Disclaimer- i still don't own anything but the plot!
author's note: sorry for the long wait. i've been busy lately but i promise that chapter 6 will be up shortly! Enjoy chapter 5, it's the longest one so far! and thanks for reading my story! it's greatly appreciated!
Chap. 5- Strange
Woken up by the morning light shown through the living room's window, Hermione was not yet ready to wake up and start her day…
"Holy crap!" now sitting up startled, Hermione realizes that she has work today. Looking at her wristwatch she was still wearing, she tries to make up what time it was through her foggy eyes. I was 8:03. She was three minutes late and she hasn't even shower and got dress yet. "What a way to start off my week." Hermione thought out loud.
Rushing off the couch, she felt something fell off her lap. Not remembering ever having a blanket last night, she looked down. It was a black coat. It was his black coat. She knew it belongs to him because she saw the initials E.J. printed on the collar when she picked it up. With a smile, she ran up the stairs to her bathroom, turn on the water and a moment later she was done.
Hermione is now skipping through the hallway trying to put on her heels. She is dress in an all black suit with a knee length skirt complimented by a wine color blouse. Taking a last look at herself, she was ready to go…
"Ok all good, 8:26, Merlin! Jace is going to rip my head off." With that said, "pop" and she was gone.
At the Ministry…
A middle age, tall mean looking man was sitting at his desk tapping his pencil, waiting. Jace Morgan, as the name plate reads, was the Supreme Elite, also known as the boss, at the department where Hermione works. Hermione's department is the Magical Elites Department. This is the one place where all the big decision concerning the wizarding world is made. There is no longer a minister of magic. Within this department there are elites, upper elites, majors and two Supremes. Hermione was major elite which means she is above everyone in the ministry except the Supremes, and that was Jace Morgan. A boss she grew to hate with a passion.
It was now 8:30 and Hermione was sprinting to her office and before she could…
"Granger!"
"Dam it" Hermione cursed as she appeared in Jace's office.
"Granger, you do know what time it is right?" Hermione nodded, "Then you should know that you are 30 minutes late this morning." Hermione gulped.
"I'm sorry, it was be-"but before Hermione can get out another word she was cut off by Jace edgy voice.
"I don't need to hear excuses Granger." Jace exclaimed while smirking, and for some odd reason that reminded Hermione of Malfoy, which wasn't a pretty memory. Strange.
"Late is late, I'm sorry is not going to cut it Granger. I need to put you on probation." He said grinning.
"What!" Hermione yelled, shocked at what she was told, "Probation! But this is the first time I've ever been late. Last time I check, I would get a warning not probation!"
"Not let me remind you Granger, that I'm a supreme. I don't need you to tell me about the rules here." Jace said his voice getting louder by each word.
"I'm not listening to someone who uses his title to get his way." Hermione replied ignoring the fact that she might be fire on the spot.
"How dare you!" he hissed at her. "Granger you're fire"
"No, she's not." Came the voice of Arthur Waesley, the other Supreme.
"What do you mean she is not? I have the powers to do that don't I?" Jace said narrowing his eyes.
"Not anymore you don't. We have evidence that you've accepted bribes from upper class wizards to keep them out of trouble. You've now been remove from you're elite position, so aurors, take him away." Mr. Weasley said as Hermione watch what just happened.
Jace is now gone. Her life was going to be much easier now since…
"Oh, wait. Mr. Weasley, have you found a replacement yet?" Hermione ask wondering if she was going to get a new boss.
"Oh, Yes. We found the perfect person. He'll be here to start tomorrow. And now I need to go. Good day Hermione." With that, he left.
In Hermione's Office…
"Wow, today sure was seem strange" she said out loud. And then…
"How so Ms. Granger?" a deep voice asked. Hermione gasp as she realize who that voice belonged to. It was strange how she was able to identify his voice just after one encounter. She spun around on her chair and was met by a male's figure leaning on the door frame looking rather charming. Whoa, what was she thinking? Charming?
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked nervously
"Well hello to you too." Ethan teased
"Oh, sorry. Hello. What brings you here Mr. James or should I call you Ethan?" Hermione asked smiling at him.
"Well, I've never been in the Ministry before; I thought I would ask a lovely young lady to give me the grand tour. Well if she's up for it that is." Ethan replied casually. "Oh, and Ethan would be fine" he finished with a wink.
Blushing slightly, Hermione stood up and walked over to where he was.
"And, may I ask, will this lady get in return?" she asked as she stood directly in front of him.
"Oh, well I think that's up to the lady don't you think Ms. Granger?" He responded not caring the closeness of their bodies.
"Hrm, I believe she thinks that dinner would be nice." Hermione said, loving the little game they were both playing.
"Dinner it is then." He said as he stood up straight and leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. But before lifting his head, he whispered in her ears….
"There's another strange thing for you." With that he stood up and gave her a wink and turn to leave.
Hermione, shocked to the little incident that just occurred, touched the very spot where the kiss was placed. Regardless that she just broke up with Ron, she felt happy for once. She smiled and remembered that…
"Any day now, Ms. Granger. I thought you were giving me a tour?" Ethan's voice echoed through the halls.
"Coming, coming. Why are men so impatience?" she said emerging from her office grinning. "Oh, and Hermione would be fine" she said repeating what he just told her in the office. Then they were off.
After the Tour…
"Well thanks for the interesting tour. You were a great guide." Ethan said when they finally step into the lift to go back to the lobby.
"You are currently welcome and you were a great listener." Hermione returned the compliments.
"I must get going since I have a planned lunch with some friends. Are you sure you don't want to join us?" Ethan offered.
"Oh, no, that's fine really. I have lunch plan with a friend anyways." Hermione replied, remembering that had plans with Ginny.
"All right then. I'll see you later. Good day Hermione." Ethan said and gave her another peck on the cheek.
Blushing, Hermione was able to mutter out "Bye, bye" and then he was off.
She walked back into the lift and realizes that he didn't tell her what time was dinner. Cursing herself silently for forgetting something like that. With a sigh the lift doors opened and reveal a tall red headed man whom seems to look rather tired.
"Ron?" Hermione called out after recognizing the figure before her.
"Hermione," Ron called out as though he was scared of her.
"What are you doing here?" she questioned him
"I-I I wanted to talk to you." Ron replied looking at his feet. "Um privately?" he finished.
Once in Hermione's office Ron started to break down and plead.
"Hermione, please, can we start over? Tell me what I did wrong. I promise I'll change. Please Hermione!" Ron said as though he was begging.
"Ron…" was all Hermione could utter.
"I promise things will be different. I'll spend more time with you anything you want just don't leave me." Ron continues "We're perfect together, everyone thinks so!" he finished.
"Everyone but me Ron," Hermione finally spoke up. "It's not what people want Ron, it's what I want. I love you Ron, but I'm not in love with you. I thought I was when you ask me to be your girlfriend but I was wrong." She turned her head and continue, "I was never in love with you and I don't thin k anything's going to change how I feel. I'm sorry Ron." She finished surprise that she wasn't in tears.
"I don't understand, if you never loved me then there must be someone else," Ron stated "Is there?" he said softly.
Hermione nodded.
"Who, Hermione?" Ron asked slowly "Please at least tell me who" he finish
Scared of what will happen, Hermione hesitated before answering his question, "Harry" she mutter.
"I knew it." Ron said sadly "well I got my answer, and now I hope you have a great life Hermione. It was nice being with you all these years. I'm sure one day we can be friends again but for now, let's go our separate ways. Keep the house be-" Ron inhale before continuing, "because it was Harry's gift to you not mine." With the truth finally out Ron turned and walked out the door and out of Hermione's life. Hermione was speechless, thinking that all this time she was living in a house that Harry gave her. She wasn't going to break down. No, not this time. She's moving on, and Harry just has to be something of the past.
At the same time there was tap at the window. Hermione turned around to see the cause of the noise when she spotted an owl. An owl she didn't recognize. It was small and white, but not snowy like Hedwig, yet it was one of the most beautiful owls she has seen. Curious to why such an owl would arrive here since she rarely receive mails. She decided to open the window and at the time the owl flew in and landed on her desk. She then sat down in her chair as the owl lift its leg which was attached to a letter. She untied and opened then letter and a smile formed on her face when realizing who it was from…
Hermione Granger,
I apologize for my lack of information on our dinner this very evening. I was thinking that I can come by to pick you up at 7:00. If that's fine with you then just keep Luke (the owl). If not then you can return Luke with a time that'll suit you best. I'll see you then Ms. Granger.
Sign,
EJ
"7 sounds perfect…" Hermione said out loud as she petted Luke.
"What sounds perfect?" a female's voice asked.
"Oh-um nothing. It's nothing." Hermione said quickly while trying to hide the letter.
"The way you're acting, it doesn't seem like nothing. Plus who got you all smiley, I know it wasn't my brother, because I just saw him on my way up and he doesn't look to happy. What happen?" Ginny said as she took a seat on the couch in Hermione's office.
"He wanted to start over." Hermione said with a sigh.
"I'm guessing you told him no?" Ginny continued
"No, well sort of. I told him the truth. That I wasn't in love with him but…" but Hermione was cut off.
"No, you told him didn't you? You told him you love Harry." Ginny said surprise.
"Loved" Hermione corrected.
"What?" Ginny arched her eyebrows
"I loved Harry. I'm moving on Ginny, but not with Ron. I want love, comfort and passion not just protection and money. Ron is a great guy, just not for me." Hermione explained while Ginny nodded. "Enough about that, I thought we were going to lunch?" Hermione asked smiling at Ginny.
"Right, I'm ready whenever you are." Ginny said returning the smile even though she detect that Hermione was hiding something from her. With that they both were out of the office leaving an owl by itself.
After lunch…
"Where are you off to now?" Hermione asked Ginny ask they walked down the muggle streets.
"I have a meeting in an hour, how about you?" Ginny replied.
"I'm going home. I think I need some time off after all the strange events that happened today." Hermione respond.
"Well, let's see, that's something new. Hermione is skipping work? I never thought I would live to see that day." Ginny teased
"Oh shut it! Jace just got fired, so I really don't need to be there." Hermione said.
"Really? Jace got fired? Wow, you must be happy," Ginny spat out
"Of course, but I hope his replacement is a better then him." Hermione sighed
"Don't worry; I'm sure dad will find the perfect person. If you ask me, it should have been you in that position." Ginny commented
"Ginny, you know I don't want to be a supreme. I'm perfectly happy with my job. Plus…" Hermione was then once again cut off by Ginny.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. Well I need to go. I'll see you later. See ya." Ginny said and was off.
"Bye." Hermione said as she waved good-bye.
At home…
"Hrm, what to wear?" Hermione asked herself. It was 6:00 and she likes to be ready a tad bit early in case he came early.
"Ah, this seems nice enough." Hermione complimented as she pulled out her maroon halter dress. It was plain and simple but it was nice nonetheless. Now changing, she thought why she was so excited about this. It's not like she already like, like the guy. Did she? Well let's say that she does, but that doesn't mean he likes her. Does he? Why would he? She just plain Hermione and he was rich and famous, he was Ethan James. Looking at herself in the mirror she said…
"He doesn't like me; he's just trying to be a gentleman."
'That's like saying Harry doesn't like you, he's just trying to be a friend,' her mind told her.
"Who asked for your advice?" Hermione snapped at her own thoughts.
Feeling strange after arguing with herself, she decided to put on her matching heels and grab her purse as she descend the stairs. As she made her way down the last step the door bell rang…
"Oh God, it's 6:50, he's early" she thought as she walked to the door and opened the door. There he was, dressed in a nice black suit together with a maroon dress shirt along with a matching tie. Oh God, they matched.
"Well it seems we both have a good taste in colors. You look lovely by the way." He commented with a smile.
Blushing slightly at his compliments she replied, "Yes we do, and you look very handsome yourself," closing the door as she stepped out.
"Shall we?" Ethan asked holding out his arm. Hermione smile and hook arms with his as he walked her over his car. A black 2005 BMW 7 series.
facts: the car, it's my favorite car at the moment. The matching color incident, well i thought it was cute to do that! The names Jace and Luke is just random names i picked.
please review!