A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Woo-hoo! I'm past 100 reviews. I love it. Umm..yeah, this chapter is shorter than the last two, but oh well, more tomorrow. Don't forget to tell me what you think!
Ch. 14
Return of the Real World
The next morning Hermione awoke with a start. The sun was streaming through her windows, it was nine o'clock in the morning and…
Holy shit! I have to be at work in ten minutes!
As Hermione raced around her house, wondering why she couldn't find a pair of jeans and a slightly clean shirt, her eyes fell upon the shopping bags that were pushed into a corner of her room.
Madly ripping tags off, and muttering cleaning charms, she raced out of her house, running down the stairs and apparating at the first chance she got.
She landed in a conveniently placed alcove just outside of the book store/café that she worked at.
Glancing up at the clock, she pulled on the blue apron that was part of her uniform and slid behind the counter just as her manager came walking out.
Hermione smiled brightly, praying that she wasn't too out of breath. "Hello Mr. Irving. Wonderful morning, isn't it?"
Her manager looked slightly disappointed and Hermione knew exactly why.
He was expecting me to be late, just like every other Monday. Well, I win this week! Take that higher management!
Unfortunately, she was caught on a technicality.
Mr. Irving smirked. "Ah, Hermione, have you had a chance to clock in yet?"
DAMN.
Forcing a now greatly diminished smile, Hermione said, "Well, umm…I'll just get to that right now then."
Mr. Irving smiled. "You do that, Miss Granger, you do that."
Hermione almost slammed the door on her way into the employee's lounge but stopped herself just in time. I will act like an adult. I will, I will, I will!
She clocked in, and turned to leave when one of her favorite coworkers walked in. "James! How did moving go?" James had been bragging about moving into his own place all of last week.
He smiled, and replied, "It went pretty well. My sis and I moved in to a three-bedroom place that's just a couple blocks away. We have a roommate. He's kind of batty, acts like a foreigner, but he's British alright."
Hermione laughed. "Maybe he's just different." James shrugged, "Maybe. Katy thinks he's pretty cute."
"Good for her then. You'll get used to him after awhile." Hermione peeked out of the window in the door. "I gotta go, Irving is headed this way and he's really doesn't like me this month."
James laughed and shooed her out, "Well, it's about time, last month he hated me. Its only fair that he rotates."
Hermione scuttled out to the café and got behind the register, taking orders and giving change. She wasn't very good at actually making the drinks yet. She could pour out straight coffee, and that was about it.
Halfway through her shift she got a half hour lunch, and was not too surprised to see Harry waltz into the coffee shop, looking like he was the happiest man in the world. After all, she had made Harry promise to let her know what happened, and by the way he looked, everything had gone well.
Hermione smiled brightly at Harry and said, "Just a minute. I have to let James know I'm going on my lunch break." Harry nodded and she motioned for him to sit down and wait.
She headed back to the lounge, left her apron on its hook, and then went back out to the counter to talk to James.
She spotted him mixing a drink for an elderly lady, and she waited patiently for him to finish. After he handed the lady her drink, and flashed her one of his charming smiles, he turned to Hermione and asked, "You going on your break now?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes. Harry's going to tell me what happened last night. I'll let you know when I get back." Hermione told James practically everything, and he knew just how anxious she had been for Harry and Ginny.
James smiled and shooed her away, telling to have fun and be back on time.
Hermione walked over to Harry, pulled him up, and practically dragged him to the sandwich place next door.
While they placed their orders, Hermione was busily pumping Harry for information. However, Harry refused to say anything until they were both sitting down with their lunches.
Harry looked at Hermione, who was bouncing with suppressed anticipation, and he laughed. "She said yes."
Hermione snorted, "Of course she said yes, you twit. What did she say about Spain?"
Harry laughed, "Well, I wish I had been as sure about it as you were. I was practically shaking from nervousness. But...she agreed to Spain.
She was actually really happy about it; they do have some of the top mediwitch centers there, so her career isn't a problem. I think she wants to get away from her mum for a while too. So this all worked out really well."
Hermione hugged him awkwardly over the table. Then she checked her watch and noticed that she only had about ten minutes before she had to go, so she ate her sandwich quickly, and Harry told her about their plans in between bites.
"We're going to move to one of the houses set up for the team, and Ginny is going to get settled in her job. And, we've decided to have the wedding a year from Sunday. On our third anniversary."
Hermione laughed, "You just wanted it that way so there would only be one date to remember."
Harry looked sheepish, but then agreed. "Yeah, that does make life easier, eh?"
By then Hermione was throwing away the rest of her lunch, and dragging Harry out of the door.
She hugged him, and said, "Well, I'm incredibly happy for you, and I can't wait to help Gin with the wedding, but if I'm late for work one more time, I'll get fired."
She dashed inside the café, waving to Harry as she darted into the employee's lounge.
