Chapter 6: Studying for N.E.W.T.S
She wanted to finish her education, but she knew she couldn't leave for school. She had a 4-month-old baby who needed her constantly, so going back to school and staying there for months to end was clearly not an option. So after many owls with Professor McGonagall and talkings with the new Minister and Ron, she had finally got a satisfying solution: she would be tutored twice or three times a week at the Ministry, she would work part time at the Department of Care of Magical Creatures, and she would sit for her NEWTs at Hogwarts at the beginning of June. It was perfect. She would share Grimmauld Place with Ron and Harry while they were going to Auror Training, and she would be studying from home while she took care of her daughter. As simple as that.
Months later...
They had gotten a little apartment above The Three Broomsticks to stay during the week of exams. It was their best option instead of apparating or flooing every day. This allowed her to be with Ron and the baby every day AND revise for her exams and be at Hogwarts on time. She was revising Potions one day. Ron had gone downstairs to get some food, so that gave Hermione more time to read. She was rereading one of her quills when she noticed one of her books levitating above her head. She heard a giggle coming from the little person sitting next to her. She raised an eyebrow and looked at her.
"Belle, put mommy's book down, please." she ordered, affectionately. The little girl just giggled and the book flew higher. For a one-year-old, Belle had her accidental magic quite under control. "Belle, mommy needs this book to study, sweetheart." Hermione told her, firmly. Belle giggled and clapped her hands as Hermione's quills joined the Proficiency Book of Potions up in the air. "Belle, please! Mommy needs to revise before her exam." Hermione said, more desperate, as she stood up and tried to grab her quills. Belle just kept laughing as quills, books and even Hermione's wand flew all over the apartment. Ron walked in the apartment in that moment and he couldn't contain his laugh when he saw Hermione jumping as high as she could trying to grab her notes while little Belle was laughing on the floor and looking at her mom in amusement.
"Seems somebody wants mommy to stop studying for a while." he said smiling. Hermione glared at him.
"Mommy's not going to do well tomorrow if she doesn't study." she said.
"You'll do amazing even if you don't read a thing today, love. Trust me. You're not the brightest witch of our age for nothing." he said. She looked at him and sighed. "How about you stop for an hour or so? We have some lunch, you play with Belle before she takes her nap, and then you resume your studying until tea time or dinner." he suggested. She thought about it. She had been up since five o'clock in the morning, her nose stuck in books and quills for hours. If it hadn't been for Ron who had the week off and had been taking care of Belle all morning, she would have gone nowhere with her revision.
"Alright. One hour." she sighed. He smiled.
"One hour." he said.
As if she had understood everything that had happened, Belle giggled and all the quills and books went back to their places. Ron and Hermione looked at her.
"Of all the accidental magic she could have done, she had to choose levitation, hadn't she?" he said. Hermione laughed. She picked up her baby and kissed her.
"come on! Let's go and eat. Maybe you can teach her how to transfigure a cup into a rat." she told him as they went to the dining table.