Chapter 3: Not That I'm Complaining

Disclaimer: I do not own HP.

I picked my head up off my pillow at the sound of my alarm. Yuck, I thought, it's only six o'clock I really need a vacation. I drowsily eased my way out of bed before making my way towards the bathroom, only stopping to grab a pink fluffy towel out of the closet. A hideous towel that I had been forced into buying by a friend that wouldn't stop telling me 'what a steal these towels are'. God it feels like I haven't slept in years, and to a point that sounds about right. I undressed slowly before turning on the faucet to the shower and stepping in, the warm water beginning to wake me up. I closed my eyes letting the warm shower water cascade down over my head, feeling as if I were out in the rain.

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Just a typical Saturday for us seventh years: breakfast in the Great Hall, homework, and lounging outside. Harry was off somewhere with Ginny so it was just Ron and I standing outside on the Hogwarts grounds, with not much to do. It began raining, the water oddly warm, making my skin prickle. I looked over at Ron smiling before raising my arms into the air and twirling around as if I was an Indian my self, just dancing, trying to call the rains- make them keep coming. I loved rain; it seemed to wash away all the filth in the world.

Ron glanced over at me sending me a look that must have clearly meant something such as "your mad", but I could tell he was smiling underneath his confused glances. He was probably wondering why a bookworm such as me was acting so...well strange, spontaneous.

"Er...want to go inside Hermione?" my red headed friend asked me slowly.

"Now why would I want to do a thing like that?" I smiled widely grabbing his hand and twirling him around with me. Now we were both rain dancing, the gods surely couldn't deny such a force as this. And to my uttermost satisfaction the rain started coming down harder, almost at a down poor. I grabbed Ron's hand and began to run towards a tree (careful that I didn't pick the Womping Willow), pulling him behind me. I ran under the giant oak and let go of Ron's hand. Now slightly shielded from the rain under the tree's massive branches I could see clearly again and laughed at Ron's mused appearance. His hair was plastered to his head and water dripped from his nose.

"Stop laughing at me! What?" but my only response was to kiss him on the cheek lightly, my own cheeks turning pink from embarrassment. "Oh" was all he muttered before breaking out into one of his famous Weasley grins.

But then his face turned serious.

"Mione do you suppose the war is going to get real bad this year?" he asked me with such concern, and the fact that he cared made my feelings intensify for him just that much more.

"I don't know Ron, I hope not, but it has to get worse before it can get better."

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I stepped out of the shower wrapping my towel around me quickly, not bothering to worry about the water I was getting all over the floor from my wet feet and dripping hair. I was too immersed in my thoughts of Ron, but when was I not? Too lazy to dry my hair myself (which would usually produce a less bushy effect) I grabbed my wand and preformed a quick spell causing my hair to dry immediately, before throwing it up into a clip. I walked back into my room lazily picking out my attire for the day: a long black skirt, light blue blouse, and black clogs. I sighed coming to the conclusion that that pink towel was about the only unique thing I owned. Once I was dressed I took a look at myself in the full lenth mirror hanging on my closet door and sighed before making my way to the kitchen.

I looked in my fridge finding it nearly empty except for a small glass dish of meatloaf. I would just have to make a point to stop at the Cafe on my way to work, that's all. I always walked to work, I could apparate if I liked, but I'm always up for fresh air. I grabbed my small black purse and coat.

"See you later Crooks." I muttered to my cat before walking out the door of my apartment. I walked at a slow and deliberate pace as I headed down the apartment complex stairs towards the outdoors. It was going to be a long day. As I walked down the street I took a beathe of the fresh air and tried to clear my mind of all thoughts. After only two blocks I turned the corner and spotted the Cafe. It's a small cozy brick building, and always full of people ready to get their own quick breakfast like myself. The first time I'd seen the Cafe I had been strangely reminded of various small shops in Hogsmeade and I've loved visiting it ever since. It made me feel like everything was as it used to be. I walked inside and the bell over the door rang, announcing my presence.

I took a few steps and stood behind a tall man with brown hair in the line accumulating behind the cash register. I looked up at the menu posted on the wall even though I knew exactly what I was getting and I felt myself becoming distracted as I let myself do quite often.

"Next." I heard the cashier but it didn't really register until a lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and pointed in front of me.

"Oh yes, I'll take a blueberry muffin and a coffee please." I ordered with the friendliest look I could muster, handing him money.

"Here's your change."

Grabbing my order and change from the cashier I decided it best to just eat at work for I was running late already. I began to, somehow, walk towards the exit while also stuffing change in my purse. I bumped into someone quite abruptly almost spilling coffee all down my blouse.

"Oh for Merlin's sake, I'm so sorry." I muttered looking up with a guilty smile. My face dropped when I saw the read hair and freckly face. No, it couldn't possibly be. "I uh...Ron?"

"Wha- is that you Hermione?" he asked staring at me with his mouth open. I attempted to organize myself, almost spilling my coffee again.

"Ron?" He was still staring at me! "Would you please stop trying to catch flies in your mouth and help me out here?" Oh wow had I missed that beautiful face of his.

He seemed to snap out of it and grabbed my coffee and muffin from me. I threw my change in my purse before tossing it haphazardly over my shoulder; sometimes I don't even know why I carry a purse! I took my breakfast back from Ron and just stood there looking at him, wanting to ask him so many questions. The top question on my mind of course being: 'why didn't you ever come back?'. But I couldn't possibly ask him that right now, I hadn't even seen the man in three years. He looked good though, he was still tall and a bit gangly but he looked somewhat happier than when I had seen him last. His hair was longer and he wore nicer clothes, although his shirt tail was still untucked.

"Well, er...yeah. Hey I...better go, uh you know I'm a bit busy," he mumbled. Oh yes I thought to myself, of course there's always an excuse. I can see right through him though, even now I can tell when he's lying; he probably has all the time in the world.

"Yeah that's what I thought. Bye Ron, it was nice seeing you I guess," I responded coolly. I couldn't believe that that was all we could say to eachother after all those years of friendship. I began to walk away and I felt that tug in my stomach like the rest of my body wanted to stay with Ron while my brain disagreed.

"Bye," but as I turned away he touched my arm slightly sending a chill down my spine, causing me to turn back towards him. "By the way Mione, you look great," he said casually and I felt my mouth drop. That's all he had to say to me after not speaking to me for five years? Not seeing me for three years? Not an "I'm sorry" or maybe just a simple "I've missed you". No all I get is a "you look great". Not that I'm complaining but for Merlin's sake the man wont even talk to me he's so screwed up, but he can sure as hell compliment me. I scowled and walked out of the cafe quickly, I was late for work; again.