Just an Itch

The End of all the Endings

Hermione had been very busy since returning home from the Italian vacation with her ex-professor. It was a whirlwind week in paradise and she was sure that it was going to be hard when they returned home but to her surprise, Hermione had been completely engrossed in school work and student teaching that she didn't have time to dwell on the fact that she couldn't see her girlfriend. "Are we still on for this coming weekend?" Bella had asked her when she stopped by the library to "speak with Andy" last weekend after Hermione had to cancel their time together. If she were being honest, she had a lot of work to do and Professor Snape was not taking it easy on her or his students during the last month of class but she was having a hard time denying Bella two weekends in a row. "I think the first pieces might be arriving from Rome this week," she added, trying to sweeten the deal knowing that Hermione would be curious about them. "I'm going there Saturday to make the preplans for the exhibit layout if you are interested." Bella made it incredibly hard to say no to her and she eventually gave in, promising her that she would come spend the weekend with her if she could work out the days with Andy. The older woman told her she already took care of it with her sister and Andy would drop Hermione off at her house Friday night. "You just knew I'd say yes?" Hermione asked when Bella had laid out the plans. She looked at her and smirked, "you can only say no to me so many times, pet before I start taking matters into my own hands. See you Friday," she winked and turned to leave the library. Hermione's heart dropped when she saw Bella passing by the Dean outside of the library doors. She pretended to be busy but kept looking at the two of them communicating. The conversation didn't seem too heavy and they were both smiling so Hermione took a moment to breathe until she saw Bella walk away. At that moment the Dean turned and through the glass door met eyes with Hermione sending her a look that seemed more threatening than friendly. "Oh fuck," she hurried up and gathered the books that needed shelved and made herself scarce.

Currently, Hermione was sitting at her TA desk in Ancient Egypt History listening to Professor Snape drone on and on about nothing in particular. It's no wonder the students hadn't all dropped out of the class weeks ago. If Hermione had the chance to drop out, she would've taken it and run as fast as she could've out of that class room. She had already checked out from the lecture and finished grading some of the essays so she quickly pulled out her phone to check her messages when she was snapped out of her thoughts. "Ms. Granger," she heard the disappointed sound of the Professor's voice. "How do we expect the students to remain attentive and active in this class if the TA can't even go the entire class without pulling out her phone?" He shook his head in disappointment. "If you don't have any interest in being my TA, then I suggest you go see the Dean. From what I've heard you are very familiar with being called into her office." Hermione's mouth hung open and her face was burning red. "Something to say?"

Hermione was fuming. How dare he call her out in front of the class? He was lucky he had any students at all. It was just downright disrespectful to bring up anything personal in front of the class. "No. Please, continue," she said through gritted teeth. She held up her phone for him to see and slipped it into her bag.

"Very well," he turned his attention back to the projector.

Two more weeks, Hermione thought, and I'll never have to see this man again. At least she hoped that was the case. She knew the Dean was upset about her and Bella but she felt one semester with Snape was punishment enough for her crimes of passion. If she didn't get another Professor next semester she was going to confront the Dean. Hermione had been keeping some extra office house off the record so that she could meet with all of the students and help them prepare their essays and to answer any questions they had regarding the study guide. She knew her students were going to ace Snape's test and she couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he handed back the tests.
*
Hermione was walking around the empty exhibit hall at the museum fantasizing about the plans for their summer project while Bella was in her office making phone calls and arranging for the pieces to be dropped off. The show was set to open in two week and some of the shipments from Rome had already arrived but unfortunately a few of the pieces from Venice got lost in Germany. Bella was giving the airlines a piece of her mind while the brunette set her sights on opening some of the packages. It still amazed her that the museum was paying her to do this. "I can't believe I'm getting paid to set up these pieces and to spend time with my girlfriend," Hermione laughed when Bella handed her her first paycheck. "And they paid me for our vacation?! Well business trip," she looked over at her girlfriend sheepishly. "I was told dream jobs didn't really exist. They were all wrong," she smiled brightly and left Bella's office to go unpack her boxes which she was currently in the process of doing. "Where do I even begin?" She looked at the back of the exhibit hall to the tables full of boxes.