A Girl Out of Time
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning, Hermione and the Doctor met the Spirit back in the circle. “You have a hard road ahead of you – so I am granting you the ability to apparate in and out of the castle and grounds,” she told them before surrounding them with white light faded away after a few moments. “You had best appear for breakfast before your friends cause a riot. I would also suggest keeping a careful eye on Mr. Weasley’s allegiances.”
Hermione’s eyes widened at that statement, and she was about to protest on the unfairness of it – out of reflex, more than disagreement – when she stopped and thought back over the years. She nodded reluctantly, “Yes, you’re probably right – it just pains me that he might not be loyal.”
The Spirit smiled sadly, “Good luck.”
Placing an arm around Hermione’s should, the Doctor thanked the Spirit and gently led Hermione away from the circle, “Come on, love, we need to get upstairs.” Hermione sniffed back her tears and smiled tremulously at her partner, “Of course,” she was about to apparate them to the Entrance Hall when she stopped and flung herself into the Doctor’s arms for a fierce hug and kiss, “I love you.” He reveled in the feel of her against him as her returned her affections. The Doctor smiled down at her, “I love you too, pet.”
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They appeared in an empty corridor just off the main entrance and strolled casually into the Great Hall, hand in hand. They wandered over to the Gryffindor Table, ignoring the curious looks and whispers they were generating. The couple reached the spot where Harry and Ron were sitting, whispering furiously to each other and heard the tale end of their conversation.
“…and Ginny said her bed wasn’t slept in,” Ron growled, “so where the hell was she?”
Harry frowned, “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation, Ron. She doesn’t have to tell us every move she makes you know, yeah.”
Ron scoffed, “Riiight…you never know what she might be doing…more like who…” his face red, Ron snarled his reply. “She’s such a tease…I bet she’s shagged half the school.”
“How dare you say such things about your best mate,” Harry protested, shocked at Ron’s maliciousness.
Hermione had stopped behind Harry, her face impassive, but the hurt was welling up inside her. The Doctor slipped a hand to her hip and gently rubbed it. ‘Keep calm, love; he isn’t worth getting upset over,’ he reassured her mentally, pouring all his love and pride he felt for her into their bond. Internally Hermione relaxed and returned his mental caress.
“Harry, Ron, good morning,” she kept her voice light and unconcerned. Startled the two boys jumped and stared at her and the man beside her. Harry smiled and quirked an eyebrow in a silent question on who her companion was. Hermione returned his look with a lopsided smile that meant ‘I’ll explain everything later.’
Ron however, exploded in fury, face turning nearly purple in his rage, “Where the fuck have you been, Hermione? Who’s this bloke? Are you shagging him? You’re such a god-dammed slut. I’m sick of you and your secrets. I bet you’re putting out for any bloke that asks. I can’t believe you…you filthy fucking Mudblood…”
By this point the Doctor had his sonic screwdriver/wand out and silenced Ron. In a steely calm voice that did more to frighten everyone around him than shouting ever would have, he announced, “You will not speak of my wife like that ever again, do you understand?” Ron was now a sickly pale color and felt nauseated from the piercing stare that impaled him – the Doctor let the weight of his hundreds of years flow onto Ron who visibly shook from the unspoken threat. He managed a shaky nod before fleeing the Hall.
Harry however grinned up at them, “Wife, huh? I hear a good story coming on!” He gave Hermione a cheeky wink as she swatted him.