Hi, thanks for the reviews, much appreciated. This one's a bit longer than the others and is a bit descriptive but I think it adds to the story in a good way, hope you agree. I wasn't sure about whether the lifts ascend or descend in the Ministry of magic from the atrium, I got confused when I read book five and tried to figure it out. I went with descend but if someone can figure it out and it's wrong then let me know and I'll change it! Lol Please keep the reviews coming ;)
Chapter 5
The Atrium in the Ministry of Magic was immaculately clean as ever. As Hermione appeared out of thin air she still wore the smile on her face that appeared when she'd thought of Harry's expression at her name-calling. The first time she had come to the Ministry (in an official context that is) for her interview for the training course – a formality, she was told, as they had practically offered her a place on a velvet pillow – she had half expected there to be a statue of Harry spouting water instead of the fountain of magical brethren. To hers – and Harry's – relief there wasn't one, and the witch, wizard, centaur, goblin and house elf were still spouting water and painting a slightly idealistic view of the wizarding world.
As she passed the fountain she dug around in her jacket pockets for some spare change to throw in the fountain, when she didn't find any she made a mental note to put some in as she left. She walked to the lifts at the end of the atrium and joined the group of witches and wizards who were also waiting.
After a minute a lift rattled up to meet them. As she walked into the lift she saw that the small number two was highlighted on the wall meaning she didn't have to press the button herself. She took a glimpse around the lift wondering if someone else from the course was in there. Instead of recognising someone from her group she saw a wizard who she thought was an auror. When he turned and smiled at her she guessed her thoughts were right.
She had been on the training course for a month now but was still quite intimidated by the scores of witches and wizards who she saw doing very important work for wizard kind. Although training to go into a highly skilled area of work, she sometimes felt like a little girl in comparison. The lift started and stopped as the withes and wizards arrived at their departments. When the lift shuddered to a halt at the auror office she stepped out, along with the wizard who smiled at her earlier. However when she turned left as she moved from the confined space of the lift he carried straight on to his cubicle.
Hermione walked down the corridor and stopped outside the open door of the room in which this morning's lecture would take place. As she walked through she looked around to see who else had arrived. There were only three other people in the room, and they were sat in the middle row of the chairs. The room they were using had at least thirty seats in. Considering the Ministry took in twenty new recruits this year, and each year group was split into three for teaching, the members of this group were going to look very lost in the sea of chairs.
She took a seat at the end of the row the other three were sitting on. She knew them by name and to have pleasant conversation with, but she found they didn't like to ask too many questions. They all knew her story; she had helped Harry Potter destroy He-who-must-not-be-named and her boyfriend Ron – Harry's other best friend – was lying in the permanent residence ward in St. Mungo's.
She understood why they kept a slight distance, but then again, they had only known each other a month, things would probably get better. In the next five minutes the other three members of the class arrived and took their seats, and then their lecturer turned up looking slightly dishevelled, but that was nothing new. Two minutes later she was immersed in her note taking learning simple and more complicated ways of disguising yourself.
At twelve o'clock precisely she was walking back through the atrium. She rummaged in her jeans pocket for the handful of Knuts she had taken out of her purse earlier and threw them in the fountain of magical brethren as she passed it. She got to the end of the room, where any visitors arrived through their telephone box entrance. She turned on the spot and disappeared from sight. A second later she reappeared behind the tree in her parents' back garden.
It had dawned on her whilst she was writing down the finer points of a disillusionment charm that it had been three days since she had visited her parents. She had promised them when she moved out of home that she would visit every few days, so her mum could fuss over her and send her home with extra food if she looked too thin or malnourished. Her dad was always pleased to see her, she was his only daughter after all and he never ceased to be amazed at all the stories Hermione told about the wizarding world.
She checked that the neighbours weren't peering over the garden fence or out of upstairs windows before emerging from behind the tree. She walked up the stepping-stones to the patio. Her dad had kindly laid them down for her so that when it rained she didn't have to walk through the muddy grass. They were warned when they were in their second apparation class at Hogwarts of the perils that might come about from instantly appearing in someone else's house. Apart from it being very rude, people – both wizards and muggles had become injured in serious ways because of someone appearing out of thin air at their side. Falling off ladders, getting scalded from hot drinks and being hexed or jinxed by the witch or wizard you were going to see were just a few of the hazards explained.
She walked around the front of the house and saw her mother's car in the drive. This was perfectly normal as her mum always came home in her lunch break; the family practice was only five minutes drive into town and her mum liked to catch the last half hour of morning television before watching the news.
Hermione took her keys out of her bag and unlocked the door. It was all well and good being a witch and able to get in most places with an incantation, but if you did it at the wrong time it could lead to some very awkward questions. Sometimes it was easier to adopt muggle ways.
'Mum,' she called as she walked through the door and made her way through to the lounge. 'Mum,' she called again when she got no answer.
'Hermione?' her mother replied with surprise in her voice. Hermione walked into the lounge and smiled as her mum beamed at her, very happy at seeing her daughter.
'Hermione how are you?' she asked as she gave her a rib-cracking hug. 'It's been a while since we saw you last.'
'I'm fine mum, and it was Sunday when I last came, it's only Wednesday now.' The two of them sit on the sofa.
'Yes well, it just seems like a long time, are you sure you're ok? You look tired.'
'Well I am. I'm still not sleeping very well.'
'Still? Hermione this has been going on for a long time.'
'Only for a month mum.
'A month is a long time to be tired for, especially now you're working five days a week. I take it you can't sleep because of Ron?' Hermione nods silently. 'There's still no change then?'
'No, he's still unconscious. I know he's lazy but this is ridiculous!' she said, trying to bring a bit of humour to the conversation. Her mum smiled.
'He'll wake up when he's ready Hermione, you just have to try and stay positive until he does. I know that's easier said than done, but you have to try.'
'I am trying mum, it's just hard sometimes. I miss him.'
'I know you do my darling, is there anything me or your dad can do?'
'No, nothing, that's the annoying thing, apparently no one can do anything. Oh, but Molly's invited you and dad to dinner on Friday night if you want to. The whole Weasley clan will be there and Harry and me and you and dad if you come.'
'That's a lot of people Hermione, are you sure it won't be too much trouble for her?'
'Mum there'll be at least ten people there, two more is hardly going to make a difference.'
'Yes but still-'
'Mum, I know you find it strange being around wizards but it'll get easier the more you do it, and you won't find a family more accepting or caring than the Weasleys, believe me.' Hermione looked at her mum knowing the anxiety she was feeling, because it was the same sort she felt on the same day of school. Her mum and dad didn't really revel in new and alien situations, and this was about as alien as things got. 'Please come mum, I want you both there, and besides, you can't deprive Mr. Weasley of an explanation of how the postal system works now can you?' her mum laughed.
'No, I suppose not. We'll be there Hermione.'
'Thanks mum, it means a lot.'
'Do we need to bring anything?'
'Molly demanded we don't but I'll be taking a bottle of wine so it's up to you really.'
'Ok, we'll do the same. What time are we expected?'
'Seven I think. Do you want to go by floo or do you want to apparate with me?'
'Is there a third option?' her mum asked. She had experienced both and wasn't keen on either of the wizarding ways to travel. Hermione laughed.
'No mum, I'm not setting up a portkey for one dinner and they've outlawed flying carpets I'm afraid! It'll probably be easier if we apparate, and there'll be no ash to wipe off your clothes either.
'Ok, I suppose that's something else I'll have to get used to.'
'Yes you will,' Hermione replied with a smile on her face. She stands up and puts her bag on her shoulder. 'I've got to go mum, I should be visiting Ron and I need something to eat before I go back to work.'
'Ok then, oh wait, your dad's been sorting out the loft and has left some boxes in your room for you to look through and see if anything can be thrown out or given to charity.'
'Oh, ok.'
'Do you want to sort them here or take them to your house to do it?'
'I'll do it here, it's easier than carting them to and fro. I could come back tonight and do it. Would that be ok?'
'Of course it would Hermione, you know you can come here anytime and stay for as long as you want.'
'I know mum.' Her mum stood up and gave her daughter a goodbye and a kiss.
'I'll see you later then.'
'See you later,' Hermione pulled away from her mum and turned on the spot disappearing from her mum's sight. Hermione's parents had finally got used to the idea that their daughter was a witch but it still amazed them to see her mend broken objects, unlock doors and conjure things using her wand alone, let alone disappear in front of their eyes. But that she did, and often too.
