Chapter 1
Golden Girl Missing, a Vanishing Act?
27 August 1998
By Rita Skeeter
Sources close to the Ministry have informed this reporter that the Boy Who Lived Twice, Harry Potter, Order of Merlin First Class, has declared his once lover, heartbreaker and close friend Hermione Granger is missing.
The missing person report appears to have been filed a couple of days ago, with a corroborative statement made by Granger's supposed current lover and famous wizard Ronald Weasley, Order of Merlin Second Class.
At this time, there are no indications of foul play or malicious reasons for Granger's disappearance, indeed it appears as if the Golden Girl herself has chosen to leave the Wizarding World behind!
Why would the young Miss Granger choose to leave when she had just gained a modicum of fame due to her close and somewhat dubious association with our saviour, Harry Potter?
As my readers will remember, back in her fourth year, Hermione Granger made the papers already, as she was seen on the arm of Bulgarian Bonbon Viktor Krum, world-famous Seeker and Triwizard Champion, at the Triwizard Tournament Yule Ball, yet that same year she was seen being very close to our own Harry Potter (see page 3 for the recap of the sordid love triangle). Toying with both boy's hearts at the mere age of 14 going on 15 years old. Such a young age to develop flexible morals in her quest for fame, or at least famous men.
Following the Final Battle earlier this Spring, Granger has been seen on the arm of Ronald Weasley, while no official courting announcements have been made, we were made to assume they were now a couple.
Yet, Granger has left and Mr. Weasley has already been seen socialising freely in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Indeed, Mr. Weasley was seen (see page 6 for photographs and a detailed account) out and about with Lavender Brown, his school sweetheart.
The missing report filed by Harry Potter indicates she has been missing for at least a couple of weeks, yet her assumed boyfriend doesn't seem to mind the absence. What does that tell us?
Was Miss. Granger so desperate to grasp onto someone's famous coattails she used a shortcut to his affections? A love potion, perhaps? As many know, Granger came quite close to the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange during the war, did she connect with a darker branch of magic?
Mr. Potter declined to comment, but Mr. Weasley was heard saying "[he] was glad to be rid of the frigid bitch."
What caused the Golden Girl's fall from grace? Whatever the case, Granger's vanishing act has left more questions than answers. Is she hiding? Has she fled under the weight of her ambitions? Or, perhaps most intriguingly, could she be running from something, or someone?
I remain on the case and shall keep you informed.
Dear Miss. Granger, Defence Against the Dark Arts/Ancient Runes Mistress
It's lovely to hear back from you Hermione, as we discussed previously you can come in anytime in August as Auror Williamson will leave mid-July to go back to MACUSA.
I have taken the liberty of securing Remus Lupin's previous quarters, they have remained unused since his tenure and I am sure you will find yourself at home, his library is quite extensive and I personally find the décor quite cosy.
The first staff meeting will be held on 18 August 2006 to get everyone settled in, with another to follow on the 25th to get everyone ready for September first.
As you know, not everyone choose to stay in the castle over the Summer. This year, you will be our only new addition but a new Potions professor started only a couple of years ago, and of course Neville Longbottom is currently the Herbology professor.
I am very much looking forward to seeing you again, while our letters over the years have been a treasure, I long for a face to face conversation.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmistress
A/N - This chapter is short but the next ones will be around the usual 2/4k words.
This is very much going to be romance focused, with some drama but no angst and HEA.
Expect Weasley bashing (Ron primarily, some Ginny likely).
One of my favourite story is Hidden by Dyslexic_Penquin, where I first saw the Hermione/Marcus pairing and fell in love with it. I recommend it to everyone.
