Hermione left the Great Hall before she changed her mind, and talked herself out of it. She wasn't okay, and it wasn't okay that he was. Nothing about him changed. He still looked handsome and confident as ever. It was over, she told herself. He left without an explanation and now acted as if nothing had changed between them. It was unfair.

She didn't have it in her to be a crying mess in front of him. He didn't deserve her vulnerability, and to know how he still affected her. Her footsteps felt heavy, like her heart. Her sight became clouded with tears. She wiped them away, but was met by a tall figure. He had a familiar fragrance, musk mixed with vanilla.

"Hermione," he wiped her tears with the soft pad of his thumbs.

She looked up to meet him. Blue eyes looked at her with concern. His usual dark brown waves were slicked back, and it was the first time she'd seen him without his official Ministry robe. He wore a navy pinstripe with a bronze tie. She remembered he was a Ravenclaw, from their conversations, and graduated three years before her.

"Nicholas," she greeted him, in a whisper, and looked down. She didn't want him to see her being a mess.

He worked in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, on Level 2 at the Ministry. Every morning, she had daily briefs with all the departments on Level 2. He was usually the one to take on the task.

"Hey," he had a sweetness to his voice. He placed his hand under her chin, softly nudged her to look up at him. "I won't ask if you don't want me to."

"Hermione," Tom called out, soon as he entered the corridor, but stopped once he saw them together. From where he stood, they were too close for his liking.

"I can't face him yet," she whispered.

Nicholas understood. He took her hand in his and held it. "Where would you like to go? Back inside? London?"

"Can you stay with me? I arrived not too long ago, but I can't," she sighed. "It's just too difficult with him here. I hoped he wouldn't come."

He softly patted her cheeks with his sleeve, drying the remaining tears, and careful not ruin her makeup, not that she needed it. He always found her pretty, especially after a long day's work, but he found out that she already had a boyfriend. "Smile your beautiful smile, I see every morning, and I'll be by your side. We can go if it gets too much."

"Thank you, Nicholas," she squeezed his hand. She took one long breath and turned around.

Tom was still standing at the end of the hall. He hadn't moved an inch since he saw them. Last he heard, she was still single.

He came to Hogwarts to try and mend things with her. Breaking up with her was the biggest mistake of his life. He let the fame get to him. Other players on his team were always talking about the different women they met after every game.

There was one particular fan that always paid attention to him, always sending gifts after every game, win or lose. It was one of the team sponsor's Director. They met during his second year with the team. At first, it was small talks. By the end of the season, she made it clear that she wanted him. Hermione was too busy with work, and he was always traveling or training. He broke off his relationship and left.

It was nothing more than a fling that lasted a few weeks with Bellatrix Lestrange. He realized too late that it was not what he wanted. She wasn't anything like Hermione. She only got the job because her father was the CEO. He was a fool for throwing aside an amazing witch and future. She was the one, who was there during his tough years.

After graduating from Hogwarts, he didn't get drafted to any of the Quidditch teams. He played for minor teams with her support. He'd thrown it all away on a whim and to be a part of the other men in his team. They weren't to blame. He made the stupid decision to let her go.

Their footsteps echoed as they walked hand in hand together. Her smile was just as he remembered. She was always the most beautiful to him in the morning when they woke up next to each other, or after coming home from the Ministry.

"Tom," she smiled at him.

"Hermione," Tom stuffed is hands in his trouser pockets. He wore a black suit with a green tie. A Slytherin, through and through.

"This is Nicholas, my date."

"Can we talk in private?" Tom asked.

Hermione turned to Nicholas with pleading eyes. She didn't want to. A part of her would give in to anything Tom had to say. It wasn't fair.

"I'm sorry, but I just got here," Nicholas answered. "Let's go."

They stepped aside and continued to the Great Hall. He introduced her to some of his friends that were able to come. Some she knew from the Ministry. Tom stayed as well, and kept an eye on them. Nicholas was kind enough to stay with her when she talked to some old friends, and introduced him as her date. It was much easier, she told herself, but she also felt at ease with him. Her smile was no longer a facade. He made her smile with his jokes and got along with the people she knew.

Harry, one of her best friends and fellow Gryffindor, stopped by for half an hour and had to leave due to his wife, Ginny, being 36 weeks pregnant. They met at the Ministry a few times. Harry was a well respected Auror. Ron, her other best friend and Gryffindor, couldn't make it. His wife, Lavender, recently gave birth to twins. She had yet to meet them.

Hermione hadn't realized just how much time they spent together at the Ministry. They had daily briefings. Sometimes at noon, when she missed lunch due to an emergency, he stopped by at her desk with coffee and food. During those late nights, most of the Level 2 departments were there working hard. He made sure she was never left alone or rode the lift by herself. The Ministry had an eerie feeling in the quiet of the night.

As time went on, greeting old friends and Professors, she lost track of Tom. For a short moment, she forgot about the pain. Nicholas had made her smile again.

They didn't stick around for long, just an hour after Nicolas arrived, they were walking back to Hogsmeade to Apparate back to London. Hogwarts still had a charm that didn't allow Apparition. Her hand was no longer holding his, but he remained close.

"Thank you for tonight," she said, as they entered the Wizarding village.

"Of course, I enjoyed it as well," Nicholas smiled. "Hopefully, next time, we can go on a real date," he paused after his confession. "When you're ready," he added.

"I'll see you around at the Ministry," she answered. "Thanks again," she smiled. She had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Goodnight."

Hermione Apparated first. She went to her parent's home after moving out of their flat. It was the first night she fell soundly asleep.

end.