Chapter 1

It was her first day at work and she was late. As she rushed up the stairs, she thought 'Why me?' Then CRASH – Blackness.

Passage of time

She awoke in a starch white room. "Huh?, What am I doing here?" she said "What happened?"

Hermione, I ran you over with the mail cart" said a tired voice next to her.

"Ron what are you doing here?"

"We managed to bump into each other on our first day of work." Ron winced.

"The last thing I remember is that I smashed into something" she said "I suppose that was you cart."

"Yep and now I'm out of my job" Ron said glumly.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Hermione said. "Wait! What about my job?" She panicked, trying to sit up.

"Don't worry! You have a job & you've only been out for a couple of hours." Ron said, trying to hold her down, and resisting the urge to kiss her at the close proximity.

Hermione relaxed. Her interview at the Ministry had been hard to get & she didn't want to have to go through it again.

"The doctor said you could leave as soon as you woke up. I'll help you home." Ron said

"That's okay. She said sitting up quickly, then groaning as her head suddenly started throbbing.

"No! You shouldn't do magic, drive, or do any strenuous activities. I'm going taking you home." Ron insisted.

"Okay" Hermione reluctantly agreed.

Ron helped her out of bed. "here, lean on me." Ron suggested.

Hermione did so without argument, noticing Ron's muscles and smell. 'I don't need any complications now' she thought.

They walked slowly down the hall and out to the parking lot to the beat-up Chevy Ron drove. He helped her in & drove into downtown London.

"What's your address?" he asked.

"245 Maple Avenue" she replied.

They drove in silence until the apartment complex appeared. Ron helped her out of the car and to her door.

"Well thanks a lot for the ride" Hermione said at her front door.

"No problem" Ron replied. He turned to leave. 'He looks so depressed' Hermione thought ' I need to thank him properly'

"Ron, why don't you come in? I could use the company." Hermione asked suddenly.

"I don't know, you should probably rest." Ron hesitated.

"Please" Hermione pleaded " I have already rested for 3 hours and I don't want to left alone."

"Okay" Ron followed her in and the door shut behind them.

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Outside, in a plain, white vehicle, a report was being made to headquarters. "They're in Sir."