CHAPTER 13 Just Another Girl Lost In The City
Harry and Hermione Apparated to the Atrium of the Ministry, making their way along the brightly lit corridor to the golden grilles.
"My office or yours?" Harry asked as they entered the elevator.
"Yours, mine is too dark", Hermione replied as Harry jabbed the button marking level two. "How are you?" Harry asked as he watched Hermione fidgeting with her fingers.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she looked at Harry.
"How are you after coming face to face with Ron, getting captured and your argument", Harry replied smirking at the last part.
"I am fine Harry, you talk of meeting Ron like it were a meeting with Voldemort", Hermione said lightly, but she hung her head and added, "Like an empty shell without its whole".
Harry chose to ignore the last comment, for he knew Hermione didn't want to talk about it. The lift stopped and Harry slid open the grilles leading the way to the Auror Headquarters and then to his desk. The room was empty and there was little light until they entered the room. Every desk was filled with parchments, books and other personal items. Hermione pulled a chair up to Harry's desk, as Harry pulled out some parchments and began writing.
*****************************************
A few hours and a lot of writing later, Harry threw his quill down and sighed.
"I hate writing reports", he sighed as he stretched and Hermione took the roll of parchment and re-read the report.
"Well they have to be done", Hermione replied getting up and stretching her legs. "So you up for grabbing something to eat?"
"No sorry I said I would take Kaylee out for some early morning coffee after we finished with the report", Harry said. "Sorry!"
"Its ok Harry", Hermione smiled and rolled up the parchment, handing it back to Harry. "Well the report is ok and if there's any problems with your boss let me know", she smiled and gathered up her things.
"Hermione", Harry said looking her in the eyes and smiling sympathetically. "Don't go off overworking yourself just because of Ron. I think we can all remember the last time..."
"Don't worry Harry I won't overwork myself", Hermione added quickly.
"Well when you two broke up you were so immersed in your work you had to go to St Mungo's because of exhaustion. I don't want to see you in there again", Harry sighed.
"Don't worry, I will work as little as possible and be as open with my feelings as I can. Are you happy now?"
"Yes", Harry replied smiling and then Kaylee came into the room and walked up to Harry's desk rather nervously.
"You finished Harry?" she said meekly.
"Yes", Harry replied smiling and grabbing his cloak.
"Hello Hermione", Kaylee said smiling at Hermione.
"Hello Kaylee", Hermione replied and picked up her cloak.
"Well lets go then. Bye Hermione and remember what I said", Harry said and smiled.
"No problem, bye you two", Hermione replied smiling.
"Bye Hermione", Kaylee said shyly and Harry and Kaylee left the Headquarters talking quietly.
Hermione sighed one last time and got in the other elevator, and jabbed the button for level nine. She got out and made her way to her office, collecting some things and work notes from her desk, before locking her door and heading back up to the Atrium again. Five minutes later, she was in the sitting room, lounged on a sofa and pouring over her notes. She sat there for hours, reading and rereading information they found on the Blood Kindred, taking notes and highlighting important information. At about five o clock in the morning, Hermione stretched on the sofa and dropped her notes on the floor, for her eyes were itching and she was tired, but she did not feel tired. She got up off her seat and made her way to the window, pulling away the curtain so she could look outside. London was quite quiet and peaceful, few cars passed on the road nearby, no-one was out walking and all the lights in the other apartments were out. Everyone else was asleep. She sighed and pulled the curtain closed again.
"Oh god Hermione", she said to herself as she sighed and walked into her kitchen. Though it was small and tidy, it did not feel homely and comfortable right now, it just felt alien. Her mind wandered back to the times when Ron and her had lived in this flat, when they were dating three years back. She remembered all the times when they had cooked meals, sat and joked and eve the rather more embarrassing moments, when they were doing neither, but something that would make Mrs Weasley cry out in shock! She blushed as she remembered this, and quickly left the kitchen.
No there was nothing else for it, Hermione was restless and she needed a walk, even if it was five in the morning. Hermione quickly grabbed her muggle coat, her wand that was soon safely stowed in her coat pocket, and left her apartment. She was soon outside her building and was briskly walking along the pavement, making her way to the nearest park, which luckily was only ten minutes walk away. All was quiet as she walked along the road, the shutters on the muggle shops were down, lights were out and even the late night take-away she often used, was closed now.
As she passed a nearby pub she was it was also locked up and dark, its customers had long made their way home. She turned a corner and crossed a normally busy road, but she could have been walking in the middle of the road, there was no car nearby to run her over. The only sign of light or life she could see, were the orange street lights, gleaming above her head and casting haunting shadows onto the road. She turned another corner, though this one was much smaller and quieter, for there were no overhead street lights along this road, and it led into a cul-de-sac, where the only interesting thing on the side road was the gate leading to the park. The park was normally shut and the gates locked at seven in the evening, so drunken kids could not go inside and vandalise the park, but Hermione was neither a drunken old man nor a kid; she was a witch and she had a wand. With a quiet whisper and a flick of her almost hidden wand, the gates opened a little and Hermione sneaked inside. She quickly closed the gates behind her and walked on in silence. Since the park had a high brick wall running around it, it was safe enough to use some magic, so Hermione conjured up a glowing orb of light to show her the way.
Hermione made her way along the small paths, stepping lightly on the leavers that had fallen onto the path and ducking under low branches. Most people would find walking alone in a quiet dark park terrifying or at least they would consider it with caution, but ever since the final battle with Voldemort, Hermione had changed a lot, she began to love and yearn for the night, its quiet and peaceful mood and its dark paths she could tread. She sat herself down on a nearby bench and gazed at the dark world around her. Here she felt happy and at peace....
"Oh Ron come on out you look fine", Hermione giggled as she stood in front of the bathroom door, waiting for Ron to come out.
"Come on I need to use the bathroom too!" she cried and finally the door opened. Ron stepped out. He was wearing an elegant black suit, a crisp white shirt and topped off with a very smart dickie bow. Ron looked at himself uncertainly and then up to Hermione.
"I don't know", he said slowly, sounding very unsure. "Are you sure I have to wear this bow, I look like a girl!" he whined and Hermione laughed.
"Of course you do, it looks smart, plus the code was muggle black tie, and this is very muggle like", Hermione replied heartily.
"I know but can't I just loose the bow and go with an open collar. I mean I know Dean Thomas said it was meant to be all formal, but I will look so much more dashing without it", Ron replied giving her the trademark cheeky, yet endearing Weasley grin.
"Dean Thomas was very partial to the black tie, you know how he is muggle born like me. He likes sticking to the things he knows", she replied sweetly.
"Yeah but the rest of his company isn't", Ron whined, "Plus if you let me go without it, I will be the perfect boyfriend, take you out for dinner afterwards and be a complete gentleman".
"If you add in that you will do the washing up for the next two days you got yourself a deal", Hermione replied grinning sardonically.
"Washing up for one day", Ron bargained.
"The deal is not for bargaining, and I want you to wash the dishes the muggle way, no almost getting caught by the neighbours again!"
"You drive a hard bargain Hermione Granger, but you're on!"
"Good", Hermione replied grinning at him and undoing the dickie bow.
"Now go and get changed, we have to go soon", Ron said smiling at him and Hermione went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Five minutes later she came out again, this time dressed up, with a tight fitting black dress on, that was tight, but went out at her knees, ending with a bit of the white mesh petticoat appearing at the bottom. Her hair was down but curled lightly and she was wearing a big grin on her face.
"So how do I look?" she asked twirling for him.
"So damn fine. Are you sure we have to go, we could just stay in and..." Ron trailed off grinning wickedly at her.
Hermione laughed and pulled herself from Ron's grasp, that was around her waist, and replied, "No we promised Dean we would turn up!"
"Well ok", Ron said rather sulky. Hermione laughed once more, and walked over to their sofa grabbing her black cloak.
"Well come on lover boy", Hermione laughed and Ron rolled his eyes at her, as he grabbed his cloak and put it on.
"If you insist my lady!" Ron replied bowing to her, which made Hermione laugh even more.
"Stop it Ron!" she laughed as he made a grab for her waist again and tried to pull her closer. "You'll ruin my hair!"
"And since when have you ever cared about how your hair looks?" Ron asked looking at her amused.
"My mother was always very partial to when you go out somewhere fancy like a ball or office party, you must look perfect, busy hair or not. It was just trained into me", Hermione replied earnestly and when she saw Ron burst out laughing, she frowned at him.
When Ron had finally stopped laughing he said, "No offence against your mother Hermione, I've met her and she's a great lady, but she never struck me as the kind who cared about looks and what other people thought. Sure she's a dentist!"
Hermione frowned at Ron even more, becoming increasingly annoyed and she replied rather sharply, "Just because my parents are dentists, doesn't mean they are boring. When are you going to accept, just because the wizarding equivalent to a dentist is some boring old goblin who has lots of facial hair and only cares about the latest goblin fights, doesn't mean all muggle dentists are like that!"
"I'm sorry Hermione", Ron said his face turning serious, "Its just in the wizarding world these dentists are a bit of a joke, you know did you hear about this person, he became an Aural Healer and then everyone laughs. I didn't mean it, you're parents are fine and not like that at all. It was just odd hearing about you or your mum caring so much what other people say".
"We don't its just something we do, surely just because I read a lot doesn't mean I can't care about my appearance once in a while, and I will let the dentist joke slide this time, but the condition is you wash the dishes for five days", Hermione replied seriously.
"Oh you're a spoil sport", Ron said sulkily.
"And I love you too", Hermione replied kissing him on the cheek. "Come on Ron, Dean is expecting us!"
**********************************
Tears filled her eyes as Hermione thought of that memory, those happy days when she was so carefree and when she felt her life was truly fulfilled and she was at her happiest. She didn't know then how happy and at peace she was, but as time wore on, Hermione realised what she had lost. It had plagued her for many years, this feeling of incompleteness that she hadn't had since Ron. She had always assumed it was because she had no other boyfriend after Ron, but maybe it was something else. Maybe it was something deeper, like a longing. She knew one thing, the relationship she had with Ron was amazing and some of the best moments of her life, though this she only just found out. Right now Hermione felt more alone and lost than ever before, and when she could no longer control her emotions, the tears spilled out of the eyes and she wept on the wooden bench in the dark and empty park in the middle of London city.
Harry and Hermione Apparated to the Atrium of the Ministry, making their way along the brightly lit corridor to the golden grilles.
"My office or yours?" Harry asked as they entered the elevator.
"Yours, mine is too dark", Hermione replied as Harry jabbed the button marking level two. "How are you?" Harry asked as he watched Hermione fidgeting with her fingers.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she looked at Harry.
"How are you after coming face to face with Ron, getting captured and your argument", Harry replied smirking at the last part.
"I am fine Harry, you talk of meeting Ron like it were a meeting with Voldemort", Hermione said lightly, but she hung her head and added, "Like an empty shell without its whole".
Harry chose to ignore the last comment, for he knew Hermione didn't want to talk about it. The lift stopped and Harry slid open the grilles leading the way to the Auror Headquarters and then to his desk. The room was empty and there was little light until they entered the room. Every desk was filled with parchments, books and other personal items. Hermione pulled a chair up to Harry's desk, as Harry pulled out some parchments and began writing.
*****************************************
A few hours and a lot of writing later, Harry threw his quill down and sighed.
"I hate writing reports", he sighed as he stretched and Hermione took the roll of parchment and re-read the report.
"Well they have to be done", Hermione replied getting up and stretching her legs. "So you up for grabbing something to eat?"
"No sorry I said I would take Kaylee out for some early morning coffee after we finished with the report", Harry said. "Sorry!"
"Its ok Harry", Hermione smiled and rolled up the parchment, handing it back to Harry. "Well the report is ok and if there's any problems with your boss let me know", she smiled and gathered up her things.
"Hermione", Harry said looking her in the eyes and smiling sympathetically. "Don't go off overworking yourself just because of Ron. I think we can all remember the last time..."
"Don't worry Harry I won't overwork myself", Hermione added quickly.
"Well when you two broke up you were so immersed in your work you had to go to St Mungo's because of exhaustion. I don't want to see you in there again", Harry sighed.
"Don't worry, I will work as little as possible and be as open with my feelings as I can. Are you happy now?"
"Yes", Harry replied smiling and then Kaylee came into the room and walked up to Harry's desk rather nervously.
"You finished Harry?" she said meekly.
"Yes", Harry replied smiling and grabbing his cloak.
"Hello Hermione", Kaylee said smiling at Hermione.
"Hello Kaylee", Hermione replied and picked up her cloak.
"Well lets go then. Bye Hermione and remember what I said", Harry said and smiled.
"No problem, bye you two", Hermione replied smiling.
"Bye Hermione", Kaylee said shyly and Harry and Kaylee left the Headquarters talking quietly.
Hermione sighed one last time and got in the other elevator, and jabbed the button for level nine. She got out and made her way to her office, collecting some things and work notes from her desk, before locking her door and heading back up to the Atrium again. Five minutes later, she was in the sitting room, lounged on a sofa and pouring over her notes. She sat there for hours, reading and rereading information they found on the Blood Kindred, taking notes and highlighting important information. At about five o clock in the morning, Hermione stretched on the sofa and dropped her notes on the floor, for her eyes were itching and she was tired, but she did not feel tired. She got up off her seat and made her way to the window, pulling away the curtain so she could look outside. London was quite quiet and peaceful, few cars passed on the road nearby, no-one was out walking and all the lights in the other apartments were out. Everyone else was asleep. She sighed and pulled the curtain closed again.
"Oh god Hermione", she said to herself as she sighed and walked into her kitchen. Though it was small and tidy, it did not feel homely and comfortable right now, it just felt alien. Her mind wandered back to the times when Ron and her had lived in this flat, when they were dating three years back. She remembered all the times when they had cooked meals, sat and joked and eve the rather more embarrassing moments, when they were doing neither, but something that would make Mrs Weasley cry out in shock! She blushed as she remembered this, and quickly left the kitchen.
No there was nothing else for it, Hermione was restless and she needed a walk, even if it was five in the morning. Hermione quickly grabbed her muggle coat, her wand that was soon safely stowed in her coat pocket, and left her apartment. She was soon outside her building and was briskly walking along the pavement, making her way to the nearest park, which luckily was only ten minutes walk away. All was quiet as she walked along the road, the shutters on the muggle shops were down, lights were out and even the late night take-away she often used, was closed now.
As she passed a nearby pub she was it was also locked up and dark, its customers had long made their way home. She turned a corner and crossed a normally busy road, but she could have been walking in the middle of the road, there was no car nearby to run her over. The only sign of light or life she could see, were the orange street lights, gleaming above her head and casting haunting shadows onto the road. She turned another corner, though this one was much smaller and quieter, for there were no overhead street lights along this road, and it led into a cul-de-sac, where the only interesting thing on the side road was the gate leading to the park. The park was normally shut and the gates locked at seven in the evening, so drunken kids could not go inside and vandalise the park, but Hermione was neither a drunken old man nor a kid; she was a witch and she had a wand. With a quiet whisper and a flick of her almost hidden wand, the gates opened a little and Hermione sneaked inside. She quickly closed the gates behind her and walked on in silence. Since the park had a high brick wall running around it, it was safe enough to use some magic, so Hermione conjured up a glowing orb of light to show her the way.
Hermione made her way along the small paths, stepping lightly on the leavers that had fallen onto the path and ducking under low branches. Most people would find walking alone in a quiet dark park terrifying or at least they would consider it with caution, but ever since the final battle with Voldemort, Hermione had changed a lot, she began to love and yearn for the night, its quiet and peaceful mood and its dark paths she could tread. She sat herself down on a nearby bench and gazed at the dark world around her. Here she felt happy and at peace....
"Oh Ron come on out you look fine", Hermione giggled as she stood in front of the bathroom door, waiting for Ron to come out.
"Come on I need to use the bathroom too!" she cried and finally the door opened. Ron stepped out. He was wearing an elegant black suit, a crisp white shirt and topped off with a very smart dickie bow. Ron looked at himself uncertainly and then up to Hermione.
"I don't know", he said slowly, sounding very unsure. "Are you sure I have to wear this bow, I look like a girl!" he whined and Hermione laughed.
"Of course you do, it looks smart, plus the code was muggle black tie, and this is very muggle like", Hermione replied heartily.
"I know but can't I just loose the bow and go with an open collar. I mean I know Dean Thomas said it was meant to be all formal, but I will look so much more dashing without it", Ron replied giving her the trademark cheeky, yet endearing Weasley grin.
"Dean Thomas was very partial to the black tie, you know how he is muggle born like me. He likes sticking to the things he knows", she replied sweetly.
"Yeah but the rest of his company isn't", Ron whined, "Plus if you let me go without it, I will be the perfect boyfriend, take you out for dinner afterwards and be a complete gentleman".
"If you add in that you will do the washing up for the next two days you got yourself a deal", Hermione replied grinning sardonically.
"Washing up for one day", Ron bargained.
"The deal is not for bargaining, and I want you to wash the dishes the muggle way, no almost getting caught by the neighbours again!"
"You drive a hard bargain Hermione Granger, but you're on!"
"Good", Hermione replied grinning at him and undoing the dickie bow.
"Now go and get changed, we have to go soon", Ron said smiling at him and Hermione went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Five minutes later she came out again, this time dressed up, with a tight fitting black dress on, that was tight, but went out at her knees, ending with a bit of the white mesh petticoat appearing at the bottom. Her hair was down but curled lightly and she was wearing a big grin on her face.
"So how do I look?" she asked twirling for him.
"So damn fine. Are you sure we have to go, we could just stay in and..." Ron trailed off grinning wickedly at her.
Hermione laughed and pulled herself from Ron's grasp, that was around her waist, and replied, "No we promised Dean we would turn up!"
"Well ok", Ron said rather sulky. Hermione laughed once more, and walked over to their sofa grabbing her black cloak.
"Well come on lover boy", Hermione laughed and Ron rolled his eyes at her, as he grabbed his cloak and put it on.
"If you insist my lady!" Ron replied bowing to her, which made Hermione laugh even more.
"Stop it Ron!" she laughed as he made a grab for her waist again and tried to pull her closer. "You'll ruin my hair!"
"And since when have you ever cared about how your hair looks?" Ron asked looking at her amused.
"My mother was always very partial to when you go out somewhere fancy like a ball or office party, you must look perfect, busy hair or not. It was just trained into me", Hermione replied earnestly and when she saw Ron burst out laughing, she frowned at him.
When Ron had finally stopped laughing he said, "No offence against your mother Hermione, I've met her and she's a great lady, but she never struck me as the kind who cared about looks and what other people thought. Sure she's a dentist!"
Hermione frowned at Ron even more, becoming increasingly annoyed and she replied rather sharply, "Just because my parents are dentists, doesn't mean they are boring. When are you going to accept, just because the wizarding equivalent to a dentist is some boring old goblin who has lots of facial hair and only cares about the latest goblin fights, doesn't mean all muggle dentists are like that!"
"I'm sorry Hermione", Ron said his face turning serious, "Its just in the wizarding world these dentists are a bit of a joke, you know did you hear about this person, he became an Aural Healer and then everyone laughs. I didn't mean it, you're parents are fine and not like that at all. It was just odd hearing about you or your mum caring so much what other people say".
"We don't its just something we do, surely just because I read a lot doesn't mean I can't care about my appearance once in a while, and I will let the dentist joke slide this time, but the condition is you wash the dishes for five days", Hermione replied seriously.
"Oh you're a spoil sport", Ron said sulkily.
"And I love you too", Hermione replied kissing him on the cheek. "Come on Ron, Dean is expecting us!"
**********************************
Tears filled her eyes as Hermione thought of that memory, those happy days when she was so carefree and when she felt her life was truly fulfilled and she was at her happiest. She didn't know then how happy and at peace she was, but as time wore on, Hermione realised what she had lost. It had plagued her for many years, this feeling of incompleteness that she hadn't had since Ron. She had always assumed it was because she had no other boyfriend after Ron, but maybe it was something else. Maybe it was something deeper, like a longing. She knew one thing, the relationship she had with Ron was amazing and some of the best moments of her life, though this she only just found out. Right now Hermione felt more alone and lost than ever before, and when she could no longer control her emotions, the tears spilled out of the eyes and she wept on the wooden bench in the dark and empty park in the middle of London city.
