Seasons of Discovery
It was the most pleasant day Hogwarts had ever seen for its graduation ceremony. Warm breezes swept over the students' heads, mingling with the excited whispers and scattered applause. Hermione Granger stepped off the podium after giving her graduation speech, and smiled in the direction of her two best friends in the world, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, who were both waving from the back row.
When the lights came back on after the magical fireworks display, Hermione was shocked to see that the whole audience had swamped the auditorium, swirling her in a sea of strangers and friends. She looked desperately for Harry and Ron, wishing to tell them her good news… I'm sure they'd want to know I got the letter, she thought. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a tangled mop of flaming red hair floating a few inches over the rest of the crowd. "Ron! RON!" she yelled, but just as she was about to reach him,
-BAM-
"Hermione, dear, please watch where you're going."
"Harry! Oh Harry, I'm so glad to finally find you. I just lost Ron, he went that way," and she pointed towards the stage area. Despite being disappointed that she'd missed her chance to catch Ron, she couldn't wipe off the big goofy grin that was plastered across her face, and she nervously shifted from one foot to the other.
"Well, I guess you'll have to settle for me, then. So? Aren't you going to tell me why you can't stop smiling and squirming? This doesn't have to do with a certain letter from you-know-where, does it?" Harry smiled. She knew he'd never been any good at divination (she thought it was a bunch of nonsense), but Madame Trelawney couldn't have done better.
"I got in! IgotinIgotinIgotin!" Hermione jumped up and down as she squeezed her friend.
"Ouch! Darn it, Hermione, now you've gone and broken my foot!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Harry. I'm just so excited! And, what about you? Are you coming with me?" Harry still hadn't told her if he had decided to go to college… she hoped someone was going to keep her company at Oxford's University of Magical Arts. Hermione's parents had always wanted her to go to their alma mater, but they never dreamed she'd end up going in robes and a pointed hat.
"Well, I've decided that I'll just be too busy to come full-time. Maybe a couple of classes here and there." Was that a smirk on Harry's face? What did he mean, too busy?
"Too busy? It's only 4 classes a semester to stay full-time, Harry – we've been taking more than that for the past 7 years!"
"True, but that's before I got a job!"
"What? You got a what?" Hermione couldn't believe he'd kept this a secret from her!
"I wanted to save it for a surprise. I got a job as an intern at the Ministry of Magic! Youngest intern in a century! Usually, they only take college seniors, but since I have so much experience dealing with Voldemort and stuff, they decided I could take classes while I work. Luckily, I still have some of the money my parents left me in Gringotts – I don't get a salary until I've been with the Ministry for 2 years. And I can stay with Sirius while I'm at school, so I don't have to pay rent! I can't believe it worked out so well!"
"So which department are you going to work for?" Hermione asked.
"Guess!"
"Um… Magical Garbage Removal?" Hermione giggled.
"Ha ha. Guess again."
"Um… Fashion Police?" Hermione snickered.
"You dope." Harry poked her in the arm. "You know where I had my heart set on working. I'm working for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures department!"
Hermione laughed. She knew this was a joke. After all that work in their third year to clear a hippogriff, and then having to rescue it themselves after the committee decided to execute it anyway, Harry would never consider a job in that part of the Ministry as his dream career.
"Okay, okay, I give up. Tell me." Hermione smiled.
"I'm working under the minister himself as a researcher. No big thing, just a desk job, although I'm sure you'd love it – I'll have to spend most of my hours in the archives looking up things in books. Good thing you gave us all that practice in school." He poked her again. "Anyway, like I said, in two years I'll be working there for real – and working for the Minister will get my foot in the door of any department I want to work for!"
"Oh, Harry, I'm so happy for you!" She gave him a big hug.
"Oh ho… so I leave you two for a second and come back to find you in each other's arms, huh?"
"Ron! Oh, shut up, you dolt. Guess what!"
Hermione and Harry spent the next half-hour rehashing everything they'd just told each other… although Ron ended up inventing much funnier fake Ministry departments than she had. Ah, that was the great thing about Ron. He had such a quick mind when it came to humor. Just look at his face! He looks like he's cooking another joke up right now!
"Wait a minute." Hermione interrupted Ron and Harry in the middle of one of their "do you remember the time Malfoy…" stories. Ron was looking very queer. "Ron, is there something you'd like to tell us?"
"What?" Ron blushed to the roots of his flaming hair. He looked like a boiled lobster with his scarlet Gryffindor house graduation robes on. "Oh, it's nothing."
"Hey, yeah, Hermione's right. It isn't nothing. Come on. Spit it out."
"Oh, really, it's nothing. I just found a job, that's all."
Hermione gave Ron a puzzled look. He looked WAY too excited for it to be just a job. "Ron, come on. We know you're lying. What's this job? It must be a big one to make you look like you just won a prize of a thousand galleons."
"Well… okay. Drumroll please." Ron waved his wand in the air, creating two drumsticks and a cymbal. The sticks did a quick roll on the folding chair next to him, crashed the cymbal, then disappeared with a faint pop. "My dad just told me that I received a letter yesterday at the Burrow. He gave it to me – here, why don't you read it for yourself." Ron handed Harry the letter, and Hermione looked over his shoulder as he read:
Dear Mr. Weasley,
We are pleased to announce that we've chosen you to be our new assistant coach. Please report to work on September 5th, after the current season has ended. You can pick up your coaching robes at the back counter of Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley. An apartment will be provided in the Cannon's training camp outside Exeter, and food will be taken with the team in the dining hall. Please send us your owl as soon as possible so that we can complete the necessary paperwork and be ready to welcome you to the team in the fall. Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Philip Veritas
Manager
Chudley Cannons
"Oh, Ron! I can't believe it! I'm so happy for you!" Hermione grabbed the letter, rushed over to Ron and threw her arms around him, jumping up and down. "The Chudley Cannons! They've been your favorite team for ages, and now you're a coach! That's the best news yet!" And with that, she gave Ron a big kiss on the cheek (she had to jump to reach it).
"Oh, um… yeah… um…. M-m-m-my family is um… gotta go… see ya later… um… bye," Ron stammered, as he bolted from his spot. Hermione looked puzzled.
"What's wrong with him? He ran out of here so fast he forgot his letter! Is something the matter? Harry, you're his best friend, you shared a dorm room with him, do you know what's up?"
Harry looked a little uncomfortable. "No, I have no idea what he's up to." Hermione didn't believe him for one second. For one thing, she could always tell when Harry was lying, because he always stuck his hands in his pockets. Which he was doing right now. For another, she could tell just by the way he was looking anywhere but at her face that something weird was going on here.
"Harry, I know you know something. What happened back there? Am I going to have to cast a truth-telling spell on you to get you to spill it?
"Listen, Hermione, there's nothing wrong, okay? Here, give me Ron's letter – I'll find him and give it back to him. Don't worry, he's probably just overly excited about his job." Harry took Ron's letter and started off in the direction his friend had gone. Hermione grumbled. Fine, she thought. If they're not going to tell me, I'm not going to ask. Although they're both acting like a couple of idiots.
* * *
Hermione couldn't believe that time could fly so fast. It seemed like it was only yesterday that she and her classmates were graduating from Hogwarts, and here it was, the end of her first year at college already. She twisted her hands as she waited outside her advisor's office. In just a few minutes, Professor Hicks would be calling her inside to ask her for her final decision on her degree specialty, and although she'd made up her mind ages ago, it was a big step. The door swung open slowly.
"Hermione Granger, please?"
"Right here." Hermione stood up. Her stomach churning, she walked inside and shut the door behind her.
"Ms. Granger! So good to see you." Professor Hicks was an intimidating witch, not because of her demeanor, which was perfectly pleasant, but because of her incredible genius. She'd written what seemed like half the books in the bookstore, and had numerous public appearances throughout the year that took up so much of her time that she'd been forced to stop teaching most of her classes. Hermione couldn't believe that she was actually in her office. "Ms. Granger, you know what I've called you in for. It's time. I need to know where you're going with your studies. Have you picked your major?"
"Oh, y-y-yes, Professor Hicks. I've chosen to study Rare and Undiscovered Potion ingredients." Hermione sat on the edge of her seat, waiting for a response.
"Hmmm…. You're sure? You've thought hard about this? Once you've taken the first step, it's very hard to go back and start over again."
What was she saying? Was this a sign? Was this a hint that she wouldn't be able to hack it in Professor Hicks' profession? Wasn't she the top student in the whole freshman class?
"I've thought hard, yes. Is there something wrong with that choice, Professor?"
Hermione was blinking her eyes and counting slowly to ten in her head, willing the tears away.
"Of course not! I just feel honored that you'd choose to study under me. Thanks for joining my team, Hermione!"
The next half-hour was a blur. When she finally left Professor Hicks' office (call me Mina, please…), she had a stack of papers an inch thick in her back detailing the next two years' study. She couldn't believe it. Professor Hicks had decided to take the next 5 years to go to South America and collect plants from around the continent! And she was going along!
As soon as Hermione set foot in her small bedroom, she grabbed two sheets of parchment. She dug out two quills from her desk and pointed her wand at them. Facsimilius, she muttered, and as she picked up one, the other one stood up on its own, copying her every move. She proceeded to write.
Dear Harry and Ron,
Sorry about the letter being copied for both of you. I just wanted to make sure that I said everything and didn't forget to mention something to one of you. You won't believe my good luck. I'm going to Chile! I leave next month to start my study of rare potion ingredients (hopefully, I'll be in on a new discovery). I can't believe it. It still hasn't sunken in yet. I've decided to take the "long way" there. I've been all around Europe with my folks, but I've never crossed the ocean before, so instead of Apparating to South America, I've booked passage on a cruise ship. A cruise sounds so romantic, don't you agree? Anyway, I just want to remind you that you guys both have to send me owls as often as you can. I'm going to be all alone down there (well, okay, not alone. I just won't know anyone else that's going), and I'll need some letters to keep me company. Oh, another thing. Can either one of you take Crookshanks for me for a couple of years? They're not allowing pets (besides owls) on the expedition, and Mum's allergic. It was okay while I was at home to cast a filter spell on the house, but you know how temporary those things are – she wouldn't last a week.
Talk to you guys soon. I have to pick up some gear in Diagon Alley next Friday. Care to join me for a going-away dinner in style? Formal dress only, my treat. Hope to see you there.
Love from
Hermione
* * *
Hermione sat at the steps leading up to Monsieur Robert's restaurant, her trunk beside her, full of the things she'd bought for her voyage to South America. She peered at a list she'd made up before she'd left home. Expandable backpack – check. Insect repelling robes – check. No-Noise Hiking Boots – check. Ever-dry socks – check. Self-rinsing toothbrush – check. She proceeded through the next two pages. Okay, I think I remembered everything. Hermione snapped her fingers and opened her evening bag. The trunk slowly levitated and started getting smaller, and smaller and smaller. Snap! She shut the trunk in her bag, stood up, and brushed herself off. Ron should be coming any minute. Last night, she'd had a message from Harry saying that he couldn't make it because it was Dudley's birthday, and he wanted to give him a very special present (now that he wasn't restricted from using magic outside Hogwarts). He was sorry, but he'd see her off at the docks in the morning. Hermione wasn't too disappointed. Besides, she thought to herself, at least it'll be cheaper with only two people eating. She giggled. She walked around to a window at street level and looked at her reflection. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Believe it or not, it had taken hours to get that way – she'd always hated how unmanageable her curly hair had been. It didn't look that bad tonight, though. The dress she'd found in the posh section of London – it was smashing. Dark blue and velvet, it was really too expensive to wear to a friendly dinner, but she just couldn't help herself. In any case, it was the last time for a while that she'd be able to wear something sleeveless – the mosquitoes in Chile were said to be monsters!
Ah ha! There he was, coming up the street from The Leaky Cauldron. And wearing a tux! Hermione couldn't believe it. He looked great!
"Hermione! Hey, wow, you…. You look fantastic!" Ron looked around. "Where's Harry?"
"He told me he couldn't come. Said he was going to Dudley's birthday party to give him a present he'd never forget, if you know what I mean. I thought he'd have mentioned it to you." Hermione was a little surprised that Ron hadn't talked to Harry before coming. They were best friends, after all.
"He's not coming? Oh…" Ron looked a little suspicious. "The sneaky b---"
"Ron!"
"Oh, sorry…. Nevermind. Well, that's okay. Ready to eat? I'm starving." Ron climbed the steps in front of Hermione and opened the door, not looking directly at her.
"You and your perpetually empty stomach. Will you ever stop growing? I swear, next time I see you, you'll be eight feet tall!" Hermione patted him on the arm as she passed by him into the dimly lit restaurant. If it had been lighter, she would have seen Ron turn pink up to his ears.
Dinner was fabulous. Course after course after course arrived, and when Hermione thought they were done, Ron STILL had room for dessert! "Uh huh… I thought so. Trying to milk this free meal deal for all it's worth, huh?"
Ron grinned. As he plunged his spoon into an excellent crème brulee, he whispered, "You know, the food at the dining hall isn't bad – honestly, sometimes, I find myself taking thirds! But this! Hermione, you have to taste this. I don't care if your stomach feels like it's going to burst. Just try it!" He handed her his spoon.
"Fine. Just a tiny bite." She took a bite. Her eyes rolled to the ceiling. Oh, heavens, this is wonderful. "Ron, you are absolutely right. This is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted." She handed him the spoon back. He took it, then scooped out another spoonful for himself. Hermione clutched her chest in a mock gasp and said, "Ron! Don't eat that! You might get cooties!"
Ron laughed and winked at her. "Um… don't worry, I'll risk it."
Hermione smiled. She was having so much fun, she didn't think it could be better, even if Harry had been able to make it.
When dessert was finally over (Ron really dragged out those last few bites) and the check had been paid ("Wow, thanks Hermione – we should go to dinner more often!"), they took a walk down to The Leaky Cauldron, where Hermione was going to stay the night. They stopped outside the door back into the pub, Ron leaning on the trash bins.
"Okay, Ron, wait here. I'll go get Crookshanks for you and come right back down."
"Sure. I won't move a muscle." Ron whipped his wand out of his jacket pocket, pointed it at himself and muttered, "petrificus totalus." He'd given himself the full-body bind! Hermione's hands were instantly clutching her stomach as she doubled up in laughter.
She ran up to her room, grabbed the wicker basket on the bed, and ran back down, stumbling on the last step, and barely staying upright. Damn heels, she thought, and she opened the door to the back courtyard. "Here he is, Ron. Thank you again soooooo much for taking him. I really appreciate it. Ron? Oh! Sorry!" Hermione reached for her wand and reversed the curse Ron had put on himself. "Sorry, did you get all that?"
"Of course. My ears weren't paralyzed, you know. And it's my pleasure to take your cat. He'd just better behave, or else he's out on the street!" He put on a frown and aimed a kick at the basket.
"Hey, now, at least wait until I'm gone, will you?" She smiled as he looked disappointed and put his foot back on the ground. There was silence for a minute, and then Ron started to speak.
"Um, Hermione, um…. I got you a going-away present." Ron slowly reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a tiny wrapped gift. "It's not much, but I wanted to give you something to keep with you to remember me when you're far from England."
Hermione took the small box. She grinned and shook it gently as she held it to her ear. Ron smiled. She slowly untied the ribbon and lifted the lid off the box. Inside was a tiny gold necklace – with a charm hanging from it. "A weasel?" she asked. Indeed, it was a small weasel.
"Yeah, I thought it'd be funny. Besides, it's not hard to remember who gave it to you, is it? Ron Weasel himself." He winked as he puffed out his chest. Hermione burst into laughter and threw her arms around him. "It's the best, Ron. But I don't need a necklace to remember you. You'd be awfully hard to forget, you know."
Ron held her tightly in his arms a little longer than was really necessary, then let go with a small sigh. Hermione looked at him. He looked a little strange. "Ron? Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, nothing more than usual. I guess I'll just miss having you around. Anyway, you'd better get to bed – you have to be up early tomorrow. Sorry I can't be there to see you off – I've got practice in the morning. I'll just have to say good-bye now." With that, he bent down and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Goodbye, little Hermione. Come back home soon, okay?" He turned around, tapped the magic brick above the trashcans, picked up the small basket at his feet, and walked slowly out into Diagon Alley.
Hermione was taken aback. What had just happened here? She walked into the pub and up the stairs to the guest rooms. At the door of 202, she paused. Did what she think just happened actually happen? Ron had never kissed her before. Not even in play. Could he….
She resolved to talk to Harry about it in the morning before she left. It would do her no good to agonize over it now. She needed to get her rest before tomorrow. I sure hope I can get to sleep…
* * *
Hermione checked out of the Leaky Cauldron early the next morning, and made her way through the empty streets of London towards the Heliport where she would board the helicopter that would take her to Portsmouth, where her ship was leaving. She took her time, as the helicopter would wait for her until she got there. She was still puzzled about what had happened last night, and was turning it over in her mind.
Think, Hermione. You're a smart girl. Do you really think Ron likes you? What if he's just going to miss you and that's it? You're probably taking this all way too seriously. Just ask Harry about it in an inconspicuous way when you get to Portsmouth, and leave it at that, okay?
She reached the heliport before she knew what had happened, and the next minute, she was flying over London (her broomstick had been magicked to Santiago along with most of her clothes and textbooks the week before), still thinking about the way Ron had acted last night.
Harry was waiting for her when she landed.
"Hi, Harry. Before I ask how last night went, we've got to make our way down to dock number 12." They took off at a swift walk, side by side. "So… how was Dudley's party?" Hermione giggled. She had a feeling it had been the best birthday party Harry'd ever been to.
"You should have seen it, Hermione, it was hilarious. First, I walked up to the door with my black travelling cloak on – it was a scream when Aunt Petunia opened the door and saw me there… literally!" Harry laughed and went on to describe the festivities of the night before. It sounded as if he'd had a lot of fun teasing the Dursleys and making them pay for the abuse they'd heaped on him as a child. When he ended the story, she laughed, but he noticed that she was acting a little distracted.
"So? Tell me about YOUR night last night!" He smiled and raised his eyebrows at her. Hermione looked at him. Well, now was the time. She might as well get it out into the open now.
"Harry, I'm just going to start telling you this, and I know it may sound stupid, but I'm just going to run the risk of looking foolish and tell you anyway," she blurted, and she began. "I had the most wonderful time last night, even though you weren't there. Ron and I were having a lot of fun, and he gave me this weasel on a chain and then before I went up to bed, he said he would miss having me around and…" She ran out of breath.
"And he kissed you, didn't he?" Harry didn't sound surprised.
"You knew he would, didn't you! Harry, you big jerk, why didn't you warn me he was going to do that?" Hermione was furious. She bet that was why he'd skipped out on dinner – he'd always hated the Dursleys, he wouldn't have gone to the party unless he'd needed an excuse to miss her going-away dinner.
"Hermione, calm down. I had a feeling this was going to happen, and I wasn't really looking forward to it. Just sit down here on this bench, and I'll tell you all I know. Then you tell me what YOU know, okay?"
Hermione sat down and looked down at her lap as Harry spoke in whispers.
"Hermione, you must have realized by now that Ron… well, Ron has had a bit of a crush on you for years. He's tried to hide it, knowing that you don't feel the same way, but most of the guys noticed it after a while. It's been really hard on him, and he doesn't want to lose you as a friend, so he's kept it to himself. He almost had a heart attack on graduation day when you kissed him – that's why he was so weird – and ever since then, he's been falling harder and harder for you. I hate to tell you this, because I don't know if you feel the same, and I'd hate to have your relationship with him change because of it, but it looks like he gave up on hiding it last night."
Hermione couldn't look up. It was true. Ron liked her. No, Ron loved her. What now?
"Harry… I… I don't know what to say. Ron's my friend! I don't know what to do! I don't love him that way, Harry – I've never thought about him in any way but as a friend – and now I'm leaving and I have to deal with this?!? It's too much!"
Harry sighed. "I had a feeling it would be like this. Listen. Don't mention it to him. He'll think you didn't even notice and he'll just go on with his life. He's not going to give up on your friendship because you don't feel the same way about him. But I have a feeling it would cause more harm than good if you told him your feelings straight out. Just let him get over you while you're gone. He's a smart boy. He'll know how you feel when you don't bring it up in your letters."
Ignore it? Could she do that? Well, it was worth a try.
"I'll try to act as normally as possible, Harry, thanks. I'm sorry it worked out this way – I can't imagine my life without Ron, but… well, you know."
"I know. I can't imagine my life without you, but I'd never marry you, you hag." Harry shoved her playfully, and her smile came back.
There was a sudden blast of a horn, and she realized that the dock had slowly become crowded with people. "Harry! I'm sorry, I've got to get on the boat. Thanks for seeing me off – and for clearing things up. Goodbye, fabulous, famous Harry Potter – save a place in your fan club for me for when I get back." She hugged him quickly, then picked up her trunk (which was still shrunken small enough to fit in her knapsack) and ran up the plank onto the deck. When she reached a clear spot along the railing, she picked him out of the crowd and waved. He waved back, and as the ship started moving away from the dock, he grew smaller and smaller. Finally, she couldn't see him anymore. She sighed, and started out on the first leg of her adventure – the search for her cabin.
{Disclaimer: All characters are the property of J.K. Rowling, except for Professor Hicks. She is a product of my imagination, and in no way is meant to resemble any specific person, living or dead.}
A/N: Please don't flame me if I got any or all of my British geography wrong. I've never been there, nor do I have any idea how many docks/piers are in Portsmouth, nor am I even sure that cruise ships dock there. Either give me a break, or review this story and set me straight.