Chapter 5- Seven's My Limit
Hermione woke up in the morning, and for the first time in months, no nightmares of Ron proposing had haunted her. Hermione didn't notice this though, and went on doing what she did pretty much every morning.

Hermione went into the bathroom, which was hooked onto her bedroom by a door. Only half awake, Hermione put her hair up in a messy bun, just to get it out of her face. Hermione then left her bathroom for the kitchen and started making herself some breakfast.

Being to lazy to go back and get her wand, Hermione decided to just make eggs the muggle way. It was easy enough, anyways. She walked over to the refrigerator, taking out 2 eggs, which she struggled balancing in one hand. And that's when it hit her.

In one short moment, all the memories of last night dawned onto her. She was making breakfast for Ron. She dumped Ron last night. Ron would never come over for breakfast from Hermione again.

With this recent recollection of last night, Hermione didn't know if she wanted to rejoice or take a heaping gulp of whiskey. After a few seconds of thinking, Hermione decided on celebrating. This was only based on the facts that she owned no alcohol and no decent bar would be open, considering it was only a little after 8 AM.

To begin her celebration, Hermione threw Ron's portion of breakfast over her shoulders, as if to say that Ron was no longer her problem anymore. It dawned on Hermione as she heard a crack on the floor that it was an egg, meaning it wasn't exactly the best idea to throw it onto the floor. Hermione peered backwards, to the mess of egg spread out all over the tile floor.

Hermione mumbled a few foul words before she went back to her bedroom to retrieve her wand. As she made her way to her wand, the image of the broken egg began to haunt her mind.

'That's what I did to Ron's heart...' Hermione thought as she picked up her wand and turned around to leave her room. 'I broke it into a million pieces…No, now's not the time to feel bad for him! Think of how much he deserved it after how he treated me!' As Hermione told herself this, there was a small voice in the back of her mind saying how all he ever did to her was out of love. And much to Hermione's dislike, the rest of her mind knew it was true.

Hermione returned to the mess, muttered an incantation, and her celebratory mess was cleaned up. Momentarily afterwards, she continued with making her breakfast, which she ate in silence, thinking about what was next on her celebration list. After swallowing the very last bite of her egg, Hermione decided the next thing to do on the list was to contact Dumbledore saying she wanted the job. After all, she had already turned him down, but she needed to get the job before it was taken.

At least, Hermione hoped it wasn't already taken. Hermione shuddered at just the thought of Ron being right, telling her she would be hopeless without him. Hermione quickly shook of the thought and fetched some parchment and a quill. Hermione began scribing a letter at her desk in her living room instantaneously.

Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,

I understand that I turned down the job already and it's late notice, school starting in a few weeks and all, but I was wondering if there was still a job opening available to me. I've recently have had a few changes in my life and would be able to take a position there now. I would love to have the chance of working at Hogwarts.

Thank you for your time,

Hermione Granger

Hermione sighed as she watched the owl Harry had given her for Christmas last year fly away, heading towards Dumbledore. She wanted the owl to return instantaneously, but knew that it would take a good hour or more for it to arrive at Dumbledore's office, not to mention it had to come back to her.

"Curse the bloody wizarding world for not having email," Hermione muttered to herself before leaving the window frame she stood at for her couch. As she sat down, she then realized that her celebration had fell short, her not even knowing what in the world she could do next.

Hermione's eyes darted around the room, just waiting to find something to continue her celebration. It was then when Hermione thought of how it was no celebration by yourself…you need other people, friends and family to share it with.

'But no one would want to celebrate with me on how I left the "love of my life"…' Hermione suddenly felt all alone, like nobody else walked upon the world.

'Because nobody's here for me, not with my decision…About how I left Ron and now I am alone…' Hermione left an empty feeling in the pity of her stomach just thinking about Ron. That, or maybe it was just a side effect from Hermione's cooking.

Hermione sighed in her failed search of celebration, but then her eyes found something that had been untouched in her life for a while now.

A book.

It wasn't as if Hermione hadn't read a book in months because she didn't want to, she had just been too caught up. And plus, the War really did change her. Books just weren't as important as the used to be when she was in Hogwarts. Hermione remembered telling Ginny about how she thought they should not read books as much because they should be living their own lives, not get caught up in some book. You don't have forever to live your life.

As Hermione picked up the book and started reading from page one, she thought about how right about now, she pretty much didn't want to be living her life anyways.

Sure, most of her troubles might be over, but there were still some to come. There was the possibility of not becoming a professor and proving Ron wrong. There was still the fact that Hermione needed to actually find love, both to make herself happy and have Ron pay. Then, there were the heavy memories of breaking Ron's heart and how guilt was eating her way from her still trying the break it into more pieces.

Yes, Hermione indeed needed to leave her life now. At least a short break would be nice.

Hermione only wished that books had the same spell over her as they used to, making hours seem lie minutes while she read. Hermione found herself constantly checking the clock while she read now; from the time she started at 10:07 AM for every five minutes until 3:14 PM, when she heard a tapping noise on her window.

Hermione looked up, finding her owl, Penny. Hermione practically threw aside her book, knowing what this meant. Dumbledore had replied, meaning her whole life was on the line. If he said yes, Hermione would be able to finally become a professor as she had wished, along with do some damage to Ron. If he said no though, Hermione wasn't sure what she would do.

Hermione jumped off her couch and opened her window for Penny. As she flew in, Penny dropped the letter, aiming for Hermione's hands. It's a wonder she actually caught it, being so anxious and nervous. Plus, she was a bit clumsy.

The moment that envelope reached Hermione's fingertips, she already had it torn open. Before unfolding the letter that she had taken out, Hermione took a deep breath.

'Here goes nothing...' Hermione thought as she opened the letter to read the news.

Dear Miss Granger,

I am please to know how interested you are in working at Hogwarts. Alas, there are no current job openings available here at Hogwarts. I am sorry to say this, and I will inform you if anything comes up I hope that come next school year, a job opening will be waiting for you.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hermione read back over the letter once and then once again. Much to her misfortune, her eyes hade nor mistaken her at all. There really were no openings at Hogwarts.

Hermione couldn't believe this. All the things she told Ron the night before, about how she would be better without him…All ruined by this letter. Ron had won.

Hermione then gulped at the next thought; how was she going to support herself now? She had no job, no money, and who knows if her friends would back her up this time. She was completely lost of what would happen of her life.

Hermione knew her life was falling apart, but frankly, she didn't want to think about it now. She wished a book could get her mind off this one, but she was afraid that it wouldn't, not this time. So Hermione thought of the next best idea.

Hermione glanced over at the clock again, forgetting what time it was after she received the letter.

'3:21…' Hermione thought. 'Good. It's not too early to go to s bar.' Within a few seconds, Hermione apperated to a bar, with no intention of this drinking being a celebration.

"Hello miss," the bartender said as a young woman, possibly in her twenties, approached the bar. She cautiously sat down right in front of him.

"Hello," she responded.

"My name's Ben," the bartender introduced himself. "And might I ask what your name is?"

"Hermione," the girl said solemnly. "Hermione Granger."

"And what's a fine lady like you doing in a bar like this?"

"Forgetting." Ben questionably looked at her, but decided not to ask. It might be best for his being if he didn't go into it. Ben just moved on to getting her order.

"And what would you like today?"

"Oh, I'd like to start off with a fire whiskey," Hermione told Ben. He nodded and turned around before she added, "Cut me off at seven."

Ben turned back around wide-eyed at Hermione.

"Seven?" Ben repeated. Hermione nodded. "Miss, I don't think you realize how strong a fire whiskey even is!"

"I know how much fire whiskey I can handle, thank you very much." That was a lie. Hermione had never even had a sip of fire whiskey in her life. She had never even been to a bar, either. She wasn't really the drinking type of girl…but she could always start. All Hermione knew was that she wanted to do some forgetting and that would get her there.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't let you-" Ben stared arguing, but was interrupted by Hermione.

"Seven's my limit," Hermione said as an order.

"Miss-"

"Fine." Hermione placed down money on the counter and much to Ben's surprise, it was a lot!

"I'm willing to pay you double if you cut me off at seven," Hermione told Ben. This probably wasn't a very good idea for Hermione, considering she had no job or support, but she didn't care at the moment.

Ben looked at the money. It was so tempting! Ben was in need of extra money…buying the engagement ring for his girlfriend and all…

"Seven it is," Ben said, wondering if he did the right thing. A few seconds later, Ben had a mug of fire whiskey in front of Hermione.

Hermione inspected the mug, holding the drink up. She leaned in and tried to casually sniff it, but then noticeably gagged. How are you supposed to drink this? The smell alone was just unbearable to Hermione! But, Hermione decided she might as well try it…

Slowly, Hermione brought the mug of fire whiskey to her lips, feeling the chilled mug. She hesitated to drink, but then braved it up and took a gulp.

The fire whiskey burned as it traveled down Hermione's throat. She slammed down the mug and took in a few deep breaths. What it supposed to feel like that? Hermione was just glad Ben was busy catering to another costumer at the time…

After a few seconds, Hermione somehow began to feel...different. It was like a small part of all the stress in her life just slipped away from her body.

'Did this do that?' Hermione wondered, staring at the mug she now help up. She just shrugged if off thinking that if one sip already made her feel better, then imagine what seven mugs could do! It was like a new form of magic or something! Wanting to experience the magic's outcome again, Hermione slowly took another sip, feeling the burn once more.

'If that's what I need to do to feel better for once, then so be it.'

A/N---

REVIEW

i command you!

WELL, i hope u liked! ill b updating ASAP, maybe this weekend!