No chapter next week. Everyone is going to be pretty busy. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled program the week after.
She wrote to her parents about what she remembered. It'd been years, Mrs. Smith had probably already retired, but she was sure they were going to try to do something. What could be done? Not a damn thing. Nobody cared about kids like her. Kids stolen from their families and treated as something inevitable. She had also told them what she had done about the cursed book. They probably already knew from the paper, but she wanted to tell them herself anyway.
An official looking owl swooped in and deposited an official looking letter in front of her. She picked it up and tossed it away.
"Don't you want to open that?" Shaylyn asked.
"No, what for?"
"It could be important."
"I'll open it," said Astoria.
"Tori." Daphne handed her the tongs from the toast plate.
Astoria fished the letter out of the porridge and opened it using the tongs and a fork like she was deactivating a bomb. She unfolded the letter.
"It's from the Ministry," she said.
"They finally realized they're idiots and gave Cedric a full pardon plus compensation?" said Hermione.
"Er, no, they want to give you another award."
"Tch!" Hermione hissed and stirred her cereal.
"What's the award for this time?" asked Pansy. "Being super… annoying?"
"That was weak, even for you," said Hermione. "Look, you'll get more material if you don't take a dig at me every day. Ease up, so the next insult will hurt. Otherwise they just all dull together."
"I don't need bullying advice from you!"
"You're fun." Hermione turned back to her own thoughts. If she did accept another award then she could demand a pardon for him. "Hand me the letter, please."
Astoria passed it over. Hermione held it eye-level and read it aloud.
"Dear Miss Herminia Lotulelei-Sanchez y Granger, Hey, they used my real name, that's a good start.
"For your heroics in freeing ten people from a cursed book, the first of whom was a well-respected Minister who was allegedly assassinated, and others who were both victims of circumstance as well as intentional, the Ministry of Magic would like to bestow upon you an Order of Merlin (First Class) as well as the title of Grand Sorcerer for your achievements in magic and the newly created Gamp Cross for your humanitarian efforts. Santa Maria, they're laying it on thick, aren't they?"
"Maybe they're retroactively awarding you for everything else you've done because they finally see how gifted you are," said Daphne. She paused. "I don't even believe that myself."
"They can't get to Harry, so I bet they're hoping to get to me," said Hermione. "I mean, come on, another Order of Merlin?"
"Most people only ever get one!" said Astoria. "Now you'll have two for saving Char and all those people!"
Hermione hummed and looked over at the Ravenclaw table where Char sat with a cluster of people like she used to. They seemed to be hanging onto every word. People usually did get a spike in popularity after a near death experience. Judging by their expressions, she was not regaling them of her three hours in the book but was keeping the conversation. Hermione didn't blame her. At least she looked to be doing alright.
"I'll write them back with my acceptance," she said. "It'll be easier to strong arm them when there's an arm to twist."
She took out a new piece of paper.
To Whom It May Concern,
I accept the awards on the condition that the teachers who aided me in this feat: Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Horace Slughorn, Septima Vector, Aurora Sinistra, Charity Burbage, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, and Belinda Babbling all receive Orders of Merlin for their bravery and trust in keeping the circle together to contain the dark artifact. I also have something else I would like to negotiate upon, but we can discuss it in person.
However, if my teachers who helped me are not honored, then I don't want to be either.
"If you're going to be negotiating with the Minister, then we'll need to work on your grace and poise," said Blaise. "They'll listen if you are calm, cool, and collected."
"Alright, Professor Higgins, I can pencil you in on Wednesday's study period. Just note, I can't talk R.P. English without a stutter these days. My speech therapist would smack me with a ruler if she heard me now."
"Noted."
Hermione was able to compartmentalize her feelings a little better after the club meeting that evening. She taught them origami and it was funny watching those unfamiliar with it try the more complex shapes off the bat. Everyone was able to get down the wishing stars though, and the tables were scattered with them.
"This was fun, Nia," said Char. "Is there an official sign-up sheet or…"
"Nah, I don't want anyone to feel obligated to show up," said Hermione. "This is just a way for people to meet, make friends, and learn more about cultures outside their own."
"Maybe I can teach mandala art sometime," said Char. "My family is Buddhist."
"That'd be cool. See you Thursday?"
"Hm?"
"For training. Or did you forget?"
"Oh! No, I didn't forget at all. I'll meet you at the Room of Requirement."
Hermione smiled. "See you then." She turned and followed her fellow Slytherins out of the room.
"You know, I think my stars look more like snowballs," said Blaise, shaking their jar of wishing stars.
"I think I found a new activity for when I'm reading," said Shaylyn, smiling down at her own.
Hermione said nothing, feeling a sense of peace from those around her. The weekend was terrifying, but they would endure and she would keep training to get stronger. And she had the first opportunity in a long while to bring her best friend home.
~o0o~
"I can tell you've fought with weapons before," said Char. "Your reflexes are quick."
"Thanks, I trained in the bo staff," said Hermione. She was using her khopesh, sheathed of course, so she could get a feel for the weight and balance of it.
The Room of Things had been arranged to become a practice arena for everything Hermione was training for. There was an obstacle course, mirrors to check forms, and training dummies, though instead of wands, these ones held various weapons. They were smarter, too. The one Hermione was sparring with moved the sword in real time and with real skill. Char was standing back to critique Hermione's form and figure out what level she should start at.
"Why do you have a sword anyway?"
"Well, some dark magic takes a different sort of tool," Hermione replied, dodging a swing. The wooden sword wouldn't injure her, but it would leave a nasty bruise if she wasn't careful. "I like to be prepared."
"Good thing you do, or I'd still be trapped in that book." Char shivered. "It was like being in a dream you can't wake up from."
Hermione squeaked as the training dummy faked out and smacked her on the butt. Char snapped out of it and giggled.
"I can tell you're used to a staff weapon," she said. "You fight like you can block your front and back, but if you're going to do that with a sword, you need to move around a bit more. May I?"
Hermione nodded and handed her the khopesh. Char admired it once again and spun it easily before jumping into the fight. She blocked and kept herself low and constantly moving, gliding around almost in a dance so she could sweep the sword around her.
"Parrying is the most important maneuver you can learn first," she said. "Your opponent will get frustrated and tired. You need to watch for an opening and…" She did a fancy move and the sword spun out of the dummy's hand. "You can win."
"You're really good at this," said Hermione.
"Thanks. I practice whenever I can. Ready to try again?"
"I think that's enough for today," said Hermione. "And I'm not being a sore loser. I promised Meenie I would bring her something for Sir Nicholas' Death Day party. I hear he's got royalty visiting this year."
"Are you attending again?"
"Mm, no. Last time I did Crookshanks got petrified and I think that would hang over me the entire party. I did get permission to show the Nightmare Before Christmas during the Feast, and this weekend we're doing an Addams Family double-feature."
"You're showing a Christmas movie on Halloween?"
"Yeah."
"So then, what will you show for Christmas?"
"Police Academy, naturally."
Char laughed. "Naturally."
"I'm gonna go use the prefect bath since it's right there," said Hermione, gathering her things up.
"Okay, sure, um… can I walk with you to breakfast after changing?"
"Yes, of course." Char probably wanted to stick close to her since she saved her life. Hermione was a magnet for trouble, but at least she knew how to get back out of it.
Hermione dressed up in her slightly fancier goth outfit and charmed the rest of her hair white before doing her makeup. She even charmed her good eye red to up the spooky factor. She loved Halloween, but the four she experienced at Hogwarts hadn't really been that good. She'd make sure this one was, at least, enjoyable.
Char met her by the staircase and they walked down to the kitchens together.
"I like your outfit," said Char. "I like all of them, actually."
"Thanks! Esperanza made them for me. I gotta tell you, it's fun to have a different aesthetic each day."
"I imagine so. Is it true that once you're seventeen you don't have to wear the school uniform?"
"It's in the handbook. I imagine they might try to amend that after this year, considering my penchant for loopholes."
"Maybe." Char fiddled with her hair. "Maybe I'll give it a try. Bring some of my favorite street clothes here after Christmas break."
"Go for it! I think uniforms are classist and inhibit individuality anyway. Some people just like looking like everyone else because it means they aren't wrong."
"I guess I can understand that," said Char. "It's scary being the one to break from the norm."
"Norms never made much sense to me anyway. Anyhow, I think if a school requires uniforms then they have to be free, otherwise what's the point in them being equalizers if you can tell who has money and who doesn't? Castelobruxo provides three uniforms for their students."
The kitchens were sweet with the scent of treats that would be served at the Halloween feast that evening, however, a few more steps in and Hermione covered her nose.
"Eugh!"
"Sorry, Miss," said Meenie, her own nose pinched shut with a clothespin. "The ghosts ask for rotted food. They can almost taste it, they say."
"Well, I might have something that can help with that," she said, bringing out a jar of peppers. "Ghost Peppers from Southern Brazil. Said to be so hot they can wake the dead. I would recommend wearing masks, goggles, and gloves when handling."
"Thank you, Miss," said Meenie, taking the jar. "We shall be sure to add it. Will you be helping in the kitchens today?"
"Not today. It's my busy day, but everything already looks amazing for the feast tonight. I'm looking forward to it."
"Will you be needing anything for your Day of the Dead celebration?" asked Rikki.
"No, thank you. It's just me, so I was going to set up something for my mamá. Maybe make her something myself as an offering." She smiled. "Mamí didn't cook much, but hotel rooms aren't the best place for a good dinner. I'm sure she'd like a good meal."
"Of course, just help yourself to anything in the kitchen," said Meenie. "Better yet, we'll make your mother's meal for the whole school to enjoy."
"Good food is meant to be shared." Hermione plucked a piece of candy corn out of a bowl and turned to Char. "Want to hang out here for breakfast?"
"Oh, uh, sure! I've been growing tired of the pity friends anyway," she said and took a seat in an empty space. "You almost die and then everyone acts like they need to make up for lost time."
"Yeah, I get that at least twice a year," said Hermione, making her laugh. "I'm surprised your parents didn't pull you from school."
"I asked them if I could stay," she said. "That I was safer wherever you were than in a different country."
Hermione suddenly felt shy. "You told them that, huh?"
"Of course." Char tucked her hair back. "I can't leave now. I don't want to leave."
Hermione picked up an apple. "Er… may I offer you an apple in these trying times?"
Char cracked a smile. "The most suspicious of fruits."
The classes today were more Halloween oriented to get people in the spirit. Probably because things had grown tense again. A couple more students had been pulled from school following the cursed book. It really felt a bit… she didn't know what the word was, but nobody reacted like this when she was almost killed by the cursed necklace. Maybe they worried that the teachers weren't screening things as well as they were supposed to.
Either way, Hermione was glad when it was time for the Feast. They would get about an hour to talk and socialize before the movie would begin. She sat surrounded by all her friends, an act that everyone had finally gotten used to. Harry and Ron no longer winced like they were traitors for just sitting under the green banner.
"Say, uh, is the movie you're showing tonight scary?" Ron asked.
"Not at all. Why?"
"Oh, well, I heard Dean saying girls get scared during scary movies and that's the best time to make your move."
"Ron, we literally live in a haunted castle with a poltergeist that wishes bodily harm on us," she said. "I doubt any horror film would send anyone who lives here into anyone else's lap."
"Fair point," he said and looked over at Lavender.
"Have you actually had a full conversation with her?"
His cheeks flushed.
"We're, uh," his voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "We're just laying down the groundwork."
"Uh-huh…" Hermione threw a piece of caramel popcorn at him. "Well, you might want to plant one on her before she decides she's had enough of laying foundations and goes with someone who isn't chicken."
"I'm not a chicken."
Harry clucked and Ron swatted at him.
"Miss Granger," said Professor Vector. "We're ready to start the movie now."
"Alright." Hermione got up and went over to the projector. It had become a permanent fixture above the teacher's table now that they planned to show something every weekend to make up for the end of Hogsmeade visits. Word had it that the business were getting catalogues so they wouldn't be losing out on money.
Just as she attached the video tape, there was a cacophony of ghostly wails. Ghosts shot through the walls, fanning their mouths and screaming horribly as they made a beeline for the lake. The screams faded at once and Hermione giggled to herself. Guess the ghost peppers worked a little too well. A few people clapped hesitantly as if it were a performance, but weren't entirely sure of the point of it.
Hermione finished the set up and hung the VHS tape in the basket attached to the screen. It worked better in closer proximity. The trailers began and most of the torches would be blown out once the movie started. She returned to her seat.
"What were we talking about?" she asked.
"Ron's inability to communicate with girls," said Daphne.
"Hey!"
The Nightmare Before Christmas was a hit and so were the Addams Family movies that weekend. On Día de los Muertos, she and the elves made pan de muertos, candied yams, pasteles, and asopao served with spiced cider. People liked that too, even Pansy didn't have anything negative to say about it. Hermione held her vigil by herself and promised to talk more about the holiday during the club meeting on Tuesday.
With the popularity of the movies, people were charming their clothes black or putting on heavier makeup. Some couples were even calling each other "cara mia" and "mon cher." Hermione wouldn't be surprised if there would be skeletons in Santa suits decorating the corridors when the season rolled around.
The longer Hermione trained and hung around Char, the stranger she was feeling. She knew these feelings and they terrified her. She was still dealing with her love for Cedric, holding onto the hope that he was coming home. How dare she start getting feelings for Char? She didn't say anything, of course. Harry and Ron wouldn't understand. Daphne and Padma might, but what if they didn't? Alejandro and Márcia might be sympathetic at least, but they were so far away. This sort of thing wasn't meant for letters. And she didn't want to tell her parents.
The only other person who might understand was Cedric, and if he were still a part of her life, then she wouldn't be feeling this, would she? Or the choice would be more obvious and she would write off this crush as temporary.
It wasn't fair.
"It's ridiculous!"
Hermione looked over at Harry. It was the day before the first Quidditch game of the season. She had gone down to the Pitch to double check the name roster for Gryffindor so she wouldn't mispronounce anything. The team was practicing. Dean and Cormac were… helping? At least, it looked like everyone was playing a round of Seeker's Bombardment, except it was towards Ron and he was playing Keeper.
"What is?" she asked.
"Ron," he said quietly. "He really is good, but it's his nerves. It's getting the better of him."
Ron yelled something nasty to Demelza Robins, which made her break down into tears.
"HEY! SHUT UP RON!" Hermione bellowed. "Get your butt down here!"
He flew down and slammed his broom to the ground. His face was so red she wondered how he was even breathing enough to be this steaming mad.
"What do you want, traitor?" he spat.
Hermione pointed her wand at his face and shot a steady stream of water at him. He spluttered and blocked it with his hand.
"What was that for?" he demanded when she stopped.
"You need to calm down, Ron," said Harry angrily. "I get that you're frustrated, but if you carry on treating the rest of the team like this, I'm going to have to kick you off."
Ron balled his fist and Hermione prepared to block, but instead he wilted; all the fight went out of him and he said, "I resign. I'm pathetic."
"You're not pathetic and you're not resigning!" said Harry, fiercely, grabbing Ron's robes and shaking him. "You can save anything when you're on form!"
"Trust me, Ron," said Hermione. "I've seen the other Keepers, you got the right stuff!"
"No, I don't."
"Mate, you blocked Quaffles while Nia and the girls were hollering and heckling," said Harry. "What's so different now?"
"It's nerves," said Hermione. "Robbie used to get like this before dance competitions. Harry, you've been doing yoga, right? Maybe you should lead everyone in a couple exercises. If Ron's off, the rest of the team will be off."
"That's not a bad idea," said Harry. "Thanks, Nia."
"Hey, I'm helping now, but tomorrow I'm not taking sides. You're gonna have to deal with this all on your own. Besides…" she dropped her voice. "You really want McLaggen to be Keeper?"
"No…"
"Viktor mentioned you could be really good," she continued. "He said you have great potential."
Ron perked up. "He said that?"
No, but a little lie wouldn't hurt. She'd just make Viktor aware of it so that if Ron ever asked he could just nod his head.
"Absolutely. You got this, man." Hermione looked at her notepad. "Look, I just came down to get names of the teammates. Don't make me have to announce you as Ron 'Butterfingers' Weasley."
He snorted and shoved her and she smiled.
"Thanks, Nia," said Harry. He looked to the rest of the team who were muttering to each other in the air. Ginny was glaring at Cormac like she was about to hex him. "Okay team! We're going to do a different sort of exercise for about ten minutes and then we'll try again."
Hermione left them alone and returned to her thoughts. She really could dish it without taking it, couldn't she?
She lay awake most of the night, cuddling Crookshanks while she weighed out the pros and cons of asking Char out. On the one hand, it was likely unrequited so she'd be rejected and they could move on as sword-fighting buddies. On the other, what if Char did like her and then Hermione was able to get Cedric pardoned so he could come home? Feelings aside, he hurt her by leaving and breaking off all contact. But what else was she going to do? Sit and wait for him until she died? Wasn't she allowed to date and form relationships? Was it too soon? When would it be the right time? Could she still love him and find happiness with someone else?
Maybe there was someone she could talk to who wouldn't judge her. After the match, though. This wasn't something to squeeze in before a game.
When she did sleep, it was fitful. She didn't dream her worries, but there was a lot of screaming and she thought she saw the flash of a sword coming down on her. She jolted awake, raising her arm to cover her face, her shield charm flickering. Daphne jumped and held up her hands.
"Whoa! You okay?"
"I'm… no, but I'll be fine to announce today."
"Alright. Anything you want to talk about?"
"No. I just… I think I'm doing too much. I need to take a breather."
"We can have a girls' night," Daphne suggested. "Watch Xena: Warrior Princess, do our hair, eat our makeup so we feel just as beautiful inside as we are out."
Hermione chuckled. "Sure. That sounds fun."
She dressed in her favorite sporty outfit and tied her hair back. Daphne wore all green to show her House pride.
"Crookie? Are you coming?"
Her cat curled around her ankles, purring up a storm. Up in the Common Room, Draco was in a stand-off with the Quidditch Captain, Urquhart. The other players were standing by with their arms crossed. Blaise in particular was wearing a look of suspicion.
"But the match is today!" Urquhart stressed.
"I don't feel well," said Draco, who did look paler than usual. "Besides, you've got Harper."
"I know you're dealing with some stuff, but I never took you for a flake!"
"Look, I'm sorry, I just can't play today! Harper will be fine!"
"Let's get to breakfast," Hermione muttered and Daphne nodded.
They hurried along to the Great Hall and ended up at the Gryffindor table, if only to avoid the tension at the Slytherin table. Ron was pale and staring at his plate.
"Morning," said Harry.
"Did yoga help?"
"It did and he played great, but… he woke up like this."
Hermione nodded. "Ron, you wanna know what my dad would say to me whenever I was nervous before a competition?"
"What would he say?" Ron asked.
"What the hell are you doing in the bathroom day and night? Why don't you get out and give someone else a chance?!" She smiled serenely and helped herself to some toast.
"Young Frankenstein," said Harry. "Sorry, I think you say a lot of strange things these days, so it doesn't faze us anymore."
"Worth a shot."
"Look, Ron, if you're not going to eat anything, at least drink something," said Harry, passing a goblet over to him.
"I'm not thirsty."
"What was that you put in his drink?" Luna asked. Xe was wearing xyr lion hat in support of Gryffindor, but also had on a pair of mittens that looked like snake heads. "Some sort of tonic?"
"There's no—" Luna kicked Hermione. Oh…
Harry flashed the bottle of Felix Felicis and Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Ron, it's illegal," said Hermione. "Don't drink it!" She winked at Daphne.
"Help, stop, murder," said Daphne, stirring sugar into her tea.
"Yes. How dare?" said Luna.
Ron grinned and downed the goblet of pumpkin juice. He smacked his lips and ate his eggs.
"I feel good," he said. "Let's play some Quidditch!"
Hermione and Daphne headed to the pitch. The day was nice and sunny, promising to melt the frost crunching underfoot soon enough. They diverged from the rest of the crowd and went up to the teacher's box. Hermione set up her soundboard and boombox, pushing in the Jock Jams tape.
"Space Jam" by Quad City blasted throughout the Arena, giving the both of them a chance to set up their notes of who was who, the soundboard itself, Hermione's video camera, and a cheat sheet of Quidditch move names. Daphne didn't need it, it was mostly for Hermione's benefit. Crookshanks curled up on the desk and closed his eyes against the sunlight.
When most of the stands were filled, Daphne pulled the megaphone closer.
"Good morning, Hogwarts!" she said. "Up here in the booth, we have amateur Quidditch announcers and professional hecklers, Nia and Daphne, that's me. Nia, how are we looking?"
"Sexy, but not like we're trying too hard. Sure we're trying but it's almost effortless."
"Fantastic. And how's the weather?"
"It's beautiful today," said Hermione. "Perfect conditions for playing Quidditch with low winds and beautiful sunshine. I tell you these players are absolutely lucky to get a rare day like this."
"Now, Nia," said Daphne. "You used to be a Gryffindor and now you're a Slytherin. How is that going to affect who you cheer for?"
"Well, the last time I had friends on two teams, I took both sides," she said. "This year? I'm taking no sides. That's right, this is a free-for-all, absolutely nobody is safe from my wit."
"Then they have nothing to fear."
Hermione snorted and Daphne grinned.
"Save it for the players," said Hermione. "What do you say we pump this crowd up? Now Gryffindors and Gryffindor supporters, I want you to give me a 'BOOYAH!'"
"BOOYAH!" the Gryffindors roared.
"Now Slytherins can I get a 'yeeehaw?'"
There were a couple 'yeehaws' mostly driven by the first couple years.
"Oh, come on, Slytherin, that was WEAK!" Hermione yelled. "You wanna be outdone by the Gryffindors? Lemme hear you again, Slytherins can I get a 'YEEHAW?'"
"YEEEHAW!" Slytherin screamed.
"That's more like it!"
Madam Hooch waved from the pitch. Hermione smacked the big red button and a "Twilight Zone/Get Ready Mashup" by 2 Unlimited played.
"And here are the players of the day!" said Daphne. "Coming on the field for Slytherin we've got: Stanley Urquhart, Blaise Zabini, Siobhan O'Rourke substituting for Ram Vaisey, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Charlie Harper substituting for Draco Malfoy."
"And on the Gryffindor team we've got a lot of new faces. Give it up for Demelza Robins, Ginny 'Basilisk-Slayer' Weasley, Jimmy Peakes, Ritchie Coote, and returning to the team we've got Katie Bell, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. Daph, what's your take on today's game?"
"At this point it could be anybody's. With two of the regular players out, Slytherin could face a lot of miscommunication, but from what I hear, there's been a lot of headbutting on the Gryffindor team."
"You'd be right there," said Hermione. "This game is going to set the tone for the rest of the season, I think. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw really oughta pay attention."
"That's right," said Daphne. "The best of the best are playing today."
"Great, when will they get here?"
There was a laugh from behind them and Hermione looked over her shoulder at the teachers. Professor McGonagall was pursing her lips trying to look stern. Hermione grinned and turned back.
"The Captains have shaken hands. The teams are now mounting their brooms."
"And they're off. Zabini nabs the Quaffle and it's Slytherin's play," said Daphne.
"Obviously I wasn't here last year, but I hears Ron's Keeping skills have been pretty spotty. There's been talk that he only got the spot by being Harry Potter's best friend—" her words were met with jeers and applause from the Slytherins, "—but remind me again how the Slytherins got their Nimbus 2001s?"
The Gryffindors laughed.
"Even so, those Nimbus 2001s still got it," said Daphne. "Zabini learns to share and passes to O'Rourke. She shoots."
"And Weasley makes a lucky save!" said Hermione. "Basilisk-Slayer grabs the Quaffle and it's in Gryffindor's play."
Hermione and Daphne narrated and heckled both teams equally at first, but picked on Gryffindor a little more as they started racking up more and more points.
"And Madam Hooch has called a quick time-out to check on Harper after that bludger collision," said Daphne. "He's thick, he'll be fine."
"Today's commentary is brought to you by Honey-Nut Cheerios," said Hermione. "They're heart healthy and my heart has been severely damaged. So John, if you're out there—"
"Game on!" said Daphne.
Hermione pressed a button on her soundboard and Garth yelled, "Game on!"
"Things are getting heated now," said Hermione. "Ron has blocked every single Quaffle so far, the only hope Slytherin has on winning now is catching the Snitch. Harry, mate, clean your glasses."
"Harper has indeed seen what Potter hasn't," said Daphne. "And the chase is on! Crookshanks, thoughts?"
Crookshanks meowed.
"My thoughts exactly," said Hermione, scratching behind his ear. "Harper has fumbled and bumbled and Potter caught the Snitch! Gryffindor wins by a landslide." She smacked a button, which bellowed, 'BOO!' "Whoops! Wrong one!" She pressed another one and a jaunty tune played. "A valiant effort by Slytherin, better luck next time."
"We will not be as kind as this time," said Daphne.
"If we're invited back next time!"
"I'm Daphne."
"And I'm Nia."
"And we're signing off!" they said together.
Hermione stopped the recording and packed everything up. Ginny flew over them and crossed her arms, leaning against her broom.
"Basilisk-Slayer?" she said.
"Yeah," said Hermione. "Do you hate it?"
"No, I love it actually," she said. "I can't believe I was never called it before. Loved the announcing, by the way. It stung a bit, but you did make fun of everyone, so I can live with it."
"Good, I'm glad."
"Showing a movie today?" asked Ginny.
"Nah, there's one tomorrow though. I didn't know how long the game would run and I don't think the teachers would take kindly to people missing on assignments to watch TV."
"Guess you're right. Well, I'm gonna go change. We're gonna celebrate clobbering Slytherin."
"We're gonna have a pity party," said Daphne. "Have fun."
"Yeah, you too."
"Daph, can you put the soundboard in our dorm?" she asked. "I'm gonna take a walk before we get on with Xena."
"Sure, no problem."
"Miss Granger, Miss Greengrass," said Professor McGonagall. "Your announcing was loud, rambunctious, and, dare I say it, mean-spirited. Can you announce for all the games?"
Hermione smiled. "Of course. Have a good day, ma'am."
"You as well."
Back in the castle, Hermione easily found Luna.
"Hey," she said. "Busy."
"No," xe replied. "Just thinking the best way to steal Ginny from Dean."
"Just ask her to Slughorn's Christmas party," said Hermione, "maybe she'll say yes."
"You think so?"
"Worth a shot, che?"
"Alright," xe said. "I'll ask her as soon as you're done telling me what's eating you. I might be an empath like Cedric, but I never could get the legilimency part of it."
Hermione looked around. "Not here."
She and Luna went to one of the secret passageways and sat down against the wall. Hermione told xem what she was feeling.
"Does that make me an awful person?" she asked when she had finished.
"I don't think so," said Luna. "Of course, you dating someone else—seriously I mean, not as a way to pass the time—sort of feels like admitting he's not coming back."
"I know. Has he even sent word that he's okay? Cryptic messages for the Quibbler. Postcards in invisible ink?"
"Not a word." Luna stared down at xyr doodle-covered shoes. "Of course… Daddy said that Aurors searched through submissions for months. I think they still have one staking out our house in case he shows up."
"Mine too."
"I thought you two were the perfect couple," xe continued. "You fit each other so well and brought out the best in each other, but I can tell Char likes you and I think you genuinely like her, too. And… Cedric isn't the type to make someone wait for him."
"I don't plan to stop loving him. I think if he walked in now, I'd snog him senseless, but the more time passes… When is the right time?"
"I don't know…" Luna leaned against her. "I think… in times like these… it's best to pursue what makes you happy. I like Char, she was always nice to me."
"I'm still confused, but… I'm glad I talked about it."
"I'm glad you trust me to tell me."
Hermione squeezed xyr hand. "Ready to go ask Ginny out? If it works out and Char actually wants to date me, we can double-date to Madam Puddifoots."
"Oh, I love Madam Puddifoots," xe said, xyr serene smile returning. "I like to sit there and sip tea while I read."
Hermione hooked her arm with Luna's and they went to the Gryffindor Common room. The party could be heard from the floor below. At least they were having fun. Rather than the annoyance she normally would have felt, Hermione got a sense of fondness and joy from their energy. As she and Luna approached the portrait, the Fat Lady gasped upon seeing Hermione.
"My lady," she said and bowed, opening for her.
"Interesting," Luna said with no further comment.
Everyone in Gryffindor was dancing and cheering Ron for a perfect game. Ron was standing on a table and basking in it. Hermione hoped this whole thing would do well for his self-esteem. Lavender climbed onto the table and kissed him. The cheers grew louder.
"Get it, girl! Get it!" Hermione yelled and turned to Luna. "See? Like that."
"I think I might try a subtler approach," xe said, cheeks turning pink.
"Well, there she is," said Hermione, pointing to Ginny who was pretending to vomit into her cup. "Want me to leave?"
"Could you watch, actually?"
"Sure." She pointed to the corner. "I'll be right over there."
Hermione snagged a butterbeer and twisted the cork off, saving it to give to Luna knowing xe liked to collect them. She leaned in the corner and took a sip, dancing in place to Selena. Seemed the Gryffindors embraced the music.
"Well, well, well, so we finally meet outside of the Slug Club."
Hermione leaned around Cormac to see Ginny and Luna chatting. Things looked fine so far. If only she could hear what they were saying or read their lips.
"Finally decided you had enough of the Slytherins?"
"Actually, I find them much better company than present," she said.
"Oh, come on, I know you like me."
Ugh, barf.
"What's it gonna take to make you go away?" she asked. "You're gunking up my funky flow."
He laughed. "You don't have to keep playing hard to get. I see you smiling, and you'll flirt with anything that moves. Why don't you be my date to the Christmas Party?"
"Do you want the reasons alphabetical or linear?"
"You can't seriously still be sulking about that cross-dressing wolf."
"Well, he did eat my grandmother." Hermione cackled at her own joke and ducked under Cormac's arm while he was confused.
She noticed Ginny and Luna snogging and grinned. Dean stepped away with a small smile and went over to Seamus. Luna looked at her and waved. Hermione waved back and signed that she was leaving. Xe nodded and went back to kissing Ginny. Hermione left the Common Room and stopped dead in the corridor. Something was wrong. She started walking.
Danger. Wrong. Danger. Danger.
She ended up in front of the Room of Things just as Draco Malfoy stepped out. He froze and color returned to her vision.
"Hi," she said. "You using that room?"
"And what if I am?"
"Because Cormac's in pursuit and I'd prefer to hide in a place he can't get into."
"What's the matter, Granger? Don't like all the male attention you've been receiving?"
"No. Believe it or not Draco, girls don't actually end up in love triangles. They get backed into love corners." She looked behind him. "What's going on in there?"
"None of your business! That's what!"
"…okay! If you see Cormac, tell him I'm faking my death and joining Cirque du Soleil."
Hermione moved around him and skipped away. Her sense of danger hadn't left, but she could check back in on it soon.
She would have to.