Chapter One
Hermione lifted her neck from it's awkward position. She sat slouched in her arm chair, a book held loosely in her lap. Blinking her eyes, they adjusted to the light streaming in through the windows. She lifted her hand to rub the sore spot on the side of her neck.
Glancing at the clock, she sighed as it read 10:53am. It was almost too late for breakfast. Hermione pushed herself up slowly and marked the page before closing her book. She loathed waking up later than eight, but she had become too acquainted with restless nights.
After her book was returned to it's rightful place, she ambled over to the fridge. Pulling it open, a container of greek yogurt and granola caught her eye.
"What to do today…" Hermione breathed out.
Moving to America had been much more difficult than she expected. She felt extremely isolated. She anticipated the fact that she would be leaving behind everyone she knew, the good and the bad, but she also planned on making friends. It was harder to get close to people than she thought it would be.
After a long shower, she raised her wand to dry her hair. Pulling it back, she twisted it into a simple bun. Putting on jeans and a burgundy jumper, she then slipped on her favorite pair of flats and traipsed out the door.
Twenty minutes passed before she entered into down town. It was chilly but not cold. Walking along the store fronts, Hermione glanced into various windows and said hello to the other residents running errands.
She turned into a cafe on her left with a sign that read 'The Grind', and walked up to the counter.
"Hey, Hermione! You want your usual?" The cashier greeted her.
Hermione gave her a smile. "That would be great, Alice."
"What have you been up to today? Any plans?" Alice asked while pouring her coffee into a to-go cup.
"Just working on some documents at home, grabbing some groceries... And maybe I'll buy a new pair of boots since mine have been worn to their limit. Are you working until close?" Hermione reciprocated, counting out her change.
The strawberry blonde popped a lid on to Hermione's coffee cup and handed it to her, exchanging it for the money in her hand. "Nope! I'll be off at five. Do you want to come to my place tonight? The bachelor is on and you still haven't decided who you're rooting for!"
Hermione mentally rolled her eyes. "Sure, that sounds like fun. Can I bring anything?"
"Nah, I already have all the food I need. I'll see you at seven." Alice waved as Hermione nodded in confirmation and began to leave.
Alice was one of the first people she had become acquainted with. When Hermione was new she had shown her around the town, introducing her to other people who lived there. While she was sweet and her intentions were kind, they didn't always have the same interests. Hermione found the bachelor a waste of time, uninteresting, and rather demeaning. But they both had to compromise on the things they did together.
Stopping in a boutique around the corner, Hermione quickly picked out a pair of simple brown, knee-high zip-up boots. With a brief conversation from Henry, the sales associate, and a swipe of her debit card, she left with a bag on her arm.
Approaching the book store, she heard a voice yell to her from behind.
"Hermione! Hey! Wait up!" The man jogged after her, breathing heavy and toting a bouquet of flowers per usual on Mondays.
Hermione slowed and turned around, unsurprised at the face she was met with. Gavin finally caught up with her, taking a few moments to catch his breath before speaking.
"It's good to see you Hermione," Gavin smiled. "These, of course, are for you." He lifted the bouquet of multi-colored roses towards her.
With her free hand, Hermione took them graciously. He had been quite taken with her ever since they first met, offering her flowers every Monday to 'brighten her home the rest of the week'.
"Thank you, Gavin. They're very pretty, as always." She half smiled, though it was laced with a little bit of sadness and annoyance.
"Mrs. Thompson always ensures I get the best bouquets from her market. She sure knows her flowers." He chuckled, his hands resting on his waist.
"I presume you're doing well?" Hermione questioned, moving the conversation along.
"Oh yeah, very well. I just got a promotion at work, actually. Why don't you come out with me tonight so I can properly celebrate?" Gavin's eyes searched her face hopefully.
Hermione shifted awkwardly, messing with the bag on her arm. "I have plans already, I'm hanging out with Alice to tonight. And we've had this discussion before, you know I…"
"I know, I know. Can't blame a guy for trying. No pressure, come as my friend. There will be other people there, you can invite Alice along. It'll be fun, I promise." He tried again.
"I suppose that beats watching the bachelor," his eyes lit up as she spoke. "I'll speak with Alice, but I can almost guarantee she'll be on board with going. Where is everyone meeting?"
"Sal's pub. Be there at seven thirty sharp, and gifts are very encouraged." He winked at her jokingly.
Hermione grinned and she rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say. I have to get going but I'll see you tonight."
Departing from his presence, she continued on her way without a glance back to see if he was watching her walk away.
Hours later, Hermione found herself choosing what to wear out to the party... event? Get together sounded appropriate. After a quick search through her closet, she decided on a fit and flare sleeveless dress that had large black and white stripes, falling a few inches above her knee. She paired it with a thin red belt and modest nude heels. After pinning her hair up in a more elegant way, she fixed her mascara and applied a lipstick that matched her belt.
The doorbell rang and she stashed her wand in it's hiding place.
"Come in!" Hermione hollered towards the door.
"Are you ready?" Alice appeared from around the corner and spotted Hermione in the kitchen. "No! Stop! Why are you doing dishes? We're going out tonight and it's supposed to be fun, you party pooper." She whined, crossing her arms.
Hermione looked back at her from what she was doing and rolled her eyes. "I would like to come home to a clean house, not worrying about the dishes sitting in the sink. I'm finishing up now anyways so no more cleaning, happy?"
"Very." Alice teased. She wore a fitted navy dress, resting just above her knee. Her neckline was almost considered plunging and her long blonde hair fell in soft waves around her. Alice wore smokey, dramatic makeup, a drastic difference from Hermione.
Grabbing her jacket, Hermione let Alice pull her along and they strolled down the street, chatting about various things to pass the time.
They arrived at the pub and entered in to find a relatively large room packed with people. Everyone was mingling, talking and laughing as they sipped on their drink of choice. Gavin spotted them almost instantly and weaved in and out of the crowd towards them, a wide smile on his face.
Hermione smiled back, but then glanced over at Alice to break the eye contact.
"I'm so happy you guys could make it!" Gavin pulled them into a group hug.
"You know we wouldn't miss it, this is a big deal!" Alice reassured him.
"The bar has an open tab on me, food and drinks alike order whatever you want. Oh, and Alice, Keith was looking for you. He's over by Mark and Avery." He informed the pair.
Alice turned to Hermione, simultaneously scanning the crowd. "Would you like to accompany me over there?"
"No, thank you. You can go ahead, I'm going to get a drink and mingle a bit."
"You're positive?"
"Yes, go on and find him." Hermione gave her a smile and playful shove. Alice departed looking giddy, disappearing into the small sea of people.
In all honesty, the last thing she wanted to do was watch her fawn herself over Keith, someone she didn't feel was nearly good enough for Alice. He was a bit of a player and was purposefully leading her on, though she wouldn't listen to anyone who said so.
She also didn't particularly want to be here alone, but it was probably better than the alternative.
"Can I get you your drink?" Gavin inquired, resting his hand on her upper arm.
"That's okay, we're all here for you so I'm sure you're high in demand tonight. I won't keep you away from everyone." She smiled softly at him and pulled away from his grasp, walking away before he could properly rebuttal.
Approaching the bar, Hermione spotted a bottle of wine she enjoyed and requested a glass from the bartender. After receiving it, she took a sip and sat at the counter, surveying who all was there. She recognized about half of the people, assuming the other half were probably co-workers she hadn't met or his family. A few waved or smiled at her, but no one walked over to say hello.
She couldn't blame them. She kept herself distanced from most, even those she was closer with didn't know everything about her. How could they? They were all muggles. They saw her the way she wanted them too. It could get lonely sometimes, but it was for the best.
Hermione spotted Wyatt and wandered over to him. He stood average height, dark hair and eyes. He wore grey dress pants with a soft pink button up shirt tucked in.
"I didn't know you were coming tonight." He said, taking her in a one-armed embrace.
"Yeah, Alice and I came together. We got here just a few minutes ago." She replied before taking another sip.
Wyatt glanced around. "Where is that little firecracker anyways? Not with Keith, I hope."
Hermione rolled her eyes and gave him a look. "Of course she is. And he is undoubtedly drinking up all of her attention."
"He's going to get her in a load of trouble, or just completely devastate her. I wish she'd come to her senses." He shook his head, obviously nursing his drink.
"You and me both." She sighed.
"How have you been? Anything interesting happening in the life of Hermione Jean?"
"Well, work is fine as usual. I bought myself a pair of new boots to replace the ones I've worn out, and I finished that book I was telling you about last week. You should check it out, the ending was a complete plot twist." She said plainly.
"Wow, you lead a fascinating life." Sarcasm was evident in his tone. Hermione gave him a light shove and he chuckled at her, leaving her unable to hide a smile from forming on her lips.
"Okay, I get it. I should get out more. I just prefer to stay in, so I guess no fascinating stories for you anytime soon."
"Darn." He grinned and poked her shoulder playfully.
Cassandra came up to them just then, sliding her arm through Wyatt's.
"Hermione! How great to see you. How are you?" Her tone discreetly fake, but Hermione had become a pro at recognizing it.
"I'm great. How about you?" Hermione smiled tightly at her.
"Just wonderful. Honey," she turned her attention towards Wyatt, "Mr. Kasovich was looking for you. He was over there last I saw." Cassandra pointed off towards another corner of the room.
"I'll see you later, Hermione." He smiled and turned, allowing Cassandra to drag him away.
She had always been jealous of Hermione for some unknown reason. While Hermione could never see Wyatt in a romantic way, Cassandra still felt her relationship was threatened. She wasn't good for him, but they had been together since before she moved here. Not to mention, Cassandra hadn't done anything specifically wrong that she knew of, so it wasn't any of her business.
Hermione shifted her weight and took another sip. She stood there as the minutes passed, observing the conversations around her, watching the different expressions and reactions on their faces. No one seemed to notice her as she did this.
Deciding to find with Alice, she began to weave through the crowd. Blonde hair stuck out randomly throughout the room but she hadn't spotted Alice's blonde hair yet. Noticing Keith's height among the crowd, she searched around him and a few paces to his right stood Alice. Hermione let out a sigh, keeping her eye on her friend as she walked.
Halfway there a man came into her line of view. He was tall and broad shouldered, wearing a black suit. Hermione attempted to see past him, but then he moved past as quickly as he had been just been there.
Hermione stopped, her feet coming to a halt. She looked away from Alice and back to the man who had been in her way. His hair was a shade of blonde she'd only seen in one family. So platinum, you would question if it was closer the blonde or white.
It couldn't be him. The chances of that were so slim, there probably wasn't a real number for it.
She stared at the back of his head as he sat his empty glass on the bar counter, threw down a few bills, and headed towards the door. Even after he disappeared behind the corner, Hermione didn't move. She felt like she couldn't breath.
It's impossible, there was absolutely no way. She told herself she was being silly and that it wasn't him. She was overreacting and needed to relax.
Downing the last of her wine, she decided to head home, forgetting to let her friends know due to her distracted mind.
Hermione took deep breaths when she first stepped outside of the pub. Closing her eyes, she felt her body release it's tension. She knew she was right, that it wasn't him, but her stomach was trying to convince her otherwise. Taking off her shoes, she walked down the sidewalk. The streets were mostly empty, allowing her to make her way home unbothered.