Hermione watched as the owls came swooping down with letters. She pushed around the food on her plate and sighed, looking up every few minutes. Harry, Ron, and Ginny looked at Hermione in concern.
"Ah! I can't do this!" Hermione exclaimed and rushed out of the Great Hall, heading straight to the Prefect's room. She sighed, realizing now she wouldn't know who the other prefects were until they came up and that she should have stuck around to lead the first years to their rooms. Well, no going back now. Hermione began pacing the floor. She was so restless, wondering if she made the final cut. She knew chances were better than before since now there were to be three instead of two singles chosen and there was always the chance that in the future she would be doing a double, but she was still nervous.
"Hermione?" Hermione jumped.
"Hey calm down. It's just me, Dean. The other Gryffindor Prefect. What's wrong?"
"No-nothing." Dean looked at her in disbelief. An owl chose that moment to drop a letter at her feet. Hermione picked it up with shaking fingers, looking around nervously. Justin, Hannah, Padma, Terry, Blaise, and Natalie entered the room then.
"Hermione? Aren't you going to open the letter?"
Shaking, Hermione pulled out the letter and scanned it." Why do they keep doing this to me?! Don't they know I'm bloody nervous for them to make their decision?!" She threw down the letter in frustration and stormed into her room. Blaise and Natalie shrugged. "Insane Mudblood!" The other prefects glared at the Slytherins and then looked to Hermione's door to Dean and to each other in confusion. Justin picked up the letter and set it by Hermione's door.
"You're not going to read it?"
"It's not our business. If Hermione wants to tell us, she will." He walked away quietly and entered his room, adjacent to Hermione's.
Hermione emerged from her room and collapsed on the couch. The room appeared empty.
"Hi Hermione." Justin smiled.
Hermione jumped.
"A little jumpy today, aren't we?"
"You startled me Justin."
"Then I must apologize profusely." He grinned.
"What are you doing?"
Justin looked up from his books. "Herbology. Well that and trying to stay out of Hannah's clutches. Sweet girl, but stubborn as a bull when she gets an idea in her head. I do feel sorry for Ernie sometimes. And what are you doing?"
"Wondering why life is unfair."
"Yes, happens to the best of us."
"And why people make us wait for something we've been waiting our whole lives for-when they know their choice will make us or break us." Justin smiled lightly.
"Ah yes. The joys of being judged."
"You're not going to ask me why I stormed out the night before last?"
"No. It's not my business unless you want it to be." He smiled and continued with his essay.
"Justin?"
"Yes Hermione?"
"Thank you."
He nodded. A tawny brown owl swooped in and dropped a letter. Hermione opened it. It was from Kelly. She frowned. Kelly was chosen, but they hadn't made their decision on her yet? That didn't make her feel very good. She shook her head.
"Ok, there Hermione?"
"I'll be ok. I better go respond to this. Have a good night Justin."
"You too. Good night. Feel better." He looked up and smiled at her. Hermione made her way back to her room as Justin looked back to his homework, something that she should be doing.
Hermione sighed and sat down at her desk. She took out a fresh parchment and began a letter to Kelly.
Dear Kelly,
I am so happy for you. You made it! Singles, right? Sadly, I have yet to find out. Two days ago, I received an owl post saying that they were still deciding; something about it being a tough decision. I can't take the wait Kelly. I stormed out of breakfast and then when I received that letter, I'd had it and threw it down in frustration and stormed into my room. I think my fellow housemates are concerned, well not the Slytherins, but they don't count. I told you I'm a Prefect, right? Two from each house are chosen. It's a big deal to be chosen. They better hurry with their choice. How much longer do I have to wait? Well enough on my ranting- How are you? Anyhow, I have to go, but I miss you.
'Mione
Hermione quickly rolled it up and sent it off with her owl, shut off her light, and went to sleep, dreaming she was out on the skating rink.
"Hermione!"
Hermione groaned.
"Hermione! There's a letter for you." Hermione opened her eyes and took it from Justin's hands. He smiled at her and walked out into their common room. She cautiously opened the letter and grinned. Unable to hold it in, she squealed in happiness. She ran out of her room. Justin was sitting there calmly. Hermione ran out, kissed him on the cheek, danced around the room, and ran out in happiness. Justin felt his cheek and blushed. Dean walked out a minute later. He looked at Justin who was bent over his Charms homework. He never understood Justin really. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but he was really quiet and shy, it seemed. Every time he saw him, he was bent over a book, but from what he heard from Hannah, he wasn't really strictly a rule-abiding person. Mostly, Justin just kept to himself. "What was that all about Justin?"
Justin shrugged. "I guess she got some good news." He turned back to his books. Dean smiled and made his way down to breakfast. Hermione raced down to the lake in pure bliss. She'd made it and what was more, they loved her so much, she was also being considered for doubles if circumstances called for it. She had to tell someone and then froze. Who was she supposed to tell? Harry and Ron wouldn't understand. They were too Quidditch crazed and Ginny had no idea what it was. She had no other friends. Dean knew what ice-skating was, being muggle-born himself, but she didn't know him well and like everyone else, he was Quidditch crazed. Justin? She didn't know Justin at all. She only knew he was a 6th year Hufflepuff, fellow prefect, and a muggleborn. Hermione was so lonely and missed Kelly more than ever at that point. Who would understand? A tear rolled down her face. She shook her head of her thoughts. She wouldn't cry. She would go to Professor Dumbledore and get permission for a place where she could practice. She also had to make her professors aware that she would have to leave sometimes. Luckily, one of the judges was a witch and would be contacting the Headmaster directly. "That's right. I will focus on my studies and the competition!" She was broken from her thoughts as footsteps approached her.
"Ms. Granger?" Hermione turned around to see the Headmaster smiling at her. "Come with me." Hermione quietly followed Dumbledore as he led her back to he castle and up to his office. "Lemon Drop." The gargoyle moved to the side and he led her up the staircase. "Please, Ms. Granger. Have a seat." Hermione sat down. "Cordelia, she is here." Hermione gasped when she saw one of the judges emerge.
"Hello Hermione."
"Hi Ms. Cruz."
"Please child, call me Cordelia. If we are going to be working together closely, I would like to know my skater." Hermione nodded. Cordelia looked to Dumbledore. "Shall we begin."
"Now as you know child you have been chosen to represent England in the World Championship along with Kelly and Salma. There are two groups of doubles. We were so impressed, we are even thinking of putting you in the double championship instead of the single even though you only auditioned for the single, with the right partner of course. As you know, I am a witch. I attended Hogwarts. Antonio is the muggle judge for the auditions. Now we are your coaches. We won't be judges in the championship. I know all too well you are in your 6th year here and it is much a part of your identity. However, it's hard work with the competition. You will have to come to train with us twice a month. While here, I expect daily individual practice."
"Which brings me into the picture. Ms. Granger. I have arranged for you to be able to create your own rink at the edge of Hogwarts grounds. You will have to take it down after each practice though. It will be your own private spot. No one knows of this location. It has to be discovered on its own-people may accidentally stumble into it, but it's not known to the general public. You are also exempt from the after hours curfew within reason of course in case you need to practice late at night. The teachers will be made aware when you must leave for training or the small competitions and finally the World Championship." Hermione nodded and smiled.
"Hermione. You are very accomplished. I have no doubt in my mind that you will make it! Let's give England the gold! I will be in touch with you for your first training with me, Antonio, Kelly, Salma, and the double skaters. Only one of you singles and one of you doubles will go World!"
"Alright." Hermione smiled.
"Well, that is all. Take care Hermione." Cordelia quietly left the Headmasters office to Hogsmeade, where she would apparate from.
"Come child. Congratulations are in order. Let me show you your spot."
'Thank you Professor." Hermione quietly followed Dumbledore.
"You remember the spell for when you are in trouble. This is your sanctuary and I shall not tell anyone where it is, but if you are in trouble…"
"I remember it."
"Good." Dumbledore pushed aside some branches and led Hermione into a clearing. It was surrounded by trees and animals were often seen skittering about. In the midst of it all was a lake, just big enough to transfigure into a private skating rink.
"It's beautiful!" Hermione exclaimed.
"The last person to use this was Lily Evans, later known as Lily Potter." Dumbledore smiled. "I'll leave you. Good day, my child." Hermione watched as Dumbledore walked away and soon she was alone. She looked to the lake. Well, she may as well see if she could transfigure the lake. Hermione lifted up her want and swished it with an incantation. The lake began o fill with more water.
"No, that's not it!" She quickly changed it back and tried again. The lake froze and Hermione sighed in satisfaction. She was almost there. All she needed was to make sure the ice wasn't thin. She didn't need a barrier or anything like that for practice. Gently, she felt the ice. It seemed sturdy enough. She tested its ability to hold weight. When it didn't crack, she smiled. Looking at the time, she decided she had to go. She would begin to skate tomorrow. Hermione quickly transfigured the lake back and hurried back to the castle, not able to wipe the smile off her face.