Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Reasons for re-posting: see chapter 1
A/N: see A/N at end :)
Time Heals Everything
3 Years Later
6th Sept '05
21 year old Hermione Granger sat at the kitchen table. Her hair hanged in defined curls down her face and she was wearing a black knee length skirt, leather knee high boots with a white fitted blouse.
"So are we still on for Sunday dinner?" Asked Hermione.
"Yeah," replied her mum who was heaving a gigantic frozen chicken out of the freezer to defrost for tomorrows meal.
"Are Holly and the kids coming?" Inquired Hermione.
"Definitely," replied her mum.
Holly was herAuntiewho had 3 children (Amber the eldest at 14 whom was also a witch attending Hogwarts, Alex the troublemaker at 10 years old and finally Summer who was the most adorable 6 year old in the world.) Hermione loved her cousins to bits and relished in taking them out and treating them whenever they came to visit. Hermione knew Amber regarded her as a big sister that she could turn to for advise that she couldn't ask her mother and Hermione relished the role having no siblings of her own.
"Well I've got to go. I just came over to check. See you later," and with that she hugged her mother and apparated back to the flat she shared with her current boyfriend Mark Riley. He was out on business for the Ministry at the moment and wouldn't be back until Sunday night.
Hermione decided to have an earlier night as she had been working hard at the Ministry all week and due to lack of sleep was becoming frustrated. She curled up in bed spreading out enjoying the luxury of having a full double bed to herself for the night.
She opened her current book, 'Pride and Prejudice' and began to read however she barely finished a page before her eyelids drooped. She slipped into a peaceful slumber and the book slid off the bed to the floor with a gentle thud.
The next morning she awoke with weak strips of sunlight seeping through her window. The February weather didn't seem to be able to make it's mind- typically British. Hermione nipped in the shower before perusing her wardrobe for an outfit. After several minutes she decided on jeans with glittery swirls, a lemon coloured three quarter length top and ankle boots.
She looked at her watch it was 11am. Pinning some of her hair back so it didn't fall in her eyes, she grabbing a denim jacket off the back off the door and apparated to her parent's house.
She appeared in the hallway to sounds of small sobs coming from the stairs. She turned round and peered through the banister.
"Summer?"
A teary faced little girl peered up at Hermione through the fingers covering her face. Immediately she ran down the stairs and flung herself with as much energy as possible onto Hermione; her face grinning broadly.
"Minny," she squealed in delight.
Hermione picked her up and kissed the little girl on the nose.
"Hey what's wrong?" Inquired Hermione.
"Alex," cried the little girl again.
"Has he been misbehaving again?"
Summer merely nodded and wiped her tears away with her tiny hands. Hermione hugged her tighter. Summer lifted her head from Hermione's shoulder and gazed into her cousin's eyes. Minny could always tell off the bad people she had told her that in her stories.
"Where is he?" Whispered Hermione.
Summer pointed to a room coming off the hallway. Hermione walked into the living room still carrying her to see her older brother on the sofa watching Toy Story 2.
"I wanted to watch 'Cinderella,'" sobbed Summer again.
"Alexander," said Hermione sternly.
"She wanted to watch that stupid princess film again, she has it on all the time! I can recite it to you if you want- just to prove my point," retorted Alex.
"There'll be no need just next time don't argue with your little sister about it."
"His names not Alex," whispered Summer changing the topic.
"What honey?"
"His names not Alex," repeated Summer, "it's Granger."
"Granger?"
"Yeah and it's what you're to call me," stated Alex.
"It's what his gang calls him," giggled Summer.
"You're in a gang?" Asked Hermione in amusement.
Alex remained quiet his eyes fixed on the T.V.
Hermione turned to Summer, "he's a silly little boy isn't he?" she whispered tickling her young cousin's tummy. The little girl giggled trying to stop Hermione's attack.
"No…Minny stop it."
Hermione exited the living room and entered the kitchen to a heavenly smell of a Sunday dinner. She sat Summer down on her knee as she sat at the table and answers various, 'hellos' that met her. Her mum and Aunt carried on their conversation while Amber pulled her chair over to Hermione.
"So how's my little witch?" Inquired Hermione.
"Great thanks," she said.
Hermione smiled at the younger version of herself. Even the teachers at Hogwarts had noticed her cousin to be extremely academically clever, not quite Hermione's level but still impressive. Amber had however been placed in Ravenclaw.
"And how are the boys?"
"Jamie and Dominic? They're fine, aren't doing too badly but you know what they're like. They're only bothered about Quidditch."
Hermione smiled there were other reasons why Amber reminded Hermione of a younger self- the friends she kept.
"I don't know what they're going to be like because it's O.W.L year this year when we go back in September," Amber shook her head and took a sip of water. Hermione suppressed a smile.
"It's a good job they have you to sort them out then isn't it."
"You mean mother them like you did you're friends? Yeah they don't know how lucky they are. I just give them a kick up the arse to get them started that's all...um... Hermione?"
"Hmmm."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure what is it?"
Amber looked over at her mum and aunt, "not here."
Amber stood up and exited the kitchen. Hermione followed placing Summer on her vacant chair. They entered Hermione's old bedroom, "what is it?" Asked Hermione slightly worried, "is everything ok?"
"Yeah fine…it's…it's just something I'd like a girl's opinion on. I said I'd ask on behalf of one of my other friends."
"Oh?"
"Well you see she fancies this guy right but she darent say anything because they're well…good friends…very good friends and…and of course because of fear of embarrassment and rejection, I mean that'd change everything wouldn't it…rejection…"
Hermione smiled knowingly.
"… also this guy likes some other girl, Lauren, only because she's drop dead gorgeous and plays Quidditch. Just 'coz I don't play."
"You?"
"I mean my friend," said Amber abruptly, "Lauren only likes him because of that stupid sport, bitch."
"Amber!"
"Sorry, but Hermione … she doesn't know him like I do…what he likes and dislikes," she sighed, "did I mention he fancies her too? …So…What should I do?"
"First I think you should tell me whom you fancy, although I think I know…"
Amber blushed.
"…is it a certain Mr Anderson we all know? A Mr Jamie Anderson of Ravenclaw house?"
Amber blushed even more.
"So what should I do?" Repeated Amber attempting to avoid Hermione's eyes.
"I know how you feel."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Hermione blushed slightly.
"Explain!"
"Harry 5th Year."
"Mr Potter! You always said you were…"
"…just best friends I know."
"So," asked Amber now totally absorbed in her cousin's love life, "what happened?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing! Why not?"
"Same reasons as you I guess."
"So you never talked to him about it? You never told him?"
Hermione shook her head. Amber sat in silence slightly opened mouthed, "so you think I should?"
"Yeah, don't make my mistake."
"Bu-"
"You'll never know if you don't try and you and Jay are such good friends that even if he says that he doesn't feel the same way you'll retain your friendship," said Hermione wisely.
"Maybe you should have followed our own advice Hermione," commented Amber.
Hermione smiled as she recalled the feelings she once felt for her former best friend. They consisted of 3 main emotions among others. Jealousy, Love and Regret. Hermione had been immensely jealous of Cho Chang with her Harry but did the whole dutiful best friend charade for him. Hermione had loved Harry more than anyone in the world. She loved it when they brushed hands accidentally and felt a warm tingle shoot up her arm, the way he protected her and always made sure she was safe before himself and because of who he was to her. Not for his scar and the famous Harry Potter status but for whom he was. She'd buried those feelings after he'd turned his back on her 3 years ago. Obviously there had been no feelings on his part.Afterwards Hermione believed her discretion about her own had been for the best even if regret did sometimes seep into her heart. Maybe he wouldn't have turned his back on her so readily if he had known. Maybe he still would have. Either was she'll never know.
"Min?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna tell him."
"That's great let me know how it goes."
"You'll see, I'll do it now I'll write and-"
"You can't write something like this in a letter, you have to tell him face to face."
"Face to face?" Amber looked pale all of a sudden and positively scared to death.
Hermione laughed, "how about I take you three to the cinemas after lunch, help you forget about your problems?" Grinned Hermione mischievously.
"Min!"
"Sorry, well?"
"Yeah that'd be great, oh and thanks for your advice."
"That's what I'm here for."
Hermione and Amber descended back downstairs and spent the rest of the time talking about Hogwarts until dinner was ready when the conversation turned to Hermione's job and uncomfortably- her love life.
"How is the Ministry job coming along," inquired her Aunt, "still enjoying it?"
"Yeah, it's brilliant! And I'm progressing really well for someone just 3 years out of school, I've been put forward for a second promotion so hopefully I'll get that which would mean a new job title, increased income and a bigger office."
"Well good luck."
"Thanks."
"And why isn't Mark here today? How is he?"
"He had some business the Ministry sent him on."
"How is the flat hunting going?" Asked her mum.
"I've erm…tried to lure him away from that."
"Why? I thought you'd set your heart on the 3 bedroom-"
"We had it's just it's not what I want," Mrs Granger looked confused, "I'm leaving him mum." Silence followed this statement.
"Leaving him? Why? He's such a nice man."
"My hearts not in it."
"Well, I didn't see this coming." Hermione gave her mother a small smile and continued eating however her mother pressed her for details. "Have you told him yet?"
Hermione shook her head, "not just yet, I'm waiting for him to get back."
"Well it's a big shame, but if you don't love him it's for the best."
"I don't," Hermione replied more defiantly. Silence followed again.
"So," ventured Amber attempting to break the uncomfortable silence, "what do you fancy going to see at the cinemas then?"
"Amber!"
"Sorry mum."
"It's ok Holly, I said I'd take them to the pictures this afternoon if that's ok with you," said Hermione.
"Yes that's fine," replied Holly still glaring at Amber.
"Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo," Summer squealed, "Scooby Doo," she repeated as she began to pat the table as though it was said dog.
Alex groaned, "I'm not coming."
Hermione smiled and caught Amber's eye who in turn grinned.
They ended up seeing Scooby Doo. Summer loved Scooby and Amber could swoon over Freddie Prince Jr. Hermione dropped her cousins off at home afterwards and after many hugsand kissesHermione whispered, "no letters," before driving home.
Hermione entered the flat she currently shared with soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend and relished in the silence and coolness of the room before BANG! "Honey I'm home!" The front door banged shut and Mark walked in the room.
He was wearing black ministry robes bearing the crest of the department for Magical International Co-operation, however underneath ordinary Wizarding robes could be seen. His black hair was gelled up revealing his icy blue grey eyes that looked like the sky on a cloudy day. The sun could never penetrate those orbs.
"I've always wanted to do that honey-I'm-home thing," Hermione merely smiled, "so how are you?"
"Fine, I've just got back too, I took the kids to the cinema."
"Oh see anything nice?"
"Scooby Doo," Mark sat on the sofa next to Hermione and put his arms round her.
"Scooby who?"
"Nevermind it's-"
"- a Muggle thing, yeah."
"So you miss me?" He asked in a husky voice. He didn't wait for a response before placing his lips on hers unrelentingly. She didn't like his kisses, they weren't soft and loving but cold and hard. He moved his mouth lower and began to slide his tongue up and down her neck.
"You know what Mark, not tonight, I've got a headache," and with that she exited the room, not waiting to see Marks's reaction, and entered the bathroom for a long relaxing bubble bath.
She emerged an hour later shrivelled like a prune, changed and slipped into bed. It was still a bit earlyto sleepso she decided to study her promotion pack for a bit before switching off the light and slipping into a deep slumber.
Hermione awoke to her alarm clock at 8 O'clock and groaned. She rolled over to find an empty space beside her and a note on Mark's crumpled pillow.
Happy Valentines Day. Dinner here tonight, I'll cook
Mark
Xxxxxx
Hermione groaned again she'd forgotten about that. She needed to tell him that she was leaving soon but to be honest didn't have the energy at the minute for a messy brake up.
An hour later Hermione was dressed and ready. She apparated to the Ministry with all her files but as she was walking down the corridor leading to her office she bumped into someone and her files flew in all directions. She looked up into the silver grey eyes of Draco Malfoy. Draco had left his Hogwarts persona behind and was a successful, pleasant, handsome young man- currently in a loving relationship.
"Oops sorry Hermione."
"It's fine sweetie I'm just not looking where I was going, mind was in the clouds."
"So you've seen him then?"
"Who?" Inquired Hermione.
"Oh erm…no one…the promotion officer that's all," excused Draco but his smile seemed to falter as though hiding something.
"No that's not for a few weeks yet."
"Oh right, my mistake." Silence followed.
"How did you and Mark get on?" Asked Hermione.
"Yeah, fine all sorted. It seems that the illegal apparation performed was an English wizard coming in from the U.S where he'd been on holiday and was just too damn lazy to go to the American Trans-Atlantic portkey office. He now owes a huge fine for breaking wizarding laws both sides of the ocean by apparating into another country. Mark and I went out there and sorted it out but there's a huge amount of paperwork." Draco sighed and smiled.
"Well I'll let you get on with it then," Hermione muttered a few words and her files flew back into her arms, "see you later."
"You too."
Hermione then continued the familiar route to her office. Draco watched her go muttering, "she's not going to be ready for this," before continuing in the opposite direction.
A/N: I'd just like to take the time and say "thank you"for all of your reviews, each and everyone seen as you have taken theeffort to tell me what you think of 'Time...':) I really appreciate it!
I've alsono idea what time it is where you are but it's 1:15am here (England)so i'm off to bed, Night x x