Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Eugene came in the morning for breakfast, and Hermione was smartly dressed for church. True to his word, Eugene came dressed as he had yesterday: a simple jumper and jeans.

"How did your aunt and uncle react when you told them you were going to church?" she asked him as she served him eggs and toast.

He shrugged his shoulders as he sat down at the kitchen table. Hermione gave him a glass of orange juice. "They were glad I was out of their hair. They like to have a lie-in on Sundays. Me cousin Stanley watches all us kids. Stanley is a real berk; he thinks he's so great because he's four years older. He likes to boss me around, so it's good to get out of the house. Then there is the noises and thumping coming from my uncle and aunt's room. It's rather annoying, actually," he said absent-mindedly.

Hermione hadn't had sex in a while now, and although she did not have anyone with whom she wanted to have sex, the remembering gave her a twinge between her legs. She was glad Eugene was completely oblivious to what was happening in his uncle and aunt's room.

They ate in silence until Eugene was finished eating. "So, where are we going?" asked Eugene as he handed Hermione his empty breakfast plate.

"We are going to a Catholic church that is not more than three kilometers from here. Perhaps in the spring and summer we could walk it," she suggested.

"What's it called?" he asked.

"Our Lady of the Wayside," Hermione said dreamily. "I have never been a Catholic, but I figure it can't be all that much different from The Church of England, I reckon," she figured.

"Well, best foot forward, Eugene!" she urged. "I'm going to give your hair a good trim-up before we go."

After the grumbling and grousing had ended, Eugene looked at his reflection in the mirror.

"Cor! Not too shabby, Hermione," he said happily.

"It does make a bit of difference," Hermione said aloud as she smiled. "Now, if you have need of clothes to be washed or patched, you will come to me. Now, let's get our coats on, and I'll get my bible."

Eugene sat with Hermione throughout the service, looking at her pensively now and again. He copied her movements, and Hermione knew he was watching and studying her as she worshiped. The lull of the music, the comforts of the repetition of various prayers made Hermione feel somewhat normal again. She took out a rosary that she had bought last week and began to count the times she said "Hail, Mary" and "Our Father."

After the service, Eugene asked Hermione while they ate lunch. "What was that stuff you was sayin' whilst you were fiddling about with those beads?" he asked.

Hermione contemplated how she should explain. She didn't want to go into all that dogma.

"Well," she began, "I was praying a couple of different prayers, but the one that I think you need to learn is the Lord's Prayer."

"Why?" he asked suspiciously before swallowing a large mouthful of mashed potatoes.

Hermione explained it to him. "Because it is a humble prayer, and it was the prayer Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how they should pray. It's very simple." She began to say the words, and she could see the spark of comfort in his eyes.

"Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name..."

After dinner, Hermione took the bible and showed the passage of the Lord's Prayer to him. She told him she wanted him to memorize and remember it always.

"Eugene," she said as she placed her arm around his back, "forgiveness is a tough business. It is not enough to forgive others. We must also forgive ourselves. God forgives us through Grace. Grace is God's gift to us. But there are many people who refuse to accept that God has forgiven them, so they hang on to anger against those who have hurt them. They won't accept God's gift of Grace and instead let the pain and sadness remain in their lives. So, it is important to forgive others and yourself because God has already forgiven you anyway. But if it seems too hard to forgive, God will give you the ability to do it if you ask Him. That's what the bible teaches."

Eugene's face was downcast. "Mr. Black, he has a lot of anger. I don't think he has forgiven anyone," he confessed sadly.

Hermione felt so sad for Mr. Black. Not pity, like she had before, but a real sadness that he was living and had lived so many years holding on to pain and regret.

"God gives us all free will, Eugene," Hermione explained sadly. "Mr. Black must come to his own place where he can forgive and move on with his life."

"So, what? It's like forgive and forget?" he retorted hotly.

"Oh, no," said Hermione in earnest. "It's impossible to forget. But you still can forgive. You forgive so you may release yourself from the pain. God one day will settle all scores. One day, all will be made right again. I don't know when, but one day it will happen. Those who keep their faith in God will receive their reward and live with Him forever in Heaven."

"I like that," said Eugene. "One day, even if I don't get satisfaction, my aunt and uncle will pay for how mean they were to me."

Hermione hugged him and said, "Why don't you take a nap? I have the room down the hall you can use. I shall nap in my bed on the other end."

"Okay, Hermione," he said as he padded off to his new room. Hermione's heart was full to the brim with love for him; it nearly made her weep for his tragic life. She had to rescue him from those wicked people. She just had to find a way.

The next couple months went by with Eugene coming faithfully every day he could after school and on Sunday mornings for Mass. Hermione made rich meals to feed him. He was a weed, growing so fast, but wilting from lack of care and nourishment. She had half a mind to go tell Eugene's aunt and uncle they were complete bastards!

She learned from Eugene more about the elusive Mr. Black. When Eugene came to Garden Cottage after school, he told her stories about the other boys as well. They continued to tease Eugene about being at the old man's house.

"I have to be there, Hermione!" he exclaimed desperately. "He is cleaning the house and working hard in his basement making things. He knows she will come back to him, and when she does, he wants to be ready. He needs my help to clean and do his shopping. He still won't leave the house.

"And he still wears that mangy scarf around his neck. I think he was wounded. His voice was really raspy when I first met him, but it's better now. He takes lots of homemade medicine, and he gets tired easy. D'you think I could take him some food? He never eats much, and he's real thin."

"Sure," Hermione said as she packed up some spring salad with cold chicken, fruit and vegetables. "I will also have you take him some of my lemonade. I hope he doesn't prefer it on the tart side, but from what you told me, he probably needs some sweetening," she said with a wink.

Eugene laughed. "I want you both to meet. I think you would be so good for him. He is a really smart bloke, and you're real smart, too. I think he needs someone to love him. He still is waiting for that old lady, but she doesn't come. He cries when he thinks I'm not looking, and then, when he thinks I'm not there, he talks to her in the mirror! He has a small picture of her he keeps by his bed. I saw it once. I had to sneak 'cause he won't let me look at it. But I snitched a look, and she was really pretty with dark red hair and nice green eyes. He caught me and thrashed me with a switch," he said gravely.

Hermione's eyes went wide. "Aren't you afraid of him? He seems a bit unhinged."

"Naw," he replied. "He's going to tell me the reason I am so special soon. I'm almost ready. Then I'll be free of my stupid aunt and uncle and their bratty kids. They don't want me around anyway."

"Why is that, Eugene?" she asked as she sat next to him on the couch.

Eugene looked uncomfortable and said, "Do you promise never to tell anyone what I tell you? I mean, only Mr. Black knows, and no one else."

"Okay," Hermione said nervously.

Eugene lowered his voice and said, "I make things happen. I don't mean it, but I got really mad once and made a mirror explode. I didn't even chuck nuthin' at it. Then, once me older cousin, Stanley, really made me mad, and the next thing I knew, he was dangling from the ceiling by one leg. I didn't mean it, it just happened. Then, me aunt cut my hair, and it grew back the next day. They think I'm weird and won't tell me about my parents."

"Whose side were your parents on?" she asked him.

Eugene frowned. "My mum was my uncle's sister. He doesn't like to talk about her much. He said she got herself killed. They said they didn't know who my dad was. She was an unmarried woman. They said they met my dad once, but he was strange and not very nice."

Hermione was intrigued. Could he be a wizard, like Harry, living with Muggle relatives who treat him like dirt?

The more Hermione thought about it, the more it made sense. Eugene was a studious boy who was smart, didn't really fit in with his peers and being mistreated by his guardians. If this man is really Professor Snape, it would make sense why he trusts Eugene. At least Hermione hoped it was Snape. It made sense. Harry had confided in her some of the details of the memories he'd received from Snape. The wizard had desperately loved Harry's mother, Lily. But Lily was dead! How could he be waiting for her to return? And what was this mirror nonsense? Perhaps he was mad. Sooner or later, she would have to meet Eugene's friend. He remembered "a special school in Scotland," so he must remember he had been a teacher at Hogwarts, and he had mentioned he hated children. If it were the professor, he would have to know her.

That evening as Hermione got dressed for bed, she looked into her bedroom mirror. She looked hard at her face. How would she feel if it wasn't Professor Snape? Would she be sad? Disappointed? Relived?

No, relieved would not be an emotion she would feel. As far as she knew, Harry was still drifting in and out of his depression and guilt, still unable to forgive himself for the professor's death. She decided to owl Ginny to ask how Harry had been these last five months. If it was real, and this 'Mr. Black' truly was Professor Snape, Harry could start to forgive himself.

Hermione couldn't believe it was May. The time had melted away. Each day was something new with Eugene, and he had brought so much fun into her life. He was a very special boy. She pulled herself out of her woolgathering and wrote to Ginny. Then she went to bed and memories of old school days came rushing back to her.

She remembered going out with Harry and Ron when they'd been just little firsties, out to help Harry defend himself in a wizard's duel with Draco Malfoy. Of course, the berk had never showed up, and they, along with Neville had returned to Gryffindor tower after a near run in with Filch and a real run in with Fluffy, Hagrid's three-headed dog. She remembered her parting words.

"I hope you are pleased with yourselves. We could've all been killed...or worse, expelled!"

She smiled as she thought about Hagrid, his love of Norberta, all those years they thought Norberta was a male...Norbert, the dragon! Then there were his Blast-ended Skwerts. Hagrid and Buckbeak...no, Witherwings...she wondered how they were. Probably well, now that the war was over, and Grawp had already begun acting with better manners.

As she fell asleep, she thought of Sirius and how much Eugene looked like him. She thought how much he reminded her of Harry with his cruel aunt and uncle and of Snape with his long black hair and thin body begging for nourishment. If she were able, she would take him and raise him as her own son. He had to be a wizard. She wondered when the secretive 'Mr. Black' would give him that talk. She giggled. How hilarious. Mr. Black, indeed!

Hermione heard a knock on her door, and she was jerked out of the book she was reading. She glanced at the clock as she made her way to the front door. This is usually Eugene's time to drop in, she thought.

She opened the door and found Eugene doubled up on the ground.

"Oh my God! Eugene!" she cried out as she gathered him into her arms.

"What's happened to you?" she asked desperately.

"I got twatted in the face," he mumbled in pain.

Hermione sighed. She really did have a time figuring out his dialect and slang. "I would say it was more than that, young man!" she snapped.

Hermione took him into his bedroom and laid him down. She went into the bathroom and got her bruise removal paste and wand. The boy would have to know sooner or later.

She also returned with a small wet towel and wiped some of the blood from his face. Poor boy had a bloody nose. She told him to keep his head tilted with the cloth over it whilst she felt his torso. She lifted his shirt and saw the bruises. Someone had definitely kicked the crap out of him, poor thing! She was mad now. Someone had hurt her little friend, and she was almost positive who the little bastards were, too.

She felt gingerly around his ribcage and thin chest. He had either a broken or cracked rib. Well, she'd figure this out. She took her wand and performed a diagnostic test. Sure enough, he had a broken rib. She healed it, and Eugene began to breathe easier. She performed a quick nonverbal "Tergeo,", and his face was all clean. She took the cloth from him and healed his bloody nose. She felt along the bridge for any serious damage.

"Well, thank goodness it's not broken!" she said happily as she flashed a smile at him. She began to rub the bruise removal paste on him, and within minutes he felt perfect.

He was in shock as to how easy and quickly she healed him. He looked at his stomach and felt his ribs. He then felt around his face. "Are my bruises gone?" he whispered.

"Yes," said Hermione happily.

His head flopped back on the bed.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked as she sat on the edge of the bed next to him.

He was crying.

"Now they're really gonna hurt me! They all think I'm a radgee, just a weirdo kid that's not like them. They hate me," he said as he choked on his tears.

Hermione got some tissues and dried his eyes. "Eugene, what do you think about you?" she asked.

"I dunno," he muttered.

"Come now, Eugene," she prodded. "Tell me, what do YOU think about yourself?"

"I think aas crazy," he whispered. "I keep doing things that are strange and scary. I pushed a kid after he called me a bastard, and he flew back real far. I also keep making glass explode wherever I go. Then today, I made Tommy's chair disappear, and he fell on his arse. That's why they thrashed me today after school. They said they didn't want me around anymore."

Hermione placed her hand on his cheek. "Eugene, you aren't a radgee or a weirdo, nor are you crazy. You're a wizard," she whispered.

"A w-what?" he said with large eyes looking at her strangely.

"You're a wizard. And I am a witch," she replied. She took her wand and said, "Watch."

She made a swish and flick with her wand and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The tube of bruise paste went up in the air and rested down upon her bedroom dresser.

"Wicked!" he blurted out. "That's a magic wand! Can I have one?" he said, sounding very excited.

Hermione looked at Eugene and thought about it. Then she said, "One day...the August after next, when you are eleven, you'll receive a letter from a very special school in Scotland called Hogwarts. You will be there for seven years, learning all about magic and all sorts of interesting things about the magical world. When the day your letter comes, I'll take you into Wizarding London, and you will see Mr. Ollivander. He will get you a special wand made to fit you! It will be your very own special wand. Now let's see what you can do with mine."

She taught him how to swish and flick first. Then when he had it down pat, she taught him the spell.

"Say, Wingardium Leviosa!"

He repeated, and she helped him how to place the emphasis on the correct syllable. Then she had him work the spell. He focused hard on the small feather Hermione got from her closet, and he got it to lift, but then it dropped down.

"Why didn't it stay up?" he asked.

"Well, you must keep on concentrating," she explained. "Just because you got it in the air doesn't mean you can take away your attention. But let's not do that now. How do you feel? Are you hungry?"

Eugene wrapped his arms around Hermione's neck. "I love you, Hermione. I bet my real mum was just like you."

Hermione gave him a squeeze and said, "I bet she was ever better! She was probably the prettiest, most wonderful mum ever." She gave him a kiss on the head. She went up and fixed him a bowl of soup and gave him another glass of milk.

"Nothing too heavy," she said. "You've just been healed, after all."

As she watched him eat, she said, "Now, you realize that you can't tell anyone about me being a witch or you being a wizard, right?" she said.

"I know," he said casually.

"How do you know that?" she asked, a little irritated. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.

Eugene smiled. "Because Mr. Black does it all the time. He told me last week I was a wizard, and he showed me a bunch of cool stuff...and he didn't even use a wand. He didn't even say the words! Things just obey him when he stares at them. It's amazing! He must be the most powerful wizard in the world!"

Hermione exhaled. This Mr. Black is sounding more and more like Professor Snape every time Eugene mentions him!

"I gotta go now, Hermione. He doesn't like it when I'm late. We're cleaning really hard now. He gets so mad, it's hilarious, because he's total crap with cleaning."

Hermione smiled smugly. "Yes, you need a wand for most cleaning spells," she said in her best know-it-all voice.

She picked up his empty dishes, and Eugene hovered around the corner. "Hermione, I really want you to meet Mr. Black. He's so lonely and sad. He keeps talking about her and to her. But I know she's not coming back. She should have been here by now!" he said urgently.

Hermione knelt down and gently stroked his shoulders. "Eugene," she said as she looked up into his brilliant blue eyes. "You're right. I think she won't be coming back. Actually, I think she may be dead. Mr. Black is sick, I think. I think he has only part of his memory working. Please do not tell him I said these things. Just keep helping him. Ask him about the school, Hogwarts, that you'll be going to. Ask him about his life there when he was growing up. Ask him all sorts of things about school and his past, and then maybe, he'll remember she's gone. But DO NOT ever tell him she's dead. I think he would completely lose his mind if that were to happen," she whispered.

Eugene flew into her arms and hugged her tight. "I wish I could bring Mr. Black here. I know if you made him some good food and some milk, he'd be all better. Then if you hugged him, he'd forget all about that old lady and fall in love with you. You're dishy, and you always smell good," he said.

Hermione blushed. "Is that what you want, Eugene? You want for me and Mr. Black to fall in love?" she asked.

His eyes shone brightly. "Yeah! Then you both wouldn't be alone. You could clean his old clothes that are really worn and patched up and maybe heal his sore neck. He needs good food, too. He really loved the food I took him from you. At first, he was suspicious and took a long time sniffing it before he would taste it. But he'd be happy. I just know it! Then you could get married and maybe... Would you keep me?" he asked.

Hermione's eyes flooded with tears. She hugged Eugene tightly and whispered, "I don't need Mr. Black to give you a home. If you want to stay with me, and be my son, I will try my hardest to make it happen."

Eugene pulled away. "But Mr. Black...he really needs you, too! He's way too old to be adopted. But you could marry him, and he'd be my dad! It would be really cool, too, because we both have black hair. We'd live far away from Grasmere and be a proper family. I'm sure if he only got himself all cleaned up, you might like him enough. He's kinda dirty, but he does work a lot. I'm sure you don't have to do all the kissin' my uncle and aunt do. Blech!" he said with a grimace.

Hermione smiled. Eugene was going in for a treat when puberty hit him. It shouldn't be too far off, a couple years a least. Then he would forget all about her and Mr. Black and find his own love, trying to win her affections. As Hermione cleaned up, she wondered what Mr. Black was telling Eugene about girls. Was he being a real father figure and telling him about the facts of life? She wondered...

Cumbrian Slang

Twatted – smacked, hit

Radgee – A person not capable, a waste of space, or mad and crazy

Aas – I am

Dishy – pretty

Thanks to JKR for the quote of Hermione's taken from SS.