Chapter 7

Hermione and Severus made quick work of the potions that were left, and Hermione took her charmed notebook to note their findings before duplicating the notes onto separate parchment for the Aurors. As she was finishing up, she looked over at Severus Snape. She had only seen glimpses of him since the war but didn't have the nerve to approach him.

"Well Granger it appears our work is done, and I need to get to interviewing the culprits for more information." He nodded as he finished taking off the gloves. Hermione felt she should say something but unsure what. "I hope it goes smoothly professor." Was all she could think of to say to her old professor. "I'm no longer your professor Granger and you are a master in your own right." He commented at her statement before looking at her. "Thank you for you assistance, I don't think I will get out before 9 but I can hope and at least I will not be here till tomorrow as your help and wards truly speed up the process." It sounded sincere but Hermione felt somewhat bewildered.

"I'm not sure that is entirely true." Hermione looked at him expecting him to leave. "I hate to inform you, but most people cannot make wards as strong as yours or anywhere as quick. Honestly, I would have spent more time with the warding than the actual potion differentiation." That sounded like a compliment which Hermione was shocked to hear leave his mouth.

"Close your mouth Granger you look like a goldfish. I will take my leave. I believe your friends are waiting for you." The last bit came out sounding like he had swallowed poison. He swept out of the room before turning. "If acceptable, would I be able to call upon your assistance with warding in future?" Hermione only nodded and he left her in the room.

Hermione went to leave before collecting the duplicated notes. "The notes on our findings." She smiled handing them to the previously pale looking Auror. "Uh right. I will get these filed." He took them before walking off. Hermione saw Harry and Ron through the glass window in the door to the Department reception.

Before she opened the door she could hear them chatting. "She has been a little batty lately." Ron commented to Harry as they stood waiting. "No she hasn't, she is just working through things. Come on Hermione isn't doing anything she hasn't always done." Harry tried to placate Ron. "I know she has always been a reader but seriously she doesn't even leave Hogwarts anymore. She is a hermit. A happy hermit but still a hermit." Ron continued and Hermione felt she heard enough.

She slowly began to open the door as Harry went to defend her again. Just as the door swung open both boys looked in her direction. Before anything else Ron launched into questioning why she was in a restricted area of the Auror department. "Blimey Hermione did you get lost? That's a restricted area even we aren't allowed in there yet and we are trainee Aurors." He stated clearly not noticing that she now wore several medals of mastery.

Just as Hermione went to explain Auror Robbarbs walked out the doors Hermione had come from. "Ahh Master Granger. I thought I missed you." He said looking relieved he had caught her. Hermione turned to the large man and smiled. "Can I help you with something?" Hermione answered gently.

"These are the Service charges that we pay to any masters who assist us, we don't have any of your vault information to pay you. Could you fill this out before you leave?" He handed over a form to her that she reviewed and balked at how much they were going to pay her. It noted it was slightly higher due to the use of prohibited wards which was an extra charge.

"What are you talking about Auror Robbarbs? Hermione is here to see us. You must have mixed her up with an actual master." Ron stated and began to chuckle at the idea. Robbarbs gave him a stern look. "Trainee Weasley the only one making mistakes these days are you and your showboating antics in training." It came out in a growl.

Robbarbs turned back to Hermione. "Also, it is rare to have a Ward Mistress on record who is able to travel at ease. It's a dying art wards. Would it be acceptable to put you on the list of available consulting ward masters and mistresses?" Hermione smiled and nodded handing the form back as she had filed it in during Ron and Robbards altercating.

Harry saw Ron was about to open his mouth but quickly jabbed him in the ribs causing him to fumble whatever he was about to say. Harry gave a nod to his superior and watched him walk away with the form Hermione had returned. "I thought you might like to get dinner together." Hermione stated as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Harry nodded and began to walk towards the elevator, Hermione followed it was only reaching the elevator that they noticed Ron standing at the reception still looking like a pained goldfish with his mouth hanging slightly open whilst rubbing his ribs. "Honestly Ronald, stop gawking and get a move on."

Ron made his way to join them in the elevator attempting to process the happenings of the last 5 minutes. Harry was also trying to decide whether or not to broach the new information that seemed to have been slapped in their faces. "So. Anything new with you Hermione?" He was trying to probe discreetly but knew it was a poor attempt. "Well I will be taking a professor job at Hogwarts. I took my NEWTs today and passed them all." Hermione was attempting to curb the obvious.

"Congratulations! That's fantastic news I know McGonagall has been worried about staffing the school for reopen." Harry showed genuine enthusiasm for Hermione's news despite the fact she wasn't sharing all her news. "Seriously Harry you're going to congratulate her whilst she skips out on whatever that was."

"Well if it is that important to you Ronald." Hermione spat at him before continuing. "I was also tested for some masteries. Whilst I was on my way to find yourself and harry one of your colleagues confused me for a requested potion master since the pin and I decided to assist my colleague instead of just standing around for you." It was a firm and shorten version of events, but Hermione didn't feel like she owed any explanation.

The last time Ron had actually asked her about herself, or her feelings was well over 5 months ago and he told her that staying at Hogwarts was a bad attempt at her trying to play professor which she could never be because she didn't finish her education and she was too old to go back now. Ron left the conversation with a sore jaw and Hermione decided she wouldn't try with Ron anymore unless she had too.

"That's amazing news." Harry tried to distract Hermione from Ron's comments. "Maybe we should push the boat out and make this a celebration meal, hey." He said clearly trying to keep the peace. Looking at Harry, Hermione began to calm. "That sounds like a plan Harry, maybe you could invite Ginny along too." At Hermione's suggestion Ron laughed.

"We aren't exactly talking right now Hermione." Harry admitted as he glared at Ron. "Oh I'm so sorry Harry, I hadn't a clue." This caused another bout of laughter from Ron. "Of course you haven't Hermione, you don't care about anything outside the walls of Hogwarts." It was a clear attempt to gain a raise from her.

"Ron that isn't fair. It's not like either of us have gone out of our way to stay in touch with Hermione either. And when was the last time either of us heard from the twins or Neville or even Luna." Harry began to defend. The elevator finally arrived at the atrium, and they all exited.

Whilst continuing to argue about who's fault it was for staying it contact; they made their way to the floo. "Would you mind if we went to the three broomsticks so I can walk back to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked just as they approached the floo.

"Three broomsticks sound great!" Harry agreed as Ron grumbled and they all stepped into a floo and made their way to the Hogsmeade pub.