Chapter 3
Chapter 3:
When Hermione pictured how she’d use her illustrious degrees in potions mastery and transfigurations during those long nights of studying, becoming a professor was not on her mind. She pictured busy careers in the Department of Mysteries or a research lab in top universities, or a million other careers that didn’t involve pre-teens who can’t follow simple instructions, and yet, here she was. It’s not that she didn’t get offer after offer, it’s that none of them sparked the same sense of fulfillment McGonagall’s offer brought on. When she thought of her first year as a muggle-born with a lot to prove and a lot of people to prove it to, she imagined what it would have been like to be taught by someone who understood her struggles, broke down the tapestry of the magical community that made one sense on paper and a completely different one in reality. Those who say that “those who can’t do, teach” got it all wrong, it’s only those who can do that make good teachers and she always loved and admired Professor Snape, it was an honor to follow in his footsteps. This was the perfect job on paper, but in reality, much like after getting of the Hogwarts Express first year, there is a pesky tendency for life to be full of nuances.
Hermione had arranged her walk to Hogsmead to meet Ginny for a butterbeer weeks in advance. It’s been months and she still hadn’t made any friends at school or in town, and Ginny in her off season kindly offered to make the journey to see her. Harry wanted to join but at least the Department had a raid scheduled he couldn’t miss as lead Auror.
On her walk to the Leaky Cauldron Hermione swore she saw a familiar head of blonde in the distance, but she shook her head and it was gone, these memories are becoming more vivid she thought.
Inside the Leaky Cauldron Ginny had already secured a booth having come through the Floo inside a minute earlier, her wide grin fell when she saw Hermione’s state.
“What’s wrong Mione?” she said extending her arms to fold her into a tight hug
“Oh Ginny, I’ve missed you” was Hermione’s muffled response as she held her tight.
“Has it really been that bad here?”
“No, not really, just incredibly lonely is all. The professors are all twice my age and the students are hopeless gossips.”
“Oh surely, it mustn’t be all bad, this was your dream position!”
“What did I know then? I’m starting to fear I made a terrible mistake in turning down the Minster’s offer”
“You can’t possibly mean you want that dreary ministry job, you’d be nothing more than a glorified paper pushed”
“Oh I know Ginny, but at least I’d be close to my friends! It’s so isolating out here”
Ginny looked on with an amused grin, Hermione had come to know only one thing: trouble.
“You mean to tell me, now that you’ve finally escaped London, you miss it?”
“I didn’t say that!” was Hermione’s indignant response, it’s true in the last few years since she was back from America, Hermione absolutely came to abhor the busy crammed street of magical London and Muggle London was no better. She spent her says say dreaming of the peace and quiet of a smaller town, a quitter life, a slower pace.
The grass is always greener.
“You must give it more time, it’s a big change and a lot of adjustment! You’re Hermione Granger, the bravest and smartest witch of her generation, surely you can’t accept defeat so quickly.” And with that, Ginny steered the conversation elsewhere. The girls spent the night catching up on everything big and small in their lives, their friends' lives, 1 butterbeer turned into 5 into 6 into 7, by the time Ginny stood up to take the Floo back home, her steps were as wavering as the best drunkard in the bar. Hermione was no better.
As she left the Leaky Cauldron she cast a warming spell on her hands and nose and began the walk back to the grounds hoping the crisp air would sober her up before she reached the gates. As she began to make her way back, she swore she saw that head of unmistakable platinum blonde hair again. Hurrying along with bags in hand, she didn’t realize butter beer can give you visions.
That night in the quiet castle Hermione’s dreams were a strange mix of old memories and foreign ones, adventures from her time on the run with Harry and Ron, and strange fantasies of what might have been. More than once she saw that blonde hair on strangers passing by in her dreams.