She Hasn't Changed

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Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers do.

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AN- Sorry this chapter took so long to appear, I've had a really bad week and a half and haven't been in the mood for writing, but a little retail therapy and a lovely Italian meal has cheered me up a little and I came home able to finish this chapter. Thanks for your great reviews, please review this chapter. I must warn you that this chapter isn't very eventful but I wanted Hermione's thoughts in it down. Please review.

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Hermione awoke from an uneasy sleep and groaned as memories of the previous evening flooded her brain.

Not that it had been an unpleasant evening. Rose (the cook of the household) had made a lovely dinner for Ron and Ginny's arrival.

Ginny had been the cheerfull chatty girl Hermione had known at Hogwarts. Hermione could hardly believe how much she had recovered from Harry's death. Yet it was still affecting her, Hermione could see the shadow of the past linger in Ginny's eyes, could sense the invisible scars that had been left from that time of suffering.

Ron- he had changed completely. Or had he just grown up? Hermione couldn't tell. He was much more mannerly and gentlemanlike than the reckless, sarcastic schoolboy Hermione had once loved so well.

Or was he just acting like that in front of her? Did he no longer feel comfortable enough around her to act himself? Was he treating her as he would any old casual acquaintance? The thought brought tears to Hermione's eyes.

Shaking herself, telling herself she'd lost him anyway Hermione got up, showered and dressed for work. Ron and Ginny may be on holiday but Hermione had to work.

She had to wear muggle clothing to work, the Runic Institute had anti- apparition charms on it and the entrance was along a busy muggle street. She found herself a simple lilac t-shirt and lightweight, black crop pants. After brushing her teeth she attempted to pull back her curls into a bun. The result was an untidy knot at the back of her neck and many escaping ringlets cascading down her face.

Knowing she'd never get her hair to look tidy she rushed downstairs for a quick breakfast of melon and grapefruit juice.

The house was quiet, Hermione had to be in work for seven o'clock whereas her housemates started later. She hummed softly to herself as she cleared away her breakfast things.

"Do you always get up this early?" Came a voice from the doorway.

Startled Hermione looked up- Ron was standing there, dressed and looking surprisingly awake. Hermione had never known him to be a morning person.

"Yes, well on days that I work," Hermione said.

"But it becomes a habit am I right?" He asked her.

"Yes," She admitted. "You have the same problem?"

"Uh-huh, Sirius has me working at seven sharp!" He said chuckling, "the result is that I get up early all the time, hence me being up now."

Hermione laughed. "How is Sirius, it must be great to work with him?"

"Oh yes it is, he's fine, got a new girlfriend actually, Claire, she's nice, I had dinner with them the other night."

"Oh." Hermione said, realising how much she missed out on, living abroad. The clock on the kitchen wall caught her eyes, "Aghh! I'm going to be late!"

She hastened to put on her sandals and rushed out of the door, calling, "See you later, and try not to get lost!"

Ron smiled 'she may be prettier but, she hasn't changed' he thought.