The following week kept Hermione busy with combing through every single book she could get her hands on about Muggle Studies. She took the class in her third year, just to see what wizards deemed important enough to learn about muggle culture, but she was very disappointed. The class was moreso a string of barely coherent topics with blatant disregard for historical or philosophical accuracy than anything resembling a true class. So she sat down with a pile of both muggle and wizard tomes, slowly making a sort of lesson plan for Zabini.

This research had another benefit: it kept her from the Gryffindor common room for the most part, so she could avoid Ron. Neither of them was ready to talk yet. She hadn't seen Theo either, other than some brisk greetings in the hallways. Hermione needed some time to work through the news on her own, before flipping her whole life upside down, and the Slytherin seemingly understood this.

With a small sigh, she looked at her finished lesson plan. If she wanted to include every topic, - and she really wanted to - it would take at least five months to complete, leaving the snake fully prepared, and her with a serious study-time deficit. Thankfully she already did her revisions of the last six years during the summer, when her psychiatrist noticed that it helped her stay focused.

She got up to head to breakfast and decided that nothing less than an 'O' would be sufficient from Zabini if she was to put so much effort into these classes. No slacking off allowed.

As Hermione weaved through the students, she tried her best to forget that this would be the first common meal she attended since last week. In the great hall, she glanced at the Slytherin table, noting how Theo was quietly conversing with Malfoy. The tables were nearly full, but her old spot was still open.

The one with Harry and Ron.

She dragged her leaden limbs to her seat, keeping her eyes on the floor. Pulling her robes in tight, she took the seat on Ron's right, facing Ginny and Harry. The girl's face lit up instantly.

"Good morning, Hermione! How goes the studying?" she said jokingly, but with a sharp look in her eyes. "Will we see you again during this year or should I just say my goodbyes now?" She knew something was up, and to Harry's credit, it seems he did not tell his girlfriend a peep. It was Hermione's secret to share after all.

"I'm free third period" was all she told Ginny, with a silent 'I'll tell you then' implied.

"Let's meet at the quidditch pitch, then." Hermione nodded before the girl took off with half a toast still hanging from her mouth.

"She's preparing for the match this weekend. I swear she spends more time with her broom than me." Harry explained. He smiled at Hermione, happy to see her again.

"Who are we playing against?" She asked, hoping for a mostly civil conversation.

"Ravenclaw" Ron answered quietly.

"That's…good?" She looked at Harry pleadingly, and he shook his head. "… bad." She corrected.

"They have a new strategy this year. It will be a hard match."

Hermione fidgeted in her seat, trying to find an equally non-threatening follow-up, but she drew a blank. To avoid the questioning stares of her housemates, she looked at her options on the table, but nothing felt agreeable to the knot in her stomach. She had nearly made up her mind to flee once again when a plate of American-style pancakes was pushed in front of her. Confused, she looked at Ron for the first time in a week.

The boy looked paler, his freckles more pronounced, like he was sickly. The blue circles under his eyes told Hermione he hadn't slept much, which was a first. Even out in the deadly wilderness, he could sleep like a log.

Hermione wanted to take him to Madam Pomfrey for some Dreamless Sleep, and put on a grand lecture about taking care of himself in their last year, but her hand froze in the air between them.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Hermione," he whispered, and she just stared with her jaw slack. "I know I can be a knobhead, but I really outdid myself this time, didn't I?"

Ron's face was full of regret, and Hermione felt relief flood her body. Maybe their friendship was not ruined after all.

"We both could've handled it better," she agreed.

"I don't want to lose you, or our friendship."

"You really shouldn't" she smiled "You need someone to help you pass those N.E.W.T.s."

Ron groaned, but then quickly sneaked a hand around, to tickle her. "No school talk at the table."

They both laughed as Harry lifted his privacy charms around them.

"Finally," was all he said before they all dug into their food.

During breakfast, she recounted what happened with Theo, and they both listened to her every word without a single comment. Ron only lamented that she did not bring anything back for them.

"But you did get those deluxe quills you've been eyeing for a while now, didn't you? Do you have any left?" Harry asked, and Hermione blushed.

"No, I'm afraid they were gone quite quick."

"Well, shoot. I really wanted to try some," he frowned. "I guess even you aren't above your cravings once in a while."

"Something like that" she nodded, and could only hope they chalked up her reddened face to shame.

"So what were you up to this past week? You looked like you've taken up residence in the library." Ron scrunched his brows. "Did we have an assignment due this week?"

"We had one for charms and one for transfiguration." She confirmed, and Ron cursed loudly. "But that's not why I was there. I have a new project in mind."

Ron shifted on the bench, letting the arm that was draped on her shoulder fall. Harry blanched.

"I do love you, 'Mi, but I'm not doing any knitting. Not again."

Hermione didn't know whether to be upset or amused by her friend's reactions. She had to give it to them that S.P.E.W. was a bit far-fetched of a project.

"Not like that. I will tutor Zabini in Muggle Studies. I had to do a complete revision of the lesson plan, and I think I'm still missing some information, but it will have to do for now. We are set to meet tomorrow."

Both boys looked at her, unblinking. Harry's mouth opened and closed, like a fish out of water. It was Ron who finally broke the silence.

"Muggle studies tutoring?"

"I prefer 'Cultural exchange program'" Hermione corrected.

"For the bloody snakes?"

"A snake."

"Have you gone bloody barmy?"

Even as her face scrunched up in anger, for a moment, she wondered. Has she?

Ron quickly realised his mistake and put his hands up defensively.

"I'm sorry. I'm being a wanker again, but I'm worried. They hate you, 'Mione." He wildly pointed at the Slytherin table.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Harry added, finding his voice.

"Let's be honest, even if it isn't, it doesn't even make the top five of my worst ideas."

"And you're doing this with Zabini? Bloke's only known for his slyness and great arse." Ron's comment got Hermione off guard, but she pressed on.

"I would be asking him about Pureblood culture in exchange."

This idea came to her when the wizarding books referenced some obscure tradition in comparison to a Muggle one, and she had to spend way too much time looking for a book on the matter, that turned out unobtainable. This type of knowledge would only be passed down in Pureblood circles. The ones she now belonged to but knew precious little about.

"I can tell you about that." Ron huffed.

"What is the exact difference in the meaning of giving a blue Asteraceael Wishing Bloom as opposed to a pink one?"

Ron was deep in thought for a couple seconds, then capitulated.

"Fine," he exchanged a look with Harry. "How can we help?"

Hermione's heart swelled and gave her two best friends a wide grin, then pulled some yarn from her bag.

"Well, it's getting kind of cold and I could really use a new scarf."

Harry quickly stood and left the table with a quiet "Nope." To Hermione's surprise, Ron took the yarn from her hand and put it in his own bag.

"A scarf it is."

—

The third period found her in the stands, waiting for Ginny to finish her training.

Hermione decided to be honest once again, even if it burned her the last time. It was either her Gryffindor heart, or the struggle she had to go through during the summer to finally stop lying to herself, but she was sick of deception.

When the girl plopped down next to her, she began to tell her everything about the last week. Brother, sneaking, and tutoring included.

"How much do you hate me now, Gin?" Hermione asked, on the verge of tears once again. She hasn't had this many emotional moments in the last seven years combined. She was shaking in her seat.

Ginny finally spoke up, after listening to her without interruptions.

"This is amazing, Hermione. You have a family again!" She hugged her tight. "Merlin knows you deserve a second chance."

"But, it's Theo, and-"

"It's a lot, I know, but if there's a witch to figure this all out it would be you, the smartest of us all."

She pulled back from the embrace and looked Hermione in the eyes, who was still struggling at holding back her tears.

"This doesn't change you, who you are, or what you've achieved. You are an incredible, brave, and brilliant witch, and Theo should be damn proud of having you."

"I'm sure he is," she smiled.

"Now get up, and repeat after me: 'I'm Hermione Nott'."

Hermione was shocked, but Ginny insisted. "Come on! Say it!"

"I am Hermione-"

"Louder!"

"I am Hermione Nott!" She shouted at her, and Ginny grinned.

"That's right. Fiercest witch of her age."

Hermione felt powerful like she hadn't in years. She headed back to the castle with a bounce in her step.

Then collided with someone in quidditch gear.

"Watch where you're going, Malfoy." She heard Ginny call out from behind.

She looked up at the blond, who was out of breath, with a broom in his hand and a colour to his face that made him look so much different than usual. Alive.

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

"Me too."

Before she could get out another word, he brushed past her.

Hermione felt something land in her pocket.

At the end of the day, back in the safety of her bed, she finally pulled the item from her robe.

It was a single, carefully wrapped sugar quill, with a note attached to it. 'Blue - Affection, Pink - Romance.'

A/N: Thank you for the reviews, they really help me keep going.

Next time, we finally have the first tutoring lesson. :)

Stay awesome!

Love,

LydieBerry