When it rains, it pours.

Learning

Derek was standing outside the Potter house while the sheriff was talking with Lydia. He could hear that she was calm in her answers, and Derek could respect that. She had been wandering through the woods for at least a week, naked at that. It would shake anyone, but she seemed calm and collected. He had to wonder if it was because of Hermione and Harry. They seemed to have some kind of authority and calmness about themselves he couldn't place.

He could also hear Hermione and Harry answering questions about how they had found Lydia and why they had called Derek. Derek tried not to feel resentful about how the questions were asked as if Derek had something to do with the missing girl.

It seemed that Hermione and Harry both were hearing that too, and they were quick to defend him. Telling the deputies that they knew Derek and knew that he would volunteer today, it seemed like the most logical reason was to call him because he would already be with the deputies. It had been the fastest way to let them know, according to them.

He didn't know what he had done for them to defend him like that, but it felt good. He couldn't deny that. The deputies had asked him to stay because they thought it was suspicious that Derek had been called, but now they seemed to understand why it had happened.

That he also was staying so he could talk to Harry and Hermione after was something the deputies didn't have to know.

The ambulance arrived, and Lydia was quickly taken to the hospital, even if she was saying that she was fine. They still needed to do some checkups.

The deputies came out of the house and told him that he could go.

''I want to talk to Harry and Hermione, but thank you. I hope the girl is fine.'' He gruffly answered. The deputies raised their eyebrows in question but didn't say anything else and got into their cars.

Only the Sheriff had stayed behind. He was still talking to Hermione and Harry. Harry excused himself and came out on the porch.

''Come on inside, Derek. It is cold out.'' He then turned back inside without another word.

Derek was debating if running away was still an option, but he settled himself and went inside. It was more comfortable. He really hated winter. The train depot would be cold as fuck tonight.

He nodded at the Sheriff, who looked dubious of seeing him there just like he was dubious when Derek had offered to volunteer this afternoon.

''Hale. I was just asking these kids how they know you.'' He said with narrowed eyes. Derek shrunk a little in himself. Trying to look as non-threatening as possible.

'' Kids ? I have you know that I'm eighteen, Sheriff. Derek is just one year my senior.'' Hermione said with an indignant voice, and Derek was biting his lip because he really wanted to grin at this girl. He liked the no-nonsense attitude.

The Sheriff looked properly chastised, especially when Hermione put her hands in her sides. Harry was shaking with silent laughter.

''How come you are in the same classes as my son? He's a junior.'' The Sheriff said, already having heard from Harry, that they knew Stiles.

''We had a lot of troubles the past year, so we thought it was advisable to start in junior year to catch up,'' Hermione said without a hint of a lie.

''Okay, and you live here in this house, all by yourself? How do you pay for this?''

''Sir, this house is all paid for. It was my family's before they died.'' Harry said softly. Not being impolite, but letting the Sheriff know that it is rude to pry.