Strawberry and Vanilla (Cedric Diggory AU)

Chapter Twenty-One: Worry

Hermione had too much information rushing through her head. It had been a few days since Hagrid had returned. Hagrid had ventured up into northeastern Minsk to find the giants. He and Madame Maxime, headmistress of Beauxbatons had travelled from Dijon, France, all the way through to adhere to the goliaths. Hagrid looked simply awful, all beat up and scratched. It made Hermione scream when she first saw him open the door to his hut.

She, Ron, and Harry had ventured down into the snow to visit him after a meeting where Angelina Johnson practically screamed at George, Fred and Harry for receiving a life-long ban from playing Quidditch at Hogwarts. It was a screaming match worth attending, for Ginny, at least, who was more than thrilled at the open Quidditch positions. Ron and Harry had a dreadful attitude, Harry frustrated with Umbridge's ruling, Ron pitying himself for being so 'terrible' at Quidditch, which he was not. It was only his first game, he would improve. It was Hermione's idea to go visit Hagrid to cheer them both up, but they had been interrupted by Umbridge to inspect him, interview him.

When lessons resumed after the weekend, Hagrid taught his regular class, Care of Magical Creatures. The day's class lesson was on Thestrals. Umbridge attended, inspecting the class of his. Draco Malfoy looked particularly happy when Umbridge twisted and misinterpreted the situations, making Hagrid seem like an unfit teacher.

Neville could see the Thestrals, due to the loss of his grandfather, so could Harry, from the death of his mother. Hermione was frustrated, unable to see the supposedly beautiful, but scary things.

"Umbridge said they're dangerous," Ron said, referring to the Thestrals as the three of them walked from class. Hermione was raging on Umbridge for being against half-breeds. Hagrid didn't deserve such discrimination, from anyone. Umbridge, the utter hag, had no right.

"Well, as Hagrid said, they can take care of themselves," Hermione replied, folding her arms over her chest. "They are very unusual, aren't they? The way some can see them and some can't?! I wish I could."

"Do you?" Harry asked her quietly, meeting her eyes that filled with horror.

She shook her head violently, in apology, frantic to cover what she said. She felt awful in an instant. She never wanted to see anyone die, ever. "Harry-no- of course not, I'm sorry- that was a really stupid thing to say..."

"I'm surprised three people could see them," Ron said, tripping slightly on a rock. Hermione grabbed his arm quickly, chuckling. Ron shook his head, laughing quietly. Their laughs were silenced soon enough.

"Weasley, I was wondering," the ill-disposed voice of Draco Malfoy sounded from behind them. "If you saw someone bite the dirt, would you be able to see the Quaffle better?"

Ron turned pink and Hermione stepped in front of him to take control as Crabbe, Malfoy, and Goyle burst out singing the chorus to 'Weasley is our King'. She placed a hand on his chest to stop him, looking him in the eyes. "Ignore them, Ron. They're gits. Just ignore them, please." Hermione got him to focus, then they continued to the Greenhouse for Herbology.

When they arrived, Cedric was just leaving, finished his class. "Hermione," he greeted her giddily, happy to see her before they met after dinner. Harry grinned, patting Cedric on the shoulder while entering the greenhouse, followed by Ron who shot him a quick glare. They were alone for a moment, it seemed. Hermione smiled kindly and Cedric was distracted by Ron's changing emotions each time the two encountered. "Ron fancies you, you know." He stated plainly, so casually, Hermione almost missed it.