Chapter 6:

Hermione was beginning to regret her decision to help Jason as he explained more in detail what it would take to convince the masses. It seems that the Australian press is the opposite of the British one and had to actually have evidence before they would believe a story. She was relieved to hear him say they would not have to look intimate as she really wasn't into cuddling in public or making a spectacle of herself by acting like a love struck puppy. The only problem she could see with the whole thing was that she would not be able to tell anyone that they were not dating as that would get back to the press. She wondered what all her new friends would think as well as her ones back home when they realized she was dating another international Quidditch star.

The only thing required of her until he returned to Australia in 2 weeks was to accompany him from the party. He put his arm around her and led her to the apparition point where he side along apparited them to his house and walked her inside, past the two reporters hanging around outside.

"Thanks," he told her with a smile. "There is an apparition point in the basement that I'll key you into. This way you can leave now without blowing our cover."

"Good luck in your matches," Hermione told him with a small smile before leaving. She just couldn't get her head around faking a relationship for the media.

The next morning the sports pages were full of photos of the match as well as of the after party. There was a small comment that Jason was seen leaving with one of the Bandits fans but no mention of her name yet. She debated for quite a while on if she should tell her friends back home that it was a setup or not. In the end she decided that she would keep her word to Jason until it was necessary to inform her friends.

Hermione spent the next two weeks studying father ahead in transfiguration. She had determined that if she could test out of two more classes she could be done with both masteries by the end of her 5th year there, perhaps earlier if she got farther ahead. She had also been discussing her options with Vivek, who had become her official advisor once she told him about how horrible her other one was. He had arranged for her work with him to count towards an apprenticeship, so she would be able to receive her mastery certification immediately after graduation since she had the requirements already met with her original potions creations. To receive a mastery in potions it is required that the person invent at least 2 new or improved potions by themselves or assist in the creation of at least 5 new or improved potions as well as have at least one year of apprenticeship to a master. She was very excited to hear this, as she was dreading having to find a potions master to work under who would not try to steal her work.

She knew that to receive her transfiguration mastery all she had to do was design one original spell and become an animagus along with a one year apprenticeship. Those who did not choose to become animagus had to create two original spells. She had already designed three new spells on her own but was keeping them to herself until her testing. She knew spell work was much harder to patent than a potion as once someone heard the incantation and studied the wand movements they could easily duplicate it. She wouldn't put it past her fellow students to try to use her spells as their own.

She loved the first spell she created and used it often, although no one knew it was a spell. She had found a way to transfigure her hair to braid itself; she even modified it to have several variations for different braids as well as one variation that would weave ribbons through the braids. Her favorite part of the spell was that the braids would not unravel until the counter spell was uttered so she didn't have to worry about fly away hair while working on her potions. She also was pleased that she had discovered how to weave an exception to the counter spell in so that the counter would only work if the casters wand was touching the hair, this was to keep anyone walking by from accidentally countering the charm.

She was most proud of her second spell. It was a permanent sight correction spell that transfigured the individual's eyes so they could see without glasses. She had spent the last 5 years looking into it, even before university, to try and help Harry. She had heard that muggles were using laser corrective surgery to fix their eyesight so she studied what they were doing and began thinking of ways to translate that into the magical world. She knew there was a temporary sight correction charm but it was dangerous since overuse could cause the person to go blind. She had finally figured out the proper matrix for the spell three months ago and all her tests so far had been successful. She had not tried it on a person yet, but knew that she would have to have it evaluated first before they would approve it for human testing.

Her last spell she had created would make her the richest non-pureblood in the wizarding world. She had figured out how to transfigure a muggle battery and have it run around magic. She had essentially figured out a way to get muggle electronics to work in magically concentrated areas. She was still working out all the details because each piece of electronics worked differently and so needed a slightly altered spell. She was excited though and had purchased three cell phones for her friends back home already. She had also bypassed the muggle technology so that the cell calls could not be traced, which therefore made them free as they would just use whichever tower they were located near, no cell phone plans that had a charge each month. She was hoping that Severus would be willing to use the cell as she was still unsure of his opinion of muggle gadgets. She knew Albus and Minerva would find it fascinating but not use it often, which is why she got them one combined phone. Harry would probably call her every day and ask for more phones for Tonks and Remus. This was another spell she had been working on for years; actually she first started researching her first year before she became friends with Ron and Harry as she was so homesick and wanted to talk to her mother. She was excited to find out what her friends thought when she sent them later in the year.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us to the movie?" Carley asked Hermione again Friday night. "I hate thinking of you all alone here when we're all having fun in the muggle world!"

"I have plans already," Hermione laughed, she had refused to tell her roommate where she was going so she assumed that she was lying. "Go before I hex you!" She wanted Carley to go so she could start to get ready for the awards dinner she was attending in Sydney with Jason. All the member of the Australian team was to be honored and she was his 'date' for the evening. It would be their first official public appearance and she was nervous there would be an Australian version of Rita Skeeter lurking somewhere to ruin her evening.

Hermione had decided on a simple but elegant long navy blue evening gown and had her hair flowing in soft curls down her back; she was surprised how much easier her hair care products made getting ready for a fancy evening. She was ready early and decided to check her box to see if there were any new letters.

Hermione,

I was glad to hear that you will be able to count your research time as an apprenticeship. That should allow you to return home more quickly. Thank you for the newest shipment of your shampoos, I was even able to 'accidentally' mention that I was getting free products from you loud enough for Mrs. Lavender Weasley to overhear. It was quite amusing to see her face, I guess she was meant for her husband as both are easily riled up and turn red. Of course Minerva scolded me for enjoying tormenting former Gryffindors, again. My reply is the same every time, if her former students were not so easy to bait I would have grown tired of the game a long time ago… but alas every Gryffindor I have ever taught, save you my dear, are completely dim witted.

Severus

Hermione read the letter three times to make sure she was not imagining that he called her 'my dear' as well as signed it with his first name. She had been addressing her letters with more and more endearments as of late and had been hoping he would become more at ease with her as well. She was just surprised at the carefree feel of the letter, the teasing; it almost seemed like flirting to her. Before she has a change to muse much farter she heard the sound of another letter in her box.

Hermione,

Oh my dear girl I wish you could have been here this afternoon. Severus was in rare form. Madame Hooch was injured last week and was unable to teach the flying class, Harry adamantly refused saying no sane person would volunteer to teach 11 year olds to fly, so we were left with no real options. Somehow Mr. Ron Weasley heard and has volunteered to teach for the next few months until Hooch returns. Ron and Lavender arrived this morning for breakfast and Severus couldn't help himself. You know how he gets, especially when he doesn't like someone. Lunch was even better when Lavender started raving about some new fashion item or other to Trelawney, who actually came to the great hall since her 'favorite' ex-student was visiting. Severus was already itching to rip into the two women and saw his opportunity. He leaned over to yell down to Harry, who always seems to show up for meals even though he has no real job in the castle, he told him to make sure to thank you in his next letter for all the free hair potions. At this point Lavender choked on her lunch, which I hate to admit was quite funny. Lavender had the gal to question Harry about why Hermione would send 'the greasy git' potions and not her best friend's wife. I have to admit that watching Harry try to decide if he wanted to hex her or laugh at her jealousy was quite amusing. Severus of course had to put his two Knuts worth in and told her that you only send things to your real friends, not ones who abandon their other friends and then only write to ask for free stuff. Harry then decided he liked the tag team effect between him and Severus and finished her off with saying that 'perhaps if Ron had not been so shallow and petty she would have sent some without being asked, like she did to her real friends. I always thought it odd that Ron never even invited her to his wedding, yet you call her his best friend… it doesn't say much about how he values his friends now does it.' I tell you, you could have heard a pin drop in the hall as everyone eavesdropped. The silence was broken however as Ron, redder than I have ever seen him, decided that he needed to defend his honor and challenged Harry to a duel. I was horrified that Harry would accept before both Severus and Albus started laughing. I am talking about belly laughs, then most of the other teachers and Harry joined in and Ron was left sputtering and not understanding why challenging the most powerful wizard in the world to a duel was amusing to the rest of us. Severus was actually humming with mirth as he left for his afternoon classes. I haven't seen him so content since the summer when you two were brewing potions together. Well, I have prattled on long enough but I knew you would enjoy the story. Have a wonderful weekend!

Minerva

Hermione had a fun time at his awards dinner as she found that Jason was not just a dumb jock and had actually taken enough credit hours over the years to get his certificate in History of Magic. She hadn't ever had a real in depth intelligent discussion on history before and was glad she had met him. They had a good time and posed for quite a lot of photos before she went back to her dorm. She was amused when one photographer had asked her how to spell her name and a split second later another one yelled at the man 'How could you not know who Hermione Granger is? She's Harry Potter's best friend!'

She was also impressed that the media didn't really bother her. She had always hated the press in England, but they were much more polite here. Either that or there is not much politics to discuss at an athletic award dinner. She wondered if Harry had ever reached the level where the media was just background noise.

"Did you have nice night last night?" Carley asked her as she woke the next morning. "You neglected to mention that you had a date with Jason Rowland. Now I want details!"

Severus was shocked to find a photo of Hermione in the Sunday edition of the Daily Prophet of an award dinner she attended with a very popular Australian Quidditch player. "Did she tell you she was dating anyone?" Minerva asked him curiously as they examined the article.

"Nothing," Severus said stiffly, wondering how she would react to his more familiar letter now that she was with someone. He had been in such a good mood that he just wrote what he felt and sent it, instead of revising it twice to make sure he didn't sound like he had feelings for her. He just hoped her letters wouldn't stop; he enjoyed their correspondence and would be saddened if it ended.

"It's strange though, she usually tells us everything and Harry seems just as shocked," Minerva said and pointed at Harry who was staring at the paper with a confused expression on his face. "Maybe it's nothing and they are just friends and he needed an escort."

"She may just be friends with him, but you can see how he gazes at her and it is definitely not the same way Potter looks at her." Severus scowled. He left the table early and decided the best way to get his mind off the fact that Hermione had a boyfriend was to lock himself in his lab and brew all day.

As confused by the photo as Minerva was, she had to smirk at the reaction Severus had to it. There was defiantly no denying that he had feelings for Hermione, she just wondered if he would ever admit them.

Hermione was not surprised to find a letter in her box from Harry when she got back to her room that afternoon.

Moine,

Who's the bloke? Why didn't you say anything…? I feel left out.

Harry

She knew she would have to write him back with the truth now.

Harry,

The guy's name is Jason Rowland; he's the seeker for the Australian National Quidditch team. I met him at one of the local games. He knows Victor and asked a small favor of me. I am going to act like his girlfriend to keep the media off his back. He isn't interested in being in a relationship as he has no time with all the Quidditch he plays and needed someone who could handle the media. I agreed to help him. He is a nice guy and even has his certificate in History of Magic so we have something to talk about. I was going to wait to tell you until you asked as he asked me not to tell anyone, but I refuse to lie to my friends. I don't know how long this ruse will last so you may see more photos of me.

Thanks for not killing Ron in a duel; I would have missed you while you were in Azkaban. Minerva tells me you and Severus tag teamed Lavender… remind me to get a pensive account of that next time we see each other.

Love,

Hermione