Most ardently by Swift Night Chapter 18, the 5th of June
arrived, much to Hermione's chagrin.
Her anxiety had grown over the last few days, culminating with
Luna offering her a sleeping draft after the third night.
Hermione felt guilty and accepted it without protest when
her sister hinted that she'd been kept awake by feeling her
tossing and turning until the early hours of the morning.
When Hermione was awake, she found no respite as she endured
Mrs. Weasley shuffling from room to room, berating the servants
to ensure everything was in order Before the newlywed couple
arrived at 2:45, the matriarch ordered the family out to the
front garden in all their finery to welcome their youngest
daughter back home to the borough.
Appearing precisely on time, still in their wedding clothes,
her sister arrived with her new husband in tow.
Oh, Chinny. Mrs. Weasley cried out,
embracing her daughter before the pair could even get their
bearings. My darling, you look lovely.
Marriage most certainly suits you.
Oh, do you think so, Mother? There wasn't enough time to get
my own dress made, so Angelina insisted I borrow hers.
I was worried it was a few years out of fashion.
I am sure it could be argued that it was not formal enough
for the wife of a Wisengemot member, but then again, all of
our dear friends were unable to attend the ceremony anyway.
Hermione's head snapped up in surprise at the remark, but her
mother beat her to the question on the tip of her tongue.
A Wisengemot member? But how can that be, Mr. Potter?
I believed you to be an aura until just recently.
The wizard seemed uncomfortable by the ample attention bestowed
upon him at his new wife's declaration.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Potter addressed his mother-in-law.
While I hoped to inform you all of the good news over dinner
this evening, it seems Mrs. Potter's enthusiasm was far too
great to wait. Ginny had the good sense to note
the remark, blushing at his comment.
The title is a new one, even if long overdue a happy resolution
over the custody of the Black family.
Wasn't Gomot seat was the reason for my swift departure from the
Aura ranks? I'm not sure if you are aware,
but my late godfather was serious Black.
Ah, so it is the Black seat that has come into your possession?
Mrs. Weasley enquired. Correct, he had intended it for
me to have the seat upon his passing, but he left his life
far sooner than anticipated. Unfortunately, he stipulated
that I must be married to inherit, though I was not aware
of that fact until just recently.
After Ginny and I left the World Cup to elope, my godfather's old
solicitor tracked me down to inform me.
Mr. Potter's speech seemed well rehearsed, but Hermione saw
through it for the farce that it was.
According to everything she had gleaned from her various
interactions, including the one she had had with the wizard
before her, the courts had already settled on the matter
before he and Mr. Malfoy had parted ways years earlier.
It LED her to the conclusion that Mister Potter must have
secured it through some other scheme.
A pang of anxiety rattled through her as she felt the
concern grow for Mr. Malfoy, wondering what could have
happened to force him into conceding when he had been
adamantly against such an outcome.
How splendid my precious daughter to be a lady of such a
well off and respectable gentleman.
Missus Weasley continued to preen over the couple.
Come inside, I want to hear every detail, Jenny.
Hermione could feel Mr. Potter's eyes on her, but she refused to
meet them as her sister continued to boast over her Ruby
ring. The entire family entered the
house together before dispersing into their separate rooms, which
Hermione found to be both a blessing and a curse.
The gentleman retreated to Mr. Weasley's study while the ladies
took tea in the sitting room with Ginny at the centre of
everyone's attention. You must all go to the Quidditch
World Cup. Ginny declared with an abundance
of enthusiasm as they sat down. That is where you will find
husbands. I can only hope you'll have half
my good luck. Hermione scoffed.
I do not approve of your way of getting husbands.
Do not be jealous, Hermione. Jinny chided, though seeming
slightly bothered by the reminder of all the rules she
had broken. That most certainly won't help
you in your ambitions for matrimony.
Jealousy was not an emotion Hermione was feeling in that
moment and took offence to being accused of such a thing.
If anything, the main emotion she was currently experiencing
was irritation at Ginny's insistence on offering
condescending advice on the subject.
Where are you 2 live, Ginny? Mrs. Weasley cut in to steer the
conversation away from impending confrontation, sending a warning
there in Hermione's direction. Oh, how I hope it is not too far
from here. Harry has decided to have a
settle in Godrich's Hollow. His family home is there and he
much prefers it to the Black property inherited in London.
I cannot disagree as I found Grimole plays dim and in
disrepair while we stayed there until Uncle George collected me.
Codrick Solo. I have never had the fortune of
spending any time there, but we shall have to come and visit
once you are settled. Julie's smile turned to a subtle
frown, showing her apprehension about inviting her mother to
visit. It may be some time before that
can be arranged, but you and my sisters can write to me as often
as you like. As unmarried ladies, they will
have far more time than I will, but I promise to respond when I
can. When Mrs. Weasley agreed, Ginny
shifted the topic to the wedding, her mother hanging on
to every word until a servant appeared and asked for the
matriarch's assistance in making the final preparations for
dinner. By that point, Luna had wandered
off to attend to her embroidery and Priscilla and Charlie had
started arguing over a trivial matter in the background,
leaving just Hermione to be the focus of her sister's prattling.
And after putting up with my cousin's lecturing all week, the
wedding finally arrived. I'm sure you can understand why
the Pruitts were so upset with you.
She remarked, only to have her sister pretend not to hear.
I have been so anxious for days since George took me away from
my Harry and then he was running late to the ceremony.
I had worried something happened to him, but he appeared with Mr.
Malfoy and Mr. Malfoy. He was at your wedding?
Hermione asked in alarm. Of all the Wizards she knew in
her acquaintance, Mr. Malfoy had been the least likely to make an
appearance at Mr. Potter's wedding.
Gina's hand came up to her mouth as she gasped.
Oh, I forgot, I was not supposed to say anything.
But why was he there? She continued to push for
answers at the mention of the gentleman.
Well, he was the one who discovered us at Grimwold and
helped our cousins pass the blood wards.
She said casually. According to George, he also had
Harry removed from the undesirables list and I suspect
some bribery was involved in that, but our cousin denied it.
And he paid for the wedding and our porky home.
But don't tell anyone. He told us not to say anything
about it. He gave Mr. Potter the
Wissengemot seat to marry you. The realisation hit her squarely
in the chest, knocking the air from her lungs.
Nonsense. As Harry said earlier, that seat
would be his once remarried. Jinny waved her hand as if she
thought the matter insignificant.
I only learned about it today when they both signed the
documents after our vows were completed.
Honestly, Hermione, I remember what you said about him last
winter. And Mr. Malfoy isn't nearly as
proud as you are sometimes. If she hadn't already been
sitting, Hermione was certain she would have collapsed at
hearing such news. Another thought popped into her
mind, reminding her that Mister Malvoy had departed with his own
port key before Dollop delivered hers that night.
Had the wizard gone straight to London to hunt down his former
rival? He had expressed a feeling of
responsibility at the scandal, but to give up something so
precious to him over the guilt seemed extreme.
Not to mention that relinquishing it to a wizard who
had been no friend to him over the years felt particularly
upsetting. Ginny seemed to decide Hermione
wasn't expressing enough interest in her tale and turned
to recapture Priscilla and Charlie's focus while Hermione
pondered the secrets her sister had disclosed, blissfully
unaware of their significance. She remained silent for the
remainder of the evening, not saying a word over dinner other
than to ask Priscilla to pass the potatoes.
From the other end of the table, Hermione witness Mr. Weasley
speaking reluctantly with Mr. Potter, both gentlemen appearing
uncomfortable. Despite her new brother in law's
attempts to catch her eye throughout the meal, she still
refused to meet his gaze, vowing to avoid him as much as possible
in the coming day for fear of losing her temper and saying
something she would likely come to regret.
At the end of the evening, the newlyweds departed in a rented
carriage, having made arrangements to stay at a
private cottage nearby during their week long visit.
When Hermione asked why they did not just stay at the borough,
Misses Weasley gave a vague excuse about the couple wanting
privacy in these early days of marriage.
Once they had gone, Luna tugged her up to retire early for bed.
Hermione's head collapsed into the pillow minutes later as she
stared up at the canopy. Her head was full of unanswered
questions, mostly centring around a particular blonde
wizard and what had led him to sacrifice something so precious
to him. Hermione wished she could speak
to the wizard she could not seem to stop thinking about.
Hermione's plans to avoid Mr. Potter had been going quite well
until the final day of their visit.
By this point, most of the family appeared more comfortable
in his presence, but she still made an effort to not end up in
conversation with him. As such, she had made a habit of
taking refuge near the pond with a new Transfiguration text after
tea this week. Until today, she had remained
undisturbed, but the wizard proved more determined than
Hermione anticipated as she heard the crunching of the man's
boots along the path. May I join you?
Mr. Potter asked somewhat sheepishly as he came into view.
I suppose. She replied, reluctantly closing
her book. When he didn't speak again,
Hermione quirk to brow. She saw no point in filming the
awkward silence that had settled between them like the morning
mist upon the grass. Jinny informed me you took a
trip with your Mughal parents to the Peak District.
He eventually said. It was obvious he was prodding
her about the time spent in the English countryside, but she was
not willing to confront him about it directly just yet,
choosing to go at him into exposing his intentions more
subtly. I had intended to.
We only made it as far as Wiltshire due to carriage
troubles, and then when news reached me about the elopement
and was forced to return home, he did not seem surprised at all
to hear that she had been in Wiltshire.
But his nerves began to show as a small bead of sweat appeared
just above his lightning bolt scar.
You will recall that I spent my years at Hogwarts staying in
Wiltshire until I came of age. Yes, I do recall.
I think many would envy you the chance to grow up in the
luxuries of Malfoy Manor. It was quite a marvel you saw
the estate. Mr. Potter's desperation for
confirmation was unmistakable. Yes, Mr. Malfoy invited us to
dine with him once he learned we were staying in the village.
I was fortunate enough to meet his mother, Narcissa, during the
visit. I must say, I'm surprised you
and your parents were invited at all while I lived there.
Muggles and muggleborns were not welcome on the property.
I suspect that was due to Mr. Malvoy's father, Lucius, rather
than any belief held by him or his mother.
She shrugged, fighting the urge to defend the Malfoy's more
adamantly. Neither seemed to think it worth
noting. This answer did not seem to
assuage Mr. Potter. I'm sure they're very good at
pretending, but they will always be blood purists.
She felt her ire grow at his remarks and willingness to
disparage the wizard and his mother.
How would you know, Mr. Potter? You have not spoken to them in
years. Mr. Malfoy was nothing but
sincere in his offer for us to join him and then he went out of
his way to make it. If he had not wanted to extend
it, then he would have felt no obligation to do so.
As for his mother, I find it hard to believe that Narcissa
was pretending to tolerate me after confessing that I reminded
her so much of her most beloved friend growing up, who was also
a muggle born witch. I believe she said her name was
Lily Evans. Mr. Potter's eyes went wide at
the secret Hermione shared. It had been intentional and she
revelled in the satisfaction of seeing it had the intended
effect. That was my mother's maiden
name. Did you not know that they were
friends? Hermione inquired.
They knew each other quite well, from my understanding, right up
until Narcissa married the late Mr. Malfoy.
I never asked. His words were laced with
regret. She wondered how he would cope
with the realisation that he had wasted so much time avoiding
someone who knew his mother so intimately.
Sensing the wizard did not wish to linger on it for now,
Hermione decided to be more direct, if only to save them
both from being miserable. I do not think you came all the
way out here to discuss my trip to Wiltshire or who I may have
seen there, Mr. Potter. Well, no.
The wizard seemed momentarily incapable of elaborating.
She raised her brow and stood from where she had been sitting
against the Willow tree to meet his eye without the feeling of
him looming over her for the duration of the tense exchange.
I would like to offer you my apologies.
He said once he recovered the courage after a few seconds of
silence. I cannot help but notice your
coldness towards me since we arrived, and I feel that you are
angry with me for some reason. Please allow me to set things
right between us. His blanket apology was not
nearly enough to convince her. And for which of your
transgressions do you seek my forgiveness?
The list is quite long. I am not sure where to begin.
He deflected. Then allow me, is this the
apology for nearly ruining my sister's reputation, and my own
by association? For acting in such a manner
unbecoming of a respectable gentleman.
Or perhaps you wish to apologise for your deceit when it comes to
how you truly acquired the Wisengemot seat, for we both
know that the courts had settled the matter years ago.
Allow me to explain. He began, but she was not
finished. And why should I take your word
when you have lied by omission in the past?
When I spoke with you last autumn, you left out your
actions that led to your permanent falling out with Mr.
Malfoy. You coveted the seat so
desperately that when you learnt it had gone to him instead, you
cornered him in a bathroom and shot hexes without warning until
he fell to the ground and nearly bled out.
It was a low blow and Hermione watched it land with accuracy as
Mr. Potter winced. Do you deny it, Mr. Potter, that
you used a deadly spell against Mr. Malfoy during your jewel?
She prodded when he gave no reply to her accusations.
No, it is true, and I must say I am sorry for all of it.
He managed to stammer out. I suppose Malfoy told you his
side of the story while you were visiting Wiltshire?
If so, I would not be surprised to have you think of me as some
Dark Lord praying on your sister while he was a hero intending to
come to her rescue. His exaggeration earned an eye
roll from her. He did confess to me your shared
history, though not while I was in Wiltshire.
I confronted him on your behalf last spring after a quarrel
between us. In the explanation he provided,
he did not paint himself as an innocent party or some valiant
night. To simplify it in such simple
terms does injustice to you both, but you seem to be on his
side. There are no sides as you claim
for my view. You are both culpable in the
events that transpired between you.
He has just happened to be more willing to own up to his past
mistakes. The world isn't composed of only
heroes and villains, Mr. Potter. Everyone has light and dark
inside of them. It is our choices that define
our character. We must choose to do the right
thing each day, even when it is not easy.
Mr. Potter offered her a pensive expression.
Sirius said something similar to me once.
Perhaps you needed to hear it repeated.
Then I think you are right. He conceded.
You are quite brilliant, Hermione.
I think you may be one of the wisest witches I have ever met.
It was not hard to fall victim to his flattery.
Thank you, Mr. Potter, Harry, please.
The wizard smiled. We are family now.
She nodded in acknowledgement, but did not bother giving her
the same instructions, seeing as he already taken the liberty of
addressing her so informally. If it brings you any comfort,
you did not know that spell would cause Mal, Mr. Malfoy,
such harm. How?
He said suddenly. I had never cast it before and
had previously found it written in the margins of a second hand
book. It is no excuse, I know, but let
me assure you that it hadn't been my intention that day.
His sincerity softened her to him, if only slightly.
I am not the one that apology or explanation should be directed
towards, but I appreciate you saying it all the same.
I know, and maybe one day I can offer it to him.
Hermione took stock of her current emotions.
It was true that Harry had come to her to apologise and take
accountability for his past transgressions, and while she
still found him somewhat reckless, it was impossible to
deny that he cared for Jinny. The couple had been more than
merry all week, and Harry doted on his wife even in the moments
he thought no one was looking. She had already begun to forgive
him both for the elopement upon witnessing their love, but
hearing him confess his openness about his relationship with Mr.
Malfoy helped her let go of the lingering resentment that had
been festering. After a quiet moment between
them, she decided she was willing to accept Harry's olive
branch. Maybe Mother shall leave that
for you to decide. Harry's shoulders relaxed,
sensing the change in her demeanour.
So, did you ever make any progress on that Patronus charm?
I did. In fact.
I can produce a corporeal Patronus now.
She said excitedly, ready to change the subject to something
more lighthearted. Oh.
Harry grinned. I would be honoured to see it if
you would like to show me. Removing her wand from the
pocket of her dress, Hermione swished her wand and spoke the
spell to summon her small Otter, letting it swim across the
surface of the lake. When she looked back over her
shoulder, Harry's grin had transformed into a look of
pride. Despite everything, Hermione
knew that the kindred feeling she felt with the wizard had not
been misplaced, and the two would eventually find a way to
recover the easy friendship they once shared.