Chapter 12

Teaching? How ludicrous!

Hermione dropped her planner on the table with a loud thud. It was time they focused on important things. They had already wasted so much precious time. Their N.E.W.T.s were on the horizon!

Hermione opened the planner in one swift motion whilst Harry and Ron just stared at the offensive yellow book in mild irritation. They had a bad feeling about this.

Finally finding the pages she was looking for, Hermione coughed to get their attention (which was unnecessary since she already had it) to explain her agenda.

"I have devised a study schedule for us. Our N.E.W.T.s are coming up soon and we need to be well prepared," she said in a serious manner, folding her hands for even more effect.

Her friends weren't exactly thrilled to hear this – which Hermione was well aware of. In the end, they always appreciated her insistent nature though. Their good grades always made it all worth it.

Ron, however, still decided to fight this. He had to. It was his thing.

"Hermione, they are not until-", he started to while but Hermione shut him up quickly, by shoving two smaller planners in both Harry's and Ron's hand.

"I got these for you!" Hermione chirped in genuine excitement, to which her friends both sighed quietly and muttered 'thanks'.

At least she had made sure to pick planners that were Quidditch themed. They had to give her props for that. She was trying to make this less painful for them.

"Make sure to also have a look at the additional reading material that I listed for you," Hermione continued. "They only accept the best candidates into the Auror programme. So you definitely want to stand out with exceptional N.E.W.T. results."

Harry cocked an eyebrow at her comment which seemed to be specifically reserved to him. "Not to sound arrogant but I'm pretty positive they would accept me even with only satisfactory N.E.W.T. results."

Hermione knew this was true but also wanted him to academically earn his position. Before she could say anything, Harry beat her to it.

"In all honesty, I don't think I even want to be an Auror anymore." His confession surprised Ron and Hermione.

"What? Since when?" Ron exclaimed, whilst trying to stuff his planner into his bag but missed. Be gone, offensive planner.

"It's just not for me," Harry answered with a shrug.

"Not for you? But this is what we always talked about!" Ron argued, sounding like Harry had betrayed them all. Harry felt guilty, seeing Ron so upset but he had actually given this a lot of thought.

"People change… interests change… I mean, yes, we wanted to become Aurors together but now with you having the prospect of starting your own business-"

"I can do both!" Ron interrupted. What was happening here?

"Don't be silly. You wouldn't have time for both. You need to pick one and give that 110 per cent," Hermione disagreed, fully supporting Harry. Harry nodded thanks.

"Perhaps there is something else out there for me. Something other than chasing and fighting criminals. I'm just so tired of fighting… I want… I would like to lead a quiet life."

Hermione gave Harry a sympathetic smile. They all had been through a lot. He even more so. He deserved to live a quiet and peaceful life.

"That sounds very reasonable," she said calmly, before muttering to herself, "Although I wish you had told me before I did all this Auror research."

No one said anything as she removed several sticky notes from Harry's planner. She was a bit annoyed but then again, her friends hadn't asked her to do what she did. Hermione had done it because she enjoyed planning and organizing things for them. It was a way for her to wind down and relax.

Ron's frown in the meanwhile, had only deepened. He didn't like when plans changed. He supposed he was a bit conservative in that regard.

"So what do you have in mind?" he inquired curiously. Harry shrugged.

"I don't know. Perhaps something in the medical field? Pediatrician?"

Ron looked at him in confusion. "A pedia-what?"

"A healer specialized in treating children," Hermione explained helpfully before turning back to Harry, shaking his hands with a squeal.

"This is so exciting, Harry! I was thinking about becoming a healer myself!"

"Hold up, hold up! This isn't what we discussed in the past. We all wanted to be Aurors!" Ron interrupted, not liking where the conversation was going. What on earth got into Harry and Hermione? Healers? What?!

Hermione let go of Harry's hand and looked at Ron with a deep frown. "I never said that."

"Yes, you did. Fifth year, remember? After Career Advice?" Ron could not believe her. She totally did agree to be an Auror.

"I never said that I wanted to be an Auror. I simply said that the profession sounded very interesting when you two told me about it," she answered honestly. "At that time I was actually thinking of working in the legal Ministry Department. There are many outdated wizarding laws that need to re-evaluation."

Ron just huffed. "Can you believe that, Harry? Oh no, wait," he said sarcastically, "You are abandoning our plans too!" He made sure to stress the word 'abandon'.

"I`m sorry, Ron. I just don't see myself working for the Ministry," Harry said apologetically, before adding, "I thought you were leaning more towards your own business anyway?" Harry didn't expect Ron to be this upset about his news.

"Yes… no… oh, I don't know," he started to mutter, "I just like knowing that you two are going to be around after school." So that was Ron's issue.

"We will be," Hermione quickly assured but Ron didn't look convinced. A lot of people thought they were always going to stay close with their best mates after graduation. Often, that turned out to be wishful thinking. With life getting in the way. Friends having new priorities, making new friends…

"It's not going to be the same if we have different professions. If you two are going to be healers, you two will hang out all the time. Not the three of us."

Harry and Hermione looked at Ron thoughtfully. Surely they would always find time to get together after Hogwarts? All three of them.

"All this growing up is getting to me. All this responsibility. I never thought I would say this but I wish we could stay in school a few more years. Eighteen is awfully young to be an adult," Ron rambled on, clutching his planner tightly in his hands.

Harry, who was sitting next to him, awkwardly patted him on the back. He still didn't feel comfortable enough to hug Girl-Ron.

Suddenly, Ron's eyes lit up. He had a great idea!

"You know what? You two could work for me! You," he pointed at Hermione, "could be my legal adviser! And you," he pointed at Harry, "you could be… something else," he finished lamely, when he couldn't come up with a position for Harry immediately.

Harry let out a laugh.

"Thanks! I will definitely consider this." He meant it. Hermione, however, was not down with this.

"Or we could be teachers at Hogwarts?"

Ron looked at her like she lost her mind. "That is one of the worst ideas you ever had, Hermione."

"But you said you wished you could stay at Hogwarts!" Hermione huffed, slightly offended. Why was her friend so rude sometimes? She was just trying to make him feel better and reassure him.

Ron nudged Harry in the side, not helping his case with Hermione. "Can you believe her? Teaching at Hogwarts!" How ludicrous.

Harry, who saw Hermione getting more offended with each second, tried to defuse the situation. "You would be a great teacher, Hermione. Potions would be your area, I think."

"Thank you," Hermione said with a smile. She had been thinking of something more along the lines of Transfiguration but Potions would be very interesting too.

"Well, why don't we have a look at your schedule?" Harry quickly threw in, trying to divert from the current subject. He didn't want to spend the evening listening to Ron and Hermione quarrel. "You are right, we probably should start preparing for the N.E.W.T.s."

His plan worked. Hermione beamed at him and started explaining what she had in mind. Even Ron didn't fuss too much, most likely having realized that he had been somewhat insensitive towards Hermione.

However, the thought of their lives taking different directions would linger in the back of the trio's minds. Their close friendship – and them always being around each other – had always been their security blanket. The idea of that blanket being taken off was a scary thought.

"Granger, is there ever a time where you are not being annoying?" Draco complained while purposely dragging his feet over the patrolling duties. Hermione chose to ignore his comment.

"Annoying and boring," Draco then tried to egg her on when he realized that he wasn't getting a response. At least with Zacharias Smith, the twat, patrolling duties were somewhat interesting. Speaking of his usual partner, why was he suddenly paired up with Granger?

"Why am I here with you anyway?" This time, Hermione gave him a response.

"Because Zacharias asked me for a favour."

"A favour, huh? I wonder what other favours you are doing for him," Draco said suggestively.

"Malfoy," Hermione said warningly.

"What?" Draco then had the gall to ask innocently. He just loved to get under her skin.

"Zacharias asked me to patrol with you because you are impossible to deal with."

Draco snorted in a very un-ladylike manner. "Me impossible to deal with? If anything I should be complaining about him-"

"Yes, yes. I know what your problem with him is," Hermione cut Draco off, rolling her eyes. That didn't sit well with Draco. If there was one thing he really hated, it was people rolling their eyes at him. He despised it.

"Don't roll your eyes at me."

"Then stop being so… you," Hermione countered. Dear Lord, he was such a drama queen. She secretly wondered if Draco was on his period.

"You know, I believe Zacharias when he says that he didn't grope you on purpose."

Draco snapped his head to the side, glaring at her. "Of course the pervert would say that! First criticizing how I dress but then copping a feel!"

"He told me that he was just trying to grab the list but you were suddenly in the way," Hermione tried to reason with him, "You know, you do kind of strut around like this."

She then made an impression of him, prancing around like a peacock puffing out the chest.

"I do not."

"Do too. Anyway, if you stopped accusing everyone of 'behaving inappropriately towards you', then you wouldn't be stuck with me but with a more 'interesting partner'."

"Granger, you behaved inappropriately towards me too, now that I think about it!"

Hermione supposed he was talking about that one time when she pinned him against the wall.

"Malfoy, you are really not my type," she said dismissively. "I'm not interested in playing footsie with you."

"You are not my type either," Draco quickly threw in, making sure to scrunch up his nose in distaste. Somehow to Hermione, this seemed like a very defensive reaction.

It lacked the bite it usually had.

Harry went over the moves that he wanted the team to practice in his head again. He was glad that his year as captain had gone very well so far. The Gryffindors had won their game against Ravenclaw and had a pretty good lead overall. The next match against Hufflepuff was going to be interesting as they had a fairly 'young team', with four of their players being new to the squad. He had seen the opposing team's dynamic and was surprised at how well they played off of each other already. He needed to make sure that the Gryffindors did not underestimate the Hufflepuffs.

When Harry was halfway across the bridge, he noticed Astoria leaning against the railing, looking at the foggy lake absentmindedly. He noticed that the book that she was holding was one that Hermione had recommended.

"Astoria," he greeted in a friendly manner as he walked closer. The Slytherin tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and gave him an annoyed look that seemed to be reserved specifically for him.

"First name basis? You wish, Potter," Astoria answered flatly, "You wish."

Harry shrugged. "Just figured, since you seem to be around all the time."

Astoria wrinkled her nose. "Not to be around you that is for sure. You missed your chance of friendship when you threw that offer back in my face."

"Hey-"

"Friends? I hardly know you, kid," she went on to quote Harry in a less than flattering voice. She even did a pose (adjusting invisible glasses and cocking the head) that he supposed was something he frequently did.

Harry was starting not to like her attitude at all. He just tried to offer an olive branch between them. (Even though she had attacked him earlier and she should be apologizing to him.)

"I'm only looking out for my best friend," he defended.

"Well, what is wrong with me? Why is it that you think you need to step in?" Astoria demanded while Harry tried to find a nice way to explain things to her.

"I understand you like Hermione. She, " Harry made sure to emphasize the last word, "is a great person. But you need to understand that despite looking the way she looks now, Hermione is still a girl. She likes fellas, not… ladies." Harry explained, hoping that Astoria would take "ladies" as a peace offering compliment. Astoria just looked at him blankly.

He really shouldn't be doing this, but in the long run, it would save the girl in front of him a lot of heartbreak.

Harry sighed. "Alright, I straight up asked Hermione if she was interested in you and she said no."

That was when Astoria dropped her snotty attitude and drew a sharp breath.

She looked devastated.

Harry gave Astoria an awkward pat on her shoulder as said girl sat there crying. Why was everyone so emotional lately?

"Go away," she barked, swatting away his hand, not wanting to be consoled by the bearer of horrible news.

"I'm sorry, Astoria," Harry offered weakly. He hated making people cry. And Merlin, she cried. It was not a pretty sight.

Harry sat with Astoria quietly for about ten minutes, trying to ignore the questioning looks that passing students gave them. It made him feel uncomfortable. Plus, he really needed to get going. His team was waiting for him.

He regretted not being able to keep his trap shut. He felt guilty.

Harry got up slowly and attempted another 'there, there' pat (his hand was shrugged off the shoulder angrily). When that didn't work, Harry reached into his side pocket and pulled a little bar of chocolate that Neville had given him earlier.

Girls love chocolate, right? Especially when sad.

Harry put the candy in Astoria's lap carefully, picked up his Firebolt and headed in the direction of the stadium. He fully expected Astoria to grab the chocolate bar and throw it back at him, however, the familiar rustling sound of a crumpled candy wrapper told him otherwise. Harry almost had to laugh when he saw the heartbroken Slytherin shove the entire bar into her mouth.

He hoped that she would feel better soon.