Chapter 7 – The Weasleys
Rita Skeeter had indeed followed through with Lucius' requests. The very next day, Mimsy had presented the family with the morning edition of the Daily Prophet. The headline screamed – Public Apology. Skeeter's detailed apology spanned half the page, careful to mention that she is indebted to the Malfoys for being such a forgiving family in the face of such slander. The very last paragraph also mentioned that she would be going on a sabbatical for an indefinite period of time and her column would be suspended till she returns. Lucius sipped on his morning tea contentedly as he watched his children. Draco was reading aloud the paragraph in which Rita claimed to be so overwrought with guilt at her previous article that she had to start on this very public apology article immediately. She carried on with her over exaggerated apology for another two paragraphs, commenting on her nightmares that her guilt had caused and the almost immediate relief she felt once she had completed the article. Hermione choked on her piece of toast and gave Lucius a look. "A nightmare in the shape of Lucius Malfoy, I'd say." Lucius just shrugged and flashed his children a sly smile.
The fireplace burst with green flamse for a moment and Severus stepped through, brushing ash from his otherwise pristine black robes. "Morning." he announced, walking to the other side of the table, planting a kiss on Hermione's forehead and settling down next to her. "Good job with Skeeter by the way," Severus continued "you obviously haven't lost your touch."
"Ah that was nothing. Now, what plans have all of you got for today?" Lucius replied, obviously in a very good mood.
A plate of scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and bacon appeared before Severus along with a mug of coffee. He dug in happily before replying. "St Mungo's sent a letter. They are running low of Blood Replenishing potions and one of the patients in the Intensive Care Unit needs regular doses. I'll need Hermione's help this afternoon to brew a rather large batch." Hermione nodded with her mouth full of toast.
"Hmm I've got a meeting with the coach of the Scottish Serpentines. Then I guess I'll go look for Potter, to see how he's dealt with the Weasleys." Draco murmured thoughtfully, only shaking himself awake from his thoughts when he poked himself with a forkful of omelette.
"Oh! One more thing." Severus exclaimed. He patted his robe and extracted a parchment from his inner pockets. The parchment bore the very distinctive Hogwarts watermark on the back. "Now." he cleared his throat and began reading
Dear Severus
It's come to our attention that you've taken our ex-student, Ms Granger (now Malfoy) as an associate potioner following her graduation of a double major of Charms and Potions with honours. On behalf of the staff at Hogwarts, especially those who have personally taught Ms Malfoy, we would like to congratulate her and yourself for the mentioned achievements.
Now, back to the point; Professor Flitwick has decided to finally retire after many years of service to our school and we are in need of a new Charms mistress. The first person to come to mind is Hermione Malfoy. She is, after all, the brightest witch of the age and more then qualified for the position. Also, Hermione is a war hero and would undoubtedly be both admired and respected by the student body despite her age.
Hermione would be given Professor Flitwick's old chambers along with other privileges that can be discussed at a later time. Should she accept this post, extra time will be given for yourself and Ms Malfoy to fulfill her duties as associate potioner. Who knows, she may even assist you in some of your classes.
I will leave it to you, Severus, to pass on this offer. If she would be interested in this post, do owl back and I will make the appropriate arrangements for her, and yourself, to arrive at Hogwarts next Monday so that Professor Flitwick can brief her on her duties and she may adjust herself to life at Hogwarts once more.
Yours Sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S. I can arrange for her chambers to be close to the dungeons, if that can be considered an incentive of sorts (;
Lucius, Draco and Hermione gaped at Severus open-mouthed. Hermione blinked at him for a few times, mumbling incoherently in response to Professor McGonagall's missive. Finally, she spluttered out "Me? Charms mistress? Should - should I?" she turned to her father and brother and squeaked inquisitively.
"Whatever you think is right - " Lucius replied, smiling proudly and promptly getting interrupted by Draco who exclaimed "You? Teacher?"
Hermione glared at her brother for a moment and frowned. "That's right - I don't see myself as a teacher. How -"
"Hermione you've put up with Potter and Weasley, those dunderheads, for more then a decade. You've somehow managed to prod them into graduating Hogwarts and emerging from auror training as Master Aurors. If you can manage them I'm sure a class full of students won't be a challenge." Severus assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. After a moment, he added an afterthought "But if the class is full of students like you then..." He shrugged, earning a playful punch from Hermione.
"Take some time to consider the offer Hermione. It's not everyday a position at Hogwarts is offered out. Now don't you two have a batch of potions to brew?" Lucius' eyes gave such a twinkle that Dumbledore would've been proud. Hermione grinned and blushed as Severus hauled her from her seat and into the fireplace, engulfing the pair in green flames.
"Ah I have never seen Severus so happy."
Lucius just snorted.
oOo
The Boy Who Lived downed another shot of firewhiskey and paced his living room nervously. The thought of him being re-dubbed The Boy Who Was Pummeled to Death by the Weasleys could not contain the curdling in his stomach. He had sent a note, requesting their presence at number 12 Grimmauld Place at exactly 11:00. It was already 10:56 and his stomach refused to settle. Running his finger through his already messy hair, Harry flopped back down on the armchair and downed another shot. It wasn't even noon yet and he had already had 4 shots of firewhiskey. "Better face them drunk." he thought as the alcohol burned a heated path down his throat and into his empty stomach.
Green flames erupted from his fireplace at exactly 10:58. Harry fought the rising nausea as Ginevra, Molly, Ronald and Arthur Weasley emerged from the flames followed by the twins. He had fought pass the many forms of Voldemort, slain the Basilisk, won the Triwizard Tournament and emerged from all of these tasks alive and yet, facing the family of his (possibly ex) best friend felt far more daunting.
Ginevra and Ron cast cold glares to acknowledge Harry. Molly merely ignored him and settled herself on the sofa while Arthur flashed him a rather nervous smile. The twins simply settled themselves on the sofa, flanking the family. Six pairs of blue eyes stared back at him and his stomach did another flip. Harry swallowed audibly and settled himself in the armchair closest to the fire place.
After a few moments of awkwardness and even more staring, Harry cleared his throat and offered the Weasley's a drink. At this point, Ron stood up and, throught gritted teeth, growled "Get to the point." Harry rubbed his face and ruffled his hair. He stood up, faced them all and said " Hermione is our friend."
"Friend?" Ron snorted "She's a Malfoy."
Ron spat out the last word as though it was a curse. He pinned his best friend down with a stare and continued. "Have you seen how chummy she is with D- Draco Malfoy? It's as though he never once insulted her!"
"T-that can be explained!" Harry exclaimed.
"I don't want to hear it. She is a Malfoy!" With that, Ron turned away from him and scrutinized one of the shelves on Harry's extensive library.
Harry turned to the rest of the Weasleys and muttered weakly "Mrs Weasley? Mr Weasley? Fred? George? Ginny?" Mrs Weasley harrumphed, got out of her chair and moved to join her youngest son.
"Please listen to me. She is still the Hermione we all know and love. A change in the colour of her eyes or her skin tone is nothing! Physical attributes mean nothing. We were with her in her most formative years. Hermione is still the insufferable know it all deep down!" He spluttered to clarify.
He panted slightly and stared at the rest of them imploringly. Fred and George grinned and approached him. They stood on either side of him and flung and arm over his shoulder. "Relax mate – " said Fred (or was it George)
"– Mom and Ronniekins are just – "
"-sore."
Harry stared from one twin to the other as they completed the sentence. "Besides" Fred whispered "Mr Malfoy senior did invest quite a huge amount in the business."
Ginny and Arthur who were sitting on the couch were grinning as well. "Molly does need to broaden her mind a little more and accept Hermione. It's not her fault that she was born a Malfoy." Arthur stated.
"I do not need to broaden my mind!" Molly hissed from the corner.
"And Ron is just jealous that Hermione's found someone else, unlike someone we know." Ginny gave her brother's back a pointed stare. His only response was a snort.
"The point is, we should really apologize to Hermione for our horrible actions during the last Order Meeting. And Molly should apologize for the horrid things she told Rita Skeeter."
Harry broke into a grin. "Per-perhaps you'd be willing to have tea at the Manor soon?"
"We'd be delighted. Now, I'm afraid we must be off."
Ron and Molly were the first to step through the green flames without another word, The twins gave Harry a very tight group hug and leapt into the fireplace, followed by their father. Ginny lingered behind and when the flames finally died down, she approached Harry and gave him a hesitant peck on the lips. Harry tensed for a moment and attempted to deepen the kiss only to be interrupted when emerald flames erupted from the fire place once more and a very suave Draco Malfoy stepped through.
oOo
Experimenting with cliffies here. I got caught in a little writer's block just after the Weasley's stepped through the flame so pardon the rather awkward closing. I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter even though it's a little shorter then the rest. Do leave some constructive reviews while I poke my brain to churn out yet another chapter. Love you all!