"Professor Granger, it's nice of you to join us for breakfast. I don't think I've seen you at any of the mealtimes since the welcome feast." Hermione smiled at the headmistress,
"I've just been busy. Trying to make sure my lesson plans were right and keeping up with the marking."
"Yes, yes, teaching is important, but you have to look after yourself. Why, you already look as though you've lost weight and it wouldn't do to have you fall ill would it? You're still as hard a worker as you were when you were a student aren't you, probably more so since I remember seeing you at mealtimes then," professor McGonagall chuckled.
"Maybe you should see Poppy, I'm sure she'd be able to brew you up a draft to bring some colour back to your cheeks."
"I'll be fine, I'll look after myself a bit better I promise."
As she waited for her breakfast to appear, an owl swooped in, dropping a letter in front of her. She smiled, recognising Harry's scrawl on the envelope.
Hermione,
Hope you're feeling better. Was thinking about what we discussed and I've started the bridge building process. Will you meet me and Ron for a drink in the Three Broomsticks on Saturday? He really wants to. It's been years Hermione, think about it and let me know. Don't work too hard,
Love,
Harry
Hermione read the letter twice before sighing and folding the letter and placing it in her robes. She supposed that she shouldn't have been so shocked that Harry had spoke to Ron already, it had been awkward for him the past few years. But she wasn't sure whether or not it would be a good idea to see Ron again, it could just end up one long awkward drink, or even worse, they could end up fighting and she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the hateful things that Ron had said to her again, even if they were deserved. But even needing to make a decision about meeting Ron couldn't take her mind off what had plagued her all night.
"The same way that you 'ave obviously let it go, non?" That was too near the truth, the one she had never admitted outloud. It had played on her mind all night as she had tossed and turned in her bed. Eventually the pain and humiliation that had bubbled inside of her at those words had subsided, and all she was left with was a residual anger that left her feeling reckless, unwilling to hide in her rooms, unwilling to hurry off in the opposite direction when she saw Fleur or heard her voice in the corridors. She needed to show that woman that she could let it go. That she had let it go.
Just as her breakfast appeared in front her, she saw Fleur enter the great hall and suddenly her feelings of bravado began to dissipate. The potions teacher was wearing light blue robes, similar to the Beauxbaxtons uniform robes. She obviously had also not slept well, even make up could not hide the pale face with dark rings under her eyes. She was nodding politely at something Professor Flitwick was saying to her as they walked to the table.
"Good morning headmistress," squeaked the charms master.
"Good morning Filius. Good morning Fleur." Fleur looked towards Professor McGonagall and came to a sudden stop seeing Hermione sat next to her. From this distance, Hermione could see a dark welt on her bottom lip. The memory of biting Fleur's lip flooded into Hermione's mind, fingers tightening around her spoon.
"Ah...err...bonjour. I've just remembered, I 'ave err...forgotten a parchment I need for ze first class. I will go collect it now," her words stumbling all over one another in her rush to get away.
"Nonsense, you shall have your breakfast first. You're looking dreadfully tired aswell. I was just saying to Miss. Granger here that I know you're both new to teaching and I know you're both hard workers, but you still need to look after yourselves. Come, take a seat."
Fleur looked down the table for a space, but the only remaining space was next to Hermione. She avoided looking at Hermione as she settled stiffly into her chair, whilst Hermione kept her eyes on her porridge, taking care not to brush against the blonde.
"Actually, I'm glad you're both here this morning, I'd wanted to ask you both a favour," the headmistress began. Both the professors turned to look at her.
"I want you both to organise and help to chaperone the Christmas ball." Hermione looked at her blankly.
"Christmas ball?"
"Yes Miss Granger, it started it a few years ago, it finishes off the term in high spirits, I think. And I like seeing the different houses come together to celebrate, a united school. But I doubt either of you need reminding how exciting a school ball is when you're a student! "
"Oui," smiled Fleur wistfully. "The lights, the anticipation, beautiful gowns, c'est tres bonne."
"Excellent, I have you on board then? And you Miss Granger?" Hermione shot a look at Fleur who kept her eyes fixed on Professor McGonagall, a steely glint in her blue eyes.
"Errr…we're both new here, wouldn't you rather prefer an established teacher to help out? I'm worried that I might let get distracted from my teaching." Hermione was torn, she didn't want to work in close proximity with Fleur, but that wasn't a reason that she could use.
"I actually think that it would be beneficial for the pupils to have their ball arranged by younger members of staff, after all, I'm sure your taste in music and ideas of what make a good ball are rather more similar to theirs, than to the rest of the staff, our tastes are a bit more traditional," she smiled wryly. "And as for being distracted from your teaching, I'm not worried, I think it would be good for you to spend a little time out of the classroom. Of course, if you really don't want to, I can find someone else."
Hermione glanced at Fleur, who had a slight smile on her grim face, obviously expecting her to decline. The brunette felt her temper flare at the smile, and felt her own jaw set at her decision.
"I'll help,"Hermione nodded her consent. It's time for a change. Time to try and take control of my life. I'll owl Harry back later.