Hermione rapped lightly at the kitchen doorframe. Harry glanced up.
"Hey." He stood up from the parchments that scattered one end of the table and took a step forward. "You okay?"
Hermione gave a small smile and nodded, wrapping her arms around herself for a moment.
"Yes, I'm fine." She made a face. "Well, mostly fine, anyways."
Harry nodded, wiping his glasses on his shirt.
"Good."
He put them back on his face and smiled.
"So, what's up?" His eyes widened. "Did you have some sort of break through?"
Hermione shook her head. She had been shut up in her room these past two weeks, searching for clues and reading anything she could get her hands on.
Harry's brows came together and he closed the distance between them. He placed a gentle hand on her elbow.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
She gave him a weak smile, her gut twisting as the words left her mouth. She hated lying to her best friend.
"Yes. I am fine, Harry."
He nodded and let go.
As he moved away, back to his work, the front door slammed shut down the hall. It opened and closed again.
"Lily, I told you not to slam that door!"
Now or never.
"Actually," she spoke quickly. "I was planning on going out."
Harry glanced up as he sat. "Oh..okay." He hesitated. It had been at least a week since she had left the house, and never on her own.
"Do you want some company?"
She shook her head, fighting the urge to bite her lip.
"...Alright." He watched her closely. "See you in a bit then."
She nodded then a small smile budded on her lips. "Thanks for understanding."
Harry returned the smile and she turned away before she could change her mind.
Ginny and Lily came up the hall, coats hanging on pegs by the door behind them.
"Hey." Ginny greeted, smiling brightly as Lily hurried ahead.
"Hey." Hermione tightened her lips but kept her smile. Ginny was a bit more intuitive than her husband.
"Just going out for a bit!" Hermione called as she hurried past the other witch for the door.
Ginny turned around, eyes wide. "Out? Out where?"
Hermione shrugged on her coat. "I just...I need to get out for a bit, you know?"
Ginny's eyes hardened. "A bit where?"
Hermione could have groaned. "Just out, Gin. I am allowed leisure time, aren't I?"
The woman's eyes softened. "I'm sorry. I just worry."
Hermione moved forward to embrace her.
"I know," she said into the red locks near her ear. She pulled back and smiled. "I'll be okay."
Ginny smiled back.
Before she could lose her nerve, Hermione ducked out the door, closing it firmly behind her.
She closed her eyes and turned.
Just as the world pulled in on her, a thought filled her head.
I hope he shows.
~*~*~*~
The door shut softly behind her, closing out the wind's chilling grip. She peered around the dimly lit room.
There he was...sitting at the bar, nursing a drink.
A sad smile formed on her lips. His hair was longer than she last remembered. And he had broadened out.
Working with Charlie really seemed to pay off.
She took the stool next to him before she could change her mind.
"Hello, Ron."
He threw a look over his shoulder at her and shrugged, mumbling what could have been a greeting. She was not sure as she didn't quite catch it.
Tom came by to take her order. She glanced to Ron's glass to see firewhisky shimmering but decided not. She ordered a butterbeer instead.
She swirled it around, watching the foam swish.
"So...how have things...been?"
He shrugged again, this time with a bit of a grunt..
"Oh, for goodness' sake! This is ridiculous! Won't you at least speak to me? I mean why else would you have shown up?"
Hermione slapped her hands over her mouth. Ron turned his head to face her, his brows drawn low over his searching gaze.
Well, shoot. Now you've done it.
She turned back to her drink, expecting him to get up and leave at any moment.
"...I'll always come back to you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hi, guys! First off, do not fear! This is still a Dramione story! I just wanted to clarify that. Secondly, I know the story seems a little slow off course right now, but Hermione is having a bit of issues is desperately trying to figure things out. Please try to be patient with her (us). Things will go back to the main story line soon. Other than that, I hope ya'll enjoy!
Author's Note:
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. Those rights belong to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing her beautiful creations.