DISCLAIMER: I live in WEST VIRGINIA not London or anywhere over there so I'm not British, I do well to speak English. Which means: 1. I do not own Harry Potter 2. I will never own Harry Potter and 3. I will probably not be using any British words and for those of you who are British, you are going to be seeing some American words, sorry. I only know some British phrases and terminology.

A/N: Bad news…my internet is on HIATUS! So that means I will not be updating as quick as I used to because I'm going to have to either upload at school or send it with my friend. Yes, it sucks. So, if you see a computer flying out a window while you're driving through West Virginia, congratulations, you have just found my house. As soon as I can figure out a way to get the computer out of the window without removing the AC, it will FLY! Sorry for any inconveniences caused by this, but it can not be helped until I reached my internet provider…and those wankers are hard to get a hold of. I will do my best though.

Now…on with the STORY!

Chapter 8

Hermione drove patiently to downtown London to go to work. She was currently late because it had taken Lauren, the teenage, boy crazy babysitter, longer than expected to get to her house. No doubt that she was out with some boy. The girl was pretty, Hermione had to give her that, but not very smart. Anyways, since Lauren was a muggle, Hermione was unable to apparate, which would undoubtedly save her time and she would not be late.

Hermione had quit the bookstore that she had once worked at, though she still owned a portion of the company, and recently went job hunting. It was just her luck that Flourish & Blotts were hiring for a part time worker, perfect for a single mom. She had been hired on the spot. Hermione had a sneaky suspicion it was due to the fact that she was probably their number one customer during her time at Hogwarts.

But back to the matter at hand, she was late. And not a little late either, she was currently an hour late, and that is bad to her standards. But not only that, today was her first day! She was going to be fired on her first day!

Hermione glanced over and saw a tiny alley way off of the busy street. Easily maneuvering her vehicle through the bumper to bumper traffic, being a witch came in handy some times, she pulled off to the side of the road and parked her car. She locked it and quickly dashed into the alley, disapparating from site.

She apparated into the little bookstore located in Diagon Alley and noticed a few people lingering. They glanced at her curiously then went back to observing the books. Mr. Flourish came out of the back room and beamed at her.

"Mr. Flourish, I'm so sorry that I'm late. It's just that the baby sitter was late and she's a mug…"

Mr. Flourish stopped her with a wave of his hand. "It's quite okay dear. You're here now."

"Thank you so much. I will try not to be so late in the future."

"That is all anyone can ask of a single mother like you. I have four kids of my own, I realize the demands put upon oneself. Believe me, sometimes I was lucky to just get out of the house."

Mr. Flourish was a man of about sixty-eight. He was pleasantly plump and near bald. He had eyes that twinkled every time he entered the bookstore that his great grandfather had founded so many years ago. He was short, shorter than Hermione anyways, and had a cute pudgy nose. To say the least, he was one of those cute old guys you see on the streets and just want to take home. (A/N: If you've ever seen Blue Collar Comedy Tour, think of Ron White's nursing home joke…pick me, pick me! Sorry couldn't resist : ) )

Hermione now remember that he did have four kids, though they were all grown now and married. Two boys and two girls: Michael, Elizabeth, Erickson, and Harlem. Mr. Flourish's wife had died when the eldest, Michael, was just sixteen, so he had to raise the children as a single parent. The youngest, Harlem, was only just six when her mother died but she has many reminders of her through her brothers and sister.

"How are your children?" Hermione asked, smiling at the man she had come to respect greatly in the past two weeks since meeting him personally and through talking.

"Harlem is expecting again. They're hoping for a boy this time; they already have two girls. Michael and Erickson are both traveling to America on business, they should be back around the beginning of October. Elizabeth, that poor girl, is in the process of moving at the moment. Of course, you would know about all the hassles of a move but add five kids to that, two of which are toddlers."

"Oh dear, I do feel sorry for her. I hated moving but I'm ever so glad I did."

"We're all glad to have you back, Jub especially. He often told me how every time you were near here, you would stop and get two to three books."

"Thank you, and I'm glad to be back. Where is Elizabeth moving to?"

"Well, she finally told Heath that she just couldn't take Bulgaria anymore and wanted to leave. Plus, she told me once that no kid of hers would ever attend Durmstrang. They're moving to some place in Switzerland. Obviously there's a school there that is very prestigious, like Hogwarts I dare say."

"Oh? What's the name, I might have heard of it."

"It think it's called Alpskin (A/N: sorry, couldn't think of anything). It's back in the hills in the country."

"I think I might have read about it in Overview of Popular Schools of Magic: Fifth Addition."

"I told her to owl me often because there was no way I was going to hike my way up those hills just to see her," Mr. Flourish laughed.

"I don't blame you, I wouldn't either," Hermione chuckled.

A man entered the door just then and Hermione glanced up. She noticed that it was Mr. Blott, a man that she had only once or twice. He motioned for Mr. Flourish to join him and together they walked out the door. On his way out, Mr. Flourish asked Hermione to take care of everything and to just tap the register five times with her wand for help.

But Hermione did not need any help. She found that everything was relatively easy, and since she knew where every book in the store was located, she effortlessly guided costumers to where they could find the book they were looking for. Yes, she decided later during the day, she would enjoy working there.

Ginny popped in later that day to visit. She had been the only one that Hermione had told of her new job. But Hermione knew that sooner or later she would have to divulge this bit of information with Harry because Ginny expressed her concern at keeping this from him. But she couldn't shake the feeling that Harry would probably tell Sirius.

"Hey Hermione," Ginny greeted as she walked through the door.

"Hey Ginny," Hermione said back, with a smile on her face.

They had been busy that day and Hermione was a little happy to see someone she knew.

"So, how do you like working here? Is it better or worse than your old job?"

"Well, I would have to say better since I'm back home. I've missed this place so much. It's funny how much one could miss a book shop."

"Yeah, well this is where you always wanted to come," Ginny pointed out.

Hermione smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Anyways, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I work at St. Mungo's now as a apprentice healer. I'm hoping to someday work at Hogwarts. But they sent me to pick some ingredients up at the Apothecary's and I just decided to pop in here and see how you were doing and all."

"I'm doing great actually. I love working with books so much. I don't know how I never thought about this for a career choice back in my 5th year."

"It was probably the most obvious choice that you overlooked it. Anyways, with Harry always away training to becoming an Aurora, I get kind of lonely so can you come by sometime tonight and see me?" Ginny pleaded. "Please?"

Hermione chuckled. "I knew there had to be an ulterior motive to your visit. Where?"

"Um….the Black House?"

Hermione's smile disappeared. "I'm sorry Ginny, I can't. Not right now anyways."

"Come on Hermione, you're going to have to face him sometime."

"I know that, I just have to think some things through right now." At seeing her friend's disappointed look, Hermione continued. "How about you come to over to my new home?"

Ginny's face lit up. "Really? That would be great. And I can see Sirina again. Of course I'll come over. Just give me the address and I'll apparate right…"

"Oh no!" Hermione said quickly. "You can't apparate. Lauren will still be there."

"Who's Lauren?"

"She a muggle I hired to baby sit Sirina while I'm at work."

"You didn't have to do that Hermione. Mum would have been more than happy to look after her for you," Ginny assured her.

"I know that, I just felt that your mum was finally alone now and I just wanted to give her some peace for a little bit."

"She hates it. She's always begging Ron or Percy to come back and stay with her. She's miserable there without anyone to look after. Believe me, Sirina would have been a blessing to her."

"I'll think about it," Hermione told her before turning to wait on a customer. After the customer purchased their items and walked out the door, Hermione turned to talk to Ginny again when the doorbell clang again, announcing another customer.

"Hermione?" A voice asked and Hermione looked up to meet a pair of silver grey eyes.

This was going to be the end of chapter 8 but I decided to go on with some of Ch. 9

"Harry! Harry!"

Harry turned to see his best friend with flaming red hair running towards him. "Hello Ron," he greeted.

"So is it true?" Ron asked eagerly. A large smile plastered on his face as he waited excitedly for the answer.

"What Ron?"

Ron shook his head. "How think can you get? Is Hermione back? What else would I be asking?"

"Well, how was I supposed to know that was what you were talking about when you rush up here without even a hello and asked 'Is is true'? But yes, Hermione is back."

"I can't believe it, I never thought she would come back. I thought we were going to have to find her and drag her back."

"Me too Ron, me too," Harry agreed quietly. He couldn't shake the feeling that Hermione might once again try to escape.

"I bet she's excited to be back and to see Sirius alive."

"Well….," Harry said hesitantly, "not exactly."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I don't think she's really excited to see Sirius again."

"Why wouldn't she be?"

Harry could of hit himself over the head. Ron didn't know about Hermione's relationship with Sirius when she had disappeared into the past or the child she now had with him. "Um….forget I said that."

"Sorry," Ron shook his head stubbornly, "can't."

"Well, I'm not going to say anything else. You will have to wait until she explains."

"So where is she?" Ron asked, the smile reappearing on his freckled face.

"At the moment?"

"At the moment," Ron confirmed.

"I don't know."

Again, Ron's smile disappeared. "You don't know?" He asked slowly.

"No. I know she's got a job somewhere near here and a place but I don't know the location of either. She didn't tell me."

"Did you ask?"

"I didn't really have time," Harry said sheepishly.

"I can't believe you didn't ask her! She's been gone for over a year and then when she comes back you don't even ask her where she's working or staying. Good one Harry."

"Hey," Harry protested, "she'll find us when she's ready. She's been through a lot and I think it would be best to give her some time to sort things through. Time is the best medicine."

Ron shrugged. "Whatever you say. I still think you should have asked."

Harry groaned and refrained from refuting. "Come on, we're going to be late. Lunch is over in three minutes."

Together the pair walked back up to their offices. Harry walked into his office and went over to sat at his desk. He propped his head up on his hands and ruffled his hair up a little.

"Oh Hermione," he thought out loud, "I do hope you'll be okay."

Then he looked down and noticed the letter with Ginny's familiar handwriting. He opened it up.

Harry Dear,

I won't be home till later tonight. I'm having dinner with an old friend. Don't wait up on me.

Love you,

Ginny

Harry folded the letter back up and placed it back on the desk. He knew very well that his fiancé was going to see Hermione. He also knew that she knew where Hermione was working. But he wouldn't let that worry him, Hermione would tell me soon.

His head snapped up when he heard his door open. Sean Hetman, one of the Auroras, poked his head through the door.

"Hello Harry," he greeted.

"Hello Sean. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you would go to Diagon Alley for me and pick up some things. There were a couple of books that Flourish & Blotts were supposed to get in for us to help with training. I would if Johnson didn't have me working so hard."

"Sure, just let me finish this paper and I'll head right on over," Harry told him.

"Thank you so much Harry, you're a life saver."

Harry smirked, "So I've been told."

Sean laughed. "Yeah I guess you would have been told that before."

"I'll get those books for you sometime today Sean!" Harry called as Sean walked back out the door.

After Sean had gone, Harry glanced back at the letter. No use dwelling on it now, Harry thought to himself. Gathering up his stuff, Harry strode out the door and to the apparation point.

He apparated into the Leaky Cauldron, decided he could use the extra time to think as he walked. Along the way, some people would stop to talk to time while others would just wave. One girl even blushed profusely when he glanced at her. (Harry "the sex god" Potter….well, he's my sex god, he he : ))

He finally arrived at the popular bookstore and was about to grab the handle when the door swung open. He felt someone run into him and caught the person as they were about to fall. The first thing he saw was fiery red hair.

"Ginny?"

She smiled up at him. "Harry," she gasped out. "What are you doing here?"

"Picking up some books for Sean. They're for the Aurora training program."

"Oh," she bit her lip, then smiled up at him, "I'll get them for you, after all, you are a very busy person and I'll just bring them back to you."

"Ginny, are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I don't know, you're acting a bit weird," Harry said slowly.

"No, no I'm fine. I was just offering to get your books for you so that you can get back to work," Ginny said quickly.

"I'm already here so I might as well go in," Harry moved past her and walked through the door.

"Hermione?"

The witch in question looked from the person she was talking to and stared at him in surprise. "Harry, um…we," she motioned towards her companion, "were just talking."

Harry then noticed her companion and stared at him. "What are you doing here?"

A/N: Awww…great place to leave a person. Well, this was supposed to be Ch. 8 and Ch. 9 but you got them in one big chapter. Hope you enjoy and again I apologize for the delays in the future. If you're wondering how I'm updating let me tell you, I got in a fight with my compter...I came out the victor!

COACHED MY FIRST T-BALL GAME TONIGHT!

It was fun, little kids are so funny. But I still don't want none. Oh wells. Thank you guys again for helping me with what a BETA was. I'm still wondering whether I want one or not. It's like trying to pick out a puppy, you just can't decide.

Gotta go get some sleep, another game. Bright and early, 8:30 am on a Saturday morning, yeah, I'm happy.

!Amaya!