Ron Drama & Home
Chapter 21
September 25, 1998 - Lunch
It had been a week since the 6th, and 7th year students had their field trip to the muggle theme park. Around the school, the professors could tell the students were starting to become more curious. They could also see tension among the Gryffindor's, particularly among the 7th years.
Word had gotten out among the Gryffindor students about the argument Ron, and Hermione had at the end of the field trip. The consensus was, most students were siding with Hermione. Apparently all the stories, and instances of Ron being a bully were now spreading throughout the school.
The seventh years had just finished their classes for the day. Hermione had planned on having lunch with Ginny, and Neville before she checked in with the Headmistress ahead of going home for the weekend. What she wasn't expecting was for Ron to confront her.
"What the hell Hermione, the whole school knows about our discussion on the field trip."
"We didn't have a discussion Ronald. I was minding my own business, when you confronted me about who I spent my time with. May I remind you, this was after you had ditched me."
"This is all your fault! Why are you telling everyone about our discussion?" He shouted, once again gaining everyone's attention.
"I have better things to do than discuss you confronting me with others. You do not get to speak to me like this, Ronald Weasley!"
"I'll speak to you as I like, just as I have for the last seven years."
"Then like the last seven years, I'm going to stop listening." She then turned to Ginny, and Neville. "Excuse me, but I'm not going to sit here, and listen to this. Sorry. Neville, do you have a brief moment?"
Neville nodded his head. Hermione apologized to her friends again, then got up from the Gryffindor table with Neville. The pair went to the back of the hall so they could speak with privacy.
“I just wanted you to be aware that I won’t be on the grounds this weekend. I’ve already cleared it with McGonagall, but Harry, and Ron don’t know, and I figured someone should.”
“Thank you for trusting me with that. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, yes. Just a preplanned obligation. Nothing too fancy.”
“Okay. Owl me if you need anything.”
“Thanks Nev. You’re a good friend.”
Ron had been watching Neville and Hermione’s exchange, and he was livid when Hermione didn’t leave the hall after their conversation finished. Instead of leaving the hall as Ron expected, she walked over to the Slytherin table.
"Do you guys mind if I join you?" She asked the group of Slytherin's from the theme park.
"Not at all, feel free to join us." Pansy said.
"Did you have another unfortunate run in with the weasel?" Daphne asked.
"How did you ever guess?" Hermione uttered sarcastically.
"It might have been the rather loud and rude remarks the whole great hall overheard." Blaise said.
"Yeah, he has a habit of that…" Hermione muttered. "Thank you guys for being welcoming. I just want to eat my lunch, and go home for the weekend."
She shut her mouth abruptly, hoping the Slytherins hadn't caught what she said. Even though she was hopeful, she knew she had said too much. At this point, she was just waiting for the questions to roll in…
"Go home for the weekend? What for?" A curious Pansy asked.
"Ooh, I've never been to a muggle home! What's your home like?" Daphne questioned excitedly.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at Pansy, and Daphne's enthusiasm.
"Yes, I'm headed home for the weekend due to a prior obligation. I'm leaving after lunch today, and I'll be back Sunday evening."
"Anything you're willing to share?"
"Not particularly, Draco. I'm going to relish every single moment I can keep my home life private."
The group of Slytherin's looked at Hermione confused. Before anyone could say anything she went ahead, and explained.
"I'm one of the lucky muggle borns the Ministry wants to parade around, and be treated like they're on exhibit." She complained.
"Not a fan of the Ministry's plan, I take it?"
"Theo, my issue with their plan was they expected the muggle born students to bend to their will. Although it was phrased like a question, there wasn't much of an option to say no."
"Fuck" She heard Draco say.
"Now, my family and I, who have maintained our privacy for the duration of my time in the magical world, are being asked to put our lives on display. None of my friends from here have ever been to my home, and now they want us to allow our home to be used as some muggle world display piece. I've tried inviting my friends over, many times, but I believe Ron's words were 'Why would we want to spend time in a muggle home...'”
There was silence at the table as they all felt the frustration in Hermione’s voice. The Slytherin’s knew there was no way their parents would allow their homes to be used for ministry showboating. It was definitely unfair they expected this from muggle borns.
"As for what my home is like Daph, it's much like your homes I'm sure, just without the magic."
This earned Hermione another chuckle from the group.
“Not to change the subject, but back to that whole you’re going home for the weekend thing. How did you get McGonagall to agree to that?” Pansy asked.
“I just told her I wouldn’t be here… I didn’t think I had to do any more than that.”
The group of Slytherin’s started laughing.
“Only you would go up to the Headmistress, and tell her that you’re not going to be here rather than ask permission.”
“It was far more eloquent than you’re making it out to be Pansy.”
“Let me enjoy the mental picture of you just bossing McGonagall around, okay.”
More laughter from the group ensued as they all finished their lunch. It wasn’t much later that Hermione checked her watch, and noticed she needed to get ready to head out.
“Thank you again for letting me join you. I really do appreciate it. I’ve got to get going, but I’ll see you all on Monday.” She said quietly, then headed out of the Great Hall, not before signing out in the sign out book.
After leaving the Great Hall, Hermione ran to the tower to grab her things for this weekend. She thankfully didn’t need to pack much as she had everything she needed at home. She made sure she grabbed the portkey Kingsley had made for her, then went on her way.
Thankfully, she didn’t run into anyone on her way out of the castle and off the grounds. McGonagall had keyed her into the wards, so she truly could come and go as she pleased. Sometimes being a war hero had its privileges. Once outside the gates she checked the time, she had 5 minutes until the portkey whisked her away.
Those 5 minutes passed quickly, and before she knew it the portkey grabbed her by the navel and took her to the Manchester Airport Portkey Lounge. Her portkey landings had been getting better with each time she traveled, for that she was grateful. Once she was steady on her feet, she made the familiar apparition trip home.
Landing in her normal wooded spot, she made her way inside. As expected, she didn’t find her parents, so she changed into her riding clothes, and headed out to the stable. She quickly found her mum in the indoor, doing jump work with one of the new horses.
“Good Afternoon Mum.”
“Mya! Dear, we weren’t expecting you until dinner time.”
“I’m sorry for not including the time in my letter.”
“Oh that doesn’t matter, come here.” Her mum dismounted from the horse, and rushed over to give her a hug. “I missed you sweetheart. How’s school?”
“I missed you too. It’s as expected. I’m already over it, and ready to be done. I miss the horses, and home of course.”
“I understand sweetie, each day is another day closer to being done.”
“I know. How’s this girl doing?” She said pointing to the horse her mum had been riding.
“She’s phenomenal, do you want to have a go?”
“Absolutely, let me put on my boots, and grab my helmet.” Hermione said with renewed excitement. This was exactly what she needed to forget about Hogwarts.
Hermione returned to the arena in record time, excited to ride the new mare.
“I never asked what her name was.”
“Her name is Ruby.”
“Well that’s rather fitting with her coloring. Anything I should know about her before I start?”
“Nothing too much. I have never seen a horse that loves to jump the way she does.”
“Oh wow.” Hermione said. The more her mum told her about Ruby, the more excited she was to get on her.
“Comeon hop up.” Her mum said as she led Ruby over to the mounting block.
Hermione used the mounting block to get on Ruby, and her mom checked the stirrup length as she got situated in the saddle.
“I’m just going to do a few laps to get used to how she feels and handles.”
Mum nodded in response. Hermione led Ruby forward, walking around the perimeter of the arena. After a bit, she used her legs to put Ruby into trot. Impressed with the smoothness of her trot, Hermione wanted to push her further, she again used her legs, now pushing the horse into a canter. She couldn’t help but smile, Ruby handled beautifully. Feeling more confident, and wanting to see what Ruby was capable of, she asked her to change her lead leg, which she executed beautifully.
“Hermione! Did you just do a flying change on a horse you’ve been riding for less than ten minutes?” Her mum shouted with impressed amusement.
“Yes! Did you see how beautiful that was?” She shouted back.
Hermione brought Ruby back to her mum, and stopped to talk. “She is fantastic!”
“I think you ride her better than I do.” Mum said with a hint of jealousy.
“Now that’s a compliment. Thank you.”
“I want to see if that goes through jumps as well. Let me set up a few starter ones for you to get back in rhythm.”
Mum changed the jump heights, lowering a few of them. Hermione knew she would bring them back up later if everything went well.
“Mum, is she already warmed up enough?”
“Yep. I had only been in here for 20 minutes when you arrived.”
“Perfect!”
“Start with the cross rail, then go to the vertical, and finish with the low oxer.”
She did exactly as her mum said, and before she knew it the jump heights were increasing. After 20 minutes she was back up to full height, and discussing the course route with her mum. Not long after their discussion, Hermione was running the course with Ruby for the first time. In her own element, she didn’t realize that a small crowd had arrived.
“Sweetie, I’m going to raise these again.”
“Okay mum.” Hermione was paying more attention to Ruby than she was to the height her mum was moving the jumps to.
“All set.”
Hermione scanned the new set up. Deciding it would be wise for her to walk it first before jumping it.
“I’m going to walk it first. I think my strides may be different with the new heights.”
She dismounted and handed the reins to her mum. Walking the course she paid more attention to counting strides than the height of the jumps. When she was done she remounted, and went for the course. Hermione was surprised to hear clapping when she completed it, as she still hadn’t realized anyone was watching.
“Those seemed kinda high.”
“They were high. Everything was between 1.45 - 1.6 meters.”
“Oh wow! That’s neat!”
“You just jumped what could have easily been a 4 star, Grand Prix Course, and you say that’s neat. Hermione I swear, you don’t understand how good you are at this.” Her mum laughed. “Also, after seeing that display, you will be jumping Ruby for me at a few shows.”
“That would be awesome!”
“I’m glad you’re happy about that, now that’s enough for today, let's get her started on rehab.”
Hermione and her mum walked Ruby out of the arena, cooled her down, and the groom started her rehab. The two women walked up to the house where they enjoyed the rest of their night.