Life After Hogwarts
By Arime Mya Setta
Chapter One: Hogsmeade
"Hermione! Open this portrait immediately! You better not be asleep on your books again!" The banging persisted and I groggily woke up. My face was smeared with ink and my hair was an absolute disaster. Yes, I had yet again fallen asleep on my books. This time it wasn't for any of my classes. I was actually sleeping soundly on my applications for university. All in all I had applied to 5 different schools across Great Britain and three in the States. All of which were laying in an inky mess under my face.
"Damn! I'll have to redo all of them again!" I ached all over and secretly wished for the simplicity of a computer. Damn applications online were so much easier than in quill and ink. I stood up shakily and made my way to the portrait door, which was still heaving and pushing under the strain of its attacker.
"I'm coming! Give me a second." I let a bouncy little fireball into my room, otherwise known as Ginny Weasley, and fell into a slump on my couch. With a flick of my wrists I brought my applications to my lap so I could examine the damage. Finally, after many yawns and a bit of anger I tried a simple cleaning spell on my pages and they were good as new.
"For a brilliant witch you don't seem to think of the obvious." Ginny laughed and took my applications for my hand then handed me a napkin for my face. "You are truly a mess. Go and get cleaned up. We have only the day to get all of our shopping done in Hogsmeade." I groaned and stuck my tongue out at the cursed redhead. She shoo'd me into my bathroom and left me staring into a mirror.
"What more shopping do we have to do? I thought we finished all of it before Christmas break." I yelled out into the common room. I was luckily Head Girl and was blessed with my own room, bathroom, common room and library. I had even managed to incorporate a small kitchen into my spacious living space. I heard Ginny yell back something as she pushed around pots and pans to make a quick breakfast.
"What was that?" I asked emerging from my bathroom with a fresh face, bundled hair do and a clean set of robes. "We have to get our dress robes for the Valentine's dance, for the graduation ball, for graduation day, for the party my parents are having, for the post party Fred and George are having, and then we need to get you some new, more appropriate robes for everyday wear. You are a grown woman and it is about time you looked it. No worries, we'll shop frequently until graduation day." She smiled knowingly at me (it was really more of a "I know you hate me" smirk) and handed me a plate of eggs, toast and bacon. Yet again I groaned and sat down to eat. Shopping was naturally fun (I am a woman after all) but with so many things on the list I would just fret and tear my hair out trying to get everything right.
"Why so many? Can't we wear some twice? I don't need a new wardrobe thank you very much." I huffed only to receive a hug from my closest friend. Ginny and I had grown close over the years and my study habits had even rubbed off on the poor girl. She would be graduating a year ahead of her class with us and was in need of as many robes as myself. Luckily with the end of the war Mr. Weasley had received quite a raise and a very nice promotion. It even looked that he might attempt to run for Fudge's job.
"Hermione, we've been through this list a dozen times. Even my mother and Professor McGonagall cornered you and lectured you on your wardrobe necessities. I looked at those applications. You will need to look the part if you want to fit in at any of those prestigious places. Geeze, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Columbia, Farvington, Strantingford! And those are only a few that I saw. It gives me a headache to think about." Ginny smiled and cleaned her plate. She was the only person that knew how hopeless I felt about my post-Hogwarts years. Only she knew that I hadn't even sent in one of my applications. Everyone else just assumed.
"We are sending in those applications today, Hermione. All of your records have been sent, all of the recommendations, everything but your part. They are probably ready to accept you even without the essays."
"Of course not, Ginny, but I'm not sure if these are ready. I mean I would really like to re-read them one more time and do another draft…" I nibbled on the end of my fork as if it were a quill until I realized what I was doing and blushed. Some habits are impossible to break. She was right of course, I was a shoe-in for all of my applications, but there was also a sense of worry and anxiety in the back of my mind. I really didn't need to read my essays again. Truthfully I had written them ages ago and hadn't edited them even once. I just kept re-copying them because I hated my handwriting so much. For as much as I worry, I only rarely spend time actually doing homework or re-writing essays. I'll never admit this to anyone else, not even Ginny, but all of my time was spent reading about the history of the wizarding community and muggle books. I was fascinated with the English wizard history and lately had expanded out into world wizard history. Of course I spent a lot of time reading on different potions or plants or charms but that was a mere fraction of the time spent of fiction and history. It was the only way for me to keep my sanity and keep in touch with the muggle world.
"Well, too bad, we're sending them today. It is about time you finished your applications. You're lucky that they aren't due for a while. Even Harry and Ron are beginning to send in applications. True theirs are for different reasons but you get the idea. Well, time to go. Lavender and Parvati are waiting." Ginny delicately placed all of my applications into their appropriate folders as I squirmed. I gathered my cream colored outer robe and made my way out of my safe haven.
Ginny hid my applications among her robes, knowing that I didn't want anyone else to know that I hadn't figured the secret to life out yet, let alone gotten my applications done.
At the entrance to the Great Hall Lavender and Parvati waited impatiently. From miles away I could hear their heals clicking and their voices squealing. Though both girls were dear friends to me by this point, they were still quite opposites from me. Ginny laughed as I made a face and we finally made our way out of Hogwarts and into the courtyard.
"So what color do you plan on wearing to Graduation?" Lavender asked Parvati as she snapped her gum.
"I thought we all wore black." I asked confused. I had scene dozens of pictures in Hogwarts: A History of the entire graduating class decked out in the finest black graduation robes.
"Duh, but there are different shades of black." Parvati replied clearly annoyed with my lack of style. "For example there are light, almost gray blacks, dark, almost blue blacks, shimmery blacks, glittery blacks, scratchy blacks, and then just black. Let me guess, you're planning on wearing just black?" Ginny gave me a look of sympathy is Parvati then continued to explain the importance of the each black and the differences in occasion for each. I laughed and just shook my head in ignorance.
Parvati and Lavender had both already been accepted to different fashion schools. Parvati, being of Indian descent (?), was going to a school centered on robes of ethnic origins. She had hopes of starting her own line of a mix between traditional Indian robes and more modern European styles. Lavender on the other hand was taking a huge leap in the other direction and would be studying muggle fashion and high society modern witches robes. Both girls had cried for hours when they received their acceptance letters. (not only for joy but because they would be parting ways)
Hogsmeade was crowed with students of all permissible ages and seemed alive with the winter spirit. Chilled boys and girls bustled along from shop to shop as they trampled the remnants of last night's snow on. I groaned and slowly a headache began to form in the center of my forehead. Shopping, though occasionally fun, was a nightmare with so many people around filling the shops and being in my way. Lavender and Parvati yet again squealed in delight as they rushed towards a newly open robe store.
Mme. Marie Delaquhar's Robes for Special Occasions twinkled under fair lights and warmed me quickly. A petite woman of French descent dashed around the room with a dangling measuring tape trailing. She went from girl to girl quickly taking notes on sizes and needs with a quick quill. It was a miracle that she heard a thing in the busy store. Incessant chatter drowned out anything Ginny was saying to me and I began to fill with anxiety. Quickly making my way out of the obnoxious store I headed towards my one sanctuary in Hogsmeade: the bookshop.
As I skimmed the aisles of books I felt a peace settle over me. It dawned on me that no matter what I chose to do with my life I would always be able to count on one thing: my love of reading. If I chose to drop out of school all together and be a harem girl I could still find some sense of peace by simply returning to my books. University seemed so far away as I opened a slightly used book with a thick leather binding.
"Hmm, A Historical Study of Oxford, by James Boeing." I mumbled to myself.
"Interesting read?" A voice inquired from the other side of the bookshelf. I peaked across only to find a rather dusty Malfoy staring back at me.
"I wouldn't know- haven't read it yet. Sorry to disappoint you, Malfoy, but I haven't read every book just yet." Why I was being so sarcastic was beyond me. Malfoy just seemed to bring out my inner-bitch.
"Woah, calm down little bookworm, I wasn't attacking you just yet. I hadn't even realized it was you on the other side of the shelf. Why can't there ever be a charming, good looking, intelligent person on the other side of the shelf. Oh, wait there was one, but it was on the other side from you." Malfoy smirked and proceeded to pull books from the shelf only to slam them back when they didn't appeal to him. The shelf heaved and huffed great clouds of dust every time he did so and I quickly felt my eyes water and tear and my nose stuff.
"Stop being such a pain, Malfoy. You're stirring up dust everywhere." He huffed and this time slammed multiple books back on the shelf creating such a wave of dust that both of us coughed and sneezed our way out of the store.
"Ugh, look what you've done. It'll be ages before I feel well enough to go back and purchase that book. Good one, Malfoy." I brushed off my robe and pulled my hair from my eyes. Draco Malfoy laughed and did the same.
"Aww, did I tear Granger from her precious books? That's a first." Unconsciously we walked down the alley and towards a café. I smiled and headed into the warm, quiet and empty bakery. Hot Chocolate, coffee and sugar cookies filled with room with a sweet aroma. My mouth watered and my stomach grumbled from the assault from the smell of fresh baked goods. Draco Malfoy followed me inside and a smiled swept over his face as he felt the warmth.
"Please don't even think of forcing me out of here with some stupid prank. I am far too hungry to be bothered." I approached the counter and ordered a rich hot chocolate, Spanish style, and a buttery spinach and cheese croissant.
"I am so hungry that I am just going to simple forget you're bothering me as well." Draco smirked and placed his order. We both sat in separate tables by the window and sipped out drinks. Suddenly a rush of customers filled the bakery and took up the remaining seats.
"Miss, Mister, would you two kindly share a table. Seeing as how you walked in together I am sure you are acquainted and we could use the extra seats." A waiter asked kindly with a wink. I was sure Draco would simply leave the café but surprisingly he got up and sat with me.
For a little over an hour Draco Malfoy sat across from me and stared out the frosted windows. Early January was a beautiful time to be in Hogsmeade and a sprinkle of snow dusted the town. I laughed as Ginny passed, oblivious to me and my despicable table-mate, with her arms filled to the brim in shopping bags. Suddenly she ran into a moppy-brown-haired young man and bags went flying. Even Malfoy had to laugh when Harry peaked from behind his bags of Quidditch-related goods and just as suddenly dropped them in embarrassment. Both turned an impressive shade of red as they helped gather each other's things and then made their way towards the carriages laughing. Since last summer their relationship had been on thin ice. They had only allowed a friendship to continue even with the threat of Voldemort gone. For whatever reason, and in all truth I am sure I know, both had shied away from rekindling their romance. Ron and myself have of course used this opportunity to endlessly torture the two with little jokes here and there.
"Why haven't those two given up on this stupid little game and admitted their ridiculous love?" Malfoy muttered out loud. I snorted and replied, "Because they are too dimwitted to admit that neither of them was at fault for the first break up so neither one of them is responsible for asking the other out."
"Granger, you logic always seems to walk in circles of its own. Explain that in English, please."
"Wow, please? That must be a first. But since you so kindly canceled out your first remark with that 'please' I shall humor your request."
"English Granger, English."
"Harry, technically, broke up with Ginny because of the threat from Voldemort. Ginny was understanding and didn't hold a grudge and of course didn't try to get him back or keep him. Voldie dear is defeated and what does Harry do? Nothing. He feels that Ginny should have tried harder to keep him, even though this logic is absolutely ridiculous. Something about her being too accepting and thus truly not wanting to be with him. She obviously feels that he broke it off so he should be the one to try again. Again, something about her not believing Voldie was to blame for their breakup. It is sad because their friendship is fine and the break up was completely smooth." I took a deep breath and then bit a piece of my third churro.
"Ha, that is so typical of Potter, and women. They are too busy wallowing in their self-pity that they can't see the other returns their feelings. Why haven't you and Weasel fixed things?" Draco dipped the last half of my third churro in his hot chocolate and took a bite. I threw him a dirty look and pushed my plate closer to my edge of the table. Of course this went smoothly (do you feel the dripping sarcasm?) With a quick flick of the wrist Malfoy prevented the entire plate of churros from landing on my lap.
"Don't think I'm being nice or anything. I just don't want you to ruin that perfectly good plate of food." His quick response to his own kindness again eliminated any appreciation I could have felt. Even though we were no longer enemies we clearly weren't developing a friendship.
"I would never dare assume you were capable of being nice. As to why we haven't fixed things… well I guess because it isn't our place to fix. I tried talking to both but neither will listen to me. Plus I am a bit too busy with life to worry about how soon or how not soon it will be before they realize how dumb they are." I huffed and dusted sugar off of my lap.
"Hmm, with life Granger? That is quite a plate full for our Head Girl." The words Head Girl dripped with bitter-sweet sarcasm. Unfortunately, due to many extraneous circumstances, last year did not provide a single male candidate with high enough grades to be named Head Boy, thus why I ruled my domain alone. I was shocked to learn that candidates had to have recommendations from all their teachers and the grades to prove they could handle the extra workload. Draco had, due to many nights crying in the room of requirement, let his grades fall to an unacceptable level and neither Harry nor Ron was even close to receiving the position. I was sad to learn that Ravenclaw's only possible male candidate transferred to Salem's school for Witchcraft and Wizardry in the States and Hufflepuff, though loving at heart, weren't the overachieving type.
"Ugh, I do believe it is time for me to resume my dreaded shopping trip. We only have an hour until the last carriages leave and frankly I don't feel like sitting here listening to you whine." I stood up and, of course, tripped. Malfoy laughed as he watched me fall flat on my face then, oh-so-kindly, left.
Ugh, whoever said shopping was fun clearly hasn't tried to do so in Hogsmeade during a weekend. I was in Mme. Delaquhar's for the remaining hour only to accomplish very little on my list. It seemed that I would be returning again next weekend.
Once back at Hogwarts panic began to set in. Ginny had truly sent out my applications. I rushed to my dorms praying that she accidentally left them on my table but of course was disappointed to find a note from her instead.
"To Hermy,
Yes, I have sent your applications out so stop searching frantically. Give it up! You are going to college whether you like it or not. You'll be fine! Take some time for a relaxing bath and then listen to some music or read. I'll see you at dinner! (You better show up or Ron and Harry will break down your door and drag you to the Great Hall) It has been almost a week since you last ate with us. Stop fretting over the next year!
Love, Ginny
P.S Don't think I didn't see you and Mr. Malfoy at that cute little café. Is Hogwarts biggest enemies finally becoming friends? Lord knows it is taking you long enough to accept him!"
I cringed and balled up the note. I was not going to budge on my position towards Malfoy. He may have switched sides and all of the love irony but he was a complete git for the first 6 years of my career at Hogwarts and a simple save the day plan was not going to fix that.
Next to Ginny's note was a package delivered by owl earlier that day. (The remains of my toast were a clear clue as to the owl's visit) I wrinkled my nose in confusion and checked for curses. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone. After a thorough check I slowly opened the package.
"A Historical Study of Oxford, by James Boeing? What?" I muttered to myself as a note fluttered to the floor. I quickly picked it up and read, "Granger. I saw the line in that robe shop and figured you wouldn't have time to go back for the book. You owe me."
Could this day get any more confusing? Probably. I admitted defeat and slipped into a warm bath with a book instead of contemplating Malfoy, dress robes or graduation.