An Outlandish Affair

Chapter 1

Dear Hermione,

CONGRATULATIONS! I can't believe it's finally happened, Ron's been talking about the proposal for months. You're welcome by the way, the prat wanted to do something stupid like putting the ring in a pitcher of butterbeer. Ginny and I were able to talk some sense into him.

Speaking of Ginny, Mum has been going insane because now she has your wedding to plan on top of mine and Gin's. Don't let anything she says fool you though, you know she's over the moon about it really. Oh, Sirius and Remus told me to give you two their best wishes as well. (I think they're just looking forward to all the partying.)

I hope the start of term has been good for you both, I know Ron must be feeling a little put out after Auror training. How's Madam Pomfrey? Do you think she'll actually retire this time? Funny, I never really thought about Hogwarts without her. Merlin knows we spent enough time in the hospital wing, even if it wasn't ever for anything serious. I bet you'll have plenty of stories about students just like us soon enough.

Say hello to the Professors for me. Don't forget anyone, Minerva, Severus, Albus, Sybil... you know who I mean of course. It still feels weird to call them by their first names. I can't imagine how it feels for you working with them now!

We're thinking about coming down for the first Quidditch match of the season, just to show Ron some support in his new career. We'll see you both then!

Harry

Hermione folded the letter up and smiled, giving Hedwig a scratch on the head and carrying her to the window to send her off to the Owlery for some food and water before she returned to the Burrow. She was smiling about her proposal from Ron the previous week, she was smiling about the fact that they could all truly refer to Mrs. Weasley as 'Mum' now, and she was smiling about the fact that she was Madam Pomfrey's newest apprentice.

She had been in her position for a full week now. September 1st fell on a Saturday this year so classes hadn't officially started until the 3rd, but that hadn't stopped the students from daring each other to taste potions ingredients and practice dueling over the weekend. By Monday morning she already had three occupied beds in the hospital who she'd had to rush out in order to get them to class on time.

She had attended a staff meeting Monday afternoon; really just a gathering for everyone to get reacquainted and tell stories about their summer holidays. Ron was there as well of course, as the new flying instructor, and the couple received plentiful congratulations about their engagement. It had certainly been odd calling everyone by their given names, and perhaps even odder still having them call her Hermione instead of Miss Granger. She had had a touching moment with Minerva at the end of the meeting.

"Hermione, one second if you will," the older woman had said to her.

"Yes, Profes... erm, Minerva?" Hermione had replied with a sheepish grin.

"I just wanted to tell you how proud I am that you accepted this position. I always knew you would end up making a difference somewhere in the wizarding world, and I'm glad it's going to be here at Hogwarts." Minerva placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder as she spoke, and smiled warmly.

Hermione blushed and responded with her own warm smile, "Thank you for saying that, it really means a lot coming from you."

"Ahhh... yes... I, too, have seen the great journey your fate has ascribed to you, young one..." Sybil chimed in from across the room, poking her head back in the door she had almost just fully exited.

"Oh, erm, thanks Sybil," Hermione replied with uncertainty.

Minerva and Hermione exchanged an amused glance, and with that profound statement hanging in the air, Professor Trelawney had disappeared from the room with a floaty wave of her hand.