Harry usually came on the weekends so this was his first time coming to Sinclair's training and he was impressed. Seated beside her in the stands he was relaxed and wearing a ball cap against the sun. She had a wide brimmed hat on and was comfortable under the cooling charm the two were powering. If they had learned this before then they could have been warmer in that tent or even more so when they were sitting outside. They had it down now though and were as good at it as Blaise and her were. Each cycled their magics opposite ways and then it cooled both of them properly. A few feet around them too. Instead of swirling the hot air around them. Blaise was surprised she didn't know about it and said it was why people in the south were hardly ever alone and how they didn't hide in the heat of the day.
"He has gotten so much better. Still smiling though. I don't think he will be a beater." Was his latest round of comments and she smiled.
"It's been six weeks and they said no drills when he wasn't here so you guys just play pick up games or pass up there. Or just fly around." She answered and tried not to be proud. Wasn't sure if she should be this proud. She hadn't even done anything. Sinclair had. He had worked so hard. Every day. Going for runs and doing stairs. He hiked with her and swam too. Was often so tired he fell asleep in the living room between dinner and about eight o clock.
"They are going to do it." Hermione whispered as she watched the seven players who did this most often circle him and he stopped to listen. No whistles. It was eye contact and hand gestures. Pay attention to his surroundings. She had been a part of many conversations about what they wanted to teach him and arguments about what was more important. Fundamentals and general flying. All agreed that most weren't good enough general fliers. It was what made people great. Or something like that.
The arena went dark and the lights came on. All the magics in play as if this were an event. She palmed her coin and felt it vibrate in return.
"Here you Go Harry." She reached down and pulled his broom and flying boots, and gloves out of his bag.
"What's happening?" He asked with a laugh in his voice as they watched Sinclair almost bounce on his broom. Levering himself up and down on the foot rests.
Then he took his broom and the bag she handed him and looked down at her. His smile was wide and his eyes were soft.
"Ten Minute quarters. One bludger. Be careful out there." She admonished him and then he gave her a happy grin and started down the stairs. She settled back in and looked at Sinclair. Who was still now and listening attentively. Then he looked up at her and she waved and smiled at him. They were almost level. She was nearly at the top. She looked down and Harry had stopped to open the bag and then he just hopped on his broom and flew to the sheds. Not dressing rooms as they were, it was what they were called. She had been assured several times.
The big doors opened and several people came out. Ginny and Blaise headed toward the sheds and the rest up to her.
When she looked up he was flying toward her and hovered about six feet in front of her. She stood and waited for whatever he had come to say. Surprised that he had come over here at all. It was the first time.
"Is this okay?" He asked her and she smiled.
"Yes Sin. We talked about it. Be careful alright and let Pierre and Michel be the beaters they are." She answered and he nodded and then grinned and she waved him off. Hoping he didn't notice her emotions. They were going home and she was sad. To leave this life behind.
"You caved My." Pansy hollered from a few bleachers down and she rolled her eyes. Watching them settle in around her and then looking down. They were picking teams and she noticed the back up keeper, Alex, had joined them. He had younger kids and had been the first to talk to her about whether he thought mentoring or something could work for kids who wanted to.
"They said he was ready and he was so bummed at the beginning of this week. We talked about it and he decided to just have every minute he could and then use what they've taught him while at school. He deserves this, i'm surprised at his dedication. He's worked hard." She said and they all shared smiles at her reluctance. It was a bit funny but on her so she tried not to feed their teasing.
The board lit up and the announcer's voice boomed out. She couldn't help laughing and Sabrina was holding her hand tightly. Their coach had a referee shirt on and a whistle blew. Then it started and they watched. Hermione kept nearly all of her attention on Sinclair but noticed her friends and even the team laughing. The coach was hollering and rarely blew the whistle. Half time came and while the players for a drink or whatever Sabrina spoke quietly to her.
"Nott owled." It was quiet and Hermione stilled. At the tone not the information. Then she relaxed and looked at her. Raising a brow halfway and waiting for a second.
"It was a Malfoy owl and Narcissa didn't mention it so it's from him." Were her low words and Hermione put an arm around her shoulders.
"Sundae or something tonight?" She asked her just as quietly and got a nod and then they sat back up as the players flew back into the air.
It wasn't sundaes but an amazing berry sorbet that they had in a cafe and then begged Salty to take it on. His were more creative and better than the original had been.
Sabrina was wearing a ravenclaw hoodie and sleep shorts instead of leggings and looked comfortable. Her hair was longer now, about three inches past her shoulders and she wore it down more often. Not in braids or ponytails unless it was in her way. It was more wavy and it had definitely lightened in the sun.
"What's this about Theo?" She asked outright and got a sideways glance before she put her spoon down and then picked it up again. Gently scraping the melting edges.
"I don't like it." She said quietly and Hermione just waited. That wasn't a usual kind of response from the witch. Two bites passed and she decided that was enough time.
"It's important that we can be in the same room. Blaise has been seeing him and I want to be cordial if not friendly." She said honestly and waited again.
"I'll guess if you want." It was a genuine offer and Sabrina did look up at it. She was uncomfortable and Hermione wondered what it was.
"You liked him." Sabrina had asked her about boys and she had tried to be honest. How unwise her own choices had been.
"Yes I did." She could only answer the truth.
"And now?" The girl said quietly. Eyes down and spoon not facilitating her last bites.
"Now im glad he isn't in there. Can maybe get a chance to live. I'm glad he has Blaise too. It was hard for him without either of his friends for two years. Theo isn't a bad person, or I don't think so. He isn't for me though." She said firmly and waited for those eyes to meet hers.
"Of course not. You are bound up in vows and contracts. It won't change even if you want it to. What if you do?" Hermione heard the real upset there. Worry and maybe some anger.
"Is this about me or your brother?" Hermione asked quietly and put her nearly finished bowl down completely. Wanting Sabrina to know that she was listening.
"Both." Was the terse reply and she frowned a bit at the tone. Things she had accepted at the beginning were less acceptable now. She tried not to take her emotions out on Sabrina and appreciated when the witch returned the favour.
"Alright. For me, I don't think you need to worry. I'm not. I had the chance to have him. All nice and tight. Legal and sanctioned by those customs he holds so dear. I didn't take it. It took maybe three minutes and for one of those my brain wasn't functioning and Josh was watching me. Tolkturn too. Justin Avery went first. Before I had even read Flint's name. Then your brother and then Theo. Flint was the last one I saw and then he went into the no pile. I wanted to toss Theo's right away but I was hesitant to bind your brother. Snatch his choice. That's how I felt then and even now. You all say I shouldn't and I hope I don't one day. That I don't feel like that is something between us. Anyways I put Theo's on top of the other two and then spent another thirty seconds or so waffling before Josh cleared his throat and I signed." She finished in a soft tone. Holding those unique eyes the whole time. Wanting her to know. Believe her.
Letting herself be scrutinized wasn't comfortable and she made herself sit still and not shrug or anything. This was the most serious conversation the two of them had regarding her brother. Regarding her and her brother this way since those first days.
"What did he say? That made you pick someone you didn't know nearly as much about." Those eyes looked at her with nearly a dare and she scoffed slightly and then looked down. It was embarrassing.
"He said that he couldn't trust his house to a witch that didn't understand its value. He said a lot. A few things stick out. I just listened until he stopped listing the things that were important to him. I wouldn't be accepted, what that could do to his children. It was maybe two or three minutes but he made it clear. He liked me, I think he did. He felt like he shouldn't though. Could do easily list the things that made me unsuitable. If it hadn't been what I thought could be love one day in my part then maybe it wouldn't have mattered. I could never forget it. His eyes are that gorgeous nearly seafoam green and were looking right into mine. He even stroked my cheek and snuck a kiss in the way he did when we talked about magic or other things." She knew she was blushing now and Sabrina was too. Then her face set and she looked livid.
"Why do you want to see him at all?" Sabrina asked her with anger now and this was more her. Easier to understand. Still feeling flustered she smiled wanly and then meanly. Her version of a sneer. Those she couldn't pull up on command. Harry said she did it though, he had referenced her punching Draco third year so she had some hope of being able to recreate it.
"Be careful what you wish for. Or something like that. Here I am. Now that I'm thinking a bit clearer and not so traumatized or overwhelmed, I've thought over what I've done and how I feel about it. A bit anyways. I'm proud of myself. Some of it wasn't me. Like if you had been horrible or truly broken then I don't know. But you aren't. Weren't. You are so great and I love you. Being with you and having you be my first sister. I've made friends too. Too many are, or were, Slytherins but I hope to add in some more variety. I've got girlfriends for the first time and that's great. Ginny is done and seeing her graduate was so special. A triumphant moment. Seeing her stand beside Neville and Ron up there. Others too. So I'll see her and she is as Gryffindor as they come so that's a relief. Luna is home now too and then there is Harry, and of course Blaise." She stopped and smiled honestly at Sabrina.
"You though? The woman or witch. Narcissa would say witch but you seem to classify those sides of you as different." She had relaxed now and was interested. More settled and Hermione was glad. Between the three of them she liked to keep the interpersonal issues under control. Unwilling to have misconceptions or something mess can you please get effort to mess up the family she was building. They didn't have the years of knowing each other and trusting each other so they had to talk instead. Blaise and Pansy had also been examples of this. Opposed to Luna or Andromeda who weighed and measured you and then continued on as if all of that had happened.
While she thought about it, she looked Sabrina over. Considering how grown up she looked and how much a girl still. It was so wonderful and she was tall. Taller than Hermione now and that was funny too. Then she caught her eye and watched her smile guiltily.
"You ask me questions two ways if I don't answer the way you mean and use those terms when you do. To clarify." Hermione smiled at the slight blush the admittance caused and marvelled at the complexity of her friend. Sister. Charge. Whatever she was.
"The witch is good. Alright anyways. I'm going to do the fertility ritual so protected sex only at the Dale for the foreseeable future. Narcissa and Andromeda are thrilled and want to watch. Blaise doesn't want to watch but is doing the prep with me and we are looking into other things. One of the things we are always on the lookout for is books or scrolls. Someone with knowledge or something. I would just go and beg to be taught or buy it but Blaise goes about it a different way and I approve of his forms of bribery. It's something they actually want. Material or otherwise. Sometimes a new thing to occupy them after learning what they could about what we now want. I'm leading all the time. I use my magics and brew. I'd like to do more but it's better not to rush into it." Were the words she chose and Sabrina smiled a bit at her rambling way of speaking. Then flipped her hand over, indicating the other side.
"I don't think too much about the woman. The girl is good though. Enough friends and challenges to keep busy. The family business and Blaise and I is enough for now and I've got some ideas. Bigger ones but I don't think I'm ready yet. To be public. Put myself in front of something." She waited to see if Sabrina understood.
"Be the face of something you mean? I know you would step in front of people for protection or whatever." The girl asked her and she nodded.
"That's exactly it. I've got big ideas for a public library with classrooms and maybe a duelling school too or something. Somewhere muggleborns can come on vacations and Magic als can congregate for learning after Hogwarts too. Maybe seminars or lectures. Demonstrations. I don't know." Hermione admitted quietly. Only Blaise knew about this and she thought he was amassing information and ideas just like her. Quietly and in addition to what they were doing.
"Did you get the employees for the Runes journal?" Sabrina asked her and picked up a fruit kabob. Zavi noticed they ate more of it if it was easy to pick up and take along or eat with one hand. There was often a book or quill in the other.
"Yes. Charlie Weasley came through with a pair that used to be dragon wranglers with him. Partners but one took a horntail spine in the leg and he doesn't have enough nerve regrowth to keep going so they both retired. Anyways they had been runes apprentices, that's where they met and then ran away together to train dragons. So they are coming soon. Next week I think. We found them a place and worked it all out with Greengrass. It's strange to do things like that without Daphne but it was what he preferred and I don't think she will be upset. Put out maybe but it's part of the pureblood manners thing so." She grinned a bit and then shrugged.
"What about you? Any thoughts for later?" She asked and picked up the pot of tea that had appeared. Zavi was a wonder, then made them both cups before settling back down.
"I don't know. I still don't feel ready to make any decisions at all. Witch or woman. I'm not ready to be vulnerable yet. Luna phrased it that way. It's true I think. She is just like you said and another who seems to have accepted me freely. I like talking to her and walking around the beach with her was amazing. She notices so much and knows so much about things out there. Magical and not." Hermione smiled and the talk moved to her NEWT classes and she thought that was enough for now.