Unexpected Love
Summary: A fic that takes place after Hogwarts. Hermione left the magical world behind
after a messy breakup with Krum and became a muggle teacher. Years later she
discovers that one of her new students is a Malfoy. What will happen when
Draco enters her life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. The ones you don't recognize
belong to me.
Chapter 12- Dumbledore's Offer
Days faded into weeks and weeks faded into months as Hermione adjusted to once again being part of the magical world. Happily, she discovered that she fit right back in. It was almost as if she had never left.
Hermione spent weekdays alone in her little apartment while she continued teaching. However, owls became a frequent site at her windows as her friends wrote to her constantly during the week. When the weekend arrived, Hermione headed off to either the Weasley's house or the Potter's house.
While at Ron and Lavender's, as it had been her first night there, she inhabited the rich, luxurious, lavender room with the spectacular view. The green leaves of the forest trees slowly morphed into a wonderful array of orange, golden, and rust colours and the cool, autumn sun sparkled beautifully on the lake. Hermione especially enjoyed watching the sun sink below the horizon, streaking the sky in the rich, vibrant colours of the sunset.
While at Harry and Ginny's house, Hermione stayed in a large, airy room decorated in crisp blues and sunny yellows. The window in this room, though just as large as the one in the other house, looked out in the complete opposite direction. From it Hermione viewed the glorious, golden sunrise over the distant hills, the early morning sun glowing spectacularly on the autumn trees.
During her first weekend at the Potter's, Ginny had shown Hermione a path through the trees that, if followed, would take her straight to the Weasley's house. Situated about halfway along this path was an open field for playing Quidditch.
Many days were spent on the Quidditch field. Hermione sat with Ginny and James, who was growing bigger with each passing day, and watched the men and children play a makeshift game. Harry, perched on a new Lightning 5000, and Lily, who sat atop Harry's old and beloved Firebolt, were one team. Ron, Eddie, and Elisabeth were the other team. Mackie had been ordered by Ginny to zoom close over the ground, though Hermione noticed that she did it lightning fast.
Watching these games was very entertaining. Hermione could see that Lily was taking after her father and grandfather and becoming a wonderful Seeker. She was a superb flyer and her reflexes were quick and accurate. The twins seemed to be taking after their uncles, Fred and George, and becoming excellent beaters. They seemed to know what each other was doing at the exact moment and they were very accurate at hitting, perfect traits for beaters.
Hermione and the two families were often visited by the Thomas', Seamus, and Padma. Baby Angela was a happy little girl, constantly giggling and clapping at everything that everyone did. Her straight, light brown hair was in a little ponytail that bobbed about whenever she moved, and her pale green eyes, obviously Parvati's, sparkled with mirth. Hermione greatly enjoyed those visits.
One day while they were there Hermione noticed that Seamus' fingers were intertwined with those of Padma's. The two of them had apparently hit it off while staying with Dean and Parvati. Hermione was very happy for them and her and Seamus stayed good friends.
During a visit one weekend in the middle of November Dean approached Hermione and said, "Did you hear? Draco Malfoy is now single. It took awhile, what with Pansy arguing over the custody of their son, but the divorce was final three days ago." "Do you plan on making a move now?" he added with a wink. Hermione answered, "We're not on speaking terms right now," and quickly muttered a lame excuse before hurrying away. She tried as much as possible not to think about Draco.
That had proved to be extremely difficult indeed. Everyday, Monday through Friday, Hermione was reminded. Every time she looked at young Justin Malfoy, Draco stared back at her. Every time she asked Justin a question, Draco answered her. As hard as she tried not to admit it, she missed him. She was never one to be able to stay mad at someone. But she wasn't about to forgive him. She wasn't about to let him win.
Soon snow blanketed Harry's and Ron's houses and the woods surrounding them. Hermione woke up one cold, dark morning in the Weasley's house to find a layer of snow covering every tree branch and every inch of ground. The resulting snow fights left everyone cold, wet and dripping with snow but red-faced and grinning. Hermione hadn't had so much fun since—well, since her days at Hogwarts.
Many bitter, snowy days were spent huddled cozily in front of a warm, glowing fireplace, wrapped in blankets and grasping a steaming cup of hot cocoa. It was during these days with everyone huddled together that stories of Hogwarts days were revisited and stories of the past eight years were shared.
Christmas soon arrived and for the first time in eight years, Hermione didn't spend it alone. She spent it surrounded by the ones she loved the most. That morning, as Hermione sat before the splendid Christmas tree, presents from her friends heaped around her, and wishing secretly that Draco was there with them, Ron's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Mione, Harry and I have a surprise for you. Run up and get dressed then grab something quick for breakfast. We're going ice skating."
Hermione jumped up excitedly. She hadn't been skating since she was just a girl! She rushed to get dressed and gobbled down some toast and bacon.
"What will I wear though?" Hermione questioned Harry. "I haven't got any skates with me!"
"Did you forget you're a witch?" Harry asked, and quickly conjured up a pair of ice skates in Hermione's size. The children wanted to stay and play with their new toys and Ginny said she would stay and watch them so Harry, Ron and Hermione trudged out the back door and down to the frozen lake—the trio reunited.
It took Hermione a little while to remember how to stay upright on the slippery surface, but soon she was soaring across the ice, hair blowing out behind her.
"Follow us, Hermione," Ron said to her. Hermione gazed at his curiously but quickly followed the men.
Harry and Ron had noticed that Hermione seemed to be missing Draco, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. They saw right through her and decided to arrange a little surprise to show her.
They soon reached the part of the lake that couldn't be seen from any window in either house as it was the part that curved behind a little tree covered hill.
"What are we here for you…" Hermione began but her voice trailed off when she saw what was in front of her. The huge house looming before her was all too familiar.
"Is that…?" she started to say but faltered a bit.
"Yes, Mione," Harry said gently and Hermione turned to look at him. "That's Malfoy Manor."
Hermione gazed back up at the house that she had visited just once before. She remembered how nervous she had been. She especially remembered the flip-flop that her stomach had done and the feeling that she had felt when Draco had opened the door and smiled that wonderful smile at her. At that moment, Hermione decided to write to him and apologize. She had to see that smile again, that wonderful, dazzling smile. She had to know if he'd forgive her.
"Let's go," Hermione said quietly, and the trio started back slowly towards the houses, Harry and Ron leaving Hermione alone in her thoughts.
As soon as they returned back at the house, Hermione headed up to the guest room and sat down at the desk. She pulled a piece of parchment towards her and grabbed a quill. She slowly and neatly wrote 'Dear Draco' in her small, loopy writing but froze suddenly, quill poised about the paper. What was she doing? Draco was an extremely stubborn man and she knew it. He wouldn't forgive her with a simple letter. She was wasting her time. Hermione slowly and silently put her quill away, gripped the parchment in her small hands and ripped in roughly into pieces before throwing away the pieces and descending the stairs to join the others.
Slowly, the sun began to grow warmer. The snow melted, the lake thawed and sparkled in the sun, and delicate pink blossoms covered the trees. Springtime was here. One day at lunch Harry made a suggestion.
"I think that today we should all go boating. The weather is beautiful, the lake is calm and James has never been on a boat before, it'll be his first time."
The suggestion was met with an enthusiastic response. After lunch everyone quickly got dressed and headed down to the dazzling lake. The boats that Hermione had seen in September did belong to the two families and she had been right about them being enchanted to be bigger once you were in them.
Hermione climbed into the Potter's boat after Ginny and took a seat near the back of the boat. Harry took a seat as the driver and Ginny sat in the back with Hermione holding James who giggled and bounced on Ginny's lap in his little yellow life jacket. Lily sat beside her mom wearing a bright orange life jacket, excitement gleaming in her emerald eyes and her red hair blowing gently in the soft breeze. Mackie, in her own yellow life jacket, climbed into Hermione's lap. Her aqua eyes looked up at her and she grinned shyly up at Hermione. Hermione smiled back and looked over at the Weasley's boat. Ron sat in the drivers' seat and Lavender sat in the back across from Eddie and Elisabeth. They wore identical orange lifejackets and from the back the only difference between them was that Elisabeth's red-brown hair was long and Eddie's was short.
"Are we ready?" Harry called back, and everyone nodded so they started out. Hermione had the time of her life. They wind grabbed her hair and threw it back from her face. Every now and then the surprisingly warm water would splash up over her in a light mist at which Mackie would shriek and giggle in Hermione's lap.
As they passed the curve near the Malfoy Manor, Hermione glanced up, glimpsing the Malfoy Manor. She stopped mid laugh as she caught a glimpse of Draco Malfoy. He lounged on the shore, feet in the water, laughing, as Justin splashed about in the lake. Hermione quickly turned away, trying to ignore the feeling she got from the sound of his laughing as it carried across the water. They returned to shore soon after that and trudged through the woods beneath the pink trees that rained blossoms on them.
The spring season soon drew to a close and with it came the end of school. Hermione would miss Justin; she had a great liking for this sweet little boy. She knew though that she would not miss being reminded daily of the man she wanted but couldn't have.
One day in the beginning of summer, while Hermione stood at the window in the lavender guest room, an owl zoomed towards it. She quickly opened the window and the large barn owl soared into the room and landed on the edge of the desk. Tied to its leg was an envelope with emerald green writing on the front and a Hogwarts crest sealing the back.
Eagerly, Hermione untied the letter and ripped open the envelope. A piece of parchment fell out and Hermione quickly read it. It read:
Dear Ms. Hermione Granger,
I am pleased to have the honour of presenting you with this request. Our
previous Charms teacher, Professor Spellick has informed me that she will
be retiring this year. As a result, the position of Charms teacher is now
available. I have offered you this position once before and you declined. I am inclined, however, to offer you this position once again. Please reply back with your response.
Signed,
Professor A. Dumbledore
Headmaster
This was just what she had been hoping for! Hermione jumped up and down excitedly like a 5-year-old but she didn't care. This was what she had wished for ever since she had returned to the wizarding world. If she accepted, she would be going back to Hogwarts, back to the place she loved! Quickly, she grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment and began her letter to Dumbledore.
Suddenly, she remembered something. Something that Draco had said way back in September that day at Hogsmeade—'Dumbledore offered me the Defense Against the Dark Arts job for next year, and I think I might take that.' That would mean that Draco would be there with her. This year she had been reminded of him through his son, but if he took that job, next year she would see him in the flesh everyday. Part of her wanted that, but the other part of her was afraid, afraid that he would be like the old Malfoy towards her. She had been able to handle him being angry with her when she didn't have to face him, but in person everyday?
Finally, Hermione made a decision. She was going to take the job. This was what she wanted more than anything and she wasn't going to let Draco stop her. She quickly scribbled the rest of acceptance answer to Dumbledore, sent the letter back with the owl and raced downstairs to tell everyone the good news.
The next day, across the lake in Malfoy Manor, Draco Malfoy received a similar letter asking him if he would be accepting the job as the DADA teacher. However, his included a sentence at the bottom that Hermione's had not—'Ms. Granger has accepted the position of Charms professor.'
"Well, what's so important about that?" Draco said aloud. That wouldn't make him accept any faster. On the contrary, Draco had to rethink his decision. Just as Hermione had known, Draco was incredibly stubborn. He was one known to hold a grudge. He wasn't going to forgive Hermione easily. And now if he accepted the job, he'd have to work alongside her?
After contemplating it for a long while, Draco scribbled back a reply letter accepting the job. 'I can always just avoid her as much as possible,' he thought to himself as he sent the owl back and watched it soar out into the distance, silhouetted against the stunning sunset.
***** *** *****
AN- Well, there's chapter 12! I know it wasn't that interesting, but I had to do something with the year before she left at Hogwarts. Anyways, please read and review and I'll try to get chapter 13 out as soon as I can! Thanks!
Now, I don't usually answer reviews but I'd just like to answer a few this week:
~Harry's Girl- You're right, I didn't notice that! I'll change it as soon as I can.
~Princess of Darkness- I know babies don't have a LOT of hair, but when I was born I had quite a bit so I figured it'd be alright that he had some. Also, I'm sorry for threatening for reviews, I'll ask nicely from now on :)
Thank you to everyone who had reviewed, I have yet to really get a big flame, so thank you! Keep up the reviewing please! ~*~FieryPhoenix~*~
Summary: A fic that takes place after Hogwarts. Hermione left the magical world behind
after a messy breakup with Krum and became a muggle teacher. Years later she
discovers that one of her new students is a Malfoy. What will happen when
Draco enters her life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. The ones you don't recognize
belong to me.
Chapter 12- Dumbledore's Offer
Days faded into weeks and weeks faded into months as Hermione adjusted to once again being part of the magical world. Happily, she discovered that she fit right back in. It was almost as if she had never left.
Hermione spent weekdays alone in her little apartment while she continued teaching. However, owls became a frequent site at her windows as her friends wrote to her constantly during the week. When the weekend arrived, Hermione headed off to either the Weasley's house or the Potter's house.
While at Ron and Lavender's, as it had been her first night there, she inhabited the rich, luxurious, lavender room with the spectacular view. The green leaves of the forest trees slowly morphed into a wonderful array of orange, golden, and rust colours and the cool, autumn sun sparkled beautifully on the lake. Hermione especially enjoyed watching the sun sink below the horizon, streaking the sky in the rich, vibrant colours of the sunset.
While at Harry and Ginny's house, Hermione stayed in a large, airy room decorated in crisp blues and sunny yellows. The window in this room, though just as large as the one in the other house, looked out in the complete opposite direction. From it Hermione viewed the glorious, golden sunrise over the distant hills, the early morning sun glowing spectacularly on the autumn trees.
During her first weekend at the Potter's, Ginny had shown Hermione a path through the trees that, if followed, would take her straight to the Weasley's house. Situated about halfway along this path was an open field for playing Quidditch.
Many days were spent on the Quidditch field. Hermione sat with Ginny and James, who was growing bigger with each passing day, and watched the men and children play a makeshift game. Harry, perched on a new Lightning 5000, and Lily, who sat atop Harry's old and beloved Firebolt, were one team. Ron, Eddie, and Elisabeth were the other team. Mackie had been ordered by Ginny to zoom close over the ground, though Hermione noticed that she did it lightning fast.
Watching these games was very entertaining. Hermione could see that Lily was taking after her father and grandfather and becoming a wonderful Seeker. She was a superb flyer and her reflexes were quick and accurate. The twins seemed to be taking after their uncles, Fred and George, and becoming excellent beaters. They seemed to know what each other was doing at the exact moment and they were very accurate at hitting, perfect traits for beaters.
Hermione and the two families were often visited by the Thomas', Seamus, and Padma. Baby Angela was a happy little girl, constantly giggling and clapping at everything that everyone did. Her straight, light brown hair was in a little ponytail that bobbed about whenever she moved, and her pale green eyes, obviously Parvati's, sparkled with mirth. Hermione greatly enjoyed those visits.
One day while they were there Hermione noticed that Seamus' fingers were intertwined with those of Padma's. The two of them had apparently hit it off while staying with Dean and Parvati. Hermione was very happy for them and her and Seamus stayed good friends.
During a visit one weekend in the middle of November Dean approached Hermione and said, "Did you hear? Draco Malfoy is now single. It took awhile, what with Pansy arguing over the custody of their son, but the divorce was final three days ago." "Do you plan on making a move now?" he added with a wink. Hermione answered, "We're not on speaking terms right now," and quickly muttered a lame excuse before hurrying away. She tried as much as possible not to think about Draco.
That had proved to be extremely difficult indeed. Everyday, Monday through Friday, Hermione was reminded. Every time she looked at young Justin Malfoy, Draco stared back at her. Every time she asked Justin a question, Draco answered her. As hard as she tried not to admit it, she missed him. She was never one to be able to stay mad at someone. But she wasn't about to forgive him. She wasn't about to let him win.
Soon snow blanketed Harry's and Ron's houses and the woods surrounding them. Hermione woke up one cold, dark morning in the Weasley's house to find a layer of snow covering every tree branch and every inch of ground. The resulting snow fights left everyone cold, wet and dripping with snow but red-faced and grinning. Hermione hadn't had so much fun since—well, since her days at Hogwarts.
Many bitter, snowy days were spent huddled cozily in front of a warm, glowing fireplace, wrapped in blankets and grasping a steaming cup of hot cocoa. It was during these days with everyone huddled together that stories of Hogwarts days were revisited and stories of the past eight years were shared.
Christmas soon arrived and for the first time in eight years, Hermione didn't spend it alone. She spent it surrounded by the ones she loved the most. That morning, as Hermione sat before the splendid Christmas tree, presents from her friends heaped around her, and wishing secretly that Draco was there with them, Ron's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Mione, Harry and I have a surprise for you. Run up and get dressed then grab something quick for breakfast. We're going ice skating."
Hermione jumped up excitedly. She hadn't been skating since she was just a girl! She rushed to get dressed and gobbled down some toast and bacon.
"What will I wear though?" Hermione questioned Harry. "I haven't got any skates with me!"
"Did you forget you're a witch?" Harry asked, and quickly conjured up a pair of ice skates in Hermione's size. The children wanted to stay and play with their new toys and Ginny said she would stay and watch them so Harry, Ron and Hermione trudged out the back door and down to the frozen lake—the trio reunited.
It took Hermione a little while to remember how to stay upright on the slippery surface, but soon she was soaring across the ice, hair blowing out behind her.
"Follow us, Hermione," Ron said to her. Hermione gazed at his curiously but quickly followed the men.
Harry and Ron had noticed that Hermione seemed to be missing Draco, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. They saw right through her and decided to arrange a little surprise to show her.
They soon reached the part of the lake that couldn't be seen from any window in either house as it was the part that curved behind a little tree covered hill.
"What are we here for you…" Hermione began but her voice trailed off when she saw what was in front of her. The huge house looming before her was all too familiar.
"Is that…?" she started to say but faltered a bit.
"Yes, Mione," Harry said gently and Hermione turned to look at him. "That's Malfoy Manor."
Hermione gazed back up at the house that she had visited just once before. She remembered how nervous she had been. She especially remembered the flip-flop that her stomach had done and the feeling that she had felt when Draco had opened the door and smiled that wonderful smile at her. At that moment, Hermione decided to write to him and apologize. She had to see that smile again, that wonderful, dazzling smile. She had to know if he'd forgive her.
"Let's go," Hermione said quietly, and the trio started back slowly towards the houses, Harry and Ron leaving Hermione alone in her thoughts.
As soon as they returned back at the house, Hermione headed up to the guest room and sat down at the desk. She pulled a piece of parchment towards her and grabbed a quill. She slowly and neatly wrote 'Dear Draco' in her small, loopy writing but froze suddenly, quill poised about the paper. What was she doing? Draco was an extremely stubborn man and she knew it. He wouldn't forgive her with a simple letter. She was wasting her time. Hermione slowly and silently put her quill away, gripped the parchment in her small hands and ripped in roughly into pieces before throwing away the pieces and descending the stairs to join the others.
Slowly, the sun began to grow warmer. The snow melted, the lake thawed and sparkled in the sun, and delicate pink blossoms covered the trees. Springtime was here. One day at lunch Harry made a suggestion.
"I think that today we should all go boating. The weather is beautiful, the lake is calm and James has never been on a boat before, it'll be his first time."
The suggestion was met with an enthusiastic response. After lunch everyone quickly got dressed and headed down to the dazzling lake. The boats that Hermione had seen in September did belong to the two families and she had been right about them being enchanted to be bigger once you were in them.
Hermione climbed into the Potter's boat after Ginny and took a seat near the back of the boat. Harry took a seat as the driver and Ginny sat in the back with Hermione holding James who giggled and bounced on Ginny's lap in his little yellow life jacket. Lily sat beside her mom wearing a bright orange life jacket, excitement gleaming in her emerald eyes and her red hair blowing gently in the soft breeze. Mackie, in her own yellow life jacket, climbed into Hermione's lap. Her aqua eyes looked up at her and she grinned shyly up at Hermione. Hermione smiled back and looked over at the Weasley's boat. Ron sat in the drivers' seat and Lavender sat in the back across from Eddie and Elisabeth. They wore identical orange lifejackets and from the back the only difference between them was that Elisabeth's red-brown hair was long and Eddie's was short.
"Are we ready?" Harry called back, and everyone nodded so they started out. Hermione had the time of her life. They wind grabbed her hair and threw it back from her face. Every now and then the surprisingly warm water would splash up over her in a light mist at which Mackie would shriek and giggle in Hermione's lap.
As they passed the curve near the Malfoy Manor, Hermione glanced up, glimpsing the Malfoy Manor. She stopped mid laugh as she caught a glimpse of Draco Malfoy. He lounged on the shore, feet in the water, laughing, as Justin splashed about in the lake. Hermione quickly turned away, trying to ignore the feeling she got from the sound of his laughing as it carried across the water. They returned to shore soon after that and trudged through the woods beneath the pink trees that rained blossoms on them.
The spring season soon drew to a close and with it came the end of school. Hermione would miss Justin; she had a great liking for this sweet little boy. She knew though that she would not miss being reminded daily of the man she wanted but couldn't have.
One day in the beginning of summer, while Hermione stood at the window in the lavender guest room, an owl zoomed towards it. She quickly opened the window and the large barn owl soared into the room and landed on the edge of the desk. Tied to its leg was an envelope with emerald green writing on the front and a Hogwarts crest sealing the back.
Eagerly, Hermione untied the letter and ripped open the envelope. A piece of parchment fell out and Hermione quickly read it. It read:
Dear Ms. Hermione Granger,
I am pleased to have the honour of presenting you with this request. Our
previous Charms teacher, Professor Spellick has informed me that she will
be retiring this year. As a result, the position of Charms teacher is now
available. I have offered you this position once before and you declined. I am inclined, however, to offer you this position once again. Please reply back with your response.
Signed,
Professor A. Dumbledore
Headmaster
This was just what she had been hoping for! Hermione jumped up and down excitedly like a 5-year-old but she didn't care. This was what she had wished for ever since she had returned to the wizarding world. If she accepted, she would be going back to Hogwarts, back to the place she loved! Quickly, she grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment and began her letter to Dumbledore.
Suddenly, she remembered something. Something that Draco had said way back in September that day at Hogsmeade—'Dumbledore offered me the Defense Against the Dark Arts job for next year, and I think I might take that.' That would mean that Draco would be there with her. This year she had been reminded of him through his son, but if he took that job, next year she would see him in the flesh everyday. Part of her wanted that, but the other part of her was afraid, afraid that he would be like the old Malfoy towards her. She had been able to handle him being angry with her when she didn't have to face him, but in person everyday?
Finally, Hermione made a decision. She was going to take the job. This was what she wanted more than anything and she wasn't going to let Draco stop her. She quickly scribbled the rest of acceptance answer to Dumbledore, sent the letter back with the owl and raced downstairs to tell everyone the good news.
The next day, across the lake in Malfoy Manor, Draco Malfoy received a similar letter asking him if he would be accepting the job as the DADA teacher. However, his included a sentence at the bottom that Hermione's had not—'Ms. Granger has accepted the position of Charms professor.'
"Well, what's so important about that?" Draco said aloud. That wouldn't make him accept any faster. On the contrary, Draco had to rethink his decision. Just as Hermione had known, Draco was incredibly stubborn. He was one known to hold a grudge. He wasn't going to forgive Hermione easily. And now if he accepted the job, he'd have to work alongside her?
After contemplating it for a long while, Draco scribbled back a reply letter accepting the job. 'I can always just avoid her as much as possible,' he thought to himself as he sent the owl back and watched it soar out into the distance, silhouetted against the stunning sunset.
***** *** *****
AN- Well, there's chapter 12! I know it wasn't that interesting, but I had to do something with the year before she left at Hogwarts. Anyways, please read and review and I'll try to get chapter 13 out as soon as I can! Thanks!
Now, I don't usually answer reviews but I'd just like to answer a few this week:
~Harry's Girl- You're right, I didn't notice that! I'll change it as soon as I can.
~Princess of Darkness- I know babies don't have a LOT of hair, but when I was born I had quite a bit so I figured it'd be alright that he had some. Also, I'm sorry for threatening for reviews, I'll ask nicely from now on :)
Thank you to everyone who had reviewed, I have yet to really get a big flame, so thank you! Keep up the reviewing please! ~*~FieryPhoenix~*~