Chapter 1: An Owl
I sat on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It’s been a month and I haven’t heard anything from him.
Someone knocked on my door. It creaked open and I could see Ron grinning at me crookedly from the doorway.
“Breakfast. Mum said if you don’t come down in the next minute your eggs’ll be cold.”
I grinned back at him. “I’ll be down in a bit.”
Ron closed the door behind him. I heard him thundering across the hallway to Harry’s room.
I got up and opened my door, closing it behind me. I walked down the steps the same time Ron appeared, coming out of Harry's room.
"Is he awake?" I asked, jumping the last step.
"I think so. Lately he hasn't been getting enough sleep, Harry hasn't." Ron smiled at me. I smiled back.
"Good morning, Hermione, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling at me from the kitchen.
"'Morning," I said, sitting down at the breakfast table. "Where's George and Ginny?"
"Sleeping, still, I suppose," Mrs. Weasley replied, looking sadly around the kitchen.
Ron sat on the chair next to me and smiled at me. I smiled back, hiding my feelings.
I wish Draco would've wrote to me. At least just a "How are you?" would've been fine. But still, it's been a month. And nothing. Surely he knew I was staying here at Ron's house. But even though he didn't, owls knew where to find people. What was with him? I thought to myself.
I started to eat my eggs, stuffing a few bits of bacon into my mouth. "Mmm! This is really good, Mrs. weasley."
She smiled at me heartily while Harry entered the kitchen.
"Morning," he said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Hi," Ron and I said.
Harry didn't even take a seat at the table before pointing out the window. "What's that?"
Ron and I whipped around. I saw a small barn owl flapping towards us. I got up and opened the window, waiting. It soared in and nipped my finger, dropping a perfectly sealed letter into my palm. It soared off a few seconds later without even resting.
"Who's it from?" Ron asked.
"I-- I dunno," I lied. I stared at the handwriting that said, "Hermione."
My wish had come true!
"I'll-- I'll just go look at it upstairs," I said. Ron and Harry exchanged suspicious glances and I ran up the stairs four at a time, waiting to open it.
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Chapter 2: A Date
I sprinted across the hallway towards my room, hardly daring to believe my eyes. I walked into my room, closing the door quietly behind me, and flopped on my bed, opening the letter excitedly.
"Oh, yes!" I said quietly to myself, grinning at the letter. Draco had definitely taken my advice and worked on his handwriting. I smiled to myself.
"Leaky Cauldron. Sat. 9 in the morning.
Be seeing you soon,
Draco"
I looked at the letter, tears forming in my eyes. There was only one explanation for why he was writing to me, asking me to meet him. He did care.
I laid the note silently on my bedside table and sprinted back downstairs to gulp down my steaming hot breakfast.
"Who was that from?" Ron asked, looking at me wildly.
"My penpal," I said, inventing on the spot.
"When did you get a penpal?" Harry asked.
I looked at him, my eyebrows raised.
"When?" Harry prompted. Ugh, he just didn't understand!
"I met her online," I said. "She's a witch too, except she lives in Canada."
"What's Canada?" Ron asked.
"It's a country, Ronald," I replied. He was so clueless sometimes.
"Oh. Really? Never heard of it," Harry said.
I rolled my eyes at the two of them.
"So?" Ron prompted. "What did she want?"
"She wants to meet me at the Leaky Cauldron on Saturday!" I said happily.
I heard Harry's fork drop as he realized something.
"My best friend," I said quietly. "I've known her even before I went to Hogwarts. She's coming here to London to visit!"
"Oh. Okay!" Ron said cheerily, returning to his food. Ronald is just too gullible sometimes.
"When and where are you meeting her Hermione?" Harry asked, looking suspicious.
"The Leaky Cauldron. She's arriving in a few days, I think on Saturday. I forgot what she mentioned in the letter." I grinned secretly at Harry. Thanks, I mouthed.
No problem, Harry mouthed back. Is it Malfoy?
Yes, I mouthed.
Harry's facial expression softened. Okay, he mouthed.
I turned back to Ronald. "Do you want this?"
"Yes!" He said, grabbing his fork and stabbing my egg. He carried it over to his plate and began to chew it, looking happy. "'Ank 'oo, Her-my-nee," he said, cheeks full.
"Mrs. Weasley, I'm full," I said happily, too excited to get upstairs and send back a letter. I needed to do it before Ron finished his breakfast.
"Thank you, Hermione, dear, but would you mind if you put your dishes in the sink? My hands are a bit busy." She smiled warmly at me and I could see that she was washing clothes and cleaning the window at the same time, with magic.
I placed my dish in the sink and ran upstairs to Harry's room. I entered it and saw Ron's old owl, Hermes, flying around near the window.
"Hi, Hermes," I said warmly, sticking out my hand as Hermes flew lightly onto it. He nipped my elbow affectionately.
"I need you to send something to someone for me," I grinned.
Hermes hooted in response.
"Thanks."
I sat down on Harry's desk and pulled out a bit of parchment, writing my 'yes' on it.
"Send this to Draco Malfoy, okay? I don't even know where he is, but please send it."
I tied the letter to Hermes' leg as he stayed still on the spot. Before long, he was off, flying gracefully out of the window.
"I'll be seeing you soon," I said quietly.
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Full Version: Love After Hogwarts
Chapter 3: A rose, a spoon, and a view by the road
On Saturday, a quarter to nine, I tucked my wand in my back pocket and Apparated directly on the front step of the Leaky Cauldron.
Earlier this morning, Ron had been pestering me to take him along with me, so that he could meet my "friend". Apparently, he hasn't even noticed that Draco was my "penpal" all along. Gotta love Ronald. Harry, on the other hand, was doing his best to protect me, and kept on changing the subject whenever Ronald pestered me about my meeting.
I looked at my watch. 8:58 A.M. He should be arriving any minute now.
I stared across the road at the cars rushing past. It seemed like a busy day. I reckon I'd better wait for Draco inside. I turned around and--
"Draco!" I said.
"Hermione," I couldn't tell if it was admiration or happiness in his voice. It was mingled.
"H-How did you get there w-where you are?" I asked, taken aback by his quiet appearance.
"I reckon you've been watching the cars too long," he sneered, his childish face coming back to him. He looked little as ever. He still had the same sneer and the cold, gray eyes. The drawling voice hadn't even deepened.
I nodded, smiling slightly.
"S-Shall we go inside then? It's pretty cold," he said, wrapping himself even tighter in his jacket.
"It's summer." I said sarcastically. "How are you cold?"
He took in my appearance, whereas I was wearing only a t-shirt and some jeans. My converse looked pretty worn out, but still, I thought I looked okay.
"You're right," he said, pushing open the door of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hi, Tom!" I said happily to the landlord, who was wiping glasses behind the bar.
"Hello, Miss Granger, and Mister Malfoy. Pleasant surprise to see you here!" He looked back down and took out a notepad, where his quill scribbled behind him as we told him our orders.
We walked over to a table that was overlooking the road. The cars flashing by were pretty.
I turned my head back to the table to see a red rose lying on top of my table.
"Oh, Draco!" I said, picking the rose up fragilely and cradling it in my hands, as if it would shatter if I put it down roughly. "It's beautiful."
"It is, isn't it? Best one I could find." He smirked at me.
"Thank you, so much! It's gorgeous!"
I put it in the vase next to the window. It needed water as of right now, and plus, I had a feeling we were going to stay here for quite a long time.
Tom reappeared at our table.
"Here you are, miss," Tom said, laying a plateful of eggs and sausages in front of me. I grinned at him. "and here you are, mister Malfoy."
Draco smirked warmly at Tom until he left.
"What's happened to you? I noticed you've not only been nice to me, but to others as well?" I said. Both statements were more of questions.
Draco shrugged. "I just felt... guilty. You know, of all the crimes and insults I've committed and given this year."
"Oh."
I looked down at my food and started to gulp it down hastily, wanting to start conversation as soon as possible, and end it, as far as possible from now.
"You've got a sausage bit on your nose," Draco said.
"Where? Here?" I said, touching the tip of my nose.
"No, there," Draco pointed to a spot on my upper-part-whatever, I don't really know, of my nose. I touched it, feeling nothing.
"Here," Draco said, snickering and giving me a spoon. I looked at my reflection in it. There was nothing.
I scoffed. "You're the same old Malfoy I always knew," I scowled.
"Tch," Draco tutted, glaring at me. "You're the same filthy Mudblood!"
I looked up at him, smiling. He smiled back.
"Here, have your spoon back!" I threw it roughly at him and it caught him on the neck. It clattered noisily to the floor.
"Ouch, that tickles!"
"Why are you saying ouch?!"
"Why aren't you picking up the spoon?"
"You're the gentleman, you should be the one picking it up!"
"But I'm in pain!"
We both snickered as our arguments droned on and on.
Of course, this was the best date I've ever gone on with him. Although the Leaky Cauldron was empty as ever, I had the time of my life. And before long, we had locked lips, unexpectedly.
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On Saturday, a quarter to nine, I tucked my wand in my back pocket and Apparated directly on the front step of the Leaky Cauldron.
Earlier this morning, Ron had been pestering me to take him along with me, so that he could meet my "friend". Apparently, he hasn't even noticed that Draco was my "penpal" all along. Gotta love Ronald. Harry, on the other hand, was doing his best to protect me, and kept on changing the subject whenever Ronald pestered me about my meeting.
I looked at my watch. 8:58 A.M. He should be arriving any minute now.
I stared across the road at the cars rushing past. It seemed like a busy day. I reckon I'd better wait for Draco inside. I turned around and--
"Draco!" I said.
"Hermione," I couldn't tell if it was admiration or happiness in his voice. It was mingled.
"H-How did you get there w-where you are?" I asked, taken aback by his quiet appearance.
"I reckon you've been watching the cars too long," he sneered, his childish face coming back to him. He looked little as ever. He still had the same sneer and the cold, gray eyes. The drawling voice hadn't even deepened.
I nodded, smiling slightly.
"S-Shall we go inside then? It's pretty cold," he said, wrapping himself even tighter in his jacket.
"It's summer." I said sarcastically. "How are you cold?"
He took in my appearance, whereas I was wearing only a t-shirt and some jeans. My converse looked pretty worn out, but still, I thought I looked okay.
"You're right," he said, pushing open the door of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hi, Tom!" I said happily to the landlord, who was wiping glasses behind the bar.
"Hello, Miss Granger, and Mister Malfoy. Pleasant surprise to see you here!" He looked back down and took out a notepad, where his quill scribbled behind him as we told him our orders.
We walked over to a table that was overlooking the road. The cars flashing by were pretty.
I turned my head back to the table to see a red rose lying on top of my table.
"Oh, Draco!" I said, picking the rose up fragilely and cradling it in my hands, as if it would shatter if I put it down roughly. "It's beautiful."
"It is, isn't it? Best one I could find." He smirked at me.
"Thank you, so much! It's gorgeous!"
I put it in the vase next to the window. It needed water as of right now, and plus, I had a feeling we were going to stay here for quite a long time.
Tom reappeared at our table.
"Here you are, miss," Tom said, laying a plateful of eggs and sausages in front of me. I grinned at him. "and here you are, mister Malfoy."
Draco smirked warmly at Tom until he left.
"What's happened to you? I noticed you've not only been nice to me, but to others as well?" I said. Both statements were more of questions.
Draco shrugged. "I just felt... guilty. You know, of all the crimes and insults I've committed and given this year."
"Oh."
I looked down at my food and started to gulp it down hastily, wanting to start conversation as soon as possible, and end it, as far as possible from now.
"You've got a sausage bit on your nose," Draco said.
"Where? Here?" I said, touching the tip of my nose.
"No, there," Draco pointed to a spot on my upper-part-whatever, I don't really know, of my nose. I touched it, feeling nothing.
"Here," Draco said, snickering and giving me a spoon. I looked at my reflection in it. There was nothing.
I scoffed. "You're the same old Malfoy I always knew," I scowled.
"Tch," Draco tutted, glaring at me. "You're the same filthy Mudblood!"
I looked up at him, smiling. He smiled back.
"Here, have your spoon back!" I threw it roughly at him and it caught him on the neck. It clattered noisily to the floor.
"Ouch, that tickles!"
"Why are you saying ouch?!"
"Why aren't you picking up the spoon?"
"You're the gentleman, you should be the one picking it up!"
"But I'm in pain!"
We both snickered as our arguments droned on and on.
Of course, this was the best date I've ever gone on with him. Although the Leaky Cauldron was empty as ever, I had the time of my life. And before long, we had locked lips, unexpectedly.
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Chapter 4: Return to Hogwarts
I awoke the next morning to see a sharp-eyed pygmy owl tapping its beak on my window. I ran to it excitedly. I detached the letter from the pygmy's leg and it flew off into the bright, summer morning. I examined the letter carefully and flipped it over. I could see there was the Hogwarts crest. I felt my heart skip excitedly.
Just as I opened it, Ron burst into my room.
"Did you get one too?!" he yelled excitedly, his voice cracking.
"Yes, I did, Ronald, but I haven't gotten the chance to open it yet!" I laughed.
"Open it now! Open it now! I'm pretty sure Harry has gotten one too!"
I flipped it open excitedly.
"Dear Mrs. Granger,
I, Professor McGonagall, hereby give you permission to return to Hogwarts if you would like to be a teacher. We are missing posts -- especially Potions, Ancient Runes, Divination, and Muggle Studies.
If you would like to return here and discuss your posts with me, the deputy headmistress, you may.
Professor M. McGonagall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
I looked up, my eyes bulging. "Is she serious?"
"What do you think?!" Ron said happily. "I can't wait to wake Harry!"
And with that, he ran out of the room.
I grinned happily at the letter, my heart pounding. I was going to return to Hogwarts! As if I needed anything else to cheer me up--
Tap-tap.
I turned around, looking for the source of the sound. It appeared to be issuing from my beside window. I approached it carefully to see an eagle owl sitting on the window sill, a letter tied to its leg. I knew that owl.
I unlatched the window excitedly and grabbed the letter as it flew off.
"I received a Hogwarts letter. Did you?! Can't wait! Love, Draco"
He received one too, as well?
I smiled happily. I felt so glad, nothing could ever bring me down!
"Hermione, Harry got one too!" Ron said. "...But he went back to sleep."
I turned around, the two letters clutched in my hand.
"Who's the other one from?" Ronald asked, walking over to me.
"N-Nobody," I said, tucking the letter down my pocket. Ugh. I wasn't supposed to say that! Now Ron would get curious.
"Don't lie, Hermione," Ron said. "Accio!"
He pointed his wand at my pocket and the letter zoomed into his hands. I saw his eyes move back and forth as he took in the contents.
"So it's from him, isn't it." he asked darkly.
"I'm sorry, Ronald, I just -- really love him," I finished hastily.
"You do, really?" his tone was deadly.
"Yes, Ronald. I do."
"I'm sorry, Hermione." Ron said quietly. "I just don't take things as well as other people do, do I?" he asked.
"Sometimes," I grinned. I walked over and put my arms around him. I loved him so much, and even though I was with Draco, I would never forget Ronald.
He wrapped his arms around me silently. "Sorry. I'll... control."
He sounded like he was struggling with words. I smiled up at him. "Thank you," I whispered. "It means alot."
"I can't wait! Hogwarts, really!" Ron said in mock excitement.
"You sound like me," I said quietly, laughing silently to myself.
"Wuzzgoinon?" Harry asked from the doorway. I spun around and let go of Ron, looking guiltily at Harry.
"Did you receive one?" I said happily, showing him my letter.
"Yea," Harry grinned excitedly. "Do you think I should take up a post?"
"No," Ron shook his head. "I think you should stay with me. I'm just going to walk around the halls and act like prefect Percy in his seventh year."
"Really?" I asked. "You won't, Ronald, will you?"
"Yes, I will!" Ron said eagerly. "I don't want to take up a post. That's stupid."
"Yeah, I kinda agree," Harry muttered. I looked around at both of them, an exasperated look on my face. They exchanged grins.
"Well I would never stoop so low!" I hissed. "I'll probably take up the most as Ancient Runes professor, wouldn't I? Yes... that sounds like a great idea, doesn't it?"
"Surely, Hermione." Ron rolled his eyes at me and walked out of my room, Harry delaying.
"Did.... you know who get one too?" Harry whispered.
I nodded. "He sent me an owl this morning."
"Does Ron know?"
I nodded again. "I told him."
"Alright. Let's go then. We should tell Mrs. Weasley," Harry grinned and walked out of the room.
I followed, smiling happily to myself.
A/N: Finally got an idea. Ugh.
I'm losing talent. Lol. Sorry for disappointing you guys...
but if you loved it.
I awoke the next morning to see a sharp-eyed pygmy owl tapping its beak on my window. I ran to it excitedly. I detached the letter from the pygmy's leg and it flew off into the bright, summer morning. I examined the letter carefully and flipped it over. I could see there was the Hogwarts crest. I felt my heart skip excitedly.
Just as I opened it, Ron burst into my room.
"Did you get one too?!" he yelled excitedly, his voice cracking.
"Yes, I did, Ronald, but I haven't gotten the chance to open it yet!" I laughed.
"Open it now! Open it now! I'm pretty sure Harry has gotten one too!"
I flipped it open excitedly.
"Dear Mrs. Granger,
I, Professor McGonagall, hereby give you permission to return to Hogwarts if you would like to be a teacher. We are missing posts -- especially Potions, Ancient Runes, Divination, and Muggle Studies.
If you would like to return here and discuss your posts with me, the deputy headmistress, you may.
Professor M. McGonagall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
I looked up, my eyes bulging. "Is she serious?"
"What do you think?!" Ron said happily. "I can't wait to wake Harry!"
And with that, he ran out of the room.
I grinned happily at the letter, my heart pounding. I was going to return to Hogwarts! As if I needed anything else to cheer me up--
Tap-tap.
I turned around, looking for the source of the sound. It appeared to be issuing from my beside window. I approached it carefully to see an eagle owl sitting on the window sill, a letter tied to its leg. I knew that owl.
I unlatched the window excitedly and grabbed the letter as it flew off.
"I received a Hogwarts letter. Did you?! Can't wait! Love, Draco"
He received one too, as well?
I smiled happily. I felt so glad, nothing could ever bring me down!
"Hermione, Harry got one too!" Ron said. "...But he went back to sleep."
I turned around, the two letters clutched in my hand.
"Who's the other one from?" Ronald asked, walking over to me.
"N-Nobody," I said, tucking the letter down my pocket. Ugh. I wasn't supposed to say that! Now Ron would get curious.
"Don't lie, Hermione," Ron said. "Accio!"
He pointed his wand at my pocket and the letter zoomed into his hands. I saw his eyes move back and forth as he took in the contents.
"So it's from him, isn't it." he asked darkly.
"I'm sorry, Ronald, I just -- really love him," I finished hastily.
"You do, really?" his tone was deadly.
"Yes, Ronald. I do."
"I'm sorry, Hermione." Ron said quietly. "I just don't take things as well as other people do, do I?" he asked.
"Sometimes," I grinned. I walked over and put my arms around him. I loved him so much, and even though I was with Draco, I would never forget Ronald.
He wrapped his arms around me silently. "Sorry. I'll... control."
He sounded like he was struggling with words. I smiled up at him. "Thank you," I whispered. "It means alot."
"I can't wait! Hogwarts, really!" Ron said in mock excitement.
"You sound like me," I said quietly, laughing silently to myself.
"Wuzzgoinon?" Harry asked from the doorway. I spun around and let go of Ron, looking guiltily at Harry.
"Did you receive one?" I said happily, showing him my letter.
"Yea," Harry grinned excitedly. "Do you think I should take up a post?"
"No," Ron shook his head. "I think you should stay with me. I'm just going to walk around the halls and act like prefect Percy in his seventh year."
"Really?" I asked. "You won't, Ronald, will you?"
"Yes, I will!" Ron said eagerly. "I don't want to take up a post. That's stupid."
"Yeah, I kinda agree," Harry muttered. I looked around at both of them, an exasperated look on my face. They exchanged grins.
"Well I would never stoop so low!" I hissed. "I'll probably take up the most as Ancient Runes professor, wouldn't I? Yes... that sounds like a great idea, doesn't it?"
"Surely, Hermione." Ron rolled his eyes at me and walked out of my room, Harry delaying.
"Did.... you know who get one too?" Harry whispered.
I nodded. "He sent me an owl this morning."
"Does Ron know?"
I nodded again. "I told him."
"Alright. Let's go then. We should tell Mrs. Weasley," Harry grinned and walked out of the room.
I followed, smiling happily to myself.
A/N: Finally got an idea. Ugh.
I'm losing talent. Lol. Sorry for disappointing you guys...but if you loved it.
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
Little darling
Chapter 5: Floo Powder
Harry, Ron and I were sitting in Ron's room. It was about ten p.m., at least I thought it was, because it seemed later than it usually was.
"How are we going to get there?" I asked, not taking my eyes off Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms.
"I dunno... what do you think Harry?" Ron answered, laying with his arms over his head, on his bed. Harry was sitting at the foot of it.
"Apparate, apparently."
"How many times do I have to tell you?!" I said, throwing both of them an exasperated look. "You can't Apparate in or out of the grounds at Hogwarts! Honestly, now that we're out of Hogwarts, both of you should really consider reading Hogwarts, A History."
"Hermione, we don't have that much time," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "but I think we should get there by Floo Powder."
"Floo Powder?" I asked, looking back down at my book.
"Well, isn't it obvious?" Harry asked, snickering and exchanging a cheery look with Ron. "Honestly, Hermione. Stop burying your nose in books and use common sense."
I scowled at both of them.
"So, Floo Powder, is it?" Ron asked Harry.
"Yes," Harry repeated.
"Tomorrow, what time?" I asked.
"Well, any time. Tomorrow's Monday, Hermione. There are classes." Harry answered.
"Oh, right." I wasn't focused. I was too absorbed in the fact that Draco was going too! I wonder if Goyle got an invitation...
"What about Ginny?" I asked.
"She got one as well." Ron looked annoyed.
"Oh, I hope Luna's got one," I smiled at them. "It would be fun to hear about Wrackspurts and Nargles again. I've been missing--"
"--her personality, yeah," Harry finished. The three of us shared a laugh.
"Of course... Neville's got one too! He'd probably he hired as a Herbology Professor in training!" I grinned.
"Yeah! ...man do I miss Neville," Ron said quietly.
Harry and I nodded. I yawned.
"I'd better go to bed," I said sleepily.
"Turn off the lights, will you?" Ron said as I stood up.
"No. You have the Deluminator on your beside table!" I hissed.
"Oh. Yeah." Ron clicked the Deluminator as Harry and I left the room.
"Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, isn't it, Harry?"
I looked around to see Harry nodding but yawning. "G'night, Hermione."
He walked straight into Bill's old bedroom and flopped into the bed, without even bothering to close the door. I watched him close his eyes for a few seconds before closing the door for him, and walking to my own room.
Tomorrow would be a very, very busy day. And although it didn't happen yet, I knew it would be a lucky one too.
----
"Bye, Mrs. Weasley," I said, hugging her as she patted my shoulder. "Thanks for everything!"
"Oh, dear, you will be back, won't you?" Mrs. Weasley asked as I pulled away.
I nodded. "Of course!"
I looked at Harry and Ron, who were already helping themselves to Floo Powder. Ronald passed the flower pot to me, and I grabbed a handful.
Harry stepped through first, coughing a bit. "Hogwarts!" he shouted, and disappeared into emerald green flames.
"Ladies first," Ron said happily, directing me towards the fireplace. I had a feeling he had been reading his how to charm ladies book thing last night.
I smiled happily at him and shouted, "Hogwarts!", throwing the powder at my feet. Everything started spinning and I tucked my elbows safely in, starting to feel sick. Just as I felt like I was about to vomit, everything stopped, and I tumbled face first onto a hearthrug.
"Hello, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said, placing a few papers in drawers. I had landed in her office, of course.
"Hello! Um-- where do I go? Where did Harry go, Professor?" I asked.
"The Great Hall. Please meet there until all the other students have arrived-- and Mr. Weasley, please don't put too much ash on the rug." For Ron had just arrived behind me. I walked out without him, wanting to spend some time alone in the wonderful halls of Hogwarts.
I walked briskly towards the Great Hall, and a wonderful sight met my eyes.
Harry was talking to Ginny of course, by the far end of the Hall, since she had arrived her way before Harry, Ron, and I did. Neville was speaking to-- Luna! I grinned at her and she waved at me before I directed my eyes around the Hall. I saw Hannah Abbott, Ernie MacMillan, Michael Corner (why?), Cho Chang, that stupid Marietta Edgecomb, and finally...
"Draco!" I said happily, running towards him. I threw my arms around his neck.
"Hermione! W-What subject are you teaching?" he asked in that familiar drawling voice.
"Nothing." I said. "Probably just going to... hang out."
"Yea," Draco replied. "Same here."
I looked up at him, hardly daring to believe my eyes. We were here, in my favorite place in the world, with the boy I loved out of all the boys here with me.
--
Feedback. Like I said, I finally lost my talent!
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
Little darling
Chapter 5: Floo Powder
Harry, Ron and I were sitting in Ron's room. It was about ten p.m., at least I thought it was, because it seemed later than it usually was.
"How are we going to get there?" I asked, not taking my eyes off Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms.
"I dunno... what do you think Harry?" Ron answered, laying with his arms over his head, on his bed. Harry was sitting at the foot of it.
"Apparate, apparently."
"How many times do I have to tell you?!" I said, throwing both of them an exasperated look. "You can't Apparate in or out of the grounds at Hogwarts! Honestly, now that we're out of Hogwarts, both of you should really consider reading Hogwarts, A History."
"Hermione, we don't have that much time," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "but I think we should get there by Floo Powder."
"Floo Powder?" I asked, looking back down at my book.
"Well, isn't it obvious?" Harry asked, snickering and exchanging a cheery look with Ron. "Honestly, Hermione. Stop burying your nose in books and use common sense."
I scowled at both of them.
"So, Floo Powder, is it?" Ron asked Harry.
"Yes," Harry repeated.
"Tomorrow, what time?" I asked.
"Well, any time. Tomorrow's Monday, Hermione. There are classes." Harry answered.
"Oh, right." I wasn't focused. I was too absorbed in the fact that Draco was going too! I wonder if Goyle got an invitation...
"What about Ginny?" I asked.
"She got one as well." Ron looked annoyed.
"Oh, I hope Luna's got one," I smiled at them. "It would be fun to hear about Wrackspurts and Nargles again. I've been missing--"
"--her personality, yeah," Harry finished. The three of us shared a laugh.
"Of course... Neville's got one too! He'd probably he hired as a Herbology Professor in training!" I grinned.
"Yeah! ...man do I miss Neville," Ron said quietly.
Harry and I nodded. I yawned.
"I'd better go to bed," I said sleepily.
"Turn off the lights, will you?" Ron said as I stood up.
"No. You have the Deluminator on your beside table!" I hissed.
"Oh. Yeah." Ron clicked the Deluminator as Harry and I left the room.
"Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, isn't it, Harry?"
I looked around to see Harry nodding but yawning. "G'night, Hermione."
He walked straight into Bill's old bedroom and flopped into the bed, without even bothering to close the door. I watched him close his eyes for a few seconds before closing the door for him, and walking to my own room.
Tomorrow would be a very, very busy day. And although it didn't happen yet, I knew it would be a lucky one too.
----
"Bye, Mrs. Weasley," I said, hugging her as she patted my shoulder. "Thanks for everything!"
"Oh, dear, you will be back, won't you?" Mrs. Weasley asked as I pulled away.
I nodded. "Of course!"
I looked at Harry and Ron, who were already helping themselves to Floo Powder. Ronald passed the flower pot to me, and I grabbed a handful.
Harry stepped through first, coughing a bit. "Hogwarts!" he shouted, and disappeared into emerald green flames.
"Ladies first," Ron said happily, directing me towards the fireplace. I had a feeling he had been reading his how to charm ladies book thing last night.
I smiled happily at him and shouted, "Hogwarts!", throwing the powder at my feet. Everything started spinning and I tucked my elbows safely in, starting to feel sick. Just as I felt like I was about to vomit, everything stopped, and I tumbled face first onto a hearthrug.
"Hello, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said, placing a few papers in drawers. I had landed in her office, of course.
"Hello! Um-- where do I go? Where did Harry go, Professor?" I asked.
"The Great Hall. Please meet there until all the other students have arrived-- and Mr. Weasley, please don't put too much ash on the rug." For Ron had just arrived behind me. I walked out without him, wanting to spend some time alone in the wonderful halls of Hogwarts.
I walked briskly towards the Great Hall, and a wonderful sight met my eyes.
Harry was talking to Ginny of course, by the far end of the Hall, since she had arrived her way before Harry, Ron, and I did. Neville was speaking to-- Luna! I grinned at her and she waved at me before I directed my eyes around the Hall. I saw Hannah Abbott, Ernie MacMillan, Michael Corner (why?), Cho Chang, that stupid Marietta Edgecomb, and finally...
"Draco!" I said happily, running towards him. I threw my arms around his neck.
"Hermione! W-What subject are you teaching?" he asked in that familiar drawling voice.
"Nothing." I said. "Probably just going to... hang out."
"Yea," Draco replied. "Same here."
I looked up at him, hardly daring to believe my eyes. We were here, in my favorite place in the world, with the boy I loved out of all the boys here with me.
--
Feedback. Like I said, I finally lost my talent!
Chapter 6: The Common Room
"Do you think we can go inside our old Common Rooms?" I asked Draco.
"I dunno, do I? Go ask McGonagall or something."
"Professor McGonagall, Draco! She's a headmistress!" I hissed angrily. Some people just didn't have any respect!
I stalked out of the Great Hall, climbing the steps to Professor McGonagall's office.
She still didn't move her office up to Professor Dumbledore's old office. I didn't know why she didn't want to live there. I wondered whether they removed Dumbledore's old belongings... of course not! I argued with myself. They wouldn't do that. That is such a disgrace!
Finally, I reached Professor McGonagall's office. I knocked three times and heard "Enter."
"Um, p-professor?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall said, looking up at me through her spectacles with a stern look on her face.
"I--I was wondering if we could visit the Common Room. You know, since we'll be here for a while, w-where will we stay?"
"Oh. Yes-- I-- I suppose. The password is M-- Mars Bar."
"Thank you, professor."
I exited the office, looking around the halls. I had to get up to the Gryffindor Common Room now! I couldn't wait! I walked happily up the staircase, skipping a few steps, until I finally reached the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Mars Bar," I said proudly.
"I could do for one right now," she said sadly and swung open to reveal a beautiful sight.
The Common Room hadn't changed. Its circular structure just made me grin happily. I walked over to my favorite armchair and flopped down on it, noticing that I was the only one inside the Common Room. Oh! I forgot to tell the others. I smiled to myself and put my feet up.
Gosh, I should've brought a book.
I got up, fuming a bit at my stupidness. Stupid! What's life without a book? I stared around the Common Room then exited the portrait hole, the Fat Lady calling after me.
"You bothered me for nothing? What did you do, get inside to warm yourself? It's already hot out!"
I threw a dirty look over my shoulder and ran down the stairs two at a time, awaiting to tell Harry and Ron about the Common Room.
I reached the Great Hall, panting slightly and clutching a stitch in my chest. "H-Harry! Ron!"
Both of them turned around, whom they were talking to Seamus and Dean, who had of course, returned as well.
"Hermione, where have you--"
I cut Ron off, talking to the four of them, including Seamus and Dean as well.
"You can go up to the Common Rooms," I said, out of breath. "Password's Mars Bar!"
"Wow, really?" Seamus said, walking quickly past me. "Dean, c'mon! We gotta go back!"
"N-N...?" I looked up to see Peeves.
He threw a large bit of chalk at Harry's head. "Ouch!" he yelled. Peeves cackled madly and zoomed out of the corridor.
"That sucks," Ron said, glaring up at the place where Peeves just vanished.
"I suppose," I hesitated, trying to catch my breath. "S-Shall we get on with it then?"
"Yeah," Harry said, still massaging the place on his head where Peeves hit.
Ron did something really brave, and took my hand. I didn't pull away -- for fear that I might hurt his feelings.
So that it wouldn't look very suspicious, I held onto Harry's hand as well.
"Damn that Peeves," Harry said, glaring at the ground.
"Yeah," I replied. "He never gets tired of annoying us, doesn't he? I mean... after all these years of being an annoying ghost, he would've stop, wouldn't he?"
"I guess." Ron said, looking behind his shoulder.
"There!" I said, spotting the staircases. I pointed towards the usual.
The three of us ran up it, careful to skip all of the trick steps. After a long while of climbing stairs, we finally reached the Gryffindor common room.
The Fat Lady looked at us happily, batting her eyelashes. "Password?"
"I--I don't think Professor McGonagall mentioned it to us--" Ron started.
"I got it," I whispered in his ear. "Mars Bar."
"Oh, you guys are lucky you can devour those... I haven't had one in almost a century." And she swung open to reveal the cozy, circular common room the three of us had stayed in for almost half of our lives.
I let go of Harry and Ron's hands and ran forward to flop down on my favorite armchair. Seamus and Dean were playing a game of exploding snap in one side, laughing stupidly at the bright fireworks.
Harry and Ron sat down near the fire on their usual spots, the hearthrug.
It felt so good to be back.
--
Feedback!
"Do you think we can go inside our old Common Rooms?" I asked Draco.
"I dunno, do I? Go ask McGonagall or something."
"Professor McGonagall, Draco! She's a headmistress!" I hissed angrily. Some people just didn't have any respect!
I stalked out of the Great Hall, climbing the steps to Professor McGonagall's office.
She still didn't move her office up to Professor Dumbledore's old office. I didn't know why she didn't want to live there. I wondered whether they removed Dumbledore's old belongings... of course not! I argued with myself. They wouldn't do that. That is such a disgrace!
Finally, I reached Professor McGonagall's office. I knocked three times and heard "Enter."
"Um, p-professor?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall said, looking up at me through her spectacles with a stern look on her face.
"I--I was wondering if we could visit the Common Room. You know, since we'll be here for a while, w-where will we stay?"
"Oh. Yes-- I-- I suppose. The password is M-- Mars Bar."
"Thank you, professor."
I exited the office, looking around the halls. I had to get up to the Gryffindor Common Room now! I couldn't wait! I walked happily up the staircase, skipping a few steps, until I finally reached the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Mars Bar," I said proudly.
"I could do for one right now," she said sadly and swung open to reveal a beautiful sight.
The Common Room hadn't changed. Its circular structure just made me grin happily. I walked over to my favorite armchair and flopped down on it, noticing that I was the only one inside the Common Room. Oh! I forgot to tell the others. I smiled to myself and put my feet up.
Gosh, I should've brought a book.
I got up, fuming a bit at my stupidness. Stupid! What's life without a book? I stared around the Common Room then exited the portrait hole, the Fat Lady calling after me.
"You bothered me for nothing? What did you do, get inside to warm yourself? It's already hot out!"
I threw a dirty look over my shoulder and ran down the stairs two at a time, awaiting to tell Harry and Ron about the Common Room.
I reached the Great Hall, panting slightly and clutching a stitch in my chest. "H-Harry! Ron!"
Both of them turned around, whom they were talking to Seamus and Dean, who had of course, returned as well.
"Hermione, where have you--"
I cut Ron off, talking to the four of them, including Seamus and Dean as well.
"You can go up to the Common Rooms," I said, out of breath. "Password's Mars Bar!"
"Wow, really?" Seamus said, walking quickly past me. "Dean, c'mon! We gotta go back!"
"N-N...?" I looked up to see Peeves.
He threw a large bit of chalk at Harry's head. "Ouch!" he yelled. Peeves cackled madly and zoomed out of the corridor.
"That sucks," Ron said, glaring up at the place where Peeves just vanished.
"I suppose," I hesitated, trying to catch my breath. "S-Shall we get on with it then?"
"Yeah," Harry said, still massaging the place on his head where Peeves hit.
Ron did something really brave, and took my hand. I didn't pull away -- for fear that I might hurt his feelings.
So that it wouldn't look very suspicious, I held onto Harry's hand as well.
"Damn that Peeves," Harry said, glaring at the ground.
"Yeah," I replied. "He never gets tired of annoying us, doesn't he? I mean... after all these years of being an annoying ghost, he would've stop, wouldn't he?"
"I guess." Ron said, looking behind his shoulder.
"There!" I said, spotting the staircases. I pointed towards the usual.
The three of us ran up it, careful to skip all of the trick steps. After a long while of climbing stairs, we finally reached the Gryffindor common room.
The Fat Lady looked at us happily, batting her eyelashes. "Password?"
"I--I don't think Professor McGonagall mentioned it to us--" Ron started.
"I got it," I whispered in his ear. "Mars Bar."
"Oh, you guys are lucky you can devour those... I haven't had one in almost a century." And she swung open to reveal the cozy, circular common room the three of us had stayed in for almost half of our lives.
I let go of Harry and Ron's hands and ran forward to flop down on my favorite armchair. Seamus and Dean were playing a game of exploding snap in one side, laughing stupidly at the bright fireworks.
Harry and Ron sat down near the fire on their usual spots, the hearthrug.
It felt so good to be back.
--
Feedback!
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