Hermione was surprised when a Hogwarts post owl flew into her home on a misty morning, but after quickly reading the letter it delivered, she thought that it couldn't have come at a more opportune time.
Hermione was back home with her parents temporarily. It was a hard decision for her to take a break from school, but she desperately felt that she needed the reprieve. She had only been there for a few days, but was glad for any excuse to be out from under her mother's very watchful eye.
Joan Granger was an attentive mother and she knew when her daughter was upset. She reasoned to herself that the closer she paid attention, the sooner Hermione would confide in her. After many plates of what her mother thought were delicious sugar-free cookies, Joan was a dentist after all, Hermione was happy that she had a valid reason to get out of the house. She could have literally jumped for joy when the owl arrived with a letter from Headmistress McGonagall asking if she had time for a short visit that afternoon. McGonagall didn't go into detail, only stating that it would be better explained in person. It was a hastily written note that ended simply with the password to the Headmistress's office.
Hermione briskly wrote a reply that she would be pleased to meet with her. Giving the owl a piece of bacon in thanks, she sent it on its way.
Thank you Professor, she thought to herself. Joan was driving Hermione insane with her interpretation of a helicopter. The constant hovering seemed like it would never end. She didn't want to hurt her mother's feelings but honestly, it wasn't like one could easily tell one's mother that they were completely gutted over the results of a one night stand.
Walking the halls to Headmistress McGonagall's office was quite a different experience. For one thing, the hallways were mostly empty, with only a few teachers and the odd house-elf wandering about. It was a quite different feel from when the castle emptied for a holiday.
Maybe it's just me that is different, Hermione thought to herself. After years of barely thinking of Blaise Zabini at all, she found it ironic that she couldn't get him out of her head. She even dreamed about the sexy wizard.
The encounter with Blaise had completely changed her priorities. It had always been a given that she would attend university directly after her graduation from Hogwarts. Instead, after months of only studying , and her emotional upheaval after her little tryst, she found herself in both an educational and emotional burnout.
She had only recently decided that she would take the rest of the year off, and when the headmistress explained what she wanted to talk to her about Hermione thought that it couldn't be more perfect.
"Basically, a family friend of mine asked if I knew any witches that would serve as a proper translator and language tutor for his daughter, " McGonagall was saying. "Bernard Forsberg is a friend of my brother Michael, and he thought that I would be able to suggest a suitable applicant for the job. Since I know that you speak several different languages, I thought that you might be interested. The job would only last two months, and you could save more money for university. Also, it probably wouldn't hurt to have a few extra Galleons in your pocket," she added.
"Where is the job located?" Hermione asked.
"It is in Lower Normandy, France, a coastal town call Harfleur. The Forsberg family has a manor home there. Bernard assures me that you will have free room and board. They have a very nice cottage on the grounds for your use, so you would have your own living space. The salary is rather nice as well."
When McGonagall named the amount, Hermione was gobsmacked. With that pile of Galleons, she wouldn't need to work the entire school year when she returned, or she could actually afford to travel more if she so desired. Hermione's parents had been prepared to pay for her tuition, but they had always stressed that she would need to get a job to pay for her other expenses. Those coins would come in handy especially if she wanted to get a flat by herself instead of being forced to live in a dorm again. That, as well as the fact that it was basically a paid vacation simply doing something that came easily to her, helped Hermione along with her decision. She sent up a small prayer thanking her dear departed Grandmother Elizabeth for insisting that she learn other languages.
"How old is Monsieur Forsberg's daughter?" Hermione asked.
"Jacqueline is eighteen years old, so I think that you will be able to find some things in common. Jacqueline would like to polish her English diction before she is introduced to British wizarding society. She is an heiress and was privately tutored rather than taking classes in a school of witchcraft and wizardry. English was included in her curriculum, but she would like English to come more naturally to her in casual conversations, rather than staid book learned language. It won't be tutoring in a traditional sense. Think of it more as a paid companionship. It will start in a week's time, so you will have time to get your affairs in order if you decide to take the job. They have also sent a cheque to cover your travel expenses," McGonagall finished.
"I'll take the job," Hermione replied.
McGonagall smiled in pleasure. "I'm glad. I honestly couldn't think of a better candidate. I have here a contract that you need to sign. It is clear cut, basically stating that you are contractually bound to complete the full two months of employment, unless the employer deems otherwise. If you like, you may have your barrister review before you sign," she said sliding the contract across the desk.
Hermione assessed the document. It was clear cut, not unlike any other job application she had seen. Deciding against sending it to a barrister, she quickly signed the document and returned it to the headmistress.
Deciding to put the past behind her, namely the wizard that she still had trouble removing from her thoughts, Hermione let the excitement of her upcoming travel plans consume her. Over the next few days, she bought a wardrobe more appropriate for a summer in France, instead of clothes that would keep her comfortable under her school robes. Of course, being the bookworm that she was, Hermione placed an undetectable extension charm on her book bag and loaded it with books.
Joan was at first hesitant about the news when her daughter returned from her meeting. After seeing the first true amount of joy in her daughter's face in days, her mind was quickly changed. The helicopter was swiftly replaced by a shopping partner. She surprised Hermione further by suggesting that she buy several different swimsuits. If had been up to Hermione she would have only bought a few simple one pieces. Thanks to Joan, she left the swimwear section clutching five different suits, including a slightly naughty white bikini.
John Granger was simply happy to see the women in his life in a better mood. He even went so far as to cook the going away supper himself the night before his daughter's departure.
Hermione was so pleased with the way that things were going that she didn't even notice that the roast beef was slightly burnt.
