Hermione Granger-Weasley

( Application for Hermione Granger-Weasley )

I think this year is the first year that Rose has truly understood the concept of Santa. She was excited before - the way Hugo is now, repeating "Santa hohoho" whenever he sees anything Christmassy at all - but this year was different. The questions she came out with! I think I am going to have to keep a record of my answers so I can keep them straight. It's like being cross-examined.

If there was ever any doubt that she was my daughter, they've been cast aside - I've been mostly badgered about the Elves, and what their standard of life is like if they're being made to make all the gifts for Santa...

In times like these, I like to keep busy.

I've brought my work home with me this weekend, because I've got to that stage where I'm really excited about what I get to do. I had a thought, while I was jotting down ideas on expanding the curriculum, that as many things as I can think of, there are likely things that everyone else would like to see, too.

So -- and this is all off the record, people, it doesn't mean I'll make it happen -- out of curiosity, what subjects did you wish you could do when you were in Hogwarts? Did you think anything was missing?

Personally, I wish there had been more, and this is coming from a girl who tried to do all the subjects on offer in third year. I'd love to see a variety of different sports, too, and clubs for people who aren't athletic but don't bloody well collect Chocolate Frog Cards and Gobstones. Imagine having a school paper, and how that would help someone who wants to work in media! The sky is the limit.

~FRIENDS & FAMILY

I know he was a bit of a pain when we were in school, but I feel so awful about Mr Filch. This might sound ridiculous, but as much trouble as Mrs Norris got us into, if she's got no owner now... that breaks my heart. Properly upset about it.

~HARRY

I know that you are probably going to tie yourself to your desk, but is there any chance I can persuade you to come over for even just an hour for some dinner? You can bring your work with you if you insist, but I don't want you to waste away at that desk.

~RON

I'm making dinner, and I'm going to drag Harry over by the hair if I have to.

~WEASLEYS & FRIENDS

Merlin knows I'm not the best cook in our family, but I've made an enormous amount of food today, and I promise you it's edible, even tasty. With everything that's going on, I just feel the need to have family around. There's plenty for everyone, even if you just want to take a portion home with you or something.

I was very torn this morning.

On the one hand, I was excited to go to work and find out more information about my new job in Curriculum Development in the Department of Education, which I am so thrilled to get, but on the other hand...

Well. My husband gave me the most wonderful birthday present last night, and I wanted to stay at home and play with him! Minds out of the gutter, people. Let me introduce you to the newest member of our family!

( cut for images )

I am in love! I haven't named him yet. Ron got him from a rescue shelter for me for my birthday. I just-- words fail me. I had to share him with everyone.

Can you see my dilemma? How can you leave that face?

~RON

I interviewed for that job this morning. I feel a bit ill.

~HARRY

Ron is taking me out to dinner on Saturday, but do you think you could leave your beloved desk for a few hours on Monday? Mum and dad are going to mind the kids and I fancy a Chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine. Nothing fancy. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages.

~GINNY

I fancy a Chinese take away on Monday! Harry is going to come over, and my parents are minding the kids. Are you free? There'll be wine!

If I wasn't already hungry enough, I am now. Why does Bitten have to be all the way in Dunmoody when I'm stuck in London?

There's a certain little girl who is going to be very tired tomorrow for her party if she doesn't go to sleep. And I'm not talking about Rose.

~GEORGE

You. Give that girl a raise.

~AUBREY

Honestly, I can't thank you enough. You're just about the most helpful person who ever was. I know this is short notice, but Rose is absolutely besotted with you, and keeps asking when we're going to see you again. If you're not doing anything, would you like to come to her birthday tomorrow? It's not just for kids. The whole family is coming over, we'll be having some drinks and BBQ.

I will not be one of those people who only talks about their kids -- oh sod it

There is a big chance that I am living vicariously through my children right now. My parents are Dentists -- for those who don't know, that means they tend to your teeth -- and so I never really had birthday cake. Well, not proper, sugary, creamy cake with that icing that is a good inch thick, oozing with vanilla or chocolate or whatever you can think of. Not that they made me have carrot sticks or anything, but it was never a tooth-rotter. So, now that Rose is getting of an age where she is properly excited about her birthday, I'm getting excited too. I'm going to have cake, as much as I can steal away from my husband's plate.

~MOLLY

Most wonderful Mother-in-law, would you do me the honours of baking us a cake for Rose? Ron and I will get all the supplies, only if I bake it myself it won't taste very good. If it's too much trouble, don't worry about it, I can ask someone else. I just love your baking!

~GEORGE

Who sends their owl around at 3am? I'll forgive you if you'll free up a bit of time for me. I want to call around the shop and see what sort of child-friendly decorative wonders you might have for the party. We're going to have it outside, make a proper Weasley party of it.

~LUNA

So, Scavenger Hunt. Thoughts?

There's a swan in my front garden.

[...]

Two swans! Oh wow, are they real? They're so beautiful! Rose wants to go outside but I've read that swans can be very vicious...

[...]

As one of my neighbours has just experienced.

Only in Ireland could it rain like this in July. This isn't summer rain, it's proper winter rain. I badly need a holiday. The sun is shining in my office, at least. I asked Magical Maintenance for something a bit cheerful, and it looks like the tropics outside! I'll have to do something nice for them in return.

dictaquill

WELL IF THIS DOESN'T TAKE ME BACK TO MY CAREFREE SCHOOL DAYS!

~WARDED TO HARRY AND RON

I HOPE THIS IS JUST ONE OF GEORGE'S PRANKS, AND NOT SOMETHING MORE SINISTER. I MAY BE PARANOID, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE.

~WARDED TO MOLLY

I'M SO SORRY MOLLY, BUT THE MINISTRY IS IN LOCK DOWN OVER THIS FOG. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO MIND ROSE AND HUGO UNTIL WE GET OUT? I HOPE THEY'LL LET US OUT SOON, BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN. WE COULD BE HERE ALL NIGHT FOR ALL THEY'RE TELLING US.

~PRIVATE

Note to self: it might be time to change careers.

/END

After talking to my niece at length about Hogwarts, and answering her every possible question about the castle, the Houses, the classes and everything else she could think of, I feel overcome with nostalgia. It has been years since I was a student, but I wish an Owl was coming my way with a book-list for the new year.

Somehow, I think this report for work will be taken less seriously now that my daughter has drawn a very messy rainbow right through the middle. It's not even on the bottom so I can't rip it off and stick it on the fridge, but if I try to erase it, I'll lose my work too. Not to mention that a certain little girl will fix me with doe eyes and a trembling lower lip. What a conundrum.