Days That Shape Us
Chapter Three
5-June-1998
Hermione apparated a few streets down from her childhood home but the walk did nothing to calm her nerves. Most of the walk she was debating whether to just walk in or ring the bell. She felt ringing the bell was a bit formal for a visit with her parents, but walking in might give them the impression she would go with them; if they haven't changed their mind.
"Hermione!"
Hermione stopped dead a few yards from her house praying it was just her imagination. She turned around and cursed under her breath.
"Ron, what are you doing here."
"I thought I'd come with you."
"Did I ask you to come with me?" She said annoyed, as much as she loved Ron this would go a lot smother with out his presence.
"Well, no- but," he just shrugged and gave her a sweet smile. Hermione couldn't help but smile back, Ron truly was an incredible boyfriend.
"Just-just let me handle it alright?"
"Is it that bad?"
Hermione turned mumbling, "We're about to find out."
Hermione took a deep breath when she stepped onto the door step and decided to go half way; in opening the door slowly while knocking.
"Mum? Dad?"
A rustle of papers caused her to turn her head left to where her father was reading the paper on the couch. The smile he gave her was encouraging and she took a few steps in only to see her father smile fade and turn into a scowl as soon as Ron stepped in behind her.
"Here to collect your things I gather?"
"Things? They're kicking you out?" Ron whispered in her ear and she shook her head to tell him 'not now'.
"Hermione is that- oh." Hermione smiled at her mother who just emerged from the kitchen but her parents eyes were on Ron.
"Can we talk?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"There's really not much to talk about; unless you've changed your mind?"
"I haven't."
"You know where your room is then. It shouldn't take you to long to pack." Her father said going back to his paper.
Hermione silently pleaded with her mother but she shook her head. "You made your decision we've made ours."
"This isn't fair!" Hermione said stomping her foot.
"Maybe I should wait outside."
"No, you stay, help her, this is your fault after all." John Granger said glaring at Ron over his paper.
"My fault?
"Come on, it was a mistake to come here." Hermione turned and opening the door wanting to leave as fast as she could.
"Every thing is your fault!" Her father said getting to his feet, her mother coming to stand behind him. "If it weren't for you, Hermione would be packing to go to Australia and not to go off with the likes of you!"
"The likes of me?"
"You picked a winner Hermione! All he can do is stand and repeat the last few words I say like parrot."
"HEY!"
"Now, John."
"Don't you have a go at him!" Hermione said forgetting the door was wide open and advancing on her father. "You know nothing about him!"
"I know enough! Poor family; dropped out of school; His mother's a murderer."
"Ron, no!" It took every ounce of her Hermione's strength to push Ron against the wall to prevent him from hitting her father.
"DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY! DON'T TALK ABOUT MY MUM! WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM!"
"Ron!"
"YOU! YOU'RE MY PROBLEM!" Her father yelled struggling against her mother who, like Hermione trying to prevent things from coming to blows. "SHE CHOSE YOU OVER US! YOU! WHAT CAN YOU PROVIDE FOR HER! NOTHING BUT GETTING HER HURT AND TORTURED! DEAD IS WHAT SHE'LL BE IF SHE CONTINUES ON WITH YOUR LOT! YOU'RE GOING TO GET HER KILLED!"
"DAD!" Hermione yelled angrily at her father trying to push Ron out the opened door. "I know it was a mistake to come here and try to reason with you!"
"It's true! How many times has your life been on the line since you began mingling in that world?"
"Last time I checked Hermione was just fine!"
"FOR NOW! What are you going to do if another war breaks out? What are you going to do if she's kidnapped and tortured again! You couldn't protect her then what makes you think you can protect her now! I swear to god Hermione if you don't cut ties with them we'll drag you to Australia against your will."
"I'd kill anyone who tries to take Hermione away from me!"
"Ron let's GO!" Hermione pushed at Ron chest with her shoulder finally getting him out the door.
"What the fuck are you looking at!" Ron barked at one of the neighbors as Hermione continued to push a less struggling Ron down the path and to a secluded place behind some bushes in an empty play park so they could Apparate.
"Why didn't you tell me they were being so… so…"
"You shouldn't have yelled at my father."
"DID YOU HEAR WHAT HE SAID ABOUT MY MUM!"
"DON'T YELL AT ME!"
"DON'T DEFEND HIM!"
"HE'S MY FATHER!"
"HE WAS OUT OF LINE!"
"HE'S STILL MY FATHER!"
"THEN GO BACK! RUN OFF TO AUSTRALIA!"
"Ron!"
"YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!"
"No I don't!"
"Yes you do." He snared. "You agree with him! You think we're dangerous."
"I never said I agreed!"
"Oh but you do, I can tell! You think they have a point!"
"They do have a point! There are still Death Eaters free! I'm still Muggleborn and they will always see me as a Mudblood! Do you have any idea how many people would like to see me and my parents dead? Do you know how terrified that makes me?"
"Then why did you bring them back!"
"I missed them!"
"Then go back!"
"I love you, more!"
Ron opened his mouth then closed it again so Hermione took that as a good sign and took a step closer to him. "I love you more than I missed my parents, that's why I came back before them. I love you more than I'm scared for them. I'd rather live without my parents and with you, than with them and with you out of my life. It's horrible, but it's the truth. They may be safer in Australia but I'm safest with you."
"Really?"
"Yes. So stop yelling at me!"
"Sorry."
"I'm sorry. My father… I'm sorry Ron." Hermione finally dissolved in to the tears that had been threatening since her father told her to pack her belongings. She didn't recognize the man that had returned from Australia. He was always so kind and understanding. The father she knew would never say such horrible things to any one let alone the man she loved.
"Come here." Ron held Hermione tight and allowed her to cry her heart out. "It's OK."
"No it's not. That man's not my father. I ruined him. I must have bungled the spell."
"He's just scared for you. He's scared and in shock and angry over what you had to go through. He just wants you safe."
"How can you defend him after everything he said?"
Hermione felt more than heard Ron's chuckle. "I just can't win with you, can I?"