Peers & Peerages
Sunday
This was the first time Hermione was nervous to return to Hogwarts. Not only had she promised her mum she would talk to Ginny, but she was now concerned with what Narcissa may have said to Draco. She was going to have to muster up her Gryffindor courage and face Ginny, and Draco.
Her return portkey would take her directly into the headmistresses office, just as it did last time. Thankfully it was still the weekend, and she didn't have to go straight to class. After how busy this week was, She just wanted to relax and unwind before the start of next week. At precisely 9:00 in the morning Hermione's portkey whisked her away.
"Good morning Hermione. On time as always I see.”
"Good Morning Headmistress.” A disoriented Hermione replied. It always took her a moment to reorient herself after portkey travel.
"How was your week?” The curious Headmistress asked her favorite pupil.
"It was a good week, everything went far better than I could have hoped for.” Hermione said with a smile.
"That's wonderful. Do you think any of us will ever get the chance to see you ride?”
"I'm sure we will be showcasing the Horses when the class comes to my home.“ She responded politely.
"I may just have to tag along for that one.” The Headmistress smiled. "Now let's head down to breakfast. I'm sure you have some friends who are wondering how your week was.”
Hermione and the Headmistress made their way down to the Great Hall to enjoy their breakfast. Once through the main doors Hermione made her way straight to her normal spot at the Gryffindor table across from Ginny and Neville.
"Hey, you made it back!” Neville greeted her kindly, before turning his attention back to his other friends.
"I just got back. My portkey took me straight to Headmistress McGonnagalls office.”
"Well, how did everything go?” Ginny asked.
"Pretty well actually. Much better than expected.” Hermione explained.
"That's good.” Ginny said curtly.
"Gin, do you think you and I could talk later? I'd like to discuss something with you in private, if you don't mind.” Hermione asked, remembering her conversation with her mum.
"Sure thing Mione.” She responded with genuine excitement. "Should we finish up breakfast, then we can find somewhere to chat, without listening ears.”
Hermione chuckled in response, and gave a quick "That's great!”
The duo finished their breakfast, then made their way out of the hall so they could chat.
"Room of Requirement or out by the lake?” Ginny asked when they made their way out of the Great Hall.
"Room of Requirement will give us more privacy.”
The pair made their way towards the seventh floor, not saying much on the lengthy walk to the room of requirement.
After what felt like an eternity the pair arrived at the room of requirement.
"Do you want to pick the space or should I?” Ginny asked.
“Do you mind if I pick? I want to show you something.” Hermione responded.
Ginny gave a go ahead gesture to Hermione, and stepped back while Hermione paced in front of the room of requirement door. After a few moments the door appeared.
Hermione grabbed the door knob and opened the door revealing a grand, cozy living space which was an exact replica of her living room at home. Seeing a piece of home made her smile, and relax ahead of the conversation to come.
Ginny entered the room behind Hermione. The redhead looked around the room and her jaw dropped.
"This is beautiful. What is this place?” She asked.
"Thank you.” Hermione smiled. “This is a replica of my living room at home.”
Ginny's jaw dropped. "This is your living room?” She questioned.
"I figured this was as good a place as any, for us to talk.” She paused. “I’m sick of hiding who I am, and I wanted you to be the first one I shared this piece of myself with.”
Ginny nodded, curious about what she was about to learn. The pair settled onto one of the cozy, overstuffed couches so they could have what could certainly be an uncomfortable conversation.
"I'll tell you whatever you'd like to know, but I do think the easiest way to show you everything would just be for you to come home with me for the holidays. Would you be interested in spending a week with my family over Yule?”
"Of course I would!” Ginny responded with a smile that made Hermione relaxed.
"Okay, so I have no clue how to go about this. I want to tell you everything, but I have no clue where to start. What questions do you have?”
Ginny took a deep breath. She had been waiting for this. There was so much she wanted to know. So many questions she had thought of since September 1st, so she just started with the one at the front of her mind.
"Where have you actually been going when you leave the castle?”
"So it's either horse shows like this past week, or I'm working, and modeling with Dior.”
"Tell me more about these horse shows.”
"I've been competing since I was little. Once I started at Hogwarts, I only got to compete in the summers. I was hoping post war to do more competing, so I registered for numerous competitions this year. Then they made it so everyone had to come back to Hogwarts.” Hermione rolled her eyes, still annoyed.
“I was very frustrated so I had a conversation with Kingsley and the Headmistress. Believe me, it wasn't my finest day.”
"How does that work? How long have you been around horses?” Ginny asked.
"I've been around horses since I was born. We've always had them on our property. I don't think my mum would survive without them.”
"What do you mean?”
"My mum is the one that got me into horses. She has competed for years. She even went to the Olympics.”
"Oh wow. Even in the magical world the Olympics are a big deal.”
"Oh, I didn't know that.”
Ginny nodded. "Olympics aside, there are quite a few magical families that are involved in the horse world. Have you run into anyone you recognize?”
Hermione chuckled before responding. "Funny you should ask. Before this last show, I hadn't run into anyone from the magical world before.”
"Oh?" Ginny said, intrigued. The redhead was now shifting her posture to lean in towards Hermione, clearly ready for the gossip.
"So, I had a really great week competing. Both of my horses placed top 10 in our division, so we decided to stick around for the awards ceremony.”
"And…”
"Narcissa Malfoy was the person who handed me my award.”
"Of all people.” Ginny started laughing. "Of course it's the mom of the guy you're crushing on.” The redhead continued laughing as Hermione blushed.
"Yeah. I'm still coming to terms with the fact I have a crush on him.” She muttered under her breath.
"I still have more questions. You never talked about home before. Why now?”
"It was time. For so long I've felt like my magical and non magical lives had to remain separate. As a muggle born, there aren't many role models for how to live this dual existence. I also did not know how to talk about life outside of Hogwarts. I honestly felt stuck between two worlds.”
Ginny nodded her head. “I can see how that would be difficult. Still I can't help but feel upset that you hid such a significant part of your life from me.”
"I'm sorry about that. I never wanted you to feel that way.” Hermione took a deep breath before she resumed speaking.
“First year, I struggled to fit in. Most of the year I spent in the library studying, I was so excited to be here and learn that I was absolutely bollox at making friends. Second year I had found friends in Harry, and Ron, but you know them. They don't care much about the fluffy aspects of friendship. I helped them with their homework, and they helped me feel Included around the castle, so I didn't talk about myself much.”
Ginny was listening intensely as Hermione continued.
“I was fascinated hearing about the lives of my magically raised classmates. The stories from you, Ron, and Neville about being in a magical home were fascinating. If your lives were that interesting why would any of you be interested in hearing about my boring muggle life?” She shrugged, reliving her old memories and feelings.
"Honestly I spent so long being enthralled by the magical world and the lives of others that I never really tried to talk about my home life. Over time compartmentalizing my magical, and non magical lives got easier. It felt easier to fit in, and honestly it helped me not be as homesick. I never wanted to make anyone feel like I was lying to them.” Hermione finished.
Ginny took a moment to absorb what her friend had explained.
"I can understand that Mione. We can move forward from here. Thank you for helping me understand.” She smiled, reassuring her friend.
"Now that's out of the way, have you realized that Daphne and Pansy have been trying to figure out your muggle life. They believe you are high born and they are trying to prove it.”
Hermione put her head in her hands. “Merlin, this is going to be one heck of a year.” She said under her breath.
"Wait!” Ginny shouted. "Are you actually high born?"
"Yes. My father is the only son of the Duke of Rutland. Formally, my father is the Marquess of Adlington.”
The redhead started laughing. "Merlin's pants. You can't make this shit up. Hermione, if there's one thing the old pure blood families respect, whether muggle or magical, it's nobility. You literally outrank every single member of the Sacred 28.”
Hermione was now looking at Ginny confused. "Excuse me?”
"The titles given to families like the Malfoys were purely courtesy. They all just use the titles Lord and Lady these days to try and command respect. I believe the true titles were considered abandoned long ago.”
"Oh wow.” Hermione responded quietly. “To think, all of my issues being called mudblood could've been put to rest early if my family's titles were known.”
"Wait, does that mean your full name is Lady Hermione Jean Granger?”
"Yes, technically. Although I try not to use it.”
"Did Narcissa Malfoy hear your name announced like that at the show you were at?”
"She may have. I'm not sure. The show was in France. They don't always use titles.”
Ginny nodded along. “Wait! I just realized! Daphne and Pansy are going to completely shit their pants when they figure it out!”
The two friends started laughing, and in that moment Hermione knew everything would be okay.