Merciless Flirt

A/N: I do apologise- I really thought I had posted this days ago...but apparently I got it to the preview page stage and didn't hit post. >.< But it's here. Please read and review! Thanks!


The Hogwarts express seemed to be taking longer than usual. Hermione was seated alone in a compartment near the back of the train, keeping an ear out for mischievous students. She was annoyed to say the least, already having broken up three duels in the aisle since departing from Platform 9¾. Though the students were hardly consuming her thoughts. Her mind kept reeling over the previous day’s events. It had all been so strange and frustrating. For him to just up and vanish without any cause, well he certain had some nerve. She had to convince herself to remain angry at him to keep from bursting into sobs of hurt, and she didn’t wish to draw attention to herself.

She hadn’t bothered to mention to Molly that Charlie had just vanished. After all she didn’t wish to cause a panic in the Weasley household. Guilt had shook her but only slightly when she’d lied to Molly and told her that she was meeting Charlie at the platform and there was no need for anyone else to see her off. For the past three years she’d ridden the train alone— the only Hogwarts professor to arrive on the Hogwarts express since Remus Lupin had taken the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. But Albus thought it was good to have a spare set of eyes onboard and of the alternatives— flying and apparating— Hermione didn’t mind the lengthy ride through the greenery. It often gave her a chance to contemplate the upcoming school term or finish up her start of term lesson plans.

Although she’d been given far too much time alone with her thoughts during this particular ride. It seemed as if the train was just going to keep going and going.

“Anything from the trolley, dear?” the Trolley Maid asked as she made a third pass by Hermione’s compartment.

“No thank you,” she said. “How much longer until we’ve arrived in Hogsmeade?”

The Trolley Maid smiled. “Won’t be long now, Professor Granger, just a few more hours.” The woman turned her trolley about and headed back up the aisle. Hermione sighed. A few more hours alone with her fuming thoughts of Charlie Weasley and she’d be ready to murder the next student who accidently stepped a toe out of line.

The procession up to the castle was none smoother a ride. The thestrals seemed to be in a particularly odd temperament, which was extremely strange. They almost seemed happy and friendly. Thestrals in general never did anything more than pull the carriages, most of the time you’d be lucky if you could get one to acknowledge that you could see it, but tonight they seemed somehow different.

And the welcoming feast had been a disaster. Instead of a sorting ceremony there had been a call for a search and rescue party. Something, more like someone, namely Peeves, had stopped the parade of boats containing the first years midway across the lake. It had taken everyone on staff and several of the sixth and seventh year prefects to retrieve them all and most of them still ended up soaked.

Hermione had managed to make her way into the castle after the last boat had been hauled safely to shore. Peeves had somehow managed to turn the water of the lake into a thick immoveable sludge, but only around the edges of the boats that had been used to ferry the first years across. It was a conundrum that seemed to have a simple enough solution; ferry a different boat out to those that were stuck and transport the children. Only as soon as a boat would approach one of the ones that were stuck it too would become stuck. After losing several boats to the middle of lake, and discovering that broomsticks weren’t really meant to hold more than one person at a time, the rescue efforts devolved into piggyback swim rides back to the castle.

She’d cast a drying charm on herself before entering the castle but it seemed to do very little to warm her. The students had all been sent to their houses, the first years to the Great Hall where cots would be set up for the night; their sorting ceremony would take place in the morning over breakfast. Hermione rounded the corridor heading toward a staircase when she heard quick footsteps clacking on the stone floor. She closed her eyes and kept going, trying not to hear them.

“Professor Granger!” Minerva McGonagall called from behind her. “Professor Granger!” The elder witch quickened her step.

The sound of Minerva’s voice was grating to the ear. It wasn’t that she didn’t adore the woman, in fact Hermione held her former head of house with the utmost respect and esteem, but whenever the woman’s voice carried that tone it only meant one thing: tedious informational sessions that could have waited for another time. Hermione was already frustrated and wished nothing more than to be alone.

“Professor Granger!” Minerva called, finally catching up with the girl, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
Hermione shuddered as if the woman’s sudden presence had startled her. “Oh my goodness!” she cried. “I’m so sorry, were you calling me? I must have been lost in my thoughts…long day you know.”

“That’s alright,” she said. “There were a few things I had wanted to brief you on outside but when I turned around you had vanished. Just a few new things for this year, dear.” She said.

Hermione resisted the urge to sigh. She didn’t wish to seem rude but she really was quite aggravated and wished to find the solitude of her chambers and go to sleep. Her smile was polite as she nodded to the Deputy Headmistress to continue.

“Notes on Hogsmeade, we’re no longer requiring renewed permissions of upper level students to go, meaning fourth through seventh years don’t need another written consent if their parent or legal guardian had previously signed one. And only seventh years will be allowed to stay in Hogsmeade over night during the spring weekend visits. This will be more strictly enforced this year.”

Hermione blinked and tried not to roll her eyes. “Yes, Professor McGonagall.” It was all trivial nonsense that really could have waited until the morning or even the next staff meeting which would be on Thursday.

“Portions of the lake— pending inspection after Peeve’s little prank…” her lips pulled into a terse frown.
“…will be allowed open for instructional swimming lessons to be accompanied by a Hogwarts staff member at all times, and during selected hours, a copy of the time table is in the staff lounge…” she reached into her pocket and handed Hermione a piece of parchment. “The most up-to-date list of contraband products as issued by Mr. Filch and Professor Snape…”

“Thank you,” she said and tucked the scroll into her pocket. “Will that be all?” Hermione hoped that she didn’t sound rude.

“I was hoping I could take you to the staff lounge to meet our two newest faculty members, but if you’re tired…”

Hermione closed her eyes for a moment. “Could I meet them in the morning, before the sorting ceremony, I’m afraid that boat rescue took all the energy clean out of me.” She lied. Though she was completely drained, it was hardly from taking a swim with the first years.

“I do suppose that would be alright,” Minerva nodded. “I’ll walk you to your chambers.”

Hermione nodded. At least she was getting to escape. “Two new professors? I thought we weren’t receiving any more this year…”

“Yes, well, we’ve brought in a Herbological expert from the ministry, don’t worry he’s a friend of Arthur Weasley’s to cover Pomona’s first through sixth year classes.”

Hermione looked curious and tilted her head to the side. “But she’s still teaching seventh year?”

Minerva shook her head. “Not exactly. Pomona has selected nine seventh year students to be compete in the Wizarding World Herbological Competion this year. It’s sort of like the world cup, only with plants.” She said. “And before you say anything, yes, it sounds as ridiculous as you think it does, but I’m supporting her, and told her we could find the coverage for her, providing the students kept up with their other studies and didn’t blow anything up.”

“I see.” Hermione was thrown a bit by the news. She had no idea that such a thing even existed, but it sounded somewhat interesting. “Is he good, the new professor?”

“I have no idea, but he came on good word and with several degrees and qualifications. His name is Edgar Puddlestomp. He’s rather short, and fairly…plump. But he seems friendly enough, he shouldn’t frighten any of the students away, though he does have green hair…what is left of it.” Minerva chuckled softly.

The corridor before them seemed to stretch on forever and Hermione was beginning to think they’d somehow taken a wrong turn or that the corridors had shifted without them noticing. “He sounds charming.”

They rounded the corridor together, with the intention of finding the nearest staircase when Hermione smacked into something. “Oof!” she cried and nearly fell over.

“Careful,” a warm voice said.

“Ah, well that was convenient,” Minerva smiled, offering Hermione a hand to regain her balance. “Professor Granger, I’d like to introduce you to Charlie Weasley, our new Care of Magical Creatures Teacher.”

Charlie stood before Hermione with a lopsided grin and extended his hand. “Professor Granger.”

She stood there in shock, eyes wide, jaw slack. It took her a moment to absorb what had just happened. Before she could reign in her response Hermione had flung her arms around his waist. A moment later she had pulled back and slapped him.

Minerva stood there gazing in shock, speechless.

“I do suppose I deserved that.” He muttered.

“Hermione! You just slapped him.” She stated as if everyone present had not been aware of the actions just taken. “Charlie, are you alright?” Minerva moved closer to him and reached her hand out to his face but Charlie pulled back.

“It’s ok, I may have left the Burrow leaving everyone in a state of worry, and I’m sure that Hermione caught the brunt of it from my mother…like a sister’s instinct, you might say,” he tried to smile though his cheek was stinging.

“I see…” Minerva was skeptical, but wasn’t going to open pandora’s box on their first night back. “Well, Hermione,” she turned her head to the younger witch. “You did say you were headed off, and I do hope you get a chance to meet Professor Puddlestomp in the morning.” She nodded to both of them before retreating down the corridor with a muttered goodnight.

“I’m sorry.”

“What happened to Hagrid?” Hermione asked.

It was hardly the first question he’d expected her to ask, but so many of the other staff members had asked that it was almost rote as the answer fell from his lips. “He’s returning to his position as the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. Says it will give him more time to spend with Olympe before the baby arrives in March.”

She had heard rumour that Hagrid’s wife had fallen pregnant but had hoped that she would have heard confirmation from the half giant himself before hearing from anyone else.

“Can I walk you to your chambers?” he asked.

Hermione contemplated for a moment, and then nodded. “Alright.”

They walked in silence, Charlie not standing too close to her. Although it was past curfew and all students were meant to be in their common rooms, Hogwarts hadn’t changed so much since his own school days for him to know that the odd lurking troublemaker or horn dog would be up and lurking about. It wouldn’t do to have a student see them canoodling, not that she’d let him anywhere near him.

A few short staircases later and they’d arrived at Hermione’s office. Like most Hogwarts professors, her office led into a set of living quarters. She opened the office door and then turned to face Charlie. “Goodnight.” She said.

“I can’t come in?”

Hermione closed eyes. “No.”

“Come on, Hermione, I should explain myself, please let me come in?”

Two days of worry. Two days of unresolved frustration, of silent agonizing over whether or not he had left and what for. Before she could shout her frustrations she felt his hands gently on either side of her hips and she caved. “Alright.”

She led him through her office, locking and warding the door, and then back through the tapestry into her quarters. Hermione flopped down on the couch and blasted her wand in the direction of the hearth. A fire leapt to life in the grate and filled the room with blazing orange light and heat. Charlie knelt on the floor in front of her and took her hands in his.

“I’m sorry if I made you worry. I didn’t mean to frighten you…but I didn’t want to tell you either.”

“But why, Charlie?” Hermione tried her best to keep her eyes from welling up with tears, though she could feel her chest tightening.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get the position. Dumbledore had owled me about the position back in June. I didn’t have a reason to even consider it. I knew Lisa couldn’t do the shop on her own and being a Hogwarts professor is a full time job.” He tilted his head to the side. “I figured by now that he would have filled the position. And it hadn’t dawned on me until you brought it up Friday night…I hadn’t even thought about the fact that with you at Hogwarts…” his voice trailed off.

“That we wouldn’t be able to see each other?”

He hung his head. “You must think I’m some dumb lovesick fool.”

“No. I’m furious you just left me in a whirlwind of chaos and confusion…”

“I really am sorry…but as soon as I’d owled Dumbledore, not but moments after I’d carried you up to bed, he’d responded. I couldn’t believe my luck, but then I realized there was so much to do, lease the flat, pack up the shop, and I got caught up. Lisa’s right furious with me too.”

“Lisa isn’t your girlfriend!” Hermione snapped. She quickly covered her mouth. She hadn’t meant to snap quite so harshly. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re right. She’s not. But she has been in business with me for ages now, and she still has no idea what’s going on.” He shook his head. “I’m not used to this girlfriend thing, and I’m not saying I don’t want it— I just turned my whole life upside down in two days time to make it work— that makes me sound like I’m blaming you— I’m not— I’m having trouble articulating what I’m getting at—”

Hermione pressed her finger to his lips and Charlie fell silent. “You’re into something new. A situation that isn’t all that common for you, and you’re still learning how to play the game, you don’t know all the rules and etiquette yet. And you do things without thinking, but you did them with the right intentions. Right?”

Charlie wasn’t certain if she was mocking him or being sincere until she gripped his hands and closed her eyes. “I understand it, please, just next time, talk to me. I mean— I’m thrilled that you’re here…I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage three whole months without you.”

“Is the sex really that good?” he teased.

“Charlie!” her face flushed and she swatted him playfully on the arm. “I just— communication.” She said.

“Communication.”

He leaned his head forward and captured her lips in a kiss. She was all too quick to return the gesture, her tongue eager to slip into his mouth. All her worries, her anger and frustration seemed to melt away in that kiss. His hands were roaming up her backside and she began to run her fingers through his hair. He’d just managed to slide his fingers up under her shirt when there was a thumping coming from the door that led back into her office.

“Didn’t you lock that?” he asked, breaking their kiss for but a moment before returning his lips to hers.

“Augmentation charm on the outer door to echo in here…” she muttered and shrugged out of his grasp. “Better see who it is…”

“It’s so late…” he groaned.

“Then you should be getting back to your quarters,” she teased and ran a hand through her hair. She straightened herself up and opened the door to her office. Again the knock sounded and she sighed. She was beginning to understand why Professor Snape hated the students. Whoever it has had better have a good reason.

Hermione pulled open the door to her office. “Oh! Good evening, Headmaster.” She said with a bit of a flush coming to her face. “Won’t you come in for tea.”

“Why thank you,” he smiled and shut the office door behind him. His blue eyes twinkled brightly from behind his half moon spectacles. “Would you invite Mr. Weasley in from your quarters as well? This is probably something we should discuss all together.”

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