Chapter 2: An Odd Restart
The chatter in the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was merely background noise to Hermione's ears. Even her fellow professors' idle chatter couldn't rouse her from her thoughts. Headmistress McGonagall kept shooting the younger witch furtive looks of reproach, but Hermione took no notice. She was staring into her shiny, silver platter as though it were a pensieve, the images of her mind's eye almost visible in its smooth surface.
"Hermione! Don't tell me that the rumors are true!"
Looking up from the box she was wantonly throwing office supplies into, Hermione waved her hand impatiently at Nina, her "friend" at the Ministry. "Don't bother asking questions you already know the answers to, Nina. I'm leaving, and that's that." With an air of finality, she flicked her wand and closed the box shut, placing her tiny, potted plant on top of the box. "You best get back to work before John sees you slacking."
Nina looked aghast. "You gave JOHN your position as head of the department? You can't be serious, Hermione! He'll run us ragged!" As Hermione stood to leave, Nina scuttled over to her and blocked her path as much as possible with her petite frame. "Listen to me, Hermione! This isn't like you! You're not one to quit your job on a whim! It's not routine!"
Hermione's head snapped up and her eyes locked onto Nina like a predator locking onto its prey. "Nina," she said stiffly, her wand hand twitching. "I can't stay here." Almond eyes swirling with conviction, the woman picked up the plant and forced it upon Nina. "You can keep Harold. I'm sure he'll miss the office if I take him with me; be sure to water him nights. His leaves droop if you miss a few days, and I haven't taken to magically tending for him, so you'll have to do it all manually." Her gaze softened as she toured the contours of the plant's leaves one last time. "Take care of him for me, Nina," she said softly.
Before Nina could reply, Hermione rushed past the woman, and her box of office supplies hovered behind her.
Nina's face fell while taking in the now-empty office. She turned to leave, Harold in hand, when a shine caught her eye. "Hermione! You forgot something!" Face-down on the floor under the desk, almost as though it had been purposefully knocked off, was a nameplate with the words "Hermione Jean Weasley – Department of Magical Law Enforcement Head" etched into its cold metal surface.
"You can't run from him, Hermione," Nina whispered, absentmindedly petting Harold's leaves. "He's your ex-husband. Still your husband?" Nina's brows furrowed. She really had no idea where Hermione's divorce was at the moment, assuming that's what was going on. Nina had seen the ex-couple without their rings for a few weeks now, and the talk among the Ministry was that Hermione had an abortion for an unwanted baby (maybe not the first time, considering the couple was in their early thirties), forcing Ron to file for divorce since such an act was against his moral code. But Nina wasn't too sure that was the correct story, and she hadn't had the chance to pry the truth out of Hermione before her abrupt departure. "Ah, well." Leaving the office, she nodded to John as he practically ran to claim his new, rather large desk. "I'm sure it'll all reveal itself eventually, won't it, Harold?"
A sigh passed Hermione's lips as she came out of her reverie. Nina had called out to her after she left the office, but Hermione hadn't turned around. I wonder if Harold is okay…
It had been exactly one week since Hermione left the Ministry, and the decision weighed heavily on her heart. The Ministry had been her home ever since she left Hogwarts after finishing her seventh year of schooling. Over ten years ago, Hermione thought, a frown marring her face. And I'm alone. Might as well get a new cat at this rate.
Swallowing a sigh, she briefly glanced at the students as they awaited the first year students' arrival. Someone Hermione didn't know – a Professor Mulligan, perhaps? – was supposedly gathering the children and explaining the Sorting process. Hermione was curious about the Sorting Hat's song of the year, but the other things on her mind took precedence. Was I right to leave the Ministry? Her reasons for leaving had been listed as "a conflict of interest." She had heard whispers about Ronald being her reason for leaving, but really, couldn't they give her more credit than that? It wasn't as though the man and she were tied at the hip, for Merlin's sake! She was allowed to have her own life outside of her husband! Ex-husband, she reminded herself, tapping the place where her wedding ring once sat. You're a free woman now, able to do as you wish! Just look at McGonagall! She's doing wonderfully for her age, and I don't see a hint of regret in her eyes!
McGonagall caught Hermione's eye at that moment, causing the younger of the two to shift uncomfortably in her seat. Her old professor hadn't made her nervous in the past, but now that she was working for the woman, she sorely hoped to never get on her bad side.
Forcing herself to move onto other things, Hermione's thoughts drifted back towards her job at the Ministry. After Hogwarts, she, Ron, and Harry had all gone to the Ministry for work. Harry and Ron easily acclimated to Auror work, but Hermione wasn't sure she wanted back on the front lines. They had just left them, after all, and not all of them had come back in one piece. Or at all. Shivering, Hermione watched the first years file into the room behind a tall woman with hair as black as a raven's wing. She tried to stay focused on the event, but something was prodding her in the back of her mind. Something wanted her attentions…
Scowling once more, she continued her staring contest with her silver plate, digging up memories to try and alleviate the nagging feeling that she was missing vital information. Soon enough, an image of Ron and Harry and herself holding mugs of hot chocolate came to mind; the three of them were discussing their career choices.
"Magical Law Enforcement? Hermione, doesn't that sound a bit…"
"Dull?" Ron finished for Harry. Shooting his friend a scornful look, he continued, "Taxing. Doesn't that sound difficult? Think of us when we were younger – think of Fred and George! Without Voldemort around for parents to hold over their children's heads as a reason not to use magic outside of school, you could have a lot on your hands. Not to mention cases like Mr. Weasley had with the exploding toilets; surely you'll have to deal with those cases as well, even if you're with a different department. Think about it, Hermione." Standing, Harry took his empty mug to the kitchen to refill.
Hermione pursed her lips at her boyfriend. "You don't think Auror work will be boring with all of the Death Eaters gone, Ronald? They can't have much else to do besides chase down voodoo witch doctors scamming Muggles."
Ron almost looked hurt, as though Hermione had damaged his pride. "Being an Auror is a right shot better than working with Law Enforcement, unless you're on the front lines. I hear Malfoy is joining your department." His nose crinkled in disgust. "I bet he's just wanting to find loopholes in the system that he can make good use of. Or maybe even create his own loopholes." His blue eyes reflected an angry storm consuming the coast. "He's going into active duty, I hear, so you won't see him much, 'Mione. Thank Merlin." Placing his hand on her knee, Ron looked at Hermione sharply. "Are you sure you'd rather sit on the sidelines?" When Hermione nodded, he couldn't hide the disappointment from his voice. "I suppose not all of us are cut out for field work. Imagine Neville as a field agent!"
Ron had smoothly changed the subject, and the two never spoke of their differing decisions again. That is, until he drunkenly insulted Hermione one evening during their first year of marriage. Hermione's frown deepened, and she shook her head to rid herself of the memory. I really need to bottle some of these away if I'm to move on with my life…
"Scorpius Malfoy!"
Taken by surprise, Hermione jerked her body upright, the force of the action greater than the force of gravity keeping her chair's legs on the floor. With a thud that echoed through the hall, Hermione fell flat on her back, successfully knocking the wind out of her. There was a moment of silence as all heads turned towards the staff table, and Hermione could feel her cheeks burning. Shakily, she picked herself off of the floor and stared at the throng of students, smiling as though nothing had happened, despite the fact that her loose bun of curls was now in complete disarray with a few strands sticking out at odd angles.. She didn't fool the Hogwarts' populace, however, as whispers broke out as soon as Hermione's head popped up from behind the table.
Professor Mulligan cleared her throat loudly, commanding the attention of the room once more. Scorpius Malfoy was a tiny sprout with hair as platinum blonde as his father's. And just like his father during his Sorting, the boy had his hair slicked back and held an air of importance about him. Figures, Hermione mentally snorted. Of course the next Pureblood in society would be raised the same as his predecessors, without an inkling of concern for the rest of the—
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione's eyes widened as Scorpius was greeted by the cheering Gryffindor table, none of the students seeming to make the connection of the Malfoy name with Slytherin.
A tap on Hermione's arm pulled her attention to the man beside her. "Professor Weasley," Horace Slughorn said softly. "I do think you should sit down now."
Slowly, Hermione took her seat, forgetting to correct Horace in his usage of the incorrect name. When did Malfoy become a father? Hermione hadn't recalled anyone mentioning that the man had sired an heir, but then again, she wasn't exactly normal company in Draco's social circle. Unless Narcissa and Lucius had another child? The idea of the elderly couple having another child was enough to make Hermione's face turn a light shade of green. She quickly dismissed the idea. If they didn't have another child, then how could Draco continue his work at the Ministry with a child to care for? She pondered the idea of House Elves taking care of young Scorpius, but she didn't think Draco would be that heartless. And what of the mother?
Squinting, Hermione could almost picture Draco's hands from her encounter with him at Flourish and Blotts and the Leaky Cauldron a few weeks ago. Before she had focused in on his ring finger, however, she heard her name being said.
"Professor Hermione Granger will be taking the position of Charms Professor, as Filius Flitwick has retired." The Headmistress motioned for Hermione to stand, a twinkle in the elder woman's eyes.
Rising, Hermione blinked twice before gaining her composure, staring calmly out at the crowd.
"She will also be taking over as Gryffindor Head of House and will be leading the Gryffindor first year students to their Common Room after the welcome feast."
Hermione took her seat once more, and Horace gave her an encouraging pat on the hand. "I do hope you'll be joining us at Slug Club dinner parties," he wheezed with a smile. "Ms. Granger, it seems. I am sorry for your loss," he added softly, as though she were a widower. The way Hermione saw it, though, he was quite right - she was a widow.
The food appeared a moment later, and Horace Slughorn took to going into excruciating detail about his latest exploits over the summer and what great deals he had gotten from selling various potions and ingredients.
Hermione allowed the conversation to steal her attention and put her personal issues on the back burner for the duration of the dinner. It seemed like seconds had passed when McGonagall clapped her hands and dismissed the students to their Common Rooms. Hermione pushed her chair back and excused herself from the staff table before briskly walking to the group of first year Gryffindors huddled together in the corner of the large room. "Come along!" she called to them, almost like a shepherdess to her sheep.
The children followed her meekly; some of them whispered to one another when they thought Hermione wasn't looking. The woman smiled broadly and motioned for the students to keep up, patting her hair absentmindedly as she walked. She was feeling at peace for the first time in a long time as she moved through the candlelit halls of Hogwarts. "How many of you have read Hogwarts, A History?" she asked suddenly, pausing before a set of stone stairs as they moved from connecting one floor to the next. One hand rose from the group, and Hermione was surprised to see that it was young Scorpius. "Then you can explain why the staircases move, I presume?" she gently prodded, her smile barely reaching her eyes. That's an odd coincidence.
Scorpius began telling the tale of the moving staircases, continuing even as the group began their journey once more. He commanded the attention of those around him well; he even went into detail about other aspects of the castle's history as they continued moving towards Gryffindor tower.
Hermione was uneasy by having to cut him off upon reaching the Fat Lady's portrait. She knew all too well what it was like to know more than her peers and wish to share her knowledge. "This is the entrance to your Common Room," she said silkily after gently silencing Scorpius, pleased to see all eyes on her. "You aren't to bring anyone from another House here, understand?" A few tiny heads bobbed up and down, and Hermione continued. "Once inside, I'll give you all the current password. You only need to speak it to the Fat Lady, and she should let you in." Doing so, Hermione stepped through the portrait hole. The children followed her like baby chicks following their mother hen. A chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs" sounded as they took in the room's décor, some of them hastily taking residence in the couch and armchairs by the fire. Hermione smiled broadly, a sense of pride and nostalgia engulfing her. "The current password to the common room is 'Godric Gryffindor.' You'll need to not forget it, but help each other out if one of you should forget it." She folded her hands in front of her. "The password changes every so often, and your Prefects and Head Students – you'll meet them tomorrow, if not sooner – will give them to you as necessary."
Not everyone was listening now, but Hermione projected her voice so the entire room would hear her. "The girls' dormitories are to the left, and the boys' are on the right! I look forward to seeing you soon! Let's aim to win the House Cup this year!"
None of the students cheered as she had been hoping, but that was alright, in Hermione's opinion. They would grow to have House pride soon enough. Aiming to leave, Hermione was accosted by someone who barely reached her waist in height. Not hiding her surprise, she raised an eyebrow at the student. "Yes?"
Holding out his hand, the boy waited for Hermione to shake it. "My name is Malfoy. Scorpius Malfoy." He shook Hermione's hand as best he could with the size difference of their hands. "I wished to introduce myself. My father has spoken rather highly of you, although my grandfather doesn't seem to like that too much."
Hermione didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Luckily, she was saved from doing either by James Potter II running over to her after he had entered the Common Room. "Hermione!" he squeaked excitedly, seeming slightly embarrassed by his pitch change. Hermione laughed and hugged the boy, ruffling his hair as she held him at arm's length. "It's so good to see you! How's your father?"
James batted the woman's hand away before responding. "He's worried about you, actually," he said softly. "Told me to keep an eye on you. Mum was surprised that you had taken this position, I think."
Hermione's smile was forced this time. "I'll be sure to write them soon." Noticing Scorpius watching the pair curiously, Hermione cursed herself for forgetting his presence. "James," she said gently, turning the boy by his shoulders. "This is Scorpius Malfoy. I knew his father when I was a student here."
Nodding politely, James acknowledged Scorpius. "My father told me to not let you beat me at anything."
Scorpius, taking this smoothly, replied with, "My father said likewise for both you and your younger sister. I hear she's in my year."
Hermione felt the tension in the air between the two and dismissed herself, bidding them both goodnight. This year is going to be a strange one… Wait, Harry knew that Draco had a son?! Did Ron know?!
With a huff, she marched out of the Common Room and to her new office to send a stern letter to one Mr. Harry Potter, but she had no idea why she was so miffed by this secret. Or, at least, she was denying any logical reasons that came to mind.
An odd year, indeed.