To make up for the break up I'll be dumping a bunch of Cedric/Hermione stories this November. A chunk will be going under the collection I Will Not Explain and others will be stand alone. I'm still chipping away at Book Seven, but I have a sure outline and once the first draft is written the rest should come fairly easily. I would still expect a hiatus after Chapter 84, I've been pretty busy with both my jobs and shorts are easier to write than MCs.

Hermione set up the projector in the back of the Arithmancy classroom. It was a similar setup to the crystals that were used during the Triwizard Tournament. Really, the table with the slide projector just looked like a jumbled mess of magically made wires and crystals. The one pointing towards the screen was lit up like the one used for film reels, though no image showed up yet. Attaching it directly to the mirror or canvas was best, but she didn't want to mess up Professor Vector's projector screen. This was fine and the slight fuzz would hide more of her amateur shots.

Harry and Ron had opted out so they could catch up with homework. Daphne, Padma, Shaylyn, and Astoria had gone into the room with her and were playing with a paper fortune teller while she figured everything out.

"Hello, Nia!" said Luna, skipping into the room. Behind her were Ginny, Dean, and Seamus. Ginny and Dean were holding hands, but it looked to Hermione more in the way she and Cedric held hands before they wanted to date each other.

Gracie, Harjot, Winnifred, and a cluster of second and first years came in soon after. After them was the rest of the Journalism Club, then Blaise, Theo, and Draco.

"I see you changed your mind," Hermione said to Blaise.

"I just realized there was literally nothing better to do," he said. "Might as well see what a documentary is anyway."

"Alright. Theo, Draco, welcome by."

Draco hissed while Theo nodded.

When they sat down, Char and Marietta came in, sitting in the closest empty seats. Then came Professor Vector, Professor Slughorn, and Professor McGonagall.

"If I knew this many people would show up I would've ordered popcorn," said Hermione, finally getting the projector to display the title card, which had been written in crayon. "As of today, if you didn't bring your own snacks, you're out of luck. Thanks everyone for coming to the triple feature of Trolls of Venezuela, Cihuacoatls of South Brazil, and the Centaurs of North Brazil. These are amateur documentaries, but the run times are around two hours each. We'll watch the first two, have a break for dinner, and then watch the centaur documentary after. Please remain quiet and courteous to others and keep talking to a minimum. Thank you."

She tapped her wand to the projector and it began to play. While she had it open to the battle royale for the first viewing at Grimmauld Place, here it started at the very beginning with shots of the surrounding area and a narrative. She had Alejandro do it since it was his home and he knew it better. It was mostly about the Hearthstone Festival, but there was plenty about the actual society and culture to open up to more questions about their way of life. They went over the five Troll genders, the Trollish pronouns and their human language counterparts, daily life, sunlight allergy, and all that good stuff.

The audience was most interested in the Arena.

"Wait… you weren't kidding?!" said Draco, turning around after witnessing Biggs give her the stone. "You went with a Troll?!"

"I didn't go with Biggs," said Hermione, rolling her eyes. "I dated Alejandro, the Troll with the pink horns, for a couple weeks. The one narrating this. Now quiet. You're missing an important interview."

"There are three important rules in every battle!" Draal had said during his interview.

"And what are they?" Hermione had asked.

"One) Never show your fear! Fear keeps you alive and aware, but your enemy cannot know it! As far as they know, you eat them for breakfast! Two) Always finish the fight. Even if that means a mutual agreement to retreat. If you run, they will not allow you to stop. And three) When in doubt… AIM FOR THE GRONK NUTS!"

He had punctuated this by punching Azra in his excitement.

"Draal, you shouldn't flirt on camera!" they laughed.

Dean and Seamus left after the Arena and a couple people came in wondering what was going on. When the documentary ended and Hermione was swapping the crystals for the Cihuacoatl community, Luna came up and sat by her.

"So… those pronouns the trolls use… do they really have five different sexes?" she asked.

"Mmhm. Sometimes they identify a different gender than the one they're born as. They chose existing neo-pronouns that humans can pronounce, but they have their own in Trollish."

"So… a person can go by different pronouns?"

"That's right."

Luna tipped her head. "I never did feel like a girl. Boy doesn't seem right either. What were those pronouns again?"

"They/them, xe/xem, and thon," said Hermione. "There are others. Oh, what were they? Ze/hir… ae/aer was in a book, but I think that was used for aliens… Frankly, I'll use whatever pronouns a person says feels right for them. Whatever that is."

"You've really opened your mind, Nia."

"I guess so." She smiled teasingly. "Still don't believe in heliopaths."

Luna wiggled her foot, looking more uncertain of herself than Hermione had ever seen her.

"I want to try xe/xem."

"Alright. Do you want to keep your name the same, too?"

"Of course. I like my name," xe said. "Do you still go by 'she?'"

"Yeah, but more in the way you call ships, planes, and weapons of mass destruction 'she.'" The projector flashed the title card for the next documentary. "Go on and have a seat. I'm not an expert on gender identity, but we can talk about it more at dinner."

Luna nodded and returned to xyr seat next to Ginny. Hermione rested her elbows on her knees and watched the documentary. It wasn't as long as the Troll one mostly due to the lack of interviews, but there was still a lot of information. She had made sure she included the basilisk milking, though she cut out and voiced over the bits where she was saying she needed it for horcrux hunting.

"Why is everything blue now?" someone asked. "It's hard to see."

"She just said blue light filters a basilisk gaze," said Blaise. "Clean your ears out."

Hermione didn't respond, just rolling her eyes. She premiered the first magical documentaries and they were still nitpicked. When the documentary ended, she waved her hand and the lights turned up. A few people yelled out in protest, covering their eyes.

"The centaur documentary will begin after dinner," she said and packed everything up so it wouldn't go missing.

"This is a wonder, Miss Granger," said Professor Vector. "An absolute wonder."

"Well, it's thanks to my friends at Castelobruxo that this was possible," she said. "Editing, dubbing over, and then figuring out how to show it."

"Still, you had the idea to record all this information we never would have learned otherwise," she said. "Go on and take fifteen points to Slytherin."

"Well, thank you, ma'am. Will you join us for the centaur one?"

"I think I will," she said. "I think I will see if the other teachers would be interested in watching it, too."

"That's alright by me."

Blaise stood on the row below hers and leaned against the desk Hermione was sitting behind.

"Would you like to go on a date?" he asked.

Professor Vector walked away and Hermione rested her arms on the desk.

"Why?"

"Number one, it's an excuse to give you your first lesson in composure without people asking too many questions and two) certain people gave me a hard time for merely talking to you and I want them to lose their minds."

"So this is spite and not genuine attraction."

"You are good looking," he conceded, "but you're much too eclectic to be my type, and I'm of the belief that if you have to bully someone into changing in order to date them, you're better off single."

"Good belief to have," said Hermione. "Yeah, I'm alright with a spite date. But if you do plan to kiss me in order to watch everyone's faces melt off á la Raiders of the Lost Arc, just warn me first."

"Will do. I don't actually want to spend my Hogsmeade weekend toting you around, so we'll have a date in the courtyard sometime this week."

"Works for me. Just not on my birthday."

"Having a party?"

"Nah, I'm gonna lock myself up in the Room of Things. Listen to the mixtape Cedric made me, eat cool whip straight from the tub, obsess over the weight of life's choices. You know how it goes."

"No. Unlike you, I've never been dumped."

"Easy to boast when you've never dated."

"Touché."

He looked like he wanted to say something else, but seemed to think better of it. When he left, Hermione got up and tagged on with her friends to get to dinner.

"What did Blaise want?" asked Padma.

"To go on a date."

"Seriously?" said Daphne incredulously. "I mean… I don't mean to sound rude, but he's really snobby. I didn't think he would date someone… well… like you."

"It's just a date, Daph. I have no intentions of being his girlfriend."

"Then why agree?"

"Because dates can be fun, and can you imagine the gasket Pansy will blow?"

"Ah, I see."

Hermione stopped walking and realized she did so Char and Marietta could catch up to them.

"I liked the documentaries, Nia," said Char. "They were really interesting."

"I'm glad you thought so, Char," said Hermione. "Will you be back for the third one?"

"Yes, if that's alright."

"Sure it is. Though, if this movie day becomes a popular thing, I might need to start charging admission. Or maybe I will anyway. Like… a sickle per person. Ooh, I could make it two sickles, order popcorn in bulk, pay the elves for popping it and include it in the fee." She nodded. "Yeah, I'll have Mum and Dad send me VHS tapes and popcorn kernels in bulk. We can do double features."

"That sounds fun," said Char. "Will you take requests?"

"Maybe after I show my favorites. After that, I think if people bring their favorites, I'll start showing them. Assuming they're appropriate. Meaning, the teachers won't pretend to be scandalized."

"That'd be lovely," said Luna. "You can tell a lot about a person by their favorite movies."

"Have you seen a movie, Luna?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, yes," xe said. "After Mummy died, Cedric took me to the theater in town to help take my mind off things. Though, mostly he let me sit with him while he did his chores."

Hermione bit her lips. She wasn't going to lose it in public again. She couldn't.

After dinner, the word spread about the showing and the Arithmancy classroom was packed to bursting. Most were in Muggle Studies despite the content of the videos. Most of the staff was there, too. Even Firenze was there, standing next to the windows to watch. Hermione gave her spiel about keeping quiet and courteous then played the documentary. She rested her chin in her hand and wondered what her friends were doing now. Probably hanging out. She got a letter from Bernice yesterday, telling her how much she loved her apprenticeship and living in Hawaii.

"Thanks for watching," she said when the video ended. "Next Saturday, I'll be presenting a movie after lunch. Price of admission, one sickle. If I can get them here in time, than two sickles for concessions."

"Professor Vector was correct," said Professor McGonagall. "This was most informative. If more students are interested, you will have permission to use the Great Hall."

"Thank you, ma'am." She'd have to get help making a projector screen big enough.

Hermione waited until almost everyone was gone before she started packing up.

"Miss Herminia," said Firenze just as she was leaving. "Might I have a word?"

"Have a sentence even," she said, leaning against the desk. "Go on ahead."

Her friends nodded and left the classroom.

"It was quite informative," said Firenze. "It's always nice to see how the other herds are doing. As the world gets smaller, it grows more difficult to reach out to others."

"I hear that," said Hermione. "What's your herd think about you maintaining a teaching position in this establishment?"

He winced and shuffled from hoof to hoof. "All attempts at contact have been met with hostility. I doubt I would be accepted back, even if I did turn my back on the position here. I'm afraid this is all I have left."

"Mm… you know, one of the terms I had for quietly leaving Castelobruxo was to collaborate with the centaur community. They have millennia of well-documented information, written and oral. I got this letter from my friend Óliver that they're following through. The library has been expanded, there's talk of recording the process of making old artifacts and placing those copies on display with the video playing next to it. It's very cool."

"Be that as it may, I don't see something of that nature happening here," said Firenze. "I just wanted to tell you that I think it's good work what you are doing with S.A.M.B. I'm glad the herd of Brazil was accepting of your help."

"Well, they were doing a lot of the work already," said Hermione. "I was just in a position to help." She clicked her tongue to her teeth. "If the centaur herd here doesn't want a wix coming in and stirring things up, that's their choice and I won't push. Maybe there's not much I can do until the climate is better."

"It has been enlightening to interact with the students here," said Firenze. "Dumbledore has been kind to me."

"He convinced you to come here knowing how much Umbridge would hate you," Hermione countered. "He should have known you'd be ostracized from your herd. He could have at least gotten permission from your herd elders. Plead his case."

"Yes, well… he said I was needed. That this was a good opportunity to bridge our communities."

Hermione shook her head. That man…

"Well… perhaps you can reach back." She fished around her purse and brought out the long tube containing a gift to the herd. "This was given to me by Hyrane, a Centaur Elder. It was supposed to be an offering for me to give to them, but I think you need it more than I do. I'll figure out something else, but I can't stand by and let a family be split apart like this. Maybe you can find a middle ground, or maybe they'll just let you visit from time to time."

Firenze took the tube and opened it to see what was inside.

"Miss Nia… this is… are you sure?" he said.

"Yeah. I'll figure something else out. Just… tell them that the centaur herd from Brazil heard about you becoming a teacher and sent this along as a… as a bridge. Just because you've settled elsewhere you're still connected by your history and the stars."

"Do you know what is here?"

"No. I didn't look at it, I just trusted Hyrane and the others." Hermione offered her hand and he took it. She felt like a small child with as big as his hand was. "I'm sorry things are difficult. If you'd like I can arrange a correspondence. Even if you never meet them face to face, it might still be worth it to befriend others."

"I will consider it. Thank you."

Hermione nodded, squeezed his hand, and left the room. So, she wouldn't contact the Centaur herd here. She really wanted to reach out, but if they ostracized one of their own for just taking up teaching, then she'd probably end up with an arrow in her. If they didn't want to work with her, then she wouldn't force it like a missionary. She'd just push for expanding their land rights within the government. Make petitions, bully, lobby. Whatever she had to do and if they wanted to they'd reach out to her.

Whatever it took.

"What are you thinking about?"

Hermione blinked and looked over at Blaise. Time had really been wibbly-wobbly for her these days. They were on their date in the courtyard and had quite the audience. Mostly people who knew Blaise and couldn't believe he would go on a date with her. They decided the earlier in the week the better so they could go their separate ways.

It took place in the main courtyard after class. They sat on the edge of the fountain with snacks courtesy of Hermione's stash, and Blaise did dress smartly for the occasion even though she assured him it wasn't necessary.

"I've been thinking of taking up sword-fighting lessons," she said. "I have a feeling some people at this school know how, but if I put up a poster that says, "Wanted: Sword Training" I fear I would get a lot of unwanted responses."

"Why on earth would you want to learn to sword fight?"

"Because I have a sword and would like to learn to wield it."

"Hm…" he swirled his country club bottle. "That's fair. I know Millicent knows how, but I'll ask around. See if anyone else can teach you who wouldn't stab you."

"That'd be cool," she said. "So tell me, how does one stay cool and calm like you do?"

"Well, the first mistake anyone makes is thinking composure and ease go hand-in-hand," he said. "You can be uncomfortable and feel like you want to go mad, but you never show it."

"I suppose that's true," she said. "I tend to feel one emotion at a time and I feel it with my entire being. That's why I stim so much."

He gave her a curious look. "Interesting. Are you descended from fae?"

"Not likely. My family would have documented that. But autistic children tended to be labeled as Changelings."

"Ah. An overlap of traits then," he said.

"There are, of course, some autistic people who are the complete opposite," said Hermione, tearing open a package of wafers. "I just happened to have the hyper-emotional trait."

"You might be beyond help, but I'll do the best I can," he said. "You've already undergone a complete personality change since you were last here. You act like someone, though I can't quite pinpoint who. Everyone's noticed, obviously, and they like the new you. But you can always be better."

She shrugged. "What's the hardest thing to learn?"

"That would be making people question whether you're entirely interested or completely bored," he said. "Drives people mad, you give no indication that you like or dislike anything they say and they'll do anything to gain your approval. Like so."

He relaxed his face and rested his hand against it, his pointer finger on his cheek and the others resting on his chin like he was studying a piece of art at a museum.

"That's good," she said and copied his movement.

"Soften your eyes a bit," he said. "There we go."

"Interesting. You know, I'm surprised you're on the Quidditch Team. You do seem the type to get agitated if he breaks a nail."

"I genuinely enjoy it," he said with an indiscernible shrug. "You look too interested."

"Well, I genuinely want to know more about you if we're going to be friends," she said.

"Why do you want to be friends?" he asked.

"I figured I'll get farther with friends than I would with enemies."

"Well, the Sorting Hat wasn't wrong with your new placement," he said. "Since we're friends, I'll help you out with composure."

"Works for me."

"Did you mean it when you said anyone can use those pronouns?" he asked.

"Of course."

"What if I change my mind?"

"That's okay, too."

"Alright then. I think I like they/them for myself."

"Then I will refer to you that way."

They glanced across the way. "Alright, now the boys bet fifty galleons that I wouldn't kiss you. I'll split the pot if you do."

Twenty-five galleons was a lot of money. Hermione tipped her head side to side.

"Fine, but just this once, okay? I'll let you gauge how long it needs to be to count for the bet."

"Of course." They leaned across and kissed her.

It was alright. There wasn't any spark. In fact, the act felt mundane in a way. At least they weren't bad at it or trying to add tongue. Still, Hermione wasn't wowed.

"That's enough!"

They parted and looked at a red-faced Pansy.

"You can't kiss!" she growled.

"Pansy, I'm flattered, but I'm afraid I don't like you that way," said Blaise.

"Don't say you're afraid," said Hermione. "It makes it sound like you regret the fact."

"Fair point."

"I don't want to date you," she snapped. "But kissing Granger is… unnatural!"

"Mind your words, Parkinson," said Hermione coolly.

"Shut your mouth Mudblood!"

She inhaled sharply.

"Composure, not ease," Blaise muttered.

Hermione slowly released her breath and tried to keep her face neutral, but just failed by glowering at her school nemesis.

"I am at perfect liberty to kiss whomever I want," she said. "And Parkinson, that's detention. I'll be telling Professor Slughorn."

"I will never take orders from a filthy, monster shagging, bitch!"

"Bought yourself another Saturday," said Hermione, glancing at Blaise who nodded encouragingly. "Shall we keep going, Pansy?"

"Fuck you!"

"Ooh, that mouth! That's fifteen points from Slytherin. Think I'm not above it?"

Pansy drew her wand. Hermione didn't worry. She was wearing her bracers.

"Let's see what the boys think of you if you're a buck-toothed murtlap again!"

"Not a boy," said Blaise.

"But you are a straight up hottie," said Hermione and they actually smiled.

"That I am."

"ARGH! DENSAUGEO!"

Hermione raised her arm and the hex bounced back into Pansy's face. She shrieked and flailed as her teeth elongated.

"Well… this was fun," said Hermione loudly. "But I don't think we should go steady, Blaise. See you tomorrow?"

"Of course," they said. "Would you like an escort to the Common Room?"

"Nah, I'm gonna go tell Professor Slughorn what Pansy said and tried to do and then go on my patrol."

"Very well, have a good evening."

"Yes, you too."

~o0o~

Hermione was glad Thursday was Goth Day. She didn't think she could stand wearing something bright and colorful. She went up to breakfast and was immediately surrounded by her friends.

"Happy Birthday, Nia!"

"Aw, thanks you guys," she said as they sat down at the Slytherin table.

"Here," said Harry. "I got up early and made it with Rikki and Tikki."

He slid the cake in front of her. It was iced to look like a galaxy complete with white flecks like stars. It was topped with seventeen simple candles and a sparkler candle for one year of good luck.

"Thank you, Harry," she said, touched that he would do that.

"Alright everyone," said Harry, lighting the candles. "'For She' in one, two, three."

They sang "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" and clapped when she blew out the candles. Hermione divvied the slices out and ate hers right away. It was a vanilla cake with chenille cream and blackberry jam.

"This is amazing," she said, demolishing it in seconds and grabbing another slice.

Stephen swooped in and dumped parcels in front of her. He fell into the toast tray, squawking expletives. Hermione grinned.

"Stephen," she said. "Peekaboo!"

"Peekaboo!" Stephen repeated. He stretched over and made kissing noises, pressing his beak against her forehead. "Give her kisses! Mwah!"

"That's so cute!" said Shaylyn.

Hermione sorted through the packages. "Mum, Dad, Mom, Papí, Amalea, the family, Viktor…"

All her friends from Castelobruxo sent her letters or gifts. Sirius sent her a gift, so did Fred and George. She checked all the tags and was disheartened to find she recognized all the names.

"What, not enough gifts?" Harry teased.

"It's more than enough," she said. "I'll have my fair share of thank you letters to write."

Not even a postcard. She hoped… well, nobody would really look, would they? He could have used a nom de plume. She had at least hoped he would at least give some sort of sign that he was alright.

"I know who she's looking for," said a boy. "What's the matter, Granger? Didn't receive a gift from that wolf?"

"Don't dignify it with a response," Blaise murmured. "Remember, you are better."

That's right, she was. Hermione turned back to her presents.

"Would it be rude to open them here?" she asked. "Perhaps I'll save it for later. I don't want to get wrapping paper in everyone's cereal."

"Of course," the boy continued, clearly upset he was being ignored, "we all know the real reason they broke up."

His name was… Henry. Gryff—no, Hufflepuff. Hat stall.

"Leave her alone," Ron snapped.

"Cedric Diggory wasn't monster enough. We all know Granger fancies big, ugly trolls!"

"Rule three?" Hermione asked, clenching her fist.

"No," said Blaise.

"You only say that because she'd never look twice at your stupid mug," Padma spat.

"Or maybe… it's because Cedric Diggory was nothing but a limp-wristed, cross-dressing poufter!" Henry sneered and leaned over Hermione, making her hair stand on end with discomfort. "Why don't you give a real man a try?"

"Rule three," said Blaise.

"RULE THREE!" Hermione jerked her elbow back and Henry crumpled to the ground. Feeling better, she sipped her tea. "I really can't abide bigotry. Cedric is bisexual. Just like Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Angelina Jolie, Alan Cumming, Billie Joe Armstrong, me, Amy Winehouse."

"I'm sorry, what?" said Daphne.

"Yeah, Billie Joe Armstrong is bi. So was Billie Holiday. Cary Grant, allegedly. I only say that because he never officially came out himself, but he did live with his best friend. Who else? Frida Kahlo, Lord Byron. My namesake Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was potentially bi. She wrote love poems to a woman and nuns were typically queer, especially back then." Hermione gathered her gifts, stuffing them one-by-one into her purse. "James Dean, Nina Simone—"

"Or maybe Diggory just didn't want to be around a frigid bitch like you!"

A red light hit his face and he screamed and cursed as bats flew out of his nose.

Luna lowered xyr wand, looking positively furious.

"What is going on here?!" Professor Flitwick demanded.

"Isn't that just the way?" said Hermione crossly. "The teacher only shows up when you have enough and fight back."

"Now, Miss Sanchez-Granger, what's happened?"

"This guy, Henry is his name, was using some rude language and he made a lewd suggestion. There was no handling this with words, sir. I tried to ignore him, honest."

"I see." He nodded. "Not to worry, I will handle this."

Well, at least one teacher in this school knew power imbalances.

"Thank you, sir." Hermione rose to her feet. "Could someone please tell Professor Vector I'm going to be a few minutes late? Thank you."

She sped out of the Great Hall and went to the nearest hidden passage she could feasibly get to, which happened to be the one surrounding the Great Hall. She closed the door, slid down the wall, and cried. After twenty minutes, she managed to collect herself long enough to get to class. She wasn't too late to Arithmancy and Professor Vector just gave her a don't-let-it-happen-again eyebrow quirk.

Hermione slid into the seat next to Harry and kept her eyes turned to her paper. They were supposed to start thinking about what sort of spell they wanted to create, but she had no idea. She didn't come up with spells, she just memorized what other people did.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked when they were allowed to discuss spell ideas.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She drew circles on her notebook page. "I just don't know what sort of spell I want to make. Defensive? Offensive? Practical? Funny? I might just do something fundamentally useless if only to show that I can apply the lessons we learned in class. Maybe a sorting spell. Cedric invented a water filtration spell."

"Sorting spell could work if you accidentally dump the lentils with the rice," said Harry. "Daphne and I were thinking of asking if we could do a collaborative project."

"'Oia kā?"

"Yeah. You know how you can see magic?"

"Uh-huh."

"We were thinking of using arithmancy to enchant an adder stone so that if you look through it we can see like you."

"That's… actually a really cool idea."

"Thanks," said Daphne. "You want in?"

"Nah, you guys are probably pushing it with just two. I'll figure something else out. Something cool. There's a lot of uses for arithmancy, you know? Gemstone making, ward building, not just statistics and spellcrafting. It's like all maths rolled up into one super math. Castelobruxo has four advanced Arithmancy courses, one that is comprehensive, and the other three go more in-depth into subsets. Of course, you have to take the intro course in order to qualify for those three. Clearly I am better at statistical analysis."

Hermione looked down at her paper, realizing her hand had not quit moving the entire time she was speaking. She stared at the equation and closed her book.

"That's been done."

"What has?"

"Don't worry about it." She took out her compact and cringed. "Can you tell I've been crying?"

"No, no," said Daphne. "It just looks like it's part of your outfit."

The bell tolled, dismissing them to Charms. Hermione took a deep breath and re-tied the ribbon of her hat so it didn't pinch her throat as much. Or perhaps that was the tears choking her.

"What is going on with the portraits?" Padma whispered.

The subjects of the portraits slumped in their frames. Some sobbed quietly in their arms while others just stared off at nothing.

"Weird," said Daphne.

Ron sat next to them in Charms class.

"Did you hear?" he said. "Nobody can get past the Fat Lady. She's been crying her eyes out since this morning!"

"Maybe portraits just get sad sometimes," said Hermione, feeling slightly defensive. "Maybe portraits need to let their feelings out without people making a big deal of it."

"Settle down, class, settle down," said Professor Flitwick. "It's a lecture day today, so please take out your notebooks and put wands away. We're going to talk about common additives to make spells stronger. The duos, trias, and maximas. When to apply them and when not to apply them."

Hermione didn't pay attention. She'd already been over this. Duos, trias, and maximas could only be applied to spells of latin origin and most recommended for offensive spells. It could occasionally be applied to spells like aguamenti in order to turn a trickle into a tidal wave, but it wasn't recommended without great control. She wrote an essay about substitute additives for spells not of latin origin.

"Hey, Nia, can I talk to you?" Ron asked after class. "I'm getting all turned around with this."

"Mm, ADHD brain?" she said. "Yeah, sure. We've got a short break before lunch is served."

He led her to a quiet corridor, then turned to face her.

"You're doing it again," he said sharply.

"Doing? Doing what?"

"That thing with Hogwarts," he said. "I thought maybe you were just being strange, but you're actually connected, aren't you?"

Hermione stared at him. If Harry had said, he would have led with that. "How'd you figure it out?"

"If it was a residual effect, it would've worn off by now," he said. "Not to sound like you, but I read everything I could about it after that day. It took a long time even with those specs you gave me. Harry mentioned that you knew a lot more about the castle and I noticed that every time you lose it, something weird happens. I don't think this is good for you, Nia. Your emotions are affecting Hogwarts!"

"Ron, I can't just stop," she said. "Without this, I lose my edge."

"Edge on what?"

Hermione hesitated then, damn her inability to keep a secret, caved in.

"Okay, but you can't tell Harry. Not yet."

"Why not?"

"Because he has the tendency to act before thinking," she said. "It's not necessarily a bad quality, it's just not the one we need right now. If I remain connected to Hogwarts, I can spy on anything that goes on in here. Including his lessons with Dumbledore. Dumbledore… he's done everything he could to keep me out of it and if I give Harry information, he might bring it up, Dumbledore will wonder how he knew, and then we'll be… janked."

Ron considered her words and sighed heavily.

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but you'll tell both of us everything soon, right?"

"Yes, I promise. And I've never broken a promise."

"No, you haven't," he agreed. "Well, it wouldn't be chess if you told your opponent all the moves you plan to play. Alright, but I think you should at least take a break once in a while."

"Yeah, I know. I appreciate your concern, Ron, but I… I'm not going to be fine until I see a light at the end of the tunnel, and right now… I'm in the dark."

"What can I do to help?"

"Maybe keep me in check. Make sure that I'm not acting too weird. Cover for me on days where Harry has a lesson? They can last for hours, so I need to remain undisturbed." She touched her forearm. "I doubt I'll be able to keep this hidden forever. I might need to find a better place for the runes."

"Calf?"

"That could work."

"Mione… Nia. I know you're hurting."

"No. You don't know." She crossed her arms. "I had the full capacity to help Cedric and I did nothing."

"You don't know that. Umbridge had it out for him from the start."

"I don't want to talk about him anymore. I'm serious, Ron. He's not coming back and I'm never going to see him again."

"You don't know that, either."

"He couldn't even be bothered to send me a postcard. If it were the other way around, I would totally send something in disguise." She rested her cheek against the wall. "Maybe I was just fooling myself."

"I'm a fool," a nearby portrait sobbed.

Hermione looked at Ron. "Maybe you've got a point. I'll go wash it off."

"Nia. Cedric did love you. I might have the emotional range of a teaspoon, but I know what love looks like."

Hermione huffed a humorless laugh. "Thanks, Ron, but clearly it wasn't enough."