Hello again, dearies. Another week another chapter down. Where does the time go? Happy New Year. May 2025 be better than 2024 ended.
Chapter 25 Birthday Revelries
After class, Theo followed Hermione back to the Refuge. "Will you be writing Black?" he asked.
"Most likely. I don't know it will have any effect, but if I told them all to it will seem hypocritical if he doesn't know something. Harry will expect me to so he won't. The ministry's official story is we got lucky at Longbottom Estates. Do you plan on writing your father?"
He shrugged, "Father isn't convinced which way he wants to go: With his old crony or neutrality. He won't side with Dumbledore's light. The dark might not want Dumbledore's people too well trained."
"Keeps his own recruits from having a solid foundation, too," she pointed out.
"There is that. And it's this the oddest conversation to be having?" he shook his head. "I want you to know, regardless of which side he picks, I'm on your side."
"I know," she replied calmly. He visibly reacted. "I've had some premonitions of you and Marcus flanking me for a fight, fighting with me."
"Which side are we on?" he asked.
"The side that wants to stop the fighting and restore balance. But that is the future. Today we're focused on passing our OWLs," she said.
"And clearing away enough work to give you time to cuddle with a certain Slytherin chaser," teased Theo.
"Your quidditch captain is busy creating his tryout schedule. We have a date planned Friday." She glanced around. "Maybe here, maybe for a walk around the grounds."
"Go with the walk. Save fireplace snuggles for those long winter nights," suggested Theo.
"We probably will. Unless this suggestion is designed to keep us from snogging all over the place in here. Because, too late, we already did."
"Ugh. Why would you tell me that?"
"So you would know that there have been snuggles and will be again. Consider this your fair dues warning."
"I'm going to need to know everywhere skin has touched."
"We've kissed. No undressing has occurred, yet, anyway," she giggled at his horrified face.
Friday evening Hermione met Marcus on the shore of Black Lake. He grinned at her. She beamed back. "Been waiting long?"
"No, I just got here." He held out his hand to her. She took it. "Are you sure you want to go for a walk in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Hmm, do I want to stroll through my forest with my paramour under a gibbous moon? Yes, yes I do." She twined her fingers with his.
"Sorry, sometimes I forget you don't have to be afraid in there."
"Afraid? No. Cautious? Yes. Nature is not without dangers. But the agreements that allow the populations here to remain are in my favor and allow me to move unmolested among them. That doesn't mean some of them aren't foolish enough to try something from time to time."
"Yeah, I'm not coming out here without you," he told her. They began to walk at a leisurely pace with no real destination.
"Fair enough," she laughed. "How were tryouts?"
"Why? Trying to spy for Gryffindor?"
She sniffed with disdain, "No, you brute, I was expressing interest in my boyfriend's life and interests."
"In that case, Malfoy is shaping up to be a fine seeker. May not be able to beat Potter, but I'm hopeful."
"It's the hope that kills you," she quipped.
"I suppose that's true. Crabbe and Goyle are good beaters. They aren't the Weasley twins, but who is? And after this year Gryffindor will be training a new pair and will have lost that combo."
"What about the keeper and other chasers?"
"Adrian is our keeper. The other two chasers are Jasper and a 3rd year named Brendan. Going for some young blood."
"Something that pays off next year for sure."
"That's what I'm counting on."
"A solid plan," she praised.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. The nearly full moon shone overhead granting them plenty of light to see the paths. They seemed to be aimlessly wandering for all Marcus could tell, but he trusted Hermione. "How are you doing with OWL prep?"
"I've made a schedule and you're going to give me your defense textbook from last year so I can revise properly."
"I am?" he asked.
"You are. And if Lupin had a different book, get me Felix's please."
He chuckled after a moment, "Yeah, that class is a joke. He's annoyed he has to take it even though he dropped it on the NEWT level."
She groaned, "I'm hoping if enough people complain something will be done. But I'm going to prepare for when it doesn't. Once the ministry gets an idea in it's head they can be incapable of switching gears." She swung their arms as they walked.
Marcus hesitated when they reached the grove circle. She ignored his reluctance and pulled him forward with a tug of her hand. "Um, Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"We, uh, that is, um, are you sure that this is okay?"
She paused just outside the packed earth that marked the boundary of the circle. "Why wouldn't be?" she asked confused.
"Because this is a sacred grove."
"My grove. And druids celebrate life and nature. Anything we do here is part of that. Why wouldn't it be okay? And if it isn't who's going to yell at me?" He frowned. "So long as we both enter with perfect trust and a willing heart everything will be fine. I don't have any ill intentions, do you?"
"No."
"I have no intention of forcing you to do anything completely against your will, do you?"
"Again, no."
"Brilliant. Come on," she tugged at his hand. This time he relented and allowed her to pull him into the space. "And really, the whole forest is the grove. This was just where it began. Like yours at home. All of it is connected. But someone tended the center and it grew. The magic is strongest at the core."
"It feels wrong to be here just to hang out," he protested.
She rolled her eyes, "Why? That's how it started. This was their living space. Then they moved to different homes and only gathered here for the rituals. It misses that feeling of belonging." She released his hand to spin in a happy circle, her arms outstretched.
"Are you suggesting the grove wants me to snog you senseless right here?"
"If you wanted to," she sang back. "It wants us to live in the moment. I doubt you're relaxed enough to be comfortable doing that, so we're just spending time together out of the castle and away from prying eyes.
"You're planning to do everything you can to get me used to the idea, aren't you?" he asked, resigned to that fact.
"Absolutely. Glad you noticed," she laughed and started spinning the other direction.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Spinning."
"Why?"
"Because I can. Because I want to."
"So long at there's a reason, I suppose."
She laughed, "There usually is, not always a good one, but they do exist."
He shook his head smiling, "Let me know when you're ready to go."
She stopped spinning. She skipped over to him. She raised on tip toe and pressed her lips to his cheek. She looked at her watch, "We have another hour until curfew. We can meander that way, if you like."
"Are you sure? It could take awhile to get back," he replied. She blinked and held up her hand. She made a gesture. "Oh, that's right. You can make a door thing. I forgot."
She took his hand and squeezed, "Silly. But I like that you forget. It makes me feel like you're with me for me, not because I'm the Druid."
"Of course I am. You're kind, smart, pretty, and you treat everyone like an equal. And you're so much braver than anyone else I know."
"To be fair, you don't know many Gryffindors," she pointed out.
"My point stands, stop deflecting." He tucked her hair behind her ears. "Being a Druid is a part of you, but it isn't all of you. Just like you see more than a dumb broom jockey, I like to think I see the real you." He brushed his lips against hers. Eagerly she encircled his neck and jumped at him. He caught her easily. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she kissed him. He held her up as the two wrestled for dominance. When the need for air overtook the passionate emotions he pulled back. "Damn, you got me to snog you here after all."
She giggled, "Completely unintentional, I promise."
"I know. We should start wandering back." He kissed her again. After the next bout of snogging he lowered her to the ground. "Now, we need to use your magic to get back."
"Worth it."
The morning of September 19th numerous owls delivered birthday cards and packages from her family. Her parents arranged for Sirius to collect them and send them along to Hogwarts. For his part, Sirius sent her an assortment of pampering products and the promise of a shopping spree at a bookstore over Christmas. Harry and Ron gave her a box of sugar quills. Dahlia slid her a small package after breakfast. "From Marc," she whispered.
"Thank you." She opened the brown box to find a small polished stone. She examined it closely. The smooth surface came from generations of people rubbing it over and over for what amounted to hours. She pulled out the note.
Happy birthday! D and I found this at the family grove. We have no idea why but it reminded us of you. So, it may be lame, but there you are.
-M.
She smiled and put the stone in her pocket, "Thank you. I love it. Something to remind me of you."
"You're welcome. Someone suspects you'll be busy today. And he has quidditch."
"Someone is smarter than he thinks he is," smiled Hermione.
"He is," agreed his sister.
She revised with Theo that afternoon. He presented her with small Honeydukes gift box. She gave him with a copy of her review schedule. "Where are you with the study guides?" he asked.
"Through 3rd year in most subjects," she shrugged. "And I got Marcus's defense textbook from last year. He didn't have the study guides. And he got me Felix's from Lupin's year. I wrote Lupin asking for suggested revision topics."
"That helps you and me, possibly the Gryffindors smart enough to ask you for help."
"It helps anyone with the sense to do the same," she shot back.
"So you, me, and maybe the odd Ravenclaw."
She stopped working, dropping her quill to the parchment. She regarded him, "What exactly do you want me to do, Theodore?"
He shrugged, "The idea we won't be prepared with a war coming is worrisome. And I don't know what you could do."
"I'll think about it." The matter closed for the moment they began working again.
After dinner Harry and Ron claimed her for a few rounds of Exploding Snap in the common room. Closer to the fireplace the twins and Lee Jordan spoke in hushed tones with first years. "Um, Hermione?" said Ron. "The twins appear to be attempting to test products on firsties."
"What?" she leapt to her feet. Other students scattered as she stormed over. "Frederick Gideon, George Fabian, Lee Alexander! Just what do you think you are doing?"
All three flashed guilty looks at one another. "Now, Mione," soothed George.
"We haven't done anything," assuaged Fred.
Her frowned deepened. "Yet," she shot back. "You cannot test products on first years in the common room." Realizing the loophole she left, she added, "You cannot test products on first years."
"But," protested Fred.
"No buts. They lack the necessary Weasley flavored mayhem experience to make an informed decision. No one below 3rd year does."
George grinned at her, "So, you'll test one?"
"Tonight? No, it's my birthday and I have plans with friends later. Tomorrow? Maybe, depends on what it does and how far in the testing process you are."
Lee frowned, "How did you know my middle name?"
"There is little I don't know," she sniffed and tossed her hair.
"I want to clarify," stated George, "we can test products, just not on 1st and 2nd years?"
"Correct."
"What if we do anyway?" Fred asked with a predatory gleam in his eyes.
Hermione put her hands on her hips, "I will tell your mother."
"Oh damn, Granger did not come to play," whistled Lee.
"You wouldn't," protested Fred.
"Try me," she stared at him without blinking.
"You win this time," said Fred finally.
"I'll win this fight every time," she snorted.
"She will, mate," Lee patted him on the shoulder.
She returned to Harry and Ron, "Thank you, Ron, but why? They're your brothers, and you usually like the chaos they cause."
"I figured you didn't want to spend your birthday running around collecting canary shaped first years or whatever that would do."
"Thanks."
"What friends do you have plans with?" he asked.
She brushed the inside of her left wrist, "No one in particular."
"Oh sure, we get it." His eyes widened comically. "How do you avoid getting caught sneaking out?"
"Teleportation magic."
"You said people can't apparate on school grounds," protested Ron.
"That is true. People cannot apparate. You know the answer, you're just not remembering. Think about last year."
"Oh, oh yeah."
They played another round before she stood, "Well, boys, I'm off for other gatherings. Good night."
"Good night, Hermione," said Harry.
Upstairs in her dorm, Hermione created her pillow doppelganger before settling in with the new book Rhys sent her. The two began reading a novel in common when he went off to school as a way to maintain their connection. It grew to a novel each birthday and one at Yule. For her birthday he chose The Assassin's Apprentice. For Yule she planned on sending him Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. She would have to think about what she wanted to read for his birthday over the summer. The door opened and one of her dorm mates entered. No one spoke, but she walked to the foot of Hermione's bed, seemed to debate something before signing and moving into the bathroom. The druid contemplated seeking her out, but decided the other girl might desire privacy. She would speak up when she was ready. Before Hermione could second guess her decision her mark pinched, summoning her to the fae woods and beyond.
Bonfires blazed before a swirling pool at the base of a waterfall. A jaunty tune floated on the breeze. Ranged around the clearing groups of riders conversed waiting for her. To one side a long table groaned under the weight of the feast. Lyall caught sight of her first. "The lady of the night! Greetings as this next year begins. May it be as exciting as the last."
She chuckled, "I could use a quiet year, it would make a nice change of pace."
Sabia reached them, "Your apparel leaves something to be desired." She touched Hermione's forehead. "There. The knowledge to summon proper attire when desired. It works like your armor only it allows you to select more variation."
"The grove has done something similar at times."
She nodded, "Remnants of this spell on the grove. Give us a turn."
Obediently Hermione spun around. The resulting gown flowed from the gold shoulder clasps. The bronze silk rustled softly. Finn grinned at her, "The color of wyverns, how appropriate."
"You should have called upon us," chided Corc.
"I haven't announced myself publicly. It hasn't felt like the right time. Without doing that how could I explain your presence again?"
"You couldn't," replied Una. "But that is not our focus this evening. Tonight we honor you and your birth." She took Hermione's hand and drew her towards the table. "Let us eat, drink, and be merry."
"And hopefully tomorrow we don't die," joked Hermione. "Sorry, mortal joke."
The others laughed. Hermione collected a plate of delicacies. The group ate, drank, and danced for hours. Hermione went to bed exhausted but happy. She felt the lingering lethargy well worth every minute.
She yawned through breakfast and Charms. She returned to her dorm to nap after Ancient Runes. She could not fall asleep in Defense. Umbridge would eat her alive. She set three alarms to ensure she woke on time. Asleep the second her head touched the pillow, she slept deeply. The buzzing of the alarm clock woke her. Stretching Hermione slipped on her shoes and skipped down the stairs. "Look here, Gred, is that our Hermione skipping class?"
"So proud, Forge," he wiped away a fake tear.
"Shush. I was napping before Defense. Why are you here?"
"Same as you, break before lunch," shrugged George.
"Why did you need a nap?" questioned Fred slyly. "Out late with Flint?"
"No. Why would you think that?"
George raised an eyebrow, "Because unlike the dunderheads surrounding us we have observational skills. You may not have given anything away, but he did when his panic at Longbottom's."
"Rightly displayed panic, we add," cut in Fred.
"But he gave away numerous clues," finished George.
"First that he was panicking. Why? He and his siblings were behind the wall," supplied Fred holding up one finger.
George held a second finger, "Second, he knew your full name. And he called you Hermione, not Granger."
"Third, he refused to let Zabini carry you. Something we approve of actually."
"Well, I wasn't out late with him," she said.
"Notice, Freddie, she doesn't deny she was out late."
"Nor, does she refute a relationship with Flint, Georgie."
"Plausible deniability if you lose your heads and try to gossip."
Both clutched their chests in fake pain and outrage, "We would never."
"Not intentionally," she responded.
George considered the matter before speaking, "No, that's fair, I suppose. Downside to knowing secrets."
Hermione collected her things, "I'm surprised you're the only ones that figured things out."
"Lavender distracted us with her panic attack, then with her insinuations that you life Diggory. We only pieced things together talking it over later. Flint wasn't very subtle," admitted Fred.
"And people see what they want to," added George.
"They do indeed. We should head to lunch."
"Let us know when you plan on going public. We want to watch the fireworks."
Her face scrunched in annoyance. "That'll be when he thinks keeping it quiet won't protect me. He's not completely wrong, but I'd rather rip off the bandage and deal with it. A difference in personality I suppose."