Chapter Two: Seventh Year
The girls woke up the following morning and the two got ready for breakfast. The Great Hall was noisy with conversations and the ghosts were flying around again trying to find some sunlight to avoid. Hagrid was eating with Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney was polishing her big glasses with her napkin. Professor Slughorn was having a rousing discussion with Professor Sprout about dragon-dung fertilizer and Madam Pomfrey was looking at Professor McGonagall as though she had just won the Nobel Prize.
Luna and the other Ravenclaws were just about done and the girls were all about to head to their first class together. Peeves was up to his usual rounds again, and Hermione and Ginny were going over their class schedules. Hermione's classes were Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Potions. Ginny was about to look at hers, but before she could, two first-year girls, one Gryffindor and one Ravenclaw, were running towards them.
"It's true. It's her. Are you her?" The Gryffindor girl was trembling with excitement. Hermione looked confused. The Ravenclaw girl replied, "Yes, it's her." She turned her head. "You're Hermione Granger, aren't you?" Hermione told her, "Yes, I am." The two girls squealed with delight. Hermione chuckled nervously. "Um, this is Ginny Weasley." Ginny smiled, "Hi there." The Gryffindor girl was still in awe. The Ravenclaw girl piped up, "Is it true that you're the brightest witch of your age?" "Better," Ginny chimed in, "She studies for tests before she even needs to study." Hermione blushed. It was the first time in a long time someone ever mentioned to her that she was the brightest witch of her age. It was even mention on her collector's card.
"Awesome," the Gryffindor girl said, "I'm Gwen and this is Willow." Ginny smiled, "Well, it's very nice to meet you two. You remind us of two other girls were also a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw." Hermione said, "Yeah, I'm sure they would've loved to meet you." The Patil twins, Padma and Parvati, were good friends and members of Dumbledore's Army. After the Battle of Hogwarts, it traumatized them because Lavender Brown had been killed by Fenrir Greyback. Lavender was their classmate during Professor Trelawney's Divination classes. After Trelawney said that Lavender had passed, the girls were devastated. Even Hermione was mournful to hear about Lavender, even though she was determinedly attached to Ron in their sixth year, which Hermione was not at all comfortable with. Thankfully, Ron only had eyes for Hermione, which made it hard for Lavender to get over. Nobody seemed to know what Padma or Parvati were up to after the war, but the good news is they had finished their education.
Willow spoke up, "We'd best get to class." They started to run. "Nice meeting you two!" Hermione called out. Ginny said, "Those girls really seem to revere you." Hermione smirked, "I don't do what I do for praise, Ginny. Although I have to admit, it is a little nice."
Hermione, Ginny and Luna were all on their way to Herbology class. Professor Sprout came out and welcomed everyone back after an intense summer holiday. "Well, it's nice to see you all again," she said to the girls. "Holidays all right? I suspect now that the Dark Lord is gone for good, there's no need for the Slytherins to be hiding anymore." Ginny snickered. Hermione looked at her. After that, the girls were working away tirelessly by scraping the pieces of Mandrake root out of the pots. Luna used a simple watering spell, "Aguamenti," on the Mimbulus Mimbletonia.
As soon as the girls entered the Charms classroom, Professor Flitwick squeaked on his books with glee, the same squeak he had when Harry was first in his class back in the first year. "Ooh, Miss Granger, what a delight to see you again! And Miss Weasley and Lovegood as well! Wonderful. Wonderful indeed." Hermione replied, "Hello, Professor Flitwick." Charms was an easy class, but is still incredibly serious. Everyone knew about Hermione's success of Wingardium Leviosa in her first year, being able to levitate the feather in the first try, no problem, much to Ron's annoyance, of course.
The next day was the same as the previous one. In the Potions classroom, Professor Slughorn was getting ready to prepare the cauldrons. As soon as the students arrived, Slughorn beamed when he saw the girls. "Ah, Miss Granger. Miss Weasley, Miss Lovegood. Come in, come in, we're just about to start. I hope you ladies are prepared for your NEWTs." "Well, we all know Hermione is," Ginny said. Hermione looked at her again. Slughorn chuckled. "Well, it's always good to be on the ball when you're in the game." The girls started working on their potions: Luna was doing the Elixir to Induce Euphoria. She kept checking her list so that she wouldn't forget any ingredients. Hermione was just trying to be precise in what to use for her Draught of Living Death. Ginny, on the other hand, did a little bit of free-styling with her Wiggenweld potion. "Hey, Hermione, how much Dittany is used in a Wiggenweld potion?" "Not too much." Ginny's cauldron was bubbling. "Um, how much Moly?" "Why do you ask?" Suddenly Ginny's cauldron produced a giant puff of smoke. Ginny started coughing softly and then chuckled. Luna noticed and shook her head, smiling at the sight of her closest friend goofing up. Hermione sneezed. "Ginny, I think you put in a little too much." "Yeah, I figured as much," Ginny said, "but I hope I put in the right amount of Dittany." Hermione picked up the ingredients list. "Ginny, you didn't put in enough Dittany." "Actually, I didn't put in any at all." "What?" "Well, I was getting to it, but I realized I made a mistake and got a little distracted. I know I shouldn't be, but I couldn't decide whether to put in the Wiggentree bark or the Flobberworm mucous first." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ginny, what difference does it make? It doesn't matter. Just put them in. And try not to put in too much this time."
After the Potions class ended for the day, the girls walked around the Hogwarts grounds for a little free roam. Hermione decided to pay Hagrid a visit at his hut, but as soon as she got there she knocked on the door and then Fang started to bark. Hagrid yelled, "Fang, be quiet! Come in!" The door opened and Hermione walked in. "Oh, Hermione, come in, I just finished making some tea." Fang perked up and ran to Hermione to lick her face. "Ugh, hi there, Fang. I missed you, too."
When Fang got down, Hermione sat in a chair trying to wipe his drool off her face. Hagrid said, "So how's your new term goin'? Same as always, I expect." "Yeah, except Defense Against the Dark Arts is on my list of classes to take for the NEWTs, and there hasn't been any mention yet on who the new professor is." Hagrid chuckled. "That's all everyone's talkin' about these days." Fang barked. Hermione smiled at him. It was one of those rare moments where she saw the dog happy.
"Don't think I ever told ya this, but before I went to Hogwarts, Dumbledore was a Dark Arts teacher." Hermione spit out her tea. "What? That's not possible."
"Oh, but it is," Hagrid smiled, "He was always willing to try a lil something new, challenge the kids whenever he was able." "I can't imagine," Hermione said. "What happened?" "He eventually stopped teachin' the subject and started teaching Transfiguration instead." "I'll bet that was a challenge," Hermione finished her tea. "Anyway, I should get going to the common room. It'll be dark soon." "Hermione, you can't leave now. Yeh just got here." "I know, but I enjoyed this. I'll come back later. Bye, Hagrid. Bye, Fang." Fang moaned.
Ginny sat next to Hermione the next day in Transfiguration class. "Hey, Hermione, Ginny!" said a voice. Someone was running towards them. It was Hannah Abbott. She ran to hug them. "Hi, Hannah," Ginny said. "How was your summer?" "Wonderful!" Hannah beamed. "I just got a new job as a landlady at the Leaky Cauldron!" "That sounds exciting!" Ginny replied. "I'll bet you get yourself loads of free drinks." "Well, I would," Hannah said, "but then I'll be afraid to get in trouble with the shopkeeper." Hermione said, "Glad to see you again after everything that happened last year."
"Well, I figured I needed to because it wouldn't feel like an accomplishment without a diploma." "What makes you think we're getting diplomas?" Ginny asked. Hannah told her, "Hogwarts is still a school, Ginny, you can't graduate without getting a rolled up piece of paper." Hermione raised her eyebrows.
McGonagall entered to room ready to prepare them for their goals for the N.E.W.T. testing. While she was still Transfiguration professor, Hermione was wondering why anyone would bother to turn animals into water goblets instead of ordinary wine glasses, but who was she to argue with the new headmistress? McGonagall was always on point with her lessons, especially now. She was so in sync with how much detail was put into the N.E.W.T.s. Seeing as how they still had many, many weeks of practicing and preparation, she knew she had to keep her eye on the ball, despite her lack of participation in Quidditch. Speaking of which, after the lesson ended, Ginny was about to go to the grounds to start the first practice of the term. McGonagall was impressed as always by the progress Hermione had been making. "Miss Granger," she started, "seeing as how you are always a stickler for the rules, I would like you to be the Head Girl of Gryffindor house." Hermione was astonished to hear this. "Head Girl, professor? Wow, this is...um...I don't even know what to say."
"You can't thank me enough, I know. I cannot think of anyone better for this position. I trust you will make no mistake," McGonagall smiled. Hermione was a bit reluctant to respond to that statement. "Um, thank you, Professor McGonagall. I'll do what I can," and without a second glance, she walked off.
Once outside, Ginny put on her Quidditch uniform and went to stadium for practice. She got her broom and every other player were prepared for going out in the field as well. Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, who were substitute Beaters, came into Chaser positions, of course, along with Demelza Robins. Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote came back as Beaters, and Geoffrey Hooper came to try out for Keeper again. Ginny was once again Seeker, and having been recently elected Captain, had told everyone to meet in the room.
"All right. Welcome back, everyone. I trust you all had splendid holidays." Everyone looked at her in amazement. Ginny Weasley, a Quidditch captain. "Okay, now, same deal as before. We are going to practice until we get it right. Just remember that when you're out into the field, don't overthink anything but keep close to caution. You can never be too careful." She walked across, back and forth in a straight line, as if she were post-master general.
"Now, let's start off with the basic simple stuff. Kirke, Sloper, you two will partner up with Robins. Peakes and Coote, you'll assume the Beater posts and bat like no Beater has ever batted before. Hooper, I want you to be the best damn Keeper you can be. Can you do it?"
"Yes, Captain!" Hooper called out and was almost tempted to salute. Hermione smirked in the stands. She felt like she was in the army as well. Hooper had originally tried out for Keeper in his first year, and performed very well, too, but Angelina Johnson gave the position to Ron instead because she found Hooper to be a whiner. Well, he was a first-year after all, what did she expect? But now Hooper was in his fourth year and felt like he was more than ready for it.
The Quidditch ball crate opened like wildfire after Ginny kicked it. The players got into position and started flying around, determined and focused. The Chasers kept throwing the Quaffle and Hooper blocked almost every single one of them. Ginny was impressed. Hermione was also pleased to see that the team was working efficiently. The Bludgers were rocketing around like there was no tomorrow. Peakes and Coote were struggling to get them away from the Chasers. One Bludger hit Kirke and he dropped the Quaffle. Sloper grabbed it and then ran towards Kirke for supervision. "Leave him," Robins called out, "he's all right! He's wearing armor! We all are!"
Sloper threw the Quaffle in her direction, she hit it with her broom and Hooper blocked it with his forearm. "Yes!" he cried out. "Well done, Hooper!" Sloper called. "Yeah," Kirke said, "you're really living up to your name!"
When the Golden Snitch arrived, Ginny zipped right after it and grabbed it first chance she got. After about an hour of practice, they got down on the grass and Ginny was almost out of breath. "All right, that was slightly better than I expected. You've all come such a long way in such a short time. Robins, good energy. Peakes, don't swing too much next time. Hooper, excellent style. That's enough for now. We should be able to maintain this strategy for the first game of the year. Well done, everyone, well played."
Hermione was clapping her hands. "Well, well, you really know how to command an army." Ginny chuckled. "Yeah? Do you tell that to all the Quidditch Captains?" "I'm just thinking that if the time comes, you'll need to try out some new routines. Old ones alone aren't enough to win games," Hermione pointed out. "Maybe so," Ginny said, "but sometimes the old strategy is the best strategy." "I think that's a good counterpoint." Hermione nodded. The sun was setting and the girls were heading to the dormitory for the night.
