Hermione looked at the assorted clothing flung across her bed and sighed in despair.
Why hadn't she done this last night? It just wasn't like her- she was always prepared. After overhearing the conversation downstairs the previous evening, she had spent some time wondering about Ron's Uncle and what Professor McGonagall had done in the last War. That topic, intriguing though it was, disappeared from her consciousness after she re-read Ron's letter.
Her focus shifted to all Ron. Ron's letter and then misty visions of she and Ron at the Wedding together. Soon there were unbidden thoughts about the way she felt when Ron stared at her, the way she felt when Ron touched her and mostly what it would be like when Ron finally kissed her.
Now she was in a mess! And she hated not being organized and even worse, not being able to make a proper decision. The dilemma being – how did she appear as a young intelligent witch ready to become part of a vital Ministry project and at the same time dress as a young desirable woman trying to get a response from her hopefully would be boyfriend?
The short denim skirt with the stretchy revealing top? Ron wouldn't know what hit him. That was a definite "no" for the Ministry. The formal blue blazer, white blouse and calf length grey skirt? Perfect for responsible Ministry hiring material – and dead boring otherwise. Absolutely not boyfriend bait. So what about this flowered skirt gathered at the waist and her white blouse? A bit better but too " tea with the relatives."
" Hermione!" her mother's voice sounded stunned. " Dear, the Ministry group will be here in fifteen minutes and you haven't even had any breakfast!"
Then she looked around, took in the chaotic scene around her. In the middle of the room her wild-eyed daughter burst into tears.
" Oh my!" Mrs. Granger sighed as she gathered her daughter in her arms and stroked her back.
" Clothes crisis?" another voice at the door inquired.
Hermione, somewhat calmer after her mother's soothing looked up to see a grinning Tonks, this time sporting vivid magenta spiked hair.
" I know it shouldn't be important given the serious situation, but somehow I just need it to be right today," Hermione stated in low tones.
" Well, dear," Mrs. Granger comforted," maybe we can help. I don't see any of the clothes you wore in France last summer – what happened to them?"
Hermione thought for a moment and replied, " Of course, I was in such a hurry to get packed for school when we returned that I think I just stowed my suitcase in the closet."
Mrs.Granger, who was nearest to the closet, delved in and returned with a compact rolling case.
" You see if there isn't something in that lot. I'll go downstairs and get something you can eat in a hurry and try to gear your father up into getting a good host when the Ministry people arrive."
Thanks, Mum," Hermione gave her mother a quick grateful hug and turned to Tonks who was unpacking her summer suitcase.
" You know, Hermione," Tonks said in a thoughtful tone, " if you're worried about Ron, don't be. You could wear a sack and that boy would think you were the most beautiful and precious girl he'd ever seen. You can see that in his eyes when ever he looks at you."
Hermione blushed but acknowledged that she understood what Tonks was talking about.
" It's not that. I do want to look my best for the Ministry but – well- it's hard to describe. I know Ron doesn't care about clothes and things like that. But he makes me feel special and so I want to look – special." She wound down, giving herself a little shake. Usually she was so articulate. Maybe these hormones everyone talked about were finally taking their toll.
Tonks, however, seemed to understand. " You want to look your best for your bloke, nothing wrong in that. So what about this, mademoiselle?" Tonks held up a dress that Hermione had completely forgotten about. A simple cotton blend black sundress, calf length, fitted through the chest and waist but with spaghetti straps.
" It would be perfect – except for those straps," Hermione sighed audibly.
" Hermione, Hermione," Tonks chided," and you call yourself a witch?"
Tonks produced her wand and intoned an enlarging charm. The spaghetti traps became charming caplet sleeves and the dress now had a slightly lower neckline.
" Try it on, let's see the damage," Tonks urged.
Hermione stepped into the dress – it fell around her in all the right places. It was both dignified and alluring. The lower neckline did not reveal any cleavage but it certainly hinted at it and the caplet sleeves emphasized Hermione's slim bare arms.
Tonks smiled. " Knockout! Let's just do something with this hair.' Out came the wand again.
Now that her immediate problems were solved, Hermione's ever questioning mind sought some other answers.
" Tonks, I saw Professor McGonagall here last night, I was a little surprised." Hermione probed to see if Tonks what information Tonks might offer.
" Well, the Professor likes to make sure that her students are out of harm's way. And I think she felt that some of us could use her vast experience," Tonks answered somewhat grumpily.
" Experience? So she fought in the last War?" Hermione felt a little ashamed for pumping Tonks but she didn't want to discuss just why she had been eavesdropping last night.
" Oh, indeed! Minerva McGonagall was on an elite Ministry team in her day. Her exceptional skills in transfiguration and her registration as an animagus qualified her as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries. She was on a specialty team doing Deep Cover work."
" Well, but – I thought once you became an Unspeakable that it was a lifelong commitment. Even if you don't go on missions, you did important research at the Ministry itself. It's one of the career choices I was exploring," Hermione explained self-consciously.
" In most cases, that's true, " Tonks replied giving Hermione a curious look. " I'm not sure of the exact circumstances but something terrible happened to the team the Professor was working with. The Professor was apparently in bad shape."
Hermione's brain was working furiously. Professor McGonagall - an Unspeakable! Was that where she knew Ron's Uncle? And, if so, what had happened and why hadn't Ron and Ginny mentioned anything?
Tonks continued, " And then Albus Dumbledore sought Minerva McGonagall out and persuaded her to take over the Transfiguration department at Hogwarts. That's all I know but it is curious that she's now insisting on keeping such a close eye on this project and on you and your besotted friend. I know that Mad-Eye was muttering to Remus about it."
With one last complicated maneuver of the wand, Hermione's hair was pulled back and French-braided except for some loose curly tendrils that framed her rosy face.
Hermione was just slipping on some low black sandals when her mother returned with a tray laden with scones, jam, fruit and tea.
" Hurry, dear. The Ministry people are coming up the walk and I don't know how long your father will be able to entertain them by himself. He's been a little upset since yesterday." Mrs. Granger, somewhat out of breath, put down the tray.
Hermione half-heartedly grabbed a scone nibbled at it and sipped some tea.
" Why is Dad so upset? " she asked her mother, although she had a strong suspicion what the problem might be. " I know the attacks were a shock but he just kept staring at me last night as if I was going to disappear right in front of his eyes." she finished. Which of course I could she thought to herself.
Tonks and Mrs. Granger exchanged knowing glances.
" What is it?" Hermione asked nervously.
" Well, dear. It's quite natural – nothing to worry yourself about too much." Her mother didn't seem to want to explain any further.
Hermione turned to Tonks who was chuckling to herself.
"What your Mum is trying to say is that your father is having a perfectly natural reaction to seeing his only daughter in a clinch with a young man who is clearly intent on more than friendship! " Tonks concluded.
Hermione groaned. How would she deal with her fatherin his present mood and even more to the point, how would Ron?