Oblivious

Chapter 5: Confrontation

~H~

When we arrive in my parents' fireplace, we find that they aren't home. Ron pulls out his wand and cleans the ashes and Floo powder from the living room and us.

"Where are they?" I ask worriedly, glancing at the clock on the sitting room wall. "It's not like them to not be home at this time. 8:00 is late for them."

"Maybe they had an emergency tooth-pull that needed immediate attention," Ron replies as he collapses into one of the sofas.

I laugh nervously and sit beside him. Ron wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.

I sigh and put my head on his shoulder. "I love you, Ron Weasley."

"I know," he says smiling.

After a few minutes' wait, there is a slamming of car doors in the garage. I jump up and hurry into the kitchen, anxious to tell my good news. Mum comes in, and I look behind her for Dad, being that I distinctly heard two car doors slam.

"Congratulations, dear." I look back to Mum, who seems to have a feigned smile plastered on her face.

Figuring that I was hearing things and that Dad is probably in bed, I clear my throat and say, "Um, Mum, can I talk to you? It's really important."

"Sure, sweetie." She begins to sit down in one of the dining room chairs.

"No, not here. It's much more comfortable in the living room."

She rises again, seemingly slightly annoyed. "All right, then."

She follows me into the living room and gasps as soon as we enter. Ron stands up and holds out a hand, saying, "Hello, Mrs. Granger. I'm Ron Weas--"

"I know who you are," she interrupts sharply, glancing down in disgust at his out-stretched hand, as if it were covered in something smelly. "Why are you here? Hermione, what is all this about?"

Startled at her reaction, I come around from behind her and stand next to Ron. Mum's eyes widen as I take his hand in mine.

"What's all this?" she asks again, more forcibly, gesturing wildly to Ron's and my interlocked fingers.

"Ron and I are engaged, Mum," I say, trying to smile, though I'm still baffled by her behavior. "We're getting married, and it will be a wizard wedding. I have come here to tell you and invite you to the ceremony. I'm aware that you're not exactly comfortable with the wizarding world, but I love Ron, and I am going to marry him. I will be gathering my things from my room and going back to Ron's family's house until the wedding. Then Ron and I will be getting our own place as soon as possible. Now, if you'll excuse me . . ." I walk around Mum, who is red in the face and fuming. I can almost see the steam coming from her ears.

Why is she acting so odd?

"Hermione," she says frighteningly quietly, causing me to freeze in mid-step. "Get back here now."

I leave Ron on the stairs and go back to Mum, trying desperately to keep my head, despite Mum's strange behavior. She is standing exactly as I left her, stiff and unmoving. I come around and stand before her, ready for her reaction.

"I have been patient and understanding for seven years, Hermione. When you got your Hogwarts letter, I indulged your desire to go, though I did not approve of such a lifestyle. I allowed you, unquestioningly, to return year after year, despite all the dangers to your life. I hoped that when you graduated, all this nonsense would finally end and that you would find a nice ordinary man to settle down with and have children. I will not allow you to ruin your life. Now, tell Mr. Weasley to go home, and get yourself up to your room and think about how much you have upset me today." She turns and stalks into the kitchen, certain that I will do exactly as she says without a second thought.

I look to Ron, desperate for assurance, and he comes back down to take my hand. I lead him up to my room, and we hurriedly place a reducing spell on all my things, so that they will fit in my largest trunk. He enchants it to float by itself down the stairs and goes through the fireplace first with the trunk. I hurriedly follow, tossing in my handful of Floo powder. As I yell, "The Burrow!" I see Mum rush into the room, eyes fiery, and scream, "Hermione Granger, I disown you! You are no longer my daughter! I have no daughter!"

Suddenly, I experience that feeling of being sucked down a giant drain, spinning very quickly. The deafening roar, the cold wind on my face, and the whirl of green flames is a feeling I am still not used to. Then, the Burrow appears in front of me, along with the entire Weasley family. I notice for the first time that I am crying, hard.