The summer is over, but the fun has just begun.
Welcome to "River Talk."
School starts tomorrow! September 1st is upon us once again, and that means that all the kiddies will be heading back to school for another year of learning. Hopefully, those kids at Hogwarts will flourish, no longer plagued by the bureaucracy that interfered last year. And by that, dear listeners, you all know that I am speaking of the retirement of our beloved Minerva McGonagall, former Transfigurations professor and now former Headmistress. Under her, in these six years since the War, Hogwarts has risen from the (both metaphorical and literal) ashes and not only returned to its former glory, but rose to heights that it had not seen in years. Albus Dumbledore would have been proud. Ah, I can remember it like it was yesterday: McGonagall wrenching the magical megaphone away from me while I tried to hit on various talented Quidditch players - here's lookin' at you, Johnson! - and curse at those that cheated. I think those are the moments we truly bonded. You've reached a certain level when a teacher can cuff you around the head but never give you a detention. …Uh oh, was I not supposed to spill that secret, Minerva?
He chuckled.
I know that I speak for everyone who was lucky enough to learn from her and work with her when I say that, Headmistress, you will be missed dearly. And I hope your retirement is relaxing. But not too relaxing. We wouldn't want you getting bored.
Returning to that school board tizzy that filled our newspapers last spring, Hogwarts has officially welcomed Prosper Pannychis as its new Headmaster. And yes, that's how it's said. I know you all have been mouthing it silently to yourselves as you read it in the newspaper. Pan-ih-kiss. You're welcome.
Pannychis has a degree in Magical Education and taught Transfiguration as an exchange teacher at the Salem Witches' Institute in America for ten years. In a statement made yesterday to the press, Pannychis said that he was "very happy to be coming back to Hogwarts, and is looking forward to working with both the students and staff to make this year a strong one." Well, Headmaster, we sincerely wish you the best in your new position.
Now let's go to an ad from one of our sponsors - "The Quibbler."
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Settling into her quarters at Hogwarts, Hermione again was distracted by the thoughts that had been plaguing her for weeks now, practically unavoidable now that she was faced with the start of term and thus, the start of her stress and the end of her free time. It was Alfred. Of course it was Alfred.
She sighed and ran her fingers through her bushy hair, nails scraping at her scalp as the mulled everything over for what must have been the fourteenth time, at least.
It wasn't that he had done anything wrong. By all accounts (and those awful witch magazines Lavender was reading and shoving in her face, asking her things like Would you define yourself more as a free spirit or a homebody?), Alfred did everything that a boyfriend should. He was attentive, took her on dates, checked in with her to see how her day went, held her hand and complimented her appearance. But, everything was just a bit too much. His constant compliments made her more uncomfortable than flattered (how many times could you say "thank you" before it sounded trite?), he was far more affectionate, and his attentiveness frustrated her. She couldn't help but think that if Lavender wasn't so superficial when it came to men and their looks, he would be perfect for her. Not that he was bad looking. Alfred had a quirky charm that had drawn her to him; a strong nose that had reminded her of Victor, kind blue eyes that had a sparkle in them when he talked about his shipbuilding hobby; a cute lisp that was often hid, but became more noticeable when he was tired or too distracted to remember to rein it in. And no, he wasn't exciting per say, but he was intelligent and…safe. And she had wanted safe, had craved safe. But, to be honest, being with him, maintaining the relationship, had started to feel like a chore. His...there was no better word for it...clinginess was stifling. And she didn't know if she wanted to just continue dealing with this while also dealing with the stress of teaching and the new Headmaster, who she did not yet know besides a formal handshake.
She looked around at her familiar yet empty home. This truly was her home; her flat in London was just there for storage and summer holiday. She frowned at her trunk and, with a wave of her wand, her clothes and toiletries soared to their correct spots, her books soaring to the bookshelf that took up the entire north wall.
Was she being too picky? She had talked to her best friends about it a week or so back, but they hadn't exactly been helpful.
"Of course you're unhappy, Hermione," Ron said with a dramatic eye roll. "He's boring. And nobody likes him."
"Ron!" Ginny scolded.
"What? You know it's true! Even Mum hates him, and Mum likes everybody! Harry, back me up."
Harry stammered for a moment, not making eye contact with her. "Well, he does have a point, 'Mione. He just doesn't really make sense for you. I know I'm not an expert on this-"
"Because you found your wife in second year?" Hermione said.
Ginny giggled, patting Harry's unruly hair. "Hermione, if you're unhappy, just ditch him."
"It's not that I'm unhappy, it's just that-"
"You're not happy."
Hermione sighed. "Yeah." She wrapped her arms around her, hoping she could shield herself from this unpleasantness.
"You need to break up, 'Mione," said Ron through a mouthful of buttered bread. "For all our sakes."
Ginny cuffed him on the back of the head.
Maybe they were right. She felt awful at the prospect of hurting him when he had truly done nothing wrong, but she really did need to look out for herself first.
She sighed and waved her hand at the radio, which flicked on to the end of a song she liked but could not remember the name of. That's what she needed – a distraction. The song ended and a familiar warm voice filled the room.
That was "Jinxed My Heart Away" by the Olden the Giant. Catchy, right? Well, we've got more music coming at you, songs to try and keep you going on this busy day. Remember to get all those last minute goals checked off before the new term starts. You might not have time later to get them done.
Hermione glared at the radio for a moment. She had never believed in signs and premonitions. That was much more Lavender's forte. But, maybe…just this one, she would listen. She walked to the fire, threw a pinch of floo powder into the grate, and stepped into the bright green flames, and zoomed away.
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She stepped out of the hearth and smiled at the woman nearby who had looked up in interest at the newcomer.
"Hello, Rosmerta," she said with a wave as she headed towards the front door of the Three Broomsticks.
"Nice to see you, Hermione," the hostess called after her.
Hermione stepped out into the warm afternoon air, taking a moment to appreciate how nice it was outside. Now she just had to work up the courage to be a horrible person to a very well meaning man. Fighting monsters? No problem. Ending a relationship? It practically had her shaking in her shoes.
She made a quick turn and landed outside his apartment door. She took a deep breath, then knocked. A few moments later, it flew open.
"Hermione, darling, I didn't expect you. Come in." Alfred embraced her before she even got fully across the threshold, clutching her tightly to his chest and laying tens of little kisses on her temples.
Hermione's eye twitched. "Hi, Alfred."
"How was your day, angel? You look stunning by the way. But you always do. I hope your day was as beautiful as you are."
"Thanks, that's very sweet," she said quietly.
He hurried away, only to come back and shove a large glass bottle into her hands. "Look, darling, I've started a new ship. This one is inspired by that muggle poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.' If you look closely, you can even see a miniature albatross on the bow."
"Very impressive."
He puffed his chest out proudly.
She handed back the bottle before taking another deep breath. She could do this. She just had to be honest. "Alfred, I'm very sorry, but I came to break up with you."
The bottle slipped from his hands. Hermione saved it inches before it shattered, floating it carefully over to his coffee table.
"Wh-what?"
Be honest. Be honest. "I really am sorry, Alfred. I'm just not very happy right now."
"This is all my fault," he cried. He rushed forward, clutching her hands tightly, a flush slowly making its way up his neck onto his cheeks. "Hermione, I am so sorry. I should have realized. I should have been a better boyfriend to you. I should have been there more, done more for you, given you more…"
Uh oh.
This was not going the way she planned.
"I can fix this. I can be better. Hermione, please give me another chance to prove to you that I can be better."
Oh no. Oh bollocks. Bugger telling the truth! That would give her a one way ticket to becoming Mrs. Hermione Dunn.
"No, Alfred, listen to me," she said, pulling him into a hug, thanking Merlin that she was already shaking with nerves. She let out a shuddery breath into the crook of his neck. "I'm so sorry. It's me. It's my fault."
"What?"
"With teaching and always being away and publishing, I just haven't had the time to be a proper girlfriend to you," she said tearfully. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she recalled having to pull a move like this her fifth and seventh years to get out of trouble. Of course, then she was battling dark forces, not a clingy boyfriend, but it still came in handy. "And it just isn't fair to you to continue on like this, not being able to be the girlfriend that you deserve. Oh, Alfred, I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish we could stay together. But there's no way for us to stay like this and be happy. I don't want you ending up resenting me for not being able to be there for you like I should. I know I'm just not good enough for you, and I just don't have the time to be what you deserve. I'm so sorry."
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Hermione stepped through the front door, which creaked, and immediately, there were little footsteps and a gasp from a floor above. She looked up and saw a familiar face and mess of turquoise hair poking through the rails of the banister.
"AUNTIE HERMIONE'S HERE! HI AUNTIE HERMIONE!" Teddy screamed, running down the stairs at top speed. When he got close to the end, the six year old launched himself at her, wrapping his little arms tightly around her neck, burying his face into her neck. "I MISSED YOU!"
"I missed you too, Teddy," she said with a laugh. She looked up as she heard more footsteps coming down the stairs. "Hello, Ron."
Ron grinned at her, ruffling her hair and earning himself a glare. "Teddy was just showing me his new wolf toy."
Another one? Hermione mouthed.
"We're up to twenty-seven now. Come on, Harry and Gin are in the kitchen."
Hermione had barely said her hellos when Ginny gave her a piercing look before a grin split her face. "So you did it?"
Hermione nodded.
"Did what?" asked Harry, who was currently being used as a jungle gym.
"I broke it off with Alfred."
"YES!" shouted Ron, high-fiving a beaming Harry before hugging his sister. Teddy cheered, always ready to be in on whatever fun was happening.
Hermione snorted. "Thanks for the sympathy guys. No, don't ask me how it went. That's quite alright."
"How'd it go, Hermione?" asked Harry seriously, though there was a twinkle in his eye.
"Fine."
Ron snorted. "Wow. Thanks for that, 'Mione." There was a pause. "Did he cry? Please told me he cried," he requested gleefully.
"No, he did not cry, Ronald. He was very sweet about it. He said he understood completely and that he wished me the best."
Silence fell as the others mulled this over, looking mildly impressed.
"Did you make it his idea?" Ginny accused, pointing with a wooden spoon in a move very reminiscent of her mother. One look at Hermione seemed to give her the answer. "Don't tell me; I just can't be what you need and deserve right now. I just care about you too much."
"Oi! How did you-, is that-, Merlin's saggy left-"
"LANGUAGE!"
"THAT'S A LINE?"
"Oh no," giggled Hermione. "Ron, did some girl use that on you?"
"Meadow," mumbled Ron.
"Ron, you should've known what you were getting into when you met her and her name was Meadow," said Harry. He laughed as Ron reached around Teddy to punch Harry on the arm.
Ginny came over to Hermione and gave her a hug. "I'm glad that you're rid of him. It'll be for the best; trust me. Now, if you'll excuse me for a minute."
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Lee was just about to head back to the studio to do his nighttime report when a pearly, smoky horse vaulted through their front window and cantered up to the front desk.
"George!" he shouted to the back room.
"WHAT?"
"Get out here! Patronus from Ginny!"
George ran out. He nodded to the horse, which did a couple prancing steps before the youngest Weasley's voice rang out through the shop.
"She did it! She broke up with him! She's over here telling us about it! Apparently she tricked him into thinking it was his idea! What a prat! Oh, I can't wait to tell Mum. I think I'm gonna tell her face to face."
The horse let out a whisper of a whinny before disappearing.
George turned to beam at Lee, who was staring at where the horse had been.
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And for all those out there, remember that tomorrow doesn't just mark the start of school. Think of this September 1st as a harbinger of change. Of things ending and things beginning. Let's look at this September as a start to a new chapter.
Good evening, listeners, and good night.