28 February 1994
After the very public argument with her brother, the student body seemed to forgive Hermione but not Eloise. After Eloise admitted that Hermione had no part in the broom actually being confiscated and watching the happy reunion of Harry and Hermione, no one could seem to find it in themselves to be harsh to the red head. They found, however Hermione was not nearly so forgiving. When Neville approached her with a friendly smile she turned her back on him, continuing her conversation with her friends. Hermione felt that Neville should not have taken sides, he didn't like quidditch, he didn't like flying, and it wasn't even his broom. Her brothers came groveling one by one the closer it got to the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw match. Hermione rewarded her brothers for turning their back on her happily. For George a 24 hour babbling hex, which made him say whatever was on his mind for a full day. He told Professor McGonagall she was a naughty kitty, receiving a weeks detention, he also managed to insult both of the other starting chasers on the Gryffindor team, earning him a few more painful hexes. For Fred she slipped him a mild love potion that had him chasing Professor Twelawney for 24 hours. He spent most of the night at the trapdoor beneath her classroom singing loudly. Ron still hadn't said anything but she found sugar quills in her bag randomly the following weeks, he would timidly smile hopefully in her direction. Hermione was used to Ron's temper, growing up he always blamed Hermione for things going wrong and she knew if she made a big deal over it, he would just over react.
Malfoy was also acting weird as the rest of the school's icy demeanor thawed. He stared at her a lot, in classes, in the great hall, wherever he happened to see her. She watched him approach her a few times and then suddenly turn and dart away. That's not to say his attitude towards her friends changed any, he still antagonized the boys while keeping a distance from Eloise and Luna, sneering at them and wiping invisible dirt from his clothes if he happened to brush against them. Hermione elected not to tell anyone of Malfoy's strange confession, she didn't even know what to make of it. She was under the impression he had a formal understanding with Parkinson so his odd behavior baffled her.
Hermione was slowly coming back into herself, she was eating more and using her time turner to get plenty of rest. Her grades were all exemplary, except divination. She worried she might hex the daft bint if she didn't stop predicting Harry's death every lesson. Not that it seemed to bother Harry, he would groan and laugh in a good natured way, asking what else was new. It was when Neville's gran grew ill that Lavender, Partvati, and Hope would shoot Harry sympathetic looks and coo over him as if he was suffering. Harry shied away from the girls uncomfortably, literally using Hermione as a human shield. Hermione and Harry's friendship was on the mend but she wasn't nearly as warm as she once was. Eloise had no sympathy, calling divination and muggle studies a waste of time. Hermione was inclined to agree with her friend, the muggle studies books were at least 50 years behind the muggle world she saw when visiting over the summer. She was really considering giving up her time turner and just doing some self study for OWLs.
The Gryffindor-Ravenclaw quidditch match was much anticipated for the whole school. Professor McGonagall gave Harry back his broom, which allowed Oliver to talk to Hermione again. It was a bit unnerving during practice and he would just stare at her, trying to communicate with his eyes what he wanted. Luna came down that morning dripping red and gold, her hair was charmed to look gold while her outfit looked something like a red lion. Ravenclaws turned to glare at the little blonde but she toyed with her tail and sat beside her friends. During the game, Hermione saw Cho Chang fluttering her eye lashes at the flustered Harry. When she saw Harry blush, Hermione felt hot jealousy course through her. As they were nearing the Ravenclaw goal posts she used Cho's head for a bank shot, shocking the crowds when she scored. To finish off the game, Malfoy and his friends on the quidditch team dressed as dementors to try and unnerve Harry. They were shocked when a silvery light knocked them over and Harry caught the snitch right from under Cho's nose. Unfortunately, Harry seemed to develop a crush on the pretty Asian seeker and Hermione sighed sadly.
"You shouldn't let it bother you." Eloise said comfortingly, she was still annoyed with Harry and his mooning over the obnoxious Ravenclaw.
"I know." Hermione grumbled unhappily.
"Just get over him, I guess. It's what I would do. You're too pretty to be hung up on him." Eloise said sternly as they made their way towards the library.
"Yeah, you're right." Hermione sighed sadly, watching her shoes.
"Oh, Looney! You forgot something!" Cho's voice rang out in the corridor ahead. They heard girls laughter, indicating she definitely wasn't alone. Cho and her fellow fourth years were crowded around Luna. Hermione saw her best friend Luna was crying as the older girls mocked and pointed their wands at her.
"Calvorio!" Hermione shouted, angrily as she rounded the corner, it hit Cho in the back, instantly her long shiny black hair began to fall out. "What did I tell you Chang?"
"Weasley!" Cho snarled as she clutched her slowly balding head.
"I warned you to leave Luna alone!" Hermione snapped. Cho's friends stared in horror as the curse finished and Cho's head was hairless leaving long strands falling from her fingers.
"Fix it!" Cho screamed hysterically. "Don't just stand there!" Her 4 friends raised their wands at the 3rd year Gryffindors, already feeling hesitant after seeing what the girl did to Pansy the year at dueling club.
"Furnunculus!" Eloise spat at Marrietta, using their hesitation to her advantage, the blondes eyes widened as her face broke out into pimples. Her friends raised shields a moment too late.
"Anyone else?" Hermione grinned savagely and raised a brow in challenge. Luna beamed as she snatched her wand from Cho's pocket then walked up to her friends. The other three girls looked from the Gryffindors standing with Luna to their friends, who were sobbing hysterically, and vehemently shook their heads.
"Get them up to the infirmary then." Eloise snapped.
-0-
"Weasley!" Cho, wearing a blue scarf around her head, shouted as she found Fred talking to Ron in the courtyard.
"Yes?" Ron and Fred turned at the same time.
"Put a muzzle on that bitch you call a sister!" Cho snapped angrily.
"What did you say?" Fred growled as he and Ron stepped forward.
"Your sister has been threatening me and she hexed me in the back! I won't tell the professors this time but next time I'll go to Snape and the headmaster!" Cho hissed before she turned around to stalk away. Suddenly, a gust of wind pushed her scarf back, exposing her bald head to the court yard. Cho ran away with tears streaming down her face. Hermione, Luna, and Eloise stood nearby, leaning on a tree looking very pleased with themselves.
"What was that about?" Ron gaped at the bald seekers back.
"I think our baby sister might be a bit jealous." Fred smirked, his eyes shimmering with mirth as he watched his sister with pride.
"Jealous?" Ron questioned, watching Hermione and her friends walking down to the lake.
"Cor, you're not that blind are you?" Fred asked incredulously. At his blank expression, Fred let out a long suffering sigh. "She fancies Harry, you numpty."
"But Harry doesn't fancy her, right?" Ron looking at his older brother hopefully.
"Really?" Fred raised an eyebrow. "He's your best mate."
"Well, she can't just go around hexing the birds Harry fancies!" Ron said urgently.
"I'm sorry but have you met Spitfire? Oh, about yay tall?" Fred smirked as he lifted his hand about chest level. "Crazy red hair, used to share your cot?"
"Well, I just have to tell her she can't be doing that. I'll tell her Harry doesn't fancy her." Ron nodded with determination and set off to follow his sister when Fred grabbed him by the hood of his robes.
"Ron, no. That is not a good idea. I know Spitfire's our little sister but if you get in the way, Hermione would murder you and I don't think Harry would be pleased, either." Fred said seriously.
"Look, she's my twin. Mine. I've had to deal with blokes thinking it's okay to put their grubby hands all over her, not my best mate." Ron glared at his older brother.
"Who would you rather have with Spitfire, some little sacred 28 twat who will try to force her into something or your best mate, who you can obviously watch over to make sure he keeps our darling sister happy?" Fred smirked as he watched his little brother playing through the scenarios.
-0-
"I'm not sure what he sees in Cho. She's not a very nice person." Luna hummed with a bright smile.
"Don't remind me! If he actually likes that vapid cow he obviously doesn't deserve you." Eloise said sternly to Hermione, tired of seeing her normally bubbly, confident friend so self-conscious, comparing herself to a girl who was more developed.
"Maybe Harry doesn't know Mina fancies him."Luna turned to Hermione looking at her critically for a moment. "You should show you're interested."
"I do show I'm interested but...well, just about every girl fancies him because he's The-Boy-Who-Lived...I can't co-" Hermione was cut off by someone clearing their throat.
"I uh- sorry to interrupt...I wasn't trying to listen in..uh I wanted to apologize and give you your birthday present." Neville blushed brightly and offered her a a very pretty exotic blue flower. "It's a Tari Flower, it secretes a very sweet nectar that you can add to your tea."
"Thanks Neville." Hermione smiled shyly, her cheeks red. "What did you hear?"
"Nothing I'll repeat, I swear." Neville shook his head quickly and raised the plant, offering it to her.
"What do I have to do to it?" Hermione said curiously as she took it from his hands and sniffed it, it smelled very sweet and a little fruity.
"Water it, keep it in a window...just uh tickle the petals when you want to uh juice it." Neville mumbled as he awkwardly shuffled his feet.
"Hey guys!" Harry panted as he jogged over to them.
"Hi Harry!" Luna beamed as she snatched the Tari flower from Hermione's hands to taste the nectar.
"Hey Harry! Where have you been?" Hermione smiled brightly.
"Just ran all the way to the tower to get your gift. Ron got his this morning, Keeping for Keepsakes. If it has a quaffel on the cover, he'll devour any book." Harry snickered as he pulled a wrapped parcel from his bag and offered it to Hermione.
"Thanks Harry!" Hermione beamed as she unwrapped a very nice broom servicing kit with instruction manual. Harry shifted nervously as he watched her reaction closely. He noticed that even though Hermione said she forgave him, she had been acting differently, not nearly as affectionate as she used to be. She would slink off without saying anything and sometimes in the great hall she would look sad. He hoped he made the right choice of gift, make things go back to normal.
"Figured you would want to keep your broom tip top." Harry blushed, running his hand through his hair, making it even messier.
"Thank you, Harry!" Hermione pounced on him, hugging him tight. Harry let out a sigh of relief as he hugged her back with a broad smile.
"Oi! What are you lot doing?" Ron thundered, jogging down the lawn to meet them.
"Look what Harry got me!" Hermione chirped showing Ron her servicing kit, Ron ignored it and turned to look at his sister sternly.
"I saw what you did to Cho." Ron said accusingly.
"Oh, so Madam Pomfrey couldn't get her hair to grow back?" Eloise snickered and the girls looked very pleased with themselves.
"'Mione! You can't just do that because you're jealous!" Ron blurted. Making all three of the girls look at him owlishly. Neville gaped beside Luna and Harry just looked between the siblings, curious what Hermione did to Cho.
"Jealous?" Hermione questioned, looking thoroughly confused.
"Yeah, you can't just hex a girl because some bloke fancies them." Ron said sternly, forcing himself not to look at his best mate.
"You think I hexed her because I was jealous?" Hermione wondered aloud before the girls broke into laughter, making Ron's ears turn red.
"Yeah just cause-" Ron's voice grew louder and cracked before Luna was suddenly infront of him, her normally dreamy expression gone as she looked at him shrewdly.
"You know, if I didn't know your head was invaded by wrackspurts, I would think you were just a twat." Luna smiled brightly, making the red head gaped at her.
"It had nothing to do with jealousy, Ronnie." Hermione smirked.
"Yeah, if any bloke is unfortunate enough to fancy that obnoxious slag, he has my sympathies." Eloise smirked and couldn't help but look at Harry who turned red in embarrassment.
"What's so wrong with Cho?" Harry demanded, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.
"Maybe you should speak to her Harry." Luna said softly, her eyes sad as she watched her best friends shoulder slump.
"Come on, it's getting late. I have some crisps and cakes up in the dorm for you, Hermione." Eloise said kindly, throwing Harry a venomous glare. Luna skipped ahead of them, humming something by Rage Against the Machine.
"What was that?" Ron blurted as he watched the girls start laughing further up the lawn.
"You're a twat, Ron." Neville grumbled.
"What's so wrong with Cho?" Harry questioned as his eyes were glued to the little red head walking away from him.
"You ever hear of the Luna talking about nargles?" Neville asked Harry as if it were obvious.
"Err yeah, think she said they were thieves or liars or something." Harry looked to his friend quizzically.
"She's the worst nargle of the lot." Neville said seriously before turning to walk back up to the castle, searching for the bit of parchment he wrote all of the passwords on.