"So how's school going Mia?" asked Emily as she spooned sweet and sour pork onto her plate. The Hogwarts population were watching as the Grangers and Hermione's two friends ate.
"What's that stuff she's eating? It doesn't look like anything we've had here," whispered Parvati to Lavender. Lavender shrugged her shoulders and shushed Parvati before turning her attention back to the screen.
"It's going well, thanks. My teachers all gave me the homework for the next week so I don't fall behind. It feels strange not to be wearing my school uniform right now," Hermione admitted.
"It's nice to know that you're still driven and haven't given up your dedication to your schoolwork. You haven't changed at all since you went to boarding school," said Annabel.
"Although it is a shame you couldn't have stayed here, the three of us could have been on the principal's role together and the cheerleading squad," Emily put in. Hermione grinned at her old friend. For a few minutes there was only the clinking of cutlery against plates. Presently Mr. Granger spoke.
"Hermione, your mother and I have to go out for awhile this evening and probably won't be back until late. We'll see you tomorrow, yes?" Hermione nodded.
"Anna, Emily, you're welcome to stay overnight," Jean offered as her husband took his plate into the kitchen.
"Thanks Auntie Jean," said Annabel.
"Yeah, thank you," said Emily as she remained at the table with Hermione and Annabel while Richard came back carrying his wife's coat and his. After saying good bye to the girls, the Grangers left.
"So what do you want to do tonight? Do you guys want to watch a movie, or go in the hot tub?" asked Hermione as the three of them finished eating and carried the dishes into the kitchen. The Hogwarts population watched with fascination as Hermione spooned the leftover food into strange looking containers and opened a large door with shelves inside.
"What is that thing?" Blaise whispered to Draco. Draco shook his head; he hadn't taken his eyes off Hermione ever since the viewing had started.
"Something muggles put food in, obviously. Maybe we'll find out," said Draco. He stopped talking in time to hear what the girls said in response to Hermione's question.
"Well, the thing is Mia, we have to be up for 7am, we have practice at seven-thirty until ten and then we take an hour and half break and then practice again from one till six. It's going to be like this until Saturday for the competition," said Annabel, grinning nervously at her cousin.
"I suppose we'd better go to bed then, a hot tub would be good tomorrow though after practice," said Hermione. Emily and Annabel nodded in agreement. After they finished tidying up the kitchen and leaving a light on for Hermione's parents, the three of them headed upstairs. The screen went black and Dumbledore looked around at the hall. All around students were discussing what they had just seen, with the teachers joining in on the conversations. Dumbledore turned to Harry, who had a thoughtful look on his face.
"Well, Harry, what did you think of that?" Dumbledore asked. Harry jumped slightly before turning to face his headmaster.
"I thought it was brilliant, I can't wait to see Hermione compete at the competition. I hope she doesn't run herself too ragged though with how long she has to practice and with her schoolwork," Harry admitted. He was thinking about the Time-Turner in third year, when Hermione had been so overworked she had had more than one breakdown. Looking back on it now Harry felt guilty for not being there more for Hermione.
"She'll be fine, Harry. Miss Granger has proven herself time and time again capable of anything. Now, I think it's time you were off to bed," said Dumbledore. Harry nodded as he rose from his seat and bid the headmaster good night. Ginny was waiting for him as he left the Great Hall.
"Can you believe the Grangers' just up and left after eating? And when they knew Hermione was coming home too," she said as she walked alongside Harry and slipped her hand into his only for him to pull it away. Ginny pouted at her ex.
"Ginny, maybe they had plans before they knew Hermione was coming home, you can't make that kind of assumption," said Harry tiredly, all he really wanted to do was get away from his controlling ex-girlfriend and get into bed. Ginny ignored him and pressed on.
"I still can't believe she has the whole week off of school and for some muggle tournament that she probably has no talent or skill in. Mom and Dad are coming on Saturday you know, they plan to talk some sense into Dumbledore and-"but she was cut off.
"Okay, first of all, I can't see Arthur talking sense into Dumbledore, he's too mild mannered for that and secondly, what right do you have to talk about Hermione like that? She was your friend up until recently and yet you belittle and insult her. I have half a mind to go back into the Great Hall and tell Dumbledore not to let you back into watch the rest of the week," Harry exploded. Ginny gave him a sly smile and flipped her red mane over her shoulder.
"Yeah but you won't. As for Hermione, she'll be begging on her knees to have me and Ron as friends again when she comes back from the competition and when she's lost."
"Now I know I made the right decision to break up with you. You might be pretty on the outside but rotten to the core on the inside. You truly enjoy tearing other people down and making them feel bad about themselves and I'll never be with you again or touch you again because of it. Now leave me alone, I want to go to bed," said Harry. Their conversation had carried them all the way to Gryffindor Tower and Harry walked up the flight of stairs leading to the boys' dormitory.
Author's Note: Hello All and Happy New Year! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for your patience as always while I balance work, school and fanfiction. Till next time, xoxoxo