Room 308, Monday after first period

[smartestone]

Hermione loves the beginning of the semester. Everything's all new and it's a lot of fun for her. Unfortunately she can't take all of the classes (dammit) and so after first period she has nothing to do but look forward to seventh.

She puts food out for Crookshanks, and then cracks the door open just a little as she gets her wand out and starts practicing some of the things she learned over break. She's going to produce a viable Patronus if it kills her.

[For Jack, but open!]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had two packages, wrapped in red and gold paper, and a map, so his knock on the door was a bit awkward.

[smartestone]

Hermione immediately stops what she's doing, just in case, and opens the door. "Hi," she says, a little surprised.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack smiled. "Hi back at you. I'm returning your map, as promised," he said. "Can I come in?"

[smartestone]

"Of course," she says, letting him in. "I almost forgot about that, with the holiday and all."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Which is the other reason I'm here," he explained as he walked into the room and leaned against the desk. "Merry very late Christmas." He held out the two (http://www.eastgate.com/catalog/ItalianJournals.html) gifts (http://www.artofwriting.com.au/stationery/bortoletti-deluxe-wooden-ink-dip-pen-set-c-252-p-16137.html). "For you."

[smartestone]

"Oh, you really didn't have to do that," she protests, taking them.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Setting the map on her desk, he leaned against it. "I wanted to," he said quietly.

[smartestone]

It isn't until she opens them and her jaw drops that she says, "You really didn't have to do this. Thank you, Jack."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He grinned at her reaction. He hadn't been sure, but he'd thought they were a good choice. "I wanted to," he repeated. "You helped when you didn't have to, and there's not a lot of people who'd do that. Because of the map, I found him as soon as he was back." He shrugged, grin turning a bit sheepish. "And I was wrong about you, and I'm sorry for that."

[smartestone]

"Don't be, I get worse," she says, and her list of people who have done that can go on for a while. "How is Cedric? I've only spoken to his voicemail."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Frowning, he said, "You shouldn't. And I am. I like you, Hermione." His shoulders slumped slightly. "He's okay. Not great, but he's going to be. Turned out he hit something called a portkey? Dragged him back home."

[smartestone]

Hermione's eyes widen. "Oh," she says, wondering just how bad that had to be. "That had to be difficult."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Difficult, yeah." Jack snorted slightly at the understatement. "He didn't have a great time, but he's back now. And we're dealing with it.

[smartestone]

"Good," she says. "I'm sorry he had to go through that."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Me too. Hermione," he studied her for a minute, then walked over to stand in front of her, "I don't know much about where you and Cedric come from, he talks about things that I don't really understand. Do you think I could pick your brain sometimes? If I needed to?"

[smartestone]

"Of course," she says. "And I do know both the wizarding world and this one, so perhaps I can explain things a bit better. I hope."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Dementors were going to be first on the list, just not now. "That would be a big help," he said and ducked his head to kiss her cheek. "Thank you."

[smartestone]

"Not a problem at all," she says, smiling at him.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grinned. "And I hate to gift and run, but I've got a lunch date," he explained. "I will be back to bug you, though. Probably soon."

[smartestone]

"My door will be open," she says. "Thank you again."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack gave her a little bow and waved away the thanks. "I'm just glad you like them. See you later, Hermione," he said as he headed out the door.