A/N: Hey guys! I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate you reading this. But I'd appreciate it more if you review! Please. I want to know what you guys think of my story. Love it or hate it? Even though this is my first fic, (well, first fic that's good enough to mention) I can take whatever you throw at me. But that's not an invite for flames! Please. Unless you think it really sucks. So, enough rambling and on with the story!

Luv ya,

Ella

Chapter 1:

Harry Potter was nervous. He knew he had no reason to be; these were his best friends he was meeting, after all. But still, something was making his stomach tie up in knots. He somehow managed to conceal this when he first saw Ron, and after the slapping of backs, and some light conversation between him and his best friend since school, he was starting to feel better.

"Hey, mate, where's Hermione? It's not like her to be late," stated Ron, after checking his watch and noticing that Hermione was twenty minutes late.

"How would I know?" snapped Harry.

"Bloody hell, Harry! Calm down!" Ron said, insulted. Harry sighed.

"Sorry. I'm just nervous."

"Ooh, looks like someone still has a crush on Hermione!" Ron teased. Harry had confessed to Ron his feelings for Hermione once they had graduated from Hogwarts. He had hidden his love for Hermione since fourth year, and had had to endure watching what he thought was Hermione and Ron flirt for four years before he finally told Ron about. Ron denied that there had ever been anything going on between himself and Hermione. But by then, Hermione and the boys had already parted ways, so Harry had no chance to ask her out on a date. Sure, he had dated other girls in the four years since school, but he had still harbored feelings for Hermione. However, his thoughts about school crushes were interrupted when a stunningly beautiful young woman walked down the staircase.

She was wearing a v-necked, knee-length red dress, black strappy heels, and simple silver jewelry. Her hair was ironed straight and smooth, and she had on smoky eye makeup and red-tinted lip gloss. She was smiling to herself, like she knew a secret. And she was walking straight toward Harry.

"Hi guys!" Hermione said, kissing each of the boys on the cheek. "Long time no see, right?"

Hermione led Harry up the stairs to her third floor apartment. She had insisted on bringing the guys to her flat for dessert, but Ron claimed that he had an early morning appointment the next day, so he had to get home. He said good-bye to Hermione and waved at Harry, who could have sworn he saw Ron wink at him.

Hermione stopped outside door number 304, and dug around in her purse for a key. After what seemed to Harry a very long time, she finally unlocked her door.

A light was already on, showing a decent sized room with little furniture.

"Sweetie, I'm home!" Hermione called into the seemingly empty flat. Harry felt his throat constrict and his stomach seemed to drop to his knees. He hadn't known Hermione was living with someone else! He felt anger, nervousness at meeting this new bloke, and, strangest of all, disappointment. But what was I expecting? he asked himself. Just then, a small Pomeranian ran into the room and jumped at Hermione's feet.

"There's my boy! I missed you so much, didn't I? Didn't I?" she cooed, cuddling him in her arms. Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Hermione put down the dog and he scampered over to Harry's feet and started sniffing him. "Harry, meet my baby, Buddy."

"W-wow, Hermione. I didn't really think you were much of a dog person," he said with amazement.

"I know! My good friend's dog had some puppies, so she asked me to come over and meet them, and when I saw this little guy, I just knew I had to have him! Didn't I? Didn't I?" By this point, she had picked him up again and gave him an Eskimo kiss. "I wove him vewy much, yes I do!" she said, and with a forceful jerk, Harry was reminded of how Bellatrix Lestrange mocked him that day at the Ministry when he was fifteen.

"So, Harry. Do you want anything to drink?"

"Uh, coffee's fine, thanks."

"Coming right up," she winked, and went into the kitchen. After a couple of minutes Hermione emerged again with two steaming mugs of coffee.

"So," Harry said, if only to break the looming silence.

"So."

"How's your job at the Ministry?"

"What? Oh, I quit my job. I don't even work for the Ministry anymore."

"Really? Wow, Hermione, you sure have changed."

"What do you mean?" she said, with a slightly offended tone in her voice.

"I mean," Harry hurriedly said, "from when I first met you. You wouldn't ever quit. At anything."

"Hm." Hermione laughed slightly at this. "Yes, I suppose I have changed. A bit," she added, smiling at Harry. "I became a Healer."

"Congratulations! I know you always wanted to be a Healer!" This kind of conversation continued for about half an hour, when a subject Harry was a little more anxious to discuss came up.

"Are you with anyone now?" Harry wasn't really sure why he asked that question; it just popped out of his mouth. Hermione giggled a little at the look of befuddlement on Harry's face.

"No, not currently," she sighed. "I was dating this one bloke from St. Mungo's, but I broke it off."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"No, no, it was for the better. I didn't even really like him. All he did was…" she mimed talking with her hand. Harry laughed, feeling slightly relieved. They continued talking for a while, until Hermione glanced at the clock and said, "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry, but it's getting late, and I have to go to work tomorrow, and I hate to kick you out, but…"

"Oh, no, it's fine. I should be heading home anyway." They said their goodbyes and Harry apparated to the flat he shared with Ron. Since he and Ron had stayed close after Hogwarts, they ended up buying their first apartment together. He glanced at the clock on his bedside table: 11:48. It wasn't that late! Oh, well, he figured, might as well go to sleep, as I have nothing better to do. He got into bed and turned out his lights. His mind started drifting, and right as the clock turned 12:01, he fell asleep.

Harry woke up with his alarm blaring in his ear. He groaned and hit the snooze button. And, five minutes later, hit the snooze button. And hit the snooze button. He finally stood up and walked bleary eyed into his bathroom and splashed water on his face. He looked into the mirror.

"Ho. Ly. Shit."