0o0
Hermione leaned over a sleeping Tonks and brushed her lips over her lips.
"That's me off."
"Hmmm."
Hermione smiled as Tonks turned and buried her purple haired head into her pillow, mumbling incoherently.
Shaking her head at the older Witch, Hermione turned and checked Teddy was still fine and sleeping before apparating home.
Opening up the door, she walked through to the kitchen wishing her parents good morning.
"You're up early," her mum noted, looking at the clock.
"I have to get showered and changed and breakfast."
"What are your plans for tonight?" her dad asked.
"Heading out to the pub in the Muggle world," she explained.
"We're working all weekend to be able to get one off the weekend of Percy's wedding," her dad explained. "So you'll be on your own most of the weekend. That okay?"
"Sure," Hermione shrugged. "I don't have much planned yet."
"Tonks said she had it off," her mum noted lightly.
"Yeah, but she said that last weekend. I'd think she would spend time with Teddy if she does get some time off. She's quite upset that she hasn't seen him much lately."
"It's not easy being a single parent," her mum sympathised. "And your relationship is so new it's difficult to know whether it's better for you to take a bigger role or not."
"I don't want to. Not when we've been going our for such a short time. Teddy knows who I am but we aren't trying to explain anything more to him."
0o0
Hermione looked at one of the Aurors who was sat at his desk, staring at a piece of parchment.
"Is Lupin in?" she asked, looking at the open door to her office.
"Meeting. Potter, Lupin and Shacklebolt," he muttered, staring at her. "Hey, you don't happen to know this do you?" He held up the piece of parchment, pointing at a symbol on it.
"It's the ruin for a poisonous substance. Not necessarily a liquid poison."
His eye brows shot up as he nodded, "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Hey, Harry in?"
Hermione turned, smiling at Ginny. She grabbed her friend into a hug, noting that Ginny kept the hug going a little longer than she normally would.
"Meeting."
She watched Ginny's face fall and a look of resignation come over her face.
"You fancy lunch?" Hermione offered gently.
Ginny met her eyes, a bit of determination in her eyes as she nodded. Walking out of the Auror's office, Hermione kept quiet, leaving the red head with her own thoughts.
Taking the flu out onto the street, from the atrium, she lead Ginny towards a muggle café.
Hermione walked into the café and ordered for them both before they went and took a table with their teas.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked quietly.
"No," Ginny admitted bluntly. "I'm going to split up with Harry."
Hermione's face made an 'o' as the declaration took her by surprise. Taking a deep breath, she thought things through, trying to process the information.
"Are you going to tell me not to?" Ginny asked tetchy.
Hermione looked at the anger in her friend and shook her head. "No. I know you and I know you'll have thought this through. It's your choice Ginny, not mine."
Ginny frowned at her plate, her beautiful red hair falling around her face and shoulders. "Will you still speak to me?"
"Of course I will!" Hermione said seriously. Standing up, she walked around to the other side of the table and hugged Ginny tightly.
"You're my best female friend Ginny. I've shared bedrooms with you for years and I've shared the two idiots with you for years too. I'm not going to take sides but there's no way that I'm losing you just because you decide that a relationship with Harry isn't what you want."
"I do want it," Ginny sniffed "but not the way it is. All he does is work. He never has time off. He's stood me up this week already. I come in past the Ministry on my time off and he still can't even see me. I know his job is important and I know he's stupidly busy but I just don't think the relationship is working."
Hermione nodded. "You've thought about it. Have you spoken to him about it?"
"Yeah, a few times. He always says he'll find time and that things will get better but that's months now and there's no change."
Ginny seemed to deflate with the admission as the waitress delivered their food.
"'Mione, what's it like with you and Tonks?" she asked seriously.
The question took Hermione by surprise as she looked at her friend's dull brown eyes.
"Good," Hermione shrugged. "We're still at the beginning of a relationship where things are exciting and new. We don't see one another as much as I'd like. You know what her work's like and she has Teddy. Then on top of that I have all of my stuff going on."
"Does it bother you not seeing her?"
"A little," Hermione nodded. "She said she'd do something this week and then pulled out because of work. I was upset about it but let it go. Andromeda apparently tore her to pieces for it and she realised what she'd done and came and apologised. She was pretty upset that she'd done it without noticing."
"And her being a woman? Is it different?" Ginny asked genuinely.
Hermione paused to consider the question before answering, "Yes. Maybe it's just Tonks but she's more in tune with my feelings and thoughts. She doesn't need poked and prodded to do the right thing like a guy does. She isn't as gormless when it comes to a relationship."
"She's older though," Ginny pointed out.
"Yes but she hasn't had conventional relationships. As much as I liked Remus, he hardly treated her right."
"True," Ginny nodded, her eyebrows raised.
0o0
"Hey, you busy?" Ginny asked, appearing at their department door.
Hermione took one look at her tear stained face and shook her head.
"In you come. Go through to my office Gin," she said softly.
"I delivered the cake to them. Going to eat my bit here," she muttered, heading past them towards Hermione's office.
"Could have bought me a bit of cake," Malcom teased quietly, making her smile.
"Believe me, Gin needs it more at the moment," she muttered.
Walking through, she closed the door and sat down, looking at the red head.
"Total nightmare," Ginny muttered, putting a bit of cake in her mouth. "He was with Tonks. I asked to speak to him, he said he was busy. I said it was important and he snapped a bit that he was busy so I just told him, with the office door open, that I was breaking up with him.
I said 'I know your job's important but we never see one another and I want an actual fiancé rather than an imaginary one.' Then I remembered the cakes and said 'by the way, here's a bit of cake from 'Mione for you both.'
I turned to Tonks and I told her that she'd better treat you well or I'd hunt her down and Bat Bogey the Metamorphagus out of her and whatever she did make some time for you instead of being married to her job.
Then I walked out."
Hermione looked at her with wide eyes. "Wow. There goes that Weasley temper."
Ginny groaned, taking another bite of cake. She finished it before muttering, "I know." She looked up at the clock in the room. "I have to get back to Holyhead. We have a game tonight."
"Get me a ticket and I'll come and watch," Hermione said seriously.
"Really?! You hate Quidditch."
"You're my best female friend and you've just split up with your fiancé. I'm coming to make sure you don't do anything stupid and don't go snogging anyone else less than twelve hours after splitting up with Harry."
"Thanks," she muttered. "I'll get you a good ticket."
0o0
Ginny rubbed her face as her and Hermione walked down the dorm stairs to the canteen.
"Fuck 'Mione. I'm so sorry."
"It's fine," Hermione said, rubbing her arm.
"I tried to snog you while drunk when I know you're dating Tonks and I don't even fancy you," she complained seriously, looking at Hermione as if she were stupid.
"You said you wanted to see what it was like to kiss a girl. You didn't disagree when I asked if there was a female you were interested in."
"Merlin," Ginny flushed bright red. "I'm never drinking again."
"You didn't do or say anything bad, other than trying to kiss me and that was when we were back in your room. And you certainly weren't the worst there."
"Thanks for looking after me," Ginny said embarrassed.
"I said I would," Hermione said seriously. "Now you know that anything that is said is rubbish. I stuck by your side the whole night. You have some strange supporters by the way."
The two Witches picked up some cereal and sat down at one of the long tables. Within a few minutes, the Seeker of the team had come and sat down beside them, wishing them a good morning. Hermione had met her briefly last night where she had come across as slightly stand offish. She was a beautiful woman, though not conventionally beautiful. She had dark wavy hair, she was tall and she was slim but with hypnotising curves. Hermione suddenly realised that she was eyeing up another woman and considered whether she was more gay than she originally thought.
"How are the heads this morning?" she asked quietly, looking at both of them with clear eyes.
"Sobering up and hangover potion has me back to normal," Ginny admitted a little flushed in the cheek. "'Mione wasn't drinking."
Carys looked perplexed towards her.
"I had two butterbeers the whole night," Hermione admitted. "I'm fine this morning. What about you?"
"I don't drink," Carys replied.
"I'm going to copy you from now on," Ginny frowned into her cereal, the tip of her ear bright red.
Hermione nudged her, "Cheer up Gin. Are you going for a ride after this to clear your head?"
"Yeah," Ginny nodded, "I think that sounds good. You busy or will you hang around for a bit?" she asked hopefully.
"I can hang around," Hermione said honestly, meeting the girl's sad stare.
"There are spare brooms if you want to join her for a fly," Carys said gently, studying the two Witches in front of them.
"'Mione doesn't fly," Ginny answered.
Again, Carys looked at her perplexed.
"I don't like it," Hermione admitted embarrassed.
"Why?" Carys asked.
Hermione sighed, "I don't feel safe. I think it's probably to do with being Muggle born in the first instance. To have only a broom stick underneath you, to keep you safe, seems ridiculous. I'm awful at it too."
Ginny laughed, losing a bit of cereal much to her embarrassment and the others laughter. "You really are rubbish."
"Hey!" Hermione blushed and complained. "I'll have you know that I'm perfectly adequate at flying a Dragon, Thestral and Hippogriff, it's just brooms which I have an issue with."
"You flew a Dragon?" Carys asked sceptically.
Hermione shuddered, "Not an enjoyable experience and I still have burn marks to show for it."
"The Golden Trio broke out of Gringotts on it," Ginny added. She turned to her curly haired friend. "If you can fly one of them, surely you can try again on a broom."
"You just need to find someone you trust to take you up. What about Ginny?" Carys asked.
"No way!" Hermione shook her head. "Get her off of the ground and she'll decide she's has plenty of time to go slow and will start doing loop the loops."
Carys laughed at the accurate description, a beaming smile spreading over her face as she laughed with Ginny.
"What about T?" Ginny suggested seriously.
Hermione paused in thought, considering learning to fly and get on a broom with Tonks.
"Who's T?" Carys asked.
"Hermione's other half," Ginny chipped in.
"He must be pretty special by the time you're considering letting him teach you," Carys said softly, studying the Gold Trio Witch.
"She," Hermione corrected her without thought, looking up at the Seeker. "She is. It's early days though….and not without complications…though not hunting down Voldermort's soul and destroying it kind of complications."
Ginny burst out laughing, "I'd like to think not! That would be some start to the relationship."
The three laughed, Hermione shoving Ginny playfully.
"Take her up here sometime and you can have plenty space to try and get some confidence on a broom," Carys said honestly. "Is she hot?" she asked hopefully.
"Beautiful," Hermione rolled her eyes. "And taken."
"All the good ones are," Carys moaned.
"Nope, Ginny's free," Hermione said gently, nudging her friend and smiling at her. "Wait until the offers start rolling in."
"I thought you were with Harry?" Carys asked, her face suddenly very serious and staring at the red head.
"I broke up with him yesterday. Note the big night," Ginny admitted quietly, looking directly at the Seeker. "I'm going to stop drinking though. Going to take my Quidditch more seriously and see how it goes."
"It'll go great," Hermione said resolutely.
0o0
Hermione waited once more on Tonks' doorsteps, waiting for the door to open. She grinned when pink hair peeked around the door, until Tonks' booming voice roared into the house.
"Teddy! Bed!"
She left the door open for Hermione in a very uncharacteristic move. Hermione walked in, closing the door and using her wand to lock it before tentatively walking into the house.
She found a mischievous Teddy looking up at his mother, who looked ready to explode.
"Come on Teddy, let's get you up to bed," Hermione said gently. Letting her hand smooth down Tonks' back as she past her girlfriend, she ushered the small boy upstairs to his room. Tucking him into bed, she gave him a kiss to the forehead and watched as she cuddled down and shut his eyes.
Peeking through the door crack, she waited until his breathing evened out and headed back downstairs.
She paused at the door to the kitchen as she found Tonks sitting down on the table with her head in her hands, running through her short pink hair.
Without a word, Tonks slid the paper over towards Hermione. Picking it up, Hermione looked at page three which was filled with photos taken in the bar last night. Pictures of her and Ginny together. The article underneath it stated they had both been out partying and drinking after Ginny had split up with Harry. It noted that they had substantial interest from patrons and implied they had found love interests for the evening.
Hermione sighed at the crap printed and looked at Tonks. Her heart sunk as she saw the tears in Tonks' eyes.
"What is it?" Hermione asked worried, pulling out the chair next to her and sitting down. Reaching out, she took the Witch's hand in her own and met her eyes, hating that the usual spark had disappeared.
"Urgh," Tonks moaned, wiping the tears from her eyes. She sniffed, "Were you with anyone else last night?"
"No," Hermione shook her head. "I slept at Ginny's. She got drunk and I stayed sober to make sure she didn't do anything stupid. We avoided any trouble. Ginny got drunk and once we were back at hers she tried to kiss me to see what it was like to kiss a woman but I pulled away before she managed. She's totally mortified and sends her sincere apologies to you. She says you have a free hex at her next time you see her. She doesn't fancy me in any way and can't believe she did it when she thinks we're good together."
Tonks face darkened. "Your lips didn't touch?" she checked.
"No," Hermione shook her head. "Promise. Between you and me, I think Ginny split up with Harry for the right reasons but our relationship has made her consider what it would be like to date a female. I think there's someone she…appreciates…but not necessarily loves. I don't know if she even realises it yet though."
"Not you though?"
"Definitely not me," Hermione smirked at the worried witch. "Besides which, I don't think Ginny could date someone who can't fly."
"I don't give a fuck if you can fly or not," Tonks admitted, shaking her head upset.
"Good, although we were speaking about it at breakfast this morning with one of her team mates and I came to the conclusion that I would accept trying to learn again if you were the one to teach me and take me up. I'd trust you not to be a male about it and go flying off doing tricks and I'd trust you to catch me if I fell. We were invited to use the Harpies training ground if you agree to it. I'm told flying a broom is much easier than a Dragon."
"You really trust me enough to try and teach you?" Tonks asked surprised.
Hermione looked her in the eye, leaning forward and kissing her lips softly. "Tonks, I trust you with my life. You make me feel so safe when I'm with you. You don't posture or brag or puff up your chest but you're the best Auror I know and your wand work is mind boggling. And when you wrap me up in your arms, I feel safe."
Tonks inhaled sharply and exhaled quickly before kissing her hard. "I'm going to get Ginny with a really good hex for trying to kiss you."
"Okay," Hermione smiled gently at her, mesmerised with her eyes. "She said you could. She's also going to stop drinking though. She wants to concentrate on her playing and she was so mortified that she tried to kiss me."
"I don't see why, you're beautiful and you looked sexy in that outfit last night."
"Are you busy the rest of the day or are you free to hang out?" Hermione asked. "I presume Teddy has been energetic?"
"Accidental magic," Tonks moaned, rubbing her forehead. "He changed the wall colour and his hair has been five different colours so far today."
"Come here," Hermione muttered, pulling her into a hug. "We'll get through it. He takes after you and Remus, he's never going to be an angel."
Pulling Tonks up to her feet, Hermione led her through to the living room and sat down in the corner of the sofa with her legs open. Pulling the Auror down between her legs, she encouraged the woman to lie against her, wrapping her arms around her small waist and cuddling her face into her neck.
She relaxed, happier when Tonks relaxed into her and cuddled her head into her shoulder.
"Anything else bugging you?" Hermione asked quietly.
"What Ginny said yesterday. When she split up with Harry she told him it was because she never saw him and that I'd better not do the same to you or she'd hex me."
"She said," Hermione muttered, kissing the Witch's neck and getting a shudder in response.
Tonks' face turned around to face Hermione. "Do I work too much? Do you not see me enough?"
"You do work too much and I want to see you more but I'm hardly innocent. I work too much and if I wasn't out with Ginny yesterday I would have been out with my Muggle friends. I have lots of commitments, the same as you. I do think you and Harry work too many hours though and it's pretty common for the hours to change last minute. Ginny's been putting up with it for two years now and she's had enough."
"You think they'll get back together?" Tonks asked sadly.
"No," Hermione shook her head.
"Shit," Tonks sighed. "He's a good guy."
"He is but he's not right for Ginny if he's working as Head of the Aurors. He hasn't been to one of her games for about four months now and has only been to Holyhead once in the last three. She needs someone who is there for her."
"What about the woman you think she likes?"
"She's nice," Hermione admitted thoughtfully. "Serious about her sport, doesn't drink, quiet, unassuming, likes to stay out of the limelight, friendly to me. She didn't seem to have an issue when I said I was dating a woman but I think she might be gay too. She's beautiful too."
"How beautiful?" Tonks pouted.
"Not as beautiful as you," Hermione said simply, holding Tonks tighter and kissing her softly. "And I wouldn't trust her to take me flying."
"Did Victor and Ron try?" Tonks asked.
"Yes. Both of them. Total and utter disaster," Hermione admitted, getting a light laugh from Tonks. "The last time I was on a broom was trying to outfly Fiendfire in the room of requirements. Every time I'm flying it's been a horrific and terrifying life or death experience."
Tonks turned her upper body around and placed her hands on Hermione's chest, leaning up and kissing her softly. "I don't give a shit if you fly or not."
"Good," Hermione mumbled, kissing her again. "Because I'm not confident you can produce a miracle."
"What are your plans for today?" Tonks asked, stroking her hands lightly over Hermione's arms.
Hermione pursed her lips slightly in thought. "See if Harry's in, which he's probably not. Go for a run. Check in with mum and dad at the surgery. I think I'll probably head back to Holyhead after dinner and make sure Ginny's okay. What about you, what are you and Teddy up to?"
"Just spending some time together," Tonks said pensively.
"Once he's in bed, if you can get someone to stay with him, do you want to come to Holyhead with me?" Hermione asked softly.
Tonks looked her in the eye, studying her for a moment before nodding, a small smirk on her face.
"We can start flying lessons and I can get my hex on Ginny."
Hermione didn't argue. She knew that Ginny had been wrong to do what she did and she also knew that Tonks needed the opportunity to get her own back before she would feel reassured on what happened.
0o0
"Hello, how are you today?" Andromeda let Hermione into Tonks' cottage.
"Good," Hermione nodded. "I've had a busy day but productive. Thanks for looking to Teddy."
"No problem, I was young once too…although I had Dora already by the time I was your age."
"Child talk already mum, don't scare her away," Tonks groaned, pulling on her leather jacket over her black T. Shirt. Hermione's eyes drifted to her legs which were covered in skin tight tights with a pair of slack shorts over them.
"And you'll be back tonight?" Andromeda checked.
"Yes."
"Lunch tomorrow at the Burrow?" Andromeda checked.
"Yes," Tonks answered at the same time as Hermione replied no.
"Why?" Tonks asked confused, staring at the younger Witch.
"Why would I?" she countered.
"It's Arthur's birthday," Andromeda added quietly, looking between the two of them with studious eyes. "You weren't invited were you?"
Hermione's eyes shot to Andromeda as they silently studied one another.
"Why not?" Tonks asked. "I'm getting annoyed, someone explain please," she complained.
"Hermione doesn't always get invited to the Burrow. She and Harry usually just say she's busy."
"How do you know?" Hermione asked confused.
"I'm Slytherin. Why do you never explain that you weren't invited," she countered.
Hermione blushed, "It's not always a bad thing," she said quietly. "It initially gave me more time with my family and Sunday dinners with my mum and dad. I didn't particularly want to be having awkward Sunday dinners next to Ron when we split up either. It took pressure off of me having to spend time in the magical world and I could spend more time in the muggle world."
"Did Ron know you weren't invited?" Tonks frowned at the new information.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly. "I think he did at the beginning but I'm not sure now. Ginny doesn't."
"Mum?" Tonks asked, seeing the gears turning in her head.
"I think it's Molly rather than the others, but that's just suspecting."
"Can we go now?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"Yes, but this discussion isn't over," Tonks lectured.
"Great," Hermione huffed, following the Auror towards the front door.
0o0
Hermione hugged Ginny tightly, feeling the insecurity in the confident Gryffindor.
"How are you holding up?" she asked quietly.
Ginny shrugged, her face screwed up. "Seen the Prophet?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I've moved on from Cattermole and picked someone up in the bar while drunk and yet didn't go home with you either."
Ginny blushed. "Hi Tonks. I'm so sorry. It wasn't 'Mione's fault at all. She looked after me all night and I was really drunk."
Tonks listened to her apology with a straight face before raising her wand and casting a hex.
Ginny grimaced and then waited before studying her body and features to see what had happened. She looked at Hermione who shrugged honestly.
"Am I going to need medical attention?" Ginny asked Tonks resigned.
"No," she shook her head.
Ginny shrugged and nodded despondently. "I deserved it."
"Right, let's go for a fly. You need to find your happy place and Tonks is going to try and help me fly."
Seeing the worry and concern on Hermione's face, Ginny watched as Tonks gently took her girlfriend's hand in her own in a reassuring gesture. The touch seemed to ease Hermione's shoulders down as she exhaled.
"You'll be fine, Love," Tonks muttered.
"She won't let anything happen to you 'Mione," Ginny said truthfully. "Remember what you told us, why you would let her try and teach you. All those reasons still stand."
0o0
Ginny stood silently next to Tonks and Hermione. She was intrigued at how the lesson was going to go and what method Tonks was going to use.
"See those rings," Tonks nodded to the Quidditch rings far above them.
"I'm not blind," Hermione huffed.
"Good," Tonks said, not getting wound up by her attitude. She knew Hermione was feeling worried and anxious and this was how it was manifesting. "We're not going anywhere near there today."
Hermione's head snapped around to her.
"We're not?" she asked quietly.
"No, Love, nowhere near," Tonks said seriously.
Hermione's shoulders seemed to relax a little at the admission as she exhaled heavily.
"Now, call the broom up."
By the time Hermione had the broom in hand and Tonks sitting behind her on the broom, she felt ever so slightly better.
"Relax, Love," Tonks muttered, pulling her back into her own body. Tonks' arms and shoulders seemed to envelope Hermione slightly, giving her a feeling of security and comfort. "I've got you."
Hermione shuffled her bum around a little before nodding a tiny bit.
"Now, all we're going to do is rise a foot from the ground. One foot. That's it. If you fall off at that height, you aren't doing any major damage and it's about the same height as if you were riding a Muggle bike. You can ride a bike right?" she checked.
"Yes," Hermione nodded.
"Good," Tonks grinned.
0o0
Ginny stood watching Tonks and Hermione as they zigzagged around cones all the way down the pitch, turned, and then came back.
"I'd never have believed it if I hadn't seen it," she muttered, shaking her head.
"They're really good together. Tonks knows exactly how to get her to fly and Hermione seems to put total trust in her," Carys noted quietly, studying their learning technique.
"'Mione couldn't even go forward on a broom before. This is a total change! And yes, they are great together." Ginny sighed, "To think I almost made a mess of them as well."
Carys looked at the deep frown which graced Ginny's face.
"What happened?" she asked casually.
"I got drunk and tried to kiss 'Mione," she blushed furiously. "I don't even fancy her but I thought I'd see what it was like to kiss a girl after I split up with Harry. Tonks' has had a free Hex at me, although I'm not sure what it's going to do yet. She promises it isn't going to need hospitalisation…" Ginny looked down and checked her limbs once more, making a note that everything still felt normal.
"If you wanted to know what it felt like to kiss a girl, you should have just said," Carys said gently, still watching the other two witches on a broom.
Ginny's head snapped around as she looked at her team mate. "Are you being serious?" she demanded.
Carys nodded silently, still looking out across the pitch.
Ginny huffed, "Okay then, let's do it."
Carys turned to face her this time, a look of surprise on her face. Studying Ginny for a moment, she gulped and nodded a little before stepping into her. As their bodies brushed together, Carys' hand rested on Ginny's waist. As her mouth came in towards Ginny, Ginny's eyes fluttered closed as her head tilted slightly and let the soft set of lips kiss her.
Both sets of lips started to move after a moment, as the kiss developed. To Carys' surprise, it was Ginny who flicked her tongue over the other woman's lip and prompted the kiss to deepen. It was soft, it was gentle and it sent tingles shooting through her body.
As the two bodies separated, the two witches searched one another's expression, trying to discover what had just happened.
"So, how was kissing a woman?" Carys said quietly, her expression not quite being able to hide all of her vulnerability.
"Good," Ginny muttered, nodding.
"Hmm, you know where I am if you want to try again."
Ginny watched as the other witch turned to watch Tonks and Hermione again, unsure on what she was feeling but knowing that her stomach was turning frantically and she felt slightly sick.
She eventually turned her attention to her friends, smiling a little in surprise as they zoomed through the cones. Hermione's body tilted to either side to speed the corners up and Tonks grinned from her space behind her.
It was only a couple of minutes later that they pulled up in front of Ginny.
"How in Merlin's name did you manage that in an hour?" Ginny demanded of Tonks.
"Riding a bike. It's like riding a Muggle bike. And we were close to the ground. And I may have dated a Muggle who owned a motorbike," Hermione said quickly, adrenaline still in her body from the experience.
"When?" Ginny asked put out.
"Last year. It only lasted a few months," Hermione admitted with a small shrug.
"Why did it not last?" Ginny asked interested.
Hermione blushed bright red as she looked at Ginny, "I saw Tonks at a dinner at the Burrow and realised I was checking her out. It wasn't fair to date someone when I was thinking of someone else like that."
Ginny grinned widely, looking at Tonks who had a fond smile on her face as she looked at her girlfriend.
0o0
Hermione sat in the sunshine in her back garden, laughing at the tale which John was currently retelling. The garden was full of about a dozen friends of hers and her parents, enjoying Friday night drinks in the sun after work.
The receptionist and admin staff and dental nurses from her parent's practice were all here, along with a few others who were in the same social group through friends of a friend.
Lifting her drink to her lips, she paused as her mum shouted across the garden.
"Hermione, door."
She frowned, standing up and looking over their group, unsure who was missing.
Her expression must have told the story as her mum added,
"It's Tonks."
"Who's Tonks?" Sandra asked.
"My girlfriend," Hermione admitted, blushing furiously as she made her way into the house. She wasn't oblivious to the silence which had come over the group at the news. To her knowledge, no one knew she was dating nor that she was dating a female.
Taking a deep breath, she checked her surroundings before dropping her wand into her hand and casting some charms to check that it really was Tonks was behind the front door. Finally opening it, she couldn't help but smile as Tonks changed her nose to that of a pig to confirm who she was.
"I thought you were working late?" Hermione worried, opening the door and letting her in.
"Got away early. I finished my paperwork and said I'd go on call. I'm really fed up of that place this week," she moaned tiredly.
Hermione studied her girlfriend's face, seeing the faint bags under her eyes and lack of spark which she associated with the Auror.
"Teddy's at mum's but I've told her I'm here," she admitted. Tonks paused, studying the younger witch. "That's okay right? I mean…are you busy or…" her eyes flitted up to look down the hallway where she could hear multiple voices coming from the garden. "Shit," she muttered, "I can go."
"No." Hermione said seriously, reaching out and taking her hand. She paused, taking a moment to appreciate the calm which seemed to come from the action and the warmth that circulated her body. It always surprised her how simple body contact had such an effect on her. "We all came back here for Friday drinks instead of going to the pub. The beer gardens were all pinned. They're all muggles but you can stay if you want."
Tonks watched the insecurity of her girlfriend and nodded, although feeling wary about the decision.
"They're an important part of your life. If you're okay with it, I can stay. I can always go if things are too awkward. My muggle knowledge isn't great," she admitted screwing her face up.
Hermione smiled gently at her honesty and nodded, pulling her by the hand through to the kitchen. Turning on the kettle, she jumped up onto the worktop, watching her girlfriend as she tried to stealthily peek out the window.
"There are a lot of them," she said seriously, the tips of her hair changing colour.
Hermione laughed. "You've faced Death Eaters. A few muggles aren't scary. They'll ask questions. They didn't know I was dating anyone until you rang the door bell so be prepared for questions."
Tonks groaned, walking over and standing next to her. "You're lucky I like you," she joked.
"I know," Hermione replied, deadly serious. She stared at Tonks, admiring how beautiful she was before Tonks turned. Reading Hermione's expression she moved to stand between her legs and kissed her softly.
"Missed this," Tonks muttered quietly, as their lips parted.
"Definitely too long," Hemione replied quietly, kissing her Auror back as her hands crept around her shoulders to play with her hair.
"Next day off, can you stay over?" Tonks muttered, kissing her gently again.
"Depends on when it is," Hermione replied after the following kiss.
"Merlin knows," Tonks groaned.
"Hi Tonks. Nice to see you," came a very cheery voice.
Hermione chuckled as her girlfriend blushed at being found in their intimate position and turned to her mother. "Hi Jean. And you."
"Are you two coming outside?" Jean asked hopefully.
"Just making Tonks a cup of tea. She's on call until ten?" she confirmed with the Auror, who nodded.
"Good stuff. Everyone's very eager to meet you Tonks. Expect questions but asked with the best of intentions."
Tonks' fake smile slipped as Jean returned to the garden, "Great," she groaned.
"It'll be fine," Hermione smiled at her. Jumping off the counter, she took the cup of tea and walked out into the garden. Once more, the conversations quietened and died down around them.
"Hi Tonks, good to see you. Hermione said you were working late? Everything okay?" John asked concerned.
"Fine. I finished my paper work and thought I'd pay a visit. I didn't know you had people around, sorry for intruding."
"You aren't in the slightest," Jean protested instantly. "Sit down and have your tea. Do you need fed? The barbeque's still hot."
Hermione turned and laughed at Tonks' expression.
"She's hungry. Throw plenty on dad."
Sitting back down on the grass, Hermione leaned against the wooden shed and opened her legs, indicating for the Auror to sit down. Both witches relaxed as Tonks leaned back against Hermione with her cup of tea in her hand and Hermione's hands on her waist.
"Everyone, this is Tonks. Tonks, this is John, Sandra, Juliette, Lucy and Henry."
"Two Johns huh? Popular name," Tonks noted lightly.
Everyone gave a generic hello before there was an awkward pause.
"So. Since Hermione failed to tell us that she was dating, there are lots of unanswered questions. Do we ask them now or when Tonks is away?" Sandra asked with a grin.
"Now," Tonks replied. "Nothing to hide I don't think," she glanced back at Hermione who shook her head.
"What do you work as and how did you meet?" Sandra asked instantly.
"I'm…" Tonks paused.
"Law enforcement," Hermione supplied. "Not quiet secret service but not everyday bobby on the beat either. We met through mutual friends."
"We've known one another for years," Tonks added as an afterthought. "What…your fourth year I guess?"
"How long have you been dating?" John asked, less enthusiastic about the relationship as he watched them.
"Um, about a month." Hermione replied.
"We were friends before that though," Tonks added, taking a sip of her tea.
"What changed?" Lucy asked gently.
Tonks grinned widely, turning and looking at Hermione who groaned and blushed.
"Hermione kissed me. Told me I was brilliant. That was the beginning of the end."
She laughed freely as Hermione swatted her arm, protesting after some of her tea dripped out of the mug.
"What do you think about Hermione turning down Oxbridge?" John added.
Hermione could feel Tonks tense ever so slightly in her arms and cast John a pointed look. "That has nothing to do with Tonks."
"I'm just asking her what she thinks about it," John replied defensively, fooling no one.
"I think it's Hermione's choice," Tonks shrugged. "If she turned it down then it was for a reason," she blagged.
"Nothing to do with the beginning of a new relationship?" John asked sceptically.
"Tonks didn't even know until you brought it up," Hermione snapped back.
"Hey, it doesn't matter, Love" Tonks said calmly, putting her mug down and covering Hermione's hands with her own as she looked over her shoulder at her. She turned to look at John. "I think you're under estimating Hermione if you think that her mind could be swayed by someone that easily. She knows I'd be supportive regardless of what she chose to do."
"Even though you wouldn't be able to see much of one another as she'd be miles away?" John asked seriously.
"Nah, that wouldn't bother us," Tonks smirked, thinking of apparition. "I work ridiculous hours at the moment anyway and I'd see her in the evenings or the weekends when I could."
Lucy cleared her throat and added quietly, "I think we just know how much potential Hermione has. She could go really far in life and occupation. Her mind is brilliant and she could make such a difference to whatever profession she chooses. To turn down Oxford University is a big move and something which could really have opened up doors and opportunities. We don't want to think that she's wasting herself or her capabilities for any reason except that she doesn't want to do it."
Tonks' face turned less friendly and more serious. "I know perfectly well her capabilities as I see them weekly at work. She's already changed legislation which was created more than a hundred years ago and revolutionising the way that the public view important issues. There are many different paths that she could take and she'd change the world with every one of them. That doesn't mean it's for me or you to dictate which path she should take."
"Tonks, it's okay," Hermione muttered, soothing her hands down her shoulders.
"No, for once it isn't," Tonks said forcefully, bringing more of the garden to silence. "People think you are brilliant but they really have no idea how brilliant. I don't know how to put into words how brilliant you are and I can't think of anyone to compare you to except Merlin. That doesn't mean they can choose what you are going to do and dictate your future. The choice is yours."
"Well said Tonks," John said quietly, coming over with some food on a plate. "The choice is Hermione's. She knows she can pursue a University education at Oxford if she wants and she knows she can follow the career path she is on at the moment or change in six months or six years."
"Yeah, well, at the moment I'm content doing what I'm doing," Hermione added shortly.
"Content isn't happy," John countered.
"The level of legislation that you're changing and petitioning against is never straightforward or plain sailing though," her dad noted. "Once you get it all changed you can leave and do something else. I have no doubt that Tonks and Teddy will support you."
"Who's Teddy?" Juliette asked.
"My son," Tonks said simply.
"Hermione! Harry's at the door," her mum interrupted the conversation.
Hermione frowned, loosening her arms as Tonks stood up and offered to go and get it. Hermione watched as her girlfriend walked away, her shoulders tense after the conversation.
"She's pretty," Juliette noted quietly, with a small smirk.
"She's beautiful," Hermione agreed. "Inside and outside."
"How old is her son?" Sandra asked.
"Two."
"What about the father, is he still on the scene?" Sandra asked tactfully.
"No, he passed away. I knew him. He was a great man."
"Crap, I'm sorry," she replied sadly.
Hermione nodded, "So am I. But then I guess I'd never have gotten a chance with Tonks if he was still alive."
She watched as Harry and Tonks walked back into the garden with her mother, both with a mug of tea in hand.
"Hi," Harry raised his hand in a hello before running it over his messy hair. "Sorry. It was Friday and I didn't want to sit at home alone but I didn't want to go to the Leaky either."
"You know you're welcome here anytime Harry," Jean chastised him before going to sit down.
"Everyone, this is Harry," Hermione introduced them. She looked up as Tonks sat down in her previous place between her legs, stealing a quick kiss before relaxing into Hermione's arms.
"Still got to get used to that," Harry muttered, making Tonks grin.
"So, how do you know Hermione?" John asked, trying to change the conversation.
"We were best friends at school," Harry noted. "Us and our friend Ron were inseparable."
"And you know Tonks too?" Lucy checked.
"I'm her boss," Harry blushed a little. "Although she could probably do my job better than me at times."
"You're welcome to it," Tonks scoffed. "Constant Vigilance is hard enough without trying to control staff too."
"Are you doing the Park Run tomorrow Hermione?" Juliette asked.
"Yes. Definitely. You?"
"Yup, I'll see you there."
"What's a Park Run?" Harry muttered quietly, sitting next to the two witches.
"A free running event where you run five kilometres and then go to the café for some cake and cupper. Anyone can take part."
"Is it a race?" Harry asked.
"No, just against yourself. You can try and beat others too if you want."
"Harry. Food. Eat up," John ordered, shoving a plate of barbequed foods in front of him. "Tonks, I've put on some more for you."
0o0
Hermione pulled back from a heated kiss with Tonks as a strong cough broke them apart. Tonks' hands remained up her top, splayed on her smooth skin on her back as she held her flush against her.
"We're just heading," Juliette grinned as her and Lucy stood with wide eyes.
Hermione blushed crimson as she nodded and tried to untangle herself from her girlfriend to say goodbye.
"Are you staying the night Tonks?" Jean asked, appearing behind her.
"I'm not sure," Tonks admitted, frowning a little.
"Your hair's changing," Jean whispered frantically.
"Shit," Tonks cursed, getting upset as Hermione turned and looked at her concerned.
"Are you staying at Tonks' tonight or are you both staying here Hermione?" Jean asked simply, surprising the guests as they trickled through the house.
"I don't mind. You want to head to yours?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Tonks nodded, glad when Hermione walked back and took her hand in her own.
0o0
"TOOONNNKKKSSSS!"
Tonks grinned as Hermione threw her head back and screamed her name as her orgasm crashed over her. Her hands clawed at the bed sheets and her back arched off of the bed while Tonks' fingers slowly moved in and out of her, prolonging the delirium.
Climbing back up Hermione's body, she covered the witches curves with her own before kissing her slowly, still moving slowly in and out of her.
"I'm sorry for being a shit muggle," she muttered seriously. "I figured this would help make up for it."
"Definitely," Hermione groaned, pulling her down by the back of the head for a kiss. "Definitely no PB for me tomorrow morning."
"What does that mean?" Tonks asked confused.
"Personal Best. My run time is definitely not going to be a personal best. I've no energy left."
Hermione's hands ran down the smooth expanse of Tonks' back until she had her rear in her hands.
"You're so beautiful," Hermione muttered seriously.
"So are you," Tonks muttered, staring her in the eye. "I'm so fucking lucky."
"Minus having to navigate Muggleisms on a Friday night," Hermione teased her.
Tonks huffed. "It means a lot to you. It's the other half of your life. If you can learn everything about the wizarding world then we can at least try and learn the basics of your world, Love. My dad was a muggle and yet I hardly know anything about it. I want Teddy to know more. I want to get rid of this damn prejudice and show how fucking brilliant you are."
Hermione's eyes glazed with tears before she kissed the witch again, sweeping her tongue over her lips and sinking into the comfort, warmth and connection to the brilliant witch.
0o0
Hermione opened the front door of her house to John and smiled genuinely.
"Hey, do you want to come in?"
"That would be good," he nodded.
Hermione watched his body language closely. One hand ran through his hair, his face was set in a frown, his eyes looked anywhere except at her and his shoulders looked squared.
"Hi John," her mother's face popped around the lounge door. "We weren't expecting you. Everything okay?"
"I'm not sure. I've got some questions for Hermione," he admitted tensely.
Jean looked at Hermione with concern. Hermione shrugged honestly, not sure what the visit was about. Checking her wand was still up her sleeve, she steered John through to the kitchen and put the kettle on, never really turning her back to him.
Making two mugs of tea, she placed one in front of John before sitting down opposite him. She watched as he reached into his inner jacket pocket and threw a card down on the table between then.
At the raise of his eyebrows, she reached over and picked it up. Her own eyebrows rose as she looked at Tonks' Chocolate Frog Card.
"So, funny story." John started without humour in his voice. "I went to my Aunts for Sunday dinner today. I was helping out in the kitchen when I noticed lots of cards stuck to her fridge. I asked what they were and she explained that Bryan, you know my eldest cousin, collects the cards from sweets and that they're from some computer games series."
He gulped, "I was amazed at how the cards pictures all moved, so I started to look closer at them. Then I saw the name Tonks. I thought it was quite an unusual name, although not as unusual as Nymphadora Lupin. Then when I looked closer, it looked really similar to your new girlfriend but with purple short hair."
She stayed silent as he made eye contact and continued his tale, "I said, confused, that I thought I'd met Tonks on Friday. That I'd been at Hermione's house. Funnier still was that my Aunt's head whipped around so much the potato pot went flying on the floor. She wanted to know Hermione's surname, so I told her Granger."
Again, Hermione sat silent. She looked up at the door as her mother peeked in. Hermione nodded for her to come in, handing over the Chocolate Frog card. Her mother played a good poker face as she started making tea for her and her husband.
"Have I met your aunt before?" Hermione asked politely.
"No. However, the potato pot caused my uncle and other cousin to come through and when your name was mentioned it was like three members of a teenage fan club."
Hermione couldn't help but smirk at the thought, regardless of John's straight face.
"When my Uncle righted the potatoes and pot back onto the hob and cousin Gareth started ranting about how you were the ultimate war hero I was really confused."
"What did they tell you?" Hermione asked warily.
"About a Magical world where my Uncle's a wizard and my Aunt isn't but my cousins have magic and Bryan is at the same boarding school you went to. The only reason I got to take the card was because Gareth begged me to try and get Tonks' autograph."
"That's new," here dad noted simply, joining in the conversation.
"It's a muggle thing which has infiltrated Chocolate cards since the war," Hermione explained calmly. "The kids collect autographs on their cards now, as well as collecting the actual cards. I got asked for one last month. Tonks' card is really rare. I'm not sure she's ever autographed one other than George's."
"So, it's true?" John asked sadly.
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "Although with the secrecy act you aren't supposed to know and could have your memory wiped."
"But your parents know," he countered.
"They're my parents. Neither are magical but they have to know that I am."
"Fucking hell," he muttered, rubbing his face. "Did our relationship ever stand a chance?"
"Because of me being magical? Yes. But because of Tonks? No," Hermione said honestly.
"Her husband died in a war?" he checked sadly.
"Yes," she nodded. "Tonks would normally have been there in her job capacity but she'd just had Teddy. I'm not sure she would have made it out alive otherwise. There were some of the other side who would have targeted her."
"Hermione lost a lot of close and loved ones in the war," her mum said seriously. "It's a very hard topic to discuss."
"They said Harry was the saviour of the wizarding world?" he questioned.
"Yes."
"Along with Hermione and Ronald," her father noted. "The Golden Trio they refer to them as."
"Dad," Hermione groaned with embarrassment.
"Well, pop over to Tonks' and get her card signed," her father said. "At least get John some brownie points."
John watched the interaction. "This is completely normal to you, isn't it."
"It has been for the last nine years," Hermione admitted standing up. "I'll be back in five minutes. I can transport there and back, even though she's miles away. Note why it was nothing to do with Tonks that I'm not going to Oxford."
0o0
Hermione stood hunched over with her hands on her knees, trying furiously to catch her breath back. Sweat trickled down her forehead as she panted, trying to straighten up and lower her heart rate.
"Well done Hermione. Good effort as usual," her fitness instructor grinned at her as she passed.
"Thanks," she puffed, a smile on her face at the compliment.
As endorphins swam around her body, she turned and faced the instructor as he started taking the class through the cool down.
Her attention turned to the left as there was a sharp whisper of her name. Lucy frowned at her and nodded up to the leisure centre balcony.
Following her gaze, Hermione was surprised to find her mum and a green haired Ginny standing, leaning on the balcony and watching them.
She waved her fingers as she stretched her upper arms, flashing a smile at them. Returning her attention to the instructor, she finished and picked up her towel and bottle.
Lucy stuck to her side as they left the hall. Hermione headed straight for the stairs, meeting her mum and friend.
"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked concerned. She searched Ginny's face before stepping forward and hugging her.
"Okay, now I know why you don't like us hugging you after a game," Ginny complained.
"Why….green?" Hermione asked totally perplexed, standing and looking at the Slytherin like emerald green coloured hair. It looked as if it was a wig for a Muggle witch fancy dress costume.
"Ask Tonks," Ginny blushed furiously, not meeting anyone's eyes. "Apparently, it should be gone in a week."
Hermione's eyes widened before she started laughing.
"Tonks made her hair green?" Lucy asked confused and turning her nose up at the disgusting coloured hair.
"She lost a bet," Hermione made up a cover story.
"Ginny turned up, looking for a change of scene. I thought she might be interested in your circuits class for her sport," Jean explained quietly.
Ginny's face turned serious all of a sudden. "I've never seen that stuff before. Can you explain it? I want to know if it might benefit me. Your mum thinks it would."
"Let me a grab a shower and you can come over for dinner," Hermione said seriously.
0o0
"Green?" Hermione's father laughed.
"It won't bloody change either," Ginny groaned. "I deserve it but I'm going to have to lie to my mum. And I have a game in two days time. Everyone's going to see it."
"Shouldn't have tried to kiss me then Gin," Hermione laughed with a grin.
"It seems Tonks is very protective of what's hers," John chuckled as he dished out dinner.
"I'm not convinced Hermione would be any less protective of Tonks," Jean contemplated.
"They're great together," Ginny admitted downheartedly. "And Tonks could have killed me easily. I hope neither of you have to see her fight but she's unbelievably good. Harry used to be in total awe of what she could do."
"She's amazing at her job," Hermione agreed passionately.
"As are you," Ginny added. "And I'm going to be after I start going to Muggle circuits with you and start some Muggle fitness."
"I think integrating some cross fitness and strengthening will do you a lot of good," Hermione noted.
"Agreed," John nodded. "Strengthening, stretching, cardio. I think you'll become a lot more durable strong and quick with your Quidditch."
"Are you busy on Friday?" Ginny asked Hermione hopeful.
"Nothing set in stone, why?" Hermione asked confused.
"Fancy coming to watch the game? Mum and dad were supposed to come but mum's not speaking to me since I split up with Harry. Ron and George are working and Bill's busy with something to do with Fleur's family."
Hermione smiled sympathetically at her friend." I can come. Get me a ticket and I'll pay you back."
"You can have mum and dad's. They're in the family section."
Hermione agreed with a nod and thought a moment. "I'll maybe see if Draco fancies coming."
0o0
"As much as I like the colour, green really doesn't suit the Weaslette," Draco turned his nose up at her green hair as she flew past them. While Ginny often left her flowing locks loose for playing Quidditch, today they were tied back and tucked under her Quidditch top.
"It's hideous," Hermione agreed.
"Why is it green?" he asked confused.
"Lost a bet with Tonks. Apparently it'll be like that for a week," she smirked.
Draco's quiet laughter made her smile. "Remind me never to make a bet with my cousin."
"Nor piss her off," Hermione added with a fond smile.
She felt Draco's eyes on her as she continued to watch Ginny warm up.
"You're smitten, aren't you?" he asked seriously.
She took a deep breath and nodded, not looking at him. "Very," she replied softly.
0o0
Hermione cast a shield as she spun on the ball of her foot and raised her wand in the direction the hex had come from.
She frowned as she found Cattermole standing half way up the Malfoy's lawn, wand drawn and pointed in their direction.
She inched closer to Draco's body, which lay lifeless on the ground. Her face hardened as she stared at the American.
"Couldn't let him have you. You see, you're mine, whether you think it or not."
"Are you completely delusional?" Hermione spat loudly.
"I've seen the two of you together. Making eyes at one another, all over the paper, attending events, dancing at balls. A Death Eater isn't good enough for you!" he declared confidently.
"He's engaged to someone else, you moron!" she shouted back.
"Just date me. You can move to America with me and get a much better job in the American Ministry. I have a gorgeous home on the coast and a holiday chalet at the lakes for the holiday. You'd want for nothing."
"I'd want for my other half. I'm happily dating, which I've told you time and again."
Cattermole's face turned to annoyance as he cast Incarcerous at her. Batting it off quickly with her shield she wasn't prepared when he suddenly started with a barrage of hexes and curses in her direction.
Stepping into a duellers pose, she stood defiantly over Draco's form, trying to concentrate on what was happening in front of her.
He was an accomplished dueller, which she knew from his bragging about accolades he had received when she had been visiting America.
"What on earth!"
"Stay back Narcissa!" Hermione called out, hearing her voice from the entrance to Malfoy Mannor.
"Draco!"
"I know. Call the Aurors if you can!" Hermione shouted, batting off another hex while firing a stunning spell which made no impact whatsoever.
Cattermole let loose a belly laugh, "The Aurors let me in here in the first place!"
"Not the Head Auror, nor the Minister, nor the Deputy Head Auror!" Hermione bit back, firing another hex at him. Changing tact, she summoned her small birds and sent them in his direction, disappointed when he managed to freeze them and send them tumbling to the ground.
Erecting her shield once more, she continued to cope with the barrage of curses coming her way. She started to panic as he started walking closer towards her.
Sending Bombarda Maxima at the ground in front of her, she was thrown to her knees as a huge hole appeared in the Malfoy lawn, with an accompanying sound of close thunder. Jumping spritely up onto her feet, she was thankful for the burpees that she'd been made to repeat at circuits and drew her wand once more.
"Narcissa! Aurors!"
"I can't! I have no wand and no open floo connection which I can use!" she called.
"Bugger, bugger, bugger," Hermione muttered, sweat starting to trickle from her face as she tried to deflect a hex aimed at the doors to Malfoy Manner and presumably the witch.
"An unforgivable!" Lucius' voice came strongly. "If one is cast they are noted immediately!"
"You have to be kidding me," Hermione muttered, starting to struggle to keep up with the speed which Cattermole was casting at her.
She could hear his voice wittering on and had stopped paying any attention to him.
"Narcissa, I need you to watch carefully!"
Stopping her shield, she pointed her wand at a rose bush bordering the immaculate lawn and called Crucio. She swallowed heavily as the pit of her stomach turned as heavy as lead and the plant instantly turned black, before she was knocked back six feet from a blast from Cattermole.
Turning her attention back to the wizard, she tried to cast her shield once more, clambering on her knees over to the body of Draco to try and stop him getting hurt any more.
It took around thirty seconds before there was a series of pops. Another five seconds and she was flat on her back trying to catch her breath.
She closed her eyes, thinking of how easily she could fall asleep, before Ron's face was in front of her.
"'Mione!"
"Ron," she exhaled. "Draco!"
"He's being seen to," he replied quickly.
"Cattermole hit Draco and tried to abduct me. I had to cast the Cruciatus Curse to get Aurors here."
His eyes widened. "You cast an unforgivable!"
"Yes," she met his eyes as her own filled with tears. "On a rose bush. It died." She sniffed as emotions took over and the tears leaked out of her eyes.
She let him pull her up and hug her as she cried into his shoulder.
"The Malfoys, did they cast anything?" he asked gently, pulling back and looking at her.
"No," she shook her head quickly. "Nothing. They couldn't come and check on Draco and didn't know how to get you here so I cast it…"
Her view moved to Draco, watching as Aurors looked his body over.
Closing her eyes she took a moment to try and summon some magic before casting her Patronus.
"Andy, Draco's been attacked by Cattermole at Malfoy Manner. Can you come, please?"
She sniffed as the otter sped off. Looking around her, she frowned as Lucius and Narcissa stood with magical handcuffs.
"They did nothing wrong!" she roared at the Aurors, scrambling up to her feet and heading straight towards them.
"Procedure," Cho said quickly, holding her hands up. "An unforgivable was cast."
"It was me, you dolt!" Hermione shouted at her. "Check my wand! Check that rose bush!" she turned and pointed at the completely charred rose bush which stood in the middle of a glorious rose bush display. "Ask them!" she pointed at the Malfoys. "They don't even have a wand!"
She didn't noticed that someone had approached her from behind and jumped when arms encircled her body, pulling her back against someone's chest. Her body registered the action and tensed to fight before she realised that heat and zing that accompanied the move indicated it was her other half.
Her shoulders collapsed as she allowed herself to be pulled back against Tonks' body.
"Auror Chang, accompany Cattermole to the ministry and process him. Weasley and I will take statements. Go." Her directions were no nonsense and caused Cho to cast a glower towards Hermione before storming off.
"Dora, he needs St. Mungos."
Hermione's view flew behind her to find Andromeda diligently checking her nephew over as Narcissa looked on very anxiously.
"Weasley, go with him and stay with him. No one gets access unless mum or I say so. Understood?" Tonks ordered.
He nodded with a frown, casting a concerned look at Hermione before doing as instructed.
With a wave of Tonks' wand, a wave of spells started drifting out of Hermione's wand. Tonks watched, her frown getting deeper and deeper as she stood, still with Hermione's waist wrapped in her spare arm.
Hermione's eyes moved to her side as Harry appeared, studying what she had cast closely.
"How long did this go on?" Harry frowned.
"Too long," Hermione noted tiredly.
"I would suggest that Miss Granger needs looked over by a Mediwitch," Narcissa said quietly, watching longingly as Ron and Andromeda apparated Draco.
"I'll get mum to look you over," Tonks said with a deep frown on her face, studying Hermione's face closely.
"I take it the Bombarda Maxima was the lawn?" Harry asked with raised eyebrows.
"He was closing in," Hermione said quietly, embarrassed as she realised the total destruction which surrounded them. "I'm sorry Narcissa, Mr Malfoy."
"Don't be," Narcissa said quietly. "You protected Draco with your life, while we were totally incapable of helping."
"It very much shows how this arrangement does not work! We had absolutely no way to defend ourselves or call for help!" Lucius spoke harshly.
"Cattermole claimed the Aurors had let him in here," she admitted, looking at Harry before looking at Tonks.
"We found an Auror knocked out around the side of the boundary," Harry admitted quietly.
Hermione felt her knees buckle and Tonks arm suddenly strengthen to hold her up.
"Come on, Love, stay with me!" Tonks panicked.
"I'm okay, just exhausted," Hermione groaned, sitting down heavily on the ground and resting her head on her knees.
"Her casting wasn't strong but her stamina was impressive," Lucius said seriously. "She managed to cope with that man's barrage a lot longer than most would."
"Muggle fitness helps with that," Hermione admitted, lying down with her knees bent upwards. "I feel like I've just done double circuits followed by a park run."
There was a pause before she sniffed in and her face started to crumple, "I cast an unforgivable," she muttered upset.
"You had no choice," Narcissa. "We can replace the rose bush. We could not have replaced our son."
"Come on Love, I need to make sure you're okay before I'll relax," Tonks worried, pulling her up onto her feet and spinning on the spot.
0o0