Compatibility

Compatibility

Chapter 2: Well It’s Too Damn Bad



There were a great many things Hermione could have done in response to everything. She could have allowed anger and frustration to rule her, and she could have given up. But while giving up wasn’t something she was good at, thinking about things methodically and logically was. When the brightest witch of her age felt overwhelmed and at her wits end, there was really only one thing to do.



Hermione hid herself away in Ginny’s room, taking out sheets of parchment and her quill. And, in true Hermione fashion, she began making lists. Lists of all the reasons she and Ron would have worked, all the reasons they may have failed, all the hexes she would have to keep in mind for whenever his sorry arse returned, and all the options she had for going forward. When it was done she didn’t feel any less cornered in a bad situation, but she did feel better prepared to fight her way out of it.



Truth be told, the lists were really quite compelling. As much as she hated to admit it, the compatibility test had probably been right on target. She found Ron attractive and he was one of her best friends, but stupid stunts like what he’d done that morning only proved how little a chance they had at lasting for more than a couple of years. And really, they might kill each other before a couple of years were up. In the happiness that came from reigning victorious against Voldemort, Hermione had allowed herself to put on rose colored glasses. Now, faced with a difficult situation, she was taking them back off.



As far as hexes went, while Hermione could think of a good many that he deserved, she came to the conclusion that it would serve no purpose to actually cast any of them. It might offer momentary gratification, but in the long run it wouldn’t make her feel any better about the situation. Ron was tactless, and she’d known that since first year. It really couldn’t be claimed as a surprise now. And truly, he had always run between Hermione and Lavender, so neither was it a surprise her that he would go directly to Lavender when the test with Hermione failed. It was disappointing, of course, but in retrospect it really wasn’t anything new or shocking.



All that was left would be to systematically locate a suitable wizard that both Hermione and the Ministry could accept. She made lists of possibilities there as well, though she would have to wait until her arrival at Hogwarts to discover which were still available. Never did it occur to her to simply give up her wand and leave the wizarding world. Despite her muggle heritage, Hermione was a witch through and through. She could no more give up her magic than she could give up breathing. Without it, she would die.



With her thinking momentarily complete, and unanswered questions put on hold, Hermione began dressing and preparing herself to face the world. She went down to the kitchen afterwards and announced that she was going to go do her school shopping today, since with all the excitement she wasn’t sure when there would be time later.



“That’s fine, dear,” said Molly. “Though it would be nice if you were back in time for dinner with everyone. Have you seen Ron?”



Hermione frowned a moment before responding, swallowing all the bitterness before answering. “He left this morning to go to the Ministry. Apparently he and Lavender Brown plan on trying the compatibility test.”



Molly’s eyebrow rose abruptly, and she began smacking the palm of her hand with a wooden spoon. “Is that so? Well, you enjoy yourself dear. I’m sure you could use a little relaxation, and I know shopping for books has always made you feel better.”





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Diagon Alley was strangely empty compared to what Hermione was used to. It was mostly families with small children and elderly wizards and witches out shopping. Apparently everyone was in a rush to find suitable matches, and it made Hermione wonder if there would be any suitable wizards left for her. She did enjoy her trip to Flourish & Blotts though, especially after visiting Gringott’s and withdrawing a hefty sum to use while shopping. The Ministry had rewarded each of the Golden Trio with Orders of Merlin, First Class, and that came with a rather nice sized pension that Hermione planned on allowing to accumulate unused for the most part. Books were her main exception.



She purchased several texts in addition to the required books for school, having them flooed directly to the Burrow for her to review and pack that night. Now that the war was over and she’d had time to think even more about her future, Hermione planned on pursuing N.E.W.T.s in Charms, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Herbology, and Potions like before. But upon further consideration, she had obtained special permission to switch Defense Against the Dark Arts for History of Magic. With the war she’d had enough to do with Defense Against the Dark Arts for a lifetime, and her knowledge of history was sufficient enough that she wouldn’t be behind even though she’d taken a year off from it. Two years, really, given the year between sixth year and now that should have been her final year at Hogwarts.





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Next on her list of things to do was to stop by Ollivander’s, which was abnormally empty. She’d been forced to use Bellatrix Lestrange’s wand for far too long, and she was quite ready to have a new one of her own.



“Ah, Miss Hermione!” greeted Ollivander warmly, seeming to be fully recovered since she’d last seen him at Malfoy Manor. “What can I do for you, my dear?”



“Good to see you, Ollivander,” she said, smiling. “I’m afraid my wand was lost in battle and I’ve been using Bellatrix Lestrange’s wand since then. I’d very much like to replace it with something completely my own.”



“Yes, quite understandable,” said Ollivander, turning to search through the shelves that covered his shop walls. He pulled out only two boxes and laid them out before her. “After our last encounter and what I’ve heard since, I think you may have grown into a more powerful wand than your last. Not that it was anything to be ashamed of, but you have become a truly intimidating witch if I may say so myself.”



He carefully took out the first wand and held it up for her to examine. “These are two wands of which I am the most proud. This one is 11” vine with a dragon heartstring core, not that unlike the first wand I sold you. It was one of the last wands made by one of my predecessors who was particularly good at crafting powerful wands. It would serve you well, I believe.”



Hermione took it in her hand and felt it as a comforting weight in her palm. It felt almost willing, as if it were a sentient object that wished to serve her. She swished it through the air experimentally, then smiled. “It feels wonderful,” she said.



“Well, try this one too, dear,” said Ollivander, placing the first back in the box and taking out the other. “It is a 10 3/4” ivy wand, like your first, but with a phoenix feather core. You might find yourself liking the feel of it as well. It makes for particularly powerful spellwork, where the other is better at specific work as with charms and transfiguration.”



She picked it up carefully, feeling a kinship with it not unlike she had with the other wand. “They both feel perfect,” she said finally.



“Then may I make a suggestion?” asked Ollivander. “Take both. It is not common for a witch or wizard to have two wands, but neither are you a common witch. If they both feel right to you, then perhaps it is the answer.”



Hermione considered his words for a moment, then nodded her head in assent. He had a good point, and it certainly couldn’t hurt to have two. Especially since it would feel almost painful to leave either of them behind. “Alright, Ollivander. I’ll do that. How much will it total for both?”



Ollivander chuckled softly. “No, dear, I refuse to charge you for either. You did me a great service during the war, now you must allow me to do this for you. I hadn’t thought to find an owner for either, and now I find that they both choose you. Take them, Hermione.”





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Flourish & Blotts and Ollivander’s took longer than Hermione had anticipated, and so she ate lunch at the Leaky Cauldron before continuing to her last stop. When she arrived at Madam Malkin’s she found it just as empty as Ollivander’s had been, with the exception of two first years and their parents that were nearly done with their shopping.



“Madam Malkin, it’s good to see you,” Hermione greeted warmly. “Has it been like this all morning?”



“Oh yes,” said Madam Malkin, rolling her eyes in good humour. “I’m sure it will continue this way until everyone has this marriage law nonsense out of their minds. Come this way, Miss Granger. What will you be needing today?”



“Practically everything, I’m afraid,” said Hermione with a laugh. “Between getting lost and getting damaged in battle, I feel like I have barely anything left other than my muggle clothes.”



Madam Malkin laughed too at that, no doubt happy at the idea of finally having some business on such a slow morning. “Well, let’s see what we have that you like, and anything else we will make custom.”



Hermione was glad that she ate before stopping by Madam Malkin’s, because she wasn’t released from the elder witch’s attentions until two hours later. She had a magically shrunken bag in tow, with Malkin’s promise to have further garments forwarded to Hogwarts after they were finished. Hermione found herself to be quite pleased with how much she had accomplished so far in the day, despite it’s rather horrible beginning.





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When she arrived back at the Burrow it was just after mid-afternoon and Molly was beginning to prepare a larger than normal meal for her even larger than normal family. Hermione put her bags in Ginny’s room with her trunk and went back down to help Molly.



“You really don’t have to do it, dear,” said Molly. “I’ve got nearly everything ready to be put in the oven.”



“I really don’t mind,” said Hermione good-naturedly. “Any news of Ron and Lavender? I really don’t mind if they were approved.”



Molly put on a rather fake smile before answering. “Yes, Ron and Lavender were approved. She’s attentive enough, I suppose, and the test is supposedly quite good at predicting things. Not quite so warm hearted as you though, dear. Seems a little too self absorbed for my tastes, I think.”



“She’s always liked him, though,” said Hermione, “so I’m sure they will manage just fine.”



“What about you, Hermione? What will you do.”



Hermione stopped slicing vegetables the muggle way and turned to Molly. “I’m really not sure. I’ll figure it out soon, I hope, but I don’t really see that many options yet.”



“I could always have Charlie portkey home,” offered Molly. “You never know, the two of you might get along just fine.”



“I think we both know that’s not true,” said Hermione. “According to this law we’d have to live together for the first five years after marriage, and I don’t think he’s any more prepared to sacrifice his dragons than I am my schooling.”



Molly Weasley was silent after that, though she didn’t stop running through various ideas for Hermione. If the girl didn’t find someone herself, than Molly was determined to do it for her.





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Dinner was an awkward affair for Hermione, surrounded by couples in every direction. Ron apologized for his behavior, and Hermione found that she really didn’t care if he meant it or not. She was just happy to see everyone else happy, but even so she excused herself from the table early and went up to Ginny’s room. Taking out the books she’d bought, Hermione settled in for a peaceful night of studying.