Airalynn: thnx for reviewing...again! love you, girl: D
snHP892: yup...it's Hermione.Do you think I should write longer chapters?Hope you enjoy this chappie... : )
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The Gryffindor Drummer: thnx for your review! enjoy...
There, standing right in front of him, was Hermione. Harry wasn't prepared for this. He was, after all, expecting her at 4 later that day.
"Her- Hermione?" he asked, disbelief in his eyes. Harry wasn't sure what to say. So he did what his brain told him to. Say the first thing that came to his mind. "What..what are you doing here?"
Kellerman was looking at both of them, raising his eyebrows. "Hmm, well, it seems Miss Granger here was speaking the truth after all. You do know each other. I suppose the story about you helping Potter here defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is true too?" he asked Hermione. The look of amusement he had on when he entered was definitely gone by now. Harry thought it was probably there in the first place because he didn't believe Hermione. Who would?
She doesn't look like the Hermione he knew from Hogwarts. She was definitely prettier. No, beautiful. Her eyes were still the lovely pair of hazel brown eyes he loved to see greet him everyday during those Hogwarts days. And her hair was still the shade of brown that gave warmth to her face whenever he saw her. But apart from that, she'd changed. Her smile was still the same, though Harry could sense for a moment that something wasn't quite right about it. Some sadness had creep into the smile. And her hair was silky, no longer bushy and untamed. But she was in all, beautiful. There was no other word for it. She had grown up, Harry could see that plain as day. But of course, noting that his best friend was attractive doesn't mean he liked her in that way, does it?
"Yes", Hermione answered. She was fidgeting with her hands, suddenly nervous. But definitely not of Kellerman.
"Alright. Well, I guess that's all then. Potter, do you mind showing her around?" Kellerman asked Harry, pausing at the door frame.
"No, no. Of course not", Harry said, flashing a smile.
"See you later then, Granger, Potter", Kellerman said as he got out and closed the door behind him.
Hermione averted her eyes from the closed door to Harry.
"Well, I certainly didn't get the owl about our meeting being forwarded so early", Harry said, smiling. Hermione, who didn't know what to say, laughed.
"Oh, you're still the same, Harry", and she went over to him and hugged him.
"So, what's wrong?" Harry said as she sat down on the sofa.
"Whatever made you say that?" Hermione replied, confused of Harry's sudden change of demeanour.
Harry didn't answer quickly. He walked over to his window and gazed out into the hills. "Well, I thought that you know, something wrong or important must've happened… seeing that you're back in our world for the first time since 8 years ago", he said. He couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice though, and Hermione caught it.
"What are you making at, Harry?" Hermione responded, a little angry at his tone.
"You know what I'm saying, 'Mione",
Harry turned to look at her. She looked angry. "Are you saying, Harry, that I hadn't given any thought before I left?"
"Well, you certainly made it seem so", he spat out. "Not even a letter, not even one from you. Not even a single- .."
"I did, Harry. I told you I was fine, didn't I? When Ron and you kept owling me about it" Hermione cut him off angrily.
"I would hardly call it a letter", Harry said under his breath.
Both of them fell silent for a moment.
"Look', Hermione began again after a long, uncomfortable pause. 'I came back because I want to make a fresh start. And I was really hoping Ron and you understood what I was going through when I left. To make it easier for me', Hermione said slowly. ' I'm really sorry about not telling the both of you why I did it. And I am regretting it now. But Harry, you have to believe me, I did it because I needed some time away. Especially after the last battle with Voldermort", she finished off, looking at Harry.
Harry was still silent.
"Harry, are you still mad at me?" Hermione asked him as she got up and walked over to where he was standing. After a moment of silence, Harry turned around and smiled slowly.
"Of course not' he said as he enveloped her in a hug. "But I want you to know that if you ever feel you need some time alone or if you have any problems, you can always tell me and Ron, okay?" Harry said as they drew apart.
"Sure", said Hermione.
"So, can you give me a tour of this place?" Hermione said as she linked arms with Harry. "Hold on, let me just get my briefcase", he replied as Hermione opened the door. "Oh, and Harry, introduce me to others, will you? I can't bear being the new person around here". And with that, they headed out of Harry's office.
---
Kellerman was sitting in his office, reading a report from one of the aurors. His mind wandered for a while, somewhat exhausted from the task of reading. He set down the paper and leaned back in his chair. A slow smile crept to his face.
During the awkward introduction between Harry and Hermione, he had noticed a few things. He was, after all, an old man. And he was pretty sure he had sensed something between those two. He'd lived long enough to see when two people were attracted to each other. Best friends, huh? This'll be interesting. He chuckled, before proceeding to return to his work.
---
"Hey, Hermione, do you remember Seamus?" Harry asked Hermione as they walked through the department, introducing Hermione to various people.
"Yes. Why? What's he doing now?" she asked, interested.
"Why don't you ask him yourself", Harry said as they stopped at a cubicle. The person sitting in it was drinking a cup of coffee, sipping the hot drink slowly as he read the Daily Prophet.
"Seamus", Harry said as he tapped the sandy-haired figure on the shoulder. "I want to introduce you to someone".
Seamus turned around, raised an eyebrow to their linked arms and said pleasantly, "Hello, Harry. And who's this?' he asked, looking at Hermione. 'I swear, Harry, you keep getting beautiful women to accompany you. But you've really outdone yourself this time. At this rate -…." Seamus trailed off.
"No, she's not a date. She's a new addition to our department", Harry cut him off, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Oh", replied Seamus lamely. "Well, hello then. Sorry about that, it's just that Harry does have the reputation of being 'The Most Eligible Bachelor' as said in The Witches' Weekly. So I thought that you know….' Seamus wriggled his eyebrows. Hermione laughed. Harry got even redder. "Just kidding, Miss…?" he asked Hermione.
"Granger. Hermione Granger", Hermione replied, extending her hand to Seamus.
Seamus gaped at her. Realizing, he shook her hand. "Hermione? Hogwarts Hermione?" he asked, surprised. Hermione nodded.
"You see how ridiculous your comments are, now?" Harry asked him, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yeah…but I mean, you have to admit, you two did look like a great coup-…. Never mind. So, what brings you here?" Seamus asked Hermione as he sat down on his chair.
"Oh, I just thought you know, I was bored doing muggle work so, why not try something I actually love doing, instead", Hermione said. "And umm, I'm not entirely sure as to how Harry comes into all this..", she said.
"I'm supposed to be supervising her. Kellerman told me to. Just for a few months though. He's afraid this is going to turn out a Jasper case again", Harry said to Seamus. Seamus scoffed.
"Come on, this is Hermione we're talking about. Not some weirdo who claims he's qualified to be an auror, or something like that", Seamus said and drank his coffee.
"Yeah, I know. But still, orders are orders. I'm just agreeing to it", Harry said. "He said you were very qualified though. Probably that's what put him on guard." Harry continued, looking at Hermione.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Jasper case? What is it about?", she asked.
"Well, there used to be some problems back when we took a lot of recruits for the department. And there's this weird guy, Cade Jasper, one of the new recruits. Extremely qualified. After a few weeks of training, everyone agreed he was good and he got hired. Then we came up with a Death Eater case in Whales. It was all planned out, the capture, I mean. And that sleazebag ratted us out. Turns out he's a Death Eater", Seamus explained, shaking his head. He downed the last of what remained in his cup.
"After that, Kellerman had it drummed into his head to be cautious of new recruits", Harry summarized. Hermione remained silent, thinking. "Of course, I think he's off your case now he knew that you were involved in defeating Voldermort", Harry continued, reassuring her. Hermione smiled at him.
"So where are you living now, Hermione?" Seamus asked.
"Yeah, where?" Harry was surprised he himself didn't ask her that question.
"Oh, I haven't gotten a real place yet. I'm just staying at the Leaky Cauldron for a while", Hermione replied.
Harry was thinking. After a moment, he spoke. "You know, 'Mione, I have a spare bedroom in my house. So, you can live with me if you want to", he offered.
A smile slowly crept to her lips. "Really?', Hermione asked, not believing him.
"Yeah, I mean, it's so quiet in that house anyway. I'll be glad of company." Harry stated truthfully. His house was big. Having someone else around will be a great comfort. Somehow, having Hermione around all the time didn't seem such a bad idea. In fact, he seemed to like it very much.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione said as she hug him. "Thank you, so much". She gave him a friendly peck on the cheek.
"No problem", Harry said, squeezing her hand. "You want to take the rest of the day off? I did plan to, anyway. For the meeting at 4.00", Harry continued, looking at her. She looked doubtful, though.
"Are you sure we can? I mean…", she began.
"Don't worry, I told Kellerman already." Harry assured her.
"Oh, in that case, then, alright", she said, smiling.
"Catch you later, Seamus." Harry said.
"Yeah, sure. Nice talking to you, Hermione", he replied, returning to his Daily Prophet.
"You, know Harry', Hermione said as soon as they were out of earshot. ' I can't help but notice his shirt. Especially his collar", she finished as they stepped into the elevator.
Harry chuckled. "Seamus hardly makes up his mind about women. He changes his girlfriend as frequent as his shirt", he said.
"But…just now, his shirt –" Hermione began.
"I know. It looks like he didn't spend his night at his apartment, after all", Harry continued, smiling. "This is the second time I've seen him like that. And the current girlfriend is the longest, so far. Three weeks", Harry said holding up his fingers.
"Looks like he's keeping this one", Hermione said, laughing. Harry laughed too.
The elevator door opened. A blonde, pretty woman entered. She was wearing a revealing red dress, that gave away the fact that she had a great body. She looked at Hermione critically before looking at Harry. Her expression changed from despise to pleasure.
"Oh, Harry! I'm so sorry. You must have had a hard time today without me. I wasn't feeling well this morning. But I am now. Oh! Where are you going? You're taking the day off?", she said in an annoying, sugary voice.
"Umm, yes, Diane. I just wanted to spend some time with Hermione", said Harry, looking unruffled with Diane's face so close to his. "Oh', he said, realizing something. "This is Hermione Granger. She's a close friend of mine, and a new auror working with us", he introduced them. "And 'Mione, this is Diane Fébersé. She's my personal assistant."
Diane look daggers at Hermione. Hermione extended her hand to Diane. The pretty blonde didn't take it. She just turned her attention back to Harry.
"So, you're just going to leave me alone?" she asked, pouting. Her hand was touching his hair.
"You'll be fine, Diane. Look, maybe you should just take the rest of the day off, seeing as I'm out", Harry suggested.
Diane, pouted more. "Oh, alright. But you're coming tomorrow, right?" she said. Harry nodded. The elevator slowed to a stop.
"This is us", Hermione spoke for the first time since Diane appeared. She quickly got out of the elevator, holding, or rather, pulling Harry's hand with her.
"Nice meeting you, Harmony", Diane said sweetly, and gave her a false smile. "Bye, Harry!", she said, blowing a kiss to Harry as the elevator doors closed.
---
"Interesting woman", Hermione said to Harry when they were in Diagon Alley, sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"Yeah", Harry replied, smiling at her. 'Slut 'was all she said under her breath. Harry didn't hear her. He was looking at the people around them. She didn't even stop to assess why she felt that way towards Diane. It's not like she's jealous or anything. Hermione sat back into her chair, sighed, and looked at Harry. He was good looking. Hermione didn't blame The Witches Weekly one bit for choosing him 'The Most Eligible Bachelor'. He'd grown up from the skinny boy she first met during first year. He'd started doing that since the 6th year, because of Quidditch practice. Or that's when she started noticing, anyway. His hair was still the messy jet-black hair it had always been. And he definitely hasn't changed since Hogwarts.
Hermione smiled. Then, a thought stuck her. 'I don't like him… do I?', Hermione shook her head. 'Just because you admitted the fact that your best friend is attractive, doesn't mean anything', she assured herself, as she focused her attention to the ice-cream set in front of her. As Harry ate his ice cream, Hermione picked up her spoon, and proceeded to enjoy her treat the same.
A/N: Loved your reviews! Thnx guys! Do you think I should write longer chapters? But that'll mean you have to wait longer for updates. Anyway, thanks again for your wonderful reviews. Oh, and….wink-wink you know what to do now, don't you? Review! Ciao!
Ellie.