Hello, my freaky darlings. I want to lodge a formal protest about the weather. Tornadoes every night are a bit expressive. And no one asked for snow! I have started hearing the sirens in my sleep. And National Weather Service, if we had a flash flood warning at 7, 9, and 11 we do not need one at 3 am. As it is still raining, we get it. But we are all safe, and the damage to us is minimal, so we're not going to worry. Enjoy the next chapter and stay safe.
Chapter 36 A Slug Club Christmas
Her alarm roused her to run far earlier than she liked, but as she always did, she rose and prepared for the day. She frowned at Ron's continued absence. "I haven't said anything, but he knows he isn't doing well in combat training, right?"
Harry looked away in embarrassment. Neville shrugged, "He keeps complaining he has too much to do having a girlfriend and everything else on top of it."
"I warned him."
Seated at the breakfast table, Ron furiously scribbled his Potions essay. "Hermione! Thank Godric, I need to finish this essay for Slughorn." He shoveled bites of food into his mouth. He pushed the parchment towards her.
"That sounds like a like a you problem," she said sitting down next to Ginny. "I need to eat. That is a me problem."
"It's due this morning. We trained last night, I couldn't do it then."
"I'm aware. I saw you. The Hunt rode last night afterward. This is why I made you a schedule."
"Lavender wanted to spend time together again. She gets upset when we don't spend time together."
"Ron, do your own work. I warned you about this," Hermione snapped.
Lavender slid into the spot next to Ron. "C'mon, Hermione, everyone knows you love helping people. You do it all the time."
"No, everyone badgers me to help until I give in to be left alone. Ron left this to the last, he needs to finish it himself."
"Won-won was busy with me," explained Lavender as if that excused everything.
Hermione slowly blinked, "So he said. He also had the same time to complete his work as the rest of us did. Poor planning on his part does not an emergency make on mine. It is not my responsibility to ensure every student's homework is complete because they procrastinated. Maybe you should spend time together completing your homework."
"Sensible suggestion," said Ginny. The arrival of the owl post cut off any further conversation. Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Hermione received an invitation to the Slug Club Christmas Party. "Huh, we can bring a plus one. That's considerate to couples."
Hermione looked at Harry and Neville worriedly watching the surrounding girls eyeing them eagerly. She giggled, "And a nightmare for singles."
"A plus one, really?" asked Harry hesitantly. "Look at the time. I'm going to be late."
"You're not wearing a watch," pointed out Romilda Vane coyly.
"Yes, I'm late to get my watch." Harry fled, Neville not far behind him.
"I wish I could go to the party, said Lavender wistfully. Hermione departed at that point. She didn't want to hear how this would somehow be her fault.
Cormac McLaggen dropped into the seat across from her in the library. "No," she said without looking up.
"I haven't said anything," he protested.
"Yet. And it doesn't matter, the answer is no. Unless it involves you going away and leaving me alone I am not interested."
"Look, Granger, with Weasley choosing Brown over you showing up to Sluggie's thing stag will look sad."
"And showing up with you will look pathetic and desperate. I'll stick with sad, thanks." She ignored his continued attempts to change her mind until he gave up and left.
"Happen often?" Marcus asked standing next to the table. "May I?" he gestured to the seat.
"Please. And, no, thankfully. But he is a nuisance."
"Does he bother you often?"
"No, I'm mostly annoyed because once again somehow I'm the loser in a competition that didn't exist."
"Weasley and Brown?"
"Exactly." She scrubbed her face with her hands. "It's slightly exhausting."
"Sounds like it. Are you going to Slughorn's thing?"
"Yeah. Networking is always good," she smiled politely. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gregory Goyle pretend to read a book on advanced rune making. "Are you attending?"
"Yeah. A few famous quidditch players and coaches are coming."
"How nice for you and the other players. Are you taking anyone?"
"No. I'm not ready to ask the witch I fancy."
She giggled for show and tucked her hair behind her ear, looking down and away. "I'm sure she'd say yes. According to my housemates, it's THE social event."
He rubbed the back of his neck, "She's a member of the Slug Club, so she has her own invitation."
"So, find out what color dress she's planning and match her. She'll realize how in sync you are and be subconsciously impressed."
"Does that work?"
She shrugged, "No idea. My mum's women's magazines suggested it. If nothing else it gives you a conversation starter. Ginny talked me into a teal dress last Hogsmeade weekend."
"Teal?"
"A bright blue-green." She changed the color of her quill, showing him.
"I like it."
"Me, too." So, I'll see you there?" she asked shyly. Bad liar, poor actress, her butt. While the nuances of the performance were lost on the audience she enjoyed the coy game.
"Absolutely. Dressed to match the witch even," he smiled at her.
"Happy hunting, then."
"Would you mind helping with my Transfiguration essay? McGonagall was bragging about you last week."
"Sure," she moved her stuff over. "And it's Professor McGonagall. Proper respect for titles is important and polite society. It makes dropping them a more cutting insult."
"I suppose it would." They settled down to complete their homework. "Thanks, Miss Granger."
"Call me Hermione," she insisted.
"If you agree to call me Marcus," he twinkled at her. She nodded. "Thanks, Hermione. I see why everyone wants your help with homework."
"You're welcome. See you around." She left hugging a book to her chest.
A few days later, tired of being harassed about the party, Hermione invited Luna along as a friend. The only downside to this idea was that it inspired Harry and Neville to invite Ron and Lavender. Something about this caused the couple to seemingly escalate the public displays of affection. Hermione questioned if they simply lacked self-restraint or common courtesy. She wondered how Mrs Weasley would react to their behavior. Not her problem, really, she just wondered.
Luna met her near the room Professor Slughorn chose to host parties in. "Thank you for inviting me."
Hermione linked arms with Luna, "Thank you for accepting. You saved me from the Gryffindor octopus." They entered the enlarged space. "Oh dear."
"Indeed," agreed Luna. "Professor Slughorn seemed to be of the less is more persuasion." Gold accents gleamed from every corner. Green and red crepe paper streamers hung everywhere. Fairies bearing mistletoe flitted about. Tables groaned with the weight of refreshments. Adults mingled with students. Slughorn held court and made introductions. Hermione unconsciously smiled watching him introduce her secret boyfriend to the coach of Pride of Portree. The man listened avidly and then engaged Marcus in conversation.
"You're drooling," teased Luna. "Someone will notice."
"Do you have a point?"
"Nope. Let's get something to eat." The two girls fixed small plates and sat at a table on the edge of the room.
"May we join you?" Standing next to the table Gwenog Jones and a well groomed man, presumable her date, looked at the open seats.
"Please," Hermione made introductions.
"Lovegood?" questioned the man. "My name is Joseph Kent. Your father worked with mine searching for glimples in Germany a few years back."
Luna beamed brightly, "Oh, yes. I remember." They began discussing the expedition.
Gwenog sighed, "We've lost them to shop talk, I'm afraid."
"I agree. Happily for me, this is not a date. She wanted to come, I wanted to be left alone about it."
"That's good." They discussed Gwenog's career and Hermione's friends until Slughorn stole Gwenog away. Since Luna was still deep in conversation, Hermione went in search of her other friends.
She paused when she caught sight of Ron and Lavender examining each other's tonsils with their tongues at the table, while Harry and Neville tried to ignore them. Then she saw McLaggen moving in her direction and decided to brave being put off her next meal. He reached her as she reached the table. "Fancy seeing you here, Granger," he smirked.
"How are you surprised? You were there when I received my invitation." She rolled her eyes and sat next to Neville.
"So prickly," he said.
"So not interested," she snapped. "You may go." She made a shooing motion.
"No wonder Weasley picked Brown, you're a cold fish," he sneered.
Lavender tittered, "You should be more approachable."
"Did it ever occur to you that I don't want to be approached by McLaggen? That I'm not cold, I'm annoyed? Just because a boy showed interest in me doesn't mean I have to be flattered or act interested if I'm not. And to be clear, I'm not interested or flattered." She turned her back towards him.
"Because the boys are beating down the door," pressed McLaggen.
"I assure you if I wanted someone's attention I would have it."
"Prove it," said Lavender.
"What if he isn't here?" pointed out Ron.
Lavender rolled her eyes, "He is. She keeps looking across the room. He's here." She smirked at Hermione.
"Fine." She stood and strode across the room snatching a mistletoe-toting fairy on her way. She released it. "Go fly over the tall one's head." Marcus stood with two shorter Slytherins. He watched with interest as the fairy held the mistletoe over his head. She stepped up to him, "No more hiding."
"Thank fuck for small favors." He put his hands on her waist as their lips met. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They kept the kiss short and chaste. "May I ask what brought this on?"
"Brown and McLaggen acting like I should be grateful for his unwanted advances."
"Yeah, that's not happening. Shall we dance?"
"I'd love to." Ignoring the stares of others they moved to the dance floor. "So the cats out of the bag. A good thing, yes?"
"The best." He kissed her again. "So will beating McLaggen's face when he bothers you again."
"Kind of hope he does now. I'll let you know."
"Thank you." They spent the remainder of the night together. They danced some more and talked before he escorted her back towards the common room. "See you in the morning, little witch."
Hermione found Ginny waiting for her in the common room. "How long has that been going on?"

"Being seen out in public started tonight. It's been building for a while. Lavender threw down the gauntlet. I accepted the challenge."
"Interesting. So long as you're happy, I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, Gin. I appreciate your support."
"Just don't ask me to hang with Malfoy anytime soon."
"Fair enough."
The week before Christmas break began Ron appeared for the morning run. Harry and Neville showed no mercy. "You complained you couldn't keep up in training. You put this off. You have no one to blame but yourself," Harry told him in a cold voice. Ron tried to whine. "If you slack off over the break you'll only be further behind."
"I get it. I get it," Ron wheezed as he struggled to walk back up the castle. "I have a girlfriend. That takes up time."
Marcus snorted, "I have a girlfriend. Theo plays the field all the time. We're both here every morning and complete all of our homework. It's my NEWTs year and I assure you someone is very strict with revision." The others laughed.
"Spend time while completing your work like countless other couples," suggested Theo. "Once people noticed I work with Hermione everyone wants to do homework with me. Brown shares most of your classes. You're doing the same work anyway, do it together."
"I'll suggest it. But she wants to snog most of the time."
"The reward system can be a great incentive," Marcus waggled his eyebrows. "I love revision now."
Ignoring the laughs and fake gagging, Hermione said, "Determine your priorities and explain them. A good partner supports you. She knows what I am. She knows we're friends. Tell her what you think she can handle. That my connections have given you an offer of training for what may come."
"Remind her you want to be able to protect her," added Harry.
"She'd like that," said Ron. Privately, Hermione doubted much would change. Lavender would like the romance of the idea of Ron rushing to protect her, but she seemed to like the attention actively on her, not passively by being together. Still, not her problem.
Rumors flew after the Slug Club Christmas Party. One claimed Marcus dosed Hermione with a love potion. Another was that she was under the Imperius Curse. She giggled madly after hearing Marcus was using her to pass his NEWTs. She found the second part of that one less funny since it suggested she was so pathetically grateful for male attention that she didn't care. "I'm simultaneously being used for my brain and too stupid to see it."
As a form of the promised support, McGonagall asked Slughorn to cover flushing potions and love potion anecdotes. After he declared hers outstanding, Hermione cheerfully drank hers in full view of the class. Snape began educating them on Occlumency and Legilimency.
"Professor, does the ability to throw off the Imperius Curse have any effect on your ability to block your mind?" Harry asked.
Knowing what Harry intended from the question, Snape pretended to consider the matter. "The willpower required would greatly aid one in mastering Occlumency."
"That's good for Hermione and myself. We both threw the effects off when Moody used it on us in 4th year."
"I imagine it would. Moving on," he ignored the frisson of excitement that ran through the class of Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors as they speculated what that meant. He promised to assist her in the mission to save his snakes and she was keeping her end of the bargain admirably. At the end of class, he announced, "Anyone wishing to explore these advanced magics, please, see me after class." The students again looked at one another in amazement. The offer seemed out of place coming from Snape. Only Harry and Hermione remained. "I assume you were successful?"
"Yes, Harry's thoughts are his own, his own alone."
"What did that cost you?"
She laughed, "Nothing I wouldn't have done anyway, and the help to do it better."
"She, Flint, and Nott are training to fight giants," reported Harry flatly.
"With King Midir's best warriors," injected Hermione.
"Something you would do and they would help with, indeed," concluded Snape.
"Exactly," she beamed.
Snape rolled his eyes as if asking divine beings for patience, "We will meet again the first Thursday after the holiday break after dinner to work on Occlumency."
"Thank you, professor," Harry said. In the hallway, Ron waited for them. Harry filled him in on the conversation.
"Extra work? Better you than me, mate." Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "We're going to be hunting the horcruxes in the castle."
"Oh, that's different."
"Exactly, but we can make those plans later. I'm off. See you at dinner."
She walked towards the Refuge, sending Marcus a message to meet her there. "I'm tired of the stares and the rumors. I want to spend some quiet time with you away from prying eyes."
"Yeah, I thought I was ready, but constantly being congratulated for playing you in one breath, and then being accused of using love potions in the next is exhausting."
"Well, I took some steps to help end some of the rumors. Feel free to be demonstrative and romantic to try and end a few more."
"It won't stop all of them."
"I know. I'm sure the idea I was desperate for male attention after Ron didn't choose me will persist. It serves Brown's rewrite of history. Part of this shit show started because of her revision of my explanation when I snapped at her. But I have bigger things to focus on."
"Like a suicide ride," he said.
"It will not be a suicide ride. You lot are such drama llamas. I'll be fine. Have a little faith."
"I have enormous faith in you. I'm going to worry regardless. I can't go with you, or help you."
"And I will just have to accept that, I suppose." She stepped into his embrace.
"You do." He kissed her then and the conversation ended for the evening.