Note: If you haven't read the first part of the story click on my name, Karie on the top of the page to read it. I had to rush with this part so I wouldn't keep anyone hanging from the last part. I tried to keep the story as realistic as possible, though I may have ventured a little off track in Hogsmeade.
Hermione walked across the Great Hall, closer to the table to see if she was just imagining it. No, she wasn't. Fleur Delacour was sitting at the Gryffindor table. The table was jammed packed with students who were mostly boys. Most of them didn't even look as if they were from Gryffindor. Ron sat right next to Fleur looking starry-eyed. Hermione sneered. She didn't know why she was getting so annoyed. A moment later she remembered. She hated it when boys went gaga over some pretty girl. Harry was sitting next to Ron eating a potato pancake. Fleur looked just as perfect as the last time Hermione saw her. Her long blonde hair was smooth and shiny and she wore neatly pressed lilac dress robes. There was no room at the table for her. Hermione stood still in place not knowing where to go.
Ron was talking to Fleur causing Fleur and the rest of the table to break out into fits of laughter. What on earth was she laughing about? Ron wasn't funny. She couldn't believe that her best friends had abandoned her. "Oi, Hermione!" cried a voice from the other side of the hall. Hermione turned around to see Fred, George, and Ginny waving at her. They were sitting at the Ravenclaw table, which was uncharacteristically empty. Hermione sighed looking at Fleur, Ron, and Harry again and then headed towards the Ravenclaw table.
"Hello Hermione," said Ginny.
"Hello," echoed Fred and George.
"Hi," replied Hermione. Hermione sat down still looking at the Gryffindor table.
"There's Dumbledore," said Ginny. Hermione looked up. Dumbledore was talking to Snape and it looked as if they were arguing. Snape looked upset. She tried to listen over the ruckus, which was mostly coming from the Gryffindor table.
"I don't need one," said Snape.
"I assure you Severus. She will be no trouble at all. She is there to help you," said Dumbledore.
"I'm telling you I don't need a student teacher and I don't want her there."
"Severus, I know since you will be quite busy in the next few weeks, you need someone there to help if for some reason you couldn't come to class," Professor Dumbledore said quite seriously. Snape replied, but Hermione couldn't hear anymore since Snape and Dumbledore had begun whispering.
"Penelope hasn't shown up yet," said Ginny.
"I see we have a visitor already," said Hermione with a tinge of irritation.
"We aren't jealous, are we Hermione?" said Fred. He looked Fleur.
"I don't have a clue what you're talking about," replied Hermione. Her cheeks turned a bit pink, but she was spared from answering when Dumbledore cleared his throat. Snape had already left. "As most of you probably know, our new students teachers will be arriving today and will began assisting our professors at the start of the spring term. In honor of their arrival we are serving special food prepared by the kitchen."
Some students began whispering.
"What so special about this," said George while forking his bacon. His question was answered when everyone's plate began filling up with eggs, ham, potato pancakes, pudding, and flapjacks which wouldn't wasn't unusual, except the potato pancakes and eggs were green, the bacon was blue, and the flapjacks were red. The rice pudding was bright yellow.
"Is this edible?" asked Ginny.
"Who cares," cried Fred who had already put some eggs in his mouth. Hermione slowly put a piece of egg in her mouth. She had never eaten odd colored food before. Luckily it tasted what it was supposed to.
"The Gryffindor table is rather full today," commented Hermione.
"Yes," mumbled Ginny. "I'm sure this table will be too once Penelope comes."
"I doubt it," said Fred. Hermione doubted this too.
"Ron seems rather fond of Fleur," said George looking at Ron. Hermione glanced over. A scowl formed on her face.
"Yes, I reckon he's drooling," said Hermione. She watched and ate some potato pancakes.
"Yes, I reckon half the table is drooling," added Ginny. Hermione looked at Harry. He had finished his potato pancakes. He was engaged and listening to Ron. Ron said something else. The students at the Gryffindor table began laughing. What is so bloody funny, thought Hermione. She picked up her fork and stuck it in the flapjacks.
Hermione had left breakfast early to get to Hogsmeade. Professor McGonagall was supposed to lead the Gryffindor students to Hogsmeade as she did every year, but this year some were inclined to follow a certain student teacher. Surprisingly, Harry and Ron were not part of them. They caught up with Hermione when everyone had gotten off school grounds. So they hadn't totally abandoned her.
"Why did you go so fast?" asked Harry. He was panting.
"I'm glad we caught up with you," said Ron who was extremely red.
"Are you now?" said Hermione flatly. "I wasn't going very fast. You two just seem to have arrived a bit late."
"No, we're on time," said Ron between breaths. "You're just early."
"Where's Penelope?" asked Harry.
"She hasn't arrived yet," replied Hermione. "The other student teachers haven't arrived yet either."
"How do you know there's more?" inquired Ron.
"Well…" said Hermione. "Today when I was traveling down to the Great Hall, I noticed three new portraits. I'm guessing that they are the new entrances to rooms for the student teachers."
"Yeah," said Harry. "I noticed that too."
"Who could the other student teacher be?" said Ron.
Harry shrugged.
After all the fuss with Fleur Delacour, Hermione had forgotten that why she was excited to go to Hogsmeade in the first place. She had wanted to get her two best friends presents and since she thought they had abandoned her she forgot about it. She was still a bit angry though. She shook the thought. She would probably get Harry something probably related to Quidditch and for Ron, maybe a chocolate frog if he was lucky. Hermione's thought was interrupted when Harry spoke.
"Let's go see the brooms first," said Harry.
"Yeah," said Ron. "The Firebolt Celer has come out. It's the latest one." Hermione could see Harry pining for one. She thought getting him one, but it would probably cost at least 40 galleons.
"We're going to go see the brooms first, Hermione," said Harry. "Meet at Honeydukes in an hour?"
"Yeah," replied Hermione.
"Bye," said Harry while heading off to the broom shop.
"Goodbye," said Ron following after Harry.
"Charms and Trinkets" was in the northern part of town. Hermione could probably browse in the shop for ten minutes and then search for presents. She glanced through the window, which was displaying gems of different colors, amulets, wands, and various vases. Hermione walked into the shop. "Hello, there dear," said a witch with a violet top hat with yellow stars and long bushy auburn colored hair. "I'm Melinda Ollivander," said the witch. "The owner of this little shop."
"Are you related to Mr. Ollivander from the wand shop in Diagon Alley," asked Hermione.
"Yes, I'm his sister. You're in luck. I just received a shipment of trinkets from Romania."
"I'm looking for something else." Hermione scanned the small store for the amulet she had read about in Enchanted Items, a book she borrowed a week ago from the library. "Do you have a charm, an amulet that enhances the wearer's strength and provides protection? It's called a Contegian Stone." Melinda smiled. She lifted a string necklace off her neck revealing a bright light blue stone. It fit the description of the one in Enchanted Items.
"Yes, that's it!" said Hermione. "How much does one cost?"
"Seven Galleons," replied Melinda. Seven Galleons mouthed Hermione. "Yes, it's a little expensive, but it will last."
"No thanks," said Hermione. Seven Galleons was a bit too much. Besides she had to buy Harry and Ron presents and not to mention two cauldrons, one for Neville and one for herself. She did the math in her head. Five for her cauldron, five for Neville's, and seven for the Contegian Stone would only leave eight for presents. She couldn't afford it.
"All right then," said the witch. She smiled. "Come again if you change you mind."
"I will," said Hermione taking a last look at the amulets.
Hermione left the shop and decided to go to the General Store to buy Harry and Ron's gifts. Hermione saw Harry in the distance talking to Fred and George, who were both carrying long rectangular boxes. They looked like the right size for brooms. At the corner of her eye Hermione saw Fleur Delacour and a very stupid looking Ron. He was pointing to Honeydukes with a stupid looking smile on his face. He's at it again, thought Hermione. Hermione didn't want to bother saying hello so she walked in the direction of the General Store.
The General Store was in full stock. On the shelves were Chocolate Frogs, Bott's Every Flavor Beans, trading cards, Quidditch supplies, and a small collection of wizardry books. In the corner were various sizes of cauldrons made of pewter, silver, brass, and copper. Hermione picked up a large straw basket near the entrance of the store. I'll need presents, she thought. She picked up a Chocolate Frog from the shelf next to her and threw it in the basket for Ron.
Hermione walked over to the Quidditch section. She didn't see anything that would be a great present. She walked over the book collection. Fantastical Creatures, no, Great Wizards of the Nineteenth Century, no, Quidditch Through the Ages, no he already had it. Then her eyes wandered upon a thick book with a golden spine. Its lines were etched with green. The title was Quidditch photographs. Underneath the title was a description: a collection of photos from the monumental games for the century plus interviews of legendary players from around the world. Hermione took it off the shelf her hand dropping when she picked it up. She opened the book and there were pictures of smiling witches and wizards waving at her. On the other page there were interviews with members of the team. She closed the book and turned it over to the back. It was magically marked five galleons. It was the logical present and was priced about right. Hermione thought to herself. On Christmas, I'm going to tell Harry how I feel about him. Hermione figured could even afford the amulet back at "Charms and Trinkets" too. She placed the book in the straw basket.
The cauldrons that Snape wanted were "Collapsible Brass Size 3." The magic gold that marked them said five galleons. Hermione shook her head. The prices were outrageous. She picked up two sheets of brass with hinges on it and carried them to the counter. "Two cauldron collapsible, 10 galleons, book, five galleons, a large chocolate frog, 3 knuts. That's fifteen galleons and three knuts, miss," said a short man with green robes. Hermione paid him and the prices marked in gold disappeared off the book, the cauldrons, and the chocolate frog. There was no time to visit "Charms and Trinkets" before meeting Harry and Ron at Honeydukes so she would have to go there first.
When Hermione arrived at Honeydukes Harry and Ron were already there. Hermione looked at Ron appraisingly. Fleur Delacour didn't seem to be around. Hermione saw that Harry had already gotten his new cauldron. He had expanded it and put a whole bunch of bags in it. Harry and Ron had been shopping. Ron was standing the corner with Fred and George. He had several items as well, but she didn't see a cauldron. Fred and George were still carrying their broomsticks. "We can't give you any. We spent it already," said Fred.
"I can see that," said Ron looking at Fred's new broomstick. Fred rolled his eyes.
"This is only a Nimbus Two Thousand and One. We didn't bring enough to get the Firebolt Celer." George nodded in agreement.
"It's a shame too…"
"Where did you get all that money?" asked Ron with a raised eyebrow.
"That's a family secret," said Fred looking at Harry. Lee Jordan across the room broke out into laughter. Hermione didn't understand what Fred and George were talking about.
"Ask Harry," said George. Ron muttered something Hermione couldn't hear. They must have been talking about money. She knew Ron was never to ask Harry for money. Ron turned and headed for the door. He didn't notice Hermione as he left Honeydukes.
Hermione walked to Harry's table. "What's going on with Ron?" she asked.
"Must have spent all of his money already," said Fred. Harry nodded.
"I tried to give him some, but he wouldn't take it." She knew Harry would try to give Ron money. He was always helping people.
"Stupid git should have taken some," said George.
"What does he want with the money," asked Hermione.
"To buy a cauldron, I guess," said Fred. Lee Jordan had walked to the table.
"Hey, how much time do we have left? I don't have my watch," he said. Fred looked at his strange watch.
"Um, twenty minutes." It struck Hermione. She had to buy the amulet before the Professors wanted to go back to Hogwarts.
"I have to go," said Hermione.
"Where are you going?" asked Harry. He picked up his cup of butterbeer and took a sip.
"I'm going to buy something that I didn't get a chance to yet," she replied.
Hermione began walking to "Charms and Trinkets" she found herself heading towards the General Store instead almost cursing Ron under her breath. She passed a blonde curly haired girl on the street. "Hermione!" Hermione turned around to see Penelope Clearwater standing next to a very handsome boy. He had dark brown hair with stark green eyes. "Are you Hermione Granger, Ron's friend?"
"Yes," replied Hermione. She was a little shocked to see Penelope in Hogsmeade, especially with a boy other than Percy. Maybe they were just friends.
"Where are you heading off to?" said Penelope.
"To the General Store to get Ron a cauldron for his Christmas present," she replied.
"That's great! Anyway, I'll see you back at Hogwarts," said Penelope. The handsome boy was calling her. "My new friend, another student teacher is calling me. You see he's never been in Britain before and Dumbledore asked me to show him around. I'll see you later."
After the trip to Hogsmeade, Ron pretended that now having a new cauldron for Potions wasn't a big deal. "I'll just use my old one. Hermione can help me use a enlarging spell."
"Ron, I don't think an enlarging spell will help. You need a brass cauldron," said Hermione. She forgot to mention that she had bought him one.
"Maybe we can share," said Harry. "We usually make potions in team anyway. I'm sure anyone else in Gryffindor is willing to share with you." Ron looked reassured. Hermione didn't think that he should have been so easy going about the whole thing.
"Honestly Ron, if you had only gotten one. I don't know what made you think you could get away with it," snapped Hermione. Parvati and Lavender had just walked in. As usual they were gossiping. "The new student teacher, he's so handsome," said Lavender.
"And that name…" said Parvati. Hermione resolved not to listen.
"Who's so handsome," asked Ron. Harry and Hermione turned to listen.
"Odysseus Bellum," said Parvati. "The new student teacher."
"What?" said Ron. His mouth gaped open.
"Do you think he likes Penelope Clearwater?" said Lavender. Ron shifted uncomfortably.
"He better not," he snapped.
"I hope not," said Lavender. "I hope he's not taken."
The school was all talking about the student teachers. There were rumors that Odysseus like Penelope and there were rumors that he liked Fleur, and then there were rumors that there was some kind of love triangle going on. Hermione was disturbed. She had hoped that the students at Hogwarts had better things to do then fascinate and gossip making the whole matter seem like a soap opera. Hermione was in bed and she could still hear Lavender and Parvati going on about it. Hermione was about to hush them when Ginny walked up and said "I asked Penelope about it and she tells me that she and Percy are still going strong. Please stop talking about it." Parvati and Lavender were silent.
"We're sorry Ginny," said Parvati. Hermione was glad that the she could finally get some sleep after all tomorrow was Christmas Eve and she had a lot to do. She would prepare to tell Harry how she felt.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. Harry Potter and the other characters are property of JK Rowling and Scholastic.