Chapter 13 – First Class
Mrs. Weasley was all at once excited and nervous for her first day of teaching classes. The enrollment was greater than expected so her job was secure, but would the students like the class once they saw what it was really like?
She stood at her desk for the first class of the day, and smiled as the students hurried to their seats after coming from breakfast in the Great Hall. Though she frowned as she saw her son Ronald deliberately take Lavender to sit with him on the side of the classroom furthest from Hermione and Harry, his dearest, truest friends.
As soon as the clock struck indicating for her to start, she introduced herself to the pupils and said, "Welcome to Home Wizo-nomics! You 7th years have the privilege of being my first class, congratulations! I am glad you have chosen to take this class, as I ensure you that the lessons you shall learn will contribute to the betterment of your lives. Now, on to the first lesson! Please open your books to page 3."
There was a low murmur as the young, many of them now adult, wizards and witches ruffled around for their books and opened them to the indicated page. Meanwhile, Professor Weasley wrote the title of the day's lecture on the board: Contemporary Domestic Charms.
Hermione felt uneasy about Ron giving her the cold shoulder, but shrugged it off as Ginny and Harry kept reassuring her that he would soon come around and just needed a little time to understand.
After the quite interesting first class of wizo-nomics, Hermione and Draco sneaked back up to their room for a little "quiet time" before more classes of the day. Half and hour later they resumed going to classes, and then visited Adora, who remained with Madame Pomfrey or sometimes Professor McGonagall throughout the day, during their lunch break. Later more classes, dinner, family time with the three sitting before the fire in their common room, and bed.
A fortnight since Adora's birth, and this soon became a comfortable routine for both of them. As they sat in front of the fire hearth every night, they did not talk; each of them lost in their own thoughts and feelings. Draco often thought of how he only got happier as he began spending more time with his beloved, and thoughts of furthering the relationship were constantly engraving ideas in his head. All he was waiting for was the opportune moment and a sign from Hermione. Is she ready yet? Should I wait until graduation?
For a long time, these thoughts were obviously in Hermione's head as well, but not until recently did she begin to reflect on them and take them seriously. After thorough contemplation, she was sure that Draco was the one and only man she could ever marry. Then why hasn't he asked me yet?
Draco refrained from further action mainly because of all the stress they were in at the moment. Adora being only so young, and they so inexperienced, it took a great toll on them both to take care of her.
Despite the fact that the teachers who knew about their child tried to lighten the workload, it was nowhere near the low amount they would have preferred at the time. Both Hermione and Draco were eternally grateful to Madame Pomfrey to look after Adora during the day, but that did not quell her cries and needs all throughout the night, and on the weekends. Neither of them had a clue of the hardships of taking care of a baby and maintaining top grades in their classes until after she came. Still, they loved her with all their hearts and were always happy.
Then again, Draco thought, now may be a better time than ever to propose.
Hermione's stress and Ron's total ignorance and lack of understanding of her situation made her really agitated. He continued being rude to her and refused to come and see Adora, who was now a month old, which broke Hermione's heart. What gives him the right to be so angry anyway?
Everyone was eating dinner in the Great Hall and Hermione managed to meet Ron's eye at the far end of the Gryffindor table. He gave her the nastiest scowl then continued on eating like the pig he was being. Hermione got up and walked across to his side of the table, grabbed him by the collar of his robes, and pulled him out of the noise of the Great Hall.
Ron never saw her so angry, "Let go of me!"
As soon as the door closed behind her, she shoved him away and turned to him. Her face was boiling and she was on the verge of tears, "What in Merlin's name is wrong with you Ronald? I don't understand why you don't talk to me and Harry, your best friends, anymore. But that I can soon learn to live with. What bothers me the most is how you absolutely detest my daughter! How you think of my precious Adora as some vile little creature not worth your time!"
Hermione tried to hold back her tears, but it was too late, they were coming down as fast as the Golden Snitch during a Quidditch game.
Ron's exterior broke, but he strived to maintain his coldness, "She has dirty Malfoy blood!"
Sobbing, Hermione said, "Ron, you of all people? How can you judge an individual based on blood and descent, when you have seen how it has often hurt me?"
"Exactly! Malfoy is the one who called you mudblood! But you go and make a baby with him!"
"Called, Ronald called. He has become a different person. He used those derogatory comments not to hurt, but to mask his true emotions. You, on the other hand, endeavor to hurt me!"
Before he could get in another word, Hermione ran to the ladies room and Ron staggered back to his seat next to Ms. Lavender Brown, shaken by the conversation he was just in.
A/N: I know, I know. Will Draco ever propose? Will Ron ever stop being a human-sized bogie? Patience is a virtue my friends. Sorry if it was a bit short but I didn't want to reveal anything yet in this chapter. Thank you to all the reviewers, readers, and those who put this on your alert/favorites! You are all my inspiration.