Moonlight ~ Hermione Granger

An invitation

~ 1996 sixth year ~

"come on Padma. Wake up, class starts soon."

"ughhh but it's Snape surely we can just skip it"

"are you sure you're a ravenclaw aren't we meant to be the school obsessed ones" Rhea teased, pulling Padma out of bed "i brought up an apple for you, now get dressed or i'll drag you down in your pyjamas."

"you wouldn't dare" laughed Padma.

Rhea walked into the dorm bathroom where she rested her hands on the edge of the sink, leaning onto them slightly. She stared herself down in the mirror; her eyes traced her own face analytically. Her nose was broad and her skin was smooth, she had strong cheekbones yet her jaw was soft. To others she exuded a subtle grace but no matter how hard she looked at herself, she couldn't see it. At times she hardly recognised the reflection in the mirror- or at least there was always a disconnect between the two. Who was it she could truly see in the mirror, for it never felt like her.

"Rhea are you coming tonight?" Padma yelled from the other room, still changing.

Rhea was pulled from her mind, "what's tonight?"

"Start of term party obviously, merlin how do you always forget, i mean seriously it happens every year" Padma chuckled.

"oi rude" Rhea scoffed lightheartedly.

"anyways the seventh years are organising it, it's in the common room so unless you huddle away somewhere else you have no choice but to join in" Padma hopped into the bathroom, pulling on her shoes.

Rhea drew a mocking pout onto her face.

"oh come on Rhea you have to come, pleaseeeee" Padma pleaded as she put in her earrings.

"fine" Rhea rolled her eyes and grinned.

The pair began to make their way to class, "come get ready with me in the gryffindor dorms. I do not want to third wheel with Lavender and Parvati."

"oooh are they finally together" Rhea said excitedly.

"you'd think so by know, i mean the amount they flirt and spend time together. They're practically constantly with each other." said Padma, "i reckon it'll be soon though"

"Ahh what if it happens to night that would be so romantic"

They both looked at each other and smiled, they continued to gossip through the corridors.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Getting through snape's lessons meant that Rhea would follow the same technique she had since first year: raise her hand for every few questions to avoid sneering know-it-all remarks, constantly make it look like she was taking some form of notes (even if what she was written had no relevance to potions), contain any and all vengeful replies within as to not loose any housepoints, and simply get through the lesson. She only ever broke these rules for Neville since it was nearly impossible to withhold herself from defending him from the greasy haired professor, who had taken it upon himself to bully Neville for no good reason.

This year Snape was teaching Defence against the dark arts, which was no doubt the worst news of the year. But who could be shocked, to be fair it's not as though they have ever had much luck with defence teachers. Of course except Professor Lupin.

Rhea practically stuck to her usual routine throughout the lesson, just with a little more misery. He was ruining the gaiety of the subject the same way Umbridge had the year prior.

Leaving the classroom alone, Rhea headed to the great hall.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

She quickly spotted Neville sat on the gryffindor table, his head buried in a textbook and a frown emblazoned on his face. Around him sat Harry, Ron and Hermione themselves also immersed in textbooks, though neither Ron nor Harry seemed too engaged.

"hey Nev" Rhea tapped on his shoulder as she swung herself onto the bench next to him, she placed her bag into her lap and dug through it for a second.

"hi Rhea, how are you?" he replied.

"urg i'm drained, you're lucky you haven't had Snape yet, I swear he somehow manages to take all the joy out of everything." she huffed.

"And i thought i could escape him this year by not taking potions" Neville grumbled.

"Anyways i finished your essay" she said handing him the parchment.

"ah thank you Rhea you're a life saver. "

Rhea softly laughed "what can i say, i'm a hero"

"so Nev are you coming to the party tonight, Ravenclaw common room." Rhea asked.

"sure why not," he smiled "just promise me you won't drink to much" he elbowed her playfully.

"whatever" she grinned.

Rhea looked over from neville to the trio, "so" she said a little louder to draw their attention. The three of them glanced up from their books and towards her. "what about you guys? are you coming?"

"not gunna have to solve a riddle are we?" Ron asked.

"lucky for you no, the door will be propped open. easy access and all"

"yeah alright then, you're up for it right harry" Ron had a smile of delight on his face.

"sure whatever" harry shrugged halfheartedly.

"Hermione?" Rhea pried hopefully.

"well i have work to do..." she said as she placed her interlinked hands on her book.

"that you can finish tomorrow..." Rhea encouraged.

"ok i'll come" Hermione replied. Her eyes flicked down as she held back a large smile before meeting Rheas again.

"Brilliant," Rhea said "i'll see you guys then"

A/N: so i might rewrite the prologue (same info) i just dunno if i like it how it is, so if you want reread that once i've updated it but yeah :)