Hermione
Chapter One
Hermione
It was pouring down rain. Again. Usually Hermione would take her time in the rain, she would soak in every droplet on her skin. She knew living in muggle London would have it's ups and downs but not being able to cast drying charms in the parking lot of her busy apartment complex was absolutely on the list of negatives. Today of all days.
It had been like pulling teeth trying to convince Harry and Draco that her living and working in the muggle world was what was best for her health while she got her charms mastery. They could be so overbearing when they were trying to be protective. Finding time to see them was challenging but really no different than it would have been if she'd stayed with them at grimmauld place but at least this way she didn't feel like she was going to explode at their constant presence. This mastery has taken up the majority of her time. When she wasn't working at Flourish and Blotts organizing the absolute chaos of the shop she was studying. Hopefully soon she can add her work on the fidelis charm to the wizarding world. Today was the day that she could finally finish her mastery and take a much needed step back. If only she had had the presence of mind to live closer to an apparition point.
The downpour continued on despite Hermione wishing for it to cease. Sighing she squared her shoulders, pulled up the hood of her jacket as best she could and ran down the road to the apparition point at the pub two streets down. Soaked to the bone she rushed into the first woman's restroom she saw to assess the damage. Drying charms could only do so much on her unruly hair. She needed to look her best for her final charms demonstration. Wet rat didn't quite say charms mistress.
She grimaced at her appearance in the mirror and set to work trying to toe the line between soaking wet and a walking frizzball. Erring slightly on the side of frizzball she sighed and walked to the council chamber she'd been set to give her presentation in. McGonagall and Flitwick, along with several members of the ministry board were taking their seats as she found her place at the front of the room. Having studied for years she knew between her expansive research and teachings she was prepared. Flitwick had taught her well and now was her chance to carve out a path for herself. With a deep breath she got started explaining her research towards making the Fidelis Charm more secure and increasing it's effective range.
Her presentation lasted about an hour though Hermione felt as though it had passed in the blink of an eye.
"Miss. Granger you did beautifully up there." McGonagall said putting her hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Thank you, professor. I just hope it was a solid enough presentation to get me my mastery." She'd had to repeat herself a few times before she got a rhythm going but after a bit of a rocky start she thought it went well.
"I believe you did splendidly Hermione, your research will aid many witches and wizards in the future." Flitwick said
The three of them turned their heads when the board called everyone back into the ministry chambers. As everyone started to file back in Minerva turned towards Hermione.
"Should all go according to plan I would very much like to offer you a position among the staff this upcoming year. With Filius retiring your mastery couldn't have come at a better time." McGonagall grinned at her.
"That would be lovely professor, thank you for the offer." It would be more than lovely actually, it would be ideal. Flitwick had said as much would happen when he took her on as his apprentice. Her charms mastery allowed her many opportunities but the ability to teach and have access to the Hogwarts library was an unparalleled boon so soon after completing her education.
The council decreed her fit for her mastery and awarded her the title of charms mistress. Finally feeling like a weight had lifted off her chest Hermione said goodbye to professor Flitwick and thanked him for all his help and told professor McGonagall she would be in touch to discuss details of her upcoming employment. Giddy with her news she decided to apparate to grimmauld place to tell Harry all about her final presentation.
Hermione tried to keep her face neutral as she all but sprinted towards the apparition point, she left the ministry building and disaparated with a crack.
She knocked on the door practically bouncing in her boots. It didn't matter that her hair was getting soaked again. She couldn't be bothered to charm herself. Deciding to just walk in she announced herself as she walked towards the kitchen.
"Harry? Draco? Are you home? I have news!" She opened the door immediately heading to the kitchen sink to scrunch as much water out of her hair as she could so she wouldn't drip on their floors. "I can't believe it, we have to celebrate!" Turning towards the rest of the kitchen she immediately shielded her eyes.
"HARRY!"
"Sorry 'Mione, we weren't expecting you today" Harry blushed as he disentangled himself from a proudly nude Draco.
Smirking, Draco winked "Hello there Hermione. What wonderful news do you have to share that couldn't have waited... what?"He glanced at Harry, his smirk warming to a grin. "Another ten minutes?"
"Draco" admonished Harry with a small smile.
"I am dearly sorry for barging in, I assumed you were upstairs or in the sitting room" Hermione turned and called over her shoulder "I'll just wait in the library until you've finished."
Harry pulled his shirt on and followed Hermione out with a quick kiss to Draco. "Come on now, the sooner we hear her out the sooner we can get back to our night in."
Grumbling behind them Draco trailed behind as he stumbled into his pants. Once they were all in the library Draco poured the three of them each a measure of whisky and sat on the sofa next to Harry. Hermione across from them pacing back and forth. She could never sit still when she was thinking.
Finally after a moment she turned towards the pair with a large grin.
"IpassedmymasteryandthenMcGonagallgavemeanoffertoreplaceFlitwickasthecharmsmistressatHogwartsthisyearandIdon'tknowifIshouldtakeit"
"Hermione, could you maybe try breathing between words when you speak so as to make your speech more intelligible?" Harry smiled gently.
With a deep breath she tried again "I passed my mastery and then McGonagall gave me an offer to replace Flitwick as the charms mistress at Hogwarts this year and I don't know if I should take it"
"Well done Hermione!" Draco reached over, clapping her on the back.
"Yes well done!" Harry said "You've been talking about working at Hogwarts practically since we were first years. What's got you hung up?"
Hermione finally sat down. "What if when I get there I'm not an adept teacher? What if I don't have time to continue my research? What if I hate it?" Her eyes got a bit watery. "What if the children are horrible and I don't know what to do? What if the parents don't want a muggleborn teaching their children?"
Sharing a look the boys both pulled Hermione in for an embrace.
"Hermione, you don't ever have to worry about these things. Yes there are still people with a disdain for muggleborns and half-bloods but that doesn't mean that McGonagall would allow the students- or the parents- to treat you that way." Harry pulled her closer.
"And as for research I know if anyone can find the time for that it'd be you Hermione!" Draco grinned.
Laughing through her tears she nodded as she swiped at her cheeks. "You're right. The both of you. I think I'll just sleep on it to be sure it's what I want for my future and then I'll owl McGonagall in the morning."
"You're welcome to stay upstairs if you'd like. We can open some champagne and toast to your new mastery and job offer!" Harry offered with a smile. Draco nodding along with him.
"Thank you both, truly. I do need to be getting home to crooks though. I'll owl you both in the morning as well and we can find a time to meet for lunch to celebrate everything."
Standing up Hermione waved them off as she headed for the door. Dissaparating to the apparition point nearest her flat she practically ran home. Unlocking her flat and stepping inside she scooped up crookshanks and toed off her heels. Taking him to the kitchen to feed the two of them she thought on what her future would hold.
Hogwarts had always been home. Neville was already working as the herbology professor and had been since the war ended and professor sprout took him on. His work for his mastery program had been more hands on, unlike her work which was more research based. Crooks mewled pitifully and she scooped the food into his bowl, still pondering all her options.
Luna was there too, learning under Hagrid as a magizoologist for care of magical creatures and assisting as a keeper of the grounds of Hogwarts. She would plan to get in touch with them as well. Resolving herself to writing quite a few letters in the morning Hermione knew she would be going to Hogwarts in a few short weeks. There was much to do.