Chapter 43
Spring 2002
The morning was sunny, but cold. So Hermione forced Draco and Theo into coats that she'd purchased for them before their release. The coats, both a deep forest green, were still much too large, despite the fact that the weight gain potion had added another fifteen pounds to each of them easily. Unfortunately, they were both still nearly forty pounds under their lowest possible healthy weight, possibly more if she was trying to restore them to pre-Azkaban weight and musculature. Having to wait between giving them the potions was really pushing her patience to the absolute brink. The muggle weight gain products were also helpful, but they weren't instantaneous like the potions that Signora Zabini had sent.
Theo was still very overdue for a good haircut and Draco could probably use a good hair mask or a hot oil treatment, his hair was so brittle. Maybe Mrs. Krum could send her some spell suggestions; Hermione was due to write to her this week. They maintained regular correspondence despite the distance. Beauty charms were a perfect topic of conversation in case their letters were intercepted.
She could tell that they were nervous about her idea to go for a walk, leaving the safety of her cottage, but they had agreed because they wanted to make her happy.
As soon as they got far enough down the road that they could no longer see her garden gate, Theo clenched her hand tighter and tighter. Draco was trying to keep it together, but she could feel that his hands had started to shake.
The village was having a farmer's market today and she couldn't imagine them being able to manage the crowds there. They already both seemed completely disturbed by the wide open space. Her back garden was surrounded by trees that nearly served as a wall.
When a car drove past them at the intersection that led into the village, Draco nearly jumped out of his skin.
This was too much for them, Hermione decided. She was being cruel, even if she did very much want some fresh fruit and veg. She could just order a box from the farm delivery service by phone when they got back home.
She needed to remember that they had been inside a stone box for the better part of three years with no human contact. They were doing much better, but they still were nowhere close to how they'd been before being sent to Azkaban.
Going home sooner than she had intended seemed like the best answer to what was clearly her pushing what they were capable of handling. She was being unreasonable with her expectations for them right now, and needed to back off. They needed more comfort than exercise; maybe when they were feeling a little better she could try again to walk with them into the village. It was only a fifteen-minute walk after all, but even though they hadn't made it into town, she was sure the Ministry would have the fees for leaving her property's ward net deducted from both of their vaults regardless.
Bloody vultures.
They'd only approved the parole program in order to pad the Ministry coffers. The Ministry's War on Terror was expensive after all.
Unfortunately it didn't seem the extremists had the same difficulties with funds.
Hermione brewed a pot of tea and set up the tea tray with everything else they would need to drink and have a nibble in the bed, thinking that they might need to hide in her bedroom for the rest of the day. Both of their hands were shaking as she handed them their tea cups which made her feel like the worst sort of arse.
After they finished their tea, she got them to look at some books handing them something she thought each of them would like. They were both struggling to focus, their eyes tracing over the same lines again and again. Theo was squinting and Hermione wondered if he needed glasses. Could the time in Azkaban have damaged his eyes? She'd try to arrange a visit to an optometrist if he kept up the squinting.
She had a book in her lap but couldn't even look away from them both long enough to open it. Draco closed his book suddenly and sighed dramatically.
"I can't even remember what I read from one line to the next. I've reread this one six times. I give up." He flopped backwards, throwing his arm over his eyes. Hermione had to stifle a laugh at Draco's dramatics even as they made her feel better. The more he was restored to normal the better she felt.
All of this had not been for nothing. Draco and Theo would be healed. The three of them were together again. And Hermione was going to make everyone pay for everything that they had done to keep them apart.
Hermione laid down next to Draco, sitting her own book off to the side.
"How about some kisses instead of reading?" She asked him with a wicked smile playing on her lips.
"I could be convinced," Draco replied, sassily.
"Don't leave me out," Theo cried, dramatically tossing himself on top of the two of them.
Tickling and laughter and kisses were all that could be heard through the cottage.
Crookshanks was not amused.