"What? Your great grandfather died?" Ginny asked, her eyes full of concern.
Hermione nodded, silently grateful for the Instant Tears spell she's applied earlier that evening. Her eyes were even slightly puffy as if she'd been crying all day. "I got the owl this morning, but I didn't want anybody to worry about me during class."
"That would explain why you were so quiet today in Potions." Harry said, putting a hand on his friend's arm. "You shouldn't have even gone to class if you felt so awful. You should have talked to us earlier."
"I didn't want to miss the review today, and since I'll be gone until Monday evening, I wanted to pick up the work I'd be missing." She pointed to her bag, which was stuffed twice as much as usual, and sniffed loudly.
Ron whistled. "Wow, that's a lot." The red-headed boy looked pretty uncomfortable around the crying Hermione however, and had avoided touching Hermione or sitting near her to comfort her in any way.
"When are you leaving?" Ginny asked.
Now was the piece de resistance, if Hermione could pull this off, she wouldn't have to worry about being caught at anytime. "Tomorrow morning." She said, and inhaled deeply, shaking the breath as if she had trouble choking back sobs. "But I still have to t-tell Vic-victor." She even made the name sound a bit like a hiccough, and then made a move to stand up shakily.
Ginny jumped up to her friend's rescue. "I'll tell him, I think it's better if I do anyways. You need some rest, and there's no telling what he'd do if he saw you like this.
Hermione smiled weakly. "Thanks Ginny, I wish I could bring you with me, for the support of a friend, you know."
"Let me help you pack." Harry said hurriedly. "That way you can get some sleep and not have to worry about it."
"No, it's all right." Hermione said, making her voice sound stronger, but still small. "I have most of the things I'll need at my parent's house, and you can't come up to the girl's dorms anyways."
"Oh, right." Harry said, blushing slightly. "Well, go and get some sleep now anyways, and wake us up when you leave, all right?" The boy held Hermione's elbow and she couldn't recall him ever being so gentle with her. He walked with her the short distance to the stairs and then stopped.
"Thank you," Hermione said, unsmiling. She threw her arms around Harry like she had back in the tent before the first Task, hugging him tightly.
She felt awful for having to lie to them like this, but she'd been lying about so much this year, and she'd have to lie even more in the next few days, it was better to get it over with. Hopefully this would be the end of it all, and there wouldn't be any more sneaking around behind her friend's backs.
Back up in her dorm, the other girls had given her some space and were downstairs leaving the place empty. Hermione sighed with relief as she pulled her trunk our from under her bed. The few things she'd need this weekend were mostly a few things she'd had to keep hidden from her dorm-mates, and all things she'd had to order from a late-night delivery catalogue—that Draco had promised he would pay for out of his own pocket.
She started with the finally finished Polyjuice potion—enough for the whole week-end—in separated vials that she could slip into her drinks at any time without being noticed. Those went into the bottom of her suitcase, in a secret compartment just in case it was searched by Filch. Then she packed in the few bits and bobs she thought would come in handy at the party, and a couple of outfits fresh from Paris witch fashions, as well as a dress that would be for Saturday night. Lastly she piled her books on top, hiding all the clothes, and in the side pockets stuffed her few toiletries.
"Draco better appreciate all of this," Hermione grumbled, and then remembered that she hadn't gotten him a birthday present. "I'll just get something while I'm in London." She shrugged. What her parent's had really sent that morning was a normal letter telling her that they'd deposited her allowance into her Gringott's account like usual, and she could change the key or even take it out at any time, instead of simply saving it all without spending any for anything she wanted.
Suddenly, Hermione felt rather tired. She hadn't expected to actually sleep until late that night, but when she remembered the warning on the Instant Tears spell. May cause drowsiness. Why didn't she ever pay attention to warnings? She shut her suitcase and tucked the box back under her bed. Why should magic even have such useless side effects?
* * * * *
"Hermione, wake up, c'mon, Professor McGonagall is in the common room waiting for you." Ginny shook the girl, who opened her eyes and groaned.
"What time is it?" She mumbled.
"It's almost eight. You slept right through your alarm, or so that's what the other girls tell me. The Professor's here to escort you to the train."
"Ugh." Hermione dragged herself out of bed, barely remembering why she had to leaving for any reason. It took a moment to clear her head and figure out that she was dressed in her school uniform from last night.
"I-I must have passed out last night without noticing." She stammered.
"It's all right. I'm sure nobody will really notice, and you can always change on the train. Are you all packed?" Ginny asked.
The brunette nodded. "Bag's under my bed. I can get it, don't worry."
The younger girl looked at her concerned. "Are you sure you'll be all right, Hermione? The boys are waiting downstairs too, to say goodbye."
"I promise I won't start bawling again." She smiled weakly. "I just hate funerals. I wish I could bring you all with me, but since the whole family's being brought in and there wouldn't be room for everyone."
Ginny hugged the girl gently. "It's all right. We'll still be here when you get back. The final task isn't for a few months, so hopefully no one else will die in the two days you're away."
"Don't joke about things like that." Hermione scolded. "Remember who you're talking about."
When they got down to the Common Room, Hermione found that "the boys" didn't just mean Ron and Harry—both the twins were there too, and all of them looked a bit awkward.
"We don't really know what to say a times like this." George said.
Fred added. "We've never known a muggle who died. Or a muggle relative."
"How about you just say 'see you later?' Hermione suggested. "Professor, will there be something to eat on the train? I missed breakfast."
The woman merely nodded, then said. "Say you're goodbyes, you'll only be gone for two days, but for some reason your peers have made an event of it."
* * * * *
Hermione had no clue how she managed to get through the "goodbyes" without rolling her eyes, or laughing at how uncomfortable Ron acted, but she managed to stay solemn through the whole thing, and now she was on a shortened Hogwarts Express heading towards London.
"I wonder if I'm actually breaking many rules with this little stunt. Technically I've only forged a note from my parents and sent it to Professor McGonagall so I could get out of the castle for a few days. I won't be casting any spells, and potion-taking isn't illegal. As long as I can keep up my French-accent, I should be safe."
There was a knock at her compartment door, and Hermione went to open it. "Percy, I didn't know you would be taking the train back to London as well."
He looked rather embarrassed for a moment, and Hermione guessed it was because he'd suggested Apparating to Mr. Crouch, who'd shot it down—probably while laughing. "I just came to ask that you send my respects to your family. I'm sorry for your loss. Also, it'll only be another hour before we're at the station, and that if you need anything once we're there, don't be afraid to ask."
"Thank you Percy, I'll be sure to ask if I need any help, though I don't think I'll have any trouble. My parents are busy receiving relatives so they can't come and pick me up, but they sent some money for me to take a taxi to my house."
The boy nodded and closed the door again. Hermione breathed deeply. I wonder if lying to a member of the ministry would be considered illegal in this case. She shook off the feeling with great difficulty. I've been breaking rules for matters of life and death, and watched Harry and Ron break them for much less for the last four years, technically they can't expel you for this, so just relax would you?
Hermione finally calmed down after changing into a simple black dress for mourning, and spending the rest of the train ride staring at the ring on her finger and swearing that she'd kill Draco for making her change her plans and start scheming for him instead of against him. What was I thinking? Did going out with Victor make my brain completely melt my brain or something? She also swore to herself that once this year was over she'd never let herself get romantically involved with another boy again.
It didn't seem like a whole hour had passed when the train pulled into Platform 9 ¾ , but Hermione felt rather relieved when she saw the familiar place, though it had never been so empty as she'd seen it. She stepped off only after she watched Percy and Barty Crouch leave the platform, and instead of heading right out of the station once she stepped through the wall, she looked around for a bathroom. The whole place was emptier than she thought it would be, but Hermione was relieved instead of concerned because it meant she wouldn't have so many prying eyes.
Once she was alone in a stall with her suitcase, she dug out the first of her small bottles and opened it up. She'd already prepared for everything, and the dress was long enough so that it wouldn't be noticed much when she grew a few inches in height. "Rachelle" was basically the same measurements as Hermione, only a fraction taller. Taking a deep breath, she tipped the small vial into her mouth and swallowed without thinking about the taste.
Okay, here it comes. She thought nervously as she felt her body shift. God I hope this is human hair, I'd hate to turn into half a cat again.