16 – Study, study, study
HG
"Oi! You two!" Lee called the second they walked through the common room.
"What's wrong?" Fred asked innocently.
"What's wrong? You two bloody gave me a heart attack!" Lee said walking over, jabbing his chest forcefully.
"You should have gotten used to it by now." Fred grinned, side stepping him, and flopped down on the sofa.
"Suppose you're right, but I think it was more of a shock seeing Hermione up there with you." Lee chuckled, sitting down next to him. Angelina and Katie were sitting on the ground with their backs to the fireplace, Alicia nowhere in sight.
"Thanks." Hermione said rolling her eyes as she snuggled down on the armchair, her feet tucked underneath her. "Where is Alicia? It's past curfew."
"Oh, just upstairs. She had a disagreement with her sister." Angelina shrugged. "About something stupid really."
"Marcy saw her laughing at your antics. And she started going on about how she should be more responsible and not hang out with the twins if she ever wants to become a prefect." Lee said.
Hermione looked between them, frowning. "I didn't know Alicia wanted to be a prefect."
"She doesn't." The others said simultaneously.
"Her sister doesn't get why she would choose quidditch over responsibilities."
"Talking about Marcy, are you?" George asked appearing from the portrait hole.
"Yeah." Angelina said looking at the girls' staircase, before she turned her head back to George grinning. "Fred and Hermione pulled one on Katie and Lee."
"What?" George asked excitingly as he flopped down next to Fred.
They all took turns filling George in on what happened. Fred starting with their very successful flying lesson (his words) and how they flew up to the tower. Lee told them he thought the twins where behind it, calling their names through the common room after his papers started flying. When George's laugh died down, he told them he had to restock and organize Snape's cupboard with the ingredients while Snape watched him carefully, sitting on a chair right behind him, commentating on everything he did.
HG
Exams were getting closer, and Hermione had spent a lot of time in the library the last few weeks. When she entered the library was full of students who finally decided to start studying. She huffed as she shifted her heavy bag on her shoulder. She walked in the library looking for an empty table. Not spotting one, she walked a bit further to the back behind a couple of shelves. Sighing as she saw that everywhere was full, she started heading back to the doors.
"Psst... Hermione." A voice came from behind her. She turned and frowned as she didn't see who it belonged to. Just when she was about to turn and walk away, a head with wavy brown hair appeared from behind a bookcase. "I have some room if you want." He whispered.
Hermione smiled wide as she walked closer. Seeing a small table with two chairs, hidden deep in the library with only Cedric seated on it. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, sit down." He grinned as he shifted some of his books to the ground.
"Thank you. It looks like everyone just got the memo exams are getting close." Hermione chuckled as she sat down, dropping her bag on the floor.
"I know right. It started filling up earlier this week, but this is just nuts."
"So, you've been here the past weeks?"
"Yeah, I mean... I come here a few times a week, since I started school, but I always sit here. It's my secret hide out."
"Well, thank you for sharing." She smiled before taking out her books and a sugar quill.
"Any time." He answered, looking at her for a moment as she studied before bringing his attention back to his book.
They studied together in silence, both their own heap of study material to go through. They met up at Cedric's little hide out to study a couple of times a week, when she wasn't studying with the others.
Hermione walked in the great hall with Cedric after another study session and parted ways, both going to their own table. Hermione flopped herself down between Katie and Alicia.
"Did you just come in with Cedric Diggory?" Alicia asked.
"Yeah, we've been studying together." She said as she started loading up her plate.
"Where?"
"What do you mean where? In the library." Hermione chuckled at Alicia's question. Alicia looked over her head to Katie, frowning.
"Hermione, we were in the library. We didn't see either of you." Katie said.
"Oh, that's because just like the twins, Cedric has a secret hide-out."
"What?" The twins called out. "We don't have a secret hide-out."
"Oh no?" Hermione challenged. "You have secret passageways and get into the kitchen, and you want me to believe you don't have a secret hide-out? Maybe found out about it by padfoot or moony?"
The twins grinned at the younger witch, knowing well enough what she was talking about. The others looked confused between the three of them, not following. Before one of the others could ask any further, Charlie walked up.
"Hermione?" He asked as he stopped in front of her, next to the twins. "Professor McGonagall wants to speak with you."
"Now?" Hermione asked surprised.
"I don't think so." Charlie searched his pocket and pulled out a letter, before sitting down next to George. "She asked me to give you this and ... to tell you not to worry, it's nothing bad." Charlie grinned.
"Oh okay." Hermione said as she opened the letter, with trembling hands. "She wants to speak with me after dinner, in her office."
"It will be fine, Hermione." Katie said reassuringly putting her hand on her shoulder. "If it was something bad, she would've said something this morning, after class."
"You're right, thanks Katie. So, Charlie how's studying going for your newts."
"Brutal." He groaned filling his plate to the brim. "Can't wait until it is all over."
"For you! We still have five years to go." Fred said dramatically.
"I'm going to miss you, Charlie. Are you really leaving me alone with those two?" Hermione sighed, pointing at the twins.
"I'm sorry, Hermione." Charlie chuckled as they twins clutched their hearts in mock hurt. "But you have Katie and Angelina and Alicia."
"And me." Lee spoke up, next to Fred.
"You're almost as bad as them." Hermione chuckled and received a pea at her head, that Lee flicked at her. "You've just proven my point."
HG
When dessert arrived, she left the others to enjoy it as she made her way to Professor McGonagall's office. The hallways quiet as everyone was still in the great hall. When she reached the office, the door stood wide open. She looked inside and saw the professor on her desk, writing.
"Come in, miss Granger, please sit." Professor McGonagall said, without looking up. Hermione walked in, nervously pulling her sleeves. When Hermione sat down the professor looked up from her papers with a small smile. "You don't need to worry, miss Granger. I just wanted to check up on you."
"Oh." Hermione said surprised. "Check up on me?"
"Yes, I know you've been doing very well in all of your classes but how is studying going?"
"Good. I have been preparing for weeks. Katie and the others study with me most of the time, Cedric too."
"Diggory? From Hufflepuff?" Hermione nodded. "He's an excellent student, one of the top students in his year. He could help you." She mused as she looked at her papers.
"Help me, professor?"
"Hmm. The Diggory's moved last year, yes? Not far from you?"
"Uhm, yes."
"And the Weasleys put a floo connection at your house?" She asked as she scribbled things down on her papers.
"Yes professor, but what-"
"Well, miss Granger. All the teachers, yes that includes Professor Snape, informed me you've been working on second-year assignments when you finish early."
"Yes, but they won't ask that on the exams, right? Because I haven't been -"
"No, no, nothing like that." McGonagall said, looking up with a reassuring smile. "If your grades come back positive, which I'm sure they will, we have if you want, put together a summer package with some second, a bit of third-year schoolwork. Some essays, potions, things you can do without using magic of course. Just so we can see where your abilities lie, your strengths. I want you to get the most out of your education here, we don't want you to get bored like in your muggle school now, don't we?" Professor McGonagall smiled.
"I would love that! I already have some of the second-year books, been borrowing the others from Angelina and Alicia."
"That's what I thought." The professor smiled. "I'll put together everything you need, including the list for next year books."
"That's great professor!" Hermione said excitedly, smiling wide.
"I also heard you started flying class again."
"Yes, George and Fred taught me. I guess they felt guilty about what happened. But George is a really great teacher."
"Really? The Weasley twins?" Professor McGonagall asked surprised. "What about Fred?"
"Just had my first lesson with Fred recently because George had detention, but it went great. As long as I don't look down it's okay."
"I might have an idea for that. Your fear is of falling right? Not heights?"
"Yes."
"I have a book were there are spells healers and referees use during quidditch if something happens, like falling from a broom. I will send it over to your dormitory later. If the Weasley boys keep practicing with you, it might be wise to learn them, you and the boys. I know they are great flyers but if they are too far away, a spell might come in handy. And Hermione... trust yourself, trust your instincts."
"Thanks professor. For everything."
"No problem, miss Granger. Now hurry along to your friends, they are probably waiting to hear what this was all about." The professor chuckled lightly as she stood up, Hermione following her example. Hermione smiled wide as she left the office and hurried up the staircase. When she reached the fourth floor she bumped into a boy with dreadlocks.
HG
"Lee? Hermione asked as she stumbled back. The boy turned, looking like it's boxing day, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back up. "Where did you come from? Isn't everyone in the common room?"
"Yeah, probably." He said, still a smile on his face.
"Now I'm curious. What makes you grin like a fool?"
"OJ called a meeting at the quidditch pitch. He's stepping down as commentary and is looking for a replacement."
"Wow, and you offered right?" She asked grinning.
"What do you think? But I wasn't the only one. So, he's having auditions."
"That's fair. Why is he stepping down?"
"Something about focussing on school, on focussing on what he wants to do after." Lee shrugged.
"How and when is they audition taking place?"
"You'll come cheer for me, Granger?" Lee chuckled.
"Of course I will." She said seriously, looking up at him. He looked surprised at her statement.
"Really?"
"Yes, I support all of my friends. I did cheer the twins and the girls on too you know, and next year I'll cheer on Katie as she tries out for the team."
"Oh... thanks. Acromantula." He said as they reached the portrait. "OJ is looking for a few quidditch players to play a friendly match, since the season is over. I said I would ask -" He said climbing through the portrait hole, looking around the common room. "Oh, there is the lot. Come on. I'm sorry, I forgot to ask. How did it go with Professor McGonagall?" Lee asked as they walked over to the fireplace.
"Did miss Granger get detention?" George chuckled as they flopped down on the ground, in front of the fire. Hermione glared at him, before sticking out her tongue.
"No! But first Lee has something to say and ask of you."