Viridis Cum Laude

Hermione was looking forward to the following week.  Draco and his family had invited her and a few other friends to stay for the remainder of the summer holidays. She and her parents had just returned from the South of France, visiting her grandmother in her summer home.  

“Well darling, are you excited to stay with the Malfoy’s for a few weeks?” her mother asked as they sat down to dinner the night before she was to leave. 

Mr. Malfoy had connected her parents' house to the floo for a 20-minute window the following day. Hermione was surprised she wasn’t meeting them in London, but it had been explained that due to the breakout of a criminal from Azkaban, she was to not wander London, muggle or magical, without a proper magical guardian. Lucius had pulled some strings to connect her parents' home to the floo network for her safety.  Hermione knew it was partly due to his guilty feelings regarding her brief stint being petrified, and although she didn’t blame him, he had apologized after all, he did give Draco the diary. She knew that she never would have been able to learn of horcruxes and destroy one of them if he hadn’t though, and even though she was only 13, almost 14 she corrected herself, she knew the cost of knowledge.  After all knowledge was power.  And if her summer reading had taught her anything, it was that she wanted it. She wanted to protect her friends and save them the pain they’d already been through, and the pain she knew they’d go through in the future. She wanted her housemates to not be ridiculed for the decisions of a hat, she wanted to be free to enjoy her time with Hannah and Neville, who had drifted apart from her over the past year.  So when her mother asked if she was excited to see her best friends, and have access to the largest most extensive magical library in existence she could only smile and nod her head. 

Hermione packed up her trunk, leveling two muggle books back and forth.  She didn’t bring many muggle books to Hogwarts even though some of her favorites sat on her shelves at home during the year.  She made the final call, putting both books on her shelf and closed her trunk.  With her ability to recall, she didn’t worry that she would lose the information, but after a moment did remove the books from her shelf and place them under her mattress.  

She woke early the next morning, pulled from a restless sleep by her recurring nightmare.  She wished Harry had never shown her that blasted mirror. It had plagued her thoughts over the last year and it terrified her. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep again, she grabbed her wand and pulled on leggings and a Manchester United FC jumper.  She picked up her MP3 and favorite trainers before heading downstairs.  She pulled on the shoes, before quietly closing the back door behind her, hiding her wand in the waistband of her leggings, and putting in her earbuds. Hermione hated running, but it at least drowned out her thoughts when she was consumed with pain and hatred of the exercise. 

She pounded down the pavement of her parents' upscale suburban neighborhood until the first light of dawn graced the sky and any thoughts of the mirror had been worn away by the burning of her lungs and soreness in her knees.  She limped into the kitchen, greeted by her mother grinning at her. 

“Rough morning already?” she asked, turning back to the counter to fix breakfast. 

“You have no idea, I think I did about 5 kilometers,” sighed Hermione before sinking into a chair at the table.  

“How about some breakfast? Eggs on toast sound good?” her mother asked.

“Yes please!” she answered, taking the cup of English Breakfast her mother handed her.  “Thanks mum.” 

“Well it’s not everyday my daughter goes for a run,” she giggled. 

Hermione smiled, “Just couldn’t sleep well.  Dr. Carver suggests exercise to quiet the mind.” 

She had been seeing the muggle therapist since she returned home for the summer, and although she was unable to share many of the stressors that truly plagued her, the doctor was able to provide a few quality techniques on managing stress and some breathing techniques, along with a recommendation of a healthy exercise regime.  The latter had been the hardest to implement.  Hermione had played children’s futbol for several years, but since going to Hogwarts had done exactly zero workouts and after coming home for the summer, noticed a few extra curves hugging her frame. She knew her friends preferred flying, but being scared of heights, she turned back to running in an effort to clear her mind, and loosen her too-tight jeans.  Wearing robes everyday allowed much more leniency in her weight.  

Her mother only smiled, placing a plate of eggs and toast in front of Hermione and sitting down to join her for breakfast.  

“Now I know you’ll behave, but I just have to remind you as a mother, to be safe the rest of the summer. I know you’ve heard of that escaped convict, and though I don’t think he’s nearby, just be careful.” 

Hermione nodded. 

“And of course be respectful to Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy.  It was very kind of them to invite you to stay with them, and I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of our expectations for you regarding boys.” she reminded Hermione with a stern eye.  

“Yes mother, they’re just my friends.” 

“Even Draco?” her mother asked with an arched eyebrow. 

“Yes, even Draco.  He seems more interested in Pansy anyway.” she sighed.  

“Well, then I’m sure he doesn’t deserve you anyway.” She tried to meet her daughter's gaze, but Hermione started resolutely at her eggs. “Do you have enough money for your school books this year? It’s been awhile since your father and I made a transfer.” 

“I believe so, mum,” she responded, “I’m taking a few new classes this year though.” 

“Alright, well take this,” she passed Hermione an envelope with a few notes inside, “and use it on something strictly for fun to celebrate your birthday, and I’ll have your father make a transfer to Gringotts later today on his way to the office.” 

Hermione smiled at her mother. “Thanks mum. Love you,” she said putting her plate in the sink.  

“I love you too, honey, now go shower and get ready, you’re due to leave later this morning and it’s already 9!” 

Hermione took her time in the shower, reveling in the hot water as it ran down her back.  She took extra time on her curls, knowing this was the last time she would have to style them without magic until next summer. 

She stood with her trunk at 11:30 on the dot ready with the small pouch of floo powder she kept on the mantle at home.  

“Malfoy Manor!” she called as she stepped into the emerald flames and was whisked away to the large mansion. 

She spun through the flames at breakneck speed, passing dozens of fireplaces until the floo spit her out into a handsome receiving hall she recognized as Draco’s ancestral home.  She disliked floo travel, still preferring muggle transport when available.  The spinning made her dizzy and her clothes usually ended up with ash on them when she stepped out of the grate.  She found this to be the case as she stepped into the hall, reaching down to brush off the soot from the hem of her sundress, but stumbling from her still spinning head.  A pale hand caught her wrist, steadying her. 

“Thank you,” she murmured, embarrassed as she looked up, and up, and up. Draco must have grown at least half a foot since she last saw him, and now stood several inches taller than she did.  He just grinned down at her, letting go of her wrist once she had regained her balance. 

“Hey,” Hermione said, breathless. 

“Hey yourself,” he smirked at her.  Hermione experienced an entirely new round of dizziness completely unrelated to her floo travel as she stared into his grey eyes. 

“Oi! Hermione’s here!” Theo’s voice wafted in from a set of open french doors to their left, and she stilled.  As several pairs of footsteps rounded the corner into the room, she hastily stepped back from Draco, refusing to meet his eyes.  Harry skidded to a stop right in front of her as he threw his arms around her.  She returned his hug, happy to be reunited with her best friend after several weeks apart.  

“Hermione, you’ve got to see, Draco’s parents put in a new pool and it’s brilliant! It’s charmed to stay the perfect temperature!” Hermione tuned him out as he jabbered on about the new pool. Like her, Harry had grown up in the muggle world, and similarly sometimes found things in the magical world to be a shock.  Wizards could charm a swimming pool to the perfect temperature, could disapparate and appear instantly somewhere else, and could charm any household chore to do itself, but they still used quills and owls rather than pens or pencils, and not one she’d met apart from muggle borns could use a telephone.  She shook her head to clear it, looking past Harry to Theo and Daphne standing quietly.  

“Hey Theo! Daphne!” she called, walking over to hug the other witch.  Her mother had mentioned offhandedly that all her close friends were boys, and brushing it off at the time, realized that it would be nice to have another witch to talk to, even if it was just about how tall Draco had gotten over the summer, or how perfect Theo’s smile was when he thought something was funny.  

If Daphne was surprised at her sudden affection, she didn’t show it, she just hugged Hermione back warmly.  “Tracey might be coming for dinner tomorrow too,” she mentioned as Hermione realized Harry had switched from pool admiration to planning out the rest of the summer, including some sort of late birthday celebration for him and Draco the following night.  She smiled, Hermione liked Tracey who was always kind to her.  Pansy and Millie would be joining for the party following dinner as well she found out, but dinner was to be kept a small affair. 

“Miss Granger!” the sharp click of Dragonhide heels announced Narcissa Malfoy’s entrance into the hall, “Welcome!” She smiled warmly at Hermione.  

“Mrs. Malfoy, thank you for having me.  My parents also wished to pass on their thanks for hosting me until the start of school.” she responded, giving a slight bow of her head to show deference to the matriarch.  Theo glowed with approval at her appropriate show of manners. 

“Nonsense dear, we’re thrilled to have you, I’ll show you to your rooms if you’re ready and then you can join the others outside.” She beckoned for Hermione to follow her through the french doors.  

She was led into one of the most beautiful suites she had ever seen. The main room was large, boasting a grand four-poster bed on the far wall, flanked by paned windows looking out onto the rose garden. Closer to her a small sitting area was arranged, with three enormous bookshelves, partially full of what she could only imagine were rare titles.  A door stood ajar leading into her ensuite complete with soaking tub, a double vanity, and large glass shower.  Walking back to into the main room, she noticed a door cleverly camouflaged in the glass panes, leading to a small private balcony, already furnished with a side table and reading chair.  

“I hope this is to your liking?” Naricssa called from the doorway as she took in her surroundings. 

“Mrs. Malfoy it’s beautiful!” Hermione gushed, hardly believing she would be allowed to live in this room for the next few weeks.  

“I’m glad you like it.  I had to guess on a color scheme as I wanted to have it completed before you arrived, but if you’d like to make any changes, please just call for Miffy, she’ll be able to take note of any changes.” 

She could only nod, not quite knowing how to process that Narcissa Malfoy had designed this room for her. But it was perfect, the cream walls with gold accents, muted pale pinks and sage greens.  She couldn’t have chosen anything more wonderful.  

“Now why don’t you go ahead and unpack, and change for dinner. I expect by the time you’re finished it will be about ready.” Narcissa smiled at her.  “You’ll find anything else you could need through these doors here,” she indicated a second set of doors next to the ensuite she hadn’t even noticed.  

Hermione pulled open the doors, and gasped.  Inside were rows upon rows of dresses and robes.  All more formal than anything else Hermione had brought with her.  She started to panic, overwhelmed by the generosity and unsure how to navigate the gifts within the pureblood expectations.  And then a horrible thought entered her mind.  What if she chose a dress for dinner tonight, and it was entirely wrong? She would embarrass herself completely, and disappoint Narcissa who would never want to help her again.  Hermione sunk to the floor, clutching her middle.  

Pop

“Miffy is seeing if you is needing help unpacking Miss,” a little elf wrapped in a white toga style uniform asked.   

“Miffy, hello.  That would be wonderful, thank you.” Hermione choked out. 

“Is everything okay Miss? Miffy asked, eyes widening with concern. 

“Oh yes, I’m just not sure what to wear for dinner tonight.” 

“Not to worry Miss, not to worry.  Miffy is helping Miss look lovely for young Master,” Miffy chirped, bouncing around the closet choosing pieces for Hermione’s perusal.  Hermione spluttered. 

“What do you mean for young Master?” 

“Miffy chooses blue for dinner, yes she does, Miffy knows best.” And as if that was the most important decision in the world, she laid out a crisp blue and white sundress, complete with grecian style gold sandals and a set of golden bangles.  

As she sunk into the tub filled with frothy pink bubbles, Hermione sighed.  She could get used to this.