Disclaimer: Not JKR just having fun with her characters. Thanks to luxastraea, sbrande and Odd Doll for the wonderful betaing! All mistakes are mine.
The One I'm Waiting For - Prologue
Hermione felt a pang of nostalgia as she watched her youngest, Hugo, and his best friend, Lily Potter, scramble up the steps of the Hogwarts Express. They had snuck back out for one last hug and now the conductor's shrill whistle had them running back to the train without so much as a backwards glance.
The engine slowly chugged out of the station and Hermione turned to look at her husband and friends. Ginny was snugly under Harry's protective arm while he whispered in her ear, making her laugh at whatever silly thing he was saying.
Hermione sighed as Ron draped a heavy arm over her shoulders.
"It'll be okay, 'Mione," Ron said, squeezing her arm a little too tightly.
"Hermione, can you believe it?" Ginny asked with a tearful laugh. "What are we going to do without those two to keep us busy?"
"I'm not sure, but I think I might sleep for a week. I thought Hugo was going to burst from excitement. He must have packed and repacked a dozen times."
"Rose threatened to turn him into a toad if he didn't stop. She's a Weasley through and through," Ron added with a laugh.
"Lily did the same, but her brothers just ignored her," Harry said. "She must have asked us a million questions. Which of course she already knew the answers to."
Hermione laughed. "How many times has she read Hogwarts: A History?"
"Not nearly as many times as you. But give her a few years, she'll catch up," Harry teased. "Well, we would love to stay and chat but I've made reservations. I promised Ginny a celebration lunch – just the two of us."
The friends said goodbye and the Potters Disapparated with a loud crack, leaving Ron and Hermione alone on the now nearly deserted train platform.
"That sounds nice, 'Mione. We should have a nice relaxing lunch together and then go home and enjoy the quiet," he said lovingly stroking the side of her arm.
"I'm sorry, Ron, but I have to get back to work. The potion I've been experimenting on is at a critical stage. I've probably already left it under a stasis charm for too long," she replied as she turned away from him, her thoughts already in the lab.
"Hermione, don't you ever think of anything other than work?" he said to her back. "Come on, the kids are gone. We finally have a chance to be alone, and all you can think of is your lousy potions?"
"Lousy potions?" she mumbled, turning to face him. "Well, Ronald, last time I checked, it was my lousy potions that paid the bills. We've gone over all this before. You have to stop expecting me to change. I can't help who I am any more than you can."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he said and came to stand nose to nose with her. "Oh no, not this fight again, Hermione. What would you like me to be? Smarter. Overly ambitious like you. Should I spend every waking minute immersed in work. Don't you ever just want to play?"
"Oh please, Ron. You're right, we won't have this fight again. It's old and worn out. I don't know what you're so upset about. I'll be home later," she said, spinning on her heel and taking a few steps away from him.
"What time, Hermione? When I'm already asleep? Now that Rose and Hugo are both at Hogwarts, I'll never see you. Every waking minute will be spent at your precious lab. Merlin, I'm so sick of this!" With one last disgusted sigh he Disapparated without warning.
Hermione whirled around at Ronald's parting words and gaped at where he had disappeared. It was true it had been an age since the two of them had spent time together alone, but she had been developing new vaccines for some of the more deadly wizarding diseases. He used to understand her long hours, running hot bubble baths for her when she came home late and rubbing her back until she fell asleep. He had once understood how important her work was to her. Now all he seemed to do was pout and complain.
Hermione stood lost in her thoughts for a few moments more. The train platform had emptied except for a distinguished-looking, elderly man. He was sitting on a red bench and openly staring at her. She smiled weakly and grunted out an apology for the scene he had just witnessed.
"Not to worry, my dear," he said, beckoning for her to sit next to him. "I've seen worse, even been a participant in a few squabbles in my time. Everyone has their differences. I'm sure you will work them out eventually."
Something about the man's manner made Hermione feel comfortable, and she sat down. Rubbing her face, she looked at him and said, "I'm not sure these differences are solvable. We're such different people. I love him, I have since school, but we really have nothing in common anymore." She was shocked that she had just poured out her true feelings to a complete stranger, but the look in the man's eyes said he didn't judge her.
"Ah, so a childhood sweetheart then? Have you been married long?" he asked with a slight smile on his worn out face.
"Seventeen years. But I've known him since I was eleven. We were best friends at school and somehow it progressed into more. It felt like the right thing to do, getting married," she said quietly, looking up at the man next to her. "I just don't seem to know anymore."
The man said nothing, just waited for Hermione to continue. His eyes were a soft grey-blue, but they held such intensity and passion under the surface that Hermione was mesmerized. It was puzzling; this man seemed so familiar to her, and yet she was sure they had never met before.
He finally raised an eyebrow at her, and a small grin played at the corners of his mouth. "So you've thrown yourself into your work to escape your marriage?"
"No…not exactly." Had he seen the truth so quickly? She had been denying that question for so long that she had started to believe it herself when she said it wasn't true. "I'm contracted by the Ministry and St. Mungo's as a potions mistress. They have me researching and creating vaccines for some of the more stubborn wizarding diseases. It does take up a lot of my time, but I'm home most days by seven."
"Most days?" he questioned. He didn't give her time to answer his question with lies. "I once had a profession that left me little time to live my life. Now I sincerely regret not doing the things that would have made me happy. Yes, your job is important but it will wait for you, whilst your life does not.
"Now humour an old man and tell me what has you so anxious to get back to work." His blue eyes sparkled with interest.
Hermione checked her watch and decided that the potion could wait a few minutes more. It had been so long since anyone had asked her about her work with any true interest, she couldn't resist telling this man about her difficulties with the latest vaccine.
They spent the next half hour deep in conversation, the elderly gentleman asking intelligent questions and understanding the technical terms she used. Even adding to the conversation with insights Hermione had not thought off. She hadn't felt this invigorated and alive speaking with someone since she had been an apprentice debating with her master.
"The time is getting late, and I must be going now, Ms…?"
"Hermione. Hermione Granger-Weasley. But please, call me Hermione," she replied, smiling softly at him.
"It has been my pleasure, Hermione. You have made an old man feel alive again." He pulled a silver pocket watch from his trousers and checked it. A dragon etched into the front of the timepiece gazed at her with emerald eyes. "I really must be going, but thank you for such an invigorating conversation." He stood gracefully slipping the watch in to his pocket and bowed to her. "I wish you well."
With a swish of his robes that seemed faintly familiar to Hermione, he strode away.
"Sir, wait…" she called after him. "Your name?" she called, standing up from the bench and taking a step towards him, as if to follow.
Stopping and bowing slightly in her direction, he introduced himself. "Tomas Pointer, at your service, m'lady. It has been an ultimate pleasure speaking to you, Hermione. I sincerely hope we meet again."
With introductions being made, he turned around and Disapparated, leaving her alone on the empty platform.
"As do I, Tomas," she whispered. "As do I."