DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters related to the books.
THANX TO THE REVEIWERS:
hyparly4suger- I'm honored that you read mine even though you don't usually read post Hogwarts work!
gazy- Glad yo liked this chappie too. Don't worry everything will be told about what happened when Hermione left and why. And Draco will be coming soon and I will take things slow cuz they have an interesting relationship. Glad you read this chapter too, I hope you keep reading the other ones too, I still want to read your other story and I read you update. Hope you got my review.
LatinoHeat- Thanx for the review. It truly does help me get motivated.
elsa- Thanky for the review, glad you liked it.
Eowyn Jade- Here's more!!! Thanx for the review
marymaria- glad you find it interesting
Kaylee Hiwatari- thanx for another review and I will write more.
paprika90- you were the first reviewer for this chappie too! That's kinda funny. Thanks again
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Chapter 3: The Banquet
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The carriage ride up to Hogwarts was silent. Hermione had followed Harry and Ginny into one of the horseless carriages. Ginny still seemed a little shaken up over the argument between her old best friend and her brother. Harry held her close and was whispering softly into her ear. Hermione adverted her eyes from the touching moment between the married couple and tried to focus on the black scenery outside the window.
When they finally reached the castle Professor McGonagall met them just like she had their first night at Hogwarts many years ago. Her robes were also the same as they had been that night, though her face looked a little more excited to see them.
"Welcome Back to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall, giving her old students a small smile. "The reunion welcome banquet will begin momentarily. Please take your seats at your house tables and wait for the headmaster to give his speech."
The doors to the Great Hall flew open to reveal a room that looked the same as it had ten years ago. The enchanted ceiling was dark and cloudy with candles hovering just a few feet above the tables. The tables had been shortened in length to accommodate the smaller amount of people. There were just enough seats for the group in each house. Everyone filed in and took their seats at their respected tables just like McGonagall had instructed. Hermione followed Ginny, who she felt was her only friend at this time.
There in the center of the teachers tables sat their old headmaster Albus Dumbledore. He looked the same as always, except it looked like his beard had gotten whiter and much longer. Once they were all seated, he came to his feet and called for their attention.
"Welcome!" he exclaimed. "Welcome to your ten year reunion! Before we begin the banquet I would like to lay out what this two week long reunion is going to look like."
"Two weeks!" Hermione gasped under her breath. She had no idea she would have to be here that long. She thought it would be for a day or two. Maybe she should have read the invitation better.
"It will be expected of you to wear your uniforms at all times while you are staying with us and these," A nametag appeared on the left lapel of Hermione's jacket. It said her name and had a picture of what she looked like in seventh year. Dumbledore continued. "You will find your properly fitted uniforms in your dormitories. Basically things will be just like they were when you attended here. There will be quidditch games and classes and other special events while you are here. But for now let's enjoy this feast."
Food appeared on their plates and everyone began eating and chatting amongst themselves. Hermione was too nervous to eat. She pushed her food around her plate with her fork, not making eye contact with anyone around her.
"Hermione Granger?" a female voice beside her asked.
"Yes," she answered slowly turning to face the girl on her right. .
"It is still Granger isn't it?"
"Yes," Hermione was not enjoying this conversation.
"It's me Lavender," the girl finally told her name.
"Lavender!" Hermione embraced the other girl. "It's great to see you."
"Yeah it's been a while," Lavender smiled. " So what have you been up to all these years?"
"I moved back in with my parents after graduation…" Hermione started. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to share with Lavender and how many questions would arise out of it all.
"She's a model," Ginny replied excitedly, she was back to her old self.
"Are you really?" the news shocked Lavender a bit. She moved closer to Hermione, now that she felt the conversation was getting interesting.
"Yes," Hermione confessed awkwardly.
"A muggle model," Ginny and Lavender were leaning over Hermione and talking as if she wasn't there. They were giddy like schoolgirls. This just proved her point that the gossip mill would have a field day with her life and that people did talk about her behind her back. Well she assumed they did since they didn't seem to care if she was there.
"Uh guys?" Hermione finally cut in. "I'd like to eat some food, thanks."
"Sorry Mione," Ginny and Lavender moved back to their proper sitting positions so Hermione could get to he plate. They had been leaning so far over that their heads were basically in her lap. .
"Whoa Gin," Hermione gasped. "Got enough food?" Ginny blushed at Hermione's shock. Her plate was full of chicken wings, fries, potatoes, roast beef, and any other item of food in her reach.
"I haven't eaten in hours," Ginny mumbled, taking a bite of her dinner roll. "And you're comparing me to you. You eat like a bird and you're a model damnit. Do you eat anything at all?"
"Calm down Gin, I was just making an observation," Hermione put her hands up in mock defeat. "And I do eat." She put a fork full of potatoes in her mouth defiantly.
"Well not much, but maybe we can change that while you're here," Ginny smirked. Hermione eyed her curiously but only shrugged and went back to pushing the food around on her plate. Harry didn't seem worried over his wife's full plate so Hermione thought it best to leave it at that.
"So there's no man in your life?" Lavender asked out right, figuring it was the only way to get the answer she wanted out of Hermione. The blunt question caused Hermione to choke slightly on the bite of potato that had actually made it into her mouth.
"No," she answered flatly, her eyes not moving from her plate. "How about you?" It was best to keep the conversation off her. She didn't feel the need to share her long story on the first night back.
"Well…" Lavender blushed. "I'm engaged."
"To who?" Hermione asked the obvious question, turning to look at Lavender's glowing face.
"Justin Finch – Fletchley," Lavender showed off the diamond solitaire on her ring finger. Hermione took Lavenders hand and examined the beautiful engagement ring. She did it more out of custom then real interest.
"It's stunning," Hermione answered honestly because it really was. A large diamond imbedded in white gold, it was the ring that every girl dreamed about having on their finger to show off to their friends.
"For a teacher, he does pretty well for himself," Ginny was again leaning over Hermione, practically in her lap, to talk to Lavender.
"I know." Lavender and Ginny began to talk like they had when they were younger. Hermione didn't really feel like joining in, actually she never really had. The school gossip chain was never really her thing. So she switched seats with Ginny so they weren't leaning over her. This meant she was now sitting next to Harry.
"Hiya Harry," Hermione mumbled, still a little uncomfortable by her old friend.
"Hi," Harry turned to look at her. His eyes grew to the size of saucers. "Where's Ginny?" The pitch of his voice rose an octave.
"Whoa, calm down," Hermione backed away a bit. "She's right there. We switched places so she could talk to Lavender."
"Whew," Harry let out a huge sigh.
"Did you say Lavender?" Ron, who was sitting on the other side of the table across from Hermione and Harry, asked.
"Yes," she eyed him curiously. His eyes seemed to lighten up at the sound of the other girl's name. "She was just showing off her engagement ring to Ginny and me."
"Oh," the glimpse of the old Ron disappeared with his sullen acknowledgement.
"Too bad mate," Harry said.
"Does Ron like Lavender?" Hermione grinned devilishly. She kind of forgot that Ron had exploded at her on the train only a few hours earlier and they had yet to patch things up.
Ron blushed a deep red. "No." he snapped.
"Liar," Hermione taunted. "Liar liar pants on fire…"
"Enough Mione!" Ron snapped. Her mouth shut immediately.
"I'm sorry Ron," she insisted. "I didn't…"
"Ah save it," Ron pushed back from the table and stood to leave.
"I guess I should have waited till we made amends," Hermione remarked, more to herself then to Harry.
"That would have been a good idea," Harry agreed. "But look on the bright side. He did call you Mione."
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There you have it! Chapter three. Hope you liked it!!! Don't worry Draco will be showing up in the next chapter. They're finally gonna see each other again after all this time!!! Heehhe! This will be fun. I'll try and get it up as soon as I can but I have major exams in the next week and a half so on my study breaks I'll type as much as I can. Anyway thanx again and PLEASE review.
~ Miss Wright ~