Chapter 5- The Rumour Mill
Hermione knew what it was like to have everybody looking at her as she walked by. The power of one hundred gazes was no stranger to her, but it was usually because of her association with "the famous Harry Potter" rather than something that she had done. Her intelligence only brought disdain and petty envy, but the way she felt right now? It was more than that…it was people looking at her (still jealously) for something that had been her decision. Not everybody agreed with it, but it was done and she did not regret a single thing about it.
She just had willingly entered herself into a polyamorous relationship with two of the most attractive boys in the castle at that moment.
The fact that it happened to be while both of them were currently competing in the most dangerous scholastic event in the wizarding world was an extra little facet of information that had everybody stirring. Not only did the 1994 Tournament feature a quartet of champions, the only known person to survive a Killing Curse and a champion who caught the Snitch in a Quidditch World Cup final, but it also included two champions who were dating each other and the former best friend of one of the other champions.
Hermione thought that that was pretty much the definition of unprecedented. She had contributed to possible wizarding history. Depending on which of them won, and she rather thought that one of them would. Their performances in the First Task had been highly skilled and they had only lost two points between them. Hermione figured that Dumbledore probably would have deducted more if he could have gotten away with it. She had reluctantly predicted that Harry would have come first, his youth and inexperience partly to blame there. Although she reckoned that the person who put Harry's name into the Goblet probably did something to set the dragon free, upsetting his strategy. She was proud of him for mastering the Summoning Charm, though.
Maybe it was time to reconnect.
There would have to be conditions, though.
One being their homework levels. Both Harry and Ron were good students. It was cliché, but they refused to apply themselves. They thought work was too banal when they could be Flying or playing Exploding Snap or something. But she needed them to try on their own. She would help, that was what friends did, but not overly so as she had done in the past. No copying would be tolerated, either. Copying encouraged laziness.
The second being Harry's commitment to future tasks. The golden Egg collected meant something to the Second Task and she was already working with Cedric and Viktor to find a solution. They had vowed not to open it ever again after that ear-splitting, earth-rending screech that had erupted from the metal after they had done it together. The sound was amplified, doubled in volume and had been painful to hear. She would have to make sure that Harry was in it to win. Even though that would cause a conflict of interest between Harry and her…boyfriends (oh how weird that was to even think about) she would work through it, because she cared about them all.
She figured that Ron was over his jealousy, at least enough to patch things up with his best friend. Though aside from his mutterings during the First Task, he hadn't even so much as looked at her. Maybe he got a dismissive vibe from her. She certainly wore it sometimes.
By the time that Hermione reached the library, her usual spot, people were no longer looking at her. Madam Pince had gave her a smirk, but nobody else was even around. It was lunchtime, after all. The Great Hall was booming with excitement over the First Task and, more importantly, the triad that had formed during the aftermath.
She still wasn't entirely sure how she felt about the whole thing. Of course she cared about the two boys…her two boys, but it was a new experience for all of them and it would take time to adjust to. Plus, the attention wasn't really her thing. Hermione appreciated the curiosity and understood it, but being discussed on a schoolwide level was something she did not desire. It was a consequence of her feelings, though. Feelings that she completely understood. She liked Cedric and she liked Viktor. And they liked each other. It was simple enough.
"Granger, I can hear you thinking," Cedric complained as he strolled into their section of the library, Viktor in tow.
Hermione blushed. "I have a lot to think about."
Cedric nodded appreciatively. "How about some more? The Great Hall is obviously stirring about our revelation after the Task. Even McGonagall was whispering about us. We're the talk of the castle."
Viktor smiled. "On the bright side, we have Durmstrang's full support. Obviously when it comes to the Tournament, I'm their victor."
Cedric and Hermione giggled at the pun as Viktor continued.
"They promised to keep their ears open at the Slytherin table and defend us wherever applicable."
"I appreciate that," Hermione said.
Cedric bit his lip. "I'm not sure the rumours I've gleaned are entirely ameliorative. If you both want to hear them, I can talk, but I understand if not. It's a complex thing we've started and not everybody understands the nuances involved."
Viktor hummed. "I would like to know what the opinions are."
"Me too," Hermione agreed.
Cedric cleared his throat. "Okay, well, the Hufflepuff majority are okay. Loyal until the end, right? Ravenclaw know enough about the concept, but the personal feelings aren't so welcoming. Apparently, Marietta Edgecombe kicked up a storm in the common room, calling us all sorts of names."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "That was to be expected. And Cho?"
Cedric smirked. "She disapproves, of course. Though it's mostly the side that includes Viktor and I. A lot of the castle frowns upon our desires to be together, Vik."
Viktor shrugged. "Let them frown. Their frowns balance our smiles."
Hermione grinned at that. "The Gryffindor table is very angry at me, I think. Though I can't tell whether that's a consequence of me not being friends with Harry and Ron, or us. Parvati Patil was whispering about it when she thought I was asleep. Apparently, I wanted to snog the future winner of the Triwizard Tournament, but I couldn't decide who was going to win out of the two of you so I fed you Amortentia and chose you both until one of you eventually won. Then I was going to dump the other one and marry them under consecutive Love Potions."
Viktor huffed. "Parvati is a schmuck."
Cedric chuckled. "Roger Davies thinks that we're starting a Champions and Friends orgy club. Nobody bothered correcting him."
"Slytherin are pejorative, as expected," Viktor explained. "That Malfoy kid started talking about Hermione in ways I couldn't forgive so one of my friends agreed to hex him."
Hermione smirked. "That's Draco Malfoy for you. Remind me to send your friend some chocolates for his efforts."
"That horrible Pansy girl had a theory that was very amusing. Supposedly, Cedric and I are trying to stop Harry from winning, so we're taking everything special to him to psyche him out. First we're seducing Hermione and then we're going to drown Ronald in the Black Lake. Then something about his owl and the Whomping Willow in the grounds."
"Poor Hedwig," Hermione murmured before giggling. "We can overcome this, right?"
"The talk?" Cedric clarified. "Of course we can. Look, the two of you make me very happy. I want to be with you both and if I have to be the subject of slander and lies, so be it. I'm not about to start letting the opinions of my peers get in the way of my happiness."
Viktor nodded. "He's right, Hermione. We haven't exactly addressed this, but I am only here until the end of the year. After that, who knows where we'll be, but while we're all in the same place, I want us all to be together. So what if people don't understand the way we choose to feel about people, it's their life, their confusion. What about you, Hermione?"
She smiled. "I'm never been very well-liked here at Hogwarts for myriad reasons and if this is going to increase that consensus, then so be it. Despite the uniqueness of this experience, you two make me happy and I'll take all of the smiles I can get, no matter what everybody else thinks. You both make me feel special and beautiful and I'm glad this can work. The three of us, together. We're all in."
"We're all in," Cedric and Viktor chorused.
Hermione sat against her favourite tree, despite the bitter air that nipped at her. Cedric and Viktor were otherwise occupied, so she took the chance to escape from the castle and reunite herself with aspects of the past. The tree, in clear view of Hagrid's Hut, was where she came when Harry and Ron didn't like her and nobody else did either. She studied, wrote letters, read for entertainment and took in everything that had happened around her. Learning of her magic was a great shock to her, feeling ordinary throughout her entire life, and she had needed time to come to terms with the rest of her life. The peace the grounds gave her allowed her to do just that without anybody interrupting.
Now though, the odd person stared at her, not bothering to talk as they passed, probably convinced that their own interpretation of events was correct without clarification.
Hermione was caught up in the nostalgia as a low, familiar voice rumbled through the cold air.
"Hermione?"
"Hagrid," she breathed.
"What are you doing out here? It's bitterly cold."
Hermione shrugged, standing up. "I like to come out here and just think sometimes."
"You want to talk about it? Come inside, I'll make us some tea."
Hermione was going to decline, but something inside her told her to agree to the invitation and she found herself inside Hagrid's Hut, a place she hadn't been since before Halloween.
"I admire your strength, Hermione. Always have."
Hermione frowned and Hagrid pressed on.
"Not everybody has what it takes to embrace polyamory. Some people think they're weird for feeling things for multiple people and hide away, only picking one or denying it altogether. What you three are doing is brave and admirable."
She smiled. "Wow, thanks Hagrid."
"If I'm honest, though, I rather expected this to happen with you, Harry and Ron, given how close you three were."
And there it was. Hermione took in his words and the very thought amused her more than she was willing to admit.
"I don't feel that way about them. They're…they were…more like siblings, you know? And Harry and Ron are completely inflexible in their sexualities. For now, at least. I think that none of us had many friends growing up. Harry was sheltered and underappreciated, Ron was overshadowed by the triumphs of his brothers and Ginny and I was not somebody who people wanted to get to know. It brought us together, however much we wanted it to."
"And Cedric and Krum are…they're respecting you, right?"
Hermione blushed and nodded. She had a feeling she knew what Hagrid was talking about, but she didn't want to say it. She wasn't even nearly ready for anything intimate and she knew that Cedric and Viktor would respect that decision and would not rush her. That didn't mean that she didn't give them permission to explore each other, though. She knew that they were older and would probably want to relieve some stress and she gave a green light to them for exactly that. "They are. They're wonderful."
"Diggory's a good kid. Krum seems like one too. Though I don't think you'd pick them if they weren't. You're smarter than that."
Hermione swallowed heavily. "I thought you'd be pushing for me to mend fences with the boys."
Hagrid waved a giant hand in front of him. "That's your choice. While I do love seeing you three causing trouble together, things can take time. I think you'll come together when push comes to shove, though. There's a genuine friendship between you all and not something that can go away easily. Now I've heard Harry's side of things, but what about yours?"
Hermione smiled widely. Hagrid had been the only person other than Cedric and Viktor who had actually asked her why she stopped speaking to them. She explained her story frankly and quickly, happy that Hagrid hadn't disputed anything she said.
"That pretty much covers it."
"Harry's version was a little different, but that's to be expected. He doesn't blame you, though. He's trying harder to save himself. Merlin knows he needed a good kick up the backside. I do understand your position of not wanting to be the one to make amends, though. If you want I can tell them that you're in a place where you can forgive them? That's if you are, of course."
Hermione bit her lip then carefully nodded. "I do miss them. And despite everything, they were my first proper friends. That's not something I can tear down easily. Me and Ron had our falling out last year and Harry was in the middle. Now there's no middle ground. But yes, I would appreciate you talking to them. But I want them to be genuine."
Hagrid nodded. "I suppose that's all you need from them."
Hermione agreed. With two compassionate boyfriends and her best friends on track to be her best friends again, Hermione realised that her life was shaping up, although she had forgotten about one thing…
"Miss Granger, Mr. Diggory and Mr. Krum. May I trouble you three for an interview?"
Rita Skeeter had found them sitting together in the Great Hall and intruded upon them during their time together. Viktor clenched his jaw and turned a violent shade of angry red. Cedric huffed and ran a hand through his curls. Hermione glared dangerously at the woman and shook her head.
"We won't be speaking to you, Skeeter, not about this."
Rita tutted. "Well, it's either you speak to me about it, or I make something up. I know Miss Parkinson was delighted to shed some light on the recent…uh…developments between this trio."
Viktor growled. "You know that more people actually believe the ramblings of The Quibbler than your column? Even Durmstrang knows you're full of lies and machinations."
Rita smirked evilly. "It's a pity that you haven't talked about this already. My article will be the first words on the matter. How will the wizarding world react to Harry Potter's former best friend shacking up with his competitors?"
Cedric glared. "Our relationship has nothing to do with you or the wizarding world. As long as we know the truth, it won't matter either way."
"Spoken like a true Diggory. Tell me, Cedric, does your father know about your new situation?"
Hermione banged the table. "Oh, will you just shut up?"
That got everybody's attention as heads turned towards them. Well, the ones that weren't already looking at the triad.
"I'm not even suppose what right you have to be here but I don't think there's a single person in this room who wants you here! We're trying to eat a meal here and you keep bugging us for information about our private lives. You're covering the Tournament, correct? This is not the Tournament! Go and talk to Fleur or Harry about how they're doing with the Second Task, but don't come over to us and demand information about our relationship."
"You have some audacity, girl."
"And you need to learn your place. I know a thing or two about you, Skeeter, and it could be terribly damaging for your career if it got out. I think you know what it is. So if you don't leave us the hell alone, I might rethink my moral code and ruin your life. Are we clear?"
Rita nodded feebly.
"Good. Now scuttle away, Rita. Let's hope you think of a more interesting headline for tomorrow's Daily Prophet."
Rita smirked, thinking of something. "Fine. But I'm about to make your life miserable, Granger. When I'm through with the three of you, you'll wish you kept quiet. Your frowns will balance my smile. Bye now."
Cedric, Hermione and Viktor just stared at each other, recognising the dialogue from before in the library.
"How the hell?"
Hermione sighed. "She's an unregistered Animagus. She takes a beetle form."
Cedric nodded. "Makes sense. We'll need to be careful."
Viktor agreed. "Just watch what you say to people. We can charm the areas to block out unwanted visitors."
Hermione nodded. "This is about to get very difficult. But I'm definitely ready for what's about to happen. Even if wants to make my life a misery, I won't let her."
Cedric and Viktor smiled at each other, each with the same thought.
That's our girl.
