Hermione was late for work. Again. She keeps promising herself and her boss to come to work on time, but it hasn't happened since she moved in with Ronald 'The King' Weasley. Their late nights spent together make her tired in the morning, and therefore make her late for work.
She was the wizard equivalent of a Muggle Animal Control worker. It was sort of a hard job, when she instead wanted to do something much simpler.
Lunch hour had finally arrived and Hermione was out the door quicker than her co-workers. She did hate her job, kind of. On her way to her favorite lunch place, she got a Patronus from Ron.
'Hermione, I'm going to be home late tonight. Practice hours have been extended again, but that's only because we've made it to the semi-finals! Our next match is in three weeks from this Friday. I'll see you later, I love you. Bye.'
Hermione frowned instead of smiling. She didn't want him to stay at practices late. Quidditch had practically taken over his life. But, with him staying late at his team's practices, she could get more sleep, and come to work on time! Hermione found herself smiling now at the idea that this relationship with Ron can work out.
Lunch ended and Hermione went back to her work. 'This is so boring,' she thought. 'Nothing like what I thought it would be!' Finding it hard to concentrate, she let herself fall asleep for a short nap.
Hermione, wake up. Hermione, you need to listen to me. Go to Flourish and Blotts at Diagon Alley tonight, at eight-thirty pm. It's extremely important that you do this! WAKE UP!
Hermione woke up startled, a terrified look on her face was evident as she stood up and looked around the room.
"That was very odd. That voice I heard, it sounded like mine. But what did it say, something about Flourish and Blotts?" Hermione mumbled to herself, rubbing her head. She looked at her wrist watch and it said '6:38'. She noticed that she was allowed to leave nearly twenty minutes ago. Gathering her things in a rush, she headed for the nearest exit that could take her to Diagon Alley.
After grabbing a quick bite to eat, she headed to her favorite book store.
"Evening, Miss Granger," said the caretaker of the store. "Is there something troubling you, dear?"
"What? Oh no, thanks. I just had a feeling I was supposed to be here tonight," said the bookwormy witch. But the caretaker didn't buy the lie, of course. He's known the avid book reader since she first walked into the store when she bought her year one Hogwarts books. She's one of his favorite customers.
"I'll have a look around to see if I want to buy anything."
"Of course, dear, take your time. There is somebody waiting for you though. She's in the romantic books area," said he with a troubled look. "Just be careful, Miss Granger."
Hermione found herself wandering around the store before she walked to the area he said the person was waiting for her. In the mystery book section, Hermione noticed a book on the top shelf. She tried reaching for it but couldn't. After a few tries, she let it be and would come back for it after the meeting with this mysterious stranger.
Walking the store for a good while, Hermione decided to go to the romantic book area. She wanted to be at home in bed, but this feeling she had just kept her at the bookstore instead. One moment she was looking around for the stranger, the next she had bumped heads with someone and landed on the floor.
"Oh I am so sorry," said Hermione, picking up the books from the floor. "I should have been paying more attention." Then she looked up at the woman and dropped the books she had just picked up. Hermione stood there, staring at the woman, at someone who looked exactly like . . . her.