Hermione's thoughts were suspended as she sprinted the final few meters in her last circuit.
The Quidditch pitch was much bigger than she had remembered and Hermione had been rather pleased to find that the large oval circumference was similar to that of an Olympic track. It would make her workouts much easier to prepare.
Circling back to the start, her breath was coming in loud pants as she tapered off into a slow jog, sweat streaming down her bare arms, having long since removed her jumper in order to take advantage of the cool morning. Though her muscles felt like lead, she pushed herself to continue jogging across the expanse of damp green grass, moving away from the pitch and back in the direction of the lake.
Eventually she slowed to a walk and Hermione placed both hands on her head, smiling open-mouthed as she reveled in the beauty of the landscape and the way the sunshine was drenching the dark castle in bright shades of gold. A few owls were circling the glowing turrets lazily, no doubt searching for an early breakfast in the clean, refreshing air.
Merlin, you've missed this place...
Shaking her head Hermione sniffed, wiping beads of sweat from her upper lip and forehead before cutting a path in front of Hagrid's hut toward the sloping lawn that would lead around the castle and back toward the boathouse. The hut's crooked chimney was smoking lightly and Hermione smiled again, again surprised at how such a simple, cheery sight could warm her heart so quickly.
She had yet to speak with Hagrid… or anyone really. Beyond the single conversation she had held with Minerva and befriending the wayward group of first-years, Hermione had been content to keep to herself.
Rationally speaking, she knew it would only be a matter of time before she was forced to begin explaining her story. Already Ginny, Harry, and Ron had been clamoring for individual visits once they had learned she was returning to Great Britain for good. The Potters had taken her abrupt decision in their typical laid-back stride and Ron had written back with an overly-gallant offer of marriage if she still needed it. As he had undoubtedly planned, Hermione had laughed herself silly.
Chuckling softly, Hermione shook her head and felt her lips curve into a gentle smile as she thought of her close friends. It would be good to see them again.
Feeling a bit more rested she set off at a more sedate jog, reveling in the feel of her trainers hitting the dew-kissed grass and the way the landscape seemed to impress itself upon her - alight with the energy of morning and full of wild rugged beauty that was so completely opposite of the bustling city, ancient stone, and surrounding desert that she had so recently left.
A few minutes later, Hermione was shucking her trainers off, hissing as her bare feet met damp stone, her legs still trembling from her previous workout and the hundreds of steps she had just descended.
The dark water rippled invitingly and she quickly banished the rest of her clothes into a neat pile, taking a moment to re-tame her curls into a bun that would be less likely to interrupt her swim.
The high beams of the boathouse ceiling seemed to echo the quiet murmur of waves lapping at the narrow channel that ran at the center of the open-air building. The small wooden boats were tied off carefully, bumping against the stone siding in low hollow tones.
Hermione padded along the left side of the boathouse where a wooden dock extended a few meters into the lake. Walking out, she gazed down into the inky water as she passed, enjoying the sensuous way in which it shimmered like a dark mirror without revealing what lay beneath. The fresh smell of water and loam reached her nostrils and Hermione breathed deep, smiling as she arrived to the end and walked right up to the edge.
Spreading her arms, she grinned at the fresh feeling of freedom that flooded through her. The view across the lake was spectacular, and if she didn't look down she could almost imagine she was standing atop the water itself. Idly, Hermione wondered if there was a spell to walk on water and resolved to check in the library at a later time.
Her eyes scanned the calm surface of the lake for a moment and seeing no movement, she quickly summoned a sock and transfigured it into a pair of goggles. Again she found herself wondering if there was a spell to mimic the Muggle device, but pushed it aside as she slipped them over her head.
Treading between both feet lightly, Hermione adjusted the goggles and blinked as the world shifted into shades of blue. She tucked her wand into her suit, murmuring a quiet sticking charm so that it would remain pressed into her thigh unless needed.
Lifting her arms overhead she wrinkled her nose as both shoulders cracked, pleased however when the muscles in her back stretched deliciously. Both hands pressed together firmly and she organized her toes off the edge of the dock and bent her knees.
The first moment is the hardest...
Taking a deep breath, Hermione tucked her chin and dived in.
"Well, Miss Granger… it seems you've an early start on the day."
The low contralto purr caused Hermione to lift an eyebrow and she turned slowly, already amused and curious as to why her visitor had ventured all the way down to the boathouse. She was sitting on the end of the dock, toes still dangling in the water after an invigorating swim. The sun had risen a bit and the light rays were warming her skin as she squeezed water out of her hair.
"Madam Hooch," Hermione replied evenly, surprised but unwilling to betray her curiosity at the unexpected visitor. "Good morning."
The witch in question was walking toward her, dressed in the heavy teaching robes that Hermione remembered from flying classes. Her trademark silver hair appeared nearly white in the sunshine and a smirk was lingering on the woman's lips. She strode along the dock lazily, hands tucked somewhere out of sight beneath billowing navy robes. Yellow eyes were gazing off into the distance in a casual way that seemed to suggest that she had all the time in the world.
Hermione was tempted to chuckle.
"Rolanda, please," the witch replied, stepping closer… her polished boots echoing on the worn wood quietly as the vibrations resonated beneath Hermione's thighs. "It seems a grievous shame to have a full-grown witch address me with perfunctory rituals best left to youth when we no longer cross paths in classes. Especially a witch who once fought at my side."
Yellow eyes were warm and Rolanda extended a leather gloved hand to help her up as Hermione rose, shivering lightly as residual water droplets streamed down her body.
"Hermione, then," she replied, withdrawing her wand and summoning her towel with a genuine smile. "It's good to see you again."
"Likewise. I saw you leaving the pitch this morning and I confess I was curious," Rolanda said, lifting a brow as she gestured with a hand, seeming to indicate that walking down hundreds of steps in search of the answer had been the most logical course of action. Curious, indeed.
Hermione lifted a disbelieving brow and chuckled lightly as she squeezed a bit more moisture from her hair.
"Somehow I never would have imagined you to be a morning person," she replied, pleased when Rolanda chuckled and shook her head.
"No doubt you remember my fondness for late mornings from that summer following the Final Battle," she said, lips curling into a half smile as she gazed out over the lake. "However during the school year I endeavor to keep a strict training regimen for myself… which is why I was impressed by witnessing your own circuits. I daresay you've learned quite a lot in your time abroad."
Hermione shrugged lightly, choosing to sidestep the question as she wiped the towel over her legs absently. The action allowed her to keep her expression hidden as she thought for a moment.
"A routine I began in the last several years. No doubt you agree that magical strength can grow in potency alongside careful physical practice," she replied, finishing and draping the towel over her shoulders as the older witch's eyes narrowed.
"What's your poison?" Rolanda asked, stepping back to accommodate her as they moved slowly back toward the boathouse.
"I prefer a combination of running, weight-training, and yoga here and there," Hermione replied, a bit curious to see what the other witch would say. There was a thoughtful hum and she gathered that Rolanda was impressed, "Swimming... obviously. And you?"
"Weight training mostly… interspersed with a bit of HIIT. And a good amount of flying... obviously."
The witch's contralto tones were throatier than she remembered, catching in a way that Hermione found compelling if also a bit unnerving. The older woman followed her along the stone pathway as she retrieved her clothes, quickly murmuring a drying spell and pulling on her leggings.
"So where do you train?" Hermione asked, turning slightly so that she could face the witch, even as the task proved less elegant than she desired. One leg got stuck in the tight fabric and Hermione had to bend over to tug at it. Rolanda was gazing toward the boats politely, backlit by the rising gleam off the surface of the lake. "I love to be outdoors, but I suppose I will have to rely upon the Room of Requirement as the weather changes."
The witch listened thoughtfully, eventually looking over as Hermione deftly tied her jumper around her waist… distantly aware that her nipples were poking through the thin swimsuit in the chill.
"My dear Hermione, you don't think I would have stayed for this many years if they forced me back into the castle with the first snow? No, no…" Rolanda grinned and waved a hand, following as Hermione moved toward the back exit.
"I'm not surprised you've never noticed, but I keep a small gym behind the north side of the Quidditch pitch, attached to the broom closets. Only the Quidditch captains have regular access and full teams are limited to evenings only."
Hermione listened with interest as they began ascending the uneven stone steps back up toward the castle already adjusting her breath so that she wouldn't be huffing and puffing near the top. Especially not next to Hooch.
A moment later Rolanda extended the invitation she had hoped, moving to walk alongside her - one voluminous sleeve brushing her bare arm gently.
"You are welcome to use it, of course… though I freely admit that am not enough of a morning person to rise to your arse-crack-of-dawn challenge. I take my workouts after lunch or mid-morning on weekends."
The expletive was amusing and Hermione smiled at that, pleased by the offer and additionally interested to be talking to someone who could appreciate her newer love of physical training. Perhaps she wouldn't be quite so alone at Hogwarts as she had assumed.
"That's very generous of you, Rolanda… I should very much like to take you up on that," she replied warmly, earning a pleased smile from the witch.
A moment later they launched into a discussion about HIIT training which Hermione had heard of but never studied. The ascent of the stone steps seemed to pass rather quickly and Hermione was surprised at how knowledgeable and gregarious the other witch was… and pleased to discover that her earlier predictions of the woman's wit were proven quickly.
Hooch was sharp - quick to serve a biting jab against other instructors or methods of training that she found lacking, ready with a deadpan or barb whenever Hermione took too long to answer. She found herself conversing with interest. Never would she have imagined to be speaking to her former flying instructor so casually and she was additionally surprised to discover how earnestly she enjoyed the woman's company.
They arrived to the flat stone path winding back toward the main doors and Hermione felt invigorated and energized by both the walk and the conversation.
Rolanda was explaining the particulars of using the gym along with the equipment that would be available to her. Hermione would be free to access it anytime between five in the morning and noon during weekdays, though she was also invited to train with Rolanda herself on Mondays and Wednesdays around one, provided her schedule continued to allow it.
Hermione felt curiously appreciative - it was the second time that morning her needs had been anticipated and fulfilled without having required any action on her part. When one door closes…
Another whimsical thought occurred as they strode toward the doors, Hermione quickly zipping up her jumper for modesty as she imagined some of the more enterprising students might be on their way to breakfast.
"I have another request, actually… though I admit this is an embarrassing one," she said, biting her lip even as Rolanda's eyebrows rose.
"Lay it on me."
Hermione sniffed at the confident colloquialism and shook her head gently.
"May I be honest with you for a moment?" she asked, feeling a tendril of insecurity wind its way across her shoulders. They paused midway up the steps and a curious expression passed over Rolanda's face and she squinted into the rising sun for a long moment before answering.
"Hermione… I didn't venture all the way down to the boathouse to simply check on a wayward student," Roland replied, her voice low. "I also don't need to hear the particulars of your adventures away from Great Britain since it seems clear you are not ready to talk about them. I simply thought that perhaps… you might be in need of a friend."
Bright yellow eyes landed upon her face and softened and Hermione was surprised to feel a wave of emotion rise up through her chest as she stepped back in surprise.
"Wow - I, um… thank you," she replied softly, cheeks flushing slightly as she stumbled over her words. A moment later she covered her embarrassment by squaring her shoulders, not wanting to reveal just how appreciative she was at the elder witch's unexpected kindness.
"Well… in that case, I imagine that my time at Hogwarts might be a bit freer than the average seventh-year's," Hermione continued, swallowing her own smile when Rolanda merely smirked in response. Tugging on her jumper, she pushed forward. "In addition to being curious about HIIT training… I was wondering if you would help me with a few flying lessons?"
"That is what they hired me for," Rolanda replied dryly, one eyebrow lifting as Hermione chuckled. A moment later she smiled broadly, inclining her chin toward Hermione gently.
"I would be happy to assist you, Hermione," she replied. "Though I suppose my pride should be wounded seeing as the brightest witch of her age has been besmirching my good name with her abysmal broomwork."
"A real friend wouldn't complain."
Rolanda guffawed at that and Hermione smiled broadly in response - surprised, once again, at how quickly she had warmed up to the woman standing next to her. It felt good to laugh.
"I assure you that my irrational fear of heights is little reflection of your teachings skills," she continued, earning a slight eye roll and pleased smile. "More to the point, I'm not suggesting I'm as dreadful as I was before… though I admit there's certainly much to be desired."
"Hmm. A most amusing challenge, I'm sure," Rolanda replied teasingly, one eye narrowing as she gave Hermione a theatrical once over. "Still… you don't look like much. I suppose ol' RoHo can handle a few remedial lessons."
Hermione dissolved into laughter again, shaking her head.
Merlin, of all the unexpected people!
They were still chuckling quietly when a familiar lilting voice brought them up short.
"Rolanda… Miss Granger."
Hermione turned to see the Headmistress ascending the steps behind them, her emerald robes fairly glowing in the bright sunshine.
The echo of her laughter seemed to fade and her breath caught for a moment as the witch lifted her focus toward the two of them, a polite smile lingering around the corners of her mouth as she drew closer, long fingers lifting her robes away from the stone steps.
The willowy figure seemed much more delicate than usual, and it took Hermione a moment to realize that the witch had forgone the heavy outer robes she usually donned while teaching. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the sweeping curves and barest hint of pale skin peeking out from the woman's pressed collar.
Wetting her lips unconsciously, Hermione resettled into a neutral posture with hands clasped behind her back.
"Good morning, Minerva. It seems my day is destined to be full of early risers," Rolanda said by way of greeting, eliciting a small smile from Hermione. Minerva continued walking, one eyebrow rising slightly.
"With your habits, I daresay you'll be reliving the shock until noon," Minerva replied, her careful expression somehow managing to convey disapproval.
"Oh! You wound me," Rolanda said, striking a camel-colored glove to her chest. "Though the added hours of rest undoubtedly contribute to my lusty good looks."
The flying instructor waggled her eyebrows dramatically and Hermione chose to shift her attention to the Headmistress, lest she break the moment with her laughter. The trademark eyebrow had resettled into what Hermione recognized as a deceptively calm expression, and Minerva dropped her focus as she ascended the last few steps.
"A modest witch indeed," Minerva replied dryly before smiling at Rolanda, her eyes slanting closed as she drew even upon the stairs with them. The patrician chin lifted by the barest of millimeters, "... with much to be modest about."
If anything, Rolanda's grin seemed to widen at the subtle dig and she set her hands on her hips, robes catching the breeze slightly as one knee-high boot snuck out to vamp. Hermione held her breath, not wanting to disturb what promised to be a delightful battle of wits.
"Not all of us feel the need to envelop ourselves in emerald while refusing every cause to mail the package. Perhaps the goods are a bit… dated?"
"If looks could kill, Rolanda, you'd soon find out that yours couldn't."
Hermione wasn't sure whether or not to laugh or draw back, noting how both pairs of eyes were
flashing rather brightly.
"Careful, Minerva… that sounded like an insult worthy of this century."
"Chasing the follies of students is hardly becoming of someone of your... venerable stature."
"Lashing out at my youth, then? I seem to recall a certain raven-haired slip of a girl… oh wait, I don't. Only her grandmother. 1935 was clearly before-"
"Rolanda!"
"Both of you, stop it," Hermione interjected smoothly, arriving to a bold decision as she held up a hand. "Here I stand, graced by two noteworthy witches of significant power and beauty… hasn't anyone informed you that age is but a number?"
She paused, cutting between both witches as she ascended a few more steps to look over one shoulder.
"At the moment however, I seem to be rubbing elbows with two ten-year olds. As such, I think it's time to take my leave lest I step on someone's toy… Good morning to you both."
There was a delicious moment of silence as both witches absorbed her cheek - Rolanda with an open-mouthed grin of disbelief, and the Headmistress with wide-eyed shock before Hermione turned smoothly, jogging up the last few stairs and wordlessly opening the main doors without breaking a step.
A blanket of satisfaction had settled upon her shoulders and Hermione took a moment to revel in the furious whispers that faded behind her as she crossed the polished marble floors.
The lioness within her preened.