Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story plot, JKR owns all of this, and yes I am extremely jealous.
Summary: Hermione is given the advice to write a memoir. She reflects on her past telling us the story of what her life was like after the downfall of Voldemort. No longer a little girl, the woman of 24 tells us her story. How she hid from the world but at the same time found herself falling in love. Even if she denied it from the start. ~ A glimpse into the life of 24 year old Hermione Granger as she tackles the obstacles of friends, family, work, luck, mistakes, challenges, lessons and love. Prepare yourself, you have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into.
Note: Thank you in advance for taking the time out to read this. It's a work in progress, which basically means I have no idea how often I can post. But hopefully with your support I'll find the strength to get at least one chapter up per week. I hope you enjoy this story and please when you're done review. Please read the final notes at the end, reviewers will be thanked accordingly.
Chapter 3 ~ Silence In The Yard
Hermione waited patiently for Ginny to come home. It had been an awful afternoon, especially figuring out a way to avoid the topic of Ginnys mate with Ron. Sometimes she felt he was a bit too nosey, but she couldn't love him any less. The small clock on the wall showed Ginny's hand on traveling which meant she should be home in less then ten minutes. Heading to the kitchen she pulled out a pot and some vegetables. Hermiones dinner specialty was vegetable soup. Cutting the vegetables into pieces she tossed them into the pot and added some broth and spices. She turned the stove up to its highest notch and allowed it to boil until ready. Grabbing the October issue of 'Witch' magazine she sat on one of the kitchen stools and flipped through a few of the pages.
" Boring…Boring…" she murmured, glancing at the articles that passed by. The front door opened quickly and Ginny bustled in carrying a few packages.
" Oh Hermione, how are you feeling this evening? " she dropped the packages on the table, " Mmm that soup smells delicious. " she opened the lid and stuck her nose in for a smell.
" Ginny close that lid or it wont be ready for dinner! " Hermione slapped Ginnys hand and she placed the lid back on the pot.
" Gee Hermione after all we did for you last night you have the nerve to hit me?" she brought her hand to her face and pretended to wipe a tear from her eye.
" Spare me Ginny, you're the one who left me at Malfoys house, " she rolled her eyes, " thanks…"
" Well you needed your sleep, its not everyday that you Miss Hermione Granger gets tipsy. " Ginny laughed and took a step towards the sitting room where Rusty greeted her.
" Hello Rusty how was your day? " she bent down to pet Rusty but instead her pounced on her causing Ginny to scream loudly. " Hermione I need your help! "
" Oh Ginny?"
Hermione helped her to her feet and they both chased Rusty back into his cage. They looked at each other and laughed. So what if he was annoying, at least he caused a few good laughs every now and then.
**********
The following morning was bright and beautiful so instead of flooing to work Hermione decided to walk. Waving to a few people in Diagon Alley she hummed merrily to herself. It would be hard making up for two days of work but Hermione didn't mind; she rather enjoyed making up for lost time. Walking up to her office she said hello to a few people including Arthur Weasley. He smiled and waved and then buried his nose back into a toaster that he seemed to be working on. Heading through the office she stopped to chat with Jacob Sarloni, a mutual friend of her and Rons. He was concerned about how she was feeling and offered to take her for a drink after work. Hermione declined nicely, nothing against Jacob Sarloni but he smelled like rotting flobberworm. She passed by Ron's office and knocked on his door. She heard a muffled 'Come in' and pushed the door open. Sticking her head in the door she smiled.
" Hey Ron, just wanted to say hello before I go bury my face in the books. "
" Well, Im glad your feeling better, you really did look like crap yesterday. " He laughed a bit but when she shot him a dirty look he backed off. " Herm Im only kidding come on….Im Ron the funny joke telling guy…" She shook her head and kept a straight face, " All right so Im not the funny joke telling guy but I was still just joking. "
" I know " she said before saying goodbye and leaving. The office was busy and noisy as she finally made her way to her own office.
" Good morning Emily." Hermione said as she opened the door to the office she shared with her friend Emily Watkins. Emily was very small, maybe about five feet with short dark curly hair and hazel eyes. Her skin tone was creamy peach and flawless.
" Good morning Mione, how are you feeling this morning? " she glanced up from her paper work and peered over her glasses.
" Fine thank you, how are you doing? Anything new? " Hermione sat down at her desk and grabbed the pile of owl posts that were already in her bin.
" Everything is fine, except for the loon that we had to take in yesterday. " Emily opened her desk drawer and pulled out a long piece of parchment. " Seems as though he took his pet kneazle out for a walk, and when it wouldn't listen he tried to charm it. " Hermione gave her a puzzled look, " He lived in a muggle town, they were horrified to see the man zap different charms at his poor kneazle. "
" Oh I see…" Hermione nodded and thought about all the times she had seriously thought about hurting Rusty, but that was different. Rusty was evil. " That's all I missed? "
" Just about…Oh well you had a visitor yesterday. He came in late afternoon but said he would see you on Saturday anyway. " Emily went silent for a moment before rolling close to Hermione, " Is it a new boyfriend? " she asked in a giggling whisper. Hermione shook her head. She of course knew that it had been Harry. He often visited her when he had time off from Hogwarts.
" Of course not! Honestly what is it with everyone and dating, you would think there was date or death memo going around. Did I perhaps miss that announcement? "
Emily giggled some more and rolled back to her side of the room. " No Mione, it's just that I worry about you sometimes. You get so involved with your work you don't relax nor have fun. You need some down time, a vacation. " She suggested.
" I had a vacation yesterday when I was out sick?" she firmly pounded her hand on her desk which made not only Emily, but Hermione jump as well. " Don't worry Em, I am perfectly fine. "
Emily nodded and then turned back to her paper work again. Hermione opened a few letters that were scattered about before tossing them in the wastebasket. A soft hooting from behind her informed her that more owl post was arriving. When she swiveled in her chair she smiled brightly.
" Hedwig! " Getting up from her chair she untied the parchment that was firmly tied to her leg. Pecking at her playfully Hermione brought her hand gently over her soft feathers. " Wait here a minute Hedwig so I can send Harry back a letter. " Hedwig hooted and Hermione turned back to her desk. She unrolled the letter and felt a huge smile grow wide across her face.
Dear Hermione,
I came by the office yesterday but unfortunately you were sick. I knew you would be back today, we all know how you hate missing work, so I decided to drop a note a say hello. I have to supervise the first Quidditch game tomorrow ( Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor) and then Lavender and I will be at the party. From what I hear there is going to be some exciting news to hear. Enjoy the rest of your day!
Love Always,
Harry
Hermione reached in her bin and pulled out a clean piece of parchment. Pushing aside some papers on her desk she was able to locate a quill.
Dear Harry,
I cant wait to see you tomorrow. It will be such a wonderful day. Believe me Harry you have no idea what kind of news will be told. Till tomorrow.
Always,
Hermione
She rolled the parchment up and grabbed a cookie from Emily's desk. Emily groaned but Hermione promised to pay her back later. She tied the parchment tightly on Hedwigs leg and then allowed her to peck at the cookie that was in her hand.
" Be safe Hedwig " she whispered as the snowy white owl flew out into the bright morning light.
" Was that Harry's owl? " Emily asked raising her eyebrows in suspicion.
" Yes it was...why? "
" Just making sure that it wasn't some secret boyfriends owl. " Emily laughed and reached for a cup of tea that was next to her plate of cookies.
" For the last time I do not have a secret boyfriend…nor any boyfriend of the sort! You're beginning to get on my nerves just as much as Rusty! " Hermione huffed loudly.
Wiggling her eyebrows Emily's voice dropped low. " Whose Rusty? " she asked in a seductive tone. " I hate you…" Hermione spat coldly, but when she glanced over at Emily she couldn't help but smile.
**********
Opening up the window to the apartment Hermione stuck her hand out the window to check the weather. It was cool, but the summer warmth still lingered in the air. This excited her a bit because she had bought the perfect sundress for the party. Pulling it over her head she looked at her reflection in the mirror. It was a soft pale pink with tiny straps. It had tiny stars trimming the bottom and a long sash that tied in the back. She had bought it at a new dress shop in Diagon Alley, Modern Witch Apparel. The clothes were supposed to be more modern muggle and Hermione thought the dress was quite different. She set a straightening charm on her hair and let it fall down her back. Applying a bit of makeup she pushed her hair behind her ears. She looked nice, nothing special; after all it was just the Weasleys.
Ginny had left the house early to meet Draco before the big secret was revealed, so Hermione decided to Floo to the Burrow. Glancing at the clock on the wall Ginny was in Diagon Alley.
" I guess it's now or never. " Taking a deep breath she threw the powder into the fireplace. " The Burrow" she shouted, and before she knew it she could feel a force pulling her down.
Tumbling further through the floo network Hermione knew that the Weasleys fireplace would be coming soon. Preparing herself to step out she lifted her right foot and the next thing she knew she felt herself falling forward and tumbling out of the fireplace. She rolled for a moment and then smacked directly into a pair of legs. Rubbing her head lightly she looked up and realized she had just rolled into George Weasley.
" Gods Hermione watch where you roll. " He reached down to her and brought her to her feet, " Are you all right? " he asked brushed some soot off of her face.
" Im fine George, thank you " she smiled thankfully at him and felt her cheeks grow red. She hated embarrassment and it always seemed to occur when she was around one of the twins.
" How have you been? Its been awhile since we have seen you. " He walked with her towards the back sliding door. His hand gently placed on her shoulder. George looked good since the last time she saw him. He still played a fair amount of Quidditch so his shoulders were still broad and firm. For some reason he seemed taller but it might have been her imagination. His hair was still the same red but he had let it grow out a bit and pieces fell into his eyes. Hermione smiled, it was nice to be home.
" Things are good, how about you? Have you and Fred decided on where you are going to open your shop? "
" We were lucky enough to buy a small shop in Diagon Alley, it's a rather sketchy location though, right at the entrance of Knockturn Alley. " he grimaced " Speaking of which, I believe Fred had a few questions for you. " He pulled the sliding door open and they stepped outside.
" Hermione my dear it is so wonderful to see you! " Molly Weasley rushed over and embraced her tightly.
" Likewise…" she managed to say stuffed in Molly's tight squeeze.
" Molly, I believe you might kill her if you don't let go. " Arthur chuckled, pulling back his wife and releasing Hermione from her death grip.
" Even though I see you everyday, how are you Hermione? " Arthur smiled merrily which made Hermione smile as well.
" Everything is fine, it's just so nice to see everyone again. Where is Ron? "
" He will be here soon dear, he needed to run into the Ministry. Something came up, but he promised he would be home quickly. " Molly assured her.
Hermione said a quick hello to Percy and Penelope whom were already married with three children. Pegeen was their oldest daughter of two and then there were the twins, Peter and Pearl, both born about four months ago. The twins were kicking furiously in their carriage while Pegeen babbled nonsense. She walked over to Charlie and his girlfriend Marlena whom were sitting on a bench. Hermione had been jealous of her the first time they met. She was tall, tan, thin and blonde. She was perfect in every way and to make her feel worse. Marlena was not a veela; she was just born that way.
" How are you Charlie? Marlena? " She bent down to hug Charlie and Marlena gave her a dirty look.
" Wonderful Hermione, and you?" Charlie asked
" At the moment Im fine. " she answered. ' But after Ginny gets here who knows how any one will be. '
" How are you Hermione! " Spinning quickly around she saw Angelina running towards her. She had completely forgotten that Fred had been dating her for the past year or so.
" Hello Angelina. " she hugged her tightly, it felt like years had passed since she had last seen her. " How is everything? "
" Im dating Fred Weasley must I explain any further? " The two laughed as Fred swaggered over.
" I hope your laughing has nothing to do with me. " he stated giving Hermione a quick kiss on the cheek. " Im glad you're here early Hermione I needed to ask you an important question. " Fred's voice trailed off.
" About what Fred? " she asked, not paying attention to the look of shock on his face. " Fred?" She asked again and then followed his eyes to the distraction behind her. Ginny had just walked in with Malfoy.
Special Thanks:
JAMTillDawn: You will get to see Harry's reaction in the next chapter. This story isnt about Ginny and Draco, its about Hermione and ____. Im sure you can figure out who it might be in this chapter. But I promise you will find out soon. Remember this is her memoir. (check out the summary again you might get the hint. I forgot it was there)
Hollie: Thanks so much for your review. Im really glad you liked the story.
Beryl11196: Well I continued, hope you like this chapter as well.
Note: Thanks for reading chapter 3. Please review for me! It really helps me out when you review with questions, concerns, comments or critiques. Just remember all flames will be used to help my brother build a fire on his camping trip.
