A Silent Wish
Too Good to be True
Hermione say in the living room again, the morning's events running through her head. She had just watched someone die. No, no die, murdered. This was no right. She wasn't supposed to see that and now, Hermione feared she was next.
It wasn't until a little while after Hermione had gotten back to the house that the others began to stir. Ginny was the first one to some out to where Hermione was thinking.
"Ginny! Thank goodness, you are awake. I need to talk to you," Hermione said standing from the couch and heading over to the now awake Ginny.
It took careful wording and a few minutes to describe to Ginny the bizarre dream and strange encounter that started Hermione's unusual morning.
"So, you're telling me that he was in the house this morning? And none of us heard or saw him?" Ginny asked almost in shock, though Hermione had already confirmed her of that.
"Yeah, you're telling me, I was the one he decided to visit too," Hermione said with the same understanding.
"Three's also something else Ginny," Hermione said hesitantly though she knew she had to tell her, it was still frightening.
Hermione, once again, explained what had happened to her hat very morning while Ginny was sleeping soundly. Ginny's face went from curious and concerned, to horror to what seemed to be thought.
By the time Hermione had finished her chilling tale, Ginny wasn't looking at her, but rather the ground. Hermione was shaking.
"That's terrible. You just left Wormtail's body there?" Ginny asked in disbelief and disgust.
"I didn't know what to do at that point. I guess you could say I was in a state of shock," Hermione said in a wouldn't-you-know sort of pitch.
"Yeah, but what about that Muggle…What is that law enforcement?" Ginny asked finally looking up at her.
"Police. Yes, I thought about that. That is why I need your. We need to go back to where he was and fast before anyone finds him," Hermione said with remorse.
"What! Are you crazy? I can't do-that!" Ginny exclaimed as she shook slightly at the thought.
"We have to, Ginny. It would cause a great deal of trouble if a Muggle found a man dead with no signs of-of any physical evidence that show. The war was enough trouble for the magical world, let alone something like this," Hermione said and she knew she was getting at her. "Please, Ginny," Hermione pleaded.
After careful thought, Ginny simply nodded approval.
Hermione and Ginny walked out of the house and to the park where Wormtail was.
It was sad to see all the people happily enjoying themselves in the morning light when someone had just been killed only hours ago in that very same park by a force so great that their minds would probably never be able to grasp. That they were all alive to this very day because Hermione, Ginny, and so many other witches and wizards who put their lives on the lines to save the Muggles.
Hermione guided Ginny to the area where she had been only hours before. As they made their way to the area where Wormtail's body lay, Hermione gasped in surprise. The ground where Wormtail's body had lay was empty. There was no sigh of anything out of the ordinary. The only thing that was out of place where the foot prints they had made on the trek to the vicinity.
"What? Was here earlier! Where did he go?" Hermione said looking frantically around and behind bushes and trees.
"Could the, um," Ginny said trying to remember the word.
"Police," Hermione finished for her.
"Yeah, that's it, Police. Anyway, do you think that they could have found him by now? Could that be why he is gone?" Ginny asked directly at Hermione.
"No, they can't have. There would be Police everywhere and they would have the whole place blocked off with crime scene tape," Hermione said looking around with a great deal of confusion.
Ginny hesitated before she said, "Are you sure it wasn't a dream?"
Hermione focused her eyes on Ginny's as if it was a joke that she discredited her. "No, it was too real to be a dream. I could see his face clearly. No, it wasn't a dream," Hermione said trying to convince herself just as well as Ginny. She wouldn't believe it was a dream.
Ginny nodded and said, "Well, it looks like there I nothing to do here. Let's go, Hermione," Ginny said and started to walk back in the direction back to the house. Hermione took a quick scan around, hoping for a scrape of something to prove to her that this was real. Reluctantly, Hermione followed.
By the time that they got back, Harry and Ron had gotten up and were happily having breakfast.
"Hey, Ginny, Hermione, where were you guys? You had us worried," Harry asked with a bite of his cereal.
"Just for a walk, that's all," Hermione said before Ginny could say anything; Hermione didn't want Harry and Ron to know just yet. Hermione wanted to make sure this was real before telling them.
The rest of the day was not very eventful. Hermione knew it wasn't a dream and she wasn't going to admit it was one. She didn't know why she was freaking out so much, but the sheer thought of seeing someone being killed was enough for her to have her excuse to freak out. Hermione now knew how Harry felt after arriving back at Hogwarts with Cedric; only she didn't have a crowd watching her.
That night was not a very good night fore Hermione, the rest of the week wasn't very good either. The week was rather dull and boring too. The only thing that Hermione looked forward to was the date that she had set with Derek earlier that week.
Hermione liked Derek. He was the best thing for her right then that she could think of. He was sweet and fun and that was just what she needed to get away. He was her escape from everything that was cruel and ugly in the world.
"You make sure to hex him for me if he does anything to hurt or harm you, OK?" Harry said giving Hermione a serious look.
"He's a Muggle, and I can't use magic in a Muggle place unless absolutely necessary, Harry, you know that," Hermione said back. She smiled proudly at this feeble attempt to protect her. She could tell he wasn't jealous; they had gotten over that hurdle.
It was seventh year they had confronted each other on their feelings. It was in the Gryfindor common room as they sat in front of the dimly lit fire. It was very late at night (or very early morning) and they sat alone together.
"I don't know what is going on Harry, I have this attraction to you, but I don't know if it is a sisterly thing…or something more," Hermione said, spilling her guts to him.
To her surprise, he took a deep sigh and looked her straight in the eye. "I know what you're talking about. Hermione, I have felt the same way for a couple of years now," Harry said and there was an awkward moment.
Harry was the first one to react. He looked deep into her eyes and slowly leaned forward. He moved to where they were mere inches apart from one another. Hermione didn't do anything at first; she didn't moved back, but she didn't move forward either. Harry kept his eyes on Hermione's, looking for any sign of discomfort or signs of her wanting him to stop; looking for any signs to move forward with what he was doing.
It was Hermione that made the next move. She kept her eyes with his and met him the rest of the way. Their lips met and they kept them there for a moment before Harry drew back slightly. He kept his eyes on Hermione's and asked, "Anything?"
To Hermione's disappointment and relief, she said, "No."
Harry didn't seem to be disappointed, but he didn't seem over joyful either. "Same here," he said moving back to his original position.
"So then, I guess it is a family love. But, I have to say, you aren't that bad of a kisser from what I just previewed," Hermione said trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah? Well, I guess I have something after all. Wait until I tell Ron," Harry said with a cocky smile.
"Oh, gosh. You don't want to go and make him jealous now. He'll want a kiss now, too," Hermione laughed. Their laughs died down after a while and Hermione said, "Maybe you shouldn't tell him," plainly.
Harry seemed to agree. "Yeah, we wouldn't want to get ideas in his mind," he said with a sigh. They soon went up to their own dorms with a wave good-bye to each other.
Now, however, it was just Harry, Ron, and Hermione standing by the front door, waiting before Hermione would leave. It felt just like old times.
Ron said nothing, but instead had his arms crossed over his chest with a face of jealousy. To Hermione and Harry's luck, he never found out about that night and they felt it was a blessing. Hermione couldn't imagine what would happen if Ron found out, he would surely kill Harry. It would be another point for Harry on the "Better then Ron" board, which Ron mentioned every so often.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine you guys. You know, you guys worry too much, especially you, Ron. Just relax, I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself," Hermione said with a reassuring smile.
"Pff," Ron said loudly and Harry and Hermione ignored him.
Just then, breaking the drama that filled the room, the doorbell rang. Hermione jumped in surprise, but proceed over to the door. She opened it to reveal Derek behind it, staring at Hermione first, but soon turning to Harry and Ron with a wide smile.
"Hey, Hermione," Derek said taking her hand in his and bowed down to kiss it. He kept his eyes on hers and bent back up. Hermione widened with impress.
"Charming," Hermione said and looked back at Harry and Ron. "Derek, this is Harry and Ron," she said indication to each one, "Harry and Ron, Derek." All of them shock hands (Ron gave Derek an extra firm grip) and exchanged greetings.
"Yeah, you two are the break dancers at the club last week, right?" Derek asked, clenching and under clenching his fist to get the circulation back. "You guys were good."
"Thanks," Harry said proudly, Ron, however, mumbled his.
"Well, that's nice you guys get along. Should we be going?" Hermione asked wetly to Derek.
"Yes, let's go," Derek said gesturing to the door.
"Bye, guys," Hermione said waving back at Harry Ron before stepping out.
As Derek started his car, he turned to Hermione and asked, "So, who are those guys?" He seemed to be casual about it, but there was an edge to his voice that gave away what he was trying to hide.
"Oh, don't worry. All three of us have been friends since first year," Hermione said nonchalantly.
"Oh, really? For, what, is that thirteen or fourteen years?" he asked taking a glance at her.
"Oh, no, umm, since we were about eleven," Hermione corrected quickly.
"Oh, I see," He said, almost unconvinced.
"Don't need to be jealous, there was never anything between us. We have just been really good friends for a really long time. We've gotten each other out of some pretty stinky situations," Hermione said trying to recall all the adventures they shared.
"That's cool, they seem to be very nice guys, except for that Ron guy, he didn't seem to like me at all," Derek said kind of disappointed.
"Oh, don't worry about him, he is very over protective. We have become a small family and he protects me like an older brother, that's all," Hermione said facing him with a supportive smile.
The restaurant they went to was a very casual, no pressure place with a cozy and comforting atmosphere. She was glad with his selection. He didn't take her to a cheap, old, and dirty place, which would show he was cheap and not willing to spend a quality amount. She also feared he would take them to an over fancy restaurant, which would show that he was trying too hard to impress her. To her luck, he had chosen the right place. It made it easier to be herself; yep, one point for Derek. Hermione feared he was too good to be true.
The waitress came over soon after they were escorted to their table in her plain outfit; white dress shirt, black slacks, and a tight bun. "What can I get you two today?"
Hermione glanced at Derek and he motioned for her to order first.
"Um, I'll have a caesar salad and some ice tea. Oh, and can I have a lemon with the tea, please?" Hermione said in her politest voice.
"Certainly, ma'am. Would that be all/" the waitress asked jotting down her order. Hermione nodded and mustered a thank you. "And for the gentleman?" the waitress asked diverting her attention and comforting smile to Derek.
"I'll have the same, thank you," Derek responded with a smile and a nod.
"Your meal will be out soon," the waitress said and replaced her pen and pad.
The waitress walked away and Derek brought his green eyes back on Hermione. She blushed as he looked at her with great interest.
"What? Is there something on my face?" she asked instinctively.
"No," he shook his head and smiled, "I was just admiring your beautiful face. You're gorgeous," he finished continuing to stare at her.
" Oh, you don't have to be modest, Derek," Hermione said, maintaining a flush.
"But, I wasn't," he said plainly. His eyes started into hers and Hermione started back, but she felt something else was watching her very closely, too, boring into her back. Hermione ignored it and told Derek, "Thank you."
He nodded and leaned back somewhat in his chair. "So, tell me about yourself. What do you do for a job?" His face full of curiosityHermione was taken back, she wasn't expecting this question to come up, though she should have realized it might. She couldn't tell him she was a witch, not yet at least. He wouldn't believe her and would think her crazy. She had to think swiftly.
"Well, I'm training to be a…police officer," Hermione said as convincingly as possible.
Derek looked a bit surprised at first and looked at her strangely before he said, "Wow, you don't seem like the police officer type, not that you couldn't be, of course," he added quickly.
Hermione laughed and said, "Well, there are a lot of things that don't seem like me." Derek looked at her funny ad Hermione felt she had accidentally gone to far, but he shrugged it off.
"Well, how about you? What do you do?" Hermione asked getting the subject off of her.
"Oh, I just work at my parents shoe store. They mad me manager first day, but I didn't think it was fair to the other people who had been working there for almost longer then I have lived, so I turned it down," he said with a sigh.
"Oh, that's sweet. I like that," Hermione said, her face softening.
"Yeah, well, I rather work my way up the ladder, or, if I can, get out of it and get a better job. I would like to start my own business some day, but first I have to get through high school and college. I will have to hang on until then, I guess," her said with a dramatic sigh. Hermione laughed and he had a successful look on his face.
"High school? Oh, yeah," Hermione responded quickly, accidentally thinking out loud. She had forgot that they were only seventeen and that Muggles went to school through the age of about eighteen. This made her appreciate his charm and kindness even more.
"Yeah, what high school do you go to?" Derek asked inquisitively. She just had to slip didn't she?
"Oh, um, I graduated early," Hermione said hoping that would cut off the subject.
"Oh, you graduated a year early? Must be pretty smart then, eh? Where did you graduate?" he asked leaning forward in his chair.
"Oh, um," she had to think fast, "Cactus."
"Cactus? Never heard of it," he said.
"It is a private high school. Much farther from here," Hermione said with a nod.
"Interesting, I am going to a public school, John Adams. You plan on going to college?" Derek asked her almost daringly.
"Oh, no. I don't have the time or that money. I'm just going to focus on the Police Academy, "Hermione said with a sigh, trying to be as natural as she could be.
"Oh, that's a pity. With the brains of yours, I would go to college to use the best of it," Derek said as giving her advice.
Thankfully, the waitress was coming over to their table with their salad and teas. She was thankful to have something to change the subject, it was getting into dangerous territory.
"Enjoy you meal," the waitress said with her bright smile while walking away with the tray.
Hermione unwrapped her napkin from her silverware and set the silverware properly on either side of the plate. She obtained her fork and took a bite from the salad.
"Hmm, pretty good," Hermione said with a satisfied nod.
Derek took a bite and nodded in agreement.
Neither of them said anything while they slowly ate and enjoyed their meal. It was an awkward, but nice experience to just sit their and eat. She found it strangely nice to just be in his company.
When they were finished, Derek looked at her and smiled.
"That was really good, thank you," Hermione smiled taking the last sip of her ice tea.
"You're welcome," he said grinning back.
The waitress came back over and put the bill down in the center of the table. intuitively, Hermione reached for her purse, but Derek waved her off.
"Don't be silly, I'll cover it," he said pulling out his wallet and handing the waitress the money along with a five-dollar tip.
"Thank you, sir," the waitress responded with a grin. He nodded and turned back to Hermione.
"Well, shall we go?" Derek asked with his head cocked to the right.
"Sure," Hermione said and nodded back.
As Hermione proceeded to get up, she felt the unfriendly stare boring into her back; watching her, glaring at her. She whipped around fast and came eye to eye with a little girl. She was about two years old and had beautiful blue eyes. She sat with the rest of the family eating and chatting happily.
When Hermione had turned quickly behind her, the family had stopped chatting and looked at her strangely.
"Sorry," Hermione said and turned around again, her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
"Is there something wrong, Hermione?" Derek asked from behind her.
Hermione looked up at him and smiled with relief. "Oh, nothing, just thought I heard something," Hermione said, regained her calm, and put on her sweetest smile. He nodded and Hermione grabbed her purse. As they headed out, Hermione took one last glance at the restaurant, but there was nothing there. She stepped out with the thought at the back of her mind.
When Hermione and Derek arrived at the house, Hermione was pressure with what to do as they sat at the front door.
He didn't seem to be expecting anything, so Hermione sighed with relief and said, "Well, I better be getting inside before the others start to worry."
"Yeah, don't want Ron to dislike me anymore then he does already," Derek responded with a laugh. Hermione laughed softly.
"Well, good night, Derek," Hermione said and opened the door.
"'Night," Derek said and didn't turn to go back to his car until Hermione had waved good-bye and closed the door all they way.
She closed the door behind her and leaned back on it. There would definitely be another man taking over her dreams tonight.
A/N: Well, that was probably the longest chapter I have written, though you might not notice, I can tell by the number of pages it says at the bottom of the screen on my computer right now. Looking at the number Wow, I didn't know I had the ideas to do! Yeah! Well, once again, I really am grateful for the reviews. Now, I tell you, I might say this several times through out this story, so get use to it! I hope you enjoyed the story and enjoy the more I hope to write!