Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
Hermione turned back and started her way home. She wasn't entirely sure of what to tell her parents but she had to tell them first. Besides, there will be no point of celebrating for this if her parents won't allow her in the first place. Hermione sighed. Despite her independence, she still has great respect for the decisions her parents have for her. And if in case they wouldn't want her to take the scholarship, which probably will be the case, then there's nothing she could do about it. But Harvard. no one in her right frame of mind will take down an offer like that. especially Hermione.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Hermione walked towards the kitchen to find her parents conjuring up a banquet. The kitchen was filled with all sorts of food, from vegetables, meat, and a variety of fruits. The counter was stashed with several pans and pots, and the whole place was a mess. Hermione stretched her arms forward, flashed her palms, then covered her mouth with her hands. She then made a face. "What the hell just happened here?"
"Funny! We're celebrating honey! We're sure that you got the job you wanted. well, what exactly is the job you applied for? You never told us," Mr. Granger walked towards his daughter and touched her on both shoulders, looking straight into her eyes.
"Well. I. Mom, careful!" Hermione rushed forward to the oven where her mom was trying to roast a huge turkey. Her mother just slipped and splashed a considerable amount of pumpkin juice on the floor. Hermione noticed that there were several peelings of fruit scattered on the floor as well. "Look, you didn't have to do this. I." Hermione held out her hand to her mom and helped her to her feet. "I didn't get the job, and it doesn't matter what it was, or should have been, I just didn't get it."
Mrs. Granger almost slipped again when she heard the news. Luckily, Hermione caught her by the arm and broke her fall. "Mom, you don't have to exaggerate." Hermione gave her mother a serious look.
Her dad stepped forward and took her hand. "What happened, honey? You, know, its okay. We know you'll be able to find another job." Her father sighed and then his eyes suddenly flashed hope. "Maybe, you could try out for the Daily Prophet! I hear they are looking for new researchers that are."
"Stop!" Hermione cut in. "I have good news for both of you. Actually it's good news for me, and I'm not quite sure if it is for you. But you have to know. It's very important." Hermione turned her head from her father, to her mother, then back to her mother again. "And it's serious."
Her parents joined in front of her and had their hands clasped together. "You're pregnant?" Mrs. Granger's face was lined with shock, but for some weird reason she looked calm. "You can tell us, we're ready for this."
Hermione couldn't believe it. Her parents actually think she's pregnant! They weren't just dense, they were unbelievable and their minds were definitely unfathomable. She walked out of the kitchen, balancing herself on the way as she nearly crashed into a basket of fruits on the table.
"Hermione, honey, I said you can tell us!" Her parents were following her to the living room and were now looking anxious. "Look, its okay, you don't have to hide it. We've seen the signs. You barely eat breakfast anymore, and you've grown fond of fruits. You're always tired at night and you often get dizzy. And you're always with Harry. We know Harry's rich so it will be okay for you to get married and maybe by then, you two can buy a house and."
"Shut up!" Hermione has had enough. She turned to face them. "Are you my parents or what?" Hermione reached for the folded piece of paper inside her pocket. "Read this." Her father was looking intently at the paper so Hermione right away added, "And it's not a marriage contract!"
Her parents hurried unfolded the paper and read its contents. Hermione took a deep breath. In a few seconds she would know if she would be spending the next semester in Harvard or not. After reading the paper, her parents looked at each other, then to Hermione. "When did you get this?" her father spoke first.
Gulp. "Just this morning. Profe. I mean, the Minister of Magic gave it to me. He said it would be better if I study college first in the muggle world before diving into the world of the employed, or rather unemployed" Hermione was trying to surface the reactions and opinions of her parents but none of them were giving her hints.
"I see. Um, Hermione, are you sure you want to go to college, take all that pressure and face all that responsibility?" Her mother's tone was a cross between concern and reverse psychology.
"Mom, I wouldn't have told you if I didn't want to go. You both know this is my dream. But I also want you to know that whatever your decision will be, I will respect that." But deep inside, Hermione was wishing they would agree. She involuntarily played with her hair and waited for a response from either of them.
Suddenly, her parents moved from their standing position to the couch. Hermione had almost thought the three of them were glued at the exact same places they were standing. Her mom handed the paper to her dad then crossed her arms and legs. *She's being pressured.* Then Hermione saw her left eyebrow twitch slightly. *But she's considering it.* Finally, her mother spoke, "What do you think, Dad?" turning her head to her husband.
Hermione became tenser. Her father was definitely stricter about things like this. But by the look on his face, Hermione saw that her dad was at least pondering on the idea. *Just say yes, please say yes.* Then her dad's voice broke the silence. "Harvard is a very distant school, Hermione, which means you'll have to live in a dormitory. You may only be able to visit us after every semester. And though you may write to us everyday, it will be different from having you here. You've been away from us for seven years when you were studying at Hogwarts, and going to Harvard makes that worse." *This is getting nowhere*, Hermione thought. These were the exact same things she thought her parents would say. But a sudden surge of hope came to Hermione when she saw her parents glance at each other and smile. Mrs. Granger spoke next. "However." *Yes!* "we know that this is very important to you and that this indeed will contribute a lot for your future. We really appreciate that you came to ask us first before filling out the application form yourself. So." *Please, please, oh, please* "if this is what you want, we are allowing you to apply."
Hermione jumped up in joy. "Thank you!" She locked both her parents in her arms and hugged them tightly. "I love you both!"
**
After settling the issue with her parents, Hermione called to Harry's apartment to check if he was there. She only got to the answering machine, which meant Harry was still at Hogsmeade. They were supposed to eat lunch together after Hermione's job interview, but Hermione decided to invite Harry over to her house for the 'feast' her parents had prepared for her. Eventually, Hermione's parents decided to buy more food when it sunk in on them that their only daughter might be going to Harvard.
Hermione first stopped at the Three Broomsticks, but Harry wasn't there. She then tried on the other stores just in case Harry was just moving around, but had no luck. After half an hour of searching for Harry, Hermione decided to go back home and just leave a message on Harry's answering machine. But just as she was about to apparate from behind a lamppost, she was stopped by a hand that grabbed her arm.
"Ron!" Hermione screamed as she turned around. She threw her arms around him and squeezed him to tightly he could barely breathe. "I missed you!" Hermione was shaking him and still hasn't let go. Ron had to grab her by her shoulders so that she would move back and give him air. "Sorry, just carried away." Hermione grinned and slapped Ron's broad shoulder. "How you've been? How come you disappeared after graduation? I thought the three of us were going to look for a job together?"
Ron shrugged. "Well, I have new responsibilities now, Hermione, as you may well know. I have great plans for mum and dad, and no one of my siblings is willing to help me. Since I may not yet get my own family, I decided I would spend my time making my parents enjoy their retirement."
Hermione smiled. "That's so sweet. Wait, does that mean that you're the one who's paying for Ginny's last year at Hogwarts?"
"Actually, Fred and George are doing that. I would have presented myself when they almost persuaded Ginny to stop at her last year and just work for them in their joke shop. said she would earn more than flashing a Hogwarts degree."
Hermione laughed. "The twins have never changed. Anyway, are you doing something now? Can I invite you to a special lunch at our house?"
"You know I'd love to, Hermione," Ron said, grinning. "I have actually finished trying out for the London Quidditch Team and I was just stopping by for some butterbeer. But wouldn't it be better if Harry will be there?"
"Harry will be there, Ron, I'll just leave a message at his apartment and he'll probably hear it in time to join us."
Ron raised an eyebrow. "But Harry just told me he'd be trying out for the Quidditch Team too. I just met him there before I left. He's in the batch after mine."
"Harry didn't tell me about trying out for the team. He never told me anything about it at all," Hermione said, her tone filled with confusion.
"He probably wanted to surprise you, Hermione. You know Harry; he's so full of surprises." Ron tried to smile but stopped when he saw Hermione's expression.
"But he's not supposed to keep important things like this from me. I would never do that to him," Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.
Ron immediately smelled trouble. "Uh, Hermione, maybe we should just wait for Harry at your house. He'll probably call you after the tryouts, or maybe he'll even go straight there to tell you about it."
Hermione nodded, turned around and started to leave. "You're probably right." She was pacing so fast that Ron had to skip steps to follow her.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
Hermione turned back and started her way home. She wasn't entirely sure of what to tell her parents but she had to tell them first. Besides, there will be no point of celebrating for this if her parents won't allow her in the first place. Hermione sighed. Despite her independence, she still has great respect for the decisions her parents have for her. And if in case they wouldn't want her to take the scholarship, which probably will be the case, then there's nothing she could do about it. But Harvard. no one in her right frame of mind will take down an offer like that. especially Hermione.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Hermione walked towards the kitchen to find her parents conjuring up a banquet. The kitchen was filled with all sorts of food, from vegetables, meat, and a variety of fruits. The counter was stashed with several pans and pots, and the whole place was a mess. Hermione stretched her arms forward, flashed her palms, then covered her mouth with her hands. She then made a face. "What the hell just happened here?"
"Funny! We're celebrating honey! We're sure that you got the job you wanted. well, what exactly is the job you applied for? You never told us," Mr. Granger walked towards his daughter and touched her on both shoulders, looking straight into her eyes.
"Well. I. Mom, careful!" Hermione rushed forward to the oven where her mom was trying to roast a huge turkey. Her mother just slipped and splashed a considerable amount of pumpkin juice on the floor. Hermione noticed that there were several peelings of fruit scattered on the floor as well. "Look, you didn't have to do this. I." Hermione held out her hand to her mom and helped her to her feet. "I didn't get the job, and it doesn't matter what it was, or should have been, I just didn't get it."
Mrs. Granger almost slipped again when she heard the news. Luckily, Hermione caught her by the arm and broke her fall. "Mom, you don't have to exaggerate." Hermione gave her mother a serious look.
Her dad stepped forward and took her hand. "What happened, honey? You, know, its okay. We know you'll be able to find another job." Her father sighed and then his eyes suddenly flashed hope. "Maybe, you could try out for the Daily Prophet! I hear they are looking for new researchers that are."
"Stop!" Hermione cut in. "I have good news for both of you. Actually it's good news for me, and I'm not quite sure if it is for you. But you have to know. It's very important." Hermione turned her head from her father, to her mother, then back to her mother again. "And it's serious."
Her parents joined in front of her and had their hands clasped together. "You're pregnant?" Mrs. Granger's face was lined with shock, but for some weird reason she looked calm. "You can tell us, we're ready for this."
Hermione couldn't believe it. Her parents actually think she's pregnant! They weren't just dense, they were unbelievable and their minds were definitely unfathomable. She walked out of the kitchen, balancing herself on the way as she nearly crashed into a basket of fruits on the table.
"Hermione, honey, I said you can tell us!" Her parents were following her to the living room and were now looking anxious. "Look, its okay, you don't have to hide it. We've seen the signs. You barely eat breakfast anymore, and you've grown fond of fruits. You're always tired at night and you often get dizzy. And you're always with Harry. We know Harry's rich so it will be okay for you to get married and maybe by then, you two can buy a house and."
"Shut up!" Hermione has had enough. She turned to face them. "Are you my parents or what?" Hermione reached for the folded piece of paper inside her pocket. "Read this." Her father was looking intently at the paper so Hermione right away added, "And it's not a marriage contract!"
Her parents hurried unfolded the paper and read its contents. Hermione took a deep breath. In a few seconds she would know if she would be spending the next semester in Harvard or not. After reading the paper, her parents looked at each other, then to Hermione. "When did you get this?" her father spoke first.
Gulp. "Just this morning. Profe. I mean, the Minister of Magic gave it to me. He said it would be better if I study college first in the muggle world before diving into the world of the employed, or rather unemployed" Hermione was trying to surface the reactions and opinions of her parents but none of them were giving her hints.
"I see. Um, Hermione, are you sure you want to go to college, take all that pressure and face all that responsibility?" Her mother's tone was a cross between concern and reverse psychology.
"Mom, I wouldn't have told you if I didn't want to go. You both know this is my dream. But I also want you to know that whatever your decision will be, I will respect that." But deep inside, Hermione was wishing they would agree. She involuntarily played with her hair and waited for a response from either of them.
Suddenly, her parents moved from their standing position to the couch. Hermione had almost thought the three of them were glued at the exact same places they were standing. Her mom handed the paper to her dad then crossed her arms and legs. *She's being pressured.* Then Hermione saw her left eyebrow twitch slightly. *But she's considering it.* Finally, her mother spoke, "What do you think, Dad?" turning her head to her husband.
Hermione became tenser. Her father was definitely stricter about things like this. But by the look on his face, Hermione saw that her dad was at least pondering on the idea. *Just say yes, please say yes.* Then her dad's voice broke the silence. "Harvard is a very distant school, Hermione, which means you'll have to live in a dormitory. You may only be able to visit us after every semester. And though you may write to us everyday, it will be different from having you here. You've been away from us for seven years when you were studying at Hogwarts, and going to Harvard makes that worse." *This is getting nowhere*, Hermione thought. These were the exact same things she thought her parents would say. But a sudden surge of hope came to Hermione when she saw her parents glance at each other and smile. Mrs. Granger spoke next. "However." *Yes!* "we know that this is very important to you and that this indeed will contribute a lot for your future. We really appreciate that you came to ask us first before filling out the application form yourself. So." *Please, please, oh, please* "if this is what you want, we are allowing you to apply."
Hermione jumped up in joy. "Thank you!" She locked both her parents in her arms and hugged them tightly. "I love you both!"
**
After settling the issue with her parents, Hermione called to Harry's apartment to check if he was there. She only got to the answering machine, which meant Harry was still at Hogsmeade. They were supposed to eat lunch together after Hermione's job interview, but Hermione decided to invite Harry over to her house for the 'feast' her parents had prepared for her. Eventually, Hermione's parents decided to buy more food when it sunk in on them that their only daughter might be going to Harvard.
Hermione first stopped at the Three Broomsticks, but Harry wasn't there. She then tried on the other stores just in case Harry was just moving around, but had no luck. After half an hour of searching for Harry, Hermione decided to go back home and just leave a message on Harry's answering machine. But just as she was about to apparate from behind a lamppost, she was stopped by a hand that grabbed her arm.
"Ron!" Hermione screamed as she turned around. She threw her arms around him and squeezed him to tightly he could barely breathe. "I missed you!" Hermione was shaking him and still hasn't let go. Ron had to grab her by her shoulders so that she would move back and give him air. "Sorry, just carried away." Hermione grinned and slapped Ron's broad shoulder. "How you've been? How come you disappeared after graduation? I thought the three of us were going to look for a job together?"
Ron shrugged. "Well, I have new responsibilities now, Hermione, as you may well know. I have great plans for mum and dad, and no one of my siblings is willing to help me. Since I may not yet get my own family, I decided I would spend my time making my parents enjoy their retirement."
Hermione smiled. "That's so sweet. Wait, does that mean that you're the one who's paying for Ginny's last year at Hogwarts?"
"Actually, Fred and George are doing that. I would have presented myself when they almost persuaded Ginny to stop at her last year and just work for them in their joke shop. said she would earn more than flashing a Hogwarts degree."
Hermione laughed. "The twins have never changed. Anyway, are you doing something now? Can I invite you to a special lunch at our house?"
"You know I'd love to, Hermione," Ron said, grinning. "I have actually finished trying out for the London Quidditch Team and I was just stopping by for some butterbeer. But wouldn't it be better if Harry will be there?"
"Harry will be there, Ron, I'll just leave a message at his apartment and he'll probably hear it in time to join us."
Ron raised an eyebrow. "But Harry just told me he'd be trying out for the Quidditch Team too. I just met him there before I left. He's in the batch after mine."
"Harry didn't tell me about trying out for the team. He never told me anything about it at all," Hermione said, her tone filled with confusion.
"He probably wanted to surprise you, Hermione. You know Harry; he's so full of surprises." Ron tried to smile but stopped when he saw Hermione's expression.
"But he's not supposed to keep important things like this from me. I would never do that to him," Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.
Ron immediately smelled trouble. "Uh, Hermione, maybe we should just wait for Harry at your house. He'll probably call you after the tryouts, or maybe he'll even go straight there to tell you about it."
Hermione nodded, turned around and started to leave. "You're probably right." She was pacing so fast that Ron had to skip steps to follow her.