Chapter 19

"Um," Theodore Nott cleared his throat. "As you know, the Hufflepuff Captain took a rather… er, nasty spill this morning."

Various members of the team, including Theodore, appeared to be suppressing wide smiles and containing their laughter. A snicker or two escaped some, which it even harder for the rest not to burst out laughing. Although Hermione did not think the fact that Roger was badly hurt was funny, she did find the manner in which he'd become injured quite amusing indeed. She was among the members who were fighting a silly grin from spreading across their faces.

Nott cleared his throat again and continued. "And as you also know, our team was scheduled to play Hufflepuff next Saturday, the eleventh. Since Hufflepuff's Captain will not be well enough to play by then, despite Madame Pomfrey's fast healing, Ravenclaw has very kindly switched match days with Hufflepuff." Nott paused to let his team absorb this news before adding dramatically, "The first match of the season in now Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw."

After further talk about the fact that they were now playing Ravenclaw instead, and how to go about this, the team headed out onto the pitch and had a good two hour practice. At the end of the two hours, the team went away much more tired and sweaty, but not feeling too bad nonetheless.

Hermione had been able to put absolutely everything out of her mind except Quidditch, and was finally seeing why Harry and Ron loved the sport so much. Besides being actually quite fun, even though she didn't like flying all that much, it took concentration and that was a wonderful thing when you just wanted forget everything. Despite an ache and a large bruise on her shoulder from a Bludger she'd failed to dodge, she felt quite happy for the first time in almost a week and chatted lightly about all things Quidditch with Draco, Vinny and Greg as they walked back to the castle together.

Just after lunch, Hermione was on her way into the library with Ally and Pansy when Cedric and Ewan were just coming out. Hermione was still in a cheerful mood and nearly said 'hi' to the pair. But then she caught the stony look Cedric was giving her and couldn't believe a little Quidditch had taken her mind off of things so fully.

Before she could decide whether to say anything at all or not, Cedric spoke first.

"Heard about Roger, I suppose?" he said in the most neutral tone one could imagine.

Since he had not said a word to her in nearly four days, Hermione couldn't help but be taken aback and think of this as an improvement. When she answered, however, she did so in a tone as flat as Cedric's had been.

"Of course." She said. "Ally and I were barely a flight of stairs down when it happened."

"He's one of my good friends, you know."

"I'm sorry he was hurt."

Cedric nodded curtly and then said, "Then I also suppose you know that Gryffindor is now playing Ravenclaw next Saturday?"

Hermione nodded slowly, unsure of where this conversation was going.

Ewan glanced unsurely between his friend and Ally, who looked equally uncomfortable.

"I suppose you think your team will win, then?" Cedric no longer sounded painfully neutral, but rather suddenly on edge.

"Well, yes, but – " The moment the words had left her mouth, Hermione realized the problem. Cedric was on the Ravenclaw team. She was on the Gryffindor team. And excluding the current exchange going on, they weren't on speaking terms.

So much for a diplomatic answer to that question. Hermione thought and silently scolded herself for not realizing sooner. Quidditch rivalry was about to make the rift between her and Cedric grow even deeper.

Cedric lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes a bit. "You do realize you can't make up stories to help you win and get your way in a sporting event, don't you?" He didn't know what made him say it, but it just came out before he could stop it and he immediately regretted it.

Hermione opened her mouth a bit in shock. In the short time she'd gotten to know Cedric, she never thought he was the one to dish out low remarks like that.

That was the last straw.

"It was the truth!" Hermione said, her voice rising emotionally. "I liked you enough to tell you the truth! Doesn't that count for something? You say you value honesty, so instead of lying to you and then disappearing from your life, I tell you the truth and try to explain it so you can understand and you blow up in my face like I'm stark-raving mad and just use the most outrageous tales I can possibly come up with to deeply hurt other people."

Cedric lowered his chin and his eyes softened. "Hermione – "

She plowed on over top of him. "And I have wanted to work things out the entire week. Every time I think I have the guts to talk to you and try to better explain, you give that awful look and my words crumble to pieces so I end up saying nothing."

Cedric pressed his lips into a thin line, truly unsure how to react.

"I'm done." Said Hermione. "If you hate me that much because I valued your friendship enough to be honest with you, fine. I'm done trying to fix this." She took a steadying breath before adding solemnly, "Good luck in the game. You're going to need it."

She turned on her heel away down the hall, ignoring her original idea of hanging out in the library with her friends. She didn't once look back or slow down.

Ally winced and gave Ewan a feeble wave and an "I'm sorry" look before grabbing Pansy's elbow and hurrying after Hermione.

Ewan eyed his friend warily before wisely talking about anything but what he had just witnessed. He was talk seriously about that later.

Cedric nodded or shook his head appropriately while his eyes stayed stuck on his feet or the patterns on the floor. As he and Ewan made their way to the Ravenclaw Common Room, Cedric could not stop thinking about Hermione and her words.

As if her day could get worse, it did. On her way to her potion's room, Hermione met (who else) but Slytherin Harry and Ron. They were already sneering and jeering loudly before she neared.

"Well! Look who it is." Harry said.

"Shove off and rot." Hermione said sharply and continued speedily on her way.

Harry and Ron seemed actually so surprised by the anger in her remark and by the time they'd come up with some form of a comeback, Hermione had already rounded the corner.

She'd barely been tending to her potion for five minutes when there was an insistent tapping at the window. Startled by the sudden noise, Hermione whipped her head around to see what had caused it.

On the outer windowsill was a large rather non-descript brown owl holding a long flat package. Curious and confused, Hermione let the owl in and removed the bundle form its leg.

Upon opening the package, Hermione found a letter addressed to her and two large, glossy photographs. One was a neat-looking picture of Sirius Black as the lead singer of the Weird Sisters, on stage at some flashy concert dressed in all black, his fist in the air. It was signed, "To Pansy, Keep rockin'!" followed by Sirius' large signature.

The other was a very nice photo of Sirius from about the chest up. He was wearing a tight red t-shirt that read, "I'm famous" in white print, and his hair was cut shorter than Hermione had personally ever seen it. He was smiling a killer grin that made Hermione's heart flutter. She laughed at her own reaction and read that this one was signed for Ally. It read, "To Ally, Stay awesome!" and was also followed by Sirius' signature.

Hermione set the photos aside, knowing her friends would be overjoyed. Just the other day they were telling her just how hard it was to get autographs of Sirius Black, though in recent weeks he'd been suddenly very out and about with his fans. Hermione had said nothing but smiled to herself, guessing the Sirius "now" was "her" Sirius.

She smiled again, thinking of that all over, and then opened the letter that had come with the photos with her name on the front. It read,

"Dear Hermione,

Happy belated birthday! I'm glad you had fun.

I sent photos for your friends, as requested. I hope your friends will like them, though by your descriptions, I bet they will love them, ha ha.

My concert did go well, actually – more or less. I just about had a nervous breakdown before the show, because I have never touched a guitar in my entire life let alone play one well enough to be in band. Of course, to "comfort" me, my band member kept telling me I was one of the best, if not the best. I tried to warn them I was not feeling myself, and that things wouldn't go well today, but they continued to reassure me that I would be fine.

So it was show time and they practically had to shove me on stage. I was panicked and sweating and as the other guys started playing the music, they looked at me strangely. I swallowed and strummed randomly on the guitar hoping for a miracle. I got one, Hermione, I definitely got one. When my fingers touched the guitar, I was shocked to see and feel and know that my fingers seemed to know where to go. I just… knew what I was doing. I knew the words to the songs, I knew when I was supposed to play and how to play! It was the most amazing thing in the world. I really felt like part of the band.

Afterwards when I tried to explain this to the guys, they laughed and had a great joke and thought I must be drunk. They couldn't understand why I was so shocked and relieved that I could actually play the guitar after all.

I forgot to mention the part of being on stage. Performing was such an adrenaline rush. It was totally exhilarating, amazing, freeing… I absolutely loved doing that concert. I wish I could keep doing this forever.

Anyways, I managed to get away for a day or two and made my way up to Hogsmeade as Snuffles on the twenty-seventh. It wasn't until I got there I realized we hadn't decided on a meeting place or time, so after looking around a bit, I tried hanging out at that spot where Harry, Ron and you met me that one time. Guess I missed you, though. When's the next weekend?

Lastly, I wanted to let you know I dug up a few more facts about people, most of which I think will interest you.

My cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange is a – wait, are you sitting down? All drinks out of reach and on a flat surface? Are you truly ready for this? I got a letter from her the other day and found out that she's a nun."

Hermione re-read that line and burst out laughing. The image of the evil Bellatrix dressed in a nun's humble outfit was such an outrageous one. It was nearly a full minute before she had gained her composure enough to read on.

"I know, I know. If you're laughing your head off, know I was laughing so hard I was in tears for several minutes. In fact I actually fell out of my chair. Finally I was able to continue reading her letter. Her and that occupation though… it's completely weird.

My brother, Regulus, teaches Kindergarten to wizard children whose parents want them to get a little schooling before they go to Hogwarts. I almost died laughing when I found that out. Nothing could be farther from the truth about Regulus.

I think you'll get a kick out of this next one. Remember old Barty Crouch? That tight-lipped old fellow during the Triwizard Tournament?"

Hermione grimaced. How could she forget? Not only because he was such a staunch old man, but also because he was found murdered at the edge of the Forbidden Forest in their fourth year.

"This is another one you should be sitting down for. Well, about a week or so ago my agent dragged me over to the Ministry on some business or something, and while I was in the lobby, this total hippie – decked out in huge baggy pants, tie-dye rainbow t-shirt, beads, necklaces, bracelets, rings, dreadlocks, headband and sunglasses – saunters up and says he's here to see his son, Barty Crouch Jr. The receptionist rolled her eyes and made some comment about how wasn't he much too old for that get-up? Old Barty pretty much ignored her, other than saying 'Peace Sister', before heading – no, swaggering – on his way. I stared without blinking until my agent elbowed in the ribs.

Anyways, long enough letter? I'd better let you go. Talk to you soon, Hermione!

Sincerely, Sirius."

Still smiling, Hermione grabbed her quill and a piece of parchment to scratch down a reply. Her quill hovered above the paper and she blinked several times before her smile slowly disappeared. She sat back and her shoulders sagged.

Here was the same problem she was having with Cedric. She cared about Sirius, obviously not romantically of course, but cared nonetheless. Here he was, alive and happy. As soon as she returned to her real time and world, Sirius would be gone, murdered by his cousin Bellatrix.

Hermione sighed heavily and briefly buried her head in her hands. How many times was she going to be forced to remember this world could not be? How many times was she going to ask herself why she couldn't have both? And how many times was she going to wish she had never made the wish that started it all?

When she looked up at hr parchment after a moment or two, it was with great reluctance. She stared at the paper for quite some time, wondering what to say. She did not want to admit it, but she knew what she had to do.

Finally, she brought her quill down and wrote down a reply to Sirius' letter.

"Dear Sirius,

Thanks for the pictures. I'm sure Pansy and Ally will adore them. Glad everything is well.

Sincerely, Hermione"

She winced at her letter's shortness and formality. She didn't know how Sirius was going to react to it, but considering how long it had been taking him to get around to writing her letters, with any luck her potion would be complete and she'd be on her way back before Sirius' reply reached her. That made her feel guilty and relieved at the same time.

Hermione gave her letter to the owl who'd kindly waited behind for reply. It nodded and hooted softly before leaving through the window it had come in.

A/n: Leave me a review and you will truly brighten my day. And if it happens to be an extra long one, you will brighten my week. :D