Chapter 7

On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip Hermione woke a little early. She was rather nervous about her outing with Wood and didn't want it to show too much.

Taking a steaming hot shower the witch stood under the flow of water for what seemed like forever, the water beating down on her back and shoulders felt so soothing that she didn't want to leave.

In the few years after the war Hermione had only ever trimmed her hair, as a result it had grown tremendously. Added to the fact that it wasn't so bushy anymore and naturally fell down her back in waves it looked much longer. Magically drying her long locks after stepping out of the shower, Hermione went on with her daily routine.

Moisturize, walk around for a little bit making sure everything is dry, pick out clothes, put on undergarments, brush teeth, do make up, and finally put clothes on. Today she had picked out dark jeans and a simple black shirt. Accessorized with a scarf and she was all ready for the weather. Fortunately it was only early October so it wasn't too cold out just yet.

A few moments later Oliver arrived in the infirmary, hearing him call from her rooms Hermione grabbed her silver purse and rushed out to meet him.

"Good morning," She said cheerfully. Oliver was dressed nicely as well wearing jeans and a red Henley shirt. "Sleep alright?"

Nodding Oliver smiled, he had never seen Hermione look dressy before. Then again, Hogwarts robes, tattered fighting clothes, and hospital robes were not always the most flattering.

Hogsmeade Village was bustling with the students running in and out of the shops as well as the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer or two. Getting a table in the pub was as difficult as it had ever been.

"What'll it be for you two, then?" Madame Rosmerta had gotten a bit older, but was still one of the best looking pub owners in Britain.

"I'll have a butter beer and some chips please." Hermione ordered followed by Oliver getting the same, but with a burger as well.

"What made you decide to become the flying instructor?"

"Well," Oliver had to phrase his answer correctly. If he said the wrong thing it could sound like he had followed her to Hogwarts. "After my accident I wasn't exactly in top shape to play quidditch anymore. You use your knees a lot holding yourself on the broom and moving it around, and I couldn't risk falling off or not being able to move in the direction I needed to. And so when I got word that the position was open at Hogwarts I figured that there really wasn't anything else I wanted to do than to help kids learn how to fly and play quidditch."

Both their reasons were valid, but it was still very odd how they had met in St. Mungos as healer and patient and again as colleagues. It was almost as if it was fate that they had met again. Almost, it seemed like they couldn't be out of each other's lives.

Their food came and conversation ended, Oliver was stuffing his burger down without tasting it. The act made her laugh internally, Hermione sat there chewing her chips and sipping the butterbeer in front of her quietly.

"How is your knee feeling?" Catching him right after a big bite of the burger, Oliver motioned to his mouth and started awkwardly chewing faster.

"It twinges a bit now and then but it doesn't hurt too much."

"I imagine that when it gets colder out it might start to hurt a little bit more, but I might be able to make some potion to keep it from hurting too terribly."

Hermione's offer made Oliver smile, it seemed like she was almost worried. "I would appreciate that very much."

A group of giggling second years walked past their table, one staring blatantly at Oliver.

"It seems like you've got a new fan base."

Color ran into Oliver's cheeks, blushing so hard he could rival Ron. "I was never interested in the girls that threw themselves at me, especially the younger ones."

Is he trying to tell me something? Chocolate eyes met blue across the table, Something like….but no. Why would he feel that way about me?!

"Anything else for you two?" Rosmerta appeared at the table, a tray floating in front of her.

"I think we're set." Oliver handed her a few coins and with a smile the woman left. "Want to walk around for a bit?"

The autumn air was chilly against Hermione's skin, but after years of running around the world and sleeping in tents the chill was nothing to her. After seven years of being forced to wear a skirt at school no matter the season, she had taken to wearing short sleeved shirts more and more.

It seemed as though Oliver was the same way. Although he was wearing a long sleeved shirt, it was a thin fabric and was doing nothing to protect him against the wind. The two of them were getting many odd looks from those who were bustling around in thick coats.

Walking around Hogsmeade Village had never been something Hermione did when she was in school, Harry and Ron always had some other agenda on the weekend trips that limited her time to leisurely activities such as a nice long stroll. There was something cathartic about not having a destination, about not caring where you ended up.

During the war it always mattered where you ended up, and there was definitely no leisure. Hermione had taken the Hogwarts job to get away from the evil and hateful acts that people did every day. School children were mean, but not evil and the only place that they could truly get injured was in Oliver's class.

"It would be a beautiful day for flying."

Flying had never been something Hermione was extremely fond of but had become a necessity some days during the war. While she wasn't a natural on a broom like Oliver was, she had gotten into her own comfort zone. "Yes, I suppose it would be."

This seemed to have shocked Oliver who had only ever known Hermione to be afraid of flying. "Fancy a trip around the pitch then?"

"Race you there?"

Running through the village towards Hogwarts earned the pair several odd stares and jests from others. Until Oliver got tangled up in a group of business men they had been going around the same speed. Hermione took the time to sprint the rest of the way.

When Oliver made it to the pitch he smiled and began pulling out brooms, preparing for Hermione's arrival. After choosing the best brooms in the cupboard he sat and caught his breath.

"Good of you to make it."

The voice made him jump to his feet. Hermione was sitting above him braiding her long brown hair into one long single braid over her shoulder. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough." Laughing the pair made their way out of the stands to the brooms.

The air higher up was colder and filled with small water droplets that hit their faces as they flew. It was refreshing.

Oliver never felt as alive as he did on a broom, but hearing Hermione giggle to herself and seeing her broad smile made him feel a little more happier.

She is truly amazing. Oliver watched the witch fly for a moment, seeing how careless she was holding her arms out on either side of her as the broom moved slowly through the air. It has been a rough ride for her too with the war and the boys being so far away. Maybe that's why she became a healer, to fix people.

He was still thinking about how beautiful the woman looked as Hermione's broom turned and she fell.

A/N: Harry Potter weekend has me inspired! But really, sorry for the severe lack of updates, becoming an adult was more tiresome than expected!