Chapter III

                                    

                                          
Does not all the blood within me
Leap to meet thee, leap to meet thee,
As the springs to meet the sunshine?
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (The Song of Hiawatha)
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It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit,
Strength, comeliness of shape or amplest merit,
That woman's love can win, or long inherit;
But what it is, hard is to say,
Harder to hit.
- John Milton ( Samson Agonistes)
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"I know it's not how you like to dress..."
                          
"It's not like how anyone likes to dress!"
                          
"That's not true Hermione, do you even follow the Cosmopolitan or Vogue?"
                          
"Which age is that from? I could look it up in the library..."
                          
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Forget it." She straightened the shoulders of Hermione's coat and told her off when she nervously fidgetted with the length of her skirt. "It's not like I'm dressing you up like a geisha! You are going for a job interview. And you need to ditch the old school uniform for good. You have to show him you are not that know-it-all little school girl anymore."
                          
"I'm not going to show anyone anything! And I won't even see him. I have an appointment with McGonagall."
                          
"Whatever. Smart is smart. Maybe you should consider skipping the top button-"
                          
"Absolutely not!"
                          
Hermione apparated in front of the Hogwarts gates and walked up the gravelly path up to the castle in a slow but steady fashion. Even if it was McGonagall who was going to appoint her, she was a difficult lady to impress. But she knew McGonagall was well aware of her aptitude in Transfiguration, as good as any other subject, so she had high hopes for herself. She was glad that she looked the part of a professional as well; in a black and white checked coat, white blouse underneath, black pencil skirt and stockings. Her hair was also tied up in a bun, inspired by the bespectacled professor herself. When she entered the headmistress's office, she was welcomed with a warm smile. "Ah, Ms.Granger! Come in." McGonagall stood up to greet her. 
                          
"Please, professor, after everything...you can call me Hermione."
                          
McGonagall smiled but before she could speak again, Hermione continued. "Not that I'm trying to use our previous acquaintance to my advantage to get the job! No, I had this whole resume thing made, I have prepared for whatever questions you might have, I've-"
                          
"Relax, Ms.Granger, this is not an interview." McGonagall assured.
                          
Hermione looked up at her and visibly relaxed. "It's not? Oh thank God...I was all jittery. I figured there would be many people after this job and I'm already starting late..."
                          
"Yes there were, but not many people are keen to work for this particular subject. It's not everyone's cup of tea..."
                          
"Yeah, well Transfiguration is rather difficult..."
                          
McGonagall tilted her head and furrowed her brow. "That's what I thought, but Ms.Chang rather exceeded expectations."
                          
Hermione was confused now. "I'm sorry...what're you saying? I thought I was here for the apprenticeship for Transfiguration- to work for you...?"
                          
"Oh, I'm sorry dear, but that position has already been filled."
                          
This was news. Right at that moment, Cho Chang knocked and entered the room, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "Oh hey Hermione." she chirped. "Ma'am, your chamomile tea and crackers and don't forget to take your afternoon pills, all right?" she told McGonagall.