Just Waiting for the Rain

Epilogue

a/n: Polei returns with an epilogue!  An possibly a sequel if you, my beloved readers, wish and can put up with my slow updates.  (I know, it's extraordinarily difficult).  Anyway, enjoy!  And don't forget to r/r.  :-)


*September 1, 2002 – London, England – Diagon Alley – Florean Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor

            A 17-year-old Hermione Granger sat alone at a table for two outside of Florean Fortesque's ice cream parlor.  The warm summer breeze stirred the relatively still air.  She sighed, and snuck a glimpse at the slowly dimming sun.  It was like Harry Potter to be late.  When Harry and Hermione had graduated Hogwarts 2 months ago, they had agreed to do their own thing for the summer and then make the return journey to Hogwarts together, where they would be teaching this year.  Hermione looked off into space dreamily.  Teaching at Hogwarts had always been a dream of hers.  Even more so than being Head Girl, a goal she had accomplished last year.  She was knee-deep in reverie when a tap at her shoulder brought her back to Earth.

            "Pardon me.  I'm looking for Professor Hermione Granger.  Have you seen her?" Hermione swung around to come eye-to-eye with Harry Potter.  His laughing green eyes bespoke hilarity. 

            "Master Potter, you are a fool.  A fool!" Hermione hugged her boyfriend affectionately, kissing his cheek as she pulled away, "Sit down.  Please sit down.  How are you?" 

            "Me?  Fine.  Except for spending an entire summer with Dudley." Harry winced. 

            "Harry.  Come on.  His parents are dead.  He needed the company.  And besides, you weren't looking to good yourself for a while back there."

            "He didn't need company 'Mione.  He needed someone to take care of him.  Aunt Marge shipped him off to college somewhere in Wales.  Heaven knows how long he'll survive that." Harry said.

            "He got through 7 years of boarding school.  He'll be fine.  Now come one Harry.  Let's not spend the day talking about your cousin."

            "Good point...  Although there certainly is enough to spend all day talking about."

            "Harry you're terrible!"

            "I try.  How was your summer 'Mione?"

            "Oh very summer-like.  Mum and Dad went on a Dentists' convention so for 2 months and I sat at home and wrote lesson plans." Hermione pushed her glasses up her nose carefully.

            Harry ran a hand through his jet black hair, "Aw 'Mione.  You should have rung me.  We could have escaped boredom together."

            "Who said I was bored?"  Hermione said innocently.

            Harry shook his head, "Only you...  Do you have everything?"

            "Oh yes. I'm all set."  Hermione pulled her charmed trunk out of her pocket.

            "Me too.  Well, then.  To the Hogwarts Express, my dear?"

            "Indeed."

*One hour later – Kings Cross Station – the Hogwarts Express

            Harry and Hermione had, as was their tradition, run to the back of the train and claimed an empty compartment on arrival.   Hermione's eyes wondered toward the window.  "HARRY!"  She shrieked.

            "What 'Mione?" 

            "Harry... I forgot... Ginny... is still a-"

            "-Seventh year.  Oh dear Lord.  I don't suppose you told her that we were both teaching this year?" Harry asked.

            "No.  And I don't suppose you told her that we're dating?" Hermione asked.

            "Negative.  Oh heaven.  'Mione... are we in MAJOR trouble here?" Harry was beginning to look concerned for his life.

            "Definitely.  Oh and, Harry?  No one else knows that we're dating either.  Not Dumbledore, McGonagal... No one!" Hermione reminded him as she began to wring her hands nervously.  She glanced back out the window, and noticed Ginny boarding the train.  She knew that her friend would come to this compartment.  She had always sat back here with Harry and his groupies for their fifth, six, and seventh years.  "Strategize...  Uhmmm."

            "Just act completely normal 'Mione.  We're adults.  You turn 18 in two weeks and I have been since July.  We have the right to make career and relationship decisions without informing the entire population of Great Britain and Northern Ireland...." Harry paused for thought, "Don't we?"

            "I suppose you're right," Hermione consented, "Natural.  Okay.  Got that covered."

            Stereotypically of any bad happening, Ginny burst into the compartment accompanied by several friends a moment later.  Giggling, she pushed a strand of red hair out of her face and looked around the compartment.  "Ah, the glories of the Hogwarts Express," Ginny remarked to Colin Creevey, who was standing behind her, "Red velvet seats... big windows... snack cart... Harry and Hermione... leftover chocolate frogs from last year..." Ginny paused, and swiveled back to look at Harry and Hermione.

            "Hi Ginny." Harry said placidly. 

            "Umm... Err... Hi.  How are you?"  Ginny stuttered.

            "Oh we're fine," Hermione piped up, "And you Ginny?  How's your mum?  I haven't seen her in ages."

            "Oh, she's fine.  She's enjoying Percy and Penny's son Percival.  So... what are you doing here?  Did they decided to flunk you Harry?"  Ginny giggled nervously.

            "Surprisingly enough, no.  I'm going to be your flying master.  Madame Hooch has just retired."  Harry told her, with a slightly patronizing air.

            "And I'm your Charms professor.  Professor Flitwick has decided to retire to London where he hopes to seek out a career as a circus side show 'the shortest man'."  Hermione added.

            "Oh.  What about Amber, Harry?" Ginny asked, referring to Harry's primary on-again-off-again girlfriend of seventh year, "Are you still seeing her?"

            "Oh no.  We broke it off ages ago," Ginny looked thrilled, not to mention hopeful, "I've been seeing someone else since then."

            "Oh?  Who?  Do I know her?"  Ginny was obviously praying for another flake.

            "Oh yes.  I've been seeing Hermione since last May."  Harry grinned.

            "What about you, Ginny?  Anyone new?" Hermione asked, attempting to detract the younger girl's stare.

            "Oh... I've been going out with Colin since... err...  April!"  Ginny grabbed the arm of a confused Colin Creevey.

            "Well congratulations."  Harry winked at Hermione and wrapped an arm around her.

            "Harry, we should really review the routine stripping down of the brooms before we get to school.  We'll want to do it efficiently so you can start the first years off as soon as possible."  Hermione said.
            "True.  Well you kids have a good trip now."  Harry said dismissively to Colin and Ginny while turning to face Hermione.

a/n: Yeah, I know.  It's anti-climatic.  But there is a sequel in the making.  (a HAPPY sequel, I might add).  It will take place during this school year.  It will include some more juicy Ron tid-bits and some stuff about Hermione's parents and their reaction to Monsieur Potter.  Should be fun.  :-)  Luff yew all!
~Polei