Now the thought haunts me day and night.
I believe in fate. I was obviously meant to end up with Draco and Tony again. But why? What purpose am I serving? I don't do anything! Granted, I got rid of Janine in a way. That was good. But that was it.
What am I supposed to do if they're in trouble? Meow for help?
Give me a break.
But then, when the time comes, I guess I'll be ready for it. And if it never comes, then that's fine, too. I'm perfectly content here.
It's time for my walk.
-----
Draco is much happier now that Janine is gone. Even after she calls he can muster a laugh. And I'm glad. He's shrugged it off as though it was nothing.
It means he wasn't in love with her.
Selfish of me? Yes. Do I feel guilty? Not a bit.
I can see that he's happier even as we walk around the block. He stops to chat with almost every neighbour non the small street. It's so modest, and I love it. The small houses, the uncomplaining people, the cheerful smiles and waves.
I only wish I could wave back.
But Draco seems to make up for my absence. He grew up in such a sagacious group of "friends" it seems odd to see Draco Malfoy gallivanting in the street.
Oh, the surprises.
"Draco!"
We both turn at the call, and there is Harry and Ron waving at him as they get out of a car.
Draco waves back happily, but I barely notice as I bolt towards them, unable to hide my own glee at seeing my two best friends again.
The three of them laugh at me and Harry bends down to scratch under my chin.
Once again, I'm overcome with the need to speak. Instead, "You're mother is beautiful, she and your father are still madly in love, and Sirius is wreaking havoc like we knew he would. Mrs Weasley is going insane in the after-life worrying about all of you, and everyone's the same and everyone loves you both," come out as a series of meows and other cat sounds I did not think I could make.
"You actually bought a cat, Draco?" Harry asks, picking me up.
"Quite the talkative thing, isn't it?" Ron says softly, not touching me. There is this weird vibe about him. I don't know what it is, and I've never felt it before. Like he's hiding something, but … nah. Maybe Ron's just creepy now.
"Yeah, she seems really comfortable, which I didn't expect. I mean, she was in the stray bin at the shop," Draco says, shrugging as Harry cradles me. He always was lots of fun. I bet he's an amazing dad.
"And does she have a name?" Harry asks, looking up at him.
Draco shrugs again, and I can tell he's blushing. "Well, both Tony and I thought her fur, like her hair, it's wild, so we called her Eno."
"The last three letters," Ron whispers, and nods. It's then that I meet his eyes.
"Hey, did you two want some tea?" Draco asks suddenly, and leads them both into the house.
I'm freaked right out. What was that look? It's like Ron and I connected somehow. Like he knew who I really was. But that's impossible, isn't it? So I bolt to Draco's room. No one will follow me. Draco and Harry and Ron will talk – thank goodness. I always loved seeing them all get along finally.
But my peace is interrupted and Ron slips into the room and closes the door. He sits beside me on the bed.
All of a sudden his voice is in my head.
"Hermione."
What am I to do? So I just think. "Ron."
"How have you been?"
"Fine, I guess."
"Just fine?"
"It's good to be back."
"Why are you back?"
If it was possible, I would sigh. But I'm a cat. "I have no idea. I do have a reason, but no one told me what it was. Just that I would know when it happened."
"What else did they tell you?"
"That I wasn't to tell anyone it was me. And seeing as I actually ended up here, exactly where I want to be, I'm past questioning the fates."
"The fates?" I can feel his scepticism.
"Yes, Ronald, the fates."
"You're a believer now?"
"I'm here aren't I?"
He silent, and so am I for a moment. It's amazing, really, that he can communicate like this with me. Maybe that's why he never trusted Crookshanks while we were in school. He knew he wasn't really a full cat, and that – Oh, I don't know anymore. Ron has always been complicated. But why he actually wants to talk to me is –
"I could bring you back."
Bingo. Knew there was something more. But I won't let on. At least my legimency has stayed with me in this form.
"I am back. Breathing and everything."
"I mean as human."
And that is why Ron has always been the oddball.
"No one can do that. Then you really would be bringing back the dead, and it's impossible. Immoral."
"They were the ones that have you here."
"But you aren't meant to do it."
"Fate brought us together."
"You always could twist my words."
"We would only be changing your form."
"We?"
"I."
"Oh."
"Shall we?"
"Not now."
"Why not?"
"I'm not ready." Which I'm not. It's not everyday someone gets to be a cat. And I like having Draco talk to me like an outsider. I like being an outsider in this house.
"Well I am."
"Have you ever done this before?"
"No."
"At all?"
"Well, not from animal to human, just one animal to another. Your soul might complicate things a bit."
"My soul?"
"You are a lot human."
"Well thanks." Finally a compliment.