stacks, chapter I / a post-Hogwarts fic
Research, Hermione Granger found, was the solution to nightmares.
Staying up into the night writing and rewriting proposals to journals and conferences resulted in a deeper, dreamless sleep, free from the images of darkness that crept into her mind, stealing her breath and pinning her limbs to the bed.
Luckily, college-and subsequently, graduate school-was full of workaholics who stayed up late with notes spread around them. No one questioned her constant presence in the student union. Being around others kept the demons at bay; and, per usual, she’d always had piles of homework to do.
She’d kept the habit of pulling all-nighters even after graduation, and it served her well now as an adjunct researcher for the Ministry’s Intermagical Innovations Office-a new department that researched integration of new Muggle technologies into wizarding homes. Her brand new Master’s degree in Librarianship was a bonus-she now had the freedom and skills to run libraries as she saw fit, and conduct her research without interference.
But she’d had doubts when Professor McGonagall-Minerva, she insisted on Hermione calling her now-had owled her with the job posting, looking for a new Hogwarts librarian after Madam Pince retired. Would being back at Hogwarts bring back the memories of the war that continued to haunt her?
But now, as an adult with several degrees under her belt, she found instead a new sense comfort in the restored halls of the castle. Hermione had never told the others how sacred she found the school; like Harry, she’d found a home at Hogwarts, where knowledge and learning was encouraged, not mocked. But she had her own memories and favorite spots, and it was nice to be back. Of course, Oxford had been a close second, but it was missing, well, the magic of Hogwarts.
And now she had a beautiful office with floor-to-ceiling windows, a large suite with her own bathroom (and a seriously amazing bathtub, she’d noted), and the beloved Hogwarts library all hers now, just begging to be dusted and reorganized.
Unfortunately, the many late nights meant that Hermione was often tired during the day. And on a rainy afternoon in early October, Hermione was fast asleep on her desk.
***
A sharp thud on her window abruptly pulled her out of her slumber.
Hermione sat up suddenly, swiping her arm across her desk. A teacup fell to the floor and shattered, spilling tea on a pile of notes.
“Damn,” she muttered, waving her wand casually. The broken shards flew back together, and the newly whole teacup rose and sat on her desk. Another flick of her wand dried the dripping parchment.
Thud. Thud thud. A brown owl tapped its beak against her window, a large parcel dangling from its tiny feet.
“Alright, alright!” she said, opening the window. The owl tumbled onto her desk, its wet feathers dousing her face with rain. Hermione quickly untied the parcel, and fished in the top drawer of her desk for an owl biscuit.
“Go by the fire,” she said as the owl nipped gratefully at the treat and hobbled to the fireplace. The owl perched itself on the mantle and a moment later fell asleep.
Hermione picked up the parcel-books. Of course. She smiled, and smiled wider when she recognized the address written in none other than Harry Potter’s handwriting. She’d recognize that chicken scratch penmanship anywhere.
Excited to hear from her old friend, she ripped open the package. The corners of the books were wet from the rain. She raised an eyebrow at the titles-Moonlit Forest, A Dance with Desire, Bewitching Hour, all with covers featuring scantily clad men and women embracing in dramatic poses.
A folded note slid off the top.
“Dear Hermione,
How are you? I heard about your new position at Hogwarts. Congratulations! I knew you loved libraries, but I never thought you’d become a librarian! Hopefully the new job suits you well. I’m sure the students will appreciate having a, well, younger presence around the library.
Ginny thought you might want to add these books to your collection-you know her, she’s not much of a romantic. They were gifts from her mum while she was in bed rest. Now that the baby’s here I think she’s had quite enough romance for some time. Unfortunate for me, of course, but little Leo sure is cute. I’ve sent you some photos-“
Several photographs were included in the letter-Harry holding his new son Leo, whose jet black hair resembled his father’s; Ginny waving from the hospital bed, looking radiant and relieved; and a closeup of Leo, his big dark eyes gazing at the camera.
Hermione pulled a jar of thumbtacks from her desk and pinned the photos next to those of her parents. She grinned in disbelief that Harry was now a father.
She read the rest of the letter.
“Have you spoken to Ron? He stopped by to bring a baby gift for Leo. Mentioned something about a job opening at Hogwarts, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Said he was tired of being out on the field. Looks like you’ll both be on our old stomping grounds.
Hope you’re doing well. Write soon! Perhaps over Thanksgiving break you can come visit us. Ginny sends her love, too.
Harry
P.S.
Given the nature of these novels, they should probably be put in the restricted section. Just a suggestion.”
Hermione’s stomach clenched into a bundle of nerves. Ron was coming here? To work? She sighed and felt both slightly queasy and guilty. They hadn’t necessarily parted on good terms. It’d been-what, five years?
A clock chimed in the library. 5 o’clock already? Supper would be starting soon. As if on cue, her stomach growled. She stood up and stretched her arms above her head. The owl was fast asleep on the mantle, and she added another log to the fire. She let her hands linger in the warmth. These autumn nights were getting cooler. A trip to Hogsmeade for some new sweaters was in order.
As she headed down to the dining hall she contemplated bringing dinner back to her office. She needed to be alone to figure out how she’d handle being around Ron. When was he coming? she wondered. And besides, she had several charts of data due to the Ministry by the end of the month that needed revising. She hoped a hot beef stew was being served for dinner… and maybe she could sneak up a flask of brandy… for warmth, of course…
She was so lost in thought that she ran straight into Draco Malfoy.