Hermione took one last deep breath and assessed her appearance in the mirror.
Her wizarding attire looked strange, and indeed she owned far less of it than Muggle clothing. Her robes were a deep red, similar to the Gryffindor red she adored, and she found herself appreciating the simplicity of dressing like a witch again. She knew she couldn't put off her reappearance in the wizarding world off forever, and her talk with Ginny had reminded her of all the things she missed.
When she had met Harold Beedle for dinner, he had proposed she came back to work at the advertising company, a better job and higher wages. She had thought on it throughout the entire meal, but, much to his dissatisfaction, she politely declined. Though she had enjoyed her work somewhat, she missed being challenged, and she still thirsted for knowledge. Plus, having to work in the vicinity of Malfoy repulsed her somewhat.
Hermione straightened her robes once more and pulled on a black travelling cloak before apparating to The Leaky Cauldron. She had set up an interview with the head librarian at a large public library in Diagon Alley. She had always loved being surrounded by books in her school days, and that feeling hadn't changed.
Thankfully no one spared her a glance when she arrived, no one even batting an eyelid at the loud crack of her arrival. She hurried through to the brick wall where she tapped the appropriate bricks before stepping into the bustling hub of Diagon Alley.
Since the end of the Second Wizarding War, Diagon Alley had boomed. Many of the shops which had been put out of business during Voldemort's reign had reopened, bigger and better than before. Many new shops had also popped up, and plenty of young entrepreneurs had opened up their own businesses. There were now several new restaurants, a school for young witches and wizards who weren't old enough for Hogwarts, and even the library to which Hermione was travelling was a new build. Diagon Alley was like a town inside of London.
Keeping her head down, Hermione managed to avoid the gazes of early shoppers. She was grateful her prospective employer scheduled a very early interview for her, or else the Alley would be bustling with shoppers and she would never be able to remain unseen.
The Wizarding Library loomed in front of her. The building was large and impressive, similar to the size of Gringotts from the outside, with large marble pillars and fancy decorations. She climbed the stairs to the large wooden doors hastily, not wishing to be late. The doors opened at her arrival and she slipped inside, taking yet another deep breath.
"Ah, Miss Granger. Right on time," said a quiet voice and Hermione jumped slightly. "I'm sorry, did I frighten you?"
"No, not at all," Hermione collected herself quickly and appraised the woman she was now speaking to. She was shorter than Hermione with a clean cut black bob, small brown eyes and a slightly upturned nose.
"I'm afraid I have a habit of being far too quiet sometimes. I suppose it just happens when you work in a library," the woman smiled, and suddenly she seemed much more approachable and friendly. "I'm Lucinda Whisp, head librarian here. Welcome back to London, by the way," Lucinda began to lead Hermione towards her office.
"Welcome back?" Hermione frowned, keeping pace with Lucinda.
"Well yes. I'm not one to read the tabloids often, but it's been flying about that you've been in Bulgaria with none other than Viktor Krum since your disappearance!"
"That's news to me," Hermione muttered, entering Lucinda's office and seating herself in a cushy chair which Lucinda gestured to.
"Oh, really? That'll show you not to believe everything that Lavender Brown writes. She's turning into a new Rita Skeeter," Lucinda frowned and sat down, pulling out Hermione's file.
"Lavender Brown? She writes for The Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Indeed. She's the gossip columnist. I tend to stray away from her writing though. It's all utter drivel most of the time. The Quibbler however, now that is an excellent source of information apart from the mentions of Olipag Groonars, whatever they may be," Lucinda was skimming over the file, nodding appreciatively. "Now, Miss Granger, looking at your file it is clear that you're more than accomplished to begin working here. You retook your N.E.W.T exams I see?"
"Yes, after the end of the war I returned to Hogwarts to repeat my final year and take my exams."
"And pass them with flying colours, I might add! Now, onto the nitty gritty aspect of it all," Lucinda said, and Hermione couldn't help but smile as they delved further into the job.
Draco groaned and put his head on the desk.
Beedle was not at all impressed at how he had lost two secretaries within three weeks and had refused to give Draco another, meaning Draco was forced to do the work of two people. It was really taking a toll on him, and he was really beginning to feel the effects of it all. He had a pounding headache and was behind on his design for advertising a cookware range. Beedle had been acting noticeably cooler towards him since Hermione's resignation which wasn't exactly helping him settle into the office. Since his explosion at Abbey had been heard throughout his office floor, many of his co-workers chose to stay away from him for fear his explosive temper would get the better of him when they were around.
All of this made Draco's employment a very lonely job and quite frankly, he was sick of it. After only three weeks of the job he wanted out.
"Thank you so much, Lucinda," Hermione beamed, shaking Lucinda's hand eagerly.
"Not a problem, dear. You start tomorrow at eight o'clock sharp. I look forward to working with you, Miss Granger," the shorter witch said, walking Hermione to the front doors of the library.
Almost two hours had passed since Hermione had first walked into the old building and the two of them had gotten sidetracked as they talked about all Hermione had missed in the wizarding world and family connections. Much to Hermione's disbelief, Lucinda was in fact the niece of Irma Pince, the librarian at Hogwarts.
The two women farewelled each other and Hermione stepped back out into Diagon Alley, forgetting that it was ten o'clock in the morning and that the district would be swarming with shoppers. She bustled along through the crowd, needing to get some new robes for work. A Gladrags branch had opened up, contesting Madam Malkin's store, and following this several new clothing stores had also popped up. One hopeful young Muggleborn had even opened a store to sell Muggle clothing.
Hermione managed to find Madam Malkin's store, amongst the shoppers, but out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of red that she would recognize anywhere, followed by the furious clicking of cameras.
Ron was here.
She made a move to duck into the clothing store undetected, but she had already been seen by her ex-husband.
"Hermione? Hermione!"
She cursed herself for leaving her signature curly hair down and recognizable, and she felt her upper arm be seized by someone.
"Oh, Ron, hey," she smiled weakly up at him, and the cameras flashed.
"Hermione, since when were you back?" he asked, loudly enough for the press to hear. Typical Ron. He had always loved attention.
"Oh, well, today is really only my first day back. I was just getting used to everything again," she said quietly, shrugging out of his grasp. She noticed a pretty blonde with a swollen stomach holding hands tightly with Ron. "Introductions are in order, Ronald," Hermione murmured and Ron grinned.
"How could I forget? Hermione, this is my fiancée, Marietta," he smiled, squeezing Marietta's hand.
"Marietta Edgecomb?" Hermione held out her hand for the blonde to shake, and Marietta nodded. "You were in the year above us at Hogwarts, weren't you?"
"Yes, I was friends with Cho. Still am, actually. Then there was that nasty incident in sixth year..." Marietta frowned, withdrawing her hand from Hermione's grasp and placing it on her stomach. She was no doubt remembering the incident which caused the word "SNEAK" to be written across her face in pimples.
"But we're all past that now, clearly. And, we're having a baby!" Ron announced enthusiastically, his smile broadening as he waved at the press. "Anyway, we must be off. We're going to buy some stuff for our little one. It was great to see you, 'Mione."
Hermione cringed at the nickname and waved, wishing she could just slip back into the crowd, but that was impossible now. The press moved as one to get closer to her, and she stumbled back slightly.
"Miss Granger, are you pregnant with Viktor Krum's child?"
"Were you seeing Krum whilst you were married to Ron Weasley?"
"Where have you been hiding out whilst you were not in the wizarding world?"
"Are the rumours that you developed a serious case of Dragon Pox true?"
"Hermione Granger, are you having an affair with Ronald Weasley?"
Hermione laughed out loud at this last question, shaking her head and slipping into the store which was far too small for all of the reporters to fit into. At the tinkle of the bell above the door, an elderly witch with grey hair and sparkling blue eyes appeared, smiling widely at Hermione.
"Ah, Miss Granger! It has been far too long. Come along right this way and I'll get you measured up in no time!" Madam Malkin bustled over, leading Hermione towards the back of the store where she was then placed upon a pedestal and measured. The other witch hurried around, finding robes in all different colours and shades for Hermione to try on until finally she could hardly move with the number of clothes she was holding.
After another forty-five minutes Hermione left the shop through the back door, carting around several bulky packages holding no less than seven new pairs of robes for normal everyday wear and three new pairs of dress robes which the old seamstress had insisted she buy. Hermione was grateful to the old woman for letting her leave the back way, skilfully avoiding the reporters who still hovered out front.
With a quick wave of her wand and a turn on the spot, Hermione disapparated with a loud pop.
Draco nearly spat out his morning coffee when he saw the article in The Daily Prophet.
War Hero Returns!
It has been months since anyone has even heard from Hermione Granger, war hero and ex-wife of Ronald Weasley, yet the witch was seen yesterday in Diagon Alley, writes Lavender Brown. Hermione Granger was seen exiting the Diagon Alley Library dressed in robes of red before running into her ex-husband Ronald Weasley who was accompanied by his fiancée. Hermione refused to answer any questions asked by reporters, but neither confirmed nor denied rumours regarding her relationship with Viktor Krum, former Seeker of the Bulgarian Quidditch team. The young witch then disappeared into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, not reappearing. It is assumed she left through the back entrance.
Hermione Granger was seen conversing with Ronald Weasley, with onlookers saying that they were very close, sparking rumours that the two may still be romantically involved despite Weasley's engagement to the pregnant Marietta Edgecomb. The question on everybody's lips is will Hermione Granger remain in London, or will she return to Bulgaria to be with her teenage sweetheart, Viktor Krum?
Upon reading the last sentence Draco really did spit out his coffee, snorting derisively. Of course Brown of all people would write this! She was only ever after a scandal, and apparently she had found one, though he of all people knew that none of it was true. He folded up the paper, shaking his head, and returned to his breakfast.
"That complete and utter cow! What on earth is she on about? My relationship with Viktor?" Hermione was fuming, pacing back and forth in her kitchen and muttering to herself. She had to leave for work in about five minutes, but at this point all she could do was rage about Lavender Brown and her rubbish article. Honestly, this girl was like Rita Skeeter all over again.
A/N: I'm really sorry. This has taken me far too long to update, and here's my reasons, if you care:
I was sick this time last week, and stayed at home and managed to write this chapter in its entirety, though it was completely different. I meant to post it that night but got distracted, and resolved to post it the next evening. When that time came, I was in a horrendous mood and quite stupidly deleted the document and began again, this time with a much angrier take on it all. I re-read it on Saturday morning, was entirely bemused at what I had written, and started again once more. So basically, what you've just read is the third copy of this chapter, and it too is entirely different to both of its predecessors, so I hope you don't mind.
Please, please, please review, as they make me update faster, and hopefully I'll have another chapter out in a few days. My work has died down and now I only have two exams to worry about, but they should be fairly simple seeing as, in a very Hermione move of me, I've been studying since the second week of term.
Ugh, I'm rambling. Anyway, please review!