Everything She Needs
“Hurry up! I don’t want to be late!” Michael yelled from the bottom of the stairs.
“Michael, I’m moving as fast as I can! I just finished dressing your daughter, alright?”
“Is she ready?”
“Yes! And I’m almost done, I just need you to come up here and take her downstairs while I put on my dress!”
Michael went up the stairs and into his room. Jane was sitting on her pink bouncy chair, playing with her favourite rattle. The four-month-old was wearing a beautiful white lace dress with lots of yellow, pink, and blue ribbons intertwined in the fabric.
“Well, you look gorgeous!” said Michael effusively, picking up Jane. “Mummy put you in a lovely dress.”
“Will you zip up my dress?” asked Hermione, walking out of her closet. When she saw Michael was holding Jane, she said, “Never mind.”
“You look beautiful,” Michael told her.
Hermione was wearing a rose-coloured dress with an intricate bodice that had hundreds of tiny horizontal pleats forming an elegant design, and a voluminous chiffon skirt that had many, many layers. It was a strapless dress, low in the back. A bit tight at the top, but the skirt opened up beautifully. She looked like a movie star.
“It’s not too much, is it?” she asked nervously. “Ginny said we should use dress robes, but I don’t want to be overdressed.”
“Well, better to be overdressed than underdressed, don’t you think? And I think you look stunning,” said Michael, grinning. He took his wand out of his robes’ inner pocket and pointed it at Hermione’s dress. With a swish and a flick, her dress was zipped.
“So, are you done?”
“Um, I think I am,” said Hermione, looking around.
“What are you looking for?”
“I just want to make sure I’m not forgetting anything...”
“Do you have the diaper bag?”
“That’s it!” said Hermione. “The diaper bag.”
“Just put on your shoes,” said Michael. “I’ll get it. Do you have their present?”
“Oh, I forgot that too. Would you grab it for me? It’s on top of the dining room table.”
“Sure. By the way, is there any chance we can take the car?”
“Ha! Absolutely not,” said Hermione, going into her closet to get her shoes. “Last time I said yes, it was four hours until we got to Bedford and five until we got to London. If you hadn’t been flying, we would have taken twice that time. I don’t even want to know how long it takes to get to Cornwall in a car. You must be insane if you think I’ll agree to you driving cross-country today. Besides, I already owled Bill and Fleur, and they will be expecting us to arrive via Floo Network.”
“I’m sorry I asked,” Michael muttered under his breath.
As soon as they were all ready, Michael got the Floo Powder and Hermione stood in the fireplace, holding Jane very close to her. She grabbed a handful of powder and said, “Shell Cottage!”
As Hermione felt herself beginning to spin, she closed her eyes and held Jane tightly. In about a minute or so, she was standing in Bill and Fleur’s sitting room.
“Hello?” she called out. “Bill?”
“Hey! You’re here already!” said Bill, walking into the sitting room with Philip clamped to his back.
“Phil, I’m letting you go,” he said.
“No!” said Philip. “Why can’t you carry me around all night?”
“You must get down, because if I carry you all night I’ll never be able to walk again.”
“Well, then leave me on the sofa,” replied Philip, giving his father the “grown-up” tone.
Bill sat on the sofa and Philip let go of his neck. He got up and gave Hermione and Jane a kiss.
“You look amazing,” he complimented.
“Thanks,” said Hermione. “Where’s everyone else?”
“You’re actually the first ones here,” Bill told her. “Where’s Michael?”
Just then, Michael appeared in the fireplace. He looked quite funny, since he was carrying Hermione’s handbag, a big rectangular gift box, and Jane’s diaper bag.
“Hello,” he said, stepping out of the fireplace.
“I was just telling Hermione that you are the first ones to arrive,” said Bill. “Ginny left about an hour ago to get ready. She should be here shortly with Harry and the triplets. Anyway, how is this girl?” He kissed Jane’s cheek once again.
“She is doing wonderfully,” replied Hermione proudly.
“Hello,” said Fleur, who was already dressed up. She looked ethereal in a flowing turquoise dress made of a fabric that looked like silk chiffon. The short sleeves of the dress were embellished with precious stones. “Hermione, you look amazing! And I absolutely adore Jane’s dress!”
“Well, thank you! You look beautiful!”
“Merci beaucoup,” Fleur replied, giving Hermione a bright smile. “Philip Louis, did you say ‘hello’ to your aunt?”
“No,” the three-year-old said bashfully. He jumped down from the sofa and walked up to Hermione to give her a kiss. When she stooped down so he could reach her, he also kissed Jane’s cheek.
“She looks very pretty,” Philip said.
“Thank you,” said Hermione. “You look quite handsome as well.”
“And he’s not even ready yet,” said Fleur. “I have to finish tidying your hair, Philip. Let’s go.”
Philip followed his mother obediently.
“So, where is the rest of the family?” asked Hermione, sitting down on the sofa. Jane was playing with her earrings.
“I have no idea,” replied Bill. “Mum and Dad are supposed to be Apparating any minute now. Is your sister coming, Michael?”
“Yes, Beth should be here shortly.”
“Well, I have to tell you, Mum and Ginny love her. And for the few minutes I spent talking to her at the wedding she seemed quite nice. Is she bringing her children?”
“I don’t know,” replied Hermione. “She might leave the nannies in charge.”
“Oh, she should bring them. They would have a lot of fun.”
The front door opened and Molly and Arthur walked in. Molly looked beautiful in a set of long deep red dress robes made out of raw silk and woven with gold and silver thread. Bill quickly got up to help them take their coats.
“Well, well, well!” Arthur exclaimed. “You beat us to our own anniversary party!”
“It’s all my obsessive-compulsive husband’s fault,” replied Hermione, getting up to receive a hug from Arthur and a kiss from Molly.
“Are you all doing well?”
“Yes, we are,” said Michael. “Thank you for asking. And congratulations, by the way.”
“Michael, did you bring our present?” asked Hermione as she sat back down.
“I have it right here,” Michael replied, giving the gift box to Molly. “Happy anniversary.”
“You shouldn’t have,” Molly reprimanded. “We said ‘no gifts.’”
“Well, this is special,” said Hermione, with a grin from ear to ear. “Open it!”
Molly sat down next to Hermione and slowly undid the elegant bow on top of the golden box. When she opened the box, she found an old photograph with two fresh, young, and familiar faces smiling and waving at her. They were sitting on a blanket by the lake, on a picture perfect summer day.
“Where did you find this?” Molly asked, her eyes watering up.
“At school, gathering dust in a box in the trophy room,” replied Hermione.
“What is it?” asked Arthur getting closer to Molly.
“It’s us,” said Molly. “Look, Arthur... It’s us.”
“You look just the same,” said Bill. “Younger, and yet the same.”
“Merlin’s beard...” said Arthur.
“I can’t believe you found this,” said Molly. “I didn’t even remember we had a camera that day...”
“This is incredible,” said Arthur.
“Why?” Bill voiced the question he, Hermione, and Michael had in their heads.
“This picture was taken right after I proposed to your mother,” Arthur explained. “Thirty-four years ago.”
“Someone probably took them by mistake,” said Michael.
“Maybe,” said Arthur. “They got lost in time.”
“Thank you so much, Hermione,” said Molly. “This is wonderful.”
“I’m glad,” said Hermione, hugging Molly.
“Let me put that away for you,” said Bill, taking the frame and walking out of the room.
“And how is this lovely girl?” asked Arthur.
“She looks beautiful in that dress!” said Molly, making funny faces at Jane.
She giggled, bearing a huge smile.
“Come here, you little princess,” said Molly taking Jane from her mother’s arms.
As Molly proceeded to play with Jane, Hermione felt happiness seep into her. She realized that Jane did not only have Elizabeth and Peter as grandparents; she also had Molly and Arthur, and they, to all effects, were more affectionate than Michael’s parents were. Hermione considered herself and Jane lucky for being considered Weasleys. For being loved as if they were Molly and Arthur’s own.
“Hey, do you want to see the marquee?” Michael said softly as Molly and Arthur became more distracted with Jane.
“Sure,” replied Hermione, following him outside.
The marquee was a beautiful thing to behold. The decorations were all golden and there were beautiful floral arrangements everywhere. There were also some fairies fluttering around, giving off a pretty sparkle.
“Didn’t Ginny do a marvellous job?” asked Molly, coming up behind Michael and Hermione with Jane in her arms. “The rest of the girls helped her, especially Fleur, but Ginny planned the whole thing.”
“Everything looks perfect,” said Hermione.
Soon, the guests started arriving and the party got underway.
Harry, Ginny, and the triplets were almost the last to arrive.
“I know, I know! We’re late,” Ginny told her mother before she could reprimand her. “I had to change Becky twice. Is that Jane I see?”
Jane was sitting on Hermione’s lap, drinking a nice bottle of milk as her mother chatted to Molly and Beth.
“She’s grown so much! And we only saw her a couple of weeks ago!”
“I know!” said Beth. “That’s exactly what I said! Where are your children?”
“Oh, Harry’s got them inside. They’re about to take a nap. Did you bring yours?”
“Yes. Charlotte and Andrew are taking a nap, but the other two are running around with Angelina’s, I think.”
“Here you are,” said Michael, appearing with John and setting a glass of water next to Hermione. He grabbed a chair and sat down next to Molly. “Hello, Ginny.”
“Hello. Anyway, I’ll see if Harry’s taken care of the babies. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Ginny’s always so nice,” Beth said, as Ginny walked into the house.
Molly smiled. “Believe me, she’s a handful even now that she is married and has children.”
Beth laughed.
“Would you like to dance?” John asked Beth.
“Of course,” she replied, beaming as she stood up. “Excuse us, ladies.”
“You’re excused,” said Michael, in a very high voice. Beth stuck her tongue out at him.
“I’m going to see if I can grab Arthur for a dance,” said Molly, getting up from her chair. She gave Jane a kiss in the forehead and walked away.
“So,” said Michael, leaning towards Hermione. “Have you been enjoying yourself so far?”
“Well, I’d love to dance, too,” Hermione said laughing, “but I have to take care of the princess first.”
“Hi,” said Harry, appearing with Ginny. “Sorry we’re late.”
“Hello,” replied Hermione, as Harry kissed her cheek.
“Jane’s looking good!”
“Thanks,” said Michael.
Jane suddenly yawned.
“I think it’s time for a nap,” said Hermione.” She must be exhausted.”
“Do you want me to get her inside?” asked Ginny.
“Well””
“That would be great,” said Michael quickly. “That way we can dance.”
“Fine,” said Hermione.
“Alright,” said Ginny, taking Jane, who smiled. “You’re a sweetheart, you know that?”
As Ginny and Harry walked away towards the house, Michael took Hermione’s hand and led her to the dance floor.
“The Weasleys may be crazy, but I really like being around them,” he whispered to her ear.
“I told you,” she replied.
They continued dancing, but soon after Michael talked again.
“And you thought you were overdressed... I might need sunglasses.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look.”
Hermione turned, and immediately she knew what Michael meant.
There was a beautiful blonde girl dressed in a stunning, golden, off-the-shoulder dress covered top-to-bottom with thousands of gold sequins. The dress was a bit tight, and had a hint of cleavage, but it made her look spectacular. Everyone on the dance floor and around the marquee stared at her and her date as they walked toward Molly and Arthur. It did not take Hermione long to realize that the girl was Claudia Macmillan and that the man accompanying her was, obviously, Ron. She looked like she had been submerged in glitter, given the dress and the jewellery she was wearing.
“Wow,” said Michael. “I mean... Wow...”
“Michael!” hissed Hermione.
“What? I’m just saying... I mean, look at everybody. They’re all staring.” Michael paused and stared at Ron. “Lucky man. Isn’t that one of Ginny’s brothers? The one I met on New Year’s?”
“That’s the one.”
“I admire the man.”
“I’m going to sit down.”
“What? Why? I haven’t done anything!”
“I just don’t feel like dancing, that’s all. You know what? I’ll check on Jane instead.” Hermione left Michael standing alone and headed towards the house.
“Where’s Jane?” she asked Ginny, who was in the kitchen, helping Fleur with the food.
“She’s upstairs, in Philip’s room with the rest of the children. Why? Are you alright?”
Hermione hesitated. She looked out the door. Ginny followed her gaze, looking out the kitchen window.
“Oh, my idiot brother just arrived, didn’t he? Who is he with?” she asked, squinting her eyes to make out the girl’s face. “I thought he was bringing Claudia!”
“He did bring Claudia.”
“No...” Ginny said in a whisper. “That is not Claudia Macmillan.”
“Oh yes, it is. Believe me,” said Hermione.
“Who knew?” Fleur said, looking out the window.
“I’ll go check on Jane,” said Hermione.
“You do that,” said Ginny, still staring out the window. She took off the apron she was wearing and walked out of the house.
When Hermione got to Philip’s room, she almost burst out laughing. There were children everywhere.
On one side of the room were Henry, Ron, and Becky. Right across from them, by the window, were Jane, Charlotte, and Andrew. Some sleeping bags had been placed on the floor, and Angie and Philip were sleeping peacefully.
Hermione wrapped Jane with a cosy blanket and kissed the top of her head.
“Why did your mother have to be so stupid?” She was looking out the window now, at the people dancing downstairs. “Merlin... I’m going mad.”
Hermione gave Jane another kiss and went downstairs.
“You have got to stop doing that,” said Michael for the third time. “You’re driving me insane.”
“Doing what? I’m not doing anything!”
“Hermione, you’re actually glaring at them. I have no idea why, but you’re glaring. And you have been sitting here, arms crossed, glaring at the poor bloke for about an hour. If I didn’t know any better I’d be jealous.”
Hermione remained quiet.
“Come on. Let’s dance.”
Without waiting for an answer, Michael took Hermione’s hand and led her to the centre of the dance floor. A beautiful song started playing and the scene would have been heartbreakingly romantic, had it not been for Hermione looking over at Ron and Claudia every chance she got.
“Stop it...” warned Michael. “Enjoy yourself.”
“I’m sorry,” said Hermione.
“Don’t be sorry, Hermione,” said Michael. “Just stop obsessing over them and her bloody dress. You look more beautiful than anyone here.”
In spite of herself, Hermione smiled.
“I do not,” she said. “You know that better than anyone.”
“In my eyes, no one can be more beautiful than you.”
As Hermione looked right into Michael’s eyes, she couldn’t explain why she felt so sad.
“Michael””
“Shh... Enjoy yourself.”
They finished dancing and she saw Ginny was coming from the house, levitating a beautiful cake in front of her.
“I’ll go see if she needs any help with the cake,” Hermione told Michael.
“Alright.”
Hermione walked to the table where Ginny had placed the cake. Ginny was enchanting knives to cut it quickly.
“Do you need help with anything?”
“Oh, um, would you take those two plates to Mum and Dad?” said Ginny distractedly.
“Sure.” As Hermione reached for the two plates, one of the enchanted knives cut the back of her right hand.
“Ouch!”
“Careful!” said Ginny.
“Let me see.” Ginny pointed her wand at Hermione’s hand and tried to heal it.
“It’s still hurting,” said Hermione.
“Not only that; this will leave a nasty scar. Here, wrap your hand with this,” said Ginny, flicking her wand at a napkin and using it to cover Hermione’s wound. “Let me know if it’s too cold for you. Fleur!”
“Yes?” said Fleur, appearing next to them.
“Do you have Murtlap Essence?”
“Of course. It’s in the kitchen. I’ll get it for you.”
“No, don’t worry,” said Hermione quickly. “I’ll get it myself. Where is it?”
“It’s in the cupboard over the stove. If you need anything else, let me know.”
“Thanks.”
Hermione walked over to the house. As she went in, she noticed it was empty and quiet; everyone was outside. She made her way into the kitchen, but came to a sudden stop when she saw Ron nursing a Butterbeer at the table.
“Hi,” he said, looking as surprised as she felt.
“Hello.”
“What happened to your hand?”
“Oh... Er, enchanted knife... You know, the usual.”
Ron laughed.
“Let me help you with that.” He put the Butterbeer bottle on the table and walked over to the stove, getting a bottle of yellowish solution out of one of the cupboards. He grabbed one of the dishtowels hanging from the refrigerator and cleaned it with a swish of his wand. “Give me your hand.”
Ron dabbed some Murtlap Essence on Hermione’s hand.
“Does it sting?”
“A little,” she said nervously.
“Well, that means it’s working.”
After a minute, Hermione spoke.
“I think it’s fine now.”
“Oh. Sure.” Ron put the cloth down and closed the bottle of Murtlap Essence. “You... You should soak your hand in some of this when you get back home. Do you want to take it with you?”
“I’ll tell Michael to get some for me.”
“Of course.” Ron suddenly felt foolish.
Hermione’s cheeks turned bright red. She was standing very close to Ron, and her heart started beating faster and harder.
“I met Jane,” he said unexpectedly. He smiled briefly, waiting for Hermione’s reaction. She did not know what to say.
“She’s lovely,” Ron continued. “She has your eyes. And your smile, as well.”
“Everybody says the same thing.” Hermione laughed nervously.
“You look beautiful,” he said, sounding as sincere as ever.
“Oh, and so does Claudia,” said Hermione. There was a hint of resentment in her voice.
“Point taken,” said Ron, looking down.
“I... I better...”
“Hermione.” Ron’s hand wrapped around hers.
“What?” she said softly.
“Don’t you... Don’t you ever wonder?” he whispered, raising his gaze and looking directly into her eyes.
Hermione’s heart was beating so fast she thought he could hear it. She suddenly noticed she was holding her breath.
“What... What about?”
“What would have happened if we... If we had never broken up? What if we’d never given up? Or what if you had never walked away from me that night and I had never left...”
“Ron...” She raised her hand to cup his face. That’s when she realized just how much she missed him. She missed running her fingers through his hair. She missed his touch. She suddenly realized just how much she wanted to kiss him right there, in the middle of Fleur’s kitchen, without caring about the crowd outside. Without caring about anyone or anything at all.
“Because I wonder...” he told her, looking as if he were being tortured. “Every single day.”
She wanted to tell him so many things, yet she didn’t know where to start.
“I””
“Hermione, did you find the Murtlap Essence?” Fleur’s voice came from the sitting room into the kitchen, making both Ron and Hermione jump.
“I... I’ve got everything I need,” Hermione called out, suddenly withdrawing her hand from Ron’s face, as though it had been stung. She brought it up to cover her mouth, to stifle an impending sob, and her eyes filled with tears as she crashed back into reality. Before Ron could say anything, she walked out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs.