Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, with the exception of Emma Fireston who is made up, they belong to J.K. Rowling.
Hermione sat in the Leaky Cauldron waiting for Ron and Harry to show up for their daily meetings. It was only a few weeks ago that they had graduated from Hogwarts. Both Harry and Ron had become Aurors at the Ministry, while Hermione herself was now working for the Ministry in the Inter-Species Department trying to start S.P.E.W. up. The war with Voldemort and his Death-eaters has not happened yet but all nerves are running high at the Ministry and all employees have to undergo specific self-defence training.
Hermione tucked back a strand of her frizzy, curly brown hair as Tom, the innkeeper, brought her a cup of tea.
"Thanks Tom!" Hermione said smiling up at him.
"Not a problem Ms. Granger! Excuse me I have to attend to another faithful customer." Tom said turning to see a young girl with long, soft, neat, chestnut brown hair that was coming down the stairs.
"Of course Tom! Duty calls!" Hermione says laughing while stirring her tea.
The girl gracefully walked down the stairs from the rooms above the bar. She crossed to the desk where Tom had just slid behind to greet her.
"Ah! Ms. Fireston, a pleasure as always! How are things for you?" Tom said addressing the young lady.
She raised her bright blue eyes to meet his and smiled sweetly, "Everything is wonderful Tom, as usual! And how many times must I tell you to just call me Emma!"
"Ms. Fireston you know I cannot do that! Now what can I get you?"
"Well a Butter beer to start and the bill for my room." Emma said quietly.
"You're leaving us here Ms.?" Tom asked her dishearten.
"Yes, unfortunately I am. I have found a place to live also I begin work soon. And this way I won't impose on you anymore."
"Ms. Frieston you know you never are an imposition here!"
Emma smiled and laughed taking her drink and bill to sit at a near by table.
Hermione watched as the girl talk to Tom. She was jealous at how neat her hair was and wished her own hair would cooperate and stay neat for once. Hermione could not look away; there was something oddly familiar about the girl. Then she laughed, a magical laugh that brought back a memory from long ago.
She was five years old and was in kindergarten. The other kids teased her because she was different and made fun of her all the time. But there was one girl who never laughed with the others. One day the boys in her grade were making fun of her and pushed her into the mud. She just laid there crying until a sweet voice came to her. "Its ok. They're just jealous because they'll never be as smart as you are. Here take my hand." Said the girl. Hermione looked up into bright blue eyes and chestnut brown hair. "Thank you." Hermione said sniffling. "Don't cry. Things will get better! Besides they probably only do that because they fancy you!" the girl said smiling. That made Hermione laugh and her laughter made the other girl laugh, a magical laugh that seemed to fill the world with happiness. "I'm Hermione!" she said. "And I'm Emma!"
The girl was walking towards her. Hermione looked into her face and knew it was she.
"Emma?" Hermione said standing.
The girl whipped around confused and startled, "Yes, what do you want?" then her eyes met a face that she had not seen in a long time.
"Emma Fireston!" Hermione said smiling.
"Oh my god! Hermione Granger! Is that you?" Emma said excitedly.
"Yes! Yes it is! I cannot believe its you!"
"AH! AH! OH MY GOD HERMIONE!" Emma said squealing and throwing her arms around Hermione.
Hermione threw her own arms around the girl hugging her tightly.
"Ah ha ha ha! I cannot believe this!" Hermione said giddily.
"Ha ha ha! I know! How long has it been? Seven… eight years?" Emma said laughing brightly.
"Seven I think! I can't believe this! You're a witch!"
"ME! What about YOU! This is so ridiculous!"
"What do you mean me! Ha ha ha! It's just as weird that you are a witch too!" Hermione said.
"Well actually no!"
"Oh I have a feeling we have a lot of catching up to do! Sit down." Hermione said sitting and gesturing to one of the seats beside her.
"Oh I couldn't! You look like your waiting for some one!" Emma said humbly.
"I am but trust me they'll be at least another hour!" Hermione said begrudgingly thinking of Ron and Harry.
"Ha ha ha alright then!" Emma said laughing, "Hey how about we got to a private sitting room just so it's a bit easier to hear and speak?"
"That's fine! Hey Tom!" Hermione said waving her hand to get his attention, "Tom can we get a private room?"
"Of course Ms. Granger, Ms. Fireston." Tom said nodding deeply.
"Oh and Tom, can you tell Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter where we are and that I'm with an old friend?"
"Yes Ms. Granger." Tom said leading them to a private room.
He watched her from the dark corner of the room. His storm grey eyes never leaving her as she bounded down the stairs to talk to the innkeeper. He was surprised when Hermione hugged her and even more surprised when the two girls left to a private room. He was under strict orders to follow her and not let her slip threw his fingers. So he sat and waited.
A/N: Freaky eh? Anyways I hope you enjoyed the first chapter more will be up shortly!