A/N: Chapter 2 was a short one, so I finished chapter three as soon as I possibly could. Enjoy!
Chapter 3 – That painful song2 years later…
"Uh, Miss Granger?" said her manager, as she knocked on her huge bedroom door. She looked around and admitted her, "Yes, Brooke, come in." At once, the door opened and in trotted a woman who was just about her height, with straight black hair that was level to her armpits. She had blue eyes and fair skin, and she was wearing a pink t-shirt and jogging pants. Brooke Galsworth, who was also a witch, was Hermione's manager, for she was now a known singer. "Yes, um…Jerry, the inn – keeper of the Leaky Cauldron Bar and Night Club has invited you to perform in his club and sing for his customers. He said there were usually many people now that they had rebuilt the old Leaky Cauldron," she said, shuffling some papers. "Oh, well, have you checked my schedule? I could be booked on that day, you know," replied Hermione, sitting on her dresser and brushing her hair. Brooke tapped her foot impatiently and checked her watch, "Yes, yes, I have. Now, are you gonna perform or not?" Hermione sighed, for her manager was losing her patience again. "Alright, I will. When will I have to perform?" she said.
"On the 10th of September. Just 2 days away."
"Ok, just make sure I have no important appointments on that day. What time are we expected to be there?"
"Yes, well, it will just be you who will travel, since I have some important meetings to attend to on that day. I still have to confirm the time. I'll call Jerry now."
"Ok. Just please inform me ASAP. I don't want to show up too late or too early."
Yes, still the old Hermione she used to be. Never wanting to be late for anything, and always wanting to have time for everything.
"Will do. I have to go. I still haven't gone through my morning exercise routine yet. Here read the paper or something." And with that, she threw a copy of the Daily Prophet on her bed and jogged out of Hermione's huge room. She laughed as she watched her manager jog out of the room, then she picked up the paper, which lay on her bed. It had been a while since she was in London. She had lived in Paris with her parents right after school, and was now a famed singer there. She lay down her brush and started reading. Her mouth fell open and tears started to fill her eyes as she read the headline. This was something she hadn't expected.
AUROR Harry Potter AWARDED FOR MOST DEATH EATERS CAPTURED.
Harry Potter, who is now known to be an auror, has been awarded by the Ministry as 'The Most Outstanding Auror of the Year' for having captured the most number of death-eaters. New minister Rufus Scrimouger mentioned, "We have never had so much death-eaters in Azkaban since the arrival of Mr. Potter. I once wanted to use him as a 'mascot' for the Ministry, but realized how stupid I have been. I apologize to Mr. Potter, and hopes that he can continue his outstanding job as auror."
Hermione sniffed and smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks gently. She was so happy for him, and yet so sad that she wasn't there with him to see the proud look on his face (in person, since Harry's picture is in the paper). She stared at the picture for a while, and then put the paper down. She needn't have read any farther, for that was all she wanted to find out; that Harry was well.
That night, Hermione packed the things she would need for London. Brooke had already set the time for her to be there. She was to leave a day earlier, meaning tomorrow, so she could once again savor the surroundings that were once familiar to her. As she rummaged in her closet for the clothes she would bring, a picture fluttered out of one of her trench coats. She bent down to pick it up, and tears once again stained her eyes. It was a picture of the trio before they graduated, which were about three days before Harry 'left' her. She closed her eyes as tears fell down, and reminisced the day like it was just yesterday…
"And the most outstanding student award goes to…" said Headmistress McGonagall, as she whipped out a gold medal out of thin air, "Miss Hermione Granger of Gryffindor house!" A roar of applause erupted from the Gryffindor table as a blushing Hermione stood up and claimed her award.
Right after more awards were given out, and the feast ended, the students slowly disappeared as they went up to their respective common rooms. As the trio stood up and admired each others awards, Colin Creevy blocked their way, "hi Harry," he said in his usual tone. "Can – can I take a picture of you three?" the trio looked at each other and nodded. Without a word, Colin set his camera and the 3 posed. "Ok, on three, then. One…two…" flash.
They said thank you to Colin as they claimed their copies of the pictures, and went up stairs to the common room. There was silence at first, then, "I really am going to miss you guys," said Ron in a rather somber tone. Harry and Hermione exchanged looks, "We'll miss you too, Ron," they said in unison, and they all shared an affectionate group hug…
Hermione blearily opened her eyes and smiled at the picture. Her smile faded a bit when she focused on Harry, for she remembered the day she never got to say sorry. It was still fresh in her mind, and the words were longing to get out of her. She finally sighed a heavy sigh, placed the photo in a frame, and finished packing. As she lay down on the bed, thoughts of Harry disappeared temporarily as her excitement of seeing London again took over.
As rays of light poured through her bedroom window, Hermione smiled and opened her eyes excitedly. She didn't have a plane to catch, for she could apparate, and that meant going there anytime she wanted. But she decided to not waste any more time, for the excitement she had felt the night before was coming back again. She slowly got out of bed and walked towards the bathroom. She had a long warm bath and she used, no longer her usual vanilla – scented shampoo, but a sweet, strawberry – scented shampoo. As soon as she finished, she put on her jeans and white tube blouse, and topped it off with a pink jacket. She double – checked her bag for everything that she needed, and quickly apparated into Diagon Alley.
As soon as her feet hit the ground, she looked around as a wide smile was drawn across her face. She had never thought she would see this place again. She wiped away a few tears that had escaped her eyes ad she headed for the Leaky Cauldron. This Leaky Cauldron was not the place she remembered three years ago. The old pub was a bit dark with old tables and chairs scattered here and there, yet this one was a very bright pub, much like a casino, except without the machines. Beautifully decorated tables and couches were arranged in a circular way, so that there was some dancing or performing space in the middle. Hermione assumed that was where she would be singing. Just as she was about to climb up the stairs, someone tapped her shoulder. "Miss Granger, I p'rshum? I'm Jerry," said the inn – keeper, who was Tom's son. They looked so much alike that, if he hadn't introduced himself, Hermione would have called him by his father's name. Hermione nodded, "Yes, that's me. I hope you don't mind that I came a day earlier than expected, but I just couldn't wait to see London again!"
"'Ats ok, Miss. Now, if you just, foll'w me," said Jerry in a business-like manner, taking Hermione's bag and leading her to her room. They climbed two flights of stairs and then came to a big brown door, which had a sign that said 'V.I.P'. She smiled as she walked into the room for it was a lot like the one she had in Paris, only smaller. "Thank you, Jerry," she said kindly, sitting on the bed. Jerry bowed low before saying, "Yer very welcome, Miss. Jus' call if yeh need anythin'. Hope you enjoy your stay." After that, he exited the room, leaving Hermione to freshen up.
As she walked out of the pub and into the familiar streets of Diagon Alley, she inhaled the fresh air and smiled again. She walked through the shops and, as she did, bunches of people would ask for her autograph or stare at her. She eventually got used to this, for she always encountered it in Paris. She stopped by Flourish and Blotts to admire some newly acquired books, enjoyed some special ice cream at Fortescue's, watched as a bunch of kids admired new broom models, and bought some cat food as a treat for Crookshanks. Her face lit up as she saw a shop that she wanted so much to visit. She jogged a bit to get there quicker, then stopped right at the door. She opened it gently, and with a clink of the door chime, she was inside the funniest shop she had ever known. 'Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes' was an absolutely magnificent shop with so many people here and there. Hermione admired some of the candies on the shelves, but knew better to take one and buy it. As she was looking at some exploding materials in a shelf, someone tapped her shoulder. She assumed it to be someone who wanted her autograph, but when she turned around, she found that it was none other than…Fred and George Weasley. "Hello Hermione," they said in unison, beaming. Hermione beamed at them too, and hugged them while saying, "Fred! George! It's been so long! How have you two been?"
"We've been great!" said Fred, taking Hermione by the hand and showing her around.
"It has been a while since we've seen each other, but we always heard your voice anyway," said George, holding up a CD with Hermione on the cover. It said 'Autobiography of the Music and Me'.
Hermione laughed for she almost forgot that she was an international singer. "Have you listened to me every time?" she asked with a giggle. "Yeah," the twins chorused, "and Ron's been begging us to buy him a copy." Hermione blushed very slightly as she asked, "Really? Where is he, by the way?" Fred and George looked at her in disbelief. "Hasn't he told you?" Hermione just shook her head.
"He's getting married to Luna in a weeks a day after tomorrow!"
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she tried to suppress a giggle, but failed. "They are? Oh my gosh, they're so lucky!"
The twins, once again, looked at her in disbelief. "What?" they asked, very much surprised, "You haven't got a boyfriend?"
Hermione blushed wildly as she whispered, "No." The twins roared with laughter, catching the attention of a few customers. They pulled Hermione into the back, still laughing. They faced her and said, "You don't? And we thought someone as pretty and famous as you couldn't stay single for long!" Hermione joined in the laughter, but felt a bit angry with the twins for bringing up the subject.
After a while, she said goodbye to the twins and continued her strolling and shopping. At about 7:00 PM, she went back to the Leaky Cauldron to rest. She put her shopping bags down on the bed and had a nice hot bath. As she lay in the bathtub, a song of hers was playing on the radio. It was the one she composed on the train on her last year at school. Tears started to fill her eyes as she remembered that time.
"Hermione," came Lavander's sleepy voice from across the compartment, breaking into her thoughts, "Are you ok?"
Hermione nodded, carefully wiping away her tears. "Well, I'll just take a nap, ok?" asked Lavander with a yawn, "Just wake me when we get there."
Hermione nodded again. She concentrated on the scenes passing by as the train sped along. She watched her reflection on the window that was wet with rain, and then suddenly, as if by instinct, she took a piece of parchment, a quill, and some ink from her bag and started scribbling a song that had sprung in her head.
Why don't I like the girl I see,
The one who's standing right in front of me.
Why don't I think before I speak
I should have listened to that voice inside me
I must be stupid, must be crazy
Must be out of my mind
To say the kind of things
I said last night
Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall
You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all
Mirror, mirror I wish you could lie to me
And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me
Why did I let you walk away
When all I had to do was say I'm sorry
I let my pride get in the way
Now in the heat of the moment, I was to blame
I must be stupid, must be crazy
Must be out of my mind
Now in the cold light of the day
I realize…
Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall
You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all
Mirror, mirror I wish you could lie to me
And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me
if only wishes could be dreams
and all my dreams could come true
there would be two of us
standing here in front of you
if you could show me
that someone that I used to be
bring back my baby ,my baby,
my baby to me…
You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all
Mirror, mirror I wish you could lie to me
And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me
Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall
You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all
Mirror, mirror I wish you could lie to me
And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me
Mirror, mirror
Lie to me
Show me what I
wanna see (2x)
As the song ended, Hermione opened her eyes and got out of the tub. She wrapped herself with a towel, and brushed her hair. That song was one of the first songs she had ever written to be about tragedy and hurt. She liked to call it a 'painful song'. As soon as she finished with her hair, she immediately put on her sleeping gown and fell into a deep slumber, dreaming once more of Harry.