In the summers between school, a young Hermione Granger finds companionship in a mysterious young wizard near her family's country home in Wiltshire. They share their troubles under the comfort of their respective anonymity until one fateful encount...
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Transcript:
Wednesday, August 16, 1843
OUT WITH THE EARL?
It seems that the Earl of Caithness has been tossed out of one too many parties recently, and sent back to the lonely and cold country to find a proper witch to marry on his own. My snitches tell me that his nasty temper gave Ginerva Weasley, the beautiful betrothed of the Duke of Essex, so much discomfort that he found himself the recipient of an almighty Bat-Bogey Hex. Oh, dear!
Much of society has been asking; what is it about Miss Granger that has caught the attention of the elusive Duke of Wiltshire? Several people have sent in reports that Miss Granger paid Wiltshire a visit during a friendly game of Quidditch in the park, with several of their dear friends in attendance.
The pair were seen speaking with the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, Theodore and Luna Nott, who are rumoured to be planning a grand ball in their newly renovated manor.
Readers, it looks as though this Jewel of the Season is another precious item that Wiltshire is eager to add to his substantial vault at Gringotts...
The Society Snitch
"For someone who says they cannot stand him, you certainly see him very often."
Hermione sent Ginny a scowl behind Arthur's back. They arrived fashionably late, at Molly's insistence, to the Nott Manor in the countryside of Manchester. The moon was climbing high in the night sky, and each star was bright and visible in the absence of light from London's city centre.
"It's certainly not for a lack of trying, I can assure you."
Entering the ballroom was an explosion of noise. It was clear that Luna had not spared a single detail in the decor. Candlesticks hovered over their heads, and the ceiling had been charmed to mirror the clear night sky, much like it had been in the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
"Ron and Lavender aren't attending tonight," Ginny remarked after a glance at the ceiling, grimacing for a moment. "With it being a full moon and all."
Hermione returned her grimace. Even though Lavender was a pure-blooded woman of means and good family standing, it was still a tenuous time for anyone who suffered under lycanthropy. Learning how high the prices were set for potions such as wolfsbane and the stigma associated with having to request it in the first place sent many victims into exile. To gain a fortune on another's misfortune was a foul, evil thing.
If one of these men were to provide the signature she needed to seek her mastery, then maybe, she could help Lavender, and everyone else who had been attacked by Greyback. She could provide wolfsbane to her, and to Remus, at a fraction of the price.
Glancing looked down at her dance card gave her a sense of renewed vigour. If only the men had offered something of equivalent, intellectual value.
None of their questions sparked any sort of excitement or thrill within her, not even the anger she felt during her verbal sparring with Malfoy over the waltz.
