*Open Your Eyes* By Prongs 69
Chapter 2: The learning curve
"Morning Ben, ready for some pancakes?"
"I love it when your classes start later in the day, I get to eat!" her son enthused.
"Me too. I get to feed you. And clean up after you. And wash your clothes," Hermione replied playfully as she set a plate filled with pancakes in front of him.
"Mum, I'd be happy to help with the laundry but you didn't seem to like the way I did it the last time."
"Well, if the clothes had come out of the washer the same colour they had gone in, I might consider your offer, but for now, I think I'll man the household appliances," she said jokingly.
"You have no sense of adventure Mum."
// Oh Benedict, if you only knew.
Knew what Mum?
BEN!! How many times do I have to tell you not to connect in with me unless you "announce" yourself?
"Sorry." //
Their connection had started as soon as he had been born. The first time she held him she could feel his emotions and she knew he could feel hers. As he grew it deepened, until now they were almost like two parts of one mind. People always marveled at how close this mother and son were, and especially at how devoted Ben was to her. Hermione was clearly the most important person in the world to him and he would do anything for her. That devotion had revealed his developing powers to them more than once. When he was about seven years old, she had come down with a nasty bout of wizard flu and was wretchedly ill. Ben was despondent, not being able to bear anything unpleasant happening to his Mummy. On the third day, while he was applying a cold compress to her fevered head, his eyes found hers as his hands lay on her forehead. Suddenly they both felt the heat under his hands and they were drawn into it. When it ended they both stared at each other in amazement.
"Ben, I think you healed me."
"WHAT?"
"I feel fine now. It makes sense. Your father had the same gift. He never knew at first .
She had always been honest with him about his father and his destiny, why he had to leave, that he- they- didn't know she was pregnant when he left. That there was always the possibility he would return. That he was intelligent, gentle, kind, and the most wonderful man she had ever known. And that Ben looked exactly like him.
Earlier in his life Ben loved to hear about his Dad. It gave him comfort to know that he might return one day, and he would get to meet someone else like himself. Someone who was different. Special, his mother would correct him. . The person who gave him life and protected it with everything she had. She had devoted her life to him- she was at every practice and game he ever had, usually with Molly and Arthur in tow. Every school event- she was involved. She spent a great deal of time researching and planning a summer vacation for them every year, and they travelled extensively together. She never dated; By her choice.
Because she was waiting for him. And he hated him for that.
How could he leave her behind? Why didn't he ever return for her- or at least make some kind of contact with her? Didn't he know that she was spending her whole life waiting for something that was probably not going to happen? Didn't he care at all?
"So I, uh, know that yesterday was your yearly day of pain. Are you OK?" Ben asked.
"Yes, honey, I'm fine. Don't worry."
"OK. I have to run or I'll be late- see you later Mum. I love you." He couldn't say much more to her about it because his loathing of his father would be apparent, and it upset her too much. He didn't want to hurt her.
"I love you too. Have a great day."
"Thanks, you too."
A quick kiss goodbye & she was off to get ready for work.
=================
''Professor Granger''!
Headmistress McGonagall was heading towards Hermione with great haste.
"I have to tell you something. I'm helping the minister get the word out- the Wizengamot are calling a special meeting tomorrow afternoon regarding the latest school incident. Apparently they want to go over the schools response plan with us again. It's a mandatory attendance."
"Oh, OK, no problem, i'll be there," she said.
"Good. Now I just have to find one more person- the new DADA professor, Prof. Linton. And I'm late for my next class…"
"Headmistress McGonagall, the DADA rooms are in my wing, I'd be happy to inform him," Hermione offered.
"Oh, . Hermione , that would be great. Thank you so much- I'll see you both tomorrow afternoon."
Hermione walked down the hall to Prof. Lupin's old room. Seeing a man unpacking some things on the lecture table she assumed it must be the new professor.
"Hi, I'm looking for Prof. Daniel Linton?"
He turned to greet her. "Hi, I'm Dan Linton. Can I help you?"
Yes, she thought. Restart my heart. She stared at him, thinking this had to be the best looking guy that the school had ever hired. Dark hair swept back. Full, rosy lips. A killer body that couldn't be hidden by his clothes. And his eyes. Big, green soulful eyes that you could get lost in. She hadn't seen eyes like that in a very long time.
"Can I help you?"
He smiled at her, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"Oh… sorry…" She was stammering now. She had been so surprised at her own reaction to him that she temporarily forgot why she was there in the first place.
"Hi, I'm Prof. Granger. Hermione Granger. I'm the Transfiguration professor here.
"Oh, hi."
"Hi."
OK, you idiot, she thought to herself. Speak! You do it all the time!
"Um, so, the reason I'm here, uh, why I came looking for you, is to tell you that there is a mandatory meeting for all staff tomorrow afternoon. About school violence. Here. At school."
Great, she thought. I have a wizarding degree. and I sound like I can't construct a sentence.
"Oh, thank you. I'll be there. Oh- where, exactly?" Prof Linton asked.
"At the Ministry of Magic. Do you know where that is?"
"No, I don't. I just arrived here two days ago. I'm still trying to find my way from the entrance hall."
"Well, if you'd like, you could come with me. Neville- Prof. Longbottom- he's the Herbology Professor - also my friend- you could come with us." Hermione could feel her face flushing as she tripped over her words.
"OK, great. Thank you very much."
"No problem. We'll come by here tomorrow around 4." No problem at all, she thought.
"OK, tomorrow, 4 o'clock. Got it. Thanks again," he said with a bright smile.
She left his room in a daze. What is this, she thought? I haven't noticed a guy in 9 years. Why did this one make me go all stupid? She suddenly couldn't wait for tomorrow afternoon.
He grabbed a chair and sat down quickly, drawing in gulps of air to try to slow his heart rate. He had been totally unprepared for that. He had tried desperately to keep it together while she had been standing in front of him, had she noticed? Thank God he had changed his appearance before he started at Hogwarts. All of his plans would've gone right out the window.
The next afternoon Hermione and Neville came by to get him. "Hi, Dan, this is Prof. Neville Longbottom. Neville, this is Prof. Daniel Linton."
"Hi Dan, welcome to Hogwarts. How are you finding things so far?"
Dan shook his hand. "OK so far, but I've only been here a few days; I haven't even seen all of my classes yet. But everyone seems really nice." He smiled unconsciously at Hermione as he added the last part. Neville caught it immediately.
"Yeah, we're a decent bunch. We do a lot of social things together, with our wives and families. Are you married Dan?"
Hermione groaned to herself. Oh God, she thought; he must have told Luna there was a new person on the scene. He must have received his instructions and she knew what was coming.
"No, never married, no kids."
"Where are you from?" Neville continued.
"Originally Wales, but I've spent a lot of time travelling. That's why I was available to take a job mid-Term. I just returned and had waited too long to apply for any teaching positions for the beginning of the year, so I guess you could say I was lucky when I received the call to come here."
"Wales, you say?
Yes but I have been away a long long time..I was, held up, if you will…
"OK, guys, we're here, we'd better go in," she said. Thank God, Hermione thought;
After the meeting was over the three of them walked towards the antrium together.
"Well, I'd better get a move on. Luna will be waiting anxiously." Neville smirked at Hermione as he said this, knowing full well that she understood what Luna was waiting to hear about.
"Luna?" Daniel queried.
"Oh, yes, my wife Luna. Hermione here introduced us back in school. So she has only herself to blame."
"Ha ha ha Neville. Just remember, what comes around goes around. You'll get yours."
"Instant kharma's going get me, eh? I'll take my chances. Hey- I have an idea, Luna and I are going to check out the new Wizarding inn on Langthorne Street on Saturday night. Why don't you both come?" Luna would be proud of me, Neville thought. Maybe after all of these years watching her trying to match-make for Hermione, maybe some of it had worn off on him. He couldn't help it though, he had watched them both steal glances at each other the entire meeting.
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Did Luna somehow take possession of Neville for a minute? Was he actually trying to set her up with Mr. Gorgeous, ah, Dan?
"That sounds great, Neville, I look forward to meeting your wife," replied Dan.
"Great Dan; so Hermione, are you in?"
She glared at him as she said yes.
"Great, well I know I'm going to make someone very happy tonight, and if she's happy, I'm happy, you know what I mean?" He waved goodbye to them as he made his way to the apparrition point.
"This is my stop," she said to Dan as they came to the end of the row.
"Oh- mines right over there- OK, well, I'll guess I'll see you Saturday night. If I don't see you around here first."
"OK, see you then."
She was going to kill Neville.
The rest of the week passed uneventfully with Hermione spending most of her free time trying to help Ben with his oral report. They were reviewing it late Saturday afternoon when the an owl came flying in . Ben jumped up to grab it.
"Oh, it a letter from Aunt Luna.. Oh… She has a dinner date with the new DADA Prof tonight ''…as do you…….
"Luna has a date with Daniel?
"Uncle Neville told me that you are going to dinner with them and some new professor and she wanted me not to let you back out of it. She figured you'd try to use me as an excuse."
"I don't believe her. What does she think, that I'm going to use you as a shield?" Hermione said, feigning indignance.
"Well Mum, considering that you've asked me like, three times if I want to work on this with you tonight when I told you a bunch of us were going to the Arrows play offs with Grandpa Arthur, I kind of have to believe she knows what you're capable of."
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"Mum, you never go out. Especially on a date. I think you'd use just about any way you could think of to back out of a date."
He knows me entirely too well, she thought. "First of all, this is NOT a date. He is new at school, DADA professor by the way; and Neville, not Luna set this up to introduce him to Luna."
"And why would Uncle Neville care if he met Aunt Luna?" He couldn't help but grin at her; he knew Aunt Luna was right, she'd even use him to avoid going out.
"I think the dryer is done…" She escaped before he could say anymore. Damn. She thought she was going to get away with saying she had to help him with his project. She should've known Luna would go and enlist his help; Luna was aware of his feelings towards his father and that he wished his Mum would go out more. Now she was stuck.
"Mum?"
"Yes Benedict?"
"Have a good time. I hope you like him." He kissed her cheek before he ran out the door.
"Be careful! And be home by 9pm… I love you!"
"Me too Mum, see you later."
Well, I guess I'd better find something to wear, she thought.
They were all to meet at the restaurant. She arrived at the front of Georges shop. She crossed the road made her way in and spotted Daniel at the bar.
"Hi, are we early? I thought Luna said 7," she said. God this guy is gorgeous she thought. OK we know you think that Hermione, she thought to herself; now attempt to have a conversation with him so he doesn't think you're a total headcase.
"Hi. No, it's 7, maybe they're just running late?" said Dan.
"Luna is always on time. She's like a general. She has to be- she owns a newspaper office. She's the most organized person I know. Never late."
"Well, maybe it's Neville's fault."
Hermione started laughing. "Oh, believe me, Neville is ready 15 minutes BEFORE they're supposed to leave. He knows better."
They passed the next 20 minutes in pleasant conversation, discussing mostly things to do with work. They were laughing at something Hermione was relating about a Transfiguration gone wrong when Luna and Neville arrived.
"Finally! I was starting to freak out. You are never late," Hermione said as she hugged them both hello.
"Oh yes, Hermione, you looked like you were freaking out when we came in. Hi, I'm Luna." She turned to extend her hand to Daniel and exclaimed "oh my God."
"Hi… um, I'm sorry, do I have something on my face?" Dan asked, slightly embarrassed.
"No, no, no, I'm sorry, it's just… you have beautiful eyes."
Dan cast them towards the floor as he muttered "thank you."
"Dan don't mind my wife; she's still reeling from being late. It's not a normal occurrence in her life. Kind of made her loopy."
"I think our table is ready," Hermione said. Finally, I'm starved she thought.
Neville immediately grabbed the wine list after they were seated. "So, Dan, do you have any preferences? The girls
are on a Pinot Grigio kick of late, I prefer Merlot, so we'll let you decide."
"Oh, thanks, but I don't drink."
"Oh, OK, well I guess we'll take a bottle of Beringer for the ladies, and I'll have a glass of Merlot, please." He handed the wine list back to the waiter.
Luna wasted no time in interrogating Dan. She didn't get very far, though. His answers were kind of vague, and he always managed to turn her questions for him into questions about the rest of them. He figured her out fast, Hermione chuckled to herself. Smart, good looking, nice personality…wait, what was she doing; this is just a nice guy trying to meet some new people. He doesn't need some woman from work drooling on him and making him uncomfortable. Besides, someone who looks that good probably doesn't have any trouble meeting women. He probably doesn't even notice me, she thought.
She thought wrong.
"OK, I am going to the restroom. Neville, would you order for me please?"
"Sure honey."
"I'll go with you Luna, we can hold each other up," Hermione giggled.
After the girls had left the table Dan looked at Neville. "So is Hermione seeing anyone? You know, a boyfriend?"
Neville shook his head. "No, Hermione doesn't date. Well, except when Luna forces her to. But that's another story. No, no boyfriends. Just Ben."
His eyes widened. "Ben?"
"Yes, Hermione has a 9 year old son named Benedict. Great kid. He's the closest thing I'll ever have to a son. He is Hermione's whole world."
His head was spinning. She had a 9-year-old son. Named Benendict. Oh Merlins staff.
Neville spotted the girls making their way back to the table. "I was just telling Dan about Ben, Hermione. Oh hey- he's interested in DADA too. He still wants to advance in it one day , right Hermione?"
"Yes, he does. Maybe now that we have a new DADA department at school he'll think a little more seriously about going to Annan."
"Oh, he wants to go somewhere else?" He couldn't help but ask, he had to get as much information on this new Ben as possible.
"Yeah, he's thinking about it. I don't want him to, of course, but I don't know how much influence I'm going to have on his decision."
Luna shook her head. "Come on Hermione, you know that your opinion is his main concern. I'm betting that not only doesn't he leave Hogsmeade to go to school, but that he doesn't leave home. He's going to go to a school in Scotland that he can commute too. He won't leave you Mione."
"Well, considering that a major in DADA is offered at a limited number of schools, I hope you're right, because I want him to stay home. Big surprise, I know."
"That's OK Mione, I understand, he's been the only male we could count on in our entire lives."
"Hey!!" Neville piped up.
"Oh honey, and you too, of course. You too," Luna said.
"Make her pay for that Neville. She deserves it." Hermione wanted to get her back for being late- a ploy to get Hermione to talk to Dan for awhile, it turned out. Luna had spilled the beans while they were in the ladies room.
"I know better than to go there, Mione. I don't want to spend the next few nights sleeping on the couch."
"So let's change the subject. So Daniel, do you have a girlfriend? Boyfriend?
Significant other?" Hermione rolled her eyes at Luna's questions and poured herself another glass of wine.
Luna was relentless, so she was going to need it.
"No, no girlfriend. I haven't really had the time."
"Haven't had the time? What, has every good-looking human declared a moratorium on dating? Or did you just go to the Hermione Granger school of bad dating luck?" Luna was chuckling at herself as Hermione put her head in her hands.
"Luna…"
"Come on Hermione, I'm sure Dan would love to hear some about some of your better dates."
"Luna!"
"So you've had some duds, huh?" Dan said, looking over at Hermione. He couldn't believe that was possible. A woman as beautiful as Hermione Granger should have men falling all over her.
Luna gladly spoke up again. "Duds? That's the understatement of the day!"
Oh, this is going down the tubes quickly, thought Hermione. "Excuse me, but considering the fact that you set me up with the last three of them, I think you should tread lightly."
"Hee hee, well let's see what you think Daniel. The first one…"
"Wait a minute. If you are going to embarrass me about this, I'm going to tell the story. At least it will resemble the truth."
"Oh, go ahead Mioneee! This should be good," Luna stage whispered to Neville.
"OK. Three dates ago. Thirty-nine year old wizard who still lived with his mother. He had never moved out. No thanks."
"Picky picky…"
"Shut up, it's my turn to talk. Two dates ago. Interesting guy. Well read, seemed to have a lot of financial acumen. I thought he was a bit pale when I met him at first. Turns out he hadn't seen the sun in a few years. Why was that again, Luna? Oh yeah- he was a convicted felon- insider, trading dark art artifacts."
Dan started laughing and shaking his head. "Oh wait, it gets better," said Neville.
"The last one," Hermione said, sighing as she continued. "Seemed like a nice guy, sharp dresser, very well mannered, incredibly well manicured hands."
"What was his problem?" Dan asked.
"He was, how can I say this, GAY."
At this Dan, Neville and Luna doubled over in hysterics.
"Oh, I'm so glad my misery is amusing to you all," she said as she started to laugh too.
"Hey, you should really thank me for the one who was a criminal, it's what inspired you to start kick-boxing," Luna said.
Dan looked incredulous. "You? A kick-boxer? Are you serious?"
"Not only is she a kick-boxer, Dan; she's a damn good one. Don't piss her off or she'll put you in bonds!! Neville loved to tell people that little Hermione Granger was a killer at heart.
"Well Hermione, you can't just expect to meet Mr. Right when you only go out on a date once every 5 years. You have to get out and circulate!" Luna said.
"Been there, done that, met him, look where it's gotten me."
"So, you met you Mr. Right already?" Dan couldn't help but ask.
Luna jumped in. "That was a long time ago, a long long time ago..