Most ardently by Swift Night Chapter 14.
It was only when the Burrow finally appeared outside the
carriage window that Hermione finally allowed herself to
release the breath she'd been holding since Mr. Malfoy's
confession in the Green Grass Groves garden.
The safety of her home enveloped her immediately upon her return,
though most of her family's attention remained on Luna.
Her sister's lack of success in her goal of reuniting with Mr.
Sabini, though Hermione now knew it was through no fault of her
own, had Missus Weasley in near hysterics.
Now, apparently only a day after Hermione arrived in Ghent, Mr.
Sabini and his sister had departed London to stay at one
of the country estates of her friend, though their exact
location was still unknown. Priscilla had insisted that the
most logical place was likely Mr. Malfoy's Manor in Wiltshire,
but Hermione knew that to be untrue as she had spent the
entire month encountering the wizard away from his home in his
desire to be near her. Still, she refrained from
correcting her sister's assumption, sticking to the
conviction that she had established during the return
journey to not tell her family of Mr. Malfoy and his unexpected
proposal or anything she had learnt in the aftermath through
his letter. Her cousins, who had been kind
enough to deliver the girls from London, elected to enjoy the
borough's hospitality for a week and provide a much needed
distraction. Fred and George were excellent
at filling the witch's evenings with amusements, and George's
wife, Angelina was wonderful company while the twins were
otherwise occupied. As time progressed, the weight
in Hermione's chest lessened, but it never fully disappeared.
It was the heaviest in evenings when it was just her and Luna
locked away in their room. She could see the soft smile her
sister held in company drop, only to be replaced by a small
sigh and subtle frown. She swayed back and forth about
divulging Mr. Malfoy's involvement to Luna, but always
refrained, knowing the truth would not do anything to ease
her sister's heartbreak. As time went on, Mr. Sabini's
name was said less and less and she felt as if it nearly had
become a taboo within the confines of their home.
Her sister's sadness seemed to make her slow to rise.
In the morning after the Pruitt's departure, and with
nothing urgent to attempt to, Hermione let her be and went
down to breakfast alone. She had expected the house to
have quieted with her mischievous cousin's absence,
but it was unexpectedly rowdy as she came down the stairs for
breakfast. But it's not fair.
Charlie shouted, tears streaming down her face.
Why does she get to go when I do not?
Oh, hash Charlie. Missus Weasley scolded.
Mr. and Missus Diggery only have one additional ticket and as
much as I wish it, your father will not allow us all to attend.
What has happened? Hermione interrupted, hoping to
determine whose side she would be planted on.
Jinny has been invited by the Diggerys to the Quidditch World
Cup. This.
Morning, Priscilla cut in. And Charlie is upset that she
can't attend as well. I am to be Missus Diggery's
special friend and keep her company while Mr. Diggery meets
all the foreign dignitaries and attends all those boring
meetings. Jinny squealed, paying no mind
to her sister's distress. What has her father said to
this? Hermione inquired as she began
to prepare her morning tea. Despite Jinny and Charlie's
previous pleading, Mr. Weasley had held firm on his denial to
take the family to the World Cup.
However, she wondered if he would finally concede now that
his youngest had received an invitation to travel across the
country. While Hermione respected the
Diggerees, she was well aware of her sister's antics.
Jinny's propensity to be a shameless flirt was common
knowledge to you all, most recently condemned by Mr.
Malfoy. And if their father couldn't
control her, Mr. Diggory stood no chance at the force of
flirtatious nature that was Miss Jenevra Weasley.
Miss Granger. One of the servants addressed
her as she buttered her toast. When you were done, miss your
father. Would like.
To see you. In his study.
To this, all those at the table looked up in confusion.
It wasn't often that any of them were invited to visit the room.
Mr. Weasley's study was his sacred place, filled with books
and muggle contraptions. That he tinkered with is a
hobby. The witches had often learnt
that it was best to leave him while he occupied himself.
If he had a desire to speak to one of them, he would emerge and
seek them out. So a summons felt particularly
ominous to Hermione. Her appetite immediately
vanished with thoughts of why he could potentially want to speak
with her privately. Had he learned of Mr. Malfoy's
proposal in Kent? She wasn't sure how he could
have done so, seeing as she had not spoken a word of it aloud
since the incident. She knew for certain his letter,
which did not mention the proposal directly, was under
multiple enchantments, including the spell to alert her should
anyone with prying eyes decide to go looking.
Perhaps Mr. Malfoy had written to him, or more likely, conveyed
it to a mutual acquaintance who confessed to her father.
She stood in her days, her breakfast now forgotten, and
made her way to her father's study on the 2nd floor.
Hermione hesitated outside the door, but knew there was no
point in delaying the inevitable.
Knocking softly, she let herself inside.
Ah, Hermione, do come in. Mr. Weasley offered her a smile
as she poked her head into the room.
I half expected your sister to come barging in here with her
excitement. His open countenance dissolved
her panic and she pushed into the room to take a seat across
from him. If you are referring to Jinny, I
should warn you she intends to accost you until you agree to
let her go, though I would not blame you if you refused her.
She shall terrorise us all. Until I concede, Mr. Weasley
declared. I see no harm in letting her.
Go other. Than that poor Charlie, she'll
have to miss out on the fun. Am I any could think of several
reasons to not let Jinny venture off, but she approached the
subject tentatively. Are you not worried for her?
Of course I worry for the well-being of all my daughters,
but I know that is not what you mean.
His discerning gaze fell upon her.
And she? Shifted in her seat, I just.
Well, in all honesty, I am concerned she may embarrass
herself if no one is there to check her.
Her propensity for flirting has led to somewhat of a.
Reputation Jinny is as she always has been.
We cannot expect her to become someone new simply because we
wish it. The gentleman shrugged.
Mr. Diggory is a sensible man, and he will keep her out of any
true mischief while she is there.
Her father's tone indicated an end to the discussion, and
seeing as she was unlikely to sway him, Hermione was forced to
move on to the reason for her visit to his office.
I am assuming Jinny is not the reason you've summoned me.
No, Forgive me. For getting distracted.
He shook his head and held out an envelope.
This arrived for you last night. Hermione took it and began her
inspection. The first thing of note was that
it appeared to have been sent by Mugglepost instead of an owl,
and the second was that she recognised the handwriting as
her muggle father's script. Opening it, her eyes quickly
scanned the page, a smile growing as she read.
Ah, darling Hermione, your mother and I hope.
You are. Well, we were recently planning
a trip to the Peak District and hoped that you would join us if
time allows. Rocks and mountains do wonders
for any young woman and it has been too long since we have both
seen you. We plan to arrive in Ottery St.
Catchpole on the 27th and depart for our adventure with you on
the 29th of May. Our trip will span several
weeks, but we promise to return you to the Weasleys before the
end of June. Do wish Arthur and Molly well
for us and send your reply no later than the 17th so that we
may know your answer. All our love, your father.
Well, Mr. Weasley asked, waiting for the details of its contents.
They have asked to take me on another trip, she replied.
They plan to visit the Peak District at the end of May and
into. June, I see.
It was his expression seemed to grow a little sad.
I. Have no objection to you
spending time with the Grangers, Hermione.
Other than that. I only just got you home with
us. What am I to do when you finally
find a worthy gentleman to marry?
Gilt bubbled up at the reminder of marriage and proposals.
Her father had already saved her from marrying his nephew, but he
still had no idea of the second proposal she had been subjected
to. She felt the need to comfort him
regardless. Oh, Father.
Hermione rounded the desk to wrap her arms around him.
I have no plans to marry yet, and this trip is not for a few
more weeks. Besides, I'll only be gone for a
short while. It's most certainly not forever.
Ah. But my sweet.
Hermione, any time you are away from me feels far too long.
Alas, I cannot be selfish and keep.
You from your life. You will write back and tell the
Grangers to collect you at the end of the month as.
Planned. Then when you return.
I shall summon you back to this office.
To hear a recounting of your travels.
Very well, I shall write to them today.
She brushed a kiss on the top of his head before hurrying out of
the room to tell her sisters about her next great adventure.