Chapter 2- First Stranger

The next couple of days were pretty much the same for Harry. Get up, get ready, go to work, go to meetings and then go home. Everyone expects him to be great at what he does but the truth is… he doesn't want to be great. He wants to be able to walk down the street without being run over by fans or go into a pub without being offered tons and tons of fire whiskey, free of charge, not like he's complaining but that's beside the point. He doesn't want to be given special attention for something he stands for rather then what he truly is. In everyone's eyes, Harry Potter was the hero, the savior of their world, the one who killed Voldermort. But no one ever sees him as Harry Potter, that guy who yearns to be normal.

Sitting quietly at his desk, Harry didn't feel like working today and decided to leave for the rest of the day. So he called in his secretary, Martha.

"Martha, I want you to cancel all my appointments and meetings today. I'm going to take the rest of the day off. If anyone needs me, just tell him or her to call back tomorrow unless it's urgent. Ok?" Harry told her and she nodded in understanding. With that Harry put on his long coat and walked out the door with his briefcase. Turning back for a second he reminded Martha, "And I mean urgent."

Harry made his way over to his car, a new glistering black R-Performance Jaguar. Waiting at door was his trustworthy driver, Alfred Winchan whom has been driving for Harry for the past 7 years.

"Good afternoon Mr. Potter" Alfred greeted as he opened the door for Harry.

"Greetings Alfred. I still can't get you to call me Harry can I?" Harry replied smiling.

"Not if I'm still working for you Mr. Potter." Alfred responded also with a genuine smile.

"One day Alfred, one day I'll get you to call me Harry." Harry commented as he got into the car.

"If you say so sir." Alfred said as he closed the door and made his way over to the driver's side. "Where to today Mr. Potter?"

"I'm not quite sure. I just wanted to get out of the office for a change. How about to Hyde Park in London?" Harry mentioned and with a nod from Alfred they were on their way.

As they arrived at the entrance to the park, Harry let himself out. He stood there taking in the smell of October. Although it was cold out, everyone seemed to be enjoying their time there in the park.

"Do you want me to wait for you Mr. Potter?" Alfred spoke up.

"Oh, no. You may leave Alfred. I don't know how long I'm going to be here. I'll give you a call when I'm ready." Harry replied

"Very well. Good-day sir." Alfred said while getting back into the car and drove off.

Harry was alone, accompanied by the noise of playing children and proud parents. Harry felt somewhat lonely looking at so many families enjoying their time out while he was strolling the park alone. After walking for who knows how long, Harry found a small bench and took a seat. He didn't notice anyone around until he heard a slight giggle, or was it a snicker? Whatever it was, it pulled Harry's attention towards it. There she was again. The lady he saw at the café store and the person he helped out with her drink. She was reading, dressed in black dress pants with boots and a nice white bottom down blouse atop with a black blazer, which he thought was rather thin. Curious to why she was laughing, he went ahead and asked.

"Which book are you reading?"

Looking up from her reading a bit shocked by the stranger's boldness, she gasped when she realized who it was.

"Yes, I am that stranger in the café shop the other day." Harry mentioned before letting her start.

"Oh yes, I remember. Thanks by the way. The drink was definitely outstanding." She commented while dropping her book into her lap.

"You still didn't answer my question." Harry reminded her.

"Oh, oh this, this is The Europeans by Henry James. I love his work. It has a different taste to it then other dramas and such." She told him while waving the book around in the air.

"Sounds interesting. I've read some of his work and it is really something." Harry replied smiling. "By the way, may I ask what is your name? I wouldn't want to be calling you stranger." He asked.

"Oh, I'm Hermione Granger and I just moved here from the States." She replied. "And may I ask what your name is?"

"I'm Harry Potter." Harry said quickly as if he didn't want to let out his name.

"Oh, is that right? You look better in person then you do in those magazines or books." Hermione told him. Harry was surprise that she didn't jump up and down squealing that she met Harry Potter and he was glad for that.

"So, should I take that as a compliment or should I go sue those companies for messing up my pictures?" Harry said teasingly, which got Hermione smiling her beautiful smile. "Anyway, you said you're from the states? You don't sound at all American." Harry mentioned. Hermione giggled at his comment but replied causally, "I was born and raised here in London but moved when I was about eleven. I still don't know why we moved. I heard it had something to do with me receiving a letter from Hogwarts, I believe it was, a magical school for witches and wizards. I guess my parents didn't want me to attend it so we moved," Hermione explained.

"Oh I see. That's too bad. We've might known each other beforehand if you had attend." Harry told her and the conversation continued for the next hour or so when Harry finally looked at his watch. "Oh wow, it's close to 6:30. We kind of lost track of time here," Harry said smiling.

"Wow, it is getting late and I need to get home," Hermione told him as she packed her books back into her case and got up. So did Harry.

"Oh please let me to take you home. It's getting dark and I will feel better if I know that you're safely home." Harry offered

"Oh, that won't be necessary. I can just call a cab," Hermione said as she walked away.

"No, really I insist," Harry said as he walked beside her.

"Um, alright then. Do you do this for all the strangers you meet Mr. Potter?" Hermione said when a cold breeze blew by that caused her to shiver.

"Here, take his." Harry then gave his long coat to her. "And for your information Ms. Granger, I don't talk to strangers that often. I would like to say you're my first stranger." Harry said smiling. Hermione blushed.

"Wow, he has a nice smile," she thought. "Wait! What! Where did that come from?" she thought as her eyes widened.

"What? Is something wrong?" Harry said, concerned as he saw her eyes suddenly widen.

"No! Um… I mean, no, nothing's wrong. Thank you." She replied and watched as he nodded and whipped out an expensive looking cell phone.

"Alfred? I'm ready," was all he said.

She continued to look at him and laughed when he caught her staring. They continued chatting aimlessly when Harry's Jaguar pulled up to the curb. Hermione watched as an older looking gentleman stepped out from the driver's side and hurried to open the door for Harry and her.

"Mr. Potter, Miss," he said, giving a little bow.

Hermione raised an eyebrow and turned to Harry.

"You really pull out all the stops for your first stranger huh?" she directed towards him.

Harry gave her a small smile and replied," But of course, I do have a reputation to uphold you know?"

Hermione laughed as she climbed in the car.

Alfred raised an eyebrow in question and gave him an approving smile as Harry climbed in the car after Hermione.

"Not one word Alfred."

"Of course sir," was all he said as they pulled away from the curb.