Chapter Forty-Eight: Back to Hogwarts
Hermione returns to school. A Valentine's Day Ball is planned.
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They returned to Hogwarts on the seventh of January. It was a cold winter's day and Hermione was glad she wasn't travelling on the Hogwarts' Express. Flooing with Severus was a much more civilised, and quick, way of arriving. And yet, a part of her mourned the fact that she would never again be a bright-eyed youngster, riding the train with her friends, all set for adventure.
The first thing Hermione did once she'd settled into her supposed tiny room in Gryffindor Tower was to use the Common Room exit to go in search of Astoria and Luna. They'd agreed to meet in the Great Hall as soon as they had organised their things.
The three friends had not really had time to catch up in a while. So much had happened since school had adjourned for the Yule holidays. Now Hermione was well and truly married, Luna had found love with the dashing Julius Malfoy and Astoria was learning to be the next Lady Malfoy and all that entailed as the future wife of Draco.
Luna, who had only just returned from Sweden the day before, where she had gone for the holidays, was beaming as she approached their meeting place. Her eyes were glowing, her friends supposed because Luna had been escorted for the post Yule and New Year celebrations by Julius.
Hermione knew Julius would have been preening like a peacock to be part of the royal circle. Lucius had had much to say about his cousin not joining the usual family festivities in favour of being included with Luna's extended royal family.
The three friends hugged each other as they connected outside the doors of the Great Hall. Luna looked vibrant with health. Her hair more styled than it had ever been.
Astoria touched it gently and cooed in delight. "You look fabulous. I love the feathering."
Luna blushed. "I had it done for the family New Year's party. My cousins have a personal stylist and he's a wizz at this type of thing. I never knew Muggles had so many tools to arrange hair. We spent hours getting all our hair done."
Hermione smiled. "I'm glad you got it done by a Muggle. It means it will be a lot easier to keep control of."
Luna smiled. "Yes, unless you get it done by a really experienced witch, charms do tend to fail at the wrong time. It's really only a clever cut, the rest is just the way my hair is."
"Well it is lovely. I'm sure Julius was enchanted." Hermione winked at Astoria as she made this pronouncement.
Luna blushed. "I like him. I really like him." The blonde looked dreamily at her two friends then. "But he's not rushing me. He's very aware of our age difference. But he has promised to visit me often when I'm in Crete doing my research. He says he's got a yacht and that he can visit me and I can use that to spend time, not just on the beach, but over the actual sea while I talk to the Merfolk and do my research."
Hermione grinned. "When you are formally betrothed to him, you'll be a Malfoy as well. We'll all be family, connected by blood and name." She sighed softly. "Sisters, not just in our hearts, but in truth, in magic."
Luna's eyes filled with tears. Astoria slid her arm through the blonde's and with an inclination of her head drew the two of them away from the thoroughfare of the corridor and into a small alcove. It would not do for people to speculate about their emotional demonstrations.
Hermione immediately realised the value of this prudence. Everything they did was ammunition for the gossip-mongers. There was no need to feed the hunger of the ever eager Romildas of the world.
Astoria quickly cast a notice-me-not spell. Hermione was surprised to realise how much more relaxed she'd become since the end of the war. Normally it would have been her casting the spell the first.
Returning to school for Hermione was an odd sensation. On the one hand she delighted in preparing for the NEWTs and conducting her research for the post-Hogwarts plans. On the other, she was finding it increasingly difficult to pretend that there wasn't a connection between her and Severus. She wanted to begin her married life openly, now.
But she was the one who had insisted that she finish her year. Even before arriving, Severus had offered her the chance to not do her NEWTs classes but to resign from school and just sit for the exams at the Ministry. But Hermione wanted to complete her final year at Hogwarts. In a way, it was a demonstration of her survival. Voldemort and the Death Eaters were dead, she was alive and their terrorism had not forced her to not complete her education her way.
And yet, she wanted to be able to be with him openly, all the time. Sure they slept together, they shared a cuddle most mornings, albeit for a very short amount of time, but it didn't seem to be enough. She wanted to claim him publicly, to be other than Hermione Granger Malfoy. She wanted to be Hermione Snape, Madam Snape.
But she knew she had to bide her time. At least Luna and Astoria were there to support her through the final months of school. And Ginny seemed so much calmer now that she was with Theo. Every time Hermione walked through the Common Room it was to see Ginny holding court going on and on about the Nott Castle in Inverness and the greenhouse and conservatory Theo had given Molly. Ginny had also, Hermione overheard, been successful in persuading both Professors McGonagall and Sprout to allow her to take on Herbology as a subject for her NEWTs, dropping the one she'd planned on taking in DADA.
When Hermione went for one of her afternoon teas that day with Minerva, classes being set to resume the day after, the Deputy Head admitted that when Ginny put forward the request, the formidable teacher had breathed a quiet sigh of joy. The youngest Weasley was preparing seriously for her role as Theodore Nott's future wife. Dropping DADA had been Minerva's suggestion. The red-head did not need more instruction in the Dark Arts. What mastery she needed in control and defence against their insidious lure was being already provided by Theo, his private instructions being supported by Lucius, Kingsley and Severus. Ginny didn't know it, but she was one of the lucky ones. Her condition had been discovered early. She was in the right place to get the support she needed, even if those helping her had to go through the acceptable face of her new-found love.
For Severus' birthday, Hermione organised a very private dinner party in the Headmaster's Chambers. She really wanted the Lestrange house-elves to help and ensured the Hogwarts' elves did not mind the intrusion into their domain. When Lala the matriarch heard Hermione request, she nodded gravely. "Young Mistress, we be arranging the chamber and the flowers. Lestrange elves can do the food and drink."
Hermione was gratified with the concession. It would have been within Lala's rights to insist that Hogwarts' elves to everything. He was the Lord of the castle. But Hermione now knew from Tansy, who had accompanied her mistress back to school that the Lestrange elves wanted desperately to be involved in their Master and Mistress's life. It was hard for them to realise that they would only be of service during the school holidays.
Severus grumbled at having to spend another evening in the company of others. He would have preferred to have ignored his birthday altogether. But he knew Cissy would have been whispering tales to his wife, so he allowed the women in his life to continue their entertainments. The three Malfoys and Claudia were to be guests as were Kingsley and Andromeda from the Order. Minerva, Filius, Pomona, Poppy, Hagrid, Slughorn and Vector from the staff had been invited, as had Luna and Astoria from the student body. From the D.A. Harry, Neville, Ron, Hannah, Susan were included.
Hermione has spoken long and hard with the elves to ensure the food was pleasing to all. The kitchen-elves were surprising proficient with a wide array of cuisine. Probably because of the Lestranges' many continental connections. Finally, they settled on Greek food. Hermione knew it would be something different.
Everyone had been asked to arrive a little after dinner hour finished in the Great Hall. Severus as Head and the rest of the staff could all suddenly not show up. It would cause mayhem amongst the students.
The public reception rooms of their quarters were filled with light. Candles and stained-glass lanterns gave it a cheery appearance. If everyone's delighted expressions were to be taken at face value, the chambers were truly a masterpiece of elfish excellence.
Not having the food and drink to worry about, the Hogwarts' elves had completely transformed Severus' chambers. The dining-room room had been extended by a whole wall somehow being moved so that a long, formal table was set with crystal from the Lestrange collection. The side-board held all the wines and beverages that would be served and then the rest of the space seemed to have been transformed into a glade from myth and legend. The floor was completely covered in a carpet of white rose petals. They were soft and every step allowed perfume to be released into the air.
Large bowls of white roses and freesia were placed along the table, with ivy leaves trailing over the low arrangements that enlivened the softness of the white damask cloth.
Once everyone was seated the food was brought it. In this Hogwarts and Lestrange elves worked together. The gleaming silver of the ancient plates and platters adding to the glamour of the setting. It was something Hermione had learnt to do from Cissy's own tastes and dinner parties.
Hermione's mother was, to say the least, really pleased at her protégé's success. Hermione's first dinner as hostess was a resounding success. Everyone had a wonderful time and as the highlight of the evening, a five tier cake covered in intricately worked sugar flowers that matched the floral arrangements was wheeled in, there was a soft sigh of appreciation. Wedding cake had not been a pureblood custom for some reason. Hermione had missed that – and so with the elves, they'd worked on one for Severus' birthday.
Once the feasting was concluded, the party moved to the sitting-room while the elves magically re-transformed the dining-room to it's previous manifestation. It was interesting to see Harry and Claudia together, the Veela looking gorgeous in a simple pure white gown that acted as a perfect foil for her hair, eyes and lips. But what interested Hermione more, was that as Neville stood with Hannah's arm in his, Ron seemed to for the first time spend alone time with Susan. The Hufflepuff was looking beautiful in an elegant gown of French navy blue wool that really brought out the gold streaks in her long red hair. As she snorted at something Hannah was saying, Hermione happened to glance at Ron. He looked a little shocked as though he'd been hit by a bludger. Hoping that the look meant what she thought it meant, Hermione was glad she'd invited her friends to the party.
The days swept by for all of the seventh years. NEWTs were approaching at a crazy pace and more and more homework and reading assignments were being piled on them. Even Ginny no longer had time to do much more than occasionally glare at Hermione as they passed each other in the Common Room. Mostly, the all studied and told the younger students off for making too much noise. Even the seventh year study was starting to be used more and more. On at least four occasions now Hermione had run into students sitting in the comfortable surroundings working on complicated papers, books spread out around them.
As January came to an end, it suddenly dawned on Hermione, who then mentioned it to Severus that the Veela elders had still not noticed the loss of Claudia.
"Oh, I realised that a while ago," said her husband snidely. "I've been waiting for their bloody highnesses to descend on me and accuse me of stealing one of their own to take revenge on the curse they placed on Juliana. But nothing. I think Claudia's relieved, but when they do come, they'll get the full benefit of my tongue. How dare they treat a young lady, their own flesh and blood so?"
Hermione nodded. "I feel awful for her. Thankfully she's now got Harry, and she's safe from them at the Malfoys."
Severus grinned evilly. "I'm sure Lucius won't be backwards about giving them a piece of his mind either. Now that she's lived under his roof all these days, she's another one of his brood."
Hermione giggled at that. "I would never have believed that the Malfoys were so into family. If I hadn't been made one of them, I think I'd have refused to accept anything anyone had had to say. They are so good at acting cold, supercilious and arrogant."
"Believe me, they are," said Severus. "But only to those they aren't close to. Once you break through that outer shell, then you see who they really are."
Hermione nodded in agreement. She knew this first hand.
Another two weeks passed. Valentine's Day with it's customary saccharine outpourings of love was approaching. Severus had even given in to the pressure exercised upon him by Minerva and Pomona and had agreed, with much disgusted grumbling to allow the school to host a ball for students past and present. No Ministry involvement, no speakers or special invitees. Just alumni and senior students, fifth-years and over.
Severus shook his head. He was growing soft. "I leave all of the arrangements for the monstrous affair in your hands, Minerva. I'm sure you and the other women in my life will handle all the particulars."
Minerva's face creased with joy. "It is high time you started acting like you actually have a host of women to boss you around."
Severus glared at the impudent witch. But it was without real heat.
The Deputy Head seemed to delight in playing the part of mother. She had taken the role assigned at soul-binding to heart and was determined to fulfil the position of trust given to her.
Another ball at the school meant that Ginny and Romilda Vane were distracted from their piles of homework with discussions of fashion and romance. Ginny had Theo to go with, he as an alumni was sure to be at the ball. But the dark-haired witch was without a steady partner, and much to her dismay had not been asked by anyone.
Hermione knew Ron was coming. She'd waited to see if her friend made any move towards breaking-up with Lavender following his realisation at Severus' birthday dinner. But so far, according to Harry, Ron had done no such thing. The boys were busy with Auror training, but still, Hermione wanted Ron to move on, and being with Lavender was not helping him in his efforts to control the Darkness. Susan Bones, however, was a completely different kettle of fish. She was clever and level-headed. She would not accept nonsense from Ron if they became involved which was a very good thing.
Harry was not coming to the festivities. Claudia was not invited and he did not want to be there without her, not on Valentine's Day. Instead, Hermione had told him when he'd asked for help in planning something special that he could use Lestrange Manor's beautiful orchid house as a venue to romance his Veela. The house-elves would be delighted to have someone to pamper, and Harry and Claudia were family. The change of venue would make it feel like a special evening without them having to go and face public scrutiny. It would be very difficult for Claudia to be out and about in a Muggle setting. Her natural magnetism made it impossible for Muggles to resist her and Harry'd be forced to spend the entire time fighting off admires.
Hermione dressed in one of the first dresses she'd bought with Narcissa all those months ago. It was the turquoise and bronze gown with the bead-work. She'd loved it then but it had never seemed the right time to wear it. But for this ball in school, she didn't want to dress in Gryffindor or Slytherin colours. She wanted to represent Hogwarts, even though she couldn't take her place as Châtelaine officially just yet. She wore with it an ornate gold and turquoise necklace that she and Severus had uncovered in the lost wing of their home. It was Persian in origin, if the parchment that had been found in the leather pouch that had housed it was to be taken at face value.
A perverse part of Hermione delighted in wearing something that was the Lestranges that was untainted by Death Eater contact. Bellatrix had never known that this had existed. She, the Muggle-born had been instrumental in finding it and now had the right to wear it.
She knew she looked good when she went down to the Common Room and met Romilda, Ginny and their little group of hangers-on. She lifted her nose in the air in the way she's watched Cissy do on numerous occasions and walked swiftly out of the portrait hole. She really didn't want to get into a bitch fight tonight.
Ginny was getting better at controlling her inner Darkness. She'd spent numerous lazy afternoons in bed with Theo over the Yule holidays listening to him talk about the need for restraint, control and power. But every time she saw that cow, her good sense vanished. She hated the bloody-goody-two-shoes. She'd married the supposed saint Severus, she'd been accepted into pureblood society with open arms and now she even seemed to have learned how to dress.
The red-head really tried. But she couldn't help it. A hex was out of her mouth and her wand raised before she could help it.
It hit Hermione square in the back as she stepped out of the portrait hole.
There were gasped shocks. Even Romilda and the idiots who hung around her moved back in fright.
Hermione had not heard the incantation, she'd just felt the blow and then she was falling, falling, on to the hard floor.
The fat lady was frozen in shock. The hex had come from the Common Room. One of the students had done this to the Châtelaine of the castle. Then the portrait network was buzzing as the message went swiftly to the Headmaster and Deputy Head.
As students streamed out to see what had happened and gossiped around the unconscious body of Hermione, Minerva came running, panting down the corridor. "Who did this?" demanded the Head of Gryffindor. "What was the hex?" She scanned the faces around her, all mute in shock. "Quickly, now. Do you want her to die?"
Romilda Vane was the one to turn in her friend. "Ginny did this. She just lost it as she saw Hermione going out of the portrait hole. She hexed her in the back."
Ginny had run back to her dormitory in shock. She knew she disliked, all right hated, the cow, but she was a Gryffindor. That was the one thing she had clung to when everyone seemed to talk to her about Dark Magic. She'd convinced herself that she was not like one of those bastard Death Eaters. She didn't hex people in the back.
Minerva McGonagall turned disappointed eyes at the girl. "What hex did she use?"
Romilda shock her head. "Nothing I've heard before, Professor."
Just then Severus appeared. He, too, was out of breath. He'd been in his office preparing to go down for the ball when he'd heard. He pushed the students aside and fell on his knees before Hermione. "Has someone gone to inform Poppy?"
When Minerva shook her head, a fifth year boy was quickly dispatched to do so.
"Do we know the hex?" he asked, even as he cast diagnostic spell after spell. He could feel her pain through their soul-connection, but that was the only comfort. He could hardly feel her pulse.
"Miss Weasley's the caster," said Minerva now. "I'll go and get her."
A tiny third year piped up. "I saw her running back up to her dorm-room."
As Severus picked up his beloved in his arms and began walking to the Infirmary, Minerva pushed the congregating throng aside and went up to speak to Ginny Weasley. For this, the young girl would be expelled. It hadn't been a duel or a quarrel. She'd hexed a student with something serious when that student's back was turned. And since the young woman had turned seventeen already, that made her adult in wizarding terms, which meant, adult punishment.
Ginny knew she was in trouble. She thought about running, but where would she go? She couldn't go to the Burrow, everyone who was anyone knew where her parents lived. And she couldn't ask Theo to hide her either. He had told her time and time again about controlling her passions, unless it was in bed, with him. She sighed. He'd leave her over this, she just knew it. First Harry left her, and now Theo would, too.
A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.