Author's note: a working progress, let me know your thoughts :) all characters & such belong to JK Rowling, the maker of my childhood..
She had not seen Ron Weasley for 8 years. She could not believe it had been so long. And yet, here she was stood outside his front door. Of course, he didn't know she'd be here. She'd specifically told Harry and Ginny not to tell Ron she was coming. She didn't know what she'd say to him.
It had been 8 years since Lord Voldemort had been defeated and Ron had gone to travel the world. Hermione had gone to France to study her final year at Beauxbatons Academy – she could not face going back to her beloved Hogwarts after the wreck it had become in the battle. Instead she had taken her NEWTs at Beauxbatons and stayed in France to work for the Department of International Magical Cooperation overseas.
Ron, on the other hand, had become a roving journalist for 'The Daily Prophet' travelling the world to get his stories. They had at first corresponded by owl, but as time went on, the letters became shorter and the owls fewer, until nothing.
And now, here she was. Stood outside his door, knocking half-heartedly and she sighed.
Harry swung the door open, smiled brightly and said "Bon-jewer" in an embarrassing attempt at a French accent. Hermione simply laughed and slid past him into the house. He grabbed her bags, and after her protests carried it up the stairs. He led her into a quaint little spare room, with cream and rose pink sheets on the bed, and a wooden cream vanity table, with a little vase of roses on there.
"Thanks Harry" Hermione smiled at him.
"Come here you…" He enveloped her in a hug, and the two best friends cuddled until there was a cough in the doorway.
Ginny flashed Hermione a brilliant smile and wrapped her in her arms, saying in a muffled voice "It's so good to see you!" She let Hermione go, and said "Dinner's in an hour, bathroom is straight across." And she left the room with her husband.
Hermione sat on the bed and sighed. She pulled her suitcase over and got her wash bag out. She'd freshen up before dinner, after travelling on the disgusting Knight Bus, which was a poor excuse for valid transport.
She stepped into the shower and let the water drip over her, thinking about Ron. What would she say when she saw him? It had been 8 years for goodness sake, and in her seventeen-year old mind, she'd thought they would be together, get married and live happily ever after. Naivety had taken over, and time had pushed them apart. But here she was, in his house. In his shower… did he use this shower, she wondered? Had he stood, under the powerful tap, feeling the water drizzle down his naked back as she was?
She shook her head and laughed getting out of the shower. She wrapped the towel around herself and wiped the steam off the mirror. She rubbed 'Sleekeazy's Hair Potion' into her thick hair – as someone important in the magical community, she now had to maintain her appearance instead of having that giant bush for hair. Plus, it made her feel good to have people look at her in the street admiring her hair, instead of gawping at its frizz. She pulled on jeans and a thin long sleeved top that clung to her body perfectly and green in colour, it highlighted her eyes.
Hermione made her way downstairs; there was no-one in the kitchen. She found a glass in a cupboard and helped herself to some water. She sipped it delicately and looked out of the window into the garden.
"Hermione?" she heard a voice behind her, and turned round…
Ron Weasley was stood in the doorframe, smiling lopsidedly at her.
More to come...