When One's Fancy Turns to Another
Chapter 3: Busy Nothings
A/N: This is a very boring chapter. It is setting up the next part which will be the turning point of the story. So I am apologizing in advanced.
The next couple of days, Hermione continued in a very bad mood. Harry was continually going out to the Burrow or Ginny was always stopping by, inviting Harry out somewhere to do something. Ron never came with Ginny, and Hermione suspected it had something to do with their fight.
Hermione felt awful about her fight with Ron. Maybe she had over reacted to his attentions to Susan. Hermione hated being on the outs with Ron, and hoped he would come over so they could talk, but Ron was nothing if he wasn't stubborn and seemed to be avoiding Hermione completely.
So Hermione was feeling very lonely at this time. Never in a long time had she not had Harry or Ron close to her. The feeling of being by herself so much was unsettling. She felt like she was missing something like a limb, or even part of her heart.
To add to all of this her interview at the Ministry didn't go well either. They seemed reluctant to offer her any job they had once promised to her. She wondered if perhaps she hadn't done as well in her training as she had thought. After all lately her confidence had taken a definite blow.
Friday afternoon of that week, Harry finally seemed to notice something was wrong with his flat mate as he found her sitting in the chair by the window absentmindedly stroking a sleeping Crookshanks, who snoozed in her lap.
"Hermione, are you ok?' asked Harry as he sat in one of the chairs by the hallway.
"What? Oh, I'm fine Harry," answered Hermione after several seconds.
"You actually think I'm going to believe that? What's been wrong lately? I've hardly seen you and you haven't spoken more than a couple of sentences to me since we left the burrow."
"I've just been busy, Harry," answered Hermione while thinking, 'and so have you'.
"It just seems you been avoiding me, and Ron and Ginny. You and Ron had a fight didn't you? Ginny said he had been in a bad mood since he took you home Tuesday night. "
Hermione said nothing as she continued to stare out the window.
"You two haven't changed much. Come on Hermione, you know this can't last. Why not come to the Burrow with me, and talk to Ron?"
"Oh, you're going to the Burrow again tonight?" asked Hermione as she turned her head to look at Harry.
"Well, yes. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley are going to be back today, and I thought I'd be there to help welcome them. You should come Hermione, I know they would love to see you, too," said Harry hopefully.
"Oh, then of course I'll come. I would love to see them. Besides you're right I should try to make things right with Ron," said Hermione curving her lips into a small smile.
Harry got up and kissed Hermione on her forehead as he stroked Crookshanks head. He then looked down at his watch.
"I have to go! I promised Ginny I would pick up some things for dinner tonight," said Harry. He then stepped back gave a little wave and disapparated
Hermione looked down feeling the familiar sting of tears in her eyes. Suddenly she heard another pop. She looked up to see Harry standing over her.
"I can't believe I haven't asked you yet! How was your interview at the Ministry?"
"Oh! It was…fine," said Hermione, lying.
"Tell me more about it later, ok?" said Harry looking at her skeptically.
Hermione nodded as Harry disappeared once again. It was going to be a long night.
Hermione dressed herself in regular Muggle clothing and left for the Burrow in the early evening. She flooed directly to the burrow fireplace, falling face first into the Weasley's living room.
"Oh my! Hermione, dear! Are you alright?" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley as she hurried over to help Hermione up. "Author, pull up a chair. she needs to sit down.
"Really, I'm all right, Mrs. Weasley. I'm just a little dazed," said Hermione as she rubbed her head slightly while Mrs. Weasley guided her to a chair.
"What happened?" asked Ginny worriedly as she rushed into the living room with Harry on her heels. "Is everyone all right. I thought I heard mum yell."
"Everything's fine, Hermione just took a bit of a spill as she arrived in the fire place," said Mr. Weasley as he handed Hermione a glass of water.
"Hermione fell?" said Harry as he hurried over to her. "Are you ok? Do you need to lie down or anything?"
"No, I' m fine! I just fell down. It was nothing," said Hermione standing up too quickly and getting a head rush causing her to sway slightly.
Harry quickly put his arms around Hermione to steady her as Ron entered the room.
"What's going on? I thought I heard mum yell something about Hermione?" asked Ron as he observed the scene before him.
Hermione quickly pushed herself away from Harry and walked away from the group standing around her. "It was nothing! I'm fine, I just had a clumsy moment, and fell out of the fireplace as I flooed here. Now, everyone, just go back to normal!"
Everyone stood still and stared at Hermione.
"What is it? I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell," said Hermione looking around at everyone.
"No, that's fine dear. Its just…" said Mrs. Weasley trying to suppress a smile.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"Well, it seems as if one of Fred and George's hair color changing capsules might have survived all the years and fires," said Mr. Weasley.
"I confiscated them long ago. I thought they burned up. Hermione, I'm so sorry," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Hair color changing capsules? You mean…" said Hermione as she pulled some of her long curly hair to her face so she could see it. What she saw about made her fall over. He usual chestnut hair was now bright blue.
"We can fix it. I promise. I have some PrettyPleasers Magical shampoo reversal that will take that right out, Hermione," said Ginny coming forward. "Why don't we go up to my room?"
Hermione let herself be lead up stairs by Ginny as she still had her hair in her hand staring at it with wide eyes. Thirty minutes later, Hermione was sitting in Ginny's robe in Ginny's room with her hair wet, but back to normal.
Hermione performed a drying charm on her hair, as Ginny reentered the room with
Hermione's folded clothes in her hands. Ginny laid Hermione's clothes on her bed and walked up behind Hermione.
"There its back to normal now. You have such nice hair, Hermione," said Ginny as she picked up strands of Hermione's hair.
"You're joking," said Hermione looking at herself in Ginny's mirror. "Its nothing but a curly rat's nest."
"No, not at all. Look how perfect it curls down you back, and look at all these nice highlights. Such a pretty color as well," said Ginny as she smoothed down Hermione's hair.
Hermione got up and walked over to the bed to unfold her clothes.
"Hermione, how do you stay in such great shape, having to study and research all the time?" asked Ginny. "I run myself ragged trying to get good stories in before deadline, and I still have to watch everything I eat. You seem to have been born with a perfect figure."
"Perfect? Really, Ginny, I hate to see your eyesight going at such an early age."
"Scoff all you want, but you do look good. You must have had tons of dates while in France. Go on and give me some details."
"I hate to disappoint you, but I really didn't have much time for dating. I went to class or studied most of the time, and when I wasn't doing that I was with Harry."
"Oh, I guess he didn't date much then either?" asked Ginny with raised eyebrows.
"He did a little, but the Auror trials are pretty strenuous. Usually he just stayed home and rested up, or came to my place to study."
"So you two spent most of your free time together, then?"
"I suppose. It wasn't much different from Hogwarts. I spent all the time trying to convince Harry to study, and he spent most of the time trying to convince me to do something else."
"How is it now? I mean living together," asked Ginny as she sat down on her bed.
"Not much different really. I spend all my time studying and Harry goes out, but I would think you would already know that," said Hermione shaking wrinkles out of her shirt.
"Oh, yes, of course. But what do you two do when you are alone together?"
"Talk, mostly."
"Hermione, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Does Harry ever talk about me? I mean since you have been back from France."
"Occasionally, of course as I've said I've hardly seen him lately... Usually he just asks how I'm doing and I do the same and then we go to bed."
"Oh, well, I think I'll go downstairs so you can get dressed," said Ginny as she got up and left the bedroom.
Hermione dressed quickly and went downstairs. The evening was pleasant enough. The elder Weasleys both seemed happy to be back at home, and Ginny and Harry were merry enough. Ron still seemed to be avoiding Hermione, which combined with Harry and Ginny's growing closeness made Hermione too melancholy to enjoy the evening.
After dinner and cleaning up, some conversation was shared. As it was getting late and Hermione remembered she was to visit her parents tomorrow, she announced she was ready to go home.
"So soon?" asked Harry.
"Harry, its almost ten o'clock and I told my parent's I would be there in the morning. Don't you remember? I thought you were going to come with me."
Harry smacked himself in the forehead and shook his head, "Oh Hermione, I completely forgot. I told Ginny I would go with her to met Bill in Diagon Alley tomorrow. He's coming in and she promised him she would be the one to meet him, and she just asked me if I wanted to go. I can't believe I forgot about your parents>"
"Its fine, Harry. Go with Hermione to her parent's tomorrow. I'm quite capable of finding Diagon Alley by myself."
"Ginny, I'm so sorry. I really wish I could come, but I already promised Hermione."
Hermione crossed her arms and tried to hide her annoyance but didn't achieve it very well as she stated, "No, Harry, I didn't even tell my parents you where coming so its no big deal."
"But, Hermione I told you…"
"No, Harry, its fine. Don't worry about it. Now, I have to go. Mr., Mrs. Weasley thank you for dinner it was wonderful. Ginny, come by next week and we will have lunch, and tell Ron I said goodnight whenever he gets back to where he ran off to. Harry, I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" said Hermione as she made the rounds of hugging and kissing everyone. She then picked up some floo powder she had in her pocket and walked to the fire place. She then proceeded to floo home as she reminded herself she needed to get her after hours apparating license soon.
Hermione woke up the next morning and got ready quickly so she would not have to talk to Harry. She spent the whole morning and early afternoon with her parents. It would have been a nice time, if not for the fact her mother brought up Harry every five minutes.
Hermione tried to ignore her mothers insinuations, but she wasn't sure her mother was entirely convinced. Hermione apparated to her apartment door and opened while sighing heavily. She was about to head straight for her bedroom to read when someone sitting on the living-room couch made her stop dead still.
"Professor Lupin!" said Hermione somewhat shocked.
"Hermione, how are you? And I think it will be all right if you called me Remus," said Remus standing up to greet her.
"Oh, me? I'm fine. I'm just so surprised to see you here, Prof…I mean Remus," said Hermione walking over to him and shaking his hand.
The door to Harry's room opened and Harry came out with an arm full of books.
"Here you go, Remus. I think this is all I have kept. I hope someone can get some use out of them," said Harry tipping the books on the couch. He then looked up and saw Hermione. "Oh, Hermione, you're back so soon? Did everything go alright at your parents?"
"Yes, of course. They just had to be somewhere this afternoon," said Hermione. "What are all the books for?"
"That's my doing," said Remus eagerly. "I thought it would be nice to help out the students at school who couldn't afford all the expensive books and supplies. I have been collecting books and old school things from old students who have left the school. I came to visit Harry, and told him of my idea"
"And I've kept every book I've ever bought, so I thought it was time to clean out a little bit."
"That's a wonderful idea, Remus. I will go through my things tonight and send everything I find that I don't need to you tomorrow."
"Hermione, you are actually going to part with some of your books?" said Harry, laughing slightly. "I knew you had a generous heart, but I didn't know it would ever go this far."
Hermione glared slightly at Harry while Remus chuckled at the antics of the young friends.
"Miss Granger, I assure you Hogwarts appreciates your extreme sacrifice," said Remus smiling brightly.
The three friends had a good time chatting openly. It seemed that Harry ran into Remus while in Diagon Alley with Ginny. After greeting Bill, Harry decided to show the apartment to Remus. Hermione felt happier than she had felt in a while and was on the verge of departing from the gloominess that had surrounded her lately when she received an owl.
"I wonder what this could be, "said Hermione as she took an official looking letter from a large gray owl.
Hermione excused herself from her company and went to the kitchen to read her letter. It seemed as if the Ministry not only wouldn't be able to employ her, but they where also putting her training on hold due to lack of space and resources.
Hermione sunk down in a kitchen chair, not sure what to think. For once in her life, it seemed she had failed. She knew there was plenty of space left in her program. That department was always short handed. She must have done horrible in her training. Why else would they not want to employ her?
Hermione sat shocked at the table as Harry came in to fetch a glass of water. He took one look at Hermione and knew something was wrong.
"Hermione, what is it?" asked Harry sitting down beside her.
Hermione simply handed him her letter. Harry took it and read over it quickly.
"What? But I thought you said they always needed more help?"
Hermione just nodded her head that lay in her hands.
"Then why would they not hire you? And why stop your training all together?"
"I guess I must have done awful in my training," said Hermione in a whisper. "I can't believe this."
"Neither can I. There is no way you could have done awful in your training. I mean it's you!"
Both sat in silence while Harry reread the letter and Hermione just sat there with her head in her hands. Finally Remus came in the kitchen to see what was wrong.
"What is it," Remus asked upon seeing the distraught couple.
Harry gave Hermione a look and she simply nodded. Harry handed Remus the letter and he read it quickly.
"What? I can't believe this. I know this can't be the reason they are doing this to you," said Remus sitting down on the other side of Hermione.
"I just must have done terrible in my training. I thought I did ok, in fact I thought... I thought…," said Hermione unable to finish her sentence.
"You thought you did as well as you always do?" asked Remus and Hermione nodded.
"Then I'm sure you have passed your training just fine. I'm afraid there is a darker reason behind this, Hermione."
Hermione and Harry gave Remus a funny look and he shook his head darkly.
"Voldemort may be gone, and we may round up more of his old supporters everyday, but there will always be people out there who believe some of his ideas weren't half bad."
Harry gave Remus a quizzical look while Hermione looked at him in shock.
"You mean all this is because I'm Muggle-born?"
"I'm afraid so, Hermione. I mean if anyone would know about bias in the Ministry, it's me."
"But this is ridiculous. Hermione is a brilliant witch. She would probably be the best Charm researcher in the history of the ministry," said Harry angrily.
"I don't disagree with you, Harry, but that's the way our world works."
"Well, it shouldn't! I'm not going to stand for this."
"Harry, we don't' even know if this is the real reason, and besides I don't think there is
anything you can do. Please don't put yourself or you own career in danger."
"I'm not going to just stand around and let this happen to my best friend.."
"Harry, I can handle this. I'm sure something else will turn up. Just don't get yourself involved."
Harry shifted his eyes and didn't say anything.
"She's right, Harry. I'm upset about this as well, but there is nothing we can do about it right now, especially you. You need to be focused on your training and trials."
"There may be nothing I can do, but I've just had an idea, excuse me," said Harry and he left the kitchen.
"I hope he doesn't do anything too rash," said Hermione.
Remus nodded his agreement and both sat silently for a moment. Suddenly Remus turned his head towards Hermione with a smile on his face.
"I guess this means you need a job now?" asked Remus, looking strangely hopeful.
"Yes, I suppose it does. I guess I will have to start looking for one."
"Hermione, I've had an idea and I though I am taking great liberty, I think that Professor McGonagall would agree with me," said Remus very excitedly. "Professor McGonagall wants to stop teaching Transfiguration and concentrate on her Head Mistress duties. That leaves the position open."
"Are you asking what I think your asking, Remus? Aren't I a little young? Wouldn't you want someone with a little more experience?'
"Normally I would say yes, but you aren't an ordinary case, Hermione. I think you would do well in the job, and we could hire you on a one year trial basis and see how it goes."
"I don't know, Remus. This is a little sudden."
"At least think about it. I'll talk to Professor McGonagall and then owl you with, I am sure, her blessing and excitement. Then you can decide."
"I promise to think about it."
"That's all I ask. Now, I must be going. Tell, Harry I said goodbye, and try to keep him out of trouble."
Remus went to the living room and waved his wand at the pile of books. He then left and Hermione sat at the kitchen table, pondering the idea of her as a Hogwarts Professor. A smile involuntarily came to her lips.
Harry came out of his room later that evening and kissed Hermione on the cheek, telling her he would be back later. All he said was he had important business. Hermione sighed and went to her room. She pulled out her old Hogwarts trunk from under her bead and started going through it, examining all her old books. It was harder than she imagined to pick through what she wanted to keep and what she wanted to give away. She seemed to want to keep all of them.
Every book had special meaning to Hermione. They had helped her to stand out in some way. They had given her knowledge and they had kept her company when she was lonely. Each book had a different smell that brought back different memories. Flashed of her days of Hogwarts flashed through her mind all evening. The Gryffindor common room, her fellow classmates, her teacher, and mostly Harry and Ron.
She could never imagine having two better friends. She felt tears building up in her eyes as she though of all her moments with her two best friends. It didn't help that her present relationship with Ron was rocky at best. She knew he wasn't a bad person, perhaps she was being too harsh on him. She wanted more than anything to be able to talk to him at that moment. She was just thinking this when a knock sounded at the front door.
Hermione got up and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. She went to the door and opened it to see the person she wanted to see more than anything in the world, Ron.. She couldn't help herself. She flung her arms around him and broke down against his chest. He almost fell backwards at the force of her hug.
"Hermione, good God, what's wrong?"
"It was awful of me to say those things to you, Ron. I'm so sorry. Of course its alright it you want to talk with an old friend. I was over reacting," Hermione said as she broke away from Ron.
Ron smiled slightly and said, " No you were right as always, Hermione. I did lead Susan on. I've straightened it out ,I think. She didn't have real feelings for me. She just well ..."
"Saw how good looking you were now?"
"Oh, well I suppose you could say that, " said Ron going red. "And I shouldn't have been so hard on you. You should know your own feelings.. Besides its none of my business."
Hermione and Ron talked well into the night. Harry had gone to the Weasleys and told them about Hermione's letter. It seems Harry had wanted Ginny to do a report on this sort of thing, and they were discussing the specifics. Ron had rushed over to Hermione to see how she was. Hermione told Ron she was fine, but she didn't tell him of her job offer from Remus. In fact, she didn't tell anyone.