Hunter Green
Disclaimer- the characters belong to JK Rowling
Summary- it has been five years since Harry Potter defeated Voldemort along with the help of his best friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. The trio has finally settled in to the closest they'd ever get to normal lives. Ron is a professional Keeper for the Chudley Cannons. Harry is buried in his job as an auror, while Hermione works for the most powerful firm in the wizarding world, all three of them prominent public figures. But what happens when fresh emotions surface between Hermione and Harry? What lengths will they go through to make those feelings a reality?
Hermione Granger was a force to be reckoned with in the modern wizarding world. She strutted briskly down Diagon Alley she left a wake of starring and whispers, she'd grown accustom to. Second Order of Merlin and only twenty-three, she'd firm's standing authored many acclaimed books, all while keeping the Auctoritas in the wizarding world very powerful. The Auctoritas Firm had become almost all encompassing, they recorded and managed all magical pacts, managed a professional quidditch team and worked hand in hand with the ministry of magic developing new spells, to name a few. The court of the firm was made up of thirteen witches and wizards. Hermione was next in line for head of the court after Titus Robbins, her mentor, retired. She headed the DSPC (Developmental Spells, Potions, and Charms) department and the Public Relations Bureau.
On this particular Wednesday she was headed to the regular mid week meeting at the Wand Room. She wasn't the first to arrive as she crossed the threshold in to the private dining room. Titus was seated at the head of the table talking to Angelo Cyprius, an Italian wizard who was currently in charge of the all the international branches of the Firm. She gave her black cloak to an enchanted coat rack and took her seat next to Titus. Hermione shifted through the contents of her bag to make sure everything was in order until Angelo had taken his spot a few seats down from her own.
"Titus." she said her voice completely level.
"Hermione." He replied in a thick Scottish accent.
"Retirement won't suit you know."
"Thank you Ms.Granger, since you are so experienced in retirements." He said with a smirk and a hint of sarcasm. " The day you retire will be the day you die."
"Thank you for the insight Titus." She countered a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips. Soon the dialogue was under way. As usual Titus did a lot of listening interjecting only to make a suggestion or to break up verbal warfare between the court members. By the time the discussion got to Hermione's topics they were done with appetizers and were on to the main course. She cleared her throat before picking up her wand and with a quick swish; copies of the first page of the Prophet were flying to each member of the court. In huge bold letters read 'Auctoritas Firm Concocts New Death Curse!'
As they were reading she began to speak, "As you can all see the Prophet has proven to be increasingly provocative, this will spread fast, I've already issued a statement that will help, I've scheduled a press conference in front of the Firm of course for this afternoon all press is invited with the exception of Ms. Skeeter naturally," she turned her attention to Angelo "Angelo this will spread throughout the wizarding world like enchanted fire."
"Of course I'll make sure international delegates are present at the conference."
"Ms. Granger how is the DSPC these days?" came the smooth drawling voice on the other side of Titus. It was of course Draco Malfoy, he had become a member of the court a few months after Hermione and was only second to her.
"Splendid Mr. Malfoy, we've just passed a number of new charms that we predict will exponentially improve the average life of the wizarding world." She countered.
"Like?"
"The ebriusiemptum charm is predicted to be quite popular, as it cures one of the effects of intoxication and it's after effects such as hangovers." She answered, as the table fell in to murmurs.
Titus cleared his throat. "A very useful innovation, I think that is all for today." They all stood and began to collect their things. Hermione Titus shook hands as she took her leave with Draco on her heels. When she walked out on to Diagon Alley it wasn't long before he was walking next to her.
"Drinks?" he offered, in the years since he had joined the court their relationship had become more amicable. It was hostile at the beginning but they were older now and since working so closely they had to look past their differences. It helped a great deal that during the campaign against Voldemort he acted as a double agent for the Order and also fought against him in the final battle. She knew deep down he viewed her as a mud blood when they argued. He was a valuable asset to the court and when he wasn't being rude he was funny. Hermione was very intelligent she knew it was better for the Firm to get along with him
She stopped walking and let out a loud laugh "You're joking, I have a press conference and you're suggesting getting a drink at the local pub? You Mr. Malfoy are a mad man." She laughed again and kept walking " That reminds me I need someone from the ministry to be present as well, Percy Weasley should suffice, he'll do it he loves the press, and since you're free enough to have a drink then you should be present as well."
"Percy's probably already putting on his makeup, and I'll attend under two circumstances." The famous Malfoy smirk appeared across his face. They now had both stopped in the middle of the bustling street starring each other down. Hermione had her hands on her hips but a smile was visible.
"State your terms."
"Oh they should be sufficiently painless, one we get drinks after,"
"Fair enough."
"And you'll join me at the ministers ball a week from Friday," he sensed a retort and quickly cut her off "As colleagues of course." He presented his hand to shake on it. She surveyed he pale hand; it had two very ornate, large and intimidating rings.
She shook it fully smiling now "You know Harry and Ron will be there."
"I'm fully aware." Draco smirked deviously.
"Needless to say they will either be shocked or they just might kill you."
"A small price." He mocked flirted, she laughed, and then looked at her gold watch.
"Lets get on with it then, time to enter the wolves den."
Out in the country Ronald Weasley sat in the stands of the Chudely Cannons pitch. He was contemplating their next opponents, Puddlemere United. Oliver Wood, his former classmate, was the finest keeper in the whole league. Since joining the Cannons four years ago Ron's primary goal was to surpass Wood. Ron was a stellar keeper. The cannons had become a strong team under his leadership as captain. They had completed practice an hour ago, instead of going to the locker room Ron had sat undisturbed in the stands just gazing at his goal posts. It wasn't until the distinct sounds of high heels on wood that he turned to look at who had intruded.
His bright turquoise eyes fell on his best friend, Hermione Granger and a smile spread across his freckled handsome face. She returned his smile as she made her way to the aisle he was seated in. Her pace quickened, as she got closer until they embraced. Hermione loved hugging Ron, even in high heals her head barely reached his shoulders. He was very tall, 6'5 to be exact. His lean frame from Hogwarts was now athletic and toned. They separated and sat he soon resumed his stare down as they discussed their days. Soon Hermione felt it was a one sided conversation then she noticed the object of his attention.
"Wood?"
He didn't respond, lost in thought.
"You know, he's one fantastic snog." Ron's head turned so quickly she thought he'd break his neck.
"What you on about?"
"He's a bloody FANTASTIC snog, one of the best I ever had."
"Ha ha, very funny Hermione." He crossed his arms and turned back to the goal posts.
"Oh, Ron you need to just relax, you're a excellent keeper, you're one of the most popular players in the league and it's not just because of your cute face." She pinched his cheek. He smiled but the insecurity was still in his eyes.
"All right you scarlet woman I reckon it's time to get home and have dinner."
"Perfect, but wash up first all right?"
Back in London
Harry Potters bright green eyes skimmed one of the purple ministry memos. He let out a heavy sigh and ran his fingers through his messy jet-black hair.
"Tonks." Harry bellowed, no reply, he let out an aggravated "Tonks!" He repeated. That time he received a reply.
"Oi! Gimme a bleedin minute will you!" Half a minute later she crossed the threshold of Harry's office.
"What's got you all bunched up?" she demanded, for her appearance on this particular today she had kept her face normal but had 20's inspired platinum blond waves. He lifted the memo and she stared at it an annoyed look creeping across her face. "Well goodness Harry congratulations on your brilliant discovery, I have about 13 or so on my desk."
" Ah sorry Tonks but this particular memo says the minister needs not two, not four, no he needs eight aurors for his personal security detail."
"You're joking, does he think the few remaining death eaters are to stage a coup!"
"It's ludicrous I know but this is the fifth time he has requested it and I'm fresh out of excuses." He stood up his hands still on the desk.
"Well when does he want the small army?" she was leaning on the doorframe now her arms crossed.
"His precious little ball of course."
"Shall I?"
"No."
"Yourself?"
"No."
"Lower ranking aurors should be at the top of the list." He grabbed his cloak from his chair and made his way towards the door.
"We've got what, eight new aurors?" she said a smile creeping across her face.
"Precisely." He smirked and his emerald eyes sparkled, "I just need the head auror to sign off on it he handed her the memo.
"My pleasure." She produced a quill with a twirl of her wand and signed the document. As soon as the quill lifted off the piece of paper it was jettisoned of to the minister.
Harry bid her good night broom in hand he left the ministry. He had never taken a liking to apparation and had little troubles flying to the flat he shared with Ron and Hermione.
Flying to their flat was one of the highlights of his day. He loved his job hunting down baddies of course, however it was the ministry he disliked. He missed flying; occasionally he would fly out to the country just for the sake of flying. It was all to soon that he landed on the roof of their flat. They'd bought the pent house flat strictly so Harry could land without shocking the local muggles.
Harry entered the flat dropping his bag on the floor and letting the animated coat rack take his cloak. His ears were greeted with the truly perfect sounds of his two best friends laughing and talking. He was intoxicated by the delicious smell of Ron's cooking. He had on a number of occasions thanked Merlin for the fact that Ron had inherited his mothers' talent in the kitchen, or they would have starved to death years ago. He found cooking relieved the everyday stresses of being an international Quidditch star.
It was a very warm and welcoming place. With mahogany floors, every surface was covered with photos of their various friends and family and of course the trio themselves. There was almost always a fire going in the hearth. During the war they'd moved a lot going where their battles took them often in confined and brutal conditions. As soon as the wizarding world recovered from the Great War they had lived at the burrow for sometime till they found the perfect flat that suited all three of them. It took some work but they'd fixed it up to be quite nice. There was an office for Hermione with built in bookshelves, the roof for Harry to land, and a superb kitchen for Ron to cook.
He walked down the corridor and entered the kitchen. His two friends were cooking, joking, laughing and having far too much fun for him to interrupt. He watched them for a few minutes leaning against the archway frame. He loved them so deeply they supported each other, without each other they would not have survived the war or the aftermath. They had been through so much in their young lives.
"Harry!" chimed Hermione.
"'Ello 'Arry!" he smiled and then turned back to the stove.
Hermione made her way across the kitchen pulling off her oven mitts throwing her arms around his neck. She was wearing a gray woolen pencil skirt, pointy-toed black high heels, and a black spaghetti string tank top. Her hair was up in ponytail, her swept bangs half covering her right eye. She was entirely unguardedly beautiful. She smelled of warm cocoa nut and vanilla he closed his eyes wrapping his strong arms around her. He held her for what seemed like forever before she pulled away looked up at him, smiled and went back to cooking. For the minute or so she was in his arms he felt completely and utterly enchanted, it had felt so right. He shook his head ruffled his hair and went to his room to take a shower before dinner.
Her warm honey brown eyes followed him in to his room until he shut his door. She sighed put her oven mitts back on and went back to cooking with Ron.
An: Well I hope you all enjoyed my latest venture I'm quite happy with it. It's my best premiere chapter ever. I hope those of you who've read my previous works agree. I hope you guys like it please review I love to here your comments and suggestions.