With you in my Arms

5. That woman stops at nothing!

Hermione arrived at St. Mungo's a bit early as she had thought she might go through some of her notes and prepare for today's lessons. They would be shown round the wards, that were used for the more unusual cases and the long term patients.

She walked slowly away from the apparition point her eyes on her notes. It took her a moment before she realised, that there were hushed whispers around her. There seemed to be a sudden buzz in the air. She looked up. And saw several patients, visitors and healers stare at her. She gazed around, conscious of the attention she was receiving. What was going on?

She tried to ignore her surroundings and got into the first lift that opened as she reached them. There was an elderly looking witch in the lift with her. She was reading the Daily Prophet. After a moment she folded the newspaper and caught sight of Hermione.

“Oh.”

Her eyes wide, her mouth open. Hermione looked down at her dress to see, if she had spilled anything onto it, but it was spotless. Then she found that the other witch had got hold of her hand shook it and smiled widely at her.

“Congratulations, dear, congratulations! Well done! We need young witches like you. Prepared to show the world where our future lies.”

The doors opened, she waved and was gone before the now seriously concerned Hermione could ask what was going on.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ginny was standing next to Harry's desk while trying to cool down. The colour of her face was nearly matching the colour of her hair. She was livid. Absolutely livid.

“If I get every hold of this...”

She seemed to think of an insult strong enough to describe Rita Skeeter, but failed.

“I know, Ginny. I don't really care that our engagement has made the front page of the Prophet, but to expose Hermione's love life, or lack thereof, is just beyond anything one human being should be doing to another.”

“How did she get that information anyway? It was only us five in that room!”

“I have no idea, but I will make sure I'll find out. In our 4th year, during the Triwizard Tournament, we had the same problem with her as well. I remember that Hermione found out, how she did it. How that Skeeter woman got her information. I just can't remember.”

“Then we need to speak to Hermione as soon as possible. Does she know about this?”

“I have no idea. The paper owl only comes round Grimmauld Place around lunchtime. The paper is there when I get home. I didn't know, when I came in this morning either. It was Neville that stopped by and showed me.”

“Have you spoken to Ron?”

“He hasn't shown up this morning. I would have thought, you know where he is.”

She frowned.

“He came home with me last night, but I don't know, if he left before me this morning. He wasn't at breakfast.”

“That's strange.”

“Yeah, he would never miss a meal.”

They were lost in their own thoughts for a moment as Parvati burst into the room. The door was banging against the wall and would have hit her squarely in the face had she not been so quick to storm into the room.

“You have seen this? Have you seen it?”

She shrieked in Harry's direction.

“I told him! I bloody well told him!”