The question of what to do next settled into Hermione's brain over the course of the next few days as she began to make arrangements to visit the Burrow. She had sent an owl to Mrs. Weasley asking if it would be alright if she came to stay for a few days, to which she received a hurried and enthusiastic response. Hermione began to pack her bags while trying to think as hard as she could about her future.
She found it a little unnerving just how little she knew about potential careers in the wizarding world. Hermione had been so keen to learn everything about magic at Hogwarts but never had time to consider what she would do when she left the magical school.
She tried to think about her childhood career aspirations. Before she found out she was a witch Hermione used to dream of being a teacher. As a 6-year-old, she would set out all of her stuffed teddy bears in a row, take attendance, and conduct lessons. But everything changed when she turned 11. Hermione remembered how she first found out she was a witch and the excitement she felt. She was so eager to start school, she had asked her parents to purchase all her school supplies in advance, and stayed in her room for weeks reading every school book she had. It all felt so new to her and her thirst for knowledge seemed insatiable. Maybe she should be a professor at Hogwarts? "Professor Granger" she said to herself. It sounded proper. She could live at Hogwarts, teaching students every day. "But it would get ever so boring! Teaching the same thing over and over again!" a small voice said in her head.
Hermione sighed and scanned over the growing pile of unopened letters on her windowsill from Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She felt a pang of guilt for ignoring her dearest friends all summer. "I'm not very brave at all. Not much of a Gryffindor." she thought miserably.
She looked down at her watch, it was 10 minutes to noon. Mrs. Weasley was expecting her soon. She had already said goodbye to her parents in the morning. Hermione hastily shoved the unopened letters into her bag, grabbed her cloak and apparated on the spot, thinking about the Burrow as hard as she could.
Pop! Hermione re-appeared just outside the front door of the Burrow. Before she could raise her hand to knock, the door swung open to reveal a delighted Mrs. Weasley.
"Hermione! We've missed you so much!" she exclaimed, springing forward to give Hermione a great hug, ushering Hermione into the house. The Burrow looked exactly as Hermione had remembered it. As soon as Hermione stepped inside a warm feeling filled her, and she felt incredibly guilty again about ignoring everyones letters.
"Thank you so much for letting me visit Mrs. Weasley. I'm so sorry I haven't been in contact much this summer, you see I had to travel to Australia to find my pare-"
"Ah not to worry dear! Of course I know, I know you had to go to Australia! What you three have been through, no one blames you dear!" said Mrs. Weasley reassuringly. "ARTHUR! Arthur come quickly! Look who's just arrived!" she yelled, turning her head up towards the stairs, and then turning towards the kitchen.
"Have a seat dear," said Mrs. Weasley, producing a chair right behind Hermione with her wand, "You must be hungry! I've just whipped up a steak and kidney pie, its quite good, if I do say so myself, you must have a little!"
Hermione nodded, and Mrs. Weasley waved her wand, producing a large slice of pie on a plate in front of Hermione.
"Hermione! How nice to see you again!" Mr. Weasley had just come down the stairs, and now stood in front of the kitchen table smiling down at Hermione. Hermione smiled and thanked Mr. Weasley for letting her stay for a few days. She noticed the enchanted clock behind Mr. Weasley's head which showed where each Weasley family member was. Her eyes searched for Ron's hand, she saw that it was positioned on "Home" and her heart skipped a beat. All of a sudden she heard a thunder of footsteps coming down the stairs and in an instant, Ron and Harry appeared in front of her. She dropped her fork and ran towards them. She put her arms around Harry and Ron, trying to convey through her hug that she was sorry about ignoring them all summer.
"You alright Hermione?" asked Harry.
"I am now." she replied.
