Chapter Seven

Disclaimer: It all belongs to JKR - I just play around for fun. :)

A/N: As always, my thanks to Psy for her input and ladyinthecloak for her Brit-pick work.

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An hour or so later, the twins, Ron, Daphne, and Harry had all left. Hermione was sitting opposite Molly in front of the fire, holding a cup of dark roast in her hand. It wasn't Minerva's, but it was certainly wonderful in its own right. Molly Weasley could not cook a bad meal or brew a bad pot of coffee if her life depended on it. Molly, of course, preferred tea, but always brewed coffee for Hermione and Minerva.

"I'm glad that you had a good talk with Daphne, dear. I confess – I was worried for you," Molly chuckled wryly, sipping her cup.

"Why so?" Hermione's feet were tucked behind her in the chair, her dress gathered at her knees.

"Well, you've been a member of this family for so long – but you, obviously, haven't married into us!" Molly laughed heartily, stroking the throw blanket on the side of her chair. "I thought that there might be a bit of contention between yourself and such a newcomer as Daphne. We all love her, or at least Arthur and I do, but in a very different way from the affection we have for you."

Hermione smiled at Molly. "Your concern was certainly valid, and I did feel a bit of jealousy before Daphne and I came in here to talk. But now ..." Hermione looked off at the legendary Weasley clock. Harry's name had been put in Charlie's stead, hers added next to Ginny's, and she saw Daphne's there now as well, that was attached to Ron's, behind his segment. "Now I understand why Ron loves her."

Molly looked at Hermione warmly. "She's changed him, Hermione. In this short amount of time, they've really become ... dare I say, soul-mates?"

Hermione mused, sipping her coffee. "That phrase is an awful lot to live up to."

"Well, they're each other's counterpart in every sense of the word. They have similar experiences, but come from opposite sides, so to speak. Not just the opposing Houses, of course, but the entire course of their lives. The War brought them together. They've been together longer then we've known, I think ..."

"What?" Hermione leaned in closer, her chin resting on her hand. "Is there some gossip attached to this relationship, Molly Weasley?" she asked cheekily.

"Well," Molly started confidentially, "they've 'officially' been a couple for several weeks."

"How have I not known about this? Ron's one of my best friends!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Ron hasn't been at brunch for the past few weeks, now has he?" Molly reminded her.

"Point taken."

"Do you remember last year, the press conferences and everything, how most of the Order went to Minerva's beach house, where you're at now, and how you and Ginny holed up by yourselves?"

"Of course." Hermione nodded. "Bloody wankers left us ..." she said playfully.

"Language, young lady."

"I'm not so young anymore, Molly," Hermione said kindly.

Molly sighed. "I don't need to be reminded of that ... God knows where the time went, what with the War over and Ginny and Ron both engaged ..."

"Molly, the story," Hermione reminded her impatiently.

"Oh, yes, dear. Well, I later learned that they had gone to Athens with Fred and George to celebrate. The entirety of Europe was rejoicing, and Athens was no exception. The wizarding community there had gathered in the ruins of Ancient Athens, protected from the Muggles by considerable spell work, of course, and by all accounts, it was one of the ... most raucous parties in Europe."

Hermione chuckled to herself. For some reason, it did not surprise her in the slightest, and she could tell that Molly was still uneasy with the fact that her sons had taken part in such (probably immoral) merriment of youth.

"They weren't in Athens very long, but I understand that Daphne was there with her friends, celebrating as well. Obviously, having the mutual Hogwarts history and with all the publicity surrounding her family's tragedy, my boys recognised her at once. Fred said that she and Ron have been inseparable ever since," Molly finished.

"But you and Arthur only met her recently."

"Well, she does live in Greece. I wouldn't be surprised if Ron got himself traded to Bulgaria's team so that she wouldn't have to move back to England," Molly said, slightly anxious. Hermione patted her hand, sympathetically.

"If he does, it will be for the best. They so obviously love each other, and she has such a sweet, calming presence that will do him good," Hermione volunteered. "I'm very impressed with her and her story. I had no idea," she said quietly.

Molly nodded in agreement. "None of us did. The poor girl, what she's been through. So many families have suffered."

Hermione rose, giving her a hug. "It's over, Molly. The War is over."

Hermione knew that, with two wars and a dead son in her history, Molly easily distrusted the new-found peace in the wizarding community. So did all the older Order members, Hermione thought. Arthur, Molly, Lupin, Minerva, and Severus, as seasoned war veterans, were far more severely affected then the rest. Bill and Tonks, who were old enough to remember and comprehend the severity of the First War, did not suffer nearly as much. Hermione remembered Tonks telling her that even in this last year of peace, she would frequently sit with her husband as the tremors of his past and distrust of the present haunted his dreams.

"Well, let's all be glad for that," Molly said as she stood up. "Oh, in the excitement of today, I forgot to tell you! Bill and Fleur are expecting again!"

"That is wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed, embracing Molly in celebration. "Oh, that is such good news! I haven't spoken with Fleur in a while, I'll admit."

"You are close ... you and she." Molly smiled. "I'm very glad that you and Fleur are friends, and that Ginny and Fleur are finally sisters, and that Daphne is on her way to becoming just as valued in this family. Thank you for making her feel so at home, Hermione."

Hermione paused. "She is the one who drew me in, Molly, not the other way around."

"Yes. She so wanted your approval, for herself and for Ron. She admires you, Hermione, always has, and she's completely in awe of your research. I don't know a mother in the Order, or in the wizarding community even, who isn't grateful from the bottom of her heart for what you are doing. You aren't a mother yet, Hermione ..."

"Don't say that so quickly!" Hermione laughed, half in nervous fear.

"...But when you are, you will understand how truly meaningful your work is for those of us who are," Molly finished.

"It's for Fleur, Molly, it really is," Hermione said.

"I know." Molly's eyes sparkled with tears. "And that means the world to all of us."

Hermione embraced her. "I really should be going. Minerva stopped by yesterday, so I haven't worked in a few days. I should be getting back to my research."

Molly laughed. "Just don't let your work consume you so much that you forget to come visit me, dear. You're just like Severus, you really are."

Hermione looked down at the floor.

"You miss him, don't you?" Molly asked knowingly.

Hermione looked up, shocked. Molly chuckled. "Oh, darling, how could I not suspect? I know how to read the heart of a woman in love ... I've known you since you were a second year, dear one. I've never seen you in love before, but when you and Severus were together, you both just became ... complete," she said comfortingly.

Hermione sighed, tiredly. "Does anyone else know? I haven't even told Harry and Ron..."

"So I thought, and no, no one else does. Lupin has his suspicions, I think, but even Minerva remains pleasantly oblivious."

"Well, I knew that, how she talks about him ..."

"He was practically Albus' son, Hermione, and thus he became hers as well – in spite of everything," Molly added. She took Hermione's hands in hers. "I know you need to go, but let me tell you one last thing. I visit him on occasion, I cook food for him – he's far too thin. You'd think with Italian food he'd actually eat, but none the matter." Molly waved a hand. "He misses you," she said matter-of-factly. "When the two of you were together at Grimmauld – well, that's one of the only times I've ever seen him happy in his life. He is not happy anymore, Hermione, and you yourself are very much changed. Don't tell me that part of your zealousness in your research is so that you will have something else to occupy your thoughts," she said.

Hermione barely nodded, the relief of confession overwhelming her. "I do miss him," she said. "More then I can say," she whispered.

Molly took Hermione's chin between her thumb and forefinger. "Then go to him, my dear. The two of you are halves to the same potion, so to speak. One cannot live a fulfilled existence or purpose without the other."

"He doesn't want me, Molly. He practically pushed me out of his life..."

"And it is up to him to tell you why." Hermione looked up, surprised. "I have said enough," Molly continued, "And now you need to go research. And think on what I've said," she nudged Hermione kindly. "I do so want to see you happy."

Hermione hugged the older woman. "All these engagements have put you in a remarkably frivolous mood, Molly Weasley," she remarked dryly.

"They do tend to have that effect," Molly said. "Now off with you! I've got to clean up this mess you've all left!" She waved her hands dramatically.

Hermione laughed, and Apparated out of the Burrow, trying to hide the emotions that were raging within her.