Dear Stranger

Chapter 16

September 1st 2017

Today was the day. Hermione sat up in bed, her nerves refusing her any extra sleep than what was absolutely necessary. Draco was lying next to her, his hair was ruffled and his white t-shirt was wrapped around his torso awkwardly. He was breathing steadily, apparently very peaceful and not at all nervous. She was playing with the edge of the sheet, trying and failing to quell the anxiety that was rising from the pit of her stomach. The sun had started to shine through the large window and Draco slowly stirred.

"Up already?" He asked, his voice was sleepy and gravelly as usual.

"I can't really calm myself down. I slept for a few hours so it wasn't a total loss, but my nerves won't allow it any longer." Draco sat up and leaned against the headboard, he pulled his wife into his arms and she tucked her head under his chin. "I'm just nervous for her, I know she's completely capable of taking care of herself, more so than Leo is or probably ever will be, but still. She's my girl, it's going to be hard to let her go."

"You're not letting her go, it's Hogwarts, she'll be back home for Christmas and such and all the rest of the time she'll be at the safest place in Britain. You have nothing to worry about, love. Rose will be fine, she'll be brilliant actually. And James is there he'll teach her the ropes. And she'll have Veronica too. There's nothing to worry about."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She had needed to hear that. Of course knowing James Potter would be there to help out her daughter was only slightly unsettling given how mischievous the boy could be. Veronica Longbottom would certainly be the voice of reason for Rose. Rose was smart, much like her parents, but much unlike her mother she could be quite the rogue. She was the type of student who wouldn't do a lick of studying and still get topl marks on every test. She had a proclivity for mischief (much like James, though not as refined or overwhelming) and she was a fast thinker. She was wickedly witty and her devil-may-care attitude was one for the books. Rose was going places, they both knew it, but parting with your first child was always such sweet sorrow.

Hermione gave another large sigh and pulled herself, ever so reluctantly, out of Draco's arms and off the bed. She started getting ready for the day while Draco went to put the coffee on. She showered and changed quickly and went to check on the kids. It was already 8 o'clock so she assumed Rose would at least be awake. She wasn't surprised when she knocked on her door and opened it to find Rose double checking her luggage. She was still in her pajamas, but she was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed digging through her trunk.

"Hi Mum." She said without looking away from her task.

"You've got it all sorted out then?" Hermione asked, approaching her daughter and joining her on the hardwood floor.

"I think so. I've got all my school books, I've got all the clothes I'll need. I've triple checked to make sure I've got all my bath-things, I always forget them so I figured a third time's a charm. I've got all my non-school related books and my Weird Sisters poster, and that picture of me and Veronica from a few years back. I figure that's everything I need. If I've forgotten something can I owl you for it?"

"Of course, sweetheart." Hermione looked at her lovely daughter for a few moments as Rose looked over her trunk once more. "Are you nervous?"

Rose smiled, "Well duh, Mum, of course I am. I think it's obligatory, plus what fun would I be if I wasn't a little nervous? Don't want people thinking I'm that one obnoxious 11 year old that knows everything. That's what dad said at least."

Hermione laughed at that and shook her head, "Your dad can be quite insightful sometimes."

"Yeah when he's not being a swot."