Chapter 6: White lies
Percy felt like he and Hermione were finally making some progress. Not only had the young woman accepted his ring, she had also sent him a small smile in return. It was the first smile he'd provoked in her and he found himself replaying it over and over in his mind as he suddenly seemed unable to think about anything else. He kept remembering Hermione's flowery scent and the softness of her skin against his lips, as he kissed her hand in the garden. His heart kept fluttering every time he replayed this magical moment and he caught himself doing so constantly, neglecting his work in the process. It was very out of character. Even when he had dated in the past, he did a very good job of keeping his personal and professional life separate.
His ability to concentrate decreased even further when he got Hermione's note, requesting him at her parents' house the following evening for dinner. Of course, he'd known that he'd do so eventually, as he had promised to support his fiancée when she explained the circumstances of their marriage. She'd warned him that her parents would not take it kindly which was understandable, even without the fact that they were muggles. The resistance against the Marriage Law was also existent in the magical world and not a few witches and wizards had left the country to escape it - muggle-borns and purebloods alike. Would the Grangers ask Hermione to do the same? And would she agree on doing so? The thought alone made his stomach clench with sorrow.
No matter how unusual the circumstances were that led Hermione to him, he didn't want to lose her. He was actually quite surprised that he liked her. More than just as a compatible partner but emotionally. Sure she was stubborn about all this but that was understandable. It was nothing when compared to the way she made his stomach flip, how she always kept him on his back foot. It was interesting and while it unnerved him sometimes, Percy couldn't help but be fascinated. For once, he felt like there was suddenly someone close to him, who could understand and appreciate his intelligence.
Most importantly, she didn't care what anyone thought, unlike him. Her existence was her own, not bothered by the constraints of society. Percy wondered how much easier life must be that way, or harder depending on how you look at it.
Percy felt like he'd won the lottery only to have to fear now that he'd be robbed as soon as he made his next step. He knew it was a stupid comparison, as this woman didn't belong to him or anybody else, and yet he felt like she was his jackpot.
Hermione would hopefully be his wife, she was his fiancée already.
"I'm nervous."
Hermione's voice was barely more than a whisper and yet there was no chance of him to miss it, as all his senses were focussed on her these days. Again, his fiancée looked beautiful tonight, even though she was casually dressed in jeans and a blouse. Percy felt a little overdressed in his suit, but then again one could never be dressed too formally when one planned on asking one's bride's parents for her hand. Or maybe he could be. He researched Muggle customs as best he could but the wizarding books on the topic were outdated and the modern books were hard to get on such short notice. What if he looked like the stick in the mud his siblings always accused him of being. He swallowed against the lump in his throat.
He wanted to make a good first impression on Hermione's parents and here they were, his nervous fiancée standing at his side, about to ring the doorbell. And he promised, "All will be well," even though he had no chance of knowing that. But he'd do his best to make his words true.
When Dan Granger opened the door only moments later, Hermione was greeted with a hug that lifted her from her feet, the "Hello, Poppet" murmured into her hair.
"Hi, Dad!" Hermione smiled happily at her father, the adoration she had for him clearly visible in her eyes. "This is Percy," she hastily added, motioning in his direction. "He is… we are…"
She didn't get to finish her sentence, as Hermione's father already turned towards him, offering him his hand. "Dan Granger," he introduced himself and Percy nodded, accepting the handshake and said his name in return.
"Weasley, huh?" The man looked at Hermione with a frown. "Didn't you have a friend with that name?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, that's right."
"Ronald is my younger brother," Percy quickly added, trying to look neutral. "It was his wedding she attended two days ago." He felt petty for pointing this out, but the need to clarify the situation had been too great to not say anything, in case they suspected Hermione's and Ron's brief history.
Dan Granger nodded. "I see. Well. Come on in then. Emma's almost finished making dinner. I hope you like steak and wedges."
Percy nodded, even though he knew he probably should have told them that he wasn't very fond of eating red meat. He did so whenever he was at The Burrow, knowing that his mother wouldn't like it if he picked on his food. He could also do it here, with Hermione's parents. Today would be difficult enough without him refusing to eat the dinner they served.
Soon they were all seated at the dinner table, Hermione to his left and her parents across from them at the table. He could feel their curious glances on them, but only when they'd all taken their first bites, did Emma clear her throat, asking, "Now Percy, I assume there's a reason our Hermione brought you here tonight for dinner?"
He carefully chewed down his meat before he smiled at her, answering, "I believe she wanted me to meet her parents and I, too, was looking forward to finally making your acquaintance."
"You did?" the woman asked, smiling at him.
"Indeed. You see, Hermione and I are…" He didn't finish, remembering Hermione's dislike of being spoken for. Instead he turned to her hopefully. "Did you want to tell them or should I?"
Hermione sent a small smile before she exhaled and placed down her fork.
"We're engaged, Mum."
Percy winced as her father's mouth dropped open. "Oh?"
"Yes. In fact, we're getting married pretty soon. I'm so sorry there was no time to tell you before now, but I'm happy. I would like you to take this chance to get to know Percy."
Percy blinked, confused by Hermione's hand that suddenly came to rest on top of his on the table. This was not the plan. They were supposed to tell her parents about the law. He had planned to answer questions. He had pamplets!
But all those thoughts disappeared when the candlelight flickered, catching on Hermione's hand. It clearly displayed the ring he'd given her and automatically all eyes were pulled towards it, Hermione's mum gasping as she saw it.
"Oh, Hermione!" her mother gushed, crossing her hands over her chest. "I can't believe you're getting married already. I always assumed… well, you never brought home any boy to introduce to us and now you're suddenly sitting next to this handsome, polite man and all I wish is that I could have been there to witness the two of you fall in love."
He winced internally, knowing that they'd destroy that illusion as soon as told Hermione's parents about the law. But before Percy could even start explaining, Hermione gripped his hand a little tighter, saying:
"It was all very unexpected. Percy and I have known each other for years, of course, and from my very first day at Hogwarts, I couldn't help but admire his dedication to his studies and his intelligence. For a long time, I was too distracted to see his other qualities, though, and so it's only been after the war that I…" Hermione paused, sending him a loving smile that made his heart stutter. He could almost make him believe it. "That I realised how good we could be together."
So much for asking her parents' permission, Percy thought. All the books had been very clear on that. He knew of course that Hermione's little speech was nothing but an act. Often enough he'd manoeuvred his way through the snake pit that had been the Ministry during the war by telling lies and half-truths. It was what had kept him alive during that time and therefore he saw the signs in Hermione. He just had no idea why. Why had she suddenly changed her mind and therefore the plan? Was she coming around to the idea and not wanting to start him off on the wrong foot with them? And what did she want him to do or say now? Was he to act like the loving fiancé? What was the plan?!
"We're so happy for you!" Emma Granger declared, her hand reaching for their entwined hands. "To find someone who doesn't only match your intellect and drive, but also to be able to do magic as well! Oh, you two! We couldn't be happier for you. And of course, we'd be most happy to attend your wedding."
Dan Granger, who'd been mostly silent through all the conversation, finally jolted as if kicked. He quickly nodded. "Welcome to the family, son," he now said, reaching for his wife's shoulder. "I most likely don't need to tell you what a gem you've found in our Hermione. She had a heart of gold and even though those Granger women can be little lionesses sometimes…" He grinned at him, leaving the end of the sentence open for interpretation.
"Believe me, sir. I know how lucky I am," Percy said with practised ease, smiling in Hermione's direction." I never dared to hope I'd be able to win Hermione's affection."
The other man grinned. "But here you are…"
For a moment there was silence and Percy feverishly wracked his brain for what to say next. This wasn't how this conversation was supposed to go and therefore all lines that he'd carefully prepared in the endless hours of musings were completely worthless. Instead, he was suddenly flying blind and he hated it.
"You of course already have a date and I suppose a venue as well," Hermione's mother said, relieving him of the need to say something himself. "Oh, how I would have loved to help pick your dress."
"You still can," Hermione answered shyly. "You see… Since I've been so busy with the war and finding you there wasn't much time to pick a dress or decide on a place to hold the wedding. I know it's very short notice now but Percy has already prepared a folder and if you'd like…"
"Of course!" The answer came promptly and in the form of a squeal. "We could take a look at that folder right after dinner. That is, if Percy doesn't mind us doing so."
Percy shook his head. "Not at all." In fact, this would be a much more pleasant way to spend the evening than trying to convince Hermione's parents to let her marry him in the first place. Yet he couldn't help feeling confused about Hermione's sudden change of strategy. He was, however, entirely willing to follow her lead, particularly if it made this all easier on her. "After dinner I could quickly apparate to my flat and get the folder for you, if you'd like."
"Yes, please," Hermione answered, the smile she sent him making his intestines perform a cartwheel. He was aware that all of this was only an act, that she wasn't really attached to him in the way she let her parents believe and yet, the desperate, greedy part of his heart longed to believe she was, that all of this was real. And perhaps it was, if only a tiny bit. Maybe one day, there would be a moment, where they happily sat at the dinner table, telling this story to their kids while they lovingly held each other. His breath caught, barely registering the joke Dan had just made. He actually wanted this, ministry mandate aside. He wanted a life, with her, with happiness. A life with family and children. With her. It was time to start working to make it so.
ssssssss
"Why didn't you tell your parents the truth?"
It was much later that Hermione and Percy were back at Percy's flat, both of them sitting on the sofa, two glasses of red wine on the table. Percy had poured them without even asking her and Hermione found that she was grateful for the alcohol, knowing that the conversation that had to follow wouldn't be an easy one.
Hermione sighed. "You know I wanted to. But suddenly I found that I couldn't. I know I was being a coward but they were so happy to see me bringing home a boy and getting married, of all things… I couldn't snatch this happiness from them, I just couldn't."
Percy sat next to her in silence, staring at his glass on the table in silence. "I told you I'd always respect your decisions and I meant it, Hermione. If this is the path you want to take, I'll take it with you and play along. But I hope you're aware that we'll have to put on a show for everybody now. Your parents will be at the wedding and they'll expect to see a happy couple, not two people following a law."
Hermione closed her eyes in dismay. She'd brought this over herself, she knew, and now she either had to continue this charade or to confess to her parents that she'd lied to them, again.
"I know. And I'm sorry that I put you through all of this. This wasn't fair to you. I'm not normally this cowardly or spontaneous."
"At least we have decided on a venue and a date. Now we only need to plan the menu, make a guest list, pick out the wedding bands and decide if we actually want to go on a honeymoon. You also still need to pick a wedding dress."
Hermione grimaced. Percy was right. It would only be a little more than two weeks until they were getting married. "I am incidentally very grateful for your folder. My mum will happily help with some of those, I'm sure. She already announced we'll start searching for a wedding gown tomorrow. As for these other things…"
Percy sighed, taking the glass of wine from the table. "How about we have a glass of wine first? Afterwards, we can start putting together the guest list so that we can send out the invitations as soon as possible. Everything else we can tackle bit by bit."
There were a couple of answers coming to her mind, but in the end, Hermione settled for, "Good, very good," and she meant it. Because no matter how much she still struggled with the Ministry's decision to pair her with Percy, right now she was glad to have him at her side. He, very much like her, was nothing but efficient and together they would quickly work through the task still lying ahead of them. Planning a wedding with someone like Ron would have been a nightmare.
Still, Hermione knew they'd probably be busy planning until the day of their wedding. Time would pass much faster now that they had a long list of things to do. She couldn't decide if that was a good or a bad thing, but she realised that she wasn't as defensive towards Percy as she'd been a few days ago. That had to count as some sort of progress, right?