The Confectionary Chronicles || HP/SPN

Sweets and Studies- CH19

CHAPTER NINETEEN:

Hermione and Millie had to wait in the Hospital Wing for an escort to take them back to the Slytherin common room, as the castle was being searched for any more potential dangers, so they were both still present when Theodore Nott burst in, Professor McGonagall hurrying after him. Theodore immediately rounded on Professor Snape.

"Is Agneta alright?" he demanded. "Professor McGonagall said she was hurt!"

"Calm yourself," Professor Snape ordered and Theodore took a deep breath. "Yes, your cousin was hurt," the professor said once Theodore at least outwardly appeared calmer. Theodore tensed up again but Professor Snape continued before he could do more than open his mouth. "She was struck once by the troll but is now safe and in Madam Pomfrey's capable care, thanks to Miss Granger and Miss Bulstrode's efforts."

Theodore seemed to realise they were in the room for the first time, two spots of colour appearing on his pale cheeks. "You helped my cousin?" he asked and the disbelief in his voice was actually quite offensive.

"Well, we weren't about to just leave her to the troll," Hermione said, bristling slightly. Theodore's blush darkened.

"I didn't mean that," he said awkwardly. "I just..."

"I think young Mister Nott was just surprised by the unlikeliness of a first year taking on a mountain troll," Professor Snape spoke up for Theodore, before turning to Professor McGonagall. "It's getting late," he said, "do you think you could escort Miss Granger and Miss Bulstrode to their dormitory?" Professor McGonagall nodded sharply.

"Certainly," she said. "Come along, children."

Hermione linked arms with Millie, turning briefly to Theodore. "I hope your cousin heals quickly," she said, very genuinely. She hadn't spoken much with Theodore, who mainly seemed to spend his time with Blaise Zabini, but at least neither boy spent their time clutching at Draco's coattails.

It was just past eleven when they reached the dormitories, which gave Hermione half an hour to prepare for the Samhain ritual. According to Millie, it was traditional to wear clothes made from animal hide but Hermione didn't have any so she just braided Vashti's feathers into her hair along with witch hazel, the yellow-gold of the winter flowers contrasting with the brilliant green feathers. Her chosen dress was floor-length and forest green with fine gold details woven into the bodice. She wore her new jewellery from Loki; the serpent ear cuff and hairpin, as well as the kuanaz medallion around her neck and her usual bracelets at her wrists.

"You look beautiful," Millie told her softly and Hermione turned pink. 'Beautiful' was Eris and Hati and Jeanie and Ina. 'Beautiful' wasn't the girl with the crazy hair and the too-large front teeth with her head always stuck in a book.

"Thank you," she mumbled before taking a breath. "Wish me luck," she said.

"Good luck," Millie said, more seriously than Hermione had been expecting. "Don't forget that if you need to, you can run for Professor Snape."

"I know," Hermione promised. She also had Vashti just a flame away if needed.

Rosier and Lestrange were waiting in the common room when she emerged from the girl's dorms, along with Luther Robbards. She was half-expecting Warrington and Flint, but to her disappointment neither boy was present– she'd been hoping for Flint's presence, as out of all the fifth-year boys she knew him best from their morning jogs. The three boys were wearing fur cloaks over black formal robes and it made them seem even larger than usual. Hermione had to remind herself that she had faced far more terrifying foes than three teenage boys.

"Ah, Granger," Rosier said with a smile when he saw her. "Excellent. Let's go."

Hermione followed the boys, pretending that her heart wasn't in her throat. It was ridiculous that she almost felt more nervous now, then earlier when she had been facing a twelve-foot mountain troll.