Unexpected | Ron Weasley

Apologies

It wasn't long after returning to Hogwarts that Bryony found herself huddled in the corner of the library, pouring over different textbooks and assignments. Pansy so graciously reminded Bryony at the start of the term that their 'little deal' wasn't over. Not that Bryony minded, or anything, but as annoying as it was, she thought it would help her out in the long run... for multiple reasons. After finishing Herbology and Charms, she sighed and grabbed her DADA homework. She cracked open her 'textbook' and began reading when she saw Hermione Granger slowly walk over to her table.

"Mind if I join you?" Hermione asked quietly, mindful that they were in the library and Madam Pince was a stickler about the volume limit.

"Uh, yeah of course," Bryony said, trying to hide her surprise that someone would go out of their way to sit with her. Daphne was really her only true friend at school, and its been like that since 1st year. Is she just here to make sure I don't say anything about the club? I mean, why else would she be here...

"Thanks" Hermione replied with a smile. She pulled her chair out from the table and began stacking up her books and rolling out her parchment.

"Hermione listen," Bryony whispered, "I haven't told anyone about your club, and don't worry, I won't" she said.

"I know you won't," Hermione confessed, "I never thought you would, neither did Ron... but while we are on this topic... I... I want to apologize. What happened, was awful. I know how much it hurts to be, you know, scrutinized in front of a group for something that's completely out of your control..."

Bryony knew exactly what Hermione was referring to. For years, Draco had gone out of his way to call Hermione a Mudblood in front of anyone and everyone who would listen. While Bryony never uttered the words, she felt terrible for Hermione, but didn't know how to speak up. Thankfully, the name-calling subsided after Hermione punched Draco in the face 3rd year, a punch that Bryony secretly admired.

"Anyways, if you want to join the DA, you're in. Doesn't matter what Harry or anyone says, I mean, the club wouldn't function without me... so, what do you say? I know I'd love to have you".

"I really appreciate the apology Hermione, honestly, it means a lot. And, I think I may pass on the offer, as much as I appreciate it, I really do, I'm just not sure I'm ready yet to go back into that room..." she said, her voice trailing off.

"I get that, and again, I'm so sorry... But since you're not joining, do you think that maybe... well, maybe we could hang out sometime? Maybe we could study for the OWLs or something. I mean, I think you're really cool, and I could really use some girlfriends" she said with a smile. "NOT saying that Harry and Ron aren't great... I mean..."

"I'd love to" Bryony replied with a smile, saving Hermione from stumbling over her words.

"So, uh, what are you working on?" Hermione asked.

"Umbridge" Bryony replied with a straight face, "I don't know about you, but that class is brutal".

"That woman is a nightmare" Hermione replied, "I haven't learned anything from that pathetic excuse for a textbook, but uh.. why are you writing two different parchments?" she asked.

"Oh..." Bryony said, "Pansy makes me do her homework... kinda blackmail, but it's not too bad. I write mine, then write a dumbed-down version of mine for Pansy" she said with a giggle. "She doesn't even notice the spelling errors I include".

"You are a genius" Hermione replied laughing, "And here I am putting all this effort into Harry and Ron's assignments, they aren't that smart!"

"It has to be believable, doesn't it!" Bryony replied with a quiet laugh.

"I'm going to start doing that, honestly Bryony, you're gonna save me HOURS".

"I'm glad I could help" she replied, "I guess we have more in common than we thought"

"I guess we do" Hermione replied with a grin.

The two girls then settled down into their studies. An hour or so went by before Bryony glanced at her watch and realized she was almost late for a meeting with Snape.

"Oh gosh, Hermione I'm so sorry" she said shoving her belongings into her bag, "this has been wonderful, but I gotta go to my OWLs meeting with Snape..."

"Oh my gosh, don't worry. Good luck!"

"Thanks... for everything..." Bryony said before quickly leaving the library and making a beeline towards the dungeon. The whole way to Snape's office, Bryony couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. As much as she wondered if Ron was as apologetic as Hermione was, she was more excited about the prospect of a new friendship.

~~~

Bryony was able to make it to Snape's office right on time, thankfully. She wasn't necessarily afraid of Snape, but she certainly didn't want to be tardy. She knocked three times on the wooden door and waited before she heard a monotone "Enter" from inside of the room. She took a deep breath, then opened the door to see Snape, and much to her surprise, Umbridge.

"Hi Professor Snape... and Professor Umbridge" she said as she entered the room.

"Ah, Ms. Parkinson, right on time" Snape said, "well, let's get this over with..."

"Ehem!" Umbridge interjected, "Professor Snape, I think I should take over this little meeting, considering how you did with the last student. Now, Ms. Parkinson is it?"

"Yes Professor" Bryony said with a tone of worry in her voice. What happened with the last student?

"Very well, now Ms. Parkinson, what are you thinking about your path after Hogwarts?" Umbridge asked with a slight condescending tone.

"I um... I'm thinking about becoming a Healer" she replied.

"Oh dear, are you sure you can handle that? Being a healer requires high marks in Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions. I think you should start thinking about... well, a less difficult career path..." Umbridge said with a smirk.

"Excuse me if you will Professor Umbridge," Snape interjected, "I don't know if you've bothered to look at Ms. Parkinson's grades, but she is the brightest witch in my house, one of my top potions students, and is on track to do very well on her OWLS in those subjects. Not only that, but she has the perfect caring personality to succeed. So maybe next time, you should look a bit more into a student's grades before judging them right then and there" Snape spat.

Both Bryony, and Umbridge were taken aback, for different reasons obviously. Bryony was surprised, and touched that Snape spoke that highly of her. I didn't think he did that... for anyone

"Thank you Professor" Bryony squeaked.

"Very well" Umbridge said, trying to redeem her sense of superiority, "I think this meeting is over... Good luck on your OWLs Ms. Parkinson, you're future is dependent on it" she said with a scowl, then saw herself out of the potions classroom.

"Thank you again Professor, do really think I could become a healer?" she asked.

"I do... I see a bright future for you Ms. Parkinson, much brighter than your sister's. She told me that her dream job was to marry rich" Snape said, with a small grin appearing across his face.

"That sounds... just like her" Bryony replied with a giggle.

"Well, Ms. Parkinson, you'd better be going, don't want you to be late for dinner or anything".

"Thank you Professor" she said again, then left the Potions classroom with the same big smile that she entered with. Things were finally starting to look up for Bryony.