Monday morning came at a snail’s pace, and when Hermione arrived at the Ministry of Magic she could feel the nervous lump already settle in her throat. After everything that transpired Friday night, she thought she would be able to handle it better, but the entire weekend all she could do was fail to answer question after question as they sprang up ( Read more... )

It wasn’t as if Hermione had really made plans with Ronald that evening. Not really, she told herself as she entered the tavern, warm air blowing up her face to counter the crisp cold from outside. So why had it hurt so bad when he had asked to go play wizard’s chess with Harry instead of coming over to see her? Maybe, she told herself, it was ( Read more... )