Disclaimer: I don't own J.K Rowlings characters, plots, places, or things. I just described a noun didn't I? -shrugs-
Very Important Note: Hey Guy's I'm looking for a beta! My old beta is dead so I'm gonna need a new one. Someone who will proof-read and spell check, but won't change my actual story. Someone who will give me advice, but won't be a brat if I decline their advice. If your up to it, message me or leave a review for me.
Tilly Athene
Chapter 4: Friendly Faces From the Past
The new school year came sooner then Hermione could imagine, bringing along with it hormones galore and good memories. She watched as students began getting into the groove of Hogwarts, by re-teaching themselves and dodging a pesky peeves in the corridors. The teachers had all settled themselves in, keeping a watchful eye over troublemakers. What it came down to was all, was in it's place.
Hermione spent most of her free time in her study speaking to Harry over mugs of Hot Chocolate. She worked day's and night's with him, trying to help him get rid of his speech impediment. At the start of the term he was all stutters and slow talking, but with progress he was speaking like he used to.
Pregnancy had been nice to her, giving her a boost of a new unexpected energy, not to mention a sort of glow. At first she attributed it to the hustle and bustle of the new school year, but after the second month at Hogwarts she realized it was something else. The thought of having a baby was too much for her, it made her happy and worried at the same time, causing a altogether beautiful reaction.
She had thought about going to see Draco about the baby. Finally Hermione had come to the conclusion that she would, as soon as it was born. She couldn't deal with him now, not now that she had finally dealt with how she was gonna live the rest of her life.
The first Hogsmead trip fell upon the school in the later days of fall. The school was ecstatic with happiness at finally being able to go, even Hermione was happy for them. She left with Harry, the morning of holding on to his arm tightly as the cool breeze hit them.
As soon as they entered through the doors of The Three Broomsticks, a voice called out to them.
"Hermione! Harry!" They both turned to see who the deep voice belonged to. Sitting at the closest table to the bar was Theodore Nott, waving at them to come over. Theodore, Ted or Bear as he had been asked to be called, was a person that the duo hadn't become friends with until the death of Ron Weasley. He had joined the light side along with many other Slytherins during the "Last Battle", and soon had grown close to Hermione. However, she hadn't heard from him in years.
"Hey Bear," the duo said in unison grinning at him and sitting down at his table.
"How have you been doing? We haven't heard from you in a minute." Hermione chimed, hugging him from across the table, then letting go so Harry could shake his hand.
"I've been good, thanks for asking. How are you guys?" He asked placing his hand on top of Hermione's, causing her to blush.
"We've been fine." Hermione spoke for the both of them. "I've been living out in Bristol and Harry in London. Nothing fancy, of course. Just trying to get past everyday."
"It's really good to see you guys, you know?" Ted smiled at Harry then locked eyes with Hermione.
"Yeah, it is nice. Where have you been hiding?" She asked jokingly.
"At the moment I live in Glastonbury. This cute little town famous for a reason and another," He said waving the conversation off with his free hand. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Don't worry about it man, I got it." Harry said standing up to go and get Hermione and himself something to drink. Hermione watched him step up to the counter and turn back to Ted with a smile.
"So how is everyone up at the castle?" He asked.
"Pretty good. Hagrid is married to the Headmistress at Beauxbaton."
"That crazy, half-giant of a lady?" He asked, his eye's wide.
"Yes, but a lady none-the-less. Thy had a relationship during our years, but recently tied the knot. It was hard, you know with the whole Anti- Giant Marriage Protesting and what not." Ted nodded his head sympathetically.
"Also Harry is now a Professor of the Dark Arts."
"Really?" Ted asked interested.
"Yes, and he's damn well good at it!" Harry joked placing down the two mugs, one overflowing with butterbeer and another with hot chocolate and cream on top.
"Yes you are Harry." Hermione said agreeing with him.
"So what's new in your world, Bear?" Harry asked, chugging down some of his beer.
"Nothing really. Just trying to live quietly. I'm doing some accounting stuff and what not." He spoke quickly, Hermione noticed as if trying to get off the subject. "Oh! I saw Draco the other day. He's doing rather nice for himself, a little on the lonely side and what not. You guys should go and visit him, he'd be happy to see your doing alright Harry."
Draco had been one of the other Slytherins who had joined the light side. He was the first to join, which caused many to follow him. Many thought of him as a leader and they weren't ready to let him go by himself. Harry had grown a respect for the blonde haired Slytherin.
"Maybe I will." Harry said quietly.
Hermione didn't answer, and instead choose to look away as if checking to make sure all the students were behaving themselves.
"So Hermione. What do you teach?" Ted asked, letting go of her hand in order to seemingly scratch a itch on his leg. Hermione busied her hands nervously.
"I teach Potions. I got a specialty Masters in Potions, so I'm the Potions Mistress of Hogwarts."
"You always had a knack for potions, I noticed."
"Yeah, well it was always one of my favorite studies. Even though Snape was horrible to me." Hermione said with an air of hostility towards to very dead Severus Snape. He had died during the battle fighting for the light, but that didn't mean she couldn't still dislike him when he was six-feet-under. She finished off her hot chocolate and began to look around again.
"We should probably get going Hermione." Harry said to her as he watched her look around them. "We still have some shopping to do."
Hermione nodded in agreement.
"This is true." Hermione stood up placing her dark blue cloak over her overalls. "Well it was nice seeing you Bear."
"We're going to have to do this more often… You know, get together." He said after a pause.
Harry nodded and shook his hand again.
"Of cour-," He began to say but cut himself off as he noticed some fifth year Slytherin girls poking fun at some third year Hufflepuffs girls. "See ya' mate," Harry said grimacing as he walked away to go tell the girls off and deduct points.
"It's always work, work, work, isn't it?" Ted asked grinning at her.
"Tell me about it," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Why don't I. Maybe over dinner?"
Hermione hesitated for a second and then quickly recuperated.
"That sounds nice."
"How about next Friday, at 7. I'll meet you here, and I'll take you to this little café down the way."
Hermione smiled, "As long as it's not Madame Puddifoots."
"Trust me, it's not even close." He said then quickly dropped a chaste kiss on the side of her mouth. "Until we meet again, 'Mione." With a slight bow, he quickly exited out the back door.
Harry reached her almost as soon as Ted left, his cheeks red and a scowl firmly set on his face.
"I don't know how I could have liked women when I was a kid. There all so mean and fickle," He said in a huff as he placed his hand on the small of her back and led her of the establishment.
"You're telling me." Hermione laughed at her annoyed friend before lacing her arm in his and walking to the nearest robe shop.
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A/N: Okay so I'm going on Vacation to The Hamptons, in New York on Tuesday. I'm very excited, because I get to see some family I haven't seen in a long time. I'm gonna try to get in one more update before then. Sorry it's taking me so long, I am constantly working. Okay so enough chit-chat, gotta keep movin'.
Next Chapter: Where the hell is Ginny? The date, and Hermione's secret revealed to her very special somebody.