Strictly Professional

By Cabbage Rose

Summary: On the day of graduation, Hermione moves suddenly, leaving Ron heartbroken. 10 years later, Hermione is presumed dead, and Ron has moved on, taking a job at Hogwarts. But what happens when a certain someone is teaching at Hogwarts as well? Will old flames rekindle or will their relationship be strictly professional? RonHer.

Author's Notes: Hello. Well this is when Hermione gets to speak. These are not actual chapters, but interludes. They only happen when something huge happened and Hermione is affected by it. If you were completely clueless about whom Ron saw last chapter (I would be sort of scared if you were), I think this will really help. Hermione and Sango (from Inuyasha) are the best! I don't know why I just said that, but it must be said. There should be more people like them (and me, lol) in the world: intelligent and kick ass. Lol. Here is the first interlude. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Emergency Newsbreak: I don't own Hermione Granger or any other Harry Potter character...Thank you for your attention.

Interlude 1

Hermione Granger cried in her Head Girl bedroom as she reread the note she received that morning. She thought that her parents were joshing her, trying to make her laugh so she wouldn't be so tense at the Graduation Ceremony when they said that they were moving to Africa to help the starving children. But she was wrong. Shortly after graduation, she was going to move straight to Africa to start her quest. It wasn't even her quest to go on, though; it was her parent's. It was their idea that Hermione should do something useful. Why they did this so suddenly she didn't know why. She liked plans, she liked schedules. Spontaneous wasn't her thing, and such as now, when she tried it would go horribly wrong. But now she was going to Africa, and there was nothing she could do about it.

She knew that crying about going to Africa to help starving children was terribly selfish, but she couldn't help it. She liked what was going to happen. She was going to graduate with Ron and Harry by her side. Then she would probably hang out at the Burrow for a while, discussing what they planned to do. She also had hoped that something would happen between her and Ron...but that was also an unlikely and selfish thing to hope. In Africa children were dying every day, and here she was, crying that she didn't get her way. She felt so childish.

She laid the note on her nightstand and went into the master bathroom. She splashed cold water in her face and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes and faces were red from crying, and her lips were chapped. Mascara marks still remained from the crying. The bushy ginger hair that she could never tame framed her face and some plastered against her cheeks. In other words, she looked like a wreck. She decided to take a warm shower. In the shower she applied the detangling shampoo to her hair, even though it never worked, and scrubbed her face. She also shaved her legs and underarms so she would have an excuse to stay in the relaxing shower longer.

After 30 minutes she got out of the shower and wrapped her germandy towel around her. As she was applying her French vanilla scented chap-stick (she never wore lip gloss, except on special occasions) and wrapping her hair, the bell that she put a spell on to ring when people enter her dormitory rang. Not wanting to be rude by keeping who ever it was waiting, she just went straight into the living room to greet them. She was horrified when she saw who was seeing her half-naked.

"Uh, hi Hermione. Is this a bad time?" Ron asked sincerely, even though he had a suggestive smirk on his face.

"Hey, um. No, just stay here and I'll change." She said, embarrassed. She then added as an afterthought, "Don't look, or I swear I'll hex you."

"It would be hard, Hermione, since you are so tempting, but I think I will behave." Ron half-joked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, saying, "You are such a randy bastard at times, Ron." But a trace of a grin could be seen on her face.

Hermione entered her room, locking her door with a spell as a precaution, and hung up her towels. She used a drying spell on her hair, for it was still wet. She would usually do that when she had to get to class, but she liked the natural look it got when dried with a towel. Unfortunately she would have gotten her shirt wet if she didn't use it. She got dressed in a light pink shirt with black butterflies on them and black dress pants. She didn't put on shoes, for her toenails were naturally pink. She then went back into the living room, finding Ron flipping through a magazine.

"Thanks for not looking." She said, sitting next to him.

"Who says I didn't?" Ron teased.

"If you did large boils would have appeared on your face and rear. No one wants that." Hermione said.

Ron looked terrified. "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"

"Depends...if you invade my privacy when it doesn't want to be invaded." Hermione said slyly.

"That's so evil of you." Ron said.

"I know. I am just awesome that way." Hermione was glad Ron came. Going to Africa hadn't even come across her mind when he came...until just then. She would be leaving not only everyone behind, but him behind. She didn't know how she was going to tell him.

"Yeah, you are...So you were sort of upset at breakfast this morning. Is everything ok?" Ron asked, genuinely concerned.

"Uh, yeah. Just something came up. Nothing important." Hermione lied. Hermione wasn't good at lying, and Ron knew her well enough to know when she was. She hoped that he couldn't see through her.

"Ok...Are you sure?" Ron asked.

Hermione was flattered that he cared so much. 'He is my best mate, and a lecherous one at that. He doesn't see me any more than one of the guys...' She thought sadly. "Yes, I am sure. So where is Harry?" Hermione asked, wanting to change the subject.

"With Ginny. Who else? For someone who broke up with my sister last year he seems to be hanging around with her a lot still." Ron said, a bit of anger in his voice.

"They are just friends. They are probably best mates, like you and I, Ron. Harry's intentions don't have to be dirty. He is your best mate for goodness sakes." Hermione said, annoyed with Ron's constant opinion on that subject.

"I guess. But I swear, if he hurts her again, I will have to do something. He is my mate and all, but no one messes with my little sister." Ron said.

Hermione was both moved and annoyed with Ron's protection over Ginny. "She is a big girl now. She doesn't need you to protect her from everything."

"...I know. I just don't like seeing her hurt, y' know?"

"Yeah. Your intentions are sweet but she doesn't need protecting anymore. Being hurt is part of life. We get knocked down and get right back up." Hermione wisely said.

"You're right. So what do you want to do now? All of these morals are making me sick." Ron joked.

"Want to walk by the lake?" Hermione asked, wanting to be in a feel good situation with him before she would have to leave.

"Sure. There is nothing better to do. Maybe we'll see what Harry and Ginny are doing out there." Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Her talk with Ron had little to no effect on him. She was about to walk out of the portrait hole with Ron when she had an idea. "Um, Ron, I just remembered I had to do something. Uh, meet you down there in 5 minutes?"

"Ok. See you in a few." Ron said, getting out of the hole.

Hermione quickly grabbed her parchment and a quill and started writing:

'Dear Ron,

I don't know how to say this, but I know I must. Let me start by saying it has been wonderful being your friend for the past seven years, despite our many quarrels. You have become very close to me, and I will never forget you. Never. But...After Hogwarts, my family and I are moving to Africa to help the starving children. And I am not sure that...I could see you...or Harry, ever again. I do not know if our mission would be completed. There are many starving children there, and everyone should do at least one huge good deed in their lifetime, and you could say this is mine.

As much as I would like to stay in contact with you, trust me, I do, I do not think that the children will think that birds with parchment flying into my hut will be normal. I plan not to use magic while I am in Africa. If I could I would just make enough food for the children, but unfortunately that is not the case. I think that would be dishonest. I will just help for a while, and then, if I am fortunate enough, I will return and find you. But there are many diseases in Africa, as well as deadly weather. I doubt that any harm will be done to me, but I am just warning.

Oh, no, I am rambling. Well anyway, I am sorry that I have to leave so suddenly, right after graduation. Just to let you know, I care for you, just like my own family. You have always been there for me, even when Harry got all moody and wasn't, and I thank you. I don't know how I would have done without your support. You may find that hard to believe but it is true. The fact is that I like you more than a friend. I realized that a long time ago. I was just too afraid of rejection. I know that doesn't sound like me, but liking someone a lot makes you different. Well, I hope that I get to see you again. I probably will.

Love, Hermione'

Hermione realized what she just written and purposely smudged the last part. She went back in the bathroom and washed the ink off her hands. Then she rushed out of the portrait hole, for she was late, and in her haste forgetting the note that she was going to give to Ron. That night she came back, feeling a little ill, and went to sleep.

--

That morning, the morning of graduation, she found herself shivering in her bed. She was very cold, and she didn't feel well at all. Just then, Ron came in. She wondered why she didn't hear the bell. "Hermione?" He went up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you ok?"

"Ron?" she asked. She was sure and relieved it was him, but she wanted to make sure.

"It's me. You look sick. You look really sick." Ron said. Hermione wished that Ron didn't see her in such a state. She wondered what was worse: half-naked yesterday, or sweating and shivering up a storm today.

"I-I am so c-cold." Hermione said. She couldn't even speak properly because she was shivering so badly.

Ron put his hand on her forehead, making her shiver even more. "Yep, you're sick. I wish I knew what to do...Do you think you could stomach something? Want medicine? Maybe I can take you to the Hospital Wing or something..."

Hermione, who didn't want to leave the considerably warm bed and wanted Ron's company, said, "N-no, Ron. Just stay with me for a-awhile. I will feel b-better by the time g-graduation starts." With a lot of effort, she moved about an inch to the side so that Ron could lie down next to her.

"If you say so..." Ron said, lying next to her. Hermione, still shivering but smiling, then fell into a peaceful sleep.

--

Hermione gave out the regular food to the children, of which they took gratefully. She had been doing this for 10 years, feeding the children and seeing them grow. Just the thought of it made Hermione smile. She was amazed, though, at how some children refused to eat something if it wasn't their favorite food, while these children would gladly take anything. Even brussel sprouts.

Yes, spending time with these children was its own reward. She couldn't believe that before she was reluctant about doing this. Not that she didn't miss her friends; she thought about them everyday, but doing this was more important. Her parents said that Hermione had done a good job of helping them out, and that if she wanted she could move back to England and get a job. She didn't know if she wanted to or not. She really wanted to see Ron, Harry, Ginny, and the others, but aren't people in need more important? She had really wanted to teach Ancient Ruins at Hogwarts for quite a while; it had been her dream ever since she took it in the third year. But what if when she moved back they desperately needed volunteers? She discussed her worries with her parents. They just said "Follow your heart."

And that is what she did. She was moving back to England. She got the job at Hogwarts, not that she had any competition for most people thought the subject was boring, and was now riding by helicopter to the school. She told Headmistress McGonaggal that she could not make it in time for the train, so she would have to fly in. McGonaggal agreed and temporarily put the barriers down.

Hermione was excited, to say the least. Hogwarts was her second home. That was where she met her friends, had her adventures, fell in love...it was a great place to be. And now she was returning to it. She was also excited for right after the Great Feast she was going to get in contact with her friends. She hoped that they weren't mad at her for not communicating, but they surely realized that she couldn't? It wasn't her choice in the matter, after all.

She wondered what happened to her friends. Even though she didn't do anything magic related she found out from the Internet (she had a lab top with wireless internet; it also had a connection to the wizarding world) that Harry and Ron defeated Voldemort. She wished she were by their side when they did, but she knew she couldn't do everything. She wondered if Harry got married to Ginny, if Fred got married to Angelina, if Ron got married period. For some reason, the thought of Ron being married made her boil a bit inside, and she didn't know why.

"We're landing, miss." The pilot told her. Hermione looked down and saw Hogwarts in all of its glory. It was just like she remembered. It was dark and the lights of the castle shone onto the lake, making it glisten. The moonlight cascaded down the many fields that they were now landing on.

Once safely on the ground, Hermione practically jumped out from excitement, thanked the pilot, and briskly walked towards Hogwarts. She opened the doors, greeted by the sound of anxious students, waiting for the Great Hall to open. She decided that she had time to see if the place had changed. She walked around the Gryfinndor tower first. It was the same and decorated in the usual red and gold. Then she checked out the main halls. They were just like she remembered. She was about to go up and check out the Owlery when Neville Longbottom showed up. "Neville? I haven't seen you in years. What are you doing here?"

"I am teaching Charms. What are you doing here? You are supposed to be dead." Neville said, a letter in hand.

"I am teaching Ancient Ruins. I just got here from Africa. What do you mean dead?" Hermione asked. She had been away for a while, but surely they didn't think she died...

"You have been away for a while. Everyone thought you died from some horrible disease, or at least that is what I am told." Neville said, thrilled that Hermione was indeed alive.

"Well I am alive. I am sort of sad that people lost faith in me though..." Hermione thought that the others knew better than think she was dead. Most people knew that she wouldn't stop something until she felt it was finished.

"Whoa...I just realized something. He is going to be amazed when I tell him. I told him that I was right." Neville said excitedly. "I got to go send this letter. I'll see you later. God, he is going to be thrilled!"

"Who is going to be thrilled? You aren't making any sense!" Hermione said, but Neville had already sped off. Hermione walked back to the Great Hall and took her seat at the teacher's table, all the way wondering why Neville was acting so weird. Hagrid came up and took the seat next to her.

"'ermione! What are you 'oing 'ere? Hagrid asked, "Aren' you s'ill suppose' to be in Af'ica?"

"It is so good to see you, Hagrid!" Hermione said, smiling warmly, "I just flew in a few minutes ago."

"Wai' 'till he sees yeh!" Hagrid said happily. Hermione didn't have the chance to ask who 'he' was for Headmistress McGonaggal had started her speech. Well, it wasn't really a speech, but more of a lecture. Instead of giving kind words about doing well this year, McGonaggal was just listing every rule in the Hogwarts Code of Conduct. Even Hermione had to admit that it was dull compared to Dumbledore's vibrant ones. After that they did the Sorting Hat with the first years. It was evened out equally, each team getting about a fourth of the new group. And then everyone started to eat. Hermione, who wasn't really hungry, drank her Pumpkin Juice. Right when she was starting to wonder where Neville was, he came out of the door. The next person who followed him made her jaw drop. Her best mate, Ronald Weasley, was right before her.

Author's Notes: Well there is the first interlude for you. They will normally be shorter than this, because this one was listing the past and the present. Next chapter coming soon. Please review!