Interlude and Inquisition
Chapter 31
Daphne and Pansy had modified their previously agreed upon plan. Rather than go straight to Hermione with all of their questions, they were going to go to Ginny. Being Hermione’s closest girlfriend, it was safe to assume that if anyone knew anything it would be Ginny Weasley. They thought with the right line of questioning they may be able to get Ginny on their side. The two approached Ginny one November weekend, while she was studying by herself in the library.
“Hey Ginny.” Daphne said kindly. “May we sit with you?”
Ginny looked up as she noticed the duo. “Yeah, sure. Hermione’s not here though.” She said, finally used to spending time around the duo of Slytherin’s.
The trio spent the next hour studying before Pansy and Daphne launched their inquisition. Pansy and Daphne looked at one another, and with a nod started their line of questioning.
“Hey Red.” Pansy whisper yelled, using the nickname she had affectionately given Ginny
“What?” Ginny responded, slightly annoyed by the interruption.
“Have you noticed anything different about Hermione this year?”
Before Ginny could mask her face, and put up her occulmency shields, Pansy and Daphne noticed a flash of fear across her face.
“Of course she’s different… There was a war that she was on the front line of…” Ginny trailed off.
Pansy scoffed. “Merlin Red. We are not dumb. Of course we know she was on the front lines of the war.”
“What my crass friend here means is, have you noticed anything that seems out of character for her?” Daphne clarified, while rolling her eyes at Pansy.
“Like leaving on the weekends, not spending all of her time in the library, making friends with Slytherin’s, finally telling off your idiot brother. Stuff like that.” Pansy added with as much snark as she could muster.
Ginny was doing her best to manage her emotions with occlumency, but she had to say something.
“I think everyone has noticed the things you just pointed out Pansy.” She retorted, matching the snark level,
“Exactly!” Pansy shouted. She was quickly cut off by Daphne, who was the more polished of the pair.
“While many have noticed that Hermione has changed significantly, few are close enough to the situation to understand why there has been such change. I sincerely doubt the war is the cause of all of this.”
Unable to keep her mouth shut, Pansy jumped into the conversation.
“We think there’s more to her than meets the eye. We believe she may be high born, an aristocratic muggle born. Think about it, Red. It would explain so many things. Her actions, mannerisms, and etiquette mimic that of a sacred 28 pureblood daughter. Also, if you think back on it, she has always had impeccable manners. Remember her flawless waltz with Krum at the Yule Ball in fourth year? How could she pull that off without having learned it before? Lets face it, even then she looked like she belonged up there more than Potter…”
Ginny would never admit it, without first talking to Hermione, but she had just as many questions. Hermione had been different this year. She was taking no shit from anyone, and was being even more secretive than she had in the past. Ginny had to pry information out of her, and even then she was only getting bits and pieces. As much as Ginny wanted to take part in their questioning and curiosity, she still wouldn’t give them anything without first talking to Hermione. She continued to mask her emotions, but again knew she had to respond.
“So you two.” Ginny pointed at Pansy, and Daphne, before continuing her statement in disbelief. “Think Hermione is high born just because she has nice manners, and could dance? Do you hear yourselves right now? You sound nuts.”
“Yes, but think about it. We are not trying to accuse, or cause problems, we just want to get to know her more, but we don’t want to pepper her with questions and make everything weird.” Daphne said, trying to comfort Ginny with the fact they meant no harm.
“She doesn’t talk about her home life with us, and we don’t know how to approach the topic with her. So we came to you.” Pansy added kindly.
Ginny’s mask started to drop. She could see that Pansy and Daphne truly cared. She took a deep breath, and responded.
“Yes, well, Hermione doesn’t talk much about her life outside of Hogwarts even with us. She never has. She’s a very private person, that hasn’t changed.”
“So you don’t know anything about her life outside of Hogwarts? You’ve never been to her home, or met her parents?” Daphne asked, astounded.
“Correct. I’ve never been to her home, and I’ve only met her parents in passing. I believe the last time I saw them was in Diagon Alley, third year. They don’t even come onto the platform at Kings Cross. They always met her outside.”
Pansy, and Daphne looked at one another, realizing they were approaching a sore subject. They didn’t want to pry too much, as they wanted to stay on Ginny’s good side.
“It seems like she’s just as elusive to you as she is to us.” Pansy said.
“That’s for sure.” Ginny said under her breath.
“Thanks for entertaining our questions Ginny. We will leave you to your studies.” Daphne said as she and Pansy got up to leave the library.
Ginny left not long after the two Slytherin’s. She couldn’t stop thinking about their questions. Was Hermione high born? Why was she so private? Did she have secrets?
On one hand, Hermione being a high born aristocrat would answer so many questions, like her expensive wardrobe, horses, and even etiquette. Surely Hermione wouldn’t hide something like this. Then again, maybe she started hiding everything the first year because of the way she was treated by Ron and Harry. On top of that she probably didn’t want to throw her status in anyone’s face.
Ginny didn’t know what to believe. All she knew was it was time for answers, whether Hermione liked it or not.
Daphne and Pansy made good use of the time it took them to walk back to the Slytherin common room.
“Red definitely knows something.” Pansy said.
“Yes, and no.” Daphne added. “I don’t think she knows everything. She looked a bit confused, but was absolutely telling the truth about Hermione being super private.”
“She definitely seemed on edge with certain things.”
“I agree with you, Pans. All we can do now is wait, and hope Ginny comes back to us with information.” Daphne said.