Bodyguard

Chapter 10 - The Parents

Hermione P.O.V

"Ginny?!" Before I can utter another word, Ginny throws her arms around my neck and screams my name over and over again.

"Hermione! You're alive?! Oh God, you are! You're here." She sobs into my shoulder as I return the hug.

"Hi, Ginny."

"I've missed you so much. When you stopped responding, I was so scared... What happened? Why does everyone think you're dead?" An awkward silence ensues until my father speaks up.

"How about we take this conversation into the living room?"

"Your father's right. I can have the maids prepare some coffee... and maybe an early lunch? I'm sure you're both hungry." Theo mouths the word 'maids' to me with a questioning look, but I merely shrug with a sheepish smile.

"Some food would be nice actually. We've been trying to keep a low profile, so we didn't end up stopping anywhere to eat on the way here."

"Are you two on the run?" My mother blurts out. "Is Ron coming here?" My mouth presses into a firm line as I contemplate how to answer her. I glance at Theo and he shakes his head 'no'. "Ginny, we should give her some space. She only arrived here a couple of minutes before you did."

My father gestures towards the living room.

"Shall we." When we sit down I immediately turn to Ginny.

"So... what are you doing at my parents' house?"

"When I heard the news that you had been declared dead... I didn't want to be alone. I know you haven't spoken to your parents in forever, but I had a feeling they needed some support."

"We're so glad you came, Ginny. You've been such a big help." My mother says with a smile.

"She has?" I ask looking at them both confused. My parents both nod and give her grateful smiles.

"She brought over two casseroles and your father's favorite pie." My mother says with a grin.

"She also caught us up to date with some things." My father's tone is surprisingly sharp, and it causes my mother to put a firm hand on his arm.

"Not now, Richard."

"Umm... what exactly did Ginny tell you?"

"I didn't tell them anything too personal. Only things about Ron that you and I hated."

"Like his mistresses that you've apparently known about, or the way he treats you like a trophy wife instead of a partner. That's not how we raised you, Hermione."

"Richard, please." My mother says trying to shush my father. "You'll drive her away again." My father opens his mouth to continue, but my mother's words must have registered because he closes it quickly with an audible snap. I sigh.

"I'm sorry, dad. I never should have left. It's something I've been think a lot about lately. Losing my relationship with you two hurt me so much. If it weren't for Ginny staying by my side, I would've been completely isolated."

"We're so sorry for making you choose in the first place. We were just so certain that you'd stay."

"You can't imagine how shocked we were when it completely backfired on us." I notice my mom glancing at Theo, and right on cue, she smiles right at me and changes the subject.

"But you're here now, and that's all that matters. How about you tell us what happened?"

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