A/N: Ok, because people spammed me with reviews (the more the merrier, folks) and I'm still riding high on the elation I've been wallowing in due to Hermione's birthday, I decided it would be ok, to post the next chapter! Happy Christmas in September, folks! :)
Harry couldn't help but smile at the news that Hermione had taken the position but had to wonder how it affected her. He glanced down the table and nodded when she looked his way. She smiled slightly then went to her food. I'll have to introduce myself, he thought after a moment, but I think it should wait until after the students leave.
The welcoming feast went just as it had for the past several years, barring the interruptions that Voldemort and his entourage caused from time to time, and soon the students were singing the school song with the headmaster leading the way.
They were dismissed to their dormitories and the students began shuffling out into the hall. Harry checked to see that Hermione was still seated and he steeled his nerves as he stepped up to her.
"I'm sorry we didn't meet at the first professors' meeting... James Baker, Defense Against the Dark Arts." He held out his hand and she took it with a slight smile.
"Hermione Granger, but you knew that," she said with a slight laugh. Harry grinned that the twinkles in her eyes seemed to have returned.
"I look forward to working with you," he said with another smile. "I must head home to the wife, but it was an honor meeting you."
"Likewise," Hermione said with a grin. "Good luck with your classes."
"Good luck to you as well," Harry said with a returned smile and helped her from her chair. He left afterwards and after a quick spin through the Floo Network smiled at the sight before him.
"I missed this stuff so much," Tonks said at the table in their sitting room. Harry laughed and joined her at her own personal feast. The smile on his face grew and Tonks knew he was excited about something. "Good news?" she asked with a smile.
"Hermione took the position at Hogwarts!" he said happily with a slap on the table. "I could tell that she was excited and, most importantly, happy to be there!"
"I hate to spoil your news, but Hedwig dropped this off for you," she said with a smile and handed him a piece of parchment.
Harry wasted no time unrolling the paper and began reading.
Dear Harry,
I thought over what you told me today and I'm sorry that I reacted so negatively towards you. I could see how
lonely you'd gotten at school but Ron had convinced me that you were worried about facing Voldemort, I had no idea
what you were really going through.
I told Ron that I was going to take the Transfiguration Professor position at Hogwarts and he blew up at me again.
He said that I should have talked to him before making such a decision and accused me of not respecting his father for
securing the job I had in the Ministry. I tried to explain to him how it would help with medical expenses and that
I'd be paid more but he would have none of it.
After he stormed out on me again, I visited my parents and, because of you, we are on the road to recovery. I'm
still slightly angry that you went behind my back but you've given me my parents again and for that I can only
thank you and ask for you to forgive me.
After I talked with them, I spoke with Molly and Ginny to find that Ron had been lying about certain things to them
as well and then giving me more false information about what was happening. I wish I had seen how controlling he was
but I'm glad I found out before we went farther than we had.
As of this letter, Ron and I are through and I'll be living at Hogwarts from now on, if you can forgive me,
I'll be happy to send you my timetable and maybe we could be friends again?
I don't know if I'm ready for another relationship right now, I'm sorry if that may hurt you, but I
need some time on my own, to be independent again and not rely on having a significant other. I hope you can understand
that and someday I'll be ready to date again, but for now I can only offer friendship and hope that you will
forgive me.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Love from
Hermione
Harry wiped the tears from his eyes as he reread the letter. He looked to Tonks and smiled. "She left him," he said quietly. "She doesn't want to be with me, but she left Ron."
"That's a step in the right direction, Harry," Tonks said with a smile and a pat on the arm.
Harry smiled and looked up quickly. "I should reply!"
Tonks laughed as Harry rushed to his desk and quickly scribbled a note.
Hermione,
I understand that you're not ready for a new relationship right now and that you need friends. You don't
have to apologize for being angry with me. I had a feeling you might react that way and there is no reason for you to
apologize for it. I'm very happy that you and your parents are talking again; you know my stance on that. With
Madam Pomfrey to help you, your medical problems will be a thing of the past!
I'm so excited that you've chosen to be a professor, I knew you would fit the role perfectly, that or
working in a library (I'm teasing). That's very good news and I'm happy you've made that
decision!
I would like to apologize for blowing up at you the other day. I know it was unfair of me to dump everything on you
when you had your own problems. I'm sorry that things went the way they did with Ron, if there is anything I can
do, let me know. Of course you can send your timetable, if you'll have me back in your life, I'd be more than
willing to try being friends again. I've missed the woman that I fell in love with. I know it's not what you
want right now, just know that there is someone out there that does love you for who you are.
I hope to see you soon and I'll send my timetable when I get yours, my assignment is rather demanding.
Love,
Harry
He wasted no time sending Hedwig off with his reply and it was a happy man that sat at the sitting room table with his friend and partner.
"Things are looking up, eh, Harry?" she asked with a smile.
"I'm just glad that she's taking control of her life again," he beamed in reply. Harry reached for a pastry, but Tonks slapped his hand away.
"You get this at the castle all the time! Let me enjoy this!" she said with a grin.
Harry laughed and shook his head. "I should double check that everything's ready for classes tomorrow," he said after clearing his throat. "I've got patrol Monday and Wednesday nights, but I'll be home for lunch." He bent and kissed her cheek as she merrily chewed on the pastry that Harry had attempted to swipe. "I'll be upstairs if you need anything."
A few hours later, Harry was gently prodded awake by Hedwig; apparently he'd fallen asleep at his desk sometime after reviewing his lecture notes. He blinked at the snowy white owl sleepily and smiled. "Sorry, Hedwig," he said hoarsely. She stuck her foot out gracefully and Harry smiled. "You're the most wonderful owl a boy could have!" he said happily as he untied the letter. If owls blushed, Hedwig would be crimson from head to toe as she playfully nipped at his finger. Harry laughed and stroked her head before offering her an owl treat but she seemed flustered, for an owl, and flew to her perch without taking the offered confection.
Harry shook his head and chuckled as he unrolled the letter.
Dear Harry,
Thank you for replying so quickly! After I told you to go away, I didn't think I'd hear from you again.
I'm so glad that you're not angry with me. Don't apologize for what you said, Harry. True, it was hurtful,
but the truth does hurt, doesn't it? You'll find my timetable attached and I hope you can stop by for a visit
on the weekends.
Hogwarts hasn't changed much; they've got another Defense Against the Dark Arts professor... It seems the
yearly curse is still in effect. I'm not sure what to make of him yet, he seems nice enough from his introduction.
I hope he's not as bad as Lockhart or Umbridge!
Ron's been trying to get us back together and I caught him in a lie! Can you believe it?! He lied while trying
to make up! I was so blind and stupid! I can't believe that I let him manipulate me like that... I lost such a
wonderful friend because I believed his deceit. I'm glad we have this chance, Harry, I really do!
Until your next letter,
Love from
Hermione
Harry examined her timetable and quickly compared it to his. He smiled as he realized their classes coincided every day but Friday and the two of them shared patrol duties. He laughed at his luck and quickly scribbled his reply, attached a copy of his timetable - with extended blocks here and there to make it look different - and sent it off with Hedwig, who seemed rather pleased to deliver the note for him.
He glanced over his lecture material once more to make sure that everything was set for his first class the following morning then readied himself for bed. He'd grown used to sleeping in his various identities and he figured this one would be no different. Slipping into a pair of pajama bottoms, he looked to the clock to gauge how late it was.
"It's only eleven?" He grimaced and shook his head as he left in search of Tonks. I shouldn't be this tired this early... he thought to himself and stifled a chuckle at his sleeping partner. The food had been cleared from the table and he smiled as he cradled her in his arms to carry her to the bedroom.
"Wha?" she asked sleepily as Harry began to strip her clothes from her. "I'm too full and sleepy, Harry," she said with a yawn, swatting at his hand as he tried to unlatch her bra.
"I'm James, your husband," Harry scolded her playfully. "You fell asleep in the sitting room and I was helping you get into your night clothes." He kissed her on the forehead and smiled. "But seeing as you're somewhat awake now, I think you can handle the rest of it?"
Tonks grinned after she'd woken enough and slapped his rear as he passed her on his journey to his side of the bed. "You were enjoying yourself, I know that grin, dear," she said playfully.
Harry laughed. He was in a great mood, but didn't really feel up to the task Tonks was hinting at. "I need to get some sleep tonight but we can christen the house next weekend," he teased with a wink.
She laughed as she slipped into her nighty and the two of them slid under the covers. "I'm glad that you're finally getting out of that funk you've been in, Harry," Tonks said with a kiss as she snuggled beside him, wrapping an arm around his stomach. "Things will get better... they've already started."
Harry yawned and slowly caressed her arm as they both began drifting to sleep. "I hope they do, Mary," he said with a slight chuckle as she pinched him.
"It's Marion, dear, or honey, but you may call me love if you wish," she mumbled sleepily, her eyes already closed.
Harry glanced at her in surprise. Love? he asked himself as visions of Hermione flooded his mind. "Goodnight, honey," he said as she snuggled into his side. Harry smiled and slowly drifted to sleep with visions of Hermione dancing through his dreams.
Morning came unexpectedly late as Harry Potter, then known as James Baker, strolled happily from his office's fireplace to his new desk. Classes weren't to begin for another two hours, but he'd already eaten breakfast with his wife, reviewed the students in his advanced classes for seventh year, and smiled evilly as he reviewed his introduction speech.
The clock seemed to have noticed the air of eagerness that surrounded him and he smiled as the bell rang, signaling the start of his day.
"First class is seventh years," Harry said under his breath as he collected the proper supplies he'd need. He glanced at the roster and noted that there were only half a dozen or so students taking the advanced seventh year courses. He looked to his clock again and smiled as he pulled his invisibility cloak over his head then stepped into the classroom.
Nobody noticed the door slowly creek open and he watched as the students took their seats as they had done the previous six years. There were noticeable gaps, but with so few in his class he expected as much. That's going to change... he thought as he made his way to the classroom's entrance. Harry stepped into the hall after a headcount and with a quick glance around, pulled of his cloak and tucked it into his robes. He waited another moment before slamming the door open and trudging purposefully to the front of the room.
With a flourish, he spun around and glared at the assembled students. "You are here to learn the sometimes brutal art and inexact science of defense against the dark arts," he began. Borrowing the tone of both his previous professors, he spoke barely above a whisper. "Wand waving is not foolish as this is real magic. I will teach you how to fight the bewitching of your mind and the ensnaring of your senses. I can teach you how to stop flame, eschew a shield of glory... even put a stop to untimely death."
He glanced around at the startled looks on the student's faces. They didn't seem to know how to react to his introduction and he was barely able to contain the laughter that was bubbling in his mind. "Mr. Creevey!" he barked suddenly. Dennis Creevey was still slightly shorter than average and he jumped when his name was called.
"Y-yes, sir?" he replied tentatively.
"What is the best way to avoid... this:" Harry had his wand out of his robes faster than anyone could see and shouted "STUPEFY!" The tell-tale red light of the stunning spell flew from the tip of his wand and struck the small young man dead in the chest and he slumped over at his desk.
"S-Sir, you just stunned Dennis," a petite girl said in a shocked voice from the middle of the classroom.
Harry shook his head and cast an energizing spell on the unconscious young man. "I believe there is an old Auror who used the term CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Harry bellowed, causing them all to jump in their seats once again. He smiled after his back was to them then calmed quickly.
"Miss MacDonald, I did stun Mr. Creevey, but only to prove a point," Harry said with a nod to the young woman. "You are all in an advanced class!" he said sternly. "I expect good things from you during your final year at Hogwarts and I'll be brutally honest with you when I say that you will have as much homework, if not more, than you've seen since you've started attending this school. Yes, Miss Branstone?"
"More homework than we've ever seen, sir?" she asked timidly.
Harry nodded solemnly. "That is correct. This is the year of your N.E.W.T.s and I expect you to pass them and pass them spectacularly." He retrieved several sheets of parchment and looked around at the students. "Now, we're going to be doing quite a bit this year and having you spread about is going to be a nuisance. If you would move to the front of the room, one student per desk will be fine..."
He waited patiently as each student grudgingly relocated to the front row of desks then smiled genuinely. "Good, now I can keep a better watch on you and you'll be able to hear me." Harry handed the parchment to Dennis and clapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry for stunning you, Mr. Creevey, be ready if it happens again. Now take a sheet and pass it to the person next to you."
Harry waited patiently again as his orders were followed and with a satisfactory nod turned towards the blackboard. "You were introduced to me during the welcoming feast, so I assume you know my name. In any case, here is my information if you need to contact me." He quickly scribbled the information on the board's black surface. "You'll notice that I've given extra hours after classes have finished for additional instruction. These are optional, though I highly recommend you attend them. You'll see the assignments have been planned for the entire year," he continued after turning around. "I expect each assignment turned in on time, without exception! Your house will lose points for each day the assignment is overdue.
"We will also be working closely with the Care of Magical Creatures professor. You will be attending his class instead of this one on the dates indicated. There are many forms of the dark arts that utilize the creatures Professor Hagrid will discuss with you." Harry sat on the edge of his desk and silently made eye-contact with each of the students as he had been throughout his introduction. "There will be a large amount of practical work involved in this course due, in part, to a dueling club. Attendance is mandatory and will be conducted Wednesdays after tea. Detentions are not exempt from this portion of the instruction! Contact me if there are any problems involved.
"As you can see, your first assignment is due within the week. You may finish it ahead of time if you choose. This goes for all assignments. If you finish them early and they score high enough, you will earn points for your house." He paused to let the information sink in then looked at each student once again. "Do you have any questions? Yes, Mr. Whitby?"
"Sir, will you be casting hexes at us each day?" the young, well built Hufflepuff asked.
"I may and I may not, you will not know until it happens." He smiled slightly, anticipating the next question. "I will not use the unforgivables," he said reassuringly. "But all legal hexes are fair game. Your N.E.W.T.s may test your knowledge on anything you have learned from year one through year seven. Be sure you have your counter-curses memorized. Yes, Miss Quirke?"
"Sir, there is quite a lot of time scheduled for coursework, won't this interfere with our other classes?"
"That is up to you," he said with a smile. "There is a library and weekends, not to mention holidays. This is an advanced class, and I expect you to work hard if you wish to succeed here. I have given you the opportunity to turn in assignments ahead of time so it would be wise to work out the essays and assigned reading when you can. No further questions? Then we'll begin with the theory portion of our class."
The instruction went blissfully well for Harry. The students were all attentive and took notes like mad. He admired their initial sense of responsibility and willingness to work hard. When the bell signaled the end of the hour, he looked at everyone, who was still seated, and grinned.
"Five points to each of your houses for an excellent first day. For extra credit, hand in a two foot essay on the uses, defenses, and detection of stunning charms next class. You are dismissed." He watched as each student retrieved their books and exited the room quietly, not a grumble among them.
The hours slipped by until lunch arrived and he made the trip back to the house. Tonks was napping happily on the sofa, a book resting in her lap and Harry grinned at the sight. He tiptoed to her slumbering form and kissed her tenderly. Tonks woke with a start, her wand at his throat, cursing at his mischievous grin.
"Bloody hell!" she growled at him as she pushed him away. "You gave me a heart attack, you git!"
Harry laughed and ruffled her pink hair. "You should be Marion all the time, dear." He chastised with a wide smile. "You never know when a frisky husband may be home for lunch!"
Despite the fright he'd just given her, Tonks couldn't stay angry with him. She shook her head as her short, pink hair grew into a long, auburn braided ponytail. She looked up to him, not with her previously mismatched eye color, but with two serenely hazel pools that could steal the breath away from any man who looked into them. "Better?" she asked with a smirk as she stood and her body readjusted to her undercover identity.
"You know I find you adorable no matter what you wear on what body you've attained," he said with a kiss to her cheek. She smiled and pulled him into a hug as their lunch magically appeared on the sitting room's table. "I've got rounds tonight so I'll be having tea at the school," he said as they sat for their mid-day meal.
"No letters today," she said around a spoonful of stew she was blowing on to cool it down.
"She's probably swamped with work," Harry said with a shrug. "When she's ready for visits, she'll owl me an invitation." Reaching for his second helping of bread, he attempted to change the subject. "Anything new today?" he asked nonchalantly.
"No news yet," she said with a dismissive wave. "I visited the market for some wine, just your same old patrons running around."
"I wonder if we'll see anything. Kingsley seemed pretty sure that he'd show up here at one point or another..." Harry said absently as he glanced at the clock. He pushed his empty plate away and stood to leave. "I should get back to work," he said with a smile. He bent and kissed her lightly before turning back to the fireplace.
"What time will you be home today?" Tonks asked as she finished off her pumpkin juice.
"Snape takes over at midnight so shortly after then," he replied as he threw a pinch of powder into the flames. "Don't wait up! Get your rest; doctor's orders and all that."
Tonks waved to him as he stepped into the flames and the next moment he was sitting at his desk scribbling notes for his third years that were due the period after lunch. There was a soft knock on his door just after he'd pulled the roster for the next class. "Come in," he said loudly enough for the person outside to hear. The door creaked open and Harry looked up then smiled at his unexpected guest.
"Professor Granger, what a pleasant surprise," he said after rising from his seat. He offered her the empty chair next to his desk and she took it with a slight smile. "What brings you by?"
"Please, call me Hermione when students aren't around," she said with a slight smile.
"You may call me James," he said with a smile of his own.
Hermione nodded and cleared her throat. "I reviewed your file, to get a bit of a background on you since we're sharing the first patrol tonight," she said nervously. "I hope you're not upset with me for doing that."
"Not at all," he said with a smile. "I understand, seeing as I teach from the Alastor Moody school of thought, at least in part," he said with a grin.
She let out a small sigh of relief and smiled a bit more warmly. "I hope you don't mind my forwardness, but I noticed that you taught Muggle physical education at one point?"
Harry nodded with the smile still on his face. "For a few years," he admitted.
"I've gone through a rough period in my life and I was hoping that you might consider helping me get back into shape?" She looked at him hopefully. "I unwittingly let myself go and I need a bit of a self-esteem booster," she admitted. "I don't think I need much time out of your timetable, I've read a good deal on fitness and exercise, and it suggested that you have a training partner or instructor to help decrease the risk of injury."
He thought for a few moments and nodded. "If you're not too embarrassed, I'm offering fitness training for my students after tea, mainly for the sixth and seventh years for those who wish to become Aurors. Good physical condition is an asset in that field and I'd be happy to offer this service to professors as well."
Hermione nodded. "I was hoping it could be more private. I don't feel comfortable showcasing myself right now."
Harry thought again. "Well, how about I speak with Madam Pomfrey and the house-elves and set up a training diet for you. For the physical activity portion, I think twenty laps walking around the pitch each morning or a lap around the lake for the first two weeks." He smiled as her eyes lit up. "It will be quiet at that time with most of the students still asleep and should give you time to think and work things out."
"So, just twenty laps around the pitch each day?" she asked with her shoulders raised just a bit higher and sitting slightly straighter.
Harry nodded. "To start, after the first two weeks, I'll join you on a jog to gauge how well your body is reacting to the increased exercise. We'll determine where you go from there. Though, if you wish to lose weight, you'll need to cut the pumpkin juice down to two glasses a day with two glasses of water at every meal and one glass in the morning and in the evening. Breads and other high carbohydrate foods will be cut to allow proteins to build your muscle." He smiled reassuringly when she frowned a bit. "Everyone loves their bread and pasta, but it's necessary to start and you can increase your servings after you get into your routine."
Hermione smiled and looked at the clock. "I should get back to class." Harry stood as she did and he showed her out. "Thank you for helping me," she said with a smile.
"Anytime, my door is always open," Harry said with a grin. He watched Hermione leave the classroom and turned back to his roster. He was deliriously happy that he was able to help her and he smiled as the bell rang to signal the start of classes once again.
The day flew by in theatrical swirls of his cape and his new speech that had yet to make anyone even grin in the slightest. He attributed it to the students not knowing what to make of him and he liked the effect it had when they diligently paid attention in class. He'd only had to take a handful of points from Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin for talking in class but he felt he made a good first impression on the initial batch of students he'd had that day.
Evening rolled around and he was soon in the Great Hall with everyone else for his second meal as a member of the professor's table. He checked with Hermione to make sure her meal was satisfactory and she smiled her thanks for not cutting her favorite foods out completely.
"Now keep in mind that one serving is all you're allowed, but I made sure that the house-elves gradually reduce the serving size until we reach the proper amount." He took a sip of his water before continuing. "I've spoken with Madam Pomfrey and she's agreed to help you weigh and measure yourself each week in addition to keeping track of your vitals. After tea, you should visit her to begin your log, and tomorrow will be your first walk. My wife and I will join you in the morning seeing as we should keep our exercise levels maintained as well. Besides, it's not easy changing your lifestyle by yourself."
Hermione laughed. "I read about that as well. I was thinking about asking my friend Harry if he'd help, but his timetable is packed."
"Harry Potter?" he asked with a nod. "That's right... you, he, and Ron Weasley were friends in school."
"We were, but if you don't mind, please don't mention Ron's name again," Hermione said a touch more evenly than she'd intended to.
Harry nodded solemnly. "Of course..." He looked at his watch and smiled apologetically. "I have to attend my first optional instruction hour, so I'll see you at nine."
Hermione nodded and smiled apologetically in return. "I'm sorry for the rudeness, but he's... how should I say it... an issue that I don't want to talk about."
"No apologies necessary, Professor," Harry said with a slight grin. "Enjoy your tea." With that, he pushed his chair under the table and left for his classroom. One half-hour later, his entire class of seventh years arrived, ready for their optional training session.
"I'm glad the lot of you decided to attend," Harry said with a smile. "Tonight will be your first fitness lesson. Madam Pomfrey will arrive momentarily to start your physical education logbooks. Your vitals will be taken, you will be weighed, body fat measured, and several other examinations will be taken to judge your basic fitness level."
"Why are you teaching us physical education, Professor?" Stewart Ackerley asked in confusion. "What use is that?"
Harry nodded and paced in front of his class. "Imagine that you are in a duel with a strong dark wizard. Now, what happens if he disarms you?" He smiled at the looks he received for his obvious question. "How many of you are working towards Auror training?" he asked after a moment. Everyone raised their hands and he smiled proudly. "That is an excellent profession! However, they will work you to the bone, physically, mentally, and at times emotionally as well.
"There will be physical education in the Auror training program you'll have to complete and it would be well worth your while to be physically fit before you undergo the program." He smiled and returned to his seat on the edge of his desk. "To answer the previous scenario, you do anything within your power to survive, if that means roughing your opponent up with your fists, I'm sure that will be the choice you take. If it means running away, it would be nice if you could run more than a few meters without collapsing."
There was a knock on the door and Madam Pomfrey entered the room with a supply of books in tow, hovering quietly behind her. "Are they ready, Professor?" she asked with a smile. Harry nodded and waved his wand. "Men on one side, women on the other," he ordered as a barrier appeared and spliced the room in half, each side containing several cubicles for changing and private examination. "There's an anti-peeping charm on the barrier. It would be wise not to test it."
The students did as they were told and they were all relieved that removing all of their clothes was not necessary. Madam Pomfrey bustled from student to student, doing her work efficiently and rapidly. Within thirty minutes, the barrier had been removed and everyone seated at their desks with a new book.
"You are in charge of keeping your workbooks in order. They will magically keep track of the times and number of hours that you spend working on your routines," Harry said with a smile. "You will all be placed on training diets as well, and I'll make sure that a certain number of sweets and butterbeers are allowed so you don't go spare during this portion of your instruction.
"From tomorrow until you finish schooling here, you will spend time walking, running, and weight training. General calisthenics will be an active part of your lives and believe me, you'll be thankful once you take your first physical test in Auror training." He was impressed with this group of students, the same ones he'd gone to school with, and smiled proudly at them. "That's all for tonight. I've seen your timetables and have worked your routines around them. It will only be thirty minutes during the day and we'll begin additional practical and theory tomorrow evening. You're dismissed."
Harry returned to his office and set to work on the next day's class load, Tuesdays and Thursdays were his busiest and he needed to be ready. Another knock came at his door and he glanced at the clock before inviting his visitor in.
"Hermione, I see it's nine already, let me put these papers away and we can start our patrol." He smiled at her and after a few moments of straightening up, joined her as they began walking the corridors.
"I think I'm going to need a map for this place!" he exclaimed as they turned down another corridor he pretended to be surprised to find.
Hermione snorted a soft laugh at a private joke he knew about and she opened yet another broom closet. "You'll get used to the changing rooms and shortcuts," she said after declaring the small room empty of students. "My friends and I spent a lot of time running around these halls not too long ago." Harry hid a wince when a sad look crossed her face and she turned from him.
"They must have been good friends," he said whimsically. "I had a few like that when I was in school, but it didn't last."
"We grew apart as well, unfortunately, but things are looking up," she said with a sad smile on her face.
They continued the rest of their shift with small talk about their classes and Hermione laughed at the amount of homework Harry had given the students in seventh and fifth years. "If my friends had been subject to that, they would have gone mad!" she said with another snort of laughter. "Harry would be frustrated and ask me to help him, the other one would have asked to copy mine." He noted the distaste she added to her description of Ron and inwardly cringed again. He wasn't quite over the loss of Ron's friendship and he had hoped there still was a chance to repair things between them. But after his treatment of Hermione, Harry decided that Ron was no longer a person he'd want to ever call a friend again.