Disclaimer: JKR owns.
Lost Daughter
Chapter 15: Strength for Your Courage
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[AN] A longer chapter today, to make up for my absence.
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Hermione looked up from her desk after hearing a fast knock on her door. She sighed and set her grading quill down, wondering who could be up this early on a Saturday. She started for her classroom door, her brows knitted together in curiosity.
Once she reached the door, she heard voices arguing lightly on the other side. She paused before throwing the door open in front of her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Hermione couldn't fight the enormous grin that spread over her face as she looked down at Rose and Hugo. Rose was holding a perfectly wrapped parcel and a small bag while Hugo was clinging on for dear life to a chocolate cake with the message 'Happy Birthday' written in what looked like several different flavours of Bertie Bott's every flavoured beans.
"You guys! What is this?"
"Are you surprised?" Hugo asked, taking a step forward.
"Definitely surprised. Did you make that yourself?"
"Well… no… but the Bertie Bott's were my idea!" he said with renewed enthusiasm as he shoved the cake into his mother's arms. Rose had been berating him the entire trip down to their mother's office not to drop the cake. Hugo didn't like the pressure, especially when it had to do with such a fine piece of food as a birthday cake. Now at least if it were to be dropped, it'd be his mother's fault and not his.
"This is great, I love it. Thank you."
Hugo gave his sister a smug look but Rose only rolled her eyes. She held up the small box and bag she was carrying, "We brought presents too."
"And presents!"
"Yep- we went all out Mum," Hugo said, grinning in a way that reminded her very much of Ron when he was a first year.
Hermione returned his grin with slightly trembling lips, "You shouldn't have sweetheart…"
Over the past couple weeks, she'd been so busy and preoccupied with all things concerning Amia that she'd barely had any time left to pay attention to Rose or Hugo, or even herself. Her birthday came as a shock yesterday when she'd check the date to assign homework for her 3rd years. The eighteenth of September had definitely crept up on her, leaving Hermione feeling silly for almost forgetting. She hadn't even thought of other people realizing when she so clearly hadn't.
But looking down into her children's eyes now, both up early on a Saturday, intent on spending their weekend with her, she couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Even though she had acted a step away from neglectful to her two kids these past couple weeks, they were still willing to be here for her on her birthday. And them being right in front of her made her realize how badly she didn't want to miss a golden opportunity to spend time with them. The papers she had been meaning to grade for the past week could wait.
"But since you're here, come on in." Hermione couldn't stop smiling as she ushered her two kids inside and closed the door behind them. With an excited air pulsing through all three of them, they made their way into Hermione's quarters and took up seats on her bed. Hermione set the cake down on her bedside table before climbing onto the bed to join Rose and Hugo.
"Open mine first Mum!" Hugo said, grabbing the bag from Rose and again shoving it into his mother's hands.
Hermione smiled in anticipation as she reached into the bag. She pushed past the tissue paper and her eyes lit up as her fingers brushed against a soft cotton material. She pulled out a long, thick scarf with the majestic Gryffindor maroon and gold emblazoned into the material. `GRYFFINDOR QUIDDITCH' was written over the length of the scarf. Hermione looked up and grinned at her son.
"Finally something about quidditch I like."
Hugo was all smiles. "I told you she would like mine," he said nudging Rose.
"I never said she wouldn't," Rose muttered as she passed her present over to her mother. She was less anxious and more nervous as Hermione began to tentatively tear into the gold wrapping paper. Her present wasn't anything original, but she hoped her mum liked it all the same.
Hermione smiled up at her daughter as she finally opened the box. Nestled inside was a thin silver wrist watch. It wasn't anything elaborate or fancy, but that's exactly why she liked it.
"This is great Rose. I need a new watch!"
"Really?" Rose asked unsurely.
"Yeah, it's perfect. Here, help me put it on," she said as she gently pried it out of its box. Rose did as her mother asked and clasped the watch around her wrist, happy that she had picked out a good gift.
"I love both of my presents. Honestly, they're amazing. Both things I will eagerly use. And eat," she added, looking over to her birthday cake.
"Well we wanted to make this the best birthday. We know you've been kind of sad with everything-"
"Hugo!" Hermione exclaimed, interrupting her son mid-sentence.
"What?"
"You think I've been sad?"
Hugo shrugged, "Well yeah. I mean, you're here now and Dad's at home, and Rosie's getting old and I'm becoming a man… it's bound to be hard on you."
Hermione paused for a moment. To hear her kids' conclusion that she was sad because Ron wasn't around was like rubbing salt in her already blazing wounds. How was she ever going to tell them about the divorce when that was their mentality? She could feel both Hugo's and Rose's studious stares and decided that now was not the best time to be thinking about that. Instead, she let a smile appear over her lips, "You're right," she acquiesced, "Watching my maturing boy and old woman growing up… it's rough."
Hugo grinned as Hermione chucked him under the chin with her finger. "See," he shot back at Rose triumphantly.
Hermione laughed at the look on Rose's face, "But having you two here makes me much, much happier."
Before Rose or Hugo could react, Hermione pulled them both forward in a tight hug. She started pecking Hugo on the cheek repeatedly.
"Aw, Mum! Rose, get'eroff! Get'eroff!"
Rose and Hermione both laughed as Hugo broke free from his mother's grip.
"I'm sorry love. I just can't help myself sometimes. You're so cute," Hermione laughed, pinching one of his flaming red cheeks.
He quickly pushed her hand away, "Ugh, gross."
"Would perhaps a small slice of my birthday cake make you feel better?" Hermione hedged, still on the verge of laughter.
Hugo contemplated only for a moment, "Yes…"
"Hmm… I have to decide first if it's worth sharing. It looks soo good…"
"Mum…" Hugo groaned, also looking down to the birthday cake that James had graciously brought up from the kitchens late last night.
Hermione started chuckling lightly to herself again as she got up and headed over to retrieve some dishware she kept in a cabinet off in the corner of her room. While Hugo was busy salivating over the cake, Rose slipped off the bed and went to join her mum.
"Have you heard from Dad?" she asked quietly, helping Hermione take out three plates.
Hermione glanced at her before shaking her head, "No."
"We sent him a letter telling him to come… but he didn't respond."
Hermione couldn't help but think seeing Ron was the last thing she wanted. "Maybe there was some trouble delivering the letter."
"You haven't talked to him though?"
"I just said no Rose."
"Oh… I just thought you guys would be keeping contact…"
"We do, baby. But you know your dad, he's just been really busy with work. It's an important time for the team."
Rose frowned. She understood how her dad was with work, but he never had trouble missing their important days for it. "But it's your birthday."
Hermione gave her a comforting look as they started walking back towards the bed, dishes in hand, "Rose, it's okay. It's still early- maybe he just hasn't left yet. And plus, we need time to get rid of this cake before he shows up…" Hermione trailed off, giving Hugo a conspiring look, "You know if he gets here and this magnificent cake is just sitting here, he'll inhale it in one bite. We can't let that happen, now can we?"
Hugo nodded immediately, "That is such a good point, Mum. I think we should start now."
"Hugo's catching on." Hermione said, giving her son a wink as she handed him a fork. She turned around and held up one for Rose.
"And you?"
Rose sighed as she shifted the plates to one arm and reached out with her other, "Sure," she muttered, taking the fork.
Hermione touched her cheek, "That's my girl."
Rose watched her mum as she turned around and started to cut up the cake with her brother standing close behind her, laughing and joking with her. She couldn't help but become more curious with her behaviour as of late. When they first arrived at Hogwarts, she was dead set on believing that her mum was having trouble adjusting and was acting so distracted because she missed her father. But now, she seemed perfectly happy. And though Rose was glad to see her mum acting happy again, she couldn't help but think it was a bad sign since she was away from everything that did make her happy- everything, being her father. How could she be this happy now, but she'd never seen her this happy around her dad? For the longest time Rose had just wanted her parents to resolve their issues so that they could be happy… but maybe they had resolved their issues in a different way than Rose had hoped for.
…
"I can't believe you just did that."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I can't believe you just got me out of detention. Single-handedly, too."
Amia shrugged but shot a grin at Scorpius nonetheless, "Professor Longbottom really likes me. I'm not sure why- I'm shit at herbology."
Scorpius laughed as they turned down a corridor. It was getting late on that Saturday afternoon so the halls were pretty empty, all of the students being busy elsewhere. "So what'd you pull me out for anyway?" Scorpius asked Mia.
Mia bit her lip as they continued walking in no particular direction. She hadn't meant to pull Scorpius out of detention to take him somewhere, she just needed to have a few words with him.
"I have a favour to ask. Well, it's not really a favour seeing as I'll be doing you the favour in the end. It's more of an invitation."
"An invitation?" Scorpius asked, his interests peaked.
"Yeah."
"For what?"
"Hogsmeade. Tonight. Bring a friend because I am too and I'd hate to be a third wheel."
"Bring a friend?" the young Malfoy repeated, glancing at Amia with a coy smile, "What is going on? And how are we going to go to Hogsmeade if it's not a school trip?"
"You leave all the worrying up to me and just invite a friend for tonight. Not one of your snobby ones either," Mia clarified, giving him a teasing look.
Scorpius scoffed, "I don't have snobby friends."
Mia rolled her eyes, "My mistake. Bring a friend that doesn't believe in bullshit and won't have a problem hanging out with an American Gryffindor."
"I can do that. Which friend are you bringing?" Scorpius questioned after realizing he hadn't asked.
Amia paused for a second. She knew breaking this news to him was going to take a lot of convincing on her part. So she decided to start out with the pluses, only a little evasive, "Short. Fifth year. Red hair, has a cute little nose."
Scorpius stopped dead in his tracks, "I'm not going."
Mia fixed him with her most charming smile, "Please?"
"No."
"Come on, do it for me."
"I don't fancy being glared at all night," Scorpius argued, still shaking his head.
Mia sighed, "She doesn't glare at you- Rose is the sweetest girl on the entire planet. Her eyes are incapable of glaring."
Scorpius sent her an unbelieving look as Amia rethought that theory on her own. She bit her lip, "Well she won't be glaring at you. Promise."
"Does she know a Malfoy will be joining you on your illegal escapade to Hogsmeade?" he asked, deciding to turn the tables on her.
Mia rolled her eyes flippantly, "A little surprise will do her good in life."
"She's going to take one look at me and leave."
"How do you know?"
"That's how that girl always acts around me."
"Look, whatever you think you know about my friend, forget it," Amia said, the persuasion radiating out of her, "Once you properly meet her you'll see how cool she is."
This time it was Scorpius who rolled his eyes, "Sure she's cool," he muttered sarcastically.
"Watch it buddy," Mia warned with a raised eyebrow.
Scorpius let out a sigh, giving Mia her signal of victory. "Alright, I'll promise to behave," the Slytherin muttered lowly.
Amia smiled vibrantly, triumph encasing her every emotion, "Good. See you tonight then."
"See ya."
…
Harry heard the telltale crack of another broken quill resonate in his quiet office. With a frustrated sigh, he threw his quill into the rubbish can next to him, not bothering to watch as it landed on the small stack of already fallen soldiers.
Silently, he reached into his drawer and mechanically withdrew another large eagle-feathered quill. They had been a gift from Ginny on his birthday, but now he was using them for another birthday's purpose.
He gently dipped the quill in some ink before placing it down on the piece of parchment before him. His brows furrowed together as he thought desperately of what to write. He glanced back to the words he'd already managed.
`Dear Hermione,
Happy Birthday.'
He closed his eyes and began scanning his brain of things to say that would neither mention nor ignore the things left unsaid between them.
`I want to see more of you.'
`I can't stop thinking about you.'
`I don't want to be with Ginny anymore.'
No, none of those would do. He could talk about how stressed he's been at work, but he didn't want to burden Hermione with the trance cases and technically, he wasn't supposed to tell any civilians. But if he couldn't talk about work, and he couldn't talk about how he really was feeling, then what was their left to talk about?
CRACK
Harry winced before angrily slinging the broken quill at the rubbish can. Had his grip really been that hard? Bloody hell, why was writing a letter to his best friend so difficult?
Because it was a letter to his best friend on her birthday. He immediately crumpled up the piece of parchment as soon as the thought had hit him. The letter had been such a stupid idea. What he really wanted to do was get her a gift and take it to her today, but he still wasn't sure what was appropriate and what wasn't between them. Were they on a gift-giving level?
His uncertainty had resulted in him being locked up in his office all day so far, trying to come up with ideas that would adequately express his wish for her to have a happy birthday. In short, he was going crazy as thoughts of her last birthday that they'd spent together kept cropping up into his head. Her nineteenth. It was the remembrance of this memory that was really doing him in.
*
"Nothing like good ice cream on a cold night," Hermione said after taking a lick from her cone.
Harry grinned as he let them into their new flat. They had just returned from their first walk around the park across the street, "All you're going to be doing is laying around this place eating ice cream all day. You've got a rough road ahead of you."
"Hey!" Hermione cried out in indignation, "That's not all I'll be doing… I'll probably get into watching some telly while I'm eating ice cream."
Harry smirked, "I can tell already this ice cream phase is going to get out of hand. I might have to limit your cartons."
"You're going to ration my ice cream?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes as they walked into the kitchen.
Harry quirked an eyebrow at her, "Maybe."
"You wouldn't dare."
A light glinted in his eyes before he started in on her. Not realizing what she was doing, Hermione slowly backed up into the wall as Harry came up to her, "What makes you think I wouldn't?"
"I don't think you're capable of such evil," she replied, though quickly getting lost in his glinting eyes.
"Really?" Harry asked lowly, his mouth barely a few inches from hers.
Hermione could barely nod, too busy getting ready for the kiss that she figured was about to happen, "Yeah, really."
Harry made a sound in the back of his throat before glancing down to her ice cream. He took one look at her before leaning in and taking a fast bite.
"Harry Potter, you prat!" Hermione yelled.
Harry laughed loudly while Hermione glared and pushed him away. "I can't believe you did that," she said, still glaring.
"What, do you want it back?" Harry smirked, taking a step closer again.
"Yes!"
"Alright." Before Hermione could let out another angry huff, Harry's lips were on hers. Hermione opened her mouth for him and felt her spine prickle as Harry's tongue gently grazed over hers. Hermione dropped her ice cream cone, bringing her hand up to infuse in Harry's wild hair as their snogging intensified.
"The bedroom is already made up just so you know…" Harry mumbled in between a kiss.
"It is?" Hermione breathed back.
Harry nodded. His hands grazed down and dipped under the hem of her shirt before slowly rising up her smooth abdomen. Suddenly he stopped. "Is this okay?" he asked with a concerned look, "Like, it's not going to mess anything up, right?"
Harry's heart beat in relief as Hermione quickly shook her head, "No. No, this is… good…"
"Good," Harry muttered before leaning back into her lips. They snogged for a few more moments before Harry reached down and carefully lifted Hermione off her feet. He brought her out from the kitchen and carried her down the hallway leading to their bedroom, the only room in the house that Harry had taken the time to furnish.
He set her down gently in the middle of the king sized bed before crawling on top to join her. His hands resumed their spot underneath her top, grazing over her stomach while her hands busied themselves with doing them same to him. Within the next breath, both of their shirts were lifted over their heads and thrown carelessly somewhere in the room.
Harry, feeling too impatient already, banished their jeans, leaving them only in their underwear before going back to her mouth. He put a little bit of his weight on her, knowing that she liked it, but not letting himself rest because he wasn't sure if that would be good for the baby or not. Though, all rational thoughts went out the window as Hermione arched her back, pushing her waist into his. Harry let out a muffled groan in her mouth, causing her to suck harder on his lower lip before diving her tongue deep into him.
Harry felt something spark within him as he moved his hands down to push at her knickers. Hermione kicked them off before settling down so that Harry could finally move in on top of her. She let her hand flit over his hardening bulge once, giving a gentle squeeze, before trailing them both up over his back.
By that time, Harry was finding it difficult to keep pulling in steady, even breaths. He put his head in between her neck and shoulder and let his mouth suck lightly on the salty sweet skin he'd found there, as one hand deftly moved over and sunk a finger into her.
Hermione let out a gasp but closed her eyes and relaxed as Harry started to ready her. His mouth found its way to hers right as he pushed his boxers below his waist and came over Hermione hungrily.
Hermione's eyes rolled back as Harry moved inside her. Back and forth, back and forth. They were both finding it difficult to not lose control. Hermione's nails dug into his back and her eyes rolled back into her head as Harry continued to pump into her with a vigour she wasn't used to. Harry let out a throaty groan as he continued his steadfast pace.
Before long, they were both reaching their climaxes and eventually they found themselves tangled up on their new bed.
Harry kissed the side of her head as he pulled her into his chest, "Happy Birthday `Mione."
Hermione let a cheeky grin spread over her exhausted mouth, "Best birthday ever…" she mumbled sleepily.
Harry kissed her again, "I'm going to make every birthday from this point on the best for you- I promise."
"Can't wait," was Hermione's reply.
*
Harry scrubbed his hands over his face as he straightened up in his chair. Yes, the letter had indeed been a shit idea. But now, especially after such a vivid flashback, he couldn't help the burning desire to go to her, despite all of his uncertainties before. Even if it was only to say happy birthday, he needed to see her. He couldn't help it; he just had to see her."
…
Hermione turned amongst the rows of desks as she heard a slight knock before the sound of her classroom door opening. She briefly wondered if Rose or Hugo had left something here but surprisingly enough found Amia shutting the door and turning to look at her. She grinned, "Hey Mia. You alright?"
"Yeah. Just wanted to stop by and say happy birthday," Mia said, coming forward.
Hermione let a surprised, but flattered smile rise on her face, "Thank you. I hope Rose didn't reveal my real age to you…"
She shrugged, "Thirty-six isn't that old. Thirty-seven- now that's old."
Hermione glared playfully as Amia laughed and pulled out a small box from the pocket of her hoodie.
"Very funny," Hermione grumbled, her eyes now on the box, "What's that?"
"Your present."
"You got me a present?"
Mia nodded and handed the box to her, "It is your birthday. Go on, open it."
"Mia…" Hermione breathed as she tore the wrapping paper off and opened the small box. She pulled out a long gold chain and couldn`t stop her moth from falling open as she stared at the shining little medallion at the end, reflecting beautiful crimson and gold colours.
"It's a St. Christopher necklace," Amia explained as Hermione brought the charm up for closer inspection, "Supposed to give someone strength and safety in return for their courage. My Dad gave it to me when I was little, before I started swimming in the ocean on my own."
"You're giving this to me?" Hermione asked quietly, knowing exactly what Mia figured she needed it for.
"Yeah- figured you could use it."
Hermione didn't think twice before pulling the girl into a tight hug. She was so thoughtful and sweet… just like her father.
"It's beautiful. Thank you," she said, kissing her cheek before pulling away.
Amia smiled, "Your welcome. It's kept me safe up until now so I'm pretty sure it works."
"Prone to danger, are we?" Hermione asked wryly, lifting an eyebrow.
Amia tweaked an eyebrow herself, "Danger is my middle name."
"Shea is your middle name."
"Shea's Irish for danger."
Hermione gave her a watery look to go along with her soft smile, "No it's not."
"Do you know everything? I'm starting to think you do," Mia joked.
Hermione shook her head, "No, not everything. I don't have the wherewithal for everything."
Amia grinned, "You got any birthday celebrations planned for tonight?"
"No. I started getting boring once I turned thirty," Hermione replied, again shaking her head.
"Well supposedly forty is the new twenty, so I guess that makes you like eighteen."
"Eighteen," Hermione repeated, letting her mind reminisce for a few moments, "now that was a good year. What about you- any parties I should know to break up later?"
Amia faked a sigh, "Hermione if you want to come to one of my parties, just say so."
"So bad it hurts."
Mia laughed, "Alright, next time there's a party I'll make sure to throw an invitation your way. Tonight though, I think we just have a quiet night planned. I'm pretty sure Rose wants to try and teach me some History of Magic lessons which means I'm going to bed early."
"Oooh, History of Magic. Don't let her corner you because she'll be talking all night."
Mia raised an eyebrow, "I know she gets it from you."
"Yeah…" Hermione admitted guiltily, "unfortunately my friends never got the warning I'm now giving you."
"That's my cue to go take a sleeping draught. You'll be alright tonight?"
Hermione looked at her with soft eyes, "I'll be fine."
"Okay. Happy Birthday, Hermione. I hope it'll been a memorable one."
"Thank you Mia," Hermione said in an almost whisper as the girl smiled one last time before taking her exit.
Hermione looked back down at the necklace as Amia left. It was nothing less of beautiful that Amia came to wish her a happy birthday, and to give her a present like this was exceptionally nice. All she could've ever asked for on her birthday was to spend time with her children, and because of Amia's thoughtfulness, she had now done that. Just like icing on the cake. Hermione wondered if the girl truly had any idea how much of an impact she had on her.
…
"No one's here Rose. You can come out now."
"Are you sure? Maybe we should wait a few more minutes just in case."
Amia rolled her eyes impatiently and looked up the dark spiral staircase leading to the girls' dorms one more time, "Rose, nobody has gone in or out in the past ten minutes. Everyone's already gone off to bed. Now come out, or I'm getting you out of this common room with force."
A sceptical sound resonated from the top of the staircase, "If everyone's already gone off to bed, then maybe we should too-"
"Rose!"
"Fine…"
It was a few moments before Amia could here footfalls on the stairs. Slowly, Rose descended the steps in a short dress and flats. It was nothing too posh, but nothing Rose had ever worn before.
Mia grinned, smoothing down a strap of her own short dress, "Very nice. Now we only have seven more floors to go. Come on."
"Amia where are we going?" Rose practically moaned as Amia headed over to the portrait hole.
"I told you, it's a surprise," she answered simply.
"Okay, but where are we going in this school that would require dresses like these?"
"Again, it's a surprise and stop pulling it down!"
"This was a bad idea," Rose muttered as the stepped out into the chilly corridor.
Mia shot her a grin, "You have little faith Rose Weasley."
"And it's already so late! If we get caught we're both screwed! I could lose my prefect-"
Amia suddenly spun around and pressed a finger to her lips, "You're not losing anything because we're not getting caught. Now calm down and accept the fact that you are coming with me and having a great time tonight. Alright? Chill."
Rose took a deep breath before nodding, "Fine. Chill."
"Chill is your mantra- now let's go! People are waiting on us."
"Other people are coming?!"
…
About five minutes later, they had successfully made it down to the Great Hall. Amia could see the boys sitting down the hall. She chanced a glance over her shoulder to see how her friend was doing trailing shyly behind her.
"Remember, chill out," she advised.
Rose nodded anxiously, "Chill, chill, chill, chill…"
"Hey boys," Mia greeted, finally coming up to them, "Don't you both look quite snazzy." Rose peered out from Mia's shoulders but could only see one of the two boys Amia was talking to. Her eyes bulged as she recognized the one boy as a Slytherin.
"Snazzy?" repeated the tall, tan boy. His voice had traces of an accent, "Is that some American term or a Gryffindor term that I've never heard or cared to have heard before?"
"It's American but given the likes of you I can see why you've never heard of it before. Honestly, take the compliment."
The boy grinned, "Sassy. They teach you that one over there too?"
"I'm pretty sure it originated right here," Amia said, tapping her head lightly.
Two boys laughed in response. Rose was starting to get confused over where the other person was, why they were meeting up with Slytherins, and still the all-mysterious `where are we going'. Her eyes snapped up to watch Mia though as the older girl turned to look at an inlet on the right of the corridor.
"Alright?"
"Alright," came a voice from the stairs. Rose drew in a sharp breath as Scorpius Malfoy stepped down into the hallway.
Mia grinned, "Good. Introductions then, Scorpius meet Rose. Rose this is Scorpius."
His gray, stormy eyes flittered over to her brown ones, glowing with nerves. It was a couple seconds before he nodded at her, "Nice to meet you."
"Abublahboo…"
Amia sighed, shooting Rose an exasperated look while Scorpius looked at her with a kind of affronted expression. Rose's cheeks flared as she tore her eyes away from the both of them.
"Right, and that's Lorenzo," Amia finished nodding off to the other boy. She gave him the sweetest fake smile she could muster, "He's Italian and he thinks he's the greatest person in this world."
Lorenzo smirked, "You're catching on."
"'Think' being the operating word Mr. Italy."
"So how are we going?" Scorpius asked, bringing the group back to the task at hand.
"I know a short-cut," Mia said, motioning for them all to follow her.
Lorenzo smirked again as they started walking, "You've been at this school a couple weeks and you think you know a short-cut? I'm going to enjoy this…"
"And I'm going to enjoy making you eat your words. Shall we?" Mia asked sweetly, starting her ascent up the grand staircase.
Lorenzo followed her on and came up to her side to continue their conversation. Rose and Scorpius moved to step on the stairs at the same time, causing them to bump sides. They both stiffened and withdrew their footing.
"Sorry," Rose mumbled, looking down to her flats. Scorpius motioned for her to go but she shook her head, "Oh no, you go first."
Rose was just glancing down to her feet again when she felt a hand at the small of her back, propelling her up onto the first step. She glanced back and saw Scorpius following closely behind her. She felt every slight increase of her heartbeat as she could still feel Scorpius's hand the entire journey up to the third floor.
…
Hermione was startled to hear the knock at her door. It was pretty late; she couldn't think of anyone that would stop by at this hour. Still though, she put her night robe over her pyjamas and went to go see who it was.
"Harry?"
"Hey Hermione," Harry greeted from the other side of the door. Hermione immediately noticed he looked kind of a mess, clearly exhausted and stressed out. She frowned wondering why he looked so dishevelled.
"I'm sorry for showing up so late."
"What are you doing here?" she asked softly.
Harry was silent for a second before he took a deep breath, "I didn't want you to be alone on your birthday night. Can I come in?"
Hermione didn't move for what seemed like forever. Harry's questioning green eyes never wavered from hers. It felt like he was holding her in a trance. She didn't want to look away from him for the life of her but knew how silly she must've seemed. Finally, after taking little time to consider that this probably wasn't such a good idea, she nodded, "Um, yeah. Come in."
Harry smiled lightly and took a step forward. "Happy Birthday," he said, gently kissing her cheek before moving past her into the classroom.
Hermione froze as his lips left her cheek and he walked past her. She closed her eyes for a second, thinking about the significance of Amia's gift before opening them again. With little strength, she closed the door.
---
Next chapter: Hogwarts has a break-in and Harry meets his daughter for the very first time.
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