Prodigal Witch

Time with Theo and a party!

Monday morning Hermione woke feeling entirely herself, better than she had in months in fact. The sore muscles, morning headaches, and exhaustion no matter how much she slept were all gone. That first ritual really did fix all the physical problems her magic was causing.

None of the four wizards were awake and Hermione did her best to sneak out of bed for the loo. Marcus stirred, she froze, but when he went back to sleep, she darted towards the door.

Hermione realized it was obscenely early, but she had more than enough sleep since the ritual. It felt like that was all she'd really done. She took a nice shower then dressed in comfortable blue jeans and an old t-shirt. The shirt had been a gift from Harry on her first birthday after the war. She was back at school and he'd owled it to Hogwarts, writing in the card that he was compelled to buy it for her when he saw it in a Muggle shop. It was teal and had a Shakespeare quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream across the front. It read 'Though she be but little, she is fierce.' Hermione had appreciated it then and still did. She thought magical folk especially would've learned not to judge a person based on their physical appearance, since magical power was in no way bound to your size or looks; but she still found herself being diminished or condescended to at times because of her small stature. She skipped jewelry and makeup, except for the necklace she'd received yesterday from her wizards.

Hermione peaked out the closed, heavy curtains in her room for the first time. Her mouth dropped and she threw the drapes open, bathing the room in bright morning light and causing some grumbles from the bed. He couldn't bring herself to care. Almost the whole wall was made up of huge windows that looked straight down the cliff side and over the ocean. The sky was a bright blue, unblemished by clouds, and the ocean a deep, churning dark blue green. Waves crashed against the cliffs and the spray tossed in the air created rainbows. Hermione didn't know how the castle didn't fall off the cliff, perched as it was on the very brink. Of course it was probably magic that kept it from sliding into the ocean.

"It's early," she heard Draco protest.

"Have you seen this view?" Hermione was in awe. "This is gorgeous!"

"It'll still be gorgeous in an hour, kitten," Adrian yawned.

Marcus didn't bother protesting, but stumbled out of bed toward the loo. Theo was sitting up and rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Theo has the same view in his room, princess," Marcus said sleepily. "It's right next door. Go enjoy it in there and let these two lazy blokes sleep."

Marcus disappeared and Hermione heard the shower turn on.

"Come on, Mi," Theo smiled. "You can look out my windows while I get dressed."

Hermione reluctantly closed the curtains, sorry to shut out such a sight, and followed Theo out. His bedroom was interesting and fit him perfectly. His curtains were already open, so she could easily see. He had a large desk area and piles of books. His bed was substantial and neatly made since he hadn't slept in it. Theo went to take a quick shower while Hermione looked around. She read the book titles on his shelves and smiled at his mementos. He had a Slytherin house scarf hung on the wall next to a Quidditch poster of England's national team from five years ago. There were some pictures from their school days, a young, skinny Theo waving next to young versions of Draco and Blaise. There were a few pictures of what must've been baby and toddler Theo with his mother. Hermione could instantly see where Theo got his eyes and facial features. She looked like a soft, pleasant witch. She had long brown hair and wore light colored, flowing clothes. It was as if she was airy lightness, and her dying removed it all from the heavy, dark castle.

"She was lovely, wasn't she?" Theo asked from behind her, startling her slightly.

"She was," Hermione agreed.