Disclaimer- Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, not
me.
*
Precious Stones
By Hermione Starise
*
Chapter 4: Reunited
*
Ron yawned as he and Harry prepared to apparate. He knew he must look a state- he'd hardly slept worrying about the task ahead of them. He almost hated Kathy for sending him. Yet he knew this was unfair- it wasn't her fault that the murders had taken place and it wasn't her fault that he had fallen out with Hermione.
At first he hadn't been able to get his head round the idea of her being an Investigative Auror- part of the division he had despised so. Then, when he thought about it, it did make sense. She had the brains for such a job, she was cunning enough to catch killers, dark wizards and what other criminals crossed her path. That was why she should have been a Field Auror. That was why he couldn't forgive her.
Beside him, Harry was also grim and unusually quiet. There was a difficult day ahead of them.
*
In his office, Remus Lupin was tearing his hair out; in frustration, worry and guilt. It was only five minutes before the Field Aurors, whom he knew to be Harry and Ron would arrive. It was only five minutes before Hermione was due to start work.
He had tried to find her- she was nowhere in the building. Strange for her considering that she was always early for work. Where was she?
He hadn't warned her. He'd been working overnight- meaning ever since talking to Kathy to warn the girl. He had forgotten, been caught up in his work and now that he did remember it was too late.
*
Ron found himself staring up at the cold grey Investigative Auror Headquarters' building. There was grandeur and an air of almost regal purpose to it that Ron found hard to bear. How could Hermione- the girl he had once loved so much lower herself to the pompous coming and goings of a division that had long since worn out its usefulness? Had that disease broken her mind?
Snow fell lightly; numbing Ron's face and making him shiver.
"Come on," Harry said, solemnly.
"Here goes," Ron added.
The walked into what seemed to be the main reception. It was a bustle of activity- more so than Ron had expected. It was a grand hallway but the people in it seemed to be very down to earth. Some gave Harry and Ron mistrusting looks. They where dressed in the green cloaks of Field Aurors, their hoods pulled up over their heads.
They suddenly came face to face with an almost frantic Remus Lupin. He was dressed in the sliver cloak that indicated he was the Head of the Division. His dark hair was even more streaked with grey than the last time they had seen him but there was a light in his eyes that told Ron he was healthier than ever. He seemed worried about something but despite this he grinned broadly when he saw them.
"Harry! Ron!" He said, "It's so good to see you! However desperate the situation is."
"It's great to see you too Professor." Harry said.
Remus laughed, "No please Harry you know it's just Remus now. Long past are my days as a Hogwarts Professor."
"Remus!" Someone shouted, "It's a disaster! It happened just this morning."
The speaker trailed off as Ron spun round to face her.
She was not Ron had expected her to be. He had expected her to be pale and thin, weak and sickly. He had expected sallow skin and haunted eyes. He had expected a woman who had never really recovered from a disease that should have killed her.
Instead what stood before him was a blooming young woman probably healthier than he was. Hermione Granger stood before him as she had once been and yet something more. He looked in amazement at her. She was tallish yet shorter than him; she had a slender, shapely form and lightly tanned skin. Her wild but shiny chestnut curls where tied back haphazardly and snow flakes had settled amongst them as she had just came in from the cold. She wore a violet cloak of Investigative Aurors over similarly coloured robes, around her neck was what Ron knew to be on of his mother's creations: a many coloured scarf.
Her large round amber eyes fixed upon him and became unreadable; Ron realised that she had not expected to see Harry and him. Did she not know they were expected to work together?
Her delicate eyebrows knotted together in confusion and her face became drained of the healthy blush that it had possessed a moment before she had realised who stood before her.
"Remus?" She asked, he voice shaky.
"I'm sorry Hermione," He said somewhat sheepishly, "I've been trying to warn you."
Her countenance quickly changed- her confusion melted, replaced by anger but it was not at Remus who had failed to warn her but at Ron and Harry.
"What right have you two turning up here?" She asked, "Not a word from you in years and you come in here one morning when I've another crisis on my hands!"
"Hermione," Remus said crossing to her and laying a hand on her shoulder, "They are here to help us, you with the Sapphire and Garnet case."
"What?" "They have had two similar cases; a boy murdered brutally whom they believe to have been called Emerald because of a pocket watch he carried and the other a girl the believed to be called Ruby because of a locket that she carried."
Hermione gasped, "Like Sapphire and Garnet?"
"Yes."
"Oh but Remus!" She exclaimed, "There's been another!"
*
It was not the same. Working with Harry and Ron would never be as it had been in Hogwarts. She tried to be friendly but it was so hard to be and knew that she must appear icy and hostile to them.
They deserved it! She knew that she treating them no differently from the sleazy informants that she often came in contact with. Harry seemed hurt by this- well what did he expect? Hugs and friendliness? It was five years too late for that.
Still she couldn't help but feel guilty. Harry had been through so much, she shouldn't be so hard on him. Then she remembered what he'd done to Ginny and felt angry again.
As for Ron, well it was easier to be angry at him. His sullen, un-co- operative mood did nothing to help with that. He was simmering, obviously no more pleased with the arrangement than she was. His resentment was obvious and yet he was somehow hopeful as if it wasn't quite as bad as he'd expected.
To her mind- it couldn't be worse.
They spent the day exchanging information; she stayed all cold and businesslike. She might be making it harder for them but she believed it was easier for her this way. Selfish this might have been but after all it was them who had abandoned her not the other way around.
The newest victim that Hermione had just discovered when she'd walked in on their reunion with Remus was a young girl, also sixteen. She was extremely pretty with long thick black hair, dark skin and amethyst coloured eyes. Hermione was not surprised when this girl's locket had an amethyst in its centre and the word Amethyst engraved on the back.
* Harry was exhausted by the end of the day. The tension in the air had left him emotionally drained and he just felt like curling up and going to sleep. Hermione escorted them out of the building, them not having the right security clearances. When they where on the great sweeping snow covered lawns outside the IA Headquarters Ron apparated straight away without a word to the poor girl. No, Harry reminded himself, woman.
"I am so sorry about all of this," He said.
"So am I."
"Hermione?" He asked.
"Yes," She replied, her face impassable.
"It's good see you again."
Her iciness suddenly melted away and Harry caught a glimpse of the lively young school girl he had known.
"Oh Harry!" She said, smiling, "What has become of us?"
Knowing that Hermione was offering him a sort of peace he grinned, "I don't know."
In a more familiar action she hugged him like she once would have done and when she released him her eyes where shining with tears.
"You look well." Harry said.
"Thank you, it doesn't affect me anymore Harry. I needn't think about it anymore."
Knowing that he had touched on a nerve and that she obviously didn't want to say anymore about the illness that was meant for him but had struck at her.
"See you tomorrow then?" He asked.
"Yeah," She replied.
"Goodbye then."
"Bye."
He turned to apparate then hesitated, "Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like to meet Ron and me for a drink tonight, you can meet some of the people we work with?"
She smiled, "Sorry but I'm going out with Gi." She trailed off.
"Ginny?" He asked, the name sounding strange on his tongue.
"Yeah, we're going to the theatre."
"How is she?" He asked.
"Great, really, great." Hermione said.
"And?" Harry asked knowing there was something Hermione wanted to say.
"And all the better for me not telling her about today." Slightly hurt Harry nodded, "Yes it's for the best."
"See you then."
"Bye."
* AN- Shortish I know but know that reunion is out of the way there can be more R/Hness! Yay! By the way that was not a bit of Harry/Hermione at the end just in case in came across that way I just sort of them making up like friends would. Anyway stop I'll stop blabbing please review what did you think?
Ron yawned as he and Harry prepared to apparate. He knew he must look a state- he'd hardly slept worrying about the task ahead of them. He almost hated Kathy for sending him. Yet he knew this was unfair- it wasn't her fault that the murders had taken place and it wasn't her fault that he had fallen out with Hermione.
At first he hadn't been able to get his head round the idea of her being an Investigative Auror- part of the division he had despised so. Then, when he thought about it, it did make sense. She had the brains for such a job, she was cunning enough to catch killers, dark wizards and what other criminals crossed her path. That was why she should have been a Field Auror. That was why he couldn't forgive her.
Beside him, Harry was also grim and unusually quiet. There was a difficult day ahead of them.
*
In his office, Remus Lupin was tearing his hair out; in frustration, worry and guilt. It was only five minutes before the Field Aurors, whom he knew to be Harry and Ron would arrive. It was only five minutes before Hermione was due to start work.
He had tried to find her- she was nowhere in the building. Strange for her considering that she was always early for work. Where was she?
He hadn't warned her. He'd been working overnight- meaning ever since talking to Kathy to warn the girl. He had forgotten, been caught up in his work and now that he did remember it was too late.
*
Ron found himself staring up at the cold grey Investigative Auror Headquarters' building. There was grandeur and an air of almost regal purpose to it that Ron found hard to bear. How could Hermione- the girl he had once loved so much lower herself to the pompous coming and goings of a division that had long since worn out its usefulness? Had that disease broken her mind?
Snow fell lightly; numbing Ron's face and making him shiver.
"Come on," Harry said, solemnly.
"Here goes," Ron added.
The walked into what seemed to be the main reception. It was a bustle of activity- more so than Ron had expected. It was a grand hallway but the people in it seemed to be very down to earth. Some gave Harry and Ron mistrusting looks. They where dressed in the green cloaks of Field Aurors, their hoods pulled up over their heads.
They suddenly came face to face with an almost frantic Remus Lupin. He was dressed in the sliver cloak that indicated he was the Head of the Division. His dark hair was even more streaked with grey than the last time they had seen him but there was a light in his eyes that told Ron he was healthier than ever. He seemed worried about something but despite this he grinned broadly when he saw them.
"Harry! Ron!" He said, "It's so good to see you! However desperate the situation is."
"It's great to see you too Professor." Harry said.
Remus laughed, "No please Harry you know it's just Remus now. Long past are my days as a Hogwarts Professor."
"Remus!" Someone shouted, "It's a disaster! It happened just this morning."
The speaker trailed off as Ron spun round to face her.
She was not Ron had expected her to be. He had expected her to be pale and thin, weak and sickly. He had expected sallow skin and haunted eyes. He had expected a woman who had never really recovered from a disease that should have killed her.
Instead what stood before him was a blooming young woman probably healthier than he was. Hermione Granger stood before him as she had once been and yet something more. He looked in amazement at her. She was tallish yet shorter than him; she had a slender, shapely form and lightly tanned skin. Her wild but shiny chestnut curls where tied back haphazardly and snow flakes had settled amongst them as she had just came in from the cold. She wore a violet cloak of Investigative Aurors over similarly coloured robes, around her neck was what Ron knew to be on of his mother's creations: a many coloured scarf.
Her large round amber eyes fixed upon him and became unreadable; Ron realised that she had not expected to see Harry and him. Did she not know they were expected to work together?
Her delicate eyebrows knotted together in confusion and her face became drained of the healthy blush that it had possessed a moment before she had realised who stood before her.
"Remus?" She asked, he voice shaky.
"I'm sorry Hermione," He said somewhat sheepishly, "I've been trying to warn you."
Her countenance quickly changed- her confusion melted, replaced by anger but it was not at Remus who had failed to warn her but at Ron and Harry.
"What right have you two turning up here?" She asked, "Not a word from you in years and you come in here one morning when I've another crisis on my hands!"
"Hermione," Remus said crossing to her and laying a hand on her shoulder, "They are here to help us, you with the Sapphire and Garnet case."
"What?" "They have had two similar cases; a boy murdered brutally whom they believe to have been called Emerald because of a pocket watch he carried and the other a girl the believed to be called Ruby because of a locket that she carried."
Hermione gasped, "Like Sapphire and Garnet?"
"Yes."
"Oh but Remus!" She exclaimed, "There's been another!"
*
It was not the same. Working with Harry and Ron would never be as it had been in Hogwarts. She tried to be friendly but it was so hard to be and knew that she must appear icy and hostile to them.
They deserved it! She knew that she treating them no differently from the sleazy informants that she often came in contact with. Harry seemed hurt by this- well what did he expect? Hugs and friendliness? It was five years too late for that.
Still she couldn't help but feel guilty. Harry had been through so much, she shouldn't be so hard on him. Then she remembered what he'd done to Ginny and felt angry again.
As for Ron, well it was easier to be angry at him. His sullen, un-co- operative mood did nothing to help with that. He was simmering, obviously no more pleased with the arrangement than she was. His resentment was obvious and yet he was somehow hopeful as if it wasn't quite as bad as he'd expected.
To her mind- it couldn't be worse.
They spent the day exchanging information; she stayed all cold and businesslike. She might be making it harder for them but she believed it was easier for her this way. Selfish this might have been but after all it was them who had abandoned her not the other way around.
The newest victim that Hermione had just discovered when she'd walked in on their reunion with Remus was a young girl, also sixteen. She was extremely pretty with long thick black hair, dark skin and amethyst coloured eyes. Hermione was not surprised when this girl's locket had an amethyst in its centre and the word Amethyst engraved on the back.
* Harry was exhausted by the end of the day. The tension in the air had left him emotionally drained and he just felt like curling up and going to sleep. Hermione escorted them out of the building, them not having the right security clearances. When they where on the great sweeping snow covered lawns outside the IA Headquarters Ron apparated straight away without a word to the poor girl. No, Harry reminded himself, woman.
"I am so sorry about all of this," He said.
"So am I."
"Hermione?" He asked.
"Yes," She replied, her face impassable.
"It's good see you again."
Her iciness suddenly melted away and Harry caught a glimpse of the lively young school girl he had known.
"Oh Harry!" She said, smiling, "What has become of us?"
Knowing that Hermione was offering him a sort of peace he grinned, "I don't know."
In a more familiar action she hugged him like she once would have done and when she released him her eyes where shining with tears.
"You look well." Harry said.
"Thank you, it doesn't affect me anymore Harry. I needn't think about it anymore."
Knowing that he had touched on a nerve and that she obviously didn't want to say anymore about the illness that was meant for him but had struck at her.
"See you tomorrow then?" He asked.
"Yeah," She replied.
"Goodbye then."
"Bye."
He turned to apparate then hesitated, "Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like to meet Ron and me for a drink tonight, you can meet some of the people we work with?"
She smiled, "Sorry but I'm going out with Gi." She trailed off.
"Ginny?" He asked, the name sounding strange on his tongue.
"Yeah, we're going to the theatre."
"How is she?" He asked.
"Great, really, great." Hermione said.
"And?" Harry asked knowing there was something Hermione wanted to say.
"And all the better for me not telling her about today." Slightly hurt Harry nodded, "Yes it's for the best."
"See you then."
"Bye."
* AN- Shortish I know but know that reunion is out of the way there can be more R/Hness! Yay! By the way that was not a bit of Harry/Hermione at the end just in case in came across that way I just sort of them making up like friends would. Anyway stop I'll stop blabbing please review what did you think?