Disclaimer: The usual...
Chapter Eleven
The next four weeks passed by for Hermione like nothing. She had gone back to work and barely took a day off. It was exactly the kind of distraction she needed and it didn't involve liquor. She'd even tried to put in extra work at the book store, but her co-workers and managers insisted that there was really nothing much to be done, as she always did everything and extra every day. This is when Hermione came to the conclusion that she needed a more challenging job. She knew the stint in the book store wasn't going to be permanent, so she began looking for a new job – something she could actually call a career, or at least something that was more challenging.
Upon coming home late one night from work, Hermione took out the Daily Prophet and browsed through the jobs section. There was nothing of interest. She bit into her apple and thought hard about what she could do.
Crunch after crunch and still she could not think of anything. She was a skilled witch – one of the best of her time and she knew it. She needed something that really challenged her mentally and physically, something that really needed all her energy. Being an Auror would have been ideal, but then again she didn't want to work for the ministry, that'd be too close to Harry and Ron.
An owl flew into her window, and she immediately recognized it belonging to Harry and Ginny. They had been sending her an owl every week, sometimes even two.
Hermione!
We'd love to see you for lunch this week or even dinner, or brunch! Anything, whenever you're free! We really just want to see you. Harry's schedule is sporadic but we'll find a way to make it work. Hope all is well. – Love, Harry and Ginny
Hermione had sent them almost the same response every time as well. She mentioned she'd been so busy with work but she promised she'd try and make some time for them this week.
She wasn't lying about being busy. But she was mainly trying to avoid them to avoid talking about the trip and anything that happened during it. She had already addressed the issues of the trip personally and she didn't really want to be reminded of anything concerning it. Thus, she kept her focus on work and finding work. It kept her busy.
But at night, alone in the confines of her room, it was difficult not to think about everything and get sad about it. She couldn't remember the last time she had ever cried – probably when she found Ron cheating on her – but sometimes in bed she felt like she would but just couldn't bring herself to. She would end up curling in her bed and just let the sinking feeling pass until she fell asleep.
But she was getting better. And she was doing it by herself.
It'll make you stronger, then, to get through it for yourself, she remembered a certain blonde tell her.
Most nights she would think about Draco and what may have been or could have been, but often times didn't think too much about it. It was done. That was that.
Hermione then spotted it: an advertisement in the paper for an event planner at a big company. It seemed like a fun and busy thing to do. It was only part-time, but she figured she could work at the book store and be an event planner. She had the next day set on visiting said company in Diagon Alley to obtain the position.
ooo
Hermione never noticed the building before, but it was quite big and near Gringotts. It was made of dark marble and had two glass entrance doors. Hermione walked right through the doors into a very nice hall with a decent amount of people walking around. She walked right up to the front desk and addressed the receptionist, a woman about her age.
"Hello, how may I help you today?" the young receptionist asked. She was in casual dress robes and her dark hair was up in a bun.
"Hello," Hermione said pleasantly. "I'm here to inquire about the position for an event planner for the company."
The woman smiled at her. "Give me just one moment." She turned around and stuck her head in the small fireplace that was sitting behind her. After a few moments, she turned back to Hermione. "Right. Boss said to go on up. Just take the elevator up to level seven. Good luck."
"It's a full on interview already?" Hermione asked, bewildered.
The receptionist smiled. "That's the way boss does things."
Hermione stepped into the elevator with a handful of people, dressed in proper robes, some having little conversations and others minding their business looking up or straight into their reflection in the gold doors before them.
Hermione took a breath and stepped forward and out the elevator. Smack in the dead center were large doors that she only imagined could lead to the boss. With one more breath, she knocked.
"Come in," said a strong voice.
Hermione opened the doors, and with the most confident voice she could muster said, "Hello, sir, my name is Hermione -"
"Granger?" It was Theodore Nott.
Hermione was unsure whether she should act professional or act like she knew him. She didn't exactly know him personally but he did see her at her worse back at the mansion, which wasn't exactly a good thing when applying for a job.
She decided the best course of action was to stay quiet until Theodore said something further. The last parting words between them weren't exactly the friendliest.
"What are you doing here?" Theodore asked.
"I'm here to ask about the event planning job," Hermione said tentatively.
"You did realize that Nott and Co. could have possibly meant me, right?"
Hermione actually didn't realize, even though it had been in bold print in the paper advertisement and large letters at the top of the building. "You know I might have skimmed over that…" She wasn't so sure she wanted to work for the company anymore.
Theodore took a more professional demeanor now and gave Hermione a curious look. "Do you have any experience in planning events?"
"Er – define events."
"Functions like dinner parties, balls, conventions…" Theodore said.
"Not really, but I know that I am fully capable of virtually anything. I was top of my class at Hogwarts, as you know. I worked for the Ministry for three years as head of Muggle Relations. I currently work at a book store and practically do everything in it. I'm practiced in battle, if anything should ever come down to it…" Hermione said and felt a little stupid for adding the last bit.
"Impressive," Theodore said, sitting back in his oversized chair. "But you do know what kind of people you'd be around if I hired you?"
"What does it matter?" Hermione asked. "A job's a job."
Theodore smirked at this, "That is true." After a moment of deep thought he said, "Look, I'm not gonna beat around the bush. As the event planner you'd be planning and showing up to all the company functions. And most of the people that are part of the company and show up to the events are purebloods and higher society people…"
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I see."
"I'm not discriminating against you. I just want you to understand that the crowd you would be around isn't what you are used to. I'm not saying people are going to bash you or Death Eaters are gonna come flying into parties at any given moment – we're way passed that – but it would be different, a little prestigious, and admittedly a bit snobbish. I'd just like you to know so you can decide if you'd be up for it," Theodore explained.
"Are you saying you'd hire me?" Hermione asked, a little surprised.
"Well you qualify," Theodore had no reason not to hire Hermione. She was perfectly qualified. He knew it wouldn't be such a big deal. People at those functions usually just paid attention to each other and his event planner would just be on the sidelines making sure everything runs smoothly.
Hermione had to think for a second. There could be a lot of people at these functions that weren't yet very warm to her. Then there was the possibility of running into certain people (did the Malfoys go to these things?), but again Theodore said it would only be sometimes so it wasn't too much to worry about.
"How often do you throw these events?"
"It depends on my mood. Once or twice a month, sometimes only four times in a year, really. It's nothing stable."
"How much?" Hermione asked.
The amount he said per event nearly threw her off balance.
"Merlin, you purebloods are loaded, aren't you?" Hermione commented. She guessed a lot of extra cash at certain points of time couldn't hurt too bad. "I guess I'll take it."
"Alright, Granger, I hope you're ready because I have an event for a large company dinner party semi-planned for two weeks from now. I've already had my receptionist send out the invitations, but usually that's your job. She'll send you off with paper work and more information on what you need to do. Just send it back when you're done reading and signing. I don't imagine it would take you long."
Hermione gave a nod goodbye. "Thanks."
Before she left Theodore added, "Oh, and Granger?" She turned around. "You're not allowed to drink at these things." He smirked as she walked away very red in the face.
What the hell have I gotten myself into? Hermione thought.
A whole lot of money, the more practical part of her brain answered.
Hermione just shrugged. It was distraction and work at least.
ooo
After much discussion with Harry and Ginny, Ron thought it best to flaunt his now stable relationship with Lavender to his family and then slowly ease the news that she was pregnant to them. They also decided to tell them the news together of both their pregnancies. It was easier that way.
Ron brought her around for the dinner the family had once a week at the burrow. The family was polite to her, even though they had sided with Hermione during the whole fiasco. Most of them were passed it, though sometimes they would say inappropriate things without noticing. The most important dinner date had finally arrived and for some reason, the Weasleys' made a point to really dig into what their former in-law was up to.
"So how's Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley asked Harry and Ginny during the important dinner. "I do so miss her coming here. She hardly ever visits."
Lavender just looked down and seemed to somewhat turn blue.
"Very busy, Mum," Ginny said.
"We are friends though, did I mention that?" Ron said, looking around the table with his mouth full. "She's completely aware of me and Lavender and I would say we had a rather good time at the Ember – all three of us, I mean five including Harry and Gin."
"Overkill, mate," Harry whispered from the side of his mouth.
"That's quite lovely," Mrs. Weasley said.
"You've got to convince her to come around again, at least once soon. Maybe for Christmas?" George said, sitting next to his wife Angelina, "I do miss an encyclopedia being at the table."
The rest of the Weasleys chimed in with nothing but good things to say about Hermione. Finally, feeling bad at the discomfort that Lavender looked like she was feeling, Ginny thought it best to announce her and Harry's big news.
"Well, Harry and I have an announcement," Ginny said happily, "Actually. Ron and Lavender do as well."
"What's it now?" Percy asked.
"We're having a baby!"
Everyone at the table went into a roar of cheers and tears. Fleur squealed and began muttering blessings in French, mentioning how excited she was to have little playmates for her two children now. Bill congratulated Harry with a pat on the back, as did Charlie and Percy. Hugs were thrown at Ginny from her parents.
"Oh, my little baby having her own baby!" Mrs. Weasley sobbed.
"It's wonderful! The family's getting even bigger!" Mr. Weasley said. "And we're alive to see it, Molly!"
Ron, thinking the happiness would help him with his news, took the opportunity to announce, "Oh, it gets even better. Lavender's pregnant too!"
The silence took some time to come, but right when it did, Lavender vomited all over the table. Everyone looked in horror, covering their noses and mouths.
"I'm so sorry!" Lavender said, and ran to the bathroom.
Ginny commented, "It must be the morning sickness…"
"It's evening," George pointed out.
"It comes at any time, really. You and Angelina will know soon."
The two cringed.
Harry seemed to be the only sensible one and cleaned up the mess with the flick of his wand.
"What did you say, Ron?" Mrs. Weasley said.
"Er – Lavender and I are expecting too?" Ron said hesitantly.
Mrs. Weasley looked pained and pale for a moment, and everyone's reaction depended on the next words that would come out of her mouth.
It took a while before any words came out and all anyone could hear for a while was Lavender vomiting in the bathroom.
"Well, that's – that's great, Ron," Mrs. Weasley said slowly, "You two will get married, won't you?"
"Yes, of course," Ron muttered.
"That's good, then, my boy!" Mr. Weasley said, tension leaving from his face. "Molly, our two youngest having children! It's great!"
The mood seemed to be better now and congratulations went to Ron as well.
"You must get married soon, Ron. Have you two discussed this?" Mrs. Weasley said.
"Oh, yeah…" Ron lied. He'd talk to Lavender about it later.
"Someone better go check on her," Angelina said.
"I'll go," Ginny said, knowing that she was really the only one who warmed up to Lavender at this point.
"I love weddings!" Fleur said, "I'm so excited there's going to be another one! I hope it's as pretty as the first one you had, Ronald."
Ron looked at her and frowned. His brothers and Harry suppressed laughs.
ooo
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Next chapter: Hermione gets to work, Ginny visits, and we'll see what Draco's up to! Stay tuned!
On other notes, I'm working on a new story (romantic comedy-ish?) and The Last Mudblood is still on hold (it's being beta-d!) and Playing Dirty is just something I'll add to if I decide I'm bored and need a chuckle. *teehee*