Life After Hogwarts
By Arime Mya Setta
Chapter Two: I am Hermione Granger!
The next couple of days seemed to fly by in a flurry of homework assignments, lectures and relaxing baths. After a long day of classes and then an hour or two doing homework in the library nothing was better than a long bubble bath. I drifted into my own world and ignored all of the pressures school and college. I had hoped that the stress would leave with my applications but of course I had hoped wrong. Not only had it increased but also my nerves began to spark throughout my body. I worried about getting in, paying for college, deciding which one was right for me, liking the campuses and so many other little things. I received pamphlets from numerous colleges and even a few letters from current students but I was still at a loss. I didn't even know which schools were my top choices and which were safety schools. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't know how I would be paying for college. Did the wizard world have scholarships or financial aid? Would it be expensive? How much would it be once exchanged into pounds? Could I afford any of the schools I looked at? Did I forget to fill out paperwork for scholarships or aid?
As you can see I almost drowned in my own worries once I realized it wasn't over. Immediately I ran to Professor McGonagall and confessed my lack of preparation.
"Miss Granger, you are by far ahead of the other students. In the wizarding world most 7th years don't begin to apply until the final marking period." Professor McGonagall smiled kindly at me and handed me a cup of tea with sugar.
"But, Ginny told me Harry and Ron had already applied which is why she made me turn my applications in." By now the blood had begun to flow to my entire body again and my breathing had slowed to almost normal.
"Yes, well I am sure she was trying to make you realize that re-writing applications would do you no good. It is much better to go ahead and turn them in rather than wait until the last minute when the results will be the same either way. Many students also have a good idea of where they plan on going early in the 7th year, which is why everyone seems to be hounding you about your plans. Being muggle born you are much more adapted to the muggle means of applying sometime in the final year and then deciding once you've gotten in. Here, most schools will go after students rather than wait for applications. Applications are much more for paperwork and record's sake than for really determining if you get in or not." Her kind eyes twinkled much in a way similar to Dumbledore's. We sipped tea quietly when I realized,
"But I haven't had any school approach me." Maybe I wasn't good enough, or maybe I wasn't smart enough. Worse yet, maybe I was too much a muggle. Sadness almost choked me when Professor McGonagall responded with,
"Yes they have. I've seen you reading pamphlets from numerous prestigious colleges and universities from across the globe. They only send those to students they feel deserve to go there. Have you seen many other students with pamphlets?" She smiled and ushered me out of her study while requesting that I go spend some time outdoors or at least with other students. I hugged her unexpectedly and made my way to my dorm to review which schools had sent me what.
Ok so before you go stark raving mad with boredom let me move this story along. College applications are horrible but what is worse is trying to decide where to go. Owls surrounded me each morning for weeks with acceptance letters, packets of information, booklets of photos, scholarship offers and congratulation notes. I had never felt so appreciated in my life but I was still at a loss. Part of me felt terrible about being so sought after and part of me wished for more. I didn't want to go off to college for another million years of boring lectures or aimless studies. Contrary to popular belief I did not love ever subject I took. I enjoyed all but only truly liked a handful. History and Potions. Oh the Irony. Professor Binns and Professor Snape. Before giving up on me and declaring me stark raving mad listen to my logic. History is fascinating in general but history of an entire culture that you have never heard before is amazing. It is like opening a new novel everyday and learning something completely new. Never again will I complain about learning the same damn wars over and over again or the same lectures on government policy day after day. Every time I studied it was bran new.
Potions is much harder to explain logically. In reality I feel that it is the only class that requires instruction. Though harsh, Professor Snape is a marvelous teacher. After getting over his terrible attitude and distaste for color, I realized how much I actually learned from him. In all of my other classes I merely had to read the chapter once and then show up to practice. Herbology came in a close third since it was so closely related to Potions but still lacked the required finesse of a good teacher and apt student.
So, once I finally came to a conclusion of what I actually enjoy doing I only had to choose how to do it. That is always easier said than done.
"Hermione, calm down. All of these schools offer great potion programs. I can't understand why you would like to go into potions but like I've said, I'll visit you anywhere you go. That even includes if you surround yourself by greasy bats and smelly fumes. Just make me one promise 'Mione."
"Yes Ginny?"
"Introduce me to some tall dark and handsome college boys and keep up your looks." We fell into a fit of giggles only to be given dirty looks by the boys in the common room. I swear Harry and Ron are the only males immune to giggles. Every other male within a 100 meters radius gets sick at the sound of giggly girls. We hushed up long enough to move our girl's night into my dorm where upon we fell into a state of insanity.
Yes, I, Hermione Granger, was involved in a girl's night and actually had fun. Ginny forced me into a corner and made me put away all of my college stuff. I'm not sure what amazed my fellow Gryffindors more, my lack of studying for N.E.W.Ts or my actual participation in a pamper session with Ginny.
"But, really, 'Mione. You better take some time for boys between your studies. I don't even think I know what your type is." Ginny conjured up a bag of popcorn and some girly magazines while I set up my TV and DVD player. Through some imagination I had managed to fix a dorm-room sized TV set so we could watch our favorite chick flicks: Shakespeare in Love, Crazy/Beautiful and Deep Impact.
"Hmm… I don't even think I have a type. I mean of course I like boys but I don't think I've met very many I would even begin to consider dating. Viktor was great but the relationship was definitely shallow and the distance didn't help. Why can't I find a guy in the same country as me?" I groaned and sipped my fruit punch.
I had been with Viktor through the summer after my fourth year but just before the new term we both agreed that the distance was too much, especially since I was too young to get up and run away to Bulgaria for a weekend. Since then I had only date a muggle boy here and there between terms, usually after being setup by my mom or neighbors and usually while I was away in France for vacation. Of course I hadn't told anyone at Hogwarts about my short summer flings. (Not even Ginny.)
"How about the boys at school? Anyone in Hogwarts that you can consider your type?"
"Ginny, do you really think I am secretly hiding a crush? Nope, definitely not. How about you? How are things going?" I barely hinted at Harry and my young friend turned rose red instantly.
"Erm, things are… well, going I suppose. Oh, Hermione! They are completely mucked! We are friends but I don't think there are any extra feelings there. He treats me like a little sister again. It is as if he forgot about all of those empty classrooms!" Ginny sniffled then fell back onto my couch. I gagged at the thought of Ginny and Harry in empty classrooms but hugged her lightly.
"Ginny, I am not lying when I say you two equally want each other back. It is obvious to everyone but you. Even Malfoy commented that you two are disgustingly good for each other. Okay, not quite those words but I am sure you know how he really said it. You should just make a move and if he really doesn't feel the same then Ron, myself and even Malfoy will be here to beat him up and pick up the pieces." She laughed and just shook her head in contemplation. We settled back into our comfortable seats and turned on the first movie.
Now, not only college was crowding my mind but also boys had taken a firm place. Would I ever have the time or patience to have a relationship? Probably not.
The next morning I woke up a realized what I had been avoiding for weeks. I need to speak with Professor Snape himself. He would truly know what the best potions program was and where I should go. If only I had the courage to find the old bat and force him to sit down with me.
After breakfast I went to the teacher's table and slowly approached Professor Snape. The determination must have shown all over my face since Snape didn't actually scoff and walk away, but rather patiently sat waiting for me to hurry and reach him.
"Yes, Miss Granger? What?" He growled down at me. At that exact moment Malfoy chose to talk to Snape as well and actually bumped into me as he made his way up.
"Oi, didn't see you there, Granger. Professor Snape, what time would you like to meet to discuss my possible choices for the future?" I, in quite a Slytherin way, growled and cleared my throat.
"Malfoy, did you fail to open your eyes wide enough to see that I was here first?"
"As if that mattered to me."
"Malfoy, Granger enough. Yes Miss Granger? I ask again what do you want?" Professor Snape snapped at the two of us. I could clearly hear Dumbledore snicker into his scone.
"I was hoping to speak with you about a few of my choices for university. I would like your opinion." I attempted to say this as strongly as possible but my Gryffindor courage failed me towards the end and I muttered more than really spoke.
"You said you would like my opinion? I don't see why Professor McGonagall couldn't waste her time instead of mine."
I shot him a dirty look and found my strength to reply, "Yes, but asking more of her would be a waste of my time. She has thoroughly advised me and I have reached a point that I much rather discuss my future with some one of a similar profession. Of course, I suppose that might be too impeding on your delicate schedule so good day." I huffed and turned to leave but was stopped by a short, "Granger, Malfoy, 8 o'clock in my classroom. Good day."
8 o'clock crept upon me like the plague. What was I thinking, asking for help from Snape? I straightened my robes and fidgeted with my hair clip one more time before entering his classroom at 7:58. Malfoy huffed in two and a half minutes later.
"Late. Then again I don't expect you to know what punctuality is." He simply glared at me and sat on a table. I waited patiently (ok, more like tapped my foot impatiently) while leaning against my usual table in the front of the room. A few minutes later Snape swept into the room and casually sat behind his desk.
"So, potions is it?" A small smirk formed on his pale face and I cringed. I could sense what was coming. He would spend the remainder of the appointment belittling each of us (obviously me more than dear little Malfoy) only to then tell us to attempt some other line of educations like transfigurations or (shudder) astrology.
"Well, I can't say I didn't expect it. Only the best wizards, erm and witches, have the ability to manipulation potions. Naturally the best of Hogwarts have always gone on to Potions." My jaw dropped to the floor as I digested Professor Snape's words.
True, he was mocking all other professions, boasting about his own intelligence and being an arrogant asshole, but he had actually complimented Malfoy and I. Again, it's true that he hesitated towards me but still the best is the best. Malfoy was quicker to recover and smirked proudly.
"Have you begun to research the branches of potions? I assume you have an idea as to what you will use as your master potion, correct? I do urge you to consider an apprenticeship either right after graduation or after you first university degree. Potions is such a difficult subject than many never reach mastership. I don't doubt that you two will try hard enough."
I had never felt so overwhelmed in my life. Ignoring the obvious "try" rather than succeed, I never thought Professor Snape, old bloody ol' bat himself, would actually encourage me, Hermione Know-it-all Granger. I nearly fainted before Malfoy spoke up.
"Granger, shut that trap before you drool on yourself. I decided that medicinal potions was my interest. I contacted a few Masters about possible apprenticeships but all have requested that I attend a university first and major in healing. I was thinking I would attempt Rutilus Spiritus for my master potion. Quite appropriate for healing, don't you agree?"
My head ached as it dawned on me that Malfoy, the damn showoff, already knew exactly what Snape would advise us to do and simply came to the meeting to rub it in my face. You would think that boys eventually grow into men. Unfortunately, Malfoy was permanently stuck in infancy.
"Well, that sounds interesting though I don't believe that you will be ready for Rutilus Spiritus in the next few years. Ultimately for a master's potion the student should be able to create the potion before the end of the first year of apprenticeship so that the following three years to five years can be dedicated to researching the fine details and possible creating a new adaptation of an old potion. Miss Granger on the other hand may have the experience necessary for such a potion."
Needless to say this shut the ferret up but nearly knocked me senseless. I was being to be annoyed at my lack of ability to create comprehensible thoughts, let alone sentences. I quickly pulled it together and smirked at Malfoy.
"I agree that it would be within near range of my current abilities though I don't have the same confidence that you hold Professor. Rutilus Spiritus is quite similar to the polyjuice potion in ingredients and steps to brew but is also very comparable in its physical alterations of the body."
I was actually very interested in this potion because of the ties it held with muggle atomic theory and magical properties. At the same time my fascination with potions was from a more historical sense.
"Professor, I was actually wondering about any precedence in a historical approach to potions. I read a bit about current potions that were used but the ingredients or directions lost to time. I wanted to go into a research and experimentation field."
Malfoy's pale face had already fallen with the past two comments but was completely reddened at the previous. Clearly, he didn't expect me to have any plans in potions and then once he heard me discuss Rutilus Spiritus I am sure he assumed that it would be my line of interest.
"Hmm, that is a fascinating approach but I know of no precedence. Do not let your self-assumed brilliance overwhelm you, Miss Granger. For your early studies keep in line with traditional theory. Once you've matured, educationally of course, you can wander into your own bliss." I was glad to see Professor Snape, the bat, return and Malfoy was visibly relieved to see me brought down a notch.
Of course, none of this would discourage me; if nothing else I was more determined than ever. Otherwise, I wouldn't be Hermione Granger, would I?
A/N: This will be my first author's note! Wahoo. I wrote the first two chapters straight through and didn't even think to include a note. First, I don't own anything HP. Duh. Second, the title of this chapter was inspired by a Tom Wolfe novel, "I am Charlotte Simmons." Great book!
Please, take the time to review so I know I'm not alone in writing this. I really put a lot of thought into the story thus far and it is a topic dear to my heart. I hate college applications and all of the business. I hope you guys feel her frustration as much as I do.
PS. Rutilus Spiritus means Golden Breath in Latin.