Hello, darlings. While the tiny one has her last cross country meet tomorrow, we also have the Fundraiser Memorial walk for my nieces and nephews born sleeping, so your chapter early. To others of you who are the 1 in 4 suffering from infertility, hugs. Everyone, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 14 Dancing in the Snow
By Christmas Harry and Ron finally had dates. The Patil twins agreed to accompany them as they hadn't accepted any other invitations. Hermione and Ginny agreed to get ready together. The other third year girls went home for the holiday. Lila demanded to do Hermione's hair. She twisted and piled Hermione's hair in a cascade of curls. Hermione applied her makeup and helped the younger witch with hers. She stepped into the bathroom to change. The scooped set of the bodice of her dress left the very tops of her shoulders bare. The collar of her gown glowed bright white. It flowed through every shade of purple as the color deepened to black at the hem. The slim dress flared slightly keeping her silohette small but not skin tight. Silver cuffs attached to her arms created dramatic drapes of fabric down her arms. The last set fastened at her wrists, her mark shimmering in the gap if one knew where to look. Ginny barely glanced at her as she hurried in to dress.
Back in the bedroom, Hermione opened the box from Sirius exposing the symbol of his protection. Glittering platinum spiral earrings soon hung from her ears. A platinum torque adorned her neck. Everything about her outfit screamed fae, otherworldly, and the old ways. Her mother and Sirius were right, it was a statement for those with the eyes to see. The question was could they? Ginny stepped out into the dorm room. "I'm ready, Gin. What about you?"
"Circe's tit, Mione! You're the Druid!" exclaimed the redhead.
"Surprise?" She held up her wrist and slipped the cuff off to show her the glyphs.
Ginny stared gobsmacked until Hermione began fidgeting. "Sorry. You did surprise me. But I'm ready, too. Where are you meeting your date?"
"Just off the Great Hall. You go on and meet Neville," Hermione shooed her out of the room. She stood on the landing looking down. Below and above her she heard students finishing their preparations and admiring one another's outfits. Would it be cowardice to change her gown? Was waiting a bit longer a bad thing? Was she ready? Would she ever be ready? Was anyone? Harry wasn't. That thought sobered the panic. No one gave Harry a choice.
Hermione squared her shoulders. Harry never hid and neither had she. Time to face this head on like the Gryffindor she was. She began to put her foot on the first step and paused her foot hovering above the stair. She heard Lavender's distinct titter at the landing above her. Just because she intended to declare herself on some level didn't mean she had to parade across the castle for the gossips. Power, like rank, had privileges. She created a door and stepped through. She arrived in an empty room near the location where she agreed to meet Viktor. She brushed imaginary dust off of her skirt, took a deep breath, and left the room to meet her date.
She saw him before he noticed her. Dressed in his formal school uniform he cut a dashing figure. The deep burgundy jacket complimented the black pants. Draped over his left shoulder the matching cape looked exotic compared to the bland formal robes of the other attendees. He paced nervously. "Hello, handsome, why so nervous?"
"Beautiful wise one agreed to be date. Waiting for her," he answered grinning at her.
She made a show of looking around, "Have you seen her yet?"
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, "Da, she's right here."
"I'm glad you found her," they laughed together. "You look very handsome."
"You look most beautiful. You look like the elegant gpyugume I know you are." He looked slight concerned at that thought.
"I know. I am prepared for any possible repercussions, and so is my magical guardian."
"Then I shall remain silent and endeavor to enjoy tonight."
"That's my plan," she smiled.
He offered her his arm, "Shall we join the other champions?"
"I suppose we must, though I like the idea of running off to the forest more," she slipped her arm through his. Arm in arm they joined the other champions and their dates in the staging area. Fleur Delacour nodded in greeting. Her date, Roger Davies, gave Hermione a second appraising look.
Harry gave her a welcoming grin, "You look radiant, Hermione." He looked at Parvati, "You look lovely, too, if I forgot to tell you earlier."
"You do. I love your sari!" exclaimed Hermione.
Parvati blushed, "Thank you, Harry." She started to say something to Hermione but the arrival of Diggory and Cho Chang interrupted her.
Hermione noticed the longing look Harry gave Chang, even if no one else did. Chang preened under the attention of the others. She, too, chose a dress displaying her ethnic background. Parvati caught Hermione's eye and rolled hers. They chuckled. Diggory gave her a speculating look but remained silent. Chang noticed Hermione's dress, "Wow, Granger, that's an interesting look, quite Elven."
"Thanks, I think."
Chang tittered, "Everyone seems to getting druid fever. Several of my housemates have similar dresses." Hermione smiled wanly at the slight dig and suggestion that she was following a trend.
Professor McGonagall's arrival cut off anything else Chang might have said. The deputy headmistress paused and blinked at Hermione's appearance. She gave herself a shake and began giving instructions. "An aisle has been created for you to enter. Halfway through the first dance the rest of the students will join you." She confirmed their understanding and with one last speculating look at Hermione as she led them away. Hermione exchanged an excited look with Parvati.
The night passed like a dream. She and Viktor danced for most of it. Though Fred and George each claimed her for a turn around the dance floor. Numerous students complimented her outfit. She noticed several other girls dressed similarly, but not quite as ethereal. Some expressed surprise she attended with Krum unaware they knew one another. On her periphery, she noticed Harry and Ron sulking, mostly because she saw the Patil twins dancing with some Drumstang boys and looked for their dates. As things wound down Viktor escorted her into the hallway. "Thank you for this evening, mila."
"Thank you. Everything was wonderful."
"Da." Leading her to a secluded area he lowered his head and brushed his lips gently against hers. "Simply wonderful." He smiled and stepped back. "Good night, mila."
"Good night." She stood, slightly stunned from the kiss, watching him return to the ship. In a moment she would collect herself and head back to the common room and her bed ending the evening.
"Filthy slag. You're dating the enemy," Ron snarled at her.
"How dare you?" she seethed. "Viktor is not the enemy. He's a fellow competitor. In a competition Harry doesn't even want to be in."
"You should have told us."
"When? Every conversation we've had for the last two months has been about you, quidditch, or your lack of a date," angrily she whirled and stomped off before she said something she would regret.
Her feet carried her out into the courtyard. Tears strung her eyes. She was so tired of feeling like an afterthought unless people needed something or someone that had to be hidden. She sat down and let herself cry. Damn Ronald Weasley for ruining tonight. Now all she could think about was his snarling face contorted in anger. "He's jealous." Her head snapped up at the sound of Marcus's voice. "He said those things because he's jealous. I know because I'm jealous. Not," he said quickly, "that I think you're a slag. You have every right to date anyone who askes you. I hate that I couldn't ask you."
She looked at him sharply, "You do? But..."
"I have a girlfriend. You know I fancy someone more."
She stopped him, "And until you don't have one, you should leave the rest of it alone."
He dropped his head, "You're right. Especially since I'm not sure what I should do. But I can tell you that you look beautiful every day, but tonight you're radiant. And I can ask you to dance."
"Wouldn't that open a can of worms?" At his confused look, she waved him off, "Never mind. I suppose we can dance out here." The strains of a ballad reached them.
"Yes, please," he offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her into his arms. Tiny dry snowflakes fell around them as they danced under the full moon, the snow-covered courtyard in the background. "Thank you," he whispered as the song ended. Without breaking eye contact he pressed a kiss to her mark. Butterflies exploded into flight in her stomach. Warmth spread through her. She filed the thought that as nice as Viktor's kiss had been, Marcus's affected her more in the back of her mind. It did bore more contemplation later. "Good night." He backed away not breaking eye contact until he reached the door to inside.
The next morning Hermione blatantly ignored Ron. She acted as if he did not exist. Sitting across from them, Neville looked between the two. "Is something wrong, guys?"
"No," answered Ron.
"Ron called me a slag for attending the ball with Viktor Krum," sniffed Hermione primly.
"Ron, you did really?" groaned Harry.
"I didn't," he lied.
"You're right. You called me a filthy slag. My apologies."
Ron's face turned red. Harry glared at him. He started to protest but Neville stopped him. "Apologize right now. That was out of line and beyond rude, even for you."
Shocked by the anger in the mild mannered teenager's voice and on Harry's face Ron recoiled. George and Fred stared at their younger brother. "Hermione is supposed to be one of your best friends. Neville's right- apologize."
"She went with the enemy," Ron tried to defend himself.
"First, he's not the enemy," spat Harry. "Second, so? She can date whoever she wants."
Ron flushed, "I'm sorry, Hermione."
"I accept but this is the last time I will tolerate name-calling. Friends do not call their friends those kinds of names."
"I understand," he looked embarrassed.
"Learn to control your temper and your mouth," she told him. "This is not how you treat someone who is supposed to be your friend."
"You're right," he said quietly. She nodded and changed the subject.
Hermione barely paid attention to the rumors about her appearance at the Yule ball that were flying around the school. Rita Skeeter exposed Hagrid's ancestry. Rage burned through her veins. Who did this woman think she was? She despised gossip rags. Even more, she detested gossip rags masquerading as news. She contemplated punching Malfoy again when he made rude comments during classes. Adding to her stress Harry admitted while he had discovered the riddle, he had no idea how to hold his breath for longer than two minutes. She'd had little to no sleep for the last three days between breakfast tea with Hagrid, her classes, training, and helping Harry with research. Just the night before she assured Marcus she wasn't avoiding him or Theo, she was just swamped. Now, Dumbledore needed to see her and Ron. What else could the universe dump onto her plate?
She sat in the headmaster's office feeling a pang of guilt. Viktor considered her something he feared to lose? She hadn't considered them so serious, did he? Before she could overthink any of it Dumbledore's spell took hold. Her next conscious thought came after her head broke through the surface of Black Lake. A shark looked at her before turning back into Viktor. He assisted her to swim back and climb onto the floating dock. Madame Pomfrey ushered them to the medical tent. She handed them warmed blankets and scanned them. She hurried to check on Diggory and Chang.
"Um, Viktor, can I ask you something?"
"Certainly."
"Why am I the person you fear most to lose?"
"It is not like Diggory would miss Chang or Potter your friend. You are not only important to me but to the world at large. You are the first Druid in centuries. We cannot lose you."
"Viktor, that is so sweet, thank you."
He looked down, "I know our time is fleeting. You are not meant to be mine for long. I can accept that." A beetle landed on his shoulder. "Would you be interested in visiting me this summer?"
"I'll have to check with my parents, but I would like that. Thank you."
"Thank you," he gave her a quick peck.
The hate mail began after Skeeter wrote a scathing article outing her relationship with Viktor, claiming she broke Harry's heart. She had Lila reroute all of those letters to Skeeter's office after ensuring they all exploded like Howlers and could not be vanished. She informed Sirius he could fight this however he desired. Theo reported Marcus had been spoiling for a physical fight since the article. She explained to her friend that her feelings for Harry were purely platonic. That did little to ease his rage. She suggested going for a run or finding something other than his housemates to punch.
Reeling from all of it, Malfoy was the last person she was in the mood to encounter. So, of course, she not only encountered him, he decided to mess with her. Blocking the hallway he began making snide comments to Parkinson, "Do you think Krum is slumming because he likes it dirty?"
Parkinson brayed, "He can do so much better than a mudblood." Hermione took a cleansing breath and reminded herself no one was without worth. Parkinson continued, "That rat nest on her head has to have pests. What was he thinking? Even his fame can't quite hide the shame of this."
Apparently, their worth was misplaced today and she was out of patience. She settled for words instead of magically destroying them. Small victories, she supposed. "For fuck's sake, move. Some of us have places to be. Daddy isn't going to give us a job to just occupy us and make Mummy happy."
Malfoy's eyes narrowed in what she assumed he thought was a dangerous manner. "What does that mean, mudblood?" he demanded.
"It means regardless of how much of a waste of space you are your daddy will have a job for you after school-something to keep you out of too much trouble. Parkinson will desperately chase a rich husband and settle for whoever she can get. Some of us will achieve things through our own merit. And we do not have time to deal with you. Now move," Hermione's tone grew colder and more authoritative as she spoke.
"And if we refuse?" Parkinson's stance grew aggressive.
"I will make you," replied Hermione, her voice thick with threat, "in a painful manner."
"What is going on here?" demanded Snape coming up on the trio.
"Granger threatened us," Parkinson whined.
"Tattletale," retorted Hermione, "Malfoy and Parkinson were blocking the hallway, doing nothing like the wastes of space they are. Then they were insulting." Snape felt mildly surprised, Hermione rarely displayed any disrespect. She pushed up her jumper sleeved and sighed. "Just give me detention, pat them on the head, and send us all on our way. We all know how this goes."
She gestured as she said it and Snape caught a glimpse of a design on her inner wrist. He wasn't sure of the image, but he knew it wasn't a bracelet. A shiver traveled down his spine. The annoyed flat look in her eyes gave him further pause. Snape cleared his throat, "In light of everything all of you should be on your way."
Hermione rolled her eyes and stomped away. She heard Malfoy whining behind her, "Professor, Granger threatened us." She was too far away to hear the potion master's response.
She only thought of the incident again when Professor Dumbledore summoned her to his office the next afternoon. She found Cornelius Fudge, Lucius Malfoy, and several men she didn't recognize waiting for her. She suspected they knew her secret. "Thank you for joining us, Miss Granger," began Dumbledore. He twinkled at her.
"Yes, sir. May I inquire why my Head of House and magical guardian are not present?"
Malfoy Sr. sneered, "As a muggleborn, the headmaster is your magical guardian."
"Unless another magical adult filed paperwork to assume that role with my agreement and my parents' permission."
"Who? The Weasleys?"
"Sirius Black. I will be in my common room until he is present. Good day, gentlemen, professor," she nodded to them and turned to go.
"Get back here," demanded one of the men in a harsh voice. "We aren't finished."
"Are you suggesting that I attend this meeting without my guardian? A clear violation of my rights as a minor?" she asked flatly.
"No, we would never, that is," blustered Fudge.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Lila?"
The house elf appeared instantly. She ignored the wizards, "How can Lila serve her lady?"
"The patriarchy assembled here seeks to deny me my rights. Please go fetch Lord Black."
"At once." The house elf returned seconds later with Sirius. Dressed in faded blue jeans, dragon hide boots, and an old concert tee he looked every inch the antithesis of the others that he was.
"Hello, kitten." He looked about the office, "Causing trouble?" He looked proud, "Or are we here for other reasons?"
"You're here because these men tried to force me to meet with them without you. I have no idea why I'm here." She looked expectantly at the men.
"Good afternoon, Sirius," greeted Dumbledore. "Shall we be seated?" He sat behind his desk. Hermione barely kept back the derisive bark of laughter when only Fudge sat from the other group. If they thought towering over her would be intimidating they were sorely mistaken. "It has come to our attention that Miss Granger could be the new Druid. Several other candidates have been eliminated after questioning. It is merely her turn to be ruled out."
"And what if she is? No one's business but her own," stated Sirius.
"Ridiculous. She would need to be reared in a magical home, not by those savages," snapped an official. "The Malfoys volunteered."
"Absolutely not!" Hermione shot back. "First, those savages are more educated about the old ways than most of my peers. They raised me in them. Second, I have a magical guardian of my own choosing to help educate me when needed. And third, over someone's dead body will I live with the Malfoys."
Lucius snorted, "Black's contempt of social niceties is well documented."
"It is," conceded Hermione, "and given the deplorable manners displayed frequently by pureblood children I not only support his contempt, I share it."
"Now, see here, young lady," said Fudge, "you cannot go around insulting upstanding members of society."
She pushed her sleeve up. She held up her wrist for the room to see. The metallic silver glyph of a Druid gleamed in the candlelight. The blues and purples of the Wild Hunt winds encircled it. Gold lightning bolts interwove marking her as the Tempest. Green vines grew around the glyph claiming her as she claimed her grove. The black markings on her face appeared. "You will find that I can and will. I am not a simple child who can be bullied down the paths you want. Chronologically I am fifteen, but I worked tirelessly over the last three and half years to attain my rank. I still need to complete my wizarding education, but my druidic one is no longer anyone's concern but my own."
Sirius smirked at her looking proud, "Why did you need me exactly?"
"To prevent them from railroading and kidnapping me."
Dumbledore looked upset, "Miss Granger, I would never allow you to be taken from the school against your will."
"Professor, that is not the kidnapping I meant. These men intended to transfer my guardianship to Mr. Malfoy then he would have let them whisk me off to be studied. You would have been powerless in the face of his authority. Please do not insult my intelligence by pretending this wasn't the plan."
"We need to study your abilities," protested Fudge.
"You do not. You need to respect the treaty and my autonomy therein." One of them opened his mouth to protest. She looked at Sirius, "If this line of conversation does not cease you may indicate to the international press my need to flee England and my desire to live free from manipulation."
"You would be weakened away from your grove," one of them pointed out.
"My forest is large enough to sustain me away from it," she replied primly. "Caille Agra have been Druid lands since we began." She looked at Sirius, "I promise to write."
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose in surprise, "Gentlemen, Miss Granger is correct. Your concerns are well intended," Hermione and Sirius snorted in near unison, "but unfounded. She has her training well in hand. Lucius, Cornelius, I will see you at the last task."
Malfoy looked surprised, Fudge flabbergasted, "Albus, what?"
"Caille Agra is the ancient name for the Forbidden Forest. If that is Miss Granger's grove she is well enough established to settle my concerns."
Seeing the crestfallen faces of the true researchers in the room Hermione felt a pang of sympathy. They might have forgotten her freedom in their zeal, but it wasn't for political gain. She relented slightly, "You may request one act, performable in this room at this moment. And I will supply you with my reading list as most of this has been learned through research." She decided not to risk them taking Amira's portrait. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mentor smile and wink in her frame.
"Would you stir the air with a breeze? That should be the least destructive." She sat perfectly still as a gentle breeze circled the room. She watched them looking around fascinated. She kept it from disrupting too much of the office. Dumbledore deserved a little mess for the stunt he almost allowed. "Amazing. What else can you do?" She simply stared at him. "Right. You are a respected member of society. My apologies."
"If that is all, gentlemen, I have an Ancient Runes study group in ten minutes."
"Of course, Miss Granger. Thank you. Sirius, good to see you."
Sirius spoke up, "I expect that my ward's privacy and rights as a private citizen and minor will be respected." He made eye contact with several of them. They left the office together. "Well done, kitten. Be prepared for possible backlash and unwanted attention in the wake of this," he cautioned.
"I'll try. We both knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Now they know enough to back off, but not the full extent." She shuddered at that notion.
"Thank you for coming."
"Any time, it's my job." He gave her a hug, "See you at the last task."
"I will be so glad when this is over."
"Won't you miss Krum?"
"Sure, but we're not serious. And then Harry won't be in constant danger."
"We can only hope anyway," muttered Sirius. "Make sure you have some fun amongst all of this."
"I do, I promise." She waved farewell and headed to the Refuge to meet Theo.