Granger Family Reunion

Day 5

Hermione's day started off like the rest of the week. Eyes fluttering, dread seeping into her, all of that. 

But by the time that she and Ron got down to breakfast, she'd realized that something was very.. off. It seemed as though the hotel was in a state of panic, but for the sake of professionalism, everyone was trying to hide it from the guests.

"Ron, is it just me? Or does it really seem like something is going on?" Hermione asked, as she took a seat at a table. 

Once again, the rest of the family, save Aunt Alaine and her family, had decided to head somewhere else for breakfast (though everyone else was well aware that they were not going to find anywhere that was half as good). 

"No, I think something is going on," Hermione's mother responded for him. 

"Yeah, you reckon someone big is coming or something?" Ron asked. "Or is your aunt just planning something again?" 

"Well, if she is, I doubt that any of us are invited," Hermione let out a mock sigh. "Oh, and I was so looking forward to spending some quality time with my favorite cousins..." 

"Aw, have we been demoted?" Caia laughed. 

"Yep, I just think that shopping for near-invisible clothing and getting nose jobs is just much more fun, you know?" 

Unfortunately this happened to be at the worst possible time, and the Barbie Twins themselves walked into the dining area. 

"Oh, Courtney, I knew I smelled losers!" Haley said, eyeing the group. 

Hermione turned to face the two, her face blank, though her was blood boiling. "Yeah, I suppose so.. Have you considered perfume? It must not be so pleasant, constantly having to deal with the scent of failure radiating off of you.." 

"Oh, Hermione.. Would you stop? We're not as dumb as you think, you know. You can stop making up words to make yourself seem smarter." 

Hermione's mouth dropped open, and she had to fight giggles. 

"See? We've rendered you speechless, haven't we?" Courtney smirked, glancing at her long, pink nails. Hermione's greatest wish at that moment was to snap one of them.

"I'm surprised you even know what 'rendered' means, sweetheart," Calla spit back. "considering that you don't even know what the definition of stupid is when it looks back at you in the mirror." 

"Please--" Haley started, only to be cut off by Aunt Sidney. 

"Girls," she said, facing her daughter and her niece. "Don't associate yourselves with garbage like this." 

Shock graced some of the features in the room, but most were aware by now that Sidney could be very spiteful. Hermione, however, was finding it harder to believe that Sidney was going to be so openly nasty like this. Subtly was her preference; saying things like this outright was not her strong suit. She had always been afraid that it would backfire on her one day. 

And backfire it did. 

"Sorry," a voice interrupted her. "But did you just call them garbage?" 

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "What're you doing here?" 

Harry and Ginny were standing a few feet from them, and in the background, a bellboy was scurrying away with what was most likely their luggage. 

"What do you think, Ron?" Ginny asked, and Hermione could practically hear the eye-roll in her voice. 

Ron and Hermione got up to hug the pair, and when they stepped back, Hermione's parents approached them as well. 

"It's so good to see both of you," Mrs. Granger smiled. "It's been a while."