In the Era of Innovation

Chapter Two

Into the Night

Throughout the week, Hermione would turn away from her work, finally coerced by the insistent growling of her stomach to seek sustenance, and sometimes there would be sitting on the table a brown bag filled with a few wrapped sandwiches. On this occasion, she was not entirely certain what day, biting into a pickle sandwich; she thought that it was a definite plus to working here.

If she ever felt stuck in a portion of her equation she wandered over to the giant equation on the opposite wall and spent some time (she never kept track and indeed never bothered to buy a watch, preferring to simply go home when she could no longer keep her eyes open, much to Harry and Ron's displeasure) just taking it in. She usually had to start with a smaller piece first, and it was only the sheer magnitude of the whole that kept her from embracing her usual tactic of figuring out what every single little piece meant in an attempt to find the answer. It forced her to not mindlessly seek the answer, but to look for patterns and shapes that she often missed even in smaller equations. And right now, she was frustrated and making no more progress in her work.

As she was turning back to get another go at the equation, a blonde headed girl blocked her path.

"Hello," the girl said serenely. Her hair had volume much like Hermione's (though less frizzy and curly) and it was liberally embedded with leaves.

"Oh, Luna. I had nearly forgotten that you got a spot here too." Despite having worked in the same Department for a week now, she hadn't seen the other girl at all.

"Yes, I suppose you've been quite busy. I think Harry is a bit worried. He sent me to remind you to go the Burrow for dinner tonight." The girl looked at some imaginary objects floating above their heads. "It must be sunset already."

"It is Sunday, then. I suppose he forgot to invite you along?" Sometimes her boys forgot the most simple of courtesies, though it was more often that Ron wouldn't think of such a thing rather than Harry.

"Oh, he said I have a standing invitation."

"Good. We best be going then," she said.

"You might want to cover up or protect your work, Hermione, lest the Berin brownies find a way to switch a few things around or completely erase it." Luna was like that, she would seem all normal for nearly an entire conversation, and then sprout some silly nonsense about brownies…

Although the reasoning behind the idea was silly, the idea itself was quite sound. She briefly recalled the creepy smile of Luke Golding as she put several protection spells and a disillusionment charm upon her work.

As they were getting out of the Elevator on the Entrance level she thought she heard someone call her name. But when she looked around, she didn't see anyone, and she determined that she really ought to eat and sleep regularly.

***

***

Sunday dinners at the Burrow were a family (and extended family) affair. You never knew who might show up, Bill and Fleur often flooed in from Shell Cottage, George and Percy often apparated from their flat above Diagon Alley, even Charlie managed to make it once every month or two. Guests sometimes included Andromeda and baby (who was nearly toddler) Teddy, Kingsley (though he was quite busy and often only managed to cram down a bit of Molly's cooking before being called away), Neville and any other significant other or friend any one of them might be with. So it was no surprise to Molly to welcome Luna along with Hermione into her home and kitchen.

She ushered them out of the kitchen, declining their offers to help cook, and sent them into the living room.

Harry was pacing along one side. He began to pat at his robe until he decided to run his hand through his hair instead when he saw her.

"Heya, 'Mione, Luna. I'm glad I didn't have to send a whole team of Aurors to get you out of the Ministry." Harry was in Auror training, and the way George joked about it, he was the leader of the recruits. Ron jumped up as well, with a huge grin that he couldn't seem to contain.

"Oh, you know me, once I'm onto something I forget about reality." Harry came over and gave her a hug, which Hermione returned briefly and stepped away quickly, slightly afraid that he was going to puke on her robes.

"Maybe you should go freshen up, Harry, you look a little green," she said softly. As Harry shuffled out, Ron came over to hug her as well.

"What's going on?" she whispered to Ron.

"Just wait," he said, squeezing her a little too tightly. "It's gonna be great."

Before she could inquire further, the floo lit up and George and Percy tumbled out.

"I told you we should've apparated," George grumbled, being none too careful about stomping on his brother's feet.

"Ow! Well you neglected to state that the reason you didn't want to floo was because you hadn't cleaned out the soot like I asked you to last week," Percy replied, dusting himself off.

"My brother, I thought you knew me by now. Why clean when you can illusion the dust and soot away?"

"Because it doesn't go away!"

There was a round of hugs and greetings, then another as Mr. Weasley got home, and some more as Andromeda and Teddy arrived, and then Neville, and even some of Ginny's friends from her year in Gryffindor. It seemed everyone had decided to show up tonight.

They were all squeezed in on the couches or perched on the windowsill, or leaning against the wall, or even on the floor, and George was showing off his new invention by walking on the walls and across the ceiling in his new boots (which looked suspiciously large and none-too-comfortable).

Someone was asking Luna about her job and she heard her say: "It's wonderful; it's like looking up at the night sky."

Even Dean Thomas was there, showing off his new invention. It was like a muggle boom box and played muggle music ( in addition to magical music through the wireless of course) that was powered by magic rather than electricity.

"At first it was just a project for me, I really wanted to listen to music in my flat in the Alley. But then, other people wanted one of their own so I finally found Malfoy to finance a small factory to make a whole bunch of them," she heard him telling Mr. Weasley.

"It's a sound business venture," Mr. Weasley joked.

Malfoy, of all people, supporting muggle music! The thought was absurd, but she couldn't help but feel a little glee at the thought of him having to admit that muggles had created a few things that the Wizarding world should embrace and adapt.

Molly emerged from the kitchen as if to say dinner was ready. There was a tension in the room as everyone quieted down and got ready for the call, preparing their bodies like runners before the start of a race.

"Before we begin dinner, I believe Harry has an announcement." Everyone turned to Harry, some, including George, with a bit of malice toward him for having delayed the consumption of food.

"Yes, well, er." Harry began, looking greener than ever. He cleared his throat. "I just want to tell you, Ginny," and here he tripped over Luna's legs as he attempted to get closer to his girlfriend. "I just want to tell you how much I love you, and if, maybe, I mean, only if you'd like to-"

George fell off of the ceiling right on top of Ron with a large thump, and even the discomfort he must have been in failed to close his mouth as he stared at Harry with a huge gape. Ron looked equally stunned, which was curious, she could've sworn he'd known what was going on earlier.

Harry seemed to finally decide in that moment, he got down on his knee and pulled out a tiny box from inside his robes, "You know, would you like to marry me?"

Hermione was at first a bit hurt as Harry hadn't chosen to confide in her. But then, she hadn't been around that much lately and Harry had tried to get her to go to dinner with him several times this past week. All of her guilt was swept away however when she saw the pure joy that spread across Ginny's face along with her smile.

"Oh yes!" Ginny cried, a little too high pitched. But it didn't fail to cause Harry to grin and let out the breath he had been holding. Soon the room was filled with cheers and more hugging and a few people took the opportunity to get a head start on filling their plates with food before the rush.

Overall, she was glad she hadn't missed the dinner. After she had eaten her fill she noticed that Ron had disappeared. She would have figured he had known about Harry's intentions tonight, but for the stunned and almost sad look on his face earlier.

She found him in his old room up near the attic. She knocked on the open door. He looked up from his spot on the bed.

"What's up Ron? You seemed very happy not too long ago. You know nothing's going to change, Harry will just be your brother in name now as well as feeling." But she could tell her words were not having an effect.

"That's not it at all, 'Mione. I'm happy for him, he deserves it and I know he'll take care of Ginny, he already promised not to break her heart again."

"Then what is it?"

"I kind of had news of my own tonight is all. And I don't want to seem like I'm trying to steal their night, you know?"

"And sulking up here is better than celebrating with your best friend and sister?" Honestly, sometimes Ron didn't think about how his actions affected other people.

Ron finally looked up at her, his eyes glowing with pride.

"I made the team, Hermione! I'm going to play keeper with the Cannons. First-string and everything. I'm leaving in three days." The joy on his face was so great that she couldn't help but smile for her best friend. But she still had to play the adult here, it seemed.

"Did you tell Harry earlier?" she asked, taking a seat next to the redhead.

"No."

"Then there's no way he could've known, Ron. He can't read your mind and he's not a girl so he can't read your moods. I think if you go down there and tell everyone, it won't be stealing their night at all, it's just another reason to celebrate and another excuse for George to challenge someone to a Firewhiskey drinking contest."

"Yeah I know. Ok, I think I'll do that."

She let out a breath. It was nice to know he valued her opinion enough to take her advice on this.

"Thanks, you're the best." He drew an arm around her, and something about the way he lightly rubbed his thumb against her arm put Hermione on edge.

Her hunch was correct; he went in for a kiss. While they had quite a few intense snogging sessions over this past year, Ron had never really told her how he felt, and she'd been disappointed by him for more years than she probably should've wasted on him. While she wasn't always adverse to his physical advances, it usually made things even more confusing. Before she could really react, he pulled away from the kiss and looked her in the eyes.

"But there's another thing I want to ask you," he said, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "I'd like to know if you want to come with me."

Hermione bolted up out of his embrace. Ron rose awkwardly as well. She searched his face and slowly realized that he was serious.

"Hermione?" he asked, reaching for her.

"I just got a job here, Ron, I can't up and leave."

"But, you're doing research right? Maybe there's something you can develop while travelling. You could visit libraries all around the world. And I could support you while you do whatever you want."

"It's not the same. I've got great resources here, and you know I'd never feel right if you were supporting me. I'm not that girl, Ron, I need my independence."

"I know you're independent, you're an incredible woman. And I know you'll do great things whatever you do; I just thought you might like to take a break for a bit, you know, after the war."

Oh, goodness. So she could follow him around like a puppy dog and she could pregnant and then at some point he wouldn't be able to play the sport anymore and she'd had no career and…the future looked very bleak down that road.

"I can't go with you. But if your dream is to be a Quidditch player then you've got to take this opportunity. And I wish you the best of luck."

"Are we breaking up over this?" Ron frowned.

"When exactly have we been together?" She put her hands on her hips.

"You're my girl," he said, a bit feebly. "Everyone knows that. You're more of a daughter to Mum than Fleur is. And I love you, you know that." He leaned over to pull her hair away from her face.

The first time he tells her that he loves her, and he's leaving to join some half-rated sports team, Hermione thought in desperation.

"You chose now of all times to finally voice your feelings?" she asked, suddenly feeling very small.

"Yes, Hermione, I love you and I don't think anything can keep us apart, not after everything we've gone through," he said, suddenly very serious and Hermione half-wished she had seen this side of him (a side she had longed to see for the past several years) before tonight. He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers; and when she didn't back away, his tongue darted into her mouth and she was half-tempted to go with it, to enjoy the moment.

Except, it wasn't what she had imagined.

"I never thought I had to say it, but I'll say it forever now. I love you. You'll wait for me then, won't you? I mean, I won't be that far away, only certain parts of the year. We can make this work."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I've waited quite long enough for you. I'm not waiting for you while you chase some silly dream. I'm sorry, Ron, I don't think I can do that."

She thought then a bit belatedly that she may've gone too far, especially as he tore out of the room, his heavy stomps echoing through the house. Well, it had to be a clean break, better for him to hate her than to have him believe that he still had a chance.

Except that she still wasn't sure it had been the right thing to do at all. But it was the decision she had come to and she wasn't about to make things any more grey or confusing.

About half an hour later she was still sitting there when a quiet pair of footsteps came up behind her.

"I was just thinking about my research," she said, wiping away her tears. Luna sat down beside her on the bed, pulling up her willowy legs to rest her chin on her knees. Hermione knew she hadn't fooled the girl but she kept talking anyway.

"I still can't believe no one has tried to alter a curative potion for it in the last twenty years."

"Maybe someone did," Luna said, looking out the window.

"Why wouldn't they share it? Or at least sell it?" Hermione asked, more to herself.

"Perhaps they couldn't because of the war," Luna mused. "If you were on a side where that curse was one of your more powerful weapons, you wouldn't want to patent the potion and help the other side, would you?"

"Who would've had great enough reason and great enough skills to create such a potion? Someone who had to undergo the curse frequently, someone who was actually on our side and would've wanted to help our side secretly. And the greatest potions master in the last twenty years wouldn't have been able to make such a breakthrough public, even though he may have created it for his own and maybe even the Order's needs." Hermione gasped. If only she could get the late Professor's journals or notes!

But, the only person she thought might have been related to the Severus Snape was his godson, Draco Malfoy. Which meant her best chance at getting a look at those notes was by asking for a favor from the boy who had watched as she had been tortured with the very curse she was trying to cure.

With her new goal in mind, Hermione and Luna headed downstairs, running into Harry and Ginny, who were all over each other. The amorous couple tumbled into Ginny's room with not a glance about their surroundings.

"I don't want to know what they're up to."

"They're probably shagging," Luna said, matter-of-fact. Hermione missed a step and nearly tumbled down the rest of the stairs.

"I said I didn't want to know," she hissed. She suddenly felt the past week catch up with her and all she wanted to do was go home, take a bath and go to sleep. And maybe nix the bath part.

When they made it downstairs she had to convince Luna not to accept George's drinking challenge (she did not want to have to look out for Luna and clean up any messes), but Luna seemed to be able to handle herself quite well, so Hermione said her goodbyes.

Of course, when she made it back to Grimmauld Place (thankfully empty) a large dark owl was waiting none too patiently, and scratching up their couch.

Hermione,

I tried to catch you today at the Ministry, but you are always quite elusive. If you will forgive me for resorting to owl correspondence to gain your attentions I hope you will join me this Friday evening for dinner. Let me treat you to Mariella's in honor of your new job.

Awaiting your reply,

Blaise Zabini

While they had been cordial to each other at school, and sometimes studied together for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, she wouldn't have exactly called them friends.

Hermione would have given herself the night to sleep on it and decide, but the dratted owl was still perched on the sofa, and her head hurt and she really wanted to sleep so she penned a quick reply telling him to pick her up at eight, debated trying to send an owl to Malfoy and decided to wait until morning, and finally made it to her bed. She was asleep before the owl made it across the block.

***

A/N: Bye-bye Ron! *evil cackle*

This chapter turned out longer than I intended, I had a lot to include, and a lot of stuff that will be important later of course.

Please review, I would really like to know what you think, no matter how short or constructive, every bit helps. And please check out riptey's story Sucker Punch, it's amazing and finally updated and riptey is one of my inspirations/influences.

Next: some Hr/D interaction I know you've all been waiting for.