HHHHIIII!!!! I feel like such an awful person. I make you wait for an entire week before posting each chapter. And then my chapters aren't even that long. *sigh* I hate myself. But I suppose I'll get over that. Surely I've got some brownie points left over from the last chapter's snoggage? Yes? Eh, oh well.
A Touching Romance
Chapter 9 ~ Minerva Misconstrued
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When Mr. Potter and Miss Granger requested to be given permission to spend the rest of the holiday with the Weasleys, Minerva McGonagall was rather inclined not to allow it. It was, after all, part of the school rules that no child should leave the school at any given time during the year unless there was a dire family emergency.
She told the two of them this, and was met with a series of frantic pleas, all centered on something or other they needed to tell Ginny Weasley. McGonagall was aware that Miss Weasley and Mr. Potter were an item of sorts, and, though she frowned upon such things at such a young age, she was a bit soft when it came to Mr. Potter, so she agreed to consider the idea.
After much thought and skimming over of the school rules, Minerva decided that, no, it would not be proper to let the two leave. Surely they could wait until Miss Weasley was back in school to tell her, or send her an owl.
But they would not consider it. Mr. Potter in particular was adamant that Miss Weasley be told in person and as soon as possible. "What on earth is so important?" McGonagall asked eventually, becoming utterly exasperated with the pair.
They exchanged a glance. "Well, you see, Professor," began Potter slowly, "It's a bit of a rather personal issue. If we could just see Ginny, it would be alright. Maybe take a day or two out there, Professor, anything will do."
McGonagall peered at him sternly over her glasses. "Students are allowed to leave the school premises for reasons other than educational only if a family emergency has come up," she said. "Please tell me what exactly the matter is."
Miss Granger took Potter's hand to draw him off to the side. She began to whisper to him in a harried manner. Just at that time, Minerva noticed a few things that were different about the two young people. For one, they were standing much closer together than they had ever done before. Two, Granger had taken Harry's hand, rather than his arm, as was per usual. Also, a fond sort of smile was playing on Potter's lips as Hermione whispered to him.
Ah, McGonagall thought. So that's it. There's been a change in feelings and they must make Miss Weasley aware. Well, I suppose it would cause much less strife when next term begins. I'll allow the request. What she could not admit to herself was that the knowledge that Potter and Granger were together had given her quite a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. But such feelings were not appropriate in a witch her age, so she ignored it.
"Miss Granger. Mister Potter," she called. They both turned to look at her. "I have changed my mind. You may go to the Weasleys' home if Arthur and Molly agree to it." She began to rummage around in her desk draw for a piece of parchment. "You can write to them now for their permission."
"Oh, thank you, Professor," Granger said. "But…ma'am?"
McGonagall looked up. "Miss Granger?"
The girl looked a bit confused. "What made you change your mind?" she asked. Potter, too, looked curious.
"Ah, Miss Granger," she began, and noticed a tone of her voice she had not used in quite some time. "Things change, and they must be taken care of. Surely you can agree?" She gazed pointedly from her to Potter until Hermione blushed and uttered a little `oh!' of surprise.
"You will send this by owl to the Weasleys," McGonagall told them, holding out the parchment to Harry. "When the answer arrives, you will notify me of the arrangements. Thank you, Mister Potter. Miss Granger." She nodded at them both in an obvious dismissal. Harry gave her a knowing smile and took Hermione's hand as he left the room.
McGonagall chuckled uncharacteristically after the door closed behind them. Perhaps she needed to know more about the lives of her students.
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The Weasleys were gathered around the kitchen table for breakfast when Hedwig came sweeping in. "Oh, Harry's sent me something!" Ginny cried, and practically tore the parchment from Hedwig's leg. With an indignant hoot, she hopped off to sit by Pigwidgeon, who was desperately attempting not to burst from excitement at having another owl in the house.
Meanwhile, Ginny had opened the letter and was hungrily scanning its contents. After a few seconds, she looked up at her mother, beaming. "He wants to know if he can come to stay for the rest of the holiday," she said.
"Well, of course he can!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, obviously happy to be having the boy under her wing again. "Does he say anything else?" Ginny turned her attention back to the letter. Within a few moments, her expression turned sour.
"Hermione wants to come, too," she said. She scowled at Hedwig as if it was her fault for this bad news.
"She is welcome, too, of course," Mrs. Weasley said congenially, but she noticed the look on her daughter's face, and made a note to observe the goings-on once Harry and Hermione arrived. "I'll just send them an owl back right away." She hastily wrote an answer on the back of Harry's letter, tied it to Hedwig's leg and sent her off.
"It should be good to have them in the house again," Mr. Weasley said, but Ginny wasn't sure she shared the sentiment.
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Harry showed Mrs. Weasley's answer to Hermione. "Well, that's that," he said after a moment's silence.
"It is," Hermione replied. She squeezed his hand. "We can do this."
Harry sighed and placed his head on her shoulder. "But that doesn't make it any easier."
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*sigh* So short. I'm practically killing you all with these mini-chapters, I know. BUT THEY'RE NECESSARY! Please don't kill me?
*loves you all*
Violet Kefira
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