A/N – I don't really know what to say. I really hope you all enjoy this chapter. I do know that the chapters are getting shorter but It's simply because we're coming up to the end of the fic and I'm just dealing with minor things that need to be discussed and said. So here we are, enjoy and review!
Days passed in somewhat of a blur. Hermione attempted to throw herself into preparation for her O. in order to forget what had happened. However, she still felt detached. The only people who could bring her back were Amber-Rose and Scarlett. Why? Because Hermione knew they were feeling the exact same way if not worse.
"Hermione, can I have a word please?"
Hermione turned to see Professor Singlia standing behind her and looking expectant. The teacher and student hadn't spoken much lately. Singlia had fulfilled her duty and now wasn't required to keep a constant watch on Hermione and after all that had gone down Hermione didn't much feel like speaking to Singlia.
"Please?" Singlia repeated as Hermione simply stood there staring at her. Finally Hermione nodded and Singlia immediately took off. She led her down corridors up staircases and down staircases until they reached Dumbledore's office.
Singlia muttered a password, sneaking a look at Hermione to check she hadn't heard it. Then the two of them entered.
Dumbledore was sitting in his chair surrounded by portraits and other strange objects that gave the office a very mysterious feel. When they entered he gave Hermione a smile and motioned towards the chair beside the one Singlia had immediately occupied.
She took a seat although she felt extremely uncomfortable. It had been because of Dumbledore's plan that Draco had died. She wasn't mad at him but there just seemed to be feelings that were at work right now.
"Now, I assume you have been waiting for me to want to talk to you" Dumbledore began, looking Hermione directly in the eye with a knowing look in his eye.
"Yes" Hermione replied. There was no use in lying. She had been waiting for this conversation since she was first moved into Slytherin. She could still remember the feelings of confusion and anger towards Dumbledore for forcing Singlia on her instead of conversing with her himself.
"Well, here we are. I apologize that it has taken quite this long" Dumbledore smiled, then his face took on a more serious look. "I also must apologize for how everything ended up. You must know that I had no intention for either you or Draco to loose your lives. I am quite shaken if I'm honest"
Hermione looked down at her hands and nodded. She didn't quite know what to say to this. It was apparent that Dumbledore truly was sorry and regretted everything that had happened. It almost seemed as if he was blaming himself and although he was partly to blame Hermione didn't want him blaming himself.
"We have finally come to the conclusion…" Dumbledore continued. "That Dolores Umbridge left Hogwarts the night she discovered what I was planning. She wished to relay the message to Fudge immediately. However she was stopped by a Death Eater or two and placed under the Imperius Curse." Hermione looked up at him in surprise. "In the end she let slip that I had come up with a plan to stop Voldermort and it involved Draco Malfoy. That, for obvious reasons, did not go over very well with the Death Eaters and they left to tell their master"
"But why was she put under the Imperius Curse?" Hermione exclaimed, the surprise still evident on her face. "What did the Death Eaters want from her?"
"That remains to be seen" Dumbledore replied smoothly. "It is speculated that Voldermort wished to enter the Ministry for one reason or another through his Death Eaters. I cannot give away too much more"
Hermione nodded, lapsing into silence again. Dumbledore remained watching her, surveying reactions.
"Do you, Ms. Granger, in any way blame me for Draco Malfoy's death?" Dumbledore asked finally, looking at her over his half moon spectacles. Hermione looked up in surprise.
"No, I don't" she told him honestly. "I don't blame anyone…"
"Ah," Dumbledore smiled. "I am pleased to hear this. It is now then that I give you a choice"
"A choice?" Hermione asked, completely surprised by where this conversation had headed. Singlia, who had been sitting quietly this entire time, sat up in her seat. Hermione could almost see her ears perking up.
"Yes, Miss Granger" Dumbledore's smile reached his twinkling eyes. "Seeing as the plan did not turn out how I had hoped I am giving you a very important choice. You were moved into Slytherin house solely because I came to the conclusion that it was the best way for you and Mr. Malfoy to make a connection. It was not because you embodied Slytherin qualities. However, I can see you have become somewhat at home there which I was why the decision is yours. You will be the one to decide whether you continue your Hogwarts career in Gryffindor or Slytherin." He placed one hand over the other on the table in front of him and looked at Hermione quizzically.
This hadn't been what Hermione had expected at all and her surprise appeared evident on her face. "I…" she began, and then she faltered.
Memories began flooding back, memories of Slytherin house. As much as she loved Harry and Ron she had also found a home that she hadn't expected in Slytherin. She had found Scarlett and Amber-Rose and even managed to get along with Arthur Diggory and others.
"I don't…really know" she said, bitterly. "It was Dumbledore's idea, or so says Professor Singlia but –"
"She's weird, isn't she?" Scarlett exclaimed, grasping onto the subject. "So…intense, if you know what I mean?"
"She actually tried to sit me down for a 'cup of tea' this morning" Amber-Rose told them, scrunching up her nose in disgust. "But I told her I didn't like tea and escaped, it's like she's trying to make friends with us or force us to like her"
She could just feel at home there and be herself. And now that Harry and Ron were coming to understand all of those things might be better. As much as her former instincts would be telling her to change back to Gryffindor, her current instincts were pushing her towards Slytherin.
Not to mention, maybe staying in Slytherin would keep Draco's memory alive instead of pretending it hadn't happened.
"I choose Slytherin" she said, her words coming out slowly as she thought it over. Dumbledore and Singlia exchanged a look of surprise.
"Why?" Singlia asked, turning to Hermione with a smile on her face.
"I don't know" Hermione admitted. "I just…feel like I should be there." Dumbledore nodded.
"Well, I said it was up to you. I am sure your friends in Gryffindor house will not be too happy about this decision. But no matter, it is lovely that you have found such a home in the opposite house to your own"
Hermione nodded, smiling a little. "You're right" she agreed. She had done the one thing that was a very uncommon occurrence. She had blurred the lines between Gryffindor and Slytherin and it felt good to be a part of both worlds.
"And Albus, I have here my resignation" Singlia said, drawing the attention away from Hermione as she handed Dumbledore an official looking piece of parchment. Dumbledore sighed and took it from her, not looking pleased. "You knew I was going to resign after all of this!" Singlia said, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, yes" Dumbledore said simply, placing the parchment under some of the other items on his desk and not looking at her.
"So, you can't be disappointed" Singlia continued, irritably.
"You had such potential" Dumbledore told her, and Hermione suddenly felt as if she didn't quite belong in the room anymore. However she decided to wait for a dismissal. "You make that class enjoyable for the children. Can't you see that?"
"I'm sorry Dumbledore, I just don't feel Hogwarts is my place" Singlia stood up and shook her long red hair out. "I'll visit, of course" she added as she turned towards the door. "I leave tomorrow"
Then she was gone.
"You may go too, Miss Granger" Dumbledore told her, looking up from his papers. She stood up and began walking towards his door smiling to herself.
"And Miss Granger…" she turned. "Well done"
"With what?"
But Dumbledore didn't answer. He just continued shuffling his papers with a smile. Hermione couldn't help but smile also as she turned and continued making her way out of the door.