(A/N: Hello, readers. Once again I'm sorry for not posting this chapter soon enough. I've been super busy with school, taekwondo, choir, and all that jazz. I've been stressing out a lot so don't judge me if the chapter blows. So is anyone else as excited as I am for the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie? POTTER FANDOM IS BACK OH YEAH. Well I never left. Don't forget to review, favorite, follow, message, etc. Okay enjoy! ^_^)

Chapter 7: After the Concert

The advanced all girls' show choir finished performing their set which included, "Build Me Up, Buttercup," and "Don't Stop Believing." The show choir was the last to perform which concluded the concert.

The audience stood and gave a final round of applause. Soon enough the house started becoming emptier by the second. The guests slowly filed out of the performing arts center and towards the front to wait for their loved ones to come to them.

"Rachel, Mione, I want you to meet someone," Giselle addressed, dragging her friends away. The three girls came out of the backstage waiting area and migrated towards the flock of awaiting audience members.

"Who's the person you want us to meet," questioned Rachel, reaching into her purse for her cell phone.

"He's my stepbrother. My dad was married to his mother, until he died. We still keep in touch," answered Giselle.

"Well that's nice," commented Hermione.

The walk to the front of the performing arts center was filled with amiable silence. It was interrupted when Giselle ran in her character shoes shouting for her stepbrother. She got sucked into the crowd like crumbs to a vacuum. Hermione and Rachel were reluctant to go into the crowd, so they stay where they stood.


"Oh my god, Blaise it's so good to see you," Giselle squealed, hugging Blaise very tightly.

Blaise hugged his stepsister back, but couldn't say much due to the lack of oxygen. "I see you've gotten stronger, Giselle," rasped Blaise. "I got you flowers."

Realizing her own strength, she loosened her grip around Blaise. "Sorry, Blaise," she apologized, taking the flowers. "How've you been," she continued, taking a whiff of the carnations.

Blaise took a few deep breaths while holding his chest. He moved his arms around to The Italian wizard replied, "I've been doing well. I just got back from Italy as a matter of fact, and yourself?"

"It's sooooo wonderful to see you again. Oh I want you to meet some of my friends."

"Oh hey, I want you to meet someone,too. Let me get him," said Blaise.

Giselle started walking back to where Hermione and Rachel were standing. "I'll be back," she shouted back.

Hermione and Rachel carried on a conversation about the various choirs when they both felt someone pulling their arms. They were lead into the crowed by Giselle.

"Ouch. Mother of- What the hell are you doing, Giselle? Shit I think you pulled my arm clean out of its socket," Rachel snapped.

Still pulling the girls' by their arms, Giselle lead them toward Blaise. "Relax, don't be a little bitch about it. I just want to introduce you guys to my stepbrother and his best friend."

"There's absolutely no need for that language, Giselle," Hermione criticized, while laughing.

Shortly they were in the presence of Blaise and Draco. Little did Hermione know that she was about to be face-to-face with her Hogwarts classmates.

"Hermione, Rachel, I want you to meet my stepbrother, Blaise," Giselle introduced, gesturing to a smiling Blaise.

"I know Hermione, she goes to my school. Hello, Hermione. It's good to see you," Blaise greeted politely. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Rachel," he continued as he shook her hand.

Hermione never really had a problem with Blaise. Despite being in the rival house, he was nothing like the other Slytherins. Never has he ever treated her with contempt because of the fact that she was muggleborn or that she was in Gryffindor. Every single time Draco and his dim-witted goons had the opportunity to tease her, Blaise was always around to break up the minor skirmishes before they escalated. Likewise, Blaise had no reason to hate Hermione. She was, after all, the brightest witch of her age. Respect was one of the many traits he felt she possessed.

"Hello, Blaise. Nice to meet you," replied Rachel, shaking his hand and looking happy.

Upon seeing her classmate, the bibliophile smiled and gave the wizard a quick hug. Blaise felt uncomfortable at first, but relaxed and returned the hug. "It's so good to see you, too. Blimey, what a small world. You look good, Zabini," she noted, looking him up and down.

"Well I have been working out," he conceitedly bragged, flexing his muscles.

Giselle rolled her eyes at her stepbrother's vanity. "Oh shove it, Blaise. Lifting ten pound dumbbells isn't making much of a difference," she jested, causing Hermione and Rachel to laugh.

"Be that as it may, but I'm still the prettier one," he countered, fixing his short hair. "Giselle, Rachel, I want you to meet my best friend. I'm going to get him." In a matter of seconds, Blaise came back with none other than Draco Malfoy. "Ladies, this is my best mate Draco. Dray, this is my stepsister, Giselle; and her friend, Rachel. You know Hermione, obviously," stated Blaise.

"Hey there, Draco," Giselle greeted, offering her hand for him to shake.

"Nice to meet you," continued Rachel.

The youngest Malfoy said nothing. His eyes opened wider than their normal size and his mouth hung open in shock. He just stood dumbstruck, staring at Hermione, unaware that Giselle and Rachel were speaking to him. Noticing Draco's glares, Hermione's features turned upward into extreme discomfort, but smiled hoping to ease the awkwardness.

Holy shit. Is she really here standing in front of me, Draco asked mentally. Damn it, just be cool and talk to her.

Hermione continued smiling uncomfortably under Draco's conspicuous glares. Okay, this is odd. Why is he staring at me like that? She shifted her weight from one leg to the other and brought her arms close to her as she gripped her upper arms.

Blaise elbowed Draco in his upper arm. The blond instantly snapped out of his blatantly obvious daydream and addressed the girls. "I'm sorry, ladies, I've been under the weather lately. It's a pleasure, truly," he began. He turned to Hermione once again, "H-h-hello, Herm-m-mione."

"That's quite alright," assured Giselle and Rachel, giving Draco weird looks discretely.

"Draco, fancy meeting you here," the Gryffindor chatted, still very uncomfortable. Attempting to make a conversation, she asked, "So what songs did you guys enjoy the most?"

"Well I was very impressed with the song selections. I'm stuck between "Pretty Woman" and you guys' rendition of "Lollipop." And I was blown away by your solo. You were incredible," explained Blaise.

"Isn't she just amazing," lamented Rachel.

"The best in our choir, she is," added Giselle.

"Oh no, you guys have it all wrong. I'm alright," Hermione chuckled. She turned to Draco, who seemed to have returned to staring, but he broke it as soon as Hermione addressed him. "I share the same opinion as Blaise. I, too, am impressed by the songs. My favorite would have to either be "Twist and Shout," or "I Only Want to Be With You. Hermione, I must say that I really liked your solo," Draco admitted, smiling sheepishly. A vibrant shade of red began to show up on his face.

Giselle and Rachel noticed Draco's sudden change of skin tone and how fast he spoke when he addressed Hermione. They giggled amongst themselves when they realized that Draco has a little crush on their friend.

Hermione listened to Draco and was taken aback by the compliment he gave her. Another small grin spread across her face. "Thank you, Draco. I'm glad you and Blaise enjoyed the performance."

"Hermione? Where are you," Harry called from a distance.

"Well guys, my guests are looking for me. Giselle, Rachel, text me or write to me sometime soon. Blaise, Draco, I'll see you at school. Goodbye," she called as she hugged Giselle and Rachel and walked away.

"We'll talk to you soon, 'Mione," the girls shouted at the same time.

Blaise and Draco waved as she walked away from the group.

"I've got to get going as well, my mum and dad are waiting for me," Rachel said. She hugged Giselle and shook hands with Blaise and Draco. "I'll talk to you later, Giselle, and it was nice meeting you guys." Rachel waved to the group and walked away.

"You guys want to go hang out," asked Giselle.

Blaise looked at Draco to see if it was okay. Draco nodded and smiled. "Sure, we'd love to," he answered.


Hermione wandered through the crowd looking for Harry and the Weasleys. For a moment, she felt as if she was lost in a dense forest, until she saw the unmistakable tint of red hair. Her feet began to carry her across the crowd, making the heels of her character shoes make noise with the ground.

"Harry, Ginny," she yelled. The pair of friends quickly turned around and saw Hermione.

"Oi, the lot o' ya Weasleys, Hermione's here," Ginny announced, making sure the rest of the family heard.

Soon enough the family of redheads stormed in her direction. The first to get to Hermione was Molly. "Oh Hermione, dear, I'm so glad you invited us to watch you perform. You were spectacular," the mother of the Weasley clan complimented, hugging Hermione very tightly.

Hermione hugged Molly back and said, "You guys are my family. Performing here wouldn't be the same without you guys watching and supporting me," she spoke sincerely.

Next, the twins made their way to Hermione. "Hermione we had no idea you could sing so well," spoke George.

"Well I never thought I'd see the day our favorite prefect breaks out of her shell," added Fred, loosely placing his arm around her shoulders. "Come here and give us a hug, will ya?"

Fred brought Hermione close to him and George came up behind Hermione. She brought her arms around his waists and rested her head against his chest. Wow, they've gotten taller, she thought.

A few seconds after George came from behind, Fred made a fart noise with his mouth. The twins pulled away acting very disgusted. "Oi, Granger, lay off those every flavor beans. That's gross," George chortled, holding his nose.

"Oh, Hermione, we're just messing with you. We're sorry," Fred pleaded. "Come back here." He opened his arms out for another hug.

Hermione's laughter rang out as she moved forward to give the twins a hug. Once again George came up from behind Hermione and locked her in an embrace. A second fart noise escaped from the mouth of George.

"Merlin's beard, Hermione, go. Just go," Fred yakked, throwing his arms up and creating distance between them.

"Oh, how I've missed you guys so much," the brunette sighed, smiling. She let go of Fred and moved toward Arthur and Bill.

"Hello, Hermione. It's wonderful to see you, again. By the way, you did very well with your solo," Bill remarked very politely.

"You didn't do well… You did GREAT," exclaimed an excited Arthur. "I find these old muggle songs very entertaining. I need to get myself one of those iPots so I can listen to them whenever I want."

"You mean an iPod, Dad," the eldest Weasley son corrected, snickering.

"Ah thank you, Bill," Mr. Weasley said. Arthur was completely obsessed with muggle devices ever since he began working for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office at the Ministry. During visits from Harry and Hermione, he would question them about objects that he had obtained at the Ministry. The last time Hermione visited, the curious man asked what a laptop was and what a telly was.

Hermione gave each of them a hug and watched as Harry, Ron, and Ginny made their way towards her. Harry and Ginny looked like their normal selves, but Ron looked more apprehensive: he had his very long left arm behind his back and he looked as if he was about to take another one of Professor Snape's exams.

Ginny came dashing towards Hermione while squealing, making Hermione's ears ring. A powerful force nearly knocked Hermione to the ground as Ginny propelled herself forward in order to get a hug out of her best friend. "MERLIN'S BEARD 'MIONE YOU WERE AWESOME," she shrieked obnoxiously while hugging Hermione tighter than a boa constrictor.

Hermione wanted to respond to Ginny, but couldn't because she couldn't breathe. Now I know how Blaise felt. Shit this hurts.

Ron watched as the already pale face of Hermione became pallor. "Gin,' you're hurting her," Ron stated, looking worried at Hermione's lack of oxygen.

"Oh relax, Ron," Ginny countered, releasing Hermione.

Harry walked over for a hug, but only gave a quick one because the color to Hermione's face hadn't returned to its normal tone yet. "Hermione, I don't know what to say. Your performance left me speechless." He adjusted his glasses, and lightly touched his lighting bolt scar. The raven haired boy cringed after he touched it, which did not go unnoticed by Hermione.

An inquisitive Hermione gave a questioning look at Harry, who shrugged in response. She would have to talk to him later.

Finally, a very uneasy Ron stepped towards the braniac a few meters away . "T-t-t-the concert was am-m-mazing, 'Mione," Ron stuttered. The red-headed boy fidgeted as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. Very slowly, he closed the distance between. Subsequently, he retrieved his hand from behind his back, revealing a gigantic bouquet of roses and offered it to Hermione. Ron handed her the bouquet of roses "You were amazing," he continued as he rested his forehead on hers. The ginger leaned in, closing his eyes. He inhaled silently and took in her scent. Mmmm vanilla. Ron gradually leaned in until he was centimeters away from Hermione's full lips.

Hermione did not know how to react. Before she could register was going on, Ron had kissed her on the lips. Oddly enough, she did not move away.

A cough stopped the two from going any further, making Ron sigh in frustration. Hermione, on the other hand, was relieved someone had interrupted. She absolutely did not have romantic feelings for Ron as she once did in sixth year. The brunette recalled that he wouldn't even give her the time of day. Now it's apparent that he's finally seeing her as more than a friend, but it's too late; she does not love him anymore. The fuck is Ron doing? He's got Lavender, she cringed. Unanswered questions popped into her mind.

Ginny and Harry proceeded in Hermione's direction, hoping to stop what Ron was doing to Hermione. They all looked at each other awkwardly, but the awkwardness was dissolved when Harry began to speak. "So, 'Mione, would you like to come back with us to the Burrow?"

Hermione looked at all the hopeful faces and she was sad to see them fall when she told them that she couldn't go. Ron looked a lot more upset than Ginny and Harry. "I'm sorry, guys, but I have to get back home. My dad doesn't even know that I'm here," she confessed.

Ron's head perked up wondering if he heard her correctly. "It's weird to hear you say something like that," he chuckled.

"YEAH, WELCOME TO THE CLUB, HERMIONE," the twins hollered, each holding their arms up for a high five to give to Hermione.

"Guys, this is the only time I'm ever going to defy someone so don't get used to it. He can't stop me from doing what I love," she declared valiantly, sticking her chin up.

"That's great, 'Mione," Harry cheered.

Hermione looked at her watch. 11:20. Upon realizing how late it was, her eyeballs nearly popped out of her head. "Oh no! My father is going to be home any minute. I have to go. I'll write to you guys as soon as I can," she panicked. She went around giving the members of the Weasley family hugs. She gave Harry a hug and hurried towards her car.

"If you ever need anything, just stop by any time," Arthur assured, nodding his head.

"You're always welcome at the Burrow," added Molly, giving Hermione another hug.

"Thank you, and thank you again for coming to watch the performance," Hermione interjected.

The group parted ways and walked in opposite directions. Hermione fast walked to her car and gently placed Ron's roses on the passenger seat. She started her car and back out slowly. The brunette didn't even bother turning on some music. Her primary goal was to get home before her father does. Luckily, traffic wasn't heavy so she was able to speed through the streets. In a matter of minutes, the Gryffindor arrived at her house. "Lights are off. Maybe they're not home yet," she sighed. She turned off the ignition, stepped out of the car, and closed the door. Step after step, she proceeded to her front door. Slowly, turning her wrist with the key in her hand, she opened the front door and stepped inside.

The living room and the hallway had no light, which she took as a good sign. So far so good, she thought. Remembering that she had character shoes on, she walked on the balls of her feet, to prevent noise from being made.

"HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER, I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STOP ATTENDING THOSE CHOIR EVENTS," roared Mr. Granger, making the full rotating recliner face her. Hermione looked at her father's hand to see that he had indeed been drinking.

Surprise, surprise. Hermione nonchalantly shrugged at her father's statement. "Sorry, Father. I didn't couldn't hear you over your loud and obnoxious chugging. Maybe if you'd stop drinking as much as you do no one would have a problem trying to understand you," she jeered as her voice stayed even.

"You little bitch. How dare you disrespect your own father. That's it, you're not allowed to go to that school anymore. I'm enrolling you into an all girls' school," he countered. The drunk raised the already half gone bottle of scotch and let the tip of the bottle touch his lips. Then he gently flexed his wrist, allowing the alcohol flow into his mouth. Hastily and ungracefully, he wiped the liquid that lingered on his lips with the back of his hand.

"I don't care if you forbid me to go to Hogwarts or not; I'm still going there," she boomed.

"Oh, you think you have it your way in this house? Well you're dead wrong." He looked to see what his daughter was holding in her hands and began shouting again. "What the fuck are those," he questioned, gesturing to the bouquet of roses in her hands.

"They're roses, Dad. I'm surprised in your drunken stupor you were able to able to point out that I was holding them," she sneered sarcastically.

Richard tightened his grip on the neck of the bottle. "I'm assuming those are from one of your boyfriends?"

The young woman rolled her eyes. "Harry and Ron are my friends, not my boyfriends."

"That's horseshit." Mr. Granger paused in the middle of his sentence to take another drink of scotch. "I know you're lying, you little whore." Slowly, he walked towards Hermione.

"Whatever," she concluded, proceeded to the stairs.

"Oi, I'm not done talking to you. You deserved to be punished for defying me and whoring around," he screamed.

She rolled her eyes again. At this point, he had enough. He switched the bottle from his right hand to his left hand, raised his right hand, and slapped her across the face. The crack of the slap echoed across the halls. Hermione let out a tiny yelp of pain, grasping the left side of her cheek that just got hit. Tears started to well up into her eyes.

"You will do as I say or else you're out of this house," he seethed as he walked away.

Before he could make his third step, Hermione courageously answered, "no."

He walked towards her again and threw the bottle at Hermione's head. Little did he know that his daughter was hiding her wand in the roses. The bright witch swiftly took out her wand, pointed it at the bottle, and shouted, "Flipendo."

A jet of blue light came out of the wand's tip and it shattered the bottle. The glass broke and the alcoholic contents spilled all over the floor. She inspected her wand and cleaned off the scotch that soaked it. "You're cleaning it up, then you're gonna get the fuck out of this house when you're done, and you'll never be welcome back," he hollered.

"I don't give two shits; I hate it here anyway."

"Go to hell, you ungrateful little shit."

She took out her wand, aimed at her father, and produced a Jelly-Legs Curse. Instantly, a red light appeared and hit him in the chest, making his legs wobble uncontrollably. As soon as he hit the floor, Hermione shouted, "Langlock." Although no light was given off, Richard's tongue got stuck to the roof of his mouth, thus disabling his speech. She walked closer to her father, who was on the ground, and brought her face close to his. The stench of alcohol stung her nostrils, but she stayed constant. She pointed her wand at her father's face as she spoke to her father. "Let's get something straight. You're not kicking me out; I'm leaving on my own free will, and I'm going to Hogwarts," she concluded, narrowing her eyes and putting away her wand.

The witch held her face and took it away as soon as she touched it. Her face wore an expression of pain as her cheek stung upon touching it. As she went up the stairs, her face stung even more. Before going into her room, she wanted to see if her mother was home. Hermione checked the master bedroom to find an empty bed. Must be stuck at work. When she reached her room, she slammed the door and sat on her bed. She then drew her wand and performed a temporary soothing charm on her left cheek. Should be fine for a few hours. She took off her concert clothes and put on a pair of black jeans and a white shirt w

After sitting for a few minutes, she shrunk all of her belongings and put them in her purse and the rest in a suitcase. She looked at her watch and it read 11:50. Hermione took one final look at her room, walked down the stairs and into the hallway towards the front door. She could hear the desperate gobbledygook her father made as he attempted to speak. Without sparing her father a glance, she stormed towards the front door. The brave girl opened the door, stepped outside, and slammed the doors making the windows rattle. In the time the windows rattled, she felt the sensation of apparation in her stomach.

In a matter of seconds, she was in front of the home of the only people she considered family, the Weasleys and Harry. She stood looking up at the window located on the top story of the house.

In the window she could see Harry and Ginny standing together looking out at the pond.


"See those hills over there," asked Ginny, pointing to land beyond the Burrow. "One day I want to be able to fly past those hills, just to see what's beyond the other side." She sighed and spaced out.

Harry looked longingly at Ginny and gently place his left arm around her shoulder. "You will, one day," he soothed. He scanned the reflection of pond when he noticed someone apparated onto the stoop. "Hey, look its Hermione!"

Ginny shifted her gaze from the hills to the front of the house. "Yay, Hermione came sooner than I expected," she laughed, loosening herself from Harry's arm and running towards the front door. "Mom, Dad, Hermione's here. Can I let her in?"

"Yes, dear," Molly answered from another room.

Hastily she opened the door to reveal Hermione about to knock. "Hey, there Hermione. What's up," she asked, giving Hermione a hug.

"Long story, but I came here to ask you something," Hermione began. She looked to Ginny for permission to continue. When the sixth year nodded her head, Hermione continued, "I was wondering if you'd like to take a trip with me."

The redhead's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Well let me ask Mum and Dad. Won't you come in," offered Ginny, excitedly.

Hermione nodded at Ginny and walked into the house. Once she stepped in the house, she was met by greetings by all the Weasleys, except Percy and Charlie who were away on business due to their respective jobs.

"Hermione would you like some tea," asked Molly.

"Yes, please," she responded politely. She went into the kitchen and sat down. It wasn't long before the rest of the Weasleys and Harry followed suit.

"If you don't mind me asking, what brings you here," questioned Arthur.

After Hermione got her tea, she told the family about what happened when she got home from the concert. She explained everything from the fight, to the part where she was slapped, and finally to how she left her home never to return.

Molly ran over to Hermione and gave her a very tight embrace to comfort her. "Oh, my dear, that bastard's horrible. You can stay here as long as you'd like."

"Thank you, Molly. This right here is the family I never had," Hermione croaked as tears welled up in her eyes again.

"Blimey, Hermione, I can see a bruise on your cheek," Ron pointed out.

"It's okay. I can live through it," she assured. "No big deal. Anyway, I came to ask if it would be okay to take Ginny with me to visit my cousin in America."

"Molly and I will have to discuss it first," Arthur informed. He smiled at his family and lead his wife into another room.

When they left, Fred and George began firing question after question at Hermione. "So 'Mione now that you've gotten rid of ol' Dick, can we test some of our new products on him," asked Fred.

Understanding Fred's pun, everyone laughed until their faces turned red and their sides started hurting.

Although Hermione wished her father would burn in hell for all the pain and misery he'd caused her, she didn't want anyone to get involved in the fight between her father and herself. So she told the twins they couldn't test their new stuff on her lame excuse for a father.

"Awwww c'mon, we promise it won't hurt him," George begged.

"Well it won't hurt that much at least," added Fred as he sheepishly smiled.

Hermione took their idea into consideration. "As tempting as that sound, I'm going to have to say no."

Fred and George hung their heads in shame.

"If it makes you guys feel any better, you guys can test your stuff on my cousin," Harry offered.

"YES," the twins shouted and high-fived. The group laughed very hard and after the laughter died down they played a game of Exploding Snap. As they played, they talked about the concert. Most of the conversation was spent making fun of Ginny when she got pulled up to be serenaded, much to her irritation.

Twenty minutes later, Arthur and Molly came back with their decision. "We've decided to let you go with Hermione if-" Arthur spoke before he got cut off by the sound of Ginny's squeals.

When she was done he continued, "If you promise to behave yourself."

"Oh I will, I promise. Thank you soooo much. I love you, Mum and Dad," she shouted, giving her mom and dad a hug. "I'm going to go pack. Hermione, can you help me please?"

Hermione nodded and followed Ginny to her room.


"Where are we going anyway," Ginny asked. "I hope it's someplace good, with a beach," she said as she messily threw clothes into a suitcase.

"Yeah it's got a beach. It my favorite place on this planet, aside from the Hogwarts library," Hermione giggled.

Ginny rolled her eyes, but continued squealing and jumping up and down. "I can't contain my excitement." She packed more and more clothing but quickly got impatient. "My goodness this is taking too long. I'll just shrink the rest of my clothes and put it in my purse or something." The youngest Weasley took all the clothes and toiletries and packed them in a pile on her bed. With a swish of her wand, Ginny performed the shrinking charm on the pile of things. Within a half-second, the pile shrank and Ginny placed the stuff into her purse.

After what felt like hours, the girls headed downstairs to say goodbye to everyone.

"Be careful now," Molly instructed, hugging both girls.

"Bring us back some muggle souvenirs, if it's not too much trouble," Arthur requested with a large grin.

The girls hugged the remaining members of the group and headed out the door.

When the front door finally closed, Ginny began questioning Hermione again. "'Mione, why won't you tell me where we're going," she asked.

She looked back at her best friend. "You'll see. It's a surprise," Hermione smiled mischievously.