Disclaimer I don't own characters. JK is amazing.
I hope you all like the chapter. I love writing this story.
Chapter 7- Deal with It
Hermione had offered Susan a ride home from school, since the blonde was her next-door neighbor. Nerissa was sitting in the backseat.
"I still can't believe that Harry would treat you like that sissy," she said. Nerissa knew from how Hermione was acting that something happened at school when they meet up in front of Hermione's car. She didn't want to talk about it so Susan told her everything that happened between the two strained friends.
"Well Issa, people change. I don't want to have anything to do with him." Hermione said pulling into their drive.
"That's going to be difficult when mum and Mrs. Potter are so close. Don't you think?" Nerissa asked. "I agree with her, you are going to have to talk to him some time." said Susan getting out of the car.
"I am just going to have to deal with it won't I?" Hermione said grabbing her bag from the car. "Did you want to come over Susan?"
"No I better get home auntie might need me for something." she answered. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was 10, so while Hermione moved Susan was going through a lot of grieve and was not around very much. Hermione did stay in touch with her throughout the time in Paris, but not as much as Ginny and Luna.
"Alright, did you want me to drive you to school tomorrow, since your car in still in the shop?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah that would be great Herm. See ya later Nerissa," she called walking to her house.
Hermione and Nerissa walked into the house and put their bags away. Then walked into the kitchen. "Huh mum's not home yet. I thought she was off today." Nerissa said opening the refrigerator and pulled out an apples for Hermione and herself.
"Care to talk to me about Harry sissy?"
"Not really Issa, I just don't want someone in my life that treated me like that," Hermione said taking a bite out of the sweet apple.
"I still think you love him still, you both are just being stupid." Nerissa smiled at her sister.
"I am with André and he didn't stop talking to me no valid reason." retorted Hermione.
"André is a prick and you know it Sissy, wasn't that the reason Harry stopped talking to you anyway?" Nerissa had a mischievous smile on her face now.
"Nerissa I'm done taking about this. I have to get stuff done before work." Hermione snapped as she grabbed her bag and went to her room. Nerissa rolled her eyes in the direction of her sister. She is impossible.
Emma came through the front door. "Girls I'm home."
Nerissa came out of the kitchen to greet her mother. "Hello dear, how was school?"
"Mine was good, not so good for Hermione though." Nerissa answered.
"I figured that. I was over at the Potter's and Harry came home furious," Emma said knowing her youngest daughter had more of a level-head about these things.
"I really don't understand what really happened mum," Nerissa said looking up at a picture of Harry and Hermione when eight years ago before they left. "They looked so happy."
"I know dear, I better go talk to her." Mrs. Granger said kissing her daughter on the head.
Emma put her things away. She took a big sigh as she walked upstairs to Hermione's room. She knocked on the door. "Hermione sweetheart, can I come in?"
"Come in mum," Hermione answered as her mom opened the door. Hermione was on her bed with papers and books spread out in front of her. "Do you want to talk?"
"I don't know mum, I just don't know."
"Hermione you have changed since that day. I just want you to talk to me about it. We used to talk about everything," Emma was trying to get through her stubborn daughter placing her hand on her shoulder and pushing some of the work to the side. Emma sat down next to her oldest. "Please talk to me Hermione."
Hermione looked at her mother and took a deep breath. "Fine, I will answer anything that you want."
"What happened today Nerissa said something happened?"
"Harry is the most insufferable arrogant prat I have ever meet," said Hermione
"What do you mean by that sweetheart?" Emma said stroking Hermione's short pixie hair. Hermione got off the bed and started to pace her bedroom.
"I was talking to Susan about France and she asked me if I had a boyfriend back there, I knew Ron and Harry were behind me and I didn't want to talk about it in front of them, but Susan wouldn't let it go. I told her about André and she asked if I had a picture. I was just about to tell her that I did and I would show her later, but Harry made an ignorant comment and I don't know I just snapped. We got into an argument and he told me that I can snog anyone and he didn't care. I told him that we should just keep to not talking to each other, which he wanted in the first place and walked away."
"What happened next?" Emma said helping her daughter put homework away.
"Ron was being sweet, even though we haven't talked for a while, and came to apologize for Harry's behavior. Mum I just don't understand him," said Hermione putting more papers away. Emma could see Hermione's face change from being furious to tears rolling down her face.
"Oh sweetheart it will be alright." Emma said bringing her into a hug.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, just seeing him today... I don't know... brought back the pain and so many other feelings," said Hermione wiping away the tears. She took another deep breath. "I need to get ready for the bookstore, I have orientation today."
"Okay dear, just know if you need to talk just come to me okay?" Emma knew her oldest daughter would put up her barriers around herself and it would take time to really get through to her. "Thanks mum, I will. I will try to talk more," Hermione said brushing out her short hair. "Mum..."
"Yes?"
"Do you really like my hair?" Hermione said looking in the mirror.
Emma laughed at the randomness. "Yes sweetheart, I do. Have a good time at work."
"Thanks mum," Hermione said giving Emma a kiss on the cheek and out of her bedroom.
"Mum I just don't get why you didn't tell me Hermione was back!" Harry yelled at his mother.
"Harry James you need to calm down and act your age instead of acting like a spoiled brat. We did not raise you like that. When were we supposed to even tell you, you are always gone with something. We didn't get a chance to tell you, plus we knew you would act like this. I don't know why you are so upset anyway, you're the one who broke your friendship with her because of God knows what." Lily Potter could always hold her own being married to James for so long.
"I think it would have been better if you told me at least, so I wouldn't be ambushed at school today." Harry said trying to calm down. He did not want to get into it too much with his mother, she would always win anyway.
"What happened at school today than?" Lily asked as they walked into the house. Harry put his bag next to the office entrance.
"Well, I made a complete arse of myself to her, that's what happened." Harry said following Lily to the kitchen.
Lily let out a big sigh, knowing her son's famous temper. "What did you say to her Harry?"
"I told her that 'I could care less who she snogs' when she was talking about her boyfriend she said was only her friend four years ago."
"Harry we raised you better than to talk to women like that. You really need to watch your temper dear. You know sometimes friendships change to something more, so you can't really be angry at her." Lily said grabbing a granola bar for her son.
"I just can't help it when I'm around her mum, she just makes me lose it and I couldn't control it." Harry said taking a bite from the granola bar.
"Well you better start because whether you like it or not the Grangers will be around a lot more." she said reaching for a glass of water.
"What are you talking about mum?"
"You knew Emma and I stayed in contact with each other, even though our stubborn children haven't," she looked at him raising her eyebrows to him knowingly. "Besides we are having dinner on Friday and I expect you to be there. No hanging out with Cho or the boys..."
"Oh come on mum, I told Cho I would take her out." Harry said widening his eyes in protest.
"You can give her a rain-check. You are just going to have to stop and deal with what happened in the past." Lily said as she started with the dishes. Harry was about to protest when his little sister came downstairs.
"Mummy, mummy, Can you take me somewhere? I need something for school." said Rosie.
"Love, I'm sorry, I have to check into the hospital. I have a patient who is due next week. Harry can you take her for me?" Lily said wiping her hands with a towel and turning to her older son.
"Aww mum..." start Harry.
"No Aw me Harry. I need to to take her. You can take the other car, no motorcycle with her on there."
Lily said handing him the car keys. "What about Jerm?"
"He is still at school for a project." Lily said.
"Okay Fine, where do you need to go shrimp?" Harry asked his sister.
"The bookstore, the teacher wants us to get a book," Rosie answered.
"Let's go, at least I can get that French study book I need." Harry said grabbing his wallet and cell from the table.
"You're having trouble in French dear?" Lily asked with a mischievous grin that her son didn't see.
"Yeah, since it's the last year I want to do better in that class."
"Why don't you get a tutor?" Lily said.
"I'll think about it, but I will get the book first. I mean I am in advanced French, but it is just so difficult with some of it. Let's go Rosie," Harry said waiting for his sister to follow him.
"So you told me in your interview over the phone that you have experience in working at a bookstore." said Mr. Burn. Mr. Burn was a man in his late sixties. He was about the same height of Hermione and his gray hair was short and balding. He was the owner of "Once Upon a Story" bookstore. It was a small little bookstore that connected to a café.
"Yes, I worked in Paris with a bookstore for about 2 years, that was my first job. I loved it, being around books always make me feel safe and calm. I was always busy so it was a nice escape." Hermione thought she would be nervous about this new job, but Mr. Burn was easygoing and easy to talk to.
"Good. Would you want to start today with actually working since you have experience, I have no doubt that you will do great here."
"That would be great," Hermione said to the old man.
"Great I have some boxes in the back that I need to go over. Since we went over the different parts of the store I think you can take on some of what you will be doing. I will need you to take those books over on that cart and put them away. If a customer comes in just greet them and see if they need help looking for a certain book. When they need to check out just let me know and I will show you how to use the cash register. Any questions?" Mr. Burn asked.
"I think I got it. Thank you for this opportunity Mr. Burns." Hermione said starting to go through the cart.
"Believe me Miss. Granger you are helping me out a lot more. I needed the help. It's not easy at my age you know." Mr. Burn then left Hermione to putting the books away.
After about fifteen minutes of putting away books, Hermione heard the bell of the store. She went around one bookshelf to see who it was and stopped suddenly at the sight of the customers. Harry Potter and a girl who was about 10 years old. Hermione felt her words leave her as she watched the two walk through the store.
Harry suddenly stopped at the sight of the short-haired brunette. "Um... hi," he said to Hermione.
"Hello, is there anything that I can help you with?" Hermione said politely, even though it was killing her to keep her temper at bay at the sight of the black-haired boy remembering what happened in class that day.
The red-haired girl answered "Hi, I need these books for school. And my brother needs something for French class."
Then it hit Hermione "Rosie?"
"Um yeah Rosie Potter, who are you?" Rosie said curiously to this young woman who knew her.
"Hermione Granger, you used to call me Hermy, it would be hard to remember me I guess, you were two years old last time I saw you." Hermione said taking the sheet from the younger girl.
Rosie's eyes widened as she looked at Harry in surprise of how much Hermione had grown up. She nudged Harry in the ribs because he was staring at the brunette
"Oh yea I remember you a little. You and my brother were always together." Hermione blushed at the comment.
She glanced at Harry, who was looking at her. "Um yea I guess we were. I'll show you where these books are Rosie."
Rosie followed Hermione to a section of books. "These are great books, I loved them when I was your age."
While Rosie was looking for her books Hermione turned towards Harry.
"Did you need something too?" she said with bitterness on her voice. She just wanted to yell at him and ignore him as much as possible, but that would not have been good for the store.
"Hermione I just want to apologize for how I acted today in class. I was just surprised is all." Harry said quietly. He felt the heat rise and his temper start to boil, but he needed to keep his promise to his mom even though he really wanted to tell her off due to her attitude towards him.
Hermione was stunned to say the least about his apology "Wow thanks Harry. Now what book did you need?" She was trying to calm her temper towards him down by getting back to the book.
"Um yea, I need it for French, I'm having a little trouble and I'm a worried about how I will do this semester." said Harry feeling better towards her change of attitude.
"Well, I know there are some books that will help, I'm not totally sure since today was just about the syllabus. It seemed that we are just working on fluency." She said as she walked over to the language bookcases. "I am relieved that you are not talking to me like that again Harry."
"Well I should have known you would have reacted like that..." Harry suddenly stopped he just did it again. Shit.
"React like what Harry?" Hermione's temper was back. "React about how you treated me and how you talked to me in the first time in four years? Well forgive me high and mighty."
"No, no. I wasn't going to say that Hermione. Gosh calm down." Harry said his temper was rising again. Hermione shoved the book he requested at him and started to walk away. "Hermione..." Harry started to go after her.
"Hermione?" Rosie said but then stopped at the sight of her brother and the brunette looking like they were just fighting. "I was wondering if... What's wrong? Harry what did you do?"
"It's nothing Rosie, um could you not find one of the books?" Hermione said taking a breath too calm herself down.
"Um yea, I was looking for Pride and Prejudice." Rosie said looking between the two 18 year olds.
Harry was annoyed at his little sister interruption. I don't understand how stubborn she is. It's not like I meant what I said. She is going to be the death of me I swear.
"Follow me Rosie. That is my favorite author. I could read her novels over and over," Hermione said as the red-head followed her. Harry stayed back at the counter kicking himself mentally because of what he said to her. I can't believe this when I start to say something nice. It turns into something stupid.
Hermione was helping Rosie showing her different Jane Austin novels. How can someone apologize and then say that I was overreacting. "Hermione is everything alright, I can get him back if you want. He has changed over the past couple of years." Rosie said as Hermione handed her the required book. "No Rosie it's alright. I am trying to deal." Hermione said to the red-haired girl. "Thanks though."
"Mr. Burn I think they are ready to check out." Hermione said to the back of the store when her and Rosie can back to the counter.
Mr. Burn came out from the back with his glasses on. "Ah... Mr. Potter, Ms. Potter, how are you today?"
"We're okay Mr. Burn. How are you?" said Harry politely looking at the old man.
"Did Ms. Granger help you two?" said Mr. Burn.
"She was fantastic Mr Burn," said Rosie smiling at Hermione. "Great," said Mr. Burn.
Mr. Burn showed her how to ring the books up. Being Hermione it didn't take long to catch on. Harry just looked at her in amazement and they left the store.
"Harry, that girl is amazing I don't understand how you let her go."
"Yea, well let's get you home. I need to get some homework done." Harry said hugging his sister.
NA: Please read and review.
Don't worry they will get along at least soon. :)
