Chapter 11
Epilogue
The Fat Lady's portrait swung open, allowing Hermione to exit. She'd taken just one step out of the portal when a voice behind her caught her off guard.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Ginny hissed, hands on her hips.
"Out," Hermione replied sheepishly. It'd been nearly a month since she and Natalie had gotten trapped together. Since then they'd been getting to know each other while continuing their explorations. It was nice to have someone she could really talk with, Hermione decided. Ron and Harry just seemed to be glad that Hermione was back to normal. She'd had to assure them over and over that she wasn't going to become Nothing before they'd leave her alone.
The fourth year glared, tapping one slipper-clad foot against the floor.
"I should tell the Prefect you've been sneaking out after 'lights out'." She huffed. "This isn't the first time I've seen you do it. What are you doing anyway?"
Thinking, Hermione turned and looked at her.
"I've been meeting with Natalie." She admitted, waiting for the other girl to reply.
Ginny frowned then folded her arms in front of her. Chewing over this information, it was several moments before she answered.
"You've been doing that a lot. You, Ron, Harry, even Neville, are all spending a lot of time together with her. Now you're sneaking off to see Natalie by yourself. I don't know what's going on, but you're not leaving until you tell me."
To prove her point, she strode forward and pulled herself up to her full height, which was a bit over Hermione's. Could it be that Ginny was feeling left out? She had friends, but maybe she was looking for something more. Gazing down, pretending to look defeated, Hermione waited a full thirty seconds before looking back up. Doing her best Natalie impression she grinned.
"Do you want to come with me and find out?" She inquired coyly.
Obviously not expecting that reaction from Hermione, Ginny shrank back. Pondering it over, she shrugged.
"If you're willing, then..."
"GREAT." Hermione interrupted, grabbing Ginny's arm. "Follow the Scholar of the Tower to Wulver's Burrow where we may meet with the Queen of the North and we'll see if she agrees."
"What?" Ginny squeaked as Hermione pulled her through the portal.
"You'll see," Hermione promised leading her down the hallway. "We always need another worthy ally. Just remember to not say a word to any of the boys. This is a girls only secret."
For the first time ever, Hermione saw Ginny's eyes light up. She knew she'd found another person to join the fun. Emilia Peabody would be proud to know what she'd started.
