Always and Forever

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Hermione POV

Some time had passed between the Katie Bell incident and now. As her group of friends walked to Herbology class, Harry was informing them on everything that Dumbledore was teaching him about during the private lessons that were keeping him from Slughorn's parties. Hermione was amazed at how wise Dumbledore was. She exclaimed "I think it's fascinating. It makes sense, don't you think?"

Harry nodded in agreement with the girl. "Anyways, how was Slughorn's latest party?"

"Actually... it was fun! He introduced us to some new and exciting foods and a player from the Holyhead Harpies, I don't know if you know of Gwenog Jones—"

"Wait a minute!" Ron stopped her from putting on her protective goggles to stare into her eyes. "I know you don't know Quidditch so I'm making sure you know for sure. The Captain of the Holyhead Harpies. The one and only Gwenog Jones?" His blue eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head.

"That's the one!" Hermione said before ripping the large goggles out of his hands to put on her face.

Professor Sprout impatiently snapped at the talking Gryffindors. "Quiet back there, class has begun!" She gave them directions to untangle the branches of the pulsating pods to squeeze them out when they are fresh into a bowl.

Once they began to work on the task, Hermione continued. "Anyway, Slughorn's going to have a Christmas Party, Harry, and there's no way you'll be able to wiggle out of this one because he actually asked me to check your free evenings, so he could be sure you would be able to go."

Her friend groaned and threw his head back dramatically. Ron groaned as well. "This is only for Slughorn's favorites I'm assuming?"

Hermione shrugged sheepishly since she knew that Ron was jealous and wished he was able to attend one of these parties. "Just for the Slug Club, yes. Sorry."

The red headed teenager began to grumble under his breath about his friends abandoning him for a dumb Christmas party. After Herbology class, the two boys went to Quidditch practice which left Hermione on her own again. Hermione was cold and wanted to warm up in front of a nice fire. The Gryffindor common room would have to do for studying. She curled her legs up into her body on one of the comfortable sofa's that were in the Gryffindor common room and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment to write a letter to George before doing her homework that was piling up on the coffee table in front of her.

My dearest George,

I was so thankful to be able to see you at Hogsmeade. I cannot believe what still happened. It really is a dangerous time at Hogwarts... So many students are being pulled from school and going back home by their parents. Thankfully my parents have no idea what is going on in the Wizarding world. I'm surprised your mother is allowing Ron and Ginny to continue classes... I'm thankful she is. I would miss them terribly. It wouldn't be Hogwarts without a Weasley here!

How is your family doing back home? I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. My thoughts are always with you. I hope to see you soon! Tell them all I say hello.

I wish again I could write more but my N.E.W.T. classes are all giving us so much homework that I seem to be swamped every moment of the day! I don't know how Ron and Harry are juggling classes and Quidditch. Then again, they don't have the same expectations that I do with academics (or someone to copy answers from).

Anyways, I hope you are doing well. I love you so much and miss you more and more with every passing day. I cannot wait to see you again.