While everyone in camp had been comforting each other Neville, Luna and Hermione had snuck off to go over some more of their research. They were getting absolutely nowhere, and after a lengthy conversation, had begrudgingly (at least on Hermione's part) decided that the Slytherins may be the next port of call. After all, between Malfoy and Notts ancestral libraries they surely would be able to find some resources. It was becoming increasingly obvious they weren't going to achieve much with what they had gathered so far, and with the Order heading further into disarray they were running out of time to deciever fact from fiction in regards to old magic.
Much as Hermione was loath to admit, they had proven their worth and they had earned the right to also begin training. She highly doubted their pureblood nobility would allow them to work up a sweat, but Neville had insisted they at least should be offered to join their training. The fact she didn't believe they would accept the offer, well other than Theo, was the only reason she didn't put up much of a fight in regards to this decision.
It wasn't that the Slytherins hadn't earned a bit of trust, or even that Hermione doubted they were trustworthy, it was trying to push past all the years of torment she had been subject to from them that made her never want to spend any extra time in their presence.
They underestimated and devalued her the whole way through her teenage years, who would truly believe they would be willing to listen and learn from her now.
That wasn't even including the issue of convincing Charlie to accept them.
It was easy to forget the loss Charlie had to deal with during the war. He had managed to build walls as high as her own, and it had been what had drawn her to his company in the first place. They helped hold each other up like scaffolding carefully erected in the parts that needed repaired. Hermione was pretty certain it was why he continued to travel round the Order camps offering training despite the lack of interest, staying here with the remains of his family was just too much of a reminder of those no longer with them. She knew that feeling all too well, hell, she would do anything to not have to deal with the daily reminders of who hadn't made it this far, and now Kingsley was also added to that list.
She was deep in these thoughts as she gathered up some of their research and trailed behind Neville and Luna as they headed out to meet the four people that were invading every corner of her mind.
"The wrackspurts really have a hold on you today Hermione" Luna's voice rang out around the clearing, "Perhaps things aren't as worrisome as you may believe."
Hermione gave Luna a sceptical look, however the blonde was too busy studying some bluebells nearby to register it. Sometimes Luna seemed like she knew things before they even happened, she could come out with some of the most intelligent comments. Then other times, like now, it was far more tempting to flip her the bird and roll your eyes. How could anyone think the situation they were in was anything but negative. She bit her tongue, knowing Neville would be angry at her if she voiced her opinion, he had become very protective over Luna. The 'romantic feelings' he had shouted about during the battle of Hogwarts diminished in the rubble of the castle, however he had taken a big brother role over her since then and was quick to defend her against any criticism. Not that she really blamed him, Luna was truly good.
"Hello fellow colluders"
Hermione jumped and spun round to see Theo heading towards them, a strained smile on his face. It was evident on the faces of Draco and Blaise behind him that all three had had a rough day, though they were doing their best to mask it.
Draco rolled his eyes at Theo then addressed Hermione, "Can we make this quick, we need to get back."
"Actually there's quite a bit we need to go over today, and it's important. Against my better judgement these two" She gestured towards Neville and Luna, "Have decided we need to share some things with you."
"Seriously Granger, we've been up half the night cleaning up your Orders messes." He snapped back at her.
Blaise placed his hand on Dracos shoulder and shifted to place himself in front of him, giving a slight shake of his head he clearly had decided to take over for Draco.
"Ignore the attitude, he's cranky when he's tired. But in all seriousness it has been a bit of a rough one, so if we can keep to the important bits it would be appreciated."
"The solitude will help her to process you know" Luna piped up and everyone turned to look at her.
"Who?" Blaise asked.
Luna gave him a small smile, "Pansy of course." He shot a questioning look at Neville and Hermione, who shrugged, unable to explain the phenomenon that was Luna Lovegood. "I think Blaise and I need to talk" She continued, "May I have the books Hermione?"
Very eager to end this strange interaction Hermione pulled out the research and handed it over to Luna who proceeded to take Blaise by the hand and almost skip away from them all.
"Absolutely mental" Draco mumbled as he watched his friend be dragged off.
"Watch it Malfoy" Neville growled, receiving a scowl as a response.
"I don't know, she gives me cute little fairy vibes…" Theo said, head slightly crooked as he studied the scene, "Disney fairy, not real fairies, they can be nasty as hell when they want to be."
Unwilling to dive too deeply into the fact Theo even knew what Disney was, Hermione cleared her throat hoping to draw the boy's attention back to the matter at hand. They sure managed to distract themselves easily enough for people that claimed to be in such a rush.
"If we are all quite done?" She asked impatiently, once they nodded in agreement she continued on, "Given recent events we thought it was about time you found out what we have been working on. We are hoping it will be the advantage we need, but given our lack of resources we are a bit… stuck. I imagine the pureblood supreme probably has a lot more access to old texts locked away in those mansions of yours. We have copies of what we have managed to research so far which Luna seems to be giving Blaise, but anything on the old, original magic is what we really need."
"I can do that!" Theo chimed in, "I know for a fact there's something on original magic in Nott Manor, got caught trying to colour it in as a child." Hermione noticed the slight shift in Theo's eyes, and his companions taking a more rigid stance beside him. "Let's just say, I won't forget where it is in any hurry." The smile on his face didn't reach his eyes like it usually did, and Hermione couldn't help but wonder what the full story was there. Of course, they had all heard the stories and even occasionally came face to face with Nott Sr over the war, however she had never really thought what it must have been like for Theo to be raised by him. Happy, funny, welcoming Theo, what a stark contrast he was to his father and his cruelties.
"Perfect Theo" she returned his smile, "The other part was that we were hoping to start training you lot in some hand comba.."
"YES!" Theo interrupted, he was bouncing up and down like a kid on Christmas morning, "Hear that boys? We are going to be ninjas!"
"As Hermione was saying," Neville interrupted, he was giving a disapproving look at Theo, clearly he was as eager to get this over with as Hermione was, he kept glancing over towards Luna and Blaise, "We had planned to start some training with you all, however you seem to be missing someone."
"Pansy isn't well." Draco explained, "I am sure we can hold off until we are all more rested."
Neville looked concerned over hearing about Pansy, they weren't stupid, they knew already that the only illness that would stop Pansy from attending was the effects of last nights events. While Neville was most likely concerned over her wellbeing, Hermione was more concerned that this clear display of emotions was a sign that Pansy would be the weak link. There was one thing she knew about their plans for the future, and that was there was no room for a weakness.
"I suppose you're right, no point starting if she misses out on the basics…" Neville said, though it was evident he was a little disappointed he wouldn't get to show up the Slytherins today.
"Aww come on guys, just a little bit? We all know Pans is more than capable of kicking our arses as it is!" Theo whined, "Please guys, twenty minutes tops!"
With reluctance Draco shrugged, and Theo ran over to Blaise and Luna clearly asking his friend if he would stay too. As they warmed up Draco grabbed his left arm suddenly, looking to his two companions to see if they had reached for theirs as well. They shook their heads and he gave a nod in response.
"I have to go, it seems the boss is looking for someone to blame for last night." He said then turned to Blaise and Theo again, "I'll check he hasn't called her too." Next moment he disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
Hermione and Neville had tried to convince Theo that that was the queue to end the meeting for today, but he was insistent. It was almost comical how good he was at pouting, and even more comical that he managed to convince Blaise to request they continue as well. After another half hour they finally started to gather up their things again, Blaise shuffled through the papers Luna had given him earlier and shrunk them to fit in his pocket.
"Oh while he's not here, you guys should come to Dracos party! Hell knows we could all use a little bit of that Gryffindor bravery these days...and your smarts obviously Lovegood!" Theo addressed them and Blaise was clearly trying to hide his laughter beside him. "We can pick you guys up here, they don't bother to track where we apparate. Go on, team building and all that!"
"Absolutely not!"
"Oh how lovely!"
Hermione and Luna both said at the same time, then they turned to Neville.
"I mean, it wouldn't kill us to get to know eachother I guess…" He trailed off when he noticed the death glare Hermione was giving him and put both hands up in surrender.
"Pleaseeeee Hermione" Clearly Theo wasn't beyond begging today, and she couldn't help but chuckle at his attempt at puppy dog eyes.
"There better be a decent firewhiskey, and I want to be brought back the first time the overgrown manchild starts being a prat."
"YES!" Theo shouted and ran at Hermione pulling her into a hug, it took her a moment to register before she patted him on the back clearly hinting for him to let her go.
"I mean, if the conditions are to leave when Draco is a prat you might as well not come…" She heard Blaise murmur under his breath, but before she could respond Theo had whacked him round the head.
"Enough of that! We are all going to have fun!" Theo said just before Blaise started to usher him away, "We will text you!" He shouted just before they too disapparated.
And this is why Hermione found herself awake at 2am wondering how she had managed to be dragged into celebrating the Slytherin Prince's birthday.
Well fuck it all.