�Mixed Chemistry?

Chap 31.5 The Lion, the Witch and the Serpent’s Lair

Hermione had found out through her old auror channels that the Potters were going to spend Sunday at the London Zoo. She had spent the whole week debating on whether to act on this information or not.

Juan knocked on the glass door to her classroom. It was Thursday after school. “Hey, we missed you at lunch,” he said, bringing in a covered lunch tray. “I asked the lunch lady to save a plate for after school for me.”

“Thanks Juan,” she said smiling as she looked up from her paperwork.

“¿En qué estás pensando, Hermione?” Juan asked wondering what she was thinking as he placed the tray in front of her, pulling the foil from it.

“Harry, Ginny and the kids are going to be at the London Zoo on Sunday,” she said as she stirred the side order of gazpacho.

“Road trip,” he said smiling.

“I don’t know,” she looked up at him, her eyes filled with a slight uneasiness. “I’m scared, J.C.”

He looked at her inquisitively. “The way you described them, they don’t seem like the type that would look down on you and the children, Hermione.”

“I don’t think I can face them just yet,” she said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Hermione,” Juan said as he pulled his seat closer to her. “If you’d like, I’ll come with you and the kids.”

Hermione smiled gratefully, “You would do that?”

“Of course,” Juan said smiling back as Hermione seemed to regain her appetite.

* * *

Hermione took a look at the glimmering gold cylinder. She looked up to the ceiling in her bedroom that she shared with the children. She gave the ring one last squeeze before placing it into the jewel box that her mother had gifted her on her eleventh birthday.

She looked into the mirror and sighed. She dusted herself off unnecessarily as she gave herself one last look. She exited her bedroom to see two smiling faces seated in the twin-seated stroller. Juan, seated on the couch, also smiled at her.

“Let’s go face the music,” Hermione said as Juan stood up.

* * *

Hermione pushed Draden in the twin-seated stroller. Juan carried Herman on his hip as they walked into the Reptile House. Hermione pulled Dray out of the stroller and mirrored the Spanish Squib.

She pointed to the large boa constrictor within the glass case. Draden pushed her forehead against the glass smiling at the reptile. Other youngsters may have cowered at the sight. The two youngsters marveled at the animal.

Hermione’s stomach fluttered. Anxiety was never something she handled well.

“Maybe this was a mistake,” she said almost inaudibly as the foursome walked down the corridor looking at the exhibits.

“Don’t be silly, Hermione,” Juan whispered into her ear as he held out his hand.

She took it and leaned against his shoulder. They continued down the hall, looking at the other exhibits. They stopped in front of the King Cobra exhibit. Hermione watched as the hooded snake caught her eye. He hissed at her. She shuddered suddenly remembering a certain Slytherin. Her knees buckled.

“Hermione, ¿Estás bien?” Juan asked grabbing her before she could crumple to the floor.

“Hermione?” A young man with a scar came over to help. His wife and children followed.

“Harry, Ginny,” Hermione’s eyes grew big. She didn’t know what more to say. She was afraid her voice would get caught in her throat.

Ginny pulled her best friend into a hug. Hermione felt the young witch shudder in her arms. Tears rolled down both of their faces. Both men just stood watching the reunion. They hugged for a good five minutes.

“Hey, stranger,” Ginny said finally, putting some distance between them.

“Hi,” Hermione said softly.

“My turn,” Harry said as Ginny stepped back. Harry hugged his good friend and he too shed tears.

* * *

“Where have you been?” Harry asked as they all took seats near the cobra cage.

“Sevilla,” Hermione said weakly.

Ginny finally noticed the two young infants and the tall handsome Spaniard. Hermione followed her friend’s eyes.

“Harry, Ginny,” Hermione said getting up. “I want you to meet J.C. I mean Juan Carlos Torres, a friend of mine.”

Harry stood up to accept Juan’s outstretched hand. “Mucho gusto,” J.C. said smiling.

“And, uh,” Hermione stammered, pulling Draden out of the stroller. J.C. followed suit with Manny.

“This is,” Hermione hesitated. “This is Reyna.”

“Y this is Manny,” J. C. added.

“Nice to meet you two,” Ginny said shaking the two youngsters’ outstretched arms. Her own children came over to see the other potential playmates. The Potter kids smiled.

“It’s a long story,” Hermione looked hopefully into Harry’s face.

“Why don’t we talk about it,” Harry began.

“Over lunch,” Ginny finished her husband’s sentence.

“If you four aren’t in a hurry?” Harry asked anxiously.

“Cómo no,” J.C. said. “I saw an eatery just outside.”

The four adults smiled and headed out of the cold Reptile House and into the brilliant sunlight.

They talked as if Hermione hadn’t left. Hermione told them about the twins, careful to use Draden’s middle name. She explained how she met J.C. at the school they both taught at.

Harry explained the end of the war. He explained the peace treaty signing. Ginny chimed in about Mr. and Mrs. Weasley being fine. At this, Hermione’s tears began to fall again.

“Hermione,” Ginny said, putting her arm around her older friend’s shoulder. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

“You’ll tell them that we’re all right, won’t you?” Hermione asked.

“It would be better if you told them yourself,” Harry said nonchalantly.

“I know,” Hermione hesitated. “I will. But for now, do you mind?”

“Of course not,” Ginny said. “And, to commemorate this, how about a photograph. Mum and Dad would probably bite our heads off thinking we were making up stories or something.”

Hermione smiled again. She wanted to tell them the whole truth, but held back. The camera was enchanted to take the pictures on its own.

‘Boy would Mum and Dad really flip out,’ Ginny thought. They posed for four photos. They spent the rest of the day touring the rest of the zoo. They finally had to part ways as the afternoon sun came down on the horizon.

“We’ll see you again, won’t we?” Ginny asked hopeful as she carried Gwen on her hip.

“Yes,” Hermione nodded giving her friend one last hug before they went in opposite directions.

* * *

“I think that went rather well,” Juan said as they stepped into Hermione’s apartment.

“I feel like my insides were on their own roller coaster ride,” Hermione said laying Draden into the playpen. Juan placed Manny down as well.

“I think they bought it, Dear,” J.C. smiled at Hermione. She just rolled her eyes and headed for the kitchen to prepare for dinner.