Hermione woke up the day after the Second Task slowly. So slowly, in fact, she thought she might still be dreaming. She could feel Fleur's arm tightly wound around her waist, their legs entangled together. And for the first time since she started staying in the Carriage, Hermione woke up without Gabrielle jumping on them.
The Gryffindor slipped out of the bed, smiling softly as Fleur mumbled before tucking herself against Hermione's pillow. Hermione padded to the bathroom, frowning as she pulled a blue ribbon from her hair. The party had lasted surprisingly long, Fleur having to give a detailed retelling of her performance at one point. Even Madame Maxime had stayed for most of the afternoon.
The Headmistress had pulled Hermione aside at one point, much to Fleur's annoyance. However, Maxime had apologised profusely for Hermione's involvement, and summerised that Ros and Maribel were still arguing with Dumbledore, but they will catch up with her during the week.
Splashing her face with water, Hermione left the bathroom, thankful for potions that stopped any hangovers. Hermione mused that Fleur may be a slightly bad influence, given that this was the second time she had been drinking underage, and attending a party where she definitely should not be. Those thoughts quickly left her head when she spied Fleur still in bed.
"You left me," Fleur said quietly, her voice heavy with sleep. She had sat up in the bed, hugging Hermione's pillow to her chest. Her hair was tousled, the covers bunched around her waist.
"Sorry," Hermione replied, moving to sit next to the older girl on the bed. "I woke up."
Fleur pouted, reaching to grab Hermione's top and pull her closer. "You should've stayed in bed mon amour. I missed you."
Hermione chuckled quietly, giving Fleur a small smile in apology. "I was gone for five minutes, Fleur."
"Not ze point," Fleur grumbled, wrapping them together. "For the first time, Gabby hasn't woken us up, but instead you leave me, not fair!"
Hermione stroked Fleur's shoulder, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You'll be okay."
"You will 'ave to make eet up," Fleur grinned against Hermione's neck.
Hermione hummed, before shaking her head. "I'm afraid I can't today, ma chérie, I'm meeting Malcolm and Emma before dinner, just to go over their Astronomy essays."
Fleur pouted, leaning backwards to give Hermione her best puppy dog expression. Fleur, and by extension the Beauxbaton students, were the only ones Hermione had told about tutoring the two first years.
"You will come back tonight?" Fleur asked, her pout still firmly in place.
"It is Saturday," Hermione teased, tugging on a blonde strand playfully.
That seemed enough to appease the Veela, pulling Hermione in for a deep kiss.
Hermione had escaped the Carriage at lunch, having had to borrow some more clothes off Fleur, much to her amusement. After a brief stop off in her own room, dropping off her robes, Hermione met up with Harry and Ron. Ron, it turns out, was telling everyone who would listen a dramatic retelling of the Second Task, which was slowly turning more and more into rescuing himself, and fighting off a horde of Merpeople.
True to her word, after her tutoring session with Malcolm and Emma, who were making huge leaps and bounds in their own work, Hermione spent another night in the Carriage. Sunday also passed in a blur, seeing more of her own family that afternoon.
It was on Monday where things went downhill.
"Hey Hermione," Parvati called nervously, sitting down opposite the girl during breakfast, Lavender following suit. For once, Hermione was sitting alone during meals.
"Morning," Hermione replied cheerfully, ignorant of the tone used. Since she had started staying in the Carriage, Hermione's friendship with her two roommates had improved. Neither really cared whether or not Hermione stayed in her bed, and as far as she could tell, the pair had also stopped any rumours about her floating around Hogwarts.
"We uh, we wanted to show you something," Lavender said uneasily, clutching the new issue of Witch Weekly to her chest. "Before you found out from someone else."
Hermione frowned as Lavender passed over the magazine, already open in the middle. Her frown turned to surprise, then anger as she read the article.
POTTER'S SECRET HEARTACHE
A boy like no other, perhaps — yet a boy suffering all the usual pangs of adolescence, writes Rita Skeeter. Deprived of love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen year old Harry Potter thought that he had found solace in his steady girlfriend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss.
Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to have a taste that Harry Potter alone cannot satisfy. Since the arrival at Hogwarts of one Fleur Delacour, the Beauxbaton Champion, and part-Veela, Miss Granger has been toying with both's affection. As I'm sure many of you may know, the Delacour family is incredibly influential in France. Delacour is openly smitten with Miss Granger, and was the one to rescue her during the Second Task.
However, we do have to wonder whether Miss Granger is toying with the pair of Champions for their background. Having dug a little deeper into Miss Granger's background, there were quite a few things that should be brought to attention.
Firstly, it turns out that Miss Granger is not, as she says, living with her Muggle parents. Instead, it seems that she has been adopted by none other than the Ravenclaw family - a prominent Pureblooded family. This then begs the question - where is her parents to cause such a move?
It turns out, my dear readers, that Miss Granger's parents moved away during her first year at Hogwarts, leading to her being taken in by the Ravenclaws. Perhaps, as an attempt to satisfy Miss Granger's craving ambitious nature, did she ask her parents to move away? In return, perhaps Miss Granger is sending them money, taken from the Ravenclaw family. That is the biggest question, it seems.
We do have to ask, does Lady Ravenclaw know of Miss Granger's background? Her need for climbing the social ladder does hint at an unhinged witch. We recommend Lady Ravenclaw to dig further into her background, and remove the adoption even.
Regardless, it seems doubtful that it was Miss Granger's natural charms that ensured both Harry Potter and Fleur Delacour. In an interview with one of her schools mates, Pansy Parkinson had the following to say:
"She's really ugly, but she'd be well-up to making a Love Potion. She's quite brainy, I think that's how she's doing it."
Love Potions are, of course, banned at Hogwarts. We believe that Albus Dumbledore will no doubt look into these claims. In the meantime, we recommend to be wary of Miss Granger suddenly offering friendship. We also recommend both Harry Potter and Fleur Delacour stay away from Miss Granger. Harry Potter's well-wishers must hope, next time, that he bestows his heart on a worthier candidate.
Hermione held the magazine in her hands, wanting no more than to rip the stupid thing in half. She read through it again, wanting to make sure exactly what she was reading. Clenching her jaw, she handed it back to Lavender. "Thank you," Hermione spat out through her teeth.
"We, er, we know it's fake," Parvati offered, exchanging a concerned look with Lavender.
"No," Hermione frowned, trying to get control over her temper. "Some of it is true. The Ravenclaws did adopt me. But when did I ever say who I lived with? And how did she get that much information?"
"Really?" Lavender asked, surprised. "I mean, I've seen you with them a few times, but I wouldn't have guessed."
Hermione eyed Gryffindor's resident gossipers wearily. "This doesn't get spread around." At their nods, she continued. "The Grangers didn't pick me up after our first year. Clearly couldn't deal with a witch in the family. They officially adopted me at the start of this year."
"Merlin, Granger," Lavender sighed apologetically, whilst Parvati gasped. "That's rough, sorry."
Hermione shrugged, her anger still boiling beneath the surface. "It doesn't matter anymore. I want to know how she found out. It's all Ministry secured, adoption papers and the like."
"We'll control the rumour mill," Parvati offered tentatively. "Stop this from getting out of control. Make it clear you're obviously with Delacour, and how can you be deranged if you're so smart." Parvati finished, tapping at her neck pointedly.
"Yeah," Lavender jumped in. "We've got your back, Granger."
Gritting her teeth, Hermione stood up from the table, thanking the pair one last time before leaving the Hall. She got halfway through the Entrance Hall when Eve caught up with her, pulling her into a side room unceremoniously.
"'Mione," Eve started slowly, eyeing the obvious anger on the younger girl.
"No Eve," Hermione cut in sharply. "I need to find out exactly how Skeeter got her information, and then I'm going to kill her."
"Hermione," Eve repeated, this time stronger, keeping a hold on her arm. "Think about this, owl Ros now."
"'Mione?" Luke said, stepping into the room, eyeing the two witches carefully. "I think we should have a family meeting, we've still got time before the first lesson."
Hermione sighed, shaking her head violently. "Once I've dealt with her."
"No 'Mione," Eve sighed this time. "Luke go get everyone, we'll deal with her together, okay?"
Luke reappeared a few minutes later, the rest of their siblings in tow.
"I've never been happier to be early for breakfast," Katie joked, helping move the desks so they could all sit together.
"We're not going to let her get away with it," Amy said strongly, her eyes darting around the group. "We'll show Skeeter some Ravenclaw hospitality, shall we?"
"She comes after one of us, she comes after all of us," Evan added.
"Firstly," Eve cut back in, "we need to owl Ros and Maribel. They need to know."
Hermione sighed, drawing the attention back to her. "I spoke to them after the Second Task. I had a run in with Skeeter on the last Hogsmeade weekend. They said they'll get the Prophet on side, to stop any articles. Clearly, it just made her more suspicious. None of us thought about Witch Weekly."
"That's fine," Katie jumped in. "Ros and Maribel can get them to print an apology, and withdraw the article."
"The damage is done," Hermione argued sternly. "As I told Ros and Maribel, I don't care what she prints, but I do want to know how she's found out."
"She's banned from the school," Amy mused thoughtfully. "How is she getting these interviews."
"Invisibility cloak?" Luke offered.
"I'll ask Professor Moody," Eve said. "I've got him first. See if he's seen anything."
"Right, you do that," Amy nodded, taking charge as the oldest of the siblings. "I'll send an owl to Ros, I've got a free period first. Luke, you're good with the rumour mill -"
"Lavender and Parvati are dealing with it," Hermione cut in, her anger abating. "But I don't care if people know I'm adopted."
"That's fine, 'Mione," Katie said softly, glancing at the family for support. "But as a family, we're going to deal with this together. Luke can help with rumours, travels faster if it comes from two houses."
"You just focus on class," Eve rubbed a hand up and down her arms comfortingly.
"No, I can help," Hermione insisted. "I need to help, I'm not letting her affect me. We need to get dirt on Skeeter."
"Blackmail her?" Eddie asked with a smirk. "I like where this is going."
"Exactly," Hermione smirked back. "We get the dirt on her, get Skeeter to hold her quill. She'll regret this article."
"We'll remind her not to mess with the Ravenclaws," Eddie corrected gently. "As a family, we'll blackmail this bitch."
Amy grinned evilly. "We'll dig up everything on her. I'll owl Martin after I've sent Ros a note. He's working as part of the Auror department now, he'll have access to files."
By the time the warning bell rang, the Ravenclaw family had a plan in place. Hermione joined Harry and Ron as they crossed the Hall on the way to Potions, feeling much happier than she did earlier.
Hermione's happiness was shrinking, however, as the morning went on. It seemed that more students read Witch Weekly than she originally thought. By the time dinner had started, Hermione was more annoyed than when she first read the article. During Potions, when Pansy had taken it upon herself to read the article aloud, Ron had claimed it sounded that Hermione was some sort of "scarlet woman". However, students actively avoided her in the hallways.
The entire Beauxbaton delegation, after having read the article, made a point of sitting with Hermione in their ranks during lunch. Fleur, Claire, and Alexander all walked Hermione to and from her lessons, even when some of her family had joined them in their travels. Hermione had tried to claim that they did not need to, but none of them were to be deterred.
"'Mione," Katie said, as she hesitantly approached the Beauxbaton delegation during dinner. "Family meeting, Ros and Maribel have come."
"'Ermione needs to eat," Arthur replied calmly, sitting opposite Fleur and Hermione. "Zee will zee you after."
"It's fine," Hermione said softly, giving Fleur a kiss as she stood up. "I'll see you all tomorrow?"
"Je t'aime 'Ermione," Fleur said, handing over the Gryffindor's backpack.
"I love you too," Hermione replied, smiling wildly. "Thank you."
"We will zee you in ze Carriage later," Claire corrected. "To talk about zis."
Hermione nodded, following Katie after the delegation all offered their goodbyes. Fleur had not mentioned the article all day, as the Beauxbaton students were constantly in the castle. It was at lunch when they said they would speak about the article in the Carriage that night, when alone.
"When did they get here?" Hermione asked Katie, as they climbed the stairs.
"Not sure," Katie admitted, "I don't think it was that long ago, I wouldn't put it past Ros to pull rank and pull us all from classes if they arrived earlier."
They continued in silence, entering the Room of Requirement as the door appeared. Like on Christmas Eve, it was designed to look like their living room. Immediately, Hermione was pulled into both Ros's and Maribel's arms, and shuffled onto the sofas. The rest of the siblings were already here.
"'Mione," Ros began, once they were all sitting. "I'm so sorry, I never thought she would go to Witch Weekly, or even continue once we've got involved. I think I made it worse, almost. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, really," Hermione said softly. She tugged painfully on her lip before continuing. "You guys do know that I'm not - I mean, I'm. I didn't ask for them to move away, and I'm not sending them anything."
"Sweetie," Ros interrupted gently. "We know that, of course. You would never. We never thought, and will never will think that."
Hermione was bordering on tears, clutching at her sides. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause this much mess, and it's my fault -"
"No it's not," Amy cut in sharply, leaning forward. "Don't even go there, 'Mione."
"Amy's right," Eddie added. "It's not your fault, it's Skeeters. And she's going to regret it."
"I don't want to know any illegal thing you're all doing," Ros sighed, closing her eyes. "Discuss it when we're gone, so we can provide albis if you all get caught."
Eve gave Ros a knowing smile. "We'll never get caught, but deal."
"We're getting off topic," Maribel said, pulling Hermione in for a hug. "We would've been here first thing, but we got Witch Weekly to redact the article. There isn't anything that can do for people who already have copies, but nobody further can get it."
"They're also printing a formal apology in next week's issue," Ros continued, reopening her eyes. "I threatened them with a defamation of character case. Scared them enough to agree to everything we said. Skeeter will struggle printing anything through them for a while."
"Enough time for you children to do whatever activities you've got planned," Maribel added pointedly, whilst her wife sighed deeply.
"How're the students treating you?" Ros asked.
Hermione shrugged. "Half and half. Most are actively avoiding me. Ron said it made it seem I was a scarlet woman. My roommates are helping control the rumour mill."
"The Beauxbatons have made a point of sitting with Hermione in the middle," Evan added, giving Maribel a teasing smile.
"One of them, Annie or something, hexed a boy after Charms, for repeating part of the article," Eve remarked. "Fast with her wand, I had barely turned around when Smith hit the floor."
"Did she actually?" Hermione asked, eyes wide. "I thought it was just solidarity when I'm with them, or something."
"Beauxbaton students stick together," Maribel said smugly. "You're one of them, so they'll look out for you."
Ros sighed, once again, shaking her head.
"Anybody who's discussed it near us we've hexed," Luke continued. "Unless someone else has got there first."
"Just don't get in trouble," Ros complained, although she did seem proud of the students.
"I'll send some of the books from home," Maribel offered, smiling widely. "Can't have my children repeating hexes, can I?"
"I can't believe you're encouraging this," Ros moaned half-heartedly. "I'm on the Board, I can't hear any of this."
"I meant to improve their skills," Maribel corrected. "Obviously not to use on fellow students."
"I don't want anyone to get in trouble," Hermione mumbled. "Not over this, it's not worth it."
"You're worth it," Eddie said firmly, echoed quickly by the rest of her siblings.
"You should join in," Katie grinned. "I've seen your hexes, proper creative."
"Please," Ros said tiredly. "Discuss this once I've gone. Please."
"Yes ma'am," Amy teased, mock saluting.
"But seriously," Ros continued. "If any of you have any issues, let us know, please. Even once you've left Hogwarts, you're still our kids, and we'll protect you. It's not a burden."
"This is the most excitement I've had for years," Maribel grinned. "We normally just deal with Ministry idiots, and charity functions whilst you're all at school."
Ros muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like "I make our life exciting."
"On a different story," Maribel said loudly, glaring at Ros. "We had a little chat with Albus, 'Mione. He is well aware of exactly what he did wrong. We made that very clear."
"He's also had an official warning from the Board," Ros added. "I called an emergency meeting that afternoon. One more toe out of line, and he's packing."
"Thank you," Hermione mumbled, her face flushing slightly.
After a more general catch up, Ros and Maribel said their goodbyes, 'love yous' passed around by everyone, and a giant group hug.
"Right, let's get down to business," Amy said, once the door closed.
"To defeat the Huns!" Eddie and Katie cheered.
"To defeat Skeeter," Amy continued, glaring at the pair. "Martin sent an owl back, he's on board dealing with Skeeter. He's off work until Friday, though. Lily's furious, but she's made some friends at Gringotts, looking in at that angle. They've also told Hannah and Mike. Hannah has already had Skeeter digging around the Falcons, so the whole team is annoyed with her. She said that she's going to poke around, see if anyone has anything on her. Mike's obviously helping at Gringotts."
"Brilliant," Hermione muttered. "This seems like a lot of bother for them."
"We're a family," Eve emphasised. "We deal with her as a family."
Hermione nodded, gnawing at her lip again. "Did Moody say anything about cloaks?"
"No," Eve sighed. "He said he hasn't seen anything. Said he'll keep an eye out regardless, just in case."
"Well, that just leaves other options," Evan nodded.
After some more brainstorming, the siblings eventually left, Hermione being reminded by Katie that she was to go to the Carriage.
Steeling herself, Hermione opened the Carriage door.
The entire delegation was mulling around the main room. Fleur immediately leapt up, pulling Hermione in for a hug and a deep kiss.
"You took a w'ile," Claire commented as the pair broke apart.
"Yeah, we had a lot to discuss," Hermione said shyly, allowing herself to be sat down in the middle of the room. "Witch Weekly has pulled the article, and are putting an apology out next week."
There was a general murmur of agreement throughout the room, but it quickly settled again.
"W'at else, mon amour," Fleur asked, draping herself over the Gryffindor.
Hermione shrugged self-consciously. She had spent the past four years dealing with issues by herself. Being the one to find the solutions. Now, she had her entire family, plus apparently the Beauxbaton students, all willing to help.
"We're trying to work out how exactly she's getting her interviews," Hermione finally replied. "She's not really allowed on the grounds, but she's not using an invisibility cloak."
"We will 'elp find ideas," Alexander said, nodding to the students.
"I want to be a spy too!" Gabrielle called out, having settled herself between two of the girls, who were braiding her hair. "I'll be an amazing spy!"
"Of course you will be," one of the girls encouraged, smiling brightly at the young girl.
"W'at are we doing in ze meantime," Arthur asked. "A lot of ze ztudents believe zat crap."
"We stay toget'er," Fleur said firmly. "'Ermione ees wiz us if zee ees not wiz 'er friends or family."
"We curse anyone who quotes it, obviously," another student muttered, to the agreement of the others.
"I do not want anyone getting in trouble for this," Hermione said strongly.
The student who muttered, Hermione was sure this was Annie, smirked. "We won't get caught."
"You do not need to worry about us," Fleur whispered into Hermione's neck. "I'm not letting anyone hurt you. I won't. Not again."
"I love you," Hermione whispered back, adoration clear in her voice.
"Je t'aime aussi mon amour," Fleur whispered reverently back.
They shared another kiss, much to the amusement and jeers of the other students.