Hello, my freaky darlings! I work the second job tomorrow (boo) so you get your chapter a little early. (Yay)

Chapter 14 Hermione Meets the Family

Oliver told her Boxing Day was causal. He kept handing her his Gryffindor jersey to wear. "Why not a Puddlemere jersey?"

"Yer sexy in red. Ah'm wearing yer team jersey."

"I see that."

"Ye should wear mine." He held it up again.

"Is there some kind of weird contest going on?"

"No, Ah just want to see ye in me jersey and red is festive. Plus, we'll match."

"Fine, you win, weirdo." She took the jersey and finished dressing. They flooed to Oliver's family home.

Aileen hugged them both in greeting. She introduced Hermione to her oldest son and youngest daughter, Liam and Fiona. "Catronia's boyfriend was able to make it at the last minute, so they are running behind. Emily and her lot should be here any minute."

Oliver led Hermione to the couch and they sat making small talk with his siblings. Catronia and her boyfriend arrived twenty minutes later. "Wow, I thought Em would beat us for sure. Anyway, this is Branden. Branden, Fiona, Liam, Oliver and Oliver's girlfriend."

"Hermione Granger," Branden breathed before Oliver could introduce her. "Sorry, just a fan."

She tried to smile, but knew she probably failed, "Just did what I had to."

He frowned confused, "You had to play football?"

"Wait, what?"

He gave her a smile, "My mum has been a lifelong Arsenal Woman fan. She took us to games all the time. She still takes my younger siblings and niece. We're all fans."

"In that case, nice to meet you." Catronia and Branden joined in the conversation.

Moments later a small dark haired child pranced through the fireplace. "Uncle Liam, Uncle Liam, fly me." She leapt at him. He caught her easily and spun her in the air. "Wheeeee."

When he stopped he asked, "Where's Mummy and Daddy?"

"Fighting, but I'm not supposed to know. Grandmother summoned Daddy again even though he spent all yesterday with her. Mummy's mad and crying."

The fire flared green again and a younger version of Aileen emerged. "Sorry, Stephan will not be joining us. Her majesty summoned him to another party."

"How many is that?" asked her mother.

"Five this week." She ran her hand through her hair. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Cameron hugged her, "Put it from yer mind, lass. Yer sister and baby brother brought guests. We get tae spend the day telling embarrassing stories."

She smiled because he wanted her to, "Like when Oliver refused to wear clothes for a month?"

"Oi, I was three, thank you," he protested.

"Relax," whispered Hermione, "everyone goes through that kind of phase." She kissed his cheek.

"Aye, but we should be focusing on Cat." The four siblings began trying to outdo one another with incriminating stories. Hermione laughed so hard her side hurt. As it wound down she excused herself to the bathroom.

Returning to the living room, she went to cross the kitchen but froze when she heard Emily crying to Oliver. "I'm so tired of it. I can't even claim I don't care anymore because it is constant."

"Ah know.

"Be sure before you commit, that she loves you. That you love her."

"Hermione's me soulmate, and more than that Ah love her more than life itself, more than quidditch. And she loves me for some reason."

"Lucky," Emily sniffed. "Verruca is holding all these parties to find Stephan's soulmate so she can convince him to leave me."

"Probably," said Oliver softly.

"Is it wrong that I wish he would? Then this could all be over," she whispered.

"Nae, Ah understand. Ye should talk tae Hermione. She's dead brilliant and surprisingly vindictive."

"I'm not sure. Could she even help? Would she?"

"She could," said Hermione walking in, "and would. Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop. She does need more information, though."

"Ask away," Emily sat on a stool.

"Ah'll go distract Posy," Oliver offered. His sister nodded gratefully. He exited the kitchen. "Who wants to go flying with Uncle Ollie?"

"ME!," cried Posy.

"He's going to make an incredible dad," sighed Emily.

"I imagine so," agreed Hermione. "Now, tell me the dynamics of your marriage."

"Everything was great when we were dating. His mother, grandmother, everybody liked me. They invited me to everything and included me in events. Then after the wedding, his grandmother's 3rd cousin, Agnes, expressed feeling insulted about me joining the family. She was my father's 2nd cousin. She claims Mum disrespected his memory by marrying a year after he died. Arsehole beat her nearly daily, but she was supposed to mourn him forever or some shite," her voice shook with anger. "Slowly, things changed. Verruca, my mother-in-law, didn't have time to stop the wedding. They would have lost face."

"And someone would have pointed out the insanity."

"Yes, at this point things are fine, she summoned him on holidays, and perhaps once a month for some family dinner. Then this soulmate thing happened. He has always gone running when she whistled, and now she whistles constantly."

"And she dangles inheritance over his head. Added to the decades of training to obey," said Hermione. "So, the big question: what do you want to do? No judgment, I just need honesty."

"Honestly, I don't know. I just know I can't keep doing this. We can't do anything. He cancels plans constantly."

Hermione considered it, "Okay, I warn you now, this could backfire horribly."

"Tell me the plan and I'll decide."

"Start going out, any time Stephan's mother summons him. If no one can watch Posy, we will. Go out with friends when he is home. We can go out if you want."

"That seems doable. Why?"

"Right now Stephan is confident you're not going anywhere. You'll always be there. He needs to start worrying he could lose you. Which is the danger, he might not care."

"Worth it. I'm tired of being taken for granted," Emily nodded both to herself and to Hermione.

"New Year's Eve when he cancels plans, you'll come out with us."

"Sounds good to me. Thank you," she hugged Hermione.

"You're welcome," Hermione hugged her back. "Look on the positive side: it can't make things worse."

"Unless he finds his soulmate," said Emily.

"Or you find yours," Hermione said sadly.

"Better me than him, don't you think? I could do the leaving."

"Sure." They rejoined the rest of the family. Oliver wisely didn't ask for details. Hermione only told him Emily would be joining them for New Year's Eve. He nodded sagely.

The next morning, Oliver had the brokerage's solicitor inquire about the house to ensure it was not sold to developers.

Daisy demanded Hermione bring Harry to the New Year's party. "He's Campbell's soup, hm hm good." Hermione only laughed. "And dress to impress."

Harry agreed so Emily wouldn't be a 3rd wheel. Hermione took Emily shopping for muggle party clothes. At 6 o'clock Emily floo called, "He's bailed on me. Apparently, his grandmother's intimate dinner party trumps his own work gathering. He actually suggested I attend without him as his representative."

Hermione stared at her in horror. "Okay, that cute dress we bought is out. We're stepping up your game, and mine in solidarity. Follow me." She pulled a burgundy slip dress out of her closet and resized it. Once Emily had it on she shortened it to end mid-thigh. Hermione handed her a faux leather jacket and heeled Mary Janes. "Tights or knee-high socks." She pointed to a drawer. For herself, she chose a metallic gold sleeveless vest with a Mandarin collar paired with a black leather miniskirt. She wore glittery gold peep-toe heels.

"Won't ye get cold," asked Oliver.

"Warming charms and we won't be outside long. And if I do that's what your jacket is for."

The nightclub chosen for the Arsenal party admitted them after confirming Hermione and her guests were on the list. Inside a hostess directed them to a VIP room. Daisy, Grace, and Marissa pounced immediately. "We only get you until ten, we need to get our party on." Hermione made introductions.

The girls simply swept Emily, Harry, and Oliver up in the celebration. Noticing Emily's hesitation Grace kept her glass full for the first thirty minutes. Each mixed drink contained a low alcohol content, so Hermione remained silent. She also noticed Harry dancing quite close to Daisy with a bemused look on his face. She shrugged to herself and focused on Oliver.

At 10 o'clock, Harry looked forlorn at the idea of leaving Daisy behind. "Harry, we can't bring her. You know why" Hermione told him firmly.

"But, Hermione," he whined.

"Tell her you'll call her tomorrow. I have her number."

"You do!" he brightened. He spun quickly and reeled briefly before catching himself. "Um, Mione."

"Yeah, I think so, too. We'll deal with it tomorrow."

"Thanks." He went to assure Daisy Hermione had her number and that he would be calling. Then the wizards left for the Puddlemere party.

Finding it in full swing, they joined. Having been informed of Emily's situation several made sure to flirt and flatter. "Every woman deserves to feel pretty," explained Wulfric. "And your sister is."

"Just keep yer hands to yerself. She's married," warned Oliver. Wulfric simply laughed.

"Leave him be," Hermione ordered Oliver. "Let her have some fun. She needs this."

"If yer sure," he said hesitantly.

She kissed him, "I am." She pulled onto the dance floor near his sister. She placed his hands on her hips and backed into him to grind suggestively against him. His hands tightened on her. She smirked at Wilda who laughed.

At midnight Oliver tugged her into his arms. He kissed her soundly. "Happy New Year, leannan."

"Happy New Year, my love." She kissed him again. "Let's collect Emily and head home. Harry or Daisy will be along quite early." Oliver collected his inebriated sister and followed

Hermione back to their flat. He tucked her into the transfigured spare bed and left a vial of hangover potion on the end table by the door.

Far too early Hermione's phone trilled. Daisy. "Bitch, it is before 8 am January 1st. Somebody better be maimed or you will be," growled Hermione.

"Yes, I'm dying. Come let me in. I have pastries." Hermione hung up without answering and stumbled downstairs in a t-shirt and her pajama shorts. She opened the door. "Liar. You look perfectly healthy. But I can fix that."

"Look, I'm sorry. But I cannot stop thinking about Harry. Derek was full on I love you mode after you left and I gave zero shites. I feel dizzy and a little sick. And my ears keep buzzing."

"Come in," Hermione scrubbed her face. "Fuck."

"He said you would give him my number, did you?"

"Not yet. But I will." She led her through the house to the kitchen. "Once he lets me know he's awake."

Daisy threw herself into a chair. "He will ask, won't he?"

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, girl! You are Daisy Owens. Of course, he'll want your number."

CRASH! "Hermione, Hermione!" Harry yelled from the living room. He entered the kitchen limping. "Your deranged familiar left his toys in front of the floo." He stopped short at Daisy's shocked face. "Oh, hello."

Daisy turned to Hermione, "First question: where did Harry come from? We were just in the living room and he wasn't there. Second question: why did he call your cat your familiar? Third question: what the fuck is a floo?"

Um, oops?" said Harry.

"Oops? Oops! Harry James Potter, you are an auror. You should not be making oops."

"Um, Mione," he shifted his eyes to a stunned Daisy.

"We are past worrying about that. Both of you sit," she ordered. "Tea first." She waved her hand to fill the teapot and heat it instantly. Once everyone had a cuppa she started her explanation. "Harry came out of the fireplace, or the floo. He called Crookshanks my familiar because he is. Crooksie is so smart because he's half magical creature." She sipped her tea. "But none of this answers your real question: what's going on here? Who are we? What are we?" She took another sip. "I am your friend and your teammate. I am also a witch. Harry is a wizard. So is Oliver. We met at boarding school."