When Hermione received her OWL results, she stood in disbelief. Mainly because against all odds, those odds being the pink lady, her scores were fantastic. In every subject but one, the witch scored outstanding. Despite that, her face screwed up in disgust at the DADA result. Stupid exceeds expectations!

Personally, she believes DADA shouldn't count. They didn't learn anything practical last year. So it's kind of unfair when you think about it. Seeing the indignation on his friend's face, Ron snatched the results from her capable hands. "Oh, come off it," he told her. After examining the results, the redhead exasperatedly remarked, "You're actually upset about this, aren't you?"

Hermione's arms crossed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. Must her friend be so mocking? Besides, she's still irritated with him and Harry. They have yet to ask how she's recovering. Come to think of it, none of the Order of the Phoenix members has. Her eyes narrowed a bit with a wave of fresh trouble. "Yes, it's upsetting. We didn't learn anything practical from Umbridge, just textbook knowledge. And while that's good for some classes, it's not for defense," she declared.

Then when her jaw relaxed, the witch explained, "But overall, I'm pleased. As anyone knows, your education is a dress rehearsal for your life." Of course, Ron rolled his eyes at that comment. Why she bothers trying to keep him on track academically, she's unsure at this point. Hermione can scare the stupid out of him, but the slothfulness runs deep.

The rest of the afternoon, the brunette spent with Ginny discussing boy dilemmas. Luna came over, and the three of them quartered themselves off by the lake. They sat on blankets soaking up the summer sun while Mrs. Weasley had Ron and the twins de-gnoming the garden and doing other manly chores.

Under an agreeable shade tree, snacking on pretzels and fruit, the girls listened as Ginny said, "I love Harry. I do, but I just don't think he notices me. I dated Smith last year, which wasn't right because he's not who I really wanted. So I'm going to get over Harry. I am. I will put him behind me and delude myself into thinking that I never actually cared for him in the first place. It's a good plan, right?"

Luna immediately responded, "No. That's a horrible plan. You must have an infestation of horngobbles in your room, which is why you're being negative. I need to get you a can of Bug Off, so they'll stop bothering you."

Staring at her friend, Ginny stated, "Well, we can't all be lucky in love like Hermione. And I'm not being negative; I'm being truthful. There's a difference. Some people are better at love than others. It's clear I'm part of the others." She bit a pretzel and waited for someone to respond because she knew they would.

Shaking her head, Hermione zeroed in on Ginny's words. "Ginny, you're not bad a love. You just haven't met your Mr. Right, or maybe you have, and it's just not the right timing. You keep settling for Mr. Right Now. Zacharias Smith was not your guy. But eventually, all the pieces will fall into place. Until then, don't give up hope and know that everything happens for a reason. And stop analyzing the past. Wait and see what happens. You never know what's waiting around the next corner."

Still in her humdrum mood, Ginny remarked, "I wouldn't be surprised if it's a death eater or someone as snarky as Snape. It's easy for you to say all of that, Mione. You have your great love, your Mr. Right- Marcus."

Hermione pointed a strawberry at her. "You're wrong. My greatest love is not the easiest, but it's the most rewarding. My great love is myself, which is hard because some days I really don't like me. The truth is, I have to love myself because if I don't, then how do I expect someone else to love me? You know?"

Their blonde friend, who had been relatively quiet, voiced, "That's deep but true. I may not have a guy in my life, but I love my friends. The three of us are girlfriends for life because we never get tired of listening to our pointless drama over and over again. Like when I talk about flying nimpets or bumptious figs. Friends are also great loves."

That's when Ginny saluted her with a water bottle. "It's times like this I wish I had wine. I hear wine and friends go great together. Let me say this, and then I'll stop being so sentimental. All I know is last year was difficult seeing Harry and Cho together. The hardest thing in the world is watching someone you love, love someone else."

Out of the blue, Luna declared, "I was reading the tea leaves today. They said the fifteenth brings a lover's spat. So what do you think about Chinese food? I hear it's good." She looked to her friends for answers, who began laughing.

Hermione didn't know how much she'd agree with Ginny's final words until a few weeks later, the day after the quidditch sports banquet arrived. She and Marcus decided it would be best for her not to attend, glamored, polyjuiced, or as herself due to increased death eater threats. Keeping a brave face, the consonant Gryffindor made sure her boyfriend had gotten off to the awards alright. Then she went home and cried her eyes out. After ordering pizza for dinner, she and her mother shared a roll of chocolate chip cookie dough afterward. It's what Hermione does whenever she's guy sad- comfort food and comforting love from Mom.

But that wasn't the worst thing. No. The worst came the next morning when a special edition of Witch Weekly arrived. The magazine covered the quidditch awards in depth, from the red carpet arrivals to the WAGS clothing and the actual awards. Hermione's heart sped up as she flipped through the pages because she couldn't wait to see Marcus inside it. She looked at the arrival pictures and saw him looking dapper in his black dress robes. The photographer snapped picture after picture of quidditch players and their WAGS. After admiring the ones of Sheridan and Mulvaney, she turned the page.

Then on the next page, one photograph stood out above all the others. Hermione found a dirty rotten picture of Marcus with a considerable caption on page six. It's of him looking flirty with a girl, but not just any girl- Piper Goldborne. Sister to Parker, known as the Goldborne Girls. Both are part of the posh, preppy, snobby, lousy Slytherin girl group. Piper was in Marcus's year and Parker's two years younger than her in the class with Adrian.

The thing about the Goldborne Girls is that they're wickedly perfect. During the third year, Hermione got familiar with Piper, thanks to that pugged nose twat Pansy Parkinson. She remembers it well because that was the day she went to research werewolves in the library. Walking past the Slytherin group of girls with Parkinson, Tracy Davis, the Goldborne Girls, Marnie Spencer, Octavia Burke, and Brinkley Everhart, Parkinson called out, "There she is, the fugly mudblood whose hair looks like a briar patch."

All the girls stopped and turned to look at Hermione. That was when she still had those buck teeth and a wildness to her hair that she couldn't tame. Already feeling insecure, the Gryffindor tried to ignore the group, but they wouldn't let her be. It's harder to be different. It just is, no matter where that difference comes from, whether it's hair, teeth, skin, academics, clothes, friends, or whatever. And in Hermione's case, her difference is a lot of things that also include her magical abilities. Due to those differences and being picked on, she taught herself not to trust people.

Talking to the group of snickering females, Brinkley Everhart stated, "No. You're mistaken, Pansy. Why, she's pretty." The girls gave her crazy looks. "Well, she is. She's pretty hideous." They all laughed and turned up their snobby noses.

That's when Piper Goldborne spoke up. The attractive sandy blonde calmed the group and somewhat defended Hermione. She sent the others away and apologized for the group's behavior. At that moment, Hermione underestimated the enemy because enemies come in all forms, even those who act kindly and pretend to be pretty.

Her first mistake was allowing the girl to defend her. The second mistake was letting Piper study at the library table that week. They talked about many different things, from magic to clothes, ending with the Slytherin inviting Hermione to join her outside by the lake. It had been a beautiful sunny day, so the Gryffindor thought, why not. That became mistake number three.

So, later that afternoon, the duo strolled to the Black Lake. Hermione noticed a group of the older Slytherin boys gathered there playing with some sort of red flying ball. Her stomach instantly knotted up. Those boys are not nice and poke fun at any girl who's not "good looking." She's been on the receiving end of their taunts many times. The irony was Marcus had been one of the boys in the group that day.

The guys began whistling at Piper and sneering at Hermione. Then out of the blue, Piper stuck her foot out and tripped the young witch on purpose. It was terrible and horrifying because the brunette fell flat on her face into the lake. Everyone laughed for what seemed like twenty straight minutes, reenacting her expression of shock and splayed-out arms.

Piper could be heard saying, "Some people are just better than others. Especially those who are muddy." When Hermione finally felt it safe to come out of the water, she passed the group with Piper making out with some guy named Jasper.

It was humiliating, and Hermione will never forget it. And neither did the Goldborne girls who ridiculed her continuously. Plus, all the Slytherins had heard what happened, and Malfoy provoked and insulted the Gryffindor until she punched him in the face. Everyone thought that action was because of Buckbeak. But it was only partially due to the creature. That punch felt great because she imagined him as all the Slytherins who had offended her.

Ever since then, the petite witch has dished it back to them. Well, she's tried to walk the higher road ignoring them all the best she can. Really, the Slytherin idiots are not worth her attention. But sometimes, there's a time and a place for kindness and fairness. However, dealing with those cows is definitely not one of those times. So, seeing Marcus in a picture with Piper Goldborne looking flirty makes Hermione's blood boil and her neck tense up.

The minute she sees Marcus, he's going to get an earful. Stupid, vapid Malibu Barbie. Sadly, after seeing that picture, eating more cookie dough was the only inspiring thing to do. Who needs a boyfriend to feel fulfilled when there's raw sugary goodness in the fridge? As she sat at the kitchen counter eating the dough by lonesome, Hermione asked out loud, "Why is my first impulse to always eat?"

That's when the witch glanced down and took in what she's wearing. Oh, Merlin, she's eating crap and wearing sweatpants. It's one minor step away from buying an ugly mom sweatshirt to match and starting a cat collection. Of course, Crookshanks would pick that moment to jump onto the counter and stare at her. But then, if eating cookie dough is wrong, she doesn't want to be right. However, there was that one time she made a round cake entirely of buttercream frosting. It could possibly beat the dough.

While wallowing in self-pity and problems, Glimfeather scratched on the window. In a snit, Hermione got up to let him in. She knew he'd come because she'd cut off the floo access. The oversized owl dared to look haughty and hooted as if to say you look a mess. Eyeing the bird, the witch pointed her finger and told him, "Stop it right now! Don't you look at me that way! It's not my fault I look like this. It's your owner's! He's to blame for my cookie dough and fat pants. I realize I look like rags compared to Miss Slytherin riches."

Then she held up the picture of him on page six. "See! He's here looking all cutesy with that... that... burnt trollop." It's times like this that Hermione wishes she had homework. It would take her mind off her life and food. After pinching off some cookie dough and eating it, Hermione told the owl, "Take that note back. I'm not responding. He can just bugger off. I'm mad at him." Glimfeather leaned forward about to fly off when she stopped him to say, "But tell him I still love him."

The bird flew away, and the witch realized, "I told a bird to tell a man I love him. It's official. I'm headed straight to cat city or the looney bin."

Later that day, Hermione canceled her pity party and put herself together, although not by choice. Ms. Cecilia's owl, Patience, carried a note inviting her to tea. So, naturally, the young witch must go not only because she likes Marcus's grandmother but also because she wants to know about the deep magic. Dressed in a cute white lace dress with a mustard yellow Peter Pan collar, Hermione gathered her pride and wore it like a badge. She refuses to be defeated by a picture of Miss Perfect.

Once she reopened the floo and stepped into the Grand CC's floo salon, everything felt right. Especially since Pippy was there to boost her spirits by saying, "Missy Mione, Pippy be thinking you looking fetching today. Mistress CC, delighting in seeing you. Come, come. Time for tea." The sweet elf took the witch's hand and pulled her to the back garden, where she popped them over to the replica Temple of Venus. The elves had set a small table for tea overlooking the water features and backyard.

Having never been to this part of Ms. Cecilia's estate, Hermione took it all in. The flowers in bloom and the swans on the water make an attractive picture. Interrupting her thoughts, the Grand CC remarked, "I heard you're not speaking to Marcus. Why the lover's spat, Dear Girl?"

So, Hermione sat at the table and explained. She told all about the picture in Witch Weekly and the Piper Goldborne incident. Cecilia stirred her tea and stated in her aristocratic voice, "Ugly personalities suit ugly people with ugly hearts. Remember, a girl who will do big things in life cannot let the small things get to her."

That cut the young woman to the quick. And then her memory overturned Luna's tea leaves, depicting a lover's spat. Instantly, the studious witch stated, "I blew it, didn't I? Regarding not talking to Marcus about what's bothering me?"

The sophisticated older lady waved her off with a swish of the hand. "No. You did not. This conflict is your first lover's quarrel, and you can't have a relationship without disagreements. A real relationship pushes through conflict with love. Speak with him and express your feelings, but know that he's a man. Sometimes men are thick-headed. They're not mind readers and need the problem spelled out for them. Besides, Marcus loves you, and I feel certain he didn't mean to upset you."

Hermione agreed with that. When she does speak with her boyfriend, she'll express herself with love. Her hand reached for the sugar bowl. Pulling it to her, she listened to Ms. Cecilia speak.

"Now, for the real reason, I invited you this afternoon. You want to know about the deep magic. The deep magic is unspeakable. Bear in mind there is a difference between being an Unspeakable and just unspeakable. One works at a mundane job in the Ministry. The other is far more indescribable and significant," the Grand CC's sharp eyes bore into the other witch.

Hermione got the message loud and clear. She sat sipping the rose tea with rapt attention. Marcus's Gram continued their discussion. "The deep magic dates back to the dawn of time. It's what all magic was founded upon, even before Merlin and the founders. My family line bears its keeping. The Rosemont family would not have called to it had it not been calling them. Magic has always been in the world, but few understood or had the heart for it. The deep magic calls to those it wills, and those who hear respond."

The lady paused to sip tea. Hermione took that time to ask, "How do you know it's calling? Is it like a voice you hear inside your mind? And how do people keep and follow its ways? Is there a code or something?"

Ms. Cecilia dabbed her mouth with the cloth napkin and set it on the table. Then she rose and held out her wisened hand. Pushing her chair back, Hermione stood and took it. "I'm taking you someplace special. Hold on," the dignified lady urged.

With a pop of apparition, the duo landed in front of what appeared to be a ramshackle cabin. Taking in the surroundings, it's in the middle of nowhere- nothing but forest and field for miles and miles. However, Cecilia Fawley held out her hands and moved them as if parting the sea. The magic came to life and revealed a spectacular estate surrounded by a massive wrought iron fence. And what surprised Hermione were the soft sounds of the ocean waves off in the distance. All over the estate's grounds are rose bush after magical rose bush. Jean Granger would have a field day here, which made the witch chuckle.

With a smile on her benevolent face, the Grand CC proclaimed, "Welcome to Briarcliff Estate, the Rosemont family home. Let us head to Rose House."

After taking Ms. Cecilia's proffered hand again, the two crossed the wards and began walking toward the house. The landscape is nothing but roses: walkways, trellising, arched, and otherwise. It's magnificent, and Hermione has never seen anything quite like it. In the middle of it all stands Rose House, a massive limestone masterpiece. The house represents the love and care of the family who owns it. It holds a warm and inviting presence.

The closer they got, the better Hermione could see. The limestone columns and archway on the wrap-around porch are visually fanciful. When the ladies reached the porch, another woman was there to greet them. This one looked a tad shorter than Ms. Cecilia but similar in features. The more subdued lady smiled softly and addressed the young witch. "Welcome to Rose House. I'm Amelia Rosemont, the eldest sister. I've been waiting for you, Hermione Granger. Come. Your adventure is calling."

Upon hearing those words, Hermione's eyes grew as large as a full moon. Her heart sped up a little, and she couldn't help but wonder what this encounter had in store. There's a lot of mystery and history encompassing this old place. Her magic senses it straight to the bones. It's not by some randomness that she's here. No. Instead, it feels as if the voice she loves most in the world was calling her here.