A Hush of Whispers
There was an unfamiliar air about the castle. She knew that it would be different coming back, but she hadn't known just how much until a hush of whispers followed her into the great hall, once more when she came into Gryffindor Tower, and again in every class she had that day.
She could never make out all that was being said, but the subject was obvious when every murmured conversation turned up the name "Ron."
She was shocked at first wondering just what sort of things people where speculating about the two of them. What did people know? What conclusions had that leapt to? What rumors were flying?
Still, it wasn't all bad, she realized.
She'd been the subject of rumors before, having supposedly dated both Viktor and Harry, and had tragically broken both of their hearts. The idea was completely laughable to Hermione. She wasn't interested in Viktor or Harry and she certainly had never broken either of their hearts.
This time though she relished in the thought that she was part of a plausible rumor. Not just plausible, she thought, but mostly true.
The next day, as the whispers continued at breakfast she wondered if she should confirm everyone's suspicions and put an end to all the talk or enjoy the limelight.
Just then the room was filled with fluttering wings as owls flocked in to deliver the morning post.
Pig zoomed in circling the Gryffindor table until Ginny reached up and snatched him like an oversized Snitch.
"I got a letter from Harry," she said untying a letter from the owl's tiny leg. "Ron sent you one too," she teased handing over a second letter.
Hermione smiled to herself as she looked at her name in sloppy script across the envelope and heard the whispers start again.