Disclaimer: Harry Potter & co. and the magical world belong to J. K. Rowling. I have nothing.
Before Falling Asleep
Chapter 4 - Talk Over Coffee
She stood in the same white toga; beside her was the half-dragon man. Their hands connected, facing the same direction where the moon was gradually rising from the horizon. There was an aura of happiness and love in the air. She watched their mouths moving, enjoying the moment, though could not hear a thing.
Slowly, she looked away from the luminous moon, and found a figure standing far away behind a graceful willow that had delicate branches dancing with the gentle breeze. She could make out that the figure was of a woman by the outline of the tall, lean body, and long, dark hair, but was not able to see her features of her face clearly. Even so, she could feel the innate rare beauty within and exuding from the stranger.
She walked closer, wanting to see more clearly of the Beauty. And what was that behind her? Something with an unidentifiable shape. She was getting nearer now, and the eyes were almost visible...She stopped.
Her gaze was fixed on the mysterious woman's eyes. There was something inside those dark eyes that stopped her, something that frightened her so that she was rooted to the spot. This was emanating darkness like something she'd never seen before. It was...hatred. No, much more than that...
Hermione's eyes flew open. Another dream. This one seemed to be a continuation of the previous one, only this time, it felt more real, though her vision had been blurry. And, this dream confirmed her prior conjecture that she herself was the woman wearing the white toga. But how was it possible? She had never seen any half-dragon creatures in her life, and did not remember wearing anything toga-like. Despite the confusion, she liked the dream - she had been happy in it, truly happy; it was the first time in quite a while. Her eyebrows scrunched up slightly at the remembrance of the mysterious, stunning woman. She was exquisite. Even though Hermione could not see her clearly, there was something about the stranger that told her the astonishing beauty was not like anything she had ever encountered. It was inebriating, intoxicating; the aura and presence about her would have drawn anyone to her, anyone who dared to come close enough to feel it. But under that striking façade, there was something more about her, something daunting, something deeper than just hatred. Her dark eyes were frightening and cold; so cold that it almost froze the blood inside Hermione. And the piercing stare seemed as if those eyes were sucking the very soul out of her. It felt even worse than dementors passing by, she thought with a shiver.
Pulling her thoughts out of the dream, she realised that her nightgown was wet with cold sweat and her hands were clammy. Now thinking back to it, she wasn't sure whether to consider it a dream or a nightmare; after all, every nightmare was a dream that had lost its way.
"What time is it?" she spoke to the clock.
"A quarter past six in the morning, my dear," a gentle voice spoke up from the clock on the side table. "It's the eighteenth of September, by the way, a Thursday."
"Oh drat!" Hermione jumped up from her bed. "My rent is over due!"
"Don't worry, darling, I remember you telling me that the landlady, Ms. Mueller, is a very benevolent lady, I suppose she wouldn't mind." The clock tried to comfort her.
"But how could I forget such a thing? I never have. It feels like..." she frowned, "handing an essay in late."
This time, the clock decided to be quiet.
Not minding what the clock thought of her last statement, she gathered herself up to take a shower, and brought some warm clothes with her to put on afterwards. After a glass of orange juice and a piece of toast with jam as breakfast, Hermione took off.
She wore no makeup, not that she had any to use, anyway. After all these years, she was still a bookworm, a complete dork, as some put it. Her closet was full of jumpers, jeans, and a couple of dull coloured cloaks, no dress pants or miniskirts. Though covered in dust due to the lack of formal meetings in the past few years of her life, she did have some business suits. As far as her style in clothes goes - yes, she did have a "style" - she only looked for comfort and simplicity. Unlike most of the young witches at their glamorous ages, Hermione couldn't care less about her appearance: her lips were always chapped, long eyelashes poking in every direction, the same bushy brown hair though not as frizzy as five years ago. She actually put on reading glasses sometimes, though the wizarding world at the time had already adopted the muggle item - contact lenses. Truth be told, Hermione Granger was nowhere near the word "pretty".
But for the few who could see through her shell, they saw her clear blue eyes sparkling with knowledge and pride, from the rare inner beauty within. As people had always said, the eyes were windows to one's soul. Only the few who would truly look into her eyes recognized just how beautiful this young woman really was.
At 7:12AM, Hermione arrived at the flats' Owlery. She was to explain to Ms. Mueller about her late renting fee. Considering the fact that it was probably very rude to come by her house at this time of the day, she decided to owl her instead. Without further thinking, she scribbled down a note on a piece of paper:
Dear Ms. Mueller,
I am very sorry that I have not yet paid for my flat this month. If you don't mind, I will go down to Gringotts today, and stop by at around five this afternoon to give you the money.
Sincerely,
Hermione
Quickly folding the note, she then tied it to the foot of a grey owl that stood in front of her among many others. "Don't go in until you are sure that Mr. Mueller's awake," she told it. The grey owl only hooted sleepily, with its eyes half open, as a response. "You lazy little thing!" Hermione said to it while stroking its back lightly. Then she looked at it once more before she Disapparated for work.
She was early -- no one was at the hospital except for the doctors on duty and some nurses. People had apparently been very healthy and safe lately, for there weren't many patients.
Hermione was sitting at her desk when a tiny brown owl knocked impatiently at the window that she was facing. She recognized it immediately - Pigwidgeon. It has been a while since I've talked to Ron, she thought while quickly walking over with a smile, and slid the window open to let the messenger tumble in. The owl landed clumsily on the desk, where he found some biscuits and a cup of coffee. Without having the slightest bit of worry as to what Hermione would think of his actions, Pigwidgeon started munching on the biscuits, letting his beak drift over to sip on the coffee every once in a while. However, Hermione noticed none of it as she started unfolding the note that had been dropped into her hand. Her smile grew at the sight of her best friend's untamed handwriting. Quietly, she read the note to herself.
Dear Hermione,
How have you been?
Haven't talked to you for such a long time, miss you loads. So I was thinking perhaps we could have coffee sometime today, if you aren't busy.
I've got loads to tell you, but I reckon we'll talk over coffee.
Hope to see you soon,
Ron
"About time we got together again." Hermione's face shone brighter, and she walked over to the desk to write a reply. When she gave it to Pig, the little creature did not seem to want to leave just yet, so she sat down at the desk, with her elbows resting on the desktop and her hands cupping her face, watching patiently as Pig continued to enjoy little chunks of biscuit. The little fellow was a present from Sirius Black to Ron, back in their third year at Hogwarts, when Ron had lost Scabbers. Ron had never said anything nice about Pig, and everyone seemed to think that he did not like him. But Hermione knew better -- just like Scabbers the rat, Pig meant a lot to Ron, though he would never admit it.
The memories of her own pet, Crookshanks the ginger cat, flooded into her mind, as she watched Pig enjoying himself. Crookshanks had always been close and comfortable around Remus Lupin, and Remus seemed to enjoy his company as well. Moreover, with herself busy after the war with the work that she loved, Hermione could not find time for her beloved cat anymore. Having no other choice, Hermione had sent Crookshanks to live with Remus, so that Remus wouldn't have to be alone during his werewolf times. Though Remus would send pictures of him and Crookshanks every so often, Hermione still missed the shrewd cat's presence. She lifted her eyes and found Pig pecking lightly at her left hand, which was holding the note for Ron.
"So, you are ready for the flight?" she said while tying the note to his foot.
The owl hooted anxiously for a "yes", and followed Hermione to the bright window, flapping his wings impatiently. When Hermione opened the window, he took off at once.
Hermione watched with a smile as the tiny owl disappeared into the blue curtain wobbly, then returned to work with the day set on a lighter tune.
Hermione sat at a table beside the window in "Cosy", her favourite coffee shop. She sipped on her cappuccino while watching a redhead Apparate across the street. It was Ronald Weasley. A smile crept on her lips. Ron had been her best friend ever since their very first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He looked the same, still thin, but a good deal taller now. As their eyes met, the same old boyish smile brightened up Ron's face; as he walked closer, Hermione noticed for the first time that his freckles had faded quite a bit since Hogwarts. Hermione stood up to welcome him, and received a silent hug from the young man who was obviously overwhelmed with joy. Once they both sat down, Ron found it impossible to close his mouth.
"Hermione! Gee, it's been, what, TWO WEEKS since we've talked. Missed you so much! How have you been? Good god, you look exhausted. How's work? Made any progress in your research? Oh right, I saw the paper with that cancer article. CONGRATULATIONS! I was so happy to see the note that Pig brought back from you, I thought, finally, she's willing to put her work aside for once. I felt special, really. Oh Hermione, you've lost weight! You know, it's bad to be too thin. Oh, I should have brought the cupcakes Mum made, you ought to like them! Did I tell you that Pig hit a flagpole again last week? Apparently, he's okay now. That stupid little thing, he's eating a lot more than he can digest again?
Hermione only watched with a huge grin as Ron kept on talking. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to be with her friend. For the first time in quite a while, she felt free, relaxed. Now she could laugh, and truly mean it. And she knew now when she smiled, her heart would do the same.
"I've missed you so much, Ron," she said softly. Her words went through the thick aroma in the air, and made their way into Ron's ears clearly.
Ron's face became sober, and shone her a slightly embarrassed smile, "I missed you too, Hermione."
"I miss the old days..."
"I know. Wish Harry were still here."
Hermione's face froze. "Ron, I know he is still here. He is still with us, Ron." Her eyes determined, and Ron was moved by the passion within those sapphire orbs.
"Hermione....I understand how you feel, but it's been five years, and...."
"But they still haven't found his body yet, have they? Look, Harry has survived Voldemort before, and he can do it again. In fact, I know he did it again. I know he's still with us-"
"People saw their final battle. After the flash of light, they were both gone. We haven't got You-Know-Who's body either, but we all know for a fact that he is gone. It's the same case for Harry."
"No you do not know that, Ron! Don't be so sure about everything they tell you. Think for yourself, would you?"
"Hermione," his face grew serious, "I know everyone thinks of me as insensitive, including you;" he looked down, "but I'm not. I understand how you feel, I want Harry back just as bad; but let's face it; we haven't a chance against death. I'm not just saying this because it is the right thing to say, I'm also saying it because," he drew a breath in, and slowly let it out, "I care, I care for you." His face slowly turned pink, hiding the not-so-obvious freckles altogether.
Ron waited for a while to calm himself, then continued quietly.
"I-, I know that I've never been on the list." Ron turned his eyes to the window. "First there was Krum, and then Harry, but the most unexpected and unacceptable was Malf-" Suddenly noticing Hermione's eyes, he paused for a second, and continued, his voice almost inaudible, "I had always been in the shadow, invisible to you, but I didn't mind - it was enough for me. Of course, that's just the past." He adjusted his posture to sit up straight while his face cooled down from being burning red, seemingly a bit more confident about himself. "Now that I've moved on, and finally married to another wonderful woman, I am truly happy. But I still care for you, Hermione, you are my best friend in this world, and I want nothing less than happiness for you." He finally looked up to meet with Hermione's eyes, "I hope you understand."
It was amazing how Ron had changed over the years, now he could easily express his own feelings and past openly without passing out. Hermione gave a weak smile, and Ron continued.
"Now, both Harry and Mal-" He stumbled at the name, remembering the effect it had on his friend, "are gone, maybe you should start to look for something else in someone else."
When Ron finally looked up, Hermione was staring out the window, but he knew she was still listening to every word he was saying.
"Hermione, you are the most amazing person I have ever known, and I am sure that there's someone out there, who is perfect for you. So why not relax a little, and try looking for that someone."
Looking back at her friend with an expression of unintended blankness, she spoke in a firm tone. "Ron, I think you've always misunderstood me. I had a crush on Harry, yes. But I was well over it a long time ago. He's just one my best friends, like you, who I cannot let go of. I couldn't bear losing any of you. And I know that Harry isn't gone, I know he's still here with us. I can just feel it."
Ron looked at Hermione with concern and let out a deep sigh of loose frustration. "Sometimes, you have to let go of certain things. You still have your own life to live, even after I'm gone; Merlin knows when that'll happen..."
"Ronald! Don't you dare saying anything of the sort again! As long as I have one breath left, I will make sure that you are safe, sound, and breathing!" Hermione's hands were pressing on the coffee table nervously.
A small smirk flashed on Ron's face. "I'll keep you company even only as a ghost." Hermione had her mouth open instantly, but Ron waved a hand to stop her from saying anything. Hermione could see the grin in his eyes that he was trying to conceal.
They stayed quiet for a little while, sipping on their drinks. People were talking quietly in the coffee shop around them. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining brilliantly, bringing the cloudless azure sky onto the stage. Due to the fact that it was already autumn, the sky seemed unusually far away, even more out of reach than it ever had been before. It was warm; the sunshine tickled Hermione's heart lazily through the glass she was facing. Everyone on the street was dressed up, ready to take on the burden of an autumn fashion show at anytime; Hermione, however, thought it ridiculous to dress up at all - what was the point of wearing something that you couldn't walk in, to walk on the streets and pretend to be a celebrity? For her, comfort was the most important, and those fashion clothes were merely a waste of money, when simple slacks and sweaters could do a better job for much less spending.
"Hermione, are you ready to talk about you-know-who?" It was almost a whisper.
Hermione turned to look at Ron, showing him her confusion.
"Not the You-Know-Who, but the one you haven't talked about for five years now," Ron said carefully. Seeing he wasn't getting a response, he hesitated a bit when adding, "The Ferret Boy."
There was a determined indifference on her face. Still, Ron Weasley knew the painful battle that went on underneath the façade. He knew better than further questioning, but what else could they talk about? He had hoped that this would be the day his friend let out all her long kept emotions, and start to live a life that she deserved, with his help. I still have a long way to go. He thought bitterly.
I had something that I wanted to tell her. Now, what was it?
"Oh! I almost forgot!"
"Hmm?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, questioningly.
"Have you any plans for tomorrow?" Ron finally asked, anxious for an answer, which he anticipated to be "no".
"I...don't think so. Why?"
"Nothing, really. Thought you could take a day off and come over for dinner at the Burrow. Mum misses you a lot." Ron tried very hard to act casual: luckily, Hermione had too much on her mind to notice.
"Sure, sounds great." She flashed him a smile.
With farewells, they parted, leaving Hermione deep in thought for the rest of the day.
Sounds like there are people walking in my room.
People walking in my room!
Completely void of all sleepiness, Hermione sprang up from her bed, and jumped onto the floor.
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Hermioneeeeeeee,
Happy birthday to you!"
With the last note as a cue, her room was suddenly filled with bright light and a swirl of cheerful, friendly, familiar faces. She wanted to scream. And she did.
"DAMN IT, PEOPLE, I'M NOT EVEN BLOODY DRESSED YET!"
However, the delight in her voice gave her away, and everyone gathered around her for a group hug - something Hermione absolutely dreaded, as she was on the brink of being suffocated. After what seemed to Hermione as eternity, everyone backed away, leaving Hermione in the centre with her pathetic pyjamas. Trying hard to let as much air into her lungs as possible, she slowly straightened up with a grin on her face to face a room of redheads, and a few who did not particularly fit in.
"Happy twenty-third birthday!" the crowd shouted at once.
"How did all of you remember! I forgot myself!" Though still panting, her voice was filled with surprise and happiness.
"How could we forget?"
"How dare you ever think we'd forget?"
"How in the world could you think we'd miss this perfect once-a-year opportunity to pick on you?"
Mountains of complaints came all at once, overwhelming the extremely pleased Hermione.
"Gods, I love you all so much!" she claimed, with her hands thrown in the air.
"Of course you do!" Ron walked towards her to give her a little hug.
A bundle of dark fire came toward them with lightning speed, and squeezed itself between Ron and Hermione. "Ron is still my husband even though today is your birthday! Don't get too comfortable around here." The sly face under the fire said with a smirk.
Everyone started laughing as everyone watched Ron slowly being filled up with red steam from the base of his neck to the top of his head.
"Estelle, stop!" gasping for air between fits of laughter, Hermione said to the delicate woman. "Your husband's h-head's going to b-b-blow!"
Indeed, there was now no way to tell Ron's face apart from his hair. "Calm down, honey," the dark haired woman said, "you and Granger can snuggle all you want, just as long as you don't get your pretty head exploded." She smiled sweetly as everyone started laughing again.
"Estelle, your skills have far surpassed that of Fred and George." Someone decided to encourage her.
Her eyes shone brighter at the comment under the raven hair. "Why, thank you very much! I do believe I've proven myself worthy of their fabulous tutelage."
"Unlikely! Who said that?" Fred was alarmed.
"Show yourself!" George followed.
The twins stepped forward to the centre of attention, searching the crowd with bulblike eyes and pursed lips, looked ready to attack.
"Oh come off of it, you two," Hermione spoke up, "try to act your age, will you?"
Fred and George knew better than to protest, but whispered something about Hermione resembling their mother.
The room was noisy, and the air was getting thick, with what smelled like cake and sweets. Apparently, most of the Weasley children, along with their families and some fellow Hogwarts graduates, wanted to throw Hermione a birthday party. However, it was a bit too early for Hermione.
Then, the telephone rang. Most of the guests were used to, or had used a telephone before; therefore, it was not a big deal for them. Hermione squeezed herself through them to get to the 'phone, and picked it up.
"Hermione Granger speaking."
"Honey? Are you up yet?" Mrs. Granger's voice was on the other end of the line.
"Mum?" Hermione was surprised. Though she only set up the phone to be able to communicate with her parents, they never called at this early hour before.
"Yes, it's me. How is everything?"
"Fine, mum." Hermione had to speak up to make sure that she was heard over the other noises in the room.
"Who else is there?" Apparently, Mrs. Granger heard the others too.
"Just some friends. Apparently, they remembered my birthday when I forgot it myself."
"Oh, that's very kind of them. Thank them for me, please."
"Sure."
"Sweetheart, your father and I were just thinking that you should take the day off of work and come over for the day, and we could think of something to do."
"Mum, I'm planning on going today still. Also, Ron's parents asked me to go to the Burrow for dinner, and I already accepted their offer yesterday..."
"Oh I see. Don't worry about it, just come over after dinner, and stay at home for the night then."
"Sure. I'll do that."
"Oh and, say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for me."
"I will, mum."
"Bye, sweetheart. Enjoy your day, I'll see you tonight."
"Bye mum."
With that, they hung up.
"You're still going to work today? You crazy woman!" Estelle waited until Hermione turned around to face them.
"Yes. Birthday is not a big deal. I've had twenty-two of them, and it won't hurt to miss one. Plus, we are going to celebrate at the Burrow tonight. It'll be more than good enough for me." Hermione replied with a smile.
Several others started to protest, and Hermione just waved both hands in the air. "I'm going to work today. End of discussion. Thanks to everyone for this wonderful, um, morning. I've got to hurry up before I'm late for work!"
And so, the surprise morning ended with Hermione leaving the flat with everyone else.
Author's Note: I finally updated! Oops, forgot what else I was going to say. Anyway, thanks to all my readers, who dared to bear with me and read on. Then, there are my wonderful wonderful beta-s, Amanda and WitchDruid who did a fantastic job. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this chapter :].