Chapter Fifteen
The Daily Prophet – January 17
Students Return to Muggle World
In an unprecedented maneuver, the Ministry of Magic has re-evaluated the controversial Muggle Studies project, which was earlier this year deemed "too dangerous," and voted unanimously to return the students to the foreign countries where they were studying Muggle life. The students were returned to the countries early Saturday morning and will be briefed very soon by Madam Meurteuil, the Advanced Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This somewhat shocking decision by the Ministry of Magic has not been met with any opposition from concerned parents at this time.
Harry set the article on the table in front of him and looked up at Ron.
"This is way too weird," he said. Ron nodded.
"I don't like the sound of this at all. No opposition from parents?" Ron asked. "My parents certainly are concerned about this."
"I'm pretty sure that You Know Who must be involved somehow," Harry whispered. Ron sighed.
"Do you think it's worth trying to warn Hermione?" he asked. "That didn't go over so well last time."
"I know," Harry agreed. "But we have to do something."
"I'm sure you have already noticed," Samantha Meurteuil announced, "That somehow we've gone backwards in time since you were here last.," she continued. "The primary reason for this adjustment being that last time you all were here Miss Granger experienced some memory issues. We've had to use different spells to make sure no one has that problem this time, and the only way to make all the spells work together was to send you all back in time. So some events that happened on your previous trip did not happen again this time. If you just spend some time practicing you'll find out which events I'm referring to. But these are not the only changes that some of you will encounter."
Hermione and Draco exchanged pointed glances. They were, with Blaise and Pansy, sitting in an empty classroom at the high school, getting instructions from Madam Meurteuil on how to proceed with their project.
"Do you mean that we should expect personality changes as well?" Hermione asked. Madam Meurteuil gave her a quizzical look.
"I'm not sure, why do you ask?" Madam Meurteuil replied.
"She means, Sammie, that the Abstinence King and Queen of Hogwarts are not exactly reigning here in the States," Blaise explained. Hermione blushed.
"Among other things," Draco defended. Madam Meurteuil raised her eyebrows.
"I guess if there were certain…personality traits that someone admired then they might have become more prevalent in this world, yes," she agreed. "Please tell me you're all being careful about that sort of thing because that's absolutely the last thing I need for one of you girls to get pregnant over here. Or for you to get someone pregnant, Draco," Madam Meurteuil let her professional side slip for a moment. Hermione suddenly found herself fascinated by the wood grain pattern in the desk and unable to make eye contact with anyone in the room.
"So if we're back in October, then is everyone at Hogwarts still in January?" Pansy asked. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Pansy," Draco snapped. "We're really going to miss the rest of our school year by going back in time to muggle land."
"Draco," Madam Meurteuil scolded. "The Ministry has been able to work this out so that you will spend exactly 10 months here. When you return to Hogwarts you will have only missed three months of class. Don't ask me how they're doing it, there's a very complex algorithm involved that I truly don't understand, but it's going to work."
"10 months," Blaise repeated, staring off into the distance. "That's a really long time, Sam."
"I know," Madam Meurteuil agreed. "But think about how well you'll be able to assume your roles in this society and how much you'll learn by truly experiencing the muggle world instead of just reading about it."
"Okay, but why are we really here?" Draco demanded. Everyone turned to look at him. "Yeah, Muggle Studies, right. But really?"
"You probably shouldn't worry about things that don't concern you," Samantha Meurteuil snapped, her tone no longer professional at all.
"Hey, I'm involved, okay? I'm here, missing out on a normal year at Hogwarts. So I'm pretty damn sure this concerns me," Draco snapped back.
"We're here for the same reason we were here last time," she said after a long pause. "There are certain individuals who have positions in the government and they need an excuse to spend time in the States."
"Alright," Draco said, as though this made perfect sense. Hermione took a moment to digest this information. There were Ministry workers, working for Voldemort, in the United States.
"Does anyone have any questions about the actual project?" Madam Meurteuil asked. No one said anything. "Alright, well I guess I'll be leaving then." With a final hug to her sister, Madam Meurteuil apparated out of the classroom, presumably to another country to explain the project to the rest of the students.
Hermione took a deep breath and turned to face Draco. He gave her a small smile and extended his hand to her. She took it and allowed him to pull her to her feet.
"Let's skip the rest of our classes," he suggested. Hermione grinned.
"What would we do instead?" she asked.
"Hermione, if you miss anymore classes you're not going to be allowed to perform on Friday," Blaise scolded her. Hermione sighed.
"I guess I have to go to class," she said.
"We can hang out after school," Draco suggested. Hermione shook her head and related to Draco, Blaise, and Pansy the conversation she'd had with her mother on that first afternoon they had been back in the States
After saying goodbye to Draco, Hermione had gone into the kitchen to get some food since she literally hadn't eaten all day. Nothing in the refrigerator looked remotely appealing to Hermione.
"You're awake," her mother pronounced, coming into the kitchen. Hermione spun to make eye contact with her mother. "Sit down, Hermione."
"I'm good," Hermione refused. She was never this rude to her mother in real life but it just seemed to be her natural reaction that day.
"See, that's exactly what I want to talk to you about," her mother said. "You can't even take a simple suggestion. You're just rude, always. I don't know what's gotten into you but I don't like the direction you're going. Your attitude needs a big adjustment," she paused. "And I think the drinking has gotten out of hand. I understand that every once in a while you want to experiment but every weekend now you're out drinking and I can't hide it from your Dad much longer. And I'm sorry, but the idea of you getting drunk and having sex just terrifies me. I know that you and Draco made a mature, responsible decision and I'm proud of that but it scares me to think that you're getting drunk and having sex every weekend."
"We don't just have sex on weekends, Mom," Hermione heard herself saying.
"Hermione Jane Granger, you are so out of line, young lady," her mother snapped. "I am pouring my heart out to you and you just want to be snarky."
"Sorry, Mom, I'm just trying to make sure you have all the facts," Hermione shrugged. "Okay, so you want me to cool it with the drinking. I can do that."
"Well, you don't have a choice," her mother said. "You're-"
"-Grounded?" Draco asked as Hermione finished her story. "That's a joke, right?"
"Definitely not," Hermione sighed.
"But you've never been grounded before," Draco protested. "Your Dad doesn't believe in that kind of thing."
"Apparently her mother does," Blaise rolled her eyes. "Anyway, what's the big deal? Lots of kids get grounded like all the time. Let's just go to class and try to act like normal kids," she suggested, heading down the hall. They all followed her lead.
"I hate that football is over," Draco commented as they walked. "I really hate watching basketball games."
"Then why do you watch them?" Pansy asked.
"Because I have to watch Hermione dance," he said as though it were obvious.
"Whatever," Blaise sighed. "We'll see you at lunch," she said to Draco, opening the door to the class she shared with Pansy and Hermione.
"Bye," Hermione said, kissing Draco quickly then going into the classroom. She took a seat next to Blaise. Across the room, Violet gave her a questioning look. Hermione just shrugged though she was really excited to see her friend again.
The class couldn't have gone slower. When the bell finally rang, Violet cornered Hermione in the hallway. Hermione motioned for Blaise and Pansy to go on to lunch without her. Blaise rolled her eyes and hurried off.
"I am so happy to see you," Violet said.
"Um, me too," Hermione said cautiously.
"We have to hang out after school today, I have something really important to tell you," Violet insisted. Hermione shook her head.
"I'm grounded," she sighed. Violet's jaw dropped.
"That's absurd," she protested. Hermione shrugged. "Whatever, your mom loves me. I'll come visit all the time. What are you grounded for?"
"Um, my bad attitude and drinking too much," Hermione summarized. Violet rolled her eyes.
"Okay, you don't drink that much at all," she defended. "But I can kind of see the attitude thing. I mean, you've been skipping class a lot and talking back to teachers which you've never done in your life. Not that some of them don't deserve it, but still."
"I know," Hermione sighed. "I won't be skipping class anymore, Coach Kerry won't let me dance at the games if I skip any more classes from now on."
"Well, that's a relief," Violet said happily. "I've missed you in portfolio."
"Let's go eat," Hermione suggested, changing the subject. She was annoyed that Violet agreed with her mother.
"Oh, are you eating again?" Violet asked, surprised. Hermione thought for a moment and "remembered" that she had been on a very strict no food after 8am diet, hoping to lose a few pounds so she could fit into her Dance Team uniform a little better.
"Probably not," she admitted. "But I want to look at what everyone else is eating."
"Seriously, Hermione, you're going to wind up in the hospital," Violet rolled her eyes, looking for a moment very much like Blaise.
"Whatever, it's just temporary," Hermione said as they walked down the hall to the cafeteria. "Just until the team qualifies for competition."
"Right, right," Violet agreed. "Well, I thought you looked fine when I saw you on TV."
"Thanks," Hermione said politely. Didn't she know "fine" wasn't good enough? Violet just didn't understand. A chill went down her spine as these thoughts filled her head. Things were definitely different in the States this time. Hermione didn't know why but she did know that it was no good at all.
"Hello, Mrs. Granger," Violet singsonged as she followed Hermione into the house after school that day.
"Violet, call me Vic, please," Hermione's mother insisted, smiling at her daughter's friend. "And I'm sorry, but you can't stay. Hermione's grounded."
"She told me, but honestly, Vic, I think it's a bit much," Violet said gently. Hermione was awed that anyone would stand up to someone else's parent like this, but her mother didn't seem at all fazed. "Hermione is practically a saint compared to a lot of the other girls on the dance team. Anyway, I'm here so we can study for our government test tomorrow."
"Well," Victoria Granger studied Hermione's face and then looked back at Violet. "I guess if you're going to study it's alright. But stay here in the kitchen."
"Oh, come on," Hermione protested before she knew what she was saying. She knew her mother was being generous in letting Violet stay despite her punishment.
"No, Hermione, if you're going to study you can stay here in the kitchen and do it. If not, Violet can leave," her mother insisted. Hermione made a face and dropped her duffel bag on the ground angrily. "Help yourself to whatever, we're having a late dinner tonight," Hermione's mother said as she left the kitchen.
"You could chill out a bit," Violet offered, "She wants to be nice to you but you won't let her."
"Remember when my mom was cool?" Hermione sighed, climbing onto a barstool. She opened her textbook.
"Comparatively, your mom still is cool," Violet informed Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Anyway, do you think there's any cheesecake around? Your mom's caterer makes the best cheesecake."
"Bottom shelf in the fridge," Hermione said. "Would you mind grabbing me a soda?"
"Diet?" Violet asked. Hermione nodded. "Have you eaten anything today?"
"I had an enormous breakfast," Hermione lied. "French toast and bacon."
"Hmm," Violet remarked, marking her disbelief. She cut herself a slice of cheesecake and set it at her place next to Hermione. Taking her seat, she didn't open any books but observed Hermione carefully for a minute. "There's something I want to talk to you about, but I'm not really sure where to begin."
"Oh god," Hermione put down her highlighter. "You're not pregnant or something, are you?"
"No, nothing like that," Violet laughed nervously. "It's something I hope you'll be excited about."
"Well, go on then," Hermione urged.
"Alright," Violet took a deep breath. "Hermione, I'm a witch."
Hermione thought for a moment before she reacted. Was it possible that Violet was actually a witch in the same sense that Hermione was? Or did Violet mean something else? Sometimes muggles who were big fans of fantasy novels or movies called themselves witches though they practiced no magic whatsoever. And then there were those people who practiced Paganism who were witches, but of a different variety than Hermione. Whatever it was, Hermione wanted to get more information before she revealed anything to Violet.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked. Violet let out the breath she had been holding.
"I mean, I'm a witch. Just like you," she explained. "I know all about your Muggle Studies project and Hogwarts." Hermione smiled happily.
"How is that even possible?" she laughed. "You go to a regular school!"
"Magic education is very different here," Violet said. "You know those college courses I'm taking?"
"They're not actually college courses," Hermione reasoned. "You're taking magic courses in addition to regular high school?"
"Only some students qualify," Violet explained. "In this area it's better for wizards and witches to blend in with society rather than use magic to hide beneath it. So you begin at magic school when you turn 6. After 8 years, you take a comprehensive exam. The top 40 of the class attends regular high school during the day and takes magic courses in the afternoon or evening. The middle 40 attend magic school for two more years and then transfer into a regular high school and continue magic courses also. And the bottom 20 are stuck in magic school for the next four years."
"So after you finish high school, what will you do?" Hermione asked.
"Some of the oldest universities in the country also have magic programs," Violet said proudly. "And it just so happens that all the schools you've applied to have them."
"Really?" Hermione was incredulous. "That's absolutely fascinating."
"The best part is that since you're doing this Muggle Studies project, once you finish at Hogwarts you can apply to any magic program in the U.S." Violet said happily. Hermione's jaw dropped. She had absolutely never dreamed about going to college to study magic. Such a thing was just too good to be true.
"I'm not sure Draco would like that," Hermione said sadly, remembering her boyfriend suddenly. It wouldn't exactly be possible for her to stand behind her boyfriend if she were all the way in the States.
"Wow, so you two are really serious?" Violet asked. Hermione nodded. "And you don't think he'd support something like this if it was what you really wanted to do?"
"I don't think it's really up to him," Hermione sighed, thinking of Lord Voldemort.
"What do you mean?" Violet studied Hermione's face. Hermione shook her head.
"It's nothing," she insisted. "I'll definitely talk to him about it. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised."
"Let's hope so," Violet grinned. "I'm dying to meet the real Hermione Granger. You know, the one you were back in August when you first got here?"
"I'm still here," Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's just the circumstances around me that are different."
"Hmph," Violet raised her eyebrows. Without any warning at all she grabbed Hermione's arm and pushed her sleeve back to reveal a strange black tattoo on her upper arm. Hermione gasped. "I knew it," Violet shook her head.
"What?" Hermione asked, studying the tattoo. Upon closer inspection she could see the Dark Mark hidden in the middle of an elaborate knot of vines. Violet shook her head disapprovingly.
"You did not follow my instructions," Violet said. "You can't scratch it, the ink fades."
"Err," Hermione's voice caught in her throat. She stared at the tattoo and suddenly remembered that Violet's new boyfriend was a tattoo artist. He had done Hermione's tattoo despite the fact she wasn't of legal age just yet. "It was really itchy," she tried to recover.
"Maybe Dane will touch it up for you," Violet rolled her eyes. "God, your mom would really kill you if she saw that."
"I don't even want to think about that," Hermione sighed. "I feel like I can't even breathe around here these days."
"Believe me, you've got it easy," Violet scoffed. "We should probably start working on that study guide."
"Yeah, okay," Hermione agreed.
After two weeks of being a "good girl" again, Hermione felt completely worn out. And completely left out of her social life. Blaise and Pansy were doing their best to keep her up to date on the important details, but Hermione could only stand listening to so many stories about how drunk everyone was getting over the weekend. What bothered her more were the days when the two girls would show up in new clothes they had bought on their shopping trip the previous afternoon. Hermione hated shopping, but she was dying to get out of her house for any reason besides school.
Fortunately, her mother took pity on Hermione who spent every evening moping about how she was stuck in the house and ended her punishment a week early. Relieved, Hermione rushed over to Draco's house immediately.
She let herself in and said a quick hello to Narcissa before heading down to the basement where Draco was most likely to be found. The television down there wasn't actually a television, but a projector aimed at a blank wall. This caused the people to be life-size or bigger and as the entire concept of television fascinated Draco, it was where he spent most of his time.
"I think she's taking it pretty well, actually," Blaise's voice echoed around Hermione as she descended the staircase. Hermione froze where she was standing.
"I don't know," Pansy's voice was clear too. "She seemed alright at Hogwarts, but it's weird the way she's acting here."
"What do you mean?" Draco sounded concerned.
"Well, she doesn't eat," Pansy began. "Apparently she was skipping class alot and talking back to teachers."
"Alright, but who doesn't skip class?" Blaise demanded.
"Hermione doesn't skip class," Pansy insisted. "And the sex thing. Not that I really care about that, but what if her attitude change in this world is like a bad reaction to becoming a Death Eater or something?"
"I think you're overreacting," Blaise put in.
"You might have a point though," Draco said thoughtfully. "I guess I could talk to her."
"Talk to who?" Hermione asked, turning the corner so she could see her friends. They looked up guiltily, but Draco recovered quickly.
"Our leadership teacher," he said, getting to his feet. "We're not sure the junior class has gotten a good enough start with Prom plans."
"Oh," Hermione smiled. "Mom ended my punishment," she said happily.
"So I see," Draco gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you," he added.
"I've missed you," Hermione sighed.
"We should get going," Blaise said as she and Pansy got up from the couch. "I'm sure you two want some alone time."
"Thanks," Draco said, flashing a toothy grin at the girls.
"Hermione, you should come by later," Blaise suggested, exchanging a look with Pansy. "We have some things to discuss."
"Alright," Hermione agreed, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She wasn't sure what Blaise had in mind but it sounded ominous.
"Nothing serious," Pansy said as though she were reading Hermione's mind. "Just girl stuff," she explained.
"We'll order pizza or something," Blaise added as she headed up the stairs. Hermione's stomach rumbled of its own accord. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten pizza.
With the girls gone, Draco took a seat on the couch and motioned for Hermione to join him. She snuggled up next to him, breathing in his familiar scent. It was soft and comforting. Turning her head, Hermione started to kiss Draco's neck. He turned his head to meet her lips with his own. Hermione eagerly returned his kisses, pressing hard against him, yearning for more. She moved to straddle him but Draco pulled away.
"Hermione, I think we should talk," he said looking into her eyes. She heaved a sigh and smoothed her hair. "I'm getting a little worried about you. You're not really acting like yourself anymore."
"It's not a big deal," Hermione shrugged. "I think it's just a mistake that happened when the ministry sent us over here."
"But I'm wondering if it isn't more than that," Draco continued. "I've noticed you've lost a lot of weight recently."
"Not really," Hermione made a face. "I have to be ready for competition."
"Shouldn't you focus on your dancing more than your weight?" Draco asked. "You need to keep your energy up and skipping meals isn't going to help that."
"I think I know what I'm doing," Hermione insisted.
"I'm not so sure," Draco disagreed. He took a deep breath. "I hate to do this, Hermione, but I order you to start eating again. I want you to write down everything you eat and show it to me so I know you're getting enough to eat."
"What?" Hermione's jaw dropped and she moved further away from him. "You can't be serious."
"I'm not joking," Draco said firmly. "I have to insist."
"You can't do that," Hermione protested. Draco looked sad.
"I'm afraid that I can," he informed her. "It's your duty as my girlfriend to do my bidding."
"But that's absurd," Hermione was shocked.
"Maybe," Draco agreed half-heartedly. He thought for a moment. "I also have to insist that we stop having sex."
"What?" Hermione's brow furrowed. She could feel her stomach churning.
"I don't think its right. I made you a promise at Hogwarts and I think we should honor that," Draco explained.
"Did I do something wrong?" Hermione asked, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry if I made a mistake, just tell me, I'll make it right."
"No, Hermione, it's not like that. The more I thought about it the more I felt like we were letting ourselves down. I never wanted for us to rush into having sex, I wanted it to be special. I just hope that when we get to go home we'll still have that to look forward to," he sighed.
"Please, I don't understand," Hermione was crying now. "Is this about me skipping classes and talking back to teachers?"
"That's not what this is about, though I don't think that's like you at all," Draco took a deep breath. "Hermione, I love you. You mean the world to me and I want to treat you like that. So please, just let me. Don't second guess it, just trust me that I'm looking out for what's best for both of us."