Disclaimer: In no way do I attempt to claim ownership of Harry Potter and its associated characters, concepts or ideas. JKR kicks butt and I know it.
AN: Part four, a quick glance at the wonderful academic side of Hermione that everyone always seems to avoid. The slightly jealous side of her, which only occurs (or so it seems) when she is not a part of the "Golden Trio" or some sort of close friend of Harry's. Yeah. That stuff.
Harry Potter: The Orphans Chronicles
Part 4: Hermione
By: Sagi
If there was ever a student who couldn't stand that she was only second best – it was Hermione Granger. She was second only to Harry Potter – and if that wasn't bad enough she didn't even hold the second position to herself, she had to share it with Potter's best friend Draco Malfoy. It was irritating, to say the least. Hermione didn't have any classes with Harry and Draco (who shared a schedule) so she didn't have any idea how they got into the good graces of the professors.
Especially the more prickly professors like Snape and McGonagall, who did their absolute damndest to not play favorites.
Hermione huffed, staring at the piles of books and homework sitting and waiting to be read and double checked. She had a counseling session in about ten minutes to talk about her course work and what was needed for university.
Hermione knew what needed to be done to get into her college of choice. Perfect scores, a good resume with work and volunteer experience. That's what McGonagall was going to tell her – and Hermione really wanted to get another hour of studying in before cheerleading practice – which apparently made her into a well rounded student.
Sighing, Hermione stood up to pack her bag and return her books to the shelves that they belonged on. In the science section she spotted a very familiar pair of heads end over a book. It wasn't the presence of t hem that stopped her – Harry and Draco shared study period with her – though they weren't often in the library – but rather their hushed conversation.
"Snape suggested that I aim for Merlin's University," Harry was saying, "because of their science program. But McGonagall wants me to go to London Tech for maths."
"Didn't Dumbledore say you should go there?" Draco asked, scratching his pen against his paper distractedly.
Hermione bristled slightly. Those were the top schools in the country – she was aiming for them herself. And Harry had the top professors and the headmaster suggesting he go to them?
"But where do you want to go? I know the government has already offered to send you to any school you want, any where in the country."
"I... I was thinking of leaving the country." Harry murmured. "I don't think that the offer will stretch that far, but I'm sure that I can get a scholarship if I get enough recommendations. Fudge would even do one, I bet."
Hermione blinked in disbelief. Harry had the resources, the grades and the recommendations to go to any school in all of Great Brittan that he wanted – and he wanted to earn his own scholarship in another country? She didn't understand, so she forcibly reminded herself that she had an appointment with McGonagall about her own future.
"Ah, Miss Granger, right on time."
"Hullo Professor."
"Well, Miss Granger, you're here because you have top grades – but your resume is relatively empty after that. I would suggest a part-time job or some volunteer work over the next year or, at the very least, until you graduate."
"Which do you think would be better, Professor?"
"Volunteering, most definitely. I know that your family isn't exactly hurting for money, Miss Granger, even if you are here on scholarship. This work would allow possible schools and employers how you were willing to give back to the community without any monetary gain – important on many different levels. As it is, I know that the Matron at St. Mungo's is looking for some weekend help. If you're interested I'll give her a call and set it up for you."
"I- well, I guess. But don't Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy both live there? Wouldn't that help the Matron?"
"They've both recently gotten jobs, I gather. So the Matron is looking for some help. Just on weekends, possible evenings if you've the time. You will have to talk to her about the specifics. Interested?"
"Oh, well alright then. You will let me know?"
"Of course, now – about your choices for colleges. The Headmaster, Professor Snape and I have been thinking about it, as you are one of the top students in the school, and we feel that if you're grades continue as they have for the last six years, that either Merlin's University, London Tech or another of those top schools would be best suited for you. It's all up to you, after all, and you do have another year before you must decide but, making the choice and then working towards it has always suited myself and I believe that it will work for you as well."
"Ah, Miss Granger, I presume?"
The woman who greeted Hermione at St. Mungo's Orphanage was exactly the type of person that the teenaged girl thought would be running such an institution. She was squat and plump and smiling. Warm but stern. This woman was the kind of woman who knew every trick in the book because she lived with thirty children and didn't allow any of them to put more than one toe out of line – if that.
Hermione now knew why Harry and Draco were so well behaved and modest in school.
"Yes," Hermione said, shaking the woman's hand before following her down the hallway. They arrived – after skirting around a few piles of toys – at a very handsomely done office.
"I hope you don't mind, but this will have to be quick. I have an appointment in about twenty minutes and this man is never late." The Matron shifted a few files to the side of her desk and looked carefully at Hermione. "Now, have you ever worked with children before? Any siblings, cousins or babysitting jobs?"
"No, Ma'am," Hermione said, starting to feel nervous.
"Well, this will be quite an experience for you then, won't it? Alright, let me tell you the basics and then Harry – I think that was him thundering around upstairs anyway – do you know Harry and Draco? Yes? Wonderful – can show you around and introduce you to everyone."
Hermione nodded.
"Now, on weekdays everyone has classes here at the orphanage, unless the child has requested otherwise. None of the children attend public primary school, and only begin public school at the age of thirteen. There are special cases, of course, if the child has requested it or if they show an aptitude for accepting that they don't have parents and the other children do. When a child finishes their daily lessons they can play or do as they wish until quiet time. The mealtime schedule is locked at nine, twelve and five everyday – even weekends. And after dinner is study time and quiet time." The Matron blinked at Hermione's confident look. "I'm sure that any questions you have will ultimately be answered through experience."
Hermione nodded.
"Your job," The Matron continued, "will be working with the children on their public skills – dealing with new people and playing games with them – as well as helping them master basic skills such as reading and study habits. The youngest children will need help and having an older girl here will help the girls about to go through puberty more than Harry and Draco can help them."
A knock sounded on the door and the Matron glanced at the clock. "Early today, isn't he? Alright dear, I'll get somebody to show you to Harry's room and he'll show you around."
She ushered Hermione to the door.
"Severus, hello. Please have a seat and I'll be right back."
"Miss Granger?"
"Professor Snape?"
"Really Severus, I told you I was looking for some help... come along Miss Granger. Evan – could you bring Miss Granger up to Harry's room? Thanks dear."
A curious looking child, maybe eight, smiled at Hermione and dashed up the main stairs – clearly thinking that she would follow him.
Hermione stared before hurrying after the child. "Ah, Evan, wait!" She called.
Even might have slowed his pace for a moment or two before dashing off again, clearly enjoying the game. Hermione followed him as best she could up three more flights of stairs, before he began to dash right back down. Blinking in disbelief, Hermione sat down on the top stair and panted.
"-time I'm serious!" An angry voice was saying. "They keep getting worse and I keep remembering more of them."
"Draco, listen. You've been having these dreams since you came here. You don't want to remember your past, so don't worry too much about it, okay?"
Well, at least Harry sounded calm, Hermione though as she wheezed desperately.
"I know that I don't' want to remember, Harry, but that doesn't stop the dreams! I doesn't stop anything at all! Harry, you – ow- what was that?"
A gasp. "Draco?"
"Just, don't grab me there..."
"Draco, you've been getting the phantom pains too, not just the dreams?" Harry definitely didn't sound calm anymore. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Silence met the query – as far was Hermione could tell – and she decided that she would rather have her tour now than try to interpret whatever it was that that silence meant.
AN: End Part 1 of Hermione's chapter. I'll have the next bit up soon.
Review and it will be up sooner? (these review pleas make me feel so needy...)
-Sagi
