My Heart Remembers Differently

PLANS FAIL

The first week of class turned into the first month and then before I knew it All Hallows Eve was looming. I had always enjoyed the huge feast Hogwarts threw, except for first year when I was in the bathroom crying because of Ron and Harry being mean to me and a mountain troll trying to kill me.

I grabbed my journal out of my bag and preceded to write down the incident. It was something that I started the morning after Ron's kiss. I began writing down every memory I had since starting Hogwarts. Sometimes I read over them and it helps me continue on with my exile from Harry and Ron. I am top in my class. My assignments are always on time. I have read more this year than ever before. I do my Head Girl duties and then I retire to my dorm where I spend time either studying or exchanging insults with Draco if he is in one of his moods.

The wonderment of the whole last couple of months is how easy I have found it to talk to Draco, when he is not being a prat. Sure, he still sneers at me and looks down his nose at me when we are in public, but I know that it is just an act. Something happened to him during the war. He changed where it counts. Inside. He is brilliant, too. I have tried to surpass him in Professor Slughorn's class, but he has a gift for potions.

Another strange acquaintance I have found in my new quiet life is Professor Tonks. After her initial strange behavior the first week, she really has become one of my favorite professors. Only Lupin would surpass her, but she comes in a close second.

I am actually sitting in her office waiting on her to finish scaring a first year into never pulling a prank in her class. I have heard rumors that detention with her is a frightening experience.

Finally, the door opened and she walked in to her minimalistic office comprised of a small steel desk, battered leather office chair and a straight back visitor chair that made one consider the fact Professor Tonks was not fond of long visits.

She walked in, the sound of her high heeled boots clicking against the stone floor. 

"Granger, we need to talk."  She said as she sat down.   Her casual outfit of faded jeans and a hooded jumper looked odd on someone who normally wore black leather.  Her long hair was bundled up on the back of her head.  She looked like she was the age as her students.  Professor Tonks grabbed a bit of parchment and sat back in her chair putting her feet up on her desk.  She looked relaxed, but I could see the tenseness in her eyes.

"Is everything alright, Professor?"  I asked wondering at the parchment she was holding. 

"I received a request for a reference for you to intern at the Ministry of Magic over the holiday break?  To intern in the office of the Representation of Magical Creatures?"  She asked incredulously.  I nodded.  "Granger, do you know how understaffed and what kind of lunatics work in this office?  They are all werewolf huggers and fighting for the rights of dung beetles."  She said with disgust in her voice.

"I am more interested in the rights for house elves.  Of course, that is a very delicate subject as to the fact they don't really care for rights."  I frowned.  Professor Tonks looked at me with a bemused expression.

"Granger, I have read about your academic activities.  Why would a brilliant witch like you waste her time trying to find ways for the house elves to be freed if they don't want to be?"  She asked shaking her head.  "I am all for fighting for the underdog, but leave that to the Whomping Willow huggers, hmm?"  She said.  I felt a little uncomfortable.  I had a plan for my future.  I was going to pursue a license in magical law.  Perhaps one day sit on the Council of Magical Law or even invited to be a part of the Wizengamot.  First, I wanted to try my hand at fighting for the rights of magical creatures.  Was that wrong?

Obviously, from Professor Tonks' point of view.

"I will not sign off on this."  She said tossing the parchment on her desk.  I sat up ready to argue, but she drops her feet to the floor and sits up herself.  "Hermione, understand this.  You are too important and way more talented for the Wizarding World to lose another brilliant witch to the forgotten bowels of the Ministry of Magic.  It is the same across the land.  The most brilliant of student is offered a position in one of the many offices in the ministry and that brilliance is wasted on interoffice political garbage.  Don't do this to yourself.  You have talent to be more."  She pleaded as she leaned on the desk.

"An Auror?"  I asked still a little angry with her denial to give me a reference.  I had no desire to stay at Hogwarts during the holiday.  I am sure there will be no need to make Polyjuice Potion to try and find out any secrets from Malfoy this year.  "That is what you are trying to get around to, isn't it?"  I demanded as  I shook my head.  "I don't remember much about my time fleeing for my life this past year, but I am pretty sure I didn't care for the constant moving camp and that little pesky feeling of my life being in constant danger."  I said angrily.  How dare she try to interrupt my plans?  I needed something stable in my life at the moment.  I needed something to look forward to besides a life of loneliness and pain.

"I am talking about a position a little more involved than an Auror.  You could work in an office of sorts and be at home every night, circumstances pending.  You would be fighting for a cause.  The cause of the freedom of the Muggle-born, Half-breeds and against the Death Eaters and Dark Wizards of this age."  She said passionately.  I was not expecting this explanation.  A little more involved than an Auror?  I had to admit I was curious.  She waved her wand and the door to her office slammed.  I heard her mutter a spell to soundproof the room we were in.

Something told me that my life was about to change.  That same something also told me that my best laid plans for my life were about to fail and maybe I would not mind at all.