The Eighth Year - Under Major Reconstruction

33 - M.I.A

Waking up, Hermione realized she was alone in the room...alone except for Hermès and Ophelia of course. But they were extremely quiet...sometimes she even forgot about them.

Draco always waited for her or woke her up...he never left without her, so waking up alone that morning was a bit unsettling to her, but nonetheless, she got out of bed and began getting ready, thoughts of where Draco could be on her mind.

After giving Ophelia a quick pet and treat and raking a comb through her hair but giving up and pulling it into a quick updo, she decides to head to the Great Hall without him for the first time in a long time.

By the time she arrived at the Great Hall, it was half-eight, and Ginny, Harry, and Ron were already well into their meals

"Where have you been? Sleep in?" She asks, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively

"I didn't mean to...usually Draco wakes me up, but he wasn't there when I woke up...we usually walk down and wait for each other. It's weird, but I'm probably just overreacting." She sighs, piling her plate with food and digging into her meal

"Maybe he was just really hungry this morning and forgot? Oh! Maybe he has some kind of surprise for you, and he had to wake up early!" Ginny says enthusiastically

"Thanks for trying to remedy the situation, when I see him I'll ask why he didn't wait. It's not a big deal, but it is bothering me a bit...I'm sorry, it's silly," she sighed

"Let's get it off your mind and eat our breakfast, yeah?" Ginny says, rubbing Hermione's shoulder

They continue eating and conversing, avoiding the topic of marriage and Draco to keep Hermione's mind off of him

"So one of our beaters - Robbie - we picked him because he seemed to know what he was doing...but the boy is a bloody idiot. Honestly, how daft can you possibly be? He doesn't even use his bat...I think he's confused about his position, he's trying to be a chaser and keeps going for the quaffle. I think we're going to have to sit him down and explain the entire game to him...again." Ginny rambles to Hermione, the boys nodding to support her story of how idiotic this wizard - Robbie - was.

"Gin...how old is Robbie?" Hermione asks

Perhaps his age had something to do with it

"He's a second year...why?" She tells her

"Well, I don't think he's ever really seen a proper quidditch match then. And he's extremely young; give him some grace. The poor boy's last year at Hogwarts was miserable for a little first year. Be nice, Ginny. I know how you can be." She begs

"I guess you're right. Dang. I really wanted to scare a little kid today." She frowns

"If you want to get your anger out...take it out on me, not poor Robbie. Even though he is quite rubbish." Harry laughs

"Compared to you. Everyone is rubbish."Ginny says, Leaning in to kiss her fiancé, causing Ron and Hermione to roll their eyes

"Ya know. Your actual brother is sitting right here. I swear she does this to me every time. We came back after being gone for months last year, and I didn't even get a 'hello'. Ya know, I thought I was pretty good, Gin." He laughs

"Come on, Ron. Harry's our seeker. And my fiancé...and I guess the chosen one but that's only a small thing, so we won't even count it." She giggles