Ties Chapter 12
Chapter 12~ You Can’t Go Home Again
Hermione walked through the empty house of her childhood, lost in memories. She had left Hogwarts early that morning, without a word to anyone, only a short note left on Severus’ night table explaining she had needed to go home. Her parents had been pleased to see her at breakfast this morning, but they had left for work a few hours ago and she was alone. She liked being alone, she reminded herself. It was simpler not to have to deal with anyone.
The pictures on the mantle in the livingroom had changed since she was small. Instead of the many still photos of her playing board games and reading books, there were wizarding pictures of her with friends from school waving merrily back at her. One photo was of her and Ron at the Burrow last summer. They were sitting under the large apple tree in the garden, Crookshanks darting in and out of the frame in pursuit of gnomes. They were both laughing, and the photo Ron snuck a kiss on her cheek. Why had she allowed that picture on the mantle? Her parents probably thought it was cute, but she was suddenly mortified. Mrs Weasley had likely sent a package of photos to her parents. She was apt to do things like that.
Hermione couldn’t bear to look at Ron laughing in the garden and turned the picture away. There were a few photos of their vacation in France, the last real family holiday they had shared. How had she so easily rejected every one since then? The war, she supposed. Its difficult to think of fun and travel when you are in mortal peril. Her parents had mentioned something about taking a trip after she finished school, but she wasn’t certain she wouldn’t try to beg her way out of it. Or perhaps she wouldn’t have to. When she finally got around to telling them the truth about everything, they would be terribly upset with her.
The picture on the end was an old one, still and unmoving, but completely magical. Her parents, much younger than she ever remembered them, were standing on the front steps of a church on their wedding day. She had always liked that photo. They looked so youthful, carefree and in love. Very different from her own wedding portrait, which would likely never grace this mantle.
Moving upstairs, Hermione pulled out the old boxes of childhood things she kept in her closet. Long packed away, the dolls, picture books, jigsaw puzzles and various school papers were all that was left of the little girl she had been. When had she put these things into boxes? Most, she remembered, had been packed up when she returned from Hogwarts that very first summer. Bubbling over with excitement about the magical world, she sought to bring it home with her, eagerly discarding the remnants of life before magic. It was her mother who insisted she keep some of her things, telling her she would regret it later if she didn’t. Her mother had been right, she would never forgive herself today if these boxes weren’t there.
When sitting in her room, picking through old things, became too much to bear, she left the house for a brisk walk. The blocks of well groomed lawns were lush and green after a wet summer and brightly coloured flowers winked at her from the dark foliage on this gloomy grey day. Row upon row of cheery houses with happy children playing in the yard, soaking up the last days of summer before school started in a week. She was reminded that this year would be her last at Hogwarts. Next fall she would likely be working somewhere, or, with a bit of luck, apprenticing with some great mind. Either way, she hoped moving out on her own would be an option. Actually it would likely be the only option if her parents got as angry with her as she thought they might when the whole story came out. Being at home was terribly awkward now since it no longer really felt like home. She had tried all summer to get the feeling back, but it just wasn’t to be found.
Hermione continued to walk, block after block, not really caring where she was going. They weren’t the paths of her past, only sidewalks with strangers who didn’t even glance at her. Was that what being alone meant? Something she had strived to achieve and maintain, perhaps wasn’t quite what she had anticipated. She stopped at a local park and watched people pass by, couples and families mostly. It had been ages since she had gone to the park with her family. Sadness creeping over her, she sighed and watched the world pass by through the afternoon and into the evening.
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Waking up yesterday morning, he had known she was gone. The sheets beside him were cold and carefully straightened and a small note was left on the bedside table. Severus, I‘ve gone home. My parents are expecting me. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Hermione. Less than twenty words. Short and painfully polite. Not even really a goodbye.
He should be grateful there was no awkward parting, no tears, no need for apologies or explanations. Yet now, sitting in his private office reviewing syllabuses and lesson plans, it seemed too quiet. Severus rubbed his eyes once more and drank the remnants of his third cup of coffee. He didn’t have the patience for this mindless paperwork today, particularly after the poor night’s sleep he had. It had been restless, full of tossing and turning and he woke with the sheets tangled about him. It seemed old habits died hard.
For the dozenth time since she had left, Severus wondered if Hermione had ever thought to put protective wards of any kind around her house. Two more letters had arrived, far more malicious than the previous had been. There wasn’t a way to know for sure, but the words were certainly in Lucius’ style if not in his handwriting. Most likely he was using a charmed quill to record his messages in a very generic script. Also, knowing Lucius as he did, Severus was aware these were not idle threats and it would not be prudent to remain idle himself. He had six anonymous letters now, each expressing derision towards himself and Hermione and promising to repay traitors and mudbloods with what they both deserved. The first few were quite vague as to what that would be, but the one he had received this morning was quite explicit as to the nature and mechanics of the revenge.
Knowing he could no longer ignore them, Severus rose from his desk and moved to the fireplace. It was time to take advantage of some of his connections. Taking a pinch of floo powder, he tossed it in the fire and called out, "Ministry of Magic, Department of Law Enforcement, Auror Headquarters, Investigations office."
His head spun through the floo network until it finally stopped, looking in on a bustling office full of cubicles and busy people moving about. A young woman with tortured looking platinum blonde hair, dressed in an appalling turquoise robe at a desk close to the fire glanced up and noticed the head in the fireplace. "Good morning, sir. Is this a general inquiry or do you know who you need to speak with?"
"Kingsley Shacklebolt." Severus answered shortly, trying hard to ignore the inch thick, almost clownish, makeup on the woman’s face and focussing on the office behind her.
"Just a moment. I believe he’s nipped into the back. I’ll go fetch him for you." The blonde said and walked away from the fire with an exaggerated sway to her hips.
A couple minutes later, a bald, black head appeared over the tops of the cubicles, its owner moving quickly towards the front of the room. When Kingsley came into view, he flashed an exasperated glance at Severus and turned to the made-up blonde. "Thank you Miss Staples. Why don’t you go get yourself a cup of coffee while I speak with this gentleman."
"Shall I bring one back for you as well, Mr Shacklebolt?" The woman asked, batting her fake eyelashes.
"No, Miss Staples. You go and enjoy your break." He said, clearly trying to keep the irritation from his voice.
"I’ll be back shortly, Mr Shacklebolt." She answered in a horribly high pitched tone, that might be interpreted as girlish flirtation but came out more like a garden gnome underfoot.
Kingsley sat down on a chair in front of the fireplace and sighed. "If I drank every cup of coffee she ever offered me, I’d never be able to sleep at night. Why on earth we ever agreed to trade that twit we had before for her... Anyway, you haven’t called to reminisce about old times, have you Snape? What’s your trouble?"
Severus gave the office behind the man an appraising look, then said cautiously, "Actually, I have called for that reason exactly. Would you be able to meet me sometime today to discuss the activities of a mutual acquaintance of ours?"
"Oh really? Well I have a bit of time this afternoon, after about three. Most likely I can leave the office for the day then. Does that suit you?" Kingsley asked with a questioning expression.
Severus nodded. "Three thirty at the Leaky Cauldron? I’ll book a private table."
"I take it this is something significant. You have me intrigued. Three thirty at the Cauldron it is." The auror agreed and nodded his farewell.
Pulling his head out of the fire, Severus let out a deep breath. He hated dealing with the Ministry, but some things were best done through the proper avenues, particularly when Lucius Malfoy was involved. Kingsley Shacklebolt had been one of the few newer members of the Order he had the patience for. Quick witted and meticulous, Shacklebolt made as good an auror in the field as in the office leading investigations. He also had the advantage of knowing the history, with all its warts, of Lucius Malfoy and would not be silenced by money.
Severus returned to his desk and sorted through the paperwork he had begun earlier with much more patience. In a couple hours he would leave for London to run his final errands for the fall term and meet with Shacklebolt. Knowing he was doing something eased his mind though he was still mentally kicking himself for not discussing the matter of personal safety with Hermione before she left.
The safety of his students, including those of other houses, had always been a concern of his, but this was different. He was bound to Hermione now, like it or not, and he was concerned about her. She was intelligent and well spoken, even pleasant to have around. Though there had been a few moments of distress and tears, she had conducted herself in a mature and responsible manner. Though he was reluctant to admit it, he was beginning to think it might be pleasant to build a friendship of sorts with her, but at the very least, he would keep tabs on her to ensure her safety.
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Hermione tried her best to enjoy the last few days she had at home, but in the end she was glad to be leaving. The morning she was to meet Harry and Ginny in Diagon Alley, she toured all the rooms in the house after her parents had left for the day. Some part of her seemed to know it wasn’t home anymore and said goodbye.
In Flourish and Blotts she encountered dozens of students bustling about, getting their books and smiled. The pre-school rush was still the same. Harried parents chasing after children with a long list of school supplies and a million things to do. A few older students recognized her and said hello, but she hadn’t yet caught sight of Harry. After finding all her texts, she paid for them and left the store, hoping to find her friends more readily outside. Glancing around the clusters of people outside, she didn’t notice Harry sneak up on her. From behind, he reached out and tickled her ribs, causing her to shriek.
Whipping around, completely prepared to take a strip out of whomever was behind her, she saw Harry grinning widely in a way she hadn’t seen in years. The diatribe she was prepared to launch at him died on her lips. Screwing her face into the best scowl she could manage, she barked, "You should know better, Harry Potter. I might just have jinxed you where you stand."
After a few moments staring at each other, they both burst out laughing. Clutching her ribs, she laughed harder and more freely than she had in recent memory. Gripping each other for support and breaking out into fits of giggles, she managed to speak. "It’s good to see you. So good to laugh. Where’s Ginny?"
Harry was gasping for breath. "She’s poking around trying to find you. Look over there."
A bright red head bobbed its way along the crowd. Looking up, she spotted them and came running. "Hermione!"
The two girls threw their arms around each other in greeting. Ginny had obviously grown over the summer. She was now noticeably taller than Hermione, slender and beautiful. It seemed the summer had treated her well. Happy and smiling, they wandered down the street, popping into shops and gathering supplies. Harry quickly noticed that Hermione hadn’t acquired much and asked her about it. "Don’t you need anything? All you have are books."
She shook her head. "I’ve already picked up most of my things in Hogsmeade. I only have books to get today."
"Why were you in Hogsmeade? Isn’t London closer?" Ginny asked.
Hermione looked uncomfortable. "I had some Head Girl things to do at the castle, so I went up for a few days. There is lots to talk about, but not here, alright?"
They nodded and continued through the crowd. Making their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, they settled themselves in a booth for lunch. Ginny was chatting happily about some new Quidditch move she had developed over the summer and Hermione was pretending to listen. Somehow the obsession with the sport was lost on her, even if she enjoyed watching school matches.
Across the bar, a familiar pair of blonde heads entered. Harry looked up and tightened his grip on the bottle of butterbeer he was holding.
"What’s wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked, noticing his angry expression.
"I can’t believe he has the brass to walk around like that. Completely unconcerned, as if he were totally innocent." he growled.
"Who?" the girls asked.
His eyes narrowed dangerously, "Malfoy. Look at him there, putting on airs. We all know he should be in Azkaban. How he managed to sneak his way out of there is beyond me."
"They aren’t using Severus’ evidence, that’s how." Hermione answered, then clapped her hand over her mouth.
Ginny was looking at her strangely, "How do you know that?"
"Um... How about we go..." Hermione said, panicking slightly. She really didn’t want to face Lucius today and she saw that Draco was with him. Just perfect.
They agreed with her, and Harry went to the bar to pay their bill. Lucius noticed him and his eyes cast about the room to see who was with him. He glared maliciously at Hermione and Ginny elbowed her friend. "What’s going on?"
But she didn’t answer. Lucius was on his feet and striding towards her. Bringing himself to his full height, he stopped far to close for her comfort, looking down at her. "I’m surprised you’ve been let out of the bedroom so soon. It took him long enough to get you there. Make no mistake, I’ll bring evidence of your non-compliance to the courts."
"To what end?" she snapped. "Both the spell and the contract are complete."
"I would not be so bold if I were you. You will regret your actions." he sneered.
Hermione smirked. "Perhaps I already do. My potion’s label said it would relieve all persistent abdominal pains. I’m disappointed it hasn’t taken care of the ones in my arse as well."
Ginny was staring wide eyed at the byplay. Hermione had just swore in public! Once more, Lucius was at a loss, and Hermione used the opportunity to steer her friend towards the fireplace. Harry, who had been watching the confrontation, approached looking perplexed. "What did he say?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not here. Let’s just go." She picked up her shopping bags and took some of the pub’s complimentary floo powder. Stepping into the green flames she called out, "The Burrow."
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Stumbling out of the Burrow’s large kitchen fireplace, she felt tears spring up behind her eyes. It looked very much like it always had, sturdy wooden table, freshly scrubbed counter tops, dirty cups in the sink. A startled individual looked up from their seat at the far end of the table, but she didn’t have time to acknowledge who it was since Ginny had just come tumbling out of the fireplace behind her. In a graceful arc, they thudded to the floor, followed quickly by Harry, who had never really gotten the hang of floo travel. In a pile on the floor, they shifted and elbowed each other until finally managing to regain their feet. Molly Weasley was bustling around them with a small broom, dusting them off and making comments about carelessness.
Hermione still wasn’t quite steady on her feet when she was brought into a bone crushing hug. "Hermione dear! I’ve missed you so much."
She hugged back saying, "I didn’t mean to burst in like that. I’m glad to see you."
Released from the hug, they looked at each other for a moment. Molly was just about to say something when Harry interrupted her. "What the hell was that about?! I’m surprised the three of us made it out of there unhexed."
Mrs Weasley looked shocked and began checking them over, "Are you hurt? What happened?"
"It’s nothing," Hermione mumbled.
Ginny’s jaw dropped visibly, "You call that nothing? What was he talking about... let you out of bed? What’s going on?"
Hermione sank defeated into a chair and groaned. "You’d best sit down. It’s a bit complicated."
After many questions and heart wrenching explanations, everyone in the kitchen had been filled in on Hermione’s most eventful week. She felt horrible telling Mrs Weasley that she had chosen Severus Snape over one of her own children. When she said as much, Mrs Weasley enveloped her in another hug. "It’s alright dear. No one can fault your decision. It’s an appalling thing those fools at the Ministry are putting you young people through."
"I’ve made things more difficult though. If I had just-"
"Compromised? No, you wouldn’t do that. Not something this important. Don’t trouble yourself about it. What’s done is done." Molly said comfortingly.
Harry had been staring at the grooves in the table as if they would suddenly reveal the secrets of the universe throughout the conversation. Shaking his head he said, "I just can’t believe that they’d make you- That’s just beyond belief! I’ve seen the papers, but they didn’t mention anything about THAT."
Ginny was sniffling a little, "I heard you and Dad talking the other night. I heard what you said about the parallel act the Ministry is trying to pass. It doesn’t end here, does it?"
Mrs Weasley looked at her daughter sadly. "I’d rather you hadn’t heard that way."
Hermione’s glance darted between Harry, Ginny and Mrs Weasley. "What parallel act?"
Molly sighed, defeated. "Arthur’s been hearing rumours at work. Apparently Act 275's ‘overwhelming success’ is driving them to create a matching law that will trap Muggle born wizards the same way you have been. What’s more, if it’s passed, Ginny will be subject to it as well."
Hermione gasped. "There really has to be something we can do!"
Harry shifted his chair and put his arm around Ginny. "No one has yet been able to stop 275... but no matter what, we’ll figure something out."
"Are you subject to this one, Harry?" Hermione asked.
He shrugged his shoulders, "Not sure. I don’t reckon the Ministry would make me do anything now. I’m sure I’ll find a way to deal with it."
For a few minutes everyone was lost in thought. Molly got up and began baking something to occupy herself and the rest left the kitchen for the back garden. Outside, the clouds had broken and bright sunshine shone down in patches. Under the apple tree, they regrouped, but no one knew what to say. Then Ginny started giggling.
Harry looked at her incredulously. "What is so funny?"
"Did he wear red?" she asked Hermione through a fit of giggles.
"Yes."
Ginny hooted and rolled on the ground. "I... just can’t... can’t picture..."
"What?" Harry asked.
Ginny was breathing deeply, trying to control another fit of giggles threatening to escape. "You’ve seen your parents’ wedding photos haven’t you?"
Harry nodded, still confused.
Hermione picked up on Ginny’s amusement and informed Harry, "It is traditional for wizards to wear red at their wedding."
Harry’s eyes went wide, "You mean... Snape wore red? I just can’t picture it!" And he joined Ginny laughing.
Shaking her head, Hermione said "It’s not that strange... well alright maybe it is, but it is tradition. He didn’t look out of place at all."
"What colour was the light?" Ginny asked, now quite intrigued.
"Bright white."
"Really? Did it get big?" she continued.
Harry shouted, "What! How can you ask that Gin?"
Hermione tutted him, "You really ought to read Harry. Magical weddings involve a wand binding similar to muggle vows. It’s a spell, and it creates a light."
Ginny nodded at this, "Yeah Harry, and the colour and size of the ball of light created is an indicator of how strong the binding is. A large white or yellow light is a strong vow."
"Oh." Harry said.
"So anyway, how big was the light?" she asked again.
Hermione felt a small surge of pride, "Quite large. It encircled us both completely."
"Really?" she said amazed. "Mum and Dad’s only covered their head and hands. I’m impressed."
Ginny continued to pepper their conversation with questions about Hermione’s wedding. It seemed she had either ignored the fact that it was with Professor Snape, or she simply wasn’t bothered by the fact. That afternoon, while they talked and enjoyed the last of the summer, Hermione felt immensely relieved that she had come back to visit. It had been silly to stay away for so long. Tonight she would enjoy a loud, busy dinner with some of her most favourite people. She would catch up on their news, and have a good time. The loneliness she had felt the past few days at home faded and she allowed herself to be happy.
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Chapter 11
Chapter 13