As Belle reached the castle, she remembered that Hermione had left notes detailing her thought process around the spell she crafted. Belle checked the time, she had time to go back to her dormitory and collect them before dinner.
Withdrawing her Field Guide, Belle made a beeline back to Gryffindor Tower. She was intercepted, however, by none other than Draco Malfoy.
"What is this?" he asked, plucking the book out of her hands. "I see you with it all the time."
"Professor McGonagall gave it to me," Belle said defensively. "It helps me navigate this world."
"Wizard's Field Guide," Draco read from the cover. "Interesting. Where are you going?" He asked the question in a familiar, casual way. Belle felt like he was merely curious rather than demanding.
"Back to Gryffindor Tower," Belle said. "I remembered that Hermione had some notes that we might find helpful in our research."
"Excellent," Draco said. "But I know a faster way to get there. It seems your guide doesn't know all the shortcuts."
Draco walked Belle to Gryffindor Tower. Belle noted that their presence together drew some strange looks.
"People are looking at us funny," Belle said.
"Yes," Draco said. "We've been mortal enemies for six years, after all."
"Why the change?" Belle asked.
"Let's just say that people change," Draco said evasively.
"You said that before," Belle pointed out.
"And I'll say it again," Draco said. "Doesn't make it any less true."
They arrived at portrait of the Fat Lady. "I'll leave you here, then," Draco said. "I'll see you later."
Belle entered the Gryffindor Common Room and dashed up to the dormitory. She explored Hermione's messy desk, looking for the notes that Hermione had mentioned. Belle recalled that Hermione had said something about a special drawer. Belle began opening drawers at random. She found one that seemed to stick when she pulled at first. Pulling harder, the drawer opened to reveal a leather-bound journal.
Belle picked up the journal and saw all kinds of notes about fairy tales and spellcrafts. There it was. Excellent.
Belle loaded her bag with anything she could find that might be relevant to the research and made her way back downstairs for dinner.
Following the Field Guide's map, Belle found her way to the Great Hall without incident.
Belle entered the Great Hall, her eyes scanning the Gryffindor table. She spotted Ginny's flaming red hair among a group of students wearing Quidditch robes. Taking a deep breath, she approached them.
"Hey, Hermione!" Ginny called out, waving her over. "Come sit with us!"
Belle slid onto the bench next to Ginny, offering a shy smile to the rest of the team. She recognized some faces from seeing them around the school the past few days but struggled to put names to them all.
"Quidditch practice tonight?" Belle asked.
"Yes!" Ginny said, beaming. Under the pretense of reaching for some salad, Ginny whispered to Belle, "You catch on quick."
Belle smiled. "I try," she whispered back.
"How was your day?" Ginny asked, piling food onto her plate.
"Oh, um, busy," Belle replied feeling awkward but trying to sound casual. "Lots of studying, you know me."
A tall boy with dark skin — Dean Thomas, Belle recalled from Ginny pointing him out the other day — chuckled. "Some things never change, eh, Hermione?"
Belle laughed nervously, reaching for a bowl of mashed potatoes. "Right, well, there's always more to learn, isn't there?"
"Speaking of learning," piped up a younger girl with long blonde hair, "any chance you could help me with that Transfiguration essay later? It's doing my head in."
Belle froze for a moment, panic rising in her chest. "I, uh…"
"Oh, come on, Natalie," Ginny interjected, rolling her eyes. "Give Hermione a break. She's not a walking homework service."
Belle shot Ginny a grateful look, letting Ginny change the subject to spare Belle from an awkward situation. Belle knew absolutely nothing about Transfiguration. She hadn't had any exposure to Transfiguration yet besides seeing Professor McGonagall's memory in the Pensieve. She had her first double Transfiguration class and her remedial lesson with Professor Jones the next day.
The conversation shifted to Quidditch strategies for their upcoming match against Hufflepuff. Belle listened absentmindedly, trying to follow along as much as she could.
"What do you think, Hermione?" a weedy looking boy asked. "Think our new Woollongong Shimmy variation will work against their Keeper?"
All eyes turned to Belle, who felt her palms begin to sweat. What in the world? "Well," she began, racking her brain for anything useful, "considering the... aerodynamics involved, and the, um, unpredictability factor... it could be quite effective?"
There was a moment of silence before the team burst into laughter.
"Blimey, Hermione," Dean said, wiping tears from his eyes. "I think that's the most Quidditch-sounding thing you've ever said!"
Ginny, still giggling, threw an arm around Belle's shoulders. "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" she asked, winking at Belle.
If only they knew, Belle thought, forcing a laugh. "I guess some of your Quidditch obsession is rubbing off on me after all these years."
As the meal continued, Belle found herself relaxing slightly. Her thoughts began to wander as they discussed tactics and techniques. By the time dessert appeared, she overall felt like she had successfully navigated the social minefield.
"You know," Ginny said quietly as the others debated the merits of different broom models, "you're doing really well. I know this isn't easy for you. I almost slapped Coote when he asked you that, but you pulled out a remarkably good answer."
Belle smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Ginny. I'm trying my best. I guess it turned out well that Hermione doesn't know much Quidditch either."
As she finished her treacle tart, Belle couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment. She was fitting in, even if it was just on the surface. It wasn't easy and she felt exhausted trying to manage it all, but she was doing it.