I'll keep this introduction short and sweet - I don't think it needs much of an introduction really. I know these chapters may seem a little boring to you but I'm trying to complete them as fast as I can. I know this seemed like a bit of a strange twist in the story but at times when you write a story you don't know where you are going to end up. Much love RSD xoxoxox
We didn't speak about the instance that had happened in the kitchen and I didn't want to bring it up in case my mother didn't want to speak about it. Normally I would have mentioned this to my father - but of course that wasn't a possibility at the moment. I didn't want to worry him as he was doing so well in his recovery, he was now sitting up a little bit more and they had removed his neck brace a few days ago.
So after a couple of days the ongoing conversation of when I would go back to Hogwarts reared it's ugly head again by the arrival of Professor McGonagall's letter. When I untied the letter from the owl I saw a very familiar looking bottle attached to it. I grinned as I looked more closely at the bottle before returning my attention to the letter.
"Miss Granger,
How are you and your parents?
I didn't know whether you needed any sleeping draught so I went to see Madam Pomfrey and she advised that if you hadn't already ran out that you were close to. I hope that this was ok; I just wanted to make sure that you didn't have any additional worries on top of everything else.
I wish to add Miss Granger that even though Mr Potter and Mr Weasley are sending you what class work that you are missing please be assured that none of the teachers are expecting for you to complete it. However I know what you are like so you may try to but please bear in mind that you don't need to.
I know it may be a stupid question to ask but have you made any plans on when you would like to return to Hogwarts. I only ask so I can make arrangements for you to return; but there is no need to rush back. Your family needs you now and please take solace in the fact that you have all the support you need at Hogwarts.
Again please don't wait for a letter from me if you should need me; just send Mr Potter or Mr Weasley my way.
Professor M. McGonagall".
"What did she say?" I heard my mother ask.
"Oh a few things really" I answered back quietly.
"Yeah?" she prompted.
"Yeah she was asking how you and dad were; telling me that I didn't really need to complete any of the work that Harry and Ron have sent me..." I started as I folded the letter shut.
"Oh I see, was there anything else" she replied picking up on the tone of my voice.
"Yes" I answered back taking my glance away from her. The truth was due to my mother's reaction a couple of days ago I didn't know whether I would be able to leave her on her own whilst my father was still in hospital. Yes she did seem better from her outburst but I didn't know whether I was able to leave her on her own as of yet.
"Is there something wrong?" she prompted her tone starting to drip with concern.
"No, it's just she is asking when I would like to go back to Hogwarts" I slowly explained. I turned my glance back to her and watched as she registered what I had just said.
"Oh I see, when you do you want to go back?" she questioned.
"I don't know, I need to be here for you and dad" I quickly replied.
"Yes but you need to go back to school Hermione" she answered.
"Yes but it doesn't have to be for a while yet" I stated.
"You have missed quite a lot of this year already" my mother expressed. I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off.
"I know you want to be here for me and your dad and we do appreciate that. But Hermione love, you can't stay here all year. Mine and your dad's recovery is going to go on for longer than a couple of weeks and we can't expect you to wait here with us through it all" she slowly explained.
"When would you like to go back?" she asked again with a smile before I could comment on what she had just said.
"Erm, in a week or two maybe. I know I can't stay here all of the time but I couldn't just leave you after one week" I answered back quickly
"Ok, well I don't think that should be too much of a problem. What about you go back on the 7th of December?" she said looking at her calendar on the wall.
"That gives you one week and it gives us plenty of time to go shopping" she added with a smile.
"Shopping?" I said confused.
"Yes for your yule ball dress" she answered simply.
"Mam I was thinking about missing it and coming back home" I said offhandedly.
"But even you said in your letters that these Yule Ball's don't happen very often" she said as her face dropped.
"Well, yeah they don't but you and dad are more important" I stated.
"Hermione, you can't miss the Yule Ball" my mother answered back.
"But..." I started.
"Look Hermione, you can't miss out on these things. Please go to the Yule Ball" she replied.
"Mam, no one has asked me to go with them. So it doesn't matter..." I started but she me off again.
"I know you would like to come back home and of course that is understandable but me and your dad wouldn't mind if you decided to stay at school" she said trying to reassure me. Of course I wanted to stay at Hogwarts and go to the Yule Ball, but part of me wanted to come home and see my parents.
"Do you want to go to the Yule Ball?" she asked me.
"Yes of course but..." I started.
"Well you shall go" she stated abruptly getting up and taking her plate to the sink.
"Mam?" I asked as her back was still to me.
"Yes" she replied.
"Is everything ok?" I asked. This caused her to turn around and look at me.
"Yes of course, why would you ask?" she said starting to smile.
"Just you're acting a little strange and after the other day..." I started but stopped when her face dropped into a blank state.
"I'm sorry about the other day Hermione, I just tried to say so strong for your dad and I think in all honesty I needed a good cry. I'm sorry for worrying you" she said slowly.
"Ok" was all I could respond back with.
"Please don't use that as an excuse to come back home" she answered.
"I won't but I will admit that it did make me worry" I admitted.
"I can only apologise" she replied.
"Please don't" I stated as I started to smile trying to reassure her. This caused her to smile slightly.
"How about this, I will still go to the Yule Ball but I will write to you more often?" I negotiated.
"Now that would sound like a plan" she grinned.
"Agreed" I stated.
"So what type of dress were you thinking about for the Yule Ball" she asked excitedly as she sat back down.
"I never really gave it much thought to be honest" I answered back honestly.
"Oh well, I'm sure we will know the dress when we are seeing it - or does it need to be from Diagon Alley?" she questioned as he started to pick my plate up. I went to take it from her but she stopped me.
"I'm not sure, I know the boys have to wear dress robes but I guess it doesn't really matter for the girls but I will check with professor McGonagall before we buy anything" I answered back as I picked her letter back up.
"Ok, well as soon as we know we will go shopping" she answered as she stood up and she put my plate into the sink.
"Yeah, I'll just write back to her now" I answered reaching over for another piece of parchment, envelope and quill.
"Ok, I'll just go ring the surgery to check how they are getting on" my mam said as she turned to leave the kitchen. I watched her leave before returning my gaze back to Professor McGonagall's letter. I quickly opened it again and re-read it; I then placed it in front of me and picked up my quill to write back my reply.
"Dear Professor McGonagall,
I'm fine thank you for asking - well I'm doing as well as could be expected. They are both getting better but ever so slowly - I wish muddle medicine was a lot like wizarding medicine.
Thank you for getting some more sleeping draught, you were right I am actually due to run out this evening so I'm glad to have some more.
I fully understand that I don't need to send the work back for marking but I am still going to try and give it a go. However you probably won't get most of the work until I get back as I will want to get in the library to check a few things and add to my work before handing it in. Surely you should know me by now professor - I don't want to slip behind.
About my return to Hogwarts - me and my parents have been discussing this and we have come to a decision. I would like to come back on Monday 7th December if that would be ok. What plans would I need to make to be able to return?
Another question I need to ask however it may seem like a stupid question; for the Yule Ball are the girls able to wear a normal dress or is there a certain dress robe that I will need to get. It's just my mother asked so if it is a certain dress robe then we can go to Diagon Alley and get it while I am at home.
Thank you for all of your help.
Hermione Granger".
I quickly re-read the letter and gave it to the ever so patient black owl that was stood watching me write my letter after my mother had given it some water and bread.
"Take this to Professor McGonagall please" I said as I tied the letter onto the owl's claw. It blinked in response and then flew out of my kitchen window.
I quickly put my things away and washed and dried the dishes in silence. I then slowly walked back towards the living room before I heard a small bang on the kitchen window. I ran back into the kitchen and noticed Hedwig flying next to the window. I smiled and opened the window for her. She flew into the kitchen dramatically and landed on the back of one of the kitchen table chairs.
"What on earth..."my mother shouted as she started running into the kitchen as well but then stopped when she saw Hedwig sitting proudly on the chair.
"Sorry, I guess I'm not used to owls coming and going as much as you" she said with a smile and with this she left the kitchen again.
I quickly tuned to Hedwig and untied the letter. She flew towards the water bowel and pile of bread that Professor McGonagall's owl had left and started eating again. I leant against the kitchen cupboard as I opened the letter.
"Dear Hermione,
Sorry to hear you have been crying, we wish we could be there for you. We will try not to worry but we can't promise anything. We wish that we could make this easier for you; but unfortunately we don't know how to do this.
We are glad to hear that your parents are on the mend, we know muggle medicine is crap but at least it is working - ever so slowly. Say Hi to your mam and dad for us - we hope they are both ok.
We understand that you don't know when you are going to return back to Hogwarts. We do miss you but we know that the right place for you to be at the moment is with your family. You will be happy to know that there aren't too many rumours going around about your disappearance as everyone knows where you are. However there were some rumours speculating around you and Victor as a lot of people saw you with him. We hope this doesn't upset you but we thought you ought to know before you returned.
Thank god curiosity didn't get the best of you as we know how inquisitive you can be. Please find enclosed the next batch you have missed. Professor McGonagall said we shouldn't really be sending you any of it as you need to spend your time on your parents not your school work. However she seemed to find it funny when we said that we needed to send you it otherwise we would never hear the end of it. Well we think she found it funny - she started to smile!
But with that being said don't worry about your school work, you could miss most of the year and still get top of the class.
Ron said that he didn't really expect much different with you trying to do your school work - he knows you well enough by now - like we all do. Funnily enough when I read this bit out Ron rolled his eyes and pulled that face he normally pulls when you mention homework - it's like you have never left!
Harry, Ron and Ginny".
I smiled as I read the letter, but before I could put quill to paper Weaver flew into my kitchen window and landed next to Hedwig. He abruptly stuck his leg out so I could retrieve the letter that Cedric had sent to me. I quickly untied it and watched as he started to drink some water. I then turned back to the table. I put Cedric's letter down tapped it a couple of times with my hand and quickly looked at Hedwig, who was now staring at me. I smiled meekly and made the decision to write back to Harry so I could send Hedwig on her way so then I could then concentrate on Cedric's letter.
"Dear Harry, Ron and Ginny,
Don't worry about me crying, I know you wish you could be here with me to help and support me but you are already doing enough already. Just knowing that you are there for me gives me the support that I need as I know I can come to any three of you when something is troubling me or need help with something.
I will pass the message onto my parents - thanks for that. I know they will appreciate it. If I'm honest with you if I thought I would be able to get my dad out of hospital and if St Mungo's would treat my parents I would take them there. However I don't think I would get away with it sadly - but at least they are getting better...very slowly.
I actually now know when I will be coming back to Hogwarts; I've asked to come back on Monday 7th December. I'm waiting to hear from Professor McGonagall about it; I have literally sent her a letter back. This just gives me enough time to sort some things out before returning back. I wanted to stay home longer but my parents think I have missed enough of the year so we negotiated and decided on that date.
I know how Professor McGonagall feels about the work you are sending back for me as she has told me that I didn't need to do any of it. I've told her that I plan to but it will be late which I think that she will be happy with.
I'm glad you have that confidence in me; I'm not confident on that myself at the moment.
Ron - thanks for not expecting any different. Are you shocked at the fact that I have started and finished four of the essays? Well I say finished I need to go to the library to put more facts and research into it but all the introductions, conclusions and bullet points are there.
Hermione xx".
I quickly put the letter into an envelope and then tied it to Hedwig's foot.
"Thank you" I said as then she screeched and then flew abruptly out of the window.
"Is that Hedwig gone?" I heard my mother say as she started to walk back into the kitchen.
"Oh I didn't realise that another one came in" she added before I could say anything.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just people checking on me..." I started but she stopped me.
"It's ok darling, it's nice to see that you have people around you at Hogwarts that cares" she said with a smile.
"Thanks" I answered back.
"I'm just going to sort somethings out for your dad upstairs" she advised and with this she quickly left the room. Her abruptness made me question whether she was ok but then I made a mental note to check on her after reading Cedric's letter. I smiled when I saw his familiar writing and opened it quickly to see what he had sent me.
"Dear Hermione,
I'm sorry to hear that you have been crying; I know you have told me not to worry however I find this difficult. However I think this is mainly due to the fact that you are so far away and I can't support you. All I can say is that I will have to make it up to you with loads of cuddles when I next see you.
I fully understand what you mean about bottling emotions up until it gets too much; but please try not to do this. I know that you feel as if you need to hide yourself from the world and try to show that you are a strong individual but please be assured that you don't have to hide from me. I love you for who you are, warts and all if you pardon the pun. I'm here for you whenever you need me. You don't sound like an emotional wreck, when you get like Moaning Myrtle then I will start to worry!
I'm glad that your parent's are starting to get better; it sounds like a very nasty accident so I can only imagine what you are going through. Fingers crossed things keep going in the right direction and your dad will be back home with your mam in no time.
Yes I think that would be a very awkward conversation and I don't really want my first impression from your parent's to be like that. I want them to like me for who I am and when the time comes when they find out about me I want them to know how much you mean to me.
Well I would give you a clue; but as you are you, you would probably figure it out so I'm still going to keep it as a surprise. God help me? Now I'm intrigued, what do you have in store for me Miss Granger? I'm glad Weaver arrived when he did so he didn't interrupt you visiting your dad. Writing back to you is only one of the few hobbies I enjoy; can you guess what I enjoy doing more?
I am glad I have made you smile; at least I know that I am good for something. Maybe I'll call you baby more often.
No I haven't tried taking a bath with my egg yet; I've been too focused on my school work and keeping myself to myself - especially out of the way of Cho. I will explain more on this when I see you.
I knew you were going to say that; it would be better in person but I know how inquisitive you can be. You kind of already know what my reflections are as I told you in my last letter - I value you and our relationship a lot more than any of my past relationships. Everything that has happened this year it just shows me that you are even more amazing that I initially thought and I love you even more for it. I know we don't bring your "accident" up but I need you to know I am proud of how you are dealing with it.
I can't wait until July either I can't wait to be able to walk down the corridors of Hogwarts holding your hand and not be worried about what risk I was putting you in. You said that you have been thinking a lot about this recently, anything that I should be worried about? In all honesty I don't care about all the eyes that will be watching us; might as well put on a good show.
I can tell that Harry and Ron are lost without you and I know how this feels as I miss you loads and can't wait to see you, everyday feels like an eternity and drags too much without even just seeing you walk around Hogwarts.
I think it goes without saying - I love you.
Cedric xxxxxxx
P.S I love a lengthy response, so don't apologize. As you can tell from this letter we are both guilty of it.
The last part of the letter made a grin spread across my face, my mind faltered for a couple of seconds as my eyes snapped up to a certain paragraph of his letter "keeping myself to myself - especially out of the way of Cho, I will explain more on this when I see you". My mind started to flicker through scenarios that would make Cedric want to keep out of the way of Cho. I brushed this collection of thoughts that were starting burrow into the forefront of my mind and picked my quill up again to write a response back to Cedric.
"Dear Cedric.
There's no need to find the situation of my crying difficult as I do feel a lot better from it. I know that it must seem that I am so far away and I understand this fully as I feel lost being back at home. I guess that over the last three years I have become accustomed to everything being magical so sitting back at home makes me bored and restless. Yes I am here to support my parents but I do miss with wizarding world. Is this a selfish thought?
I don't want you to feel as if you can't support me Cedric; you are supporting me. Just you writing me letters and the fact you are there for is enough. Also the thought that I am going to get loads of cuddles from you when I see you also helps.
I don't tend to hide myself from you Cedric; I trust you and I know that I can speak to you about anything - so don't worry I won't bottle anything up. I think you will fully appreciate hiding ourselves from the world but I don't feel as if I need to justify this to anyone. I know who I really am and I know who you are and that is all that matters. I love you for you as well, and yes I will pardon the pun, but I did laugh out loud to that. I'll try not to turn into Moaning Myrtle so don't panic.
Thank you for your concern, things are heading in the right direction. My dad is eager to come home but I don't know whether he will be home before I come back to Hogwarts. Speaking of which guess what I have some news for you - I know when I am coming back to Hogwarts or I have a rough idea. It hasn't really been confirmed as of yet. I have had a letter from Professor McGonagall this morning and I am making plans to come back on Monday 7th December.
Yes I don't really think that would make a very good first impression and that isn't really how I imagine you meeting my parents for the first time. Don't worry they will like you Cedric and they will know that you mean a great deal to me so try not to worry.
Spoilsport, but I think it is best you keep it a surprise as it gives me something to look forward to. You can stay intrigued Diggory I'm keep this to myself until I see you - I need to keep you intreged some how. Weaver's timing always seems to be perfect however I can see that he does get restless waiting around, after a while he does settle and sleeps for a little bit. He's currently asleep on the top of one of my kitchen cupboards so he seems happy enough.
I can roughly guess what you enjoy doing more Cedric as it is becoming one of my favourite hobbies as well. I think I don't even need to mention what it is as you no doubt will have a grin on your face at the mere suggestion.
Yes you did make me smile; as many things you do make me smile. I guess you have that talent. You are good for quite a few things Cedric, don't put yourself down.
I won't lie Cedric your comment about Cho did raise a questionable eyebrow, what has happened? I know you said wait until I see you but now I am worried. This is another reason why I feel like I am lost in the muggle world as I don't know what's going on in our world. I never thought I would see the day when I would miss the rumours and drama of our world.
Cedric I fail to see what risk you are putting me in, I know this is why you don't want to keep our relationship secret. Don't get me wrong that I understand but I wish you didn't worry about the risks to me as much. Surely you can see I am made of sterner stuff.
No you don't have anything to worry about, I guess it's just me daydreaming really - that and thinking about our situation. I laughed at when you said that you didn't care about people watching but the comment about putting on a good show. Come on Cedric? Who do you think I am?
I know Harry and Ron are missing me as I have heard from them as well. Aww get you Cedric, I didn't realise how much of a romantic that you are.
It definitely does but I will still say it back - I love you too.
Hermione xxxxxx
P.S I laughed out loud at that; seems as if we both can't help it.
I read and re-read the letter before slowly putting the letter in the envelope. I slowly wrote Cedric's name on the envelope and placed it in front of me. I looked up and saw that Weaver was still asleep nesting on the cupboard and I decided that it would be cruel to wake him up at the moment to send him back to Cedric. The journey backwards and forwards to Hogwarts must be tiring him out, bless him.
I got up and poured myself some orange juice and picked up another handout and essay that Harry had sent me. I started to make bullet points and didn't realise how much time had passed before I noticed a shadow moving around the room. My eyes snapped up and I saw that Weaver was now stood in front of me on the table. I glanced up at the clock and realised that an hour and a half had passed. I smiled to myself and then reached over for Cedric's letter which had now moved across the table in amongst all the papers that were now scattered across the table.
As I picked up Cedric's letter Weaver stuck his leg out slowly, I went to tie it onto his leg and then I stopped and looked up at him.
"You can go back to sleep for a little bit if you want?" I asked him. He blinked at me then rose his leg up higher.
"Ok well as long as you are sure" I muttered as I went to tie the letter onto his leg. He stood there quietly and patiently as I tied it and then when I removed my hands he stepped back. He turned jumped back onto the bench took a quick drink and quickly flew up and around the kitchen before leaving out of the window.
I got up and closed the window; I went back to the table gathered all my papers and letters together. I organised the table to back the way it was before I started on my homework. Before I left the kitchen I cleared away the left over bread and rinsed the bowl out that the owls had been drinking from and put it to the side. As I walked past the living room I noticed that my mother was on the phone so I just walked past and went upstairs as I didn't want to interrupt her.
When I got into my room; I put my school work on my desk and walked back to my bed still carrying Harry and Cedric's letter. I opened my bedside cabinet and quickly placed the letter into the draw. I walked out of my bedroom, but on the way I picked up my beaded bag and my coat of the back of the door.
When I got back downstairs I noticed that my mother was now not on the phone. I walked in and sat in the chair next to her I noticed that her face was now blank.
"Mam is everything ok?" I asked.
"Yeah, I think so" she answered back slowly.
"You think so?" I questioned raising one eyebrow
"I just rang the hospital to see how your dad is and they said that when we visit the doctor wants to see us" she said looking around at me.
"Oh" was all I could respond. Was this good news or bad? The fact that the doctor wanted to speak to us gave quite an ambiguous meaning. I know that my dad had now been in hospital just over two weeks and his neck brace had come off last week and after scanning his back they knew that he didn't break anything but he may have long term muscular pain. The only things that we knew we going to problematic now was going to be the arm and leg injury as they were now in plaster casts.
"I'm sure everything will be ok" I advised trying to reassure her.
"Why don't we go earlier than we normally do so we can speak to the doctor when we get there?" I added trying to fill the silence in the room.
"Yeah we will do that" she answered back as she got up.
"Well it is 1130 now, by the time we get there it will be 1215 so we won't have to wait very long by the time we walk to the ward" she advised with a smile.
"Yeah we will leave in about 5/10 minutes, are you ready?" I asked.
"Yeah I just need to put my coat on" she replied.
"I'll go get it" I said as I quickly left the room before she could protest to me doing it. I quickly returned and placed my coat and bag on the chair. I turned to my mother and held the coat open as she slid her arm through the coat; I slowly placed the rest of her coat around her shoulder trying not to catch her arm.
"You are a good girl you know" she as she turned to me.
"I try to be" I answered with a smile.
"Thank you Hermione" she said pulling me into a hug.
"Erm, what for mam?" I ask into her shoulder.
"For being you" she whispered into my ear.
"Oh, ok" was all I could say as I didn't know how else to respond. After a few moments she pulled away but held me in arms distance.
"I know that I scared you a couple of days ago, but try not to let that worry you too much. I let things get on top of me but having a cry made things easier for me" she explained. Her face went blank as she watched my reaction. I was actually surprised that she was bringing it up on her own; but in a way I was glad she did as I felt that we needed to discuss this before I went back to Hogwarts.
"Well I wanted to speak to you about that but I didn't know how to bring it up" I admitted.
"You should never be scared to speak to me about anything Hermione. I am sorry I made you feel like that" she said pulling me into another hug.
"It's ok mam, it just made me worry that's all" I answered into her shoulder. After we pulled away from each other she pulled her face into a small smile.
"I shouldn't have worried you..."she started but I stopped her.
"Mam you should be able to talk to me about anything as well, so please don't worry about it. Just please know that I am here for you wherever you should need me" I replied. She opened her mouth to speak but then I cut her off.
"No arguments" I joked which caused her smile to get bigger.
"Ok, it seems that we must agree to disagree" she laughed.
"But in all seriousness I am sorry" she added.
"I know you are but don't worry. I'm glad it made you feel better" I said smiling as I walked over to the chair to put my coat on.
"Yes it did, I guess everyone needs a good cry every now and again" she said as she watched me put my coat on.
"Yeah, I know how that feels" I replied as I threw my bag over my shoulder and started to fasten the coat.
"Should we go?" I asked trying to change the subject. At the moment I didn't really want my mam to start questioning why I would be crying at school. She knows that I was crying in my first year but that main reason for that was the way that Ron was treating me. I didn't really want her to start asking questions about anything that was going on this year.
"Yes, we can make our way there slowly" she said leaving the room. I turned the TV off and followed her out. I took one more glance around the room before leaving and I let the previous thought creep back into my mind on what was currently awaiting us when we arrived at the hospital to see my dad.