In essence, this is a rewrite of things I should have done with my first AU with them. The blending of LA with the concept of things being Harry Potter esk. This is a no magic fic and definitely some surprises later.
I wanted to take a more adult look at things now that I've matured as a writer and this spit up while looking at the giant stacks of WIPs I have. No, I'm not ignoring them, I promise. They're just not talking to me like an awkward marriage. So, as every good artist does, I follow the muse. Here it is.
Hermione was listening to a pop station on the radio and singing along. It wasn't a bad night to be traveling through the canyon, but she wasn't content with the vision. Driving on the wrong side of the street for one had her shaky at best. However, if she could jump out of a plane unharmed, she could drive in America.
"Just a bit of a drive," she told herself. "It was a dumb idea to come out this way."
The road was narrow, but she just kept focusing on it as she traveled. The woman glanced at her rearview mirror when she saw a glimmer, but it was dark. No one was on the road with her. Hermione ran her fingers on the wheel as she turned - something was spooking her about this road.
"Too many horror films," Hermione huffed.
Her Bluetooth went off with ringing, and Hermione pressed the answer button. "Granger," Hermione sighed.
"Hermione! Are you here yet? We're about to start the dinner meet and greet," the familiar voice of her local friend came through.
"I decided against it. I'm going to head to bed because of my long day tomorrow. Have fun and play safe," Hermione replied.
"Wait! I promised them they were going to meet my funny brit friend. I had someone right up your alley of interest," the woman whined.
"I'll see you when you're back in town. I'm on my way back already," Hermione sighed.
The woman wasn't prepared for the rough truck barreling down the road and panicked. It was driving in the center of the road at an alarming speed and honked loudly. She swerved to get out of his way and screamed as her rental car was knicked, throwing her off the road. The woman could hear her companion howling through the speaker, but the words were incomprehensible as her car rolled down the hill.
She landed upside down and felt the blood dripping down her forehead as her friend's voice hummed in the background of the ringing in her ear. "Hermione! Hermione, answer me! What happened? Where are you?" from a smaller speaker somewhere in the car.
Hermione groaned and rubbed her face as her mind cleared. "I'm alright, I'm fine," she grumbled.
Glancing around the ceiling of the car, she could see the glow of her cell phone. It was within reach due to the scrunched roof. Hermione snagged it and exhaled while still uncomfortably upside down. "A truck knocked me off the road."
"Get out of the car, you crazy woman," her friend hissed.
She struggled with the seat belt and flopped to the ground. The woman fumbled for her bag and whimpered in the darkness as she sorted out her escape. The window had broken, and her shoulder ached as she attempted to crawl from the wreckage. Hermione looked around in the dark as she rested on the dirt. The accident wasn't too far from the road.
"I'm not sure where I'm at," Hermione admitted as she took the phone to her ear.
"I'm on my way back through the canyon now. We need to get you to the hospital."
Hermione grunted as she clamored to her feet. "No, it's fine, I'm just banged up. I'm glad I chanced rental's insurance."
Her phone beeped, and she glanced at the screen. Low battery? She should have bought a new cellphone before her trip. "I have to go, dear. My phone's going to die, and I need to figure out how to get out of here."
"Hermione!"
She hung up and pulled up the map. Hermione took a screenshot of her location and sent it to her friend before climbing up the hill to the road. Attempting to roll her shoulder caused searing pain to shot up her neck, so she tucked it to her chest as she pulled up the dial pad. She really didn't want to call the police for this business…
Lights were poking around the turn up ahead, and soon a pair of headlights appeared. Hermione had just typed in 9-1-1 and was about to call when the car stopped. She was blinded by the lights and couldn't see the driver stepping out.
"Love, are you alright?" A British accent inquired.
Hermione exhaled and attempted to adjust her torn dress. "Some tosser ran me off the road."
When the figure approached, she noted the pink shirt first. It was a bubblegum color with the word, 'Feminist,' written in black across it. The detail of his face escaped her through the blaring lights, but he seemed ruggedly attractive. His face was marred with worry as he examined her. "Why don't you come to sit in my car while the cops come? You look a bit shaken up."
Hermione bobbed her head and limped slightly as the man escorted her to the sky blue classic car. The older man assisted in her climbing into the vehicle and shut the door. The woman exhaled and dialed the police as he climbed into the driver's side. It was a mission to explain the incident and even more so to describe where they were.
"Well, I was going to visit a friend. I was driving on," Hermione huffed and pulled the phone from her mouth.
The man murmured the road, and she repeated it.
"We'll send a car out right away. Was anyone injured?" the operator questioned.
"Just scratched. No need for medical," Hermione sighed.
"Alright, Miss, we'll have someone there shortly."
Hermione hung up the phone and groaned as she rolled her uninjured shoulder. "Thank you kindly."
"Of course, but I have to ask, why would you not want to be checked out by a doctor?" the man questioned.
"I, well, I'm not technically supposed to be here for another two days, so I don't want them to keep me overnight," she murmured while setting her nearly dead phone on her lap.
"Let me plug that in for you while we wait," the man offered.
Hermione handed him the phone, and he reached for the cord. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name. I'm Hermione Granger," she said and held out her right hand.
The man smirked and took it in his. "Sirius Black. It's nice to hear a bit of home on your voice."
"Thank you for saving me," she responded with a smile.
Sirius set her phone down and released her hand. "A lovely brit such as yourself looked like you needed a bit of saving," he teased.
Hermione exhaled while shaking her head. "I knew something bad was going to happen. I had a feeling. Now, the only person I know to call out here is my supervisor, and he's not interested in saving me from a large medical bill."
The man drummed his steering wheel and grimaced. "Well, after the cops take your account, we can have my mate look at you. He's pretty stellar about wounds. Bookishly handsome as well," Sirius teased and reached into his back seat. "Wipe your face off, so they don't require you to go in."
Hermione glanced down at the rainbow cloth and blinked. She would have never thought this charming man was gay, but then again, she was wrong before. It eased her in a way, and she rocked her head. "Okay, sounds brilliant."
The woman used the mirror to clean the blood from her face. It was caked in her hair, but she couldn't do much about that. The man sitting next to her had out his phone and was texting while she tidied herself up. It was quiet, and the woman appreciated it as she relaxed and waited.
After the lengthy report, the police made her give, Sirius said he was driving her back to her hotel. The officers seemed reluctant to let her go without being examined by medical staff, but she bashed it. It wasn't until they were on the road down the rugged canyon that Sirius cleared his throat.
"So, Miss Granger, what is it that you do?"
"I work for a non-profit that is about social and economic equality. We've been focusing on helping the LBGTQ community."
Sirius grinned over at her before returning his eyes to the road. "Glad to see someone across the pond cares about people."
"I came over for an event during pride week," Hermione sighed as she rubbed her head.
"You have a girl, love?" Sirius asked.
Hermione tapped her chin before she realized what he was inquiring about. "Oh, no, Mr. Black, I'm straight."
"Even more curiouser," he teased.
"I believe we all should be screaming in outrage over people not being allowed to love who they feel compelled to love. As long as it's consenting adults, who's to judge anyone else for what they do in their bedrooms," Hermione grumbled.
"I completely agree with you. No one should ever be forced to fit in a box society has set for them," Sirius agreed with a nod.
The man was glancing over at the woman who was texting her friend. She had noted his gazing but chopped it up as a welfare check. She was just in a car accident. Hermione assured her friend she was fine, and they would see each other tomorrow.
"What do you do, Mr. Black?" Hermione questioned as she sent out a goodnight text.
"When I'm not saving women on the side of the road, which is a part-time gig, I'm the owner of a dog rescue nearby," he jested with a smile that ruffled under his mustache.
Hermione laughed while shaking her head. "And do you have a partner?"
"Well, as much of one as you could call him. He helps with the shelter when he's not busy with school. He's an English teacher. Actually, we've lived together for about twenty years."
Hermione blinked, and her eyebrows rose. "Goodness, that's a long time."
"Sure seems like it. He's my ole grumbly grump, but we take care of each other when we aren't engaged in other ventures."
"That's nice that you don't put a label on it," Hermione sighed and nodded.
Sirius arched an eyebrow as he rolled his shoulders. "He's a decent fellow. Moony will patch you up when we get to my home. It's funny. I was off to visit a few friends nearby when I came across you. You must have a very wealthy friend."
Hermione's cheeks filled with color as she cleared her throat. "Well, she's well off. Her friends are even more so. I was just headed back to the hotel when it all happened."
"Sour, indeed," he sighed. "Don't worry. We're a safe bunch. You can stay if you need to so that you don't have to be stuck in a lonely hotel room tonight."
The woman felt relief build in her abdomen. What a lovely person this stranger was. Offering his home out without the consent of his partner, knowing he would be just as welcoming. It struck pride that she was in a field of work to support wonderful people such as them.
"I don't want to put you both out," she murmured.
"No, never, dear. From one brit to another, we are open arms about misfits," Sirius snickered with a nod.
They pulled down a street, and soon, the car was parked in front of a decent-sized house. The lights were on, and Sirius climbed out of the car, walking over to her side. He helped the young woman from the car and shut the door while twitching his nose.
"One thing," he paused and glanced at the house. "Don't be alarmed at my dog. He's a bit of a slobberer, but he's kind for how giant he is."
Hermione giggled while shaking her head. "I don't mind animals."
"Good, let's go see if Moony has tea on for you yet."