Forever and Always - Dramione/Blinny Veela Sequel

Ch. 15

"How is quidditch going?" Lucius asked Ginny before taking a bite of his dinner, a hint of cautiousness in his voice. Everyone could feel the tenseness between her and Blaise before everyone separated for the night, Lucius included even though he was on the other side of the manor at the time.

"It's going well," Ginny answered, shifting some of her own food around as she avoided eye contact. "We have another game coming up against Romania soon."

"That's exciting!" Narcissa said happily. "Perhaps we'll be able to go to that one and cheer you on."

"I would like that," Ginny said with a smile before taking a small bite of her food.

"Would you like to come with us, dear?" Narcissa asked Hermione. "It's been a while since you and your parents have joined us for a quidditch match."

"Oh, she doesn't come to my games that are during the week," Ginny answered abruptly before Hermione could, looking down at her plate while shifting the food around again. "She can't take the time off to do it."

Hermione stared at Ginny from across the table, gaping slightly. There was resentment dripping from Ginny's statement, which silenced the entire table.

"It's not that I don't want to take the time off," Hermione started slowly, noticing that Ginny was still avoiding eye contact. "The past few games that have been in the middle of the week were around the busiest times of the month for me when my clients call in before and after the full moon; you know I can't take off work during those times."

"You're right," Ginny said with a wave of her hand. "I'm sorry, I just like seeing you at my games."

"I want to be there, believe me," Hermione said, resting her forearm on the table and raising an eyebrow at Ginny.

"You know, you don't really need to work given the amount of money that you and Draco have," Ginny stated with a shrug before taking a bite.

Hermione's brow furrowed. "I know I don't need to work. But I want to work. You know I don't like to be unproductive, and I'm trying to make the wizarding world better."

Ginny didn't respond, still obviously avoiding eye contact while scowling down at her plate. Lucius and Narcissa looked quietly between the two girls, refusing to say anything. Ginny finally sighed and stood up. "Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom."

She quickly left the room and Hermione glared at her as she left. Narcissa turned to her and asked quietly, "Is everything alright between you two?"

"I don't know," Hermione sighed, rubbing her forehead in frustration. "I think the stress of everything is affecting her."

"It's affecting her quite a bit, it seems," Lucius remarked.

"I don't think I've ever seen you two argue," Narcissa stated, putting her fork down.

Hermione shrugged and said, "The Weasleys have always had a slight anger problem. She's the best at controlling hers but given the circumstances I understand why she's being like this."

Narcissa frowned and shot her husband a look, who shifted in his chair uncomfortably. After clearing his throat, he said in a lighter tone, "You seem to be handling the stress well."

Hermione smiled slightly. "I've spent half of my life in danger of being killed. This is nothing new."

Lucius's mouth formed a thin line and he looked away. Before anyone could say anything in response, Ginny reappeared in the door way and nodded towards Hermione, quietly asking, "Can we talk?"

Hermione gave her a surprised look and nodded, standing up and following Ginny out of the room. Ginny led them to one of the small sitting rooms away from the dining room, and as soon as they entered Ginny promptly turned and wrapped Hermione up into a hug.