This is the biggest bloody chapter I've ever written in my life! I think this is a turning point in this story, so even though it doesn't feel like much may have happened, our characters are beginning to question themselves and their feelings and that's a big step. I also had loads of fun writing Hermione's parents and hope to God you all love them as much as I do! Despite all of this, I don't think I'm 100% satisfied with this chapter, I've taken over two weeks to update because I had to start from scratch at least three times because nothing felt quite right.
If you can, please share with me your thoughts on the chapter and everything that happened in it, the good and the bad. Detailed reviews, please, guys!
Chapter Six: The Granger's
"Your friend is your board and your fireside, for you come to [her] in hunger and you seek [her] to have peace." - Khalil Gibran
Hermione had left bright and early for the bookshop and Harry couldn't help but think that she was avoiding him after the "incident" last night. He'd spent a good hour calming Albus as he cried, begging him to forgive his father in whispers, caressing the boy's raven locks and time and again repeating that no, he hadn't forgotten about mum. He decided to prepare a treat of pancakes for the children this morning, in the hopes that the sugar would help to cheer Rose and Albus up and keep them from sharing looks and staring at Harry with suspicion as they were now...
As he hummed an old muggle tune while he flipped a series of pancakes Harry thanked Merlin, that at least James, Hugo, and Lily were completely oblivious to him snogging Hermione last night and were acting perfectly normal, James and Lily the most excited for their visit to the castle ruins. Hermione's parents would be here at any moment and Harry didn't even know how he'd be able to look at and shake Laurence and Helena Granger's hands after being inappropriately intimate with their daughter the night before. Butterflies somersaulted in his stomach just at the thought of last night and he recalled the warmth and the delicious taste and texture of Hermione's lips and tongue against his. Not a part of him regretted it, but he did feel guilty for upsetting the children and his best friend herself. Hermione had always been there for him, the two of them fighting and sticking together—countless times Hermione had sacrificed her own happiness and well-being in order to support him. Harry honestly wondered to what extent last night's events had been true attraction and desire between them, or if it had just been Hermione trying to make him feel better. His heart ached because he felt like he used her, took advantage of her unfaltering friendship and loyalty. In a way, he was relieved that she'd be at work most of the day because he didn't think he could face her yet.
Harry had just served the last batch of pancakes to Hugo who had inherited his father's voracious appetite when the red front door flew open revealing the two Granger grandparents, dressed effortlessly elegant as ever, Helena having put her mop of gray curls up in a messy up-do, curls framing her smiling features beautifully. It was amazing how Hermione looked like her mother, although his best friend's height, grace, and mannerisms had been inherited from her father. The children abandoned their meals, even the Potters, and ran to engulf the older couple in hugs while Helena made sure to kiss each one. Seeing them was always brilliant, but it still brought a slight pang to Harry's heart because his children would never be able to run into the loving arms of his own parents and when he thought of Lily and James Potter—the firsts—he always thought of them being a lot like the Grangers, except his father would certainly be a terrible influence. He couldn't help but smile wistfully at the thought.
"Good morning, Harry, love," Helena said as the children scattered about once again, some running upstairs to finish getting ready and brush their teeth as Mr. Granger ordered and others sitting down again to finish breakfast. She kissed both of Harry's cheeks before sitting down while Laurence gave Harry a pat on the shoulder, shyly uttering a 'hello' and kept busy by clearing the table from plates, mugs, and cutlery. "I see the kids are awfully excited for our little adventure today..." trailed off.
"It's all they've been talking about, Nell," Harry told her as he put a spell on the dishes in the sink to wash themselves. He saw Helena chuckling at this.
"I wish I could do that!" She exclaimed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "I was wondering if you're still up for having dinner at our's tonight?"
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world!" This comment brought a huge smile to Helena's face and she shared a look with Laurence. "Have you said anything to Hermione, yet?"
"Oh, it's fine Harry, that daughter of mine will take any opportunity to escape the stove!" Harry chuckled at this knowing it was perfectly true. Hermione wasn't the most enthusiastic chef, but no one could say she wasn't efficient and successful in following a recipe from the numerous cookbooks in her kitchen, but with the busy schedule she had between the bookshop, the kids, and her research, the least of her priorities was cooking, not when there was the possibility of takeout, dining out or Nell Granger's good graces.
"How have you taken to Tenby, Harry?" Laurence asked after a while, a dishcloth now hanging over a shoulder as he leaned against the kitchen counter. That moment Lily and Hugo came running back in, the girl's bright ginger curls all over the place as she plopped into the lap of Granny Nell as she called her, the older woman wrapping her arms around Lily who leaned back into her tenderly. Harry wasn't blind to the fact that his children were completely smitten with the Grangers, just like he knew Helena was in love with his three children as she tickled Lily's side and pecked her on the cheek, calling her sweet baby. Hugo was now leaning against his grandfather, his head of ginger curls leaning against his side as he quietly listened to the conversation.
"It's honestly lovely here, Laurence, the beaches, and the colorful houses, the neighbors. I think it's a lot more inviting than London, obviously, and of course we all have been having a great deal of fun, isn't that right, Hugo?" The boy nodded and smiled at his uncle, brown eyes identical to those of his mother's shining brightly.
"Uncle Harry, when are we leaving for the castle?" He asked quietly. Harry chuckled and ruffled his hair.
"Hopefully now, as soon as your sister and cousins come back down." The boy nodded.
"Well, it is a lovely place indeed. After Helena and I lived in Australia that time, we really grew attached to the ocean and having that view. It has such a calming and peaceful effect, I think, just by watching the waves crash into the sand... When we returned to England after Hermione, came for us," Harry noticed the subtle hint of lamentation and sadness in the older man's voice, "we missed it, a lot. So when we finally were able to retire we started looking for places to live by the ocean here in England, Helena refused to even look at places in France, she didn't want to be too far from Hermione you see, especially with Rose and Hugo being so small and everything... We've unfortunately spent too much time apart as it is." Harry nodded, understanding Laurence's words, imagining himself living so distant, physically and emotionally, from his children. He shuddered at the thought.
"And how did you come across Tenby?"
"We were in Cardiff for my cousin's 40th Wedding anniversary celebration and we decided to take the opportunity to travel about. We hired a car and spent a wonderful few days on the road, each night in a different town and different bed and breakfast, until we finally got here and instantly felt like not leaving." Mr. Granger explained with a little smile. "It's funny because we had never stepped foot here and felt like we had walked these same streets before, that it was where we belonged. Isn't that right, love?" Helena nodded.
"I told Laurence I had the same feeling and that same morning we found a small real estate agency and bought our home."
"Where is your home, exactly?" Laurence and Helena both smiled as they shared a look.
"Why, Harry, we live in the flat above Hermione's bookshop!" Helena informed him with a laugh, not believing that Hermione had forgotten to disclose that very important detail. "It's small and cozy, but perfect for just the two of us. To be honest, I wanted it so badly because of the shop below, I had this dream that Hermione would one day open her own bookshop here, it was her greatest desire as a little girl, before Hogwarts, that is." Harry smiled at this revelation and remembered the first time he had been to the yellow and stone Sea Otter Book Café, and how instantly he'd come to the conclusion that it was Hermione's own version of paradise. "When she and Ron broke up, she came here for the summer, obviously we said nothing to her about our intentions, but when she entered the dusty old shop, that very moment she told me, 'Mum, how much are you renting this for?'". Helena's eyes were teary as she recalled that moment, her daughter had been heartbroken at the time and no mother could stand seeing her child, big or smile, hurting in such a way.
"And she decided to stay." Harry completed, to which Helena nodded.
"It was rather bittersweet because we hadn't been expecting for things to happen in such sad circumstances, she was at such a low point because of the divorce..." Helena looked at the expression on her little grandson's face and came to a realization. She stopped speaking for a moment and Harry watched as her expression changed from one of sadness to one of joy and excitement. "...but that's all over now and everyone is so happy now! Rose and Hugo love going to school and to the beach, they can see Granny and Granddad whenever they want, Mummy is happy, the bookshop's beautiful and even your dad and Luna are happy, aren't they, Hugh?" The boy smiled at her words and nodded vigorously.
"Yes, Granny!" Laurence ruffled Hugo's curls and smiled down at him proudly. That moment the older kids came down, ready and excited to go. Rose held the front door open while an animated James pulled his dad by the hand and the Potters and Grangers made their way out of the blue row house, onto the cobblestoned street and went on their long walk towards the medieval castle overlooking the sea.
…
Three hours later Hermione was rearranging the books in the philosophy section when her phone vibrated in her pocket notifying her of a new message. Hermione checked it and saw that it was a text from her mother informing her that she was at the Castle with Hermione's father, Harry and the children and that afterwards, they would all have a big dinner at her flat upstairs. Oblivious to what had happened between her daughter and Harry, Helena Granger even sent her some pictures she had taken on her phone of the kids having fun, Harry and Laurence Granger trying to make the energetic kids stay still and look presentable. Despite everything, Hermione smiled wistfully at the pictures of them, the people she loved most in this world. The hours continued to drag on, the bookshop busy as ever, but despite Hermione's lack of 'spirit' today she had at least surpassed the day's sales goal before it was even lunch time.
At about 4 o'clock the shop was finally quiet except for a few people here and there quietly enjoying a coffee or a read, sprawled across the armchairs and window seats scattered about. Hermione was just taking a seat on the sofa in front of the large fireplace with a cup of tea of her own when she heard the door's bell ring announcing someone's arrival inside. A few seconds later she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Hermione turned to see who it was in surprise and sighed in relief when she saw the smiling face of, Regina Butterfield, who Hermione noticed was accompanied by Rose's teacher Louisa, a friend of Hermione's and a witch herself, standing behind her.
"Hermione, how have you been, darling? You've disappeared from our weekly meetings..." Regina admonished lightly with a knowing smile as she plopped down next to the bushy-haired woman on the sofa.
"Fine, thank you, Regina," Hermione said with a warm smile and an overly dramatic roll of her eyes. "And it was one meeting, you've barely had time to miss me!" She watched as Louisa took a seat next to her, as quiet as she always was and the two shared a smile. "Hi, Lou, haven't seen you in a while!" Hermione and Louisa pecked cheeks amicably while Regina tactfully cast a muffliato spell so they could have more privacy.
"I was at Hogwarts the past two weeks doing teacher's training..." She turned to her large handbag and pulled out a tin box not too different from the ones Hermione remembered seeing full of knickknacks at her grandparents' house. "Professor McGonagall asked me to pass these on to you." Hermione took it and thanked her graciously, resting the tin on her lap.
"Hermione—I've honestly been smacking myself silly the past few days!" Regina exclaimed changing the subject entirely, not too different from how Molly Weasley would. "I honestly must really be getting old... Can you believe I only connected the dots as to who you were, 1/3 of the golden trio, the brains behind You-Know-Who's defeat when I stumbled upon Harry Potter himself with his children and yours the other day? Honestly, I'm dreadful and I think on behalf of everyone in Tenby and the TMA I must say I'm honored to be such an incredible heroine's friend and neighbor." Hermione blushed profusely at Regina, who wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug, Louisa chuckled and just rolled her eyes at the woman's antics. She did notice however that Hermione's smile wasn't quite reaching her eyes today and made a mental note to speak with her about it in private later. The three women exchanged small talk and spoke of the events of the meeting for another ten or fifteen minutes when Regina checked her phone for the time and excused herself to grab her order of two cappuccinos and chocolate filled croissants to take home for tea time. She bid the two younger witches goodbye with a matronly kiss on each one's cheek, leaving Hermione and Louisa finally alone to talk.
Hermione waited for the door to shut behind Regina and turned to face Louisa hastily.
"Now spill, please." She urged, desperate to occupy her mind with something other than Harry Potter or any other Potters for that matter.
"Hermione, Professor McGonagall and I have been pouring over the reports and numbers you sent on the research the past few days. She received some information from inside the Ministry that they have been keeping an eye on Tenby the past two months. Regina could be receiving an Auror visit, or notification any day now on behalf of the TMA and I don't know what to do..." Louisa as of a year had been included in Hermione and Minerva McGonagall's research because as a native Tenbian she knew everyone in town and was always an active participant in the meetings and decision-making processes. As a teacher at the local primary school that catered to muggle, squib and wizard children alike, she was also often in touch with the families and had an insight that Hermione lacked when it came to the local family dynamics. "You know that in just a few months the members of the magical parliament and Wizengamot both will be casting votes on who will succeed Shacklebolt as Minister and you know as well as I do that most eyes are set on Theodore Nott and we both know he has a history of death eater relatives and he's not exactly a supporter of Shacklebolt's progressive reforms." Hermione sighed heavily at the thought. "You know, it actually makes me think that had you not left the ministry to come here you'd be Shacklebolt's successor, but honestly..."
"I don't want to even dwell on that, Lou. I am still young, there's plenty of time for me to return to the ministry in the future if I choose to when my children are older and in Hogwarts maybe. Merlin knows I receive invitations almost monthly..." Hermione trailed off with weariness. She grasped Louisa's hand and squeezed it as a gesture of comfort and comradery. "Lou, I dedicated an entire decade of my life to the improvement of the ministry and our world's legislation, I fulfilled every single one of my goals there and I'm proud of myself. I've told you time and again why I left, we've talked about this, and I don't understand why you keep bringing it up..." Hermione sighed and tucked a loose curl behind her ear, as she looked at the dark-skinned younger witch before her, so idealistic and full of energy, in a way that reminded Hermione of herself. Louisa sighed and was quiet for a minute but rolled her eyes, relenting.
"I'm sorry, Hermione... I've been really stressed with this news of the ministry finding out and I'm scared for our future and our lives. What if we are accused of, Merlin forbid, being traitors and are sentenced to Azkaban?" She had a look of pure terror in her dark eyes and for a moment Hermione pitied her. "I've been unable to sleep at night since McGonagall told me and of course I've been going through another issue too..."
"Louisa! We are not doing anything wrong, understand? We are researchers—you are a primary school teacher, I am a bookshop owner, that's all. Honestly, you shouldn't be losing sleep on this matter, not yet at least!" Hermione admonished, using the same authoritative tone she sometimes used with Rose and Hugo and even Harry and Ron as she recalled, especially in their school days. She felt Louisa relax a bit with her words and release a shaky breath. Hermione took her friend's hand in hers once again and squeezed it reassuringly. With her voice lower and more gentle she added, "I'll write to McGonagall tonight to see if she's been able to gain more information. We might have to let Regina in on this research of ours soon... Everything will be okay." Louisa nodded quietly and Hermione didn't mind that the Hufflepuff witch downed the rest of her lukewarm tea in one go.
Hermione smartly changed the focus of the conversation to the staff at Hogwarts and all the gossip that entailed. Louisa shared that Neville Longbottom replaced Pomona Sprout as Herbology professor and was smitten with the new American muggle studies professor, a gorgeous muggle-born named Melissa Redmond whose subject seemed to—in the first time in Hogwarts history—have a long list of young witches and wizards signing up for it, so much so that Redmond now has two separate classes for each of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th years and even convinced McGonagall of installing a computer lab and movie screen in her classroom.
"Hmm, Andromeda Tonks is still the charms professor but was recently made the head of Slytherin house as professor Slughorn is gradually lessening his responsibilities in preparation for his retirement. Padma Patil is teaching Potions to the first three years while she continues to be Slughorn's apprentice and Parvati was made the new divination professor as of September, not a big surprise considering the Patil twins are inseparable and they do say she is a true Seer."
"How great, a letter to Andromeda is actually long overdue. Is Parvati still with Dean Thomas?" Louisa nodded with a smile.
"They live at Hogwarts together and he opened his own art studio in Hogsmeade, they have a baby boy named Ravi, he's the cutest thing Hermione and is beginning to walk already..."
"That's a beautiful age," Hermione said with the shadow of a smile, "they grow up so fast, Louisa, I hardly believe Rose is already eight years old and Hugo's not my baby anymore..." Hermione pulled out her phone and looked at the time, brown eyes going wide. "Oh Merlin, Louisa, I have to close up shop now—my mum's expecting us for dinner in two hours."
"That's fine, Hermione. It was good talking to you, got a bit of the weight off of my shoulders, We've been so stressed out lately..." Hermione nodded.
"That reminds me, I didn't even ask you about Susan—how are you both doing? I noticed she's been awfully quiet these days..." Susan was the usually goofy and talkative business partner of Hermione's who for the most part ran the café. Susan with her bright blue hair and friendly dark eyes had with time become close friends and romantic partner to Louisa and now the two beautiful women shared a flat along with Susan's son Sebastian.
"Things are fine between us, but not so fine with her ex-husband—he's remarried, the bugger, and has filed for custody of Sebastian. Sue's been all tears the past week, but my older brother is a fantastic lawyer and has agreed to represent us." Hermione's smile fell with this bit of news and her heart broke for Susan who was so attached and devoted to her little boy. Susan was living every divorced mother's fear and private hell.
Despite her amicable relationship with Ron and years' long friendship with Luna that had strengthened during the time they were captive together at Malfoy Manor and then with the years after, there had been times where Hermione seriously feared Ron would take the children from her, especially when the fact that Hermione had been absent the children's early lives due to work weighed so much against her. Hermione had distanced herself from Ron after the divorce and she hated to admit it, from Luna as well after they had told her they were in love and intended to marry two years. It was just weird for Hermione to have her closest female friend marrying her ex and though she loved Luna dearly and supported their marriage, things did become a bit awkward between them. But four years had passed and they had never had trouble when it came to sharing time with the kids and Ron along with Luna had only ever been understanding and supportive. Hermione dreaded having to go through the same pain and fear Susan was probably experiencing and made a mental note to call her later and maybe pass by at her flat to give her a hug.
"If you two need anything you can count on me—please tell her that, Lou. If Susan ever needs any kind of support, be it a few weeks off, financial or I don't know, for me to testify on her behalf, anything, I'm here." Louisa nodded and hugged Hermione tight, happy to have someone on their side.
…
Hermione cleaned up with the handy use of charms and spells and in no time found herself locking up the windows and doors and walking back home. The sun was setting in the horizon coloring the people and houses in a warm orange hue. The wind carried the salty scent of the ocean and if she listened very carefully she could hear the waves crashing in the distance. She was worried now—about the Aurors coming to Tenby and the impending elections, about what happened between her and Harry last night and how her whole body ached to feel his touch again, but it was wrong in so many levels. She worried about what was now going on with Susan and the risk of her son being taken away from her... She felt the cold feeling of fear creep into her bones and heart, a feeling of insecurity that sometimes resurfaced to bother her peace and made her believe that for some reason she would lose her son and daughter to Ron.
The rational part of her brain assured her, most days, that there was no way her former husband would file for custody, not when he had Rose and Hugo for two weeks during summer break, during the entire spring break, and for Christmas up until New Year's Day. They'd also come to celebrate the birthdays on neutral ground, the Burrow, where all friends and family could be present and almost always allowed the children to attend the Weasley family events. During the school year, Ron had Rose and Hugo on alternate weekends, national holidays and he and Luna had them for the afternoon and dinner every Wednesday night, where Louisa herself, Rose's teacher, would apparate the siblings to their father's house. Ron and Luna were always invited to parent-teacher meetings and school events and not once had Hermione opposed to this, on the contrary. They were always friendly towards one another and it was quite nice to have other people to share the load and responsibilities with. Hermione couldn't think of an arrangement more suitable considering they lived in entirely different cities, yet sometimes her faith faltered, such as now.
She saw the lights were on in her house from the windows looking out to the street and smiled. After the day she had all she wanted was to hug her children tight and take a nice long bath in her tub, to wash the worries away. Before she could even reach the door handle to enter the door open wide and Hugo and Lily greeted Hermione, all smiles, almost knocking her over with their overly enthusiastic hugs. Despite the combined weight of two five-year-olds she managed to lift them up and not snap her back and snuggled them tight, kissing each on the forehead.
"Oh, I missed you two today..." She said, as she put them down and Lily pulled her by the skirt inside while Hugo ran back upstairs mumbling God knows what.
"'Mione, daddy doesn't know how to braid my hair..." Lily complained, "and Rosie doesn't know either, even though she is a girl." Hermione chuckled and plopped on the sofa, kicking off her shoes. She motioned for Lily who was already dressed for the Grangers' dinner to bring her the comb and stand in front of her and thus she began to lovingly comb the girl's bright ginger hair, being especially careful when untangling the knots. When she finished she divided Lily's hair into three parts and began to neatly braid her hair. In the end, Hermione conjured a black velvet bow to tie the end of the braid and admired her job well done.
"There you go Lily, you look beautiful." Hermione complimented and the girl wrapped her little arms around Hermione's neck and thanked her, pressing a peck on Hermione's lips which surprised her. It was something so small, yet very intimate. Hermione remembered pecking her own mother's lips as a little child and doing the same with Rosie, although a little less now since she was a self-declared big girl and of course Hugo once in a while. "What was that for, Sparky?"
"Thank you, aunt 'Mi." She said and skipped away happily.
Moments later, as she was still buried in the sofa trying to find the courage to get up and get ready to leave Harry strolled in, smelling as nice as ever having put on some cologne and looking smart in dark trousers, leather black dress shoes and a dark blue sweater with white button-up underneath. She noticed how his hair was charmingly longer, hovering just below his earlobe and how utterly handsome and manly he looked with those black-framed glasses and his new beard. Hermione unconsciously bit her bottom lip and couldn't help but stare, brown eyes wide, appreciating the view. Harry wasn't oblivious to her reaction and chuckled in embarrassment, something that called her back to her senses after which she blushed heavily and looked away.
"Do I look good enough?" He asked, impishly and Hermione rolled her eyes knowing that he knew very well that he did, but just wanted her to satisfy his ego a little more.
"Ugh Harry, you're such a Leo sometimes..." He smiled at those words, the little lines that had begun to appear at the corner of his eyes beginning to crinkle even more, which made him even more attractive if that was even possible.
"Go get ready Hermione, we're due at your mum's in a half-hour... And you smell like a monkey." He added with a playful grin. He was the silly Harry who along with Ron would pester her all over again and Hermione found that she had really missed him. She practically jumped off the couch and playfully attempted to hit his arm at his words—which he would usually direct to the children who weren't excited for bath time and so even tired the way she was she was chasing after him around the living room, both of them laughing their heads off, cheeks red and chests heaving. He finally stopped, right in front of her desk where Perdita the owl was now perched and witnessing, a soft 'hoot' escaping her little beak and he held her by the upper arms in front of him, her curls wild and beautiful and eyes bright with mirth. Harry realized his heart beat heavily in his chest and it wasn't due to the running, but rather because of her and because of the way she made him feel alive again.
"Mummy!" They heard Hugo's calling from all the way upstairs, "Mummy, I can't find my shoes!" the boy yelled and both adults seemed to snap out of their little moment and suddenly Hermione was blushing profusely and trying to rearrange her hair.
She pulled her wand out of her skirt's pocket and uttered Accio blue crocs and suddenly the shoes appeared from different parts of the house and she grabbed them into her hands from thin air. She looked into Harry's green eyes, briefly, with what looked like apology and longing, before she turned around, her hair almost touching his face and went up the stairs to hand the boy his shoes and get into her shower.
Harry, on the other hand, stood there like an idiot, as though he'd almost been stupefied. All day he'd been dreading the very sight of her, but now, he realized, being with Hermione was just about all he wanted—to feel her touch, hear her loud and unapologetic laugh, her sarcastic comments and to see happiness and desire for him in those big brown eyes. It was a strange and utterly frightening realization—because in the over twenty-three years that Harry Potter had known and been friends with Hermione Granger, this was the first time in his life that he'd felt something entirely different and new for her and as wonderful as it seemed, it also scared him shitless.
…
They arrived at the Grangers' flat twenty minutes late through the floo that they surprisingly had functioning in their fireplaces and Laurence immediately gathered the children around the coffee table in the den, where muggle board games had been set out as well as chips and snacks inside ceramic bowls. As he read the instructions to Candy Land for them, Rose and Hugo knowing how to play it already, the children started playing and for the most part, it was all giggles and one or other accusation of cheating.
Harry had found himself in the kitchen, helping Helena Granger with the salad while Hermione had been given the task to set the table, which she did the muggle way, each fork and knife laid out with precision. Mr. Granger turned on his old record player and some very good blues music—Eric Clapton, Hermione said it was—sounded around the joint living and dining areas. Laurence popped a bottle of Chilean cabernet open and served a glass for each of the adults. Finished with the salad, Harry decided to find something to busy himself with before they all had to gather around the table to eat. The boeuf bourguignon was still cooking on the stove and Helena was putting the finishing touches on the dessert, treacle tart, which was Harry's absolute favorite. She informed him that she also had ice cream for the kids in the freezer as well and the only thing left to do was cook the rice. Harry volunteered to do it and chopped some garlic without the help of his wand in tiny pieces before throwing it into the designated pan which already had some cooking oil. He let the garlic fry until the strong and savory smell spread throughout the room and the pieces were golden, before throwing in the rice, giving it a little stir, throwing in a good amount of salt and finally adding the water and the lid.
Helena put away the desserts and turned to Harry with a knowing look in her eyes, not too different from how Hermione would look at him sometimes.
"Harry—how long will you all be staying here again?" Harry paused for a moment, not exactly knowing because it wasn't something he and Hermione had discussed or even decided upon. But they were definitely now entering their second week of stay.
"I'm not sure, Nell." He said, remembering how earlier in the day she had insisted with him to call her by her first name or nickname, rather than the too formal Mrs. Granger. "At this point, I just hope we're not extending our stay too much, as to not disturb Hermione and the kids' summer..."
"Oh don't be silly, Harry," She said, waving her wooden cooking spoon in the air for dramatic effect. "I haven't seen Rose and Hugo this happy in a long time, Hermione too. Your presence here has been doing her worlds of good. Hermione has plenty of new friends here and has managed to make her life as busy as possible—you know how she is—but I do think the thing she missed most after moving here was your friendship. She told me, you know, 'Mummy, Harry is my best friend, he's the only person besides you who I can trust with anything, even my life'. Hermione said that you know, those words exactly and if I hadn't given your relationship it's proper importance before, I did from then on... She was only fifteen. Being her mother it was quite scary—from the moment she met you in 1st year you became one of the most important people in her life... You know, her father and I were very surprised when she restored our memories and introduced Ron Weasley as her boyfriend to us, we always figured it would be you." Helena turned around and made to be slicing some baguettes to make into bruschettas for the entrée and spreading some olive oil on top.
And then she continued as Harry checked the rice for enough water: "I liked Ron Weasley, don't get me wrong. He was handsome in his own way and that sense of humor of his..." she smiled endearingly as though she were remembering a specific joke of Ron's, "It was so funny how clueless he was about our muggle way of life, and I cannot complain about his parenting skills—he was a wonderful father from day one, especially since in those days Hermione was almost never home and domestic chores were far from her list of priorities. Ron held everything together admirably, I don't think even Laurence would be able to do what he did... But what I mean to say is, we had expected her to bring you home, Harry, because it seemed in those days that you were all she cared about—you were the center of her universe. Obviously, we didn't have much of a grasp that it was because of a war and an evil fascist, nazi wizard raging on and with designs to kill you—that we learned of later, much later." Helena turned to look at Harry whose brows had furrowed with her words, trying to understand what Helena Granger was trying to get at. "I don't think Hermione noticed at the time just how much she loved you, because sometimes that kind of realization comes later when one takes the time to process things... I know that she knows she loves you, but I don't think she's grasped at just in what way exactly she loves you. When her marriage ended, that was when she came to the realization that she loved Ron, but at the same time didn't love him how she should as his wife. It wasn't like how I love Laurence, or say, Juliet and Romeo loved each other, or, like Elizabeth Bennet loved Mr. Darcy or like how Helen of Sparta loved Paris of Troy so much she gave everything up for him... It wasn't like that, because that's how her father and I always thought she loved you." Helena Granger's brown eyes were gleaming with a fiery passion, with an unwavering belief in all of this information she had just dumped onto Harry, who stood there dumbfounded, trying to process her words. After a long moment of silence and the smell of burnt rice permeate the air, Harry rushed to pour more water in the pan before it was too late, while Helena watched him, equally dumbfounded that she had just shared all of that with Harry.
Harry faced the stove with his eyes locked on the pan of cooking rice that had almost been ruined, emerald green eyes startled and confused. What on earth did Mrs. Granger mean? His head began to ache all of the sudden and he gulped down the contents of the wine glass Laurence Granger had poured for him earlier, unable to face a madly blushing Helena.
Seconds later, she herself having downed her wine all at once she approached Harry and placed her soft hand on top of his on the counter, brown eyes looking pointedly into his.
"Did you understand what I said, Harry?" She asked and it was in that precise moment that Hermione walked into the kitchen wearing the elegant high-waisted black pants that were wide on the legs, black shirt tucked inside, it's sleeves having been pushed to Hermione's elbows. She wore deep red lipstick and simple diamond stud earrings—simple and yet mesmerizingly gorgeous as always.
"Understand what, mum?" Hermione asked, completely oblivious for a moment, thinking it was just idle chatter that had been taking place... Until she saw Harry's expression and furrowed her brows. "Mum? Did you break Harry?" She asked, trying to crack a joke and lighten the mood, although the hoarse chuckle that followed wasn't all that amused.
Harry's eyebrows unfurrowed that moment and heat suddenly rose up to his cheeks which turned a bright crimson. Suddenly Hermione noticed his chest suddenly heave and vibrate and she realized he was silently laughing until he wasn't silent anymore. Helena looked at him as though he had grown a second head for a moment and soon Hermione had cracked a smile, feeling slightly tipsy already because she'd just consumed her third glass of wine and soon she was laughing heartily and she grabbed Harry's arm to keep her balance. Helena took a step back, and the laughter of the two was infectious, she didn't want to but found herself laughing as well until tears spilled from her eyes.
When it all died down and Hermione was still clutching her stomach because it had hurt so much she shared a look with Harry who pointed his chin to her mother and with a gesture of her hand asked why on earth they had been talking about in the first place.
"Your mum said you love me." Hermione's amused grin faltered and she looked at her mother with questioning eyes.
"Mum, don't be silly, it's no secret Iove Harry—just like I love you, and dad and the kids..."
"Oh don't you be daft, Hermione Granger—the three of us know it's not simple love like that." Hermione glared daggers at her mum and before she could utter any words towards her that she would most likely regret later, Laurence Granger entered the kitchen that moment, rubbing his belly dramatically.
"Is dinner ready?" He cried, turning off the stove because the rice was ready as well as the boeuf bourguignon. "We're all starving back there..."
…
After they had all sat around for all four courses of dinner including dessert and the children were all passed out in the den, Laurence and Helena insisted upon doing the dishes the muggle way after both Harry and Hermione had insisted that a simple spell would save them time and trouble. In the kitchen, Hermione's parents whispered to each other, Laurence insisting on wanting to know why dinner had suddenly become such an awkward ordeal—and why Hermione had glared at her mother during the entire meal. When his wife told him he shook his head in utter dismay.
"You shouldn't have said a thing, Helena... You and that daughter of our's have this terrible tendency to overstep and get into other people's business." He hissed, in exasperation as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Maybe it wasn't the best way to do it, I admit, but it'll make them think, Laurie—and hopefully discuss." Laurence rolled his eyes.
"What if you're wrong, what if they don't love each other like that? Don't you forget that until a year ago Harry was happily married and he would have continued to be so had his wife not passed away..." Helena huffed and rolled her eyes.
"I never said he didn't love his wife, Laurence—I'm just saying he's always loved Hermione too and she's always loved him."
"You're a hopeless romantic, woman. Your head's sometimes so much in the books that you seem to forget this is the real world and maybe, just maybe, they love each other only as just friends."
"Then how do you explain the mark on her neck?" Helena pointed out, as she looked at home pointedly, a hand on her waist and a brow raised with a smug reaction. Laurence's eyes went wide for a moment, trying to remember if he saw any strange mark on his daughter's neck and frowning.
"Maybe a vampire bit her?" He asked suppressing a laugh, a second later and Helena swatted him forcefully with a dish towel.
"Don't be thick, Laurence!" She exclaimed, shaking her head and cursing him under her breath as she went back to her dishwashing, while he dried and put the dishes away in the cupboard.
This chapter turned out so long that I think I deserve a whole lot of Reviews ;)