Chapter 13: Hidden Agenda?





The Christmas break was there before Hermoine knew it. She felt bad, leaving Harry and Ron alone at school, but Viktor was going to visit. She had to go home. Patrice, too, was going home, which made Hermoine feel better. She didn't like the idea of Ron and Patrice being alone during Christmas break. There were too many opportunities. . . . Hermoine felt herself flush. She scolded herself for thinking such thoughts.

Hermoine's last class of the year was Defense Against the Dark Arts. She was rather glad. She liked Mrs. Coeur. Also, this was the day that Coeur was going to reveal what they had been doing, and was going to remember the memory charm on those who had not broken it yet. It would be interesting.

Hermoine sat, Patrice at her side. They smiled at each other. They each knew the secret. Harry and Ron suddenly arrived, plunking their books on their desks.

"I got a last-minute owl from Mum," Ron said with a grin. "Harry's coming home with me for break, and he can experience a proper wizarding Christmas." Hermoine smiled, glad her friends would not be stuck there alone. She felt a twinge of jealousy. She wondered what odd traditions wizards had when in families. She wished she was going to Ron's rather then home.

Mrs Coeur went through a normal class. Hermoine fought a vampire. She felt drained, but in a good way. Coeur stood at the head of the class room, and instead of pronouncing her usual memory charm spell, she simply said "it'll come to you all." The class seemed to blink in unison for a moment, except those who knew. Then classroom suddenly burst into chatter as the students realized all they had done. Patrice began to chuckle, hiding fits of giggles in her fists.

"Well done, class!" Coeur shouted over the commotion. "See you next year! Miss Granger, I'd like to see you for a moment."

Hermoine approached the odd teacher.

"Yes Professor?" she asked, watching the others leave. Patrice had her arm around Ron. Hermoine felt her face go red.

"About that test, you remember?"

"Yes, Professor," she replied, smiling. "When may I take it?"

"Right after Christmas vacation, dear girl. Study hard. If you pass this, you don't have to take the O.W.L's."

"If I don't?"

"It won't be held against you, I promise. I doubt that these tests should trouble you. You are a brilliant student, Miss Granger. Have a merry Christmas."

"Happy Christmas, Professor Coeur." Hermoine gathered up her books, and waved goodbye to her new favourite teacher.



* * * * * * * *



Hermoine slept wonderfully in her own bed. It was wonderful to have her own room again, her own bathroom. She could smell bacon cooking. She rolled out of bed, her stomach growling loudly. It was a relief that her meal was being prepared by human hands. She still felt bad about the House Elves, though she had other things to worry about, namely Sirius.

Hermoine put on loose jeans and a tee shirt. She headed down stairs, smelling her mother's herbal tea. She never realized how much she missed having Christmases at home. Her tree was splendid, and she had put the star on top last night when she had returned home.

"You've got post," her father said. He pointed to a rather large pile on the wooden table in the hall where they normally put their post. "Those owls unnerve me slightly, I must admit."

"You get used to them after a while," Hermoine assured her father. She sorted through the post, placing the gifts from Harry, Ron and Hagrid under the tree. She took the magical Christmas cards, complete with moving pictures, to her room, where no one would stumble on to them.

Hermoine told her parents about her accomplishments at school. She realized how different it was to tell them things in person. She got the feeling that they did not understand the importance of what she was saying, but it didn't matter. Her parents praised her as they would done if she had aced exams in a normal school. She had not realized how much she missed when she was away at school.

A knock sounded on the door. Hermoine's mother got up.

"That must be Kevin, the new neighbour, and his step-daughter. I invited them over. I hope you don't mind, Hermoine, dear."

"Not at all mum," she replied. "I think it would be nice to get to know kids in the area again."

"Good."

Hermoine's mother pulled open the door. A man stood at the door. He was probably in his early forties. He was heavy set, with jet black hair that was thinning in the center.

"Kevin, this is my daughter Hermoine."

"Pleased to meet you," Hermoine said, holding out her hand. Kevin shook her hand. He had a very strong grip.

"My daughter's coming. She just insisted on doing her hair. She didn't want to give you the wrong impression." He smiled. His accent was charming, and Hermoine tried to remember who he reminded her off. Hermoine blushed, thinking how grubby she must look in the baggy teeshirt and faded jeans.

Hermoine caught a glimpse of blond hair over the hedges.

"Kevin, let me take your coat." Her mother hung up the man's jacket, and Kevin went in to talk with Hermoine's father.

"Here she is," he called to Hermoine.

She had to blink a few times to make sure she saw things right. Staring back at her, a huge grin on her face, was Patrice!

"Hi Hermoine!"

"Patrice? What are you doing here?"

"I'm home for Christmas, silly. Kevin's my step-dad."

"You two know each other?" Hermoine turned to her mother. She had forgotten about the adults in the room. She suddenly felt silly.

"Yeah," Patrice replied. "We're friends from school."

Hermoine's parents and Patrice's stepfather exchanged loaded glances.

"Do you want to come to my room, Patrice?" Hermoine asked. Patrice smiled.

"Sure, I'd love too," she replied. Hermoine led Patrice up the stairs, a dread settling in her stomach as words Patrice had said to her drifted back. "I wish I was you." Was Patrice trying to become her? Making friends with her friends, taking all the same classes, answering questions like she did, moving in next door, it was all so suspicious. Something about Patrice made Hermoine's hair stand on end.

Patrice flopped on Hermoine's bed, examining her books along her book shelf.

"Big on fantasy?" Patrice asked with a smile. Hermoine blushed.

"I always used to wish magic was real when I was little. When I found out it was, well, I guess I just decided that I would be the best wizard ever."

"Then why didn't you end up a Slytherinth?" Patrice asked. Hermoine shrugged.

"I guess I just got it into my head how much I wanted to be part of the Gryffindors. They have all the admirable qualities that I look for in friends. . . ." Hermoine realized she was spilling her guts. Patrice had that affect on her. Every time Hermoine decided she didn't want to tell Patrice anything she opened up and told her exactly how she felt. It was unnerving.

"How about you?" Hermoine asked, trying to steer the conversation away from her. "How come you ended up a Gryffindor?"

"I guess because I value bravery and truth above power. I've seen first hand what too much power can do to a person." Hermoine opened her mouth to ask her what she meant, but something stopped her. The dread in Patrice's tone was too much. Something told her she didn't want to know.

Her mother's call jolted her out of her thoughts.

"Tea's ready! Patrice, Hermoine, come down!" Hermoine smiled at Patrice tentatively. Patrice headed down the stairs, looking at everything, as if she were memorizing everything's position. Hermoine suppressed a shudder, and followed silently after the other Hogwarts student. She hoped she was overreacting, but she didn't think so. There was something odd about Patrice. She was going to find out what.