AN: Hey, if you don't believe me when I say I am working on Walking, Alive, then check out the 'Special Features' File at the yahoo-group where I'm moderating…
Oh, and thanks for the reviews!!!
BTW, I'm only using some major plot elements from the movie… I realise some of you went to get the movie, and it's a great movie… But I won't follow it to the letter, especially the ending (I didn't really like the ending there, and now that I have the ability to change it, I won't let it pass by) For those of you who've already seen the movie, you know that there are more things then only magic different in the story, like the reason of the wife's coma, the relationship with the wife before that, the 'sister-in-law's character (BIG difference there), the 'family' situation in total, even the associate (Neville) is of a totally different calibre. I don't make Dobby wear a wig, and I didn't take over Mr. Goodwin's job (please!), so don't expect to find all the answers of my story's development in the movie. But you ought to see it for different reasons anyway: because of its beauty and it being very inspiring…
***
Chapter 18
Hermione sat herself down on one of the couches available, while Mr. Longbottom took a deep breath. Patiently, she crossed her hands in her lap and looked expectantly at the man who'd asked to speak with her.
"Miss Granger. I may not be the most powerful wizard alive, but I do dispose of an inherited family fortune, as well as a mansion oversees. With this, I have the ample means to secure the living of a family. I am so bold as to ask you… if you'd be willing to move to America… will you consider marriage… with me?"
Schooling her features carefully to reveal nothing of her feelings, Hermione looked closely at Mr. Longbottom. He actually was quite handsome… And though Miss Weasley kept teasing him about being clumsy, she had yet to see real evidence of that. And it was true he didn't seem as powerful a wizard as some she'd met, but he was still above average. Last but not least, he was a pureblooded wizard, and even if he lived the 'disgrace' of having left the 'motherland' for his America, his proposal was still quite an honour for her…
The poor man had grown quite nervous, during her silent reflection… She almost felt sorry for what had to happen:
"I'm very flattered by your proposal, and I'm aware of the honour you bestow upon me…"
Hermione showed nothing but politeness. Mr. Longbottom, though, had understood:
"But the answer is 'no'?"
With the tiniest of nods, Hermione inclined her head, confirming: "The answer is 'no'…"
Mr. Longbottom exhaled the breath he had been holding. And Hermione asked:
"You don't seem too disappointed?"
The man laughed nervously:
"I have enjoyed your company for a total of maybe a few hours… Thus, I should be able to survive without you… But it is strange, how soon a man starts dreaming…"
Mr. Longbottom looked rather dreamy just then, and Hermione thought it a good time to leave. Getting up from the chair, she inclined her head:
"If that'll be all? …"
Ready to depart to her chambers, Mr. Longbottom hastily asked:
"One last matter, if you please?" Hermione turned her attention back to him, "It may well be that I'll have to make such a proposal again in the future… Should I take note of some faults? Maybe the way I hold myself? Or the wording of the proposal itself?"
Hermione smiled a little, the man really was quite insecure:
"No, I wouldn't change a thing, sir, any woman would love to have a man as yourself courting her…"
It wasn't a lie. Mr. Longbottom wasn't ugly, and still quite young. He may not be anything extraordinary, but he wasn't unimportant, either… He was a safe bet for a nice and comfortable marriage…
Mr. Longbottom's response to her reassurance was:
"Any woman… but you?"
Hermione only inclined her head again and took her leave, heading for the stairs. Suddenly, she realised, she didn't know where Lily's bedroom was. Determined to find out first thing in the morning, she retreated to her bedroom, and took out her journal.
It was until late in the night that she tried to commit all events and feelings of the past two days to paper…
***
Harry Potter was very violent in his strokes against the water during his morning swim. Last night Mr. Longbottom had asked to speak with Miss Granger… As was his right, Harry supposed…
The night had plagued him with torturous thoughts… feelings he couldn't place… His head kept telling him it would be for the best if they got married. She could leave sooner then, and he wouldn't be so close to her anymore…
She wouldn't distract him every minute of the day. She wouldn't be a threat to the careful balance he had built his entire life on… She wouldn't make his heart stop every time she entered the room. His stomach wouldn't make any strange movements every time she opened her mouth to speak…
It was torture to have her here… But on the other hand…
Well, he had been thinking about what she said about Lily… And she could have an important point, there…
He hadn't really been thinking all that much about Lily's future. He had just assumed it would be dreary like his, and he wanted her to at least enjoy her childhood as much as possible. It had always been the only thing he concerned himself with: keeping Lily happy in the present…
Because the future would tear them apart anyway. Not only was his job dangerous, but she'd be gone to Hogwarts, and then, who knew when he'd see her again? The present was the time he still could hold her with him, and this precious time would be happy, at any cost.
He was still having his doubts about what Miss Granger had told him so boldly, and he hadn't really liked what he'd heard… and especially not how he heard…
Heaving himself out of the glacial water, he hurried to towel his cold body and quickly covered himself enough to sprint towards the house.
The weather was turning, and soon, he wouldn't be able to go swimming in the mornings anymore. Which method he'd have to use then to clear his mind, he'd have to think about that… But first, he had to be able to meet his houseguests with dignity, thus dress appropriately…
***
He still hadn't seen her…
Hermione had again woken very early, and remembering what she had witnessed the day before, she had been unable to stop her body walking towards the greenhouse. Torturing herself with watching the fuzzy outlines of her employer's body, she tried not to think about the impropriety of what she was doing.
Desire flared in her, flushing her cheeks, making her burn in the most peculiar way… And all she could think about was that third night… That magical night…
Hermione had felt like she had already conceived by then… Despite her mind's reservations, that third night had held a special place in her past. It was undeniably a sinful evening… Like she had once, a long time ago, reasoned that neither of them had been there for their pleasure, and they were both doing this out of obligation for someone else… and so she had concluded that it meant they were doing nothing wrong.
Already this reasoning was questionable. If she had only done this for her father, she could've married into money. But then she would've been imprisoned for life…
Well, in retrospect; her feelings had been in a tight cage all this time, too, but that wasn't the point.
And now that she knew of his situation, too… He wanted a child for his happiness only. It wasn't because he needed a male heir, or to make his wife happier… He wanted someone to love him…
Both their motives had never been all that altruistic… Not that it made them bad… They were only human, after all…
But despite all this, the third night, all barriers had been brought down…
And now, being so close… after seven years… Hermione wanted to feel like that again…
***
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