"Children, I would like to announce that our top score in the most points given to a single student last year once again goes to Hermione Granger." Applause broke out in the Great Hall. Hermione, however only gave a small nod, and no smile. Dumbledore was beginning to worry.
"Now, please do eat up the good food. All we can hope is that you all will follow Miss Granger's good example, and do your best to earn points for your houses."
As the children dug into their plates, Dumbledore studied Hermione. That frown was growing more prominent every year. It made him think that perhaps Miss Granger's home life was no longer as happy as she had insisted to her fellow Gryffindors one year.
"I just don't talk about my parents because they're boring. You know, all work and lovey-dovey. Nothing exciting like Ron's parents."
"Minerva, might I enquire if you happen to know the status of the Granger's marriage?"
"Er, well yes. But I don't know that Miss Granger would like me spreading it around."
"Then they have set the date of their divorce?" Dumbledore asked, before taking another sip from his goblet.
"Yes," Minerva McGonagall sighed. She glanced down at Hermione, who had forced a smile onto her face. "Her birthday, this year."
"Her birthday?" Severus Snape's cold voice interrupted. "Forgive me if I was mistaken, but I was led to believe her parents actually cared for her."
"As were we all," Minerva said bitterly. "Anyone who could so carelessly pick their own offspring's date of birth as their date of separation is either very stupid, or extremely cruel."
"Now, please do eat up the good food. All we can hope is that you all will follow Miss Granger's good example, and do your best to earn points for your houses."
As the children dug into their plates, Dumbledore studied Hermione. That frown was growing more prominent every year. It made him think that perhaps Miss Granger's home life was no longer as happy as she had insisted to her fellow Gryffindors one year.
"I just don't talk about my parents because they're boring. You know, all work and lovey-dovey. Nothing exciting like Ron's parents."
"Minerva, might I enquire if you happen to know the status of the Granger's marriage?"
"Er, well yes. But I don't know that Miss Granger would like me spreading it around."
"Then they have set the date of their divorce?" Dumbledore asked, before taking another sip from his goblet.
"Yes," Minerva McGonagall sighed. She glanced down at Hermione, who had forced a smile onto her face. "Her birthday, this year."
"Her birthday?" Severus Snape's cold voice interrupted. "Forgive me if I was mistaken, but I was led to believe her parents actually cared for her."
"As were we all," Minerva said bitterly. "Anyone who could so carelessly pick their own offspring's date of birth as their date of separation is either very stupid, or extremely cruel."