It is good to see you too."
Then Narcissa was beside her sister. "Miss Granger, it is good of you to come," she stated genially.
"Thank you for inviting me, and please call me Hermione," Hermione replied.
"Then please sit down, Hermione," Narcissa said smiling. "How are you coping with not studying?" her hostess asked as the tea service arrived.
"I found it difficult until the list for my summer reading arrived on Monday. Now I'm managing a little better," Hermione told her, smiling.
"Oh, I see," Narcissa replied. She handed Hermione a cup of tea, and inhaled to speak once more as they settled down to their tea. "Do you have a sponsor?" Narcissa asked suddenly, seeming to abandon her Slytherin guile and speaking plainly.
"Umm, do I need one?" Hermione questioned, blinking, her cup rattling a little on its saucer, at the unexpectedness of the question.
"And what about accommodation. I heard that there are no lodgings for apprentices at Hogwarts at present," Andromeda added.
Hermione placed her cup down all together. "Yes, you are correct, they are unable to offer me lodgings. I am planning to live at The Burrow… I have been invited to live there," she corrected.
"I see," Narcissa replied. "Will that be a suitable place for someone with such a heavy study load?"
Hermione inhaled deeply before answering. "I suppose it is not ideal," and then she thought of her circumstances with Ron. Would they still want her around if she was not with Ron? However, that was when she scolded herself. The Wealseys are a lovely family. They would not turn you out, but it might be incredibly awkward, she thought.
"And are you still affianced to the youngest Weasley son?" Narcissa inquired, seeming to read Hermione's mind.
Sighing, Hermione shook her head. "No, Ma'am, I returned his ring before the beginning of our Hogwarts year," she admitted, and then everything started to tumble out. "We were… attempting a second chance… but I cannot forgive him for disappearing before graduation, and without a word to me, it was the latest in a long line of... Let's just say that he has taken me completely forgranted once too often... I w-want other things… Regardless of what Molly Weasley wants." Saying this made her mind leap to Draco, and she looked at her lap to hide the blush that rose up her cheeks.
Andromeda's hand came forward and covered Hermione's. "May I tell you something about Molly, Hermione?"
Hermione glanced up and gave one nod of her head. "Give her an inch and she takes a mile," and she watched Hermione nod.
"Oh," she gasped. "Yes, I can see that," but then she fell silent, and she missed the look that passed between the sisters.
"I may be in a position to propose an alternative," Andromeda added, squeezing Hermine's hand gently.
"You can?" Hermione spluttered. Hermione had come to trust Andie's judgement over this last year.
"Yes, I can. You can live with Teddy and I."
"I could?" Hermione smiled. "I think I'd like that, but do you have enough room. No doubt, the rooms that were attached to yours last term have now been reorganised. Hogwarts had a rather disconcerting habit of changing. Whole rooms appearing and disappearing.
"Only one has," Andie said. "I've convinced Minerva to leave your rooms minus the other bedroom attached. It might be a little strange living in your old room, and it annoys me that those two—Vector and Babbling—are leaving you hanging like this," and she huffed out a breath. "However, it is of no matter, Minerva knows that if I'm to retain my post at Hogwarts I will need a second pair of hands there with me. What do you say?" The sisters watched Hermione for a time before Andromeda added, "And it wouldn't be like you're doing it on your own. Both Harry and Draco have put their hands up for time with Teddy as well, and Molly would still be taking him as she was last year, but I'd value you there with us. If I'm called out to do my job in the middle of the night, I can leave without worrying that Teddy is alone, and conversely, you have easy access to Hogwarts for your apprenticeship."
Hermione wanted to say yes, but she didn't want to upset Molly either, and what if Astoria came with Draco, she couldn't deal with that either. "Would that mean Ginny and Astoria as well?" she asked tentatively.
It was Narcissa who answered, and her voice was as cold and haughty as Hermione ever remembered it. "That blonde airhead is not getting anywhere near my nephew. Miss Weasley has her mother's care and regard. I watched her with Theodore… Teddy," she corrected herself, "after the graduation ceremony," she continued. "It is apparent that Teddy is as fond of her as he is of you. However, he cannot stand Astoria Greengrass," and she reached forward and gave Hermione a significant look. "Actually, I intend to see that she does not get her painted talons into any male in my family."
"Oh!" Hermione gasped, understanding Narcissa's words to mean Draco as well. She smiled. "Then, yes," she said. "Yes, that sounds like the perfect place for me."
"Excellent," Narcissa said, relaxing back into her chair and picking up her cup.
"You know that they're a couple, don't you?" Andie said unexpectedly, her eyes narrowed. "They've got a whole set of vacant quarters between them that you could use."
Hermione's eyes bugged slightly. "Who? Professors' Babbling and Vector?"
"Yes," Andie replied tapping the side of her nose with her finger. "Teacher's insight," she chuckled, seeming unfazed by the whole thing.
"A c-couple…" but then she thought about it a bit and nodded. "I suppose I can see that." She picked up her cup and took a sip of it. "I guess they don't want people to know, which is why they keep both quarters."
"Yes, most probably," Narcissa put in sniffing distastefully. "There is nothing wrong with homosexuality, but people should stand up and be counted for what they are."
"Yes, it's a waste having two sets of quarters," Andie stated.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I suppose it is, but perhaps they're worried about what parents might think. It is a school after all."
Andie squeezed Hermione's hand before letting go and picking her own cup up. "Too true," she agreed.
"I did wonder near the end of term how you were going to manage Teddy this coming year, but now I can see that you had it all in hand," Hermione said happily.
"Yes, Ted has to be my first priority."
"It's understandable."
They drank their tea in silence for a moment before Narcissa commented, "Well, I am pleased. This has worked out well for everyone. Securing you in some way to the house of Malfoy was very important to me."
"Securing me?" Hermione gasped.
"Sponsoring, my dear. I want to know that you are taken care of." She glanced at Andie, and then added, "Neither of us are blind, Hermione."
Hermione simply spluttered.
However, before she could answer, without warning the door of the parlour opened and they heard Astoria's arrogant voice saying, "But I want to show her these new sketches for the table decorations, Dracie, she can't be that busy."
Draco hated the witch's latest nick-name for him, and his eyes narrowed. "Mother gave explicit instruction that she did not want to be disturb…" but his voice trailed off as soon as he looked into the room. "Hermione," he gasped.
"What's she doing here?" Astoria demanded, her hands instantly going to her slender hips.
Narcissa's eyes narrowed dangerously and she stood with the aid of her stick. "I will entertain whomever I wish in my home, and I will not answer to you. Hermione is my guest, and you will treat her with respect."
Astoria scowled and hit back, knowing exactly how to wound as she sneered at Hermione. "But she's a Mud…"
"You will not say that word in this house," Narcissa challenged curtly, turning on Astoria with a downright frosty expression on his face.
Teddy ran to Andromeda with his hands over his ears. "Nanny, no fight," he cried as Andromeda picked him up. Astoria often disagreed with everyone.
Hermione took in the scene and rose from the lounge, a quiet dignity settling around her. "Don't trouble yourself, Ma'am, I have no wish to cause anxiety," she said, and turned to leave. "Thank you for the tea, but I think I had best go now."
"Will you return tomorrow perhaps?" Narcissa asked. "We haven't finished speaking yet."
"Thank you, but I do not think that would be wise," Hermione said sadly, sliding a glance towards Draco and Astoria, who were now glaring at one another hatefully. She had been enjoying talking to Narcissa and Andromeda until Astoria had arrived, and she really wanted to know more about what Narcissa had in mind, but she could see that it was not going to work.
Hermione turned and started towards the door, but before she'd managed to get there, Astoria's wand arrived in her face. Now, Hermione knew that hexing someone whilst a guest in a house was not a wise move, but she was not going to put up with the blonde's rudeness either. "Miss Greengrass, I would lower your wand if I were you," the Gryffindor witch advised.
"Or what?" the blonde socialite said, sneering nastily.
Hermione stood her ground, instantly snapping back into war-mode.
"Astoria!" Draco warned angrily.
Astoria slid irate eyes to Draco. "No, you want her, you don't think I'm blind, do you? So, I'm going to teach her a lesson."
Hermione's wand slid into her hand. "Do not threaten me, I've lived through a war. I've faced down much worse than you," she stated.
"Right. Did you break a nail or something?" Astoria snorted.
"Astoria, you've biting off more than you can chew," Draco said. "Back down. I've seen what happens when Hermione gets angry."
"Shut it, Dracie. I'm going to use this slut as a warning to every witch of what happens when they meddle with what's mine."
Hermione cocked an eyebrow. "You really are stupid. Go on, try your best," she replied, standing ready to retaliate.
Whatever spell she'd been going to use had only started to form on her lips when Hermione's spell hit her.
"Multi-apis aculei," the Gryffindor witch hissed and a blast of magic left her wand and surrounded Astoria, as a buzzing sound filled the parlour.
The younger witch crumpled to the floor screaming as the spell hit her, and Hermione turned and started walking again. She stopped at the door and turned back. "My apologies, Madam Malfoy, Andie. I hope Teddy isn't too upset," she said, and she was surprised to see Narcissa smiling at her.
"No apology is necessary, Hermione. We will meet again soon, my dear."
Hermione nodded in acknowledgement of her statement, as Andromeda followed her to the door. "Teddy calls her 'the bad lady'," Andie whispered. "She deserved that. I'll be in touch soon too," she told Hermione, and they glanced at Astoria, as they heard her screaming for Draco to do something.
"What would you have me do," he replied in the same bored tone that Professor Snape used to use. "Your situation is entirely of your own doing, only an idiot challenges Hermione Granger," he said watching Hermione bidding Andromeda and Teddy goodbye. "But you wouldn't be told," and he turned and followed Hermione out the door. "Hermione?" he called.
She stopped just before the front door. "Yes, Draco?"
He walked straight up to her and pulled her against him. "She chose the wrong witch to make an example of," he said chuckling, but then he sighed. "It's so good to see you," he murmured into her hair, holding her tight.
Hermione wanted to stay in his arms, but she pulled away. "It is good to see you too, but I don't think we should do this here." She really did hope that they could find a way around it, and not just because she wanted them to find a way out for him.
"Please don't allow her to chase you away," he told her, his hands coming up to cradle her cheeks as he rested his forehead on hers.
"I don't want to cause you trouble…" but her lip quivered. She was so intoxicated by his nearness she was almost drowning in him.
Merlin this witch is perfect, she's mine, Draco thought as he tried to continue to think rationally. "We're still working on the problem, I will never give up, Hermione."
"I know you won't Draco," but she pulled away completely. "It's best that I go," and she opened the door and slipped out, trying not to see the devastation on his face that matched the tear in her heart.
xox
When she arrived back at The Burrow, she was happy she had not splinched herself getting back. She was also thankful that there was no one around, because by the time she'd reached the house she was so angry she was shaking.
Back at the townhouse, Narcissa—who had watched the interaction between Draco and Hermione in the entrance way—walked out and pulled her son into a hug. "You love her," she murmured as he collapsed against his mother's offered comfort.
It was not a question. But Draco couldn't speak; he nodded.
"Then, we'll get there in the end."
"Yes," he whispered. "I never thought I'd find love, and now I have…" he shrugged.
"I'm sorry, son." Narcissa encouraged, "but, right now you need to make up with that odious witch in the parlour before she has Hermione arrested on some trumped up charge for defending herself."
Draco sighed heavily, and wiped his eyes. "Yes," he agreed. "You're correct. Thank you, Mother," and he turned towards the parlour with a heavy heart.
Narcissa watched him go, and she saw Andromeda and Teddy coming out.
"Horrid girl," Andromeda said, as she closed the door behind them.
"Mmm," Narcissa agreed. They walked into Narcissa's private lounge and closed the door. "I wish Severus was still here," she said softly, as she reached out for the Floo powder.
Neither witch noticed a tiny wisp of magic disappearing up the chimney like smoke as Andromeda spoke.
"Cissy, is there something you want to tell me?"
Narcissa eyed her sister astutely. "And you call yourself a Slytherin," she replied, tutting.
Andromeda snickered. "Oh, I know exactly how mister dark and deadly used to float your boat… Are you telling me that he still does?"
A look from Narcissa confirmed Andromeda's comment. "Oh, Cissy, and you're not quite divorced yet."
"Well, Lucius had his diversions," and she shrugged. "I had mine."
Andromeda shook her head. "Do you know definitively that Severus is dead?" she asked. "After all, to my knowledge there was no body found."
Her lips thinned. "Draco must be our priority at the moment…" she said, and it was obviously a change of subject.
"So, what are we going to do about Draco?" Andromeda asked, glancing down and noticing that Teddy had dozed off in her arms. She sat down as Narcissa smirked at her.
"I'm not worthy of the title Slytherin if I can't find a reason to halt this wedding altogether," and she turned towards the Floo and spoke clearly. "The office of Garrison Ollivander," Narcissa replied, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Your divorce lawyer?" Andromeda gasped.
"Yes, it's time to see how he's going with digging dirt," Narcissa said, her smirk growing. "If I can help it that vacuous bitch will never marry my son. He is destined for greater things."
Andromeda cackled again. "A certain Muggle-born we both know?" she said, arching a dark eyebrow.
"She is the most powerful witch of her generation, and besides, they deserve their happiness after everything."
"And you just love pulling Lucius' chain," Andromeda replied, her laugh increasing.
"Why Andie, how could you think such a thing?" Narcissa declared haughtily, but then her expression turned sly. "But if it does, all the better," and saying this, she turned to the fireplace. "Good afternoon, Garrison."
Andromeda left her to it, and took Teddy home for his tea. The Greengrass family were never going to know what hit them.
xox
Thinking that there might be something else for her was not going to make it happen, and over the next few days Hermione decided that she should embrace what she had and try to at least rationalise her obsession with Draco.
However, whenever she thought about allowing Ron anywhere near her again, a stone dropped to the bottom of her stomach. It was not because he'd abandoned her, it was because now she'd been with Draco once—as rushed and frenzied as it had been—it had spoiled her for anyone else. Therefore, on Friday, when there had still been no word from Ron, and Molly's answer was to send a howler to her son demanding that he come home by Sunday lunch as she wanted all the family present, an owl flying through the kitchen door was a godsend.
It landed in front of Hermione, and she recognised Andromeda's hand-writing. "It's from Andie," she confirmed on opening the note. "She would like me to come over to her house. Do you need me this morning?" she asked Molly, also glancing at Ginny sitting across from her.
"No," Molly said. "You go, it will do you good to get out. You've had your nose buried in books all week."
"Okay, thank you," Hermione replied, and left the two Weasley women talking while she got up and walked to the Floo. "The home of Andromeda Tonks," she said, and walked into the fireplace as it flared green.
Walking out at the other end, she braced herself to catch the boisterous little blue-haired boy hurtling towards her. "Hello, Teddy. How's my little man?" she asked, wrapping him in a tight hug.
"I is good, Miss 'Mione," he told her, winding his arms and legs around her.
"Hello, Andie," she said over Teddy's shoulder as she carried him back over to his toys.
"Hermione," Andromeda replied, smiling at the picture they made.
"Have you settled into the summer hols," Hermione asked, taking the seat opposite her friend at the kitchen table, and watching her pouring coffee into the mug she accioed from the cupboard.
Andromeda sighed. "Yes, but the inactivity is bothersome."
Hermione snorted into her mug as she took a sip. "Yes, I know exactly what you mean."
Andie's hand came across the table. "Hermione, Cissy and I are very fond of you, and I can see that being at The Burrow is not ideal for you. I was wondering if you might like to move in here with us?"
Sighing, Hermione placed her coffee down. She picked up a biscuit from the plate and nibbled it thoughtfully. Finally, she glanced up and sighed again. "Are you certain that wouldn't be an inconvenience?" she said with yet another sigh.
"Certainly not, and if you end things with Ronald..."
"Yes, you're correct," but she didn't finish her sentence and took another nibble of her biscuit. "I have to square things with Ron first though."
"That would be the honourable thing to do, but Hermione; he took off without giving you that consideration."
"I know," and Hermione nodded. "But I want things to be clear between us, and especially for Molly."
Andie sighed. "Yes, that is probably wise. When will you see him?"
"Molly has demanded that he come home for Sunday lunch."
"Then perhaps you had better be prepared. Molly is not going to take it well; she has yearned after you and Harry as partners for her youngest children for a long time."
"Well, she'll get Harry willingly. He and Gin make a wonderful pair, but I'm not putting up with the treatment Ron thinks is acceptable… In any aspect of my life."
"You stick to your guns," Andie advised. "And know that you're welcome to move in here any time it suits you. Here," and she handed Hermione a set of keys, and laughed at the look on her face. "Yes, it took a long time for me to get used to keys, but I've found that in combination with wards it makes for a wonderfully secure home."
xox
A surly looking Ron duly turned up for Sunday lunch, but he appeared to be in quite a snit and gave little explanation of his whereabouts other than he'd been busy with Quidditch. He said nothing to Hermione, but kept giving her furtive looks when he thought she wasn't watching. Of course, this didn't faze stream-train Molly, and by the time they'd made it to desert her chosen subject had reared its head. It was the reason that she wanted everyone present; she wanted to talk about weddings.
Molly instantly pinned both Harry and Ginny to a wedding date in the first weekend of August, but they were willing participants, and she was just about to continue, looking at Ron and Hermione when George spoke up.
"Angie's knocked up," he blurted.
"What!" Molly gasped. As overjoyed as she was at the thought of another grandchild she still went into a tailspin. She ran around the table and embraced both of them, but then declared, "Well, you have to get married."
"Steady on, Mum," George replied.
"No, you must get married. No Weasley babe will enter this world under a cloud, and besides you're already engaged so we'll just bring the wedding forward."
George was about to protest again, but Angelina took his hand. "No, my parents will say the same thing, Georgie," and George sighed in defeat and just accepted it.
Molly nodded her approval, and said, "You and Angelina can take the first weekend in August, Harry and Ginny can move to the date in September, and," but she was cut off by Ginny protesting.
"But, Mum!"
Molly gave her daughter a fierce look, and the young woman didn't say anything else, as Molly looked at Ron, and then Hermione sitting further up the table. "Then we'll talk about a date for you, Ronnie dear… for you and Hermione."
"What?" Ron suddenly gasped. "Mum, w-we're nowhere near ready for that yet," he told her, suddenly becoming very opinionated.
Hermione glanced at him and saw that he'd paled. "No," she agreed. "I for one want more of an explanation before I will even start entertaining friendship with Ronald," she said looking up the table at him. "Let alone marriage."
"What?" Ron snapped. "What have I done to you?"
"You truly don't know?" Hermione snapped, her eyes narrowing as she glared at him. "You've got to be kidding," she all but yelled at him. "You didn't even tell me you were leaving before the graduation ball… Then there was no information after that for almost two weeks… and you ask what you did?" she asked incredulously.
Molly laughed airily. "But it will be fine. You'll forgive one another. It's all going to be fine," she blustered on.
"No, Molly," Hermione said through gritted teeth. "I'm sorry, but I do not think it will ever be 'all right' as you suggest. I do not deserve to be treated as Ronald has treated me. Please excuse me," and getting up, she left the table.
"Ron, go after her," Molly urged, but as Hermione walked out she heard Ron reply, "Sod her, I was only doing her a favour, being interested. I don't need her now I've got no homework to do," he stated sulkily, glancing towards Hermione's retreating back to make certain that he wasn't about to get soundly hexed, but she kept going, and he realised that he had a bigger problem in front of him anyway.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, that's an awful thing to say," Molly cried. "Arthur, do something," she demanded.
"What would you have me do, Molly? I agree with Hermione, Ron has treated her very badly, and he's just done so again."
Molly gasped, but Ginny flew at her brother. "You absolute sodding prick! Were you only with 'Mione so she'd do your homework?" she hissed at him.
"Yeah, very bad form, little bro'," George told him as Angelina nodded in agreement.
Harry was next to voice his disapproval. "Bloody hell, Mate, that's an awful thing to say. What's wrong with you?"
Only Bill, Fleur and Percy remained silent, but they wore disapproving expressions, and it was obvious that they were not happy that Ron thought that his behaviour was acceptable.
By then Ron was on his feet, he knew he was outnumbered, and cornered, and he decided that bolting was the best option. "Well, screw the lot of you. I don't need any of you," and he stormed out of the yard and apparated away without answering any of their questions about his behaviour, leaving his shocked family and friends behind.
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Notes:-
Multi-apis aculei = Many Bee-stings
