Cast Aside

Lemon Drops and Back Stories

Chapter 4

"Ah. I'm afraid you're late on that front, my dear."

Whipping around so fast that her tangled curls smacked George in the face, Hermione stared up into the twinkling blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore. He stood on the other side of the gate watching her, those eyes keen over his half-moon glasses. Feeling the sly tendrils of his mind attempting to probe hers, Hermione slammed her occlumency shields into place and frantically looked back to George. Dear Merlin, she hoped he could occlude.

Blessedly, despite his inner turmoil, George somehow managed to slide instantly into the charm that had so often saved him and his brother in school.

"Ah, professor! We didn't mean to disturb you, sir. Apologies. I'm afraid my fiancé and I have had a brush with some dark wizards. Figured this might be a safe place, with you here that is." Exaggeratedly looking around, pausing long enough to pat Hermione gently on the cheek—snapping her from the shock at being claimed as his fiancé—George breathed a sigh of relief and smiled tiredly up at the shrewd old man. "Just the risk of the great Dumbledore was enough to scare them off, it would seem."

One long, silver brow arched in curiosity as Dumbledore took George's measure. That damned twinkle still firmly in place, the old man nodded in understanding and smiled serenely as the gate creaked open to allow them entry. Hermione did not miss the way his eyes flicked around the trees and village behind them, scanning for their made up threats.

"Well, let it not be said that Hogwarts denied sanctuary to those fleeing dark wizards. Perhaps you could join me in my office for some tea and conversation?" Gut churning, Hermione looked to George.

He tried to demure. "That's alright sir. I'm sure you're exceedingly busy and we should be alright to make our own way now."

"Nonsense! You both look to be in quite the state. Albus Dumbledore is never too busy to help those in need."

Although his face was the picture of grandfatherly generosity, Hermione knew better than to ever take the old wizard's demeanor for granted. He wanted to know who they were and what, if any, threat they posed to his no doubt already grand scheme. Honestly, they were suspicious so she wouldn't hold that against him. She would not, however, be stupid enough to tell him the truth. A conclusion that George had, thankfully, come to as well.

As he helped her to her feet, Hermione did her best to silently convey her confusion and apprehension to George. He frowned slightly and glanced at Dumbledore's retreating figure as he casually meandered up the path to the castle ahead of them, evidently expecting to be followed. Returning her concerned gaze, George merely squeezed her hand before ushering her along after their former—future—headmaster.

They were quiet as they made their way to the school. Each taking the time to push down their distress and grief for the moment and think of anything they could tell the seemingly omnipotent man about themselves. More than once along the way, Hermione wished she was skilled enough at legilimency to pass her thoughts to George.

Eventually, he pushed open the grand doors to the main hall and guided them along towards his office. He did not rush them and occasionally pointed out things of interest along the way, evidently deciding they had not been students. When they finally reached his office, he said as much.

"I don't think I recognize either of you as former students. Neither of you look old enough to have been out of school terribly long I'd judge, could I have missed you amidst the throng of students somehow?"

Finally finding her voice, Hermione tried to match George's weary ease as she thought quickly. "No, sir. My parents have family in France and we'd been living with relatives when I turned eleven. I attended Beauxbaton's. I'm a muggleborn but one of my French cousins by marriage is a squib. It was so nice for my parents to have someone to talk to about everything in the family and she spoke so highly of the school that we stayed."