August | Hermione Granger x OFC

Chapter Ninety-Six

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Robyn managed to catch Astrid just as the younger girl was making her way to the train to head home for the holidays.

"Oh, hi."

"Astrid," she smiled shyly, scanning the Entrance Hall just in case Ginny was around and felt like attacking them again. Luckily, she was nowhere to be seen. "I just wanted to say sorry, you know. I sort of ditched you last night."

"Sort of?" snorted Astrid.

Robyn bit her lip sheepishly as they walked side by side. "I'm really sorry. My brother had a bit of a 'mare."

Astrid waved her off. "Nah, don't worry about it. I'm more wary of Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley than you. Want to explain what that was all about, by the way?"

She cringed. "Not particularly."

"I at least deserve to know why they call me Ass-turd."

"I'm really sorry," she repeated for the nth time. "You'd think they'd be more mature, but evidently not."

"It's creative, I'll give them that."

"No, it's ridiculous. You've done nothing to them—"

"Are you sure? I think I have, I'm just not sure what, exactly. Or maybe it's just my existence alone that offends them. What do you think?"

"I think they're idiots and that you should ignore them," Robyn said firmly, and she believed it – in this context, at least.

"So, no explanation?"

She stayed silent, instead focusing her gaze on the snowy path ahead.

"All right, then," Astrid tutted, "you keep your secrets, and I'll keep my theories."

Robyn frowned. "Theories?"

"Eh, yeah, are you joking? That whole confrontation was so dramatic, it was like something out of EastEnders! So yes, I have come up with some theories, thank you."

Robyn mouthed 'EastEnders' thoughtfully, wondering where she had heard it before.

"Right," continued Astrid with a lazy wave of her hand, "you have no idea what I'm talking about. My mum's Muggle-born, so I know all about Muggle stuff, like—"

"Pingu!" blurted Robyn.

"...Yeah, like Pingu," Astrid said slowly with a curious glance in her direction. "Well, colour me impressed, Rosier. You know your cartoons. What about—"

"Scooby-Doo?"

"Jinkies. How—?"

"I watched a lot of television two summers ago," Robyn explained casually. "Like, a lot. So what are your theories, then?"

"You're asking me about my theories?"

"...Yes?"

"Will you tell me whether they're right or not?"

"I suppose I should."

"Okay, well, Granger's one hundred percent in love with you, first of all—"

"What?" squeaked Robyn in a high-pitched voice. She felt her cheeks flush red, and it wasn't from the cold.

"—and Weasley's the best friend who hates you because she thinks it's her duty to do so because...you bailed Granger, didn't you?"

"Well—"

"Granger took that boy to the party to make you jealous, and it was working, but then that Parvati girl kind of mucked it up by reminding you that Granger doesn't even like boys."