Chapter 27
Hermione kept her behaviour dignified. It was more than just pride that dictated her to do this: it had become as a cocoon of security over the years. She chatted amiably with Mrs. Ron Weasley, about raising children mostly.
It was nearly impossible to think, when looking at all those boisterous boys, that their frail looking mother was coping with their upbringing… Watching her husband, Hermione felt like he was even more a big child to take care of, instead of being someone dependable. It wasn't that Mr. Weasley seemed uncaring or unkind to Hermione… just not very responsible…
It didn't take long to see a very hard core of strength beneath the gentle and delicate Mrs. Weasley, though. Hermione may not have understood all the woman's stranger beliefs while she explained some of her theories over dinner, but the governess recognised the calm intelligence, and had an instant respect for this lady.
It wasn't all that Hermione recognised, though… Lily's behaviour hadn't escaped her keen attention either… What Hermione saw made her heart twitch. The girl didn't show until after the welcomes were already over, and that struck Hermione as odd.
Surely Lily was to be excited about having children closer to her own age visit. And as was to be guessed from Miss Ginevra's tales, the Weasleys were as family… But Hermione had the distinct impression Lily felt even more lonely with the loud and chaotic warmth filling the dining room that night…
Of course, it was to be expected that she bickered with Tristan, Bilius and Edgar… They were about the age for boys and girls to do as much. But Hermione thought it was more than that… It actually seemed Lily'd rather have them pestering her, than ignore her altogether… Even though she was a right brat towards them…
Hermione pondered on Lily's difficulty of adjusting herself into relating to other people. As far as she had seen, she showed open affection only to her father… Lily was barely civil to Hermione herself, though she was hopeful after the last lessons… Even Miss Ginevra didn't really reach Lily's heart.
Hermione saw with tenderness in her heart how Harold clumsily tried to talk to Lily, but was disappointed when she saw Lily's reaction. For some reason her foul mood resurfaced, and she pushed little James from her lap, ignoring the older timid boy.
The little one started crying, and Mrs Weasley came to see him comforted. Nobody reprimanded Lily though. The red-heads did pay full attention to Lily again, by taunting her, and calling her names softly enough for the adults not to hear them though.
Hermione, with her keen hearing, probably from her Animagus form, heard, but pretended not too. Lily didn't seem like she needed the help: she gave as good as she got. The adults ignored the behaviour of the children. Even more so, if the behaviour of Miss Ginevra and her brother were anything to go on by, they were just mimicking their elders.
During the whole of dinner, Hermione bit her tongue, unable to comment on anything, as it was not her place. But never before had her patience been worn this thin…
*
Harry knew something didn't sit right with Hermione, as he had learned to detect even the littlest gestures that varied from her general rigid façade she showed the world. Though his initial fear that Ron would realise who she was had ultimately been unfounded, since the only comment Ron maid about her was later in the evening.
They had retired to Harry's study, while Luna and Ginny checked on the children, and Hermione retired for the night. Harry had been reluctant to stay behind, for he was dying to question Hermione, as well as… taking care of other business… But he didn't want Ron to become suspicious, so that was how he found himself loitering with Ron in the study, discussing the invitation list for the All Saints Ball.
"You should see that this governess of yours has something more fitting for the ball. She can't attend dressed as an old maid!" Before Harry could respond to that, Ron continued obliviously: "Mind, you, she's not ugly or anything, Merlin, if I had a teacher like her when I was young…"
Harry tried not to glower: he loved Ron as a brother, but sometimes he really wanted to throttle him! So he changed the conversation to something that he knew would demand Ron's attention away from Hermione.
"Did you see who your mother added to the list," throwing the piece of paper in his friend's direction.
He wasn't disappointed, and rather glad he had permanent silencing charms around his office: "What! She asked the Ferret!"
"Apparently him being my neighbour makes it mandatory to ask him on such occasions happening in my own home…"
"But the Ferret! Surely Mother has lost her marbles. Even decorum wouldn't ask for you to invite him! He was a right little pest at Hogwarts, and it's because of him you're out of graces with the Ministry, you know… It was surely him protecting his precious mother… I wouldn't be surprised he knows who's responsible for your family's murder either…"
Harry was accustomed to the rants from Ron about Draco Malfoy. It was quite unfortunate that the Black and Potter's estates had been next to each other… Although that had also been the reason his father and Sirius Black had become best friends, and consequently it was the reason Sirius had been his godfather, so Harry couldn't fully regret it…
But at Hogwarts in his days, Draco Malfoy, a distant cousin from Sirius, had been Ron's rival, and Harry's too. Narcissa Malfoy, the woman who he'd wanted to interrogate about the Lestranges was his mother, and thus the reason he'd been forced on leave…
"To be honest, I don't think he'll show up, Ron… It's probably beneath him to attend an All Saints Ball hosted by me and a Weasley…"
"I wouldn't be so sure, mate. He'll probably come just to rub it in that your relieved of your duties, no matter how temporary it is…" Ron moaned, "Why those my mother always have to meddle, and do things a certain way that makes the rest of us barmy… Doesn't she get that she's just getting in everyone's nerves?"
"Now, Ron, you know I'm not thrilled about this either, but please, don't take it out on Molly… It's Halloween tomorrow, so I'd like some peace and quiet…"
Ron just smirked at his friend: "You invited a bunch of Weasleys to have peace and quiet?" Slapping Harry hard on the back, he barked a laugh: "Ha! That's the joke of the century mate!"
Groaning, Harry let his head fall in his hands, thinking peace and quiet were two concepts that were going to be totally absent for a while longer…
*
Hermione was still writing in her journal, recording her thoughts, when she heard the small pop behind her. She didn't need to turn, to know who was standing there. Ignoring him though, she favoured her writings for a little while longer.
Harry was watching her. The rigid posture telling him she was still far from relaxed.
Annoyed, he demanded: "What is wrong with you? I know there's something wrong…"
"I assure you, nothing's wrong with me…" Hermione answered curtly.
"Codswallop!" Harry challenged.
Hermione sent a glare at him for the use of such an offending word, slamming her diary shut. She didn't want to do this. He would take the things she was thinking the wrong way, and she didn't want to argue. Besides, she was in no position to say anything. She was well aware that her opinion did not have any value, and she didn't want to lose what she had. She knew she had some strong ideas, and she was passionate about defending them… Too passionate.
It had gotten her in trouble before, and she feared it would get her in trouble now. She couldn't let that side of her show too much. She had already taken a great chance the day she had locked the door of the teaching room… She couldn't risk more than that. She could work on it with Lily, without him… Hopefully…
Forcing her unease back, she knew why he had come to her room this night. She didn't particularly feel in the mood, but knew she wouldn't refuse him either.
So when he approached her, apparently taking her silence as admitting her defeat. Like he'd always had. When she looked into his longing green gaze, though, she couldn't help but want him anyway. Probably noticing her relaxing, he smiled and took her face in his hands, kissing her lightly on the lips.
Quickly he took care of the silencing and locking spell, ready to take her into the night.
***
Please review