The two unexpected surprises…
"Hermione!" a voice from downstairs called, "Get your act together young lady-they want you at the stables!"
Hermione moaned and turned in her bed. Tomorrow their 6th year would begin and she wasn't up to taking it on. Usually it was the same routine with the sorting of the clothes, buying of the books and the checking up of her wand. Although Hermione had bought her New Year books and had checked her wand ages ago, her clothes for the year where lying in a heap everywhere. It was like a maze to get from the door from the bed.
A knock on the door sounded and Hermione shot up and grabbed the first pair of jeans that was at hand. Hermione sat, "Mum I'm going to get a shower, don't worry I'll be ready in time!" called Hermione. Hermione put on her dressing gown and pulled open a drawer were she took out an old T-shit and jacket. The sighing she made her way to the bathroom.
A young man over at the Ranch, made his way to Hermione's house with two of the ranch's horses. It wasn't a far journey as Hermione lived directly beside the stables, but when walking it did seem like a long time.
The young man trotted the two horses and in no time at all he arrived at Hermione's estate.
Hermione was out of the shower in no time, with her clothes and all on her. She took two at a time down the stairs and grabbed the piece of toast that just exploded from the toaster, in the Kitchen. Shoving it in her mouth she raced back to the bottom of the stairs and grabbed her cowboy hat. She loved this hat as her uncle had brought it back from Texas five years ago and even then it was too big for her so she had waited for years hoping that one day it would actually fit her.
It was late August and the weather was extremely warm. The sun beat on Hermione as she walked out of the house and quickly she placed the hat firmly on her head. Hermione began her long walk to the Ranch, kicking stones with her trainers as she went. It was not fair the Ranch was two miles away from her house and the only thing she could see as she walked, were fields on either side of her. She preferred living in the country and not in the city like Harry.
"Heya Hermione!" someone called in front of her. Hermione looked up and a huge grin spread across her face. She jogged towards the person with the horses.
"Hey Cedric, how's you?" she began as the person dismounted of a dark horse and took her in his arms. They embraced for quite a while. It had been ages since they had seen each other as Cedric went away for an Equestrian course, for four weeks and he and Hermione had been going out for just a week before that. They let go each other and they both started.
"I have so many things to tell you!" they both stated.
"You go first," replied Hermione laughing.
"Well the veterinary course was really difficult, but I worked hard and got a pass. Plus Mr Jones has offered me a job here as a vet," Cedric explained.
"That's really great Cedric, I wouldn't have been able to do all of that studying!" exclaimed Hermione as she and Cedric began to mount the two dark horses.
"Well I find that pretty hard to believe as you are the brightest witch at Hogwarts, Hermione," replied Cedric.
"Ha Ha, very funny!" laughed Hermione giving Cedric a playful punch. It didn't take that long until they reached the ranch, when they entered the ranch they were both greeted with happy faces. Up ahead Hermione noticed that Mr Jones was standing outside his office, waving at her to come in, "Would you mind putting her in the field?" asked Hermione as she dismounted. "Yea sure," replied Cedric, as he watched her walk towards the boss's office.
Inside the office was dark and cool, as the air conditioner was running smoothly. Portraits of racehorses fill the walls, leaving only a tight gap in between each one.
"Hermione take a seat, and make sure you get up on time please – you do have a responsibility here at the ranch," explained Mr Jones.
"Sorry sir I won't let it happen again," sighed Hermione listening to the low murmur of the air conditioner, "Oh sir, thank you for giving Cedric a job here at the ranch – he'll be perfect for the job,"
"No problem we needed an extra vet," chuckled Mr Jones. Mr Jones was a huge man, in waist size, kind of reminding people of a great wild western cowboy. He had a moustache, which was plated at both ends and a short white beard. Also like all cowboys he had dusty boots and a huge leather belt tied firmly around his huge waist.
"Well is there any news of the ranch?" asked Hermione thoughtfully.
"Actually yes there is," he replied opening a drawer to left. He looked through the file cabinet until he found what he was looking for. Setting it on his desk he closed the file cabinet and looked back at Hermione with excitement in his eyes. "Hermione there is a new horse coming here sometime during this week, and his past is very disturbing, but I do believe that you can help him,"
Hermione had been given a nickname around the stables as The Horse Whisperer. Many people around the ranch had witnessed Hermione calming down wild horses, and saving their lives from being put down.
"Do you really think I can," replied Hermione hopefully.
"Of course I do-you've cured many horses which come through these gates like mad dogs," laughed Mr Jones. Hermione couldn't help but laugh too, as once Mr Jones laughs; the laughter suddenly becomes contagious.
"Sir can you tell me anything about where this animal comes from?" questioned Hermione.
"Why yes, of course I can. The horse is called Falentino; it is four years old and is a chestnut /red colour and his owners are the Malfoy's," read Mr Jones who stopped suddenly at Hermione's expression, "Is everything Ok?"
Hermione looked at Mr Jones and then back at the pages in front of him, she chouldn't believe it – the Malfoy's have a horse? Well they could have anything they ever wanted they were one of the richest families in the entire wizarding world. Sighing Hermione replied, "Yea, everything's fine, just perfectly fine."