The Biggest Mystery-Love
Disclaimer: Thanks Mrs. Rowling for your wonderful characters. I absolutely lay no claim to any Potterverse characters, just putting them in tales of my own, and I am not making a dime from them. Enjoy the story yall.
This particular tale takes place after Hogwarts. It will develop into a HG/SS in later chapters, so without further adieu...
Chapter 1
Prologue
In 2000, two years after graduation, the final battle with Voldemort took place. The side of light won, but at a cost of the lives of many wizards and witches. Harry, Hermione and Ron fought side by side against Voldemort and his most powerful deatheaters, all three sustaining grievous injuries in the process. After spending weeks in St. Mungo's, the three walked out of the hospital straight into Auror training to rid the world of the remaining Death Eaters. It took two long years, and in 2002 Operation "Dark Mark" was deemed a success. There were no more Death Eaters, but still plenty of bad wizards and witches to bring to justice. Also in 2002, Harry and Ron married their sweethearts, Ginny Weasley and Lavender Brown, coming to the realization that life was too short and sweet to wait. In a double ceremony on August 1, 2002, Harry and Ron vowed to love and cherish Ginny and "Lav" for the rest of their lives. Harry, Ron and Hermione stayed on the Magical Law Enforcement Squad as hit wizards.
What about Hermione?
For a while she remained single and shortly after Harry and Ron's wedding, she was invited on an two-year Auror exchange program in America. She accepted and on September 1, 2002 she departed for America. During the first months in America, she developed an immediate friendship with a member of her Auror team, a man named Travis Williams. Travis was fascinated by the petite but formidable British witch. Hermione was enchanted by the strong, quiet wizard who was ferocious in a fight. Here we join the story!
"Mione, could you help me with this? You're better at making potions," Travis asked Hermione with a smile.
In the potions lab at the New York City Auror Department, a new batch of Veritaserum potion was being made. Hermione's heart fluttered a bit, as it had been happening lately when Travis spoke to her. She walked to the table where he was brewing.
"Not enough acorn powder again," Hermione mused as she sniffed the potion.
Travis gulped as he saw Hermione tuck her hair behind her ears and bend over to sniff the potion. He caught the scent of her lilac musk and blushed. As she added more to the potion, he quickly took in the rest of her and cleared his throat.
She's gorgeous and doesn't even know it! Travis thought.
Some owls arrived with the post and a familiar white owl flew to Hermione.
"Hello Hedwig," she said fondly when the owl affectionately nipped her fingers.
She took the small pile of letters and sat down. She smiled when she saw the first one from Harry.
Hermione Granger Hi there! We all loved your last letter about your latest adventure. I can just imagine you and your team facing down a banshee! Draco is in France helping out there with some harpies. Same old thing here, random vampire and werewolf attacks. We do have some fantastic news; Ginny is pregnant! I know it's soon after the wedding, but we didn't want to wait any longer. We want nothing more than a family of our own! When are you coming back to visit? Send pics soon, Ginny is dying for some. And what about this Travis guy? Is there romance potential? Gotta go, me and Ginny send our love!
Auror Department, New York City
USA
December 1, 2002
Harry
She opened the next letter from Ron.
Hermione Granger Mione- Lav cannot get enough of your letters! She loves the descriptions of New York and your banshee mission. As Harry might have told you, we have a bit of a vampire problem and some werewolves are making trouble. Nothing we can't handle though. Great news, Lav is pregnant! With twins! Girls! We are so exited and I hope they look like her. HaHa. Dinner is ready so I'll end this letter. Take care of yourself and send some pictures! All our love, Ron and Lav
Auror Department, New York City
USA
December 1, 2002
Hermione was laughing when she finished the letters.
"I take it you enjoyed those letters?" Travis asked.
I wish she'd laugh some more! I want to see some more of her smiles! Travis thought.
"My best friends are both expecting children!" Hermione said. "They are never going to let me down about it either. We always did everything together. They tease me about breaking the cycle."
"But you will one day right? Marriage and kids?" Travis asked.
"Yes, I hope, but it all seems a big mystery right now," Hermione said.
"What?" Travis asked as he bottled up the finished potion.
"The whole love thing," Hermione said sighing. "Love seems to be a mystery that I can't unravel, no matter how hard I've tried. I guess I just haven't found the right man."
A few quiet minutes passed. Travis decided to take a step, one he hoped wasn't too soon. He had known Hermione for only a couple of months but thought she was great.
"Umm Mione, some of us are going out for drinks later. Would you like to join us?" Travis asked, hoping he didn't sound too hopeful.
"I'd love to Travis. I haven't gone out too much since I've been here, sounds like fun," Hermione said as she wrote a letter back to her friends.
"Can I pick you up at your place? Around eight tonight?" Travis inquired.
"Sounds great, see you tonight," Hermione said and left the office.
She left the office to send the letters off, her heart pounding in her ears.
I hope I didn't sound too flippant about the invite! I know I like him as more than friends, but does he? See, mystery! she thought.
Shortly before eight that night, Hermione answered the knock on her door. She looked through the peephole and saw Travis there, adjusting the collar on his shirt. She opened the door and saw him dressed in a blue and black flannel shirt, blue jeans and black cowboy boots. She had never seen him out of his work clothes and was pleasantly surprised.
Myhe looks good!
"Come in, I'll be ready in five minutes," she said showing him to the living room.
When she left the room, he stood up and went to the fireplace and looked at the pictures on the mantle. He saw a picture of Hermione with Harry and Ron minutes before leaving Hogwarts. He saw another of her with her parents and chuckled at one of her with Crookshanks, her dearly departed kneazle. She didn't have the heart to get another one after he died.
"I'm ready," he heard from behind.
He turned and saw her standing there. She had changed clothes.
"You didn't have to change," Travis said.
"Well, I saw you and decided that I was dressed too formal," Hermione answered. "Do I look all right?"
Fine, perfect, beautiful! Travis thought.
"You look good," Travis said.
She was dressed in a black-and-blue blouse, snug blue jeans and black boots with not-too-high heels.
"I thought we could match," Hermione said.
"Let's go have some fun," Travis said and the two left her apartment.