AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Sirius' glow was dim as he entered Paradisio Books. All weekend he had searched for Hermione's potential soulmate, but each prospect was less promising than the last. Severus had seemed rather pleased with the development, a little too pleased for Sirius' liking. Perhaps it was time to ask the Trinity to force Severus to search for her soulmate. At least that would wipe the smirk from his face every time Sirius failed.
The bell on the door chimed behind him. Beatrice wandered inside.
"Hello," Hermione called from within the fantasy aisle.
"Hi."
Hermione knelt on the ground beside a pile of books. "How are you doing?"
"Fine," Beatrice drawled.
"That's good." Hermione smiled.
Beatrice raised an eyebrow.
"Are you doing well?"
"I'm fine," Beatrice made her way to the register. "You just seem really happy."
"I am in a rather good mood actually."
"Oh, that's, uh interesting."
"What? Is there a reason I should be unhappy?" Hermione began placing the books on the floor onto the lower shelves.
"No, but you usually aren't, a, uh, morning person."
"I suppose I'm not," Hermione admitted. "But for whatever reason today is different."
Sirius stifled a chuckle. Hermione was probably just happy to have a day away from Severus and his awful people skills. The Trinity knew how great a mood he'd be in once he and Severus parted ways forever.
"Did you have a nice weekend?" Hermione asked.
"I did." Beatrice's eyes lit up. "My boyfriend and I went to this art exhibit called The Crystalline Heaven."
"I heard about that." Hermione continued putting books on the shelves. "How was it?"
"I was impressed. The glasswork was amazing. There was a particularly stunning piece of the solar system. You should see it."
"I plan to. Do they allow photography?"
"Yes."
The door bell rang.
"Good. My parents would love to see some of the pieces, as would a couple of my friends," Hermione continued.
"Shouldn't Harry and Draco be able to go on their own?"
"They should, but Harry doesn't tend to like those types of exhibits, and I don't know if Draco trusts two young children around that much glass."
"That's a great point."
"Draco wouldn't be the only one I showed the photographs to." She put the last book on the shelf. "I have another friend though who would love to see the exhibit, but for his own reasons cannot go. I'm sure he'd love a few pictures."
"Perhaps I can take some with you."
Sirius' glow went red. Not this asshole again.
"Together we can take those pictures and show your unnamed friend." Cormac loomed over Hermione. "Assuming he wants to meet me."
"Let's just say my friend would probably vomit all over your shoes if he met you," Hermione muttered.
"What?" Cormac cupped a hand over his ear.
"Nothing." Hermione stood. "I was only saying that have a lot to do today. There is really no time to chat."
"There's no need to hide from me." Cormac blocked her path to the register. "I know what's upsetting you."
"You do?" She pursed her lips.
"Yes, and I'm deeply sorry."
"If you know what's upsetting me then you'll be more than happy to leave me in peace."
"Now there's no need to be bitter." Cormac pulled a bouquet of roses from his pocket and enlarged them. "I'm only here to help you through what must be a traumatizing time."
"Traumatizing?" Hermione put her hands on her hips.
"Yes." Cormac took her hand and put the flowers into it. She winced as a thorn poked her. "I don't know how I would react if the supposed love of my life got engaged to the person they cheated on me with."
Hermione blinked.
"You don't need to pretend to be strong with me. I know you must be taking Ron's engagement hard…"
"Ron got engaged?" Hermione's voice was weak.
"Yes," Cormac replied.
"I had no idea." Hermione lowered her head.
"You didn't know?" Cormac's eyes were wide.
"No, I didn't."
"I'm glad I was here then to help you navigate this."
She groaned. "How long has the news been out?"
"Since yesterday. The second I heard the news I knew I needed to see you. You weren't home then so I decided to come here bright and early."
"I was visiting my parents yesterday, so I never read yesterday's paper."
"I suppose I would be with my parents in a situation such as this, or with my Uncle Tiberius." Cormac leaned in closer to her. "Thank goodness there's a friend here to help you sort through it all."
"Yes, I'm glad I'm here for her," Beatrice called.
Cormac glared at her.
"This is all so new to me. I think I need to be alone to process it." Hermione attempted to step around him, only to be blocked again.
"I can't leave you alone in good conscience," Cormac began.
"She's not alone," Beatrice called. "I'm with her."
Cormac turned around. "With all due respect, you haven't known her as long as I have."
Hermione took the opportunity to maneuver around him. "Thank you for attempting to comfort me. I appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it. I'll always be here for you."
"I'm sure you will be." Hermione glanced at the roses. "The flowers are just so lovely that I can't accept them."
"What?"
Hermione threw the bouquet back at him. "I am so distraught I cannot accept any kind of gift from anyone."
"Not even my undying devotion?"
"Especially your undying devotion. I don't deserve someone like you!"
With that, Hermione darted into her office. Cormac began to follow her, but Beatrice stood in his path.
"Get out of my way," Cormac hissed. "Can't you see that she needs me?"
"She needs you to leave her alone," Beatrice argued.
"She's too distraught to know what she needs right now."
Sirius' glow turned a brighter red. Why can't I smite him?
"She needs me now more than ever, and you're preventing me from seeing her," Cormac spat.
Beatrice glanced back. The door to Hermione's office glowed green, then blue.
She smirked "Well who am I to stand in the way of you and your stalking victim?"
"She's my future wife, not my stalking victim," Cormac retorted.
"Sure." Beatrice returned to her station. "Whatever you say."
Cormac strolled over to the door. He knocked upon it, only for a blue bolt to spark through his whole body. He grimaced and held his burned hand.
"I have no comment!" Hermione called.
"It's me, Cormac."
"Sorry, but the press will be here soon and I cannot allow anyone in."
"Not even a dear friend?"
"I would, but I don't know if you're a reporter in disguise. You never know who's who with Polyjuice floating around."
"I assure you I'm Cormac. I can prove it too."
"No, it would take far too long for you to prove it."
"What do you mean?"
"I need to ask you a series of questions, and then I'll need Beatrice to perform a DNA spell, then I need a written statement and a handwriting sample. It's a very long and involved process."
"It sounds like a stupid process," Cormac muttered.
"At some point you need to get to work. I wouldn't want to keep you from your very important Ministry job."
"Work can wait."
"Since when could prosecuting Harry Turpin wait?" Beatrice called.
He glared at the clerk.
"I mean he's a serial rapist. I wouldn't blow off that case," Beatrice continued.
"She's right! Better get to work before Turpin is released and hurts someone."
"He won't hurt anyone." Cormac seethed. "I promise you that."
"If you want to keep that promise you need to prosecute him."
"She's right," Beatrice echoed.
Cormac made a fist and ground his teeth together.
"Feel free to pick up your flowers on the way out. I wouldn't want anyone with allergies to get a whiff of them."
"No, they're yours."
"No, really, I can't accept them. I can't accept anything from you."
"Yes, you can."
"Harry Turpin's release is imminent," Beatrice interrupted. "Better get on it before he's released on a technicality."
Cormac stormed towards the front of the store. He picked up the flowers and stomped away.
For what seemed like hours, all was quiet.
"He's gone," Beatrice called.
"He is?"
"Yes."
The door to Hermione's office clicked. She stuck out her head. "Thank you for getting rid of him."
"Anytime." Beatrice turned to her and grinned.
"Was he telling the truth about Ron?"
"He was."
Hermione glanced at the golden doorknob.
"That's why I was so surprised you were happy. I thought you'd be more upset about that."
"It is what it is." Hermione sighed. "If you can keep the reporters away though I would be appreciative."
"Will do."
"Thanks." Hermione swallowed. "I need to get some work done. You know what to do if you need me."
"I do."
Hermione shut the door. Sirius glided inside.
She slouched into her chair and stared at the ceiling, only finding solace in the memory of Severus Snape brewing their potion alongside her.