AN: As you may have noticed I have been updating quite regularly in an effort to get Part I finished by Christmas. However after Fridays update, I will only be posting once a week during the holidays. For those who are curious, even though this story is in four parts, there are only about 30 chapters in all with a little more action in Parts II and III. Thanks to all my readers and reviewers.
Chapter 6: The Start Over.
Hermione Granger sat at the end of the long library table with various books and notes placed neatly around her. She was supposed to be studying for her third year exams but was not in the best of moods by a longshot with her irritability manifested by the continuous bouncing of her legs and the biting of her bottom lip. She was peeved and frustrated due to a number of reasons which were bottled up inside her making it actually worse for her studying.
Firstly, she did not understand why she was here with the usual group at this time of the semester. She always studied better on her own after all. That was just how she always worked. She did not mind doing the odd team assignment or working together on a particular difficult subject but when it came to the end of year exams, she always preferred to study alone at her own pace. It was Anthony who had practically dragged her along trying to convince her otherwise. She wanted to clobber him.
That was the source of her second irritation. Who the heck was he to tell her what was best for her in the first place. Yes he was a friend of long standing but who gave him the right to try and change her ways. After all this time and he still seemed not to know her at all. She was upset with herself for letting him get his way. She wanted to clobber him.
Thirdly, she was behind in her carefully calculated study schedule. Everything was proceeding according to her plans until the day before and now she had to make up for lost time and it frazzled her. What made her even more annoyed was the fact that this delay was entirely due to another person and that one other person was himself an annoying, insufferable, infuriating smug prat. That was the biggest reason for her current frustration. She wanted to clobber him.
The tall lanky smug prat was still on her mind when she was supposed to have all her thoughts concentrated on her exams. From the time she had met him…well ploughed into him really, she had felt something peculiar about the red haired man. Of course at the time she was rightly incensed by the circumstances surrounding their brief first meeting but…she had felt something and when he had appeared in the doorway of her flat, she felt it again…or thought she had. It was all so confusing. At first she concluded that it was related to her anger but now she had her doubts.
Hermione had always had a bit of a temper but she had learnt from an early age to keep it constantly under control as sometimes strange things would happen to accompany her angry bursts. Lights flickering, sudden strong gusts of air and even objects shaking and moving around. Sometimes she would get a foreign sensation deep within her and it had frightened her and her parents, so she quickly learnt to diffuse her anger in various ways. Swimming and riding her bicycle were two main channels of relaxation but her favourite pastime was reading. Dancing like a lunatic in the privacy of her room also helped but she was too embarrassed to even think about it. Her parents attributed her extraordinary high intelligence with these occurrences but she had never agreed completely with it.
She still tended to keep things bottled up within her and at times like this right before final exams were always the worst, hence her somewhat irrational behaviour towards the stranger who she had met twice the day before. Her anger had gotten out of hand but she had gotten an inkling of that strange inner sensation which she first attributed to her outbursts but now…she wondered if the stranger Ron Weasley had a part to play in her confusion.
Hermione finally straightened up, pushed her hair to the side and took a fresh breath of air. She should be studying her work and not thinking about some random person who she had no reason to be seeing anytime soon no matter where he lived. She reached for the nearest book as the chair across from her was pulled out and someone plunked themselves heavily down in a heap. She jerked her head up.
"So how long will you be here you think?" Ron Weasley asked with a lopsided grin plastered to his face. The book fell loudly back onto the desk as she jumped a bit in her seat.
'What are you doing here!" she hissed through clenched teeth but the red haired boy turned and smiled at the two people on the other end of the table.
"Hi Jeff and Liz. Nice to see you again." He greeted pleasantly as they exchanged waves.
"I asked…" she started loudly before dropping her voice. "What are you doing here and how did you get in the library!" she demanded with an annoyed glare now.
Ron Weasley leaned forward a bit and rested his elbows on the table as he stared at her earnestly. She could now she that his eyes were a bright shade of blue that shone in the overhead light. She was distracted by it for a fraction of a second.
"Well I have been thinking. The fact is that I am partly responsible for your current predicament of not having a proper and safe means of transport, so I have taken it upon myself to personally ensure your safety and escort you back home whenever you are finished in this fine room of learning." He espoused as he sat back and folded his arms on his chest.
She was so flabbergasted by that statement that her brain froze for a moment and nothing seemed to come to her mouth. Before she could unstick her mind and gather herself, the person next to her spoke up in an irritated voice.
"Hermione is everything all right? Is this man bothering you by any chance?" he asked as he looked at the man across from her.
"Oh sorry. My name is Ron Weasley and unfortunately I was the one who was partially at fault in destroying her bicycle and I feel kinda obligated to walk her back home safely you know. And you are?" he finished with a quirk of his furry eyebrow. Hermione was about to object but was again interrupted.
"My name is James Howell the Third and Hermione is quite capable of finding her way home without your help." He stated with a huff.
She was now incensed with the whole situation and opened her mouth to tell both of them off as the sixth member of the table let out a small shriek.
"Oooh that is so thoughtful and a bit romantic don't you agree guys?" the girl next to Jeff gushed out. "I don't know about Hermione but you can walk me home anytime sweetheart." She finished with a wink as Jeff turned to Ron with a smile.
"This is Amy Collins by the way and this is the guy that saved us from being robbed. The one we spoke about." He informed the blond girl and Anthony next to her. Before anyone could speak again she smacked her palm loudly on the table making everyone in the room turn to her but at the moment she didn't care in the least. She stared directly at the man across from her.
"Now listen! No one is walking me home and no one is obligated to ensure my safety. I don't know what you are up to but I can take care of myself and I will certainly not entertain the idea of you or anyone else telling me what I can and cannot do…so leave me alone." she finally rattled out with her chest heaving.
She watched as the tall young man sized her up with his damn blue eyes before running his large hands through his unruly long red hair. He sighed softly and nodded slightly as he raised his hands defensively.
"Ok ok. I'm sorry to make you upset. That was not my intention." He uttered softly in a voice that almost threw her for a loop. "Can you at least promise me that you will stick to the main roads on the way home? I will leave peacefully if you do." He stated sincerely in the same voice as he waited for a response.
For some reason Hermione was touched by his sincerity and thoughtfulness no matter how rude and presumptuous he had been just a few moments ago. Without warning she felt the stirring of that odd feeling inside her and again her conflicting thoughts about this man rose to her head. Something about him was not right but she knew deep down he was not a danger to her. Without thinking she nodded at him and he smiled at her before standing.
"Right then. That's all I can ask for." He told her before saying his goodbyes and walking out of the room.
Hermione immediately turned to her friends with a serious face and a knowing look.
"If anyone says anything about this I will pack up my stuff and move to another table. We have serious work to do so the quicker we get back to it the better…please." She ended before grabbing the same book that had fallen and began to read.
…or tried to read. She knew that it was mostly hopeless now. She really did feel to move to another table so that she could figure out what had just happened. He had appeared out of nowhere and left just as abruptly leaving her in a state of confusion as usual where he was concerned. Shaking her head clear, she chose something easy to review and spent the next hour in relative quiet as her friends acceded to her request and left her mostly alone without broaching the subject of the tall stranger.
Soon it was just Anthony left by her side as the others departed for the night with various excuses. He was one of the first people she had met at the school and they had remained friends throughout the three years here. He came from a family of doctors and he was not only suited to the profession by past heritage but also by his disposition. It was one of the reasons she had liked his company. He was smart, serious and focused on his studies just like her. He was also a bit of a bore but she had never minded as his other character traits more than made up for it. He was also quite clingy and at times like this she wished he would have left with the others but Anthony was the only one who stayed longer than her in the library. She felt him looking at her.
"You know after these exams we should look at taking a trip somewhere. I think we deserve it don't you?" he asked as he returned to his book.
Hermione was not too sure if he was referring to the group or her specifically but either way the prospect of spending more time than necessary with him was not that appealing to her but she refrained from answering his question.
"I think we should just concentrate on the exams first Anthony then we can take it from there." She vaguely replied. "Right now my brain is just about bursting. Maybe I will call it a night." She quickly packed up her bag without making any eye contact and hurriedly said goodbye before rushing out of the library.
The fresh air out on the streets felt liberating and she was actually glad for the walk home. She deliberately chose the busy main road back and bit back a smile as she remembered her promise to Ron. She knew his name but nothing else about him and she thought back to her veiled accusation the day before. He had appeared in her life through sheer happenstance and luck and she wondered silently about life's ability to throw people together. There was still that nagging question mark about him but she brushed it off as she strolled along the sidewalk.
"So I bet you're hungry am I right?" she jumped as he appeared by her side. This man was going to be the death of her. He had a small box in his hand and that lopsided grin on his face again. He wore a plain white tee shirt under his open hooded jumper and a pair of slim jeans that fit his long lanky legs. His dark red hair was slightly ruffled and his blue eyes still had that shine under the street lights. He was an attractive man no doubt but at the moment she was again more flabbergasted by his approach.
"Are you completely stubborn and deaf at the same time? I told you I can walk home by myself. There is no need to escort me and I would prefer if you left me alone." She glared at him but his smile remained.
"Ah but you see I am not escorting anyone. I am just heading home and it just happens that we live in the same building so all I am really doing is walking home just like you." He explained glibly as he handed her the box in his hands.
"Here hold this for a second." He instructed and she instinctively reached for it. With one fluid movement of his hands he pulled her bag strap off her shoulder and deftly transferred her bag to his shoulder and continued walking without breaking a stride.
"Good, now in that box are the most delicious meat pies I have ever had apart from my Mums so please help yourself to a few." He told her in a most matter of fact voice. Hermione was so stunned that she had to stop and take note of her senses.
"What are you doing may I ask?" she cried out in the middle of the sidewalk as she looked up at him. He truly was tall. Ron opened the box in her hand and her stomach rumbled involuntarily as the smell hit her nose.
"I'm trying to feed you. I have it from good sources that you may not have eaten anything for the afternoon and since I have already consumed four of those beauties you should eat one or two before you feint on the way home." He quipped with that damn smile as she stood with her mouth gaping and her stomach gurgling embarrassingly. He pushed the box closer to her nose.
"Tell you what. If you eat some of those I will not bother you again so go ahead…please? If not I will have to eat them and you will be responsible for getting me fat." he gave her a pleading look and despite her best intentions she let out a sudden laugh. His smile only got wider.
"You are an impossible prat." She tried to look stern but reached for one of the savoury pies and took a bite. As they continued walking Hermione soon had eaten two of the pies. They were really good and she was indeed hungry. This man was slowly eroding her resolve but it felt nice at the moment.
"So was that your boyfriend back there in the library?" …so much for the nice moment she told herself.
"I thought you said you would not bother me again?" she reminded him with a sneer.
"Yep but I didn't say I wouldn't talk again. Big difference. It's a good thing you are not studying law." He chuckled to himself. "And asking a reasonable question is not bothering is it?" he looked at her.
"That was not a reasonable question. Firstly, it is somewhat inappropriate and secondly it is none of your business. I don't even know you." She shot at him. Ron stepped back as his grin faded and she suddenly hoped he was not offended by all her catty remarks for the night.
"You're right. You don't know anything about me. Sorry." He said seriously. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Ronald B. Weasley but you can never call me by my full name and you can never ask about my middle name at risk of death. Son of Arthur and Molly Weasley. Last of six brothers and brother to one baby sister." He rattled off in a flourish.
"Goodness you have six siblings? That must be quite an experience." She exclaimed but his eyes clouded over a bit.
"Well it's now five actually. I lost one of my brothers a few years ago." He explained solemnly.
"I'm sorry Ron." She quickly said as they both remained silent for a few seconds.
"So what are you doing here in Fulham? Jeff and Liz mentioned something about the police department?" she asked glad to steer away from the previous subject.
"Um…yes I work for a special branch of the police doing research. I graduated less than a year ago but I have always been…interested in this field. So I'm here based at the Academy up on Sheppards Bush Rd. doing research for a special project. Oh and that's why I have a pass to your library." He explained a bit hesitantly. She was not completely convinced but she was willing to let it rest for now and she was also a bit intrigued.
"I like research too. Does it have something to do with crime and medical conditions?" she ventured widely. He moved closer to her again as they walked side by side.
"Well it does relate to crime and certain…conditions but that's all I can tell you." He smiled softly as she nodded in understanding. She was actually enjoying the warmth of him next to her as they walked in comfortable silence. She heard him clear his throat quietly.
"Listen I'm sorry for saying…what I said about you yesterday. I understand your suspicion about me I really do. I just hope you can…well…give me a fair chance to get to know me that's all I ask." He turned to her in hope. She had some confessing to do also.
"And I'm also sorry for the way I behaved. I never truly thanked you for saving my friends and yes maybe we were both partly to blame for our…accident." She smiled at him. "And even though you seem to annoy me constantly I think we both should start over so it's my turn to introduce myself. My name is Hermione Granger and it's nice to meet you." She extended her hand in greeting as his lopsided grin appeared on his pale face.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Hermione and I will try my best not to annoy you…constantly." He laughed as he gently took her hand for a brief shake. His warm touch only made her more comfortable in his company.
His recent promise was however short-lived by the next statement out of his mouth.
"Even though you never answered my earlier question I'm hoping that it's not true." He commented airily and even though she knew who he was referring to she pretended not to understand. She was feeling too relaxed to fret herself up again.
"I have no idea what you are on about." She stated flatly.
"Oh come on Hermione! He has a number in his name and he wears a tie when he doesn't even have to! And he has those shifty eyes that you can't always trust." He pointed out with a serious face and she had to laugh out again.
"Right. And I should instead trust the opinion of someone who I met just over a day ago. Makes sense." She chuckled at him as he shut his mouth for a moment.
"Yeah I see your point there. Ok disregard my last statement. I'll get back to you on that after you get to know me better." He grinned as they came to the front door of their building. She shook her head and her face again erupted in a smile. Honestly she could not remember the last time she felt so relaxed.
As she moved inside to go up the steps, he paused at the door of his flat and touched her arm.
"Hey listen. I am sorry about your bike but I have to admit that I'm not too sorry after all as it allowed me the opportunity to walk home with some company." He smiled in the dim light. "Would you mind if every now and then I can maybe…walk home at a particular time so that I can have some company again?" He asked in a roundabout way.
She made a few steps up before pausing and turning to him with her smile.
"I can't stop you from walking home when you want to Ron and as long as you promise not to bother me too much…it would be nice to have some company again." She told him before running up the stairs to her flat.
After taking a shower, she climbed into her bed and settled down quickly. She drifted off to a peaceful sleep with thoughts of red hair and the smell of hot meat pies.
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