The following morning, Hermione and Lavender were up with the sun. Molly was storming around the house, trying to get the boys to awaken and help with the preparations for the annual summer fayre. The baking had all been done the previous day but as Molly's cake stall was legendary, she was anxious that everything went according to her very rigid plan. This plan involved all of them arriving at the fayre at eight in the morning to make sure everything arrived promptly as was set out just so. Hermione would have found the whole thing amusing if it wasn't for the anguished looks her guardian kept giving her.
It was a quarter past eight by the time they were all ready and had a grip on the port key. Ron looked every bit as dapper as he should for an event like this and Lavender couldn't take her eyes from him. Hermione would have felt a bit sick if she hadn't found it adorable at the same time. He certainly hoped that she didn't look at Severus in such an openly hungry manner, though she probably did. Fred did it for her and pulled a face. Hermione giggled, which earned them both a withering stare from Molly. Signalling everyone was ready, the eldest Weasley uttered the correct words and they were on the way. It was a little bit like flying, the rush of the wind on her face was exhilarating even if the landing was a little on the bumpy side.
When they arrived, Hermione was amazed by what she saw. She had been expecting something similar to what they'd had in her time, a few stalls, a few games and such but this was much larger. There were stalls for animals, which were currently being filled with all manner of farm creature. As well as this, there were magical creatures, including a couple of hippogriffs, being led around. There were far more stalls than she had anticipated and Hermione now realised why Molly was so anxious to get there early.
Hermione and Lavender wasted no time in getting the cakes laid on the stall in a manner that was pleasing to the eye. Molly busied herself with ensuring there were enough coins in the cash box for change and shooing off the few people who tried to see her wares before they were ready. It took a little longer then Hermione had anticipated and although they were ready in time for the beginning of the fair, it was only just. She was also more than a little impressed with the goods. She knew that Molly baked them all by hand, not using a single spell in the process and each cake was a work of art. The best one, she thought, was the one that had been made to look like a horse and carriage. She had no idea how she had done it, only that the frosting for the horse's mane looked delicious and the miniscule details really made it a work of art.
Lavender gave her a nudge, indicating that she needed some help with the stall. Of course, now that it was open, people were beginning to investigate the stall further. It kept all three of them very busy for most of the morning. Hermione found she had spoken to more people there than she had at any of the balls, which was likely what her guardian had in mind when she had asked for her help. She had just handed over a piece of sticky chocolate cake when a young man she had met before only once appeared.
"Good Morning Miss Granger," he said. Looking up, her eyes met the bright blue ones of Sebastian Snape. His black hair was nipped back into a neat tail and he looked exceptionally dapper in his day suit.
"Hello," she said, a smile growing on her lips without thinking about it. "Can I help you?" she asked.
He looked over the cakes on the stall with mediocre interest before giving a little shrug, "Which do you recommend?" he asked.
"Honestly, Mrs Weasley's cakes are the best I've ever tasted. Each of them are as good as the other. Do you have a particularly sweet tooth?" she asked. "Her chocolate cake is exceptional but a little rich for my tastes."
Sebastian shook his head, "No, I shall have a slice for Mystra however I prefer something lighter."
She indicated the fruit cake instead, "Then this is what you want, far lighter and very tasty," she said. He nodded that this would be acceptable and so she cut the desired pieces of cake. He handed her a couple of coins, which she put in the box before handing him the cake wrapped in a couple of napkins.
"Will you be free later?" he asked as he took the cake from her. Hermione blinked in surprise, she had no idea he carried any interest in her. Molly looked on with interest at the exchange and Hermione knew that if she rejected him, there would be no silencing the woman, and that she would very likely be unable to visit his half-brother alone again. She flushed and opened her mouth to speak, "What's the matter? I've been too forward haven't I?" he asked. The colour on his cheek was fetching and she quickly shook her head.
"Not at all, I'm just a bit surprised, "I wasn't expecting it. I'd love to meet you later," she said. In fact, the idea wasn't altogether repugnant. He was fair looking and it would be a good chance to find out a little more about the other members of Severus' household. Hermione looked around at Molly, who offered her an indulgent smile.
"Go now Hermione, you've been more than helpful this morning and most of the cake is gone. I'm sure Lavender and I can handle it for a while," she said. The kind way in which she said it made a pang of guilt flow through Hermione, she only intended to talk with the lad, not court him and the idea of giving Molly false hope was abhorrent. She did not stop however and gave a grateful nod.
"I'll be back soon," she said before walking around to the other side of the stall. Sebastian waited for her and she soon fell in step beside him.
"The fair is decent this year," he said, indicating the stalls.
"I have no idea, I've been there all the morning and not had a chance to look around," she confessed.
"Then we shall drop this cake off to my sister and we shall have a walk," he said. She could find no fault with this and so followed him to the blanket on which the rest of his family was sat. Severus was there with Fleur, and although she offered them both a polite smile.
"Good afternoon," she said. She kept her tone even, cool almost. The last thing she wanted to do now was create a scene and fuss with Fleur. She knew the other woman detested her but it wasn't as if she had sought her out to be unkind.
"Miss Granger," Severus said, nodding his head. He seemed to have picked up on her tone and matched it, for which she was grateful. His fiancé, who was sitting at his side, though not touching him gave her a curt nod before turning her head away. Mystra however had other ideas. She turned soft blue eyes to Hermione and flicked back blonde curls. Her smile was wide and open and Hermione judged her to be little more than seven years old. It made her wonder where her mother was and why Severus was the charge of these two.
"Are you going walking?" she asked. Hermione nodded.
"Your brother has offered to show me the fair," she said in response. The girl's eyes widened with delight.
"Can I come too?" she asked. Sebastian opened his mouth to speak but Hermione turned to him and smiled. With both of them, he was unable to resist. He nodded.
"Very well," he said. With an excited clap, the girl got to her feet and grinned. She walked over to Hermione and took her hand.
"There's an amazing game over there," she said, tugging her hand as if to lead her towards it. Hermione shot Sebastian an apologetic look but there was no way she was going to be able to deny the girl. He just smiled and followed alongside her.
Mystra led them both to a coconut shy and watched as someone else tried to knock the coconut from the post with a heavy ball. It looked tricky as it was quite a distance. "I'm not much good at throwing," Hermione said, "But maybe Sebastian could do it for us?" she said to the girl.
"What a great idea!" she agreed. Sebastian looked a little unsure for a moment but finally gave a nod.
"I can try," he said. Hermione handed the vender the small coin for the three balls and stepped to the side, allowing her friend to have a go at hitting the coconut. Mystra stood beside her, an eager look on her face as her older brother attempted to win them the treat.
He threw the first one, falling just short of the post. Hermione sucked in a breath and she felt a little hand grab hers. She squeezed it before giving Sebastian an encouraging shout. Mystra watched as the second shot was lined up. Hermione's breath caught as he released, hitting the post. The coconut wobbled but remained where it was.
"This time!" Hermione called. Mystra nodded fiercely and they both watched as he readied for the final throw. This time, his aim was true. He hit the coconut squarely and it toppled from the stand. A little shout from Mystra had Hermione clapping along too. Sebastian picked up the winnings and handed it to Hermione.
"Well done," she said before giving it to his sister. It had been her idea after all. The girl gave her brother a warm smile, would likely have hugged him if they'd been somewhere more private. Hermione could only grin at them both. Sebastian offered her his arm and she could only take it. He patted her hand and turned away from the game.
"Now, where shall we go next?" he asked. Hermione looked around the field and caught the eye of the rest of Sebastian's family. Severus' face was a mask, no expression on it at all; however the on Fleur's was triumphant. A flicker of an idea shot through her mind and she turned away, wondering where this sudden interest on the part of Sebastian had come from. For the moment however, she was content in his company; he was a nice enough lad after all!