Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Time's Up	By : Gotbooks00 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Blaise Views: 23286 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I own many things, but not any recognizable characters, things, or places in the Harry Potter series. Somehow, I doubt that JKR would agree to joint custody…shame, that. Also, no profit is being made from the writing or posti

Chapter List
- 1-Time's Up
- 2-TWO
- 3-THREE
- 4-FOUR
- 5-FIVE
- 6-SIX
- 7-SEVEN
- 8-EIGHT
- 9-NINE
- 10-TEN
- 11-ELEVEN
- 12-TWELVE
- 13-THIRTEEN
- 14-FOURTEEN
- 15-FIFTEEN
- 16-SIXTEEN
- 17-SEVENTEEN
- 18-EIGHTEEN
- 19-NINETEEN
- 20-TWENTY
- 21-TWENTY ONE
- 22-TWENTY TWO
- 23-TWENTY THREE
- 24-TWENTY FOUR
- 25-TWENTY FIVE
- 15
- 16
- 17
Time’s Up, by Gotbooks93

Summary: After successfully hiding the existence of her son for eight years, Hermione is out of luck and out of time. When the father of her child discovers her secret, their quiet worlds are changed forever. Will things become better, or worse? Join Hermione and Xander as they find out.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Hermione couldn’t help but be surprised as she ventured onto the backyard veranda. Blaise lead her out into the bright sunlight, his hand gently pressed into the small of her back. Xander, having already changed into his swimming trunks after they left Uncle Berlios’ study, wandered towards some other children who looked around his age. Hermione watched for a moment, but upon seeing the other children stand and greet Xander in a friendly manner, relaxed.

She and Blaise began to head towards an empty table by the pool, occasionally stopping to greet the people they passed. In all honesty, she made little effort to remember any names. The look of thinly veiled distain they gave her was a reminder: she walked among an almost exclusively pureblood crowd. However, this would likely be the last time she met most of them, and she had learned to shrug off prejudice years ago.

After they were seated, Blaise offered to go get them a small plate of something to eat. It was a little past two in the afternoon, and she was ready for a snack. As he moved across the well- manicured lawn, towards a table of refreshments, Hermione decided to make a game out of her boredom and people-watch.

There were several adults gathered around the long terrace, all chatting casually. The stairs that went down off the veranda lead to a crystal- clear, Olympic- sized swimming pool, which held several people. Small children, protected by the wizarding version of arm floaties, splashed around in the shallows. Several adults were in the pool, as well, bringing the pool’s population to around fifteen people.

For a moment, Hermione began to draw the similarities between the Weasley family gatherings and the scene before her. A moment later, though, she noticed the subtle differences.

Whereas normal attire at a Weasley gathering consisted of jeans, t-shirts, and casual robes, the adults lounging in the deck furniture were all extremely well- dressed. The women were wearing the latest fashions- light, colorful sundresses, and floaty skirts, with wraps thrown artfully over their shoulders- and the men were decked out in well- tailored boat shorts, polos, and carefully pressed slacks. They all looked like they had just stepped out of a magazine ad, with perfectly tussled hair and makeup that looked professionally done, even in the bright sunlight.

Furthermore, there was a carefully constructed camaraderie in the air, and polite conversation filled the air. Somewhere, jazz music was playing, adding a sophisticated background noise. At the usual Weasley assembly, there would be at least one mildly heated argument, usually about a lost bet, or Quidditch match. Here, no one raised their voice above a cultured purr, except the children in the pool.

“Mother, watch me dive!” called one blonde- haired child around Xander’s age, who looked toward a woman who reclined on a sun chair, working on her tan. The woman waved a dismissive hand, not looking up from her fashion magazine.

“Mother.” the little girl whined, still crouched by the edge of the pool, ready to perform. When she received no answer, she called again, petulance lacing her voice. “Mother!”

The woman looked up sharply, a scowl forming on her lips. Opening her mouth to reply, she began sharply. “Antonietta, can’t you tell Mummy is busy?”

A third female voice cut the woman off, joining into the conversation. “Toni, don’t bother with her. Show me your dive instead.”

Hermione’s head swiveled to find the speaker, and she vaguely noted that the conversation around the back yard had become a cacophony of hushed whispers, occasionally punctured by a stifled giggle. Hermione was automatically reminded of the girl’s bathroom at Hogwarts, full of hurtful gossip and vicious judgments.

Her eyes found a subdued group of people she hadn’t noticed before. There were nine of them in all, teenagers ranging from around sixteen to their early twenties. Several of them held bottles of alcohol, and all of them wore blatantly muggle attire- skin tight jeans, graphic tees, and even a pair of Converse high tops. Hermione quickly deduced this collection of young adults were the offspring of the older family, all rebelling from their parent’s cultural expectations. Not expected, per se, but not uncommon either.

The girl who had spoken was tall, thin, and blonde, wearing a full- length, white dress. The gauzy material showed the outline of the fire engine red bikini she wore underneath, and the cork wedge heels completed the look. Her long, blonde hair swayed carelessly to her hips, framing a pair of pouty lips and sapphire blue eyes. These eyes were trained on the little girl at the pool, who returned her gaze. Hermione guessed they were sisters, although they must have been at least ten years apart.

Mollified that she had an audience, Toni dove into the pool, creating a little splash. Upon her surfacing, the group of young adults broke into polite applause, to her delight. The older girl winked at her sister, who grinned back before swimming towards the group of children in the shallows; Xander among them. Taking a seat next to Hermione’s quiet son, Toni began to question him about England. Her sister, still watching, cut her gaze to Hermione’s. Their eyes met, and Hermione gave a little nod. After returning it, the blonde swayed back to her group, casually re-taking her place.

“I see you’ve met Noemi.” Blaise said as he sat down beside her. Handing her a small plate of fruit and cheese, he continued. “The woman on the lounge chair, Natalia, is actually her step mother, and Antonietta is her half-sister. Natalia is a complete failure, maternally, but Noemi does a pretty good job raising her. Their father, my cousin, travels frequently and has little time for either of them.”

“And the result is Noemi acting out?” asked Hermione lowly.

“Basically, yes. She almost completely rejects her parent’s style of living, and is only present because Natalia was bringing Toni whether she liked it or not. She’s gotten better over the years, though. Brought her grades back up at Beauxbatons, and is starting to realize there’s a world outside hers. Got accepted for the fall semester at Charleston University, in the U.K.”

Hermione looked up, surprised. “My alma mater?” she asked, thinking back to those difficult but rewarding years. Upon Blaise’s nod, Hermione smiled. “Perhaps I’ll have to have a talk with her, then. So, are all these people your family?” she asked.

“Most of them are extended family, yes.” Blaise confirmed. “Although there are a few family friends around, catching up on gossip. They’ll talk about just about anything…or anyone, really.”

“Like me?” asked Hermione wryly. “I can only imagine what they’re all saying. A muggle born witch in their midst, with a child out of wedlock, no less.”

Blaise smiled faintly at her. “Trust me cara, every person on this property has had their share of scandal. I suppose it’s high time I bring a little excitement into the family, myself. Don’t worry, they’ll get bored of you and start talking about someone else soon. Judging by the way my cousin Arnoldo is drinking, it won’t take long before someone else catches these vultures’ attention.”

“I thought you said they weren’t all bad.” Hermione accused softly.

“We’re not.” A voice suddenly whispered in her ear.

Her long- dormant battle reflexes suddenly surged to the surface, and a moment later Hermione’s wand was pressed to the throat of the speaker. A little shocked she still had the agility to do the move; Hermione turned her head a little, looking at who she had almost attacked.

The man to her right had dark, red-brown hair, and soft green eyes. He looked positively delighted to have her wand jabbing into her jugular, grinning madly.

“So you really are a war heroine.” He commented happily. “I wasn’t sure if that detail had been made up by the gossip mill or if it was true. You know, for someone so small you can move pretty fast.”

Hermione blinked once, twice. Withdrawing her wand, she looked around inconspicuously. No one else had noticed her faux pas, thankfully. Beside her, Blaise stood from his chair.

“You should know better than to sneak up on a witch like that, Christian.” He chided as they shook hands.

“The witches you’ve brought around have always been so dull, Blaise.” Christian replied, summoning a chair to join them. “How was I supposed to know this one would have some fire?”

Blaise rolled his eyes indulgently, introducing them to each other. “Cara, meet my idiot cousin, Christian. Christian, this is Hermione Granger.”

Instead of shaking her offered hand, Christian kissed it, winking roguishly at her. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman who had managed to ensnare my cousin.”

Hermione’s lips twisted into a small smile, and she gave a laugh. Christian reminded her a little of Fred and George, with his darting eyes and mischievous smile. “The pleasure is all mine.” She replied.

Introductions out of the way, he got right to the point. Rubbing his hands together briskly, his devious countenance grew. “So, word on the street is you’re the provider of Elena’s branch’s heir.”

A little taken aback by the question, Hermione let out an incredulous laugh. “You don’t beat around the bush much, do you?” she asked.

A quick shake of the head was her answer. “Not much point in it, if you ask me. One of the greatest parts of inheriting gobs of money? The ability to get away with pretty much ignoring the usual social niceties. So, which one is yours?” he asked, turning towards the pool.

Glancing over, Hermione pointed Xander out. “Alexander is the one in the green shorts on the edge of the pool.” She said. At the moment, he was talking about Selena, judging by his hand gestures. While his audience ooh’d and aah’d, his face kept its usual somber attitude.

“Ah, I should have known you two would make such a good looking kid.” Christian said, grinning. “He looks a bit serious, though.”

“He is,” Blaise confirmed. “But I think he fits in with us better than a rambunctious one would. When I first found out about him, I was worried all my time with him would be spent in a Quidditch stadium or at the park. We go there often enough, but he’s smart enough to be able to appreciate art and history, too.”

“He sounds like a little adult.” Christian commented, not unkindly. “Very similar to someone else I know. Hermione, my love, I don’t suppose Blaise has told you much about his pre- school days, has he?”

For the next several hours, Christian and Blaise regaled her with stories of their shared misadventures in childhood. By the time the sun was almost set, Hermione’s sides ached from her laughter, and she had a firm fondness for Christian. Before long their talk turned to more serious matters, like Italian politics and the stock market.

House elves flitted around the back yard, lighting lamps around the yard and serving a light dinner to its inhabitants. The pool light was switched on, much to the children’s glee, and they all rushed back into the aquamarine water. Hermione got Xander to eat a few bites of dinner before releasing him back towards his newfound friends. She was glad to see he had fit so perfectly into the group of his extended family.

Quietly excusing herself, Hermione ventured back into the house, looking for the light coat she had left inside earlier. She was a little worried she would become lost in the maze of corridors, and wondered why anyone would need a house this large, especially considering they owned several other properties as well. The Zabini manor in England was the same style and outline, if she remembered correctly. It wasn’t uncommon for old families to have more than one manor house; the Malfoys, for instance, had a second manor house somewhere in France.

Relying on her faint memory of Zabini Manor in England, Hermione managed to locate the coat closet towards the front of the house. Just as she reached for the light garment, she was startled to hear a voice from behind her.

“Excuse me?” The voice asked. Hermione spun around, looking towards the doorway to the closet. Noemi stood in the doorway, her careless grace apparent in the lines in her body. She reminded Hermione of muggle runway models. If they had both discarded their heels, Hermione suspected the younger woman would still be a bit taller.

“Yes?” Hermione asked, politely. Despite her sudden appearance, Hermione felt very little unease around Noemi.

“You’re Hermione Granger, right? You came with Blaise?” she asked.

Hermione nodded as she pulled the coat from its hanger, still looking at Noemi. “And you’re Noemi?” she confirmed.

“I am.” The girl said. “I was wondering if I could get a quick word with you, if you have a moment.”

Remembering her intention to talk to the girl, Hermione readily accepted, following her into the same sitting room as before. They both settled onto the couches, and Noemi warded the doors and window against eavesdroppers.

“Was there something you wanted to talk about?” Hermione asked, trying to encourage the girl to speak.

Noemi nodded steadily, taking a deep breath and letting it out. Steeling her nerves, if Hermione had to guess. “I suppose Blaise has already told you a bit about me.” Noemi began. “He’s one of the only adults who I can tolerate in this family, and he’s encouraged me a lot in the past couple of years. It would have been easy for him to take a place among the rest of these idiots, but instead he went against Elena’s wishes and became a lawyer, even though he doesn’t need the money. He’s really inspired me to work hard, and I probably would have gotten kicked out of school if he didn’t step in a couple of times. Kept telling me good grades would help me get out of Italy, like I want.” She paused, smiling. The words sounded a little rehearsed, but Hermione suspected Noemi held Blaise on a bit of a pedestal, far above the other adults in the family.

“It’s true,” Hermione agreed. “Elena was absolutely against Blaise going to law school, but he knew what he wanted, and I always tried to encourage him to go for it.”

Noemi nodded quickly. “He used to tell me about you, how smart and brave you are.” She said. “And then I found out you guys were back together, and had a kid. At first, I wasn’t so sure about your intentions, especially since Alexander was such a surprise. But then I heard Elena screeching about how terrible you were, so I thought we might get along okay.”

Hermione smiled, but remained silent, sensing the young woman had more to say. “So I figured, if you were willing to encourage Blaise get to law school, maybe you could encourage me, too. I don’t know if Blaise told you, but I got accepted to Charleston University for the fall. Have you heard of it?”

Hermione nodded. “It’s my alma mater, actually. I got my mastery in Charms there. I teach at Hogwarts in England.”

Noemi looked a little surprised. “I didn’t know you were a teacher.” She commented. “Anyway, I want to go to Charleston, but both my father and Natalia are dead- set against it. They want me to get married instead.” At this, she scoffed disdainfully, rolling her eyes.

“I’m going anyway, of course, since Toni is getting a little older, and Christian has agreed to check up on her every once in a while. I’ve already found a flat in London, and I’m almost all signed up for classes. But when Papa finds out I’m going, he’ll disown me. And I need two in- country emergency contacts to get into the school, for insurance purposes. Blaise has already agreed to be one, but I don’t have any other friends or family in the U.K….would you possibly consider being my other contact?” she looked at Hermione, and she watched as the carefully constructed mask of indifference slide, just a little. The girl was obviously desperate to get away from her family, and Hermione was her last chance.

Smiling, Hermione quickly agreed. “I would love to help. Just owl me the paperwork and I’ll fill it out.”

At her agreement, Noemi sprang out of her chair, her thin arms coming around Hermione in a brief, fierce hug. Stepping back, she beamed. “Thank you so much. Blaise kept telling me you would say yes, but I wasn’t sure. I mean, you don’t really know me. Oh, thank you, thank you! Of course, I’d be happy to come watch Alexander if you and Blaise want to go out. And I won’t get into any trouble at the university, so you’ll never have to come in to see the dean, or anything.”

Glad to have encouraged the other girl, Hermione smiled, but a slight worry nagged at the back of her mind. Phrasing her words carefully, Hermione asked, “If you think your parents will disown you, how do you plan to pay for school? Charleston isn’t exactly cheap, you know.”

“Well, my grades were good enough to get a partial scholarship.” Noemi explained. “And I’ve got a job as a waitress in London, to pay for the rest.”

“Where in London?” asked Hermione, a little surprised. She knew the pureblood girl was bound for a rude awakening, starting a job in the service industry. ‘Still, she’ll learn fast.’ Thought Hermione.

“It’s in muggle London.” Said Noemi. “At a diner called Louise’s.”

Hermione tried not to grimace. “Noemi, don’t take this the wrong way, but are you sure you’re able to work with muggles?”

The young woman nodded hurriedly. “I took some muggle studies classes in school.” She said. “And I love muggle watching in our village, especially their fashion and music. Muggles are so creative, I think. I even know how to ride the underground in Florence.”

Hermione admitted she girl sounded like she would be better off than others. Her current clothing showed her ability to blend in with muggles, at least. “My parents are muggles.” Hermione said. “Perhaps you could come ‘round with me the next time I visit, and they can talk to you for a bit.”

Noemi smiled excitedly. “Oh, I’d love that.” she said. “The only muggles I’ve really talked to are the ones at the clothing shops, and of course they wouldn’t tell me if I said something odd, would they?”

A few minutes later both women left the sitting room, Noemi holding a scrap of parchment with Hermione’s floo address written on it. As they made their way through the house, Hermione was mildly impressed to see the physical change in Noemi’s expression. The eager, excited girl began to fade, replaced by an aloof, slightly disdainful young adult. Just as they were about to round the last corner, Noemi stopped Hermione with a hand on her arm.

“I don’t think Natalia would take it very well if she saw us together.” She said. “I can’t thank you enough, but I think we better head back separately. I’ll owl you, yeah?”

Hermione, understanding completely, nodded. “Wait a minute or so before you come out.” She instructed. “I’ll be expecting your owl with the paperwork in the next week or so.” After giving her a pat on the shoulder, Hermione turned and ventured back outside.

Walking back to where they had been sitting earlier, Hermione spotted Blaise, Christian, and Xander. The later was slumped over, leaning on his father’s arm, sleep.

Blaise and Christian’s quiet speech faded as she took her seat. “You could have warned me.” She grumbled under her breath at Blaise.

He smirked lazily. “And take all the fun out of it?” He said back, “I think not. I suppose you agreed to be her other contact, then?”

Hermione nodded, lacing her fingers through his. “I think she really looks up to you.” She said.

Blaise shrugged, saying nothing. The motion jostled Xander a little, and the eight year old stirred. Sitting up sleepily, he looked at them blearily.

“Time to head home?” Hermione asked, looking around. Already, clusters of people had begun to depart. Blaise stood, half- carrying Xander. They made their way through the house again, heading toward the property’s gates and apparition point. Just as they reached the front door, Hermione turned at the sound of her name.

Berlios stood to the side of the front hall, gesturing for her to approach him. Looking at Blaise for a minute, she turned and approached the intimidating man.

He bowed his body towards her a little, so they were at the same eye level. “I’m very glad to meet you and your son today.” He began in a quiet voice. He smelt like expensive cologne and the musty scent of cigars. “I will also tolerate you and Blaise’s interaction with Noemi.”

Hermione, her eyes widening, briefly wondered how the man knew. If was his house, though, and perhaps he had alternate ways to keep track of its inhabitants. Knowing Blaise, it didn’t surprise her much. “But I warn you: be careful in your interaction with this family.” He continued. “Noemi’s father is unlikely to care what happens to her after she is disowned. Elena, however, is not so placid. While I will not help her in her actions, I will not hinder her, either.”

With that, he straightened, and took one of her hands. Giving it a little pat, he gave a small smile. “The best of luck to you and yours, Hermione Granger.” Turning on his heel, he strolled down the darkened hallway that lead deep into the house. Hermione was frozen, rapidly processing his words.

“Hermione?” Blaise called to her, holding his hand out for her to take. She did, and all three of them apparated back to the house by the sea. Hermione was grateful that Blaise side- apparated her. Her mind was elsewhere.

~(o)~

An hour later, Hermione and Blaise climbed into Blaise’s oversized bed. Xander, after a quick shower to wash away the chlorine, had been tucked in by his parents, a rare treat.

Swishing the curtains closed, Blaise left one candle burning. For a moment, Hermione contemplated getting a quickie in before she fell asleep, but realized they were both too tired. They both settled into the deliciously soft mattress, shifting into a comfortable position.

“What did my uncle say, anyway?” asked Blaise as he spooned her from behind.

After hesitating for a moment, Hermione informed him he was aware of their involvement with Noemi’s schooling. She mentioned nothing about Elena.

“He must like you.” Blaise mused, after yawning widely. “If it had been someone else, I’m sure he would have ordered them to cease and desist.”

“What about you?” Hermione asked.

“Uncle Berlios may be head of the family,” Blaise answered, “But my mother is only his niece, not his daughter. It allows her quite a bit of freedom, and as her son, I am also granted that freedom.”

Hermione nodded, too tired to be truly interested in the hierarchical workings of the pureblood family. For a moment, she considered telling him about Berlios’ warning about Elena. Ultimately, she chose to keep the tidbit to herself, but take the cautionary words to heart.

Moments later, they were both asleep, leaving the candle to sputter out in a pool of wax.

~(o)~

She was back on the battlefield, and spells flew out around her like deadly beams of light. She was tired, and her palms hurt. Shouldn’t the battle have ended by now, allowing them to regroup back at Grimmauld Place? The wide, gloomy field was a mix of Death Eaters and Order members fighting.

Clutching her wand tighter, Hermione shot off a couple of spells, getting more and more aggressive as she attracted more attention. Protego Horribilis, Sectumsempra, Stupefy, Reducto. The spells began to string together as she cast them, along with the usual fog that came with fighting during the war. She tried to ignore the bright flashes of green that occasionally came from wands on both sides. Thankfully, the killing curse missed its targets more often than not.

Then, one didn’t miss. Directly to her left, a faceless Order member fell, struck down by an Avada. Looking up, she met the half- mad gaze of Bellatrix Lestrange, who had cast her ivory mask aside, revealing her paper- thin skin stretched over hollow cheekbones.

After their eyes met, Hermione and Bellatrix were suddenly the only people in the field, and Hermione’s hands clutched desperately at the air. Where had her wand gone? Hermione was panicked, looking around desperately for the piece of wood.

Realizing there was no way for her to fight, Hermione chose flight. She ran desperately for a nearby tree line, zigging and zagging as she dodged spells Bellatrix continued to hurl at her back. Just as Hermione made it to the first trees, Bellatrix suddenly appeared in front of her.

Skidding to a stop, Hermione wondered how she had managed to pop up in front of her.

“Hello, little mudblood.” Bellatrix crooned in her twisted voice. “You won’t beat me, no matter how hard you try.”

And then Hermione realized it wasn’t Bellatrix standing in the Death Eater cloak, but Elena Zabini. Bellatrix’s prison- ravaged face was replaced by Elena’s smooth, youthful skin, and tangled, frayed hair was replaced by flowing black locks.

“I always get what I want, Hermione.” She said, beaming angelically. “And I want you gone, now.” She raised her wand pointing it directly at Hermione’s frozen form. “Avada Kedavera.”

Hermione’s own screams woke her, and she sat up suddenly with a jerk. Judging by the crack in the curtains, it was a little before dawn. Her gasps for air were loud in the quiet room, and her palms stung from her nail gouging the skin. Beside her, Blaise stirred.

“Hermione?” he asked, his voice urgent and rough from sleep.

Trying to quiet gasps, Hermione laid back on the bed, nodding even though she knew Blaise couldn’t see her.

“I’m fine.” She said, cuddling back into his embrace, desperate to regain the sensation of safety his arms provided. “It was just a dream. Just a stupid dream.”

Chapter 16 Author’s Note:

Hey guys,

So, what did you think? Not a bad chapter, if you ask me. I’ve been very excited to introduce Noemi, so I hope you like her. Someone mentioned I create several non- canon characters, and I must agree. However, I think Noemi will be the last of them, for those of you who are having trouble keeping up. Blaise, Hermione, and Xander will be headed back to England next chapter, and back to real life. What do you think is up ahead?

Thank you to everyone who left a review last chapter. They make me so happy, and I’m glad everyone is enjoying the story. This chapter puts the story at a little under 70,000 words. *Pats self on back*

See you on the flip side,

Gotbooks93
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