Everything is J.K. Rowlings. I only claim the plot. Everything else is hers, all the characters and the magic, all of it. Please let me know what you think though, I encourage feedback of all kinds, just be nice about it!
This is an incredibly long chapter. And it changed a lot over the course of writing it. Originally it was through Harry's POV like usual. But then I decided to change that to Hermione about midway. And then the ending was totally not what I had anticipated when beginning to write with her so then I had to go back and readjust the beginning and middle to match the end. So this chapter just kind of took on a life of its own. And was just as much as a surprise to me. Let me know what you think. I always appreciate your reviews.
Also, total personal side note. I got accepted into my Masters Program! Yay. I'll be getting my MFA in Creative Writing. So woo!
Chapter Twenty-One
Heaving a weary, exhausted sigh, Hermione pushed the covers off of herself and slid out of the bed. It was like this most mornings, the not wanting to get out of bed. Preferring to stay cocooned within the plush sheets for hours on end, simply doing nothing. Her heart felt heavy at the thought of going about even the simplest tasks. She hated that she felt so encumbered but she couldn't shake the heaviness she felt. Moving to the bathroom she washed her face and brushed her teeth, before staring at her reflection.
Sometimes she didn't even recognize the person staring back at her. She looked like a ghost, far too pale and thin. Bags hanging off of her sunken eyes with her face drawn taunt. The scar on her forearm glared an ugly red in the mirror and she quickly averted her eyes from it. Hermione still couldn't stomach the sight of it. The Healers said the scar would remain forever, it had been done with a cursed blade. Even from the grave Bellatrix Lestrange was still able to torment her.
Shaking her head, she forced her back straight and lifted her head. It was the way she used to carry herself. Before everything. She felt like she should be carrying herself like that even more now considering they had won and she was being hailed a heroine. Hermione didn't feel like a heroine. She didn't feel anything most days.
Some days were better though. Some days she could manage a smile or even, though rare and short in its occurence, a laugh. Some days she felt like a flicker of her old self, like a passing impression before being peeled away once more. On those days she debated books again, usually with Theo who was a constant companion in the library most days, and sometimes even Daphne or Luna. And while those sparks of passion had occurred more frequently in the past few weeks, though in comparison to her old self it was hardly anything worthy noting, it always flared out and left her feeling hollow once more.
Hermione knew it worried Harry, the Weasleys and her friends that she spoke so little, though she did speak more now than she did at the beginning of the summer. Because while talking now wasn't as tiring or as much of a chore as it had been but it still wasn't an activity that she sought out. And she wasn't sure how to convince her friends that her new, less talkative nature was fine. Because she didn't know how to tell the lie convincingly enough.
"Come on, Hermione, pull it together," she muttered to her reflection, straightening the casual robes she had thrown on. "You're going out today. You can't hide. Face it. You are Hermione Granger. Brightest Witch of Her Age. You can handle a shopping trip. So get a grip." Unsurprisingly, unmotivated after her pep talk, Hermione sighed once more before going down the three flights of stairs to grab breakfast.
She sipped her tea and ate her toast with strawberry preserves, watched Harry receive his daily handful of letters and instruct his Slytherin helpers on when to meet him and for what. Hermione had been rather impressed and proud to see how well Harry had slipped into this 'Head of House', political role. And she was grateful he had offered her a place in his new home as well as the new direction his life was taking.
Lost in thought, her feet moved with the others as they left the table and headed out of the house towards the apparition point. Harry had a goal in his life again. He had a new direction and he was allowing her to tag along just like she always had. But at the time it had been her direction too. It had been her goal. Because she was Hermione Granger and she always had a plan.
Except now she didn't and she was floundering.
It terrified Hermione that she was at such a loss, especially as she observed everyone moving around her and setting up their new lives even if it was by force with the deal they made with Harry, the others all had plans too. Hermione was getting left behind. Hugging herself tightly, despite the warm August air, she felt cold.
"Ready?" Harry called out when they were ready for apparition. Hermione glanced at the group. The rest of the group seemed to feel just as nervous as she did, well except for Luna. The blonde Ravenclaw seemed rather pleased with the morning so far. Everyone was dressed in casual robes and had their lists ready for shopping. Hermione had seen Harry giving the Slytherins an allowance for the shopping trip last night. She didn't know how much they were given but she hadn't heard any complaints, so she assumed generous.
Seemingly satisfied, Harry gave the go ahead and everyone turned on the spot appearing at apparition point near Gringotts. Hermione felt on edge already despite the limited people wandering around. The shops were only just opening and so the crowds wouldn't arrive for a couple of hours but the looks from the passersby still came and Hermione saw Harry grip his wand tighter. She could only guess he was wishing to hex everyone who looked their way. The Slytherins looked the same, just as tense and just as anxiously fingering their wands. Padma tugged her hood higher on her head to block out her scars and Hannah clung tighter to Neville's arm. She felt herself shrinking deeper into herself. Hermione hated the crowds, no matter the size. She hated the fawning admirers and the sneering criticizers. She didn't understand how Harry had put up with it for years, she hardly ever wanted to leave the manor. Choosing to hide than to face it all. Some Gryffindor she was, she scoffed at herself.
"Right, so meet back here at eleven, and try to stay out of trouble," Harry said to the group who all just nodded, eyes shifting about the street, nerves radiating off of everyone.
Despite the freedom to go where they wished, Hermione witnessed the group still move as one towards Flourish and Blotts. Once in the store the group seemed more comfortable with dispersing towards their desired sections and Hermione was no different. Licking her lips, she wandered deeper into the near empty store breathing in the scent of the books. She felt herself relaxing slightly in the comfort of the familiarity. It was like the library at the manor, she felt more like her old self there then she did anywhere else.
At first Hermione just wandered, tracing her fingers along the spines and breathing deeply. She had her list but there was no harm in browsing. As she walked she past by Luna and Astoria who were gathering their school books and Hermione felt the bittersweet nostalgia sweep over her.
She wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts. She wouldn't be graduating. She could only imagine what her parents would think.
This thought brought her up short and she felt the sting of tears filling her eyes. Her parents still hadn't been found. Kingsley assured her that there were Aurors searching for them in Australia but it was slow going and still no news. Her chest ached at the thought of her mum and dad, and a lump formed in her throat. It was always the worst when the thoughts of them caught her off guard. Quickly stumbling towards a new section of the book store hoping for a distraction as she rapidly blinked away the moisture in her eyes and taking shaky breaths to calm herself.
"Hey, you OK?" a soft voice asked her. Blinking her eyes open she found herself looking into the light blue eyes of Theo Nott. Not trusting herself to speak yet she gave a jerky nod. The Slytherin didn't seem to buy it for a moment and gave her a hard look which she couldn't meet.
"What's wrong?" he asked instead, his voice still soft but unyielding.
She knew he wouldn't let this go. In her time at the manor, she and Theo had formed a friendship of sorts. One she was surprisingly grateful for. They bonded over books. They were the scholars of their respective groups and found solace in a like minded individual. Their silent readings in the library had lead to a few passionate debates that Hermione found herself craving. Not just in the library either, she had taken to slipping up to the observatory at night and stumbled upon him doing the same one night and their debates had continued there as well. And from those debates they had branched into more personal stories, usually starting as an antidote for their theory but quickly diverting from the academic discussion entirely. It was just in the past few weeks that Hermione had started considering the stoic Slytherin as a rather close friend, not that she would ever admit that to him.
"It's nothing, really," she insisted, still not meeting his eye. "Just saw Luna and Astoria shopping for books and it got me thinking," she shrugged, clutching her arms tightly around her waist.
"Got you thinking that you would never be doing that again? That you would never graduate?" He guessed knowingly. Hermione gave another jerky nod and glanced up at him. His face was soft in understanding. It had been a new look that Hermione had started noticing on him in just the past few weeks. Usually it was hard and cold, but during their discussions it had started shifting. "Yeah, I get it. It's a little hard for me to wrap my head around too. But that isn't enough to start crying over." Hermione glared at him but he didn't even seem phased by it. "So what else were you thinking?"
"My parents," she choked out, feeling the tears coming back to her eyes and the lump reform. Theo didn't seem to need any elaboration, his eyes spoke of his understanding and the sad twist in his mouth spoke his words. Slowly, he placed a hand on her shoulder in what she was sure he was hoping was in comfort but his hesitation and his uncertainty just led the movement to being more awkward. His attempt brightened her mood slightly though and she was able to let out a strangled laugh and wiped her eyes. "Thanks. I'm sure it will all be fine in the end though. I mean, Australia is rather large. And who knows, maybe they are on a vacation of some sort?" Theo just nodded. "Find any books?" She asked, pushing onwards. Theo seemed to understand her attempt and gestured to his basket.
"A few things. Remember what we talked about last week? About Sirius Black and Azkaban and the Dementors?" Hermione just nodded, her eyes searching his thin face still far too pale with his hair not nearly as controlled as it had been in school. "It gave me an idea, for Potters' deal with us. But I'm researching it a bit more before determining if I want to present it to him." Hermione felt herself grow eager at the mention of researching and it involving Theo's business or charity. Through their talks she knew how conflicted he had felt over possible endeavors. She felt excited for her friend. Her eyes brightened as she glanced from Theo to his collection of books and he gave a smirk at her unasked question and held his basket out to her.
Her fingers floated over the texts which included: "The Psyche After War", "Methods of Rehabilitation: New and Old", and "Dementors: Pros and Cons". With a small gasp at the works, Hermione glanced back up at Theo who was watching her reaction. "I can help you if you want? Oh! There are probably some muggle psychology books that might help as well. Would it be a full overhaul or would it be more charity centered?"
Theo's eyes danced with amusement but that was the only emotion that his stoic face revealed, that and the twitch in his lips. "Not sure yet. I have to research first before I determine my course of action. But yes, I'd appreciate your researching skills. Now, I must depart your company and search out these muggle books you mentioned." He gave a small bow towards her before turning and leaving the aisle. Hermione felt a grin tug at her lips as she watched him leave, shaking her head she went off to continue exploring before grabbing her books.
She spied Goyle and Tracey huddled together in the early childhood development section, Tracey's basket quickly filling with books on that topic. Hermione watched Daphne join the two and start piling in tomes of her own. Slowing her steps marginally, Hermione eyed Daphne a little more, taking in her silent observations. The blonde with the blueish grey eyes was strikingly beautiful in a way that Hermione could never dream of achieving with an imbedded grace that was envious. In school the two had never had any interactions despite sharing multiple classes together. Hermione had only been vaguely aware of the girls first name. However, since living at the manor Hermione had developed a repertoire with the blonde and even enjoyed their discussions. Hermione found that Daphne was far easier to bare than most of the other Slytherins. Daphne, Astoria, Tracey and Theo were really the only ones she spoke to, the rest weren't rude to her and would give a nod in acknowledgement and would speak to her during the study sessions but that was it.
Throughout her quiet observations and budding friendship, Hermione hadn't detected anything malignant. In fact, her only discoveries were that Daphne, while rather friendly, intelligent and kind, was incredibly private. Rather like someone else she knew, Hermione thought amusedly before continuing through the bookstore.
She passed Parkinson with her nose in a book about art history with her basket containing books on muggle portraits versus magical portraits and the best paints to use for various canvases. Hermione didn't dwell on the dark haired Slytherin for very long. Still too many memories with that was when she was filling her basket in the Wizarding Law section that she ran into her best friend. Well really, he just appeared over her shoulder looking at the book she now held in her hands.
"Hey, 'Mione," he said quietly, coming up behind her.
"Hello, Harry," she replied, her eyes not leaving the book in her hands. It was rather thick and she skimmed the pages as she flipped through it trying to determine if it was worth the buy.
"Find anything interesting?" he murmured, glancing at the surrounding books. "I was just in this section so I might have some of these same books, no need to get doubles."
"Which ones do you have?" she asked eagerly, closing the book she had been looking at and turning to look through his basket which he relinquished with a fond smirk.
Sliding to the floor, Hermione began pulling out all of Harry's books and comparing them to the ones she had gathered. She never would have expected to be sorting through Harry's books to see if he had the same as hers, but found herself rather pleased that she was able to nonetheless. Hermione found two matching books, and so she sent hers back. It was Harry's library they were going to after all, it seemed right to let him buy the books to stock it. "Just more room for me," she teased, before glancing over his accounting and business books with an approving nod. "Interesting subjects. I never knew you were interested in this stuff before."
"I wasn't but with everything that I've inherited I felt it was only smart to understand how to deal with it and all the books back home are a little older and I've read most of them already," Harry shrugged, having sat down as she sorted through the books.
"Good for you, Harry," Hermione praised, picking up one of his business books and flipping through it. "It's really smart for you to want to get a better grasp of things. The Potters and the Peverells invested in quite a lot from what I read out of that book. The Blacks a bit too."
Harry nodded, leaning against the opposite bookshelf. "Yeah, from what I've read my grandfather, Fleamont Potter, and Charlus Potter, who I'm pretty sure is a great-uncle or something, was quite the businessman and I don't know if my dad was but maybe I could be too?" Harry stared at the books as Hermione shifted her eyes to stare at him with a look of fondness and sympathy. It always broke her heart when she was reminded that Harry was at a loss in regards to his family. He always reminded her of a small child whenever anything about the Potters was mentioned, desperate for information on them, to learn anything about his ancestry, to find some connection with the family he never knew.
"I'm sure you'll be brilliant at it," she encouraged softly. "So you're meeting your cousin today?" she asked after a few minutes of silence. The two had restacked their baskets and stood up. Harry just leaned against the bookshelves as Hermione browsed them.
He nodded and Hermione saw him swallow thickly, she could only imagine how nervous he was. "Yeah at one. Some cafe in London," he ran his hand through his hair.
"Don't stress about it. I'm sure he isn't going to try anything malicious," she replied, noting the nervous action.
"Suppose not, but why the hell does he want to talk to me?" he sighed, leaning his head back against the shelf. "I mean now, of all times?"
"I don't know, Harry," Hermione sighed. "But I do know that you will find out in a few hours and there is no use stressing over it until then." He let the matter drop as the rest of the group conjugated around them and they went to purchase their books. The clerk luckily didn't even bat an eye at the customers and the group departed. Hermione glanced at the stores clock and realized they had been in the store for over an hour.
"Where do you guys want to go next?" Harry asked as they walked into the street, taking charge of the situation. It was an unconscious thing for him to do, Hermione knew but it just readdressed the fact in her mind that her best friend was a leader. He carried himself like a veteran General, not that it was such a far off comparison either. It made her swell with pride as she watched him taking charge.
Hermione had always supported Harry, it had never been a question. Ever since the foolish boy had saved her life from the mountain troll. But it was in the recent months that she had found her admiration growing even more. He had taken charge of his situation, much like he always had, but was taking enormous strides in creating a better world and not just for his friends but for the people he had considered rivals at one time. Hermione was proud to be his friend.
"I need more potion supplies," Draco ventured, his hands shoved into his pockets and his shoulders slouched slightly.
Draco had been an amusing observation for Hermione. The once proud and bratty scion had changed greatly, he didn't act as spoiled and while he still sneered it wasn't as often and usually only directed at those who actually deserved it. He kept to himself a lot as well, holed up in the potions lab or in his room. He didn't talk a lot either, though he did still try to banter with Harry on occasion. It was only really Astoria, Narcissa, Blaise and Theo that could get an actual conversation out of him. Which Hermione was fine with, it wasn't like she was particularly missing the blondes conversation.
"And Luna and I will need some ingredients for school too," Astoria chimed in giving Draco a smile.
"I'll be needing more quills and parchment," Hermione added quietly, the talk around her drawing her from her thoughts.
"Yes, same," Daphne agreed from her place beside her sister.
"I just need some building material," Blaise shrugged, leaning against on of the pillars for the store they had just left.
"I could do with some new tools," Neville joined in, his arm wrapped securely around Hannah's shoulders.
"Most of us need new robes," Pansy commented but her typical snide remarks were absent due to her tenseness at being in the public eye once again.
"OK, so, Draco, Luna and Astoria, why don't you guys go to the apothecary?" Harry suggested. "We'll go to Scrivenshaft's. Blaise and Neville if you want to go get your individual supplies, we can all meet at Madam Malkin's in an hour. Let's make that our last stop." No one seemed to have a complaint and so the group finally separated. The large group walking towards Diagon Alley's branch of Scrivenshaft's.
The bell on the door chimed brightly as the group entered. Hermione grabbed another basket and began to fill it with the necessary supplies. Padma ended up beside her and Hermione gave a small nod to the scarred witch. "Feels odd not going back to school, doesn't it?" The witch spoke her voice distant but her eyes alert as she scanned the different inkwells.
"Yes, but it happens to everyone I suppose," Hermione agreed, trying to decide whether she wanted to purchase everlasting ink or get her regular brand and be done with it.
"Technically, we wouldn't have been going back this year anyway, if things had been normal," Padma sighed, before grabbing two bottles of self-correcting ink as well as a bottle of color changing ink.
"Technically, if things had been normal a lot of things would be different," Hermione replied almost bitterly. Padma just nodded as Hermione grabbed three bottles of her regular ink. The two witches continued on, grabbing parchment next.
The two shopped in silence but Hermione vaguely listened to the chatter in the rest of the store. There were a few other customers aside from her group but they were stoutly avoiding the teenagers which caused Hermione to frown. Padma noticed but with a slight shake of her head just guided the bushy haired woman away from those customers and towards the quills. They ran into Pansy who was looking at the art specific quills.
"You really are into this stuff, aren't you?" Padma commented as she stopped beside the Slytherin, causing Hermione to also stop.
"What's it to you?" the witch quipped back but there wasn't any malice in her tone.
"Call it Ravenclaw curiosity," Padma replied calmly.
"I've seen the paintings in Harry's office. You're really quite good, Parkinson," Hermione added. While she didn't care much for interacting with the witch she knew that living in the house made it easier if they could carry civil conversations outside of school work. They had been able to work together to create Harry and Neville's birthday party, so Hermione knew it was possible.
Pansy's dark eyes flickered to Hermione, "Not that I'm going to be basing my creative works on your undoubtedly minimal experience with art, but I suppose any compliment is better than nothing." Hermione gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes but Pansy had already turned back to the quills.
"Besides attempting to paint things in your remarkable amount of spare time, since you aren't creating a business yet, what makes you such the art expert?" Harry's voice came into the conversation as he stopped on the other side of the half shelving unit.
"Ugh, do find a new pastime, Potter," Pansy gave a weary sigh. "And I happen to be rather qualified on the matter due to years of exposure and summers spent in the greatest galleries in the world. Can you say the same?"
"No, not that I would ever want to brag about being stuck indoors surrounded by a dead peoples' paintings either," he replied with a smirk. Pansy merely glared at the Wizarding Savior.
"It's called being cultured, Potter, something that you severely lack," the witch huffed, grabbing the quills she had settled on and flouncing away to the other side of the store. Hermione glanced back at her friend and saw his green eyes dancing with mirth. She sighed in exasperation. Those two were becoming rather impossible but as long as they weren't at each other's throats, Hermione supposed it was a decent alternative.
"What are you buying, Harry?" Padma asked as Harry walked around the half-shelving unit to their side of the aisle.
"New quills. Apparently, there are quills for regular writing and then nicer ones to be used for formal correspondence and legislation. Who knew, right?"
"Where did you learn that, Harry?" Hermione asked with interest, anything new that she learned about the wizarding world was always soaked in and tucked snugly in her mind.
"Daphne," he replied with a shrug. "And I got some more ink. The self correcting stuff because you know how badly I need that stuff, 'Mione," he joked with a smirk. "And that permanent ink, Daphne said it's needed for legislation. Especially for signing off on things, makes it more...permanent? I suppose," he gave another dismissive shrug before carrying on. "And, of course, parchment. I've got the regular parchment and then Daphne was saying that there is special parchment for like formal letters and invitations and then there is parchment for writing legislation, so I had to get that."
Glancing into his basket, she noticed a few bottles of emerald ink as well. "What's with the colored ink, Harry?"
"Oh, Daphne was saying that the really important and influential wizards typically used a colored ink to signify that it was them. She said it was another way of subtly stating your affluence and made your letters carry more weight," he explained with an indifferent shrug, bringing his free hand up to rub at his neck. "I was all for the scarlet ink, you know for Gryffindor pride and all, but Daphne said that it would probably just remind people of blood and we really don't want them thinking that when they read my letters. So she said the green would work best since it matches my eyes or something."
Hermione kept her amused smirk hidden as her best friend mentioned the blonde Slytherin no less than seven times, five by name, in the span of a five minute conversation. It only solidified Hermione's theories and reinforced her mission to keep an eye on things. Despite her growing friendship with Daphne, Hermione would do whatever necessary to make sure Harry didn't get hurt. He had suffered enough already.
"Where do you lot want to go next?" Tracey asked, dragging the rest of the group over.
"I've got all that I need," Padma replied with a shrug. "I'm pretty sure that Malfoy is the only one who got the short end of the stick. Luna and Astoria both need to get all of their school supplies so he will probably be dragged all over with them."
Daphne snickered at that and added, "Which Tori will do with pleasure." Tracey and Pansy joined her amusement with chuckles of their own.
"How about some ice cream?" Daphne suggested. Remembering the heat of the sun on her head before entering the shop, Hermione nodded in agreement.
"No complaints from me," Tracey shrugged with a grin at the thought. The group purchased their items and then moved to the newly reopened Fortescue's. Reaching the counter they reached their first bit of vocal adversity.
Hermione was tucked in the back of the group next to Harry when they entered the store and so while she couldn't see the sneer the worker was giving, she couldn't mistake it in their voice. "We don't serve Death Eaters or their sympathizers in here," the clerk added no doubt glancing at Padma. "So I suggest you lot move out before I have to call the Aurors."
"I doubt the Aurors' would come rushing over to the clearly nonexistent fight going on. They have better things to be doing then answering unfounded accusations," Theo spoke cooly. "We however, would have no reason to not call the Aurors and file a discrimination suit against this establishment."
"Discrimination, eh? Bet you lot know all about that. Sucks that your on the receiving end now," the clerk snickered. "Now get out. We don't serve Death Eaters." Hermione scowled into the back of Goyle who was currently blocking her view but before she could do more she felt Harry pushing forward, anger burning in his eyes.
"Well isn't that a relief then," Harry spat. "We aren't asking you to serve Death Eaters." Hermione poked her head around Goyle's large body to watch the encounter, nervously gnawing on her lip. She saw the teenage girl working the counter falter noticeably at Harry's presence and her eyes go wide in the typical 'hero worship' look that Hermione had become familiar with during her friendship with the Boy-Who-Lived. "Now, I suggest getting your head out of your ass and realize that these people aren't their parents and serve them some damn ice cream." The girl looked decently contrite at his words and ducked her head. She opened her mouth but shut it just as quick at Harry's furious glare.
"Yes, sir. Harry Potter, sir," she stammered, turning to the cash register. "What can I get you?"
"I'll place my order after my friends here," he said simply, stepping aside to let Tracey place her order. The Slytherins were decidedly cold to the server as they placed their orders and paid. The girl didn't say any more to them but her dislike and disgust in dealing with them was still evident in the wrinkle of her button nose and the thinning of her lips.
Hermione quickly placed her order, ignoring the awed look that quickly morphed onto the girls face when she was recognized. Besides stating her order, Hermione didn't speak, and barely dipped her head in thanks, hurrying away from the girl as quickly as she could. She joined the table that Tracey and Pansy had selected. Hermione noticed that all eyes at the table were turned back towards the counter. Curious she followed their gazes and noticed that Harry was in some kind of conversation with the server again. His eyes were hard and his knuckles white and the server didn't seem to be enjoying what he was saying but her eyes didn't leave the counters. Finally, Harry seemed to be done and after receiving his ice cream he joined the group, sliding into the chair between Goyle and Padma.
The group was silent as they ate their ice creams, Hermione savored her chocolate and raspberry flavor, glancing at everyone at the table who seemed lost in their own thoughts, everyone's face was still hard and cold after the encounter.
"So, friends, now are we, Potter?" Pansy spoke up with a raised eyebrow before placing a scoop of toffee pudding flavored ice cream in her mouth.
Harry glanced up from his orange marmalade with a glare that quickly morphed into feigned surprise. "Oh, I completely forgot you were with us, Pansy. If I had remembered you I would have chosen a different term. Please forgive me not noticing your irrelevance."
Pansy glared as Tracey and Padma snorted, chortling at the response. Pansy was cut off from a reply by Astoria, Luna and Draco entering the store and coming towards them. Astoria looked rather nervous and shy as she approached the group, coming to stand next to Harry expectantly.
Confusion obvious, Harry glanced at the sixteen year old. "Can I help you, Astoria?"
"CanIhaveakitten?" the girl rushed out, Hermione blinked, deciphering the question far quicker than her friend seemed to be able to.
"Say again?" Harry asked, staring blankly at the girl.
"Can I please have a kitten?" the girl repeated, her eyes wide and pleading, even bringing her hands up to beg with her lower lip jutting out. Hermione assumed it was meant to appear endearing for her cause.
"Um…" Harry glanced at Daphne. Hermione wasn't sure if it was because it was Daphne herself or because Astoria was the woman's younger sister. The witch tilted her head and pondered the question before shrugging and nodding her head. "Yeah, sure. I mean, if you have money left over."
Astoria emitted a loud squeal of 'thank you' before spinning on her heel, grabbing Malfoy's arm and dragging him with her as she went to the pet shop. Hermione found herself envious of the young girls excitement and joy. She missed the feeling in herself. Sure she got excited over researching and found joy in friends but not to the point of pure joy that Astoria felt over the prospect of a kitten. Hermione felt nostalgic over a former self she had never gotten to be.
"I think, I should probably go with her as well," Daphne said, quickly dabbing at her lips with the napkin before extracting herself from the table.
"Can any of us get a pet, Harry?" Tracey asked suddenly. Hermione observed the strawberry blonde casually playing with the rest of her ice cream but the hopeful eagerness in her eyes ruined the illusion.
Harry shrugged. "Sure, I mean if you really want one."
Tracey fought down a giddy smile at the offer and attempted to extract herself with the grace that Daphne had but failed before finally walking quickly towards the store. "Suppose we all should go," Theo sighed after Padma also disappeared in that direction.
Harry glanced at his watch. "Yeah, sure, we still have some time before we are supposed to meet at Madam Malkins."
The rest of the group left the ice cream shop and walked the short distance to the pet shop. The smell assaulted Hermione as soon as she stepped in but it was soon ignored for the favor of looking at all of the animals. Seeing the tiny kittens made her miss Crookshanks terribly, Ginny had told her shortly after the battle that she had taken Crookshanks to Hogwarts with her in hopes of giving the cat some kind of familiar comfort, because after her sudden departure her cat had apparently been even more grouchy, but the cat having been mistaken as Ginny's own familiar had been killed by one of the Carrows during one of their punishment sessions. Neville's toad, Trevor, had also met that fate.
Hermione didn't blame Ginny for her cats death but it still hurt to know that her ginger feline was no more. "Oh, Hermione, it's nice to see you here," Luna's dreamy voice cut into her grief.
"Oh, hi, Luna. Yeah, I came with the rest," Hermione replied, stepping back from the pen of kittens.
"Are you hoping to get a new familiar yourself?" the flighty blonde questioned. "Your last one was quite intelligent and I found him rather enjoyable. I was sad when Alecto killed it."
"Yeah, Ginny, told me what happened," Hermione replied, her gaze drifting back to the kittens, they weren't kneazles, as those were farther into the shop, but they were incredibly cute. "But I don't think I'm ready for a new familiar, Luna. What about you?"
"Oh, no. I won't be getting one. It wouldn't be fair to the other animals if I had one for myself." Hermione wasn't sure about the logic of that one but Luna was the aspiring magizoologist. She would know, Hermione supposed.
"It's so nice of you to keep things fair." Was all Hermione could think of to say in response. Luna didn't say more but merely drifted deeper into the store. Hermione saw her talking to Pansy and Theo now, both looking awkwardly polite and confused at the whatever the blonde was saying. Smirking to herself, Hermione glanced back at the kittens, feeling her heart both ache and melt at their tiny mewls.
Dropping to her knees she allowed herself the pleasure of having her fingertips sniffed and rubbed against by the tiny creatures. "They are so cute, aren't they?" Astoria sighed, dropping down next to her and scooping up a pure white kitten.
"They are in deed," Hermione agreed softly, giving in and bringing a calico kitten up to her chest where it proceeded to bat at her curls.
"I don't see how anyone can be expected to just choose one," the girl continued, stroking a ginger kitten while still cuddling the white one.
"It is difficult. Last time, Crookshanks kind of chose me so it saved me the hassle," Hermione replied, her voice low but Astoria still seemed to hear. For such an exuberant teenager, the girl was a surprisingly good listener.
"Well, maybe the same will happen again," she said encouragingly. "You know what, I think I'm going to try it that way. Let's see if any of these cuties chooses me. Draco! Come here," she called out. Hermione glanced up and saw that Malfoy had been broodily moving throughout the store and while his countenance didn't change, Hermione saw his eyes get brighter at being called over by the sixteen year old. "Sit with me and help me play with these cuties until one chooses me," the girl demanded when Malfoy had arrived. Hermione had to stifle a giggle at the command but found it a lot harder when without complaint, Malfoy sat down beside the pen of kittens and allowed Astoria to drop a couple into his lap as she grabbed more for herself.
Deciding to leave those two with the kittens, Hermione left the kitten pen and went deeper into the store. She saw the owls but decided against one, she knew there were a few available for use in the owlery at the manor and who was she going to be writing anyway? She thought bitterly. Swallowing the sour taste away, Hermione left the owls and passed the clerks counter as she went deeper. Padma and Goyle were both stroking some of the owl feathers but Hermione didn't feel like engaging.
She was stopped short when a dark purple fuzz ball hit her shoulder. Startled and whipping out her wand, she spun to see what had happened. Stopping short at the sight of Tracey with multiple Pygmy Puffs huddled all over her. The bubbly Slytherin had a light pink Pygmy Puff on her head, a light purple one on the left shoulder and a dark pink one on the right with the dark purple one that had hit Hermione's shoulder back in her hands. "Oops, sorry, Hermione," Tracey apologized sheepishly, clutching the miscreant Puff closer to her. "But aren't they all so adorable?"
"Yeah, Ginny had a purple one a few years ago. I don't know if she still has it though," Hermione mused out loud, stretching out her hand to stroke the dark pink Puff that shivered in pleasure.
"I think I remember seeing that," Tracey agreed but her interest was held by the dark purple Puff in her hands that was now squirming and making some kind of noise that Hermione hoped was meant to be a happy sound.
"Are you going to get one?" Hermione asked politely as the Puff she had been stroking began to butt at her fingers to inform her not to stop.
"I think so, yeah. Originally I thought I wanted a kitten, but then I saw these guys and couldn't resist," Tracey explained, looking fondly at the balls of fluff.
"Good luck choosing between them," Hermione said as she took her leave to travel deeper. Hermione didn't go far when she stopped, catching sight of that familiar messy black hair. Harry stood before the reptile containers, staring at the snake with an unknown expression on his face. She came to stand beside him, staring at the snake which the tank claimed was a coral snake.
"I can still hear them, Hermione," Harry said suddenly, his voice was devoid of emotion and Hermione noted a small slump in his shoulders at the admission. "I thought...I hoped that with Voldemort destroyed and his claim on me gone...it would go to. But I can still hear them and I can still talk to them." Harry took a deep labored breath.
Hermione felt her heart twinge at his lost look. "Don't look at your ability as just another connection to him, Harry. Make it your own. Just because you can talk to them still doesn't mean that he is coming back and it doesn't mean that he is still in you. He is destroyed. He is never coming back."
Harry just gave a short nod but couldn't tear his eyes away from the snake behind the glass. Hermione debated leaving him to come to terms on his own or forcing him away from the display to snap him out of the spiral he was descending in front of her own eyes. Choosing the latter, Hermione brought her hand to his shoulder and rubbed it gently. Finally, Harry blinked his gaze away from the snake and met her eyes. His green eyes were haunted, just like they had been for months but they also seemed rather lifeless now.
"Don't worry about it, Harry. It is your ability. Not his. Don't let him taint things from the grave. You give him too much credit. But if it means that much to you, just avoid snakes and you'll never have to use it again." Hermione looked earnestly into his dull eyes, noticing the dark bags that encircled them that seemed permanent now. His face was drawn and tired and she doubted he slept at all. Not that she was really one to talk on that subject either. Ignoring his lifeless look, she continued to stare up at him, hoping to convey her seriousness on what she was saying.
After a moment, his mouth twitched. He never smiled, not that he was a big smiler before but Hermione missed the easy, lopsided grin that would adorn his face. She herself had only just started smiling again though it wasn't as frequently. Harry gave a nod. "You're right, 'Mione, like always. Thanks," he added in a quieter tone. "Come on, let's go see what pets everyone is going to fill the manor with."
"Are you going to get one?" Hermione asked curiously, following him as he left the reptile section. Life was returning to his eyes so Hermione felt a tightness in her chest release slightly.
"Nah, no need. I'm not really a cat person and I have owls at the manor. Besides, I couldn't ever fully replace Hedwig. You?" he asked, glancing towards her as they neared the part-Kneazle section. Daphne and Theo were there, kneeling next to the pen completely oblivious to their approach as they played with the babies.
Hermione shook her head, her curls flying as she did but still stopped near the part-Kneazle pen. The sign above the pen proclaimed that all of the kittens were fully half-Kneazle. "No, I don't think I'm ready to replace Crookshanks, yet."
Daphne glanced up at them and gave them a friendly nod before turning back to the kittens. Hermione knelt down as well and giggled as a smokey grey half-Kneazle charged towards her from the opposite side of the pen and all but leapt at her hand. "You might not think you're ready, but I think that little guy says otherwise," Daphne teased.
"You might be right," Hermione replied as she brought the kitten closer to her. It gazed up at her with light blue eyes that spoke of a wisdom far beyond its few weeks of life. They locked eyes and Hermione felt that maybe having a new kitten wouldn't be so bad. Maybe it would help her in moving forward. Crookshanks had always been a great confidant during her school years and had always been there for her. Maybe this little guy could do the same? The moment was broken when the tiny kitten reached out with its tiny paw and bopped her on the nose. "Yeah, I think you're right," she giggled, settling herself more comfortably onto the floor to play with the kitten some more. "Are you two going to get one?" she asked, glancing at Daphne and Theo. Harry had disappeared somehow but Hermione wasn't going to dwell on it at the moment. It was a small store, he couldn't have gone far.
Daphne nodded, her blonde hair slipping past her shoulders, giving the tiny black kitten in her lap access to the silky strands. "Yes, I think so. I've always wanted one growing up. Never was able to though." Daphne smiled fondly at the tiny kitten that began pouncing on the blonde strands of hair. "How about it little one? Want to come home with me?" she asked to the kitten who just swished its tail and pounced on her hair again. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Theo?" Hermione asked, turning to the man currently struggling with three kittens climbing all over his lap.
Looking highly overwhelmed at the little creatures climbing all over him, Theo glanced up, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. "It wasn't my intention, but I don't think I'll get much choice. These things are rather persistent aren't they?"
"Stubborn, persistent, intelligent, adorable, all adequate descriptors of a half-Kneazle," Daphne agreed holding her chosen kitten up to her face to kiss its head.
"Which will you choose?" Hermione asked as her kitten nestled itself in the crook of her arm, content in being stroked as it rested.
Theo glanced at the three on his lap. There was a ginger one, a black and white striped one, and a tortoiseshell one. Glancing at the three, Theo selected the tortoiseshell one and held it to eye level. "I think, this -" There was a loud crash a few aisles over followed by a loud shout that cut him off. Hermiones' eyes went wide. Scrambling to her feet, Hermione placed the kitten in its pen for the time being and rushed towards the noise.
Hermione reached the aisle with the commotion and gasped, pulling her wand but just before she could utter a word the clerk arrived.
"Oh how wonderful sir! I've been wondering if we would find a home for that one. The rest of his litter has been sold off," the clerk cried out happily.
Harry was sprawled out on the floor with numerous trinkets and cages knocked over and scattered around him but what caused her worried gasp was the wolf puppy on his chest holding him down. Harry's eyes were wide as he stared up at the canine staring down at him.
Harry shifted his gaze from the dog to the clerk with his eyebrows raised. "What?"
"Well this one has clearly chosen you," the clerk explained with a flippant gesture of his hands. By this time the rest of the group had arrived to survey the scene.
"Of course," Malfoy scoffed. "Only you, Potter." Harry glared but said nothing, putting his attention back to the creature on his chest. Slowly, he shifted attempting to sit up. The dog must have understood because it hopped off of him to begin wagging its tail, eyes locked onto Harry as the man stood up.
"But I don't need a dog. I mean, I'm going to be really busy and everything," Harry began, running a hand through his hair, glancing down at the eager puppy.
"Harry, this puppy has chosen you. It must know that you need it, even if you don't know it yourself," Luna said simply. Harry blinked at the dreamy witch before glancing back down at the canine. Sighing he knelt down and held out his hand, the dog sniffed it and began happily licking his fingers before butting his full hand to insist its head be pat.
"What kind of dog is it?" Tracey asked, curiously leaning around the clerk to get a better view.
"It's more of a hybrid really. Part wolf, part dog. Muggles have similar breeds such as the Utonagan and the Tamaskan," the clerk explained, but Hermione had no idea what kind of breeds of dogs those were so she made a mental note to research them later. "But being magical, this breed is obviously a little better. It will live longer than the average muggle wolf-hybrid dog too and far more intelligent. It simply requires ample exercise and lots of love. Gets along with most other animals and people, but very protective and fiercely loyal."
"This could work for you Harry," Padma stated. "With all of you politicking, you are going to need to stay on top of your exercise and this guy can help you with that. Plus, it is incredibly cute and already bonding with you. Don't tell me you can say no to that guy now," she chuckled, nodding to the puppy who had now tired of Harry's absent minded pets to fully curl itself into his arms and chest and begin trying to lick his face.
Hermione watched Harry's face brighten considerably at the puppy's attempts and knew that this dog would be wonderful for her friend. He needed a furry companion and if it happened to be a wolf-dog to fill the spot than so be it. "Well, I suppose not," Harry replied ruefully, finally wrapping both arms around the tiny creature and hugging it close. Astoria and Tracey giggled at the picture the man and puppy made whereas the rest just smiled fondly.
"Wonderful, sir, I daresay you will not regret taking the little guy home. Now, come with me and I'll help you make your further purchases," the clerk said, backing away from the aisle. Harry stood and began to follow with the puppy trotting dutifully at his heels. Now that the puppy wasn't clinging to Harry, Hermione was able to get a better glimpse of it.
It was really a tiny black fur ball with too large feet and too large ears. If it really was part-wolf though, Hermione had a feeling it would be growing into its feet and ears in time. It's tail wagged rapidly as Harry went to the canine section of the store. The puppy's eyes were a dark brown, almost blending in with the velvety black of its fur. Hermione had the sudden urge to reach out and stroke the wolf puppy but thought better of it. Afterall it was coming to the manor now, she would have plenty of chances.
The ruckus disbanded, the rest of the group began picking up their last minute items for their new pets before moving to the cash register to purchase everything. Now separated from the tiny grey bundle she had been holding, Hermione felt the loss of Crookshanks all the more and felt a little guilt at having almost replaced him so soon, so decided to forgo buying it. Maybe she would just come back and see if the kitten was still there. If it was then she would get it for sure….maybe.
When everyone had finally left the store, Hermione glanced at all of the new animals. Padma and Goyle had both gotten owls, a stunning grey for Padma and an intimidating Barn Owl for Goyle. Astoria and Hannah, who had shown up with Neville sometime while everyone was in there, both got kittens. The pure white one for Astoria and a ginger one for Hannah. Tracey had chosen the dark purple Pygmy Puff and had it perched contently on her shoulder. Theo and Daphne had each gotten their half-Kneazle. And there Harry stood with his black wolf shadow puppy at his feet, proudly boasting a light blue collar.
"Can we get our robes now that everyone has decided to become covered in fur?" Pansy sniffed disdainfully, looking at her nails. Hermione resisted the urge to glare at the woman but only barely.
"Yeah, fine, let's go," Harry sighed, glancing at the quickly crowding street. "But let's try to be quick. Who doesn't need robes?"
"Hannah and I are good. Gran had us go out last month and get some more," Neville replied, his arms loaded with Hannahs' new kittens things.
"I've got all my robes already, too," Padma spoke up in agreement.
Harry nodded, looking rather relieved as he glanced at his watch. "Great. I've got mine already too. So why don't us four take all the new pets with us back to the manor, so the others don't have to deal with them in Madam Malkins."
"Aren't you generous all of a sudden," Pansy commented wryly, glancing up from examining her nails. "Got a hot date you're trying to meet?" she teased.
Harry grimaced and Hermione snorted. "I wouldn't say a hot date," Harry replied, as if the very words were enough to induce vomiting, "but I do have somewhere I need to be soon."
"Let's just give them our pets so we can get our robes and be done with it already, alright? Don't know about the rest of you but I'm so done with being stared at everywhere we go and this place is getting crowded. So let's get moving," Blaise interrupted before Pansy could reply. The witch huffed but said nothing.
From her observations, Blaise was typically far more jovial than what he had seemed at Hogwarts. When he had come to seek her out in regards to her potentially knowing what runes to use for his wizard telephone device, she had been beyond surprised. He had even provided an interesting debate partner for the two days they worked together. And while he had thanked her afterwards and was always cordial, he hadn't sought out further conversation from her. But through his interactions with the other Slytherins, Hermione saw him to be rather amiable.
Hermione smirked as she saw the four who were to head home get loaded up with all of the pets plus accessories. Taking pity on them, she pulled forth her tiny beaded bag and offered it to the four. Harry gave her a surprised look at seeing the bag and his eyes glazed over for a few moments, lost in the memories that the bag inspired. Hermione was sure the exchange had been overlooked by everyone else but she had seen, just like she always did. Shaking himself of the past, Harry accepted the bag and loaded the accessory bags into it. That done, he then gathered his puppy and Tracey's Pygmy Puff into his arms. Neville held Daphne and Theo's half-kneazles, while Hannah held her kitten and Astorias', with Padma holding the two owl cages.
"See you back at the manor," Harry said as the other three disapparated. "Try not to cause too much trouble," he added with a smirk before disapparating too.
Malfoy snorted. "Please, he was the trouble magnet. With him gone we might even make it through the rest of the day without strife."
"Let's just go and get this done with," Tracey sighed, striding towards the robe shop.
Hermione suddenly felt very outnumbered and subtly sidled next to Luna, the only other non-Slytherin who had stayed, admonishing her prejudiced actions mentally the entire time. She felt guilty for feeling so outnumbered, after all she lived with all of them and nothing had happened. She had no reason to think something would happen now that they were in public. The fact that she was starting to consider some her friends just tripled her guilt and she forced herself to step farther from Luna to make it look like she wasn't bothered.
Reaching the store, the group walked in. Madam Malkin and her assistant bustled over and despite the slight widening of the eyes at the group in her store and the moments hesitation, the woman placed on her customer service smile and proceeded to help them all with their robe selections and fittings with her assistant running back and forth with the different styles and materials to be tried on.
Hermione had only intended on buying a few standard robes without much thought towards anything else, but Astoria and Tracey had put a stop to that line of thought. And so enlisting the help of Parkinson who had grudgingly helped only so that she didn't become associated with someone so atrociously dressed, Hermione was given a new wardrobe, of a handful of formal robes for each season, casual robes for each season and beautiful dress robes. Each of the robe sets were also ordered in black, red, purple, blue, and grey. Astoria had informed her that these were 'her fashion colors', Hermione hadn't really understood that but given how good she actually looked in the robes she for once hadn't questioned it.
After everyone had unpacked their things they had recongregated in the entrance lobby. It seemed to be the unspoken rule of the house that when everyone was to be together it was to be there when outside of a meal. The new familiars were becoming situated with their new owners and home.
"Oh, Hermione, you never got the kitten?" Daphne asked puzzled, her own half-kneazle settled contently in her lap.
"No, I deci-" she was interrupted though by the sound of muffled shouting coming from outside the manor. On alert, Hermione stood, along with everyone else, with her wand raised. Terror starting to fill her at the thought of what could be causing the shouted screams. Before her brain could process further Lopsy popped into the center of the room looking shaken. "Missus Padma! Missus Padma! Master is requesting you. Master says his cousins be hurt. And missus needs to hurry."