Landlocked

Chapter 1

by Bone Structure

Hermione was clutching her bag nervously; she had never been to this part of town. Scared that she had the wrong address, Hermione dug into her pocket to find a small piece of parchment that read, "The Forum, 402 Lancy Steet." Hermione looked up behind her and saw that she was in the right place, with The Forum standing right behind her.

She tried to look casual as her eyes glazed over the streets again, looking for Ginny. There wasn't a sign of the redheaded girl to be seen.

" 'Mione!"

Hermione smiled once she heard the familiar voice call her name, and in the distance she saw a bright red dot running toward her and growing larger until the full image of Ginny was right in front of her. Finally.

"Sorry I'm late!" Ginny looked like a hot mess, she had clearly ran for quite a bit.

"Really Ginny, you invited me out, you should have the courtesy to be on time." Hermione's voice has a hint of bitterness in it, "I've never even been this place."

"Relax, it'll be fun. I've never gone speed dating before." Before Hermione could respond, Ginny pulled out a mirror and began matting down her hair, "Ugh, remind me to never run again. Completely ruined my hair." It had been a few months since Ginny and Harry had broken up, both claimed that they were too busy to make it work - though Hermione secretly suspected that wasn't the real reason - and Hermione knew that Ginny was trying hard to move on.

Once Ginny felt her hair was back to normal, the two girls entered The Forum. Hermione looked around and noticed that the restaurant was designed to reflect some kind of ancient Roman style. A few tables had been neatly arranged into a line. Probably for speed dating, she thought.

"Come on! We need to get our numbers!" Ginny yanked Hermione's hand and pulled her over to the hostess.

"Here," the hostess handed Ginny two numbers, one of which was red whereas the other was blue. "Blue numbers stay at their tables, red numbers change tables when I ring the bell. Yes, you'll run into both men and women this way." Hermione gulped when she heard the hostess last statement.

"I'll be red," Ginny was already pinning her number, 08, to her shirt. "Put it on," she said, handing Hermione a blue number, 017.

The hostess handed the two girls sheets of paper with numbers on them. "Circle the number of your best dates, girls. No more than three. If any of those people circle you too, you have a match."

The dates were not going well. Most people had recognized Hermione from the past, from papers printed after the war.

"You're that girl, I remember, the friend of Harry Potter," said 022. He was a young, chestnut haired man, wearing a dress shirt and slacks under his elegant black and purple trimmed robe.

"Did you just come from work?" Hermione tried to change the subject. She was tired of people asking about the war.

"Oh yes, I manage a wand insurance company," he smiled proudly but Hermione rolled her eyes. Wand insurance was such a scam; did he think he was impressive? Apparently he did because he spent their entire five minute date talking about himself. Thankfully, the hostess rang the bell just as he started talking about the size of his office. She sighed, getting herself mentally ready for the next horrible date. She looked over at Ginny and wondered if Ginny was having any success.

"Hello, Hermione." Hermione's head immediately turned up the person who was about to sit across from her.

"Fleur?" Indeed it was Fleur, with a big red 018 taped to her chest.

"Having a good time so far?" The French woman sat down with a smile.

"A bloody wretched time. What are you doing here?"

"Also having a bloody wretched time." Fleur smiled as she took a sip of her drink. This made Hermione laugh.

"No, really, why are you here? This is the last place I would have expected you." Fleur could have used her thrall to have anyone. How could she ever be desperate enough for this?

"I'm here for a friend. See number 026? We work together. She did not want to come alone. And you? I am sure a charming, smart British girl does not need to be here." Fleur had a coquettish smile on, and there was bit of a gleam to her eyes that wasn't there before. Hermione felt herself blush very slightly.

"The same reason as you. Ginny needed some support," Hermione explained, still slightly flustered. It had been a while since anyone had complimented her.

"She and Harry...?" Fleur seemed slightly surprised.

"They said they were too busy for each other, especially with Ginny always traveling around for Quidditch… Though I doubt that's true."

"What about you and Ron? I assume it did not work out? Since you are here, after all."

"Broke up a bit after you and Bill did. I guess none of us lasted." Hermione expected herself to be sad, though she wasn't. Secretly she had wished at one of the war couples would have lasted. It would have been a nice fairy tale ending, after the all the suffering.

"What happened? Between you and Ron, I mean."

"It was complicated. He's a great friend and the war... You start to confuse yourself. I thought I loved him for a while, but after everything, I realized I just didn't. " Hermione knew she was only telling Fleur half the story.

"I think perhaps that happened to a lot of us. After the war I realized I did not have true feelings for Bill, nothing more than friendly ones." Fleur's face shared a small, sad smile. She had tried to make it work out, she spent a few years trying to give herself to Bill. She wanted to want him, desperately, but he couldn't inspire her to bare her soul. He was not her soulmate.

There was a silence, and then Hermione, deciding to change the subject, said, "So, anyone here you like so far?"

"Perhaps one person," Fleur's solemn expression changed to one that was almost mischievous, "And you?"

"Honestly, you're the best date I've had so far." Hermione noticed Fleur's grin grow wider. "Hey, don't get too cocky! The precedent isn't terribly high here." Hermione had a smug little smile on.

"It mustn't be, you're my best so far as well," Fleur teased, looking down at her parchment. She picked up a quill that was set in the middle of the table and circled the number 017. "Hopefully these dates will get better and I can scratch that circle out later." Fleur looked up at Hermione and smiled. There was something rich and strong in her smile, her neat and perfect teeth flashed. The younger witch felt her stomach do a tiny flip and she couldn't help but smile back.

The bell rung and Fleur stood up again. "Enjoy your other dates," Fleur winked. Hermione rolled her eyes jokingly and waited until Fleur had sat down at another table. Quickly she picked up the quill and circled Fleur's number, 018, hoping the French witch wasn't watching her.

AN: I stopped reading the Harry Potter series after Order of Phoenix, the very little of canon I know after that have been pieced together from other works of fanfiction. In order words, this story does not follow canon, but likely shadows it. Reviews appreciated, and obviously fuel further updates. Suggest, flame, or even praise as generously as you please.