Chapter 8: Change is in the Air!

Dedicated to: BECCA! Congratulations on winning the last trivia question!

It had been three weeks since Ron and Ginny's visit. Since then, Harry and Hermione have fallen into a schedule; a way that allowed both of them to keep their sanity. Hermione would get up in the morning around five, review her notes for class, take a shower and dress, then head downstairs while Harry took his usual five-minute shower. Hermione would set out all of the things Harry needed to make breakfast, while she enjoyed her lifesaving cup of coffee. Harry would cook; most often were Pepper and Tomato Omelettes, as those were Hermione's favorite.

Hermione, giving Harry a hug and a kiss on the cheek would leave in the fireplace, with her notes in her bag, headed off to the shop. Harry would clean up, then sit down and create and fine-tune his lesson plans for that coming year at Hogwarts. By the time he was usually finished, Hermione would already be in the kitchen preparing dinner, though it usually didn't turn out well. (Actually, six out of seven days, they would end up either going into town, or order pizza)

While others around them whispered and gossiped about how they already seemed like a married couple (Ginny, Ron, and Hermione's co-workers), the pair seemed oblivious to how easily they were settling into life with each other. Their routine never varied, and there was never much cause for argument. Well, at least until the day when Hermione came home from a late-night class, for her Psychology degree all steamed-up and frustrated.

"Harry, I'm quitting the degree-program… thingy! I can't take it anymore! It is so boring! I found myself in class today-for the FOURTH TIME, mind you, feeling so bored and stiff that I was wondering if my shoelaces matched my blouse! Harry- I was wearing flip-flops! No laces! I can't take it anymore!"

Harry just stared. Hermione was breathing heavily from her rant, her face red and eyes darting about wildly. "Well? Aren't you going to say anything?"

Harry coughed, eyes shifting to the side, as if he was looking for a way out. "Hermione, no offense.. but I never thought you were suited for psychology anyway. I mean, I always thought you needed something more hands-on, and definitely more fulfilling that the dress store. So, I'm really not against you quitting."

Hermione blinked. Again. And, wouldn't you know it, again! "I suppose you're right.. But the store is nice. I mean, I suppose it is the dream every little girl had, you know? Growing up, being independent, and making wedding dresses for a living."

"Hermione. Seriously, when have you ever been like a normal little girl? When you were eight, you asked your parents to buy you an encyclopedia, not a pony. Personally, I'm proud that you've created a successful business all on your own.. but don't you think it's time to find something that you would come home from after a hard day, and say, "Hey, I did something today,"… not just sew on some sequins?"

Hermione felt tears coming to her eyes. She reached out and hugged him, burying her face in his neck. "Oh, Harry... I suppose you're right. I know what I do know isn't going to make me happy in the long run. But still, it's hard to leave something that you know, and just take a jump off into what you don't… How do we know that my stopping the program won't hurt our finances, won't backfire and make me even more unhappy, because I quit in the first place?"

Harry had been listening quietly to Hermione talking, but decided it was time to do some of his own. "Hermione. I know it's hard to leave something that you're good at, and do something that's required to take a risk-"

"Hey!" Hermione said indignantly. "I am not afraid of taking a risk! I mean, look at all of those times with Voldemort, and all that! I wasn't scared then!"

"Hermione! That was taking a risk, sure, but it wasn't something that you had to make the decision about. You're the kind of person that would do anything for your friends, end of story. It was like a no-brainer for you. Anyway, I'm getting off subject. For you, this is stepping out into the unknown, taking a stab into the dark."

"I know." Hermione whispered. "I know, and I know that you're right…"

"So?" Harry waited for a reply.

"So what? I suppose I'm going to stop taking the courses. Maybe I'll head down to St. Mungo's tomorrow, pick up some pamphlets on becoming a Healer. And, I think I'll talk to the staff at the store… I think Lavender is due for a promotion- maybe into the store manager position, yeah?"

Harry simply smiled.

"Hey Harry? Thanks."

Harry laughed, tightened his arms around Hermione, and swung her in a big circle. "Not a problem Mione, you know I'm here for you. Well then, my courageous Gryffindor, how about I mimic your braveness and taste some of that awful-smelling Apple Pie that you made?"

"Hey!" Hermione cried indignantly, as Harry chased her into the kitchen. "I'll have you know, I only burned the edges, so ha!"

Hi, everyone! Beth here.. Jessie is off to a fun weekend in West Virginia soon, and I am off to a week at the shore! Hope for good weather!

OK. So, we're on the eighth chapter… how'd you guys like it? Jessie and I were having a bit of trouble writing, so I finally just sat down at the computer and wrote it. Good, bad, best thing you've ever read in your life, what? Feedback, people! We love feedback! We worship the ground it walks on... if it could walk, anyway. PLEASE REVIEW! Let'sget it up to a hundred, yeah? Hey, just as a question, what would you guys most like to see happen in this story?

Did you guys all read HBP? Who else hated it? How could they kill him? How? It's just wrong! (Sorry, no spoilers!) It's wrong, exactly like killing Sirius was just wrong. Gosh, and Harry's choice for a girlfriend. pssh. He's a teenage boy; I suppose he's allowed to make a mistake or two. I was so excited for Remus and Tonks, though! What a nice match. I have to say, though, I despise Bill and Fleur. One of my favorite pairings is Hermione and Bill, so I wish JK could have done something about that. Or, of course, Harry could realize that Ginny was more like a sister, and fall madly in love with Hermione...

:Sigh: Well, even though I (Beth) didn't like it, good for all the people that did.

XOXO,

Lady B. and Jessie

PS. The new trivia question! The first person to answer correctly gets a ton of virtual-cookies, and the next chapter dedicated to them! GOOD LUCK.

Here's the question: Can you name the 5 original MTV VJ's?