1 September 1994
Hermione filed a report with the head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones, rather than wait on an available auror. Amelia was hesitant at first, busy with the breakout of Peter Pettigrew. She had been requesting an interview with Black since Pettgrew's escape back in June. Fudge was blocking her at every turn, terrified that the news would spread before her aurors could apprehend him. The minister pushed the Prophet to fill its pages with the World Cup, only letting a small article on Pettigrew's escape be released after the riots. Amelia was frustrated but allowed the Weasley matron to file a long winded report on one of her most decorated aurors. Dawlish certainly got a lot of complaints but he also comes back with results. Hermione submitted her hazy memory of being tortured by three masked assailants, Amelia knew that she could do nothing without more information but the the fourteen year old was lucky to escape with her mind intact. The goblins being in control of the diary took that route of investigation out of her hands. The healer report strongly advised not to put any additional stress on the girl so Amelia was forced to leave it alone.
The headmaster was waiting for Hermione and Mrs. Weasley at the burrow when they returned. The healer stood aside as Albus ran all the diagnostic spells he could on his goddaughter. He sighed sadly as he noticed her leg shaking only a few minutes into the examination, Winky glared at the old man reproachfully but Molly silenced the indignant elf. After Albus finished administering a muscle relaxant potion, he went through her memory of the attack. Disturbed by what he found, he pulled the red head into a hug before allowing Healer Stroud to take over.
Healer Stroud examined Hermione immediately after Albus stepped away, not impressed with the man keeping her patient from treatment. A few potions and a lot of rest, Hermione would be fine. The healer walked through Hermione's memory of her attack, subtly taking some of the pain and fear to help her cope sooner rather than later. Winky refused to leave her Mistress's side, impressing the old healer with her dedication as well as her knowledge of healing. She knew the little redhead would be in worse shape without Winky's bond and care. The healer left Molly with a bag of potions to help Hermione recover before returning to school in just a few days.
Luna kept a silent vigil at Hermione's bedside, refusing to leave. She watched as Winky and Molly took turns administering potions, keeping Hermione asleep as much as possible. The shakes and muscle cramps would last at least a week but the worst of it should be over by the time they boarded the express. Fred and George frequently stopped in to sit with their sister, bringing her sweets and explaining their newest inventions even though she was sleeping. Ron usually posted himself outside of her door, playing chess against himself, the ever vigilant guard and protector. Bill and Charlie left to return to their homes but not before making a stop at Flourish and Blottes to get some new books for Hermione. Bill was concerned the men would try to attack his sister again, he would speak to the goblins when he returned to Egypt. Albus returned the night before they were to leave for Hogwarts with an old tome on occlumency, it was much better than the books available in the Hogwarts library. Harry came to sit with her frequently but had no idea what to say. Luna didn't speak to anyone who came in the room and was no help to him in finding the words.
"Anything from the trolley?" The kind matron asked as she slid the door open to the silent compartment. She was faced with a very angry and offended house elf that already laid out a feast for the occupants. Hermione was asleep between Fred and George. Harry, Neville, and Ron sat on the bench across from them, Luna was perched nonchalantly on Neville's lap while she read the Quibbler. Winky slammed the door silently in the woman's face with a wave of her little hand before turning around to make sure there was enough food for her Mistress's friends. Dobby sat in front of Harry in the floor, knitting something green, yellow, and orange.
"Do you mind if I sit in here?" Eloise opened the door hesitantly, looking around the silent compartment. Luna didn't even bother looking up from her magazine but the way her shoulders stiffened her opinion was obvious.
"Just don't wake her up." Ron whispered harshly. Eloise flushed and perched herself on the armrest beside Fred, looking around uncomfortably.
"Here, you can have my seat." Harry let out a long suffering sigh and slid down so he was sitting on the floor beside Dobby.
"No, you don't ha-" Eloise squeaked, earning a sharp look from Fred and George as Hermione stirred groggily. Eloise practically jumped across the compartment to sit in Harry's recently vacated seat, watching Hermione wearily.
"Why's it so quiet?" Hermione mumbled, settling herself against Fred and closing her eyes sleepily.
"Didn't want to wake you." Harry murmured quietly from the floor. Hermione's eyes slowly opened to look down at him, curiously.
"Why are you on the floor?" Hermione smiled drowsily but as she raised her eyes to see a new occupant, the teasing expression fell from her face. Eloise shifted uncomfortably as Hermione watched her.
"I just wanted to come apologize..." Eloise whispered sadly, not meeting Hermione's penetrating gaze.
"You wanted to apologize..." Hermione said slowly, wide awake now as the compartment was completely silent, the others looking away pretending not to be listening. Except Luna, who smirked from behind her copy of the Quibbler.
"I'm sorry I've been such a cow...I was just angry." Eloise mumbled, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"You know, funny thing...I don't think it was my fault that the Minister heaved the credit on to me nor do I think I don't deserve any of the credit. I was in that library reading all about Sirius, I talked to all the professors, I lead the charge to Uncle Albus, and I stunned the bloody rat while Harry, Ron, and I turned him in. Then I tried to give you credit, what did you do?" Hermione hissed, her face turning as red as her hair. Her arm twitched and a cramp in her leg made her grimace. Winky was up with a muscle relaxant potion and calming draught before anyone else could react.
"You is not be making Mistress upset!" Winky pointed a finger at Eloise accusingly as she handed off the phials to Hermione.
"I didn't...I didn't mean to..." Eloise groaned helplessly, wishing she could have apologized alone.
"Well, Hermione has been under healers care and has been ordered not to undergo any stress for at least a week otherwise the muscle cramps come back." Luna snapped from behind her magazine. Neville tried to put a comforting hand on the little blondes back but she stiffened.
"What can I do?" Eloise asked sadly, looking imploringly to the group at large. Harry was still miffed about his Firebolt so he looked away, Ron only glared angrily at the acne-ridden girl beside him, Fred and George frowned at the girl, and Neville cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable in the tense atmosphere.
"Perhaps, you could wait until Hermione is done recovering." Neville whispered, not looking up to see the girl gaping at her friends.
"I don't want you to lose your friends because you let your jealousy get in the way." Hermione whispered, a glazed look in her eyes as she poked Harry with her sock clad foot.
"I don't either..." Eloise shrunk back in her seat, looking around to find no one meeting her gaze.
"Then stop being a dozy bint!" Hermione giggled as Harry tried to bat away her feet half heartedly. "Oh, and apologize to Sirius, you were a right bitch to him."
"Okay, you should go. I will not have her forgive you while she's potioned." Luna said sternly from behind her magazine and kicked Eloise in the leg, a bit harder than necessary. Eloise grimaced and Neville pinched Luna's sides to reprimand her but Luna just stuck her tongue out at the boy.
"Come on, Eli. We'll walk you." Fred and George both stood together, growing nauseous at the sight of their little sister flirting openly with Harry in her drugged state. Eloise swallowed nervously before standing to follow them out of the compartment.
"I'll work on it, Hermione. I promise." Eloise whispered as she patted Hermione's leg on her way out. Harry and Hermione were not paying attention, Harry just grabbed her foot to tickle it and Hermione broke down into a fit of giggles.
"Ugh, Harry!" Ron groaned as he watched them.
"What?" Harry turned to him, a goofy smile on his face, his glasses crooked.
"You don't have to sit on the floor anymore, mate." Ron grumbled as Harry shrugged and took a seat next to Hermione. It wasn't long before their playful banter winded down and Hermione leaned her head on Harry's shoulder yawning. The bespectacled boy watched her as her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep against him, a small smile on her face. He still had not found a way to apologize for running off during the attack at the World Cup, he blamed himself for Hermione getting kidnapped and tortured.
"Hey Pott-" Draco Malfoy's lazy drawl broke into his thoughts as the blonde threw open the compartment door. Hermione jerked up, blinking sleepily and looking around.
"Wassgoinin?" Hermione yawned and stretched, arching her back with a sated smile. Malfoy stared at her, frozen as Ron glowered at the blonde.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron snapped, drawing the blonde's attention away from his sister who was smiling warmly at Winky who procured her some sticky toffee pudding.
"Just wanted to see how you enjoyed the festivities after the cup!" Malfoy grinned cruelly as his eyes darted to Hermione. The redhead flinched, thinking about her time in the woods. Before anyone else could react Malfoy was faced with an irate Luna Lovegood and Winky.
"You's not be coming here upsetting Mistress!" Winky screeched as Luna pulled her wand on the blonde.
"You know, Draco...grey eyes are so uncommon." Luna whispered quietly so only he could hear. Malfoy backed up a step, his eyes darting to Hermione who was curled up against Harry, her small frame shaking. Harry draped a comforting arm around her and he spoke softly to try to soothe her, not even paying attention to the blonde. Ron and Neville both glared venomously at Malfoy from behind Luna.
"Whatever, Looney." Malfoy scoffed, backing out of the compartment after one last look at the shivering girl currently burrowed into Harry's side.
"What a ponce!" Ron grumbled as he sat back down with a huff. The rest of the ride to Hogwarts was blissfully uneventful. Hermione calmed down and fell asleep against Harry while he played chess with Ron. Luna perched herself onto Neville's lap, deciding it was now the best seat. As they were heading into the great hall, Harry grabbed Hermione and slowed their pace so they lagged behind their friends.
"Hermione...I'm really sorry about running off during the attack. It was completely stupid of me. If I had-" Harry started to ramble but Hermione silenced him with a look.
"Harry, it's fine. I don't blame you, it was my fault for not paying attention to my surroundings. The rest is purely on the shoulders of the men who hurt me. Don't blame yourself, blame the men that took me." Hermione said softly, her hand reaching for his as she gave him a shy smile.
"I just-" Harry grinned as Hermione silenced him with a glare. "Okay, I believe you."
"Good, let's go or Ron will eat all the good stuff." Hermione grinned impishly as she tried to tug him along, Harry didn't budge. She turned to him and found him staring at her pensively.
"There's something else." Harry mumbled, shuffling his feet awkwardly. Hermione stopped, waiting patiently while Harry took a deep breath. "WillyougotoHogsmeadewithme?"
"I'm sorry? One more time in English?" Hermione frowned in confusion.
"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?" Harry said slowly, gritting his teeth, trying to force himself to stay calm and confident like Sirius said. "Just you and...me "
"Like a date?" Hermione smiled shyly, looking up at him through her lashes.
"Well, no..yes...I mean a date. Uh you know...I figure your brother will probably hex me but...uh I wanted to ask you but I wasn't sure and then...uh well..you don't have to if you don't want to. You-" Harry rambled uncomfortably as Hermione just smiled brightly. She leaned up and silenced him with a kiss to the cheek.
"I would love to, Harry." Hermione said softly as she stepped away from him, blushing furiously.
"Really? Well, great then! So..." Harry trailed off, a goofy smile on his face as he looked down at her.
"So, food, Harry!" Hermione laughed and as she laced their fingers together.
"So, yeah food...right..." Harry mumbled as she pulled him along but stopped suddenly.
"Harry, I like you but don't make this weird. We're friends who agreed to go on a date...if that date goes well..." Hermione smiled wickedly leaving her statement hanging. She quickly ducked her head to hide her glowing cheeks as they continued to the great hall.
"If it goes well?" Harry persisted, pausing right outside the great hall. They could hear Professor McGonagall reading off names of the first years so they would have to wait.
"I've never gone on a date before, Harry. Mostly my brothers dated muggleborns...so they talked a lot about how muggles court..." Hermione shrugged, feeling sheepish.
"So, we don't have to have an understanding or a betrothal?" Harry let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"No, I've told you. Weasleys don't use betrothal contracts...umm, I should probably tell you though...remember when I told you that Uncle Albus and my father were discussing one for me?" Hermione asked hesitantly, biting her lip.
"Yeah, you also told me we weren't related that day. Why?" Harry grinned, rubbing the pad of his thumb along her hand, enjoying the softness of her skin.
"Uncle Albus wanted to set one up between us..." Hermione cringed as she watched Harry's face fall, looking betrayed. "They didn't do it! Bill told me that my parents would never do that! I was 8!" Hermione quickly threw her hands up in surrender and explained herself.
"Why would they do that? You all said Potters always choose who they marry and so do the Weasleys!" Harry demanded.
"Well, I guess you were getting offers and so was I...so uncle Albus wanted to set up a betrothal contract so that he could decline all of them. I'm not really sure on the specifics of what he wanted. Dad said it would have an easy out clause or something...I don't know but Bill said they didn't do it." Hermione quickly tried to reassure him. Harry looked conflicted as he clenched his jaw.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry whispered, looking down. Hermione reached for his hand hesitantly, trying to draw his gaze back up to her. He laced their fingers together, feeling a small smile tug at his lips.
"I was twelve...it would have been terribly awkward and I might have fancied you...just a little. So I was scared you might think I was trying to trap you. I've met some of Bill's girlfriends...they thought betrothals were barbaric and your reaction was pretty similar." Hermione grimaced.
"That makes sense...is there anything else?" Harry asked nervously.
"No...I don't think so...I mean you know about my birth parents." Hermione whispered, looking around the empty halls quickly. "Not even Luna knows that."
"Really?" Harry pulled back, surprised.
"Yeah, well...adoptions are not really accepted and even though I know Luna would accept me...its just well, I think my mum blessed me with Prewitt family magic and Luna would definitely look down on her for that." Hermione said anxiously.
"I thought that most children didn't survive or something?" Harry asked incredulously.
"They don't." Hermione said bluntly as she looked down at her feet. "I think the feast has started...so, are we still going to Hogsmeade together?"
"Of course!" Harry blurted quickly and blushed. Hermione smiled happily and kissed him on the cheek before dashing into the great hall, leaving Harry stunned with a silly smile on his face. He took a few deep breaths before walking calmly into the great hall and sitting in an open seat across from Hermione and Ron.
"Where have you been?" Ron grunted as he piled food on his plate. Harry glanced up at the blushing Hermione and grinned mischievously. Feeling more confident and happy then he'd ever been.
"Asking your sister to Hogsmeade." Harry grinned unrepentantly. Ron actually choked on his bite of potatoes, staring at his best mate as if waiting for the punch line of a joke.
"What?!" Ron shouted, gaining the attention of most of the table. He coughed, looking down as his ears turned red.
"May I have your attention please?" The head master stood, raising his hands to silence the hall. "This year, many things are changing here at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, we will not be holding the inter-house quidditch league." He paused as the there were many shouts, the loudest coming from the Weasleys. "That is because we will be hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"YOU'RE JOKING!" Fred and George both shouted at the same time, interrupting the shocked silence.