When Hermione Fights

The Cottage

Chapter beta: Diana / Dani

Chapter translator: (Nik /) Aivy

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Standing under the oak tree, I was engrossed as I gazed at the house where we had had such a fun time during the Christmas holidays.

Now that it was summer, the cottage looked even prettier, undeniably romantic and idyllic. The roses that surrounded the house shone resplendent in all kinds of colours, shapes and scents. The intense fragrance of the roses saturated the air. I greedily breathed in the gentle afternoon breeze sweeping towards me, driving away the overwhelming and cloying citrusy smell of the orange scented cleaner.

Inside the cottage, there would be life, so unlike the frigid death that had surrounded me the last few days. The Twins would be there because they had already closed shop that Saturday afternoon. Blaise had arrived either that morning or yesterday evening. I wondered how the two girls had reacted to the Twins. Well, we would see. The most intriguing question would be how they would respond to my presence.

In the sunshine, I sauntered to the cottage and opened the door carefully to eavesdrop. I could have saved myself the trouble, as I soon realised that nobody was inside the house. When I stood in the living room, I noticed the sliding glass doors that led to the garden wide open. I heard the carefree and happy laughter of the Twins; it brought a small smile to my face, which had been so haggard and weary. I felt at once how the burden I was carrying got smaller, and that socialisation would do me a world of good.

As I stepped over the threshold to the garden, I paused in amazement. I saw paradise. I hadn't seen the garden in bloom for years, only recently in winter, but what I saw here took my breath away. It was glorious.

Here, you didn't have the typical trimmed English lawn, but rather a blooming wildflower meadow. The most diverse and contrasting flowers proudly stretched their colourful heads into the air. Red, white, blue, purple and yellow were interrupted only by the lush green of the grass. I knew the garden didn't look like this when my grandma had lived here, and I didn't recognise the gravel paths on the extensive grounds either. They meandered in playfully winded lines to the large cherry and apple trees which offered wonderful protection from the hot summer sun under their large branches. My goddess, it looked as if it was right out of a dream.

Small, picturesque beds continued the rose-theme. There was an arbour in the middle of the garden which I didn't recognise. It was made of dark green metal entwining in intricate ornaments in the playful style of Art Nouveau. I liked it. Roses weaved around the winding frame, blooming in vibrant colours.

It was an oasis of calm, peace and beauty. A place where you could forget your worries. Who had made this? The Twins? I was completely speechless. It was beautiful! I would never have believed them to be capable of creating this.

I saw the Twins in the arbour, their carrot red hair like a beacon. They were trying to operate a grill, the ascending smoke testifying to their attempt to master it. The dance they performed around the grill was too funny. I was able to make out Blaise, standing casually with a glass in hand, laughing desperately and shaking his head over the Twins' antics. Daphne and Astoria were sitting on a bench, sporting a broad grin and happily watching the entertainment provided with great curiosity.

I leaned against the door frame, watching the ridiculous spectacle and being happy that they had so much fun. On the other hand, I was trying to thaw my cold heart enough that I also could feel the fun again. Now so much separated me even from these people here, although they knew a lot more about me than anyone else. Wasn't that bad?

Yeah, I guess so. But as usual, I called myself a stupid cow because I hadn't wanted it any other way and they would take me like that regardless. Maybe I just shouldn't go into too much detail. However, to see them fooling around so boisterously and childishly was in such stark contrast to what I had been doing the last two days that I felt almost sick.