The decision, once made, was like a key turning in a long-rusted lock. Hermione walked into
Professor McGonagall's office the next day, her head held high, and formally withdrew from Divination and Muggle Studies. The relief she felt was immediate and palpable, a physical weight lifting from her shoulders. She had chosen depth over breadth, mastery over mere attendance.
Professor McGonagall, who had been watching her prized student run herself ragged for months, gave a rare, genuine smile of approval. "A very wise decision, Miss Granger," she had said. "It takes a great deal of strength to recognize one's limits."
With a newly manageable schedule, the old, easy camaraderie between Ariana and Hermione returned in full force. The chill was gone, replaced by a deep and abiding warmth. They were once again an inseparable pair, their minds working in tandem in the library and the common room. The friendship with Daphne and Tracey also settled into a comfortable rhythm. It was a different bond, one built more on mutual respect and strategic alliance than the deep, soul-level connection she shared with Hermione, but it was strong and valuable nonetheless.
As the Christmas holidays approached, the castle once again emptied out. This year, Harry and Ron were both heading to the Burrow, an invitation Harry had accepted with heartfelt joy.
"Are you coming home with me for Christmas, Ari?" Hermione asked one afternoon, her expression full of hopeful expectation. "Mum and Dad are already asking. Dad wants to show you his new collection of non-magical dental tools."
Ariana smiled at the thought. The simple, loving normalcy of the Granger household was a welcome sanctuary. "Yes, Hermione," she said. "I would be delighted to spend part of the holiday with you and your parents."
Hermione beamed. "Wonderful! We can watch all the classic Christmas films and…"
"However," Ariana continued, her tone gentle, "I have also accepted an invitation from Daphne to spend a few days at Greengrass Manor."
Hermione's face fell instantly. A pout formed on her lips. "With Daphne?" she said, the name coming out with a hint of petulance. "But… why? Christmas is for family and… and best friends."
"Daphne is a friend, and alliances must be maintained," Ariana replied calmly, recognizing the familiar flicker of Hermione's possessiveness. "Furthermore, her sister, Astoria, is a person of interest in my ongoing research into blood-curses. Observation in a relaxed, non-clinical environment is a valuable data-gathering opportunity."
She looked at her pouting friend with an expression of fond exasperation. "It is only for two days,
Hermione. My time is not a finite resource that is depleted by sharing it."
Hermione, though still slightly disgruntled, couldn't argue with the logic, especially when it was framed in terms of research. "Alright," she conceded with a sigh. "But you have to promise to be back in time for Christmas Eve."
"My itinerary is scheduled to accommodate that eventuality," Ariana confirmed with a nod.
Later that day, as they were packing their trunks in the quiet of their dormitory, Ariana turned to Hermione. "You seem much more relaxed since you adjusted your schedule. Are you content with your choice of electives?"
"I am," Hermione said, and it was the truth. "Arithmancy and Ancient Runes are intellectually stimulating, and Care of Magical Creatures is a nice practical balance. It's still a heavy workload, but it's manageable. I just… I feel a bit guilty. Like I'm missing out on Divination and Muggle Studies. There's so much I still want to know."
Ariana paused her packing and sat on the edge of her bed, giving Hermione her full attention. "Then your problem is not one of scheduling, but of perception. You believe that the only way to acquire knowledge is through formal instruction." She leaned forward, deciding it was time to share a piece of information that would fundamentally alter her friend's perspective. "Hermione, I'm going to share a secret with you. A piece of information that is not widely advertised by the school, as it would cause administrative chaos if every student knew."
Hermione's eyes widened with curiosity.
"The requirement," Ariana explained, "is to attend a minimum of two new electives. The classes are for lecture purposes, for guided instruction. However, the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. examinations are administered by the Wizarding Examinations Authority, not by Hogwarts directly. The WEA does not care how you learned the material, only that you have learned it."
A dawning realization began to spread across Hermione's face.
"If you so desire," Ariana continued, "you can register as an independent candidate for any of the other elective exams when the time comes. You can self-study Divination. You can read the entire
Muggle Studies curriculum in your own time. You are not missing out on the knowledge, Hermione. You are simply opting out of the structured, and in the case of Divination, highly unreliable, classroom instruction. You can still learn everything. You just have the freedom to do it on your own terms, at your own pace."
The revelation struck Hermione like a bolt of lightning. The freedom of it, the sheer, logical brilliance of it, was intoxicating. She wasn't giving up on the knowledge. She was just giving up the stress, the impossible timetable, the Time-Turner. She could have it all, just not all at once, in the same chaotic way.
A slow, brilliant smile spread across her face, the first truly stress-free smile she'd had all year.
"Ariana," she breathed, her voice full of awe. "That's… that's genius."
"It is simply the logical application of the rules as they are written, rather than as they are commonly perceived," Ariana replied with a small shrug. "Now you have all the variables. You can truly make the best choice for yourself."
The Hogwarts Express journey to London was a cheerful, relaxed affair. Their compartment was once again a mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin, with Ariana, Hermione, Daphne, and Tracey falling into an easy camaraderie. The petty house rivalries that consumed so much of the school seemed a world away.
As the train pulled into King's Cross, the girls made their plans to meet up over the break. The rivalry between Hermione and Daphne was still there, a low, simmering hum beneath the surface, but it was no longer one of anxiety or insecurity. It was now a good-natured competition, a friendly joust for the attention of the girl they both admired.
Ariana stepped off the train and into the bustling station, a quiet sense of accomplishment settling over her. She had navigated the challenges of the year, neutralized threats both magical and emotional, and strengthened her alliances. The board was set, her pieces were in position, and she had armed her friends not just with tools, but with confidence and knowledge. As she prepared for a holiday of quiet research and political maneuvering, she knew the rest of their Hogwarts years would be anything but dull. And she was ready for it.