Chapter 2 : Friends Forever
It was as she went through the common room that Hermione realized she wouldn't be able to get in and out without running into someone. The boys in their usual way came sauntering up to Hermione with that usual look that said they wer going to get their own way. Boy did they have another thing coming. But still she paused in her tracks and just lifted a brow faintly, "Can I help you two?" Glancing briefly over Harry's left shoulder to see Ginny starting to stand and skirt around the edges. It was something her and her best friend had gotten used to doing in the last year, so that she not only had a witness, but also had someone at her back.
With a brilliantly bright grin, Harry moved to try an wrap an arm around Hermione's shoulder and began to move as if to tug her towards the couch. Still though she kept her stance, "Come on 'Mione. We need to talk about what we're gonna do for our last summer before going into the Auror program. You know we can't plan anything without you with us. It just wouldn't feel right." More like they literally couldn't plan it without her help.
"Harry, we've been through this. I'm not going into the Auror program, I've been accepted as an apprentice to a potions master, and they think if I apply myself that I may be able to finish it in half the time than usual. I'm going to be going today and I'll be back for the graduation ceremony." Watching both of the boys as they started turning molted colors, she just sighed and waited for the inevitable explosion.
As expected the first one to start spouting nonsense was Ron, as his red face started matching his hair and he got in her face. Yelling so loudly everyone stopped what they were doing and stared wide eyedly. "Now you listen here 'Mione. No woman of mine is going to work unless it's with /me/! You WILL go back and tell them you changed your mind and you'll do it now!" His hand moving as if to grab on to her shoulder.
Before he could get it there, and before Hermione could pull her wand to hex him, a shot of yellow came from over her left shoulder, making Ron shoot across the room on to the couch, but not before his face started filling with burning boils. "Ronald Bilius Weasley! Don't you fucking dare try that shit with 'Mione! You've been broken up for the last six fucking months, get it through your heavy as skull. Even MOM has come to grips with it. You have no say in what 'Mione does with her life, and if I find out you tried pulling this shit again I'll hex you so badly you won't be able to get out to Mungo's before the start of your precious Auror training starts! Mione has ALWAYS been brilliant at potions! It sure as hell saved your ass more times than I can count, and more than half this room owes their lives to her. So pull your heads out of your asses and realize that just because you're the faithful sidekick of the boy who unfortunately lived twice, doesn't mean you'll be lording over anyone!" Came the rather shrill yell of Ginny Weasley.
Just before Harry could start in, the entire room suddenly burst out into applause, the loudest coming from the women of the room, who to Harry's surprise were now glaring at the two boys. The dynamic of the room shifting as they all moved to behind Ginny to give her their support, and silently adding to Hermiones as well. Harry though, not one to get the clue the first time around merely said, "You're going to come with us Hermione, and you too after next year Ginny. I told you you would be. And you will." Moving ever closer to Hermione, but it was again a shock when it was Neville's hand that shot out to stop Harry from doing something stupid.
"Harry. Go outside for a while to the quiditch pitch. You're being an idiot." Neville who had bulked up a bit more since the end of the final battle stood rather menacingly next to the two girls. His brown eyes narrowing angrily, "I've never been so sorry that you were my friend as I am right now."
Following along Neville's line Ginny said rather flatly, "We haven't been dating Harry. You wanted to 'sow your wild oats', isn't that what you said that the muggle saying was? I told you either we got together or we didn't. You're the one who decided to take that as once you were done. I have a boyfriend who understands that my dream is to be a mediwitch and he supports me in that dream, even by helping me figure out what books to start studying before I go into my apprenticeship that was already approved for after next year with Poppy."
Unable to help herself, Hermione pulled Ginny into a hug and exclaimed, "oh ginny I'm so proud of you! I knew you could do it! You're absolutely brilliant at healing spells! And you're pretty good with potions too! I'm so happy for you!" The boys forgotten by all of the room to the point where they stalked out of the room, slamming the door so hard that the Pink Lady portrait came off the wall.
Tugging on Ginny's sleeve to come with her, while others were trying to figure out why the Pink Lady had fallen the two girls went up to their dorm room and Ginny started helping Mione pack. "I'm going to miss you so much Mione. Having to spend an entire summer trying not to be constantly guilted or harrassed. The only escape I have is if I go to Aunt Muriels." Making Hermiones face scrunch. She'd only met the woman once at Bill and Fluers wedding but she couldn't imagine a whole summer with her.
Pausing for a moment from pulling out things from the nightstand the look on Hermiones face became one of coming up witgh an idea. About then Winky came into the rioom with a soft 'pop'. "Does Mistress Hermione still need help?" Looking to her houseelf she couldn't help but smile warmly, "Winky, would you give a message to my new Potions Master and the headmaster?" Watching the elf nod her head enthusiastically she knelt down and whispered in the elfs ear, making the small elf giggle and wiggle in excite ment before popping out.
Going back to packing, Hermione just gave her friend a bright smile before ending up with a patronus coming through, "Ms. Granger, your Potions Master and I have decided your idea has merit. Contact mrs. Weasley through the floo in your dorm room it's been opened for calls. Also it is my sad duty to inform you that Mister Potter barely received marks high enough to make it into the auror program and only bottom string. While Mister Weasley will be coming back next year to repeat the year due to failing all the way around. I'm sure this information may help in 'convincing' Mrs. Weasley on the need for her to agree to this. Also I've spoken with Madame Promfrey she will gladly begin the precursor training as replacement for one of Ms. weasley's study periods and the weekends when there isn't a Hogsmead weekend you'll be training with her in the medical wing." The patronus giving a wink before disappearing from the room.
Turning then to face her best friend, Hermione sat on the bed and patted next to her, "How would you like to come with me over the summer? You see, Professor Snape is breaking his streak by taking me on as his Apprentice, he's going to take the next two or so years off to train me. And they've both agreed if you can get your mothers permission that you can come with me to the cabin. We'll be chaperoned by Winky and another house elf for the summer, and maybe it's something that during your summers you can do with me, or holidays if you don't want to go home. And this would keep you away from the boys when they get the news about their grades." Her eyes sparkling with impish amusement at finding that out. She hadn't hand held them through this particular set of tests, making sure she was busy with Ginny or neville when they were studying together, cause they would actually let her 'study'.
Unable to contain her glee, Hermione found herself pounced and hugged tightly, "I LOVE the idea 'Mione! Thank you!" Turning then to rush over to the floo and starting a fire call. "Mom? You home?" waiting for the answer of 'Coming Ginny!' from her mother. When her mothers face popped into the fire, she couldn't help but flash her a smile, "Hey mom. I have a message from Professor Dumbledore for you and I'm wondering if maybe you can help me with something." Blinking a bit in surprise, Molly couldn't hide her reaction before saying 'Go ahead Ginny dear, what's going on? Is your brother ok?' Worry starting to show and slowly was bubbling into that explosive ending that all Weasley's were famous for. "Dumbledore got Harry's and Ron's scores back already. Apparently Ron failed everything mom, he's having to repeat next year, and apparently Harry just barely passed and got enough to get into the Auror program but only bottom string." And then it happened, there was Molly's shrill shriek of not only disappointment but promising of some very sore ears and asses come the summer. "Mom? Can I stay with hermione this summer? I got accepted by Madame Pomfrey as her apprentice after next year and Professor Snape took on Hermione as a potions apprentice. The boys are being right prats right now, trying to force me and Mione into joining them into the Auror program. Ron almost got physically abusive with her today, I had to hex him to keep him back. I really don't want to deal with them, I want to get a headstart on my studies for things I'll need for next year. Please?"
There was a long pause as Molly's head pulled half way out apparently talking to someone behind her before going back to the fire, this time joined by Kingsley. "Hello girls." Mione moving quickly to join them and couldn't help but join Ginny at smiling to the African man. "Kingley! Oh pardon me, Minister Kingsley. It's so good to see you!" Unable to stop the laughter that bubbled up, he nodded his greetings and says, "I think Molly and I have found a way you can go with Mione. Harry is going to be staying at Grimauld place with me and Lupin. He's going to be told he has to go through intensive training with Ron over the whole summer, then they'll both be re-evaluated before school starts again to determine if they're going to be Aurors or in Rons case redoing the Seventh year. That will mean they're both going to need as little distraction as possible and given your good news I think that getting a head start on the potions part of your mediwitch training will do you a world of good." Unable to contain herself, Molly beamed through the fire and said, "Oh Ginny dear I'm so very very proud of you. Imagine, a mediwitch in the family! Mione you've been such a good influence on her, and as for Ron and his abusive nature I'll have that beaten out of him if I have to strip him down and put him in diapers for a week to prove my point about his attitude. Now, we have some planning to do, you girls do what you need to in preparation and we'll see you at the Graduation ceremony and after summer." The floo closing rather quickly, which could only mean tyhat the boys were going to get it come dinner time.
With a look of utter glee, the girls squeeled in delight before calling Winky back and the House elf began to help both girls in getting their things packed up as quickly as possible. Not long after with small ruck sacks put over their shoulders, mostly with their shrunk down books and study materials. peeking down the stairs to make sure the boys hadn't come back yet, the girls gave an idle wave as they passed through with only a wink to Neville before moving as quickly as possible to run up the stairs to Dumbledores office. Oddly enough the door was open and Winky was there to show them into the room that had been made up for them.
The large suite had it's own small kitchen, along with twin bathrooms, two bedrooms, and a large livingroom area with fireplace, as well as enough bookshelves to make any bibliophile truely giddy with glee. On a small table in front of the couches were two piles of books. One with a note for Hermione and the other with a note for Ginny. Blinking in surprise they opened up their notes. As she was expecting, both Snape and Dumbledore thought Ginny should be told, but not before they were there, and some time after dinner this evening. For Ginny's Note it was simply a welcome and to feel free to change the coloring in her room if she wanted to.
Handing their things to Winky, they settled down and started pulling out the books that were left for them to brush up on studying on. It was only when Winky came to pop in, and taking their books away from them, informing them it was dinner time and they might want to be in the great hall when the 'surprise' for the boys came through that made them both hop up, and after freshening up a small bit, they ran down for dinner. Instead of sitting across or next to the boys in the seats they had saved for them, they sat next to neville, and started happily chatting along. About half way through dinner, two owls flew in and dropped letters in front of both Harry and Ron. The one in front of Ron being a howler from the looks of it.
Moving to by Ron, Harry opened his letter that was listed as being from the Minister of Magic. Puffing his chest out proudly he opened his letter and began to read. Both boys getting wide eyes as the color turned rather sickly. The puffing up both of them had done quickly disappating. And it was only when they got to the end of the missive from Kingley that they looked at the now smoking howler from Rons mother. Neither had even touched it before it opened up and filled the room with her shrieking. "RON BILIUS WEASLEY! How dare you come even close to trying to hurt Mione! I am so ashamed of you! But that doesn't even BEGIN the level of my disappointment! YOu failed EVERYTHING? You're lucky that Kingsley and Lupin are willing to tutor you both over the summer! Kinglsey has said if you want any chance at being a top Auror HARRY JAMES POTTER you're going to be spending all summer long working on all your studies together! You're not going to be planning ANYTHING! You're going to Grimmauld Place and you won't be leaving there until the beginning of next year! And you keep your hands and opinions to yourself! If I find either of you have been bothering those girls you're going to be beat within and inch of your lives!" The red letter then turning towards the girls and saying in a sweet voice, "Congratulations on your apprenticeship Hermione, I'm so proud of you. And for you on being accepted as Madame Promfrey's apprentice after next year Ginny. I can't tell you how much this means to me girls. I'm here if you need anything. I'll send some goodies along with Winky for you both to celebrate this weekend." The letter then turning towarsds the boys and then bursting into flames.
Almost all the students in the great hall just started staring at the boy wonder and his faithful friend. Both of the boys looking at each other a long moment before picking up their rthings and starting to head out. Trying to keep their heads up and chests puffed out as they had all year. Though with the blanched faces and attempts at not looking anyone in the eye it made them look more pathetic than anything else.
When the doors had closed, people started talking amongst themselves, the girls tittering and the boys gaffawing at the howler that had been so informative. It was the look the girls shared though and the small hints of the smiles before they happily went back to their eatting that made a couple of the teachers start to laugh lightly to themselves. Even Dumbledore and Snape looked amused.
It was only once dinner was done and the girls had gone back to their rooms that the Headmaster and Potions Professor arrived by floo some time later. During the next two hours they've given the same history lesson to Ginny who seemed to take it all in with a bit of a frown, "Is that why my mother was so insistant I find someone to ... 'be with' before the war was over so that I could quote 'know what it was like to be truely loved' just in case? She was wanting to make sure I didn't reach my majority before having done so?" At the nodding of their heads she seemed to think a long moment and then a sudden dawning came to her face, "This is why Ron was so adament about trying to say you two had done something in the tent. You neveer did, did you?" She asked her friend. And at the blush that came to Hermiones cheeks and the slow shaknig of her head, Ginny put it together. Standing with the sudden and famous Weasley temper she looked to the Headmaster, "This is all your fault isn't it! Now Hermione, my best friend. The only one of the girls I've hung out with who TRUELY understands me has to die? Are you INSANE!" Her voice reverberating through out the room.
It was only when the girl had come up for air that Snape turned to the Headmaster and sneered, "And you thought she wouldn't put it together. /This/ is why I silenced the room." He said crossing his arms and looking rather proud of himself if not annoyed for the slowly growing headache at all the screeching he was putting up with today.
"Ginny. Dont. He's already been threatened, and guilted, and made to realize what his machinations have cost me. Right now, I need your wand oath to keep this to yourself. Not because I don't trust you, but this way no one else can get it out of you either. We're working on a way to try and get me out of this, but you need to swear! Please Ginny. You know what the boys would do if they found out. They'd be fighting each orther to line up, and the ministry would have me killed before either of us could blink." Tears of frustration and fear starting to gather in the amber colored eyes.
Managing to get herself under control, Ginny held out her wand and looked at the two men, "Well? I'm not gonna be a liability to her. Come on, give me the wand oath." Unable to help it, both of the men grinned a bit, seeing it on Snapes face making her almost faint in shock. When the oath was cast, both men left the room, leaving the girls to themselves.
It was that night that the girls decided that the spare room would be used as a private study room if one of them wanted privacy, otherwise they were staying together. Winky having had this idea made the beds in Hermiones room as twins and they stayed close together that night. Ginny being protective in keeping close by Hermione's bed, and Hermione feeling protected again since the day the final battle ended.