Chapter Forty-Four: Settling down
Hermione and Severus settle into married life. A new Veela enters the scene.
(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.
(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me through the writing of this tale. I am so sorry for all the time it has taken in posting this chapter. Your patience has been amazing and your continuing reviews are so appreciated.
Once the three days of Yule were concluded, Hermione relaxed into something closer to normalcy. The parties and formal dinners were over, at least until the Ministry's New Year's Eve ball and then, Imbolc.
She hadn't realised it consciously, but as she prepared her work for her final projects and tried to narrow down exactly what areas she was going to write on in relationship to her growing awareness of Hogwarts, it began to dawn on her that what she really needed to do was stop and actually take stock of the alterations she had made so rapidly in her life. From the end of the last year, to this, she had transformed her identity, her place and purpose in society and in many ways, her beliefs and understanding of how the world worked. She's been forced to re-evaluate almost everything she had known in the previous eighteen odd years of her existence. It was frightening.
Severus of course was a perfect sounding board; he too had had to completely alter many of his previously held beliefs and notions.
Thus, they both made a conscience effort to settle down, to make the fortress of Ryde something more than an elegant abode and instead, their home. They would need time, but this they finally had, and they were eager to take the opportunity they'd been given to put down roots. Hermione, especially was keen to feel as though their new home at Ryde was an integral part of their new life together, just as the Malfoy's Manor had come to be since the end of the war, and as Hogwarts was and would always be.
"We'll go away in summer," said Hermione, returning to the conversation she'd been having with Severus. She was lying on their bed, watching Severus as he meticulously tied his cravat before they headed down to dinner. "We could go help Luna set up her research in Crete, then explore further." She sighed and turned to lie on her back so she could gaze once more upon the painted ceiling of their room. "Are you very disappointed?"
Severus finished his toilette and sat down beside Hermione. "No, I understand and appreciate how much you've taken on with your final-year project and becoming Chatelaine. These aren't small responsibilities. We have a lot of work ahead of us, both of us. Wanting to go away was just a thought. I've not really travelled privately, for pleasure, my whole life. I just brought up the topic in case you felt I was neglecting you with my need to head back into work-mode so soon after our binding."
Hermione smiled up at Severus. "We're both workaholics. We'll just have to accept that fact."
They smiled at one another, in perfect accord and perfect unity. It felt good to feel her connection to Severus so deep inside of her that it would hold true for all time.
Harry smiled as he entered the ballroom for the Malfoy's latest little gathering. He found if amazing that he was attending a Malfoy party without arm twisting. Hermione and Severus weren't even going to be about to ensure he did his socialising, he was here because he wanted to be. Harry shook his head, still trying to get his head around how different Hermione was, now that she was bound to Severus. Her whole personality had distilled until she was a being of sheer joy and confidence. He'd never seen her so happy.
He nodded to people and moved towards the far end of the hall. He'd come to appreciate having time to get the lay of the land before embarking on social interaction. He'd barely reached his chosen spot when a house-elf materialised, tray of chilled champagne flutes in the offering. He'd come to love the Malfoys' excellent selection of fine wines. This was something he'd never experienced until the spate of parties where having Malfoy wine and champagne was the height of elegance and sophistication. All he'd had before then had been butterbeers and the occasional illicit firewhiskey.
Drink in hand, he stood leaning against the mirrored walls of the ballroom, watching the couples dance. Draco and Astoria swept past, laughing as they spun around to the music. Even Neville and Hannah seemed to be lost in each others' eyes. Harry couldn't help the yearning that pulsed through him. He desperately wanted someone of his own, someone to share his life with. Had he made a mistake in letting Ginny go?
Harry sighed and took a gulp of his drink. He didn't want to get pissed, not at the Malfoys', but it would help ease the ache of being alone. Even Luna seemed suddenly to be spending more time than was merely casual with Julius Malfoy.
He drained his glass and turned to get another when he spied Ginny and Theodore Nott. They were out on the terrace, kissing. Ginny had always been passionate, far more forward than he would have liked at times given the things he'd lived through in the war, and he stood, transfixed as they made out. She looked as stunning as she always did, this time in a short sparkly dress of bronze and turquoise blue. But when she freed Theo from his trousers and dropped to her knees he thought he'd swallowed his tongue.
"Jesus," said Harry, quietly with feeling and looked away. He didn't want to see that. But he couldn't stop taking another look. Ginny was as sexy as hell and he couldn't help but call himself a fool for letting her get away.
But that was not the life he wanted. He knew Ginny got a thrill in exhibitionism. But he wanted a quieter life, a quieter love.
He didn't even see what drink he took, he just picked up the first glass that he found and stalked out of the ballroom and into the formal withdrawing room where some of the others had gathered to smoke and chat.
He found himself face to face with Lucius Malfoy and Fudge. That stopped him short. What were they brewing together? He knew through Hermione that Lucius thought that Fudge was a toad.
"Ah, Harry, my boy," said Lucius in an ingratiating tone. Harry knew now that it was a tone used to put him on his guard. "Dear Mr. Fudge was just telling me about his plans for re-election."
"Really?" asked Harry. "Why?"
Harry did his best to infuse his voice with disinterested politeness as he asked, "Hasn't retirement been good for you, sir?"
"Well, my boy," said Fudge, trying to copy Lucius and failing miserably, "I'm finding that I have too much time on my hands. It would never do to not help ones fellow man if one has the ability. Don't you think?"
Harry pursed his lips. He wished Hermione were here. Or Severus. He was not really cut out make statements like the one he knew he needed to.
But he knew Lucius couldn't do this. He was the Saviour of the Wizarding World. He had to do this.
"Was that what you were doing with the lovely Lucinda in Bath Mr. Fudge? I thought it might be. Although you know, you should be more careful. Her neighbours were ever so sure that you were the father of her two beautiful children."
Given that the lovely Lucinda was an unwed mother, and that Mrs. Fudge held the money that funded a lot of Mr. Fudge's political campaigns, it was a subtle reminder that his indiscretions could be made public with one careless word.
"How?" spluttered Fudge, before realising that saying anything more would be an admission of guilt.
But he needn't have even attempted to evade the sharks that were circling, if the smirk that graced Lucius Malfoy's face was an indication.
"Now, now, my dear Mr. Fudge. If I am going to take my position as Hermione's father and thus Harry's honorary uncle at the very least, given that she is his sister in all but name and blood, we must be sure that the people we back are thoroughly checked out."
Fudge's face had gone from crimson to purple and had now turned white as the meaning of the words finally settled in.
He understood quite clearly that if Malfoy was treating Harry as family, then, he'd need to go elsewhere for support. And really, without the support of the Malfoys, who lead the pureblood families, there would be no support.
Fudge blustered and blundered and made his way out of the room, something about promising to dance the next set with his wife, vaguely floating behind him.
"That was nicely done, Harry," said Lucius, "though you really should enjoy it more. You looked like you were being forced to do lines or detention with Severus or worse."
Harry laughed. "It felt like it. I'm not cut out for politics, no matter how important it is that I voice my views and do my bit. I get what Hermione, and I suppose by extension you all, wanted me to understand. But, it isn't who I am."
Lucius placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. "I understand. But it is our duty. We lead society: the Malfoys because of our privileged birth, you through the vagaries of destiny and chance. We can only do the best with the hand we've been given."
Harry sighed. "Severus said much the same thing."
Lucius laughed and squeezed his shoulder before leading him to a quiet chair in a corner. "Have a seat." He snapped his fingers and a house-elf appeared. "Get Master Potter a drink, elf," he commanded.
"Shall I send Draco to you?" The blond patrician could see the toll the confrontation had had on the young man.
"No, no," said Harry. "I'll be fine. Thanks for the drink. But I hope you don't snap your fingers and use that tone when Hermione's around. She'd do a nut."
Lucius chuckled ruefully. "Do I look like a moron, young Harry?" He was still grinning as he strolled off, highly amused.
Harry marvelled at Hermione's ability to make her views known even to the elder Malfoy. He might not change his style, his manner, but he could be courteous, even consider her opinions and temper his behaviour when in her presence to please her. Who would have thought.
Eventually the conversation in the withdrawing room dwindled to a trickle and the Malfoy guests left Harry alone to his thoughts.
It was then as he was sitting in the quiet that the most beautiful girl in the world walked into the room followed by Severus, Narcissa and Hermione.
Harry was surprised to see Hermione and Severus at the soiree. But on closer inspection it was obvious that the couple weren't dressed for a party. But it wasn't his best friend and her mate that held Harry's attention. It was the young woman by their side.
Standing besides the trio, she was a being oozing with magic and mystery. Even as Harry tried to listen in to the conversation he could not stop marvelling at the beauty before him. Dressed in a simple robe of heavy ivory silk, a border of gold and pink edging her traditional costume, she was a vision from heaven.
Her hair was the colour of gold. Real, metallic gold brought to startling life. It hung like a sheet of silk all the way to her hips. The simple drape of her gown only enhancing the colour of her vivid blue eyes that sparkled like gems. Her lips were red, but not because of cosmetics or charms but because they were her natural hue. She looked like she'd just bitten into a ripe cherry, staining her lips.
Her skin was as white as alabaster, the same hue as Severus'. But whereas Severus had often in the past looked sallow because of the lack of exposure to rest and sunshine, hers looked healthy and filled with vitality. She was exquisite.
Forced and pulled out of his seat by powers beyond his control, Harry walked towards the group.
He was in time to hear the vision speak in an accented voice that was crystal clear. "We received the invitation Lady Malfoy. But you know how the older family can sometimes be. They had cut off Juliana and her descendants. To now accept an invitation for them is tantamount to admitting they were wrong. But it seemed ridiculous to ignore the invitation, now that they have officially indicated their accepting Severus and his bride into the family once more."
Narcissa Malfoy smiled. "The older generation often find it hard to alter years of thinking. It was very brave of you to take the invitation at face value and arrive unannounced. It is a pleasure to have you here, Claudia."
Severus continued to frown faintly, but it was obvious that he too was not completely unaffected by the candour and vitality of the young beauty.
Narcissa continued to smile, but she reached out and touched Hermione's arm. "Severus, of course, had no idea that we had tried to invite family from far back in the tree, but seven generations is what tradition demands once a couple are bound as clearly as Hermione and Severus are. And we have the space, so why not."
Claudia laughed. Her laughter was light, like the sound of softly tinkling bells.
Hermione, too, seemed to have a thoughtful frown on her face. Harry was amazed that he could even observe the others when all of him yearned to focus only on the young woman with them. It was then that he realised the import of her allure. She was Veela, not unlike Fleur, only more so.
A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.