- Lauren
Hermione wrote to Ron that night and told him everything, well, everything minus that whole kissing business.
It took Ron over a week to respond. Very unlike him, considering most of his letters arrived a day or two apart. Hermione had grown a bit worried.
Hermione,
How could you? Honestly! Sneaking around behind my back. The least thing you could do was be honest about it. And to hear it all from Padma Patil!
Ron.
It was the shortest note she had ever received from Ron, and frankly she was a little confused until she saw what was attached to the note.
A picture, fully focused and moving, of her and Harry at the dance. Mouth on mouth, right there in front of Hermione's eyes.
She ran out of the dorm room in a flash, speeding down the stairs and nearly falling flat on her face. Dashing desperately out of the common room, it didn't take long to find Padma, whose voice could be heard from almost anywhere.
"Padma! What is this?" Hermione demanded. She shoved the photograph in the girls face.
Padma just stared at it with a vacant expression before tipping her head back and laughing. "So I guess Weasley's seen that then, must've gave him a shock."
"Why did you send him this?"
"At the Yule Ball last year, he paid zero attention to me... Spent the entire time staring at your Hermione. It must have been absolutely horrible to see the girl of his dreams and his best friend..."
"Shut up!" Hermione screamed. "I was just excited that we won! And now Ron will never forgive me for this!" Hermione stormed away, back the route she came until reaching her dorm once again. She buried her face into her quilt and cried. Ron would hate her now, she knew it. For the first time she realized how horrible he would feel if her and Harry really were a couple. He'd probably never speak to her again. It was like kicking Ron when he was down, he was still hurt from last year, Hermione knew it, and this would make everything even worse.
Inside, she knew how Ron felt about her, and she felt so awkward. She realized that there would be no way should could ever get involved with either of them... It'd only hurt the other.
___
A full month passed at Salem school. Harry had played, and won, a quidditch game. Hermione began acting very awkward around Harry, nay, around most men. Lizzy was less spastic, and the mean Transfiguration teacher was still, well, mean.
It was the first week of December when Ron wrote back to Hermione for the first time. She had written several explanations to him, but he had never wrote back, until now. It was the middle of lunch when a huge brown owl swooped down and landed on Hermione's head, dropping a letter in her soup.
Before the ink had a chance to run, she snatched the envelope and dried it on the table cloth.
Hermione,
I'm really sorry about not writing back to you. I guess I kind of overreacted. I should never have really believed you and harry would... Do something like that... Without telling me.
So... How have things been going with you? And Harry? I'm fine. Really.
I have good news though. I've been talking to Dumbledore (and my parents) and they're letting me come and visit you over break. Wicked awesome isn't it. I've really missed you, both of you.
I'll send more details when I get them.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Ron
Hermione put the letter down in front of her. Ron, coming here?
Michelle was standing over her shoulder, laughing. "Looks like the back home boyfriend is coming for a visit..."
"I told you! He's not my boyfriend, neither is Harry. We are all just friends, and will you stop reading over my shoulder!" The entire table went silent. Harry, who had just walked in, turned pink in the cheek, and Hermione turned an equal shade and buried her face in the spell book that the Weasley's had sent as a birthday present.
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That afternoon was Care of Magical Creatures, where the Professor announced information on the upcoming races.
"5th years and up will be allowed to submit their names. Though I advise you all be aware of how dangerous this event can be before you enter. Five names will be drawn from each house, making that fifteen racers total. A week before the Luna students arrive, a preliminary race will be held. The top seven will advance to the final races against our rival school."
Hermione planned on entering. She had ridden a gainon once before, during class a few weeks ago. And it was nowhere near as difficult as riding a Hippogriff.
"I'm soo entering this year!" Hermione heard Lizzy say that night at dinner. Down the table, Jason Collins, Marriane Lucas, and 7th year Joey Midgard also expressed their desire to race.
"What about you Harry? I bet you'd be a fantastic racer..." Heather asked, batting her eyelashes.
"I'm going to pass this time... But thanks for asking." Harry returned to his mashed potatoes. He noticed that they seemed to serve a lot of mashed potatoes at Salem. That wasn't a problem though, they were fun to draw pictures in, and also ideal for food fights... Which seemed to occur every once and a while between the houses. Especially on Quidditch weeks.
After dinner, the students retired the common room where about a dozen of them submitted their names for the races. Hermione crossed her fingers. She was always seen as a brain, the girl behind the books. Winning a horse race would be a fantastic experience, and would show everyone what else Hermione Granger could do.
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"And from Chanide," Headmaster Cornet held up a small wooden box and proceeded to draw names. "Jason Collins... Hermione Granger... Joseph Midgard... Lacey Ahlmonds... And Elizabeth Brandon."
Hermione and Lizzy were beaming with pride. Jason was receiving high five's from several of the guys. Lacey was actually sick with a nasty cough during the announcement. And Joey was bragging to several of the girls (regardless of house) about how he was going to win this year. Chanide always had the champions.
The preliminaries were two weeks away, and the fifteen chosen started their training the next day.
Hermione woke bright and early, so she could get to the stable and get an early pick on horses. Harry was already up and waiting for her down in the common room. "Thought I'd walk you down to the stables. Gosh Hermione, I never thought I'd never see you doing something like this..."
"You never know, people do crazy things in other countries."
Harry and Hermione were the first ones there, and Professor Peasley introduced them both to all the horses.
Fifteen had been selected for the races, the professor informed them that they were the fastest ones the school had. It wasn't long before the other racers appeared, and the assignment of horses began.
The students were told to enter the corral, one by one. "It's like picking out a wand." Peasley said. "When you find the right one, you'll know." Hermione went first, and she circled the animals slowly. Most simply stamped their feet and snorted as she passed, but one solid black stallion reached out his neck and buried his nose in her thick brown hair.
"This one." Hermione said. She ran her hand over the horses soft forehead. It whinnied softly.
"Fine choice Ms. Granger." Professor Peasley untied the horse and gave the lead to Hermione. "His name is Checkmate, he's spooks older brother. Born two years ago." Spook of course was the little foal born at the beginning of the school year, when Hermione had had her first encounter with the horses.
When everyone was paired up, the professor gave them their final instructions. "From this point on, these horses are your responsibility. You have to feed them, brush them and exercise them. You have two weeks to train, and you can't waste a minute of that time. Good luck to you all."
Hermione and the rest of the Chanides took to the sky all morning. They were determined to all make the cut to the final race. Chanide had a reputation for being fine horsemen.
That night, the five students were barraged with questions from the other house students. It was like being a celebrity. Harry and Hermione learned that the final race was to take place over winter break, but most children always stayed at the school because of it. All banquet and ball was always held the night after, to award and congratulate the winners.
Harry and Hermione wondered what was the deal with so many dances. They had only been to one at Hogwarts in four years. It must be just an American thing.
Ron had written again, confirming the details of his trip. He'd be arriving two days before the race. With masses of homework, a dance, upcoming exams, and Checkmate, an upcoming visit from Ron Weasley was the last thing Hermione Granger needed.