I don't own anything, just the plot.

This story takes place after they graduate. Hermione goes down a road no one ever thought she would, including herself.
I know the plot's almost a far stretch but I thought it'd be interesting and almost a challenge to write. Also, I may not have a whole lot of magical elements in here since Hermione is Muggle-born.

Reviews appreciated. Hint: They also make me write faster.

Chapter One: Happy

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"Hey there, legs… how are you doing tonight?"

Hermione took a drag from her cigarette and glanced over carelessly to see an older man leaning against the bar counter, looking her up and down. "I'm fine."

Her two words appeared to annoy the guy who was still looking hungrily at her. She took another drag before she glanced back up at him, only now noticing his five o' clock shadow and his red eyes. It was more than obvious that he had had more than enough to drink from the whiskey on his breath.

"Not a big talker, are ya? That's alright… come with me and I'm sure we can find some use for those lips of yours," he said, letting his tongue caress over his own lips.

Hermione felt a sick twist in her stomach now but was used to older men talking to her like this. This gentleman seemed old enough to be her father. She took a minute to analyze her situation. She didn't have hardly any food at her shitty apartment but she still had shampoo and soap. She didn't need food; she hardly ever ate that much anymore anyway. She already scraped by on her rent by the skin of her teeth. She was okay on funds for at least another couple days. She didn't need to degrade herself tonight.

She put on a fake, but friendly smile and finished her gin and tonic. "Not tonight, but maybe some other time."

Hermione suddenly felt him grab her arm tonight now and she tried to pull away from him but he seemed so strong.

"I wasn't asking you. I was telling you, you little bitch."

She struggled against him as hard as she could but didn't really feel any fear. She just wanted to go back to her apartment. "Let go!"

He was about to drag her out of the bar when she didn't feel his grip anymore. She looked up and saw someone she barely recognized. A part of her felt her heart flutter with hope though as stood between the older man and her, acting as a shield. The guy didn't seem like he wanted to fight someone who met his strength because he finished his own drink and then walked away in a huff.

Hermione looked at her protector now and let out a breath of relief. "Hi."

He chuckled softly and shook his head, almost in disbelief at her appearance. Hermione was so skinny now, her clothes hanging off of her body and the dark circles under her eyes showed that insomnia had taken up rent with her in her body.

"I haven't seen you since we graduated and all you can say is 'Hi'?"

She finished her cigarette and put it out in the nearby ashtray before she walked over to him and then wrapped her arms around his neck gently. "It's good to see you, Harry."

He carefully wrapped his own arms around her, almost as if he was afraid of breaking her fragile body. "It's good to see you too, Mia. I almost didn't recognize you. Are you even eating anymore?"

She casually released her arms from him and suddenly felt a chill run through her again. "I eat. I just haven't been hungry lately. You look good. What have you been up to?"

Harry felt sad at the tone of her voice that sounded almost apathetic and fearful at the same time. "I'm working at Hogwarts, actually. As a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," he chuckled at the irony. What have you been up to?"

Hermione shrugged now and was quiet for awhile. "I've been… doing my own thing, I guess."

"How are your parents?"

Hermione searched her friend's green eyes and suddenly felt resentment creep up on her. "They're dead, actually. Thanks for asking."

Harry immediately regretted asking now, but not having been aware of her parents dying. He wanted to indulge deeper and ask more questions but he could tell by her body language that she wanted to leave and end the conversation.

"Hermione, if… if you ever need to talk to anyone –"

"You're here for me? You're here if I need a shoulder to cry on?" Hermione interrupted coldly.

Harry felt a burst of anger and frustration and couldn't stop himself. "What the hell happened to you to make you so cold, Mia? What happened to you?"

She swallowed hard now and bit her lower lip in nervousness. She took out another cigarette and lit it before she started out of the pub.

Harry followed after her hurriedly and once they made it outside, he grabbed her arm roughly. She immediately turned around and pulled her arm back to her body. "Stop it, Harry! Don't touch me!"

He put his arms up in surrender now and searched her face. "Just talk to me! Tell me why you're not working at Hogwarts! Tell me why you don't have a good paying job doing what you loved and always wanted to do!"

"For Merlin's sake, Harry… just stop it already. This was a mistake…"

He looked at her in disbelief now and watched as she started to walk back to what he would assume would be her apartment. He followed a few steps behind her.

"No! I want to know who made you like this? Are you like this because of your parents dying?"

She spun around on her heels now and shoved him with both hands. "Nothing made me like this! It's nothing! I'm nothing!" Hermione screamed at him, feeling the tears well up in her eyes.

Harry felt surprised at her sudden outburst and his anger disappeared as the urge to hold her against him in comfort overwhelmed him. He took a few steps towards her, softness in his voice. "You're not nothing. Why can't you tell me? I'm your friend…"

She swallowed back a sob and looked away to compose herself before looking back at him. "I don't want to talk about it because… because I can't talk about it! I just can't tell you, or anyone. I'm doing fine on my own, and I don't need to tell anyone. Just… please just leave me alone, Harry."

He felt so confused and frustrated that she wouldn't talk to him. She used to tell him everything, even things he didn't want to hear. Her stubbornness and hardheadedness were two of the reasons why he liked her so much but it was different right now. Harry felt like they were just getting in the way of something really horrible that might have happened to her.

"You used to be so happy."

Hermione shook her head now as she took a couple steps backwards. "Yeah, well… I used to be a lot of things, Harry. Just go back to your perfect life at the school. Don't bother telling anyone you saw me."

With that, Hermione turned around and hurried back to the run down, four story apartments, up the stairs, and into her part of the apartment, closing and locking the door behind her. She fell down on the couch and curled her legs into her body, wanting this day to end already, or better yet, her life.