For a moment Hermione thought Caleb looked very nervous. He had a haunted expression, and he kept wringing his hands on the tabletop.
"Yes. He is indeed Lucius Malfoy's son." Hermione replied slowly, watching Caleb curiously. "Do you know his father?"
"Only by reputation." Caleb answered bitterly. He had composed himself a little and even tried to smile.
Hermione looked at him carefully and couldn't help but notice that despite his attempt to smile, his eyes were now filled with a different emotion. They showed loathe and hate.
She knew better than to push the matter. It was good enough that Caleb talked like he had in the last few sessions together. She didn't want to drag him into a subject he obviously didn't feel comfortable with.
'Besides, I don't believe there is a person in the wizarding world who hasn't heard of the Malfoy name or hasn't been hurt by the lot of them, one way or another.' Hermione thought darkly.
After the session ended, Hermione and Caleb walked together until they reached The Leaky Cauldron. There they parted ways.
"Thank you very much for your time, Hermione." Caleb told her, stretching his hand towards her.
"You are most welcome, Caleb." she said, shaking his hand warmly. "I'll see you next time then. Send me an owl with the next place. And maybe you can bring Tom with you. I'd sure like to see him again." she finished with a smile.
And with that, they took off in different directions.
Hermione walked slowly towards the flat. Even after the attack that night she still didn't want to give up her walk. If anything, it motivated her to walk more and be on a lookout for anything suspicious. After all, it wasn't like Hermione Granger to feel intimidated by dark wizards.
Just as she turned the corner and walked into the street that took to the library, Hermione thought she saw something on the far-right side of the sidewalk. She stopped dead in her tracks and blinked.
Whatever it was she saw was now gone. All that remained in the spot she was looking at was a small bush, swaying in the evening wind.
Frowning, Hermione took a step closer, slowly taking in all the details. A few people walked past her on the other side of the street, and a cat ran into the bush in question, but other than that, nothing looked out of the ordinary.
'I thought I saw a hand, right there near that bush. And last time I came home I am sure I saw half a leg on this side of the street, right here. Was it just my imagination?'
After a few more minutes of staring, she finally huffed and started her way towards the building where the flat was situated. She made a mental note for the next time she was out and about, to carefully scan the surroundings in case something strange happened again.
***
"Are you sure Harry?" Ginny asked him, raising her perfect eyebrows.
They were having dinner together at a restaurant. Harry had just told her about mobilizing the Aurors to guard Hermione's flat. He also admitted that he wanted to keep that fact hidden from Hermione. Seeing how she never told him or Ginny anything about the attack, he figured it might be better to go about it quietly.
"No. Actually, I am not sure at all." Harry admitted with a sigh. "But what can I do? She hasn't told me or you about it, so it's pretty obvious she wants to hush it up. If Malfoy hadn't told me…"
He grimaced. He couldn't believe he had Draco to thank for something like this.
"Why don't you talk to her, Harry?"
"And tell her what exactly? That she has Aurors guarding her place on the clock?" Harry said with a strained laugh. "It's Hermione we're talking about here. She will most likely explode, saying she can take care of herself. That and, I can't believe I am actually saying this, but I am worried she might kill Malfoy in his sleep if she finds out that he told me about the attack."
"Yes, I am pretty sure you're right about that last part." Ginny giggled. "She won't take it nicely, that's for sure. But Harry," Ginny continued softly, "she is your best friend, you have gone through so much together. Don't you think that counts for something? Talk to her." Ginny finished, gently placing her hand on Harry's arm.
"You really think I should?" Harry asked reluctantly.
Ginny simply nodded. Seeing Harry hesitating she squeezed his arm slightly.
"Trust me. It's best she hears it from you, instead of having to explain to her the situation after she curses a poor soul into oblivion. I have seen some of the Aurors you have there, and they don't seem too bright." Ginny said grimly.
"They are the best I have." Harry said defensively.
"That may be, but Hermione sure is better. If she was attacked once, she won't wait to find out why someone is stalking her. Instead, she will most likely attack first and ask questions later."
That seemed to convince Harry. Hermione had always been the brains of the Golden Trio and the one who always had reason with her. But during the years after the war and with all those battles they had to fight, Hermione changed a bit. She became just as good at defending herself as she had been at studying in school.
Harry could see Ginny was right. If she felt cornered, even if it was by Harry's own people, Hermione might act in self-defense. Merlin knows what might happen then. So, he had to try and talk to her and maybe she could even help come up with a plan, like she's always been able to do.
"Alright, alright. I will drop by the flat tomorrow and talk to her." Harry finally said in defeat.
"Good." Ginny said cheerily. "Now let's eat! I am starving!"