Chapter 8
"Hermione," a voice called from just beside her. Hermione had been so enveloped in her conversation with Anthony about his apprenticeship that she hadn't realized how much time had gone by.
"Hannah," Hermione smiled up at the blonde woman. "Thank you so much for coming. It means a lot to see you again before I move, even if it's temporary."
"I'm so glad I got to see you again before you head out," Hannah agreed, enveloping Hermione in a hug. Pulling away, she cleared her throat. "I'm not sure if you remember him, but this is my boyfriend, Theodore Nott. He was a Slytherin, in our year."
"I don't think I've had the pleasure of interacting with you much," Hermione smiled politely, offering her hand to the tall, thin man. There was a certain amount of bookish awkwardness about him that reminded her of her late professor, Remus Lupin. Hermione could see that Hannah might find it endearing.
"Likewise," Theo shook her hand, and then nervously adjusted his glasses before putting his arm around Hannah's waist. Hermione couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she saw how perfectly Hannah and Theo fit together.
"I must say, you two are adorable together. When I get back from Italy, I expect us to catch up sometime," Hermione said pointedly to Hannah, who smiled.
"Of course, Hermione. We're so sorry, but we've got to head out in order to make another send off party. Actually, your coworkers - Malfoy and Zabini," Hannah apologized.
"They're my mates, so you have me to blame for stealing Hannah away," Theo said apologetically.
"No, no, don't let me hold you up!" Hermione smiled, hugging Hannah once more.
"Listen, Hermione, I wanted to give you a heads up about them. Draco, and Blaise, I mean," Theo said softly.
"Sure, any words of advice before I start living with them?" Hermione joked, but her uncertainty was clear in her voice.
"They're, err… prickly," Theo said awkwardly. Hermione looked at him quizzically.
"I gathered that…" Hermione trailed off.
"Be specific, dear," Hannah said softly. "And concise, or we'll be late."
"What I mean to say, is… well, they've got a hard exterior, you know? All Slytherins do; it's a defence mechanism that we've learned to perfect. But Blaise and Draco… they both have good hearts. You need to know something about the two of them. Blaise never got involved with the Death Eaters. His father was murdered because he refused to perform some task for the Dark Lord. Blaise and his mother were useless to the Dark Lord, so he left them alone. Draco wasn't so lucky, as you know. But he was never inducted into the Death Eaters. He doesn't have the mark. He couldn't… couldn't kill," Theo said quickly, desperate to inform Hermione that his friends weren't Death Eaters.
"My point is… please, Hermione, give them a chance. It's hard, especially for Draco, to look past the prejudices he's grown up with. That we've all grown up with. That's all we knew, and I apologize for our horrid behavior towards people like you. But if you can get past their armor, of sorts, and if they become your friend, they'll be the most loyal, dedicated people you will ever have the fortune to call your allies. They're good people… even Lucius Malfoy wasn't all bad. He was caught up in all of the ideas he was raised with, too, and by the time he had been swept up into the Death Eaters' ranks, it was impossible to leave. He took care of his family, to the best of his ability. He even… even hid my mother and faked her death when she refused to support my father's Death Eater commitment. I owe them my Mother, Hermione. So just… work with them, will you? Promise me you'll give them a chance," Theo finished, distraught.
"I will," Hermione said seriously, placing her hand over Theo's. "Thank you for telling me this."
"You're welcome," Theo said simply, calmed now that Hermione understood..
"We better get going," Hannah said sadly. "Owl us when you're in Italy!"
"Absolutely," Hermione smiled as she said farewell to the couple, her mind reeling with the information that Theo had revealed.
Slowly but surely, their group dispersed, each person saying one last goodbye to Hermione.
"How's Seamus doing?" Hermione asked Dean under her breath as they hugged.
"Never the same since Lav passed," Dean said solemnly. "He was hoping that she'd pull through the coma, even after the healers told him otherwise. He still blames the Browns for pulling the plug."
"It had been two years," Hermione shook her head sadly. "Lavender wouldn't have wanted that."
"I know… he was in deep for her. More than any of us realized. He doesn't even explode anything at the office now," Dean sighed. "He's better than before, but it's going to be a long while. I just hope he realizes what's in front of him before it's too late," Dean nodded towards Susan, who was talking softly to Seamus.
"Really?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Indeed. Must be the Irish accent," Dean chuckled. "Anyway, have a safe trip, and come back to us safely, Hermione."
"Thanks Dean," she smiled.
Leanne and Cho were next, wishing her luck in her career and her time with the Slytherins.
"Watch your back, Hermione," Leanne warned, reminded of the time Draco cursed Katie. It was one of her worst memories, the Battle of Hogwarts besides.
"I never really got to speak with you, and I was a frightfully insecure mess when it came to Harry," Cho laughed ruefully. "Maybe I can compare notes with you when you get back about my research into why electronics can't work with magic?"
"I'd like that," Hermione answered before the two girls departed.
"I'm so happy the wrackspurts have left," Luna said whimsically from behind her. Hermione turned and smiled at the eccentric woman standing next to Neville, who had just resigned from the Auror department to become a professor of Herbology at Hogwarts.
"Where were they?" Hermione asked, deciding to humor her.
"Around you, clouding your judgement. I think Ronald's presence was the main attraction. Perhaps they have an affinity for red hair," Luna said simply, and Neville chuckled, hugging her.
"I think what we mean to say is that we're very happy for your promotion and your independence. Good luck in Italy, Hermione." Neville hugged her.
"Good luck in your professorship and writing The Quibbler," Hermione smiled, before turning to the four other standing behind her.
Lee, Alicia, Angelina, and George all congratulated her on a job well done with Ron.
"Honestly, if he weren't my brother, I might've decked him one. It's too bad Mum's such good friends with Angelina's folks. I wouldn't be able to hide out there," George joked.
"Oh get in line, George," Alicia sniffed. "Good riddance, Hermione. I'm glad you're free of him."
"Be nice, you two," Angelina laughed. "He is your brother, after all, George."
"I'm sure Georgie has enough brothers to go around," Lee smirked.
"Don't you insult my family!" George cried, mock affronted.
"I'll see you goons when I get back from Italy," Hermione laughed, for the first time since the breakup, a real smile stretching across her face. As the other three departed, George bent towards Hermione to whisper in her ear.
"Trust me, I've seen to his delicious punishment. Let's say he's a little lacking in the… lower regions for a good two years."
"Oh George, you shouldn't," Hermione called after him.
"Shouldn't what?" he winked as he exited the Three Broomsticks, followed by a quick goodbye from Katie Bell and the Patils.
Justin Finch-Fletchley offered his hand to Hermione. "Sorry for sometimes being a prat in school. Good luck."
Hermione laughed and took his hand. "Sorry for being an insufferable know-it-all," she grinned.
Soon, there was only Michael Corner, Ginny, Vanessa, Anthony, and Harry left. Michael was just leaving when she caught a glimpse of red hair behind Michael's shoulder. Her stomach dropped.
"Oh no," she heard Ginny groan from behind her.
"Did you do this? Did you tell him?" Hermione rounded on Harry, furious.
"Listen, Hermione, I think you're overreacting-" Harry started.
"Overreacting?" Hermione shrieked. "I'm not ready for this! I specifically asked you to not invite him here-"
"I only asked him to come at the end, because I think both of you need-" Harry was cut off.
"Harry James Potter, I cannot believe how insensitive you could possibly be!" Hermione yelled. "I trusted you," Hermione shouted furiously.
Ron cleared his throat, and Hermione closed her eyes, taking deep breaths before turning around to face him.
"Please leave," Hermione choked out.
"'Mione," Ron began.
"Would you stop calling me by that ridiculous pet name?" Hermione snapped, her eyes flashing. "My name is Hermione and if you could suffer through the full thing, then please use my name as it was given to me!"
Ron looked at her sorrowfully, and Michael edged out of the tavern quietly after leaving Ginny his floo address. "I'm sorry, Hermione," Ron said quietly.
"For what?" Hermione snapped.
"For…" Ron looked at her searchingly, then dropping his gaze to the floor.
"Listen, Hermione, I've got to run. We'll make plans when you return, yes?" Anthony interrupted, lightly touching her shoulder.
Hermione inhaled sharply, and then exhaled as she faced him.
"Yes, Anthony, absolutely. I'll let you know soon as I'm in town again," Hermione smiled.
"All right. I'll see you then," Anthony returned her grin, before leaving. When Hermione turned back to Ron, he was fuming.
"You're moving on, already?" Ron asked, his quiet tone boiling.
"It is none of your business, anymore, what I decide to do with my life and who I choose to spend it with," Hermione scoffed.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Ron shouted, his face turning purplish with his rage. "I GIVE YOU MY HEART, AND THIS IS WHAT YOU REPAY ME WITH!"
"RONALD WEASLEY, you are making a scene!" Ginny hissed.
"NO, SHE'S MAKING A SCENE. I'M GLAD NOW THAT I CAN SEE YOU FOR THE STUPID SLU-" Ron was cut off by a stinging slap.
"For the record, Weasley," Hermione hissed with such venom that it startled her closest friends. "Anthony and I are not dating. Unlike you, he understands boundaries. Second of all, I have no reason to answer to you, as it is absolutely bloody none of your fucking business. Third, if you can't even figure out what it is that you need to apologize for, then you're a pathetic idiot and I cannot believe I wasted half of my life pining after you. Fourth, I pity you. You have to resort to insulting, derogatory names because you can't come up with anything remotely intelligent to insult me with. You are absolute scum, Weasley. At least Malfoy has a modicum of intellect. You?" Hermione spat. "Are. Scum." Hermione wordlessly silenced him and bound him in ropes before turning away from him.
"How dare you?" Vanessa asked, lethally quiet. She scoffed, shaking her head. "Hermione Granger is one of the most honest, authentic, kind, compassionate, intelligent, and driven women you will ever have the exceedingly good luck to meet, much less date or befriend. You two were dating before I knew her, so I never had the opportunity to warn you of the delicious revenge I would take on her behalf if she were ever to be hurt."
Vanessa leaned in close to Ron, who was visibly shaking. "Watch your back. No one hurts my friends or family and lives to tell the tale."
"I never want to see your brother again in my life," Hermione said to Ginny, who nodded.
"Done," Ginny said simply.
"And you," Hermione strode up to Harry, who was trembling. "You're an idiot. A completely insensitive idiot. Maybe well meaning, but I can't forgive this one, Harry. You chose him over me. Again. It will never end, will it? I'm done. I'm done being the second best friend. We're over, Potter."
"Hermione," Harry said tearfully.
"We. Are. Done." Hermione enunciated. "Maybe in time I will forgive you, but this, Potter? Despicable."
Hermione grabbed Vanessa's hand, apparating back to her flat.
Ginny stared at her ex for a few minutes, shaking her head. "I can't believe you would do that to Hermione," she said finally.
Harry put his face in his hands. "I was so stupid. I was totally blind to Hermione's needs and put Ron's wants over hers. I should've listened to her. After all she's done for me…"
"You've ruined it Harry. Real well, this time," Ginny said solemnly. "And us."
Harry looked up at her suddenly. "Gin-"
"No Harry, you've finally done it. I thought we'd end up back together, you know. I thought we were meant for each other and after this all cooled down, we'd go back to being normal."
"We still can-"
"No, we can't. This. This," Ginny gestured to her incapacitated brother, who was struggling against his bonds and continuing to shout, despite the fact that no sound came out of his mouth. "This isn't something we can get past. I don't know what Ron has magically done to make his happiness more important to you than anyone else's, but it's done. It's over. We're over, forever."
Harry buried his face in his hands again.
"I hope you can sleep in the bed you've made for yourself," Ginny scoffed. "You're an idiot, at the best. A heartless bastard, at the worst." Ginny turned on her heel, apparating back to Hermione's flat.
Ginny stepped through the front door, quietly closing the door before searching for Hermione and Vanessa. Hearing a low murmur coming from Hermione's room, Ginny carefully approached, knocking softly when she reached the door.
"Come in," she heard Vanessa's voice through the door.
"Hey," Ginny pushed the door open and peered around it. "How's she doing?" Vanessa opened her mouth to answer when Hermione cut in.
"I'm right here," Hermione laughed tearfully, angrily swiping at her eyes.
"Okay, how are you doing?" Ginny asked, sitting on Hermione's other side and patting her thigh.
"Not okay," Hermione sniffled. "I hate this. I hate that he does this to me! I should be stronger than this-"
"Sweetheart," Ginny cooed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievably strong to only now crack. Any other sane person would have sobbed themselves the Thames River by now. You're almost as dry as the Sahara Desert."
Vanessa nodded in agreement. "And it's okay to let it out. You aren't weak just because you're expressing your feelings."
Hermione shrugged. "I suppose," is all she said.
"Listen, I'll go break out the ice cream, you go change into pajamas, and we'll have a full day of wallowing, all right? Those moo-vee things - chicken-flicks?"
"Chick-flicks," Hermione giggled at Ginny's ignorance.
"Yes, those ones. Go put one of those on!" Ginny pushed her lightly to get Hermione moving.
"All right," Hermione chuckled as Vanessa pulled her off the bed.
"But after today," Vanessa said threateningly. "No more wallowing. You have some hot pieces of Italian man candy to try out. And I will physically attack you if you're still hung up about the Weasel when you're in Italy, for Merlin's sake."
"She's right!" Ginny called as she made her way to the kitchen. "She'll have to get in line behind me!"
Hermione gulped. If it took one of Ginny's Bat-Bogey Hexes to smack some sense into her, Ginny wouldn't hesitate to do so. And that was one experience that Hermione never wanted, nor needed, in her lifetime.
"Thanks for coming to Hermione's send-off celebration," Hannah smiled at Theo. "I know you were uneasy about how you'd be accepted, but it went fine, didn't it?"
"Surprisingly, yes," Theo smiled nervously, adjusting his glasses and looking down at the intertwined hands. "I should say the same about coming to Draco and Blaise's party."
"Hey, I'm just returning the favor," Hannah replied, drawing herself closer to his side. "I'm just hoping that your friends like me as much as my friends seem to like you."
"I'm sure they will," Theo smiled comfortingly as they reached the door to the Leaky Cauldron. "I'll make sure they play nice," Theo growled under his breath, uncharacteristically firm as he opened the door for Hannah.
The couple scanned the room before finding a group of Slytherins huddled near the back, and waved to them as they weaved their way through the boisterous crowd of regular customers.
"Here's our little teddy bear," Pansy smiled mischievously as she grabbed his face and kissed both cheeks. Blaise stood up behind her, grinning. "And who do we have here?" Pansy asked, tilting her head.
Hannah shifted uncomfortably as Pansy looked her up and down, evaluating her. "Hannah Abbott; I was a Hufflepuff in your year, Parkinson," she replied evenly.
"I thought you looked familiar," Pansy smiled, her teeth blindingly white. She flipped her long, dark black hair behind a shoulder before offering her hand. "Feel free to call me Pansy. Anyone who captures our Teddy's heart is a friend of mine."
"Pans," Theo shook his head at her, abashed. "I thought we agreed after leaving Hogwarts that you wouldn't call me Teddy anymore."
"Force of habit," Pansy smirked, winking at Hannah as they shook hands. "You remember my boyfriend, Blaise?"
Blaise offered his hand to Hannah. "Oh yes, we had quite the competition going in Charms, didn't we?"
"But of course," Hannah smiled, more at ease with Blaise's familiar presence. "You were quite the challenge, but you won, fair and square."
"Just the way I like it," Blaise smiled. "In case you don't remember or know everyone else here, that's Daphne Greengrass, Draco Malfoy, Adrian Pucey, Marilyn Bellamy, Miles Bletchley, Lucian Bole, and Edmund Harper. Most everyone's in our year, though there's a few of our former Quidditch team members here as well."
Hannah waved shyly, grasping Theo's hand slightly tighter. Theo squeezed back, looking at her carefully. "You okay?" he asked quietly as they took their seats, sandwiched between Daphne Greengrass on one side and Pansy Parkinson on the other.
"Yeah," Hannah smiled nervously. "Don't worry about me."
Pansy raised an eyebrow at the couple before smirking at Draco, who simply rolled his eyes in response.
"Draco and Blaise, congratulations on the new jobs," Theo said genuinely. "I think the two of you will be a rather deadly combination to the Italians."
"We'll see," Draco said simply, taking a swig of firewhiskey. "We'll report back in December… if there's anything left of us." Everyone laughed.
"Come on," Lucian Bole sniggered. "Italy can't be that dangerous, eh? Except maybe the signoras who'll shag the life out of you.
Blaise rolled his eyes and Draco semi-snorted, while everyone else chuckled. Except for Hannah, who felt slightly uncomfortable again, but seemed to find a similar reaction from Daphne Greengrass and Marilyn Bellamy. Theo put his hand on top of hers underneath the table.
"Not that Blaise here will be able to indulge, with Parkinson watching his every move," Lucian added, smirking.
"Don't you know it," Pansy batted her eyelashes. "My darling here would never dare do wrong by me. Or I'd end him," she said simply, pulling her wand out and using it to twirl her hair.
"But Draco here is free to do whatever he wishes," Lucian winked. Draco scoffed.
"So Daph," Miles started from across the table. "What, pray tell, was 'Toria thinking when she strayed from this lovely specimen, here?" he smirked as he gestured grandly to Draco across the table.
Daphne stiffened, and Draco glared at Miles. "None of your business, Miles," Draco snarled.
"Easy, easy," Adrian Pucey mediated, grinning as he threw his arm around Marilyn. "If Daph's uncomfortable, then she doesn't have to share. Though it does hit a touchy spot, Draco, no?"
"Play nice," Marilyn poked Adrian in the ribs, and he looked at her innocently.
"I was!" he protested, smirking, and she hit him on the shoulder.
Daphne cleared her throat. "I don't pretend to know what goes on in my sister's empty head, but Draco and I both know he's better off without her. Higgs can have the bint," Daphne sniffed.
Hannah turned to Theo. "Astoria cheated on Malfoy with Higgs?" she whispered.
Theo shrugged. "I don't really pay attention to the gossip-" he started, when Pansy cut in.
"Oh yes," Pansy leaned over Theo, who scrunched his nose as her heavy perfume engulfed him. "Blaise caught them making out in Knockturn Alley, not once, but three times. By the second time, Blaise told Draco about it, but Draco being the practical prat he is, demanded proof. He won't even trust his best friend," Pansy rolled her eyes. "So Blaise returned a third time to snap a few condemning photos of the two lovers, and that was that. I've heard Mother Greengrass is in an absolute tantrum, now that 'Toria's reputation is quite ruined. Daph," Pansy addressed the brunette on Hannah's left. "Any word on what your mother plans to do with her?"
Daphne rolled her eyes, knowing that the pureblood mother rumor mill would be churning with whatever answer she gave. "I cannot speak for my mother," she said diplomatically.
"Oh don't be a spoilsport," Pansy said airly, crossing her legs and eying Daphne as she leaned back. "We're all friends, here," she grinned, a slightly evil sparkle in her eye.
Daphne sighed, closing the book she had been reading and met Pansy's gaze equally. "My family wishes to restore our reputation by marrying my sister and Higgs."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "That doesn't seem right."
Hannah was amazed by the antiquity of these pureblood traditions. It appeared they had stepped into a Victorian era novel, discussing marriages, reputations and the family name.
"Why not?" Hannah finally spoke up, and everyone turned to look at her. "If Astoria and Terence seem to like each other as much as they do, it would make sense that they'd be married to tone down the scandal."
"Oh Hannah, Hannah," Pansy smirked. "You have much to learn, my sweet."
Draco took it upon himself to explain. "The Higgs family is a proud one, and if I have read Bertie Higgs accurately, he would take it into his own hands to discipline Terence properly. Theresia is rather… how should I put it?"
"Petty," Pansy interjected, laughing. "She's a downright bitch. She'd sooner rip Terence's insides out before giving into and endorsing his little affair."
"Pansy!" Daphne cried, taken aback by the woman's candor and language.
"Loosen up, Daph," Pansy snapped right back.
Daphne glared at the dark-haired woman before turning to the others. "I think you misunderstood me. The plan that is being negotiated is to marry Astoria to Terence's older brother, Alastair."
"There we are," Blaise laughed as he lifted his glass. "That's the Bertie and Theresia I remember."
"Poor Alastair," Adrian shook his head, barely containing his mirth. "Even he deserves better than that."
Hannah had scrunched her eyebrows slightly, trying to follow the nuanced references that each sentence they spoke seemed to carry. "What has Alastair done?"
The Slytherins all turned to her, and Theo looked at her proudly.
"Well, well, well," Pansy smiled slyly. "The little Hufflepuff has a brain."
"Stop it, Pans," Theo looked at her seriously.
"It was a compliment," Pansy rolled her eyes at Theo. "Do you need a drink?"
Daphne glared at Pansy, who decided it was in her best interest to keep her mouth shut if she wanted to remain the elder Greengrass's friend.
"You're not quite correct in your assumption, Hannah," Blaise turned to her kindly, but the upper corners of his mouth twitched as he held in a smile. "But you're not far off. He hasn't actually done anything wrong."
"He just prefers men," Lucian snickered. "And Father Higgs and Mother Higgs need their heir to continue the line."
"Oh my," Hannah gasped, understanding the wickedness of the Greengrass and Higgs' plans. "Poor Astoria."
"Poor Alistair, rather," Miles snorted. "Having to know that you're forever tied to your younger brother's leftovers regardless of your... preferences. As for Astoria... the wretch I think deserves it."
"I'm sure our Theodore will never do something like that to you," Pansy smirked as she draped a hand on Theo's arm. "He is such a sweet teddy bear after all," she winked flirtily at him.
"I don't know what you're playing at Parkinson, but you better drop it, now," Theo growled, shaking her manicured hand off of him. Pansy sat back in her chair, blinking a couple of times at his rejection.
"Theo," Pansy said, for once completely serious. "You are so whipped."
Theo blinked once before the rest of the table burst out into guffaws and a couple of wolf whistles. And in the next blink, Pansy was standing next to Hannah and dragging her out of her chair.
"Hey!" Theo warned. "What are you doing, Pans?"
"Relax," Pansy tossed her hair over her shoulder. "We're taking a few minutes to freshen up in the ladies' room. Keep your pants on, Nott."
Hannah uneasily followed Pansy, whose perfect red nails dug into her hand as she dragged Hannah along to the loo. Just before the door, however, Pansy stopped and cornered Hannah.
"No one ever hears about this, got that?" Pansy asked in a low voice, looking at Hannah menacingly. "I do have a reputation to uphold." Hannah gulped slightly before nodding.
"Good. Now, my dear, Theodore Nott has never been flirtatious with me, but he has also never downright rejected me flat like he just did back there. Do you know what that tells me?"
Hannah shook her head, not really sure where Pansy was going with this.
"He is so whipped. For you. He really really must care about you," Pansy said seriously, her usually careless attitude vanishing into thin air. "I don't want to hear any false assurances that you care for him as much as he does, because when that boy gives his heart away, he gives away all of it. And no one can ever match the same amount of love that he will have for another person. The fact that you are the receiver of his love is truly, truly priceless."
Hannah was stunned, in awe of Pansy's sudden personality change and her seriousness.
"So don't you dare think of ever hurting him, you hear me?" Pansy growled in Hannah's ear. "He really is our teddy bear. And if you hurt him, everyone else sitting around that table will go after you. But they'll have to get behind me, because I will be the first and foremost to end you," Pansy threatened, poking her wand into Hannah's side before drawing away and plastering on a ditzy smirk. "You understand me?"
"Yes," Hannah smiled, gaining a new understanding of Pansy Parkinson. "I do."
AN: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all of the follows, favorites, and reviews! It might be a while until the next chapter, since it hasn't been fully drafted yet, and I'll obviously need to edit it once it has been drafted. I hope everyone's summer is going swimmingly, and I'd love to hear from you all! What do you think of Harry's blunder? Do you think Hermione can/should ever forgive him and Ron? Or do you think they've finally passed her breaking point? How about Hannah and Theo? I wasn't initially even thinking about their pairing until I realized how fun it would be to throw an innocent Hufflepuff into an entirely-Slytherin party, but I think it's cute. Thoughts on Pansy? She's got a slightly different side, no? Please let me know in a review!