A Way Forward
Chapter 32
November was going to be an exciting, and busy month according to Hermione's plans. She had a week-long horse show in France, which was already cleared with Kingsley, and Minerva. What she needed to do now was tell Neville and Ginny she was going to be away, in order to squash another Spanish inquisition when she returned.
Not wanting to deal with a multitude of questions from Ginny on a Sunday morning, she decided she would just tell Neville, and he could tell Ginny. While she knew it was cowardly, Ginny had been asking more and more invasive questions lately, and it was really starting to get on Hermione's nerves. As she walked into the Great Hall, she was happy to see Neville, sitting by himself at the Gryffindor table.
"Good Morning Neville." Hermione said politely as she took the seat across from him.
"Morning Hermione." Neville said, his voice still raspy with sleep.
"I know it's still early, but do you mind if we talk privately?"
"Not at all."
"Thank You!" She responded, casting a wandless muffliato.
"Wandless? That's impressive Hermione."
"Thank you, I've been practicing!"
So why the need to talk privately?" Neville asked, pulling the conversation back on track.
"I'm going to be out of the castle this entire week."
Neville looked as though he had a multitude of questions, but was trying to contain himself. The only question he asked was, "Do the appropriate people know?"
Before Hermione could answer, Ginny sat down next to her.
Fuck, Hermione thought. It looked like she would be telling Ginny how as well. She went ahead and wandlessly canceled the privacy charm, then recast it, including Ginny.
"Good Morning." Ginny said, in a chipper voice. "You two couldn't wait for me, before getting to all the privacy charm worthy gossip? Rude!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny and laughed.
"Unfortunately, no gossip here Gin. You, and Neville asked me to tell you both when I was leaving for a period of time, that's just what I was doing."
Ginny looked Hermione up and down, feeling offended that Hermione hadn’t waited for her to get there before starting.
“Still though, I’m offended you didn’t wait for me, Hermione. Anyway, where are you off to now?”
“I’ll be out of the castle for the week. All of the appropriate parties are aware.” Hermione said curtly.
“The whole week? What about classes, and homework?” Ginny asked.
“I’ve already submitted everything ahead of time. It’s the only way any of this would work.”
“That makes sense.” Neville added.
Ginny was looking at Hermione with suspicion. Ever since Ginny had talked with Pansy, and Daphne she was growing more suspicious of Hermione. Now, Ginny was starting to notice more of the things the two Slytherins had pointed out, and she wanted answers.
“So where are you off to this time?”
“France, for another competition.”
“Are you going to win this one too?” Neville asked.
“I sincerely doubt it.” Hermione laughed. “We are moving up a level so my only goal is to get through the courses without any major issues!”
“You’ll have to let us know how everything went when you get back.” Ginny said, with what seemed like fake enthusiasm.
Hermione looked at Ginny, confused with her tone.
“Did I do something?” Hermione asked Ginny.
“You’re just different this year, and it feels like you’re hiding things.” Ginny responded.
“I’m not trying to be different. I really am just frustrated with this year as a whole.” Hermione said, trying to get her friend to understand.
“Hermione, you have to understand. You spent years being an incredibly private person, not speaking about your life at all outside of school, and now we’re seeing a completely different side of you.”
Hermione, flustered by the direction of the conversation, looked at her watch and realized she needed to make her way outside the gates of the school. “I’m sorry Gin, I really need to leave or else I’ll miss my portkey.”
Ginny rolled her eyes, feeling like she was being dismissed by her friend. “Hermione, I love you, you’re my best friend, but I’m not going to keep letting this go. I want answers.”
“I understand Gin. We will talk when I get back.” Hermione said as she got up from the table
Hermione made her way to the back of the Great Hall and signed herself out for the week. Once outside of the hall, she Accio’d her travel bag and made her way outside the gates of the school.
The portkey took her to an area in rural France, close to a train station where she would be meeting her parents. After a short walk, she was outside of the station where she watched her mum pull up in the car she rented for the week.
“Hello sweetheart!” Her mum said jovially. “Why are you looking so sad?”
“Hi mum. Things have been a bit frustrating at school lately. Ginny has been acting funny, and I realized that I like Draco Malfoy."
Her Mum's eyes went wide. "Let's first talk about Ginny, but we will be coming back to the part about you liking a boy. What's going on with Ginny?"
Hermione huffed, frustrated, and unsure how to start. "I don't know how to explain it mum. She keeps giving me weird looks, it feels like she's trying to look through me, or figure something out.”
"Would that be so bad if she was trying to figure you out? Honey you've kept so much about yourself private for so long. It's not healthy. Have you told Ginny anything about your life outside of the magical world?”
"I told her about the horses, and competing after my last show weekend.”
"She probably wants to know more. Why not just tell her about life outside of school? Would it really be that bad if your friends knew about your home life?"
"No, not at all mum. It has just been so long I’m worried my friends would be mad at me. Ginny is my best friend mum, I really don't want to jeopardize our friendship.”
"So are you just going to keep everything a secret forever? What about sharing your life with your classmates, like that letter said.”
Hermione stared at her mum blankly, unsure how to respond. She had completely forgotten about having all of her classmates over. All she could do was groan.
"Hermione Jean Granger! Your father and I raised you better than this. Here is what you're going to do, come clean to Ginny by inviting her to spend Christmas with us at home.”
She stared blankly at her mum. She knew better than to try and argue, but could it really be that simple?
"Oh sweetie, that blank stare is unbecoming. You've been friends with Ginny for years, I think she will appreciate a look into your life.” Her mum stated reassuringly.
"Okay.” She responded nervously.
"Good! I'm glad we are on the same page. Now, did you also say something about liking a boy?”
"Mum! Do we have to?”
"Of course we do! Now tell me about him. You said his name was Draco? wasn't that the name of the boy who used to torment you?”
"Mum! Yes, but it is a long story.”
"That's fine, once we get to the park, we have a ten minute walk to where the horses are stabled.”
Hermione launched into the history between the two of them, and the events which made her realize she liked him. By the time she finished the story and fully talked through the situation with her mum they were at the venue and making their way to the stable.
"Well sweetie it won't hurt to get to know him. If he's changed as much as you say then what will it hurt?”
"You always make everything seem so simple and straightforward, when it feels anything but…” Hermione trailed off. "Now mum, what do we have Planned for this week of showing?”
With the subject officially changed, Hermione and her mum were fully focused on discussing the plans for showing this week.
It was going to be a busy week. This was a large show, and Hermione was showing two horses. She was thankful her mum had the logistics organized, and all she had to do was manage riding. Feeling lighter than she had in a long time, thanks to the conversation with her mum, Hermione was ready to face anything this competition could throw at her.
Competition prep days went by quickly. She had to spend time reconnecting with the horses, learning the dressage pattern, show jumping course and walking the cross country course. The two days of prep flew by, and before Hermione knew it, it was Wednesday, dressage day.
Dressage day itself wasn't a bad day. The issue was all of the preparation that went into it. On top of learning the course, she needed to double check her tack to ensure it was clean, and allowed by the organization hosting the event. On top of that, both horses need to be clean, shiny, and have their manes, and tails braided. Hermione was extraordinarily thankful for their grooms as they took on the bulk of the work, allowing her to focus on being the best rider she could be.
Mercury, and Ruby did amazing during their dressage. Somehow both horses were inside the top ten at the end of dressage day. Now Hermione needed to ensure she was ready for show jumping the next day.
The show jumping day went much like the dressage day. Ruby jumped the course clean, but Mercury managed to clip one pole as he went over the last fence. After show jumping both horses managed to still stay within the top 10. Ruby was in 5th and Mercury in 10th.
Friday was their last day of competition, and Hermione's favorite day - cross country. She needed to be precise, fast, confident, and steady. She needed to push the horses when they needed it, and hold them back at appropriate times. Most importantly she needed to finish the course inside the time window, or she risked dropping in the standings.
Like the other two days of competition, cross country day flew by. She finished the day without any time faults, and managed to stay within the top 10. She managed to finish the competition with Ruby in 4th and Mercury in 8th.
The last thing Hermione had to do was stay for the awards ceremony on Saturday, then she would be returning to Hogwarts. Everything went according to plan Saturday morning as she, her parents, and her two grooms prepared for the Awards Ceremony.
Hermione watched as 1st through 3rd place were called, and presented their awards. Then it was her turn. She and Ruby were called as the 4th place winner. Hermione approached, and received her award from the man announcing. She then moved to shake hands with the event sponsors, everything was normal until she went to shake hand with the last woman in line. She extended her hand, and looked up. She was shaking hands with Narcissa Malfoy.