Strictly Professional

By Cabbage Rose

Author's Note: Oh…my…gosh…The author lives. The angry readers thought I was dead, and therefore excusing my absence. (gets bashed on the head with lamp) …Now that you got your revenge, I can…I can…crap, I forgot because of the concussion I am in. (faints; shows up in hospital two days later) As I was saying, I think I was going to say that I apologize for the lack of updates and that I hope to update sooner from now on. This is once again one of those lovely interludes (they aren't really interludes…just when I feel like having Hermione in the POV for a chapter). Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, I would know the exact date of Hermione's birthday. Seeing as I am cleverly dodging the actual date in the next few chapters, I obviously do not remember, therefore not claiming ownership of the story…I just gave it away. So much for being clever. o-O

Interlude 2

Wasn't Able to Come Up with Title of Ch. That would Not Give Events of Ch. Away: Part One.

Hermione sighed sadly when she got up and looked at herself in the mirror that morning. She was another year older that day, and she was starting to become of the age when adults became depressed about such events. It seemed like her life was going nowhere. Yes, she had a job and friends, but feeding the starving children of Africa taught her that children could be the sweetest and most precious gift the world could offer. Even though the children were starving themselves, they still offered the little that they had to family and friends. As she got dressed in the unoriginal black robes and hat that most teachers tended to adorn, she pondered what she was feeling.

'Do I feel…empty? If so, why?' Hermione had never considered the thought of having children herself. Even as a child, she had dreamt of being a surgeon or scientist. Later on, once being in the magical world, she hoped for bigger and better things, such as finding cures for deadly diseases and others of the unknown. That was why she studied so hard when she was younger. She knew that she could go above and beyond, if she tried hard enough.

Hermione walked into the in-suite restroom and started applying makeup. It wasn't much, mind you, but it was enough to depress her even more. 'When I was younger, I didn't even have to use makeup.' But then she realized that she didn't have to use makeup; she just chose to do so. Why though? As she furiously tried to brush out the tangles in her wild hair, she realized the reason. To look good.

Hermione was not one that was obsessed with the way she looked. Well, if she was going to a business meeting or something else of importance, she would want to look nice simply to look proper and clean. Other than those times, though, she could just wear a t-shirt and a knee-length skirt and she would be happy. But girls, especially when she was younger, tended to be obsessed with the way they looked, sometimes for popularity and acceptance, but most of the time it was to please men.

Hermione's eyes narrowed at the thought. 'Just because I want to look good doesn't mean I am looking for a boyfriend or anything of the sort,' she tried to convince herself. Starting down the staircase to go to breakfast, she did think about that though. As much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to think that her time was running out and that she had missed opportunities of finding a husband while she was in Africa.

'When did I start thinking that I need a husband to make it in life? I am a smart and independent young woman that does NOT need a man to take care of her…Why am I thinking of all of this, anyway?' she pondered, not bothering to acknowledge fellow teachers as she passed them, in deep thought, '…It must be the school. The familiar surroundings of my past are making me realize that I am not a child anymore and is making me have a taste of a midlife crisis prematurely.' She wrinkled her nose, 'If this is was a midlife crisis is like, I definitely don't want to experience it for quite a while.'

Soon the distressed woman made it to the Great Hall, trying to forget the thoughts she had been having. This did not last long, however, for as soon as she made it to the teacher's table and greeted Ron, a present was on her lap. "Happy birthday, Hermione!" he said as cheerfully as possible (Hermione knew he was near impossible in the morn), though a yawn escaped his lips as soon as he said it.

Hermione glared at the present, knowing that she was just about to repress the fact that she was born all together (even though she knew how unhealthy it was). But this lasted only a second, for she knew Ron was watching, so she put on a delighted front. "Thank you Ron! I am surprised," Hermione thought, 'And disappointed', "that you remembered!" When they were young, Ron often forgot about her birthday. It was weird that he remembered, at this time of all times, for they had been apart of a decade.

Ron's sapphire eyes alighted with excitement. "Well, go on then. Open it!" he said, starting to wake up. Hermione could not help but smile. 'At least he still acts young.'

Hermione slowly and neatly unwrapped the yellow and orange foil (you could guess who chose the wrapping paper), deliberately making Ron agonize over the time it took. Besides, she could use the paper later (…well that was her excuse; she sometimes like to make Ron squirm…revenge for how much he put her through, you could say). When she finally finished dissecting the foil, she opened the box to find a pink and black planner. "Thank you Ron," she said again, "I needed one of these."

"Well, you complaining about how disorganized you were and how you wished you hadn't left your old planner in Africa helped," said Ron, grinning, "But hey. Give me all the props, if you'd like."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him, but a smile was still seen on her face as her previous worries slowly started to evaporate. 'As long as I have him and my friends and family, I'll be fine.'

--

That night, Hermione was reading a book on werewolves. She had finished organizing her teaching plans in her new planner, and happened to look outside her window to find a full moon. Being reminded of her dear teacher and friend Remus Lupin, she decided to reread a book about werewolves that she hadn't read in quite a while. She was not going to get far into the 'interesting' book, however, for Ron had something else in mind…

Around 9:00, Hermione heard someone knocking at her door. Irritated that she was being interrupted, Hermione put the book down on her nightstand and went to the door. Opening it, she asked, "Yes?"

It was then that a figure whipped her out of her room and tied a blindfold over her. Hermione demanded, "What is the meaning of this? Who are you?"

A male voice replied, "Relax, Hermione. I am taking you somewhere."

Hermione was relieved that the voice belonged to Ron, but she was still annoyed. "Well is it important? I was in the middle of a fascinating book about werewolves and other unique creatures."

Hermione could just feel Ron rolling his eyes at her. "Well it will have to wait until later then," he said.

At first Hermione had tried to resist Ron, but then she simply gave up. He was larger than her and she was rather defenseless without her wand, but she knew that Ron wouldn't hurt her, so she wasn't worried. Just irritated. She was adorned in plaid pajamas and was in the mood for reading in bed. "Could I at least put some clothes or a robe on?" she pleaded, not wanting passersby to see her in nightwear.

"Don't have enough time for that," he said quickly. Putting his large hand on the small of her back, he guided Hermione through the hallways of Hogwarts, having some difficulty with climbing the necessary staircases that lead to where ever Ron was taking her.

Much to her relief, they soon stopped in the middle of a corridor. Ron removed his hand from her backside, and walked away. "You aren't leaving me here, are you?" said Hermione, starting to think that Ron was doing this to annoy her.

"Hold on…" said Ron. Hermione started feeling gentle winds blowing past her; she also heard the soft "pitter-patter" of Ron's shoes on the marble floor. He seemed to be going back and forth. '…Didn't we do that when we wanted to go in the—'

"SURPRISE!" yelled a large mass of people as Ron took off the blindfold that handicapped Hermione. She jumped up, startled. Clutching her chest to calm her pounding heart, she glanced around at her new surroundings. In the room, balloons and colored paper were hung all around. All colors of the rainbow danced on the walls, the starry sky above them, as the music pulsated loudly. Food was on many tables, as well as presents on a few. She now knew where she was: the Room of Requirement.

And the room was full of people too. The Weasleys, Lupin, Moody, Tonks, the staff of Hogwarts, and her old school friends were there. "Hermione!" exclaimed an aging Mrs. Weasley, who ran up and squeezed the skinny girl tightly. "We haven't seen you in so long! Why haven't you contacted us? And who has been feeding you? You're as thin as a rail."

Ignoring the desperate need for air in her lungs, she wheezed, "It is great to see you, Mrs. Weasley. I am so sorry that I hadn't returned sooner."

"That is quite alright, dear. You are back and that's all that matters." Said Mrs. Weasley, who finally released Hermione. As soon as she was released, everyone else attending the party came up to her to wish her a happy birthday.

Afterward, Fred called, "Interesting choice of attire, Hermione." For the first time there, Hermione realized that she was still in her pajamas. At the party, many people were all dressed up, or at least were wearing a pair of jeans.

Trying not to blush with embarrassment, Hermione said, "I am so sorry, but Ron," she sent him a glare, "would not let me change."

Fred said, "Don't worry about that. We'd love you, no matter how improper you look." George added with a suggestive smirk, "Hell, go naked for all we care."

Instead of blushing again, Hermione just looked them straight in the eye and said, "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" before walking away to join Ginny and Ron. (lmao)

Ginny, who had seen the whole conversation, laughed, "Look at them now. They think they are so desirable, and now their tails are between their legs…Oh, look, here comes Angelina to whip them into shape." Sure enough, the dark skinned woman started to yell at them, Fred looking devastated. (I wonder why…?)

Hermione started to laugh as well, and then said, "So you actually did all of this for me, Ron?"

Ron grinned. "Of course I did. I am just that kind of guy that would—"

Ginny interrupted him, "Oh please! I was the one that suggested this whole thing,"

"But," argued Ron, though Ginny continued.

"and made the arrangements to get the Room of Requirement,"

"But—"

"and invited all of the guests,"

"But—"

"and I was the one that reminded Ron it was your birthday in the first place." She said, rolling her eyes all the while.

"…Well I showed up and got her here. That counts for something!" pointed out Ron, looking crestfallen.

"No it doesn't, you prat!" said Ginny. And then, of course, the arguing ensued. Knowing that the fighting between Ginny and Ron was almost as legendary as the fights between Ron and herself, Hermione just let them be to mingle with the party guests (she was never much of a dancer). The whole time she did notice, though, that someone was missing. Looking up into the sky, 'This is wonderful…it would be perfect if Harry were here.'

But perhaps she was too quick to make that wish…

To Be Continued

Author's Notes: I said that someone would arrive in this chapter, but it turned out that it would be the next chapter…Hmm, I wonder who. It is so hard to guess with the major clue at the end. Anyway, I am hoping to make my updates more frequent, especially with winter break starting today. Oh, and if you all are really good with the details, Hermione and Ron already went to have lunch with George. I just didn't bother to mention it. Also, if you are curious about Hermione's thoughts at the beginning of the chapter, it wasn't anything unusual. Just her realizing stuff that she already knew and thought, but they were more evident as she grew older. Now was her b-day of the 15th or 19th of September? I don't remember. Well, until next time, good bye and please review!