"Now darling, let Sasha deal with your hair. Merlin knows your mother used to," Dorea commanded.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione agreed, anything beat the plastered-down feeling of sleekezey from fourth year. The tiny elf perked up in excitement and immediately began tugging on her curls, mumbling about the Mistress's friend with difficult hair and the new Miss with a worse headful. The only reason she didn't laugh was for fear of offending the elf currently holding her hair.
After what felt like hours of tugging, Hermione heard the elf squeak "Done!"
"Oh, oh Hermione!" Dorea gasped, turning her head, much to the annoyance of the elf tending to her own hairstyle.
Hermione's eyebrows rose when Sasha turned her back towards the mirror. It was deceptively simple, the curls were still hers, just calmed, pulled back from her face with a delicate rope of silver flowers, wrapped over her head like a headband, the ends meeting in the middle to flow down to the ends of her curls.
"Wow, Sasha," she murmured, "It's…stunning. Thank you."
Sasha beamed back at her, "Sasha will do your make-up now." she commanded imperiously.
Hermione huffed out a laugh, "I shall bow to your undoubtedly superior knowledge." she agreed.
"Wise choice, darling," Dorea confirmed with a grin as another elf bullied her back into a seat. "Hermione?"
"Hmmm?" Hermione hummed, as Sasha applied something cold to her face.
"Thank you for allowing me this."
Hermione remained silent for several minutes. "It was pointed out to me recently that this is how it should always have been," she replied softly.
"Oh?"
Hermione gave a huff of laughter, "My great-grandmother at Christmas. I think I like her but Merlin is the woman blunt."
Dorea laughed, "Yes, Isobel is an… acquired taste. Dare I ask what you said to deserve the reminder? It wasn't said in my hearing."
"Ugh, I made a comment after you left about being able to make sure people got the lives they were supposed to have. She pointed out that I was one of them."
"Ah" Dorea smiled. "She's not wrong."
"I know." Hermione sighed, "It's…easier almost to think of Harry. He should have had all of this. But if I really begin to accept that so should I, then I have to face the fact that I've had two lives stolen and that's hard. It's easier to focus on the one I remember, rather than one where I'm still learning where my place is."
"Oh darling, of course, it is!" Dorea exclaimed, wincing when her elf tugged on her hair so she didn't move her head. "Ow, Dolly! It's been barely four months since you came back to us Hermione, we all know you had a life, friends, and family before that. You spent over fifteen years there, darling, it's going to take a while to adjust."
Hermione let out a slow breath. "I'm trying."
"And you're doing beautifully. Darling the very fact you've not locked yourself in a room is testament to how strong you are. But…Hermione. At some point, you are going to need to grieve. Properly. You cannot always be strong. No one is."
"I…I know. But not yet. I can't just yet. I'm scared that if I do I won't get back up again."
"Of course you will, " Dorea scoffed. "What do you think we're here for? And if you think for one moment that your father and grandparents won't agree then you have not been paying attention."
Hermione snorted, "I think my grandmother might drag me up through sheer willpower alone."
"Probably," Dorea agreed, "Janet Selwyn was always a determined woman."
"She says the same about you," Hermione smirked.
"Well. One cannot be meek while dealing with Potter men, as I'm sure you've noticed."
Laughing, Hermione agreed, "Yes I might have noticed that."
"Sascha needs the little Miss to be quiet now or she'll have lipstick all over her face!" the elf scolded. Hermione promptly shut her mouth, making Dorea laugh. "You is done. Sasha will help with the dress or all Sasha's hard work will be ruined!"
"Of course, Hermione agreed blandly, as Dorea's elf shuffled her behind a partition.
"Good, now, arms up, close your eyes!"
Doing as she was told, Hermione felt the slip of her dress as the elf persuaded it around her hair. "Now your shoes then yous looks."
"Of course," Hermione murmured, allowing the tiny powerhouse to help her into her heels before being guided towards a full-length mirror.
"Oh my gods," she whispered, her reflection staring back at her with a stunned expression, "You're a miracle worker Sasha."
Sasha beamed back, leaving Hermione to stare into the mirror. The woman staring back at her was unrecognisable. Gone was the little girl from the yule ball, this dress was grown up and sophisticated and…well, very seventies. The flowy satin would be considered modern in this traditional world, with full length cuffed puffed sleeves, a wrap style neckline her father was going to despise and a thick sash tied with a bow at the front. The navy of the fabric flattered her in a way she hadn't expected, Sasha having worked her magic with thankfully neutral eyes and a startling plum lip.
"Sweet Circe, Hermione." Dorea breathed. "Look at you. You look stunning my darling."
Hermione smiled slightly, as Dorea came up behind her, squeezing her arms. "So do you." Hermione returned honestly. Dorea had stuck to tradition with an almost Victorian-style full skirted ballgown in a deep forest green. It lit up her face, making her seem far younger than her years. "Uncle Charlus isn't going to let you out of his sight." she teased.
"Charlus isn't going to let you out of his sight, never mind Alex, your father and I believe your grandfather and cousins are joining us this evening?"
Hermione groaned, "You're not funny you know."
"Nonsense, I am hilarious." Dorea grinned, twisting in the mirror so her skirts puffed out like a little girl playing dress up, "And entirely serious. You look like a woman in that dress and none of them are going to cope well with being unable to fool themselves into believing you're still a little girl."
Hermione snorted, "I haven't been a little girl in a very long time."
"No." Dorea sighed, "But now you look all grown up. It makes us feel old, darling."
"You're hardly old!" Hermione protested.
"My goddaughter is nineteen, and my son is twenty five. I'm not young."
Hermione scoffed, "You've at least another century," she dismissed.
Laughing Dorea shook her head carefully, mindful of the updo Dolly had painstakingly created for her, "Perhaps. Now, shall we go and upset your father?"
Hermione rolled her eyes but didn't comment as she followed Dorea out the door.
"Absolutely not." Alex barked before Alastor could gather his wits. Hermione laughed as Izzah hit him.
"You look stunning," she greeted, purposely ignoring him.
"So you do," Izzah replied pointedly, nudging Alex with her elbow, "Merlin you need to take me with you next time. My mother insisted on traditional robes."
"And you suit them!" Hermione protested, admiring the heavy gold brocade that made Izzah's eyes sparkle.
"Yes but that…Merlin, Mya that is a dress!"
"You'll save me a dance won't you?" Sirius grinned.
Hermione scoffed, "Having heard of your reputation, I'm sure you won't have time.
"Oh I'll make time," he grinned wolfishly, as Remus sighed and hit him.
"Thank you, Remus." Hermione beamed, "I'll save you a dance."
The rest of them laughed when Remus turned red and spluttered. "Let's go," Dorea commanded.
"You look beautiful, lass," Alastor murmured, moving to take her arm. "Even if I don't like you looking so grown up."
Hermione gave a small smile, "Don't worry I'll be back in jeans tomorrow.
"Thank the gods," he muttered with a smirk as he guided her to the floo.
Caradoc scanned the room, already bored beyond belief when his eyes landed on the most beautiful woman he'd seen so far that night laughing with Alastor Moody.
"Sweet mother of Merlin," he breathed, as his eyes scanned the dress that was surely scandalising the matrons despite reaching the floor, drawing Fabian's attention.
"Who's that then?" he grinned.
Caradoc's jaw dropped when the youngest Potter held out his hand and she took it, turning to face them. "I think it might be Hermione," he replied, sounding strangled.
"Hermione?" Fabian frowned before his face cleared, "Hermione Moody, Hermione?"
"That would be her," he agreed, watching her dance with James.
"Good Godric, she scrubs up well," Fabian muttered.
"Whos this?" Sturgis Podmore asked with interest.
Fabian inclined his head, "Auror Moody's daughter, she's the one dancing with baby Potter."
Sturgis frowned, "Auror Moody has a daughter?"
"Yes."
"Morganna have Mercy, there's no way she's Auror Moody's daughter! Look at the witch!"
"Oh, we are," Fabian murmured. He flinched when Gideon hit him. "Oi! What was that for?"
"If Auror Moody catches you looking at his daughter like that, he'll murder you. Think of it as a public service, no one wants murder at a party."
Sturgis snorted, "He's not wrong."
"Of course, I'm not." Gideon agreed. "Now if you'll excuse me, while you sad lot are staring at the little witch, I'm going to ask her to dance." At that he sauntered off in the direction of the dance floor, interrupting James.
"May I cut in?"
"And if I said no?" Hermione checked.
"I'd be heartbroken," Gideon replied with an exaggerated pout that made her roll her eyes.
"Very well," Hermione sighed, noticing people start to stare.
"Are you sure?" James asked with a frown.
"He's harmless," she reassured him and despite not looking convinced James handed her over.
"You're looking rather spectacular tonight Miss Moody."
Hermione snorted, "Thanks, you look…smug."
Gideon laughed, "Ouch! Truth be told, I was proving a point."
"Oh?"
"My darling brother and his best friend were staring. It was unbecoming. What if someone mistook Fab for me and thought I was the one with that gormless look on my face? I couldn't have that! Now, no one who has seen my brother dance can mistake us."
"Of course not," Hermione agreed, laughing. "Is he really that bad?"
"I knew you'd understand," Gideon beamed, "although it's interesting that you immediately assumed I was the better dancer." He smirked when she gave a huff of laughter, before leaning close to her, breathing into her ear. "Now, doesn't Regulus Black look like a marginally less feminine version of his mother?" He twirled her so she could see.
"Oh my gods," she choked, taking in the frilly dress robes that almost made Ron's Yule ball ones look manly. Making sure to keep her voice low she dipped her head down so it was resting on Gideon's shoulder, muttering, "He really does."
"Terrible taste," Gideon tisked before leaning forward again, whispering directly into her ear. "Not like the rather lovely Lucius Malfoy. It's a shame the man is such an arse."
"Gods no. Surely you have better taste than that?" Hermione retorted without missing a beat as her head shot up.
Gideon blinked slightly before he grinned, "I've found I'm less discerning than you would think. Arse though he might be, his arse is rather nice to look at. Now, his lovely wife is another one that it doesn't hurt to look at. Her arse isn't quite as good though."
"Oh, my gods!" Hermione laughed, "No! Please no! Find someone else, anyone else!"
Gideon sighed exaggeratedly, "Fine, how about…." he danced her in exaggerated circles as he scanned the room, landing on Amos Diggory and his wife. "Amos Diggory."
Hermione's eyes bugged as she followed his line of sight. "No way is that Amos Diggory!" she breathed.
"It is! Wonderful specimen of a man."
"Dear gods," she muttered, before grinning impishly, "He won't age well, look at that hairline."
Gideon laughed, loudly startling the dancers near them, "Alright, what about…ooh he's new!"
"Absolutely not!" Hermione barked, flushing at her volume. Continuing more quietly at his stunned expression, "He's my cousin!"
"Oh, that just means you can introduce us!" Gideon beamed.
"To his wife?" she replied pointedly, inclining her head towards Sarah who had appeared at Callum's elbow.
"I'm sure I told you once that I like to share." he purred.
"Too much information!" she replied quickly, not wanting to consider Gideon anywhere near Callum; if that unlikely pairing ever happened she was going to pretend they knitted or something.
Gideon snorted, "Fine, your cousin is safe from my attentions." he sighed.
Shaking her head, Hermione looked at him curiously, wondering how to ask before wondering if she should ask. "Spit it out," he commanded, looking amused.
She flushed, "Is flirting just a hobby for you?"
"Mostly." he agreed before looking uncharacteristically serious. "You didn't bat an eye when I mentioned Malfoy's arse."
"Beyond being horrified by your questionable taste, why would I?"
"It's…not exactly accepted," Gideon shrugged with a thin smile.
"Ah," Hermione murmured, taking care to be quiet. "So it's a… defence mechanism?"
"Partly," he muttered, deciding to be honest, "It's not a secret but…not many people know. I don't advertise it."
"Oh Gideon," she whispered, "That's…that's complete bullshit." He blinked at her, making her roll her eyes, "Honestly, why do people care who someone else is attracted to!"
He smiled slightly, "I think I finally understand why my brother's so taken with you, Miss Moody."
Hermione scoffed quietly, "Is this where you tell me he's gay too?"
Startling her, Gideon threw back his head and laughed, spinning her in a chaotic circle until she gigged, much to the annoyance of several more traditional guests. "No." he replied dryly once he was calm, resuming the dance at a far more sedate pace. "Most definitely not. The man's never taken his eyes off your tits since he realised who you were. And as lovely as I'm sure they are, they don't do much for me."
"And yet Narcissa Malfoy's do?" she teased.
"From an aesthetic perspective I can appreciate that she's a beautiful woman…like art. Or something," he replied with exaggerated primness, staring at her seriously until she laughed at his ridiculousness.
"You do realise you've just called me ugly, Auror Prewett, I should hex you you know." she informed him, an amused expression on her face.
He gaped at her for a moment, clearly running the conversation over in his head before he rolled his eyes at her, "That's not what I meant and you know it, infuriating witch!"
"Who is that?" Molly demanded, coming to a stop next to Fabian.
"What?" he blinked, having been focused on trying to work out what Gideon was saying.
"The girl with Gideon."
Fabian rolled his eyes, "Don't read too much into it, Mols. That's Auror Moody's daughter."
"I'm surprised her father let her out looking like that," she sniffed, refusing to admit she was surprised by Auror Moody having a daughter.
"Like what?" Fabian growled.
"Well, it's hardly proper is it?"
"I don't see anything wrong with it." he retorted, "It might not be traditional but from what she said Dorea Potter took her shopping, so we both know it's appropriate. It's hardly scandalous, Molls."
Molly scoffed, "She's hanging out the front. And since when were you so well acquainted with the witch?"
"Caradoc and I had lunch with Hermione and Alex Potter. I told you that." Fabian sighed, knowing it was pointless to request Molly be less judgemental.
Molly frowned, "The girls seeing Alexander Potter?"
"No, he calls her his little sister. His parents are her godparents."
"Oh."Molly sniffed, eyeing the girl dancing with her brother with clear distaste. "They look very cosy."
"Molly," Fabian growled, "You know she's not his type."
"No, but something made him ask her to dance." she retorted.
"Can't he just like her?" Fabian sighed, "She's intelligent and creative in a duel."
"How would you know that?" Molly asked sharply
"About her duelling ability?" Fabian checked, "Because we duelled her and Director Potter. Auror Moody is training her. She's…like no one I've ever fought before." he let out a bark of laughter, "She had Director Potter wrapped in robes in their last duel. I've never seen anyone do that before."
"You like her," Moly accused, understanding dawning on her face.
"Yes. I do." he replied bluntly, "So be nice, they're heading over."
"Oh fuck me. Molls is here." Gideon muttered. "I hope you brought your thickest skin, Miss Moody because you're going to need it."
"Oh?" Hermione murmured, her heart hammering. She was not ready for this.
"I love my sister but she has…certain ideas and she expects the world to conform."
"Ah," Hermione smiled slightly, well aware of Molly's ideas. She used the time it took to cross the dancefloor to steel herself. She had missed Molly and the Weaselys but being faced with this young, pregnant version of the woman was harder than she'd anticipated.
"Molly," Gideon smiled, moving to hug his sister, "How are my new nephews?"
"We don't know it's boys!" Molly argued, her hand moving towards her swollen stomach.
"Ah but if they're not I lose the bet, and we can't have that. Arthur!"
Arthur Weasley smiled at his brother-in-law before his eyes landed on the girl next to him. "Oh, and who are you?"
"Oh, Hermione Moody." Hermione smiled.
"A relation to Alastor Moody?" he asked curiously.
"His daughter."
"His…Merlin's beard! But he…we…"
Hermione smiled slightly, "It's alright. It's a rather long story but the short version is I was adopted by muggles. I only found out about Dad this year. We've been keeping it quiet while we get to know one another."
Arthur blinked, "Muggles you say?" he asked with interest.
"Oh Godric, now you've done it." Fabian groaned, "Care to dance so you're not subjected to hours of questioning over how muggles work?"
Hermione bit back a smile, "That's rude you know." she chided as Caradoc materialised at her side, dragging Sturgis.
"Molly, Arthur, Hermione." he grinned, "You do scrub up well Miss Moody."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I wish I could say the same," she replied blandly, before gesturing to his head, "But I do have to wonder if you own a hairbrush?"
Caradoc narrowed his eyes before he grinned, "Bold statement from a witch with hair that usually looks like it's trying to eat her head."
Hermione shrugged, "It's an excellent defence." she argued.
"Wild hair?" Sturgis frowned, "sorry, Sturgis Podmore. I was at school with these delinquents. I promise some of us were sane."
Hermione snorted, shaking his hand as she tried to place him, she knew she knew his name. Deciding to file away for later she grinned as she answered his question, "Yes, wild hair. If someone's aiming for my head I've several inches of a buffer."
Gideon let out a choked laugh, "Merlin I've never heard anyone consider hair as a defence. Then again I've also never seen anyone distract people with cute little birds and robes, so perhaps you're on to something."
"Of course I am," Hermione agreed smugly, finally feeling prepared enough to address Mrs Weasely, "I'm sorry, you must be Molly?"
Molly stared back at the witch utterly unsure of what to say to her. "Yes," she finally agreed.
Ignoring her frosty reception, Hermione carried on blithely, "Congratulations on your pregnancy, Fabian mentioned you have three older boys?"
Molly softened slightly, "Yes, Bill's seven now, Charlie's five and Percy's just over a year."
"Wow," Hermione exclaimed, "And now twins?"
"Yes, due in April. Merlin help us all." Arthur beamed at her. "Hopefully they'll be more manageable than their Uncles."
Hermione laughed, "Good luck with that."
Fabian tutted, "For that Miss Moody I'm not taking no for an answer." he announced, tugging her forward and onto the dance floor.
"Was that necessary?" Hermione asked pointedly.
Fabian grinned winningly, "Of course it was, Miss Moody. I can't have my reputation tarnished by not dancing with the most beautiful woman here."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Narcissa Malfoy agreed to a dance?" she asked innocently.
"She has a spectacular arse," Fabian agreed without missing a beat.
"She really does," Hermione sighed before she grinned, "Whoever the brunette over there is though, her tits are better."
Fabian choked, stumbling slightly as he missed a step "Merlin. You can't say things like that!"
"Oh but it's alright when you do it?" she replied incredulously.
He whined, before continuing wryly, "When I do it I'm sure you don't get vivid pictures."
"Well, I will now!" Hermione protested as he laughed.
Deciding to see how far she'd let this go, Fabian dropped his voice lower, whispering near her ear, "Have you ever been with a woman, Miss Moody? Marlene's tits are indeed rather wonderful, I could introduce you?"
Hermione smiled impishly, "I was due to be introduced to the witch, lead on, Auror Prewett."
Fabian's eyes widened as he spluttered for several seconds, utterly blindsided, before taking her arm and leading her over to Marlene.
He inclined his head, "Marlene, may I introduce Hermione Moody, Miss Moody, Marlene McKinnon."
Hermione smiled, "It's nice to meet you."
"Shall I leave you or play wingman?" Fabian asked dryly. "You're going to break poor Caradoc's heart, you know."
Hermione scoffed, "Thank you for your escort, Auror Prewett, I'm sure we'll be fine."
Fabian's jaw dropped. "Are you actually…I mean…gods Moody, those images."
Hermione snorted before she began to laugh so hard she was almost in tears, "Your face!" she gasped, clinging to his arm.
"Is everything alright?" Callum asked uncertainly, reaching for his cousin. Unable to answer him, Hermione just nodded as she attempted to get herself under control.
"Oh, oh gods, I'm so sorry, Miss McKinnon you must think I'm insane."
Marlene smiled back bemusedly, "I…I think we might have missed the joke," she admitted finally.
"I apologise," Hermione replied forcing her mirth down, "Auror Prewett attempted to embarrass me, I merely continued the conversation in the same vein. He was… surprised."
"You got that right," Fabian muttered, rubbing the back of his neck ruefully.
"He was ah…commenting on the allure of certain physical attributes of some of the guests," Hermione explained, noting the still confused look on Marlene's face.
Marlene snorted, "And that led you to me?" she asked, sounding amused.
"You have boobs I'd kill for," Hermione replied, startling a laugh out of the other witch, even as her cousin flushed.
"They are rather wonderful," Marlene nodded with a grin, "Although no one has dared comment since Sirius Black at Hogwarts. I feel like I must ask where on earth they've been hiding you, Miss Moody, I've never seen anyone embarrass Fab and I've known him my entire life. I like it."
"Please don't encourage her," Callum groaned, "My apologies, Callum McGonagall."
Marlene nodded, clearly unsure of the relationship, "My, apparently easily embarrassed older cousin," Hermione supplied with a smile, "He's going to have to work on that, his daughter is wonderful and sure to be a source of endless entertainment for the rest of us."
"I knew letting you near her was a bad idea," Callum groused, making Hermione smile. "You're due me a dance cousin."
Hermione sighed, "I'm sure I am," she agreed, "Save me one later Miss Mckinnon." she called over her shoulder as he dragged her away.
"What was that?" Callum demanded as they manoeuvred around the floor.
"Oh I was confusing Fabian," she grinned.
"You're not interested in the witch?" he checked, knowing how well that would go amongst the traditional families.
"She is…very pretty." Hermione replied slowly.
"But?"
"I…" Hermione sighed, "I had one relationship with a witch, I'll never have another."
"That bad?" Callum frowned, casting a silent privacy ward.
"No…no she was…" Hermione swallowed harshly, "She died. I was there. I couldn't save her. I will never….it wouldn't be fair to continually be compared to her."
"Oh, Hermoine," Callum whispered.
Hermione shrugged, wondering how on earth to explain this, "It wasn't…I don't really know how to explain it. I loved her, but I wasn't in love with her. I had feelings for someone else and she knew it. She…it felt like a strange but natural progression of our friendship but we both knew it wasn't a forever thing. But she was…my first everything to be honest. I slept with a boy before we went on the run but it was…I went to him and asked. He was a friend. I was not unaware of what happens to women during a war and I didn't want that to be my only experience. It felt…he was wonderful but it was a means to an end and we both knew it. But the night before the world went to hell, I spent it with her because she made me feel safe. She was…she was something special."
"It sounds like you loved her." he ventured softly.
Hermione shook her head, "I did, as she loved me. But we weren't in love with each other. Her view of the world was vastly different from everyone I've ever known. She saw nothing wrong with the intimacy, and we both found comfort in it, but it wasn't…I truly don't know how to explain it. Perhaps one day you'll meet her and understand."
Callum hummed, "Does this witch have a name?"
"Of course she does," Hermione smiled sadly, "But as I have no idea how likely I am to meet her parents at Hogwarts, I'll keep my own council."
Callum sighed, tugging her off the dance floor to envelop her in a hug, "You can talk to me about anything, I hope you know that."
Letting him go, she quirked her mouth into a smile, "I do. Surprisingly. Now, I promised a witch a dance and,regardless of how scandalous I'm sure it will be considered, I do enjoy flustering the Prewetts."
Callum let out a bark of laughter, "Far be it from me to dissuade you. Anyone who has an issue can take it up with…well I was going to say your father but perhaps based on what people are saying, they can take it up with you. It'd be entertaining if nothing else."
Hermione acknowledged him with a grin, "Well quite. I could do with some more practice."
"What is she doing?" Caradoc hissed as he watched Hermione turn from her cousin and march up to a laughing Marlene McKionnon.
"I have no idea if she's being truthful or trying to get a rise out of me," Fabian muttered.
"Can't it be both?" Pandora Carrow smiled, appearing behind them. "She's an interesting witch."
Caradoc frowned at his cousin, "Oh? What do you know?"
"I see many things," Pandora murmured.
Caradoc froze, "You've Seen Hermione?"
"Oh yes." Pandora agreed, "In fact, once she releases Marlene I really must go introduce myself."
"Dora, what have you seen?" he growled.
Pandora's mouth quirked up on the left, "In regards to you?" Caradoc flushed, "She has three choices, she'd have four if she'd allow herself to but she won't, so she has three."
"What?" he asked slightly helplessly, confusion clear on his face.
Pandora smiled, "You, Fabian…or both of you. She's not on board with both of you yet but she could be."
Both Fabian and Caradoc turned to gape at the witch. "What?" Fabian asked, sounding strangled.
"Your magic is very attracted to the witch." Pandora smiled "But you will both have to be patient. She has seen horrors you cannot imagine, lived a life she should never have had if fate had not intervened. Her secrets will be many, she cannot share even a fraction until you agree to keep them." she pinned Fabian with a look, "From everyone. Her burden is immense, and she is aware of it. She'll need someone to anchor her when the storm gets worse but you won't get a second chance. React badly, and she'll cut you out so quickly, you won't see it coming. I See…but so does she."
"She's a seer?" Caradoc hissed.
"No. Not exactly. She has seen…she has lived. She is always watching, forced to protect herself from more loss. She is not broken, but she is fractured. I have been waiting for her return. My daughter foretold it. They were very close."
"What?" Fabian asked, utterly lost.
"Oh, their dance is over, do excuse me."
"Hello Hermione Granger," Pandora smiled, as Hermione spun to face her, her eyes widening. "Thank you for helping my daughter. She needed you more than you'll ever know." Hermione took a sharp intake of breath, feeling like the world was spinning out of control as her eyes travelled over the woman in front of her, utterly unable to make her voice work. "Oh dear. Perhaps I should have done this less publicly," Pandora murmured just as Alastor appeared at her side.
"Lass?"
"I…I need…."
"Air I should think," Pandora finished cheerfully, hooking her arm through Hermione, "The balconies should be open."
"What…what the fuck did she say to her?" Fabian demanded, preparing to march across the room. Caradoc stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"I don't know but Moody is with her. We cant…fuck…."
"We need a conversation," Fabian muttered, "soon. I'm going for a drink."
"What in the name of Merlin was that?" Gideon demanded as he watched his twin stalk towards the bar.
"I don't know," Caradoc murmured his eyes on the balcony, his mind attempting to make sense of his cousin's words.
"Luna thinks very highly of you Miss Moody." Pandora smiled cheerfully as she helped Alastor manoeuvre her onto the bench.
Casting a ward that prevented anyone from joining them as his daughter's face went impossibly pale, Alastor rounded on the witch, his wand extended, "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, positioning himself in front of Hermione.
"Oh, forgive me, Pandora Carrow, Auror Moody, I don't imagine you know me," she peered around Alastor in a way that would have been comical if either Moody had been less stunned, "Your Caradoc is my cousin, did you know?"
Hermione looked up at her wide-eyed, "Not mine," she mumbled.
"Isn't he?" Pandora asked. Hermione shook her head, "Perhaps not yet then," Pandora mused, "Pity, he'd do wonders for all the hurt you're feeling. He's…more sensitive than your other choice. Of course, Fabian would bring the humour, he seems adept at bringing out your playful side. You all balance each other rather well."
Moody stood frozen for several minutes, shifting slightly, "Are you attempting to talk my daughter into a triad?" he barked.
"It would be best," Pandora smiled, "Of course, she could just pick one but Merlin knows how she's going to choose between them. It'll be difficult, no?"
Hermione remained frozen, staring at the witch, so Alasor answered for her, "Or she could choose none."
"She could," Pandora agreed. "But that would be unwise. Of course, there's the other option but you won't consider it, will you? You haven't met her yet but it will impact people you know." Pandora paused, "Actually, you might be a little late, now I think of it."
"Who?" Hermione rasped.
"Oh, Fleur Delacour. Her mother is a great beauty, and truly you could be very happy but of course, Fleur and Gabrielle wouldn't be born and I don't know if you could live with that."
"No," Hermione agreed softly.
"Well then, I'd advise a triad."
"Of course you would." Hermione agreed, sounding hysterical.
"Oh dear," Pandora murmured, "Luna's death hurt you very badly."
Hermione looked at her properly, the tears already falling. "I couldn't save her. I couldn't save any of them."
"Oh, oh Mya," Pandora murmured, darting around Alastor to sit down on the bench next to Hermione before wrapping her arms around the sobbing witch, "You're going to save them all. Don't you see? This was always your fate. I'm sorry it was so cruel. I'm sorry you had to be so broken to be remade into your true self, but you will win this my Mya. You just have to trust yourself."