Hey all! I have another chapter for you! Which, I hope you like.

But, first, real quick. Thank you all for the reviews so far. I love reading them and I really appreciate your thoughts. I also love constructive criticism. It helps me in the long run. I know that there have been a some grammatical and spellings errors. That is actually one of the main reasons why I did the revisions to my chapters. I had hoped to have gotten them fixed, but i guess I missed a few. I appreciate those who pointed them out because that just encourages me to improve upon my writing skills.

I was also asked how to pronounce Io's name. So, forever, I would pronounce it: "eye" - "o", but I actually made sure to look up the correct pronunciation. So, the people in Greece pronounce "ee"- "o", but it can also be pronounced "ahy" - "o".

Okay so, please, if you feel so, you can review or message me any comments, questions, or constructive criticism.

Alrighty, so without further ado, enjoy!

Chapter 7

Initially, Hermione wasn't looking forward to today's Hogsmeade trip. Since third year, Hermione would always accompany the boys on their ventures out to the town. However, since they were not talking, there wasn't a point in going. But, after the letter she received, the teen couldn't wait to go on today's trip.

Wednesday - Breakfast after Harry and Ron left

After Ginny and Luna's declaration, Luna spoke up again, "Hermione, what's your owl's name, your never told me," she asked wistfully.

"Oh, ummm, her name is Elara, the person who gave her to me had named her that," Hermione said with a shrug as she looked curiously at her friend.

Luna flickered her gaze up to her light brown haired friend and then back to the albino, purple eyed owl. "That's an astrological name, isn't it? That's the name of one of the moons of Jupiter."

"Oh, I didn't know that." Hermione with said with a slightly surprised tone in her voice. Luna only hummed in response.

After another minute, Luna gave Elara more sausage bits before she spoke up again. "Hermione, I think she is waiting for a reply, otherwise, I don't think she would have stayed this entire time."

Surprised, Hermione slightly jumped when she remembered the letter that was waiting to be read in front of her. "Oh, thank you for reminding me." Again, the only response she received from Luna was a simple hum. Eagerly, but gently, Hermione slipped open the envelope and silently read over the parchment.

Little Witch,

It has been a while since our first conversation at Flourish & Blotts, which we were unable to finish. As I promised in my last letter to you, I would like to have tea with you this Saturday during the first Hogsmeade trip. If you would like to, which I hope you do, please join me at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop at 11 c'clock.

Until next time with much anticipation,

BB

P.S. Elara has been instructed to wait for your reply, so she will not leave until you give her your response.

Hermione stared in shock at the letter for a good minute, which attracted her friends' attention. Neville spoke gently, "Hermione, what is it? Is it any bad news?"

Shaking out of her stupor, Hermione snapped her attention to Neville with her most agape. After seeing his worried expression, she closed her mouth, relaxing her expression. "Ummm, no, every is fine, actually." Hermione spoke a little to quickly, which Ginny caught.

"Well, then, what did it say?" The red head witch asked with much curiosity.

Registering the question, Hermione blushed. "Ummm, one second, I need to send a reply first and then I will tell you." She hurriedly grabbed fetched her quill, ink, and a blank piece of parchment.

BB

I would be honored to join you for a late morning tea. I will see you then at 11 o'clock.

Hermione

Once folded, she gave Elara her response, who in return, hooted softly before taking flight. Ginny turned back to her friend once the owl was out of sight. "So, Hermione, what did the letter say, and guessing by your blush, it was the person who gifted you Elara." Hermione's blush spread over her entire face at this point. This caused the other three to softly laugh at the girl.

Clearing her throat, "yes, you are correct. And she invited me for tea on Saturday," Hermione said as she pictured the dark purple haired witch.

Ginny and Neville's eyebrows shot up into their hairline, whereas Luna seemed utterly unsurprised at announced pronoun. "She?" Ginny asked with a slight lip twitch. She received a tentative nod from the witch sitting beside her. "I knew fancied girls," Ginny said with a weirdly triumphant, knowing smirk. Hermione looked shocked at this proclamation.

"What? How do you know that?" Hermione asked incredulously. Ginny's smirk just widened at the question.

"It's simple, really, and obvious. As well as the fact that I am an observant person." Ginny said as she continued to smirk. "So, what's her name?"

"Oh, that, I will tell you later. If something happens, I will tell you everything. But, just not now." Hermione waved off casually as she slowly got up to head to class with Neville.

Seeing her and their awkward wizard friend begin to walk away, Ginny yelled, attracting the attention of those around her. "I expect to find out every detail after, then!" She laughed as she watched the light brown hair witch shake her head.

Present:

Hermione waited with Ginny, Neville, and Luna a little away from the majority of the students gathered to go down to Hogsmeade. They were waiting for the go ahead so they could leave to enjoy the day, and for Hermione to have her date with a certain dark purple haired witch. Soon enough, Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall sent the students on their way. However, Hermione and her friends trailed behind a little bit, taking their time. Once down there, the light brown haired witch split off from the other three to go head to Madam Puddifoot's, she left with a promise to see them afterward.

It was one minute before 11:00 when Hermione arrived outside the very pink tea shop. Walking in, she immediately spotted the smiling face of Beckett Blackwood. Her breath had all but left her as she approached the witch. The woman had chosen a table in the far corner that allowed them some sense of privacy from the rest of the patrons. Once at the table, Beckett stood up to properly greet the teen witch like the gentlewoman she is. "Hello, Hermione," the older witch greeted as she grasped Hermione's pre-offered hand and kissed it with a slight bow. "I am grateful for you joining me for tea this morning," Beckett said as she straightened her posture. The taller witch walked towards the young witch's side, placing a hand on the small of Hermione's back. With a little pressure, Beckett guided the witch towards her seat and smirked as she watched the blush breakout on Hermione's face.

Finding her voice through her haze, Hermione replied in kind. "I am happy to be here with you. Thank you for inviting me." And as she spoke, Beckett moved behind her, gently pushing the chair in as the younger lady took her seat.

"It was my pleasure," Beckett whispered in Hermione's ear. Shivers ran down the prone girl's spine as she felt the heated breath hitting her ear and neck while as she listened as the purple-haired witch's voice drop in timbre.

Taking her own seat, Beckett's smirk widened as she witnessed Hermione's blush deepen and spread down underneath the girl's shirt. She took a quick moment to look over the little witch, just as beautiful as when I last saw her, Beckett thought.

At the same time, Hermione had also taken this quick moment of opportunity as the woman moved passed her, mind assessing her appearance. Her mind began to fog up as she looked over the violet haired witch. And as Beckett sat down in front of her, she slid her gaze up to the older witch's face and found her smirking once more. Hermione froze and blushed as she realized that she was caught staring. Gees, this woman loves to smirk, doesn't she, she thought. Though, despite her sudden inner musings, the light brown haired witch noticed that they had fallen into some sort of staring contest. And, after about 30 seconds more of staring at each other, Hermione was beginning to get uncomfortable with the silence. Clearing her throat, she decided to speak up, seeing as Beckett didn't seem to be so inclined. "So…ummm, here we are…" Hermione said awkwardly, earning a chuckle of amusement from the other witch.

Continuing to smirk at the nervous teen, Beckett simply leaned back casually into her chair. "Yes, we are."

Slightly annoyed with the simplistic answer, Hermione spoke once more. "So, why did you invite me here today?"

Beckett gave the girl an amused look. "Well, like I wrote in my letter; I wanted to continue our conversation that we were having before your…friends interrupted us."

Once again, Hermione received another simple reply. I'm going to have to pull this conversation from her, aren't I? Hermione thought. Before speaking up though, a tray that held a teapot, sugar, milk, and two teacups floated over and set itself on the table.

Noticing this, Beckett spoke up, "I guessed that you would like some Earl Grey." The purple grey eyed witch was as hazel eyes widened at the assumption. "Assuming by your expression, I was right in my guess." It was said more as a statement rather than a question.

Recovering, Hermione nodded her head. "Ummm, yes, actually. It's my favorite." Beckett smiled as Hermione poured the tea into her cup. And while she poured her milk and sugar, Hermione spoke up again. However, this time, she opted to just jump right into the conversation to avoid any more awkwardness. "So, as we were forced to end our conversation, I couldn't help but notice the slight disappointment in eyes before you left. Why was that, if I may ask?"

Beckett appraised the girl with an amused look. "Well, you are observant," she said with jest, "but, I would expect nothing less as you are the brightest witch of your age." Hermione blushed at the compliment. "But to answer your question; well, that's simple. You intrigue me, Hermione. You're an interesting person-a person that I would like to get know better." Amusement still sparkling in those eyes as they watched the teen witch's blush become more pronounced, bringing the teacup up to her mouth.

After taking a sip, Hermione's head tilted a little to the side as a curious expression formed on her face. "Why would you be intrigued by me? I'm nothing special."

"Ahh, but that's where you are wrong," Beckett replied just before taking a sip of her own drink. "Hermione, you are indeed special, more than you—apparently—realize."

"What do you mean?" The curly haired witch asked with a frown.

Beckett was truly amazed as to how the gorgeous and intelligent witch before her could not see her own self-worth. "Hermione, you are a very brilliant witch. Before the events that happened in the Department of Mysteries, you already had a reputation preceding you. As I know that at Hogwarts, you have been named the smartest witch in the entire student body-even going as far as to be dubbed the 'brightest witch of her age'. And also garnering attention as being friends with the famed Harry Potter."

Hermione bristled. The mention of her tumultuous friendship with Harry-and by extension, Ron- caused a scowl to form on her face. She wasn't upset by Beckett's mentioning of their fracturing friendship. But rather, it was just the reminder of what had transpired earlier this week. With what Ron had done, she wasn't hurt-not by any means. She had come to expect his behavior at this point. But, with Harry, his defensive towards his actions and words had truly hurt her. Everything she had told him was the truth, and it needed to be said; but it still hurt to know that he didn't appreciate her perspective and where she was coming from.Though, despite this initial reaction, she also couldn't help but be shocked by Beckett's comment about her reputation. It reached the ears of the Ministry? Hermione thought. And apparently, her surprise had shown on her face when the purple haired witch spoke up again.

"Oh yes, we at the Ministry have heard of all of your successes at Hogwarts. Thus, your reputation and your involvement with what had happened down in the pits of the Department of Mysteries has intrigued me greatly. But, it was our run in at Diagon Alley that made me want to seek out your attention. I wanted to get to know you."

This explanation simply floored Hermione. She couldn't understand why Beckett Blackwood, a ministry department head was seriously interested in her. But, Hermione didn't dwell on that too much, for a part of her was elated that this woman, who has been plaguing her dreams since they first met, was interested in her. As she was thinking, Hermione lifted her teacup to get another sip, but she paused halfway up when Beckett spoke up again.

"So, you asked a question, now I get to ask one."

Hermione nodded at the witch opposite of her.

"I noticed the reaction that you had when mentioned your friend, the Potter boy. What happened there?" Hermione sent a fleeting glance to the witch opposite of her before gulping. She placed her cup down and look forward. "Hermione? Are you okay? You don't have to tell me if you feel uncomfortable about it," Beckett said softly.

The teen witch gave a slight nod before she looked directly into her purple grey eyes. Sighing, Hermione figured that it was okay to tell her about it. "Yeah, I'm fine and I don't feel uncomfortable. I just don't typically open up about myself to anyone." Beckett gave the witch a disbelieving look, but she ignored it as she continued on with what she was saying. "It's mostly due to how Harry and Ron have treated me over these five years. They never really asked me anything about my personal life; they kind of just expected me to do all of the work for them. They really only thought of me as their brain, and that's it. But, lately, they have been more infuriating than usual, but most of it had been coming from Ron." At the mention of Ron's name, Hermione barely missed the jealousy that flashed through Beckett's eyes.

Hermione had taken this time to explain to Beckett as to what happen on Wednesday between herself and Ron and Harry. And as time went on, she watched as a scowl formed on Beckett's face, surprising her. The purple haired witch wasn't surprised about Potter's behavior, nor Weasley's either, but that didn't stop her from being pissed about what happened to her little witch. She should not have had to have this conversation with Potter; calling him out for his selfishness and disregard for people around him and what they had to go through. Had he been a true friend to her little witch, he would have taken her side immediately and trust her completely. But, he didn't, and it hurt Beckett to see Hermione so hurt by the betrayal. But, when Hermione mentioned what that little weasel had said, her anger flared.

However, despite her anger and scowl, Beckett spoke with a kind and loving tone as her looked morphed into one that could only be described as loving. "First of all, you are more than worthy of getting the most gorgeous owl that exists. A beautiful familiar for a beautiful woman." Hermione brightly blushed like a tomato at the witch opposite of her. Beckett smirked before she continued speaking. "And with your argument with Potter, he doesn't deserve for anyone to care for him. He clearly doesn't care for them, and his response to you speaks that tenfold. And you have every right to be dismissive of him. It was not fair of him to treat you and speak to you in such a way." Beckett gave a soft, understanding look that held nothing but empathy and support. "And, furthermore, those two dunderheads don't deserve any of your time or attention, especially that…weasel. It's a laugh that he thinks that you have any of those feelings for him." Beckett scowled once more as she said the last sentence.

Hermione was taken aback by Beckett's tone in the last statement before she smirked, coyly. "You sound jealous," she commented.

"Maybe. Do I have anything to be jealous for?" Beckett replied in kind.

"Maybe. Maybe not." However, the blush that spread down to Hermione's chest gave away her real answer.

Alrighty, that's it for this chapter! Thank you for reading :)