January 1

Dear Hermione,

I hope you made it home okay with your dad. Sorry about Charlie trying to throw himself on you as you tried to leave. He is such an idiot sometimes.

Well, I just wanted to tell you how great it was having you here last night. And mum and dad really liked your dad-they want to have your mum over sometime too. I was just happy to have you here-did I tell you that you looked really pretty last night? You did. Also I wanted to tell you that our second kiss was even better than the first-which was beyond brilliant. When you kissed me at midnight I was surprised-I think mum noticed, but she hasn't said anything.

I am looking forward to seeing you on the train on Sunday. Please don't be mad if you see me and Lavender together. I am trying to figure out how to break it off with her and Harry is helping me. By the way, I told Harry that we kissed and he seems okay with it.

Can't wait to see you on Sunday. I will look for you at the station.

Love,
Ron

After reading Ron's letter twice, Hermione felt herself grow clammy. Harry knows. She was surprised that Ron told him about it and the thought of Harry knowing didn't exactly sit well with her, but she couldn't quite understand why. She felt a strong bond with Harry, she always had, but she knew that her feelings for him were absolutely platonic in nature. She had never had a desire to kiss Harry and she never felt sick when she saw Harry talking to another girl. Those were feelings that were exclusive to Ron. She supposed her anxieties were mostly about protecting Harry's feelings. She didn't want him to feel like a third wheel or feel left out. She knew that she wanted to make sure that Harry never felt that way, regardless of how things ended up going with her and Ron.

She wanted to respond to Ron's letter but she didn't have time now. Her mum had just arrived from her overnight stay to announce that the Grangers had dinner plans with the Rileys. Dr. Riley was one of her father's longtime friends and fellow dentists, the two were roommates during their time in dental school. The Rileys had two children, a daughter one year younger than Hermione and a son a couple of years older. When Hermione was eleven, the summer before she began at Hogwarts, the two families vacationed in Spain together. She hadn't seen the Rileys since.

When the Grangers arrived to meet the Rileys at the restaurant, Hermione noticed that their youngest daughter, Jillian, was missing. "Kate, where is Jillian?" Mrs. Granger asked Mrs. Riley as the two women greeted each other. "Oh she had a bit of a tantrum, she had plans with friends, so she won't be with us." Mrs. Riley looked at Hermione apologetically. Mrs. Riley then hugged Hermione and guided her toward a tall young man standing next to her. "But Hermione, you remember David don't you?" David smiled and put his hand out to shake Hermione's hand. "Oh yes, I do. Hello David." she said politely.

Hermione remembered David as a studious boy but not particularly social. She remembered on their vacation over five years ago that he spent most of this time with his face buried in a book and Hermione was left to entertain Jillian. Now David seemed a bit more engaged in the world around him and in truth he was quite good-looking. She smiled at him and felt herself blush as he gave her a once over, she had chosen another more "grown up" outfit for their dinner, for no particular reason.

Mr. Granger and Mr. Riley had fallen into a deep conversation since they had all arrived, hardly noticing the others. But all at once, Mr. Riley exclaimed loudly, "What on earth?! Edward, is this Hermione?! This lovely young woman cannot be Hermione?!" Hermione and David both looked embarrassed at Mr. Riley's outburst. "Yes this is my girl, isn't she lovely?" Mr. Granger stood behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, as if she were being presented to the Rileys, a gesture she found both humiliating and infuriating. The mothers stood back beaming and Hermione could not dare bring herself to make eye contact with David. Luckily, their party was called and they were off to their table.

By the time they finished salads, it had become apparent to Hermione that her mother was a very clever woman. Clearly, Mrs. Granger had intended to introduce Hermione and David in hopes of a potential romance. Hermione knew this because she could read her mother's expressions quite well and picked up on all the obvious conversation scaffolding: "David, do you still read a lot? Hermione is always going at it with three to four books at once!" and "Hermione, David has been at university for a full term now, he could answer all your questions about it!" She could hardly believe her mother's presumptuous behaviors. When had Hermione ever spoken about going to Muggle university? It was as if her mother had forgotten who Hermione was and what her life involved. It was hurtful, but mostly it made her angry.

David seemed to be slightly amused by the situation, which made Hermione even angrier, and he kept staring and smiling at her when she felt herself blaze red with anger at her mother. He was somewhat reluctant to speak about himself but Hermione learned from Mrs. Riley that David was intent to follow in his father's footsteps and study to become a dentist.

"What about you Hermione?" Mrs. Riley asked and David looked interested. Mrs. Granger answered quickly and nervously, "Oh she doesn't know yet, she enjoys all of her subjects though. She truly is a gifted dancer-she did beautifully in the ballet last week!" Mrs. Granger successfully diverted the conversation away from school which gave Hermione a sick feeling in her stomach. David asked her a few questions about ballet that she tried to answer, but she truly felt ill as the reality of her mother's performance settled in. She excused herself and made her way to the ladies room-feeling cold and dizzy. She is ashamed of me. The thought hit her like a stone. In all of her life, she had never felt that her parents had shame about her – about her magical abilities. It was if her entire world shifted from under her.

She barely said two words throughout the remainder of the dinner and she only pushed the food around her plate, unable to eat. David noticed and said to her quietly, "Not hungry?" She looked up giving a half-smile and replied, "No, not really." He seemed pleased that he got even this out of her. By the end of the dinner, Mrs. Granger had mentioned to Mrs. Riley that she and Hermione would be spending the next day at the dance studio and that she should stop by to say hello. Hermione was pained to think about spending an entire day at the studio with her mother after tonight. "Yes, sounds like an idea." Mrs. Riley replied. As the families said goodbye, David pulled Hermione aside and told her, "Don't worry, my mom is just as bad if not worse. Why do you think Jillian isn't here?" At this, Hermione gave him a genuine smile. He was actually kind of nice.

Mr. Granger, having been intensely engaged with his old friend during dinner, was surprised at the explosion of tension that erupted from his daughter on their ride home.

"Mum, you are UNBELIEVABLE!" Hermione cried at the slam of her door from the backseat. Both parents turned around, giving her a surprised look.

"What?" her mother asked innocently.

"What?!" Hermione was incredulous. "How can you even ask me that?! You know exactly WHAT!"

Mrs. Granger turned forward, looking prim, "You are being a silly girl." She said curtly. Mr. Granger, was still confused, "What happened?" he asked looking from his wife to his daughter and back again.

"He's a nice boy. I thought you might get along." her mother said, trying to sound casual.

"Ah." Mr. Granger understood a bit. "Well, he's okay I guess, but not really your type is he sweetheart?" he gave Hermione a wink.

Hermione felt tears in her eyes start to spill down. "Mum, you know that's not what I am talking about." She paused. "You know I have never talked about going to a Muggle university and you made a point to avoid discussing my schooling because you were ashamed to tell the Rileys."

"We aren't supposed to tell people about your schooling! You know that!" Her mother was getting riled. "You're being ridiculous!"

"Right, I'm being ridiculous! Why did you imply that I would be interested in talking to David about university? That is not part of my plan!" Hermione cried.

"Well maybe it should be!" her mother turned on her, "What is your plan dear? You have wasted years at Hogwarts with nothing to show for it. What about dancing? You could have developed so much further along and what kind of future do you suppose you will have without university?"

"Jean, please before you go too far." her father's voice was stern.

"Too far?! Edward, we have placated this far too long! She needs to understand that in the real world things are different and she had to think about her future!"

"Mum, I do think about a future for myself, in the magical world of course!"

"Oh please, what does that even mean Hermione?!" her mother said dismissively waving her hand.

At this Hermione, fell silent. It was if her mother didn't know her at all and she felt her stomach curl into a tight knot. She had an aching desire to be back at the Burrow-with friends and especially with Ron.

She remained silent the rest of the evening. She cried herself to sleep and was too overcome with a headache the next day to fight with her mother again. She woke early and left for the studio obediently with her mother. Mrs. Granger pretended as if their row never occurred, she made an effort to engage in small talk but Hermione kept her responses short and simple. At the studio, she went through motions half-heartedly but her mother held back from criticizing. Toward noon, Mrs. Riley did indeed arrive - with David, who looked uncomfortable. He looked even worse for it when his mother said, "David I need to spend some time with Jean, why don't you take Hermione for some lunch?" Mrs. Granger gave Hermione a cautious look but Hermione refused to give her mother the satisfaction of making eye contact.

"Well, I would be happy to if she would like that. But it's completely up to you?" he asked Hermione directly. What was she to do? Say no? That would be rude wouldn't it? Why would she do that to him? He was nice. It wasn't his fault that the mothers were insane.

"Oh yeah, sure, thank you." she said, David looked relieved.

The two of them just went to a small café across the street for a quick bite. "Well your mom was right, you are a good dancer. I watched through the two-way." he said as if he had been doing something naughty.

"Oh, thank you." she replied politely. "I don't practice nearly enough, it is kind of my mum's thing really." she told him somewhat thoughtlessly. They went on to have a good conversation about favorite books,

"Pride and Prejudice?" he asked her quizzically.

"Yes-why?" she picked up his tone.
"Well, most smart girls like it but you seem like a different kind of smart girl." He was trying to flirt, but it was a clumsy attempt.

"You're making quite a number of assumptions about me – I'm not sure if I like that." she told him teasingly. He gave her a smile that made her heart jump. Oh my god, I am flirting with him! She quickly felt guilty and tried to move their lunch along so she could get back to the studio. He seemed a little let down about her eagerness to leave.

"Wow, that was a quick lunch." he said sadly, then added, "Too quick for me." Hermione tried to pretend that she didn't hear the last part he said.

"Thank you for lunch." she told him.

"It was my pleasure."

"Well, I hope you have a good term at university."

"Yeah, you have a good term at school also."

"Ok, bye then." she started toward the studio doors.

"Hey wait, Hermione…can we write?" it was a bold move on his part.

"Oh, well, er, yeah, of course." she said without thinking it through.

"Ok, can I have your address then?"

She was quick to answer, "Just send to my parents, they forward all my mail to me."

"Oh, okay, great then!" He was satisfied with her reply and gave her a big smile. "Ok, I will definitely write then." he said.

She waved and headed up the steps two at a time.

When she arrived home late that afternoon, Pigwidgeon had arrived with two letters-one from Ron and one from Ginny. She opened Ginny's first.

Dear Hermione,

Well only one more day until we go back to school and I can't wait. Everyone here is driving me mad. Especially Fred and George. Harry continues to be moody and mysterious. Charlie is leaving tomorrow which is good because Ron is really annoyed with him for some reason. Charlie finds it all very amusing which makes Ron even more annoyed. Speaking of Ron, he came to me yesterday asking weird questions about you, what is your favorite flower, season (?), stuff like that. What was that about? Anyway, can't wait to see you Sunday! Sit with me on the train okay?

Love,

Ginny

After reading Ginny's letter, she had to smile at Ron's not-so-subtle efforts of finding out more about her. It was incredibly sweet. But it didn't change the Lavender situation. She read Ron's letter next.

Dear Hermione,

I was hoping to hear from you before we see you at the station tomorrow but I guess you've been busy. Well, I just wanted to say hi to you and let you know that I am thinking about you all the time – really and truly – every minute.

Love,

Ron

She smiled at Ron's letter and felt a strong yearning to be with him and talk to him about her situation with her mother. Since the dinner with the Rileys and row that followed, Hermione felt empty and lonely here with her parents. She had never felt that way before. Her father sensed the change in her and made feeble attempts to cheer her mood and she appreciated his efforts but they didn't really help. Making matters worse, Hermione knew that her parents had argued after she went to bed that night following the dinner and she knew her dad had slept in his office last night. She was feeling uncertain about many things and wanted to have Ron here to talk to. A letter would have to suffice.

Dear Ron,

I am sorry for not writing sooner. Yes it has been busy. A lot has happened here the past two days and none of it very good. On Friday night we went to dinner with family friends where my mum tried to match make me with a fellow I knew from years ago. Our fathers went to dental school together and are great friends and I guess mum thought she could decide for me who I should date. Anyway, he was nice enough but I am infuriated with my mother right now. It was quite humiliating and what's worse is that his mother all but insisted that he bring me for lunch today during my break from the studio. He just showed up with his mother at noon and well, I couldn't very well say no with both of our mothers there glaring at me! And again, he is nice and all, but he is two years older at university and well, the whole experience was just dreadfully embarrassing.

Worse than that, my mum and I had a row after the dinner and she said that I had wasted myself with all the years at Hogwarts. She dismissed me when I told her that I wanted my future to be in the magical world and she called me silly and ridiculous. Then she and dad had a row about it and he slept in his office last night. I hate the thought of the two of them at each other because of me. Dad is protective of me and mum says he is also silly and ridiculous. It was very bad.

Well, obviously I am counting the minutes until the train to Hogwarts but I don't want to leave my parents like this. Maybe tonight we can have a civilized discussion and work it this all out. Thank you for listening. See you tomorrow.

Love,
Hermione

As Ron read the first part of the letter he felt the familiar jealous heat rise in his stomach and chest. But as he read the second part his heart began to ache for her. The jealousy was still there, but he allowed himself to stay calm and not read those parts a second time. But wait, did she say how nice he was on two separate points in the letter?

He was personally affronted by her mother's claim about Hermione being silly and ridiculous. He knew many silly and ridiculous girls, Lavender was one of them, and Hermione was nothing like them. She was logical, thoughtful, and kind. Her mother had no grounds for belittling her like that. He was getting angry just thinking about it.

So the fellow who she had dinner and lunch with was older and attended Muggle university. Ron could only imagine how this bloke probably wanted to get her alone so he could run his hands on her. He imagined that he was probably smitten with her because she was beautiful and brilliant and the git was probably lying in his bed right now thinking about her. He thought about him showing up uninvited at her studio, watching her dance. As he perseverated on the slimy git, Ron felt his chest tighten and his teeth were grinding. Thankfully they were headed back to Hogwarts tomorrow where Hermione would be away from her mother and away from this Muggle bloke!