Hermione – A Fresh Start to Life
Bright sunlight filtering through the curtained window pierced my sleep deprived eyes. I was delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. After moping around for a week, I finally decided to let the past go and open another chapter in my life. I blinked a few times to get some life into my tired eyes and rolled onto my back. Glancing at the clock in my nightstand, I found it was almost seven in the morning.
I drank a sobriety potion and went for a morning jog around the park near my house. The park looked like the same; alive with energy where people and their pets ran around like rabbits. I laughed at the thought. Although I live in a muggle neighbourhood, this was the most beautiful place in the world, I had ever seen. I might be biased, considering I grew up here with my parents. Also the park is where I spent better part of my childhood and teenage years with my mum and dad before going to Hogwarts. The only recent development in the area is the pub opposite to my house which had opened two years ago. Despite not being there, I could say it is a good place and the security in front of the pub proved it is only open to adults.
After an hour of running, I came back sweaty and charged with fresh energy. I showered and got ready for work. I had sent an owl to Kingsley yesterday requesting for an urgent meeting.
I had a light breakfast – egg rolls and an Earl Grey tea and flooed to the Atrium. I only hoped the Minister wouldn't be too late. When I reached Level 1, the Minister of Magic office, his Secretary showed me to the waiting room in his office. After half an hour, Kingsley entered the room and greeted me with a cheerful smile, "Hello, Hermione". I stood up, "Good morning, Minister"
Kingsley ushered me into his office and took his seat behind the desk. I sat opposite him and jumped onto the subject of my visit, without any prologue, "I need a favour, Kingsley"
Kingsley looked taken aback when I all but blurted out my request. I can't complain, I rarely asked for favours. "What can I do for you, Hermione?"
"I need to change departments into something new." Kingsley's jaw opened in surprise. Whatever favour he guessed I would ask, changing my job wasn't one of them. He might have assumed I was happy at my current job. Clearly, that was not the case.
Not that I blame him, I had specifically asked for this job in Muggle Relations where I hoped to improve relations between muggles and wizards in order to avoid another war and to prove muggles aren't that bad. I got my wish since I had passed all my NEWTS with Outstanding marks and also a being a muggleborn to boot.
"May I ask why?"
"I need a break, Kingsley. Also I wanted to explore newer options."
From the scrutinizing look on his face, I knew Kingsley felt I wasn't entirely truthful. There is something affecting me and I wasn't very forthcoming about it. I tried my best to school my features into a blank expression. Thankfully, he decided against prying my reason for this sudden development.
"Sure. Let me check if there are any vacancies available in other departments. I will send you a memo then."
"Thank you, Kingsley." I took a breath and embraced myself before asking the next favor, "Can I take a leave? A holiday, perhaps"
Kingsley's happy face morphed into sudden apprehension. "Are you okay, Hermione? Is something bothering you?"
I blanched at the instant doubt on his face. No, I don't want anyone to know the real reason for my sudden career change and departure, "No-no. I wanted to visit my parents in Australia. It has been a long time, since my last visit."
Kingsley didn't look convinced, "Of course that can be arranged. You can take a whole month. It will take time to change the departments anyway. I will owl all the documents to you."
"Can we keep this a secret? I just don't want anyone to know about this."
This time, there was no mistaking the concern in his face. "Not even Harry or Ron? They will worry if you suddenly disappear."
"I will owl them when I am in Australia. Thank you, Kingsley. I will let Collin know. He can take charge of my office until the new Head arrives."
I stood up. Kingsley smiled, "Sure, Hermione. If you encounter any problems, let me know. What are friends for?"
Thanking him once more, I headed towards my soon to be old office in Level 3, Department of Muggle Relations.
When I reached my office, Collin Creevey was waiting for me with a coffee in his hand. I thanked him and asked him to see me in my office in an hour. Sitting behind my desk, I scanned my office. All the files, my personal shelf filled with books, the pictures and trinkets scattered all over the desk. I took a deep breath and conjured a fairly large box to put away my belongings. Since, I was the Head of this department, I only have to report to Kingsley. The Muggle Relations department was a new one. During Voldemort's one year reign in the Ministry, his puppet Minister Thicknesse had abolished any connection and alliance with Muggles. It was my dream to open a new department where muggles could peacefully coordinate with the warlock without fear. When I asked Kingsley's opinion, he was all for it. My job was to help wizards get along with muggles – giving approval to start businesses in Muggle areas, helping wizards mingle with them.
It was almost three years since I started this job. When Collin graduated from Hogwarts, I took him under my wing. He was the best deputy Head, I could ask for. He helped me throughout the past one and half year to expand wizarding connections to the Muggle areas.
Heaving a sigh, I began to collect all important items and put them into the box I conjured earlier. There is not much personal belongings here, but I do keep pictures of my friends and family in here. I was going through the files when Collin knocked on my door and entered my office.
"Hey, Collin, can you go through these files and arrange them according to the date. I will mark the priority ones after you have done."
"Sure". He sat down and I passed him the files. For about an hour later, we had gone through each and every file and wrapped up the completed list. It was when I put my books into the box, Collin noticed my office was devoid of any personal belongings.
"Hermione, if you don't mind me asking, why are you taking away your books and trinkets from the shelf?"
"I decided to change my career, Collin. A new department, perhaps." I shrugged
"Just why were you changing the department, Hermione? I thought you liked it here."
"I needed a break. I also wanted to explore new options."
"What brought this on, now? Is that why you worked like a walking zombie this past week. "
I was surprised to find how observant Collin was. But clearly it was not really a surprise. Collin was a photographer. He liked to observe other people's emotions to capture candid pictures. But he wasn't wrong. Last week had changed my life a lot. But I couldn't discuss it with anyone now. If possible, no one would be wise to know the real reason for my sudden interest in changing my career and upcoming departure. Despite reassuring myself, nothing had happened and working hard to prevent bursting into tears, Collin had noticed. So I decided to play it cool without acting suspicious.
"Are you sad to see me go, Collin? I asked with a pout.
"Of course, I am sad. You are my mentor, Hermione. Now I have to suffer some grumpy witch who will take over your office."
"Maybe, a wizard will take over my office who is not very grumpy." I added with a wink.
Collin flushed a little. "I don't know. I am not very opposed for Justin to be our new Head"
"Perhaps, he will join you with a little persuasion."
"Yeah, perhaps." Collin flashed a dreamy look. I smiled at my protégé and hoped Kingsley would select Justin Finch-Fletchley to take over my office.
True to his word, Kingsley sent me a list of documents featuring the vacancies available and the required training periods for each post. I was eating my lunch when the memo arrived by the department owl.
Kingsley had marked about five vacancies which do correlate with my qualifications. Although, I wasn't senior enough to become a Head of another existing department, I was happy enough to be a deputy Head or a Senior Personnel. I could consider it as a promotion if I want. Going through the lists, I thought about my priorities – Apart from a distraction, I needed to spend as little time as possible in England. I don't want to change the Ministry and leave my friends behind but I could work as far away from here also. Keeping that in mind, I went through the list given to me.
There was a vacancy in the Magical Law Enforcement which I quickly dismissed. I don't want to go catching dark wizards anymore. I wanted some peace. Next file consisted of a vacancy for Research Analyst in the Department of Mysteries. I thought about it. Researching and Analysis could be defined as one of my key attributes. I could excel in that. I kept the file aside. I would go through it later on. Next file promised me a Senior Position in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. The whole thing smelled Quidditch. Though I didn't have any ill feelings to that particular sport, I knew Quidditch isn't my thing. My best friends excelled in that, It was more their forte than mine.
Shaking my head, I took the fourth file which promised a deputy Head position in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It was my dream job from fourth year onwards. Now it was given to me in a silver platter. No, I couldn't accept it. My best friend, Luna Lovegood was working in that department. Just two weeks ago, Luna mentioned about this position to me and she wished she would be given that promotion. Luna was an exemplary animal enthusiast and I knew she really desired that position. Currently Luna was travelling with her boyfriend and my other best friend, Theodore Nott in Ireland on holiday. I couldn't betray her like that.
Fifth file sounded promising to me. There was a vacancy in the International Magical Cooperation as the deputy Head. Their Head of Dept. had retired a month before and the current deputy Head, Hestia Jones was offered the position of departmental Head leaving her position vacant. I contemplated about it. This position would give me an ample opportunity to travel across the world, meeting delegates from other countries and also stay away from Britain if I want. Since I was fluent in French and Spanish, thanks to my exceptional upbringing, I could excel in this position. I immediately signed the documents needed for my acceptance of proposal and the resignation of my current job and sent to Kingsley.
Rest of the day passed rather quickly. By evening, I had sorted through all my personal belongings and arranged them into the box. Since I didn't want anyone to see me leaving the Ministry with my personal belongings and to avoid false rumors of me getting kicked out, I shrunk the box and placed it in my work bag and headed towards the exit.
I flooed home from the atrium and deposited everything on my desk. The next step in my agenda is booking a flight to Australia. I decided to travel the Muggle way since that would avoid any traces of magic and also it was easier than booking an International Portkey. Very few people knew where my parents lived. Since there were dark wizards still waiting to be captured, I don't want to risk their safety by people knowing about them. Most of them believed my parents were dead which I have no interest in correcting them.
Taking my Muggle money and passport, I apparated to an alley next to London Heathrow Airport. There I booked a direct flight to Brisbane, Australia which would be leaving at 8 pm, next day. I paid the money and came back home ordering a Chinese takeaway and settled on my sofa.
I decided to pack some of my clothes along with my laptop and other gadgets in a travel bag. Since, I would be staying with my parents and they would expect me to accompany them to clubs and functions, I packed some of my formal wear as well.
After packing everything, I had a quick shower and ate my dinner- sushi. Kingsley had sent me an owl requesting a meeting with Hestia Jones afternoon to sign my transference documents and approval of my appointment. Possibly, they would give me pending files to study and analyze while I am on holiday. Good for me, I wasn't planning to spend my time idle. I would fully utilize all distractions I could get.
As I reached my study where I placed my belongings, I found the magazine in the desk which prompted me to take a sudden decision to change my life upside down. Thinking about it, I really couldn't blame the 'Wogue' completely. I was already thinking about leaving and changing. But it did play a role in my abrupt decision. The magazine showed a picture of him and her on a sun lounger in some sandy beach. Mediterranean, by the look of it. I couldn't help but wonder how the paparazzi had found them vacationing in a place which was clearly not in UK. Since I knew him personally, I don't think he would like to be pictured and posted in floozy magazines with lesser clothes. It might be someone else who had tipped off the paparazzi. The picture in the cover taunted me, mocking me the one thing which I could never have. It was her. It was always her. I didn't want to accept it earlier. I couldn't accept it still. It hurt me. I was always the strong person. I didn't like being weak and crying over something which was never mine. I needed a distraction. I needed to go away from here, where I couldn't get any of these trashy magazines which would only lead to heartbreak.
Looking around my bedroom, I couldn't comprehend the feeling of his absence. A week had passed, since he walked out of my life. I thought it would be become easier when the time passes. I now knew it was a false notion to believe time heals everything. Some injuries weren't meant to be healed. It would hurt you again and again when you patch it up. The injuries inflicted would wrench themselves open and it would bleed all over again. I remembered the first time I felt this heartbroken-just after the war. I wasn't alone at the moment. I had Luna with me to pick up the pieces. And Theo. Now I have none. And the pain is thousand times worse. Unlike last time, this one had blossomed into a full-fledged relationship. At least on my side. Couldn't say the same for him.
I still couldn't fathom where did it went wrong. What did I do to earn this misery? It was my mistake to enter into a rebound relationship knowing fully well, he wasn't over her. I foolishly believed it was me; it was only me. Now, I had to pay the price.
When he left, he took almost everything. It was like removing a part of me. The clothes he had used while spending his time here which filled almost half of my closet, the pictures of both of us during our dates, small trinkets I gifted him during his birthday and other holidays. There was no trace of him in my house. I wondered why he felt the need to erase himself from my life, why took the pictures and trinkets. It wasn't like I was going to blackmail him with them. Didn't he know me at all? Why didn't he leave the memories of the most pleasurable days of my life?
As I thought about the past months, I felt a sudden purge of sadness overwhelming me. I lost him, didn't I? I could never have him anymore, right? Hot tears flowed through my eyes splashing all over my pillow.
No, I wouldn't cry. What's gone is gone. Now is not the time for wallowing in self misery. Now is the time to start afresh. No more thinking about him. Not anymore.
Next day, when I arrived at the Minister's office, Kingsley was waiting for me. Together, we headed to Level 5, Department of International Magical Cooperation where Hestia was waiting for us in her office. I knew her during my time in the Order and I quite liked the formidable witch. From her expression, she also liked me and was happy for me to join her. I signed the transference documents and handed them to my new Head of Department. Hestia gave me some files to study and asked me to feel free to floo call her in terms of need. Thanking her and Kingsley, I headed home. Once there, I wrote a couple of letters to Harry and Ginny about my holiday and promising them to be in England two weeks before the wedding. I wrote a similar letter to Ron and the Weasleys. I wrote a different letter to Luna and Theo about my departmental change and my holiday to Australia requesting them not to tell anyone about my decision. Ironically, those two were the closest of my best friends and they might have an inkling why I took such a drastic decision so sudden. I hoped there wouldn't be any confrontation from Theo's part with him since he clearly don't want her to know about me. Luna might know my intentions about the anti-confrontation policy and distract Theo who himself believes as my brother. I couldn't complain. I do consider Theo as my brother and out of all my friends, he might be the only one who knows about me and him.
Spelling the letters to reach my friends only after I left, I sent them by my owl, Ariel. I asked her to go to Grimmauld Place where she could stay with Hedwig and Pigwidgeon. I had contacted my parents in the morning to let them know I would be arriving in the evening flight. Since it is a week day, I don't want to spring me upon them. They don't like surprises, a trait I also inherited from them. I changed into my casual clothes – jeans and t-shirt and put on my jacket. I took my travel bag along with my passport and ticket and apparated to Heathrow.
I headed over to check-in and stood in line, waiting with my travel bag. I haven't bothered with a suitcase, just my rucksack with an Undetectable Extension charm which could hold all my belongings. I didn't want to startle the flight attendants with magic, hence the travel bag.
"Ticket please?" The bored young man behind the desk hold up his hand without looking at me.
Mirroring his boredom, I handed over my ticket and my passport as ID. I am hoping for a window seat if at all possible. "Hermione Granger, A8"
He handed me the boarding pass and I headed towards the lounge muttering under my breath, Thank God, it is a window seat.
I put my bag away, sat back while the plane taxis to the runway, and pulled out one of the files Hestia handed to me about some new potion ingredients in Scandinavia. Once we're airborne, I tipped my seat back, and thought about the last seven months before drifting off to sleep.