For a moment she hesitated. Was this not her mate? How could it possibly be? She was so certain… There was no urge to close the gap between them, there was no sudden urge to mate like there was with Fred. But then she took in George's scent and warmth spread through her being, enveloping her in a sensation she's never felt before.
Strawberries, just like Fred, but that's where the similarity ended.
War and sweet gingerbread.
And something else, something fresh like mint.
It was a scent that allowed her comfort and that made her take two steps closer knowing she wouldn't act out on her instincts. Yes, this was her mate. She should have known they would feel different. They were one soul but two beings after all.
George took a deep breath and couldn't help himself but gather her in his arms, wanting to feel her close as well as see her before him. Hermione took in his scent, forcing herself to stay calm, now that she felt his closeness and her instincts wanted to take over.
As suddenly as the embrace began, it ended with George pulling away and returning to his previous spot by the fireplace, taking in the changes in her, and his features shifted into a much more serious expression.
"George," she began, uncertain where she was going but wanting to make sure that he would not leave her flat that day without knowing how much she wanted for all of them to be one.
George however shook his head and stood where he was, not stepping away from her but not making any steps towards her again. He had been incredibly worried for her, and of course he loved her but there were some difficult questions to ask now that he knew she was alive and safe.
"I'm glad you're back, both for myself and for Roxy," he said, his voice as steady as it was going to be in this situation, "but at the same time I want to keep my distance, and I'm not used to feeling that way about you," he said honestly.
Hermione sat down on the arm of her couch, knowing that while she had Fred unconditionally, George would have to be hard-won. "I'm sorry. That's all I can say. I'm sorry that my work had an impact on you and Roxy. I was worried sick for all of you and thought about you every moment I could," she said earnestly, wanting him to know she never meant for her work and her private life to crossover, especially this way.
"How long have you been doing this work? A while, yes?" George asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Hermione nodded. "I have been working on developing this unit and have been there from its launch," she confirmed.
"So that means you've been doing this work all the while you were close to Freddie, and me, and Roxy. Did you ever think about what could happen if you make enemies and they find out about us, my family?" he asked, the anger that has been brewing within him coming to the surface.
Hermione knew this would be hard but she didn't expect the anger that radiated off the man before her, the man she loved but one that was also a parent. She knew this was about Roxy. "I know and I always made sure to never be spotted with you when I was working on a case. I've put as much thought into it as I could, and I tried my hardest to make sure you and Roxy never knew or were affected," she tried to explain where she was coming from, but it seemed to no avail.
"Well now we do, and knowing that Roxy could have been in danger….it feels like you broke my trust," he admitted softly, the anger now gone and what she saw in his eyes hurt even more. Betrayal and disappointment. "And now, I don't even know if I can trust you around her," he added in a whisper, the weight of those words making them both struggle.
"I would never hurt her. I would rather die a thousand horrible deaths than let anything happen to that little girl. You, Fred, and Roxy are my life. You must know that," Hermione's voice shook as she said the last words. This was torture. She had two mates and a beautiful little girl she loved beyond life, and yet she faced a chance that she may never be a part of the family she loves.
George was quiet for a moment before shaking his head. "I know you love us, and we love you. But it will take a while for me to trust you unconditionally as I have before."
The words were painful but Hermione nodded, accepting his feelings. "And Roxy? May I see her? Please…" she asked, missing the girl she brought up as her own.
George considered her for a moment before nodding. "You can come to dinner tonight. But know that I'm doing this for Roxy and for Fred, and I will be watching you," he said resolutely before disappearing once again in the green flames.
The air in her flat stilled and Hermione struggled to take a breath, feeling the anxiety blossoming in her chest. She tried to calm down, sliding down onto the firm cushion of her sofa and curling up to feel more comfortable. But there was no escaping it. Having two mates was not rare in the world of magical creatures. Having one of your mates love you while the other distrusted you was like being torn in two directions while getting punched in the heart. It was painful, it was suffocating, and all she could do was lay there curled up into a little ball for the better part of an hour before finally managing to pull together the barrage of emotions coursing through her.
The clock chimed midday and she managed to pull herself up to her feet. She walked around the flat she loved and found she suddenly did not feel as comforted by it as she used to. She loved the open space but it was too light. She loved every single book that she owned, but the mismatched bookshelves suddenly irritated her. She looked around her wardrobe and didn't feel like wearing some of the bright colours, and decided a lot of her clothes were quite modest. She was to live for an eternity, She needed to embrace change for she would forever remain unchanged and untouched by time. With that in mind, she wrote down a list of all the things she should do to embrace her immortality, and headed out to muggle London.
She put away the last of the orange juice before making room on the top shelf for the blood bags and laying them all out. She counted fourteen pints, just as her friend in the local hospital blood bank promised. It should last her a week, as she promised herself not to drink from her mates in the meantime. Not that George wanted anything to do with her…
She swallowed the bitter thought and closed the fridge, carrying her blood and wine glass to the bedroom to pick an outfit for tonight. She caressed the new fabrics and smiled at the simple colours that now dominated her wardrobe, enjoying the change. This was a treat, and ordering the new furniture and heavy velvet blinds was also a treat in a way. The first part of her afternoon was spent arranging the blood supply and visiting her magical and muggle banks. If she was to live for centuries, she needed more than just her admittedly sizeable inheritance and savings. She was by no means a poor woman and she made smart investments after the war. But after some consultation with her banker, she made a few more investments in startups and slowly growing business to give them a boost and secure future income. Maybe she should think about investing into houses as well. She would have to call her banker after the holidays passed. It was Christmas Eve in four days and she wasn't sure she would be allowed to spend it with the family that she considered her own. She would have to ask tonight, though the thought of not seeing Roxy opening her gifts was too painful.
Knowing there was nothing she could do about it now, Hermione finished her glass and headed for a quick shower. She towered herself dry and wrapped the soft burgundy bath towel around herself as she puttered about until she dried off completely. It was then that her floo roared to life and a blur with wild dark curls was spat out onto her rug.
"Mimi?" the call was soft and tearful and tugged on Hermione's heart the moment she heard it.
"Roxy! Are you hurt? What are you doing here?" She asked as she jumped over the sofa and knelt beside her, pulling the little girl into her arms.
She was squeezed tight by those short arms of an eight-year-old and stood up, keeping Roxy on her hip as she felt her clinging on tightly. "You're back! I knew you would come back!" she hiccuped, large crocodile tears falling onto Hermione's pale shoulder.
"Shhh it's alright baby girl, I'm right here," he soothed, caressing her little back. "Now you answer me, are you hurt anywhere?" she asked, smooching her cheek to make the tears go away like she always did when Roxy was upset.
"No, but uncle Freddie said you're coming for dinner and daddy didn't want me to come see you," she hiccuped again, burying her head tiredly into Hermione's neck, the stress of missing her Mimi and daddy being mean taking a toll on her.
"Shhh it's alright, Mimi is here to make it all better," She said gently and walked around the flat, holding her tight on her hip, the task now much easier as her arms won't get tired.
She felt Roxy fall asleep and kissed her forehead gently, just walking and swaying around to keep her fast asleep. She knew it wouldn't be long before one of the twins or both came searching for her in her.
And true to word George came through the flames, immediately spotting them and sighing in relief that he found her before tensing again, realising Hermione was holding onto her. Hermione suppressed a sigh of irritation. She may be a vampire but the little girl in her arms was a daughter to her. She would never harm her and George knew this. Roxy trusted her, and Hermione hoped that it would give her father a reason to trust her again.
She walked towards him and gently handed her over, caressing her soft little cheek when she whimpered a bit in her sleep before stepping away.
George looked down at his daughter before looking back up at Hermione and nodded. "She'll probably be out for the rest of the night now. I would still like you to come have dinner with us though," he said after taking a deep breath, seeing Hermione treat Roxy with utmost care and love softening his resolve slightly.
Hermione nodded. "I'll be through in 10 minutes, I'll just get dressed," she agreed and headed for her bedroom while George flood back home.