Night's visitor

Chapter 11 part 1

A real family

Author: Quivering Quill

AN:

Okay this I wrote just hours after the last chapter, chap 10, was posted... but I wanted to check grammar and spelling and was so picky with my own writing that I managed to kill all of my own interest in continuing to write... I am still not satisfied with this chapter, a large portion is missing, which I don't feel like writing yet... instead this chapter is going to be part 1 of 2.

Forgive me my lateness.

AN2:

Oh, and some really really good news: I've got a BETA!! Haha - now you can't complain about my grammar and spelling anymore XD

Thank you for helping me sparks!

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By the time Hermione reached the house, the sky was pitch black. She felt a little nervous as she stood before the door and prepared to knock. Here she was, again, preparing to intrude in the nice Weasley's home... expecting to be let in and get both food and a bed for the night. It was horribly selfish of her to do this, when they had already been so kind to her and knowing that they were far from wealthy.

These thoughts kept running in her head over and over until she was convinced that she shouldn't have come back. Discouraged, she stepped back from the door and prepared to leave. But she never had the chance as the door was thrown open, revealing Ginny standing there.

"Hermione!" She beamed. "You came back! We were beginning to worry when you didn't come back earlier, in fact Harry, Ron and I were just about to look for you!"

Hermione smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry Ginny; I didn't mean to worry anyone."

The red headed girl only shook her head impatiently. "It doesn't matter now, you're here." She then grabbed Hermione's wrists and dragged her inside.

"Mom, I found her!" She shouted to the kitchen and Mrs. Weasley quickly appeared in the doorway.

"Oh good. I'm so happy to see that you are alright, dear", the woman smiled warmly.

Something changed inside of Hermione as she heard these words. The tight knot of worry that she usually carried around gradually loosened. She hadn't needed to worry at all, these people were so genuinely nice that it was normal for them to care about and help others. A small smile twisted her mouth and she flushed with happiness. Embarrassed, she tried to hide by bending her neck so that her hair covered her red face.

"I'm sorry to have worried you", Hermione said quietly. But Mrs. Weasley and Ginny wouldn't hear of it.

"Don't apologize, Hermione. It's okay!" Ginny said. "Come on, my dad is home now and wants to meet you!" Hermione barely had time to take off her shoes before she was dragged once more into the kitchen.

This time it wasn't as occupied as during lunch. Now only two people were seated at the table, a middle aged man, also with red hair that had started to thin, and Percy. When they entered the older man, Ginny's father, looked up from the newspaper he had been reading. His eyes lit up with interest once he spotted Hermione and he immediately stood up to greet her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" He greeted enthusiastically, "You must be Hermione. I'm Arthur Weasley. Molly told me about your heroic act and I am so thankful for your bravery!"

Hermione felt herself becoming tomato red. She hadn't really done that much... but she nodded anyway.

"Hi Mr. Weasl-"

"Feel free to call me Arthur, my dear!" Mr. Weasley interrupted.

"...Mr. We- Arthur... it's nice to meet you too." Hermione said. Mrs. Weasley, who had been standing by the stove during their interaction, came up to Hermione, holding a big steaming cup.

"Sit down now, both of you. Arthur you haven't finished your supper yet and Hermione just got home. You need to relax a bit." Mrs. Weasley ordered, but with kindness.

Hermione smiled and did as told, seating herself in the corner of the table against the wall, which happened to be right across Mr. Weasley's seat. Molly put the cup down in front of her.

"Here you go. It's hot chocolate, my own recipe."

"Thank you, so much." Touched by the nice gesture Hermione went silent. She carefully lifted the cup to her mouth, taking a deep breath to enjoy the smell, before tipping the cup and swallowing a small amount of hot liquid. The taste was perfect, warm and soft, and made her toes curl.

"It's delicious!" She exclaimed with a huge smile. As a servant/slave Hermione had only tasted hot chocolate once, when Pansy had a childish fit and thrown her cup of hot chocolate in Hermione's face. Not really the time for Hermione to enjoy the taste.

Ginny sat down next to Hermione and noticed her awed expression. "Haven't you ever had hot chocolate before?"

Hermione shook her head negatively. "No... well once... but that was only a couple of drops."

Mr. Weasley had by now finished his meal and folded his paper. When he heard the break in Ginny's and Hermione's conversation he bent forward over the table, unable to hide his curiosity.

"Erhm... please don't take this the wrong way, Hermione, but I can't help but ask: Are you really a muggle? A real one?" His voice wavered on real as if he couldn't believe it. Thankfully Hermione had by now learned to take no offense at the word muggle, but she couldn't help but think that it was kind of rude of Mr. Weasley to ask.

As she dragged out her answer, Molly and Ginny had time to swoop down and berate Mr. Weasley.

"Dad, that's really rude!"

"Arthur! Haven't you got any sense of propriety? Hermione doesn't understand what you are asking."

Ashamed, Arthur apologized profusely... until he realized what his wife had revealed.

"So you are a muggle!" In his excitement Arthur's voice pitched into falsetto and everyone in the room jumped in surprise.

"Oh goodness, you have to tell me all about yourself!" Arthur went on. "I am so excited to finally meet a real muggle. You won't believe how lucky I feel, dear. What a great coincidence. It's almost fate..."

"Are you suggesting that Ginny was almost murdered because of fate?" Molly's ice cold voice broke through Mr. Weasley's giddiness. The man stopped his ramblings and froze in fright. His wife was looking murderous herself, and Arthur knew that he was treading on dangerous ground.

"O-of course n-not, darling. I didn't mean that, I was just so excited that I..."

"Your common sense always leaves you, Arthur, when you talk about the other kind." Molly sighed and sat down on a chair with a weary sigh. Arthur looked at her concerned for a moment, and then turned back to Hermione with a hopeful smile.

"I'm sorry for my rather overwhelming outburst, but I would be very grateful if I could ask you a couple of questions about yourself."

Hermione considered it for a moment and nodded. Mr. Weasley didn't seem mean and she trusted him enough from his straight forwardness.

"I wouldn't mind." She took a sip from the cocoa to calm her rather upset nerves. All of these emotional outbursts at this time of night were very stressful not to mention she still hadn't calmed fully after her meeting with Draco.

The thought of Draco brought up even more conflicting emotions in Hermione and she forcefully shoved the memories into the back of her head with a mouthful of hot chocolate. She couldn't think of him now, because her "relation" with the Weasley's might be very important for her independent future, which she would need to get her own life.

Mr. Weasley stood up from the table. "I'm so glad to hear that. But of course you must be tired now. I won't ask anything tonight." With that he left and entered the living room.

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The two girls spent about half an hour in the kitchen, drinking cocoa and eating homemade buns. Once full they thanked Mrs. Weasley for the snack and headed up to Ginny's room. There was a guest bed for her next to Ginny's and flowery sheets lay in a neat pile on top of the mattress. Hermione made the bed with Ginny's help then they changed into night clothes. Hermione changed into a pale blue one that Ginny lent her and Ginny into a blood red one.

Once they had blown out the candle and lay in bed Hermione closed her eyes and let herself relax. This would be her first time in a real bed, in a place where she felt comfortable and at home. "You are so lucky, Ginny." Hermione whispered thinking that the girl had fallen asleep.

Ginny turned in her bed and peered at Hermione through the darkness, "What do you mean?"

"You have all of this. I'd give my right arm for this." Hermione sighed wistfully.

Ginny frowned, but Hermione was looking up at the ceiling and missed it. "A family, a home. You even have a crowd of siblings!" If she squinted she could almost make out faces in the dark shadows on the ceiling. One looked so familiar that she got a lump in her throat. "I am so lucky, you know, that I met you today Ginny. I don't know where I'd be otherwise. Probably sleeping on a bench somewhere." Her throat constricted and Hermione pulled the blanket over her head.

A heartbeat later her bed dipped and Ginny almost threw herself at Hermione, squishing her to the mattress. "Don't worry Hermione," Ginny whispered into her neck. "You can stay here forever with us! Mum loves you and dad thinks you're great! And I'm sure my brothers like you too."

Hermione choked on a laugh. "Even Ron?"

Ginny laughed evilly. "If he objects I'm going to he- tickle him till he shuts up." Hermione laughed and threw her arms around Ginny, hugging her tightly to her chest. "Thank you."

End part 1

Yep this is the end of part 1. Not a very exciting chapter, I know. But I don't feel like adding any action between H and D yet. Maybe next chapter. Maybe. Or not.

See you.