Hermione woke up around six when Beatrice had to get up with Chibuzo. It was a regular occurrence that they would play for a few hours and then take a nap. Hermione went up to her room and moved quietly so she wouldn't disturb Cedric. She quietly removed her workout clothes from her drawers and crept into the bathroom to change. Once dressed, she snuck over to Cedric's side to check on him. He was curled up tightly like a clenched fist. He moaned in discomfort.
"No…"
"It's okay," said Hermione, resting her hand on his cheek. "You're okay."
He opened his eyes and looked up at her groggily before sinking back into his pillow and falling asleep a bit more peacefully. Hermione kissed his cheek lightly and headed out for her morning workout at the gym. When she returned around nine, the house was asleep once more. A note on the fridge told her that Roger went into the office to take care of an emergency visit as well as a few other things to prepare for their holiday.
Hermione blended a protein shake and sipped it through a straw. The phone rang, so she answered it, and sat on the counter.
"Granger's residence, who may I ask is calling?" she asked pleasantly.
"Hermione?" It was Harry. "It's Harry."
"Hey, Harry," she said. "It's a little early for you, isn't it?"
"Well, Ginny floo'd in this morning in a panic because Cedric's house was burned down," he replied. "Yesterday, he gave the Weasleys a few animals and talked about how he was going away, I think."
"Oh, yeah," said Hermione. "I know. He's here with me and my family."
"Is he okay?"
"As okay as a person can be if they lose everything."
"Yeah, dumb question."
Pop!
"Good afternoon, Miss!" said Tavi cheerfully.
"What was that?" Harry asked.
"Guest," she replied breezily. She watched Tavi happily sweep the kitchen with the green and white broom that was nestled between the refrigerator and food pantry.
"Was Cedric disowned?" Harry asked.
"Er… yes," said Hermione.
"Thought so," he said with a sigh. "Sirius thought so, too. Went into work early today so he could confront Mr. Diggory about it. I don't see why being a werewolf should change him. He's still Cedric."
"Yes," she replied.
Cedric stumbled down the stairs and swung around the bannister. Upon entering the kitchen, his eyes widened as he saw Tavi. He looked at Hermione and she just shrugged.
"Who are you talking to?" he asked.
She put a hand over the receiver. "It's Harry."
"Huh?" Harry asked.
"Oh, it's Cedric," she said. "He just woke up."
"Ah. Professor Lupin is here," said Harry. "He wants to talk to Cedric."
"Okay, sure," she said and gave Cedric the receiver. "It's for you."
He held it up to his ear.
"Hi, Harry… Oh, Professor Lupin! …I'm as well as I can be. I had a meltdown yesterday, but I'm doing better today."
While he talked, Hermione went about putting together some breakfast for him. Meaning toaster waffles and sliced fruit.
"Professor Lupin wants to talk to you," said Cedric.
She traded him the phone for her protein shake.
"Hello?"
"Now, more than ever, Cedric will need your support," he said. "I think it's great that you're standing by him. I never doubted that you would, but he's facing a long and difficult road ahead."
Cedric absent-mindedly took a sip of her shake and gagged.
"Urgh, what is this?" he asked.
"Green stuff," she replied. "I'll keep that in mind Professor, I know how to manage a long and difficult road."
"Alright," said Professor Lupin. "Goodbye, Miss Granger."
"Bye." She spoke to Harry for another moment before hanging up. "Cedric. Elf."
"Er— right," he said and knelt down, grabbing onto Tavi's broom. "Tavi, you're okay! I'm so relieved. But what are you doing here?"
"I have decided to work for Master Cedric," she said, digging under her collar and drawing out a S.A.M.B. pamphlet. "You believe that a House-Elf should have a choice in who she works for."
The basement door opened and Manuia exited.
"Hermy, have you eaten breakfast yet— AUWÊ!" He stumbled back upon seeing Tavi. "What are you?"
It seemed he forgot seeing Winky that night at the World Cup. Then again, he was more occupied with other matters like wrangling in his ADHD child and then comforting his autistic child and her not-at-the-time boyfriend.
"I am Tavi, the House-Elf," said Tavi, curtsying slightly. "May I be asking who you are?"
"Tavi, this is my Papá," she said. "Papá, Tavi is Cedric's House-Elf."
"You have a slave?" said Manuia, snapping his head towards Cedric looking outraged.
"It is not slavery, sir!" said Tavi indignantly.
"Tavi, I don't pay you," said Cedric. "It's slavery. It's wrong. I— I can't—"
"You are saying house-elves have a choice, Master Cedric," said Tavi insistently, smacking his pant leg with her pamphlet. She definitely was the most outspoken house-elf Hermione had ever met. "Tavi refuses to go back to Master Diggory! Master Diggory mistreats Tavi!"
"Tavi, I don't think—"
"What's going on honey?" Hana asked, exiting the basement.
"I heard shouting," said Amalea, coming down the stairs.
Beatrice soon followed, holding Chibuzo.
"What's going on?"
Hermione covered her ears at the overlapping chatter.
"Quiet!" she shouted.
Chibuzo screeched but calmed down when the room did.
"Family meeting," said Hermione, quickly chugging down the rest of her shake. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and gagged a little on the clump of powder that didn't blend. "Now. We'll fill Dad in later."
Everyone crowded around the table. Tavi stood on a stepstool and placed her hands on the table.
"The Family meeting has come to order," said Hermione. "Our topic today: Tavi insists on being Cedric's house-elf, but all of us question the morality of owning a Magical Being who technically has no free-will and is not paid monetarily for her work. Tavi, please present your case."
Tavi's cheeks flushed red and she cleared her throat.
"Tavi— I have been caring for Cedric since he was born and have seen him grow up," she said, drumming her fingers on the table. "I cared for his mother and uncle, I cared for his grandfather and great uncle, and I cared for his great grandfather, great granduncle, and great grandaunt all in the same way. I love Cedric very much and now, more than ever, he needs someone to care for him and I will not abandon him. Unless I am ordered, I refuse to go back to Master Amos Diggory. He has mistreated me. Mistress Willoughby has refused me. According to this pamphlet I found, Miss Hermione believes that house-elves have the right to choose their employer." She cleared her throat and looked askance. "That is all."
"Thank you, Tavi," said Hermione. "Anyone else who wishes to speak may do so."
When Cedric raised his hand, she nodded at him.
"Tavi," he said. "I love you, too, but I am a werewolf now. No matter what my feelings are, they're likely going to make a law that I can't have a house-elf. Plus, the more I learn, the more I feel like it isn't… moral to have you."
"So you is wanting to free Tavi?"
Cedric kept his mouth shut. He was probably afraid of the reaction to either answer.
"Tavi," said Hermione. "Would it really be a dishonor is you were freed? We could still employ you—"
"You are not suggesting this, Miss!" Tavi shouted, tears filling her eyes. "Tavi wants to work! Tavi would take care of all of you! Tavi loves babies! Tavi could help with Granger Baby."
"We are not denying you the right to work," said Hermione. "We want you to have the free-will to make your own choices. You could still work for Cedric and take care of Cedric, but you would be paid for it. We would give you a place to sleep. You would have, er, benefits!"
"Dental," said Beatrice.
"Yeah, dental and… uh…"
"Health," said Hana.
"Right!" said Hermione. "You can do everything you would usually do, but the only difference is that you would be an employee, not property."
Tavi tensed and her eyes grew wide as if she were questioning everything ingrained into her all her life.
"We'll give you some time to think about it," said Hermione.
Tavi nodded and snapped her fingers, disappearing.
Cedric groaned and thunked his head on the table.
"I feel sick," he said.
Hermione rubbed his back gently. "It's okay."
"No, it's not," he said. "I'm fully realizing how messed up my ancestors were. I asked Tavi if it was slavery when I was ten and she said it wasn't and I accepted that. I'm also realizing that jidha wasn't really allowed to practice who she was. The only time she dressed in the clothes she likes was during family photos but most of the time she dressed European. My mum and uncle learned French and just a little bit of Arabic mostly picked up from context clues and a lullaby. I learned the same way. I now know that I wasn't supposed to learn it at all."
Manuia placed a hand on Cedric's head.
"White people be that way," he said. "I'm glad Nia had parents like Bea and Roger. I'm proud of you for sticking to your morals, Cedric," he continued. "Be the one to break the status quo."
Cedric sighed and nodded, then turned to Hermione.
"Do you seriously drink that stuff every morning?"
"It's full of protein," she said defensively. "I know it tastes like sludge—"
"It is sludge."
"— but it's good for me to have after my workouts."
"That's what spam and eggs are for," said Amalea.
"Spam is worse!" Hermione argued.
"Worse than green sludge?"
"It's not even real meat."
"And what you're drinking isn't even real food."
"Hey, calm down," said Hana. "Both spam and sludge are gross."
"You're too picky," Manuia teased.
"Meeting adjourned," said Hermione, knocking on the table. "We'll hold another once Tavi makes her decision."
"Yes," said Beatrice. "For now, I think we'd better start packing. I'd like the house to be clean before we leave. Hermione that includes your sink being wiped down."
"Amalea, make sure you pick up everything," said Hana. "If you forget something, we're not turning around."
"I haven't unpacked my trunk," said Cedric.
"Put a change of clothes in your backpack and I'll take your trunk up to the ship," said Manuia.
"Has it been there all this time?" he asked.
"Yeah," said Hana. "The birds are getting freaked out."
"Are we taking the cats with us?"
"Yes," said Beatrice.
"What about Tavi if she decides she wants to be freed?"
"She can come too," said Manuia.
"If she doesn't agree to be freed," said Hana. "She can't come to America. All house-elves have been freed there and it's illegal to own one. In fact, Britain is one of the few places that still allows the owning of house-elves."
"I didn't know that," said Cedric.
"And a lot of Americans don't know that America is built off the backs of slaves and genocide of the indigenous peoples," said Amalea. "Or that Hawaii was taken from its Queen and our traditions have been turned into tourist attractions."
"Alright that I did know," said Cedric. "Queen Lilikulani, wait no, Lili'uokalani. She wrote Aloha 'Oe for her country when she was imprisoned for not giving her country over to the Americans."
"Aww, you listened to me," said Hermione.
"I always listen," Cedric replied. "Except when I'm not but when I realize you're talking to me, I listen. Er— you know what I mean."
Hermione laughed and stood up. "I'm going to go pack."
"I should go meet jidha."
The house was busy for the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon. Roger returned home from work and watched Chibuzo while his wife packed. Packing was one of the things he wasn't good at, so he just stayed out of the way. Hermione decided to leave her school trunk at home. She wanted to have a bit more time with Cedric before having to go to a different school. She wished more than anything that she wasn't transferring, but she was too scared to return to Hogwarts. If she wasn't so sure he'd be Head Boy, she'd probably try and convince him to transfer too. At least then they would be together.
Hana levitated all of their luggage onto the ship and Manuia carried it all down to the hull for safe keeping. The cats were hiding knowing something was happening.
Since it didn't make much sense to messy up the kitchen after cleaning it, they ordered in Chinese food. Shortly after it arrived, Tavi returned.
"Family meeting," Hermione called. "Living Room."
They all crowded onto the couch, Hermione squeezing into the recliner with her sister.
"I have been doing a lot of thinking," said Tavi shakily. "And as long as I am working, then I should like to be freed. I should like be paid what Dobby the house-elf is paid which is one galleon a month, I will not accept more. When Master Cedric is at school, I would like to remain here to be helping the Grangers. I do not think I could handle working alongside other elves, especially since they would treat me horribly for being freed."
"Alright," said Cedric. "Um… does the item of clothing have to belong to me?"
"I… I do not know," she said.
"Hermione, do you have something I could give her?" he asked.
"Oh, I have the perfect thing," said Beatrice, running upstairs.
She returned with a pretty scarf made of silk and patterned in gold and black.
"Perfect," said Cedric, clearing his throat and holding the scarf out. "Tavi. You have done amazing work over the years; however, I cannot ignore the immorality of owning you. Therefore, I present you with this clothing and ask if I can employ you."
Tavi took the scarf, still trembling, and wrapped it around her neck.
"I would very much like to be employed, Master Cedric," she said. "Very much so."
Cedric grinned and hugged her as tight as he dared. Tavi hugged him back, releasing the breath she'd been holding in.
"Now," she said. "Where are we going?"
"Hawaii," said Cedric. "The other side of the world."
Tavi paled. "Oh, my."
~o0o~
The next morning, the family all gathered onto the boat to, at last, go to Hawaii. Roger, Beatrice, and Chibuzo would be staying for three days before taking a plane back to England. They had wanted it to be longer, but since Cedric was hospitalized during the first week of their holiday, they didn't want to work on rescheduling again. It wasn't fair to their patients, they said. The cats took some time to wrangle, but eventually they were on the boat. Manuia was talking to Stephen Squawking and trying to explain that he couldn't curse around a baby, but all Stephen had to reply with was, "Fuck off!"
"I blame you for this," he said, glaring at his wife.
"Alright," said Hana, sending her husband a wink. "Please take your seats. We're going a long way and we'll be bending the laws of space and time so keep inside the vehicle at all times. Once we're stable you'll be free to move about the cabin. There's a bathroom and beds. We'll be in Hawaii in twenty-three hours."
"I'm sorry how long?" Cedric asked.
"We can only go the speed of an average Boeing," said Hana. "We've got games and books. Sit."
Hermione sat down and put her headphones on before taking Cedric's hand.
-23 hours later-
"LAND!" Amalea shouted, sliding down the ladder, dropping to the ground, and kissing the sand. "SWEET LAND!"
"Oh, you're so dramatic," said Hermione, climbing down after her.
Stephen Squawking launched himself off the railing and swooped into the trees, thrilled to be back in his home rainforest.
"Alright, family," Roger and Manuia chorused. They looked at each other and laughed.
"Go ahead, Manny," said Roger. "It's your home turf."
"Okay, family," said Manuia. "We're all going to unload the boat, unpack, and then take a nap. Tonight, we're all going to the best restaurant on the island if I do say so myself."
"Allow me to unload the boat, sir," said Tavi.
"Oh, Tavi, you don't have to," said Cedric.
"I know," she said and snapped her fingers.
All of the luggage appeared on the sand.
"Well, that was easy," said Hana.
Tavi climbed down the ladder and stared down at the sand in fascination, wiggling her toes and shifting her feet. She scooped some sand up in her hands and watched it fall through her fingers.
"It's all beautiful isn't it?" said Hermione.
Tavi nodded and looked out at the water in a trance while the rest of the family climbed down the ladder.
Cedric went last, making sure his arm was secure before making his way down the ladder. About halfway through, his prosthetic hand refused to unclench.
"Oh, come on," he growled, using his other hand to pry open the fingers.
"Do you need help?" Hermione asked.
"No," he said. "I'm fine."
Hermione pursed her lips. He's never had trouble asking for help before, why was it so different now?
The entire arm came off when he tugged too hard and he fell back with a cry of surprise. His leg got twisted in the rope and he ended up hanging upside down.
"Crikey O'Reilly!" Hermione shouted.
"I got you, kid," said Manuia, climbing up the ladder.
Once Cedric's feet were on the ground, he flushed in embarrassment and didn't seem to know what to do.
"Um, welcome to Kaua'i," said Hermione, spreading her arms wide.
"Kaa-why!" said Chibuzo cheerfully.
"Yes, Bubu," said Hermione. "Cow-wa-ee."
"Well, I think it's nap time," said Beatrice. "Your home looks absolutely lovely."
"It looks bigger than last time," Hermione noted.
"We expanded some with Maite's help," said Manuia. "Although… I haven't actually seen what she did yet. Tavi, where would you like to sleep?"
"Oh, any place is fine," said Tavi. "Do you have an attic?"
"We have an attic," said Manuia, "But I don't think anyone should live in an attic."
"Cedric lived in the attic," said Hermione.
"That was by choice," said Cedric. "I couldn't stand anywhere else…" His eyes widened. "My letters!"
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, my God, the letters you sent me. They were all hidden in my floorboards and… and now they're gone… along with pictures of my mum…" He plunked onto the sand.
"They aren't all gone," said Tavi. She bounded over to the luggage and grabbed her own tiny suitcase, courtesy of Roger and Beatrice. She flicked it open and removed a box, bringing it to Cedric. "They are all there."
Cedric opened the box and withdrew a letter written in childish script.
"Oh, thank you, Tavi," he said.
"I knew how important Miss Hermione's letters are to you."
"Letters?" Amalea asked, grabbing one from the box. "Dear Cedric, How are you? I'm doing better than usual. The Christmas Holidays are coming up and Mum and Dad are taking me skiing in the Swiss Alps."
"Those are personal," said Hermione.
Cedric took the letter back and placed it in the box.
"Did you keep every letter Nia ever wrote you?" she asked. When he nodded, she sighed. "That is so romantic."
Cedric blushed and cleared his throat.
"I also have pictures," said Tavi, giving Cedric one of him and both his parents.
Cedric looked down at the blissful smiles and waves.
"Mum, budge over," he said, using his thumb to part her and Amos. When he was satisfied that they were far enough apart, he ripped off Amos's side with his teeth and spat it out. It was picked up by the wind and brought out to sea. Picture-Belphoebe and Picture-Cedric looked up in alarm. Cedric gave the picture back to Tavi. Hermione held her hands out to him. He extended his arm and she pulled him to his feet.
"I'm okay," he said. "I'm fine. No, I'm just tired. I'll be right as rain after a nap."
Hermione grabbed her luggage and trudged up the steps to the house. Thank God they didn't take a plane. That would have been awful. As soon as she entered the house, she released the cats and went to the laundry room to set up their litter boxes. Sure, there was sand outside, but she didn't want to clean up after them out there.
The cats ran around the house trying to figure out where the hell they were and explore the new territory.
"Okay," said Manuia. "Kids are upstairs. Adults, downstairs."
"I got first dibs!" Hermione shouted, racing up the newly made stairs.
"No fair!" Amalea called after her. "I live here more than you."
"I'm the oldest!" Hermione replied from the top of the staircase. "And I'm already up the stairs!"
"Don't go stomping around," Hana called. "There's a baby in the house."
"It's me. I'm the baby," came Cedric's voice.
Hermione laughed and looked around at the three doors before realizing her name was stenciled on one. She ran over and threw open the door.
"No way!" she gasped.
It was about the size of her room back home except a bit narrower. One entire section was just bed; wall to wall it was a bed surrounded by bookcases. A desk sat under the window, and on the opposite side, there were rows of cabinets that opened up as closet spaces that included a sliding door for hanging up dresses and stuff like that. The colors were vibrant and bold. The walls were a colorful aqua and her built-in shelves were white and rose pink. She could still smell the paint. Her headboard and the wall was a purple ribbon latticework so she could hang up her pictures and postcards.
Giggling, she got a running start and leaped onto her bed.
"Aw, no way!" Amalea gasped, seeing her room, then ran to the other room and screamed excitedly. "Oh my God! This is amazing!"
Hermione got up and went out into the hall.
"I have my own bathroom," said Amalea, sticking her head out of her room.
"I'm surrounded by a library," said Hermione.
"You're surrounded by a library in England."
"Your point being?"
Cedric came up the stairs and seemed surprised that a door had his name on it. Then again, it was their home for the next three-and-a-half weeks. If you weren't comfortable then it would go by a lot more slowly.
"What's your room like?" she asked, poking her head in.
Though it was the smallest bedroom, Cedric was given as much space as either girl. He had a full-sized loft bed with a worktable underneath. Under the bay of windows that looked into the trees behind the house was a seat that had storage drawers built-in and adjacent was his closet. On one wall was a clock except instead of numbers it had the phases of the moon. The room itself was in more neutral, warm colors and Hermione felt it suited Cedric very well.
"Oh, look," she said. "Maite put a window on the ceiling so you can see the stars."
"Wow," said Cedric, setting his suitcase down and taking in the room.
"I assume the bathroom is through here," said Hermione, opening the door. "Yep, it's a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. Oh, nice! There's a water closet. I like it when the sink is separate from the toilet."
"Nice," said Cedric.
"You look tired," she said. "I'll let you unpack and rest."
"Allow me to unpack," said Tavi, startling them both.
"Thank you, Tavi," said Cedric. He kicked his shoes off next to the wall and climbed up the ladder to the bed. It wasn't terribly tall, and the ladder was at a small incline making it easy for him to climb it one-armed. He settled down on the mattress and sighed. "Oh, that's nice."
Hermione blew a kiss and went downstairs to find Papá gushing over his new kitchen which, apparently, wasn't even supposed to have changed. The peeling yellow paint was replaced with a stylish white with an off-white seashell pattern and the cabinets were no longer a dull brown but a tasteful seafoam green. They had more room in the cabinets and at the kitchen table as well. They even had a full set now instead of mismatched chairs picked up at yard sales and a singular folding chair.
"How are your rooms?" he asked Hermione, kissing her on the head.
"Brilliant, Papá," she said. "I wish I could put it in a suitcase and take it everywhere."
"That's Maite, Ana, and Elisa for you," he said. "Once they get started on a project, they see it through. No doubt the Sanchez Villa got some renovations, too."
"Do they do it often?" Hermione asked.
"Eh, every five years or so," he said. "As the family grows and changes, so does the house. Plus, they have two boys staying this summer and those boys aren't married to a Sanchez woman."
"Not yet," said Hermione scarcely noticing him choke. "I wouldn't be surprised if Viktor proposes within the next year."
"Oh! Right," he chuckled. "They're that serious."
"Papá, he knows everything," said Hermione. "About… about Esperanza's past."
"Everything?" Manuia grew uncomfortable. "Even the part that involves me? Wait… do you even know?"
"That you killed a man? Yeah." Hermione nodded. "Viktor… well, it's not my place to say, but he gets it. You know? And I think even if he didn't really understand, he'd love her enough to try."
"Huh." He shrugged and patted her on the head. "Why don't you go on upstairs and rest?"
"I'm not tired."
"You don't have to sleep," he said. "You can just read a book until it's time for us to leave for dinner."
"Well, alright."
Hermione scooped up Crookshanks and brought him upstairs with her. Belle wasn't too far behind, but she diverged to go into Cedric's room. He was already buried under the covers of his new bed, sleeping soundly while Tavi finished putting his things away.
"Will you be needing any assistance, Miss?" Tavi asked quietly.
"No, thank you," said Hermione. "I prefer to deal with my own knickers."
"Alright," she said. "Just call for me if you are needing me. I put a Trace on all of you."
"Thanks," said Hermione. "Love what you're doing with the scarf."
Tavi smiled and smoothed down the scarf which she had taken to wearing like a sash over her clean pillowcases. Hermione just knew Esperanza was going go insist on making outfits for the little creature. How that would go would depend on how Tavi took to her freedom.
"If it is being alright," said Tavi. "I would like to see more of the beach."
"You have freedom now, Tavi," said Hermione. "You don't have to ask for permission, you'll just need to let us know. Oh! Hang on."
She dug around her bag and found a bottle of sunscreen.
"Put this on before you go out," she said. "I don't want you getting sunburned."
"Thank you, Miss." Tavi started to bow but thought better of it and just nodded her head instead.
Good. If only Winky could have taken it this well. Then again, Tavi was already being shaped for freedom with Basira, then Belphoebe, and again with Cedric.
Hermione went into her room and unpacked, then opened her window to let in the sea breeze. She crawled onto her bed and put her books on the shelves. Rather than read one, she decided to spread out and look up at the ceiling which looked like the sky but definitely wasn't the real sky. It was enchanted like Hogwarts' ceiling. The Enchanted Ceiling was probably Hermione's favorite part of Hogwarts. Especially when it reflected the night sky. She supposed she would miss Hogwarts in a way. She would miss her friends Padma, Daphne, Hannah, and Ginny. She'd also miss Harry. Hell, she'll even miss Ron, Fred, and George. Still, at least she had people she knew going to Castelobruxo.
She just wished she was still going to the same school as Cedric. Sure, in a year it'd just be moot, but she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible this summer even to the point of smothering because she knew it wouldn't be until Christmas that they'd get to hold each other.
Hermione looked over at her bookcase and realized there was one she hadn't noticed before.
How to Become an Animagus
That's right! Sirius was able to be around Professor Lupin during that time of the month when he was in dog form. If she became an animagus, then she could be with him during his transformations. At least next summer she would be. At school he would have Professor Lupin at least. Hermione grabbed the book off the shelf and opened it, sitting up slightly so she wouldn't get a crick in her neck.
By the time she got to the recipe for the potion she would have to take, a knock came at her door.
"Come in," she called.
The door opened and a confused voice called back. "Mimi?"
"Over here, Mum," she said, crawling to the edge of her bed.
"Ohh, this set up is just brilliant," said Beatrice. "Your cousins are amazing with interior design."
"Yes, they are," said Hermione proudly. "Did you need something, Mum?"
"Oh, just to let you know we're leaving in thirty minutes to go to dinner. I let Cedric and Amalea know, too."
"Great, thanks Mum."
Hermione sprung to her feet and opened up her closet door to look at her clothes. Pursing her lips, she left her room and leaned over the stairs.
"How are you guys dressing?" she called.
"Casual!" Manuia called.
Okay, casual. Hermione went back into her room and put on one of her more casual dresses, wrapped a cardigan around her waist, and clipped a flower in her hair. She checked herself out in the mirror. Did she look cute? Yeah, she looked cute. When she left her room, Cedric left his dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with a cotton button-up over that. The jeans would be too hot, but she wasn't about to nag him about his clothing choices again. He'd dress in lighter clothes when he could no longer stand the heat.
"No arm?" she asked.
"No," he said. "It hurts too much to wear."
"Mm, I understand," she said. "I mean— I can imagine. I— it hurt when my hands were cursed and like I couldn't have things touch them and they actually still hurt — I— I'll just stop talking."
Cedric kissed her cheek, smiled, and followed her down the stairs.
"Okay," said Manuia. "We're going to walk to the restaurant because my jeep can't fit all of us. Think we can manage a couple miles?"
"I think so," said Roger.
The walk to the restaurant didn't feel that long. Hermione walked with her sandals in her hand and dragged her toes through the sand, keeping her eye out for glass, rocks, jellyfish, and anything else she might step on. The sun was beginning to set, truly showing the beauty of the ocean. Hermione loved the sand on this island and the rocky shores of her city in D.R. Nothing beat a sunset somewhere that was already beautiful.
"At dinner, we should plan what we're going to do tomorrow," said Hermione.
"Hana and I talked about it," said Manuia. "And we think you should get to spend it seeing the island with just Roger and Beatrice. Amalea can act as tour guide and keep you away from tourist traps."
"We don't mind," said Roger. "Having all eight of us together."
"We know," said Hana. "But Manny and I already know the island and feel that we wouldn't want to explore as much."
"That's fair," said Beatrice. "And there's always dinner and evenings together."
"Not to say we won't go places as a family," said Manuia. "There's a great spot to canoe to and see the stars."
"That sounds lovely."
Manny's Diner and Karaoke Bar was bustling, but Janice, the hostess, made sure they got a table. One girl was warbling her way through a Celine Dion song when Amalea got the song menu and brought it to the table.
"Everyone has to sing," she said. "House rule. Bubu, you get a free pass because you're a baby."
"Cow-why!" he said.
"Duets are fine," Amalea continued. "Nia, Cedric are you going to do a duet?"
"Mm… no," said Hermione, skimming through the duets. "The only one I really know is Summer Nights which is… terrible."
"Seconded," said Cedric, looking over her shoulder at the menu.
"I'm going to embarrass you," said Roger.
"Dad, no," said Hermione.
"Too late," he said. "Your mother and I are singing Waterloo."
"I'll put you on the list," said Amalea, running up to the stage to let Kai know.
"I don't know what to sing," said Hermione.
"Why don't you sing a Selena song?" Beatrice suggested.
Hermione felt her throat tighten. She still wasn't over Selena's death.
"N-no," she said, her lower lip trembling. "It's too soon."
Cedric rubbed her back. "How about Whitney Houston?"
"Nah," she said, tilting her head. "I'll sing… 'I'm Gonna Be.'"
"Made your decision?" Amalea asked.
Hermione told her her decision, but Cedric whispered his selection to Amalea.
"Seriously?" said Amalea. "You sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright."
Manuia brought them drinks including a little sippy cup full of water for Chibuzo.
"Virgin Piña Coladas for the children and Piña Coladas that have been around the block a few times for the adults."
"Thanks, Manny," said Beatrice, taking a sip of hers, then taking the umbrella to show Chibuzo.
"You guys ready to order? Cedric?"
"Um… I've never had a hamburger before," he said.
"What?!" Manuia put his hands on his hips. "I am going to make you the best damn hamburger of your life, kid."
"I'll have a hamburger, too, Papá," said Hermione.
"Well," said Beatrice. "The brochures say Manny's Diner has the best entertainment and best hamburgers on the island."
"Hamburgers all around," said Hana.
"I want Mac n' Cheese," said Amalea, adding on a, "Please."
"You got it, precious," he said, ruffling her hair.
"So, what do you think?" Hana asked.
"Oh, this restaurant is quality," said Roger. "Pure quality. I've never been to a place like it."
"I loved going here as a toddler," said Hermione. "Back then it wasn't a karaoke place and Papá didn't own it. How did he get it, Mama Hana?"
"You want the truth?" said Hana, leaning in. "He won it in a game of Poker."
"Seriously?" Cedric laughed.
"Yep. Ray asked for it back, but Manny said any man who bets his restaurant in a game doesn't deserve to keep it."
"Seems to be doing well for himself," said Beatrice, sipping her drink and making sure Chibuzo wasn't spilling his.
While they waited for their food, Roger and Beatrice regaled everyone with their version of "Waterloo" by ABBA. They weren't bad singers, but they insisted on dancing. Squashing down her embarrassment, Hermione pumped her fist in the air and cheered for them.
Manuia came by carrying a tray and passed out plates of food to his family.
"Excuse me," said a woman, tapping his arm. "Why did they get served before us? We've been here longer."
"I don't work here," Manuia deadpanned, passing the tray off to a waitress and sitting down.
Hermione and Amalea broke into giggles.
"I cut your burger in half Cedric," he said. "To make it easier to eat. It's just a classic burger and then, if you like it, you can try a specialty burger another time. Nia, I made your patty thin, just like you like it."
"Gracias, Papá."
Cedric carefully picked up a burger half and studied it before taking a big bite. He chewed slowly and swallowed.
"Merlin, Morgana, and Gandalf," he said. "How have I never had one of these before?"
"Glad you like it," said Manuia.
"Alright, alright, alright," said Kai. "Next up, the musical stylings of Herminia!"
Hermione kissed Cedric's cheek and went up on stage. She took the mic and cleared her throat. With her song choice she wasn't worried about being good and she even played up her accent a little bit. Course the Proclaimers were Scottish, but the crowd here wouldn't know the difference.
"Da-da-da-da!"
"Da-da-da-da!" Cedric echoed.
Hermione couldn't repeat the line, breaking up into giggles. She could see him dancing next to his seat so her attention would be on him for the rest of the song.
"That was Herminia! Up next we got Cedric who already seems excited to show off his voice."
Hermione smiled at Cedric and gave him the mic as she passed. The audience definitely took notice of a boy like Cedric. The girls at first due to his attractiveness but the rest of the crowd noticing how he looked like he came out of a war zone. But nothing could prepare them for the song he chose. As the opening notes for We Belong by Pat Benatar played, Cedric dramatically looked at the audience and sang:
Many times I tried to tell you
Many times I cried alone
Always I'm surprised how well you cut my feelings to the bone
Don't want to leave you really
I've invested too much time to give you up that easy
To the doubts that complicate your mind
He whipped his head and sang dramatically without compromising his beautiful voice. Halfway through the song, he jumped off the stage and walked toward Hermione. She threw her head back and laughed. She went near to tears when he sat down on her lap. The rest of her family nearly fell out of their chairs laughing.
"You're such a dweeb!" she howled and buried her face in his shoulder as he finished out the song.
He kissed her on the lips, grinned, and went back up on stage to give the microphone back, everyone clapping and cheering for him. He bowed and hurried back to the table.
"I didn't think you'd actually go through with it," Amalea laughed.
"I'm afraid I have an ulterior motive," Cedric admitted. "I wanted all the blokes here to know that Hermione already has a boyfriend to embarrass her in public."
"Oh, come on," said Hermione.
"I mean it," he said. "There are several blokes here who are staring at you. Not that I blame them."
"Ew," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose. "Tourists."
Cedric stared at her. "Love, I am a tourist."
"Yeah, but you're not a Tourist," she said, emphasizing the word and pushing the meaning.
"Ohh, I see," he said. "Appreciate vs. appropriate."
"You got it."
They enjoyed the rest the evening, Hermione and Cedric going on stage one more time to sing Bohemian Rhapsody before heading home. Chibuzo had fallen asleep and Hana apparated home since she had to work in the morning.
~o0o~
On one of the last nights Roger and Beatrice were staying in Hawaii, Hana found a babysitter for Chibuzo so they could go on a late-night excursion as a family.
"So, who is this person?" Beatrice asked as they were cleaning up from dinner.
"Keone," said Hana. "He's about Cedric's age and wants to work in childcare. I've never met him, but he comes highly recommended. Unfortunately, asking around for a babysitter made everyone think I was pregnant, again, so I've had people coming in and out of my shop congratulating me and not buying anything."
"Oops," Beatrice laughed.
"Anyway, he agreed to stay until we return home tonight," Hana continued. "He got his apparition license a couple months ago and I told him where he can reach us."
"You thought of everything, Hana," said Roger.
The doorbell rang and a knock came at the front door.
"I got it," said Hermione.
"Don't forget your bat," Cedric teased.
Hermione nudged him and glanced out the window to confirm that the person outside looked about the age Keone was supposed to be. He was, so she opened the door. He was slightly taller than her and had very nice teeth. He was an incredibly attractive person and he just had a lovely aura. Slung over one shoulder was a blue quilted bag no doubt filled with things to help him with his job. Hermione would trust him with her baby if she had one.
"Hi," he said. "I'm Keone."
"Hi, Keone," she said. "I'm Herminia, come on in."
"Hello, Keone," said Beatrice, exiting the kitchen and shaking his hand. "I'm Beatrice Granger, Chibuzo's mother."
Hermione closed the door and went back to finish cleaning up while her parents talked to Keone about Chibuzo. She glanced back into the living room a couple times, he turned to look at her, smiled and nodded with a small wave. Hermione put the last plate away and went over to Cedric.
"Is he trustworthy?" she asked in a hushed tone.
"Yes," he replied. "I can see his mental checklist. He knows what he's doing and he doesn't seem fazed by this odd family situation. He also seems to think you're pretty cute."
She quirked up an eyebrow. "Is that a tinge of jealousy I'm hearing?"
"A bit," he admitted.
"Stop it," she said and kissed his cheek. "Remember, I have to know a person for nine years and they have to save my life at least once for me to get a crush on them."
Cedric laughed.
"Alright," said Keone, finishing up his notetaking. "I think I've got everything."
"Help yourself to anything in the fridge or the pantry," said Manuia.
"Moving out?" Hermione asked.
"Moving out," he confirmed.
Hermione grabbed the bag with their supplies and Cedric put his backpack on. The seven of them made their way down to the canoes Hana borrowed.
"Chibuzo will be alright, won't he?" Beatrice fretted.
"Beatrice, he'll be okay, we were away longer than this before."
"Yes, but we really knew the sitter."
"Don't worry," said Hana. "He will be just fine."
"Keone knows what he's doing," said Cedric. "I made eye contact with him on the way out, Chibuzo is going to be just fine."
"Well, that's good," said Beatrice. "But still, Bubu isn't familiar with that house, what if he wakes up and gets scared?"
"Crikey O'Reilly, Mum," said Hermione. "If you had adopted me as a baby, you might never have gone anywhere."
"They wouldn't have been able to," said Manuia, stepping into his, Hana's, and Amalea's canoe. "You were a handful."
"How much of a handful?" Cedric asked.
"Well," he said. "It's a good thing my mom has magic, or I wouldn't've had a clue what was going on. I knew she'd be powerful, though. Most magic babies when they want something will summon the item, not move their whole crib across the room to get to it."
They couldn't talk anymore while the canoes sailed themselves. It was too windy; their words would just be carried away. They had three canoes. One for Roger and Beatrice, one for Manuia, Hana, and Amalea, and one for Hermione and Cedric. Hermione made sure her life jacket was secure, then wrapped her arms around Cedric's middle and rested her cheek against his shoulder. He definitely accidentally used her soap again, but she didn't mind. With the wind in her hair and the lovely evening, it should've been romantic, but the lifejacket was digging into her jaw. She'd take it off once they got to their location, but so long as the boat was moving, she would wear it.
About thirty minutes later, the canoes slowed down as they approached a cove. From what Hermione could see in the light of the waning moon, it was a strip of beach that was guarded by volcanic teeth and high walls that turned into a wall of foliage. Their canoes just barely scraped over the hidden rocks and Hermione was certain that at low tide this area would be completely closed off from the rest of the world.
Hermione took off her lifejacket and placed it behind her.
"This is where Manuia proposed to me," said Hana. "We didn't come by boat, though, we took the trail."
"What trail?" Roger asked.
"Exactly," said Hana.
"I planned for sunset," said Manuia.
"We got there at midnight," said Hana. "Still, it was incredibly romantic."
"I bet," said Beatrice.
"How did you propose, Rodge?" Manuia asked.
"Do we have to hear this goopy romance stuff?" Amalea asked.
"Do you want me to take you home?" Hana asked.
"No."
"Then, yes."
"I actually didn't propose," said Roger. "Beatrice did. I had planned to. Bought the ring and everything, but she beat me to it."
Hermione rested her arms on the side of the boat and looked down into the inky water as her parents told the tales of the romantic proposals. She wasn't thinking that far ahead in that department and, with her boyfriend being a legilimens, it'd be awkward to think about. Instead, she let her eyes adjust to the darkness.
The water was nearly waveless, and the more she stared down at the surface, the glassier it became and the more stars she could see until she might as well have been looking up.
"How about a story?" Manuia asked.
"Oh, yes," said Amalea. "That's more like it."
Hermione grinned and lifted the slats making the seats of the canoe and placed them to the side so she could lay down on her back to stargaze. Cedric laid back as well so their heads were side-by-side and she could very easily kiss his temple if and when she wanted to.
"Alright," said Manuia. "Look up at the stars. Can you find Maui's hook?"
"Scorpius," Hermione whispered. She cast a charm in her hand and outlined scorpius' tail.
Cedric's fingers lightly touched her hair.
"I see it," said Amalea.
"Long ago, when the world was mostly water, there lived a great ulua fish called Pimoe. Maui and his brothers were sent by their father Akalana to capture this fish. However, he was incredibly tricky to catch because once he was seen by human eyes, he would die and become solid rock. Maui had already lifted the sky, so he was up to the task. While his brothers fought about the best way to catch or trap Pimoe, Maui dropped his hook into the water and turned his back. Pimoe took the bait and swallowed the hook. As they sailed back, the fish began to struggle so much that even the strongest wind couldn't keep them from sailing forward. Maui's brothers turned around to get a better grip on the rope. Soon as they did the line snapped and Pimoe died and became an island. Furious with this, Maui pulled his hook from the island and threw it into the heavens, catching twelve stars along the way, and leaving the shape of it in the night sky."
"That's lovely," said Beatrice. "You tell such nice stories Manny. Got any more?"
"Oh, plenty," he said.
"Tell the one about Pele and the mortal prince," said Hermione. "That one's my favorite."
It was wonderful, just being like this, all together. The sky was so gorgeous, more beautiful than the skies at Hogwarts. It was a little chilly, but Hermione was warm in her favorite cardigan and she loved the salty scent of the sea and something sweet and fragrant was drifting from the grove of trees. They had a long moment of silence, just enjoying the moment with no words, when Cedric screamed and sat up suddenly, cutting through the silence. The foliage rustled from the disturbance and a bird somewhere cried in response. The scream wasn't the end of it.
"Where's my wand?" Cedric shouted, rocking the boat in his panic.
"Cedric, stop!" Hermione cried, gripping onto the sides of the boat. It's okay! You're okay!"
It rocked too far to the side and Cedric splashed in first, Hermione following with a shriek.
She squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath, thrashing around in the cold darkness. Pumping her legs, she broke the surface of the water and gasped for breath. Her parents had their lights shining on the water, Cedric seemed to be swimming for shore, unaware of what he did. Since swimming was not her forte, Hermione was having a hard time keeping her head above water. Manuia jumped in and helped her into his canoe before going and turning the canoe she and Cedric were in back over.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?" Beatrice asked.
"I'm fine," said Hermione. She was shaking slightly, but she was more concerned for Cedric.
Hana directed her flashlight to the shore where Cedric was pacing around aimlessly.
"I'll get him," said Manuia.
Hana tossed him an oar and he paddled to the shore.
"I'd better go, too," she said. "The canoes will take the rest of you home. Sail."
As the canoes left the cove, Hana apparated to the shore. Hermione hugged her knees to her chest and shivered from the chill. The minute the canoes made it to shore, Hermione jumped out and sighed as she made contact with dry land.
"Are you okay, love?" Beatrice asked, wrapping her own cardigan around Hermione's shoulders.
"I'm okay," said Hermione. "I'm more worried about Cedric."
"Me too," Beatrice admitted. "Poor boy has been through so much."
"Dragons, sea monsters, chimaeras, those scorpion things, and giant spiders?" Roger shook his head.
"He also faced those acromantulas his fourth year," said Hermione. "And a Basilisk. And then, the year after, he faced the dementors a couple times."
"You kids shouldn't have to deal with these things," said Beatrice angrily. "If Amos had just appreciated Cedric then he never would have entered the tournament and he wouldn't be having nightmares every night! I hear him cry out when I'm tending to Chibuzo."
"I don't know how to help him," Hermione sighed. She'd been hearing him at night as well, though Tavi often tended to him after his night terrors. "I've been reading that book on P.T.S.D. but there's only so much I can do. María, she's a therapist, can probably help. She can talk to him."
"But he has to be willing to talk," said Beatrice.
When they entered the house, Keone was lying on the couch with Chibuzo on his chest.
"Hey," he said, looking over at them. "Did you have fun?"
"Sure," said Hermione. "Tavi."
Tavi popped into the room, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She'd been so tired lately which was why they had hired Keone.
"What is the matter, miss?" she asked.
"Cedric's having a panic attack," said Hermione. "Is there any way to calm him down?"
Tavi stilled. "Where is he?"
Hermione grabbed a map of the island off the counter and studied it trying to figure out where that cove was.
"There," said Amalea, pointing to it.
Tavi studied it a moment, nodded, and apparated.
Keone carefully got up and passed Chibuzo to Beatrice.
"Here," he said quietly so as to not wake the baby.
Chibuzo looked absolutely angelic as he slept. As soon as he was in his mother's arms, he snuggled close to her and sighed, sticking his thumb in his mouth.
"Thank you, Keone," said Beatrice. "How did he do?"
"There was slight trouble when he woke up and realized you weren't home," Keone admitted. "But I managed to calm him down and I read to him a bit. He fell right to sleep when he heard my heartbeat. I'll just bow out now. Have a nice night."
"You too, Keone," said Roger.
As soon as he was out the door, Keone apparated.
"I'm going to go dry off and change," said Hermione, glancing at the microwave clock. It was just shy of 2:30.
"Good idea," said Beatrice. "Perhaps tomorrow the three of us can do something since we'll be leaving the day after."
"Good idea," said Hermione. "I love you."
"Love you, too."
~o0o~
Hermione loved spending time with her parents on her island. Showing them how unique and beautiful it was with both sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and its own rainforest full of life. They even swam in the reef. Well, Hermione, Roger, Amalea, and Beatrice swam in the reef while Cedric sat on shore with Chibuzo. He claimed he was okay with it, but she didn't quite believe him. He couldn't swim not just because his prosthetic wouldn't allow it, but also the trauma he had faced in the lake of Hogwarts. The one place Hermione longed to bring her parents to was Kilokilo, but there was only so much they could squeeze into a few days.
On the morning they were to return to England, Hermione rode along so she could say goodbye to them outside the terminal. She was going to miss them terribly but promised to try and see them before school started or at least at Christmas. She and Manuia waited until the plane was in the air.
The drive back home was silent.
"Nia, how would you like to learn how to drive?" Manuia asked.
"Huh?" She looked up. "Really?"
"Well, yeah," he said. "You'll be sixteen in September and it's a good skill to have. Come on, we'll start right now."
He drove to the (almost) empty parking lot of his diner and they switched sides. It was still strange to Hermione to have the driver's side be on the left side of the car and not the right. She had to adjust the seat a lot so her feet would reach the pedals and then adjusted the mirrors.
"Okay," said Manuia. "Foot on the break and turn the key to start the car."
Hermione froze with her foot on the break and her hand on the key. A light rain was starting.
"No!" she said, placing her hands on the sides of her head. "I can't do it! I can't do it! I can't!"
"Herminia," said Manuia. "It's okay. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have suggested this. I wasn't thinking. Let's go home."
"N-no!" Hermione took several deep breaths as it began to rain harder.
Manuia took the keys out of the ignition.
"Let's go inside, then," he said. "I'll make you some breakfast."
Hermione nodded and followed him inside. Keanu the cook (teasingly called Reeves) was already setting up with Thomas, who was prepping the fruits and vegetables. Chris, the busboy, was trying not to fall asleep at the counter, and Kaila, the waitress, was right alongside him. They were both barely older than Hermione and were saving up money for college, she never met them, but she knew of them from Papá's work stories.
"Wakey, wakey," said Manuia, tapping his hand on the counter. "Have you two eaten?"
"Does a granola bar count?" Kaila asked tiredly.
"Well, that won't do," he said. "Nia, go ahead and sit down with them. Nobody's here, so I won't go barking orders yet."
Chris and Kaila laughed.
"You never bark orders," said Chris. He looked at Hermione. "I've only ever seen him angry twice and one of the times he yelled. The time he was quiet was scarier."
"I believe it," said Hermione.
Chris did a double-take and looked her up and down. "Hi. I'm Chris."
"Nia," she replied.
"Are… are you new?" he asked. "I mean, are you working here now?"
"No. I'm just here until the rain stops."
"And if it doesn't stop?"
"Then I'll walk home," she said.
"Here," said Manuia, switching to a terrible British accent. "Coffee for you two and a fresh cuppa tea for you."
"Your accent is terrible," she said, sipping it. "Worse than Dick Van Dyke's."
"So, you're from England," said Chris.
"Lived there for ten years."
"That's cool," said Kaila. "Is it nice there?"
They made idle chit chat until Hermione could smell breakfast wafting through the air. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
"So, uh, what are you doing tomorrow?" Chris asked.
"I dunno. It depends. Why?"
"Did you, maybe, want to go somewhere?"
Oh… He was flirting. Pupils dilated, feet turned towards her, leaning. What did she do? She smiled big.
"Sounds like fun!" she said as her papá set down plates of food in front of them.
"Great!" said Chris lighting up.
Manuia raised an eyebrow.
"Can I bring my boyfriend along?"
Chris wilted and Kaila patted him on the back.
"Is he cute?" Chris asked sullenly.
Hermione continued on pretending to be clueless. She didn't know how else to deal with this.
"Super cute," she said. "He's got black hair and grey eyes and cheekbones that can cut cheddar."
"Sounds dreamy," said Manuia.
"Is it serious?" Chris asked, head lowering dangerously close to his stack of pancakes.
"I'd say it's serious," said Manuia. "I wouldn't let just any boy stay in my house."
He gawked and mimed stabbing a knife through his heart.
"Papá," she said. "After I eat, maybe we can call Hana and she can take me home."
"Good idea, precious," he said. "More tea?"
"Yes, please," she said.
Chris took his plate and ate at the end of the bar. Kaila scooted over, taking his place.
"He'll get over it," she said. "He's the type of guy to fall in love with a new girl every week."
"Cedric was like that, too, for a stretch."
"How long have you been dating?"
"Since Christmas," she replied.
Hermione finished her breakfast and Manuia called Hana. The weather worsened and Hermione hoped her parents would be safe on their flight. Hana entered the restaurant.
"Come on, Herminia," she said. "Cedric and Amalea were wondering where you were."
They went to the back where they could apparate without being seen. Hermione hated it. It felt as if a stretchy cloth were being pressed over her face and she couldn't breathe.
"Are you alright?" Hana asked, supporting her as they entered the house.
"Yes," said Hermione. "Just a little dizzy."
"Mm, apparating can be like that," she said.
Cedric and Amalea were lounging on the couch and watching Animaniacs which was turned up to drown out the rain.
"I'm going to go into work," said Hana. "If the rain stops you can go into town, but if you do, call your dad and let him know."
"Yes, Mom," said Amalea.
Hana kissed her daughters on the heads and patted Cedric's shoulder before leaving. Hermione shed her jacket and placed it on a hook, then kicked off her shoes, before going over to the couch. She sat on the back and slowly slid so she was hanging upside down between them.
"Good morning," she said.
"Morning," said Amalea.
"Morning, love," said Cedric taking her hand and kissing it. He looked tired like he hadn't been sleeping. "Did Roger and Beatrice get on alright?"
"Mmhm. I'm a little worried about the storm," she said. "But I think they'll be alright."
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"Yes, at the diner," said Hermione. "You won't believe this, the busboy, Chris, was flirting with me. It was so awkward, and I didn't know what to do and when he asked me out, I was like, 'can my boyfriend come?' And he was so crushed."
"I'm surprised you noticed," said Cedric. "I flirted with you for over four months."
"Yes, but I actually liked you and wasn't sure if you liked me back," she replied. "Your flirting? Whepht!" She pantomimed it going over her head and Cedric laughed.
"I can't wait to start flirting and dating," said Amalea.
"Yes, you can," said Hermione pointing at her. "Boys are pigs."
"Yes, they are," said Cedric.
"I don't mean you," Hermione told him.
"You never mean me," he replied and squeezed her hand gently.
"Shh! Shows back on," said Amalea.
"The TV will rot your brain, you know," said Hermione.
"I stay up late reading books, so I think it balances out."
"I know. I was just acting like a snooty big sister." She adjusted so that she was laying across the couch with her legs in Amalea's lap and her head in Cedric's. "Is this a new episode or a rerun?"
"Reruns."
The rain didn't stop but Hermione didn't mind. She liked slow, lazy days just as much as busy ones.