Hello, my darlings, I hope this weekend finds you all safe and sound. Since it has been a bit since the last time, I remind you I own nothing here except the aforementioned folding chair with an umbrella clip for cross country meets.
Chapter 17 Summer Trials
Harry and Hermione made the deliberate choice to wear muggle clothing to the trial, a subtle reminder that if a life and death situation they would use magic in front of muggles. Hermione thought adding that charge to be absurd, as Harry's cousin Dudley knew about magic, as did his neighbor, the squib. At Baxter's request Sirius wore robes, "Remind them you're one of them." He suggested arriving early to give Harry time to acclimate to the courtroom. Which they did only to discover someone moved his appearance to the Wizenmagot chambers and the beginning of the session. Facts that they did not communicate to Harry or his counsel. Baxter was livid. Sirius updated Hermione. She sent back a smiley face with two arrowheads pointing up above it. "I have no idea what this means."

Harry chuckled, "That's a devil face, so with Hermione who knows?"

Baxter shrugged, "Notifying their witness is not our responsibility not that we would have much time if it was. Mrs. Figg is only here on time because as a non magic users the ministry transported her."

As the barrister took Harry and his witness, Mrs. Figg, through the motions of testifying several members of the Wizenmagot looked annoyed, others concerned. Everything indicated Harry used magic merely to defend himself, his squib neighbor, and his muggle cousin. Arabella Figg collaborated his story. Baxter submitted Dudley's hospital records showing the doctor's difficulty treating his shock, a symptom of dementor exposure. The questions were winding down when the chamber door opened, "Yes, thank you, I appreciate your assistance." Hermione entered the room looking calm and composed.

The ministry prosecutor immediately jumped on the offensive, "Miss Granger, is there a reason you are tardy to appear at this session?"

She looked at the summons in her hand, "According to the only communication I received the hearing starts in thirty minutes. I'm fifteen minutes early to be fifteen minutes early."

A middle-aged witch addressed her, "You were not notified of the earlier start time?"

"No, ma'am," she answered politely.

A dour looking wizard scoffed, "Potter was here."

"As the defendant Mr. Potter retained a barrister who may have given him different instructions. I was called as a witness so I assumed I would not need those services. Was I incorrect?" She waited for a few seconds before continuing, "I would have been here a few minutes ago, but the venue also changed. A very nice clerk helped me find out where to go."

"Please take the stand," requested to prosecutor, Gracefully Hermione perched on the chair. She looked around with a faint smile ghosting across her face.

"Were you aware of the incident in question?"

"Do you mean, did I know Harry and Dudley were attacked by dementors?"

He grimaced, "Correct."

"After the fact, yes."

"When were you informed?"

"I arrived about an hour after it took place," she answered calmly as if they were discussing the weather.

"How did you know Mr. Potter was at the Black estate?" demanded the barrister.

"I did not. I wasn't coming to see Mr. Potter. I intended to do some research in the Black family library."

The barrister blinked, clearly surprised. "You have an open invitation to do so?"

"Not that it is any of your business, but, yes, I do," she sniffed derisively.

"Why would Lord Black grant you this permission?"

Hermione shrugged elegantly, "I suppose because he wanted to. You would have to ask him about his motivation."

Baxter stood, "Is there a point to this line of questioning? I am still uncertain as to how Miss Granger is pertinent to the charges against my client."

"We wish to determine why Miss Granger delivered medical treatment to Mr. Potter's muggle cousin," explained the flunkie.

"So, this does not pertain to the charges and is simply persecution of an innocent young person?" clarified Baxter.

"Do you have proof Miss Granger gave Mr. Dursley medical attention?" asked an older witch.

"We know she was present at the hospital."

"Which is not a crime," pointed out Baxter.

The witch looked at Hermione, "Indulge their stupidity, my dear, why were you there?"

"Remus Lupin and I delivered Honeydukes chocolate to Mr. Dursley. I am the one who suggested it as I know muggle doctors would have neither the knowledge nor access to resources to provide the correct treatment. I remembered needing some after encountering dementors at school. Muggle chocolate isn't as therapeutic as magical."

"And you did this out of the goodness of your heart?"

"I certainly didn't do it for evil intentions," she responded. "I did it to help a fellow human being without motive. Wouldn't you?"

"This is absurd, Miss Granger is not on trial. Mr. Baxter is correct, this is irrelevant. Can we keep on topic?" demanded an older wizard.

One of the others called for a vote. Harry was found to have used magic only in self-defense. Someone dismissed them. "Pointless absurdity," remarked Baxter, "I don't think that man knew what he wanted you to confess outside of the fact that Dursley was magically treated."

"Which he didn't come out and ask directly," she noted. "He only embarrassed himself, which he will resent later. I hope he blames whoever put him up to it and not me."

"You're a fourteen-year-old girl, that you are to blame won't even cross his mind," promised Baxter.
Richard and Bethan returned to London as promised in time to collect her to join the family for the Solstice. Both lamented that this might be the last time they celebrated a holiday for at least the next year. Their daughter dutifully agreed and reminded them of the exciting oppurtunity and honor and finished with, "I refuse to allow you the squander this because of a handful of missed holidays. They laughed and accepted it with mock meekness.

Hermione enjoyed catching up with Atlas and Sunshine along with her cousins. The morning of Midsummer Eve, she found the Flints, or more accurately, Jasper and Marcus found her. "Hi, Hermione!" thirteen-year-old Jasper exclaimed.

"Hello, Jasper. Having fun?" she greeted them, "Marcus." He smiled and nodded at her.

"The solstice is always fun here," Jasper responded cheerfully. "Mum and Dad let us wander freely."

Inwardly she groaned at Eilonwy's perk of interest at seeing the Flint brothers. "Marcus, you remember my cousins: Rhys, Eilonwy, and Gareth. These are our friends, Sunshine and Atlas. Everyone, my friends, Marcus and Jasper."

"I'm her friend, not just your little brother," Jasper crowed.

"I heard," his brother replied drily.

"Would you like to join us?" asked Eilonwy.

"Yes," the young wizard answered eagerly. And like that the Flints were folded into their plans.

"Should we invite Felix and Dahlia?" Hermione asked Marcus.

"Felix brought some friends and Mum keeps Dahlia close during these things," he assured her. The group spent the day roaming about the campgrounds doing teenage things.

The Grangers greeted Marcus warmly, though Richard eyed Marcus with cautious interest when he opted to stay with Hermione instead of returning to his family with Jasper for the sunset ceremony. He followed her to her preferred place in the outermost ring. "Hermione's got to see her elves," teased Atlas.

"You're just jealous they never show themselves to you," Hermione sassed back.

"Yeah, maybe we are," said Rhys cryptically. He shook his head at her questioning look.

She set her questions aside as the chanting began. She glanced around trying to gauge who could see her glowing in the stretching twilight. She watched the doorway in the hill form and then open without moving her head or eyes. Lyall nodded to her, as did Corc. Catan moved to stand before her. He bent and gently pressed a dry kiss to her fingertips. Only great effort kept her expression from changing. Confusion swirled in her thoughts as the high fae joined his mates moving out to their revelries. At the end of things, she blinked away the brain fog and looked around. Marcus frowned, "Why did he do that?"

"Why do any of them do any of the things they do? I have absolutely no clue." She looked down at her glowing hands. "Need a light getting back?"

"No, I see Felix and his lot. See you tomorrow." He barely looked at her as he left.

"Okay." She watched him cross the meadow. She had no idea why Catan kissed her hand and if Marcus was annoyed at her because of it. She laid awake for quite some time that night overthinking everything. The pull of magic woke her before dawn as it had in years past. She silently slipped from her sleeping bag and dressed. She left her parents a note before leaving the tent.

Hermione looked around in the predawn gloom. A few campers stirred, stoking fires and preparing for the day. She stretched and following the urging, she strolled forward. She thought she knew where the magic would take her, but it veered off in the opposite direction. She found Marcus sitting on a log staring into a fire. "Hey," she called softly.

He looked up surprised to see her, "Hi." She thought he sounded upset.

"I'm off to the original grove site, want to join me?"

"Sure," he stood. His slumped posture caught her attention. They walked in silence until they reached the area she felt drawn to.

"Marcus is something wrong?" she asked.

"No. Why?" he sounded a bit sullen.

"The way you sound, the way you're standing and walking. The way you won't look at me. Please talk to me."

"Last year when you said you didn't think the person you fancied felt the same did you mean him?"

"Who? Sir Catan? No, no I didn't." She looked away, shifting her weight from foot to foot feeling uncomfortable. "I have no idea what he was playing at."

"Oh," was all he said.

Feeling the surge of power that marked sunrise, she took both of his hands in hers. She ignored his look of surprise. "We greet the sun on this longest day. We look towards the shortest night. We celebrate the growth and renewal that brings the bounty of harvest." She raised their joined hands overhead. "We welcome those walking amongst us with good intention and banish those who would do us harm." She lowered her arms bringing his down with hers, but did not release his hands. She waited for him to pull away.

He didn't. Marcus simply regarded her. She wasn't sure of his thoughts or rather, she was afraid she saw what she wanted in his expression. "You don't fancy him?" he asked finally.

This time she knew he meant Catan. "No," she licked her lips, "I don't. He's

nice enough, but far too old. I already fancied someone else by the time I met him anyway." She nibbled her bottom lip to keep from babbling. They continued to look at one another, standing in the field holding both hands.

"You and Krum broke up, didn't you?" he asked. He dropped her hands.

"We did. Not that I think we would have lasted much longer if we hadn't."

Again they stood in silence ignoring the world around them. Finally, he made up his mind to be bold, trusting she would forgive him if he was wrong. Slowly, giving her plenty of time to step back or stop him, he lowered his face to hers. He pressed his lips to hers. In response, she sighed and stepped closer. Her hands came to rest on his chest. His rested on her waist. When the kiss ended he rested his forehead against hers looking down at her. "Wow," she whispered.

"Yeah," he breathed. Then louder, "Hermione, I know it would be a secret, but will you be my girlfriend?"

"Why does it have to be a secret?" she questioned.

"Because no one knows we're friends and suddenly dating would be hard to explain. Some people would never understand without knowing your secret."

"I suppose there is that, but I'm not ashamed of you or anything like that."

"Hermione, you have far more to lose when it gets out after you announce yourself."

"And you have more to lose before. I don't care about that stuff any more than you do," she argued.

"My friends might laugh at me or be rude, but the Weasel would stop being your friend."

"Don't call him that. And if he does so be it. You, and your feelings, matter more."

"Hermione," he chided. "There is also the matter of You-Know-Who still being about there."

She sighed, "Fine, I agree to be your girlfriend and keep it quiet. But only because you're worried about it. I expect all rights and responsibilities."

"I don't know how much time we can spend together," he protested, "being in different houses and all."

"If only there was a secret place at school we could spend time in," she pretended to consider the matter.

"Point taken." The increase in sounds brought them out of their own little world. "I need to get back."

"Me, too. Come say hi to my parents later." She kissed his cheek. He touched the place where her lips had pressed as he watched her walk away.

Marcus found the Grangers later that afternoon, his older brother in tow this time. "Montague wanted to chat up some bird, so he abandoned Felix, who rediscovered we exist," he rolled his eyes.

She giggled, "Mum, Daddy, you remember Marcus? This is his older brother, Felix."

"Hello, Marcus," greeted Bethan. "Nice to meet you, Felix."

Richard focused on Hermione and Marcus's entwined hands. "Just what is this, young lady?" he mock growled. "I thought we agreed no dating until I'm a hundred?"

"I was three and would have agreed with anything that got me an apple slice. Marcus asked me out this morning and I said yes." Richard opened his mouth. "No, he did not give me any apples. That outdated method of bribery remains yours."

The Grangers both laughed. Richard clapped Marcus on the shoulder, "Remember that, only I get to bribe her with apples. You have to find your own form." Marcus gave him a grin. "I'd warn you about not hurting her, but she will probably get you back better than I ever could." Marcus nodded nervously.

Felix's eyes widened, "You're dating her?"

"Is that a problem?" asked Richard. Hermione explained the prejudice against muggleborns and what blood status each of her friends were years ago.

"No, sir. Hermione's status as a Druid places her so far above everyone that even if we cared about such things it wouldn't matter. Druids have been known to marry fae royalty in the past," answered Felix. "Last I knew your daughter was romantically connected to Viktor Krum." Marcus glared at his brother.

Hermione shrugged. Noticing Rhys moving closer she chose her words carefully, "We broke up. We agreed things wouldn't work. I have school and responsibilities. He has his sports career. Better to part friends than risk betrayal."

Felix stared at her in shock, "You think he would have cheated on you?"

"No, but why risk the temptation? On both our parts. I'm not perfect," Hermione pointed out. "We talked about it and agreed we wanted to ensure we could stay friends." She avoided looking at her mother or older cousin as Rhys came to say hello to Marcus. She used him to change the subject. "This is my cousin, Rhys."

"Hello," he said offering his hand.

"Felix," he replied shaking it, "this lout's better looking brother. Nice to meet you."

"Same. What are you lot doing?"

"Wandering about. You know the boring downtime between the last event and when your parents decide to break camp," Felix answered. "Unless you get to follow your new sweetheart around like a puppy. Or annoy your little brother by preventing alone time with said sweetheart. Which is what I will now be doing." He laughed at the glare Marcus gave him.

Rhys chuckled, "A fun pastime to be sure, but in this case, I fear you are not making an informed decision." Now Hermione glared.

"How so?"

"You're annoying Hermione as well. And she looks tiny and meek, but she has a vindictive streak and she's creative."

"Oh my gods!" she shrieked. "I was five! You purposely took the last cookie. You had it coming."

Marcus looked at her, "What did you do?"

"She put dirt in my hot chocolate that afternoon and two mice in my shoes."

"You whine like they bit you. They wiggled a little and you yanked your trainer off."

He put a hand on his chest, "It was still traumatic."

She rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't know traumatic if it bit you on your arse."

While the others all laughed Marcus considered everything Hermione faced over the years. Would her cousin and his brother laugh if they knew? He only laughed because he knew she wanted him to. She squeezed his hand as if she could read his thoughts. He was fairly confident she couldn't, but now he wondered. After a time the Flint brothers determined they should return to their parents. "I would ask you along," Marcus started.

"But Montague," she finished. As he seemed hesitant to kiss her in front of her family, she raised on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his cheek. "I'll see you soon I'm sure."

"I hope so. I'll write you."

"And I'll write back. She watched them walk away before returning her attention to her family.

Rhys waited until the two of them were packing up the Grangers' car, "Hermione?"

"Hmm?" she continued working.

"Why is Marcus going to write you?"

"Because he wants to."

"Why not just phone you?"

She stopped working to look at him. She noticed the stubborn set of his jaw., he had questions and wanted answers. "An obsessive interest in Regency and Victorian romance," she had to try distraction first.

"He's a bloke. Try again. Perhaps the truth this time. This isn't the first time he said something odd."

"The answer is complicated. It involves keeping secrets, huge life-changing, mind-blowing secrets. Be sure you want to know because it can be a burden.

Rhys studied her face, taking in the seriousness in her expression, "Is it his secret or your secret?

"Both. We share the secret."

"Then go ahead."

Hermione looked around. The closest person to them she could see was Owain two tents away. "Where are Eilonwy and Gareth?"

"Mum took them to get more ice for the chests. Nain and your parents are returning some blanket, or such, to Nain's friend. Dad's helping Taid. Start talking."

She took a deep breath, "Remember you wanted to know. And once you do you cannot tell anyone else. Ever."

He started to laugh then stopped, "You're serious?"

"Absolutely. People have gone to prison for trying to expose this secret." She sat on the cargo floor of her mother's SUV and patted next to her.

"Um," Rhys looked uncertain.

"So, if I tell you just know you are committed to keeping it for my safety and yours." She wanted to make sure he understood the gravity of the matter.

"I think at this point I need to know. My imagination will run away with me if you don't. I will invent something far weirder than the truth."

"You think that," she muttered. "Since you're sure, here goes. First, magic is real." He started to interrupt. "No, really real. Not an energy we generate and hope it will affect things." She held up her hand and created a flame in her palm. He scrambled back and she closed her hand banishing the flame. "Second, I know because I'm a witch. Witches and wizards can use magic. Marcus and his family are also wizards and witches." Rhys stared at her his eyes wide. "My school's full name is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Do you understand?" He nodded. "I do have an extra secret. I'm what wizards call a true druid, or a druid with a capital D. I have abilities other witches don't."

"Like?"

"A closer connection with nature, changing into several animals, better chances animals will want to do what I want, healing, and elemental control. I can talk to snakes and they can talk back." She showed him her left wrist. "I am also a member of the Wild Hunt. Yes, that Wild Hunt. No, I cannot bring you."

"And I have to keep this secret?" he clarified.

"Yes."

"Okay. Who'd believe me anyway?"

"No one most likely," she shrugged. "But all it takes is one person."

"Now why can't Marcus phone?"

"The wizarding world doesn't use phones. We use magic journals. They use owls as a postal service. Rather inconvenient at times."

"Why all the secrecy?"

She looked at him incredulously then rolled her eyes, "Muggles, people without magic, hunted and killed witches. Now it protects us from that and you from harm. Magic could be used to abuse muggles. Better to keep the two worlds separate. Even if it is hard on those of us standing in both."

"What about being a druid? Can you talk about that?"

"Yeah, that isn't regulated. Mostly because they died out, or stopped being noticed, a few hundred years ago. No one knows why."

"Maybe you can find out," Rhys suggested.

"Perhaps. For now, we need to get back to work. The car won't pack itself. Nor can I use magic to do it for us. No magic outside of school until I'm seventeen."

"Spoilsport," he teased. "I have two more questions or rather two sets of questions. Last year Marcus said he wasn't good enough for you, why does he think that?"

"The wizarding world puts Druids on a pedestal. Plus he's a second son and doesn't feel all that smart. So, he can overthink things. Doesn't make him right. The whole concept is wrong. No one is or isn't good enough for anyone," she huffed. "They may not be good for someone, but that's different all together."

"I don't disagree," her cousin said. "What did you mean about not tempting this other bloke or you?"

"Viktor was an exchange student over the last year. He just graduated. He already plays on a professional sports team. No, you haven't heard of him. I have three more years of school. He's off on an exciting career. We're not in the same place in life. He will have beautiful women throwing themselves at him. I will be thousands of miles away. Now, he can do whatever he wants without worrying about me."

"And you?" pressed Rhys.

"Fancy Marcus more than I do Viktor," she admitted while busying herself with packs.

"You should tell him that," he told her.

She scrunched up her nose, "Why?"

"My girl could be with Rory Underhill but broke up with him so she wouldn't cheat with me? I would want the ego boost. Plus I wouldn't worry about living up to him, because I'm the grand prize, not the consolation."

She rolled her eyes, "He's more likely to worry about a fae knight in the Hunt than Viktor. Not that I think he needs to, or should." Rhys stared at her dumbfounded. "Never mind. Thinking about it overwhelms my brain, it might melt yours."

"Yeah," he responded vaguely.