So, some questions are answered here, and more are raised. Enjoy, and thanks for the reviews!
The pub was nearly deserted. There was a young guy manning the bar and one middle aged woman walking about checking up on things; she seemed to be the owner. An old man sat by himself in the back, sipping from a coffee mug.
Harry was drinking his own coffee carefully, as if any sudden move might break the precipice he, Ron and Hermione were standing on. He glanced at Ron sitting next to him in the booth. Ron was on a second glass of whiskey, after quickly downing the first in one gulp. Harry looked at his watch, which read nine thirty am. This wasn't a good start.
"After the war, I felt so overwhelmed with everything. I didn't know if I would be going back to school, or if there would even be a school to go back to. I just wanted to start over, where no one knew me as Hermione Granger, 'War Hero.'"
Hermione had been filling them in on why she left. It didn't sound like a convincing story, though Hermione was doing her best to put energy and smiles into the tale. She told them about finding the town in Cornwall, purchasing the cottage, getting a job at the library. It all sounded nice enough, except for one fact: Hermione would have never deserted them.
"What about your parents?" Harry asked. "Don't you see them anymore?"
"Um, no. They…I never reversed their memories. They're still in Australia. I figured, they have a nice life there, why mess it up?"
Ron looked up then, the first sign he'd given all morning that he was listening. He watched Hermione with a curious expression…maybe sympathy? Harry wanted to ask more questions, but was interrupted by the middle aged woman, standing at their table.
"Can I get you and your friends anything else, Hermione?"
"No, thanks Gladys. I think we're fine."
"It's so nice to see you in here with guests," Gladys said, smiling now at Harry and Ron. "She's always in here alone, keeps to herself. Though I know Johnny over there wouldn't mind keeping her company." Gladys nodded toward the barman and Harry turned to look, though Ron kept his head resolutely forward, staring into his whiskey glass.
"Okay, thanks Gladys," Hermione said quickly, clearly embarrassed.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Gladys said. "You know he's sweet on you, and you need to be out with young people. It's not natural, a pretty girl like you being all alone…"
"You know what Gladys," Harry interrupted, "I would love some more coffee. It's delicious."
"Well, great. I'll go get that for you, honey."
Gladys walked off with a purpose and Hermione shot Harry a grateful smile. He shrugged back in response.
"So, how did you do it? The spell I mean. We couldn't figure it out."
"Oh, um, it was a basic memory charm combined with obliviate and…"
"Yeah?"
"A fidelius charm. It's why I only had to charm one person, but everyone forgot me. It's like I was hidden."
"How does that work? It's not like you asked Ron to protect a secret."
"But I did. He just wasn't aware of it. The memory and obliviate charms took care of his forgetting, and the fidelius ensured he would never remember, because I needed him not to." She paused to take a deep breath. "It would only work like that with someone who you knew would never betray you."
Hermione glanced down at her plate, looking pained. Ron finished the rest of his liquid breakfast in one gulp.
"That's great," he said. "Can we go?"
"No," Harry said, putting an arm out to stop Ron from leaving. "Hermione, I have to tell you something. When we began looking for you, it started an investigation. We've spent the last three years investigating people of suspicion and this showed up on the Ministry's radar. There has to be a full report here."
"What are you saying?"
"You have to come back with us."
"Come back?" Hermione sat back quickly, sputtering and looking panicked. "I can't come back. I…I have a life here, and things to do."
"I'm sure the library can do without you for a few days," Ron snickered. Hermione stared at him in disbelief.
"I absolutely cannot come. It's out of the question."
"If you don't come peacefully with us now," Harry said slowly, "Ministry officials will show up at your home and take you forcibly to Azkaban."
Hermione sat frozen for a moment, her mouth open in an O shape. Then, before she could respond, an arm stretched itself across the table, holding a coffee pot.
"Another cuppa for you dear?" Gladys asked.
"No, no thank you. I'm good now."
"Shame. Hermione, when is Sandy getting back in town? Should be soon, right?"
"Um, yes. This evening actually. I need to go now, Gladys." Hermione jumped up from the booth and threw some pound notes on the table. She grabbed her bag and ran out the door in haste. Harry sighed and shot up as well, giving Gladys an apologetic look before darting out onto the street. The sound of footsteps behind him told him Ron wasn't far behind.
"Hermione, you're being unreasonable," he shouted toward the bobbing head of brunette hair in front of him. She was walking with speed down the high street, turning on a side path to begin climbing the hill that Harry knew led to her cottage. He picked up his own speed, though he knew there was no danger of Hermione outrunning them.
"Leave me alone!" She rushed up the steps of her cottage and thrust the front door open, slamming it shut behind her. Harry reached the front door seconds after her and Ron pulled up behind him. The redhead hadn't broken a sweat, having to exert less energy than the rest of them to keep up with his long legs. Harry banged on the door.
"Hermione, I am coming in there whether you like it or not!" He twisted the door knob to find it, unsurprisingly, locked. "Alohomora."
The door opened with a click and both Harry and Ron entered. The house was dark, but it didn't take long to find Hermione in the small space. She stood in the kitchen, her back to them, leaning over the sink. Her shoulders were shaking.
"Harry, I am begging you. Please leave here and don't come back."
"There's no choice here. If I don't bring you back, the consequences will be worse for you. But if you come now, I can probably smooth this over and make it go away quickly. I can even keep you at the burrow, you won't need to stay with the Ministry."
Harry would have said more to soothe her, but he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Hermione turned at the sound, all color drained from her face. She looked like she had seen a ghost. No, she looked like she had seen Voldemort himself. Harry had never seen her so frightened.
"It's okay, you can get the door."
"I'll fight you," Hermione said in a small voice. Harry fought the feeling of pride in his gut. Even now, she was the same girl, brave to a fault.
"Hermione, we're two well trained aurors. You don't have a wand, and you haven't done magic in three years. You wouldn't stand a chance."
"You wouldn't turn your wand on me."
Ron let out a low, mean chuckle. "Feel good, does it?"
Hermione was quiet again, as if weighing her options. She seemed to come to come to some sort of conclusion, nodding to herself and squaring her shoulders.
"Are you going to get the door then?" Harry asked. Hermione crossed the floor of the kitchen in a few long strides and exited. Harry stood next to Ron, who looked uncomfortable with the way things had gone. In fact, he looked like he would rather be anywhere else on Earth right now. Harry heard the front door click open and Hermione greet whoever was on the other side.
"Sorry I'm early Hermione," a female voice said. "But I got called in to work."
"That's fine Sandy. Thanks for the help, I really needed the break."
Harry heard the door shut again, and he heard Hermione's footsteps as she walked toward to kitchen again. The footsteps stopped just outside the entrance to the kitchen, then started up again.
Hermione reemerged in the kitchen in front of Harry and Ron. In her arms was a smiling, redheaded toddler.