Homages

Concern - Another Homage

HERMIONE had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from Harry on her first arrival at Pemberley Village; and this disappointment had been renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but on the third, her repining was over, and the delay seemingly justified, by the receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which was marked that it had been missent elsewhere. Hermione was not surprised at it, when the desk clerk gestured to a feeble owl who was resting alongside a perch in the lobby, as Harry had sent that one through Errol, the Weasley's owl, and had somehow written the direction remarkably ill.

They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and Neville and Susan, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by themselves. The one missent must be first attended to; it had been written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of all the various sorts of Ministry doings, given the presence of the Away Team in the area of Chudleigh, and Harry's operations with that group, and with such news as the country afforded; but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident agitation, gave more personal intelligence. It was to this effect:

"Since writing the above, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you -- be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Ron. An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Percy, who as you know is at present detailed to the Away Team, to inform us that he was gone off to Scotland with one of Percy's own officers; to own the truth, with Pansy! -- Imagine our surprise. To Ginny, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! -- But I am willing to hope the best, and that her character and continued association between her family and those who still count among the number of Death Eaters in the vicinity, has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe her, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know Mr Weasley can give them nothing. Poor Mrs Weasley is sadly grieved, although her husband bears it better. How thankful am I, that we never let them know what has been said against her; we must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Hermione, they must have passed within ten miles of us. Percy gives us reason to expect him here soon. Ron left a few lines for Percy's wife Penelope, informing her of their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my work and the Weasley family, although Fred and George have acted in earnest to keep the spirits of the family intact. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written."

Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing what she felt, Hermione, on finishing this letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows -- it had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first:

"By this time, my dearest friend, you have received my hurried letter; I wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest Hermione, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Pansy and our poor Ron would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. Percy Apparated here yesterday, having quit Brighton for the moment, and leaving the Away Team in the capable hands of Colonel Al, not many hours after the express. Though Ron's short letter to Penelope gave them to understand that they were going to Fiddler's Green, something was dropped by Seamus expressing his belief that Pansy never intended to go there, or to marry Ron at all, which was repeated to Percy, who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from Brighton intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no farther; for on entering that place they removed through a portkey and dismissed the hired broomsticks that they had brought from Epsom. All that is known after this is that they were seen to continue the London route, and may be in residence among Muggles at present, and of course, the Weasleys are of no assistance in navigating Muggle establishments.

"I know not what to think. After making every possible enquiry on that side London, Percy came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success; no such people had been seen to pass through. With the kindest concern he came on to the Burrow, and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to his heart. I am sincerely grieved for him and Penelope., but no one can throw any blame on them. Their confusion and distress, my dear Hermione, is very great. Mr Weasley and Mrs Weasley believe the worst, but I cannot think so ill of him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; and even if she could form such a design against a young man of Ron's connections and background, which is not likely, can we suppose him so lost to every thing? -- Impossible. I grieve to find, however, that Percy is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared Pansy was not a woman to be trusted. My poor Mrs Weasley is really ill and keeps her room. Could she exert herself it would be better, but this is not to be expected; and as to Mr Weasley, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor Ginny has anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Hermione, that you have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am unable to manage all the Muggle interaction solely by myself, and have not the patience to explain such matters to Mr Weasley, and certainly have no trust in the twins' sobriety in this circumstance. If you do not, they will be forced to ask Bill and Charlie to return from abroad, and such a maneuver is unwished for, as their works are in stages of delicacy at present and should not be quitted. I am not so selfish, however, as to press for your return, if inconvenient. Adieu.

"I take up my pen again to do what I have just told you I would not, but circumstances are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon as possible. I know Susan so well that I am not afraid of requesting it, though I have still something more to ask of the former. Mr Weasley is going to London with Percy instantly, to try to discover Ron, with instructions and explanations from me as regards Muggle interaction, although both of them are wholly convinced of their own expertise in such matters, as they have studied relevant books. But as you know, with your history of reading and research, on occasion books cannot substitute for practical knowledge, and they have none. Thus, what he means to do, I am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and Percy is obliged to be at Brighton again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence Susan's advice and assistance would be every thing in the world; she will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon her goodness."

"Oh! where, where are my companions?" cried Hermione, darting from her seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door, it was opened by a servant, and Draco appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner, somewhat similar to his own, made him start, and before he could recover himself enough to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Ron's situation, hastily exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Susan this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not a moment to lose."

"Good God! what is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than politeness; then recollecting himself, "I will not detain you a minute, but let me, or let the servant, go after Susan. You are not well enough; -- you cannot go yourself."

Hermione hesitated, but her knees trembled under her, and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his mistress home instantly.

On his quitting the room, she sat down, unable to support herself, and looking so miserably ill that it was impossible for Draco to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, "Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take, to give you present relief? -- A glass of wine; -- shall I get you one? -- You are very ill."

"No, I thank you;" she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well. I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from the Burrow - the Weasley's ancestral home."

She caught her voice and her breath as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Draco, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length, she spoke again. "I have just had a letter from Harry, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from any one. Ron Weasley has left all her friends -- has eloped; -- has thrown himself into the power of -- of Pansy Parkinson, and all her wiles and allurements and Veela blood. They are gone off together from Brighton. _You_ know her too well from your past engagement to doubt the rest. He has no money, and she is associated with a generation of Death Eaters who have not renounced their families and histories, as you did. He has, therefore, nothing that can tempt her to -- he is lost for ever."

Draco was fixed in astonishment. "When I consider," she added, in a yet more agitated voice, "that I might have prevented it! -- I who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only -- some part of what I learnt -- to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all, all too late."

"I am grieved, indeed," exclaimed Draco; "grieved -- shocked. But is it certain, absolutely certain?"

"Oh yes! -- They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not gone to Scotland."

"And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?"

"Mr Weasley is gone to London, and Harry has written to beg Susan's immediate assistance as she has extensive experience with Muggles, having grown up among them while her parents were living apart from wizards in the last decade, and we shall be off, I hope, in half an hour. But nothing can be done; I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a capricious woman to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible!"

Draco shook his head in silent acquiescence.

"When my eyes were opened to her real character. -- Oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared, to do! But I knew not -- I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched, mistake!"

Draco made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation; his brow contracted under his fair hair, his air gloomy. Hermione soon observed and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; every thing must sink under such a proof of weakness among her companions, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She should neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.

But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Ron -- the humiliation, the misery, the danger he was bringing on them all -- soon swallowed up every other care; and covering her face with her handkerchief, Hermione was soon lost to every thing else; and, after a pause of several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a manner, which though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, "I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I any thing to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing, concern. Would to heaven that any thing could be either said or done on my part, that might offer consolation to such distress! -- But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at the Manor to-day."

"Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss Alexandra. Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible. -- I know it cannot be long."

He readily assured her of his secrecy -- again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and, leaving his compliments for her relations, with only one serious, parting, look, went away.

As he quitted the room, Hermione felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality as had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire; and as she threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those feelings which would now have promoted its continuance, and would formerly have rejoiced in its termination.

If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Hermione's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise, if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in her defence, and that its ill-success might perhaps authorise her to seek the other less interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him go with regret; and in this early example of what Ron's infamy and ill-consideration must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business. Never, since reading Harry's second letter, had she entertained a hope of Pansy and Ron's meaning to marry. No one but Harry, she thought, could engage such an optimistic expectation. Surprise was the least of her feelings on this development. While the contents of the first letter remained on her mind, she was all surprise -- all astonishment that Pansy should marry someone whom it was impossible to have a match of political and proprietary feeling; and how Ron could ever have attached her had appeared incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural. For such an attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms; and though she did not suppose Ron to be deliberately engaging in an elopement, without the intention of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither his virtue nor his understanding would preserve him from falling an easy prey to Pansy's natural magic.

She had never perceived, while the Away Team was in Chudleigh, that Ron had any partiality for her, but she was convinced that Ron had wanted only encouragement to attach himself to any body, now that Hermione had made clear to him the lack of interest she felt in the matter. Sometimes one Ministry official, sometimes another had been his favourite, as their attentions raised them in his opinion. His affections had been continually fluctuating, but never without an object. The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a wizard -- Oh! how acutely did she now feel it.

Hermione was wild to join the Weasleys -- to hear, to see, to be upon the spot, to share with Harry in the cares that must now fall upon her, in a family so distraught; a Mr Weasley absent, a Mrs Weasley incapable of exertion and requiring constant attendance; and though almost persuaded that nothing could be done for Ron, the interference of Harry, and hopefully through him, the intervention of Senior ministry officials like Sirius Black seemed of the utmost importance, and till Susan and Neville entered the room, the misery of her impatience was severe. The pair had hurried back in alarm, supposing, by the servant's account, that their friend was taken suddenly ill; -- but satisfying them instantly on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their summons, reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript of the last with trembling energy. -- Though Ron had never been a favourite with them, they could not but be deeply affected. Not Ron only, but all were concerned in it; and after the first exclamations of surprise and horror, Susan readily promised every assistance in his power -- Hermione, though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated by one spirit, every thing relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were to be off as soon as possible. "But what is to be done about our visit to Miss Alexandra and Mr Malfoy?" cried Susan. "Luggy told us Draco was here when you sent for us; -- was it so?"

"Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our engagement. That is all settled."

"That is all settled!" repeated the other, as she ran into her room to prepare. "And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose the real truth! Oh, that I knew how it was!"

But wishes were vain; or at best could serve only to amuse her in the hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Hermione been at leisure to be idle, she would have remained certain that all employment was impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had her share of business as well as Susan and Neville, and amongst the rest there were notes to be written to all their friends from Hogwarts who they were to visit after quitting the Manor visit and the village of Pemberley, with false excuses for their sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and they meanwhile having settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to be done but to go; and Hermione, after all the misery of the morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could have supposed, seated upon her broomstick, and in the air to the Burrow.