11/12/03: Here's the next chapter.
4. "Relaxed" Sundays
The buzzing of his alarm woke Harry early the next morning. Harry groaned as he reached over to silence the offending machine. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before heaving himself up and heading off towards the bathroom. It was early Sunday morning, much too early to be awake. Harry quickly showered and got dressed, putting on his Auror robes. Yesterday Harry had been late to work and suffered Robert's barbs and teases; today, he would be there first. Harry grabbed a muffin before flooing to the Ministry of Magic.
As Harry checked in and rode the lift towards the Bullpen, he thought back to the party of last night. He had to admit that he had enjoyed himself somewhat; it was nice to see many of his old friends that he hadn't seen in a long while. Neville and Ginny looked happy together, and Harry was pleased to see that Ginny's confidence and self-assurance had rubbed off on Neville. In fact, everything had been going along as well as can be expected, until Hermione got there.
Harry growled in frustration as he stepped off the lift. Even after all these years, he still couldn't move on. Harry wasn't sure if it was because he still had feelings for her, if he was still angry with the way it ended, or whether their failed relationship was just a reminder of the kind of life he was forced into; either way, it took most of his self control to keep from dissolving into a puddle of self-pity and despair every time he saw her. With these thoughts accompanying him into the bullpen, Harry was decidedly not in a good mood, made somewhat worse by what he saw once he arrived.
"God man, don't you ever sleep?" Harry asked.
Robert looked over at him a smiled. "Evil waits for no man, Potter. You'd do well to remember that."
Harry looked at him a moment. "Shut it!" he said, to Robert's laughs of delight. "So, Mr. Awake-at-the-crack-of-dawn, I presume that you've solved the case, and I can go home and sleep?
Robert shook his head. "Sorry partner. I came here early hoping forensics had moved their tails and finished, but no such luck. Most of them weren't even here yet; the guy who was said it was too early for them."
It was Harry's turn to laugh. "That's what you get. No good deed goes unpunished."
Robert joined in the laughter. "So, how was your night?"
Harry grumbled. "Don't ask."
Robert's eyes lit up. "Oh, but now I must! Let me guess, you didn't have a good time?"
"Wow, you're really observant. You should be an Auror or something."
Robert grinned. "And judging by the mixed look of irritation, anger, and bitterness, I imagine it had something to do with her."
Harry frowned and reminded himself that being an Auror detective for over fifteen years probably taught the old man a trick or two. He said nothing and sat at his desk.
Robert gave him a look of sympathy, or probably pity. "Listen Harry, I know it's none of my business, but-"
"You're right, it isn't," Harry snapped, then immediately regretted it. "I'm sorry Robert, it's just hard, that's all."
Robert frowned at his young partner. "If you ever want to talk about it…"
Harry nodded his thanks. "Let's get to work," he said, effectively closing the subject of Dr. Hermione Granger.
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Harry floo'ed home later that afternoon. It was a rather fruitless morning at the office, since they were at a standstill until forensics came back. True, they could still work the case as if it was an isolated incident, but with magical techniques on their side, time wasn't as important a factor as when solving Muggle crimes. Harry stripped off his Auror robe and settled into his armchair. He checked the time and sighed heavily: it was still too early for the firewhiskey. Instead, Harry turned on the television and flipped through the channels until he spotted a football game in progress.
A loud knocking startled Harry. He looked around his darkened flat, confused at first before realizing that he must have nodded off. Harry shook his head, trying clear it of his disorientation, before he got up to answer the door.
"Hey Ron," Harry said after he opened the door. He moved aside to let his friend enter.
"Hey Harry. What have you been doing? Wallowing in self-pity the whole day? At least it doesn't stink of firewhiskey in here."
Harry looked at his flat and realized that it did look rather depressing; the entire place was dark except for the television, which provided a flickering glow. "Oh, nothing like that Ron. I just fell asleep in front of the television."
"Right Harry," Ron said, his tone clearly conveying his disbelief as he flipped on a light switch. "Amazing things, this electricity. Anyways, I've come to rescue you. Get dressed, we're going out."
"Where are you going?" Harry asked idly as he went to the refrigerator.
"No, it's where are we going. Ginny and Neville are making dinner tonight. Yesterday was just a lot of hustle and bustle, and tonight they wanted something more private, just family." Harry groaned at the thought of a dinner with the Weasleys. The groan did not go unnoticed by Ron. "C'mon Harry! You know we all think of you as family."
Harry didn't respond, rummaging through the fridge for something to drink. He gave up and reached for the cabinet and found a bottle of firewhiskey. Ron's eyes narrowed as he snatched the bottle from Harry's hand. "Hey!" Harry protested.
"Damn it Potter! What are you going to do, huh? Spend the rest of the night in another drunken stupor?"
"And what do you want me to do, huh? You actually think I'll have a good time at Ginny's with your parents and your brothers, knowing that they still blame me for Percy?"
Ron flinched slightly at the name of his older brother, but he didn't back down. "You know they feel awful about that Harry." Harry scoffed, and Ron glared at him. "Listen Potter, if you don't show up at Ginny's, then I swear I will never talk to you ever again, and you can just stay here and drown in your firewhiskey!"
Harry glared right back at Ron, locking eyes for a minute until he finally looked away. "Fine! I'll go!" he said as Ron smiled. "But you have to promise that you won't use that 'I'll never talk to you again' line again until next year!"
Ron nodded happily. "It's a deal. Now get dressed and let's go. I want to pick up some wine on the way."
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Because they had to make a stop at Diagon Alley for wine and a plant (Harry's idea), they couldn't floo to the Longbottom's. Instead the two apparated (or more accurately, Harry apparated and brought Ron along) to Ginny and Neville's front door. Ron knocked politely on the door.
"Ron, Harry! Long time no see," Neville greeted them, ushering them in. "Oooohh, wine, very nice," he said, taking the bottle and the plant from them. "Everyone's already out on the patio, and dinner will start in a few minutes."
"Thanks Neville," Ron said and walked through the living room towards the patio door. Harry smiled his thanks as Neville went off to the kitchen, then he squared his shoulders and followed Ron.
"Ron! Harry!" he heard several greetings and Harry smiled and nodded politely. He looked around and saw all the usual suspects in the sea of red hair, along with a few non-redheads that represented significant others. Harry's eyes narrowed when he spotted a familiar bushy haired head headed in his direction. He shot a look at Ron, who shrugged guiltily and quickly turned away. Harry sighed and waited.
"Hi Harry," Hermione said.
"Hi Hermione. Where's Rick?" he asked, practically spitting out the name of Hermione's boyfriend.
"He couldn't make it, too much work."
Harry tried to look interested. "Oh, is there much happening in the world of dragons?"
Hermione nodded. "Oh yes. Rick has such a difficult, stressful job, dealing with dragons and it often keeps him working late. You can't even begin to imagine the things he has to go through! It's a very difficult and dangerous job but very rewarding, and he's quite good at it," she said with a touch of pride in her voice.
"Yeah, it sure sounds difficult. Thank Merlin I don't have a difficult job that involves stress or danger. I mean, Voldemort obviously doesn't compare to a dragon. He's a real gem," Harry said bitterly.
Hermione paled. "Oh Harry, I didn't mean to say…that is…" But Harry didn't hear the rest of her words as he walked towards where the twins sat.
"Hullo Harry," Fred greeted him
"Looks like you need one of these," George said as he offered Harry a bottle of butterbeer. Harry took it gratefully and took a long drink.
Fred consulted his watch. "Congratulations Harry! You spent at least fifteen seconds talking to Hermione!"
George started clapping. "I think that's a new record!"
Harry shot the two a dirty look. "I was just surprised to see her, that's all. Ron didn't tell me that she'd be coming."
"Well, our younger brother knew you wouldn't come if you did," George said.
Fred nodded. "True, he may not be the brightest candle, but he's not stupid."
Harry found that with their good humor, he could never stay mad while he was around them. "Agreed, but he can be devious when he wants to be-"
"Dinner's ready!" Ginny's voice carried out to the backyard from within the house.
Fred rubbed his ears. "She gets that from Mom," he said, standing up.
"Doesn't even need to use a spell," George chimed in. Harry chuckled and followed the twins into the house.
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For Harry, dinner was a slightly uncomfortable affair. He had absolutely no complaints about the quality of the food, but then again, Harry never had the most distinguishing of taste buds. Despite being spoiled by the wonderful food at Hogwarts, a decade of living off the scraps the Dursleys grudgingly provided, coupled with his bachelor cooking (consisting mostly of instant dinners which, despite magic, still tasted artificial), left Harry appreciating all home-cooked meals. Harry sat between Ron and Fred and, unfortunately, across from Hermione. At least he didn't have to sit near Arthur and Molly. Harry made polite conversation during dinner, being a master at small talk after years of honing his skills. He was reasonably sure that he hid his discomfort as well. Finally, with the clearing of the dessert plates, the painful experience came to a halt. Harry found Ginny and Neville in the kitchen.
"Wonderful dinner Ginny, absolutely first-rate."
"Thanks Harry," she said, "but Neville helped a lot with the steaks."
"Very nice, Neville. Look, I hate to run but I have an early day tomorrow; hopefully we'll have a big break on a case. Tell everyone I said good-bye."
Ginny and Neville looked disappointed, but they seemed to accept his excuse, which was in fact the truth. Harry exchanged a handshake with Neville and kissed Ginny on the cheek before he returned to the foyer and grabbed his cloak. He decided to by-pass the floo network and just apparate away, telling himself it would be easier but knowing that he really wanted to avoid saying goodbye to everyone. Harry walked out the door and was almost to the street when someone called his name.
"Harry! Wait!"
Harry turned and saw Hermione running out of the house to him. He grimaced. "What is it?"
"I…" she faltered slightly. "We never really got to talk back there."
Harry shrugged, but said nothing.
"So…" Hermione said. "How are you?"
Harry scowled. "Listen Hermione, I really don't have the time to stand around outside and exchange pleasantries. Maybe some other time," he said coldly and turned to walk away. Hermione grabbed his arms and spun him around.
"Damn you Harry! Don't you miss me at all?" she cried, tears forming at the edges of her eyes. "Don't the years that we spent together count for anything?"
For a second, Harry felt the urge to wipe away her tears, hold her in his arms, and take away all her pain - but only for second. Harry just looked at her. "No, it's doesn't," he said simply before apparating home.
Rionarayne: gift for not putting in too much detail? I'll take that as a compliment :)
sethro72: Harry's already deep into this despair; actually, I think he's moved past it into a tired resignation, feeling as if he has no control over the direction of his life, no chance at love or happiness, so might as well just motor on. Despair suggests a lot of emotion, but Harry's closed himself off from emotion.
Will Harry and Hermione be together at the end? I suppose I shouldn't give it away, but I am a devoted H/Hr shipper, and I love happy endings.
Facade1: Rick's not a bad guy, but I don't like him either. Don't worry, he'll get his in the end! Or will he? I guess I haven't decided if Harry should kick his butt or not.
liseli vanida-kateb: exams like OWLs? I hope you get all Outstandings and no Trolls!
JT: I'm being evil, but the confrontation with Hermione will force Harry to remember things next chapter.
