Grace nodded, stood and led Hydrus to the back garden. It was well lit and had a large grassy area with rose bushes as a border. There was a small gravel path to a bench, which sat away from the house. A small swing hung from a tree in the corner. There was a wading pool in the middle of the yard. It was well kept and nice.
As they approached the bench, Hydrus asked, "Are you okay? You've been awful quiet."
"Well, that was quite a secret you spilled. It's a bit much to take in," she said as she sat. "I've watched children all my life, and read all the fairytales and all the adult fantasy novels I can lay my hands on. So I might be a little more open to your world, but…" the nanny trailed off with a small shrug.
Hydrus settled next to her, making sure he faced his girlfriend so she would have his full attention. "You heard what I told the Grangers, right? That it's not something I can talk about to just anyone. The law is very specific. The only reason I can tell you is because we're in a very close relationship," the immortal said quickly, hoping to ease the tension.
"And if we break up?"
"Then you'd forget all about magic."
Silence descended. Hydrus tried not to fidget, but her quietness wasn't helpful. He clasped his hands together and placed them in his lap and just stared at his hopefully still girlfriend. Grace merely gazed at the evening sky; you could see she was thinking, weighing the pros and cons. This actually gave the time traveler a bit of hope.
"Would you do it? Take my memories? Like you did the people in the park? I think I would prefer it if you did, and not some stranger," Grace broke the quiet and looked in Hydrus's eyes.
"Only if I had to," he said firmly, taking one of her hands and holding it in his. "Grace, you mean a lot to me. If you didn't I would've erased your memory of magic at the park and told the Grangers they would have to let you go early. I have secrets, some I may never tell you, or I might tell you everything if we marry. The point is, I do trust you, but there are wizards that can read your mind. If my secrets get out, it could destroy everything I've worked for. Because of my past, I've done my best to make the wizarding society a wonderful society for people like Hermione to live in." He hoped that his explanation was enough to help her decide. He learned from all the self-help books that honesty was important to a relationship.
"I understand the need to keep magic a secret. Your explanations were clear, so I do realize what could happen if your world were exposed. I also get, that there are things you can't tell me, I would ask if any of them are illegal, but that's for another time." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We've only known each other for a few months, so there are things about my childhood I've not shared with you."
The immortal breathed a sigh of relief and gave her a small smile.
"What I'm trying to wrap my mind around is the fact that it is real," the nanny continued. "I mean, all my life I wished fantasy was reality, and now I find out it is, but I can only watch," she said sadly, her eyes watered a little. It had been a dream as a little girl, to be able to wave her hand and have what she needed. Yeah, she was an adult now, but some dreams stick with you. To have it so close, but still out of her reach was disheartening.
"Oh, honey," Hydrus said, and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her in a gentle hug. He never really thought of that. It must be why Petunia turned so bitter, though according to Snape's memories of his aunt, she was always a spiteful bitch. Still he hoped the same thing didn't happen to the wonderful, kind woman in his arms.
"I've been trying to think if I want you to erase it all or keep the feeling of magic close," Grace whispered into this shoulder. "It wouldn't hurt so if I didn't remember, but you'd have to break up with me eventually knowing I could never accept you. On the other hand, it's magic and I've always wanted to see magic and we can stay together forever."
Hydrus quickly grimaced at the word 'forever' glad she couldn't see his face. He ran his hand up and down her arm and let her think. While he could sympathize, he really didn't understand. He remembered standing in the Great Hall and waiting to be told that it was all a mistake that he had no magic and that he'd have to go back to the Dursleys. He silently chuckled at his thoughts about following after Hagrid if he were ever expelled. But it wasn't the fear of losing his magic; it was the hatred of his family that caused those thoughts and feelings. This was something else, so he really couldn't empathize.
Grace gave a soft sigh and said, "Let's try it for a while, until I leave the Grangers. That'll give me a month to grasp it all. If I find I can't handle it, I want you," she patted his chest, "to make sure I don't remember anything. I do think I care about you enough that in the end I'll accept you as you are, however, I have to let go of my childhood fantasy and that might take some time." She cuddled in closer.
"Of course," Hydrus said and firmed his hold on his girlfriend. They'd have to wait and see.
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