Hermione
Chapter Two
Hermione
Hermione woke up slowly and smiled contentedly as she enjoyed how the sun lit up her room while crookshanks sat on her abdomen mewling for attention. More confident with her decision to return to Hogwarts as a member of the faculty she found herself mentally reciting her to-do list. Moving required so much planning. Her lease was on a month to month basis so at least that wouldn't be a problem.
McGonagall was perfectly fine with Hermione finishing her lease out at the end of the month and moving into Hogwarts two weeks earlier than most other professors showed up for the year. Reasoning it would allow her the opportunity to settle in better, she started packing her trunks.
The next few weeks passed by in a blur. Meeting up with Draco and Harry at the pub went well. They were excited for her of course but Hermione couldn't help but feel like they knew something she didn't. Draco kept eyeing her as though he had something on his mind. When she pressed him he insisted it was nothing and changed the subject. Harry would grasp Draco's knee and give him a small smile and then continue on about whatever they had been talking about.
Finally fed up Hermione rolled her eyes and announced "Draco if you have something to say I wish you'd just come out and say it. I'd like to enjoy the remainder of my evening."
"He's just worried about you 'mione." Harry tried placating her. "Hogwarts can be lonely."
"Yes, exactly. Lonely" Draco nodded along quickly. "That's exactly it."
She rolled her eyes as she assured them that she would be just fine, as they'd discussed Luna and Neville were there as well as several of their old professors. "It'll be just like old times, really!" she smiled.
Theo and Pansy showed up while they were ordering a second round of drinks.
"Ginny will be along shortly, she had to finish up some paperwork after they finally caught the werewolf that had been terrorizing muggles in Wales." Pansy had pressed a kiss to the top of Hermione's head and ruffled Draco's hair as she sat. "How's everyone been? I haven't seen you all for an age!"
Theo nodded at Harry and Draco and squeezed Hermione in a hug as he passed her to sit at the other side of the table. "Yes, how's my favorite Gryffindor?" He grinned.
Harry piped up "I'm just fine, thanks!" Which had caused everyone to roll their eyes.
She shook her head at the antics of her favorite people and replied "I've been well, finally done with my mastery so it's time for the next chapter so to speak."
"We heard you've decided to be a professional babysitter back at the castle." Pansy laughed. "If anyone can keep those gremlins in line, it'd be you Hermione."
"I'm not sure what to say to that Pans, but thanks I guess?" She shook her head and excused herself to grab the next round for everyone as Ginny walked in. She noticed Hermione and sprinted over towards her, practically running into her for a hug.
"Ginny! Oh my, look at you! Are you alright?" Hermione fretted over Ginny who was covered in scrapes and bruises.
"Oh I'm just fine 'mione. We caught the werewolf! We finally got her! She'd been hiding out at Ogof Draenen and Hermione you won't want to believe this but" Ginny turned them away from the other patrons at the bar and ducked her head before she whispered "She had several victims with her. We're going to have an epidemic. The influx of new inexperienced wolves, especially these poor traumatized people, it's going to have a lasting effect on the area."
"Is there anything the ministry can do? What's going to happen to all those people?" Gears started to turn in Hermione's head. "Do they have them all in safe houses until they've experienced a transition? Have they contacted the pack up north?"
Ginny shook her head as they started to walk back to their table, butterbeers hovering after them. "Most of them bolted when the raid started. We've got two back at the office recounting their experience but, the rest, gone. We're hoping that they'll head towards the pack but we're keeping an eye out."
"That's awful Ginny. I don't know how I could help but please let me know if there's anything I can do!" Hermione put her arm around Ginny in a half hug.
"Thanks Hermione, I will." She placed the butterbeers on the rickety table. Then Ginny grinned and announced to the group "Alright everyone gather round, let's toast to the brightest witch of our age! Hermione, we're so proud of you for stepping up to educate the upcoming generations and I couldn't think of a better person for it. You'll do swimmingly! To Hermione!"
"To Hermione!" Everyone cheered before swigging back their drinks.
Hermione blushed and smiled. She was so happy to be surrounded by her friends, her family.
Just then the chime sounded over the door and Hermione turned to look in time to see Ronald's beet red face sliding in. Clearly drunk, his body slumping against the doorframe before he sauntered closer. Hermione's smile disappeared.
"Hermione." Ron's voice cracked on her name. His eyes glazed as he reached for her butterbeer. "I heard we were celebrating. How's it feel to be going back to the castle?" He smirked.
"What do you want Ronald?" she asked. Ron's mood swings weren't something she wanted to deal with.
Ron rolled his eyes "I can't believe McGonagall hired you." he sneered. "At least Flitwick was qualified. You're just a girl."
Pansy's eyes went wide and as she made to get up Hermione shook her head at her. Hermione was taken aback by his outburst but even knowing Ron was prone to temper tantrums she hadn't expected him to try and drag her down in the middle of a celebration. "And what's wrong with that?" she asked.
"You're not qualified to be a professor!" Ron all but shouted, swigging back the rest of her drink before getting up and moving into her personal space. "You're just a bookworm 'mione." He reached forward and pushed a curl out of her face roughly. Hermione cringed back swatting his hand away. "You didn't need to do all of this to get my attention. If you wanted me back you could have just asked." Hermione's mouth dropped.
"Ron-" Harry tried to intervene before Hermione interjected.
"We haven't been together in four years Ronald." Hermione glared." And not that I have to explain myself to you but I'm more than qualified to be a professor. I have mastery, that qualifies me as an expert in my field. I have the training to back up my expertise. I'm not just a kid trying to make money off of anyone willing to hand it to me."
Theo moved closer to Hermione, looking over the rest of the pub and casting a silencing charm. He, like the rest of the group, couldn't believe that Ron was talking to Hermione like that.
"You're an expert in books!" Ron scoffed. "That's not the same thing sweetheart. Harry and I have been out in the field since the war."
Harry winced. "Could you leave me out of this?" He mumbled. Draco put his arm around him before glaring at Ron, muttering something about Weaselbee under his breath and turned to Theo to try and give Hermione some semblance of privacy for a clearly difficult conversation.
"I am not your sweetheart." Hermione seethed, her fists flexed as she took deep breaths to try and calm herself. "I need you to leave Ronald. This get together is meant for friends and you don't make that list anymore, if I'm honest, you haven't for awhile."
Ron rolled his eyes before reaching over and stealing Harry's butterbeer only to take a swig and find it empty. He sighed and slammed it down onto the tabletop then continued on like she hadn't said anything. "You've had your head stuck in books for years. You have no hands on experience. There's no way you'll last at Hogwarts but don't worry 'mione, I suppose I'd be willing to take you back when they sack you." He smirked, his eyes still hazy. "You've never been interested in getting your hands dirty, you won't last long. I would know, you never wanted to use your hands, or your mouth for that matter."
Eyes wide and absolutely irate now Hermione lunged for her wand, intent on hexing him. "Ronald Weasley, you absolute ass." Theo caught her and Draco held her arm up intent on grabbing her wand out of her hand but not quite able to reach it. Luckily Ginny managed to grab it. Harry shoved Ron towards the door.
Pansy looked stunned, stuck somewhere in the middle of everyone before Theo brought a struggling Hermione over between the two of them.
With a sleazy grin directed at Hermione, Ron slinked out of the pub. Harry looked to Hermione, gave her a quick squeeze and muttered an apology and something to the tune of "someone has to make sure he gets home without splinching himself."
Hermione was left standing there, stunned. She couldn't believe that Ron had said those things to her in front of everyone. The absolute twat. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Hey there, don't listen to him," Theodore Nott said, Hermione's face gripped in between his hands. "He's just jealous."
Hermione wiped her eyes. "Thanks, Theo," she said. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"You don't have to do anything without me," Theo said. "I'm always here for you." Handing her a handkerchief he grinned. "Now, do you want me to go and hex him before Harry can take him somewhere safe?"
Hermione smiled and gave Theo a watery laugh. She was so glad to have Theo as a friend.
The group continued to celebrate Hermione's new job offer, but the mood was dampened after Ron's outburst. Hermione was still upset, but she was determined not to allow him the pleasure of ruining her night. She was going to be a Charms professor at Hogwarts, and she was going to show everyone that she was more than just a bookworm.
When it was time to go, Draco offered to apparate side along with Hermione so she wouldn't be alone. Hermione accepted, and they apparated away, leaving everything, including Ron's vile misogynistic behavior, behind them.
Draco and Hermione walked the remaining distance from the apparition point to her flat in silence. Hermione noticed him clenching and unclenching his fists and opened her mouth to ask him what was on his mind when he blurted out "I feel as though I need to warn you of something or rather someone you'll likely encounter at Hogwarts."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Go on then." She murmured. Not sure where he was going with his but having noticed his strange behavior earlier something was clearly eating at him and at least he could clear the air a bit if nothing else. "I'm sure whatever or whoever it is you're worried about will be just fine."
"Yes well" Draco looked off at the trees in the distance. "I suppose you're aware that sometimes Hogwarts does have a bit of strange magic." He looked back at her and sighed. "Sometimes that magic doesn't make sense to the rest of us but it can do wonderful things."
"Yes, Draco. I did spend the same years there that you spent. We've seen many strange and often unexplainable things. Could you spit it out? I do need to get some rest after everything today." Hermione stated while she walked up the steps to her flat.
Draco winced "Just-" he sighed "-know that things may seem more unchanged than you think they will. I think that's all I can say about it."
Not sure how she should take that Hermione shrugged "Alright, I will keep your incredibly vague advice in mind. Thank you Draco, I'll miss you this year."
Nodding Draco waved her in as he walked back towards the apparition point. "I'll miss you too Hermione, you're always welcome at Grimmauld Place. Don't worry about Hogwarts, you'll do splendidly!"
Hermione walked through her packed flat and smiled. She was looking forward to this next chapter.