make sure to read chapters 47-50 before this one as they're all uploaded in a chunk!
Tomorrow's chapter might be a little slow, although I do hope to write on the plane! :) let me know what you think the Summer Solstice should look like!
Saturday, July 20, 1998
Hermione smiled up at the sun beaming down on her from the garden. Draco was sitting under the patio umbrella complaining about the heat, while Theo was riding around on a broom without his shirt on. She laughed as Theo let out a whoop and dove toward Draco.
"Go and join him," she said with a laugh. "I'll even cast the Sunscreen charm on you."
He continued to grumble but stood in front of her so she could cast the charm. He summoned his broom and hopped on, chasing after Theo through the air. She looked down at the book in her hand, another one of their raunchy romance novels, this one was set on a beach in Costa Rica, with a grin. She was so excited for endless days like this one, where everything felt like it was going to be alright.
Ginny's Patronus appeared, "Glamour up, we have visitors!"
Hermione twisted her ring and felt the Glamour slip into place. A few minutes later, Ginny came trekking in with Pansy in tow. She deposited Pansy next to Hermione and joined the boys on their brooms, stripping off her own shirt, showcasing her bright purple sports bra. The three of them began an impromptu game where Theo played Keeper and the other two played Chasers.
"How are you doing, Myuh?" Pansy asked curiously.
"I'm enjoying the sun," she said, tearing her eyes away from her husbands. "It reminds me of home, although nothing will ever be quite like it."
"I've never been to the Caribbean," Pansy said thoughtfully, "I'd love to visit some time."
"When all this is over, we'll have to go. I'd love to show it off to Draco and Theo as well. Neither of them have been for any real length of time."
"What will you be wearing to the Solstice tomorrow?" Pansy asked.
"Millie and I bought some very flowy, toga-inspired dresses," Hermione responded. "I'm quite excited, Lulu has been ecstatic to select flowers for my crown. They boys will have complimentary shirts of course."
"Ginevra told me that you've come out as a Triad?" Pansy asked after a few moments of comfortable silence.
"Yes," Hermione said, turning to her fully, "It's not super public, but we will have to tell our closest friends. It's supposed to be the 'worst kept secret.' The Dark Lord has asked us to assist with the Neutral Families, and with Draco's place we naturally agreed."
Pansy looked thoughtful, "It must be quite difficult being thrown into all of this so fast. I know that the rhetoric isn't quite as strong on the Islands."
"It really isn't anywhere else, but Draco and Theo are so important to me, so of course I will do whatever I must to help them make it through this."
Pansy nodded, and Hermione watched as a curious, knowing expression crossed her face. "I don't think that Draco would have made it through our Sixth Year without Theodore."
"Nor do I," Hermione said smiling, "It was quite difficult wasn't it?"
Pansy hummed in agreement and they lapsed into silence. Hermione looked at Pansy who was watching Ginny like a hawk. "She's quite impressive, isn't she?"
Pansy flushed and looked away from the other witch. "She is."
"Draco and Theo are alright of course, but they have nothing on Ginevra. I know the two of you have been spending time together…"
"It's nothing untoward," Pansy said quickly, too quickly to be believable. "She has a boyfriend, or she did…"
"Harry Potter?" Hermione asked with a laugh. Pansy just nodded. "He couldn't handle her new parentage and left her. She's quite single."
Pansy swallowed heavily and turned to look at the witch in question again. "She didn't say. I wonder…"
Hermione let Pansy trail off into her own thoughts and reopened her book. The rest of the day was spent in the sun. After a few hours outside, Gertie served them a light dinner as they watched the late sun set.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!