hide and seek ((mystique))

While in the kitchens getting some light snacks for her office, Hermione had found little Athena running around; was her mother aware of where her child was? After getting the young girl comfortable, Hermione took her to her office so she'd be supervised until she could figure out where Mystique was. Once she knew where her colleague was, Hermione led Athena up to the fourth floor to take her back to the library. Athena was absolutely adorable! It reminded her of Rose when she was that young; she still couldn't believe how quickly the years have flown since her children's births.

"Mystique! I got your child!" she said aloud while politely brushing through a few lingering students.

@Mystique Vega

Mystique had been stacking some book when a voice rang through the library. She went to hush them until the words hit her brain, "Wait what?" She wobbled a bit on the ladder before regaining balance and climbing down, "Athena?" She rushed over to Hermione and kneeled down in front of her daughter, "Bambina, what were you doing? I put you in my office with the show you wanted." She shook her head and kissed her daughters cheek and stood up, "She must have gotten bored and skipped by me. Thank you, Hermione. Where did she end up?" She was curious where her daughter had gotten off to

@Hermione Granger

Hermione was grateful that Mystique was in or near the library as she had heard; she couldn't imagine trying to navigate the entire castle looking for her without resorting to messaging her via crystal.

"I'm not sure how, but your little one ended up in the kitchens." She gave the two of them a reassuring smile before giving Athena a light pat on the back. "Your daughter is very smart, Mystique. She knows her way around Hogwarts so well!"

@Mystique Vega

Mystique chuckled and picked up her daughter, who was demanding attention, "Ah yes. I see she was hungry. Baby," she said, looking at Athena, "When you are hungry you have to come to Mama. I got your snacks in my desk." She smiled down at her, "Yes. Thank the heavens she got my brains." She would be doomed if she had gotten her moronic father's intelligence.

@Hermione Granger

"I took her to my office for a bit to play with one of the stress balls on my desk until I could figure out where you were," Hermione added with a small chuckle. "She was so well-behaved! You've done a remarkable job at raising her!"

If only her family had children closer to Athena's age so she'd have a playmate! "Why don't we go into the library? I actually haven't been in it all term." It was surprising as it was one of her favorite spots to be when she attended Hogwarts.

@Mystique Vega

"I bet she enjoyed that." She looked at Athena, she didn't talk much, which never bothered mystique. She would blossom in her own time. "Thank you. That really means a lot coming from you. I have met your children. Very sweet, both of them." When she said she wanted to go into the library, mystique smiled, she easily recognized Hermione for the little book work she was, "Of course." She carried Athena in her arms into the library. She sat her down at a table and summoned some colors and paper for her to draw, "I just made a fresh pot of coffee in my office. Would you like a cup?"

@Hermione Granger

Hermione bowed her head in agreement. "I think she found my office soothing." And who wouldn't with the aroma of essential oils and tea always ready to be made? She wanted her office to be an inviting space for anyone who needed an ear.

A look of relief appeared on her face when Mystique complimented her parenting; she tried to shelter her own children from some of the pains and sorrows of the world as much as she could. It pained her to see how some of their cousins have ended up, and she wanted them to have the best chances she and Ron could give them.

Ah, the library hadn't changed all too much from when she attended. It still felt as homey as it did all those years ago. "A cup would be lovely, thank you."

@Mystique Vega

"I bet she did. You had toys In there. She was on cloud nine." Mystique said with a soft laugh. She nodded when she said she would like a cup of coffee and poured her one, "Cream and sugar" she waited for a response and handed her the cup after fixing it to her liking, "How is your husband lately?" She personal would hate being away from her partner so often.

@Hermione Granger

It was always delightful seeing children's curious tendencies giving them the ability to see all sorts of things as wonderful. Although she was sure most students saw her office as relaxing, Hermione wouldn't be surprised if they also viewed it as cheesy. They were jaded enough to think in such a way.

"Just some sugar please, thank you."

She kept her coffee fairly simple; she couldn't have it be too bitter nor look unrecognizable as coffee. Hermione thought she got a brief glimpse of James way in the far back of the library, but she could never be too sure with how he's been hiding.

"Ron's been very well. Business is booming at the store as usual. I think he and George have been working on new products to sell soon."

@Mystique Vega

Mystique added some sugar to one of the cups of coffee and made the other the way she enjoyed it. The creamer cooled the coffee down and the sugar was what she needed for the extra kick. "George. He's Fred's father, right?" She blushed a bit as she thought of Fred. She really enjoyed spending her free time with him, "Fred's a very nice man."

@Hermione Granger

"Yes, he certainly is," Hermione affirmed before blowing at her coffee so it would cool down. "Fred is a very gracious man. I'm so proud of how far he's come despite all of the setbacks he dealt with." Even if a decent amount of them were self-inflicted. She took a sip of her coffee and smiled in delight. This was some delicious coffee! "You should see how he is at gatherings. He's always there to liven the mood."

@Mystique Vega

Mystique nodded in agreement. Fred was many things that she admired. But she was a bit confused. What kind of set backs had Fred faced in the past? "I hope this isn't prying, and maybe I should ask Fred myself, but what do you mean? What setbacks?" She let out a laugh, "I would assume so. He's already ready to drink with me. He's my drinking buddy."

@Hermione Granger

"He dropped out of school and had his wand destroyed due to being quite the impulsive teenager. He's stabilized some since then, but I do hope he takes remedial classes soon," Hermione explained taking another sip of her coffee. "I'm afraid a lot of people look down on him for it..."

@Mystique Vega

Mystique was surprised to say the least. She had no idea Fred had been through so much. It made her want to find him and just hug him. To tell him everything was alright and he was amazing just the way he was. She slipped her coffee and cleared her throat as she thought of what to say, "I honestly have no response to that. I couldn't even fathom... I had no idea."

@Hermione Granger

She had no idea? Hermione was relieved that it appeared that not every corner of the wizarding world was covered in headlines related to the family. "Fred's such a kind young man with strong morals. I think he would've gone into the Ministry had he not done too much underaged magic..."

@Mystique Vega