Hello, darlings! I have a busy busy Saturday, so you get a chapter early. Enjoy.
Chapter 8 Hermione Starts Sharing
Molly greeted Hermione with a tight hug, "And Oliver Wood, hello." She gave the younger witch a confused looks.
"Oliver and I decided that we are seriously dating. So, time to meet my other family," Hermione admitted. Molly embraced him with a cry of happiness.
Happy voices drew Arthur to the kitchen, "What are we celebrating?"
"Hermione and Oliver are dating," Molly beamed at him. "And it's serious."
"Congratulations. But what about the curse?"
Entering the house, Percy groaned, "Please don't call it that."
"Gross neglect and stupidity on the part of third parties?" suggested Hermione.
"More accurate and vaguely humorous. Hello, Oliver. What brings you by?"
"Hermione. We've been dating for a bit, decided we were serious enough to starting moving into the public eye somewhat."
"I do have to ask, are you sure this is wise?" worried Molly.
"If it was an issue, we could reject the bond and continue as we like," Hermione assured her.
Molly smiled tightly, "Sorry, I just keep hearing about marriages breaking up because one spouse found their soulmate and decided the grass was greener elsewhere."
"Not a concern we share," said Oliver, rubbing a hand up and down Hermione's arm.
Percy looked critically at their body language. Hermione leaned back against Oliver slightly. He stood closer to her than necessary.
"You're soulmates," he blurted out.
Hermione nodded, "We've been taking things slowly, wanting to make sure we wanted to stay together before letting anyone else know."
"Given who you are that is understandable," Arthur said.
"And if you need, we are willing to answer YOUR questions. But I refuse to officially tell the ministry. I will not be trotted around as the example relationship to copy," she told Percy.
"I appreciate your willingness to assist with the research."
"The research is the only reason," Hermione said grimly. "The more you know the better equipped you are to help people. Do we know how long lasting this is?"
"No, and we may not know for years. The daft bints can't remember where they found the ritual, what they did with the book, and if they changed anything."
Annoyance raced through her, "Are you kidding me?"
"They've been closed lipped. We're quite frustrated," grumbled Percy.
"But we're going to focus on the positive. One soulmate found, and it is good match," declared Molly. She changed the subject, asking Oliver what he had been up to, as if she didn't know.
As the others arrived some raised an eyebrow at Oliver's presence, while others ignored it. Teddy and Victoire eyed him curiously. The small blonde female climbed into the chair next to him. "Maman, says you like Tante Mione. Why?"
"Why shouldn't Ah? She's nice, pretty, and she likes me back."
The four-year-old nodded sagely, "Do we have to share her?"
"Ah would like that. Ah would miss her if ye didn't," Oliver answered sincerely. "But it isn't our choice. Aunt Hermione gets to decide who she spends time with."
Victoire wrinkled her nose, "That's what Papa says. People get to choose other people."
"Smart man," praised Oliver.
Teddy studied him before asking, "Are you going to marry her and have babies?"
"Maybe? She'd have to agree to that first, though."
Teddy nodded solemnly, "She can take convincing."
"Harry coached you to say that," Hermione said ruffling Teddy's green hair. She shot his godfather a look.
"Have you considered what happens if you meet your soulmate?" inquired Ron.
"We'll discuss it like adults and make the best decision for us. Not going to be an issue," she shrugged.
"This isn't a picking out a new flat, Hermione," Ron protested.
"And it isn't any different than dating. Without the stupid complication causing a fatal illness nothing makes you be with that person."
Fleur frowned, "You are correct. All these people rushing to divorce or marry based on this idea that the other person will be perfect for you are being foolish."
Percy nodded, "We have no idea what the criteria is. Compatible magic? Personality? For all we know it could be genetic, they'll make the best children. The witches claim the spell said soulmate, but based on the behavior of most couples, I have my doubts."
"Not the best thing to base a marriage on," noted Fred. "But what can we do? Percy's department publishes the facts and the public ignores anything they don't like."
"Like always," agreed his twin. George looked at Oliver, "Though if you hurt Hermione for your soulmate, we'll hurt you."
"Provided you survive her, Harry, and Ron," quipped Fred.
"Noted, but for the record, Ah have no intention of going anywhere fer any reason unless she makes me." He looked at Hermione. Harry watched their silent conversation with interest.
At the end she gave a small nod and spoke, "In fairness we should inform you, Oliver and I are soulmates. We just aren't letting that influence anything."
"Good for you," said Ron breaking the silence. "Though, the warning stands. You hurt Hermione, we hurt you."
"Still more afraid of her. She's creative," Oliver said. Everyone laughed.
Teddy looked between them, "Will Oliver come with us to see Aunt Hermione's games?"
"If Ah can. Ah have me own games, too."
Teddy's eyes lit up at the reminder of quidditch, "Can we go to Oliver's matches with Aunt Hermione?"
"If she wants to," agreed Oliver, "if she wants to, that is."
The five-year-old turned his puppy eyes on her, turning them brown to match his new brown curls, "Can we, please?"
"We'll compare schedules and see if it can happen," she answered. The children cheered.
A thought occurred to Oliver, "When are we going to Thorpe Park?"
"When we both have a Saturday off. So, possible next summer. Happily there is no expiration date on the outing," Hermione shrugged. Oliver chuckled.
Harry and Ron glared at her, "You were going to an amusement park without us?"
"You are aware there are no rules preventing you from going whenever you want, right?"
"Yeah, but," Ron started.
"And this is the date Oliver won from the fundraiser. I could have been going with anyone."
Ron pouted, "Still."
"What is Thorpe Park?" asked George.
"And why does it feel you've been holding out on us?" demanded Fred.
"Because he has," said Hermione with an evil smirk. "You should make him take you."
Ron gave her a worried look as his older brothers began badgering him. Eventually he broke and agreed to take them the next weekend. His female best friend continued to smirk. Ron left muttering about the evils of women.
Thursday afternoon Paulie demanded the team and their partners go out. "It's been forever and we need to meet Oliver's bird."
"Who says Ah want ye to meet her? Ah have a vested interest in ye not running her off."
"Are ye ashamed of her, Ollie?" teased the seeker, Benjy Williams.
"No, of ye lot," shot back Oliver.
"We'll get to meet her eventually," pointed out one of the reservists.
Reed nodded, "She's right, lad. Might as well ask her along."
"Fine, but please don't embarrass me."
"You're acting like she's out of you're league," remarked Wilda Griffiths.
He chuckled dryly, "So far. But she likes me for some reason." He pulled out his mobile and texted her. Surprisingly, she answered instantly. "She's in. As Ah said, behave. On second thought, don't. More amusing for me that way."
"Who is this bird?" asked Gareth.
"Ah guess ye'll find out this evening."
Suspecting this could be the date that outed their relationship, Hermione made an effort with her appearance. Again she decided to dress to impress. Not quite as dramatic as her outfit to the party, but still attention grabbing. She styled her hair and applied makeup. She flooed to the address Oliver gave her.
She surveyed the taproom, searching for a familiar face. Failing to find one she crossed to the bar and took a seat. She ordered a cherry Old Fashioned. She sipped her drink still searching the crowd. "Well, hello, there. Aren't you a tasty morsel?"
She turned to look at the man next to her. Nicely dressed, his clothes suggested a comfortable background. His messy hair took at least an hour at the mirror to achieve. He leered slightly then adjusted his expression to a smirk. He thought he looked dashing. She fought not to roll her eyes out loud. "Nope, I taste disgusting," she stated flatly.
"Surely not, you look delectable," he moved closer.
"I'm not flirting. I am not interested. Go away," her tone turned glacial. He opened his mouth to speak. "No. It means negative. If you persist I will turn you into a newt and you will not get better."
"Who do you think you are threatening me? I'm..."
She interrupted, "No one cares who you are. But I'm Hermione Granger. Yes, that Hermione Granger. Now go away and leave me alone." He fled nervously looking over his shoulder.
"Ah was just coming to help ye," laughed Oliver.
"Had I known I would have waited and let you deal with him."
"Me way would have been less entertaining. The rest of the team just staggered in, ready?"
"No, but let's do this." He frowned. "People have preconceived notions and I doubt I live up to them."
"None of them know who Ah brought."
"I'm sure it won't be that bad. I'm letting the creep sour my mood."
He directed her to a nearby long table full of people. Towards the middle waited two empty seats. "Hermione, everybody. Everybody, me girlfriend, Hermione." She gave a little wave as she sat down.
"Granger? You're dating Hermione Granger?" shouted Paulie. "I mean, hello, I'm Paulie Cookes."
"Nice to meet you. I know who most of you are thanks to the Quibbler."
"The Quibbler? Not the Prophet?" asked Reed.
"Mythical animals that may or may not exist aside, I prefer the more truthful and accurate publication."
"Accurate?" questioned Benjy.
"They have never once printed even a half truth about me, or my friends. The same cannot be said for the Prophet." She accepted a drink from Oliver. "But enough about me."
"You're more interesting than us," Paulie protested.
"No, I'm really not. I'm an ordinary person with plenty of flaws."
Oliver changed the subject before Paulie could pester his girlfriend further. Sensing his intention, several players helped. Eventually the topic of training came up. One of the WAGs turned to Hermione and asked, "Why haven't we seen you at the stadium supporting Oliver?" She flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
"I have my own job to attend to."
"Your job can't be more important than your man."
"Yes, it can," Hermione said flatly, hoping against hope the vapid woman would drop the matter.
"Oliver's worked his whole life to become a professional keeper," she purred, batting her eyes at him.
"So, have I," snapped Hermione, growing annoyed. "And even if I hadn't, my life isn't any less valid, or important, than his. I have no intentions of squandering his money like a brainless, spineless, waste of space. Offense intended." The woman started to huff and tear up. "Knock it off. No one is going to feel sorry for you. You did this to yourself. You insulted me twice: first for demeaning my life and second by flirting with Oliver in front of me." The other woman looked around and realized everyone looked to agree with Hermione. She folded her arms across her chest and pouted Even her boyfriend ignored her.
"What do you do for a living?" asked Wilda. "I remember reading you left the ministry a few years ago."
"I am a goalie for a professional football team. The game is similar to quidditch, only less balls and no brooms."
"We play the same position," Oliver said proudly.
"Why did you leave the ministry?" asked a wife. Hermione couldn't recall her name.
"My boss abused my intelligence by overworking me. He assigned me twice as many reports as everyone else. Then he exploited my reputation. He, and his cronies, dragged me to their press conferences. I stood in the back and smiled. Then the press asked ridiculous and invasive questions about my life. Usually having nothing to do with the topic at hand."
"Arseholes," someone further down the table said.
"Thank you," responded Hermione.
"Why football?" asked a reserve player.
"Why not? Like most of you with quidditch, I've played my whole life and I enjoy it."
Oliver gave a bark of laughter, "Me seventh year Ah found her catching a quaffle after she enchanted it to act like a bludger. Some Slytherins gave her shite so she canceled the spell and kicked it into Black Lake. Ah laughed so hard Ah cried."
"Their faces were quite comical," admitted Hermione. "I wonder if they ever got the quaffle away from the giant squid."
"The giant squid?" exclaimed Paulie, laughing.
"He seemed quite happy playing with it. And you can't accio it, which I know all of you know. I just wanted to mention it because it makes me happy." Everyone laughed and the subject moved away from Hermione again. As it inevitably did those days the conversation turned to the soulmate issue. Benjy spoke up, "My cousin says they might be on to something to narrow down possible matches."
"That'll help," said Reed. "Donna's constantly terrified one of us will find ours."
"She shouldn't be, the bond can be transferred to spouse. Only one of you has to find them," Hermione said. "And unlike rejection, the other person has no say. The only real danger is if you encounter them, but can't find them."
"They're looking into a task force to help with that, too," supplied Benjy
"What do can you do if your soulmate won't accept your rejection?"
"Do the reversible accepting bond and tell Oliver. He tells me and I make their lives miserable until they see the error of their ways." Her delighted evil grin caused a shiver down a few of their spines. "No one should be forced to marry anyone."
"What's going to happen to the coven?" asked someone.
Oliver shrugged, "Dunno. No one's talking about them."
"Harry says right now the focus is fixing this as best they can. Reprimands for improper magical use comes later."
"Why, I wonder?"
"So they can properly punish them. The cost of the rejection ritual is one hundred galleons. The ministry is footing the bill. If they fine them now they might underestimate how much the coven owes us all."
"Oh," was the only response.
"How do you know so much if you aren't helping?"
"I am friends with numerous Ministry employees. They gossip."
"Why aren't you helping?" asked the WAG from earlier, still sulking.
"One, I didn't break anything. Two, I don't work for the government. Three, no one appreciates things they get for free. All of these points explain why it is not my responsibility to spend thankless hours researching how to fix this. Though like most people I would love five minutes along with those idiots."
"You're right about that part, lass," remarked Reed. He raised his glass and saluted her with it. She nodded her acknowledgment with a regal nod much to everyone's amusement.
Hermione's premonition that the outing would publicly announce her relationship with Oliver proved true. The usual gossips speculated they were soulmates. Percy responded to inquires with a simple statement, "The names of those who have registered with the department as soulmates is confidential, and will remain as such. This is the same answer you will receive in response to these types on inquires. But, please, invade Miss Granger's privacy. She's no longer bound by the ministry's rules governing behavior. Or, better yet, stop asking." Rita Skeeter simply mentioned how foolish it was to be dating as Mr. Wood's soulmate was out here waiting.
"No mention of mine, just his," Hermione remarked to Harry.
"You'd think she learned to leave you alone," chuckled Ron. "She loses every time."
"That's the part she hates the most," said Hermione. "Some day she'll truly take it a step too far and she'll lose public favor. But that day isn't today."
"When are you meeting Oliver's parents?" asked Harry.
Hermione shrugged, "Don't know yet. We're still being laid back about things. When is the first mixer?"
"Sunday afternoon in Dorset," supplied Ron. "Is Oliver coming?"
"No, he considers this working and is giving me room to do so."
"Are we still going to his match on Tuesday?" he asked.
"Yes, and no, you cannot support the Cannons. You are there to support me, and I am supporting Oliver. Therefore, we will be dressing and cheering for Puddlemere." Ron sighed but nodded when she glared.
"Do we get to be there when he comes to watch you play?" questioned Harry.
"I suppose. I mean, who else would he go with?"
"Fair enough, I suppose."