Lavender, please.

[hermioneee]

Hermione felt just awful. Taking so much time away in a foolish attempt to collect herself, she realized, had really caused more harm than good. At least, she had gotten past the self-destructive mindset that everything was all her fault, and had moved on to being irate with Ron. But, that's not why she felt so terribly

Comments

[lavender_x]

Time had a way of slipping way from Lavender. She was always finding herself running late, scrambling, and forgetting full days at a time. A years worth of traveling had quickly turned into six. Now that she was back she had promised herself she would get her life together. Which, for the most part, she had

[hermioneee]

"Lavender! Thank you," Hermione sniffled a little, the crisp air getting to her, and smiled politely and she stepped past Lavender into the warm home. She noted Lavender's mild bewilderment at her presence. And that was well deserved.

Once Lavender closed the door, Hermione started to remove her plentiful layers, draping things over her arm. She couldn't help but blurt out, "I'm sorry for arriving unannounced, I hope you're not too busy, but I just had to come. And I'm so sorry for not coming sooner." Her face flushed slightly with embarrassment, but she was determined to set things right with her old schoolmate.

[lavender_x]

"Oh no, I understand," she assured her. If anyone understood the need to get away then it was Lavender. She had missed her fair share of major events and lost touch with countless friends. After all, she skipped out on her own brother's wedding reception before the cake was served.

But she had also seen those people come back into her life in the last month. It was heartwarming.

"I was just about to make lunch. Are you hungry?"

[hermioneee]

The truth was that Hermione's mind was so full of different ways to apologize that she had completely forgotten to eat much of anything that day. She knew that her relationships with her female friends were often overshadowed by the amount of mothering that Harry and Ron needed. And while she knew Harry wouldn't let it last forever, Ron out of her life made it much easier to get some much needed girl time. She wondered if she should let Lavender know that she hadn't even spoken to Harry since her arrival.

"Starved, actually. Thank you." Hermione was more than grateful for Lavender's warm reception.

She still felt anxious about bringing up the attack, not sure what kind of mental state she was in. But while newspapers were a valuable resource, she knew it was better to get Lavender's side of the story.

Hermione tried to be delicate to test the waters, "How are you feeling, dear?"

[lavender_x]

Lavender led the two into the kitchen, a strange nostalgia washing over her. She had spent so little time in this house since she had gone off to Hogwarts. Even winter breaks and summer holiday were spent outside, with Roger, or visiting Marlow. Yet, somehow it still felt like home.

"It's an adjustment," she told her, not sure herself if she was referring to being back in England or the attack. Either way, it was a lot to take in.

"Everything just seems to be moving so fast now. Life moves slower on the road."

[hermioneee]

Hermione followed, letting her eyes dance around the house, lingering on family photos now and again. More than her friends, she had seriously been neglecting her family, but they had a very hard time understanding the life she led. But that was guilt and anxiety for another time.

She nodded in agreement, though she did not understand the concept as well as Lavender. She had only been gone for a couple of months, not years. "It does feel odd coming back into... nearly... the same life you left, after seeing so much."

Hermione debated asking a direct question, as Lavender seems a little distracted, vague. "Lavender." She exhaled sharply, she had to say something, to get it off her chest, and answer for her neglect. There was no other way to move on for her, "Lav, I'm so sorry. I've been a terrible friend, and here you are, making me lunch as if nothing happened! I should have been there for you. I don't know what came over me that I thought I could put it off. I'm so, so sorry."

[lavender_x]

"Please, Hermione - It's really alright," she told her, chewing on the inside of her cheek.

Really, Lavender hated to be doted on. She had never been one to ask for help or let an illness hold her back. Madame Pomfrey absolutely dreaded the days Lavender Brown visited the hospital wing, knowing her day would be filled with lecturing the young girl to stop fidgeting or sneaking out of bed.

This was different. The feeling was new. When they were in school Lavender knew who they were up against, understood who the Death Eaters were, and had seen what Who Know Who was capable of. But the Burning Man had taken her completely by surprise and had paralyzed her. She had been closer to death than she liked to admit.

"I have Roger and George…and Marlow all checking in on me all the time. It's driven me mad," she went on, keeping her voice light as possible. Though it was clear, especially to Hermione who knew Lavender so well, that there was more to it. "You were away. I'm sure the news didn't even reach you until recently."

[hermioneee]

Hermione touched her lightly on her upper arm, trying to offer some comfort for this painful moment she created. She was happy that Roger, George, and Marlow had been by her side when she wasn't. Could she really say that she wanted to avoid a public meeting, worried that her timing would be the same as Ron's? She cast her eyes down and withdrew her hand, crossing her arms

[lavender_x]

It was only then that Lavender had realized how out of the loop Hermione was. Which wasn't surprising. After all, Lavender had never bothered herself with gossip columns or prophet articles when she had been apparting around the world. She replied on updates from Marlow and George mostly.

"Oh Roger-" she started, a blush creeping into her cheeks now. Every since they were young he had that affect on her. "We've sort of, picked back up. I ran into him at the ball and well, you know how terrible our self control has always been with each other."

It was part of the reason she had left. Not because she had been angry with him or she felt she needed a new start. Lavender knew that if they didn't have any distance they would just make the same mistakes over again, unable to stay away. And with a baby involved, Lavender just couldn't stand the idea of slowly falling away from him. It was easier to take control and make the decision for them both.

[hermioneee]

At times, out of vague curiosity, she glanced at the gossip columns, but did not take them seriously. Lavender and Roger had always been friends, and an article could be making mountains out of molehills. Afterall, Lavender had left all those years ago was more or less because of Roger. They simply could have been making reconciliations and nothing more, as far as Hermione was concerned

[lavender_x]

"We're taking it slow," Lavender explained, her voice lower now and slower.

And they were, in their own way. It was strange seeing Roger as anything more than her neighbor, best friend, love of her life. Growing up there hadn't been any boundaries between them. Now there were walls - there was years of distance, new memories, new families that stood between them.

Lavender went over to the refrigerator to rummage for something to eat. She pulled out about six types of lunch meat and cheeses with a loaf of bread.

"He has Lily now and I have my job. We're being as cautious as we can be," she went on, spreading everything out on the kitchen island. "But most of it feels like, well, the way it was."

[hermioneee]

Hermione nodded most approvingly, "I think that's for the best, at our age everything is so complicated now. There's no quick fixes to anything- unfortunately."

Her eyes couldn't help but get a little wide as the smells of food drifting around the kitchen, and her stomach made some slight rumbling noises. She grabbed the end of the loaf and, as politely as she could, tore off a piece of the end and began nimbling at it as Lavender spoke on.

She couldn't imagine what it must be like with Lily and Maeve in the background/foreground of her life with Roger. "Well, you've known each other for such a long time, you can't pretend nothing has happened between you two. Of course the familiar feelings will still be there. But I think it's good to maintain some distance, just in case."

[lavender_x]

"We'll see how long that lasts. I've been staying a few days with him until my flat is ready on Monday. You know what that man does to me."

She started to spread everything out for the two of them before heading back to grab some condiments. A ham and cheese sandwich just didn't taste the same with out any mayonnaise.

Just as she turned back, something dawned on her. She frowned as she turned back to her friend.

"You're vegan, aren't you? I can't serve you plain bread."

[hermioneee]

"Oh, you're moving? You'll have to forgive me, I'm so behind on everything! Are you going to be staying with someone?" From what Lavender had revealed, it didn't seem to Hermione that Roger was going to be her new flat mate so hopefully her tone was of genuine interest rather than skeptical.

Hermione smiled and waved her hand dismissively. She did not expect anyone to prepare any specialty dishes for her. "Oh, it's fine." Before Lavender could even respond she had half her arm in her purse and pulled out a small tub of red pepper hummus and a head of lettuce. "I always have something in here," she said referring to her bottomless handbag.

[lavender_x]

Lavender frowned, a wave of guilt washing over her for forgetting Hermione's dietary needs. Most days Lavender just ate whatever was placed in front of her. Though, there was very little she could do about it now.

"Always prepared," she mused, putting together a sandwich for herself. If she had been alone Lavender probably would have just picked at the deli meat one by one and, while Hermione may have shared a dorm room with her for so many years, it was hardly polite.

"Mandy and I found a flat together, which will be nice. I've been staying with George since I've been back," she went on to explain. It was very confusing. "Though, with his new girlfriend I think I overstayed my welcome. I'm just saying a few nights with Roger now."

[hermioneee]

Hermione, following Lavender's lead, started to assemble her own sandwich. And took a rather large bite as Lavender explained her situation.

She nodded a bit and chewed her food quickly, and wiped her face with a napkin. "That sounds lovely, I'm sure you and Mandy will get on really well as roommates." She restrained herself from making any comments about her presently staying with Roger, since it was only temporary.

"George has a new girlfriend, hm?" She said smiling, taking another small bite of food. Her mind flooded with possibilities. With the life he led, it really could be anybody.

Lavender, it suddenly came to her, was probably the perfect person to catch her up on the daily lives of their circle of friends. Especially since she knew how to felt to be so behind on everyone's lives. "What has everyone been up to," she added a bit bashfully. Hermione didn't approve of gossip, but this was really more like news.