After the war, Hermione finds that she had drifted apart from Harry and Ron, as their lives head in different directions. As new opportunities come to her and she makes new friends, will the Golden Trio ever reconnect? Cedric lives. HG/CD.
.o.O.o.
Disclaimer: Not mine, don't own it – I wish! Unfortunately, Harry Potter belongs to JKR and not to me; I'm just playing in her sandbox.
Author's Notes:
» Thank you to my beta, the wonderful StrongHermione, for all her help and support.
» Thank you for all the reviews, alerts and follows; they're all appreciated.
.o.O.o.
Chapter 5
When they arrived back home from their vacation in Falls Creek, there were letters waiting for Cedric and Hermione from Britain. Kingsley had written to say that he had now been voted in as Minister instead of just being Acting Minister and that the last of the Death Eaters had now been caught, so the restrictions on international magical travel had finally been lifted, provided the travellers from the UK were vouched for by the British Ministry. He had already cleared the way for Cedric and Hermione with the Australian magical government and they were to present themselves at the Melbourne Ministry building to make their presence in Australia official. Bill had also sent the names of a couple of curse breakers of his acquaintance living in the Melbourne area. While Hermione's situation with Gringotts had not yet been resolved, his colleagues would nevertheless be happy to show them around the magical district in Melbourne and give them whatever advice and information they may need about magical life in Australia.
The following morning, Cedric and Hermione went to the Ministry to register their wands. They were slightly apprehensive due to having arrived in Australia before the restrictions on international magical travel from Britain had been lifted and they were not entirely convinced that they would not be in trouble for having skirted this restriction by the means of muggle travel. They were very relieved when registering their wands turned out to be a routine procedure, undertaken by a bored Ministry worker who was not interested in investigating just exactly when the young couple had arrived in Australia.
Their business at the Ministry completed, they headed off to the heart of Melbourne's wizarding district to meet Bill Weasley's colleagues from Gringotts. As they walked into the café where they had arranged to meet, they were waved over by a man and woman of about the same age as Bill, who were sitting drinking coffee. The man stood up as they approached and they saw that he was tall, with floppy blond hair and deep brown eyes. The woman with him seemed to be of average height, with bright blue eyes, cute dimples and black corkscrew curls, which were almost as unruly as Hermione's bushy locks, which had finally been released from the colourful but confining micro braids and returned to their natural bushy, brown state, although Cedric had tried to persuade her to keep the disguise, as he had rather liked Hermione's new look. Both of Bill's colleagues were dressed in casual muggle clothing – the man in khaki cargo pants, a sloppy, cream, knit sweater and desert boots, while the woman was wearing an ankle-length denim skirt with a front split that reached to mid-thigh, a black sweater, black patterned tights and knee high, high heeled, black suede boots. Her slender legs were being showcased admirably and her companion could barely take his eyes off her.
"Cedric Diggory and Hermione Granger, right?" the man said, as shook their hands. "I'm Marco Croft and this is my partner, Tiffany Jones."
"Call me Jonesy," said Tiffany as Hermione and Cedric sat down. They both snorted and she looked at them inquiringly. "What am I missing?" she asked.
"We had a good friend back home, called Nymphadora. In her family, it was a tradition to call children by Ancient Greco-Roman names, especially the names of stars and constellations, but she absolutely hated her name and always insisted on being called by her surname, Tonks. Hearing you tell us to call you 'Jonesy' reminded us of her," explained Hermione sadly.
"And I thought Tiffany was bad!" exclaimed the witch. "Not that there's anything wrong with the name as such; it's just a bit girly." The last word was said with disdain, as though the worst thing in the world was to be girly. Thinking of her former roommates at Hogwarts, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, Hermione could not help but agree with that sentiment. While she enjoyed being a woman and appreciated her femininity, she just could not relate to giggly girls whose primary interests in life were gossip, boys, fashion and makeup. Although she had quite liked the two girls she shared a dorm with, she could only tolerate them in small doses, otherwise her brain was in danger of shutting down if she spent too long in their company.
"You said had. What happened to her?" asked Marco curiously.
"She was killed in the war. She had a baby son and wasn't supposed to be fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts but she couldn't stay away. Her husband was killed with her. Little Teddy has lost all his family except for his grandmother," replied Cedric.
"I'm sorry."
"It's all right; you didn't know," Cedric reassured the man sitting opposite him.
"Why don't you call me Tiff? I don't want to bring up bad memories for you."
"Actually, it would be good memories. Hearing her get annoyed over being addressed as Nymphadora always amused everyone who knew her," smiled Hermione.
"Jonesy it is then," agreed the bubbly young woman, her clear blue eyes twinkling in a manner reminiscent of the late Albus Dumbledore. "And now that we've settled that, how can we help you two?"
Cedric and Hermione shared a long look, before Hermione gestured for Cedric to answer. "We need general advice, I think," he said consideringly. "Neither of us is particularly keen to go rushing back to the UK but we don't know what our options are here. I had always planned to work in the Ministry after school but I didn't agree with the war-time administration and even with the changes in regime, I don't think the Ministry and I would be a good fit for each other now. As for Hermione, she had to miss her last year of school due to the war and needs to take her final exams or whatever the local equivalent is here in Australia. She had also planned on a Ministry career – she was a big proponent of fair treatment for house elves and other magical beings and wanted to help them – but, like me, she and the Ministry are no longer a good fit for each other.
"We don't know much about the Australian magical community as Hogwarts, indeed the British magical community as a whole, is very blinkered and doesn't teach much, if anything, about magical life outside Britain. So we don't know what options there are for us outside the Ministry, Gringotts, owing our own business, which isn't really something that appeals to either of us, or pursuing a Mastery. I'm not interested in a Mastery – truth be told, I'd like something more active – and having decided not to pursue a Ministry career, Hermione doesn't know what she wants to do either."
"I was thinking of a law degree," the bushy-haired witch interjected, "but Cedric has explained to me that it's unlikely I'd ever be able to use it in Britain they way I want to, so that's out. Besides, my mundane education ended when I started Hogwarts and in magical Britain, higher education doesn't exist, except for Mastery apprenticeships, which are few and far between. Healing might be an option for me, I suppose. I'm torn between the magical and non-magical worlds at the moment but, either way, my lack of formal qualifications is a problem."
"Okay, let's start with Hermione," decided Marco. "Monash University here in Melbourne has a magical campus and you can do either a fully magical degree or a joint magical/mundane one there, if that's what you want. The joint degree is accepted in both the magical and non-magical communities and the magical campus offers Masteries, if that's of greater interest to you. If you're truly interested in healing, you could do joint magical and muggle training, if you want." Hermione looked very interested in that idea and Marco continued, "You should also check out Monash College, which is closely affiliated with Monash Uni. They provide foundation courses to prepare their students to meet the university entrance requirements. Alternatively it may be possible for you to sit high school exams at the magical campus. I'm not sure about that, though, so you may have to check with the university. The magical campus is right here in the wizarding district, so I suggest you go in and ask about entry requirements and your options. Pick up a prospectus while you're there to see what courses they offer that interest you."
Hermione looked much happier once Marco had finished. "Thank you, Marco. I'll definitely stop in at the magical university before we go home today," she said.
"Now for Cedric," Jonesy grinned, her dimples flashing cheekily. "Bill has actually told me a fair bit about you. Joint winner of the Triwizard Tournament, he said. Fought Voldemort and his Death Eaters with Harry Potter at the end of the Tournament. Intelligent – I've seen the articles you wrote in The Quibbler – good with your wand and you want an active job. What NEWTs did you do? Have you considered becoming a curse breaker?"
"You know, I never thought of that. I did NEWTs in the five core subjects (Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts) and two electives (Ancient Runes and Arithmancy). I got Exceeds Expectations in Potions and Arithmancy and Outstandings in everything else. Would those subjects and grades be acceptable?"
"They certainly would," replied Marco. "For those who were educated in the British educational system, the minimum qualifications are Outstandings in Ancient Runes, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts and Exceed Expectations in any two of Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology or Arithmancy. Cedric, you exceeded those requirements, so you shouldn't have any problem being taken on to a Gringotts training programme."
"That sounds perfect for Cedric," Hermione commented. "There's just one thing…" she trailed off, biting her lip.
"What's wrong?" Cedric asked.
"I'm your girlfriend."
"So? Oh!"
"Why would that be a problem?" Jonesy asked, puzzled. "The goblins don't care about their employees' personal lives, you know."
"Ah, but Ms Granger here isn't exactly the goblins' favourite person right now," drawled Cedric laconically as Hermione blushed bright red. "You see, in the interests of winning the war, she and her friends robbed Gringotts in London and made their getaway on the back of one of the Gringotts security dragons. They were on one of the lower levels and Hermione used Defodio to break through to the upper levels so they could escape. She caused quite a bit of damage and the entire British wizarding world knows all about it. The goblins weren't best pleased by that stunt. Bill is still trying to negotiate terms with Gringotts on Hermione's behalf."
Marco and Jonesy's mouths both fell open in shock. Cedric began to laugh at the sight but Hermione just shrugged. "It was necessary at the time," she said nonchalantly, before she gave up the battle to keep a straight face and laughed along with Cedric.
The two seasoned curse breakers quickly recovered. "Do you know what the goblins want and what Bill has offered in recompense?" Marco asked curiously.
"The goblins want as much as they can get," said Cedric dryly. "They do actually understand why Hermione, Harry and Ron Weasley robbed the bank but their rather public manner of escape caused the goblins to lose face and that's why they're spitting blood. Unfortunately for them, the Trio were helped in their little escapade by a goblin named Griphook, which is what Bill is using to try and come to a reasonable settlement."
"Cedric, Hermione… may I ask how serious your relationship is?" asked Jonesy.
"It's still very new but it's serious," said Hermione blushing. "At least, I hope it is," she added, chewing her lip uncertainly.
Cedric reached out and took her hand. "Yes, it is. It's serious," he said, gazing lovingly into Hermione's eyes, as she smiled back at him.
"Ah, young love," drawled Marco teasingly, making Jonesy giggle. "Okay, Jonesy. Where are you going with this?"
"I assume Bill is suggesting that you contribute financially towards any repairs?" she asked and Hermione nodded in reply. "Well, has he also offered service?"
"No, I don't think so. What does that mean?" asked Hermione, confusedly. "I've not heard of that before."
"You would work for a certain amount of time for Gringotts without a salary. My idea was that if Cedric can afford it and doesn't mind, as your other half, he would offer his first year of employment. Then, when Hermione graduates from university, she would also offer one year. Two years of employment is a reasonable offer but if Cedric were to offer one year now, then the goblins won't have to wait for several years until Hermione graduates, which would placate them somewhat. They won't actually mind waiting – they have long memories and can be very patient when it suits them – but they'll appreciate the fact that you're contributing towards the settlement now. Plus, they'll regard it as very honourable on his part that Cedric is willing to offer service on Hermione's behalf, so he'll gain their respect, which will help him with his career in the long run. "
Frowning, Hermione replied, "I like the idea of offering service to the goblins but it should be me who does it, not Cedric. I think I should go to the university and ask them about taking my NEWTs or some kind of high school equivalency exams now. Then, as I presume I won't be able to start any degree until the beginning of the next academic year and that's in January, isn't it…" she looked towards Marco and Jonesy inquiringly.
"Orientation is usually in February," Jonesy replied.
"Then I can offer service until then, and during the summer holidays each year as well. Assuming I'm accepted as an undergraduate, that is. If not, I'll have to think about what else I could do."
Cedric laughed loudly at that. "Hermione Granger, you're known as the brightest witch of your age for a reason. Your marks in school were unprecedented. You're the only student who had special permission at age thirteen to use a time-turner so that you could take classes in every single subject the school offers. There's no question that your NEWT scores will have the university welcoming you with open arms."
Hermione made a face at Cedric and stuck her tongue out at him, as the two curse breakers laughed at her antics.
"Well, fun as this has been, we have to get back to work," announced Marco. "Tell Bill that if we can help at all in his negotiations with the goblins, he should let us know. I'll send you material about what being a curse breaker involves and how to apply, Cedric. Look it over and contact me if you're interested. In fact, contact me anyway. Jonesy and I will introduce you to Melbourne's wizarding nightlife."
"Good luck with your exams and the university, Hermione," Jonesy added, as the two curse breakers took their leave.
"Come on, Kitten. Let's get you to the university before you explode with anticipation," Cedric teased his excited girlfriend, who was practically bouncing in her seat in her enthusiasm to go and visit the university.
"Don't you want to look around a bit first?" she asked.
"The wizarding district will still be here tomorrow," he laughed. "Let's go and get you sorted out. We'll both be a lot happier once we know what we're going to do with our lives."
"You're right, of course. But Cedric? I really don't want you taking on my debt to the goblins, it's not right."
"And what if I don't mind it? What if I'm hoping that one day you'll be my wife and that as your husband, it's only right that I help you?"
"I just want to pay off my debt myself. I'll keep feeling guilty otherwise. It's a matter of honour for me."
"I'll tell you what. If you pass your NEWTs and the goblins agree to you serving from now until university starts and then for a year after you graduate, then I'll back off. But if that's not enough, then I'll offer my services as well."
"Let's go and find out if I can take my NEWTs first. Then we'll talk about this more."
"Deal. Now come on!" he grabbed her hand, pulled Hermione to her feet and kissed the tip of her nose. Getting directions from their waitress, they made their way to the magical campus of Monash University, where they were lucky enough to gain an immediate appointment with a representative from the Admittance Department, and Hermione explained her situation.
"I wasn't able to sit my NEWTs due to the war. I'm muggleborn and my parents and I decided that they would move to Australia to keep them away from the war, as they would have been targets if the Death Eaters could have found them. They're happy here and I would like to stay with them – we spent too much time apart when I was at Hogwarts. I'd also like to continue my education and apply to your university but I need to sit my NEWTs first. Do you know if there is any way I can do that?"
"Well, we don't actually sit NEWTs in Australia but you can sit our equivalent exams towards the end of this academic year, together with the final year students. You'll have to complete home study, though, as I doubt you'll be accepted at any school midway through the year."
"That would be fine," agreed Hermione. "Is there a magical school here in Melbourne so I can make arrangements with them to sit my exams together with their students? I'd also need a copy of their current syllabi."
The kindly witch helpfully gave Hermione all the information she needed and sent an owl to the principal of the local magical high school to arrange an appointment for Hermione with him for the following morning. Hermione enthusiastically thanked the witch for all her assistance and collected an application pack on her way out. She and Cedric then browsed around the magical district for a while before returning back home, whereupon Hermione wrote to Minerva McGonagall asking for a copy of her academic record to date. She and Cedric both also wrote to Bill with Jonesy's suggestion about offering service to the goblins.
They discussed that further with her parents that night. "I'm not sure I like the idea of service," Helen said, frowning worriedly. "What exactly will it comprise?"
"It means working without salary but we'd make sure it was for a specific amount of time. I was thinking from now until I start university, during the long summer holidays while at university and then for one year after university," Hermione explained.
"I'll tell you what," suggested John. "Tell the goblins you'll work half a week for them until you take your high school exams. That also gives half a week for study and relaxing. After the exams are over and during the long university breaks, you can work full time."
A few days later, Hermione received a letter from Minerva McGonagall. She included Hermione's academic transcript and informed her that it had been arranged for OWL and NEWT level students to sit their exams during the second and third weeks in August, as they had not had the opportunity to do so after the battle. Headmistress McGonagall offered to arrange a portkey for Hermione if she wished to sit her NEWTs.
"I don't actually want to go back to Britain right now," said Hermione pensively. The three Grangers and Cedric were sitting at the kitchen table, discussing the pros and cons of this idea. John looked at his daughter and saw that she had gone from cheerful and happy to sitting hunched in on herself, clearly miserable.
"How about I go with you, Kitten?" suggested Cedric. "If you want to stay in Australia for the next few years, then I'm staying here too. This will give me a chance to see my parents and collect some more of my things – I didn't pack for a long-term stay here. You could stay with us and apparate to and from Hogwarts each day. Would that make it easier for you?"
"I wouldn't need to stay in the castle?" Hermione brightened at that suggestion. "What do you think, Mum, Dad? Do you think I should do this?"
"It would be much better for you to get the exams over and done with, so they're not hanging you're your head," said John.
"Especially if you're going to be working for the goblins," said Cedric. "I know what you're like before exams – your pre-exam study habits were legendary at Hogwarts! You study obsessively, Kitten, and you always end up wearing yourself out. If you wait to sit the high school exams here at the end of the year, between study and working you'll run yourself into the ground. If you do your exams now, then you won't need to balance the two and after your NEWTs, you can focus solely on your work at Gringotts," he observed.
"I think you should do it, sweetheart," advised Helen.
With that, the decision was made. Hermione thanked the principal of the local magical high school for his assistance but explained that she would be sitting her NEWTs at Hogwarts next month and so, assuming she got good grades, would not need to sit the Australian equivalent exams. She then wrote to accept Headmistress McGonagall's offer to sit her NEWTs in August and to request a portkey that would take her and Cedric to his parents' house a few days before the exams, to give them time to get reacclimatised, and which would then bring them back to Australia a few days after her exams had been completed.