Hermione woke with a start early in the morning. She got up and looked out the window, thinking it was way too early for the sun was not even up. She took her time in the shower, getting dressed, eating and making sure her bag was packed accordingly. By the time all of this was done, only an hour and a half had passed, and she was still anxious and nervous as ever.
Grumbling to herself, she went on a long search for a piece of parchment and a quill. She knew exactly where there were some, but she was still in the mindset of wasting time. Unable to put it off any longer, she began her brief letter to Kingsley, stating she was going to be leaving that day. After convincing an owl to take the letter for her, she sat down on her couch, sipping slowly on her coffee, waiting for a response.
Minutes ticked by as slowly as hours. Every second she grew more and more impatient. Once her cup was empty, she charmed it off towards the kitchen, and figured it would help if she cleaned her apartment. Standing up to move towards the bathroom, she heard the tapping on the window. Sprinting to greet the owl, she tripped on numerous pieces of furniture. After taking the note and giving a treat to the owl, she paced back and forth, reading the short reply.
The International Floo Network would be ready in an hours time, enough time for her to message Harry to see her off, and yet enough time that she could possibly change her mind. Instantly, she flooed to Harry's place, needing him to make sure she stepped through the International Fireplace.
"Hermione... do you know what time it is?" Harry asked as he stumbled into the living room, clad only in a pair of boxers. Hermione looked at the time, it was only 6:45 in the morning, she didn't see anything wrong with that. She opened her mouth to speak, when she was cut off by Harry "Wait, you are leaving now? Hold on a minute!" he shouted as he ran into his bed room once more. He emerged fully clothed, and flooed with her to the International Floo Network.
Both of their eyes grew wide as they looked at the scene in front of them. Many massive fireplaces with officials standing by their sides, looking over something given from each witch and wizard who entered or left. Hermione was glad she had brought Harry, for he had more of an idea of what was going on than she did, seeing as he had to travel internationally for his Auror training, yet the scene always seemed to amaze him. She felt a tug on her arm as Harry pulled her over to the check in counter.
"We have an arrangement under Granger." He spoke clearly to the young wizard behind the counter. The wizard procured a scroll, to which he handed to Hermione directly. She unrolled it, seeing the page fill in with a wizard photograph of herself, as well as the information on where she was going. The return date was left blank, but there was a note to say to allow whenever needed. After thanking the wizard, Harry ushered her to the proper waiting area.
"Harry, I don't think I can do this!" Hermione cried out as they sat down on a bench, giving her time to breathe before she left. Harry squeezed her hand, reassuring her that all will be well. "A lot has changed... And I don't even know how I am going to break the news or the spell!" Tears began to well in her eyes, as Harry gave her a comforting hug.
"Hermione," he paused. There was no way to put the words of having to do something that you know you have to. His mind went to the Final Battle, how he dreaded making the steps towards him, knowing that the outcomes could be horrible. Hermione looked in his eyes, she knew what he was thinking. She sighed and stood up, her hand falling at her side.
"Just make sure I don't come back the instant I get there, okay?" Hermione managed to squeak out, afraid to say any more. Harry nodded and pulled her into a quick hug, walking with her as she stood in the short line before the fireplace with "Australia" written above it. She watched as people arrived then left, arrived then left. Before she knew it, it was finally her turn. Handing the scroll to the witch next to the gate, she turned and gave Harry a soft smile, letting him know she was alright. The witch threw in a handful of floo and gave the location for Hermione. Hesitantly, Hermione stepped forward, but not fast enough for the witch pushed her through.
Hermione stumbled out, falling on a man who had his back turned. Hermione felt embarrassed as she pulled herself up with the help of the wizard at the gate. He checked her scroll as she offered a hand to the gentleman who she landed upon. He turned and looked at her, his eyes meeting with hers. Something looked familiar in them, and he knew why. Hermione gasped. Her crash pillow was a handsome man.
"I... I'm so sorry!" she stammered out. He let out a soft chuckle at her embarrassment, and he knew at that moment she had no idea who he was. A grin broke out across his face as he extended his hand.
"Don't worry about it. I will let you make up for it by accompanying me for lunch." Hermione felt a blush spread rapidly across her cheeks. She opened her mouth to reply, but no sounds were made, so she shut her mouth quickly, nodding her head rapidly as the blush deepened. He smiled as he reached for her hand, to lead her away from the bustling crowd of the Austrailian International Floo Network.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself," Hermione finally managed to say as they walked out in the sunlight. "My name is Hermione." She smiled softly as she looked into his steel eyes. She thought to herself that those eyes were eerily familiar, but she could not place where she knew them.
"Nice to meet you, Hermione. My name is... uh... D-Damien." He was relieved when he covered for himself. He wanted a fresh start, and this was it.
"Pleasure is all mine. I don't think I could ever stop feeling horrible for landing on you. I was not expecting to be shoved though the gate!" she said with a soft giggle at the end. Slowly she was relaxing in his presence. The two made casual small talk as they made their way to a very interesting restaurant off the main road. He pulled out her chair, like a perfect gentleman, and Hermione was taken by him instantly.
The two looked over their menu, and Hermione knew what she wanted almost instantly. She pretended to keep looking it over, but instead was looking over her new acquaintance. She was already smitten with his steely eyes, but his dark brown locks and luscious lips definitely made her mind wander to what else he had hidden. His jaw was strong, but not too strong, perfect in her mind. She could see the outline of his muscles, which she knew were there after her tumble. By the time she had started to think of dirtier things than falling on him in public, the waitress arrived. Both put in their orders, and the waitress took her menu. Now she had nothing to hide behind.
Damien's mind moved rapidly, how was he going to answer questions without giving away who he was. He decided finally to keep the conversation on her, instead of him. He glanced down at the muggle watch he was wearing, making sure he knew when he had to make his excuse to the restroom. Hermione took note of his watch, and instantly commented on it.
"Not many of our kind wear those, are you muggle-born?" Shit, he thought, this could ruin everything. Quick, thinking of something fast!
"Uh me? No. I am a pureblood. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the more interesting things they have out? Plus, I feel this one works better than procuring a sundial in the middle of a crowd." He chuckled, congratulating himself on a good save.
"True, especially when in the company of muggles," she pointed out. She wanted to know more, but knew it would have to wait. Their food had arrived and she did not realize how hungry she was until she smelled the aroma from her plate. The couple tucked into their food quickly, conversation temporarily halted for the moment. He checked his watch after his plate was cleared, realizing it was time.
"Pardon me for a moment, Hermione." He said as he got up and headed towards the restroom, pulling a flask from his jacket pocket. Hermione raised an eyebrow, was it just her, or did it seem as if his hair was getting lighter as he moved away. She shook the thought from her mind, he was a wizard, so who knew what was going. Minutes ticked by and she was afraid that he had abandoned her. The waitress arrived, asking if she wanted the dessert menu. Hermione shook her head, asking for the check instead. By the time she came back with the check, Damien had returned, taking the check quickly, before Hermione had a chance to look at the total.
"Here," Hermione offered money to help foot the bill. He chuckled and shook his head.
"No, I said you could make up for it by joining me for lunch, so I insist." He stood up and offered his hand to help her up. "Don't take this the wrong way, but do you have a place to stay?"