CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Summary: The battle is over and a marriage law has been put into effect due to the rapidly declining wizarding population. Under the law, Hermione is forced to marry at eighteen or face being exiled from the Wizarding World. Join Hermione as she has to deal with her past, whilst looking forward to the future, with the help of The Weasley Twins and rising Quidditch Star, Oliver Wood.
Disclaimer: All original characters and canon events belong to J.K. Rowling. Non-canon events are my own ideas. I am not making any profit from posting this fanfic.
Updated: 25/11/19
Page count: 16
Puddlemere Stadium - Friday 17th July 1998
"Right, everyone, are you ready to start training?" Hermione asked.
"'Course, how hard could it be?" Malloy replied, his expression filled with arrogance as he smirked at her and crossed his arms over his chest.
Hermione's eyebrow cocked in challenge and her mouth twitched, fighting off both a smirk and a laugh.
"It's really gunna hurt, isnae it?" Oliver questioned.
"Yep," she popped the 'P'.
"A lot?"
"Yep,"
"Do we have tae do it?" He winced.
"Yes, but don't blame me. They're the ones," she gestured to his teammates with a wave of her hand, "That wanted something more challenging. Now, as you know, I'm a Muggleborn and today we'll be doing something that's used in the Muggle World to build up stamina and fitness. I'm not going to lie, by the time you're done today you'll be crawling up the stands."
Hermione brandished her wand before giving it a lazy flick, removing the Disillusionment Charm, every pair of eyes staring at the revealed contents in confusion.
"I don't get it," Pallie frowned.
"It's an obstacle course," Hermione grinned, looking far too pleased with herself which resulted with Couch Burton raising an amused but questioning eyebrow. "First, I'll demonstrate and then it's your turn. The goal for today is to complete ten laps of the course which is to be followed by thirty minutes of drills, followed by another ten laps of the course. After lunch another ten laps should be completed, followed by an hour of drills, ten laps of the pitch on foot, thirty laps on your brooms, thirty minutes of drills and fifteen laps of the course. If all of this is completed and you're still alive, you can go home early," she smiled innocently. Each member of the team stared in surprise, slowly blinking with their mouths slightly parted whilst Coach Burton blinked once before promptly falling into a fit of laughter.
"That's brilliant!" He happily praised. "Hiring you is the best decision I've ever made," Coach Burton said proudly. "That's far worse than anything I would've ever given them," he gave her a look of pride and she grinned at him.
"Malloy's the one that wanted me to be more ruthless," she shrugged. "Let's get to work, we don't have all day."
She crossed over to the previously set up equipment and stopped at the tape that marked the start of the obstacle course. Taking a breath and pushing her hair out of her face, she began by jumping through the tyres, balancing on benches, jumping with skipping rope, hula hooping, kicking footballs into a net, doing jumping jacks, press-ups and pull-ups, jumping over the makeshift hurdles and ducking beneath them, crawling under a net, running between cones, hitting four balls with a baseball bat, running around the circuit and then returning back to the line of tape.
They stared in surprise as she turned to face them, looking completely fine aside from a slight change in her breathing and a pink tint to her cheeks.
"Well, what are you all waiting for? Get to work, and remember, ten laps," she clapped her hands, signalling for them to get a move on.
Hermione crossed over to Coach Burton and stood beside him, watching as the team reluctantly trudged over to the obstacle course, Pallie being nominated to go first.
"Hey, Wood, at least we know your lovely future wife's got great stamina," Malloy said with a wink and before Oliver could lunge for him, Malloy took off on the obstacle course laughing loudly.
"Why does Oliver look like he wants to kill Malloy?" Hermione asked Coach Burton.
"Because it's Malloy," he shrugged his shoulders, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket and looking unconcerned and unsurprised. "You'll want to kill him by the end of the week, too."
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment
By the end of the day, Hermione felt incredibly guilty. Not for the team but for Oliver. She'd wince every time Oliver groaned in pain and that evening he literally crawled out of the floo and into the apartment. After Hermione opened the balcony door for Quaffle, she crossed over to Oliver and crouched down beside him as he laid sprawled on his back on the cool marble floor.
It was her job to get the team fit and into fighting shape, ready for the matches that were heading their way, ready to compete for the League Cup, but they weren't expected to just compete, they were expected to win. Hermione'd only been doing her job by giving them the training regime she had that day, but admittedly, she should've given them something a little bit easier, she should've eased them into this new form of training and exercise, something they'd never experienced or encountered before. But she'd let the team's comments and assumptions get to her and had purposely made it challenging, poor Oliver getting stuck in the middle.
"I'm really sorry, I feel awful."
"Don' worry aboot it, Sparrow," he muttered, waving his hand dismissively before he groaned in pain, regretting the action.
"Seriously, Oliver, I feel terrible. I won't make you do an obstacle course again."
He turned his head towards her, seeing her guilt-ridden expression.
"Sparrow, it's fine, it's yer job tae whip our arses intae shape an' after taday, tha's what yer doin'."
"Take a bath and afterwards I'll do what I can to help with the aches and soreness."
"Why do a have tae take a bath?"
"The hot water will help to relax and soothe your muscles. Whilst you're doing that, I'll make dinner. I've got something that will help you, so go on. Get crawling."
He chuckled before he groaned in pain when it hurt his chest and he slowly rolled over and pushed himself onto his hands and knees, crawling to his bedroom. Hermione made quick work of preparing a stir fry and after setting it with a Stasis Charm, she headed for her bedroom.
When Oliver made an appearance and knocked on her bedroom door, she'd been busy rummaging through her chest of drawers. She looked over her shoulder with a smile her face before she spun to face forward, a blush covering her cheeks. Oliver's mouth tugged in amusement, his hair was damp and he was clad in only a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms. He found her reaction to seeing him shirtless amusing and since she'd moved in he always wore a shirt around her, otherwise, she'd get flustered and yell at him, at which he would laugh and she'd threaten to hex him.
"D'ye want mae tae put a shirt on?" He asked teasingly.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Umm, no that's fine. You'd just have to take it off again," she replied, her back to him and he raised an eyebrow at her statement but didn't comment. "Just sit on the bed for me and I'll be right with you."
Once she'd found what she was looking for she made a sound of triumph and crossed over to the bed, climbing up onto the mattress until she kneeled behind Oliver as he perched on the end of the bed. He looked over his shoulder with a questioning look, seeing her blush being darker than it was before. She motioned for him to face forward with a swivel of her finger and he chuckled at her reaction whilst she busied herself with removing the lid from the tub of cream in her hand. After putting it off to one side, she rubbed her hands together to warm them up and then she gathered a decent amount of the lavender smelling cream and partially rubbed it into her hands.
"So, Sparrow, hoo are ye gunna help mae?"
Hermione's answer was to imagine that Oliver was one of the twins, who she was completely comfortable around, and she settled her hands against his shoulders, kneading and massaging the muscles.
"Never mind," he sighed.
Hermione's hands tended to the sore muscles of his neck, shoulders and back before she moved to his muscled arms, soft hands and slightly calloused fingertips.
"I really am sorry."
"Sparrow, yer've apologised more than once an' if ye do it again a'll set Quaffle on ye. Yer doin' yer job, if we weren't full af aches an' pains then we weren't training hard enough."
Hermione's mouth pulled into a smile and her blush at his shirtless chest had long since disappeared. "Are you feeling any better?"
"Aye, never would've thought ye tried tae kill mae taday," he teased and she scowled at the back of his head. "What is tha' stuff?" He gestured to the tub of cream Hermione was screwing the lid back onto.
"It's just cream, I created it not long back to help ease soreness in the body. I might be a natural healer and I can heal injuries, but soreness will likely be felt for another day or so, depending on the injury," she answered, climbing from the bed to set the tub on the chest of drawers and then moving to sit beside him.
"Well, yer've now seen all me scars, do ye think ye can show mae another af yers?" He asked. She looked hesitant, anxious, and yet she nodded uncertainly. "A've seen one an' it dinnae scare mae away, a think a can handle seein' them all."
Biting her lip, she shifted until her back was to him and slowly lifted the hem of her clothing, revealed to him her bare back. Oliver's eyes took in the dozen small scars that were scattered around the small of her back.
"What are they from?" He queried, his hand reaching out to trace the little scars, the action sending a shiver down her smile and his mouth twitched at the response to his touch.
"When I pushed Harry out of the window, I landed on some glass," she shrugged before dropping her clothing, hiding her scars from view and turning to face him.
"Did it hurt?"
"I didn't notice it at first, we were too busy trying to escape the trap we'd walked into, but afterwards Harry had to pull the glass out and it wasn't exactly painless."
"Will ye show mae another scar, we can keep building up the amount?"
"I just showed you over a dozen," she argued.
"Doesn't count, they were all caused by the same thing," he rebutted.
Seeing his hopeful and encouraging expression, her eyes darted to her hands before she released a shaky breath and lifted her left hand to her right shoulder. Pushing her clothing and bra strap aside, she revealed a faint, almost unnoticeable circular-shaped scar on the front of her shoulder.
"It's from my first year, received it when I was being squeezed to death by Devil's Snare. There's two types, one of them is rarer and has sharp thorns. The one used to deter thieves had thorns and it got stuck in my shoulder. Harry had to yank it out, I almost fainted at the pain it caused."
Oliver briefly traced it with the tip of his finger before drawing back. "One more?" He asked, giving her a cheeky smile.
"You're trying to see how far you can push me, aren't you?" She muttered and he nodded without remorse.
Sighing, she lifted her clothing to reveal the right side of her stomach which held several small scars similar to the ones on the small of her back.
"They're from the battle in my sixth year, when I landed on the shards of glass." She dropped her clothing, her expression downtrodden and seeing the toll his requests were taking on her but she'd still agreed to them, had a smile pulling at his face.
"Am proud af ye," he told her, a small smile finding its way onto her face. "If we keep goin' the way we are, a'll have seen all af yer scars befere we know it."
"I doubt it, those scars aren't the ones that affect me, well they do, but only to some extent. They're easier to forget about."
"So which ones are the worst?"
"The one of my left arm and the one on my back are the worst ones."
He nodded and let the subject drop, feeling as though he'd pushed her far enough for the day. "A have a question."
"Go on then," she sighed, flopping onto her back beside him.
"The rules ye told mae aboot, the ones tae survive life with Hermione Granger."
"What about them?"
"Ye havnae told mae anymore an' a only know rule number three. Never eat yer digestive biscuits unless a have permission."
"You remembered?" She questioned in surprise.
"After ye told mae what ye did tae George, ye better believe a remembered," he snorted.
"You want to know more rules?" She concluded and he nodded. "Okay, I have about sixty so far. The further down the list you get, the newer the rules are. Pick a number and I'll tell you the rule that coincides with that number. I think I'll allow you five today."
"Hoo very generous af ye," he teased before laying down beside her on his side, supporting his head with his propped up elbow and hand as he faced her. "Twenty?"
"Rule twenty is give a second chance but never a third or fourth. If someone's betrayed your trust or hurt you twice, they'll do it again and again. I learned that the hard way."
It didn't take a genius to figure out who she was talking about and Oliver quickly changed the subject before she had the chance to fall into a pool of sadness and betrayal.
"Ten?"
"Rule ten is only make a promise if you can keep it. You can hurt people by letting them down. My parents worked a lot and they always promised to leave work early or take days off so we could spend time together, but they never did and I remember always being heartbroken and disappointed."
"Forty?"
"Rule forty is if you think someone's out to get you, they probably are." He arched a questioning. "Voldemort was out for Harry and Dumbledore and Bellatrix had it out for me. Hell, Skeeter has it out for me, but that's okay because the feeling's mutual."
He snorted, giving his head a shake. "Four?"
"Rule four is always trust your instincts, they'll save your life," she answered. He didn't doubt she knew what she was talking about when it came to listening to your instincts. "Last one," she reminded him.
"Twenty-eight?"
"Rules are in place for a reason but don't be afraid to break the stupid ones."
He laughed at her. "So, what rules can be broken?"
"Well, rules regarding safety and well-being should always be followed but some rules are absurd. When Umbridge was headmistress at Hogwarts, for instance; she had a rule that stated a student couldn't stand within eight inches of the opposite gender and music was banned, too."
"Seriously?" He blinked in surprise.
"Hmm, there was even a rule that all of Fred and George's products were banned in the school but I don't blame her for that one, she was tortured. They were able to disguise their products and smuggle them into the castle. The moment I saw her running down a corridor being chased by one of their Wild Fire Whiz-Bangs was one of the best things I've ever witnessed," she sighed, a smile tugging at her face and he snorted at her.
"So, to conclude, breaking ridiculous rules is fine, but breaking rules regarding safety is a big not a chance in hell. Got it. One more?"
"I said you could have five," she said amused.
"Please, jus' one more," he pleaded.
"Fine, just one," she rolled her eyes.
He grinned triumphantly. "What is Hermione Granger's golden rule?"
"Never be without your wand and if possible, always have a back-up."
"A've a lot tae learn from ye."
She nodded. "I've been thinking and I think we should buy thank you gifts for everyone. For helping us with the wedding. What do you think?"
"A don' see why we shouldn't. After the wedding?"
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment - Saturday 18th July 1998
"Hermione, ye look fine," Oliver said amused, watching as she pottered about in the kitchen mumbling to herself. He leaned against the breakfast bar with his arms folded over his chest, his eyes following her movements.
He was waiting for everyone to arrive for the dinner Hermione was holding, and he was dressed in a white button-down shirt, white trainers, dark blue jeans and a dark blue v-neck jumper that he'd rolled up to his elbows, looking neither too smart nor too casual.
"No, I'm covered in flour...My hair's a mess...Is my dress too short? It feels too short. I'm going to change!"
She made to exit the kitchen but as she passed him, Oliver reached out and caught her wrist, gently tugging her to him until her chest pressed against his. She glared at him in annoyance and he was unable to stop his chuckle.
"It's a good job I don't have my shoes on yet, otherwise I would've fallen flat on my face and you would've gotten hexed."
"Fair enough, but yer not changing again. Yer've already been changed three times. There's not a speck af flour or dirt on ye, yer hair is perfect an' ye look beautiful."
And she did. She had her wild hair cascading down to the middle of her back and pinned back from her face with pretty clips, whilst she wore a black chiffon knee-length, spaghetti strap summer dress with the matching cropped cover-up jacket.
"You just don't want me to hex you," she scowled. He smiled cheekily.
"Af course, a have tae stay pritty fer the team's sake."
She rolled her eyes before releasing a sigh and quickly summoning her black closed-toe heels, slipping them on and using Oliver's arm to keep balance. After muttering a Cushioning and Balancing Charm, she tended to the food in the oven, just as their guests began to arrive.
Hermione could hear everyone's mutters, gasps and compliments on the apartment, not all that surprised with their reactions giving hers had been similar. Mr. and Mrs. Wood hadn't seen it newly decorated and Percy, Bill and Fleur, Charlie and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hadn't seen it at all, this being their first visit. Oliver gave them a quick tour as Hermione remained in the kitchen and Fred and George waltzed in as if they owned the place. They both stole food from the countertop and Hermione slapped their hands away, glaring at them.
"So, Mia, why've you called a family meeting?" Fred cocked an eyebrow.
"And why have you included Oliver's parents?" George picked up.
"They're going to be family," she shrugged, a nervous expression crossing her face. "And, well, I'm going to tell everyone."
They both froze in surprise. "About your past?" They chorused.
"I think I'm ready to tell them, I don't want them to think that I don't trust them by keeping things from them, but I'm going to be mindful of what I say. And I haven't had the chance to tell you yet, but I spoke to Oliver about the possibility of me not being to have children."
"And?" They asked quickly and she gave a small smile. The twins shared a smile and a knowing look.
"He said that if it came down to it we could adopt. He promised his parents wouldn't mind that I might not be able to give him an heir by blood, they wouldn't love them any less and neither would he. I tried to get him to petition for a new match but he's refused on every attempt."
"Something between you's changed. We noticed it when we came for dinner on the other day but we thought better than to mention it," George commented innocently, watching her carefully for a reaction. "What happened?"
Hermione's face showed a myriad of emotions, too many to pick out just one to focus on and decipher.
"We talked for a while, some things were said which led to Oliver asking if I was falling for him," she blushed. The twins looked to one another, identical smirks pulling at their mouths.
"What did you say?" Fred teased.
"The truth, well mostly, anyway. I said yes."
"But you lied because you're already in love him," George said knowingly and she nodded with a sigh.
She didn't bother denying it or asking how they knew, they knew her as well as they knew each other. She was the third member of their Twindom.
"And what did he say?"
"That he was falling for me, too. But I don't understand it! Three weeks! It's only been three weeks! How can you possibly fall for someone in only three weeks?"
"It can happen," Fred shrugged, slinging his arm around her shoulders and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "When we were little, dad used to tell us stories about him and mum. He said that from the moment he laid eyes on her, he knew he was going to marry her."
"You can fall for someone in a matter of moments or years. You're in the world you belong to now and things happen differently here," George continued. "I remember dad telling us stories as kids about special witches and wizards who were fated to be together."
"Oh yeah, something about magic connecting and whatnot," Fred nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face as though he were trying to search his memories for those particular conversations.
"Oliver mentioned it as well; his parents told him the same thing. He's not sure if one of those rare occasions applies to us, but he did point out that we are supposedly each other's perfect match," Hermione told them.
"Stop worrying about the how or why and just focus on the fact that you love him. You're lucky, you were matched with someone that you can trust and have a happy future with. To someone you grew to love. Without this law, you likely wouldn't have met him," George spoke softly and he stood on her other side wedging her in-between him and Fred.
"We're not saying that it'll be easy for the both of you. You'll likely have arguments that end in you hexing him, crying and then running to us and then we'll prank him for upsetting you..." Hermione chuckled. "But no relationship is easy, especially in this case as you've only had a month of dating before you have to marry, but that could be a good thing."
"It's forced you to do things you were uncomfortable doing. This law took away your choices but it forced you to get to know each other, to feel comfortable around each other and to move in together, but your feelings for him developed all on their own. As long as you respect each other and work together, you can make this soon to be marriage work."
"You're forgetting about the rules we have to abide by," Hermione pointed out unhappily and the twins looked a little ill at the reminder.
"Yes, well," George cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Forget about them. Most of that stuff's common sense anyway."
"And don't worry about getting pregnant. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, Oliver's promised not to abandon you and you can adopt if you wish to. You'll easily be cleared and pass the whole adoption process," Fred assured her. "Who'd turn down Hermione Granger?"
"I don't know what I'd do without the two of you," she sighed. They both grinned at her.
"You'd be on a rampage without us to reign you in," George shrugged and they laughed at him.
"What've you done to Skeeter?" Fred asked curiously as she had yet to share her plans with them, something they were a little annoyed with but they could appreciate the aspect of it being a surprise, too.
She grinned evilly. "I don't think she'll be able to open her mail for a while without receiving an appreciative gift me."
At her reply, laughter bubbled out of them and as it happened, the rest of the dinner party returned from the tour, eyeing the trio before them apprehensively.
"What are you three up to?" Mrs. Weasley asked as you would a child suspected of plotting trouble.
"Nothing," they trio chorused quickly. She narrowed her eyes only for them to smile angelically in response.
"Where's Quaffle?" Hermione asked as she hadn't seen him for a while.
"I think I saw him on the balcony with a weird looking bunny," Charlie answered. Hermione's eyes widened in horror.
"What?!" She shrieked, startling the others not only at the loud sound but the way she dashed past them as best she could in her heels, Oliver following her to the balcony as he sniggered to himself and he was followed by the remainder of the dinner party, sharing confused expressions and words.
"Oh! Not again!" Hermione whined, seeing Quaffle chewing on Harold's arm and she stormed over to him. "Quaffle, let go of him now!" She said sternly but Quaffle didn't listen, rather he wagged his tail. Hermione scowled and reached for the rabbit, grabbing hold of it and tugging. "Let go!" He didn't, he looked to be having far too much fun to listen to her. "A little help here?" Hermione looked over her shoulder at Oliver, seeing his amused expression.
"What'd a get if a do?"
"How about I don't hex you in your sleep and set fire to your broom," she glared.
Oliver snorted and held his hands up in surrender. "Alright, Sparrow, there's naw need tae bring me broom intae this." He stepped forward, taking up Hermione's previous mantle and tugging on the rabbit. "Quaffle, let go," he ordered. Quaffle didn't listen to him. "Quaffle, am not playing. Let go!"
"You heard him, Quaffle," Hermione said amused. "Let go,"
Without warning, Quaffle released his grip on the rabbit and Oliver fell backwards, landing on his back on the grass as everyone burst into sniggers and laughter.
"Did ye plan tha'?" He asked her suspiciously.
"No, I swear," she held her hands up. "I had no idea he'd listen to me."
"Why does it seem like we've been in this situation befere?"
"Because we have," Hermione replied amused before offering her hand and helping him to his feet and then taking Harold from Oliver and fixing him. "This was on my chest of drawers, how'd he get it?" She asked aloud before shaking her head and banishing her childhood comforter to her room.
"Well, Hermione, you and Oliver have a lovely home," Mrs Weasley commented, her cheeks a little flushed from laughing.
"It was all Oliver's doing; I just took over the place," she smiled and they snorted at her.
"Naw, ye made the place look better, like a home," Oliver argued.
"He's right, Dear," Mrs. Wood nodded in agreement. "This place was quite bare an' blindingly white. Now it looks wonderful."
"All I did was make him come shopping with me to buy some paint, photo frames and cushions," she blushed.
"Ye decorated the TV room by yerself, a dinnae even know until the morning after," he said amused by her reactions.
"Well, he decorated my room, the kitchen and had the library put in," Hermione argued.
"Actually, a hired people tae do it fer mae," he corrected with a shrug.
"Well, I'm glad to see that even though you are living together, you have separate rooms," Mrs. Weasley said approvingly.
"How about we sit down for dinner?" Hermione suggested, blushing furiously and the twins smirked.
They made their way back to the kitchen, the table was enlarged and chairs were conjured to accommodate the larger number of people and they each took their seats. Food was passed around, Quaffle wandered around the table being fed bits of food by everyone but Hermione, and they chatted comfortably as they ate Hermione's dinner of lamb casserole, mash potato and dumplings with vegetables, and for dessert, they had chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies to later nibble on.
"So, Hermione," Bill drew her attention, "Why was a family meeting called?"
"I wanted to talk to you all," she paused, taking a breath. "About...About what happened during the war."
Her words had their conversations halting and they eating stopping as they stared at her whilst Oliver's parents looked more intrigued than they did surprised.
"That's always been a touchy subject with you, Hermione," Charlie pointed out.
"I know, but I think I'm ready to tell you. There's some things that I can't tell you for reasons I can't explain and you to trust me on that, but I'll tell you almost everything that I can. That's why I wanted you all here tonight. I don't want to keep secrets and I think it'll help me come to terms with what happened."
"When are you going to tell us?" Percy asked.
"After dinner. The twins didn't the information well and I don't want to ruin dinner, so I'll do it after."
"Okay, after dinner then," Mr. Weasley smiled and the topic changed as everyone returned to eating and chatting pleasantly.
"I'm going to write a book," Hermione informed no one in particular but she received intrigued looks nevertheless.
"Aboot what?" Mr. Wood questioned curiously.
"The war," she answered. Several eyebrows arched in a way that was quite terrifying. "People should know the truth and you never know, Hogwarts might make them a part of their curriculum. I never had the chance to clear Sirius' name like I promised him I would, and now I do. Everyone should know the sacrifices that were made and what better way than it coming from me. I don't want people writing books about the war and have them filled with propaganda and lies. I'm a trusted source, I was on the front lines, I was an instrumental part of taking down Voldemort; people will know they can rely on any words I may write."
"How are you going to do it? It's going to take a while and you've got a new job now," Percy asked interested.
"I'm actually working fewer hours than I was at the shop and after the Quidditch season's over we have a two month break before training starts up again in November. I'll have time then but I already have the foundation of the books."
"Books? I thought you were only writing one," Charlie said.
"Seven, one for each year of the war. I kept journals, I have at least three for every year. I just have to develop what's already written and edit it. Simple enough. The Ministry will try and stop me from publishing some of the things I have to say but I'll ask Kingsley for help."
"So, Fleur, when's the baby due?" Oliver asked the French woman, changing the subject.
"I am seven weekz along. I am due February, and I cannot wait for zese hormonez to be ozer and done with," she replied. Hermione and the Weasleys looked at her with identical knowing looks. Fleur secretly loved that she was so hormonal all the time and they knew it.
When they'd finished eating, the cleaning up was taken care of by a little magic and the dinner party convened in the living area, everyone taking seats. Hermione and Oliver sat on the couch with the twins on either side of Hermione and Oliver for support. And she began her story, from rampaging mountain trolls in girl's bathrooms to healing Fred at the hospital. She left out certain parts of the story such as the Deathly Hallows and only skimming over the topic of Horcruxes. When she finished an hour or so later, they were all staring at her with pale skin tones, shock and awe and Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Wood and Fleur's faces were tear-stained.
"I had no idea," Mrs. Weasley whispered. "I had no idea my son put you through so much," she said sadly. "He's lucky he's not in the country because I have a wooden spoon and a Stinging Hex with his name on."
Hermione chuckled and the twins smirked; they couldn't wait to see that happen.
"It wasn't your fault, Maji. Ron's oblivious and hot-tempered and he has the emotional range of a teaspoon."
"What are these objects you mentioned? Surely they have a name," Bill said confused.
"They do; there used to be less than ten people that knew about them but now it's risen to twelve. These objects are the very definition of dark magic. I was ill for days when I learned about them and the twins and Oliver weren't much better. They allowed Voldemort to have immortality and they had to be destroyed before he could be killed. "
"Alright, and your natural healing abilities? That's amazing," Charlie said awed.
Hermione blushed. "I don't know where it originates from, I know I was born with it but I don't know if I'm born with it because one of my ancestors had it and it was passed onto me along with my magic, or if it's non-genetic and hereditary."
"You healed Fred?" Mrs. Weasley said with tears in her eyes.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I did. The potions and spells they were giving Fred wouldn't have made much difference to his condition for a while. I healed his injuries but it took me two weeks to be able to wake him from his coma. A task of that magnitude is very difficult so I had to do it in small doses."
"We saw you, after you healed Oliver," George said thoughtfully. "You were shaking, you were pale and you had a nose bleed."
"That's because Oliver's injuries were extensive. He had internal bleeding, some organ damage, a broken leg, arm and clavicle and deep tissue bruises. If he'd been caught with the spell sooner, his injuries wouldn't have been so severe, but because they were, it took a lot of my energy and magic to heal him. I can heal cuts, bruises and a few broken bones no problem but when it comes to internal bleeding and organ damage, that's when things get complex."
"And the full moon?" Bill commented amusedly.
"I'm surprised no one noticed sooner," Hermione said honestly, "Especially you, Bill"
"I had a feeling something was different about you. I was attacked your sixth year, but I couldn't be sure what it was that was different."
"Why dinnae ye tell anyone sooner?" Mr. Wood asked.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "There were other pressing matters and I didn't think that it was important. It was only a few enhanced senses and a change in my mood around the full moon. It wasn't exactly life-threatening."
"It was to us," the twins scoffed.
"I told you and you still thought it would be funny to wind me up until I hexed you," she argued and they shrugged, unapologetic.
"It was worth it getting to see you all huffy," Fred said and they laughed at her scowl.
"And your parents," Mr. Weasley said sadly. "You could've told us, Hermione."
"No, I couldn't. I couldn't tell you because I wasn't ready to admit they'd died. I was ashamed and I didn't want to disappoint anyone."
"Is there a'thing else?" Mrs. Wood asked. Hermione, Oliver and the twins shared a look. "A'll take tha' as a yes. Is there a'thing else ye want tae tell us now?" She amended
"No, not yet at least."
~000~000~000~
Puddlemere Stadium - Monday 20th July 1998
Before leaving the apartment, Oliver had received a letter from the jewellers letting him know he could pick up the engagement ring he'd had made for Hermione. The only problem was coming up with an excuse so he could go to Diagon Alley and pick it up without Hermione suspecting anything.
Training had just finished for the day and it had been a good session. Hermione had only made them do twenty laps of the obstacle course and she had explained to the team their weaknesses and given them a set of new drills to run. Oliver could already see an improvement in the team, both in their playing of Quidditch and in their behaviour. And to top the day off with a cherry, Hermione had hexed Malloy with her Bat-Bogey Hex for being a prat and deliberately winding her up. Malloy had definitely learned his lesson and the team laughed until they cried and fell over in the case of Thompson and Pallie.
As Hermione walked out of Coach Burton's office further down the corridor and Oliver walked out of the locker rooms freshly showered and with damp hair, they met in the middle.
"Hey," she greeted.
"Hi, ye should head home withoot mae, a have tae pick up somethin' from Madam Malkin's befere she closes," Oliver lied, hoping she wouldn't want to accompany him.
"You're going to Diagon Alley?" She questioned and he nodded slowly. "Great, I'll come with you." Oliver's face fell but it returned to a smile when he heard her next words. "I need to see Fred and George, I need more products for Skeeter and I've designed more products for them," she grinned.
Together they walked to the floo with Quaffle following obediently by their side.
"What exactly have ye done tae Skeeter?"
Her answering grin immediately let him know she wasn't going easy on the witch and he actually felt a minuscule amount of pity for the woman.
"I've been sending her prank products in the mail three times a day, well, technically the owl post office is sending her anonymous gifts," she grinned and he snorted at her.
"Like what?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Canary Creams, Ton-tongue Toffee, Puking Pastilles, Self Propelling Custard Pies, Weasley's Snowstorm, Exploding Whizz Poppers and Thor's Thunder Cracker," she grinned at him and he shivered. "I can't remember the rest."
"Ye scare mae sometimes," he admitted in a mutter. When she smiled angelically, he couldn't hold in his snort.
~000~000~000~
Diagon Alley
"I'll meet you back here?" Hermione offered.
Oliver nodded in agreement. "Aboot an hour?"
"That's fine," she smiled. "Plenty of time to gather what I need," her smile turned evil. He really did pity Skeeter.
"Are ye gunna be okay on yer own?" He asked worriedly.
She smiled at him. "Yes, I should be. There's too many people here so I'll blend into the crowd easily enough and I haven't seen any photographers." He reluctantly nodded. "Am I taking Quaffle or are you?"
"A'll take him."
"Are you sure? You said you were going to Madam Malkin's."
"She'll let him in as soon as she sees mae," he shrugged. It paid to be a celebrity.
"Well, if you're sure..." She reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek, scratched Quaffle behind the ears and then she turned and made her way through the still bustling crowd.
She headed straight for the twin's shop and she entered to see a line from the counter backed up all the way to the door. She smiled to herself and made her way through the crowd and she slipped behind the counter and called for the next customer.
"Hey, Mia," George said looking relieved for her appearance and help.
"You're looking frazzled, George," she grinned in amusement and she rang the sales up and gave the customer their change before the next customer took their place at the counter.
"We've been really busy today," he blew a stray piece hair red hair out of his face.
"I can see that," she laughed at him before moving onto the next customer.
It took ten minutes to get the queue at the counter back down to zero but the shop was still bustling with customers and the peace wouldn't last for long, especially with closing hours approaching, something George looked as though he couldn't wait for.
"It's like you never left," George grinned and he hopped onto the counter and swung his legs back and forth.
"I can never truly leave this place; this will always be my home," she looked about fondly and his smile widened. "And if you need help all you have to do is ask, you know?"
"You have a job, Junior Coach," he reminded her.
"Coach said I don't have to be there every day, but I go anyway to give me something to do," she shrugged.
"Why, hello there, beautiful," Fred greeted as he waltzed over to them and flung his arm around Hermione and he gave her an overly dramatic kiss on the cheek. Both George and Hermione rolled their eyes and chuckled at him.
"Hello, Fred-er-ick," she grinned at his grimace.
"So, what do you need?" George asked.
"What? I can't come and visit my favourite boys without having an ulterior motive?"
"Of course, you can, but not this time," Fred said and Hermione mock-scowled at him.
"Fine," she huffed and they grinned triumphantly. "I brought you some new designs for products." They grinned at her. "Just because I don't spend all my time here like I used to, doesn't mean I'm giving up my part of this pranking trio," she gestured between them with her hand.
"Never thought you would," they chorused.
"It's in your twin blood," Fred commented and she snorted at him.
"I need some new products for Skeeter."
"How long are you going to keep this up?" George asked amused.
"When the old hag's on the verge of a mental breakdown. It's only been a week and I've sent her twenty-one gifts so far, but I have much more planned. Now, let's see, I need the strongest legal Love Potion you can give me and some flirting fancies," she tapped her finger against her chin thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"For my own amusement and I need a few more things, too."
The twins shared a look, shook their heads and then left her at the counter whilst they gathered the things she'd asked for and she worked the till.
Fifteen minutes before she was due to meet Oliver, she said her goodbyes to the twins and left the shop, slowly walking towards the Leaky Cauldron.
As she made her way through the bustling crowd, out of nowhere she was pushed and thrown into an alleyway in-between two shops, out of view. Someone grabbed her from behind, lifted her up and restrained her against their chest.
"Hello, Mudblood!"