RP: The River
Date: December 21, 2004
Characters: Hermione Granger, Pansy Parkinson, Ginny Weasley, Ollivander, Blaise Zabini, Anyone else
Location: Bench by the river
Status: Public
Summary: Hermione watches the river
Completion: Complete
It was cloudy and colder than it had been since they returned, but Hermione found it refreshing. She liked the feel of the cold air against her cheeks and the overcast sky that only occasionally allowed the sun to peak through. It was afternoon by the time she took a break, so it was a little warmer but not much. She used a warming charm, mostly to avoid a repeat of her recent illness, and walked towards town.
When she crossed the bridge, instead of going to a pub for a mug of cocoa, she found an empty bench and sat down. She unconsciously cast wards around her area and watched the river. It was flowing faster today, the sound of the water rushing over the rocks very pleasant, and she watched a fallen leaf drift past her struggling to stay above the surface.
It was one of those days when there were too many thoughts in her head. The lists she made were falling from the neat stack in her mind, and she had to admit that she was feeling slightly overwhelmed. She liked being busy, true, but she needed to learn how to balance things better. After years with nothing to occupy her time except the boys, hunting horcruxes, and staying alive, she'd eagerly sought out things to fill this new life of hers with a variety of projects and causes.
Everything was manageable, of course, as she had learned her limitations during the years and wouldn't take on more than she could successfully handle. Failure wasn't an option, after all. She knew she could slow down without the world stopping, but it sometimes felt like she couldn't. There were so many balls that she was juggling lately that it seemed everything would just crash around her if she let up for even a minute. She was doing all right with taking breaks, remembering to eat, and not working every waking moment. If anything, she had been fortunate to meet several new people that were already firmly considered 'friend' and helped pass the hours with interesting conversations.
There was just so much to be done and the lists never seemed to get smaller. She could work for eighteen hours on the bookstore and publishing, mark off several things, but more would just be added until she wanted to scream. Ron, as much as she loved him, certainly hadn't helped her stress level with his blunder regarding the aviary. After that loss of money, she had seriously considered applying for a job in Exetor for part time, just so they could have actual steady income until she could get contracts into place and money slowly trickling in from selling the new books they had to publish. She couldn't, of course, without the risk of delaying the bookstore and publishing, which wasn't really a consideration.
They'd be better financially next month or possibly in February, depending on how the negotiations with Santiago went. If he was willing to sign contracts for distributing the Davies' books throughout Spain, Portugal, and the continent, then that would be quite a coup. The numbers she had been projecting were low, as she knew better than to be optimistic when it came to money, but even those would greatly help cover the cost of supplies and their daily expenses. It wouldn't leave them well-off by any means, but it would be enough to feel relatively secure. If she also discussed the catalog of titles they now owned from their buy out, that would be even better.
She had no desire to be greedy or demand high amounts of money because, really, they survived seven years with hardly any. She just wanted stability, so there wouldn't be doubts of being able to afford groceries or having to choose between their dinner or food for stray animals. It almost amused her how things such as money became so important now that they were actually back in civilization. For seven years, it had been a necessity but not a focus. Now, she wasted many hours going over budgets, projected incomes, and numbers.
There were some times, though she'd never admit it, when she missed the road. Being so close to Ron and Harry, having a purpose that served the greater good, being forced to adapt and think quickly, and just sleeping wherever they found a patch of free dirt beneath the starry sky. It was rather pathetic that she had felt more relaxed and in control of her destiny while being on the run and fighting a war.
Fortunately, she had always thrived on challenges and felt that she was helping the community, in a way, even if she was also thinking about securing their own future. Still, she felt as if she should be doing more even as she was struggling to keep all the current balls in the air. It would be better when Ron started to help print and the bookstore began to take shape. Then, she'd actually see some progress. She'd be able to look at the books they printed or the store ready to open and see what all the hours and stress had gone into building. She loved creating, whether it was a new charm, an essay on the effect of extended Transfiguration on wood, or a business that would hopefully benefit all involved.
With that thought in mind, she paused the juggling. It was nearly Christmas, and they had a nice dinner planned for tomorrow. She was excited about spending the holiday with the boys and a few close friends, though she wished Viktor and Neville had been able to attend, too. There were presents to send out soon and a few that still needed wrapped. But, overall, she was prepared for the holidays. That was one ball that, fortunately, would soon be removed from the rotation.
There were so many things to look forward to, things to accomplish, that she felt selfish and more than a little foolish for allowing things to overwhelm her. She watched the river and smiled, feeling more focused and in control than she had been in several days. She'd always been good at juggling, after all. She leaned back against the bench and let her mind wander from lists and tasks as she enjoyed the cold cloudy day and sound of the river.
Characters: Hermione Granger, Pansy Parkinson, Ginny Weasley, Ollivander, Blaise Zabini, Anyone else
Location: Bench by the river
Status: Public
Summary: Hermione watches the river
Completion: Complete
It was cloudy and colder than it had been since they returned, but Hermione found it refreshing. She liked the feel of the cold air against her cheeks and the overcast sky that only occasionally allowed the sun to peak through. It was afternoon by the time she took a break, so it was a little warmer but not much. She used a warming charm, mostly to avoid a repeat of her recent illness, and walked towards town.
When she crossed the bridge, instead of going to a pub for a mug of cocoa, she found an empty bench and sat down. She unconsciously cast wards around her area and watched the river. It was flowing faster today, the sound of the water rushing over the rocks very pleasant, and she watched a fallen leaf drift past her struggling to stay above the surface.
It was one of those days when there were too many thoughts in her head. The lists she made were falling from the neat stack in her mind, and she had to admit that she was feeling slightly overwhelmed. She liked being busy, true, but she needed to learn how to balance things better. After years with nothing to occupy her time except the boys, hunting horcruxes, and staying alive, she'd eagerly sought out things to fill this new life of hers with a variety of projects and causes.
Everything was manageable, of course, as she had learned her limitations during the years and wouldn't take on more than she could successfully handle. Failure wasn't an option, after all. She knew she could slow down without the world stopping, but it sometimes felt like she couldn't. There were so many balls that she was juggling lately that it seemed everything would just crash around her if she let up for even a minute. She was doing all right with taking breaks, remembering to eat, and not working every waking moment. If anything, she had been fortunate to meet several new people that were already firmly considered 'friend' and helped pass the hours with interesting conversations.
There was just so much to be done and the lists never seemed to get smaller. She could work for eighteen hours on the bookstore and publishing, mark off several things, but more would just be added until she wanted to scream. Ron, as much as she loved him, certainly hadn't helped her stress level with his blunder regarding the aviary. After that loss of money, she had seriously considered applying for a job in Exetor for part time, just so they could have actual steady income until she could get contracts into place and money slowly trickling in from selling the new books they had to publish. She couldn't, of course, without the risk of delaying the bookstore and publishing, which wasn't really a consideration.
They'd be better financially next month or possibly in February, depending on how the negotiations with Santiago went. If he was willing to sign contracts for distributing the Davies' books throughout Spain, Portugal, and the continent, then that would be quite a coup. The numbers she had been projecting were low, as she knew better than to be optimistic when it came to money, but even those would greatly help cover the cost of supplies and their daily expenses. It wouldn't leave them well-off by any means, but it would be enough to feel relatively secure. If she also discussed the catalog of titles they now owned from their buy out, that would be even better.
She had no desire to be greedy or demand high amounts of money because, really, they survived seven years with hardly any. She just wanted stability, so there wouldn't be doubts of being able to afford groceries or having to choose between their dinner or food for stray animals. It almost amused her how things such as money became so important now that they were actually back in civilization. For seven years, it had been a necessity but not a focus. Now, she wasted many hours going over budgets, projected incomes, and numbers.
There were some times, though she'd never admit it, when she missed the road. Being so close to Ron and Harry, having a purpose that served the greater good, being forced to adapt and think quickly, and just sleeping wherever they found a patch of free dirt beneath the starry sky. It was rather pathetic that she had felt more relaxed and in control of her destiny while being on the run and fighting a war.
Fortunately, she had always thrived on challenges and felt that she was helping the community, in a way, even if she was also thinking about securing their own future. Still, she felt as if she should be doing more even as she was struggling to keep all the current balls in the air. It would be better when Ron started to help print and the bookstore began to take shape. Then, she'd actually see some progress. She'd be able to look at the books they printed or the store ready to open and see what all the hours and stress had gone into building. She loved creating, whether it was a new charm, an essay on the effect of extended Transfiguration on wood, or a business that would hopefully benefit all involved.
With that thought in mind, she paused the juggling. It was nearly Christmas, and they had a nice dinner planned for tomorrow. She was excited about spending the holiday with the boys and a few close friends, though she wished Viktor and Neville had been able to attend, too. There were presents to send out soon and a few that still needed wrapped. But, overall, she was prepared for the holidays. That was one ball that, fortunately, would soon be removed from the rotation.
There were so many things to look forward to, things to accomplish, that she felt selfish and more than a little foolish for allowing things to overwhelm her. She watched the river and smiled, feeling more focused and in control than she had been in several days. She'd always been good at juggling, after all. She leaned back against the bench and let her mind wander from lists and tasks as she enjoyed the cold cloudy day and sound of the river.