Romancing Your New Fiancé

Panic at the MOA

Hermione

"Are you sure you don't need me to stay? I could at least keep you company, Hermione. You looked so upset when you arrived. I hate to leave you here with this wild lot," Neville says with a chuckle, jerking his head in the direction of the kids.

Who, by the way, are not wild. At least at this moment, since they are all at their spots doing their homework from school.

A wry smile blooms as I gaze at the children. These precious souls who were so undeservedly displaced after the second Wizarding War. Brigette was looking very bored as she swished her feet under her chair with her head propped on her hand, daydreaming. She's the dreamer of the group, which I love even though it makes it difficult to keep her focused on her schooling.

Jared, the precious boy, was staring at her intermittently between scribbling on his paper and scanning his text book. He was convinced that Brigette was his soulmate, and all the little things he did to woo her made my heart full on swoon, and Brigette so happy. Those two were by far the most well adjusted of the group. Besides Teddy, of course, but he had the blessing of having a family and home with his grandparents after Tonks and Lupin died.

After the war, I struggled greatly with finding a purpose. Finding something to do with my life that made my heart sing. After attending an event with a large group of orphans displaced by the war, I found my calling. These children needed me. Who better to help them than an orphan herself?

Wincing internally at reminding myself of the loss of my parents, I instead give Neville a large smile that I hope passes for sincere. It must be good enough because he gives me a peck on the cheek and lets me know he's made lasagna, and that it's in the fridge whenever I'm ready to cook it. And good god I'm incredibly thankful for that. I'm a horrible cook, and I'll deny it if anyone were to call me on it, but- I usually order out when it's my days to come up with sustenance for the horde.

Luckily, they all roll with the flow, no matter what's served. They're always thankful and eat every bite. The only ones that give me any grief are the twins, Natalia and Nathan. It doesn't help their parents were both death eaters, which makes the other children very aggressive and rather sneakily vindictive to them because of that fact.

It breaks my heart when any of them hurt, but it bleeds something fierce when Nathan and Natalia are upset over being bullied over something they had zero control over. You can't help who your parents are, or control their actions as children. You're supposed to be able to count on them, to trust in their decisions as the responsible party. It shreds my soul to ribbons when I think about it too thoroughly.

"Can you help me with my maths, Miss Hermione?" little Caleb asks, pulling lightly on my sleeve.

Smiling warmly at him, I say, "Of course, let me put this in the oven and I'll be right over."

As I watch him join the other ten children at the table, I can't help but think to myself how sure I am that I've found my purpose.

*****************

"Miss Hermione! Wake up!"

"Please wake up!"

"Don't leave us! We need you!"

My head rolls to the side, as I very groggily and blearily take in the mass of kids surrounding me. When I go to speak, I can't form more than a rasp. My throat is so dry it aches painfully.

Natalia's lip wobbles as I open the palm she's gripping like a lifeline. My heart cracks into tiny pieces when she lays her little face in it, causing me to cradle her precious, tear-stained cheeks.

"Miss Hermione, I need you to be okay," she croaks, her voice raw and clogged with emotion.

It's when some of the other children place their hands on her in comfort that I find the strength to whisper two words. One name.