Announcements

Chapter 1

"Did you hear the announcement?" Hermione asked.

"Gee," Ron said, "we've only had about a thousand."

Harry stopped reading. He looked up in time to see Hermione's glare. His book was suddenly the safest place to focus his attention.

"The one, Ronald," Hermione said adding an extra bite to the d, "where the new headmistress said students could retake their last year."

"You're not considering…" Ron trailed off turning to Harry for support.

Harry kept his eyes trained on the text in his lap. He heard the announcement, considered it carefully, and made his decision without once consulting either of the two people sitting opposite him.

The silence stretched. Ron glanced from one to the other. Hermione concealed her smirk.

"A trip to Diagon Alley is in order," she declared.

"What for?" Ron shook his head to clear the cobwebs. Hermione's decision was a foregone conclusion, but Harry's. "Wait," Ron demanded, "you're not going back, are you?"

A sigh of defeat echoed Harry's book closing. He met the stares of his two best friends.

"I've thought about it. And it makes sense to finish." He shrugged then continued. "What kind of career could we expect to have without our N.E.W.T.s?" A good rational explanation without the inky emotional complications clouding his mind.

Ron put a hand on Harry's shoulder giving him a small shake. "You sound like Hermione."

Hermione scoffed. Something like "ugh" escaped. She cleared her throat. "Harry is right. We didn't finish school. Auror training requires several N.E.W.T.s."

Ron avoided eye contact. "It seems we've all been doing some thinking."

"What?" Hermione teased, "you've been using your brain."

"Shut it," Ron said.

Hermione's good humor faded as her eyes narrowed.

"We're not doing this," Harry interrupted. "Let's stay on topic for once, shall we?"

Hermione scowled at Ron, but conceded. "Hogwarts will be graced with our presence for one more year."

Harry nodded dodging Ron's stare.

Ron's shock at Harry's choice only lasted a moment. Hollowness spread through his chest. He was looking at his best mate, and his girlfriend? Could she be called his girlfriend? Was a relationship defined by the basis of how often people snogged? If so, then they were definitely a couple. Off topic, he'd strayed off topic. Now was not the time to delve into his relationship status. He refocused on the news he'd received earlier. The seemingly good news soured leaving a bad aftertaste.

"Best of luck then," Ron said.

"You aren't coming with us?" Harry asked. Surprise colored his words. Even though they hadn't spoken, Ron played an important role in Harry's deliberations.

"Sorry mates."

"Is that it?" Hermione exclaimed. "Is that all we…" she stopped. She swallowed and gestured to herself. "I get?"

"Hermione, do you remember those forms I filled in?" He continued without waiting for her response. "They were for an internship at M.A.C.U.S.A." He'd stumbled upon the prestigious program by accident, applied on a whim, and had miraculously been accepted.

Hermione waited for Ron to say more. Her heart screamed to tune him out, but her brain wrested control forcing her to take in every word.

"I was accepted. Me!" Reflected awe in his voice. "It's an amazing opportunity. After I complete the program, I will be able to enter the ministry here at a much higher level."

"Sounds like you've done some major planning," Hermione said.

Harry caught the gleam of tears before she blinked them away.

"Of course," Ron said oblivious. "We're free to do whatever we want now. This is something for our future."

Harry felt like an intruder. This conversation should be a private affair. He was pretty sure the comment Ron just made did not include him. While he was proud of Ron for thinking about their relationship, Ron and Hermione's that is, it was clear Ron overlooked an important detail.

Ron tripped on his words in a rush to explain. "It was an accident I even got the forms. I never thought they'd choose me."

"How long?" Hermione asked.

Perplexed by the question Ron answered, "The internship lasts for a year."

"So," Hermione said, "you made a decision that will affect our lives for the next year without bothering to discuss anything with anyone." That was not what she wanted to say. She wanted to rail at him for being inconsiderate, but at the same time she was overwhelmed with pride.

"I was going to tell you tonight. I had a plan." Along with a few other choice words.

"It seems you do," Hermione said. There was a hint of something in her voice. "You've got it all planned," she added an emphasis on all.

Confusion bubbled in Ron's brain. That was an accusation. It was also the second time she'd mentioned him planning. He didn't understand. Was she upset?

"You didn't say anything to Harry," Ron blurted. "He made plans without talking to you."

"Oh, Ronald." Her next words were laced with increasing anger. "Harry doesn't have to concern me in his future plans, because he's not my boyfriend!" she shouted the last four words.

"I'll go," Harry said moving to stand.

"No," Hermione screamed, Ron pleaded.

"I don't think…"

"Stay." Hermione forced him back into a sitting position with a sharp glare.

"Hermione, please. I was thinking of us," Ron consoled.

"Were you really?" Hermione paused. At his nod she went on, "If you were, you might have included me in the decision-making process."

"I told you I didn't think I would be accepted."

"I would have encouraged and supported you."

"If it was all a letdown, I didn't want to face it."

"Ron." She softened with dawning understanding, but her anger would not be quelled. He cheated her out of an important moment. "That is no excuse," she snapped.

Ron flinched from the sudden changes. "I was doing it for us. This experience will make me better suited to provide for our future."

Wow, Harry was impressed. Ron truly cared for Hermione, as evidenced of his thinking of their future. He went for the door. He had no desire to be here if they started snogging, especially after a fight.

Hermione turned away. Her fingers jabbed into her bushy hair. She tried to corral her emotions. Warm, fuzzy feelings bloomed at Ron's notion of a future together. They withered in the cold hurt of being left out.

"Is this how it's going to be?" she asked.

Harry stopped at the iciness in Hermione's tone. Ron scooted back.

"With you making all the decisions?"

"Erm…" Ron swallowed. There was only one answer he could give. "Our decisions should be made together."

Hermione sniffed loudly accentuating her point. She strode from the room.

"Botched things again, haven't I?"

"Yeah," Harry commiserated. He attempted a half smile that morphed into a grimace. "When do you leave?"

"Next week." A hollow laugh. "Not —"

"NEXT WEEK!" Hermione shrieked reentering the room.

Harry escaped. Their shouting followed him to the kitchen. Harry did not envy Ron. He'd been on Hermione's bad side as a friend. He couldn't imagine what that would be like as her boyfriend. Guess that book didn't help Ron as much as he claimed. But he probably hadn't read all of it.

"Problems?" someone asked Harry.

"You have no bloody idea."