Work has been insane. Seven admits in eight days and five of them were mine. So, ugh. And I have plans tomorrow, so early chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 40
Hermione roused and startled briefly, the morning sun came from the wrong direction. Across her stomach, she felt Marcus rubbing in the odd pattern unique to him. A small breath brought her a whiff of his cologne. She peeked at the room around her. A Slytherin banner hanging on the wall behind clued her into their location, Marcus's bedroom. She shifted making herself comfortable again. Her mattress at Courtenay Ave was far superior, muggle beds generally were. "Feeling okay?" a deep voice rumbled next to her.
"A little stiff," she held up her hand, "still trembling. All in all, I'll live."
"Good. I would miss you horribly."
"Is that so?" she teased as he pulled her closer.
"Yes."
"Good."
He kissed her temple, "Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you mean it last night when you said that home was where I was?"
She giggled, "I thought that was a dream. But, yes, I did."
"Home is where you are for me, too. Which does leave me with a question. Have you given any thought to where you would like to live in the future?"
She thought, chewing on her lower lip, "Seriously? No, but in giving it some thought now, if you have no objections, what about my house in London? As a second son, you have no obligation to live here. And at least Malcolm and Esme will be there with their families."
"Malcolm is a given, but Esme?" he asked.
"Percy is estranged from his family, and even if he wasn't I can't see Esme getting along with Molly well enough to be willing to live at the Burrow."
"I can accept that reasoning, but you're the Lestrange heir," he pointed out.
"Yes, and Rabastan has to marry. The poor dears don't need us being disgustingly happy while they learn to be married. And it gives us space without Bellatrix waiting to trounce you after we fight."
"Yeah, there's a change," he chuckled.
"Are there any wizard customs that we would be flaunting if we moved in together now?" she asked.
"Are you asking me to move in with you, Miss Lestrange?"
"Perhaps, Mr. Flint."
Marcus sat up, leaning against the headboard, "Some people might frown upon it. Might start some rumors, especially if we have a short engagement."
"Most people need to worry about themselves."
Marcus leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling, "I know how to avoid all that fuss."
She leaned up on one elbow, "How's that?"
"Marry me."'
"Are you asking or telling?"
"Asking, of course, I value my life."
"Without a ring?" she asked faking a scandalized voice.
"Top drawer of the nightstand next to you."
She shot upright, "Are you kidding?"
"Look for yourself. I told you sooner rather than later."
"I know, but still." She opened the drawer to find a small red velvet bag. She could feel the hard metal circle within. Suddenly nervous, she handed it to him unopened. "Are you sure this is where and how you want to propose?"
He pulled the ring out and looked at it. A large emerald-cut diamond twinkled between two smaller guard stones. "I don't think I can wait another second without knowing you will be my wife. Hermione Neveah Lestrange, will you marry me?" He offered her the ring.
She accepted the ring, "Oh my gods, yes!"
"Our engagement can be as long or as short as you like," he assured her.
"I don't think we should begin planning anything until after Bas's wedding. Mummy Dearest will be zero help with planning and Penelope's parents are going to get themselves hexed for overspending. She's going to need help running interference."
"Which you can't provide of Narcissa keeps stealing you for wedding planning."
"Exactly. And you need to focus on the World Cup."
"Do you want to wait to tell people?" he asked cautiously. He didn't like the idea but would agree to whatever she wanted.
"Wait to wear my pretty ring and have people coo over it? Are you smack out of your mind? Don't be daft. Rodolphus is going to need every second possible getting used to the idea."
"We'll tell them today, then?"
She shrugged, "No reason not to."
"I would suggest joining my family for breakfast," he started, "but."
"I have no clothes here," she finished.
"Precisely."
"I'm going to pop back to my place. We can have lunch with your family and dinner with mine," she suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." He kissed her soundly. "And as soon as you are back up to snuff we will celebrate."
She ran her hand down his bare chest, "Or we could celebrate now."
"You were tortured two days ago. You need rest."
She caressed up his neck and across the shell of his ears. "Maybe all I need is you."
"Keep this up and we will both need a cold shower." He caught her hand. "I adore you and refuse to do anything to set back your recovery. MacLellan may not have said anything to you, but I get quite the lecture. In front of your father and the Dark Lord, no less. We will be behaving."
"Spoilsport," she fake pouted.
He kissed her temple, "The second those tremors stop I will take you against the nearest surface."
"Promise?"
"I swear," he promised.
"I'm going to hold you to that," she answered.
After a final kiss, she returned to her house. She found Harry eating cereal at the kitchen table. "Morning," he drawled.
"Good morning," she chirped.
"Long night?" he asked with a smirk.
"Quite the opposite, actually. I fell asleep at the floo."
"Poor Marcus," he laughed.
"As he pointed out, I was tortured two days ago and should be recovering. It is what normal people do apparently."
"Huh, never really had the time, did we?" Harry resumed eating.
She slid into the chair across from him, "We did have an eventful morning." She extended her left hand.
"Wow, I didn't know diamonds could be rectangles."
"That's your takeaway? Diamonds can be different shapes?"
He laughed, "Congratulations, Hermione. Made any plans yet?"
"We're going to move in together and nothing until after Uncle Bas and Penelope get married."
Harry looked uncertain, "When are you moving?"
"I'm not, Marcus is moving into my childhood home with me." Harry continued to look confused, "This is my house, Harry."
Understanding spread across his face, "That's why the owner doesn't mind my being here indefinitely."
"Correct."
"Huh, why didn't you ever tell us about this?" Harry asked.
Hermione reached to grab a box of cereal. Varl appeared and smacked her hand. "Varl will bes getting Mistress's breakfast. Does mistress wish to have cereal?"
"That would be nice, Varl, thank you." She rubbed her hand while Harry snickered at her. "To answer your question, Harry. You never asked about my life. Percy asked what my parents did and that was the end of your interest in my life outside of magic."
Harry thought for a moment, "You're right, Mione. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You didn't want us asking questions, so you didn't. And can you imagine Ron's reaction if he found out both his friends were wealthy?"
Harry grimaced, "Point taken. So, when do I have to move out?"
She shrugged, "Whenever you want to, I suppose."
"Marcus won't mind?"
"Why would he, we already do everything we would do otherwise?"
"True, okay, I won't rush out, but I will begin considering where I should go long term. Grimmauld Place is out. The Weasels can get in there."
"Not a bad idea to be cautious," she agreed. "Have you considered living alone, discovering yourself?"
"I don't know. I think I would feel safe without someone about to watch my back. I don't want the Order to get a hold of me again."
"Hmm, well, good luck with that."
"Thanks," Harry muttered.
She smiled, "Remember, you have all the time you need."
"Thanks, Mione."
"You're welcome, Harry."
Before heading for lunch, Hermione sent her parents and uncle a message requesting they be available for dinner at the hall. Marcus met her at the floo. Unexpected development, Esme and Weasley have come round for lunch," he told her with a kiss.
"Do you want to wait?"
"No, just wanted to give you fair warning this could go several ways: congratulations and joy, a tantrum against marriage, or a lecture about finding a spouse."
"If it is the last be prepared I will counter with the suggestion to find gainful employment."
"Noted. Now that we are both forewarned, shall we go have lunch?" He offered his arm.
She took it with a smile, "Let's, shall we?" He escorted her to the informal family dining room. Once he helped her into her place he sat next to her. "Hello, everyone," she greeted warmly.
The family made small talk through the first half of the meal. Then Alva frowned and glared at Esme, "That boy best not be here to announce your engagement without discussing things first."
Esme sniffed, "Percy doesn't need your permission or blessing, Mother. Though, I'm sure when he's ready he will ask Daddy's blessing."
Before anyone else could respond, Marcus spoke up, "I do have an announcement. I gained Rodolphus's blessing, and Hermione's acceptance for my proposal." Hermione held up her left hand, displaying her ring.
"Great Aunt Adrienne's ring!" Cressida exclaimed.
"Congratulations!" boomed Merrick grinning broadly. "How soon is the wedding?"
Hermione made a show of sighing, "I don't know if you've heard, but the Clearwater family invoked an old agreement, Rabastan is marrying one of them. I don't want to steal the spotlight."
Alva frowned, "They didn't want one of them to marry you?"
Hermione flashed her a mean little smirk, "Mummy Dearest threatened to light them on fire for all of eternity." Her face fell, "But that didn't save Uncle Bas, he's stuck."
"All the better for Marc," grinned Malcolm.
"We're going to start making early decisions after the World Cup. Though we did agree to move in together now."
"At Lestrange Hall?" inquired Cressida.
"No, my childhood home. While in London, it is somewhat remote and warded against muggles to be hidden, like the Blacks' London residence."
"Will it be large enough for a growing family?" Alva asked with feigned innocence. Merrick narrowed his eyes at his wife.
Marcus began laughing, "Hermione's house might be larger than ours. Don't worry about my suffering or having her spend all my galleons. She's wealthier than me without the Lestrange fortune."
"And remember what I said, I don't care how much you of it you spend. You can be a trophy husband if you like." They both laughed. His family looked confused. "That's my standard response when people suggest I'm a gold digger. Usually shuts them up."
Merrick guffawed loudly, "Brilliant, my dear, simply brilliant."
Hermione shrugged, "I do try." She resumed eating.
Esme followed her lead, "Are you not making any plans until after the Cup?"
"I have things I want to accomplish before Aunt Cissa takes over my life with wedding plans. If I didn't fear what she would do, I might just let her plan the whole thing herself." Hermione shuddered and looked at Marcus, "Don't let me do that."
"I won't," he promised.
"Thank you."
"So, a long engagement then?" affirmed Percy.
"For the wizarding world, anyway," Hermione said. "Muggle engagements usually last for at least a year, sometimes two or longer. It takes them longer to arrange and make things."
Percy nodded, "Sounds nice." Esme nodded. Merrick pouted for a moment, before shrugging it off, they hadn't had that conversation yet, anyway."
"And if your family disapproves of this idea?" Alva asked.
"We'll elope and rob them all of the wedding nonsense," Hermione said in a flat voice.
"A have to face their disapproval?" Alva was scandalized.
Hermione blinked at her several times, "At the age of 14 I faced down a psychopath, a werewolf, and a hoard of dementors. Why on earth would I be afraid of some glares and sighs? They can accept my decisions or be apart from them. That's my philosophy on just about everyone, on the by and by." She gave her future mother-in-law a brittle smile.
Wisely, the men at the table steered the conversation towards the upcoming beginning of the World Cup for the remainder of the meal. Alva fled to her room citing a headache as soon as she could. Cressida predicted many headaches in the future.
Marcus spent the afternoon packing the belongings he needed to take with him to Courtenay Ave. Everyone agreed there was no point in prolonging the move. Though Esme whispered to Hermione Merrick wouldn't be best pleased when Marcus wasn't available to help cover some expenses in the future. Hermione convinced Marcus to join her in a quick shower before dressing for dinner, promising to behave herself if he helped her wash. Having somewhere to be helped.
They apparated to the foyer of the hall and followed the voices. They found the Lestranges, the Malfoys, and the Clearwaters in the smallest parlor. Narcissa had a tight smile on her face and Bellatrix was openly glaring. Rabastan was handing Draco a drink, the others already holding one. "Oh," gasped Hermione, "are we intruding?"
"In your own home? Never," declared Rodolphus coming to hug her and shake Marcus's hand.
Hermione moved to hug Bellatrix and Narcissa. That the former hugged her warmly caused her to flash the latter a questioning look. "Roddy thought you might be making an announcement of some kind and invited us. The Clearwaters gatecrashed under the guise of wedding planning," Narcissa whispered in her ear.
Hermione pulled back, smiling, "How nice that everyone's here." She stepped back to take Marcus's hand. "This morning Marcus proposed, and I accepted." She beamed up at him, while he smiled down at her with a goofy grin. Her family rushed forward to admire her ring and congratulate them. The presence of the Clearwaters made them a little more boisterous than they might have been."
"When can we start planning?" Narcissa gushed.
"Not for a bit, Marcus is busy with the Cup and I have some things I want to work on before we get sidetracked with that nonsense." She looked at Penelope ignoring her parents. "And I do not wish to distract from the other wedding in our family."
"I should think not," sniffed Mrs. Clearwater under her breath.
"Though we have decided to move in together," Hermione shrugged, she enjoyed the shocked expressions on Penelope's parents' faces.
"Here in the Hall?" asked Bellatrix.
"No, I thought we might take the house on Courtenay Ave. It feels better for us. We might stay there after the wedding."
"Shouldn't Rabastan and Penelope have the first choice of residence?" demanded Mr. Clearwater.
"No," replied Rodolphus in a hard voice. "Courtenay Ave belongs to Hermione through her mother's family. The Lestrange family does not have secondary homes. We reside here, together."
"Oh, how nice."
Hermione fought not to roll her eyes. She knew the Clearwaters coveted the idea of being invited to the Hall for parties and holidays. Wanting another manor house was just greedy. Happily, Nyx appeared to announce dinner. Marcus offered her his arm as the rest of the men did as well.
Nyx quickly served the first course. As they began eating, Mrs. Clearwater immediately began to discuss wedding arrangements and how much everything would cost. And how should they deal with the bills since the agreement stipulated the Lestranges would be paying? Hermione suspected Bellatrix was grinding her teeth. She thought Narcissa growled.
Bas groaned, "This isn't appropriate dinner conversation. And we
should be celebrating."
"We came here to have this discussion," insisted Clearwater.
Hermione flashed a mischievous grin that would have Harry looking for the popcorn. Marcus perked up. "Why not simply give Miss Clearwater a budget? She can spend a certain amount of money and not a knut more. Simply transfer that amount to her account and then she can cover the bills herself."
"Yaxley is not exaggerating when he calls you the smartest witch he knows," Bas grinned at her.
"Thank you," she dimpled back.
Narcissa did some quick addition in her head and suggested a total. "That is twice what I paid for the New Year's Ball."
While it was less than the Clearwaters wanted, and they were not pleased that the money was going to their daughter's vault, they had no choice but to agree. They declined to linger after dinner for brandy or tea. Penelope made sure to thank Hermione and congratulate her. "And please, call me Penny."
"Call me Hermione."