Chapter 30
Hermione woke to a cold bed. Apparently Harry, Mr. Potter, had left during the night.
Rationally, she knew it was for the better. With a full house, they couldn't risk exposure of their clandestine affairs. Despite that knowledge, though, she felt quite… sad would be the word.
Remembering the past night, she wondered if it had all happened… Of course, it wasn't in reality, but in the Magic of the Firelight that their joining took place, she knew this fact very well. Still, her body was quite happy to remind her all the unusual exercises from the night before had indeed happened.
Unable to stop the slight smile from coming to her face, she rolled onto her stomach, burying her nose in the flagrances coming from her pillows. She didn't indulge very long, aware of her duties, as ever. So quickly she pushed every happy emotion from her mind, and went about to wash up.
Deciding she could use the luxurious facilities Miss Weasley had showed her at the start of her employment here, just this once, Hermione pressed the brick next to her hearth.
The reason Hermione had kept to her Spartan ways, and used the bowl of cold water in her room to wash up usually, wasn't more than habit, and maybe humbleness. The bathroom revealed to her was far too luxurious for her to be accustomed to. Moreover, it was magically connected to every other bedroom where female guests stayed. Hermione didn't fancy encountering Miss Weasley here, nor Mrs. Ronald Weasley.
Being that it was still very early, Hermione hoped to be quick about it, and avoiding a run-in this way.
So ignoring the splendour, and trying not to pay attention to the many luxurious bath potions, she drew a quick bath, scrubbed her skin clean, and towelled with practical speed. Soon she felt refreshed, and left the bathroom again, to brush her hair into a bun in her own bedroom.
Having indulged in too many forbidden pleasures, she felt positively wicked, but very hungry once she visited the kitchens for a quick breakfast.
The rest of the day rushed by her. Meeting Mrs. Arthur Weasley was an event in itself. Though she had a vague impression that the tension between her and Harry were not imaginary on her behalf. Miss Ginevra didn't seem bothered though, that she was the apparent cause of bad air between the impressive matron and her host. Merry and boisterous as always, the tension was concealed with happy reunions, and talk of the festivities to come.
Hermione found she quite liked Mr. Arthur Weasley's calm demeanour. She could understand Lily's favouritism for that man that filled the grandfather's role. Whereas Mrs. Weasley got a more cool response from Lily, when the only grandmother she knew gave her a bone-crushing hug.
Though Hermione couldn't find a fault in Mrs. A. Weasley's behaviour, she felt somewhat threatened by her. Which was completely ludicrous, since Hermione had to admit the woman had a certain competence in keeping her children and grandchildren in line, at least, as long as they were in her line of vision…
Either way, the day passed mostly in silent observation for her. After answering polite questions of curiosity from the new guests, she was pretty much ignored when the family enjoyed their time together. The last preparations for the ball were quickly taken care off, to Mrs. A. Weasley's satisfaction.
Soon the day was over and Halloween started. The feast was boisterous, and Hermione began to feel the toll of the day. Avoiding Harry's gaze at all cost, she knew the importance of not hinting anything about… about what happened outside this reality. The strength that had guided her this morning was failing her by nightfall though, and she made her quick excuse after the exquisite meal.
*
Harry watched Hermione make her excuses and leave the dining room. He longed to follow her, but he was bound to spend more time with the only family he had. Grateful though he was that Molly hadn't brought up Ginny staying here unmarried, he also felt a strange pleasure when Hermione had somehow persuaded Lily to behave enough, so that Molly didn't have any comments about the way he indulged his daughter.
To his relief the party didn't stay up very much longer, and the ladies retired to their rooms. Unfortunately, Arthur wanted to discuss some London news with him.
His mind was quickly railed off the thoughts about Hermione, though, when he heard what Arthur had to say.
"You know the Ministry as well as I know them, Harry, my boy. There's a lot of… tokens of respect that… influence certain members…"
The older man sighed rubbing his forehead in a tired way. Harry knew Arthur well, and it wasn't pleasant news he was to bring. What did the old farts come up with now?
"Harry, you're like a son to me, and you know the rest of the family thinks of you like that too. But I'm very aware that we're not blood relatives, and so I am all but pleased to be the bearer of this particular news. A warning, my boy… Should you not give up the search for your family's murderer, you could very well be on absence leave for… an undetermined time…"
Harry exhaled, so it had come to this. The Ministry was actually going to kick him out if he continued the pursuit of justice by truth? Ron, however couldn't take it as gracefully as Harry could.
"What! Have they lost their marbles? Harry is one of their top-Aurors. Not only that, he's one of the most brilliant wizards of our time! Who else possesses the skill to do wandless magic as well as he does? I tell you: no one I've ever met!"
"Ron! You know I don't want that fact to be public knowledge!" Harry wasn't worried about Arthur, the man had too much honour than to blab about private affairs of Harry to the rest of society. But really, Ron needed to learn how to control his impulses!
"Aye, my apologies, mate… But it still doesn't make any sense. Even without knowing you're a master at wandless magic, you're still the best Auror, maybe after Moody, but he's ready for the looney institution…"
"Ron, that is quite enough," Arthur interrupted his youngest son, "Harry, you know I would never expect you to give up on your noble cause. Even though it all happened more then two decades ago, I believe you have every right to bring your family's murderer to justice. I just… do consider this carefully, Harry. I'm aware of the injustice of it all. However, it does not do to dwell in the past. Are you ready to sacrifice your career, and make your daughter's future uncertain because of this?"
A heavy silence hung in the air. Ron looked quite mutinous, but Harry couldn't help but doubt. Arthur knew which points to strike to make him think twice. He would never jeopardise Lily, in any way.
Arthur spoke again: "None of this is written in stone, yet, my boy. I merely felt it my duty to inform you on some office gossip. It is better to be prepared for every outcome, ponder situations, look at possible decisions from every angle, and most important of all, take in account any possible consequence in whatever decision you take," at Ron's impatient huff, the older wizard smiled, "Yes, I know pondering over decisions and thinking about consequences is still a difficult concept for you, my son, but Merlin help Luna if you end up never learning about it!"
Arthur and Harry shared a chuckle while Ron did his best not to scowl like a teenager.
***
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