October 2, 2003
After a week in hospital, the healer deemed her fit enough for discharge. The concussion and broken arm were deemed healed enough her to go home.
"I recommend another week of convalescence before resuming normal activity," the healer advised.
Rachel marveled about magical medicine while she helped Hermione pack her knapsack, and Harry talked with the healer about her discharge care plan.
"If any out of the ordinary physical symptoms occur, you are to return here for evaluation," the healer advised.
"I understand, and mum has agreed to stay with me this week to keep an eye on me," Hermione said and gave her mum a hug.
"Ben would have too, but someone has to tend the clinic," Rachel said.
"McAllister would like to talk to you this afternoon, if that's okay," Harry said and opened the door for the two.
Muggles couldn't use the floo, and the healer wanted Hermione to hold off on apparition, so they walked from St. Mungo's back to Grimmauld Place. When they were on the pavement outside of Purge and Dowse, Ltd. Hermione stopped, closed her eyes, and took in the feeling of being in the open air.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" Harry asked.
"Definitely."
At Grimmauld Place, Hermione rested in the library and cuddled with Gracie while Harry showed Rachel where Hermione's bedroom and bathroom were. Back downstairs, Harry made sure Hermione was situated before he returned to the Ministry.
"Please don't worry, I'm going to be all right," Hermione reiterated.
He kissed the top of her head and left.
"That young man loves you, you know," Rachel said.
"I know, I love him too," Hermione said and tossed a catnip ball for Gracie to chase.
Rachel chuckled. "You love your cousin Robert."
"Mum," Hermione groaned and flopped face first on a pillow.
Rachel chuckled and ran a hand through her daughter's hair. "Have you had a rough go of it?"
Hermione sat up and blew a bit of hair out of her face. "If by it, you mean men and such, then yes."
"Care to share with your old mum?"
Hermione sighed and grinned at Gracie wrestling with her catnip ball.
"My engagement to Ron ended unexpectedly and badly. I've had a couple of flings since then just to see what else is out there, you know?"
Rachel nodded. She felt as if she was getting to know her daughter again, which in a way, she was. In the five years since she had seen her, she was proud to see that her daughter had grown into a confident, well-spoken, graceful beauty. She was successful, had a circle of caring friends, and was going through the same relationship travails as any young woman.
"I don't hate Ron. We were friends for too long and we've been through too much for me to hate him. Is he a git for what he did? Yes. Am I angry and hurt for what he did? Yes, but I can't hate him."
And in the manner of cats, Gracie ran from the library, chasing whatever it was that caught her attention in the corridor.
"And now we come to Harry," Hermione said and ran her hands through her hair. "I had a lot of time to think in hospital."
"And did this thinking time yield any useful conclusions?"
Hermione nodded. "You don't know how famous Harry is in the magical world. He hates it and he's not one to believe his own press. He could have his pick of witches. There's a thousand of them right now who drop everything if he asked, but he chooses to spend time with me. I'm honest enough to admit that it's flattering, but…"
"But?" Rachel pressed.
"It's Harry, my best friend since twelve. The same boy who saved me from a troll in the loo."
Rachel wasn't sure what that meant (sometimes Hermione said very odd things), but she continued. "You're adults now, with adult feelings and adult experiences. I think Harry has realized that and wants to move beyond friendship. He adores you, a blind man can see it. Are you hesitant because of Ron?"
"I hope not, because Harry is not Ron. I know that," Hermione answered.
"Well, often the mind says one thing, but the heart says another," Rachel said.
"It's not a coincidence that every flat I've been looking at, Harry has insisted he come along and found something wrong with it."
"And you haven't objected very much, have you?" Rachel asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I've liked being here, with him. I think it would make him sad if I moved out, and I don't want him to be sad. It feels right, like I should be here. I'm happy here."
"Well then, sweet girl, I think you have your answer."
#
Late that afternoon, Harry walked arrived home at the same time Ben was standing outside Grimmauld Place. He saw Harry carrying flowers and a small box of gaily wrapped chocolates.
"You didn't have to, I'm touched," Ben teased, nodding to the gifts Harry was holding.
"If you really want these, they're yours," Harry replied and held them out to him.
"I know who they're for," Ben said and winked.
"I've been meaning to create a charm to signal inside the place whenever you or Mrs. Granger arrive, so you're not standing here on the pavement looking about," Harry said.
What a way to deflect an awkward conversation, I wonder if Rachel has had more luck with Hermione, Ben wondered.
Harry trotted up the steps and unlocked the door with murmured words of magic. Inside, Hermione and Rachel were laughing from the kitchen. The men followed the sound where they were making biscuits and singing along with a song on the wireless. Harry saw Hermione and almost dropped the bundle he was holding. Her bright eyes and smile was mesmerizing, and the bit of flour on her cheek was perfect. She smiled at him and bit into a biscuit.
"Who's strangling the cat?" Ben asked.
"Dad," Hermione complained. "I don't sing that bad!"
"Keep telling yourself that," Ben quipped and walked to his wife. She tapped her cheek and Ben gave her a kiss. He moved to Hermione and wrapped her in a hug. She gladly accepted the hug and gave him a biscuit. He took a bite and waved the biscuit at Harry.
"Harry, if you can put up with the singing, she's a keeper," Ben said.
"I know," Harry said softly, eliciting a furious blush on Hermione's cheeks.
Hermione wanted to make dinner, but everyone could see that she was tiring.
Harry chased her from the kitchen. "I'll get some spaghetti going, you just go and rest. It's time for your potion anyway, isn't it?"
"Yes, Healer Potter," Hermione grumbled.
"Cheeky," Harry returned.
Hermione stuck out her tongue before leaving the kitchen.
#
When Harry went to the library to let the three know dinner was ready, Hermione was asleep on the couch with Gracie dozing on her lap. Ben was reading the day's Daily Prophet and Rachel was perusing a Witch Weekly.
"Fascinating, the photos move," Rachel marveled.
"Dinner's ready," Harry announced.
He leaned over the sofa and gently patted Hermione's shoulder, mindful of the healing bruises. She woke and looked up at him with sleepy eyes.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Some."
Ben held out his hand for her. She took it and got to her feet.
#
Hermione yawned during a bite of her spaghetti and a meatball rolled off her fork and onto the table.
"That's me done. Harry, it was delicious, but I'm falling asleep in my plate."
"And you have some sauce on your nose," Harry pointed out.
Hermione rolled her eyes and wiped her nose.
"The doctor did say you might tire easily," Ben said.
Hermione and Rachel rose from the table. "I'll make sure she gets settled for the night."
She gave Ben a look and nodded toward Harry.
"Harry, know of a good local? I'd like to treat you to a pint and I could use one myself."
Harry finished chewing and shrugged. "Yeah, Benny's down the street has a good stout."
#
At Benny's, Harry and Ben ordered pints of stout from the bar. Ben slid some money across the bar and they chose a table.
"Let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? Anyone can see how you're arse over tea kettle for Hermione, so when are you going to do something about it?" Ben said.
"Not shy about it, are you?" Harry mumbled.
"Nope."
Harry sighed and took a long drink before he continued. "Four months ago, Ron and Hermione broke up. It ended badly. I don't want to be an obvious idiot and overwhelm her so soon after Ron, but I don't want someone else to come along and get to her either. Is four months too soon or long enough?"
"Who knows if something like this is too soon or long enough, but she must be aware of how you feel," Ben pointed out.
"I said that I don't want to be an obvious idiot, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been one. She's the smartest person I know, so…"
"She's still around, isn't she?" Ben asked.
Harry took another long drink and burped. "That's a point, yes. However, there are about a hundred wizards where we work who would give their wand arm to be with her. I feel like I'm constantly fending off blokes I've known for years, just because they think she's pretty, and sweet, and clever."
"A problem continually plaguing men," Ben noted.
"Seeing her heartbroken and crying killed me. I hate what Ron did to her, but it opened a window of opportunity for me. I love her and I know I can make her happy. She's everything to me," Harry stated.
Ben slapped him on the back and tapped Harry's glass with his. "That's what I like to hear."
October 13, 2003
Hermione stood in the foyer with her handbag, satchel, work robe, and double-checked that she had everything.
"Are you sure that you're ready to go back?" Harry asked.
She straightened the collar of his work-a-day robe, smoothed down a bit of stray hair, and patted his chest. "For the tenth time, yes, Auror Potter. I've missed my work. I enjoy my work. I need find out who killed Rick and tried to kill me."
"There's something I need to say here and now, while I've got the nerve," he said.
She lifted an eyebrow in inquiry.
"When I walked into that smelly hospital room and saw you hurt that day, I was gutted. I forgot how to breathe."
"Harry—"
He put a finger over her lips. "Now you're standing here, lively and beautiful, looking at me with those big brown eyes…"
He lowered his finger and replaced it with his lips. He felt her tense up, and then relax into the kiss and drop her belongings. He suckled on her lower lip before he took a step back. There was a pretty blush on her cheeks and she was gazing at him in surprise.
"I've wanted to do that for so long," he breathed.
She reached for him, tripped over her handbag, and fell against his chest. She smiled, pulled him closer, and returned his kiss. It was all Hermione and it was thrilling: bold, exploring, focused. It was also arousing, and an exasperated snuffle erupted from the back of his throat. He was glad he was wearing a robe to cover his strained trousers. She suckled briefly on his bottom lip before she stepped back and picked up her things. She glanced down where she felt the impressive bulge under his robe and grinned.
"Thank you," she said.
He wasn't sure what she was thanking him for. Was she thanking him for a kiss? Witches! "You're welcome?"
She giggled. He loved the sound. He couldn't remember the last time he had heard her giggle.
"Meet me for lunch?" she asked.
"For sure," he agreed.
She winked and apparated from the foyer.
#