Chapter 11 – The Term Begins
They were fortunate to have stumbled across an Auror in their wanderings through the tree edge. Kingsley Shacklebolt, if Hermione remembered correctly. She was fairly certain that was his name.
He approached the four of them quickly, eyes darting across them for wounds. "You four alright?"
"I think I twisted my ankle. I can't put weight on it, which is why Draco is carrying me," Hermione responded quickly. She thought it best they get out of here sooner rather than later, and hopefully, it would help waylay some of the suspicion she saw lurking in the Auror's eyes. He must know who they are.
"Let's get you all off to St. Mungo's then. They're triaging everyone who was hurt, and I'll get the detail there," Shacklebolt said quickly, drawing an item out of his pocket. "Touch the watch. It's a portkey."
Draco, Hermione, Theo, and Blaise all put a finger on the old pocket watch he was holding, and Kingsley tapped his wand to it and whispered portus. Hermione felt the unfortunately familiar tug behind her navel, and they were within the emergency ward of St. Mungo's within moments. Draco stumbled slightly when he landed, though he was steadied by Blaise, while Theo reached out to steady Hermione in Draco's grasp.
"Thanks," Draco nodded at his two friends. "Agreed. I don't fancy damaging myself further this evening," Hermione snarked.
Draco smirked down at her, before turning them both to Shacklebolt to ask, "Where can I take her? I can't imagine her ankle feels the best."
Draco hadn't even finished speaking when they were approached by a Medi-Witch. "Right, what's wrong with you lot, then?"
'Just me," Hermione said to her. "I fell and damaged my ankle somehow. I can't put weight on it."
"Bring her this way, lad. We'll get her taken care of," and without another word the witch turned on her heel and started walking down the hallway. Draco followed behind her, along with Theo and Blaise. Apparently, they were all coming. Hermione didn't mind.
The witch led them to a triage room and had Draco to set her down on the edge of the bed. Hermione had the passing thought that she was impressed he could hold and carry her for so long without strain. I mean, she hadn't heard him cast a feather light charm, so he was either that strong, a master at hiding his fatigue, or able to do nonverbal and wandless magic. Either way, Hermione was impressed.
"Thank you, Draco," she smiled up at him warmly. The corners of his mouth rose up slightly, but she could see the worry and anxiousness in his eyes. Ah, so this is how to best get a read on him. He may be able to keep his face impassive and schooled to show nothing, but he hasn't mastered it with his eyes yet. Good to know.
Hermione placed a hand on his arm for support and slid back a little further onto the bed so she didn't risk falling off the edge. "Honestly, I should have just worn jeans. As lovely as these robes and shoes are, they are not what I would have chosen if I were going to be running for my life tonight," Hermione quipped.
Blaise let out a low chuckle, and Hermione found he and Theo had sat in the corner of the room. He smiled at her and shook her head. She could swear she heard him mutter something, bloody Gryffindor under his breath. She rolled her eyes at him, and set to checking over Theo. He was always the quieter out of all of them, but she wanted to make sure he hadn't been hurt. He was staring at the floor.
"Theo, you okay?" she asked him softly. He turned his eyes up to her, and nodded once. She could see his emotions plain on his face for once, and then he dropped his eyes to the floor again. She didn't press. Not here, and not around others.
"Alright, let's see to that ankle," the witch said approaching the bed. She had gathered an assortment of items and set them to hover above Hermione's bed. Draco stepped back from the bedside and went over to sit with Theo and Blaise.
The Medi-Witch cast a diagnostic charm over Hermione, nodded at her vitals, and flicked her wrist. The hovering diagram transitioned into what looked like a muggle x-ray, aside from the technicolor capabilities. Hermione had to assume that was her magic. She couldn't make much out since she was looking at it backwards, but she thought it might be a fracture.
She flicked her wand again and the Medi-Witch hummed. "Looks like a small break. It shouldn't take long to heal but you'll need to stay off it while it sets. Are you a student?"
"Yes. How long will I have to stay off of it?" Hermione asked, irritated. Shacklebolt entered the room, saw that she was being treated, and went to speak with the others.
"Just overnight. It's best to let the new bone harden. The area of the fracture is why you can't walk on it. I'm glad you didn't try, because you'd have done much more damage to it," she said distractedly. Hermione had no idea what the witch was doing, but she didn't feel anything. There was a warm tingle over her skin, but that was all.
"Thankfully, I had a few escorts to get me to safety," Hermione replied pointedly. She had seen the Auror come in, and the comment was definitely for his benefit. Hermione did not appreciate he was being so suspicious of her friends. Fuck, did I just think "friends" about snakes?
"Alright, I've reset the bone. Drink this and you'll be mended in no time. Any of the other students who were hurt have been sent along to Hogwarts. Probably best you be sent that way too since you won't be able to walk on it. It'll be a little sore for a few days but I'm sure Pomfrey can help you take care of that."
"Thank you," Hermione said to the witch. She tipped back the potion handed to her, aware form the scent it was a small dose of Skele-Grow. Hermione was thanking her lucky stars it hadn't been worse. That potion was vile, and if she'd had to drink anymore of it, she was certain she would have thrown up.
The Medi-Witch smiled knowingly and handed her a glass of water. "This helps but try to keep it down. If not you'll have to retake the dose, and I know no one ever wants to retake the dose."
Hermione took the water from her gratefully and chugged it down. The coolness helped rid her of some of the taste. "That is so disgusting. Thank you for the water, I think I'm okay."
"Alright. You should be fine here. I'll see about getting you moved to the school. I'll be back in a bit to check on you, feel free to get comfortable," and then she was gone in a flash, white robes flying out the door as she went in search of another patient.
"Auror Shacklebolt, didn't you want to speak with me?" Hermione interjected. She had slid back further into the bed so she could sit propped up, rather than her ankles dangling over the side. As she was struggling to get comfortable, she noticed the looks on the faces of Draco, Blaise, and Theo. She didn't care for it one bit. They were still technically underage and should have their parents' present before being questioned by an Auror. Hermione was guessing the three boys knew it, too, and it was pissing Shacklebolt off.
"Yes, Miss Ollivander…"
"It's Granger-Ollivander, but you know that. I'm sure we'll all be willing to speak with you in the presence of our guardians. Until then, I'll be content for you to wait outside my hospital room," Hermione said firmly.
Auror Shacklebolt's face screwed up in irritation at her tone, likely thinking her to be the least likely source of issues. Hermione kept her face impassive and looked politely at the door. "I assure you; they won't leave this room until you can take them to their parents and question them, and they won't agree to leave until my Grandfather is here. It's simple manners, Auror Shacklebolt."
Hermione stayed focused and kept eye contact with the older man. She was irritated at his flouting of the law, likely at Dumbeldore's request. She remembered something about him, but it was like a distant itch in the back of her mind. She couldn't figure out where she had seen or heard his name. She knew he knew Dumbledore though, and that was enough for Hermione to be cautious around him.
"As you wish, Miss Granger-Ollivander. Those are your rights," he said in a clipped tone of voice. Hermione didn't care, because he was leaving the room. That's what she was really after.
"Shite, Granger. Did you have to piss off the Auror?" asked Blaise, mirth dancing in his eyes.
"He pissed me off first, trying to question you three without legal counsel or the presence of a guardian. He can go stew in the hallway, and I'll file a complaint later with the Ministry. Honestly, if they can't uphold the law they shouldn't be an Auror," Hermione said derisively.
"Well, we all knew you were a swot. Remind us not to get on your bad side," Draco replied. Hermione could tell he was still anxious, but at least he was less worried than he had been before. Hermione grinned at him.
"You're right, it's best to stay on my good side. So, let me solve this problem for you," she said with a wink. "Dotty!"
Her house-elf appeared next to her group of friends silently, who had moved closer to the bed after Shacklebolt had take up a post outside the door. Of course, Hermione cast a silencing charm as soon as he had left to ensure their privacy.
"Miss took her time. I've been worried about you!" Dotty exclaimed. Blaise and Theo jumped, while Draco hissed under his breath. Hermione smirked, remembering all too well the ability of the little elf to scare her half to death with her silent apparition.
"I'm fine, Dotty. I fractured my ankle, but it'll be healed tomorrow morning. They're just going to move me to Hogwarts tonight instead of me catching the train. Nothing else, promise. Just the inability to run in heels around tent strings on uneven ground. I need you to do a few things for me, okay?" Dotty looked at her skeptically but nodded her agreement. She snapped her fingers and Hermione felt refreshed. She thanked the elf with a smile.
"Can you please alert Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Nott, and Gabby Zabini that they need to come here as quickly as possible? These gentlemen need the presence of a guardian to help steer the Auror's away from questioning them. I've done the best I can, but they can't be found in this room with me. Can you also find Grandfather and bring him here?"
"Of course, Miss. The misters did well taking care of you, I won't let them suffer. In five minutes, go to the waiting room. Your parents will meet you there shortly after," Dotty instructed looking at each of them. They nodded, a little flabbergasted, which only pleased Hermione and Dotty. Without another word the little elf disappeared.
"Uh, not that I'm not thankful, but why are you helping us to this extent?" Blaise questioned her.
"It's simply good manners, Zabini. I'm not an idiot. Making sure I wasn't captured will not go over well for you or your parents, considering that was a Death Eater attack. So I'm doing my best to keep you alive and whole, as you likely saved me from a fate worse than death an hour ago. Besides, Shacklebolt really irritated me, and I'm spiteful," Hermione smirked.
All three boys went pale and stared at her in disbelief. Honestly, did they think no one paid attention or noticed what was going on in the world. She rolled their eyes at them. "Your secret is safe with me, but I can only do so much. I still fully intend to destroy him despite being Half-Blood. I guess, though I'm technically Pureblood by adoption…" she trailed off, waving her hand in the air as if it didn't matter. "You are not yet his creatures, and I'll not have you punished when you've done nothing wrong. And Theo, get that look off your face. I don't blame you. I would have been perfectly fine if I hadn't caught my heel on the tent string. The point is, go to the waiting area, you're safe for now. We'll talk more about this later."
They nodded, taking the dismissal for what it was. No one questioned the word of Hermione Granger, and no one would question the word of Hermione Granger-Ollivander. She said something, she meant it, and she always followed through. Draco gave her a grateful smile as he left, and she shooed them out with her hands, casting a Notice-Me-Not across them all wandlessly as they left, so the Auror wouldn't harangue them.
She had all of two minutes to herself, to breathe, before she could hear the yelling of Weasley's. Fuck, this is just what I wanted to deal with right now. Fucking Shacklebolt had to of done. There's no other reason for it. Thankfully, she also heard Harry's voice, along with that of Sirius, Remus, and her Grandfather. At least those were welcomed guests at her bedside.
They were on her within moments, and her room was much too crowded and loud. Hermione shot a pleading look to her Grandfather, her understood her silent request for getting the rambunctious ones out of the room. Especially Molly Weasely. Her shrill voice and condescending tone was grating on Hermione's nerves something fierce, and her wand hand was itching. Her Grandfather nodded at her and started ushering everyone out, aside from her favorite people in the world.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief at the sudden silence with the departure of the Weasley clan. Her Grandfather had ushered out everyone aside from Harry, Remus, and Sirius. She wouldn't have been upset if Ginny had stayed, but it wouldn't have gone over well with the rest of the redheads.
"What are they even doing here? I didn't ask for them!" Hermione complained.
"I think that probably has to do with Shacklebolt. He's close to the Weasley family and knew you had been staying with them," Remus offered.
Hermione scoffed, "Yes. That Auror," she spat. "He was trying to question me without my guardian. And he was trying to do the same to Malfoy, Zabini and Nott. As if they had something to do with me tripping over a blasted tent string!"
Sirius gave her a stern look, "Hermione, you don't know that they don't. Those three names have always been associated with Death Eaters."
"Honestly, do you think me an idiot? I know who their parents are, but that is not who they are yet. They came looking for me and got me out of there, so don't be such a git." Hermione saw Harry open his mouth out of the corner of her eye to speak, but she turned a stern look of her own at her best friend. "No, Harry Potter. Do not. They were terrified at the thought of being caught. I would imagine it should not become common knowledge that they saved me, so we're going to have to shut that Auror up, and I intend to do so."
Sirius opened his mouth to argue, but thought about what she had said. Someone grabbed Hermione's hand in theirs, and she knew it was her Opa without checking. She looked over at him and gave him a smile. "I'm really fine, Opa. Thankfully they came to search me out when they learned that the attack was meant to find Harry, Ron, or myself. I was lucky they were there."
"Indeed, Hermione, you were. Did you say that Shacklebolt was trying to question you all without a guardian?" She could tell he was irritated at the knowledge, and she could not blame him.
"Yes, he was. We all knew that he could not, though. I sent Dotty to get Gabby and the other parents. I don't like them but they'll protect them."
"I think you're right about that. I'll file the complaint on your behalf, as you'll be moved to the school shortly," said her Grandfather. "And since when do you call me Opa?"
"Grandfather is too stuffy. Opa is perfect if we're not in public," Hermione replied warmly.
"Agreed, dear girl."
"Hermione," Harry said hesitantly, "You're sure they came back for you? Really? Because that is not how the snakes we know would behave…"
Hermione huffed in annoyance, "Yes, I'm positive. I heard them talking before I announced myself. I knew I wasn't getting anywhere on this ankle, so I hid. I didn't come out until I'd heard them looking for me."
Harry just nodded and looked thoughtful. He didn't seem to know what to say, so Hermione would let him process that information at his own pace. Harry was prone to bouts of rage, but Hermione knew that he was very intelligent and logical if he put his emotions on the backburner. Since Hermione was pleased he was using his brain instead of yelling, she just let it be.
"Alright, fine. I concede the point. They are children, they are not their parents. I'm glad they were there for you," Sirius said suddenly. Remus looked shocked at his husband but put a hand on his shoulder.
"Good, now that we're all thinking instead of feeling, can we also agree it would be bad if their parents found out what they were doing? Ever since they've been "allowed" to treat me properly, they do. They're not bad kids, I really just think they are stuck and don't see a way out of their situations," Hermione mused.
The people around her nodded in agreement, the older men looking grim. They'd heard the stories, they'd lived through the first war. They knew what punishment meant in old Pureblood lines, and it didn't look as if they agreed with it. Hermione wasn't aware of the details, but Dotty had educated her about some of the older methods. Hermione thoroughly disagreed with all of them.
"Right then. I'll leave this up to you three. I don't think I can do anything about it from a hospital bed. And I mean it, I want that Auror's badge. He was rude and he broke the law," Hermione grumped. "Also, can the Weasley's not be allowed in this room? I don't have the energy to deal with that much noise right now."
Sirius, Remus, and her Opa just agreed. She told the story of what had happened, and Harry shared his portion of the events. Ron had been slightly singed, but otherwise everyone was alright. Hermione sent her Opa out to check after Draco, Blaise, and Theo. He came back to report they were safe, fine, and on their way home. By the time he had taken his seat, the Medi-witch from earlier had come back and told her she was being transported to Hogwarts. All those in the room with her refused to leave her side, so everyone went.
Madam Pomfrey was slightly miffed at the sudden arrival of one patient, and four non-patients, but she didn't fuss too much once her Opa and Sirius turned on the charm. Hermione and Harry rolled their eyes. Once they got Hermione settled Remus extracted Sirius and Harry from the Hospital Wing and forced them to go to the Gryffindor tower to get some rest.
"It's been a long day, and I think we could all use it," Sirius agreed, looking hesitant.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to leave her," said her Opa. Hermione rolled her eyes at all of them again. Honestly, it doesn't even hurt! I'm fine! She smiled at her Opa, though. She was happy he cared, she just didn't want him to be uncomfortable here instead of home in his own bed.
"Nonsense, my girl. I have Dotty to bring me anything I need, and I'm not leaving until you're on both your feet," he said firmly. Hermione just sniffed and requested Dotty's sleep tea, to which he smiled. She also extracted a promise from him that she was not to be visited by any Weasley's. She was not in the mood.
Dotty came in, fussed more over Hermione, dressed her in some comfortable sleep clothes with a snap of her fingers, and then she disappeared. Hermione sipped her sleep tea, humming in appreciation. Dotty made spectacular tea, and when Hermione was anxious it always helped her to sleep. Hermione found she was most definitely anxious. She needed to talk to Blaise, Draco, and Theo soon. She was worried for them, and she'd already decided they were friends, albeit subconsciously, so she would not leave them to the fate their parents would have for them. No, she would not. After she had finished her tea, it hadn't taken long for Hermione to fall asleep. It helped knowing she was at Hogwarts, and her Opa was nearby. She might miss her parents every day, but she knew she had someone to look out for her.
Hermione woke with a start, disoriented by not recognizing her surroundings. It came back to her slowly, the attack during the World Cup, and being rescued by Draco, Blaise, and Theo. Hermione rubbed her face, and sat up slowly. She glanced to her left to see her Opa snoozing deeply. At least he was comfortable. She hears a small noise off to the right, and finds Dumbledore standing next to her bed.
Hermione very carefully does not go for her wand, but she wants to and she's fairly certain it's plain in her actions. She forces herself to calm down, noticing the Headmaster is wearing ostentatious purple and green robes.
"Sir," Hermione greets evenly.
"Miss Granger-Ollivander. I hear you've had a very interesting day," Dumbledore commented, eyes twinkling.
"You could say that sir," Hermione groaned. She did not want to have this conversation. She wanted to be asleep. She was tired and annoyed.
"Mr. Potter is safe, and so are you. I'm glad you're alright," Dumbledore offered. "How is the ankle?"
"Thank you, sir. I can't walk on it until tomorrow morning, but it shockingly does not hurt," she replied.
"Good, good. No reason for you to be in pain. Would you liked to tell me what happened, Miss Granger-Ollivander?"
"I'm not sure what I can tell you that you haven't already heard, sir. There was a Death Eater attack. I tripped and fell, fracturing my ankle. Harry was too important. I managed to find a shelter to hide and did until the coast was clear and I could get out of the area. I found and Auror and was taken to St. Mungo's," Hermione summarized.
"Yes, I had heard that. The thing I am most interested in though, is the fact you were rescued by Mssr.'s Malfoy, Zabini, and Nott. Is that correct?" Dumbledore twinkled at her, and Hermione wanted to punch him in the face.
"They did, though I don't think it's wise that be made common knowledge," Hermione hedged. She didn't like that Dumbledore had this information, and could only surmise it had come from Shacklebolt. She growled, angry now. "How do you even know that? Auror's speaking out of turn and interrogating children, again?"
"Of course. Shacklebolt is loyal to me," Dumbledore replied flippantly.
"He is an Auror! Those boys were terrified! He had them cornered in my hospital room after an attack! Does that not seem wrong to you?!" Hermione was vaguely aware she was yelling now, but she had little concern over it. She was not going to kotow to Dumbledore or his whims. She would not be his pawn piece. She would not, repeat, would not, allow him to hurt her friends or any of her family for his version of the "the greater good."
"What," her Opa asked angrily, "is going on here Albus? How dare you ask my granddaughter without waking me first!? You have no right! She is not a ward of the state, and you have no right to wake her from her sickbed to question her! She was nearly a victim! They were looking for her!"
Ollivander had pulled himself from sleep more quickly than she had managed, and he was visibly angry. He stood on the other side of Hermione's bed, magic crackling around him as he confronted the scheming Headmaster.
"Oh, please Garrick. I wasn't questioning her. I'm just trying to get a clear take on what happened today so that I have a better understanding. It is very interesting she was saved by a group of Slytherin's, is it not? I certainly find it so," Dumbledore said, glaring down at her.
Hermione glared back at him, finding she had never disliked the Headmaster more. She had known Dumbledore favored Gryffindor house, but honestly, they were all children. She was starting to see why Slytherin house hated the Headmaster so much. If they were involved, then they must be doing something wrong, right?
"JUST A MINUTE! THOSE BOYS SAVED HER TODAY, SO SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU DODDERING OLD FOOL! You and I have old grudges, Albus, but you will not be making my granddaughter or those boys pay for them. If I get so much as a hint of their mistreatment I will make it my personal business to air your dirty laundry to anyone who will listen. Do I make myself clear? Your "greater good," was not so different from Voldemort's not so very long ago, and I've not forgotten your questions about the Elder Wand," Her Opa glared at the Headmaster.
Dumbledore didn't respond, he left, glaring daggers at the both of them before he went. Hermione was glad to see him go, letting out a puff of air she hadn't realized she was holding in. She filed away the conversation for later. She would need to look up the Elder Wand. She had never heard of it before, and felt it prudent to find out as much as she could about it if it could force Dumbledore to back off.
"Opa," she began, "do you not like the Headmaster?"
Hermione looked up to see him smirking at her. He cupped her face in his hands and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Not particularly, dear. He has done some good, but he is not what he seems to be."
"Don't I know it," she replied with a chuckle. "What time is it?"
"It's half seven."
"Care to see if Madam Pomfrey is awake? I'm suddenly ravenous and would like to see if my ankle will function normally," Hermione wheedled. Her Opa smiled at her, and went in search of the Medi-Witch to clear her.
He returned shortly with Madam Pomfrey in tow. She cast a diagnostic charm over Hermione and nodded her head at the results. "Try putting weight on it, dear. It might be a little tender, but if you can walk on it with minimal pain I'll let you go, with the caveat that you will come to me if the pain increases," she remarked sternly.
Hermione nodded and stepped gingerly out of bed, and took a few slow steps with her Opa supporting her arm in case it was too much. "It feels like a sprain that's a few days old. Like I know it will be sore at the end of the day, but it's fine."
"Then you may go whenever you're ready. If the pain kicks up, come to see me and I'll give you a mild pain potion to counteract it. You can also use cooling charms to help with the swelling," Madam Pomfrey instructed.
Hermione nodded her understanding, "Thank you Madam Pomfrey. I will search you out if it gets worse."
The matron nodded her head, and told her she would be going down to breakfast and she would see her there. Once she had left the hospital wing, Hermione looked around to see there were a few others in the ward. None of them appeared to be awake yet, though.
"Dotty!" her Opa called.
"Yes Master? How are you Miss?"
"I'm fine, Dotty, I promise," Hermione said warmly.
"Dotty, could you please get us ready for the day? I don't have anything here and all of Hermione's things have been taken to her dorm," her Opa asked.
Dotty simply nodded, and set to work. She snapped her fingers and her Opa was ready and presentable. Dotty took a little more time on Hermione, though, looking at her in concentration. Dotty snapped her fingers again, and Hermione's nightclothes had been exchanged for deep green dressing robes, decorated in a delicate gold brocade. She would not have to be in her uniform until the Welcoming Feast. Dotty looked at the shoes Hermione had worn to the World Cup, and changed them into low gold heels, only an inch in height. Hermione shouldn't have a problem walking in these, even with the hurt ankle. Dotty added cushioning charms to the shoes, and a cooling charm to Hermione's ankle for good measure, and then nodded that she was done.
"Sit Miss. Let me fix your hair. I will be expecting you to call for me in the mornings to make sure you've got it under control. I do the charm better," Dotty teased lightly.
Hermione sat down and smiled at the elf, happy to let her do the work today. Dotty always managed her hair better, it was true, and she saw no reason to argue the point. "Yes, Dotty, if you insist."
"You know I do, Miss," Dotty said seriously.
"Sorry Opa," Hermione said grinning over at her grandfather, "it looks as if I'll be stealing Dotty in the mornings." Her Opa laughed and waved them off. He didn't seem at all put out by the fact Dotty favored her over him.
Dotty pulled her hair back into a French braid on the top of her head, using sticking charms to make sure her curls could not escape. She took the tail of the braid and tucked it into and under itself to create a simple chignon. Dotty pulled out a few curls here and there to frame her face, and declared her ready for the day. Hermione knew it would last all day and she was grateful not to have to mess with her riotous curls before the feast.
"Thank you, Dotty. You're the best," Hermione said warmly.
Dotty smiled back, "It's nothing Miss. Call me if you need anything. Your things have already been set up in your dorm as you like them. I made sure of it." And with that final note, Dotty disappeared again.
Hermione rolled her eyes at Dotty's antics. Her Opa stood up from the bed he had occupied, and offered her his arm. "Ready for breakfast?"
"Sure. Definitely. I'm really looking forward to all the glares I'm bound to get," Hermione snarked.
When they arrived in the dining hall, they were greeted with a table full of people. Harry waved them over, and they were more than happy to oblige. They stayed at the far end, away from Ronald and Molly Weasley. Normally, she would have received a smile from Dumbledore, but she didn't look in his direction. She didn't really care to see his face. He and Molly could have one another. The Professors were all at the table, per usual. She found it sort of odd they ate up there even when there weren't students, but didn't comment on it.
"How are you feeling, hermione?" asked Harry.
"Oh, I'm fine. I might be sore later, but that's normal."
"I'm glad you're mobile again," Remus said with a grin.
"Me, too," Hermione grinned back.
"What's the deal with Dumbledore? He's been in a mood all morning," Sirius commented.
"I can't say that I have any idea," Hermione replied, voice saccharine.
"Yeah, okay. I don't want to know. I know what that tone of voice means," Harry chuckled.
Hermione was interrupted from replying by the owls coming in to make their deliveries. There were three letters dropped into her lap. Hermione opened them one by one and scanned them quickly. Draco, Blaise, and Theo had all written to her to see how she was feeling. She shrank the letters with a tap of her wand and tucked them away to answer later. She looked up to see Professor Snape eyeing her curiously. She just smirked at him and went back to her breakfast. That won't do. If Snape knows which owls those are, we are going to need a different way to communicate, and quickly. I'll need to figure that out, soon.
Hermione finished her breakfast with her family, laughing at the stories Remus, Sirius, and her Opa were telling. All the adults left after breakfast, so Hermione, Harry, and Ginny climbed their way to the tower. Hermione decides to take a nap, as her ankle aches from the climb.
"Hermione, wake up. You need to get changed and we have to head down for the Feast," came Ginny's voice.
Hermione groaned, sitting up. "Thanks, Gin."
"Sure, I'll meet you in the common room, okay?"
Hermione just nodded her dismissal, got dressed with minimal fuss. She was pleased about whatever Dotty had done to her uniforms though. They were much softer than before, and Hermione definitely appreciated that. She and Ginny walked to an empty spot at the table arm in arm, far away from Ron. Hermione definitely appreciated her friend's willingness to snub her brother for her, because Hermione was still quite cross with Ronald.
Hermione looked up just in time to see Draco, Blaise, and Theo entering the Great Hall together. She nodded at them, a sign she was fine, and they went to their table. Draco sat between Blaise and Theo, as far away from Pansy Parkinson as possible. Hermione found that to be quite an amusing development.
"Hello! Earth to Hermione!" A voice was calling her to her. She was annoyed at that voice. She was still trying to solve that communication issue.
Hermione looked up to see Neville sitting across from her and Ginny, and a wide smile came unbidden to her lips. "Hello, Neville! How was your holiday?"
"Quite alright. Gran gave me a full run of the gardens!"
"That sounds lovely, Neville," Hermione replied genuinely.
"Ah, I know that look. You're working on a problem aren't you?"
"I've got a puzzle…." Hermione trailed off. Neville just shook his head at her and turned to Harry, who had come to sit next to him.
Hermione was so lost in thought she had missed the Sorting. So far gone that she hadn't heard the excited chatter around her as she puzzled which spells to layer to achieve the effect she desired. Subconsciously, she heard people talking about her change in name and appearance, but she could ignore it while she was trying to figure this out. She suddenly smiled to herself, having found her solution.
She could create a sort of Wizarding instant messenger system for them. It should be simple enough. She nodded to herself and finally looked up from the food she had absently been eating, just in time for the announcement of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Fuck.
She paid attention long enough to see the entrance of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, and could hear Ron fanboying over Krum six people away. It was annoying. Hermione absently finished her dinner, eager to get back to her room and start laying the spells and enchantments on the journals for her Snake Guard, which is what she had started referring to them as in her head.
Hermione did not miss the pointed looks and glares around the table, or the Hall for that matter. She was most definitely ready to go to bed. The attention was rude, unwanted, and she knew she had no choice but the bear it. Hermione sighed inwardly, waiting for Neville, Harry and Ginny to finish their meals so they could walk up to the tower together.