Life After Hogwarts: Chapter 3
A/N: I'm getting them out so fast! I'm so proud! I hope it keeps up.
"You're joking right?" Harry said. Hermione had just told him that she couldn't apparate.
"Um, unfortunately, I'm not.shit. What the hell's wrong with me?"
"No idea," he replied, looking worried. "Um.try again, will you. Maybe.I don't know, just try." Hermione squeezed her eyes shut in concentration, trying really hard to apparate. She felt a sudden urge to leave-she just wanted time to think about stuff. But it was all to no avail. She really was stuck. "Harry!" she wailed. "I can't go!" He looked troubled, but offered a great solution anyway. "Maybe you can tell Professor Dumbledore." Hermione's eyes lit up. "I would love to go visit him again!" she said. "He's still teaching?" Harry nodded, and the two of them laughed, remembering all the way back to first year.
Lucky for Hermione, Harry had an extra broomstick lying around the house. He lent it to her and within an hour they were at the grand entrance of Hogwarts. Immediately the Headmaster himself greeted them. "Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione cried. "How did you know we were here?"
"Oh, well news gets around. How are you both? It's been a while, hasn't it?" he said jovially. They followed him up to his office. It was exactly the same, with the Pensieve in the cabinet and Fawkes sitting in the corner. "So. Any particular reason to drop by?" Dumbledore asked, with seemingly genuine interest.
"Well, Professor," Hermione began. "Today was actually my first day back in the wizarding world-"
"Welcome back, then! How did it all go?"
"-Oh, just lovely, except for a little problem. You see, I was ready to leave Harry's house and I just can't seem to Apparate." The professor frowned, evidently deep in thought. "Well," he said, after careful deliberation, "why don't we pop on over to Harry's house and you can show me what you mean. Obviously in Hogwarts, apparating is out of the question, so." Harry nodded. "Yes, Professor, of course."
A little while later Hermione had just demonstrated to Professor Dumbledore that apparating was just not possible for her. As soon as she had showed him, Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Exactly what I thought. Just a simple blocking spell, yet irreversible if the person who causes it isn't known. Do you have any idea who might have possibly done this?"
"No," sighed Hermione. "I just have no clue. Who would possibly even know that I'm here, except for all my friends and Valery Fox.oh." As Harry scowled at Hermione, she prepared for an outburst, but not before she noticed that Dumbledore had given the slightest of nods. He knows too, she thought. Valery's after Harry. But why? Why would she possibly want to harm him? Hermione wondered all this while Harry was busy screaming at her for even thinking that Valery was the culprit. "Hermione! What do you have against her? Honestly, if it isn't jealousy then what is it."
"Harry. You know as well as me that I'm not in the least bit jealous." He nodded apologetically. "I'm sorry, Hermione.just got a bit riled up there." Hermione agreed and quickly changed the topic. "So, I'm stuck here now. Do you know any good hotels where they can put me up or something until I can work things out?" she asked Harry. She knew actually that he would ask her to stay with him. They were friends and that was completely normal, but somehow, although she knew that she couldn't say no, she didn't want to. It would be so uncomfortable, especially with Valery hanging around. Screw Valery.
"You can stay with me, Hermione. I've got some guest bedrooms, you know, and it'll work out."
"Thanks, Harry. Oh hey do you mind lending me a broom for a bit. Gotta go shop for some necessities." He laughed. "Yeah, go ahead. Will you come to my house for dinner?"
"I'm not sure, actually. I'll give you a . oh wait, no cell phones! Um, well, actually, no I won't. I've imposed on your hospitality enough. I'll come in around nine or so. Is that all right?"
"Well I'm probably eating at Valery's place tonight, so I won't be home when you come in. Make yourself comfortable or whatever. Mi casa es su casa!" Hermione laughed. She loved having her best friend back.
After parting with Harry, Hermione decided she really needed to go to the Hogwarts library and try to find out something-anything-about Valery. She knew a clock was ticking somewhere, and that soon, it would just be too late. She didn't know what would happen, but something bad certainly would. But after three hours of hitting the books, some of which was literal, Hermione was ready to give up. There was absolutely no information on a Fox family anywhere. She'd read about Arctic white foxes and fox traps and fox hunts and fox fur, but nothing about Fox families. And then suddenly, Hermione was hit with a brainwave. When had Ron disappeared? What was it.just two weeks before Harry had finished off Voldemort. In that same week, Valery had been absent, because of family business, she had claimed. She had supposedly flown back to America. Hermione didn't really know how it tied in together, but she had what Americans called a "hunch". She was sure that Valery had quite a lot to do with Ron's disappearance.
Hermione grabbed her broomstick and began the long flight to the Weasley's house. She knew that Fred and George had moved out because of their joke shop's immense success. She also knew that Percy had married Penelope and the two of them lived somewhere far away and had close to no interaction with the Weasleys. And of course, Bill and Charlie weren't around either. So she just had to face Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and their daughter Ginny. Hermione was really nervous. She didn't know how Mrs. Weasley would feel about talking about her missing son. Would she be mad? Would she cry? The journey was shorter than what Hermione had estimated. She glanced at her watch. 5:46 p.m. She had a few hours to spend with the Weasleys. She rang the doorbell and waited anxiously. After a few minutes, an old, haggard woman opened it. Hermione felt tears jump to her eyes. Mrs. Weasley's bubbly personality had completely changed in the last few years, after what happened with Ron.
"Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley gasped. Hermione reached over for an awkward hug. "Hi, Mrs. Weasley. I was hoping I could stop by for a bit."
"Well of course! What a thing to wonder! What can I get you.some water, tea, snacks?"
"Oh no, I had a big lunch."
"Well, just come and sit down. I haven't seen you in years! You look absolutely marvelous, my dear! Let's see, Arthur is at work and Ginny's actually out of town. I suppose then that's just me for you to deal with.oh, it's so nice to have company! What can I do for you?"
"Well, Mrs. Weasley, it's really great seeing you again, but.while it may be painful.I'd really appreciate it if we could discuss a rather sore subject."
Mrs. Weasley sobered a bit. "You mean Ron, don't you," she said. It was a statement, not a question.
"Well, yes. The only reason I'm probing and bringing it back up is because I don't want to lose Harry as well. Mrs. Weasley, I'm positive that he's in danger and I think it all ties in with the same person who did Ron in."
"Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley, acting as if Hermione were suffering mental disorders, "You-know-who is dead. He won't be coming back again. He's gone for good. Harry's finished him off." Mrs. Weasley explained this patiently as if Hermione were five years old.
"No, no, I mean someone else. Someone that had absolutely nothing to do with Voldemort (Mrs. Weasley flinched). Do you know who Valery Fox is?"
"Why, yes! She was Ron's girlfriend in his last year. Stopped by after his disappearance. Lovely girl she was, so sweet, so apologetic.made it seem as if she'd done it to him, poor dear. She was so sympathetic. Her eyes were a little haunting however," said Mrs. Weasley. Out of all the things that Mrs. Weasley could have said, this was something that Hermione hadn't expected.
"What?" she said. "Valery was Harry's girlfriend, not Ron's!" Mrs. Weasley looked confused. "No, I'm positive Ron told me that Harry and that girl had had a fall-out. You must be mistaken."
Hermione lulled over this, knowing she was completely right. Ron would never do that to Harry unless someone was making him. And now Hermione was formulating a theory.
A/N: I'm getting them out so fast! I'm so proud! I hope it keeps up.
"You're joking right?" Harry said. Hermione had just told him that she couldn't apparate.
"Um, unfortunately, I'm not.shit. What the hell's wrong with me?"
"No idea," he replied, looking worried. "Um.try again, will you. Maybe.I don't know, just try." Hermione squeezed her eyes shut in concentration, trying really hard to apparate. She felt a sudden urge to leave-she just wanted time to think about stuff. But it was all to no avail. She really was stuck. "Harry!" she wailed. "I can't go!" He looked troubled, but offered a great solution anyway. "Maybe you can tell Professor Dumbledore." Hermione's eyes lit up. "I would love to go visit him again!" she said. "He's still teaching?" Harry nodded, and the two of them laughed, remembering all the way back to first year.
Lucky for Hermione, Harry had an extra broomstick lying around the house. He lent it to her and within an hour they were at the grand entrance of Hogwarts. Immediately the Headmaster himself greeted them. "Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione cried. "How did you know we were here?"
"Oh, well news gets around. How are you both? It's been a while, hasn't it?" he said jovially. They followed him up to his office. It was exactly the same, with the Pensieve in the cabinet and Fawkes sitting in the corner. "So. Any particular reason to drop by?" Dumbledore asked, with seemingly genuine interest.
"Well, Professor," Hermione began. "Today was actually my first day back in the wizarding world-"
"Welcome back, then! How did it all go?"
"-Oh, just lovely, except for a little problem. You see, I was ready to leave Harry's house and I just can't seem to Apparate." The professor frowned, evidently deep in thought. "Well," he said, after careful deliberation, "why don't we pop on over to Harry's house and you can show me what you mean. Obviously in Hogwarts, apparating is out of the question, so." Harry nodded. "Yes, Professor, of course."
A little while later Hermione had just demonstrated to Professor Dumbledore that apparating was just not possible for her. As soon as she had showed him, Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Exactly what I thought. Just a simple blocking spell, yet irreversible if the person who causes it isn't known. Do you have any idea who might have possibly done this?"
"No," sighed Hermione. "I just have no clue. Who would possibly even know that I'm here, except for all my friends and Valery Fox.oh." As Harry scowled at Hermione, she prepared for an outburst, but not before she noticed that Dumbledore had given the slightest of nods. He knows too, she thought. Valery's after Harry. But why? Why would she possibly want to harm him? Hermione wondered all this while Harry was busy screaming at her for even thinking that Valery was the culprit. "Hermione! What do you have against her? Honestly, if it isn't jealousy then what is it."
"Harry. You know as well as me that I'm not in the least bit jealous." He nodded apologetically. "I'm sorry, Hermione.just got a bit riled up there." Hermione agreed and quickly changed the topic. "So, I'm stuck here now. Do you know any good hotels where they can put me up or something until I can work things out?" she asked Harry. She knew actually that he would ask her to stay with him. They were friends and that was completely normal, but somehow, although she knew that she couldn't say no, she didn't want to. It would be so uncomfortable, especially with Valery hanging around. Screw Valery.
"You can stay with me, Hermione. I've got some guest bedrooms, you know, and it'll work out."
"Thanks, Harry. Oh hey do you mind lending me a broom for a bit. Gotta go shop for some necessities." He laughed. "Yeah, go ahead. Will you come to my house for dinner?"
"I'm not sure, actually. I'll give you a . oh wait, no cell phones! Um, well, actually, no I won't. I've imposed on your hospitality enough. I'll come in around nine or so. Is that all right?"
"Well I'm probably eating at Valery's place tonight, so I won't be home when you come in. Make yourself comfortable or whatever. Mi casa es su casa!" Hermione laughed. She loved having her best friend back.
After parting with Harry, Hermione decided she really needed to go to the Hogwarts library and try to find out something-anything-about Valery. She knew a clock was ticking somewhere, and that soon, it would just be too late. She didn't know what would happen, but something bad certainly would. But after three hours of hitting the books, some of which was literal, Hermione was ready to give up. There was absolutely no information on a Fox family anywhere. She'd read about Arctic white foxes and fox traps and fox hunts and fox fur, but nothing about Fox families. And then suddenly, Hermione was hit with a brainwave. When had Ron disappeared? What was it.just two weeks before Harry had finished off Voldemort. In that same week, Valery had been absent, because of family business, she had claimed. She had supposedly flown back to America. Hermione didn't really know how it tied in together, but she had what Americans called a "hunch". She was sure that Valery had quite a lot to do with Ron's disappearance.
Hermione grabbed her broomstick and began the long flight to the Weasley's house. She knew that Fred and George had moved out because of their joke shop's immense success. She also knew that Percy had married Penelope and the two of them lived somewhere far away and had close to no interaction with the Weasleys. And of course, Bill and Charlie weren't around either. So she just had to face Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and their daughter Ginny. Hermione was really nervous. She didn't know how Mrs. Weasley would feel about talking about her missing son. Would she be mad? Would she cry? The journey was shorter than what Hermione had estimated. She glanced at her watch. 5:46 p.m. She had a few hours to spend with the Weasleys. She rang the doorbell and waited anxiously. After a few minutes, an old, haggard woman opened it. Hermione felt tears jump to her eyes. Mrs. Weasley's bubbly personality had completely changed in the last few years, after what happened with Ron.
"Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley gasped. Hermione reached over for an awkward hug. "Hi, Mrs. Weasley. I was hoping I could stop by for a bit."
"Well of course! What a thing to wonder! What can I get you.some water, tea, snacks?"
"Oh no, I had a big lunch."
"Well, just come and sit down. I haven't seen you in years! You look absolutely marvelous, my dear! Let's see, Arthur is at work and Ginny's actually out of town. I suppose then that's just me for you to deal with.oh, it's so nice to have company! What can I do for you?"
"Well, Mrs. Weasley, it's really great seeing you again, but.while it may be painful.I'd really appreciate it if we could discuss a rather sore subject."
Mrs. Weasley sobered a bit. "You mean Ron, don't you," she said. It was a statement, not a question.
"Well, yes. The only reason I'm probing and bringing it back up is because I don't want to lose Harry as well. Mrs. Weasley, I'm positive that he's in danger and I think it all ties in with the same person who did Ron in."
"Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley, acting as if Hermione were suffering mental disorders, "You-know-who is dead. He won't be coming back again. He's gone for good. Harry's finished him off." Mrs. Weasley explained this patiently as if Hermione were five years old.
"No, no, I mean someone else. Someone that had absolutely nothing to do with Voldemort (Mrs. Weasley flinched). Do you know who Valery Fox is?"
"Why, yes! She was Ron's girlfriend in his last year. Stopped by after his disappearance. Lovely girl she was, so sweet, so apologetic.made it seem as if she'd done it to him, poor dear. She was so sympathetic. Her eyes were a little haunting however," said Mrs. Weasley. Out of all the things that Mrs. Weasley could have said, this was something that Hermione hadn't expected.
"What?" she said. "Valery was Harry's girlfriend, not Ron's!" Mrs. Weasley looked confused. "No, I'm positive Ron told me that Harry and that girl had had a fall-out. You must be mistaken."
Hermione lulled over this, knowing she was completely right. Ron would never do that to Harry unless someone was making him. And now Hermione was formulating a theory.
